Hong Kong: Sun Dong boosts I&T ties in Riyadh A delegation of representatives from the innovation and technology (I&T) industry, led by Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong, began day two of their visit in Riyadh yesterday by attending the opening of the LEAP 2024 technology conference. While delivering a keynote speech at the conference, Prof Sun said Hong Kong, being one of the most international cities of the country, as well as one of the key nodes of the Belt & Road Initiative, has the potential to act as a super value-adder between Mainland China and the rest of the world, including Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East, to enhance mutually beneficial relationships and foster global innovation collaboration. He pointed out that Hong Kong can pool together innovation resources from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Mainland and the world to promote I&T development, which is the best springboard for overseas enterprises to venture into the GBA, Mainland China and even the Asian markets. Prof Sun stressed that he believes Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia share the same vision and there is much room for a closer and deeper co-operation, particularly in the aspects of research and development, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation. He also officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion jointly presented by the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company (Cyberport), the first of its kind at the technology conference. The Hong Kong Pavilion showcases 16 cutting-edge technologies covering fields of AI, biotech, healthtech and green technology from tech enterprises of the two flagships. During the ceremony, Prof Sun witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the HKSTP and Cyberport, and the King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology. The aim of the MOU is to establish a strategic partnership in promoting I&T co-operation and deepening exchange, and facilitating companies from both places to establish market presence by providing support and assistance to startups and entrepreneurs. On the sidelines of the conference, Prof Sun met Saudi Arabias Minister of Industry & Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef to brief him on Hong Kong's latest development in the I&T, advanced manufacturing and new energy industries, as well as the citys unique advantages of leveraging on the motherland and connecting with the world and internationalisation under the "one country, two systems" principle. He said that he hopes to further enhance exchanges and co-operation between the two places. Prof Sun then met Saudi Arabias Deputy Minister of Investment Saleh Ali AlKhabti, saying that Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia have been maintaining close bilateral trade relations. He expressed his hope that through this visit, Hong Kong could establish a connection with various sectors, especially I&T, in Saudi Arabia, and promote co-operations in areas such as technology, investment and advanced manufacturing. Members of the delegation will depart for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, today. This story has been published on: 2024-03-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. China's gov't departments handle 12,480 suggestions, proposals last year 09:08, March 05, 2024 By Liu Wenxin ( People's Daily Government departments under China's State Council handled 12,480 suggestions and proposals submitted by deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in 2023, a spokesperson for the State Council Information Office said recently. In particular, the departments handled 7,955 suggestions, accounting for 95.7 percent of all suggestions submitted, and 4,525 proposals, 96.5 percent of all proposals submitted, said the spokesperson Xing Huina. Technicians check the conditions of charging poles in a service area along the Nanjing-Wuhu Expressway in Wuhu, east China's Anhui province. (People's Daily Online/Xiao Benxiang) Xing said that the departments rolled out over 2,000 policy measures based on some 4,700 suggestions and proposals last year. This has helped solve a series of problems concerning reform and development and pressing concerns of the people. Progress has been made in the promotion of high-quality economic development, and ensuring and improving people's livelihoods. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) received 1,888 suggestions and proposals in 2023, and took lead in handling 602 of them, said Xin Guobin, vice minister of the MIIT, adding that all of the suggestions and proposals had been handled as scheduled. The ministry issued about 96 policies based on the suggestions and proposals, which promoted the development of major technologies and equipment, as well as the development of specialized and sophisticated small and medium-sized enterprises that produce novel and unique products. Paying high attention to green industrial development, NPC deputies and CPPCC members gave advice on optimizing industrial structure, promoting green development of industrial parks and improving energy efficiency in major industries, Xin added. China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security handled 962 suggestions and proposals last year. The ministry has introduced more than 40 policies and measures, striving to transform the suggestions and proposals into a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security for the people, said Li Zhong, vice minister of the ministry. According to him, the policies and measures to stabilize employment have been continuously optimized, and the nationwide pooling of basic pension funds for enterprise employees has been steadily promoted. A series of policies and measures to protect the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment have been introduced, Li added. A worker drives a forklift in a workshop of an enterprise producing environmentally-friendly slabs in Hukou county, Jiujiang, east China's Jiangxi province. (People's Daily Online/Wu Jiang) The social security card is a fundamental carrier of livelihood services across the country, Li noted, adding that NPC deputies and CPPCC members have shown great concern for the "one-card-for-all-services" of the social security card. They have put forward excellent suggestions and proposals regarding enriching application scenarios and developing distinctive services, Li said. As of the end of January this year, 1.38 billion Chinese, or 97.9 percent of the country's population, had social security cards. Among them, 970 million had an electronic version of the card, which provided services to cardholders 15.1 billion times last year. Vice Minister of Transport Wang Gang noted that the ministry handled 775 suggestions and proposals in 2023, covering various aspects such as comprehensive transportation network planning, transportation infrastructure construction, development of new transportation formats, and green development of rural roads and water transportation. All of these suggestions and proposals have been addressed and responded to ahead of schedule. In recent years, the construction of supporting infrastructure for new energy vehicles has been a focus of NPC deputies and CPPCC members. "We are accelerating the development of charging infrastructure along highways. By the end of last year, we had already built a total of 21,000 charging piles, and the network of charging infrastructure along expressways has been further improved," said Wang. Staff members offer medical insurance services for citizens at Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Hu Xiaofei) He disclosed that this year, the ministry plans to add 3,000 charging piles and 5,000 parking spaces with charging poles at service areas of highways. The ministry encourages construction of ultra-fast charging and high-power charging facilities at service areas. Additionally, based on the traffic characteristics during different holidays and in different regions, guidance will be provided to local authorities to offer targeted support measures, aiming to facilitate more convenient and efficient public transportation, Wang said. "The National Health Commission handled a total of 1,470 suggestions and proposals in 2023, of which approximately 1/10 were related to primary-level healthcare. These suggestions and proposals mainly focused on strengthening investment and support for primary-level healthcare, the construction of county-level medical consortia, the development of primary-level healthcare workforce, and the enhancement of primary-level healthcare service capabilities," said Li Bin, deputy head of the National Health Commission. The National Health Commission has made significant progress in handling related matters by fully absorbing and adopting the suggestions and proposals. For instance, it issued a guideline on comprehensively promoting the construction of county-level medical and health consortia, transitioning the construction of county-level medical and health consortia from a 4-year pilot phase to a comprehensive promotion stage. The commission has also established a task force for the construction of rural doctor teams, recruiting over 6,700 university graduates as rural doctors in 2023. Starting from 2023, a three-year action plan has been implemented to promote the construction of a number of health centers, addressing deficiencies in medical emergency response, infectious disease control, and pediatrics, among others. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang) The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, holds a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024, one day before the opening of its annual session. [Photo by Xu Xiaoxuan/China.org.cn] This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the National People's Congress (NPC). The experiences and institutional advantages of the people's congress system were highlighted at a press conference on Monday. "Over the past seven decades, the people's congress system has come a long way, experienced significant growth, and provided an institutional guarantee for China's two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability," said Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th NPC, during a press conference before its commencement on March 5 in Beijing. Lou added that, particularly since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC Central Committee has continuously advanced theoretical and practical innovations within the people's congress system, securing historic accomplishments and making the system more mature and well-established. Regarding the valuable experiences in upholding and improving the people's congress system, Lou referred to the six principles proposed at the Central People's Congress Work Conference. These principles include upholding the CPC's leadership, using a system of institutions to ensure the people run the country, advancing law-based governance on all fronts, upholding democratic centralism, keeping to the path of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics, and continuing to modernize China's system and capacity for governance. China's annual "two sessions" draw global attention, and the nation's democratic processes during this major political event warrant deeper examination. Whole-process people's democracy in China encompasses all aspects of the democratic process and all sectors of society, representing socialist democracy in its broadest, truest and most effective form. The people's congress system is an important institutional vehicle for realizing whole-process people's democracy, according to an article published in the Party's flagship magazine Qiu Shi. - Advertisement - Amid the latest conflicts with China in the West Philippine Sea, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday reaffirmed the full support of the House of Representatives to enhancing the Philippine Coast Guards capabilities and modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We stand united in support of President Marcos Jr.s firm resolve to enhance our defense capabilities to uphold our countrys sovereignty and protect our national interest in the West Philippine Sea. The House of Representatives is solidly behind his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Romualdez. The leader of the over 300-strong House of Representatives issued the statement on the heels of the collision incident Tuesday morning between a PCG vessel escorting the rotation and reprovisioning operation of the AFP with a bigger Chinese Coast Guard ship. The Philippine vessels were on their way to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to deliver supplies to Navy personnel stationed on the ship (see banner story Editors). In his keynote address at the Lowy Institute in Melbourne on Monday, President Marcos said the Philippines will continue to upgrade the capabilities of the PCG and pursue the modernization of the AFP, in line with his stand that the Philippines shall never surrender even a square inch of its territory and maritime jurisdiction to any country. - Advertisement - The House pledges its full cooperation in the legislative process to ensure the timely implementation of measures to strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard and modernize the AFP to bolster our countrys defense posture in the face of emerging challenges, stressed Romualdez, who is part of the Presidents official delegation to the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. President Marcos revealed that earlier this year, he approved the updated acquisition plan of the AFP called Re-Horizon 3, in line with the countrys Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. Under the defense plan, President Marcos said Philippine forces must be able to guarantee, to the fullest extent possible, Filipinos, Philippine corporations, and those authorized by the Philippine government, unimpeded and peaceful exploration and exploitation of all natural resources in areas where the country has jurisdiction, including within its exclusive economic zone in accordance with international law. He said that Philippine agencies, forces, and institutions are working to strengthen their capabilities, noting the country is on the frontline of international efforts to preserve, defend, and uphold the rules-based international order. On the other hand, President Marcos emphasized that in addressing its differences with China, the Philippines will continue to engage with its giant neighbor bilaterally and through ASEAN-led mechanisms. Mr. Marcos added that the Philippines will continue to adhere to the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and will remain committed to working with ASEAN and China towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) based on UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). I am deeply concerned about this recent development in connection with the territorial dispute between our nation and China. The stability and prosperity of our region rely heavily on the principles of diplomacy and adherence to the rules-based order, Romualdez said. The Philippines remains committed to pursuing diplomatic channels to address this issue and seeks to foster a relationship with China based on mutual respect and cooperation. We believe that by working together in a spirit of goodwill, we can achieve a peaceful and equitable resolution to our territorial dispute, he added. According to the PCG, the collision between BRP Sindangan collided with China Coast Guard vessel 21555 resulted in minor structural damage to the PCG vessel. The incident on Tuesday morning was the latest in several similar disturbing incidents that occurred between Philippine and Chinese coast guards in the disputed waters in the past several months, including other dangerous actions such as the pointing of military-grade lasers and water cannon firing on Filipino vessels. - Advertisement - DEVELOPING the countrys natural gas industry is critical to driving investments that will enhance national energy security, reduce electricity costs and create more jobs for Filipinos. The Senate Committee on Energy Technical Working Group (TWG) issued this observation during a meeting on Senate Bill No. 2247 seeking to promote the development of a comprehensive, and integrated legislative policy that aids in the rapid development of the Philippines natural gas sector. Lawyer Gareth Tungol, special legal counsel of Senator Raffy Tulfo, said developing the countrys natural gas industry will open up a larger market share for investors as government policy shifts towards clean energy. Tulfo underscored the urgency of the bills passage as he cited the critical need to extend the life of the Malampaya field which provides about 40 percent of the countrys natural energy needs since 2001. The TWG also noted that the bill added priority dispatch for indigenous natural gas to encourage more investments in the development of indigenous gas resources. - Advertisement - When it comes to using fuel for gas-fired power plants, my gas will come firstwe are prioritizing Filipino gas first, Tungol said. I think thats the best driver of our investment because instead of investing on importation, they should invest on facilities, and infrastructure, he added. The Department of Energy (DOE) expressed support for the development of the countrys natural gas industry, which also aims to promote growth in the power generation industry. Tungol also said using coal is a lot more ecologically damaging and more expensive than natural gas. The TWG has yet to release the exact amount of reduction of prices once the law takes effect because pricing will depend on the market. However, Tungol gave assurance that the end goal of all our energy bills is to drive down the [energy] prices. Aside from energy security, the TWG chair noted that the development of the natural gas industry in the country has a trickle-down effect including job generation. - Advertisement - Singapore struck a deal ensuring Taylor Swift played the city-state but nowhere else in Southeast Asia, the countrys prime minister Lee Hsien Loong admitted Tuesday while defending the secretive arrangement that drew flak from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Pop icon Swift is halfway through a run of six sold-out shows in Singapore, the only city in Southeast Asia to feature in her blockbuster Eras world tour. The stars schedule has sparked controversy in the music-mad region, with Singapore accused of throwing cash at Swift to stop her from appearing in other locations. House ways and means panel chair Rep. Joey Salceda earlier asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to make the Singaporean Embassy in Manila explain the alleged exclusive deal the rich city-state made for the concert tour. We should still officially register our opposition. It also runs contrary to the principle of consensus-based relations and solidarity on which the ASEAN was founded, Salceda added. - Advertisement - Last month, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Singapore paid Swift up to $3 million per show on the condition that she plays only in the city. Sandiaga Uno, Indonesias minister of tourism, said we need what Singapore and Australia managed to pull off, which is to bring in Taylor Swift. We need Swiftonomics in Indonesia. The issue unexpectedly reared its head at the ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne a sober affair typically more preoccupied with matters of security and economic growth. Our agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform, and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Lee said at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart. A deal was reached. And so, it has turned out to be a very successful arrangement. I dont see that as being unfriendly. Singapore has repeatedly declined to detail the financial terms of the deal. After Singapore, Swifts Eras Tour will head to Europe. With AFP - Advertisement - American pop-rock band LANY is gearing up for its return to the Philippines as part of the Asian leg of its world tour, A Beautiful Blur. According to official social media posts from concert organizer Live Nation Philippines, the band will be holding two concerts in the country: one at the Philippine Arena on Oct. 12 and another at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on Oct. 13. The artist presale is scheduled to start on March 11 at 10:00 a.m. and will run until March 12 at 11:59 p.m. Following that, the LNPH presale will take place from March 13 at 11:00 a.m. to March 14 at 11:59 p.m. The general sale will commence on March 15 at 10:00 a.m. Live Nation also announced that there will be limited VIP packages available, with further ticket information yet to be revealed. LANY unveiled its A Beautiful Blur world tour after the release of its fifth studio album of the same name. Notable tracks from the album include Love At First Fight, Alonica, XXL, and Home Is Where The Hurt Is. - Advertisement - The band initiated the tour in North America, starting on Feb. 13 at The Ritz in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their Asian leg, comprising 11 shows, will kick off on Sept. 20 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. LANY last performed in the Philippines in 2022 during their A November to Remember tour, where they held five shows at the Mall of Asia Arena on Nov. 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16. Initially planned as a three-show set, Live Nation added two more shows due to popular demand. The bands name, LANY, is an acronym representing Los Angeles and New York. It consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Paul Jason Klein and drummer Jake Clifford Goss. - Advertisement - Directors, aspiring filmmakers, and media guests come together to celebrate the launch of Sonys BURANO camera in the Philippines. Sony Philippines has officially launched the BURANO Camera in the Philippines, Sonys latest addition to the CineAlta digital cinema camera lineup that introduces a new era in cinematography. Professional filmmakers, aspiring film students, and photography enthusiasts alike were given the opportunity to witness Sonys vision to create an innovative, next-generation digital cinema camera that aims to redefine the cinema shooting experience. Launched in Green Sun Makati, BURANO was unveiled to participants from all over the film industry and academe. Present as well were internationally renowned cinematographer, director, and producer O Sing-Pui along with award-winning cinematographer and Sony Alpha professional JA Tadena, sharing their takes on high-quality cinematography that underlined Sonys contribution to redefining the cinema shooting experience with the BURANOs next-generation features. The launch was moderated by Sony Product Expert and commercial director Nigel Laxamana. Moreover, participants were able to learn quick tips from the guest speakers through the demonstrations as well as touch-and-try sessions. The BURANO features a sensor that matches the color science of another iconic camera within the CineAlta line, the VENICE 2, and is specially designed for single-camera operators and small film crews. This camera combines exceptional image quality with high mobility and is the worlds first digital cinema camera with a PL-Mount to feature in-body image stabilization. The cinema camera features an 8.6K full-frame sensor that shares most of the VENICE 2 specifications, enabling it to work alongside that camera in all types of productions. The sensor features dual base ISO of 800 and 3200 and 16 stops of latitude that can produce stunning images even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The BURANO can film at frame rates including up to 8K at 30 frames per second, 6K at 60 frames per second or 4K at 120 frames per second. There are many things that need to be considered when shooting, like balancing the light when shooting an interior or exterior shot. The BURANO camera adjusts all these considerations by itself, O-Sing Pui shared, underlining the cameras ability to shoot in any lighting condition. - Advertisement - Likewise, JA Tadena was impressed with BURANOs many accessible features that make the cinema shooting experience more efficient than ever before. When you talk about cinema cameras, the first thing that comes to mind is that they are usually fully manual. There is no such thing as Autofocus JA remarked. Adjusting the focus is less of a problem now with the BURANO, which is equipped with the full Autofocus system present in other Sony cameras. This makes my work more efficient than ever. The Sony BURANO camera has revolutionary features to cater to the needs of filmmakers in expressing their creativity and imagination, Nigel Laxamana commented. The BURANOs smart features to adapt enables cinematographers to circumvent the long hours of production. Being able to have variation in shooting styles to take the perfect shot instead of shooting multiple times for a single scene. The First Digital Cinema Camera with PL-mount and Built-In Optical Image Stabilization BURANO is the worlds first digital cinema camera with PL-mount to support in-body image stabilization. With a newly developed image stabilization mechanism and control algorithm that leverages the advanced image stabilization technology cultivated in the Alpha series of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, unwanted camera shake, such as movement from shooting handheld or walking, can be corrected when shooting with an E-mount or PL-mount lens. With Fast Hybrid and Subject Recognition AF with AI, filmmakers no longer need a bigger crew to shoot stable, high-definition images, no matter how demanding the scenario is. An Easier, Efficient Shooting Experience Shooting film has never been easier with the BURANOs multi-purpose touchscreen LCD monitor, a flexible mounting system, and a versatile, robust handle which makes the camera easily configurable to any different shooting style. With the cameras ergonomic design, it is now easier to switch between shoulder-mount, handheld, gimbal, or drone operation. BURANO can be configured for large and small projects, solo or with an entire crew. The BURANO is now available for purchase in the Philippines. Learn more about Sonys innovative, lightweight cinema camera: https://bit.ly/SonyBURANO. - Advertisement - To help Filipino businesses and organizations stay safe in cyberspace while embracing digitalization, Kaspersky announces today the launch of Kaspersky Unified Monitoring and Analysis Platform (KUMA), its integrated software solution that includes a set of functions for security information and event monitoring and management. The Philippines is expected to continue its double-digit growth towards $35B by 2025, based on a report released by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company. The projected high growth is seen to be fueled generally by e-commerce and the anticipated rise in the consumption of products and services across sectors of the digital economy. Amid the positive economic forecast though, the country still faces the ongoing risk of phishing and cyberattacks which continue to affect every Filipino organization and individual. In Kasperskys 2024 threat forecast in the Southeast Asian region, which includes the Philippines, experts predict that financial service outages, DDoS attacks, and website defacements will continue to persist. Last year, Kasperskys detection systems blocked 26,164,698 web attacks (nearly 72,000 per day) and 22,731,157 local infection attempts (more than 62,000 per day) against its users in the Philippines. - Advertisement - To protect the countrys digital infrastructures, Kaspersky is highlighting the urgent need for organizations and individuals to prioritize robust cybersecurity strategies. Businesses and organizations in highly-regulated industries in the Philippines, such as public utilities, financial services, and healthcare that are required to stay compliant and within regulations and be able to protect the data of their immensely large number of clients, are among those that would hugely benefit from staying one step ahead of evolving cyberthreats. One such powerful tool is a native security information and event management (SIEM) solution for security information and event management that is the Kaspersky Unified Monitoring and Analysis Platform (KUMA). What is KUMA? Benefits KUMA brings to businesses and organization Back in June 2023, Kaspersky experts uncovered a mobile Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) campaign while monitoring the network traffic of its corporate Wi-Fi network using the KUMA. Upon further analysis, company researchers discovered the threat actor has been targeting iOS devices of dozens of company employees, distributing zero-click exploits via iMessage to run malware gaining complete control over the device and user data. When it comes to cybersecurity, even the most secure operating systems can be compromised. As APT actors are constantly evolving their tactics and searching for new weaknesses to exploit, businesses must prioritize security of their systems. This involves providing employees and technical teams with the latest tools to effectively recognize and defend against potential threats as well as timely remediation of incidents, says Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky KUMA is a unified console for monitoring and analyzing information security incidents. The fundamental program includes the following components: One or more Collectors that receive messages from event sources and parse, normalize, and, if required, filter and/or aggregate them. A Correlator that analyzes normalized events received from Collectors, performs the necessary actions with active lists, and creates alerts in accordance with the correlation rules. The Core that includes a graphical interface to monitor and manage the settings of system components. The Storage, which contains normalized events and registered incidents. Advantages of KUMA include: High performance: 300k+ EPS (events per second) per KUMA instance Low system requirements: Virtual or physical environment and up to 10k EPS AiO (all in one) on one virtual server Scalability: Flexible microservice architecture with HA support for each component Unified web console interface: Single fully multi-tenancy UI console for everything Out-of-the-box integration: With third-party products and Kaspersky solutions Low entry threshold: Does not require knowledge of special query languages or writing rules Thanks to the integration with the Kaspersky CyberTrace platform, which processes reports from the National Coordination Center for Computer Incidents, the researcher can extract compromise indicators and use them to detect events in SIEM. SIEM is a central element of most mature information security systems, hence, it must meet all relevant market requirements and take into account the changing landscape of cyber threats. KUMA expands the capabilities of analysts, allows businesses and organizations to optimize the budget for cybersecurity, providing protection at the optimal level. Threat actors increasingly use diverse tactics to launch sophisticated targeted attacks. Therefore, it is essential to use a platform that can provide a centralized view of security events in quickly identifying and responding to potential threats such as the Security Information and Event Management System (SIEM). A SIEM is commonly used for compliance support with internal security policies and external regulatory requirements, said Victor Chu, Head of Systems Engineering for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky. He explained that the Kaspersky Unified Monitoring and Analysis Platform (KUMA) empowers cybersecurity teams efficiency in detecting, investigating, and responding to complex cyber incidents with the approach of XDR (Extended Detection and Response) capabilities. Organizations, of different sizes and maturity, can deploy KUMA to receive security events from various third-party sources and security tools while correlating these events with contextual threat intelligence feeds to identify suspicious or anomalous activities thus providing timely notification of security incidents. By collecting security events from all security controls and correlating them in real-time with advanced analytics, KUMA aggregates all the information needed for further incident investigation and response. Hence, using KUMA, helps organizations gain insights and intelligence by providing the visibility and context needed to understand their security posture and risks. More information about the platform, please visit: https://support.kaspersky.com/help/KUMA/1.5/en-US/217694.htm Just as Kenya in inching closer to concluding a preferential trade deal with European Union, a similar deal between the East African Communitys (EAC) and the 27-country bloc has broken down, prompting the EAC to negotiate trade agreements with countries like the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, aiming to diversify and boost its economy. The European Parliament last week (29 February) endorsed the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), paving the way for heads of state and government to give final approval and complete the ratification process on the EU side. It is the first agreement with a developing country in which the EUs new approach to trade and sustainable development is reflected, the European Parliament said in a statement. For Kenya, the deal means preserving its long-term tax-free access to exports to the 27 countries in the bloc while gradually opening up her market for duty-free imports and investments from Europe. Kenyan lawmakers have also to debate and approve the document for it to become enforceable. The EPA between the EU and Kenya is largely a modification of the text in the stalled EU-East African Community pact which was first agreed in October 2014 subject to approval by respective parliaments, with the major change being the inclusion of clauses around climate change. The implementation of the EU-EAC treaty, which Kenya endorsed in 2016, had stalled after the other EAC countries rejected it. Following the breakdown of the EPA with the EU, the East African Community is now looking toward new horizons, as at least seven nations, including the UK, the UAE, Singapore, and Pakistan, have expressed interest in forging free trade agreements with the African regional bloc. Experts point out that the EAC is now keen not only on diversifying its trade relationships to bolster its economic prospects but also to negotiate terms that are favorable and reflective of the blocs developmental aspirations. In a significant ruling, judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague decided on Monday to proceed with a hearing on charges against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, slated for October 15, even in his absence. Kony, notorious as the leader of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), has eluded capture since an arrest warrant was issued against him in 2005. The ICC prosecutors aim to indict Kony on 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, encompassing grave offenses such as murder, rape, the recruitment of child soldiers, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and forced pregnancy. During Konys tenure, the LRA instilled terror in Uganda for nearly two decades, operating from bases in northern Uganda and neighboring countries before being largely dismantled. The conflict resulted in an estimated 100,000 fatalities, according to U.N. estimates. Prosecutors assert that Kony wielded absolute authority over the LRA, orchestrating the abduction of children for indoctrination into the rebel group. These abducted children endured systematic physical and psychological abuse, often being coerced into perpetrating violence against their peers, as detailed in the charges. Joseph Kony remains at large and has consistently refuted the accusations leveled against him. The decision to proceed with the hearing without his presence marks a significant development, representing the first instance in the ICCs history where such action has been sanctioned by judges. This decision could potentially impact other cases involving fugitive suspects, including notable figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, both wanted for various crimes but evading ICC jurisdiction. Ghanas finance ministry has issued a warning that the country could experience a significant loss of funding from international banks, amounting to an estimated USD$3.8 billion over the next five to six years, if President Nana Akufo-Addo signs a contentious anti-LGBTQ bill into law. This potential reduction in financing could adversely affect Ghanas foreign exchange reserves and exchange rate stability, as highlighted in the ministrys statement released on Monday. To address these concerns, the statement suggests that the Presidency may engage with local conservative groups, such as religious bodies and faith-based organizations, to communicate the economic implications of passing the Anti-LGBTQ Bill. Such engagement would aim to build a stronger coalition and establish a framework for supporting key development initiatives that may be impacted by the bills passage. The bill, which prohibits LGBTQ activities and criminalizes their promotion, advocacy, and funding in Ghana, was unanimously passed by Parliament last week after being introduced three years ago. If enacted, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values (anti-LGBTQ+) bill would introduce sanctions for individuals promoting or engaging in LGBTQ activities, with offenders facing imprisonment ranging from six months to three years. However, this legislation has faced criticism from activists and international rights organizations, who argue that it violates human rights principles. On Monday, the United States imposed sanctions on Zimbabwes President Emmerson Mnangagwa, along with his first lady and several other government officials, citing their alleged involvement in corruption and human rights violations. The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted three entities and eleven individuals, including Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and retired Brig. Gen. Walter Tapfumaneyi. Mnangagwa specifically faces accusations of shielding gold and diamond smugglers, instructing officials to facilitate illicit trade, and accepting bribes. President Joe Biden signed an executive order terminating Zimbabwes national emergency and revoking country-specific sanctions, instead utilizing a Trump-era executive order implementing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for issuing the sanctions. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo clarified that the sanctions are not aimed at the Zimbabwean people but rather at Mnangagwas network of officials and businesspersons responsible for corruption and human rights abuses. Zimbabwes government spokesman Nick Mangwana responded to the sanctions on X, emphasizing that when senior leadership and corporate figures are targeted, the entire country feels the impact. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserted that these sanctions reflect a more targeted approach toward Zimbabwe, holding key individuals accountable for actions like embezzlement. Mnangagwa began his second presidential term in September last year. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. The NPC, China's national legislature, held a press conference on Monday, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn] China believes that open cooperation is the right direction in exploring the frontier of science and advancing scientific development, a spokesperson said on Monday. Addressing a press conference held ahead of the opening of the annual "two sessions" scheduled for March 5, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), warned that attempts at decoupling or severing supply chains and building "small yards and high fences" would only impede scientific and technological advances globally, undermining global industrial development and widening the development gap. Lou cited the example of China's BeiDou Satellite Navigation System to emphasize the importance of self-reliance in technological advancement. Despite initial setbacks in international cooperation, China successfully developed a world-class navigation system through decades of persistent efforts. This underscores that with determination and dedication, no obstacle is insurmountable. "For any known technology, no one can put a stranglehold on us," the spokesperson said. "It's just a matter of time before we develop it." He stressed that by building strength in science and technology, China is not attempting to conduct research behind closed doors. Instead, it is committed to global innovation, collaboration and actively participating in global partnership. "We aim to collaborate with all countries to advance basic research, utilize research results, and cultivate new drivers of economic growth to promote the well-being of humanity," he said. The NPC and its Standing Committee have actively supported scientific and technological development by enacted three laws: the Law on the Progress of Science and Technology, the Law on Promoting the Utilization of Scientific and Technological Achievements, and the Law on Popularizing Science and Technology. In 2023, the NPC Standing Committee carried out law enforcement inspections of the Law on the Progress of Science and Technology, the spokesperson said. Looking forward the future, Lou affirmed the NPC's commitment to promoting legal frameworks for scientific and technological advancement. "We will make more legislative efforts in future innovation, particularly in addressing important ethical, moral, and security issues in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence and other technologies," Lou said. 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 Los Angeles anesthesiologist Marilyn Singleton was outraged about a California requirement that every continuing medical education course include training in implicit biasthe ways in which physicians' unconscious attitudes might contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Singleton, who is Black and has practiced for 50 years, sees calling doctors out for implicit bias as divisive, and argues the state cannot legally require her to teach the idea in her continuing education classes. She has sued the Medical Board of California, asserting a constitutional right not to teach something she doesn't believe. The way to address health care disparities is to target low-income people for better access to care, rather than "shaking your finger" at white doctors and crying "racist," she said. "I find it an insult to my colleagues to imply that they won't be a good doctor if a racially divergent patient is in front of them." The litigation is part of a national crusade by right-leaning advocacy and legal groups against diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives in health care. The pushback is inspired in part by last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling barring affirmative action in higher education. The California lawsuit does not dispute the state's authority to require implicit-bias training. It questions only whether the state can require all teachers to discuss implicit bias in their continuing medical education courses. The suit's outcome, however, could influence obligatory implicit-bias training for all licensed professionals. Leading the charge is the Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento-based organization that describes itself as a "national public interest law firm that defends Americans from government overreach and abuse." Its clients include the activist group Do No Harm, founded in 2022 to fight affirmative action in medicine. The two groups have also joined forces to sue the Louisiana medical board and the Tennessee podiatry board for reserving board seats exclusively for racial minorities. In their complaint against the California medical board, Singleton and Do No Harm, along with Los Angeles ophthalmologist Azadeh Khatibi, argue that the implicit-bias training requirement violates the First Amendment rights of doctors who teach continuing medical education courses by requiring them to discuss how unconscious bias based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or disability can alter treatment. "It's the government saying doctors must say things, and that's not what our free nation stands for," said Khatibi, who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran as a child. Unlike Singleton, Khatibi does believe implicit bias can unintentionally result in substandard care. But, she said, "on principle, I don't believe in the government compelling speech." The lawsuit challenges the evidence of implicit bias in health care, saying there is no proof that efforts to reduce bias are effective. Interventions have thus far not demonstrated lasting effects, studies have found. In December, U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer dismissed the suit but allowed the Pacific Legal Foundation to file an amended complaint. A hearing is scheduled for March 11 in federal court in Los Angeles. In enacting the training requirement, the California legislature found that physicians' biased attitudes unconsciously contribute to health care disparities. It also found that racial and ethnic disparities in health care outcomes are "remarkably consistent" across a range of illnesses and persist even after adjusting for socioeconomic differences, whether patients are insured, and other factors influencing care. Black women are three to four times as likely as white women to die of pregnancy-related causes, are often prescribed less pain medication than white patients with the same complaints, and are referred less frequently for advanced cardiovascular procedures,the legislature found. It also noted that women treated by female doctors were more likely to survive heart attacks than those treated by men. In February, the California legislature's Black Caucus unveiled legislation requiring implicit-bias training for all maternal care providers in the state. Khama Ennis, who teaches an implicit-bias class for Massachusetts doctors, sees only the best intentions in her fellow physicians. "But we're also human," she said in an interview. "And to not acknowledge that we are just as susceptible to bias as anybody else in any other field is unfair to patients." Ennis offered an example of her own bias in a training session. Preparing to treat a patient in a hospital emergency room, she noticed a Confederate flag tattoo on his forearm. "As a Black woman, I had to have a quick chat with myself," she said. "I needed to ensure that I provided the same standard of care for him that I would for anyone else." Ennis' class meets the requirements of a Massachusetts law that physicians earn two hours of instruction in implicit bias to obtain or renew their licenses, as of 2022. That same year, California began requiring that all accredited continuing medical education courses involving direct patient care include discussion of implicit bias. The state mandates 50 hours of continuing education every two years for doctors to maintain their licenses. Private institutions offer courses on an array of topics, and physicians generally teach them. Teachers may tell students they do not believe implicit bias drives health care disparities, Fischer wrote in her December ruling. But the state, which licenses doctors, has the right to decide what must be included in the classes, the judge wrote. Professionals who elect to teach courses "must communicate the information that the legislature requires medical practitioners to have," the judge wrote. "When they do so, they do not speak for themselves, but for the state." Whether they speak for themselves or for the state is a pivotal question. While the First Amendment protects private citizens' right to free speech, that protection does not extend to government speech. The content of public school curricula, for example, is the speech of state government, not the speech of teachers, parents, or students, courts have said. In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment did not apply to student journalists when a principal censored articles they wrote as part of a school curriculum. The Pacific Legal Foundation's amended complaint aims to convince the judge that its clients teach as private citizens with First Amendment rights. If the judge again rules otherwise, lead attorney Caleb Trotter told KFF Health News, he plans to appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and, if necessary, the Supreme Court. "This is not government speech at all," he said. "It's private speech, and the First Amendment should apply." "Plaintiffs are plainly wrong," lawyers for Rob Bonta, the state attorney general, responded in court papers. "There can be no dispute that the State shapes or controls the content of continuing medical education courses." The medical board declined to comment on the pending litigation. From 2019 through July 2022, in addition to California and Massachusetts, four states enacted legislation requiring health care providers to be trained in implicit bias. A landmark 2003 Institute of Medicine report, "Unequal Treatment," found that limited access to care and other socioeconomic differences explain only part of racial and ethnic disparities in treatment outcomes. The expert panel concluded that clinicians' prejudices could also contribute. In the two decades since the report's release, studies have documented that bias does influence clinical care and contribute to racial disparities, a 2022 report said. But implicit-bias training might have no impact and might even worsen discriminatory care, the report found. "There's not really evidence that it works," Khatibi said. "To me, addressing health care disparities is really important because lives are at stake. The question is, How do you want to achieve these ends?" 2024 KFF Health News. 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: Graphic of experimental design highlighting experimental conditions and the timeline by the inclusion of important dates and defining the treatment groups. Briefly, Il-10 KO Dams drinking water was supplemented with cefoperazone sodium salt to instill dysbiosis, which was inherited in all pups except for control pups. Dysbiotic-inherited and control pups were then treated with 2% DSS at week 23 of age to chemically induce IBD. Credit: mSystems (2023). DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00703-23 Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and a Kansas State University graduate student is doing research to identify and improve effective colon cancer care. Many cancer drugs are known to interact with the microbes that inhabit the human gut. Each person's microbes are unique to themalmost like a fingerprint composed of healthy microbes and disease-associated microbes. This diversity of microbes can cause challenges; microbial interactions with treatment drugs can lead to adverse reactions or drug inefficiencies. Customizing a colon cancer care plan based on these and other factors is known as personalized medicine, and it provides the best possible chance of winning the battle with cancer. This is why scientists like Tanner Richie, K-State doctoral student in biology, Salina, work diligently to improve personalized medicine by identifying all the factors that influence colon cancer outcomes. Richie is first author of an article titled, "Limitation of amino acid availability by bacterial populations during enhanced colitis in IBD mouse model," published in mSystems. Measuring microbial changes in the gut can help identify chronic inflammatory diseases that may lead to colon cancers. Richie's thesis project, "Maintaining balance in the microverse: Investigating microbial impacts on host gut inflammation," examines how the many different types of intestinal microbes interact with each other and with the human body. Tanner Richie, left, pictured above with faculty mentor Sonny Lee, is conducting research about gut microbes and their relationship to better colon cancer care through personalized medicine. Credit: Kansas State University For years, scientists have known that these microbes can make us sick, keep us healthy or appear to do nothing at all. Richie's work suggests that certain gut microbes influence the likelihood of someone getting colon cancer and explores how the microbes are driving colon inflammation and outcompeting healthy microbes. "Continuing this research into how microbes can lead to colon inflammation and compete with us for resources is really exciting and will help people with colon cancers by personalizing their medicine," Richie said. She has contributed to three other scientific publications, and she is also the author of "Precision prescribing for colon cancer based on gut microbes," a general audience article published by the National Association of Science Writers. More information: Tanner G. Richie et al, Limitation of amino acid availability by bacterial populations during enhanced colitis in IBD mouse model, mSystems (2023). DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00703-23 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 Reinsurance programs, which were created to help lower premiums and increase enrollment in the Affordable Care Act's health insurance marketplaces, may have had the opposite effects for many potential marketplace enrollees, according to a study by health policy researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Duke University and University of Minnesota. The study, published in Health Affairs, is the first to examine the effects of a post-American Rescue Plan Act reinsurance waiver on the affordability of coverage for enrollees who are receiving premium subsidies in the marketplaces. Nearly a decade ago, when the ACA marketplace was created, premiums initially shot up for many new enrollees. In response, states used the Section 1332 waiver process to create state-funded reinsurance programs, a kind of "insurance for insurers" that shields insurers from very high claims. The hope was that the new waiver would enable insurers to reduce premiumsand it worked. To date, 16 states have used Section 1332 to implement reinsurance programs: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. However, the authors note, for most enrollees in the ACA's marketplaces, government subsidies are just as important as the costs of premiums. The team looked at subsidized enrollees in counties along each side of Georgia's borders from 2019 to 2023, with particular focus on 2022, the year the state implemented its reinsurance program. The researchers examined differences across the state line and found that while lower-income marketplace enrollees saw no changes in their minimum cost of marketplace coverage, the picture was quite different for potential enrollees in the middle classthose with incomes from 251% to 400% of the federal poverty level. Compared to the previous year, the minimum cost to gain coverage increased by about 30% for this population, and in turn, health insurance enrollment went down by roughly one-third. For example, a single person making $35,000 a year would see an additional cost of roughly $40 a month to get insurance. The reason for the cost increase: When premiums decline, so do the subsidies available to enrollees to cover them. Premiums for lower-cost plans in Georgia did not decline enough to compensate for the decrease in subsidies, meaning enrollees were paying a higher net cost. "People are less likely to buy insurance when it costs more, and being uninsured has been linked to an increase in mortality. These vulnerabilities weigh heavily on our minds when we see results like this," said senior author Coleman Drake, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Pitt Public Health. The authors note that unsubsidized enrollees do stand to benefit from reinsurance; however, this population has shrunk drastically nationwide. Just 10% of the individual market nationwide is unsubsidized, down from roughly 50% since the early days of the ACA. The study calls into the question the methodology behind the creation of reinsurance programs. "We checked 1332 waiver applications for every one of the 16 states that has created a marketplace reinsurance program, and every one of them projected there would be precisely zero impact on subsidized enrollees," said Drake. "Unfortunately, our analysis suggests the story is more complicated than that. We hope these results cause state and federal policymakers to reevaluate how marketplace reinsurance programs are affecting the rapidly growing population receiving subsidized marketplace coverage." He adds that by mandate, 1332 programs cannot cause a net decrease in statewide health insurance enrollment. The team stresses that their findings do not necessarily imply that these programs should be eliminated. "There's a lot of variability in Section 1332 reinsurance programs," said David Anderson, doctoral candidate at the Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences and the study's lead author. "For instance, Colorado uses its waiver to provide subsidies to enrollees who are not eligible for federal premium assistance. And in other states, it's plausible they could lower the minimum cost of coverage by introducing 'copper' plans that have lower premiums and share the cost across more enrollees." "Policy has been overly focused on raw premiums, and that needs to change," said Drake. "Our analysis adds to mounting evidence that when considering how a policy is going to affect the affordability of coverage for subsidized enrollees, we need to be thinking about premiums paid after subsidies." The other author on the study was Ezra Golberstein of University of Minnesota. More information: David M. Anderson et al, Georgia's Reinsurance Waiver Associated With Decreased Premium Affordability And Enrollment, Health Affairs (2024). DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00971 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 Testing of illicit drugs bought online found that 35% were not what they said they were, highlighting the urgent need for more local drug testing facilities in Australia to prevent harm and overdose. The RMIT-led study analyzed 103 illicit drug samples sourced from the now-defunct dark web forum Test4Pay in collaboration with the Australian National University, UNSW Sydney, and Canadian testing facility Get Your Drugs Tested. While 65% of samples contained only the advertised substance, the study found that 14% of samples had a mixture of the advertised substance with other psychoactive or potentially harmful chemicals. Meanwhile, 21% of samples did not contain any of the advertised substances. MDMA, methamphetamines, and heroin sourced were consistently found only to contain the advertised substance. Products sold as ketamine, 2C-B and alprazolam were most likely to be completely substituted with other substances or new synthetic drugs, which increased the risk of unwanted side effects, potential overdose or death. Of the 19 cocaine samples tested, only four were pure cocaine while 13 contained other substances and two samples did not contain any cocaine at all. Lead researcher and RMIT Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Monica Barratt, said the results were concerning as drugs sold through cryptomarketsonline vendors on the dark webwere believed to be less likely to be mixed or substituted with other substances. "Cryptomarkets allow anonymous buyers to review purchases, which theoretically means vendors who sell inferior products are more likely to receive bad reviews, thereby rewarding vendors selling superior products," said Barratt, from RMIT's Social Equity Research Centre. "But despite this perception of accountability and quality, our findings show prohibited drugs purchased from crypto markets are still not safe from adulteration and substitution." The dark web drug market According to the 2023 National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System survey, there was a slight decline of people buying drugs on the dark web, with more people turning to messaging and social media apps to source drugs. "These apps are a lot more convenient and easier to use than the dark web, but they lack many of the security features and review capacities of darknet markets," she said. Barratt said Australia's policies on tackling darknet markets focused on using law enforcement to 'disrupt' operations. "These takedowns are used to create a sense of general deterrence through announcing arrests and interruptions to markets," she said. "However, we know through research on darknet market takedown operations that this ecosystem is quick to adapt to removal of markets." "These days, vendors have accounts across many markets; in case one goes down, their clients can find them on other markets. This mitigates against the disruption of a takedown." Australia's approach to drug regulation With Australians finding new ways to source illicit drugs, Barratt said it was more urgent than ever to launch more drug-checking services. Currently, CanTEST is the only drug-checking service available in Australia, with Queensland due to launch its own services this year and Victoria considering following suit. "Drug checking is a precautionary and pragmatic response to the health risks of unpredictable drug markets, often detecting hazardous substances before they flood the local market," she said. While drug-checking services have been operating around the world for over 50 years, Barratt said Australia remained resistant to expanding the harm reduction service. "Australia's resistance to opening more drug-checking facilities stems from an assumption that drug checking 'green lights' drug use," Barratt said. "Drug checking services never tell consumers that their drugs are 'safe' as no drug use can be 100% safe." "What the service can do is explain the known risks of specific drugs, in a credible and non judgemental way, enabling people who use drugs to adjust their behavior to reduce risk." A 2022 systemic review of pill testing found people who found unexpected substances in their drugs were more likely to discard them and adjust their use. "If we can prevent overdoses from happening in the first place, then we can not only reduce harm for consumers and avoid the pain felt by bereaved family members but also ease the pressures on our emergency health system," Barratt said. "Adulteration and substitution of drugs purchased in Australia from cryptomarkets: An analysis of Test4Pay" was published in the Drug and Alcohol Review. More information: Monica Barratt et al, Adulteration and substitution of drugs purchased in Australia from cryptomarkets: An analysis of Test4Pay, Drug and Alcohol Review (2024). DOI: 10.1111/dar.13825 Journal information: Drug and Alcohol Review 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 Recent headlines have highlighted debates among federal parties over the proposal to extend Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to people suffering solely with mental illness. Proponents of expanding Bill C-7 to mental illness claim that delays to do so are based on stigma and stereotypes promoting the belief that a mental disorder renders someone incapable of making a rational choice to die. Those that advocate for delaying an expansion suggest that more work is needed to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to distinguish requests for MAID from illness-induced suicidal ideation. The recent announcement that including mental illness in MAID will be delayed until 2027 gives provincial and territorial health-care systems more time to prepare for implementation. Putting access to MAID in context People living with long-term mental illness should have the option to consider MAID, like others facing chronic, debilitating illnesses. However, access to MAID is a small part of a larger conversation we ought to be having about how the health care system can provide supports and services that empower people with mental health disorders to navigate the long journey of mental illness with dignity and resilience. Extending support to the families that care for them should be considered key. As the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) reports, mental illness is the leading cause of disability in Canada, and wait lists for services are far too long. For each person with a debilitating mental illness, there are family membersbiological, legal or chosendoing their best to provide support and care. But who supports these families as they navigate the challenges of persistent mental illness? Despite decades of research demonstrating the importance of family caregivers for supporting people with severe mental illness, and the beneficial outcomes for all family members when families are supported, vital support services have declined throughout Canada. Families that are racialized, poor or newcomers are getting even less support in a depleted family support service system. Examples of evidence-based family-focused supports that would help include family psychoeducation, peer support, and community-based, culturally-acceptable services that focus on whole families. Supporting patients and families In addition to asking health care systems to prepare to end the suffering of mental illness by facilitating death, we should be asking legislators and policymakers to build a health care system that supports better lives for people with mental disorders and their families. In a video from the Family Caregiving Project, family members describe difficult interactions with the health-care system. Families manage mental illness out of sight of these leaders and society at large; their suffering is seen as a personal matter that is no one else's business. But the numbers tell us that ending suffering from mental illness is everyone's business. It requires networks of support for those who have been diagnosed and caregivers. Ignoring the families that support individuals with mental illness has ramifications for everyone's health. My research exploring the experiences of Ontario families affected by mental illness has shown there are gaps in the system when it comes to family support. Conversations with families reveal that, whether one is a caregiver or someone who has been diagnosed, those living with mental illness often feel isolated, alone and overwhelmed. Family members who don't fall into the definition of "traditional family" often report challenges throughout the care process. Families that are part of marginalized or lower-income groups face additional challenges to getting help and support, often due to financial barriers, language and cultural barriers, or other social determinants that correspond to inequities in access to health care. The failure to build proper supports and services that meet the needs of families could worsen an already growing mental health crisis. If the family is stressed, that stress will impact everyone within it, caregivers and people struggling with a mental illness alike. This is suffering that can last for decades. The well-being of whole families affected by mental illness must be recognized as an issue of urgent concern. Caring for people with long-term mental illness Education and training are needed to ensure health professionals have the information they need to better support families. At the same time, more work must be done to promote the general public's understanding of mental illness and reduce stigma, so people don't feel ashamed about asking for help. My work with the Family Caregiving Project to develop free online educational resources is a start. These resources help health-care professionals, educators and community groups better understand and discuss the experiences of families struggling with mental health issues. But Canada's families require government support as well. We need to ensure that our health-care system provides necessary services for families. Last year, we called on the Ontario government to fund targeted support for families living with serious and persistent mental illnesses, collecting nearly 1,500 signatures from people who agree family support needs to be a priority. Living with a recurrent mental illness and having hopes rise and fall when treatments fail is a source of profound suffering for families all over Canada. People diagnosed with mental illness need to be part of the dialogue surrounding MAID eligibility because long-term mental illness can be devastating. At the same time, we have a health-care system that is focused on the short term of crisis and hospitalization, with little thought or investment for the months and years over which individuals and their families must find ways to carry on. We need to offer more than assistance to death. We need to offer adequate resources and services that will get people help when needed, and support the mental health and well-being of all family members over the long term. 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: CC0 Public Domain Those who report having poor oral health are as likely to have negative long-term systemic health outcomes as those previously diagnosed with periodontal disease, or gum disease, according to a new Tufts University School of Dental Medicine study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association. The researchers examined whether self-reported oral health questions, which are commonly used in the surveillance of periodontal disease, had the same or similar comorbidities of the disease by analyzing data sets from the Women's Health Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The Women's Health Study followed women 45 years or older with self-reported information on gum disease, oral health questions, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis in various timeframes starting from 1992, while the NHANES included data on oral health questions and linked mortality from 1999 to 2018. Led by first author Yau-Hua Yu, associate professor of periodontology at the School of Dental Medicine, the researchers tested their hypotheses by running analyses that estimated the probability of outcomes based on a variety of factors and then looked at survival rates within various groups. The results showed that negative self-evaluations were associated with the same level of systemic comorbidities as those who had been diagnosed with periodontal disease. The study also found that suboptimal dental visits or infrequent flossing were associated with an increase in all-cause mortality. "These questions are really helpful to understand a person's oral health conditions when clinical access is limited," said Yu, noting that in large epidemiological studies like the Women's Health Study, it's not possible to have a dentist on-site to physically examine research participants. Yu and fellow researchers, including senior author Julie Buring of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, also examined the role that access to dental care plays on overall health. They did this by asking two important questions: "In the past 12 months, have you visited the dentist or hygienist?" and "How often do you visit a dental office for routine check-ups and cleaning?" The researchers found that about 10% of the Women's Health Study participants and 45% of NHANES study participants did not visit a dentist within a year and, as a result, their oral and overall health outcomes were poor. "Our study findings suggest that people who don't see a dentist may have negative outcomes in terms of mortality," Yu said, noting that their original goal was to understand the usefulness of these questions for understanding and evaluating gum disease and oral health in general. Given this demonstrated link between oral health and mortality, Yu suggests primary care physicians consider asking about their patients' dental habits and condition to get a fuller picture of their overall health. Yu isn't stopping with this study. She says she's still working on big data sets, and hopes to showcase outcomes in different populations, such as veterans. She is currently collaborating with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. And, Yu underscores the need for more large-scale national health studies/biobanking efforts to incorporate questions around dental health to better understand and communicate the association between oral health and long-term health outcomes, as well as the gaps in access to dental care. "For society in general," she said, "we need to look at, without dental care access, what is the burden?" More information: Yau-Hua Yu et al, Self-reported oral health is associated with systemic health outcomes and all-cause mortality, The Journal of the American Dental Association (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2023.11.006 Multiple agencies collaborated last month, including the US Marshals and Burke County Sheriffs Office, for a sex offender roundup. BCSO deputies, US Marshals, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections Special Operations and Intelligence Unit completed two joint operations from Feb. 1-27, netting eight arrests, according to a news release from BCSO. Operation Heart Breaker, a joint investigation by the FBI, US Marshals and BCSO, saw authorities further investigating CyberTip leads and, ultimately, identifying people in possession of child sexual abuse material, the release said. Investigators also identified multiple child victims in Burke County and surrounding states and were able to interrupt active production of child sexual abuse material within Burke County, the release said. The three people charged as part of Operation Heart Breaker were: Zebulon Robert Lingafelt, 27, of 3011 Ramblewoods Drive, Morganton, who was charged with felony statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, first-degree exploitation of a minor and felony indecent liberties with a child. The investigation is ongoing. His bond was set at $200,000 secured, and hes due to appear in court again March 13. Scott Robert Ryan, 64, of 613 Pineburr Ave., Valdese, who was charged with felony third-degree exploitation of a minor and simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine). His bond was set at $15,000 secured. Joshua Lee Wilkins, 21, of 4388 Smith Church Road, Morganton, was charged with felony third-degree exploitation of a child. His bond was set at $150,000 secured. The second operation, Operation Safe Kids, was a joint effort between BCSO, the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office, the Wilkes County Sheriffs Office, the NC Department of Adult Corrections Special Operations and Intelligence Unit and the US Marshals. For this operation, investigators honed their efforts on conducting compliance checks with registered sex offenders who were on probation inside Burke County. The five individuals arrested as part of that operation were: Jimmy Ray Wilson, 51, of Caldwell County, was charged with felony failure to change address sex offender violation. His bond was set at $1,000 secured. Wilson was on the registry for a 2008 conviction of taking indecent liberties with a minor, according to the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry. The victim was 15 and Wilson was 35. Bobby Monroe Wagoner, 34, of 237 Serenity Valley, Hays, North Carolina, was charged with felony failure to change address sex offender violation. His bond was set at $10,000 secured. Wagoner was on the registry for a 2007 conviction of first-degree sex offense with a child under 13, according to the registry. The victim was 2 years old while Monroe was 16. Danial Gary Carswell, 42, of 2250 Enola Road, Morganton, was charged with felony simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl), misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor probation sex offender violation. His bond was set at $2,000 secured. Carswell was on the registry for a 2014 conviction of taking indecent liberties with a minor, according to the registry. He victim was 15 while Carswell was 31. Timothy Matthew Shelnut, 51, of 210 Steakhouse Road, Morganton, was charged with failure to register an online ID sex offender registry violation. His bond was set at $2,000 secured. Shelnut was convicted of solicitation of a child by a computer to commit an unlawful sex act in 2017, according to the registry. The victim was 14 while he was 44 at the time. McGarrett Eugene McManus, 41, of 4292 South Fork Ave., Hickory, was charged with misdemeanor parole violation sex offender non-compliant. He was held without bond. The investigation into McManus is continuing. McManus was convicted in 2015 of taking indecent liberties with a minor, according to the registry. The victim was 7 years old while he was 30. These operations were a multi-agency collaborative endeavor conducted in an effort to protect the citizens, especially the children within Burke County, the release said. These types of operations could NOT be conducted without our partnerships and collaborations with our federal, state and local agencies working seamlessly together for the mutual good of our communities. The release said BCSO detectives field about 85 CyberTips per year from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. BCSO also is responsible for managing 171 registered sex offenders and assuring their compliance within the county, the release said. The Burke County Sheriffs Office is thankful for our working relationships with these organizations and appreciates the ongoing partnerships with other agencies, the release said. You can find out if any sex offenders live near you by visiting sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. With the 2024 North Carolina primary a week away, another poll has found clear-cut favorites in the governors race. The left-leaning Carolina Forward Poll, released Monday, eight days before the March 5 primary, surveyed 1,622 likely voters on Feb. 15-19 with Triad voters. The margin of error was 2.6%. The poll gave participants the option of saying they dont plan to vote in a particular race. In the Republican primary, 57% favor Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, while state Treasurer Dale Folwell and businessman Bill Graham each have 9%, and 22% are uncommitted. In the Democratic primary, 49% prefer state Attorney General Josh Stein, while 8% support former N.C. Supreme Court justice Mike Morgan and 39% remain uncommitted. None of the party primaries are shaping up to be highly competitive, according to poll officials. The Carolina Forward poll is in line with most statewide polls that have Robinson and Stein with commanding leads in their respective races. Although 22% of GOP voters still have not determined who they are voting for, Robinsons lead appears solid, drawing 59% among men and 54% among women. However, poll officials noted that Folwell had the most support among urban GOP voters at 21%, though 54% fall into the unsure category. Graham was at 13% and Robinson at 9%. Robinson is by far the favorite among rural voters at 67%, followed by Graham with 8% and Folwell with 4%. In suburban areas, voters are 52% Robinson, 12% Folwell and 10% Graham. Strikingly, Robinsons support is almost wholly among rural and suburban Republicans, according to the polls news release. In urban areas, his support almost completely vanishes, and state Treasurer Dale Folwell picks up significant support. General election In the general election, Robinson leads by a 43% to 42% margin over Stein with 15% either undecided or not planning to vote. Robinson has the support of 51% of male voters, while Stein is favored by 45% of female voters. Stein leads 68% to 21% among urban voters and 45% to 38% among suburban voters, while Robinson is ahead 56% to 31% among rural voters. It remains to be seen how, or if, Robinson is able to grow his appeal outside of the hardcore MAGA base, or whether his long record of conspiracy-laden extremism will put a ceiling on his mainstream appeal, according to poll officials. The poll also took a look at the states attorney general race. Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop holds a 41% to 39% lead over Democratic U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson. In terms of a party in the state legislature, voters preferred Republicans by a 42% to 40%. Endorsements Robinson has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Graham has received the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., while Robinson has U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., who also is very supportive of Trump. On Dec. 8, Tillis endorsed Graham, telling the conservative media outlet National Review that I intend to do everything I can to help him get the nomination. Its not a personality thing to me or personal thing. Im looking at two resumes, and theres a stark contrast in capabilities, Tillis said. Tillis cited Robinsons lack of legislative experience and very little business experience. Robinson responded with a lengthy Facebook posting in which he said Tillis and Graham are just RINOs (Republican in name only) who are coming after me. He considers Tillis as North Carolinas Mitt Romney, referring to the Utah Republican U.S. senator. Meanwhile, Folwell was endorsed by EMPAC, the political action committee of the State Employees Association of N.C., which endorsed him twice for treasurer. Folwell has a close working relationship with SEANC, particularly in his role overseeing the State Health Plan that covers nearly 740,000 state employees, their dependents, and retirees. Certainly, a number of Republican activists and officials are looking strongly at alternatives to Mark Robinson as a gubernatorial candidate, said John Dinan, a political science professor at Wake Forest University. Dale Folwell has the most extensive governing experience of any candidate in the Republican field, as well as a record of governance that could be expected to appeal to a wide group of Republicans and also unaffiliated voters in a general election campaign. His challenge right now is gaining traction in the Republican primary, and that is an uphill battle. Best public colleges in North Carolina Best public colleges in North Carolina #12. University of North Carolina Asheville #11. Winston-Salem State University #10. North Carolina A&T State University #9. Western Carolina University #8. East Carolina University #7. University of North Carolina - Wilmington #6. University of North Carolina at Charlotte #5. University of North Carolina - Greensboro #4. Appalachian State University #3. University of North Carolina School of the Arts #2. North Carolina State University Unwanted woman Just after 5 a.m. Monday, officers were called to the Butte Rescue Mission about an unwanted woman at the facility, Dawn L. Gabrielson, 48, of Butte. Officers escorted the woman off the premises, but she returned to 610 E. Platinum St., at 5:40 and police returned to arrest her. Gabrielson was jailed for criminal trespass to property, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. While being booked, she had a glass pipe and a baggie of suspected methamphetamine in her possession. Throwing items On Sunday, an allegedly intoxicated Devin L. Major, 32, of Butte was at a residence in the 3000 block of Busch Street where he reportedly began throwing items inside the residence and screaming at a woman. He was arrested for partner or family member assault with reasonable apprehension (third offense). Saturday DUI At about 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Lynn J. Pickering Jr., 59, of Anaconda crashed into the Rocker roundabout just off I-15 Uninjured, Pickering reportedly appeared to be intoxicated and was taken to the Butte Detention Center where he refused to take a Breathalyzer. He was jailed for driving under the influence (second offense) and careless driving. Running from the law An officer saw John P. Stephens, 52, of Butte driving east on Gold Street at around 5:15 p.m. Sunday and knew Stephens did not have a valid drivers license. The officer pulled him over near the intersection of Gold and Dakota streets, at which time Stephens took off running. The officer caught up to him and he was arrested for obstructing a peace officer, driving without a valid drivers license, and having no liability insurance. He also had a Montana Highway Patrol warrant out for his arrest. Routine traffic stop During a routine traffic stop Sunday in the 600 block of Nevada Street, Lacey R. Howell, 36, of Butte reportedly got out of her car and took off before an officer could reach her car. She started to run but quickly fell, with a small bag of suspected methamphetamine found next to her. Howell had several warrants out for her arrest, including a $15,000 warrant out of Yellowstone County, and was taken into custody. Sunday arrest Harley A. Burd, 28, of Butte was arrested Sunday at the Ramada, 2100 Cornell Ave. She had two warrants out for her arrest. Fled on foot On Saturday, two Butte people, Savannah S. McCallister, 19, and Jeremy M. Juarez Jr., 22, got into an argument with another man over a dog and took off in a car, headed to Walmart. When officers arrived, Juarez had already fled on foot into Walmart and then left, running to Buffalo Wild Wings, where an officer spotted him. Juarez had two active warrants out for his arrest and was also jailed for obstructing a peace officer. McCallister allegedly lied about the identity of Juarez and was arrested for obstructing a peace officer. Arrested for assault Two men got into a fight Friday regarding one man walking on the other mans Melrose property. Justin J. Lindahl, 36, of Melrose was taken into custody for assault. Other reports On Friday it was reported that several solar lights were taken from a yard in the 400 block of South Colorado Street. A man filed a report Friday that his computer had been hacked and there had been some unexplained withdrawals from his bank account. On Saturday, someone took off the drivers side mirror from a car parked in the 200 block of Curtis Street. A car parked in the 3000 block of Gaylord Street Sunday had its drivers side window broken. The EPA describes the public meeting set for March 5 in Butte as a community conversation about Superfund. There is likely a mighty majority of Butte residents who would balk at simply walking across the street to join such a conversation. And that would be true even though the meeting is scheduled to convene at Butte Brewing Co. After all, discussion about cleanup of pollution from historic mining and smelting is often beset by jargon, acronyms, bureaucratese and people who love to hear themselves talk and believe others do too. That said, some residents remain stalwart Superfund watchdogs roughly 40 years after the region was added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. They recognize that Butte-Silver Bow Countys future prosperity or lack thereof could hinge on looming cleanup decisions. The stated agenda for Wednesday nights meeting describes three potential items. First, EPA will introduce two new remedial project managers for the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit. They are Emma Rott and Molly Roby. Each has Superfund cleanup experience elsewhere in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin. They replaced Nikia Greene, longtime remedial project manager in Butte, whom EPA reported was reassigned as part of a routine reshuffling. The same shuffle replaced EPA community involvement coordinator Dana Barnicoat with Mackenzie Meter. She and another community involvement coordinator, Katherine Jenkins, was also be introduced. In addition, EPA will talk about a hot topic in Butte: What should the action level be for residential soils contaminated by lead? In other words, just how polluted must the residential soils be for their removal to be sanctioned by EPA? Whats the difference between a screening level and an action level? Buttes trigger point for soils removal has been 1,200 parts per million of lead, three times higher than Anacondas action level of 400 ppm. EPA has attributed that difference to research suggesting Anacondas smelting-related version of lead is more easily absorbed by the human body than Buttes hard-rock mining variety a calculus disputed by more than a few people in Butte, which also housed smelters and was likely affected by airborne emissions from the Anaconda smelter. Charles Van Otten, a regional spokesman for EPA, said the meeting also will include a quick update on onsite material. There has been an often-contentious, months-long debate about the use of onsite material as fill at cleanup sites in the Silver Bow Creek Corridor. Proponents of its use have included the Atlantic Richfield Co. and the EPA. They contend that using the material, which would be less contaminated than the wastes removed to a repository, would be more efficient and dramatically lessen the need for truck travel to haul clean fill. They say also that mining and smelting wastes have been left in place, and will be during the years ahead, at remedies throughout the Upper Clark Fork River Basin. Atlantic Richfield/BP is considered liable for cleanup costs because it acquired the original polluter, the Anaconda Co., in 1977. Opponents contend that the use of onsite material, which some refer to as dirty dirt, could be a setup for future problems requiring cleanup. They say Butte deserves better. The EPA Community Conversation on March 5 begins at 6 p.m. at Butte Brewing Co., 465 E. Galena St., Butte. To participate virtually, find instructions at https://bit.ly/3uTlYgL Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday started deliberating a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council. It marks the first revision of the law, which was adopted in December 1982 when the country's current Constitution was formulated. The law has played a significant role in ensuring that the State Council performs its duties in accordance with the Constitution and other laws, said Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, when explaining the bill at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC. Revising the law is a necessary step for the State Council to uphold the Party's overall leadership and strengthen the all-around improvement of the government, said Li, adding that it provides an institutional guarantee for the State Council to adhere to its people-centered principle and its fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people. The draft revision is also an important part of the efforts to fully implement and enforce the Constitution and establish a law-based government, as well as an effective measure to reform Party and state institutions and modernize the country's system and capacity for governance, according to Li. The draft revision, which contains 20 articles, adds provisions concerning the nature and position of the State Council per the Constitution, which stipulates that the State Council, namely, the Central People's Government, is the executive organ of the highest state organ of power, and it is the highest state administrative organ. The draft explicitly outlines the State Council's commitment to building a law-based, innovation-driven, and service-oriented government of integrity, among others. It also refines the expressions regarding the functions and powers of the State Council and adds a provision that the State Council exercises unified leadership over the work of local state administrative organs at all levels nationwide. The draft revises provisions on the members of the State Council, further clarifying the duties of vice premiers and state councilors. It adds the governor of the People's Bank of China as a member of the State Council. It also modifies provisions on the State Council's departments and their duties and powers, and improves the meeting system of the State Council. In addition, the draft revision introduces systems and measures to see that the State Council exercises its functions in full and in accordance with the law. All leads have been exhausted in a Missoula missing womans case, according to the Missoula Police Department. Eva Masin Prather, 43, was first reported missing on Dec. 30 out of Missoula. Prathers last known location was the 1000 block of Rollins Street, according to MPD, the lead agency on her case. Two months later, her case is still active. Unfortunately we have exhausted all investigative leads at this time and it is still an open case, said MPD Public Information Officer Whitney Bennett in an email. At this point we are just waiting for anyone to come forward with further information that can lead to her appearance or help us find out her welfare status. Bennett added Prathers case remains a missing persons case, and the department doesnt have any evidence at this point to determine any type of crime has occurred. Prather is still listed as a missing person in the Montana Missing Persons Database. Prather is white, about 5 feet and 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 125 pounds, according to authorities. She has brown hair and blue eyes. The clothing she reportedly was last seen in is not appropriate for cold January temperatures, police stated. MPD requested anyone in the Slant Streets neighborhood (see attached map) with external surveillance cameras to review footage starting from 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. In her update, Bennett said the department is still asking for the community to continue keeping an eye out. A Facebook group for Evas case has amassed over 500 members, and people still post daily with questions and theories about her. At the Montana Democratic Party's annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner, also referred to as Democrat Prom, elected officials, campaign staff, lobbyists, stakeholders and two pro-Palestine protesters piled into the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds on Saturday evening. The event which sold out its 750 tickets that ranged from $75 to $5,000 consisted of dinner service and a roster of speeches from Democratic officeholders and statewide candidates, as well as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. Breaking through the forceful cussing, handfuls of tequila shots and an 750-person rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung to Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers that included a rainbow sprinkle cake, the mission was clear for Democrats: re-elect Jon Tester to the U.S. Senate and it will benefit Montanas residents and Democratic candidates down the ballot. We have a guy at the top of the ticket who understands what the Legislature does, understands what it means to have good candidates up and down the ticket, is willing to put money into a coordinated campaign that will benefit all of us and we didn't have that last cycle, House Minority Leader Kim Abbott, of Helena, said referencing Tester. Abortion messaging Most of the speeches threw jabs at Republicans and mentioned reproductive freedoms." Secretary of State candidate Jesse Mullen said the state was being run by a confederacy of fanatics while gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse called Republicans radical jackwagons. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, Democrats across the nation seized on the Supreme Court decision and attacked Republicans up and down the ballot for their anti-abortion stances. Saturday night was no different. The Montana Democratic Party supports the women's right to choose and will fight like hell for it," said Sheila Hogan, executive director of the state party. Montanas 2021 legislative session included a number of bills that would have restricted peoples access to abortion services, but were recently permanently struck down by a Butte-based district court judge. One of the bills would have banned abortions after 20 weeks. The 2023 session saw more efforts to restrict access; many of those measures are also stalled in court. Our caucus wasn't passing unconstitutional f------ trash every single day, Abbott said in her speech. The taxpayers don't have to foot the bill to defend our policy, you know, the Supreme Court doesn't have to clean up our mess. Tester also harped on abortion access. And then there's a little thing called freedom and freedom as it applies to (reproductive) rights, that's also on the ballot. The last time I ran for re-election Roe v. Wade had been the law of the land for 50 years. My folks' generation did the fight on that, he said. I will tell you that the Republican attacks on freedom and our women's health care are only just beginning. Candidates Democrats also made sure to lob some election news: Democrat John Repke announced his bid for state auditor in his speech at the event, telling the Montana State News Bureau that he had officially decided to run earlier that day. Before Repkes announcement, the Democrats did not have a candidate in the state auditor race to run against Public Service Commission President James Brown. Repke is a retired business executive and moved to Whitefish full time in 2013. He previously ran for PSC in 2020, but lost in the general election against Ann Bukacek by 13 points. Other names on the November ticket also spoke Saturday night, like gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse and his running mate, Raph Graybill; Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Shannon OBrien; western congressional candidate Monica Tranel; and Secretary of State candidate Jesse Mullen; as well as multiple candidates from Montanas eastern House district. The auditor seat which oversees the insurance and securities sectors of the state was one of the major uncontested seats left open by Democrats, but the party still has yet to put up a candidate in dozens of legislative seats. Nonetheless, Repkes announcement clearly infused energy into the crowd. The deadline to file for office is March 11. Like the rest of the candidates, Repke did not forget to give a nod to Tester. We love you, Jon, he said. As the speeches went on, many of the candidates exuded confidence about their election chances in statewide races against strong Republican candidates, rarely forgetting to mention the Senate candidate, whose race is in the national spotlight as Republicans view flipping Tester's seat as integral to their goal of taking back control of the U.S. Senate. Tester was seated at the front of the room with the likes of former Gov. Steve Bullock. When it was time for his highly anticipated speech, the hundreds of people stood up and started waving their blue and yellow Tester signs in the air. The unified force behind Tester was palpable, until two pro-Palestine protesters stood up and interrupted his speech. 'You have blood on your hands' The first protester came only a couple minutes into Testers speech, which focused on services for veterans, reproductive freedoms and his Republican opponent, Tim Sheehy. The protester stood up in the middle of the room with a Palestinian flag and started by yelling Im a Democrat! Im a Jew! until his words were stifled by the two sheriffs deputies who hooked him under either arm. As he was dragged out, he continued, You are killing people. You have blood on your hands. The crowd promptly started chanting Lets go Jon in response. When a second protester, Leticia Romero, started to speak up, the crowd and the deputies appeared more prepared. The Tester signs were once again thrusted into the air as a sheriff's deputy whisked Romero off her feet and out the side door within seconds. Romero is a veteran and believes Tester is funding genocide, she said after she was removed from the dinner. Isn't it great to be popular? Isn't it? Tester asked the crowd after Romero was removed. He was met with cheers. Neither of the protesters were issued citations or arrested, according to deputies at the event. Multiple other members of Montanans for Palestine attempted to gain entry into the event, but received an email saying their tickets would not be honored due to capacity issues. The state party maintains that it was a capacity issue, but Brendan Work, an organizer with Montanans for Palestine, said that other tickets purchased by activists with the group were not revoked despite being purchased at a later date than the ones that were not honored. Montanans for Palestine said they want for him to call for a permanent ceasefire on the war in Gaza and an end to the financial support Israel is receiving from the U.S. The war was in part sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack in Israeli towns near the border with Gaza that killed about 1,200, roughly 70% of whom were civilians. Since then, Israel has waged an offensive that has killed over 30,000 people including masses of children, according to Gazas Health Ministry. For his part, Tester, who is the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee, has maintained that there are no good solutions to the conflict and that Israel has the right to defend itself. The truth is, Israel nor Hamas support a ceasefire, however, Sen. Tester believes humanitarian pauses are appropriate. Sen. Tester believes our top priority must be the release of American hostages and allowing Israel to effectively counter Hamas that response must be targeted and avoid civilian casualties, his office told KXLF. Keynote speech Beshear was the last speech of the night. First in 2019 and again in 2023, he beat the Republican candidate for governor in a deeply red state and has now become a bellwether for Democrats trying to win in more Republican-leaning places. Democrats can win in hard places with the right message and the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is proof (of that), Tester said. By one measure Kentucky is much more red than Montana: In 2020, Trump beat Biden by 26 percentage points in Kentucky while Trump beat Biden by a tighter margin of 16 points in Montana. That said, when nearly 57% of voters cast a ballot for the Republican candidate for president, its no secret that Tester faces a battle in November. Tester himself is clearly aware of that fact, but exuded confidence Saturday evening. We know the playbook. We've seen it. What they'll do is theyll come in and they'll try to make me into somebody else so they can run against that guy because they know they cant beat Jon Tester, the senior U.S. senator from Montana, Tester said. If were gonna win this race I need your help. You need to be on the team. Politics is not a sport you can sit on your hands. Its burning shoe leather, he later continued. Beshear followed Tester and stuck to the same message that the rest of the speeches put forth: re-elect Jon Tester. I believe in this man more than anything, Beshear said. Photos: Montana Democrats hold annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner in Helena A Sandpoint man died after being caught and buried in an avalanche while snowmobiling in the southern Selkirk Mountains of Idaho's northern panhandle on Friday. The man was riding in the Fault Lake area on the western side of the Pack River drainage, according to the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, about 21 miles north of Sandpoint or roughly between Priest Lake to the west and Bonners Ferry to the east. His riding partner was not caught and survived. The Boundary County Office of Emergency Management identified the deceased rider as 54-year-old Lance J. Gidley of Sandpoint. Both the county and avalanche center stated that poor weather conditions and ongoing avalanche danger meant that rescuers couldn't recover Gidley's body until Saturday afternoon. The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche warning for Friday, March 1, indicating that large, deadly avalanches were almost certain. Avalanche forecasters cited more than 3 feet of fresh snow and dense slabs of wind-blown snow as dual avalanche concerns. "Dangerous avalanche conditions are present due to intense winds and wet storms," the forecasters wrote. "Avoid being in avalanche terrain. Natural avalanches have been observed. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely." Separately, a snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Ahtanum Meadows in Washington, east of Darland Mountain and southeast of Mount Rainier, about 25 miles west of Yakima and 97 miles southeast of Seattle. The Northwest Avalanche Center reported that two snowmobilers were caught in the slide but only one was buried and killed. The center issued a forecast Friday of considerable avalanche danger, meaning potentially large, deadly slides were likely. Avalanches are possible on any slope 30 degrees or steeper, and can be triggered remotely and without warning from above, below or adjacent to a slope that steep. Avalanches are most likely to begin on slopes between 35 and 45 degrees. Strong winds during storm cycles, like the one that impacted the Idaho Panhandle late last week, can create dense but very unstable slabs of wind-blown snow on the downwind, or leeward, sides of ridges, mountain tops, saddles and gullies. And fresh powder can take a few days to bond to older snow it accumulates on, leading to storm-slab avalanches. According to the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center, first responders were dispatched at about 1:30 p.m. Friday to a report of a possible avalanche fatality, but "high avalanche danger and strong winter weather have delayed the mission." The center asked the public to avoid the Fault Lake Trail area. The county office of emergency management reported that Gidley and his riding partner "encountered an avalanche," but that the partner was able to ride away from the slide. He attempted to find and rescue Ridley, who was wearing an avalanche beacon a personal locator device considered essential for winter backcountry travel. The riding partner ultimately found Gidley dead under about 4 feet of avalanche debris. On Saturday, a "group of experienced riders who were familiar with the area" joined personnel from the Boundary County Sheriff and the County Search and Dive Rescue Team in the recovery mission, according to the office of emergency management. "The recovery operation took about nine hours due to the rugged terrain, challenging weather and the high risk of further avalanche," the office stated. "Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer commended the professional searchers and volunteers, some of whom were friends of the deceased man." The northern Idaho death was the second avalanche fatality in the state so far this winter and the ninth in the U.S. The Washington fatality was the 10th in the U.S. and the most recent as of Monday, according to a national database of avalanche fatalities. On Jan. 11, a backcountry skier died in an avalanche near Stevens Peak, Idaho, in the Silver Valley and just over the state line from Montana west of Missoula. One of the two surviving skiers in that incident was injured. There has not been an avalanche fatality in Montana so far this winter, although skiers and snowmobilers have been caught and injured in slides across the western part of the state. Muscatine Community School District is monitoring the potential impacts of a bill that would allow districts to arm staff, the superintendent said. During the last week of February, the Iowa House of Representatives passed House File 2586, also known as the Students First Safety Act. Through this new legislation, any Iowa school staff members who completed the specialty training needed would be permitted to carry firearms on school grounds. Supporters of the bill have argued that this could give the states educators the means to help protect their students in the case of a school shooting or any similar classroom threats. Current laws allow Iowa school districts to arm school staff, however many do not due to insurance companies denying coverage to each of the districts that have attempted to arm their staff in the past. The bill also has provisions granting qualified immunity to districts and staff for actions in addressing threats. The passage by the House moves the bill to the Senate. Residents can contact their state senators about the bill before it is voted on in that chamber. Numbers can be found on the Iowa legislative website and searching their Senator. Some local school districts also are chiming in. Following the passing of the bill in House chambers, Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Clint Christopher provided a statement in which he confirmed that the district was aware of this, as well as of the possibility of it becoming a law. As a school district, we take the safety of all students and staff members very seriously, Christopher said. A more permanent funding stream for school security is important, and we appreciate a focus on that at the state level. Christopher emphasized the districts close relationship with Muscatine emergency response departments, including being able to frequently review emergency responses with them, something he and his staff have remained extremely grateful for. We are extremely fortunate to have a strong relationship with them, and as we've seen in our swatting incident from last year, the response times in emergencies are very fast, he said. We will continue to monitor this and work with our community partners to determine legislation's potential impact on our schools." The role of dashcams in vehicle accidents and their effect on your car insurance The role of dashcams in vehicle accidents and their effect on your car insurance On Monday, March 4, the High Court in Kisumu rejected a petition challenging the advancement of the Affordable Housing Bill, granting Parliament the authority to proceed with its implementation. Kisumu-based activist Lawrence Opiuo had contested the process, alleging that the National Assembly was unduly and exceptionally expediting the legislation of the Affordable Housing Act, neglecting the necessary public participation. Omule Apiyo listed the Attorney General, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, and the National Assembly as respondents. He requested a declaration that the expedited process of the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023, without sufficient and meaningful public participation and consideration of the special needs of the marginalized, was unlawful and unconstitutional. The Attorney General and Housing PS Charles Hinga opposed the petition, arguing that it was an affront to derail a constitutional process and, therefore, unconstitutional. The Court heard that National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah presented the Bill in Parliament on December 4, 2023, and it underwent its first reading on December 7, 2023. Following this, on December 9, 2023, the public was invited to physically submit their comments about the Bill to Parliament Buildings in Nairobi or send them through a provided email address, with a deadline set for December 28, 2023. The Kisumu court, in its ruling, declared the petition premature, emphasizing that it had presumed the National Assemblys intent to conduct the exercise through a single mode, specifically the submission of memoranda. The third respondent (National Assembly) cannot be faulted for the manner in which it has conducted public participation in respect of the Affordable Housing Bill No 75 of 2023, the judgement read in part. Justice Mwanaisha Shariff additionally observed that public hearings and consultations with stakeholders and experts concluded on January 30, stating that the court would not interfere with the legislative-making process. This court finds that the public participation conducted by the national assembly was effective and conditionality compliant, the court ruled. The government has commissioned 430 new wagons to enhance efficiency in the countrys freight services. The arrival of these wagons will also expedite the clearance of a backlog of 100,000 tonnes, which includes steel pellets, coils, and other loose cargo at the port of Mombasa. During the commissioning exercise in Mombasa on Monday, Mohamed Daghar, the PS of the State Department for Transport, said the new wagons would increase the capacity of both the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR). They will gradually replace the current wagons, which are over 40 years old. The wagons feature various specifications and additional safety enhancements. They can carry double-stacked containers with load capacities of 70 tonnes for the SGR and 64 tonnes for the MGR. The final shipment of 20 wagons is scheduled to arrive in May, bringing the total number of wagons acquired this year to 500, with 300 designated for the SGR and 200 for the MGR. Its really important to increase efficiency at the Port of Mombasa and one way of increasing efficiency is to ensure that the dwell time and ensure both containerized and conventional cargo is discharged efficiently and quickly, said Daghar at the Portreitz Freight Station. The PS emphasized that the most effective method for unloading bulk cargo such as steel pellets and coils is by utilizing the train system, whether it be the SGR or MGR. He affirmed the governments commitment to providing efficient rail transport for both containerized and conventional cargo to neighboring landlocked countries. Daghar also expressed the governments determination to maintain the competitiveness and efficiency of the northern corridor, which extends from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We want a situation where Kenya Railways will be scavenging for containers. We want to ensure that our yards efficiently transport all the cargo from the port of Mombasa to reduce our dwell time to two days or less, said Daghar. The government has undertaken the rehabilitation of the entire MGR line in the country, with only a small section remaining between Voi and Taveta that connects with the northern part of Tanzania. The PS disclosed that the State Department of Transport, in collaboration with the National Land Commission, has acquired 1.4 kilometers of land that previously halted the rehabilitation of the MGR line in Mombasa. This section will link the central railway station with the SGR terminus in Miritini. Upon completion in May, passengers using the Madaraka Express passenger service train and the seven stations along the SGR traveling to or from Mombasa will be able to utilize the MGR line. Simultaneously, the construction of four mini-stations is underway in Changamwe East, Changamwe West, Miritini, and Shimanzi to improve commuter movement for Mombasa residents. This will provide an alternative mode of transport, alleviating pressure on road transport. Doctors on Monday, March 4 issued a seven-day strike notice, setting a deadline for the government to resolve all pending issues of contention by Sunday midnight; failure to do so will result in a nationwide strike beginning next Monday. On Monday, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) organized a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi. The protest aimed to express discontent, particularly regarding the shooting of their Secretary General, Davji Atellah, by the police during a similar demonstration in Nairobi last week. The Union emphasized the need to address crucial concerns, such as the posting of interns, promotions, medical cover, payment of postgraduate fees, study leaves, and pension. The decision was reached following a meeting of the National Advisory Committee Council on Sunday. On Monday, Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah stated that the initial plan was to issue the strike notice in June. However, recent events, including the injury of SG Davji Atellah during protests held last Thursday, prompted the decision to expedite the process. We have agreed to do our nationwide strike starting Sunday next week, Miskellah said. He added; We are going to give a seven-day notice today then we will do our nationwide strike to ensure that every single issue we have fought for from promotions to medical cover, internship, pension, study leaves and school fees and issues around the SG must be addressed. KMPDU says there are 1,215 medical interns awaiting posting, some having waited for either six months or a year. During a meeting between the unions and the Ministry of Health on January 22, an agreement was reached that all interns would be posted by the end of February. However, the ministry contends that funds have not been released by the Treasury. In a subsequent meeting between the union and the affected interns on February 20, they set a deadline of March 1 for the ministry to ensure all interns receive their posting letters. The union warned that if the government fails to meet this deadline, doctors nationwide will initiate a go-slow. We have been on a go slow today (Monday) it culminates in a nationwide protest from KMA to the Ministry of Health and the Interior Ministry to protest how 25 interns were hurt last week, Miskellah said. We had intended to do this strike in June but they have made us to bring it forward. This comes as Health CS Susan Nakhumicha indicated that an estimated Kes.4.9 billion is required to facilitate the posting of interns. Rapper Hubert Nakitare, popularly known as Nonini, once again criticized Ezekiel Mutua, the chairman of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya, regarding the distribution of royalties to Kenyan artistes. During an appearance on Citizen TV, Nonini accused MCSK and all Kenyan Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) of neglecting the established guidelines to disburse 70% of the collected money in royalties. He pointed out that MCSK operates a dishonest system that unfairly deprives artistes of their rightful earnings. Artistes know the amount of money they should earn. A majority of those I represent have not been paid and their songs are always played. Why is money being collected and distributed in bits? Royalties are distributed onceThere is no day these people have distributed 70%, said Nonini. The US-based rapper/businessman drew a comparison between the distribution of royalties to artistes in the United States and Kenya. Nonini disclosed that the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), one of the largest CMOs in the United States, collected $1.7 billion in 2023 and disbursed a record $1.5 billion to artistes. There is zero human interaction because everything has been digitised, we upload our songs on their system and I can log into my account and see my statement, he said. They are mandated to send an annual report to look into detail on how they have spent the money. It is illegal if they are found to have spent only 70%. Nonini accused Dr. Mutua of dismissing artistes whenever they raise concerns about their royalties, reminding him that he is their employee. If you cannot follow the governments mandate what are you doing? He is an employee of artists he must respect them. Since when have you seen an employee arguing with his bosses? Nonini posed. ST. HELENA The well-mannered students of St. Helena High School are set to transform into sassy Pink Ladies and rough-edged T-Birds as they take the stage for a production of Grease opening Friday, March 8. Cast members say that if you're looking for a fun musical with catchy tunes and colorful characters, this is the one that you want (ooh, ooh, ooh!). I hope people leave the show super-happy, loving every second, with all the songs stuck in their heads, said Andrew Mendes, who plays the lead role of Danny Zuko. This production has been in the making ever since St. Helena Drama director Patti Coyle was a precocious 4-year-old staging productions of Grease on her porch and in her garage for an audience of paying neighbors. The decades of preparation seem to have produced a surefire hit, as opening night was sold out more than a week in advance. The cast and crew ran through some early scenes during a press preview last week. After a ceremony introducing the audience to Rydell High, the story flashes back to new girl Sandy (Tahlia Smith) telling members of the Pink Ladies clique about her summer fling with a handsome boy. That boy turns out to be popular greaser Danny Zuko, whose leather-jacketed friends, the T-Birds, press him for salacious details about the tryst. Danny blows off Sandy the first time he sees her at school, so the Pink Ladies try to cheer her up with an ill-fated pajama party. Meanwhile, Danny and his friends talk cars and yes, there is a real car on stage. Songs like Summer Nights and Greased Lightnin punctuate the action as the Rydell kids try with mixed success to stay out of trouble, find love, and make the most of their teen years. Mendes called Danny Zuko a super-fun role and his first lead role with St. Helena Drama. He grew up watching the 1978 film adaptation of Grease that starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. I grew up wanting to be Danny Zuko, Mendes said. Watching the movie over and over again, listening to the songs on repeat in the house. He said he was inspired by Travoltas performance but still put his own twist on the role. The biggest challenge has been the dancing, especially the complex choreography of the Hand Jive sequence. Smith played Dorothy in a Napa Valley College production of The Wizard of Oz last fall, but this is her first lead role for St. Helena Drama, which she called a big, big honor. Sandy has been one of Smiths dream roles. Like Mendes, she grew up watching the movie and remembers listening to the songs over and over with her parents. She found the biggest challenge to be the costume changes between scenes quick changes, in theater lingo. All the stuff backstage is a lot harder than being on stage, Smith said. Anna Harrington plays Rizzo, the feisty ringleader of the Pink Ladies. Shes probably the most seasoned cast member, having performed in St. Helena and Napa ever since St. Helena Drama produced The Wizard of Oz in 2004. She loves how theater tells stories and sparks joy in an audience, but its the collaboration that inspires her to participate in show after show. The best thing about theater is the entire process that comes before a performance, where you get to work with people, toss around ideas and try new things, Harrington said. Getting outside your comfort zone can be scary what if you get on stage and make a fool of yourself? but its ultimately good because youre trying new things and growing as a person, she said. Liam Joy plays Doody, one of Dannys greaser buddies. Doody is definitely not a punching bag, but hes definitely not top dog either, Joy said. Hes a bit awkward sometimes, but he can also laugh and joke around with the guys. Joy previously performed in The Addams Family, Almost, Maine, Murder on the Orient Express, Oklahoma! and She Kills Monsters. He said Doody is a nice change of pace from his role as a nerd in last fall's She Kills Monsters, which was harder to relate to. Ethan Peterson has been participating in St. Helena Drama since sixth grade. He plays Kenickie, Dannys best friend. Kenickie is popular, confident and funny, but he has a mean streak. Greased Lightnin is an ode to his car. And in case youre wondering, yes, Peterson loves cars and has his own orange Mustang. Sonny LaTierri can only dream about being as cool as Danny and Kenickie, but that doesnt stop him from joining in their fun and cracking jokes at every available opportunity. His bravado tends to dissolve whenever the intimidating Miss Lynch appears, though. He thinks hes Danny Zuko, but hes not, said Jathan Reynolds, who plays Sonny with the same flair for comedy he showed in "She Kills Monsters." Hes got sunglasses and a cool hat, but its all about projecting an image thats not really there. Reynolds, in contrast, is the real thing. Hes already chosen his college major: drama. 'Grease' Directed by Patti Coyle, musical direction by Craig Bond 7 p.m. Friday, March 8 (sold out) 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10 7 p.m. Friday, March 15 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17 St. Helena Performing Arts Center 1401 Grayson Ave. Tickets: $20 general admission; $10 for students and seniors sthelenadrama.com Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta through the years The Napa Valley Register will provide coverage of Tuesday's local and state primary election races online, in print and in its E-edition. Visit napavalleyregister.com to see early election results for the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the state Senates 3rd District after the close of voting Tuesday night, as well as updates and recaps later Tuesday and beyond. The Register will publish recaps of the supervisors and state Senate races in its E-edition Wednesday, with further coverage in print on Thursday. California voting centers on Tuesday will close at 8 p.m. Shortly afterward, the Napa County Elections Division will post early results of races, including contests for the 2nd, 4th and 5th district seats of the county Board of Supervisors. In the state Senate, where Napa resident Bill Dodd is leaving the 3rd District seat because of term limits, three Democrats and two Republicans are competing in the primary. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, will move into a November runoff. PHOTOS: Napa County Board of Supervisors Candidate Forum A national political advisor suggests investing more in ethnographic films, which holds potential for cultural exchange and for conveying authentic Chinese stories to the world. Zheng Qian, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), poses for a photo as she speaks to China.org.cn at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, March 4, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn] Zheng Qian, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and deputy curator of the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology, explained to China.org.cn that ethnographic films use standard fieldwork methodologies of ethnology to create documentaries that depict particular cultures and social customs. Over the course of nearly a century, the scope of ethnographic films has expanded from ethnic cultures to include a wide range of areas such as urban communities and industrial societies. It is precisely because of their scientific and academic objectivity that ethnographic films have a subtle yet profound impact. After China's reform and opening-up, ethnographic films have provided the West with a window to understand China. Works such as "China: Beyond the Clouds" (1994) by Phil Agland have been widely disseminated and praised in the West, promoting Western understanding of Chinese society. "Today, in the complex international public opinion environment, the scientific and authentic media characteristics of ethnographic films should be highly valued for their functional value in shaping China's image and effectively telling China's stories," said Zheng, who is attending the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee scheduled to take place from March 4-10 in Beijing. In her opinion, ethnographic films have evolved into a domain of international cultural exchange, creating a global cross-cultural communication system with no fewer than 100 international and local ethnographic film festivals around the world. At the surface level, these films involve academic and cultural dissemination, but essentially, they represent a medium through which different countries showcase their cultural traditions and export cultural resources. This defines a country's cultural status and helps cultivate its voice within international cultural discourse. However, European and American countries currently hold the dominant position in the international exchange and dissemination of ethnographic films. The international exchange and dissemination of Chinese ethnographic films have not yet fully developed. Without its own international ethnographic film festival, China's ethnographic works can only be sent to the West, subject to Western academic selection and evaluation. Consequently, China lacks a platform to disseminate its cultural concepts and convey messages through ethnographic imagery. With the hopes of establishing China's own international ethnographic film festival and the Belt and Road Ethnographic Film Festival, among others, Zheng specifically recommended leveraging already established domestic film festivals, such as the Beijing Ethnographic Film Festival launched by the Chinese National Museum of Ethnology in 2015 and the Guangxi Ethnographic Film Festival started by the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi. She also suggested utilizing relevant resources and projects from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's division for the protection of ethnic and folk culture and the China Memory project of the National Library of China. "These would create platforms for exchange and cultural competition capable of matching those in European and American countries, and would enhance cultural confidence. At the same time, they would convey China's voice to the world and tell China's story through visual narratives that embody the image of the country," the national political advisor noted. If you haven't yet voted in the California primary elections, there's still time to do so before state voting ends at 8 p.m. Napa County is staffing voting centers in all five local cities and providing ballot drop-off boxes elsewhere. Voting on Tuesday runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. County residents can register to vote, drop off ballots, get replacement ballots and more at eight locations. The Napa County Election Division is offering services at its downtown Napa headquarters as well as sites in Napa, American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. In addition, local voters can cast ballots at 10 other locations with drop-off boxes. Voting centers Napa - Napa County Election Division, 1127 First St., Suite E (drive-thru ballot drop-offs available) - Former Harvest Middle School building, 2449 Old Sonoma Road - Las Flores Community Center, 4300 Linda Vista Ave. (drive-thru ballot drop-offs available) American Canyon - American Canyon Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 5001 Main St. (drive-thru ballot drop-offs available) - Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, 60 Benton Way Yountville - Yountville Community Center, 6516 Washington St. (ballot drop box and drive-thru ballot drop-offs available) St. Helena - Napa Valley College Upper Valley Campus, 1088 College Ave. (drive-thru ballot drop-offs available) Calistoga - Calistoga Community Center, 1307 Washington St. Ballot drop boxes Napa - Second Street garage alley, between the garage and 1127 First St. - Soscol and Lincoln avenues, next to Taj Grill and across from Walmart - Solano Avenue south of Redwood Road, across from Redwood Plaza - South Jefferson Street outside River Park Shopping Center, in front of Goodwill - Napa Valley College main campus, by the library, 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway (Highway 221) American Canyon - City Hall, 4381 Broadway (Highway 29) - Silver Oak Park next to Canyon Oaks School, Silver Oak Trail St. Helena - St. Helena Public Library, 1492 Library Lane Calistoga - Fair Way, next to the bus stop outside Cal Mart Angwin - Howell Mountain Market, 15 Angwin Plaza Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, March 2, 2024 Today, as California voters decide whether to approve a colossal shift of local mental health funding, Napas county and nonprofit service providers are largely silent on whether they support the change, and uncertain what it could mean for the people they serve. Proposition 1, supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom, would restructure the states Mental Health Services Act to reallocate money historically marked for mental health services to create housing and treatment beds for homeless people across the state. This measure will change the way that counties allocate funds for a variety of mental health services with greater emphasis on serving the homeless population and less on prevention programs, said Rob Weiss, executive director of Mentis Napa, a nonprofit center for mental health. In 2004, voters passed the Mental Health Services Act, which placed an annual 1% tax on incomes over $1 million to support county-level mental health services. The law, which raises between $2 billion and $3 billion annually, helps counties fund local prevention and early intervention programs, and tailor services to the needs of specific populations, such as BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. According to Weiss, the MHSA has been generally successful in expanding access and improving the mental health system in our state. The Register and Highway 29 asked a dozen county, city and nonprofit agencies whether they supported Prop. 1, but despite the transformative nature of the plan, none, including Mentis Napa, stated a position. Collaborative journalism project This story was produced as part of the Napa Community Journalism Lab, supported by Napa Valley Community Foundation. The lab is a collaboration of The Napa Valley Register, Highway 29 Media, and Wine Down Media. Trey Bundy is our lead editor in residence. Dana Cronin is our producer in residence. Our mission is to engage with readers, journalists, residents and decision-makers around impactful reporting that serves all communities of Napa County. We believe Napas Spanish-speaking community deserves quality news in their language and we are committed to providing it. Prop. 1 is complicated, Weiss said, adding that the impact on smaller counties such as Napa that have a smaller homeless population compared to large California counties is unclear. Alicia Hardy, CEO of the Napa nonprofit health center CommuniCare+OLE, agreed that the initiatives moving parts have made it difficult to predict its effect on local programs and their clients. There are some positive aspects to the proposition, like allowing MHSA dollars to be used for treatment, for substance use and, of course, increasing housing for the unhoused, Hardy wrote in an email to the Register. These provisions are important and necessary but so is funding for mental health services currently offered to our community, which would be impacted should Prop. 1 pass. In addition to Mentis Napa and CommuniCare+OLE, Aldea Children and Family Services, Cope Family Center, UpValley Family Centers, SHINE Napa Valley, LGBTQ Connection Napa and Abode Services, along with Napa city and county officials, declined to state a position or did not respond to requests for comment on Prop. 1. Still, some expressed concerns. While Prop. 1 does create some housing, it largely just moves the money around, said Bronwyn Hogan, vice president of community relations at Abode Services. Abode, a nonprofit, operates an emergency shelter, provides rental assistance and creates affordable housing in Napa County. We believe in housing, Hogan said. We do what is necessary to build more housing, and to focus on housing-related interventions. We also know that communities need strong mental health supports. Hogan said Abode supports the creation of more resources, but that Prop. 1 unfairly pits housing needs against mental health needs. Mental health resources are already insufficiently funded, so any further reduction, even a minimal one, could have a detrimental impact on those services, Hogan said. Mental health professionals are not the only stakeholders debating Prop. 1 behind the scenes. Law enforcement officers find themselves at the nexus of homelessness and mental health as a matter of course. We are dealing with mental health calls almost daily, said Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz. And a lot of times our officers deal with people with extreme psychosis and there is nowhere to put them. Ortiz said he would consider Prop. 1 a step in the right direction if it means his department had more safe places to take people experiencing mental health crises. That would impact our work in a positive way, he said. What we are doing to tackle homelessness and mental health services is not working, so anything is better than nothing at this point. Backers of Prop. 1 have enjoyed bipartisan support for the plan in Sacramento, largely because of its promise to curb homelessness, one of California's most intractable and politically fraught issues, and one near the top of voters concerns across the state. Under the current law, counties receive and control 95% of Mental Health Services Act dollars and the state controls the remaining 5%. If Prop. 1 passes, that number would rise to 10%, and counties would have to spend about a third of their MHSA money on housing and rental assistance for people suffering with mental health problems. The plan would also approve $6.4 billion in new bonds, of which $4.4 billion would be spent to create new facilities for mental health and substance abuse treatment. The state would control the remaining $2 billion, and local governments would receive grants or loans to convert motels and other buildings into housing for people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. Just over half of the $2 billion is marked for veterans' housing. Although the state expects the Prop. 1 bonds to fund 4,350 new housing units and 6,800 new treatment beds, an estimated 180,000 people are currently homeless in California. The annual count of unhoused individuals in Napa County tallied 506 in 2023, the most recent year for which statistics were available, up slightly from 494 in 2022. Sheriff Ortiz said that although he welcomes efforts to build safe, supportive housing, he has watched the state pour money into the homelessness crisis for years, and the needle has barely moved. Sure we can turn hotels and motels into temporary housing, Ortiz said, but you will eventually run out of those, and then what? Is the Prop. 1 approach sustainable? Projects in St. Helena and American Canyon are slated to split more than $1.75 million in congressional funding, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson announced Monday. The community project funding which will be considered by Congress later this week would benefit St. Helenas water treatment plant and the Napa River Ecology Center planned for the American Canyon wetlands, Thompson said in a news release. In all, nearly $15 million of the funding would benefit Californias 4th District, according to the St. Helena Democrat. I worked with partners in Napa County to identify the Water Treatment Plant project and the Napa River Ecology Center project as two priorities that would help protect our water and educate our community about the importance of wetlands, conservation, and habitat protection, Thompson said. I look forward to seeing this funding help advance these important projects. St. Helena is slated to receive $959,752 toward a new control and data acquisition system and microgrid for the citys water treatment plant, an upgrade meant to improve the plants resiliency during wildfires and other emergencies. The equipment would replace an existing system that only notifies workers of after-hours alarms, without the ability to change or monitor water treatment remotely. American Canyon is poised to receive $800,000 for its ecology center, with the money devoted to converting a city corporation yard building on Wetlands Edge Road into an education and program space that will be accessible to disabled visitors. The center, which is scheduled to open as early as 2026, will host community events, after-school programs jointly run with the Napa Valley Unified School District, and conservation and citizen science programs. PHOTOS: The 45th running of the Napa Valley Marathon The long, winding road that Mayacamas Charter Middle School's supporters have traveled for two and a half years will finally reach a conclusion on Tuesday. Maybe. The Napa County Office of Education board is scheduled to address the school's petition for a countywide charter at its meeting this evening. The NCOE staff has recommended approval albeit with a long list of conditions but nothing requires the board to do a simple up-or-down vote. Here are the various things that could happen and their implications. The board says yes An approval gives Mayacamas the ability to operate through the 2028-29 academic year. This would, in effect, supersede a charter granted by the State Board of Education the validity of which is currently being litigated and provide the school with a degree of stability it does not currently have. After that point, Mayacamas would need to be reauthorized by NCOE. The county education board could require the charter's backers to meet a set of conditions within a certain time frame, though the enforcement mechanism for that is unclear, and would likely need to be hammered out by the board itself. It could also require some or all of its conditions to be met prior to approval, which means a decision would put off to a later date. Under rules regarding petition deadlines, the latest the board could make a decision is April 15. The board says no If the board denies the countywide charter petition, that's it. There is no appeal. However, this does not mean Mayacamas would immediately cease operations. The school has been open since mid-August by dint of the earlier, state board-approved charter. If the NCOE board turns down the countywide petition and the courts rule against Mayacamas regarding its current charter, the school's options would rapidly narrow. It could ask the California Supreme Court to intervene, but that court is not required to consider the case, and a ruling for the school is not guaranteed even if it does take up the issue. But again, nothing legally requires the NCOE board to do any of these things Tuesday. The hearing, slated to begin at 5 p.m., will include a staff presentation followed by a presentation by Mayacamas' backers, questions by the board, public comment limited to one hour, and finally deliberation by trustees. We cant predict what the board will do, and there are multiple scenarios that could happen at the March meeting, said NCOE spokesperson Seana Wagner. In its analysis, staff with the county office recommended approving the charter with a list of 11 conditions. Those requirements include a school safety plan, reading instruction plans for underachieving students, and an outline of hiring, payroll and other processes. The charter, long contentious, became even more so last week, when the Napa Valley Unified School District's board pledged to sue if the countywide charter was approved. NVUSD officials, however, declined to say who would be named in such a suit. At that meeting, Stephanie Medrano Farland, an education policy consultant and former head of the California Department of Educations charter division, said the conditions for approval were surprising. "These conditions that Napa County staff put into their recommendations and findings are a valid reason to deny a charter school," Farland said. "Those were some big holes. Those were some big red flags." But according to Mayacamas' co-founders, those holes have actually been filled and responses were submitted to the board Monday. Jolene Yee, one of the founders and petition writers, said the specifics NCOE staff urged as conditions of approval arent traditionally included in a charter school petition, so they didnt. If you look up and down the state, the charter petitions dont have this kind of information attached because it's not one of the elements that you would review in order to determine if its a good petition, Yee said. And Lauren Daley, another founder, said the responses came so close to the hearing itself due to family and work obligations. Were doing things at night, and we both have children involved in multiple activities, and we have to run everything through our legal counsel, she said. The petitioners submitted their draft on Jan. 16. That filing came after they withdrew its initial petition with NCOE in October following an outcry over a proposed partnership with Pacific Union College. Mayacamas' opponents were concerned over anti-LGBTQ sentiments at the college, a Seventh-day Adventist school in Angwin. The new petition has many similarities to the old one, and the feedback received from county staff is also similar across the two documents. For example, NCOE staff asked for a student safety plan and more detailed administrative processes in both the August and January versions. When asked about the August materials, Wagner of NCOE said that the board is only concerned with materials connected to the newest application. As of Monday afternoon, she said staff had yet to review the materials the petitioners submitted regarding the proposed conditions. Experts in the charter school sphere have different opinions on whether NCOE staff's conditions should or should not be included in an initial petition. Farland said in an email that Mayacamas did not do its due diligence, as shown by the list of conditions. I disagree that you dont see petitioners from across the state include in their petitions the conditions NCOE is requiring, she wrote. Petitioners including a comprehensive program for all students they are expecting to serve is not uncommon. However, Eric Premack, executive director of Charter Schools Development Center, sees California charter petition laws as modest, meaning that although state law is specific it leaves room for interpretation. The law does not call for you to include the details of your curriculum or specific textbooks youre going to buy, Premack said. Premack added that some charter petitions may go above and beyond" what state law calls for, as the demands of school districts differ from county to county. The NCOE board will meet on the issue starting at 5 p.m. 2121 Imola Ave. in Napa. The hearing will also be broadcast online at https://napacoe.zoom.us/j/85404848681. Photos: Mayacamas School prepping for first day of school It's Primary Election Day in California and Napa County will deal with rain showers for Tuesday. Meteorologist Joe Martucci explains where will likely be the wettest and when you can head to the polls without the rain gear. High-tech minister on removing Russia TV channels from multiplex: Armenia's dignity is at core of decisions Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs discuss new logistical opportunities Armenia 2041 Foundation launches Galvanizing Diaspora program Kazakhstan FM notes Armenias Crossroads of Peace projects importance for Middle Corridor Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs sign 2024/25 action plan Armenia PM is in Tavush Province, meeting with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, neighboring villages Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS) Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback! Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization 7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say Armenia to submit application for EU membership? Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank Large number of Russians came from Georgia to Armenia to vote in presidential election, envoy says Stoltenberg: NATO hopes to have stable peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia Belgorod attacked by two rockets during the day: there are dead and injured Media: Elon Musk's company is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Georgia have always supported each other's sovereignty Iran calls for formation of international coalition against Israel Biden told Aliyev of US commitment to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue Zakharova: There is a historical answer to Armenia's doubts about sincerity of Russia's intentions Zakharova: Moscow discusses with Armenia dragging Yerevan into anti-Russian course Zakharova: Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO should be based on real needs of the country, not on "flirting" with West Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Armenia deputy FM: There has been considerable regress regarding visa facilitation with EU Deputy FM: As landlocked country, Armenia recognizes vital importance of inclusive connectivity, open borders FM: Armenia made every effort to prevent de-Armenianization in Karabakh FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan FM: Deepening of Armenia's relations with the West, EU not directed against Russia Mirzoyan: Unprecedented number of senior French officials visited Armenia in 2023 Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia, Azerbaijan are close to mutual understanding on recognition of 1991 borders Armenia made very active efforts to have minimal mutually acceptable wording with CSTO partners, FM assures FM: Georgia ready to contribute to process of establishing peace in South Caucasus Armenia FM: Events have occurred that have made it impossible to do certain things Armenia FM: Ultimate goal not materialized yet in relations with Turkey FM: There are international players interested in Armenia ceasing to exist Mirzoyan: No agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan to withdraw international lawsuits against each other Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan FM: Armenia still doesnt understand how CSTO partners present their area of responsibility in South Caucasus Mirzoyan: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has become factor of stability on Azerbaijan border Dennis Francis: UN hopes for signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty FM: 23 Armenians still kept in custody in Azerbaijan Armenia FM: Still not many tangible results on fundamental issues, we are still negotiating with Azerbaijan European Commission official underscores provision of assistance to people affected by Karabakh conflict Peter Stano: Armenia can apply for EU membership MFA: Genocide prevention agenda is among Armenias priorities Russia holding presidential elections US intelligence warns of potentially devastating new pandemic Newspaper: Birth rate in Armenia 19% lower than last year Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan Georgian Prime Minister to visit Armenia Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief Anne-Laurence Petel-led delegation to arrive in Armenia FM: Armenia looks into prospects of further deepening partnership with EU New technologies at the core of rural infrastructure development Russia is world leader in nuclear technology, Putin says Vardges Sureniants Salome painting returns to National Gallery of Armenia exhibition Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia Sunak: There is historic opportunity to put an end to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict Armenia authorities, who paid $6M for Snoop Dogg concert, still dont know when this postponed event will be held Deputy economy minister: Matter of opening India-Iran-Armenia trade corridor being discussed Armenia official: Trade with India amounted to $380M in 2023 ICC NCA head: India considers Armenia an important bridge to enter larger markets Anne-Laurence Petel welcomes resolution on EU-Armenia relations India ambassador: We are happy that our relations with Armenia are developing in defense sector also Indians are now 2nd largest community in Armenia after Russians, envoy says India-Armenia business forum kicks off in Yerevan Armenia parliament speaker on European Parliament resolution: We thank European partners for this important step PM: European Parliament resolution is another opportunity to discuss vision of Armenia's future Azerbaijans next target in Karabakh is Artsakh State University High-tech minister on removing Russia TV channels from multiplex: Armenia's dignity is at core of decisions Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs discuss new logistical opportunities Armenia 2041 Foundation launches Galvanizing Diaspora program Kazakhstan FM notes Armenias Crossroads of Peace projects importance for Middle Corridor Armenia, Kazakhstan FMs sign 2024/25 action plan Armenia PM is in Tavush Province, meeting with residents of Voskepar, Baghanis, neighboring villages Archaeologists find inscription of King Antiochus I of Armenian Yervanduni Dynasty, in Turkey Kazakhstan FM is in Armenia (PHOTOS) Rolls-Royce Ghost to be retired and replaced by new Alpina sedan Ardshinbank cardholders can now enjoy a 10% cashback! Withdrawal from lawsuits against Azerbaijan in international courts will cause irreparable damage to Armenia, Armenians EU Council to discuss assistance to Armenia, Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization 7,825 Karabakh residents who left Armenia since September 2023 have not returned, new data say Armenia to submit application for EU membership? Archaeologists discover where legendary British warship that disappeared in 17th century sank Large number of Russians came from Georgia to Armenia to vote in presidential election, envoy says Stoltenberg: NATO hopes to have stable peace between Azerbaijan, Armenia Belgorod attacked by two rockets during the day: there are dead and injured Media: Elon Musk's company is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites for US intelligence Shooting in Pennsylvania: at least three dead, gunman took hostages MEPs appeal to EU leadership to protect cultural heritage of Artsakh Armenians New talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled in Qatar on Sunday India's national elections will be held from 19 April to 1 June Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Georgia have always supported each other's sovereignty Iran calls for formation of international coalition against Israel Biden told Aliyev of US commitment to peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan Stoltenberg will meet in Yerevan with the President and Prime-minister of Armenia Turkish Foreign Ministry issues anti-Russian statement on Crimea issue Zakharova: There is a historical answer to Armenia's doubts about sincerity of Russia's intentions Zakharova: Moscow discusses with Armenia dragging Yerevan into anti-Russian course Zakharova: Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO should be based on real needs of the country, not on "flirting" with West Amazon and Microsoft suspend their cloud products in Russia Dollar, euro lose value in Armenia Armenia deputy FM: There has been considerable regress regarding visa facilitation with EU Deputy FM: As landlocked country, Armenia recognizes vital importance of inclusive connectivity, open borders FM: Armenia made every effort to prevent de-Armenianization in Karabakh FM to reporters: You will be the first to know when Armenia intends to apply for EU membership Ararat Mirzoyan: All Armenia authorities have negotiated on territorial concessions to Azerbaijan FM: Deepening of Armenia's relations with the West, EU not directed against Russia Mirzoyan: Unprecedented number of senior French officials visited Armenia in 2023 Ararat Mirzoyan: Armenia, Azerbaijan are close to mutual understanding on recognition of 1991 borders Armenia made very active efforts to have minimal mutually acceptable wording with CSTO partners, FM assures FM: Georgia ready to contribute to process of establishing peace in South Caucasus Armenia FM: Events have occurred that have made it impossible to do certain things Armenia FM: Ultimate goal not materialized yet in relations with Turkey FM: There are international players interested in Armenia ceasing to exist Mirzoyan: No agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan to withdraw international lawsuits against each other Armenia FM reiterates PM's arguments on handover of 4 villages in Tavush Province to Azerbaijan FM: Armenia still doesnt understand how CSTO partners present their area of responsibility in South Caucasus Mirzoyan: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has become factor of stability on Azerbaijan border Dennis Francis: UN hopes for signing of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty FM: 23 Armenians still kept in custody in Azerbaijan Armenia FM: Still not many tangible results on fundamental issues, we are still negotiating with Azerbaijan European Commission official underscores provision of assistance to people affected by Karabakh conflict Peter Stano: Armenia can apply for EU membership MFA: Genocide prevention agenda is among Armenias priorities Russia holding presidential elections US intelligence warns of potentially devastating new pandemic Newspaper: Birth rate in Armenia 19% lower than last year Stoltenberg: NATO sought to maintain stronger relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan Georgian Prime Minister to visit Armenia Premier receives IMF Armenia mission chief Anne-Laurence Petel-led delegation to arrive in Armenia FM: Armenia looks into prospects of further deepening partnership with EU New technologies at the core of rural infrastructure development Russia is world leader in nuclear technology, Putin says Vardges Sureniants Salome painting returns to National Gallery of Armenia exhibition Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia Sunak: There is historic opportunity to put an end to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict Armenia authorities, who paid $6M for Snoop Dogg concert, still dont know when this postponed event will be held Deputy economy minister: Matter of opening India-Iran-Armenia trade corridor being discussed Armenia official: Trade with India amounted to $380M in 2023 ICC NCA head: India considers Armenia an important bridge to enter larger markets Anne-Laurence Petel welcomes resolution on EU-Armenia relations India ambassador: We are happy that our relations with Armenia are developing in defense sector also Indians are now 2nd largest community in Armenia after Russians, envoy says India-Armenia business forum kicks off in Yerevan Armenia parliament speaker on European Parliament resolution: We thank European partners for this important step PM: European Parliament resolution is another opportunity to discuss vision of Armenia's future Azerbaijans next target in Karabakh is Artsakh State University Russia deputy FM in Turkey, discusses process of normalizing Armenia-Azerbaijan relations 14-karat gold LEGO piece sells for over $18,000 Newspaper: Armenia to leave CSTO on Putin's reelection day? Young lords 1,200-year-old tomb with treasure discovered in Panama European Parliament resolution demands Azerbaijan troops withdrawal from Armenia territory European Parliament adopts resolution proposing to consider possibility of Armenia's candidacy for EU membership Russia MFA spox: We are concerned by Armenia leaderships sometimes offensive rhetoric on CSTO topics Armenia government plans to have Kapan city airport serve international flights as well Zakharova on Russian border guards removal from Yerevan airport: Hardly meets Armenia security interests Armenia defense minister, Austria envoy, military attache discuss enhancing cooperation (PHOTOS) Armenia official: Those 4 villages in Tavush Province are not in our administrative territorial division European Parliament passes resolution proposing to consider possibility of EU membership candidacy to Armenia The Kremlin comments on PM Pashinyan's statements about possibility of Armenia leaving CSTO US envoy to Armenia underscores empowering women to participate meaningfully at all levels of conflict prevention RFE/RL: Armenia ready to find solutions, including in most problematic areas of Tavush Province, government says The number of Team mobile subscribers is over 1 million French writer Sylvain Tesson to visit Armenia Spain MP: Addressing Karabakh Armenians rights should always be at international community focus Mirzoyan, Bono confer about discussions on Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty EU monitoring mission in Armenia hosts Austria ambassador to Georgia, defense attache The political elite of Armenia, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, visited Yerablur Military Pantheon of Yerevan early Tuesday morning, on the birth anniversary the late statesman, Vazgen Sargsyan. Initially, President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, Vazgen Sargsyan's brother Aram Sargsyan, the head of the Republic Party, and Sasun Mikaelyan, Chairman of the Yerkrapah Volunteers Union, were at Yerablur. Later, PM Pashinyan joined them. They stayed at Yerablur for about 10 minutes and then left. Only Sasun Mikaelyan remained at the pantheon. The Prime Minister and the others laid flowers on Vazgen Sargsyan's grave and paid tribute to him. The entrance to Yerablur was closed for people and reporters since early morning. Security officers did not allow reporters to enter, saying "you are not accredited." When the aforesaid officials left, however, the entrance to Yerablur was opened. Vazgen Sargsyan would have turned 65 today. Flash . Uzbekistan is a nation grappling with inadequate power supply, experiencing electricity shortages even in its capital, Tashkent. As the foundation of all industrial development, electric power was naturally one of the first sectors to welcome foreign investment into the country. Along with the organizations from France, Qatar, and Japan, as well as the World Bank, the Harbin Electric Corporation from China is assisting the country constructing the most advanced power plant in its history. In this video, we follow Lin Shiyao, a manager and key coordinator from China responsible for overseeing the entire project, from conception to full commercial operation. On-site, Lin leads the construction work, acting as a mediator between owners and sponsors, and facilitating the exchange of ideas among the different parties involved. The manager from China's northeastern Heilongjiang is also a bridge between various cultures. The challenges are considerable for Lin Shiyao. As the father of a three-year-old son back in China, Lin has spent the majority of the past two years working tirelessly in Uzbekistan. Despite being far from his home country, he remains motivated by the idea of providing cleaner, more efficient, and more stable energy for the local area. That is not the duty of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Edvard Asryan, told this to reporters Tuesday morning at Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevanand addressing the question of how he evaluates the fact that Armenia has decided to return the Azerbaijani serviceman to Azerbaijan as a manifestation of goodwill. To the remark that perhaps that Azerbaijani soldier was a saboteur and was not lost, Asryan responded: "If you have been following closely, an investigation has been conducted in the relevant investigative bodies [of Armenia], and the question of whether he is a saboteur or not is determined as a result of the functions performed at the Investigative Committee [of Armenia]." And to the question whether this Azerbaijani soldier is being returned to Azerbaijan in exchange for something, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia responded: "That is not the function of the Chief of the General Staff." The Investigative Committee of Armenia announced that the public criminal prosecution against Azerbaijani serviceman Ruslan Penakhov was terminated. He had crossed into Armenia from the border nearby Tegh village of Armenias Syunik Province on February 28. We must help our army so that after this temporary defeat we can stand up again, strengthen the borders of our country, and be able to solve our security issues ourselves. Gagik Melkonyan, an MP of the ruling majority Civil Contract Faction of the National Assembly and former Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia, told this to reporters Tuesday at Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan. "Now we [i.e. Armenia] need to have good weapons. As you can see, we already have [respective] contracts with various countries, we are acquiring weapons. We have to rely on ourselves, we ourselves have to think about our security because we became convinced that all this time the CSTO did not help us with anything aside from causing damage, it did not do anything," said Melkonyan, noting that the rest of Armenias allies also did not help with anything. The ruling power lawmaker noted that no one even made a political statement when the Azerbaijani troops were in Armenia's sovereign territory. "Now we must pin our hope on ourselves," added Gagik Melkonyan. By the decree of President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Gevorg Papoyan has been appointed the Minister of Economy of Armenia. The aforesaid decree was signed Tuesday. Papoyan has been appointed to this position based on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the board of the ruling Civil Contract Party had discussed and approved Papoyan's candidacy for the position of Minister of Economy of Armenia. On February 14, Vahan Kerobyan was dismissed from this position. Kerobyan has been charged under the Armenian Criminal Code article on misusing, exceeding, using or influencing the official powers as part of a group for profit and with prior consentand in the criminal case regarding Synergy software company. The state should develop support measures in order to develop the capital market and gradually shift the emphasis from the classical forms of funding, which are currently used by market participants, to the possibility of providing funding by the capital market. Narek Teryan, Deputy Minister of Economy of Armenia, said this at the Investment and Financial Forum on Tuesday. Teryan noted that it is too early to talk about a mass movement towards the development of the capital market because there is still a long way to go. He noted that companies in Armenia draw funds using classic tools: bank lending, or engaging partners. "In this regard, we see the need to create conditions for the development of the capital market. It is no less important to strengthen investors' confidence in the capital market, which is an important factor for attracting funding," the Armenian official added. According to him, increasing the level of trust will contribute to increasing the transparency and availability of reliable information, as well as establishing long-term cooperation. "It is important that companies that are ready to enter the capital market and that will create a quality corporate management system enter it. We plan to introduce assistance programs for the entry into the stock market of companies that are carrying out activities in promising branches for the country. It is also important to raise the level of education among the population, in the capital market domain," Narek Teryan concluded. The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) National Assembly in exile issued a statement condemning the vandalistic policy of Azerbaijan. The statement reads as follows: "After the large-scale war unleashed by Azerbaijan in Artsakh and the complete occupation, many medieval [Armenian] spiritual centers, education complexes and memorials, buildings and structures of historical and cultural values of Artsakh are endangered. Despite its own high-profile statements about peace on various international platforms, Azerbaijan is openly attempting to bring its genocidal plans against the Armenian people to the endpoint. It is mainly expressed by the desecration, destruction of the monuments that are symbols of the Armenian Christian historical and cultural, liberation struggle and state-building, or by the naming of so-called [Caucasus] Albanian origin. The latest manifestations of vandalism [by Azerbaijan] are the desecration of the Saint John's Cathedral of the Mother of God in [Artsakh capital] Stepanakert, the destruction to the ground of the buildings of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh and the Union of Freedom Fighters. According to Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention on values during armed conflicts, any act of vandalism, theft, robbery, misappropriation, hostilities or reprisals against cultural heritage is prohibited. Although several calls were made [to Azerbaijan] by UNESCO to stop the destruction of Artsakh's [Armenian] historical and cultural heritage and there were promises to send a mission, no mission has arrived to this day in Artsakh under the pretext of creating artificial obstacles by Azerbaijan, and the indifference and inattention of the international community have given freedom to the vandalism of the aggressor, becoming the trigger of new wars in the region. The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh condemns the barbaric actions of the Azerbaijani authorities to eliminate the Armenian traces and demands from the human rights organizations, the RA [(Republic of Armenia)] authorities to present the facts of all anti-cultural activities of Azerbaijan one by one to the competent international bodies and courts, giving the issue an international resonance". Speaking at the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the representative of the European Union (EU) delegation reflected on human rights in various parts of the world, including the ethnic cleansing of Armenians carried out by Azerbaijan in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The EU statement ( https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/hrc55-item-2-general-debate-oral-update-high-commissioner-eu-statement_en?s=62 ) reads as follows in this regard: "The EU underlines its continued support for advancing a sustainable and lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on the principles of recognition of sovereignty, the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity in line with their commitment to the Alma Ata declaration of 1991. The EU remains fully committed to facilitate efforts to that end through the Brussels normalization process and calls on the Parties to engage in good faith. The EU equally emphasises the importance of ensuring the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, as well as to create the conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons to Nagorno-Karabakh, in particular their right to live in their homes in dignity, without intimidation or discrimination. In addition, the cultural heritage and property rights of the local population need to be effectively protected and guaranteed. The full implementation of the ICJ [(International Court of Justice)] orders is of utmost importance." I presented to the Honorable Prime Minister of Armenia the efforts that Egypt is making to achieve a ceasefire in the occupied Gaza Strip, as well as in the West Bank, which will create an opportunity for the establishment of an autonomous Palestinian Republic on the basis of the border of June 4, 1967, and East Jerusalem will be its capital. This was stated by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in his statement after the meeting with visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Tuesday in Cairo. He added as follow: "It is indispensable to establish peace in the regioninstead of war and destruction. Also, during these negotiations, we confirmed Egypt's support for any initiatives that seek to establish peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. We [i.e. Egypt] express our full support to the dialogue and negotiation process [between Armenia and Azerbaijan], seeking to establish a comprehensive, just peace. This will create a new phase of growth and development that will serve the interests of the peoples of the region. At the end of my speech, I would like to once again welcome the visit of the Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt. I express my hope that this visit will be a very important step so that the joint cooperation between the two friendly countries is reinforced and strengthened in all domains, which will enrich the relations and historical ties that unite the peoples of the two countries. Thank you, Honorable Mr. Prime Minister." Egypt is one of Armenia's key partners in the Middle East, and I appreciate this opportunity to meet. This was stated by visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his statement after the meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Tuesday in Cairo. Pashinyan added as follows: "The frequency of contacts between the top political leaders of our countries, the mutually beneficial multi-sector cooperation are not only evidence of warm relations between our countries, but also testify to a joint vision for the future. Due to the tensions and unfolding processes in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, during the meeting with President El-Sisi, we touched on matters of security, political and regional importance, as well as the efforts of Armenia and Egypt aimed at establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, respectively. Underscoring the support of international partners aimed at 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 delimitation process in accordance with the Alma Ata declaration of 1991. For the stability of the South Caucasus and the wider region, the unblocking of regional infrastructures is also keybased on the principles of respect for the sovereignty and jurisdiction of states and the principles of reciprocity, equality. In this regard, we [i.e. Armenia] have 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. I would like to note with satisfaction that today Armenia and Egypt are effectively cooperating in the political, economic, scientific, high-tech, educational, cultural, tourism, and other domains. Effective cooperation was formed also in a number of multilateral platforms. Egypt is also a reliable partner to us in our relations and dialogue with the Islamic world. I cannot fail to mention that the Egyptian Armenian community, which for centuries has contributed both to the development of Egypt and to the strengthening of ties between our countries today, has a special role in the relations between Armenia and Egypt. 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." A senior Hamas official told NBC News that the U.S. must now pressure Israel to reach a cease-fire agreement before Ramadan next week, after the militant group presented its proposal for a new hostage release deal at talks in Cairo. A Hamas delegation took part in a new round of talks with mediators in the Egyptian capital and now awaits a response from Israel, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said. "It is now up to the Americans if they are serious about securing a ceasefire before Ramadan to put enough pressure on the Israelis," he said. Earlier, Israeli media reported that Israel boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday after the Palestinian group Hamas rejected its demand for a full list of hostages still alive. A Hamas delegation travelled to Cairo for the talks, which had been heralded as a possible final hurdle to an agreement that would halt fighting for six weeks. But by early evening there was no trace of the Israelis. Flash Israeli soldiers take part in military training near the border with Gaza Strip, on March 4, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stressed the importance of peace on Monday while addressing the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. He compared the right to peace to the mother of all human rights, saying that without peace, "all other rights are quashed." Addressing the ongoing Human Rights Council session, Turk urged states to keep communication channels open, rebuild trust as well as to re-establish a sense of the interconnectedness and shared destiny of all humanity to regain a mindset of peace. "Rarely has humanity faced so many rapidly spiraling crises," he said, telling the Council that around the world, 55 conflicts are flaring, and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are generating devastating impacts on millions of civilians. Noting that the war in Gaza has already generated dangerous spillover in neighboring countries, Turk said he is 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," he said. The military escalation in southern Lebanon between Israel, Hezbollah and other armed groups is extremely worrying, almost 200 people have been killed in Lebanon, and some 90,000 internally displaced, with extensive damage to health facilities, schools, and vital infrastructure, he elaborated. Some 80,000 Israelis have also been displaced from border areas of Israel, he added. Besides the war in Gaza, conflicts in other regions, including the Horn of Africa, Sudan and the Sahel, could also escalate sharply, he said. "It is imperative to do everything possible to avoid a wider conflagration." According to the UN rights chief, peace is built and nourished through rights, so it is by upholding and advancing the full spectrum of human rights, including the right to development and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, that states can craft durable solutions. "Because they respond to the universal truth of our equality and the inextinguishable desire for freedom and justice," he concluded. Womens History Month is underway, with a variety of events across campus celebrating womens history and honoring the vital role they play in Emorys past, present and future. Be sure to mark your calendar for art workshops, academic lectures and other cant-miss events. Atlanta campus events Monday, March 4 Book talk: Caste, Gender and Coming Out as Dalit with Yashica Dutt 5 p.m., Rose Library, Woodruff Seminar Room Join award-winning journalist Yashica Dutt and Ruby Lal, Emory professor of South Asian studies, for a book talk and Q&A on Dutts book Coming out as Dalit: A Memoir of Surviving Indias Caste System, in which she reflects on her childhood living within the caste system and the history of discrimination experienced by Dalits. This event is open to the public and no registration is required. Lenaia Student Playwriting Festival 7:30 p.m., Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Head to the Schwartz Center to watch performances by a cohort of Emory student playwrights, actors, directors and producers during the Lenaia Student Playwriting Festival. This student-written, student-run playwriting festival will conclude with the following performances: an excerpt from The Better by Ainsley Powers; Out of Body by MJ Brown; an excerpt from The War on Georgia Becker by Maya Ashe; and Hands by Aaron Selby. This event is open to everyone, and all attendees can reserve a ticket online. Wednesday, March 6 AI.Humanity Seminar: Using Digital Biomarkers to Detect Recent Cannabis Use and Cannabis Impaired Driving with Julia Wrobel 2 p.m., Convocation Hall, Room 208 In this seminar, Rollins School of Public Health professor Julia Wrobel will discuss statistical and AI models for detecting recent cannabis use, as well as potential ethical implications as part of Emorys Center for AI Learning Seminar Series. Refreshments will be available before and after the talk, followed by a general reception to allow guests to meet, network and discuss their involvement and interests with AI. This event is open to the public and registration is requested. 2024 Tenenbaum Family Lecture: Latinx Jews in Their Adopted Homeland: Constructing New Realities and Claiming New Identities with Laura Limonic 7 p.m., Convocation Hall Join Laura Limonic, associate professor and chair of the Sociology Department at SUNY-Old Westbury in Long Island, NY, as she delivers the 27th Tenenbaum Family Lecture in Jewish Studies, exploring questions including how Latinx Jews in the U.S. identify, if they can choose their identity and if their ethnic choices are ever strategic or instrumental. This event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. Thursday, March 7 Biochemistry Seminar Series: The Duality of Oligonucleotide Probes for SARS-CoV-2 Targets with Valeria Milam 12 p.m., Whitehead Biomedical Research Building, Whitehead Auditorium Dont miss Valeria Milams session of Emory School of Medicines Biochemistry Seminar Series. Milam, an associate professor at both Emory and Georgia Tech, will deliver a lecture about her current research, which focuses on designing and characterizing colloids functionalized with biologically relevant macromolecules such as oligonucleotides and cellular adhesion molecules. Refreshments will be served 30 minutes before the seminar in the Whitehead Auditorium lobby. This seminar is open to the public and no registration is required. Women of Excellence Awards and Graduating Women of Promise Pinning 6 p.m., Miller-Ward Alumni House Join the Center for Women to celebrate the achievements of those who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to issues affecting women at Emory and in the broader community during the Women of Excellence Awards. Visit the Center for Womens website to see the full list of this years honorees. This event is open to the public and registration is strongly encouraged. Tuesday, March 12 Workshop: Rockstar Women: Tools from Five Unapologetic Female Recording Artists 12 p.m., Online This fun and energetic virtual workshop on Rockstar Women, led by alumna Annette Blum Pearson, combines popular music with practical tools for leadership development based on lessons from the likes of Madonna, Whitney Houston and others. This webinar is open to the public and registration is required. Monday, March 18 JWJI Colloquium: The Sacred Universe of Hip Hop: Reflections on a Middle Age Phenomenon with Joycelyn Wilson 12 p.m., Robert W. Woodruff Library, Jones Room Join Joycelyn Wilson, professor of hip hop studies and digital humanities at Georgia Tech, as she discusses The Sacred Universe of Hip Hop: Reflections on a Middle Age Phenomenon. This series is co-sponsored by Emory Libraries and the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library. This event is open to the public and registration is requested. Wednesday, March 20 Workshop: Succulent Pot Painting 1 p.m., Cox Hall, Emorys Center for Women Youre invited to kick back and relax as Emorys Center for Women hosts pot painting in honor of the beginning of spring. Attendees will also set intentions for growth and hopes for things to blossom this season. This event is open to all Emory students. Advance registration is not required. Center for Mind, Brain, and Culture Lunch: Virtual Spaces and Issues of Identity with Tanine Allison, Jinsook Kim and Josh Rubin 1 p.m., Psychology and Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, Suite 464 Join Tanine Allison, professor of film and media studies at Emory; Jinsook Kim, professor of film and media studies at Emory; and Josh Rubin, professor of anthropology at Bates College, as they discuss how technologically mediated spaces impact performances of identity, particularly in relation to gender and race. Each scholar will discuss their research and studies in this space. This event is open to the Emory community and registration is required. Thursday, March 21 Biology Seminar Series: Modulating Loop Dynamics and the Evolution of New Enzymes with Lynn Kamerlin 11:30 a.m., O. Wayne Rollins Research Center, Room 1052 Lynn Kamerlin of Georgia Tech will speak on, Modulating Loop Dynamics and the Evolution of New Enzymes, as part of Emory Colleges Biology Seminar Series. Kamerlins research sits at the intersection of biology and chemistry. Arrive early for refreshments. This event is open to Emory students, faculty and staff and registration is not required. Workshop: Sapphic Stitch 3 p.m., Cox Hall, Identity Spaces Emorys Center for Women and the Office of LGBT Life are teaming up to celebrate Womens History Month by hosting a crocheting event for queer women and sapphics, complete with yarn, crochet hooks and food. Student leaders will be available to teach others how to crochet. This event is open to Emory students. Registration is not required. Laszlo-Excalibur Lecture: The Tanagras, Greek Dress and Femininity with Mireille M. Lee 7:30 p.m., Michael C. Carlos Museum, Ackerman Hall Visit Ackerman Hall for a lecture by Mireille M. Lee, who will discuss the particular importance of dress for women and girls and relate ancient practices to modern fashions of the late 19th century. This event is open to the public and registration is required. Friday, March 22 Colloquium: Classical Drapery and Dress Reform 9:30 a.m., Michael C. Carlos Museum, Ackerman Hall Head back to Ackerman Hall after the Laszlo-Excalibur Lecture for a morning full of academic exploration into womens dress. The day begins with coffee, tea and pastries, and moves into a welcome at 10 a.m. from Ruth Allen, Carlos Curator of Greek and Roman Art. Allen will introduce the exhibition Recasting Antiquity: Whistler, Tangra and the Female Form. The morning will continue with sessions discussing Venuss Waist: Ancient Sculpture and Dress Reform and Rosa Genonis Tanagra Dress Reframed: A Story of Fashion, Performance and Feminism. The colloquium is free and open to the public, but advance registration is recommended. Dance concert with honors students Madison Lee and Mia Shocket 7:30 p.m., Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Dance Studio Support honors students Madison Lee and Mia Shocket as they perform their honors thesis concert. Lee and Shocket will present the show again on Saturday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Monday, March 25 La Terraza Embroidery Night 4 p.m., Cox Hall, Identity Spaces La Terraza is a space designed for Latinx women at Emory to share, unwind and connect. Join the group for a special evening as they prepare for Emorys annual showcase of Latinx creatives: Diasporartes 2024. Attendees will be guided through traditional Mexican embroidery and stitch pieces together for the exhibit submission. This event is open to Emory students. Wednesday, March 27 Womens Wonderful Wednesday 12 p.m., Asbury Circle Join the Center for Women, Dooley After Dark and Wonderful Wednesday to celebrate the end of Womens History Month with food, music and games in Asbury Circle. 2024 Pride Awards 6:30 p.m., Miller-Ward Alumni House Hosted by Emory LGBT Life, the Pride Awards will honor individuals and groups within the Emory community for their exceptional contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. These awards showcase great work, celebrate the steps toward LGBTQ+ equality and highlight graduating LGBTQ+ students during the Lavender Graduation. Registration is required for attendees. Thursday, March 28 Center for Mind, Brain, and Culture Lunch: How Do We Know Its Music? On Musical Capacities of the Electromagnetic Field with Ivana Ilic and Jasna Velickovic 11:30 a.m., Psychology and Interdisciplinary Sciences Building, Suite 464 Join Ivana Ilic and Jasna Velickovic as they explore the musical use of electromagnetism in art. The discussion will focus on two composers: Christina Kubisch and Jasna Velickovic, the latter of which will be present at the talk. This event is open to the Emory community and registration is required. Oxford campus events Tuesday, March 5 7 p.m., Williams Hall Head to Williams Hall at Oxford College for a performance by The APU INKA Musical Group . The group provides authentically traditional musical expression, and will play Peruvian, Latin American and world-popular music with the help of traditional Andean instruments. The show is free and open to the public. Thursday, March 7 Film Screening: How I Choose to Spend the Remainder of my Birthing Years with Sarah Lasley 7 p.m., Humanities Building, Room 202 Hungary's president signs Sweden Nato bid law Tamas Sulyok signed the decision taken by the Hungarian National Assembly on February 26. File photo: AFP Hungary's president on Tuesday signed the law on Sweden's bid to join Nato, a final technical step before the Nordic country becomes the alliance's 32rd member. Hungary's parliament ratified Sweden's bid on February 26, ending more than a year of delays that frustrated other alliance members in the face of Russia's attack on Ukraine. "Tamas Sulyok, the president of the republic, today signed the decision taken by the National Assembly on February 26, 2024, regarding Sweden's membership in Nato," a statement on the presidential website read. Sweden, which has been militarily neutral for two centuries, will then be invited to accede to the Washington Treaty and officially become Nato's 32nd member. Russia's attack on Ukraine two years ago prompted Sweden and neighbouring Finland to apply to join the trans-Atlantic bloc, ending their longstanding stance of non-alignment. Every Nato member has to approve a new country's membership. Finland joined in April last year, but Sweden's bid was stalled by both Hungary and Turkey, with Ankara approving Stockholm's candidacy only in January. Though repeatedly saying it supported Swedish membership in principle, Hungary kept prolonging the process, asking Stockholm to stop "vilifying" the Hungarian government. After a meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in Budapest, the Hungarian leader announced that the two had clarified "our mutual good intentions". Hungary also signed a deal to acquire four Swedish-made fighter jets, expanding its fleet of 14 Jas 39 Gripen fighters. (AFP) Plan now to taste the fun at SIUs Maple Syrup Festival March 23-24 by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. A mouth-watering, long-standing Southern Illinois tradition returns to Southern Illinois University Carbondales Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center March 23-24, so make plans now to attend the popular annual Maple Syrup Festival. The delicious homemade maple syrup is the star of the show, but the weekend festival features a wide assortment of special activities, many of which are free. The fest, which is open to the public, runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day at the site, about eight miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road. Wide array of activities The festival is a family-friendly affair with something for all ages to enjoy. Vendors and artisans from throughout the Midwest will conduct interactive demonstrations. Visitors will learn about the time-consuming process that converts maple sap into rich, tasty syrup. They will observe hides tanned into leather and find out how early settlers survived in the wild. Participants can also test their prowess at the climbing wall and enjoy lumberjack games and demonstrations courtesy of the SIU Forestry Club. Weather permitting, artists from the Arabesque Dance Studio will perform aerial silks demonstrations as well. Children can participate in several maple syrup- or spring-themed activities taking place in the cabins throughout the weekend, too. Participants can also enjoy nature hikes and outdoor educational activities, discovering the beauty of Touch of Nature. As many as 50 vendors will be on-site, offering a wide variety of artisan products, including jewelry, pottery, artwork, prints, handmade bath and body products, crocheted items, spices and much more. There is no cost to enjoy the diverse array of festival activities, with the exception of the breakfast, lunch and any purchases made. Get tickets at the door The home-cooked pancake breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to noon each day, and tickets will be sold only at the door of Freeberg Hall each morning this year. The pancakes will be topped with maple syrup and served along with sausage, fruit and drinks. Tickets are $15 for ages 11 and older and $8 for ages 4-10. Children 3 and younger eat free. Lunch will also be available for purchase from noon to 3:30 p.m., and there will be an open cash bar from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Additional details Volunteers are also welcome to assist with the festival. To sign up or learn more about volunteer opportunities, look online. For more information about the Maple Syrup Festival visit ton.siu.edu, call 618-453-1121 or email tonec@siu.edu. Senator Ali Zafar of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for the resignation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after it denied the Sunni Ittehad Council''s (SIC) request seeking allocation of reserved seats in the National Assembly, reported ARY News. He also termed the ECP''s verdict, "the last dagger in the heart of democracy." Speaking on the Senate floor on Sunday, the PTI senator further requested that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja be charged with treason under Article 6 of the Constitution. The senator added that the PTI has drafted a resolution in this regard and would present it soon. "They [ECP] cannot stay in this position for a minute longer," he said, adding that the poll body had once again violated the Constitution through this verdict, according to ARY News. "If our share is being given to other parties then this is a constitutional mistake that the ECP has committed," he said, claiming that the verdict had proven that ECP failed to fulfil its responsibility of holding free and fair elections, ARY News reported. He pointed out that the presidential and Senate elections could not be conducted in an "incomplete house". "Until the national and provincial assemblies are complete, elections can''t be held for these constitutional positions. "We have chosen to contest the ECP ruling," he said, according to ARY News. In a major setback for the already embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which is backed by Imran Khan-founded party, is "not eligible" for the reserved seats allotted to women and minorities. The commission''s five-member bench -- headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja -- announced the split decision with a 4-1 majority. The remaining 77 reserved seats will now be allotted to other political parties, as reported by Geo News. "The electoral body said the SIC cannot claim the share in the reserved seats for women "due to non-curable procedural and legal defects and violations of mandatory provisions of the Constitution." Notably, ECP Punjab member Hassan Bharwana dissented with the majority verdict, which was reserved on February 28. In the dissenting note, ECP Punjab chapter member Bharwana said he partially agreed with the majority verdict that the reserved seats cannot be allocated to SIC, as the priority list was not submitted in time. "However, I have dissenting views with regard to the allocation of seats by way of proportional representation to the other political parties," Geo News quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, PTI has criticised the ruling and said that it will be challenging the ECP verdict in the higher court. (ANI) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced a review of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy on the space sector in India. According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the amendments, made under Para 5.2.12 of the Consolidated FDI Policy Circular of 2020, aim to liberalize and streamline FDI regulations to attract more investment and foster growth in the space industry. Under the revised policy, some changes have been introduced. Satellites: Manufacturing and Operation- The sectoral cap for FDI has been set at 100 per cent. For investments up to 74 per cent, automatic approval will be granted, while investments beyond 74 per cent will require government approval. Satellite Data Products, Ground Segment and User Segment- The sectoral cap for FDI remains at 100 per cent, with automatic approval for investments up to 100 per cent. Launch Vehicles and Associated Systems or Subsystems- The sectoral cap for FDI has been set at 100 per cent, with automatic approval for investments up to 49 per cent. Investments beyond 49 per cent will require government approval, read the press release. Creation of Spaceports for Launching and Receiving Spacecraft- This category has been introduced, allowing 100 per cent FDI with automatic approval for investments up to 100 per cent. Manufacturing of Components and Systems/Subsystems for Satellites, Ground Segment, and User Segment- The sectoral cap for FDI remains at 100 per cent, with automatic approval for investments up to 100 per cent. The amended policy provides clear definitions for various activities within the space sector, including satellites manufacturing and operation, satellite data products, ground segment, user segment, launch vehicles, creation of spaceports, and manufacturing of components and systems/subsystems, read the press release. These amendments are expected to streamline FDI regulations and attract more investment into India's burgeoning space industry. The liberalization of FDI policy is in line with the government's vision to promote ease of doing business and facilitate greater participation of foreign investors in key sectors of the economy. The revised policy will come into effect from the date of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) notification, signaling a new era of opportunities and growth in India's space sector, read the press release. With enhanced participation from domestic and foreign investors, the country is poised to strengthen its position as a global hub for space technology and innovation. The liberalization of FDI policy in the space sector underscores the government's commitment to fostering a conducive business environment and promoting investment-led growth. (ANI) Aircraft manufacturing company Boeing and Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) have joined forces to elevate aircraft maintenance training in India, marking a significant stride towards standardizing processes and bolstering aviation safety in the region. Under the agreement, Boeing will furnish training materials, aids, and instructor support to ensure uniformity across AIESL's training programs. Meanwhile, AIESL will provide the necessary infrastructure and instructors, while obtaining Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR)147 approval from Indian regulatory authorities to conduct maintenance training for its clientele. Chris Broom, Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions at Boeing Global Services, emphasized, "The collaboration with AIESL strengthens and supports the development of Boeing's customer-focused capability in the region. Through working together, we anticipate Boeing and AIESL will be well positioned to provide high-quality maintenance training while contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of aviation in India." Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India and South Asia, added, "By partnering with AIESL, we are investing in the future of aircraft maintenance capability in India. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to nurturing local talent to support the growth of the indigenous MRO industry." With India's burgeoning aviation sector demanding skilled maintenance technicians, this collaboration aims to address the need for comprehensive training programs to comply with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) CAR-66 regulations. Sharad Agarwal, CEO of AIESL, asserted, "The tie-up with Boeing on maintenance training in the fastest growing aviation market will go a long way in supporting industry requirements. AIESL would be able to support training requirements for at least 100 engineers each year going forward." Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, highlighted the importance of such partnerships in enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of India's aviation and MRO industry. Vikram Dev Dutt, Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), underscored the long-term benefits of this collaboration, stating, "Partnership between an aircraft manufacturer and a maintenance training organization augurs well for budding engineers who would undergo training as per best training aids, standards, and practices, in conformity with the prescribed regulatory framework, raising safety standards in maintenance in the long run." The Boeing - AIESL collaboration is the latest endeavor under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub program. This initiative aims to establish industry benchmarks in India for maintenance and repair, platform availability, customer satisfaction, and rapid turnaround time, while focusing on training programs to enhance skilled manpower and develop high-quality MRO capabilities in India. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], March 5: ZEX PR WIRE, Global FinTech innovators to converge at third edition of FinTech Festival India from 6 - 8 March 2024. Focusing on "Innovation, Global Collaboration, Regulation and Inclusion", FinTech Festival India 2024 will take place at Asia's largest convention centre, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, Dwarka, on 6th-8th March 2024. Sanket Bhondve, Joint Secretary, M/o Electronics & IT will be joining the event as Guest of Honour and delivering a keynote address at the FFI 2024 opening ceremony. His participation is anticipated to provide pivotal insights and steer the conversation on the future of financial technology in the region. Themed "Connecting innovators, co-creating the future of finance", FFI 2024 will feature over 100 speakers and expects more than 6,000 attendees, bringing together the key stakeholders of the world's FinTech industry to shape the future of finance. FFI 2024 will feature a robust conference agenda built on four key pillars - Innovation, Global Collaboration, Regulation, and Inclusion - as well as a comprehensive mix of exhibition showcases, live demos, and new product launches. This year's edition of FFI will deep dive into key trending topics that are shaping the FinTech industry, featuring discussions and panels led by prominent leaders and experts from Meta, Google, Microsoft, The World Bank, UK, GIFT City, JP Morgan & Chase, Findi, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Dept of Economic Affairs, Government of India International Finance Corporation, NPCI Bharat BillPay, Tata Digital, MUFG, Lending Kart, Muthoot FinCorp One, Silicon Valley Bank and more. Day one of FFI 2024 will focus on Innovation as being the key driver of financial inclusion, while day two will explore Regulation and how it keeps the pace with innovation. The final day will dive into the India's rising and resilient FinTech journey. Leading to the main festival in March were the successful city experiences--single day conclaves held in Bangalore and Mumbai on 15 December 2023 and 19 January 2024 respectively--joined by key movers and shakers in the industry who helped shape and drive the overarching agenda and conversations set to take place at FFI 2024. As part of the festival, the second edition of the FinTech Festival India Awards will also be taking place on 7 March 2024, recognising industry pioneers and innovators across 17 categories. FFI 2024 will also host the Founder's Pivot, where Unicorns, Soonicorns and successful start-up founders will share their wisdom and insights, as well as the Investor Forum for start-ups to gain the opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors in closed-door sessions. Another integral part of the Festival will be the showcase of new and exciting solutions emerging from the inaugural Scale +91 FinTech Hackathon organised by FFI 2024. The Hackathon gathered over 3,000 teams from across the country to create tangible, impactful solutions at the crossroads of innovation and finance, and the 20 highest-ranking finalists will be introducing their revolutionary ideas and preliminary products at the vibrant Start-Up zone on the FFI 2024 exhibition floor. Organised by Constellar, FFI 2024 is proud to have support from Government of Karnataka and Government of Odisha, as well as partnerships with top organisations and luminaries in the FinTech space. These include Digit as Gold Partner, Avalanche as Blockchain Partner, Silver Partners - Advantage Club, MongoDB, RING (formerly known as Kissht), Aditya Birla Capital, JSA Law, BharatPe, Bronze Partners - PingCAP (TiDB), Trustt, Smart Ping, Futurex, IDEMIA and American Express, BDO as Advisory Partner, Northern Arc as Visitor Bag Partner, Fibe and PayU as Associate Partner, United Kingdom as Country Partner, and Bharat Bill Pay as DPI Partner. If you'd like to attend FinTech Festival India, click here to register. FinTech Festival India 2024 is an industry-first future-ready event that will showcase the future of FinTech and bring together thought-leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and flag bearers of the FinTech fraternity while facilitating on-site business meetings, conferences, and networking sessions for an unprecedented opportunity to witness the upward trajectory of FinTech in India. Visit fintechfestivalindia.com Constellar Exhibitions India Constellar Exhibitions India harnesses insights and its strategic networks to organise and manage a series of trade exhibitions and conferences that play at the intersection of industries principally between digital and verticals like finance, manufacturing and healthcare. These events aim to connect businesses in India and globally facilitate business matching opportunities and knowledge sharing. Constellar Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Constellar Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singapore). Constellar Constellar is Asia's preferred partner for convening businesses, curating ideas and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth and global impact. Based in Singapore with a regional footprint in China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia, we curate and develop influential trade and consumer events for key industries and sectors, connecting people, global marketplaces and networks for sustainable growth. We also manage the Singapore EXPO, Singapore's largest purpose-built venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE). Our vision is to be a global leader made in Asia, activating impactful networks to enable cross-industry collaboration and innovation through our holistic portfolio of intellectual property (IP) in the MICE industry. For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact: INDIA Shalini Yadav Head of Marketing marcom@fintechfestivalindia.com +91 124 427 0707 SINGAPORE Dax Lim Manager, Communications & Culture Dax.lim@constellar.co +65 9019 6133 PR contact: ZEX PR WIRE info@zexprwire.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Pune (Maharashtra) [India], March 5: Kekarav, Pune's most esteemed gated villa community at Bavdhan City-front by TRU Realty, is proud to announce its groundbreaking collaboration with Flute Maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia for an inspiring campaign that celebrates the harmony of nature and lifestyle. TRU Realty leverages both sector expertise and cutting-edge technology to unite visionaries, creators, and clients, empowering every participant in the real estate ecosystem. The campaign, titled "Discovering Life's Harmony with Nature," embodies the essence of enrichment and rhythm, two pivotal elements that define Kekarav's unique living experience. With a focus on reimagining elevated living, the campaign aims to resonate with individuals seeking a harmonious blend of luxury and nature. "Life matching the energy with nature" is the core message of the campaign, encapsulating the melody of nature that transforms life into a melodious symphony. Through captivating visuals and evocative storytelling, the campaign invites individuals to embrace the rhythm of nature and discover the enriching lifestyle offered by Kekarav. Spanning an expansive 45 acres, Kekarav promises to be a sprawling haven amidst the hustle and bustle of city life. Divided into 4 distinct sectors/phases, this visionary project offers a total of 300 exclusive units, ranging from 2000 sqft to 7000 sqft in plot size. "We believe in creating spaces that resonate with the rhythm of nature, elevating the living experience to new heights," said Sujay Kalele, Founder, TRU Realty said. "Our collaboration with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia signifies our commitment to fostering a lifestyle that harmonizes with the natural world." The campaign will unfold through a series of multimedia initiatives, including films that capture the serene beauty of Kekarav's amenity spaces. The precursor film sets the tone for the campaign, offering a candid glimpse into the enchanting world of Kekarav, where Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia's mesmerizing flute tunes intertwine with the symphony of nature. In subsequent films, viewers will be treated to immersive experiences in Kekarav's amphitheater and pet park, where the rhythm of life finds expression through music, dance, and playful interactions. With a staggering 166 units already sold out, the demand for this harmonious lifestyle enclave is palpable, setting a new standard for luxurious living intertwined with nature's melody. As the campaign "Finding the Rhythm of Life with Nature" takes flight, it is evident that Kekarav not only captures the imagination but also fulfills the desires of those seeking a sanctuary where modernity meets tranquility. About TRU Realty: TRU Realty combines sector expertise with technology extensively to bring together ideas, creators, and customers for empowering all stakeholders in the real estate ecosystem and providing customers all-round information and support, in order to promote transparency, accountability and information-driven decision-making in the real estate sector. TRU Realty has also leveraged technology to build an ecosystem of its vendors, suppliers, and other stakeholders (grouped as 'associates') and empower them through capacity building, transparency in documentation, and access to gigs and project-based work through an open and fair bidding process. For further media queries, please contact: Hunk Golden and Media: Sonia Kulkarni | Managing Partner | +919820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday dedicated to the nation 201 CNG stations which are spread across 52 geographical areas in 17 states. While dedicating these gas stations, the Minister asked companies to pass on the benefits to consumers. In his speech, the Minister said that all the companies are doing exceptionally well. "Gail is upfront and I think you should all start applying your minds to passing on the benefits of that to the consumer," the minister said. GAIL has set up India's first small scale LNG unit at Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh with project cost of 150 crore. These units can produce 36 tonnes of LNG from natural gas. This small scale liquefied natural gas technology, has the potential to play a crucial role in connecting the isolated gas sources with market and consumers; thereby, helping in monetization of these resources. "There are 300 geographical areas authorised in the country, covering 98 per cent of the population and 88 per cent of its area for development of City Gas Network (CGD). 1.21 Crore domestic PNG connections and 6,258 CNG stations have been established in the country till date," said the Minister. Further, Minister Puri said that that as per minimum work plan submitted by CGD (City Gas Distribution) entities, India will have around 17,500 CNG stations and around 120 million PNG(Domestic) connections by 2030. It will help in development of ancillary industries in various segments (CGD meters, Compressors, Dispensers etc) for fulling the dream of a Atmanirbhar Bharat. "Delighted to dedicate 201 CNG stations of @gailindia to the nation & inauguration of India's first small-scale LNG unit at Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh is a positive step towards our pursuit for energy security combined with growth in a sustainable manner. Spread across 52 geographical areas in 17 states these stations have been set up with an investment of Rs 500 cr," the minister wrote on X. (ANI) Flash Israeli troops are seen as Palestinian people flee from their homes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 4, 2024. [PhotoXinhua] The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 30,534, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement Monday. According to the statement, the Israeli army killed 124 Palestinians and wounded 210 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 30,534 and injuries to 71,920 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023. It noted that some victims remain under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage. According to a press release, CBI registered a case on complaint against Branch Manager, Central Bank of India, Gorakhpur Branch, on allegations that accused demanded of bribe of Rs 8,000 from complainant to disburse the sanctioned KCC loan amounting to Rs 164,000. CBI said it laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting bribe amount from the complainant. Searches are being conducted at the premises of accused and an investigation is on. (ANI) Recently, a retired Indian Postal Department employee named Prasad Babu reported the theft of 150 tolas of gold ornaments, prompting a police investigation. According to the police, Soumya was a frequent visitor to Prasad Babu's flat here to see his daughter, Maunika. Soumya reportedly observed their lifestyle and valuables closely. She allegedly took advantage of the family's trust during these visits. The police claim that Soumya repeatedly entered the bedroom through their bathroom and stole gold ornaments. The theft came to light when Maunika's family members noticed the missing gold upon returning from a wedding, police said. The police, with the help of the 'clues' team, collected fingerprints and analysed CCTV footage from the flat. Eleven individuals came under suspicion, leading to the detention and questioning of three suspects, including Soumya Shetty, they said. The Vizag City Police nabbed the accused and registered an FIR in the gold theft case. After executing her plan to steal gold ornaments, Shetty allegedly made a swift getaway to Goa. After being arrested, Soumya Shetty reportedly confessed to her involvement in the theft, and the police recovered 74 grammes of gold. However, she claimed she couldn't return the rest and allegedly threatened to end her life. The investigation is ongoing. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited a hair salon to meet a beneficiary of the PM SVANidhi scheme on Monday. The micro-credit scheme launched by the Government of India for the street vendors- PM SVANidhi has helped promote 'inclusive entrepreneurship' and proven to be a gender equalizer. PM-SVANidhi stands for PM Street Vendor's Atmanirbhar Nidhi. The scheme was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic on June 1, 2020, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs providing collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000 for eligible street vendors in incremental tranches. It provides loans in three tranches, - 1st tranche of Rs 10,000, 2nd tranche of Rs 20,000 subject to repayment of the 1st of tranche, and 3rd tranche of Rs 50,000 upon repayment of the second loan Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited a rape survivor at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur who had been admitted after being shot at in Kotputli-Behror district earlier. The Chief Minister visited the hospital and enquired about the well-being of the rape survivor. The woman was returning home with her brother on a two-wheeler when she was shot at and was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon by three people near Pragpura police station in Kotputli-Behror. The victim was then rushed to a nearby hospital and was later transferred to another hospital in Jaipur. As per reports, the woman had filed a rape case against one of the accused because of which he was jailed. When he got bail, he started mounting pressure on her to withdraw the case. The woman also sought protection from the police. The accused with his accomplices, attacked the woman and her brother on February 24 evening and fired a bullet at her after which she was admitted to a hospital in Jaipur. The three accused have been arrested in the case. (ANI) The central government has approved the flight operations from Dehradun to three major cities of the country-- Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, Varanasi and Punjab's Amritsar, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Tuesday. The CM further said that all three services will be launched on March 6, Wednesday. Chief Minister Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for the approval of all three services. According to the chief minister's office, on the inauguration day, a plane will take off from Dehradun for Ayodhya at 9:40 am and reach Ayodhya at 11:30 am. "On the same day, a flight will take off from Ayodhya at 12:15 pm and reach Dehradun at 1:55 pm," it added. Another flight will take off from Amritsar at noon and reach Dehradun at 01:10 pm. "Similarly, the flight from Dehradun will take off for Amritsar at 1:35 pm and will reach Amritsar at 2: 45 pm," the CMO added. Air service to Varanasi via Pantnagar is also starting on March 6. "The passenger plane will take off from Dehradun for Pantnagar at 9:50 am and reach Pantnagar at 10:35 am. Similarly, a flight will take off from Pantnagar to Varanasi at 11:15 am and land in Varanasi at 1 pm. The flight from Varanasi will take off for Pantnagar at 1.40 pm and reach Pantnagar at 3:25 pm. The flight will take off from Pantnagar at 3:50 pm and reach Dehradun at 4:35 pm," the CMO said. According to the CM's office, Dhami had been trying for a long time to start air services for all three places. "Before the Pran Pratishtah ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, the CM had personally requested and written a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia," it said. Dehradun Airport is a medium-sized airport in India with domestic flights only. On the other hand, Ayodhya recently got its first airport, which has been named Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the airport on December 30 last year. (ANI) The Bengaluru Court on Tuesday granted three days of police custody to the three people arrested in connection with the alleged pro-Pakistan slogan at Vidhana Soudha in Karnataka. The Vidhana Soudha police, earlier on Monday arrested three people for allegedly raising "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha during the victory celebrations of Rajya Sabha member, Syed Naseer Hussain. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division, Shekhar H.T., confirmed that the arrest is based on the FSL report, circumstantial evidence and statements of the witnesses gathered at the event. "On the basis of FSL report, circumstantial evidence, statements of witnesses and available evidence, three accused persons were arrested and legal action was initiated against them," the press release from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division of Bangalore City, said. The accused have been identified as Iltaz from Delhi, Munawar from RT Nagar in Bengaluru and Mohammed Shafi Nashipudi from Byadagi in Haveri district. Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said that the FSL report had confirmed that slogans of Pakistan Zindabada were raised during the victory celebration of Naseer Hussain at the Vidhan Soudha complex. "That individual shouted the slogans twice. FSL has not said who has said that. They have just said that it has been confirmed and there is no intervention of any kind, it is a straightforward continuous video. They have examined and confirmed that there was shouting like 'Pakistan Zindabad' and based on that we have identified three persons and arrested them" the state Home Minister said. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka hit out at Rahul Gandhi, saying that the arrested accused are Congress MP's "close aides". Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka hit out at Rahul Gandhi, saying that the Congress MP's "close aides" have been arrested for raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans inside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. "While Rahul Gandhi is busy doing a 'Bharat Todo' public stunt, Bengaluru police have arrested his close aides for raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans inside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Anti-National Congress workers should be charged with treason & investigated under UAPA," the BJP's Karnataka unit said in a post on 'X'. The BJP wants the Congress to take action against its RS MP and has even petioned the Vice President to not administer the oath to Naseer Hussain till the case is fully investigated. (ANI) The case was registered against a person named Mohammed Rasool Kaddare for posting a video on social media in which he threatened to kill PM Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, if the Congress government comes to power, Yadgiri Police said. The accused has been booked under sections 505(1)(b), 25(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act at Yadgiri's Surpur police station. "Rasool, who made a selfie video on his mobile phone, abused Prime Minister Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath with unintelligible words," the police said. Kaddare, police said is a resident of Rangapet in Yadgiri district and works as a labourer in Hyderabad. Authorities said they have begun searches for the accused in various places, including Hyderabad. (ANI) Alleging a four-decade-long nexus between ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Congress for covering each other's scam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit back at both parties and said that both the parties are "two sides" of the "same coin." Addressing a public rally in Sangareddy, PM Modi said that the Modi government does not hesitate before conducting surgical strikes or airstrikes (corruption). "Congress and BRS are two sides of the same coin. There is a nexus between both parties. They provide a cover for each other's scam. Congress has made Telangana its new ATM. Such behaviour will not go on for long... Modi govt does not hesitate before conducting surgical strikes or airstrikes," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister asserted that members of 'Parivarvadi' parties opened bank accounts outside India to hide their black money. "Members of 'Parivarvadi' parties open bank accounts outside India to hide their black money, while I help the poor to open Jan Dhan accounts and propel their growth. 'Parivarvadis' live in luxurious homes, while I make sure that the poor get to sleep in pucca houses. 'Parivarvadi' sold India's resources to uplift their children, while I strive to convert the dreams of your children into reality... 140 crore Indians are my family," he said. PM Modi further said that he has deposited all the gifts in Toshakhana and it is auctioned and is being invested in the service of Mother Ganga. "The monthly payment that I receive from the government, whenever I get a chance, I donate some of it to people. 'Parivarvadis' have taken expensive gifts while being in the government and have converted their black money into white through gifts, but till date, I have deposited all the gifts in Toshakhana and it is auctioned and whatever money comes, it is invested in the service of Mother Ganga," he asserted. The Prime Minister reiterated the "400 seats pitch" during his address to a public event and said that the slogan of '400 paar' is being raised because the country has faith in "Modi's guarantee." "Support us to build a Viksit Bharat. "Abki Baar, 400 Paar!" he added. The Prime Minister asserted that the BRS and Congress lack vision for the development of Telangana. BJP is fully committed to diligently serving the people of the state. PM Modi is on three visits to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar from March 4 to 6. (ANI) Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General Dhirendra Kumar shared insights into the persistent efforts to eliminate Naxalism in Odisha. Highlighting the progress made since BSF's induction in 2010, he expressed confidence in ending this menace within the next one and a half years. "When BSF was first inducted in 2010, the worst affected districts were Koraput and Malkangiri so it took time to make them naxal-free. After we achieved our task at Koraput the state government de-inducted BSF from Koraput and now to go all out for the remnants of the Naxals in Odisha that is in Kalahandi and Kandamal, 2 battalions of BSF have been inducted in Kandamal. And the way things are going we hope to end this menace in the next one and a half couple years" BSF IG Dhirendra Kumar said. Comparing the 2019 and 2023 classifications, Kumar revealed a notable improvement. "As per the last classification of naxal-affected districts in Odisha of the year 2019 MHA had classified 13 districts to be naxal-affected. Now, the latest categorization, which has come in the year 2023, 10 districts are affected and out of them, only 2 are severely affected that is Kandhamal and Kalahandi. Malkangiri earlier was also severely affected, but now it's almost naxal-free. So the situation is improving day-by-day and now the core area is only Kandhamal and Kalahandi, the rest of the area is almost back to normalcy" BSF IG Dhirendra Kumar said. Kumar highlighted the BSF's role since its induction in 2010, initially focusing on Koraput and Malkangiri. "When BSF was first inducted in 2010, the worst affected districts were Koraput and Malkangiri so it took time to make them naxal-free. After we achieved our task at Koraput the state government de-inducted BSF from Koraput and now to go all out for the remnants of the Naxals in Odisha that is in Kalahandi and Kandamal, 2 battalions of BSF have been inducted in Kandamal. And the way things are going we hope to end this menace in the next one and a half couple years" BSF IG Dhirendra Kumar said. To ensure security and control, the BSF has established three new camps in Kandhamal, emphasizing their presence in remote and inaccessible regions. "We have a total of 48 camps in Odisha and since we are entering Kandhamal. We have opened three new camps and one new camp is about to open in Boudh district. These camps are not in the hinterland or the highways they are in the absolute remotest and inaccessible areas where the state machinery and government machinery are not able to reach, and we as part of the government are reaching out. Simultaneously we are carrying out a development programme, and social services scheme" BSF IG Dhirendra Kumar said. Considering the upcoming 2024 elections BSF has deployed 35 companies in Odisha. "We have already deployed to remote parts of Odisha as of now 35 companies of BSF are already inducted for election 2024 both Lok Shaba and Assembly. We are working with close Coordination both the government and officials all the deployments chalked out mutually" BSF IG Dhirendra Kumar said. IG Kumar extended an appeal to Naxals, encouraging surrender stating, "We welcome any naxal to surrender because it's high time they should realise that their ideology no longer carries any weight. The state government already has a good surrender policy that rehabilitates them so I would like to appeal to all the naxals to leave the path of violence and join the mainstream." A few districts Kandhamal, Bodh, Kalahandi and Nayagarh are important. In recent times, Kandhamal and Bodh districts have been witness to Naxal activities due to which incidents of IEDs and encounters with security forces have increased. But the security forces have always given a befitting and befitting reply, according to a press release by BSF. According to the release, in an important encounter, the Division Commander of the KKBN division 'Dasru' was killed in an encounter with security forces. The successful counter-offensive operation of the security forces has neutralized the combat capability of the Naxalites and limited their area of influence. In a strategic decision, the police and BSF decided to establish BSF COB in the northern and northwestern areas of Kandhamal district adjoining Bodh district. In the same sequence, on February 28, a COB of the 99th Corps was established at Badapaju under Gram Panchayat Saluguda, Police Station-Gochhapada. This is a remote area in the middle of the forest, 45 kilometres away from the district headquarters, where Naxal activity was continuing unhindered, the release stated. The establishment of COB Badapaju will prove to be a milestone in the direction of controlling these Naxalite activities and making the state completely free from Naxalites, according to the release. As per the release, Swabhiman Anchal, which was once the Maoist levitated zone, has been completely freed from the clutches of the Maoists by the Border Security Force. Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon of Koraput district, which were once Naxal strongholds, were liberated from the Naxalites by the Border Security Force. In recent times also, the Border Security Force was successful in destroying many Maoist dumps in Koraput and Malkangiri in which pressure cooker IEDs were recovered. A large quantity of IED-making material, explosives, lathe machine, gelatin sticks, detonators etc. have also been recovered, as per the release. With the cooperation of the police administration, the Border Security Force has killed 65 deadly Naxalites since 2010, out of which one Naxal was killed in 2023, the release stated. According to the release, a total of 793 Naxals were detained. A total of 632 Naxalites have surrendered, 496 IEDs, 882 weapons, 810 rounds, 2875 kg explosives, 4499 Grenade, 7299 detonators, 940 metres of cordex, 15.506 Kg Ganja, approximately Rs 1 crore 10 lakh currency etc. Apart from strategic operations, the Border Security Force has also played an important role in taking the public welfare schemes being implemented by the state and central governments to Naxal-affected villages, the release stated. (ANI) The Special Cell of Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet against Hizbul operative Javed Ahmed Mattu, who is among the top ten terrorists designated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He was arrested by the Delhi Police on January 4, 2024. According to Delhi Police, Mattu has been associated with multiple terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and has been wanted by security agencies for the past 13 years with a 10 lakh reward on his head. As per the Delhi Police, he was in the Delhi NCR region allegedly to collect arms and ammunition, which were to be used for a series of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir The Cell has filed the chargesheet before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Nabeela Wali of Patiala House Court on March 3, 2024. The court has fixed March 15 for cognizance on the charge sheet. Earlier, the police, while taking custodial remand, stated that the accused Javed Ahmed Mattu was required to be verified from Jammu and Kashmir who are indulged in channelizing the funds through hawala from Pakistan. Police earlier told the court that on January 4, information was received that Javed Ahmed Mattu, a resident of Sopor would be coming to Delhi to collect arms and ammunition from his associates at the behest of Pakistan's ISI. Delhi police also informed that his Pakistan-based handler Abdul Majid Jergar alias Shaheen would be coordinating the delivery of arms and ammunition, and Javed Ahmed Mattu would carry out some audacious terror strikes in J-K and another place on the instructions of his Pakistan-based handler. Delhi police arrested Mattu and recovered one 9 mm Star pistol with six live cartridges, one extra magazine, and one stolen Santro car from him. A case has been registered in this regard at the PS Special Cell. Delhi police also stated that Javed Ahmed Mattu is a college dropout. He is a member of the gang of seven dreaded terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen operating in the area of North Kashmir, particularly Sopore, J-K. After getting injured in an exchange of fire with security forces, he went underground and fled to Nepal on the instructions of Pak ISI, as J-K police were hotly on the chase of him, Delhi police said on Thursday. It is alleged that he was involved in the killing of HC Mohammad Yousuf of CID, Sopore, near Police Station Sopore in 2010. He was also allegedly involved in an attack on the residence of SP, Sopore, in 2010, resulting in the residence being partially damaged. It is also alleged that he committed the killing of two CRPF personnel in Pattan and the snatching of their service rifles in 2010. As per Delhi police, he was also involved in a case FIR of PS Sopore, relating to fire upon the patrolling party of police at Bough, Sopore in 2011. He along with his associates, was also involved in the killing of one police constable, Mohd Shahfi Lone in 2011, Delhi police stated. He, along with his other associates, was also involved in an IED blast at Police Station Sopore, in which one police personnel Morifat Hussain of PS Sopore was killed in 2011, Delhi police said. It is also alleged that he was involved in a grenade attack on Sopore Police Station which involved Ishfaq Kana and Saleem Beig in 2011. Police said that he was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at the CRPF stationed in the SBI Complex in Hathishah, in which many civilians got injured. He was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at the BSNL office in Sopore, J&K. He was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at Chankhan Chowk, Sopore, J-K, Delhi police said. (ANI) The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and five other accused in an alleged Maoist links case. The court acquitted all accused including GN Saibaba, Hem Mishra, Mahesh Tirkey, Vijay Tirkey, Narayan Sanglikar, Prashant Rahi and Pandu Narote (deceased). The judgment was delivered by a bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes who reheard the appeal by Saibaba after the Supreme Court set aside an earlier acquittal order of the High Court. They set aside the verdict of a sessions court that had convicted Saibaba and others in 2017. The High Court had allowed an appeal filed by Saibaba and five others challenging a 2017 decision of the trial court convicting and sentencing him to life imprisonment under the anti-terror law UAPA. They were arrested in 2014. Earlier on April 19, 2023, the Supreme Court set aside the order of the Bombay High Court that discharged former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and other accused in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for alleged Maoist links. Maharashtra government had approached the top court challenging the October 14, 2022 order of the Bombay High Court which discharged Saibaba and others in an alleged Maoist links case. On October 15, the top court in a special hearing on Saturday suspended the October 14 order of the High Court which discharged Saibaba and others. It also stayed the release of Saibaba and others from jail. The top court had, however, said that the accused would be at liberty to move for bail. It was said that the accused were convicted by the trial court after a detailed appreciation of the evidence. On October 14, 2022, the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba and others in the case, however, the Maharashtra government approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision. Apart from Saibaba, the High Court acquitted Mahesh Kariman Tirki, Pandu Pora Narote, Hem Keshavdatta Mishra and Prashant Rahi, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and Vijay Tirki who was awarded 10 years in jail. Narote died during the appeal process. They were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sessions Court at Gadchiroli, Maharashtra in March 2017 for offences under various sections of UAPA and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code for alleged association with the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), which was alleged to be an affiliate of outlawed Maoist organisation. (ANI) Flash The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has strongly denounced the large-scale joint military exercise Freedom Shield staged by the United States and South Korea, saying it would increase the unpredictability of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday. The annual springtime war game included a plan for outdoor mobile drills which doubled the number of last year and even the armed forces of 11 satellite countries under the so-called "UN Command" without any justification for existence were mobilized, the KCNA quoted a spokesman for the DPRK's Ministry of National Defense as saying in a press statement on Monday. "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,'" said the statement. The DPRK Ministry of National Defence strongly denounced the reckless military drills of the United States and South Korea for getting more undisguised in their military threat to a sovereign state and attempt for invading it and severely warned them to stop the moves that cause further provocation and instability. The United States and South Korea kicked off the major joint exercise on Monday, which will last for 11 days, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in an earlier statement. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who stepped down as a judge of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday announced that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Maybe on 7th (March) in the afternoon. There is a tentative program, when I will join BJP," Gangopadhyay said while addressing mediapersons here today. "The party will decide whether there will be candidates in the Lok Sabha or not. The ruling party of the state has inspired me to enter politics," Gangopadhyay said. Earlier today, he announced that he has stepped down as a judge of the Calcutta High Court. Gangopadhyay had already conveyed his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu and planned to meet Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam later today for a "courtesy visit". He arrived at his chamber at the High Court in the morning, after which the resignation letter was sent. There has been speculation that Gangopadhyay will contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Bengal's Tamluk constituency on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket. The Tamluk seat has been a bastion of the ruling Trinamool Congress in recent elections; the party has held it since the 2009 election. Gangopadhyay rulings on various education-related issues in the state stirred political debates. Ganguly had expressed his desire to serve the public, stating that it was his conscience calling. "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 while speaking to ANI on Tuesday. He said the reason for him quitting the job was a call of his conscience and added he would work towards the welfare of the public. Earlier in February, the Supreme Court tagged Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee's plea to issue directions to take action against Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his alleged "continuous politically motivated interviews" in connection with sub-judice cases. (ANI) In a blistering attack on the Congress in the BJD-ruled Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said before 2014, the grand old party and its allies in the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) at the Centre were focussed solely on filling their coffers. Addressing a massive public rally in the eastern state on Tuesday, PM Modi said his 'guarantee' begins where most give up hope. Training his guns at the Congress and its partners in the INDIA bloc in Odisha's Jajpur on Tuesday, PM Modi questioned if the grand old party, which he claimed indulged in fertiliser scams, can provide urea to farmers at cheap rates. "Before 2014, Congress and its allies were solely focused on stuffing their coffers with currency notes. How can the Congress, which looted coal, even think of providing food grains to the poor for free? How can a party accused of fertiliser scams provide urea to farmers at subsidised rates? Can a party, which scammed the people in the name of employment, ever give jobs to the country's youth? The Congress, which ruled the country for the most time since independence, indulged in systemic corruption that gave rise to mistrust among the poor, youth and tribals," he said. In a heartwarming gesture, PM Modi turned his attention to a person in the crowd, who held up a framed photograph that he brought as a gift for him, saying, "Please set your hands down and write your address at the back of the frame. I will write you a letter. Please put your hands down or they will start hurting." Taking a swipe at previous Congress governments at the Centre, he added, "Earlier, when the poor went to Congress leaders asking for help, they would say 'bring some guarantee'. This was the custom at the time. If you wanted to open a bank account, needed a job loan or even applied for a job, they (Congress) would ask for guarantees in return." "However, in 2014, a poor man's son came to lead the government at the Centre. That poor man's son resolved to become the biggest guarantee for the poor. Modi came to hold himself as a guarantee for those who had nothing to offer as a guarantee. We opened Jan-Dhan accounts minus any guarantees or collaterals. The poor, Dalits, and tribals had nothing to commit as guarantees. For them, we launched the Mudra scheme to provide loans without a guarantee. It is because of such schemes that the confidence of the poor in the government has gone up. They have come to this realisation that Modi is with them," PM Modi said. He said despite Odisha being home to some of the country's most backward people and communities, previous governments (at the Centre) did not stand for them. "For the first time, Modi started a Rs 24,000-crore PM Jan-Man scheme for the tribals, who were ignored and left to fend for themselves in previous years. Our fisherman friends did not get anything for their welfare and well-being. We made a separate ministry and presented a separate budget for them. PM-Matsya Sampada Yojana was launched to safeguard their interests. Pucca houses, tap water, and LPG connections were once the stuff of dreams for the poor. But today, they are a reality," PM Modi said. "It is when such objectives are fulfilled that people believe in their heart of hearts that Modi's guarantee begins where all hopes end," he added. Saying the Centre has been investing heavily in Odisha over the last few years, PM Modi added, "Our endeavour is to make Odisha the gateway to Viksit Bharat (a developed India). In a way, Odisha is the engine that is driving the journey to a self-reliant India." (ANI) The West Bengal government has moved the Supreme Court against the Calcutta High Court order directing a CBI probe into the Sandeshkhali matter, which pertains to the attack on ED officials. Earlier this year, in January, ED officials came under attack in the North 24 Parganas district while they were on their way to raid the homes of former Bongaon Municipality chairman Shankar Adhya and Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the ration 'scam' case. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the plea before the Supreme Court bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The top court asked him to mention it before the registrar general of the apex court. Earlier, the Calcutta High Court transferred to the CBI the Sandehskhali case, which pertains to the attack on ED officials. Shahjahan was arrested by West Bengal police last week from North 24 Parganas district in connection with an alleged assault on ED officers during a raid in January earlier this year. Following Shahjahan's arrest, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that Shahjahan had been put under the hospitality of the state police in a bid to avoid arrest by the ED and the CBI. Taking a dig at the TMC government and West Bengal Police over the arrest of absconding strongman and Sandeshkhali accused Sheikh Shahjahan, and, his 10-day remand, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Thursday said he has been put under the 'mehman-nawazi' (hospitality) of the state police in a bid to avoid arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the CBI. Addressing a press briefing at the BJP headquarters in the national capital on Thursday, Trivedi said, "After being reported missing and untraceable for close to two months, Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested all of a sudden. However, no charges have been pressed against him for perpetrating atrocities against the women of Sandeshkhali and sending them inappropriate messages. It is evident that he was arrested under pressure from the high court (which cleared his arrest by the ED, CBI or state police) and the spontaneous uprising in Sandeshkhali, much against the wishes of the ruling party." Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing widespread protests against Sheikh since February, as a section of women are seeking justice against alleged atrocities committed by the TMC leader. A large number of women in Sandeshkhali have accused Shajahan Sheikh and his close aides of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion. (ANI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Congress for defending those who raised pro-Pakistan slogans in the state Assembly. Without naming anyone, Bommai said, despite pro-Pakistan sloganeering in the state Assembly, ministers stood by them, he asserted, terming the incident as "unfortunate." "The media clearly showed some people raising pro-Pakistan slogans but still the ministers stood by them," Bommai said. Calling the incident and reaction behaviour of Congress leaders "dangerous", Bommai said that it is not right on their part to forget their positions and stand in their support. "The FSL report came four days ago and the arrests had been made only two days later. The state government targeted the media accusing it of instigation," he added further. Demanding apologies, he said, "Those who spoke in favour of the anti-nationals must apologise." Earlier, Basavaraj Bommai demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans and the dismissal of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state since "it was not functioning according to the Constitution," he said. Bommai alleged that the state government protected "anti-nationals". Talking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to the Governor seeking the dismissal of the Congress government here on Thursday, he said the Congress Party has gone morally bankrupt and the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been "far from true". Bommai accused the state government of trying to 'cover-up' the alleged pro-Pakistan slogan incident. Notably, BJP MLAs staged a protest outside the Vidhan Soudha on Thursday against the state government over various issues including action over the alleged pro-Pak slogan incident. The BJP legislators earlier stormed the well in the assembly demanding the arrest of those who allegedly raised 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. Notably, as per the complaint filed by the Karnataka BJP, it was alleged that after the returning officer declared that Hussain was elected to the Rajya Sabha, at around 7 pm on February 27, his supporters, who had gathered at the premises of the Vidhana Soudha "at the instance of Hussain, shouted 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans in a loud manner while cheering for Hussain." (ANI) Delhi's Tis Hazari Court on Tuesday extended the police remand of an ICICI Bank manager by three days in a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The man is accused of duping an NRI woman of Rs 13.5 crore. The Delhi Police EOW has registered a case against the accused along with others. Police sought further custody of the accused to unearth the entire conspiracy and to arrest the co-accused. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Sonam Gupta on Tuesday extended the police custody of Varun Vashishta for three days after hearing the application of Delhi police. He is to be produced before the court on March 8, 2024. Delhi police had moved an application seeking five days of further custody of the accused. It was submitted that PC remand is required for the recovery of the misappropriated amount, to confront beneficiaries, and to apprehend the co-accused, Vipin Mishra. It was submitted by the IO that sustained interrogation is required to unearth the whole facts as well as the conspiracy. An FIR has been lodged on the complaint of Shweta Sharma who alleged that accused Varun had lured her to invest her money in FDs for high returns, however, they turned out to be fake FDs and complainant was being cheated with an amount of Rs. 13.5 crore. Earlier, the Investigation Officer (IO) moved an application seeking ten days of PC remand of accused Varun Vashishta as he has been arrested on February 29, 2024, and he has to unearth the entire conspiracy as well as to probe the role of other accused persons and confront/verify various documents which were fabricated by the accused in bank. It was further submitted by the IO that he has to get the accused identified and confronted with the bank staff. Advocate Prabhav Ralli appeared for the complainant Shweta Sharma and supported the application moved by the IO. Delhi police on February 26, 2024, registered an FIR against eight people including Varun and two women under sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120B of IPC. (ANI) Jharkhand Police on Tuesday arrested 5 other accused who were on the run in the case of gang rape and assault with a Spanish woman, an official said. As per the official, so far, a total of 8 accused have been apprehended. "Three suspects involved in the incident were arrested and remanded in judicial custody on March 2, 2024. Five other suspects implicated in the case were apprehended today, on March 5, 2024," the police said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Spanish Embassy in India thanked the authorities for their support. Taking to the social media platform X, the Spanish Embassy posted, "Thank you all for your support. We need to stand united in our commitment to end violence against women everywhere in the world." Three people have been detained after a Spanish woman who was on a bike tour of the country along with her husband complained that she was allegedly gang-raped in the Hansdiha police station area on Friday night, police said. The National Commission for Women condemned the alleged gang rape in Dumka, Jharkhand and said that a letter has been sent to the officials to expedite the investigation into this matter. "NCW condemns the brutal gang-rape of a Spanish tourist in Dumka, Jharkhand. NCW has been informed that the accused fled from the spot. As per reports, there were 8-10 men involved. The police have just arrested 3 accused persons in the matter. A letter has been sent to the DGP from NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma to expedite the investigation in this matter and invoke charges of rape under IPC 376D," the Commission posted on X. "Seeing the gravity of the situation, Mamta Kumari, a member of NCW, will be going to inquire about the facts of the case and meet the victim and concerned police" they added. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dumka, Pitamber Singh Kherwar, informed that the police are taking the necessary actions, including the medical examination of the victim. According to SP Kherwar, the administration didn't have any information about the Spanish couple's visit to Dumka or the place where they were camping. Phulo Jhano Medical College Superintendent Anukuran Purty said that a committee will be formed to investigate the matter. "It hasn't been established yet that she had been raped, outer injuries are visible but for inner injuries and other things, medical examinations are going on. She is out of danger. Her age determination will be done. A committee will also be formed," Purty said. (ANI) Countering the Opposition bloc that is formed with a sole purpose of defeating BJP in Lok Sabha Polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday elaborated on what a family means to him, saying that leaders of INDI Alliance are interested to live only for their families where as he prefers to live for every family of India. Further sharpening his attack, he said that he has been following the ideology of Nation First, 'Mera Bharat-Mera Parivaar'. Addressing a rally in Odisha today, PM Modi said he is engaged in creating a better future for every citizen of the country. "We are helping women so that our sisters can become 'Lakhpati Didi'. I am working to make three crore Lakhpati Didis across the country. But the corrupt people of INDI Alliance are not liking this. These people have nothing in response to our resolutions, achievements and policies. That is why the people of INDI Alliance have now increased their attacks on Modi. They are saying that Modi does not have a family, hence Modi has to be removed. These family members say that it is a fight of ideologies. The ideology of INDI Alliance is family first while Modi's ideology is Nation First. These people live only for their families and Modi lives for every family of India. Modi is engaged in creating a better future for every citizen of the country," he said. He also emphasized that the only goal of the INDI Alliance is to remove Modi, whereas the key target of BJP is to make India, the third largest economic power. "They (Opposition) have built palaces only for their children whereas Modi has built permanent houses for the poor families. That's why I say 'Mera Bharat-Mera Parivaar'. This is what is bothering these nepotism parties. Since yesterday, the poor, women and farmers of the country are all saying that I am Modi's family," PM Modi said. Further, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Bharatiya Janata Party is bringing a scheme where people can sell excess electricity generated through Solar Panels on their house terraces. "Modi guarantees to provide free electricity. Now, if excess electricity is generated, there will be income by selling it. BJP government has made the 'PM-Surya Ghar Muft Electricity Scheme'. By installing solar panels on the roof of the house, you will get up to 300 units of free electricity. Every family will also be able to sell excess electricity to the government. We are also making farmers 'Urjadaata'. They can also install solar panels on vacant land. Modi is taking a pledge to make India developed so that the future of every family in the country is prosperous," he said. Further, the Prime Minister asked everyone in the crowd to take out their mobiles and turn on their flashlight. "All of you turn on the flashlight of your mobile. This light is for the bright future of Odisha. These shining stars are there to change the destiny of India. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the four new ministers who were inducted into the state cabinet on Tuesday and expressed confidence that they will play an important role in realizing the resolve of 'Developed Uttar Pradesh'. SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, RLD MLA Anil Kumar, and two BJP leaders, Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma, were sworn in as ministers. In a post on X, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Hearty congratulations to all the colleagues who took oath as ministers in the Uttar Pradesh government today! There is full confidence that all of you will play an important role in realizing the resolve of 'Developed Uttar Pradesh' by bringing 'Modi's Guarantee' to the ground. My best wishes to all of you for your bright tenure!" After taking oath as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, BJP's Sunil Kumar Sharma said, "The responsibility that has been given to me by the Chief Minister and the party will be carried out responsibly. In Lok Sabha elections, we will win all 80 seats this time." Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the four new ministers of the state cabinet on the occasion. The SBSP (Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party) fought the 2022 UP Assembly elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) but the relationship soured later. After taking oath as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said, "We continuously work towards our goal of serving the poor. To fulfill that goal, people in the government will take the schemes of the government to the doors of the poor, bring them justice and resolve their issues...No riot occurred in 7 years under the rule of CM Yogi Adityanath...There is rule of law..." OP Rajbhar joined the BJP-led NDA in July last year. His party holds six seats in Uttar Pradesh out of the total 403. Setting the pace ahead of its rivals, the BJP has released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The list included 47 youth candidates, 28 women candidates, 27 Scheduled Caste (SC) faces, 18 Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates and 57 OBC/Backward Class nominees. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday appealed to the people of the country to check the "biodata" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before electing a Prime Minister in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, and asserted that their choice will be none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "If you go for interviews, you need to provide the concerned person with your biodata. Similarly, if you are going to elect the Prime Minister of the country, you need to check our biodata; once you do this, your choice will be none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Shah said while addressing a public meeting in Maharashtra's Jalgaon. Shah further said that PM Modi has an account of the past 10 years and a vision for the next 25 years. "Narendra Modiji has an account of the past 10 years and a vision for the next 25 years. He has strengthened the economy of the country. India has emerged as a 'bright spot' on the global map. Narendra Modiji, during the past 10 years, inaugurated a university every week; every day we opened two colleges; 55 patients and 600 trademarks were registered every single day; and 1.5 lakh youth availed 'Mudra loans' every day," he said. "Every day, during the past 10 years, witnessed a new startup; every day, there were 16,000 crores of digital transactions; chemist shops were opened every day; railway tracks were developed every single day; and poor women received gas cylinders every day during the past 10 years," added the Home Minister. Amit Shah further attacked the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar and asked him to provide an account of five years of his tenure. The people of Maharashtra have been bearing Sharad Pawar Sahab for the past 50 years. Forget about 50 years; give an account of five years of your tenure," he said. Taking a sharp jibe at the Congress party, Shah said that, fearing vote banks, it kept Ram Lalla in tents for years. "Fearing vote banks, the Congress kept Ram Lalla in a tent for years. Modiji did the Bhoomi Pujan and after the Pran Pratishtha, Ram Lalla was enshrined in the grand temple in Ayodhya," Amit Shah said. "Modiji honoured the women of the country by introducing the 'Nari Shakti Vandan' Adhiniyam. He abolished 'triple talaq'; provided free rations to crores of people every day; provided 'Pakka house' to over 4 crores of people; and provided free vaccines to the people of the country," he added. Shah is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra; he arrived in Maharashtra's Aurangabad on Monday night. As the Lok Sabha elections fast approach, Shah's visit holds strategic importance in the state, which sends 48 MPs to the Lower House, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh with 80 seats. (ANI) "I haven't received any threat calls," Siddaramaiah told reporters. Earlier in the day, reports surfaced that the Karnataka Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and State Home Minister G Parameshwara had received a threat call via email. The reports came on the heels of the low-intensity blast at the popular Rameshwaram cafe in the Whitefield area of Bengaluru on March 1. Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah also spoke about the cafe blast. "The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is doing its investigation. They have also arrested five people. I do not know whom they have arrested," said the CM. The Ministry of Home Affairs has handed over Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe blast probe to the NIA, which has started an investigation. The blast took place at the cafe on March 1 in Bengaluru's Whitefield area in which 10 people were injured. The Bengaluru Police had registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act. (ANI) A meeting of the Jharkhand Congress Coordination Committee was held in Ranchi to take stock of preparedness in the Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency. After the meeting, Congress Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir stated that preparations are progressing well, with the INDIA bloc planning to field one candidate per seat to avoid voter confusion. "We plan to have only one candidate on every seat so that voters do not get confused, and the same model would be implemented in the state," he said. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur expressed confidence in the party's ability to secure victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, stating, "We are going to win the entire Jharkhand." "Lok Sabha elections are approaching, and we are making our preparations. Meetings of the coordination committees are being held. Mir has reviewed the preparations, and going by the responses of the workers, we can tell that not only Ranchi, but we are going to win the entire Jharkhand," Thakur said. Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said that the party will win at least 12-13 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections out of 29 parliamentary constituencies in Madhya Pradesh. "I think we will win at least 12-13 seats in the state. I have spoken to people at many places. I have campaigned at various places in the state and will do so now too. Every political party creates an atmosphere but the BJP is an expert in creating it," Kamal Nath told reporters here. Setting the pace ahead of its rivals, the BJP released its first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls last week. The list included 47 youth candidates, 28 women candidates, 27 Scheduled Caste (SC) faces, 18 Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates and 57 OBC/Backward Class nominees. (ANI) In a setback to the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday declared the water cess levied on hydropower generation unconstitutional. With this, the government will have to forego an annual revenue of around Rs 2,000 crore it was hoping to make by levying the cess on hydroelectric projects. The Sukhu-led Himachal government has now decided to move the Supreme Court on the issue. A HC division bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Stayen Vaidya on Tuesday said that the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Bill, 2023 exceed the state's legislative competence as per Articles 246 and 265 of the Constitution of India, rendering it ultra vires (beyond its legal powers). Sections 10 and 15 of the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Electricity Generation Act, 2023, dealing with fixation and liability to pay cess made applicable to the existing projects, are declared to be unconstitutional and stand quashed, the bench said. "The provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Electricity Generation Act, 2023, are declared to be beyond the legislative competence of the State Government in terms of Articles 246 and 265 of the Constitution of India. Consequently, the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Electricity Generation Rules 2023, are also quashed and set aside," the judgment passed by a division bench of Justices Tarlok Chauhan and Satyen Vaidya stated. Rajnish Maniktala, the advocate of the petitioner said "There are potential hydroelectric projects in the state. The government of Himachal Pradesh invited projects to exploit the potential and the investors invested lots of money projects were commissioned and there was no concept of water cess then for taxation." He further added that the government and legislature came up with an act and levied the Cess depending on the generation and usage of water. This amount was calculated in Crores of rupees and the petitioners questioned this act. As per Article 246 of the Constitution, there were no powers of the state. "Consequently the court has ordered a refund of the money to those projects from whom the state government has charged water Cess. Article 265 of the Indian constitution says no tax can be levied by the state government on the provisions of the law. It has been sound that this act is unconstitutional and has observed that it has ultra vires the constitution. There were nearly 40 petitioners in the case," added Maniktala. Anup Kumar Rattan, Advocate General of the High Court said, "The state government had constituted the Water Cess Act and it has been quashed by the High Court. The Act was constituted with the idea to generate resources in the state as over 70% area in the state either is under occupation of forest or water area. The state government tried an attempt to tab those resources. Such acts were functional in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and governments are getting revenue." He further said that along similar lines, the state government had imposed water cess on the Hydropower generation companies on the uses of water and there was a possibility of a good income to the state. The Court has declared it unconstitutional as it was not in the competence of the state government. And has also ordered that if tax is charged the refund should be given to the concerned within four weeks. The state government has decided to challenge the matter in the Supreme Court. At a time when the state is facing an acute fiscal crunch, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has set aside the decision to impose a water cess on hydropower generation in the state. The state was expecting nearly Rs 2000 cr revenue from the cess and so far some of the hydropower players have deposited Rs 33 cr as cess. Nearly 40 hydropower generation petitioners had filed the case in the high court of the state. The court also termed the government notices to hydropower projects seeking water cess as unconstitutional. (ANI) The Kerala Students Union (KSU) on Tuesday staged a protest march to the Secretariat as part of a statewide bandh. The police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. This protest was organized in response to the tragic death of a student, JS Sidhharth, who was found hanging inside his college hostel on February 18. The protestors are demanding a CBI inquiry into the death. Sidhharth was a student at the Government Veterinary College in Pookkode, Wayanad. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday suspended the Vice Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr MR Saseendranath in connection with the death of a second-year student at the university. The victim student of the Government Veterinary College, Pookode, Thiruvananthapuram, was identified as JS Siddharth. He was found hanging in his hostel room on February 18. The Governor, in the order of suspension, stated that the report provided by the Vice Chancellor, M R Saseendranath, clearly demonstrated a severe negligence of duty on his part during the events that led to the death of 20-year-old Sidhharth on February 18. The Governor also expressed concern over the Vice Chancellor's negligence and has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.The report highlights the victim's stomach being empty, suggesting a horrifying denial of food and drink for over 36 hours. The governor expressed disbelief over the fact that such brutal activities could occur on the university campus without anyone being aware."The post-mortem report reveals that this is a pure case of murder, not ragging. The postmortem report (PM) shows his stomach empty, which means he was not allowed to eat or drink for more than 36 hours. How is it possible that this kind of torture and activity happens inside the university campus but no one from the university gets to know about it? " Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said. Furthermore, the governor shed light on the alleged involvement of student organisations, specifically the SFI (Students Federation of India), which reportedly converted a hostel into its headquarters for various activities. He also raised questions about the silence prevailing for almost three days and criticised the university for not reporting the matter to the chancellor until recently. "In every university, SFI has converted one hostel into the headquarters, for their activities. SFI and PFI are working together. I have received reports from Wayanad that some of these people involved are sympathisers of PFI. I am not going to blame the police. When the ruling party does not allow them, how can they work? It's a huge failure on the part of university authorities. This torture continues for almost 3 days and nobody knows about it. It was the duty of the university to report the matter to the chancellor, they did it yesterday. So we decided to suspend the vice chancellor," Arif Mohammed Khan said. On March 1, T Jayaprakash, the father of the veterinary student, alleged that the death of his son (Siddharth) seemed to be a "murder 'sponsored' by the leaders and workers of the SFI."(ANI) Visiting Danish Parliament Speaker Soren Gade has expressed hope for an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The EU and India had first launched negotiations for an FTA in 2007, but talks were suspended in 2013. Discussions resumed on June 17, 2022. "When I was here just after the COVID and met the minister of trade, we discussed this (FTA) because I was representing the European Parliament. I and your minister were optimistic. But after the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), non-trade issues have come up in the Free Trade Agreement discussions and it has made it all more difficult," the Danish speaker said while speaking to ANI on Monday "India, of course, is a little sceptical on those two issues. After the election and after India has made an agreement with FTA countries, hopefully, there can be a restart of the FTA with Europe. Europe needs India and hopefully, India feels like it needs Europe too," he said. Speaking further about the India-Denmark relations, Gade said that despite being a smaller country (60 lakh population) and smaller economy, being considered as friends is "something special." "I'm honoured that India also pays attention to a small country like Denmark. We have had 75 years of friendship and may it continue in decades to come. In a few years, India will be an even bigger economy than it is today, hopefully, we can still be friends. Today India is number five in the world economically, and in one, two, three years, it will be number three... It is something special that we are still considered as friends and I can still, as a representative from a small country, see ministers in India and that's an honour for me and my colleagues from the Danish Parliament," said the speaker. Gade went on to underscore the importance of New Delhi and Copenhagen partnership that is needed to take the journey forward. "Even though I'm from a very small country, we can do a lot on the green deal together. We have to transfer technology to India because we made a lot of mistakes in the past and we will not repeat them in the future... India has a right to be a developed country. On this journey, a lot of technology is needed, especially to reduce climate change. And that is the reason why we are here also to encourage this green partnership", he said. Lauding India as a democracy, the speaker highlighted further how the two countries are easier to get closer. "We share values on democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law. That is the reason why not only India and Denmark, but India and the European Union should have closer ties because it's much easier to be friends with countries where you have the same values", said Gade. "In the world right now, you have wars going on, you have non-democracies trying to say what's right or wrong, then those countries with the same values, as we have, should stick together. Because fewer people in the world today are living in a democratic country than it was 20 years ago", he added. Gade during his India visit met National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), JP Nadda. The official account of BJP National President JP Nadda shared on X (formerly Twitter), "Today, BJP National President Shri @JPNadda ji welcomed a Danish delegation led by Speaker Mr. Soren Gade, accompanied by deputy speakers and Amb @svane_freddy. The discussions revolved around India's impending elections, the BJP organization, and the various initiatives of the Modi government." Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane also reflected on the discussions, tweeting, "Engaging and insightful discussion between Party President Nadda and the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Soeren Gade, along with the deputy speakers." Speaker during his visit also met with Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. 'Discussions focused on the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) & new avenues to further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries', said a tweet. India and Denmark established diplomatic relations in September 1949. Bilateral relations were elevated to the level of "Green Strategic Partnership" during the Virtual Summit held on September 28, 2020 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen. The current development of renewed India-Denmark relations has been guided by the "Green Strategic Partnership". (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone the forthcoming presidential and Senate elections, reported The Nation. It demanded that until a final decision is reached on the plea of its allied party, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), regarding the allocation of reserved seats in the parliament, both elections should be postponed. PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar asserted in the upper house of the parliament that holding both elections without the allocation of all seats reserved for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies would violate the constitution. "The PTI will challenge the decision of the commission in the Supreme Court. The elections for the positions of President and Senate should not proceed until the final verdict is delivered," Senator Zafar stated, warning that his party would not accept the election results without the court's decision, as per The Nation. He criticized the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for rejecting the PTI-SIC alliance's petition for the allocation of reserved seats according to its proportionate strength of general seats in the assemblies. Senator Zafar demanded the resignation of all ECP members and called for high treason proceedings against them under Article 6 of the constitution. According to The Nation, regarding international affairs, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution expressing deep concerns over the recent Israeli army's attack in Gaza, condemning the violence against innocent Palestinians seeking food aid. Furthermore, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi withdrew a resolution proposing a ban on major social media platforms in the country, citing opposition from both members and the public. The house also condemned a police raid on the residence of presidential candidate and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Quetta. Senator Shafiq Tareen highlighted that the raid followed Achakzai's speech in the National Assembly questioning the alleged interference of the powerful establishment in the country's political affairs and elections. (ANI) "The ideals of Lord Buddha serve as a spiritual bridge between India and Thailand, fostering a deep-rooted connection. I am glad the devotees had a spiritually rich experience," PM Modi posted on X in response to the Embassy of India, Bangkok tweet. "Almost a million devotees in Thailand paid obeisance to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Maha Moggallana in Bangkok from February 23 onwards till March 3," tweeted the Indian Embassy. PM Modi acknowledged the spiritual richness of the devotees' experience and urged them to continue their reverence at upcoming locations. This remarkable act of devotion underscores the enduring ties between the two nations. https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1764862646237770071?s=20 Prime Minister Modi, in his tweet, further urged devotees to continue their spiritual journey by paying obeisance at upcoming locations where the relics would be enshrined. Specifically mentioning Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Krabi, Modi's call reinforces the enduring spiritual bond shared by India and Thailand, transcending geographical boundaries. "I urge devotees to pay obeisance at Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Krabi, where the relics will be enshrined in the coming days," the tweet states. As the relics continue to travel and be enshrined in various locations, the collective act of reverence by both Indian and Thai devotees underscores the shared cultural and spiritual heritage that unites the two nations in a tapestry of mutual respect and devotion. (ANI) "The decision of the ECP coincided with the acceptance of nomination papers for ruling coalition-backed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) -backed Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the upcoming presidential elections," slated for March 9, stated sources. According to Dawn, the final list of eligible candidates will be released on March 5, with the option to withdraw nominations until March 6. In a 22-page judgment reserved last week, the ECP maintained that the SIC was ineligible for the reserved seat quota based on clear provisions of Article 51(6) read with Section 104 of the Elections Act, 2017. While the distribution of seats among parliamentary parties remains undisclosed, it poses challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where PTI-backed independents secured a significant majority of general seats, as per Dawn. ECP member Babar Hassan Bharwana expressed dissent against the distribution proposal, advocating for vacant seats until the amendment to relevant constitutional articles. PTI strongly criticized the ECP decision, demanding resignations from the chief and members, and urging postponement of upcoming presidential and Senate elections until the Supreme Court's ruling. Senator Syed Ali Zafar emphasized the unconstitutional nature of holding elections with an incomplete electoral college and cited Article 51(6)(d) as the basis for proportional seat allocation.(ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a meeting with South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun in Seoul. The two leaders held discussions on trade and economic cooperation between India and South Korea. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "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 the India-South Korea relationship." EAM Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, also met think tank representatives of South Korea. He stated that exchanges will only increase as the convergences between India and South Korea rise. Sharing insight about the meeting, Jaishankar in a post on X stated, "Interesting conversation with think tank representatives of RoK. Our exchanges and interaction would only increase as the convergences between our two countries grow." Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met the Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin in Seoul. During the meeting, the two sides discussed shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific and contemporary regional and global issues. "Good start to my visit. Met 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," EAM Jaishankar posted on X. During his visit to Seoul, Jaishankar will co-chair the 10th India - South Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul. He is also expected to meet with Korean dignitaries and the Indian community, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. In a press release, MEA stated, "India - Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership has expanded to diverse areas of cooperation, which include trade, investments, defence, education, S&T, and culture." "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," it added. After concluding his visit to South Korea, Jaishankar will travel to Japan from March 6-8 for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister's Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. The two Ministers are expected to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and global importance, and exchange views on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, according to MEA. MEA in the press release said, "India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has further deepened in the last decade in areas such as defence and digital technologies, semiconductor supply chains, clean energy, high-speed rail, industrial competitiveness and connectivity. EAM's visit and meetings in Tokyo will provide strategic guidance to our functional cooperation in these areas." Jaishankar will also participate in the first Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo. He is expected to interact with business leaders, think tanks and academia, building upon strong cultural and people-to-people ties. "EAM's visits to the Republic of Korea and Japan, two of our major partners, will impart further momentum to bilateral exchanges and set the agenda for future cooperation," it added. (ANI) Washington [US], March 5 (ANI) Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been invited to address a joint session of the US Congress on April 11, congressional leaders said, according to Kyodo news agency. Kishida is scheduled to travel to Washington for an official visit next month. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders in a letter to Kishida on Monday said that his address, the first by a Japanese leader in nine years, is necessary with the relationship between the United States and Japan "as important as ever," Kyodo reported. According to a White House statement, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Fumio and his wife Kishida Yuko for the official visit, which will include a state dinner, on April 10. "The visit will underscore the enduring strength of our Alliance partnership, the unwavering US commitment to Japan, and Japan's increasing global leadership role," the statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre read. "President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida will discuss efforts to strengthen political, security, economic, and people-to-people ties so that our Alliance is postured to address evolving challenges and advance our shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and world," the White House said. The last time a Japanese prime minister addressed a joint session of Congress was in 2015, when the late Abe Shinzo delivered a speech. According to a report in NHK, US House Speaker Johnson released a statement along with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate on Monday. In the statement, he says, "It is our honour to host Prime Minister Kishida for his first joint address" to the US Congress. "Now, more than ever, we must speak out against tyranny and continue our pursuit of freedom and democracy worldwide," the Japanese media outlet reported. Johnson, according to the NHK report praised the Japan-US security treaty, calling it a "shining example of international cooperation and diplomacy." He describes the bilateral alliance as a "cornerstone of stability and security" for both nations and the world. The Japanese media outlet further cited sources to say that Kishida is also considering a trip outside Washington to see Japanese companies doing business in the United States. Kishida's US visit comes eight months after Biden hosted Japan's Prime Minister and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol at the US presidential retreat of Camp David for a landmark summit focused on accelerating an anti-China policy. At the end of the first trilateral summit of the three countries, a joint statement condemned the "dangerous and aggressive behaviour" by China and expressed stern opposition against any attempt to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, the joint declaration by US, Japan and South Korea expressed shared concerns over Chinese actions in supporting unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, as well as their strong opposition to any unilateral actions by Beijing aimed at changing the existing situation in the Indo-Pacific waters. They also opposed the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities, and further expressed concern about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. (ANI) The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday launched the implementation guidance in the Southeast Asia Region, emphasizing universal screening of newborns for hearing impairment, eye abnormalities, and neonatal jaundice. This initiative aims to mitigate the risk of disabilities arising from these conditions by ensuring early detection and appropriate management. "The regional implementation guidance will facilitate capacity-building for newborn or neonatal screening that aims at pre-symptomatic detection, shortly after birth, of serious treatable conditions. Backed by referral, diagnosis, management, and follow-up for appropriate treatment, these screenings will enable the prevention of long-term disability or premature death," said Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, while releasing the guidance at a regional webinar on birth defects. "The guidance incorporates simple tests with non-invasive tools that can be integrated within the existing health systems. These screenings should be done prior to discharge after a health-facility birth, or at the first postnatal care contact in an outpatient setting after a home birth," WHO said in a press release. "Focusing on improving care around the time of birth and the first week of life is important to ensure every child survives and thrives to reach their full potential," the Regional Director said. Formulated through a collaborative consultation involving technical experts from member countries within the region, the guidance has been meticulously developed to address the imperative of universal screening for newborns. "With persistent collaborative efforts over the years, the WHO South-Asia Region witnessed a 45% decline in under-5 mortality rates between 2010 and 2021, the steepest among all WHO regions and against the global reduction of 26%," the press release read. "However, the contribution of birth defects to under-5 mortality in the region has increased from 4% to 11% during the last two decades (2000-2021) as countries successfully addressed other major causes of death," a press release added. "Our region is committed to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal targets for maternal, newborn and child mortality. I urge all our Member States and stakeholders to adopt, internalize and use the implementation guidance for introducing and conducting these three screening tests for all newborns before hospital discharge, including appropriate management of babies," Wazed said. "We owe the next generation our collective actions to standardize these screening practices, to achieve the SDG targets, and, most importantly, to meet the needs of every newborn, everywhere', the Regional Director further said. (ANI) We Are China Highlights of Chinese government work report Xinhua) 09:13, March 05, 2024 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of the Chinese government work report submitted Tuesday to the national legislature for deliberation. -- 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 (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General, Omar Ayub Khan, urged for the trial of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's military secretary in the diplomatic cable case, as reported by Geo News. Speaking outside the Parliament House, Ayub, accompanied by PTI's newly elected chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, emphasized that keeping the cypher documents safe was the responsibility of the then-prime minister's military secretary. Ayub stated, "If the case is to proceed, it should be proceeded against these persons [military secretary]." According to Geo News, PTI founder Imran Khan and senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi were each sentenced to 10 years in the cypher case in January 2024. Ayub further demanded a "judicial inquiry" into the cyphergate case. Responding to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's address in the lower house of parliament, Ayub criticized Bilawal's use of unparliamentary language and questioned his understanding of the cypher's mechanism, as per Geo New. Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed the party's determination to move forward despite challenges. He criticized the ruling alliance, labelling them "crises" and asserting their inability to address the country's challenges. Earlier, responding to remarks by the PPP chairman regarding the cypher case, former NA speaker Asad Qaiser called for the constitution of a judicial commission to investigate the controversy. Qaiser highlighted the alleged crackdown on party leadership and stressed PTI's commitment to principles. The controversy unfolded on March 27, 2022, when Imran Khan, just a month before his ouster in April 2022, alleged a foreign conspiracy. Waving a cypher letter at a public rally, he claimed collusion between a foreign nation and his political rivals to overthrow the PTI government. While he didn't disclose the letter's contents, he later accused the United States, stating that Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu sought his removal. The National Security Committee (NSC) issued a "strong demarche" to the US on March 31, denouncing interference. Despite finding no evidence of a foreign conspiracy post-Imran's removal, subsequent leaks implicated the former prime minister, Asad Umar, and Azam in discussing the US cypher's use. In August 2023, a foreign outlet published the alleged text of the diplomatic cypher, supporting Imran's claims of US involvement. The Federal Investigation Agency filed an FIR against Imran and Qureshi under the Official Secrets Act. By October 2023, Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain indicted both Imran and Qureshi, accusing Imran of "illegally retaining and wrongly communicating" the cypher. In November, the Islamabad High Court deemed the proceedings illegal, leading to a fresh trial initiated by Judge Zulqarnain on December 13. On January 30, the special court sentenced Imran and Qureshi to 10 years in jail under the Official Secrets Act. (ANI) Baloch women's rights activist Naela Quadri Baloch moved a petition on Monday urging authorities to halt the deportation of fellow women's rights activist Asma Baloch to Iran. In a post on 'X', Naela Baloch stated, "Urgent Appeal to Halt the Deportation of Women's Rights Activist Asma Baloch to Iran." https://twitter.com/naelaquadri/status/1764558127247319237?s=48&t=BDEHgpE5zxdW0rnNRU8mSw In a letter to the Swedish Migration Agency, as well as human rights defenders globally, Naela Baloch wrote, "I am writing to you with great concern regarding the imminent deportation of Asma MirBalochzahi, a 34-year-old Baloch political and women's rights activist, from Sweden to Iran. Asma Baloch, as she is known, has been a vocal advocate for justice and human rights in the face of oppressive regimes." Alleging threats to Asma, Naela Baloch added, "Throughout her stay in Sweden, Asma MirBalochzahi has been subjected to constant threats from the Iranian government, posing a grave danger to her life." "The recent approval of her deportation by the Swedish Immigration Department is deeply concerning, as it not only places her safety in jeopardy but also runs counter to the principles of humanity and the values upheld by the European Union," she added. "Asma Baloch's family in Balochistan is under constant pressure and threat of assassination due to her courageous political and civil activities. It is imperative that we, as advocates for human rights, stand united to prevent her deportation and ensure her safety" she wrote further in the letter. "We call upon all Baloch activists, human rights defenders in Sweden, and concerned individuals across Europe and America to join forces in preventing this injustice. Deporting Asma to Iran would undoubtedly lead to severe punishments and cruelty, amounting to nothing short of a death sentence," she stated further. Naela Baloch also called on the European community and fellow human rights activists worldwide to rise against the challenging circumstances Asma is confronting. "Let us unite our voices and actions to uphold the values of justice and humanity," she stated in her letter. (ANI) Highlighting India's unprecedented reputation at the international level, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that the people leaving India to explore global work opportunities now have confidence in the present government that the regime would take care of them even when they are abroad. "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 that will look after them. That's a very big feeling because when we look at the state of the world, more and more Indians will explore global work opportunities," EAM said. Minister also underscored the significant contribution of Indian diaspora for strengthening New Delhi relations with other countries and said that the country is in the right path and doing right thing. "There will be students going abroad. There will be people, you know, blue collar workers. There will be professionals. There will be, you know, people whose talents will be sought by companies across the world. So we have to give them that confidence. And we have shown in 10 years today," he said. "But those who live abroad also know, you know, that there are, that in many ways your hearts and minds are, a large part of it is always in India. So I know, you know, that all of you in different ways, contribute to the progress of our country. What is happening at home, the choices we make, the progress we make is very much in your minds. So I want today to both appreciate you as well as share with you that sense of confidence. I think that we are today on the right path, with the right leadership, doing the right thing, going up in the world," he added. Earlier, in his address at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy on 'Broadening horizons: India-Korea Partnership in the Indo-Pacific', Jaishankar stressed that it is time for two nations to introspect and strategise how the two countries could be doing more by making efforts differently. EAM who is on a visit to South Korea said that ties between India and South Korea has expanded in different sectors and the benefits are visible to both nations. He said that India's partnership with South Korea is acquiring "great salience" in a "more uncertain and volatile world." (ANI) In the wake of the extrajudicial killing of a human rights activist in Pakistan, World Sindhi Congress (WSC) staged a protest against the Pakistan agencies at the UK Prime Minister's residence, 10 Downing Street in London on Sunday, an official statement said. According to the statement, the human rights activist Hidayat Lohar was tragically murdered by unidentified assailants in his hometown of Nasirabad, Sindh, Pakistan, on 16 February while on his way to the school where he worked as a teacher. The protest saw the participation from Sindhi, Baloch and other human rights supporters across UK, who called for justice for the activist Lahore and accountability for the Pakistani agencies allegedly implicated in his brutal murder. Speakers at the event, including notable Sindhi and Baloch human rights advocates, highlighted Lohar's harrowing experiences, including his disappearance from 2017 to 2019 and subsequent torture at the hands of Pakistani agencies. They recounted the efforts of his daughters, Sortah and Sasuie, who have been vocal in their demand for justice not only for their father but for the hundreds of Sindhis forcibly abducted by state agencies. Their activism led to the formation of the Voice for Missing Persons of Sindh (VMPS), advocating for releasing all missing individuals in the region. "Despite being abducted again in 2023 and facing continuous threats, Mr. Lohar's release was secured following widespread protests throughout Sindh. However, his assassination on 16th February marks a tragic attempt to silence his voice forever," the statement said. "The speakers condemned Pakistan as a state that systematically violates human rights, engaging in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Sindhi, Baloch, and Pashtoon communities. They called on the international community to intervene and halt Pakistan's ongoing human rights abuses," it added. In a concluding act of advocacy, a WSC delegation presented a letter to the UK Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The letter implored the Prime Minister to support efforts in seeking justice for Hidayat Lohar and to pressure Pakistan to cease its practices of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Additionally, it requested the establishment of an All Parties Parliamentary Committee (APPG) to examine human rights violations by Pakistan. It advised withholding any aid until Pakistan adheres to the UN Charter on Human Rights. (ANI) US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, held a meeting with International Trade Administration Assistant Secretary, Arun Venkatraman on Tuesday. Both sides discussed ways to enhance the India-US trade relationship and the critical importance of this strategic partnership. "Had an engaging meeting with @TradeGov Assistant Secretary Arun Venkatraman. We spoke about ways to enhance the #USIndiaTrade relationship and the critical importance of this strategic partnership," Garcetti posted on X. https://x.com/USAmbIndia/status/1764975954168877504?s=20 The US envoy also praised the role of the 'East West Center' in promoting ties between the United States, Asia, and the Pacific islands. He met the President of the organisation, Suzanne Vares-Lum. "The East West Center is doing a stellar job in building bridges and fostering understanding between the United States, Asia, and the Pacific islands through cooperative study, training, and research programs. I had an insightful meeting with @EastWestCenter President Suzanne Vares-Lum this morning about the impactful work they are doing in the region!" the US envoy stated on X. Last week, Garcetti met with the former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu in Amritsar. Garcetti also offered prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and shared a deep personal desire to visit the Golden Temple. Last month, the US envoy, during an event, hailed the ties between New Delhi and Washington and stressed that the two nations should work more robustly on co-development and serve as a 'model' for the world. He also said that ties between India and the US is not merely 'additive relationship' but instead a 'multiplicative relationship'. "Looking at the way, we are understanding each other's culture, this is more than an additive relationship, this is not India plus the US, this is India times the US...a multiplicative relationship," he said. In January, Garcetti said the foundation of the bilateral ties between India and the US is built on the four P's: Peace, Prosperity, Planet and People. "Whether it was our dual diplomacy in the G20, whether it's the work that we're doing in the health sphere, whether it's the way that we can look at trying to build peace in the world. The four P's, as I call them, are the cornerstone of our vision here as America in India through the mission here of peace, prosperity, planet and people," said the US envoy. (ANI) A day after the Nepali prime minister ditched the alliance with the Nepali Congress, the latter decided to withdraw its support to Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government on Tuesday. The Nepali PM will have to face the vote of confidence within 30 days. Commencing a Central Working Committee meeting, the Nepali Congress, the largest party in the lower house- House of Representatives, in terms of seats decided to retract support to the Dahal-led government. "It has been decided to withdraw the support and the vote of confidence, which we had earlier extended to the incumbent government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal-Prachanda. Nepali Congress will now work as active opposition," Dhanraj Gurung, the vice-president of the party told ANI. With this move, the Prime Minister is mandated to seek a vote of confidence within the next 30 days. Prime Minister Dahal's unexpected decision to revive a coalition with the CPN-UML on Sunday evening had caught the largest coalition partner, NC, off guard. The newly formed ruling coalition now includes the CPN-UML, CPN-Maoist Center, Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party. There was no immediate comment from the new ruling alliance about the constitutionally mandated vote of confidence as the leaders have been busy dwelling on splitting the ministerial portfolios. As of now, the CPN-Maoist Center has 32, CPN-UML has 78, the Rashtriya Swatantra Party has 20, and the Janata Samajbadi Party has 12 seats in the parliament. They would need to cross the majority of 138 votes, which as of now is set to be crossed comfortably as the alliance has 142 votes in their favor. Prime Minister Dahal who has expanded and reshuffled his cabinet at least 12 times since he last came to power in December 2022 forged a coalition with CPN-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). Soon after securing a staggering 99 per cent in the first round of vote of confidence on 10 January 2023, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in March 2023 dumped CPN- UML and allied with Nepali Congress to remain in power. Crossing a year mark, Dahal returned to his former ally breaking the alliance with the Nepali Congress. The new coalition of four parties who signed an 8-point deal late on Monday night is working on dividing the ministerial portfolios. Though a new coalition comprising four parties has been formed in the preliminary round of government formation, talks with other parties present in the parliament are underway. The hung parliament and excessively overcrowded ministerial enthusiasts from the coalition partners have proven to be Hercules' task of forming a 25-member cabinet as he is still struggling to complete his council of ministers. In addition, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has kept all ministerial portfolios within himself as the division of portfolios is yet to be made. Despite the persisting division about the allocation of portfolios Dahal on Monday inducted three ministers without portfolios which comprised each minister from CPN-UML, Maoist Center and Rastriya Swatantra Party. (ANI) The Foreign Office Consultations were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Secretary-General (SG) of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descotes. A Ministry of External Affairs release said that during the meeting, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the progress made in various facets of bilateral cooperation, as outlined in the ambitious India France Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to France as Guest of Honour at the French National Day on July 14, 2023. FOC was preceded by the second meeting of Strategic Space Dialogue, co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary and Descotes, and India-France 'Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Dialogue' on March 4. "The discussions encompassed key areas of bilateral cooperation including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, AI, Science and Tech, UNSC reforms and multilateral cooperation, blue economy, institutional dialogue mechanisms, and initiatives fostering people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties," the release said. In addition, the dialogue extended to global and regional affairs, notably on Indo-Pacific, climate action, energy transition, health, trilateral and plurilateral forms of cooperation, and key challenges including the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea and Russia-Ukraine conflict. The release said that FOC is a pivotal bilateral mechanism that provides cohesiveness to all the existing India-France exchanges. "Overall, this meeting provided an opportunity to review actions across multifaceted ties between India and France, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration on shared priorities and challenges," it said. (ANI) The Pakistan Army's top brass has refuted the allegations regarding armed forces interference with the electoral process after many political parties raised serious concerns over the February 8 poll results, Geo News reported. Instead, it has accused some "vested interests" of scapegoating others for their "own failing" and trying to create instability in the country. Pakistan underwent general elections on February 8. But, the polls as well as the subsequent results drew strong criticism both domestically as well as internationally for the allegations of "lack of level playing field". Many political parties, especially Imran Khan-founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused the security forces of interference in the polls through internet shutdown and "rigging". This came during the 263rd Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC), chaired by Pakistan's Chief of Army Chief Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, as reported by Geo News. Inter-Services Public Relations, the military's media wing, quoting the army's top brass, said the CCC noted that the forces "at a great peril to their primary responsibility, provided security environment for the conduct of GE-24 as per the given mandate, and had nothing to do with the electoral process." "However, the forum expressed dismay that some vested small segments of polity and media especially social media have been maligning the Armed Forces of Pakistan with unsubstantiated allegations of interference, which is highly deplorable," the statement added. The top commanders said rather than focusing on real issues such as good governance, economic recovery, political stability, and public well-being, the "entire focus of such vested elements" is on creating political instability and uncertainty by attempting to scapegoat others for their "own failings". The military's top brass also emphasised that due legal processes be followed with evidence and proof rather than resorting to unconstitutional and uncalled-for baseless political rhetoric and emotional outbursts. The corps commanders noted with satisfaction the smooth democratic transition of power in the Center and provinces. "[The] Forum hoped that the post elections environment brings in desired political and economic stability resulting into peace and prosperity for the people of Pakistan" The military also stated that it "strongly believed that democratic consolidation is the way forward for the country", Geo News reported citing the military's media wing. (ANI) World Health Organisation South-Asia Director Saima Wazed called on the member states to raise awareness and take action against the alarming situation of congenital anomalies being reported in the region. She also highlighted focus areas, where the member states need to take action to tackle the alarming situation. "The World Health Organization is shining a spotlight on the urgent need for member states and partners to raise awareness about birth defects and intensify efforts to prevent, detect, and manage these congenital anomalies that affect lives even before they begin," Samia Wazed said in a statement. "Thus today we remind ourselves that 'Every journey matters' and that the journey to good health begins before birth," she added. She said that children born with birth defects are not just statistics, but represent the "loss of precious lives" and the "anguish and struggle of families." "I am heartened that the regional implementation guidance on universal newborn screening of three conditions is being released to facilitate capacity building of member states. The three conditions are hearing impairment, eye abnormalities and neonatal jaundice," she said. The WHO South-East Asia Director stated that around 300 children under the age of 5 years lose their lives to birth defects each day in the region, and the situation demands immediate attention and action. She said that the situation can be prevented by tackling exposure to pollutants, lifestyle choices, and socioeconomic conditions affecting pregnant women and their unborn children "It was after the World Health Assembly resolution on Birth Defects in 2010, that our WHO South-East Asia Region, in collaboration with CDC-USA, initiated a holistic initiative on birth defects. An integrated approach was adopted, embedding interventions for the prevention and treatment of birth defects within existing national health programs," Wazed added. Stating that the work is far from over, she called the member states for action in five key areas. She said that it is crucial to elevate the priority of birth defects on national agendas and bolster commitment and leadership at all levels. Financial resources must be allocated commensurately to support comprehensive prevention and management strategies. She also pointed out that the new regional document and videos on universal new-born screening of three conditions provides guidance on how simple tests can be integrated within existing health systems. The introduction of these tests should be supported by effective systems for referral, diagnosis, management and follow-up. The WHO South-Asia Director said, "We must focus on improving coverage and quality of preventive interventions, such as rubella immunization and food fortification. These efforts are critical in reducing the incidence of birth defects and ensuring healthier outcomes for mothers and their babies. Member States need to plan, implement and monitor large scale food fortification programmes aligned with the 76th World Health Assembly Resolution 76.19 passed last year on food fortification." She said that the member states must harness the power of community-based networks and organizations to support parents, caregivers, and families of children with birth defects. Empowering them to access essential services and support is essential in ensuring no one is left behind. She further called on to sustain and expand surveillance efforts to improve the coverage and quality of quality of data collection and analysis. This data will be invaluable in guiding our efforts, mobilizing resources, and improving program implementation. "Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to accelerate actions to prevent, detect and manage these conditions. This commitment of ours is aligned with the "survive, thrive and transform" agenda of the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (2016-2030). On World Birth Defects Day, let us remember that every journey matters, and let us ensure a brighter and healthier future for all," Saima Wazed said. (ANI) This meeting comes a few weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to India. "Secretary General of the French Foreign Affairs Ministry @amdescotesmet NSA Ajit Doval today to discuss the deepening of the France-India strategic partnership a few weeks after President Macron's State Visit," the French Embassy in India posted on X. https://x.com/FranceinIndia/status/1765034198669099289?s=20 Earlier in the day, she participated in the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and France, which was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. During the FOC, the two sides undertook a comprehensive review of the progress made in various facets of bilateral cooperation, as outlined in the ambitious India France Horizon 2047 Roadmap, adopted during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to France as Guest of Honour at the French National Day on July 14, 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs stated. Earlier on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held a meeting with Anne-Marie Descotes and stated that the strategic partnership between the two nations is growing from "strength to strength." Jaishankar expressed confidence that the Foreign Office Consultations and Strategic Space Dialogue between the two nations will further enhance the momentum of India-France ties. The second India-France Strategic Space Dialogue was held in New Delhi on Monday. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the progress made since the first India-France Strategic Space Dialogue and discussed the ongoing robust bilateral engagement in the space sector and avenues for further cooperation in the G2G (Government-to-Government) and commercial segments. Additionally, both sides also discussed the implementation of the recently signed Letter of Intent on Defence Space Cooperation, capacity building and training, space exchanges and defence space industrial cooperation. During the bilateral dialogue on disarmament and non-proliferation, the two sides discussed developments relating to the nuclear, chemical, and biological domains, as well as outer space security, conventional weapons including AI in the military domain and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, and multilateral export control regimes. (ANI) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a nationwide protest against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) scheduled on March 10, The Express Tribune reported on Sunday. This comes after the Pakistan electoral body's decision against the allocation of reserved seats to the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)- wherein elected PTI lawmakers have taken refuge after being disallowed to contest the general elections on the party's electoral symbol. Addressing media outside Adiala Jail where PTI founder Imran Khan is incarcerated on Tuesday, party leaders including Sher Afzal Marwat, Shandana Gulzar, Atif Khan, and Shehryar Afridi announced their dissatisfaction with the ECP's ruling. They accused the commission of diverting the mandate given to PTI by the voters to rival parties, specifically the PML-N and PPP. The leaders argued that the allocation of reserved seats to other parties contradicted the will of the people who had voted for PTI. They claimed that the ECP's decision was a blatant misuse of power and announced their intention to hold a nationwide protest against this alleged injustice, The Express Tribune reported. The PTI leaders further criticised the state of Pakistan's economy, highlighting its dependence on foreign remittances and accusing the Sharif family of sending their wealth abroad. They claimed that with the support of overseas Pakistanis, the country could generate quick revenue, emphasising the need for a change in leadership. Earlier, PTI announced its intention to approach the Supreme Court against the 4-1 decision made by the electoral body, as reported by Dawn. "The decision of the ECP coincided with the acceptance of nomination papers for ruling coalition-backed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) -backed Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai for the upcoming presidential elections," slated for March 9, stated sources. According to Dawn, the final list of eligible candidates will be released on March 5, with the option to withdraw nominations until March 6. In a 22-page judgment reserved last week, the ECP maintained that the SIC was ineligible for the reserved seat quota based on clear provisions of Article 51(6) read with Section 104 of the Elections Act, 2017. (ANI) Social media users across the world complained of widespread outages across several Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, on Tuesday. Voicing their concerns on X, the users said they were not able to access the platform and were getting logged out of their accounts on Facebook and other platforms automatically. Meta spokesperson, Andy Stone said the company was aware of the troubles being faced by users worldwide, adding that it was working to resolve the issue. "We're aware people are having trouble accessing our services. We are working on this now," Stone posted on X. https://x.com/andymstone/status/1765042684132241580?s=20 DownDetector website showed a spike in graphs showing the widespread outage being experienced by users. According to the outage monitoring service, the service interruption in India started around 8. 30 pm. At least 14,857 users flagged difficulty in using Facebook and 32,518 users in using Instagram, according to the website. The DownDetector map showed outages being experienced in cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and many others. The website also showed outages being experienced not just in India, but in several other countries as well, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil. Facebook users in Nepal also complained that they are not able to access Facebook and even Facebook Messenger. Several social media users took to the microblogging website X -- which is now owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk -- and complained of difficulties being faced in using the platforms. Meanwhile, taking a veiled dig at Meta over the global outages across its two popular platforms, the Tesla CEO said the server of 'X' platform were 'working'. "If you're reading this post, it's because our servers are working," he posted from his official handle. Further details are awaited. (ANI) 2 people were killed in a midair plane collision in Kenya, police say Two people were killed Tuesday following a midair plane collision in Kenya, police said, according to The Associated Press. A De Havilland Dash 8 plane operated by a safari airline collided with a single-engine Cessna 172 above the Nairobi National Park, according to a police report cited by the news agency. Safarilink Aviation said the Dash 8 with 44 people on board "experienced a loud bang soon after takeoff" and safely returned to Nairobi-Wilson airport. The smaller plane had two people on board who were in a training session with the 99 Flying School, per The AP. Police said it crashed in the national park. The Kenya Police Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez confronts the activists as she and Riley Roberts, her fiance, leave a cinema in New York Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lost her cool with pro-Palestinian protesters on Monday, claiming their tactics were f----ed up. The Democrat congresswoman, a critic of Israel, was visiting a cinema in New York with Riley Roberts, her fiance, when she was confronted by two activists. Video footage of the confrontation shows the protesters following Ms Ocasio-Cortez, 34, and complaining she had not publicly called Israels invasion of Gaza a genocide. I need you to understand that this is not OK, she told one male protester. Its not OK that theres a genocide happening and youre not actively against it, he replied. Youre lying, said Ms Ocasio-Cortez. The politician grew increasingly frustrated as the protesters continued to follow and film her night out. Youre gonna cut it and youre gonna clip this so that its completely out of context, she said. Youre not helping The congresswoman, who has been a strong advocate of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, insisted she had already denounced Israels actions as genocide and therefore the protesters anger was misplaced. I already said that it was and yall are just gonna pretend that it wasnt over and over again - its f---ed up, man, she said. And youre not helping these people, and youre not helping them, youre not helping them. The video ended as the protesters continued to berate Ms Ocasio-Cortez as she walked with Mr Roberts. Ms Ocasio-Cortez is considered one of the most outspoken supporters of a Gaza ceasefire in Congress and has repeatedly criticised Israel over its military response to the Hamas attacks on Oct 7. She also condemned Hamas in the strongest possible terms shortly after the attacks, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed. Following her difficult encounter with activists who should, in theory, be on her side on the Israel-Gaza argument, a tweet from December 2020 resurfaced online, in which she wrote: The whole point of protesting is to make [people] uncomfortable. Activists take that discomfort with the status quo & advocate for concrete policy changes. Popular support often starts small and grows. To folks who complain protest demands make others uncomfortable thats the point. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. HOT SPRINGS - Hot Springs' Appalachian Trailfest is the second largest Appalachian Trail-themed festival in the country and is typically seen as a teaser for thru-hikers heading to Appalachian Trail Days, a larger, more well-known festival in Damascus, Virginia. But the Hot Springs festival won't be happening in 2024, the Hot Springs Tourism and Welcome Center announced. While the festival, which was scheduled for April 12-14, is canceled this year, the town said it plans to bring the festival back in 2025, the Hot Springs Tourism and Welcome Center said in a Facebook post. "This event is in transition, with plans to continue in 2025, in partnership with the Laughing Heart Hostel and Hot Springs community," Hot Springs Tourism and Welcome Center said in the post. In lieu of the three-day festival, there will still be the traditional duck race, which is planned for the late afternoon on April 27. The duck race will be organized by Hot Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and proceeds will go to the department and to the 2025 Appalachian Trailfest, according to the Hot Springs Tourism and Welcome Center. Additionally, according to the post, Laughing Heart Hostel will host a free dinner and fashion show after the duck race April 27. Appalachian Trailfest was founded in 1987 and has been an annual fixture in Hot Springs since then. In the past, proceeds from the multiday festival have gone to benefit a trip for the residents of Madison County Group Home, the town's lone medical residence for adults with complex needs, according to Ike Lassiter, TrailFest's planning committee coordinator. But the Madison County Group Home decided against organizing the event in 2024, according to Hot Springs resident Sonya Smith Phillips. "The Madison County Group Home decided to let it go, and I was hoping to keep it going along with the Laughing Heart Hostel," Smith Phillips said in a message to The News-Record & Sentinel. "However, there have been some circumstances that are going to make that impossible for 2024. There were many obstacles for this year, that I would prefer not be made public. I hope that we will be able to bring it back next year." Lassiter, who serves on the Madison County Group Home's board, said the Group Home made the decision to part ways with the festival in the fall. Lassiter said the festival was once the second-most attended Appalachian Trail festival in the country, and the festival was typically planned to precede the larger Appalachian Trail Days festival. But last year, the first festival post-COVID, attendance among thru-hikers was down, Lassiter said. Hot Springs resident Elmer Hall has worked on the TrailFest committee since the festival's inception in the 1980s. More: Trailfest back in 2023 'Everybody in town comes out': Appalachian TrailFest back in Hot Springs after COVID More: About Madison County Group Home Hot Springs group home residents share tight-knit bond with community According to Hall, the festival started as a way to celebrate spring, and also as a way to provide an opportunity for people to get out and be involved in outdoor activities, such as hiking. But the festival's foundation was also meant to celebrate Hot Springs' connection to The Appalachian Trail, Hall said. "It also was (started) to recognize that we are the only town in North Carolina to have the Appalachian Trail running through Main Street. We are North Carolina's trail town, the only one," Hall said. "It's the first one that the northbound hikers come to the first trail town. They look forward to being here to resupply, to take a shower, to get their clothes clean and to take a little break, usually a day or two before getting back on the trail and heading north again." Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for three years. He earned a first-place award in beat news reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Appalachian Trailfest in Hot Springs canceled, 2nd-largest AT festival The attorney for Lyndell Mays, one of the men charged with murder in the Kansas Chiefs Super Bowl rally mass shooting, asked a Jackson County judge on Tuesday to postpone his clients bond hearing. John A. Reed, with the law firm of Kelly, Reed & Jansen, appeared in court with Mays and told Associate Judge R. Travis Willingham that he had just met with his client and needed more time to address his bond. Willingham rescheduled the bond hearing for 1:30 p.m. Monday. Mays is being held in Jackson County jail on a $1 million cash only bond. Reed declined to comment on his clients case after he left the courtroom. Mays, 23, is facing one count each of second-degree felony murder and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as two counts of armed criminal action for his role in the shooting. The Feb. 14 shooting killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a Johnson County mother of two and beloved disc jockey in Kansas City. Two dozen others were injured by gunfire and at least 18 others were hurt in the stampede that followed. Roughly half of those injured by gunfire were under the age of 16. Dominic M. Miller of Kansas City, 18, is also charged with one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. Miller has remained hospitalized since the shooting and has not yet been booked into Jackson County jail. No court date has been set for him. His cash bond has also been set at $1 million, although Millers attorney has filed a motion asking that he be released on personal recognizance or have his bond lowered. Prosecutors allege that the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two groups arguing about why they were staring at each other, according to court documents. Mays allegedly pulled his handgun first, prosecutors allege. He also allegedly acknowledged that he began firing at the others first, according to affidavits. Evidence shows that gunfire from Millers firearm struck and killed Lopez-Galvan, according to court documents. Under Missouri law, a person who did not pull the trigger can still be charged when someone is killed during the commission of a dangerous felony. Prosecutors previously charged two minors with gun-related crimes and resisting arrest in relation to the shooting. Their names have not been released. A 36-year-old Wichita man, Jose L. Castillo, has been charged with count of unlawful possession of a firearm after he allegedly picked up a firearm that was dropped during the shooting. He has been released after posting $2,500 of a $25,000 bond An attorney for a man accused of defrauding students at a notorious skydiving center near Lodi used a court hearing Monday to try to chip away at evidence that could be used in an upcoming trial. U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb didnt seem persuaded. Robert Pooley taught tandem instructor courses at the Parachute Center in Acampo. Federal prosecutors allege that in 2016 he falsely led students to believe they could obtain necessary certifications by completing his courses. Thats because Pooleys teaching credentials were suspended at the time, and he couldnt certify students on his own. Normally, he taught with another instructor. But when that teacher left the country for a few months, Pooley led courses by himself, according to prosecutors. It was during this time, prosecutors allege, that he used pre-filled forms that showed the other instructors signature to sign off on student training. The signature issue came to light shortly after a fatal incident in 2016, when an instructor certified by Pooley died along with his tandem partner during a jump at the Parachute Center. In 2021, Pooley was charged with aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. He has pleaded not guilty. Federal public defender Mia Crager argued Monday that a U.S. Department of Transportation search warrant used to collect evidence in 2018 was overbroad and amounted to a dragnet. One item in question was a manila folder in Pooleys locker at the Parachute Center that was stuffed with paperwork from students he taught. It included documents dating back to at least 2012. Crager argued that records inside the folder were not in use during a time period specified in the warrant. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Lydon disagreed, in part, because Pooley was supposed to keep the documents for years. Before the hearing ended, Shubb said he planned to deny the defense attorneys request to restrict the evidence. The charges against Pooley came after the death of Yong Kwon, a 25-year-old from South Korea, who was one of his students at the center. On Aug. 6, 2016, Kwon led a tandem jump with Tyler Turner, an 18-year-old who had gone to the Parachute Center with his friends. During the jump, Kwon had issues with the main and reserve parachutes before he and Turner slammed into the ground. They are just two of at least 28 people who have died at the center since 1985, an investigation by The Sacramento Bee found. Within days of the incident, a Federal Aviation Administration investigator learned Pooley and the other instructor had signed off on Kwons training documents but during the period when the other instructor was out of the country. Whats more, the investigator found that Kwon was not licensed by the United States Parachute Association, an industry organization that certifies tandem skydiving instructors. That meant he should not have been leading the tandem jump. Following the deaths, the USPA required roughly 140 people who attended tandem courses at the center, and others, to undergo additional training. The indictment in the case alleged there were several students who were defrauded by Pooley. In an emailed statement after the hearing, Crager said the case was a classic example of government overreach and vowed to file an appeal following the jury trial. The trial is scheduled to begin in May. The Biden administration will not send U.S. troops to Haiti to help its national police respond to a rapidly evolving security crisis, as a united front of gang leaders has led attacks on the countrys main seaport, airports and prisons, a White House official told McClatchy. Their decision comes after a frantic 72 hours of communication between U.S. and Haitian diplomatic officials raised the prospect of an emergency deployment of U.S. special forces to respond to the crisis, fearing that a long-planned international security mission, to be led by Kenya, would not be ready to deploy in time to respond. The United States is not sending U.S. troops to Haiti to support the Haitian national polices security operations, a National Security Council official said. We are urgently mobilizing all support we and the international community can immediately provide Haiti, especially to the Haitian national police, to ensure they are able to restore security for the sake of the people. READ MORE: Haiti has deployed its army; troops joined police to push back gang takeover of airport Gangs that had previously worked apart have recently united to challenge what remaining control the Haitian government, led by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, has over the country and its capital. On Monday, security forces engaged in an hourslong gun battle with gang members attempting to take over the international airport in Port-au-Prince, after gangs successfully orchestrated major prison breaks two days prior and laid siege to the countrys main port. Henry is currently attempting to return home from a trip to Kenya to finalize the deal for a deployment of an armed force. Haiti declared a state of emergency, and the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince issued an alert calling on U.S. citizens to leave immediately on commercial or private aircraft, even with the airport under attack. The White House is working to expedite the deployment of the Kenya-led force, John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, told reporters on Monday. 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, Kirby said. Were 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. The Biden administration has said it intends to provide $200 million to the mission. But the State Department has faced opposition from skeptical Republican lawmakers in Congress who have blocked the disbursement of a $50 million request to help get the mission going. Last week, Kenyan President William Ruto said a bilateral police-and security-sharing agreement with Haiti was the final step and declared his 1,000 police officers are ready. However, Rutos government has also promised its parliament that officers will not be deployed until the funding is in place. Visit Dublin Ohio, the visitor's bureau for the city, has placed advertisements in downtown Dublin, Ireland, inviting them to come visit the "other Dublin" and drink some free beer around St. Patrick's Day. Dubliners in Ireland can get free booze if they visit the "other Dublin" in Ohio this month. The visitor's bureau in Dublin, Ohio, is attempting to lure tourists from the original Dublin around St. Patrick's Day with "shameless offers of free beer." Visit Dublin Ohio, a nonprofit funded in part by the city's bed tax, has placed billboards and other advertisements in downtown Dublin, Ireland, promising to pay for free pints. Irish travelers (over 21) just have to pay for plane tickets, hotels and everything else. Dublin, Ireland residents who bring a valid ID to the visitor's center in Dublin, Ohio, between March 8 and March 18 will receive a $200 Visa gift card intended to pay for their bar tab. Were proud to share a name, and wed love to share a pint ... or a few, said Visit Dublin Marketing Director Sara Blatnik. There are a lot of great cities in the U.S. to celebrate St. Patricks Day, and we think were one of the best. Were ready to show off our Midwestern hospitality to our other Dublin friends. "Plus, you'll be the madman (or madwoman) of your friend group who really flew to America for booze. And thats priceless," the website for Visit Dublin says. Dublin, Ohio goes all out for St. Paddy's Day. This year, the town has a Celtic Cocktail Trail, a parade on Saturday, March 9, and a pub crawl on Saturday, March 16, the day before the actual holiday. Katie Thompson, marketing coordinator for Visit Dublin, said the visitor's bureau normally sticks to advertising their festivals, the city's walkable historic downtown and field of giant cement corn to people who live within driving distance. But with a new direct flight between Ireland's capital and Cleveland, Visit Dublin hopes this promotion will be the extra push needed to lure some Dubliners across the pond. Visit Dublin Ohio, the visitor's bureau for the city, has placed advertisements in downtown Dublin, Ireland, inviting them to come visit the "other Dublin" and drink some free beer around St. Patrick's Day. A maximum of 25 people can get gift cards. Thompson said the promotion has been getting some attention from Irish news outlets, and she hopes at least one or two people will take them up on their offer. "I sure hope so," Thompson said. "I think that'd be a fun story for them and for us." jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Dublin, Ohio offering visitors from Dublin, Ireland free beer in March ASHEVILLE The widow of a New York City firefighter who was killed by a falling tree at the Biltmore Estate has reached a settlement with the popular tourist destination. Angela Skudin filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Biltmore in July 2022. She alleged that the estate knew the tree that killed her husband June 17, 2022 was rotten and did not remove it, instead supporting it with cables. Court documents showed that Skudins attorneys reached an agreement with Biltmore, following a 17 hour and 24 minute settlement conference held Dec. 14. The mediation cost $8,900, split between both parties. As part of the deal, Skudins case was dismissed with prejudice meaning she cannot refile the claim in the same court. The terms of the agreement were not included in court documents. A Feb. 6 order from Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Bradley B. Letts sealed filings in the case, but the contents of those documents were not included in that order. Skudin's attorneys did not return a Citizen Times request for comment Feb. 29. The agreement closes a years-long pursuit to seek justice for her husbands untimely death. Angela Skudin, her husband Casey Skudin, their sons and two dogs were vacationing in Asheville June 2022 to celebrate Caseys 46th birthday, which landed on Fathers Day that year June 19. They rented a minivan and drove to Asheville from their home in Long Beach, Long Island. The Skudin family took in the Western North Carolina scenery. Rafting the French Broad River, splashing down Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest and hiking Devils Courthouse and Fryingpan Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Their vacation turned deadly when they visited the largest private home in the country, the Biltmore House, a staple for Asheville visitors. Biltmore Estate is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, with some 1.4 million visitors a year. The Skudins had reservations to tour the historic Vanderbilt home at 4 p.m. June 17, 2022. Casey was driving the two-lane, winding entrance road, while Angela filmed from the passenger seat. The wind began to swirl. There was a crashing sound. The car jerked. Angela asked if everyone was OK and then screamed Casey! A large branch of the American beech tree hit Casey directly on top of his head. He died of blunt force injury to the head and neck, according to his death certificate. Angela told the Citizen Times soon after the incident that her husband quickly turned the car in his last moments, to protect her and her children. They flew back to New York four days later. Biltmore Estate's response in wake of death In the immediate aftermath of Caseys death, the Biltmore Estate provided little clarity. Declining to answer questions for the story, including about tree health assessments. They also declined to make an arborist available for questions. Spokespeople for the estate referred the Citizen Times to a statement saying the accident occurred During a weather event involving high winds. A meteorologist with the National Weather Service told the Citizen Times that the storm did not pass over the Biltmore until after Caseys death. The Skudin family at the Devil's Courthouse on the Blue Ridge Parkway on June 17, 2022. Then-Biltmore spokesperson LeeAnn Donnelly said the estate offered the Skudin family free lodging after the incident. Angela said she declined. Skudin filed the lawsuit in July 2022, asking for compensatory and punitive damages, including but not limited to medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages. Her attorneys filed the claim against Biltmore Co., Biltmore Estate Wine Co., LLC and Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate LLC. The Biltmore Co. LLC was included in future filings. More: FDNY firefighter falling tree death lawsuit: Biltmore Estate gets more time for discovery No one should have to see their best friend and their soulmate perish in front of them. That's going to be a lifetime of trauma. That visualization alone will haunt me forever, Skudin told the Citizen Times shortly after filing the suit. Her lawsuit argued that the Biltmore Estate exposed its guests to dangers created by the rotting and decaying tree, yet did not warn guests or mitigate the danger, claiming those decisions caused Caseys death and severe physical and mental injuries his family will live with. They also argued that the estate failed to employ competent arborists. Biltmore denied negligence in their motion to dismiss following the complaint. Their arguments included an assertion that the fatal tree fall was "an act of God and nature." The case proceeded to depositions and discovery, including a request for financial information like the estates tangible worth and tax returns, which Biltmore fought. Before the judge ruled on the request, the parties reached an agreement. The remaining portion of the tree that fell on the Biltmore Estate on June 17, 2022 killing NYC firefighter Casey Skudin. A spokesperson for the Biltmore Estate and Skudins attorneys did not respond to a Citizen Times request for comment. Caseys is not the only tree death on Biltmores ground in the past few years. In April of 2023, a 50-year-old hemlock tree weighing between 5,000 and 7,000 pounds crushed and killed Jerrilyn Musachia, a Biltmore employee. She was 66. The North Carolina labor department cleared the estate of blame, according to a report obtained through a Citizen Times record request. Biltmore employee death: Labor department investigates Biltmore Estate tree-fall accident; report names victim Smokies tree fall death: 7-year-old girl killed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park when tree falls on tent Citizen Times Executive Editor Karen Chavez contributed to this report. Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Biltmore Estate settles FDNY firefighter widow wrongful death lawsuit LIVINGSTON COUNTY A former Massachusetts business owner has pleaded no contest to multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 11 people in Michigan in 2012. Barry Cadden pled no contest Monday, March 4, in Livingston County's 44th Circuit Court. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the plea in a release Tuesday. Kathy Pugh tends to her mother, fungal meningitis patient Evelyn Bates-March, in 2013. Cadden is the former owner of New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. The outbreak stemmed from contaminated epidural injections of the steroid methylprednisolone, compounded and produced at NECC. The deaths in Michigan were connected to injections shipped to the Michigan Pain Specialists Clinic, then located in Genoa Township in Livingston County. In total, the nationwide outbreak resulted in 64 deaths and hundreds of infections. Michigan victims included Donna Kruzich, Paula Brent, Lyn Laperriere, Mary Plettl, Gayle Gipson, Patricia Malafouris, Emma Todd, Jennie Barth, Ruth Madouse, Salley Roe and Karina Baxter. The Michigan Attorney General's Office began investigating Cadden in 2013. After a federal investigation, he was found guilty of 57 criminal charges in 2017, and sentenced to 14.5 years in prison. He was subsequently charged in Michigan with 11 counts of second-degree murder in 2018. The plea Monday accompanies a sentencing agreement of 10-15 years incarceration, to be served concurrently with the federal sentence. Cadden is scheduled for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. April 18, before Chief Judge Michael Hatty. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage In 2015, a $200 million settlement agreement was reached for victims and their families nationwide, with $10.5 million earmarked for Michigan. A majority of the families representing the 11 statewide victims supported resolving the criminal charges with a plea deal, according to the release. Cadden ran his pharmaceutical lab with a shocking and abhorrent disregard for basic safety rules and practices, and in doing so he tragically killed 11 Michigan patients, Nessel said. Wherever you are in this country, if your greed harms and kills Michigan residents, my office will make every effort to enforce the fullest extent of the law." Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Lab owner charged in 11 Michigan meningitis deaths reaches plea deal A house was damaged on Oldwynne Road after early morning severe weather hits central Ohio. Tornado sirens were activated in Franklin County in response to a confirmed tornado sighting in Madison County near the Franklin County border early Wednesday morning, moving west to east. Columbus weather could take another severe turn Tuesday, less than a week after multiple tornadoes tore through the region. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout Tuesday and into the night. The strongest storms may bring "gusty winds and strong hail," NWS Wilmington's hazardous weather outlook says. These severe storms could impact parts of Indiana, northern Kentucky and Ohio. After Tuesday, the NWS does expect any hazardous weather through Monday. Columbus weather forecast for the week of March 4 While the rest of the week might be clear from severe weather, it will be far from nice out most days. Wednesday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Friday - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of rain is 50%. Friday Night - Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of rain is 60%. Saturday - Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 70%. @PartofMyHart NHart@gannett.com Feb 28, 2024; Pataskala, Ohio, USA; Jefferson Township employees Jack Neville and Nate Matthews work to clear trees off the roads after a potential tornado touched down in the early morning. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus weather: NWS says severe storms, hail possible on Tuesday Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, the long-standing Cuban dissident and former political prisoner who tried to organize an opposition movement to challenge Fidel Castros rule, was supposed to be attending a ceremony Monday to receive the International Women of Courage Award given by the U.S. State Department to those who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership. Instead, she is in Havana, unable to travel abroad because the Cuban government does not want her voice to be heard, she said in a wide-ranging interview with the Miami Herald. Were honoring a dozen women. Theres one who couldnt join us today: Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, an unyielding defender of human rights in Cuba, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the award ceremony. Cuban authorities have subjected Martha to a long campaign of detention and abuse, including prohibiting her from traveling abroad. Martha may not be able to be with us today in person, but we want her to know all of us are with her every single day. Roque, an economist and former university professor, was one of the authors of Homeland Belongs to Us, a 1997 scathing critique of communism on the island that called for political reforms. The document led to prison sentences for her and three other dissidents who wrote it Vladimiro Roca, Felix Bonne and Rene Gomez Manzano. She was released in 2002 only to return to prison as the only woman arrested during the so-called Black Spring crackdown in 2003, when Castro ordered the arrest of 75 prominent dissidents to squash efforts to unify the opposition movement. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was released a year later due to her failing health. At 78, she still suffers from the untreated effects of chronic diabetes. The government has refused to let her get treatment abroad. In announcing the award, the State Department said Roque is one of the longest-standing members of the historic opposition fighting for greater freedoms in Cuba, recognizing her work leading several pro-democracy initiatives and advocating for human rights and religious freedoms for more than four decades. The fact she received the award in 2024 also underscores how little Cubas situation has changed since she started advocating for human rights and democracy. Roque worries about the fate of about 1,000 political prisoners still being held in Cuban jails and warns the current economic crisis will lead to more protests. Nevertheless, she says she feels satisfied with staying in Cuba, fighting for freedom. This is a condensed version of the conversation, edited for clarity and brevity. Q: You have been in prison several times for confronting the Cuban regime, and you decided to remain on the island, even when it is clear that the government is not going to legalize the opposition. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans have chosen to leave the island. Why did you stay? A: From the first moment, I have fought for democracy in Cuba. You have to fight here because you cant solve anything outside; you have to do it from inside the island. And my purpose was always to make Cuba a democratic Cuba. As everyone knows, the dictatorship is totally clinging to power. For us dissidents, reaching the people to unify them with the idea of reestablishing freedom has become almost impossible. I feel good in Cuba despite everything, despite the repression, despite the harassment, even though I have a camera in front of my house, that they listen to my phone, that they commit fraud with Facebook, with my Twitter account. People think its me, and its not, because they have hacked my accounts. Theyre probably listening while we are talking. Q: With so many dissidents in jail or forced to leave the island, what is the situation facing the opposition movement nowadays? A: I disagree. No one has been forced to leave the country. The person who leaves the country because he wants to go is within his true right. But I have many examples of those of us who do not want to leave and cannot be forced to leave. The opposition movement to which I belonged is totally disjointed. Then came another group that was made up of artists and others who did not face the intensity of the harassment our group faced. Some of those currently imprisoned belong to that group. Finally, some people briefly pass through the opposition movement just to leave the country. The people who joined the opposition with me did it with the desire to see Cuba free, and we remained here in Cuba. Q: Do you think that right now, even in the era of social media, there is less space for dissent in Cuba? A: I think the space for dissent multiplied when more than a thousand people were imprisoned for [protesting on] July 11 [2021]. The relatives of those detained are now part of the opposition because they are constantly disclosing information about the situation of their relatives. Some are afraid, but the majority express themselves. Q: What is the situation for political prisoners? Can you talk specifically about the women imprisoned? A: I was talking to Sissy Abascal, who called me from a prison in Matanzas. She is there with Saily Navarro, the daughter of [veteran dissident] Felix Navarro. They were handed sentences of nine and six years in prison, respectively. And she told me they feed her with a meat paste that no one can eat. For breakfast, she says she was given guava juice without bread. She says that it is undoubtedly very difficult to live on prison food. Everything is lacking there, even feminine pads. They have nothing. Q: What is behind this latest repressive wave? A: They want to set an example so that people do not take to the streets to protest because prison awaits them. There are many people in jail with mental health issues that are schizophrenic or paranoid, and even cases of people who have never been able to leave the prisons medical facility. Its a cruel treatment. We know the need for the prisoners to be released, but foreign governments also know it because they know the problems in Cuba. If there is no food for the population, imagine the situation for those in prison. Many [foreign government officials] try to talk [to the Cuban government], but nothing happens. Q: How do you see Cubas economic and political situation today? A: They have announced a higher gasoline price that will have a domino effect. For example, the doctor who goes to the hospital in his old car will no longer be able to do it because his salary is not enough to buy gas and support his family. The government has tried to keep the economy afloat by putting on band-aids. At this moment, they are receiving help from the United Nations to feed the people of Cuba because they can no longer do so. There is a macroeconomic crisis, which does not allow them to buy food and meet the essential needs of the economy. Food and foreign currency prices rise daily. It is an unsustainable situation. The backward situation is going to increase until a moment when no one knows what will happen. On July 11, the people took to the streets on their own. And there will come a time when they will do the same thing again because it is simply unsustainable to maintain a daily life here in Cuba. Q: If the Cuban government had let you go to collect the award at the White House, you probably would have used that platform to talk about the situation in Cuba. What message would you like to send to the international community? A: My chair will be empty, and that already indicates that I live in a totalitarian country, in a dictatorship that has not allowed me to leave Cuba. Notice that they prefer the damage of the image of an empty chair to let me give a speech. If I were to give a message to the world, I would say: Look at the empty chair. That says it all. A trove of documents released this week reveal extraordinary new details about the role of Kenneth Chesebro a once-obscure conservative attorney in driving the strategy to keep Donald Trump in power despite his defeat in the 2020 election. Communications between Chesebro and a top Trump campaign lawyer in Wisconsin, Jim Troupis, show that Chesebro argued just days after the Nov. 3, 2020 election that creating a cloud of confusion by submitting dueling slates of electors would be enough to keep Joe Biden from becoming president. The 1,439-page document dump, released as part of a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Democratic officials in Wisconsin, also provides a deeper glimpse into the mind of Chesebro, who became known as co-conspirator 5 in Trumps Washington, D.C. indictment brought by special counsel Jack Smith, and pleaded guilty to conspiring to file false documents in a related case brought by Georgia prosecutors. The emails and texts show Chesebro was fixated on the areas of the transfer of power that had few guardrails, like the process of counting presidential electors by Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Those vulnerable areas, Chesebro realized, could be exploited by Trump allies willing to advance unprecedented and fringe legal theories. At each turn, as courts blew up aspects of his strategy, Chesebro clung to hope that his plan was succeeding. And when it ultimately fell apart, he privately lashed out at former Vice President Mike Pence, who he claimed blindsided the Trump team by refusing to acquiesce to their radical plan. Heres a look at some of the significant insights in the new documents: Chesebros post-riot reckoning Chesebro started Jan. 6 on a high, claiming loftily that he and his colleagues had made history by setting in motion a plan that might block Bidens victory. He sent a picture of himself among Trump supporters gathered at the Washington Monument at 1:24 p.m. that day, just after Trump had finished addressing his supporters nearby. Chesebro later marched to the Capitol amid the riot, joining a group that traveled with InfoWars host Alex Jones as they traversed the restricted Capitol grounds but did not enter the building. Hours after the National Guard helped clear the Capitol of the last remaining rioters and a beleaguered Congress reconvened to finish certifying Bidens victory, Chesebro began trafficking in conspiracy theories about antifa perpetrating the attack on the Capitol. He also suggested that Trump put this behind him by inviting Biden and VP-elect Kamala Harris for coffee on inauguration day. He could lighten it up with a couple of well-placed jokes, Chesebro said in texts to Troupis, a flagrant misread of the moment, like he wants to make sure Joe feels comfortable calling him for advice in the challenging days ahead. Or we invited Joe over for coffee [because] he wants to be sure Joe invites him four years from now. Most notably, in the same chain of texts to Troupis, Chesebro lashed out at Pence, who he said was a lot to blame for this fiasco and proposed an effort to criticize Pence for deceitful conduct that led to this chaos. In the weeks leading up to Jan. 6, egged on by Chesebro and other allies like Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, Trump had pressed Pence to block the certification of Bidens victory in his role presiding over the joint session of Congress. But Pence ultimately rebuffed the effort. I now think Pence had decided by then not to do anything to press the envelope or create a test case, but decided not to be straight with the president, Chesebro wrote. If I'm right, Pence gave him false hope. He allowed Trump to hear of valid legal theories from Rudy and Eastman which gave him hope, which was crushed when Pence suddenly crushed them at the end. Why did Pence do this? Even if Trump lost all the legal cases Chesebros strategy to keep Trump in power hinged on the Trump campaign delivering alternate slates of presidential electors to Congress from six states won by Biden in order to create a controversy that Pence could cite to refuse to count Bidens electors. To justify the alternate slates, Chesebro urged the campaign to ensure it had legal challenges pending in each of those states so they could claim that the alternate electors were just a contingency plan. But Chesebro also told Troupis that those lawsuits did not need to be pending on Jan. 6, when Congress met to count electors, because nothing would prevent GOP lawmakers from refusing to count Bidens votes. On reflection, I think having the electors send in alternate slates of votes on Dec. 14 can pay huge dividends even if there is no litigation pending on Jan. 6, he wrote in a Dec. 8 email. There's nothing in the Constitution to prevent the Senate now, if it wishes, from holding hearings, with testimony, to decide if the election was stolen in one or more States, before voting on which slate of electors should be counted again, even if Trump lost all the legal cases, and none are still pending. Filibustering the joint session Chesebro spilled much more ink than previously known on figuring out a way to work around the long-settled procedures of the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress particularly its limits on the length of debate when objections were raised to electors from any particular states. The Electoral Count Act, the 1887 law that has governed presidential transitions for 137 years, requires no more than two hours of debate per state, with no lawmaker speaking for more than five minutes. Chesebros efforts to prolong the Jan. 6 session and to use the ensuing pressure to whip Republicans in line against counting Bidens votes depended almost entirely on Pence agreeing to find a way to circumvent those rules. Anything Pence can do unilaterally to slow things down will obviously be of enormous benefit to senators who support Trump but who, standing alone, would find it difficult to resist pressure to end debate, Chesebro wrote in a Dec. 8 email. If he has the will to do it, Pence could stand as Horatius at the Bridge, Chesebro continued, and help ensure adequate time for debate, shielding the Republican senators from a politically dicey cloture vote. Chesebros concern about timing became more acute when he began focusing on the minutiae of the Jan. 6 session including Congress century-old habit of adopting the rules of the session three days beforehand via a resolution passed in both the House and the Senate. POLITICO highlighted the role of this resolution days before Chesebro began worrying about it. And when the resolution passed without a whisper of debate, Chesebro began searching for ways Pence could still dodge the limits Congress imposed upon itself. He circulated to Troupis a POLITICO link to the new session rules. Makes it hard [to] force Pence to allow for unlimited debate, Chesebro lamented. Hoping against hope Everywhere he looked, Chesebro saw signs of hope that his plan was working, even in moments that appeared to be setbacks. Trump sounds so forceful that maybe Pence has actually agreed to do something, he wrote to Troupis early in the day on Jan. 6, remarking on a speech in which Trump repeatedly criticized Pence for his apparent unwillingness to acquiesce to Trumps plan. When Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) told Troupis that he was unable to deliver a slate of electors directly to Pence because he couldnt accept unsealed mail, Chesebro responded that this may in fact be a clever ploy by Pence to force a delay. And on Jan. 4, when Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) foreshadowed Democrats plans to raise concerns about Trumps newly revealed phone call with Georgia election officials which would become a centerpiece of the Fulton County criminal case against Trump Chesebro saw an opportunity to use it to their advantage. If Dems do raise this in a debate, they'll depart from the Act's narrow constraints. Maybe Pence could take the view that this opens the door to unlimited debate on Georgia, he said. Chesebro and Troupis played out one particularly radical scenario in which neither candidate earned 270 electoral votes on Jan. 6, triggering a contingent election for president in the House. They theorized that then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi would refuse to hold a vote because Republicans might prevail in the unusual state-by-state count and that she might become acting president by default. But none of this happens unless Pence freezes the count, Chesebro added. Today is Super Tuesday, and voters in 15 states will head to the polls today. Republicans in Florida, though, will have to wait two more weeks since the presidential preference primary here isn't until March 19. Democratic voters in Florida will stay home since the Florida Democratic Party has already selected President Joe Biden as its candidate for the November general election. Your Complete 2024 Voter Guide Traditionally, Super Tuesday is the day seen to most accurately forecast how the presidential primaries will play out. The day became known as Super Tuesday since it's the date most states hold their primaries and caucuses. What states will head to the polls on Super Tuesday? The states holding primary elections on March 5 include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. American Samoa also will hold a primary election. When is Florida's presidential preference primary? Florida's presidential preference primary will be held March 19. Do Florida voters go to the polls on Super Tuesday? No. Florida's presidential preference primary, also known as the PPP, will be held in two more weeks, on March 19. Voters in four other states will head to the polls the same day. Arizona Florida Illinois Kansas Ohio Who can vote in Florida's presidential preference primary? Only registered Republicans can vote for a GOP candidate for president in Florida. Why won't Florida Democrats be able to vote for a presidential candidate on March 19? The Florida Democratic Party nominated Joseph R. Biden Jr. as its only candidate and chose him for this November's ballot last year, so there will be no presidential preference ballot for voters registered with the Democratic Party. What candidates will be on Florida's PPP ballot? The 2024 Florida presidential preference primary will be held March 19. The following presidential candidates will be on the presidential preference ballot, although many candidates listed may have suspended their campaigns or withdrawn from the race. Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide Florida law states that if a candidate did not submit a formal withdrawal before Dec. 12, 2023, the candidates name must remain on the PPP ballot . What happens after the presidential preference primary? After the PPP, the decision over who will represent the party goes to delegates. Political party delegates nominate the preferred presidential candidates at each partys national convention. The party then decides at the convention which presidential candidate will represent their party on the November general election ballot. Other Florida election dates in 2024 Primary election: Aug. 20 General election: Nov. 5 This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: When is Super Tuesday? Florida votes March 19 for GOP candidate OSHKOSH A lifelong dream just got its fairytale ending. Addy Wachholzs wish is now reality after the UW Oshkosh student was crowned Miss Oshkosh 2024 during the scholarship competition March 2 at Alberta Kimball Auditorium. Competing against six other women, Wachholz won the title after delivering a vocal performance of Tightrope from "The Greatest Showman" and dealt with human trafficking as her social impact initiative. For me, I have always dreamed of this opportunity [and] it still doesnt even feel real. I feel like I am in a dream sometimes, Wachholz said. I can remember when I was a little girl, I went to the Oshkosh Farmers' Market during Miss Wisconsin and I got as many titleholder autographs as I could that day. Immediately, I ran home and taped each autograph card up on my wall to look at. It means so much to me to have this opportunity to give back to my community that Ive called home my whole life, she added. Wisconsin HER Day: Wisconsin Herd tips off Women's History Month with empowerment event in Oshkosh A nursing major at UW Oshkosh, Wachholz received a $2,000 scholarship and will now represent Oshkosh at Junes Miss Wisconsin show alongside Jayden Dalton, who was crowned Miss Oshkoshs Teen 2024. Dalton spoke on Living Confidently with a Speech Disability after performing She Used To Be Mine from the Broadway musical "Waitress." Jayden Dalton is crowned Miss Oshkosh's Teen 2024 by outgoing Miss Oshkosh's Teen 2023 Madelyn Rutkowski. I have struggled with confidence since a young age due to my speech disability and because of this I have always wanted to make a difference by inspiring others to overcome their challenges and follow their dreams, Dalton said. Seeing people do this as well as watching my older sister compete in the Miss America Opportunity made a huge impact on my confidence. By being named the 2024 Miss Oshkoshs Teen I know that I can be an example of whats possible, she added. Both Dalton and Wachholz will likely be making public appearances at charity events, parades and speaking engagements before they turn their attention to the Miss Wisconsin titles. The Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Competition will be June 19-22 in Oshkosh at the Alberta Kimball Auditorium. Oldest living Wisconsinite turns 112: Wisconsins oldest living resident, Oshkosh's Ruth Stryzewski, shares keys to long life as she turns 112 It will be so exciting for the contestants to see what Oshkosh is all about and do some fun activities here, Wachholz said. Im excited to meet different titleholders from all around the state and make some new friends along this journey [because] the Miss America system truly has a sisterhood along with it. Miss Oshkosh 2024 award winners Here's a full rundown of this year's award winners: Miss Oshkosh 2024: Addy Wachholz Miss Oshkosh 2024 1st Runner Up: Baylee Cottrell Miss Oshkosh 2024 2nd Runner Up: Amalia Lloyd Miss Oshkosh's Teen 2024: Jayden Dalton Miss Overall Evening Gown: Baylee Cottrell Miss Non-Finalist Overall Interview: Aryssa Wright Miss Non-Finalist Evening Gown: Aryssa Wright Miss Non-Finalist Talent: Meghan Numrich Spirit of Miss America: Meghan Numrich Highest Ticket Sales: Amalia Lloyd Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Miss Oshkosh 2024 is UW Oshkosh student Addy Waccholz As the search for Elijah Vue enters its third week in Wisconsin, police are asking for help in tracking down the movements of a car one day before the three-year-old was reportedly last seen. Two Rivers Police Department shared photos of a beige 1997 Nissan Altima on Monday evening, saying law enforcement is now in possession of the vehicle. The department has been leading the search for Elijah, after he was reported missing in the town on 20 February. We are requesting homeowners and businesses to review their surveillance camera footage captured on February 19, 2024 between the hours of 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, the department said on Facebook. Due to the duration of the hours requested to be reviewed, we are asking the public beyond the greater Two Rivers area and adjacent counties to review their videos as well. The department initially only shared that the Wisconsin registration plate started with A and ended with 0, without any indication of who ownedthe car. However, this is the first big development in the search for the little boy in over a week. Elijah Vue, 3, was last seen in Two Rivers Wisconsin on 20 February 2024 (Two Rivers Police Department) Police officers and volunteers have now been joined by the National Guard and other law enforcement teams from across Wisconsin, as the search has expanded to more rural areas. Elijahs mother Katrina Baur, 31, and her boyfriend Jesse Vang, 39, remain in custody on charges of child neglect in connection to the three-year-olds disappearance. Two Rivers PD said on Tuesday that the vehicle does not belong to either Ms Baur or Mr Vang and that officers are not interested in the owner, only the vehicles movements. Mr Vang reported Elijah missing on 20 February, claiming that he went for a nap at 8am and woke to find the child gone. Elijah had reportedly been sent to stay with Mr Vang, around 2.5 hours away from his Wisconsin Dells home, for disciplinary reasons just over a week before his disappearance. The 39-year-old told police that the boy was subjected to lengthy time outs and was threatened with cold water if he misbehaved. On the morning he disappeared, Mr Vang had allegedly told Elijah to stand at the foot of his bed and pray. Since Elijah disappeared, there has been no sign of the boy who is of Hmong and white ethnicity, stands about three feet tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. He has a birthmark on his left knee and may have been carrying a red-and-white plaid blanket. Police say Elijah Vue may have been carrying this blanket when he disappeared on 20 February 2024 (Two Rivers Police Department) Elijahs family has been heavily involved in the search for him, with his grandmother and aunt making emotional pleas a week ago for any information which leads them to him. Following the latest update from police, locals voiced concern that they would not be able to help as many doorbell cameras only store footage going back five days. A $15,000 reward is now being offered by the FBI for information which leads investigators to Elijah, while Manitowoc County Crime Stopper has increased its reward from $1,000 to $10,000. Two Rivers PD is asking that anyone who does have relevant footage to upload it using this form. Alternatively, those with information can call the tip line on 844-267-6648. Then Greece Police Chief Andrew Forsythe smashed his department-issued vehicle while driving on 390 North in October 2021. A former Greece police sergeant alleges in a lawsuit that his law enforcement career has been upended because he was a whistleblower in the investigation into the drunken driving crash of the department's chief. The lawsuit in state Supreme Court from Bryan Root is now the second that is the offspring of the crash on Interstate 390 in October 2021 of then-Chief Andrew Forsythe. Forsythe, who totaled the department-issued vehicle, later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving. In the initial hours, the police seemed to move slowly with the investigation, claiming that Forsythe had swerved and hit a guardrail to avoid a deer. But it became clear as days passed that Forsythe had been drinking at a downtown event and was impaired by alcohol when driving home. While at the fundraiser for the New York State Troopers Benevolent Association, and in the Hyatt bar after the event, the chief had at least six alcoholic drinks over two hours. In his lawsuit, Root contends that he was a whistleblower who, with others, forced the town police and officials to eventually admit the truth. Root took a photo of the chief's wrecked vehicle at the impound facility and shared it with a former Greece police official. That photo later made its way to the media. Accused of leading 'rogue' investigation into chief's crash After the crashed car photo went public, according to the lawsuit, Root became the focus of disciplinary proceedings, was suspended, was passed over multiple times for promotions after a stellar career and eventually decided to leave the department. Root was accused of leading a "rogue" investigation into the circumstances of Forsyth's crash. After he left the department, Greece police officials took steps to have his police certification revoked, claiming he'd been "removed for cause" due to "dishonesty, felony offense, and gross misconduct," according to the lawsuit. This prevents him from public policing jobs in New York. Town officials say the actions were justified and that the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, or DCJS, agreed to the revocation of the certification after a review. Court records show that police leadership said Root had been the target of a neighbor's complaint, alleging that he allowed ATVs to rumble noisily through the neighborhood and that Root's police vehicle was spotted in his driveway many hours during the workday. "The Chief of Police is required by New York State regulations to notify the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services when police officers resign their employment subsequent to and in connection with allegations of certain forms of serious misconduct," the town said in a statement. "This individual resigned his employment while under investigation for alleged misconduct. The Chief of Police reported the removal for cause as required by applicable regulation. "The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services reviewed the report and determined that the Chiefs reporting was accurate," the statement continued. "This individuals certification to serve as a police officer was permanently invalidated by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, not by the Town." Deciding to resign after police chief's crash, fallout In September 2023 Root and the department leadership agreed to a resignation that would include an end to an internal investigation "without any final determination of misconduct," the lawsuit states. Weeks later, the lawsuit says, he received notice that he was being investigated again because of a neighbor's complaint. In October, Root decided to work for another department, believing that the "retaliation would not stop," the lawsuit states. In November, according to the lawsuit, Chief Michael Wood directed his staff to report to DCJS that Root was removed from the force "for cause." The department's "adverse personnel actions taken against (Root) were in retaliation for his reports to supervisors and investigators that he believed government officials had orchestrated an attempted cover-up," the lawsuit alleges. Root's attorney, Maureen Bass, declined to comment but did provide a statement from Root. For 13 years, I never missed a call for service, completed all of my administrative duties and did my job to the best of my ability for the Town of Greece," Root said. About the photo he took, Root said, "I shared the photograph because I was faced with what felt like an impossible situation and I did what I thought was right for the residents of the Town of Greece. Read This: A Rochester father waits years to find out why his son vanished. What he learns is crushing. Claims of a sloppy, incomplete investigation into police crash by Greece In an earlier legal filing, Root said he decided to investigate Forsythe's crash because the initial investigation appeared sloppy and incomplete. Root reviewed 911 calls from people who reported seeing a heavily-damaged vehicle in the area where Forsythe's sport utility vehicle traveled early on Oct. 21. While reviewing those records, he noticed that the driver was not investigated for signs of intoxication, which Root described as "suspicious." Forsythe continued to drive the vehicle after losing a tire. Root, in legal papers, said that another officer had approached him with concerns after seeing the damaged SUV in the town's impound lot. Former Greece Police Deputy Chief Casey Voelkl is also suing the town. He alleges that he was targeted for retaliation from police and town leaders after he went to the district attorney's office with concerns about the town's investigation into the crash. Attorneys for Greece are moving to have the Voelkl dismissed in federal court. This article includes reporting by staff writer Victoria E. Freile. Gary Craig is a veteran reporter with the Democrat and Chronicle, covering courts and crime and more. He is the author of two books, including "Seven Million: A Cop, a Priest, a Soldier for the IRA, and the Still-Unsolved Rochester Brink's Heist." This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bryan Root claims retaliation for whistleblowing Andrew Forsythe's crash France made history on Monday as the first country in the world to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution. In a special session held at the Palace of Versailles, parliament passed the bill, which had already been adopted by the National Assembly in January and the Senate on Wednesday, with an overwhelming vote of 780-72. Parliament had to put a final stamp of approval at the joint session on Monday for it to officially go into effect, reported AP. The amendment to Article 34 of the French Constitution states that the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed. Abortion has been legal in France since 1975 and is overwhelmingly supported by the French population, according to polls. Recently, President Emmanuel Macron promised French citizens that he would work to make the right to abortion "irreversible" following the rollback of abortion rights in the U.S. France is the only country to currently have such a specification in their constitution, though former Yugoslavia enshrined the right into its constitution in 1974, a sentiment that carried over into modern-day Serbia in less specific terms as the right to "decide on childbirth. This amendment to the French constitution is one of only 17 made since the constitution was adopted in 1958 and the first since 2008. 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, Monday, March 4, 2024. According to AP and The Guardian, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal told parliament that they "have a moral debt to women" in an appeal before the vote on Monday, saying in part, We are haunted by the suffering and memory of so many women who were not free. We owe a moral debt [to all the women who] suffered in their flesh." Today, the present must respond to history," he continued, reported AP and The Guardian. "To enshrine this right in our constitution is to close the door on the tragedy of the past and its trail of suffering and pain. It will further prevent reactionaries from attacking women." The right to abortion has not faced significant challenges by modern French parties, including conservatives and the far-right National Rally party. While some have voted against making abortion a constitutional right in the past, the attitudes of the major political parties generally align with that of the French public, of which a recent poll found more than 80% support the right to abortion, according to AP. Reactions to the French abortion bill U.S. abortion restrictions: Wyoming legislature approves chemical and surgical abortion restrictions Pro-abortion supporters hug each other after French lawmakers have approved a bill that will enshrine a womans right to an abortion in the French Constitution, at Trocadero Plaza in Paris, Monday, March 4, 2024. Applause and celebration broke out in parliament following the successful vote, with lawmakers caught on camera standing to clap in the chambers. Photos and videos outside the palace also showed crowds stationed outside with signs, hugging each other, cheering, clapping and setting off celebratory glitter launchers as the final approval was announced. According to AP and The Guardian, cheers and celebration could be heard both in and outside the palace. Anti-abortion protestors also made an appearance outside the Palace of Versailles in response to the bill, likewise sporting signs. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, told outlets including Reuters the move was unnecessary and a ploy for political points, though she also said her party would not vote against it. Other anti-abortion organizations like the Association of Catholic Families criticized the move, calling it a "defeat" to women and children, according to Reuters. Pharamcies to stock abortion meds: CVS and Walgreens to begin carrying abortion pill mifepristone within weeks French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, right, applauds after lawmakers approved abortion as a constitutional right, at the Palace of Versailles Monday, March 4, 2024, in Versailles. What does 'enshrine' mean? The word "enshrine" is often used when referring to amendments and constitutions, such as in the case of France enshrining the right to abortion in its constitution. Why say "enshrine" when you could simply say something like "written into" or "included in?" The connotation of the word is slightly heftier than simply "to put in." According to Merriam-Webster and the Cambridge Dictionary, to enshrine something is to containor preserve it in a place or way that is highly admired, protected and respected. If a political or social right is "enshrined in something" it is protected by being included in that thing. For example, the right to vote for women is present in the United States Constitution in the form of the 19th Amendment, meaning women's right to the vote is protected, regarded and respected because it is enshrined in, or is part of, the constitution. In this way, enshrine means more than to place something inside of something else. It carries the connotation of respect and importance. Abortion rights post overturning of Roe v. Wade French lawmakers cited the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. as part of the inspiration behind its most recent abortion bill, saying in part: "Unfortunately, this event is not isolated: in many countries, even in Europe, there are currents of opinion that seek to hinder at any cost the freedom of women to terminate their pregnancy if they wish, reported AP. French activists and politicians have expressed concerns over abortion rights since the Dobbs decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, stripping Americans of abortion rights after 50 years of constitutional protection. Other European countries are also weighing expanding access, including the few very small countries that do not currently allow or heavily restrict abortion, like Poland. Abortion is currently accessible in more than 40 European nations. In the time following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, dozens of states across the country have banned or attempted to ban abortion. Before the decision was overturned, people in almost every state were allowed to undergo an abortion until around 24 weeks into a pregnancy, which was typical practice determined by the Supreme Court in the 1992 decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Now, abortion laws vary from state to state, with many high-profile cases of ongoing bills, legal battles, and deaths punctuating the battleground that has been reproductive rights. Recently, an Alabama law that determined frozen embryos to be "extrauterine children" raised alarms amongst IVF patients and providers; in December, the plight of an Ohio woman who suffered a miscarriage became national news when the state charged her with felony abuse of corpse. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: France enshrines abortion as constitutional right The Eiffel Tower was lit up in celebration after the legislation was passed in parliament - DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images The French parliament voted on Monday to anchor the right to abortion in the constitution, making France the first country in the world to offer explicit protection for terminating a pregnancy in its basic law. A congress of both houses of parliament, gathered in a special chamber at the Palace of Versailles, easily found the three-fifths supermajority needed for the change, with 780 lawmakers in favour and 72 voting against. Deputies applauded the change with cheers and a standing ovation. Emmanuel Macron, the president, described the move as French pride that had sent a universal message, and a special public ceremony is planned to celebrate the move in Paris on International Womens Day on March 8. The Eiffel Tower was lit up in celebration after the change was passed, with slogans including My Body My Choice projected upon it. This is a fundamental step... A step that will go down in history, Gabriel Attal, Frances prime minister, told the politicians as he urged them to pass the legislation. He said they owed a moral debt toward all women who had suffered before the legalisation of abortion. Members of the French parliament applaud the speech by prime minister Gabriel Attal during a special congress gathering of both houses - CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock But Mr Attal said the freedom to abort remained in danger worldwide, with our freedoms in essence threatened... at the mercy of decision makers. In one generation, one year, one week, you can go from one thing to the opposite, he said, referring to rights reversals in the United States, Hungary and Poland. Such joint parliamentary sessions are extremely rare in France and are called only for momentous occasions such as constitutional changes, the last of which was made in 2008. Mr Macron pledged last year to enshrine abortion in the constitution after the US Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v Wade, the 1973 ruling that guaranteed the right to abortion, allowing individual American states to ban or curtail it. The vote is of huge significance given the rollback of this essential right around the world, said Agnes Callamard, Amnesty Internationals secretary general, adding that it had sent a message of hope and solidarity. In January, Frances lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, overwhelmingly approved the move with the upper house, the Senate, following suit on Wednesday. A majority of the public supports the move to give the right to abortion extra protection, according to polls. A November 2022 survey by polling group IFOP found that 86 per cent of people supported inscribing it in the constitution. Left-wing and centrist politicians have welcomed the change, while some Right-wing senators have said in private they felt under pressure to give it the green light. A congress of both houses of parliament gathered in a special chamber at the Palace of Versailles to pass the legislation - Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters Several hundred abortion opponents, largely marginalised in the move for the constitutional change, protested in Versailles. Meanwhile, Catholic bishops called for a day of fasting and prayer so the French could rediscover the taste for life. Weighing in from Rome, the Vatican said there could be no right to take a human life. But hundreds of jubilant backers of the move were overjoyed at the Place du Trocadero in western Paris as they witnessed the passing of the law on a large screen set up for the occasion. Im happy because our rights are constantly under threat everywhere... and its only getting worse, said Cecile Carimalo, 46, who watched with her 12-year-old daughter at the Trocadero esplanade. This they wont be able to take from us. If men got pregnant, it would have been inscribed in the text in 1792 during the French Revolution, she added. Abortion was legalised in France in 1975 in a law championed by then health minister Simone Veil, a womens rights icon granted the rare honour of burial at the Pantheon after her death in 2017. When political campaigning began in earnest in 1971, we could never have imagined that the right to abortion would one day be written into the constitution, Claudine Monteil, head of the Femmes Monde (Women in the World) association, told AFP. At the time, an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 women had an abortion each year. Leah Hoctor, of the Centre for Reproductive Rights, said France could offer the first explicit broad constitutional provision of its kind, not just in Europe, but also globally. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. George Galloway has said he wants to oust Labour's deputy leader from Parliament, as he began work as an MP. The Workers Party of Britain leader said his party could overturn Angela Rayner's majority in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency at the next election. He was sworn in as an MP, following his by-election win last week. Speaking to reporters afterwards, he listed more areas with large Muslim populations and vowed to "win or make sure that Keir Starmer doesn't win". He named the Labour deputy leader's seat as a target, saying: "There's at least 15,000 supporters of my point of view in her constituency." Mr Galloway was expelled from the Labour party in 2003 over his views on the Iraq war and said his Rochdale win was "for Gaza". Following his swearing-in ceremony, the 69-year-old listed a number of local priorities, before telling reporters his first words in Parliament would be about Gaza, and added he hoped he'd get a chance to speak at this week's PMQs. When asked by the BBC if Hamas, which is proscribed as a terrorist group by the UK, US, Israel and several other countries, should be allowed to run Gaza, he responded the question was "dripping with imperial condescension" and queried whether the UK or the BBC should decide who runs Gaza instead. "I would not myself have voted for Hamas - I am an Arafat man and have been since the 1970s - but the people picked Hamas," he said, adding that "no good can come" from foreign countries meddling in others' affairs. He later responded to questions about Israel, saying "Israel exists, it's not up to me" but that "no state has the right to exist - not the Soviet Union, not Czechoslovakia, not the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" and that he supported the Oslo Agreement but was "still waiting for a Palestinian state". During his initial speech, Mr Galloway went on to invoke the Holocaust, saying: "There's a genocide going on....If the by-election had been in February of 1940 or 41, would anyone seriously have condemned me for putting the crimes of the Holocaust at the centre of my election campaign?" The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism lists "drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis" among its examples. The IHRA definition is intended to show how certain ways of speaking target Jewish people, and includes attacks on the state of Israel, over and above criticism that would be levelled at any other country. Sworn in Earlier, Mr Galloway had struck a defensive note as he arrived at Westminster, saying: "I've always loved the building - the people in it not quite so much." Mirroring that view, Conservative minister Bim Afolami told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "We're going to have to endure him and that is really the fault of the Labour party." Mr Galloway was sworn in by the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle before business got under way in the House of Commons. He was escorted by the Father of the House Peter Bottomley and Neale Hanvey, the Westminster Leader of the Alba Party. Mr Galloway won a clear victory in Thursday's by-election, which had seen Labour withdraw support for candidate Azhar Ali over remarks widely alleged to be antisemitic. Mainstream parties were beaten into third place after a chaotic campaign, sparked by the death of Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd, with independent and local businessman Dave Tully taking second place. Mr Galloway has previously been an MP for Labour until 2003. He then sat in the Commons as an independent and Respect Party MP for three constituencies between 2003 and 2015. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Galloway only won in Rochdale because Labour withdrew support from its own candidate about a fortnight before polling day. Sir Keir apologised to voters for the decision, which forced Labour to effectively withdraw from the race due to electoral law, the but said it was "the right decision". Mr Galloway has long campaigned for causes in the Middle East and the first words of his victory speech in Rochdale were "Keir Starmer: This is for Gaza". Following his win, the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) said it was "extremely concerned" by Mr Galloway's victory, accusing him of having an "atrocious record of baiting the Jewish community", including calling for Bradford, when he was an MP there, to be declared an "Israel-free zone". Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was "very concerned" at reports of intimidation during what he labelled "one of the most divisive campaigns we've seen in recent times". Sgt. Michael Kunovich is flanked by his sons Michael Jr., left, and Max in front of his St. Johns County Sheriff's Office vehicle. The late Michael Kunovich served 26 years with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office with distinction. He piled up promotions and accolades doing what he loved, helping the community and still being "Dad." After a fateful final shift, his character and legacy have been under attack. His oldest son, 21-year-old Michael Kunovich Jr., wants to show the good side of him that not many people are seeing right now, and just say what he was: He was a great man, he really was. He said he understands and supports the State Attorney's Office's decision Friday to dismiss the case against Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, who told detectives he feared being deported back to Guatemala when he resisted being searched by the 52-year-old Kunovich leading to his heart attack. "It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see that this case isnt exactly popular in the public consciousness at the moment," Kunovich Jr. said from the University of Central Florida, where he is majoring in international global studies with a minor in intelligence and national security. "Whats made the situation harder its not exactly great to see people discussing your father in such a negative light. He said he's seen some of the officer-worn body camera footage that has fueled the fire about his actions. "Ive probably seen as much as the public has seen," he said Sunday. "I could if I want to, but I feel like it would be kind of tough to watch the whole thing. I dont know how to start with this. People look at it and say well he was profiling, he was being mean to him, or the tone of his voice, he didnt need to talk to him like that. Police officers have a very stressful and dangerous job. They have to be skeptical because their life is on the line. I cant tell you how many times my dad has run into situations when hes had to talk to suspicious persons, and hes had to be on high alert because this could be the last person he talks to." Michael Kunovich Jr., left, is supported by brother Max as he becomes emotional while talking about their late father, St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Michael Kunovich, at his funeral. He said he's read the reports and talked with deputies who were there, and he stands by what the Sheriffs Office says about people needing to comply in those situations. "No matter if you dont speak English or not, stopping for the police is a pretty universal thing," Kunovich Jr. said. "People know what police officers are." He said his father is not the type of person hes being portrayed as because of this incident. I understand that side has their opinion, and theyre entitled to it. I cant agree with it, because its my father," he said. "I feel like I have a sense of duty to not only defend his character but defend his name because I grew up with him. He is not what defense attorneys and what these support groups are making him out to be, and thats just a lie, it really is. Michael Kunovich, a father of two sons, died in the line of duty with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office on May 19, 2023. He said his father was all about doing good. "Its why he got into law enforcement, he loved helping everybody," he said. " The best way to describe it is how he taught my brother [16-year-old Max] and I growing up. He always told us you always hold doors open for people, you always say please, thank you. You always help others and you always do what you can in order to make the world a better place around you. And he was very adamant about that. He was an astounding father growing up. Kunovich Jr. recounted several stories about the type of man his father was. Recently before he passed he was telling me he and his shift had to resuscitate an infant that was choking severely," his son said. "He was doing mini compressions on the infants chest because it was suffocating. Eventually, they managed to bring the baby back. He said people he arrested and served their time would walk up to him and thank him. "'It sounds crazy, but thank you for arresting me. It gave me a reality check, it got me out of a bad place I was in,' they would say. While on the SWAT team, There was one story he told me that kind of stuck with me, where he was called to a scene where a mentally ill son had attacked his father with a sword. He showed up and the son basically barricaded himself in the bathroom and was hiding in the shower. Instead of going in there and discharging his weapon, he took his Taser, and back then the stun guns had a little red dot laser pointer on it, and he used it, bounced it off a mirror on his chest. When the suspect saw it on his chest, he dropped the sword and surrendered. So he solved that situation as non-violently as he could. Kunovich Jr. said his father worked some hard shifts in some tough neighborhoods. "Growing up we were always afraid of getting that phone call like somethings happened to your dad, we need you to get to the hospital right now," he said. "That was always a fear and that was always a worry we had growing up. This 2018 photo shows Michael Kunovich, center, on vacation with his sons Max, left, and Michael Jr. at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. But he knew how to separate his work life from his home and family. "When he came home, he would kind of flip the switch and be Dad, and wouldnt really be Officer Kunovich," his son said. He also tried to shield his sons from some of things he saw and didn't want them to become a police officer. "He always told me police work is a thankless job, and youre never going to get anything out of it except that the fact that you in your own heart realize youre making the community a better place, Kunovich Jr. said. As the interview concluded, he reiterated what he had begun with: "I feel like I should get the word out as much as possible that he really was a good man. You dont have to look hard to see that." This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Son of late St. Johns County officer speaks out after case dismissed Footage of a police officer dragging a rough sleeper along the ground was "unacceptable" and must not be repeated, police have said. The officer was then seen deliberately treading on the man's stomach near Manchester town hall. Homeless charity Crisis said the incident was "appalling and degrading". Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the incident "must not be repeated" after the video, obtained by BBC News, came to light. GMP said the officer's behaviour, which took place last September, "fell below the standard we expect". The man, a refugee from Sudan, was sleeping outside along with a group of other homeless refugees. In an interview with BBC News, the 31-year-old, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he had been injured by the officer's actions. He said: "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, who has been in the UK for three-and-a-half years and has been given the right to remain, said he was forced to go to hospital after the incident, but recovered. He said they were usually woken each morning by council officials but on the day of the incident, "we told them we had nowhere to go and that it was very cold". The police officer dragged the man who was in a sleeping bag Matt Downie, chief executive Crisis, said the officer's actions were awful, adding: "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." There has been a spate of incidents in recent months where rough sleepers have faced abuse. In November a man sleeping in an underpass in Birmingham was set alight and in December footage emerged of security guards at a McDonald's restaurant in London soaking a rough sleeper. 'Very distressing' Referring to the video of the police officer, the deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, said these were "clearly very distressing images". She added: "We would expect anyone in a position of vulnerability to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and the behaviour shown here runs completely counter to those expectation. "Behaviour like this is plainly unacceptable and must now be allowed to happen again." The Sudanese man who was dragged by the officer said he had now found accommodation and had received an apology from the force. In a statement GMP said: "The officer's behaviour fell below the standards 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." Why not follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk Armed gangs tried to storm Haitis main airport on Monday as the bloodshed and chaos in the stricken Caribbean nation spiralled out of control. Criminals cut a hole through the fence of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport before being forced back by gunfire from security forces. The airport was closed when the attack occurred but journalists from the Associated Press saw an armoured truck shooting at gangs from the tarmac to keep them back. Soldiers were deployed to the airport earlier this week after gangs began a violent campaign to seize state institutions on Thursday. Three domestic aircraft were struck when gangs opened fire at the airport last week. On Sunday, about 3,600 prisoners were broken out of the countrys largest prison. The gangs, led by warlord and former policeman Jeremy Barbecue Cherizier, have been targeting government facilities, including police stations, as they seek to take total control of the country of 11 million. They have been terrorising the population for years, robbing, extorting and also frequently raping ordinary Haitians, destroying any possibility of normalcy or prosperity for citizens. Now they want to stop Ariel Henry, the prime minister, returning from Kenya. He has been negotiating a deal for more than 1,000 Kenyan police officers to deploy to Haiti as part of a United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping force. Mr Henry, who cancelled elections scheduled for February because of the security breakdown, is unpopular among many Haitians for failing to tackle the gang violence. US airlines suspended all flights to Haiti on Monday, while Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, said his country was speeding up the construction of a fence and implementing extreme security measures along the 150-mile border. Haitian security forces retained the airport following a gunfight - Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters Soldier at the airport. US airlines suspended all flights to Haiti on Monday - Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters Mr Abinader also ruled out accepting Haitian refugees because of concerns that the Dominican Republic, a popular tourist destination, could be overwhelmed. About 15,000 people are believed to have been displaced in the past five days by the fierce fighting in and around the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The UN Security Council approved a peacekeeping mission to Haiti in October 2023. But the initiative has been plagued by reluctance from some nations, especially the United States and in Europe, to get involved. So far, just $11 million (8.6 million) has been raised for the force, which is expected to comprise troops from Caribbean and African states. That is partly down to political sensibilities and the risk of being perceived as colonial interlopers in a majority black nation founded by a slave rebellion in the 19th century. An arms embargo launched by Washington appears to have backfired - Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters But the international community also has a troubled history of intervention in Haiti, with previous UN peacekeeping missions accused of sexual violence and, separately, sparking a cholera outbreak. Meanwhile, an arms embargo launched by the US, following a 1991 military coup against Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a priest who was Haitis first democratically elected president, appears to have backfired, with the gangs now frequently outgunning the police force and even the military. Luis Almagro, general secretary of the Organisation of American States, was critical of the lack of a decisive international response to the latest bloodletting. Its irresponsible that necessary measures and actions continue to be delayed, he warned on Monday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DEDHAM Accused Cohasset murderer Brian Walshe's new in the defense of killing his wife, Ana Walshe made his first court appearance to discuss DNA testing in the case. Larry Tipton was appointed by Dedham Superior Court in December to defend Walshe in after Walshe's previous attorney, Tracy Miner, withdrew due to his inability to pay. Until recently, Tipton had been occupied in the defense of Emanuel Lopes, the Brockton man convicted on Feb. 16 of shooting and killing Weymouth police Sgt. Michael Chesna and Weymouth resident Vera Adams. Lopes is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16. Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Greg Connor listens to questions from Brian Walshe's new lawyer Larry Tipton in Dedham Superior Court on Monday, March. 4, 2024 During Monday's brief status hearing in Dedham, Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor, who also prosecuted the Lopes case, updated Judge Beverly Cannone on the status of DNA testing at the Bode crime labs in Virginia. Because one of the DNA samples is too small for both the prosecution and defense to conduct independent testing, a phenomenon known as exhaustive or destructive testing, both sides have to agree on protocols on how that testing will be conducted, said Norfolk County District Attorney's Office spokesperson David Traub. The next hearing is scheduled for May 1. In the meantime, the new defense counsel will read through the case and come to a decision on how to process the DNA evidence from the Bode lab, Traub said. Attorneys Larry Tipton and Greg Connor discuss the Brian Walshe murder case. Tipton represents Walshe, and Connor is prosecuting the case for the Norfolk County District Attorney. Both appeared in Dedham Superior Court on Monday, March. 4, 2024 for a hearing. Prosecutors say Ana Walshe was last seen on the morning of Jan. 1. Walshe's charges include murder, misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice and improper conveyance, or transport, of a human body. On Feb. 20, Walshe was sentenced to 37 months in prison on art fraud charges. He was also ordered to pay $475,000 in restitution to three different victims who purchased fake artworks. His lawyer in that case filed an appeal to the ruling in federal court Monday. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: DNA evidence in case of Ana Walshe's death is focus of court hearing DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Iranian hard-line politicians dominated the countrys vote for parliament, results released Monday showed, maintaining their hold on the legislature in a vote that saw a record-low turnout amid boycott calls. While praising Iranians for withstanding bad weather and continuous propaganda by the enemy, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the vote saw 25 million ballots cast a turnout of just under 41 percent. The lowest previous came in the last parliamentary election in 2020, which saw a 42 percent turnout. It took days for Iran to announce the turnout statistics without explanation. The Interior Ministry run Iranian elections, which have no substantial international observation. Fridays vote turnout came after authorities kept polls open an additional six hours. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf even posted online, as polls appeared largely empty in Tehran, to urge people to call their friends or acquaintances right now and convince them to participate in the elections. It remains unclear whether turnout was depressed by voter apathy or an active desire to send a message to Irans theocracy, though some in the country pushed for a boycott, including imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. The vote also was the first since the 2022 mass protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after being arrested over allegedly not wearing her required hijab to the liking of authorities. The boycott calls put the government under renewed pressure since its 1979 Islamic Revolution, Irans theocracy has based its legitimacy in part on turnout in elections. Authorities broadly barred politicians calling for any change within the countrys government, known broadly as reformists, from running in the election. Those calling for radical reforms or abandoning Irans theocratic system were banned or didnt bother to register as candidates. Of 290 races held for parliament, voters decided 245 seats in the first round, Interior Ministry spokesman Mohsen Eslami said earlier Monday. The remaining 45 will need to go through runoff elections, to be held in either April or May, as winning candidates failed to get a mandatory 20 percent of the vote. Of the 245 politicians elected, 200 were supported by hard-line groups in voter guides published before the election, according to an Associated Press analysis. The analysis also identified some 45 incoming lawmakers as relatively moderate, conservative or independent. The current parliament includes 18 pro-reform politicians and 38 others recognized as independents. Of those winning seats, only 11 were women. The current parliament has 16 women as legislators. The failure of any candidate to get 20 percent of the vote can happen because many votes are voided, or because there are too many candidates in the race. Irans 2021 presidential election, which saw hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi elected, witnessed a high number of voided votes, potentially from those who felt obligated to cast a ballot but didnt want to select any of the government-approved candidates. Vahidi put the total number of voided votes in Fridays poll at around 8 percent about 2 million of the 25 million votes cast. It was nearly 13 percent in the 2021 presidential election. We witnessed a very good and extensive competition, he told journalists. The election had the highest standard of health. However, analysts described the vote as offering a different perspective. 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 dismissed 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 systems 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. Iranians on Friday also voted for members of the countrys 88-seat Assembly of Experts, who will serve an eight-year term on a panel that will appoint the countrys next supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 84. Barred from that race was former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a relative moderate and current member of the assembly who reached Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Raisi, a protege of Khamenei who has been discussed as a possible successor to the supreme leader, won a seat again. Another possible successor is Khameneis son, Mojtaba, who holds no position in the government. The Dearborn County Sheriff's Office said Daniel Birdseye is charged in connection with the armed robbery attempt at Hollywood Casino on March 2. LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. The man charged in connection with the armed robbery attempt at Hollywood Casino Saturday said he committed the crime because he was desperate and in debt, according to Dearborn/Ohio County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. Daniel Birdseye, 39, was gambling at the casino in Lawrenceburg earlier in the day and left, but he came back around 7:30 p.m., the prosecutor said. After returning, Deddens says Birdseye walked to the main cage/bank area of the casino. The 39-year-old got the money and then jumped through the teller window, which gave him access to the bank area, according to Deddens. A woman working in that area tried to close the door when she saw Birdseye, but he kicked it open, the prosecutor explained. The employees arm was cut. Birdseye got inside and locked the door, Deddens said. With the employee inside, Deddens said Birdseye again demanded money. From there, the armed 39-year-old suspect took the cash, and over to the cashiers in another section of the bank, according to the prosecutor. He grabbed money from drawers and shoved the cash into a bag he was carrying. There was a casino employee on the phone as Birdseye took the money, Deddens said. Birdseye then took his gun, walked up to another employee, saying You are going to be my hostage and get me out of this building, the prosecutor described. Birdseye told the employee to hang up or he would shoot her, according to Deddens. Daniel Birdseye, 39, was gambling at the casino in Lawrenceburg earlier in the day and left, but he came back around 7:30 p.m., and attempted to rob the casino, prosecutors said. The employee being held at gunpoint told law enforcement he walked Birdseye through the casinos first level to an exit. Birdseye then let the employee go. He told investigators he was desperate and in debt, Deddens said. Law enforcement rushed to Hollywood Casino after it was reported there was an active shooter. Deddens said Birdseye left the casino heading toward the Oxbow Nature Conservancy. The 39-year-old was later found. After he was in custody, Deddens says law enforcement found a loaded gun, a loaded magazine and a bag stuffed with cash. The money still had the casino wrappers on it. Birdseye waived his Miranda Rights and admitted to the robbery, according to Deddens. He was taken to Dearborn County Law Enforcement, where Deddens said he became combative with two corrections officers. He was charged with battery on public safety officials as a result. In all, Deddens says Birdseye is facing the following charges: Kidnapping. Robbery armed with a deadly weapon. Criminal confinement. Intimidation. Battery on public safety officials. All charges are felonies. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Court records say Hollywood Casino robber was desperate and in debt Jennifer Wilkinson, head of school at Insight School of Okahoma, speaks with a supporter Nov. 15 before an Oklahoma State Board of Education hearing. Wilkinson opposed rule changes that would effectively shut down the state's only alternative virtual charter school. For the second time in four months, leaders of Insight School of Oklahoma, which bills itself as Oklahomas only alternative online school, fear a potential action by the state this time, a bill that sailed through the House Education Committee last week could effectively close their doors. The bill by Rep. Danny Sterling, House Bill 3551, contains language that would require alternative education to be in-person and would prohibit eligibility for alternative education state funding if that requirement isnt met. That language is similar to wording in an administrative rule proposed late last year by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. After a public hearing that included emotional testimony from Insight supporters, the state Board of Education amended the proposal to remove the language. That decision apparently didnt end the debate. Sterlings bill received no opposition in the committee and now can be considered by the full House. Over in the Oklahoma Senate, however, is a bill by Sen. Kristin Thompson, R-Edmond, that seems to encourage alternative online education and says (a) school district may implement an alternative education program using a full-time virtual education program or blended instruction. Her bill passed the Senate Education Committee. Longtime teacher, now a lawmaker, sees a difference between alternative settings and alternative education Sterling, R-Tecumseh, worked for Tecumseh Public Schools for 40 years, teaching agriculture and serving as both an assistant principal and principal at Tecumseh High School. He told The Oklahoman he doesnt see how what he believes is true alternative education can work in an online-only setting, especially when it comes to counseling services the law mandates must be provided to students. Youve got to meet alternative students where theyre at, he said. If they dont have that one-on-one contact with a teacher that teacher can detect on a daily basis (if) somebody is having a bad day and needs some individual counseling, or somebody needs some more support. He also noted Insight, one of the states larger alternative schools, with about 1,150 students in grades 6-12, gobbles up a large share of funding the state allocates for alternative education, to the tune of about $1.5 million. He argues what online schools provide is an alternative setting, but not an alternative education as defined by law. He said the current rules, approved by the state Board of Education, blur the line between alternative settings and alternative education. By definition, alternative education is people that are at-risk, that have problems at home, if they have a home, Sterling said. They might be a young mother thats unwed. They might have some mental health issues. They might just, because of economic reasons, need to work. I think a lot of confusion comes when people hear alternative, they get confused between alternative settings and alternative true education. Alternative education, by definition, was designed for at-risk students. Thompson said her bill recognizes the need for alternative forms of education. She spoke at a recent school-choice event held at the Oklahoma History Center. I support options in education because everyone has a unique lived experience, she said. We need to ensure everyone is graduating with the educational foundation to transition to college, CareerTech and the workforce, and SB 1895 assists in that goal. She said she doesnt comment on legislation other than her own, but said if Sterlings bill makes it to the Senate, I will review it as it makes its way through the process. Insight School successfully convinced state board to change its proposed alternative education rules in November Insight leaders have said the public, tuition-free school serves students in unique situations, including teen parents, students recovering from addiction, students who have been expelled from other schools, students with special needs and students with jobs who require flexible schedules. Insight said its the only alternative education virtual charter school recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Currently, 10 states have some sort of alternative online school, said Jennifer Wilkinson, Insights head of school. In November, Insight supporters noted state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters push for more educational choices and successfully argued that Insight is unique in providing such a choice, often for those students who have exhausted other options, including in-person alternative schools. One parent who chose Insight is Miranda Randol-Rossouw, of Shidler, who said her sons academic performance dramatically improved after the switch from in-person school where he was bullied to Insight during his sixth-grade year. Hes now in eighth grade and thriving, she said. Insight has small classrooms so they have more one-on-one with their teachers, she said. Thats more of what those kids need and what they crave. They have more of a family type atmosphere. They love their teachers. (Teachers) will stop everything to help that one child. It doesnt matter how long it takes them, or if they have to go even later. My sons teachers have actually called him at night to see if hes gotten work done or needs help on an assignment. I dont know many (teachers) that will do that. She said Sterlings bill is threatening our students who need our school, who need that specialized education that any other school that is not geared for IEPs, or children with special needs, who need that one-on-one, that smaller classroom, who have anxiety disorders, who have ADHD. If that bill were to pass, it would start shoving down our kids that have these special needs. Its going to start shoving them down and (say), We dont care about your education. I dont care if you dont have this. I dont care if you dont have that. Thats not right. Lets lift up these kids. Lets help these kids. Insight does have an office in a strip mall in Midwest City, from which it has served students in all 77 Oklahoma counties since the school opened in 2014. Wilkinson said Insight expects to graduate 183 students at the end of the current academic year. Insights website indicates its curriculum is provided by K12 a for-profit education company that provides programs for both online and blended education and includes offerings from Stride Learning Solutions and Middlebury Interactive Languages. Insights virtual model provides hope and opportunity for at-risk students who were unable to reach their goals in traditional public schools, Wilkinson said. We ask legislative leaders to defend Oklahoma parents right to make the best educational choices for their families, rather than locking students into the traditional model. We hope lawmakers will reject HB 3551 and protect school choice in Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Alternative online school fighting state's proposed rule change again A Blue Springs woman has been charged with abandonment of a corpse in Jackson County after allegedly witnessing a man overdose, according to court documents filed Tuesday. Nena Nix, 40, is charged with a class E felony after disposing of a corpse near the intersection of Duncan Road and Sweeney Road in Jackson County on Feb. 3, prosecutors allege, without properly reporting the location of the body to police. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in court Tuesday, police said they found the body of a white male wearing only blue jeans, partially covered by brush and wrapped in an orange extension cord at the intersection Feb. 3. Police identified the deceased male as someone who had a romantic history with Nix, according to the affidavit. Detectives with the Jackson County Sheriffs Office said Nix provided false information to them in an interview during a 24-hour investigative hold, and said that she did not have contact with him for months. Police were able to determine the statements were false, the affidavit said, by reviewing video surveillance at a hotel where Nix was staying and through other witness testimony that placed her with the victim near the hotel she was staying. According to Jackson County detectives, Nix later told them the victim did come to her room and they got into an argument. Nix told detectives the victim injected illegal drugs with a needle and overdosed. Nix said she panicked and did not know what to do, the affidavit said, and instead of calling the police, she went to her friends who told her not to. According to the affidavit, Nix stated she decided to take the victim out of her room, place his body in a car, and dump his body elsewhere. (Nix) stated they used the orange extension cord to help them move his body, Detectives said in the affidavit. Nix stated after they dropped (the victim) off on the side of the road, they stripped him of his personal belongings (shoes, watch, phoneetc.), they placed them in a black plastic trash bag. The affidavit said Nix told detectives that she went to La Benite Park, located in Sugar Creek, Missouri, backed a car down the boat ramp and threw the trash bag with the victims belongings into the Missouri River. (Nix) stated she knew she was wrong for dumping (the victims) body, but she was scared and did not want to be associated with the overdose, as she has a criminal record and (is) on parole, detectives wrote in the affidavit. Nix is currently on parole for possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property. She has past felony convictions in Clay County for receiving stolen property in 2013, possession of a controlled substance in 2017, and tampering with a motor vehicle in 2017. Kansas Senate Republicans sank their own election bill by anchoring down what was a simple but controversial change with several additional policies that were even more controversial. When the Senate took up Senate Bill 365 on Monday, it started as legislation to end the three-day grace period for mailed advance ballots. By the time senators were done with it, it was a much more sweeping bill to ban ballot drop boxes and ban electronic voting machines, among other provisions. The addition of those more controversial provisions meant Republicans sealed the bill's fate. It failed to pass the Senate on Tuesday in a 18-22 vote, after a preliminary tally of 16-16 prompted a call of the Senate that forced those passing to either vote yes or no. In addition to not getting a simple majority, the bill was far from the 27 it would have needed to override a likely veto by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly had the bill passed the Senate and later the House. In debating one of the many amendments a day earlier, Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, warned his colleagues that they were effectively dooming the original proposal. "The problem right now is this isn't a vote that's going to secure our election ... it's going to put an anchor around the underlying bill," he said. The final product, said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, is "a bill that is extremely problematic, that in its totality is a major voter disenfranchisement bill." Sen. John Doll, R-Garden City, urged lawmakers to listen to the assurances from Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab, the state's top election official, that Kansas elections are safe and secure. Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, was dismissive, saying "that is their contention." "Anything the secretary of state or his staff comes to testify on is simply giving us guidance, but it doesn't mean that that is law," said Thompson, who introduced the bill and carried it during floor debate. "We make the law here in the Legislature." "I don't see why we keep passing laws and more laws and more laws chasing problems that we don't have," Doll said. "Election fraud in Kansas has never been an issue since I can remember." Senate bill started with ending the three-day grace period Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, backed an election bill that started as an elimination of the three-day grace period for mail ballots but ended up being amended with even more controversial election law changes. In Kansas, voters can cast advance ballots via the mail. They are counted as long as they are postmarked by election day and arrive to the election office within three business days, a standard referred to as the three-day grace period. That has been the law since 2017, when it was passed by a near unanimous Legislature. But a majority of Republicans have sought to curtail voting by mail since former President Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election. "All we're doing is restoring state law to what it was prior to 2017," Thompson said. Thompsons said the original intent was to ensure military service members could have their votes counted, but that is no longer an issue because they now have more days to get their ballots in and can vote online. He also said missing postmarks mean "the three-day grace period makes even less sense" now. But Schwab previously told lawmakers that the reason for the grace period was the closure of most mail processing facilities in Kansas. In its testimony, the Kansas Secretary of State's Office noted arguments for both sides, but said it was neutral on eliminating the three-day grace period. However, if legislators end the three-day grace period, they should allow mail ballots to continue to be dropped off at remote ballot boxes, said Clayton Barker, Schwab's general counsel. Schwab separately told senators that mail being routed out of state "is why we're such an advocate of the drop boxes." Republican senators largely disregarded that advice, with a majority of them backing an amendment by Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, to ban ballot drop boxes. It passed 22-16. That came even after Thompson indicated in a GOP caucus that a supporting argument for eliminating the three-day grace period was that voters could still use a drop box. He also cited concerns with mail delays, telling voters who vote by mail "you're disenfranchising yourself by not doing it the right way, by not showing up at the polls." He suggested it would be better to send a ballot by FedEx than mail, and "you can get it done, it depends on how much you want to vote." Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, said she was offended by such comments. "There are people that can't just go to the polls," she said. Goudeau said that changes in the U.S. Postal Service reinforce that "we need to allow that grace period." The Senate rejected her amendment to try to find a compromise on the grace period by shortening it to two days. Sweeping amendment will be an 'anchor' Senators did approve additional amendments, most notably one from Sen. Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, to add in the contents of Senate Bill 262. Steffen introduced that bill last year, but it never got a hearing. The sweeping election bill would require voting by paper ballots, put serial numbers on ballots, require counting of ballots by hand, ban electronic voting and vote tabulation equipment, change how vote counts are reported to the Secretary of State's Office and to the public, and delete reference to the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. "These are steps towards securing our elections," Steffen said. "Safety, security are foremost; convenience is last." Several senators took issue with the amendment, including Masterson. It was not that he didn't support the measures "we need confidence in our elections, and we have issues," Masterson said but the amendment will likely guarantee the bill never becomes law. He said a vote against the amendment or passing on the vote, as he did should not be viewed as a vote against the issue. "It's a vote to save the underlying bill, which I think it's going be a hard, hard lift for us," he said. Even in a standalone bill, ending the three-day grace period would be a difficult lift for Republicans. Last year, both the House and Senate had simple majorities supporting Senate Bill 209, which would have ended the three-day grace period without making other election changes. But neither chamber had a supermajority supporting the bill because of a handful of Republicans voted no, so they were unable to override a Kelly veto. Still, Masterson said he thought it was possible to enact a law that stopped at regulating drop boxes and ending the grace period. "Those are two things I think we can do, even over a veto," he said. "You put this noose around the neck ... this amendment will put the anchor around this thing." Steffen said he appreciated Masterson's comments. "They're an incredibly beautifully verbose commitment to mediocrity, pure and simple," he said. He said the underlying bill was "a very, very small step." Only 17 of the 40 senators voted in favor of the amendment, but because seven senators passed, 17 was enough to get it added. Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas Republicans fail to change election law on mail ballot deadline Mo's Irish Pub seen surrounded by parade-goers during the St. Patrick's Day parade Saturday, March 11, 2023, beginning at North Martin Luther King Drive and West Wisconsin Avenue and ending at Water Street and Highland Avenue in Milwaukee. The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's St. Patrick's Day parade will return to Milwaukee this Saturday. The annual celebration draws thousands to downtown to experience one of the oldest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country. Here's what you need to know about the event, parking and road closures. What time is the St. Patrick's Day parade in Milwaukee? The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's 56th St. Patrick's Day parade will be held in downtown Milwaukee starting at noon March 9. More: Milwaukee's first St. Patrick's Day parade was partly an anti-drinking event. Partly. What is the Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day parade route? The parade steps off at North King Drive and West Wisconsin Avenue, heads east on Wisconsin Avenue to Plankinton Avenue, then north to Kilbourn Avenue and up King Drive to Juneau Avenue, then heads east and ends at North Water Street and East Highland Avenue. The route of the 2024 edition of the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Milwaukee. What streets will be closed for the St. Patrick's Day parade? For the staging area, the following streets will be closed starting at 10 a.m.: Wisconsin Avenue from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to 6th Street Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive from Wells Street to Wisconsin Ave. (access to 310W Parking Structure will be available) Vel R. Phillips Avenue from Wells Street to Clybourn Street (West Michigan Street will remain open to traffic) 3rd Street from Michigan Street to Everett Street Everett Street from 3rd Street to Vel R. Phillips Avenue Along the parade route, the following streets will close at 11:45 a.m. Wisconsin Avenue from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to Plankinton Avenue Plankinton Avenue from Wisconsin Avenue to Kilbourn Avenue Kilbourn Avenue from Plankinton Avenue to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive from Kilbourn Avenue to Juneau Avenue Juneau Avenue from Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to Water Street Water Street from Juneau Avenue to Highland Avenue For the de-staging area, the following streets will be closed from approximately 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Water Street from Highland Avenue to East State Street Highland Avenue from Broadway to Edison Street Can you park along the St. Patrick's Day parade route? No. The city of Milwaukee will post "No parking" signs along the route. Any car on the parade route at or after 7 a.m. the morning of the parade will be towed. How many people and floats participate in the Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day parade? Expected to be in the parade are more than 120 units, including Irish dancers, pipe and drum corps, floats and more. A post-parade party is scheduled at the Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 1:30 to 6 p.m.; admission is $10, $25 per family, and free for kids younger than 12. Find info on the post-parade part at mkepostparade.us. How old is the Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day parade? According to the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin, the first St. Patrick's Day parade was celebrated on March 17, 1843. The modern version has operated since 1967. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day 2024 parade: Route, road closures, parking Maine and 15 other states (and one U.S. territory) are holding Super Tuesday primary voting today as the presidential primary process moves toward a likely November rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Trump, the Republican front-runner, is being challenged by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. On the Democratic side, Biden is being challenged by Congressman Dean Phillips, D-Minnesota. One-third of the total delegates needed in the race to become each partys nominee are at stake on Super Tuesday. Follow along here for live updates throughout the day: President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley are on the ballot in Maine and Super Tuesday primary states across the nation. Trump and Biden win Maine primary on Super Tuesday Former President Donald Trump defeated former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the Maine Republican primary Tuesday, an anticlimactic conclusion in a state that had once ruled to take his name off the ballot. Trump will be awarded all 20 of the state's Republican delegates. President Joe Biden also won the Democratic primary, easily besting opponent Congressman Dean Phillips, D-Minn. He will take all 32 of Maine's Democratic delegates. Biden's first win of the night came in the Iowa Democratic mail-in caucus. Margie Cullen More Super Tuesday coverage: USA TODAY reports on primaries across the nation Maine primary results by the numbers Results: Maine Democratic presidential primary results here Results: Maine Republican presidential primary results here More: How many delegates are needed to win the nomination? Super Tuesday elections explained When will we see Maine primary results? Maine polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern time. In 2022, first results were reported at about 8:15 p.m. Margie Cullen Petitioners in Sanford explain why they're voting for Trump SANFORD, Maine As voters filtered in and out of the Nasson Community Center and cast their ballots during the Maine Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 5, petitioners Brad Littlefield and Mark Amico both took opportunities to explain why theyre supporting former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. Littlefield said he liked Trumps policies regarding immigration and noted that unemployment in the country was low when he was president. We had very low gas prices, and we had very low inflation, Littlefield said. Littlefield was collecting signatures on petitions to help get two candidates, Demi Kouzaounas and Andrew Piantidosi, on the ballot for the fall election. If successful, Kouzaounas, a Republican, would run for the U.S. Senate, and Piantidosi, also a Republican, would run to be a U.S. representative in Congress. Littlefield, who said he voted absentee, said he also liked Nikki Haley, the other Republican on the presidential primary ballot, but added that he is not ready to vote for her yet. Shes got a couple of good thoughts, he said. I just dont think shes ready for prime time. She has a future. York voters cast their ballots in the gym at the high school March 5, 2024. A few feet away, Amico sat at his own table, also collecting signatures, this time for Jason Cherry, an independent candidate seeking to be on the ballot this fall in the race for Maines First District in the U.S. Congress. Amico, a Republican, said he supports Trump because he believes the U.S. should be run by a businessman, not a politician. During the Trump presidency, he said, the economy was running fantastic, and unemployment was at an all-time low for all races across the board." Like Littlefield said during his own interview, Amico spoke favorably of Haley as a future candidate. I like her, he said. She has a lot of potential. I think she needs a little more seasoning. But shes definitely someone I would support in the future. Shawn Sullivan What is Super Tuesday? Today is Maines primary day, along with 15 other states and one US territory. The large number of states casting their ballot for the presidential nominee in one day gave it the nickname Super Tuesday. More than one-third of the total delegates are awarded on Super Tuesday. On the Republican side, 854 of 2,429 delegates are up for grabs. The total amount of Republican and Democratic delegates are different: for Democrats, 1,420 delegates out of 3,979 are at stake. Maine has 20 delegates to give out for Republican candidates, and the GOP candidate who wins the majority of the primary vote will take all 20. Margie Cullen Kennebunkport resident voting for Haley today, Biden in November James Gette voted for Nikki Haley during the state's presidential primary on Tuesday, March 5. "I voted against Donald Trump," Gette said, moments after casting his ballot at the Kennebunkport Village Fire Station on North Street. When asked his reasons for voting against Trump, the former president and Republican frontrunner this primary season, Gette was ready with his answer. "His policies are terrible," he said. "And I just don't feel like he's in it for the American people. He's in this for himself." If Haley beats the political odds currently against her and overtakes Trump to become the Republican nominee, she will not be able to count on Gette's vote again. He said he will be voting to re-elect President Joe Biden. Shawn Sullivan Kennebunkport voter all-in on Biden Barrie Schultheis was all-in for President Joe Biden as she reported to the local fire station to cast her ballot during the state's presidential preference primary on Tuesday, March 5. When asked what appealed to her about Biden, the Democrat replied, "Everything." She said she approved of Biden's efforts to rebuild infrastructure, reduce inflation, and help ease the burdens of student loans. "He's standing with women's rights, reproductive rights," she said. Schultheis said she takes issue with only one aspect of Biden's performance as president: his handling of the war in the Middle East between Israel and Gaza. That said, the choice this November is stark and clear for Schultheis. "I think the choice is very simple," she said. "It's really between democracy and dictatorship, as far as I'm concerned. Shawn Sullivan York voters from both parties happy about Supreme Court Trump decision With a Supreme Court effectively allowing Donald Trump to stay on Maines primary ballot Tuesday, York voters from both parties said at the polls they were glad about the decision. Why wouldnt they? Bruce Beaupre said at the polls in York. The decision was on Colorados attempt to remove him from the ballot under the 14th Amendment that bars insurrectionists from running. The decision effectively ended Maines similar challenge and, on Monday, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows withdrew her ruling's conclusion. They never convicted him, Beaupre said after voting for Trump. He said he was unhappy with President Joe Bidens performance and the nation needs a change. John Breneman, also voting that day in York, called Trumps potential second term utterly horrifying. Still, he believes the Supreme Court made the right decision in preventing states from removing his name. He was glad the court did not dispute Colorados finding that Trump was an insurrectionist, but he said letting states bar individuals from the ballot could set a harmful precedent. It would devolve into chaos potentially if all the states were free reign for election officials of carious stripes to ban this or that person from the ballot, Breneman said. Not the way to go. Max Sullivan One York voter's first choice is Kennedy Mark Cable voted for Donald Trump in Tuesdays Republican primary at the York polls though his true candidate is running as an independent. Cable said his choice right now is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who originally filed to run as a Democrat challenging President Joe Biden before becoming an independent. Cable likes Kennedys approach to solving problems, particularly in health care, saying Kennedy has put an emphasis on addressing chronic disease. Id like to see him get on all 50 states ballots, Cable said of Kennedy. Michael Bracken waits for voters to cast their ballots into the counting machine in York Tuesday, March 5, 2024. As for Trump, Cable said he likes his policies and is willing to accept his personality along with them. He believes Trump is likely more honest with the public than other politicians, even if it comes off as abrasive to voters. Trump tends to be totally unfiltered, Cable said. Id much rather have people who are like that. I dont try to change who I am for different audiences. I dont think our politicians or presidents should. Max Sullivan Ex-Maine GOP leader says 'honesty' is important factor Tom Murphy reported to the Kennebunk Town Hall on Super Tuesday to cast his presidential primary vote for fellow Republican Nikki Haley. Murphy, a former state representative and former chairman of the Maine Republican Party, said he and his wife are snowbirds who spend some of their winters in South Carolina. He said they saw Haley in action when she was governor of that state. Scott Jacoby of York holds up his "I voted" sticker proudly after he says he voted for Nikki Haley on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. "We followed her career there, and we were impressed and felt there was a national future," he said. "I've seen, in my lifetime, especially in Augusta, people talking one way, and you know they're thinking another. She's straight out with whatever she's thinking. There's an honesty there that's really appealing." As for former President Trump, the GOP frontrunner this primary season, Murphy said he thinks people are looking at the policies he pursued before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the U.S. economy, and have decided they would like to have them in place again - while at the same time "kind of forgetting" about Trump's personal behavior. Both Trump and President Joe Biden should not ad lib and should instead stay "locked in to the script," he said. Shawn Sullivan Kennebunk voter calls for 'integrity' For Sue Plass, her candidate of choice was not so clear. As she climbed the front steps of the town hall and approached its entrance, she confided that she still did not know for whom she was going to vote as her presidential pick. Over the years, she has been both an independent and a Republican, but these days, she said, she's "on the fence." Plass did, however, know what her guiding principle would be when she would have her ballot in hand moments later. She said that, in the end, she would vote for the candidate she feels has "honesty and integrity." But even that was not so cut and dry for her. "I'm not really sure where that leaves me," she said. "It might leave me nowhere." Shawn Sullivan Semi-open primary and Trump's name on ballot causes 'confusion' Kennebunk Town Clerk Merton Brown said voter turnout was "slow but steady." Brown is well known for opening Kennebunk polls at 6 a.m., two hours before most towns. "Six-to-eight was probably one of the slowest six-to-eights," he said in the late morning. "But it's picking up now." Asked to describe the primary day so far, Brown chose the word "confusion." Despite a thorough voting guide posted on the town's website, voters seemed uncertain about the semi-open primary process and what it means to those who are enrolled in a party and those who are not. Ballot clerks Marsha Cook, left, and Ruth Chenney direct voters to the appropriate box to put their votes in at the Kennebunk Town Hall Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Brown also said some voters had been wondering about Trump's appearance on the ballot, given his status as a former president. Brown said voters also were not sure about Trump's name still being on the ballot, given the attempts in Maine and elsewhere to keep him out of the running as a result of his actions during the tumultuous events in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected a 14th Amendment argument by the state of Colorado that Trump should not be allowed to appear on the presidential primary ballot. Brown said one thing that he was finding most interesting about this primary day is that a number of voters are choosing not to weigh in on the presidential primary and are just casting municipal ballots, which have just two local issues on them. "Several have chosen not to take either ballot, and they're just doing the town one," he said. Shawn Sullivan How to register to vote in Maine primary Maine voters can register to vote at the polls on Election Day. To register at the polls, you must fill out a voter registration card at the polling place or print one online. You must also bring identity documents showing you have established your voting residence in Maine. Acceptable documents include a drivers license, valid U.S. passport, or a student photo ID from a school in Maine. Margie Cullen 'Got to prevent Trump from becoming president,' says York voter For Roberta Kosek in York, Super Tuesday was all about supporting Joe Biden in hopes of preventing Donald Trump from winning a second term in November. Got to do everything to prevent Trump from becoming president, Kosek said. Its your civic duty. Voters head to the polls in York, Maine to cast their ballot for the presidential nominee. Kosek believes Joe Biden has done a good job in his first term. She said she was less familiar with Bidens opponent Dean Phillips and more comfortable with Biden as the Democratic nominee. I just dont want to take a chance, Kosek said. I think (Biden) has done a good job in his four years. Max Sullivan Voters in Kittery criticize Trump As citizens across the country cast their Super Tuesday ballots, U.S. Air Force veteran and 55-year Kittery resident John Navish is imploring voters to vote for anyone but Trump. Sporting a gray sweatshirt representing his military branch, Navish shared he would be voting for Biden in an interview outside the Kittery Community Center Tuesday morning. I will be voting for Biden because I believe in the Constitution and in America. Send him (Trump) to Guantanamo, he said. A 20-year Air Force member formerly stationed at Pease, Navish also served in southeast Asia, Texas and in Delaware. He disagrees with the Supreme Courts unanimous decision to allow Trump to remain on Colorados ballot after the state tried to have him removed on the grounds that he incited an insurrection. The 9-0 decision by the nations highest court all but guaranteed Trump can remain on the ballot in other states like Maine, where there was a similar effort to remove him. Im an American. I dont want my country ruined and the Constitution gone. I dont need a potentate, Navish said of a potential second Trump presidency. Two town Republican voters, Neil and Gail Cassidy, concurred that Trump is unfit to be president. Both favor Haley, whose only triumph over Trump in the nomination process has come in Washington D.C., putting her campaign at long odds to receive the Republican presidential nominee nod. She has world knowledge. Shes a former ambassador. Shes a smart cookie, Neil Cassidy said. And shes not a crook, Gail Cassidy added. If Trump wins, Neil Cassidy expects his second term would come with a lot of trips to state and federal court rooms. Wed spend the first year, at least, (seeing) him just fight his legal battles, he predicted. Ian Lenahan Few absentee ballot requests, more from Democrats than Republicans in Kittery Town clerk Jillian Richards received 400 requests from residents for absentee ballots prior to the Maine primary. By comparison, in the November 2022 gubernatorial election, there were 1,000 requests for absentee ballots from town residents, Richards reported. Were not really expecting a large turnout and we usually base it off of the absentee requests, she said. On Super Tuesday in Maine, the only participating parties are the Democrats and Republicans, with the deadline to change parties having passed on Feb. 15. Prior to the primary, more Democrats in Kittery had requested absentee ballots than Republicans. The polls in Kittery opened at 8 a.m. at the Kittery Community Center and will close at 8 p.m. Ian Lenahan Taylor Swift encourages fans to vote on Super Tuesday Taylor Swift encouraged fans to vote on Super Tuesday but did not make a presidential endorsement. "Today, March 5, is the Presidential Primary in Tennessee and 16 other states and territories," Swift wrote in her Instagram story. "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 states holding primaries or caucuses for one or both parties include: Alaska, Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. "Whether you're in Tennessee or somewhere else in the US," Swift continued, "check your polling places and times at vote.org." Swift has been vocal about getting voters to the polls. Last year on National Voter Registration Day, a record 35,000 people signed up through Vote.org after Swift encouraged them in a post. Bryan West, USA TODAY Network Trump remains on Maine ballot after Supreme Court's Colorado decision Just one day before the primary, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Colorado cannot remove Trump from the ballot. While the justices had different reasons, it was a unanimous decision that states may not bar candidates for federal office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars insurrectionists from holding office. The decision effectively ended Maines similar challenge and, on Monday, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows withdrew her ruling's conclusion. I have reviewed the Anderson decision carefully. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that individual states lack authority to enforce Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment with respect to federal offices, wrote Bellows in a modified ruling. Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and pursuant to the Anderson decision, I hereby withdraw my determination that Mr. Trumps primary petition is invalid. In December, Bellows ruled to remove Trump from the primary ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Maine became the second state after Colorado to do so. Trump appealed that decision, and had remained on the ballot because the Supreme Court hadn't yet ruled on the Colorado case. It certainly got Trump people feeling, 'Well, heres another way the system is stacked against us,' said Jim Melcher, a professor of political science at the University of Maine at Farmington. That, if anything, lit a fire under those people. Maine voters head to the polls today, where Trump has been and continues to be on the ballot. Margie Cullen 3 questions Super Tuesday will answer: Will Haley drop out? Will Trump turn to moderates? Maine absentee ballot numbers suggest low turnout According to Maine's Secretary of State office, 35,658 requests for absentee ballots had been made and 25,879 ballots had been returned as of Friday afternoon. Thursday, Feb. 29 was the last day of no-excuse absentee voting. Voters have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to return their ballot. The number is lower than the 2020 primaries, when about 49,000 voters requested absentee ballots. That election, there was still a crowded field of Democratic candidates fighting for who would face off against then-President Trump in November. It seems to me indicative of a complete, depressing state of malaise for the Maine electorate and everybody else, Lance Dutson, a Republican political strategist who has worked on the campaign of Sen. Susan Collins, told the Bangor Daily News. The numbers suggest a low turnout to a primary that is expected to have few surprises. It also doesnt bode well for Haley, who stands to gain the most from unenrolled voters who can choose to vote in either primary. As of Thursday afternoon, fewer than 5,000 unenrolled voters had requested absentee ballots. Margie Cullen Maine ranked-choice voting in Maines presidential primary Former president Donald Trump is expected to win the Republican primary by wide margins in Maine, although former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley may see support from unenrolled voters in Maine who can choose which primary ballot to take. President Joe Biden also appears headed to an easy victory in a state where just three percent support his only opponent Congressman Dean Phillips, D-Minn, and where a protest vote is unlikely. However, just 32 percent of likely Democratic voters in Maine say they are enthusiastic about Bidens likely nomination. This year, Maine will use ranked-choice voting in its presidential primaries for the first time ever. However, Maines GOP says it wont recognize the results of ranked choice voting, and will instead award delegates to the top vote getter. This is allowed under Maine law, where the parties can choose who to award delegates to in presidential primary. In any case, it likely wont be an issue as ranked-choice voting tabulation will only be done if no candidate gets over 50% of the vote, which both Trump and Biden are expected to do. Margie Cullen This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine primary live updates: Donald Trump and Joe Biden win [Source] Malaysia is considering resuming the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, the passenger plane that vanished nearly a decade ago. Mysterious tragedy: On March 8, 2014, Flight MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board, leaving its final location a lingering mystery ever since. Renewed hope: On Sunday, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke revealed that Texas-based marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity, which failed its two previous attempts at finding the plane, has proposed a "no find, no fee" arrangement to once again search the suspected crash site in the southern Indian Ocean, reported CNN. Push for a new contract: Loke, who attended an event remembering the tragedy, shared that the exploration firm submitted a "credible" new search plan to locate the missing plane. He said he now intends to do everything possible to obtain Cabinet approval for the contract renewal. While he declined to disclose the specific fee Ocean Infinity requested in the proposal, he assured that cost wouldn't be a barrier and expressed optimism regarding the search moving forward. Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure Renewed commitment: Ocean Infinity said it now has evidence of the plane's location at the bottom of the ocean, claiming that it has improved its search capabilities since its last unsuccessful attempt in 2018. Malaysia's government offered up to $70 million to the firm if it located the plane at the time. "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," CEO Oliver Plunkett told ABC News. "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." Families remain hopeful: The families of the MH370 victims, who have endured a decade of uncertainty and grief, welcomed the prospect of a renewed search. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children Jacquita Gomes, whose husband was among the flight's crew, is among those who expressed profound gratitude, according to the Associated Press. We have been on a roller coaster for the last 10 years," she was quoted as saying. "If it is not found, I hope that it will continue with another search. Trending on NextShark: Austin authorities say investigation into Angela Chaos unfortunate accident is unchanged Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! A driver is accused of being under the influence when he fled from state troopers at more than 100 miles per hour, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The driver, a 39-year-old man from St. Petersburg, was in a white Chevrolet Camaro when a trooper clocked him speeding, according to a March 3 arrest affidavit from the FHP. The trooper turned on their lights and sirens and started to chase the driver, then he picked up speed, the said. The driver weaved in and out of traffic and hit a top speed of 140 mph on Interstate 275, troopers said. The driver went off the highway and was stopped by troopers, according to highway patrol. He took off on foot but was taken into custody shortly after, the FHP said. The driver had a suspended or revoked license, and when troopers searched his name, they found he had been convicted of driving on a suspended or revoked license nine times previously, highway patrol said. He also had two previous charges of fleeing to elude charges, according to troopers. Troopers said they smelled alcohol on his breath and his eyes were bloodshot and watery, according to the affidavit, and he was unable to complete a field sobriety test. The driver was charged with fleeing to elude, driving while license suspended or revoked, misdemeanor driving under the influence and resisting arrest without violence, the FHP said. Driver fleeing troopers at 130 mph slams into parked tractor trailer, Florida cops say Driver fleeing 2 different crash scenes kills woman in third wreck, Florida cops say BMW driver instigates 100-mph chase believing it would be fun, Florida sheriff says 3 people die when stolen patrol car crashes in 100-mph chase, Florida sheriff says Meridian tiny home resident Chasidy Decker and her former landlord will confront the city of Meridian in a trial that challenges a city law that prohibits tiny homes in city limits. In February, the citys lawyers argued before state District Judge Jason Scott in Boise that Deckers case should not go to trial and that he should simply rule in favor of the city. Deckers lawyers with the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm in Washington, D.C., that says its goal is to end abuses of government power and secure peoples constitutional rights argued for a similar ruling but in Deckers favor. On Friday, March 1, Scott issued a decision denying both parties requests. Scott said the case will proceed to trial, and both sides will argue their cases before a jury. The trial is scheduled to begin April 1. In June 2022, Decker, a native Treasure Valley resident, had moved back to Idaho from Nevada, where she planned to live in her recently purchased tiny home on wheels. She rented space in Robert Calacals side yard, on Leisure Lane in northeast Meridian near Cherry Lane and Linder Road, where she parked her home and was living in it. Just days after moving in, Decker was told by a Meridian code-enforcement officer that living in homes on wheels within city limits is against city law. The Idaho Statesman wrote a story about Deckers impending eviction, and the Institute for Justice began helping Decker build her case against the city. Deckers lawyers argue that the city ordinance is unconstitutional, and that government has no legitimate interest in banning tiny homes. Her case also says the city, through Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Negrete, retaliated against her by evicting her from her home the day after the Statesman published a story about it. In his ruling, Scott said the two sides dispute whether the citys law serves any health and safety purposes. Deckers lawyers argue that the law exists simply to serve aesthetic purposes. The city disagrees. The court needs to better understand the nature of the citys health and safety rationale in this context, Scott wrote. Because this is, at bottom, a reasonableness determination, and because the parties hotly dispute whether these ordinances truly advance any health and safety objectives, Counts 2 and 3 must be resolved in a trial setting. Idaho is going to force me out: What just happened in court for Meridian tiny-home owner Tiny-home owner who says Meridian forced her into homelessness gets her day in court ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham will be at West Mesa High School on Monday afternoon. Grisham is set to sign four public safety bills into law. The second my signature is on those pieces of paper, the four bills that we talked about are law in the state of New Mexico, said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-New Mexico). In front of a crowd at West Mesa High School, which has seen its share of gun problems in recent years, the governor and lawmakers touted the four gun and crime reform bills that made it across the finish line. New Mexico license plate earns top spot in national rankings House Bill 129 Creates a seven-day waiting period for gun purchases. Senate Bill 5 Makes it a misdemeanor to bring a firearm within 100 feet of a polling place while voting is in progress. Exemptions for law enforcement officers carrying out their duties, lawful businesses, individuals in their cars and Individuals with a concealed firearm if they have a valid concealed carry license. Senate Bill 96 Increases the penalty for attempted murder from three to years to nine years. Increases the penalty for second-degree murder from 15 years to 18 years. Senate Bill 271 Creates automatic no-bold hold if a repeat felony offender violates their conditions of release by committing another felony. These four bills are an incredible effort to do more. We have to be vigilant and continue this work until Albuquerque and New Mexico are the safest places in America to raise your families, to go to school, to own a business, Lujan Grisham said. The governor said shes still leaning toward having a special session on public safety, but no word yet on when that could be. A total of 72 bills passed this session. After Monday, the governor has signed nearly 50 of them. She has until Wednesday to sign the rest, or they get pocket-vetoed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a Super Tuesday watch party at his private club, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday night, March 5, 2024. (Scott McIntyre /The New York Times) Voters in 15 states, including two titans, California and Texas, will head to the polls Tuesday for a Super Tuesday that is likely to set a White House rematch in November between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. The contests will also determine the contours of races for the House and Senate that will shape the legislative branch next year. Here is what else to watch as the results roll in. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Will Nikki Haley end her campaign or keep going? Haley, former governor of South Carolina and Trumps first ambassador to the United Nations, won her first Republican primary Sunday, in the District of Columbia, and could pick up a few more Tuesday. The moderate Republican senators of Maine, Susan Collins, and Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, endorsed her in recent days, just in time for their states Super Tuesday contests. Minnesotas open primary Tuesday will allow Democrats to vote for Haley if they choose. And polling in Virginia showed her inching closer to Trump. But the biggest troves of delegates California has 169 and Texas 161 are almost certain to go to Trump, and Super Tuesday has loomed large for Haleys donors, who need to see she has a chance. More than one-third of all delegates will be allotted Tuesday, not enough to make Trump the presumptive nominee but enough to make him the prohibitive favorite. Haley will then face choices with huge ramifications: Does she drop out and endorse Trump, drop out and hold off on any endorsement, stay in the race until her money is gone, or consider a third-party run? (She has said she will not do this, but the centrist group No Labels continues to hold out hope she would join its ticket.) How will Trump handle victory? The nation has watched two responses to victory by the former president and front-runner for a third Republican nomination. After he won the New Hampshire primary in January, Trump mocked Haleys dress and castigated her for trying to make the most of her 43%, second-place finish. After his victory in Haleys home state of South Carolina last month, he didnt mention her. Trump has made no secret of his desire to begin the general election campaign against Biden, and of his frustration with Haleys stubborn insurgency, which has included harsh words for her former bosss intemperance, age, fealty to the Constitution, and loyalty to veterans and active-duty service members. Expectations are for a big night for Trump. If he lashes out at a vanquished fellow Republican, he risks pushing some of her voters further away from him and potentially toward Biden. Will the pro-Palestinian protests dog Biden? If anything, Biden faces even larger problems reuniting the coalition of voters who delivered his victory in 2020, but unlike the GOP, Democratic disharmony Tuesday night will not manifest itself in votes for an alternative candidate. It may show in votes for uncommitted. Even as Biden won overwhelmingly in Michigan last week, 13.2% of Democratic primary voters cast their ballots for uncommitted, most of them protesting Bidens tilt toward Israel in its brutal conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. That total showed the fragility of the Democratic coalition especially with young progressives and Arab Americans as Biden begins a difficult drive toward reelection. The next test for Biden comes Tuesday in Minnesota. The state has far fewer Arab American voters than Michigan, but Minneapolis has a powerful progressive base. Leaders of the protest effort are hoping for 10,000 uncommitted votes, a fraction of the 101,436 who cast such votes cast last Tuesday. And Bidens 7-percentage-point victory in the state in 2020 was more comfortable than his 3-point win in Michigan. But trailing in the polls, Biden needs to bring his party together, and pro-Palestinian voices understand they have leverage to try to sway U.S. policy in the war. His headaches will continue in Washington state on March 12, where progressives are mounting the next uncommitted campaign. Californias consequential down-ballot primaries. The largest state in the nation will hold the most consequential down-ballot primaries Tuesday, thanks to its unusual primary system, in which the top two finishers face off on Election Day, regardless of party. The marquee race is for the Senate seat held until last year by Dianne Feinstein, who died at 90 in September. The contest attracted three Democratic heavy hitters, all from Californias House delegation: Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee. For much of the campaign, it looked like the top two finalists would be Democrats: Schiff and Porter. Then came the rise of a celebrity Republican, former Los Angeles Dodgers great Steve Garvey. He didnt do much campaigning, but Schiff, figuring that in a Democratic state such as California, a Republican would be easier to beat in November, spent $10 million on ads that ostensibly attacked Garvey as too conservative for California but intentionally elevated his candidacy. On Tuesday, Schiff will see whether his strategy will work or whether Porter can eke out second place. That primary system is also coming into play in a House seat in the Central Valley that Democrats dearly want to take from the Republican incumbent, David Valadao. The newly drawn district would have favored Biden by 13 percentage points in 2020, but before they get a chance to try to win it, Democrats have to contend with one another. The partys chosen candidate, a former assembly member named Rudy Salas, is facing a spirited Democratic opponent in Melissa Hurtado, whose state Senate seat mirrors the U.S. House district. Both want to be the Central Valleys first Mexican American representative, but if Democratic turnout is low and divided, Valadao could end up facing his Republican challenger, Chris Mathys, in November. Democrats will have blown one of their few shots to contest a Republican-held seat that favors Biden. Redistricting cuts both ways. House primaries in North Carolina and Alabama will show how the redrawing of district lines will help and hurt both parties as they fight for control of a House that Republicans control by three seats. In North Carolina, the Republican supermajority in the state legislature gerrymandered the map so thoroughly that a state with a Democratic governor and near 50-50 partisan split is likely to see its seven-to-seven House delegation swing to 10 Republicans, out of 14 total seats. Three incumbent Democrats, Jeff Jackson, Wiley Nickel and Kathy Manning, decided not even to stand for reelection. In Alabama, a Supreme Court ruling that the states Republican-drawn maps unconstitutionally deprived Black voters of representation forced new lines that will pit two sitting House Republicans Jerry Carl and Barry Moore against each other. In the meantime, at least 11 candidates will fight for the newly drawn district, which is nearly 49% Black and would have been won in 2020 by Biden by more than 12 points. In Texas, an impeached attorney general seeks revenge. When Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general of Texas, was impeached by a state House firmly in control of his own party, it looked like the ultimate nonpartisan rebuke. The Texas House ultimately approved 20 articles of impeachment, by a lopsided vote of 121-23, related to accusations from a former top deputy that he had abused his office for the benefit of himself and an Austin real estate investor and campaign donor who was said to have assisted Paxton with home renovations as well as with helping Paxton conduct an extramarital affair. (Paxton declared the allegations false.) Then last September, after a nine-day trial, the Texas Senate acquitted him. On Tuesday, Paxton is seeking vengeance on the Republicans who accused him. Republicans aligned with Paxton or the states conservative governor, Greg Abbott, are challenging other Republicans in more than two dozen races. For good measure, Paxton is trying to remake the states highest criminal court by unseating three Republican judges who serve on the Court of Criminal Appeals. If the challengers succeed, the nations largest, richest conservative state is likely to shift even further right. Voters in North Carolina will set up a fierce governors race. North Carolina has a peculiar habit of choosing Republican presidential candidates, Republican legislatures and Democratic governors. In 2024, with the current Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, term-limited and unable to seek reelection, Republicans hope to break that streak, though primary voters are likely to nominate a candidate who could prolong it. Mark Robinson, the states conservative lieutenant governor with a history of offensive and polarizing comments, including disparaging members of the LGBTQ+ community, appears poised to win the nomination for the top post, setting up a contest with the Democrats likely choice: a mild-mannered, popular state attorney general, Josh Stein. The race will be closely watched. North Carolina narrowly went to Trump in 2020, as Cooper was winning reelection. Robinson could get a boost from the presidential campaign or Biden could get a boost from the governors race. c.2024 The New York Times Company This is the first of several stories previewing the U.S. Congressional races for Mississippi. Primaries in Mississippi are March 12. Two Democrats are looking to unseat longtime Republican incumbent Trent Kelly in Mississippi's Congressional District 1. Matthew "Bronco" Williams and Dianne Black are vying for their party's nomination in the March 12 Democratic primary. The winner will face Kelly in the Nov. 5 general election. Kelly is unopposed in the Republican primary. Though unseating Kelly is a longshot for the Democrats, both say they bring something to the table that the Republican congressman doesn't: a fresh perspective. Here is a closer look at the candidates. Matthew 'Bronco' Williams Matthew "Bronco" Williams Educator Matthew Bronco Williams is looking to shake up the status quo. The 26-year-old Hernando native said hes tired of regular people getting left behind while those in charge never fix the actual problems the nation is facing. He wants a government that serves people of any economic status. Im passionate about helping others, thats part of who I am, Williams said. The system that we have right now where everyone is representing the elites, the wealthy its just not a system that works for everybody, and thats why Im looking to shake things up a bit. As a teacher, Williams views a broken education system as the root cause of many problems the country faces. Getting teachers better access to resources they need, increasing salaries and a return to not strictly following curricula that only prepare students for standardized testing, instead of the real world, are a few ways he wants to go about that. Im going to work every single day with people that are underpaid, underfunded, hardworking people who are passionate about what they do, he said. By fixing different issues that are going on with our education system in the long run I think we can fix a lot of these social issues that we have. But beyond his role as an educator, Williams said he wants to better address the wants and needs of the average person. The representation that we have in general, the people who have been elected to the office before just arent serving everyones needs the way that the ideal system should be. Other major issues Williams is passionate about and wants to see addressed include democratic backsliding, climate change and post-COVID economic recovery. Williams sees his fresh perspective in politics as an advantage. What we have going on is these massive political organizations, PACs, Super PACs and such, that put up millions of dollars into the campaigns of these incumbents just to keep the status quo going, he said. Somebody thats a regular person looking to serve the other regular people I feel like that could be seen as an advantage over Mr. Kelly. MISSISSIPPI ELECTIONS: Your guide a Mississippi elections and voting Dianne Black Diane Black For small-business owner and Olive Branch resident Dianne Black, interest in politics means an interest in a brighter future. Black has owned and operated her Olive Branch business, The Hair Fashions, for more than 40 years, but a stint working for former President Barack Obamas campaign encouraged her to take on a second job and increase her involvement in politics. Black, 68, said the most critical issue facing both District 1 and the country at large is womens rights and that shell fight harder for those rights than her Republican opponent. Black said there are a number of issues she would want to tackle if elected, including affordable healthcare, climate change and gun laws to name a few. A full list can be found on her website. A statement on her website reads: I will support legislation that will help Mississippians including extending the child tax credit, raising the minimum wage, passing criminal justice reform, protecting our democracy and voting rights, requiring early voting for all federal elections, passing the Crown Act, and so much more. Black isnt a newcomer to politics. In 2022 she ran for the same position, ultimately losing to Kelly, who netted 73% of the vote to her 27%. But that didn't discourage her from running again. It might be a difficult race to win, but its not a race that cant be won, she said. As long as youre on the ballot, you have a chance to win. Trent Kelly U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., speaks to the audience at the start of a Keep America Great Rally in Tupelo, Miss., on Nov. 1, 2019. Following the Democratic primary, the winner will face an uphill battle to unseat the incumbent Republican, U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly. Kelly, who has served six terms as Mississippi's District 1 representative since a special election in June 2015, has never gotten less than 66.9% of the vote. During the 2022 election, he came away with 73%. Prior to his election, Kelly worked as a city prosecutor in Tupelo for more than 12 years before being elected district attorney in 2011. Kelly has also served in Mississippis Army National Guard since 1985 and holds the rank of Major General. Kelly sits on house committees on Agriculture, Intelligence and Armed Services. A Republican, Kelly typically votes along party lines. Kelly's campaign did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Could an upset happen in Mississippi's Congressional District 1? Facing and beating a representative who typically runs away with elections is no small feat. John Bruce, associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Mississippi, characterized a win from the opposition in typically one-sided elections as "extremely uncommon." "It's a function of the way states are drawing districts, where you see the partisan nature gerrymandering," Bruce said. "Across the entire U.S. House, the number of competitive seats is getting smaller and smaller, until you have districts where the only question is which Republican or which Democrat will win, and not really any question about who will win the general election." While voter engagement is usually lower in one-sided districts like District 1, Bruce said giving incumbents a run for their money is good for making change and preventing policy stagnation. "There's a lot of data out there that shows that competitive parties and elections make better policy. When the parties have to be responsive and worry about their votes, they pay attention to what the public wants." But voter engagement is only part of the puzzle. Bruce said as a "firm believer in the institution of democracy," continuing to challenge longtime incumbents whether they be Republican or Democrat is not only commendable, but necessary for democracy to function as intended. "If you don't run against super safe incumbents, then they never get tested," he said. " ... When incumbents have to go and explain what they've done, justify their choices, defend themselves, I think we all benefit from that." Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mississippi elections: 2 Democrats want to unseat US Rep. Trent Kelly The Missouri Supreme Court announced Tuesday that they denied the request to review a former Kansas City police detectives conviction in the shooting death of a Black man. Eric J. DeValkenaere had requested his case be transferred to the Missouri Supreme Court for review after the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, upheld his conviction in the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb. DeValkenaere was seeking to have the Supreme Court overturn his conviction. The Supreme Court also denied Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys request to transfer the case for review. It is not unexpected that the Missouri Supreme Court has rendered a decision to deny transfer of the DeValkenaere decision for the Supreme Courts review, said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker in athe statement on the decision Tuesday. Were grateful for the full judicial process thats been given this case. DeValkenaere, 45, who is white, had been found guilty at trial in Jackson County in 2021 on charges of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. He was sentenced to six years in prison. DeValkenaere, in a rare decision by a Jackson County judge, had been allowed to remain free on bond for nearly two years while he appealed his conviction. After a three-judge panel at the Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the conviction in October, DeValkenaere was ordered into custody immediately. DeValkenaere is the first Kansas City police officer ever convicted of killing a Black man. As a result of Tuesdays decision, DeValkenaere will remain in prison. Missouri Department of Corrections officials have said DeValkenaere has been transferred to another prison out of Missouri. Lambs mother, Laurie Bey, said the courts decision was a total surprise and she had tears of joy. She Its been a long ride, it really has been, but I am so grateful that it has been recognized that my sons life mattered, Bey said. She said that the decision speaks volume. It lets DeValkenaeres family know, and it is just confirmation to us Cameron Lambs family, that my son should still be here today, she said. It should serve as confirmation to supporters of DeValkenaere that he took an innocent mans life for no reason at all, she said. The family of DeValkenaere has filed a clemency request with Gov. Mike Parson, who is weighing whether to pardon or commute the sentence. This is great news! said Gwen Grant, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City. This decision affirms the Appellate Court ruling. My concern is that the governor will either pardon DeValkenaere or commute his sentence. To do so would be a travesty of justice. DeValkenaere will have 90 days to file a post-conviction review petition to the trial court or a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, said Mike Mansur, a spokesman for the Jackson County Prosecutors Office. Judge finds DeValkenaere guilty On Dec. 13, 2019, Lamb got into an argument with his girlfriend and it became physical, according to testimony at DeValkenaeres 2021 trial. At one point, Lambs girlfriend left their home and he chased her in his truck. During the chase, he got a call from a roommate and returned home. Meanwhile, DeValkenaere and another plainclothes detective, Troy Schwalm, had been alerted by a police helicopter about the chase. The two arrived at Lambs home and tried to arrest him as he was backing his pickup truck down the sloped driveway to his garage. Nine seconds after arriving, DeValkenaere shot and killed Lamb. DeValkenaere later said he opened fire after Lamb pointed a handgun at his partner. DeValkenaere was indicted by a Jackson County grand jury in June 2020. At trial, prosecutors said DeValkenaere did not have the legal authority to be on the property, and that his conduct during the shooting was reckless and violated the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. Prosecutors also said the crime scene was staged and police planted a gun at the scene. Before he was shot, Lamb had his left hand on the trucks steering wheel and he had limited use of his right hand. DeValkenaere was found guilty at a bench trial by Jackson County Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs. The detectives did not have a search warrant or consent to be on the property, he said. In a rare legal move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey had argued for DeValkenaeres convictions to be thrown out. Bailey, whose office is responsible for arguing on behalf of the state, said while Lambs death was tragic and did not need to happen, DeValkenaere reasonably used deadly force when he shot Lamb. Baker, whose office prosecuted DeValkenaere, called Baileys decision unprecedented and extremely distressing. Her office was granted permission to intervene in the appeal because, with the attorney generals decision, no one would advocate to affirm DeValkenaeres convictions and sentence. We remain sad over the tragic ending of Cameron Lambs life, said Lora McDonald, executive director of MORE2. But, at least his family will have the satisfaction of knowing the courts believe he didnt deserve to die, regardless of the actions of KCPD, the Attorney General, or the Fraternal Order of Police. Bailey never should have been involved in this case, intervening on behalf of someone convicted for taking a life, she said. Cameron Lambs family deserves to rest knowing that the state wont continue to interfere in this case, McDonald said. The courts have spoken again and again. DeValkenaere is guilty. Haiti declared a state of emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew following a chaotic and deadly surge of violence in which armed gangs raided the countrys two largest prisons, leading to the escape of thousands of inmates. At least 12 people have been killed since the mutiny erupted last Thursday as armed gangs carried out coordinated attacks in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, storming government buildings, jails, police stations, the airport, and the national soccer stadium in a bid to capture Haitis police chief and key government officials. The attacks culminated with the explosive prison break on Saturday night. Thousands of inmates recently escaped from the main prison in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Photo: Luckenson Jean/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images) The attack was aimed at preventing Prime Minister Ariel Henry from returning to the country from Kenya, where he had flown late last week after attending a summit with other Caribbean leaders to address the persistent unrest in Haiti, which was undermining trade and economic progress throughout the region. Henry and Kenyan leaders reached an agreement for the African nation to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to help fight gangs. Gang violence has been responsible for thousands of deaths in Haiti since 2020, with the latest outbreak of hostilities causing further damage to Henrys tumultuous helm. Even though he was out of the country, Henry continued efforts to gather support for a United Nations security force to assist in stabilizing the country as he faced growing pressure to resign due to his repeated delays in organizing parliamentary and presidential elections, which have not been held in almost ten years. Violence has gripped the country since Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021, which put Henry in charge. Despite a political deal for Henry to step down in February, elections were not held, leaving Haiti without a president or a stable government. The country has not had elected officials since senate terms expired in January 2023, leading to increased tensions with the countrys gang leaders, who are believed to control up to 80 percent of Port-au-Prince. Gunfire crackled in the nations capital throughout the weekend as government forces struggled to reestablish order after thousands of dangerous criminals were set free. The police were ordered to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all offenders, said finance minister Patrick Boivert, who is serving as acting prime minister while Henry is away. The latest emergency declaration was set to last 72 hours as prison authorities worked to apprehend the nearly 4,000 inmates who escaped, while police launched an all-out manhunt for Jimmy Cherizier a former elite police officer-turned outlaw who claimed responsibility for orchestrating the attacks as well as several previous massacres in Port-au-Prince. Cherizier, whose street name is Barbecue, called for Henrys resignation before ordering his ragtag brigade to attack the National Penitentiary on Saturday night, leaving the overcrowded facility nearly empty as droves of convicts fled on foot. All of us, the armed groups in the provincial towns and the armed groups in the capital, are united, Cherizier said in a statement, according to BBC News. Fewer than 100 inmates remained in their cells and did not join the escape; among them were 18 former Colombian soldiers accused of involvement in Moises assassination, officials said. During the siege, the Colombian inmates shared a video to social media in which they begged to be rescued and claimed that the attackers were massacring people indiscriminately inside the cells, although these accounts have not been confirmed. Four police officers were killed in the siege, while three individuals were found shot to death at the entrance to the prison, but authorities did not immediately identify the victims. A journalist with the AFP news agency who visited the prison after the siege reported seeing nearly a dozen bodies, some with apparent bullet wounds. A second prison in Port-au-Prince prison with about 1,400 inmates was also gutted. In another neighborhood, residents walked past roadblocks made of burning tires, where the bodies of two men, their hands bound behind their backs, lay face down, covered in blood, according to reports. Internet service was down for at least a day across the region as fiber optic cables were intentionally cut or damaged during the siege, while the connection was restored by Sunday afternoon. The violence took place amid a wave of recent attacks on government buildings, including high-level targets like the nations Central Bank, as government forces have found themselves outmanned and outgunned by gangs that had grown more organized in recent years. Deadly Chaos In Haiti: 12 Killed As Gangs Storm Prisons In Port-Au-Prince, Freeing Nearly 4,000 Inmates While swimming off a remote Pacific Ocean archipelago in 2013, a diver spotted a mysterious and brightly colored fish. He quickly snapped several blurry photographs before it darted away, leaving behind a trail of questions in its wake. Now, over a decade later after returning to the island chain researchers have identified the peculiar fish, which they said belongs to a brand new species, according to a study published on Feb. 28 in the journal PeerJ. A male (A) and a female Halichoeres sanchezi (B). Discover more new species Thousands of new species are found each year. Here are three of our most eye-catching stories from the past week. Large 'cryptic' creature found lurking under bridge in Ecuador. It's a new species 'Long'-tailed creature with unique snout found on Angola farm. It's a new species Pregnant creature with 'light orange' bumps on its skin is a new species. See it The Revillagigedo Archipelago, located 500 miles west of Mexico, is known as the Mexican Galapagos. Its protected waters are teeming with unique marine life making it popular with recreational divers but still relatively understudied. In 2022, a team of researchers conducted dozens of dives off the island chain, where they photographed over 100 species, according to a news release from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Researchers were keen on encountering the mystery fish photographed in 2013, but as the expedition entered its final days, they saw no signs of it. However, on the very last day of the survey, one of the researchers captured a small fish that matched up perfectly with the fish in the photograph. Eventually, seven other specimens were collected. After tissue samples were taken and DNA analyses were conducted, it was revealed that the fish belonged to a previously unknown type of wrasse, a family of colorful and diverse fish. It was given the name Halichoeres sanchezi in a nod to Carlos Armando Sanchez Ortiz, who organized the expedition. Small juvenile (A), large juvenile (B) and an adult (C). The specimens, which ranged in size from 1 to about 6 inches, displayed a remarkable degree of sexual dimorphism, researchers said. The females were smaller, exhibiting reddish stripes across their bodies, while the males had orange-red bodies with yellow bellies. Interestingly, the species are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female, with some transitioning to males later in life. Upon switching to males, the fish take on a more remarkable color pattern in order to woo their female counterparts. The speciess discovery brings the total number of the archipelagos native fish species to 14, which highlights the need for the Mexican government to continue protecting the nearby waters, researchers said. Its amazing that we can still find species that are new to science in a place where people are visiting pretty regularly, Ben Frable, one of the study authors, said in the release. It just shows how big and complex the world is. Boaters caught trying to smuggle over 110,000 live eels out of Puerto Rico, feds say Medusa sea creature with up to 11 tentacles discovered by snorkelers off Mexico Trove of ancient ceramics spanning 1,000-year period unearthed from buried city Belize-flagged, Marshall Islands owned, Lebanon operated and Saudi chartered vessel Rubymar before she sank in the Red Sea at the weekend. The vessel's links to the UK were tenuous at best - Planet Labs PBC/via AP The southern Red Sea remains a shooting war zone. Some 190 drones and missiles have been fired by the Houthi rebels of Yemen since 26 October last year. The Houthis have sought to portray this as a targeted campaign aimed at Israel and its allies, but in fact it is the equivalent of simply firing automatic weapons into a street at random passers by without any attempt to pick individual targets. So far the Houthis weapons have been ineffectual enough, and the defence offered by international warships attempting to protect merchant shipping has been effective enough, that shipping passing through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait has mostly suffered only minor damage. But then on Saturday the bulk carrier Rubymar, having been hit by a Houthi ballistic missile on 18 February, finally sank taking her cargo of 21,000 metric tons of ammonium phosphate sulphate fertilizer to the bottom. Other than the obvious environmental considerations, what are the broader implications of this latest twist? Many have claimed that the Rubymars sinking was some sort of blow inflicted against the UK: indeed the usual suspects al Jazeera for instance boldly claimed that the 27-year old, Japanese built, Belize-flagged vessel was UK owned. Others have even described the Rubymar as a British ship. The reality is rather different. Rubymars registered managers are GMZ Ship Management Company, registered in Honduras but operating from Lebanon, and the ultimate owners of the ship are the Captain Wael Chahadah family group of companies. Her chartering broker was the Blue Fleet Group from Lebanon. Other GMZ vessels have been described as high risk and have been involved in name changes mid-voyage and other activities of concern. The Rubymar was internationally crewed (Syrian, Egyptian, Filipino and Indian). Her only UK link is a shipping database entry that records a Southampton address for the ships formal owner Golden Adventure Shipping SA. However Golden Adventure is not a UK company it is in fact registered in the Marshall Islands, which despite being named after a British explorer have never had anything to do with Britain and the Southampton address is a residential block of flats, not an office. Golden Adventure, again, appears to be under the control of Captain Wael Chahadah of Lebanon. The Rubymars cargo was going from the UAE to Bulgaria under charter to a Saudi company. The idea that this is some kind of strike against Britain or a British ship is, bluntly, absurd. The Houthis might as well pick ships to target at random: and that is pretty much what theyre doing. On the weapons strike itself, one of the key differences was that on this one, the warhead detonated. In the previous biggest hit - on naphtha carrier Marlin Luanda - the damage was caused by just kinetic energy and unspent fuel. Had it detonated, and were it not for the excellent actions of the crew and Indian Navy, it would have been a lot worse. We knew that the defences offered by Operation Prosperity Guardian (US led) and Asipides (EU led) were porous it is impossible for a defensive-only shield not to be and it was therefore only a matter of time before there was a sinking. The Marshall Islands and Lebanon owned bulk cargo ship Rubymar, sunk in the Red Sea by a Houthi missile. The Rubymar's connections with the UK were tenuous at best - US Central Command/via Reuters The delay between the strike and the actual sinking is easy to explain. It is not uncommon for a ship to take on water and be abandoned by its crew in the initial stages during the initial panic. Then as compartments fill completely, the ingress slows and the ship finds her own stability again. I commanded a ship in the Magellan Strait that did exactly this though we didnt abandon ship, and in the end we saved that one. I was also captain of a frigate whose helicopter winched off a crew in the Indian Ocean from the MV Pavit which they reported as sinking only for the supposedly doomed ship to wash up on a beach off the coast of Mumbai some two months later. Getting off too soon is not uncommon. The Rubymars anchor eventually held after she was abandoned, keeping the ship more or less stable. Then the weather got worse and the ship started to move around. More water then came in through the missile holes and the rest was inevitable. Its not entirely clear why she wasnt salvaged during this period but reports of local ports (and tug firms) refusing to take her, not unreasonably given her condition and cargo, seem credible. The Houthis saying they would not allow it cant have helped. Elsewhere, more warships are joining the respective operations which is good news. Operation Prosperity Guardian (US) and Aspides (EU) continue to operate separately and we already have a predictable but unfortunate example of what happens if groups of warships operate side by side off different air pictures. German frigate Hessen engaged a US MQ-9 Reaper drone that wasnt squawking correctly on its transponder. Reports suggest the Germans called the US to check the drone wasnt theirs. I dont know what circuit this call was made on, but in a 30-seconds-to-impact ballistic missile environment, having to call anyone about something already airborne is an air warfare fail. Until all the ships there are operating from the same air picture, this risk, or worse, remains. Fortunately (in this case) the two Standard missiles the Germans fired both missed. Given how reliable that weapon is, it does raise questions about the missile control systems of the Hessen but that is for another time. The Germans then redeemed themselves by engaging two drones with close-in systems. Shortly after, Italian destroyer Caio Duilio joined in the gunfight by downing a drone with 76mm cannon. That they needed just six rounds to engage a target at three nautical miles means that system is working very well. The latest 76mm guns as seen on the Duilio are very different from those of old, much more rapid firing and capable of firing guided smart shells. Weve now seen several cases of warships choosing to engage the Houthis simple, slow flying petrol engined drones with guns firing affordable shells rather than million-dollar interceptors intended to deal with jet or rocket powered targets. The clever people in the directed energy labs do still need to hurry up and get their rayguns into service. Another point worth noting is that some of the warships have now been on station since October and November of last year. If this does endure, rotations and replacements will need to be in place. The Royal Navys HMS Diamond has done just this, taking three weeks to replenish, rearm and conduct maintenance in Gibraltar and is now heading back to join the fight. HMS Richmond (in front) passes HMS Diamond en route to take over duties in the Red Sea. Diamond has been replenishing and rearming at Gibraltar - Royal Navy What all this means to the reassurance and therefore return of international shipping to the Red Sea remains as hard as ever to call. Car carriers, container ships (especially those who carry over 13,500 twenty-foot containers), crude tankers and Liquid Natural Gas ships are yet to be reassured to the point where it makes economic sense to run the gauntlet and are still going around southern Africa. There is a bit of a game of who will blink first here. If say CMA CGM fully resumes Red Sea operations under the umbrella of French warship protection, or say Chinese-owned Cosco or OOCL do, they will gain a competitive advantage and others may then have to follow suit. If it goes the other way, and cheaper-to-insure bulk carriers (such as the Rubymar) decide to go south about now, then a food shortage will be next. One thing is for sure, the combined effect of the defensive Prosperity Guardian, its offensive counterpart Poseidon Archer and EU defensive operation Aspides isnt producing results yet. Will it ever or are we now locked in a resource-draining fight that satisfies so many of our adversaries end states whilst keeping both warships and merchant ships in harms way? Something ashore will change eventually but in the meantime, we can tick off ship loss, environmental disaster and blue on blue on our list of inevitable undesirabilities. Thankfully, loss of life and warship hit have been avoided so far, but as this goes on, so the chances steadily creep up. In the meantime, freedom of navigation in a key global chokepoint is being challenged by a terrorist militia and so far, fixing the situation has eluded the forces of the US, UK, EU and Nato. Tom Sharpe is a former Royal Navy officer who commanded four different warships Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Kate, the Princess of Wales, has rarely been seen in public as she continues to recover from the abdominal surgery she underwent in January. Kate, 42, was photographed on March 4 in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mom Carole Middleton, near Windsor Castle. The photograph, which was not released or authorized by Kensington Palace, was the first time the public had seen the princess since December. Kate's absence from the public eye, combined with a newly-released photo of her with her children that was retracted due to editing, as well as her husband Prince William's absence from a royal engagement due to a "personal matter," have led to rampant speculation online about Kate's well-being. PHOTO: Catherine, Princess of Wales attends The 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Here is the latest on Kate's health and what is publicly known. Kate's 1st official photo since being hospitalized led to an apology William and Kate shared a photo on their official X account Sunday featuring Kate and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, to mark Mother's Day in the United Kingdom. Credit for the photo -- the first photo of Kate released by the palace since her hospitalization -- was issued to William. Just hours after it was released, the photo was retracted by several global news agencies over concerns it was "manipulated." One of the agencies, The Associated Press, told ABC News in a statement it retracted the photo "because at closer inspection, it appears that the source had manipulated the image in a way that did not meet AP's photo standards. The photo shows an inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand." PHOTO: A combination of pictures made on March 11, 2024 shows a handout photo released by Kensington Palace on March 10, 2024 of Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales with her children, alongside a version highlighting several inconsistencies. (Prince Of Wales/KENSINGTON PALACE/AFP via Getty Images) On Monday, Kate issued a rare public apology, admitting to editing the photo and writing that she was sorry for any "confusion" the photo caused. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," Kate said in a statement shared on X. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day." Kate, whose full name is Catherine, signed the message as "C," indicating she wrote it herself. Hany Farid, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told ABC News his analysis of the photo shows only "relatively minor photo manipulation." If you look at the sleeve of the girl on the right, you see what looks like traces of manipulation," Farid said, referring to the sleeve of Charlotte's sweater. "I think most likely it is either some bad photoshop to, for example, remove a stain on the sweater, or is the result of on-camera photo compositing that combines multiple photos together to get a photo where everyone is smiling. For the latter, if the subjects move between successive images, it can cause this type of ghosting." Farid continued, "Either way, I think it is unlikely that this is anything more than a relatively minor photo manipulation. In addition there is no evidence that this image is entirely AI-generated. Kensington Palace last issued an update on Kate's health in February On Feb. 29, a palace spokesperson told ABC News that Kate is "doing well" as she continues to recover. The spokesperson brushed off recent social media speculation about Kate's health, telling ABC News in a statement, "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands." Kate's last official public appearance was on Christmas Day Kate's most recent official public appearance was on Christmas Day, when she attended church with members of the royal family. Kate was seen smiling and greeting fans as she walked to the royal family's traditional Christmas morning service at Sandringham alongside William and their three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte. PHOTO: The British Royal family attend the Christmas morning service. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images) The Waleses were joined by other members of the royal family as well, including King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla. Kate underwent abdominal surgery in January Less than one month after Christmas, on Jan. 17, Kensington Palace announced that Kate had been admitted the previous day to The London Clinic for "planned abdominal surgery." The palace did not provide further details on the type of surgery Kate underwent, but confirmed to ABC News at the time that the princess's medical issue was non-cancerous. MORE: Meet Kate Middleton's family as she gets support from mom amid surgery recovery "The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate," the palace said in a statement issued on Jan. 17. "She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private." "The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements," the statement continued. "She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible." William, the heir to the throne, postponed his public engagements while Kate was hospitalized. He was spotted privately entering and exiting The London Clinic to visit Kate during her stay. The couple's three children are not believed to have visited Kate in the hospital. Kate has been recovering at home The palace announced on Jan. 29, nearly two weeks after Kate underwent surgery, that the princess had been discharged from the hospital. From there, Kate continued her recovery at the family's home in Windsor, about 30 miles outside of London. "The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress," a palace spokesperson said in a statement at the time. "The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided." The spokesperson added, "The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world." Since being home from the hospital, Kate has also spent time with her family at Anmer Hall, their home in Norfolk. William has issued one public statement on Kate's health After taking time off while Kate was hospitalized, William returned to his public duties on Feb. 7, stepping in for his father to lead an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Later that day, William joined actor Tom Cruise at a central London hotel for a charity fundraising gala for London's Air Ambulance. At the gala, William made his first and so far only public remarks about Kate. "I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially, in recent days," William said. "It means a great deal to us all." Following up with a joke, William continued, "It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather 'medical' focus. So I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all." William has since attended the BAFTAS on his own, an event at which Kate is traditionally by his side. On Feb. 27, William sparked speculation after he missed a service of Thanksgiving for his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, at St. George's Chapel, citing a "personal matter." PHOTO: Rabbi Daniel Epstein shows Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales a 17th century Torah scroll as he visits the Western Marble Arch Synagogue on February 29, 2024 in London, England. (Toby Melville/Wpa Pool/Getty Images) William quickly returned to his public duties however, visiting the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London later in the week. Kate has been out of the public eye while recovering, in contrast to Charles William's father Charles was briefly hospitalized at The London Clinic at the same time as Kate in January. Charles stayed multiple nights at The London Clinic for a planned procedure to treat an enlarged prostate. MORE: Princess Kate 'doing well' amid hospitalization following abdominal surgery: Palace source Shortly after he was discharged from the hospital, Buckingham Palace announced the 75-year-old king had been diagnosed with cancer. The palace has not specified Charles's type of cancer, the stage of cancer or the type of treatment he is receiving. PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla host diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images) In contrast to Kate's absence, however, Charles has been seen publicly since his diagnosis, including attending church with Camilla in Sandringham and traveling back and forth to London for treatment. Last week, the palace released photographs of Charles reading some of the cards and letters frpm well-wishes the palace says the king has received. Kate's first public appearance could be on or around Easter Sunday At the time of her surgery, the palace said Kate was not likely to resume her public duties until later this spring. In past years, William and Kate and their children have been photographed walking to church on Easter Sunday alongside other members of the royal family. The royal family will gather together again publicly in June for the annual Trooping the Colour celebration of King Charles III's birthday. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that Kate would attend this year's celebration, but later removed her name and picture from the Army's advertisement of the Colonel's Review of Trooping the Colour. Kate's attendance has not been confirmed by Kensington Palace. The latest on Kate Middleton amid health battle, photo controversy originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Many Americans are aware of Election Day on Nov. 5, but voting for the next President of the United States actually starts this month in Ohio. The presidential primary election will be held March 19 in the Buckeye State. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Primary elections are used to select candidates that will appear on the general election ballot for a political party. In Ohio, voters do not need to register with a particular party to vote. Any registered voter can vote in the primary election. Along with knowing key election dates, Ohio voters will want to familiarize themselves with polling place rules, too. Here's what to know. Polls will be open in Ohio from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 19. Who can enter a polling location? According to the Ohio Secretary of State's election official manual, only certain people are allowed inside a polling place, including: Election officials Observers Police officers People reviewing the 11 a.m. or 4 p.m. list of registered electors Members of the media Voters Children accompanying voters Any person assisting another person who is voting No one else is allowed to loiter in a polling location. What other rules are there? Two small United States flags must be placed 100 feet from the entrance to the polling location. The flags can be installed on the walkways leading up to the entrance. The polling location is known as a "neutral zone." If there's a line of voters that extends beyond these flags, this neutral zone is extended to 10 feet from any voter. What can't you do inside the polling location? Influence anyone's vote Prevent a voter from entering or exiting Can you give food or water to Ohio voters waiting in line? According to the Secretary of State's office, you can't bribe voters with food, drinks, discounts or money within the neutral zone of a polling location. "Food, discounts, and other such inducements are 'things of value' for purposes of the election law statutes on bribery," the election official manual states. What's allowed outside Ohio polling locations? A lot more is allowed outside the polling location, including: Exit polling is allowed within 100 feet of the entrance to the polling place. But pollsters can't enter the polling place or interfere with voters. Groups can ask you to sign their petition. People can distribute food. People can campaign or display campaign material. Again, these actions are only allowed outside the polling place, which extends out of the building if voters are in a line. This means it would be illegal to give bottled water to people in line to vote. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio voting: What you can and can't do inside an Ohio polling place Government officials in Malaysia said on Sunday they'd be open to resuming the search for Malaysian Airlines MH370 after a private company approached them about potential new evidence pointing to the location of the Boeing 777. "The Malaysian Government's position is consistent," officials said in a statement. "We will commission a further search operation when new information and credible evidence is ascertained." PHOTO: Family members of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 light candles during a remembrance event marking the 10th anniversary of its disappearance, in Subang Jaya, Malaysia March 3, 2024. (Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters) The flight disappeared after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014. Twelve crew members and 227 passengers were on board when the plane went missing. The Malaysian Transportation Ministry on Sunday said it had been approached by Ocean Infinity, a Texas-based company, about reopening the search. It was not immediately clear what new information Ocean Infinity may have about the missing plane. MORE: MH370: 5 theories of what happened to the missing plane "[T]he Ministry of Transport are ready to invite Ocean Infinity to Malaysia to discuss the proposal of a no-fine, no-fee proposal," the statement said. "We are waiting for Ocean Infinity to provide the suitable dates, and I will meet them any time that they are ready to come to Malaysia." Ocean Infinity would not comment on any specifics about the new information, but its CEO confirmed they'd submitted a proposal to the Malaysian government and said they "hope to get back to the search soon." PHOTO: A woman writes a message on March 3, 2024, during an event held by relatives of the passengers and supporters to mark the 10th year since the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014. (Arif Kartono/AFP via Getty Images) "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," CEO Oliver Plunkett said in a statement to ABC News. "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." He continued, "This search is arguably the most challenging, and indeed pertinent one out there. Weve been working with many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue analysing the data in the hope of narrowing the search area down to one in which success becomes potentially achievable." ABC News' Joe Simonetti and Dragana Jovanovic contributed to this report. Malaysia may reopen MH370 search pending new evidence, government ministry says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com An alleged Red Army Faction fugitive has been arrested by German police after more than 30 years in hiding. Daniela Klette was one of three former Red Army Faction (RAF) members linked to 12 robberies in northern Germany between 1999 and 2016, as well as attempted murder. The background The group, which was also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang, emerged from German student protests in the 1960s against the Vietnam War. Following a Marxist-Leninist ideology, it launched a campaign against US imperialism and capitalism's treatment of workers. Their actions have been interpreted in part as "their generation's angry reaction" to their parents' and grandparents' "apparent complicity in the Nazi era", said The Guardian. German tabloid headlines about "RAF Rentner", which translates to "Red Army Faction pensioners", make the robberies between 1999 and 2016 "sound like a TV sitcom about an elderly grandma on the run", said the BBC. But the now-disbanded group was violent, killing 34 people between 1971 and 1993. Its victims, said The Guardian, "included the Dresdner Bank boss Jurgen Ponto, the Deutsche Bank chair Alfred Herrhausen" and the "senior West German diplomat Gerold von Braunmuhl". Women were always prominent in the RAF. As soon as the group "burst onto the West German scene", women "have been its face", with images of "violent female radicals" filling "tabloids and wanted posters during RAF's heyday", wrote Elizabeth Heineman on Wellesley Centers for Women. The latest Klette had been in hiding in Berlin for 20 years, said Bild, and neighbours said she went by the name of Claudia. Her arrest came after "Aktenzeichen XY", the German equivalent of the BBC's "Crimewatch", recently profiled Klette and two other members of the third generation of the organisation. Police offered a reward of 150,000 (128,000) for any information leading to the whereabouts of the three and the programme led to "250 tipoffs", said The Guardian. Klette, now 65, was tracked down on Monday evening in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg. "Heavily armed" police officers apprehended her in a rental apartment in a "plain, beige" eight-storey building "on a street where the Berlin Wall stood during the Cold War", said The New York Times. She did not resist arrest and police confirmed her identity using fingerprints. She was flown by helicopter to Bremen, in the region where she committed the alleged robberies, and is now in pre-trial detention in Verden. A second person has also been arrested. His identity has not been confirmed but he appears to be in the same age range as Klette's robbery accomplices. He was carrying fake ID. An apartment has been searched, where police found ammunition for a handgun but no weapon. Authorities believe the motive for the robberies was to support their lives underground rather than out of a direct political motive. The reaction Officials have described the arrest as a milestone in the fight against terrorism and say it proves that terrorists can never feel safe no matter how long ago they offended. Friedo de Vries, president of Lower Saxony's state police, said that "despite various setbacks, we always believed that sooner or later we would be successful". But the arrests could prove divisive, as the RAF is "sometimes revered in certain radical-left wing circles" even today, said the BBC. The gang's symbols "occasionally crop up on clothing", prompting "anguished debates" about whether left-wing extremism and violence is "glamorised, rather than taken seriously". Nikki Haley will drop out of the 2024 presidential race after voters across the country made their voices heard on Super Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump defeated Haley, the former South Carolina Governor, in more than a dozen states, taking his most significant step yet towards the 2024 Republican nomination. Haley did defeat Trump in one contest: Vermont's Republican primary. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden fended off his Democratic challengers and built momentum as he seeks a second term in office. The president only faced one strange loss to entrepreneur Jason Palmer in American Samoa. Catch up with the USA TODAY Network's live coverage of Super Tuesday. Sign up for Your Vote: Text USA TODAY reporters and the elections team by joining our SMS service. Nikki Haley will suspend her campaign after a crushing Super Tuesday Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will drop out of the 2024 presidential race in a Wednesday address. Haley will make the announcement in a 10 am speech from Charleston, S.C. where her campaign has been based for the last year. She will not immediately endorse former President Donald Trump, who has been losing a not insignificant number of moderate Republicans and independents to Haley in GOP contests. The Wall Street Journal first reported her plans. Haley was the last remaining challenger to Trump, who is now headed toward clinching the Republican nomination at the convention this summer. -- Francesca Chambers and Karissa Waddick More: Nikki Haley suspending her 2024 presidential campaign after disappointing Super Tuesday Nikki Haley's campaign calls for 'unity' among Republicans Nikki Haley's presidential campaign didn't address the former South Carolina governor's future in the GOP race in a statement released Tuesday night. However, it did issue a warning about "unity" within the Republican Party. "Today, in state after state, there remains a large block of Republican primary voters who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump. That is not the unity our party needs for success. " said Haley national spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas. "Addressing those voters concerns will make the Republican Party and America better." Haley is on track to lose all but one state, Vermont, on Super Tuesday. The string of losses, and Trump's mounting delegate lead, put serious question marks over Haley's path forward in the Republican primary. Karissa Waddick Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey move forward in California Senate race Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Republican former baseball star Steve Garvey are advancing in the pivotal California Senate race. The election to fill the state's U.S. Senate seat vacated by the late Dianne Feinstein has been one of the most closely watched elections in the country. California is one of just a few states in the nation to hold what is commonly called a "jungle" primary, where registered voters, regardless of their political party affiliation, can cast their vote for whichever candidate they prefer. Thats why a Republican and a Democrat are moving forward to Novembers general election in the state. Kinsey Crowley and Kathryn Palmer Is Vermont an open primary? Nikki Haley has defeated Donald Trump in one Super Tuesday state so far: Vermont. Vermont does not have party registration, so registered voters can choose to vote in any party's (Republican, Democrat and Progressive) presidential primary election. However, voters cannot vote in more than one primary in each election cycle. While some votes are still being tallied in the Green Mountain State, Vermont's election guidelines meant that Democratic voters and anti-Trump Republicans could rally around Haley. Megan Stewart and Marina Pitofsky Joe Biden wins California Democratic primary President Joe Biden took another step toward the Democratic nomination with a win out west in Californias Democratic primary. Savannah Kuchar Donald Trump wins Alaskas Republican caucuses With almost 40% of the expected vote reported, Trump had a resounding lead over Haley. She wasnt winning more than one-quarter of the vote in any district, and in the 12 districts that reported at least 99% of their expected vote in that first release, she was doing no better than one-fifth of the vote. Associated Press Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw ends evening victorious, despite rocky start Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, won his GOP House primary Tuesday, defeating challenger and political newcomer Jameson Ellis. Ahead of his official victory, concern flared Tuesday evening that Crenshaw could lose his seat as he initially struggled to pull far enough ahead of Ellis. Crenshaw is seeking a fourth congressional term in 2024. He'll face Peter Filler in the general election, a teacher who won an uncontested Democratic primary. Savannah Kuchar Donald Trump snags win in California Republican primary Donald Trump locked an expected win in California, as one of the last states to close polls on Super Tuesday. Along with the presidential primaries, the states has its own area races to watch. A handful of candidates are competing in Californias jungle primary for one of two spots in the general election this fall, regardless of party. California voters Tuesday also weighed in on a statewide ballot measure to address mental health and the homelessness in the state. Savannah Kuchar Nikki Haley wins Vermont primary Nikki Haley defeated Donald Trump in the Vermont Republican primary on Tuesday, notching her second victory in the GOP presidential nominating contest. Haley also won a race in the District of Columbia election on Sunday. Vermont is a deep-blue state, and it doesnt have party registration. That means a wide range of voters could participate in Tuesdays primary, including Democrats and more moderate voters who oppose Trump. Karissa Waddick Marina Pitofsky Donald Trump wins Utahs Republican caucuses In the nights final call, the AP declared Trump the winner of Utahs presidential caucuses at 3:39 a.m. EST with 65% of the votes counted and Trump holding 58% of them. Associated Press Donald Trump declares victory by attacking Joe Biden and ignoring Nikki Haley Donald Trump celebrated his series of wins on by talking more about Joe Biden than Nikki Haley. "They call it Super Tuesday for a reason - this is a big one," Trump told supporters gathered at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He didn't mention Haley by name, but focused on general election issues like the economy, border security and foreign wars. Trump also praised his campaign team and volunteers, and urged them to get ready for battle with Biden. "Nov. 5 is right around the corner," Trump said. David Jackson What are delegates? A delegate is an individual who will cast their vote for president on behalf of their state's residents. Democrats have 3,934 delegates in this election, meaning the winning candidate must receive at least 1,968 to have a majority. Republicans have a total of 2,429 delegates this year, and the nominee will need to garner 1,215 delegates to be proclaimed the winner. On Super Tuesday, 1,420 Democratic and 865 Republican delegates will be awarded. Maya Homan Where is American Samoa? American Samoa is an American territory located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. In a surprising twist on Tuesday night, Joe Biden lost the territory to entrepreneur Jason Palmer. Marina Pitofsky Joe Biden wins Utah Democratic primary Joe Biden took first place in the Democratic Utah primary on Tuesday night. The president lost the red state by almost 20 points to Donald Trump four years ago in the 2020 presidential election. Savannah Kuchar Jason Palmer defeats Joe Biden in American Samoas caucus Jason Palmer, an entrepreneur and Democratic presidential candidate, has defeated Joe Biden to win American Samoas caucus. Its the presidents first defeat in the 2024 race for the White House, losing to a little-known candidate in the American territory. It's not the first time American Samoa has produced unexpected results. In the 2020 Democratic race, it was the only contest won by billionaire Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor. Associated Press Donald Trump allies celebrate his win in Colorado Donald Trump's allies and supporters are especially happy with tonight's primary win in Colorado after the state's Supreme Court once sought to toss Trump off the ballot. "This one is particularly meaningful," said senior campaign adviser Jason Miller on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The crowd at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate cheered louder than normal when television screens flashed Trump's win in the Rocky Mountain state. Trump's Colorado win came a day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down efforts to disqualify him over the Constitution's insurrection clause. Expect Trump to play up Colorado in his victory speech tonight - though he is probably an underdog in that state in the general election. David Jackson Who is Joe Biden competing against in the Democratic primary? Biden has swept every Democratic primary called thus far, but he's not running completely unopposed. Many Democratic party voters across the country have also had the option to vote for author Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. Voters in approximately half of the Super Tuesday states can vote also uncommitted, an option that doesn't support a specific candidate. Cy Neff Donald Trump and Nikki Haley battle neck and neck in Vermont Republican primary Former President Donald Trump and challenger Nikki Haley are engaged in a see-saw battle in the Republican presidential primary in Vermont that has seen constant lead changes since the polls closed at 7 p.m. With 106 of the 247 towns in Vermont reporting, the Vermont Secretary of State's website showed Trump and Haley within one vote of each other. Trump was in the lead, with 10,992 votes and Haley was trailing with 10,991 votes. University of Vermont political science professor Alex Garlick said before the race that Vermont was Haley's best chance to win a state for the first time in her contest with Trump. "Vermont has a history of favoring moderate Republican candidates, and she got the endorsement of (Vermont) Gov. Scott over the weekend," Garlick said. "I don't think that makes her a favorite, but she has her best shot." Dan D'Ambrosio Read more: Trump and Haley fight in Vermont Republican primary Joe Biden wins Democratic primary in Minnesota, and Donald Trump wins Republican race Joe Biden was victorious in Minnesotas Democratic primary, beating one of his underdog challengers, Rep. Dean Phillips, in Phillips home state. Donald Trump also won another Super Tuesday state, coming in first in Minnesotas Republican primary. The former president entered the day heavily favored to win the state. Savannah Kuchar Donald Trump victorious in Colorado Republican primary Donald Trump locked down another primary win, securing victory in the Colorado Republican primary. Savannah Kuchar People arrive to vote in the Super Tuesday primary election at Ben Hur Shrine Temple in Austin, Texas, Tuesday March 5, 2024. Ted Cruz ropes easy win in Texas Senate primary Ted Cruz easily locked the Republican nomination in Texas Senate primary Tuesday. The Lone Star States junior Senator, Cruz is running for a third term in 2024. He defeated two challengers on Tuesday in order to secure his spot on the November ballot. He is expected to face Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, in the general election. Savannah Kuchar Joe Biden notches win in Colorado Democratic primary Joe Biden claimed victory in Colorado, winning another Democratic primary that puts him that much closer to securing the party nomination. Savannah Kuchar California voters arrive to vote at the Mar Vista Recreation Center on Super Tuesday as part of the California presidential primaries on March 5, 2024. Super Tuesday accounts for 36% of the total delegate allocation for Republicans, and 38% for Democrats. Donald Trump and Joe Biden win big in the Lone Star State Donald Trump beat Nikki Haley in the Texas Republican primary, and he will reap most of the states 161 delegates. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed Trump ahead of voting Tuesday, calling the president the clear choice in this election. Joe Biden also won the Democratic primary in the Lone Star State, though he lost Texas to Donald Trump in the 2020 race for the White House. Savannah Kuchar Donald Trump beats Nikki Haley in Arkansas Republican primary Donald Trump has claimed victory in the Arkansas Republican primary, notching a quick win in the state over Nikki Haley. Marina Pitofsky Donald Trump wins northeast contest, notching first in Massachusetts Donald Trump took home another GOP primary win, coming in first in Massachusetts. The state is home to a sizeable population of moderates, who have nationally shown favor toward the former South Carolina governor. But the former president led Haley by over 30 percentage points going into Tuesday's race in the Bay State. Savannah Kuchar Joe Biden and Donald Trump declare victory in Alabama Donald Trump beat Nikki Haley in Alabamas Republican primary, picking up the states delegates and moving closer to becoming the 2024 GOP nominee. Joe Biden also won the Democratic primary in the Southern state. All eyes have been on Alabama in recent weeks after the state's Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos should be considered children. The decision rocked families across the country and people hoping to have children via the procedure, and it has added a new chapter to the national debate surrounding abortion and other reproductive rights. Marina Pitofsky Joe Biden snags Arkansas Democratic primary Joe Biden won the Arkansas Democratic primary, a widely expected win as he continues to pick up delegates across the country. Marina Pitofsky Kristen Carvalho makes her way into the Buttonwood Warming House polling station in New Bedford to vote in the Super Tuesday Presidential Primary election on March 5, 2024 in New Bedford. Joe Biden wins Maine's Democratic primary Joe Biden clinched victory in Maines Democratic primary. The president won the state four years ago in the 2020 presidential election, beating Donald Trump by nine percentage points. Savannah Kuchar Donald Trump wins Maine, adding to list of Republican primary wins Donald Trump claimed victory in Maine, where he led Nikki Haley by almost 60 points in polls ahead of Super Tuesday. Once a Republican stronghold, Maine has tipped somewhat Democratic in recent years. Still, Trump support ran deep in the states GOP base. Savannah Kuchar Joe Biden victorious in Massachusetts Democratic primary Joe Biden captured an easy win in the New England state. Four years ago, the president carried the state by a wide margin over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Savannah Kuchar Which Super Tuesday states has Donald Trump won so far? Donald Trump has declared victory in four states so far: Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Check out the The USA TODAY Network's results modules for county-by-county Super Tuesday results. Marina Pitofsky Waiting for Republican results in Vermont More than an hour has passed after polls closed in Vermont, but the Republican primary in the state still hasn't been called for Nikki Haley or Donald Trump. Races in other states were called minutes after polls closed, though Vermont election officials haven't cited a reason for the potential delay in the state. Marina Pitofsky Trump, Biden win respective primaries for Oklahoma Donald Trump was victorious in the Oklahoma GOP primary, while Joe Biden won the states Democratic primary. With both wins, the possibility of a 2020 presidential rematch only grows. Savannah Kuchar Trump meets with a potential donor: Elon Musk Rather than campaign across the country, Trump has spent time recently meeting with groups of donors - one of whom included multi-billionaire Elon Musk. The New York Times, which first reported the Sunday meeting, said Trump is seeking a one-on-one meeting with Musk, an outspoken critic of Joe Biden. The Times noted that Musk, worth an estimated $200 billion, could nearly erase what is expected to be Mr. Biden and his allies huge financial advantage over the former president. Trump also faces massive legal bills in the coming months in his four criminal trials. David Jackson Donald Trump and Joe Biden win primaries in Tennessee Donald Trump won the Republican primary in Tennessee, and Joe Biden won the Democratic race quickly Tuesday night. A slew of polls in states across the country closed at 8 p.m. ET, so Trump and Biden are both expected to pick up additional support. Marina Pitofsky Staff work at a Super Tuesday watch party hosted by Donald Trump at Mar-a Lago on March 5, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. North Carolinas battleground governor race officially set Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will face Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein this November, after both candidates each frontrunners for their parties clenched their primaries in North Carolina. A Trump supporter, Robinson has received backlash for controversial comments and hardline stances, including on abortion. He leads North Carolina Republicans efforts to take back the governors mansion from term-limited Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat. Cooper, a popular figure in the purple state, gave his endorsement to Stein ahead of Tuesdays primary. Savannah Kuchar North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks at an election night event in Greensboro, N.C., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Donald Trump locks victory in North Carolina Republican primary Donald Trump beat Nikki Haley in the key southern swing state of North Carolina. The Tar Heel State has attracted national attention in this years election. Not only will North Carolina host potentially the most competitive gubernatorial race of 2024, the state will also likely be key to any candidates White House bid. Savannah Kuchar Vasilena Georgia votes in the 2024 California presidential primaries on Super Tuesday with her dog Rosie the the Mar Vista Recreation Center on March 5, 2024. Super Tuesday accounts for 36% of the total delegate allocation for Republicans, and 38% for Democrats. Trump to speak to supporters around 10 p.m. Trump guests who gathered in the gold-leaf ballroom at Mar-a-Lago cheered loudly when the television networks called Virginia for their candidate just before 7:30 p.m. Theyll have to wait hours longer before hearing from Trump himself. The current guidance is that Trump plans to speak on Super Tuesday at around 10 p.m., after more states have announced their results - unless he changes his mind, of course, and comes out earlier. In the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24, Trump raced to the podium right after the polls closed to claim victory. Tonight, it looks like he will take his time. David Jackson California voters vote during the primary elections on Super Tuesday at Westminster Avenue Elementary School. 'Super Tuesday' presidential primary elections held by Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and the Alaska Republican Party. Super Tuesday accounts for 36% of the total delegate allocation for Republicans, and 38% for Democrats. Joe Biden victorious in North Carolina Democratic primary Joe Biden claimed a win on Tuesday in North Carolina, a diverse swing state garnering national attention in 2024. Along with a contentious gubernatorial race, Democrats are hoping to come away with a win in the presidential election in North Carolina. Former President Barack Obama carried the state in 2008, but North Carolina has gone for Republican presidential candidates ever since. Savannah Kuchar Are Massachusetts Democrats showing out for Haley? More than 15,000 Massachusetts Democrats switched their party affiliation to either unenrolled or Republican ahead of Tuesdays primary, in a potential boon to Nikki Haleys campaign . It seems to be because a lot of these Democratic voters were trying to figure out how to vote for Nikki Haley in the in the Republican primary, said Debra OMalley, communications director for the Massachusetts Secretary of States office. While polls have showed Haley trailing Trump in Massachusetts, her campaign views the state as potentially winnable because of its large independent voting bloc. The surge of Democrats could boost her chances. Polls close in Massachusetts at 8 p.m. Karissa Waddick Donald Trump wins Virginia primary Donald Trump defeated Nikki Haley in the Old Dominion, days after Haley notched her first 2024 victory in neighboring Washington D.C. It's Trump's first victory of the night, and he's expected to sweep states across the country. Marina Pitofsky Who is running against Joe Biden? Biden is not the only Democrat on primary ballots on Super Tuesday but he is the only candidate on the left receive any 2024 delegates. The president has 206 delegates ahead of Tuesday polls closing. Among Bidens Democratic challengers are Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. The multimillionaire launched his presidential bid in October attempting to pull moderate and liberal voters with disapproval for the president. Last month, Phillips announced major layoffs at his campaign staff citing a lack of funds but has persisted in his long-shot battle. Another opponent is author Marianne Williamson, who announced her run for presidency in February 2023. Williamsons campaign focused on forgiving student debt and confronting the climate crisis. The Peace Alliance founder rejoined the race on Wednesday after she announced plans to suspend her campaign last month. Williamson said she rethought her decision after questioning Bidens ability to beat Trump in the general election calling the former president a fascist standing at the door. Anthony Robledo Joe Biden racks up Vermonts delegates Joe Biden won Vermonts primary on Tuesday night defeating his Democratic challengers including Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. Marina Pitofsky Democrats revamp their campaign strategy to take on Trump Democrats are preparing to face off against Donald Trump this fall, even as Nikki Haley remains in the race. In Michigan, the Democratic Party was shocked by Trumps narrow 11,000-vote win in 2016. They pledged not to let it happen again and revamped their campaign strategy to engage voters year-round. They have swept the last three elections, including flipping the state for Biden in 2020. But it remains to be seen whether the strategy will work again this fall: Trump is ahead in recent state polls. Riley Beggin Joe Biden declared victory in Virginia primary Joe Biden has won the Democratic primary in Virginia, racking up delegates in the state that borders the nations capital. Marina Pitofsky How many delegates does Joe Biden have? Joe Biden heads into Super Tuesday as the clear frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary. Biden has 206 delegates headed into Super Tuesday, with a whopping 1,420 Democratic delegates up for grabs across tonight's elections. He also officially won Iowa's Democratic Caucuses on Thursday. Biden needs to secure 1,968 delegates to win the Democratic nomination. Cy Neff Alabama voters head to the polls two weeks after IVF ruling As Alabama voters head to the polls, the repercussions of the state's Supreme Court decision are reverberating across the country. Two weeks ago, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos used in in vitro fertilization are considered children and are entitled to protections under the states wrongful death laws. The blowback was immediate: The decision kicked off a frenzy among patients and doctors grappling with its implications for people attempting to conceive, often after years of struggling to have children or other complications in family planning. Democrats immediately began messaging on the ruling as further evidence of a GOP-led effort to restrict reproductive rights. The Senate Republican campaign arm urged Senate candidates to "clearly and concisely reject efforts by the government" to restrict IVF. Candidates followed suit, as did most Republican lawmakers in Congress. But when Democrats in the Senate put them to the test by asking them to greenlight a bill that would protect IVF at the federal level, many Republican senators said its an issue best left up to the states. Riley Beggin Joe Biden wins Iowa's Democratic Caucus Joe Biden won Iowa's Democratic caucus, clinching a quick victory to kick off Super Tuesday's results. Marina Pitofsky Chris Christie, Ryan Binkley, Asa Hutchinson: Which candidates have dropped out of the 2024 race? On the Republican side, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum have dropped out of the presidential election. Donald Trump and Nikki Haley are still competing against each other for the Republican nomination On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and author Marianne Williamson (who suspended and later unsuspended her campaign) are running. Sudiksha Kochi Will Michelle Obama run for president? The office of former first lady Michelle Obama has made it clear that she won't be throwing her hat in the 2024 race for the White House. 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 Obama's office, told NBC News in a statement. Mrs. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris re-election campaign. Political observers for years have noted that the former first lady is a popular political figure who could bring voters together on the left and right. But she has repeatedly denied that she wants to run for national office. Marina Pitofsky When do polls close on Super Tuesday? Here's a look at when polls will close states across the country holding elections on Super Tuesday. Some areas may close polls earlier or later than these times, so check with your local election officials before casting your ballot. Alabama: 7 p.m. CST Alaska: 8 p.m. AKST Arkansas: 7:30 p.m. CST California 8 p.m. PST Colorado: 7 p.m. MST Iowa (No live voting. Republicans held their caucuses Jan. 15. Democrats are voting by mail.) Maine 8 p.m. EST Massachusetts 8 p.m. EST Minnesota 8 p.m. CST North Carolina 7:30 p.m. EST Oklahoma 7 p.m. CST Tennessee: Varies by county, but many polls close at 8 p.m. ET Texas 7 p.m. CST Utah: 8 p.m. MST Vermont 7 p.m. EST Virginia 7 p.m. EST Marina Pitofsky and Mike Trautmann North Carolina primary going well so far, top election official says Keeping track of North Carolina and the impact of its new voting laws, a top election official said earlier Tuesday that things have been running smoothly thus far. Karen Brinson Bell, executive director with the State Board of Elections, told reporters at a press conference on the morning of Super Tuesday there no major issues with photo ID requirements have been reported. She said 216 people have voted using provisional ballots or ID exemption forms statewide. As for voters who submitted their ballots by mail, roughly 19,000 ballots have been counted across North Carolina. While 49,000 mail-in ballots were requested, Bell said the actual number of submitted mail-in ballots can change if voters decide to vote in person on election day. Molly Wilhelm, Phillip M. Bailey Super Tuesday critique: Donald Trump attacks Fox commentators ahead of election night Trump took some time off from Super Tuesday preparation to criticize a pair of Fox News commentators. Hard to say what exactly set off Trump, but he claimed on his Truth Social platform that Marc Thiessen "was wrong about me in 2016, and in 2020 I got more votes than any sitting President in history." Trump, who otherwise used Truth Social to endorse other Republican candidates running on Super Tuesday, also looped former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove into his media critique. "Put on people who understand what is going on in politics," Trump said. "And while youre at it, GET RID OF KARL ROVE!!!" David Jackson Fact checking campaign ads for you Campaign ads have flooded social media leading up to Super Tuesday as the remaining presidential candidates attempt to win over primary voters in 15 states and one territory. These ads have spread widely to more than a million screens in some cases but many include false or misleading descriptions of past actions and policy proposals. Heres a rundown of recent ads debunked by the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team: Eric Litke When will Super Tuesday results come in? It depends on the state. Most polls are closing by 8 p.m. local time, but states across time zones are holding elections on Tuesday, from Maine to Alaska and California. Check back here as the USA TODAY Network keeps you updated on races across the country. Marina Pitofsky How many delegates are up for grabs on Super Tuesday? There are 865 Republican delegates up for grabs on Super Tuesday and 1,420 Democratic delegates. The Trump campaign suggested in a memo last month that the former president will likely lock in the nomination on March 12, just one week after Super Tuesday, with 1,223 delegates. In a worst case scenario, the campaign estimates he will become the designated nominee no later than March 19. A candidate must secure the majority of delegates, 1,215, to secure the Republican nomination. - Rachel Looker Will new election laws impact the outcome in North Carolina's primary? A trove of new election laws including a ban on ballot drop boxes, new limits for mail-in ballot returns and required proof of voter ID at polls will be tested in North Carolina on Super Tuesday. The key swing states legislature was one of 14 states that passed additional restrictions last year. Some experts and advocates fear the laws could impact turnout on Super Tuesday, a test for the November general election. Savannah Kuchar and Chris Kenning How many states vote on Super Tuesday? The states holding primary elections on March 5 include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Super Tuesday voting is underway in 15 states One territory, American Samoa, will also hold a primary election. Iowa's Democratic Party will also release the results of its mail-in voting on Super Tuesday. - Rachel Looker California Senate race: Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and other Democrats compete Tuesday will also determine which two candidates in the heated California Senate race will advance to the general election. California has a top-two primary system, meaning the two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party affiliation, will land on the ballot in November. While Californians will choose from 27 candidates on Tuesday, the likely frontrunners are among three Democrats California Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee and one Republican, Steve Garvey, a former baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The candidates are running to fill the seat vacated by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who died last year. Polling from the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, last week found Garvey in a two-point lead over Schiff coming in at 27%. Schiff polled at 25% followed by Porter and Lee. - Rachel Looker What is a caucus? Some states hold primaries, while others opt for a caucus. While a primary election is run by state and local governments, a caucus is run by political parties. A traditional primary election resembles the general election, with voting taking place via private ballot. A caucus, however, involves voters dividing themselves into groups based on the candidate they prefer, and arguing for others to join them. At the end of the caucus, the number of members in each group determines how many delegates that candidate gets. Up for grabs in each caucus and primary is a certain number of delegates. The delegates are sent to each party's national convention, and the candidate with the majority secures the nomination. Anna Kaufman Joe Biden competes in Super Tuesday ahead of the State of the Union Joe Biden is competing in more than a dozen Super Tuesday states before he delivers his 2024 State of the Union address to lawmakers and Americans across the country on Thursday. The president is expected to address the issues dividing the nation, ranging from inflation to abortion rights and the U.S. southern border. You can read more about the history of the presidential address here. Marina Pitofsky Alabama voters were sent wrong information ahead of election A representative from the Montgomery County Board of Registrars confirmed Tuesday that a portion of Montgomery voters got the wrong voting information ahead of the election. Registrar Mark Anderson said on Super Tuesday that a mapping issue led to voters in the 2nd Congressional District being told that they were in a different district. The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that at least 5,604 voters received information that they were in the 7th Congressional District, instead of the newly established, majority-Black 2nd District. Of the 5,604 voters, 4,513 of them are Black, SPLC reported. The SPLC became aware of the issue over the weekend. Some Montgomery County voters received postcards with the incorrect congressional district. Alex Gladden Trump says hes not worried about raising money for legal cases In addition to running a presidential campaign, Trump is spending his recent days trying to figure out how to pay more than $500 million in civil damages for bank fraud and defamation. In his Super Tuesday interview on Fox News, Trump said he will be able to raise the money - but he didnt say how. I dont worry about anything, Trump said. No, I don't worry about the money. I don't worry about money. -David Jackson What states did Trump, Biden win on previous Super Tuesdays? In the 2020 presidential election, 14 states held primaries on Super Tuesday. Trump, the incumbent nominee running for his second term, carried all 13 of the Super Tuesday states (Virginia cancelled its GOP primary). Biden won by slightly smaller margins, winning delegates in 11 states with four going to then-candidate Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. When Trump launched his first presidential campaign in 2016, 11 states held primaries on Super Tuesday. The former president competed in a crowded field of Republicans but ultimately won in seven of the eleven states. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was declared the winner in three states and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio won one state. - Rachel Looker Will Nikki Haley suspend her campaign? The former South Carolina governor has repeatedly said she has no plans to drop out of the 2024 race for the White House. But Tuesday has the potential to deliver one of the heaviest blows to her campaign, and speculation has grown about her next steps. Would she join the long list of Republicans who have dropped out of the race and backed Trump as nominee? Or will Haley, seen by many as a moderate alternative to a Biden-Trump rematch, launch a third-party run? Haley continued to dodge the first question, defiantly telling Fox News Monday afternoon that they should ask Trump whether he would support another Republican nominee instead. - Savannah Kuchar What will Donald Trump do after Super Tuesday? Since announcing his campaign in 2022, the former president has looked like a shoo-in for the Republican presidential nomination. And while Super Tuesday cant clinch the spot for him a nominee needs 1,215 delegates, and Trump will still be a handful short even if he sweeps the country Tuesday could very well boost him closer to the finish line. But despite his popularity with his conservative base, Trump would also likely need to tap into support from moderates and independents in a general election. Trump appeared to be starting that shift after his first primary election victory in Januarys Iowa Caucuses. - Savannah Kuchar Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign stop at the Portland Elks Club on March 3, 2024 in Portland, Maine. Facebook down on Super Tuesday Facebook users may have encountered the social media site not working properly on the morning of Super Tuesday. Around 9 a.m. ET, hundreds of thousands of users reported Facebook being down during one of the biggest election days of the year, according to Downdetector. Many users were reporting being logged out of Facebook accounts with no ability to log back in. It's unclear when Facebook will be back online for some users as polls begin opening for primary voters. -- Jonathan Limehouse Stein: Grab your photo ID North Carolina North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein had some sage advice for voters flocking to the polls on Tuesday: bring a photo ID card. Thats because the swing state has a litany of new laws that will be tested for the first time on Super Tuesday as Tar Heel State voters make a choice in one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests this year. Among them is a 2018 voter identification law that had been delayed by lawsuits. Another rule change also required mail-in ballots to include a copy of the voters photo ID. Its Primary Election Day in North Carolina! Find your polling place, grab your photo ID, and get out and vote today: https://t.co/JLXGfb2KDU pic.twitter.com/9orCannTr3 Josh Stein (@JoshStein_) March 5, 2024 In 2023, Republican state legislators went further by establishing a rule that any mail-in ballot received after the election wouldnt be counted which Democratic opponents slammed because it kills the previous three-day grace period that allowed ballots to be counted as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. Voting rights groups have warned such laws will be hard to navigate for some, and they are keeping an eye out for trouble. Stein, who is favored to win the Democratic nomination for governor, has spoken against the new laws and resisted them in his capacity as attorney general. He is likely to face Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who has spoken in favor of such laws as needed to protect election integrity. Phillip M. Bailey What to watch in North Carolinas governors race North Carolina will serve as the battleground for a marquee gubernatorial race: a likely faceoff between a Southern Democrat and a GOP candidate who is popular with Donald Trump's base. As millions are flocking to the polls for Super Tuesday, primary voters in North Carolina have a sharp contrast in the two party's leading contenders to fill Cooper's seat: Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Once a reliable Republican stronghold long associated with the southern fried conservatism of the late Sen. Jesse Helms the Tar Heel State has become more competitive largely because of diverse population growth. - Savannah Kuchar and Phillip M. Bailey North Carolina primary to set the stage for 2024 battleground Presidential candidates have been focusing their attention on North Carolina in the leadup to Super Tuesday, setting the groundwork for what analysts expect will be a hyper-competitive general election matchup. North Carolina hasnt voted for a Democratic president since Barack Obama flipped the state in 2008. But it represented Donald Trumps narrowest margin of victory in the 2020 election when he won it by just 1.34 percentage points over Joe Biden. Bidens campaign is already setting its sights on an expected rematch, earlier this year installing a team of campaign staffers on the ground and committing Biden and other surrogates to appearing in the state. Democrats dispatched Vice President Kamala Harris to Durham ahead of Super Tuesday to announce a $32 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act, and Biden was in the state in January announcing a major investment in broadband internet infrastructure. On the Republican side, Trump campaigned in Greensboro March 2 while his primary competitor Nikki Haley rallied supporters in Charlotte and Raleigh. Polling places are open in North Carolina until 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Brianne Pfannenstiel Why is today called Super Tuesday? Super Tuesday is the primary election day that decides the bulk of delegates for candidates in their respective parties. The name Super Tuesday historical has been used to reference primary days when a significant number of states hold their primary elections, according to the National Constitution Center. In 1984, the modern "Super Tuesday" began when March became the month to frontload the primaries. - Rachel Looker Donald Trump to hold rally Saturday in Georgia The Trump campaign is starting to outline its post-Super Tuesday schedule, and it includes a weekend rally in a politically and legally significant state: Georgia. The Saturday event takes place in Rome, Ga. Trump held a similar rally in nearby Dalton, Ga., on Jan. 4, 2021 - two days before the attempted insurrection by Trump supporters that tried to block Congress' certification of the Electoral College vote that elected Biden. Using that rally in part to protest the 2020 election, Trump basically urged Vice President Mike Pence and other Republicans to toss Biden electoral votes and re-elect him instead. "People will remember the people who dont support us," Trump said on that occasion. Trump now faces criminal trials in Georgia and in Washington, D.C., over efforts to overturn the 2020 election. -David Jackson Iowa Poll: Trump dominates Biden in 2024 lead-up Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would nearly double his margin of victory in Iowa over incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden if a rematch of their 2020 contest were held now, a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll shows. In an early test of the expected matchup, Trump leads Biden by 15 percentage points among likely voters, 48% to 33%. Another 15% of poll respondents would vote for someone else, 1% would not vote and 2% are not sure. In 2020, Trump defeated Biden in Iowa by about 8 percentage points. - Brianne Pfannenstiel What states are involved on Super Tuesday? The states holding primary elections on Tuesday include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. One territory, American Samoa, will also hold a primary election. Iowa's Democratic Party will also release the results of its mail-in voting on March 5. Ken Tran Trump calls for Republican unity - while blasting Haley Trump began his Super Tuesday with a phone interview on Fox News and predicted Republican unity in the fall election - though he had few good things to say about Haley and her supporters. "There's no path for her to win," Trump said on "Fox & Friends," adding that her continuing candidacy is only "hurting the Republican Party." Still, Trump said that "our party has to come together because we have to beat the Democrats." According to exit polls, many Haley supporters say they will not back Trump in the general election; that could create a drag that will undercut Trump's chances of defeating Biden. --David Jackson Taylor Swift encourages fans to vote on Super Tuesday Taylor Swift encouraged fans to vote on Super Tuesday but did not make a presidential endorsement. "Today, March 5, is the Presidential Primary in Tennessee and 16 other states and territories," Swift wrote in her Instagram story. "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." "Whether you're in Tennessee or somewhere else in the US," Swift continued, "check your polling places and times at vote.org." - Bryan West Do Democrats vote on Super Tuesday? Yes Democrats also vote on Super Tuesday. The Democratic primary is not as consequential as the Republican primary because President Joe Biden is the incumbent candidate running for his second term and the likely Democratic nominee for the party in a much less contentious race for the nomination. While Biden does face two Democratic challengers Dean Phillips and Marianne WIlliamson both have yet to receive any delegates during state primaries held previously. Biden has 206 delegates prior to Super Tuesday polls closing. - Rachel Looker What races are at stake on Super Tuesday other than the presidential election? Its not just the presidential primaries that matter on Super Tuesday. Other competitive election are slated to happen in the states voting on March 5. California, for instance, is seeing a fierce intra-party primary battle between three major Democrats for a solidly blue open Senate seat in the liberal state. California voters will also consider a ballot measure known as Proposition 1, which would address the state's mental health system and homelessness crisis. North Carolinians will also vote in a gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, setting up what's expected to be a high-pressure race in the fall. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has emerged as the Democratic frontrunner, while North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is expected to lead Republicans. Ken Tran Candidates need to reach 1,968 delegates to win the Democratic nomination. On Super Tuesday, 1,420 delegates are up for grabs, nearly three quarters of the delegates needed to become the party nominee. - Rachel Looker Which Super Tuesday states have open primaries? Most primaries fall into one of five categories: closed, partially closed, open to unaffiliated voters, partially open and open, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures. The critical distinction among the categories is whether voters who are not registered party members can participate in a partys primary. Open primaries allow voters to choose which partys ballot to vote without having to disclose or register with that respective party. This gives voters the opportunity to vote across party lines. Six Super Tuesday states will hold open primaries: Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, Texas, Vermont and Virginia. Five other states - Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee will be open to unaffiliated voters on Super Tuesday, meaning voters who are not registered to a specific party can participate in a partys primary of their choosing. - Kathryn Palmer and Rachel Looker This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Tuesday recap: Trump, Biden pick up big wins; Haley set to drop out Editor's note: This file is no longer being updated. Find more comprehensive coverage of the Panhandle wildfires at amarillo.com. A series of wildfires that sparked a week ago is continuing to wreak havoc on the Panhandle, scorching more than 1.1 million acres in total, destroying hundreds of homes and taking the lives of at least two residents, in addition to thousands of head of cattle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is one of more than five wildfires that have ignited in the Panhandle this week and it made history as the largest wildfire on record in Texas. The wildfire has burned more than 1,078,000 acres, equivalent to about 1,700 square miles. As of Monday, the wildfire, which is now five times the size of New York City and larger than the entire state of Rhode Island, is about 15% contained. Damage is seen from the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. A new fire sparked Sunday afternoon in Hutchinson County near Sanford and Lake Meredith. Dubbed the Roughneck Fire, it has burned about 300 acres and is about 25% contained. Forward progression on the fire was stopped Sunday night, according to the latest Texas A&M Forest Service update. More: Filing cites downed utility pole as possible cause for Texas wildfire In a visit to the Panhandle on Friday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott stated that the cause of the fires remains under investigation and the Texas Department of Emergency Management will continue to assess the damage. "When you look at the damages that have occurred here it's just gone, completely gone nothing left but ashes on the ground," Abbott said during a news conference in Borger. To see a map of the current wildfires, go to our Texas wildfire smoke map. This is a developing news story. Check back at amarillo.com for the latest updates. Roughneck Fire now 80% contained | 10:30 p.m. Fire crews made additional progress on the Roughneck Fire in Hutchinson County Monday evening, increasing its containment to 80% by 10:30 p.m., according to an update from the Texas A&M Forest Service. Though the fire did not necessarily grow, its reported size increased to 335 acres due to more accurate mapping, TAMFS said. Crews worked Monday evening to douse hot spots and monitor for flare-ups and will continue to patrol the fire area overnight. Firefighters make progress on Roughneck Fire | 4:50 p.m. The Roughneck Fire burns Sunday evening in Hutchinson County. The Texas A&M Forest service reported in a Monday afternoon update the Roughneck Fire in Hutchinson County, which sparked Sunday afternoon, is now 65% contained and remained about 300 acres. "Firefighters continue to patrol the fire area and improve containment lines," TAMFS said. The Roughneck Fire caused a brief evacuation for Sanford Sunday night, but residents have since returned to their homes. Gov. Greg Abbott to visit Canadian on Tuesday | 4:30 p.m. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will visit Canadian Tuesday morning, his second visit to the Panhandle in four days. Abbott, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd and other state and local officials will receive a briefing on the fires hold a news conference to update the public on fire suppression efforts. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott receives a briefing from local and state emergency management officials as fires rage across the Texas Panhandle, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Borger. The news conference is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Check back at amarillo.com for details about how to watch the presser. Abbott received a briefing last Friday in Borger and warned Panhandle Texans to remain vigilant. More: Gov. Greg Abbott gives updates on Texas Panhandle wildfire efforts Cold front moves through Panhandle, shifting winds | Noon The National Weather Service in Amarillo reported that a cold front through the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles Monday, shifting winds from west to north. NWS predicts a slight chance of precipitation late in the week, with a 20% on Thursday and a 40% chance on Friday with cooler temperatures heading into the weekend. A weather system may impact the Panhandles later this week, but plenty of uncertainties exist. Stay tuned for updates.#txwx #okwx #phwx pic.twitter.com/dIKr7MWvTI NWS Amarillo (@NWSAmarillo) March 4, 2024 Sanford briefly evacuated as Roughneck fire grows | 8:45 p.m. Sunday Hutchinson County officials ordered evacuations for Fritch Sunday afternoon as the new-start Roughneck fire grew toward town. The evacuation order was in place from about 5:15 p.m. to about 8:15 p.m., when air drops stopped forward progression. The fire was 300 acres and 25% contained at last check, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service, and county officials did not believe any structures had been lost to the Roughneck Fire. What are the containment numbers for the wildfires in the Panhandle? Here are the most recent containment numbers for all fires in the Texas Panhandle: Smokehouse Creek Fire 1,076,638 acres and 15% contained. Windy Deuce 144,206 acres and 55% contained. Grapevine Creek 34,882 acres and 60% contained. Magenta 3,297 acres and 85% contained. 687 Reamer 2,000 acres and 10% contained. Roughneck 335 acres and 80% contained. Texas Wildfire map: Where are the fires currently? See Texas Panhandle wildfire photos Below are galleries containing images of the damage and spread of the Texas wildfires. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Texas wildfire Monday recap: The latest on Smokehouse Creek, Windy Deuce Melbourne Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday he would be "happy to reopen" the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 if "compelling" evidence emerged, opening the door to a renewed hunt a decade after the plane disappeared. "If there is compelling evidence that it needs to be reopened, we will certainly be happy to reopen it," he said when asked about the matter during a visit to Melbourne. His comments came as the families marked 10 years since the plane vanished in the Indian Ocean with 239 people aboard. "I don't think it's a technical issue. It's an issue affecting the lives of people and whatever needs to be done must be done," he said. Crew on board a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion scan ahead as they search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 debris or wreckage on March 22, 2014, in the Southern Indian Ocean, off the west coast of Australia. / Credit: Pool/Getty Malaysia Airlines flight 370, a Boeing 777 aircraft, disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite the largest search in aviation history, the plane has never been found and the operation was suspended in January 2017. About 500 relatives and their supporters gathered Sunday at a shopping center near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur for a "remembrance day", with many visibly overcome with grief. Some of the relatives came from China, where almost two-thirds of the passengers of the doomed plane were from. Chinese relatives of passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 take part in a prayer service at the Metro Park Hotel in Beijing, China, April 8, 2014. / Credit: WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty "The last 10 years have been a nonstop emotional rollercoaster for me," Grace Nathan, whose mother Anne Daisy was on the flight, told AFP. Speaking to the crowd, the 36-year-old Malaysian lawyer called on the government to conduct a new search. Transport Minister Anthony Loke told reporters that "as far Malaysia is concerned, it is committed to finding the plane... cost is not the issue." He told relatives at the gathering that he would meet with officials from Texas-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity, which conducted a previous unsuccessful search, to discuss a new operation. "We are now awaiting for them to provide suitable dates and I hope to meet them soon," he said. Ocean Infinity's chief executive Oliver Plunkett said in a statement shared with CBS News that his company felt it was "in a position to be able to return to the search" for MH370, and he said it had "submitted a proposal to the Malaysian government" to resume operations. Plunkett said that since the previous effort was called off, Ocean Infinity had "focused on driving the transformation of operations at sea; innovating with technology and robotics to further advance our ocean search capabilities." He acknowledged the mission to find the plane was "arguably the most challenging" one his company had undertaken, and he gave no indication of any breakthroughs over the last six years or so. But he said his team had spent that time working with "many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue analysing the data in the hope of narrowing the search area down to one in which success becomes potentially achievable." It was not immediately clear if the Malaysian government, in the transport minister's upcoming meetings with Ocean Infinity officials, would see the "compelling" evidence Prime Minister Ibrahim said would convince him to launch a new operation, but Plunkett said in his statement that he and his company "hope to get back to the search soon." An earlier Australia-led search that covered some 46,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean an area roughly the size of Pennsylvania - found hardly any trace of the plane, with only some pieces of debris picked up. Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes The Nobel laureates behind mRNA COVID vaccines DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: "We were not informed" about prior arrests of Georgia suspect FILE PHOTO: The truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas 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.) Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis speaks Tuesday about House Bill 4160, to better protect students from sexual grooming in schools, during the final week of the 2024 Legislature. The Oregon Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday to better protect students from sexual grooming in schools. HB 4160 increases the time during which an individual is considered a student, from 90 days to one year after graduating or leaving high school, for laws requiring reporting, investigation and disclosures about a school employee, contractor, agent or volunteer engaging in sexual contact with a student. The dyanmics of a high school student and their teacher, that is a power dynamic that is never going to be equal, said Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis, who carried the bill in the Senate. I hope we can all agree that high school staff should not be having romantic relationships with their students, even in September after graduation. The Oregon House unanimously passed the bill on Feb. 20. It now goes to Gov. Tina Kotek for her signature. The legislation would take effect July 1, 2024. Rep. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem, said he introduced the bill at the request of Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castaneda. The district is facing a civil lawsuit brought last fall by graduates accusing a music teacher of grooming them while they were students. "It makes one change in statute," Mannix said. "That one specific change is made so we can better protect our students from inappropriate relationships." The bill doesnt change any criminal laws for sexual abuse. Instead, it allows districts to use the conduct as a basis for discipline and employment decisions. "We're aware of situations where former students have felt they were consenting to a relationship at the time and later realized that they had been groomed, manipulated and deeply impacted," said Debbie Joa, prevention and protection coordinator for Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Lawsuit asks for $10 million Last September, two female former McNary High School students filed a $10 million lawsuit against Joshua Rist, a former McNary choir teacher, alleging he groomed and sexually abused them between 2015 and 2020. The lawsuit also names the school district, alleging it failed to protect them from the teacher. The district had placed Rist on paid administrative leave more than two years earlier, on May 28, 2021, following similar allegations. The Oregon Legislature has passed legislation requested by Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Castaneda. The district is facing a civil lawsuit brought last fall by graduates accusing music teacher Joshua Rist, pictured, of grooming them while they were students at McNary High School. In June 2021, district officials sent a formal misconduct report to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. TSPC also received an Oregon Department of Human Services report alleging the same misconduct. The Keizer Police Department also investigated. Rist returned from leave on Aug. 18, 2022, and was moved from McNary to Kalapuya Elementary School. He was again placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 9, 2023. On June 8, 2023, Rist and TSPC signed a stipulation of facts, meaning Rist agreed that evidence would support the commission's findings that Rist established inappropriate personal relationships with the two women while they were students at McNary. TSPC concluded Rist had engaged in gross neglect of duty. Rist returned to Kalapuya at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, but was again put on leave on Oct. 2, after the district received an additional complaint about him from a former McNary High School student. Rist remains on paid administrative leave. An investigation into the additional complaint still is ongoing, district officials said. Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Legislature passes sexual grooming bill Boise police are investigating a killing at an apartment along Silver Lake in Northwest Boise, and a Delaware man was booked into the Ada County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Officers responded to a reported shooting just after midnight in the 300 block of North Lakeharbor Lane, according to a Boise Police Department news release. They said they found a man lying on the floor of an apartment with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Officers performed care until paramedics arrived and transported him to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries early Tuesday morning, according to police. Police said they also found an unharmed woman and child in the apartment. Officers detained Javon Harmon, 24, of Dover, Delaware, after finding him in the parking lot, according to the release. The department said he was arrested and booked into the Ada County Jail after detectives interviewed multiple people determined to be in or near the apartment at the time of the shooting and following an investigation. Police did not immediately respond to the Idaho Statesmans questions about further details. A poll by Florida Atlantic University and Mainstreet Research found some surprising viewpoints on the hot topic of immigration and border security in America. Namely, a majority of respondents in the poll released in February revealed they liked the immigrant living next door, but were split on foreigners' contributions to "American culture." And while states like Florida and Texas are taking border enforcement measures into their own hands, the survey showed a citizenry not "trusting" state officials to act on immigration, and somewhat leery about federal authorities, too. The results reveal more complex views at a time when immigration is surging as, arguably, the dominant topic of the 2024 presidential election. Last week, U.S. officials updated their tally of the number of unauthorized people who have entered the country under the Biden administration to 7.3 million, a figure greater than many U.S. states. President Joe Biden participates in a briefing at the Border Patrol Station in Brownsville on February 29, 2024. The announcement predated visits to the southern border last week by both President Joe Biden, who has sought to shore up his poor approval rating on the issue, and GOP rival and former President Donald Trump, who has vowed to launch the "largest" deportation effort in the country's history. Immigration is a particularly relevant issue in Florida since South Florida communities are often made up of large communities of people from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia. Florida senators on immigration: Rubio, Scott oppose immigration bill as Trump lords over legislation Here are five key takeaways from the FAU-Mainstreet poll conducted in early February via text message and an online panel survey of 1,180 nationwide adults registered to vote. 1. Trust in state government and immigration courts is nearly an even split In Texas, state officials have spent $148 million in transporting more than 102,000 migrants all over the United States. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has interjected himself into the immigration issue, and national headlines, as well for transporting immigrants to Martha's Vineyard as well as sending state guardsmen to the border. He has even been to the border to decry Biden's policies. Yet, those surveyed by FAU-Mainstreet didn't seem too impressed by states taking action. About 32% of voters said they "somewhat" trusted state government to deal with immigration and about 29% somewhat distrusted state government's efforts on the topic. Moreover, 20% strongly distrusted state government as opposed to 11% holding strong trust. The national network of immigration courts also did not fare too well. Some 50% said they either strongly or somewhat distrust the court system that rules on asylum and residency matters. Just 35% either somewhat or strongly trust their rulings. The court system got a mixed review from Hispanic respondents with 40.5% trusting it and 36.2% not. Greater divides exist for trusting border patrol and ICE Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump points to Mexico at Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE, and border control authorities also received a mixed reaction. In terms of the view of border patrol authorities, about 49% of respondents said they somewhat or strongly trusted the agency while 40% either somewhat or strongly distrusted the agency. Of the group that somewhat trusts border patrol, about 51.9% are Hispanic, 26.7% are Black and 35.7% are white. Those with strong distrust are mostly Black at 24.3%, other ethnicities at 20.3%, and Hispanic at 15.7%. The poll also showed about 31% of voters somewhat trusting ICE, and about 25% said they somewhat distrust the agency. The gap is also very wide for those who have strong trust and distrust, with 11% and 21% respectively. In this group, Hispanic respondents had 49.1% "somewhat trusting" of ICE and 21.1% "somewhat distrusting" of ICE. Most voters would like to have an immigrant as a neighbor About 64% of voters polled said they'd like to have an immigrant as a neighbor, with 36% saying they wouldn't. Most of the people who said yes were Hispanic, with 82% making up this group. The group that chose "no" included 38.4% of white respondents and 32.7% of Black respondents. Voters have slightly more favorability on immigration strengthening American culture About 29% of voters said they believe immigration somewhat strengthens American culture, whereas about 21% said they believe it slightly weakens it. About 16% said immigration greatly strengthens American culture, which is less than the 21% who said it greatly weakens it. Of those who believe American culture is weakened by immigration, 25.7% identified as white, 14.4% identified as Black and 9.4% identified as Hispanic. Those who said it greatly strengthened the country's cultural fabric were 28.8% Hispanic, 21.4% Black and 12.2% white. There's also some difference in age groups. Those ages 18 to 34 years old were the largest group at 22.4% in saying that immigration greatly strengthened American culture. Those 65 years old and above were the smallest group with this belief at 10.4%. Most voters believe becoming a permanent resident takes just enough time, or maybe too long To get permanent resident status, it can take a few months to a few years. About 26% of voters said this time was about right, but 15% said it was much too long and 9% said it was too short. About 23% said it was somewhat too long to become a permanent resident; about 33% of this group was 19 to 34 years old. About 48.1% of those who said it was somewhat too long are Hispanic, 21.7% are Black and 21.5% are white. Stephany Matat is a politics reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY-Florida network. Reach her at smatat@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU poll on immigration, border clash with 2024 election narratives Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had national politics on his mind when he visited the Upstate this week. He praised SC Sen. Tim Scott as a good choice for Donald Trump's potential vice presidential pick while also praising former SC Gov. Nikki Haley's campaign for the White House. "I've had a lot of conversations with (former) President Trump about Tim Scott," Graham said before delivering the keynote speech Monday at the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting at Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center. "President Trump wants to make sure his vice president pick, they have to be ready to step into the job," he said. "There's no doubt that Tim Scott is ready to be president of the United States." Graham also praised Scott as an "effective spokesperson for President Trump and the agenda we are all pursuing." U.S. Sen Lindsey Graham spoke to the media about Sen. Tim Scott, and former SC Gov Nikki Haley at the 2024 Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting at the Civic Center of Anderson, in Anderson S.C. Monday, March 4, 2024. Scott ran a short-lived campaign for the White House. Soon after dropping out, he endorsed and campaigned for the former president. While Graham acknowledged Trump had a wide range of choices for VP, he said Scott was the best choice. "I think he'd make an astounding vice presidential pick. I think he'd help Trump all over the country." Graham says it's time for Haley to drop out Graham said Haley had run a "very good campaign" for the White House. "She's probably done better than any South Carolinian seeking the presidency," he said. "She has a lot to be proud of. But I hope after (Super Tuesday) she will quite frankly drop out and let us become one team. We can't afford to lose in November." Graham said the Republican Party's goal is to make sure President Biden is a one-term administration. "(Haley) has a lot to be proud of but there is no path forward," he said. Graham praises Supreme Court ruling Graham spoke with reporters about the Supreme Court's unanimous 9-0 ruling to overturn state-level efforts that sought to keep Trump off election ballots. "I was pleased by the unanimous decision by the Supreme Court to ensure President Trump can stay on the ballot in Colorado, Maine, and Illinois," Graham said. "These efforts to knock him off the ballot were constitutionally dangerous, and I consider it election interference," he said. U.S. Sen Lindsey Graham speaks about community leaders, and growth, including a Buc-ees in Anderson County at exit 21 off I-85, in the state of South Carolina.at the 2024 Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting at the Civic Center of Anderson, in Anderson S.C. Monday, March 4, 2024. The Supreme Court ruled that the "power to perform a specific action lies only with Congress, not individual states." The ruling allows Trump to compete in Tuesday's Colorado primary. The former president is the front-runner for the Republican nomination and is expected to face off against Democratic President Joe Biden in November's general election. Trump, Haley face off in Super Tuesday states Voters in 15 states including California and Texas, head to the polls on Super Tuesday. Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Lindsey Graham says Nikki Haley should drop out of presidential race Nathi Nhleko gained notoriety for defending the use of government money to upgrade the private home of ex-President Jacob Zuma A former senior government minister in South Africa has left the governing African National Congress (ANC), with a blistering attack on the party. Nathi Nhleko said it was "painful" to see the ANC turn into a party he no longer recognised, accusing it of introducing austerity measures and dismantling state-owned companies. Mr Nhleko was close to the scandal-hit ex-President Jacob Zuma. Earlier this year, the ANC suspended Mr Zuma for backing a rival party. An ANC official responded to Mr Nhleko's resignation by saying "good riddance". Mr Zuma joined the new uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in December, and is spearheading its campaign for votes in the build-up to the 29 May general election. It is unclear whether Mr Nhleko intends to do likewise, but some of the rhetoric in his resignation letter was similar to that used by Mr Zuma when he announced in December that he was throwing his weight behind MK. That party is named after the armed wing that the ANC formed when it was fighting white-minority rule in South Africa. As the police minister in Mr Zuma's cabinet, Mr Nhleko gained infamy for defending the use of $23m (15m) of government money to upgrade the-then president's private residence in the village of Nkandla. At the time, Mr Nhleko was widely mocked for saying the expenditure was part of necessary security upgrades. This included the building of a swimming pool which he described as a fire pool that could be used in the event a fire broke out at the residence in Mr Zuma's home village of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province. An amphitheatre, cattle enclosure and chicken run were also built. On the campaign trail in January, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said Mr Nhleko was "sweating" at the time as he was forced to defend "lies" in parliament. Mr Nhleko suggested that these comments triggered his decision to quit the party. "In the past few years, I have observed that I no longer recognise this ANC that I joined, the ANC whose only aspiration was to liberate our people," he said, in the resignation letter quoted by the Mail & Guardian newspaper. This included handing control of key sectors of the economy to the "white-dominated private sector", and reducing "social spending" to the detriment of the financially needy, Mr Nhleko added. In his response, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Secretary Bheki Mtolo said that Mr Nhleko had destroyed his political career when he described the swimming pool as a "fire pool". "It's good riddance, it's long overdue," Mr Mtolo was quoted as saying by the privately owned Eyewitness News. Mr Nhleko served as police minister from 2014 to 2017, and then as public works minister until Mr Zuma was removed as president by the incumbent Cyril Ramaphosa. In December, Mr Zuma said it "would be a betrayal" to campaign for the Ramaphosa-led ANC in the May election. He accused Mr Ramaphosa of being a "proxy of white monopoly capital", a charge the ANC has denied. An opinion poll released last month gave MK around 10% of the national vote and a quarter of the vote in Mr Zuma's political heartland of KwaZulu-Natal. The election is expected to be the toughest for the ANC, with several opinion polls suggesting that it could lose its outright majority for the first time since it took power in 1994. You may also be interested in: A South Carolina man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2018 fatal shooting of a Woodbridge man who was working at an Edison gas station. Marcus Wright, 27, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was sentenced Monday by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Andrea G. Carter to life in prison on the murder charge, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Wright also was sentenced concurrently for felony murder and armed robbery, both first-degree crimes, along with conspiracy to commit robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, all second-degree crimes, the Prosecutor's Office said. Marcus A. Wright Wright was convicted in September of the December 2018 murder of John Bertram, 38, of the Fords section of Woodbridge, who was working at the Speedway gas station on Amboy Avenue in the Clara Barton section of Edison. Wright's accomplice, Olya Quinnam, 26, of Beaufort, South Carolina, pleaded guilty in 2019 to one count of first-degree armed robbery. Wright entered the Speedway on Dec. 20, 2018 and held the up the clerk, Bertram, with a handgun. Bertram handed over the money in the cash register to Wright after which Wright fired his weapon, killing Bertram. Marcus Wright shot and killed John Bertram during an armed robbery at an Edison gas station in 2018. Bertram had been working the night shift as a convenience store clerk at the gas station for about four months to help pay for the taxes on the home he inherited from his late father. Bertram was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:15 a.m. Quinnam accompanied Wright at the robbery but waited outside as Wright entered the store. The shooter, whose image was captured on the gas station surveillance cameras, was initially described as a man with a slight build wearing light-colored pants, a maroon-colored hooded sweatshirt, face mask and gloves. On Jan. 3, 2019, Wright was arrested in South Carolina. CBS New York reported Quinnam testified during Wright's trial that the two were friends who met through Facebook and that she borrowed her boyfriend's car to move her sister to Long Island and Wright came along. On their way back home, they stopped at the Edison gas station and Wright went into the convenience store while she stayed in the car. When Wright returned to the vehicle, wearing a sweatshirt and mask, he told her to drive. After learning about the robbery through news reports, she left Wright at a rest stop and drove home, according to the CBS report. A gas station clerk was fatally shot in 2018 during a robbery overnight at the Speedway Gas Station on Amboy Avenue. Wright and Quinnam were both named "persons of interest" in a Dec. 19, 2018, 7-Eleven robbery on Long Island. In 2019 Wright also was charged with the murder of his cellmate at Lieber Correctional Institute in Dorchester County, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Email: srussell@gannettnj.com Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South Carolina man gets life in prison for NJ gas station murder The Spanish-Brazilian woman who was allegedly gang-raped by seven men during a motorbike tour of India remains mentally strong despite suffering lasting trauma, a social worker who spoke to the victim has said. The 28-year-old tourist was on a motorbike tour with her 64-year-old husband when they were attacked by a group of men in the Dumka district of the eastern state of Jharkhand on Friday night. They had already travelled to Pakistan and Bangladesh as part of their tour of South Asia, and were heading north towards Nepal at the time. On Tuesday, the couple was escorted out of Jharkhand by officials who have been tasked with ensuring they safely leave India for the rest of their journey in Nepal, Dumka police chief Pitamber Singh Kherwar told The Independent. He said police have now arrested four suspects, three of whom were pictured blindfolded and bound with rope on Monday, adding: We have reached very close in arresting all the suspects and we will reveal more details shortly. Another police official said more suspects have been detained and are being interrogated. The incident has triggered a major public reaction in India, with the attack condemned by leaders across the political spectrum. Before they left the country the couple was given Rs1m (more than 9,500) in compensation, and police released an image of the husband posing for a picture while receiving the cheque. The picture itself has provoked more outrage online. Speaking to The Independent, Anjula Murmu, a social worker in Dumka who supported the victims, said: The woman fought her preparators strongly but she was overpowered by the men, who repeatedly raped her for close to three hours. She was emotionally shattered but not broken, and to express her visible trauma is beyond words. The couple entered India at the Pakistan border in Amritsar in mid-July and had been travelling across the length and breadth of the country for the past six months, Ms Murmu said. They are travel bloggers with a following of more than 600,000 people on Instagram, and had pitched a tent for the night on Friday amid scenic countryside, some 400km from Jharkhands state capital Ranchi. Their tent began shaking and they heard voices at around 7.30pm at night when the victims male partner began recording a video out of caution, she said. Indian police and forensic team investigate and collect samples at the site where a Spanish tourist was gangraped, near Kurmahaat, Dumka (EPA) He responded with a hello and those outside responded with hello, before having a short conversation during which they appeared to be visibly drunk, said Ms Murmu, who said she had seen the video recording. The group left but returned with more men and began attacking the tent. The moment [the couple] came out they were attacked, with some of them restraining the man while the others went for the woman, who tried to get a knife out from her shoes and even hid in the dark to save herself, she said. Struggling to fight back tears with their faces covered with bruises, the couple released a video on their Instagram saying they were beaten up by seven men who held knives against their throats and raped the woman while restraining her male partner. Seven men raped me. They have beaten us and robbed us, although not many things [were taken] because what they wanted was to rape me, she said in Spanish. Police personnel escort men accused for allegedly carrying out a brutal assault on a Spanish woman, to a district court in Dumka, in India's Jharkhand state (AFP via Getty Images) My face looks like this, but its not what hurts me the most. I thought we were going to die. Thank God we are alive, she said. Jharkhand superintendent of police Mr Kherwar said it was a shameful incident and that local officials were in touch with the Spanish embassy, and providing them updates. We are disheartened by this shameful incident that occurred in Dumka and doing everything to nab all the culprits, he said. He said the couple insisted that they did not need escorting out of the country, but a police team was nonetheless sent with them as far as the Jharkhand border. The Jharkhand High Court on Monday said it was aware of the case and asked the state government to file a report on the matter by Thursday. The compensation amount given to the couple would be converted into euros and transferred into the account of her husband, Dumka deputy commissioner A Dodde told reporters. But the polices decision to release pictures and even a video of the husband being handed a cheque was widely criticised online. As if the tragedy wasnt monument of a shame enough now this brazen insensitivity in front of cameras! a user said on X. What sort of nonsense is this, reducing a womans dignity to monetary compensation? Its as if shes being violated all over again. And top of that a photo session!! This is so insensitive, What a shameless display! said another. The Spanish embassy told The Independent they were in contact with the couple and providing support. The Embassy of Spain remains in permanent contact with Spanish citizens in need, as is the case, and continues to liaise actively with the Indian authorities. The Embassy is very grateful to them for their cooperation, it said. It said it could not provide more details, citing data protection laws in Spain regarding consular cases. The case has cast fresh spotlight on the prevalence of rape and sexual violence in India, in spite of tough laws that include the death penalty for rapists in some cases. In 2022, India saw an average of almost 90 rapes reported daily meaning one woman was raped every 18 minutes according to the National Crime Records Bureau, which documented 31,516 cases of rape that year. The states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of cases. Rights groups say the figures could be much higher as many women do not report cases, while the conviction rate also remains low in the country. In 2012, the gang rape and gruesome murder of a young woman on a bus in Delhi triggered huge protests across India and forced the government to change laws governing sexual assault in the country. In her campaign for U.S. representative from Delaware, Democratic state Sen. Sarah McBride picked up two endorsements March 4 including one from a former competitor. State Treasurer Colleen Davis gave her support to McBride during a press conference in front of Legislative Hall. Davis ended her campaign as a Democrat for U.S. Congress in February, citing personal health concerns and the need to care for her father during his ongoing illness. More: Democratic primary for US House seat down to 2 candidates after Davis drops out Davis said shes recovering well, but the experience helped clarify my priorities at this time in my life that family, and our health, always comes first. So shes endorsing her former opponent because of McBride's track record of servant leadership in the state Senate. We need leaders in Congress who break through partisanship and deliver for our country, Davis said. Democrats are uniting behind a candidate who can hit the ground running as our lone member of Congress and truly deliver for every family, every family, across all of Delaware. McBride said she is honored by the endorsement from someone she respects and admires. Davis has been "an inspiration to Delawareans" through effective leadership and compassionate leadership, McBride said, and by sharing stories about the challenges she and her family have faced experiences that highlight the importance of healthcare and family medical leave. One of McBride's proudest moments in the state Senate was the passage of the Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave to workers. She said that bill is an example of how she has worked with Democrats and Republicans and how she could do the same in Congress. State Treasurer Colleen Davis, left, talks with state Sen. Sarah McBride after endorsing McBride for U.S. representative March 4 in front of Legislative Hall in Dover. Davis ended her own campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. representative in February. Other top issues for McBride include assuring womens reproductive rights, affordable housing and childcare, gun safety and strengthening public schools. Endorsement from state, county and municipal employees union The other endorsement March 4 was announced by Faith Morris, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 81 union, which has nearly 7,000 members in Delaware. While Council 81 had already endorsed McBride, Morris said AFSCME International has also endorsed the candidate. Its important to us in AFSCME to have a member in Congress who cares about AFSCME members and who will protect the rights of unions, Morris said. One of the important issues to AFSCME is the proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act, known as the PRO Act, which McBride supports. McBride said these endorsements show the momentum that this campaign has. She has also been endorsed by Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Auditor Lydia York and more than 20 Delaware elected officials, community organizers, labor leaders and community and national advocacy organizations, along with the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund. Organizations endorsing McBride include UFCW Local 27, Teamsters Local 326, Delaware State Association of Letter Carriers, Amalgamated Transit Union, Association of Flight Attendants, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, EMILYs List, Elect Democratic Women, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Equality PAC, Shore Democrats, Delaware Stonewall PAC, End Citizens United /Let America Vote, Human Rights Campaign, LPAC, Victory Fund and Next50. Democratic primary Sept. 10 McBride will face Eugene Young in the Democratic primary for U.S. representative Sept. 10. Current Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is campaigning for U.S. Senate, after Sen. Tom Carper decided not to run for reelection. More: Who is running for office in 2024? Our updated list of Delaware candidates, announcements Young is the director of the Delaware State Housing Authority but has announced hes stepping down after holding the position since 2021 to be able to run full time for Congress. Eugene Young, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, speaks at the grand opening of an affordable housing complex, the Quaker Arts apartment complex, in Wilmington on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Over the past three years, DSHA has advanced housing solutions through innovative and impactful initiatives driven by a committed, community-minded team, Young said in a press release. I am grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary period in the agencys history. I will carry the values and lessons learned from these efforts into the next phase of my career." Young is co-founder of Network Delaware and has served as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. A campaign spokesman said Young will be scheduling announcements about endorsements in all three counties after he completes his service with the Delaware State Housing Authority later this month. Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Former candidate for Congress endorses McBride for U.S. representative Migrants attempt to cross into the US from Mexico, in El Paso, Texas The US Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a severe Texas law that would allow police to arrest people suspected of crossing the border from Mexico. The law, if implemented, would be one of the toughest immigration laws passed by any US state in modern history and could upend the relationship between the state and federal governments. Rights groups and the Biden administration have sued to stop it. At the federal government's request, the top US court put the law on hold. The law - known as SB4 - was originally due to come into force on Tuesday, and would make border crossings illegal and punishable with jail time. It also would significantly increase the number of deportations. Under the legislation, local and state police officers would be allowed to make the stops and arrests, except in schools and hospitals, with more limited evidence. But it faced legal challenges and last week a US federal court ruled the law should be put on hold. Judge David Ezra ruled it was the federal government - rather than individual states - that had jurisdiction over immigration matters. Texas appealed, and an appeals court temporarily suspended Judge Ezra's order over the weekend while it decided whether to allow the state's motion to move forward. But then a further legal development came on Monday, just a day before the law was due to come into effect, when the US Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to intervene. Justice Samuel Alito decided to temporarily block the law until 13 March - and has said Texas has until the end of next Monday to put its arguments forward. The law could still come into force, if the Supreme Court sides with Texas. Immigration is one of the hottest issues of this year's presidential election, especially in Texas where Governor Greg Abbott says there has been a "tidal wave" of illegal immigration. More than 6.3 million migrants - a record high - have been detained crossing into the US illegally during President Biden's time in the White House. Reasons for the spike are complex, however, with some factors pre-dating Mr Biden's tenure. Governor Abbott - a Republican who supports Donald Trump - has said the SB4 law is needed to reduce migrant crossings, and that Mr Biden's administration has not done enough. But the federal government says SB4 would create chaos by interfering with its own immigration enforcement. This is not the first time there's been a clash over immigration rules between Texas and Mr Biden - nor the first time the Supreme Court has intervened. One such row has been over a roughly 30-mile (46-km) razor fence which Texas officials installed along the US-Mexico border in a larger effort to deter illegal migration. The Biden administration has opposed it, saying the wire restricts the ability of border agents to process migrants who have already arrived on US soil. Migrants have been known to bypass the fence, swimming and climbing under it, often getting injured in the process. After a row in the courts, in January the US Supreme Court sided with the federal government, and ruled that the wire can be removed. [Source] Hundreds of students reportedly signed up for an elective Taylor Swift course minutes after it was announced at a leading university in the Philippines last week. About the course: Titled Celebrity Studies: Taylor Swift in Focus, the new offering at the University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD) in Quezon City reportedly delves into the life of the 14-time Grammy Award winner as a celebrity, particularly her portrayal in the media and her status as a transnational figure in the Philippines. Additionally, it is expected to include the political aspects in her career, such as her stance against the country's Anti-Terror Bill that was passed in 2020. About the instructor: The course is led by Cherish Brillon, a professor in the broadcast communications department who is a Swiftie herself. In an op-ed in January, she explained that it will not be the first time the department explored pop culture studies, having launched courses on K-drama and pornography in the past. Enrollment: Some 300 students reportedly enrolled in the course minutes after its availability, prompting the university to launch an additional class to accommodate the high demand. Some who managed to get into the classes brought their Taylor Swift merchandise. Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure Netizens' reactions: Filipino X users, many of them Swifties, expressed their support for the course. "Taylor Swift is a highly influential celebrity, and such person's words and actions can really move and change how society works," one wrote. "That is why the political and social aspects of her influence is being studied." Another fan noted, As a Swiftie, I would have fallen in line and fight tooth and nail to get in. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children University of the Philippines to offer a course on Taylor Swift and the #Jokoy fanatics just lost their minds, another wrote, referencing the comedian's ill-received joke about Swift at the Golden Globes earlier this year. In the U.S.: Several U.S. universities have also offered courses on Swift, including Harvard and Stanford. Berklee, as a music-oriented college, launched one in October focused on her songwriting skills. Trending on NextShark: NYC sushi restaurant owner accuses Wegmans of stealing his concept and trade secrets Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! When a Utah teenager went missing, their voicemail change alerted family that something was awry, deputies say. Family members called 911 to report a Davis County teen missing in the afternoon on Sunday, March 3, the Davis County Sheriffs Office said in a March 4 news release. The teen hadnt been seen since the morning, officials said. Family told deputies they tried calling the teenagers cellphone and realized the voicemail greeting had changed. They saw the change as a distress signal based on conversations the family recently had about safety, according to deputies. Later that evening, the teen sent a text message to a family member and shared their location, deputies said. Deputies said they responded to the address, a hotel, and found the teenager in a room with four adults. The teen, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital for evaluation, deputies said. After questioning, deputies said three of the adults were released, and one of the adults, Austin David Arnold, 36, was arrested. Arnold, who officials said admitted traveling out of state from California to meet up with the teenager, was charged with enticing a minor and sexual abuse of a minor, deputies said. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming, according to deputies. Davis County is about 18 miles northwest of Salt Lake City. Help me. Kidnapped girl was sexually assaulted then someone saw her sign, CA cops say Man offers to buy child he tried to kidnap from parked car, Connecticut cops say Man chokes and runs over ex-girlfriend while holding her against will, Iowa cops say A group of thieves have been outsmarting smart devices across the Los Angeles area, authorities said. In a March 4 statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, officers warn that a group in Wilshire is using Wi-Fi jamming technology to disarm surveillance cameras and alarm systems that rely on Wi-Fi. This swarm of tech-savvy robberies in California is part of a larger smart crime wave happening nationwide. Last year, police in Minnesota and Connecticut issued similar warnings to residents when groups of Wi-Fi jamming thieves made their rounds. And those are just two examples of many. While the Federal Communications Commission has banned Wi-Fi jamming devices, this doesnt stop criminals from buying them cheaply, KARE11 reported. Wi-Fi jamming devices dont necessarily deactivate devices, but work by overloading the network the devices are connected to. These (jamming) devices create traffic jams for the radio transmitter so that real traffic cannot get through, cybersecurity expert Mark Lanterman told the outlet. If you are going to use a Wi-Fi camera for your front door, perhaps consider using a hardline camera inside your home, he said. Wired cameras connected via Ethernet cables do not rely on Wi-Fi networks and would not be disrupted by a Wi-Fi jammer. Los Angeles police also recommends hard wiring burglary alarm systems. While smart technology may be part of the problem, it may also have a hand in the solution, according to Toms Hardware. Officials recommend using timers or smart home devices to make it look like someone is home while you are away. Some smart home technology also comes with the ability to alert users if the signal or connection has been interrupted. Toms Hardware also recommends connecting surveillance devices that store camera footage directly on your device, and not just to a cloud storage system. By having a camera that records to itself, youll have footage saved during a Wi-Fi disruption. The LAPD also encourages people to stay vigilant by locking their doors, relying on neighbors to check on things when away and reporting any strange activity, including suspicious vehicles with temporary or dealer plates. Wilshire Park is located in Central Los Angeles. Duo uses fake iPhones and aliases in $3 million scheme to defraud Apple, officials say Womans Apple Watch led to discovery of her body in lake, cops say. Man now arrested Postal worker sells USPS key, then hundreds of pieces of mail are stolen, feds say Police in Florida are investigating the death of a woman found dead in her apartment. On the afternoon of March 2, a person in an apartment complex called police when they saw a toddler wandering around by themselves, according to a March 5 news release from the Live Oak Police Department. Officers arrived and were told where the toddler lived, the police department said. They scooped up the child, but when they walked up to the apartment they noticed the door was open, officers said. When officers stepped inside they found a woman, 30-year-old Blake Reaves, lying on the floor, police said. Officers said Reaves had severe injuries and was unresponsive before paramedics confirmed her death. Observations of the scene lead investigators to determine foul play is present in this incident, the police department said. Officers said the toddler was unharmed and is now in the care of family members. Police did not release any other information about the child, but friends of Reaves said on Facebook that the woman was an amazing mommy to her daughter. The Like Oak Police Department said it would be joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorneys Office in an ongoing investigation of Reaves death. Live Oak is about 85 miles west of Jacksonville. Toddler went missing after opening window, cops say. K-9 finds him yards from water 7-year-old clutching photo of mom wanders street at midnight to find her, TN cops say Childrens shoe in creek leads to missing 5-year-old boy who later died, NY cops say 1-year-old left alone for days as mom vacationed dies, officials say. Mom pleads guilty Police ask public to search security footage on Feb. 19 for a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, biege in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with "A" and end with "0." As authorities and the public continue to look for 3-year-old Elijah Vue, the Two Rivers Police Department released new information on Monday, asking residents to check surveillance footage for a car of interest. Elijah has been missing since Feb. 20. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers have searched the area every day since he went missing. Two Rivers police asked the public and businesses Monday to check security camera footage for a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, beige in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with "A" and ending with "0," on Feb. 19 between 2 and 9 p.m. Police ask public to search security footage on Feb. 19 for a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, biege in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with "A" and end with "0." Authorities have recovered the car but are seeking more information about its locations on Feb. 19. In addition to those in Manitowoc County, people in adjacent counties should check as well, police said. To send a video to authorities, use this link. If you experience technical difficulties or do not have access to upload your video, call the tip line at: 844-267-6648. Two Rivers police said search efforts will continue Tuesday with "large scale coordinated operations." Police and area firefighters walk along state Highway 310 near Johnston Drive during the search for missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue on Feb. 27 in Two Rivers. Elijah's mother, Katrina B. Baur of Wisconsin Dells, and a man who lived in their home, Jesse Vang of Two Rivers, have been charged with child neglect. According to the criminal complaint, Elijah was staying at Vang's Two Rivers residence for over a week before he disappeared while his mother stayed in Wisconsin Dells. Baur, 31, and Vang, 39, are expected to appear in court Thursday. The FBI has offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to locating Elijah or convicting those responsible for his disappearance, and Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers has offered a $1,000 reward. Do you have information about Elijah Vue? A missing person poster was on display at the press conference held Feb. 27 at Two Rivers City Hall to help find 3-year-old Elijah Vue. Police describe Elijah as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 3 feet tall and has a birthmark on his left knee. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a dark-colored, long-sleeve shirt and a pair of red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may also be carrying a red-and-white plaid blanket. If you have information that could help the Two Rivers Police Department find Vue, contact their tipline at 844-267-6648 or submit information via the Crime Stoppers app P3. People who share information that leads to finding Elijah or the arrest of anyone involved in or responsible for his disappearance could be eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,000 through Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers or $15,000 through the FBI. Alisa M. Schafer of the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Police ask public to check cameras as Elijah Vue remains missing Ukraine has sunk another Russian warship off the coast of occupied Crimea, Kyiv has said. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special unit called Group 13 had fired Magura V5 maritime kamikaze drones at the Sergey Kotov a patrol ship Kyiv has said was worth $65m (51m) near the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. The loss is another significant and embarrassing blow to Moscow's naval power. Seven Russian crew members were killed and six were injured in the strike, while 52 crew were rescued, the military intelligence agency said. Right now this ship is on the seabed, Ukrainian navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said. He added: And, by the way, they were also supposed to have a helicopter on board. This is the case where you get two for the price of one so why pay more? Ukrainian officials said that the ship suffered damage to the stern, as well as the port and starboard sides. The ship, believed to have been commissioned in 2021, can reportedly carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew. Patrol boats such as the Sergey Kotov are said to be part of Russia's countermeasures against drone attacks. The vessels use radar to detect and destroy drones using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, a recent report from the US think tank, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said. Video footage shared by the Group 13 unit showed the Ukrainian drones closing in on the vessel, seen in ghostly silhouette. A drone hits its hull and there is a large explosion. More drones then target the hole caused by the first impact. The 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. Ukraines Magura (maritime autonomous guard unmanned robotic apparatus) V5 sea drone (Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine) Some Russian military bloggers confirmed the account, although the Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately comment on the attack. Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported attempts to tow the ship to port but said it eventually sank. Mr Pletenchuk said the Sergey Kotov had also been hit in September 2023 and that a similar patrol vessel had been damaged in attacks since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. They have four similar ships, two of them are no longer in service, he said. In a gleeful tweet, Ukraines Defence Ministry said the Sergey Kotov had become a submarine and that it had joined the Moskva the flagship of the Black Sea fleet. The guided-missile cruiser was sunk by a missile attack in April 2022, not long after the start of Vladimir Putins invasion. On land, Ukraine has faced a tough few months. While much of the 600 miles of front line across Ukraine is in stalemate, Russias forces have been advancing in the east. Having taken the symbolically important town of Avdiivka, Putins forces pushed on, but Ukraines army says it has managed to slow the advance. We are saying that in this hottest sector of the direct Russian assault, we are managing to stabilise the situation and the enemys advance has been halted, said Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy, on national television. But Kyiv has had plenty of success in the Black Sea, having stepped up attacks in recent months. In February, Ukraine claimed it twice sank Russian warships using drones. On 1 February, it claimed to have sunk the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets, and on 14 February it said it destroyed the Caesar Kunikov landing ship. It came as French president Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to Prague that it was time for Ukraines allies to step up, adding that a moment was being approached in our Europe where it will be appropriate not to be a coward. In a reference to Russias invasion of Ukraine, Mr Macron said that France and the Czech Republic were well aware that war is back on our soil [in Europe], that some powers which have become unstoppable are extending every day their threat of attacking us even more, and that we will have to live up to history and the courage that it requires. Mr Macron also said he supported plans announced last month by the Czech Republic, backed by Canada, Denmark and others, to finance the rapid purchase of hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries to dispatch to Ukraine. Ukraine is critically short of artillery rounds on the front line as Russia attacks in the east. We support this initiative and we are ready to contribute to it, Mr Macron said of the Czech plan, without saying how Paris would be involved. He added that ministers would work on that. Meanwhile, at The Hague, 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 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. 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 densely populated areas in the city of Mariupol were conducted under his command. Sokolov 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 Zelensky welcomed the arrest warrants. He said: 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. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) released a statement Tuesday in response to the University of Florida's announcement last week that it was eliminating all positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), effective immediately. The decision was in response to a new Florida Board of Governors rule on prohibited expenditures. The regulation labels expenses related to DEI, which is defined as "any program, campus activity, or policy that classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation and promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals on the basis of such classification," as prohibited expenditures. The announcement: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion employees will no longer have a job at UF UF students react: Goodbye, DEI: UF students react to elimination of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion positions The regulation mandates that a state university "may not expend any state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities" that violate section 1000.05 of Florida Statutes, advocate for what it defines as diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in what it defines as political or social activism. Florida Statute section 1000.05, known as the Florida Educational Equity Act, requires equality of access and prohibits discrimination "on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status" against students and employees in the Florida K-20 public education system. This action by UF goes against the core principles of United Faculty of Florida at UF, which traces its very origins to resistance against UF's actions during the civil rights era," said Meera Sitharam, UFF-UF Faculty Chapter president, in a news release. "The Board of Governors has summarily failed to uphold its autonomy, either due to political and ideological alignment or due to fear of the State University System purse strings being cut by the legislature which has recently failed to demonstrate any independence from the governor's office. The UF Board of Trustees has similarly shamefully caved in. Fear is a powerful tool in the totalitarian playbook. And anticipatory obedience is its desired response. United Faculty of Florida (UFF) represents more than 25,000 faculty at multiple colleges and universities across the state as well as graduate assistants at four universities. UF voluntarily hired DEI professionals and funded DEI programs because they allowed its operations to be more successful," said Jacob Fiala, UFF-UF Graduate Assistants United Chapter co-president, in a news release. "It was not forced to invest in DEI by some woke authoritarian boogeyman; on the contrary, UF feebly yielded to pressures to divest from DEI by anti-woke authoritarians. As of last week, UF has abandoned any pretense of care for the inclusion of marginalized voices in the academy. UF administration is not interested in fighting for sensible policies or the rights of its workers, it is interested in allying with neo-fascist ideologues to censor free thought. This will be yet another massive blow to the reputation and success of UF. Representatives of UF's UFF chapters sent an open letter to UF President Ben Sasse, speaking out against the university's decision to eliminate DEI positions, saying it is "s the most recent blow to the integrity of our academic institution but it isnt the first and we know, it wont be the last." Sabrina Briceno with the University of Floria Democrats and the Stand For Freedom Florida spoke to about 100 University of Florida students gathered at Turlington Hall Thursday afternoon, February 23, 2023 about how DeSantis was trying to take away their educational rights. College students planned a statewide walkout in protest of recent education-related efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis, including his policies targeting LGBTQ+ and people of color. Organized by the Florida College Democrats and Dream Defenders, "Stand for Freedom" is a statewide movement and walkout scheduled for noon on Thursday across Florida college campuses. Participants in the movement and walkout are calling on the DeSantis administration to restore diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in colleges and universities, according to the "Stand for Freedom" pledge. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023 The attacks on Floridas higher education are sadly, not a surprise," said Andrew Spar, Florida Education Association president, in a news release. "Floridas colleges and universities have branded themselves as leaders in the nation- they are award winning centers of excellence that Floridians should be proud of. But when leaders decide that some courses are simply too controversial because they dont align with their political viewpoints, Florida suffers. We must continue to stand united and demand more from our leaders. UFF President Teresa Hodge shared similar sentiments, stating in a news release that "UFF will continue to work on ensuring that our faculty, graduate assistants, and students have the freedom to learn and to teach all the things. Repeated attacks on DEI by Florida leaders stem not from a misunderstanding of DEI, but from a purposeful misrepresentation and fear mongering campaign," Hodge said. "Make no mistake, these attacks on DEI will continue, and they will not remain centered on our higher education systems. To the contrary, these attacks could move beyond the higher education space into spaces where citizens live, work and play. We already see this happening look at the erasure of sociology as a core curriculum offering for Floridas students and at the reticence of our legislators in allowing educators to teach a complete and honest history about our past. The effects of such decisions can go beyond the classroom and, perhaps as an unintended consequence, potentially produce an illiterate populous that could be easily manipulated due to their lack of knowledge or inability to think critically. Floridas students deserve better. Instead of using our students as pawns toward political means, Floridas leaders should be focused on providing them with an education system that challenges them and forces them to look at the world around them critically." The university eliminated 13 full-time positions as well as 15 administrative appointments, which are roles that faculty members accept in addition to their regular duties, UF Spokesperson Cynthia Roldan said. The Office of the Chief Diversity Officer has been closed and all DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors have been halted. This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: United Faculty of Florida UF chapters write to Ben Sasse about DEI When is the best time to visit a Pennsylvania Driver's License or Photo License Center? The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation just let the word out: Between 8:15 and 9 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you go on a Saturday because it's your day off from work or school, be prepared to wait in line. Also, the first and last days of the month are extra busy, PennDOT notes. This is a sample of a REAL ID-Compliant Non-Commercial Driver's License showing the REAL ID star in the right corner. Starting in May 2025, residents will need a REAL ID card or an alternate federally accepted form of identification to board commercial U.S. flights. The Driver License Centers serve a variety of people including teens wanting to learn how to drive, to out-of-staters who have moved to Pennsylvania and have two months to get their new driver's license, to foreigners living in the United States on extended visas, who are eligible for a license. The Driver's License Center on Neshaminy Boulevard in Trevose handled a total of 135,649 visitors for licensing and photo services in 2023, according to PennDOT statistics provided by spokesman Brandon Glorioso. On days when they are especially crowded, the lines can be long. Another idea head to the less crowded Driver's License Center on North Main Street in Dublin in Central Bucks, which handled 87,989 service requests last year, the statistics showed. On a recent Saturday when the line at the Trevose center queued down the shopping center block, it was easy to walk in at the Dublin center, where about a dozen people were in line. No appointment necessary at PennDOT driving centers The centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. "The standard is to serve our customers in 30 minutes or less. All services are walk-in; no appointment is necessary except for a driver skills test," said Glorioso in an email. This is a standard Pennsylvania Junior Driver's License which does not have the REAL ID star in the right corner, as required by law by May 2025 as one of the identification forms that could be used to board a commercial United States flight. If you don't need to apply for a license but just need to have your license renewed, apply online and have an updated photo taken at a Photo License Center, like the one at 516 N. Oxford Valley Road in Middletown. One visitor last year described it in a review as "a secret gem." She was able to get her new license quickly. Like the Driver License centers, the Photo Center is closed Sundays and Mondays. Information on Driver's License and Photo License Centers and what services can be done online is available at the state's Department of Motor Vehicles website: www.dmv.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx More: With 10M square feet of warehouses coming, Morrisville residents want truck traffic fix Wherever you go, have the last four digits of your Social Security number for identification purposes, and if you are applying for a REAL ID, bring the required identification documents with you. Applying for Real ID in Pennsylvania REAL ID is a federal program enacted by Congress in 2005 and supervised by the Department of Homeland Security to make sure that "minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards" are being followed, and that people have identification cards that meet these standards when boarding commercial flights in the United States and entering federal facilities. The deadline for enforcement was delayed due to COVID but now is May 7, 2025. To apply for REAL ID, residents in Pennsylvania need to go to a Driver's License Center and bring their original or certified birth certificate or a valid United States passport, a Social Security card or other legal form showing their name and full Social Security number, two forms of identification showing their name and address and , if their name has been changed, documentation showing the change, like "a certified marriage certificate, court order, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court," PennDOT states. PennDOT states that non-United States residents who are lawfully in the country and want a REAL ID driver's license or identification card are required to bring other documents listed on the website: https://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID/Pages/REAL-ID-Non-U.S.Citizens.aspx In receiving the REAL ID certification, a Pennsylvanian's driver's license will be stamped with a gold star in the right corner, showing the person has the REAL ID verification. The verification is renewed when the person's driver's license is up for renewal. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA license centers in Bucks County: What to bring, when to go In less than two weeks, Kansas voters will line up for the states first presidential primary in over 30 years. If you vote early, you dont have to wait until election day. Advance voting for the election officially kicked off Feb. 28, and in-person early voting in Johnson and Wyandotte counties begins on Saturday, March 9. Election day will be Tuesday, March 19, Whether you live in Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Shawnee or Kansas City, Kansas, here is everything you need to know about the 2024 Kansas primary election. Who can vote early in the Kansas primary? Anyone registered with a party in Kansas can vote in-person at any of their countys early voting locations. Unaffiliated Kansas voters can participate in this election as long as they declare a party on Election Day. That party will stay on the voters record until they change it, an Johnson County election office worker confirmed in a phone call. Where can I vote early in the primary? Kansas voters can cast their ballot at any of the early voting locations in their county. Here are those polling places: Johnson County Locations are open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday-Friday the week of March 11 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Three locations will be open on Monday, March 18; check the Johnson County election offices website for details. Arts and Heritage Center: 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park Hilltop Conference Center: 7700 W. 143rd St., Overland Park Johnson County Northeast Offices: 6000 Lamar Ave., Mission Monticello Library: 22435 W. 66th St., Shawnee Johnson County Election Office: 2101 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe JCCC Midwest Trust Center: 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park Johnson County Sunset Offices: 11811 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe Olathe Indian Creek Library: 16100 W. 135th St., Olathe Olathe Downtown Library: 260 E. Santa Fe St., Olathe New Century Fieldhouse: 551 New Century Parkway, New Century Wyandotte County Most locations are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Monday-Friday the week of March 11. Check hours on the Wyandotte County election offices website. Edwardsville City Hall Training Room: 670 S. 4th St., Edwardsville Eisenhower Recreation Center: 2801 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, KS Joe Amayo/Argentine Community Center: 2810 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, KS Patricia Diane Kane Community Center: 3130 N. 122nd St, Kansas City, KS Wyandotte County Election Office: 850 State Ave., Kansas City, KS What ID do I need to bring to the polls? In Kansas, you must bring a photo ID to vote. Here is the list of acceptable documents from the Kansas Secretary of States website: Drivers license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state U.S. Passport Student ID card from an accredited post-secondary education institution in Kansas U.S. Military ID ID card issued by a Native American tribe Employee badge or ID issued by a government office Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state Public assistance ID card issued by a government office Who will be on the March 19 ballot in Kansas? The March ballot will be different depending on your party registration. Heres who made the ballots for each party. To see your sample ballot and polling location, visit the Kansas Secretary of States voter registration lookup and enter your first and last name and date of birth. Ron DeSantis has officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, but will still appear on the ballot due to filing deadlines. Heres who made the ballots for each party: Democrat: Dean Phillips Jason Michael Palmer Joseph R. Biden Jr. (incumbent) Marianne Williamson Republican: Donald J. Trump Nikki R. Haley Ron DeSantis Ryan L. Binkley How do I reach my election office? If you have questions about voting eligibility, accessibility, registration or locations, contact your local election board. Johnson County Election Office: 913-715-6800 Wyandotte County Election Office: 913-573-8500 Whats the difference between a primary and a caucus? Kansas has only had a presidential primary in 1980 and 1992, but the process was revived for this year through state legislation. Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill into law that put the primaries in place for the Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties. The bipartisan measure, House Bill 2053, only scheduled the 2024 primary, however, and did not expand it to future election years. Kansas typically holds caucuses, which are less costly but result in lower participation. A caucus is when the political parties hold separate meetings to decide how many delegates are given to each candidate, which depends on the number of caucus votes received. A presidential primary, on the other hand, is when balloting is conducted by the state, through an election process. Marchs primary will be a preference primary. It is a preference primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters selected the party candidate, the secretary of states website reads. The Stars Natalie Wallington contributed to this report. Do you have more questions about voting in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com. WORCESTER While its too early to know if Super Tuesday will live up to its name, enthusiastic voters were easy to find at the polls the morning of Massachusetts' presidential primary. Whether people were candid about their favorite candidate or they kept it close to the vest, voters shared one stance: a common belief that voting is a civic duty, one that shouldnt be taken for granted. Robert P. Spellane, a former state representative from Worcester, liked what he saw in his capacity as the warden of the polling station at Salem Covenant Church, 215 Mountain St. East. Surprisingly, voter turnout has been brisk, which is good to see, Spellane said. Not only were the polling places seeing a steady turnout, Spellane said, there was a handful of folks waiting for the polls to open at 7 a.m. People are excited to come out and vote and have their voice heard, Spellane said. Now what that voice is we will not really know until the end of the day today here in Massachusetts. Live blog Primary Day in Massachusetts: What's on the ballot? Can unenrolled people vote? Catching up with voters Young, old, men, women, singles, couples, U.S.-born and immigrants came out to the polls. While some expressed indifference, a consensus appeared to be proud that they had voted. Cole Hamel, in his 20s, was voting in his third presidential primary. Hamel said he is optimistic that good days not necessarily in the next four years are ahead. I have to admit, this is a pretty lackluster election for me, Hamel said. Even though it already seems to be a foregone conclusion and Im not very jazzed by the choice Im going to have in November, the worst thing I could do is not vote. When it comes to the ideal presidential candidate, Hamel said, the three qualities that he looks for are electability, moderate beliefs and likability. WORCESTER - Cole Hamel Although he said hes a little discouraged by this years presidential choices, Hamel said he finds solace in knowing that neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump is likely to be back on the ballot in four years. Im hoping for a bigger shakeup then, Hamel concluded. Fred and Regina Mitchell agreed that its important to come out and vote. Worcester Find your polling place 'A right to vote' We vote all the time, every year, Fred Mitchell said. It doesnt matter locals, presidential. We dont miss out. Its a right to vote. We need a change, Regina Mitchell interjected. A Vietnam War Army veteran, Fred Mitchell pointed at the word Vietnam on his sweatshirt while paying homage to all American soldiers who have fought and served. They secured our countrys freedoms, which includes the right to vote, he said. See that there, he questioned. People over there (in Vietnam), they dont get a right to vote. The Vietnamese dont get a right to vote. When youre in a country like that, the government tells you how to vote or your (expletive) is grass. Some people forget all that, but I dont. Although they didnt come to Salem Covenant Church together, Jeannelly Deschamps and Bob Quinlivan agreed its important to come out to the polls to show support for a preferred candidate Trump for Deschamps and Biden for Quinlivan. WORCESTER - Jeannelly Deschamps I want change in the country, Deschamps said. Its a vote against Trump, Quinlivan countered. Like her counterpart at Salem Covenant Church, AnnMarie Mero, one of the wardens working the polling station inside the Burncoat High School gymnasium, said Tuesday morning turnout has been pretty good, where a few people waited for the polls to open at 7 a.m. Outside the gymnasium, after casting her vote, Miriam Rogers Montalvo didn't mince words about her political views. WORCESTER - Miriam Rogers-Montalvo I felt it was important not to have Donald Trump, Montalvo said. Im here to support my sister Nikki Haley. Even though I tend more Democratic, Trump could be the worst thing for the country. So thats why Im here. When asked about the perfect presidential candidate, Montalvo said the leader would have moral integrity, certainly intelligence and an ability to walk across the (party) aisle. If youre super right or super left, you both still love your mother, Montalvo said. Theres much more in common than different. 'I love this country' A Vietnam native who has been in the United States for more than 30 years, Khai Tran cherishes the ability to vote freely while being well aware of the alternative. I love this country, he said. I want to make America great again. Comparing his homeland to his adopted country, Tran said Vietnam is terrible, still Communist. America. FreedomNo choice in Vietnam. WORCESTER - Khai Tran I came out to vote today because we live in a democracy, Francis Frank McKiernan said. Proudly declaring himself a lifelong Democrat who voted for Biden, McKiernan said what he looks for in a candidate is integrity, good moral character and intelligence. I look at the president as a role model, in some ways, someone who I have confidence in, confidence and trust, McKiernan said. As he (Biden) said, although he didnt originate the expression, Dont compare me to the almighty. Compare me to the alternative. WORCESTER - Frank McKiernan Sutton: Will it be as close as last time? SUTTON The polling location at Sutton High School saw a steady turnout for the presidential primary, according to Warden Debra Jacques. During the 2020 presidential election, Sutton was one of the most closely contested towns in Massachusetts. Joe Biden won 3,091 votes in town, while Donald Trump won 3,081. But most voters who spoke to a reporter on Tuesday declined to reveal whom they were supporting this time around. Kelly Clark did speak volumes about why she came out to vote and what shes looking for in a president. I do think that this primary was very important because I wanted our voices to be heard and I dont feel that they were in the previous election, Clark said. I came out to vote today because every vote makes a difference and I just want to make sure I am a part of that voting process. I want somebody that has a strong moral compass. I want somebody that has a very, very good business sense to be able to navigate through all the problems and issues that we have, Clark said. And we have to make sure that hes putting the peoples voices first and he is listening to all we have to say. Ned Bacon said his vote was a protest, as much as anything. Voters at the Sutton High polling site on Tuesday. 'In a world of hurt' Im an independent. I feel incredibly strong that we cant elect Donald Trump. I took a Republican ballot and voted for (Nikki) Haley, just because I want to get the numbers up for her, Bacon said. Were in a world full of hurt in this country for so many reasons. Its a hinge moment in history. Its critical we get this right. Bacon said he is baffled by the presidential election as a whole. I think if either party had put up a young, dynamic candidate, they would have blown the other person out of the water, Bacon said. I think Biden has done a decent job, by the way. But, I think, if the Democrats had put up a robust, younger person, I dont think this would be a contest now. Duncan Sorli and Melissa-Lee Sorli said that despite the scarcity of candidates, they felt the presidential primary held a great deal more weight than four years ago. We just want to make sure the right candidate gets through the primary, Duncan Sorli said. Saying that the country is in a very precarious place in its history, the Sorlis agreed that the ability to lead, a grasp of the economy and world wide affairs, and strong personality are the characteristics he looks for in a president. Adam Graves casts his ballot. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Presidential primary: Enthusiasm a winner at the polls in Worcester Stephen Schutte, general manager of Point Broadband, was awarded the Business Person of the Year Award recently by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. More than 400 people attended the chamber's 2024 business awards event the evening of Feb. 28 at The Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown, according to a chamber news release. Business Person of the Year is awarded to a business person who "has demonstrated excellence in business, enhanced the image of the Washington County business community and/or has provided superior service to business and the community as a whole," the release states. Stephen Schutte, general manager of Point Broadband, was named the 2024 Business Person of the Year by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. "Schutte advocates for and helps facilitate success and new thought in Washington County," the release states. Among the community organizations Schutte is involved with are the Washington County Free Library, the Western Maryland Regional Library, the Hagerstown Youth Council, Kiwanis, the North Hagerstown High School boosters and Star Community. He is a board member for the boosters and Star Community. He also participates in various community events. Dr. Michael Hann, chief medical officer for Brook Lane, was named 2024 Young Professional of the Year. Christian Wright, left of Wright-Gardner Insurance, and Donna Mitchell, Washington County Chamber of Commerce Operations Director, present Dr. Michael Hann (middle) with the 2024 Young Professional of the Year Award. Wright-Gardner sponsored the award. That award is given to a business person younger than 40 who has demonstrated excellence in business and remains active in the county, while demonstrating leadership skills. Hann has been "instrumental in advancing" Brook Lane's mission of hope, healing and recovery, the release states. He has overseen a variety of clinical programs, including inpatient psychiatric services, outpatient care and specialty programs. Vote for the Student of the Week: Herald-Mail Student of the Week: See this week's poll Local youths recognized: Big show puts Washington County students' artwork in spotlight Other awards the chamber presented include: Chick-fil-A Hagerstown received the At Your Service award for "undertaking actions that generate customer loyalty and satisfaction." In addition to its "vision to purposefully deliver care by touching hearts everyday," the local operation opened another restaurant off Sharpsburg Pike, doubling its workforce by adding 100 jobs. Children in Need was named Nonprofit of the Year. As winner of this award, Children in Need receives a $1,000 grant through the Community Foundation of Washington County. Children in Need serves more than 3,000 children a year, providing new or gently used clothes and basic hygiene supplies. The Arc of Washington County was named Large Business of the Year. The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown was named Small Business of the Year. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County Chamber of Commerce presents 2024 business awards [Source] A video of a 77-year-old Japanese man singing a Tamil song has gone viral on South Asian social media. Who he is: Reports identified the man of talent as Mr. Kuboki San, a senior Mitsubishi executive. Little is known about him, but he gave his performance sometime after his speech at GLOBIZZ24, an event hosted by Pondicherry University in southeastern India, on Feb. 27. What he sang: Kuboki reportedly enthralled MBA students with his version of a Tamil song from Muthu, a 1995 film starring legendary Indian actor Rajnikanth. According to local reports, it was the highest-grossing movie in Japan that year. Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure What people are saying: Students at the event can be heard cheering as soon as Kuboki sings the first few lines of the song. The video, which was first posted over the weekend, has drawn similar reactions from social media users. At the age of 77, Mr. Kuboki San of Mitusubishi Corporation Ltd, Japan, at the GLOBIZZ'24 event conducted by Pondicherry University! He enthralled the MBA students with the Tamil Song from Rajnikanth starred movie "Muthu", which has been rocking in Japan since 1995! #Rajinikanth pic.twitter.com/ILG9WIkKie Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) March 2, 2024 Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children Music has no language, no barriers. It just enters through your ears, touches your soul and makes a permanent home in your mind, one X user wrote. Another commented, He knows how to win his customers for sure. True leader to the core. Trending on NextShark: NYC sushi restaurant owner accuses Wegmans of stealing his concept and trade secrets Wow. If I can be this guy when Im old, then I would have lived a good life, another noted. Trending on NextShark: Austin authorities say investigation into Angela Chaos unfortunate accident is unchanged Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Because, sadly, we now seem primarily to regard the Middle East as a place of conflict we often forget its importance as a cradle of civilisations. Egypt has the pyramids; Saudi Arabia has Islamic shrines; Israel sites sacred to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths; and Syria and Jordan have, not least, extensive Roman remains, though how well these have survived the appalling civil war in the former is unclear. Another nation with a rich cultural past is Bahrain, probably the most pro-British country in the region, which I had the good fortune to visit recently. The kingdom has several Unesco World Heritage sites, the most arresting of which is the protected landscape known as Qalat al-Bahrain. Its centrepiece is a magnificent desert fort and historic harbour, adjoining some pearl-fishing grounds, and one of the Persian Gulfs commercial hubs for nearly 5,000 years. Archaeology in Bahrain remains a work in progress. British practitioners have worked there with local experts, and centuries of sand accumulations on this coast continue to be excavated in the hope of finding ancient shipwrecks. The main work was done by two major archaeological missions, one from Denmark in the 1950s and another from France in the 1970s. These missions began excavating not just within the perimeter of the fort, but in a substantial adjacent site that, almost 70 years after the first explorations, now reveals a complex urban plan of alleys and houses dating from about 2050 BC the home of the first civilisation recorded in Bahrain, the Dilmun. The fort itself is much later, but was effectively abandoned for more than 250 years until 20th-century Bahrain began to take a deep interest in its past. It comprises three large buildings, the earliest of which dates from the 15th century. It was the work of the princes of Hormuz, a dynasty from what is now southern Iran. Shortly after expanding the fort to cope with the development of artillery, the Hormuzi were driven out by the Portuguese, who created a well-defended trading post; at that time, they led the world in sea exploration and commerce. Scholars have detected Italian, and especially Genoese, styles in the main bastions dating from the 1560s. This is attributed to aesthetic influences brought to bear on the architect Inofre de Carvalho. 'An intensely culturally significant part of the Persian Gulf': Bahrain Fort - John Engel/Alamy Stock Photo The fort was, though, soon a white elephant. Silting-up meant that by the second half of the 16th century, Portuguese vessels had to moor over a mile from the protection of the fort. This led to its abandonment, making its survival into the 21st century, and in such excellent condition, all the more remarkable. Most of the main bastions of the fort remain intact, as do several of its rooms all with gunports. The main trade routes from the Gulf led to India and to China, explaining why much Ming pottery has been discovered around the fort. To its south is a much older construction: a Bronze Age city wall built by the Dilmuns, also in about 2050 BC. Their civilisation lasted until about 500 BC, when the Greek, or Hellenistic, civilisation supplanted it. These cultures are reflected in the fine modern museum, by the Scandinavian architects Wohlert, devoted to items found in and around this site since systematic excavations began in 1954. It lies in view of the fort, divided from it by a site of several acres where detailed archaeological investigations continue. Much of its ceramic exhibitions are of Islamic vessels from Persia, Iraq, Syria and Oman; but also displayed are parts of a 310-coin hoard of silver tetradrachms found by the city wall and in its design imitating the coinage of Alexander the Great, from the 2nd century BC. The museum also contains figurative gravestones from the Hellenistic period, Sumerian carvings, ancient Indian cups, Bronze Age jars, Babylonian cuneiform tablets and a fine collection of figurines of bearded men from the first millennium BC. It is a crash course in the multiplicity of civilisations of this small, but intensely culturally significant, part of the Persian Gulf and, with excavations continuing as Bahrain becomes more fascinated by its past, there is doubtless far more to come. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, pictured during an October committee hearing, represents northwest Ohio as the longest-serving woman in Congress. The longest-serving woman in Congress has represented northwest Ohio for over 40 years. Republicans say it's time for Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Toledo Democrat, to pack her bags, and the March 19 primary will determine who takes her on in November. But the GOP contest has been rocked by a controversial candidate who lost to Kaptur in 2022 and questions of who is more loyal to former President Donald Trump. The chaos left national GOP groups scrambling to stabilize Ohio's 9th Congressional District, one of their key targets for 2024. They breathed a sigh of relief last week when Kaptur's 2022 opponent, J.R. Majewski, said he will drop out of the primary after making offensive comments about Special Olympics athletes. Ohio Voters Guide: What you need to know before you vote Still, the 9th District illustrates the problems Republicans can face while juggling different factions within their party. "Once upon a time, Republicans were organized," said Justin Buchler, a political scientist at Case Western Reserve University. "That time passed long ago." How J.R. Majewski shook up 9th Congressional District Kaptur's seat came into play for Republicans in 2022, when Ohio lawmakers turned the reliably Democratic "snake on the lake" into a tossup during the mapmaking process. Despite the challenge, Kaptur defeated Majewski by 13 percentage points and won a 21st term in Congress. Her victory can be attributed in part to the problems that dogged Majewski's campaign. The political newcomer first attracted attention for painting his lawn as a Trump banner and rapping in a MAGA music video. But he faced criticism for touting QAnon and traveling to the U.S. Capitol on the day of the Jan. 6 insurrection. The final nail in the coffin came after the Associated Press reported that Majewski misrepresented his military record, a charge he still disputes. Majewski went back and forth over the 2024 primary. He announced his campaign last spring but dropped out after a month, citing his mother's health. He rejoined the race in October and racked up high-profile endorsements from Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Last month, however, Majewski ignited another firestorm when he compared Democrats on the internet to Special Olympics athletes and used an ablest slur. The Lucas County Republican Party voted to censure Majewski for "his reprehensible, insensitive, uncaring and inappropriate remarks," and he faced calls from other Republicans to drop out. "It takes more than just painting a Trump sign in your yard to be a congressman," state Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, said. Politico reported early last week that Majewski was considering the move, but he vowed to keep running and accused the "Washington Establishment Machine" of working against him. Then he changed his mind again and announced Saturday that he's suspending his campaign. "And to the FAKE NEWS, who incessantly spreads partisan bull----: President Trump did NOT ask me to get out of this race," Majewski said in a statement. Majewski's name is still on the primary ballot. As of Monday, his campaign had not notified the Lucas County Board of Elections of his intention to drop out. Majewski must do that to ensure any votes for him aren't counted. Former state Rep. Craig Riedel, middle, is running for the chance to take on Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Ohio's 9th Congressional District. GOP candidate faces questions about Trump loyalty Republicans saw Majewski as their biggest problem in the 9th District, but he wasn't the only one. Former state lawmaker Craig Riedel joined the 2024 contest after losing the 2022 primary between him, Majewski and state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green. This time around, Riedel became the favorite among party leaders who believed he could compete in a general election against Kaptur. Then audio of Riedel criticizing Trump surfaced in December. "Donald Trump, he's a different person than me," Riedel said in an interview obtained by conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. "I don't like the way he communicates. I think he is arrogant. I don't like the way he calls people names. I just don't think that's very becoming of a president." Riedel endorsed Trump for president after the clip took off on social media, but the damage was already done. Rep. Max Miller, R-Rocky River, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, abandoned their support for Riedel. House Republicans recruited Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova, Politico reported, fearing Riedel's comments could pave the way for a Majewski win. Also running in the GOP primary is former Napoleon mayor Steve Lankenau. "The OH-09 GOP primary has become a national embarrassment, and Republicans in Washington are lighting money on fire only for their preferred anti-abortion, anti-worker extremist to have the honor of losing next November," said Aidan Johnson, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova, speaks in favor of legislation to ban most abortions in Ohio ahead of the House vote in 2019. Merrin, who was first appointed to the Ohio House in 2016, lost a bid for speaker last year to Jason Stephens. Although he entered the primary last, he picked up endorsements from U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Lucas County GOP. Johnson's nod comes with financial support from the Congressional Leadership Fund, which has reserved nearly $500,000 in ads for Merrin. Merrin's campaign did not respond to multiple interview requests. In an interview, Riedel reaffirmed his support for Trump and said the controversy over his comments is "water under the dam." He also contends he's the only candidate with enough resources to take on Kaptur this fall. "It's critical for the Republican Party that we win this race because of the razor thin majority the Republican Party currently has," Riedel said. "I know theres concern about what may happen this fall in the state of New York and other locations. That puts even more importance and emphasis on this race here." Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio 9th Congressional District primary creates chaos for Republicans Maria Branyas Morera, the world's oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on Monday. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records March 4 (UPI) -- The oldest living person, Maria Branyas Morera, is celebrating her 117th birthday Monday in Spain. Morera, who was born March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, has lived in Catalonia, Spain, since she was 8 years old and has been residing at the same nursing home for the past 23 years. Morera was named the oldest living person by Guinness World Records in January 2023, following the death of French woman Lucile Randon at the age of 118. "She is very grateful for all the congratulations received and the interest that so many people have shown in her state of health," Eva Carrera Boix, the director of Morera's nursing home, told Guinness World Records. "She is happy to be able to celebrate this special day intimately with her family and colleagues and wishes everyone a happy Monday," Boix said. Morera remains active at her nursing home, and maintains a social media presence on X with help from her 80-year-old daughter. "Good morning, world. Today I turn 117 years old. I've come this far," she wrote Monday. Morera is currently the 12th oldest verified person in history, and would rise to the No. 5 spot if she makes it to her 118th birthday. Small business owners in downtown Pasco have a clear message to their fellow Tri-Citians: Were open and we need your help. Since the city closed five blocks of Lewis Street between 2nd and Oregon avenues a week ago, commerce has quickly ground to a halt for many Latino-owned businesses. No block has been impacted more than the one that includes Lewis Street Tire & Torres Auto Repair and more than a dozen other businesses. Between 2nd and 1st avenues, city contractors are moving earth to realign Lewis Street onto a new 625-foot bridge. Owners say if the road closure carries on and business doesnt recover, theyll be forced to lay off workers or even close their doors. We kind of slipped through the cracks, Lewis Street Tire manager Valerie Torres said. Our businesses have been (operating) in the negatives every single day and this is only the first week of an eight-week project. Lewis Street Tire is a second-generation, family-owned business. Theyve been a Pasco staple for 30 years now, and have been at their current location for a decade. Torres father owns the business and oversees day-to-day operations. A group of downtown Pasco businesses on West Lewis Street between 2nd Avenue and the recently closed underpass are concerned about the survival of their businesses because of limited access, limited parking and a detour away from their block. As an automobile retail and repair shop, the Torres business relies heavily on Lewis Streets bustling downtown traffic. But now that the streets outside their storefront are vacant, revenue is drying up. Customers say theyre confused about road closure signs some read Road Closed, Local Traffic Only or Business Open During Construction and whether theyre allowed to bring their cars into the shop. Many believe the local businesses are closed. Weve lost all foot traffic due to the road closure and the advertisements of this road closing, unfortunately, she said. It costs about $1,500 a day to open and operate Lewis Street Tire. Last Thursday, the fourth day of road closures, they saw just $75 worth of business one of their worst days on record since COVID shutdowns four years ago. The closure comes at an especially bad time for the family business. Customers will receive their tax refund checks over the next couple months and many use the extra cash to make repairs on their cars or buy wheels and lift kits. The shop normally will bring in about $60,000 a month during this peak time. We prepared for it, we bought lots of inventory and were stuck with it, she said. No one is coming. Angry with the city Businesses are outraged with the city for what they say has been a lack of communication about the closure and its impacts. The owners rallied at the council meeting this week, pleading for the city to make access changes to Lewis Street and for some type of financial restitution. Local businesses on the block knew closures were coming, but Torres said they didnt expect it would impact their operations. They never came to talk to us about what to expect, Torres said. When I showed up to work on Monday, I was livid. I pulled up and couldnt even come in. She approached city staff with her concerns, but said their immediate solutions didnt adequately address the loss of business they were suffering. Last Wednesday, she gathered the names of more than a dozen businesses on the block and sent them over to the city, requesting answers to resolve this issue. On Thursday, downtown owners gathered in Lewis Street Tires showroom to air their frustrations with city staff, council members and local leaders. Many felt the suggested solutions to erect signs advertising open businesses and getting the road paved quicker wouldnt make them whole. Heavy construction equipment for the Lewis Street overpass project is reflected in the window of the Piqui Tacos Mexican restaurant at 218 W. Lewis Street in Pasco. Its sad to think this bridge took years in planning ... and nowhere did you guys consider us, Torres said. Some community members also brought up the citys leftover pandemic-era funds, allocated in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as possible relief. Last month, city staff reported Pasco still had about $1.4 million in ARPA funds that needed to be spent before the end of the year. That money has been earmarked to provide support to the MLK Jr. Center renovation in east Pasco, but its not clear if the full amount will be needed. The $6.5 million project has already been fully funded with a mix of Washington state and federal dollars. The city council voted unanimously Monday night to have city staff investigate potential funding sources that could be used to supplement the businesses losses. City spokesperson Jon Funfar said they understand the concerns by business owners and are committed to addressing them effectively. Upon initial contact with these businesses, our team swiftly installed additional signage on barricades indicating that businesses were open. In addition to the existing Local Access Only signs, we are preparing to install signs featuring the specific names and logos of businesses in operation, ensuring clear guidance for customers to access these establishments, Funfar said in a statement. He says city staff will work to actively help businesses and ensure their operations run smooth through this construction period. The city is also planning a media campaign to inform the community about how they can access these businesses. As the situation evolves, we are committed to working closely with affected businesses and the community to ensure minimal disruption and a successful outcome for all parties involved, Funfar said. The overpass project has been in development for 25 years, with regular discussions, planning session and meetings having taken place in the past 10 years. The most recent door-to-door outreach with Lewis Street businesses was back in October 2018. Valerie Torres who works at her fathers downtown Pasco business, Lewis Street Tires & Torres Auto Repair, explains the immediate impact the closure of West Lewis Street has had. Construction has affected everything Lewis Street Tire owner Ramiro Torres said it will be impossible to continue normal operations with current road closures. We want to gather together as businesses here and see if there is any type of legal help or funds available because we feel ignored by the city, Torres, 54, said in Spanish through a translator. They dont realize how much help we really need. Josue Leal, co-owner of U-Payless Auto Glass at 230 West Lewis Street, said commuters used to stop in to get quotes or a quick rock-chip repair for their vehicles. But the business lost 70% of its foot traffic this past week and is now mostly relying on appointments. We are family-owned and a lot of us working here are family. And even though we are family I am going to have to lay somebody off if we reach that point, and that does affect me personally and on a business level because it hurts to have to do that, he said through a translation. Luz Nelly Urbina Sanchez serves hot quesadillas, tostadas and tacos from her food truck, Jochos Tacos, parked at the corner of 1st and Lewis. For the past nine years here, shes been putting her own personal touch, flair and love into the food she cooks She originally got into the food business several years ago with her husband, who has since passed away. She also operates a brick-and-mortar restaurant a few blocks down. I love the idea of the bridge. I know that the area will look more beautiful, but the construction has affected everything, she said through a Spanish translator. Sales this week were down 90% as commuters began a detour that takes them around downtown, Urbina Sanchez said, and she fears she will need to lay off her employees here soon in order to weather the loss of revenue. Shes sad for the families of her employees who have worked for her for five, six years but says there may be no other way. It affects me because I have a family. This is my only source of income. I am alone its just me and my two kids, she said. COVID was not as bad as compared to this. This is worse. The thought of closing the doors to her downtown customers brings tears to Urbina Sanchezs eyes. This is very emotional because Im thinking about this all day, all night. I wake up thinking about this, she said. How am I going to manage things? How am I going to pay my rent? Theres a lot of things that are paid in a business, including water. How am I going to pay all of that if nothing comes in? I need help to keep my business open. I dont want to close my business, I dont want to lose it, she said. A Mexican citizen was arrested in Bedford County on Monday and charged with abduction of a 15-year-old girl, according to a news release issued Tuesday from the Bedford County Sheriff's Office. Isauro Garcia Cruz faces charges on warrants from Butler County, Ohio, charging him with kidnapping and abduction, the release said. He also had pending warrants for aggravated sexual battery of a minor relating to a different incident. The release said Cruz is an undocumented Mexican citizen. The girl was found in the 1200 block of Burnbridge Road in Forest on Monday. The arrest was the result of a joint investigative effort that began last week by the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lynchburg Police Department in assisting the Butler County Sheriff's Office in Ohio. Cruz is being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority on a fugitive from justice warrant, as well as a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor warrant out of Bedford County, the release said. The case remains under investigation. Ask Brandon Reynolds about the worst experience of his life, and the 48-year-old Bedford County resident will talk about the tragic death of his dad, Bedford County native Ralph Edward Reynolds Jr. In April 2019, the Navy veteran and community stalwart, then 73, died instantly when a truck hit the tractor Eddie was piloting along Forest Road (U.S. 221), a two-lane artery marked with a double yellow line, in front of his 50-acre farm. More than 1,000 people attended Eddies subsequent viewing. Scheduled for two hours, it lasted longer than six. At the funeral, Bedfords biggest church overflowed. Following the accident, Brandon Reynolds moved from Lynchburg and back in with his widowed mom, to help out. Hes still steamed a judge acquitted the truck driver of reckless driving. Ask Reynolds about the second-worst experience of his life, and youll get an earful. Not inaccurately, it could be titled, Thrown in jail for growing weed after Virginia made it legal. Brandons still steamed about that, too. The story has plots and twists. In a nutshell, Reynolds believes his younger brother, Joshua Reynolds, persuaded a longtime pal on the Bedford County Sheriffs Office to search his older brothers residence for marijuana after Joshua observed weed drying in the basement. As a result, Brandon was arrested, charged with two felonies and held for three days in jail. On one of those charges, a conviction carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence. Cops and firefighters search farm Brandon Reynolds second worst experience ended Feb. 21, after 16 months of worry and anxiety that he could go to prison. It began Oct. 2, 2022. That afternoon and evening, he spent four hours handcuffed in the back of a Bedford County sheriffs deputy's car, as other deputies searched the farmhouse he shares with his mom, Judy Chandler Reynolds. She was away at the time. The deputies had a search warrant, signed by Magistrate E.D. Sprinkle, who works in Lynchburg. The sworn affidavit was prepared by sheriff's office Sgt. Jeremy Gardner. In 2016, Gardner was honored by Bedford County for heroism. He was credited with saving the life of a woman in a vicious domestic assault and apprehending the suspect. And by October 2022, Gardner had more than 14 years law enforcement experience, he wrote in the search warrant affidavit. The warrant ordered a search of the Reynolds farmhouse, outbuildings and property, alleging a violation of "Virginia Code Sec. 4.1-1100(c), Possess more than one pound of Marijuana." But as youll learn below, that law doesn't justify searching a residence for weed, of any amount. Brandon was alone inside that afternoon, wearing running shorts and shucking raw green beans, when his dogs began going crazy around 4 p.m. He went to the door and found sheriffs deputies pulled into the driveway. They served the warrant, which sought marijuana, paraphernalia, electronics, and documents and ledgers showing transactions related to the unlawful sale and distribution of marijuana. Then, deputies handcuffed Brandon behind his back. At least one more deputy and a state trooper stopped by during the four hours he spent in a police vehicle as the search continued, Brandon said. It caused a scene along Forest Road, especially after fire trucks arrived with blazing lights and screaming sirens. The spectacle drew concerned neighbors, Brandon said. The cops needed the fire departments help cracking a wall-mounted steel safe in the basement. That had to be broken out of its concrete-block setting. Then, firefighters used Jaws of Life, tools to pry it open. (Deputies asked for the combination, but Brandon didnt know it.) Inside the deputies found collectible coins, Ralph Reynolds will and some old photos, Brandon said. Police seized cured and uncured marijuana from the house, including one plant curing and three still in the ground. Deputies also seized: nine rifles and shotguns (which belonged to Brandons mother); his cellphone; one kitchen scale; and packaging Brandon said was used zip-close bags he saved for reuse. The cops found neither drug documents nor ledgers. They also seized six jars of a possible controlled substance, in which a forensic scientist later said was nothing illegal. Brandon said the jars held dried figs and dried cherry tomatoes, which deputies mistook for hallucinogenic mushrooms and THC oil. A lab later determined the seized weed was genuine marijuana. Collectively, it weighed 63.7 ounces, or just under 4 pounds, according to a police report. And after the search was over, the deputies uncuffed Brandon. They left after dark with the weed and other seized items, and they left a mess of broken concrete in the basement along with the destroyed former wall safe. Firefighters spent more than an hour cracking it, Brandon said. Busted Easter Saturday In the months following the raid, things settled down. But Brandon Reynolds bad experience was hardly over. Six months later, on April 2, 2023 (a Sunday) Bedford patrol Dep. C. Devivo obtained two felony warrants charging Brandon with serious crimes. (DeVivo was one of the cops who participated in the October 2022 search. He did not respond to messages seeking comment.) Deputies arrested Brandon on those warrants the following weekend, April 8, which was the Saturday before Easter. The certain substances in the firearms charge was the weed seized during the October 2022 search. Because that was more than a pound, conviction on the firearms felony would require a judge to impose a minimum five-year sentence consecutive to any other sentence. The possession with intent charge carries a minimum five-year sentence, too. Thus, Brandon faced at least 10 years in prison if convicted of both. All the seized weed was from the four plants Brandon grew legally during summer 2022 or the previous, Brandon said. All were invisible from the nearest public road, as Virginias home-grow law requires. After his April 8 arrest, a magistrate ordered Brandon held without bond because one of the felonies was a serious firearms charge. Then Brandon was shuttled to the Amherst County Detention Center. It took his mother, Judy Reynolds, time to find him, because the Amherst jail initially told her Brandon was locked up in Bedford. The courts were closed Easter Monday, a state holiday. So Brandon was locked up for three days. He had a bond hearing at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11. Judy Reynolds hired a bondsman who posted $2,500 at 11:30 a.m. that day and Brandon was released. He hired Bedford attorney Carter Garrett to defend him. Three months later, on July 12, prosecutors for the Bedford County commonwealths attorney dropped both charges. Garrett hasnt responded to multiple phone messages or a lengthy email after Brandon granted him permission to discuss the case. Authorities held the guns In August, with the charges dropped, Judy Reynolds met with Bedford County Sheriff Mike Miller. (Miller didnt respond to three voicemails and two emails seeking comment. On Feb. 23, when I called Miller on his cellphone, the sheriff referred me to the county attorney.) Judy Reynolds requested Miller return her seized rifles and shotguns, which had been left to her by her late husband, Brandon said. Miller declined, she said. Miller said he knew nothing about [the case], and then later he said it was still under investigation, Brandon told me. He almost accused her of meddling in his business. For months Brandon has feared he could be criminally indicted by a grand jury for felonies that could land him in prison for years. On Feb. 21, Steele told me he dropped the charges in July because nine months after the search, police lacked evidence Brandon distributed weed, aside from the amount of marijuana seized. Though 4 pounds could possibly indicate distribution, Steele also acknowledged it could be the result of a productive legal home-grow, which Virginia legalized in July 2021. By that point, the cellphone seized nine months earlier hadnt yet been examined for possible evidence. Dropping the felony charges in July allowed prosecutors to reinitiate the charges later if evidence of drug-dealing was ever found on the phone, Steele said. Ultimately this inquiry came down to the analysis of a cell phone seized during the course of the investigation, Steele wrote in an email. Unfortunately, the wait time between the seizure and analysis of such evidence can be quite lengthy because of the limited number of cell phone analysts in the region and a huge backlog of cases. That analysis was complete 16 months after the phone's Oct. 2, 2022 seizure. Family dynamics Brandon Reynolds is no criminal, but he had a couple legal scrapes more than 25 years ago. One was a 1995 arrest for simple marijuana possession which is now legal. Another arrest in 1996 was for destruction of property. Both cases were dismissed. He works as a caretaker at the Claytor Nature Center, a 491-acre tract in Bedford County owned by the University of Lynchburg. He estimates he missed $500 to $600 in wages because of the arrest. Brandon also has a younger sibling, Joshua, also in his 40s. The two brothers have a worse than tenuous relationship. According to online court records, in 2019 Joshua was sentenced to 12 months in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail after being convicted of leaving the scene of a Lynchburg accident. In that case, Joshua was also found guilty of false reporting to police. Until 2019, Joshua was in line to inherit the family farm, Judy Reynolds told me. But that year, shortly before her husband died, the couple changed their wills. They left the farm to Joshuas children when the kids reach age 25, Judy said. Brandon will get some other assets, and will have the right to live there. Brother drops a dime Late in the 2022 growing season, Joshua turned in his brother for possessing weed. According to the search warrant affidavit prepared by Gardner, Joshua made that call to the sergeant at work on Oct. 2, 2022, a Sunday. By then, the two had known each other for more than two decades, Gardner wrote in the search warrant affidavit. For a time they were EMT colleagues on the Bedford Life Saving Crew. In short order, Joshua sent Gardner three photos of weed he snapped at the home Oct. 1, 2022. One depicted recently harvested marijuana drying. Another depicted a green leafy plant like material being stored in a plastic container. [Joshua] Reynolds concerns stem from his children visiting the home with the presence of marijuana, Gardner wrote in the affidavit. In a phone conversation, Joshua acknowledged contacting Gardner and texting him photos, which he snapped after entering Judy and Brandons house when no one was home. I walked in the basement, there is pot laid out all over the floor, Joshua said, and blatant amounts in bags. I dont want it in front of my kids. Less than 10 minutes into our phone interview, the call dropped. Then Joshua texted me Do not contact me again. Subsequently, he sent my phone at least 20 texts, many of them lengthy dictated rants aimed at Brandon. One of the shorter texts was, He deserved to be fing arrested. Since my dad died [in] a tragic car accident [Brandon] thinks he owns a fing farm, Joshua wrote in another. Its unclear whether Gardner, at the time of the tip, was aware of Joshuas 2019 conviction in Lynchburg General District Court for falsely summoning or giving false reports to law-enforcement officials. It earned Joshua a 12-month suspended sentence, according to online court records. Gardner acted with haste on Joshuas tip. That same day, he filed a sworn affidavit seeking a search warrant for the house, alleging a violation under Virginia Code 4.1-1100(c), Possess more than one pound of marijuana. After the warrant was issued by a Lynchburg magistrate, deputies arrived for the search around 4 p.m. I looked up that statute, which is four paragraphs. Basically, it says someone may legally possess no more than one ounce of weed on their person or in any public place, and establishes increasing offense levels for possession of greater amounts. Subsection C is the guts. Because its clunkily worded, Ive excised unnecessary verbiage for the sake of comprehension. It states: "With the exception of possession by a person in his residence ... any person who possesses on his person or in any public place ... more than one pound of marijuana ... is guilty of a felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than 10 years and a fine of not more than $250,000, or both." That prefatory clause With the exception of possession by a person in his residence was an amendment enacted during a 2022 Virginia General Assembly special session. It took effect July 1, 2022, three months before the search. In other words, the affidavit articulated only lawful behavior. The Bedford County Sheriff's Office got a warrant for Brandons house by alleging he broke a law that permitted him to possess the weed deputies seized there. For unknown reasons, the magistrate signed it. Theres a literary term for that kind of legal absurdity Kafkaesque. "This transitional phase of legal possession but illegal possession with intent to distribute definitely raises new challenges for officers, magistrates, and prosecutors," Steele wrote in an email. "We are living in a new normal in regards to possession of marijuana." Charges dropped for good On Feb. 21 I wrote Bedford Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance about the case. Among the questions posed was whether there was a lawful reason the seized guns and other property hadnt been returned to Judy Reynolds. I also asked if the prosecutor intended to reinstate the felony charges against Brandon Reynolds, and if so, when and why? Quickly, Nance responded hed look into the matter, and he did. That afternoon, Steele, the prosecutor who dropped the felony charges against Brandon in July 2023, responded via email with this: The Sheriffs Office just recently received the results [from the phone examination] and that office, along with myself, have been able to review the results. Once the digital evidence was thoroughly reviewed this office decided to decline reinitiating any criminal charges due to a lack of evidence of distribution by Mr. Reynolds, Steele wrote. Law enforcement and Mr. Reynoldss attorney have been made aware of this decision and we have further authorized the release of the evidence seized in this investigation, Steele wrote. It means Brandons finally off the hook for the felony drug investigation initiated 16 months earlier. Steele and Nance thanked me for bringing the case to their attention. Brandon said he feels relieved, but also angry. Judy Reynolds said she wished Brandon had contacted me a year ago. Miller, Gardner and DeVivo with the sheriff's office arent talking. The Bedford County attorney didnt return my call. The magistrate declined to comment, too. Joshua texted, If I even see my name in this article whatsoever, I will have you arrested for perjury. Many questions remain Plenty of questions still swirl around the case that are worth raising. As it now stands, the case paints the Bedford County Sheriff's Office in an unfavorable light. At the least, it appears a younger brother with a documented record of lying to police manipulated law enforcement into helping settle a score with his older brother. Here are questions that remain: How did a Bedford patrol sergeant so quickly get a narcotics search warrant from a Lynchburg magistrate on the same Sunday the tip was called in? Is that unusual? Why the haste? Was there a public emergency that required a same-day search? Was Gardner aware Joshua Reynolds had a record of falsely reporting to police? Such convictions can create significant issues in terms of a tipsters credibility. Why would an experienced sheriff's sergeant cite a law that allows possession of more than a pound of weed in a house as justification for searching it? Why did the Bedford County Sheriffs Office delay executing Reynolds arrest until Saturday, April 8, six days after a deputy obtained the warrants? The timing of the arrest meant Brandon spent a long weekend locked up in jail. Theres a decent argument here that: 1) The search warrant was faulty; and 2) as a result, Brandon was unnecessarily jailed; and 3) he was charged with serious felonies; and 4) those charges hung over his head for months. Doesn't Brandon at least deserve an apology? Council Bluffs City Council member Steve Gorman announced a campaign Tuesday for Iowa Senate District 10. Gorman, a Democrat, is running for the seat currently held by Sen. Dan Dawson, a Republican who is seeking reelection this fall to represents most of Council Bluffs and Carter Lake. The people of Council Bluffs have seen a lack of opportunity because Dan Dawson and the Iowa Senate Republicans have failed to fulfill their promises," Gorman said in a news release. Gorman has served on the council since 2021 and is a 30-year member of the Council Bluffs Fire Department. He's a former journeyman electrician. "Im running for Iowa Senate to bring common sense Council Bluffs values back to Des Moines," Gorman said. "I will bring opportunity back to Council Bluffs by advocating for a stronger public education system, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to earn a livable wage, and protecting Iowans' freedoms to health care from government overreach." Gorman lives in the historic Gibraltar Neighborhood of Council Bluffs. Council Bluffs is where I spent 30 years serving my neighbors as a firefighter and my wife Chris as an educator in its public school system," Gorman said. "We have dedicated our lives to serving the citys most vulnerable. I will continue that service in the state Senate to ensure every Iowan can make their own choices and live their own lives without undue interference or restrictions in lieu of what we have been given by Republicans in Des Moines." Dawson is serving his second term in the Iowa Senate, where he is the chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee, which considers legislation related to tax policy and budgeting. He also serves in the Iowa Army National Guard and as a special agent investigating major crimes for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Dawson touted "historic income tax relief for Iowas families" and legislation to improve Lake Manawa among his accomplishments in launching his reelection bid last November. Find more information on Gorman's campaign at gormanforsenate.com. An assisted living facility in Ames has been fined $6,000 for a regulatory violation tied to the death of a resident. In the past three years, three resident deaths have led to state citations against the Northridge Village complex in Ames, which includes both a nursing home and a state-licensed assisted living center. According to state inspectors, a female resident of the assisted living center returned to the facility from a shopping trip at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Over the weekend, the womans family made several attempts to contact her, but calls to her cell phone went unanswered. On Sunday, Dec. 31, at about 5 p.m., a relative of the woman went to Northridge Village to check on her and found that her apartment door was locked. With the assistance of the staff, the relative entered the apartment and found the woman on the floor next to her bed. The woman was conscious and reported that she might have broken her ribs. At a nearby hospital, she was diagnosed with dehydration, seven cracked ribs and atrial fibrillation. The woman was moved to a hospice unit and died within a matter of days. The director of the facility allegedly told inspectors the womans 24-hour emergency response pendant, which is a regulatory requirement for residents of Iowas assisted living centers, did not function properly. According to the inspectors, the pendant had been deactivated by mistake, although the inspectors report doesnt state who deactivated the device or how that occurred. According to the report, Northridge Village could not determine the exact time and date the pendant had been deactivated, but estimated it happened sometime after Christmas. The inspectors report gives no indication as to when the woman might have fallen over the weekend or how long she remained on the floor before being found. She had been a resident of Northridge Village for nine weeks and had paid for the independent-living level of service, which included no routine welfare checks, according to state records. In November 2021, the Northridge Village skilled-nursing facility was cited for the death of a resident who fell to the floor during an improper transfer in or out of bed. In November 2022, the nursing facility was cited for a death that was tied to an untreated urinary tract infection. States sending the most people to Iowa States sending the most people to Iowa #25. South Carolina #24. Maryland #23. Ohio #22. Kansas #21. Washington #20. New Jersey #19. North Carolina #18. Oklahoma #17. Pennsylvania #16. Nevada #15. Louisiana #14. Hawaii #13. Utah #12. Colorado #11. Michigan #10. Arizona #9. California #8. South Dakota #7. Florida #6. Missouri #5. Texas #4. Wisconsin #3. Minnesota #2. Nebraska #1. Illinois The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Board of Directors met on Thursday night for its regularly scheduled committee of the whole meeting. All directors were present, in addition to several NRD staff members and seven members of the public. A recap of the hourlong meeting is below. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee northern Mozambique due to a surge in Al Shabab jihadist attacks, further worsening the humanitarian and the refugee crisis in the country. The UN refugee agency UNHCR said it was deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Cabo Delgado, which pushed thousands to seek a shelter south. Since the latest outbreak of violence and attacks on civilians at the beginning of February, more than 70,000 people have been forcibly displaced across the districts of Macomia, Chiure, Mecufi, Mocimboa da Praia, and Muidumbe, it said. Nearly 90 per cent of those displaced are women, many of them pregnant, people with disabilities, and the elderly, it added. Human Rights Watch said the attacks were perpetrated by Al Shabab and that government effort to counter jihadist attacks are insufficient to secure the area. Mozambican authorities should improve security for residents in threatened areas and ensure better protection and reintegration plans for people who decide to return to their homes, it said. Germany, which currently chairs the Sahel Alliance, a key development body in the conflict-torn region, makes efforts to boost trust in state structures in countries such as Burkina Faso also by showing its willingness to interact with the post-coup regimes. Burkina Faso and Benin are part of a trip to the Sahel region by German Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze that has started on Monday (4 March). The Sahel Alliance is currently investing around 28 million in the region, said a spokesperson for the Development Ministry, which also illustrates that Germany and Europe are interested in good and neighborly relations with the countries of West Africa. However, the spokesperson also added that this can only be achieved with commitment and respectful, pragmatic policies. This starts with seeing the problems and taking them seriously. Schulzes visit comes in the wake of the latest attacks on a church and a mosque in Burkina Faso that are the worst in some time in the Sahel country of 22 million inhabitants, where terrorist acts have been spreading since 2016. But Benin, the second stop of her trip, has also seen increasing terror attacks in the last few years. The consequences of terrorism are plainly visible in Burkina Faso where around 2 million people were displaced in March 2023, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, and more than 40% of the population living below the poverty line as of 2020, as data compiled by the World Bank show. In light of these negative developments, many have questioned Burkinabe military juntas decision to join Mali and Niger and leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) an issue thats also expected to be high on the agenda during Schulzes visit. Moroccos biggest mining company Managem plans to raise 3 billion dirhams (300 million dollars) to finance its expansion plans in Morocco and Africa. The company said the capital increase will take place between March 14 and April 2 as it braces to start production at a gold project in West Africa known as Tri-K, with an output potential of four tons. The new financing would also help the firm make progress with its Sudan gold mines, where it cooperates with Wanbao mining to increase production for a total investment worth 7.32 billion dirhams. Concerning copper, the company plans to increase activity in its Tizert mine while tapping into the Bou-Azzer assets. In January, Managem said it plans to increase its revenue by 50% from 9 billion dirhams currently, as it plans to increase gold and copper production starting from 2025. The company is also expecting cobalt prices to increase thanks to a growing demand on gigafactories. Sudan reportedly rejected an Iranian offer to build a naval base in its coasts in exchange for a helicopter carrier, media reports said. Sudan rejected the offer for fear of Western retribution at a time Iran-backed Houthis wreak havoc to international trade on the Red sea, The Wall Street Journal reported. In seeking a permanent naval base in Sudans Red Sea coast, Iran plans to maintain its stronghold by reinforcing its disruptive capacity in a vital passage for international trade that is now increasingly shunned by vessels due to Houthi piracy. Iran has already provided Sudans military with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for its use in the fight against a rebel warlord in the past, and now also offered to provide a helicopter carrier if Sudan granted them permission for the naval base, according to Ahmed Hassan Mohammed, Sudanese policy advisor to Sudans military leader who reported to the Wall Street Journal. Iran has been sending increasingly more sophisticated weapons to the Houthis to continue their attacks on commercial ships along the trade route, while concurrently, the US is leading a multinational force to protect the ships from the attacks by the Houthis. A Geneva-based NGO has alerted to the legal anarchy prevailing in the Tindouf camps in Southwestern Algeria, where thousands of sahrawis live in dire conditions in tents or mud houses and depend mainly on international aid. The NGO, Promotion du Developpement Economique et Social (PDES), pointed out in its statement at the General Debate on the Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the 55th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), that Algeria still refuses to recognize the inhabitants of the Tindouf camps as refugees and to implement the rights arising from its obligations under the Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees to which it is a signatory. The population of Tindouf remains refugees without a refugee card and a census, living in camps with a military character, contrary to the Geneva Refugee Convention, which stipulates that the civilian character of the camps must be maintained, PDES pointed out. The NGO explained that the polisario leadership continues to run the camps in place of the host country, Algeria, in violation of the rules of international law and away from international scrutiny, as monitoring operations are at best sporadic or partial and cannot fully uncover the systematic pattern of serious human rights violations committed against the inhabitants of the camps. In a statement delivered by human rights activist Aicha Douihi, the NGO also drew attention to the fact that the UN Special Procedures have been unable to visit the Tindouf camps despite the recommendations we made in this regard in the reports we submitted to them on the occasion of their visit to the host country, Algeria. Douihi also called on the High Commissioner for Human Rights to send technical commissions to the Tindouf camps in South-Western Algeria, to observe the serious violations and abuses, the recurrence of violence, and the alarming lack of security. China to launch AI Plus initiative: report Xinhua) 09:26, March 05, 2024 BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China will launch an AI Plus initiative, according to a government work report submitted Tuesday to the national legislature for deliberation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Great Plains Health is warning of a scam that appears to be related to the Change Healthcare cyberattack last week. According to a GPH Facebook post Monday, the Nebraska Hospital Associations has received reports of scammers calling patients, claiming to be a representative of Nebraska hospitals and telling patients they will be refunded if they provide a credit card number. The scam calls appear to be a part of the Wednesday Change Healthcare cyberattack that impacted hospitals across the state, the Facebook post said. GPH was "intermittently impacted," by that cyberattack, officials said last week. GPH said in the Facebook post that the representatives of the hospital will not ask for a credit card number over the phone, and warned patients to not share this information. Nebraskans need to be vigilant for both them and their family members, NHA president Jeremy Nordquist said. If you are at all skeptical regarding the nature of a phone call, hang up and call your hospital directly. The victim was a 24 year-old male. He was flown from McCook to Kearney for medical care, the Facebook post said. Darling said there is no furt Nikki Haley supporters wave signs at a campaign event in Orem, Utah, on February 28, 2024. Photo: George Frey/Getty Images Donald Trump is on the brink of a big batch of Republican primary victories on Super Tuesday. The March 5 cluster of 15 contests will likely put him within reach of clinching the nomination later this month and could knock Nikki Haley out of the race for good. At the same time, the former president is riding pretty high in general-election polls testing a rematch with Joe Biden. But despite Haleys losing performance everywhere other than the District of Columbia, theres been a drumbeat narrative that her strong minority percentage of the vote in these contests contains the seeds of defeat for Trump in November. Politico epitomized this take right after Trump routed Haley in her home state of South Carolina: Behind every silver lining, there has been a cloud for Trump during the GOP primary, and otherwise sunny South Carolina proved no exception. With about three-quarters of the expected vote in, some 40 percent of voters rejected Trump. That number itself isnt a problem in a primary. But it includes some serious reasons for concern in a general election. Trump lost moderate and liberal voters to Haley by a wide margin, according to exit polls. And, according to AP VoteCast, a bit over 1 in 5 GOP primary voters said they would not vote for Trump in November if he was the partys nominee. Haley herself broadcast this way of looking at her minority coalition in South Carolina by way of spinning her defeat: Today, in South Carolina, were getting around 40% of the vote. Thats about what we got in New Hampshire too. Im an accountant. I know 40% is not 50%. But I also know 40% is not some tiny group. There are huge numbers of voters in our Republican primaries who are saying they want an alternative. The assumption here is that Haleys vote represents a combination of anti-Trump Republicans, centrist independents, and a handful of disgruntled Democrats. In other words, swing voters who will go red with Haley and probably blue if Trump is the nominee. Its hard to argue otherwise unless you have a better idea of whos voting for Haley in states like New Hampshire, where any independent regardless of ideology or partisan leanings can participate in Republican presidential primaries, or in South Carolina and Michigan, where any registered voters, including hard-core Democrats, can do so. Indeed, even though Haley will be crushed on Super Tuesday, there are a number of primaries (Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia) where both independents and Democrats can vote for her, and others (Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Carolina) where Democratic-leaning independents can participate. Will her voters represent potential swing-voter defectors from a Trump ticket in November? Thats not entirely clear, but some analysis from the New York Times Nate Cohn based on a new national survey with Siena College suggests otherwise: The poll found Mr. Trump leading Nikki Haley in the Republican primary, 77-20. Thats pretty good for Mr. Trump, of course, but its actually Ms. Haleys best result in a month. And according to our poll, theres a simple reason for her strength: Biden voters, who now make up 15 percent of those who say they will probably vote in the Republican primary. In fact, a near majority of Ms. Haleys supporters (48-31) say they voted for Mr. Biden in the last election instead of Mr. Trump. This finding suggests that many Haley voters are not flippable swing voters Trump would sacrifice, but may instead be 2020 Biden voters who werent really on the table for Trump at all, from the get-go. If that is the case, then we shouldnt view the votes Haley receives in states where non-Republicans can participate as omens of doom for Trump in November. Krysten Sinema not very affectionately kisses voters and her political career good-bye. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images It is exceedingly common for self-styled centrist politicians, particularly those who have scorned the two-party system, to argue that malign institutional forces prevent them from giving voters the kind of government they actually want. You cannot associate ex-Democrat and perpetual Senate maverick Kyrsten Sinema with that argument. On Tuesday afternoon Sinema announced that shes retiring from the Senate when her term expires and made it abundantly clear that she thinks the voters are the problem, not the system: A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/1XWFSWgGdh Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) March 5, 2024 If youre planning on running for office again, its not very smart to slam voters for preferring to retreat to their partisan corners instead of valuing your legislative accomplishments. So in saying I believe in my approach, but its not what America wants right now, Sinema is not very affectionately kissing her political career good-bye. Im too good for you is her all-but-explicit message. Whatever its motivation, Sinemas formal departure from the 2024 Senate race in Arizona simplifies what would almost certainly have been a complex and very expensive threeway contest with progressive Democrat Ruben Gallego and MAGA Republican Kari Lake. Sinema was not doing well in that prospective race: Shes trailed both Gallego and Lake in every public poll. Thats likely because she angered Democrats with her defense of the filibuster and her cuddly attitude toward Republicans without embracing the full-on reactionary agenda expected in the GOP. If Gallego and Lake win their respective primaries in July, that will probably be a standard Democrat-versus-Republican contest, with Gallego having a slight advantage thanks to Lakes especially flamboyant version of Trumpism; she did, after all, lose the 2022 gubernatorial race, though like her idol, she denied the results in and out of court. Right now the major obstacle to that general-election match-up is the possibility that Trump will lift Lake out of the Senate race into the presidential contest as his running mate. If and when that happens, though, Kyrsten Sinema will be well on her way to whatever gig she plans that does not require the approval of voters. Photo: John Tully/Getty Images To hear the remaining Republicans supporting Nikki Haley for president tell it, they are the Goldwater brigades of 1964; they are the foot soldiers of the Reagan revolution in 1976, when he took his battle against Gerald Ford all the way to the convention. They see themselves, in other words, as no longer just a campaign but a cause. They are not winning primaries (except in D.C.) and do not expect to, but they are after something more the soul of the Republican Party possessed by Donald Trump. Their mentality goes a great deal toward answering one of the biggest questions in American politics right now: Why is Haley still running when she keeps losing to Trump by double digits without any hope of wresting the nomination from him? We have been continually told by GOP leadership that we cant lose the Trump voter, we cant insult Donald Trump, and we cant win without Donald Trump. Well, a funny thing happened: In trying to appease and massage the Trump voter, you have offended the Reagan voter, said Eric Levine, a top donor to the Haley campaign. The party was so concerned about Donald Trump voters, but Nikki Haley still running and still getting 30 to 40 percent of the primary vote is our way of saying, Hey, dont forget about us, either. That Haley is still running after losing the first three contests has surprised many people who have watched her as a shrewd political climber calculating every move of her political career. Haley, after all, is someone who in 2016 vowed, referring to Trump, I will not stop until we fight a man that chooses not to disavow the KKK. That was before she worked in his administration, then became one of its rare senior figures to leave on good terms, then broke with Trump after January 6, then said she wouldnt run against him, and then did run against him but declined to fight him head-on until the rest of the competition was eliminated. Her run has been remarkable. After starting out the campaign polling within the margin of error of zero percent, she used energetic debate performances to vault ahead of the competition, which gradually flamed out. Haley seemed to have figured out something Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie in particular could not: how to implicitly attack Trump without attracting the full force of his ire, at least until recently. The loss in her home state of South Carolina would have been the kind of thing this Nikki Haley would have wanted to avoid since such defeats have long been thought to sink political ambitions. Yet Haley is still going, sloughing off the 20-point defeat there, a 40-point shellacking in Michigan just a few days later, and heading into Super Tuesday as polls show her losing in all 15 states that will vote. Everyone is aware that the math is the math here, said Jayme Stevenson, the former Republican mayor of Darien, Connecticut, who said that despite voting for Trump in both 2016 and 2020 she would not in 2024. We are talking about a Republican primary that brings out the most conservative voters in the process, and still Donald Trump isnt getting much beyond 60 percent. It is highly likely that Donald Trump is going to eventually reach the delegate threshold, but he is nowhere near that at this moment and Nikki has every right to stay in the race and give people a choice. Because Haley has been so shrewd in plotting her political rise her detractors would say calculating and unscrupulous it has been assumed among the political cognoscenti that she is making some sort of play here, perhaps trying to set herself up to be picked as Trumps running mate or laying the groundwork for a run on the No Labels ticket. She has publicly ruled out both, and people on and close to the Haley campaign say either option is implausible at this point. On the VP question, there is too much bad blood between her and Trump, for one thing, and the MAGA faithful would consider it a betrayal. As for No Labels, people close to her say she is very aware that third parties have an almost impossible chance of winning the White House. I keep getting this bullshit, and I dont understand it, said Katon Dawson, a top Haley adviser. She is going to run the clock out because she can. Our donors keep giving money, and our voters keep saying they want a choice and they want to hold Donald Trump accountable. If we are going to run our people out of the Republican Party, then we dont stand a chance anywhere. After winning the New Hampshire primary in which Haley was expected to potentially upset him Trump, using his favorite put-down for her, wrote on Truth Social, Anybody that makes a Contribution to Birdbrain, from this moment forth, will be permanently barred from the MAGA camp. We dont want them, and will not accept them, because we Put America First, and ALWAYS WILL! Now many Haley donors say they see no need to stop funding her campaign since they are barred from Trump world already anyway. If Donald Trump is really going to be the nominee, this is the time for him to ask people for their vote, but here I am banned from MAGA world, said Levine, the Haley donor. Not only is he not trying to win us back, but I see that he is considering Tulsi Gabbard as his VP, the same Tulsi Gabbard who was vice-chair of the DNC and only left to join the Bernie Sanders campaign. I am shocked that someone who thought socialism and blame America first would ever be on a Republican ticket but I guess if you say Donald Trump, I love you and you buy a couple of his sneakers, you too can be considered for vice-president. For many members of what used to be the Republican Establishment, these are dark times. Mitch McConnell, the wily lion of the Senate, is leaving, drummed out in part by his support for Ukraine. Kevin McCarthy was defenestrated by Matt Gaetz. Stalwart conservatives who led the party just a couple of years ago, such as Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney, have said they cannot support the Republican ticket if Trump is on it. A new generation of conservatives in the House who were thought to one day be party leaders Will Hurd, Mike Gallagher, and Patrick McHenry have all announced they cant take it anymore and are leaving politics. Haley is, for this crowd, their last hope. Nikki is consistently getting 30 to 40 percent of the vote, which cant be ignored, said Olivia Perez-Cubas, a spokesperson for the Haley campaign. Shes fighting for the future of the Republican Party and long-standing conservative principles like fiscal discipline and a strong national security. If we dont right the ship, Republicans are going to keep losing, and that means Democrats and the far left will keep winning. Haleys politics of fiscal conservatism, a strong national defense, and a high regard for the institutions of government would seem to be a poor fit for a populist nationalist party. Even if Trump were not to make it to the Republican convention owing to his legal travails or a health issue, it is difficult to see how the GOP delegates who are currently committed to him would pick Haley. Yet the 40 percent of the vote she won in New Hampshire and South Carolina is not much off the results of other insurgents who threw a scare into candidates who had been considered invulnerable. The figure is close to the 43 percent Bernie Sanders won when he battled Hillary Clinton in 2016, and it is not much off the 41 percent Eugene McCarthy won in New Hampshire in 1968 that drove Lyndon Johnson out of the race. Its better than the 37 percent Pat Buchanan got in New Hampshire in 1992 against George H.W. Bush, and roughly in line with what Rick Santorum was pulling against Mitt Romney in 2012 when he battled for the nomination into April. Forty percent of the country is hungry for normal, and that is a number that is going to grow over time, especially if Trump loses in November and especially if we lose the House of Representatives or we end up with a very narrow majority in the Senate, said Ozzie Palomo, a lobbyist and Republican fundraiser supporting Haley. If all of those things play out, that is where someone like Nikki Haley can say I told you this might happen, and there is another path forward here. The hope among the Haley crowd is that, should Trump lose in November, the party will start to look for answers and the slow purge of the MAGA element will begin. People close to Haley say that by making the case now, she is laying the groundwork for the possibility of a new Republican Party, if not in 2028, then a few cycles down the line. By continuing to stay in the fight, she is driving the conversation, said Rob Godfrey, a former close Haley aide who is neutral in the 2024 primary. Its setting the table for the kind of conversation we are going to be having a year from now, four years from now, eight years from now. It is part of changing the direction of the country, and that is separate from any political conversation about what her future looks like. In the chaos of our political moment, Godfrey added, it is unlikely that the decision to drag out the campaign will have much impact on Haleys future: How long anyone decides to stay in this nominating contest will long be forgotten by the time the next campaign begins. Not every Republican, or even every Haley supporter, agrees. Andy Sabin, a metals magnate and early Haley donor, said it is long past time for her to drop out. She is making a fool of herself, he said. I dont know, maybe she is one of these people that likes getting the shit beat out of her, but I told her she should save her money in case Trump implodes. What are you going to accomplish by showing you can lose by 40 points? Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Photo: @FreedomNTV/X At the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in downtown Brooklyn on Monday afternoon, a group of protesters confronted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, demanding that the left-leaning House member call the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza a genocide. A video of the encounter begins with the protesters and Ocasio-Cortez inside the theater lobby. You refuse to call it a genocide, one of the protesters said. I need you to understand that this is not okay, Ocasio-Cortez replied. #NYC "You refuse to call it a genocide" - handful of protesters chase after Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a Brooklyn movie theater, "You gonna cut it and take it out of context, I already said that it was" - AOC responded to protesters claims on refusing word "Genocide" , "This is pic.twitter.com/mipmA5EHu9 FreedomNews.Tv FNTV (@FreedomNTV) March 5, 2024 Its not okay that theres a genocide happening and youre not actively against it, a protester said. Ocasio-Cortez replied that the person was lying. If you cant say it, just say it. Literally. Were just talking to you like normal people. Just say its a genocide. Just say it. Over 30,000 people are dead, AOC. You cant just say it for once? another protester said. The video then cuts to Ocasio-Cortez walking away outside. A protester asks if the congresswoman is worried that the video will go viral. Youre going to clip this so that its completely out of context, Ocasio-Cortez replied. AOC then suggests that she had previously called the Israeli bombing and military actions in Gaza which have reportedly killed over 30,000 Palestinians a genocide. I already said that it was, and yall are just gonna pretend that it wasnt over and over again, Ocasio-Cortez said. Its fucked up, man. And youre not helping these people, and youre not helping them. Youre not helping them. On Meet the Press in January, Ocasio-Cortez did not explicitly label the Israeli bombing a genocide, referring to an interim ruling by the United Nations International Court of Justice that Israel must do all in its power to prevent a genocide. But in the interim ruling, the fact that they said theres a responsibility to prevent it, the fact that this word is even in play, the fact that this word is even in our discourse, I think, demonstrates the mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing, Ocasio-Cortez said. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images People across the political spectrum are worried about reelecting Joe Biden, as he is currently 81 and already the oldest sitting president. Though Donald Trump is just four years younger than Biden, hes repeatedly blasted his rival for being too confused and incompetent to serve, while insisting that his own age and mentality should not be a concern. But Trump has hurt his case by repeatedly misstating which president hes running against in November. Putin has so little respect for Obama that hes starting to throw around the nuclear word, Trump said at a rally in Richmond, Virginia, on March 2, 2024, naming his predecessor when he clearly meant Biden. While Trump has been remarkably incoherent throughout his political career, his errors have been even more apparent during the 2024 campaign (at other points in the Richmond speech, he slurred while trying to say Venezuela and called Argentina a great guy). But Trump insists that calling Biden Obama isnt a gaffe at all. In a November 2023 Truth Social post, he said he calls Biden Barack Obama sarcastically, adding, I know both names very well, never mix them up, and know that they are destroying our country. Last week, he insisted again that the switch is intentional while responding to Biden joking on Late Night With Seth Meyers that Trump forgot his wife Melanias name (which is untrue). They make up things constantly, Trump said. You take a look at when I use Barack Hussein Obama and I interject him into where its supposed to be Biden and I do it purposely for comedic reasons and for sarcasm because a lot of people say that Obamas running the country, not Biden, because hes sleeping all the time. They say, Oh, I dont know the name of the president. The Radical Left Democrats are at it again pic.twitter.com/uPqOjljW9O Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 29, 2024 So is Trump actually joking every time he calls Biden Obama? Luckily, we dont have to take his word for it: There are recordings and transcripts of all of these flubs. Many occurred as Trump was discussing war-torn regions of the world, which seems like a weird time to drop a sarcastic nickname for Biden. But you can review the list yourself and decide whether Trump is a 77-year-old who gets confused sometimes or a misunderstood comedic genius. 1. During a speech at the Pray Vote Stand summit in Washington, D.C., Trump made several confusing references to his predecessor in quick succession (and warned that Biden might cause World War Two). First, Trump suggested that hes leading Obama in the 2024 polls, when he meant Biden. Then he made an incoherent allusion to Obama and some of the things that hes done. Finally, he bragged about beating Obama in 2016, then clarified that he meant Hillary Clinton: As you know, crooked Joe Biden and the radical left thugs who have weaponized law enforcement to arrest their leading political opponent, leading by a lot, including Obama Ill tell you what. You take a look at Obama and take a look at some of the things that hes done. This is the same thing. The country was very divided. We did with Obama. We won an election that everyone said couldnt be won. We beat Hillary Clinton. Cognitively impaired Trump says that he beat Obama in the 2016 election. Trump is not well. pic.twitter.com/Lq43x7aIvO Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 17, 2023 2. During a rally in Ottumwa, Iowa, Trump said, We built almost 500 miles of wall. Even the Obama administration says it in their stats. Trump says the Obama Administration says it in their stats that Trump built 500 miles of border wall when he was president. pic.twitter.com/hWHLiZax3r Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) October 1, 2023 3-5. In a Fox News radio interview, host Brian Kilmeade asked Trump how he would have responded to Hamas killing Americans in its attack on Israel, which had occurred days earlier. Trump said, Obama doesnt want to talk about it. When Kilmeade tried to correct him, saying, You mean President Biden, the former president explained his conspiracy theory that Obama is secretly running the Biden White House: Brian Kilmeade: But I know you never paid under your administration. You guys never paid ransom. Donald Trump: Through, right? Its all coming through Iran. And Obama wants to, he doesnt want to talk about it. He doesnt want to mention, he doesnt even mention them in his statements. Its all coming through Iran. Brian Kilmeade: Well, you mean President Biden. So, but, right now. Donald Trump: I also mean Obama. What do you mean? You know Obama and Biden. But Obama is Bidens boss. Guess you didnt really know that. Brian Kilmeade: Do you believe it? You believe President Obama. Donald Trump: In the past? I dont think, I dont think Biden knows whats happening, to be honest with you. I think Obama is calling these shots, and hes always felt this way about Iran. Theres no question about that. No, I think Obama and Obamas people certainly are calling the shots, not Biden. Brian Kilmeade: So. So you do have a dispute, your gut tells you, but you dont have any proof that President Obama is calling the shots. Donald Trump: Oh, its my gut. But my guess, Ive been right about everything. So, you know, its good they have an expression out there. Trumps been right about everything. You take a look at, go down the list. Weve been right about everything. Trump once again confuses who is currently President, forcing Kilmeade to correct him pic.twitter.com/q3Km6MEhF1 Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) October 12, 2023 A few moments later, Trump complained that the Obama White House said it hoped Hezbollah wouldnt join Hamas in attacking Israel. Im really shocked that the Obama administration can be out there saying, I hope they dont attack from the north, Trump said. Later, Trump said Kevin McCarthy was ousted as House Speaker days earlier because he was doing a lot of the Obama work meaning that he was cutting deals with the current Democratic president. 6. While praising Viktor Orban, Trump said the prime minister of Hungary was eager to see Obama leave office (which he already did in 2017). Trump said: They were interviewing him [Orban] two weeks ago and they said, What would you advise President Obama? The whole world seems to be exploding and imploding? And he said, Its very simple. He should immediately resign, and they should replace him with President Trump, who kept the world safe. While gushing over Orban, Trump once again gets confused and claims that Obama is the current president pic.twitter.com/7XCMAeuXNg Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 11, 2023 7. At a rally in Richmond, Virginia, Trump remarked, Putin has so little respect for Obama that hes starting to throw around the nuclear word. When the crowd didnt have much of a reaction possibly because they were confused he added, You heard that. Nuclear. Hes starting to talk nuclear weapons today. Wow the crowd goes silent as a confused Trump says: And Putin has so little respect for Obama that he's starting to throw around the nuclear word pic.twitter.com/M0oMFKUBgu Acyn (@Acyn) March 3, 2024 Trump speaks at a rally in Richmond, Virginia, on March 2, 2024. Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images During a rally in Richmond, Virginia, last weekend, Donald Trump made a number of wild, headline-generating remarks, from calling Joe Biden Obama to claiming that the current presidents border policies amount to a conspiracy to overthrow the United States of America. But one of his most incendiary comments didnt garner much media attention. I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate, Trump declared. On Saturday night, Barbara Comstock, a former Republican congresswoman from Virginia, drew scrutiny to the comment in an X post. She said Trump was essentially promising to cut millions in federal funding to Virginia public schools, which require a variety of childhood immunizations. Trump said in Richmond, that he will take all federal funds away from public schools that require vaccines. Like most states, Virginia requires MMR vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, polio, etc. So Trump would take millions in federal funds away from all Virginia public schools. Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) March 3, 2024 Indeed, all 50 states have legislation requiring specific vaccination for students. This is nothing new: Massachusetts issued the first school-immunization requirement in 1853. Many states align these mandates with the recommended childhood-vaccination schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but theyre set by state, not federal, law. According to the CDC, These laws often apply not only to children attending public schools but also to those attending private schools and day care facilities. While cutting federal funding might thrill the anti-vaxxer contingent in Trumps base, this would be a radical policy change sure to enrage the vast majority of parents nationwide. Plus, he hasnt come out against vaccines before and was quite insistent on claiming credit for COVID shots thanks to Operation Warp Speed. So its hard to believe Trump suddenly became an anti-vaxxer, though video confirms Comstock accurately quoted him in Richmond. And the line sometimes phrased as I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or mask mandate, from kindergarten through college has actually appeared in numerous Trump speeches for at least a year. I didnt think he actually said this. But he did actually say this. pic.twitter.com/D7Nyjojvp8 Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) March 3, 2024 The Trump campaign said this line refers solely to COVID-vaccination mandates for students, not older immunization requirements for diseases like polio, measles, and diphtheria. If you actually listen to the entire section, and also if youve been following his speeches for the past year, hes talking about COVID vaccines in addition to masks in the same breath. This isnt anything new he hasnt said, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said via email. Trump did not say the word COVID while discussing his education plans on Saturday, or in previous versions of his stump speech that featured similar phrasing. He said in Richmond: On day one I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content onto our children. And I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate. I will keep men out of womens sports, 100 percent. Many people were unclear on whether Trump was referring to COVID-vaccine mandates or all vaccine mandates. In recent days, a handful of education and public-health professionals came to the conclusion that he was talking about the latter policy and expressed concerns about new disease outbreaks and the widespread defunding of public schools. Or maybe he felt he had to one up RFK Jrs organization who just declared poliovirus a hoax yesterday. Bad weekend for public health messaging Prof Peter Hotez MD PhD (@PeterHotez) March 3, 2024 Parents across America: Is this really what you want for your children? Do you want them going to poorly funded schools with children much more likely to be sick? Only an authoritarian leader would want citizens to be poorly educated and not healthy. Truly dystopian https://t.co/bkfBjYUfCG Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) March 3, 2024 While the overwhelming majority of Americans are in favor of K-12 vaccination requirements, theres little chance that this brief line will cost Trump voters in November. First, it has largely gone unnoticed until now. And second, its an empty threat. Since the end of the federal public-health emergency, the few states that had COVID-vaccine mandates for students have dropped them, while 21 states still have laws specifically banning schools from requiring COVID shots. Also, the president doesnt have the power to unilaterally withhold federal funding from school districts (Trump is reportedly looking to resurrect the presidents ability to block certain congressionally appropriated funds, but that would draw legal challenges). Vowing to cut funding to any school that has a vaccine mandate might go over well with the people closely following Trumps rallies right now. But its a line he can modify as the general election draws closer and will never have to make good on. Blade length: 8 inches | Style: Combination | Weight: 5.5 ounces I first became interested in Globals chefs knife when I read Strategist contributor Nick Marino call it the only knife you really need in a heavily researched and vetted guide he wrote back in 2018. So I called it in to test it out for myself. Now, more than a year later, I instinctively reach for this knife more than any other (and like I said up top, I have many to choose from). I find its weight on the lighter side for an eight-inch to be perfect. I can perform more delicate tasks, like making florets out of a head of broccoli or slicing through a tomato, without it becoming unwieldy. Still, its hefty. I use the blade to carve chickens, pushing through small bones, as well as to cut hard-as-can-be squash into pieces for roasting. The handle is on the shorter side, which adds to that feeling of control: My relatively small hands can get a very good grip and maneuver with ease. The curve is subtle, but helpful, allowing me to perform repetitive tasks (like dicing onions) quickly and efficiently. Though its due for a professional sharpening soon, the blade has stayed exceedingly (even shockingly) sharp in the time Ive been using it regularly with little maintenance. Smitten Kitchens Deb Perelman told Marino how well it holds an edge, too, and confirmed the same to me all these years later. And Strategist editor Maxine Builder has also been a fan of Global for a long time. Ive had my Global chefs knife since 2013? Maybe even before then, she says. A decade and several new knives later, its still my most-used tool in the kitchen. Comfortable to hold, enough arc to the blade that you can really get into a rhythm with chopping, but the tip is sharp enough for some scoring and more delicate knifework. Jeff Strauss, owner and chef of Jeffs Table in Los Angeles, is another fan. It has a blade that is Japanese in design, he explains, but influenced by the French-style knives. It has a bit more curve to the blade, a little more lift to the tip, and it can kind of work in both ways. Photo: Marcus McDonald; Food Styling by Jamie Kimm Even as someone who cooks the vast majority of meals at home and goes through a lot of olive oil every week, I find that section of the grocery store overwhelming. Some hail from Greece, others from California, others still from Italy. Some are small with high price tags, others are bigger at a reasonable cost. Some boast that theyre extra-virgin, and others say pure or refined. The sheer number of options gives me decision fatigue. I do have my favorites certain varieties I turn to regularly because I find them delicious enough to stand out in a salad dressing or drizzled raw on top of a dip, but not so expensive that I cant use them liberally when I cook every day. Still, I wanted to know more and track down the very best of the best, so I consulted a group of 16 experts chefs and olive oil sommeliers among them to narrow it down to some of the tastiest, most reliable options on the market, and then tested even more out myself. In talking to the pros, I learned that following several basic guidelines will get you most of the way to buying a solid bottle. To start, you should be looking for extra-virgin olive oil, as both Emily Lycopolus, olive oil sommelier and author of The Olive Oil and Vinegar Lovers Cookbook, and Nancy Harmon Jenkins, cook and author of Virgin Territory: Exploring the World of Olive Oil, told me. If you see a bottle only marked olive oil, that means its been treated and refined, the subtleties of taste disappearing entirely. The threshold for olive oil to be extra-virgin is intense (it involves laboratory tests, and is, in fact, the only edible commodity in the world to also involve human taste tests). But the bottom line is that extra-virgin contains no defects from picking, to processing, to bottling. Photo: Marcus McDonald Within the extra-virgin category, there are a few ways to find the good stuff. First, look for a harvest date. Olive oil is a fruit juice, and as such, it gets dull-tasting around 12 months, and has certainly gone bad by 18 months. (Expiration dates can actually be misleading; theyre measured from bottling, which means its possible the oil sat around for a long time before then.) Another key indicator of freshness is bottle color and material. Light, heat, and oxygen are all enemies of olive oil, meaning your best bet is that the liquid gold is contained in a dark glass or entirely opaque bottle, ideally not made from plastic or a non-stainless steel type of metal, and stored away from windows or industrial lights (neither Lycopolus nor Jenkins will buy bottles that has been stored on the top shelf of a grocery store). Finally, Jenkins says, look for the olive varietal or the estate on which the olives were grown and pressed. While there are equally delicious olive oils being made everywhere from well-known countries like Italy, Greece, and Spain, to lesser-thought-of places like California, Chile, and Australia, bigger industrial producers tend to mix a bunch of different strains together (even if theyre all technically extra-virgin). The rest is pretty much up to how youre going to use the olive oil and your own personal taste, which means there are a lot of stellar bottles I had to omit for fear of making this list more overwhelming than useful. This analogy gets thrown around a lot, but picking a best bottle of olive oil is a lot like picking a best bottle of wine (meaning, nearly impossible). That said, this is also a very good place to start. And if youre shopping for skillets to use with all that olive oil, Ive got you covered. What were looking for Primary use There are two main reasons you use olive oil in the kitchen. The first is for everyday cooking when the oil comes into contact with heat things like frying eggs, sauteing vegetables, or rubbing over chicken or meat. The second is for finishing dishes, or in salad dressings, or for dipping chunks of bread. In truth, most bottles can handle both tasks perfectly well (good enough to drizzle raw, affordable enough to not be too precious), and it might depend more on your olive oil budget than anything else. But for the purposes of this piece, I categorized each based on where it most closely landed on that spectrum, and noted when it really was a solid performer in both categories. Tasting and character notes This is where personal preference really comes into play. Professionals can get super nerdy about describing different olive oils (seriously, some of the people I consulted sounded like they were describing wine varietals). Even so, there is something to be said for considering the general profile, whether it leans grassier, or spicier, or nuttier, whether it gives you a kick in the back of the throat, or is generally well-rounded and mild. Best olive oil overall California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil $22 $33 now 33% off $22 Use: Cooking | Tasting notes: Mild California Olive Ranch has been the brand of olive oil Ive used most over the years. Its affordable enough that I dont feel guilty using a decent amount for shallow-frying, and mellow enough that it can take the background in marinades (but still not so neutral that the taste totally disappears when I whisk it into a salad dressing). Many of our experts told me it is their go-to as well (not to mention, its a brand often used in professional test kitchens). Anna Hezel, senior editor at Epicurious and cookbook author, calls it a mild olive oil that is still pleasant-tasting. She uses it for frying, baking, and drizzling, noting that shes never had a bad bottle. This is because California Olive Ranch is one of the few bigger producers that always notes that harvest date. Nick Coleman, olive oil expert, educator, and co-founder of the olive oil subscription service Grove and Vine, says, it has a light to medium body, is a little buttery and viscous in the mouth, and isnt too assertive. Plus, its at a price point you can really cook with, he adds. Thats certainly true for Matt Hyland, co-founder of New York Citys Pizza Loves Emily. He says it works just as well in a dressing as it does drizzled on top of a sizzling pie straight from the oven. $22 at Amazon Buy Best olive oil for cooking Iliada Extra-Virgin-Olive-Oil Tin $57 $57 Use: Cooking | Tasting notes: Mild, smooth Iliadas tins of olive oil have become my more recent go-to. This is in part due to the large size. I go through a lot of olive oil, so buying in bulk allows me to shop less often and the shape fits compactly in my skinny pantry cabinet. One note: Its not easy to pour this oil directly from the hole in the flat top of the container, which creates an unsteady stream and drips down the side. Youll want to decant into a separate squeeze bottle or glass bottle with a slim spout (this is the one Ive been using for years). But I also love the taste. Though Jenkins calls it less assertive than the distinctly flavorful oils she prefers for finishing (like the Pianogrillo listed below), I find it to have slightly more peppery notes than California Olive Ranch. While that bite disappears when cooking with more aggressive flavors like onions and garlic, it lingers on grilled bread and roasted potatoes (and is a welcome addition when applied raw). Still, its mild and smooth, Jenkins says. You dont want to use a fine Italian estate bottle of olive oil for cooking any more than you would use up Chateau Lafite Rothschild to make beef Bourguignon, she says. Its also well-priced at 54 cents an ounce, one of the reasons her daughter uses it at her restaurant, Nina June in Rockport, Maine, for almost everything. (Thats about half the cost of California Olive Ranch, which comes out to close to a dollar per ounce.) $57 at Amazon Buy $57 at Amazon Buy Best olive oil for dipping and dressing Cobram Estate Extra-Virgin Olive Oil $28 $28 Use: Cooking and finishing | Tasting notes: Well-rounded, green fruit, peppery Cobram Estates olive oil is another Ive used quite a few times. Because of the price point, its well suited for dipping and dressing, both of which benefit from something I can use liberally but is distinctly tasty in its raw form. Im less inclined to pour from it than the Iladia tin when Im charring roasted vegetables in the oven or sizzling chicken cutlets on the stove. Its buttery and grassy at the same time, which is a combo you dont usually get, says Hyland. Its complex but also easygoing. Get a nice bread, dip it, add some Maldon salt, and eat that for dinner. Lycopolos points out that the taste can vary slightly from year to year, but that the California blend is typically well balanced, with lots of green fruity notes on the front of the palate (artichoke, green olive, Granny Smith apple) and peppery notes on the finish (arugula, mustard greens, peppercorn). The company also produces a few varieties of less expensive extra-virgin olive oil right around the price point of California Olive Ranch that are all a bit mellower in taste. The classic in between robust and mild is another bottle Ive tested that hits a similar sweet spot: subtle, especially when cooked, but flavorful enough that a raw drizzle over, say, roasted vegetables still gives you some flavor. $28 at Amazon Buy Best olive oil for baking Vignoli Extra Virgin Olive Oil $39 $39 Use: Baking | Tasting notes: Fruity, plum Sure, you can use any extra-virgin olive oil when baking. But Ive found that certain, more mild varieties (California Olive Ranch, for example) fall more to the background, still adding their fattiness to the texture but not so much in flavor. If you want whatever youre making to really taste like olive oil, youre better off going with something more pronounced. For Lycopolus, thats this bottle from Sicily from a producer who has been in the business for over two decades. I use it in muffins and scones. It pairs so well with fruity desserts. Its really good in chocolate cupcakes, and just drizzled on vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with sea salt, she says. I bet you didnt think an olive oil could taste like plums, but this one actually tastes like plums. Its so fruity. $39 at Vignoli Buy Best less expensive olive oil for baking Lantzanakis Olive Oil From $18 From $18 Use: Baking | Tasting notes: Vegetal, subtle brightness Liz Quijada, co-owner and baker at New York Citys Abraco, uses this olive oil to make most of the baked goods at her cafe including her beloved olive oil cake, which has been on the menu since 2007. She spent five years searching for the right one, and when she tried Siti Lantzanakis, I was like, Oh, its perfect, she says. Quijada describes it as a bit vegetal with a subtle brightness that wont compete with a recipes sweetness. Plus, it has an ideal mouthfeel, which, when it comes to baking, is as important as flavor. Often when youre in the not-expensive category, you get something that has a thicker-than-comfortable viscosity, which Quijada likens to the texture of motor oil and can weigh down a cake. From $18 at Sitia Buy Best olive oil to buy in bulk Kirkland Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil $22 $22 Use: Cooking | Tasting notes: Mild Ill note up top: This pick comes with two characteristics that Jenkins and Lycopolus deemed undesirable. Its packaged in a plastic container (though, granted, a darkly shaded one), and it contains olive oil pressed from olives across the Mediterranean. But dont laugh, Danielle Oron, author of Food You Love But Different, told us when she mentioned it as one of her favorites. I go through a lot of EVOO. A quick Google search backs up her claim its well-reviewed across the internet (including by the one and only Samin Nosrat), especially compared to other olive oils in the same price range. Its definitely a light-flavored olive oil, and balanced, not overpowering or too bitter, says Oron. I might not use it for straight dipping bread, but I make really punchy salad dressings and it totally blends into the background. I also make a chili oil where you pour hot oil over chili flakes and scallions and it sizzles up. Plus, at about 30 cents an ounce, its the best value buy on this list. $22 at Costco Buy Best peppery olive oil for finishing Wonder Valley Olive Oil $38 $38 Use: Finishing | Tasting notes: Peppery, grassy, herbaceous For finishing steak or dipping bread at home, Claire Wadsworth, co-owner of La Copine, turns to Wonder Valley, a Joshua Treebased brand co-founded by Alison Carroll, a former quality-control member of the California Olive Oil Council. If we could afford to use it in the restaurant, we would, she says. Its always peppery thats the first thing I noticed and it has a kick, but its still buttery and luscious. Katherine Lewin, owner of the dinner-party-supply store Big Night, is also a fan of Wonder Valleys flavor profile: It tastes spicy, bitter, really wild, really dynamic and just grabs you, she says. $38 at Wonder Valley Buy Best fruity olive oil for finishing Pianogrillo Farm Extra Virgin Olive Oil $42 $42 Use: Finishing | Tasting notes: Fruity, sweet, green tomato While I go through cooking olive oil with abandon, I have to have a bottle of the finishing kind on hand at all times, too. This is, without question, my favorite one I have ever tried. It tastes a bit different year to year depending on the given climate and harvest time, but according to Italian-food importer Beatrice Ughi, there is one constant: Because of the soil, it always has the flavor of green tomatoes. Ughi likes using it to prepare seafood, but a fruity olive oil can enhance the flavors of everything from white meats to cakes to vegetable dishes making the last sweeter and more caramelized. Pianogrillo is also one of the olive oils that Jenkins will drizzle on almost anything: It has a distinctive fruitiness, but it also has a piquant kick in the back of the throat, which indicates a high level of antioxidants. $42 at Gustiamo Buy Best olive oil for getting into olive oil Fat Gold Olive Oil $32 $32 Use: Cooking and finishing | Tasting notes: Grassy, peppery, balanced For those curious to learn the difference between Koroneiki and Picudo olives or the history of how olives were crushed to make oil, Lewin recommends Fat Gold, a small-batch producer in the Bay Area. Every order comes with a zine with tasting notes and details on how that bottle was produced anything from the subtleties of the olive varietal to the science of how it was grown and harvested as well as recipes and sometimes even literary pairings (the September 2020 issue recommends poems and a novella to read with your Fat Gold). Lewin is also a fan of the flavor and texture. Its grassy but not bitter, and its super-versatile, she says. Its rich and really mouth-coating. $32 at Fat Gold Buy Best steak olive oil Frantoio Grove - Picual - 2023 Harvest $24 $24 Use: Cooking and finishing | Tasting notes: Peppery, bitter, mustard greens According to Lycopolus, one common misconception about olive oil is that it cant take high heat. If your oil is fresh, you wont get a lick of smoke, she says. This means that searing a steak in olive oil is perfectly acceptable, and for that, Lycopolus prefers Frantoio Grove. I call this my steak oil, she says. I love to use it both to sear the steak itself and then to make a chimichurri to go with it. According to her, the tasting notes peppery, bitter, with hints of mustard greens pair well with meat. And while a milder, creamier olive oil may get lost in the flavors of a chimichurri, this one is super-robust, and it can stand up to all those herbs and garlic, she says. $24 at Frantoio Grove Buy Best flavored olive oil Brightland Rosette Olive Oil $40 $40 Use: Finishing | Tasting notes: Roasted garlic, buttery Sometimes flavored oils can skew artificial-tasting but thats not the case with Brightlands chili, garlic, lemon, and basil oils, all of which contain the essence of their infused ingredient in a clear and appealing way. I have the garlic one in my own pantry, which I use to make an easy version of garlic bread and to whisk into yogurt for a dip that has an allium backbone without being too biting. Noreen Wasti, creator of Nonis Place especially loves the chili oil, which she says is smokey and fiery and gives this nice hit in the back of your throat. Nisha Vora, creator of Rainbow Plant Life, is a fan of the lemon, which she says is really bright, and doesnt taste at all bitter or muddied, as well as the super fresh basil. If youre curious about the flavors but dont want to splurge on a 375-milliliter bottle, Brighland sells a tasting set that includes 100-milliliter bottles of each. $40 at Brightland Buy Best squeezable olive oil Graza Drizzle & Sizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil $37 $37 Use: Cooking and finishing | Tasting notes: Mild, mellow (Sizzle); Spicy, assertive (Drizzle) If you follow any chefs, recipe developers, or food personalities on social media, youve probably spotted Graza in their images and videos. The company, which launched a year and a half ago, has made its way into countless kitchens (including mine) and grocery-store shelves with a straightforward idea: It packages its high-quality oil in squeeze bottles, a method pros have always used by decanting. They make a milder flavor for cooking (Sizzle) and a more assertive one for finishing (Drizzle). With both, as Strategist writer Dominique Pariso writes in her ode to Graza, the squeeze bottle means no slippery caps, no greasy bottles, and, most important, no accidental overglugging. Never again will I overdress a salad or drown my roasted veggies. Instead, I drizzle and douse with precision and control. One note: While the bottles are made from recyclable plastic, their opaque finish (and the fact that they only house 500 or 750 milliliters of liquid) means that the oil inside stays stable. $37 at Graza Buy Cooking with Grazas Sizzle. Photo: Emma Wartzman Best olive oil set Branche No. 1 and No. 2 Olive Oils $77 $77 Use: Cooking and finishing | Tasting notes: Bold, herbaceous (No. 1); Delicate, buttery (No. 2) While Graza is indeed a set with one variety meant for cooking and the other for finishing, cook Ethaney Lee swears by Branche, which sells a similar duo. She says she likes them better than Grazas for two reasons. First, the flavors are distinct, but not so mild or precious respectively that she worries about using them somewhat interchangeably: She has glugged No. 2 raw on top of a bowl of brothy beans and it still stands out, and she has whisked the very bright and peppery No. 1 into a dressing without it overwhelming the other ingredients, she says. She also likes the design of the vessels themselves, which she calls more sophisticated. Of course, this comes down to aesthetic preference, but what shes talking about is quite clear: The material is substantial glass instead of plastic, the colors are more subdued, and the logo is minimal text instead of bold and cartoonish. $77 at Branche Buy Best olive oil made by wine producers PortoCibo Mortellito $29 $29 Use: Finishing | Tasting notes: Brine, gentle white spice Its actually fairly common for wineries to get into the olive-oil business. Typically, the top wine producers are overall incredible farmers, says Chris Leon, owner and wine director of Leon & Son in Brooklyn. They live off the land and work with it organically and biodynamically. If you ever visit a vineyard, you can see the polyculture, the multiple things they have growing at all times. Jill Bernheimer, owner of Domaine in Los Angeles, agrees. The same way you get a sense of terroir from a glass of wine, you do from olive oil, she says. Mortellito is a particular favorite of Leons. As he explains it, the producer is in this super-unique place in the southeast part of Sicily, really close to the ocean. In the olive oil, that comes through in brine. Its more seaside, more breezy than some intense Sicilian oils, he says. Its complex enough that you could nerd out about it, but you could also pour it for Mom and Dad. $29 at Mortellito Buy Our experts Jill Bernheimer, owner of Domaine Nick Coleman, co-founder of Grove and Vine Anna Hezel, senior editor at Epicurious Matt Hyland, co-founder of Pizza Loves Emily Ethaney Lee, cook Chris Leon, owner and wine director of Leon & Son Katherine Lewin, owner of Big Night Emily Lycopolus, olive oil sommelier and author Danielle Oron, author Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer Liz Quijada, co-owner of Abraco Beatrice Ughi, founder and president of Gustiamo Nisha Vora, creator of Rainbow Plant Life Claire Wadsworth, co-owner of La Copine Noreen Wasti, creator of Nonis Place get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. NATO member Albania on Monday inaugurated a refurbished Soviet-era air base, the alliance's first in the Western Balkan region. It comes amid rising tensions in southeast Europe over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The air base is named after the small town of Kucova, 85 kilometers south of the capital Tirana. Officials said the new air base will serve as a modern hub of operations, for training and hosting an array of fighter jets. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the reactivation of the air base, which was officially closed in 2005, as "another element of security from our region of the Western Balkans, which we know well may be endangered from the neo-imperialist threats and ambitions of the Russian Federation. After the speeches at the ceremony on Monday, two US F-16 and two F-35 fighter jets from Aviano Air Base in Italy flew over while two Eurofighters landed. Located in an Albanian city formerly named for Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, the site was once home to dozens of Soviet- and Chinese-made planes left for years to rust in the open air on a former communist airbase. For the past two years, NATO funded the base upgrade with around 50 million. It included renovations to the control tower, runways, hangars and storage facilities. "The inauguration of Kucova air base demonstrates that the Alliance with a 360-degree approach is heavily engaged in this relevant region," said NATO representative Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez de Lara. (With newswires) Read more on RFI English Read also: The picturesque town being turned into a strategic military hub as Sweden joins NATO NATO exercises begin in Nordic region amid heightened tensions with Russia Hungary's parliament has ratified Sweden's bid to join NATO The polls have closed at voting locations in Lee County, and thousands of residents casted their votes in the 2024 primary election. Voters who headed to the polls had three options: a Republican Party ballot with a handful of local state races; a Democratic Party ballot with candidates for the democratic presidential nominee and no local races; or choose neither party and voting on the statewide amendment. The statewide amendment is included on all ballots. There were three local Republican Primary elections on the ballots today: Lee County Commissioner District 3, U.S. Representative for Alabama's Congressional District 3 and Lee County District Judge Place 2. The race for Lee County Commissioner District 3 only appeared on ballots for residents in District 3. Lee County saw a 14.76% voter turnout In Lee County, 18,999 voters casted a ballot in Tuesday's primary election out of the 128,741 residents who were registered to vote, leading to a 14.76% voter turnout, according to Lee County and the Alabama Secretary of State website. Craig Calhoun is a poll worker at the Church of the Highlands polling location in Auburn. The polling place was added in 2023 as one of the Lee County Commission's polling place updates. Calhoun, who is retired, said that he has been a poll worker about half-a-dozen times, and has enjoyed it. As for working the polls today, he said he does not expect a large turnout. "It's a primary it was supposed to have been raining all day, though I haven't seen a drop yet. So you know, it's a primary, you don't expect a lot of turnout," Calhoun said. "If I had to guess I would say there might be a little bit, as much of a rush as we may have, after five o'clock. On the other hand, it may be raining...I don't think it's gonna be too terribly busy at all." Even though it rained, that did not stop Smiths Station resident Vanessa Robinson from participating is this year's primary. Robinson said that she believes voting is everyone's civic duty and it is important for people to vote if they actually want to see change. "Don't let anything hinder you from voting. If you need a ride, ask for a ride. There are services out there that will help with that. A little rain doesn't stop anyone get a raincoat get an umbrella. I mean, just get out and vote is the best thing that you could do," Robinson said. "Sometimes that one last vote does make a difference. So it's important to vote." 'Have a voice in our democracy' Alicia White, an Auburn resident, voted because it is her right as an American citizen. "The laws that are passed and the candidates chosen can affect me in many adverse ways," she said. "It's important for my voice to be heard and to elect officials and pass laws that are truly for the people." For Gary Smith, a resident of Smiths Station, he believes voting in elections is his duty as a citizen and the basis of democracy. "It's the basis of our democracy or our republic. And it's sad, because you look at the percentage of people that do vote, and like it's 20% or less. That sad," Smith said. "As a private citizen, that's the only, I believe, responsibility I have, is to try to research as best I can and vote for the people that I want in. That's why I think it's so important." Auburn resident David Pascoe believes that every vote counts. "It's important that you vote so that the people's will is found and discovered," he said. Joel Mattocks is a project manager from Smiths Station and he left work a little early so he could vote as his polling place, Smiths Station Junior High School. For him, he said voting was about having the right people for the jobs in government. "Getting the right people in that have your values and everything like that to set laws and make sure everything's going the way you want it to go, the way you believe and value everything," Mattock said. "If you don't come out and vote, then how [do] you know you're supporting people that had the same values you do and you know their supporting laws that are your values." Auburn resident DeAndria Bibb knows that it is her duty and personal privilege to vote. "I vote because, as a woman and a person of color, this was a right denied to my ancestors," she said. "It is a way for me to have a voice in our democracy." Click here for a breakdown of unofficial election results in Lee County. Scenes from Election Day in Lee County OSHA Fines Electrical Contractor After Severe Worker Injury Smiths Electrical Service & Repair LLC faces $93,566 in proposed penalties. Alabama-based electrical contractor Smiths Electrical Service & Repair LLC faces OSHA penalties following an incident where a young electrician suffered critical injuries. According to a release dated Feb. 28, OSHA issued fines totaling $93,566 on the Camp Hill-based company after an investigation revealed that the company willfully neglected industry-standard safety procedures. On September 26, 2023, a 22-year-old worker sustained arc flash burns at an Auburn work site. The worker was handling wires through an electrical cabinet that was not properly de-energized, causing a dangerous arc flash. OSHA cited Smiths Electrical Service & Repair with a willful violation for allowing employees to work with energized electrical cabinets, exposing them to shock and burn hazards. In addition, the company received three serious violations, including the failure to train workers in recognizing and avoiding electrical hazards, permitting untrained employees to work on live electrical cabinets, and failure to provide protective equipment. The employer unnecessarily exposed workers to the hazards created when working with energized, electrical cabinets. Their actions tragically resulted in a worker suffering burn injuries that may require life-long attention and care, OSHA Area Office Director Jose A. Gonzalez in Mobile, Alabama, said in a statement This awful incident should never have happened. Using safe electrical work practices can save lives and avoid unnecessary incidents such as this one. Smiths Electrical Service & Repairwhich employs 25 workersnow has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference or contest the agencys findings. OSHA, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United Host Listening Session on Heat Hazards The session provided an open discussion on the heat hazards of the restaurant industry. To tackle the rising concern of extreme indoor heat in the restaurant industry, OSHA cohosted a listening session on Feb. 21, 2024, with Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United addressing the impact of high temperatures on restaurant workers. According to a release dated Feb. 28, the eventconducted at ROC United's headquarters in New York Cityserved as a platform for workers to share their experiences and the challenges posed by excessive heat in kitchens, particularly in commercial settings. Reportedly, temperatures in these environments can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Todays discussion is a unique opportunity to learn from each other about ways we can address the growing hazard for workers in extreme heat environments, OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Jim Frederick said in a statement. It is common to think about heat as a hazard to people who work outdoors in summer months, but it is not limited to outdoor workers. Heat is an indoor and outdoor hazard happening year-round, and we want to make sure employers have the tools they need to protect their workers. The session underscored OSHA's dedication to combating heat hazards and emphasized the agency's role in empowering workers to voice their safety concerns without fear of retaliation. This collaboration also reflects a growing acknowledgment of the need to develop strategies and enforcement initiatives to protect workers from all heat hazards. A series of legal rulings by Iraqs Federal Supreme Court (FSC) on 21 February underlined that the planned New Oil Law being worked on by the government of Iraq in Baghdad will be the final agent of change that will end any semblance of independence for Iraqi Kurdistan. And for Western oil companies working in the region, it looks like the future has been cancelled. To begin with, the FSC ruled that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) must turn over all oil and non-oil revenues to Baghdad. This marks the end of any debate over whether the KRG can continue to conduct oil sales independent of the Federal Government Iraqs (FGI) State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) it cannot. And even it managed to arrange channels to do so, it would have to hand over all the money made from the oil sales to the FGI in Baghdad anyway. This effectively returns all financial control of Iraqi Kurdistan back to Iraqs central government. The FSC added that the FGI, in turn, would be responsible for paying the salaries of public servants in the KRG, with the amount paid to be deduced at source in Baghdad from the KRGs share. And the KRG must provide monthly, in-depth accounts of every salary that the FGI is paying. Related: 2 Ways to Play Europes $800 Billion Energy Crisis Effectively, this is a much tougher reset of the original budget payments for oil revenues deal agreed between the KRG and the FGI back in November 2014, as analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. The deal was that the KRG exported up to 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil from its own fields and Kirkuk via SOMO. In return, Baghdad would send 17 percent of the federal budget after sovereign expenses (around US$500 million at that time) per month in budget payments to the Kurds. This arrangement never functioned properly, with the KRG frequently (and rightly) accusing the FGI of underpaying budget disbursements, and the FGI frequently (and rightly) accusing the KRG of under-delivering oil revenues. The deal was then superseded by an understanding reached between the KRG and the new Iraqi federal government formed in October 2018 and centred on the 2019 national budget bill. This required the FGI to transfer sufficient funds from the budget to pay the salaries of KRG employees along with other financial compensation in exchange for the KRG handing over the export of at least 250,000 bpd of crude oil to SOMO. Again, this arrangement never worked properly either. However, things became much worse in late 2017 for two reasons. The first reason was that 25 September 2017 saw a non-binding vote on full independence for Iraqi Kurdistan. Independence had been tacitly promised to Iraqi Kurdistan by the U.S. and its allies in exchange for Kurdistans fearsome Peshmerga army being the Wests principal boots on the ground in the fight against the then-rampant ISIS. Over 92 percent of voters in the 2017 referendum voted in favour of independence, but shortly after the results were announced, forces from Iraq and Iran (supported as well by Turkey) moved into the Kurdish region and quelled any further moves to make independence a reality. Neither Iraq nor Iraq nor Turkey (all with sizeable Kurdish populations) could tolerate the ramifications of a broader upsurge in the Kurdish independence movement across the region. The second reason was that soon after that, Russia gained control over Iraqi Kurdistans oil sector through three key mechanisms also analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. Moscows aim was not just to secure the big oil and gas reserves of Iraqi Kurdistan but, more importantly in the long term, to sow the seeds for the destruction of Kurdish independence and its assimilation into one Iraq. It was Russia, then, that stoked mistrust and discontent between the KRG and FGI over the original 2014 budget payments for oil revenues deal, which is largely why it never worked properly. The fault-line that Moscow used to create chaos between the two sides was handed to it by the lack of clarity over oil revenues in Iraqs own Constitution. According to the KRG, it has authority under Articles 112 and 115 of the Constitution to manage oil and gas in the Kurdistan Region extracted from fields that were not in production in 2005 the year that the Constitution was adopted by referendum. In addition, the KRG maintains that Article 115 states: All powers not stipulated in the exclusive powers of the federal government belong to the authorities of the regions and governorates that are not organised in a region. As such, the KRG maintains that as relevant powers are not otherwise stipulated in the Constitution, it has the authority to sell and receive revenue from its oil and gas exports. The KRG also highlights that the Constitution provides that, should a dispute arise, priority shall be given to the law of the regions and governorates. However, the FGI and SOMO argue that under Article 111 of the Constitution oil and gas are under the ownership of all the people of Iraq in all the regions and governorates. Another turn for the worse for Iraqi Kurdistan came at the end of 2021 when the U.S. formerly ended its combat mission in Iraq, which effectively flung open the door for even greater economic, political, and military influence in Iraq by Iran, Russia, and China. It is in the interests of none of these three countries for the still broadly pro-U.S. Iraqi Kurdistan to exist. Moscow is happy enough to continue to work on fields in north and south Iraq, but under the administration of a centralised pro-Russian authority in Baghdad. In tandem with this, China has been building up its influence in southern Iraq, through multiple deals done in the oil and gas sector that have then been leveraged into bigger infrastructure deals across the south. The apotheosis of Beijings vision for China is all-encompassing Iraq-China Framework Agreement of 2021. This in turn, was an extension in scale and scope of the Oil for Reconstruction and Investment agreement signed by Baghdad and Beijing in September 2019, which allowed Chinese firms to invest in infrastructure projects in Iraq in exchange for oil, as also analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. Given all of this, it should not surprise anyone that on 3 August last year, the then-new Iraq Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Sudani, clearly stated that the new unified oil law run in every respect out of Baghdad - will govern all oil and gas production and investments in both Iraq and its semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and will constitute a strong factor for Iraqs unity. Nor should it surprise anyone that a very high-ranking official from the Kremlin said recently at a meeting with senior government figures from Iran that: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq and Baghdad closer to the new Iran-Saudi axis - the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise, a senior source who works closely with the European Unions energy security apparatus exclusively told OilPrice.com. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Crude oil prices recently logged their second monthly gain in a row as OPEC+ extended their supply curb deal until the end of Q2 2024. The gains have been considerable, with WTI adding about $7 per barrel over the month of February. Yet a lot of analysts remain bearish about the commodity's prospects. In fact, they believe that there is enough oil supply globally to keep Brent around $81 this year and WTI at some $76.50, according to a Reuters poll. Yet, like last year in U.S. shale showed, there is always the possibility of a major surprise. According to the respondents in that poll, what's keeping prices tame is, first, the fact that the Red Sea crisis has not yet affected oil shipments in the region thanks to alternative routes. The second reason cited by the analysts is OPEC+ spare capacity, which has increased thanks to the cuts. "Spare capacity has reached a multi-year high, which will keep overall market sentiment under pressure over the coming months," Kpler senior analyst Florian Grunberger told Reuters. The perception of ample spare capacity is definitely one factor keeping traders and analysts bearish as they assume this capacity would be put into operation as soon as the market needs it. This may well be an incorrect assumption. Related: 2 Ways to Play Europes $800 Billion Energy Crisis Saudi Arabia and OPEC have given multiple signs that they would only release more production if prices are to their liking, and if cuts are getting extended, then current prices are not to OPEC's liking yet. There is more, too. The Saudis, which are cutting the most and have the greatest spare capacity at around 3 million barrels daily right now, are acutely aware that the moment they release additional supply, prices will plunge. Therefore, the chance of Saudi cuts being reversed anytime soon is pretty slim. Then there is the U.S. oil production factor. Last year, analysts expected modest output additions from the shale patch because the rig count remained consistently lower than what it was during the strongest shale boom years. That assumption proved wrong as drillers made substantial gains in well productivity that pushed total production to yet another record. Perhaps a bit oddly, analysts are once again making a bold assumption for this year: that the productivity gains will continue at the same rate this year as well. The Energy Information Administration disagrees. In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the authority estimated that U.S. oil output had reached a record high of 13.3 million barrels daily that in January fell to 12.6 million bpd due to harsh winter weather. For the rest of the year, however, the EIA has forecast a production level remaining around the December record, which will only be broken in February 2025. Oil demand, meanwhile, will be growing. Wood Mackenzie recently predicted 2024 demand growth at 1.9 million barrels daily. OPEC sees this year's demand growth at 2.25 million barrels daily. The IEA is, as usual, the most modest in its expectations, seeing 2024 demand for oil grow by 1.2 million bpd. With OPEC+ keeping a lid on production and U.S. production remaining largely flat on 2023, if the EIA is correct, a tightening of the supply situation is only a matter of time. Indeed, some are predicting that already. Natural resource-focused investors Goehring and Rozencwajg recently released their latest market outlook, in which they warned that the oil market may already be in a structural deficit, to manifest later this year. They also noted a change in the methodology that the EIA uses to estimate oil production, which may well have led to a serious overestimation of production growth. The discrepancy between actual and reported production, Goehring and Rozencwajg said, could be so significant that the EIA may be estimating growth where there's a production decline. So, on the one hand, some pretty important assumptions are being made about demand, namely, that it will grow more slowly this year than it did last year. This assumption is based on another one, by the way, and this is the assumption that EV sales will rise as strongly as they did last yearwhen they failed to make a dent in oil demand growthand kill some oil demand. ADVERTISEMENT On the other hand, there is the assumption that U.S. drillers will keep drilling like they did last year. What would motivate such a development is unclear, besides the expectation that Europe will take in even more U.S. crude this year than it already is. This is a much safer assumption than the one about demand, by the way. And yet, there are indications from the U.S. oil industry that there will be no pumping at will this year. There will be more production discipline. Predicting oil prices accurately, even over the shortest of periods, is as safe as flipping a coin. With the number of variables at play at any moment, accurate predictions are usually little more than a fluke, especially when perceptions play such an outsized role in price movements. One thing is for sure, though. There may be surprises this year in oil. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Squabbling between Venezuela and South Americas newest oil-producing nation Guyana over the resource-rich Essequibo region is heating up once again. The more than century-long quarrel centers on Venezuelas claim to the 61,000 square mile area, which comprises roughly two-thirds of Guyanas sovereign territory. After supermajor Exxon made a swathe of high-quality oil discoveries in the waters off Essequibo, socialist Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros saber-rattling intensified. By the end of 2023, there were fears Venezuela would use its military to annex the contested region, although the presidents of both Venezuela and Guyana ultimately agreed to resolve the dispute peacefully. Since then, evidence of heightened Venezuelan military activity along Guyanas border has emerged, sparking fears Caracas is preparing to seize the Essequibo by force. The Essequibo and nearby Demara, another territory in Guyana, were originally Dutch colonies established in the 17th century that were seized by British troops after the French occupation of the Netherlands. Both colonies, after reverting to Dutch rule, were officially ceded to Britain in 1814 and then unified with other colonies in the area to form British Guiana. The area was contested by the Spanish Empire, which claimed Britain had encroached upon the territory of its colony, the Vice Royalty of New Granada, which contained present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador. The origins of the modern dispute are found in Venezuelas emergence as a sovereign nation in 1831 after the country left the Republic of Gran Colombia, formerly the Vice Royalty of New Granada, which achieved independence from Spain in 1819. Caracas chose to exercise Venezuelas colonial legacy laying claim to the Essequibo after gold was discovered in the area. Following substantial U.S. pressure, which arose after Caracas hired a Washington-based lobbyist who argued Britain had breached the Monroe Doctrine, the 1899 Washington Treaty of Arbitration settled the dispute. That international agreement, which essentially found in favor of Britain, established the border that exists today. The rising popularity of leftist politicians in British Guiana, coupled with increasing demands for independence, alarmed rightwing governments in Caracas that were battling a Cuba-backed leftist insurgency. Venezuelas rightwing governments were fearful of that conflict intensifying, particularly with the conservative central government in neighboring Colombia fighting a multi-party civil war against several leftist guerilla movements, which Bogota appeared incapable of defeating. After the Cuban Revolution, socialisms popularity and volume of leftist insurgencies soared across Latin America. This sparked alarm in Washington, especially as the Cold War intensified and Soviet influence grew, seeing the White House perceive anti-communist Venezuela as a natural bulwark against the spread of Marxist ideology in Latin America. Related: 2 Ways to Play Europes $800 Billion Energy Crisis As such, the claim to the Essequibo gained a new significance in Venezuela during the Cold War. Anti-communist President Romulo Betancourt, known as the father of Venezuelan democracy, resurrected the claim to the Essequibo. In 1962, during Betancourts second presidency, Caracas declared the Washington Treaty null and void as the rightwing government ratcheted up pressure on British Guianas leftist pro-independence leaders. Betancourt used this to derail the colonys push for independence and prevent a socialist government from taking power, which it feared would turn Guyana into a haven for the leftist guerillas at war with Caracas. It isnt only Maduro who has considered invading Guyana. Fervently anti-communist rightwing dictator President Marcus Perez Jimenez, a military officer who ousted Betancourt in 1948, prepared to invade British Guiana in 1958, although a coup d'etat toppled his regime before the plan was executed. While Venezuelas political ecology has changed significantly since the end of the Cold War, with a socialist authoritarian regime in power since 1999, the claim to the Essequibo is one of the very few issues shared by Maduro and the opposition. After a tense end to 2023, where rumors of an invasion of the Essequibo swirled following Caracas announcement that a referendum was found in favor of incorporating the territory into Venezuela, the dispute appeared to calm. It has, nonetheless, flared again over recent weeks. Caracas accused Georgetown of awarding illegal drilling licenses to energy companies, objected to Exxons drilling campaign and claimed the supermajor was engaging in corrupt conduct with key opposition figure Maria Corina Machado. The greatest threat, however, comes from the mobilization of Venezuelas reputedly powerful military, which with 337,000 personnel, is ranked third in South America by manpower. There is abundant evidence Caracas is boosting troop and equipment numbers along the border with Guyana. Intelligence from a range of sources, notably satellite images examined by The Center for Strategy and International Studies (CSIS), indicates this to be the case. They show extensive land clearing which it is believed is being used to establish supply and transport infrastructure as well as create staging zones for military formations. The photos also show a build-up of Venezuelan forces near the border, with patrol boats, light tanks and armored vehicles moving into the area. Supporting this is Georgetowns claims that satellite imagery from friendly governments revealed intensifying Venezuelan military activity near its border. These events indicate Caracas will deploy more troops, armored vehicles and aircraft to the contested border region, which not only elevates tensions but also the risk of an armed clash. Related: Could This Unknown Company Help Solve Europes Energy Crisis? Those actions are a breach of the December 2023 Argyle Declaration signed by Venezuelas President Maduro and Guyana President Irfaan Ali in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In this pact, Venezuela and Guyana agreed, first and foremost, that directly or indirectly, they will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including in relation to any existing controversies. There was also a commitment to refrain from escalating the existing conflict through words or deeds while pursuing good neighborliness and peaceful coexistence. Finally, both countries consented to resolving the dispute peacefully in accordance with international law and establishing a joint commission to find a resolution. The latest events demonstrate Maduro is acting duplicitously and contrary to the objectives he publicly agreed to, principally resolving Venezuelas claim without resorting to violence and in accordance with international law. Indeed, Venezuelas dictatorial president is using the countrys reputedly powerful military, with the threat of invasion, as a lever to ensure Georgetowns compliance with its goal of annexing the Essequibo. The use of diplomacy coupled with the threat of military violence to coerce a country into changing its behavior is known as compliance. This is one of the preferred strategies used by dictators around the world to achieve their geopolitical objectives. For over a decade, Maduro has openly demonstrated his diplomatic duplicity and willingness to use violence or the threat of violence to terrorize opponents to achieve ideological goals and secure his regimes future. As Russias President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine demonstrates, illiberal dictators, like Maduro, do not respect international law nor diplomacy and ultimately will nearly always resort to naked force, particularly if they possess a fait accompli, to resolve disputes. A fait accompli is where a regime believes the application of overwhelming military force will allow it to seize disputed territory without triggering a prolonged war. Since 1945, it has become the most common strategy employed by authoritarian states for seizing contested territory. The most recent example is the Kremlins belief it possessed a fait accompli that would allow a successful invasion of Ukraine while avoiding all-out war, although that strategy failed with a costly protracted conflict erupting. A fait accompli, like compellence, is essentially a form of coercive bargaining used to achieve diplomatic and political compliance from an opposing state through the threat or actual use of overpowering force. Venezuelas military, on paper, presents itself as among the most powerful in South America and capable of overwhelming Guyanas minuscule defense force. Key to Maduros thinking regarding the Essequibo is his close alliance with Putin, where Venezuelas autocratic regime sided with the Kremlin regarding Russias invasion of Ukraine. Russia, especially since Washington imposed strict sanctions on Caracas, emerged as one of Venezuelas main backers providing not only financial assistance but also crucial military aid and supplies. The Kremlin has been arming Venezuelas military since President Hugo Chavez assumed office and launched his 1999 socialist Bolivarian Revolution. The importance of Russias military aid soared as Washington ratcheted up sanctions, aimed at cutting Caracas off from global energy and financial markets, against the dictatorial Maduro regime. Moscow has equipped Caracas with 4th generation fighter jets, helicopter gunships, anti-aircraft missiles, artillery, main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, anti-armor weapons and a multitude of small arms. In fact, Rosoboronexport, Russias state arms seller, licensed a plant in Venezuela to produce Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifles, the militarys standard long arm. In a show of solidarity with Maduro, the Kremlin has dispatched powerful military assets to Venezuela. These include nuclear-capable Tupolev strategic bombers, destroyers and the Kirov class battlecruiser Peter the Great, considered the worlds largest nuclear-powered surface vessel. Moscow has also dispatched military advisers, bodyguards and deployed troops, including mercenaries from the controversial Wagner Group, to support the beleaguered Maduro regime. Russian soldiers were reputedly even sent to monitor Venezuelas border with Colombia, Washingtons closest South American ally. Despite Venezuelas military strength on paper, there are questions as to whether the armed forces are operationally capable of launching an invasion and seizing the disputed territory. Essequibos harsh terrain and lack of infrastructure make it inhospitable to military operations. For those reasons, it is speculated Venezuelas land forces must pass through Brazils territory to reach the region. At the end of 2023, Brazil began reinforcing its military presence on the border with Venezuela and has been sending further personnel as well as equipment since the start of this year. In February 2024, according to a report from news agency Reuters, Brasilia moved two dozen armored cars to Manaus and bolstered the local garrison to 600 troops. The Boa Vista garrison will reportedly be increased to a regiment, and Brazils army is considering further troop and armored vehicle deployments along the border. Brazils armed forces, which are ranked as the largest and most powerful in South America, are presumed capable of repelling any incursion by Venezuelas military. There are significant doubts regarding Venezuela's armed forces' capability and combat readiness. During 2021, Caracas land forces, in a series of clashes in the southern state of Apure, which borders Colombia, were trounced by a handful of battle-hardened leftist guerillas from the dissident 10th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC Spanish initials). The 10th Front, which is estimated to number 300 fighters, repudiated Bogotas 2016 FARC peace agreement and established an operational base in Apure, where it became heavily involved in illicit economies, including cocaine trafficking and extortion. The dissidents found allies in Venezuelas military, which saw them cooperating with various units of the armed forces on highly profitable illicit activities, including cocaine trafficking. ADVERTISEMENT A dispute over control of those economies in Apure combined with Maduros rising paranoia over losing control and fears that the dissident 10th Front was growing too strong saw the Venezuelan military launch attacks on the illegal armed band. By March 2021, ground elements of Venezuelas ground forces, including the army, police special forces and Bolivarian National Guard, were locked in an asymmetric conflict with the 10th Front. Despite their numerical advantage and dominance in firepower through the deployment of fighter jets, artillery, helicopters and armored vehicles, attacks by Venezuelan ground forces foundered against the experienced guerillas irregular tactics. The dissident FARC guerillas inflicted heavy casualties on Venezuelan forces including capturing many soldiers in ambushes, with it believed the real death toll is double the 16 dead officially reported. There is considerable conjecture as to why Venezuelas armed forces failed to defeat a minor adversary, especially when their substantial superiority in numbers and firepower is considered. Deficient training and equipment, poor strategic as well as tactical planning and low morale were responsible for a lack of combat effectiveness. There is also speculation that the capability of Venezuelas armed forces has been degraded by its growing political role, where it is a tool used to ensure the dictatorial Maduro regimes survival rather than as a professional apolitical organization tasked with defending Venezuelas sovereign territory. For these reasons, Caracas military buildup on Guyanas border and Maduros saber-rattling appear to be pressuring Georgetown through the threat of violence rather than presenting as a genuine plan to invade Guyana and annex the Essequibo. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:s Oil prices have had a disappointing start to the week as markets were underwhelmed by China's commitments to get its economy back on track and boost demand. EQT, Chesapeake Become the OPEC+ of Natural Gas Markets - The gas markets have been missing an OPEC-like instrument that could collectively curb supply whenever global balances indicate a huge glut, and it now seems leading US gas producers are considering taking on that role, albeit temporarily. - Presenting its Q4 results, the US largest gas producer EQT announced it would cut some 30-40 Bcf of net production through March, equivalent to 5-7% of the companys output. - With Chesapeake pledging to cut 20% of its output, Comstock reducing the number of rigs in operation from 7 to 5 and suspending dividends, and Antero cutting its drilling budget by 26%, Henry Hub prices have rebounded to $1.9 per mmBtu. - Net positioning in Henry Hub futures softened a little as hedge funds quit some 50,000 short contracts in the week to February 27, but the net short on US natural gas remains the largest since March 2020. Market Movers - Canadas midstream giant TC Energy (NYSE:TRP) agreed to sell the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System to BlackRock for $1.14 billion as part of its divestment drive. - The US solar business of energy major Shell (LON:SHEL), the Kansas City-based Savion, has put a quarter of its assets - totaling up to 10.6 GW - up for sale a little more than two years since the companys acquisition. - The worlds largest mining company BHP (NYSE:BHP) has launched a major restructuring of its operations, having already started to cut jobs in Australia after its net income plunged by 86% year-on-year in Q4 to $463.5 million. Tuesday, March 05, 2024 Oil prices have started this week off on the wrong foot after bullish news of OPEC+ extending its voluntary production cuts was offset by an underwhelming set of commitments from Chinas National Peoples Congress. The markets expected promises of comprehensive stimulus packages but were met with vows of "prudent monetary policy and acknowledgments of the difficulties ahead. With this, Brent continues to trade around the $82 per barrel mark, with WTI dropping to 78 per barrel. OPEC+ Extends Voluntary Cuts into Q2. OPEC+ members agreed to extend voluntary oil production cuts of 2.2 million b/d, with Russia announcing an extra 471,000 b/d cut in the second quarter of 2024 and Saudi Arabia sticking to its $9 million b/d output rate. Rubymar Becomes First Victim of Red Sea Warfare. The UK-owned bulk tanker Rubymar sank on March 2, two weeks after being severely damaged by a Houthi missile, becoming the first vessel lost since November and leaking fertilizer potentially causing an environmental crisis. US Bans China Buying SPR Crude Barrels. The latest 2024 government funding bill contains provisions that would block Chinese companies from buying oil from the United States' Strategic Petroleum Reserve, following several instances of Unipec buying SPRs in 2017-2022. Europe Wants Oil Companies to Finance Its Climate Goals. The European Union is looking into ways to compel the fossil fuel industry to help pay for fighting climate change in poorer countries, with actual climate investment needs totaling $1 trillion per year by 2025. Mexico Shutters Polluting Refinery. Regional authorities of Nuevo Leon state said they have closed the 275,000 b/d Cadereyta refinery over the refusal of state oil company Pemex to cooperate with environmental inspections. Despite this statement, continued flaring suggests the refinery is still running. TMX Line Fills to Start in April. According to MEG Energy (ASX:MEG), line fill on Canadas highly anticipated Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline will start in April, with the state-controlled pipeline operator of TMX calling for 2.1 million barrels in April and the same amount in May. Gunvor Pays $662 Million to End Bribery Cases. Global trading firm Gunvor agreed to pay $662 million to close US and Swiss investigations into a scheme used to pay bribes to Ecuadorean officials to win business, ending a long-standing probe that started in 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Rios Arizona Copper Mine Gets Judicial OK. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals narrowly ruled that the federal government may transfer land in Arizona to Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) for the Resolution Copper mining project, potentially 25% of future US copper supply, heavily opposed by Native Americans. Chevron Gives Up on Biodiesel Expansion, For Now. US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) has indefinitely idled two biodiesel plants one in Ralston, Iowa, and another in Madison, Wisconsin on the back of renewable credits falling to a three-year low as supplies keep on growing. Trafigura Moves into UK Biofuels Production. Global trading major Trafigura bought the European business of UK-based fuel supplier and biodiesel producer Greenergy, less than a month after it failed to take over Mediterranean refiner Saras, outfooted by Vitol. Exxon Mulls Its Options in Suriname. According to Surinames national oil firm Staatsolie, US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and Malaysias Petronas are considering the potential for a floating LNG unit after a 2020 gas discovery at the Sloanea prospect, initially having shelved the project. Vitol Expands Further In the Med. VTTI, a subsidiary of global trading major Vitol, is reportedly close to buying a majority stake of 92.68% in Italys Adriatic LNG terminal from ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and QatarEnergy for almost $900 million, as BlackRock bowed out of its bid. BP Looks for Gas In Azerbaijans Waters. As legacy crude production continues to mature in offshore Azerbaijan, UK energy major BP (NYSE:BP) is eyeing the second half of 2024 to drill its first appraisal well in the ACG field, looking for deep gas reservoirs below the producing oil field. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Uzbekistan is looking to China for help in upgrading the Uzbek rail system. A delegation from the Chinese locomotive and rolling stock manufacturer CRRC held talks in Tashkent in late February with the state rail company Uzbekistan Railways JSC. Discussions focused on the modernization of electric locomotives and localization of production, according to the Uzbek companys statement. The talks, however, did not yield any concrete agreements. China is also assisting Uzbekistan in modernizing its fleet of public buses for use in Uzbek cities. The China Development Bank is reportedly allocating $120 million to purchase 1,000 Chinese-manufactured high-capacity buses powered by compressed gas, according to a report distributed by the UzDaily agency. According to an Uzbek government decree, officials also have plans to allocate about $60 million for the purchase of 200 electric public buses that will operate in the capital, Tashkent. The wording of the Uzbek decree does specify whether Chinese funding for the improvements is considered a loan or a grant. Related: 2 Ways to Play Europes $800 Billion Energy Crisis Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, representatives of the state national welfare fund, Samruk-Kazyna, signed a cooperation agreement with CRRC, the Chinese locomotive maker. The pact appears to be mostly aspirational and did not mention any specific deal. A Samruk-Kazyna statement said the two entities aimed to strengthen ties and search for new investment opportunities. As was the case with CRRCs talks in Uzbekistan, the Kazakh fund also emphasized a desire to localize locomotive manufacturing using advanced technologies and [encourage] the creation of service centers for equipment maintenance. By Eurasianet.org ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Aliko Dangote, the owner of Africas largest refinery and Africas richest person, is looking to set up a trading firm that would handle crude supply for the new mega refinery in Nigeria, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the plans. The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, Africas biggest, began the production of fuels in January 2024, marking the start-up of the refinery that has seen years of delays. The Dangote refinery, which has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), will meet 100% of Nigerias demand for all refined petroleum products and will also have a surplus of each of the products for export. The refinery project, which has cost around $20 billion, up from initial cost estimates of between $12 billion and $14 billion, has seen years of delays. Nigeria hopes the new refinery will alleviate its chronic fuel shortage that has turned Africas biggest oil producer into a fuel importer. Nigeria, OPECs top crude oil producer in Africa, has had to rely on fuel imports due to a lack of enough capacity at its refineries, which had to undergo refurbishment in recent years. Now Aliko Dangote wants to try and set up a trading arm to handle trade for the huge refinery, after major oil trading houses and supermajors havent signed any deals with Africas richest person regarding possible loans to the refinery for the crude it would need to purchase, according to Reuters sources. He is going to try and do it himself, one industry source told Reuters. Dangotes trading firm is most likely to be based in London and is expected to be led by Radha Mohan, a former trader at Essar, per Reuters sources. ADVERTISEMENT Mohan is currently the director of International Supply and Trading at Dangote Group, after joining the company in 2021. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Energy-starved Bangladesh will invite later this week international bidding for 24 offshore oil and gas exploration blocks as the south Asian country looks to increase its domestic energy supply. Bangladesh will launch on March 10 an international bidding round for the blocks in the Bay of Bengal, Zanendra Nath Sarker, chairman of state-owned oil and gas firm Petrobangla, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. Bangladesh has set the deadline for receiving bids for the blocks for the first week of September 2024. Bangladesh and Petrobangla will then proceed with reviewing and evaluating the bids and hope to finalize oil and gas exploration agreements by the end of 2024, Sarker told Reuters. We're making plans to reduce supply shortages to keep gas-fired power plants and industries running, Petrobanglas executive told Reuters. Declining local currency and foreign exchange reserves, coupled with high energy prices on the spot market in 2022 and 2023, plunged Bangladesh in an energy crisis, which Reuters estimated in June last year as the worst in a decade. Also last year, PetroBangla signed an agreement with QatarEnergy to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar for 15 years beginning in 2026 as LNG buyers were looking for long-term supply to secure gas from Qatars massive expansion projects to insulate themselves from volatile spot prices. Bangladesh, in particular, was one of the South Asian economies most hit by the soaring LNG spot prices and withdrew from the spot market in 2022, alongside other buyers such as India and Pakistan. As spot LNG prices in Asia dipped last month to the lowest level since April 2021, buyers have returned to the spot market to procure the fuel at lower prices. ADVERTISEMENT In 2024, Petrobangla plans to import 48 LNG cargoes from the spot market, pending government approval, up from 23 cargoes bought on the spot market in 2023, Sarker told Reuters. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Canadas Cenovus Energy will boost its energy production by 19% over the next five years, in line with pipeline capacity growth, Cenovus CEO Drew Zieglgansberger said at the companys annual investor day. Cenovus has plants to lift production by 150,000 boepd to 950,000 boepd by 2028, the CEO said. For now, Canadas heavy oil, produced by Cenovus Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, Suncor, and Repsol, trades at a discount to the U.S. benchmark WTI due to the countrys limited pipeline capacity to export it to foreign marketsnamely, the United States. But the Trans Mountain pipeline expansionafter numerous setbacksis supposed to be finished in the second quarter, increasing the countrys ability to carry the heavy oil away to the United States and to Asia. The expansion is expected to triple its export capacity to 890,000 bpd. This represents a new pathway into global markets, Zieglgansberger said. Cenovus Energy stock fell 1.25% on Monday as the Canadian market took a beating, closing short of its 52-week high of C$5.48 that it hit on October 19. Cenovus Energy held its 2024 Investor Day in Toronto on Tuesday, with the Leadership Team providing updates to the companys strategy, outlook, and operations. Last month, the company reported that it had just missed analyst estimates for its quarterly profit but exceeded production estimates and refinery throughput volumes. Cenovus Q4 2023 upstream production rose to 808,600 boepd from 806,900 in Q4 2022. Downstream throughput increased to 579,100 bpdmm up from 473,500 bpd a year earlier. Cenovuss U.S. refineries have shown poorly over the last few years. Cenovus Energy produces oil and natural gas in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, along with refining and marketing operations in Canada as well as the United States. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Bullishness is returning to the oil industry, with prices set to go considerably higher in case the conflict in the Middle East escalates, RBCs Helima Croft told Bloomberg in an interview. The commodity analyst noted the resilience of oil demand in China as another important factor for prices, saying that while the macro picture of the Chinese economy might suggest weak demand, actual demand has actually held up pretty well. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the biggest question remains whether Iran will become directly involved in the fighting, which would likely prompt a surge in oil prices. Croft noted a recent expansion of Israeli activity to Lebanon, noting that if the Israelis target the country in a more concerted way, Iran may view this as crossing a red line that would get it involved in the war. This then could lead to attacks on energy infrastructure by Iran itself or the Houthis in Yemen, the RBC commodity expert said. Meanwhile, oil prices declined on Monday following an initial spike after OPEC+ said it had agreed to extend its production cuts for another quarter. The move was expected, which is why its effect on prices was moderate. "With OPEC loadings appearing steady and aggregate OPEC supply potentially showing little effect from incremental voluntary cuts implemented in Q1, we do not view the extensions from the broader group as particularly impactful," Macquarie energy strategist Walt Chancellor told Reuters. But it was demand worry that pressured prices by the end of trade on the first day of the week, Reuters reported Monday, citing John Kilduff from Again Capital as saying "We would have needed sustained heating oil demand to keep the complex up." ADVERTISEMENT Another bearish factor for oil is the possibility of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is currently being discussed. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A company backed by the worlds biggest independent oil trader, Vitol, is nearing a deal to buy a 90%-plus stake in Adriatic LNG, Italys largest import terminal, from ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the plans. Exxon currently holds 70.7% of Adriatic LNG, officially known as Terminale GNL Adriatico Srl, via its subsidiary ExxonMobil Italiana Gas. The other shareholders in Italys main LNG import terminal off the Adriatic coast in northern Italy are a unit of Qatars state giant QatarEnergy with a 22% stake and Italian gas grid operator Snam with 7.3%. Last year, ExxonMobil put up for sale its majority stake in the LNG import terminal as part of its plan to divest non-core assets. At least four institutional investors and infrastructure funds, including the worlds largest asset manager, BlackRock, were being considered for the deal, Reuters reported in May. Back then, expectations were that the deal would value the entire Adriatic LNG terminal at around $868 million (800 million euros). At the end of 2023, BlackRock pulled out of talks with Exxon to buy its stake in Adriatic LNG, but Vitol was still left in the race. Now Vitol, via energy storage company VTTI which the trading house co-owns together with IFM Investors and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is reportedly close to buying the stakes of Exxon and QatarEnergy in the Adriatic LNG terminal, according to Reuters sources. The third shareholder of Adriatic LNG, the gas grid operator Snam with 7.3%, will have 45 days to decide whether to exercise its right of first refusal to increase its stake in the LNG import terminal when a deal is signed, the sources added. Snam has options to raise its stake in Adriatic LNG to 15% or 30% under agreements with the current shareholders, Snams chief executive Stefano Venier said in January. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Following six years of no major private sector coal power capacity buildout, major private Indian power firms are now vying to install at least 10 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired capacity over the next decade, sources with knowledge of the plans have told Reuters. Major private utilities, including Adani Power, JSW Group, and Essar Power, have told Indias Ministry of Power they are now willing to expand old coal-fired power plants or finish previously mothballed projects, according to the sources and to a government presentation that Reuters has seen. Private sector firms have expressed interest in investing in coal power, in line with the energy requirements of the nation, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Power told Reuters. Since 2018, no major private investment in coal-fired generation has been committed in India. The government had tried in the following years to attract private investment in its coal sector, to ensure stable power supply amid rising electricity demand in the country, which still relies on coal for 70% of its electricity generation. Following a coal crunch in 2021 and 2022, India has boosted its coal mining production and prioritized coal by rail deliveries to power generators to ensure security of supply amid soaring electricity demand. In November 2023, Indias Ministry of Coal said that it aims to produce 100 million tons of coal from underground mines by 2030 as part of a plan to stop coal imports by 2025-2026. To meet surging power demand, India also announced at the end of last year it would increase the size of its thermal power fleet by adding another 88 GW of new power capacity by early 203263% more than the plan that India published just months ago. Most of the new capacity will be coal-fired power, with gas-fired electricity generation unavailable to India due to the high cost of natural gas. ADVERTISEMENT India expects to add a large chunk of coal-fired power capacity in 2024, which will be the largest yearly rise in its coal fleet in at least six years. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russia is considering a nuclear power plant installation on the moon starting between 2033 and 2035, according to the head of Russias space agency Roscosmos. Russiaalong with Chinais considering the idea of placing a nuclear power plant on the moon over the next decade or so, and the two countries have been working together on a lunar program for nuclear space energy. Today we are seriously considering a projectsomewhere at the turn of 2033-2035to deliver and install a power unit on the lunar surface together with our Chinese colleagues, Yuri Borisov, head of Roscosmos said on Tuesday. According to Borisov, solar panels would provide an insufficient amount of electricity to power future lunar settlements. Nuclear power, on the other hand, would be sufficient. Russia also has plans to build a nuclear-powered cargo spaceshipmost of which had already been mapped out, although the one remaining question in the project was how to cool the nuclear reactor. The cargo spacecraft would be able to transport large cargoes from one orbit to another, Borisov said. Moscow will need to launch additional lunar missions first, before fully exploring the idea of a Russian/China crewed mission or a lunar base. In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke out against the United States, who accused Moscow of planning to put nuclear weapons in space. Last year, Russia suffered a significant defeat when its Luna-25 mission failed nine days after launch when it collided with the lunar surface. At the time, analysts spoke out against Russias space prowess, accusing it of yet another indicator of how the Russian space program had deteriorated in recent years. Luna 25 would have been Russias first probe on the moons surface since the Soviet collapse and the first since 1976. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Spain is seeking a tougher EU-wide coordination on handling imports of Russian LNG, Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera told Bloomberg in an interview published on Tuesday. The EU has increased purchases of Russian LNG since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and after Russias pipeline gas volumes to Europe slumped. LNG and natural gas are not under any sanctions, but the EU has set a target to ditch Russian gas by 2027. The EU will soon allow individual member states to block imports of LNG from Russia without the use of sanctions. But Spain wants the EU to make sure that EU member states can block such imports without cargoes being diverted to neighboring countries, according to Ribera. Please lets try and coordinate how we react on this, both on the spot market and existing contracts, Ribera told Bloomberg on the sidelines of an EU energy ministers meeting in Brussels. EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said in September that the European Union should phase out imports of LNG from Russia. Spains LNG imports from Russia have doubled since 2022. At the same time, around 21% of Russias LNG volumes bound for the European Union are transshipments, which are not included in official import figures and thus ignored by EU policymakers, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said in an analysis at the end of last year. The EU was the largest buyer of Russian LNG in January 2024, according to data collected by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The EU bought 50% of Russias LNG exports, followed by China (21%) and Japan (19%). Frances LNG imports from Russia jumped by 50% month-on-month despite a drop in total LNG imports. At the same time, gas flows from France to other EU countries increased by 17%, with jumps in exports to Germany (up by 165%) and Spain (a surge of 108%), according to CREA. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A Turkish oil terminal on the Mediterranean will stop importing Russian oil amid intensified U.S. sanctions pressure on Moscows exports, the terminals operator told Reuters on Tuesday. Global Terminal Services (GTS) operates the mid-sized Dortyol terminal on the Mediterranean and it has decided to stop accepting Russia-origin volumes to avoid possible connections to Russian oil. GTS decided to cut all possible connections to Russian oil and declared accordingly to its customers in late February 2024 that even if there is no breach of any laws, regulations or sanctions, it would not accept any product of Russian origin or any products loaded from Russian ports as an additional measure to the sanction rules in effect, the company told Reuters. All previous imports of Russian oil have been in compliance with the applicable sanctions, including the G7 price cap on Russian crude and petroleum products, GTS added. After the EU banned imports of Russian crude and products last year, Turkey has become one of the biggest importers of Russian oil. However, a recent U.S. sanctions threat to impose secondary sanctions on financial firms and other intermediaries doing business with Russia has already resulted in lower Turkish-Russian trade, including in oil. Trade between Russia and Turkey has suffered a setback since late December with some payments for imported Russian oil cargoes delayed, as banks are boosting compliance checks following a U.S. threat to sanction financial institutions for facilitating business with Russia. In December, U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order, which authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to potentially impose sanctions on a foreign financial institution if it is found to have conducted or facilitated any significant transaction or transactions for or on behalf of any person designated in the sanctions against Russia. ADVERTISEMENT As a result of this new sanctions threat, payments have been disrupted with some delays seen in payments for oil cargoes that Turkey imports from Russia, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters last month. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices shed over 1% on Monday despite rising tensions in the Red Sea and on the front lines of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with OPEC+ extending voluntary production cuts and demand sentiment taking a beating from an unusually mild winter. At 2:28 p.m. ET on Monday, Brent crude was trading up 1.05% at $82.67, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading up 1.66% at $78.64. On Sunday, OPEC+ agreed to extend its 2.2-million-barrel/day voluntary production cuts for another quarter, with this outcome already having been priced in ahead of time. Russia also said it would deepen cuts by over 470,000 bpd in the second quarter of this year, while also easing curbs on exports. Russia already has a 500,000-bpd cut quote for production and exports. While this was a surprise move, it failed to move the oil price needle on Monday. "With OPEC loadings appearing steady and aggregate OPEC supply potentially showing little effect from incremental voluntary cuts implemented in Q1, we do not view the extensions from the broader group as particularly impactful," Macquarie energy strategist Walt Chancellor told Reuters on Monday. Some analysts saw this mornings brief increase in oil prices as a response to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the current stalemated ceasefire negotiations. The OPEC+ rollover was baked in, its the Gaza crisis that prices are responding to, Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, told Bloomberg. As long as the cease-fire negotiations remain in a stalemate, crude is likely to either hover around current levels or come under further upward pressure. Rystad Energys Jorge Leon told Reuters that OPEC+ cuts would result in 34.6 million bpd in output for Q2, down 1.4 million bpd from earlier forecasts. ADVERTISEMENT By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chocolate pancake (Photo by Luis Samayoa ) During a recent trip to Okinawa, I accidently discovered an awesome pancake shop in Chatan called Harbor while on a search for some sweet souvenirs from Timeless Chocolate. Outside the pancake shop (Photo by Luis Samayoa ) The menu at Harbor consists of primarily cake fluffy pancakes that can pass off as desserts and a standard hearty breakfast set. The menu is partially in English, but ordering is easy thanks to the simple menu. The dining area is very spacious, so my fiance and I dined in. I ordered a Detox Acai smoothie for 950 yen (about $6.32) and two chocolate sauce pancakes for 1,450 yen. I also accidentally ordered creme brulee for 1,100 yen thinking it was the custard dessert but ended up with more pancakes. Still worth it. Outside the pancake shop (Photo by Luis Samayoa ) My fiance had the basic pancakes as she was conscious of her calorie intake (my side had more flavor). The total cost for our meal together was around $33. Though the acai smoothie wasnt as good as my favorite smoothie from Morning Bowls, it was flavorful and creamy. The pancakes came with a small scoop of ice cream to compliment the flavor. The pancakes were fluffy and had the same melt-in-your-mouth quality as the famous Rikuro Cheesecakes from Osaka. Creme Brulee pancake (Photo by Luis Samayoa ) The chocolate sauce pancakes tasted like freshly melted chocolate chips and my surprise creme brulee pancakes were like breaking into a fresh ramekin of custard. Harbor is in a great location near the beach, so you can enjoy a relaxed late breakfast before hitting the waves. Just plan ahead because the shop doesnt open until 10 a.m. and parking in the area is very limited. Things to know Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. last order 5:30 p.m. Website Address: 14-14 Sunset Marino, Chatan-cho, Nakagami-gun The Papillion La Vista Community Schools Board of Directors unanimously approved two school district boundary transfers from the Springfield Platteview to Papillion La Vista Community Schools during its meeting Monday, Feb. 26. Both districts gave conditional approval to the agreement in 2015. The transfers must be approved by the Learning Community Coordinating Council for Douglas and Sarpy Counties, the State Committee for the Reorganization of School Districts and then given final approval by both school districts before they are implemented by Sarpy County. Both areas affected are southeast of the intersection of South 72nd Street and Schram Road and are closer to schools in Papillion La Vista School District than those in Springfield Platteview School District. The first would include 24.417 acres of the Seventy-Two Place subdivision. The second property, which is already owned by Papillion La Vista but needs to be transferred to the school district, is near the first but further south. If the transfer is approved by all parties, Papillion La Vista will pay $1,200 to Springfield Platteview for two years to help pay for the loss of tax revenue from the property in the past. The 86.92 acres of land could potentially be the home of a new high school sometime in the future. The board also approved the addition of one full-time instrumental music instructor at Papillion La Vista High School and, if needed because of growth, five classroom teachers and two special education teachers. These additions were recommended by Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Kati Settles during the boards Feb. 12 meeting. A 24-year-old man died early Monday at an Omaha hospital after a shooting in the Old Market neighborhood. Omaha police were called to the area of 12th and Howard Streets just before 12:30 a.m., according to a police spokesman. JaSean Coleman of Omaha was located in a Jeep with a gunshot wound and taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with life-saving measures in progress. A 22-year-old man, Arrion Patterson, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and use of a weapon (gun) to commit a felony, police said in a press release Monday evening. Colemans death is the third homicide recorded this year in Omaha. Jamie Rock, 41 of Omaha, was playing cards with his fiance at a building across the street from the shooting when he heard a heard a pop. He said he then heard somebody shout, J! J! J! Rock said he saw the victim, later identified by police as Coleman, fall to the ground. He said police showed up within two to three minutes after the incident. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Omaha Police Department Homicide Unit at 402-444-5656 or anonymously contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP, at www.omahacrimestoppers.org or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Anyone with information leading to an arrest in a homicide is eligible for a $25,000 cash reward. A Nebraska man appeared in court Tuesday after a federal indictment was unsealed alleging he disseminated secret information about the Russia-Ukraine war to a supposed Ukrainian woman he met on a foreign dating site. David Slater, 63, a former civilian employee with top-secret security clearance at the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command, was indicted by a federal grand jury last month. The indictment, unsealed Monday, charges Slater with one count of conspiracy to disclose national defense information and two counts of willful transmission of national defense information. He pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday. Slater is alleged to have repeatedly sent classified information to a person he met on a dating site who represented herself as a Ukrainian woman. The woman brazenly and repeatedly asked for confidential defense information during a three-month period in 2022, according to the indictment, and she often referred to Slater with names like my secret agent and my secret informant. Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? she wrote on March 11. It is very interesting. On March 18: Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us? Dave, its great that you get information about (Specified Country 1) first, she wrote March 23. I hope you will tell me right away? You are my secret agent. With love. If convicted, Slater faces up to 10 years in prison on each of the three counts. On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Nelson ordered Slater to be released from custody ahead of trial. He will be monitored by GPS and required to stay home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. He will have limited access to the internet, though he will be allowed access to one internet-connected device with monitoring software. Slater also will be required to surrender his passport and will not be allowed to leave Nebraska. Slater applied to have a federal public defender appointed to represent him for the case, but the request was denied by Nelson, who found Slater financially able to hire his own attorney. The indictment specifically alleges that Slater transmitted information classified as secret about the war to the woman on March 28 and April 13 of 2022 the first regarding military targets in Russias war against Ukraine, and the second regarding Russian military capabilities. On April 14, 2022, according to the indictment, the woman thanked Slater for valuable information about two U.S. officials visiting Ukraine. That same day, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., became the first U.S. officials to visit Ukraine since the war began. My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, its great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv, the woman messaged Slater. Slater, an Army lieutenant colonel, retired from the military in December 2020. From August 2021 to April 2022, according to an Offutt spokesman, he worked in a classified space in StratComs logistics directorate. According to the indictment, Slater held a TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) clearance since beginning the logistics role. He signed a nondisclosure agreement and attended multiple trainings on the handling of classified information. But in February 2022 the same month the war began Slater began communicating with the woman through email and an unspecified online messaging platform, according to the indictment. They allegedly met on a foreign dating website. Slater is from Auburn, Nebraska, according to his Facebook page, and attended Peru State College and Creighton University. Slater was a logistician (90A) during an Army career that stretched nearly four decades, from 1981 to 2020, said Army spokesman Bryce Dubee. He served on active duty from 1981 to 1984 and from 2008 to 2020, and in the Army Reserve from 1984 to 2008. Slater was a combat veteran who served multiple overseas tours: in Iraq, in 2003-04; in Afghanistan, in 2010-11 and 2019-20; and Qatar, 2016-17. In a bulletin distributed to Omaha Police Department officers recently, OPD leadership alerted officers to a large increase in narcotics distribution across Omaha specifically methamphetamine tied to Mexican cartels. Both state and federal data show a significant uptick in meth seizures over the past five years, according to information from the Omaha police and other law enforcement agencies. According to the bulletin, most of the drugs seized in Omaha originate from two Mexican cartels: Sinaloa Cartel, a well-established drug trafficking syndicate, and Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a powerful group considered by the U.S. Department of Justice to be one of the five most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in the world. The bulletin, obtained exclusively by The World-Herald, also makes allegations of criminal activity against two men shot and killed by off-duty police officers in early February outside a South Omaha nightclub Fernando Rodriguez-Juarez, 26, and Jonathan Hernandez-Rosales, 28. Police alluded to potential cartel connections in the bulletin, but did not confirm if either man was directly connected to cartel or trafficking activity. Lt. Neal Bonacci, an Omaha Police spokesperson, said the bulletin is meant for internal use. Its more informational than it is anything else, but it gives officers an idea of how to deal with whatever theyre coming across, he said. Emily Murray, a spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administrations Omaha office, said meth seizures in Nebraska reached a five-year high in 2023 and have been steadily increasing in recent years. The DEA seized 260 pounds of meth in 2019, 580 pounds in 2021, and nearly 1,100 pounds in 2023. Those numbers dont include seizures by local or state law enforcement agencies, Murray said. The Nebraska State Patrol has seized 56 pounds of meth so far in 2024, according to spokesperson Cody Thomas. The State Patrol reached a seven-year peak of 315 pounds seized in 2022, which decreased in 2023 to 221 pounds. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office could not immediately retrieve records of meth seizures for past years, but Sheriff Aaron Hanson said his offices Special Operations Group alone seized 127 pounds of meth in 2023. Though Bonacci could not provide a full breakdown of seizures by year in time for publication, a quarterly report from December 2023 indicates a significant increase in meth seizures by OPD from 2022 to 2023. According to the report, OPD seized 235 pounds of meth in 2022. In 2023, that number jumped to 506 pounds an increase of 139%. Involved in the illicit distribution of narcotics The bulletin alleges that Hernandez-Rosales and Rodriguez-Juarez, the men Omaha officers shot and killed in February, were involved in the illicit distribution of narcotics, though it does not specifically mention ties to meth trafficking. Two off-duty officers working security at Extasis Nightclub on the morning of Feb. 3 opened fire on a car containing the two men after Rodriguez-Juarez fired a shot in the direction of a group of people, according to police. Preliminary investigation into the cellular devices from the [officer-involved shooting] suspects indicates they are involved in the illicit distribution of narcotics in Omaha and additional areas of the United States, the bulletin reads. The investigation involving other areas in the U.S. have direct links to Mexican based narcotics source of supplies, controlled by the Mexican Drug Cartels. According to Bonacci, Omaha police officers searched Rodriguez-Juarezs and Hernandez-Rosales phones after their deaths as part of the investigation into the shooting, which showed indications of criminal activity. When asked why Rodriguez-Juarez and Hernandez-Rosales were specifically mentioned in the bulletin despite their deaths, Bonacci said a death doesnt always mean the end of an investigation. Once someone is deceased and you can determine its their phone, there is no right to privacy, Bonacci said. Even if someone is deceased, if there is evidence found through cell phones or computers or things like that, that can lead to further investigation. The bulletin also lists general indicators of narcotics trafficking, to include the worship of unofficial saints Jesus Malverde or Santa Muerte. Jesus Malverde is known as the narco-saint and the unofficial patron saint of narcotics traffickers. Santa Muerte is a folk saint sometimes associated with criminal activity, but she is also a central figure in other aspects of Mexican folk Catholicism. The bulletin notes officers should be aware that persons not involved in drug trafficking will pray to Santa Muerte or other unofficial saints. A photo appearing to be a shrine to Santa Muerte is included in the bulletin. It depicts money, beer bottles and candles placed around a statue of Santa Muerte, who is depicted as a female skeletal figure holding a scythe. Photos of a stack of money and a handgun are also included. Omaha firefighters are again firing up their grills to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Steak dinners will be served at the Omaha Fire Fighters Local 385 hall, 6005 Grover St. The first steak fry is scheduled for Thursday, with additional events slated for April 4 and May 9. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day. The meals consist of an 8-ounce ribeye steak, baked potato, green beans, salad with homemade Italian dressing and Orsis bread. A spokesman for the union said it has raised over $700,000 through events for the Muscular Dystrophy Association since 2011. The money raised "helps meet the urgent need for MDAs continued services for local families" that battle the effects of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children. Credit cards will be accepted. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 BISMARCK, N.D. Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, ahead of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The results resumes Trumps winning streak, which was briefly interrupted on Sunday when Haley notched her first victory of the campaign in the District of Columbias primary. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when results will pour in from 16 states in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. Trump and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations later this month. Under North Dakotas rules, candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20% of the vote. However, a candidate who wins at least 60% of the vote receives all of the states 29 delegates. Four candidates were on the ballot, including Trump and Nikki Haley. The other candidates, who have received little attention, were Florida businessman David Stuckenberg and Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who recently ended his campaign. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who ended his unsuccessful presidential campaign in December, was speaking on Trumps behalf Monday night. He endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucuses. I think were going to send a message that is going to be a kickoff to tomorrow, which is President Donald Trump is going to close this out, this is going to be the end of the trail, and were going to say we have a nominee, and lets go after it, and beat Joe Biden in the fall," Burgum said in a virtual address to caucusgoers. Retired music teacher and librarian Karen Groninger, of Almont, said Monday that she voted for Trump, calling him the best choice. The 76-year-old cited Trumps 2020 speech at the annual March for Life anti-abortion event in Washington, D.C. the first by a sitting president and his border policies. Longtime Republican state Sen. Dick Dever, of Bismarck, said he voted for Haley, but added shes unlikely to win. The retired factory representative, 72, said, I hear an awful lot of people say that they really liked Trumps policies but they dont like the way he conducts himself, and I think hes gone overboard a bit. Caucus voters were encouraged to be paying party members, but those who wouldnt pay $50 for annual membership were asked to sign a pledge to affiliate with the party, caucus Chair Robert Harms said. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. The caucuses followed official state voter identification protocols, such as providing a drivers license. Voting was done only in person and on printed ballots, which will be hand-counted. In 2016, it was a North Dakota delegate who helped Trump secure the number needed for the Republican presidential nomination. He swept North Dakota's three electoral college votes in 2016 and 2020, winning about 63% and 65% of those votes, respectively. North Dakota's Democratic-NPL Party is holding a presidential primary almost entirely by mail, with mail-in voting from Feb. 20 to March 30, and limited in-person voting for residents of Indian reservations. President Joe Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips and six others are on the ballot. A third party will count ballots in Fargo on March 30, with results available on the partys website afterward. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic caucuses in 2016 and 2020. Today in sports history: March 4 1968: Joe Frazier wins the vacant New York world heavyweight title 1990: Hank Gathers dies after collapsing during Loyola Marymounts WCC tournament game 2012: Deron Williams scores a Nets franchise-record 57 points 2013: Brittney Griner scores a Big 12 single-game record 50 points 2015: Russell Westbrook becomes first player since Michael Jordan to have 4 straight triple-doubles 2017: Marcel Hirscher stuns world of Alpine skiing by locking up 6th straight World Cup title 2017: UConn women extend NCAA-record winning streak to 105 games The Super Tuesday primaries are the largest voting day of the year in the United States aside from the November general election. Party primaries, caucuses or presidential preference votes are being held in Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Full results for each state Here's the latest: Trump, Biden dominate, move closer to rematch President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, were romping to coast-to-coast victories on Super Tuesday, all but cementing a November rematch and increasing pressure on the former presidents last major rival, Nikki Haley, to leave the Republican race. Biden and Trump each won California, Texas, Alabama, Colorado, Maine, Oklahoma, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Biden also won the Democratic primaries in Utah, Vermont and Iowa. Haley won Vermont, but the former president carried other states that might have been favorable to her such as Virginia and Maine which 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. But the primary's biggest day made their rematch a near certainty. The only contest Biden lost Tuesday was the Democratic caucus in American Samoa, a tiny U.S. territory in the South Pacific Ocean. Biden was defeated by previously unknown candidate Jason Palmer, 51 votes to 40. Full results will take a bit longer; voting in Alaska doesnt end until midnight EST. Read more: Haley campaign pushed to brink after trouncing Haley suffered a string of significant losses Tuesday, and it's prompting allies to believe the end of her 2024 presidential campaign may be near. Haley didnt make any public statements as officials counted ballots coast-to-coast late into the night. Privately, her team expected 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 getting wins, but criminal cases still loom The criminal charges against former President Donald Trump have done nothing to hurt his appeal with most Republican voters. 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. The race for Feinsteins seat In California, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff is advancing to a November election to decide who will fill the U.S. Senate seat held for three decades by the late Dianne Feinstein. Its not yet clear who will emerge from a crowded field of contenders to take on Schiff in the fall. California puts all candidates, regardless of party, on the same primary ballot and the two who get the most votes advance to the general election. Democrats are expected to easily hold the Senate seat in November, a relief for the party as it seeks to defend a narrow majority. But the campaign still represents a new era in California politics, which was long dominated by Feinstein and a handful of other veteran politicians. Phillips laughs off losses in Democratic primaries 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. Phillips has remained in the race despite providing only token opposition to Biden and no real chance of challenging him nationally. His home state of Minnesota is among those holding a Democratic primary on Super Tuesday but he isnt expected to win there, either. No cyber threats to elections on Super Tuesday The first major voting date on this years primary calendar passed without major issues Tuesday, a senior official for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said. The official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the elections, said there were no specific, credible threats or deliberate nefarious activities as states across the country held Super Tuesday elections. The official said they are aware of social media outages Tuesday that caused widespread login issues for a few hours across Metas Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms, but they are not aware of any election nexus. Sen. Ted Cruz clinches GOP nomination Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has officially locked up the GOP nomination for a third term and awaits the winner of a wide field of Democratic challengers. Cruz had no major primary opponent. Nine Democrats are running for the chance to unseat him in November, including U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez. Democrats see Cruzs seat as one of their best chances to flip a Senate seat this year even though a Democrat hasnt won a statewide race in Texas in 30 years. Cruzs last reelection campaign in 2018 ended in a narrow victory over Democrat Beto ORourke. Where things stand for Biden Its no surprise that President Joe Biden is notching easy victories in Super Tuesdays primaries. The Democrat is his partys only major candidate, despite concerns among voters about the 81-year-olds age. Biden has already spent the weeks leading up to the primary contests focused on his likely November opponent, Trump, the 77-year-old Republican frontrunner. Todays results will likely only intensify the rivalry between both men in what could be a long slog of a campaign. Biden has framed this race as a battle to protect democracy and constitutional values. The question is whether Biden can energize his voters for November. Trump supporters celebrate in Florida A crowd packed into Trump's victory party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. Among those attending were staff and supporters, including the rapper Forgiato Blow and former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn. The crowd erupted as Fox News, playing on screens around the ballroom, announced that the former president had won North Carolinas GOP primary. They call it Super Tuesday for a reason, Trump told a raucous crowd. He went on to attack Biden over the U.S.-Mexico border and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. 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. Uncommitted protest continues against Biden Biden didn't give a speech but instead issued a statement warning that Tuesday's results had left Americans with a clear choice and touting his own accomplishments after beating Trump. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, all of this progress is at risk, Biden said. "He is driven by grievance and grift, focused on his own revenge and retribution, not the American people." Biden has his own problems, including low approval ratings and polls suggesting that many Americans, even a majority of Democrats, dont want to see the 81-year-old running again. The presidents easy Michigan primary win last week was spoiled slightly by an uncommitted campaign organized by activists who disapprove of the presidents handling of Israels war in Gaza. Allies of the uncommitted movement pushed similar protest votes elsewhere, including Minnesota, which has a significant population of Muslims, including in its Somali American community. There, uncommitted garnered at least 38,000 votes Tuesday. Haley has no events planned for Tuesday night Nikki Haley has pegged her Republican presidential campaign to the biggest day of the primary season, crossing the country over the last several days to visit Super Tuesday states. But the former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina governor is not holding any public events Tuesday night. And she has no future campaign rallies listed on her website. Haley's campaign says shes spending election night in the Charleston, South Carolina, area and watching results come in with her staff. Says the campaign: The mood is jubilant. Voters misled about new Alabama district Efforts to boost Black representation in Alabama were marred Tuesday when more than 6,000 voters in the new 2nd Congressional District received postcards with incorrect voting information, officials said. The postcards misidentified the voters district because of a software glitch, according to a county official. Advocates expressed concern that the error could have discouraged turnout in the first election with new district maps. Heated NC governors race ahead The Democratic attorney general and the Republican lieutenant governor won North Carolinas primaries for governor on Tuesday, setting the stage for what will be an expensive and high-stakes November contest in a state that the two parties see as a pivotal battleground. Josh Stein and Mark Robinson, each of whom turned back multiple party rivals, will present a stark contrast for voters in the ninth-largest states fall elections. Stein is a longtime member of North Carolinas political scene, a lawyer with the endorsement of term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and a long history of consumer advocacy before and during his time as AG. Hed be the states first Jewish governor if elected. Robinson, meanwhile, is a former factory worker who splashed into conservative circles after a 2018 viral speech to his hometown city council catapulting him to lieutenant governor in 2020 and the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Hes North Carolinas first Black lieutenant governor and would become the states first Black governor as well. How Republicans are voting in Portland, Maine PORTLAND, Maine Republican voter Barbara Tracy said she was supporting Nikki Haley even though Haleys an underdog. Donald Trumps volatility scares me, the 59-year-old paralegal said. I think hes a great candidate for us fiscally. But in all of the other areas Im a little nervous. Lucie Tardif, a 67-year-old retiree, had no such qualms about Trump. She said she doesnt always like the bombastic things that come from Trumps mouth, but that didnt prevent her from supporting the former president. I wish hed keep his trap shut every once in a while, but I thought he was a really good president. And thats what matters to me, Tardif said.He did what he said he was going to do. And I really like that. Hundreds of miles above Earth, two astronauts cast their votes HOUSTON Aboard the International Space Station, two NASA astronauts performed their civic duty. Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral OHara confirmed they had cast their celestial ballots in posts on X, formerly known as Twitter. Being in space didnt stop (OHara) and I from voting. Go vote today! Moghbeli wrote. According to NASAs website, after an astronaut fills out an electronic absentee ballot aboard the space station, the encrypted document goes through a tracking and data relay satellite to a ground antenna at the White Sands Complex in New Mexico. From there, the ballot is sent to the Mission Control Center in Houston and forwarded to the county clerks office. Emergency robocalls correct voting misinformation in North Carolina COLUMBIA, S.C. North Carolina officials activated emergency robocalls Tuesday to correct misinformation from a country music radio station serving a western part of the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains. State Board of Elections spokesperson Patrick Gannon said WKYK, based in Burnsville, North Carolina, reported incorrectly that voting precincts had closed. It said that residents around Yancey County, population 18,000, would have to vote instead at the county board of elections office. Gannon said the false information appeared to be an honest, but unfortunate, mistake. Within 30 minutes of the radio report, the countys emergency management office used a subscription-based public safety mass messaging system to issue accurate voting instructions. Texas governor dealing with wildfires DALLAS Texas Gov. Greg Abbott spent Super Tuesday talking to officials in the Panhandle, where multiple wildfires continue to burn. The Republican didnt mention politics as he addressed the areas concerns, including what he called an extraordinary demand for hay for cattle. Speaking in the city of Canadian, Abbott urged residents to remain vigilant with the wildfires still burning. A Biden supporter votes no preference over his Israel-Hamas war stance BOSTON Marwa Osman, a 35-year-old content creator, says she voted no preference to protest President Joe Bidens policy toward the Israel-Hamas war. Osman opposes sending any U.S. aid to Israel and wants the president to support a full ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. We supported Biden from the beginning and kind of feel betrayed by him, she said. If the administration doesnt change its policy toward the war, Osman says she is considering sitting out the November election. Ill probably not vote or vote for an independent party, she said. I just cannot have my vote in good conscience go to something that is aiding to kill innocent civilians. Candidate is missing from his own ballot HOUSTON What to do if youre a candidate and you dont see your name when looking over your ballot? It was funny because I couldnt even vote for my own self, said Texas state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, a Democrat running for the state Senate. Johnsons son and daughter and a campaign member were also voting at the same location in Houston, and they couldnt find his name, either. An election judge had scanned the wrong precinct code, bringing up the incorrect ballot for Johnson and the others, Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth said. The mistake was fixed, and staff has been sent to the voting location to ensure it doesn't happen again, said Hudspeth, who earlier reported that Super Tuesday voting in the county was generally smooth, with problems in just a few places. Elections there in recent years have drawn attention because of problems ranging from paper ballot shortages to malfunctioning machines to long lines. Transgender center now a voting center LOS ANGELES Voters trickled into the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center on Tuesday as it served as a voting center for the first time, said Scottie Jeanette Madden, a director of the transgender advocacy group FLUX. To mark the occasion, the center planned for a DJ and gave out water and snacks, essentially turning the act of voting into a party. Our community has emotional boundaries, not geographic boundaries, Madden said. You can now come to a place that is safe and affirming and vote, which might not be your local polling place. For many years, California residents were assigned to vote at polling places based on their home addresses. The state now lets people cast ballots at any voting center in their county, paving the way for voting at Connie Norman, named for a late AIDS and LGBTQ+ rights activist. For Iowa Democrats, a break from tradition DES MOINES, Iowa For Democrats in Iowa, this year's Super Tuesday is a break from five decades of tradition in how the state gets its say in helping determine the presidential nominee. For 2024, the state party had to reapproach its caucuses. Theyre the one-night spectacle in which community members publicly signal their support for a candidate. This year, Iowa Democrats have quietly filled in the bubble for President Joe Biden or one of his long-shot competitors and slipped the forms into the mailbox. More than 19,000 ballots were requested, according to the party, and roughly 13,000 had been received as of Tuesday morning. National Democrats reshuffled the primary calendar to prioritize more diverse states than Iowa. The change pushed Iowa from its leadoff position and back to Super Tuesday. Only minor wrinkles in the Houston area HOUSTON Elections in recent years in Texas most populous county have drawn attention because of problems ranging from paper ballot shortages to malfunctioning machines to long lines. But Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth, whose office is now in charge of elections, says that so far on Super Tuesday, things generally have gone smoothly in the area, with problems in just a few places. Those problems have been dealt with, Hudspeth said, and shes now taking her first deep breath for the day knowing that voters are voting, our polls are working, and weve been able to address everything. Haley backer likes candidate's 'resiliency' EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Its time for a woman. Thats what Pam Hulstrand, 65, said as she cast her presidential primary ballot for Republican Nikki Haley in Eden Prairie, a Twin Cities suburb. Haley, she said, is a new leader with experience and confidence. But Hulstrand also said shes prepared to vote for Republican front-runner Donald Trump in November if it comes to that. She said she voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but wont do so again. Hulstrand is holding out hope that Haley will win the nomination. The fact that shes not giving up says a lot about her resiliency, Hulstrand said. Hulstrand, a minister, said she likes Haleys stances on issues such as whats taught in schools. Say what? A candidate is told she already voted HOUSTON When the Houston areas top prosecutor went to vote Tuesday, she was told she already had done so. It took a bit of work, but the hiccup was soon resolved, and Kim Ogg was able to vote in the primary, in which she is seeking a third term. Ogg says she was told that when her partner cast a ballot during early voting last week, it was mistakenly cast in Oggs name. A county clerk says the mistake was fixed and Ogg got the go-ahead to vote. Biden looks past Super Tuesday to prep for State of the Union President Joe Biden is flying under the radar on Super Tuesday, looking ahead to his State of the Union address on Thursday. Biden did little official campaigning as the incumbent coasts toward his partys nomination a second time. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that Biden would be kept updated throughout the evening. Hell be aware of whats going on tonight as we see elections happening across the country, she told reporters. I just dont have anything specific on that. The low-key approach is part scheduling, as Biden spends hours in preparation sessions with top aides for Thursdays big speech, and part by design, as he projects his focus is on the November race. The president returns to the White House later Tuesday. The address is scheduled for Thursday. Super Tuesday 2024: 16 states head to polls A 94-year-old man died Monday after he went under a pile of soybeans at a grain bin at a southwest Iowa farm. Robert Wayne Smith was pronounced dead at the farm at Iowa Highway 184 and 290th Avenue about four miles southeast of Tabor and three miles east of Randolph, the Fremont County Sheriffs Office said in a press release. According to the release, it appeared that Smith was helping unload soybeans from the bin with a grain vacuum. Smiths son went to move the semitrailer truck that would be used to haul the beans. When Smiths son came back to the bin, he found Smith under the beans. The 911 call came in around 2:08 p.m., Chief Deputy Tim Bothwell said in an email. The Sheriffs Office said Smiths body was being sent to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny to determine the cause of death, per protocol relating to deceased victims of farming accidents. In addition to Fremont County sheriffs deputies, Tabor Fire and Rescue, Randolph Community Fire Department and Sidney Volunteer Fire and Rescue also were at the scene. The agriculture industry ranks among the most hazardous industries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2021, the CDC, citing statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported there were 20 injury deaths per 100,000 workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry. Almost two-thirds of those deaths happened to workers age 55 or older. The injury death rate for all U.S. industries is 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers, according to the CDC. Two Lyman, Nebraska, 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 said a 45-year-old man and a woman, 40, were arrested Monday on 21 counts of cruelty to animals. Deputies with the Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Office recovered chihuahuas, dachshunds, boxers, labradoodles and Saint Bernards, along with puppies that had been born within the last few days. The Sheriffs Office had received information about dogs locked in a camper trailer at the Captain Critters Country Campground, which is west of Scottsbluff. According to a press release, 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. The dogs were secured and transported to the Panhandle Humane Society, where the dogs will be examined and care provided. 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. LINCOLN An effort to add an exception for fatal fetal anomalies to Nebraskas 12-week abortion ban stalled Tuesday. The Nebraska Legislatures Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 to advance Legislative Bill 1109 out of committee, with three members not voting. In an eight-member committee, bills need at least five votes to progress to floor debate. The bills introducer, State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, said he was disappointed in the outcome, but not exactly surprised. It is what it is, Riepe said of the vote. Despite naming LB 1109 as his priority for this session, Riepe said he expected a lot of resistance. That hunch turned out to be correct, as the bills public hearing drew overwhelming opposition, with just three people testifying in support and 17 in opposition. Another 495 people submitted written comments against the measure. LB 1109 would allow a woman to receive an abortion beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy if at least two physicians determined that the fetus has a condition that would result in death outside the womb. It would also clarify that medical professionals who perform abortions could not be charged with criminal penalties. Riepe said he brought the bill in an effort to fix what he felt was his mistake last year, when he helped pass a bill that set Nebraskas abortion ban at 12 weeks post-gestation, without an exception for fatal anomalies. Earlier that year, Riepe proposed a similar measure in an amendment that included the exception, but lawmakers rejected it. Riepe said the state shouldnt expect a woman to carry a pregnancy to term when she knows the child wont survive, and noted that sometimes women dont find out about a fatal fetal anomaly until after the 12-week mark. Its their decision, Riepe said. Its not a state decision. If LB 1109 fails, Riepe said it will be at the expense of would-be mothers who are dealing with nonviable pregnancies. Judiciary members were divided on their views of LB 1109, with Sens. Justin Wayne, Terrell McKinney and Wendy DeBoer voting yes, Sens. Rick Holdcroft and Barry DeKay voting no, and Sens. Carol Blood, Carolyn Bosn and Theresa Ibach not voting at all. Blood cited concerns with the bills language and opposition from medical professionals as her reasoning. Bosn said she simply wasnt ready to vote yes or no on the legislation. With LB 1109 now stuck in committee, Riepe said he plans to regroup with his team to decide his next move. There are several ways Riepe could try to pass the same policy from this point, and Riepe said he is considering all options. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a challenge to the states new restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care for minors. The justices heard from lawyers representing Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office. The Planned Parenthood lawsuit claims that Legislative Bill 574, passed in 2023, violated the Nebraska Constitutions single-subject rule. LB 574, by its own terms, contains two subjects, said Matthew Segal, an ACLU attorney, on behalf of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood appealed the case in August after Lancaster County District Court Judge Lori Maret dismissed the lawsuit, siding with the states position that LB 574s regulations fell under the single category of health care. The Nebraska Supreme Court denied a temporary injunction request but agreed to hear the merits of the case. The final version of LB 574 signed into law last year banned abortions after 12 weeks based on gestational age, restricted hormone therapy and puberty blockers for individuals under 19 starting Oct. 1, and banned gender-affirming surgeries for the same age group. The bill started out as an attempt solely to ban gender-affirming care for people under 19, while a separate bill sought to ban abortions after embryonic cardiac activity could be detected, at about the six-week mark. But the abortion measure, LB 626, was blocked when supporters failed to get enough votes to cut off a filibuster. Supporters then combined the two topics into an amendment that replaced the original language of LB 574. Are abortion and gender care both health care? Segal detailed the process in his arguments to the court, arguing that abortion restrictions would not have been added to the bill if LB 626 had passed, indicating that the combined bill could be an example of logrolling merging multiple issues into a single piece of legislation to give them a higher chance of passing. The states legal team has argued that LB 574 fits within the subject of public health and welfare, but Segal said that wasnt how lawmakers referred to the bill while it was being debated. He noted that the abortion and gender-affirming care restrictions in the bill operated under different titles, different effective dates and different enforcement mechanisms. These are two ships passing in the night, and all they have in common is the sea, Segal said. Much of the states argument by Solicitor General Eric Hamilton was centered around whether the court had authority to rule on single-subject cases on legislative acts, as opposed to ballot initiatives. Justices referenced a 2020 ruling in which the court blocked an initiative to legalize medical marijuana because it violated the single-subject rule. Hamilton said there is reason for the court to be stricter on initiatives because the Legislature can police itself regarding single-subject issues, while initiatives dont have the same accountability measures. Chief Justice Mike Heavican asked if the Nebraska Legislature being a smaller, one-house body made a difference because it has fewer checks and balances. Hamilton replied that shouldnt make a difference because the Nebraska Legislature follows much the same process as other state legislatures. Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood of North Central States, said that regardless of the courts decision, Planned Parenthood will continue to help Nebraskans find access to abortion care within the limits of state law. Nebraskans shouldnt be forced to travel across state lines to access the essential abortion care they so desperately need, Richardson said in a prepared statement. Yet, thats exactly what is happening because of this law. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 Scammers are apparently targeting patients at Nebraska hospitals that have been hampered by a nationwide cyberattack. The Nebraska Hospital Association and Bryan Health both said Monday that they are aware of reports of patients being targeted by scammers offering refunds if they provide credit card information. They said the scam calls are apparently connected to the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary that provides financial and clinical authorization services to hospitals and pharmacies across the country. The Nebraska Hospital Association said last week that the cyberattack on Change Healthcare was affecting a majority of the states hospitals, which have been experiencing issues with prior authorizations for drugs, surgeries and other medical procedures; insurance verification for hospital stays; cost estimates; and patient billing. Its not clear exactly what refunds the scammers are offering, but Bryan said in a press release that it has received reports of scammers who are claiming to be representatives from Nebraska hospitals and reaching out to patients offering them refunds if they provide credit card information. Its not clear what charges they are claiming to be refunding. The scammers have seen the headlines of the breach and are trying to take advantage by pretending to work at hospitals and collect credit card info, even ones that are not impacted by the cyberattack, said Brad Colee, a spokesman for Bryan, which was not affected by the cyberattack. We wanted to make patients in the community aware of this in case they receive any type of suspicious call. He reminded patients that Bryan will never ask for credit card information over the phone to initiate a refund. Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said in a statement that people need to be vigilant when presented with these types of scams. If you are at all skeptical regarding the nature of a phone call, hang up and call your hospital directly, he said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 A former civilian employee at the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command is facing federal charges he illegally leaked classified information about the Russia-Ukraine war to someone he met on a foreign dating site who called him her sweet informant love, according to a federal indictment released Monday. David Franklin Slater, 63, was arrested Saturday and will make his first appearance Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Omaha, the Justice Department said in a press release announcing the indictment. It was not immediately clear who is representing him in court. Slater is charged with two counts of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and one count of conspiracy to disclose classified information, according to a grand jury indictment handed down last month and released by the Justice Department. The information Slater allegedly released included classified information regarding military targets and Russian military capabilities, according to the indictment. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, according to the press release. Slater is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who worked in StratComs logistics directorate until 2022, said Matt Miller, a StratCom spokesman. He referred further questions to the FBI. Slater retired from the Army at the end of 2020. He started working at StratCom in August 2021 and completed several classes in the handling of classified information, according to the indictment. It said Slater signed a TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) nondisclosure agreement the same month. In it, he acknowledged the unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized retention, or negligent handling of SCI by me could cause irreparable injury to the United States or to be used to advantage a foreign nation. According to the indictment, Slater attended StratCom briefings on the Russia-Ukraine war between February and April 2022 that included information classified up to the level of TOP SECRET/SCI. At about the same time, he was allegedly corresponding with a person identified in the indictment as Co-Conspirator 1, who represented themselves in an online dating profile as a woman living in Ukraine. According to the indictment, following Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Slater disclosed information she sought during a series of emails that were sent through the foreign dating site. Among Co-Conspirator 1s queries, as quoted in the indictment: March 11: Dear what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting. March 15: 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? March 18: Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us? March 23: Dave, its 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. April 12: Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great! April 14: My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, its great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv. April 19: Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant surprise for Putin! Will you tell me? April 21: You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, Im sure that is a lot of interesting news there? Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 The Federal Government says it will soon commence the reconstruction of grazing reserves across the country. Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this in Abuja when participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course Twelve (EIMC12) and Institute for Security Studies, Usma Dam, Bwari, visited him. A statement by Nakorji Mohammed, the Director of Information at the ministry on Friday, quoted Mr Ogbeh as saying that the reconstruction of the grazing reserves had become necessary due to farmers-herders conflicts. The minister said the reconstruction was also crucial to the Federal Government to reduce the high unemployment rate in the country. The grazing reserves will help in solving these problems. We are not going to any state that is not interested and we are not going to collect anyones land, the minister assured. He called on individuals who had the interest and ability to build grazing reserve to do so, adding that the government would support such individual. Mr Ogbeh called on members of the institute to focus on addressing the security challenges facing the West African region and Africa in general. The Director of the institute, A.S. Adeleke, represented by the Deputy Director Studies, A.M.Wali, said the purpose of the visit was to commend the countrys achievements in the agriculture sector. Mr Adeleke also applauded the ministry for its efforts toward curtailing agro-terrorism wherebg people hoard farm inputs. He said the course participants were drawn from 21 agencies in Nigeria. Other participants, according to Mr Adeleke, were also from Benin Republic, Liberia, Niger and Sierra-Leone consisting of senior officers from the military intelligence and other Federal Government agencies. Mr Adeleke said the theme of this years course is `Transhuman and International Migration: Challenges on Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development in sub-Sahara Africa. (NAN) A Catholic priest has been kidnapped in Kaduna State, North-west Nigeria. John Shekwolo, a reverend father, was kidnapped by armed men in Ankuwa, Kachia Local Government Area of the state, the police said. The police spokesperson, Yakubu Sabo, said the cleric was kidnapped at about 8 a.m. on Monday when the gunmen went to his residence and whisked him away to an unknown destination. He explained that a team of police officers were mobilised to the village. This with a view to combing the general area for possible rescue of the victim and arresting the criminals. The commissioner of police, Ahmad Abdurrahman, appeals to the general public to assist the police with relevant information that could help in curbing the menace of banditry in the state, he said. Earlier, the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Daniel Kyom, in a statement made available to journalists in the state explained that the kidnapped priest was in charge of Saint Theresa Catholic Church, Ankwa, near Kachia. We regret to announce that one of our priests, Rev. Fr. John Bako Shekwolo has been kidnapped by unknown persons. As we ask for the prayers of the faithful of our Archdiocese and beyond the quick release of Fr. Shekwolo, we appeal to the consciences of those who abducted him to kindly release him unharmed, he said. Kidnapping for ransom is high in Kaduna, Katsina and many other states in Nigeria. The victims include clerics across religious divide, business persons, and other residents of the affected states. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, says the withdrawal of certificates of returns of some Igbo persons by the Independent National Electoral Commission is a part of a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress to ensure any Ndigbo does not emerge as presiding officer of the 9th National Assembly. In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday and signed by the President of Ohanaeze, FCT Abuja chapter, Odozi Nwodozi, the group among other things, demanded the immediate release of Certificate of Return of Governor Okorocha of Imo and Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu. These attempts which have been made manifest by the disdainful manner of allocation of Principal Offices in the National Assembly by the Adams Oshiomole-led APC where Ndigbo were blanked out, an action further amplified by the orchestrated attempt at excluding the South-East from contesting for any of the offices in the 9th Senate through the deliberate connivance of INEC in withholding the certificates of Return of Igbo persons who possess the capacity, qualifications and wherewithal to challenge their malicious impunity. Elected legislators like the Imo State governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the highest and most experienced Igbo senator in the APC, Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu have been denied their certificates of Return on unconstitutional grounds. Actions aimed at crippling the Igbo attempt at a shot in the leadership of the 9th Assembly. It is common Knowledge that despite the exclusion of the Igbo nation from the Executive arm of government, amplified by our been veiled off from the entire security apparatus of Nigeria, the post-election actions of both the APC leadership in out-zoning Ndigbo in the distribution of offices of the 9th National Assembly, and the collaborative actions of their INEC appointees have shown that there is a deliberate attempt to perpetuate the exclusion of Ndigbo from governance in the current dispensation. ALSO READ: Time up for Tinubu, says Omokri We demand the immediate release of the Certificates of Return of both Governor Ohkorocha and Senator Uwajimogu, to enable them participate in the inauguration and election of officers of the 9th Assembly. Furthermore, it is sad and disheartening that experienced legislators from the South-East like Hon. Chike Okafor and Nkiru Onyejocha are overlooked in the allocation of offices in the House of Representatives, not minding the fact that they passed through the needles eye to win their elections and the qualities they have exhibited in their previous legislative tenures. INEC should follow the institutional procedure of allowing aggrieved candidates to approach the electoral tribunals to sort out themselves and not the crude and banana republic style of withholding the certificates of return of persons already declared winners, with the intension of caging them till the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly and the election of its officers. The deliberate exclusion of Ndigbo in the recent zoning of offices in the National Assembly is unacceptable to Ndigbo. It is also a confirmation of the fact that the APC as a party does not have a place for the Igbo nation, and as such does not deserve the vote of Ndigbo. Eight people died at the Mbawa Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Benue between January and this month. The Chairman of the camp, Mr Geoffrey Torgenga, made the disclosure in Makurdi on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen during a visit to the camp. He blamed the deaths on acute hunger and different diseases at the camp, located at Daudu community in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue. Torgenga said that the latest death at the camp was recorded last weekend and that the body of the deceased was still in the morgue. A correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who was in the team that visited the camp, learnt that the camp received food items last before the general elections last February. The chairman said that the IDPs were currently living on charity from civil society, religious bodies, individuals and non-governmental bodies. Read also: Mob kills notorious criminal in Benue He said that 3,515 IDPs were currently residing at the camp and that they had lived in the camp for more than one year. Torgenga lamented the deplorable condition at the camp, saying that IDPs living were at the mercy of the elements night and day. According to him, the IDPs have been venturing into nearby bushes to fetch firewood to sell to make a living. He disclosed that a three-year-old boy, identified as Nani Iyorkaa, who went to fetch firewood had been missing since last March. However, one of the IDPs, Edward Nyam, 63, who had been residing at the camp since January last year, expressed his appreciation to individuals and groups that had been assisting the IDPs. He thanked the Benue government for deploying officials of the states emergency management agency to the camp recently to help the IDPs. Nyam appealed to the State Government to do everything possible to ensure the return of peace in communities so that the IDPs could return to their homes. The Camp Manager, Ms Angela Omirigbe, declined to comment on developments at the camp, saying that she had just been posted to the camp and that she was not in a position to talk to reporters. (NAN) Bashir Ahmad, a former advisor to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and a current member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has spoken out in response to the news that the governor of Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced a collaboration with a Chinese firm to undertake the light rail project. Supporting the Abia state governors decision to team up with a Chinese firm to build the light rail project, Bashir Ahmad recently posted on his official page. He emphasised that this project will make Abia state more attractive to investors and give it a leg up in the competition. I just wanted to say how proud I am of the Abia State Governor and his decision to team up with a Chinese firm on the light rail project, he said. This endeavour will put Abia in a better position to compete with the best and attract additional investment opportunities. A screenshot of his post is attached below: The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Audit Executives in banks across the country to be more vigilant and assertive in tackling financial crimes in the banking sector. He gave the charge in Abuja on Monday, March 4, 2024 at the 2024 Annual retreat of the Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria, ACAEBI. The EFCCs boss frowned at the raft of fraudulent activities associated with the local banking industry and charged bank auditors to do more in sanitizing and strengthening the financial sector and growing the economy. The EFCC boss who spoke through Director, Internal Audit of the Commission, Idowu Oluwole-Apejoye, further noted that banking fraud across the country often has either insider or outsider enablers. Broadly speaking, banking fraud in Nigeria is both insider and outsider-related. The insider-related fraud comprises outright stealing of customers deposits authorized loan facilities, forgery and several other kinds of unhealthy and criminal practices. The outsider-related ones include hacking, Automated Teller Machine, ATM, fraud, conspiracy among others. And the absurd one is when there is collaboration between the both of them, he said. READ ALSO: Victim hails EFCC after recovery of over N900,000 from suspected fraudsters The EFCC boss also pointed out that an estimated 70 per cent of financial crimes in Nigeria is traceable to the banking sector and called for concerted efforts by relevant authorities and professionals, especially bank auditors to prevent and detect fraudulent practices in the industry. He called for a fusion of preventive and detective measures for effective outcomes and cost management of bank frauds, noting that bank auditors were crucial in the fight against economic and financial crimes as gatekeepers on responsible financial conduct, adherence to regulations, and effective functioning of the financial services industry. Olukoyede sought for more collaboration from bank auditors with the EFCC. As you retreat, use this opportunity to review developments in the financial sector of our nation and offer sound recommendations to the EFCC on how the rising cases of financial crimes can be curbed in our banks. I also call on you to always approach the Commission on any issue that you consider germane in addressing corruption not only in the financial sector but in all other areas of life in our dear country, he said. The EFCCs charge sparked a plethora of questions and enquiries on the operational works of the EFCC, with many of the Audit Executives relaying their experiences about fraud investigations by the Commission. Apejoye rose to the occasion and called for better engagement of the professionals with the Commission. We should all be ready to play our parts in tackling the monster of corruption in the banking sector. Collaboration and cooperation with the EFCC will boost all efforts at breaking the fang of fraudulent practices in the sector, she said. Gov Caleb Mutfwang Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has blamed the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari for the current hardship witnessed by Nigerians. Mutfwang specifically said that we sold our future under the last administration. The governor spoke on Monday during the swearing-in of 22 Special Advisers and heads of government agencies at the Government House in Jos. We are at a very difficult juncture in the history of this country and Im an advocate that after the election you forget politics and face governance. And even though the Federal Government is being led by a party other than my own, I owe you the duty to tell Nigerians the truth that this government inherited a worse situation than 1999. Mutfwang said Buhari left the countrys economy in terrible shape for his successor, President Bola Tinubu. He said: This government inherited an economy where we simply printed money up to the tune of N30tn and shared. This government inherited an economy where the crude oil were yet to take out of the ground had been sold in advance. So, when youre talking about the fall of the naira, its not rocket science. We sold our future under the last administration. According to him, this explains the hunger and widespread looting of warehouses and food stores across the country. No wonder youre hearing of riots today, people intercepting food on the way. We are lucky on the plateau that perhaps we have more food than many other states. And I pray that the time will not come on the Plateau that we will see this kind of riot for food, but it means we must roll up our sleeves and get to work. And that is why, for us as a government, when we announced one of the positions that talked about food security, people were laughing but it is a serious issue, he stated. Mutfwang further said his administration plans to set up a special agro-processing zone in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in partnership with the African Development Bank to the tune of $300m. He urged the new appointees help the administration to reverse the ugly situation in the state for the good of the people, adding that Plateau people have suffered enough distraction. You know of the bloodshed on the Plateau. The time is now to say enough is enough, he added He emphasized that this decision aligns with the regulations outlined in the FCT Civil Service Commission Act, 2018, which was endorsed by President Bola Tinubu. Nyesom Wike FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday, March 4, disclosed that preparations have been finalized for appointing nine permanent secretaries to oversee the nine secretariats of the FCT Administration. Wike disclosed this in Abuja yesterday during a press briefing following an inspection of various road projects in the federal capital city. He emphasized that this decision aligns with the regulations outlined in the FCT Civil Service Commission Act, 2018, which was endorsed by President Bola Tinubu. Wike also expressed his dissatisfaction with the delays in processing files and cautioned the directors against any actions that could hinder the administrations progress. The minister further mentioned that he had given the green light for the advancement of approximately 8,000 employees in the FCT. He emphasized that these individuals are expected to reciprocate by demonstrating increased dedication and commitment to their roles. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has urged all members of the PDP o work for the party in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. The former Vice President commended PDP members in Edo State for the nomination of Aseun Ighodalo as the partys governorship at the primary. Atiku in a statement asserted: @atiku The election of a thorough bred technocrat by the PDP as the partys candidate in Edo State signposts the urgency that the PDP gives to ensuring that the next governor of Edo State is a round peg in a round hole. The PDP leadership and members in Edo State must be congratulated also, for an amazing primary election that produced the quality of candidate to fly the flag of our party in the upcoming election. The party has made a choice, and it is not in dispute that the choice is a good one. It is, therefore, on this note that I plead with all other aspirants and aggrieved stakeholders to reconcile and negotiate to make sure that Edo remains a PDP state. Dr @Aighodalo, apart from being a brilliant mind, in whose hands the affairs of Edo State will steer on stable waters, is also a fine gentleman. I believe that our candidate has what it takes to bring everyone willing to work for the interest of the PDP under the huge umbrella of our party. -AA Senators, on Tuesday, experienced a blackout as they waited for electricity to be restored to the National Assembly complex before the commencement of sitting. A video revealing the red chamber in partial darkness circulated on social media, drawing reactions from netizens. According to Channels TV, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, later commenced plenary after power was restored some minutes later. Akpabio apologised for the outage and the heat in the Chamber, disclosing that about nine offices still experienced outage as work was ongoing to rectify the situation. Commenting about the video on X, a user, #sweetheartadecx, wrote, Breakfast na National cake. They should also feel what Nigerians are passing through. Another user, #KinginglyGeorge wrote, #aedcelectricity if they havent paid their bills do not restore anything they should go home. Related Activists and human rights organizations in Nigeria are amplifying their demands for the apprehension of Simon Ekpa, a Biafra agitator based in Finland, following his accusations against Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma. Ben Mark, one of the activists, is urging the federal government and the Nigerian Army to ensure Ekpas extradition to face charges in Nigeria. Jerry Dickson expressed concern over Ekpas inflammatory rhetoric, accusing him of stoking tensions with false claims about the Bola Tinubu-led federal government. Bens call comes after Ekpa made sensational allegations against Governor Uzodinma, accusing him of conspiring to oust President Bola Tinubu from power. Ekpa claimed on his verified X page that the governor is colluding with soldiers and individuals from the northern region to stage a coup, leading to President Tinubus demise. This isnt the first time Ekpa has drawn attention with his outlandish coup claims. Recently, reports surfaced of Ekpas supporters resorting to using traditional juju charms in their Biafra agitation. They were caught on camera placing President Tinubus image in a calabash pot. Ekpa shared photos and videos of his followers with the calabash pot after torching a police vehicle in the Uli community of the South-East region. Two policemen lost their lives in the tragic incident. Ekpas group allegedly performed rituals with the Presidents picture and the calabash pot, invoking their desires. This incident occurred amidst mounting pressure for Ekpas extradition to Nigeria to face justice for his actions in the South-East. Ohanaeze Ndigbo has previously called on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate Ekpas return for prosecution. Ekpa has intensified his activities since the June 2021 re-arrest and repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu, the founder of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Security and intelligence services have linked the surge in kidnappings and killings in the South-East to Ekpas incendiary speeches. Isiguzoro has labeled Ekpa as an international terrorist deserving punishment for his actions. Related In my entire career as a Human Rights Practitioner and as a Journalist, I have never been threatened like the way the defence headquarters of Nigeria armed forces forcefully attacked me and my platform (HURIWA) for our persistent and consistency on getting to the fundamentals of the Christmas eve massacres in selected rural communities in Plateau State. I think the reason I was attacked by the armed forces of Nigeria is because I have remained categorically clear that intelligence failures led to those killings. This sort of phenomenon happens only in nations whereby the institutions are weak and the individuals wielding temporary powers because of their offices, feel that they are invincible and shouldnt be questioned. As i said in the preceding paragraphs, our country Nigeria is such a fascinating and at the same time intriguing place to be. It has been theorised that surviving in Nigeria should be classified as a skill. I think it is true because government officials dont want accountability and transparency. The Country is such a place that the citizens are mostly inactive politically. Even when illiteracy is not such a big national challenge, even some of the most educated Nigerians are bereft of any working ideas about their fundamental rights as citizens and their responsibilities to keep governments on their toes. Citizens need to be informed that they have a duty to monitor governance and to exercise their constitutional freedoms of expression and information to pass on their messages to government officials without fear or ill-will. Constructive criticism is therefore the life of democracy founded on law and Constitution. A reading of the extant constitution and more specifically, section 14 (1) (2) of the Nigerian constitution, then a critical look at how so forgetful the citizens are to demand accountability from government, therefore reveals our frightening emptiness as citizens in failing to ask the government the right questions. Section 14(1) (2) of the Nigerian Constitution provides as follows: 14(1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: (a) Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. And because most Nigerians are too timid and afraid to ask questions to the government, those in government now believe that they are above the law. The truth is: nobody is above reproach and no one holding position of authority cant be questioned even if he controls and commands hundreds of thousands of armed troops in Nigeria. The above conclusion was reached by me because it has been three month since after one of the most beastial and crude violence on a big scale was unleashed on some of our citizens, but in Nigeria of today, it is business- as -usual with the exception of the families who have now been forgotten and abandoned to carry their cross. This is grotesque and unintelligent and needs to be properly challenged. Most Nigerians reading this, are even unaware that yours faithfully, this writer, as the founding executive director of HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) was attacked by the defence headquarters for raising pertinent questions with a direct conclusion that the Christmas eve killings in parts of Plateau State that left over 200 citizens dead, were allowed to happen by those in position of authority and duty to defend us. The constitution says in section 14 (2) (B) that The security and welfare of the people SHALL be the primary purpose of government. As the head of my organisation of Human Right Practitioners known with a simple acronym of HURIWA, we issued series of statements to the media challenging the Chief of Defence staff for not adopting what we think is the best law-based approach to get to the roots of that Christmas eve genocide of Plateau natives by armed Fulani herders. But the Defence headquarters took a big offence at what they may have termed as our effrontery to raise objections and then accused us of misinformation; even as the Defence headquarters threatened to drag us to court. On the day this threat from the military to us was publicised, I observed some unnatural movements in and around my car and as I drove to a meeting at the Central area Abuja, a strange looking car followed me not until I decided to branch into a well populated place and suddenly, that strange car trailing me disappeared. Well, we notified both the media and the diplomatic community in Nigeria. I got calls from a few of the Embassies asking to find out about my wellbeing and that of my team members. This is the frightening stage that Nigeria our country has been dragged into by government officials to an extent that there is a pervading climate of fear almost over. It is difficult to differentiate between attacks by terrorists and by state actors. It is this fear of the unknown that made many Nigerians to easily forget about demanding accountability from the government that purports that it was elected by this same electorate. But should we because of fear of attacks by that powers-that-be, and abandon our constitutional responsibility to demand accountability? The truth remains that the relatives of the victims of that Christmas eve attacks in Plateau state and the state government, have yet to get closures to their bereavements and the unwarranted violence visited on their families. Those who were unjustifiably killed should be granted social justice. This is the essence of government. To show you my readers how severe those attacks were, you need to read the following lines by a reporter depicting those deadly and bloody attacks in Plateau state last December, just hours to Christmas. The newspaper reported that as dusk descended, a chilling breeze seeped through Kambar Pelli, a community in Ruwi, Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, and residents retired for the day oblivious of the horror lurking around. Augustine Ezekiel, a hunter, was on a night watch with a colleague when he heard strange movements. As he moved to check, he heard loud bangs on the door of a nearby building. Some people were trying to force their way into the house which lay beside a vast field of bush and farmlands that stretched to Kerang in neighbouring Mangu LGA. Gunshots rent the air and Mr Ezekiel took cover behind a tree. I saw two people behind the house while I hid behind a tree. Immediately, I knew they were not here for any good, he stated. I shot at one but he fled. There were many of them. I couldnt stand them, so I ran too. Mr Ezekiels first destination was his home, located two houses away from the house under attack, to make sure his family fled before the attackers reached them. When he got home, his wife and mother had already taken to their heels, giving him a sense of relief. Then comes the intricate tale of how many lineages were slaughtered by these marauding terrorists who are yet to be arrested and prosecuted. The reporter gave us an insight of what transpired on the hours of those attacks and affirmed that inside one of the six rooms in the attacked house was Armak Isa. Mr Isa said he was nudged to consciousness from his sleep by gunshots and loud bangs on the doors. Almost immediately they were in our compound hitting the doors with stones, he said, adding that the attackers spoke Fulfulde as they broke into the rooms one after another. I opened my door, scaled the fence and ran, he recalled. That night, the assailants killed Mr Isas entire family: his older brother, Panmun Isa; Panmuns wife, Namban Panmun and their four children Makroghop, Tapji, Jiret and Precious. This is how cruel and wicked these terrorists were. On 27th December 2023 in an interview on Channels television state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, stated, This has indeed been a very gory Christmas for us. We have had to celebrate with a heavy heart. Just when people had finished preparing for Christmas celebrations, unprovoked attacks were unleashed on several of our communities. As Im talking to you, in Mangun Local Government alone, we buried at least 15 people. So far this morning in the Bokkos Local Government, we were counting not less than 100 corpses. I have yet to take stock of that of Barki-Ladi. Most of the communities affected in Barki-Ladi share a border with the Bokkos Local Government. He further disclosed that no fewer than 64 communities in the state had been displaced by terrorists who were occupying schools in the local government area. He said, When people are dislocated from their villages and they have to run for shelter, now we are struggling to provide shelter for these people that have been displaced and dislocated from their communities. If they stay away from those communities for a sustained period, the terrorists would come in. As I am talking to you today (Tuesday), in the Riyom Local Government and in Barkin Ladi Local Government, schools have been occupied by these terrorists for almost a number of years now. We have not less than 64 communities that have been displaced and their lands have been taken over by these terrorists. Under the last regime, the feeling among people in Plateau State particularly the victims of these terrorist attacks is that it looks as if the terrorists were given official government backing to be able to terrorise them because little or nothing was done to repel these attacks. I can tell you these schools that are being occupied, it didnt just start now, some of those schools have been occupied in the last three, four, five years. Children therefore in those schools have not been able to go to school. They have to relocate. We even have primary health care centres abandoned because of these terrorists which means that our health care system is put in jeopardy; what do we need to do? I think this is where the President needs to come in, he added. Dear readers, what is beyond logical reasoning is the reason offered for those attacks as made by the military, of all institutions. The statement of the defence headquarters is heart-rending, to describe it mildly and these words were captured in news publications which can be obtained on the internet. This is so the Defence headquarters wouldnt accuse this writer of misinformation. The Internet doesnt forget! The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had put the blame for the renewed killings in Mangu local government of Plateau State on inhabitants of the area, describing it as self-inflicted. It said the latest round of bloodshed was triggered by cattle rustling and the killing of a bicycle-riding Wangagu man by militiamen in defiance of efforts to keep peace in the area. The military authorities, who were reacting to claims by a faith leader that soldiers were biased and were aiding and abetting the marauders killing the natives in their communities, however, said troops were doing their utmost restore peace across in the affected areas and across the country. The director of Defence media operations, Major General Edward Buba, who disclosed this during the biweekly update on military operations, said troops had neutralised 94, arrested 171 terrorists and rescued 29 hostages in ongoing operations. He said, The Mangu crisis of 23 January, 2024, was triggered by cattle rustling and killing of a Wangagu man by herders militia. The Wangagu man riding on motorcycle ran into the militiamen who killed him, triggering a reprisal from the locals. We witnessed burning of places of worship, giving a religious slant to the Mangu crisis. He said the troops of Operation Safe Haven on January 17, 2024, responded to information on large numbers of armed Fulani militiamen mobilising to attack a community in Bokkos local government area (LGA) of Plateau State. He said the troops made contact with the violent extremists/Fulani militias and following a fire fight, troops neutralised 10 insurgents and recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 210 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, five mobile phones and 29 rounds of PKT ammunition. He said the troops also arrested suspected violent extremists/insurgents and Fulani militia gang leaders in Mangu and Wase LGAs of Plateau State. He further related that troops again on 18th January, 2024, acting on credible intelligence conducted sting operations and arrested five suspected violent extremists/terrorists in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, recovering 168 assorted weapons and 2,757 assorted ammunition in the week under review. He disclosed that the military high command had deployed special forces to some of the hotspots on the Plateau in order to conduct targeted operations, adding that several battlefield enablers had been deployed to enhance intelligence and strike capability on the terrorists in the state. He therefore encouraged the warring factions to sheathe their swords. Imagine the Defence headquarters preaching to terrorists as if the fight is one small inter-village conflicts. Then the chief of Defence staff added to the bewildering excuses made by his subordinates on why the attacks happened. The Defence Headquarters has said the Christmas Eve attacks across communities in Plateau State that left close to 200 dead, many injured and many displaced were planned to embarrass and make the Federal Government look stupid. The killings marked the seventh month of Mr Tinubus assumption of office as President. The shocking incident that occurred in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi was quite unfortunate. There was no reason for the attack, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said in an interview with Channels TV on Monday. He said, I think the purpose is to embarrass everybody and to make the government look stupid. General Musa as reported by the media, added that Nigerian military was making some arrests connected to the Plateau Christmas Eve killings and explained the militarys delayed response to the distress calls from the attacked villages. Were it not that Nigerians are a population that are often in a hurry to forget about tragedies and do not ask the right question because of a lack of a national sense of outrage, I think by now the questions for the federal government is to demand full disclosure on the number of arrest of the suspects. The Defence headquarters mentioned that in passing, that some arrests were made, and that has been all grom the federal government side. From Nigerians, we have all moved on. But Nigerians must ask the Federal Attorney General and the Attorney General of Plateau State about the legal processes regarding those atrocities. If some suspects were arrested as we were told by defence headquarters, where are those suspects now and why are they not been prosecuted for their crimes against humanity? If they are been prosecuted, for what and which courts of law? Or are they undergoing secret prosecution? To the federal government and more specifically to President Tinubu we ask:Why have you not fired any of the security heads in plateau state that did nothing but allowed such callous killings to happen? It is only in Nigeria that citizens will be slaughtered by armed non state actors, and no official of government or security forces is dismissed for dereliction of duties. *Emmanuel Onwubiko is the head of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) and was NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA. After a two years ban, the United Arab Emirates, UAE, has announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens wishing to visit the country. A joint announcement by the governments of Nigeria and the UAE entitled, Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE, said the visa ban was lifted on March 4, 2024. The statement said the commencement of visa issuance was a milestone, reflecting the successful outcome of in-depth talks between the two nations and underscoring, Our shared commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaborations. To ensure a seamless and efficient visa application experience, the UAE has introduced an enhanced document verification process. The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleem Saeed Al-Shamsi highlighted the importance of this updated procedure. Starting from March 4, 2024, all Nigerian applicants for UAE visas are required to first obtain a document verification number. This essential step according to the UAE is to be completed by visiting the dedicated online Document Verification Hub platform https/documentverificationhub.com). READ ALSO: UAE grants Air Peace direct flight approval to Dubai He said, We are committed to facilitating straightforward and expedited visa applications for Nigerians. The introduction of the Document Verification Number is designed to enhance the integrity of our application process and ensure prompt processing for all applicants. After obtaining the Document Verification Number, applicants can proceed with their visa applications through designated travel agents, after which the process will be completed at the Embassy of the UAE in Abuja or Lagos. The announcement, the UAE said signifies, our ongoing efforts to enhance the strong ties between the UAE and Nigeria, contributing to the prosperity and well-being of our people. Recall that the UAE had in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and behavior of some nationals of other countries in 2022 banned nationals of some 20 African countries including Nigeria from entering its capital city, Dubai. This was followed by a spat between Nigeria and UAE over the procedure for handling travellers entering Dubai during the pandemic which Nigeria frowned at. The decision among others forced Emirates to exit Nigeria including claims of millions of dollars belonging to the country trapped in Nigeria. Upon assumption of office, President Tinubu had directed the resolution of a diplomatic spat with the UAE over the suspension of Nigerian visas in retaliation for Lagoss retention of funds owed to the Emirates. Tinubu told the ambassador that both nations should agree on core aviation and immigration issues. He had said: We are a family with the UAE. We only live in separate rooms, but we are in the same house. We should look at the issues as a family problem and resolve it amicably. As you know, in every family, there are peculiarities. You can have an erring son or daughter, but we must work together. We need to agree on core aviation and immigration issues. At least seven Taliban militants were killed in guided missile strikes in Afghanistans Uruzgan province overnight in a latest raid against the Taliban insurgents. The Afghan army Corps 205 Attal made this known in a statement on Saturday. The strikes were conducted by the NATO-led coalition forces in Hoshi locality, Charchino district Friday night. The intelligence reports found that seven Taliban militants were killed in the raids on the militants hideouts, the army said. The strikes also destroyed some amount of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials, it added. The Taliban-led insurgency has been on the rampage since early April when Taliban launched a yearly rebel offensive against Afghan security forces. The Taliban militant group has not made comments on the report yet. (Xinhua/NAN) Leo Ogor The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba on Friday quashed the election of Benson Igbakpa of the Peoples Democratic Party as the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. Halims Agoda of the All Progressives Congress who contested the 23rd February 2019 National Assembly Election against Benson Igbakpa had approached the Tribunal complaining of gross irregularities by Igbakpa, the PDP, and INEC against him. He urged the tribunal to cancel the election or in the alternative declare him the winner, having scored the highest number of valid votes cast. The tribunal presided over by Justice A.M. Abubakar, after listening to the issues raised, declared that Agoda was the winner of the election, and that INEC should issue certificate of return to him. Speaking shortly after the judgment, Agoda thanked the judiciary for having the courage to right the wrong and commended the electorate in Ethiope Federal Constituency for their support. Also, the Election Petitions Tribunal, Panel III presided over by Justice E.I. Ngene dismissed the petition brought by Mr Joel Thomas Onovwakpor of the All Progressives Congress against Leo Ogor of the Peoples Democratic Party. Onovwakpor who contested against Leo Ogor at the February 23, 2019 National Assembly Election to represent Isoko Federal Constituency at the National Assembly claimed that Leo Ogor, the PDP and INEC connived to perpetrate massive electoral irregularities and that the tribunal should cancel the election or declare him the winner for scoring the highest number of valid votes cast. Justice Ngene therefore dismissed the petition brought by the APC candidate, saying the petitioner had not been able to prove his case. Monday Igbuya of the APC suffered the same as his petition against the current member representing Okpe/Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency, Efe Afe (PDP) was dismissed by Justice Ngene. Justice Ngene stressed that the petitioner could not prove his as case and that the petition was incompetent and dismissed it. The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has acknowledge a portrait of him drawn by a Nigeria boy identified as Oyedele Adedokun Isaac. The young Nigerian artist had drawn a ballpoint portrait of Trump and shared it on his Twitter page, while requesting for retweets until it get to the US president. This is my second portrait of President Trump. This time I really want him to see it. All done in ballpoint, took up to 70hours, 2421 inches. Please RT till the president sees this. This is my second portrait of President Trump. This time I really want him to see it. All done in ballpoint, took up to 70hours, 2421 inches. Please RT till the president sees this??@realDonaldTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr @POTUS pic.twitter.com/Uh8MysTRZG creative_doks (@Doks_Art) December 1, 2019 As luck would have it, President Trump saw the tweet and even reached out to the Nigerian artist with encouraging words, saying: In the ongoing spike in the number of Nigerians testing positive for Covid-19, contract tracing matters to the NCDC, and to those who ca track their own itinerary. Deposed Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is one of them. At least two people who either travelled to the UK or got very close to him during his ordeal have either tested positive or hoping for a clean bill of health. Ovation publisher Dele Momodu was in the UK for an owanbe during the early stage of the pandemic. He visited Sanusi later, when the emir was freed by court from the banishment the Kano government put him after deposition. Momodu would not know about his likely exposure as a UK returnee until a report uncovered how the publisher, along with a tribe of Nigerias elite, went to the UK for a birthday bash. Sanusi lso hosted and enjoyed the backwing Kaduna Gov. Nasir el Rufai gave him during that deposition crisis. After endowing him with two appointments within days, the governor accompanied Sanusi from Nasarawa to Lagos in a show of solidarity. However, el-Rufai just tested positive for the virus, having being around Bauchi Gov Mohammed Bala, a Germany returnee now down with the virus PV: 0 Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 There will be an extension of the lockdown to curtail the spread of coronavirus, otherwise known as COVI-19 in affected states, President Muhammadu Buhari has said. This was contained in the full text of his national broadcast Monday night. The full text of his speech below. He said: Fellow Nigerians In my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020. Many State Governments also introduced similar restrictions. As your democratically broelected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities. However, such sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to save lives. Our objective was, and still remains, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action. The level of compliance to the COVID-19 guidelines issued has been generally good across the country. I wish to thank you all most sincerely for the great sacrifice you are making for each other at this critical time. I will take this opportunity to recognise the massive support from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) during this pandemic. I also acknowledge the support and contributions received from public spirited individuals, the business community and our international partners and friends. I must also thank the media houses, celebrities and other public figures for the great work they are doing in sensitizing our citizens on hygienic practices, social distancing and issues associated with social gatherings. As a result of the overwhelming support and cooperation received, we were able to achieve a lot during these 14 days of initial lockdown. We implemented comprehensive public health measures that intensified our case identification, testing, isolation and contact tracing capabilities. To date, we have identified 92% of all identified contacts while doubling the number of testing laboratories in the country and raising our testing capacity to 1,500 tests per day. We also trained over 7,000 Healthcare workers on infection prevention and control while deploying NCDC teams to 19 states of the federation. Lagos and Abuja today have the capacity to admit some 1,000 patients each across several treatment centres. Many State Governments have also made provisions for isolation wards and treatment centres. We will also build similar centers near our airports and land borders. Using our resources and those provided through donations, we will adequately equip and man these centres in the coming weeks. Already, health care workers across all the treatment centers have been provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to safely carry out the care they provide. Our hope and prayers are that we do not have to use all these centres. But we will be ready for all eventualities. At this point, I must recognise the incredible work being done by our healthcare workers and volunteers across the country especially in frontline areas of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory. You are our heroes and as a nation, we will forever remain grateful for your sacrifice during this very difficult time. More measures to motivate our health care workers are being introduced which we will announce in the coming weeks. As a nation, we are on the right track to win the fight against COVID-19. However, I remain concerned about the increase in number of confirmed cases and deaths being reported across the world and in Nigeria specifically. On 30th March 2020, when we started our lockdown in conforming with medical and scientific advice, the total number of confirmed cases across the world was over 780,000. Yesterday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally was over one million, eight hundred and fifty thousand. This figure is more than double in two weeks! In the last fourteen days alone, over 70,000 people have died due to this disease. In the same period, we have seen the health system of even the most developed nations being overwhelmed by this virus. Here in Nigeria, we had 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 12 States on 30th March 2020. We had two fatalities then. This morning, Nigeria had 323 confirmed cases in twenty States. Unfortunately we now have ten fatalities. Lagos State remains the center and accounts for 54% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. When combined with the FCT, the two locations represent over 71% of the confirmed cases in Nigeria. Most of our efforts will continue to focus in these two locations. Majority of the confirmed cases in Lagos and the FCT are individuals with recent international travel history or those that came into contact with returnees from international trips. By closing our airports and land borders and putting strict conditions for seaport activities, we have reduced the impact of external factors on our country. However, the increase in the number of States with positive cases is alarming. The National Centre for Disease Control has informed me that, a large proportion of new infections are now occurring in our communities, through person-to-person contacts. So we must pay attention to the danger of close contact between person to person. At this point, I will remind all Nigerians to continue to take responsibility for the recommended measures to prevent transmission, including maintaining physical distancing, good personal hygiene and staying at home. In addition, I have signed the Quarantine Order in this regard and additional regulations to provide clarity in respect of the control measures for the COVID-19 pandemic which will be released soon. The public health response to COVID-19 is built on our ability to detect, test and admit cases as well as trace all their contacts. While I note some appreciable progress, we can achieve a lot more. Today, the cessation of movement, physical distancing measures and the prohibition of mass gatherings remain the most efficient and effective way of reducing the transmission of the virus. By sustaining these measures, combined with extensive testing and contact tracing, we can take control and limit the spread of the disease. Our approach to the virus remains in 2 steps First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners. With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with Government in this fight. This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death. Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peters Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We can not be lax. The previously issued guidelines on exempted services shall remain. This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear. The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable. We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer. I will therefore take this opportunity to urge you all to notify the relevant authorities if you or your loved ones develop any symptoms. I will also ask our health care professionals to redouble their efforts to identify all suspected cases, bring them into care and prevent transmission to others. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy. I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, dayworkers, artisans and manual workers. For this group, their sustenance depends on their ability to go out. Their livelihoods depend on them mingling with others and about seeking work. But despite these realities we must not change the restrictions. In the past two weeks, we announced palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers to ease the pains of our restrictive policies during this difficult time. These palliatives will be sustained. I have also directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks. This means we will support an additional one million homes with our social investment programs. A technical committee is working on this and will submit a report to me by the end of this week. The Security Agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this unprecedented situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restriction orders while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities. Fellow Nigerians, follow the instructions on social distancing. The irresponsibility of the few can lead to the death of the many. Your freedom ends where other peoples rights begin. The response of our State Governors has been particularly impressive, especially in aligning their policies and actions to those of the Federal Government. In the coming weeks, I want to assure you that the Federal Government, through the Presidential Task Force, will do whatever it takes to support you in this very difficult period. I have no doubt that, by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic. I must also thank the Legislative arm of Government for all its support and donations in this very difficult period. This collaboration is critical to the short and long-term success of all the measures that we have instituted in response to the pandemic. As a result of this pandemic, the world as we know it has changed. The way we interact with each other, conduct our businesses and trade, travel, educate our children and earn our livelihoods will be different. To ensure our economy adapts to this new reality, I am directing the Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment, Communication and Digital Economy, Science and Technology, Transportation, Aviation, Interior, Health, Works and Housing, Labour and Employment and Education to jointly develop a comprehensive policy for a Nigerian economy functioning with COVID-19. The Ministers will be supported by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and Economic Sustainability Committee in executing this mandate. I am also directing the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Security Adviser, the Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council and the Chairman, Presidential Fertiliser Initiative to work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to ensure the impact of this pandemic on our 2020 farming season is minimized. Finally, I want to thank the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all their hard work so far. Indeed, the patriotism shown in your work is exemplary and highly commendable. Fellow Nigerians, I have no doubt that by working together and carefully following the rules, we shall get over this pandemic and emerge stronger in the end. I thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Share this post with your Friends on BLOOMINGTON A 54-year-old man was ordered to remain in police custody pending trial on drug possession charges, after prosecutors said he was found carrying more than half an ounce of cocaine. Darius A. Smith of Bloomington is charged with two counts each of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Assistant State's Attorney David Fitt told the court Illinois State Police Task Force 6 identified Smith as a cocaine seller in two controlled transactions that occurred in January and February in Bloomington. Fitt said he provided a half gram of cocaine at the first buy and a full gram at the second. The prosecutor said when Smith was taken into custody Friday, he had bags in his pocket containing 19.9 grams of cocaine, and he told police he sold cocaine. Fitt told the court possession of 15-100 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver is a Class X felony and eligible for detention under the Pretrial Fairness Act. He petitioned for Smith be detained based on his dangerousness, criminal record and unresolved probation sentence for an unrelated case in Logan County. Hannah Katavich represented Smith at the hearing and asked for his release, noting Smith was cooperative with police, and "that lends credence to the idea he would cooperate" with conditions of release. Judge Scott Black ordered that he be detained pending trial, describing the amount of cocaine Smith is accused of possessing as "substantial." An arraignment is scheduled for March 15. Cats come to Bloomington for 'all-breed' show 030424-blm-loc-1cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-2cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-3cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-4cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-5cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-6cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-7cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-8cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-9cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-10cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-11cats.JPG 030424-blm-loc-12cats BLOOMINGTON Twelve McLean County high school seniors received the 2023-24 Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award. One student from each school is selected for demonstrating dependability, leadership, patriotism and service in their daily life. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the NSDAR Good Citizens Award Program, which includes a national scholarship essay contest. Those students include: Grace Hany, University High School; Kylie Kennedy, Ridgeview High School; Erin McCoskey, Calvary Christian Academy; Logan Demling, Olympia High School; Hayden Sennett, Lexington High School; Madelyn Hopper, Central Catholic High School; Maris Largent; Cornerstone Christian Academy; Naya Shelvin, Normal West High School; Ramses Rosales, Bloomington High School; Abigail Ruebush, Normal Community High School; Abigail Clapp, LeRoy High School; Georganna Laake, Tri-Valley High School. The students were honored by the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at a celebration Saturday at St. Luke Union Church in Bloomington. Julie Dobski, co-owner of Little Jewels Learning Center and Rob Dob's Restaurant and Bar gave the keynote address to the students, their families, school administrators, chapter members and guests. Each student was given a pin, a certificate, a $100 monetary award and a red, white and blue honor cord to signify their accomplishment. Abigail Clapp of LeRoy High School also received a $1,000 scholarship for the winning essay. Her entry was automatically entered to be judged at the NSDAR Illinois District level. Watch now: 25 photos from the Miller Park Zoo Stampede Ready, set, go Standing: Peggy Hundley, Shannon Owen, Stacy Wallin; Seated: Valerie Wyatt, Megan Lee, Dee Frautschi Registering Emily and Bryan Gomolchak Dubrava Family Deanne, Scott and Rhett Hussemann Natalie and Dean Stephens Joni and Joe Painter Josie Kohtz, Greg Crawford, June and Adam Kohtz Zoo Development Director Paula Pratt, Diane and Roger Finney Laura, Austin and Kieley Kilgore Harrison Fishel, Cooper Ferguson Emily, Landon and Kyle Clemson Erica Epperson, Chloe Frahm Melissa Attig, Annika Luthe Heartland Community College Volleyball volunteers Olivia Pippin, Julianne Kielion, Marien Mannon Ben Fraley, Abby Lattanzio, Lincoln Wyant Commerce Bank Team Henry and Chelsie Meyer Start of the Kids Fun Run And theyre off Alice Eichholz handing out medals to the finishers Jill Eichholz Alice and Jill Eichholz Frank and Carter Janello The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, reiterated the pivotal role of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business in enhancing bilateral and trade relations between Ghana and Canada, particularly the extractive sector. Delivering an address at the 25th annual African Mining Breakfast and the 22nd annual Investing in African Mining Seminar held In Toronto, Canada on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Hon. Jinapor shed light on the historically rich relationship between Ghana and Canada, noting that the time has arrived for the two countries to ramp up the collaboration with investment in Ghanas extractive sector as the focal point of the renewed relationship. The Lands Minister touted the summit as well as the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business as major platforms for the promotion of investment in Ghanas mining sector. We must leverage on this cordial relations to promote business and trade between Canada and African countries. That is why the work of Canada-Africa Chamber of Business and this Seminar are very consequential; for there is no better sector to promote trade and business than the extractive sector, which has proven to generate significant rent for its owners and stakeholders, he said. In his bid to woo investors to Ghanas thriving extractive industry, Hon. Jinapor touched on the various components of the Ghanaian mining architecture that makes the country a welcoming destination for investors. A welcoming investment climate should include appropriate policy, legislative, institutional and fiscal framework, and Ghana, the beacon of democracy in Africa, is reputed in this area. Our modern day lives depend, largely, on minerals and mining, which provide the components for the manufacturing industry. And this has become even more profound as the world works towards a green energy transition. Fortunately, we in Africa, apart from our mineral endowment, have created a common market, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Ghanas vibrant capital city of Accra, with a market of over one point two billion (1.2billion) people. Africas mineral endowment places the continent in a unique position, particularly on this journey towards green energy. I am hopeful that this Breakfast and Seminar will renew the cordial relations between Africa and Canada, and encourage more businesses to invest in Africas mining industry, and, of course, my country, Ghana, the leading producer of gold in Africa, and the undisputed mining hub of the continent. He also took time to explain Ghanas tripartite mineral harnessing policy to the investors, noting that the governments commitment to the successful implementation of the policies has opened up a myriad of investment opportunities in the extractive industry. To realise the goal of IGF and the Africa Mining Vision, of utilising our mineral resources for sustainable development, and to ensure that these resources benefit our people and investors, equitably, the Government of Ghana, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, is promoting three main policies within the mining industry. Firstly, diversification of our mineral resource base to exploit the range of minerals that can be responsibly and viably mined. Secondly, beneficiation and value addition to minerals mined in our country, to ensure a mutually beneficial situation for both Government and investors; and Finally, enhancing local content and local participation, to ensure that, while the interests of investors as our partners are upheld, Ghanaians, who are, by law, the owners of our mineral resources, also, benefit from the mining industry. Delivering the key note address at the event, Mr Peter Marrone, Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Allied Gold Corporation urged African governments to create opportunities in Africa as many investors the world over are looking up to Africa, stressing that " for over half of the world's population is in Africa which present a unique opportunity to invest". He noted that Africa is a youthful population and the youthful population wants to be better and mining should represent the industry that present the best opportunity and benefits across board. Touching on the Africa model with direct investment into the assets, he said that Africa cannot be overlooked and tasked investors to look for such benefits. He also urged African governments to Keep their countries competitive to obtain the right investment including ensuring that mining companies maintain their interests. 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 OmniBSIC Bank marked another milestone with the successful conclusion of its 4th edition Health Walk, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, fostering a spirited atmosphere of community engagement and well-being in the process. The event brought together a diverse group, exceeding previous participation with staff, customers, vendors, and esteemed guests including the bank's full Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Banks, John Awuah, and Board Chair, Simeon Patrick Kyei. The walk, the first for 2024, stretched across an impressive 12km route, beginning at the forecourt of the State House and going through the heart of Accra's central business district. This extended distance not only challenged participants but also served as a powerful symbol of the bank's commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving ambitious goals. "We are incredibly proud of the turnout and the collective spirit displayed at this year's event. Beyond offering exceptional financial services, OmniBSIC Bank is deeply committed to promoting health and wellness within our community and fostering strong, enduring relationships with all our stakeholders, Managing Director, Daniel Asiedu remarked. Mr. Asiedu further emphasized the event's significance, stating, "The success of the Health Walk not only sets the bar for future events but also reflects our unwavering dedication to building upon last year's triumphs, where we garnered numerous prestigious awards including Bank of the Year. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of becoming the best bank in Ghana." Sharing his perspective, Board Chair Simeon Patrick Kyei commended the participants, stating that completing the challenging walk together stands as a testament to the core values of resilience and perseverance that define OmniBSIC Bank. The same spirit of determination will guide us as we navigate the future and solidify our position as a leading financial institution, he said. Beyond promoting physical well-being and fostering a collaborative environment, the Health Walk served as a platform for expressing gratitude. Mr. Asiedu concluded the event by extending sincere appreciation to all stakeholders, acknowledging their vital role in the bank's success and reiterating OmniBSIC Bank's unwavering commitment to exceeding expectations in 2024 and beyond. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has broken his silence over the controversies surrounding the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The bill, originally referred to as "Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill", was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 27, 2024 to prohibit homosexual activities in the country. The framers of the bill have proposed a 6-month to 5 years jail sentence to offenders of the provisions against the LGBTQ+ society. But the international community and some section of the Ghanaian populace have condemned the bill, stating it is inhumane and detrimental to the persons who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. The opposition is therefore calling on the President not to assent to the bill. Responding to the hullabaloo regarding the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, the President, in a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com, has served notice that his decision to assent to the bill or otherwise might delay. The President cited a Supreme Court case by some persons in the country challenging the constitutionality of the bill. Due to this, he has asked the nation to "hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court" before he takes any action. 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. In the circumstances, it would be, as well, for all of us to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken. The operation of the institutions of the Ghanaian state will determine the future trajectory of the rule of law and human rights compliance in our country, portions of the statement dated March 4, 2024 further said. Read full statement below: Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Non-Governmental Organisation, Resource Conservation Initiative (RESCONI) has recommended to all stakeholders in the wildlife sector to collectively explore innovative methodologies for the protection and conservation of the precious wildlife resources of the country. The NGO said the stakeholders in the wildlife sector such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and the local populace must enhance collaborative efforts with the citizenry especially the youth in finding innovative and cutting-edge digital technologies to protect wildlife. This will spark synergies to inspire cross-sector collaborations that foster the application of novel digital innovations and technologies to manage the wildlife resources of the country sustainably, the NGO stated. Celebrating World Wildlife Day 2024 under the theme Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation, Resource Conservative Initiative (RESCONI) said this has offered opportunities for countries with internet connectivity and access such as Ghana to unleash the power of digital technologies and services in the sustainable management of its wildlife resources and addressing human-wildlife conflicts. It said the use of digital would make it easier to have ease of access to accurate and efficient data for decision support in wildlife conservation and management. It is therefore important that Ghana, a country immersed in natures magnificence should bridge conservation, digital technology and innovation in the sustainable management of its wildlife resources, the NGO told the media. As we celebrate World Wildlife Day, it is important to highlight the role of Global Positioning System (GPS) Collars and Transmitters in wildlife conservation in Ghana. It is a well-established fact that conservation efforts have reached an unprecedented high level of advancement in the use of digital technology, it added. The NGO indicated that the revolutionary role of using geo-location data through GPS collars and transmitters in appreciating the behaviour of wild animals, estimating migratory routes and habitat utilization is unprecedented. It added that conservationists through these tracking devices make valuable decisions to conserve threatened species; thus, researchers and conservationists in Ghana are gradually embracing the relevance of digitization in wildlife conservation, hence the need to explore both current and future digitization advances. The leadership of Resource Conservation Initiative also noted that when GPS collars and transmitters are attached to animals, conservationists can retrieve significant data on how different wildlife species interact with their environment as this enables the development of specific conservation plans and priorities aimed at defined wildlife populations and habitats. These devices have contributed to understanding and protecting threatened species within the Protected Areas, Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs) and other conservation areas under the protection and management of communities, and civil society organisations amongst others. This is enabling a gradual shift of conservation efforts to data-enhanced strategies. Its usage helps to identify high-risk areas of poaching, human-wildlife conflicts, habitat depletion, the concentration of land-use activities, climate change and the mitigation of biodiversity threats, the NGO noted. The NGO, therefore, said that despite the current role of digitization in wildlife conservation in Ghana, there is a need to reminiscence the challenges associated with data privacy, the high cost of monitoring devices, the size of tracking devices relative to animal behaviour and analysis of large datasets. It sounds to reason that future proposals must include high investments into the application of these monitoring devices, exposing high numbers of the student population in tertiary institutions and the populace to the use of e-platforms, use of micro-weight devices, and application of Artificial Intelligence to retrieve, analyze and predict effective conservation strategies for the country, the NGO proposed. 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. 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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. 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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. 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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 +1% Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System 4,145 4,035 4,995 6,508 4,775 4,056 +9% State Retirement System of Illinois 2,294 2,228 2,632 3,198 4,658 2,385 -43% Wisconsin Retirement System 8,814 8,094 8,580 15,618 9,677 8,423 +1% The Connecticut Department of Correction is confronting a situation all too familiar these days in state and local government. By June, 40 percent of its correctional officers will be eligible to retire. All segments of the departments workforce of coursefrom high-ranking managers to maintenance staffare aging. Many of them took jobs back in the early 1990s when several prison facilities opened to accommodate a growing incarcerated population. Now these employees are reaching the 20 years of service needed for retirement.The department hasnt been hit with an onslaught of departures just yet. But state officials know that its only a matter of time before retirements ratchet up. Were afraid that when the economy really looks like its back, were going to see a lot of people leave, says Cheryl Cepelak, the departments deputy commissioner of administration. Normally, about 15 percent of all Connecticut executive branch employees who are eligible to retire do so in a given year.For a long time, there have been warnings of a silver tsunami among public employeesa sudden wave of baby boomer retirements that could potentially cripple the workforce. So far, the wave hasnt hit with full force in most jurisdictions.compiled retirement figures from a sample of 10 larger state pension systems with available data. Retirements for six systems were on pace to exceed last years totals, but only the Employees Retirement System of Georgia had registered more than a 10 percent year-over-year increase from 2012. Most others had recorded roughly the same tally of retirements as last year.With the large number of employees becoming retirement-eligible, however, the current situation wont last long. Many state and local governments expect retirement paperwork to begin piling up soon, and some report signs that the tide is already rising. Public administration experts express concern that governments are ill prepared. If they arent ready, agencies risk permanently losing decades of expertise, eroding their ability to serve the public for years to come.In Connecticut, retirements are already escalating in some agencies. Were seeing a very strong ramping up of people leaving, and thats pretty concerning to everybody, says Martin Anderson, the states deputy commissioner of administrative services. Of particular worry for Anderson and other state human resources officials is the potential brain drain set to occur when longtime employees in leadership positions depart. More than a third of employees classified as managers in Connecticut state government are already eligible to retire.As a whole, public employees tend to be older than those in the private sector. A review of data compiled for the Labor Departments 2012 Current Population Survey shows seven of the 20 industry classifications with the oldest workers consist primarily of public employees. Postal service workers stand out with the oldest median age of 52 yearsmatched only by those working in funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries. Other public employment categories with the oldest median ages include libraries (49.4 years), public finance (48.9 years), and public administration executive offices and legislative bodies (48.7 years). The national median age last year among all industries, public and private, was 42.3 years.While one cant predict precisely when the wave of retirements will strike, data does provide clues as to which agencies will be hit first. In many jurisdictions, public safety personnel are among the first to leave, mostly because of lower retirement age requirements. The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), for example, reports that its state highway patrol members retired at an average age of 53 last fiscal year, while local police and fire employees retired at 54. By comparison, the average age of retirement for all CalPERS members was 60 years, a figure that hasnt budged since fiscal 2006-2007.The Pennsylvania Office of Administration employs a retirement projection tool to analyze cross-sections of its workforce and evaluate historical trends. The latest figures indicate about 22 percent of education department employees are eligible to retire, but in just four years, that number will jump to 47 percent of the current workforce. As in Connecticut, Pennsylvanias state corrections department expects to fill its ranks soon with many new workers, as 42 percent will be eligible to retire within four years.Similarly, information technology departments in some jurisdictions are gearing up for high turnover. The Cook County (Ill.) Human Resources Bureau reports 40 percent of county technology staff will be retirement-eligible by 2017. Many of the systems these employees support will soon be outdated, so the county has stepped up its recruitment efforts as it plans technology upgrades.At the opposite end of the spectrum, senior-level public managers tend to hang onto their jobs longer. A survey conducted by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) found that 63.3 percent of city and county managers and other appointed chief local officials were older than 50. Complicating this situation further is the fact that baby boomers around the same age often make up a departments entire management staff, creating the possibility of many decimating departures within a relatively short time.In general, though, the prospect in most agencies is for a steady flow of retirements over a longer period, rather than a tsunami occurring all at once. Its worth noting that the baby boomer generation spans nearly two decades, with the youngest still under 50. Governments also go through uneven hiring cycles, offering varying benefits packages and setting different ages for retirement eligibilityall factors contributing to when theyll expect more departures.The assumption that the 8,000 to 10,000 people who turn 65 every day are going to announce theyre out of here is just not the case, says Neil Reichenberg, executive director of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources.Alicia Munnell, director for the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, says she expects most boomers employed in state and local governments to retire within five to 10 years, with the first noticeable spikes set to take place in the next three years.One factor that has delayed the retirement wave is the recession and still sluggish economic recovery. A large percentage of baby boomers put their retirement plans on hold. But they are now five years older than they were when the recession started, and some are deciding that the time for retirement has finally come.Nearly 38 percent of public-sector human resources professionals reported that eligible employees were postponing retirement in a survey earlier this year by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence. That was down from 46 percent in 2012.Pensions and health benefits remain crucial influences on employee retirement choices, particularly when lawmakers publicly debate cuts. Even if pension law changes dont affect veteran employees, the mere threat of reductions may push some workers out the door.Folks get nervous there will be fundamental changes to their retirement benefits or medical benefits, Connecticuts Anderson says, so theres an incentive to leave now and lock in what you have. Jim Honchar, a deputy secretary in the Pennsylvania Office of Administration, says employees who began working in state government later in their careers and have yet to accumulate many years of service will be most likely to look elsewhere if there are significant cuts to pensions.In some places, there is a cyclical quality to public employee retirements that can be traced to collective bargaining agreements or policy changes. The Employees Retirement System of Georgia announced in August 2012 that it would end a 3 percent tax offset, effectively reducing pension payments for those who retired after June 1, 2013. State records suggest this caused many employees to head for the exits, with 2,060 retiring in the first half of this year to get in before the cutoff, compared to 1,355 during the first six months of 2012.Honchar says he expects most of Pennsylvanias retirement-eligible employees to stay on for at least a few more years because the states contract with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is backloaded in terms of pay raises. Once the contract nears expiration, the office expects a corresponding spike in retirements.The large number of impending retirements is also generating a reevaluation of the jobs themselves. Kelly Powell Logan, the states secretary of administration, says that as her office plans for a future with a substantially different workforce, it is assessing whether some core functions of government are better suited for the private sector. State government plans to move away from owning and operating data centers, for example. Were certainly seeing a demographic change, she says. If we continue to plan and make sure were hiring for the right positions, its not an insurmountable challenge.Libraries offer a prime example of the link between retirement and the changing nature of government work. Sarabeth Kalajian, director of the Sarasota County (Fla.) Library System, says she views the silver tsunami as an opportunity to prepare her workforce for the future. The role of public libraries in serving the community is changing, she says. Libraries will require more tech skills, such as Web design and social media. About 39 percent of Sarasotas library system employees will be retirement-eligible within five years.Heidi Voorhees, president of the local government consulting firm Voorhees Associates, says local governments are already experiencing a labor shortage in public finance, IT and public works. You have a demographic hole in the middle, she says. Folks in their late 30s and 40s are in high demand, and there arent enough of them to meet the demand.To close the gap, governments frequently promote much younger employees to fill slots vacated by senior staff. Voorhees says they hit the ground running with the help of one-on-one mentoring arrangements typically lasting a few months. Thats where baby boomers come in. If they dont want to call it quits just yet, there frequently are ample opportunities for boomers to train younger workers set to take their place. A lot of them want to continue working in some capacity, Voorhees says. Its a perfect match.Many retirees end up returning to agencies part time or temporarily. Rules can complicate matters in some states, where retirees cant work for former employers if theyre drawing a pension. Others, like Illinois, set limits for how many hours these public employees-turned-contractors can work for the government.To future-proof its workforce, Pennsylvania offers up-and-comers a range of professional development programs. Sarasota County similarly administers a yearlong program to groom its leaders. The county also says its filling more roles on an interim basis, allowing departments to better train managers. The public safety communications manager, for example, will retire next year, so the county hired an employee to train for the position for eight months.But this level of preparation appears to be the exception rather than the norm across governments. Voorhees says most are not prepared for pending retirements, due in part to prior reductions in professional development budgets.The one certainty is that boomers wont be working forever. When they do finally leave, governments must be ready.compiled retirement data from a sample of 10 of the larger state pension systems. To compute year-over-year percentage change, each systems retirements for months with available data for 2013 were compared with corresponding 2012 monthly totals (not the annual figures shown below). Counts represent calendar year totals.NOTE: Georgia and New York system totals are current through August; California, Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania systems totals are current through September; Figures for all other systems are current through October. SRS of Illinois numbers do not include retirees who are deceased. SOURCE: State retirement systems When UC Davis student leaders voted last month to seek divestment from businesses that aid Israeli military efforts, it marked the latest formal victory for a movement that has steadily grown on elite campuses across the nation.Deep-pocketed institutions with ivy-covered walls have seen more activists, professors and students call for such divestment in recent years. But it is primarily at University of California campuses where student leaders have formally voted to condemn Israeli actions and ask that billions of dollars in endowment funds be removed from companies with identifiable ties to the country's military.Seven UC student governments have approved resolutions to support divestment, which proponents contend is a peaceful way to force Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. On Sunday, the systemwide UC Student Association jumped into the fray, voting 9-1 for the measure, with six abstentions.UC administrators continue to reiterate that divestment from Israel will not happen. But the string of student political victories across UC campuses has nonetheless become a symbolic victory for the pro-Palestinian movement."This is not about boycotting Jews. This is about calling for human rights," said Gabi Kirk, a campus liaison at Jewish Voice for Peace, an Oakland nonprofit that is actively encouraging students to support divestment.University of California spokeswoman Shelly Meron responded Thursday by referring to a 2010 statement that she said still reflects UC policy. That four-paragraph document by top UC system leaders said, "This isolation of Israel among all countries of the world greatly disturbs us and is of grave concern to members of the Jewish community."Schools with larger endowments than UC, such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have debated divestment from Israel as far back as 2002 but have not passed formal student resolutions like those seen at UC campuses. Stanford University's student government this week rejected a motion to divest from businesses involved with Israel, while Cornell University student leaders did the same last year.The UC Davis vote and two hate crimes against Jewish organizations in Davis have drawn national interest in recent weeks from organizations on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide, as well as people on social media. Comedienne Roseanne Barr this week defended Israel through a series of inflammatory tweets, including one that said she hopes the Davis campus "gets nuked" and another that simply had the hashtag "#nukeUCDavisJewHaters."Opponents of divestment argue that the UC student movement unfairly singles out Israeli and Jewish students. Though student groups and Jewish organizations at UC Davis have downplayed connections between the divestment vote and two hate crimes, the incidents at Jewish organizations serve as reminders that anti-Semitism remains, they said.Barry Broad, board president at the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region, described the current climate at UC schools as "deeply troubling."He sees divestment as the newest iteration of an economic boycott against Jews among the Arab world that has more or less existed since 1920 when the British administered Palestine."It never has been about creating peace between Israelis and Palestinians," Broad said. "The goal is to harm Israel economically in order to further the effort to wage war."Divestment has proved itself in the past as a potent weapon. In perhaps the most famous campus effort, college students in the 1970s and 1980s demanded that universities eliminate investments in companies tied to South Africa as that country continued to enforce apartheid. Other movements have sought university divestment from tobacco, oil firms and major banks.University of California maintains a $7.4 billion endowment, 14th largest among U.S. higher education institutions, according to the National Association of College and University Business Officers and Commonfund Institute. That amount does not include its more sizable pension investments."The UC investment portfolio is enormous -- labs, pension plans, research laboratories -- when the UC plans to divest or invest, it can have an enormous effect," said Karen North, a communication professor at the University of Southern California and former assistant dean of the UCLA School of Public Policy. "The impact UC has when it invests or divests, is astonishing ... It sends more than a signal, it can affect the health of companies."Kirk noted that corporations targeted for divestment are not necessarily Israeli-owned. Rather, she said, they are companies believed to be "profiting" off the Israeli occupation, suggesting as an example Caterpillar, which sells bulldozers and other heavy construction equipment.College students have long lent their ear to social and foreign issues. Most recently, the Occupy movement gained ground on university campuses in 2011 and hit a boiling point with the infamous incident on the UC Davis quad in which students were hit with pepper spray.At UC Davis, supporters of divestment have been working to pass a resolution in the student Senate for three years. The overwhelming victory last month was the result of a shift in public opinion, according to Marcelle Obeid, president of UC Davis' Students for Justice in Palestine."People saw what happened last summer with Gaza," Obeid said, referring to an Israeli military operation in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of 2,200 Palestinians. "That partially helped open people's eyes."She added, "At the university level, we don't want to be complicit."Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, executive director of Hillel at UCLA, said portraying Israel as an aggressor plays on the idealism of students."This captures the fancy of young idealists who are looking for the issue of the day," said the rabbi, who has worked with students at UCLA for 40 years. "The nonviolent approach is seen as seductive -- talk of apartheid, (Nelson) Mandela and liberation."UC Student Association President Jefferson Kuoch-Seng noted that "there's a big push for more social responsibility."At University of California schools, Muslim and Jewish students are a minority. The divestment resolutions at UC campuses have been approved with a coalition of groups, including Asian Americans, African Americans and Latinos."Everyone sees commonalities to the Palestinian struggle," Obeid said. "A lot of minority groups really sympathized and voted with their morals." Seidler-Feller appeared to agree, but offered his own interpretation."Campus politics have been hijacked by a group of students who are intent to conquer," he said. "The coalition of Arab, Muslim, Latino, Asian and gay students. They're all oppressed minorities."The Israeli-Palestinian dispute reached the Board of Regents in a different way the last two years.Regents in 2013 made history by approving Sadia Saifuddin as the system's first-ever Muslim to be designated to the student position on the board. Saifuddin supports the Israel divestment movement. She received backing from all regents except for Richard Blum, who abstained in a break from tradition, citing concerns about her political activism, according to the Daily Californian.Last year, regents approved Abraham Oved as the UC student regent designate. Oved is Jewish and opposes the divestment effort. Palestinian supporters accused him of receiving political donations from a pro-Israeli Los Angeles real estate developer.Saifuddin declined to discuss divestment on Thursday, saying she is a "representative in the higher education field." FIA president accused of tampering with F1 race result Yet another scandal is breaking out in Formula 1 - this time putting FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem under the spotlight. Fernando Alonso, Saudi Arabian GP 2023 Aston Martin Racing According to leading publications including La Repubblica (Italy), L'Equipe (France) and Britain's BBC, the 62-year-old - already the subject of earlier F1 power struggles and accusations - is accused with interfering with the work of Formula 1 stewards. The president is alleged to have intervened during the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP to have a penalty imposed on Fernando Alonso removed, La Repubblica reported. The (FIA's) ethics committee will rule on the case within a month and a half. An FIA official is said to have alleged that Ben Sulayem called his Middle Eastern and North African vice-president asking for a penalty imposed on Aramco-sponsored Aston Martin to be withdrawn - resulting in Alonso keeping his podium place. Aramco, the Saudi state-owned oil company, is also a major sponsor of Formula 1. (GMM) FIA president in Turkey for F1 race revival talks Turkey is making a major bid to return to the Formula 1 calendar, according to the Russian news agency Tass. Start, Turkish GP 2021 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. The outlet says FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem travelled to the country on Monday to meet with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting took place against the backdrop of plans by the Turkish authorities to hold a tender for the reconstruction and management of the Istanbul Park circuit, Tass said, recalling that the last Turkish grands prix were held during the covid crisis. Istanbul Park is reportedly owned by Turkey, but leased to a company that is ready to meet the requirements of the tender . Additionally, the local Hurriyet newspaper claims the tender process will take place in early April, noting that the deal will include the mandatory annual organisation of the Formula 1 GP starting in 2026 . (Another) condition was put forward that the company that wins the tender will would have to enter into an agreement with Formula 1 within one month, Tass added. (GMM) Indias Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj India has expressed serious concern over the allegations against the world bodys beleaguered agency that provides support for Palestinians but said that it was positively considering requests for aid. Indias Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said on Monday, Recent allegations against the UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) are a matter of serious concern. However, she added, We are also positively considering specific requests from the UNRWA for assistance in kind. We urge utmost diligence in the utilisation of these assistance. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced an investigation into allegations made by Israel that UNRWA employees had participated in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and several staffers were associated with that group. He has also set up an independent review headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna of the overall working of the organisation. We look forward to getting these reports from the inquiry and the review, Kamboj said while participating in a special meeting on UNRWA convened by General Assembly President Dennis Francis. Francis warned that UNRWA was in danger of imminent collapse and it may not survive without our immediate and decisive action. Sixteen countries led by the US have cut off aid amounting to over $400 million to UNRWA in the wake of the allegations against it. Kamboj reiterated Indias support to the agency which serves the needs of Palestinian refugees and contributes to the overall stability in the region. As a mark of its solidarity with the Palestinian refugees India has been making its annual contribution of $5 million -- raised from $1.5 million in 2018," she said. The conflict sparked by the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 has led to large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children, and has resulted in an alarming humanitarian crisis, she said. It is imperative that humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza be scaled up immediately in order to avert a further deterioration in the situation, she added. A peaceful end to the conflict is possible only through dialogue and ultimately only a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine existing side by side will bring enduring peace, she said. UNRWA was set up by the General Assembly in 1949 to help Palestine refugees displaced during the founding of Israel. It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan providing 5.9 million refugees food assistance and a range of services from education to healthcare. It has a staff of 13,000 in Gaza and over 160 of them were killed in the Israel counteroffensive that followed the Hamas attack. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the General Assembly that the agency is at a breaking point because of the cuts to contributions by several countries despite prompt and decisive actions, and the unsubstantiated nature of the allegations. Without additional funding, we will be in uncharted territory -- with serious implications for global peace and security, he said. He said that 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, Lazzarini said. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for dismantling UNRWA and said that it will not be allowed to operate in Gaza after the war. Israels Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan told the General Assembly that UNRWAs role in Gaza is finished, and it must be replaced immediately; UNRWA must be defunded and dismantled. At an earlier meeting of the General Assembly on Monday on the US veto of the Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, called the UN a collaborator with Hamas terrorism. Israel has alleged that 450 employees of UNRWA were members of Hamas or other terrorist organisations. Daniel Lempres is a criminal justice reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining the Chronicle in 2023, he worked as a reporter for the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley, where he focused on long term investigations in collaboration with outlets like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and S.F. Chronicle. He can be reached at Daniel.Lempres@sfchronicle.com. Today the European Commission (EC) has fined Apple a whopping 1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iOS and iPadOS users through its App Store. The Commission found that "Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app", so-called 'anti-steering provisions'. This, according to the EC, is illegal under EU antitrust rules. The EC's investigation of the matter found that "Apple bans music streaming app developers from fully informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app and from providing any instructions about how to subscribe to such offers", the official press release states. Basically, if you're on iOS, you can subscribe to third party music streaming services through the App Store, or directly on the service's website. The latter option is cheaper since Apple doesn't get its cut as it does if you go the App Store route, but you wouldn't know this if you weren't following tech news since Apple prohibits any advertising of the disparity, for obvious financial reasons. Apple's anti-steering provisions ban app developers from even including links in their apps leading iOS users to the developer's website to subscribe. They also can't contact newly acquired users by email to inform them about alternative pricing options after they set up an account. Today's decision by the EC concludes that these provisions amount to "unfair trading conditions", being "neither necessary nor proportionate for the protection of Apple's commercial interests" while negatively affecting the interests of iOS users, "who cannot make informed and effective decisions on where and how to purchase music streaming subscriptions". Apple's longstanding conduct "may have led many iOS users to pay significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions because of the high commission fee imposed by Apple on developers". Moreover, the EC stresses this behavior on Apple's part led to "non-monetary harm in the form of a degraded user experience". The 1.8 billion fine sum was decided in order to ensure that it's "sufficiently deterrent" for Apple itself, but also deterring other companies of a similar size from committing a similar infringement. The EC has additionally ordered Apple to remove the anti-steering provisions and to refrain from repeating the infringement "or from adopting practices with an equivalent object or effect in the future". Apple vowed to appeal the decision, and issued a press release on the matter in which it's very aggressive towards Spotify, which it calls "the primary advocate" for the EC's decision. According to Apple, Spotify has a more than 50% share of the European market and "pays Apple nothing" despite "the App Store's role" in making its success possible. That's because Spotify doesn't sell subscriptions through the App Store, having chosen not to pay 'the Apple tax' for that. Apple goes on - "free isn't enough for Spotify", it "wants to bend the rules in their favor by embedding subscription prices in their app without using the App Store's In-App Purchase system", using "Apple's tools and technologies" and benefitting from the trust Apple's built with users, "and pay Apple nothing for it". Apple ends its resentment-filled press release like this: "Ironically, in the name of competition, today's decision just cements the dominant position of a successful European company that is the digital music market's runaway leader". Source 1 | Source 2 Deal: get a free Google Pixel 8 from Verizon if you add a line These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. OnePlus is preparing to launch a new midranger this month, according to a credible leakster. The company is working on a Ace 3V smartphone which will arrive with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, being the first to do so. The smartphone would come with a 1.5K screen, which is how Chinese companies are branding their panel's resolution between 1080p and 1440p. However, this is hardly an upgrade from the OnePlus Ace 2V, which had a screen with 2,772 x 1,240 pixels. OnePlus Ace 3V would also bring a 5,500 mAh battery with support for 100W SuperVOOC wired charging, the leakster added on their Weibo page. This is the exact same cell as the OnePlus Ace 3, later relaunched internationally as the OnePlus 12R. The post also stated that OnePlus 13 would arrive earlier than expected, as the company wants to be among the first makers to launch a flagship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The chipset will be introduced at this year's Snapdragon Summit, scheduled for October. Source (in Chinese) | Via The attorney general and the Consolidated Commission on Utilities are at odds over whether Guam has the water and power supply to keep up with thousands of incoming Marines and their family members. Attorney General Douglas Moylan, in a letter to the Legislature Monday, said the CCU has failed to plan for the increase in Guams population over the next two years, and said there may be an impending state of emergency. He urged senators to get an independent estimate of whether Guam had adequate utilities to keep up with demand. Outgoing CCU Chairman Joey Duenas told the Pacific Daily News Tuesday he was not concerned at all about the ability of the Guam Waterworks Authority and Guam Power Authority to keep up with the increased demand caused by the buildup. Nobody knows what we do better than we do, said Duenas, who disagreed with the need for an independent evaluation. Legislative oversight chairman Sen. Will Parkinson said he is working to confirm whether the AGs concerns about power capacity were true. The senator said he had probed the issue of the buildup, and was made to believe it was a non-issue for GPA. But that was a year, a year and a half ago, and who knows if that positions changed, he said. Grossly failed Moylan pointed to continued vulnerability to load shedding and increasing power rates as evidence that the CCU had grossly failed to plan for and provide basic power capacity to the island. Peak power demand during the summer has historically hovered around 260 megawatts, the PDN has reported, but GPA currently only has about 270 MW capacity, leaving the island vulnerable to load shedding if one of the utilitys aging generators goes down. GPA leadership has put the stabilization of the grid at between late 2025 and early 2026, once the Typhoon Mawar-delayed 198-megawatt Ukudu power plant comes online. Final capacity will vary, as some current generators, like the aging Cabras 1 and 2 units will retire, even as others are repaired or upgraded. But Moylan on Monday stated those estimates did not account for what he says will be a roughly 30% increase in power demand once an estimated 45,000 military service members and their dependents arrive in the next 12 to 24 months. Added load from tourist arrivals was not factored in, either, according to the AG. But CCUs Duenas said the utilities do not expect that big of an influx in the next two years, with construction at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz still ongoing. Duenas said about 5,000 Marines are expected to arrive from Okinawa once the relocation is completed, and that the total population moving to Guam is not near what Moylan is projecting. In the longer term, GPA is going out to bid on another 400 MW worth of solar energy, which is expected to be completed a few years after Ukudu comes online. I dont know why he thinks we dont have, we wont have enough power or water or wastewater services, Duenas said. On the issue of water, Moylan stated that there exists a danger of over-extraction of water from the northern aquifer, which has not been accounted for, referring to a verbal opinion from a geo-engineering hydrologist specialist. The most recent collapse of a great number of water wells after Typhoon Mawar just a year ago, and loss in court for the Northern Treatment Facility ownership, as well as the pay raises in the past year reflects not just the CCUs inability to run a water utilities. Their actions threaten the utilities being placed into federal receivership, Moylan stated. Such developments could affect the affordability of water, and carried serious consequences for northern residents of the island, according to the AG. CCU Commissioner Simon Sanchez said the Department of Defense operates its own water system, apart from GWA, and only uses GWA for wastewater services, which had recently been upgraded to keep up with demand. The good Lord provides Guam (with) an average of 100 inches a year of rain per year. Mr. Moylan has no background in utilities, as further reflected in his poor and inaccurate assessments, Sanchez stated in an email. The Northern Wastewater Treatment Plant had been upgraded at a cost of $160 million by the DoD, Sanchez noted, at no cost to ratepayers. GWA is involved in an ongoing land dispute with construction company CoreTech International over the northern treatment plant. Moylan asked that lawmakers call an oversight hearing, and have independent consultants weigh in on the issue of capacity for the buildup. Remove CCU We respectfully submit that the above information reflects the textbook definition of the CCUs waste and abuse, worthy of removal and impeachment, Moylan wrote to senators. This Office considers the CCU as not only legally Inorganic in violation of Congress 1950 Organic Act of Guam, but that their years of mismanagement now clearly adversely impacting our People of Guams health, safety and welfare requiring a Federal Receivership to maintaining these crucial Territory functions to the People of Guam, he stated. CCUs Duenas said hes still awaiting Moylan to take the matter to court, and for a judge to decide. An attorney generals opinion is just that its an opinion, Duenas said. While he has recently issued an opinion on the Organicity of the CCU, no court of law has ruled that the CCU is in-organic. And he has never informed USEPA nor the Federal Court that the CCU is inorganic, Sanchez stated. Meanwhile, Parkinson said he is waiting on some sort of finality from the courts on whether CCU is inorganic. Parkinson said he would like to put the removal of the commission to a referendum for voters, but noted that if it is inorganic, the body would have to be repealed outright through legislation. Education chairman Sen. Chris Barnett on Tuesday said his next monthly oversight hearing on the Guam Department of Education will cover what he described as GDOEs egregious abuse of funds, following public auditor findings that the school system bought over 34,000 laptops totaling $24.6 million mostly without a contract from a sole vendor and without getting the attorney general involved in the process. Its clear from the audit that GDOE engaged in shenanigans many would label corrupt in order to steer millions of dollars to a single vendor, Barnett said in a statement a day after the Office of Public Accountability released its report. The audit contained actionable findings that could be prosecuted, Barnett said of the OPA report. He said he met with the public auditor to review the audits findings before its release. An OPA audit report released in 2023 also found that GDOE paid out $640,000 in questionable overtime payments but we have not seen any legal action move forward on this, Barnett said. I pray the hard work of the OPA staff isnt all for naught, and I encourage the attorney general to look further into these and other audit findings released by the OPA, he added. 50K laptops, 27K students GDOE bought the laptops to support the need for distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. OPA questioned the cost of 32,799 laptops with an aggregate value of $23.1 million that GDOE purchased without a contract with the sole vendor. The OPA audit also questioned the cost of 1,693 laptops totaling $1.5 million procured through small purchases covered by 45 purchase orders which appeared to be artificially divided, the report said. The total questioned cost is about $24.6 million involving 34,492 laptops, based on the OPA report. But prior to the purchase of these new laptops during fiscal 2022 through fiscal 2022, GDOE had 14,285 laptops already in inventory that were still usable at the end of fiscal 2022, OPA said. So the total laptops available were 51,603, while GDOEs student population at the time was 27,497. 50,000 laptops should be enough to give every public-school student two laptops. But the audit shows the GDOEs distribution of the laptops followed no rhyme or reason. One things for sure, though high-paid administrators had no problems receiving their top-of-the-line laptops, Barnett said. On Tuesday, the senator called one of the schools under GDOE and was told the school received laptops for 1/3 of their students, and they received them three years ago. Some schools got even fewer laptops. Maybe they should go check the storage closet at the GDOE central office, Barnett said. The OPA audit was prompted by Public Auditor Benjamin Cruzs visit to a GDOE storage room where he saw more than 1,200 new laptops still in unopened boxes and about 3,000 carry-on cases. That was after GDOEs Internal Audit Office raised concerns about these supplies. Significant violations Guam law requires attorney general review for government procurements of at least $500,000. OPA also learned that GDOE and its major laptop vendor did not execute an agreement or contract. The public auditor learned this after OPA sent several written requests for a copy of the agreement or contract signed by GDOE officials and the major laptop vendor. These are significant violations required in the invitation for bid, OPA said. OPA said theres also lack of transparency and accountability because of GDOEs inaccurate disclosure and incomplete procurement record maintained for this particular procurement under IFB-IQB No. 019-2020. Barnett said the sheer magnitude of the questionable findings contained in OPAs audit of GDOEs laptop purchases warrants action from the government. The $23 million in questioned costs hits hard when we constantly hear about the challenges that a lack of funding poses for our public school system, he said. Its mind-boggling, he said, that GDOE would spend millions on laptops when there are so many other better uses for those funds. While the audit looked at actions taken during former Superintendent Jon Fernandezs tenure, current GDOE leadership needs to immediately review and strengthen its internal controls and policies and ensure the conditions that allowed this egregious abuse of funds will not exist again. I will address the audit and its findings in my next monthly GDOE oversight hearing, Barnett said. GDOE, in response to the audit, said it concurs with OPAs recommendations and acknowledges the need to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity of the procurement process. But GDOE maintained that the purchase of the laptops was not excessive. Guam Community College is proposing to increase its rental fees by $50 to as much as $750 for its new, state-of-the-art Multipurpose Auditorium in Building 300. For example, a current rental fee of $750 could become $1,500, or a $25 rental could increase to $100, if the proposals are approved. GCC has set a March 12 public hearing on the proposed fee increases. The hearing will be held at the auditorium in Building 300 at 2:30 p.m. The new multi-purpose building can accommodate a much larger crowd and it is modernized so it has amenities that the other buildings didnt have, John Dela Rosa, GCC assistant director, said on Tuesday. He also noted that the rates have remained unchanged for several years. The facilities are now more spacious and better equipped, he said, when asked about the impetus for proposing new or higher rental fees. Proposed fee hikes GCC is proposing a 50% hike or from the current $500 to $750 in the rental fee for a four-hour use of Halls 1 to 4, which includes up to 210 chairs and 25 standard white rectangle or round tables. Hall 1, providing up to 100 chairs and 15 standard white rectangle or round tables, will cost $250, while Halls 2, 3, 4, furnishing up to 80 chairs and 10 standard white rectangle or round tables, will cost $200 each, if the proposed rate increases are approved. Meanwhile, for guests opting for an eight-hour rental period, the fee for Halls 1 to 4 will soar by $750 or 100% from the current $750 to $1,500 if the increase is approved. This proposed rate is inclusive of up to 210 chairs and 25 standard white rectangle or round tables. For Hall 1, the proposed charge is $500, whereas for Halls 2, 3, 4, it is proposed at $400 each. Regarding the auditoriums daily charges, the nonrefundable cleaning charge per day has been proposed to increase from the current $75 to $150. The new public address, PA, system, which can be rented now for $25, would go up to $100 under the proposal, because the PA system has been replaced with a new one. The auditoriums TV system will be substituted with a multi-media projector, increasing the rate per day to $150 per unit from $100, if the proposal is approved. If guests need additional chairs and tables, each item will also start costing $1 if the fees are approved. An additional IBM-style table will be priced at $1.50 per day. GCC finished the construction of the 12,500 square-foot and 500-pax capacity multipurpose hall, which functions as a venue for various campus and community activities, on Aug. 31 last year. Jenna Rose Calinagan Manibusan, named as a co-conspirator in the fatal robbery shooting of Sumittra Lairopi on Valentines Day, is being held on a $100,000 cash bail. Manibusan appeared in court Tuesday for pretrial release conditions in front of Judge Benjamin C. Sison Jr. The prosecuting attorney asked for confinement, saying Manibusan is a danger to the community and unlikely to comply with court orders, and deferred to Sison on any amount of cash bail. Alternate Public Defender Richard Dirks, representing Manibusan, asked that she be released on personal recognizance, and spent some time offering some history on the case. He said Manibusan was magistrated on Feb. 20, and attached to that complaint was a long affidavit of probable cause. He said Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan dismissed all the charges against Manibusan that same day for lack of probable cause. The government returned an indictment against Manibusan just after 4 p.m. Feb. 29. And although she had children in her care, before six oclock, she came to the courthouse, turned herself in and has been in custody ever since. I doubt the courts ever seen that, Dirks said. But that is not the action of somebody whos a flight risk. That is the action of somebody who intends to stand four-square, deny the charges and contest the case. She turned herself in voluntarily before the bench warrant with the court. Sison said Manibusan faced very serious charges, and he was not willing to release her on a personal recognizance. If you do come up with electronic monitoring or third-party custodian, I might reconsider but Im not going to release her on personal recognizance today, Sison said. The judge then proceeded to set bail at $100,000. Dirks responded by asking for all evidence pertaining to the case, including a copy of the search warrant that authorized a search of the house, as well as any fingerprints or DNA collected. Manibusans next appearance in court is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 19 for arraignment. Her boyfriend, Domingo Chargualaf Mendiola, the main suspect in the robbery shooting that turned deadly, is being held on a $500,000 bail. Mendiola needed money for an owed drug debt, according to the magistrate complaint filed in local court. The robbery shooting took the life of Lairopi, a 53-year-old wife and mother to three children. Shes the second victim of a fatal robbery shooting this year. Ahead of Wednesdays emergency legislative session, Attorney General Douglas Moylan sent senators a draft bill that he hopes can address the conflict of interest issue that has led to his office withdrawing legal services for government of Guam agencies. On the agenda is addressing the AGs office decision to temporarily withdraw its representation of more than 20 GovGuam agencies that it is currently investigating. The AG, in a Tuesday letter to Speaker Therese Terlaje, asked that she consider introducing the proposed legislation intended to address the apparent conflict of interest and imputed disqualification rules that he said interfere with the AGs ability to perform the duties required by Guam law. We understand these issues are the subject of an emergency session called for (Wednesday). We believe the attachment will assist in resolving the important pending procurement issues, Moylan said in his letter to Terlaje. Moylans draft bill seeks to add a new section in Guam law that would clarify conflicts of interest. The AG or anyone from his office shall always be deemed as representing only the people of Guam/government of Guam, the bill states. In no event shall a disqualifiable conflict of interest exist, or any attorney-client or other privilege be asserted, that any public official may exercise to disqualify the AG or anyone from his office from continuing to represent GovGuam, the draft bill states. As for procurement, the bill seeks to clarify the status and relationship of the AG with regard to review of procurement documents. Public officials shall not be able to claim the attorney-client privilege, or any other privilege created when the AG reviews and approves or rejects the procurement documents submitted to the AG for review, the proposed legislation states. Any review by the AG or procurement documents submitted to his office shall not prevent the AG from later prosecuting persons in a civil or criminal proceeding associated with that procurement including but not limited to situations wherein additional information becomes available which was not earlier known to the AG, the draft bill states. Governor to AG: People will suffer Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, in her State of the Island Address Tuesday night, said the AG gave no warning that he would withdraw from his Organic Act responsibility to represent nearly two dozen GovGuam agencies. "Left unresolved, critical departments will lack the basic legal guidance they need to operate. No legal help for the home of the Sharks still waiting on a construction management contract for a new Simon Sanchez High School," she said. She said millions in federal grants could be potentially lost or at risk because of the AG's decision. "This must be resolved quickly. If not in the courts, then on this floor. We must all work together to ensure that one public officials decision not to do his job does not keep the rest of us from doing ours. People will suffer from your actions, Mr. AG," Leon Guerrero said. When she first got the letter from the AG the first call she made was to the speaker. "We both agreed that this paralyzing move by the attorney generals office would be disastrous for our people. Madame Speaker, I am counting on your leadership in this body to help us resolve this serious issue," the governor said. The speaker earlier said Wednesday's emergency session will allow senators to weigh possible legislative solutions to the matter, and among those is Sen. Amanda Sheltons bill seeking to allow the governor to hire independent outside legal counsel to review and sign off on procurements of $500,000 or more when the AGs office is unable to assist because of a conflict of interest or other reasons. Moylan last year announced the indictment of several GovGuam officials alleging corruption, and those cases are making their way through the Guam judicial system. Defense attorneys for the officials in the corruption cases have asked whether its an ethical violation for the AGs office to prosecute government officials given the AGs office provided legal services to their agencies. The AG, in response, has told several government agencies his office will not be providing legal services as it waits for a court decision. Adelup said the AG appears to have taken this action in response to impending court decisions considering whether his office violated his ethical obligations by advising agencies on legal issues, then prosecuting that same agency director and employees who followed the AGs office advice, a clear conflict of interest. During the Wednesday emergency session, senators will also decide if a number of safeguards in Guam procurement law should be waived so that the Guam Power Authority can expedite a deal for $25 million worth of temporary power. The proposed contract with equipment supplier Aggreko also calls for the company to help fix some of GPAs generators in the hopes of generating another 34 MW of power. GPA is concerned that if the contract with Aggreko is approved, a protest from another company could stall the timely delivery of the additional power. Prompted in part by the artificial intelligence boom, the San Francisco-based Bay Area Council and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group are exploring a merger. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Two of the Bay Areas largest business groups are looking to merge. The Bay Area Council, led by Jim Wunderman and based in San Francisco, and the San Jose-based Silicon Valley Leadership Group, led by Ahmad Thomas, could join forces as San Francisco and the Bay Area face reputational headwinds, but are also poised to benefit immensely from the artificial intelligence industry. The object of this is to do what these two groups have done well but do it bigger and better, said Jim Wunderman, who leads the Bay Area Council. Our voice has to be heard more loudly and clearly from Sacramento to Washington, and across the region, Wunderman said Advertisement Article continues below this ad He said he did not know how long it might take to finalize the deal, adding, Wed love to see it happen as soon as (possible). The partnership would see them jointly represent hundreds of the most well-known regional companies across technology, finance and other sectors. The groups said in a joint statement that given the transformational potential of AI technology, the business community has an extraordinary opportunity to come together and set a course that will take California and the nation into the next era of innovation and job creation. I think AI provides opportunity and excitement for the region, Wunderman said. Still, he said, the region faces some second-guessing from outside about our competitiveness. He added: Our voice has to be heard more loudly and clearly. Wunderman said the organizations members would be notified by early afternoon Wednesday, and a meeting of the boards of directors was on the books. At this point we can only announce an intention to fully explore this, he added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sponsored by a range of businesses across the nine-county Bay Area, The Bay Area Council advocates for policy changes on everything from transit to housing and beyond, from its headquarters on the historic Klamath ferry docked at San Franciscos Pier 9. The councils members include marquee companies, from Apple, Autodesk, and AT&T to Bank of America, Brookfield Property Partners, and the Chevron Corp., among many others. This is a pivotal moment for our region one that holds the potential to unleash a new wave of innovation, investment, and inclusive economic growth across the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, said Thomas, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO, in a statement. Based in San Jose, the Silicon Valley Leadership Groups hundreds of member organizations include Amazon, IBM, Uber, Kaiser Permananete, and many others. The groups also have common members like Apple and Bank of America. The statement from both groups said the leadership committees of both organizations had signed off on plans to explore the partnership during the course of the next year towards the goal of a new, unified organization. Advertisement Article continues below this ad San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York also cheered the plan in a statement. A clear need has emerged for the business community to come together to harness our combined influence and impact for the good of all our communities, said York, who chairs the Silicon Valley Leadership Groups board of directors. Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy Mangtamag of Yigo has been named "2023 Junior Sailor of the Year" for USS Anchorage. Junior Sailor of the Year is an accolade given to an exemplary sailor selected by a board of senior enlisted out of multiple competitive entries. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Yigo, Mangtamag said. "Growing up on the island of Guam taught me invaluable lessons that Ive carried with me throughout my Navy career," Mangtamag said in a statement released by the Navy Office of Community Outreach. "Its where I learned the importance of community, resilience, and looking out for one another. These values have shaped me into who I am today. It reminds me to stand strong in the face of challenges, to support my fellow brothers and sisters at sea, and to always strive for excellence. Im proud to carry these values with me for a lifetime and am forever grateful for the foundation they have provided." Mangtamag joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Mangtamag serves as an operations specialist. After all that this country has done for me and my family, I joined the Navy not only to serve but to protect my loved ones who are living here, Mangtamag said. I also wanted to challenge myself and be something bigger than myself. The sense of camaraderie, discipline, and the opportunity to make a difference every day drove me to wear this uniform. Operating out of San Diego, USS Anchorage was commissioned in 2013, in Anchorage, Alaska, and is the second ship of the U.S. Navy to be named after Anchorage. Anchorage is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, which is a type of warship that embarks, transports and lands elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions, according to Navy officials. Due to their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice. With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America. Mangtamag serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nations prosperity and security. "We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day, said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs. Mangtamag has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. One of my proudest moments in the Navy was being selected Junior Sailor of the Year aboard USS Anchorage for 2023, Mangtamag said. It was a humbling experience for me. It was a testament not just to my efforts and hard work, but to the mentorship, teamwork and excellence of the people I worked alongside on the ship. This reflected the endless support of my peers and superiors who challenged me and inspired me every day. Mangtamag can take pride in serving America through military service. Serving the Navy is not just duty; its an honor to me, Mangtamag said. It means upholding a legacy of valor and vigilance. Its about embracing honor, courage and commitment as guiding stars in both calm and stormy seas. Its a task not given to many to protect our nations ideal and to be a beacon of hope and strength. Every day Im grateful for the opportunity to grow and to contribute to the mission. The crawfish industry might have taken a beating this year, but devotion to the 10-legged crustacean remains strong. Even as a historic drought has sent prices soaring about $9 a pound on average in New Orleans, per WGNOs price index it seems people are still willing to shell out for the shellfish. As we enter peak crawfish season, theres no better place to celebrate than at the annual Louisiana Crawfish Festival. The festival, held March 21-24 at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, will feature live music, carnival rides, games and more Cajun cuisine than you can shake a claw at. Local vendors will sell the crustacean in the form of etouffee, poboys, beignets, mac and cheese and more. If you think youve perfected the pinch-and-twist of a true connoisseur, then try your hand at the Crawfish Eating Competition or let the creatures compete for themselves at the Crawfish Races. Admission to the festival is free on Thursday, $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Carnival rides are $20 on Thursday and $30 for the rest of the weekend. Tickets can be purchased here. The festival is at 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette. The rules at Costco are quite clear. As a membership warehouse, if you wish to shop at Costco, you must purchase a Costco membership. However, some individuals attempt to bypass these regulations, particularly when it comes to the Costco food court and nothing frustrates a Costco member more than encountering a line of non members ahead of them, all eager to purchase a hot dog. The crowds can get particularly congested at stores in predominantly warm weather climates where Costco often locates its food court outside giving the non membership masses easy access. Costco caught wind of this in 2020 and began restricting food court access to members only but most members agree, the policy was not strictly enforced until now. In the past, shoppers only needed to show their membership card as they checked out but certain locations have now installed an automatic kiosk to check membership status before you can even enter the store. And new signs like the one posted in a photo to Reddit this week from a store in Orlando, Florida, demonstrates the companys reinvigorated efforts to enforce members only access. Effective April 8, 2024, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court, it reads. You can join today. Please see our membership counter for details. Costcos food court menu Just like the offerings inside each Costco store, the menu of the Costco food court is simple and inexpensive. Renowned for its $1.50 all-beef hot dog, for a few cents more, Costco also offers a polish sausage, a mac and cheese hot dog, a veggie hot dog, a chili cheese hot dog, a loaded hot dog, a chicken bacon ranch hot dog and lets not overlook the Keto hot dog. In addition to hot dogs, the food court also offers pizza, sandwiches, salads, desserts, drinks and a variety of hot meals, including the Costco chicken bake, beef enchilada bake, stuffed peppers, macaroni and cheese and meatballs. In celebration of its 20th anniversary last year, Costco brought back some of the most popular food from menus past, including an updated version of its classic turkey burger and its chocolate croissant as well as a new variety of ice cream treats. Reddit reacts to Costco news As a social news website, Reddit provides a forum where users can submit content, vote on it and interact. Popular topics or discussions form their own subreddit. The Costco subreddit currently has about 584,000 members and with so many people on the platform discussing the new policy moderators devoted a megathread to it. Considering that most of the folks who would join a Cosco subreddit are likely to already have a Cosco membership, the majority are generally supportive of the news. Many believed that eliminating non members from the area and requiring membership to purchase a meal in the food court will lessen crowds, open up more tables and shorten lines. Reddit user Severalton said, At the Glendale location the lines can back up all the way to the entrance of the store. Hopefully this policy reduces the madness a bit. And Reddit user EnergyDrinkEnjoyer added, Its not a big stretch to ask for just $5.00 a month when the food is super cheap, I see many people not even buying anything and taking up multiple seats there. How do you get a Costco membership? A Costco membership is required to shop at Costco warehouses. Costco offers two memberships: Gold Star and Executive. The gold star membership is $60 per year, plus tax, and includes two membership cards and the ability to shop in the store and online. The executive membership is $120 per year, plus tax, and in addition to the benefits of the gold star card, this membership includes a 2% annual award and service discounts. Customers can sign up for membership on the stores website. Costco currently operates 874 warehouses, including 602 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 108 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 33 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 18 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, six in China, four in Spain, two in France and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. Costco did not immediately return a request to comment on its food court policy. Haiti - Politic : The Secretary General of the OAS deeply concerned by the situation in Haiti Monday March 4th, 2024, Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) in a statement expressed his deep concern about the current situation of insecurity in Haiti. "[...] It is more necessary than ever to promote cooperation efforts in the United Nations to restore security in the country. It is irresponsible that the necessary measures and actions continue to be delayed. Without security there will be no democracy. In that sense, we reaffirm our support for the Haitian people, within the country and in the diaspora, and our commitment to continue collaborating to promote a solution that advances the much-needed democratization process in the country, seeking guarantees in human rights and protection for all and a peaceful context in which to hold free and fair elections in Haiti. The OAS General Secretariat is determined to strengthen its cooperation with Haiti to confront the current challenges of democratic instability, unemployment, food insecurity, illiteracy, health insecurity, corruption and other sociopolitical and socioeconomic problems that affect the country and that are exacerbated by the perpetual violence of the criminal elements that have held the country hostage." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Crisis : The USA will not deploy soldiers in Haiti Monday, March 4th, 2024, John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, told reporters "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." "After 72 hours of diplomatic contacts between Haiti and the USA, the Biden administration will not deploy American troops in Haiti to support the security operations of the Haitian National Police (PNH) [...] Were 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. [...] Were 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. Furthermore, the United States will not provide a military plane to accompany the Prime Minister and his delegation to Haiti, currently blocked in the USA since Saturday due to the temporary suspension of commercial flights to Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41808-haiti-flash-ariel-henry-stranded-in-the-united-states.html HL/ HaitiLibre Levi Strauss & Co. will lay off nearly 150 employees at its San Francisco headquarters as part of a plan to reduce its global workforce by up to 15%. Denis Poroy/Associated Press Levi Strauss & Co. has initiated the first round of cuts at its San Francisco headquarters as part of a broader plan to trim its global corporate workforce by 10% to 15% in the first half of this year. According to regulatory filings, the company is set to permanently lay off 146 employees at its offices located at 1155 Battery St. by the end of April. Tech layoffs: Here are the job cuts impacting Bay Area workers Advertisement Article continues below this ad The layoffs were first announced during the companys fourth-quarter earnings call to investors in January. On the same day, Levis revealed its commitment of $170 million to maintain sponsorship of the San Francisco 49ers stadium in Santa Clara. Concurrently, CEO Chip Bergh stepped down, passing the leadership of the 171-year-old company to Michelle Gass, who transitioned from her role as chief executive at Kohls to become the president of Levis last year. Bergh, at the helm since September 2011, will continue as the executive vice chair until his retirement in late April, subsequently serving as an adviser through the end of the fiscal year. The earnings report indicates that the companys sales remained stagnant in 2023 compared to the previous year, with reported revenue totaling $6.2 billion. Levis informed investors of its goal to achieve a year-over-year growth rate of 1% to 3%. As of November, Levi Strauss & Co. had approximately 19,000 employees globally. The anticipated job cuts are expected to save the company $100 million this year. In addition to the reduction in headcount, Gass recently told the New York Times that Levis plans to discontinue the production of 15% of its products. Haiti - News : Zapping... PNH : A gang leader and his right-hand man killed Monday March 4th, 2024 in Belladere (Central Department), gang leader Agony Altenor alias "Salami" and his right arm were fatally injured in their territory in Grand Fond, a locality in the 4th communal section of Saint-Marc, during of a police operation. Carrefour airport sub-police station burned Monday the sub-station of the Haitian National Police (PNH) at Carrefour de l'Aeroport (at Delmas 28) was set on fire by armed individuals. 21 inmates escaped from Delmas 33 prison On the night of March 3 to 4, 2024, at least 21 inmates escaped from Delmas 33 prison. At least 40 dead Sunday March 3rd, 2024, more than 30 dead bodies were identified in downtown Port-au-Prince by the authorities and 10 others in the commune of Tabarre. Embassies closed Embassy of France : As a precautionary measure, the visa and French administration services of the French Embassy in Port-au-Prince are closed to the public this Tuesday March 5 and Wednesday March 6, 2024. Embassy of Canada : The Canadian Embassy in Haiti will remain closed to visitors on March 5, 2024. Operations continue, but all in-person appointments are canceled. In case of consular emergency, contact: toll-free +1-613-996-8885; sos@international.gc.ca Embassy of Mexico : Due to the state of emergency, the Mexican Embassy informs that it will remain closed on March 5 and 6, 2024. People with an appointment for consular procedures will be received with the same confirmation form on March 1st and 2nd. April at the same time indicated. Thank you for your understanding. Several thousand detainees on the run On Saturday March 2, heavily armed individuals stormed the National Penitentiary and the Croix-des Bouquets Prison. Several thousand prisoners are believed to be on the run but until now the Directorate of Prison Administration (DAP) has still not provided details on the number of escapees and their profiles... HL/ HaitiLibre Annie is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. She previously was a digital producer for The Chronicles Datebook section. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2017 with a degree in journalism. During her time there, she spearheaded a culture column, produced radio pieces for NPR-affiliate station KCBX, and was a DJ and writer for KCPR, the campus radio station. Before joining the Chronicle, she was an associate producer at SFGATE and interned at VICE and Flood Magazine. Shes particularly interested in communities and scenes that are often misunderstood. She can be reached at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. During a commissioner staff meeting Monday, the Hill County Commission discussed a number of issues, including board appointment applications and employee health insurance, issues that in the past would have been discussed in a regular business meeting, causing one commissioner to call for the meetings name to be changed to avoid misleading the public. During the meeting the commission went over various applicants to the countys boards and the status of said boards, including the Great Northern Fair Board which has three positions that should have been up for reappointment in January of last year, those of Kaleb Fisher, Casey Tilleman and Ken Erickson. After the meeting Hill County Commissioner Jake Strissel said that was an error on the part of the commission which did not have an administrative assistant at the time to help keep track of the matter. Not going to lie, we let that one slip through the cracks, Strissel said. There was also a great deal of apparent confusion over the makeup and appointment procedures for the board that governs the Hill County Council on Aging. Hill County Commissioner Sheri Williams said only one commissioner is supposed to be on that board but Hill County Commission Chair Mark Peterson said that is not the case. Williams said the matter had been explained to them just earlier that day, but Peterson said until he hears otherwise they will proceed with board appointments as he understands them. After the meeting Strissel said this confusion is a result of the county moving from being under the Area 10 Agency on Aging, to being under the Area 3 Agency on Aging, which has different rules. The commission also discussed a recent 18 percent increase in health insurance premiums for Hill County employees, and agreed that the county can and should absorb that increase, and keep the structure of the plans largely the same, though no vote on the matter was taken. The matter of employee health insurance has been a controversial one more than once in the past few years and was typically discussed primarily in the commissions regular business meetings, or in special meetings on that subject specifically. The commissioners also discussed their standards for meeting minutes and debated how to insure the countys vehicles. After nearly an hour of discussion Williams said these kinds of meetings, where commissioners discuss issues but do not take votes, are not unusual in other counties, but are generally called commission working group meetings, or something along those lines, which is a much more accurate descriptor. When she was at the convention of the Montana Association of Counties recently she brought that up to others who agreed that the term staff meeting was misleading, and she asked that the name be changed so employees and the public are not confused. Hill County resident Sue Armstrong, the countys former clerk and recorder, said the issues discussed at this meeting are ones that would have normally been discussed at business meetings in the recent past and she questioned why they arent having these discussions there. Peterson said these discussions would only make the business meetings longer and these discussions dont need to be had during those meetings, as none of the issues will have votes made on them. It isnt a perfect world, where everything is done perfectly every time, and we need time to discuss items and we were not doing that, he said. Peterson then pivoted the conversation to improving the security system in the clerk and recorders office, but Williams and Armstrong brought the subject of the meetings name back to discussion. Armstrong asked if employees of the county were made aware that this is the kind of thing being discussed at these staff meetings. Hill County Commissioner Jake Strissel said these meetings have been announced but they havent made an effort to specifically explain the nature of the meetings to employees. Peterson said employees are welcome at these meetings before attempting to pivot the conversation again to courthouse security systems. Williams pointed out that the security system issue wasnt on the agenda for the meeting in the first place, and raised concerns about them not sticking to their agenda. Peterson cut Williams off midsentence saying meeting adjourned, before Strissel pointed out that the public was not given a chance to speak. Before it was adjourned, one attendee to the meeting, Montana State University Hill County Extension Agent Kati Purkett, said she would highly recommend that the commission bring in a mediator for meetings like this in the future. Purkett said she has been to a number of these meetings at this point and they often border on being hostile to the point of being counterproductive. Before the meeting ended Williams said she also spoke with people at the MACo convention who said that they really should be asking for public comment at the beginning and end of these meetings as well as during motions, as some counties have been sued for not providing the public sufficient chance to comment on items of business. After the meeting Peterson said these staff meetings have been going on for about a month, and said that every time he tries to do anything he gets people arguing that he isnt doing it right. He also said that he wishes the public would take more of an interest in these proceedings. This morning Peterson said he will continue to call these meetings staff meetings. In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry led a fleet of U.S. warships into Japan, a nation that had lived in self-imposed isolation for over two centuries. Perry's mission, backed by the technological might of his black ships, was clear: to force Japan to open its ports to international trade. Perry's arrival and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854 forced Japan to open its doors to the world, marking the end of its isolationist policies and the beginning of its integration into the global economy. China, a venerable empire with centuries of rich history and culture, was thrust into turmoil by the Opium Wars with Britain (1839-1842 and 1856-1860). The conflict originated from Britain's desire to balance its trade deficit with China, leading to the British monarchy roganised illegal smuggling of opium and resulting in widespread addiction among the Chinese population. The Qing Dynasty's efforts to curb this trade resulted in military confrontation with Britain and, eventually, France, showcasing the devastating might of Western military technology and strategic interests. The forced opening of Japan and China to the global economy by military force and state organised drug smuggling were ironically the first moves pushing the world towards globalisation which reached its zenith during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a period characterised by an unprecedented push towards economic, cultural, and political integration across the globe. This era, notably the 1990s and early 2000s, was driven by several key factors: 1) the advancement of technology, particularly the internet, which drastically reduced the costs of communication and data exchange, fostering a more interconnected world; 2) the liberalisation of trade policies, which led to a significant increase in cross-border trade and investment flows; 3) the emergence of multinational corporations that began to establish operations in various countries, taking advantage of lower labor costs and new markets; 4) the rise of financial markets that became increasingly integrated, allowing capital to move more freely across borders; 5) the end of the Cold War, which opened up former communist countries to global markets and led to a more unipolar world dominated by the United States; and 6) the proliferation of international agreements and institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, that supported and governed the growing global economic integration. These forces collectively propelled the globalisation hype, setting the stage for a world economy that appeared boundless and borderless, promising prosperity through the unfettered flow of goods, services, and capital. Both the historic forced, and the modern negotiated drive for globalisation were driven by the broader concept and force of Western expansionism, which did not expect other nations to reclaim their places on the world stage. However, both Japan and China emerged from their trials with a renewed sense of purpose and identity, leveraging their encounters with the West to eventually become major global economic powers. Japan was subdued and conquered in the second world war and stays obedient to the west, but other countries of global south have crossed the point of no return to economical independence and esteemed national identity. This paradigm shift has now forced the West to reverse its course on globalisation. Suddenly the realisation that prosperity and technological advances of other nations would lead to a more equal and multipolar world has made the West to hit the brakes on globalisation, dismantle trade agreements, reinstate protectionism and go even further by imposing variety of sanctions on countries threatening US and Western hegemony. Today we hare the word sanction on daily basis, and not a single mention of globalisation. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. From its inception in 1949, China's transformation from a country that was once poorer than several African nations to becoming the world's leading economy by certain measures is nothing short of extraordinary. This journey reflects not only on China's internal resilience and strategy but also challenges the narratives often portrayed in Western media about China's economic peak and its implications for the global economy. Martin Jacques, a renowned expert on China, reflects on this transformation, emphasising the unparalleled nature of China's economic growth over the last four decades. According to Jacques, what makes China's story unique is not just the speed of its development but the underlying civilisational ethos that has guided its path. Jacques' observations are grounded in his firsthand experiences of China's evolution since his first visit in 1993. He notes the incredible pace of change, from basic transportation to advanced infrastructure, signifying a nation's leap from poverty towards modernity. However, he also poses an essential question: Is the China of today unrecognisable from its past, or does it retain a fundamental essence that has driven its success? The discussion often circles back to the economic metrics, where, by purchasing power parity, China's GDP stands as the largest globally. It leads in various industrial sectors and technological advancements, challenging the narrative that China's economic growth has plateaued. This perspective is crucial, especially when Western media frequently speculate about the limits of China's economic expansion. The comparison between China and the West extends beyond mere economic indicators to the philosophical underpinnings of modernisation. Jacques argues that Western modernisation, historically, has been marked by exploitation and colonisation, a narrative not applicable to China's approach. Instead, China envisions its modernisation as a model for development that benefits not only itself but also the global South, encompassing a significant majority of the world's population. This approach challenges the notion that China's growth is at its zenith and suggests that its continued rise could foster broader global economic prosperity. Moreover, China's emphasis on sustainable development, green energy, and the integration of digital technologies into the real economy indicates a forward-looking strategy. These initiatives are not just about maintaining growth rates but about redefining the quality and sustainability of economic development. Critics and skeptics in the West often question the sustainability of China's economic model, citing concerns about debt levels, demographic challenges, and political governance. While these issues are valid, they describe global challenges faced by every economy, even more by the Western countries. The narrative that China's economy has reached its peak and poses a threat rather than an opportunity to the Western economy is simplistic and overlooks the interconnected nature of global markets. China's growth has become a significant driver of global economic activity, contributing to a more dynamic and multipolar world economy. This growth benefits Western economies through increased trade, investment opportunities, and cooperation in addressing global challenges like climate change and sustainable development. In a significant shift within the global economic landscape, the collective economy of the BRICS nationsBrazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africahas surpassed that of the G7, (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States). This milestone underscores the rising economic power and influence of emerging markets on the world stage. Driven by robust economic growth, particularly in China and India, the BRICS bloc has showcased its potential as a major force in shaping global economic policies and dynamics. This achievement not only reflects the shifting balance of economic power from the traditional industrialised nations of the West and Japan towards newer, dynamic economies but also highlights the increasing significance of the Global South in driving future economic growth. Aging population, fanatical approach to preserving its hegemony by wars and sanctions, and ever decreasing quality of leadership in the west are pushing the block to a decent in both global importance and economical growth. There is no doubt that self-harming policies have had no effect in stoping the growth and progress of the global south and new powerhouses like China and India. It will soon be up to the free media and the electorate to push for a new world view and a pragmatic approach to a changing world. HT Set to last up to four days, the strikes signal the escalation of opposition to the labour market reforms and social security cuts pursued by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). MEMBER UNIONS of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) have laid out plans to stage a series of political strikes in mid-March, indicates information obtained by Helsingin Sanomat and Maaseudun Tulevaisuus . The political strikes organised earlier this year have lasted one to two days. Information obtained by the two newspapers reveals that a decision on the scope and targeting of the strikes could be made as soon as on Tuesday, 5 March. Jarkko Eloranta, the chairperson at SAK, is expected to comment on the strained labour market situation at a news conference today. Orpo on Monday stated that he has invited key employer and employee organisations to discuss ways to develop the labour market system on Friday. The invitation was submitted to around two dozen labour market bosses who engaged in provisional discussions about developing the export-driven wage formulation system at the end of last year. With SAK demanding that also other issues be added to the agenda, the discussions never began in earnest. The Finnish government is moving forward with a bill that would prohibit the national conciliator and conciliatory boards from offering wage increases that exceed the so-called general increases thrashed out in export-oriented industries. The bill has drawn opposition especially from public-sector unions, which argue that it would condemn their members to income inequality by preventing them from narrowing the gap to private-sector employees. Orpo hopes that the wage formulation system can be instituted as per an agreement between labour market organisations rather than legislative action. Katariina Murto, the chairperson of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ), commended the prime minister for attempting to resume the discussions. OAJ in February urged the premier to re-summon labour market organisations to the negotiating table. I appreciate this invitation. The prime minister has the responsibility and opportunity to solve the labour market crisis, she commented on Monday. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on Friday presented for comments a legislative proposal to increase local bargaining possibilities at workplaces, appended by a dissenting opinion from SAK, the Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK) and the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff (Akava). The proposal contains legislative amendments that would make local bargaining equally possible in all companies irrespective of whether the company is a member of an employer organisation or whether the workplace has a union-appointed shop steward. The government views local bargaining as a means to increase labour market flexibility and prop up economic, employment, competitiveness and productivity development. The Finnish Industrial Union, which is a member of SAK, has branded the proposal as dismal, arguing that it would result in the deterioration of general applicability and proliferation of weak local terms and conditions. A distorted competitive environment is a risk especially in the technology industry because it is possible to agree on remuneration and working hours regardless of the minimums laid out in collective bargaining agreements, stated Turja Lehtonen, a deputy chairperson at the Industrial Union. Honest Finnish business owners will lose in this kind of competition, whereas shady operators can trample on employment terms under the protection of law. Lehtonen said the Industrial Union has been a pioneer of local bargaining in Finland. The role, however, may soon be a thing of the past. The locally agreeable elements of terms and conditions of employment in the technology industry have been built on a world of trust that, unfortunately, no longer exists. That is why we are seriously considering reneging on them in the next labour market round, he said. Aleksi Teivainen HT In a landmark ruling , the District Court in Western Uusimaa, Finland, has sentenced four individuals to prison terms for their involvement in grave coercion offenses, marking a significant moment in the fight against labor exploitation. The court handed down a two-year unconditional prison sentence to one individual for nine counts of aggravated coercion and the use of unauthorized foreign labor. Three others received suspended sentences for their roles in one or more counts of aggravated coercion, with one also found guilty of employing unauthorized foreign workers. The prosecutor had initially sought convictions for human trafficking, but these charges were dismissed by the court. In one case, charges of aggravated coercion were also dropped. This decision came on March 1, 2024, concluding a case that exposed the harsh realities faced by nine Chinese workers in massage businesses across Helsinki, Espoo, and Lappeenranta. The court found that the victims, largely non-Finnish speaking and unfamiliar with Finnish labor laws, were exploited due to their lack of language skills and social support. Employers took advantage of these vulnerabilities, imposing unreasonable working conditions, including long hours and in some instances, unpaid work or work without proper compensation. Described by the court as egregious due to the significant profit motive and substantial unpaid wages, the exploitation ranged from approximately 12,000 to 150,000 euros per victim, extending over several years. The calculated deceit involved creating misleading documents to cover up the actual working hours and compensation practices, contrasting sharply with the terms outlined in employment contracts and reported to authorities. The case also highlighted disputes over what constitutes working hours. Workers were paid solely for customer service time, despite being required to remain on the premises throughout business hours for potential walk-in clients, a practice the court ruled as part of the work obligation. Under Finnish law, working time encompasses not only the periods spent performing tasks but also the availability of employees at the workplace for the employer's needs. "In customer service roles, there can be downtime during workdays. If an employee is present and available for the employer, this is considered working time," explained Noora Haapa-alho, a labor law attorney from the Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency, emphasizing the employer's responsibility to organize and schedule work hours. This ruling, not yet final and subject to appeal, underscores the importance of protecting workers' rights and the need for stringent oversight in employment practices. HT The surplus food collection and distribution are managed by Stadin safka, a food waste terminal in Helsinki, which will deliver the meals to various food aid organizations. In a pioneering move to tackle food waste, Helsinki has initiated a pilot project where Sodexo, a leading food services provider, will donate surplus meals from educational institutions to food aid programs. The initiative, which started today, is part of the city's broader aim to cut food waste in half by 2030 from its 2021 levels. This effort supports the city's ambition to significantly reduce food wastage in schools and daycare centers, aligning with the goals set in the Food Waste Ecosystem project that began in April 2023. This project facilitates workshops and trials focused on minimizing food waste and maximizing the use of surplus food. Sodexo, known for its extensive efforts to prevent food waste and its sale of surplus meals to students and staff, has expressed enthusiasm for contributing to this trial. Ann-Marjaana Holmberg, a client manager at Sodexo, highlighted the company's commitment to sustainability and its excitement to support food aid in Helsinki alongside other stakeholders. The initiative not only aims to reduce food waste but also to serve as an inspirational model encouraging other restaurants to join the cause. Stadin safka, a joint venture by the City of Helsinki and the Helsinki Parish Union, will collect the cooled, leftover food the following morning and transport it to the participating food aid agencies. These agencies will then reheat the meals for direct service to their clients. Anni Heinala, responsible for Stadin safka's food aid operations, welcomed the expansion of their donor base to include restaurants, thus broadening their scope to include ready-to-eat meals. Scheduled to run until the end of spring, the pilot's outcomes will be evaluated for potential expansion, depending on its success and available resources. The ultimate goal is to develop a model that simplifies the donation process for other restaurants, further amplifying the impact of this sustainable initiative in Helsinki's fight against food waste. HT In Finland, almost 27,000 households have taken a significant step towards greener living by switching from traditional oil heating systems to fossil-free alternatives, thanks to grants from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). With funding still available for nearly 9,000 more single-family or semi-detached homes, now is an opportune moment for homeowners considering such a switch, especially with the upcoming summer. The ELY Centre continues to offer popular grants of 4,000 and 2,500 euros to small house owners who decide to abandon oil heating. These grants are available until the remaining funds of 35.6 million euros are exhausted or until autumn 2025, whichever comes first. This funding also extends to those switching from natural gas heating. Grants are awarded to private individuals or estates for the removal of an oil heating system and the purchase of a new heating system, provided the home is in year-round use. To qualify, the entire oil heating system, including the tank, must be removed. Only one type of government subsidy or tax deduction can be applied per renovation project. "Based on customer feedback, the application process has been smooth for those who carefully follow the guidelines. Applications are processed quickly when all necessary documents, including powers of attorney from other property owners, like spouses, are included from the start," advises Sabina Maki, Group Manager at the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre, which centrally processes applications from across the country. Since the autumn of 2020, over 32,000 small house owners have applied for the grant, with the ELY Centre making approximately 30,400 grant decisions, 88% of which have been positive. Grants are paid out after the renovation is completed, with nearly 24,000 projects already funded. Of the applicants, 70% have chosen to switch to air-to-water heat pumps, 19% to ground-source heat pumps, and 8% to district heating. A small portion has opted for other solutions, like electric heating, often supplemented with an air-source heat pump. Similar grants are also available for those wishing to move away from natural gas heating, with over 1,000 beneficiaries already making the switch. This initiative is part of Finland's broader effort to reduce its carbon footprint and encourage sustainable energy use among homeowners. HT Judge to review bodycam footage before releasing to shooting victim's family Patricia Ann King and Police Chief Blair Myhand speak outside the courtroom on Monday. A Superior Court judge on Monday gave attorneys for the Hendersonville Police Department and Henderson County Sheriffs Office more time to provide him with additional bodycam and dashcam footage of a shooting that left an Asheville man dead last November. Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand also agreed on Monday to show the victims mother surveillance footage of the shooting of her son, 30-year-old Elijah Edwards Timmons III of Asheville. That footage was not part of the request being considered by the court. Myhand said outside the courtroom that he and the victims mother, Patricia Ann King, agreed to meet on Tuesday to review the surveillance footage. City officials petitioned the court in January to release to the victims mother four Hendersonville police videos taken at the scene of the shooting outside the Orchard Bar & Grill on Four Seasons Boulevard at Dana Road. Dozens of people who had attended a private Thanksgiving night party at the bar spilled out into the parking lot and lingered around parked cars, the investigation showed. King has repeatedly implored authorities to reverse their decision not to file charges after their announcement on Dec. 10 that they had found the shooting to be self-defense. Judge Michael L. Robinson, a business court judge with chambers at the Wake Forest University School of Law, directed City Attorney Angela Beeker and Sheriffs Office attorney Ron Justice to provide him with more footage of the shooting investigation involving the death of Kings son. The request from King involves all footage showing her interactions with officers after the shooting and video that shows her son after he was shot. Ive got to watch it all, Robinson said while considering the request to disclose the footage to King. Beeker told the judge that she had provided the court with about two hours of a total of 25 hours of bodycam and dashcam footage of the investigation. One segment provided to the court lasts about 30 minutes. The other segments are about five to seven minutes each, she said. Most of the 25 hours does not include King or her son after he was shot and would not be part of what could be disclosed to King, Beeker said. But she said some footage she did not provide to the court shows brief images of Timmons's body as an officer turns while speaking or performing another duty at the scene. She said outside the courtroom she will work for the next days to separate those brief images of Timmons body and brief images of King from other images that do not include either King or Timmons's body. Justice told the judge he will do the same with about six hours of footage from the sheriffs office. Justice said he would provide footage from the county jail that shows King after her arrest in the early morning hours after Thanksgiving Day. The additional footage should be available for Robinson to review in the next week, the attorneys said. When Robinson asked King if she understood his decision, she said she also wanted to see surveillance footage that showed the moment when her son was shot. King said detectives investigating the shooting showed her surveillance video of her son being shot shortly after the incident. She told the judge she believes what she saw revealed enough evidence to charge the person who shot her son. This is my son and I watched the video of him being killed, which is premeditated murder, King told the judge. He could have been charged with somethingI seen what I seen. They are telling me now I seen something different. Myhand told the judge he was happy to show King surveillance video from the bar that shows her son being shot. Robinson told King he could only rule on the bodycam and dashcam footage. That footage will be disclosed rather than released to King, which means she will only be allowed to view the footage, the judge said. The footage is from bodycams worn by officers Jon Wing, Jacob Smith and Michael Paparozzi and from the dashcam in Smiths cruiser. Officers arrested King on the night of the shooting and charged her with resisting a public officer and assaulting an officer. District Attorney Andrew Murray dismissed those charges on Feb. 19, according to court records. Murray said his review of the evidence determined King crossed the perimeter of a crime scene the night of the shooting and interfered with an ongoing investigation. She was out of control attempting to get to her son who was deceased, Murray said. Officers had to spend time and energy preventing her from further contaminating a crime scene. She was engaging in a disturbance with multiple onlookers and saying things officers should not hear about themselves and their children, despite officers trying to calm her down and listen to reason. But he said he used his discretion as a prosecutor to dismiss the charges. In light of her son being shot and killed, I didnt feel it was in the best interest of justice to proceed, he said, adding that the officers involved agreed. I hate it for everybody. While Robinson said he will determine what bodycam and dashcam footage King will be allowed to view, the shopping center surveillance footage that recorded the actual shooting was a separate issue she needs to address with the police department. Myhand discussed the surveillance footage with King outside the courtroom and arranged for her to see it on Tuesday, he said. A MAN who has dedicated his life to supporting local charities has received the Henley town medal. Paul Barrett, 79, was presented with the medal by Mayor Kellie Hinton at an emotional ceremony held in the town hall. He was accompanied by his wife, Mary, members of charities he has been a part of and town councillors, Mr Barrett, who lives in Leicester Close, Henley, gave an acceptance speech that moved the Mayor to tears. He is honorary president of the Chiltern Centre, a Henley charity which supports young adults with disabilities. He was chairman of the trustees for 18 years before he handed over the reins to Ivor Lloyd in 2021. Now he is overseeing the relocation of the centre to Highlands Park, off Greys Road, and the sale of its current site in Chilterns Close. In 2002, he campaigned to save the charity, then called the Chiltern Resource Centre, from closure by Oxfordshire County Council. When it closed, he was part of the group which relaunched it as a charity. He also chairs the South Oxfordshire Mencap Society, a charity formed in 1999 to help provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to integrate into the community through respite activities, such as its Meteor Club. Mr Barrett moved to Henley in 2000 with his wife and two children, Matthew and Rachel, after living in London, where he worked in the pharmaceutical industry. He was chairman of the Tropical Africa Advisory Group at the Department of Trade and Industry, and was awarded both an OBE and a CMG. Councillor Hinton described the medal presentation as a long time coming, explaining that Mr Barretts name had been inscribed on a board in the town hall as a recipient of the town medal in 2022. She said: Im really, really pleased that were all here together to honour a wonderful local man and his dedication to our town for many, many years. Paul is perhaps is most well-known for his work with the Chiltern Centre. For more than 20 years, he has been the driving force behind the charity, pushing ahead on fund- raising, securing the building at Greys Road and generally making sure that the centre is a well-supported and well-used community facility benefiting thousands of disabled children and their families since it opened. The work Paul has done at the Chiltern Centre alone is more than enough to be awarded the town medal but its actually far from all that he has done. Paul is also the driving force of South Oxfordshire Mencap and the Meteor Club. I believe it was actually his involvement two decades ago that led to his involvement in saving the Chiltern Centre and it becoming what it is today. Henley is a unique town and we arent the biggest, but we are lucky to have so many wonderful organisations and individuals such as Paul, who contribute greatly to the town that it changes the course of our history and leaves a legacy. We call these people our community champions and that is exactly what Paul is. Mr Barrett thanked Cllr Hinton and said: Actually this is not at all about me. I can only accept this wonderful honour that the town has given me if I am allowed to do so on behalf of all the people who are in this room because I was the lucky so-and-so who was metaphorically given the baton, told to go up on the podium and conduct the orchestra but I didnt make the music. The music was made by all of you and without you there would have been no music. Speaking about the Chiltern Centre, Mr Barrett said: We actually opened our doors for the very first time in February 2004, so its very appropriate that Im receiving this in this month in this year because it is the 20th anniversary of our operation. We are celebrating a lot of things happening with the centre and its fundraising this year but really Im honoured still to be the honorary president of the Chiltern Centre. He praised centre manager Gareth Groves, saying he was doing a wonderful job. The future of the centre is in the hands of this man, said Mr Barrett. It is at full capacity, which is why were hoping to move because weve got 20 families who we cant give care to because we just dont have the capacity. He also spoke about Mr Lloyd, from Caversham, who spent 31 years with Marks & Spencer and then helped with the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. He retired in 2016 and took on responsibility for the commercial side of Eton College. Mr Barrett said: Thank God we got you and we found you. Im very happy that this is a sort of crossroads and were handing over to the next lucky number of people who can actually run these charities. He thanked the members of Mencap who were present, and founder and honorary president Melba Pitt who turns 100 this year. He added: I would also like to recognise Marie Byrne because I shall be bowing out in the course of the next two years and she is going to be the chair designate for South Oxfordshire Mencap. Again, I know that we weve got very safe pair of hands there, so Im delighted that thats happening. Mr Barrett also highlighted the Henley Volunteer Bureau, which comprises a team of 27 volunteer drivers who take people to appointments at hospitals and GP surgeries, and Annie Lathaen, who chairs the charity. He added: The demand is huge and we dont have enough drivers, so we need more. Really what this whole ceremony is about, and what Im about, is volunteers and I would just like to recognise in the room a whole lot of volunteers who are often unsung and those are our councillors. You guys dont work for money, you volunteer and you give a hell of a lot to this town and you create a tone which is very, very good. He also praised the Henley Standard. Mr Barrett said: For 30 years, Mary and I lived in Ealing and we were there recently. Ealing used to have a local community newspaper but it has gone, as have so many local papers. It has left a huge hole in the community. Even in these days of social media and all the rest of it, the paper brings us together as a community. They tell us whats going on. We share a conversation as a community and we must hold on to that because I think its a very important part of what makes Henley great. Some years ago now, I was lucky enough to attend the degree ceremony for my son at Durham University and in the course of [the chancellors] wonderful address, which was more or less like a cabaret, he said: The church tells us that we should love our neighbour. You see, I dont think they have met my neighbour. Well, the church does indeed actually tell us that we should love our neighbour as ourselves and I would like to conclude by paying tribute to all the churches in the town that inspire many of the disciples of Christ, and many of our volunteers actually, to recharge their spiritual batteries. The one thing that I have seen over the years in all the charities that Ive been involved with is love. The Beatles sang, All you need is love but its true that when you look at the work that Gareth and his team do at the centre, when you look at the work that all our Mencap volunteers do with Meteor Club, theyre loving what theyre doing and theyre loving the people theyre doing it for and theyre getting love in return. In accepting this medal, Im seeing that Henley is recognising that everybody counts, that everybody as a person deserves to be valued and whether that is a person with a learning disability or autism or Downs syndrome, it doesnt matter. They have a contribution to make to society and I have often been much, much better as a person by having contact with such people and it has been a privilege. I just want to say that thanks to all of you, Henleys beating heart is love. Mrs Barrett said her husbands medal was well deserved, adding: He has worked very hard for it. Mr Groves added: Its extremely well-deserved. I think Paul was quite humble in this speech. The Chiltern Centre wouldnt be where we were today if it wasnt for Paul campaigning at the beginning to save the centre and his work over the last 20 years. His input over the years has driven it forward and he has been there throughout the ups and downs. Mr Lloyd said: Pauls the champion for the centre. He made it all happen. Hes a tour de force. Its great to have taken over from him but Im stepping into big shoes. Hes a hard act to follow but, hopefully, if planning and everything starts to come through, we will then do the relocation. If and when it happens, we have got some hard work to do on fund- raising we will have to raise approximately 3million. Its a big challenge. THE second series of Leander Club library rowing book talks kicks off on Thursday with Chris Seward, author of In the Pink A History of the Water at Westminster School Boat Club. The rowing club is one of the oldest in the world and the schools written records of amateur rowing date back to 1813. The races between Westminster and Eton had the social and sporting prestige of todays Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge. Westminster chose pink as its official colour when rowing against Eton in 1837 rowing so as not to clash with two Blues. However, the events were not without controversy and at one stage the headmaster suspended rowing for 20 years. A retired GP, Dr Seward learned to row at Westminster and continued when he did his medical training at Jesus College, Oxford. He now sails on the south coast, around the Lymington area. The talk is at Leander Club at 7pm. Tickets cost from 25.08, which includes a finger buffet with a main, pudding and cheese. The event is in aid of the Leander Trust, a charity to advance the education of young people and their physical education by giving them the opportunity to take up rowing and sculling. To book tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/cc/ leander-library-rowing-book-talks-series-2-2403239 Leaning into a pose at the Tower of Pisa last month: Kevin Fisher-Paulson, second from left, husband Brian, and friends SASB and Deidre. Courtesy Kevin Fisher-Paulson Until I turned 40, I suffered from altophobia, a fear of heights. I wouldnt even sit in the balcony of a theater. Our friend Tim was still alive then, so for my birthday, he gifted me a cure. Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt You must do the thing you cannot do we drove to Hollister, climbed into a plane, flew to an altitude of 17,000 feet and jumped out. Thanks to good parachutes, we survived, and heights never bothered me again. Until tragedy struck. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As Brian, Deidre, SASB and I rode a train north from Rome on our European vacation last month, we got word that during the last atmospheric river back home, Roof Cow (our neighborhood cow sculpture, our Statue of Liberty) had tumbled down from the gable shed lived on. They rushed her to the ICU (Intensive Cow Unit), but no one knew whether she could be put back together. The famed Roof Cow of the Outer, Outer, Outer, Outer Excelsior after it fell from its perch during a storm last month. Courtesy Kevin Fisher-Paulson While I considered this, we arrived in Florence. SASB signed us up for a tour of the Tuscan countryside. We took a bus to Siena, a thousand-year-old town that was once the rival of Florence. Nowadays, it is a lovely mix of cobblestones, red bricks and Swarovski outlets. The town is divided into 17 contrade, or neighborhoods, and each has its own totem: caterpillar, forest, dragon, seashell, eagle, cockerel whatever neighborhood youre baptized into, you are it for life. A giraffe can marry an owl, but theres no switching over. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Twice a year, they line the town square, La Piazza del Campo, with clay and dirt. They pad the buildings with mattresses for an event called the Palio. Ten horses get blessed in 10 district chapels, then race around the square. The winning jockey takes his horse to the cathedral, a massive church done up in alternating levels of black and white marble, like a zebra turned on its side. This is an idea worth bringing back to San Francisco. Perhaps a great race around Union Square (and soon we could use Macys as a stable)? Of course, the totem for the Outer, Outer, Outer, Outer Excelsior would be the cow, though we might have to fight Cow Hollow. Kevin and Brian Fisher-Paulson inside the Siena Cathedral in Italy last month. Courtesy Kevin Fisher-Paulson The next town on the tour, San Gimignano, is known for saffron, two museums of torture and the fact that it once repelled an invasion from Attila the Hun. It also built towers 72, in fact, so many that it was known as the City of Fine Towers. Of the 14 that remain, the tallest, 177-foot Torre Grosso, provides the opportunity, for a small fee, to climb 223 steps to the top. This is the kind of thing that SASB eats up. Brian and I could not let her climb alone, but after the first few stories, I resented that tumor in my left lung. Soon the steps became transparent, so climbers could see how far they had to fall. SASB, a staircase above, invoked Eleanor, We can do hard things! and kept climbing. At the top, it felt like we could see from Florence to the Ligurian Sea. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Next came Pisa, which also had a cathedral, built in the 1400s with a campanile, or free-standing bell tower. Architecture not being the science then that it is now, they built it out of marble on a marshy piece of land near the end of the Arno River, and soon it began to lean. Our guide said the tilt of 4 degrees is quite safe. And, for a small fee, one can climb up to the carillon. Dining in the Tuscan countryside last month: Brian Fisher-Paulson, left, SASB, Kevin Fisher-Paulson and Deidre. Courtesy Kevin Fisher-Paulson So, the SASB aerobic tour of Italy continued. As I climbed the 296 steps, I questioned how wise it was to reach the top of a 196-foot tower that could, at any moment, lean further. But SASB yelled, We can do hard things! The view of the Ligurian Sea was not quite as impressive, even if on a slant. When we got back to Firenze, I knew SASB would need to climb yet another cathedral Il Duomo, the biggest in the region. Its dome was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi: a brick cupola within a brick cupola, the fifth tallest in the world. Guess what you can do for a small fee? Climb 436 steps to the top. What was left of my left lung sucked in air. More than once I thought of Roof Cow, shattered after a mere one-story fall. But as we reached the second ring of the interior dome, I looked down the six-story drop and yelled, We can do hard things! Advertisement Article continues below this ad SASB had reminded me that we might not do the impossible, but when we face our fears, we grow our own courage. In fact, the skys the limit. Ray Rays Tacos will be the Bay Areas only dedicated breakfast taco restaurant. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Rachel Williams, owner and chef at Ray Rays Tacos, launched at the St. Helenas farmers market five years ago. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle The signature breakfast of Texas has landed in Wine Country. Ray Rays Tacos, the only restaurant dedicated to breakfast tacos in the Bay Area, opens Tuesday in St. Helena at 1304 Main St. The farmers market standout-turned-restaurant comes from chef-owner Rachel Williams, who moved to San Francisco from Austin with her family. Upon arrival, she quickly realized that burritos abound, but her beloved breakfast tacos were nowhere to be found. Its the thing we missed most about leaving Austin, said Williams. Breakfast burritos just didn't cut it for me. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Worse, despite their simplicity typically scrambled eggs, cheese and a choice of meat in a flour tortilla Bay Areans didnt seem to know what breakfast tacos were. They still called them burritos, she said. The Biddy taco, right, with shredded brisket, cucumber dill slaw, pomegranate seeds, and cotija cheese, and the Victoria taco with fajita grilled chicken, sauteed peppers and onions, and pico de gallo served at Ray Rays Tacos. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle In 2019, after her family relocated to Napa Valley so she could attend the Culinary Institute of America, Williams debuted Ray Rays as a pop-up at the St. Helena Farmers Market. From the beginning, long lines formed at her booth where she was cranking over 200 tacos every Friday. She continued at the market for the past two years while renovations for the brick-and-mortar location, on the middle of St. Helenas main drag, were underway. Williams names her tacos after women from history and her family, even the Father Jan with refried beans, which is a nod to Williams mothers nickname. The Dolores ($5), is Williams tribute to the Papas, Egg and Cheese with mashed potatoes from Tacodeli, her favorite Austin breakfast taco chain. The Debbie ($6) features shredded brisket, which is braised, rather than smoked. The brisket is also in the Biddy ($7) named after Biddy Mason, a nurse and philanthropist born into slavery alongside a cucumber dill slaw, pomegranate seeds and cotija cheese. Its one of Ray Rays lunch tacos, which dont have scrambled eggs. Another lunch option is the Angelina ($7) with braised carnitas and pickled kumquats; Williams named it after Angelina Eberly, a little-known Texas heroine who fired a cannon in 1842 and effectively helped keep the state capitol in Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ray Rays chef/owner Rachel Williams makes her own salsas, each named after Beyonce lyrics. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle After a lengthy search for a crucial component of her tacos, Williams settled on Lake Countys Tortilleria La Unica for sourcing handmade flour tortillas. Tacos can be customized with four salsas of varying heat levels, which Williams makes from scratch (and has named for Beyonce lyrics). Ray Rays menu also includes a salad, with the option to add fajita grilled chicken ($15), sides guacamole, queso and black beans and dessert, like espresso double chocolate chip cookies. Drink options include two Austin legends: Shiner Bock and Topo Chico. The counter-service restaurant offers all-day breakfast, lunch and brunch on Saturdays featuring special items like chilaquiles and churro pancakes. Williams plans to add dinner service later on. In keeping with St. Helenas posh vibe, the interior of Ray Rays looks like a sleek and modern taqueria with concrete floors, wood-paneled walls and teak picnic tables that seat 30. Williams also preserved several elements of the historic 130-year-old building, like the original stone wall. Espresso double chocolate chip cookies served at Ray Rays Tacos. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Ray Rays is the latest addition to an exciting food and wine renaissance in the small Napa Valley city. It follows Charlies, from French Laundry alum Elliot Bell; C29, the sister restaurant of Santa Monicas famed Capo; Noma, a stunning cafe and design collective; and a gelato shop. The Model Bakery and Orin Swift tasting room recently reopened following extensive makeovers and the famously eccentric vintner Jean-Charles Boisset launched yet another one of his extravagant tasting rooms on St. Helenas Main Street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spread across five days from 24th to 28th of January, 2024, the Kolkata Peoples Film Festival showcased more than 30 movies, documentaries and short films focused on the South Asian region. All these touched on diverse issues that surpassed borders and focused on the intricate shared experience of humanity. Arundhati Roy in conversation with Kasturi Basu at the Kolkata Peoples Film Festival (Courtesy KPFF) Festival poster (Courtesy KPFF) I made it to the venue at Uttam Mancha just in time to catch the first film, Kayo Kayo Colour? (Which colour?). Directed by Shahrukhkhan Chavada, the plot of this Gujarati film revolves around the struggle of a young girl, Ruba, to buy a canned beverage worth Rs100 from her neighbourhood store in an old locality of Ahmedabad. Her persistence reveals the deeper aspirations of someone growing up in a lower middle class household. Other subplots that play out simultaneously cast light on aspects of the lives of Muslims in the city. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. READ MORE: Interview: Shahrukhkhan Chavada, director, Kayo Kayo Colour Next up was Bo Thet Htuns The Forgotten Hands, which narrates the true story of a group of people from the Karenni community trying to flee the onslaught of the army in Myanmar. A re-enactment of the events by the actual people who were being chased away, this is a moving story of loss. Narrated from the perspective of the female lead, it touches on what happens when her sister doesnt return from the forest after completing her daily chores. Bo Thet Htuns The Forgotten Hands narrates the true story of a group of people from the Karenni community trying to flee the onslaught of the army in Myanmar (Film poster) Organised by the Peoples Film Collective, the KPFF is independent and remains solely funded by the public in an age when corporate funding is integral to cultural festivals across the country. Founding member Kasturi Basu says the aim was to create a platform to showcase contemporary politically committed work emerging from South Asia both in the documentary and fiction space. In its tenth year, the festival, which began as a four-day event, now runs for five days and includes a new section on retrospective cinema. This year, the section included five films that played a significant role in the collective life of the Indian public and continue to be relevant. Apart from this, the KPFF was also intended to be a forum to talk about current events and express solidarity with those who are suffering across South Asia and in Palestine too. Towards this end, the short film, Nur y Abir (Nur and Abir), about two Palestinian school girls, who dream of swimming in the ocean, was screened. Barir Naam Shahana (A House Named Shahana), set in 1990s Bangladesh, is about Dipa, a young woman who is married off to someone in Britain over a trunk call. When she gets to the new country, she is shocked to see that she has married an elderly man. She is expected to wipe off her individuality, follow her husbands diktats and endure marital rape. Dipa decides to escape her husband and flee the foreign land. Directed by Leesa Gazi, the film follows the evolution of the protagonist as she takes control of her life. Deepa Dhanraj in conversation with Sanjay Kak. (Courtesy KPFF) Apart from film screenings, the Kolkata Peoples Film Festival gave viewers the opportunity to listen to directors talk about their inspirations and challenges. In a conversation with documentarian Sanjay Kak, Deepa Dhanraj talked about her documentary Kya Hua Is Shahar Ko? (What Happened To This City?), which is about the Hyderabad communal riots of 1984. She revealed that shooting it was difficult as the advanced technology that film makers use today did not exist back then. She recounted having to go into crowds to collect footage and crew members being separated from each other. However, the cameraman was instructed to keep shooting whatever the situation. All these decades later, the film continues to be relevant. In another session, author Arundhati Roy talked about the targeting of human rights defenders and the shrinking of spaces for having conversations around building solidarities. She stated that a writers aim is to bridge the gap between thoughts and words and thats becoming difficult as the concept of meaning itself is under assault. Puloma Pal, editor of Zameer, with the films director, Uma Chakravarti, and Kasturi Basu. (Courtesy KPFF) After the screening of her film Zameer, historian and filmmaker Uma Chakravarti talked about the condition of the Indian prison system. She highlighted the torture meted out to women prisoners, especially those who are activists. Her concluding message was that the womens movement needs to be an inclusive one and talk about people from different sections of society. Sudhir Patwardhan, who made Ram ke Nam, in conversation with filmmaker Meghnath. (Courtesy KPFF) At a time when the screening of a National Award winning movie Ram ke Nam (In the Name of Ram) was attacked at three different places across the country, it was shown at the KPFF. The carefully-chosen collection of cinema presented at the event highlighted the problems that engulf our world today. True to its name, this festival not only focussed on the issues of the people, it allowed common citizens to actively discuss them too. Chittajit Mitra (he/him) is a queer writer, translator and editor from Allahabad. He is co-founder of RAQS, an organization working on gender, sexuality and mental health The Indian fintech industry continues to gallop forward at a meteoric pace, redefining the way we engage with money and handle our finances. Availing a loan has never been easier, instilling a sense of empowerment, especially for the segments that were traditionally bereft of access to formal financial services. However, the process of debt repayment and recovery still encounters its share of intricacies and hurdles. A staggering number of cheque bounce cases continue to congest the legal landscape - a simple scenario, which left both creditors and debtors entangled in a prolonged state of uncertainty. Fortunately, with the emergence of new-age dispute solutions like Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), the situation has improved vastly. The integration of ODR is crucial for proficiently resolving financial disputes through digital tools, ensuring transparency, expediting conflict resolution, and meeting the evolving needs of modern financial services. innovative features that expedite the debt recovery process. Addressing this need is Credgenics, the pioneering company for debt collections and resolutions, which is reshaping the narrative to facilitate a more seamless and efficient Indian financial system. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. What is ODR? ODR is a digital-based legal approach to resolving disputes and conflicts between concerned parties without the need for them to be physically present. This method gained prominence in the digital era, as it provides a worthy alternative to traditional legal channels and physical court proceedings. ODR encompasses various methods including arbitration, mediation, and conciliation/negotiation, conducted through online platforms. Credgenics is leading the change in debt resolution with its comprehensive ODR capability. It combines legal expertise, advanced technology and modern communication tools such as video calling, emails, and messaging applications to make the dispute resolution process faster and simpler. In comparison to traditional legal systems, it ensures reduced costs, and increased accessibility. Automated processes, remote digital interactions, and real-time tracking capabilities further enable debt recovery to transcend geographical boundaries. ODR has proven particularly effective for smaller to medium-value cases that can be resolved without a trial and do not involve complex legal issues. ODR has become crucial in the BFSI sector where swift and fair resolution of disputes is essential for maintaining trust and efficiency in transactions. Advancing Debt Resolution through ODR ODR is a branch of alternate dispute resolution which either adjuncts or seeks to replace the traditional methodology that the parties use to resolve disputes. The various methods of dispute resolution involve Arbitration and Mediation/ conciliation. Arbitration requires resolving disputes outside the court where parties agree on a neutral third party (arbitrator) for a binding decision. Whereas, mediation/conciliation involves sending a mediation/conciliation reference notice through digital and/or physical mode intimating the borrower the date and time for virtual meeting. Arbitration as mode of alternative disputes resolution is beneficial for the BFSI sector as it offers the choice of opting for favorable governing legislation, appointing the adjudicator, expedited resolution and cost-efficient solution to consumer disputes. Credgenics has streamlined debt resolution through a suite of services, including an arbitration platform, pre-litigation mediation, conciliation, and credit counseling. Credgenics works with a team of more than 850 case managers, 2,200 counselors and 3,000 neutrals who are qualified, and independent BFSI domain focussed experts. Credgenics is providing ODR services to leading banks, fintech lenders, NBFCs and Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) across more than 16,000 pincodes and 10 vernacular languages pan India. In addition to these Credgenics also offers loan dispute settlement services at the pre-litigation stage through Lok Adalats for BFSI customers across various loan segments, products, and Days Past Due cases. Elevating Efficiency with Cost-Effective Operation Balancing efficiency and costs is always a challenge in finance. Credgenics steps in, cutting operational costs by automating the debt recovery process and integrating it with legal procedures, offering real-time visibility. From recordings of proceedings to tracking of communications and notice all are available and can be tracked on the Credgenics platform. It also allows borrowers to attend hearings via video conferencing, with the option to choose arbitrators. With robust technology and infrastructure, Credgenics has conducted over 1 million e-arbitrations. The Return on Investment (ROI), promised by ODR, is better than traditional methods. A Citadel of Data Security With digital transactions becoming a mainstay, it is essential to keep sensitive data secure. Credgenics not only speeds up debt resolution but also keeps it secure with a protected data platform. Customer data stays safe from tampering or unauthorized access with analytics adding an extra layer of security by observing the transactions for anything suspicious. Credgenics is a leader in the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) space, emerging as the industry favorite for both online and offline dispute resolution in India. The company handles over 25 lakh unique disputes every month. This volume is a testament to the trust placed by individuals and businesses in Credgenics to resolve a wide array of conflicts effectively. Having managed the resolution of $70 billion value of funds further solidifies its position as a powerhouse in the FinTech sector. This substantial financial portfolio speaks to their influence and ability to handle significant economic interests, reflecting the confidence of financial entities in Credgenics' expertise. Conclusion Credgenics stands at the forefront of the ODR movement, not only due to its impressive scale of operations and expertise in financial services management but also because of its unwavering commitment to fair and efficient dispute resolution. As it continues to navigate the intricate intersection of technology, finance, and legal processes, Credgenics is poised to leave an indelible mark on the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in the digital age. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and wife Lynne Benioff announced Tuesday a $150 million gift to two Hawaii hospital systems. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne Benioff, announced Tuesday a $150 million gift to two Hawaii hospital systems, making the Salesforce CEO one of the largest private philanthropic donors in the state. Hawaii Pacific Health, a large nonprofit health care system based in Honolulu, will receive $100 million, and $50 million will go to Hilo Medical Center on the island of Hawaii.The donations were announced through a joint statement from Salesforce, the Hawaii hospitals and UCSF, where Benioff is a major private donor. The money will go toward building out a birthing center, intensive care unit, neurosurgical program and behavioral health services at Hilo Medical Center. At Hawaii Pacific Health, it will help triple the size of the Honolulu-based Straub Medical Center, which includes the states only burn unit. The center will be renamed the Straub Benioff Medical Center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The donation brings the Benioffs total philanthropic contributions to Hawaii to about $250 million. Previous gifts have helped fund medical helicopters and fire trucks, and housing for medical staff at a community hospital in Waimea, on the island of Hawaii. This huge donation will support the care for thousands of critically ill people in Hawaii, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in a statement. This generosity is a game-changer for our state. Benioffs ties to Hawaii date back decades, including having built a beachside mansion about 20 years ago and buying acres of ranchland in Waimea around the same time, according to NPR. He has often touted the idea of ohana a Hawaiian term for family in Salesforces corporate culture. Benioff was recently scrutinized in news reports, including an NPR story, that detailed his efforts and those of other billionaires to buy up huge tracts of land in Hawaii. A Benioff spokesperson said the couple has given away 75% of the land theyve purchased in Hawaii and 90% of the land theyve bought there since 2020. The NPR story includes details about how, during the course of reporting the story, the NPR reporter was unnerved at comments Benioff made to her, including that he knew which area she was staying and personal details about her and her family. Benioff has given about $300 million to UCSF over the last two decades, including $200 million to support UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Do you want to live a stress-free life? It is quite difficult to find right solutions to the problems that make our lives difficult. Hence, a captivating guide featuring themost genuine astrologers in Nagpur for 2024 has beencreated. We all are facing some old and new challenges that keep troubling us all the time. From career to relationship, our lives have never been easy. All we want is great guidance. Well, this is the right destination for you. In this article, you will find a carefully compiled a list of the famous astrologers in Nagpur for 2024. The Top 10 Best Astrologer Nagpur -Ft. Dr.Kartick Chakraborty & Others have been put up based on experience, Client Base availability, accuracy, public recommendation and Trustworthiness. Here goes the list! A list of the top 10 best astrologers in Nagpur has been compiled based on their expertise, experience, availability to clients, accuracy in predictions, customer feedback, and overall reputation. This is the latest updated list for the year 2024. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. If you're seeking trusted guidance in matters of career, love, relationship, finance, family, business and more. Look no further than this curated list of the Top 10 most popular astrologers in Nagpur. In this exploration, lets unveil the top 10 best astrologers in Nagpur for 2024. Meet these remarkable individuals who not only hold wide popularity but also excel in their field like no other. Let's embark on an intriguing exploration into the mystical world of astrology, where the remarkable skills and profound influence of these shining stars will be unravelled. With a plethora of esteemed celebrity astrologers FT. Astrologer Dr. Kartick Chakraborty, known for recognition, finding the top 10 best in Nagpur proved to be a challenging endeavor. Dr.Kartick Chakraborty has held the top position for the last 10+ Years in India's Google ranking Verified Trusted Celebrity Astrologer. So without further ado, let's dive into the list of the top 10 best astrologers in Nagpur for the year 2024, starting with Dr.Kartick Chakraborty, who has held the top position for the last 10+ years in India's Google ranking as a verified, trusted, and celebrity astrologer." Lets explore the list of the Top 10 best astrologers in Nagpur. Ft. Dr.Kartick Chakraborty 100% Selected Listed Best astrologer in Nagpur, Latest List of 2024 Updated 1. Astrologer Dr.Kartick Chakraborty. Astrologer Dr.Kartick Chakraborty Is One Of The Best Famous Astrologer in Nagpur. Dr.Kartick Chakraborty is a highly respected Celebrity Astrologer based in Nagpur. With over a decade of experience in the field of comprehensive Astrology and Tantra Vidya Kriya he has successfully provided precise and effective astrological remedies to a diverse range of clients from India and other countries like :- Italy, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Germany, Vietnam, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, South Africa, the USA, ( America), Dubai (U.A.E) and the UK ( London). Dr.Kartick Chakraborty is one of the most genuine astrologer in Nagpur. Dr. Kartick Chakraborty stands as the epitome of excellence in astrology in Nagpur for several compelling reasons. With a rich blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary insight, Dr. Kartick Chakraborty's astrological powers transcends boundaries, guiding countless individuals towards transformative experiences. His unwavering commitment to accuracy and authenticity sets him apart, ensuring that each consultation is marked by profound revelations and tangible solutions. He is the Most popular Astrologer in Nagpur. Dr. Kartick Chakraborty's holistic approach integrates astrology's intricate nuances with genuine empathy, fostering deep connections with his clients as he navigates them through life's complexities. Through his astute readings and compassionate guidance, he has earned the unwavering trust of the community, cementing his reputation as the foremost authority on astrology in Nagpur. Why people trust Dr. Kartick Chakraborty as the most popular astrologer in Nagpur? -Relationship Struggles: In today's fast-paced world, maintaining healthy relationships can be challenging, leading to conflicts, misunderstandings, and communication breakdowns. -Career Uncertainty: With the evolving job market and economic fluctuations, many individuals face uncertainty regarding their career paths, job security, and professional growth. -Mental Health Issues: The pressures of modern life, including stress, anxiety, and depression, are increasingly affecting people's mental well-being, leading to a growing demand for support and guidance. -Financial Stress: Rising living costs, debt burdens, and financial instability contribute to significant stress and worry for individuals and families, impacting their overall quality of life. -Personal Fulfillment: Amidst societal expectations and cultural norms, many people struggle to find true fulfillment and purpose in their lives, leading to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. Dr. Kartick Chakraborty's expertise extends far beyond mere predictions; he serves as a guiding light illuminating the path to fulfillment and success in all aspects of life. With a profound understanding of astrology's intricacies, he offers personalized insights that resonate deeply, empowering individuals to navigate life's challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether it's untangling career dilemmas, unraveling relationship complexities, or seeking clarity on life's purpose, Dr. Kartick Chakraborty's astute guidance provides invaluable direction. His compassionate approach fosters a sense of trust and understanding, creating a supportive environment for self-discovery and growth. With Dr.Kartick Chakraborty by your side, you're not just gaining an astrologer but a trusted confidant and mentor dedicated to helping you unlock your fullest potential and lead a life of meaning and fulfillment. Awards received by Dr. Kartick Chakraborty - Best Astrologer in Nagpur. Dr.Kartick Chakraborty Awards: Awards Dr.Kartick Chakraborty: Gold Medalist Award Winner Dr.Kartick Chakraborty...(2014) Global Choice Award Winner Dr.Kartick Chakraborty (2015) Diamond Crown Award Winner Dr.Kartick Chakraborty...(2016) International Education Award Winner.(2019) Assam Gourav Award Winner Dr.Kartick Chakraborty (2021) India's Best Trusted Tantrik Astrologer (2022) Bharat Bhushan Award Winner ( Govt.Of India) ( New Delhi ) (2023) * Book Of World Record Holder Dr.Kartick Chakraborty (2023) East India Award Record Holder Dr.Kartick Chakraborty (2023) Best Astrologer Of The Year (2023) Nobel Award Winner (Global Human Rights Trust) (2023). Uttam Bharat Puruskar Award Winner (2024). ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED TANTRIK ASTROLOGER Consultations with Celebrity Tantrik Astrologer Dr. Kartick Chakraborty are available online so that clients can receive his services from the comfort of their homes. Online consultations can be arranged via phone, video call, or Skype.. Contact Dr. Kartick Chakraborty BOOKING ON / VIP BOOKING:- +91 9577319932 WEBSITE :-https://astrologeringuwahati.com/ Email I'd :-Kartickchakraborty111@gmail.com Instagram I'd :-https://www.instagram.com/kartick__chakraborty/ Facebook Page :- https://www.facebook.com/Astrologerkartickchakraborty License No: DKC/NJK/827959/2017/AS Dr.Kartick Chakraborty has more than 18 Lakh satisfied clients all over the world (approx. 1.8Million+ satisfied clients), He has millions of satisfied clients in more than 57 countries of the world. 1.8+ Millions Worldwide Satisfied Clients 500K+ Horoscopes Predictions 300K + Love Relationship Predictions Globally Celebrity love vashikaran specialist guru Dr.Kartick Chakraborty Recently featured in Many National And International Media. Celebrity Astrologer Dr.Kartick Chakraborty has a huge list of clientele. Astrologer Dr.Kartick Chakraborty Is One of the Best Celebrity Astrologer in Nagpur. Dr.Kartick Chakraborty has held the top position for the last 10+ Years in India's Google ranking Verified Trusted Celebrity Tantrik Astrologer. Best Astrologer in Nagpur:- Unlock the secrets of finances, peace, love, and harmony with Dr. Kartick Chakraborty, the most famous astrologer in Nagpur. Through the profound wisdom of astrology, Dr. Kartick Chakraborty offers unparalleled insights into career, money, disputes, family issues, love problems, marriage life hurdles, and relationship dynamics. With a deep understanding of astrological principles, astrology and Vashikaran techniques, he crafts personalized solutions that resonate with the cosmic energies, aligning your path with the stars for a blissful journey of life. Whether it's rekindling lost love or resolving conflicts in family or finance, Dr. Kartick Chakraborty's astrological expertise illuminates the way to enduring happiness in your life. Testimonials for Best Astrologer Dr.Kartick Chakraborty: Best astrologer in Nagpur. 1. Dr. Kartick Chakraborty is hands down the best astrologer in Nagpur. His insights have been spot-on and incredibly helpful in guiding me through life's ups and downs. He's genuine, accurate, and truly cares about his clients' well-being. 2. I highly recommend Dr. Kartick Chakraborty as the go-to astrologer in Nagpur. His readings are precise, and his advice is practical. He's famous for a reason his genuine approach sets him apart from the rest. 3. Dr. Kartick Chakraborty is a gem of an astrologer in Nagpur. His predictions have been accurate, and his guidance has been invaluable to me. If you're seeking a genuine astrologer, look no further. 4. I've consulted with many astrologers, but none have impressed me as much as Dr. Kartick Chakraborty in Nagpur. His authenticity shines through in every session, and his insights have been a guiding light for me. He's the real deal. Services :- Astrological Consultancy, Best astrologer in Nagpur.. Vashikaran Kriya Specialist ...Business Problems... Love Match Making...Visa Problems... Career Problem....Intercaste Marriage.. Love Back....Kundli Matching..Love Problems.... Husband Wife Problems.. Gf|Bf Problems... Parents Approval. Ex Love Back... Remove Stress. Delay In Marriage.... Desired Partner. Lost Love Back...Family Issues. Love Breakup...Love Marriage Problem...Love Back Specialist ...Business Problems...Parents Approval...Child Problems...Family Disputes...Husband/Wife Solutions...Girlfriend/Boyfriend Solutions...Financial Problem Solutions ...Health Problem Solutions.. Chambers & Branches :- Kamakhya Temple || Mumbai || Delhi,NCR || Pune || Ahmedabad || Hydrabad || Bangalore || Surat || Kolkata || Siliguri || Noida || Bhubeneswar || Indore || Jaipur || Dibrugarh || Silchar || Chennai || Singapore || Malaysia || South Africa || Dubai || Australia || New Zealand || USA || London || Nepal || Bhutan || 2. Ashish Goswami Ashish Goswami is one of the 2nd best astrologer in Nagpur Renowned astrologer Ashish Goswami is a prominent figure in Nagpur, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern astrological practices, drawing from his deep understanding of both Vedic and Western astrology. Known for his expertise in career guidance, relationship compatibility, and financial astrology, Ashish Goswami's clients praise his ability to unravel complex situations and provide practical solutions that foster personal and professional growth. 3. Dr.Vijay Dwivedi. He is the 3rd best astrologer in Nagpur Dr. Vijay Dwivedi, recognized as one of the best astrologers in Nagpur, dedicates himself to the study and practice of Vedic astrology. With profound knowledge in gemstone consultation, auspicious timing, and architectural principles, Dr. Vijay Dwivedi combines ancient wisdom with contemporary insights to offer accurate predictions and remedies tailored to each individual's circumstances, aiming to help them navigate life's challenges and make informed choices. 4. Aacharya Shri Anil Vats He is the 4th best astrologer in Nagpur Aacharya Shri Anil Vats, a well-known astrologer in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is renowned for his expertise in reading the movement of stars and their impact on individuals' lives. With a focus on property issues, love and relationships, business, and financial matters, Aacharya Shri Anil Vats's accurate predictions and insightful consultations attract clients from around the globe. Through his writings and teachings, he encourages self-reflection and personal growth, delving into the intricacies of astrological principles. 5. Premanand Wahane He is the 5th best astrologer in Nagpur Premanand Wahane, one of the top astrologers in Nagpur, is celebrated for his multifaceted contributions to astrology, including consultations, social initiatives, writings, and mentorship. With a profound understanding of astrological principles and a compassionate approach, Premanand Wahane inspires and empowers individuals on their journeys of self-discovery and growth. As a mentor and educator, his commitment to imparting knowledge and fostering responsible astrology practices distinguishes him within the astrological community, offering invaluable insights and training to aspiring practitioners and seekers alike. 6. Mahesh Mankar He is the 6th best astrologer in Nagpur Mahesh Mankar is a distinguished astrologer based in Nagpur, renowned for his insightful interpretations and accurate predictions. With expertise in various astrological systems, including Vedic and KP astrology, Mahesh Mankar provides comprehensive guidance on diverse life aspects such as career, relationships, and health. Clients appreciate his empathetic approach and practical solutions, making him a trusted advisor in Nagpur's astrological community. 7. Pandit Shriram Tripathi He is the 7th best astrologer in Nagpur Pandit Shriram Tripathi is a revered astrologer known for his deep-rooted knowledge and profound insights into Vedic astrology. Based in Nagpur, Pandit Shriram Tripathi offers consultations that delve into the nuances of planetary positions and their influence on individuals' lives. Specializing in remedial measures and predictive astrology, he guides his clients with wisdom and clarity, earning respect and admiration in the field of astrology. 8. Madhur Shukla He is the 8th best astrologer in Nagpur Madhur Shukla stands out as an esteemed astrologer in Nagpur, admired for his holistic approach and intuitive understanding of astrology. With a focus on spirituality and self-awareness, Madhur Shukla's consultations offer guidance not only on mundane matters but also on inner growth and transformation. Through his compassionate demeanor and profound insights, he assists clients in navigating life's complexities with wisdom and resilience. 9. Bhupesh Gadge He is the 9th best astrologer in Nagpur Bhupesh Gadge is a seasoned astrologer whose expertise and precision have earned him recognition in Nagpur's astrological circles. Specializing in horoscope analysis and predictive astrology, Bhupesh Gadge provides valuable insights and practical remedies to address various life challenges. Clients appreciate his straightforward approach and accurate assessments, making him a trusted advisor for those seeking clarity and direction. 10. Sanjay Khare He is the 10th best astrologer in Nagpur Sanjay Khare is a respected astrologer renowned for his meticulous approach and in-depth understanding of astrological principles. Based in Nagpur, Sanjay Khare offers consultations that blend traditional wisdom with modern insights, providing clients with actionable advice to navigate life's ups and downs. With a focus on empowering individuals to make informed decisions, he strives to bring clarity and positivity into his clients' lives through astrology. Top 10 Best Top Famous Astrologers in Nagpur - Latest list of 2024 Updated. Compiled by IndianStories.live. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. The founder of a small Florida hedge fund could be jailed for refusing to reveal where Indian tech firm Think & Learn Pvt allegedly hid $533 million that lenders are trying to recover, according to a federal judge. Byju's Crisis: Byju's logo is seen.(Reuters) William C. Morton could be locked up for contempt of court if he cant explain why he disobeyed a court order to provide details about the money, which was briefly placed with his hedge fund, Camshaft Capital Fund. US Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey scheduled a hearing for later this month in Delaware to decide what should happen to the founder for defying a court order. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. I want to make sure it is absolutely clear to Mr. Morton that one of the possible remedies is civil confinement if he doesnt comply, said Dorsey, referring to the federal rules that allow judges in non-criminal cases to jail people. Morton has recently hired criminal lawyers to represent him, Pieter Van Tol, one of his attorneys, told Dorsey during a bankruptcy hearing Monday. Dorsey said he warned the hedge fund founder during a hearing last week that it would be in his best interest to attend todays proceeding in Wilmington, Delaware. Instead, Morton left the country during the middle of last weeks hearing, Van Tol told Dorsey. We advised Mr. Morton that he should produce the information, that he should produce the documents and he declined, Van Tol said during Mondays hearing. Lenders accuse Morton of helping Indian tech firm Think & Learn hide $533 million from them. The missing money is at the heart of a fight between lenders owed $1.2 billion and Think & Learn, the education-tech startup founded by entrepreneur Byju Raveendran. The cash belongs to a bankrupt shell company, Byjus Alpha Inc., which is affiliated with Think & Learn and was taken over by the lenders after their loan defaulted. The $533 million was transferred to Mortons hedge fund and then moved to an unnamed, off-shore trust by Raveendrans brother, Riju Ravindran, Byjus Alpha lawyer Benjamin Finestone said last week. Morton is not main player in the dispute, Finestone said in court. There is obviously somebody else behind Mr. Morton who is funding, him, Finestone said. Byjus Alpha and the lenders have only targeted Morton and his hedge fund in order to find out where Ravindran ultimately parked the cash. Camshaft initially fought efforts to disclose details about the money because a hedge fund has a duty to protect its clients, Van Tol told Dorsey last week. Last year lenders declared a default and seized Byjus Alpha, whose parent is Think & Learn. Since then lenders have tried to force Think & Learn to repay the $1.2 billion and to find the $533 million that they say should be used to repay the debt. Ravindran is appealing a Delaware Chancery Court ruling that gave lenders control of Byjus Alpha. The US bankruptcy case is BYJUs Alpha Inc., 24-10140, US Bankruptcy Court District of Delaware (Wilmington). Elon Musk has been dethroned as the world's richest man for the first time in nine months. Elon Musk has now slipped to the second position on the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, losing the top spot to Amazon founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos. Elon Musk is no longer the richest person in the world(Reuters) Elon Musk lost a significant amount of his net worth on Monday when Tesla shares tumbled around 7.2 per cent, making Jeff Bezos the wealthiest person in the world. Musk now has a net worth of $197.7 billion; Jeff Bezos fortune is $200.3 billion. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. This is the first time since 2021 that Bezos has topped the list of the richest persons in the world. While Tesla shares continue to crumble, Amazon shares have been climbing the ladder, shrinking the wealth gap between Elon Musk and Bezos over the last few months. Read more: Why ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal is suing Elon Musk? At one point, the difference in net worth between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos was as wide as $142 billion. Both companies are a part of the Magnificent Seven stocks in the US, but Amazon stock has doubled since 2022 while Tesla shares have tumbled nearly 50 percent since its 2021 peak. Tesla shares fell on Monday after preliminary data showed shipments from its factory in Shanghai slumped to the lowest in more than a year. Amazon, meanwhile, is coming off its best online sales growth since early in the pandemic. Musk's net worth may take further hit Elon Musk's net worth is expected to take another significant hit, and not just because of the major tumble of Tesla shares. Musk's wealth can further shrink after a Delaware judge struck down his $55 billion pay package at Tesla. The decision took the side of an investor whod challenged Musks compensation plan, which had been the largest in history. Read more: Tata Motors demerger: How does it affect shareholders? Options that were included in the voided plan are one of Musks largest assets, alongside his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX. Meanwhile, the vast majority of Bezoss fortune comes from his 9% stake in Amazon. Hes the online retailers largest shareholder, even after unloading 50 million shares worth about $8.5 billion last month. Bezos had first become the richest person in the world in 2017, when he surpassed the net worth of Microsoft founder Bill Gates. He again jumped to the top spot in 2021 when Amazon shares flew while Tesla shares started showing a gradual decline. (With inputs from Bloomberg) Swiggy will offer food delivery services to passengers at Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada railway stations beginning March 12. Swiggy said the food delivery services will be extended to 59 more railway stations. The food delivery services will be extended to 59 more railway stations in the coming weeks, Swiggy said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for delivering pre-ordered food on trains was signed between Swiggy Food Marketplace and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Tuesday. Passengers can avail pre-ordered food services via Swiggy once they input the PNR on the IRCTC app and select the preferred station for food delivery. "This partnership with Swiggy will bring more convenience and food options to our passengers, making their journeys more memorable," said Sanjay Kumar Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, IRCTC. Swiggy CEO Rohit Kapoor said, "We are hopeful of a buoyant response from passengers and restaurant operators on this route, which will hopefully lead to us providing services on more stations and on newer routes." As part of the MoU, the statement said Swiggy will deliver food from its extensive restaurant network to passengers on the Indian railways starting with Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. The service is likely to expand to 59 additional city stations in the coming weeks. Tata Motors Share Price: Tata Motors shares gained 4 per cent hitting 52-week high of 1,027 today (March 5). This comes after the company announced that it will split its passenger and commercial vehicle businesses. Global brokerage firm JP Morgan assigned an "overweight" rating to Tata Motors share and a price target of 1,000 as it praised the company's decision to demerge the business saying that it reflects confidence in the personal vehicle (PV) segment being self-sustaining. This could lead to better value-creation for Tata Motors, it said, assigning a target price for Tata Motors share at 1,013. Tata Motors Share Price: A Tata Motors logo installed at one of its showroom is pictured in Mumbai.(AFP) Morgan Stanley also said that the move will ensure synergy between the company's British arm Jaguar and Land Rover and domestic PV business. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Nomura put a buy call and a target price of 1,057 on the share- a 7 per cent upside from the current market price. "In particular, we believe the PV business has more potential to create value over the next few years and it has seen a remarkable turnaround after 2020, the brokerage said, adding, The demerger looks like a good thing for the stock and we could see a positive reaction in the coming weeks which can attract investments as well. Investors who are willing to give higher valuations to the EV space would be more enticed than they initially would have been. However, Investec put a hold call on the counter and doesn't expect a significant impact on valuations as it said that the demerger "creates a pure CV play and a global PV play". Parag Agrawal sues Elon Musk: Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and three other ex-executives have suited company boss Elon Musk for $128 million in unpaid severance payments alleging that the billionaire showed "special ire" towards them by publicly vowing to withhold their severance payments of around $200 million. This happened after Elon Musk took over the social media platform in a $44 billion deal in 2022 after which they were ousted from the company, as per the lawsuit filed. Parag Agrawal- Elon Musk: Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has filed a case against Elon Musk. What Parag Agrawal's lawsuit alleges? Lawyers for Parag Agrawal and the other ex-executives noted, Under Musks control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. 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." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Why did Parag Agrawal leave Twitter? After Elon Musk took over Twitter, which has since been renamed X, he fired several other top-ranking executives including Parag Agrawal. Company's top legal and policy official Vijaya Gadde, chief financial officer Ned Segal and Twitters general counsel Sean Edgett were unsurprisingly dismissed at the time. All these executives were key players for Twitter in the companys lawsuit in 2022 as they forced Elon Musk to fulfill the purchase of the platform after he tried to back out. Did Elon Musk pay Parag Agrawal after Twitter's purchase? Following this, the executives were to receive substantial payouts as part of Elon Musks agreement to buy the company. Parag Agrawal was set to reportedly get roughly $50 million in severance payouts. Twitter's other lawsuits regarding severance Twitter has been accused of labor and workplace violations, including failing to pay severance to thousands of workers laid off in 2022 and 2023. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said more than 3000 borewells in Bengaluru, including the one at his house, have dried up amid the ongoing water crisis. As the city grappled with a severe water shortage, residents launched a hunt for the major source of life, even as there were few tankers for relief. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. (ANI Photo) ALSO READ | Bengaluru apartment's 'no water alert to residents amid ongoing crisis Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Assuring that officials are working seriously to solve the state capital's water woes, the DCM said the government will try to provide water to the public at reasonable rates. ALSO READ | What is Karnataka govt doing to solve Bengaluru water crisis? Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reveals action plan I am very seriously looking at it. I had a meeting with all the officials. We are identifying the points where water is available. More than 3000 borewells have dried up in Bengaluru. We will see that we provide water at a very reasonable rate to all the people. We are worried about it because all the borewells, including the borewell at my house, have dried up, He told news agency ANI. Earlier, an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had told Hindustan Times that the tech hub gets around 1,680 MLD of water from 14,781 borewells in and around the city and that as many as 6,997 of them are running dry. ALSO READ | Govt to take over all borewells in Bengaluru to deal with water crisis Apartment complexes and gated communities in Bengaluru have started imposing regulations for smart water usage, putting restrictions in place. This severe shortage occurred due to less than normal rainfall in two monsoon seasons. (With inputs from ANI) A government pushed into emergency measures taking over all irrigation and commercial borewells, and mandating the registration of every private water tanker in the city. Residents pushed into emergency measures of their own instructions to stop washing cars and balconies, bathe with half a bucket of water, and or use a half flush after daily ablutions. Bengaluru, Mar 05 (ANI): People wait for their turn to fill their gallons with running water for their basic needs after the Silicon City area faces a severe water crisis, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (ANI Photo) Bengaluru, one of Indias bonafide metropolitan cities with a population of above 13 million where the glass edifices of multinational conglomerates house some of the countrys most prolific IT talent; where streets such as MG Road and Brigade Road twinkle with upscale revelry every evening; where the apartment buildings grow ever taller and the traffic ever more crowded is staring down the barrel of an unprecedented water crisis, and its administration and people have been left scrambling. It is a problem caused by rapid, untrammelled growth, complete disregard of the citys natural water bodies, although the trigger is the failure, in Karnataka, of both the southwest and the northeast monsoon. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Monday, in acknowledgement of the gravity of the problem, deputy chief minister and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar issued directions to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to take charge of all irrigation and commercial borewells in the city. He said that water did not belong to individuals, but at a time of a water crisis, to the government to attempt to ease the situation. Of the 16,781 borewells in our records, 6,997 borewells have dried up. The remaining 7,784 are operational. The government will be drilling new borewells, he said. Also Read: Govt to take over all borewells in Bengaluru to deal with water crisis For several days, tankers laden with water entered gates and exited them, buzzing around the city, answering panicked calls, and charging exorbitant rates, ranging from 500 to 2,000 for a tanker. On Monday, Shivakumar said that the government was stepping in to control the tanker mafia, and asked private contractors to register themselves with the municipal corporation by March 7, so that the government can ration water effectively. On Tuesday, in a series of emergency meetings, there was another decision taken. Tankers owned by the Karnataka Milk Federation will be cleaned, and deployed to supply water for a thirsty city. On Tuesday, chief minister Siddaramaiah announced a series of decisions from taluk-level control rooms and helpline numbers to task forces headed by local legislators, laying blame of the crisis on an unprecedented drought. Of the 236 taluks in the state, 223 have been drought-hit, with 219 severely affected, he said. This, officials said, affected water supply both from the Cauvery, and borewells, two of Bengalurus principal sources of water. One official said: The crisis may worsen if there is no good rain in the coming days as already close to half the borewells have dried up. But with lives increasingly affected, housing societies have begun to ration water on their own, issuing increasingly panicked instructions to their residents. Palm Meadows housing society in Whitefield has asked residents not to water their lawns or their vehicles. In Indira Nagar, the Benaka Towers residents association issued an eight-point guideline on Monday, which included half bucket baths, half flush after natures call, economy cycle of washing machines, and using waste water from aquaguard filters to mop the floor and bathrooms. Dipali Sikand, a hospitality sector executive who lives in Koramangala, has seen herself pay increasingly high rates for private water tankers, now up to 1,000 for a 4,000 litre tanker. Since the BWSSB water supply is erratic now, I buy water every other day. I have to make a separate budget for water. And even then, the quality that is supplied is terrible, and some days, I found worms inside, she said. A resident of Mantri Alpyne in Subramanyapura, who is due to deliver a child in the next few days, said that she had to shift, after the apartment asked its residents to finish all daily chores that require water before 8am. After that, there is no supply till 8pm, and I have moved to my mothers home where the situation is a little better, she said. Nagesh Aras, a water conservation expert, said that in 2018, BWSSB had launched a scheme to install aggregate meters to measure the requirement and usage of water in the city, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. One such aggregate meter was installed outside my apartment. One day, the meter which was installed on a pedestal fell, vehicles ran over it, and that was the end of the issue, he said. The crisis has also set off a political battle, with Siddaramaiah lashing out at the Centre on Tuesday, accusing them of not releasing 18,172 crore that Karnataka had asked for to mitigate effects of the drought. We gave the first memorandum to the Centre in October but so far, got nothing. The BJP, however, said that the state had failed to deal with the situation at hand, and had hurt brand Bengaluru in the process. What does Shivakumar mean by brand Bengaluru when the city is reeling under a water crisis?, spokesperson S Prakash said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has hit out at Rahul Gandhi saying that the Congress MP's "close aides" have been arrested for raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans inside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Karnataka's BJP unit. (ANI) The state BJP also claimed that the "Anti-National" Congress workers should be charged with treason and investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. READ | Three arrested by Bengaluru Police for alleged pro-Pak slogans during RS polls "While Rahul Gandhi is busy doing a 'Bharat Todo' public stunt, Bengaluru police have arrested his close aides for raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans inside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Anti-National Congress workers should be charged with treason & investigated under UAPA," the BJP's Karnataka unit said in a post on 'X'. It also demanded the resignation of Congress MP Naseer Hussain who recently got elected to the Rajya Sabha. "CM @siddaramaiah should ask Congress MP Naseer Saab to tender his resignation immediately. Congress, which shares Pakistan's DNA, has once again shown where its loyalty lies." The BJP has been protesting against the use of alleged 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans by Congress workers outside the Assembly while celebrating party leader Naseer Hussain's win in the Rajya Sabha polls. The BJP Karnataka 'X' handle also shared a press release from the Vidhan Soudha police station which stated that three persons have been arrested in the incident based on the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report. "On the basis of FSL report, circumstantial evidence, statement of witnesses and available evidence, three accused persons were arrested and legal action was initiated against them," the press release from Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Division of Bangalore City said. READ | NIA takes over probe into Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru Earlier on Sunday, after the BJP cited a private lab report and claimed that it is highly probable 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans were raised outside the Vidhan Souda, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the private organisation's report cannot be taken into consideration. Parameshwara also mentioned that the government will take action on the forensic report of the Home Department. The BJP has cited a report of a private laboratory called Clue4 Evidence Forensic Investigations Private Limited. As per the website, the organisation describes itself as a dedicated corporate entity that has been recognized as a competent Forensic Laboratory in the field of testing and investigations. Three people have been arrested for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans in the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha premises following the victory of Congresss Syed Naseer Hussain in the Rajya Sabha poll on February 27, Bengaluru police said on Monday. Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs stage a protest against the state government over an alleged video of pro-Pakistan slogans by the supporters of Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain during the State Assembly Session at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday. (ANI) Based on the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, circumstantial evidence, witness statements and available proof, three persons have been arrested, the Bengaluru City police said in a statement late in the evening. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to the police, one of the accused is a resident of Delhi, the second hails from RT Nagar in Bengaluru, and the third one is from Byadagi in Haveri district of Karnataka. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had earlier ordered the government-run FSL to probe into the video clippings to check the veracity of allegations that slogans of Pakistan Zindabad were raised by supporters of Hussain, who was among the three Congress candidates to win the Rajya Sabha polls. A fourth seat had gone to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the biennial polls. Meanwhile, a political row between the ruling Congress and the BJP that erupted soon after the incident on February 27 intensified on Monday after the saffron party posted on its social media handle an investigation report of a private laboratory claiming that pro-Pakistan slogans were made. The Congress filed a police complaint against state BJP chief BN Vijayendra and others for posting baseless and fabricated report on social media. The report prepared by private lab Clue4 Evidence Forensic Investigations and signed by audio forensic examiner Phaneendar BN claimed that Pakistan Zindabad slogan was highly probable in the 30-second video. The report was prepared on behalf of city-based Samvada Foundation, a non-profit allegedly linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fountainhead of the BJP. Claiming the video of the incident was not tampered/doctored, Phaneendar alleged: To the limited extent of the question in this case, being whether if it was Nasir Saab Zindabad or Pakistan Zindabad, the above analysis indicates that it is highly probable to be Pakistan Zindabad. Reacting on the development, state home minister G Parameshwara said the report of the governments own FSL would be made public once it is submitted. If the report says that such a slogan was raised, then we will take action immediately. There is no question of hiding it, as alleged by the BJP. He also sought to know whether the private person who prepared the report had his own laboratory and had done the analysis. We will find out with whose permission they are doing it, who gave him No Objection Certificate and is he authorised to make such reports public, the minister said. However, leader of opposition in the assembly R Ashoka of the BJP alleged that the Congress government has received the official FSL report and it was trying to keep it under wraps to shield some persons. A memorandum in this regard was submitted by BJP legislators LA Ravi Subramanya, CK Ramamurthy and Uday B Garudachar to director general of police Alok Mohan, who is also the IGP, on Monday seeking his intervention in getting the official FSL report to be made public. In a counter move, state Congress spokesperson AN Nataraj Gowda on Monday lodged a complaint against BJP state president BY Vijayendra and others for posting a fake forensic report on social media. The complaint was filed at the Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) crime police station in the Bengaluru West division. A voter puts a ballot into a drop box outside of San Francisco City Hall in 2022. Early balloting for Tuesdays primary election is low. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle 2022 Tuesday is Election Day in California. But youd hardly know it based on the way the states voters are treating the race. California could be on the way to its lowest primary turnout in history, in large part because Democratic voters who make up the overwhelming majority of the electorate say they arent excited about their options for president. Instead, its the states relatively paltry population of older, whiter, more conservative voters who are the ones filling out their ballots. And, as a consequence, theyre poised to elevate deeply unimpressive politicians like Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey to the November election, where he clearly has no business being. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thats pathetic, to put it bluntly. We certainly understand that many Democrats in California would prefer a more transformative, charismatic vision for the presidency than whats being offered in 2024. Indeed, the Chronicles editorial board didnt support Joe Biden in the 2020 primary, dismissing him as befuddled at times and out of gas at others. But that battle was litigated in 2020. Biden won handily, propelled to victory by working-class Black voters who reasonably decided that, after the chaos of Donald Trumps presidency, they would prefer a return to the relative stability of the Obama years over promises of radical change that might not be deliverable. As a practical matter in the Democratic primary, how Californians feel about Bidens performance as president is largely immaterial because his victory here and across the nation in the primary is fait accompli; he has no meaningful opposition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This editorial board has interviewed many of his primary opponents, including Marianne Williamson, a self-help author and past presidential candidate who dropped out of the race earlier this month only to jump back in two weeks later. She and several other candidates we spoke with were smart, charismatic and at times thoughtful. But voters who would rather stay at home than submit a protest vote for these alternatives are correct in their unstated assertion that neither Williamson nor Bidens other opponents can deliver meaningful change at the federal level. We also spoke with prominent third-party candidates like Jill Stein with the Green Party and the Peace & Freedom Partys Cornel West. All articulated deep frustrations with the U.S. two-party system. But the unfortunate reality is that they are more likely to siphon votes from Biden and help Trump win the presidency in the general election than change the system for the better. This is frustrating for many. But Democrats in California and elsewhere need to wake up to the fact that elections are bigger than the presidency and waiting around for the perfect federal daddy or mommy to meet all your political needs before you vote is childish and self-defeating to the point of absurdity. Most of the solutions to key issues like housing, homelessness and public safety are adjudicated at the state and local levels. If you expect them to improve, you have better research and select local and state representatives with the ideas and the competency to make a difference. Selecting solid candidates locally is also how you eventually wind up with candidates you like at the federal level. California is allegedly the gold standard of the progressive vision for America. But weve long failed to put in the hard work to build the infrastructure we need to support our ideals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its easy to yell and scream about your lofty moral values. Its harder to hold politicians feet to the fire until they build a green energy economy, mental health and drug treatment facilities, job training capabilities and reentry housing for former inmates. For anyone planning on sitting this election out because youre unhappy with the president, just know that your local community and your state need you to snap out of it and make some tough choices. A terrible turnout in California would be especially damning because voters in Michigan upset with Bidens handling of the war in Gaza just showed how to effectively vote in protest in a primary. More than 100,000 people in that state voted uncommitted for president. To do this, however, they had to show up to polls. Theres no question that this strategy caught Bidens attention. Refusing to vote altogether, however, as Californians appear poised to do, is a display of apathy, not protest. And its more likely to show Biden that he needs to court voters on the right who actually show up to the polls than those on the left who cant be bothered to care. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A 30-year-old man, who had recently returned from Australia, was found shot dead along the Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway at Parmanand village in Pathankot district on Monday. The victim, Hardev Singh Thakur, a resident of Chak Ameer village in Narot Jaimal Singh area, held permanent residency in Australia, where his wife and other family members reside, according to his relatives. (Representative Image/HT File) The victim, Hardev Singh Thakur, a resident of Chak Ameer village in Narot Jaimal Singh area, held permanent residency in Australia, where his wife and other family members reside, according to his relatives. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Pathankot senior superintendent of police (SSP) Daljinder Singh said, We found the dead body of the victim in the morning. He had sustained bullet injuries. The incident took place late on Sunday night. Thakurs body was found beside his Thar vehicle, which he had used to attend a wedding in Tarn Taran with his brother-in-law. After dropping off his brother-in-law, he was attacked and killed by unidentified individuals, the police said. A Pakistani court on Monday issued notices to the Punjab provincial government and the district administration on a petition seeking contempt proceedings against three top officials for not complying with its order regarding naming the Shadman Chowk in Lahore after Indian Independence war hero Bhagat Singh. A Pakistani court on Monday issued notices to the Punjab provincial government and the district administration on a petition seeking contempt proceedings against three top officials for not complying with its order regarding naming the Shadman Chowk in Lahore after Indian Independence war hero Bhagat Singh Lahore high court justice Shams Mahmood Mirza issued notices to Punjab chief secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, deputy commissioner Lahore Rafia Haider, and the city administrator on the petition filed by the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Pakistan. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The LHC issued the notices to the respondents for submitting a reply on the contempt petition for their failure to name the Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh by March 26, Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi, chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, told PTI after the hearing. Qureshi said the LHC in 2018 had ordered the government to name Shadman Chowk, the place where Bhagat Singh was hanged in 1931, after the freedom fighter. But both the provincial and district governments deliberately did not comply with the LHCs order, thus committing contempt, he said. Bhagat Singh, who fought for the independence of the subcontinent, was hanged by British rulers on March 23, 1931, along with Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar after being tried under charges of hatching a conspiracy against the regime. Singh was initially jailed for life but later awarded the death sentence in another fabricated case. Bhagat Singh is respected in the subcontinent not only by Sikhs and Hindus but also by Muslims. Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah had reportedly twice paid him tribute during his speech in the central assembly, saying there had never been another brave person in the subcontinent like Bhagat Singh. Qureshi stated Bhagat Singh was a freedom fighter of the subcontinent and gave his life along with his companions for the cause of freedom. It will be in the interest of justice to name Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh and also install his statue at the square to inspire the people of Pakistan and the world, he said and added in neighbouring India, there were many roads and thoroughfares named after Muslim rulers such as Akbar Road, Shahjahan Road and Bahadur Shah Road. The 14-month-old Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government suffered another setback on Tuesday when the Himachal Pradesh high court declared the water cess levied on hydropower generation unconstitutional. The Himachal Pradesh Water Cess Commission issued notices to 173 power-producing companies to collect the cess amounting to 871 crore from March to July last year. Some private companies complied, but those in the public sector moved the high court. (HT file photo) The decision of the division Bench, comprising justice Trilok Chauhan and justice Satyen Vaidya, came on a writ petition filed by 40 hydropower companies in the high court last year, challenging the imposition of the water cess. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In its 100-page judgment, the court ordered that the amount, if any, recovered by the respondents from the petitioners under the provisions of the Act are ordered to be refunded within four weeks from today (Tuesday). Also read: Supreme Court to hear Punjabs suit on Shanan project transfer on April 8 Soon after taking charge, the Sukhu government decided to impose the cess on power projects in the cash-strapped state to generate 1,800 crore. The Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Bill was introduced in the assembly on March 14, 2023, and passed on March 16, 2023. It replaced the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Ordinance, 2023, promulgated on February 15 last year. The Himachal Pradesh Water Cess Commission issued notices to 173 power-producing companies to collect the cess amounting to 871 crore from March to July last year. Some private companies complied, but those in the public sector moved the high court. One of the petitioners,Everest Power Private Limited, urged the court to declare the Act unconstitutional and quash it. The company said that Sections 10 and 15 of the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess from Hydro Power Generation Act, 2023, and Rule 7 of the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess from Hydro Power Generation Rules, 2023, as apply to existing projects, may be declared to be unconstitutional and may be quashed and set aside, counsel Rajnish Maniktala said. In the alternative, any amount of cess recovered by the respondents under the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Water Cess from Hydro Power Generation Act, 2023, may be ordered to be refunded along with interest at 12% per year, he said. The company has been generating power from the 100-MW Malana II Hydroelectric Project in Kullu district. Last year, the central government had shot down the Himachal Pradesh governments bid to generate 1,800 crore by imposing water cess on hydel companies, terming any additional charges or duties on power generation unconstitutional. In a letter to all state chief secretaries on October 25, the Union energy ministry reiterated that no state has the authority to impose water cess. The government had cited Articles 286, 287, and 288 of the Constitution, emphasising that imposing such fee on thermal, hydro, wind, and solar power generation is beyond the jurisdiction of the states. Yet, the state government enacted the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess Hydro Power Generation Act, 2023, and set up a commission to oversee tax collection. Lieutenant governor VK Saxena has approached the Delhi high court, seeking intervention in a matter regarding non-conforming areas to implement the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22, saying that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi deliberately misled the court and maligned his office for petty ends by presenting twisted and distorted facts in the matter. Lt Gov VK Saxena, in his plea filed on March 1, claimed that he had consciously approved the proposal in the report regarding the identification of conforming and non-conforming wards on February 3. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo) Saxena, in his plea filed on March 1, claimed that he had consciously approved the proposal in the report regarding the identification of conforming and non-conforming wards on February 3 keeping in mind the next date of hearing, and had forwarded his approval to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal with an explicit noting to place the same before the high court on February 7. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He said that the Delhi government, instead of complying with his directive, filed an application seeking an extension of time. The facts reflect a distressing plight, where the GNCT of Delhi refuses to take responsibility of its own lapses and omissions. What is even more concerning is the manner in which the responsibility is falsely attributed to a constitutional authority with no regard for accountability of ones actions. The manner in which the twisted and distorted facts were presented before the court in this matter is a deliberate attempt to mislead the court and malign the constitutional office of the LG, Saxena said. The LGs application was listed before on Tuesday, but a bench of justice Subramonium Prasad posted it for March 20. HT reached out to AAP, but party officials did not offer a comment at the time of going to print. The Delhi high court on Monday issued notice to Centre seeking its reply to a petition filed by French journalist and an overseas citizen of India (OCI) card holder Vanessa Dougnac challenging the decision to deny her permission to carry out journalistic activities in the country. Dougnac said she came to India 25 years ago as a student and subsequently worked here as a journalist for 23 years. (X / @RSF_inter) The court directed the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and union home affairs ministry to file its reply within a week saying that the matter needed immediate attention as it concerned the rights of an OCI card holder. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Since its a matter concerning the rights of OCI, matter needs immediate attention, a bench of justice Subramonium Prasad said while posting the matter for March 15. Dougnac in her plea had contended that the Centres September 14, 2022 decision denying her permission to undertake journalistic activity is ex facie illegal, arbitrary and has been passed in a mechanical manner without any application of mind. Also Read: Being forced to leave India, alleges French journalist She has thus urged the court to direct the ministry to restore her OCI activity permission and decide the same with the applicable laws and principles of natural justice. Dougnac has also urged to direct the Centre to decide her fresh application for grant of permission to undertake journalistic activities with the applicable law. The Petitioner was the longest serving foreign correspondent in India. However, pursuant to the Impugned Order, it became impossible for her to work and earn her livelihood in India. Despite multiple informal and formal attempts at resolving the issue with Respondent Nos. 1 and 2, trying to understand the reasons behind the Impugned Order, and trying to get another OCI Activity Permission to undertake journalistic activities, the Petitioner did not receive any satisfactory response. Consequently, on February 16 she was forced to leave India and return to France, her plea read. She in her plea had also stated that the denial of special permission could not constitute the basis for Centres January 18 show cause notice against her for cancellation of her OCI card. On Monday, Dougnac appearing through advocate Vrinda Bhandari contended that she was a journalist living in India for more than two decades and had married to an Indian. Bhandari also argued that her application was closed by the authorities without giving any material reason. While the home affairs ministry appearing through standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia submitted that the French journalist did not per se have the right to be aware of the cause of denial. He added that an OCI card holder could not undertake journalistic activities and had to apply for a journalist visa. The Centres counsel further stated that the ministry was also awaiting a decision from the authorities on the issue of cancellation of her OCI status. In the show cause notice we have stated that you have carried a propaganda in bringing the country to a bad light, the counsel said. In a statement issued on February 16, Dougnac, former South Asia Correspondent for newsweekly Le Point and newspapers Le Soir and La Croix had said that she was being forced to leave by the Government of India. Sixteen months ago, the Ministry of Home Affairs denied my right to work as a journalist, providing no reasons nor justifications, and no hearing, she had said in her statement. Dougnac said she came to India 25 years ago as a student and subsequently worked here as a journalist for 23 years, in addition to getting married and raising her son in the country. Leaving is not my choice, she added The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) has partially opened a section of the Bhairon Marg underpass for two-way traffic between Bhairon Marg/Mathura Road and Ring Road/Sarai Kale Khan, said officials aware of the matter, nearly a year-and-a-half after the rest of the Pragati Maidan tunnel network was inaugurated. The underpass will help relieve some of the traffic pressure along the busy corridor. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) The underpass comprises two separate parallel tunnel sections: a two-lane segment and a three-lane one. Officials said that the two-lane section was thrown open for traffic on Monday evening, with temporary cones affixed to allow two-way movement on the 110m stretch till the larger tunnel is ready. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Officials said the underpass will help relieve some of the traffic pressure along the busy corridor. The opening of the underpass will reduce the traffic bound for Ghaziabad/Noida on the IP Estate section of the Ring Road. The traffic on this road is very heavy, and during peak hours it turns into a major congestion node. The overall project will help Ghaziabad-bound traffic to have signal-free access right till the doorstep, an official said, on condition of anonymity. However, experts warned that traffic on the single lanes of the underpass will have to be streamlined and channelised, otherwise it may lead to a bottleneck. The PWD official quoted above said that the wider three-lane segment will take several more months to open, with authorities to restore the tunnel after extensive damage during the floods in July. During a spot check on Tuesday morning, HT found commuters were largely unaware that the new tunnel had been opened, with key signboards still to be installed, even though security personnel had been deployed at the two exit points one at Bhairon Marg and one at Ring Road to guide traffic inwards. Ramesh Ahuja, who was driving from central Delhi towards Noida, said the facility will be of a great help to commuters. To drive from Bhairon Marg to Sarai Kale Khan, one had to earlier take a left towards ITO, drive for around 150m, and then take a U-turn back towards Sarai Kale Khan. The new underpass will greatly help commuters. However, there is a danger that this single-lane underpass may get choked during rush hours, he said. Meanwhile, Dr S Velmurugan, chief scientist and head of traffic engineering and safety division at Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) said the aim to make the Bhairon Marg-Ring Road intersection signal free will not be fully achieved unless work on the underpass is completed. One lane can only carry a maximum of 1,300 vehicles per hour, and departments will have to deploy marshals to streamline the flow of traffic so that a new bottleneck is not formed. The commuters will have to be channelised and speed will be constrained as there is no luxury of additional lane for sideways movement, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pragati Maidan integrated transit corridor comprising a 1.3-km tunnel and five underpasses in June 2022, four-and-a-half years after work on the project began. The underpass was originally expected to be completed entirely by December 2022, but remains a work in progress PWD had earlier said that the three-lane segment continues to face multiple technical issues, and the progress of box pushing under the existing railway tracks is not progressing on schedule due to the uneven settlement of the underlying land. The stretch was also damaged by floodwaters last July, further pushing back the timescale. Subsequently, PWD on February 3 this year issued a notice to L&T, the contractor for the project, asking why action should not be initiated against the firm for financial and reputational losses incurred by the government and its agencies due to the inability to complete the project on time. L&T, in turn, made a counter claim of 500 crore against the agency. HT reached out to PWD for on the matter, officials there did not respond to queries on the status of the legal tussle. The midnight moon is shining upon the land beneath, but the land has its own lights. Hundreds visit the Panj Peeran Qabristangraveyard of the five gurusin central Delhi, beside Lodhi Crematorium, on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. (HT Photo) On this night of Shab-e-Barat, a special occasion in the Islamic calendar (commemorated about a week ago), the dead in the citys graveyards are being visited by their living relatives, as is the tradition. The Panj Peeran Qabristangraveyard of the five gurusin central Delhi, beside Lodhi Crematorium, is also packed with hundreds of citizens pacing up and down the ubar-khabar mud tracks. The sights are surreal, dream-like, truly unforgettable. Some graves are crowded with people, but some have only a single visitor. Some graves are lit with a dozen candles, but others have just one. A few have none. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On a grassy wedge of land free of graves, a cluster of silent people are sitting patiently as food is served from a giant deg. Steps away, a family has settled down around the rose-strewn grave of a loved one, taking out home-made meethi rotis from a knotted cloth bundle. Elsewhere, a man is standing alone, the shadows of surrounding keekar trees intersecting on his silhouetted figure. Three teenagers are sitting around a mound of fresh earth, not caring that their denim pants are covered in the graveyard dust. The inscription on some of the gravestones suggest that they might not receive any visitor during the long night, for they belong to people who might not have family or friends in Delhi. Such as the four-year-old grave of Amina Abdirahman Maow, described on the gravestone as a native of Mogadishu in Somalia. The grave of Storai Mohebzada Fazle Rahman too is without light or flowersthe inscription describes him as a dweller of Kabul in Afghanistan. Three years ago, the elderly Suhana Begum, a homeless woman living near this graveyard, was discovered dead on the street where she would usually sit. She lies buried somewhere amid these graves. Since Suhana Begum used to say that she had no one in the world, it is possible that her unmarked resting place might not be visited this special night. PS: A few nights later, the Panj Peeran graveyard is immersed in its customary darkness, with barely anyone around, evoking a familiar feel of melancholy, mystery and fear that cemeteries exude at night. The Trinamool Congress stands for corruption and it will not last till the 2026 state polls, Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay said on Tuesday afternoon shortly after resigning from the judiciary and announcing that he would be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tentatively on March 7. Abhijit Gangopadhyay. (Hindustan Times) I am joining the BJP because it is the only national party. Prime Minister Modi is a good man. He is very hard working. He is trying to do something for the country, the former judge said at a press conference in the high court premises. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The BJP will welcome him. He has proved that the BJP is the only platform in Bengal from where corruption can be fought, the partys state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said while most other senior leaders maintained silence. Gangopadhyay sent his resignation directly to the President of India on Tuesday morning. It came into effect immediately under Article 217 (1) (a) of the Constitution. No cooling off period is applicable in this case, he told reporters. Although several Calcutta high court judges have resigned before retirement since Independence, none joined politics in this manner, senior advocates said. Arguing that personal attacks by TMC leaders prompted him to quit and join politics, Gangopadhyay said: I had very little time to decide to join. I approached the BJP and the BJP approached me over the last seven days. Thats why I was on leave during this period. I stopped adjudicating so that nobody can raise an allegation. Gangopadhyay, who announced his plans on Sunday without naming the BJP, refused to comment on whether Union minister Amit Shah figured among the BJP leaders he had been interacting with. Gangopadhyays statement prompted TMC leaders to allege that irrespective of whether he was on leave for a week, his admission was the proof of a sitting judges connection with the BJP, something they had been pointing at since 2021 following back-to-back orders he passed in alleged corruption cases in which several ruling party leaders have been arrested. His statement, I approached the BJP and BJP approached me, is an extremely interesting point. You have to read between the lines. He specified that he was in touch with the BJP when he was hearing cases. Let common people draw their own conclusion, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said at a political event. Probably it was a slip of tongue, but he revealed the truth, Banerjee quipped. Stating that the BJPs national election committee will decide whether he should be fielded in the coming Lok Sabha polls, Gangopadhyay trained his guns at the TMC, calling the partys founder and chief minister Mamata Banerjee nothing but another political personality and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee whom he did not name even once - a tin soldier. Why should I take his name? His name itself is a slang word, Gangopadhyay said. BJP leaders, too, do not take Abhisheks name and usually refer to him as Bhaipo (nephew in Bengali). I will show how the tin soldiers army of goons can be defeated. He can be defeated by millions of votes at Diamond Harbour, Gangopadhyay said, referring to Abhishek Banerjees Lok Sabha constituency. It was interesting to see that like all BJP leaders, the former judge too did not take my name. This is a democratic country, and anybody can take part in any election from anywhere, the TMC MP said. The TMC is crumbling from within. It has already reached the state where the CPI(M) stood in 2009, the former judge said, referring to the last years of the Left Fronts 34-year-long regime that ended in 2011. One or two more arrests and the TMC will be obliterated, he said, indirectly referring to federal agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). During his tenure as judge, Gangopadhyay ordered federal agency probes in around 14 cases. Gangopadhyay, who has always projected himself as a crusader against corruption, batted for the BJP when he was asked what made him so sure that the party does not have corrupt leaders. I do not know whether the BJP is a corruption-free party, but it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. My job will be to fight corruption, he said. Surprising everyone, the former judge said the 2014 Narada sting operation - which the CBI and ED are probing since 2016 on the orders of the Supreme Court - was staged by the tin soldier to gain entry into politics. The entire sting operation was staged. TMC leaders (purportedly seen in the videos accepting money) are victims of a conspiracy, he said. Between Feb and April 2014, a Narada News journalist posing as a businessman conducted sting operation on a host of senior TMC leaders and ministers by offering them money ranging between 4 and 5 lakhs. The videos were uploaded on the Narada News website on the eve of the 2016 Bengal assembly polls, triggering a row. Among those purportedly seen in the videos are the then TMC Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy, who joined the BJP in 2017, and the then Bengal cabinet minister Suvendu Adhikari, who joined the BJP before the 2021 assembly polls. Adhikari, who is now leader of the opposition in the Bengal legislative assembly, was named as a suspect in a separate complaint ED filed months before he joined the BJP. He was also named in the CBIs first information report (FIR) in 2017. Although the BJP was the first opposition party to call a press conference where the videos were played before the media in 2016, the party has never mentioned the case in recent years. The TMC, on the other hand, has questioned why CBI and ED never summoned Roy and Adhikari although several of its leaders were arrested. Asked why he chose the BJP over the Left parties and the Congress, Gangopadhyay said: The Congress is a familys zamindari (estate). There are many good leaders, such as Jairam Ramesh, who is more educated than Rahul Gandhi, who never got any important post. And I couldnt have joined the CPI(M) because their leaders are atheists, or at least claim to be so in public, whereas I believe in God, he added. Eminent lawyer and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who the former judge often referred to as his teacher in the legal profession, said: Many judges of the high court resigned before retirement after Independence, but this is a unique case. Bhattacharya said: I have to respect a persons decision although I do not agree. Joining the BJP may put him into trouble. He has created the image of a person who follows the Constitution and exposes corruption in the administration. The BJP itself is a corrupt party. He will feel frustrated in a few days. Sixty-two-year-old Gangopadhay, who joined the high court as an additional judge in 2018 and was made a permanent judge in July 2020, was scheduled to retire in July. Asked whether he quit five months earlier to contest the Lok Saba polls, he said, That is for the BJP to decide. I left because TMC leaders literally forced me to take the call. Asked what he felt about the controversy over electoral bonds, Gangopadhyay said: Although there was no corruption, the process of issuing electoral bonds lacked transparency. The Supreme Court has commented on this. There was no scam in India purchasing Rafale fighter aircrafts from France, he commented. Has any corruption been established in the Bofors deal? The same goes for Rafale, he said. Among the important cases that the former judge heard is the bribe-for-job scam. In May 2022, he ordered the CBI to probe the appointment of non-teaching staff (Group C and D) and teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education between 2014 and 2021. The appointees allegedly paid bribes in the range of 5-15 lakh to get jobs after failing the selection tests. In April 2023, the judge ordered CBI to probe a suspected recruitment scam in civic bodies across Bengal. Both CBI and ED have told the Supreme Court that the two scams are related. Chief minister Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee, his wife and his parents are all suspects in the school recruitment scam. Baghpat Lok Sabha constituency of Uttar Pradesh remained the traditional seat and stronghold of former PM Chaudhary Charan Singhs family from 1977 to 2009 with the exception of 1998 polls when his son Ajit Singh lost the seat to BJPs Sompal Shastri. Ex-PM Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was recently conferred the countrys highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, won the seat in 1977, 1980 and 1984. (HT file) Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was recently conferred the countrys highest civilian award Bharat Ratna, won the seat in 1977, 1980 and 1984. After his death in 1987, his son and former Union minister Ajit Singh represented it in Lok Sabha in 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2009. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. From 2014, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which Ajit Singhs son Jayant Chaudhary heads now, lost its ground on the seat. That year, Ajit Singh stood third there and in 2019 polls, Jayant lost from here. BJPs Satya Pal Singh had won the seat in the last general election. In this backdrop, it will be interesting to see whether the RLD will be able to regain its glory by winning the seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls or not. Also, this is the first general election since 1977 when none of Chaudhary Charan Singhs family member is in the fray. Reason: After joining the BJP-led NDA recently, it was speculated that the RLD may field Jayant Chaudharys wife from Baghpat seat. However, contrary to it, the party chose senior party loyalist Dr Rajkumar Sangwan as it pick from the constituency. RLD MLA from Meerapur constituency Chandan Chauhan is the partys choice for Bijnor seat. Appreciating Jayants decision of fielding Dr Sangwan from Baghpat, Sompal Shastri, who defeated Jayants father Ajit Singh in the 1998 Lok Sabha polls from the seat, said, He (Sangwan) has been dedicated for the party for over four decades now and his candidature will boost the moral of party workers and leaders. Baghpat has 22.4 percent Jats, 18.8 percent Muslims, 20.4 percent SC, 11.4 percent Gujjar, 3.2 percent Yadav, 3.2 percent Vaishya, 6.4 percent Brahmin, 3 percent each Tyagi and Thakur along with 4 percent other voters. Navi Mumbai: The Koparkhairane police conducted an all out operation late at night on Saturday, leading to the arrest of six persons accused in various crimes. Around 30 police officers and 200 police personnel participated in the operation wherein 27 summons and two bailable warrants were issued, while a senior police inspector suffered minor injuries due to a scuffle with a suspect who was arrested on Monday. 6 nabbed, 1 cop injured in all out operation The operation was conducted following directions from Navi Mumbai police commissioner Milind Bharambe, with the objective of nabbing various wanted accused, gangsters, history sheeters, illegal immigrants, drug peddlers and suspects on record within the limits of Koparkhairane police station. It comprised combing operations at multiple locations at the same time, said deputy commissioner of police (zone I) Pankaj Dahane. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Those arrested included Salim Imam Uddin Khan, 28, accused in 17 burglary cases; Rizwan Sadiq Qureshi, 32, charged for various offences; Sahil Rafiq Ansari, 22, accused in robbery cases in Ghansoli village; Ajju John Francis, 27, accused of murder; and Popi Imrul Mulla, 20, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh. Francis claimed that he was out on bail, but could not produce any supporting documents, said police. At around 11.30pm, while combing operations were underway, a police team noticed an unidentified sickle-wielding man on a motor bike outside Parsik Bank in sector 5. When senior inspector Audumber Patil proceeded towards the man to ascertain his identity, he assaulted the policeman before fleeing the spot on his bike. Patil received minor injuries and was taken to hospital and given first aid. On Monday, the police team traced the biker and arrested him. He was identified as Nitin Sampat Kharat, 24. The police are investigating why he was loitering in sector 5 with a weapon late at night. The Macys at Union Square is among the 150 stores the retailer says it will close over the next two years. Juliana Yamada/Special to the Chronicle Regarding Were losing San Francisco bit by bit, arent we? (Native Son, SFChronicle.com, March 2): Carl Noltes obituary for the Macys Union Square store was touching but out of touch. Yes, the closure is a kind of death, but with that comes the opportunities for rebirth. I have only lived in San Francisco for five years, but have visited regularly since 1978. I remember as a young woman wandering through the Tenderloin, wondering if it was a good idea. It seems like the same place now, though the ravages of fentanyl are horribly shocking. My point is that this is a real city, with the highs and lows that come along with city life. Striving for a more vibrant, living city needs loving input from us all, but does not require mega department stores that truly are a dying breed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I rejoice in San Francisco, warts and all, and look forward to the next evolutions. Rosemary King, San Francisco Call out hate Regarding California neo-Nazi trying to crowdfund tour of city council meetings to provoke free speech lawsuit (California, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 26): I am the Jewish Walnut Creek City Council member referred to in the article, Ive been waiting and hoping for an article to expose these people and their enablers. The Chronicle and reporter Raheem Hosseini did that, and I hope more media pick up on the topic. There will still be haters, but they hopefully will be ostracized by their community, neighbors and employers. If they are exposed from the shadows, they cant hide behind aliases. Crowdfunding sites, as enablers, should be held accountable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are more people of welcoming and understanding than haters, and we all need to stand up against hate. Silence equals acquiescence and hate lives in a vacuum. Kevin Wilk, City Council member, Walnut Creek Read the room Regarding Mayor Breed to release funds to fix broken elevators trapping residents. But repairs still a year away (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 27): I commend the Chronicle for inquiring with Mayor London Breeds Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to find out why releasing $10 million in elevator repairs for single-room occupancy hotels has been stalled for more than a year. The mayor and the department havent said why the funds werent released. How can there be justification for not having functioning elevators in buildings where people who live there have disabilities and need them? Advertisement Article continues below this ad It brings to mind the sober living facility the mayor planned to locate in Chinatown and there was no outreach to the community, causing an uproar. It may have been a perfectly workable proposal had the neighbors been brought in to help plan the site. I believe this is a part of the reason Mayor Breed has lost so much public support. Leadership means listening to the public and being responsive to its needs. Alan Collins, San Francisco Engage in democracy With the California primary election upon us, its crucial to emphasize the pivotal role of voter registration and participation in shaping our future. Now more than ever, the Latinx community has a unique opportunity to engage actively in the democratic process and drive progress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Voting isnt just a right; its a powerful catalyst for change. By registering and voting, we become active decision-makers on issues affecting our lives, from the economy to the environment and immigration. Engaging in the electoral process sets an example for younger generations, inspiring them to become informed and active citizens. Voter participation ensures that elected officials hear our concerns. Whether advocating for education, health care or economic opportunities, our votes shape policies that benefit all residents. I urge everyone to register and vote. Even if you cant vote, you can get involved by motivating your community members to cast their ballots. Lets make our voices heard and ensure our communitys interests are represented. MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned billionaire businessman Niranjan Hiranandani, the promoter of prominent Mumbai-based realty company Hiranandani Group, for nearly 11 hours in a foreign exchange violation case. We have recorded the statement of Niranjan Hiranandani, said an ED official. Mumbai, India Mar 04, 2024: Billionaire Niranjan Hiranandani leaves after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today in a foreign exchange violation case, in Mumbai, India, on Monday, Mar 04, 2024. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo) Hiranandani reached EDs office in Ballard Pier in south Mumbai around 11.30am and left around 10.15pm. While leaving the agencys office, Niranjan said, We are co-operating with the agency and happily answered all their questions. Its an old matter -- 16 years old. The agency had certain queries which had been raised previously also and we answered those questions. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Niranjan Hiranandani, Dubai-based son Darshan summoned by ED. What's the case? The agency had summoned Niranjan and his son, Darshan, who has lived in Dubai for the last few years. Accordingly, Hiranandani reached EDs office in Ballard Pier in the afternoon and was questioned by the agency officials for hours. The agency alleged the group entities had allegedly received funds over 400 crore via the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route for the housing projects but the alleged utilisation of the amount in these projects was not as per the prescribed government guidelines, ED sources said. Under the scanner of the FEMA probe are Niranjan Hiranandani, his son Darshan Hiranandani who is said to be Dubai-based and their group entities, ED sources said. EDs searches were conducted last month at three locations in Mumbai, including the Group entities corporate and registered offices in Mumbai and the residential premises located in south Mumbai of its co-founder Niranjan Hiranandani, and a group housing projects site office in Panvel, ED sources said. Also Read: ED conducts searches at Hiranandani group entities over FEMA violations The Hiranandanis are under the agencys scanner for alleged routing of investments of more than 400 crore in the form of Foreign Direct Investments(FDI) received in group companies having real estate projects in Panvel and Chennai, agency sources said. ED sources said that the probe revealed that the Group had allegedly received the FDI funds for its two planned housing projects in Panvel and Chennai but there were subsequent violations related to the end-use of such funds. As per the gathered information, the alleged utilisation of the amount in these projects was not as per the prescribed government guidelines, the ED sources said. One of the group entities which had received the FDI did not repay loans taken from a consortium of banks and was declared a Non-Performing Asset, an agency source said. Interestingly, the incomplete project was then taken over by another Hiranandani group entity in the subsequent Debt Resolution Tribunal proceedings, the source said. As per the information available with the agency, Niranjan Hiranandani and his family members were allegedly the beneficiaries of an offshore trust, which had accumulated assets of more than USD 60 million, ED sources said. The group was earlier also named in the Pandora Papers, the source said. EDs probe also learnt that the Hiranandanis had allegedly set up at least 25 companies and a Trust in the British Virgin Islands between 2006 and 2008. The official spokesperson of Hiranandani Group stated, The company representative will remain fully cooperative in submitting required documents as was done previously multiple times and will appear when needed. A group of 47 farmers, associated with 35 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), recently visited Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to gain insights into the international market scenario for agricultural produce. The team explored the potential of the international market for their agricultural products including fruits and vegetables. Flagging of a consignment of 1600 kg of fresh turmeric from Chunar, Mirzapur (U.P.), and 1100 kg of fresh fruits from Thakurganj, Bihar, from Varanasi airport to the UAE (HT Photo) Recently, we visited Dubai and learned about time management, the necessity of the international market, packaging, and measures required to maintain product quality, shared Ramkumar Rai, a farmer and director of the farmer producer company in Ghazipur, who was one of the 47 farmers who visited Dubai. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Rai shared his experiences of the foreign visit with fellow farmers and top officials at a programme organised at the Divisional Commissioner Auditorium in Varanasi on Tuesday. Rai also lauded the Agricultural and Processed Foods Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for its role in facilitating exports in the state, including organising this capacity-building and exposure trip for farmers abroad. Various agricultural products, including fresh fruits and vegetables such as green chilies, mangoes, okra, potatoes, water chestnuts, cranberries, bananas, jimikand, ivy gourd, bottle gourd, pointed gourd, arvi, and ginger, as well as fresh marigold and rice, have been exported. Chairman of APEDA, Abhishek Dev, stated that so far, more than 702 metric tons of vegetables have been exported from the Varanasi region, which needs to be increased further. He noted the keen interest of FPOs in agricultural exports as a positive sign for the region, reflecting its deep potential to meet international market demands. This has led to UP becoming the third-largest agricultural exporting state in India, after Gujarat and Maharashtra. CB Singh, deputy general manager of APEDA for U.P., Bihar, and Uttarakhand, stated that 47 farmers from the three statesUP, Bihar, and Uttarakhand visited Dubai from February 25 to March 1. Of these, 40 farmers were from UP, five from Bihar, and two from Uttarakhand. During the tour, the farmers visited several hypermarkets and the prominent Al Abeer market in the Gulf Region. They interacted with exporters, understood the requirements of the international market, and observed agricultural products from around the world. Divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma expressed satisfaction with the work being done by the regional office of APEDA. Sharma said: In coordination with the Administration, APEDA is organising sensitization programmes and international-level buyer-seller meets. The efforts and initiatives of APEDA since 2020 in the region are yielding results, with exponential growth in agricultural exportsfrom 151 MT in the fiscal year 2021-22 to 702 MT in the year 2023-24 (April to December). He emphasised that to further increase exports in the future, facilities have been enhanced at the dedicated freight corridor and airport. He stressed the need for continuous work in this direction, maintaining quality consistently. Sharma encouraged farmers to promote organic farming continuously. He urged everyone to work collectively to elevate the entire region to new heights. He flagged off a consignment of 1600 kg of fresh turmeric from Chunar, Mirzapur (U.P.), and 1100 kg of fresh fruits from Thakurganj, Bihar, from Varanasi airport to the UAE. Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran has been named as the second accused in a financial fraud case that involves fake antiques dealer Monson Mavunkal, officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. Mavunkal is the first accused in the case. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Sudhakaran. (Facebook photo) The Kerala Police Crime Branch named the senior Congress leader in its charge sheet filed before the Ernakulam Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate court. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sudhakaran has reportedly been charged with cheating and criminal conspiracy for allegedly receiving 10 lakh from Mavunkal and aiding false representations about the dealer and the fake artefacts that he claimed to be authentic to several people. The complainants alleged that they had paid Mavunkal 25 lakh at his residence in Kochi in the presence of Sudhakaran. Photos of Sudhakaran and Mavunkal appearing together had also surfaced on social media in 2021. The Congress leader, however, termed the allegations baseless and has stuck to the argument that he had visited Mavunkal as the latter had claimed to be a cosmetologist. Sudhakaran was not available for comment following Tuesdays development. Sudhakaran was arrested by the crime branch in June last year in connection but the Kerala high court granted him bail. He had last year also appeared for questioning before the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has been probing allegations of money laundering in the same case. Mavunkal, who was arrested by the crime branch in September 2021, is accused of swindling 10 crore from several people. He allegedly convinced them that the proceeds, amounting to 2.62 lakh crore, from the sale of antiques to a royal family based in the Gulf was frozen by the central government authorities and that he needed money to clear the procedures. The fake antique pieces that Mavunkal displayed in his custody included the throne of Tipu Sultan, the Staff of Moses, the Bhagavad Gita of Chhatrapati Shivaji and a relic of St Anthony of Padua. Mavunkal was sentenced to life imprisonment last year by a POCSO court in Kochi for raping a minor girl and is currently in jail. Reacting to Sudhakaran being named in the charge sheet, his party colleague VD Satheesan said, The police are hunting the opposition. We do not expect anything else from them. Initially, they tried to arrest him (Sudhakaran) in the guise of taking his statement. The high court granted him anticipatory bail. We will face this legally. Everyone knows that he has no role in it. Tuesdays development comes ahead of Sudharakans likely candidature from Kannur as the Congress candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He is the sitting MP from the constituency. The seven-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court has delivered a much-needed correction to a 1998 judgment that allowed legislators to invoke parliamentary privilege when accused of accepting a bribe during voting in Parliament or for raising a query in either of the Houses. The 98 verdict by a five-judge bench in PV Narasimha Rao provided immunity to several members of Parliament accused of accepting bribes to vote in favour of the Rao government in a no-confidence motion in 1993. Mondays order clarifies that parliamentary privilege cant be turned into a shield against corruption. The ramifications of this verdict are substantial as legislators accused of corruption, including during voting in Rajya Sabha polls and confidence motions, now stand the risk of facing a criminal investigation. Parliamentary privilege is a subset of the right to free speech. In the case of legislators, it provides them a necessary shield to speak freely and fearlessly on public issues in the House. As the Court reiterated on Monday, this freedom is at the core of the function of a democratic legislative institution. However, it was erroneous to stretch this provision to allegations of bribery and other such crimes. Legislators, by virtue of their exalted status as a peoples representative, cant claim to be more privileged than voters in the face of the law. The new order has sought to define what constitutes parliamentary privilege and has proposed a two-fold test to determine if it is related to the House collectively and necessary for its functioning. That said, it is not necessarily possible to provide proof in all cases of political corruption. It isnt easy to prove that a person has spoken in the House as a quid pro quo. When legislators cross-vote most often for position, pelf, or protection they are likely to explain their shift in preferences as a matter of conviction. Safeguards such as the anti-defection law and whip have been rendered ineffective by partisan speakers and judicial delays. In recent times, state after state has seen legislators shifting parties or legislative loyalties. Checks and balances against this will need more than just legal safeguards. And public offices and institutions will have to protect their independence and be fair in their conduct. Opposition parties claim that agencies tend to proceed slowly against legislators under probe when they align themselves with the party in the Centre. While the Courts intervention is right and laudable, parties and politicians need to be at the forefront of the war against political corruption. At stake is the very credibility of parliamentary democracy. The University of Hull has invited applications for the Two-Year BA (Hons) degree in Primary Teaching studies. University of Hull invites applications for the Two-Year BA (Hons) degree in Primary Teaching studies(Getty Images/iStockphoto) As per a press release issued by the University, aspiring teachers looking to teach primary-aged children creatively and innovatively can apply for the course. The application process has already begun and the last day for applications is August 31, 2024. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also read: Punjab govt rolls out many initiatives to boost education in budget Applicants pursuing the course will learn education theory, research, policy, and technical knowledge for students. They will also get the opportunities to implement professional practice through a work-based module at the end of the first year. This includes visits to diverse learning environments such as mainstream and special schools, alternative provisions, galleries, and museums, as informed in the release. The University advises eligible candidates to apply soon so that they have the time to arrange a visa and accommodation. Also read: Rajasthan police books 40 in paper leak case The eligibility criteria: Following are the qualifications required for admission onto the first year: CBSE Class 12 (India Senior School Certificate) with a minimum grade of 70% from the top 4 subjects average. Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) with a minimum grade of 70% from the top 4 subjects average. Board of Intermediate Education Andhra Pradesh (Intermediate Public Examination) with a minimum grade of 60% average. Government of Karnataka, Department of Pre-University Education: Second Year Pre-University Examination with a minimum grade of 60% average. Government of Kerala Board of Public Examinations: Higher Secondary Examination Certificate with a minimum grade of 150 and above average. Gujarat Secondary Education Board: Higher Secondary Certificate Examination with a minimum grade of 70% average. Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education: Higher Secondary Certificate Examination with a minimum grade of 60% average. International Baccalaureate Diploma with a range of 28 30 Applications of students who have completed a US high school curriculum are also accepted. If the students wish to enrol from the second or final year, the consideration will be based on equivalent prior studies. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. (For more information, visit the official website) Department of School Education, Andhra Pradesh will release AP DSC Hall Ticket 2024 on March 5, 2024. Candidates who will appear for Andhra Pradesh Teacher Recruitment Test 2024 can download the admit card through the official website of AP DSC at apdsc.apcfss.in. AP DSC Hall Ticket 2024 releasing today , heres how to download The examination will be conducted from March 15 to March 30, 2024. The exam will be conducted in two shifts- first shift from 9.30 am to 12 noon and second shift from 2.30 pm to 5 pm. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. AP DSC Hall Ticket 2024: How to download All the appearing candidates can follow the steps to download the admit card below. Visit the official website of AP DSC at apdsc.apcfss.in. Click on AP DSC Hall Ticket 2024 link available on the home page. Enter the login details and click on submit. Your admit card will be displayed on the screen. Check the admit card and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. The answer key will be displayed on March 31 and the last date of raise objection will be till April 3, 2024. The final answer key will release on April 8, 2024 and the results will be announced on April 15, 2024. For more related details candidates can check the official website of APDSC. Central Bank of India, CBI will end the registration process for Apprentice posts on March 6, 2024. Candidates can apply for Apprentice posts through the official website of Central Bank of India at centralbankofindia.co.in. The tentative date of online exam is on March 10, 2024. CBI ends registration process for 3000 Apprentice posts tomorrow, link here This recruitment drive will fill up 3000 posts in the organization. Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualifications recognized as such by the Central Government can apply for the post. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Central Bank of India Apprentice Recruitment 2024: How to apply To apply online, candidates can follow the steps given below. Visit the official website of the Central Bank of India at centralbankofindia.co.in. Click on the recruitment section available on the home page. A new page will open where candidates can check Central Bank of India Apprentice Recruitment 2024 link available. Registration link will be available. Fill the registration form and login to the account. Fill the application form and make the payment of application fees. Click on submit and download the page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. The application fee is 400 for PWBD candidates. For Schedule Caste / Schedule Tribe / All Women candidates/EWS, the application fee is 600. The application fee is 800 for all other candidates. For more related details candidates can check the official website of Central Bank of India. SSC Delhi Police SI 2024: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has released the notification for the Sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination, 2024. The registration process has also started on ssc.gov.in and the last date to apply is March 28. SSC Delhi Police, CAPF SI 2024 registration begins(ssc,gov.in, screenshot) After that, candidates will be given an window to make corrections to their application forms between March 30 and 31. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The computer-based examination is scheduled for May 9, 10 and 13, 2024. SSC Delhi Police, CAPF SI 2024: Vacancy details This year, the commission is conducting the Delhi Police and CAPF SI recruitment examination for a total of 4,187 vacancies: Delhi Police SI Male: 125 vacancies Delhi Police SI Female: 61 vacancies CAPF SI: 4,001 vacancies Eligibility criteria A. Educational qualifications A candidate who has a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or its equivalent can apply for the recruitment process. Those who have appeared in their Bachelors degree or equivalent examination can also apply, provided they obtain the essential qualification on or before the cutoff date: August 1, 2024. B. Nationality The candidate must be A citizen of India, or A subject of Nepal, or A subject of Bhutan. Subjects of Bhutan and Nepal must produce a certificate of eligibility issued by the government of India. Check the official notification for more details. C. Age limit The applicant must be in the age group of 20-25 years as on August 1, 2024, which means s/he must have been born not earlier than August 2, 1999 and not later than August 1, 2004. The upper age limit is relaxable in the case of reserved category candidates. Application fee The application fee of SSC Delhi Police and CAPF recruitment exam is 100. Women candidates and candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Ex-Servicemen categories eligible for reservation are exempted from payment of the application fee. For further details, check the notice here. Crew's first song Naina was unveiled on Tuesday. Starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, the Diljit Dosanjh-Badshah song gives another sneak peek into what the upcoming film offers: Kareena, Tabu and Kriti's next-level performance. It will remind you of Veere Di Wedding song Tareefan, featuring Kareena, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania. Also read | Crew first look posters: Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, Kriti Sanon are ready to steal, fake and risk it all Crew song Naina just dropped and features Kareena Kapoor, Tabu And Kriti Sanon in head-turning looks as they dance with Diljit Dosanjh and Badshah. Watch Tabu, Kareena, Kriti's Crew song Naina The actors, decked up in stunning designer looks Kareena in neon green, Tabu in pink and Kriti in beige groove to the catchy beats of Naina in the just-released music video for 'the hottest track of the year'. The song has been directed by Farah Khan. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On Tuesday, sharing the Naina music video on Instagram, Kareena Kapoor rightly wrote in her caption, "Get ready to turn up the heat and groove to the most sizzling track of the year!" Kareena, Tabu and Kriti plays badass airhostess in the upcoming film Crew. About Crew Crew teaser was released in February. Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon are sharing screen space for the first time in Crew, earlier titled The Crew. The film also features Diljit Dosanjh alongside actor-comedian Kapil Sharma in a cameo appearance. Crew has been co-produced by Ekta Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, who are reuniting after the 2018 film Veere Di Wedding, which also featured Kareena along with Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania. The official logline of Crew says it's about three women, who work and hustle to move on with life. But as they try to make their way forward, destiny leads them to some unexpected and unwarranted situations, leading them to get caught in a web of lies. Helmed by Rajesh Krishnan, the film will be releasing in theatres on March 29, 2024. Earlier, it was slated to release on March 22. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Ready for a delicious whodunit? The trailer of Murder Mubarak, which released on Tuesday, is here to give viewers a taste of the genre. Here, a murder mystery unspools a web of secrets and lies, and makes a suspect out of all the people present. The film, which boasts of an ensemble star cast that includes Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, and Suhail Nayyar, has been directed by Homi Adajania. (Also read: Murder Mubarak teaser: Sara Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia are suspects in baffling crime') Karisma Kapoor in a still from Murder Mubarak. About Murder Mubarak trailer The trailer of Murder Mubarak introduces the setting of the crime at the Royal Delhi Club, where a number of high society guests have been invited. The voiceover informs that this space was made by the British, and also served the British. Now that the British have left, they have left behind some members who are more English than them. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. When a murder occurs in the club, the police is informed. Enter ACP Bhavani Singh, played by Pankaj Tripathi. As the case begins to take shape under his supervision, he questions each of the members present on that fateful night. It reveals many more secrets and lies about each one of them. He knows that the murderer is definitely someone amongst these people. But how will he come to know the truth? As the tension arises, more secrets are revealed. Fan reactions Reacting to the trailer, a fan wrote: OMG the trailer really giving me a high expectations, Sara, Karishma, Pankaj sir... Very unique story... Super excited, Netflix as always." Another fan wrote, Total Knives Out vibes. A second fan also said, Knives Out ki khusbooo aa rahi hai (it smells like Knives Out) A comment also read. What a brilliant cast. Looks so promising. Aae Watan and now murder mubarak, Sara is just killing it. Cant wait for both the movies. The cast looks fab. Murder Mubarak releases on Netflix on March 15. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place Encampments of unhoused people, including this one shown in Los Angeles, cant be cleared out under an earlier court ruling unless cities can house all homeless residents. The Supreme Court will consider the issue in a case out of Grants Pass, Ore. Mario Tama/TNS In a case that could redefine cities ability to respond to homelessness, the Biden administration told the Supreme Court on Monday that it shouldnt be a crime to be homeless but that the government should have substantial latitude to craft measures regulating sleeping or camping in public. As applied to an individual who lacks another place to sleep, a local law banning sleeping in public at all times and in all places violates the Eighth Amendment because it effectively criminalizes the status of homelessness, President Joe Bidens Justice Department wrote in a filing with the court. On the other hand, cities and towns have a strong interest in maintaining their public parks, sidewalks, and other spaces in a clean and safe condition, the administrations lawyers said. And they said the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, whose rulings have restricted local governments authority to evict homeless people from streets and encampments, should be told to require a more particularized inquiry into the circumstances of the individuals to whom these ordinances may be applied. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Citing, with approval, an earlier filing by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Justice Department said limits imposed by federal judges under the 9th Circuits standard may limit cities ability to respond appropriately and humanely to encampments and other legitimate public health and safety concerns. The Supreme Court will hear arguments April 22 on an appeal by Grants Pass, Ore., of the 9th Circuits September 2022 ruling that prohibited local governments from sweeping homeless encampments unless shelter was available for a camps residents. A ruling is expected by the end of June. California, more than 20 other states and many local governments, including San Francisco, have told the justices that the appeals court ruling endangers the public. They cited federal judges decisions that interpreted the ruling to prohibit any evictions from encampments unless a city had enough shelter beds for its entire homeless population. The Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment, the basis of the rulings, does not require municipalities to provide shelter for all unhoused persons within their jurisdictions before enforcing public safety ordinances, San Francisco City Attorney David Chius office told the Supreme Court last Friday. Nor does it require cities to allow unchecked tent encampments or lodging on public property, especially where encampments block access to businesses, schools, sidewalks, and accessible routes. In a Supreme Court filing Monday, lawyers for Newsom said the 9th Circuits latest ruling limiting clearances of San Francisco encampments established a virtually insurmountable roadblock with which district courts routinely enjoin common-sense limits on where those experiencing homelessness can sleep in public, and on the size and features of the encampments they set up in these public spaces. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Justice Departments filing also argued against broad and burdensome injunctions that prohibit any encampment clearances or evictions unless the city can house all homeless residents. A city should be allowed to take appropriate actions to close encampments for example, because of issues relating to disease or crime, or prohibiting homeless individuals from congregating in particular locations, Biden administration lawyers said. But cities do not have a legitimate interest in banishing homeless persons from their jurisdiction entirely. The filing was welcomed by attorney Zal Shroff of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, which represents homeless people in a challenge to the citys eviction policies. Under the current injunction by U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu, Shroff said, San Francisco can evict homeless people who refuse specific offers of available shelter, although the citys shelters are currently full and waiting lists have been closed. The Biden administration has now made clear that it is a cruel and unusual punishment to jail homeless people who have no access to shelter, Shroff told the Chronicle. That is exactly what San Francisco has been doing for years. You cannot arrest your way out of the housing crisis. The case is Grants Pass v. Johnson, No. 23-175. Prime minister Narendra Modi met veteran actor Vyjayanthimala in Chennai. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, PM Modi shared pictures from his meeting with Vyjayanthimala. (Also Read | Hema Malini calls Vyjayanthimala a role model, shares pics from their Chennai meeting) PM Modi shared photos after meeting Vyjayanthimala. PM Modi meets Vyjayanthimala In the first picture, PM Modi can be seen greeting Vyjayanthimala with folded hands as she wrapped a cream coloured shawl around him. She wore a cream and golden saree for the meeting. They sat together in a room during a discussion in another photo. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. PM pens note Sharing the pictures, PM Modi wrote, "Glad to have met Vyjayanthimala ji in Chennai. She has just been conferred the Padma Vibhushan and is admired across India for her exemplary contribution to the world of Indian cinema." Rescting to the post, a person wrote, "What a delightful encounter! Congrats to Vyjayanthimala ji on receiving the Padma Vibhushan, a well-deserved recognition for her remarkable contributions to Indian cinema." Fans react to pics "These are the true artists of the classics Legend Shrimati Vyjayanthimala ji - a legendary Bharatnatyam dancer and phenomenal actress," tweeted an X user. A fan said, "Her contributions to Bharatanatyam are even greater. She is undoubtedly the greatest exponent of the art form." On the eve of Republic Day 2024, Padma Awards 2024 were announced. Vyjayanthimala was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian award. Hema Malini recently met Vyjayanthimala Recently, actor Hema Malini also met Vyjayanthimala at her residence. Taking to Instagram, Hema shared a series of pictures of herself with the actor. Vyjayanthimala wore a yellow saree while Hema was dressed in a green suit. "Most memorable day of my life - meeting my role model, the icon Vyjayanthimala along with her lovely family at her Chennai residence yesterday," Hema had captioned the post. She had also said, "She is so full of life, still so full of dance in her. She talks dance, lives dance and has a glow and aura around her. I was in as much awe as I was many years ago! Had a nostalgic discussion about her stint in films and her experiences in the industry. One has to learn a lot from her. It was a great moment for me to have been given so much love by this lovely lady - beautiful inside and out." About Vyjayanthimala Vyjayanthimala made her screen debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949). Her Hindi cinema debut was with Bahar (1951). She achieved her breakthrough with the romance Nagin (1954). Devdas, Sangam, Madhumanti and Naya Daur are some of her iconic films. She was last seen in the 1970 film Ganwaar. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place If fans are wondering whether Daniel Day-Lewis will return to acting, then the answer is an unfortunate no. At least that is what the actor's friend, and longtime director Jim Sheridan has suggested, in a new interview with Screen Daily. The director revealed that Daniel said that hes done' with acting. (Also read: Oscars 2024: Barbie and Oppenheimer to Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon, a guide to Best Picture) Daniel Day Lewis accepts the Oscar for best actor for his role in Lincoln at the 85th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California. Theres seven thousand choices Jim has worked with Daniel Day-Lewis in three films: 1989s My Left Foot, 1993s In The Name Of The Father and 1997s The Boxer. Daniel won his first Academy Award for his performance in My Left Foot. Speaking to Screen Daily in a new interview, Jim said about Daniel, He says hes done, I keep talking to him. Id love to do something with him again. Hes like everybody else, he opens up the streamers and theres seven thousand choices, none of them are good. 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. Itd be great to see Daniel coming back and doing something cos hes so good. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. More about his retirement The actor announced his retirement in June 2017, a few months before the release of his final film role, in Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread. The actor's performance received wide acclaim and he went on to secure an Academy Award nomination for it. He ultimately lost to Gary Oldman for Darkest Hour. The statement about his retirement was shared by the actor's spokesperson at that time. It read, Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject. Daniel Day-Lewis is the only actor to win three Academy Awards in the Best Actor category. Apart from winning for My Left Foot, he won for Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood and Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place. It's in Blackpink Jennie's artistic blood to make heads turn. On the final day of the Paris Fashion Week 2024, the Solo hitmaker was in attendance for the Chanel Fall-Winter 2024/25 Ready-to-Wear show. Her sublime beauty won over the crowd despite fashion itself being the main character of the day. The iconic Chanel ambassador embodied the best essence of the luxury brand as she sported a graceful ballet-inspired short tulle black dress from 'The Button Spring-Summer 2024 Haute Couture collection. Chanel ambassador Jennie Kim resumes her fashionable responsibilities at the Paris Fashion Week on March 5. (Instagram / lofficielvietnamofficial) Reinstating the brand's quintessential identity, Jennie's Chanel Fashion Week look is a mark of minimalism at its fashionable best. Yet again, she's emerged as a timeless diva. More importantly, her choice of accessories for the night accentuates her Blackpink persona as well. While the black dress itself is a smart nod to her artistic identity, she also chose to keep on a single fingerless evening glove. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. It further illuminated the spotlight on her natural presence as a performer. Furthermore, the calculated mess of her uptight hairdo with loose front hair strands created the much-needed drama that went well with her over-the-knee boots. She's team Chanel through and through. Her statement gold insignia necklace spoke volumes about her high-end allegiance to Coco Chanel's French fashion house. Also read: Jisoo, Felix and other K-pop idols at Paris Fashion Week 2024 Blackpink's Jennie at Paris Fashion Week 2024: Some of her fans have already declared her a goth princess, while others are riding on the Chanel Icon Jennie bandwagon, pushing her name to the top of today's X (formerly Twitter) trends. This isn't the first time the world's eyes have been locked on her Chanel beauty. Back in 2023, the K-pop idol made her Met Gala debut in New York City. She assumed a 90s vintage look that again had her commanding the scene with a monochrome aesthetic, paired with black opera gloves. The fashionista has been the French maisons muse since 2017, when the brand announced her as a global ambassador. She wasn't the only Blackpink member to have graced the global fashion stage at this year's Paris Fashion Week. Her bandmates, Jisoo and Rose, respectively, came out to represent Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Jennie was also in the news for teasing her new collab single, Slow Motion, with American rapper Matt Champion. Tamil actor Nivetha Pethuraj, who is known for her work in films like Sangathamizhan and Oru Naal Koothu, took to her X account on Tuesday to clear the air on some false reports that claimed that a politician was spending lavishly on her and even bought her a home in Dubai for a big amount. The actor said that these reports are false and that she has been financially independent since a very young age. (Also read: Tamil fans demand re-release of Gunaa post Manjummel Boys success) Nivetha Pethuraj requested journalists to verify information. What Nivetha said Nivetha took to her X account and wrote a long note to provide her statement on the matter. She began by saying, Lately there has been false news circulating about money being lavishly spent on me. I kept quiet because I thought people who are speaking about this will have some humanity to verify the information they receive before mindlessly spoiling a girls life. My family and I have been under extreme stress since few days. Please think before spreading such false news. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. She then added about her background and said that she has worked in the industry with integrity. She said, "I come from a very dignified family. I have been financially independent and stable since the age 16. My family still resides in Dubai. Weve been in Dubai for over 20 years. Even in the movie industry, I have never ever asked any producer or director or hero to cast me or give me movie opportunities. I have done over 20 films and it was all that found me. I was and never will be greedy for work or money." Stating the recent news reports on her are false, Nivetha said, "I can confirm that none of the information spoken about me so far is true. We live in a rented house in Dubai since 2002. Also, racing has been my passion since 2013. In fact I had no idea about the races being conducted in Chennai. Im not as important as you are making it look. I lead a very simple life. After facing a lot of struggles in life Im finally in a good place mentally and emotionally. I want to continue leading a dignified and peaceful life. Just like any other woman in your family would want." 'I am not taking this up legally' The actor also added that she would not be filing any legal complaint on this issue as she believes that there's still some space left for humanity in journalism. I am not taking this up legally because I still believe theres some humanity left in journalism, that they wont continue to defame me like this. I request journalists to verify the information you receive before spoiling a familys reputation and not put our family through any more traumas. I'm very grateful to everyone who voiced out for me. May truth behold, she concluded. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place South Korean actor Kim Bo-ra is all set to tie the knot with film director Jo Bareun. As per Soompi, the wedding will take place in June this year. They have been in a relationship for three years now. The wedding, which will be a private event, will be attended by families, relatives, and close acquaintances. (Also Read | Song Joong Ki hosts Ahn Hye Kyungs wedding, looks charming with bride and groom. See pics) Kim Bo-ra's agency issued a statement. Kim Bo-ra to marry in June this year On Tuesday, her agency Noon Company released a statement about her wedding. It read, as per the report, Hello. This is noon company. We are sharing joyful news regarding noon company actress Kim Bo-ra. Actress Kim Bo-ra is getting married in June. Her fiance Jo Ba Reun is a film director, and after a three-year relationship based on trust and faith, they have arrived at the beautiful result of tying the knot. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Kim Bo-ra's wedding will be held privately It also read, "The wedding will be held in private with their families, relatives, and close acquaintances. We ask for generous support and blessings toward Kim Bo-ra who is at the starting line of a new journey, and please also show lots of interest and affection for actress Kim Bo-ra who will continue to greet you with great projects. Thank you." About Bo-ra's previous relationship Earlier, Bo-ra was in a relationship with Jo Byeong-kyu. After being in a relationship from February 2019, they parted ways after a year and a half. In August 2020, Soompi quoting her then-agency MoMent Global, reported, The two naturally grew apart, and they recently broke up. They have returned to being good acquaintances. His agency had also confirmed that the actors broke up due to their busy schedules. About Bo-ra's career Kim Bo-ra debuted as a child actor in the drama Wedding in 2005. She became well-known after starring in Sky Castle in 2018. Bo-ra met Bareun when she starred in his 2021 film The Grotesque Mansion. Her debut film was For Horowitz in 2006. She has featured in many dramas and films such as Jungle Fish 2 (2010), Bel Ami (2013), and Glamorous Temptation (2015), among others. Entertainment! Entertainment! Entertainment! Click to follow our Whatsapp Channel Your daily dose of gossip, films, shows, celebrities updates all in one place The creator of the Nickelodeon show The Backyardigans and a writer for Winx Club, Janice Burgess, has died at the age of 72. Burgess long-time friend Fracaswell Hyman confirmed her death. The two had previously worked together. Her cause of death remains undisclosed. The Backyardigans creator Janice Burgess dies (fracaswell/Instagram) In an Instagram post, Hyman wrote, I met Janice Burgess early in my career when I was head writer on GULLAH GULLAH ISLAND and she was assigned to be our Executive in Charge of Production. This is the person the network sends to the set to make sure the money is not going to waste. Janice swept in with her acid-tongued wit, flowing Hermes scarves and omnipresent cigarettes. Instead of an overseer, she became a friend. She recognized my magic before I did and made sure I was in the room and under consideration for many of the shows that came my way including LITTLE BILL and TAINA. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Janice created THE BACKYARDIGANS and guided countless other shows for Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Disney and Apple TV. Her script/story critiques were astute, clear and constructive - and I really thank her for that, Hyman added. Janice, Maria Perez-Brown and I developed shows together, gossiped together and oh, how we laughed! I will miss my dear friend. RIP. Oh, how we laughed Who was Janice Burgess? Burgess, who grew up in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, attended The Ellis School. She graduated from Brandeis University in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in art history. Burgess was an assistant travel coordinator for 3-2-1 Contact and project manager for Ghostwriter in the early 1990s. She eventually went on to become the vice president of Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. division. Burgess most notably created The Backyardigans, a popular animated musical children's television series. Children's book author and illustrator Dan Yaccarino designed the characters. IMDb says of the show, Uniqua, Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin are a group of young friends who get together to play in the backyard they share. Each day, their imaginations transform that backyard into a different photo-realistic landscape. RIP Queen began trending on X after news of Burgess death surfaced. Heres what fans are saying: The Lucknow Central (2017) actor Manwendra Tripathy says after completing a decade in Mumbai he is now able to get roles that justify his education and theatre experience. Manwendra Tripathy After graduating from the National School of Drama (NSD), I came to Mumbai in 2014. Today, I can say that I am getting better and meatier roles, but still cant say that I have arrived. In fact, I have eventually got the right start and from here I can see things getting better. After 10 years, if Im getting a chance to perform and deliver to the best of ability then it means I am on the right path, says the actor who shot to fame from chef Ranveer Brars show Raja Rasoi aur Andaaz Anokha where he played his help Mannu Bhaiya. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. On his recent visit to Lucknow, he shared, Everyone wants money and popularity, but my thirst is to fully justify the roles I am being offered so that they stay in the memory of the audience. I started doing theatre in the year 2000 so its almost 24 years now. Still my quest to showcase my art is on. Tripathy, 39, has a mix of projects in pipeline. The Little Things (2019) and Mai (2022) actor says, I have a full-length role in Munuren which is doing round at the film festivals. Also, I am waiting for the release of director Ganesh Shettys film Anam and will be seen as a journalist in the digital film Phir Aai Haseen Dilruba along with OTT series Maharani 3 where I play a cop. I have a good role in the feature film Emergency as well. Talking more about his journey, he tells us, After NSD, I started doing theatre with my senior in Kota, then with actor Ranjit Kapoor in Lucknow as well as in other places like Gopalganj and Patna. It was tough to survive on theatre, so I left for Mumbai looking for a better options. I got Budhia Singh: Born to Run (2016) where I had to shoot and kill the character essayed by actor Manoj Bajpayee. I knew this could be a turning point in my career but that scene was chopped off, and I was back to square one. But after the long wait things now are looking up. Police have apprehended five more suspects in connection with the gang rape of a 28-year-old foreign tourist in the Dumka district of Jharkhand, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to eight. 5 more arrested in gang rape of foreign tourist in Jharkhand's Dumka. "Three suspects involved in the incident were arrested and remanded in judicial custody on March 2, 2024. Five other suspects implicated in the case were apprehended today, on March 5, 2024," the police said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Meanwhile, the Spanish Embassy in India thanked the authorities for their support. The Spanish Embassy posted on X, "Thank you all for your support. We need to stand united in our commitment to end violence against women everywhere in the world." Also Read: Dumka gang-rape: Brazilian-Spanish survivor says 'I don't blame people of India' The harrowing incident occurred on Friday night, as the couple were camping in the Kurumahat area within the jurisdiction of the Hansdiha police station, around 300 kilometres from the state capital of Ranchi. The rape case triggered a nationwide outcry over the safety of women travellers in the country after the woman, who has joint Brazilian-Spanish nationality, recounted her ordeal in an Instagram video while beside her husband. In the video that has since been deleted, the woman, with her face swollen and bruised, said that seven men held knives to their throats and took turns sexually assaulting her in a forest late Friday. Also Read: Spanish tourist gangraped: What foreign media said on Jharkhand's Dumka shocker The incident occurred when the couple was staying in a makeshift tent. Police found the couple around 11pm on Friday on a roadside, looking like they had suffered a beating, and took them to a hospital where the woman told the doctor she had been raped. Jharkhand Police arrested three men over the weekend and said they were searching for four more suspects. The Spanish foreign ministry said on Sunday it was sending staff to the area and had been in touch with authorities, while its Brazilian counterpart said it had sought contact with the Brazilian citizen through its embassy in New Delhi and was available to give every assist applicable. A 75-year-old woman was killed in an elephant attack on Monday in Idukki district of Kerala. This led to strong protests by locals and subsequent clashes with the police. According to the panchayat president, the region is a hotbed of human-animal conflict involving elephants, gaurs and wild boars (HT) The deceased was identified as Indira Ramakrishnan who resided with her husband in Kanjiraveli in Adimali panchayat on the Ernakulam-Idukki border. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The incident took place around 9am when Indira was carrying water for her husband who was working in their farmland. The farm borders the forest under the Neriamangalam division and has seen several incursions of wild animals in the past. The couple were engaged in harvesting arrowroot. The wild elephant, reported to have come out of the forest, attacked Indira out of nowhere and she sustained serious injuries. Though she was rushed to a nearby taluk hospital, she succumbed to the injuries, Soumya Anil, the president of Adimali panchayat, told HT over phone. An eyewitness, who was not identified, told the local media that the tusker let out a loud trumpet, turned around and attacked Indira. My son called out to me so I ran to safety. According to the panchayat president, the region is a hotbed of human-animal conflict involving elephants, gaurs and wild boars and blamed the forest department for doing nothing to stem the attacks. There are no fences bordering the forest areas here and so wild animals routinely enter human settlements and cause havoc. People have been killed and cropland damaged. Even after this incident today, the forest officials have not come here yet. The local MLA is also not bothered. The panchayat has limitations in finding a solution to the crisis, she added. The death of the elderly woman was the fifth fatality in wild animal attacks in the region this year. It propelled street protests by angry locals led by Congress MP Dean Kuriakose and Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan. The protesters marched on the streets of Kothamangalam town with the mortal remains of Indira demanding the intervention of the ministers of the state government in finding a quick solution to the conflict. Why is the government and the forest department not intervening to hear the plight of the people here? Where are the officials? Not even a week has passed since a man died in an animal attack. How can people here be sacrificed as those responsible for stemming the conflict escape to safety? Kuriakose questioned. The police had to forcibly get the mortal remains released from the clutches of the protesters and the local Congress leaders by claiming that an autopsy was necessary as part of the law in such cases. The authorities also detained several protesters. Forest minister AK Saseendran, who has been under fire lately for the escalating conflict in Wayanad district where three people were killed in wild animal attacks in just two months, said the process of sanctioning the ex-gratia relief to the kin of the deceased in Adimali has begun. The chief conservator of forests has already left for the spot and will oversee measures to mitigate attacks. More cameras will be installed to monitor the movement of wild elephants, he added. A remark by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) patriarch Lalu Prasad on Prime Minister Narendra Modis family sparked a controversy on Monday with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders appending Modi ka parivar (Modis family) to their social media handles and the PM hitting back at the Opposition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai on Monday. (ANI) Speaking in Telanganas Adilabad, Modi said every poor person in the country was his family and he, in turn, was family to those who have none. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. My life is an open book... 140 crore people of the country are my family. Today, crores of daughters, mothers and sisters of the country are Modis family. Every poor person in the country is my family. Those who have no one belong to Modi and Modi belongs to them, he said. Soon after, the rank and file of the BJP, led by Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and BJP chief JP Nadda, added Modi ka parivar (Modis family) to their social media handles. The campaign is a throwback to the BJPs main bhi chowkidar (I am also a watchman) narrative in 2019 that was built to counter the Congresss chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is a thief) slogan, accusing the government and the PM of irregularities in the purchase of Rafale fighter jets ahead of the general elections five years ago. The BJP retained power in 2019, winning a bigger mandate than 2014, with its tally going up from 282 to 303. The PMs statement and BJP campaign came in response to Lalu Prasads attack on him a day before, questioning the PMs Hindu credentials and mocking him for not having a family of his own. These days he (PM) is talking about dynastic politics. You (PM Modi) dont have a family... You are not even a Hindu. When ones mother dies, every Hindu, as per tradition, shaves his beard and head. Why did you not shave? You only spread hatred in society, Lalu Prasad said at the partys Jan Vishwas Maha Rally in Patna on Sunday. On Monday, Modi hit back, reiterating his credentials as a leader who did not promote nepotism and opposed dynastic rule. If I am living, I am living only for all of you (people). This is why crores of Indians consider me as their family, he said. The PM attributed the Opposition leaders statement to his nervousness. Leaders of the INDI alliance (INDIA bloc), deeply engrossed in corruption, nepotism and appeasement, are becoming nervous. When I question their parivarvad, they say Modi has no family, he said. National spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP, Sudhanshu Trivedi also attacked the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance for making abusive and derogatory remarks against the PM. He said in contrast to the PMs vision for Viksit Bharat or developed India, the Oppositions agenda was divisive politics and securing family power over national interest. Over the past 16-17 years, Modi has faced jealousy, hatred and cheap statements from the Opposition leaders... they have targeted his caste, community, family and made objectionable remarks, undermining the dignity of democracy, Trivedi said. This is not the first time that the party and the PM have attempted to turn the tables on the Oppositions comments and jibes to build a narrative for the electoral campaign. Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, after Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar made a derogatory reference to Modis PM ambitions and referred to him as a chaiwala (tea-seller), the BJP launched the chai pe charcha (conversation over tea) campaign to draw home the message that the Congress insulted the working class. The PM had earlier spoken about his humble origins and how he had to sell tea to support the family income. In 2019, in addition to the main bhi chowkidar campaign, the PM attacked Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati for calling him a fake OBC. You are distributing pramaan patra (certificates) of caste, a game I have never played. But I want to tell you, my caste is most backward caste, he said. The PM also attacked the Opposition for calling him neech (lowly) by linking it with neech jaat (lower caste). A senior BJP leader said the personal attacks on the PM will only strengthen the BJPs bid to retain power for the third time. Each time the Opposition attacked the PM, whether it was comments such as maut ka saudagar (merchant of death) or neech jaat (lower caste), people of this country rallied behind him and sent him with a bigger mandate... the BJPs positive campaign trump over the oppositions negative campaigns, the leader said. The PMs policies of empowering the backward and the poor, the leader quoted above explained, created a new caste of people. There is a caste of labharthis (beneficiaries), who do not vote on the basis of region, religion or community... these are people who vote for Modis guarantees, the leader said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom urge voters to support Proposition 1, a $6.4 billion bond to fund substance abuse treatment facilities, during a press conference in San Francisco on March 4, 2024. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle From left: Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, and former baseball player Steve Garvey, take part in a California Senate debate on Jan. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. The top two finishers in Tuesday's primary will advance to the November election. Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press Mayor London Breed discusses a ballot measure to enable police to more easily use surveillance cameras and drones, alongside Police Chief Bill Scott at Alamo Square in San Francisco on Oct. 17, 2023. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Member of Congress and senatorial candidate Barbara Lee votes at Prescott Elementary School in Oakland, CA on March 1st, 2024. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle California primary election live updates: Who will voters advance in historic Senate race? There wont be competitive presidential primaries Tuesday in California, as President Joe Biden and Donald Trump are overwhelming favorites to win. But there will be plenty of other compelling races to follow, from Californias Senate contest to competitive House races across the state to battles over ballot measures in San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here is what to look for on Tuesday and the days to follow as the ballots are counted: Will the once-in-a-generation Senate race be bruising or boring from here on out? Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, is widely expected to make it into the November Senate election; who gets the second slot could be the difference between an expensive, bruising battle and a race thats virtually finished before it even gets started. Schiffs best-case scenario would be facing Republican Steve Garvey in November, whose campaign has largely banked on his personal brand of celebrity and has a dearth of policy ideas. That would essentially guarantee Schiff would become Californias next senator, as Republicans havent won a statewide race since 2006. If Rep. Katie Porter, D-Orange County, makes it into the top two, the race will be expensive and brutal. Porter and Schiff have already been attacking each other in the waning days of the primary campaign. The general election would likely be a referendum on the future of Democratic politics in California, as voters decide whether they want a senator who follows in the footsteps of the pragmatic, centrist late Sen. Dianne Feinstein or one who aligns more closely with the progressive wing of the party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The top two candidates California voters select Tuesday may be more important than who they choose in November. Is low turnout in blue California a preview of problems for Biden? California is on pace for a record-low turnout for a primary, and it could translate into some surprising results and signal deeper problems for Bidens reelection as white, older and Republican voters are voting in disproportionate numbers. There are roughly equal numbers of voters over 65 and under 35 in California. But so far, only 3% of the ballots cast have been from younger voters, while 57% of the electorate is over 65. Latino voters are underperforming while 70% of the electorate is white, according to Political Data, a political analysis firm. If younger and nonwhite voters stay home in deep blue California, it could signal even more problems for Biden. Even though the president will easily win California in November, indifference from these voters key to his survival will magnify problems nationally if they turn their back on him in a left-leaning state. Many are upset with his policy in the Middle East, calling him Genocide Joe and demanding that he call for a cease-fire in Gaza, something he has refused to do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Who this low turnout helps in California: Garvey, whose voters are older, whiter and Republican. Who it hurts: Garveys Senate rivals, Porter and Rep. Barbara Lee, who are counting on support from young voters and people of color. A more conservative turnout could also reshape typically overlooked local races for Superior Court judge and Democratic County Central Committee races that are hotly contested this year. Does California give Democrats a chance to flip the House? Democrats need to pick up four seats nationally to win control of the House in November, and there are that number of Republican-held districts labeled as toss-ups in California alone, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. The problem is, Democrats may blow their chances for at least one winnable seat in the Central Valley. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Watch what happens in Californias 22nd Congressional District, which Biden won by 13 percentage points in 2020. Republican Rep. David Valadao, one of only two GOP House members who voted to impeach Donald Trump and are still in office, faces a challenge from Trump acolyte Chris Mathys. Former Democratic Assembly Member Rudy Salas, who lost to Valadao by 3,132 votes in 2022, thought he could beat him in November with an expected larger turnout in a presidential election year. But Salas might not make it out of the primary. He didnt count on Democratic state Sen. Melissa Hurtado entering the race. She could take enough votes from Salas so that two Republicans advance to November. National Democrats are freaked out at the possibility of fumbling this opportunity for a pickup. The House Majority PAC, an outside group backing Democrats, has spent $843,875 to support Salas, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has backed him too, a rarity when two Democrats are in a race. If Republicans continue to overperform in California, however, this could hurt Democrats chances to flip the House, as voter turnout has been low in the district so far. Will S.F. Mayor Breeds ballot measures succeed? San Francisco Mayor London Breed used her power to put three measures directly on the ballot in this election, sending Propositions C, E and F to voters for consideration. The three measures seek to address some of the citys most pressing problems: a hollowed-out downtown, public safety concerns and the drug crisis. For Breed, the measures could prove politically important as she tries to convince residents shes turning San Francisco around despite polling that shows most voters think the city is on the wrong track and she is deeply unpopular. Breeds allies or, in one instance, one of her reelection challengers spent heavily to bring her measures across the finish line, with campaign finance filings showing about $2.6 million in fundraising to support the three measures as of Monday. Critics say the measures will do more harm than good and are a cynical bid to curry favor with voters ahead of a tough reelection campaign in November. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Proposition C would exempt office-to-housing conversion projects from the citys real estate transfer tax the first time buildings are transferred to new owners. Proposition E would make various changes to public safety policy, in general by expanding some powers of the Police Department and putting new constraints on its policy-setting body, the Police Commission. Proposition F, meanwhile, would mandate drug screening for welfare recipients struggling with addiction. If all three measures pass, Breed and her supporters are likely to point to them as evidence that shes working to solve the most difficult issues afflicting San Francisco and her ideas are popular with voters. But Daniel Lurie, a nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir running against Breed in November, tried to undercut that argument by setting up his own fundraising committee in favor of Prop. E and arguing that Breed should have implemented the ideas in the measure sooner. Breeds measures arent the only big ones on the citys March 5 ballot. Others to watch include Proposition A, an affordable-housing bond that needs support from two-thirds of voters to pass, and Proposition B, a police staffing measure that was branded a cop tax by its opponents. Can moderates take over the San Francisco Democratic Party? Among the most consequential decisions facing voters on Tuesday is who to pick for the 24 open seats to run an organization that many San Franciscans dont know exists. Both moderates and progressives are putting their hopes behind a race to gain enough seats for control of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, a little-known but powerful group that doles out coveted party endorsements during election years. For months, two slates of candidates one progressive and one moderate have been battling it out and raising money to sway voters to their side. Candidates on the moderate slate have raised an unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors and tech moguls. So far, two candidates for the Board of Supervisors Marjan Philhour and Bilal Mahmood have together raised more than half a million dollars for seats on the committee. BENGALURU: A 34-year-old activist of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been arrested in Karnatakas Mandya district in connection with allegations that some people also raised Pakistan zindabad slogans at a BJP protest in December 2022, a Mandya district police officer said. The case pertains to a BJP protest in December 2022 against then Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardaris remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Videograb) Mandya superintendent of police (SP) N Yetish said Danayakapura Ravi has been arrested in connection with a first information report (FIR) registered by the Mandya West Police following a recent complaint by a Congress worker Kannambadi Kumar on the 2022 protest. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to the police, the BJP protest was organised at Mandyas Sanjay Circle on December 22, 2022, over then-Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardaris remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which were described by the BJP as highly derogatory and defamatory. Apart from slogans to denounce Pakistan and its government raised at the protest, some people are also accused of raising Pakistan zindabad slogans instead of Pakistan murdabad. Police said the FIR in the Mandya case was registered after an uproar over some Congress workers raising Pakistan zindabad slogans while celebrating the victory of Syed Naseer Hussain in the Rajya Sabha elections on February 27 evening. Videos of the celebrations with Hussains supporters cheering for him went viral on the internet, and allegations also surfaced that the Pakistan zindabad slogan was heard. On Monday, the Bengaluru police said three people were arrested for raising the slogans. Based on the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, circumstantial evidence, witness statements and available proof, three persons have been arrested, the city police said in a statement late in the evening. Yetish said Danayakapura Ravi of the BJP would be produced before the local court on Tuesday and efforts were being made to arrest Aradhya, another person named in the FIR, among others. The investigation is on, he said, adding that the FIR was registered under sections 153B (statements threatening national integrity) and 505 (statements causing public mischief). Mandya district BJP unit president Indresh attacked the authorities for registering the FIR 14 months after the alleged event. It is an act of vengeance by the Congress government. The video clip clearly shows that Ravi raised the Pakistan slogan mistakenly and confusingly, but the Congress is doing this for politics. Indresh told HT. In a shocking turn of events, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and several of his cabinet colleagues on Tuesday received a threat mail, which claimed that an explosion will rock Bengaluru at 2:48 pm on Saturday. The email was sent by a person named Shahid Khan, using the email address Shahidkhan10786@protonmail.com, news agency ANI reported. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar have received the bomb threat mail.(PTI file) "What are your thoughts on the movie trailer? If you don't provide us with 2.5 million dollars, we will cause large explosions on buses, trains, temples, hotels and public areas throughout Karnataka," the mail read as per ANI. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "We want to show you one more trailer. We are going to explode the next one in the Ambari Utsav bus. After the Ambari Utsav bus blast, we will raise our demands on social media. And will upload screenshots of the mail sent to you on social media. We will tweet information about the next explosion," it stated. The email has threatened that the explosion will take place at busy places like restaurants, temples, buses or trains, targeting CM Siddaramaiah, deputy CM DK Shivakumar, state home minister and the Bengaluru top cop, the report added. According to the report, the email demanded a ransom of $2.5 million dollars, or roughly 20 crore to refrain from bombing the city. A case has been registered and investigation is underway. ALSO READ: How did the suspect spend time before blast at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe? On the bomb threat mail, Shivakumar said: We dont know whether it is bogus, fraud, true, false or blackmailer. We have sent it to our police officers. They are on the job. The bomb threat mail has been sent days after an improvised explosive device (IED) blast rocked Rameshwaram Cafe, a popular eatery in Bengaluru on March 1. At least 10 people were injured in the blast and are undergoing treatment at hospitals. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the explosion. We are looking at all the possible angles including the role of IS cadres since there have been similar blasts in Coimbatore and Mangaluru in the past few years, an NIA officer had told HT. The Bengaluru Police had registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act in connection with the explosion at the cafe. It was a low-intensity blast. A youth came and kept a small bag which exploded after an hour. About 10 people received injuries. 7-8 teams formed to probe the incident. We are looking at all angles. I ask every resident of Bengaluru to not worry, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar was quoted by ANI as saying. We are continuing our investigation. 8 teams have been formed and all are working in different directions and looking at different aspects. We have collected several CCTV footages. We are examining every angle including if there is any jealousy factor. I also appeal to the opposition to cooperate with us and not to make this a political issue, state home minister G Parameshwara had said. (With agency inputs) The Bombay high court on Tuesday acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and five others in the Maoist link case. A bench of justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes set aside the verdict of a Nagpur sessions court which had convicted GN Saibaba and others in 2017. Former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba. (PTI) The Bombay high court bench delivered the verdict after rehearing the appeal by GN Saibaba after an earlier bench of the high court too had acquitted the disabled professor on October 14, 2022, Bar and Bench reported. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 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 high court to stay its order, it said it was likely to file an appeal in the Supreme Court immediately. GN Saibaba, 54, is wheelchair-bound and 99 per cent disabled. He is presently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail. In 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district convicted Saibaba and five others, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student, for alleged Maoist links and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country. The trial court had held them guilty under various provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code. On October 14, 2022, another bench of the high court acquitted Saibaba, noting the trial proceedings were "null and void" in the absence of a valid sanction under the UAPA. The Maharashtra government had on the same day approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision. The Supreme Court initially stayed the order and later in April 2023, set aside the high court order and directed it to hear the appeal filed by Saibaba afresh. (With inputs from agencies) Alleging that there is a covert alliance between the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said both the parties were two sides of the same coin, adopting a similar policy of jhoot (lies) and loot (rob) to hoodwink the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting in Sangareddy in Telangana on Tuesday. (ANI) Addressing a public rally at Patancheru in Telanganas Sangareddy district, Modi said though there might not be any formal alliance between the BRS and the Congress, both the parties were hand in glove with each other in indulging in corruption. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The people of Telangana had voted out the BRS in the recent assembly elections because of its corruption and had given an opportunity to the Congress. But they must understand that whether its the BRS or the Congress, they share similarities when it comes to corruption, he said. The Prime Minister said that the Congress government was not investigating the alleged corruption of the previous BRS government because the Congress leaders themselves were involved in corruption along with the BRS. Like the BRS, the Congress, too, has transformed Telangana into its new ATM. Yet, they cannot continue it for long. In the Modi government, we execute both surgical strikes and air strikes. I seek your unwavering support for this. Telangana should also declare Abki Baar, 400 Paar, he said. Modi assured that in the next few years, his government would make India the third largest economy in the world. India is touching new heights. Very soon, it will write a new chapter in economic development. This is Modi Ki Guarantee. Coming down heavily on the Congress and its allies, the Prime Minister said they had resorted to opening foreign accounts to stash their black money in overseas banks, while his government had opened Jan Dhan accounts for millions of poor people. While these leaders had built luxurious mansions for their families, I do not have built a personal residence for myself, but I focussed on building secure homes for the poor citizens of our nation, he said. Reacting to the oppositions criticism that he had no family, Modi said all the 140 crore citizens of the country were part of his family. Therefore, today, millions of families are saying Main Hoon Modi Ka Parivar, he added. LAYS FOUNDATION FOR PROJECTS Earlier, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation several developmental projects worth nearly 7,000 crore in Sangareddy. They include: three national highway projects, including 40-km-long Kandi-Ramsanipalli, upgradation of 47-km-long Miryalguda-Kodad section and six-laning of 29-km-long Pune-Hyderabad section. Modi inaugurated the doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar-Moula Ali railway line along with six new station buildings as part of the MMTS (Multi Modal Transport Service) Phase-II project. He also flagged off the inaugural MMTS Train Service from Ghatkesar-Lingampalli via Moula Ali-Sanathnagar. Further, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline, with a carrying capacity of 4.5 million tonnes per annum. Similarly, he inaugurated the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre at Begumpet airport in Hyderabad. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the Central government has been working continuously to assist the development of Telangana. He said he strongly believed in the concept that development of the country was possible only through development of the states. Stating that Telangana is known as the gateway to South India, Modi highlighted his governments efforts to improve rail connectivity and services in the state with the electrification and doubling of rail lines taking place at a fast pace. Governor of Telangana Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and Union minister G Kishan Reddy were present on the occasion among others. In the morning, the Prime Minister visited Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad and conducted special prayers. Temple priests welcomed him by chanting Vedic hymns and presented him with the portrait of the goddess. Kolkata: Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who faced strong criticism from Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress for some of his judgments and observations, resigned from service on Tuesday morning to join politics. Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay who resigned on Tuesday. (X) Gangopadhyay sent his resignation directly to the President of India. The resignation came into effect immediately under Article 217 (1) (a) of the Constitution. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. My soul tells me that my tenure as a judge is over and it is time to enter a bigger sphere and serve people. I will put in my papers on Tuesday, he told the media on Sunday. Also Read: Calcutta HC bar union withdraws call to boycott court of justice Gangopadhyay He also told the media that may join any of the Left parties, Congress or Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and even contest the coming Lok Sabha elections. Though the judge did not specify his choice, a senior state BJP leader told HT that he is likely to join the party in a few days. The judge is scheduled to hold a press conference in the afternoon. Gangopadhay, 62, who joined the high court as an additional judge in 2018 and was made a permanent judge in July 2020, was scheduled to retire in July. He was a West Bengal Civil Service officer but quit his job more than a decade ago to become a lawyer. Also Read: Calcutta HC okays order for CBI probe into recruitment by civic bodies He was widely acknowledged for delivering speedy judgments in cases affecting common people. In May 2022, he ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the appointment of non-teaching staff (Group C and D) and teaching staff by the West Bengal School Service Commission and West Bengal Board of Secondary Education between 2014 and 2021. The appointees allegedly paid bribes in the range of 5-15 lakh to get jobs after failing the selection tests. Initiating a parallel probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested education minister Partha Chatterjee and his aide Arpita Mukherjee in July 2022. In its charge sheet, ED said it traced cash, jewellery and immovable property worth 103.10 crore linked to the duo. Around a dozen TMC leaders and government officials were subsequently arrested. In April 2023, the judge ordered CBI to probe a suspected recruitment scam in civic bodies across Bengal. Both CBI and ED have told the Supreme Court that the two scams are related. Chief minister Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee, his wife and his parents are all suspects in the school recruitment scam. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the political parties are gearing up with their campaigns to contest with full flare. Amid this, state-run petrol pumps and fuel retailers have started replacing existing hoardings and banners of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government's welfare schemes with new ones displaying BJP's poll slogan 'Modi ki Guarantee' saying 'Modi's guarantee means a better life' along with the photo of PM giving cylinder to the beneficiaries of government's flagship scheme, Ujjwala Yojana. PM Modi giving cylinder to the beneficiaries of government's flagship scheme, Ujjwala Yojana(File image) Read here: PM Modi pens letter, sends gifts to Ujjwala beneficiary Meera Manjhi, family days after his Ayodhya visit Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. According to the report by The Times of India, the managers of all the state-run fuel outlets have been reportedly asked to "cooperate" to ensure the new flex hoardings are in place by Wednesday and to report to respective field officers if the hoarding vendors do not report at their assigned outlets. The decision to put up the 'Modi ki Guarantee' hoardings has been taken on an informal "nudge" from the ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and will cost the public sector fuel companies - IndianOil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum, own or operate 90% of about 88,000 petrol pumps in the country - several hundred crores, the report added. However, these hoardings would be removed once the Election Commission (ECI) announces the schedule for the much-awaited general elections and the model code of conduct comes into force. Earlier in March 2021, ahead of the assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, EC had, acting on a complaint from Trinamool Congress, asked petrol pumps to remove all hoardings carrying PM Modi's picture. Read here: PMs surprise visit to Ujjwala beneficiary The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came up with the poll slogan "Modi ki Guarantee" in the recently held legislative assembly elections of the five states including Rajasthan Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Mizoram where the saffron party emerged victorious in the three Hindi-belt states with a thumping majority. India on Tuesday issued an advisory to the Indian nationals living in Israel, this after a man from Kerala was killed and another two were 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 citizens can also email the embassy on this ID: cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in. Alternatively, the hotline number of 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 hit the Israel border. His mortal remains were identified at the Ziv hospital. Two others from Kerala - Bush Joseph George, 31, and Paul Melvin, 28 - were 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 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. This handout picture released by the Israeli army shows troops on the ground in the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (AFP) Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday called for more measures and efforts to save nature due to the major threat posed by climate change. Delivering the inaugural address at the 'Chhattisgarh Climate Change Conclave 2024', the chief minister underscored the severity of climate change, citing irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, cyclonic rains, and seasonal variations as tangible manifestations affecting both the nation and the world. Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Sai stressed the importance of formulating strategies to address these challenges, highlighting the significance of preserving nature, greenery, and natural resources. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Modi's guarantee fulfilled in two months: Chhattisgarh govt During the conclave, the chief minister also launched the 'Chhattisgarh State Action Plan on Climate Change' and unveiled a book on traditional health practices titled 'Ancient Wisdom' at Bastar. These initiatives underscore the state's commitment to addressing climate change through comprehensive action plans and leveraging traditional knowledge. In his address, Sai called for collective responsibility in preserving nature and emphasized the adverse consequences of reckless consumerism and environmental negligence. He hailed the 2015 Paris Agreement as a crucial milestone in global efforts to combat climate change and urged for continued collaboration on a global scale. The event aims to tackle the global challenge of climate change and its adverse impacts. Minister of Forest and Climate Change Kedar Kashyap, MLA and Padma Shri awardee Anuj Sharma, Padma Shri awardees Phoolbasan Yadav, Hemchand Manjhi, Jageshwar Yadav, along with senior officials from the forest department were present at the event. Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap echoed the Chief Minister's sentiments, stressing the importance of collaboration among experts, public representatives, and tribal communities in tackling climate change challenges. The conclave, organised by the Chhattisgarh State Center for Climate Change and the Forest and Climate Change Department with technical support from the Foundation for Ecological Security, aimed to facilitate knowledge exchange and discussions among experts, environmentalists, policymakers, and tribal communities. Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday assured a delegation from Ladakh that the Centre was committed to providing necessary constitutional safeguards to the region, according to an official statement. Union minister Amit Shah told the delegation that the committee appointed by the government to look into their statehood and other demands has been discussing the modalities to provide such Constitutional safeguards (ANI) A six-member delegation of the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) from the Union territory met Shah in the Capital, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said in a statement. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. MHA statement said that Shah told the delegation that the committee appointed by the government to look into their statehood and other demands has been discussing the modalities to provide such Constitutional safeguards. He assured that the High Powered Committee on Ladakh constituted to look into the demands of ABL and KDA have been discussing the modalities to provide such constitutional safeguards, it said. The ABL and the KDA have been demanding statehood for Ladakh, the inclusion of the Union territory in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution and the setting up of an exclusive public service commission for the high-altitude region. A statement issued by the two organisations said that a sub-committee held a meeting with officials of the MHA and the advisor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, which ended without any concrete outcome. The statement added: Subsequently, the sub-committee held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence that too didnt result in any positive outcome. The Congress is set to offer a package of scholarships for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), substantially higher than the current government schemes, and also promise a bigger scope of quality education for these social groups in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, party insiders said on Monday. The Congress manifesto would be largely based on the thrust areas of party leader Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, functionaries said. (ANI) The manifesto panel led by former Union minister P Chidambaram met here on Monday but could only review about 10 of the 50 pages of the draft manifesto that was shown to the members through a Power Point presentation. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. We couldnt finish reviewing the entire draft. We didnt get any hard or soft copy of the draft. We are going to meet again on Tuesday and hopefully send the final draft to the Congress Working Committee by this week, said a member of the panel. Another member who was present in the meeting on Monday said that a number of packages for the SCs, STs and OBCs is likely to be announced along with the commitment to conduct a caste census if the Congress comes to power. One of our focus areas would be the education of SC, ST and OBCs. We will promise enhanced scope of quality education for SCs, STs, and OBCs. It would be a step ahead of the current reservation in educational institutes and further open the gates of higher education, said a Congress leader. To achieve this goal, the Congress is expected to offer a slew of scholarships from school level to PhD students. We would definitely announce a higher corpus and it will cover school education to even research fellows or PhD students, added a leader. To be sure, the central government already runs a host of scholarship programmes for the SCs, STs and backward castes. Among the ongoing programmes, there is the Scheme For Residential Education For Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA), National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC), National Overseas Scholarship, Dr Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBCs & EBCs, Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes & Others, Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students and National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students. There is also the Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students and Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others). Apart from this exhaustive list, several state governments have their own scholarships for underprivileged students. At least two leaders added that the manifesto would be largely based on the thrust areas of party leader Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) and the party is set to announce a caste census to ascertain the share of population of various caste groups. The party will also promise raising the upper limits of the existing quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs, if deemed necessary going by the census findings. The 50-page draft manifesto has been primarily written by Chidambaram and Praveen Chakravarty, who heads the partys Professionals Congress and data analytics cell. The Congress announced the formation of a 16-member manifesto committee in December. Former Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister TS Singh Deo was appointed as its convener. Other members include Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former Union minister Anand Sharma, communications chief Jairam Ramesh, Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor, former Manipur deputy chief minister G Gaikhangam, and Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi. China is "an important source of talent and innovation that helps American companies boost their global competitiveness," said the annual China Business Climate Survey by AmCham China. by Xinhua writers Ma Zheng, Guo Peiran BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. business officials and senior executives remain upbeat about the Chinese market, emphasizing its crucial role for U.S. companies striving for global competitiveness. "Companies continue to tell us that China is important for multinational companies who want to be globally competitive," Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in China, told Xinhua in a recent interview. Thanks to a growing economy and frequent visits by senior U.S. officials and CEOs to China, U.S. businesses in China are increasingly optimistic about China's business environment and bilateral relations, Hart said. In the annual China Business Climate Survey released by AmCham China in February, half of the 343 members surveyed placed China as their first choice or within their top three investment destinations globally, a 5 percent increase year-on-year. China is "an important source of talent and innovation that helps American companies boost their global competitiveness," said the survey conducted late last year. The report also found that though challenges remain, most members are maintaining their manufacturing or sourcing in China and expatriates have become more willing to relocate to China over the last year. Noting China's 24 pro-foreign investment measures put forward by the State Council in August last year, Hart said that companies like the sound of that and are looking for "what's the actual action related to those policies." Regarding U.S.-China relations, Hart said he is happy to see "both governments trending now in an upward direction," which means that companies will be "a little bit more excited." The companies surveyed also reported an improved financial performance for 2023, particularly in the consumer and services sectors, as well as an improved outlook. In November 2023, fast-food giant McDonald's announced its decision to ramp up its stake in its China business from 20 percent to 48 percent. "This underscores McDonald's confidence in the development and business environment of the Chinese market," said Phyllis Cheung, CEO of McDonald's China. "I don't think that there's any company that's big and truly international would doubt that in the long term, they need to be here in China. They need to have a significant presence. And they need to continue to develop this market because it's so big and growing that it really can't be ignored at all," Owen Messick, president of doTERRA China, a U.S. essential oil company, told Xinhua. "China's part of a global supply chain, and has years and years of successful investments, industries and buildup. And that's why companies are still here," said Hart. Enditem (Zheng Kaijun in Beijing, You Zhixin and Zhang Mengjie in Shanghai also contributed to the story.) Burberry is selling its building in San Franciscos Union Square. Google Street View Macys isnt the only retailer looking to sell what not long ago was prime real estate in San Franciscos premier downtown shopping district. Since November, British luxury designer Burberry has been quietly marketing its 17,000-square-foot home at 225 Post St. in the heart of Union Square for sale. Representatives of Cushman & Wakefield have confirmed that the brokerage has been hired to facilitate the sale of the building. Its the first time in more than two decades the near-century-old, four-story building could trade hands. The building was last sold in 2001 for $16.6 million to GUS PLC, a former British retailing and manufacturing conglomerate, which spun off Burberry in 2005. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 225 Post St. listing comes to light a week after Union Square received the devastating news that Macys plans to shutter its more than 400,000-square-foot flagship store pending a sale of its Geary Street building, which the retailer owns. Its unclear whether marketing efforts for that property, which represents Macys only remaining outpost in San Francisco, have begun in earnest. A sales brochure for Burberrys four-story retail building at 225 Post, obtained by the Chronicle, does not list a price range that the company is seeking for the property, but it does indicate that Burberry isnt giving up on San Francisco or on Union Square, for that matter. Burberry will execute a short-term leaseback for the entire property through July 2024 in order to accommodate their relocation within the market, the brochure reads. Multiple individuals with insight into Burberrys real estate plans have confirmed to the Chronicle that the company is considering leasing, rather than owning, and has potentially already found a new location nearby, at 110 Geary St., which until recently was home to French high-end designer Yves Saint Laurent, which relocated to the historic I. Magnin Building at 90 Grant Ave. when its lease expired in 2023. The move would place Burberry next to French luxury fashion brand Valentino at Grant Avenue, as well as upscale Italian brand Bottega Veneta. Burberrys potential new digs have not been confirmed by the company, which has declined to comment at this time. The company spearheaded renovations at the property in 2014 that are valued at roughly $450 per square foot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Either case, the competitive demand for both spaces show the desire for prime Union Square properties despite some of the negative headline news of the last few days, said Kazuko Morgan, a retail broker for Cushman & Wakefield. While Burberry recently opened a new store in Paris, it has sold off two buildings it owned in Boston and reduced its New York City office space over the past two years. Late last year, the price of Burberrys shares dropped 8% as the company warned that slowing sales could cause it to slash its full-year profit forecast. And, in an annual report for the 2022-23 fiscal year, the company said that since the start of 2023, the outlook for the personal luxury goods market in the Americas has become more uncertain. As a number of issues for commercial tenants collide downtown, including a drop in travelers and downtown office workers over the past four years, storefront vacancies are increasingly dotting San Franciscos most iconic shopping district, which has historically been viewed as a top tourist destination and global retail market. Macys departure, which could come as soon as next year, stands to leave a gaping hole in Union Square. Other recent exits from the surrounding area include Forever 21, H&M, Uniqlo, the Disney Store and Nordstrom. However, despite the headwinds, the area has also seen a few luxury brands expanding and a couple of new leases signed in recent years. The Delhi high court has rejected a plea filed by 7/11 Mumbai serial train blast case death row convict Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui seeking information regarding the officers who had supervised the probe and had granted sanction to prosecute him, saying the data, if given, would expose the officials to grave danger. The Delhi high court said the data, if given, would expose the officials to grave danger. (File) The court was of the view that Siddiqui had not brought out any case regarding the public interest that would be served by provision of such information that could outweigh the interest protected under section 8(1)(j) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The said provision exempts disclosure of personal information under the RTI Act that does not have relationship to any public activity or interest, or which can cause unwarranted invasion of an individuals privacy. The information is of such a nature, if given to the Petitioner, may expose these officers to grave danger. The Petitioner has not brought out any case as to what public interest would be served by giving such information as sought for by the Petitioner which would outweigh the protected interest under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. Rather in the facts of this case, the protected interest is in the nature of danger to the life and property of the officers who were involved in the investigation relating to the Petitioner and that disclosing their information to the Petitioner would certainly outweigh the public interest that has been claimed, a bench of justice Subramonium Prasad said in February 28 order. Justice Prasad in the order uploaded on Monday also refused to provide Siddiqui with a copy of an alleged Intelligence Bureau (IB) report suggesting false implication and arrest of the accused which was placed before the Union ministry of home affairs in 2009 to review the evidence in the bomb blast case. The court was of the view that the death row convict had sought the IB reports relying on an article published in the newspaper and thus remarked that such articles could not be taken as gospel truth and there was no reason to disbelieve the agencys affidavit stating that it had not submitted any report to the ministry. The premise on which the Petitioner is relying, the publishing of such newspaper article, cannot be taken as gospel truth. Affidavits have been filed by responsible officers in the court stating that no such report exists. This court has no reason to disbelieve the affidavit of the Respondent, the court noted. Justice Prasad also opined that a report or an article published in a newspaper is considered only hearsay evidence and is not a document to prove allegation of a fact. It has been well established, through various judgments of the apex court, that a report or an article published in a newspaper is considered only hearsay evidence and such a newspaper report, or article, is not a document through which an allegation of fact can be proven, the judge noted. Siddiqui had approached the high court against the Central Information Commission (CIC)s 2019 order rejecting his RTI application seeking copies of UPSC forms and other documents related to the 12 IPS officers who had supervised the investigation and 4 IAS officers who had accorded sanction to the prosecution to arrest and convict him. CIC, while rejecting to supply him information, in the said order had held that the information would encroach upon the right to privacy of the officers adding that such right, which is a continuous process, would even continue after 20 years. He had also challenged CICs order rejecting to provide him with the copy of the alleged IB report. The CIC had disposed of the appeal after taking on record CPIO, IBs 2019 affidavit that no information could be provided as it had not submitted any report to the MHA in 2009. Siddiquie, was sentenced to death by a special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) in October 2015 for his involvement in the 7/11 Mumbai trains blasts which killed over 200 people and injured 800 others. He is presently lodged in the Nagpur Central Prison. Around 1,000 central government employees will hold a peaceful march on Thursday outside the Shastri Bhawan in the national Capital Delhi to press their demands related to promotion in the cadre, filing of vacancies and release of the 2022 cadre review committee (CRC) report. The peaceful march will be followed by another march on March 11 outside the Nirman Bhawan. (PIB) The peaceful march will be followed by another march on March 11 outside the Nirman Bhawan and, on March 13 outside the North Block. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum in a statement on Monday said it will be a peaceful march but also threatened of a full fledge non-cooperation movement if the government does not wake up from its deep slumber on cadre review matter. Also Read: Supreme Court allows withdrawal of a plea on farmer protests On Monday afternoon, hundreds of CSS employees protested by holding a peaceful march at the Raisina Hills, near the offices of the different ministries including home and defence. The forums general secretary, Ashutosh Mishra said, Ours is a peaceful march. We are not politically motivated. We work with the central government. We will protest and later rejoin work at the different ministries. We will hold peaceful protests to make our voices heard. The next protest is on March 7. We are only asking for the findings of the high-level cadre review committee that was constituted on October 27, 2022. More than one and a half years have passed. The findings should be released. The cadre review committee (CRC) was formed in October 2022 to assess the demand of manpower across ministries, in the backdrop of the governments schemes and projects, and to suggest steps for better cadre management and career progression of staff members of central secretariat. Mishra said the forum had information that the deliberations of the committee were completed long ago but the matter is still pending with the government. We accessed information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act and found that at least 20 departments of the government of India have sent requisition of more than 2,500 posts. The number will be huge if data from all ministries are taken. Due to delay in submission of report of the cadre review committee, these departments are crippling with shortage of manpower. There is also stagnation in almost each grade of CSS due to which, officers are distressed and dismayed. Even after one and a half years of the committees formation, it has not submitted its report. Officers who were eligible for promotion are retiring every month. Our demand is legitimate, said Mishra adding that after Mondays march, the government is yet to send any word on the demands made by the forum. A clutch of Indian app developers met the government to voice their complaints about Google, which removed apps by 10 developers from its Play Store, but later put many of them back after they complied with its payments policy. The developers met with IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, deputy IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and IT secretary S Krishnan in three separate meetings on Monday. A Google representative met Vaishnaw before his meeting with the developers. (FILE) The developers met with IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, deputy IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and IT secretary S Krishnan in three separate meetings on Monday, four people aware of the meetings said. A Google representative met Vaishnaw before his meeting with the developers. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Google on Friday delisted over 250 apps from 10 Indian app developers from its Play Store for not complying with its payment policy, a policy the developers have challenged in Madras High Court and Supreme Court. By Monday evening, some of the apps by nine developers were relisted on the Play Store. No apps by one developer Cold Brew Tech (FRND) were brought back until Monday evening. The ministers and government officials have not committed to any particular course of action, the people said. Google told Vaishnaw how the tech giant imposes a service fee on app developers who sell in-app digital goods and services to invest in safeguards for users on the Play Store ecosystem, the people said. In its blog post on Friday, the company had said that only 3% of the 200,000 Play Store developers in India sell digital goods or services and fewer than 60 developers were subjected to a service fee greater than 15% of their annual revenue. The company also told Vaishnaw it delisted the apps from 10 Indian developers because they did not comply with its payments policy for more than three years, and that it was a contractual issue. The developers, accompanied by representatives from lobby groups Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), and Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), told the ministers about the problems with getting delisted, the people said. Both ministers, according to two app developers, said the top priority was to get the apps relisted and to maintain the status as it was before the delisting. The government would then consider what can be done on a medium- to long-term basis, the ministers said. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi ji, the Govt will continue will continue to work towards a level playing field for big and small firms alike while creating an ecosystem that will catalyze growth from startups. Today, starts presented their concerns regarding a few policies of @google. Assured them that @GoI_MeitY will take it up with Google for a sustainable and long-term solution, Chandrasekhar posted on X (previously Twitter) on March 4 after his meeting with the developers. Neither minister mentioned what specific actions the government could take, the people said. On Saturday, when HT asked Vaishnaw if the app developers had to abide by Googles terms to be re-listed, he said he was not aware of it. We are not privy to the internal, commercial discussions between companies, he had said. IT secretary Krishnan, too, heard the developers and told them the ministry would do whatever was possible, the developers said, declining to be named. Executives from affected companies like Matrimony.com (Bharat Matrimony), Info Edge (Naukri.com), People Interactive (Shaadi.com), QuackQuack and Truly Madly attended the meetings. Companies that are were not delisted by Google but complied with its payment policy by opting for consumption only model (doing away with in-app payments) such as MagicBricks, Hoichoi and ShareChat also attended at least one of these meetings. The Spanish travel vlogger who was allegedly gangraped in Jharkhand's Dumka is in a physically stable condition but emotionally shattered, said a principle district judge after meeting her on Monday. Four accused have been arrested in the gang rape case so far (PTI)(PTI) Anil Kumar Mishra, Dumkas principal district judge (PDJ) and chairman of the District Legal Services Authority met the Spanish national who was allegedly raped by seven men in Dumka, and submitted a report regarding the same to the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority (JHALSA), reported The Indian Express. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In his report, Mishra said his team had ensured that the woman had ample security and safety while the investigation proceeded. The PDJ team further assisted her in recording her statement under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and Jharkhand police paid compensation of 10 lakh to her. Read more: Dumka gang-rape: Jharkhand high court takes cognisance, seeks report from SP The Dumka judge said in his report, "(We) assured them that the wrongdoers will be apprehended as soon as possible and prosecuted. The victim was emotionally shattered but was in stable physical condition, and medical examination was in process. Four people in connection with the case have been arrested by the Jharkhand police till now, while the search is on for the other accused. Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad took suo moto cognizance of the case, and directed the police to file reports regarding the case on a regular basis. Read more: Richa Chadha, Dulquer react to news of Spanish woman's gang rape in Jharkhand Spanish couple's appeal on social media The Spanish couple posted a photo of the accused on social media, appealing to the public to assist them and the police in finding him. They wrote in their post that India is a great country and worth visiting, thanking the administration for all their assistance. The couple said in their post, The point is that a rape or a robbery can happen to you, to your brother, to your mother, to your daughter, to anyone. No one is free from that, in any country in the world. It has happened in Spain, many times. It has happened all over the world There are violations in all countries in Spain, Brazil, America So dont talk nonsense that its because we are in India. Read more: Spanish woman gangrape: Jharkhand CID, special branch, forensic team begin probe The Jharkhand High Court on Monday directed the superintendent of police in Dumka to file a status report in the matter by Thursday, when the next hearing in the case is scheduled. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth 12.78 crore in its money laundering probe against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested on Thursday after being on the run for almost 50 days. Sheikh Shahjahan. (File) The agency in a statement on Tuesday said its probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has revealed that proceeds of crime acquired by Sheikh Shahjahan through his criminal activities were being held, disguised and concealed in the form of various movable and immovable properties. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ED has attached proceeds of crime in form of immovable and movable properties to tune of 12.78 Crore. These properties include 14 immovable properties in the nature of apartment, agriculture land, land for fishery, land and building etc in Gram Serberia, Sandeshkhali and Kolkata. Two bank accounts have also been attached, the agency said. Shahjahan is accused in multiple cases of land grabbing and sexual assault and had been on the run since January 5 after Enforcement Directorate officials were attacked when they went to search his house in connection with the ration distribution scam. The agency has been investigating Sheikh Shahjahan based on multiple first information reports (FIRs) registered by the West Bengal Police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act, SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and West Bengal State Highways Act. The crimes include giving threats of injury, murder, attempt to murder, extortion, grabbing land of general public, etc. Union minister Smriti Irani on Monday launched a scathing attack on RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and the opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc over the "parivaarvad" jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the 140 crore people of India are his family members and no one could even dare to touch even a hair of the Pradhan Sevak (PM Modi). Union Minister Smriti Irani addresses the Rashtriya NaMo Yuva Maha Sammelan, in Nagpur.(PTI) Read here: BJP leaders change profile toModi ka parivar on Lalu jibe Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Addressing a gathering at the 'Namo Yuva Maha Sammelan' organised by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Maharashtra's Nagpur, Smriti Irani said the youth, the party workers and the 140 crore Indians are Modi's parivaar" (family). "...By being 'pradhan sevak', he (PM Modi) worked for the family 'India'...The fodder thief of INDI alliance said that he (PM Modi) has no family, I want to tell him that, we are 'Modi's parivaar', these youths are 'Modi's parivaar'...nobody will be able to touch even a hair of that person whose family are 140 crore people of India," news agency ANI quoted the Union minister as saying. Further, she also dared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is carrying out the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai, to have a debate on the "difference" between the 10 years of UPA rule and the Narendra Modi-led union government. "If my voice is reaching Rahul Gandhi, then he should listen with open ears. Let there be a discussion on what is the difference between your (UPA) 10 years and Modi's 10 years," she said. Read here: PM Modi responds to Lalu Prasad Yadav's swipe, top BJP leaders launch Modi Ka Parivar campaign Irani took a dig saying that if she asked to discuss it with Rahul Gandhi, he would not come. He would not be able to stand even in front of an ordinary worker of the BJP. "I guarantee that even if an ordinary worker of Yuva Morcha starts speaking in front of Rahul Gandhi, he will lose the strength to speak," she added. Irani's comments came days after RJD patriarch stoked a controversy by questioning the PMs Hindu credentials and mocking him for not having a family of his own. These days he (PM) is talking about dynastic politics. You (PM Modi) dont have a family... You are not even a Hindu. When ones mother dies, every Hindu, as per tradition, shaves his beard and head. Why did you not shave? You only spread hatred in society, Yadav said at the partys Jan Vishwas Maha Rally in Patna on Sunday. Later on Monday, PM Modi hit back at the INDI alliance, reiterating his credentials as a leader who did not promote nepotism and opposed dynastic rule and said that said every poor person in the country was his family and he, in turn, was family to those who have none. The BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Smriti Irani, and Anurag Thakur, further appended Modi ka parivar (Modis family) to their social media handles. Read here: PM Modi takes 'parivar' jibe at INDIA bloc in Varanasi The campaign comes ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections and is a throwback to the BJPs main bhi chowkidar (I am also a watchman) narrative in 2019 that was built to counter the Congresss chowkidar chor hai (the watchman is a thief) slogan. (With inputs from ANI) Evening bulletin on March 5: Here are top 5 stories for you to read today so far. TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. (Sourced.) CBI to probe Sandeshkhali case involving Sheikh Shahjahan The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday transferred the case pertaining to the January 5 attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in Sandeshkhali to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), ANI reported. The central agency is also expected to take the custody of suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who was arrested last week from a house in Minakhan in North 24 Parganas district. Supratim Sarkar, additional director general of police (ADG) south Bengal, told reporters that the TMC leader was arrested in connection with the case related to the attack on January 5. Full Story Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. ECI's zero tolerance directive to Bengal bureaucracy The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a set of stringent directives to the West Bengal bureaucracy in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) have been instructed to maintain absolute impartiality, transparency, and accessibility to all parties equally, ensuring a fair electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday asserted that any form of violence, intimidation, or threats to voters and candidates will not be tolerated during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Full story India's advisory for its nationals in Israel after Kerala man killed India on Tuesday issued an advisory to the Indian nationals living in Israel, this after a man from Kerala was killed and another two were 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. Full Story India vs England 5th Test: Dharamsala curator to prepare pitch after discussing with Indian team management Untimely rain, dipping temperatures and a completely different landscape are set to add a different texture to the India vs England fifth and final Test match. The series which has so far been played in very comfortable weather conditions in the Western, Southern and Eastern parts of India, moves far north to Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh for the final fixture. The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala has the highest altitude among all international venues in India and early March weather conditions in Himachal make it even more interesting. Full Story Daniel Day-Lewis says he is done with acting If fans are wondering whether Daniel Day-Lewis will return to acting, then the answer is an unfortunate no. At least that is what the actor's friend, and longtime director Jim Sheridan has suggested, in a new interview with Screen Daily. The director revealed that Daniel said that hes done' with acting. Jim has worked with Daniel Day-Lewis in three films: 1989s My Left Foot, 1993s In The Name Of The Father and 1997s The Boxer. Daniel won his first Academy Award for his performance in My Left Foot. Full Story A day after two Congress leaders in Gujarat, including the party's former state unit chief Arjun Modhwadia, quit the party, they joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday in the presence of state BJP chief CR Paatil. The two leaders joined the BJP at its state headquarters Kamalam in Gandhinagar, along with several others. Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil was seen welcoming Arjun Modhwadia and Congress's former working president Ambarish Der, with BJP scarfs and caps on Tuesday.(ANI) ALSO READ- PM Modi to unveil India's 1st underwater metro tunnel in Kolkata on March 6. What we know Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil welcomed Arjun Modhwadia and former Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee working president Ambarish Der, with BJP scarfs and caps amid Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shree Ram chants by party workers present in the hall. The two leaders resigned on Monday, citing dissatisfaction with the Congress party's decision to boycott the Lord Ram temple consecration ceremony held in Ayodhya in January. This came just three days before the scheduled entry of Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Gujarat. Prior to Der and Modhwadia's departure from the Congress, Rajya Sabha member and former Union minister Naran Rathwa, along with his son and numerous supporters, joined the ruling BJP. Modhwadia, who held the Porbandar seat, submitted his resignation as an MLA to Gujarat assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary in Gandhinagar on Monday evening. The speaker's office confirmed the acceptance of the resignation. ALSO READ- Now, reach Taj Mahal by metro. PM Modi to launch Agra priority corridor tomorrow | Details More about Modhwadia and Der Modhwadia, 67, has been one of Gujarat's most senior and influential opposition leaders, maintaining a nearly 40-year association with the grand old party. He held significant positions during his tenure, including Leader of the Opposition and state unit president. He secured victory over BJP heavyweight Babu Bokhiria in the 2022 assembly elections. ALSO READ- PM Modi offers prayers at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad | Watch Following Modhwadia's resignation, the Congress' effective representation in the 182-member assembly has dwindled to 14. Modhwadia becomes the third Congress MLA to step down in the past four months, following Chirag Patel and CJ Chavda, who resigned in December and January, respectively. Der, 46, served as a Congress MLA representing the Rajula assembly seat in Amreli district from 2017 to 2022. In the 2017 elections, he secured victory over BJP heavyweight Hira Solanki, the younger brother of state minister Parshottam Solanki. Before the 2022 Gujarat assembly polls, Der was appointed as the PCC working president. (With inputs from agencies) The manager of a Gurugram cafe, where five people fell sick allegedly after having a mouth freshener which had dry ice mixed in it after having dinner, has been arrested, police said on Tuesday. In a video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, five friends are purportedly seen vomiting blood. In a video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, five friends are purportedly seen vomiting blood at a Gurugram cafe. Surender Sheoran, ACP Manesar, said a case under Sections 328 and 120B has been registered against the staff and the restaurant owner. The manager of the restaurant has been arrested. Further probe is underway. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read | 5 fall sick after having mouth freshener at Gurugram restaurant; It contained... On the night of the 3rd (March), we got information from the hospital that some people have been admitted here. Police reached the spot and the (people who were admitted) lodged a complaint and said they had gone to Laforestta restaurant. After the food, they were given a mouth freshener. After eating it, they started vomiting and had a burning sensation in their mouth, due to which they were admitted to the hospital, Surender Sheoran told news agency ANI. Also Read | Gurugram cafe mouth freshener case: What is 'dry ice'? Why is it dangerous? News agency PTI reported four of the five have been hospitalised. According to a complaint lodged by Ankit Kumar, a resident of Greater Noida, he went to a restaurant in Sector 90 in Gurugram with his wife and four friends for dinner on Saturday. After the dinner, a waiter at the restaurant brought mouth freshener and five people in the group had it. Their health deteriorated soon after and they were taken to a hospital, Ankit Kumar said, adding that the restaurant staff fled. Also Read | 5 hospitalised after Ggm eatery serves them dry ice instead of mouth freshener "I showed the packet of the mouth freshener to a doctor, who said it was dry ice. According to the doctor, it is an acid which can lead to death," the complainant said. Ankit Kumar informed the police about the incident. After consuming the mouth freshener, the five people complained of a burning sensation in their mouths. Their mouths started bleeding and they were vomiting, the police said. Based on the complaint, the police said, an FIR was registered under sections 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Kherki Daula police station on Sunday. We are investigating the matter and action will be taken as per law, station house officer inspector Manoj Kumar told PTI. The Karnataka high court on Monday ruled that artificial and extra deductions from the husband's salary, such as house rent recovery, and provident fund contributions, cannot be made deductible from the maintenance granted to an ex-wife. Karnataka High Court (Wikimedia Commons)(HT_PRINT) Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar said provident fund contributions, house rent recovery, furniture recovery, etc. cannot be deemed as legit deductions, like income tax, and should not be deducted from the maintenance paid to the former wife or daughter. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The single judge bench dismissed the petition filed by a husband questioning the order of the family court granting maintenance of Rs.15,000 to his wife and Rs.10,000 to his daughter under section 125 CrPC. Read more: Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on French journalist plea over restoring OCI What are the compulsorily amounts to be deducted are income tax and professional tax...Considering deductions from the salary of petitioner/husband, those are provident fund contribution, house rent recovery, furniture recovery, towards loan obtained by the petitioner/husband, LIC premium and festival advance, these are all deductions accruing to the benefit of petitioner only. These amounts cannot be made deductible while considering for assessment of maintenance amount, the judge said, reported Live Law. In this case, the husband works as a manager in the State Bank of India, and provided his salary slip to the court to prove that there are multiple deductions in his take-home pay, while the maintenance amount paid to the wife is very high. Read more: Nishikant Dubey reacts after Delhi HC rejects Mahua Moitra's injunction plea Taking into account the salary slip, the high court said, If this is allowed, then in every case of petition filed under Section 125 of Cr.P.C. there would be a tendency by the husband to create artificial deductions attempting to show lesser take home salary with an intention to mislead the Courts in order to negate to give maintenance or an attempt to award to make lesser amount of maintenance. Hence, it is proved that the husband has made an arrangement to show more deductions with an intention to pay lesser amount of maintenance. Therefore, the said deductions above discussed cannot be the factor to award lesser quantum of maintenance to the wife. In the present case, it is admitted that the petitioner/husband is a Branch Manager working in State Bank of India receiving a salary of more than Rs.1,00,000/- per month. Then the Family Court is correct in awarding maintenance award, the judge said, while dismissing the petition. Further, the court bench said that the petition is devoid of merits, and ordered that the husband pay 15,000 to the respondents of the case from herein. San Francisco Mayor London Breed, left, and District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin sounded off Monday on each others housing records. L: Scott Strazzante; R: Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin has yet to jump into the San Francisco mayors race, but already he and Mayor London Breed are trading sharp barbs over housing policy and how it impacts city neighborhoods and the production of new homes. On Monday, Breed, who is facing a tough bid for re-election in November, stood on the steps of City Hall, along with two dozen members of the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, and blasted Peskin for attempts to scale back legislation that would allow developers to build denser housing, saying she was sick of his shenanigans. Breed accused Peskin of attempting to destroy housing production, to stop us from moving forward. Peskin, who has privately informed associates that he intends to run for mayor in November, fired back, accusing the mayor of propagating a false narrative about the changes to legislation he sought. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The salvos point to how the housing crisis may figure prominently in the upcoming mayors race. Breed has spent the past few years blaming the Board of Supervisors for San Franciscos problems, pinning the housing crisis, high property crime, a struggling downtown and grim street conditions on the legislative body. Progressive supervisors in turn have argued that Breed as mayor has the power to fix problems but has been pushing wrongheaded policies and lacks the management skills to address the citys challenges. At the news conference, Breed blamed the supervisors for the citys acute housing crisis. You wonder what has gone wrong in this city? she said. Every time you turn around its a way to say no. No, you cant build more housing. No, you cant start a new business without paying a ridiculous amount of money. This city is notorious for no because of what has been happening in the Board of Supervisors chambers. Peskin said he sought changes to the density legislation because the city has already developed incentives to increase density, and that state density bonus laws allow projects to exceed height limits by three times what is now allowed. The changes would mean that projects taking advantage of state density bonus would not be eligible for the citys own density bonus. Peskin said the amendments, which were introduced Monday at the Land Use and Transportation Committee and referred to the Planning Commission, are absolutely consistent with everything else that we have done as a City, both to increase density where appropriate, protect our public waterfront and ensure that the northeast does not continue to disproportionately carry the burden of all the Citys super-charged skyscrapers. Notably absent from Breeds remarks Monday was any mention of Proposition A, the $300 million general obligation bond on Tuesdays ballot. While Breed supports the bond, she has been criticized for not emphasizing it more on the campaign trail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Peskin lambasted Breed, and the event organizers pro-housing nonprofits the Housing Action Coalition and SF YIMBY for not focusing on the affordable housing bond on the day before the election. The fact that the Mayor, HAC and YIMBY are choosing to spend their energy tearing down good city policy instead of getting out the vote for Prop. As bond, our one shot at affordable housing funding, is another example of their inability to work toward real affordable housing solutions, Peskin said. Jane Natoli, the YIMBY Action organizing director who introduced Breed and other speakers at the news conference, said, This isnt particularly about Prop. A. That wasnt the focus of today, she said. We are strong supporters of Prop. A. Corey Smith, executive director of the Housing Action Coalition, said I was out knocking doors for Prop. A yesterday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its unfortunate we had to spend time today dealing with (Peskins) anti-housing legislation, but that is the way it is, he said. While Breed has three other serious opponents philanthropist Daniel Lurie, Supervisor Ahsha Safai and former interim Mayor Mark Farrell Peskins potential entrance into the race would provide a sharper contrast on housing. Safai, Lurie and Farrell have, like Breed, generally backed pro-YIMBY policies aimed at making it faster, cheaper and easier to build all kinds of housing. In contrast, Peskin has often opposed projects and policies that he argues could lead to the demolition of rent-controlled units or alter the character of historic districts. The changes Peskin introduced Monday were endorsed by a slew of neighborhood organizations, mostly in northern and western neighborhoods that would see significant increased height limits under a current rezoning effort. Stan Hayes, president of the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, pointed to a trio of proposed towers at the foot of Telegraph Hill that would be far taller than anything currently existing in the neighborhood: A 267-foot tower at 955 Sansome St., a 206-foot structure at 1088 Sansome St., and a 140-foot midrise at 875 Sansome St. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He said without the changes, the city and state legislation would allow supersizing of building heights and massing, resulting in luxury towers at double or triple current height limits, he said. This is not theoretical. Its happening now. But Supervisor Matt Dorsey, a Breed ally, said that Peskins changes represent a return to the same tired and failed NIMBY playbook. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unearthed an 11,793-crore human hair smuggling racket after an alleged money laundering operation in Telangana's Hyderabad, The Times of India reported on Tuesday. Amid the baldness problem that has been troubling the Chinese population, the smuggled hair from Hyderabad has been transported to China. (Representational Image)(Unsplash) Action has been initiated against Hyderabad-based Nayla Family Exports Private Ltd in 2021 for using benami import-export codes, impersonation, and forgery in connection with the racket. The money laundering allegedly took place through a three-point corridor the Hyderabad-Mizoram-Myanmar. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Amid the baldness problem that has been troubling the Chinese population, the smuggled hair from Hyderabad has been transported to China, as well as other countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, from Hyderabad airport and through other land routes, as reported by TOI. The report elaborated on routing back the illicit funds to Hyderabad from traders in Myanmar. The firm used benami import-export codes Cash amounting to 2,491 crore, constituting over 21% of the total sum of 11,793 crore, was deposited into various accounts after being routed through multiple channels. In February 2022, the ED conducted extensive searches nationwide, uncovering a furtive operation involving exporting hair to Myanmar. Also Read | Noida: Two arrested for smuggling cannabis into city in rental cars The ED took swift action, initiating cases in 2021 against Nayla Family Exports Private Ltd for allegedly engaging in illicit practices such as utilizing fictitious import-export codes (IEC), impersonation, and forgery. Nayla purportedly established numerous shell companies to export hair at significantly deflated prices. According to the TOI report, these shell entities are dissolved whenever they encounter scrutiny from tax authorities, with new IECs being created subsequently. Payments, amounting to an estimated 8,000 crore annually, are believed to be received through hawala channels. China's hair loss problem In 2020, China saw a sizable hair loss population of 251 million, with women comprising 88 million of that figure. Hair loss occurs at a younger age among Chinese individuals, with many experiencing thinning hair between the ages of 21 and 30, a considerable shift compared to previous generations, a journal data according to Statista said. Estimates suggest that around 240 million people in China are grappling with various forms of alopecia, indicating a substantial market opportunity. Factors such as an increasing elderly population and the consequent rise in alopecia cases are said to be driving this market growth, according to Insights10, a healthcare-focused market research company. Alopecia Alopecia, characterised by irregular hair loss, affects a significant portion of the population, presenting in various forms, including localised or diffuse, temporary or permanent, and impacting individuals of all ages and genders. The condition, stemming from diverse causes such as heightened stress levels, diabetes, inadequate nutrition, and environmental factors, can profoundly distress patients, affecting their overall well-being. Common symptoms encompass hair loss, thinning hair, and bald patches on the scalp. The ideals of Lord Buddha serve as a spiritual bridge between India and Thailand, fostering a deep-rooted connection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday. Soon after the relics were flown into Bangkok on a special Indian Air Force (IAF) flight, they were given a guard of honour. (Indian Embassy) He was reacting to a post on X from the Indian embassy in Thailand which noted that almost a million devotees in the largely Buddhist country had paid obeisance to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples in Bangkok between February 23 and March 3. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Modi said, "I am glad the devotees had a spiritually rich experience and I urge devotees to pay obeisance at Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Krabi, where the relics will be enshrined in the coming days." Holy relics of Lord Buddha along with those of his disciples Arahata Sariputra and Arahata Maudgalayana, preserved in India, had reached Bangkok on February 22. These relics, revered by Buddhist followers around the world, were ferried in a special Indian Air Force aircraft, befitting the status as a 'State Guest'. New Delhi: The Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Thursday condemned controversial remarks made by their INDIA bloc ally DMK's MP, A Raja, saying they believe in Lord Ram. DMK MP A Raja made the remarks in Tamil Nadu's Madurai. (file photo) A Raja, in a purported speech shared by the BJP, said India is not a nation but a subcontinent. He allegedly called himself an enemy of Lord Ram. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate condemned A Raja's remark. "I 100 percent disagree with his remarks. From this platform, I condemn such a statement. I believe Ram belongs to everyone and is all encompassing," she said. She said Lord Ram is above communities. "I believe that Ram, who was called Imam-e-Hind, is above communities, religions and castes. Ram is an ideal of living life. Ram is dignity, Ram is ethics, Ram is love. I completely condemn this statement, it could be his (Raja's) statement, I do not support it. I condemn it and I think people should exercise restraint while talking," she said at a press conference. Shiv Sena-UBT spokesperson Anand Dubey said the INDIA bloc condemns the statement. "A Rajaji, you don't believe in Lord Ram or Baba Sahib Ambedkar or the Constitution or the country's unity and integrity. Then what do you believe in? MK Stalin ji should stop such people. The INDIA alliance condemns A Raja's statement," he added. BJP slams A Raja BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad said the DMK leader's remark displayed "Maoist ideology". He asked Congress leaders if they supported this remark. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka (Gandhi Vadra), Mallikarjun Kharge, do you consider it (Rajas remarks) right? he asked. He claimed insulting Indias ethos publicly, humiliating Hindu gods, and questioning the very idea of India has become the hallmark of the political agenda of the INDIA bloc. Please do not insult Hindu sentiment in such a way, do not embarrass Hindu faith like this, Prasad said, adding, We respect all faiths. This is the Indian sanskar from Rig Veda which says that truth is one, paths may be different." What A Raja said? A Raja made the speech on March 4 in Madurai district. "India is not a nation but a subcontinent. Whats the reason? Raja asked. Here, Tamil is one nation and one country. Malayalam is one language, one nation and one country. Oriya is a nation, a language and a country. All these nations make up India. So, India is not a country, it is a subcontinent. There are so many traditions and cultures. If you come to Tamil Nadu, theres a culture. In Kerala, theres another culture. In Delhi, theres another culture. In Oriya, theres another culture. Why in Manipur, as RS Bharathi said, they eat dog meat. Yes, it is true, they eat. Thats a culture. Theres nothing wrong. Its all in our mind," A Raja said in the speech. "If you say this is God. If this is your Jai Sri Ram, if this is your Bharat Mata Ki Jai, we will never accept that Jai Sri Ram and Bharat Mata. Tamil Nadu wont accept. You go and tell, were enemies of Lord Ram. I dont have faith in Ramayana, and Lord Ram. If you say that in the name of the Ramayana is human harmony, where four brothers are born as siblings, one Kuravar as brother, one Hunter as brother, another monkey as another brother, another monkey as the 6th brother, then your Jai Sri Ram is Chi! Idiots!," he added. With inputs from ANI PANAJI: The Indian Navy is ensuring that no country, with its overwhelming economic and military power, was able to assert dominance over friendly countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) or threaten their sovereignty, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. Defence minister Rajnath Singh said India is ensuring that all the neighbouring countries of the Indian Ocean should be helped in protecting their autonomy and sovereignty (ANI) The defence minister underlined that India is fulfilling its responsibility in the Indian Ocean Region by providing full assistance to the littoral countries. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the Indian Ocean Region, we have ensured that the rules-based maritime order is strengthened. India is ensuring that all the neighbouring countries of the Indian Ocean should be helped in protecting their autonomy and sovereignty. We have ensured that no one exercises hegemony in the region, Singh said at an event to formally open the new Administrative and Training building at the Naval War College (NWC) in Goa. The minister also highlighted the shift in dealing with the threat perception. Earlier, almost all the governments focused on strengthening land borders, but maritime threats were not given as much importance. In view of the increased movement of our adversaries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the commercial importance of the region, it was necessary to re-assess our threat perception and accordingly re-balance our military resources & strategic attention, he said, adding that India had not only re-imagined Indias role in the IOR but also strengthened it. Due to these efforts, India has today emerged as the first responder and preferred security partner in the IOR, he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the events, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar described the activities in the Red Sea as an offshoot of the Israel-Hamas conflict and said Houthis were targeting merchant ships belonging to either Israel, the US or the UK in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. Indian Navy is supporting all merchant ships in their to and fro journey between the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region. Primarily, we are looking at the India-flagged vessels but also assisting any ship that seeks our help. So this is an example where conflict in one part of the world is spilling over to another part and also of asymmetric forces. The asymmetry is quite evident between the cost of attack and the cost of defence because the cost of a drone and some other things is mostly very cheap. Maybe a few lakh, 20-25 lakh, while the cost of a missile to shoot it down this branch into crores, he said. An Indian national from Kerala was killed and another two were injured on Monday after an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot, news agency PTI reported citing officials. Troops gather at southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on March 4.(AFP) Zaki Heller, a spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom, (MDA) told the news agency that the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11am on Monday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Who are the Indians? Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the missile attack. His mortal remains were identified in Ziv hospital, PTI quoted official sources saying. 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 also hospitalised at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed with slight injuries. He is from the Idukki district of Kerala. Earlier, MDA had said that one foreign worker was killed and seven others were injured in the attack. Who fired the missile? PTI reported that the attack is believed to have been carried out by the Shia 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 forces respond The Israel Defence Forces (IDF), meanwhile, on Monday said it 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. (With inputs from PTI) Indian Navy saved a Liberian-flagged vessel carrying 23 crew members after it came under attack in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. The vessel, transiting approximately 90 nautical miles southeast of Aden, was reported on fire due to a drone/missile attack on the evening of March 4, the Navy said. The vessel, with a crew of 23 personnel, including 13 Indians, has been escorted to safe waters. INS Kolkata, a vessel mission deployed in the region for maritime security operations, promptly arrived at the scene of the incident by 22:30pm. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. A specialised firefighting team consisting of 12 personnel from INS Kolkata embarked on the vessel in the early morning hours of March 5 to assist in firefighting operations. Also Read: Jaishankar, Blinken discuss maritime security amid reckless Houthi attacks in Red Sea A specialist explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team also boarded the vessel to provide assistance in assessing residual risks. The vessel, which had a crew of 23 personnel including 13 Indians, was escorted to safe waters by the Indian Navy. Relentless efforts by mission deployed platforms symbolises #IndianNavys resolve in ensuring safety and security of merchant shipping and seafarers plying in the region, the spokesperson of the Indian Navy said in a post on X. The statement comes a day after Houthi militants claimed the attack on the Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned container vessel in the Gulf of Aden. Also Read: Navy foils second hijacking bid in Arabian Sea in 24 hours A military spokesperson for the Iran-aligned Houthis said that they targeted the vessel with "a number of suitable naval missiles". The Houthis have been attacking merchant and military ships in and around the southern Red Sea since mid-November, ostensibly in support of Hamas as it wages war against Israel in Gaza. The group has said it wont back down from hitting vessels until Israel stops fighting. Initial reports indicate there were no injuries, US Central Command said on X. The ship did not request assistance and continued on its way. The shipping assaults have caused thousands of miles worth of diversions for merchant vessels forcing them to sail around southern Africa instead of through the Red Sea and Suez Canal and sent freight rates soaring. Israel said it was deeply shocked and saddened by the death of an Indian national and the injury of two others in a missile attack by Hezbollah at the northern village of Margaliot on Monday. All three victims hail from the southern state of Kerala. This picture taken from a position in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli troops standing after leaving Gaza on March 4 amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas. (AFP) Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed and two others, Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin, were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot. 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, the Israel embassy wrote on Twitter (now X). 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, it added. Who are the Indians? Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the missile attack. His mortal remains were identified in Ziv hospital, PTI quoted official sources saying. 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 also hospitalised at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed with slight injuries. He is from the Idukki district of Kerala. Earlier, MDA had said that one foreign worker was killed and seven others were injured in the attack. Who fired the missile? PTI reported that the attack is believed to have been carried out by the Shia 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 forces respond The Israel Defence Forces (IDF), meanwhile, on Monday said it 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. (With inputs from PTI) The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has identified 48 backup points across the world where the Gaganyaan crew could splash down to ensure a safe recovery and rescue of the astronauts during the return mission, senior officials said. Out of the four astronaut designates, three will be selected to fly in the final mission. (PTI) In an ideal situation, the Gaganyaan module is marked to land in Arabian Sea where Indian agencies will be station to rescue the crew and the module, the officials said. However, in case of a deviation in the main plan, the space agency has identified 48 back up sites in international waters, they said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: For Gaganyaan astronauts, Isro may opt for Russian-made spacesuits In any mission, there is an ideal scenario and there are back-up plans in case that is not achieved. For Gaganyaan mission, if everything goes by the book, we will be able to land the module in the Indian waters, a senior Isro official associated with the mission said. But since this is a human spaceflight, we cannot take any chance to ensure the safety of the crew and therefore we have marked possible points where the capsule could land. Even a minor variation in the mission can lead to the capsule landing hundreds of kilometres away, the official said requesting anonymity. The Gaganyaan mission, Indias first human spaceflight project, aims to demonstrate Isros human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400km for a three-day mission and bringing them back safely. The official also said that the space agency had initially finalised two landing spots in Indian waters, one in the Arabian sea and the other in the Bay of Bengal. However, considering the rough waters and the unpredictability of the Bay of Bengal, the landing site in the Arabian Sea was finalised. The progress for Gaganyaan mission is moving at a satisfactory pace. We are confident that we will be able to conduct at least one uncrewed mission this year before the final mission is undertaken, the official added. Leading up to the actual manned mission, the space agency will be conducting several rounds of tests to ensure the systems are safe to carry and bring back astronauts safely to Earth. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the four astronauts designated selected by the Indian Air Force for the mission. Indian Airforce group captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, group captain Ajit Krishnan, group captain Angad Pratap and wing commander Subhanshu Shukla have been training for the Gaganyaan mission for the last five years in Russian and Indian facilities. Also Read: Four IAF fighter pilots to be Indias first Gaganyaan astronauts Profiles Out of the four astronaut designates, three will be selected to fly in the final mission, which is expected to take flight by 2025. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Tuesday resigned as judge of the Calcutta high court. Abhijit Gangopadhyay is set to join politics. Justice Gangopadhyay sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu with copies to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and the Chief Justice of the Calcutta high court TS Sivagnanam, news agency PTI reported citing sources. Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay speaks to the media after he decided to resign from the post in Kolkata. (PTI) Abhijit Gangopadhyay came to his chamber at the high court in the morning, following which the resignation letter was sent. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He is scheduled to address the press in the afternoon, where he is likely to divulge his future plans, amid speculation that he will join politics. Abhijit Gangopadhyay had on Sunday announced that he will resign on March 5. "I am going to resign from the post of a judge in the Calcutta high court. 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," Abhijit Gangopadhyay had told news agency ANI. "Thereafter, now I am taking labour matters. There are also large scams of employers concerning provident fund gratuity, etc. I have also passed certain orders in those respects. But what I have failed while doing these matters of labour matters, labour legislation, that I have felt that my job in this duty is over. This is the call of my conscience," Justice Gangopadhyay added. What is Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay? Kochi: KN Balagopal (HT) The Kerala government on Monday began the disbursal of salaries and pensions of government employees for the month of February following protests by worker unions against the delay of the same. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Though salaries are usually credited to the bank accounts by the first of every month, there was a delay this month which was attributed by government sources to the technical issues in the accounts of employee-treasury savings bank (e-TSB) through which the wages are routed. However, various employee unions staged demonstrations in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi and blamed the state government for financial mismanagement. Finance minister KN Balagopal told reporters on Monday that the disbursal of salaries and pensions would be completed in the next two to three days. He also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led union government for denying the state its rightful dues. We have already raised in the assembly that the state deserves to get 57,400 crore from the Centre as part of its dues. We have also filed a case in the Supreme Court arguing for the state to get its money. Despite the top courts direction, no positive talks were held with the Centre. The petition will again come up for hearing soon and we are hopeful that there will be a resolution, the minister said. Meanwhile, leader of opposition VD Satheesan, who started a hunger strike of the opposition-backed Secretariat Action Council of government employees, said the delay in the disbursal of salaries was not surprising. We had predicted this situation very early on. Through two white papers, the UDF had warned that there will be an unfortunate situation where salaries and pensions would remain blocked. When we demanded that the government look for ways to increase its revenue and cut down unnecessary spending and corruption, they mocked us, said Satheesan. Sarah Minhinnick has been appointed the new Chief Executive of New Zealand Green Investment Finance, the Crown-owned green investment bank established to accelerate investment in Aotearoa New Zealands decarbonisation. Sarah will take up the position in August and be based in Auckland. Sarah has over 18 years of experience in public and private capital markets, both in New Zealand and the United States, working across banking, financial services and law. Sarah is currently the General Manager - Capital Markets Origination at NZX, managing the group focused on deal origination, issuer relationships and issuer communication to investors for the Exchange's equity, funds and debt issuers. Sarah says "Having admired the work that NZGIF has done since its inception, Im excited to join NZGIF and apply the work I have done in public and private markets to impact investing for the benefit of New Zealand". In her new role, Sarah aims to enhance NZGIFs profile in the market, foster growth, strengthen partnerships with investors and mobilise both NZGIFs and private sector capital into investments to enable New Zealands low carbon future. "I look forward to working with the NZGIFs experienced Board and team to originate and execute investments that benefit investors, New Zealand companies and that contribute to the decarbonisation of the New Zealand economy". Cecilia Tarrant, NZGIF Board Chair, said, "We are delighted to welcome Sarah to NZGIF. After several years of building a solid foundation, we feel the company is now well placed to deliver on ambition in all aspects of our work: leveraging our balance sheet, attracting more private capital, and accelerating investment in decarbonisation. Sarah's wealth of experience, strategic vision, and commitment to green investment will drive NZGIFs growth and impact". Sarahs current employer, NZX Chief Executive Mark Peterson, wishes Sarah well in her new role. "This is fantastic news for Sarah and an acknowledgment of her impressive skills, values and leadership ability. With a focus on investment, financial markets and sustainability, this role perfectly combines Sarahs expertise and passions". Sarah will succeed Chris Day, Interim Chief Executive since June 2023. Chris says, "I have appreciated the opportunity to contribute to NZGIFs leadership and commercial maturity as a part of the investment market in New Zealand. Sarahs appointment signals a new era for NZGIF, and I wish her well". Cecilia thanks Chris for his commitment to NZGIF for the past year and for agreeing to stay until Sarah starts, "Chris has brought leadership that ensured continuity and stability for our stakeholders and employees. He will leave Sarah with an excellent foundation to lead NZGIF in its next phase of growth". ENDS For more information, contact: Jenny Lackey | Chief of Corporate Affairs | New Zealand Green Investment Finance Email: jenny.lackey@nzgif.co.nz , Mobile: 021 340 847 More about Sarah: Before her time at NZX, Sarah was a Director, Capital Markets at BNZ, where she worked on capital markets transactions totalling more than $250 billion. Sarah has a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Economics) and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours, both from the University of Auckland. Sarah also holds a Master of Laws (in Corporate Law and Finance) from New York University. About NZGIF NZGIF is a Crown-owned green investment bank established to facilitate and accelerate investment that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand. With $700 million of investment capital, it is now one of the largest direct investors for climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand. NZGIF is a long-term, mission-driven investor, providing innovative, flexible and tailored capital solutions to support decarbonisation initiatives across a broad range of sectors. It invests in scalable companies, technologies and products that are commercial-ready and offer low carbon benefits for New Zealand. NZGIF invests on a commercial basis. NZGIF is not a registered bank. For more, see www.nzgif.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SKC - APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER NWF - Chief Executive Officer Warren Koia Resignation March 18th Morning Report Pacific Edge Directors Give Notice of Retirement Meridian Energy monthly operating report for February 2024 Another unworkable farming rule bites the dust March 14th Morning Report TRU - Truscreen Additional Placement Government's employment relations priorities a welcome step in the right direction says EMA New Synlait & Nestle co-investment partnership The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a set of stringent directives to the West Bengal bureaucracy in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) have been instructed to maintain absolute impartiality, transparency, and accessibility to all parties equally, ensuring a fair electoral process. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar addresses a press conference on poll preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, in Kolkata, Tuesday, March 5, 2024.(PTI) Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday asserted that any form of violence, intimidation, or threats to voters and candidates will not be tolerated during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "There is no place for fear or intimidation in elections. Any partisan approach to the bureaucracy will not be tolerated; we have made this clear. There is absolutely no tolerance for any form of violence in this celebration of democracy," he told a press briefing in Kolkata. BJP Lok Sabha 2024 list: PM Modi, Shah to contest from same seats; shake-up in Delhi | 10 points Kumar said a sufficient number of central forces will be deployed in West Bengal, and it will be done in an impartial manner. Adequate deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in consultation with District Election Officers (DEO), SPs/Commissioners of Police (CP), and general observers has been mandated to sensitive areas in advance to build confidence among voters, as per the directives issued by the Election Commission. "The CAPF deployment plan must be shared with political parties during weekly meetings," Kumar said. Lok Sabha elections 2024 ground report: In North Bengal, saffron flags are all over, but what about the votes? The ECI stressed that observers details of whom will be made public to ensure transparency must actively visit polling booths, interact with polling agents, and promptly address any irregularities. Voters on election duty have been directed to cast their postal ballots at Voter Facilitation Centers, with timely distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) and random checks to prevent any irregularities. The poll panel said that strict measures will be taken against cases of impersonation and "Chappa Voters," with immediate legal action against impersonators. DMs and SPs have been tasked with responding appropriately to all grievances and complaints raised by political parties. BJP sets tone for Khela Hobe 2.0, announces 20 faces in first Lok Sabha poll list for Mamata bastion Bengal The ECI has also prohibited the deployment of civil volunteers and contractual staff for election duties or law and order maintenance, directly or indirectly. A district-level social media cell will be established to counter fake news and respond to misinformation in real time. Kumar urged state and district administrations to ensure transparency in granting permissions to parties for ground and meeting places for campaigning based on a "First In First Out" principle. The full bench of the Election Commission (EC) was in the metropolis for the last two days holding meetings with representatives of political parties, and would later meet government officials to discuss preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. Women living in Delhi and earning below the income tax threshold will be entitled to 1,000 a month from the government, the Delhi government announced on Monday as part of its budget for the 2024-25 financial year a policy that finance minister Atishi said was based on the concept of Ram Rajya. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and state finance minister Atishi on Monday. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) The announcement, part of a 76,000 crore outlay for the coming financial year, also marks a push to win over women voters in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the assembly elections in early 2025. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In remarks he delivered later, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was confident the party will retain power in the assembly polls on the back of its work. The next five budgets of Delhi will also be presented by us, Kejriwal said, while commenting on the budget. In addition to the cash scheme for women called Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana the government estimates it will help five million women the budget unveiled by Atishi had a large focus on education, health and transport,all areas that the party has focussed on in both its governance and its pitch to voters. The government explained why it chose to centre the budget on the Ram Rajya theme. Our opponents created obstacles in our work. But the way Ram did not stop even in the face of difficulties, Kejriwal did not stop and continued work for the commitments made to the people even though he faced difficulties, Atishi said. We still have to do a lot of work. But the work done in nine years despite many obstacles is nothing less than a miracle. In the coming year, we will continue to fulfil the dream of Ram Rajya, she added, indicating a strategy aimed at taking on its chief opponent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is expected to count the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as one of its key achievements. The finance minister recounted welfare schemes the government runs at present, citing those for free electricity, water, rides in public buses (for women), and free pilgrimage for the elderly. Despite these subsidies, Atishi said, the government has sustained an increase in the budget from 30,940 crore in 2014-15 to 76,000 crore. The outlay for the 2024-25 period of 76,000 crore is 1.47% higher than the revised estimates of 74,900 crore for the year 2023-24, but lower than what was initially pegged for the current financial year 78,800 crore (according to budget estimates for the FY24 fiscal). The expenditure is proposed to be financed mainly from own resources, the minister said, saying revenues of 58,750 crore are estimated from tax earnings, 1,000 crore from non-tax revenue, 10,000 crore from small saving loans, 379 crore from capital receipts, 3,223.94 crore from centrally sponsored scheme, 1,168 crore as Normal Central Assistance and other central grants. The government has an opening financial surplus of 1,478.95 crore, showed the budget documents. In her two-hour-long speech, the first time she presented the budget after having taken over from Kailash Gehlot, Atishi referred to texts from the Ramayana several times to stress on the administations focus in sectors of education, health, womens safety, food safety, free pilgrimage for the elderly, free electricity illuminating homes and beautification of the city. The government has had a practice of basing spending plans around themes. For the current fiscal, Gehlot announced it last year as a budget for a Saaf Sundar aur Aadhunik Dilli (clean, beautiful and modern Delhi). The first budget of the administration was based on the theme of swaraj, or self-rule. Atishi spoke of the progress the Delhi economy has made with the AAP at the helm. In 2014- 15, Delhis GSDP was 4,95,000 crore, and today, within ten years, Delhis GSDP has reached 11,08,000 crore, which is 2.5 times higher. In 2014-15, the per capita income in Delhi was 2.47 lakh and in 2023-24, it has increased to 4.62 lakh at current prices; which is approximately 2.5 times higher than the national average, she said. Whether its the growing economy of Delhi, the doubled per capita income, the transformation of government schools for children, the liberation of women from battles over water tankers, the splendid infrastructure of roads and flyovers in Delhi, or the provision of free hospitals and mohalla clinics for impoverished families Delhiites have defined a journey from despair to hope. When we interact with the people of Delhi, we receive our report card every day in the form of smiles of children, women, and the elderly, the finance minister added. One of the focus areas in the budget is the development of unauthorised colonies. Along with increasing drains and water lines in unauthorised colonies, the government has built 5,175 kilometres of roads in 1,355 such colonies. A provision of 902 crore has been made in the budget for the upliftment of unauthorised colonies in the fiscal year 2024-25, Atishi said. The government has also proposed a budget of 510 crore to acquire electric buses and, another 5,702 crore for larger improvements to the transportation sector. The governments aim is that, By 2025, Delhi will have more than 10,000 buses, out of which 80% will be electric. This budget is inspired by concept of Ram Rajya, all sections and all sectors have been taken care of, Kejriwal said later. The worlds largest women empowerment programme has been announced in todays budget. To empower women, your Delhi government has taken a step forward and has now given you a gift of 12,000 annually. Now all our daughters, mothers and sisters aged above 18 will be given 1,000 per month under this scheme. About 50 lakh (five million) women will benefit from this in Delhi. This dream of ours for years has been fulfilled this year. When money comes into the hands of the common person, they go to the market. This creates demand in the market and leads to the countrys progress. The budget of Delhi government is inspired by the concept of Ram Raj, the chief minister added. Meanwhile, leader of Opposition in Delhi assembly, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, called the budget a bundle of papers with false announcements. The use of Lord Shri Rams name in the budget is disrespectful. CM Arvind Kejriwal has been opposing the construction of Ram Temple. One of their ministers used derogatory language towards Hindu deities and he remains in the party till date. The Rozgar Budget was presented in 2022 but not even a single person got employment and the government did not talk about it again. Last year, it was said that maximum emphasis would be given on transport but this time there is no mention of last years budget in the budget. The public wants to know to what extent the proposals or promises made in the budget last year were implemented. Where did that money go? Bidhuri said. NEW DELHI: An Indian national was killed and two more were injured in a missile attack in Israel, prompting the Indian government to urge its citizens working in the border areas of northern and southern Israel to relocate to safer places. Maxwell reportedly arrived in Israel two months ago and was working on a farm at the time of the attack (Facebook/patnibin.maxwell) Pat Nibin Maxwell, a 31-year-old resident of Kollam in Kerala, was killed when a missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard in a collective agricultural community at Galilee in northern Israel on Monday morning. The missile was believed to have been fired by Hezbollah, which has been launching rockets at northern Israel in support of Hamas in the ongoing war in Gaza. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The two injured Indians were identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin, both from Kerala, and PTI quoted officials as saying that George was taken to a hospital in Petah Tikva with injuries to his face and body, while Melvin, who was slightly injured, was hospitalised in the northern Israeli city of Safed. There was no immediate word from Indian officials on the casualties. The Indian embassy in Israel, in a post on X, advised Indian nationals, especially those working in or visiting border areas in the north and south, to relocate to safer areas within the country. It said the advisory was issued in view of the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories. The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals, the post said. Maxwell reportedly arrived in Israel two months ago and was working on a farm at the time of the attack. He is survived by a five-year-old daughter and his pregnant wife, his relatives said. The Israeli embassy in India, in a post on X, said it was deeply shocked and saddened by the death of an Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack launched by Hezbollah on peaceful agriculture workers at an orchard in a northern village. 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, the post said. New Delhi: Reacting to the State Bank of India's plea before the Supreme Court seeking more time to disclose electoral bonds' details, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of using the bank to hide its alleged "dubious dealing". RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi join hands during the RJD's 'Jan Vishwas Maha Rally', at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Sunday. Weeks after the Supreme Court ordered India's largest bank to disclose the details of bonds encashed by political parties, the SBI moved the apex court and sought an extension of the deadline till June 30. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The court had ordered the bank to furnish the details by March 6. Mallikarjun Kharge called the electoral bonds scheme opaque and undemocratic. He said the BJP government is using the bank as a shield. "The Modi government is using the largest bank of our country as a shield to hide its dubious dealings through Electoral Bonds," he said. Kharge said the BJP wants the SBI to share the details after June 30, by when the Lok Sabha elections would be over. Also read: Last attempt to hide Modi's real face: Rahul Gandhi slams SBI move on electoral bonds "But the BJP wants it to be done after Lok Sabha elections. The tenure of this Lok Sabha will end on 16th June and SBI wants to share the data by 30th June," Kharge said. He claimed the BJP was the biggest beneficiary of the scheme. "Isn't the government conveniently hiding the BJP's shady dealings where contracts of highways, ports, airports, power plants etc. were handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cronies in lieu of these opaque electoral bonds," he asked. "Experts say that the 44,434 automated data entries of donors can be divulged and matched in just 24 hours. Why does the SBI then need 4 more months to collate this information?" he said. "Congress party was crystal clear that the Electoral Bonds scheme was opaque, undemocratic and destroyed the level playing field. But the Modi government, PMO and FM bulldozed every institution - RBI, Election Commission, Parliament and Opposition to fill BJP's coffers," Kharge alleged. Kharge said the Modi government is trying to use SBI to bulldoze the Supreme Court's judgement. Also read: Supreme Court calls electoral bonds 'quid pro quo', asks SBI to stop issuing them immediately Congress MP Manish Tewari said the Supreme Court should not allow the SBI to "get away with its chicanery on Electoral Bonds". "People before the General Elections must know who got what from whom & whether there was any prima-facie quid pro quo involved?" he said. On Monday, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi had said: "Narendra Modi has put his entire force in order to hide the 'donation business'." "When the Supreme Court has stated that it is the right of the people of the country to know the truth about electoral bonds, then why does the SBI not want this information to be made public before the elections?" he added. SBI, in its plea, said the donations were kept anonymous and retrieving the information was a time-consuming exercise. "It is submitted that the data related to the issuance of the bond and the data related to the redemption of the bond was kept recorded in two different silos. No central database was maintained. This was done to ensure that donors' anonymity would be protected," it said. Last month, the Supreme Court said the scheme violates the right to information and the right to freedom of speech and expression. With inputs from PTI National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma met President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday and recommended President's Rule in West Bengal over the Sandeshkhali violence. An NCW team recently visited the restive Sandeshkhali village in response to reports of egregious violence and intimidation against women in the region. NCW chief Rekha Sharma with President Droupadi Murmu. A large number of women alleged sexual harassment and land grabbing by local Trinamool Congress leaders, including Shajahan Sheikh who was on the run after the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on January 5. A fact-finding report prepared by the NCW pointed to disturbing testimonies of women alleging widespread fear and systematic abuse by both police officers and members of the ruling TMC. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Sandeshkhali is not an isolated incident. Previously also many incidents of violence have been reported in the state and no action has been taken by the state government. Hence, NCW recommended to President Droupadi Murmu to impose President's rule in the state," Rekha Sharma told PTI after meeting Murmu. Also Read: Narendra Modi's Sandeshkhali attack on Mamata, INDIA bloc: Country is enraged Sharma said the President told her that she is aware of the situation in the state and is closely monitoring it. Previously, the National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC) had also recommended President rule in the TMC-ruled state. The Calcutta high court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of the probe into the attack on ED officials at Sandeshkhali from the West Bengal Police to the CBI, holding that the state police are "totally biased." The court also directed that the custody of 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. "There can be no better case than the case on hand which requires to be transferred to be investigated by CBI," the division bench observed. GUWAHATI: The Congress will take a few more days to finalise its list of candidates from Assam due to continuing differences among its three sitting MPs on their Lok Sabha seats due to changes in the constituencies due to the delimitation exercise last year, people familiar with the matter said. Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah (ANI) Two sitting MPs, Pradyut Bordoli (Nagaon) and Gaurav Gogoi (Kaliabor), are seeking the party ticket from Nagaon. Barpeta MP Abdul Khaleque, on the other hand, is interested in contesting from Dhubri, a seat that party leaders said, was expected to go to former minister Rakibul Hussain, the people cited above said on condition o anonymity. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won 9 of Assams 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, on Saturday named its 11 candidates from Assam. It is leaving the other three seats to its allies. Assam Congress state unit chief Bhupen Kumar Borah said: Theres no argument or differences over the selection of candidates. The sitting MPs have expressed their desire, but will follow whatever the party decides. Since a portion of Kaliabor (now named Kaziranga) was included in Nagaon seat after delimitation, it was expected that Gogoi would seek that seat or else his supporters would have felt that he ditched them. Likewise, a portion of the Nagaon seat got included in Kaziranga, he explained. Borah added that a meeting of the partys high command is slated for March 7 and the announcement of the names of candidates from Assam could be made on March 8 or 9. He said the Congress would field candidates from 11-12 seats and leave the rest for its alliance partners under the United Opposition Forum (UOF). The ECIs delimitation order in August 2023 did not change the number of the states assembly (126) and Lok Sabha seats (14) but redrew the boundary of most constituencies. The delimitation of the assembly and Parliamentary seats in Assam was last carried out in 1976 based on the 1971 Census. The exercise could not be carried out in 2002, along with the rest of India, because of the law-and-order situation in the region. Delimitation has also affected the Barpeta seat which usually elects minority candidates. But with some portion of the constituency getting added to neighbouring Dhubri, which is at present represented by AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, sitting Congress MP from Barpeta, Abdul Khaleque, is keen to shift there. A Congress leader said Khaleque might have to stick to his existing seat while the Samaguri MLA and former minister Rakibul Hussain is given the party ticket for Dhubri. The leader added that the party may go along with Gaurav Gogoi in line with his preferences. The final decision is in the hands of the party. But I have made it amply clear that as the sitting MP from Nagaon, I should be given the ticket from the same seat. I wont say anything beyond that, Nagaon MP, Pradyut Bordoloi, said. Gogoi and Barpeta MP Khaleque didnt respond to calls seeking their views. In 2019, the BJP secured wins in 9 seats, Congress won three and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and an Independent won one seat each. A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Monday reversed the courts 1998 ruling that let lawmakers escape punishment for accepting bribes in exchange for voting or giving speeches on the floor of the House, holding that such actions cannot be shielded under the doctrine of parliamentary privilege. A 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud delivers the judgment on Monday. (ANI) The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, declared that MPs and MLAs will not have immunity from prosecution for taking a bribe to make a speech or vote in Parliament and state legislatures, adding the rule will equally apply to elections to the Rajya Sabha and to the offices of President and Vice-President. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Houses of Parliament or legislatures, and the committees are not islands which act as enclaves shielding those inside from the application of ordinary laws. The lawmakers are subject to the same law that the law-making body enacts for the people it governs and claims to represent, said the court. The unanimous verdict by the bench, which also comprised justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, PS Narasimha, JB Pardiwala, Sanjay Kumar and Manoj Misra, said that bribery is not protected by parliamentary privilege because these privileges are essentially related to the House collectively, and are necessary for its functioning. Corruption and bribery of members of the legislature erode the foundation of Indian parliamentary democracy. It is destructive of the aspiration and deliberative ideals of the Constitution and creates a polity which deprives citizens of a responsible, responsive and representative democracy, held the court, overturning a five-judge bench decision by the top court in the 1998 PV Narasimha Rao case. CJI Chandrachud authored the 135-page judgment on behalf of the bench. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the ruling. SWAGATAM! A great judgment by the Supreme Court which will ensure clean politics and deepen peoples faith in the system, he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The verdict was also welcomed by the Congress, which said it was desirable to set right the law and should have been done earlier. It is a salutary, desirable, welcome judgement. It is something which sets right the law and it should have been done earlier, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, adding that there is no need to go into the facts of the case, because this is not a judgment about the merits of whether anybody did receive a bribe or not. Outlining the contours of the scope of parliamentary privilege under Articles 105 and 194, the Constitution bench held that the privileges and immunities enshrined in the Constitutional with respect to members of the Houses of Parliament and state legislatures belong to the House collectively. Article 105(2) lays down that no member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said, or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof. A corresponding provision giving immunity to members of state legislatures is contained under Article 194(2). The exercise of the privileges individually by members must be tested on the envelope of whether it is tethered to the healthy and essential functioning of the House...To give any privilege unconnected to the functioning of the Parliament or legislature by necessity is to create a class of citizens which enjoys unchecked exemption. From ordinary application of the law. This was neither the intention of the Constitution nor the goal of vesting Parliament and legislatures with powers privileges immunities, said the bench. The court underlined that a claim to immunity by a lawmaker accused of taking a bribe fails to fulfil the two-fold test: That, the claim is tethered to the collective functioning of the House and that it is necessary to the discharge of the essential duties of a legislator...corruption and bribery have wide ramifications on public interest, probity in public life and parliamentary democracy. The bench added that bribery is not rendered immune under Articles 105(2) and the corresponding provision of Article 194(2) because a member engaging in bribery commits a crime which is not essential to the casting of the vote or the ability to decide on how the vote should be cast. The same principles that apply to bribery in connection with the speech in the House or a committee, it said. According to the court, the jurisdiction exercised by a competing court to prosecute a criminal offence and the authority of the House to take action for a breach of discipline in relation to the acceptance of a bribe by member of the legislature exist in distinct spheres. The bench pointed out that the 1998 judgment had resulted in a paradoxical outcome where a legislator was conferred with immunity if they accepted a bribe and followed through by voting in the agreed direction. On the other hand, the legislator who agrees to accept the bribe but eventually decides to vote independently will be prosecuted. Such an interpretation is contrary to the text and purposes of Articles 105 and 194, said the bench, adding letting the 1998 ruling stay would pose a grave danger of this court allowing an error to be perpetuated. By inserting the immunity provisions, the court said, the Constitution sought to create a fearless atmosphere in which debate, deliberations and exchange of ideas can take place within the Houses of Parliament and the state legislatures and lawmakers, who have a right to speak before the House or any committee, must remain free from fear or favour induced into them by a third party. This is exactly what is taken away when a member is induced to vote in a certain way, not because of their belief opposition on an issue, but because of a bribe taken by the member, emphasised the bench. It also held that the elections for the President, Vice-President and to Rajya Sabha are also integral parts of the powers and responsibilities of elected members of the parliament and the state legislative assemblies and therefore, such elections cannot be pushed outside of the protection and principles of parliamentary privilege, as enunciated in the judgment. Further, the purpose of parliamentary privilege is to provide legislators with a platform to speak and vote without fear, which is equally applicable to elections to the Rajya Sabha and elections for the President and the Vice-President as well, it said. In ruling so, the court rejected the Centres argument that polling to the Rajya Sabha is not protected by Article 194(2) since such an election does not form part of the legislative proceedings of the House. On September 20, the top court had decided to have a relook at the 1998 judgment in the PV Narasimha Rao vs State (CBI) case after this judgment was relied upon by a former member of the Jharkhand assembly, Sita Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), who allegedly accepted a bribe from an independent candidate for voting in the Rajya Sabha elections of 2012. The judgment on Monday is set to revive the criminal case against Soren, a serving MLA in Jharkhand, as the top court disposed of her plea. The verdict may also impact the fate of Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Mahua Moitra, a first-time member who rose to prominence with her combative speeches in the House and was disqualified from the Lok Sabha in December over her direct involvement in cash-for-query charges and unethical conduct. Moitra was accused of having received cash and gifts from industrialist Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for parliament login credentials and asking certain questions as a quid pro quo. She has denied any such quid pro quo existed. The 1998 decision by a five-judge bench, by 3-2 majority, held that MPs and MLAs accepting bribes and voting or asking questions in the House would enjoy immunity under the Constitution. This judgment, curiously, protected those lawmakers who vote or ask questions after receiving bribes, but it did not protect those who received bribes but did not keep their end of the bargain. This judgment came in the backdrop of the JMM bribery scandal that rocked the Congress government, headed by PV Narasimha Rao in 1993. The Narasimha Rao government allegedly bribed several parliamentarians across parties to defeat a no-confidence motion. The seven-judge bench on October 5 last year reserved its verdict on the correctness of the 1998 ruling even as the Union government implored the bench to nullify the precedential value of the 1998 judgment while emphasising that any act of bribery outside legislative Houses are prosecutable under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act. While making the request to declare the 25-year-old judgment per incuriam (rendered in ignorance of a statute), the Centre, represented through attorney general R Venkataramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta, also proposed that an in-house committee, to be coined as speech and vote watch, could be a worthwhile alternative to the judicially mandated guidelines that the seven-judge Constitution bench may consider. However, the bench, in its judgment on Monday, refrained from commenting on the proposed committee, pointing out that the purpose, consequences, and effect of the jurisdictions of the House and criminal law are separate. A criminal trial differs from contempt of the House as it is fully dressed with procedural safeguards, rules of evidence and the principles of natural justice, it said. When the case was being argued in October, the Centre had also emphasised that the bench should limit its ruling to stating that the 1998 judgment should not be regarded as precedent, adding there was no need to delve into the larger issue of immunity granted to the lawmakers under Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Constitution. But the bench on Monday held that the issue of bribery is not one of exclusivity of jurisdiction by the House over its bribe-taking members. The purpose of a House acting against contempt by a member for receiving a bribe serves a purpose distinct from a criminal prosecution, it maintained. A 21-year-old member of an orchestra troupe from Chhattisgarh was allegedly gang-raped by her co-artistes in Jharkhand's Palamu district, according to the police. An orchestra dancer from Chhatisgarh was raped in Jharkhand (Pic for representation) The woman was gang-raped by three men, all known to the survivor, in Palamu district on Saturday night, a police officer said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The incident came to light on Sunday when the survivor filed an FIR with the police, accusing the trio of committing the crime. Read more: Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay resigns, set to join politics Police said two of the culprits were arrested, while a hunt is on for the third. "A gang rape case was registered by an orchestra dancer in the Bishrampur area of Palamu district yesterday. Two of the three accused have been arrested. The 21-year-old victim is a resident of Chhattisgarh. Accused persons and victim are known to each other and work together in the same orchestra group," the police said. "Efforts are in to arrest the third accused," Palamu Police added. Last week, the Spanish national was raped by seven people in Dumka while she was on a tour of the country with her husband. Read more: Delhi: Peaceful march by central govt employees on March 7 over promotions, vacancies Based on the statement, police have registered a case under sections 328 and 376 (2) of the IPC. Earlier, a foreign tourist was allegedly gang-raped in Dumka district, where she was spending the night with her husband in a tent, on Friday night. Three people have been arrested, while a manhunt is on for the remaining four accused. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated multiple power, rail and road projects and laid the foundation stone for others, in Telangana, asserting the projects worth 56,000 crore will write a new chapter of development in several states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy during the launch of development initiatives, in Adilabad on Monday. (PTI) Addressing a rally at Adilabad in Telangana, the prime minister said over 250 million people have risen out of poverty in the country, and attributed it to his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments welfare schemes, stressing that such campaigns will be further amplified in the next five years. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Today, India is the only country in the world that has emerged as a large economy by clocking 8.4% growth in the previous quarter, he said, adding that Indias growth rate has been a point of discussion across the world for the past three-four days. With this pace, India will become the third largest economy in the world. The Indian economy continued to outperform, with GDP growth in the quarter ending December coming in at 8.4%, beating analyst estimates by around 180 basis points or 1.8 percentage points, according to data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on last week. Modi also hit out at opposition parties, saying they might have different faces, but their character of jhoot (lies) and loot was common. The face of dynasty parties may be different but they have a similar characterjhoot and loot, he charged. Underlining his partys welfare of tribal communities, Modi said the highest priority was being accorded in this connection. The dynasty parties could not stand the work the (BJP) government is doing for the welfare of Adivasis (tribals), he said. Noting that the Union government led by him and the state of Telangana have both completed 10 years, Modi said the Centre has been providing all possible assistance to the southern state to fulfil the dreams of its people. Telangana became a state on June 2, 2014, when it was carved out of Andhra Pradesh. Emphasising that the nations development comes through the growth of states, he said with a better economy, trust in the country grows and that states also benefit from it as they get investment. Recalling the alleged earlier neglect of regions like Telangana, Modi said there has been higher allocation for development of the state in the past 10 years. For us, development means development of the poorest of the poor, development of Dalits, tribal people, backward people and the deprived, he said. Earlier in the day, chief minister A Revanth Reddy of the Congress received the PM on his arrival to the state. It was after a long while that a CM of Telangana has received PM Modi and shared the dais with him at an official event. When Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao was chief minister, he had skipped the PMs official visits to the state on several occasions. Revanth Reddy, in his address, said the PM was like a big brother and that the state needs his support for it to progress like Gujarat, Modis home-state. Telangana, a Congress-ruled state, does not want a confrontation with the Centre and desires cordial relations, Reddy stressed. We would like to contribute to the ambitious target of a $5 trillion economy, he added. On the occasion, PM Modi inaugurated or laid the foundation stone of around 30 development projects worth over 56,000 crore related not only to Telangana but the entire country. Among the many projects, the PM virtually inaugurated National Thermal Power Corporations (NTPCs) 800 MW (Unit-2) of Telangana Super Thermal Power Project in Peddapalli. He also threw open the 660 MW (Unit-2) of North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project in Chatra, Jharkhand. This is the countrys first Supercritical Thermal Power Project conceived with an Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) of such large magnitude that it reduces water consumption to one-third compared conventional Water-Cooled Condensers. Modi also inaugurated NTPCs fly ash-based lightweight aggregate plant at Sipat, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh and a plant that converts sewage to Green Hydrogen in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Besides, he laid the foundation stone of the Singrauli Super Thermal Power Project Stage-III (2x800 MW) in Sonbhadra, UP; Flue Gas CO2 to 4G Ethanol Plant at Lara, Raigarh in Chhattisgarh; Sea Water to Green Hydrogen plant at Simhadri, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh; and Fly Ash Based FALG Aggregate Plant at Korba in Chhattisgarh. In addition, projects of the road and rail sector were also inaugurated or begun work on during his visit. Among those were the newly electrified Ambari-Adilabad-Pimpalkhuti rail line. He also laid the foundation for two major national highway projects connecting Telangana with Maharashtra and Telangana with Chhattisgarh through NH-353B and NH-163. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to congratulate the newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to congratulate the newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday. Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, PM Modi wrote. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Shehbaz Sharif clinched his second term as Pakistan's Prime Minister on Sunday, securing 201 votes in parliament amidst protests. His party, the PML-N, will lead a coalition government alongside Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Also Read | Shehbaz Sharif becomes Pakistan's prime minister for a second time after controversial election PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif endorsed his younger brother Shehbaz Sharif for the prime minister's position and party loyalist Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for the speaker of the national assembly role. As part of the PML-N-PPP alliance deal, it was decided that Nawaz Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, would be the chief minister of Punjab province. Maryam, the political heir of Nawaz, took the oath on February 26 and became the country's first woman chief minister of any province. The other part of the deal stipulated that PPPs senior leader, former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari, would get the Presidents post. In the elections held on February 8, Sharif's Nawaz PML-N party secured the second position. Independent candidates supported by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) obtained the highest number of seats but fell short of achieving a parliamentary majority. Pakistan election results As per Pakistan's constitution, a party must win 133 out of the 265 contested seats in the 266-member national assembly to form a government. -Independent candidates aligned with Imran Khan's PTI won 93 out of 265 seats in the national assembly. -PML-N, led by Nawaz Sharif, secured victory in 75 seats in the national assembly. -The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) obtained 54 seats in the national assembly. -Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), representing Urdu-speaking migrants from India during partition, attained 17 seats. -The election for one seat was postponed due to the death of a candidate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday offered prayers at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Telangana's Secunderabad during his visit to the state. In the video shared by news agency ANI, Modi was seen offering prayers to the goddess while two priests at the temple helped him to perform archana a personal puja performed by temple priests, where the devotee's name, birth star, and family lineage are recited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Telangana's Secunderabad on Tuesday.(ANI) Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Modi is visiting multiple states other than Telangana, including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar, which began on Monday and will end on Wednesday. He inaugurated several developmental projects during his visit and is set to inaugurate more during the course of his visit to these states. On Tuesday, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth over 7,200 crore in Sangareddy, approximately 60 km away. These projects span various vital sectors, including transportation, energy, and infrastructure. What projects were inaugurated during Modi's Telangana visit? -PM Modi inaugurated the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre at Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport, established by the Airports Authority of India to enhance research and development (R&D) in the civil aviation sector. -Additionally, Modi 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, enhancing connectivity to major industrial centres like the Pashamylaram industrial area in Telangana. -During the event in Hyderabad, the prime minister inaugurated the doubling and electrification of the Sanathnagar-Moula Ali rail line, along with unveiling six new station buildings. -Modi also flagged off the inaugural MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport Service) Train Service from Ghatkesar-Lingampalli via Moula Ali-Sanathnagar, extending suburban train services in the Hyderabad-Secunderabad regions to new areas for the first time. -An Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline, a 1,212-km product pipeline with a capacity of 4.5 MMTPA. This pipeline ensures the safe and cost-effective transportation of petroleum products from Paradip Refinery to delivery stations in Visakhapatnam, Atchutapuram, and Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh), as well as Malkapur near Hyderabad (in Telangana). (With inputs from agencies) Amid speculations of a pre-poll alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and calls for Bharat Ratna for former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to the veteran leader on his 108th birth anniversary ahead of his visit to the state. Former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik. (HT File Photo) I pay homage to the legendary Biju Patnaik Ji on his birth anniversary. His visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. His contributions to our nation and his unwavering commitment to development are exemplary, Modi wrote in a post on X. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Modi added that he was looking forward to being among the people of Odisha to inaugurate various projects in Chandikhole. I will also address a BJP public meeting. Odisha chief minister and Patnaiks younger son Naveen Patnaik took to X and wrote, Tributes to Biju Patnaik, the creator of modern Odisha, great freedom fighter and former Chief Minister /on his birth anniversary. The blueprint he drew to strengthen development involving people from all sections of the society is still guiding us. Lets remember the contribution of those development men and glorify the identity of Orthodox nationalism. To further strengthen the resolution of forming New Odisha. Senior BJP leader and Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari paid humble homage to the freedom fighter on his birth anniversary. Modis visit coinciding with the occasion comes amid demands by the BJD to posthumously award Bharat Ratna to the third chief minister of Odisha. Senior BJD leader Prasanna Acharya said Biju Patnaiks innumerable exploits as a pilot, from ferrying soldiers of the Sikh regiment to counter the Pakistan-backed invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 to flying out former Indonesian prime minister Sutan Sjahrir and vice-president Mohammad Hatta from Jakarta, are legendary. Though he should have been awarded Bharat Ratna long ago, its never too late. The service that he has rendered to the country is unmatchable. He will remain not just an inspiration for Odia, but the entire country for his courage and daredevilry, Acharya said. Modi is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2.40pm and proceed to Chandikhol in Jajpur district by an Mi-17 helicopter where he will lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects worth 19,600 crore. He will also flag off a MEMU train on the Haridashpur-Paradeep railway line, the first ever passenger train to the key coastal district of Kendrapada, considered the political capital of Odisha. Naveen Patnaik will also attend the functions. Around 4.15pm, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Chandikhol, his second public address in Odisha after Sambalpur on February 3, where he addressed Patnaik as his friend. Last month, the BJD supported Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaws re-election to the Rajya Sabha. Many believe a tie-up between the two parties will help BJP close in on its target of 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Former Odisha assembly deputy speaker Rama Chandra Panda has finally received the gold 'mangalsutra' snatched from his wife nearly two decades ago in Maharashtra, officials said. Former Odisha assembly deputy speaker Rama Chandra Panda(Odisha government) GRP investigated the chain-snatching incident Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel from Kurduwadi railway station, where the incident occurred, visited Panda's residence in Berhampur and returned the 1.6 gm gold, but in a moulded form, valued at 10,000. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "I thanked the railway policemen from Maharashtra for recovering the snatched gold ornament and returning it to the rightful owner after about two decades. The value of the ornament might be small, but this gesture shows their accountability. It will strengthen the common man's faith in the police," Panda said. ALSO READ- BJP spreading alliance rumour in Odisha, says BJD How was the gold chain lost, and later found? The 'mangalsutra' was snatched on December 20, 2005, aboard the Bhubaneswar-Mumbai Konark Express between Solapur and Pune. Panda had filed a complaint. Police had recorded his statement on March 7, 2006 and started an investigation, the officials said. ALSO READ- ECI issues notice to BJD over use of party symbol in government advertisements The clue for the lost chain was found after a lengthy investigation after a chain-snatcher in Solapur was arrested. It was found that the snatcher was allegedly involved in a series of snatching cases inside trains, on March 20, 2006. The looted gold, in moulded form, was recovered from a goldsmith. ALSO READ- PM Modi pays tribute to visionary leader Biju Patnaik on his 108th birth anniversary GRP came to return snatched gold, after 13 years Police requested Panda to collect it from Kurduwadi railway police station on May 20, 2011. However, Panda declined to travel the long distance and asked the police to hand it over to the Maharashtra government. "We came here to hand over the recovered gold to Panda, as per the directions of our higher-ups, after consulting him about his availability at his house," Shinde Yashwant Dagadu, one of the policemen who visited his residence, said. (Inputs from PTI) Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10, a media report said on Tuesday, stepping up his anti-India rhetoric. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu during the COP28 in UAE in December 2023. (PTI file photo) Mohamed Muizzu's statement comes less than a week after an Indian civilian team reached the Maldives to take charge of one of the three aviation platforms in the island nation, well ahead of the March 10 deadline agreed by the two countries for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read | Amid diplomatic row with India, Maldives to get military boost from China Mohamed Muizzu made the announcement even as the Maldives has signed a "military assistance" deal with China after ordering Indian troops deployed in the small but strategically-placed archipelago to leave, officials said on Tuesday. Some 89 Indian military personnel in the country will be gone by May 10 after having been previously ordered out by pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power last year on an anti-Indian platform. Addressing the Baa atoll Eydhafushi residential community during his tour across the atoll, President Muizzu stated that due to his governments success in expelling Indian troops from the country, people who spread false rumours, are attempting to twist the situation, a news portal Edition.mv reported. Also Read | First batch of Indian civilian personnel reaches Maldives to operate 3 aircraft That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instil doubts in our hearts and spread lies, the portal quoted Mohamed Muizzu. 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, Mohamed Muizzu said. Indian troops in Maldives On February 2, after a high-level meeting between the two sides was held in New Delhi where the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10. The Indian troops man the three Indian platforms that have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. Mohamed Muizzu's pro-China tilt Mohamed Muizzu rode to power last year on an anti-India stance and within hours of taking oath demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Edition.mv reported that while the first troops to depart the country are the Indian military personnel operating the two helicopters in Addu City, the military personnel present in Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimaadhoo and Laamu atoll Kahdhoo are also expected to leave ahead of May 10. India agreed to remove troops India had agreed to remove their troops from Maldives under the condition that a number of their civilians equivalent to the military presence are brought to operate the aircraft. The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. The Maldives has been India's key maritime neighbour in the IOR and it occupies a special place in its initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy.' Maldives allowed Chinese research ship to enter its waters In February, the Maldives allowed controversial Chinese research ship China's Xiang Yang Hong 3 to enter its waters in a sign of the nation's diplomatic reorientation towards Beijing and away from its traditional benefactor India. China's Xiang Yang Hong 3 arrived in Male after being refused permission to dock by Sri Lanka following objections from India, which has labelled it a spy ship. China also gave 12 electric ambulances to the Maldives on Sunday, the health ministry said. The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre on a contempt petition filed by 30 women army officers alleging discrimination in the process for their empanelment for promotion vis-a-vis male officers. Representational Image A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud directed the central government to respond by March 11. Once we find that the process was fair, we will leave it, the court said. You (Centre) file a short affidavit indicating what was the criteria followed for empanelment of male officers. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Form policy on women officers promotion, SC tells army The petitioners challenged a decision of the special no 3 selection board that concluded in December to empanel just eight out of 136 women officers as Colonels against 42 vacancies. It was a violation of the November 3 order of the top court, which directed the army authorities that the selection board should not include women officers who were already empaneled by the selection board convened in January 2023, the petition said. The attitude of discrimination persists. The direction was not to include empaneled officers. They have done precisely that, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, who appeared for the petitioners along with advocate Rakesh Kumar. The merit of the empaneled officers served as a cut-off for deciding the merit of the officers to be empaneled from that batch, said attorney general R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre. There was no question of contempt as the empaneled officers were not competing with the non- empaneled officers for the vacancies, he added. Also Read: Indian women officers to take part in Saudi defence show There is no contempt. As such, it is very difficult to say if contempt is made out, the court observed. They did not reconsider those who got empaneled but considered their merit as a benchmark. The idea was to protect those officers who have attained that benchmark, so that their merit is not disturbed. If they were so sacrosanct about including empaneled officers, why the same thing has not happened for male batches? Ahmadi asked. The empaneled officers were not included while considering the non- empaneled male officers. This way, more males could be brought in. Did you follow the same procedure for male batches? the court enquired Venkataramani. The attorney general assured the court there was no discrimination, even as the court insisted on an affidavit to be filed. It posted the matter for further hearing on Monday (March 11). Also Read: Territorial Armys women officers get LoC duty nod Any fallout of this order can have some effect. It will be better for the petitioners to move the armed forces tribunal (AFT), which can examine the facts of the case, Venkataramani said. He pointed out that comparative merit in each batch was an important consideration that guided empanelment and the decision in question considered empanelment of women officers from the 1992 to 2006 batches. While 42 vacancies are available, all were not meant to be exhausted by the petitioners, he said. Soon after the November 3 order, the Centre filed an application in the top court for clarification, he added. The order of November 3, 2023 has apparently been construed by the women officers to mean that the balance 42 vacancies are to be utilised only for conduct of Spl No 3 SB of women officers who were not empanelled in the special selection board held in January last year. The understanding seems to be misconceived, the application said. Also Read: Meet Suman Kumari, BSF's first woman sniper The women officers in their petition narrated how at every stage they were being made to fight for equal rights despite winning an order in February 2020 from the top court for grant of permanent commission across non-combat streams, and later in March 2021, which scrapped the assessment policy adopted by the armys selection board to be discriminatory and arbitrary for women officers vis-a-vis their male counterparts. The respondents (Centre and army) have conducted Special No. 3 Selection Board in highly clandestine and unfair manner and failed to implement the order dated November 3, 2023 and they have even willfully disobeyed the expressed direction of this Court, the contempt petition prepared by the 30 officers said. Before conducting Selection Board No. 3, the respondents were bound to allocate the batch-wise & year-wise vacancies and minimum one vacancy must have been given batch-wise year wise...Considering already empaneled officers with non-empaneled officers was violation of principle of equality enshrined under Article 14 & 16(1) of the Constitution, it said. The November 3 order directed that a fresh exercise of reconvening Special No 3 SB shall be conducted no later than within a fortnight from the date of this order for all the women officers who were considered by the earlier Special No 3 SSB (except for those officers who have already been empaneled). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday halted his procession while passing through Shajapur city of Madhya Pradesh and interacted with BJP supporters in a surprise encounter. Shajapur: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with supporters during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (PTI) Rahul Gandhi was leading the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Shajapur when some BJP supporters greeted the convoy with Modi-Modi chants. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Gandhi stopped the procession to engage with the BJP supporters led by corporator Mukesh Dubey and distributed toffees among them, reported PTI. He exchanged greetings and handshakes as the BJP workers cheered "Jai Shri Ram". Following the brief exchange, Gandhi returned to his vehicle, waving and blowing a kiss before continuing the journey. BJP corporator Dubey later told PTI that he welcomed Gandhi and even presented potatoes to the Congress leader. "I told Gandhi that you are welcome," he said. Also Read: Congress preparing foolproof plan to make recruitment process transparent: Rahul Gandhi Addressing a public meeting in Shajapur, Rahul Gandhi alleged that social injustice prevailed in every institution in the country, and claimed that members from backward, Dalit, ST and minority communities together forming 90 per cent population do not hold any key positions. "How much is the population of people from backward classes in this country? It's 50 per cent, then Dalits are 15 per cent, Scheduled Tribes (ST) eight per cent and minority 15 per cent, which comes to about 90 per cent. Now if you take out the list of top industrialists and management of top companies, you will not find a single person belonging to this 90 per cent category," he said. "Similar is the situation in the media. You will not find a single big journalist belonging to backward, Dalit or ST categories. It's the same with TV anchors as well as media owners," he claimed during his address given from an open jeep. The yatra proceeded to Ujjain later in the day where Gandhi, accompanied by former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath visited and offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. This marks Gandhi's second visit to the temple during his nationwide yatra, with the last one on November 29, 2022. (With PTI inputs) The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) has asked the government to remove the 5% customs duty on newsprint due to the burden it imposes on publishers in a maelstrom of factors that also include global geopolitical uncertainties, logistical intricacies, and depreciation of the Indian rupee. Hindustan Times is amongst the fourteen founders of INS which was established in 1939. (Representative file photo) This measure, if withdrawn, would provide much-needed relief to the print media industry, allowing publishers to manage their operational costs more effectively and ensure the continued dissemination of credible news and information to the public, a public statement signed by INS president Rakesh Sharma said. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The statement mentioned that the conflicts in Midwest countries, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and the issue in Red Sea have severely affected the global supply chain and thus the availability of newsprint. Resultantly, the Newsprint suppliers are cancelling the earlier confirmed orders of the publishers, INS said. Also Read: Pay for news: Indian Newspaper Society in a letter to Google The INS also said that many newsprint mills in India and across the world have either suspended or ceased their operations, causing concerns about the supply of newsprint in India. The declining value of Indian rupee has compounded these challenges and added pressure on import-dependent industries like the print media sector the INS said as it raises the costs of importing newsprint and affects the financial viability of newspapers and publications. It is pertinent to mention here that survival of print media industry is crucial for the largest democracy of the world, as we not only serve as a vital medium for disseminating knowledge and information at low and affordable costs to the common public but also contribute significantly to the Governments communication efforts, informing citizens about policies and social welfare programs. In an era of widespread online misinformation, print media retains a commendable level of trust and credibility, distinguishing itself through reliable editorials, comprehensive reporting, and widespread readership, INS said. Hindustan Times is amongst the fourteen founders of INS which was established in 1939. The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last week, on Monday declared its candidates on two seats in Uttar Pradesh for the coming Lok Sabha elections. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary (right) with BJP president JP Nadda in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI) While RLD leader Rajkumar Sangwan was fielded from Baghpat, another leader, Chandan Chauhan, was announced as the candidate from Bijnor. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The announcement, which was made by the party on X, came two days after the BJP declared 195 candidates for Lok Sabha elections, including 51 from Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is crucial for the BJP-led NDA as well as the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance as it sends 80 lawmakers to Parliament. It is indeed a reward bestowed upon me by my party and (RLD chief) Jayant Chaudhary ji. I will try my best to live up to his expectations, Sangwan, who is the RLD national organisational secretary, said. The Baghpat seat plays a crucial role in the states Jat politics and was won by former prime minister and key Jat leader Chaudhary Charan Singh three times in the past. Subsequently, his son, Chaudhary Ajit Singh, represented this seat in the Lok Sabha between 1989 and 2009. However, Ajit Singhs son and party chief Jayant Chaudhary lost the seat in the 2019 polls. On Saturday, the RLD announced that it has formally joined the BJP-led NDA to jointly contest the Lok Sabha elections. In the 2014 Parliamentary polls, the RLD fought in alliance with the Congress and in 2019, it fought in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BJP-led NDA secured 64 out of the 80 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. BSPs Malook Nagar won the Bijnor seat while BJPs Satya Pal Singh won the Baghpat seat. Besides the two candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, the RLD also announced a candidate for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council election and fielded Yogesh Chaudhary. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has lauded external affairs minister S Jaishankar for navigating bilateral ties between New Delhi and Moscow amid the Ukraine war and recalled how his Indian counterpart responded when Western pundits demanded to know why India still aligned with his country. External affairs minister S Jaishankar with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow in November 2022. (AP File Photo) Sergey Lavrov was addressing the World Youth Forum in the Russian city of Sochi where he was asked about Indias oil purchases from Russia on Sunday. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Recalling the words of S Jaishankar, who advised Europeans to look at themselves before lecturing others, the Russian foreign minister said India has always been a friend" of Moscow. 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, Sergey Lavrov was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency. During the discussion session, Sergey Lavrov also highlighted the historical partnership between India and Russia, particularly Moscows support for New Delhi during the Cold War period when the West withheld advanced weaponry. On India-Russia defence ties Explaining what qualities Russians and Indians share, Sergey Lavrov said, In those years, when the West did not even think of transferring modern weapons to India, the Soviet Union, and later Russia, not only did so, but also set up joint production of high-tech missiles (including the) BrahMos. That is why we remember (our) friendship, we never forget ourselves and we see that the Indian people have the same qualities. In January last year, S Jaishankar has defended India's move to import crude oil from Russia notwithstanding the growing disquiet over it by Western powers, saying that Europe has imported six times the fossil fuel energy from Russia than India has done since February 2022. In May, Jaishankar pushed back against a suggestion by a top European Union (EU) official for a crackdown on Russian oil resold by Indian firms as refined fuels, saying such exports dont violate EU regulations. EU foreign and security policy chief Josep Borrell had said Brussels was aware Indian refiners were buying large volumes of Russian crude oil and processing it into fuels for sale in Europe. For the first time since India significantly ramped up purchases of discounted Russian oil, Borrell also said the EU should act to stop this practice. Asked about Borrells remarks by a reporter, Jaishankar replied, I really dont see the basis for your question because my understanding of the [European] Council regulations is that if Russian crude is substantially transformed in a third country, then its not treated as Russian any more. He added, I would urge you to look at Council regulation 833/2014. India is currently one of the biggest buyers of Russian crude. The sale of refined fuels produced from the crude to European states is legal under EU embargoes but has been criticised by those backing harsher sanctions against Russia. India's oil purchase from Russia Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has steadily increased its purchases of discounted Russian oil. Indian imports of Russian oil hit a record high in October 2022, with Russia becoming Indias top oil supplier in terms of barrels per day, news agency PTI reported, quoting data from energy tracker Vortexa. India and Russia have close relations and New Delhi has not supported Western sanctions on Moscow, even though it has repeatedly urged an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine. India, also a major market for Russian-made weapons, has so far abstained from UN resolutions critical of Moscows war. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Monday slammed the media for allegedly distorting her remarks after the party dropped her name from the first list of 195 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pragya Singh Thakur(PTI) Read here: Sadhvi Pragya Thakur reacts after BJP denied Bhopal Lok Sabha ticket: 'PM Modi had said' Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Sadhvi Pragya Singh, accusing the mediapersons of defaming her, refused to entertain any questions from the journalists regarding the BJP's decision of not fielding her from the Bhopal seat. The Hindutva activist was talking to media who went to her residence to seek reactions to reports in a section of media that she was denied a BJP ticket from Bhopal because certain controversial comments she made in the past may have displeased Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Whatever we speak, you people show it in a distorted and twisted manner. I don't like such things, neither earlier nor today. From today onwards, I will not speak to the media as you people have been defaming me for the last five years (after she became an MP) to raise your TRP ratings," news agency PTI quoted Sadhvi Pragya Singh as saying. Sadhvi Pragya Singh is among the 33 sitting BJP MPs whose names were missing from the party's first list of 195 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections released last week. From Bhopal, the party has fielded former city Mayor Alok Sharma. Read here: BJP Lok Sabha 2024 candidates: Check full list of 195 names here Earlier speaking to India Today about the BJP's decision, Sadhvi Pragya Singh said, "I did not seek a ticket before, and I am not seeking one now. The use of certain words in my previous statements might not have pleased Prime Minister Modi, and he had expressed that I wouldn't be forgiven. However, I had already apologised to him earlier." Now, Sadhvi Pragya Singh urged the media to refer to the video she posted on her Facebook over the party's decision soon after the first list of the candidates was released. "I have posted the original video on Facebook. That is the original video. By defaming me, you won't be able to earn anything," the Lok Sabha member said, adding from today onwards, she will not talk to journalists and whatever she wants to convey, she will use her "own media" for the purpose. In the video, Sadhvi Pragya Singh is seen saying that the party is supreme and she respects the decision. Sadhvi Pragya Singh in her maiden parliamentary elections in 2019, had defeated Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh by a margin of over 3.64 lakh votes. Read here: Akasa Air reacts to BJP MP Pragya Thakur's huge loss' charge The Bhopal MP, who is one of the accused in the Malegaon blast case, is known for her controversial statements. In May 2019, she had stoked a controversy for lauding Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a 'true patriot'. Modi had then said that he would never forgive Sadhvi Pragya Singh for calling Mahatma Gandhi's assassin a true patriot. "I will never be able to forgive Pragya Thakur for insulting Mahatma Gandhi," he had said. (With inputs from PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday took a sharp jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over SBI's move to seek more time for furnishing the details of electoral bonds encashed by political parties, saying the bank executives have insulted the PM who changed India to Digital India. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut. In a social media post on X, Raut said that the SBI chairman and directors should be punished for insulting our PM Modi. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In its verdict last month, the Supreme Court directed the State of India to furnish the details to the Election Commission of India by March 6. The bank moved the top court on Monday seeking an extension of the existing deadline, which it said would not be sufficient for the entire exercise to be completed. In an application filed in the apex court, the state-run bank, which was the sole issuer of now-scrapped electoral bonds, said that the retrieval of information from "each silo" and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise. Modiji has changed India now its Digital India! And SBI asked Supreme Court time of 4 months to submit details of electoral bond, Raut said in a swipe at the prime minister. How dare they insult our dear PM Modiji who has been working 20 hrs all 365 days 9 years 10 months! And these Kam Chor want 4 months? Send them all to Jail. Also Read: Last attempt to hide Modi's real face: Rahul Gandhi slams SBI move on electoral bonds In a landmark judgment that delivered a big blow to the government, the Supreme Court on February 15 annulled the electoral bonds scheme for political funding, saying it violated the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to information. The Opposition leaders have hit out at the SBI for seeking more time from the Supreme Court to furnish the details of the anonymous donation instruments. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the bank's move was a last-ditch attempt to hide the real face of Modi. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the Modi government is using the country's largest bank as a shield to hide its "dubious dealings". Alleging that the BJP was the main beneficiary of the "fraudulent" electoral bonds scheme, Kharge said, "Isn't the government conveniently hiding the BJP's shady dealings where contracts of highways, ports, airports, power plants etc were handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cronies in lieu of these opaque electoral bonds?" "Experts say that the 44,434 automated data entries of donors can be divulged and matched in just 24 hours. Why does SBI then need four more months to collate this information?" he said. The State Bank of India (SBI) approached the Supreme Court on Monday seeking time till June 30 to submit details of electoral bonds (EBs) purchased since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission of India (ECI), arguing that decoding the data and matching donors to the donations would be a complex process. On February 15, a five-judge bench struck down the Centres 2018 EB scheme of political funding. (ANI) The application, if allowed, will mean disclosure of donors and recipients of EBs will come only after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which is expected to be conducted between April and May this year. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The bank highlighted that it needs to decode details of 22,217 EBs, which would involve decoding, compiling and comparing 44,434 (twice the number of EBs issued) information sets because the details relating to buyers and recipients of bonds are kept in two different information silos. On February 15, a five-judge bench struck down the Centres 2018 EB scheme of political funding, declaring it to be unconstitutional because it completely anonymised contributions made to political parties and added that restricting black money or illegal election financing some of the articulated objectives of the scheme did not justify violating voters right to information in a disproportionate manner. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, at the time also directed SBI the only designated EB-issuing bank to forthwith stop the issuance of EBs, adding that the bank will submit details of EBs purchased since April 12, 2019, till that date to the poll watchdog by March 6. By March 13, the judgment ordered all funding received by political parties since April 12, 2019 when the court issued an interim direction to the parties to submit such information with ECI shall be made public by putting the information on the ECIs website. But two days before the end of the deadline, SBI filed an application in the top court, seeking to bring to the courts notice certain practical difficulties with the decoding exercise and the timeline fixed for it. It is submitted that due to the stringent measures undertaken to ensure that the identity of the donors was kept anonymous, decoding of the EBs and the matching of the donor to the donations made would be a complex process, stated the plea, referring to the 2018 EB scheme and the standard operating procedure that SBI formulated for 29 authorised branches, spread all over India, with regard to sale and redemption of bonds. According to the public sector bank, not only were details of purchases made at SBI branches not maintained centrally at any one place, but the data related to the issuance of the bond and the data related to the redemption of the bond were also recorded in two different silos. No central database was maintained. This was done so as to ensure that donors anonymity would be protected. It is submitted that donor details were kept in a sealed cover at the designated branches and all such sealed covers were deposited in the main branch of the applicant bank, which is located in Mumbai, the plea said. At the other end, SBI said, at the time of redemption by a political party, the original bond, and the pay-in slip would be stored in a sealed cover and sent to the SBIs main branch in Mumbai. It can thus be noted that both sets of informations were being stored independently of each other. Thus, to re-match them would be a task requiring significant amount of effort... the retrieval of information from each silo and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time consuming exercise, it said. SBI added that some of the details such as number of bonds etc are stored digitally while the other set of details such as name of purchaser, KYC etc are stored physically. The purpose of not storing all details digitally was to ensure that it cannot be gathered easily to achieve the object of the scheme, said the plea, adding the timeline of three weeks fixed by the court in its February 15 judgment would not be sufficient for the entire exercise to be completed. The bank highlighted that between April 12, 2019 and February 15, 2024, when the EB scheme was nixed, 22,217 EBs were used for making donations to various political parties. Redeemed bonds were deposited to Mumbai main branch by the authorised branches at the end of each phase in sealed envelopes. Coupled with the fact that two different information silos existed, this would mean that a total of 44,434 information sets would have to be decoded, compiled and compared, said SBIs application. In its February 15 judgment, the Constitution bench ruled that amendments made in the Representation of the People Act, Income Tax Act, and Companies Act through the 2017 Finance Act violated the constitutional right of the electors to access information on the funding of political parties which is necessary to identify corruption and quid pro quo transactions and governance information. The verdict came ahead of the Lok Sabha elections expected to take place this summer and was immediately welcomed by opposition parties since the inception of the scheme, the Bharatiya Janata Party, in power at the Centre since 2014, received 54.8% of the electoral bonds purchased in this period and civil society activists. EBs, which are bearer banking instruments that do not carry the name of the buyer or payee, go for sale in 10-day windows in the beginning of every quarter in January, April, July and October besides an additional 30-day period specified by the central government during Lok Sabha election years. The court was emphatic that the scheme violated the right to information. The electoral bond scheme and the impugned provisions, to the extent that they infringe upon the right to information of the voter by anonymizing contributions through electoral bonds, are violative of Article 19(1)(a)... Electoral bonds provide economically resourced contributors who already have a seat at the table selective anonymity vis-a-vis the public and not the political party, the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said in its February 15 verdict. Jagdeep Chhokar, founder member & trustee of ADR, said: This is not unexpected as speculation was doing rounds that the information will not be made available on one pretext or other. It is a bit difficult to believe that the SBI needs nearly 4 months to compile the data, which obviously is in digital form. It defies logic and understanding. This shows that when the Supreme Court gives a judgment, it is not being implemented in letter and spirit. The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed a case lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar in view of its November 2023 ruling that criminal conspiracy, which is punishable under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), cannot be the only offence for initiating a money laundering probe. KPCC president and Karnataka deputy chief minsiter DK Shivakumar. (PTI Photo) A bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan took note of the Supreme Courts judgment in the Pavana Dibbur case, in which another two-judge bench declared that criminal conspiracy can be a charge under the PMLA only when the conspiracy relates to a crime enlisted as a scheduled offence under the 2000 Act. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In the present case, Shivakumar and a few other co-accused were accused of establishing an extensive network of individuals and places across Bangalore and Delhi with the purpose of transporting and using unaccounted cash. The ED probe followed a spate of Income Tax raids in 2019 as the federal agency alleged Shivakumar conspired with Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah, Sunil Kumar Sharma and some others to evade tax. The Karnataka high court had in August 2019 refused to quash the ED summons to the Congress leader and others, which they appealed against in the top court. In this case, Shivakumar was arrested in September 2019 and remained incarcerated for nearly two months. On Tuesday, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Hanumanthaiah and Shivakumar threw their weight behind the November 2023 ruling by a coordinate bench. The lawyers pointed out that the ED probe against Shivakumar and others was premised solely on the criminal conspiracy charge under Section 120 of the IPC and that there was no scheduled offence involved in the matter. The PMLA enumerates certain offences in the Schedule annexed to it. These include numerous offences under the IPC, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and other statutes, besides offences having cross-border implications. Singhvi pressed that the high court order was not tenable in law after the top courts ruling that Section 120B cannot be a standalone offence to initiate a probe under the PMLA. He added that the alleged offence under the Income Tax Act was admittedly not a scheduled offence under the Act and therefore, there is no basis for the money laundering probe to continue. Luthra, on his part too, cited the 2023 ruling of the top court to contend that since there was no allegation of the commission of criminal conspiracy to commit any of the offences included in the PMLA Schedule, Shivakumar could not be prosecuted under the Act. Representing the ED, additional solicitor general SV Raju conceded that a prosecution under the PMLA cannot be conducted only based on invocation of Section 120B in the wake of the November 2023 judgment by the Supreme Court. At the same time, the law officer informed the bench that the agency has filed a review petition against the 2023 judgment in the Pavana Dibbur case and if it succeeds, the ED should be granted the liberty to revive the prosecution. At this point, the bench proceeded to quash the ED case against Shivakumar and two others. The ASG fairly submits that the question whether 120B can be standalone and distinct offence had been decided by a two-judge bench in 2023, holding that Section 120B can become an offence only when it is applied with a main offence, which is a scheduled offence. The judgment said that it wasnt the legislative intent to make all offences under PMLA by applying Section 120B. In view of this, the reasons assigned by the high court cannot be sustained. Appeals are allowed and the proceedings under the PMLA are quashed, the order stated. The bench also granted ED the liberty to seek review or recall this order if its review petition against the 2023 judgment eventually succeeds. By its judgment on November 29, a bench of justices AS Oka and Pankaj Mithal had held that criminal conspiracy to commit any crime cannot be a ground to initiate money laundering proceedings against a person, adding the conspiracy must relate to an offence which is a scheduled offence under the PMLA. The decision by the top court came in a case from Bengaluru where the woman named Pavana Dibbur challenged the money laundering case initiated against her by the Enforcement Directorate in 2020 on the ground that the lone charge against her was of criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the IPC and this alone cannot be sufficient to accuse her of money laundering punishable under Section 3 of PMLA. The court had in its judgment nixed the case against her, holding, The offence punishable under Section 120B of the IPC would become a scheduled offence only if the conspiracy alleged is of committing an offence which is specifically included in the Schedule (under PMLA). In this case, the ED had argued that since Section 120B of the IPC is included among the scheduled offences, the offence became a scheduled offence even if the accusation was made of engaging in a criminal conspiracy to commit an act that was not covered by the Schedule. Rejecting this, the court said in its November ruling that if the argument of the ED were accepted, the Schedule to the PMLA would become redundant and meaningless. It had also warned that the interpretation suggested by the ED may attract the vice of unconstitutionality for the Act being manifestly arbitrary. The seven-judge bench verdict on Monday that said bribe-taking lawmakers have no immunity strikes a much-needed balance between parliamentary privilege and corruption charges. A 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud delivers the judgment on Monday. (ANI) The verdict defines parliamentary privilege and its boundaries , especially in relation to freedom of speech, the right to participate in proceedings of the House, and immunity from legal proceedings. Understanding the landmark judgment by the Constitution bench on Monday requires navigating the intriguing journey of the case and the contentious judgment that led the top court establish a judicial precedent that served as guidelines for future cases involving lawmakers. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The Narasimha Rao judgment in 1998 and the reference This was the ruling overturned on Monday by the larger bench. The tenth Lok Sabha election, which took place in 1991, provided the cases context. PV Narasimha Rao was appointed prime minister and the Congress emerged as the single largest party. In July 1993, a no confidence motion was brought against the government. In a house of 528 MPs, the Congress was short by 14 from a simple majority. On July 26, 1993, the motion was put to vote, and the Narasimha Rao government sailed through by garnering 265 votes. Several MPs that voted against the motion of no-confidence were those who belonged to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Janata Dal (Ajit) JD (A). Interestingly, Ajit Singh, a JD (A) MP, chose not to cast a vote. A complaint was filed before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging that the Narasimha Rao government distributed over 3 crore as bribe to MPs of different political parties. CBI took up the investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against JMM chief Shibu Soren and three other party MPs for receiving bribes and voting against the no confidence motion. The investigating agency also filed a separate case against Rao and others for hatching a criminal conspiracy and paying bribes to MPs. Charge sheets were filed before a CBI court in Delhi where the accused MPs took the defence that the action by the court is barred by Article 105(2). Article 105(2) states: No member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof and no person shall be so liable in respect of the publication by or under the authority of either House of Parliament of any report, paper, votes or proceedings. The identical provision in respect of members of state legislatures is provided in Article 194(2). The CBI judge rejected the argument and even the Delhi HC put a stamp of approval on it by saying that the illegal acts of demanding and accepting bribe took place outside Parliament. The appeal was brought to the Supreme Court where a Constitution bench of five judges determined two issues: One, does Article 105 confer any immunity on an MP from being prosecuted in an offence involving offer or acceptance of bribe and two, can MPs be regarded as public servant to bring them within the ambit of the 1988 Act because there is no authority competent to grant sanction for their prosecution? The verdict that came on July 17, 1998, was not unanimous. While the judges agreed on the second issue that MPs are public servants, there was difference of opinion on whether Article 105 immunity is to be a shield for members of Parliament against criminal proceedings for bribery. The majority decision was given by justices SP Bharucha and S Rajendra Babu, and supported by a separate view by justice GN Ray. They held that the alleged bribe takers are entitled to immunity conferred by Article 105(2), holding that the words in respect of used in Article 105 should be given a broad meaning and the alleged conspiracy were in respect of votes cast. Applying this rationale, the court curiously directed trial to proceed against Ajit Singh since he did not cast his vote on the no-confidence motion. The majority said: Protection under Article 105(2) is available only to those accused, who as members of Parliament cast their votes in Parliament. The minority view comprised justices SC Agrawal and AS Anand. Years later, in March 2012, the Election Commission of India (ECI) notified election to two vacant seats of the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand. Sita Soren, the daughter-in-law of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, was then a member of the Jharkhand legislative assembly. She was accused of accepting a bribe from an independent candidate in exchange for supporting him. However, it was clear from the open voting for the Rajya Sabha seat that she voted for a candidate from her own party rather than the alleged bribe-giver. A PIL came to be filed before the Jharkhand HC, which directed the CBI to probe into the alleged exchange of money. Before the trial court and the HC, Sita Soren claimed immunity against prosecution under Article 194(2), but to no avail. On being denied the protection, she approached the SC in 2014, banking on the 1998 ruling in Narasimha Rao case. In March 2019, a three-judge bench referred the matter to a five-judge bench, which in turn referred the issue to a seven-judge bench in September last year. The seven-judge bench ruling Noting precedents, historical development and international jurisprudence on parliamentary privileges, the top court on Monday declared that legislators cannot claim immunity in cases of corruption and bribery since they are not fundamentally related to their ability to perform their duties. The court highlighted that the freedom of speech and the right to vote as an extension of it is a privilege essential to every legislative body because such privileges are not only essential to the ability of Parliament and its members to carry out their duties, but it is also at the core of the function of a democratic legislative institution. Freedom of speech in Parliament and the legislatures is an arm of the same aspiration so that members may express the grievances of their constituents, express diverse perspectives and ventilate the perspectives of their constituents. Freedom of speech in Parliament ensures that the government is held accountable by the House, it said. At the same time, the court was categorical that the privileges to MPs and MLAs are not absolute or unqualified. The privilege of an individual member only extends insofar as it aids the House to function and without which the House may not be able to carry out its functions collectively... We may understand parliamentary privileges as those rights and immunities which allow the orderly, democratic, and smooth functioning of Parliament and without which the essential functioning of the House would be violated, it noted. According to the court, parliamentary privileges are not a mark of status which makes legislators stand on an unequal pedestal but are guaranteed freedoms necessary to be in furtherance of fertilising a deliberative, critical, and responsive democracy, adding it is for the legislator claiming a privilege against an action to satisfy that the privilege exists. The bench then said that an act of bribery cannot be immune under the doctrine of parliamentary privilege because a member engaging in bribery commits a crime which is not essential to the casting of the vote or the ability to decide on how the vote should be cast. Holding that courts and the House exercise parallel jurisdiction over allegations of bribery, the Constitution bench said that a member engaging in bribery commits a crime which is unrelated to their ability to vote or to make a decision on their vote. This action may bring indignity to the House of Parliament or Legislature and may also attract prosecution. What it does not attract is the immunity given to the essential and necessary functions of a member of Parliament or legislature, it added. The bench further clarified that the offence of bribery is complete on the acceptance of the money or on the agreement to accept money being concluded, adding it is not contingent on the performance of the promise for which money is given or is agreed to be given. Notably, the seven-judge bench ruling on Monday also displaced observations by another five-judge bench in the Kuldip Nayar case (2006), which said that elections to fill seats in the Rajya Sabha are not proceedings of the legislature but a mere exercise of franchise, which falls outside the net of parliamentary privilege under Article 194. In the 2006 judgment, the court was dealing with the use of open ballots in elections to the Rajya Sabha. The larger bench held that parliamentary privilege cannot be restricted to only law-making on the floor of the House but extends to other powers and responsibilities of elected members, which take place in the legislature or Parliament, even when the House is not sitting. The court should adopt a construction which strengthens the foundational features and the basic structure of the Constitution...it is clarified that voting for elections to the Rajya Sabha falls within the ambit of Article 194(2). On all other counts, the decision of the Constitution bench in Kuldip Nayar (supra) remains good law, it said. The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the withdrawal of a petition seeking directions for the Centre to reasonably consider the demands of protesting farmers, even as it warned that petitions on such serious issues should not be filed for publicity. Supreme Court of India. (ANI File Photo) A bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan said, These are very serious issues. Only a person who is committed and serious about these issues should approach the court. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The top court was hearing a petition filed by a social activist Agnostos Theos, claiming to be the managing director of The Sikh Chamber of Commerce. Noting that the petition was based on newspaper reports, the bench said, Dont come here only for publicity by filing a petition based on newspaper reports. The lawyer appearing for the petitioner told the court that he had instructions to withdraw the petition as there had been subsequent developments to be included in the petition. Permitting the withdrawal, the court said, You would have read the newspaper reports that the matter is already pending in the high court (of Punjab and Haryana). You can approach the high court or wait for an order from the high court that can address the grievances. The petition was filed in the backdrop of the Delhi Chalo call given by farmers on February 13 in protest over the implementation of their demands on minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other recommendations made by agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. The petition said, The actions taken by the respondent governments by creating fortification across the borders of the national capital, creating hostile and violent situations against its own peaceful citizens and not allowing the farmers to exercise their democratic right, has led to direct and indirect defamation of the intentions and the objective of the protesting farmers. The plea sought compensation for the families of farmers who died in the protests and the opening of the borders to Delhi that were blocked in anticipation of the protest affecting traffic movement across Delhis borders with neighbouring states. The petition objected to the prohibitory orders issued by Centre, blocking of social media accounts of individuals sharing news about the protest and employing aggressive and violent measures, such as tear gas, rubber bullet pellets, etc., to threaten farmers. The Swaminathan committee, among its many recommendations, had advised improvement in implementation of MSP for crops other than paddy and wheat and for inclusion of millets and other cereals in the public distribution system (PDS). It further required state agriculture produce marketing committee (APMC) Acts relating to marketing, storage and processing of agriculture produce to be upgraded to one that promotes grading, branding, packaging and development of domestic and international markets for local produce. Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday reacted to the row triggered by his father Lalu Yadav's no family jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to divert attention with its 'Modi ka Parivaar' rhetoric. Patna: Former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD MLA Tejashwi Yadav addresses a press conference at his residence.(PTI) Lalu Yadav earlier this week said Modi was not a true Hindu because he didn't tonsure his head after his mother passed away. He also said that Modi had no family. In response to the personal attack, several BJP leaders added 'Modi ka Parivaar' suffix on their social media account names to show solidarity with the Prime Minister. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Tejashwi Yadav today said that he is glad to know that his father Lalu Yadav had such an impact on the BJP. "I am glad that the words of Lalu ji have so much impact. But what about issues like poverty and unemployment that he had raised? He spoke of so many things," he was quoted as saying by PTI. Tejashwi Yadav said if PM Modi treats the entire nation as his family, why his government crushed the farmers' protests near Delhi. Also read: Congress-BJP slugfest over Lalu Yadav's 'no family' attack at PM Modi Reacting to his father's Modi not a true Hindu remark, he said he got his daughter tonsured as per Hindu traditions but the Prime Minister didn't when his mother passed away. "We are a devout Hindu family with a temple at our home where Aarti is performed every morning and evening. I got my daughter to undergo the mundan (tonsure) ceremony. Why the PM chose not to follow the well established tradition, is for him to answer," Yadav said. PM Modi reacts to Lalu Yadav's remark in Telangana Meanwhile, PM Modi today reacted to Lalu Yadav's jibe. Also read: 'Narendra Modi didn't even get tonsured on mother's death', Lalu Yadav labels PM fake Hindu "When I oppose familism and say that it is against democracy and not allowing new talent to emerge, they say 'Modi has no family'. Do they have the license to steal? I have seen CMs who have family members on high posts in their respective states. Is this democracy? They say their fight is against Modi's ideology. They say Modi has no family. Is this an ideological battle? I will tell you what an ideological battle is - they say family first, Modi says nation first," he said. Nirmala Sitharaman slams Lalu Yadav Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said such remarks weren't expected froma senior leader like Lalu Prasad Yadav. She said the remark is highly condemnable. "He (Lalu Prasad) has spent decades in politics and was also a CM of the state. People don't expect such comments from a senior leader like him. It disheartens the people. One has to maintain dignity in politics. The BJP has given a befitting reply to the RJD chief for making such comments against the PM," she added. With inputs from PTI The Delhi government presented its 2024-25 budget on March 4. Coming just before the general elections, the budget promises a spending of 76,000 crore, more than three-fourths of which will be financed by Delhis own tax revenues (OTR). This basic fact notwithstanding, here are four charts which put Delhis budget in context. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and finance minister Atishi address a joint press conference after the presentation of the Budget of the Delhi government at Vidhan Sabha on Monday. (ANI) NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the State Bank of India (SBI) as a shield to hide its dubious dealings through electoral bonds after the bank approached the Supreme Court to seek time till June 30 to submit to the Election Commission of India (ECI) details of electoral bonds (EBs) purchased since April 2019. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a public meeting at Anantapur in Anantapuramu on Monday. (Congress-X) In its February 15 verdict, the bench struck down the Centres 2018 EB political funding scheme, holding it to be unconstitutional because it completely anonymised contributions made to political parties. The bench also told the SBI -- the only designated EB-issuing bank -- to submit details of electoral bonds (EBs) purchased since April 12, 2019 to the ECI by March 6. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. But the BJP wants it to be done after Lok Sabha elections. The tenure of this Lok Sabha will end on 16th June and SBI wants to share the data by 30th June, said Kharge in a post on X, formerly Twitter. The SBI request to seek time till June 30, if allowed, will mean disclosure of donors and recipients of EBs will come only after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which are expected to be conducted between April and May this year. Isnt the Modi Govt conveniently hiding BJPs shady dealings where contracts of highways, ports, airports, power plants etc were handed over to Modi jis cronies in lieu of these opaque electoral bonds? said Kharge. Experts say that the 44,434 automated data entries of donors can be divulged and matched in just 24 hours, why does the SBI then need 4 more months, to collate this information? he added. In its application, SBI said it needs to decode details of 22,217 EBs, which would involve decoding, compiling and comparing 44,434 (twice the number of EBs issued) information sets because the details relating to buyers and recipients of bonds are kept in two different information silos. The Congress president recalled that his party had been crystal clear from the beginning that the EB scheme was opaque, undemocratic and destroyed level playing field. But the Modi Govt, PMO and FM bulldozed every institution - RBI, Election Commission, Parliament and Opposition to fill BJPs coffers. Now a desperate Modi Govt, clutching on straws, is trying to use SBI to bulldoze the Supreme Courts judgement! High drama unfolded in Kolkata as the West Bengal CID refused to hand over Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) despite the Calcutta high court orders. The West Bengal Police action comes hours after the Mamata Banerjee government challenged the high court order that directed it to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI. TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan The central agency is probing the case pertaining to the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials by Shahjahan's supporters in Sandeshkhali village on January 5. A three-member CBI team, flanked by CRPF escorts, had arrived at the CID headquarters, Bhabani Bhaban, on Tuesday to take custody of Shahjahan, who is also accused of land grabbing and sexual assault of women in Sandeshkhali. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned the plea before the Supreme Court bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The top court asked him to mention it before the registrar general. Shahjahan, 42, addressed as Bhai by his supporters, had evaded arrest following the attack on ED officials in the North 24 Parganas village. On February 18, several women had come out in the open to accuse him and his aides Shibprasad Hazara and Uttam Sardar of raping them at the TMC office. On February 26, the Calcutta high court had clarified that there was no stay on the arrest of Shahjahan, who should be arrested. Finally, the TMC leader was arrested from a house in North 24 Parganas district on March 1. Sandeshkhali has become a flashpoint in Bengal in the run-up to the Lok Sabha election, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaving no stone unturned to corner the ruling TMC government. The country is seeing what Trinamool Congress has done with the sisters of Sandeshkhali. The whole country is angry. The soul of Raja Ram Mohan Roy must have been pained by what happened in Sandeshkhali...the party was protecting the TMC leader and the police had to arrest him yesterday after the BJP leaders exerted pressure on the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said at a rally in Hooghly last week. An Indian national hailing from Kerala was killed during a Hezbollah missile strike on Israel. Patnibin Maxwell, a local of Kerala's Kollam district, was killed by an anti-missile strike by Lebanon, in an orchard in Israel's northern border of Margaliot. Officials said that at least two others were left injured due to this strike. Patnibin Maxwell with his family (Facebook) 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. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Maxwell was near the orchard when the missile struck the Israeli border. His mortal remains were identified at the Ziv hospital, official sources told PTI. Two others from Kerala - Bush Joseph George, 31, and Paul Melvin, 28 - were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Read more: Israel deeply shocked after Indian man killed in Hezbollah missile attack Who was Patnibin Maxwell? Patnibin Maxwell was a 31-year-old man belonging to the Kollam district of Kerala. He had arrived in Israel two months ago on a work contract, and was working in a farm at the time of the attack. Maxwell is survived by a five-year-old daughter and his wife, who is expecting another child and is seven months pregnant. Maxwell has two other siblings, and his elder brother is also working in Israel. Read more: Indian national from Kerala killed, 2 others injured in anti-tank missile attack in Israel: Report His elder brother has reached the northern border of Israel to collect the mortal remains of Patbibin Maxwell. His family has contacted the Indian embassy already and the body should be brought to Kerala in around 4 days. All three victims of the missile strike were from Kerala, and were working in the plantation near the border. "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 hospitalised at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed. He is from the Idukki district. Read more: El Nino weakens but expect record temperatures this year: WMO forecast Embassy of Israel in New Delhi 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 organisation Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon." (With inputs from PTI) by M. K. Bhadrakumar The Chinese Foreign Ministry announcement on Wednesday that Beijings Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui will set out from home on March 2 on a second round of shuttle diplomacy on seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis may seem a mismatch. French President Emmanuel Macron assertively stands by his remarks on February 25, 2024 about sending troops to Ukraine Just two days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke up that he wouldnt rule out the possibility of putting Western boots on the ground in Ukraine in order to prevent a Russian victory. Li Hui is expected to visit Russia, the EU headquarters in Brussels, Poland, Ukraine, Germany and France. The Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning kept the expectations low by adding that Behind this, there is only one goal that China hopes to achieve, that is, to build consensus for ending the conflict and pave the way for peace talks. China will continue to play its role, carry out shuttle diplomacy, pool consensus and contribute Chinas wisdom for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. Macron spoke up after a summit of European leaders in Paris on Monday. But in diplomacy, there is always something more than what meets the eye. Macron later insisted that he had spoken quite deliberately: These are rather serious topics. My every word on this issue is weighted, thought through and calculated. Nonetheless, representatives of most of the 20 participating countries at the Paris conclave, especially Germany, later took a public position that they had no intention to send troops to Ukraine and were strongly opposed to participation in military operations against Russia. The French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne since explained that the presence of Western military in Ukraine might be necessary to provide some types of assistance, including de-mining operations and instruction of Ukrainian soldiers, but that did not imply their participation in the conflict. The White House reaction has been a reaffirmation that the US would not send troops to Ukraine. The National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement that Biden has been clear that the US will not send troops to fight in Ukraine. The NSC spokesman John Kirby also denied that US troops could be sent for de-mining, arms production or cyber operations. However, Kirby underscored that it would be a sovereign decision for France or any other NATO country whether to send troops to Ukraine. Interestingly, though, two days after the White House reacted, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin added a caveat during a hearing at the House Armed Services Committee that if Ukraine falls, Russia and NATO could come into a direct military conflict, as the Russian leadership wont stop there if Ukraine is defeated. Quite frankly, if Ukraine falls, I really believe that NATO will be in a fight with Russia, Austin said. What emerges out of this cacophony is that quite possibly, the ground is being prepared for a soft landing for the idea of western military deployment in Ukraine in some form going forward. Within hours of Austins testimony on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on the Telegram channel, Is this an overt threat to Russia or an attempt to cook up an excuse for Zelensky? Both are insane. However, everyone can see who the aggressor is it is Washington. The NATO has been steadily climbing the escalation ladder while the Russian reaction has been by and large to rev up the meat grinder in the war of attrition. But then, it is the Ukrainian carcass being ground and that doesnt seem to matter to the Brits or Americans. There was a time when attack on Crimea was deemed to have been a red line. Then came the October 2022 Crimean Bridge explosion on the day after the 70th birthday of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Well, Russia successfully repaired the bridge and reopened it to traffic. An emboldened West thereupon began a string of attacks against Russias Black Sea Fleet. Russia repeatedly alleged that the British, along with the US, acted as spotters, supplying the Kiev regime with coordinates of targets and that the attacks against the Black Sea Fleet were actually literally conducted under the direction of British special services. The Russian MFA spokesperson Maria Zakharova said yesterday, In general, the question that should be asked is not about Britains involvement in separate episodes of the conflict in Ukraine, but about the unleashing and participation of London in the anti-Russian hybrid war. Indeed, recent reports mentioned that none other than the UKs Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Tony Radakin played a significant role in developing Ukraines military strategy in the Black Sea. In retrospect, a NATO roadmap exists to bring the war home to Russia, the latest phase being a new air strike campaign against the Russian oil and gas industry. The escalation on such scale and sophistication is possible only with the direct or indirect participation of NATO personnel and real-time intelligence provided by the US satellites or ground stations. Equally, there is no more any taboo about what Ukraine can do with the weapons the NATO countries have provided. Lately, the CIA began to brazenly speak about all that, too. The New York Times featured an exclusive news article Monday that a CIAsupported network of spy bases constructed in the past eight years going back to the coup in Kiev in 2014, that includes 12 secret locations along the Russian border. Suffice to say, while on the diplomatic track, Russias repeated attempts to halt the fighting have been ignored by the West the Istanbul negotiations in late March 2022; Putins proposal for a freeze on frontline movements and a ceasefire as early as autumn 2022, and then again in September 2023 the CIA and Pentagon have been working hard to achieve victory at all costs. Even after September 2023, Putin signalled willingness to freeze the current frontline and move to a ceasefire and even communicated this through a number of channels, including through foreign governments that have good relations with both Russia and the US. But the faction that wants to crush Russia militarily at all costs has prevailed. Austins remark on Friday suggests that this passion seems to be impervious to facts on the ground. Make no mistake, on February 24, Canada and Italy joined the UK, Germany, France and Denmark to sign 10-year security agreements with Kiev. These agreements underscore a collective commitment to Ukraines sovereignty and its aspirations to join the NATO military alliance, implying that their aim is a long-term confrontation with Russia. And Europe is now discussing the deployment of boots on the ground in Ukraine. In this foreboding backdrop, what is it that Li Hui can hope to achieve as he meets up with the deputy head of the department Mikhail Galuzin, a middle ranking Russian diplomat in the foreign ministry, on March 3? Succinctly put, while Chinas interest in resolving the Ukrainian crisis is not in doubt, Li Huis shuttle diplomacy can only be seen as an effort to understand the current positions of the parties, as the situation has changed since May 2023 when he last touched base and the fact remains that there are active discussions about further steps regarding the conflict in the West after the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Conceivably, this upgrade of the opinions of the parties will enable Beijing to make decisions about its actions. A potential Europe trip by President Xi Jinping is also being talked about that may include France. China is painstakingly rebuilding trust with the European powers and both sides eye pragmatic cooperation despite geopolitical frictions. China remains intrigued by Macrons advocacy of Europes strategic autonomy. Meanwhile, the spectre of Donald Trump haunts both Europe and China, which, hopefully, may boost the latters chances at winning Europes trust. M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific. My roots, my childhood, have been nurtured and nourished by the mighty Himalayas and sacred waters of Ganga and Yamuna. Wherever I live or work, the Dev Bhoomi, the land of Gods, keeps guiding and blessing me. I cannot forget my roots, says 45-year-old Uttam Rawat, who was recently made co-convenor of state BJPs foreign cell (France). Other members of state Bharatiya Janata Partys foreign cell include Kunwar Japendra (convenor), Varun Bhandari (co-convenor) and Girish Pant (co-convenor) all residing in the state. The role of this cell is to coordinate with people of the state living abroad to seek their cooperation on various fronts. However, Rawat, a restaurateur, has lived in Paris for well over two decades. On March 5, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government will constitute a Pravasi Uttarakhand Board to seek the cooperation of the people of Uttarakhand living in foreign countries and provide them assistance when required. In a telephonic interview, Rawat speaks about his business of running restaurants in France, and working for the BJP and its ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Europe. Read edited excerpts: You have been made co-convenor of state BJPs foreign cell (France). How can you make a difference in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections being based in Paris? I have lived in France for over two decades. I know people from Uttarakhand who live in France and other European countries, which I have been visiting from time to time. There are roughly around 10,000 people from Uttarakhand who live in various European countries, including over 150 in France. I am in touch with many such people whom I will encourage to participate in voting to ensure BJPs victory in all five seats. They can also encourage their family members and friends back home to vote for BJP. Besides, I return to Uttarakhand to work for the party during election time. This time also, I will return to Uttarakhand during the LS polls. In the meantime, I will be interacting with the party leaders in Uttarakhand through video conferencing from time to time and make suggestions on various issues. How do you plan to do your outreach based in Paris? I am general secretary of the India Association of France, which has around 40,000 members. So we have a lot of contacts who have contacts in other European countries. In this era of social media and mobile phones, I will try to reach out to people of Uttarakhand through all mediums of communication and encourage them to vote for BJP candidates from their respective areas. I also have many contacts in European countries which I have visited over two decades. We organise community events regularly and remain in touch. I also regularly encourage people to visit Uttarakhand, which is one of the most scenic places on earth. Tell us something about your political background. I was born in Tehri district of Kumaon in 1978, where I did my initial schooling. In 1994, I became an active member of the local BJP unit. A year later I became a member of BJPs district unit. In 1995, I became associated with RSS. In 1996, I went to Garhwal University for graduation, where I joined the student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidya Parishad (ABVP). As my elder brother was working in France, I came to Paris and did my MBA in 1996. After that, I went to the USA initially to work, in 2001. But I returned to France in 2003-2004 and started working in the restaurant running business. I have been working to promote the ideology of the RSS and BJP among the Indian diaspora. Between 2007 and 2009 and again, between 2011 and 2014, I was the foreign cell convenor of BJP for France. I was also head of Vishwa Hindu Yuva Vahini (Europe chapter) from 2021 to 2023. What are the main issues that Uttarakhand needs to address? Uttam Rawat: Hill migration is a major issue in the hills of Uttarakhand. Industrial development of hilly districts remains a challenge. Healthcare is also an issue as doctors dont want to work in the hilly areas. Many who do, are available for only a few hours in the day. Youngsters will continue to leave the state for jobs and education. But they should then return and not permanently settle outside, they should not forget their roots. There are many government schemes which can uplift the local economy and check hill migration. But for that, local representatives have to be very active and ensure locals know about them and benefit from such schemes. I also have plans to plant sandalwood trees in my ancestral village in Tehri later this year, which will also provide a means of livelihood to some locals. How will you find time for election work, given that you are running a business in Paris? I have a staff that takes care of my business. I have to oversee the operations. I take over the operations of restaurants that arent doing well, and turn the business around. Then I start another project. I have run many restaurants here over the years like Villa of India, Bharat, Maharaja, and so on. Since 2019, I have been running a restaurant called Haldi out here. Though I remain busy, I take out time when it comes to BJP and RSS work. I returned to Uttarakhand in the 2022 assembly elections also to work for the party. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had a virtual interaction with people of Uttarakhand living in foreign countries on Tuesday. What suggestions did you give the CM during the interaction? I told Pushkar Singh Dhami ji that Uttarakhand has many beautiful homestays, which need to be publicised at an international level. I also suggested that homestay owners should be trained in how to give first- aid by district hospital medics. I also suggested that they be trained in yoga so that they can guide tourists, especially foreign tourists to do yoga in pristine environs in the mornings. I also suggested that Tadaktal, a lake in Kumaon, near Ramnagar, should be developed as a tourist destination as it is not that well-known. Maha Shivratri 2024: The auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri is almost here. It falls on March 8 this year. The day is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, with devotees observing a day-long fast and worshipping Lord Shiva to attain salvation and absolution of all sins. Devotees also visit the temple, decorate their homes, take early morning baths on this day, wear new clothes, and women do sringar like applying mehndi on their hands to mark this holy festival. If you are also looking for special mehndi designs dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrating Maha Shivratri, we have curated some pictures to inspire you. Check out beautiful and simple Mehndi designs inside. Check out these beautiful mehndi designs to celebrate the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri. (Pinterest) Maha Shivratri 2024 Simple Mehndi Designs: The Mehndi designs we have curated depict Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva's devotion to each other, a devotee's faithfulness towards the God, shlokas, the Shivling, Maa Parvati and Lord Shiva's wedding, minimal floral designs, full-hand patterns, and Indo-Western patterns. Check them out here. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Mehndi designs to celebrate the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri. (Pinterest) Mehndi designs to celebrate the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri. (Pinterest) Meanwhile, Maha Shivratri is celebrated in late winter to commemorate the upcoming summer throughout India. It falls on the fourteenth day of the dark (waning) half of the lunar month of Phalguna or Magha, a day before the new moon. Lord Shiva's devotees in India and Nepal celebrate it with pomp. Additionally, the Hindu population in the West Indies also mark the festival. Meanwhile, as per Hindu traditions, Maha Shivratri is a night reserved for self-reflection and introspection to grow and leave behind all things that hinder our success. While some celebrate it during the morning by visiting temples and presenting offerings (milk, honey, fruits and bel leaves) to Lord Shiva, others organise pujas and jagrans at night. Devotees also observe a day-long nirjala (without food and water) fast during Shivratri. The fast is observed not only to attain Shiva's blessings but also as a test of one's determination. In January 2023, Rene Redzepi announced the closing of his world -famous Copenhagen dining room Noma the five time No. 1 winner on the Worlds 50 Best restaurant list and one of the hardest tables to book on earth at the end of 2024. Travelling to Kyoto or Copenhagen? Check out Worlds Best Restaurant Noma (REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo) Now, Nomas chef and co-owner is giving diners a reprieve. And a new venue to consider. Noma will return to Kyoto for a second residency at the end of the year. The 10-week engagement will once again be at the Ace Hotel Kyoto and run from Oct. 8 to Dec. 18. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. And when Redzepi and his team return to Copenhagen, they wont immediately close the doors to the storied compound. Instead they will extend Noma 2.0 into Spring 2025. The chef, who divides the year by three, not four, seasonal menus Vegetable; Game and Forest; and Ocean will serve the seafood menu for the last few months before Noma 2.0 ends its run, for real they say, on an undisclosed date. Reservations for Kyoto will open on May 14th via the Noma newsletter. This years Kyoto menu and drink pairings will cost 840 euros ($912) plus a 10% charge for service; last year it was 775 euros plus 10%. There will be seven services a week, four dinners and three lunches, for a total of 70 meals. About 100 team members and their families, around the same number as last year, will come to Kyoto; Noma in Copenhagen will be closed during that time, although Noma Projects, which produces products like smoked mushroom garum, will continue to operate. Noma might be returning to the same place as the inaugural pop up a year ago, but dont expect the same shabu shabu with seaweed and tomato-as-rose that was served last year. Well, Kyoto in autumn will certainly offer a different experience; seasonality plays a crucial role with its 72 micro seasons, said Redzepi over email. Game meats become available, and it's the high season for crab, bringing a completely different array of ingredients. We're also hoping for wild mushrooms. But the menu and specific dishes are still under wraps, says the chef, although he confirms that they have pre-ordered some aforementioned game meats and crab from local purveyors and collected some items from the wilderness. Redzepi adds that his team have also dried 10,000 vibrantly colored koyo (autumn leaves), presumably to set the scene in the Aces restaurant dining room for the fall menu. As for the extension of Noma 2.0 in Copenhagen, Lena Hennessy, chief operating officer of Noma, says it was a function of the Kyoto pop up timing. We wanted to travel, come back and do another season in Copenhagen. We love our home here. Did Redzepi think of taking his residency to a new country, since hes already done Kyoto and hasnt recreated pop ups at the sites of other past residencies, including Tokyo and Tulum? In a word, no. As a chef, a culinary professional, and food lover, I view Japan as one of the highest altars one can visit. The levels of knowledge, the depth of technique, and the longevity of traditions that continue to thrive are simply mind-blowing, he says. He also notes that the original Noma Kyoto pop up was planned pre-pandemic to take place in Autumn 2022; when Japans strict lockdown protocol made that impossible, it was moved to the arguably less bountiful season for produce, Spring. That left Redzepi with unfinished business. He adds, so, we started planning for another season halfway through our first pop-up, seeking a different experience with a new seasonal menu and the chance to design the space anew. But still, Redzepi, says, I'm pretty certain that once we conclude this upcoming pop-up, we'll find ourselves reflecting on what we didn't do, what we didn't explore, and what aspects we didn't fully understand. Which some people might read as a hint that this isnt the last residency hell do in Kyoto. As it happens, Hennessy says that Noma will definitely visit other places, even after the current version of the restaurant closes in the Spring. There are residencies in the works, she confirms. Likewise Noma in Copenhagen will almost definitely continue to feed people, says Hennessy. Its not a hard and fast closing of the doors. Serving guests will continue to be a part of who we are. Even if the chapter of vegetables, forest and ocean will almost certainly come to an end, the Noma team doesnt know how to stop innovating. We want to redefine ourselves as an organization. Not in the format people have become accustomed to. But feeding people, yes, says Hennessy. Welcome to the world of an auto-ignition gas stove; give your home a complete makeover and transform your kitchen with this stylish addition. This sleek and modern kitchen appliance is for effortless and safe cooking. Unlike traditional models, these stoves integrate an automatic ignition. These features eliminate the need for matches or lighters. When the control knob is turned, the built-in ignition gas system instantly lights up the gas burner. Find your perfect cooking companion that fits your budget With multiple flame settings mounted on the control knobs, users can easily adjust the temperature for precise cooking. These stylish and modern design knobs are for controlling multiple flame settings, which are medium, low and high flame, according to your need. Safety features such as flame failure protection enhance the overall safety of this gas stove. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Auto ignition gas stoves run on natural gas or propane, depending on the local gas supply. The sleek design not only makes cooking more accessible but also makes maintenance easier. With user-friendly materials and easy cleaning, this oven provides a convenient and reliable solution for modern kitchens, providing an easy and safe cooking experience. 1. Elica slimmest 4 burner auto ignitions B08VRY7FT8 Add elegance and style to your kitchen; bring this auto-ignition gas stove with a 4-burner to your home. The model is renowned for its advanced features, like automatic shutoff for safety. Its sleek design accommodates a minimal space and is adjustable to any size kitchen. It has a double drip tray, making cleaning easier after cooking. During cooking, the knobs control the flame, which can be used for heat distribution. Auto ignition gas stove makes it convenient to use, as there is no need for any external lighters. Specification of Elica slimmest 4 burner auto ignitions Brand : Elica : Elica Burners : 4 : 4 Colour : Black : Black Fuel : Gas : Gas Price: Rs.13,689 Pros Cons 4 burners The price could be less. Sleek design 2. Whirlpool 4 burner autoignition B0BLVYMKK2 This auto ignition gas stove provides a fantastic cooking experience due to its advanced features and efficiency. Precise temperature control for consistent cooking by heat-resistant knobs, and the body of the appliance is rust and corrosion-resistant. This is the perfect choice for your stylish kitchen, which gives it a touch of elegance. There is no need for external lighters to ignite the gas stove. The slim and sleek design offers a touch of sophistication to kitchen decor. Whirlpool 4 burner auto ignition gas stove is the perfect blend of style and durability. Specifications of Whirlpool 4 burner autoignition Brand : Whirlpool : Whirlpool Special feature : Rust resistant : Rust resistant Burners : 4 : 4 Price: Rs.11484 Pros Cons Rust resistant After-sale service could be better. Stylish bakelite knobs 3. Faber 3 burner 70cm hob B0CG9524TG The Faber hob's built-in auto ignition gas stove allows for precise temperature control, making it easy to control the cooking temperature. Integrated sensors keep the kitchen running at all times, improve efficiency in the kitchen, and provide a precise cooking experience. Brass burners are highly regarded for their longevity and even heat distribution. These are multi-flame burners, and the stove has 8mm toughened black glass, which is durable and stylish. This model will give a touch of elegance to the interiors of your kitchen. Specifications of Faber 3 burner 70cm hob Brand : Faber : Faber Burners : 3 : 3 Colour : Black : Black Power source : Corded electric : Corded electric Fuel : Natural gas : Natural gas Price: 14990 Pros Cons Inbuilt auto electric The price could be less. Premium metal knobs Also read: Best 2 burner gas stoves: Top 10 compact and efficient choices for easy cooking 4. Elica Hob 4 Italian burners B0CTHVT7HQ The fully brass heavy-duty multi-flame burners with auto ignition are included for simple and rapid starting. It has a cast iron pan support with a heat-resistant and round metallic knob. It is simple to maintain and clean. The auto-ignition gas stove has quick, hassle-free ignition and requires no outer lighters. Specifications of Elica Hob 4 Italian burners Brand : Elica : Elica Burners : 4 : 4 Colour : Black : Black Power Source : Gas powered : Gas powered Fuel type : Gas : Gas Price: Rs.20,990 Pros Cons Hexa shape grid design The price could be less. Multiflame burners 5. Blowhot premium design 3 burner auto ignitions B0CGNVLTLB A unique emerald hob knob will give the kitchen an exquisite appearance and enhance its charm. This gas stove works well with LPG, and its toughened glass top and black powder-coated body provide a striking contrast that combines elegance and strength. The three-burner auto ignition gas stove helps when many guests arrive. The BlowHot cooktop can accommodate large, heavy containers. The auto-ignition gas stove has an elegant look and is space-friendly. Specifications of Blowhot premium design 3 burner auto ignitions Brand : Blowhot : Blowhot Material : Mild steel : Mild steel Special feature : Gas : Gas Burner : 3 : 3 Price: Rs.5840 Pros Cons 3 burners The price could be less. Multiflame burners 6. Lifelong 3 burner toughened glass top hob top B0C2HPHDSP This auto ignition gas stove is an additional touch of elegance and durability to the kitchen decor of your home. The auto-ignition feature makes it easy to ignite the burner just using the knobs without any outer ignition tool. The black glass top will be visually appealing to the modern kitchen, and you will be delighted. This gas stove combines modernism and durability perfectly with the latest features for a seamless design. Specifications of Lifelong 3 burner toughened glass top hob top Brand : Lifelong : Lifelong Burner : 3 : 3 Colour : Black : Black Power : Gas : Gas Fuel : LPG : LPG Price: Rs.8499 Pros Cons Compatible with LPG Ignition could be better. 3 burners 7. Prestige desire hob top 4 burners B0CDRTPJ3V The convertible design of the auto-ignition gas stove will enable you to use it as a gas stove and a hob. The stove has an ultra-slim design that is visually appealing. It has a unique feature of continuous spark technology. Whenever you twist the knob, it ensures a flame. The Sabaf burners are imported from Italy for durability and smooth functioning. It has precise temperature control for consistent cooking, whether curry or dosa. The robust and big cooking pan can be used for hassle-free cooking. Specifications of Prestige desire hob top 4 burners Design : Convertible : Convertible Burner : 4 : 4 Special feature : One-touch auto ignition : One-touch auto ignition Price: Rs.15678 Pros Cons Convertible design The price is on the higher side. 4 Sabaf burners 8. Hornbills Auto Ignition Glass Hob Top 3 Burner Gas Stove B099KSNH8R Superior stainless steel auto ignition gas stove has a cooking surface made of corrosion-resistant chrome steel for long-lasting durability and simple maintenance, ensuring a spotless kitchen. It has robust pan support and sturdy construction for long-lasting performance and dependability, a chrome steel frame behind the glass for durability, and a substantial pan assist for stability. With its auto-ignition stove technology and sleek stainless-steel style, this LPG gas stove will elevate your cooking experience and complement any kitchen decor while producing great culinary results. Specifications of Hornbills Auto Ignition Glass Hob Top 3 Burner Gas Stove Brand : Hornbills : Hornbills Fuel type : LPG : LPG Dimension : 3.5L x 77W x 13.6H : 3.5L x 77W x 13.6H Power : Gas : Gas Price: Rs.5999 Pros Cons Premium cooktop The product could be lighter. Sleek stainless-steel design 9. iBell 490GH HOB 3 Burner Gas Stove B08K4BKPHT With the iBell auto ignition gas stove, cooking is clean and safe, thanks to a precise flame control system that ranges from extremely hot to a gentle simmer. The thick, hardened glass is heat-resistant and durable enough to last for years, ensuring complete safety. Twist the knobs to start the hob; it does not require an external source for ignition. Life becomes more convenient with electronic ignition. It is robust in high-temperature cooking environments and resistant to oxidation. Contemporary-style kitchen hobs with built-in storage and black tempered glass offer a sleek, integrated design that enhances the kitchen's overall aesthetic. Specifications of iBell 490GH HOB 3 Burner Gas Stove Brand : iBell : iBell Burner : 3 : 3 Colour : Black 490GH : Black 490GH Power : Gas : Gas Price: Rs.10259 Pros Cons Premium cooktop The product could be lighter. Sleek stainless-steel design Also read: Best 2 burner gas stoves: Top 10 compact and efficient choices for easy cooking 10. Crompton Optime 78 cm 3 Burners Built-in Glass HOB B09ZVQ56K2 This is a built-in glass hob with all modern and technical features to add to your home decor. The auto-ignition gas stove is the perfect combination of innovation and dependability, enabling you to enhance your culinary experience. It has 3 burners that provide various cooking options for multiple cooking needs. 3D flame technology of the brass burners and the digital timer ensures an even heat distribution while cooking. If the flame accidentally goes off, it automatically shuts off the gas supply to prevent any accidents in the kitchen. Specifications of Crompton Optime 78 cm 3 Burners Built-in Glass HOB Brand : Crompton : Crompton Burner : 3 : 3 Colour : Midnight black : Midnight black Power : Electric : Electric Fuel : Gas : Gas Price: Rs.26499 Pros Cons Inbuilt hob The product could be less expensive. Auto shutoff if the flames go off Top 3 features for you Product Feature 1 Feature 2 Feature 3 Elica slimmest Double drip tray Easy to clean Durable Whirlpool 4 burner Sabaf valves Bakelite knobs Durable Faber 3 burner 3 burners Cast iron pan support Easy to clean Elica Hob 4 burners Multiflame Hexa shape grid Blowhot premium 3 burners Black coated Designer knob Lifelong 3 burner 3 burners Easy to clean durable Prestige desire hob top Convertible design Sabaf burner Sturdy pan support Hornbills Auto Ignition Durable Easy to clean Stainless steel body IBell 490GH HOB Scratch resistant Heat resistant Value for the money Crompton Optime Electrically powered 3-D flame Toughened glass Best overall product Elica slimmest 4-burner auto ignition gas stove stands out as the best overall product of quality and elegance in kitchen appliances. Its sleek and slim design combines style and functionality effortlessly, making it ideally suited for modern kitchens where space is a luxury. The auto-ignition feature adds a bit of convenience, eliminating the need for external lighting or matches. Precisely designed burners provide consistent and even heat distribution, resulting in efficient cooking. Solid construction and stylish materials make this a reliable and long-lasting companion in the kitchen. Elica, a trusted name in kitchen appliances, adds safety features such as flame failure protection, enhancing the overall user experience. Elica slimmest 4-burner auto ignition gas stove stands out as the best, offering a harmonious blend of style, efficiency and safety to achieve a cooking experience. Best value for money The best value for the money product is IBell 490GH hob 3 burner gas stove. The features are outstanding, combining durability and utility. The gas stove design is a perfect match for your kitchen decor. It has all the features of an auto-ignition stove at an affordable price. Versatile cooking burners are designed to be calculative, accommodating various cooking pots of different sizes. It has 3 high-frequency gas burners, is easy to clean, and is safe from high-temperature damage. The body is heat and scratch-resistant. It has antiskid rubber feet for maintaining balance. Thick, toughened glass for total safety of the gas stove is highly durable and can be used for years together. Bring it at home and give a touch of elegance to your kitchen. How to find the best auto-ignition gas stove? To find the best auto ignition gas stove, consider your specific needs. Look for reliable brands with positive customer reviews and ratings. Choose a stove with the correct number of burners for your cook's requirements and kitchen space. Prioritise an efficient auto ignition system for user convenience. Check the material's build quality and favour' durable materials like stain-resistant steel or toughened glass. You may evaluate burner efficiency for even heat distribution and consistent cooking results. Ensure the gas stove has essential safety features such as flame failure protection. Consider the ease of cleaning and features like sealed burners and removable components. Set a budget and compare models within your price range while considering their long-term value. Check the warranty period and go through the public review and after-sales service for added confidence in your purchase. Lastly, consider the size, design, and aesthetics to ensure the gas stove completes your kitchen decor. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Guinness World Records (GWR) took to Instagram to share a post on a woman celebrating her 117th birthday. Maria Branyas Morera, the worlds oldest living person, survived World War I, World War II, the Spanish Flu pandemic, and the Covid-19 pandemic. This split image shows two pictures of the world's oldest living person - one from when she was young and another from her 117th birthday celebrations. (X/@MariaBranyas112, Instagram/@guinnessworldrecords) Happy birthday to Maria Branyas Morera who celebrates her 117th birthday today. She was verified as the worlds oldest person back in January 2023. Maria was born on 4 March 1907 in San Francisco, USA, but returned to Spain with her family when she was eight to settle in Catalonia. Shes lived in the region ever since and has resided in the same nursing home for the past 23 years, GWR wrote as they posted a picture of Morera on Instagram. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While talking to GWR, Morera shared that luck and good genetics are not the only attributing factors behind her longevity. She also added that the other factors are order, tranquillity, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people. How did Maria Branyas Morera celebrate her 117th birthday? "She is happy to be able to celebrate this special day intimately with her family and colleagues and wishes everyone a happy Monday, Eva Carrera Boix, the director of Maria's nursing home, told GWR. The centenarian celebrated her birthday on March 4. "She is very grateful for all the congratulations received and the interest that so many people have shown in her state of health," Boix added. Take a look at this post by GWR about the 117-year-old world record holder: The post was shared about 14 hours ago. Since then, it has gathered nearly 1.8 lakh likes and the numbers are only increasing. The share has further collected tons of comments from people. What did Instagram users say about this GWR post? She lived through two world wars and two pandemics, She has a better idea of how the world is than any of us, wrote an Instagram user. She is 99 years older than me, posted another. May God bless her and give her more energy and health, joined a third. More about Maria Branyas Morera: Maria lived through the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 as well as the Spanish Civil War (19361939), which she said she has very bad memories of, shared GWR. Over a century after the 1918 pandemic, Maria also survived Covid-19 she contracted the virus a few weeks after turning 113 in 2020 but made a full recovery within days, they added. She is presently in a good condition. She has no physical or mental issues beyond her hearing and mobility issues. Bill Gates shared a sweet note on attending Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The Microsoft co-founder was captured enjoying the three-day-long celebrations and also took to social media to share varied visuals. In his latest Instagram post, he thanked the couple and shared how it gave him a chance to catch up with old friends. Anant Ambani Radhika Merchant Pre Wedding Festivities: Bill Gates and Paula Hurd pose with Rohini and Nandan Nilekani. (Instagram/@thisisbillgates) This was my first time attending a wedding celebration in India, and it was incredible. Congratulations, Anant and Radhika. Thank you for having us and giving us an excuse to catch up with old friends, Bill Gates wrote as he posted an image on Instagram. He wrapped up the post with a picture. The photo shows Bill Gates and Paula Hurd posing with Rohini and Nandan Nilekani. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Take a look at the post shared by Bill Gates: The post has collected more than 1.3 lakh likes and the numbers are only increasing. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani and philanthropist Nita Ambanis youngest son Anant Ambani and industrialist Viren Merchant and businesswoman Shaila Merchants daughter Radhika Merchants three-day-long pre-wedding festivities recently concluded. The event was attended by guests from around India and the world. From business tycoons to film stars to sportspeople, various people attended the event. Pop star Rihanna also performed at the event. Bill Gates attended the event with his girlfriend Paula Hurd. The duo were spotted sporting Indian attire and mingling with others. Other than attending the events, the Microsoft co-founder took a quick tour around the country and also visited the Statue of Unity. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant had their 'roka' ceremony back in 2022. The duo got formally engaged in 2023. They are scheduled to tie the knot in July this year in Mumbai. A woman in Durgapur got married in an unusual place - a hospital ward where she was admitted. As per reports, she ended up being hospitalised after having a stomach ache two days before her wedding. However, she and her family decided to go ahead with the wedding as per schedule - with a change in the venue, though. With the help of the hospital authorities, her family arranged a small ceremony during which she exchanged garlands and vows with her now-husband. The bride and the groom got married at a hospital ward in a small ceremony (representational image). (Unsplash/@jalodarajk) According to the Times of India (TOI), the bride, Sucharita Patra, works as a microbiologist in a Delhi-based firm and her husband, Amit Mukherjee, works as an engineer in Noida. The date of the wedding was set two years ago and the families weren't keen on rescheduling it as most members of the families had already reached the wedding destination in Durgapur. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As per the outlet, Sucharita was admitted to the hospital after having stomach pain while at home preparing for the wedding. "She was admitted and the next day she was diagnosed with viral hepatitis. Doctors said it's not chronic but she needed hospitalisation," a family member said. The bride's family initially asked the hospital if they could take her to the wedding venue for an hour to complete the rituals, reported TOI. However, the authorities at Life Care Hospital in Durgapur came up with another solution. They allowed the couple to get married inside the hospital ward. "We are extremely thankful to the hospital authorities for allowing the wedding to happen inside the hospital. This is not something that happens usually but they went against their norms and allowed us to conduct the rituals inside the ward," Sucharitas father, Subrata Kumar Patra, told TOI. Also Read: Groom arrives with baraat to appear for UP Police constable exam before wedding Hospital CEO Satadal Dutta allowed the families to hold the ceremony inside the ward. Besides the bride and groom, ten family members and a priest were allowed to attend the ceremony. "This is something we have allowed for the first time in our hospital," Shilpa Sar, senior operations manager of the hospital, told TOI. In a perplexing discovery, a group of naturalists from Karnataka, India, noticed a tiny mushroom sprouting from a golden-backed frog. As per a study published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians, researchers have never seen a 'mushroom sprouting from the flank of a live frog'. Golden-backed frog with a Bonnet Mushroom growing from its skin. (Image/@Reptiles and Amphibians) The journal revealed more about this discovery: "The frog was alive and moving. Mycologists later identified the mushroom to be a Bonnet Mushroom, which is known to be saprotrophic and occurs mostly on rotting wood." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Lohit Y T, a rivers and wetlands specialist with World Wildlife Fund-India in Bengaluru, told CNN, "When I first observed the frog with the mushroom, I was amazed and intrigued by the sight. My thought was to document it, as this phenomenon is something we have never heard of. We just wanted this to be a rare incident and not a dangerous phenomenon for the frog." According to Lohit, the naturalist observed the movement of the frog, watching it turning around and changing positions, but the mushroom remained perfectly in place. (Also Read: Himalayan Lynx, Leopard Toby fish: 5 extremely rare animals that left the world stunned) Lohit also took to Instagram to share about this frog with a sprouting mushroom. Talking about this interesting find, he wrote "This observation marks a first-time occurrence and comes from the foothills of the Kudremukha Ranges in the Western Ghats, Karkala taluk of Karnataka." Take a look at his post here: Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, described the discovery as 'fascinating.' She told CNN, "Fungi are dynamic organisms that adapt to changes in their environment, and with exposure to new potential hosts in different environments or climates they may grow in places we hadnt previously expected." (Also Read: Mutha river bank lost over 200 plant species in last 66 years: Study) She also shared that it is difficult to predict the frog's fate without studying its condition, and an "otherwise healthy frog may be able to withstand mild colonization of its skin by this fungus without any adverse health effects. Fungal infections in frogs are very common, however, if the mushroom were to grow extensively on the skin or burrow within the animals body, the animal may develop signs of a fungal disease". A video of ten Olive Ridley turtles being reduced by fishermen in Tamil Nadu was posted on social media. IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared the video on X and explained how the men worked together to release the creatures back into the waters. She also highlighted the role that a volunteer of the Kadal Osai community radio played in this rescue. The image shows a group of fishermen helping ten Olive Ridley turtles to get back to waters in Tamil Nadu. (X/@supriyasahuias) Another rescue of ten Olive Ridley turtles at Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu by fishermen. A volunteer from the local community from 'Kadal Osai' the Community Radio is guiding how to safely handle and release turtles. We are planning to expand the training and capacity building programme in 35 local villages under the TN coastal restoration mission, the IAS officer wrote as she shared the video. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The video opens to show the turtles stuck in a fishing net. The men then work together to help the turtles get out of the net and go towards the sea. Take a look at this video of the rescue of Olive Ridley turtles: The video was posted two days ago. Since then, it has collected more than 39,000 views. The share has further accumulated nearly 1,000 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the video. How did X users react to this rescue video of the Olive Ridley turtles? It is the duty of humans to save creatures on the verge of extinction as we have lost so many rare species of fauna. The combined work of government and NGOs is an initiative in the right direction in saving Olive Ridleys, posted an X user. Thank you very much for highlighting the role of 'Kadal Osai' community radio in your tweet, shared another. I am so grateful to these volunteers for rescuing these turtles, commented a third. Yes ma'am. The volunteer is telling them to hold the turtles by the shell and not the soft front legs in order to release them, expressed a fourth. Good gesture by the fishermen, wrote a fifth. Many reacted to the video using thumbs-up emoticons or the words Good job. About Kadal Osai: Kadal Osai is Indias first radio channel for fisherfolk. Started by a fisherman from Tamil Nadus Ramanathapuram district, this community radio station broadcasts various shows that revolve around marine conservation and everyday life. What are your thoughts on this video of the fisherman rescuing the Olive Ridley turtles? Did the clip make you smile? A man travelling on Vande Bharat Express from Uttarakhands Dehradun to Anand Vihar in Delhi was shocked to find that the yogurt he received along with his meal had gone bad. The man took to X to share the incident, along with pictures of the spoilt. Alongside, he tagged Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and official X handles of the Ministry of Railways and the Northern Railway. The image shows spoilt yogurt served on Vande Bharat Express. (X/@hatopkar) @RailMinIndia @RailwayNorthern @AshwiniVaishnaw travelling on Vande Bharat from Dehradun to Anand Vihar in the executive class today. Found a greenish layer, most probably fungus, in the Amul yogurt served. This is not expected from the Vande Bharat service, wrote Harshad Topkar while sharing a few pictures on X. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. One of the pictures shared by Topkar shows a lump with a green-coloured layer on top of the yogurt. Another image shows the thali the passenger received while travelling. Take a look at the post right here: This, however, is not the first time that an individual has complained about the quality of food served on a train. Earlier, a passenger travelling from Rani Kamlapati to Jabalpur on Vande Bharat Express found a dead cockroach in his meal. After getting down at the Jabalpur railway station, he filed a formal complaint with the West Central Railway and shared the incident on X. The tweet read, I was travelling on 1/02/2024 train no. 20173 RKMP to JBP (Vande Bharat Exp). I was traumatised by seeing a dead cockroach in the food packet given by them. After the tweet gained widespread attention, IRCTC apologised to the passenger and wrote, Sir, our sincere apology for the experience you had. The matter is viewed seriously, and the hefty penalty has been imposed on the concerned service provider. Moreover, monitoring has been strengthened at the source. EQS-Ad-hoc: Semperit AG Holding / Key word(s): Dividend Semperit AG Holding: Semperit Executive Board proposes dividend of EUR 0.5 per share for 2023 05-March-2024 / 15:13 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Semperit Executive Board proposes dividend of EUR 0.5 per share for 2023 Vienna, 5 March 2024 The Executive Board of Semperit AG Holding has decided today to propose to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 0.5 per share for the financial year 2023. The Annual General Meeting of Semperit AG Holding will take place on 23 April 2024. Contact: Bettina Schragl Director Group Communications, IR and Brands / Spokeswoman +43 676 8715 8257 bettina.schragl@semperitgroup .com Judit Helenyi Director Investor Relations +43 676 8715 8310 judit.helenyi@semperitgroup.com www.semperitgroup.com www.linkedin.com/company/semperit-ag About Semperit The publicly listed Semperit AG Holding is an internationally oriented group of companies that develops and manufactures elastomers products and sells them in over 100 countries worldwide with its two divisions, Semperit Industrial Applications and Semperit Engineered Applications. The Semperit Industrial Applications division focuses on industrial applications with highly efficient production and cost leadership; they include hydraulic and industrial hoses as well as profiles. The Semperit Engineered Applications division comprises the production of escalator handrails, conveyor belts, cable car rings, other engineered elastomer products, as well as the Rico Group, and focuses on customised technical solutions. The traditional Austrian company was founded in 1824 and is headquartered in Vienna. The Semperit Group employs around 4,600 people worldwide in its continued operations. The Semperit Group has 16 production sites worldwide and numerous sales offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and America. In the 2022 financial year, the Group generated revenue of EUR 779.8 million and EBITDA of EUR 100.5 million with its continued operations. When an influencer reached out to a Japanese restaurant located in UKs Manchester for a free meal in exchange for a collaboration post, the eatery gave a savage reply. The restaurant named Lucky Ramen took to Instagram and shared how a blue tick superstar asked for a free feast. Their response to the message went viral and created a buzz among netizens. Snapshot of the text message sent by the influencer. (Instagram/@Lucky Ramen) As per the screenshot, the influencer sent a text message, saying, Hey sorry I know its short notice, but Im in Manchester tomorrow and looking for somewhere for brunch with my partner. Would you be open to a collab with me for a post on my story and page? Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Lucky Ramen responded to this by saying, Oh, what a surprise! Another thrilling DM from a blue tick superstar asking for a free feast in exchange for an Instagram post. Because, you know, exposure pays the bills! We're just thrilled that you appreciate our food, but hey, we appreciate paying customers even more! (Also Read: Influencer faces backlash for dancing inside Delhi Metro) Further, their spat turns into a heated argument where the influencer can be seen getting angry at the restaurant. Take a look at their post here: This post was shared a few days ago. Since being shared, it has garnered more than 4,000 likes and numerous comments. Many took to the comments section of the post and appreciated the restaurant for their response. (Also Read: Influencer's skit on how to trick rich men into paying bills divides Internet) Here's how people reacted: An individual wrote, "This is absolutely hilarious! So many of them are actually delusional. They want to be seen in the best places like your restaurant, so people think, 'Wow, look where they can go,' when the reality is they are scrounging around like this. Its extremely embarrassing that people with this mindset actually exist." A second shared, "Proper restaurant critics dont ask for free meals. They dont want you to even know they are turning up. The whole idea is that they see what you are really like. No collaborations, no favouritism, no advance notice, no free meals!" A third commented, "Absolutely embarrassing on their part. Good for you!" "This has made my day! Love your humour," said a fourth. Amid a diplomatic row with India, Maldives is set to get free military assistance from China. Beijing on Monday signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives to provide free military assistance to foster "stronger" bilateral ties. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping This comes after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country amid heightening strain on the ties between the two countries. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Defence minister of the Maldives Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon met with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, to discuss enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries. Read more: Jaishankar's swipe at Maldives: 'Bullies don't provide USD 4.5 billion aid' 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 handle. Not just the free military assistance, but 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. Read more: First batch of Indian civilian personnel reaches Maldives to operate 3 aircraft Earlier, President Muizzu established a deadline of March 10 for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian troops from his country. "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 spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi at his weekly media briefing on February 29. India-Maldives diplomatic ties shaken The ties between India and Maldives have remained strained ever since Muizzu came into power in November 2023. Seen as a pro-China leader, the Maldivian president asserted after coming into power that he would maintain his promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country. Read more: From defence to infra development, how India has always stood with Maldives The tensions between the two countries further heightened in January 2024, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his visit to the Lakshadweep islands. Three ministers from Maldives' cabinet made derogatory comments on social media when PM Modi posted the photos from his trip. (With inputs from PTI) NEW DELHI: The fragmented result produced by Pakistans general election has dampened the prospects for a nascent process to explore the possibility of a re-engagement with India, with both sides now adopting a wait-and-watch approach, people familiar with the matter said. Pakistan's newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, inspects the honor guard at the Prime Minister's House in Islamabad, on Tuesday (via REUTERS/Pakistan PMO) While former premier Nawaz Sharifs Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party was widely tipped to form a government on its own with the blessings of the military, the surprisingly strong showing in the election by independent candidates backed by former premier Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has affected this process, the people said on condition of anonymity. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Winners and losers in Pakistan elections The personal absence of Nawaz Sharif from the government formed in Islamabad by the PML-N with the backing of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is another factor that went against the calculations that prompted the process of looking at a possible re-engagement. On the Indian side, there is greater caution in dealing with the administration headed by Nawaz Sharifs younger brother Shehbaz Sharif, the people said. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Shehbaz Sharif on his swearing-in following his election as prime minister at a session of Pakistans National Assembly on Sunday through a brief post on X. Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Modi said in the post. While a response to the greeting from the Pakistani side was awaited, the people cited above said policymakers in New Delhi and Islamabad are expected to take a wait-and-watch attitude towards any process of re-engagement, at least till the completion of Indias election process. Shehbaz Sharifs many priorities | HT Editorial You have a coalition government in Islamabad that is facing complex pressures and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is unlikely to act on something as important as re-engaging with India without getting a go-ahead from the Pakistan Army, one of the people cited above said. The Indian side can afford to wait and see how things go, he added. The two sides, which have not held any structured and sustained talks since the composite dialogue process was snapped because of the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by terrorists from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), have struggled with coming to terms for any possible re-engagement. The modus vivendi for any engagement has been an issue at what level do you engage and what do you discuss? a second person said. However, both sides had tentatively looked at the possibility of making a new start, based on the premise that there would be a strong government in Islamabad headed by Nawaz Sharif and that the Modi government would return for a third term after the Indian election, the people said. One of the issues that was looked at was the return of high commissioners to both capitals, they said. The Indian and Pakistani missions have been headed by the charge daffaires since Islamabad opted not to send a high commissioner to New Delhi to protest the Indian governments decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmirs special status in August 2019. There have also been indications that the Pakistani side is looking at a re-engagement with India. When Pakistan Army chief Gen Asim Munir participated in a closed-door event at a think tank in Washington during his visit to the US in mid-December 2023, he said there was scope for normalisation of relations with the Indian side, people familiar with the event said. However, Munir also added that this would depend on India addressing Pakistans concerns about the status of Kashmir, they added. The Indian side, however, has made it clear in recent years that the Kashmir issue is no longer on the table following the scrapping of Article 370. It has also said that there cannot be any talks under the shadow of terrorism. Away from formal engagements, India and Pakistan have kept back-channel contacts open at the level of senior security officials. There has been a string of meetings in third countries such as Thailand and Oman as part of these contacts, one of the key results of which was the restoration of the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021. The United Nations' food agency said it was "largely unsuccessful" in its attempt on Tuesday to resume deliveries to northern Gaza which is nearing famine. TOPSHOT - Palestinian children receive cooked food rations as part of a volunteer youth initiative in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024, amid widespread hunger in the besieged Palestinian territory as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas continues. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP) The World Food Programme (WFP) had paused its deliveries on Feb. 20 due to precarious security conditions, with its convoys exposed to attacks by hungry mobs. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. In a statement, the Rome-based agency said it despatched a 14-truck food convoy to northern Gaza, but it was turned back by the Israeli army after a three-hour wait at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint. The trucks were rerouted and later stopped by a large crowd of desperate people who looted the food, taking around 200 tons, the WFP said. "Although today's convoy did not make it to the north to provide food to the people who are starving, WFP continues to explore every possible means to do so," WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau said. Last week, a senior U.N. aid official told the Security Council that at least 576,000 people in the Gaza Strip - one quarter of the population - are one step away from famine. Also last week, the Palestinian health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Israeli forces killed 118 people trying to get aid from a convoy near Gaza City with survivors saying they were shot at. Israel said most of those killed were trampled or run over during a panic. (Bloomberg) -- Australias future fleet of nuclear submarines will be welcome to dock in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, as differences over how to handle Chinas burgeoning military footprint dominated the early stages of a special Asean summit in Melbourne. HT Image Lee, at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday, said Southeast Asian nations have different positions on Beijings assertive stance in the South China Sea due to individual security perspectives. He added that a code of conduct on the potential flashpoint the negotiations for which have dragged on for two decades is still in the works. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. As tensions in the region simmer, Lee thanked Australia for its close security relationship with Singapore, adding that when the Australian new submarines are ready, we welcome them to visit Changi Naval Base in due course. The number of Chinese maritime militia vessels around key features across the South China Sea grew by 35% last year as Beijing continued to bolster its presence, according to data released by the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative last week. Singapore is an outlier among Australias near neighbors in Asean in its early acceptance of Canberras plan to deploy nuclear-powered submarines. Indonesia and Malaysia were initially critical of the September 2021 agreement between Australia, the UK and US, known as Aukus, fearing it represented a further militarization of the region and increased proliferation risks. Lees comments on the South China Sea come as members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have expressed contrasting views on how to handle Beijing during the summit. Both Vietnam and the Philippines repeatedly denounce the presence of Chinese ships in areas of the disputed waters they claim as their own. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday, also flanked by Albanese, said he sought friendly relations with China, no matter how other countries might view its government. If they have problems with China, they should not impose it upon us. We do not have a problem with China, he said. However, in a speech to the Lowy Institute on Monday evening, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. repeated his pledge to not yield even a square inch of territory in the South China Sea. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong opened the conference with a call to ensure free and open shipping lanes in the important waterway. What happens in the South China Sea, in the Taiwan Strait, in the Mekong subregion, across the Indo-Pacific, affects us all, she said. Every Asean leader, bar Myanmar, has flown in to commemorate 50 years of ties between Australia and the regional bloc. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. New Delhi: With the Chinese annual defence budget crossing seven per cent for the third consecutive year even though the economy is slowing down, its political and military ramifications will be felt by its principal adversaries including India this decade. The Chinese defence budget is three times Indias defence spending albeit much lower than the US military budget. Two front facing India : File photo of Sino-Pak Sea Guardian exercise in November 2023. The key year to watch will be 2027 when Chinese PLA completes its 100 years of raising and it is when President Xi Jinpings focus will be on assimilating Taiwan with mainland China through military force as per US Indo-Pacific command assessment. The PLA is involved in rapid upgradation of its nuclear and conventional forces and has plans to dominate the Indo-Pacific as a pre-eminent power with deep forays into the Indian Ocean using carrier based task forces. This apart, it will further consolidate its maritime and missile power in South China Sea unless neighbor Japan sheds its pacific doctrine and pushes back the Communist state. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. While India is involved in a four -year stand-off with the China on East Ladakh Line of Actual Control (LAC), the PLA is expected to mount pressure in the maritime domain directly and indirectly by supplying eight Yuan class diesel -electric submarines to Pakistan apart from surface combatants like frigates and destroyers. Given the speed at which the PLA Navy is expanding, it is only a matter of a couple of years when its long legs expand to the Atlantic Ocean and directly challenge the western domination through ports on western seaboard of Africa and South America. As India is not part of any military alliance like AUKUS in the Indo-Pacific and QUAD is still managing the fence sitting of Japan, New Delhi is left with no options but to enhance its maritime force capacity and capabilities in order to meet the challenge of an aggressive China in the region. While the top Indian Navy commanders are holding a conference in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today on-board INS Vikramaditya carrier off the coast of Goa, the key question will be on how to counter the PLA Navy challenge and protect the 7500 kilometer long Indian coastline. In lieu of the evolving maritime security scenario, the Indian Navy will have to take quick decisions on whether it is required to construct another aircraft carrier, more technologically advanced than the present INS Vikrant, and on the construction of three nuclear powered attack submarines to deter the PLA Navy it is backyard. Unlike the lethargy of the past, the Navy will have to take fast decisions as the life of INS Vikramaditya is at its best at the end of this decade. This apart, the Indian Navy will have to take a hard decision on whether it really needs a conventional submarine beyond the three additional diesel-attack submarines to be built at Mazagon Dockyards. Faced with Chinese challenges, the national security planners will have to make a decision fast as the gestation period of large projects like aircraft carriers, aircraft and submarines takes decades. And time definitely is not on Indias side. France on Monday enshrined the right to abortion in its constitution, a world first welcomed by women's rights groups as historic and harshly criticised by anti-abortion groups. Mps and senators applaud after President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet announced the result of the vote to anchor the right to abortion in the country's constitution.(AFP) 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. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 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% 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 criticised at the time. But the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to reverse the Roe v. Wade ruling that recognised 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 authorised 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. Gary Goldsmith has criticised Prince Harry over slurs on his niece Kate Middleton, as well as the royal family. Speaking with The Sun, Goldsmith said claims of racism against Kate are bull***t. Gary Goldsmith blasts Prince Harry for throwing niece Kate Middleton 'under the bus' (Big Brother UK screenshot/YouTube, Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP) It was reported that the Middleton family and the royals were afraid when they learned Goldsmith was going to enter this years rebooted Celebrity Big Brother as a contestant, which launched on ITV1. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. 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, Goldsmith, 58, the younger brother of the Princess of Waless mother Carole Middleton said of Kate. Thats why I got so upset with Harry and Meghan because you dont put a stick into that spoke and reinvent history, he added. Ive got pretty miffed when they had a pop at my beautiful niece who couldnt say anything for herself. He added, I think everyone felt the same about how much did we love Harry and then throwing your family under the bus just seemed inappropriate, especially what was happening with the Queen. I just thought it was totally unnecessary. Kate is 100 per cent not racist Goldsmith also blasted racism claims against Kate after writer Omid Scobie wrote in his book that King Charles and Kate had asked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex what colour their son Archies skin is likely to be. Its absolute bull***t and I didnt hide my feelings very well when I was offered the opportunity to say something, I just thought Id say it as I saw it. I did think I caught the tone of nation, Goldsmith said. Kate is 100 per cent not racist, neither is Carole. My family is not racist and for Kate to be portrayed as that is just so far removed from the truth, its ridiculous. The Sun was told by sources that Carole is infuriated about Goldsmith entering the reality show. Gary said hes been read the riot act by Kates mum Carole and her dad Michael they arent happy hes going into Celebrity Big Brother. It is infuriating for them. Kate doesnt need this stress, an insider said. (Bloomberg) -- Houthi militants attacked and damaged a Swiss-owned container vessel on Monday in the Gulf of Aden, as the Iran-backed group continues to roil shipping in the region. HT Image The MSC Sky II, managed by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co., was about 91 miles (146 kilometers) southeast of the Yemeni city of Aden when a blast occurred, the UK Navy said. The Houthis fired two missiles, one of which hit the ship, according to the US military. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Initial reports indicate there were no injuries, US Central Command said on X. The ship did not request assistance and continued on its way. The Houthis claimed the attack. MSC Mediterranean Shipping declined to comment. Earlier, security company Ambrey Analytics said the explosion damaged an accommodation block as well as one other part of the ship. The Houthis have been attacking merchant and military ships in and around the southern Red Sea since mid-November, ostensibly in support of Hamas as it wages war against Israel in Gaza. The group has said it wont back down from hitting vessels until Israel stops fighting. The Houthis have withstood several rounds of airstrikes on their positions in Yemen from US and UK forces. The shipping assaults have caused thousands of miles worth of diversions for merchant vessels forcing them to sail around southern Africa instead of through the Red Sea and Suez Canal and sent freight rates soaring. Many oil companies are also diverting their cargoes. In a note to clients on Monday, Goldman Sachs Group Ltd. said that nearly half the respondents in a recent survey it did do not expect normalization of the flows this year. Over the weekend, another merchant ship called the Rubymar sank about two weeks after being hit by a Houthi missiles. It marked the first vessel the Houthis have sunk. They are still holding a Japanese-chartered car carrier called the Galaxy Leader that was hijacked in November. The US military reported two other incidents on Monday. It said the Houthis fired a ballistic missile that landed in the Red Sea without damaging any vessels. Later on, American forces struck two anti-ship cruise missiles that presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region. (Updates with US militarys comments.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Israel will allow as many Muslim worshippers to access Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem during the first week of Ramadan as in previous years, the prime minister's office said Tuesday. Members of Israeli security forces guard the Al-Aqsa Mosque in April 2023 (AFP) "In the first week of Ramadan, worshippers will be allowed to enter the Temple Mount, in similar numbers to those in previous years," the statement said, using the Jewish term for the site. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. "Every week there will be a situation assessment in terms of security and safety and a decision will be made accordingly," it added. Every year, tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers perform Ramadan prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque. Ramadan comes this year as Israel wages a relentless military campaign in the Gaza Strip in response to a deadly attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7. Israel has been assessing how to address worship in Jerusalem during Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month due to start on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar. Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had recently said that Palestinian residents of the West Bank "should not be allowed" entry to Jerusalem to pray during Ramadan. "We cannot take risks," he said, adding: "We cannot have women and children hostage in Gaza and allow celebrations for Hamas on the Temple Mount." Ben Gvir leads a hard-right party advocating Jewish control of the compound. Days later, the United States called on Israel to allow Muslims to worship at Al-Aqsa. "It's not just a matter of granting people religious freedom that they deserve... it's also a matter that directly is important to Israel's security," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. "It is not in Israel's security interest to inflame tensions in the West Bank or in the broader region." Hamas has called for a mass movement on Al-Aqsa for the start of Ramadan. "Ramadan is sacred to Muslims; its sanctity will be upheld this year, as it is every year," the Israeli government statement said after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting of all security agencies on Tuesday. On Monday, Kate Middleton, who has been out of the public eye since her surgery in January, was spotted for the first time, according to some pictures clicked by Backgrid. Princess of Wales Spotted Smiling with Her Mother Near Windsor Castle(AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool)(AP) The 42-year-old Princess of Wales was seen riding in a car near Windsor Castle with her mother, Carole. She wore sunglasses and smiled faintly, trying not to draw attention to herself. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Middletons absence has sparked wild rumours and speculation on the Internet about her health and whereabouts. Kensington Palace announced in January that she would be resting in private until after Easter and that they would only share important updates. ALSO READ| Gary Goldsmith blasts Prince Harry for throwing niece Kate Middleton 'under the bus', calls out racism claims againt her Last week, the palace said that Middleton was doing well after her husband, Prince William, 41, skipped a memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine II of Greece, on Feb. 27 due to a personal matter. Princess of Wales is still recovering Middleton spent 13 days at the London Clinic in January before returning to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor with William and their three children. The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress, Kensington Palace said in a statement. The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at the London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided. William opened up about Middletons recovery at the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards last month. When asked if he was team Barbie or Oppenheimer - the two blockbuster films that competed for awards and audiences over the summer - William said he had not watched many movies lately. ALSO READ| Who is Gary Goldsmith? Kate Middletons uncle enters Celebrity Big Brother, infuriates family Ive done [watched] the fewest Ive ever done before with my wife its been a bit, he said, without giving more details. But hopefully, well catch up, Ill make my list tonight, he added. Im a big fan of Christopher Nolan so Ill be pleased if he wins, I loved Oppenheimer. I havent watched Barbie yet, but I want to, he claimed. However, on Friday, William was less forthcoming when he was asked about his wife by a reporter in Wrexham, Wales. A video obtained by the Daily Mail showed that when someone in the crowd said, Hows Catherine? William ignored the question and walked away. He did, however, agree to take a selfie with a fan. Can I say hello to the team? Ill come back, he said. After Queen Camilla took a break from her royal duties, King Charles stepped back into the picture. On Tuesday, March 5, the British monarch was spotted arriving at Clarence House in London amid his ongoing cancer treatment. Before returning to his royal residence, the King had an in-person pre-budget meeting with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt. Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, pose for a photograph during their meeting in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace in London on March 5, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP)(AFP) King Charles holds pre-budget meeting with Jeremy Hunt The King had a face-to-face meeting at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday morning with the chancellor. The meeting is part of the King's constitutional duty as the head of the state. While pre-budget meetings are generally private affairs, this time around, a picture of the duo shaking hands was unveiled. Since his shocking cancer diagnosis, King Charles has put a stop to public engagements. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. However, he still continues to carry out his constitutional duties. In the absence of the King, Queen Camilla stepped up to lead the royal affairs. Recently, she headed the memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece. However, the Queen recently announced her decision to take a break from her royal duties. King Charles spotted arriving at Clarence House in London Following the meeting ahead of Wednesday's Budget Day, King Charles was spotted being driven alone to Clarence House on The Mall in the City of Westminster, London. In the picture, the King appears positive amid his ongoing cancer treatment, per Mirror. This outing comes after Kate Middleton's first public engagement following her return was confirmed. The Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, presented her first engagement this year- Trooping the Colour on June 8, the Ministry of Defence announced. Earlier, it was announced that the Princess is aiming to return to her royal duties after Easter as she remains in recovery following the surgery last year. The June outing would mark her first public engagement this year. French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Prague on Tuesday to clarify his country's standpoint on a Czech plan to buy weapons outside Europe for war-ravaged Ukraine. HT Image Macron is due to meet Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and address a nuclear forum during his one-day visit. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. At a security conference in Munich last month, Pavel said the Czech Republic -- an EU and NATO member of 10.8 million people -- was able to collect a substantial amount of weaponry for Ukraine outside the continent. He said that working with Canada and Denmark, the Czechs had "identified" 500,000 rounds of 155-millimetre ammunition and 300,000 122-millimetre shells "which we would be able to deliver within weeks" given the needed funds. 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. The Netherlands, for instance, has already pledged to donate 100 million euros ($108.5 million). Prague now expects the French leader to come up with a specific pledge during Tuesday's 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. Macron also stirred controversy last week when he suggested the West might send soldiers to Ukraine, an idea largely rejected by France's 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. 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 Korea's KHNP. Macron's visit to Prague follows an invitation from Pavel during the Czech president's visit to Paris last December. 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. fff-frj/bc/lb EDF - ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE US President Joe Biden invited the widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to attend his State of the Union speech on Thursday but she cannot attend, the White House said. Yulia Navalnaya, wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (AFP) Russia will be a key theme for guests at the annual primetime address to Congress, with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson hosting the parents of detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Also Read: Alexei Navalny buried in Moscow amid thousands of defiant mourners The White House said Tuesday that Biden, who is giving his last State of the Union before November's US election, personally invited Yulia Navalnaya when they met a few days after Navalny died in an Arctic prison on February 16. "I can confirm that she was indeed invited to the State of the Union. She is no longer able to attend," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "I would have to refer you to her people as to specifically why," she said, confirming that Biden himself invited her when they met. House Speaker Johnson, who is blocking US military aid for Ukraine in Congress, said separately that he was "honored" to host Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich for the speech. He said the invitation would shine a "spotlight on the unjust detention of their son," Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested by Russia nearly a year ago on espionage charges. The US government has declared that Gershkovich, who categorically denies the spying accusations, is wrongfully detained, and negotiations are underway to swap him in a prisoner exchange. Johnson said on X that the Biden administration "must bring Evan home." Each year the White House invites citizens and personalities who somehow symbolize the priorities of the president's primetime speech, and who sit alongside the First Lady. One of its invitees this year is Kate Cox, a Texas woman who had to leave the state for an abortion after learning her fetus was not viable. Biden has made it a key theme of his reelection bid, after his likely Republican election rival Donald Trump bragged that his Supreme Court picks had enabled the overturning of the federal right to abortion. "The fact is that the generation of the seventies, eighties and nineties is sitting up and taking notice of Bharat as an exciting story that they now wish to be a part of, which I think is welcome. It's fantastic. I certainly believe that the resurgence in Bharats past is not a single variable equation. There are multiple factors here, geopolitical, religious, cultural, economic, whatnot. HT Image "But this is here to stay and I think it's not going back from here," J Sai Deepak, Supreme Court advocate and author, said during a student fireside chat "Navigating Civilizational Narratives" at the Stanford India Dialogue: The Leaders of Tomorrow." Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The day-long conference was organized Saturday by Stanford India Policy and Economics Club (SIPEC), in partnership with the Motwani Jadeja Foundation. "Is it going in a productive direction or is it non generative? If conversations are limited to social media battles, they will never be generative. The hope has been that people who wish to be at the forefront of it or at least contribute their might to it, produce content which lasts the test of time and not social media attention span. There is a very clear difference between the two," he said. "I'm happy about the fact that more and more people are interested in producing the written work and that is proof of whether you're moving in the right direction or not. The good part is there is a supply side and the fact that the supply side has been met with resounding success of the last half a decade is proof of the existence of a demand side. So, the audience is ready. So this takes you to a slightly different meta aspect, which is the presence of a ready audience is the reason for the shift of the Overton window in 2014, he said. "The presence of the ready audience is the reason why multiple such options are being thrown up to ensure that this is no more a solo act, that there is a line of succession in place, at least in people's head spaces. It's also throwing up people who are contributing to the cultural movement. It's also producing people who are contributing to the tech side and the hope that they contribute to the cultural movement. These conversations are not happening in silos anymore and there's a reason for it," he said in response to a question. "If a certain platform chooses to deep platform people like me because it believes that I'm dangerous, then we need alternatives. I think those alternatives are work in progress. So, we will not be dependent on platforms provided by the West anymore to ventilate our points of view. That sense of Atmanirbharta or independence is very, very crucial," Deepak said. Predicting to win big on Super Tuesday 2024, Donald Trump called Fox & Friends to praise Monday's Supreme Court's decision prohibiting states from eliminating him off the ballot and to declare that Israel must "finish the problem" in its war against Hamas in Gaza. Without taking any stand on recent ceasefire calls, ex-US President Donald Trump said the Israeli forces must "finish the problem."(AP) During the interview, co-host Brian Kilmeade asked Trump if he was "on board" with how Israeli soldiers were managing the Gaza war. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Youve got to finish the problem. You had a horrible invasion. It took place. It would have never happened if I was president, by the way, Trump responded. The GOP frontrunner further claimed that Hamas would have never attacked Israel under his presidency and blamed Biden for the war. This would have never happened. And for another reason they wouldnt have done it to me. I guarantee you that. They did this because they have no respect for Biden and, frankly, they got soft, he sated. When asked explicitly about Vice President Kamala Harris' requests for a "immediate" cease-fire lasting at least six weeks, Trump stated that he despises seeing what's happening and maintained his conviction that there would have been no violence under his watch. If things went right in 2020, which they should have but they didnt for some very bad and sinister reasons, all these people that are dead in Ukraine and Russia and Israel [] people would be leading great lives right now, he said. Also Read: Super Tuesday 2024: Trump predicts victory in every state, gives major statement on Biden & Nikki Haley Matt Gertz blasts Trump as Biden says we need a ceasefire Matt Gertz, a senior fellow at Media Matters for America, mocked Trump over claiming that his statement was garbled. He said Trump wanted to say that Hamas attacked Israel because the Israelis "got soft" here. "It's garbled because Trump is generally incoherent but I think Trump is saying that the Hamas attack on Israel happened because the Israelis "got soft" here. He goes on to say that dead people in Ukraine and Russia and Israel would be "leading great lives" if he was in office," Matt Gertz tweeted. Trump has earlier expressed his support for Israel against Hamas, which killed more than 1,000 Israelis during the October 7 attack. On the other hand, the Biden administration has been steadfast that Israel has the right to self-defence, and officials have recently stated that Hamas must accept the parameters of a six-week cease-fire that would allow captives to be released and aid to enter Gaza. Also Read: Donald Trump's Freudian slip over Minnesota results remark: I thought we won it last time Meanwhile, Biden asserted that the possibility of a ceasefire is in the hands of Hamas at the moment. While boarding Air Force One in Hagerstown, Md, Biden spoke to reporters and said: Its in the hands of Hamas right now. Israelis have been cooperating. Theres been a rational offer. We will know in a couple of days whats gonna happen. We need a ceasefire. Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. Donald Trump secures another win in North Dakota. (Photo by Alon Skuy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, ahead of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The result puts Trump back on the winning track, which was briefly interrupted on Sunday when Haley notched her first victory of the campaign in the District of Columbias primary. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when results will pour in from 16 states and one territory in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. Trump and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations later this month. Under North Dakotas rules, candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20% of the vote. However, a candidate who wins at least 60% of the vote receives all of the states 29 delegates. Four candidates were on the ballot, including Trump and Nikki Haley. The other candidates, who have received little attention, were Florida businessman David Stuckenberg and Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who recently ended his campaign. ALSO READ| US Supreme Court rules in favour of Donald Trump, keeps him on 2024 primary ballots North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who ended his unsuccessful presidential campaign in December, was speaking on Trumps behalf Monday night. He endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucuses. I think were going to send a message that is going to be a kickoff to tomorrow, which is President Donald Trump is going to close this out, this is going to be the end of the trail, and were going to say we have a nominee, and lets go after it, and beat Joe Biden in the fall," Burgum said in a virtual address to caucusgoers. Retired music teacher and librarian Karen Groninger, of Almont, said Monday that she voted for Trump, calling him the best choice. The 76-year-old cited Trumps 2020 speech at the annual March for Life anti-abortion event in Washington, D.C. the first by a sitting president and his border policies. Longtime Republican state Sen. Dick Dever, of Bismarck, said he voted for Haley, but added she was unlikely to win. The retired factory representative, 72, said, I hear an awful lot of people say that they really liked Trumps policies but they dont like the way he conducts himself, and I think hes gone overboard a bit. Caucus voters were encouraged to be paying party members, but those who wouldnt pay $50 for annual membership were asked to sign a pledge to affiliate with the party, caucus Chair Robert Harms said. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. The caucuses followed official state voter identification protocols, such as providing a drivers license. Voting was done only in person and on printed ballots, which were hand-counted. In 2016, it was a North Dakota delegate who helped Trump secure the number needed for the Republican presidential nomination. He swept North Dakota's three electoral college votes in 2016 and 2020, winning about 63% and 65% of those votes, respectively. ALSO READ| NBC News host Kristen Welker blasted for saying Trump 'allegedly' tried to overturn 2020 election: Get a new job' As president, Trump visited Bismarck and Mandan in 2017 to talk about tax cuts, and he campaigned twice in Fargo in 2018 for Republican Kevin Cramer in the then-congressman's successful Senate bid against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. North Dakota's Democratic-NPL Party is holding a presidential primary almost entirely by mail, with mail-in voting from Feb. 20 to March 30, and limited in-person voting for residents of Indian reservations. Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips and six others are on the ballot. A third party will count ballots in Fargo on March 30, with results available on the partys website afterward. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic caucuses in 2016 and 2020. Right in the early hours of Tuesday, Elon Musk took to his X (formerly Twitter) profile to bash the Biden administration for importing voters and creating a national security threat." The Tesla CEO's heavily reproving statement made it to the internet after the US president's administration admitted to having flown 320,000 unvetted migrants into the country. Elon Musk-Joe Biden tussle continues as SpaceX CEO blasts the US president for secretly flying in hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants.(X) In the same tweet, Musk goes on to conflate the illegal immigrants' presence in the US to possibly laying the groundwork for something far worse than 9/11, referring to the infamous September 11 attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda, targeting NYC's World Trade Centre. The SpaceX founder's harsh comments came with a repost of a DailyMail.com story addressing the Biden administration expose. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Musk's tweet reads, "This administration is both importing voters and creating a national security threat from unvetted illegal immigrants. It is highly probable that the groundwork is being laid for something far worse than 9/11. Just a matter of time." Also read: Super Tuesday 2024: Which states are going to vote? Elon Musk vs Joe Biden: The DailyMail report states that a secret Joe Biden program flying 320,000 migrants into the country was exposed when the administration addressed the issue. However, further details of who these people were and where they've been taken are still under wraps. Lawyers handling the administration's immigration agencies deem the revelation of these undocumented migrants' locations could rile up national security vulnerabilities. On the contrary, Musk's lambasting remarks pit the unvetted illegal immigrants as a major threat that could potentially incite an even more sinister picture than what happened during the September attacks. These concerning thoughts were reiterated in the post's comments as well. While some labelled these incoming masses as invaders', others focussed on pulling through in Trump's support and pushed for his re-election. This revelation follows yet another controversy surrounding a 2022 transportation program which facilitated migrants' mobility across the country on overnight flights using taxpayers' money. Centre for Immigration Studies found that Biden's Customs and Border Protection made it easier for these secretive flights to transport thousands of immigrants into at least 43 American airports from January through December 2023. The secret program reportedly fell under the CBP One app launched in 2023. Reports suggest that immigrants who cannot legally enter the US used this app for travel authorisation and applied for asylum from their home countries. Former First Lady Michelle Obama has opened up about her stand regarding the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. Despite many of her admirers rooting for this development and Democrats-Republicans equally sweating over it, Obama has no plans of running for president. In fact, she's thoroughly cheering on President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris' re-election campaign. Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (REUTERS) While Democrats were nervously hoping for a positive outcome on this front, waiting for Obama to swoop in as the day's saviour, her candidacy remains a myth that has now bit the dust. On the other side of the rival board, Republicans were equally curious to see if she would rush in and make things challenging for the GOP base. However, the sink-or-swim situation has very much worked in the favour of one party while turning down the hopes of another. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Michelle Obama's presidential election 2024 plans: Obama's office made her stance on this issue crystal clear in a statement to NBC News. As former First Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president. Mrs Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' re-election campaign," the statement firmly dispelled any else-world ideas associated with the picture. Also read: Super Tuesday 2024: What's at stake for Nikki Haley and how will Donald Trump handle his victory? Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama has also confirmed that he's all in for Biden's re-election. Insiders in touch with the news outlet also pointed to Mrs Obama's plans ahead. According to discussions they've been privy to, she hopes to assist Biden's campaign during the fall again. However, her contributions won't be as active due to her rather lack of enthusiasm for making a full-time comeback to the political scene. A 2022 BBC interview well-portrayed how she detests these questions about her running for president. Similarly, her Netflix special with Oprah Winfrey, The Light We Carry, addressed her views on politics. Politics is hard It's got to be in your soul, because it is so important. It is not in my soul. While it may seem like she's completely closed the door on her call to the office, a different scene broke out after Jill Biden addressed the issue in 2020. During her interview with CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, the present-day First Lady received Michelle Obama's name as Biden's potential running mate choice. She mildly laughed off the possibility at the time: You know, Id love it if Michelle would agree to it. But I you know, I think shes had it with politics. I dont know. Shes so good at everything she does. That would that would be wonderful." However, NBC News reports claim that sources close to Obama didn't particularly take a liking to Mrs Biden's statement. Her side hoped for the question to be tackled a bit differently in the future so as not to shut the door on the possibility fully. At present, Obama has pulled out of the potential 2024 race, but this years-old reminder shines an ambivalent light on the future. Five people aboard a single-engine plane died after the aircraft crashed along Interstate 40 in Nashville, Tennesse. Authorities said that the tragic accident occurred just a few miles short of the airport as the plane tried to reach for an emergency landing, per AP. Emergency officials work the scene of a fatal small plane crash alongside Interstate 40 near mile marker 202, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)(AP) Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said that the pilot made an emergency call to John C. Tune Airport around 7:40 pm on Monday. The plane was given clearance to make an emergency landing after engine trouble had been reported. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. However, the pilot shortly sent a radio message saying that the aircraft would not be able to make it to the airport. The plane burst into flames and crashed in a grassy median near the highway, behind a Costco on the citys westside. The crash scene was about 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) south of the general aviation airport, per the outlet. It appears that everyone on board perished, Aaron said of the accident. According to some witness information, their plane was obviously in distress as it was coming over the interstate right before it hit the ground. I think he was having significant issues keeping the aircraft under control, he added. Police released a statement early Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, that said, 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 department further added that the Federal Aviation Administration was at the scene, and the National Transportation Safety Board planned to arrive on Tuesday. 5 persons on board the airplane perished in the crash. The FAA is on scene. The NTSB will arrive later today, the tweet reads. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell issued a statement on X after the crash saying, Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening. Nashville International Airport spokesperson Stacey Nickens said the aircraft left Mount Sterling, Kentucky, around 7:19 p.m. and was set to arrive at John C. Tune Airport in Nashville around 7:43 p.m., the outlet adds. There were no injuries to drivers on the interstate, Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney said. Authorities said no vehicles or buildings on the ground were damaged. As 15 states and a United States territory are conducting their 2024 nominating contests on Super Tuesday, voters will go to nearby schools and churches to cast their ballots. But, will those living 250 miles above the Earth be able to vote during Super Tuesday 2024? NASA astronauts aboard the SpaceX Dragon, named Endeavour, have reached the International Space Station.(NASA) Astronauts usually go on a mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for at least six months. However, in some cases, like Frank Rubio, the mission can exceed for one year. Astronauts, who are away from Earth for an extended period of time, risk skipping some significant elections. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Fortunately, NASA has had procedures in place since the late 1990s to make sure that intrepid spacefarers can continue to engage in democracy. Ahead of the Super Tuesday, four more astronauts joined the seven others on the ISS. Here is how they can cast their ballots, if they want to vote. Also Read: Why is Super Tuesday key to US elections? All you need to know Who was the first astronaut to vote from space? In 1997, then-Gov. George W. Bush approved the state legislature's bill into law, establishing a provision in the Texas Administrative Code that allows for early voting from space, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in 2020 And luckily in that same year, astronaut David Wolf became the first American to cast a ballot from the decommissioned Mir space station. Following this, NASA joked, "vote while you float". It's something that, you know, you might or might not expect it to mean a great deal," Astronaut Wolf said while speaking to NPR in 2008. "But when you're so removed from your planet, small things do have a large impact." Also Read: Super Tuesday: California has emerged as most enticing race, here's why Since Wolf debuted voting from space, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins has also voted from orbit - and not just once but twice. She first voted in the 2016 presidential election from the ISS and then again in 2020, according to NASA. Rubins' vote was routed through NASA's Near Space Network, which is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "After Rubins filled out her specially designed, electronic absentee ballot aboard the orbiting laboratory, the document flowed through a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite to a ground antenna at the White Sands Complex in Las Cruces, New Mexico," NASA said. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins first voted in the 2016 presidential election from the ISS and then again in 2020.(NASA) How do astronauts cast their ballots? Astronauts can vote in local, state, and federal elections but the procedure gets started a year before the launch of their mission. Here's how astronauts send ballot from the International Space Station through NASAs Near Space Network.(ISS) Six months before the polls, they are provided with a standard form similar to absentee ballots, which many Americans use to vote. Once the forms are uplinked to NASA's Johnson Space Center Mission Control, astronauts use special credentials to retrieve the ballot, cast their ballots, and send them down to Earth to the local county clerk's office for counting, stated the US space agency. Amid the ongoing Super Tuesday, ex-US President Donald Trump has predicted his win in all the 15 states, stating that he is only focusing on defeating incumbent President Joe Biden, who is the presumed Democratic nominee. Donald Trump has predicted his win in all 15 states on Super Tuesday 2024, stating that he is only focusing on defeating Joe Biden in November elections.(Getty Images via AFP) Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Trump said: My focus is really at this point, it's on Biden. We should win almost every state today, I think every state. ...But wewe really look at Biden. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Highlighting his support in previous elections, the Republican front-runner asserted: Look, I did great in the first one. I did great in the second one. I got millions and millions of more votes in 2020 than I did in 2016. ...We have more enthusiasm now than we had in 2020 or 2016, and that's a lot. Also Read: Why is Super Tuesday key to US elections? All you need to know Trump, however, denied to comment if he will mend ties with GOP rival and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley following the primary. When asked about Haley's repeated claim that she defeats Biden by larger margins in potential general election surveys, Trump responded, saying it is incorrect. She knows its a lie. Look, I have beaten Biden in every poll taken for the last three months. She loses to Biden in the polls, he said. Wall Street Journal's December survey showed that Haley won against Biden by a huge margin. In a rambling response, Trump concluded that he wants the GOP to unite and wishes Haley the best "even though there is no path forward for her." Haley defends her campaign, wonders why everyone wants her to withdraw from race Responding to Trump that she had "no path" to the nomination, Haley defended her campaign, stating that she is unable to understand why everybody is so adamant to get her out of the race. "I don't know why everybody is so adamant that they have to follow Trump's lead to get me out of this race. You know, all of these people deserve to vote. Sixteen states want to have their voices heard," the GOP contender said in an interview with Fox News. Also Read: Nikki Haley wins Republican primary in Washington DC in first victory over Donald Trump The conclusion of Super Tuesday might potentially spell the end of Haley's 2024 presidential campaign. She has hinted that her decision to continue the campaign will rely on if she remains "competitive" in primaries and caucuses. "Super Tuesday, we're going to try to be competitive. I hope we go forward. But this is all about how competitive we can be," Haley said. Launching a scathing attack against Trump, Haley remained uncertain if Trump will respect the Constitution on getting re-elected to the White House. She even cautioned GOPs that selecting him as the party's nominee for November elections will be "disastrous" for the United States. Super Tuesday 2024: The contest is a significant moment for Trump and Biden, who are the leading contenders for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations, respectively. While a lot is at stake for Nikki Haley, the top GOP rival for Trump. Super Tuesday 2024: Super Tuesday is a grand day in the United States when presidential campaigns generally begin as both Republicans and Democrats will hold nominating contests in 15 states and one territory. Incumbent President Joe Biden remains the Democratic front-runner, with no credible rivals. Former President Donald Trump is the front-runner for the GOP nomination, but former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is still his top primary challenger....Read More Trump took an early lead for the Republicans, winning in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, among other states. Most of his main challengers, including biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, have dropped out of the race. The presidential primaries are much more than just who wins which state. Convention delegates eventually decide who gets their party's nomination for the 2024 presidential race. Delegates are chosen using a combination of state election results and party rules. State Democratic Delegates Joe Biden Republican Delegates Donald Trump Alabama 52 38 50 29 Alaska -NA NA 29 29 American Samoa 6 2 9 NA Arkansas 31 23 40 27 California 424 332 169 169 Colorado 72 54 37 37 Iowa 40 40 NA NA Maine 24 18 20 20 Massachusetts 92 70 40 40 Minnesota 75 56 39 16 North Carolina 116 83 74 32 Oklahoma 36 27 43 28 Tennessee 63 46 48 16 Texas 244 182 161 99 Utah 30 21 40 Result Awaited Vermont 16 16 17 0 Virginia 99 80 48 39 Primaries Election 2024 Delegates Tracker: On Super Tuesday, millions of voters in 17 states and territories will have their say in who should be the presidential nominees for both parties. Attendees wait in line ahead of a "Get Out The Vote" rally with former US President Donald Trump in Greensboro, North Carolina, US, on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Trumpsaid he will impose tit-for-tat tariffs if he is reelected president, reiterating one of his isolationist policy goals that has already raised concernat homeand overseas. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) One of the most important states to watch is North Carolina, where early voting is already underway. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. North Carolina has a lot of influence in the presidential race, with 110 delegates for the Democrats and 71 for the Republicans up for grabs. It also boast many other competitive races for statewide and congressional offices, some of which may require a runoff if no one gets more than 30% of the vote. Republican side is more spicy than Democratic On the Democratic side, the presidential primary is not very exciting, as current US President Joe Biden is the only name on the ballot. But uncommitted voters can still show their discontent with his administration by choosing No preference as an option. In 2020, Biden won the state by a wide margin, but he may face some pushback from voters who backed U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders or other candidates before. Biden needs a jackpot performance in North Carolina to keep his lead and secure his nomination by March 19 (as he will not be able to secure this by March 5). ALSO READ| Super Tuesday: What is the significance of Texas primaries and why are they important? But the Republican side is topped with mustard sauce, as former President Donald Trump will face former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (who secured Washington DC), who is trying to stop him from getting a second term. Trump is clearly the favourite, as he has the support of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is also running for governor. The former president won the state by a narrow margin in 2016, but he may face some opposition from independent voters who are displeased with his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot. An anonymous voter attempted to remove Trump from the ballot, but the elections board dismissed the case. Trump will probably secure his nomination by March 12, unless Haley can pull off a stunning upset. The governors race is also a heated contest Current Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, cannot run again due to term limits. On the Democratic side, State Attorney General Josh Stein is the frontrunner, with Coopers endorsement. He faces former state Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan and three other challengers. ALSO READ| Super Tuesday: Alabama's primary race takes centrestage after SC ruling On the Republican side, with Trump's endorsement, Robinson is the top candidate. He faces state Treasurer Dale Folwell and attorney Bill Graham, who have more experience in state government. Other races to keep an eye on include the primaries for lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state and U.S. House, as well as the state Senate and state House. The polls will close at 7:30 p.m. ET on Super Tuesday, but the results may take some time to come out, as a new law forbids counting early votes until after the polls close. Stage is set in the United States for Super Tuesday, the grand day when 15 states, including titans -- California and Texas -- will head to polls on March 5. The voting is poised to move incumbent President Joe Biden and ex-US President Donald Trump closer to White House rematch. Nikki Haley continues to trail in the polls conducted by 537, showing that she is more than 60 points behind Donald Trump.(AP) While Trump will face former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Biden will compete against longshot candidates Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. The 16 states are casting ballots on Super Tuesday i.e. Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. However, Alaska will only vote for GOP candidates, whereas Iowa will only vote for Democratic candidates. One territory, American Samoa, will vote in the Democratic primary as well. The Super Tuesday battle will also decide the course of House and Senate races that will shape the legislative branch for the upcoming year. Also Read: Super Tuesday 2024: Which states are going to vote? Voting hours of states going to poll today What is at stake for Nikki Haley? Haley will continue her efforts to dethrone Trump, the GOP front-runner. However, following a string of major setbacks, with the exception of Washington, D.C., the former UN Ambassador is projected to struggle to win any of the states on Super Tuesday. Haley continues to trail in the polls conducted by 537, showing that she is more than 60 points behind Trump. The outcome of Super Tuesday could also mean the end of Haley's 2024 presidential campaign as she has hinted that her decision to continue would rely on whether she remains "competitive" in primaries and caucuses. "Super Tuesday, we're going to try to be competitive. I hope we go forward. But this is all about how competitive we can be," Haley said. Last week in Michigan, she received 27 percentof the GOP vote, arguing that it demonstrated that a significant percentage of the Republican Party does not want Trump as president, despite his continued victories. However, Trump hailed his Michigan win, stating that it was "far greater than anticipated." Even after a massive victoey in South Carolina, he declared, "I have never seen the Republican Party so unified." Also Read: Why is Super Tuesday key to US elections? All you need to know Why Nikki Haley sees Trump potential win as 'suicide' for the US? Continuing her tirade against Trump, Haley has stated that she is unsure whether Trump will respect the Constitution if he gets re-elected to the White House. She has cautioned Republicans that selecting him as the GOP's nominee in November will be "disastrous" and even went on to call such a scenario a "suicide" for the United States. With this, a significant flip was noticed in Haley's tone as compared to last year, when she adopted a strategy of restricting her criticisms on Trump. She claimed in a primary debate that she would support Trump as the candidate if he were convicted of a crime. Admitting a change in her tone, Haley in a radio appearance said that the shift was "intentional". Ahead of the Super Tuesday, Susan Collins, a moderate Republican senator from Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, a Republican senator from Alaska, endorsed Haley. March 5th is a last chance for Haley to deny Trump a third nomination. Haley has accused Trump of "shifting" the Republican party away from its core principles, such as reducing spending, upholding international alliances, and questioning his physical fitness and mental capacity given his age of 77. She even blasted him for backing his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to be the RNC's next co-chair, claiming that if he wins, "the RNC now is just going to be about Donald Trump" and will evolve into his own legal slush fund. A Republican candidate requires 1,215 delegates to earn the party's nomination, and 865 of them are up for grabs this Tuesday. How will Trump handle his win? The US has witnessed two reactions to Trump's victory as the Republican frontrunner. After winning the New Hampshire primary in January, he slammed Haley's clothing style and chastised her for trying to capitalise on her 43 percent second-place result. Following his victory in her home state of South Carolina, the ex-US President made no mention of his Republican rival Haley. Trump has openly expressed his willingness to launch a presidential campaign against Biden, as well as his dissatisfaction with Haley's obstinate uprising, which has included harsh criticism of her former boss' arrogance, age, loyalty to the Constitution, and commitment to veterans and military personnel. Undoubtedly, expectations are high when it comes to Trump's win in the Super Tuesday contest. But, if he strikes out at a defeated fellow Republican, he risks alienating some of Haley's supporters and possibly moving them toward Joe Biden. According to CBS News, Trump may secure the nomination by March 12 and Biden can do the same on March 19. The race for the White House is heating up, as 15 states and one US territory will vote for their preferred candidates on Super Tuesday. This is the day when we will have a clearer picture of who will be the nominees for both parties. Donald Trump wins North Dakota on the Super Tuesday eve, Joe Biden eyes for swift win. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) For the Democrats, President Joe Biden is the undisputed frontrunner and has no real competition. He is likely to sweep most of the states, even in Minnesota, where one of his challengers is from. Rep. Dean Phillips is trying to take on Biden, but he has little chance of winning. He already lost badly in Michigan, where he was beaten by Marianne Williamson, who had quit the race but came back later. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. For the Republicans, former President Donald Trump is the overwhelming favourite and has a huge advantage over his last remaining rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Haley has only managed to win Washington DC and has barely gotten any delegates from other states. ALSO READ| Donald Trump clinches North Dakota caucuses, eyes Super Tuesday sweep Super Tuesday is very important for both parties, as a lot of delegates are on the line. But neither Biden nor Trump will be able to clinch the nomination on March 5, as they will still need more delegates to cross the finish line. CBS News says that the earliest Trump can seal the deal is March 12, and the earliest Biden can do it is March 19. How many delegates are there to pocket on Super Tuesday? 865 delegates are available for the Republican candidates. To secure the nomination, a Republican candidate must win at least 1,215 out of the total 2,429 delegates. Which states are going to vote on 2024 Super Tuesday? The states that are holding primaries for both parties on Super Tuesday are: Alabama (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET) Arkansas (8:30 a.m. ET to 8:30 p.m. ET) California (10 a.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET) Colorado (9 a.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET) Maine ( 6 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET) Massachusetts (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET) Minnesota (8 a.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET) North Carolina (6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET) Oklahoma (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET) Tennessee (8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET) Texas (Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET for the majority of the state. However, in three counties in West Texas, which are in the Mountain time zone, polls open at 9 a.m. ET and close at 9 p.m. ET.) Vermont (Poll closes at 7 p.m. ET) Virginia (Polls close at 7 p.m. ET) The states that are holding caucuses for Republicans only are: Alaska (11 a.m. ET to 12 a.m. ET) Utah (9 a.m. ET to 10 a.m. ET) The states that are holding primaries for Democrats only are: Utah (9 a.m. ET to 10 a.m. ET) The U.S. territory that is holding caucuses for Democrats only is: American Samoa (Poll closes at 6 p.m. ET) The state that is holding caucuses for Democrats by mail and will announce its results on March 5 is: A series of devastating wildfires have swept through the Texas Panhandle, claiming two lives and scorching more than 1.3 million acres in a week. The situation remains critical, as five fires are still burning in the region, according to Texas A&M Forest Service. A cow stands near a spot fire, likely from one of the recent deadly wildfires, fueled by high winds near Canadian, Texas, U.S., March 2, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis(REUTERS) Texas fires now span over 1.2 million acres in a week. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Texas Panhandle is coping with five active wildfires The biggest and most destructive fire is the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County, which has consumed nearly 1.1 million acres and is the largest wildfire in the states history. As of Sunday afternoon, only 15% of the fire was contained. The other fires are the Grape Vine Creek Fire in Gray County, which has charred almost 35,000 acres and is 60% contained, the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County, which has torched 144,206 acres and is 55% contained, the Magenta Fire in Oldham County, which has burned about 3,300 acres and is 85% contained, and the new Roughneck Fire in Hutchinson County, which has grown to an estimated 300 acres and is 25% contained. ALSO READ| A gift from God: Texas receives much-needed rains & snowfall as largest wildfires continue to wreak havoc Cold front may bring some relief The weather has been a challenge for the firefighters, as the area has experienced dry and windy conditions that favour fire spread. However, the National Weather Service (NWS) said Monday morning that a cold front will bring cooler temperatures that will help reduce the fire threat. Even though there is no precipitation in the forecast, winds and relative humidity values will thankfully not hit any fire weather thresholds early this week, the Amarillo station said. Weak winds at the surface and a lot are looking likely for Tuesday so fire weather should not be a concern. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Friday that the fires have caused tremendous damage, saying that many of the affected areas are completely gone with nothing left but ashes on the ground. He said that preliminary assessments show that up to 500 structures have been destroyed as of Friday afternoon. We have people who dont have a home, dont have a place to go to. And we as Texans need to collaborate together, to work not just on the restoration process, but that restoration process takes a while, he said. We need to work on the process of finding immediate and temporary housing for these individual people. ALSO READ| Texas is still burning, deadly wildfire claims two lives and torches more than 500 structures On Monday, Abbott said that the safety and well-being of impacted Texans is our No. 1 priority as the potential for more dangerous wildfires persists in the coming days. Texas wildfires claim thousands of cattle, dealing a blow to ranchers during this calving season The fires have also taken a toll on the ranchers. Officials said that the fires have left dead animals everywhere, and that thousands of cattle will have perished by the end of the disaster. Many farmers and ranchers have offered their help, providing land, free medication, and labour to try and save animals. Mike Martinez helps Chuck Morgan move the body of a dead cow, killed by the recent wildfires, into a trailer with other dead cattle near Canadian, Texas, U.S., March 1, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis(REUTERS) Were picking up deads today, Chance Bowers, one ranch operator, told the AP last week as he showed the more than a thousand cattle on his land. This pasture were standing in, there as 93 cows in it and there is six left. He said that he expects to lose about 200 to 250 cows, in the middle of calving season. Abbott said that he will request a federal disaster declaration to aid the recovery. ALSO READ| Texas struggles to contain the second-largest wildfire in US history following Maui On Thursday, President Joe Biden said that he had instructed his team to do everything possible to help protect the people and the communities threatened by these fires. He said that more than 100 federal firefighters were on their way to the state, along with dozens of additional fire engines, air tankers, small planes, helicopters to help fight the flames. Paul-Henri Nargeolets home is up for sale for $1.7 million months after he died in the Titan submersible tragedy. The deep-sea explorer, known as Mr. Titanic, bought the 2.74-acre property for $1.5 million back in January 2022. Titan sub victim Paul-Henri Nargeolets lavish home is up for sale (Photo by Jol SAGET / AFP) The house is located at 1018 Route 292 on the private Whaley Lake in Dutchess County, New York. 515 feet of lakefront along with a beach adorns the four-bedroom, four-bath, custom-built house. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. He spent his life on the water, so I imagine hed wanted to look out on it, said co-listing agent Regan Andrews, of Houlihan Lawrence Brewster, in an interview with Realtor.com. He loved this house because it was on the water. He added, He and his wife liked to do a lot of swimming, which the lake allowed him to do. According to Andrews, Nargeolet spent just two years in the house. He had relocated from Greenwich, CT. His best friend lived nearby. What does the house look like? Inside the stunning house, windows overlook the water. A fireplace in the double-story living/family room protects the residents during the winters. A huge kitchen boasts stainless appliances, granite countertops, and centre island with seating. There is also a massive pantry and laundry area. Nargeolet is survived by his wife, Anne Sarraz-Bournet; two daughters, Chloe and Sidonie; a son, Julien; and a stepson, John Nathaniel Paschall. He was the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, and was known for having led 37 successful expeditions to the Titanic site. He also supervised the recovery of several items and artefacts from the site underwater. Nargeolet died alongside four people when the Titan sub became victim to a catastrophic implosion during its journey to the Titanic wreckage. The others who died were Pakistani-British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British businessman and aviator Hamish Harding, and the pilot and founder of OceanGate, Stockton Rush. The US Supreme Court gave a big boost to former US President Donald Trump on Monday, when it decided that the former president can stay on the Republican primary ballot in Colorado. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump can appear on this year's ballot after the Colorado Supreme Court said he was disqualified from being president again and ineligible for the state's primary. (Photo by Alon Skuy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) The states top court had tried to kick him off the ballot, using the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which says that anyone who has been involved in an insurrection cant hold public office. Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Trump has been accused of stirring up and backing the violent crowd that attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a desperate attempt to stop the 2020 presidential election (which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden). The former President was overjoyed by the Supreme Courts ruling, he posted on his Truth Social platform, BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!. ALSO READ| 60% Americans not at all confident in Joe Biden's mental capability The presidential hopeful is likely to face Biden again in the November election. Supreme Court blocks state efforts to disqualify Trump from presidential ballot The Supreme Courts ruling also puts an end to similar efforts in other states, such as Illinois and Maine, to disqualify Trump from the ballot based on the 14th Amendment, which states that no one can hold US office, including the presidency, if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. However, the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority of 6-3, clarified that only Congress has the authority to enforce this provision against federal officeholders and candidates. The court said in an unsigned opinion, 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. ALSO READ| Donald Trump silences his supporters with a glaring gaffe, Putin has so little respect The ruling came a day before Super Tuesday, the day when most states hold their presidential primaries and caucuses. The 45th US President is also facing two criminal cases related to his attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election: one in a federal court in Washington, DC, and another in a state court in Georgia. He has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the prosecutors are pursuing a politically motivated witch-hunt to stop his re-election bid. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who was also billed as one of the crowd-favourite potential running mates of Trump, dished his views on the unanimous ruling in favour of the former US President. While he praised the Supreme Court's concurrent decision against Colorado's attempts to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot, he also highlighted its foreshadowing implications. Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)(AP) At first, Ramaswamy went along with what Trump had to say about the case as representing national unity." He echoed his belief that the US will continue to be fragmented if a patchwork of states can make one-sided decisions about a national candidate's eligibility. I do think that this is not just about President Trump, but about the future unity of our country itself. And the Supreme Court, 9-0, came down on the right side of that question, added Ramaswamy. But here's how his tone switched regarding the ruling: Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now. Vivek Ramaswamy on Supreme Court's Trump Ruling: Even an outsider would view this situation with raised eyebrows, especially after finding out that three liberal justices wrote the concurrent ruling. These members of the Supreme Court are Biden appointee Kentanji Brown Jackson and Obama appointees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. While one could simply view this as a result of objective impartiality, Ramaswamy decided to dive into the political subtext instead. Also read: Donald Trump's Freudian slip over Minnesota results remark: I thought we won it last time According to his perception of the situation, the liberal justices are "buying themselves some political latitude to say there's going to be other Trump related cases that come before the Supreme Court now." While speaking to Fox News, his following statement completely disregards the liberal justice trio's stance, labelling them as expendables. He commented: the three of them did swing over for the 9-0 unanimous ruling here, but they say other actors in the federal government, even outside of Congress, could have had that authority anyway." The American entrepreneur-politician believes they are merely buying themselves some leash for going in a different direction in some of those other cases. Despite one's political standing, one could see where he's coming from, too, especially with more upcoming cases like the Trump immunity case waiting to land the ex-president in the high court again. Yet again, Ramaswamy reiterated that Monday's 9-0 ruling was an outstanding outcome. However, he was equally worried about how this could work against Trump in the future, considering they could go "different way in future cases that are coming down the pike." As gathered from his sentiments, it seems as if he sees this as a bittersweet win as he constantly likens it to the calm before the storm. His mixed reactions were also somewhat positively swayed by the thought that at least this win meant that people could settle (their) differences at the ballot box vote for whoever they want. This, to him, is the essence of their national identity. Half Moon Bay, CA (94019) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. High 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Expect mist and reduced visibilities at times. Low 49F. Winds light and variable. Israel has carried out a six-hour-long operation in Ramallah, the administrative capital in the occupied Westbank overnight. It was reported by Reuters that the raid resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy named Mustafa Abu Shalbak-who was struck in the head and chest. They further reported that violence has escalated across the West Bank. The IDF said their raid caused a riot to break out, with Palestinians throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the soldiers, who responded with live fire from assault rifles. Israeli military officials said the raid was a counter-terrorism operation and that they captured two wanted suspects and seized "inciting material spread by Hamas." "During the operation, a violent riot developed, in which suspects hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israeli security forces, who responded with live fire. A hit was identified," it said. Movement restrictions, detentions, and raids have made life in the West Bank increasingly difficult for those who live there. Some fear the area is threatening to plunge into total anarchy. At least 400 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers and settlers since the war in Gaza began. Israeli forces also tore up a main road by the Nur Shams refugee camp in the Tulkarm area of the West Bank, witnesses said. "Every time they enter the camp they destroy more than the previous time," said Ibrahim Hamarsheh, a resident of the camp who heads the Tulkarm branch of the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, which advocates for Palestinians in Israeli jails. Israeli forces have also been accused of bulldozing Palestinian homes. The West Bank city of Nablus was also stormed. Israeli forces detained at least 55 Palestinians in raids across the West Bank overnight, according to The Palestinian Prisoners Club. As Ukrainian troops continue to attack targets further from the front line of the conflict, they said on Tuesday, March 5, that they had destroyed another Russian cruiser in the Black Sea using advanced sea drones. The Kremlin has not yet confirmed the assertion. Yet Another Crucial Attack In a report by The Associated Press, the huge patrol ship Sergey Kotov was destroyed overnight by a special operations team using explosive-laden Magura V5 unmanned vessels that are developed and constructed in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian military intelligence service. The Ukrainian navy claimed to have hit a patrol ship in the Kerch Strait; the vessel allegedly had 60 crew members and the capability to deploy cruise missiles. The incident happened near the port of Feodosia in Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014, according to private security company Ambrey. The clip showing Sergey Kotov shooting at the drones was captured by a crew member on a commercial vessel in the harbor, according to Ambrey. Ambrey said the ship was struck at least twice, with the second impact producing a significant explosion. Also Read: Russian Drone Attack in Odesa Leaves 3 Dead, 8 Injured Triumphs for Ukraine Reportedly, the Russian navy has been forced to abandon the Black Sea coast as a result of Ukrainian victories over hostile vessels, enabling Ukraine to establish a grain export channel. Ukraine said last month that it had used drones to sink two Russian vessels. Reports circulated that it sank the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets on February 1 and the Caesar Kunikov landing ship on February 14. Russian authorities did not confirm those assertions. According to Kyiv authorities, almost 20% of Russia's missile assaults on Ukraine originate from the Black Sea, and it would be demeaning for Moscow if Ukrainian ships were to strike Russian ships there. The guided-missile cruiser Moskva, which served as the pride and joy of Russia's Black Sea navy, went down about a year ago after severe damage sustained in a missile strike. Also Read: Germany Accuses Russia of 'Hybrid Disinformation Attack' Over Military Audio Leak Many expensive fentanyl scanners are just sitting in warehouses, remaining unused despite the worsening fentanyl overdose crisis in the United States. In 2022, over 100,000 Americans died because of fentanyl poisoning or overdosage. To prevent unwanted deaths like those caused by fentanyl, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection spent millions of dollars on the most updated fentanyl scanners. Unfortunately, many of these advanced scanners remain unused because the funds needed to install them are still insufficient. Should the U.S. Congress be blamed for this issue? Expensive Fentanyl Scanners Sit in Warehouses, Unused According to NBC News' latest report, acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller shared that numerous expensive fentanyl scanners are just sitting in warehouses. Troy Miller toured the team of NBC News at a port of entry in Nogales, Arizona. This is the area where half of all the fentanyl at the southern U.S. border is seized. Miller said that officers stationed in Nogales found fentanyl hidden inside the Coca-Cola. To hide them, violators painted bottles using black paint. The CBP official also said that they found fentanyl in cars, even those carrying young children in the back seat. He added that around 95% of the fentanyl they seized was carried in private cars. This is why the advanced fentanyl scanners need to be installed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the U.S. Congress is partly to blame since the funding needed for the installations is included in the supplemental funding request Republicans blocked. Read Also: Showdown at the Southern Border: Biden, Trump to Visit on Same Day Is Congress to blame? In February, Republicans blocked the bipartisan border package, as reported by the Associated Press. This affected the effort of CBP to install the needed fentanyl scanners. "We do have technology that's in the warehouse that has been tested. But we need approximately $300 million [to] actually put the technology in the ground," explained Miller. He added that this ongoing issue is extremely frustrating. For those who are not aware, the CBP invested in a new technology called NII (No-Intrusive Inspection). NII allows CBP personnel to scan cars and trucks passing through the massive U-shaped screeners without requiring drivers and passengers to get out. These advanced fentanyl scanners were supposed to effectively detect fentanyl while allowing traffic to keep flowing through border checkpoints. As of writing, the total number of unused fentanyl scanners and their locations are still unknown. But, people familiar with the effort of CBP said that the machines cost tens of millions of dollars. Related Article: Senate Clears Hurdle for Aid Package for Ukraine, Israel as Bipartisan Support Grows Haiti spent its second day of a state of emergency after gangs attacked the capital city, Port-au-Prince, and raided its prisons over the weekend, releasing thousands of inmates. As of Monday (Mar. 4), the country's airport is under siege and there is no clear update whether Haiti's de facto prime minister, Ariel Henry had made it back to the country after visiting Kenya to ask for a contingent of Kenyan police to restore law and order in the Caribbean nation. Haitian activist Monique Clesca told NPR that the weekend represented "three days of terror." "Gangs paraded throughout Port-au-Prince with their arms openly," she said. "It wasn't done at night and the police [were] nowhere to be found." Almost three years after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, the country descended into chaos - no elections have been held since 2017, elected officials have stepped down due to term expiry, security services were overwhelmed, and millions were going hungry and have been displaced. Here are three developments regarding the latest string of violent incidents in the country Gangs Interfere with Politics Robert Fatton, a University of Virginia student specializing in Haitian studies, said that violence in Haiti was marked by fights between gangs, and the current situation is a critical moment for the country. What is different from previous gang violence incidents, Haitian gangs have forged an alliance, with at least one of the leaders, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, explicitly saying that the point of the current violence was to overthrow the government. Fatton added that the gangs consolidating their strength made them control most of Port-au-Prince and even shot at aircraft at the city's international airport, prompting international airlines to stop their flights to Port-au-Prince. The gangs have also overpowered police at two of the main prisons and managed to release thousands of inmates. "The situation is on the verge of a real collapse of any and every institution that remains in the country," he said. Read Also: Haiti: State of Emergency Declared, Curfew Enforced After Prison Break De Facto PM Ariel Henry in Kenya While violence raged on in Haiti, its de facto prime minister, Ariel Henry, traveled to Kenya last week to close the deal the African superpower committed to, which was to lead a multinational force in Haiti despite Kenyan courts delaying the deployment. When the violence broke out, Haitian finance minister and acting prime minister Patrick Boisvert was the one who signed the emergency declaration. At a recent press briefing, the US State Department said Henry was "returning to the country." "We think it's important that he do so and that he be allowed to do so," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, declining to elaborate. Kenyan Police Seen as Vital in Restoring Order Miller also told reporters that the crisis "underscores the urgency" of finalizing the Kenyan-led mission. Monique Clesca, who is part of a civil society group that has promoted a holistic approach to ending the Haitian crisis, said that part of the problem was that Henry had been solely focused on a military solution when he could have ordered a state of emergency from the time he came to power, allowing the police to bring the gangs under control and, at the same time, plan for elections. "Instead, a few months after [he came to power], he went to the United Nations and said, 'Send me some troops' and then crossed his arms," she added. And that's all they didwait and wait and wait." Last week, Henry and Kenyan President William Ruto witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement authorizing the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti. The government believed that the agreement satisfied the objections of the Kenyan courts, which had stopped the deployment. "It is a mission for humanity," Ruto said. "It is a mission in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti." Ruto added that the signing of the agreement was the "final step" and that the Kenyan police force would "be [in Haiti] at the earliest opportunity that is possible." Related Article: Haiti Gangs Ready to Overthrow Government, Country Reaches Agreement With Kenya An Israeli airstrike reportedly killed 17 people in southern Gaza on Tuesday as cease-fire talks with Hamas stalled. The European Hospital in Khan Younis said that it had received 17 bodies from the attack, the Associated Press reported. The Israel Defense Forces said that it is working to evacuate civilians from areas of combat in Western Khan Yunis. It claims that troops captured dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists who hid among civilians. Gaza's Health Ministry said that more than 30,000 Palestinians have died in the nearly five-month war. It does not separate military and civilian deaths in its count. The latest violence comes as negotiators are still trying to work out a ceasefire after two days without a breakthrough. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach the agreement in which Hamas would release up to 40 hostages. Negotiators have been trying to hammer out a 40-day truce ahead of Ramadan, which begins next week. Israel stayed away from talks on Tuesday because Hamas had rejected its demand for a full list of all hostages who are still alive, Reuters reported. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday urged Hamas to accept the agreement. A senior Hamas official said that it was up to the United States to pressure Israel to go back to the table. Israel attacked Gaza after Hamas-lead militants invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapped around 250 people back into Gaza. More than 100 of them were released during a brief ceasefire last year. On Saturday, the US military began dropping food over the war-torn Gaza Strip where 2 million people have been in desperate need of humanitarian aid. According to the US Central Command in a statement, planes of the US and Jordanian air forces dropped over 38,000 pallets of food aid along the coastline. The two countries are also "conducting planning for potential follow-on airborne aid delivery missions". That's a rare demonstration of humanity from the US over the Gaza crisis. The entire population of Gaza is suffering from food shortage, of which 478,000 people are at "crisis" levels while 576,600 are at the "catastrophic" level. That's why people rushed to the food trucks that arrived on Thursday. But Israeli forces opened fire on them, killing at least 112 people. It's Israel's blockade of Gaza that has turned the Palestinian enclave of 365 square kilometers into the biggest outdoor prison for the 2.2 million people living there. While Israeli attacks have killed over 30,000 people in the latest round of bloodshed since Oct 7 last year. However, the US, as the largest and staunchest supporter of Israel, has kept its unconditional bias toward Israel regardless of Israel's ruthless assault on the Palestinians in Gaza. In this round of conflict alone, Washington has four times vetoed United Nations Security Council's resolutions on Gaza aimed at securing at least a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid to enter the zone. The prolonging of the Palestine question for decades has much to do with the US standing firmly behind Israel, no matter what Tel Aviv does. The US sabotages joint pro-peace efforts of the international community to serve its own interests. The US has never truly cared about the Palestinians and the Israeli hostages. Its airdrops of food in Gaza is nothing but an ugly show of its hypocrisy. The Regal Cinema location at Waterbury's Brass Mill Center mall closed in September 2022. Now, a Massachusetts-based movie theater chain is getting ready to open a 12-screen cinema in its place later this spring. Luther Turmelle / Hearst Connecticut Media A Massachusetts-based movie theater chain that already operates four cinemas in Connecticut is getting ready to open a new location in Waterbury. Apple Cinemas plans to reopen the 12-screen theater in Waterbury's Brass Mill Center mall that was formerly run by Regal Cinemas. The theater has sat empty since September 2022 when it was abruptly closed as part of its corporate parent's bankruptcy filing. Jessica Robitaille, Apple Cinemas' operations manager, said the company is targeting an early April opening date for the Brass Mill Center location. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We've still got a bit of work to do, but that is our plan," Robitaille said Tuesday. Apple Cinemas already has a presence in Waterbury, with a 10-screen theater at 920 Wolcott St., adjacent to the Naugatuck Valley Shopping Center. Robitaille said the Wolcott Street theater would not close as a result of the reopening of the Brass Mill Center location. In addition to the two Waterbury theaters, Apple Cinemas also has theaters in Hartford, Torrington and Simsbury. The Walpole, Mass.-based chain has 12 theaters in six states. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The reopening of a movie theater at Brass Mill Center is the latest piece of good news for the mall's owner, Great Neck, N.Y.-based Kohan Retail Investment Group. An Ashley Furniture outlet store opened in a portion of the mall's former Macy's anchor store in December. David Cadden, a professor emeritus at Quinnipiac University's School of Business, said a return of a movie theater to the mall will drive foot traffic that will benefit other tenants. The mall has been plagued by store vacancies for some time now, with nearly three dozen vacancies as recently as December. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are expected to move much closer to winning their party's nominations during the biggest day of the primary campaign on Tuesday. The contest sets up a historic rematch as Super Tuesday elections are held in 16 states and one territory. Hundreds of delegates hang in the balance as voters make their way to the polls. Super Tuesday is normally the biggest day nationwide for primary elections and caucuses before the actual Election Day in November. Voters in 16 states and one territory will cast ballots for who they want to run for president. While much focus is on the presidential race, there are other important runs to consider. California voters will determine the candidates who will compete to fill the Senate seat, previously long-held by Dianne Feinstein until her death last year. North Carolina, a state that both parties are closely battling for the governor's race, will also take shape at the polls. The major competition centers around Biden and Trump. The two men have easily outwon their challengers and are in full command of their bids despite polls indicating that voters do not want this year's general election identical to the 2020 race. A new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds a majority of Americans don't think either Biden or 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. "Fight Your Fight Yourself" Trump and Biden will not be able to solidify their party's nomination, as the earlier either can become his party's presumptive nominee is March 12 for Trump and March 19 for Biden. Trump and Biden continue to hold rival campaign events. Last week, both frontrunners organized an event along the U.S.-Mexico border to gain an advantage in the increasingly worrying immigration debate. Following the Supreme Court ruling on Monday to restore Trump to primary ballots following attempts to ban him for his role in helping to incite the Capitol riot, the former president pointed to the 91 criminal counts against him to turn it around on Biden, claiming the president is weaponizing the courts. "Fight your fight yourself," Trump said. "Don't use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent." Biden will campaign in key swing states, Pennsylvania and Georgia after he delivers the State of the Union address on Thursday. He will tackle 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. LaBolt revealed that's in contrast to Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement, which consists of "rewarding billionaires and corporations with tax breaks, taking away rights and freedoms, and undermining our democracy." (Photo : Scott Eisen/Getty Images) Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is unlikely to defeat Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. As voters in 15 states head to the polls this Super Tuesday, former President Donald Trump seems to have a lock on the Republican nomination - with his opponent Nikki Haley trailing in every state. Ahead of today's voting, Trump already scored victories in eight states while Haley was able to defeat Trump with a 30 point lead in Washington, D.C. The former United Nations Ambassador also won delegates in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina. While Haley's chance at receiving many of the 854 delegates up for grabs today remains slim, there are some states where her chances are higher than others. Haley tends to poll better among unaffiliated voters, college graduates, and non born-again Christian populations, according to a data analysis from 538. "The challenge is that she did everything she could in South Carolina," former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson told CNN's "State of the Union." Unfortunately for Haley, however, victory proved elusive - Trump defeated her by 20 points and won 47 delegates, while Haley won just three delegates in her home state. Some pollsters predict that Colorado, Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia could be slightly more competitive for Haley due to their more moderate populations. The population of born again Christians is much smaller in New England and all four states have larger populations of college educated white voters, according to 538. While the demographics of these states might save Haley from an embarrassing defeat, victory still remains unlikely. The University of New Hampshire's most recent polling in Vermont shows that Trump is leading Haley by 30 percentage points. In Massachusetts. Trump is up by more than 30 points, according to a 538 analysis of several polls. Trump has a similar lead in Virginia, while there have been no polls in Colorado for months. Colorado voters have rejected Trump-aligned candidates in recent Republican primaries but the state's Republican Party has already endorsed Trump in this election. Haley might have a better shot at victory in the Rocky Mountain State than anywhere else but her chances still remain slim. In the past, Haley promised voters that she would remain in the race until Super Tuesday - but today's voting could mark the end of her presidential campaign. "[Her campaign has] got to accelerate because you run into the delegate wall. And the delegate wall is March 5," Hutchinson told CNN. "So she's got to prove herself." Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who just reclaimed his title as the "World's Richest Man," is now setting his sites on a much smaller target; New York City's bodegas. Bezos, billionaire Amazon founder and owner of Whole Foods, recently announced plans to build on his empire by introducing smaller convenience-store-sized Whole Foods to the New York area. The massive chain is taking necessary measures to catapult itself ahead of rival stores amid the nation's grocery wars. Whole Foods Market Daily Shop is due to open its first location in the Upper East Side later this year, reported NY Eater. Whole Foods currently boasts 20 stores around the city with its usual 40,000 square-foot, full-fledged grocery store. However, the new daily store will measure roughly 7,000 to 14,000 square feet. Its focus is mainly on takeout meals, prepared foods, seasonal produce, meat and seafood, bread, supplements, and alcohol. More Whole Foods locations are expected to pop up in and around New York City. In 2019, the company soft-launched a 2,500-square-foot "bodega-like shop." The shops featured self-check-out kiosks and specialized in local products. Produce from Gotham Greens, breads from Balthazar, and other staple shops and restaurants are included in its variety. With the success of the bodega, Whole Foods acted on momentum, prompting a broader vision for the concept, reported Supermarket News. Amazon bought Austin-based Whole Foods in 2017 and expanded the brand extensively nationwide. Today, there are over 500 locations in North America and the United Kingdom. The certified organic grocer from Austin, Texas, came to fruition in 1980. HNGN has reached out to New York's Bodega and Small Business Group for comment. (Photo : ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images) A Ukrainian T64 tank moves towards Bakhmut in the town of Chasiv Yar as smoke rises from the direction of Bakhmut The retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel accused of spilling American military secrets about the Ukraine war on a dating site was referred to by his online lover as "her secret informant love", according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). David Franklin Slater, 63, of Nebraska, was arrested on Saturday, March 2, HNGN previously reported. Slater is currently a civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force working in a classified area for the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base. Prosecutors allege he transmitted classified information between February and April 2022. They say he sent top secret materials he had reason to believe could be used by a foreign nation against the United States. According to the charging documents, Slater attended briefings regarding Russia's war against Ukraine that were classified up to TOP SECRET. Slater then allegedly sent information he learned from those briefings via the foreign online dating site's messaging platform to an unnamed co-conspirator. That person claimed to be a woman who was living in Ukraine. She regularly asked Slater to provide her with sensitive, non-public, closely held and classified information. Prosecutors claim she called Slater her "secret informant love" and her "secret agent." He allegedly shared information about military targets and Russian military capabilities. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said Slater showed a "blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets." "The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information," Olsen added in a news release. Slater was due in court on Tuesday in Nebraska. If convicted, Slater faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information. The Associated Press is reporting that an international incident occurred in the historically disputed South China Sea resulting in injury to four Filipino members on Tuesday. This comes at a time when leaders in Southeast Asia are gathering at an Asian summit where concerns are being raised about China's aggression on the high seas. Chinese Coast Guard ships, accompanied by support vessels, are alleged to have blocked the Philippine Coast Guard and its supply vessels of the Second Thomas Shoal, executing dangerous maneuvers that reportedly caused two minor collisions between the ships, according to Phillippine officials. The Phillippine ship, BRP Shindangan suffered, minor structural damage in the incident, which is said to have taken place shortly after dawn. The Chinese reportedly continued with dangerous maneuvers an hour after the first collision as another Chinese Coast Guard ship collided with a supply being supported by the Philippine Coast Guard. The same supply ship was reportedly struck by water cannons from two Chinese Coast Guard ships, resulting in a shattered windshield and injury to four Filipino crew members. The actions are said by the Philippines to be another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply mission. The task force said the actions by the Chinese were "another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission." "China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers" 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. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila reached out to the Chinese deputy ambassador to protest against the Chinese coast guard's actions, which it deemed unacceptable. "The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin shoal immediately," the department said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the contested shoal. What's At Stake? The Philippines has maintained a contingent of marines and naval personnel aboard the marooned BRP Sierra Madre off the disputed shoal since the 1990s. China claimed the shoal off the western Philippines as its territory and surrounded the atoll with coast guard and navy vessels to enforce its claims and prevent the Philippines from resupplying their troops and fortifying their position. 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 Ren'ai Reef," the name Beijing uses for Second Thomas Shoal. A Chinese official blamed the Philippines, who he said deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard ship. The United States has said it stands with the Philippines in accordance with international law. Second Thomas Shoal is also claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei as it is a major global trade route and is believed to be sitting on a fortune in undersea oil and gas deposits. (Photo : Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Jennifer Crumbley, the mother of Oxford School shooter Ethan Crumbley, enters Oakland County Court for the fifth day of her trial on four counts of involuntary manslaughter on January 31, 2024 in Pontiac, Michigan. With jury selection for James Crumbley's involuntary manslaughter trial set to begin on Tuesday, experts say that his day in court will likely resemble his already convicted wife's "to a significant extent." James and Jennifer Crumbley were each charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter after their son, Ethan, killed four classmates and injured seven others at Oxford High School in a November 2021 shooting. Michigan prosecutors' decision to charge a school shooter's parents with homicide-level crimes is unprecedented but many advocates believe this could prove to be an effective strategy for combating the country's mass shooting epidemic. Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty on all four counts of involuntary manslaughter last month and could face up to 15 years in prison. James Crumbley's trial bears many structural similarities to his wifes - with the same judge and prosecutors - but experts do expect there to be some distinctions in the proceedings. "This is going to resemble Jennifer Crumbley's trial to a significant extent," Jessica Roth, a professor at Cardozo Law School at Yeshiva University told the Washington Post. "A lot of the important evidence is going to be the same across the two trials, including the evidence that points to the parents' awareness that their son posed a danger." Some observers however have argued that James could fare better than his wife because he appears to have expressed more genuine remorse than her. "The father might be more sympathetic than the mom because he seemed more devastated about what the son had done - you could see that in some of the videotapes of the police interviews," Michigan attorney Mark Chutkow told the Washington Post. On the other hand, James was the parent with gun expertise. During Jennifer's trial, her attorneys argued that James was responsible for securing the family's firearms, according to ABC News. James purchased a firearm for Ethan and had taken him to shooting ranges before he attacked his classmates. Prosecutors allege that the Crumbleys made little effort to secure the firearms - leaving them in a gun safe where the passcode was 0-0-0-0. Ethan even sent a friend a video where he was holding one of his father's guns, accompanied by a text which read, "my dad left it out so I thought 'Why not' lol," ABC News reported. Just hours before Ethan killed his classmates, his parents were called into the school to meet with a teacher. Ethan had drawn a gun and a bullet-ridden body on a math assignment, accompanied by the words "The thoughts won't stop. Help me." During their meeting with several school officials, the Crumbley's expressed concern but did not mention that they had purchased a firearm for Ethan. Later that day - after the shooting already occurred - James made a panicked 911 call. "I have a missing gun at my house," he said. "I raced home just to, like, find out, and I think my son took the gun. I don't know if it's him. I don't know what's going on. I'm, like, really freaking out." Director Guy Ritchie is serving up a new Netflix series, and it's not what you would normally expect from a Guy Ritchie hero. "The Gentleman" is a captivating mix of menacing thriller, satire, soap opera, gangster caper, and absurdist humor, according to a review by The Associated Press. It delivers its fair share of violence and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. "Like 'Jaws,'" says cast member Max Beesley. "You don't see that shark for an hour and a quarter of the film. But the idea of it is terrifying, you know? And I think that's quite clever." "The Gentlemen" is described as a British take on "Breaking Bad." The series follows an English aristocrat who inherits his family's asset-rich but cash-poor estate and farm only to discover that it also houses a massive secret weed farm run by gangsters. Simultaneously, he urgently looks for ways to bail his eccentric older brother out of massive debt to even more gangsters. How the main character navigates the criminal underworld is viewed throughout eight episodes. "Without knowing it, you have stepped into a world that you are not familiar with," he is told. With Theo James cast as the duke, he says he loved the "idea of a man falling down a rabbit hole and learning to love violence and power and what that means." James says, "He thinks he knows power because he's been in the army and he's part of the aristocracy, but he realizes power comes in many different forms." The series presents Ritchie's typical examinations of criminality, but instead, it's less frantic than his films in the past. "We're used to seeing Guy Ritchie in 90 minutes - it's hard cuts and bombastic, which this is. But we had to make sure that we had characters that felt that they could live through eight episodes and beyond," says James. The AP mentions Ritchie's series is a spin-off from his 2019 film of the same name and features con jobs, a man dancing in a chicken suit, the always-welcome presence of Vinnie Jones, manic murder chases, gagged hostages, a Lamborghini heist, a few beheadings and a soundtrack worthy of religious chants. "We've just been given a much bigger canvas," says Beesley. "The strokes are as thick, the paint is as thick. It's just a multi-multifaceted bit of drama that incorporates everything that I think audiences like - drama, comedy, action. It's all in there." "He's making the point that the British landed gentry aristocracy really are the original gangsters of the British class society," says Daniel Ings, who plays the duke's older brother. "There's kind of like a need to fight for survival in both of those worlds." The show stars Joely Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito, Shane Walker, and Kaya Scodelario. Scodelario plays Susie, a very cool but very no-nonsense underworld captain, who dispenses such captivating phrases as, "Once you start the killing, you have to finish the killing." "It was one of the rare times where I instantly knew I wanted to play this character with every fiber of my being. I kind of loved her immediately and wanted to get under her skin. I just knew that I could bring something to her and that she would be exciting," Scodelario says. The cast hopes the series will find a worldwide audience despite its English roots. "The heart of it for me is that it's a family drama," says Scodelario. "It's all these different families realizing that they all need each other to coexist, and they want to protect their family above everything else. And I think that's just a really interesting narrative." The series begins streaming Thursday. A technical issue on Tuesday caused blackout complications for several hours on social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Messenger. Andy Stone, Head of Communications at Meta, addressed the login problems 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." The Associated Press reported users were locked out of their Facebook accounts and feeds on the platform. Threads and Instagram were experiencing glitches when attempting to refresh, while WhatsApp, also owned by Meta, appeared unaffected. A senior official with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency disclosed that the agency was "not aware of any specific election nexus nor any specific malicious cyber activity nexus to the outage." However, the widespread outage comes ahead of Thursday's deadline for Big Tech companies to comply with the European Union's new Digital Markets Act. To comply, Meta is making changes to its platforms. For one, users will be able to separate their Facebook and Instagram accounts so personal information can no longer be combined to target them with online ads. The last outage in 2021 saw Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp crash for hours. The company explained the problem was due to faulty changes on routers that coordinate network traffic between its data centers. The following year, WhatsApp again experienced a brief shutdown. (Photo : Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) DeSantis said that he was reviewing all options on appeal in a statement released on Tuesday. Federal circuit court judges dealt a partial blow to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' "Stop WOKE" Act, on Monday, striking down restrictions on employers that one judge described as the "greatest First Amendment sin." The Stop WOKE (Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees) Act is part of a slate of recent Florida legislation that largely targets discourse around social issues including race, gender and sexuality. The provision before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals would have banned employers from mandatory workplace training that suggest that people are privileged or oppressed due to their race, gender or national origin. "The ideas targeted in Florida's Individual Freedom Act are embraced in some communities, and despised in others," Donald Trump-appointed-Judge Britt Grant wrote in the ruling. "By limiting its restrictions to a list of ideas designated as offensive, the Act targets speech based on its content. And by barring only speech that endorses any of those ideas, it penalizes certain viewpoints - the greatest First Amendment sin." Among the lawsuit's plaintiffs were the owners of popular wedding registry, Honeyfund.com and the proprietors of several Ben & Jerry's franchises. "We moved Honeyfund to Florida in 2017 because it was known as a business-friendly state. " said CEO Sara Margulis. "Passing laws that seek to squash free speech like HB7 is not only a violation of The First Amendment but is also a losing strategy because businesses serve people of all backgrounds, walks of life, and political views." DeSantis said that he was "reviewing all options on appeal" in a statement released on Tuesday. "We disagree with the Court's opinion that employers can require employees to be taught - as a condition of employment - that one race is morally superior to another race," the statement read. "The First Amendment protects no such thing, and the State of Florida should have every right to protect Floridians from racially hostile workplaces." The decision was celebrated by Protect Democracy, the self-described "nonpartisan, anti-authoritarianism group" that represented the Florida employers in the suit. "Speech codes have no place in American society, and elected officials have no business censoring the speech of business owners simply because they don't agree with what's being expressed," Shalini Goel Agarwal, Protect Democracy counsel wrote in a statement. "Barring employers from engaging in speech that powerful politicians don't like is a move straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Today is a good day for the First Amendment and the ability of American businesses to speak freely." Fine Fettle Chief Operating Officer Ben Zachs said the company's 191 Main St. in Norwalk had its sign installed on March 1, 2024. Contributed Photo/Ben Zachs NORWALK Fine Fettles Chief Operating Officer Ben Zachs said the cannabis company's 191 Main St. location will open between March 20 and March 30, about two weeks later than he estimated last month. The incoming Norwalk recreational cannabis dispensarys huge sign was installed on Friday, signaling the business is approaching its opening, Zachs said. Fine Fettle appears poised to be the first cannabis dispensary to open in Norwalk. Fine Fettle has been racing a second company, Shangri-La Dispensaries, to be the first to open. As of Tuesday morning, the Shangri-La location at 430 Main Ave. had blank banners covering facade signage. Nevil Patel, CEO of Shangri-La, couldn't be immediately reached for comment Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, Fine Fettle is wrapping up the final approvals it needs, Zachs said. We just had our final 100 percent inspection from the DCP, Zachs said Tuesday. The 100 percent inspection is an internal term meaning the last Department of Consumer Protection inspection before a dispensary will receive its final license, DCP Communications Director Kaitlyn Krasselt said. A 100 percent inspection means theyve completed the build and weve completed the final inspection, Krasselt said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The 100 percent inspection is the final check-in the DCP conducts after a series of inspections conducted throughout the building process to make sure a dispensary is on-track for completion and not missing and steps, Krasselt said. Zachs said that the business awaits a temporary certificate of occupancy from the city. That certificate is one of the last steps, among other paperwork, before a final license is granted, Krasselt said. She couldnt comment on all of the next steps, but noted that Fine Fettle has several businesses open, (and) they know the process. Fine Fettle has dispensaries open in Manchester, Newington, Old Saybrook, Stamford, and Willimantic, among others in Massachusetts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Zachs said as the months end approaches, decor is being finalized as the store builds up inventory and hires its final employees. We have one to two more positions were finalizing, Zachs said. Zachs said in November that the company was looking to hire Norwalk locals to combat the harms of the war on drugs; he said the company has about five Norwalk residents on staff. Last month, Zachs said Fine Fettle has been bulking up its inventory to make sure that the dispensary will offer a close-to-full menu when it welcomes its first Norwalkers amid a statewide cannabis flower shortage. An image from video shows Connecticut State Police responding to a home on Meadow Road in Bolton and communicating with a man armed with a knife in the home. Connecticut State Police Connecticut State Police on scene on Meadow Road, part of a large presence of police March 1, 2024, in Bolton. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media BOLTON Video released Tuesday by the state's Inspector General shows a Connecticut State Police trooper shooting a 29-year-old man who was holding a knife after authorities responded to a request for a welfare check at the Meadow Road address Friday afternoon. The man, identified as Maxim Nowak, is being treated at a hospital, according to a preliminary report issued by Inspector General Robert Devlin. Nowak was "experiencing a mental health crisis" and was threatening to harm himself and others and was waving a knife before police arrived, Devlin said in the report. The trooper who fired several shots at Nowak was identified as Trooper Brian Contenta, who repeatedly told the Bolton man to drop the weapon by saying, "come on buddy, let's not do this." Footage from Contenta's body camera shows him shooting at Nowak repeatedly. It is unclear whether Nowak was threatening anyone within reach with the knife when Contenta fired. Contenta, who has been a trooper since 2010, has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, state police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WARNING: The police body cam video is graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers State police said in a news release that troopers from Troop K responded to an "assist citizen" call at an address on Meadow Road in Bolton around 2:15 p.m. Friday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Contenta appeared to know Nowak, based on what the trooper said during the encounter, his body camera video showed. Troopers Doug Bernier and Wendy Garcia-Campos also had responded and were inside the residence as Contenta was telling Nowak to drop the knives he was holding in what appeared to be the doorway of the kitchen area of the house, the video showed. Contenta can be heard repeatedly saying, "please drop the knife, you know me buddy, come on buddy, let's not do this," the video shows. At one point, Bernier pulled out a Taser and threatens to use the weapon on Nowak, who can be heard yelling for him to drop the Taser as the 29-year-old is holding a knife in each hand. Contenta fired repeatedly when Nowak made a twirling motion with one of the knives just as Bernier announced he was going to use his Taser on the Bolton man, the video shows. No one else in the surrounding area was injured and there was no treat to the public, state police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State Trooper Brian North stands with his defense attorney Frank Riccio in Connecticut Superior Court on the second day of his trial in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State police Sgt. Kevin Duggan holds up a box containing State Trooper Brian Norths gun as it is introduced into evidence on the second day of Norths trial in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State police Sgt. Kevin Duggan holds up a bag containing a bullet projectile, taken from the body of Mubarak Soulemane, as it is introduced into evidence on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Assistant State Attorney Andrew Slitt questions a witness on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State police Sgt. Kevin Duggan is sworn in before testifying on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Norwalk police Officer Daniel Vazquez is sworn in before testifying on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Defense attorney Frank Riccio points to a screen displaying security camera footage, presented as evidence on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State police Lt. Stephen Samson is sworn in before testifying on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media Daniel Green, a Lyft driver, is sworn in before testifying on the second day of state Trooper Brian Norths trial in Connecticut Superior Court in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State Trooper Brian North, right, speaks with his defense attorney Frank Riccio in Connecticut Superior Court on the second day of his trial in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media State Trooper Brian North, right, speaks with his defense attorney Frank Riccio in Connecticut Superior Court on the second day of his trial in Milford March 5, 2024. North is charged with manslaughter for shooting 19-year-old Mubarak Soulemane in January 2020 in West Haven after a chase from Norwalk on Interstate 95. Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media MILFORD Two different men pulled guns during incidents involving Mubarak Soulemane on Jan. 15, 2020, prior to his fatal shooting by state Trooper Brian North in West Haven, a jury heard Tuesday. The first was a rideshare driver whose vehicle was stolen by Soulemane in Norwalk before the 19-year-old, whose family said he suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, led police on a chase up Interstate 95. The second was a Norwalk cop who responded to the area while Soulemane was stealing the rideshare drivers vehicle. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They were called to the witness stand on the second day of testimony in Norths trial on a single count of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm in connection with the Jan. 15, 2020, shooting on Campbell Avenue. The Lyft driver, Daniel Green, testified that he was afraid for his life during the incident. Green said he stopped his vehicle at a gas station after Soulemane slapped him in the head about a block away from where Green had picked him up, an AT&T store where Soulemane had alarmed employees and shown a knife. Green said he pulled a legally owned pistol he was carrying and got out of his car, then tried to order Soulemane out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad You were scared for your life? Norths lawyer, Frank Riccio, asked. One hundred percent, Green said. While Green was standing outside the car, a Norwalk police officer who had been dispatched to the area, Daniel Vazquez, pulled up and also pulled his gun. But Soulemane calmly got out of the rear of Greens Hyundai Sonata, got into the drivers seat, and left. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He looked at the officer, smiled, and just drove away, Green said earlier while being questioned by Inspector General Robert Devlin. North, the first Connecticut law enforcement officer charged in a fatal on-duty shooting in nearly two decades, rejected a plea offer in the case calling for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, with a right to argue for less time behind bars. Following Green to the stand Tuesday morning was Vazquez, who said he couldnt recall exactly when he drew his weapon during the call. He said he had the weapon drawn when approaching Green, but pure instinct told him the Lyft driver wasnt a threat, so he pointed his gun down in a low ready position. After Soulemane drove off, he and other Norwalk officers chased the vehicle onto the Route 7 connector, but broke off the pursuit as Soulemane drove onto I-95. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police witnesses on Monday described confusion over whether the theft was a carjacking and whether the chase was warranted. After Vazquez left the stand Tuesday, Lt. Stephen Samson from the Connecticut State Police testified about the policies and procedures regarding pursuits and deadly force that were in place at the time of the incident. Devlins second chair in the case, Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Andrew Slitt, had Samson read excerpts from the policies such as one prohibiting pursuits for nonviolent crimes absent articulable exigent circumstances. He was followed by Sgt. Kevin Duggan, who documented the scene and collected evidence following the fatal shooting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the courts morning recess, the judge dismissed one of the six jurors hearing testimony after saying he noticed the juror getting tired during the trial. One of the three alternate jurors was sworn in as a replacement. Devlin and Riccio later said they had agreed on with the dismissal. Slitt then introduced into evidence the bullets that North fired at Soulemane. Duggan noted three of the projectiles were taken from Soulemanes body during an autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. He held up containers holding the bullets to the jury as pictures of them were shown on a screen. Duggan also was on the stand to authenticate CDs containing video footage from body cameras and cruisers from North and other state troopers, but Slitt said the videos wouldnt be played until later in the trial. The prosecutor also moved several other items from the scene into evidence, such as a collapsible baton, a Taser wire, and a Taser that had been carried by one of the other troopers at the scene, Joshua Jackson. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Minutes before the court broke for lunch at 1 p.m., Duggan showed jurors Norths service weapon, a Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol that was seized by police the night of the shooting, describing how it worked. After the break, Slitt introduced the bloodstained T-shirt Soulemane had been wearing, which had been cut down the front by medical personnel during lifesaving efforts. Duggan held up the shirt for the jury to see, but by a pretrial order from the trial judge, H. Gordon Hall, photography of the shirt was not permitted in the courtroom. Duggan also showed the winter jacket Soulemane was wearing to the jury, pointing out four defects two in the chest area and two in the left arm where he said police believed bullets had hit it. The jury also was shown pictures from the scene of the incident, with the stolen Lyft surrounded by Norths and Jacksons cruisers, as well as a vehicle Soulemane had rear-ended after getting off the highway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Several shell casings and fired bullets also were recovered, Duggan testified, describing pictures that depicted the ammunition. Other photographs depicted the sidewalk, littered with used first aid equipment, where troopers and emergency medical personnel treated Soulemane before he was taken to the hospital. A picture of North taken at the hospital where he had been taken afterward also was shown, showing him in his uniform. Pictures from the scene also showed the knife Soulemane had on him at the time, which he had taken from a knife block in his girlfriends kitchen, she testified Monday. Devlin began the trial by calling family and friends of Soulemane to the stand who recalled the 19-year-olds struggles with mental illness. In his cross-examination Tuesday afternoon, Riccio asked Duggan about the Taser used on Soulemane. Evidence showed one of the two probes from the Taser was on the car seat, and Soulemanes jacket may have prevented the Taser from working. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Is it fair to assume that that Taser had no effect? Riccio asked. Correct, it had no effect, Duggan replied. Witnesses on Monday also testified about the run-up to the fatal shooting, including Soulemane acting erratically in the Norwalk AT&T store before he stole the Lyft drivers car. A tense atmosphere is expected for the trial, and more than 30 people filled the courtrooms public gallery Monday and Tuesday, including several members of Soulemanes and Norths families, as well as several state troopers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cycas Hospitality today announced three, senior appointments to further strengthen the hotel management company's leadership team, as it continues its expansion across Europe. Keith Griffiths has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer and joins Cycas Hospitality following a series of senior leadership roles, including as CEO of Atlas and Starboard Hotels. Griffiths will lead the operational divisions across the UK & Ireland alongside Julia Harnischfeger recently appointed to oversee the operational direction of the continental European portfolio. Griffiths said: "Cycas is an outstanding company with a stunning portfolio of branded and independent properties. I'm very much looking forward to helping achieve Cycas' ambitious goals for hotel performance, talent development and further growth." Cycas Hospitality Chief Executive Officer, Matt Luscombe, said: "I am incredibly proud to welcome Keith, Rosa and Jason to Cycas Hospitality. They are accomplished industry leaders who will make a huge difference to Cycas, our hotels and our investment partners. Moreover, they are incredible leaders, whose values align fully with ours to help Cycas continue to build and develop the strongest hospitality team in Europe." Cycas Hospitality today announced three, senior appointments to further strengthen the hotel management company's leadership team, as it continues its expansion across Europe. Rosa Ceparano joins Cycas as Chief Financial Officer, leading a team of over 60 Finance and IT specialists across Europe. Based in Amsterdam and having formerly held positions at Hotel Co 51 and Vastint Hospitality, Rosa brings exceptional hotel operational finance experience to her new role. Ceparano added: "I am thrilled to be joining Cycas Hospitality as Chief Financial Officer, as the company continues its impressive growth across Europe. I am very excited by the market & sector opportunities and to help achieve the company's next chapter of growth and transformation by superior financial and operational execution in the years ahead." Cycas Hospitality Chief Executive Officer, Matt Luscombe, said: "I am incredibly proud to welcome Keith, Rosa and Jason to Cycas Hospitality. They are accomplished industry leaders who will make a huge difference to Cycas, our hotels and our investment partners. Moreover, they are incredible leaders, whose values align fully with ours to help Cycas continue to build and develop the strongest hospitality team in Europe." Your career has a big impact on your future. It will shape your identity, personal fulfillment, lifestyle, income, family, and retirement. Dont let the opinions or expectations of others sway your decision-making. Ultimately, choosing a career is solely down to you. In this article we explain how to decide on a future job, what questions to ask yourself when choosing a career and what factors to consider when weighing up the options so that you make the best informed decision for your future. Choosing a career in 4 easy steps Choosing a career can be categorized into 4 steps that are easy to accomplish in a matter of hours. The first pertains to self-reflection; The second step involves assessing your current skills and education; The third step involves setting the criteria for your job search based on what kind of lifestyle you want a career to give you; The last step is looking at what positions are available in the current employment market and how that can fit in with the desires and needs realized in the prior steps. It's important to remember that you can change your career path at any age and at any time of life. It's never too late for a change in direction, upskilling or re-skilling in a related or completely different field. Anything is possible! Things to do when you can't decide on a career It can be frustrating when you haven't landed on a solid career path which is holding you back from taking action towards reaching it. This is common and it has a name - decision paralysis - this phenomenon occurs when you have multiple options with different outcomes that are difficult to compare to one another. When tasks feel too complex and overwhelming, it's more psychologically comforting to do nothing at all. What can you do to overcome decision paralysis? Implement a decision-making framework (like the 10 questions below!) Don't consider too many options at once Set yourself deadlines Use data Get a second opinion Accept that mistakes happen and there may not be a perfect decision In addition to the 10 questions below which will help you gain a better understanding of your perfect career path, the Ikigai framework might also be helpful to you. Ikigai is the concept of seeking a deeper understanding of what motivates you. An Ikigai chart is essentially a complex Venn diagram, where you categorise four aspects of your life: passion, skills, contribution, and world view. The middle intersection of these four key components is where you will find your ikigai. The purpose of life is a life of purpose. Robert Byrne Interests, Values & Personality traits 1. What are my interests? The activities you enjoy doing in your free time can give you insights into careers that would be satisfying and fulfilling for you. To figure out your interests, ask yourself: What hobbies do I enjoy? Do I prefer spending time indoors or outdoors? Do I enjoy working with people, animals, data, or, books? What activities would I miss the most if I could no longer do them? 2. What are my values? Everyone has values or things that are important to them, such as financial security, social justice, or work-life balance. These values can help you decide what type of career to pursue. Here for instance, consider a job that pays well if you value financial security, and consider the type of hours you'd like to work to achieve work-life balance and what career may offer that to you. To kickstart your career exploration, take some time to envision your future. Jot down a list of your top priorities and aspirations to guide you on the path towards finding the perfect career fit. Envision what you would like your life to look like in 20, 30 and 40 year's time. This will help you establish your personal goals and guide you towards a career that can help you achieve them. 3. What is my personality? Your personality is the way you think, feel, and behave. It can be an important factor in guiding you toward a specific career, so consider several aspects of your personality as you reflect on your future. Are you a leader or a follower? Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Do you prefer to cooperate or compete with others? Do you enjoy helping others or prefer to empower them to do things themselves? Are you a thinker who focuses on ideas or are you a doer who takes action? Are you a creative and artistic person or do you thrive with structure and routine? Skills, Attributes & Education 4. What are my skills? Right now, you already possess skills that can help you succeed in the future. Think about your hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills - skills youve acquired through study, such as culinary arts or computer programming. Soft skills - the people and life skills you possess, including empathy, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. Remember, skills can be developed and new skills can be learned at any stage of life, so don't let a lack of skills put you off a certain career path. Let the existing skills you have guide you. Whether you require further skill development or not will be the next challenge. 5. What are my talents and strengths? From childhood, you have demonstrated talents and strengths that make you unique, these qualities can help you succeed in your chosen career. In fact, Sir Ken Robinson, author of The Element, Out of Our Minds, says that: You owe it to yourself to ensure that theres some part of your day or week when youre doing what comes most naturally to you and makes you feel at your most centered and authentic. If you don't know your talents and strengths, make a list of everything youre good at doing. Your family members, friends, teachers, boss, and mentors can help you write this list that you will use to narrow down potential careers. 6. What education or training do I need? Certain careers require advanced education and financial investment. For example, you may need eight to 12 years of education and training to be a doctor, but you could earn a hospitality management bachelor in four years. Think about the time and money required to pursue a career as you make your decision. If you already have these hard skills but feel as though you are missing a piece of the puzzle, soft skills such as effective communication, are highly sought after in leadership positions in the hospitality industry. Skills such as communication, leadership, critical thinking, organization, follow through, cultural competency, flexibility, and customer service, just to name a few. According to Daniel Ciapponi, a Senior Lecturer at EHL, these soft skills are currently missing in hospitality in what he describes as a Skills Gap. Therefore, developing and honing these skills will give any candidate a competitive edge. As a general rule, although there are exceptions, the higher the salary bracket, the higher the education level is required. However, any career path is worthy of such time and financial investment, but you have to decide whether it is worth it to you. Salary & Lifestyle 7. How much money do I want to make? Different careers provide different monetary rewards. Even though salary shouldnt be the main factor in choosing a career, your paycheck can play a role in your quality of life and where you live. Consider your earning potential and how important salary is to you as you narrow down your career options. 8. Where do I want to live? Some jobs are more readily accessible while others can only be performed in certain locations. For example, you will probably need to live in a rural location if you choose to work as a park ranger or farmer, and you may want to live near an urban area if you plan to pursue a finance or fashion career. Plan carefully to ensure you can work where you want to live - and vice versa. Availability & Competition 9. Are there jobs available in this career? LinkedIn publishes stats on the most in-demand jobs globally, for a number of years demand for software personnel has dominated the list however LinkedIn are reporting a shift towards customer-facing roles. Many of these positions, such as retail salesperson, store manager, and cashier, require face-to-face interactions, reflecting the current trend of customer service as a highly sought-after skill and the increased value placed on in-person work post-pandemic. Cashiers, in particular, may experience a surge in demand as more people push back against self-checkout technology. People with customer service skills might also want to consider a career in the hospitality sector. The labor shortage in the hospitality industry inflicted by fluctuations in demand and poor staff retention rates in a historically undesirable sector seems to be turning around. Whilst the industry is desperately trying to attract new talent to the industry to plug the shortfall, it presents a perfect opportunity for young graduates to bag themselves better working conditions such as work-life balance, paid leave and higher salaries. While you dont have to work in one of these popular occupations, you should consider the potential job availability in your future career field. The travel and tourism sector is estimated to reach revenue of US$927.30bn in 2024 supported by 430 million jobs in 2023. Another trend is the demand for healthcare professionals, ranging from carers to sonographers, it's clear the need for those with an affinity for hospitality and the desire to help others is on the up. READ MORE All Your Questions Answered 9 places where you can actually study Top 10 best countries to study abroad 2023 Global Rankings Why Study Abroad? 10. How competitive is this career path? Choosing a competitive career path isn't to be automatically shunned. A career path which is competitive by nature means there must be a rich reward for those who are successful in attaining the post and therefore it is a worthwhile pursuit. You must, however, weigh up the risk vs reward. Are you prepared to accept rejection and failure countless times before you're accepted? Are you prepared to jump through as many hoops as required to reach this goal, such as further education, gaining internships and real-world work experience, and often extensive application and interview processes? If the answer is yes, then you probably have what it takes! Over to you to choose the right career path for you! By gaining insight into your interests, values, personality traits, skills, talents, and education requirements, you have taken a significant step towards finding a career path that aligns with your true self. Armed with this newfound self-awareness, you are now equipped to navigate the vast sea of possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. Embrace the clarity that comes from self-reflection and introspection, for it is the key to unlocking your full potential. With some audacity and ambition, you can boldly chart a course towards a future that is as fulfilling as it is rewarding. Remember, the journey to finding the perfect career is a personal one, and only you can determine the path that is right for you. The future is yours! About EHL Group EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector. With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com EHL Hospitality Business School Communications Department +41 21 785 1354 EHL View source Berlin, Germany Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailands leading hotel operator, returns to ITB Berlin this week to reveal its latest news, developments and expansion plans to the worlds travel trade. Having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023, the company is now embarking on a sustainable strategy that will introduce its unique style of family-centric hospitality to multiple new markets, as it strives to become one of the planets top 100 hotel operators by 2027. At present, Centara has a global portfolio of 95 hotels and resorts either operating or in the pipeline, covering 12 countries and six diverse brands: Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life, and COSI. The company celebrated several new openings last year, including the 515-key Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, which marked the groups debut in Japan, and the 224-key Centara Ayutthaya, which reaffirmed its leading position in Thailand. Moving forward, Centara will accelerate its growth strategy with a series of exciting new hotels and resorts. This expansion commences this month with the 100-key COSI Vientiane Nam Phu, Laos, which becomes the first location outside Thailand for COSI, the affordable lifestyle brand. Other new openings in 2024 will include the 145-key Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, a bright and fun-filled retreat with an underwater theme that will build on the success of Centaras Mirage themed family resorts in Thailand, Vietnam and Dubai. Nestled in the pristine North Male Atoll, it will form part of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a brand-new multi-island wonderland that will also feature Centara Grand Lagoon Resort Maldives, a haven of sophisticated tranquility which is scheduled to open in early 2025. Following the success of Centara Reserve Samui, which became the inaugural resort under the luxury Centara Reserve brand in 2021, Centara is now planning to introduce this award-winning concept to even more dream destinations across Asia. Meanwhile, the newly-reimagined Centara Life brand (formerly known as Centra by Centara) will start Elevating the Essentials in key cities and resorts in Thailand and beyond. Guests can already experience eight vibrant Centara Life properties including Centara Life Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon which opened last year and will soon be able to check into Centara Life Lamai Resort Samui, the newest hotel in the collection - set to open this July. Finally, two of the groups flagship properties, Centara Karon Resort Phuket and Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, will be fully renovated by the end of 2024. Every aspect of Centaras development will be undertaken in a responsible and sustainable manner. The group is working towards several important environmental targets, including the elimination of single-use plastic by 2025, achieving Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for all its properties by 2025, a 20% reduction in energy, waste, water and greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and overall net zero emissions by 2050. We are delighted to return to ITB Berlin and meet our esteemed travel trade friends and colleagues. Centara has a proud heritage built upon 40 years of warm, genuine hospitality inspired by Thai family values. Moving ahead, we will build upon this legacy and launch in new global markets with an ambitious expansion strategy that will position us for an exciting new era. We look forward to providing our travel industry and media partners with updates on all our ground-breaking new developments in 2024. Michael Henssler, Centaras Chief Operating Officer Centara is at ITB Berlin from 5th 7th March 2024, with a main booth in Hall 26, Stand 223. Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai and Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, Maldives also have dedicated booths. For more information and to plan your visit, please visit www.itb.com. To learn more about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com. Any marketing content that describes your product - in this case your hotel - must be original, authentic, enticing and believable. Your marketing content should tell a consistent "story" about your hotel's value proposition and brand, and inspire travelers to consider and eventually book your property. This is marketing 101. This rule applies to your website copy and descriptions, OTA and directory listings, social media posts, digital marketing messaging, etc. If it is not, then you are hurting yourself by alienating your prospective guests and sending them to the competition. Today we are dealing with digitally-savvy, experienced travelers. The prevailing thinking is: If the hotel hasn't invested in describing well their property, services and amenities so that I feel intrigued and engaged, just imagine what state the property itself is in! In the same time, creating this original, authentic, enticing and believable marketing content is expensive. You need professional storytellers - copywriters who are expensive to employ or hire - to tell the hotel story. The question is, can hoteliers replace human content creators with generative AI-created marketing content, using AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Google Gemini? Adam Mogelonsky Partner at Hotel Mogel Consulting Ltd. Yes and no. A good comparison to rationalize how GPTs will be used by hotel marketers is to look back at the advent of front-end CMSs and visual composers for websites. Not only did these greatly reduce the costs of website development and updates, but now marketers could directly make simple edits on the fly, allowing them to test different copy / images. In each case, the marketer was observing how customers were responding to the presentation, then looking for +/- results. GPTs will work the same way, only it will be the computer doing the observing / readjusting, with humans regulated to oversight (strategic direction). This is the 'yes' answer; AI will be used to optimize hotel marketing material. The 'no' comes in due to the content arms race that GPTs will bring about through its democratized (read: cheap) access. Going back to our historic example, once the first hotel websites installed a CMS, it wasn't long before the competition built their own and other marketers had access to the same quick-edit tools. So, there will be brands that are the early adopters of content GPTs, but then the floodgates will open and the field will eventually level back out. Frederic Gonzalo Travel & Hospitality expert. Digital Marketing & Strategy Speaker and Consultant Tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini are phenomenal copywriters and should be used as enablers, tools to make our work easier, quicker, and more creative. Thus, it's not a matter of hoteliers "replacing" content creators with generative AI tools but rather making the most of them to become more productive and efficient. I have seen many hoteliers, restaurants and DMO use these tools to rework existing pages, create new social media posts or gather ideas for original newsletters or blog posts. Not to mention the possibility to analyze sentiment in online reviews and even generate original responses to comments left on Google Reviews, Expedia or Booking. Hoteliers can sometines get caught in a rut or even copy-paste answers in their customer emails or responses to online reviews, so this is another area where genAI can prove useful. Again, not replacing humans or content creators, but rather enabling them to do work more creatively and efficiently. Yes, these tools can provide a significant degree of heavy lifting. With a little more training and relevant targeted content these tools can also pick up on levels of nuance and style. Although care should be taken to ensure that the produced information is not in some ways plagiarized from the existing reference pool of content. Simone Puorto Founder | CEO | Futurist Short answer: Yes.Long answer: Faced with the threat of human obsolescence in the creative sector, I believe the considerations I have previously expressed regarding the future of hospitality also apply to content creation. In an article titled "The Hotels of the Future: Anthropocentric, Technocentric, and Hybrid," I discussed the possibility that, in the near future, three types of hotels might coexist, differentiated not by stars or reputation but by the percentage of biological staff employed. This perspective offers an intriguing parallel with the content creation sector, where I believe two likely scenarios will emerge: on one hand, content produced entirely by humans could become a luxury ("Human-as-Luxury"), sought after for its authenticity and intrinsic value, similarly to the contemporary appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. On the other hand, the figure of the content "creator-as-director" emerges, who utilizes artificial intelligence models to execute content, thereby redesigning the human role from creator to project manager. This discussion is more easily understandable, I believe, by looking at the world of art (which is the purest and least vile form of content creation)... Related article by Simone Puorto Any marketing content that describes your product in this case your hotel should be original, authentic, enticing, and believable. Marketing content needs to tell a consistent "story" about your hotel's value proposition and brand, and inspire travelers to consider and eventually book your property vs. your competition this is marketing 101. If messaging isn't authentic and consistent, you will alienate your prospective guests and end up sending them to the competition. Today we are dealing with digitally-savvy, experienced travelers. The prevailing thinking is: If the hotel hasn't invested in describing their property, services, and amenities well so that I feel intrigued and engaged, just imagine what state the property itself is in! At the same time, creating this original, authentic, enticing, and believable content is expensive. You need professional storytellers copywriters who are expensive to employ or hire to tell the hotel story. Right now, AI won't completely cut it. But soon, it could! The question currently isn't will ChatGPT replace existing marketing efforts? but can hoteliers augment their existing, human-powered marketing efforts? I think yes. Ryan Haynes Director/Lead Consultant at Haynes MarComs Ltd Based on the potential of ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Sora for video, yes - hoteliers could replace human content creators. But to ensure quality and relevance, they'd still require someone to act as a gatekeeper, particularly as the technology continues to be refined. The key to productive AI is the data you feed it. The brief you provide, the parameters you set, and how you refine your instructions will determine the quality of the output. Feed an AI program with guest reviews and feedback, property and local area information, plus clear brand guidelines and tone of voice instructions, and you'll get speedy results a creative copywriter would need to spend days researching. Imagine describing your hotel through all the positive attributes commended by your guests, drawing on the nuances of what guests think makes your property great. That's where this tech has the edge over human creators. However, there'll still be the need to tweak the text - and you've got to understand how to produce good content to be able to construct a solid brief, so it's not the death of creative humans just yet. Ross McAlpine Director, CRM at EOS Hospitality At EOS Hospitality we encourage using generative AI for content creation and emphasize to our marketing teams that AI is not there to "steal your job" but can help create content quickly and at scale. We use AI for content creation across multiple marketing channels (website, email, social, print) but it still requires human review and approval. Humans will remain pivotal because AI can't possibly take all the situational factors, historical performance, competitive landscape and institutional knowledge of a hotel into account when creating and distributing marketing content. It does shorten the timeline to produce good content, which is a major reason why we use it. One of the best examples is email subject line testing where AI can produce 3-5 subject lines that meet best practices, perform well and are a perfect basis for A/B testing. Let's also remember that the industry continues to face a labor shortage and pressure on marketing budgets in the uncertain economic climate post-covid. So any technology that lightens the work load should be embraced as it frees marketing talent to concentrate on areas that have the biggest impact on hotel performance such as brand development, marketing planning and delivering great guest experiences. Tim Peter Founder & President, Tim Peter & Associates Hotel marketers absolutely must use generative AI as part of their content development process. Doing otherwise today would be like trying to run your hotel without a property management system: it can probably be done; but it's a terrible idea. Can you imagine OTAs or the very best marketers not using every available benefit to improve guest experience? Of course not. At the same time, this isn't about replacing people with technology. It's about using tools to help your team create helpful, effective content easily and inexpensively. How your team uses those tools must be informed by strategy. And that strategy must include appropriate governance to ensure that the information produced by genAI meets well-defined standards for accuracy and adherence to your brand's values. In other words, you must put the people and processes in place to make sure genAI works for your guests and your business. This isn't hard. It's also not terribly time consuming. "Easy and fast" are among the benefits AI provides. The time to ask the question about whether to use generative AI is already past us. The questions now are how to do it well within your organization and how soon you can get started. Related article by Tim Peter Linchi Kwok Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona I expect AI will eventually replace human-created hotel marketing content in just a few years. Yet, will it be the next two or three generations of ChatGPT or even a more revolutionary AI tool other than ChatGPT? That is another question. It is true that customers value and appreciate customized content tailored to their specific interests. Still, a reliable human content manager needs months or years to learn/understand a brand's "story" and identity. Why can't AI "understand" a hotel brand's "story" and identity through deep learning? Don't forget that learning is in AI's DNA. AI can also become a professional storyteller through "learning," but at a much faster pace than humans. Before AI is "mature" enough to do everything independently (like now), hotels must train managers to use generative AI as their "personal assistants," helping them create marketing content. When AI is "mature" enough (in the future), hotels can train AI to create authentic content that speaks for a brand. Effective use of Generative AI undeniably expedites tasks, automating and amplifying the reach of marketing. GenAI excels at content creation and can aid hoteliers in crafting marketing content and structure. It can easily provide updated information to position a particular hotel in a particular city with suggestions of nearby attractions and places to visit. This generative content can be captured and catalogued neatly, considering style, and even translated into multiple languages. However human intelligence is required to give the appropriate requests, specific instructions, and contextual directions. AI needs to be guided with elements such as brand tone, target audience needs and cultural sensitivity. Although AI is unlikely to replace humans entirely, those who fail to strike the right balance between AI and human intelligence risk falling behind. The optimal approach involves integrating AI's efficiency with human creativity and intuition, thereby ensuring that marketing content captivates audiences while maximising productivity. 100%. It will eliminate 90% of the job so less people can help more client, net effect, jobs lost. Here is why: A) Human Content Creators USE AGI to create their content, then give it a fine tune. So they can take on more clients. B) Hotels do not require a full time resource anymore but have a much larger talent accessibility now as they can find contractors to work on a needed basis. The can now Hire "A" C) Hotels who never had a marketing department can now do most themselves and be the "fine tuner" at the end Max Starkov Hospitality & Online Travel Tech Consultant Trumbull Marriott Shelton Hotel CBRE Hotels is the exclusive agent acting for the court-ordered receiver regarding the solicitation of offers to purchase the fee simple interest in the 325-room Trumbull Marriott Shelton. The Hotel is located at the intersection of the Merrit Parkway (CT-15) and CT-8 at 180 Hawley Lane in Trumbull, Connecticut. The Property is equidistant from Norwalk to the southwest and New Haven to the northeast and is less than two hours from New York or one hour from Hartford. It is operated by Marriott but can be delivered free of management with a long term franchise agreement for various Marriott brands including Marriott, Four Points or Delta. The Hotel sits on a near 12-acre site and offers almost 20,000 square feet of meeting space. It has excellent fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, a spacious lobby area alongside well-proportioned public spaces and spacious guestrooms. Last updated in 2008, the Property will benefit from a comprehensive renovation bringing the facilities to the most up-to-date standards. The Property comes with more than $8 million reserve in an escrow account to contribute towards a renovation. This offering provides a tremendous opportunity to acquire one of western Connecticuts most established full-service conference hotels, with the ability to drive upsdie by improving its performance through a comprehensive renovation and converting brand to third-party management. The lodging market is driven by an extensive network of top fortune 500 companies, academic institutions and medical facilities. BIC Corp, Sikorsky, Sacred Heart University and St Vincents Medical Center are just a few of the many lodging users in the area. The Hotels competitive position as one of the leading meeting and event hotels in western Connecticut attracts SMERF and corporate group demand throughout the region between New York and Boston. It has relatively little competition for group, banquet and catering business due to its extensive meeting space and facilities not matched by any hotel between Stamford and New Haven. In 2023, the Hotel had a 57.6% occupancy at a $143.11 ADR, but achieved a fair 78.4% RevPAR penetration, far below its historical norms between 95% and 105% due in part to the tired condition of the asset, distressed situation with the owner and its continuing return of the group segment which is just now fully recovering. Upon completion of the PIP renovation and return of group and corporate demand over the next two to three years, we anticipate the Hotels RevPAR penetration returning to 100%+, resulting in a NOI above $4 million. Investment Highlights Needed Renovation to Drive Performance Marriott International has provided a relicensing PIP as a franchised operation. The scope of the PIP is extensive and calls for upgrades to comply with brand standards throughout the Hotel. The guestrooms, restaurant and meeting space have not been updated in over a decade and would benefit from a fresh, new and proven orientation of the Marriott brand. Additionally, the PIP includes developing an M Club that would not impact current revenue-generating space but help to attract corporate users as well as drive rate, and giving the meeting space a crisper appearance that is needed to attract higher-end banquet and catering busines. Impressive Facilities The five-story, fee-simple Marriott encompasses nearly 12 acres at a vital throughway in southern Connecticut that connects New York City to Boston. Built in 1986, the attractive red brick and glass facade guestroom tower integrates nicely into the bucolic setting, while the extensive groundfloor excellent guest amenities to attract both transient and group guests. Totaling 241,000 square feet, the full-service Marriott has 325 guestrooms, 15 meeting rooms with nearly 20,000 square feet of columnless function space, a large restaurant and bar, a fitness center, full-service gift shop/newsstand and both indoor and outdoor pools. Marriott Brand Management to Franchise/Third-Party Opportunity The Marriott is offered unencumbered by brand management, allowing a potential investor to benefit from income related to management fees and efficiencies gained from third party operating model, operating synergies and potential economies of scale. Marriott has offered alternative brands to core Marriott as well and is open to an buyers ideas and considerations. Attractive Basis This offering represents an opportunity to acquire a suburban, full-service, nationally branded hotel in at a fraction of replacement cost. Further, a buyer will benefit from nearly $8 million of escrowed funds for the renovation, currently held by Marriott. For inquiries visit here. L to R: Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice-President, IHCL and Mr. Jitendra Phulwani, Director, Phulwani Real Estate India Pvt Ltd. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) today announced the signing of a new Vivanta hotel in Madhya Pradeshs ancient pilgrim city of Ujjain. The hotel is a Greenfield project. Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said, This signing is in line with IHCLs strategy of progressively establishing its presence at significant pilgrimage destinations across India. Ujjain, located along the Kshipra River, is known for its religious fairs and ancient temples. A short drive from Indores city centre, this will be our first hotel in the city. We are happy to associate with Phulwani Real Estate India Private Limited for this hotel. The 130-key hotel is strategically located at a comfortable driving distance from Indore airport and is close to the renowned Mahakal Corridor. The hotel will feature an all-day diner, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. It will also offer a sophisticated banqueting space along with meeting rooms, perfect for both corporate gatherings and social events. Mr. Jitendra Phulwani, Director, Phulwani Real Estate India Private Limited said, We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL, Indias leading hospitality company. This hotel will provide guests with the distinctive experience of the spirited Vivanta brand in Ujjain. Ujjain is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage centre, known for the centuries-old Mahakaleshwar Temple, as well as hosting the famous Kumbh Mela every twelve years, where millions of devotees come to visit. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 12 hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands in Madhya Pradesh including 4 under development. Chicago, IL (60637) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A few flurries are possible. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Nearly 60 Central Connecticut State University students were displaced by a dorm fire Monday night. Emily DiSalvo / Hearst Connecticut Media A photo of James Hall. More than 50 students were displaced following a dormitory fire at Central Connecticut State University on Monday night, according to officials. Colin Nickerson / Contributed NEW BRITAIN Colin Nickerson and several of his friends were on their way back to their Central Connecticut State University dormitory from an early dinner when something did not seem right on Monday. "We walked in and we were talking about it smelled like a chemical or something," Nickerson, a senior from Griswold, said. "So, we thought they cleaned the floors." When Nickerson and his friends got back to their rooms, the fire alarm went off. But, this was not something unusually concerning to Nickerson, considering the college dorms have fire drills. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Smoke billowed into the hall after Nickerson had gotten out of the bathroom, which prompted him to alert his suitemates that they needed to get out of the building. "By the time I was able to convince them to come out, our resident assistant was banging on people's doors telling them to get out," Nickerson said. The sprinklers turned on while Nickerson and his roommates were exiting, and outside the building was a scene of complete chaos. Luckily, Nickerson said New Britain fire officials responded quickly and began working to put out the fire as soon as they got into the dorm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a release on Tuesday, CCSU said the fire ignited on F. Don James Hall on Monday around 6 p.m. It said students were evacuated, and the New Britain Fire Department arrived on the scene within two minutes of receiving a call to extinguish the fire. "The buildings sprinkler system kept the fire under control, and several students used their training and pulled the fire alarms to help alert resident students and staff to the situation," it said, saying no students were hurt. Nickerson said by the time students were sent to another on-campus building, chatter began, wondering about the severity of the fire. He said everyone was asking questions, but officials did not have any answers as to whether their belongings were ruined or whether they would be able to go back into their rooms. University President Zulma Toro visited students a few hours later, around 8:15 p.m., and announced they would have about 20 minutes to get belongings, and then would have to evacuate the building again. Advertisement Article continues below this ad CCSU spokesperson Jodi Latina said officials believe the blaze at James Hall was an electrical fire and the state fire marshal was leading the investigation. The fire started on the first floor, she said. Fifty-seven students were displaced by the fire and stayed at a nearby hotel, but other students were able to go back to their rooms, Latina said. She said that buses would be transporting students to campus from the hotel on Tuesday. In its release, the university said students at the hotel received complimentary laundry services, food and transportation. It said the Office of the Provost encouraged faculty and staff to be supportive of the displaced students who might need extra time for assignments and other duties. Students may also reach out to the residence hall assistants and director at James Hall for assistance, the university said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Latina said students living on the second through sixth floors of James Hall were allowed to go back into the dorms. "The university is grateful everyone is safe. The students did exactly what they should in a situation like this, and we are working on making them comfortable in a new space," Toro said. Nickerson, who lives on the first floor, said he stayed the night at a nearby family member's house, but still has many questions. "We're all still waiting on an update," Nickerson said. "For now we aren't sure if or when we'll be able to go back." Hudson, NY (12534) Today Snow showers this morning. Peeks of sunshine later. High 47F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 32F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Interview with the founder of #IRespectMusic Blake Morgan [Chris Castle] Chris Castle interviews #IRespectMusic founder Blake Morgan about the progress being made in Washington DC on the American Music Fairness Act which would finally require payments to performers when their songs are played on the radio. by CHRIS CASTLE of Music Tech Policy Artist, performer, producer, songwriter and label owner Blake Morgan founded the #IRespectMusic campaign, the most successful grass roots advocacy movement in the US focused on overturning the century long injustice that gives broadcasters a free ride on the backs of recording artists. He explains in this interview from Washington, DC. With Senator Marsha Blackburn and Karoline Kramer Gould Blake, youre back in Washington! Tell us what youre there for this time? Having fun and making good trouble back in Washington DC, lecturing at American University and having meetings on and around Capitol Hill in support of the American Music Fairness Act. MTP readers are familiar with the American Music Fairness Act, but for those coming to it for the first time would you tell us a little bit about what the bill promises to do? Sure, the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act (AMFA) would accomplish something remarkable: it guarantees, for the first time, that artists would get paid for radio airplay in The United States. Its shocking to those who still know about this issue: artists dont get paid when their work is played on AM/FM radio in the USA, and we never have been. Shocking, but true. Representative Judy Chu I remember the US is on a shortlist with North Korea, Cuba and Iran, countries who refuse to compensate artists for airplay. Has that changed or do we have any new additions to that list? Thats right. The USA is the only democratic country in the world where artists dont get paid for radio airplay. I believe Cuba does now, and China has moved forward on this issue too, so it may be down to just North Korea, Iranand us! Not a list we want to be on! Who are our opponents on this legislation? Our main opponents are Darth Vader, Lord Voldemort, and their buddies. Im kiddingactually they would be preferable to the truth. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the organization that represents the billion-dollar corporations and radio conglomerates opposing the bill, and its easy to understand why: they just dont want to pay us! Massive corporate conglomerates not wanting to pay working people is a familiar old story, and a regrettable one. But theres another story being told now thats equally familiar: the arc of the universe being long, but bending towards justice. And make no mistake, this is a question of justice. Where else in our free-market economy can your work or property be taken from you without your permission (and you cant opt out from them doing so), then monetized for billions of dollars, and you dont even get paid for it? The NAB says they shouldnt have to pay artists because theyre offering exposure. Well, people die from exposure, folks. I cant pay my electric bill with exposure. My impression is that weve had independent and local stations come supporting the bill so its misleading for the National Association of Broadcasters to say that somehow radio is not behind it or that its bad for local radio do I have that right? Exactly right. Indie stations, local stations, college stationsthese are often if not always run by intense, music-loving folks who not only love music, they love the people who make it. Theres more support amongst these kinds of stations for artist pay for radio airplay than ever before, and part of the reason is the bill itself: the bill has a carve out for small stationsany station grossing less than $1 million a year would pay just $500 annually. That amounts to $1.37 a day. Less than the cost of a Snickers bar! The NAB lies when they say the bill would hurt small stations, plain and simple. SoundExchange says #IRM Do you have visibility on the financial terms of the bill? This is still a case of broadcasters not wanting to pay at all, right? Its not like we want X and they want -X? The broadcasters want zero, correct? So I think the tables have turned recently. The ground has softened under the broadcasters feet, thanks to the grassroots support for the bill. What the broadcasters now seem to want is to trade artist pay for AM/FM radio play for a break on streaming royalties. Theyre essentially saying, Well give you the terrestrial radio royalty which would pay X dollars a year in exchange for a reduction on streaming royalties (iHeart for example) for the same X amount. In other words, theyre offering recompense for the injustice of the past 90 years on AM/FM radio if we agree to a new injustice for the next 90 years. David Byrne So they want to pay us with our own money? Good luck with that, bozos. We will never agree to that. And by the way, if we did, wed be able to make that deal by dinner time tonightso for the first time, were on our front foot in this negotiation and theyre on their back foot. Were the ones not willing to deal if thats the deal on the table. Funny how justice worksits not negotiable. How does Americas failure to pay artists on radio affect your royalties overseas in countries that do pay? Right. So as a result of broadcasters not paying artists for radio airplay here in the United States, other democratic countries are now not paying American artists for radio airplay in their countries. Its a de facto global trade embargo on the USA! Thats how unpopular this position is. And its personal for me toomy partner and label-mate Janita is originally from Finland where shes had a big career since she was a teenager. She became an American citizen in 2013, and when she did, she lost her radio royalties in Finland and around the world. She did what we want here, joining our country and enriching the fabric of our nation as a new citizen, only to be penalized for doing so. Its so outrageous that Rep. Judy Chu (CA) read her story into the Congressional record during hearings on this subject. Again, NAB, wheres the justice? The Dessoff Choirs When you take the #IRespectMusic movement to Capitol Hill what kind of reception are you getting now from legislators? Im happy and honored that so many legislators have expressed how refreshing it is for them to talk to a real middle-class music maker who is free from the ravages of stilted talking points and stale lobbying groups. Im like Han Solo in a sense (you listening, Darth Vader?), I fly in and try to destroy the evil, and fly out with my soul still in tact. Also, its interesting because even in this toxic political climate, this is an almost uniquely bipartisan issue. Those for and against the American Music Fairness Act fall on both sides of the aisle, it doest break down along party lines. So thats refreshing too. It does break down along Im taking money from the NAB lines, if you know what I mean. In other words, lobbying money. Ive nevereven after years of visiting Capitol Hillever met a member of Congress who is morally opposed to artists getting paid for radio airplay. Ever. What Ive encountered from legislators on the one hand is an honest desire to make a positive difference for music makers (and music lovers), and on the other hand, either willful ignorance, indifference, or the aforementioned lobbying-money problem. Joe Perry and Bob Ezrin Tell us a little bit about the MusicFirst coalition. What should we know about that and is there a way for people to respond and help make their voices heard in support of the bill and the #IRespectMusic campaign? You can go to IRespectMusic.org to learn more, and/or to MusicFairnessAction.org, which is MusicFirsts new initiative to support the bill. Music First is on the side of the angels in this fight, and perhaps music makers largest legislative and advocacy organization. When we all work together, pull together, and stand together, were invincible. Thats what we need to do now, more than ever. Weve won so many battles for music makers in recent yearson Capitol Hill and offI feel we must understand that we can and must do so again. For ourselves, for each other, and for American music. Tommy Merrill, Blake Morgan and Janita Share on: Stockbridge Grange Community Dinner STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. Stockbridge Grange is having a community dinner Sunday, March 10, 2024. Corned beef, cabbage, potato, and carrots will be on the menu with dessert choices of chocolate cream or lemon meringue pie. Dinner is $15.00 per person, take out only with 12-1:30 pm pick up at the Stockbridge Grange Hall at 51 Church Street, Stockbridge, MA. Orders may be made by calling 413-243-1298 or 413-443-4352. Reservation deadline Thursday, March 7, 2024. Mass, Vt. Voters Select Presidential Candidates Tuesday NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Voters in Massachusetts and Vermont will be heading to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the presidential primaries. Super Tuesday includes voting in 15 states that will apportion about a third of all delegates to the primary winners. New York State and Connecticut vote on April 2. Massachusetts is a partially open primary in that voters who are enrolled in a party can only vote in that primary but unenrolled voters can choose a Democratic, Libertarian or Republican ballot. Vermont is an open primary state and voters can choose which primary to vote in regardless of party enrollment. Early voting in Massachusetts opened on Feb. 21 and Secretary of State William Galvin said more than 700,000 voters had requested mail-in ballots within the first week of early voting. As of Monday, more than 50,000 people had voted in person. The Democratic primary has incumbent Joseph J. Biden Jr., Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and author and speaker Marianne Williamson on the ballot. Biden has 206 delegates and his opponents none. The Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District will also vote for State Committee Man and Woman. These are party representatives from each of the state's 40 senatorial districts who vote at the state convention. Sherwood Guernsey II of Williamstown is running for re-election as committee man unopposed and Marietta Rose Rapetti Cawse and Megan Elise Arvin, both of Pittsfield, are vying for committee woman. The Republican ballot has seven presidential candidates though all but two have dropped out: Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley. Trump currently has 244 delegates to her 43. Still on the ballot but out of the running are Chris Christie, Ryan Binkley, Vivek Ramaswamy (three delegates), Asa Hutchinson and Ron DeSantis (nine delegates). Running unopposed for State Committee Man and Woman are Nicholas A. Boldyga and Jessica L. Boldyga, both of Southwick. The Libertarian ballot has Jacob George Hornberger of Virginia, Michael D. Rectenwald of Pittsburgh, Chase Russell Oliver of Georgia, Michael ter Maat of Virginia and Lars Damian Mapstead of California. There are no candidates for party committee representatives. All three ballots also offer "no preference" for presidential candidates and voting for town and city party representatives. Mount Greylock District to Towns: 'We're Going to Need Help' WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Mount Greylock Regional School District officials are predicting budgetary storm clouds in years to come even as they prepare a fiscal year 2025 spending plan that may seem placid to town officials and town meeting voters this spring. At a special meeting of the School Committee to hold a budget workshop, Assistant Superintendent Joseph Bergeron last week showed the panel a draft FY25 budget that calls for a 3.01 increase in the assessment to Lanesborough and a 3.54 percent hike for Williamstown. That would represent about the same increase Lanesborough saw for FY24, the fiscal year that ends on June 30. And in Williamstown, where the assessment went up 3.16 percent for FY24, the 3.54 percent rise is a little less than the 4 percent increase the town manager used as a placeholder in a budget he presented to the Finance Committee earlier in the month. But those projected assessments do not tell the whole story. The district's gross operating budget is up by 4.4 percent, from $26.3 million in FY24 to $27.4 million for the year that begins on July 1. That rise is mitigated in the FY25 plan by staffing cuts through attrition and higher than customary expenditures from the district's reserve accounts, including a $665,000 transfer from the excess and deficiency account nearly double the E&D expended for FY24 in a move Bergeron characterized as "drastic." Excess and deficiency, the district's equivalent of a municipality's "free cash" account, is, as the name implies, the result of higher than expected revenue and lower than expected expenses in any given year. The district's certified E&D number heading into FY25 is $1,081,337, Bergeron said on Thursday. In addition, the draft budget uses $855,000 from the district's tuition revenue account about $130,000 more than Mount Greylock expects to receive in tuition payments in FY25. "Which does not put us into a dangerous spot at all, but it's not sustainable," Bergeron said. "If you look out three, four, give years, this is not something we can do forever." In fact, he told the School Committee, the funding mechanism overall for FY25 is not sustainable long-term but rather a response to calls from officials in the member towns to hold the line on impacts to local property taxpayers, who also face rising costs from town services. "The school district is going to need help in the form of revenue in order for it to be the school district people know and love and hopefully that improves what it is able to do over time, as opposed to needing to figure out how to make cuts within what it's able to do," Bergeron said. "That's got to be the story: It's a good partnership [with the member towns], and we're putting out a call for help here. "We're going to need help." Drivers to the operating budget increase include a 7 percent increase in the cost of health insurance, previously negotiated salary increases for staff under union contracts and a $300,000 hike in costs for "out of district" placements. On the expenditure side of the ledger, the district is addressing those increases in part by not replacing three retiring teachers one each at Lanesborough Elementary and Williamstown Elementary and one at the middle-high school. School Committee members expressed concern that the cuts could impact instruction. Superintendent Jason McCandless told them he is confident that the district will be able to deliver the same outcomes with fewer staff members. "I don't believe either of the very strategic uses of attrition at the elementary schools are going to increase class sizes," McCandless said. "It will definitely have an impact, in that, particularly at Lanesborough more than Williamstown, I would foresee a use of School Choice next year that is between almost no new incoming students to very few but at incredibly laser-focused grade areas where it works. "Will we be able to provide our kids with what they need next year in spite of these reductions we're looking at? Absolutely. And we can say that very honestly. Yes, we will." McCandless said part of the problem for local school districts is that education distribution from the "millionaires tax" Massachusetts voters approved in 2022 has been, "disappointingly small to those of us who advocated vociferously for that new tax." McCandless said there is a case to be made that the surtax on income over $1 million approved at the polls was, "a bit of a bait and switch." The superintendent said he did not know if the district's spending is sustainable in the long term, but he expressed confidence in the near term. "We can be proud of what we're able to do next year," McCandless said. "We do need to work together to find more sustainable solutions to remain who we want to be and who we feel we owe the students of this community." With at least two members of the Williamstown Finance Committee observing the virtual meeting in the online audience, Bergeron echoed messaging from that body about the need to grow the local property tax base to sustain all local spending. "The other way to grow revenue that can go into a district like ours is not by raising property tax rates but by having a larger base across which to spread those property taxes," Bergeron said. "That has to be something we look at." Later this spring, the district will present its FY25 budget to the Finance Committees in both Lanesborough and Williamstown and will seek positive recommendations from those panels to each community's annual town meeting, where voters have the final say on the omnibus budget. Longtime School Committee member Carolyn Greene expressed concern that the FY25 plan would reduce the district's E&D reserve to about 2 percent of its operating budget, a lower level than she could remember in her time on the committee. Bergeron pointed out that in the recent past, the school district has attempted to keep its excess and deficiency line as close as possible to the 5 percent of operating budget allowed by law because bond rating agencies look at E&D when determining the health of a school district. Now that the Mount Greylock building project is fully bonded, that is less of a concern. One immediate concern is showing fiscal responsibility to town officials. "When we say to [town finance committees], 'Would you prefer we either increase [assessments] this year or give everybody a year to plan for more increases next year, I think they'd say, We'd rather you spend the money you have than raise property taxes this year, but we appreciate we're all part of the conversation around what this means for future years,' " Bergeron said. "It's difficult to walk up to any town Finance Committee and say, 'Let's raise taxes now but keep money in the bank.'" Bergeron said he did not expect many significant changes between the draft budget he presented on Thursday and the final FY25 budget that the School Committee will be asked to approve after its statutory public hearing on March 14. After that decision, the district will take its spending plan to each member town, first to Williamstown, whose town meeting is held in May, weeks ahead of Lanesborough's. Later in Thursday's meeting, Greene acknowledged that getting the district's budget through town meeting is a political process with tradeoffs, including recognition that the towns have other budgetary demands. "While it is our job to advocate for our kids, we are hearing from our administration that we are not diminishing what we can offer in this coming year," Greene said. "But we would be diminishing in the following year if we had to do this again." Bergeron drove that message home a couple of times on Thursday. "This [budget] is giving us a year to figure out how to more thoroughly restructure a number of things about Mount Greylock Regional School, for the most part," he said. "It gives us that runway to do it. This is not a moment for us to say: Here are all the different changes to the program of study and the way that we schedule. That is not what we're doing here. "But if we're in a position like we're in next year, we're giving ourselves a year's notice to say, 'That's the kind of position we'd be in if we were cutting $200,000 or $300,000 in teaching positions.' " Dalton Select Board Discusses Housing Rehabilitation Fund DALTON, Mass. The Select Board started initial discussions surrounding the possibility of implementing a housing rehabilitation fund. During the two sessions at which this initiative was discussed, it was demonstrated that there are a lot of components that need to be considered to successfully implement a fund like this in a fiscally responsible and effective way. "It takes a lot to administer a fund, especially if it's public money and you want to make sure it's being used well, and it's being overseen, and people are paying attention to what's going on, and scheduling cleaners, and working with the person, and all of that. It actually takes an awful lot of time," Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said during last week's Select Board meeting. This is very early in the process, the goal of presenting it to the board on Monday was to start a conversation surrounding what it would take to actually have a fund like this, that would work, be accountable, and would be useful, Hutcheson said. He presented two early draft proposals, as a start to think about what would be involved in this effort. There are currently about a dozen homes that could "easily soon be condemned." Most of these homes are occupied, as opposed to the homes that are abandoned, Hutcheson said. "[A fund like this] wouldn't really just benefit the person involved, it also benefits their neighbors," Hutcheson said. "It also benefits their neighbors for a variety of reasons which is sometimes why the health agent gets involved. We have had recent reports from neighbors about rats, for example." Hutcheson has been working with Health Agent Agnes Witkowski to discuss the details and requirements of the endeavor and discovered this type of initiative would require hiring a social worker. Hutcheson has not had a chance to "flesh out" what it would mean to have a position like this but Police Chief Deanna Strout is interested in having a social worker who could also work on mental health calls with police. The Senior Center's Shine and Outreach staff member Patricia "Pattie" Pero also does a lot of social work in a "very practical way" but is not necessarily trained or dedicated to that work, he said, but rather in helping seniors navigate agencies that a social worker would also do. In regards to the abandoned houses, Select Board member Robert W. Bishop Jr. asked if the town could take them over. Most of the abandoned homes are in tax title, however, there are now problems with the town actually taking ownership because of a recent Supreme Court decision, regarding a case in Wisconsin, Hutcheson said. If the town cleans up the property and sells it the town no longer gets to keep the money from selling, it goes to the owner, he said. "The amount of money we can recoup is still very much in play, there's virtually no case law on it so far, this has happened about a year ago," Hutcheson said. "I mean changing the locks, yeah that's easy, that's minor, doing a demolition is much more involved." Witkowski has been trying to help residents in these types of situations but this is not something she is tasked to do or is trained to do. Sometimes a little money can make a difference but the work would require assistance from other staff, Hutcheson said. "Based on the amount of time that she spent and the amount of time she could have spent with a number of these houses it seems to both of us that she's not only not trained to do it, but it really is taking a toll on her work in general," he said. According to the proposal, the goals of this fund would be to provide seed money for a revolving fund to help cover the cost of a cleaning, and refer residents to other services as needed. The town would strive to communicate with residents who are in danger of having their housing condemned. The fund would need to be managed, including filing liens for nonpayment, The funds would help residents cover the cost of repairs and cleaning needed to improve the existing housing conditions enough to qualify for Community Development Block Grant housing rehabilitation assistance. Hiring a social worker sounds like a long-term goal because there are a lot of stakeholders involved in that, Select Board member Marc Strout said. Strout was not opposed to allocating $20,000 for a fund, since the town has the free cash. Administering the fund would take a tremendous amount of work and the town does have anyone in a position to do that, Hutcheson said. According to the proposal, to administer the fund, the town would also need to establish and implement policies for selecting applicants and repaying loans, pay vendors, track loans, consult with town counsel, and file liens as needed. "And she really believes that it would require another assistance from some other staff and that was one of the ways that the idea of some kind of social worker came into the discussion," Hutcheson said. Strout noted that the town could allocate the money now and have it sit there until someone can be hired to take on the role of administering the fund. Hutcheson agreed and said funding it in this way would also provide some momentum to the initiative. One of the proposals included the possibility of re-organizing 500-Series Account Departments, which is "one of the basic categories the Department of Revenue uses to analyze municipal spending." "Relevant Dalton accounts include the Health Agent and Board of Health; the Public Health Nurse service for which we have a contract with BRPC; the Council on Aging and Senior Center expenses; the Veterans Agent, for whom we have a contract with the City of North Adams; and it is also where our BRPC technical assistance is located," the proposal reads. This would mean designating a health and human services director. Hutcheson recommended, in the proposal, that this director be the Senior Center director. This would require a pay raise due to the additional responsibilities of managing the health agent and veterans agent. In addition to that, Hutcheson recommends in the proposal hiring "an additional staff member, a social worker whose job would be to assist seniors; veterans outside of the Veterans Agents sphere of responsibility; those who are having problems with their housing; and residents who need social services but are not able to get such services on their own." A midyear hiring is not completely out of the question but there are a lot of moving parts surrounding the initiative, especially when taking into consideration re-organizing 500-Series Account Departments, Hutcheson said. Vice Chair Dan Esko recommended Hutcheson continue to flesh out the proposals and that they consider money articles for the town meeting warrant in May. This will likely come up as a future Select Board agenda item. Background: The prospect of establishing a fund like this was pitched by Chair Joseph Diver in October after reading of the circumstances surrounding the Board of Health's decision to condemn, vacate and secure 96 Anthony Road. Since this decision, the board has had to take the homeowners to land court due to the condition of the home. Although at the time, Diver felt the actions the Board of Health took were "reasonable," he wondered whether there is more the town can do to help residents struggling in the face of these circumstances. Diver was not present at last Monday night's meeting. During a previous meeting, Witkowski said, in cases where a home needs to be brought back up to safety standards due to hoarding or other mental health disorders, cognitive therapy may be needed to correct the behavior and prevent the situation from repeating. It's a complex issue because there are a variety of organizations that could potentially be involved in the condemnation process depending on the circumstances including protective services, Elder Services, police, fire, among others, Witkowski said. Based on her experience when approaching cases similar to these instances, Witkowski said there are a lot of components involved in resolving the issue including a mental, financial, and familial. Then there is the financial component it can sometimes cost thousands of dollars to bring a house back up to code and make the conditions livable. That can be overwhelming for the occupants and hinder any progress they are attempting to make. The type of family dynamic also needs to be considered because the resident may not have the support service to help them if they are estranged from their families, she said. This was further demonstrated by Hutcheson during last week's meeting. "You heard [from Witkowski] earlier, the housing stuff is kind of burning her out because, she's asking for somebody else specifically to help just with the inspections, let alone the work to try to keep a house from getting condemned or keep somebody from being evicted as a result of it being condemned because it's never a good time to get evicted," Hutcheson said. "And mostly we're talking about people who are elderly and not really able to do a lot for themselves and sometimes they have family who are willing to help, sometimes they have family who have their own interests in mind, sometimes they have only farflung family," he said. Shayan Raghoo, a junior at New Britain High School, meets with Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday after being named as his guest to this year's State of the Union address. The senator met Raghoo last month at forum over his legislation, the Kids Online Safety Act. Courtesy/ Sen. Richard Blumenthal Shayan Raghoo, a junior at New Britain High School, is a member of the school's ROTC corps who aspires to enroll at one of the U.S. military service academies. Courtesy/ Sen. Richard Blumenthal NEW BRITAIN In a high school lecture hall last month, Shayan Raghoo opened up to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal about her struggle watching a younger family member become lost in their cell phone screen, to the point they were spending up to 10 hours a day on the device. On Thursday night, she will take that story to the halls of Congress. Raghoo, a junior at New Britain High School, was selected by Blumenthal to be the senators guest at President Joe Bidens 2024 State of the Union address, to be delivered Thursday in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Members of Congress are typically permitted to bring one guest to the president's annual address, which they watch from the House gallery. In addition, Raghoo will also accompany Blumenthal to a dinner with other senators and their guests in the U.S. Capitol. I want them to hear first hand as I did from Shayan how social media is harming young people today with eating disorders, bullying, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, all of the harms driven by social media at young people, so they can profit, Blumenthal said. I wanted her to tell my colleagues about what she sees and hears, and what its impact is on her friends, her fellow students, he added. Blumenthal is one of two senators leading the push to pass the Kids Online Safety Act, a bill that aims to increase regulations on social media companies and offer parents greater control of what content their children view online. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About two weeks before he met Raghoo and her classmates during a round-table discussion at New Britain High School, Blumenthal participated in a fiery hearing in which senators from both parties berated a panel of tech CEOs including Metas Mark Zuckerberg over the amount of negative content that's fed to teenagers on their websites. It is truly a privilege to have been chosen to represent the voices of students across the nation, especially in such a critical issue as kids online safety, Raghoo said during a short press conference Tuesday at her high school. Raghoo, a member of New Britains junior ROTC program, thanked both her Advanced Placement government teacher and ROTC leaders. Raghoo also told Blumenthal that she aims to attend one of the U.S. military service academies after graduation. I am committed to continuing to advocate for the safety and well-being of young people everywhere, both online and offline, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Blumenthals guests at previous State of the Union addresses have often included members of the military and veterans. His guest for last year's address was Fairfield resident Alex Plitsas, a veteran and former defense official who helped organize the evacuation of Afghan refugees. A rendering of the front of the Zucaro Apartments planned for 5 and 7 Hiawatha Lane in Westport, Conn. The plan has since been withdrawn for unspecified reasons but it likely to be refiled. JHT Architecture/Contributed photo WESTPORT Opponents of developments on Hiawatha Lane have won reprieve against a proposed 8-30g affordable housing development, but the project appears likely to come back before the Planning and Zoning Commission. After residents battled one housing development for 20 years, another 8-30g popped up as a potential build last year. In its original iteration, the project, called the Zucaro Apartments, aimed to demolish two 1920s-era houses at 5 and 7 Hiawatha Lane and replace them with a five-story, 42-unit apartment complex. The development would be classified as 8-30g, which is a state statue allowing developers to bypass local zoning laws as long as 30 percent of the development includes affordable housing. "We arent happy with the original design and certainly hope that there would be some modification," neighbor and representative of Save Old Saugatuck Carolanne Curry said in an interview. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In February, Cathy Walsh, applicant for the project and former Planning and Zoning Commission chair, emailed the department to withdraw the application, saying it would be resubmitted at a later date. Faustina Zucaro is working alongside Walsh and has owned the properties for about 30 years. The email did not list why the application was withdrawn or what is planned to change. Walsh and Zucaro did not respond to requests for comment. Curry said the main concerns for the development from neighbors are the size and architectural design. She also wants to see the affordable component on site, which the former application did not specify. It did say, though, that the affordable units would either be for rent or purchase. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We certainly hope nothing will be done without our input," Curry said. Save Old Saugatuck attempted to get another 157-unit 8-30g development, The Village at Saugatuck, overturned in court. However, it failed multiple times, most recently before getting to the state Supreme Court in December. Construction is expected to begin in March and could take 18 to 24 months. The same month, the Zucaro Apartments proposal came forward for 5 and 7 Hiawatha Lane, which is only about eight houses down from The Village. The former plans showed the building as having two studios, 14 one-bedrooms and 14-two bedroom apartments. It also included townhouse-style apartments with four two-bedroom units and eight three-bedrooms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Parking was also located underneath the building. Currently, the houses at 5 and 7 Hiawatha Lane contain rentals. There is a studio apartment and a multi-family house with four apartments at the 5 Hiawatha Lane 0.38 acre parcel and two apartments at the multi-family home on the 0.35 acre property at 7 Hiawatha Lane. Tuesday 5 March 2024, 12:26 - Last updated: 15:17 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated It is the first time in the world that a country incorporates the right to abortion among the fundamental rights. France chooses to protect the termination of pregnancy in this way. It is discussed, and the primacy is emphasized, because in many countries it is not always possible to do otherwise if you find out you are pregnant. If you are thinking of the United States, you are right. There, the Supreme Court ruling just a year ago dismantled a right established by a previous court. The point is precisely this: it was dismantlable. On June 24, 2022, in America, the constitutional right to abortion was abolished because the judges archived the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, referring the competence to legislate to each individual State. Be aware: abortion has become an electoral issue for President Biden who aspires to be re-elected. But where is abortion still prohibited? (map from the Center for reproductive rights). France is the first country in the world to include the right to abortion in the Constitution. The disparities in Europe, very restrictive legislation in Poland and Malta. Estimates indicate that nearly half (48%) of pregnancies worldwide are unplanned and therefore abortion services and care are essential components of public health, to ensure a high quality of sexual and mental health for women and girls. Abortion can be considered safe only when it is performed without the risk of criminal or legal sanctions, stigmatization, stress, or isolation. The situation in Europe is very fragmented. All Member States, except one, allow abortion under certain conditions. In Malta, all abortions are prohibited unless the woman's health is at risk. A similar situation also in Andorra, Liechtenstein, and Monaco. Eleven Member States - Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovakia - provide for a mandatory waiting period. Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovakia require mandatory pre-abortion counseling (in Hungary the woman must listen to the fetal heartbeat). Then there is the issue of the lack of conscientious objector doctors. The only countries that do not require third-party consent, for example, parents', for minors' abortions are Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Finland. Ireland has updated its policies, while Poland has tightened its already restrictive abortion legislation in 2020. The new president Tusk has promised to change these laws. Eastern European Member States record the highest number of unintended pregnancies and 66% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion. France, abortion enters the Constitution: the first country in the world. Macron: "It is a universal message." Abortion, where it is prohibited in the world. In the world, abortion is totally prohibited in 21 countries. These are Aruba, Congo, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Jamaica, Laos, Madagascar, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Palau, the Philippines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Tonga, and the Gaza Strip. (Map and data from the Center for reproductive rights). Tuesday 5 March 2024, 10:55 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated A complex extradition process, initiated by Italy against the Dominican Republic. Thus, Santos Medina Familia, a former police officer and fugitive listed since 2021 among the 100 most dangerous, recipient since 2017 of the pre-trial detention order issued by the Rome court at the end of the investigations conducted at the time by the Gico and the Mobile Squad, arrived at Fiumicino airport, escorted by Interpol personnel. The 53-year-old was taken into custody by the military of the Guardia di Finanza and the Border Police of Fiumicino airport. Rome, at Eur drugs and laundered money. "Seizures for 4.5 million": the empire of the clan that wanted to annihilate the Casamonica. Santos Medina Familia, the narcos organization A goal achieved at the end of the investigations carried out by the Economic Financial Police Unit and the Rome Police Headquarters, which had led to the identification of a drug trafficking organization based in Rome with branches abroad that, "also strong of the co-interests with criminal realities of 'Ndrangheta matrix, was dedicated to the importation of large shipments of cocaine from the mentioned Caribbean country", reads a note from the Police Headquarters. The investigations revealed that the suspects made use of "safe exit channels" at the port of Cagliari and Milan Malpensa airport, where the drugs arrived concealed inside commercial containers or loaded on aircraft coming from the Dominican airport "La Romana". In that context, the main supplier of the criminal group was identified in a high officer of the Dominican National Police, Santos Medina Familia, who, using additional accomplices, was able to procure large shipments of cocaine, of which he organized the loading and shipment, evading police controls. He also maintained close contacts with the associates operating in Rome, through his compatriots settled in Veneto, who ensured a constant information link, facilitating the planning and subsequent completion of illegal traffics. Money laundering, from bitcoins to scratch cards: this is how clans in Rome launder money Santos Medina Familia, the fugitive and the arrest During the investigations, more than 500 kilograms of cocaine were seized and, in October 2017, based on the serious evidentiary framework reconstructed, the Rome court issued a pre-trial detention order in prison against the members of the organization. The Dominican police officer, permanently residing in the Caribbean country, managed to evade capture, which was instead executed against 19 suspects, later sentenced in the first instance to up to 20 years in prison. The search activities - never interrupted - allowed, in April 2023, to arrest the subject thanks to the fruitful collaboration between the Anti-Mafia District Directorate, Interpol, and the Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Services, aimed at providing the authorities of the Caribbean country with adequate documentary and informational support. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and other key stakeholders reiterated their commitment to the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry to foster competition, drive innovation, and address justice issues. Key Resource Speakers in the IT-BPM Cyber Resilience Forum - A Dialogue on Justice Issues in the BPO Sector (L-R) Concentrix Asia Pacific General Counsel Atty. Michael Montero, Asst. State Prosecutor Moises Acayan, IBPAP Chief Policy & Regulatory Affairs Officer Celeste Ilagan, Department of Justice Usec. Geronimo Sy, Department of Information and Communications Technology Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division Executive Officer Atty. Raymond Panotes, and Alorica Vice President and Associate General Counsel Atty. Mikee Ong The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), supported by Concentrix, hosted a multi-stakeholder dialogue on justice issues in the sector in collaboration with the DOJOffice for Competition last February 16. Aside from the DOJ, speakers and representatives from the Supreme Court, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, National Privacy Commission, and National Prosecution Service participated in the dialogue. The discussion recognized the need to tighten cybersecurity and confront the rising incidents of cybercrime including fraud, covering sessions such as collaborative strategies for cyber resilience and implementing best practices for effective cybercrime investigations. It also encouraged healthy industry competition by promoting a legal framework that deters illegal practices. The governments support to the sector is solid and consistent. There is a clear need for laws and regulations to adapt to the current cyber developments to enable innovation, said DOJ Undersecretary Geronimo L. Sy. Stakeholders were provided an avenue to exchange insights and empower each other to compete on the basis of quality, innovation, and value, rather than resorting to illicit tactics to gain an unfair advantage. DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue added, We need to help improve our existing policies to address and respond to the changing times. She stressed the need to strongly encourage the designation of data protection officers in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) entities as prescribed by law, and provide training and equipment on cybercrime for law enforcers and the community at the regional level and the countryside. It is to the countrys advantage that we, as an industry with the different subsectors, different BPO players and individually, contribute to the resolution of this problem affecting the growth of the industry, said Celeste Ilagan, IBPAP Chief Policy Officer. She further underscored the significance of addressing the issue, If we do not address this problem, our target of creating 1.1 million jobs by 2028 and contributing 59 billion US dollars of export revenue will not happen. Ruen ... Lenovo, a pioneer in innovative technology solutions, advances its commitment to Smarter Technology for All through the extension of its EdVision program. This initiative now includes the PHINMA Education Network into its network of partner institutions, signaling a significant stride in leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences across the country. A signing ceremony to mark this effort to broaden the EdVision program took place at St. Jude College Manila. PHINMA Education Network joins the growing network of schools empowered by the program The future of our learners remains at the top of our priorities at Lenovo. It has always been our aim to not only make learning smarter but also more accessible, which is why we are honored to have our first partnership with PHINMA, says Raymond Remoquillo, Enterprise Segment Lead of Lenovo Philippines. This signifies our shared vision of empowering educators and students with the tools they need to thrive in todays digital age. Together, we are shaping the future of education in the Philippines, he added. Through the EdVision program, Lenovo will provide technical training, Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) certification, and other essential resources to support educators and students in leveraging technology for enhanced learning experiences. Notably, PHINMA has purchased close to 1,000 units from Lenovo, further demonstrating their commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology solutions. As educators, it is our job to continue to offer our students the education they deserve, at prices they can afford. Providing a way, not just to reach them, but to incorporate these technological advancements into our systems, says Ana S. Chua, COO of PHINMA Education NCR Network. We believe that by providing good education and technology, we are future-proofing our students, giving them more opportunities to grow in a more technologically reliant tomorrow, he added. Educators are constantly challenged to evolve alongside technology, ensuring they can meet the ever-changing demands of the educational landscape. Rooted in its commitment to making technology smarter and more accessible for all, Lenovo stands as a force of innovation in education, empowering universities like PHINMA to thrive in this digital age. For more information, visit https://edvision.lenovo.com/ph/. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Daniel Day-Lewis is said to be officially done with acting despite attempts to lure him back to the big screen. The actor, who is the only star to have ever won three Best Actor awards at the Oscars, decided to stay away from pursuing new roles after his performance in Paul Thomas Andersons Phantom Thread, which was released in 2017. Naturally, since then, the actor has been offered the chance to return to acting but, according to one of his previous collaborators, Day-Lewis is standing firm on his decision. The update on Day-Lewiss career came from Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan, who directed the actor to his first Oscar win in the 1989 film My Left Foot. He says hes done, Sheridan, told ScreenDaily, adding: I keep talking to him. Id love to do something with him again. According to Sheridan, Day-Lewis is unhappy with the rise in streaming platforms. Hes like everybody else. He opens up the streamers and theres seven thousand choices; none of them are good. 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. Sheridan continued: Itd be great to see Daniel coming back and doing something because hes so good. Day-Lewis has always maintained an air of exclusivity when choosing his film roles. His credits include There Will Be Blood and Lincoln, for which he won Oscars, as well as The Last of the Mohicans, In the Name of the Father, The Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York. In 2017, the stars team said, three months before the release of Phantom Thread: Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Daniel Day-Lewis announced acting retirement in 2017 (Getty Images for Academy of Moti) While the motivation behind his retirement was unclear, Day-Lewis had expressed a desire to step away from acting before. After starring in 1997s The Boxer, he disappeared from the big screen for five years until Martin Scorsese convinced him to return for Gangs of New York. During that time, he reportedly took up shoemaking in Italy, explaining to the Guardian: I didnt really want to be involved with films. I just wanted some time away from it all. I need that quite often. The actor, who is married to and has three children with writer-director Rebecca Miller, emerged on the scene with 1985s My Beautiful Laundrette, directed by Stephen Frears. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kirsten Dunst has said that the experience of shooting hyper-realistic war sequences for the upcoming A24 film Civil War left her with PTSD for a good two weeks. The Marie Antoinette actor, 41, stars as a military-embedded photojournalist documenting post-apocalyptic America in the upcoming war drama from Ex Machina and Annihilation writer-director Alex Garland. Speaking to Marie Claire, Dunst said that combat sequences and a car chase shot in rural Georgia shook me to my core. I remember hearing them practice an explosion, the actor continued. We were in the hair and makeup trailer, which was very far away from set, and the whole trailer shook. She added that other violent scenes, such as a gunfight set outside the White House, hit home because of how closely they seemed to echo reality. Theres so much gunfire, Dunst said, And then you look at the news and its a school shooting again. The actor told the magazine that she had PTSD for a good two weeks after [the film shoot]. I remember coming home and eating lunch and I felt really empty. In terms of the parallels to contemporary politics, Dunst said that she sees the film as a cautionary tale, a fable of what happens when people dont communicate with each other and stop seeing each other as human beings. Kirsten Dunst in A24s Civil War' (A24) Civil War is set to arrive in cinemas on 12 April. In 2021, Dunst talked to The Independent about her experiences graduating from a child star to a Hollywood regular. Recalling being cast by Sofia Coppola in 1999s The Virgin Suicides while she was still just 16, Dunst recalled: The fact that the coolest girl liked how I looked, thats what preserved me. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free She made me feel pretty. As a 16-year-old girl, you feel like crap about yourself, right? So to have my first experience of a more sexy role be through her eyes gave me a confidence that helped me deal with a lot of other things. She also noted the pay disparity between her and co-star Tobey Maguire while making 2002s Spider-Man. The pay disparity between me and Spider-Man was very extreme, she said. I didnt even think about it. I was just like, Oh yeah, Tobey [Maguire] is playing Spider-Man. But you know who was on the cover of the second Spider-Man poster? Dunst flashed a grin and pointed at her chest. Spider-Man and ME. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jonathan Ross, who is hosting ITVs Oscars coverage this coming weekend, has shared the major problem he had with Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. The 63-year-old talk show host was asked what he thought about this years Academy Award hopefuls ahead of the show on Sunday (10 March). Oppenheimer stars Cillian Murphy as the eponymous father of the atomic bomb and has been a hit with audiences and critics alike. It is expected to win in several categories at the Oscars ceremony. As you get older and a bit more circumspect you realise that just because a film isnt for you doesnt mean its not a film which a lot of people adore and love and isnt a good film, you know? Ross said, according to the Press Association. Clearly Oppenheimer, the craftsmanship... I love the way it looks, I love the way it sounded... it was the script I had a major problem with. It felt meandering and somewhat unfocused. Id be very happy for it to win. Christopher Nolan is an incredible talent, a real master of his craft. Some of his movies Ive adored, some of them I havent liked, but Id be very pleased to see him get it because hes such a massive talent and, of course, British. Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer (left) and Jonathan Ross (Universal Pictures/PA) Speaking further on this years nominations for Best Picture, he added: I can see why theyre all nominated, I think they all deserve a nomination. Some of them, as a viewer and audience member, didnt excite me as much as others, so I have been a little mystified at the praise heaped on Oppenheimer and Killers Of The Flower Moon, Im not huge on either of those two. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free I love Poor Things; American Fiction I loved as well. It felt quite of the moment. Anatomy Of A Fall I think is incredible. Ill be very surprised if that wins, but it might, you never know, Parasite pulled it off a few years ago. And Anatomy Of A Fall isnt exclusively non-English language, its got a mix, so who knows. Barbie, that will be fun if Barbie got it. I love Barbie, though. I think thatll be a very popular one with voters. Killers Of The Flower Moon I dont think will get it and personally dont think it deserves it, I know a lot of people love it. Maestro left me somewhat cold, Past Lives I quite liked... Poor Things and The Zone Of Interest both felt very fresh, very unique and very outside of the normal mode of storytelling so Im pleased to see them there... Id be surprised, I suspect itll go to Oppenheimer. Robert Downey Jr in Oppenheimer (AP) Ross, who fronts celebrity chat show The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV1, also considered what US TV presenter Jimmy Kimmel will be like as this years host. Hes an interesting choice because hes edgy enough to make it interesting and fun, hes got a bit more edge and hes a bit more surprising than Jimmy Fallon for example, but he isnt too edgy, he said. You have to walk that fine line, you dont want it to be completely anodyne and bland, which theyve gone in that direction a few times over the years, but you dont want to go full Ricky Gervais and have the actors sat there panicking thinking, What are they going to say about me? Oppenheimer leads the Oscars race with a whopping 13 nominations. It is followed closely by Yorgos Lanthimoss absurdist sci-fi comedy Poor Things and Greta Gerwigs blockbuster fantasy Barbie, which have 11 and eight nods, respectively. Alongside the Oscars companion show, which will be presented by Ross from 10.15pm on ITV1 and ITVX on 10 March, there will also be live coverage from the Oscars red carpet presented by Ross King from 9pm on ITVX. Additional reporting by the Press Association Close Gary Goldsmith becomes first Celebrity Big Brother housemate to be evicted For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Celebrity Big Brother housemates have now waved goodbye to three contestants after Lauren Simon was evicted during Tuesday nights episode. She follows in the footsteps of the Princess of Waless uncle, Gary Goldsmith, who became the first contestant on this years series to be evicted. Months after the reality series titan returned on ITV, the celebrity version has been resurrected in the hopes of emulating the success of the latest civilian series, which was won by Jordan Sangha in November. Surviving contestants include X Factor judge Louis Walsh who has already shocked viewers with an incredibly rude comment Love Island winner Ekin-Su and Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin. In the latest episode, Sharon Osbourne, who was in the series as a celebrity lodger, left the CBB house. She was only planned to be in the series for several days and was given a private en-suite bedroom separate from the rest of the housemates. As for the eviction, it was between Fern Britton, Louis Walsh and Lauren Simon, but it was the Real Housewives of Cheshire star who was voted off. Meanwhile, Louis launched a scathing attack on the pop duo Jedward, calling them vile, and he later made several comments about Ronan Keating. Follow along with all the live updates as CBB airs on ITV For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kate Middletons uncle Gary Goldsmith is officially a contestant on this years rebooted Celebrity Big Brother, following much speculation over whether or not he would be competing. The younger brother of the Princess of Waless mother, Carole Middleton, entered the house in the first episode on Monday, as the reality show made a comeback for the first time since 2018. The 58-year-old businessman is appearing in what is Big Brothers first celebrity edition in six years after its regular debut on ITV in 2023. Kate Middletons uncle Gary Goldsmith is officially a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, following much speculation over whether he would be competing (ITV) Goldsmith, who owns a recruitment business, appeared on the stage alongside the two new hosts, AJ Odudu and Will Best, who asked him if Kate would be watching the show. He jokingly replied, If she is, it will be from behind the couch, describing the couch as a nice one in a nice house. Speaking of the princess in a teaser that aired before he entered the house, Goldsmith said: She is simply perfect. He added: First time I met William, Catherine was cooking and William said, Hi, do you want a cup of tea? Very normal. Kensington Palace said last Friday that the princess was still doing well while she recovers from abdominal surgery she underwent last month. The palace reiterated that nothing has changed as her health became subject to mass public speculation on social media. Kate remains out of the public eye, while her husband, Prince William, abruptly pulled out of his godfathers funeral last week. Kensington Palace said on Friday that the Princess was still doing well while she recovers from abdominal surgery (AP) Goldsmith who was a guest at the royal wedding in 2011 and also attended niece Pippa Middletons wedding in 2017 is said to have upset his sister, Carole, and her husband, Michael, as rumours circulated ahead of his participation in the reality show. A source told The Sun: Gary said hes been read the riot act by Kates mum Carole and her dad Michael they arent happy hes going into Celebrity Big Brother. It is infuriating for them. Kate doesnt need this stress. Gary Goldsmith is said to have upset his sister Carole and her husband Michael as rumours of his participation circulated (Getty Images) After the reality series Titan returned last year on a new home, the celebrity version has been resurrected in the hopes of emulating the success of the 2023 civilian series, which was won by Jordan Sangha in November. In the past, Big Brother, which originally aired on Channel 4 and then Channel 5, has been hosted by Davina McCall, Brian Dowling and Emma Willis. Previous versions of Celebrity Big Brother have produced moments of TV gold, from Tiffany Pollards iconic Davids Dead misunderstanding to George Galloway and Rula Lenskas creepy cat cosplay. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Captain Charlie Griffin, the experienced fisherman who became a fan favourite on the National Geographic reality show Wild Tuna: Outer Banks, has died in a boating accident. Griffin captained the Reels of Fortune, and the announcement was made on the vessels official Facebook page: 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. Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff! Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks is a reality series about teams of commercial fishermen battling to bring in lucrative Atlantic bluefin tuna from around the Outer Banks, a line of islands off the coast of North Carolina. Local news source The Outer Banks Voice reports that on the morning of Monday 4 March, the US Coast Guard received a report of an overdue vessel traveling from Virginia to Wanchese, North Carolina. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was subsequently located off Pea Island and the bodies of Charlie Griffin and his dog, both deceased, were recovered onshore near the same location. The vessel appeared to have capsized, and officials are still searching for a second occupant who was believed to be aboard the vessel. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is leading the investigation with assistance from US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, NC Marine Fisheries, Dare County Sheriffs Office, and the US Coast Guard. Griffin was a much-loved member of the Wild Tuna: Outer Banks cast from the shows second season until the fifth. He led his crew to triumph in the fourth season. The show was originally called Wicked Tuna: North vs. South but the name was changed at the start of the second season Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free On Instagram, NC Watermen United, a non-profit that advocates for commercial fishermen in North Carolina, remembered Griffin fondly. It is with a sad heart that we write this post. Captain Charlie Griffin met with a tragic boating accident in the early hours of Monday morning off Oregon Inlet. We wish to extend our sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow fishermen of this well respected and beloved captain of the Reels of Fortune. Griff touched all whom he met including all his fans from his days on Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks. Griff was well loved and will be missed by many. We are forever grateful for the impact he made on our lives. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Philippines has accused the Chinese coastguard of engaging in reckless and illegal actions in the contested South China Sea after a collision between two vessels resulted in minor structural damage to their ship. Jay Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard spokesperson, wrote on X that its vessels had faced dangerous manoeuvres and blocking from the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia. This comes as the Southeast Asian leaders convened at a summit in Australia, where concerns about Beijings maritime aggression were expected to be a major concern among the leaders. Video shared by the Philippines captured the moment its crew hurried to insert a buffer between the colliding coast guard ships, while their Chinese counterparts were observed recording the incident. It was unclear where the collision took place. But the Philippine military had earlier stated that it was on a mission delivering supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel now serving as a base for a small unit of Philippine soldiers. Second Thomas Shoal, under Philippine control, was the scene of numerous tense encounters last year between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships, along with their accompanying vessels. Throughout the operation, the Philippine coast guard vessels faced dangerous manoeuvres and blocking from Chinese coast guard vessels and Chinese maritime militia, Mr Tarriela said. Their reckless and illegal actions led to a collision. Philippine military spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad stated that Philippine coast guard vessels were escorting navy personnel on two civilian supply boats when one was struck by a blast from a water cannon by the Chinese. He added that it was not immediately clear whether any crew members were injured or if the boat sustained damage. A Chinese coast guard spokesperson said a Philippine ship deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard vessel, causing a minor scratch. The spokesperson said that the Chinese coast guard had taken measures against Philippine vessels that illegally intruded into waters near the Second Thomas Shoal. It said that the Philippines has deliberately stirred up trouble with China and maliciously stirred up propaganda and continued to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, just ahead of Wednesdays summit in Australia, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said 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. Despite a 2015 verdict from an international tribunal in The Hague declaring it baseless, China maintains nearly complete sovereignty claims over the South China Sea, which is a critical global maritime corridor and sees annual trade worth trillions of dollars. It is also home to significant oil and natural gas reserves and abundant fish stocks. Additional reporting with agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} China on Tuesday announced it would increase its military budget by 7.2 per cent, marking the biggest jump in five years, amid worsening ties with its neighbours and growing aggression towards Taiwan. Beijing appeared to harden its stance towards Taiwan in an annual finance ministry report, where it called for reunification with the self-governed island, adding that it wants to be firm in doing so. Previous reports had stated the goal of peaceful reunification with the island. China, which maintains Taiwan is part of its territory, has not ruled out the use of military force to reclaim the island if necessary. The islands defence minister said earlier on Tuesday that Taiwans armed forces would increase the number of missile drills they hold this year. China announced its military spending for 2024 would rise to 1.67 trillion yuan (181.7bn), according to the annual finance ministry report released at the National People's Congress. China's defence budget in 2023 was set at 1.5 trillion yuan (177.1bn), making it the world's second-highest behind the US. Joe Biden late last year signed a 698bn defence bill to boost its military spending. Beijing's defence budget is closely watched by its critical neighbours and the US, who are wary about China's strategic intentions and the development of its armed forces. Tension has been rife in the Asian subcontinent over China's rapidly rising aggression towards self-governed Taiwan and Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea, which has been routinely condemned by its neighbours, including Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Chinese president Xi Jinping has set a 2027 deadline for the military to become a world-class force, overcoming the mounting pressure to eradicate corruption from the military. At least 1.73 million corruption cases were registered in 2023 despite Mr Xi's war on graft, according to Nikkei Asia. The Chinese Communist Party last year fired defence minister General Li Shangfu and two Rocket Force generals without any explanation. China has the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with over two million active soldiers and 510,000 in reserve. The nation has maintained a single-digit growth in its annual defence budget since 2016. The official budget figure announced Tuesday at the opening session of the rubber-stamp legislature's annual meeting is considered by many foreign experts to be only a fraction of spending by the People's Liberation Army. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th NPC, told Global Times that compared with major military powers such as the US, China's defence spending was "quite low, whether as a percentage of GDP or in terms of per capita and per-serviceperson". MBABANE Channel YemaSwati Director Qhawe Mamba has been granted an order setting aside the concessions that were made by his erstwhile attorney in the matter between him and EswatiniBank. The lawyer is said to have made the concession without Mambas approval. This is in the matter in which EswatiniBank is demanding E5 million from Mamba. Other applicants in the matter are Mambas mother, Princess Sifuga and Nonkululeko Ndzinisa. The application setting aside the concession signed by Mambas previous attorney and the bank on August 29, 2022, was granted by Judge Mumcy Dlamini. The judge said it was common cause that the matter had to be postponed several times at the instance of Mambas erstwhile attorney. She said these postponements were mostly sought in chambers. Judge Dlamini further mentioned that the sum of his (erstwhile lawyer) conduct was that at no stage was he ready to prosecute his clients case. The judge said the end result was that his conduct prior to the hearing was inconsistent with an attorney who held ostensible authority to compromise his clients defence. The court said logic alone suggested that the answer must be in the negative. According to the court, the position was fortified by the fact that the erstwhile attorney did not even draft the plea that served in the matter. To demonstrate his laxity, this court is on record for having urged the erstwhile attorney to go and prepare his clients case and stay away from the waters of immortality, said Judge Dlamini. In the rescission application, Mamba of Nkoyoyo, told the court that sometime in March 2017, Eswatini Development and Savings Bank (EswatiniBank) instituted court proceedings against him and the other applicants. He said they defended the matter. In the present matter, Mamba submitted that on or about August 29, 2022, his former attorney, Sandziso Khoza, held a meeting with the banks attorneys and made certain concessions and/or agreements, which were then reduced into writing and produced before the court. At the outset, according to Mamba, who is now represented by Osborne Nzima of Nzima and Associates, he and the other applicants, who are defendants in the main matter, never agreed to the concession by Khoza at the time, and they never gave him instructions to concede to the issues that were in dispute. Instructions I further wish to state that we never gave instructions to Mr Sandziso Khoza to negotiate for the curtailment of the issues as the matter, according to us, was heavily involved and clouded with contentious issues. To me and the other applicants hereto, we were expecting the matter to take place in the normal process and that we would have our day in court when the matter was ripe for trial. We never consented to the conversion of the trial proceedings. We are advised and verily believe to be true that it was not the correct procedure in the first place. I am further advised and verily believe to be true that it was not the correct procedure to hold some sort of a pre-trial conference when the pleadings were not closed. I am advised and verily believe to be true that in terms of the rules of this honourable court, this honourable court can rescind and/or set aside on its own any order that may have entered once it has been discovered that it was not supposed to be entered., Mamba submitted. The director averred that the court may also rescind and/or set aside its own order once an issue had been brought to the fore, to which the court was not aware when the order was granted. He argued that the court was not aware that they had not consented to the agreement that was entered by Khoza. I am advised and verily believe to be true that the conversion of the action proceedings to application proceedings was not done in terms of the rules, and such conversion is further confusing in that it is not clear how it was done. Moreover, in the said conversion, either party was allowed to lead oral evidence. I am advised that this was a mistake that was done by the parties whether intentionally or not, Mamba submitted. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} North Korea has threatened the US and South Korea with consequences if they failed to stop their latest round of annual military exercises. South Korea and the US kicked off their large military exercise on Monday to display joint readiness against increasing threats of a nuclear attack from North Korea as tensions escalated between the nations sharing hostile ties in the Korean peninsula. The annual military drills include a computer-simulated command post training called the Freedom Shield exercise along with a range of field exercises spanning 11 days, according to the South Korean defence ministry. North Koreas defence ministry issued a statement saying 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. It claimed that a nuclear war may be ignited even with a spark. North Korea 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, an unidentified ministry spokesperson said, according to KCNA. The large-scale war drills staged by the worlds 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, the statement added. It was not immediately clear what measures North Korea could resort to in retaliation but experts are anticipating likely missile tests or other steps to display its nuclear sabre-rattling tactic. In response to the North, the South Korean defence ministry said the joint drills with the US are part of a regular defensive training. Any direct provocations from North Korea against the drills will be met with an overwhelming response from South Korea, a ministry statement said. The US has repeatedly confirmed they have no intention of attacking North Korea. North Koreas latest response to the South and the USs joint military exercises in the Peninsula is a repeat of its aggressive stance towards regional defensive measures taken by South Korea which has seen Pyongyang launch over a hundred missile tests in two years. The tests included the firing of an inter-continental ballistic missile in July last year, where North Korea claimed the nuclear-capable weapon can reach a range of anywhere in the US and in its neighbouring nations of South Korea and Japan. Norths supreme leader Kim Jong-un has said he has no desire to engage in diplomatic solutions and would annihilate its rival if provoked, continuing his belligerent attacks. The country has evaded a broad range of international sanctions designed to prevent Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program by test firing cruise missiles, short-range and long-range ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles. Since 2021, concerns surrounding North Koreas nuclear programme have surged, resulting in expansion of the US and South Korean military exercises. The US has also intensified its deployment of powerful US military assets like aircraft carriers and nuclear-capable bombers in response. This year alone, North Korea performed at least six rounds of missile tests and artillery firing drills. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The resignation of thousands of striking junior and trainee doctors in South Korea in response to a government initiative to increase medical student admissions has left the healthcare system in disarray. The government said on Monday it was ready to take legal action against the striking trainee doctors after a prior ultimatum failed to break the deadlock. About 70 per cent of the countrys junior and trainee doctors, totalling around 9,000, have been on strike since 20 February, disrupting medical services and emergency departments. South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among major economies and recently the government proposed to add 2,000 slots to the current annual quota of 3,000 medical students. The plan was immediately criticised by doctors, who took to the streets to protest with signs that read end of healthcare. The striking doctors argue this expansion wont solve the actual shortages in certain specialities, where conditions and pay are poor, and could degrade medical service quality. The government had previously warned the doctors of potential administrative and legal consequences, including the possibility of having their medical licenses suspended, and facing fines or imprisonment if they did not return to work by the end of last month. On Monday, health minister Cho Kyoo-hong announced that officials will conduct hospital inspections to ascertain if doctors have resumed their duties, vowing to enforce the law and take action according to the law and principle without exception. During a broadcasted briefing, he warned that doctors who have not returned to work could face significant repercussions affecting their professional careers. We are deeply disappointed and concerned that the collective action by trainee doctors has led to a disruption in medical services, vice health minister Park Min-soo said at a news briefing recently. We cannot give justification to the actions of the doctors leaving their patients behind to protest a policy despite knowing what the collective action could result in. He added that the government was deeply disappointed in the situation where trainee doctors are refusing to work. The government had asked doctors to return to work, issuing direct orders and threatening legal actions against those leading the strike. In fact, emergency measures to mitigate the impact on healthcare services have been introduced, including telemedicine expansion and the utilisation of military hospitals. South Koreas health ministry announced it will permit telemedicine services across all hospitals and clinics to address the challenges posed by the walkout by trainee doctors. The medical system has been collapsing for a while, Park Dan, the head of the Korean Intern Residents Association told The New York Times. He resigned from his job at the emergency wing of Severance Hospital in Seoul on Monday. I couldnt see a future for myself working in emergency for the next five or 10 years. Doctors warned the government they will take unbearable steps and could walk off the job indefinitely if the government continues to threaten interns and residents opposing its plan, according to The Korea Times. Earlier, South Korea escalated its health alert to the highest level in response to the widespread strike. The prime minister also announced that public hospitals would increase their operational hours to tackle the increasing pressures on the healthcare infrastructure. South Korea Doctors Protest (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The Korea Medical Association (KMA), representing the majority of doctors in South Korea, made the statement after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said theyll take strict action against striking doctors. We express strong regret over the governments inappropriate comments threatening to revoke licenses and discouraging the individuals will to voluntarily step down as a trainee doctor, the KMAs emergency committee said. If they continue to intimidate, we warn that we could seek legal action, the committee added. On Sunday, thousands of South Korean doctors participated in a large-scale demonstration organised by the Korean Medical Association [KMA], which speaks for private practitioners, openly challenging government demands for striking trainee doctors to resume their duties. We have nowhere to retreat any more. We will not just sit idly by the government acting undemocratic, Lee Jeong-geun, the interim head of the KMA, said on Sunday. Kim Taek-woo, head of the KMA emergency committee, told reportersearlier: By collection action, we dont mean a day off, but an indefinite strike. A proposal in 2020 to increase medical school admissions by 4,000 students over a decade sparked similar protests and a strike, ultimately resulting in the abandonment of the plan. According to 2022 data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], doctors in South Korea are among the highest earners globally, with specialists at public hospitals averaging nearly $200,000 (159,000) annually. This salary significantly surpasses the national average income. However, some have also criticised the striking doctors. More doctors mean more competition and reduced income for them... that is why they are against the proposal to increase physician supply, Prof Kwon Soon-man, a public health expert at Seoul National University told BBC. South Korea Doctors Protest (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) South Koreas president Yoon Suk-yeol asked the doctors to go back to their jobs and said that they were taking peoples lives and health hostage. The plan to boost admissions to medical schools is a component of a broader health care policy strategy unveiled by Mr Yoon several months ahead of an important parliamentary vote in April. As he has maintained his position against the medical professionals, his approval rating has slightly risen. Public opinion in South Korea appears largely supportive of the governments plan, contrasting with the medical communitys concerns over the implications for healthcare quality and working conditions. A Gallup Korea poll last week revealed that 76 per cent of the respondents reacted positively to the governments plan for medical school quota expansion. Observers note that the existing structure of insurance and government reimbursements enables only doctors in certain fields, such as cosmetic surgery, to earn a substantial income. Moreover, the doctors opposing the governments plan argue that boosting the number of medical professionals could inadvertently foster increased competition, potentially resulting in the overtreatment of patients. Authorities have temporarily revoked the medical licenses of two high-ranking officials from the Korea Medical Association. They have reportedly been warned that these licenses will be permanently revoked if investigations confirm they incited the strike. Police have also indicated they might arrest the strikes organisers. We are considering measures that involve cooperating with prosecutors to indict and arrest the leaders of the medical community who are responsible for the mass resignations, Yoon Hee-keun, the commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, said during a press conference. South Korea Doctors Protest (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Earlier this week, reports of disruptions in medical services across the country were being shared widely, with Severance Hospital, among the nations largest healthcare facilities, announcing reductions in services and the cancellation of half of its scheduled surgeries. Hong Jae-ryun, a brain cancer patient in his 50s from Daegu, reported that his chemotherapy treatments have been indefinitely delayed due to the ongoing situation, despite the cancer spreading to his lungs and liver. Its absurd. In the midst of the conflict between the government and doctors, what can powerless patients say? It feels like a betrayal, Mr Hong was quoted as saying by AFP. When there is no one to trust and rely on other than doctors, it seems excessive to handle things in this manner. Another patient, Lee Jin-wook, 52, who is scheduled to undergo brain surgery at Severance Hospitals Sinchon location told Hankyoreh Shimbun: All around the ward, patients and their families are talking about surgeries being delayed. It looks like theyre pushing back all non-essential operations. It is particularly troubling for patients who live outside Seoul and regularly travel to the capital for treatment. Originally, we scheduled an operation for the beginning of March. But the strike has pushed that back to the end of March, one person identified as Cho, 44, a resident of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province told The Korea Times. Chos father is being treated for esophageal cancer at Gangnam Severance Hospital. We tried contacting other hospitals, as my father needs his operation as soon as possible, but they all turned us down, Mr Cho added. My father managed to get his first session of checkup today, but the operation schedule really concerns me. The patients really have no choice or power, he said. Physicians from Gyeonggi province gathered for a demonstration in central Seoul. They wore red headbands bearing the message (We) fiercely oppose the expansion of medical school admissions and displayed banners with the words Stop populist healthcare policies pushed by socialist leftist scholars and bureaucrats. Hankyoreh Shimbun quoted a Severance Hospital insider as saying that emergency surgeries [at hospitals in Sinchon and Gangnam] are being conducted as normal, but surgeries in other departments are under 50 per cent capacity. Meanwhile, it is the nurses who have been left to manage the patients at the hospitals and clinics in the absence of doctors. They too have called for doctors to resume their duties, despite expressing their opposition to the reform. South Korea Doctors Protest (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The Korean Young Nurses Association appealed to doctors sense of duty to their patients in a social media post stating: Do not ignore your conscience toward the patients being left behind. Kim Jae-heon, the secretary-general of a non-profit organisation that promotes free medical care and counts medical doctors among its members, criticised the mass resignation of trainee doctors as unjustified. Opposing the expansion of medical school admissions to ensure greater profitability by reducing competition when they establish their own practices in the future is unlikely to garner public support, he said. Joo Soo-ho, a spokesman of the Korean Medical Association, said last month that under current conditions, it was impossible for doctors to take care of patients with a sense of mission. The World Medical Association, a group representing physicians, said in a statement on Sunday it strongly condemns the actions of the Korean Government in attempting to stifle the voices of elected leaders within the Korean Medical Association, adding it affirmed the right of doctors to collective action, including strikes. The Independent has reached out to the Korea Medical Association for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} India has dismissed concerns raised by a top UN official over its electoral process as "unwarranted" ahead of the upcoming general elections. At least 960 million people in India would vote this summer in the world's largest electoral process to select a new prime minister and members of the lower house of the parliament. Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, on Monday voiced concern over increasing restrictions on civic spaces in India and the need for a fair election. "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, while presenting the global update to the council. Mr Turk added: "It is particularly important in a pre-electoral context to ensure an open space that respects the meaningful participation of everyone." India's permanent representative Arindam Bagchi said his concerns do not reflect the reality of the world's largest democracy. "In any democracy, argumentation is natural. It is imperative that those in positions of authority do not allow their judgment to be clouded by propaganda," Mr Bagchi said. "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," he added. Mr Turk in his statement welcomed India's supreme court decision to strike down a seven-year-old electoral funding scheme that allows individuals and companies to anonymously donate funds to political parties. He said the order upheld the "right to information and transparency". The move was seen as a setback for prime minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been the largest beneficiary of the system it introduced in 2017. The five-judge bench led by chief justice, DY Chandrachud, found the electoral bonds scheme to be in violation of a persons right to information and free speech. From 2018 to 2023, anonymous donors gave more than 1.5bn to political parties through these bonds, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms, an election watchdog. It said between 2018 and March 2022 nearly 57 per cent of these donations went to the BJP, while the opposition Indian National Congress party received only 10 per cent. The apex court had ordered the State Bank of India (SBI) to stop issuing the bonds and provide details of donations made through the bonds. India's poll body was directed to publish the information by 13 March on its website. However, the bank has requested the court to extend the deadline till 30 June, which appears to be much after the conclusion of the general elections. The bank claimed to have issued 22,217 bonds to various political parties between April 2019 and 15 February this year, Live Law reported. Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the Modi administration of "using the largest bank of our country as a shield to hide its dubious dealings" through the bonds. "The tenure of this Lok Sabha will end on 16th June and SBI wants to share the data by 30th June," he raise, crying foulplay. "Now a desperate Modi Govt, clutching on straws, is trying to use SBI to bulldoze the Supreme Courts judgment," Mr Kharge added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The chief of Indias top womens rights body is facing scrutiny for victim-blaming and failing to act on complaints of sexual assault in the wake of the gang-rape of a Spanish tourist in the country. Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of Indias federal National Commission for Women (NCW), lashed out on Monday at a comment by US-based writer and journalist David Josef Volodzko who warned solo travellers of unsafe conditions in the country for women. His comments were made in the context of the alleged gang-rape of a 28-year-old Spanish-Brazilian tourist and the physical assault of her 64-year-old husband in the Dumka district of Jharkhand where they had set up their tent for the evening on Friday night. The couple, who were found by the roadside around 11pm on 1 March by a patrolling police vehicle, posted a video recounting the assault. Responding to the video, Volodzko said the level of sexual aggression he witnessed while living in India for several years was unlike anywhere else I have ever been. I never met a female traveller who had not been groped or assaulted or worse, even if they had only been in [the] country for mere days. I love India. It is and always will be one of my favourite places in the world. But I have advised female friends who asked me not to travel there alone, he said on his X account. Ms Sharma called the journalist irresponsible for not reporting these alleged incidents. Did you ever report the incident to Police? If not than you are totally an irresponsible person. Writing only on social media and defaming whole country is not good choice (sic), she said, resharing his post. The reaction provoked anger and shock in the country as several people, including the journalist himself, accused the NCW of failing toacknowledge the Dumka incident and instead focusing on hitting back at those sharing their experiences of sexual harassment for defaming India. The NCW, he said, has a deplorable habit of blaming women in distress. I am not Indian, so take my view for whatever it is worth, but my Indian friends do not seem to have much respect, if any, for NCW and one reason for this is because it has a deplorable habit of blaming women when they are attacked, raped, or even murdered. NCW makes India less safe for women when it does these things, Volodzko said. He added: Sharma herself has faced criticism for failure to respond to complaints filed by womens rights groups over credible allegations of women being publicly stripped naked, beaten by mobs and raped in public. And yet here she is with the gall to accuse me of defaming India. In July last year Ms Sharma was accused of not taking any immediate action after receiving a complaint about an incident where two women were paraded naked in the violence-hit northeastern state of Manipur. Ms Sharma said at that time she had reached out three times to the authorities in Manipur over incidents of violence against women but received no response from them, according to reports. The opposition Indian National Congress partys spokesperson Lavanya Ballal Jain accused the womens body chief of passing the buck. Have you read NCW chairperson Rekha Sharmas latest tweet. Please read, this is how she victim shames and passes the buck when it comes to discharging her duties. Her mentality only emboldens, rapists and molesters, she said on X. Indian actor Richa Chadha also criticised Ms Sharmas response. Rekha Sharma is more worried about perception rather than the ground reality of rape, perhaps she doesnt get time to read the newspaper. Do tag her in the future, when you come across news of rape and sexual violence, so she is aware, she said. Swati Maliwal, Delhis top official heading the city-states own commission for women, called out the assault and asked officials to arrest the accused. It is a matter of shame for our country that a tourist woman from abroad was gang-raped and beaten by 7-8 criminals. We should be ashamed our countrys name is being tarnished across the world, she said on X. She urged the state government of Jharkhand to investigate the case as soon as possible and sentencing the criminals. Speaking to The Independent, the NCW chief said she took issue with Volodzkos general statement that India had sexually regressive men and women should not travel there alone. These unfortunate incidents happen everywhere in the world and we must take on them and condemn them in strongest possible words but telling them that the country is unsafe is not acceptable to me, Ms Sharma told The Independent. The survivor earlier revealed in an interview with Spanish TV channel Antena 3 that she was raped in turns by the men for about two hours while some watched. Pitamber Singh Kherwar, the police superintendent of Dumka, told reporters that the patrol van transported them to a nearby health centre for medical care. The incident has sparked a debate on the safety of women in the country. Many women travel influencers also voiced their concerns on social media. A hashtag asking for justice for the victim was also shared widely among the biking community. Reassuring women travellers in India and those considering visiting, Ms Sharma urged people to reach out to the police in cases of they experience any incidents of harrassment. I would like to say that, God forbid, if any untoward incident, sexual or otherwise happens to you please reach out to the police or NCW. Police because it will be the first contact point and if you dont get help from them we are there any time of the day or night, she told The Independent. In 2022, close to 90 rapes were reported daily in India, according to data from the Indias federal body National Crime Records Bureau. However, the actual number is likely higher, as a significant portion of cases remains unreported due to a prevailing stigma surrounding victims and a lack of trust in police investigations. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Celebrating news of an engagement might normally involve a small gathering with a few friends and family opening a bottle of champagne not a three-day extravaganza featuring a private show by Rihanna, an after-party performance by Akon and the grooms mother wearing a 47m emerald necklace. But the Ambanis are no ordinary family, and this was no ordinary pre-wedding party. The celebration offers a glimpse into the dizzying wealth of Asias richest man, Mukesh Ambani, who put on the event to announce his youngest son Anant Ambanis engagement to longtime girlfriend Radhika Merchant, who is herself from another wealthy industrialist clan. The wedding itself, which isnt for several months, promises to be one of the biggest in recent memory. Running from Friday to Sunday, the event was characterised by displays of stunning jewellery, precious gems and daring couture pieces. The bride-to-be wore a pink Versace gown previously modelled by Blake Lively, and the estimated 1,200 guests were put up in luxurious tent accommodation with a legion of hair stylists, make-up artists and traditional Indian saree drapers on hand. Celebrities including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump and Shah Rukh Khan had over 500 dishes to choose from over the course of the three days, prepared by around 100 top chefs. The catering contract alone was rumoured to run to around 20m, while some reports put the total cost of the event at 120m about 0.1 per cent of Ambanis estimated $120bn fortune. The event was so massive that the Indian government was forced to temporarily upgrade the local domestic airport in Jamnagar in western Gujarat so that it could accommodate the private jets arriving from all over the world. The have been some mutterings of local criticism that an Indian Air Force facility deemed militarily sensitive should be used for such purposes, with pop-up desks for immigration and customs run at public expense. This photograph released by the Reliance group shows from L to R, billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, son Anant and wife Nita, posing for a photograph as guests gather to celebrate Anants wedding in Jamnagar, India, Saturday, 2 March 2024 (AP) This photograph released by the Reliance group shows from L to R, Jared Kushner, daughter Arabella and Ivanka Trump posing for a photograph with billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, right, at a pre-wedding bash of Ambanis son Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, India, Friday, 1 March 202 (AP) Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman of Reliance Industries, Radhika Merchant and Nita Ambani, share a moment during the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India (Reuters) The entire event effectively represents a display of economic and political clout from the 66-year-old Ambani, who is currently the worlds 10th richest man. His Reliance Industries is a massive conglomerate, reporting over $100bn in annual revenue, with interests ranging from petrochemicals, and oil and gas to telecoms and retail. Under his leadership, Reliance founded by his father Dhirubhai Ambani in 1966 sparked a telecom price war with the launch of the 4G phone and broadband service Jio in 2016. Today, it has more than 420 million subscribers and offers 5G services to far-flung corners of the country. Earlier this week, Disney struck an $8.5bn deal to merge its India business with Ambanis Reliance Industries, forming a new media giant. The Ambani family owns, among other assets, a 27-story private apartment building, named Antila, worth $1bn in Mumbai. It has three helipads, a 160-car garage, a private movie theatre, a swimming pool, and a fitness centre. Mr Ambanis critics say his company has flourished because of political connections during the Congress governments in the 1970s and 80s and subsequently under prime minister Narendra Modis rule since 2014. They say a culture of crony capitalism in India has allowed several giant corporations, such as the Ambanis and their biggest rivals the Adani Group, to thrive at the expense of greater plurality in the marketplace. A Stanford University dropout, Ambani married Nita Dalal, a professional Bharatnatyam dancer and school teacher, in 1985. Six years after their wedding the couple had twins Akash and Isha Ambani. Four years later, the youngest son Anant was born. All the Ambani children have studied at Ivy League universities in the US and are now handling different arms of their fathers business. This photograph released by the Reliance group shows Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan posing for a photograph at a pre-wedding bash of Mukesh Ambanis son Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, India, Saturday, 02 March2024 (AP) This handout photograph taken and released by Reliance on March 2, 2024, shows pop icon Rihanna posing for pictures at the Jamnagar airport in Jamnagar (Reliance/AFP via Getty Images) This photograph released by the Reliance group shows L to R, Bollywood stars Amir Khan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan performing at a pre-wedding bash of billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambanis son Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, India, Saturday, 02 March 2024 (AP) Akash Ambani, who graduated in economics from Brown University, is now chief of strategy at Reliance Jio Infocomm. Isha Ambani, a graduate in psychology from Yale University, is now a director at Reliance Jio Infocomm and Reliance Retail. Their youngest sibling and this weekends groom-to-be also attended Brown University and serves as a director at an energy business operated by Reliance. Growing up, Anant was highly asthmatic so he had to take a lot of steroids, his mother told Times of India in 2017. The treatment resulted in a lot of weight gain, she said. During his pre-wedding speech last week, he thanked his parents for their support and said his life had never been a bed of roses due to his health issues. I have faced many health crises since childhood but my father and mother have never let me feel it, he said, according to the Indian Express. My father and mother have always stood by me, and they have made me feel that if I can think, then I can do it. Extravagant parties like this weekends, that saw the first full-length live show from Rihanna in eight years, are the Ambanis speciality. How else does one get Ivanka Trump to attend a magical evening in Everland event in a quiet corner of the country, alongside her husband Jared Kushner, in dazzling gold and silver striped sequin saree with chandelier earrings. Or get Mr Zuckerberg and his wife Pricilla Chan to break away from their typical lives of quiet luxury, donning black outfits designed by Alexander McQueen. On the Saturday, the Facebook founder kicked the style up a notch with a shimmer tigress-themed shirt. That night, Chan wore a two-piece outfit decorated with nature-themed adornments including two gold birds and Zuckerberg wore an outfit that was modeled after wildlife with flowers. And on Sunday, Chan took to Instagram, sharing the outfit of their final night a purple saree with small floral designs, while Zuckerberg wore a beige Sherwani. This photograph released by the Reliance group shows R to L Paula Hurd, Bill Gates, Indian Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani and her husband Zubin Irani at a pre-wedding bash of Mukesh Ambanis son Anant Ambani in Jamnagar, India, Saturday, 02 March 2024 (AP) This was not the first time the Ambanis have gone big with their wedding celebrations. In 2018, when his daughter married, Ambani successively booked global megastar Beyonce to perform at the pre-wedding festivities. At the time, former US Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry were among those who rubbed shoulders with Indian celebrities and Bollywood stars in the western Indian city of Udaipur. Later that year, the happy couple, Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal, officially celebrated their engagement overlooking the picturesque Lake Como in Italy. In December 2018, they got married at the Ambani residence in Mumbai. According to The Guardian, the Ambani family at the time shelled out nearly 78m on the wedding. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Taiwan's labour minister on Tuesday issued an apology following an uproar over her racist remark on the recruitment of Indian migrant workers. The minister kicked up a row after stating in an interview that Taiwan would recruit people from Indias northeast because of their "skin colour and eating habits" being similar to the Taiwanese people. Taiwan and India on 26 February signed a labour mobility agreement to allow the island to import Indian workers in an effort to meet its labour shortages. The island reportedly utilizes the labour of around 700,000 migrants the majority of them from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. "Furthermore, most of them believe in Christianity," Ms Hsu said during the interview earlier this month, justifying the decision to recruit workers from India's northeastern states. While New Delhi has not engaged in any public outrage, the interview triggered a domestic backlash from members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Hsu Ming-chun said at a legislative hearing Taiwans labour policies were crafted with equality in mind and are never discriminating, according to FocusTaiwan. Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting from the ruling party publicly criticised the labour minister's statement saying: "Taiwan's recruitment of migrant workers absolutely cannot be based on race or ethnicity. Period". The furore prompted Taiwan's labour and foreign ministries to issue statements apologising to India. We will earnestly review and improve, and express our sincere apologies, the labour ministry said on Monday. Taiwan's foreign ministry issued a similar statement and an apology without naming the labour minister. "Recently, in discussions with relevant sectors in Taiwans society, certain government agencies have made remarks that were not entirely appropriate, the ministry said. Ms Hsu clarified she praised the Indian workers' abilities and performance in the interview because she had hoped to highlight these attributes. She had previously denied reports of Taiwan hiring as many as 100,000 Indian migrant labourers, calling it "fake news". The Bloomberg report triggered fury on social media, with the Taiwanese citizens expressing concern over women's safety and a possible rise in crime rate due to the influx of labourers. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Taylor Swifts ongoing Eras concerts have sparked a diplomatic row after Singapore guaranteed a lucrative six-night residency at the expense of its disgruntled neighbours. The deal, thought to be worth around 14m has led to a backlash among the city-states neighbours due to an exclusivity clause negotiated by prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, which prevents her from performing anywhere else in southeast Asia. The popstar is playing six shows in Singapore from 2 to 9 March, under a deal that has been branded unfriendly by critics in Thailand and the Philippines, who complain that they are being deprived of the tourist boom brought by Swifts tour. Last month, Filipino lawmaker Joey Salceda said the deal, for which Swift is reportedly being paid an incentive worth 2.3m per show, isnt what good neighbours do. Speaking from the Australian city of Melbourne, where he is attending an Asean leaders summit, Lee confirmed that Swift was provided with certain incentives from a government fund established to rebuild Singapores tourist industry after the Covid pandemic. Chinese fans of Taylor Swift arrive in Singapore for the first of her sold-out shows in the city-state (EPA) While he declined to say how much the deal was worth, Lee said he didnt regard it as unfriendly towards his neighbours. It has turned out to be a very successful arrangement. I dont see that as being unfriendly, he said, suggesting a neighbouring country might have done the same had they got there first. Sometimes one country makes a deal, sometimes another country does. I dont explicitly say you will come here only on condition that youll not go to other places, he added. He also suggested that Australia might have made similar mutually acceptable, sensible arrangements with Swift when she performed in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of her Singapore shows. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Taylor Swift performing in Singapore (Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana) If thats whats needed to be done to get an outcome which is mutually beneficial and which, from Singapores point of view, serves not just to grow the economy but also to bring in visitors and goodwill from all over the region, I dont see why not, he said. If we had not made such an arrangement, would she have come to someplace else in southeast Asia or more places in southeast Asia? Maybe, maybe not. These are things that she will decide. Lee Hsien has defended Singapores exclusive deal for six Taylor Swift concerts (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The Independent has contacted Swifts representatives for comment. The Anti-Hero singer is currently preparing to release her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, which she announced upon winning her 13th Grammy Award at the 2024 ceremony in February. It is due for release on 19 April. Her Eras tour has made headlines around the world for its impact on local economies, with cities experiencing booms in tourism and hospitality around each of her stops. Last year, Forbes reported that she had achieved billionaire status, in part thanks to the Eras tour along with her Taylors Version re-recorded albums and her box office smash concert film. The publication describes Swifts brand as essentially a multinational conglomerate with the worlds most devoted customer base. It was also noted that Swift is one of the few performers to achieve billionaire status on music and performance alone. She embarks on the longawaited European leg of her Eras tour in May, starting in Paris, with her UK shows taking place this June. Additional reporting by Associated Press. Close Snow in area affected by Texas wildfires Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Cool weather on Monday managed to help officials quell some of the fires as containment levels increased early this week, with two fires becoming completely contained. But fire authorities warn that increased fire weather could hit the Texas Panhandle Thursday and Friday. At a news conference on Tuesday, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd pleaded with nearby residents not to start any new fires. Over 90% of wildfires are human caused, he claimed. Strong winds and dry conditions this past weekend exacerbated flames, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire in northern Texas which remains only 44 per cent contained, according to the forest service. The fires began late last month. The Smokehouse Creek Fire has burned more than 1.3 million acres across the Texas Panhandle and destroyed 500 structures. Its now the largest fire in the states history and one of the largest in the US history. Authorities say it has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of cattle and forcing evacuations. Statewide, the fires have killed at least two civilians and one volunteer fire chief. A lawsuit filed last week claims that the fires originated from an electric pole that wasnt properly inspected, fell and started the blaze. Q I want to travel to Seville, Cordoba and Granada in October this year with my wife for a week or so from Manchester. I thought about flying from Manchester to Seville, then travelling by train to Cordoba, then Granada and back to Seville to fly home. Would an organised tour be best? And what is the ideal time to devote to each city? Robert C A These three cities are the glories of Andalucia, and each is distinctive and well worth at least two days. Seville, your proposed starting point, has some magnificent monuments. Most notable: the Real Alcazar palace complex a fusion of Islamic and Christian architecture and the worlds largest Gothic cathedral. Seville also has a mosaic of fascinating districts. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Every family has one: that relative with habits best described as eccentric and a history personal, professional, legal that can only be summed up as complicated. The one who is referred to, in euphemistic terms, as an acquired taste. For most of us, though, this character remains the preserve of whispered conversations and the odd fraught festive dinner. The odds of them, say, making a much-heralded appearance on an ITV reality show alongside Sharon Osbourne and Nikita off Strictly are relatively slim. So spare a thought for the Middleton family. This week, while fending off increasingly wild conspiracy theories about Kate stepping back from the public eye to recover from abdominal surgery, the royal-adjacent clan are having to contend with another potential PR nightmare. That ticking time bomb of unwanted publicity has a name, and it is Gary Goldsmith. Uncle G is the 58-year-old brother of Carole Middleton (who, in case youre somehow unfamiliar with the Middleton family tree, is Kates mum, Prince Williams mother-in-law, and grandmother to the heirs to the throne). He is also the ultimate embodiment of the phrase a bit of a character, the black sheep of the family par excellence and last night, he entered the doors of the Celebrity Big Brother house. For the next few days or even weeks, he will be shacking up with the likes of TheX Factor judge Louis Walsh, Ekin-Su from Love Island and Fern Britton, formerly of This Morning, living in a house rigged with 24/7 cameras. Kate's uncle Gary describes Meghan as 'stick in the spokes' of royal family Royal hangers-on are a mainstay of reality television: just look at the post-palace trajectory of former butler Paul Burrell, who has supplemented his main career (talking about Princess Diana on daytime telly) with no less than three appearances on Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! albeit in different countries versions of the show. Mike Tindall, the rugby-playing husband of Princess Annes daughter Zara, did a stint in the jungle, too, eating critters alongside Matt Hancock. But with Gary, proud owner of an Ibiza villa once named the Maison de Bang Bang, the CBB producers have a real wild card on their hands. Goldsmith, who made his fortune in IT recruitment, has the words Nouveau Riche tattooed across his shoulders (other inkings include the initials GG, which also reportedly adorns the walls at the Maison de Bang Bang, and the phrase spend and God will send). His drink of choice is vodka with pink lemonade (he ordered it so many times at the Soho restaurant Bob Bob Ricard that they christened this cocktail of sorts with his initials). He calls himself the King of Fun, while his old colleagues used to refer to him as the grand old Duke of Slough. And since the Middleton family were catapulted into the spotlight by virtue of Kates relationship with a prince, Goldsmith has been embroiled in scandal after scandal. In 2009, he was caught up in a News of the World sting, allegedly offering drugs to undercover reporters. His family were reportedly furious, but two years later, he still secured an invitation to Kate and Wills royal wedding and turned up for the occasion in his signature low-key style, arriving at Westminster Abbey in a bright blue Rolls-Royce convertible. Then, in 2017, he was fined 5,000 and given a community order after admitting to assaulting his fourth wife Julie-Ann during a drunken argument; the judge described him as a nasty drunk. This incident has prompted the charity Womens Aid to criticise his inclusion on the CBB line-up, which, they argued in Metro, demonstrates the lack of awareness that the [shows] production team has when it comes to survivors of domestic abuse. Black sheep: Gary Goldsmith has been beset by scandal over the past decade and a half (PA) Rather than retreating from the spotlight after these disgraces, Goldsmith is always happy to chat to the press about his niece and her regal in-laws. He has branded Camilla absolutely adorable after she shrugged off his red-top drama (Dont think twice about it, she reportedly told him. I get the same myself) and last year waded into the media storm surrounding Prince Harrys autobiography Spare, taking umbrage at Harrys claim that Kate reduced Meghan Markle to tears in a pre-wedding row over bridesmaid dresses. Im particularly appalled by his vile confection of half-truths and complete fabrications because Kate is my adored niece, he wrote in the Daily Mail. Celebrity Big Brothers producers are surely hoping that the loose-lipped Uncle G unleashes a whole load more family secrets when the cameras are trained on him. Harry and Meghan seem like his most obvious targets, but viewers will almost certainly be more interested in any unfiltered insights into how Kate and William actually react behind the scenes (at this point, the Sussexes have revealed pretty much everything there is to reveal about themselves through their own media enterprises). Of course, the King of Fun dropping chaotic bombshells is the last thing the royals need right now, what with a handful of senior members currently beset by illness. Goldsmith has apparently been read the riot act by Carole and her husband Michael (although they cant have been particularly menacing, given that old GG went ahead and signed up anyway); the couple arent happy and find the whole thing infuriating, according to a source. Will Kate be watching while convalescing at Adelaide Cottage, doing battle with ITVXs countless ad breaks in order to catch up? Probably not the stress surely wouldnt do her much good. But whatever Uncle Gary ends up spilling on air, hes unlikely to be excommunicated. After all, his family seem to have forgiven him worse. Perhaps over time, theyve come to subscribe to the mantra he emblazoned onto the walls of his Ibiza pad: Its Garys world, you just live in it. MBABANE - Mountain of Salvation Founder and Prophet, Vusumuzi Major V Dlamini, has attributed his controversial character and errors to a lack of mentorship during difficult times. Dlamini said he would have not exhibited the controversial character had it not been for the lack of a mentor to guide him during tough times. Dlamini said this in an interview after confessing his wrongdoings and controversial character, through his official Facebook page. In particular, he confessed to have been imbibing wine. Challenges He stated that he had since realised that there was a lot he did wrong out of confusion, emanating from life challenges. Honestly, I have been through a lot, especially during the COVID-19 era and during the unrest. As a man of God, who was solely dependent on the church, I was unable to make money after government had banned church gatherings during COVID-19. I had no one to help me, as my debts accumulated. Some people whom I owed camped at the church and demanded their money. My cars were repossessed due to debts, he said. Dlamini stated that many congregants, including those he had helped, turned against him during the political unrest. He said many of the congregants were of the view that he should join the call for change, which culminated into looting, burning and vandalism of private and public properties across the country. He said the situation worsened as a very few congregants remained in the church. They tried to lure me into joining calls for change, but I couldnt join them, because I viewed it as a fight against the King. There is absolutely no way I can be lured into turning against the King, he said. Worth noting was that Dlamini was subjected to criticism, as he openly declared his love and support for the King. He admitted that he resorted to drinking alcohol, in particular wine, while trying to deal with his stress, after God warned him against committing suicide. It should be noted that Dlamini posted video clips of himself in clubs. He also used unpalatable words whenever in the clubs. He said he had since decided to be a changed person and go back to the time when he was respected for the work of God. I have decided to go back to the mountain for the benefit of the people, through miracles. I have realised that my controversial character has put all those who had trust in me into disrepute. I have realised that I owe all those who have confidence in me, he said. Miracles Dlamini said he would go back to the mountain to pray for more miracles, for the benefit of the people. He said the powers that he used to have would be multiplied four times. He said while in his personal renaissance, God did him wonders as he was chosen to pray for the country in the beginning of year prayer service held at Mandvulo Grand Hall. He said it was high time that he respected and lived with all people. He said his confession was meant to show people that no one was perfect and that all people made mistakes. The prophet has been seen entertaining crowds with his dance moves, something which raised curiosity about his character. To this, Dlamini said he would not part with dancing. He said to him, dancing was just entertainment and had nothing to do with his calling. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Living Well email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kate Winslet has revealed she previously struggled with an eating disorder amid the rising popularity of weight loss drug Ozempic. The 48-year-old British actor opened up about enduring years of public scrutiny for her weight in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times published on 5 March. While speaking to the outlet, Winslet learned about popular Type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic, which has been prescribed as an off-label weight loss drug due to its side effects. I actually dont know what Ozempic is, the Mare of Easttown star revealed. All I know is that its some pill that people are taking or something like that. The outlet noted that Ozempic - which is the brand name for semaglutide - has yet to reach widespread popularity in the UK as it has in the US. Winslet then asked exactly what Ozempic does, according to The New York Times, with her mouth full of pastry. Rather than a pill, Ozempic is a once-weekly injection that works by mimicking a hormone to regulate appetite and create the feeling of fullness. As The Holiday star learned how the medication works, she appeared appalled that Ozempic has dampened interest in food. Oh, my God, she replied. This sounds terrible. Lets eat some more things! Elsewhere during the interview, Winslet recalled how her shot to stardom in the 1997 film Titanic occurred around the same time that she was struggling with an eating disorder. When Winslet was just 22 years old, comedian Joan Rivers had cracked a joke about her sinking the Titanic. Winslet attempted to stifle conversations surrounding her weight in a 1998 article with Rolling Stone, in which she explained that she was a heavyset teenager who sensibly lost the weight doing Weight Watchers. Winslet admitted to The New York Times that she never told anyone about her eating disorder at the time. Because guess what - people in the world around you go: Hey, you look great! You lost weight! she said. So even the compliment about looking good is connected to weight. And that is one thing I will not let people talk about. If they do, I pull them up straight away, Winslet added. Titanic stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet attend Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton on 18 January 1998 (Getty Images) This isnt the first time the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind star has opened up about facing intense public criticism at such an early age. In a recent interview with Net-a-Porter, Winslet reflected on the emotional toll that the success of Titanic had on her, and how media intrusion made her life more difficult. I felt like I had to look a certain way, or be a certain thing, and because media intrusion was so significant at that time, my life was quite unpleasant, she said. She acknowledged that after starring in Titanic, she preferred to take on much smaller roles. Journalists would always say: After Titanic, you could have done anything and yet you chose to do these small things and I was like: Yeah, you bet your f***in life I did! Winslet recalled. Because, guess what, being famous was horrible, she added. I was grateful, of course. I was in my early twenties, and I was able to get a flat. But I didnt want to be followed literally feeding the ducks. In December 2022, the Divergent actor discussed being relentlessly body-shamed in the media following the global success of Titanic. Speaking to the Sunday Times, she remembered being called blubber and receiving advice to settle for fat girl roles. It can be extremely negative. People are subject to scrutiny that is more than a young, vulnerable person can cope with, Winslet said. But in the film industry, it is really changing, she added. When I was younger my agent would get calls saying: Hows her weight? I kid you not. So its heartwarming that this has started to change. During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Winslet revealed exactly how she would respond to body-shamers if she had the chance to turn back the clock. I would have said: Dont you dare treat me like this. Im a young woman, my body is changing, Im figuring it out, Im deeply insecure, Im terrified, dont make this any harder than it already is, she explained. Thats bullying, you know, and actually borderline abusive, I would say. For anyone struggling with the issues raised in this piece, eating disorder charity Beats helpline is available 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677. NCFED offers information, resources and counselling for those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their support networks. Visit eating-disorders.org.uk or call 0845 838 2040. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Living Well email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A first-time mum who miscarried four babies within the space of a year, including a set of twins and a near-fatal ectopic pregnancy, is preparing to celebrate Mothers Day after finally giving birth to a healthy baby boy who she still cant believe (is) here. Laura Kane, 34, a project manager who lives in Kidderminster with her partner Aaron Reynolds, a 33-year-old plasterer, and their nine-month-old son William, first fell pregnant in April 2021 but sadly had a missed miscarriage at around seven or eight weeks, leaving her absolutely heartbroken. A missed miscarriage, according to the NHS, is diagnosed when a foetus has died or failed to develop but is still in the mothers uterus she did not know until bleeding several weeks later prompted a scan, but Lauras baby had died in her womb and had to be surgically removed. In October 2021 Laura then discovered she was pregnant again but, just a few days later, found out she had an ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb. Told her baby would not survive, she had to have surgery to remove the baby and was told her fallopian tubes could rupture at any point which could prove fatal, so had to have one of them removed too. Ahead of the procedure, she was put on the antenatal ward, and had to be around pregnant people and babies knowing there was a dead baby inside of (her). Laura had a near-fatal ectopic pregnancy in October 2021 ( ) In May 2022 she became pregnant with twins, but one of them did not develop early on, and at eight weeks, she had another missed miscarriage and had to have another operation to remove the baby. Laura felt like these losses were not a coincidence so, after persuading her GP, she was put on the waiting list for Tommys recurrent miscarriage clinic in Birmingham a specialist clinic run by the UKs largest pregnancy and baby loss charity where patients can access cutting-edge clinical care, as well as have the opportunity to participate in medical trials. But in October 2022, while on the list, she unexpectedly fell pregnant again. The team pushed for Laura to be prescribed with progesterone pessaries for the first 16 weeks of her pregnancy, and to have a stitch for her funnelling cervix, and in June 2023, she had a planned C-Section and gave birth to her baby boy. She believes this would not have been possible without Tommys and is now looking forward to celebrating Mothers Day. Laura told PA Real Life: Ill never forget my other babies I found it so hard in previous years when people would ask me if I have any children. I wanted to say Yes, but theyre all in heaven but its really hard because miscarriage is such a taboo, so it was easier to say no even though it made me so upset. Im just so happy to have William and we cant believe hes here. Laura is so thankful to have her baby ( ) When Laura first discovered she was pregnant in April 2021 she and her partner were so excited at around six weeks, she had a private scan and was told her baby looked perfect. But, in June 2021, she began lightly bleeding so doctors brought her 12 week scan forward by one week it sadly revealed that her baby had stopped growing at around seven or eight weeks old and she was told she had a missed miscarriage. We were absolutely heartbroken, she explained. Because of the taboo of not really being open about miscarriages and also because people dont tell you that theyre pregnant before 12 weeks I think I thought when I fell pregnant that being pregnant equals having a baby. Just a week later, she had to go back into hospital to have surgery to remove the baby. Laura said: It was very hard to process I recovered physically quite quickly however emotionally it was very challenging. In October of the same year, Laura began experiencing pain on her side and visited her GP but, when they conducted some tests, she discovered she was expecting again. Laura was ecstatic but nervous and was taken into hospital a few days later for a scan. She was sadly told she had an ectopic pregnancy when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb. At that point, her baby was alive but doctors said they would not survive, and she needed surgery to remove the baby and her left fallopian tube. I was told it could rupture at any point and it could be fatal, she said. I was on the antenatal ward, and could see pregnant women and babies all around me and Im there knowing there was a dead baby inside of me. I was seeing everyone all happy, as they should be, coming out of their scans and holding their bumps and I was just crying my eyes out. Laura and Aaron slowly began trying for a baby again, and in May 2022, she became pregnant with twins, but one of them did not develop early on, and at eight weeks, she had another missed miscarriage and had to have another operation to remove the baby. We had weekly scans and everything seemed okay, Laura explained. After I had the operation, my body still thought I was pregnant which was really hard I felt nauseous, had sore boobs and things like that. Throughout this period, Laura felt like she and her family did not get a chance to process each loss. She said: It all happened so close together and it was hard to stop and think about it we were just so heartbroken and exhausted really. Our parents were just so excited for us and everyone was so sad when we lost them. Laura began to research recurrent miscarriages as she felt like what she was experiencing was not a coincidence, so she reached out to the Tommys recurrent miscarriage clinic in Birmingham. Her GP was reluctant to refer her to a service out of her area, but after over a month of calls and appointments, they finally agreed to the referral and she received confirmation from Tommys that she was on the waiting list. In the meantime, Aaron and Laura agreed to stop trying to conceive but in October 2022, she unexpectedly found out she was pregnant again. Laura still can't believe they have their son (Collect/PA Real Life) ( ) Laura contacted Tommys as soon as she found out and they advised her to ask for progesterone pessaries, but Laura felt like her GP did not listen to her concerns. I was told it would be classed as any other pregnancy they couldnt give me any progesterone until after I had a scan or showed signs of a miscarriage, she said. But, Tommys arranged for us to have an early scan and I was eventually prescribed it, and they pushed for me to have consultant-led care. They pushed me to ask for another scan because of the impact a previous procedure had on my cervix, and it turned out I had a funnelling cervix which needed a stitch I think this, and the progesterone made all the difference. Over Christmas 2022, Laura and Aaron were so relieved to have reached the 12-week mark and were discharged from Tommys but, regularly contacted them for advice. In June 2023, Laura and Aaron welcomed their baby boy, William, into the world. I truly believe if it wasnt for Tommys, my baby wouldnt be here today, Laura said. I had such a lovely experience before and after, it was amazing. I had a playlist of Disney Classics because its what I played William every night through my bump. We were just unbelievably happy and I couldnt believe he was real until I held him in my arms. Looking back on her experiences, she said: I just dont think that anyone should have to go through so much heartache to have a baby. If it wasnt for me researching Tommys and me also saying No, actually, this isnt right my baby might not be here today. Laura is now looking forward to Mothers Day with her son, she said: Were going to celebrate this year by going out for a meal and Im so excited Im so thankful to have him. Laura is supporting Tommys We See a Mum Mothers Day campaign. For more information, visit Tommys.org/WeSeeAMum. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Last month, hospitals and clinics were forced to stop all in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are legally protected children. On 28 February, state lawmakers proposed two bills that would shield the medical providers from criminal and civil liability. In vitro fertilisation, otherwise referred to as IVF, is a type of assisted reproductive technology. According to Planned Parenthood, the process involves surgical procedures and medication prescribed to help sperm fertilise an egg and the egg implant in the uterus. There are multiple steps carried out over several months. What is the IVF process? The first step in IVF is ovulation induction. The first step in IVF is taking fertility medications for several months to help your ovaries produce several eggs that are mature and ready for fertilisation, Planned Parenthood explains on its website. Frequent blood tests and ultrasounds are normal to ensure hormone levels are where they should be and to keep track of egg production. The egg retrieval happens next. Per Planned Parenthood: Once your ovaries have produced enough mature eggs, your doctor removes the eggs from your body. Egg retrieval is a minor procedure performed in a doctors office or clinic. Using an ultrasound to see inside your body, the doctor puts a thin, hollow tube through your vagina and into the ovary and follicles that hold your eggs. The needle is connected to a suction device that gently pulls the eggs out of each follicle, Planned Parenthood noted of the procedure. Next, the eggs are mixed with sperm cells from a partner or donor. The eggs and sperm are then stored in a special container for fertilisation to occur. Here, the cells in the fertilised eggs divide and become embryos. However, if the sperm has lower mobility, they are injected into the eggs directly to aid the fertilisation process. After three to five days, the embryos are transferred to the uterus. The doctor slides a thin tube through your cervix into your uterus, and inserts the embryo directly into your uterus through the tube, per Planned Parenthood. If the embryo sticks to the uterus lining, the woman will become pregnant. Planned Parenthood recommends rest after the embryo transfer, holding off on normal activities until the next day. To help the embryo survive in the uterus, progesterone hormone shots and pills can be administered in the following eight to 10 weeks. Side effects of IVF can include mood swings, headaches, cramping, bloating, bleeding, infection, bruising from shots, breast tenderness, and potential allergic reactions to medicines. Aside from the physical risks, IVF can take a toll on ones mental state. Planned Parenthood noted: IVF can also be difficult emotionally, both for the person having the procedures and for their partner and/or family. Many people doing IVF treatments struggle with depression and anxiety throughout the process. According to a recent Forbes report, the procedure can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 for one full cycle ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and embryo transfer. The total cost is dependent on the fertility clinic and the patients needs. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Influencer Nara Smith has responded to accusations on TikTok concerning her video content. In a recent get-ready-with-me video on TikTok, the 22-year-old mother of two shared some facts about herself as she did her makeup for the day. She talked about her relationship with her husband, Lucky Blue Smith - a Mormon and a model - with who she shares two children: a daughter named Rumble Honey, born in 2020, and a son named Slim Easy, born in 2022. The pair married in 2020 after six months of dating and are now expecting their third child. Her husband Lucky Blue has been a prominent model since the height of his fame when he blew up on Tumblr in the 2010s. Since then, he has continued to model for campaigns for brands like Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford. Together, they have established themselves as prominent influencers, often going viral for their cooking videos or videos that spotlight their growing family. Nara has long been accused of being a tradwife, an internet aesthetic that glamourises 1950s gender roles and values, and packages it in a modern way that encourages women to embrace fundamentalist values. The South African model subtly addressed comments that she was a tradwife and acknowledged that her lifestyle is not for everyone in her recent video. Ive always wanted to be a young mom because growing up, my dad would always tell us that he regrets having kids later in life, she said. So I took that advice and its one of the best decisions I could have made, and I know its not for everyone. She added: I was always very mature and independent and did a lot of things at a very young age. So I never feel like Im missing out on any of the partying, any of that, because Ive done all of that. As for her social media accounts focus on cooking, Nara said that cooking is simply a passion of hers born out of an interest in her wellness. Ive always loved cooking, she explained. I just recently, in the past year, have gotten really passionate about it. It all started when I was dealing with really severe eczema and I had to make sure that what I put in my body would be good for my body. And thats kind of how I got into nutrition and food and cooking. Nara also noted that she was well-aware that her Mormon religion has stirred some controversy among viewers, but doubled down that shes not trying to spread Mormon propaganda, as some followers have accused her of. Rather, she said shes still figuring out what she does and does not believe in. I know that my religion is a very hot topic on the internet, she said. I dont know what Im doing, Im still learning and figuring out my own faith. Im not in any way a hardcore Mormon or anything like that. I dont wear garments. I didnt get married in the temple. She continued that she and her husband have had very different upbringings and spiritual journeys, while Utah native Lucky Blue grew up in the Mormon Church, Nara grew up abroad in Germany with a different set of ideals. Both me and my husband are on our own journeys and figuring out how we want to raise our kids, she added. The video has received over 1.4m likes on the platform, with many gawking over Naras age, but also some who felt bad that she was catching a lot of flack for her religion or values. Theres not one solid reason for the criticism you receive, one person said. You really are the sweetest, most unprovocative person. Youve inspired my cooking journey. She highkey ate the haters up in the most effortless way possible, someone else added. The Independent has contacted Smith for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Trainee doctors in South Korea began resigning en masse Monday in protest of a government medical policy, causing reported delays in surgeries and other treatments at hospitals, though no major disruption in the country's medical service has yet occurred. Doctors groups and the government have been squabbling over a government plan to increase the number of medical school admissions by 2,000, starting from next year. Health authorities say its urgent to have more doctors considering South Korea's fast-aging population. They say the number of doctors in the country relative to the size of the population is among the lowest in the developed world. But doctors groups say the government must use available resources to raise medical fees and resolve other problems first. Some doctors say the government plan could eventually result in doctors locked in competition, performing unnecessary medical treatments and posing a burden to the public health insurance plan. On Monday, trainee doctors at the countrys five major hospitals began submitting letters of resignation before formally walking off their jobs the next day. Their association, the Korea Intern Resident Association, had determined to take such a collective action during an emergency meeting last week. Seouls Asan Medical Center said that a number of interns and resident doctors there submitted resignation letters and that it was trying to reschedule planned surgeries and other medical treatments for some patients. Seouls Severance Hospital said some of its trainee doctors also handed in resignation letters and suggested it could rearrange surgery schedules as well. South Korean media reported that hundreds of trainee doctors at other hospitals have already submitted their resignation letters. Media reports say some hospitals have canceled or put off planned cancer surgeries, child births and other procedures in which trainee doctors assist senior doctors during surgeries. No major troubles in the country's medical services were immediately reported Monday. The Health Ministry said it was trying to find how many of the total trainee doctors at the five hospitals estimated at about 2,700 in local media submitted their resignations. South Korea has about 140,000 professional doctors. The Korea Medical Association, which represents doctors, said it plans to hold rallies in support of the trainee doctors but hasn't determined whether to join their walkouts. Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo expressed deep worries and regrets over the trainee doctors action. Park, citing a medical law, said the government ordered them to continue their jobs. Earlier Monday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said the government will take steps to prevent the trainee doctors' action from undermining the care of emergency patients. He said that more than 400 emergency medical treatment centers across South Korea will stay open around the clock. He said the government will deploy military doctors if the situation worsens. __ Associated Press writer Hyung-jin Kim contributed to this report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britains top officer has warned that tackling violence against women and girls needs the same level of funding as terrorism policing as he faces questions over the recruitment of Sarah Everards killer to police. Sir Mark Rowleys comments came as the mayor of London branded the recruitment of Wayne Couzens and repeated failures to stop him as one of the most shattering accounts of failure in British policing history. Sadiq Khan hit out at a series of blunders which allowed Couzens to be recruited to three different police forces after last week a damning inquiry uncovered a string of missed opportunities to catch the killer. The inquiry, led by Lady Elish Angiolini, branded Couzens a predatory sex offender and murderer who should have never been a police officer, and laid bare a history of alleged sexual offending dating back nearly 20 years before he murdered the 33-year-old marketing executive. At a meeting of the London Policing Board on Tuesday, Mr Khan expressed his deepest sympathies with Ms Everards loved ones who on Sunday marked the third anniversary of her kidnap and murder by Couzens while he was a serving Metropolitan Police officer. Ms Everard was walking home in Clapham, south London, on 3 March 2021 when she was tricked by Couzens, who falsely arrested her before driving to Kent where he raped and strangled and dumped her burnt body in woodland. Knowing that a police officer harboured the capacity for such sadistic violence still haunts our city, Mr Khan said. Its a perpetual reminder of why were here and the importance of this board. Sarah Everard was murdered by Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens (PA) The London Policing Board was established to oversee Met police reform in the wake of Baroness Louise Caseys review of the Met, which concluded the force was institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. Mr Khan added: Whilst the Met is now on the path to fundamental reform, were 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. In response, Met commissioner Sir Mark said he was deeply, deeply sorry to Ms Everards loved ones and repeated his comments that the report was an urgent call for action. He added that a BBC documentary Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice on the murder due to air on Tuesday evening also highlights the best of the Met, as it documents the police hunt for Ms Everards killer and the moment they apprehended Couzens. The countrys top officer also said future governments need to give police the same level of funding to deal with violence against women and girls as terrorism or organised crime. The aim nationally should be to treat it as a national security threat like we treat organised crime, like we treat terrorism, he said. When you look at the amount of harm that predatory men create in communities and to individuals, thats what it deserves. He told the board that there are hundreds of thousands of men in Britain who are a threat to women and girls. He said that 34,000 men had allegations made against them in one year in London, while nationally 800,000 women have been sexually assaulted. Separate estimates from the National Crime Agency suggest that 750,000 men pose a sexual threat to children. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan branded the recruitment of Couzens one of the most shattering accounts of failure in British policing history (PA) Sir Mark said: You start to add these numbers together. There are a lot of men who are a threat to women and children. And were trying to build the capabilities to both react better to the crimes that are reported, and to proactively in public space or with dangerous offenders protect women and children. And were making progress by being clever, better organised, but were going to need the support of future governments to really build the scale of resource that to deal with this problem across the country that is the same kind of resource that you have proportionately to deal with, say terrorism and organised crime. His comments come after The Independent revealed at least 350 women have been killed by men in the three years since Ms Everards murder. He told board members although his force was still considering 16 recommendations made by Lady Elish in her inquiry to improve police vetting checks and responses to indecent exposure, he was not against any of her findings, adding: I have seen nothing that I disagree with. He also noted that the number of officers who fail police vetting when applying to join the Met has doubled in the past three years as they drive up standards. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A uniformed police officer was caught on film pushing her foot down on the stomach of a rough sleeper as she appeared to try to unzip him from his sleeping bag. Greater Manchester Police told The Independent that the officers actions outside Manchester Town Hall last September fell below the standard we expect. The force said it had since provided the officer with refresher training. Charity Crisis said it was concerned by the incident, adding rough sleepers needed to be respected by police officers. The video first shows the police officer pull the man by his sleeping bag as she tells him I told you. She then struggles with him as she appears to attempt to open the zip to his bag before pushing down her foot on his stomach and shouting stop it. The footage showed at least two other uniformed police officers at the scene. The man, said to be a refugee from Sudan, told the BBC, he was left injured and went to hospital after the incident, but has since recovered. He said: I was telling her I need to sleep. But she stamped on my stomach with her foot. The man claimed he had woken from his sleep outside the town hall, and after being told to move on had said there was nowhere to go. The police officer first drags the man by his sleeping bag away (BBC) Crisis chief executive, Matt Downie, said: Its distressing to see people experience this kind of treatment. Such incidents serve to traumatise and stigmatise those of us forced to sleep on the streets. We are concerned that incidents like this could become more common and urge the Westminster government to work with police forces to ensure officers are getting the right training to support people in need. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: Greater Manchester Police was first made aware of this concerning video in around September last year. The officers behaviour fell below the standard we expect, especially concerning respect for all members of the community, and the officers 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 then appears to push down her foot on the mans stomach (BBC) She, along with other employees, received refresher training on how to deal with similar situations in the future. Last week, figures released by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities revealed the number of people counted rough sleeping across England had risen by 27 per cent in autumn last year, compared to the previous y ear. In Greater Manchester, 149 people were counted rough sleeping. Reacting to the figure, Fran Darlington-Pollack, chief executive of the Greater Manchester Mayors Charity, said urgent changes were needed to end the avoidable homelessness created with current asylum processes. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The best friend of missing Sarm Heslop has told her boyfriend and person of interest in her disappearance to do right by her and let police search his yacht where she was last seen alive. Ms Heslop vanished from her American boyfriend Ryan Banes 47-foot luxury catamaran Siren Song on 8 March 2021. The 41-year-old former flight attendant was last seen aboard Mr Banes boat, where she had been working as a chef as it was hired for $2,000 a day charters around the Caribbean. According to authorities, the couple who matched on Tinder eight months earlier, had been out for dinner at the bar 420 to Center on St John before returning to the 500,000 catamaran late that night. Sarm was last seen stepping back onto the Siren Song three years ago (Find Sarm) Mr Bane would later say they watched Netflix and fell asleep. He called 911 at about 2.35am the next morning, told police that he had been woken by the anchor alarm and went to investigate and realised that she was missing. Ms Heslops wallet, passport and phone had been left on board, and he said she might have fallen overboard. The sea captain waited until 11.46am the next day to call the Coast Guard - a nine hour gap which her friends and now family want him to provide a timeline for. Mr Bane has never been formally interviewed by police and no forensic search of the boat, Siren Song, was ever carried out. In the days after Ms Heslops disappearance, Mr Bane told family he was searching for her as he reportedly hired an attorney and declined to be interviewed by Virgin Islands Police. He sailed off in the days after the disappearance and was spotted in Caribbean islands before pictures emerged of him hitting the gym in his home state of Michigan. Her mother Brenda Street, 67, told The People newspaper: I dont believe Sarm just went missing. I believe she was murdered. I want justice for her. Ms Heslops disappearance is still being treated as a missing persons case (FindSarm) She is not accusing Bane of having any part in her daughters death but she believes he has stopped her family from finding out what happened to her. He has since been described as a person of interest by Virgin Island authorities, who are still treating the case as a missing persons investigation. Mr Bane has denied any wrongdoing. Ms Heslops best friend Andrew Baldwin, 44, struggled to talk about her in the past tense when he spoke to the Independent about his ongoing search for answers. She was a real burst of energy, he said. Just a real life and soul of any group. She was a loyal friend and really would do anything for anybody. The lust for life she had was just incredible. Andrew Baldwin on his wedding day with his best man Sarm (FindSarm) There was no doubt who I would ask to be my best man. She was a bit surprised because its a bit unconventional but she was overwhelmed to be asked. That memory of her on my wedding day is the one I always fall back on. She was always up for travel seeing new places, meeting new people, having new experiences and thats what really took her to the Caribbean and she got into that lifestyle of working and traveling around. Adventure - thats what led her to where she was - on that yacht and where she got lost. Her partner Ryan Bane was not arrested (Find Sarm) I spoke to her a few weeks before she went missing, he continued. We stayed in regular contact by message. It was very much like How are you doing? Where are you today? She was travelling the world like trying to get around all the Covid restrictions. I wasnt worried about her. She was street-smart and savvy. Shes a person that if she was in a situation that she wasnt comfortable in she would get out of that situation. When we got the call to say she was missing and by that time shed been missing overnight I feared the worst. I know she would have contacted someone immediately. On Mr Bane, who has a conviction for assaulting his ex-wife, he added: We had a few conversations where she said I met someone new. I want to go back out to be with him. Sarm Heslop, right, with her mother Brenda Street. Heslop has been missing for two years after disappearing from her boyfriends boat in the US Virgin Islands (Courtesy of Heslop family) I told her its your life you have to do what you need to do to be happy. But I wish I knew then what I know now I would have told her to stay away from him as much as possible. I check all my friends boyfriends histories now. I spoke to him in the very early days. He was telling me all the stuff he had been doing like taking the boat out to find her. I think my message to him has always been really clear. We ask him to talk to the police if he has nothing to worry about. Me, her family and friends just want to understand what happened that night. And if he hasnt spoken to the police to clarify or even to answer questions, then how will we know? On the yacht: Why wont you let that boat be searched? Youve got nothing to hide. You loved her, you loved our friend and you wanted to be there for her then please do right by her to find out. Stop putting up barriers. You are carrying on with your life while her family and friends are at a loss without her. Mr Heslop was sailing off the coast of St John in the US Virgin Islands when she vanished (FindSarm/PA)) He said it has been a struggle corresponding with Virgin Islands Police who he said failed to respond to his last ten emails. Island police showed her parents her last known sighting on CCTV before it got abruptly cut off before they stepped on the boat. Despite multiple requests, the CCTV has never been made public leaving her family wondering what happens next. Mr Baldwin said: If this was a UK investigation no stone would be left unturned. Its difficult to compare but the Nicola Bulley case the resources, the dogs, the helicopters were up for weeks. We get the impression they just want us to go away. But were not going anywhere we are very determined to find out what happened to our friend. She would do the same for me. Its been difficult to sleep its the not-knowing is what gets you. We dont know if shes dead or alive. If you needed someone to talk to she was always there. Everyone misses her laugh and her presence. David Johnston QPM, former Commander of Homicide and Serious Crime at Metropolitan Police, has been hired by the family to represent them and co-ordinate a search with Virgin Islands authorities. The US Virgin Islands Police Dept claim that the case is open and ongoing and yet they are refusing to treat Sarms family with the dignity of even a response to our emails and letters, he said. Meanwhile we understand that Ryan Bane has resurfaced in the US without ever being formally questioned by the police. Mr Banes lawyer David Cattie said: Mr Bane is heartbroken over Sarms disappearance. We certainly understand and empathise with her mothers pain and frustration. Mr Bane called 911 immediately upon waking and finding Sarm was not on board. He took his dinghy to shore to meet with VIPD that night and called the USCG the next day when no one appeared at his boat. He also had the USCG on his vessel twice following Sarms disappearance. Later Mr Bane and I personally took all of Sarms belongings to the police, including all of her electronic devices. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sarm is urged to call Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-TIPS For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. 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 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar 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. 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 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. Tell Biden there will be no shamrock when there is not a total ceasefire Mick Barry, Solidarity representative 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. You seem to be a little bit obsessed about the bowl of shamrock and that takes about 20 seconds Leo Varadkar 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. The leaders will reaffirm the close and enduring partnership between the United States and Ireland and the extraordinary bonds between our people Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary 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. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Watch as David Cameron was expected to speak in a House of Lords debate on foreign affairs on Tuesday, 5 March. It came after the foreign secretary warned that Israel is in breach of international law if it does not provide Gaza with food and water. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the agency, said 10 children have died from a lack of food. Dr Ghebreyesus said visits over the weekend found severe levels of malnutrition, children dying of starvation, serious shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies, and hospital buildings destroyed. The situation at Al-Awda Hospital is "particularly appalling, as one of the buildings is destroyed," he said, adding that the only paediatric facility Kamal Adwan Hospital was overwhelmed with patients. Elsewhere, Lord Cameron has "strongly called on Hong Kong to reconsider their proposal for a new national security law, which he said will inhibit freedom of speech, expression, and the press. He said the region's new security legislation breaches its obligations signed under the British governments handover deal of the former UK colony. 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. LOBAMBA How do emaSwati benefit from these mines that are being opened in the country? Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned if the mining of minerals in Eswatini was benefitting emaSwati. The MPs were asking Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela yesterday, during the annual performance report and budget debate by the ministrys portfolio committee in Parliament. Potential The minister, when presenting the annual report, mentioned that mining was one of the sectors identified to have the potential to increase the gross domestic product (GDP) by two per cent annually. For that reason, the minister told the portfolio committee members that three prospecting rights had been granted to three companies for coal in Mpaka and St Phillips as well as diamond at Dvokolwako. The minister also told the MPs that Michael Lee Enterprises was granted a mining licence for Green Chert at Malolotja. The MPs lauded the ministers zeal in seeing the mines operating, but stated that they were unsure about the benefits these were bringing to emaSwati. Sigwe Inkhundla MP David Cruiser Ngcamphalala asked about the credibility of the mining companies that were given prospecting and even mining licences. The MP said there was a company that was given mining rights around Ngwenya some years ago, but left the countrys roads in a bad state and further disappeared with money that emaSwati were supposed to benefit from. Did you do a thorough investigation on these mining companies? We have seen in yesteryears where such mining companies destroyed our roads and emaSwatis millions of investments went down the drain, he said. Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini questioned if emaSwati were getting value for the mining licences that were issued by government. Licences We appreciate the granting of licences, because we want to see activity in the mining sector, but the biggest concern is, are we getting value for issuing these licences? Recently we issued a Green Chert licence and we also have gold and coal licences. With so much mining activity going on in the county, why are we not seeing any tangible benefits? the MP asked. The MP said Eswatini had been mining gold for a couple of years but it seemed like nothing was happening in terms of economic upliftment. He said they heard that the Lufafa Mine was also operating but how was it helping the economy? Dlamini said even the communities around these mines were not developing. The MP said his investigations revealed that the value of Green Chert was US$80 per kilogramme. He said he was disappointed to learn that with so much value, the companys salaries started from E3 500 per month, which he said was an insult. The MP said emaSwati needed to see value in the mining sector. Some MPs suggested that the mining sector salaries should at least start from E7 000 due to the profits made from the minerals. He also asked what was happening with the Ngwenya Iron Ore Mine, as it was announced over a year ago that it would start operating. Questioned Meanwhile, Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane questioned the benefit of Lufafa Gold Mine to emaSwati. I applaud the ministry for opening the mining sector, because we have been questioning when will we benefit from the sector. However, I would like to know the contribution of Lufafa Gold Mine. What is happening at Lufafa, how many people are hired there? he asked. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} German military leaks which left British troops at risk may be just the tip of the iceberg, according to Berlins former intelligence chief. August Hanning warned that more Nato secrets could have been obtained by Russia after it published a video call between German military officers discussing support for Ukraine. A recording of the call was leaked by Russian state media on Friday in which they discussed the details of British troops on the ground in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has previously claimed Russias war is against the collective West, not just Ukraine (via REUTERS) On Monday, Rishi Sunaks official spokesman declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine, beyond saying there was a small number of troops providing protection for British diplomats and training for Ukrainian forces. But on the call, the head of the German air force said Britain had people operating on the ground in Ukraine helping Kyivs forces fire long-range Storm Shadow missiles. During the conversation, Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz, the head of the German air force, describes how the UK and Ukraine work to deploy Storm Shadow missiles against targets behind Russian lines. When it comes to mission planning, the German commander says, I know how the English do it, they do it completely in reachback. They also have a few people on the ground, they do that, the French dont. Reachback is military jargon for obtaining equipment that is not on the battlefront. Berlin has launched an investigation and military experts warned the leaks put British troops at risk. But on Monday night, Mr Hanning told Germanys Bild newspaper: This leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg. Russia had already seized on the leaks as a further example confirming once again that the countries of the collective West are being drawn into the conflict around Ukraine, a key point of the countrys justification for the ongoing war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has previously claimed Russia is fighting against the collective West, not just Ukraine. The prime ministers spokesman told reporters it is clearly in the Kremlins interest to propagate misinformation and we should not fall into that trap. Rishi Sunaks official spokesman declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine beyond saying there is a small number of troops on the ground (AP) We do have to treat anything coming out of the Kremlin with caution. As we know, Russia has a tendency to spread misinformation and disinformation and clearly it is in their interests to sow disunity amongst allies who are seeking to support the armed forces of Ukraine. While No 10 was keen to stress Western unity, it is likely that stern conversations will take place with Berlin behind the scenes. The spokesman declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine, beyond saying there was a small number of troops providing protection for British diplomats and training for Ukrainian forces. Former chairman of the defence committee Tobias Ellwood said many aspects of the leak were concerning. He told the BBC: Firstly, why werent basic concept protocols followed? But it also revealed a tension, I think, between senior German military who want to see Taurus dispatched and the German Chancellor, who seems increasingly focused on his political survival rather than whats best for the continent. And its also how this plays out in Germany. He added: You can see the tensions that are playing out in capital cities as to what we should do next in Ukraine because the tide does seem to be turning unless they receive greater support. Theyve not received the F-16s, theyre not receiving artillery shells that they need, and theyre not receiving the long range weapon systems. He said that Germany did respond well after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but now were seeing other factors coming into play. Tobias Ellwood raised concerns over the apparent leak (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Archive) Mr Ellwood added: Unlike here, where the longer term strategic dangers to our economy and our security of Putin winning are constantly spelled out by the Prime Minister by the UK Government, and that helps retain public support for the scale of military systems, in Germany, in contrast, its still seen by the German public as a war in Ukraine, not part of a wider confrontation that Putin is seeking to have with the West as Putin moves his economy to a war footing and actually becomes arguably more powerful than Stalin. Mr Ellwood added that given the intensity of Russias spying on Germany and others, they probably have not learned anything that they didnt already guess. But that does not prevent some serious conversations taking place in the diplomatic corridors between Germany and Britain and indeed Nato, as well as to why this happened in the first place. Meanwhile, former Army chief Lord Dannatt has said the German air force officers who were caught talking on the unencrypted call should be censured pretty heavily. He told Times Radio: I was very disappointed to read that story. I think the German air force officers who were talking on an open line, frankly, should be censured pretty heavily. They are suggesting that there are British people in Ukraine. Its not for you or me to comment on that. We have provided a lot of equipment to them. We provided a lot of training. As far as Im concerned, I think what they were talking about was whether they would or wouldnt supply a German system akin to our Storm Shadow. I suspect that we do our training on Storm Shadow, either in this country or in Poland or elsewhere. Its not for you or I to confirm or deny whether there are British military in Ukraine. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A minister has been forced to deny plans for a May election as the government faced calls to explain why a top diplomat was kept in the dark over the cancellation of a major summit in April. Rishi Sunak had been due to host political and business leaders from 25 different African countries at the gathering in London. But it will not now be held at the end of April, a decision taken so abruptly the events official envoy was already on his way to visit the continent when he found out, ministers have admitted. The revelation will add to growing speculation over an early poll. Mr Sunak has previously said he wants to hold it in the second half of the year. And asked on Monday if there was a sniff of a chance of a May general election, trade minister Mr Hands told Times Radio: No. He was questioned over mounting speculation the PM could call a snap poll to coincide with local elections at the start of May, just weeks after the postponed Africa investment summit was due to have taken place. In answer to questions from shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry, ministers have now admitted the envoy, former British ambassador to Ethiopia, Dr Alastair McPhail, was only informed the summit had been delayed while en route to Rwanda to discuss it. They blamed scheduling issues in the international calendar" for its postponement. But Labour has accused them of showing blatant disrespect to allies and called for an explanation. The party says it is prepping for a May election amid fears the Conservatives will try to use the element of surprise to avoid a thumping from voters. Rishi Sunak (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire) Shadow minister for trade Gareth Thomas said: "Whether or not this summit was postponed with a May election in mind, there has been no proper explanation for the decision, and now we discover that even the official envoy for the event was left in the dark about it. He added: But as bad as that is, the biggest issue is not how David Cameron has sidelined his own diplomats, it is how our trade partners throughout Africa have been treated. "Treating countries who should be our friends with such blatant disrespect is not the way to promote mutually beneficial business deals. In a parliamentary answer, minister Leo Docherty said the Envoy was informed of the postponement of the Summit on 29 January shortly after the decision was taken, at which point he was already en route to Rwanda." He added that the decision had been taken owing to scheduling issues in the international calendar". The total cost of three-day trip to promote the event was 4,714 visit, the government said. The Foreign Office declined to comment. A No 10 source said the working assumption was still an autumn election. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The case of a missing girl has captured the nation in South Africa as the navy was brought to help with the search. Joslin Smith, 6, has been missing for three weeks after disappearing on February 19 in the Saldanha Bay area on South Africa's west coast, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Cape Town. Police, firefighters and specialized dog units have scoured sand dunes and scrub land near the informal settlement of shacks and small houses where Joslin lived. Search teams have used drones to view large areas of ground, police said, and personnel from a South African navy base in Saldanha Bay have now bolstered the operation. Hundreds of community members have also been involved in the search, and some of them claimed this weekend to have found a knife and a girl's clothing stained with blood, which they said they handed over to police. Police said they had sent items found during the search to a laboratory for forensic examination without saying what exactly was discovered. This photo supplied by the South African Police Services shows a photo of Joshlin Smith who went missing on February 19 (AP) Police Minister Bheki Cele met with Joslin's family on Saturday and pleaded for calm among local residents after anger erupted over the young girl's disappearance. Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith, said she and her boyfriend had to be kept at a police station for their own protection last week after angry neighbors blamed them. Police did not comment on that but Cele asked for the community to remain calm amid the finger-pointing. Kelly Smith said she asked her boyfriend to look after Joslin when the young girl felt unwell and didn't go to school on the day she disappeared. The boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, said he lost track of where Joslin was. The Missing Children South Africa charity, which is helping in the search for Joslin, says police statistics indicate a child goes missing every five hours in the country. Around a quarter of the missing children are killed, trafficked or never found, it said. Police also launched a separate search for a 3-year-old boy who went missing in another town near Cape Town on Sunday. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Three passengers, who were on board the Alaska Airlines flight which had to make an emergency landing after a door blew off the aircraft mid-flight, are suing Boeing for $1 billion. The complaint, filed on 20 February, alleges that the aircraft manufacturers negligence caused the incident in early January. Kyle Rinker, Amanda Strickland and Kevin Kwok were all on board Alaska Flight 1282 when the exit door plug in the middle of the plane fell off the aircraft and air began to rush out. Phones, a teenagers t-shirt and other personal items were sucked from the plane in the process, while passengers clung to seats and each other. A photo after the incident shows the hole left behind by the dislodged door plug (via REUTERS) The three plaintiffs, who were all sitting two rows diagonally back from the hole, are seeking substantial punitive damages from the manufacturer. "I know that some people were able to text loved ones and say what was happening. We couldnt even do that we just had to hold on to each other, Ms Strickland told ABC News. Ms Strickland and her boyfriend Kyle Rinker told the outlet that they could not hear their fellow passengers screams because the rushing air was so loud. "It was horrible. Our lives are gonna be forever changed now, she added. Like I said, we dont know if well ever be able to get on a plane again. The lawsuit, filed by aviation law firm Jonathan W. Johnson, LLC, claims that Boeing should have carried out further inspections before the 737 Max 9 was placed in service. A Boeing 737 MAX 9 for Alaska Airlines is pictured along with other 737 aircraft at Renton Municipal Airport adjacent to Boeing's factory in Renton, Washington, on 25 January 25, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images) Investigations so far have found that four key bolts were missing from the panel which fell out of the plane as it flew from Portland, Oregon to Ontario in California. 174 passengers and six crew were on board. Seven passengers and one flight attendant received minor injuries, with the plane making an emergency landing back in Portland. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both pulled the 737 Max 9 from service while investigations got underway. On Monday, the Federal Aviation Authority said that Boeing had failed to meet quality control standards during manufacturing, while another report raised concerns about staff being comfortable in reporting safety issues. The National Transportation Safety Boards investigation into the incident is still underway. Alaska Airlines and Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for further comment from The Independent on Monday, while a Boeing spokesperson said the company had nothing to add. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} As the search for Elijah Vue enters its third week in Wisconsin, police are asking for help in tracking down the movements of a car one day before the three-year-old was reportedly last seen. Two Rivers Police Department shared photos of a beige 1997 Nissan Altima on Monday evening, saying law enforcement is now in possession of the vehicle. The department has been leading the search for Elijah, after he was reported missing in the town on 20 February. We are requesting homeowners and businesses to review their surveillance camera footage captured on February 19, 2024 between the hours of 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, the department said on Facebook. Due to the duration of the hours requested to be reviewed, we are asking the public beyond the greater Two Rivers area and adjacent counties to review their videos as well. The department initially only shared that the Wisconsin registration plate started with A and ended with 0, without any indication of who ownedthe car. However, this is the first big development in the search for the little boy in over a week. Elijah Vue, 3, was last seen in Two Rivers Wisconsin on 20 February 2024 (Two Rivers Police Department) Police officers and volunteers have now been joined by the National Guard and other law enforcement teams from across Wisconsin, as the search has expanded to more rural areas. Elijahs mother Katrina Baur, 31, and her boyfriend Jesse Vang, 39, remain in custody on charges of child neglect in connection to the three-year-olds disappearance. Two Rivers PD said on Tuesday that the vehicle does not belong to either Ms Baur or Mr Vang and that officers are not interested in the owner, only the vehicles movements. Mr Vang reported Elijah missing on 20 February, claiming that he went for a nap at 8am and woke to find the child gone. Elijah had reportedly been sent to stay with Mr Vang, around 2.5 hours away from his Wisconsin Dells home, for disciplinary reasons just over a week before his disappearance. The 39-year-old told police that the boy was subjected to lengthy time outs and was threatened with cold water if he misbehaved. On the morning he disappeared, Mr Vang had allegedly told Elijah to stand at the foot of his bed and pray. Since Elijah disappeared, there has been no sign of the boy who is of Hmong and white ethnicity, stands about three feet tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. He has a birthmark on his left knee and may have been carrying a red-and-white plaid blanket. Police say Elijah Vue may have been carrying this blanket when he disappeared on 20 February 2024 (Two Rivers Police Department) Elijahs family has been heavily involved in the search for him, with his grandmother and aunt making emotional pleas a week ago for any information which leads them to him. Following the latest update from police, locals voiced concern that they would not be able to help as many doorbell cameras only store footage going back five days. A $15,000 reward is now being offered by the FBI for information which leads investigators to Elijah, while Manitowoc County Crime Stopper has increased its reward from $1,000 to $10,000. Two Rivers PD is asking that anyone who does have relevant footage to upload it using this form. Alternatively, those with information can call the tip line on 844-267-6648. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 22-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard will spend the next 16 years in prison after he leaked classified military documents to his friends online, all in an apparent bid to show off. Jack Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, has been in police custody since his arrest last April. The classified information which included details of Russias ground war in Ukraine, among other national security secrets constituted the unauthorized removal, retention and transmission of classified national defense information, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Last summer Teixeira pleaded not guilty to all six charges. Each charge carried a maximum 10 year prison sentence under the Espionage Act. On 4 March, he changed his plea to guilty and accepted a deal to serve 16 years in prison for leaking the information. Jack Teixeira Teixeira comes from a military family and grew up approximately 50 miles south of Boston. He enlisted in the state Air National Guard in 2019, and obtained a top secret security clearance some time in 2021, according to the Department of Justice. As part of his security clearance he would have understood that leaking any of the information he had access to could result in criminal charges, according to a federal complaint. Teixeira was stationed at the Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, since May 2022. He served with the 102nd Intelligence Wing as a cyber transports systems journeyman essentially an IT specialist at the time of the leaks. His unit reportedly provided worldwide intelligence for combat support and homeland security functions. FBI agents arrest Jack Teixeira, an employee of the US Air Force National Guard (Reuters) The Discord leaks Teixeira was the administrator of a Discord server named Thug Shaker Central. Discord is a chat service similar to Slack that gives users the ability to create their own servers and manage them through the use of voice, video, and text channels. The service is popular among video game players and other hobbyists who want to connect and chat with people who share their interests. The users on the server were reportedly young men interested in everything relating to the military. The server had approximately two dozen to about 50 members, according to a Washington Post report. Some users shared racist, antisemitic, and anti-government conspiracy jokes and memes on the server, and a video of Teixeira holding a rifle and making antisemitic comments was reportedly posted to the server and shared with Washington Post reporters by another member. By Fall 2022, Teixeira had reportedly started sharing the classified documents taken from his workstation with other members of the Discord server in an effort to teach the other members about actual war, according to The New York Times. Members of the server said that while he ostensibly wanted to teach them about real warfare, some users who spoke to reporters, as well as an FBI charging document, suggested he wanted to show off his access to classified information. Unlike Edward Snowden who was also an IT professional who leaked secret government documents he accessed through his work Teixeiras leak was not intended as a whistleblowing effort. A member of the server told The New York Times that the messages were never supposed to leave the server. However, leave they did. Another member of the server made copies of the classified information and shared them elsewhere on Discord, which prompted a report by The New York Times and a subsequent federal investigation. Artist depiction of Teixeira in court (AP) Officers failed to stop Teixeira In December, 15 airmen who worked with Teixeira were also disciplined as a result of the leaks. Some were removed from their commands. An internal investigation into the leaks found that Teixeiras colleagues and superiors reportedly caught him accessing and copying classified information, and did not take appropriate action to stop him. At one point Teixeira was spotted taking notes on intelligence documents and slipping them into his pocket. He was reportedly warned by his supervisors to stop mishandling and accessing classified information outside of the scope of his work. However, the note was not confiscated and security officials were not alerted to his actions. He continued to collect and leak the information. An Air Force inspector general determined that his superiors intentionally failed to report the full details of Teixeiras actions due to fears that security officials might over-react, according to CBS News. His supervisors did alert security officials of his actions in January 2023, but even during that meeting they reportedly did not report the full scope of what Teixeira had been doing. The leaks have reportedly prompted the Pentagon to revisit who is permitted to view classified information. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Florida sheriff has been forced to apologise after sharing a photo of what appeared to be the body of murdered 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto online. The photo was posted on Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopezs personal Instagram page within 24 hours of the teenagers body being found on Friday 1 March. Sheriff Lopez has since said the post was an accident and that he meant to actually upload a post about a visit with senior citizens. The image appeared to feature clothing which matched the outfit Madeline was last seen wearing when she vanished on 26 February in Kissimmee. The sheriffs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent on Tuesday morning about the incident, but a spokesperson told local media that the photo had been immediately removed when the error was spotted. We deeply apologise for any confusion or disturbance this may have caused, they said. As with any investigation, the information obtained is confidential and any mistaken disclosures will be immediately rectified. The incident comes after another official from the OCSO Executive Director Nirva Rodriguez shared a selfie with suspect Stephan Sterns in the background, as he was booked into the county jail on charges of sexually battering a child and possessing child pornography. Mr Sterns, the victims mothers boyfriend, was arrested on 28 February after officers found criminal photos and video on his phone. One day later, Orange County Sheriffs Deputies concluded the teen was dead. Mr Sterns, 37, had told officers that he had dropped Madeline off close to her school on the Monday morning, but that she never showed up for class. Orange County Sheriff John Mina later said that he believed Madeline was already dead that morning, after finding security camera footage showing what they believed was Mr Sterns driving his car with her body inside. Madelines body was then discovered on Friday afternoon in rural Osceola County, where the first photo was reportedly taken. Missing poster for Madeline Soto (Orlando Sentinel) A spokesperson for State Attorney Andrew Bain told The Independent that he was deeply disturbed by the photos, which he said were in poor taste. We have requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigate this matter. However, we would be unable to comment on any active investigation, spokesperson Jason Gunn said. Our main focus is making sure we get justice for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. There are now questions around how these photos might affect a criminal trial for Mr Sterns, as Florida law prohibits the release of photos depicting the killing of a minor, including media showing their body, except to a parent. If an official is found to have wilfully shared the photo, they could face up to five years in prison. The man running to replace Sheriff Lopez in the 2024 election, Russ Gibson, said he was shocked and appalled over the posts. This is 100% unacceptable and 100% shameful and disrespectful to Madeline, her family and friends!! Mr Gibson said in a post on Facebook, with his supporters calling for a thorough investigation. Kissimmee Police Department, which is leading the murder investigation, told The Independent that there were no new developments as of Tuesday morning in the case. Mr Sterns is being held without bond. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A man suspected of bludgeoning a woman to death in a New York City hotel room earlier this month will remain in Arizona as he continues to fight his extradition to the Big Apple. Raad Almansoori, 26, is being held without bond in Phoenix on charges of attempted murder in two additional stabbings in Arizona after he fled the murder scene in New York. Mr Almansoori appeared in a Phoenix courtroom on Monday and told the judge that he would not voluntarily return to New York City to face charges associated with the hotel murder, FOX10 reported. Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara Spencer said Mr Almansoori will stay in Arizona to stand trial for the attempted murder charges, despite the objections of Manhattan prosecutors. She said the Arizona case must play out before any extradition case can move forward. Manhattan prosecutors, however, claim the SoHo murder case takes precedence over the lesser charges of attempted murder. Seeking justice for victims and survivors is our priority at the Manhattan DAs Office, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement following Mondays ruling. Raad Almansoori appears for his 26 February hearing in Maricopa County Superior Court (Mark Henle, The Arizona Republic via AP) We do not stand on ceremony but prioritize the integrity of the process, the spokesperson said. We are proceeding as we do in each and every case involving an out-of-state arrest: Following the facts and the law to ensure justice is served. NYPD investigators believe Mr Almansoori attacked Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38, with an iron, at the SoHo 54 hotel. Her body was found on 8 February. Oleas-Arancibias death was determined to have been caused by blunt force trauma to the head, and a broken iron was found at the scene, police said. Mr Almansoori was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, weeks later on 18 February, where he was allegedly driving a stolen car. The NYPD believes Mr Almansoori attacked Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38, at the SoHo 54 hotel (Google maps) Hours before his arrest, local police allege he attacked an employee in a bathroom at a McDonalds restaurant in Surprise, a suburb in the northwest section of Phoenix. The suspect allegedly entered the womens bathroom, pounded on the door of the stall where the employee was locked behind, climbed under the door, pointed a BB gun at her and stabbed her at least three times in the neck before fleeing. Phoenix police said Mr Almansoori is also suspected of stabbing another woman during a robbery attempt while armed with a knife and gun one day earlier. Following his arrest in Arizona, Mr Almansoori told officers he was wanted for the homicide in New York and that they should Google the hotels name, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at an earlier press conference. Mr Almansoori was indicted by a grand jury last week in Arizona and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the Arizona charges on Tuesday morning in Maricopa County Superior Court. Meanwhile, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office is continuing to press for Mr Almansooris return to New York. Manhattan prosecutors said they now plan to ask New York Governor Kathy Hochul to seek a warrant for his extradition, CBS News reported. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A member of the US Air Force has been charged with sharing classified information on Russia's war with Ukraine on a foreign dating site after messages from an unnamed woman seemed to beg for secrets. David Franklin Slater, 63, was charged in federal court in Nebraska with transmitting classified information about Russia's war with Ukraine on a foreign online dating platform, the Justice Department said on Monday. According to an 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 who authorities say retired as an Army lieutenant colonel and was assigned to the US Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, was arrested on Saturday on charges of illegally disclosing national defense information and conspiring to do so. The Justice Department says a civilian US Air Force employee has been charged in federal court in Nebraska with transmitting classified information about Russia's war with Ukraine (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Prosecutors say Slater attended briefings between February and April 2022 about Russia's war with Ukraine and, despite having signed paperwork pledging not to disclose classified information, shared details about military targets and Russian capabilities on an online messaging platform with an unindicted co-conspirator who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. According to the indictment messages sent by the woman on the dating app include: On or about March 7: American Intelligence says that already 100% of Russian troops are located on the territory of Ukraine. Do you think this information can be trusted? On or about March 11: Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting. On or about March 15: 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? On or about March 18: Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us? On or about March 23: Dave, its 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. On or about April 12: Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great! On or about April 14: My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, its great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv. On or about April 19: Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant surprise for Putin! Will you tell me? On or about April 21: You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, Im sure there is a lot of interesting news there? It wasn't immediately clear if Slater had a lawyer. He is due to make his first court appearance on Tuesday. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A pilot was heard saying he was unable to make an emergency landing, moments before he and four others died in a fiery crash at the side of a Nashville highway. Three children were on board the single-engine aeroplane which burst into flames when it crashed at the side of the I-40 just before 8pm local time on Monday. Audio came to light on Tuesday, reportedly from communications between the pilot and air traffic control as the plane attempted to make an emergency landing at John C Tune Airport after reporting engine failure. Im too far away, I wont make it, the pilot stated after the air traffic controller told him he was clear to land. Instead, the Piper Saratoga aircraft plummeted into the ground close to a Costco around 5 miles away. All five people on board died. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday afternoon that all five on board were Canadian citizens and that three of the deceased were children. Further details on their identities were not revealed. Nashville Fire Department crews rushed to the scene Monday night, with the department later saying that firefighters had managed to preserve as much of the evidence as possible so that investigators could work out what happened. Flight data showed the aircraft had flown from Milton in Canada at around 1.20pm ET on Monday, before heading to Eerie, Pennsylvania and Mount Sterling County, Kentucky and then to Tennessee. NTSB official Aaron McCarter told reporters in Nashville that the plane had circled the airport before turning back when it lost power. "We're still trying to determine why he decided to overfly the airport at 2,500 feet. I don't know that yet," Mr McCarter said. "We are at the infancy of this investigation. These are all things that will come to light in subsequent days." The NTSB has now moved the aircraft to a special facility where it can examine it in a closed environment. Several videos of the explosion as the plane hit the ground have circulated online, with Mr McCarter asking those with footage to assist investigators by sending it to the NTSB. Following the incident on Monday night, Nashvilles Mayor Freddie OConnell paid tribute to emergency services. Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening, Mayor OConnell said in a post on X. I want to thank the Metro emergency responders who were on site quickly and extinguished the fire. LOBAMBA The Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM) office will embark on an exercise to remove elderly people who are beneficiaries of other pension schemes, whether public or private from the grants. The DPM, Thulisile Dladla, told members of the offices portfolio committee yesterday, that the office would introduce initiatives that would ensure government grants were received by people who really needed them. The DPM, during the ministrys annual performance report and budget debate yesterday, told the House of Assembly Portfolio Committee that her office noted during Sibaya that emaSwati called for an increment of elderly and disability grants. Currently, the elderly receive E500, while it is E280 for those with disabilities. She said while they were preparing the budget, they made a request to increase the disability grant to E500, but the Public Budget Committee approved E400. Dladla mentioned that while they were in consultations and assessing the grants, they uncovered a lot of bottlenecks in terms of the beneficiaries of these grants. She said, however, the disability grant increment could not be halted by the bottlenecks they had identified. The DPM said they were cognisant of the fact that the grants were not servicing the needs of the beneficiaries, hence they needed to employ more strategies to increase them. She told the MPs that they had noted that some of the individuals who were benefitting from the elderly grants had worked before and were beneficiaries of some other pension schemes. Noteworthy, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security statistics for 2021, showed that around 27 000 beneficiaries of the elderly grants were also beneficiaries of Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) and other local pension schemes. Beneficiaries The DPM said such people did not really need the grant, hence her office would craft a way of seeing how they could remove or reduce the share of those beneficiaries. Dladla made an example of herself that after her term, she would not expect the grant as her pension would be more than the E500. Every liSwati aged 60 years old and above qualifies for the elderly grant. The DPM said the exercise they would embark on, would formulate a law that would identify who should qualify for the elderly grant in terms of economic status, among other criteria. Currently, the elderly grant disbursement does not have legislation. The DPM said through legislation, they would remove some of those who benefit from other schemes. I know this exercise will make us unpopular but it will save those who have no other means of income except for the elderly grants, she said. Dladla said they were looking at engaging an entity that would be in the form of a parastatal, to facilitate all the grants and conduct proper checks on beneficiaries. The DPM added that some of those who benefitted from the grants would not be removed but might get half. The DPM added that they would draw close attention to the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). Ntfonjeni Member of Parliament (MP) Raymond Dlamini lauded the DPMs Office for reviewing the disability grant. The MP mentioned that people with disabilities also went to the same stores as everyone else and got no special price. He said their grant was too little. Ludzeludze MP Nomkhosi Masuku supported the DPMs move to increase the elderly grant and further reduce it for those who were benefitting from other pension schemes. Wealthy While I support that move, the DPM should understand that there are those wealthy elderly people who have never worked in their entire life, those shouldnt be benefitting like the needy ones, she said. The MP also stated that there were PSPF members who worked as government cleaners and orderlies, whose pension was very little, around E800 to E1 300, who should not be removed. Motshane MP Wilton Nkambule echoed the MPs words, stating that one way to address poverty was to increase elderly grants. He stated that some of the issues like health in the country were caused by hunger. The MP said the elderly grant should at least be increased to E1 000. He even suggested that maybe MPs could contribute E1 000 from their salaries for the elderly grant increment. Pensioners Manzini North MP Mashayinkonjane Nhlengetfwa advised that the exercise by the DPM should not only focus on the public sector pensioners, but private sector pensioners as well. The DPM, in response, explained that they would not abruptly remove all senior citizens who were beneficiaries of other pension schemes, but they would categorise them. What we normally hear from those who benefit in other schemes is that they use the E500 to buy airtime and believe it was their right to get it, she said. Dladla said that would come to an end because the grant did not have legislation that had a criterion and regulations on how it would work. She said the formation of legislation would clearly state who should benefit from the grant, not the current formula which enabled everyone above 60 to qualify. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police are hunting for two people accused of stealing hundreds of Venus flytraps. Authorities in North Carolina have obtained arrest warrants for two people in a poaching case involving hundreds of the plants. Officers with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission obtained arrest warrants for two people accused of stealing nearly 600 of the rare plants from conservation land in Boiling Spring Lakes, WECT-TV reported. It is not clear if the people have been arrested and authorities with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have not returned messages left by The Associated Press. Venus flytraps are native to southeastern North Carolina. Venus flytraps ar sold on the black market (Getty) They only grow naturally within a 100-mile radius of Wilmington, Sgt. Matt Criscoe with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission told the news station. This time of year they start to bud flowers, making it easier to find them and prompting increased patrols for poachers, Criscoe said. He said the plants are sold on the black market or locally. Wildlife officers responded to a complaint last month about two people digging for flytraps in Boiling Spring Lakes. They were stopped at a local gas station and officers searched their backpacks. Theyre accused of harvesting more than 590 plants, Criscoe said. The accused have not been publicly identified. Digging up the plants and removing them from public land or land held privately by another person is a felony in North Carolina. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 78-year-old woman who sued two police officers after her home was wrongly searched by a SWAT team looking for a stolen truck has won $3.76 million. A jury in state court in Denver ruled in favor of Ruby Johnson and the verdict was announced on Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, which helped represent her in the lawsuit. T The lawsuit alleged that police got a search warrant for the home after the owner of a stolen truck, which had four semi-automatic handguns, a rifle, a revolver, two drones, $4,000 cash and an iPhone inside, tracked the phone to Johnson's home using the Find My app, and passed that information on to police. According to the lawsuit, Johnson, a retired US Postal Service worker and grandmother, 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. Ms Johnson sued Denver Police Detective Gary Staab (Joanna Kulesza via ACLU of Colorado) 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. A SWAT team mistakenly descended upon the Denver home of Ruby Johnson, 77, in January; she is now suing (ACLU of Colorado) 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 latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Supreme Court has voted to freeze the implementation of SB4, a new Texas law that would allow police officers to arrest anyone they suspect of illegally crossing the border. According to an order of the court issued on Monday, which was written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, the Texas legislation now wont take effect until 13 March. The court is expected to review the case and issue a ruling by then about whether the law can move forward. Last week, US District Judge David Alan Ezra blocked the law from going into effect. But on Monday, a federal appeals court ruled that the legislation could be enforced. Immigrant groups and the Biden administration quickly intervened and filed a request with the Supreme Court asking the judges to stop the law from being implemented. Before the Supreme Courts decision, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott wrote on Twitter, Federal appeals court allows Texas immigration law to take effect. Law enforcement officers in Texas are now authorised to arrest and jail any illegal immigrants crossing the border. He added: Obviously this is the case unless the Supreme Court intervenes by 9 March. If the Supreme Court hadnt issued an order, the law would have been implemented on 10 March. Under the law, police could begin to charge anyone they believe of entering the US without authorisation with illegal entry, a new state crime punishable by up to six months in prison. Anyone who has entered the US before or who has been deported can face 10 to 20 years in prison if detained. In certain circumstances, judges may allow arrested individuals to enter deportation proceedings. Anyone ordered to leave the country who chooses not to could be handed an additional charge of refusing to comply with the states deportation order, punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Responding to the Supreme Court decision, the American Civil Liberties Union called the legislation the most extreme anti-immigration law passed by any state legislature in the country. The organisation argues that the law is a violation of the US Constitution. We have long warned that this law will separate families, lead to racial profiling across the state, and harm people across the state as Governor Abbott continues his relentless campaign against people who are immigrants, the organisation continued. We urge the Supreme Court to undo the appeals courts administrative stay and preserve the decision keeping this harmful law from going into effect. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Weeks after a state supreme court decision that threatens the future of in vitro fertilization in Alabama, voters on Super Tuesday decided the courts next slate of justices in a closely watched Republican primary election. Last month, Alabamas Supreme Court defined frozen embryos as children, expanding the scope of so-called personhood embraced by Christian fundamentalists and anti-abortion groups who believe that life begins at conception and underscoring the far-reaching impacts of Roe v Wades collapse. The ruling drew widespread condemnation and alarm, with fertility clinics across the state fearing swift legal scrutiny and their forced closure while families were left in heartbreaking limbo. But the candidates running to replace the states retiring chief justice appeared unmoved. Republican Justice Sarah Stewart, who currently sits on the court and concurred with the controversial decision, is the projected winner of the Republican primary. She will now face Democratic candidate Greg Griffin, a Montgomery County circuit judge. Her Republican primary rival, former state senator Bryan Taylor, also didnt reject the courts personhood ruling, saying in a statement in response that we can uphold the sanctity of life without subjecting IVF clinics to lawsuit abuse. Alabamas 72-year-old outgoing Chief Justice Tom Parker a proponent of Christian nationalist doctrine who cited the Bible in the courts IVF ruling is unable to seek another term; the state forbids judges older than 70 to be elected. Republican lawmakers who have embraced fetal personhood scrambled to respond, revealing the GOPs deeply confused, ambivalent or intentionally obtuse views on reproductive health, just as Republicans flailed in the wake of the US Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe. IVF accounts for roughly 2 per cent of births in the US, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. But since the beginning of the year, more than 40 bills with personhood language have been proposed in at least 16 states, according to an analysis from Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Abortion rights advocates and Democratic candidates already were immersed in 2024 campaigns taking direct aim at anti-abortion Republicans feeling the wrath of voters two years after the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization. Candidates in federal races are pointing to the Alabama case as a warning; President Joe Biden has explicitly linked the Alabama ruling to the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe and Mr Trumps installation of three conservative justices to the high court. Vice President Kamala Harris and Health Secretary Xavier Becerra have met with families and IVF patients, and Democratic members of Congress rushed legislation to protect IVF nationally. But the Alabama case has magnified the role of state supreme courts in the fight to preserve abortion rights, with elections for state justices emerging as a new front in the post-Roe battle. There are at least 80 races for state supreme court seats in 33 states this year. Alabama was among four states with supreme court races on Super Tuesday. Demonstrators rally for IVF protections outside the Alabama State House on 28 February. (RESOLVE via AP) After the US Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade, abortion rights advocates and others have filed at least 40 lawsuits challenging anti-abortion laws in 23 states, with many cases reaching the bench at their respective state courts. Alabamas state legislature is also dominated by Republican lawmakers, who passed legislation through the state House and Senate last week to provide civil and criminal immunity for death or damage to an embryo to any individual or entity when providing or receiving goods or services related to IVF. The legislation states that no action, suit, or criminal prosecution for the damage to or death of an embryo shall be brought or maintained against any individual or entity when providing or receiving goods or services related to in vitro fertilization. But the measure does not answer whether an embryo created by IVF should be treated as a child under Alabama law the core issue in the state supreme court ruling. Statements from Donald Trump and Republican members of Congress have also ducked the issue, instead vowing to protect IVF without addressing the anti-abortion movements belief that life begins at conception, the central premise of the Alabama ruling. Alabamas Supreme Court asserted that an unborn child is a genetically unique human being whose life begins at fertilization, a statement not shared by scientists and one that is squarely at odds with how IVF works. The process typically involves the fertilization of several eggs at once to increase the likelihood of an embryo developing, or the storage of embryos that can cost families thousands of dollars a year. If each is considered a child, doctors could only then create one at a time, significantly reducing the chances of a successful procedure, while exposing clinics to potential liability that amounts to murder under Alabamas ruling. The state supreme court determined that people can be held legally responsible for destroying embryos under the scope of a wrongful death law. The devastating IVF ruling in Alabama has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and unfortunately we know attacks on access to fertility services dont end here, according to a statement from Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams. Republicans across the country have made crystal clear their mission to undermine the full spectrum of reproductive rights from extreme abortion bans to restrictions on contraception and IVF services, she said. Lynn Curry, nurse practitioner for Huntsville Reproductive Medicine, lifts frozen embryos out of IVF cryopreservation dewar in Madison, Alabama, on 4 March. (REUTERS) While Republican lawmakers scrambled to deliver a cohesive response to the Alabama ruling, anti-abortion activist lobbyists and legal groups that have fuelled the GOPs opposition to abortion rights were quick to celebrate it. A lawyer for conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom which led the challenge that overturned Roe and will soon be at the Supreme Court in an attempt to strip government approval of a widely used abortion drug called the Alabama ruling a tremendous victory for life. Students for Life celebrated the ruling: The Alabama Supreme Court has acknowledged that human embryos are children! An author at the powerful right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation called the Alabama decision an unqualified victory. Far-right commentator Michael Knowles has compared IVF to rape, labelled the procedure morally dubious, and suggested doctors should be criminally prosecuted. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also applauded Alabama lawmakers for immediately working to protect life and ensure that IVF treatment is available throughout the state. But hes also sponsoring federal legislation that would define human person and human being as each and every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization. This story was initially published on 4 March and has been updated with developments Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former presidential aide to Donald Trump has said that he is now not as sharp as he was during the 2016 election. Alyssa Farah Griffin said that the former president was not the strongest fighter the Republicans could have right now and that he had always had problems recalling facts or names. It comes as questions about the mental fitness of Mr Trump, 77, and President Joe Biden, 81, continue to swirl. Despite this an all-but-certain rematch between the two men looms in November. A recent poll from The New York Times/Siena College found that 47 per cent of survey respondents strongly agreed with the statement that Mr Biden is too old to be effective, while 26 per cent somewhat agreed. For Mr Trump, 21 per cent strongly agreed that hes too old, another 21 per cent somewhat agreed. Over the weekend a crowd of Trump supporters who had gathered in Richmond, Virginia to hear the former president speak went silent as he appeared to mix up Mr Biden and Barack Obama yet again. Shortly after we win the presidency, I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled, Mr Trump said on Saturday. Alyssa Farah Griffin said that the former president was not the strongest fighter the Republicans could have right now (ABC - The View) I know them both very well and we will restore peace through strength. Get that war settled. Its a bad war. And Putin has so little respect for Obama that hes starting to throw around the nuclear word, Mr Trump added, seemingly in the false belief that Mr Bidens former boss remains in charge. He has made the same slip several times and has sought to explain that and other gaffes such as mixing up Democratic former House speaker Nancy Pelosi with his Republican rival for the 2024 nomination Nikki Haley by claiming he is doing it deliberately for reasons of humour and sarcasm. In an interview with CNN, Ms Griffin who was special assistant to Mr Trump from October 2017 to September 2019 was asked how frequent Mr Trump muddled up facts, in relation to his recent campaign gaffes. "I have said this before, he is not as sharp as he was in 2016 and not even as sharp as he was in 2020. For some reason, that doesnt necessarily come across to voters the same way," she said. Ms Griffin, who is also a co-host of ABCs The View and a political commentator, also questioned why voters dont see this as an issue, adding that the mix-ups have gotten worse. Trump rants about dishonest Biden accusing him of not knowing Melanias name in recent gaffe "But Donald Trump is not the strongest fighter that Republicans could have right now and its remarkable how much voters dont see the age as also an issue because he is only three-and-a-half years younger than President Joe Biden, she said. But theres something about the way they carry themselves that is just seen very differently...I mean, its gotten worse, it hasnt gotten better. Hes not nearly as sharp as he was. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} When Anderson Clayton walks into the room casually dressed in a fun graphic tee, nearly everyones head turns and the noisy chatter lulls into excited whispers. Eyes remain locked on her as she begins embracing each of her fellow Democrat leaders. Clayton is somewhat of a local celebrity in North Carolina, her energy enough to move an immovable object. The rest of the country doesnt realise that this 26-year-old is currently leading the Democratic Party in North Carolina, a pretty serious job at any age. But for those at the Young Democrats of North Carolina Convention, not only is she the state party leader, she is the future. Anderson Clayton speaks at the Young Democrats of North Carolina Convention (Julia Saqui) A natural politician, Clayton works the room recalling peoples names and a fun fact about them all while spreading the good word of the Democratic Party. After all, her job as the state party chair is to network, fundraise and get people to vote. Yet Clayton approaches her role with a refreshing irreverence: She cracks jokes, swears like a sailor and drops vibes, mood and feels into her conversations. When she speaks about the Democratic agenda, she doesnt stop. In fact, she speaks so much that by the time she takes the stage at the convention, her voice is hoarse and begins disappearing during inflections. That doesnt stop Clayton from ad-libbing an impassioned speech about the importance of maintaining democracy and fighting for the values young people believe in. That enthusiasm is exactly what makes Clayton the perfect surrogate for the BidenHarris campaign in recruiting young people to get out and vote, especially in a potential swing state like North Carolina. Is this 26-year-old Biden's secret weapon? | On The Ground Unlike many of her fellow Gen Z voters, Clayton feels overwhelmingly positive about both Democrats winning this election and the presumed nominee, President Joe Biden. She points to Bidens record on climate change, his cancelling of student loan debt, his implementation of an anti-gun violence initiative, and his commitment to protecting the right to an abortion as examples of policies that resonate with young voters. The issues that I hear a lot about in particular on college campuses right now are mental health, gun violence, [housing and grocery] affordability, Clayton told The Independent. And Clayton talks to a lot of young people, constantly travelling across the state and country. In February alone, Clayton visited South Carolina, Washington DC, Iowa and New York to speak with young voters. Despite her eagerness, Clayton is fully aware shes in the minority when it comes to this election. On college campuses, the people she chats with are not amped about voting in November. I went to UNC Charlottes campus the other day, I was in a political science class, and I asked every single one of the students Raise your hand if you are excited to vote for the 80-year-old president, Clayton said. Nobody in that class raised their hand. And I was like, But how many of you are still going to vote? Every single one of them raised their hand, except for one. Young Democrats sit around tables and listen to speeches at the Young Democrats of North Carolina Convention (Julia Saqui) A win is a win, as far as Clayton is concerned. And she wants to remind young people that they hold the power to change the things theyre unhappy with. People look at you and say You cant do anything about it either, its just happening to you. And Im like, No, we can do everything about it. And this presidency, this administration has said so because we can push him, she said. Clayton believes Biden is more likely to hear complaints and respond to them with legislation, unlike the presumed Republican nominee a choose-your-fighter situation, if you will. We cant push a Donald Trump, who doesnt want young people to have the right to vote right now. We cant push a Donald Trump, who doesnt want people to have the right to abortion. We can not push that type of president, Clayton said. We can push a president, though, that believes and cares about young people. We can do that. And thats why I tell them, You need to vote this year because you still want that. And the way that Clayton starts that conversation ranges from handing out flyers at the farmers market and politely asking people if theyre registered to vote, all the way to dancing in a giant inflatable eagle costume. Shes really doing it all, Quentin Wathum-Ocama, the president of the Young Democrats of America said. Ive been around long enough to see and I dont know if theres another comparable state party chair, anywhere in the country, to her. What shes able to do and the energy that shes able to bring, Wathum-Ocama said. Eve Levenson, the 24-year-old Director of Youth Engagement for the Biden-Harris re-election campaign, said that Clayton is a phenomenal surrogate. I think that having somebody who is so young and has been able to have that public platform has been really inspiring to so many young people and I think will continue to be, Levenson said. Folks like Anderson are going to play a key role in helping us reach other young people. Obviously, Clayton is an anomaly she became the youngest state party chair in the country when she was elected last year at just 25 years old. Meanwhile, most eligible Gen Z voters do not belong to a political party. But Clayton empathises with their position because it took her a while to find her way to politics. She hails from the rural town of Roxboro, North Carolina and spent most of her life disengaged from either political party, accepting her Republican state and town as the status quo. It wasnt until 2016 that she realised unified voters have the power to change anything after she watched Watauga County, another rural area of North Carolina, turn blue the same year Donald Trump won. After graduating from college, and feeling inspired, Clayton moved back to her hometown to initiate similar change by helping flip the Roxboro City Council from red to blue. I could have changed it all along if Id just looked at my backyard and gotten involved, Clayton said. Anderson Clayton, 26, catches up with her fellow young Democrats at the Young Democrats of North Carolina Convention (Julia Saqui) These days, shes rallying a room of 300 young Democrats while running on just four hours of sleep, because she spent the night before giving yet another speech at the governors mansion. In Claytons ideal world, her hard work will pay off and not only will Biden win the 2024 presidential election but North Carolina will flip blue. In 2020, Biden lost the state by roughly 75,000 votes. With more than eight million Gen Z voters newly eligible this year, Clayton hopes her energy can convince some of those in North Carolina to back Biden. If I didnt believe that we could win, and I didnt believe it down to my absolute core, I couldnt do this job as effectively as I need to, Clayton said. Thats why Im in this job. Because I believe that the Democratic Party right now is fundamentally the party that is speaking for the majority of Americans and the majority of North Carolinians at this moment in time. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned of the potential cost if Israel and Hamas do not agree to a ceasefire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and said it was up to to the militant group to accept a six-week ceasefire deal that is on the table. Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One after spending the weekend with advisers at Camp David, Mr Biden was asked how close the warring parties are to a ceasefire deal. The president replied: Its in the hands of Hamas right now and explained that the Israeli government has been cooperating on reaching an agreement during talks in Cairo. Theres been a rational offer. We will know in a couple of days whats gonna happen. We need a ceasefire, he said. Pressed further on whether a deal is possible before Ramadan starts on 11 March, Mr Biden reiterated his prior statement, telling reporters: Theres got to be a ceasefire. If we get to circumstance that it continues to Ramadan its gonna be very dangerous. So, we are trying very, very hard to get a ceasefire, he said, adding later that he is working hard to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Asked about his current relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Biden smiled and replied that it is like it always has been. The current round of negotiations is expected to end on Tuesday, but a spokesperson for Hamas told Reuters that the groups representatives would remain in the Egyptian capital for further negotiations. The six-week ceasefire proposal would include Israel releasing a number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas releasing a defined set of the more than 100 hostages the group has held captive since the 7 October 2023 terror attacks that touched off the five-month-old war. A senior Israeli official said every effort is being made to reach an accord but the talks are currently waiting on Hamas to accept or reject the agreement that is on the table. More than 30,000 Palestinians have died since the fighting began in the wake of the 7 October attacks, and the Israeli military campaign has brought on what experts describe as a humanitarian crisis and famine in Gaza. Mr Bidens comments came as the American and Jordanian air forces jointly conducted a second round of airdrops of aid meant to alleviate food shortages caused in part by Israels refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby told reporters at the daily White House press briefing on Tuesday that US Air Force C-130 aircraft had dropped 60 bundles with a total of more than 36,000 meals ready to eat into Gaza, with Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft making more airdrops during the same operation. As President Biden has said this will be a part of a sustained effort on our with our international partners to scale up the amount of life saving aid that were getting into Gaza, he said. Both Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have repeatedly called on the Likud-led Israeli government to allow more food and humanitarian aid into the territory over land routes. But the Biden administration has steadfastly refused to even consider conditioning American defence aid to Israel on the Israelis government allowing a more steady flow of aid into Gaza. Pressed on why Mr Biden would not consider pegging defence aid to humanitarian aid deliveries Mr Kirby said Mr Biden still believes its important for Israel to have what it needs to defend itself against this still viable Hamas threat. Asked how restricting the delivery of humanitarian aid serves Israels defence purposes, he replied: Keeping aid out of Gaza is not the right thing for any purpose. Its just not acceptable on the face of it ... and thats why were working more than any other country by the way to increase the flow, he said. We can influence our Israeli counterparts to do more to be more careful to let more aid in and we can continue to work to get that aid in ourselves. Close Donald Trump warns of a 'bloodbath' in US if he isn't elected as president again Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former president Donald Trump is once again facing criticism over his use of inflammatory rhetoric after he claimed at a campaign rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday evening: If I dont get elected its going to be a bloodbath for the country. The Republican presidential challenger used the phrase as part of a dire econominc forecast for the American auto industry but was swiftly rebuked by the White House over its wider implications, with spokespeople for Joe Biden accusing him of endorsing political violence particularly given that the candidate also bemoaned the fate of the J6 hostages at the same event. Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi responded by saying of Mr Trump: You wouldnt even allow him in your house. The luxury real estate mogul also gave an interview to Fox News journalist Howard Kurtz over the weekend in which he again attacked the late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for making jokes at his expense, doubled-down on comparing migrants to vermin and on his call to terminate parts of the US Constitution and floated the prospect of supporting a 16-week national abortion ban in an overt appeal to the Christian right. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} During the presidency of Donald Trump the White House Medical Unit operated like the Wild West, with controlled substances dished out to administration staff with a serious lack of oversight, according to a report. Drugs including Ambien and Provigil which are used to treat excessive sleepiness were dished out without verifying the identities of patients, states the report from the Defense Departments (DoD) inspector general. Staff members reportedly told Rolling Stone that the White House was awash with speed, with prescription medication used by those to deal with the uniquely stressful job of serving the Trump administration. Trump administration was awash with speed and prescription drugs reports (REUTERS) Stimulants were given to those engaging in tasks including the writing of Mr Trumps speeches, working late hours on foreign policy, responding to Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe, and coping with the deluge of media inquiries, the outlet reported. Details of the medical units operations were included in the report, released by the DoD on 8 January. Among the findings was that many of the White House Medical Unit pharmaceutical management practices did not comply with federal and DoD guidance. The report concluded that problems had occurred because the medical unit did not consider their operations to be a pharmacy and had relied on internal White House Medical Unit controls to ensure compliance with safety standards. Stimulants were given to those engaging in tasks including the writing of Mr Trumps speeches and various other tasks (AP) We concluded that the White House Medical Units internal controls were ineffective, the report stated. Among the issues cited was that the Medical Unit dispensed nonemergency controlled medications, such as Ambien and Provigil, without verifying the patients identity. The unit also left overthecounter medications in open bins for patient retrieval and use. It was kind of like the Wild West. Things were pretty loose. Whatever someone needs, we were going to fill this, an unnamed source with direct knowledge of the matter told Rolling Stone. In addition, the unit requested brand-name drugs rather than generic equivalents costing thousands of dollars. According to the report over a 3year period, the White House Medical Unit spent an estimated $46,500 for brand name Ambien, which is 174 times more expensive than the generic equivalent. Over the same period, the White House Medical Unit also spent an estimated $98,000 for the brand name Provigil, which is 55 times more expensive than the generic equivalent. Though the report does not specifically mention it, other sources told Rolling Stone that Xanax another type of anti-anxiety medication was widely used by staffers. The Independent has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland has said that he is preparing legislation that would disqualify insurrectionists from seeking office just hours after the US Supreme Court ruled that only Congress has the power to do so. On Monday morning, the court decided that Congress, and not states, could remove a presidential candidate from the ballot under Section Three of the 14th Amendment, known as the insurrection clause. Shortly after, Mr Raskin told CNN that he and his colleagues, including Eric Swalwell and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, were going to revise a bill that would create a pathway for Congress to ban those who participated in insurrection from taking office. The Supreme Court punted and said its up to Congress to act and so Im working with a number of my colleagues to revive legislation that we had to set up a process by which we could determine that someone who committed insurrection is disqualified by Section Three of the 14th Amendment, Mr Raskin said. He later told Axios that the bill would be paired with a resolution to declare January 6 2021 an insurrection and those who participated as having engaged in insurrection. The Independent has reached out to Mr Raskins office for comment. Such a declaration would include former president Donald Trump who became the centre of the Supreme Courts decision after challengers in several states moved to disqualify him from the ballot citing his involvement in the Capitol riot. Mr Raskin said the House of Representatives had already previously voted to impeach Mr Trump due to his incendiary comments that allegedly motivated a group of rioters to interrupt Congresss certification of 2020 election results that day. But more than three years later, its unclear if the House would vote the same or if Speaker Mike Johnson would even allow Mr Raskin to introduce the revised legislation. Regardless, Mr Raskin, who is a member of the House Oversight Committee and was also on the House Select Committee to investigate January 6, said the revised legislation is something we need to focus on. The Supreme Courts decision on Monday struck down the challenges to Mr Trumps ballot eligibility right before Super Tuesday when the largest number of primaries or caucuses are being held. In their decision, justices argued that Congress is responsible for enforcing Section Three of the 14th Amendment which prohibits any individual who engaged in rebellion or aided enemies of the United States from holding office. Mr Raskin said he disagreed with the courts interpretation, saying other parts of the 14th Amendment are self-executing. People can go to court and say that something violates equal protection even if there is not a federal statute that allows them to do so, Mr Raskin told CNN. Meanwhile, Mr Trump and many of his allies celebrated the win. The former president called it a big win for America claiming it would protect him and future presidents from having states wrongfully remove them from the ballot. MBABANE Lobamba MP Michael Masilela stunned legislators when he alleged that theft at the ICC and FISH construction site was so rampant that a house had been completed using the stolen material. Masilela said he could even take the Members of Parliament (MPs) to the house in question, if they needed proof on what he was submitting about. He shared that the house was boasting costly material, like water taps, which cost no less than E25 000 and these were the same taps that had allegedly been procured for the ICC and FISH project. Masilela submitted that one of the biggest setbacks at the International Convention Centre (ICC) and Five Star Hotel (FISH) was theft and this anomaly was contributing immensely to the delay in completing the project. The MP said this during the debate of the Ministry of Finances annual performance report for the financial year 2023/24 in Parliament yesterday. Argument Masilelas argument was that emaSwati had adopted a culture of stealing and made it a normal way of life. He said some employees at the site were complaining that the project would take forever to complete, because people were helping themselves to the building material. Masilela mentioned to the MPs that, given the setting of the project, which is within the Lobamba Constituency, he was aware of the anomalies that were ongoing at the construction site and he challenged the Minister of Finance, Neal Rijkenberg, to do something about it. It is such a pity that when one raises these issues, the concerns are interpreted out of context and it appears as though you are attacking the countrys authority. My biggest concern is that we are stealing too much and the country will not achieve much until the issue of corruption is dealt with head-on, he said. According to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development report, the ICCs actual expenditure for the current financial year was E175 116 785 and the revised practical completion date was now December 2024. One of the challenges in this project, as highlighted in the report, include that the process of having the EXIM Bank money being disbursed was delaying, much against the expectation of the ministry. The current budget allocation under local resources has been exhausted; any claim for work done cannot be paid under the prevailing situation, reads the report. Corruption Masilela also submitted that another sad part was that when arrests were made on corruption, it was only the small fish that was made scapegoats and targeted, leaving the head-honchos scot free. This was also a concern from Speaker in the House, Jabulani Buy Cash Mabuza, who drew the attention of the MPs to recent reports, that there were individuals labangabopheki, as revealed by the Auditor General, Timothy Matsebula. Mabuza said there was need to disclose the names of those individuals, so that legally, action could be taken against them. The Speaker said as it was, people were making their own assumptions from such statements and unfortunately everyone was put in the same basket, because people did not know who these people were. Why make such statements if the people referred to will not be disclosed. We need to know who these people are and if they have indeed committed acts of crime, they should face the law, Mabuza said. Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane was concerned about the security of the AG, submitting that it was seemingly not a priority to government. He also raised a concern that the Office of the AG was not only deprived of independence, but was understaffed and as such, he could only do an audit in only nine schools out of over 200 across the country. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Jon Stewart has roasted Republicans for pushing their wild narrative around immigration after Donald Trump coined the new nickname migrant crime. On Monday nights The Daily Show, the host rolled a plethora of media clips of lawmakers condemning migrants, baselessly calling them illegal invaders and criminals, rapists, murderers, child predators, among other things. We got criminals, we got terrorists. Is there anyone else down there we should be worried about? Mr Stewart asked before he cut to a clip of Mr Trump saying: Anybody ever heard of Hannibal Lecter, hes a nice fellow, but thats whats coming into our country right now. Amazed at what the former president said, Mr Stewart responded: Wouldnt cannibals amongst them be the solution to the problem? Or are they fasting until they get to America? Mr Stewart went on to acknowledge that there is a bipartisan agreement that the US-Mexico border is a challenge, citing a report from CNN that officials were on track to process more than 300,000 migrants in December 2023 an all-time monthly high and adding that it was not sustainable. However, Mr Stewart did point out that while the parties agree that this is an issue, Republicans did turn down a chance to pass a strong border bill earlier this month due to how confident they are that fearmongering will be an effective election year strategy. Its all about branding, the host added. Instead of focusing on supporting a bill that could see stronger immigration restrictions, Mr Trump has spent his time trying to coin a term that associates President Joe Biden with migrant crime. Jon Stewart said hes not completely sold on Trumps migrant crime catchphrase (The Daily Show) Well known for creating new terms and nicknames to use in his rambling campaign speeches, Mr Trump was seen in one clip on Mondays show talking about migrant crime, which he said he would now refer to as Biden migrant crime before shortening again to Bigrant crime. Thats good, thats smart, Mr Trump said of his new phrase. Its a portmanteau, Mr Stewart mocked. The host wasnt completely sold on Mr Trumps new catchphrase and joked that it really just sounds like a migrant whos open to crossing either border. It wasnt just the migrant fearmongering that Mr Stewart focused on. He pointed to the duelling visits to the border buy both the former and current president last week. It was b****-ass Cassidy versus the Sundown Kid, Mr Stewart mocked. Mr Biden did, however, directly address Mr Trump during a speech while in Brownsville, Texas after being briefed by Customs and Border Patrol personnel. Heres what Id say to Mr Trump ... instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation, join me or Ill join you in telling the Congress to pass this bipartisan border security bill, Mr Biden said. Ladies and gentlemen, the olive branch has been extended across the aisle, in a show of genuine desire to solve this complex and vexing issue, Mr Stewart reacted, before throwing it over to the Republican candidate: Trump, youre response? Crooked Joe is the blood of countless innocent victims, Mr Trump said in a clip from the rival speech he made down at the border. Mr Stewart stared deadpan into the camera and said, Hmmm, thats a no. The show then ran a group of clips of Democrats saying that they welcome immigrants, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams echoing the words etched on the Statue of Liberty, which says to bring those who are yearning to breathe free but had to caveat that by saying that the city is out of room. Stewart concluded: So this is the terrible cycle America is caught in: Democrats whose high-minded values and principles did not a contact high with reality and Republicans whose desire to solve the problem isnt nearly as strong as their desire to exploit it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Vice President Kamala Harris has reiterated the Biden administrations call for a six-week ceasefire in Israels months-old war as she met with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House. According to a readout of the Monday meeting released by her office, Ms Harris reiterated US support for Israels right to defend itself in the face of ongoing Hamas terrorist threats as well as what the White House described as Americas unwavering commitment to Israels security. She expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza and discussed the urgency of achieving a hostage deal while praising Israels constructive approach to the hostage and ceasefire talks with Hamas. Ms Harris also called on Hamas to accept the terms on the table whereby the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire and enable a surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, the White House said. The vice presidents sit-down with Mr Gantz, a member of the Israeli opposition who joined the Likud-led government in a unity war cabinet after the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas, came less than 24 hours after she became the second top US official to call for an immediate ceasefire in the months-old conflict, which has killed approximately 30,000 Palestinian civilians according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. In remarks delivered in Selma, Alabama on Sunday, Ms Harris decried the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and called on both Israel and Hamas to accept the six-week ceasefire being proposed. [G]iven the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table, she said. People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane. And our common humanity compels us to act ... the Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses, she added. According to the White House, Ms Harris brought up the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as Israels plans for an assault on the border city of Rafah in her meeting with Mr Gantz. Her office said the two leaders 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 Vice President also urged Israel to take additional measures in cooperation with the United States and international partners to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure its safe distribution to those in need. Mr Gantz is also set to meet with President Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and other top US officials during his trip to Washington. The visit is reportedly not being officially sanctioned by the Israeli government on orders from Mr Netanyahu, who views Mr Gantz as a rival who could threaten his hold on power. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Vice President Kamala Harris remarks calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for Israel to allow more aid into the territory with no excuses had been toned down by the Biden administration prior to her speech, according to a report. On 3 March, the anniversary of the Bloody Sunday attack on civil rights protesters in Selma, Alabama, Ms Harris gave a speech where she said the immense scale of suffering in Gaza requires an immediate ceasefire for a period of at least six weeks. She said that this proposal was currently on the table during negotiations between Israel and the militant group. People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane. And our common humanity compels us to act, Ms Harris said. The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid no excuses. She also called on Israel to not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid, to ensure humanitarian personnel, sites and convoys are not targeted, and to work to restore basic services and promote order in Gaza so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need. The remarks by the vice president about the need for a ceasefire largely echoed comments made by President Joe Biden in a 1 March Oval Office meeting with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni. In that meeting, he also called for an immediate ceasefire, a small but important shift in language from even a few weeks ago, when administration officials routinely called for a pause in fighting rather than a ceasefire. But it was Ms Harris comments that included some of the most forceful condemnations of the humanitarian situation in Gaza by a Biden administration official since the Israel began its campaign in Gaza in response to the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas. Yet according to NBC News, a current and a former administration official said Ms Harris original draft 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. US Vice President Kamala Harris during her speech on Sunday (Getty Images) As a result her proposed remarks were edited by staffers with the National Security Council, who ordered some changes in the prepared text before delivery. Ms Harris communications director, Kirsten Allen, called the idea that the vice presidents remarks were watered down inaccurate in a statement to the network. 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. Its not unusual for a senior officials public remarks on foreign policy matters to be vetted by the National Security Council or other top administration figures, even if the official is as senior as the vice president. The vetting ensures that all administration officials are accurately communicating administration policy and not getting ahead of the president or other officials. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Louisiana governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill into law that will expand execution methods in the state to include nitrogen gas and electrocution. The new legislation is part of a larger package of bills focused on crime, which the states Republican-led legislature passed during a special session. In addition to lethal injection, the death penalty in Louisiana can now be administered via nitrogen gas and electrocution. The package of newly signed bills also eliminates parole for nearly all people convicted of crimes after 1 August and lowers the age to be tried as an adult for all crimes to 17. Mr Landry, a Republican, signaled his support for the tough-on-crime bills last week, and signed them into law on Tuesday, saying they will start to make Louisiana safe. Today we bring some justice to victims, Mr Landry said. The bills passage comes just over a month after Alabama put a man to death with nitrogen gas, the first execution to use this method in US history. Though officials said those executed by this procedure would lose consciousness seconds after the nitrogen gas was administered, Kenneth Eugene Smith , 58, appeared conscious for several minutes after the procedure began. He exhibited seizure-like movements and laboured breathing and took 22 minutes to die. It has been more than 14 years since Louisiana last killed a death row inmate. Mr Landrys predecessor, John Bel Edwards, opposed capital punishment based on his Catholic faith. Louisiana isnt the only state that has pushed to legalize new methods of execution , largely due to the difficulty in obtaining lethal injection drugs. Death by firing squad has been authorized in Idaho, Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. In addition to Louisiana and Alabama, nitrogen gas executions are legal in Mississippi and Oklahoma, according to the Death Penalty Information Center . Electrocution is authorised in eight states, but lethal injection is still prioritized in seven of them as the default method. Many Jewish people in Louisiana have been outspoken in opposing executions by nitrogen gas, a method reminiscent of the way millions were murdered during the Holocaust. In a Verite News editorial, Loyola University New Orleans professor Naomi Yavneh Klos called the method deeply troubling. As Jewish citizens of Louisiana, we find the use of any form of gas for state executions a violation of our ethical principles and of Judaisms deep commitment to innate human dignity, she wrote. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden invited Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, to be their guest at Thursdays State of the Union address, the White House has said. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday told reporters the invitation had been extended to Ms Navalnaya, but said the Russian opposition figure will not be in First Lady Jill Bidens box above the House floor when Mr Biden addresses Congress on Thursday. I can confirm that she was indeed invited to the State of the Union. She is no longer able to attend, said Ms Jean-Pierre, who referred further questions to Ms Navalnayas representatives. Mr Navalnys funeral took place on Friday in Moscow, with thousands of people paying their respects under a large police presence. The opposition leader died under unclear circumstances at a penal colony in the Arctic Circle more than two weeks ago. The date of his death has been reported as 16 February. Many have blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for his death. Mr Navalny, a 47-year-old attorney, was poisoned on a flight in 2020 with a substance traditionally used by the Russian security services. He almost died, but recovered after receiving treatment in Germany, where Ms Navalnaya now lives in exile. The couple chose to return to Russia despite the overwhelming likelihood that Mr Navalny would be detained and that his life would likely be at risk. Ms Navalnaya was unable to attend her husbands funeral. She has said that shell continue her late husbands work, thanking him for more than a quarter-century of absolute happiness. Putin tortured, starved and killed my husband, says Alexei Navalny's wife On Instagram, she wrote: I dont know how to live without you, but I will try to do it in a way that you up there are proud of me and happy for me. Ms Navalnayas promise to pick up her husbands work comes after years of avoiding the spotlight. She is taking on a daunting task, and it remains unclear if she, in cooperation with her husbands followers and other opposition groups, can seriously challenge the rule of Mr Putin, whos set to be re-elected once again in March to another six-year term. He became acting president on the last day of 1999 and has ruled his country ever since, either as president or, for a four-year period between 2008 and 2012, as prime minister, when one of his key allies was installed as president to accommodate the then rules on term limits. Russia is classified as not free by the non-profit Freedom House, which states that power in Russias authoritarian political system is concentrated in the hands of President Vladimir Putin. With loyalist security forces, a subservient judiciary, a controlled media environment, and a legislature consisting of a ruling party and pliable opposition factions, the Kremlin manipulates elections and suppresses genuine dissent. While Ms Navalnaya has accused Mr Putin of killing her husband, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the claim unfounded as well as insolent. By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me, half of my heart and half of my soul, she said after his death. But I still have the other half, and it tells me that I have no right to give up. At a meeting of the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council last month, she told leaders not to recognize the results of the Russian election in March and to place sanctions on more of Mr Putins close allies. She also urged them to do more to help Russians who have fled the country. The Associated Press contributed to this report Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Struggling 2024 Republican candidate Nikki Haley has so far seen only one primary victory so far and she may have found a solution to avoid future primary losses: running as a third-party candidate. The former UN ambassador is the last-standing GOP rival against prominent frontrunner Donald Trump, who has swept every one of his partys caucus or primary so far excluding Washington, DC, which was Ms Haleys first 2024 victory. With each primary loss propelling her farther from becoming her partys nominee, speculation has grown around whether Ms Haley would be open to a third-party bid. The political organisation No Labels has indicated that it would consider putting Ms Haley as a candidate for its third-party ticket, assuming she was interested. The groups national director Joe Cunningham told Fox News last month that the former South Carolina governor is somebody wed definitely be interested in. Were looking for great quality people, folks that have broad appeal to independents, Democrats, Republicans, he said. However, Ms Haley has previously dismissed the idea of running as a third-party candidate, emphasising her firm place in the Republican party. All the talk about the independent No Labels, all that I havent talked to anybody about that, Ms Haley said over the weekend. I know that they have sent smoke signals, but Im a Republican. Im trying to really talk about a way forward for Republicans, she added. The former South Carolina governor continued, If I were to do No Labels, that would require a Democrat vice president. A run as a third-party candidate could be an interesting move as more and more Americans seem exhausted by the prospect of another Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch. More than half of Americans said they would be dissatisfied if President Biden and Mr Trump were their partys nominees. Age is also a factor. In a poll this week, a majority of voters 73 per cent say the president, 81, is too old to be an effective president, while 42 per cent say the same about the former president, 77. Ms Haley, 52, has made remarks about the frontrunners ages throughout her time on the campaign trail. Last month, she posted on X: We all know 80-year-olds who can run circles around us and then we know Trump and Biden. We need a president who has the focus and stamina to deal with all the challenges facing our country. Launching a third-party candidacy hypothetically could result in some Nikki Haley supporters ditching the Republican party and voting for her instead, thereby cutting into Mr Trumps numbers. But that reality remains to be seen. The increasing speculation around her potential third-party bid falls just ahead of Super Tuesday, on 5 March, when 15 states are holding GOP nominating contests. Youve only had three or four states that have voted up until now, Ms Haley said on 3 March. Were a big country and we want everybody to feel like they had the opportunity to vote for someone and not against someone. The former UN ambassador also vowed to stay in the race as long as shes competitive. Close Related: Donald Trump warns of a bloodbath in US if he isnt elected as president again Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump took to the stage in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday evening to campaign for former car salesman Bernie Moreno, who is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Sherrod Brown for the states Senate seat. Mr Moreno has been endorsed by Mr Trump as his MAGA representative in the race but faces stiff competition from state senator Matt Dolan and secretary of state Frank LaRose, widely seen as GOP establishment candidates. The Republican presidential nominee hailed Mr Moreno as a fantastic guy during his 90-minute address at the Dayton Air Show and laid into Mr Dolan, who he labelled a RINO (Republican in Name Only). Bernie is running against a weak RINO named Matt Dolan, Mr Trump said. He is trying to become the next Mitt Romney. I think Mitt Romney is his hero. He also attacked Mr Dolan over his familys ownership of the Cleveland Guardians, the baseball team that recently changed its name from the Cleveland Indians. Hes easily pushed around by woke left-wing lunatics who renamed his familys baseball team, Mr Trump sneered. My attitude is anybody who changes the name from the Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians should not be a senator. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps co-defendants in his Georgia election interference case are seeking to introduce new witnesses in the misconduct investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Attorneys for David Shafer said in a Monday filing that they had spoken with Cindi Lee Yeager, a co-chief deputy district attorney for Cobb County, about conversations between her and Terrence Bradley, the former law partner and divorce lawyer for Nathan Wade the man who had a romantic relationship with Ms Willis. In another Monday filing, attorneys for Cathy Latham, another co-defendant of the former president, has asked Judge Scott McAfee to consider additional testimony from Manny Arora, the lawyer who represented Kenneth Chesebro another co-defendant who has already pleaded guilty in the case. The defence is now asking the court for permission to subpoena both Ms Yeager and Mr Arora over this new alleged evidence. The latest moves come as Mr Trumps defence team is seeking to disqualify Ms Willis from his Georgia RICO case, claiming that she abused her position by financially benefitting from the case by hiring her romantic partner. The timeline of the start of Ms Willis and Mr Wades relationship has been central to the probe. Both Mr Wade and Ms Willis have testified that their relationship began in the spring of 2022, putting their relationship start date months after Mr Wade was hired onto the case in November 2021. Meanwhile, the defence team has insisted that the former couples relationship began in 2019. A former friend of Ms Willis told the court in a hearing that their relationship began shortly after they met at a municipal judges conference in October 2019. Now, the filing from Mr Shafers attorneys states that Mr Bradley allegedly told Ms Yeager that the pairs relationship began in 2019 during the Municipal Court Continuing Legal Education Conference. They had definitively begun a romantic relationship when Ms Willis was running for district attorney from 2019 through 2020, the filing added. It claims that Ms Yeager heard Ms Willis telling Mr Bradley: They are coming after us. You dont need to talk to them about anything about us. Similarly, the filing from Ms Lathams attorneys says that the pair definitely begun a romantic relationship with Ms. Wilis when she was running for DA. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (via REUTERS) It also claims that Mr Bradley told Mr Arora that Ms Willis hired Mr Wade to supervise the transition including hiring candidates after interviews. Mr Bradley also allegedly told Mr Arora that he had personal knowledge of the relationship including details such as their use of Ms Willis former friend Robin Bryant-Yearties apartment and Mr Wade having a garage opener for access to the home. Mr Bradley has already testified in a hearing in the probe. When asked about their relationship start date, he told the court: I do not have any personal knowledge. Text messages sent by Mr Bradley to defence lawyer Ashleigh Merchant initially appeared to corroborate Ms Yearties version of events but were then walked back by Mr Bradley as speculation. Ms Yeager has now come forward after she became concerned on watching Mr Bradleys testimony, the defence attorneys claimed saying his testimony was directly contrary to what Mr Bradley had told Ms Yeager in person. The new filings, however, do not include a sworn affidavit from either of the newly proposed witnesses. Its unclear how the judge will respond to the filings. Both sides already gave closing arguments in the misconduct probe on 1 March. In the defences closings, the attorneys accused Mr Bradley of telling clear-cut lies when he did everything he possibly could do to evade answering questions. Meanwhile, Ms Willis legal team described this effort to disqualify her as a desperate attempt to remove a prosecutor from Mr Trumps case, adding that the defences questioning was an attempt to embarrass and harass Ms Willis and impugn her character. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The US Supreme Courts reversal of a landmark court decision in Colorado will keep Donald Trump on the states presidential election ballots and on the ballots in a handful of other states where he was also disqualified from the presidency under a constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from office. It was a unanimous 9-0 decision from the justices, on its face. They agreed that individual states cant unilaterally remove candidates for federal office from their ballots. But thats about as far as they got to being on the same page. Instead, what emerged was a 5-4 conservative majority decision that went far beyond that of the liberal minority, stating that only Congress can decide whether insurrectionists are disqualified from federal office. Any candidate who tries to overthrow the government can still get elected to the presidency just so long as they have the support of the controlling political party in Congress. Donald Trump allowed to stay on primary ballots In response, a seething opinion from the courts three liberal justices warned that conservative justices have set a precedent that attempts to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office. Outside of criminal courts, accountability for elected officials who engaged in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021 fuelled by then-president Trumps bogus narrative of fraud and rigged elections would be virtually impossible as long as Republican lawmakers hold sway. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment among civil rights amendments enacted in the volatile aftermath of the US Civil War included a broadly written clause first aimed at preventing Confederates from returning to a government they were in rebellion against. Section 3 bars anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding public office, a test that several courts and election officials across the US have argued that the former president failed. It doesnt explicitly spell out how that would be enforced, but five conservative Supreme Court justices have now determined that Congress must prescribe legislation to ascertain whether a candidate should be disqualified legislation that does not exist and lawmakers are in no way in any rush whatsoever to pull together. Importantly, the Supreme Courts decision here appears to ignore several historical cases involving post-war candidates who were disqualified under Section 3, and the likely hundreds of others who never made it past the simple fact that the constitution barred them from office, period. On Monday, the courts conservatives pointed to Section 5 of the 14th Amendment, which states that Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3, however, already notes that a two-thirds majority vote in Congress can remove that disqualifying insurrectionist penalty. As the liberal justices asked, why would Congress in the conservatives view need a special rule to enforce only the insurrection clause? It is hard to understand why the Constitution would require a congressional supermajority to remove a disqualification if a simple majority could nullify Section 3s operation by repealing or declining to pass implementing legislation, they wrote. The courts liberal justices opened their opinion by quoting the conservative majoritys decision that struck down Roe v Wade back to them, reminding them that if it is not necessary to decide more to dispose of a case, then it is necessary not to decide more. In the Colorado case, the conservative majority departed from that fundamental principle of judicial restraint with a decision that imperils future cases involving insurrectionists, and has shut the door on other ways to enforce a constitutional ban against insurrectionists in government. Donald Trump speaks to reporters from Mar-a-Lago on 4 March after the US Supreme Courts decision in a case that keeps him on presidential election ballots. (AP) Trump-appointed conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett also departed from the five other conservative justices with her own brief concurring opinion, signalling that the court under Chief Justice John Roberts has veered into damaging precedent. The case before the court does not require us to address the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced, she argued. This is not the time to amplify disagreement with stridency. Crucially, nothing about the ruling exonerates Mr Trump. None of the justices wrote anything about the central premise of the case before them, in which the former president and current Republican frontrunner for the presidential election engaged in insurrection when he fuelled a mob to attack the US Capitol and try to overturn the election. The courts liberal justices appeared to suggest that they agreed with that, summarising their take on the case before them as to whether Colorado may keep a Presidential candidate off the ballot on the ground that he is an oathbreaking insurrectionist and thus disqualified from holding federal office under Section 3 of the [14th] Amendment. Section 3 serves an important, though rarely needed, role in our democracy, they wrote. The American people have the power to vote for and elect candidates for national office, and that is a great and glorious thing. The men who drafted and ratified the [14th] Amendment, however, had witnessed an insurrection [and] rebellion to defend slavery. They wanted to ensure that those who had participated in that insurrection, and in possible future insurrections, could not return to prominent roles. Today, the majority goes beyond the necessities of this case to limit how Section 3 can bar an oathbreaking insurrectionist from becoming President. Mr Trumps legal team will be returning to the nations highest court next month, when his lawyers will argue that he deserves immunity from prosecution for January 6-connected crimes, including conspiracy and obstruction. He got exactly what he wanted from the Supreme Court in that case, with delays after delays thanks to his appeals and the Supreme Courts slow walk of the immunity question. Now, following Mondays ruling from the justices, voters will be allowed to decide whether or not they want an insurrectionist in office a label that the Supreme Court didnt reject. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} I know I didnt do anything wrong. I have nothing to hide, Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco said in May 2022, days after the mass elementary shooting left 19 children and two teachers dead. Sheriff Nolasco had his say in the matter, and now, voters will now get theirs as the sheriff runs for re-election. The primary is 5 March marking the first time he will face voters after the massacre. Mr Nolasco, who is running as a Republican, has refused to step down from his post or withdraw his candidacy despite facing a barrage of complaints over law enforcements bungled response to the mass shooting and calls to halt his re-election bid. Sheriff Nolasco, along with other senior law enforcement officers, was criticised by name throughout a critical incident report by the Justice Department. The report reviewed the botched police response, finding cascading failures of leadership, communication and urgency. Some others in top roles on that fateful day are no longer in their posts; the school police chief has since been fired and the acting city police chief has retired. But Mr Nolasco has remained defiant, running for a second term. This race is likely to be tight. Mr Nolasco won by just 60 votes in 2020, according to the Uvalde Leader-News. Avoiding the topic of Uvalde, which made national headlines and continues to plague his community, seems nearly impossible. Still, Mr Nolasco said, Im just not done yet. I want to continue to improve that office, he told the outlet in December 2023. Id like to think I took it out of the darkness. A scathing report The Justice Department report detailed a minute-by-minute timeline of the shooting, starting with the shooting on Diaz Street, where the gunman shot his grandmother. The sheriff testified to a Texas House Committee that while he was on his way to respond to the school shooting, he learned of the Diaz Street incident, and diverted his attention there. Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco, left, is comforted by US Senator Ted Cruz during a vigil held in honor of the lives lost at Robb Elementary school at the Uvalde County Fairplex Arena in Uvalde, Texas, Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (**MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS/NO SALES/MAGS OUT/TV) Three minutes later, there were a total of three deputies plus the sheriff at the home while the shooter was actively firing a semi-automatic weapon at the nearby elementary school; authorities from other agencies responded to the school massacre. The grandmother identified the shooter, divulging a key piece of information his full name to the sheriff. Two of the sheriffs deputies then left the grandmothers home and headed for Robb Elementary School but the sheriff and another deputy remained at the house. Eventually, Sheriff Nolasco arrived at the school 35 minutes after the first person on the scene made entry, the report states. The stand-off between the police and the shooter spanned 77 minutes, meaning the sheriff missed nearly half of it. Despite having background information on the subject, Sheriff Nolasco did not share the name with other officers working at the school. He also did not assign an intelligence officer to gather more information on the shooter as officers were working to ascertain this information, according to the report. It wasnt until an hour after the sheriff spoke to the grandmother that an officer addressed the gunman by name, bodycam footage obtained by CNN revealed, highlighting the delay in sharing such pertinent information, as officers were trying to negotiate with the shooter. (The Justice Department warned against negotiations with an active shooter.) Although its not clear whether the sheriff had linked that the 18-year-old who had shot his grandmother was the same person as the school shooter, a Texas ranger later said, its not going to take a rocket scientist to connect the dots, CNN reported. The Diaz Street house was half a mile from the elementary school. On top of this, records revealed that Mr Nolasco had never received any active shooter training and had received minimal leadership training. Still, as the highest ranking officer for his agency, he had the authority to lead those resources from his agency in line with his positional authority, the report says. The report found that the sheriff did not demonstrate adequate command leadership during the incident through his failure to coordinate his officers or establish a unified command. It was later revealed that the sheriffs office did not have an active shooter policy when the teenager opened fire on the school. I could not believe that with all the mass shootings that have taken place, just in Texas alone, that there was no policy in place. It was a total shock, Berlinda Irene Arreola, the grandmother of 10-year-old victim Amerie Jo Garza, said on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360. The little girl had tried to use her new cellphone to call 911 during the tragedy. If whats past is prologue Tuesdays vote could send a message regarding residents outrage at the Uvalde shooting response which could perhaps be a bellwether for nationwide disappointment over a lack of solution to the countrys gun violence epidemic. But if Texas Gov Greg Abbotts race in November 2022 mere months after the tragedy serves as precedent, Uvalde victims families may have to be more adamant about their disapproval of how the shooting was handled. Mr Abbott won over 60 per cent of the vote in Uvalde County in that election, and eventually was re-elected governor. His state has some of the weakest gun laws in the nation. Victims families-turned-advocates promoted his competitor Beto ORourke and his call for increased gun safety measures in the state. Im speaking directly to moms when I say our babies lives are on the ballot, Kimberly Rubio, the mother of 10-year-old shooting victim Lexi Rubio told the Texas Tribune at the time. Had Abbott prioritized the lives of his most vulnerable constituents over guns, then I wouldnt be here today. I would be at home with Lexi. Gloria Cazares, whose 10-year-old Jacklyn Cazares, was killed in the tragedy, also told the outlet: Weve asked to raise the age limit to purchase an assault rifle from 18 to 21. Weve asked for red flag laws and background checks. In Texas we need someone to advocate for our children and families. She added, We are not going anywhere, we are definitely not done and we are going to vote Abbott out. Mr Abbotts victory could be partly chalked up to his distance to the incident. As governor, he was not directly involved in the response to the shooting. Strangely, he also served as the first person to communicate about the incident; he was responsible for giving the first press conference after the massacre, which is a job that typically falls on the local sheriff or police chief, the Justice Department report noted. Another election since the tragedy illustrated a dissonance between a community that rallied behind Uvalde Strong messaging and the ballot box results. Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose daughter was killed, had run for mayor of Uvalde, garnering just 33 per cent of the vote. After the disappointing loss, she told the Texas Tribune, Im going to continue to fight for accountability and transparency for my daughter. Aside from the sheriff, in this election cycle, others involved in the response are running again. Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell is running unopposed in her Republican primary amid pressures to resign. The Uvalde mayor accused her of being involved in a cover-up regarding the citys investigation into the Robb School tragedy. The city then sued DA Mitchell in August 2023 for her failure to produce all of the available information about the massacre. At the time, she dismissed the lawsuit as a distraction. In the sheriffs race, Otto Arnim, who is competing against Mr Nolascao in the Republican primary, attacked his rival over his muddled response. Keep electing the same people, youre going to get the same results, Mr Arnims ad states. Finger pointing If this election proved to be the sheriffs ouster, it would serve as a more direct rebuke to local law enforcements inaction. Sheriff Nolasco has long deflected any blame for the devastation. All I can say is I was not the incident commander that day, Mr Nolasco told ABC News in November 2022. Honestly, I mean, theres just a lot of finger-pointing thats going on right now ... I think they want to point fingers to me and point fingers at me. However, one police captain on the scene said the sheriff maintained operational control during the incident. Mr Nolasco later said that he believed the Uvalde school police chief Pete Arredondo had been in charge. You have a chief of police that works for the school, Mr Nolasco said. And he co-authored [the school district active shooter] policy that put him in charge. The incident is at school and Ill let you do the math. Mr Arredondo has since been terminated from his role. But the former school police chief also waved off responsibility, telling the Texas Tribune: I didnt issue any orders. His lawyer further added that the Diaz Street house would have been the first incident to establish incident command, and Mr Nolasco had reported to that scene. I didnt know the connection to that other scene over there, the sheriff told ABC News. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Gold Council (WGC) Middle East, aimed at advancing the gold industry in the UAE and the wider region. The MoU outlines a comprehensive joint work programme, focusing on key initiatives including tackling hand-carried gold in illicit trade, implementing an annual training plan for the gold industry, engaging bullion banks, establishing retail gold investment principles, and conducting consumer research in the gold market. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: As one of the largest gold hubs in the world, Dubai has a crucial role to play in advancing the global gold industry in line with the highest possible standards including the UAE Governments responsible sourcing frameworks. Scaling up This strategic alliance with WGC adds to a number of important agreements DMCC has brokered with gold industry leaders in recent years, underscoring our commitment to building and scaling up innovation, integrity, and sustainability. Together, we will set new standards of excellence and facilitate greater accessibility and trust for market participants globally. The partnership between DMCC and WGC Middle East underscores a shared commitment to drive positive change throughout the entire gold value chain, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and professional expertise to advance innovation, research and development within the regional gold industry. David Tait, CEO, WGC, said: Our joint programme of work with DMCC is an important component of our strategic Gold247 initiative that is focused on improving integrity and trust in the gold market around the world. We look forward to collaborating with DMCC to build a more accessible and trusted gold market for the benefit of all participants in the region and beyond. Pivotal market Andrew Naylor, Head of Middle East and Public Policy, WGC, added: The UAE is a pivotal market for the gold industry, acting as a major hub for trade, investment and innovation. Through our presence in the Middle East and our collaborative initiatives with key stakeholders such as the DMCC, we aim to enhance the gold market's integrity, transparency and efficiency. This programme is just the beginning of our long-term commitment to contribute to the integrity and improvement of the regional gold market." The partnership comes alongside the formal opening of the WGCs new office in Dubai, establishing a regional headquarters for the Middle East. Located in DMCC, the fastest growing and most interconnected free zone in the world, this expansion signifies WGC's commitment to expanding its global footprint and engaging with one of the leading global trading centres for gold.--TradeArabia News Service For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Spains Catalonia region rolled out a pioneering womens health initiative this week that offers millions of women and girls reusable menstruation products for free. About 2.5 million women and girls in northeast Spain can receive one menstrual cup, one pair of underwear for periods and two packages of cloth pads at local pharmacies free of charge. The Catalan government said that the initiative, which is called My period, my rules, was meant to guarantee the right to menstrual equity. The regional government cited statistics that said 23% of women polled by Catalonias public opinion office said they had reused hygiene products designed for a single use for economic reasons. For several decades now, the sexual and reproductive rights of women have been at the center of the feminist fight on a global scale, said Tania Verge, Catalonias regional minister for equality and feminism. This makes our country a more just place." The distribution of reusable products is also aimed at reducing waste. The regional government said that Catalonia produces about 9,000 tons of waste from single-use feminine hygiene products. A pharmacist waits for customers next to windows where an advertisement for the new campaign (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The reusable products are acquired by the public health care system, which covers the entire population, and distributed by Catalonias 3,000-plus private pharmacies. The program cost the regional government 8.5 million euros ($9.2 million). Spains national government passed a law last year granting women with debilitating menstrual pain the right to paid medical leave. Spain is gearing up for International Womens Day on March 8, when the European country holds some of the biggest marches for womens rights in the world. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A German military leak that revealed that Britain had people on the ground in Ukraine was intercepted by Russia after a mistake by a participant on a top-secret, high-level conference call. The person, on the call from Singapore, had used an unsecure line. Germanys defence minister, Boris Pistorius, has also claimed that Moscow is likely to have tapped into the call not through a spy or targeted surveillance, but by widespread monitoring. Speaking on Tuesday morning, he said that the unnamed senior military officer had called in from Singapore where an air show with other high-ranking European military officials was taking place and then dialled into the Webex call using either his mobile phone or the hotels wifi but not a secured line as would be 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. The defence minister said there was no spy on the call. Our communication systems have not been compromised, he said. The reason the air force call could nonetheless be recorded was because of an individuals operational mistake. German defence minister Boris Pistorius insisted his countrys communications systems had not been compromised (Getty) The use of Webex for the call was authorised, he said, noting it was not the off-the-shelf software but a specially certified one with servers in the German militarys computing centres in Germany. Mr Pistorius said the investigation was ongoing, overall security had been increased and preliminary disciplinary proceedings against the officer 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. He appeared to be attempting to reassure Germanys allies amid the huge embarrassment over the leaked audio, first released by the editor of Kremlin-controlled news channel RT on Friday. The 38-minute conversation from a fortnight ago captured the head of the Luftwaffe discussing Britains involvement in Ukraine on deploying long-range Storm Shadow missiles against targets up to 150 miles into Russia. When it comes to mission planning, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz says, I know how the English do it, they do it completely in reachback. They also have a few people on the ground; they do that, the French dont. Reachback is military jargon for obtaining equipment that is not on the battlefront. The recording also included the senior officers appearing to discuss how Taurus missiles from Germany could be used to target the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia with occupied Crimea. A key point to the war in Ukraine for Russia is its fight against the collective West, not just Kyiv (Reuters) The authorised call was made using certified services in Germany, said Mr Pistorius. Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Pistorius said Germany would take technical and organisational measures to ensure such a leak could never happen again. And amidst growing concern from other Western countries, he said he had spoken with allies, who said trust in Germany remained unbroken. The UKs foreign secretary, David Cameron, is travelling to Berlin on Thursday, when the topic is likely to come up. But on Monday, a spokesperson for prime minister Rishi Sunak that the leak was a very serious matter, adding it was for the German authorities to investigate. They added: The UK was the first on our part to provide long-range precision strike missiles to Ukraine, and we would encourage our allies to do the same. Weve been clear from the outset that the UK will provide Ukraine with the necessary aid, including lethal support, to defend itself and reclaim its sovereign territory. However, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, former chair of the Commons Defence committee, described the leak as worrying on a number of levels, while questioning why basic concept protocols werent followed on the call. And Germanys former intelligence chief, August Hanning, warned more Nato secrets could have been obtained following the leak. He told Germanys Bild newspaper: This leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said it proved the direct involvement of the collective West in the conflict in Ukraine. However, Mr Sunaks spokesperson said: It is clearly in the Kremlins interest to propagate misinformation. Downing Street declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine beyond saying there was a small number of troops providing protection for British diplomats and training for Ukrainian forces. Former head of the British army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said those responsible for the leak from the 38-minute call should be censured pretty heavily. Lord Dannatt, who also said he could not comment on British forces in Ukraine, told Times Radio: I was very disappointed to read that story. I think the German air force officers who were talking on an open line, frankly, should be censured pretty heavily. Associated Press contributed to this report Close Putin threatens Nato with World War 3 For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The West has criticised Vladimir Putins sham elections as the Russian president sent a sinister warning to Nato. Putin warned against any move that would risk direct conflict with Russia, saying it would be one step away from World War 3. Asked about the dangers of a wide-scale Nato-Russia conflict, Putin said: Everything is possible in the modern world. It is the latest example of the Russian president dangling the threat of a larger, or even nuclear, conflict in Europe as he attempts to pressure Ukraines Western allies against an escalation of their involvement in his war. The comments came as Putin claimed a landslide victory in Russias sham presidential election with 87.8 per cent of the vote. The US, Germany, the UK and other nations have said the vote was neither free nor fair due to the imprisonment of political opponents and censorship. Earlier, Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, called Mr Putin a killer and a gangster, as she joined scores of Russians unhappy with his regime lining up to vote on Sunday afternoon at polling stations both inside Russia and at its embassies around the world. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Ukrainian military said its forces halted a Russian advance outside Avdiivka, an eastern town in Ukraine captured by Russia last month. Although Vladimir Putins forces took control of two more villages, their advance near Avdiivka was halted for now, Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy said. "We are saying that in this hottest sector of the direct Russian assault, we are managing to stabilise the situation and the enemys advance has been halted," the spokesperson said, speaking on national television. The intensity of the attacks around villages west of Avdiivka has surged, Mr Lykhoviy said. At least 30 assaults were reported in the area on Sunday, compared to 20 near Avdiivka itself, the Ukrainian official said. "But our defence is holding. The enemy is expending tremendous efforts but making no headway at all, the official said. Russia is now pushing more resources further south, around the village of Novomykhailivka, as they were transferring reinforcements from the depths of Russia, he said. Troop buildups have been seen near the villages of Novoselivka, Berdychi, Tonenke, Pervomaiske and Nevelske, reported The Kyiv Independent, citing Mr Lykhoviy. He said the Ukrainian military was doing its job and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. In Moscow, the Russian defence ministry said that its forces had as a result of coordinated action continued to occupy more advantageous positions near Avdiivka but did not refer to any offensive near Novomykhailivka. After fighting more than a year long battle for Ukrainian cities Bakhmut and Avdiivka, Russia is now bolstering its offensive to capture Novomykhailivka village near Marinka. The village is now one of the hottest areas on the war frontline, the official said. According to the US-based think tank The Institute for the Study of War monitoring the offensive, Russian milbloggers (military bloggers) claimed that Ukrainian forces only maintain positions in western Novomykhailivka and that fighting continues in the area. It added that the Russian forces advanced west of Avdiivka amid continued fighting in the area on 4 March. Last week, the Russian defence ministry said its forces had captured new villages outside Avdiivka. After Mr Putins initial target of seizing Kyiv in under three days in a covert early morning invasion failed in February 2022, his troops have now spent more than two years attempting to secure control of a portion of eastern Ukraine. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraine has sunk another Russian warship off the coast of occupied Crimea, Kyiv has said. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special unit called Group 13 had fired Magura V5 maritime kamikaze drones at the Sergey Kotov a patrol ship Kyiv has said was worth $65m (51m) near the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. The loss is another significant and embarrassing blow to Moscow's naval power. Seven Russian crew members were killed and six were injured in the strike, while 52 crew were rescued, the military intelligence agency said. Right now this ship is on the seabed, Ukrainian navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said. He added: And, by the way, they were also supposed to have a helicopter on board. This is the case where you get two for the price of one so why pay more? Ukrainian officials said that the ship suffered damage to the stern, as well as the port and starboard sides. The ship, believed to have been commissioned in 2021, can reportedly carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew. Patrol boats such as the Sergey Kotov are said to be part of Russia's countermeasures against drone attacks. The vessels use radar to detect and destroy drones using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, a recent report from the US think tank, the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said. Video footage shared by the Group 13 unit showed the Ukrainian drones closing in on the vessel, seen in ghostly silhouette. A drone hits its hull and there is a large explosion. More drones then target the hole caused by the first impact. The 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. Ukraines Magura (maritime autonomous guard unmanned robotic apparatus) V5 sea drone (Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine) Some Russian military bloggers confirmed the account, although the Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately comment on the attack. Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported attempts to tow the ship to port but said it eventually sank. Mr Pletenchuk said the Sergey Kotov had also been hit in September 2023 and that a similar patrol vessel had been damaged in attacks since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago. They have four similar ships, two of them are no longer in service, he said. In a gleeful tweet, Ukraines Defence Ministry said the Sergey Kotov had become a submarine and that it had joined the Moskva the flagship of the Black Sea fleet. The guided-missile cruiser was sunk by a missile attack in April 2022, not long after the start of Vladimir Putins invasion. On land, Ukraine has faced a tough few months. While much of the 600 miles of front line across Ukraine is in stalemate, Russias forces have been advancing in the east. Having taken the symbolically important town of Avdiivka, Putins forces pushed on, but Ukraines army says it has managed to slow the advance. We are saying that in this hottest sector of the direct Russian assault, we are managing to stabilise the situation and the enemys advance has been halted, said Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy, on national television. But Kyiv has had plenty of success in the Black Sea, having stepped up attacks in recent months. In February, Ukraine claimed it twice sank Russian warships using drones. On 1 February, it claimed to have sunk the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets, and on 14 February it said it destroyed the Caesar Kunikov landing ship. It came as French president Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to Prague that it was time for Ukraines allies to step up, adding that a moment was being approached in our Europe where it will be appropriate not to be a coward. In a reference to Russias invasion of Ukraine, Mr Macron said that France and the Czech Republic were well aware that war is back on our soil [in Europe], that some powers which have become unstoppable are extending every day their threat of attacking us even more, and that we will have to live up to history and the courage that it requires. Mr Macron also said he supported plans announced last month by the Czech Republic, backed by Canada, Denmark and others, to finance the rapid purchase of hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries to dispatch to Ukraine. Ukraine is critically short of artillery rounds on the front line as Russia attacks in the east. We support this initiative and we are ready to contribute to it, Mr Macron said of the Czech plan, without saying how Paris would be involved. He added that ministers would work on that. Meanwhile, at The Hague, 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 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. 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 densely populated areas in the city of Mariupol were conducted under his command. Sokolov 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 Zelensky welcomed the arrest warrants. He said: 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. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Haiti is spiralling further into chaos after armed gang members freed thousands of prisoners, burned government buildings, and forced the prime minister to resign after he fled the country to seek help. Dozens of people are dead and roughly 15,000 have been forced to flee their homes due to gang raids, according to The Associated Press, with many now facing dwindling supplies of food and water. The violence escalated on 29 February when Haitis powerful criminal gangs, which already controlled large parts of the economy and most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, launched a series of attacks on police stations, prisons, and other government buildings. After all the capitals international airports were seized by gangs, prime minister Ariel Henry was trapped outside the country and faced both domestic and international pressure to resign. On 5 March, the leader of the unified gangs Jimmy Cherizier known by his childhood nickname, Barbecue threatened continued violence if Mr Henry did not step down. He said if the international community continues to support [Mr Henry], well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide. Either Haiti becomes a paradise or a hell for all of us. Its out of the question for a small group of rich people living in big hotels to decide the fate of people living in working-class neighborhoods, Mr Cherizier said. On Monday, Mr Henry resigned. The US has airlifted in extra military muscle to guard its embassy in Port-au-Prince, and Caribbean leaders have met in Jamaica to find a solution to the crisis. So how exactly did this happen? Gunfire, mass jailbreaks, and an absent prime minister The heightened upheaval this month began while former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was travelling to Kenya to push forward a United Nations deal that would bring 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti to help restore security. On 28 February, leaders of Caricom a trade bloc comprised of 15 Caribbean countries or territories announced that Henry had pledged to hold elections by mid-2025, after promising and then failing to do so twice before. We dont know exactly why Haitis powerful criminal gangs chose that moment to strike. But one day later, they unleashed a wave of violence that killed at least four police officers and forced airports, businesses, and schools to close and numerous Haitians to flee their homes. In a recorded video, gang leader and former police officer Cherizier declared that he planned to capture various government ministers and prevent Henry from entering the country. With our guns and with the Haitian people, we will free the country, said Cherizier, who has previously claimed that he is a revolutionary rather than a mere crook. Former police officer Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, leader of the G9 coalition in Haiti (REUTERS) Gangs led a mass jailbreak at Haitis national penitentiary, reportedly releasing nearly all of its roughly 4,000 prisoners. Three people were found fatally shot outside the facility, while the other Port-au-Prince prison, which held 1,400 people, was also taken over. Several prisoners and prison staff members were injured in the two raids, Haitian government officials said in a less than reassuring statement . Our police officers, on the scene of several operations facing the rampages of heavily armed criminals wanting at all costs to free people in custody, particularly for kidnapping, murder and other serious offenses, and not hesitating to execute civilians, burning and looting public and private property thanks to various collusions, did not succeed in preventing the bandits from bringing out a large number of prisoners, the statement read. Only a small portion of inmates did not flee. Among them were reportedly the 18 Colombian mercenaries accused of orchestrating the assassination of a previous Haitian president, Jovenel Moise, in 2021. Their attorney, Samuel Madistin, told The New York Times they remained in the prison out of fear for their lives. Since Mr Moise was killed, Haiti has faced widespread violence at the hands of gangs. According to a UN report, there were nearly 5,000 homicides in 2023 twice as many as the prior year. Haitis finance minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who is acting prime minister while Henry is away, declared a state of emergency and imposed an evening curfew. But by Sunday 10 March, the government was still struggling to quell the violence, with sporadic gunfire audible across Port-au-Prince while ordinary Haitians run low on basic supplies. How did Haitis criminal gangs become so powerful? On the afternoon of 13 November 2018, a police armoured vehicle drove into the La Saline neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince and unloaded its cargo of armed men, some of whom were wearing police uniforms. What happened next was one of Haiti's worst massacres in decades. At least 71 people were killed, 11 raped, and 150 homes looted and destroyed, according to a report by human rights observers. The leader of the slaughter, the report alleges, was Jimmy Cherizier then a serving police officer, allegedly acting with the support of senior Haitian politicians who wanted to punish La Saline for its role in a huge wave of protests against then-President Moise. That was the first of many atrocities allegedly backed by Moise's government, which experts say increasingly colluded with criminals to keep a lid on unrest. "'Barbecue' is a Frankenstein['s monster] who has broken free from his master," Sorbonne University geographer Jean-Marie Theodat told AFP, a French news agency, on Sunday. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government and insecurity, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti 1 March 2024 (REUTERS) Haiti has long suffered from poverty and political stability. Founded in 1804 by Black revolutionaries who had broken the shackles of slavery, it was eventually forced at swordpoint to pay vast sums in compensation to French former slave owners, creating a debt that would cripple its development for more than a century. Haitian politicians have relied on armed gangs to enforce their rule since at least 1959 when the infamous dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier formed a paramilitary militia known as the Tonton Macoute named after a mythological boogeyman. The problem continued long after the Duvalier family were overthrown in 1986, as Haiti stumbled between military coups and foreign interventions. In 1995 the Haitian military was disbanded after one coup too many, but that put thousands of armed men out of work while creating a power vacuum. When a rogue police official attempted another coup in 2001, it was armed civilians, not soldiers, that thwarted him. Meanwhile, Haiti's position between Latin America and the US made it an attractive route for drug smugglers, creating a new line of commerce for the gangs. Experts say that some progress was made under Rene Preval, the only Haitian leader to democratically win and complete two terms, who took a hard line on gangs. But in 2010, Haiti was struck by a massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake that flattened Port-au-Prince, killing anything between 100,000 and 316,000 people. The Haitian economy was more or less destroyed, while thousands of former gang members escaped from jail. Since then, democratic government has steadily crumbled in Haiti. Before his death, Moise was accused of consolidating power and ruling by decree, repeatedly violating the constitution while refusing to step down at the end of his term. While the reasons for his assassination remain murky, a New York Times investigation found evidence that he was preparing to name names about senior Haitian politicians and businessfolk involved in the drug trade. For his part, Ariel Henry has repeatedly reneged on promises to hold elections, saying that gang violence would make it impossible to ensure that they are fair. Hence, Haiti has been trapped in a fiendish double bind. The United Nations has warned that security must improve before elections can be held. However, the lack of elections has created a crisis of legitimacy that empowers and emboldens the gangs. "For the last three years, the gangs started to gain autonomy. And now they are a power unto themselves," University of Virginia professor Robert Fatton told AP. Just ask Jimmy Cherizier, who gave an interview to AP earlier this year as he strolled through the slums of La Saline, flanked by armed guards and watched from above by a personal monitoring drone. "The government of Ariel Henry is a de-facto government. Its a government that has no legitimacy," he said. "Im not a thief. Im not involved in kidnapping. Im not a rapist. Im just carrying out a social fight." Former police officer Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, who leads an alliance of armed groups in Haiti, gives a news conference in Port-au-Prince on 11 March, 2024 (REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol) Ariel Henry resigns After Henry was left stuck in the US territory of Puerto Rico, having been refused entry by the Dominican Republic (Haitis neighbour on the island of Hispaniola, which shares a land border with it), he began facing pressure to resign. Cherizier and other gang leaders are dead set on removing him and have promised to temporarily stop the violence if he agrees to resign. We are going to call for a truce just to evaluate the situation, Cherizier told ABC News. Everywhere around Port-au-Prince that is currently blocked or inaccessible will be reopened and we will automatically stop the attacks on the police stations. After initially rejecting calls to resign, Mr Henry agreed to resign his position, and said the remnants of his government would end when a transitional council was ready to take over. On Monday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jamaica for an urgent Caricom summit aimed at resolving the crisis. Whether Henry was allowed to attend this meeting is unknown. What happens next? One possible solution proposed by Caricom: Henry could be replaced by a transitional council, which would select an interim president and arrange the countrys first elections since 2016. However, its hard to imagine how free and fair elections could take place under the current conditions of violence, in a country where armed groups have usurped such power from the government. Guyanas president, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said: I think we can all agree: Haiti is on the brink of disaster. We must take quick and decisive action. However, he also noted that a transitional council was still a ways off. The United Nations approved an intervention plan that would send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti to help restore order. However, this intervention faced several barriers. For one, Kenyas High Court has ruled it unconstitutional; for another, 1,000 police officers would not even replace the estimated 3,300 Haitian officers who have deserted since 2021. The mission is also not very well funded: the US has pledged $300m, while Canada has said it will give $80m. However, all of those issues became moot on Tuesday when Kenya announced it would not send a security force due to a lack of a sitting government in Haiti to coordinate their efforts. The deal they signed with the president [William Ruto] still stands although the deployment will not happen now because definitely we will require a sitting government to also collaborate with, Salim Swaleh, Kenyas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told The New York Times. All of which leaves the future of Haiti, and the safety and prosperity of its people, severely in doubt. This story was originally published on 4 March 2024 and was updated on 12 March to reflect the changing situation. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A troop of Girl Scouts have been threatened with legal action for making bracelets for children starving in Gaza. Missouri Girl Scout leaders threatened legal action against a troop that made jewlerry to raise funds, provoking outrage and ridicule from the girls supporters. Girl Scouts of the USA said its eastern Missouri chapter had only been following fundraising rules, but that it was disappointed and disheartened by the tone of the communication with the troop in St. Louis. We felt like we were targeted, unfairly belittled and unheard, said Nawal Abuhamdeh, a first generation Palestinian Muslim American and the leader of Troop 149 in St. Louis, which has since disbanded from the Girl Scouts. Tasneem Manjra, a troop leader in California, said it looks like the Girl Scouts are backtracking because they were called out. I think thats a load of Thin Mints, said Manjra. They were way too heavy-handed in their response to Nawal and her troop. Abuhamdeh said the fundraising effort began because the girls in her troop were uncomfortable selling Girl Scout Cookies while people are starving in Gaza. During one meeting, the girls who are of Pakistani, Indian. Somalian, Syrian, Palestinian and Jordanian heritage cried and said they felt hopeless. Melissa Saunders ties loose bracelets for her daughters fundraiser for children affected by the war in Gaza (Post-Dispatch) What do you think a group of 10-year-old girls would want to do if they felt helpless?" Abuhamdeh asked during a Zoom meeting promoted by Ceasefire for Kids, which advocates for children in Gaza. "They would want to help. How do they want to help? They want to make bracelets. Theyre 10 years old. Thats what they felt like they could do. By mid-January, they were selling bracelets of black, red, white and green beads the colors of the Palestinian flag with Palestine spelled out in letter blocks. They were raising money for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, a U.S.-based charity that historically has helped children in need travel to the US for medical treatment. Since the latest war in Gaza began, its focus has shifted to providing food, medication, clothing and humanitarian aid. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri sent an email to the troop last month threatening legal action if they continued to sell the bracelets, according to the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. That's when the troop disbanded from the national organisation. Finished bracelets sit in a basket at former Girl Scout Troop 149s fundraiser for children affected by the war in Gaza (Post-Dispatch) Abuhamdeh said she is concerned about Girl Scouts commitment to girls like ours. We aspire to be part of an organisation that does not only advertise its desired values, but acts on them, she said. In response to demands from CAIR, Girl Scouts of the USA said the local chapter followed its rules but mishandled the situation. GSUSA policy stipulates that money raised by Girl Scouts be used for scouting except in extraordinary circumstances. In the past, restrictions have been suspended to raise funds to help those suffering because of the Hawaii wildfires and the war in Ukraine. Restrictions were lifted for three months through January 10 to allow Girl Scouts to raise money for groups supporting people in Gaza, including the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, which was approved by a charity assessment organization. While the fundraiser in question fell outside of these dates, GSUSA did not consider taking and did not take legal action against this troop or the leader, the national group said. It said cookie sale proceeds can always be donated and are never subject to the same restrictions. GSUSA said in 2017 that the organization sells about $800 million in cookies annually. People gather to make bracelets with former Girl Scout Troop 149 (Post-Dispatch) A petition signed by more than 100 troop leaders demands that Girl Scouts of the USA apologise to Troop 149, issue a statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and promise that no other troop will get in trouble for fundraising, Manjra said. If the organisation refuses, they will stop selling cookies, she said. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri said in a statement this weekend that it had been concerned about maintaining the organisation's tax-exempt status. It said it had provided with Abuhamdeh with options to continue fundraising, including to modify the language on the bracelet order form to remove the Girl Scout name, or to do the fundraiser on her own. We are sorry that Ms. Abuhamdeh chose to disband, the statement said. We would welcome them back to the Girl Scout family. Abuhamdeh and other scouts questioned the national organisation's response, saying they knew nothing about restrictions on fundraising or the moratorium on those limits. Neither the American Jewish Committee, a prominent advocacy organisation, nor the National Jewish Girl Scout Committee have responded to emails from the Associated Press seeking comment. CAIR said the national organisations statement was a positive first step but that questions persist. All these Girl Scouts were trying to do was help the children impacted by the war, just like other troops did for Ukraine, CAIRs Missouri board chairman, Yasir Ali, said. Meanwhile, the controversy has so boosted bracelet orders that the girls suspended sales last week because they couldnt keep up. Abuhamdeh invited members of the public to help them make bracelets at a mosque on Saturday, and about 100 volunteers showed up. Thanks to that solidarity and humanity, they have raised more than $10,000, Abuhamdeh said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A young medical student who dreams of finishing his medical studies in the UK described how his life was turned upside down by the Israel-Hamas war. Mohammed Alhabil, 24, left Gaza for the first time in July last year when he embarked on the trip of a lifetime to spend two months completing medical training at the University of Oxford. Upon his return in September, he was overcome with anticipation and renewed enthusiasm to complete his final year of medical school at Al-Azhar University and start his future. He dreamed of returning to the UK to train to become a gastrointestinal surgeon, and then eventually open a clinic in his homeland. But just a month later, life as he knew it tore apart at the seams. Mr Alhabil said: I never thought my life would be turned upside down in a matter of moments. The war in Gaza crushed my dreams, I experienced the worst days of my life in that early October onslaught. Now I am stuck in this never-ending horrific nightmare, awaiting death or hoping for a miracle to survive. I went from having dreams of becoming a surgeon, helping others and my community, to queuing for too little bread and queuing for water, which isnt even clean to drink. Mohammed Alhabil dreams of becoming a gastrointestinal surgeon (Provided) Mr Alhabils family were forced to flee to Rafah, 6.7 miles south of their home in Khan Yunis - a densely populated area in southern Gaza. They have now raised more than 16,000 towards Egyptian permits to allow them to leave Palestine, but they still need just under 20,000 more to pay an extortionate fee for the entire familys escape. On 4 December, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) alerted the community they needed to leave as the area was going to be bombed, added Mr Alhabil. The next day, terrified, the family of seven made their way to Rafah to live with his sister, Alaa A.M Alhabil, in her two-bedroom apartment with her daughter Lana, one, and husband Mohammed, 34. They believe their home has since been destroyed by airstrikes after reports their neighbours home was struck. Rafah residents queuing for scarce water supplies (Provided) Some 1.5 million civilians are currently sheltering in the city and nearly 30,000 lives have been claimed by the ongoing conflict. Every day is now monotonous for Mr Alihabil. He queues to collect dwindling water supplies from barrels and visits the overcrowded market to buy basic necessities - it can take up to three hours to find one item. He said there is no internet and residents have to pay 1 a day for patchy access. The residents get food deliveries on Monday and water which only lasts four days of the week. Mr Alihabil described his situation as fortunate since others have been forced to pitch tents on the beach for shelter. Mr Alhabils home photographed by his friend before an airstrike struck their neighbours home (Provided) Crowds of Rafah residents queuing to buy sugar (Provided ) Mr Alihabils mother, Rola, 46, has to cook on a wood fire and his father Ali, 55, who suffers from diabetes and has other health issues, is running out of medication. He added: We have even lost the simple joys of going to the supermarket to buy a biscuit or a chocolate, being able to browse the internet, or having water and bread whenever we are hungry. Mr Alihabils brother Ismail, a third-year IT student at the University of Palestine, has also had his future stolen by the conflict and his youngest sister Maryam, 14, who dreams of becoming a teacher, has been suffering from constant panic attacks. Rafah residents queuing to buy frozen meat (Provided) His middle sister Hala, 18, was about to go to college to study graphic design, and his eldest sister Alaa, 26, is raising her one-year-old daughter, Lana, alongside husband Mohammed, 34, who has lost his source of income as a taxi driver. Mr Alhabil told the Independent: Im just really terrified we might not survive, we are truly desperate and stressed, my mum and dad cant stop thinking about it, where do we go from here? Its really hard to describe the heartache we are living in. We dont have enough tap water every day and food prices are getting so expensive. The family have to use a wood fire to cook and there is no cooking oil (Provided) We are really worried because of the threat of the ground invasion - Israel has been threatening to invade Rafah for two months. Some of my friends are still in Northern Gaza, yesterday I was about to cry speaking to my friend as they are facing true starvation - its really unimaginable. The anxiety-inducing burden of an imminent attack is made even heavier by the arrival of Ramadan. He added: Its really hard as we Muslims start to prepare for Ramadan one month before, we start to get goods, decorate our homes and the streets but this year, everything is gone. People are truly sad looking at the memories thinking, What happened to us? Are we living in a nightmare? Is there any hope of getting out of all of this? Mohammeds one-year-old niece, Lana (Provided ) Mr Alhabil says he and his family might have to evacuate in the middle of the religious celebration - but all he cares about is saving his family. He said: Everyone is stressed, worried and concerned, but life has to go on. If we were just sitting waiting for death, not doing anything - we hope we might have a way out, Its just hope keeping us here. Previously he complained about his gruelling day-to-day routine of training - now he says he longs for the normality of his studies and socialising with his friends in cafes and on the beach. Its a killing routine for me now: I wake up in the morning, I check we have enough water, I go to the market, he added. Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on residential buildings and a mosque in Rafah (AP) A tent camp housing Palestinians displaced by the Israeli offensive in Rafah (AP) Around a week ago, the family survived a brutal airstrike on Rafah, he added. It was a brutal attack after midnight, it lasted an hour and we didnt sleep, we felt it so close we thought we were going to be next, it was the most terrifying night of my entire life, he added. Mr Alhabils cousin Abed, a 35-year-old engineer and father of five, was killed in an airstrike in Rafah in mid-November when he was gathering wood to cook for his children. He will never get to meet his sixth child, who his wife gave birth to after his death. He said: When I look into his childrens eyes, I feel misery, what do they have to do with all this - theyre too young. Mr Alhabil described his new existence as a prison and said he has stopped counting the days, as every day rolls into one. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Middle East franchisee of Starbucks has it has begun firing staff at its coffee shops across the region after the brand found itself targeted by activists during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The Kuwait-based Alshaya Group, a private family firm holding franchise rights for a variety of Western companies including The Cheesecake Factory, H&M and Shake Shack, issued a statement acknowledging the firings at its Middle Eastern and North African locations. As a result of the continually challenging trading conditions over the last six months, we have taken the sad and very difficult decision to reduce the number of colleagues in our Starbucks MENA stores, the statement read. Alshaya declined to answer questions about how many employees it was firing. Reuters, which first reported the layoffs, put the number at over 2,000 employees. Many of its employees in the Gulf Arab states are foreign workers hailing from Asian nations. Alshaya runs about 1,900 Starbucks branches in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. It had employed over 19,000 staff, according to the Seattle-based company. Israel-Palestinians-Starbucks (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Since the beginning of the war on October 7, Starbucks has found itself alongside other Western brands targeted by pro-Palestinian activists over the war. The company prominently has been trying to counter what it describes as ongoing false and misleading information being shared about Starbucks being spread online. We have no political agenda, Starbucks said. We do not use our profits to fund any government or military operations anywhere - and never have. In October, Starbucks sued Workers United, which has organized workers in at least 370 US Starbucks stores. over a pro-Palestinian message posted on a union social media account. Starbucks said it was trying to get the union to stop using its name and likeness as the post also drew protests from pro-Israel demonstrators. Boycotters also felt the company wasnt adequately supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Starbucks isn't the only brand targeted by activists in the war. Others have called for a boycott of McDonald's after a local franchisee in Israel announced in October it was providing free meals to Israeli soldiers. The Kuwait International Hydrogen Technology Symposium officially commenced today ( March 5), marking a significant step forward in the dialogue surrounding the future of hydrogen technology. Hosted by, Kuwait oil Company This 2-day landmark event, taking place at the Hilton, Kuwait, under the esteemed patronage of Ameena Rajab Saleh, Deputy CEO - Gas & Environment, Kuwait Oil Company, has successfully brought together more than 150 local, Regional and International Experts, industry leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators. Waleed Refaay, AEP Executive Director, said: We extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors for their unwavering support: Host organisation: Kuwait Oil Company Gulf Cryo as the Lead Sponsor; Linde, our Platinum Sponsor; and our Associate Sponsors: Clearly Gottlieb, GE Vernova, and Spetco. Their commitment is instrumental in advancing the hydrogen dialogue. The first day kicked off by the Opening and welcoming remarks delivered by Abdullah Al-Mutairi and Peter Jensen, Executive Committee Co-Chairs, along with Waleed Refaay, AEP Executive Director, setting an optimistic tone for the day's agenda. The unity and eagerness displayed today reinforce the critical role of hydrogen in achieving a net-zero future, expressed Abdullah Al-Mutairi, Manager Production and Projects - GAS, Kuwait Oil Company. Peter Jensen, ETSA Contract Manager North Kuwait Jurassic Gas Shell, echoed this sentiment, highlighting, Today's discussions have not only shown the potential but have begun charting the roadmap for hydrogen's future in energy sustainability. The symposium's first day featured enlightening opening keynotes by Saleh and Dr Martha Crawford, Operating Partner at Macquarie Asset Management, moderated by Senior Energy Expert Nader Sultan. The presentations emphasized the transformative potential of hydrogen in achieving a sustainable energy future and the need for collaborative efforts. Following the keynotes, the Regional GCC Plenary Session delved into the success stories, implementations, and business models, paving the way for fruitful discussions on how cross-border collaboration and building viable infrastructure are pivotal for hydrogen's commercial and economic viability. The day's sessions continued with in-depth discussions on Hydrogen Potential Markets & Technology, Key Risks & Opportunities, and Hydrogen Infrastructure, Transportation, and Export. These discussions unveiled insights into the strategic, technological, and infrastructural frameworks necessary for leveraging hydrogen's full potential, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A team of UN experts says there are reasonable grounds to believe that Hamas committed rape and sexualised torture during its attack in southern Israel on 7 October. Led by special representative of the secretary general (SRSG) Pramila Patten, the team focusing on sexual violence in conflict found reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing. The report is meant to gather, analyse and verify information for secretary general Antonio Guterress annual report on sexual violence in conflict and for the UN Security Council, said Ms Patten during a press conference about the launch of the report. It is not a fully fledged UN investigation, as Israel has blocked any such activity by the UNs human rights office, citing bias. However, it is the most extensive report on sexual violence conducted by an independent body on the October attack. The report is based on interviews with survivors and witnesses of the attack, released hostages, first responders and health and service providers, as well as a review of 5,000 images and approximately 50 hours of footage of the attacks. The mission team, visiting Israel from 29 January to 14 February, also met with families and relatives of hostages still held in captivity. Based on the information it gathered, the mission team found clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualised torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment has been committed against hostages and has reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those still held in captivity, said the report. The team also found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred in multiple locations during the attack, including rape and gang-rape in at least three locations, including the Nova music festival site. An embroidered message attached to a tree calls for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly 7 October attack, in Tel Aviv (Reuters) A banner in Tel Aviv displays photos of hostages kidnapped in the deadly 7 October attack (Reuters) In most of these incidents, victims first subjected to rape were then killed, and at least two incidents relate to the rape of womens corpses, the report said. The report also found a pattern of victims, mostly women, found fully or partially naked, bound, and shot across multiple locations. Although circumstantial, such a pattern may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence, including sexualised torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, it added. At Kibbutz Beeri, Ms 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. Palestinians rescue survivors after an Israeli strike on Shaheen family house in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Saturday, 24 February 2024 (AP) Israeli soldiers patrol as smoke is seen over Gaza after an Israeli bombardment on 4 March 2024 in southern Israel (Getty) These included a highly publicised allegation involving an attack on a pregnant woman and her foetus, Ms 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. The report comes nearly five months after the October attacks, which killed about 1,200 people. Some 250 others were 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. Ms Pattens 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 UN Security Council would do this. She also called on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals held in captivity and to ensure their protection, including from sexual violence. While Ms Patten and her team also visited the occupied West Bank to meet Palestinian authorities, the mission did not request to visit the Gaza Strip. Israel has been critical of the UNs response to the attacks. Mr Guterres said late last year that sexual violence committed on 7 October must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted, stressing: Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere. The UN claims to care about women, yet as we speak right now Israeli women are being raped and abused by Hamas terrorists. Where is the UNs voice? Where is your voice?, Israels UN ambassador Gilad Erdan asked the 193-member UN General Assembly. Hamas must face unrelenting pressure to end their sexual violence and release all of the hostages immediately, he said. UN experts in February also expressed alarm over credible allegations by Palestinian women and girls of sexual assault, including rape, while in Israeli detention. They said that at least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were threatened with rape and sexual violence. The UN experts also noted that the Israeli army allegedly took and posted online photographs of female detainees in degrading circumstances. Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, stated that the actual scale of sexual violence could be much higher than documented. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Apple has been fined $2 billion for abusing its power over the iPhone, according to European regulators. The company used its control over its ecosystem to keep users from being told about potentially better deals on music subscription services, the European Union said. For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store, said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy. They did so by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem. This is illegal under EU antitrust rules, so today we have fined Apple over 1.8 billion. The huge fine is the first of its kind for Apple. The Commission said the large number reflected the duration and gravity of the infringement, as well as the size of Apples revenues and valuation. Apple said the decision had been made despite the Commissions failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast. It also suggested that the decision would unfairly help Spotify, which it said was the biggest beneficiary of the decision. Today, Spotify has a 56 percent share of Europes music streaming market more than double their closest competitors and pays Apple nothing for the services that have helped make them one of the most recognizable brands in the world, Apple said in a statement. A large part of their success is due to the App Store, along with all the tools and technology that Spotify uses to build, update, and share their app with Apple users around the world. The EU launched its investigation in 2020, and began after Spotify filed a complaint against Apple. The streaming service said it was unfair that it was forced to pay 30 per cent of subscription revenues to Apple, and that it was not able to properly market to its users. Last year, the EU said in an early update that Apples behaviour was unfair, and that it could result in both higher prices and less choice for customers. But it declined to give its final judgement until now. The new fine comes as Apple prepares to change its App Store practices in Europe, in response to the EUs incoming Digital Markets Act. That will force Apple to allow third-party app stores, for instance, as well as allowing developers to use alternative payment methods. Spotify has rejected those plans, however, saying that Apple had made the alternatives to its App Store so undesirable that nobody would use them. It called the new rules an alternative that offers no alternative at all, pointing to the high charges that Apple will continue to charge developers even if they distribute apps outside of the App Store. Apple is nothing if not consistent, Spotify wrote in response. While they have behaved badly for years, this takes the level of arrogance to an entirely new place. Under the false pretense of compliance and concessions, they put forward a new plan that is a complete and total farce. Apple noted the timing, and said that the fine was not grounded in existing competition law but instead an effort by the Commission to enforce the DMA before the DMA becomes law. So while we respect the European Commission, the facts simply dont support this decision, Apple said. And as a result, Apple will appeal. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Delta Air Lines pilot stopped with open bottles of alcohol in his bags has pleaded guilty to being over the limit before he was due to fly a passenger plane from Edinburgh to New York. Lawrence Russell, 63, was stopped and searched by airport security in Scotland in June last year, later pleading guilty to reporting for duty as a pilot while being impaired through drink or drugs. During the search he was found to have two bottles of Jagermeister in his luggage - one of which was half full, according to the BBC. Russell, who is from the US state of Georgia where Delta is based, had been due to fly a Boeing 767 full of passengers from Edinburgh to New York before he was detained. During a routine luggage inspection at around 8am on 16 June at Edinburgh Airport, security personnel were alerted to the alcohol in Russells bag. He was reportedly dressed in his pilot uniform, visibly identified as a Delta Air Lines crew member and was immediately questioned by the police after the alcohol was found. Delta Airlines pilot Lawrence Russell (Alexander Lawrie/ BBC) The inspection and subsequent breathalyser test revealed a blood alcohol concentration significantly above the legal limit for performing aviation duties. Mr Russell was arrested and remanded in custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to the charges. Per the BBC, the court heard the alcohol level in the pilots blood sample was "not less than 49mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood". The legal limit is just 20mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. Fiscal depute Matthew Millar said when Russell was cautioned and charged he told officers "Im terrified", the BBC reported. Lawyer Pamela Rogers, defending, provided the court with a medical report of the treatment Russell has been receiving for his alcoholism and said he was "under no illusion" of the seriousness of the offence. Sheriff Alison Stirling has deferred sentence to later this month for the preparation of reports. The Independent has contacted Delta for comment. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are back on the British Airways map but the link to the Thai capital is much diminished compared with the pre-Covid era. Starting with the winter 2024-25 schedules in late October, BA Boeing 777s will depart three times a week from London Gatwick to Bangkok. Previously the airline flew daily from Heathrow. First class has also been dropped, though it remains available on BAs competitors from Heathrow to the Thai capital. Thai Airways operates twice daily from Heathrow to Bangkok, while Eva Air goes nonstop on the same route once a day. Back online: Khao San Road in Bangkok, to which British Airways will return in October 2024 (Simon Calder) Daily BA flights to Kuala Lumpur will resume from London Heathrow, using a four-class Boeing 787. The airline says the move back to Southeast Asia demonstrates its commitment to expanding its network to Asia post-pandemic. The aviation schedule analyst, Sean Moulton, said the move appears to be a change of strategy, moving away from the core BA market connecting Europe and India with the US and Canada. He said: Kuala Lumpur has very few direct links to Europe so BA will be able to tap into unserved connections. Bangkok shifting to Gatwick shows the lower yields but popularity of the route. For decades Bangkok was a key destination for British Airways from London Heathrow. BA even launched a direct link from Manchester to the Thai capital, though it was soon dropped due to unprofitability. Even before Covid, British Airways struggled to make money on the Heathrow-Bangkok link. The majority of UK visitors to Thailand now travel on the Gulf-based airlines: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. They offer vast amounts of capacity out of the UK via their hubs. Qatar Airways has six flights a day from Doha to Bangkok while Emirates operates five daily Airbus A380 SuperJumbo aircraft from Dubai to the Thai capital. BAs Heathrow operation is focused on premium cabins, and there is simply not sufficient demand to fill the more desirable seats profitably. Costs of operating from Gatwick are lower, allowing BA to set more competitive fares. The restored links with Southeast Asia were announced by the airlines chairman and chief executive, Sean Doyle, at the launch of what is described as a 7bn modernisation plan. He 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. Mr Doyle added the airline is laser-focused on transforming our business and fixing any pain points for our customers. From 3 April, members of BAs Executive Club members will start to be able to send messages on a single device using the airlines wifi, free of charge. The airline says the service will be available on every wifi-enabled aircraft within two weeks of the rollout date. New aircraft cabins and seats are promised on the latest Airbus A320 series short-haul planes, including extra-large bins for overhead luggage. British Airways currently has the most generous free cabin baggage allowance in Europe, comprising two bags weighing up to 23kg each. For more travel news, views and advice from Simon, download his daily Independent Travel podcast. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} British Airways is rolling out a new service for passengers. Those on board BA planes will now be able to use messaging apps on flights free of charge from next month. The airline said the changes will enable passengers to book seats on alternative flights, including those operated by other carriers. (Getty Images) The airline said it will roll out the service over two weeks from April 3, enabling travellers to send and receive text on apps such as WhatsApp, iMessage, FacebookMessenger and Teams. All the carriers Gatwick aircraft and more than 80% of its Heathrow-based fleet have wifi, with the remainder expected to be fitted with the technology by the end of 2025. Passengers must register with British Airways free loyalty scheme to use complimentary onboard messaging, which will be restricted to a single device per person. Those wanting to use apps to send or receive images, videos or attachments, browse the internet or stream content can purchase passes costing between 4.99 and 21.99. Enhanced wifi access is part of British Airways 7 billion transformation plan. British Airways boss Sean Doyle (PA Archive) This includes developing a new mobile app and website, which will improve assistance given to customers whose flights are cancelled. Passengers entitled to hotel rooms and food will also be sent vouchers direct to their electronic devices. Difficulties accessing call centres or finding staff at airports means customers of all airlines are often forced to pay up front for food and accommodation during disruption, and later submit claims for reimbursement. This leads many passengers to miss out on what they should receive under consumer laws because they are unaware of their rights or cannot afford the costs. It comes as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur were added back on the British Airways map. Television presenter Steph McGovern hosted an event for the airline in the City of London on Monday night, at which she told bosses: Ill be honest with you, I hate the app. Chief commercial officer Colm Lacy replied: I wish I had a pound every time I heard that statement. He added: Having a new technology platform allows us to do things that we just cant do on our existing platform. Its all about personalisation. Other areas included in the transformation plan are new short-haul and first class seats, using AI to boost flight punctuality and aircraft reliability, a new lounge at Dubai Airport, and the return of flights between Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur, and between Gatwick and Bangkok. British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said: 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 7 billion over the next two years to revolutionise our business. 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. The Princess of Waless uncle Gary Goldsmith has described the first time he met Prince William. The younger brother of Princess Kates mother, Carole Middleton, entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on Monday (4 March), as the reality show made a comeback for the first time since 2018. Speaking of the princess in a teaser that aired before he entered the house, Goldsmith said: She is simply perfect. He added: First time I met William, Catherine was cooking and William said, Hi, do you want a cup of tea? Very normal. A top Tory minister has suggested George Galloways Rochdale by-election win is not a good thing for the country. Greg Hands also described the Workers Party leader as an opportunist who sows the seeds of division. He doesnt stay popular, he lost his seat in Bethnal Green and Bow, and he lost his seat in Bradford in the following election. Hes somebody who never delivers for his constituents, Mr Hands told Good Morning Britain on Tuesday 5 March. Mr Galloway was sworn in as the new Rochdale MP in the House of Commons on Monday, following his by-election win. Martin Lewis has explained what people can expect from the chancellors much-anticipated spring Budget. Jeremy Hunt is likely expected to cut National Insurance contributions, over income tax in the Budget on Wednesday (4 March). The Money Saving Expert founder has now revealed what a cut would mean for peoples pay packets. Speaking on This Morning on Monday (2 March), Mr Lewis said: For a two percent cut for each 10,000 you earn over 12,500, you will be 200 a year better off. DAA operates Dublin Airport and Cork Airport DAA staff will get payments between now and 2026. Photo: Collins More than 70pc of staff at the DAA have voted in favour of a deal that will see them get a 10.3pc pay rise over the next three years. Theyll get a 4pc increase this month, 3pc in March next year and another increase in 2026. The deal put to staff also included a payroll simplification process. The proposals put to staff will also see some new entrants to the semi-state company get pay increases of up to 25pc. Those increases are for staff including cleaners, customer service staff, search officers and retail staff. The DAA, which operates Dublin Airport and Cork Airport and is headed by chief executive Kenny Jacobs, welcomed the approval by staff of the pay deal. DAA is very happy that the proposals have been overwhelmingly endorsed by the vast majority of employees which gives huge certainty for staff on their pay for the next three years, said a spokesperson. They added that the DAA had very positive engagement with trade union partners throughout the process. The fact that the majority of our trade union partners recommended acceptance of the proposals for acceptance greatly assisted the 70pc vote in favour achieved, they said. Voting on the pay proposal began late last month. The Sunday Independent reported that claims were made by trade union officials that they had to battle what they claimed was misinformation circulating among staff. Trade union Siptu and the DAA both insisted the proposed deal would have no negative financial impact on pay or terms and conditions. During these briefings it has become evident there is some misunderstanding and misinformation circulating, noted a memo at the time from Siptu to its members at the DAA. CHC runs the four rescue bases, but the service is being taken over by Bristow A company which last year failed to stop the lifting of a suspension on the award of an 800m contract for the Irish Coast Guard air search and rescue service has brought a new High Court challenge. CHC Ireland, the current provider of the service, says a decision of Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to modify the contract he awarded to rival Bristow Ireland last year is unlawful and fails to comply with public procurement law. CHC currently has other proceedings over the contract progressing through the Commercial Court. Last year, the minister successfully applied to lift a suspension of the award to Bristow which came into being automatically when those CHC proceedings were issued. CHC opposed the lifting of the suspension but the matter went as far as the Court of Appeal which backed a High Court decision to lift it. On Monday, CHCs new proceedings over what it calls the modified contract were admitted to the fast-track Commercial Court on consent between the parties. Mr Justice Denis McDonald also joined Bristow as a notice party in the proceedings and approved directions for the progressing of the case through the court. The current contract held by CHC is due to end next year with a two-year transition period for Bristow, a subsidiary of the US-based Bristow group, to take over the role. CHC, one of the largest global operators of rotary wing aircraft, employs 141 in Ireland and was awarded the current contract in 2012 for 10 years. It has exercised options to extend up to July 2025. It says the decision of the minister to approve a modified contract for Bristow is invalid and of no legal effect. This is on grounds including that it is a fundamental/material error of fact and/or law, is irrational and in breach of natural and constitutional justice. It says the minister failed to conduct a new procurement procedure for the modified contract which differs materially from the contract that was awarded to Bristow. The differences include that Bristow is no longer required to build a new helicopter hangar in Shannon as it had proposed in its original tender. CHC said Bristows director of Irish Search and Rescue Operations, George Baird, told a staff townhall meeting in the Radisson, Shannon, on February 20 last that it (Bristow) intends to use CHCs current hangar there. CHC also claims the modifications mean Bristow is no longer required to operate the service from Shannon Airport as of October 31 next. It further says Bristows obligations regarding requisite authorisations to provide the service have been modified. It also claims Bristow is no longer required to complete the appropriate transfer of personnel who are currently employed by CHC in accordance with EU transfer of undertakings obligations. Any of these modifications would be highly material and would affect both the price potential tenderers would have offered and potentially the number of tenders able to compete for the contract, CHC says. They also undermine the scores awarded in the tender competition, it says. The case will come back before the court later this month. A number of the airline's senior social media staff left last year Ryanair last year denied that the core of its social media team left in quick succession. Photo: PA Ryanairs head of international markets, Paddy Comyn, has left the airline after just six months in the communications role. He said on his LinkedIn page that Ryanair is a unique environment that comes with particular challenges. If you know, you know, he added. Among those who reacted to his post was Michael Corcoran, the former head of social and creative content at the airline. He left his role at the carrier last year along with a number of other key members of Ryanairs social media team following what was understood to be an incident involving a senior executive at the carrier. Ryanair denied at the time that any such incident had occurred. Mr Comyn is understood to have managed a team at Ryanair that was responsible for co-ordinating media interactions across various markets in Europe. Today's News in 90 Seconds - March 4th 2024 He joined Ryanair last year from the AA, where he was head of communications. A hugely experienced and highly regarded executive, Mr Comyn was the head of group communications at Volkswagen Group Ireland before joining the AA. Last year, Ryanair, headed by group chief executive Michael OLeary, denied that the core of its social media team left in quick succession or that there was any incident that precipitated their decision to leave. However, the Irish Independent understands that was the case. After a dynamic and insightful six months at Ryanair, Ive decided it is best to embark on a new chapter in my career, Mr Comyn said in his LinkedIn post. This decision comes after much reflection on my long-term career aspirations and the path I want to pursue. He said working with Ryanair has been an enriching and enlightening experience and that he was deeply grateful for the support of his talented colleagues at the airline. After a dynamic and insightful six months at Ryanair, Ive decided it is best to embark on a new chapter in my career Ryanair is a unique environment, one Ireland can be proud of, but one that comes with particular challenges too, he added. If you know, you know. Mr Corcoran said on The Entrepreneur Experiment podcast recently that while he was at Ryanair, he told executives he could only extend the success the airline had on its social media platforms across all its marketing content if I see a change in how our director was engaging, behaving and communication with the team, which I felt was an unacceptable way. I got commitment at the time that I would see changes, he added. I said if there wasnt, there was going to be a problem at some point. We got to a point where an incident happened where one of my team was impacted and I just couldnt stand over it anymore. He then resigned. There were five departures in quick succession from his team of eight, including Mr Corcoran. Ryanair insisted at the time that such resignations were to be expected given the strong demand which exists for Ryanair digital and IT specialists. The airlines chief technology officer, John Hurley, said last year there were 100 roles to fill at its Ryanair Labs division. Court told managers hope the business, which makes records for numerous artists, can be sold Taylor Swift performs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on February 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty) The High Court has appointed joint provisional liquidators to Ireland's only vinyl records manufacturer. The appointments were made in relation to Pressing Matters Limited trading as 'Dublin Vinyl', which the court heard has 22 full time employees and four full time contractor workers. The company, which was founded in 2016. has contracts for major record companies. However it sustained significant losses in 2002 and 2023, due to factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine, the loss of a major contract, and the failure of record pressing machines it had ordered to arrive on time. As a result the company had decided to petition the court for the appointment of Ken Fennell and Eamonn Richardson of Interpath Advisory, as joint provisional liquidators. The Dublin 4 registered company that an orderly winding up was in the best interests of all parties including the employees and the company's creditors. On Monday Mr Justice Oisin Quinn said he was satisfied to appoint the joint provisional liquidators, as the company was clearly insolvent. The judge made the appointments after Peter Shanley Bl for the company said that company was in the process of completing contracts worth 500,000. The appointment of the liquidators meant they could take control of the company and allow it to retain staff to finish out that work. Counsel said that the company was currently making records for several labels for artists including "Taylor Swift, whose fans we would not want to disappoint." Counsel said that arising out of its difficulties the company had looked at alternatives, including examinership, but were of the opinion that the best option was to liquidate the company. Counsel said that the company, which has rented units in Dublin, had of late come under pressure from its creditors, including its energy supplier, which had threatened to cut off its electricity over unpaid bills. It was hoped that the liquidators could seek to sell the business as a going concern. Counsel said that the company currently has liabilities over assets of 1.9m The judge, after granting the provisional liquidators various powers, adjourned the matter to April. Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads was hit by a worldwide outage today that left users in Ireland unable to access their accounts. The outage appeared to be an international one with reports of the services being down in multiple countries. Facebook and Instagram are used by a majority of Irish people, according to recent surveys. The problems appeared to have started at around 3pm today, according to Down Detector, a website that tracks internet outages. Between them, more than 30,000 people reported problems with Instagram and Facebook. All three affected sites are owned by Meta, which also operates WhatsApp - though that appeared to be working fine. On Twitter, now X, people reported that both platforms werent loading. Instagram was showing users an error message that read couldnt load posts, while Facebook said session logged out. As of 5.30pm, all four Meta platforms appear to be back online and functioning for Irish users. In a statement on X, Andy Stone said: Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. While Meta has not yet said what caused the outage, several IT security experts say that it does not break the hallmarks of a hack. In 2021, Metas four major platforms went offline for almost six hours, causing Mark Zuckerberg to apologise. Meta platforms are relied on in Ireland for more than social interaction, with thousands of small companies basing a large chunk of their online business activities on the services. Meta's last financial reports revealed a rise in usage of its products to over three billion people. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 The April issue of Harpers Bazaar UK is on sale from March 7 (Harpers Bazaar UK/Alexi Lubomirski/PA) 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. 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) 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. I have more freedom because Im a European actress, which suits me. Im not trying to be popular, Im just trying to enjoy myself. 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. 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. 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 7. According to farming organisations, the devil will be in the detail and there is huge uncertainty over what the impact on farming will be in many parts of the country The European Parliament voted to carry the Nature Restoration Law by 329 to 275 votes last week, with 24 abstentions. Such a tight margin reflects the unsure ground many politicians in Europe are standing on at the moment. The aim is to restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EUs climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security. To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30pc of the habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from poor to good condition by 2030, increasing to 60pc by 2040, and 90pc by 2050. Farmer anger continues to swell into protests across Europe due to what they see as over-regulation and increased environmental measures against a backdrop of poor prices and rising input costs. Its no wonder European politicians are keen to keep farmers onside. On the one hand, farmers hold the key to implementing environmental measures to help fight climate change, while on the other, they can cause quite the ruckus when they block cities with tractors, spray slurry on buildings and highlight that, without them, we could all starve. Its little wonder Ursula von der Leyen and other politicians are taking a more softly, softly approach and looking to appease their farmer voters. With EU elections taking place this year, it remains to be seen who will be in the driving seat and what the make-up of the political landscape will be. With the current outlook leaning to the right, there may not be the same focus in Europe towards implementing green measures. How the Nature Restoration Law is implemented at the member-state level also has the possibility of being a political hot potato, with politicians here clashing on what it will mean down the line for farmers and those in rural Ireland. According to farming organisations, the devil will be in the detail and there is huge uncertainty over what the impact on farming will be. Its likely the make-up of the next Government will be critical to how much restoration actually happens. It is notable Sinn Feins MEP voted against it, and one wonders what Fianna Fail and Fine Gael MEPs might have done had they not been in a coalition with the Greens. While its a waiting game for farmers and politicians alike as to how the law will be implemented, conceivably the biggest impact may be in the courts. We are seeing court challenges underpinned by EU legislation impacting rural areas more and more. This trend is likely to continue. Government told that 500m/year will be needed to compensate farmers for reduction in livestock numbers between 2026 and 2030 The Government will need to spend 500m per year between 2026 and 2030 to compensate farmers for a reduction in livestock numbers to meeting its climate targets, its budget advisors have estimated. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) presented a report on What climate change means for Irelands public finances at an Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight on February 28, where the agriculture sector was highlighted to be one of the major sectors to be impacted if the budget were to adapt to climate change. The agricultural sector is going to face challenges in meeting their target, said a representative of IFAC. Teagasc has done modelling work to see what was likely required for them to meet the targets they found that there would need to be a reduction in livestock numbers, particularly in the cattle herd, beef and dairy. In our modelling work, because of this reduction in livestock, there would be a corresponding loss of farming incomes associated with it. We assume that, essentially, these farmers would need to be supported. We calculate that a 500m per year between 2026 and 2030 is what will need to be offered in terms of support. There are some beef and sheep farms that operate at a net loss in existing circumstances. You could potentially support those farms in particular to transition away to use the land for other use like afforestation, which could end up being better off as a result. Galway East TD Sean Canney stressed the need to take into account the human cost of adapting the economy to climate change. He cited an IFAC report from 2023, saying: How do we support the agricultural sector in moving from where we are now to the point where we need to be? What will be the obligations placed on this sector in the context of the Nature [Restoration] Law that was passed yesterday? Were talking about extra spending of between 1.6 and 3bn a year to assist farmers with transitions and retrofitting. We know that the agricultural sector is the biggest next to the transport sector in terms of emissions. There are going to have to be changes. The farmers need to be resourced, they need to be paid and thats part of whats going to happen they need to see a plan and they need certainty. Professor Michael McMahon from IFAC stressed the need to carry out the recommendations in a planned and phased way to make it more manageable. Part of the concerns from sectors like agriculture and food sectors are because they see change coming but they have a lot of concerns about how they will bear the costs and how somebody else will bear the costs Part of the concerns from sectors like agriculture and food sectors are because they see change coming but they have a lot of concerns about how they will bear the costs and how somebody else will bear the costs. "There is a role there for the government to make clear what supports are going to be offered to the farming sector this is a policy decision that will hopefully be made soon, he said. Climate change for Ireland means warmer summers, colder winters and possibly more water. We do have to plan for the drainage and water aspects of that it can be managed in a planned, phased way. But we need policy to take the lead. He also called for joined up thinking between the state and the sectors that will be affected. He said, We need investments prioritising those that are going to have the biggest climate impact. Its doesnt just have to be financial we can provide some certainty to the agri-food sector in terms of what the world will look like as we engage in this transition. They need to be made aware of how we expect them versus the state to bear some of the costs, what incentives will be there for them to move faster. Bernard Durkin, Kildare North TD said that the present government had done everything they could have done to support environmental concerns. There comes a time when you have to ask yourself some questions: Can we do more? Are we in a financial position to do more? Do we break the country by attempting to force people to do more and divide the country? "Do we leave ourselves exposed, do we damage the agri-food sector to the extent that we will no longer be able to cater for the food requirements of this country? And thats a sector that currently accounts for 30pc of the food requirements we have, he said. Before concluding the meeting, Louth TD Ged Nash pointed out the benefits of embracing sustainability and the potential economic growth that the Ireland could see from it. He pointed out the increasing number of imported food in Irish supermarkets, before saying: There are very small number of Irish horticultural producers that are currently in the market, there are opportunities there. The horticultural sector can produce food more sustainably and more locally cutting out unnecessary supply chains but that will take changing mindsets as well. In this country, we have traditionally had families who rightly consider themselves expert producers of dairy or beef, but just because you do something for generations doesnt really mean thats always going to be the case. People will need to be supported through this difficult process. This needs to be handled sensitively because of the social implications as well. Hannah Quinn-Mulligan: Why scrubland owners should get back-pay now that EU has changed its tune Almost 60pc support reducing the size of the national cattle herd to reduce GHG emissions from agriculture Only 30pc of people in Ireland correctly identified agriculture as the largest source of the pollution that causes climate change, according to the second wave of the EPAs Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey. Many people identified other producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the largest producer, including transport (25pc), energy industries (28pc), the waste sector (13pc) and the residential sector (4pc). EPA GHG inventory data for 2022 shows that the agricultural sector was the largest producer of GHG emissions in Ireland, accounting for a third of all emissions, followed by the transport, energy and residential sectors. Other sectors, such as waste, comprise only a small amount of the total GHG emissions. The survey also found that a large majority of people (91pc) support increasing forest areas to offset GHG emissions from agriculture, while fewer (58pc) support reducing the size of the national cattle herd to reduce GHG emissions from agriculture. The EPA found that 81pc of people in Ireland are worried about climate change and 75pc think extreme weather poses a moderate or high risk to their community over the next 10 years, with increases in worry in relation to severe storms (74pc) and extreme heat (54pc). Of the respondents, 89pc report that climate change is important to them personally and 79pc say climate change should be either a very high or high priority for the Government, with high overall support for a range of climate action policies. Irish people think that climate action will increase economic growth and create jobs (56pc), and actions to reduce climate change will improve quality of life in Ireland (74pc). Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said: Irish people have a good understanding of the complex issues of climate change, that they are concerned about its effects on their lives, but importantly that they believe that taking climate action can make our country more resilient, creating jobs and improving our quality of life. Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA said that the findings highlight that Irish people are aware of these impacts and are worried about the harm it may cause. Despite the many challenges, including cost of living increases, people remain positive about the benefits of climate action for our economy and quality of life, she said. The survey was undertaken by the EPA and the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication. There were dozens of CCTV cameras, but no clue where she is disappearance of Jean Tighe four years ago was plagued by confusion from the start Coroner urges British government to hold public inquiry into GAA officials murder after describing inquest as compromised Judge Patrick Kinney made the call over extent of confidential state material excluded from the inquest into Sean Browns 1997 murder by loyalist paramilitaries The family of Sean Brown (front row from left) daughter Clare Loughran, widow Bridie Brown, daughter Siobhan Brown, and son Sean Brown (second row, right) outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire David Young Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 03:30 A coroner has urged the British government to order a public inquiry into the murder of a senior GAA official after ruling an inquest cannot proceed due to the withholding of sensitive files. Jet-setting preacher had brothers collect 29,000 in social welfare while he was abroad Holy man argues he should not be named in court as it would damage his reputation as everyone involved gets a suspended sentence Pastor Cristian Bona pictured at Lake Maggiore Alan Sherry Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 14:16 A jet-setting church pastor who fraudulently claimed 29,000 in social welfare payments while based abroad says he shouldnt be named after his court conviction as it is not good for his reputation. A man accused of murdering his wife was arrested after he was seen jogging practically naked two days before he attacked his wife, a jury has been told. Shane Costelloe SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that they will hear that Brazilian native Diego Costa Silva called emergency services and told them that he "thought he had killed his wife". Man who travelled to Dublin to masturbate in front of children jailed for one year David Douglas admitted he would attempt to get eye contact with young girls while he masturbated David Douglas Sonya McLean Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 13:42 A man who twice travelled from his home in Belfast to a Dublin shopping centre in order to masturbate in the view of young girls has been jailed for a year. Ian Bissett was 'living at the side of the motorway near Blanchardstown'. Stock image A sex offender who failed to tell gardai his whereabouts as required by law had been living in a tent by the side of a Dublin motorway, a court heard. Ian Bissett (38), who was once jailed for an aggravated sexual assault on a man, was spared a prison term after a judge said the circumstances of the case were almost exceptional. Dad died following 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 07:40 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, Belfast. Jockey Davy Russell and his professional dance partner Kylee Vincent on 'Dancing with the Stars'. Photo: Kyran O'Brien/kobpix Racing on to the semi-final stage of Dancing with the Stars, retired jockey Davy Russell has spoken about spending time away from his children to commit to the show. Russell shares four children with wife Edelle Lily, Finn, Liam, and Tess and has another daughter Jaimee from a previous relationship. "It does [bring its challenges] but at the same time theyre as wild as a March hare, he said. "To be fair to them they are growing pretty quick, they actually do their jobs at home. Theyre doing jobs that I have to do on the farm, theyre fantastic children. "Theyre so into everything and they love the dancing. We have so much to talk about in the morning and they want me to talk to them about it. "Its very pleasing as any parent that can see the joy on their faces, that really is the winner for me. Asked about potentially coming out of retirement and racing in the US, Russell shut down any chance of a comeback and was quick to note he had already done so before Italian jockey Frankie Dettori. "Ive done it all, Ive maxed out. I think Frankie took the idea from me, I retired and came back, Ive ridden in America. "Its great fun but Im an Irish man at heart and I love being at home. Weve ticked that box, I loved riding but Im enjoying retirement. "Im so busy, we have a huge, really busy farm at home, the kids are busy, then theres the dancing. We dont have much time to be thinking about riding at the moment. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 Russell said he had to embrace his diva side after being a member of Doireanns Dancing Divas for the team dance-off portion of the quarterfinal. "I had to, I had no other choice with Blu [Hydrangea] and Katja [Mia] on the team. Kylee was brilliant and there was loads of fun. We had loads of fun and I got the opportunity to lift Kylee again so its nice to get involved. I loved when they flipped me upside down, I thought that was really fun. After sharing the team dance with Virgin Media presenter Mia and drag queen Hydrangea, Russell said he developed a great rapport with both of his fellow celebrities. Mia became the latest celebrity to be eliminated from the show ahead of the semi-final. "I connected really well with Katja this week and we spoke quite a bit. We spoke loads more than you would on a normal week. Shes just a lovely person, a fantastic person and very honest in everything, Russell said. "Shes got a couple of very lovely traits about her as a person and I really enjoyed my time with her. "Also Blu, shes fantastic. Shes just really funny and witty and sharp. You have to watch what you say around her because shell catch you out." Dancing with the Stars continues on Sunday, March 10 from 6.30pm on RTE One and the RTE Player. Green Party leader keen to find out airlines plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has called on Ryanair boss Michael OLeary to reveal how he plans to turn his airline into a net-zero carbon emissions company. Speaking before an energy ministers meeting in Brussels, Mr Ryan said he wanted Mr OLeary to show how he would fulfil his pledge to reach his carbon emissions goal by 2050. Ryanair, like most other European airlines, has set itself the ambition of net zero by 2050, he said. Thats a huge challenge. So how are you going to do it? How are you going to make aviation sustainable in that time frame? Mr Ryan said he wanted to work with Mr OLeary to bring down the amount of emissions for which his airline is responsible. I look forward to sitting down with Michael to say, OK, lets work out how we do this, which is good for the country, and good for our energy, our aviation security, as well as our energy security, he said. Ryanairs corporate website says the airline wants to remain the cleanest and greenest airline in Europe, continue to build on our progress, and be the number one leader in aviation sustainability. The company also produced a 68-page document outlining its plans to reduce their emissions. The Environment Minister has clashed publicly with the Ryanair chief in recent weeks. Mr OLeary labelled Mr Ryan and his deputy leader Catherine Martin, who is Tourism Minister, dunces for their failure to lift a cap on airline traffic into Dublin. He has also called Mr Ryan an idiot, said he was incompetent and called for his resignation. At the time, Mr Ryan said: I did listen back because it was very personally abusive and to be honest, I had to listen back to hear what was he saying. I do want to set out some of the issues, but not specifically on the cap as I do have to be careful as Transport Minister. That will be decided by Fingal County Council, first of all, and by An Bord Pleanala, and I think its absolutely right that my colleagues, our local councillors, Green Party politicians and others have raised some of the concerns they have. In recent days, Mr Ryan was again asked to address Mr OLearys comment in his appearance on RTEs Late Late Show. It doesnt bother me. To be honest, Im looking forward to meeting him. Ive asked to meet him a couple of times and it never happened, he said. I think we are going to meet next week or the week after. I wouldnt let that get in the way of sitting down because there are serious things we need to talk about, how to make aviation sustainable. Ryanair has complained that a cap of 32 million passengers a year is limiting the companys plans for growth over the coming years. Separately, Mr Ryan said he did not think the European Union should enter into a protectionist trade war with China on solar power. Employers will be unable to force workers to retire before the State pension age at 66 under new laws that have been rubberstamped by cabinet. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said in a statement that new legislation agreed yesterday will allow workers to stay in their job until age 66, which is the age they can claim the state pension. General secretary Owen Reidy welcomed the move, which he said would restrict the use of mandatory retirement ages by employers. Many workers have been forced to retire at 65 because of mandatory retirement clauses in their contracts. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has long argued there is a sizeable and growing number of workers who are forced to retire earlier than they would wish because of the age of retirement in their employment contract, typically 65, said Mr Reidy. He noted that legislation increased the compulsory retirement age from 65 to 70 for most public services workers in 2018. Mr Reidy said workers in the private sector have been left with a soft measure enabling them to take cases to the WRC, which has proved inadequate for far too many workers wanting to remain in their job longer. He said the latest Workplace Relations Commission Annual Report shows a 176pc increase in age-related discrimination complaints, from 186 cases in 2021 to 514 in 2022. This reform recognises differences between what workers want and the type of work they do in giving them more choice about the age at which they retire, he said. Under the change which is expected to come into force later this year, workers can still retire at the age specified in their contract of employment. He said the decision to remain on in your job will be optional. Mr Reidy said the heads of the Employment (restriction of certain mandatory retirement ages) bill will now go to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. "At the moment, you have to appeal to your employers good nature or take a case to the Workplace Relations Commission and force them to show the objective justification grounds they are forcing you to retire at 65, said Laura Bambrick, social policy officer at Ictu. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said it called for the legislation in a submission to the Pensions Commission, which the commission recommended to government. Many also have concerns about Joe Bidens leadership EU leaders are preparing for Donald Trump potentially returning to the White House. A senior official has revealed that leaders of member states are already considering the impact a second presidential term for Mr Trump would have on the EU. The official said the political leaders are mentally preparing for the possibility of Mr Trump defeating current US president Joe Biden in Novembers election. This includes looking at their defence capacities and energy resources, as many expect Mr Trump will be not be a strong ally with the EU. They are also expected to factor a Trump presidency into the decision-making process when selecting a successor to outgoing European Council president Charles Michel. The main feature of Mr Trump is unpredictability, so you prepare for whats unpredictable, the official said. The official pointed to issues with the Trump presidency during the Covid-19 pandemic when he banned the export of vaccines. They said Mr Michels successor will need certain skills to deal with Trump and this will be to the forefront of the minds of European leaders after EU elections this summer. Those elections will be held in June, with negotiations on who is to replace Mr Michel expected to conclude by the end of July. However, the US election will not be for some months later in November. Mr Trump clashed with European leaders during his first tenure in office and has strained relationships with several prime ministers. While there is a nervousness about Mr Trump among senior EU officials, there are also concerns about Mr Bidens leadership after he failed to get political support for a military support package for Ukraine. The EU signed off on a 50bn defence package for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last month. There is disappointment the US could not match the package put forward by EU member states. The European Commission is hoping member states will ramp up the development of military across the continent using infrastructure in place since the Cold War. There are concerns the EU is overly reliant on other military equipment from outside of the union. There are also fears across the European institutes about Vladmir Putins war in Ukraine and what the Russian presidents future military plans are. Mr Trump faced international criticism when he recently said he would encourage Putin to attack Nato member states who did not pay their contributions towards the Western military alliance. Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg responded by saying suggestions that allies will not defend each other undermines security. I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed Nato ally, he added. Mr Michel said Mr Trumps reckless statements will serve only Putins interest and will not bring more security or peace to the world. PSNI Superintendent Gary Busch speaks to the media at police headquarters to deuces the recent rise in assaults against police officers. Picture by Peter Morrison A PSNI sergeant who was recently assaulted during work speaks to the media at police headquarters to deuces the recent rise in assaults against police officers. Picture by Peter Morrison A female police officer who has been repeatedly assaulted during the six years she has worked in her Newry-based role has called on the public to remember that PSNI staff are human beings too. The 31-year-old was speaking to The Belfast Telegraph after an announcement from the PSNI on Monday revealing that over the last five years, eight police officers per day on average were assaulted while on duty with a total of 3,272 assaults for 2022/23. Assaults on officers causing injury alone are up 55pc in just four years they have risen from 626 in 2018/19 to 971 in 2022/23. Due to the sensitive nature of her job, the officer in question wanted to remain anonymous. Her most recent attack came in December when she was headbutted while trying to escort a man into police custody. We received a standard call about a male being disorderly in a street. It was the middle of the day in Warrenpoint and we tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, as we always do when dealing with people, she explained. But he was aggressive and volatile. We got him into the back of the police car to take him into custody. I had gone to put his seatbelt on. I had leaned across the back seat of the car and I was at a bit of a distance from him with my head side on and the next thing, his head connected with mine. I saw stars and realised he headbutted me. The extent of her injuries resulted in a concussion, and she added: Im still recovering from the assault, I had pain in my head for two weeks and am still dealing with the mental impact. This is far from the first time she has been hurt during the line of duty though. I have been punched, spat at, kicked, bitten. Ive had lorries and cars driven at me, the local policing sergeant continued. The day before that [headbutting] I had actually been kicked in the body armour dealing with a different male. There have been multiple assaults they happen every couple of weeks and every shift set. One of my colleagues in my team will always come in and say its happened to them too. It's just the society we live in these days. Its become the cultural norm to think that its OK to assault emergency services staff, and its not, whether youre wearing a police uniform, an ambulance uniform, a nursing uniform or a fire service uniform. I think we are all subjected to it and its not right. You come into work to make a difference and to earn a living, and you dont expect to be assaulted. At the end of the day, Im somebodys daughter, Im someones sister, Im an auntie, I'm a wife. Its not fair. Those attackers have family members like that at home too, and people need to remember that we are those people too. Superintendent Gary Busch from the PSNIs Operational Support Department believes that in general, people seem more predisposed to confronting authority or challenging decisions. Theres also the element of drink and drugs which absolutely plays a part in these assaults. A high proportion of those people who assault police officers, have taken something, whether it be alcohol or drugs. PSNI Superintendent Gary Busch speaks to the media at police headquarters to deuces the recent rise in assaults against police officers. Picture by Peter Morrison Last year, SDLP Policing Board member Mark H Durkan said that peoples confidence in the police had been hugely rocked by one blow after another. His comments came as a result of incidents which led to 2023 being the PSNIs most controversial year yet, including a massive PSNI data breach last summer and the first resignation of a Chief Constable mid-contract in Simon Byrne. When asked if, although unjustifiable, he thought a lack of public faith in the service could be a cause for increased assaults, Superintendent Busch said: Potentially. When you lose legitimacy, or you lose the trust of the community, I think the potential for officers getting assaulted increases. Thats what makes it really important for us to be as open and as transparent about all uses of force, and about how at any point during these incidents, people understand why and how force is used, and if it was appropriate to be used. A male officer based in Derry City and Strabane received a burn to his arm during disorder in the city last year also. Disorder broke out during searches where detectives from the Terrorism Investigation Unit (TIU) recovered military-grade items in the Creevagh Heights area. Sixteen officers were injured, including a local Neighbourhood officer. The neighbourhood constable said: During the disorder, a petrol bomb bounced off the side of one of our trucks, before striking me on the arm. I was taken to hospital for treatment for second-degree burns and nerve damage which meant I was off work for a month. The worst bit of the whole thing was the toll it took on my family. Thanks to the welfare support in the service and support from my friends and family, I am now back to full duties. Former deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey will oversee a stakeholder group on dog controls being set up by the Government. Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will today seek Cabinet approval of the new stakeholder group to be established on dog controls. The Government has previously vowed to clamp down on dangerous dogs after a number of high profile cases saw children being mauled and left with permanent injuries. The Cabinet will sign off on Mr Twomeys appointment this morning. He retired from An Garda Siochana in 2021 after 39 years and led crackdowns on the Kinahan cartel as well as Fat Freddie Thompsons gang. It is understood Minister Humphreys is keen to see a clampdown on dangerous dogs. It is lambing season and the last thing we want to see is sheep being savaged by dogs, she said. A working group was set up last year to review fines, enforcement, microchipping and the provision of dog wardens. The group also looked at the promotion of responsible dog ownership and licences after a number of high profile dog attacks. Drugs seized in Co Westmeath. Photo: An Garda Siochana Cash seized in Co Westmeath. Photo: An Garda Siochana A man in his 30s has been arrested after gardai seized 62,000 in cash and a quantity of drugs after stopping a car in the Midlands yesterday. Gardai in Mullingar seized the money, along with approximately 20,000 worth of suspected cannabis herb, during the search operation yesterday afternoon. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 The haul was discovered after officers stopped a car on the Dublin Road in Mullingar, Co Westmeath at around 5.30pm. Following a search of the vehicle, 62,000 in cash was found and seized by gardai. One man, aged in his 30s, was arrested and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Westmeath. During follow-up searches at two properties in Co Westmeath yesterday evening, approximately 20,000 of suspected cannabis was seized as well as quantities of suspected cocaine and 'magic' mushrooms. Drugs seized in Co Westmeath. Photo: An Garda Siochana A garda spokesman said a second man was arrested after the follow up searches. He said: A second man, (aged in his 20s) was arrested as part of this investigation and remains detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in County Westmeath. The male (aged in his 30s) has since been charged and is due to appear before Longford District Court this morning, Tuesday 5th March 2024, at 10.30am. Investigations are ongoing. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said although the Government is not in a position to provide accommodation to single male asylum seekers there are still huge numbers arriving each week. Mr Varadkar said it is not our policy to deliberately not provide shelter and accommodation to those seeking asylum, however there is an issue of ongoing shortages of accommodation. Mr Varadkar acknowledged that there are many dozens, if not hundreds, who have nowhere to stay in Ireland and said new reception centres are opening frequently. Even though we are no longer in a position to provide accommodation for single male asylum seekers, we are still seeing huge numbers arrive every week, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 He said such numbers are larger than those that would have been seen in previous years and are a reflection of what is going on elsewhere in the world. "The real struggle that were having at the moment is just to keep up with the numbers that are coming in. "The numbers are very, very significant and part of what we have to do is have better controls on our borders were doing that turning around decisions more quickly so that those that are entitled to status get it and those that dont are asked to leave the State, are required to leave the State if they dont leave. He said accommodation is also required for those seeking asylum while their application is processed. On the issue of The D Hotel in Drogheda, he said duel-use of the hotel is his preferred outcome and the matter continues to be evaluated. "It shows why we need many new reception centres and it shows why we need to move away from the practice of taking the main hotel in a town out of use or existing student accommodation out of use. He added: Its not so much the absence of a policy or the opposite of coordination that is making this so difficult, its just the very large numbers coming in. Ahead of the referendum votes on Friday, Mr Varadkar said a Yes-Yes vote will remove rather old-fashioned language and replace it with language that will recognise the work of family carers and those in durable relationships. He acknowledged that while it does not create an absolute legal right, it will put a very clear and strong obligation on governments to support family care and strive to do so. "The fact that were recognising family care and saying the State must strive to support it doesnt imply or doesnt say that were saying that care is the primary or sole responsibility of the family. "Were not saying that, were saying that families have responsibilities when it comes to care, parents have responsibilities to their children, for example, we have responsibilities for each other. The role of the State is there to support that and step in as needed. He defined durable relationship as one that is caring, committed and meant to last and is presented as such to society and is treated as such. Mr Varadkar added that one-parent families, cohabitees and guardianship are already recognised in law and everyday parlance but not the Constitution. "When all the votes are counted on Saturday morning, I dont want hundreds of thousands of children in Ireland to wake up to the news that Ireland has decided that their family isnt a constitutional family, isnt equal to other families because their parents arent married or because they only have one parent perhaps or one parent looking after them. One of the most widely used treatments for scabies is in short supply as the number of people with the condition has continued to rise. Last year, there was an increase in the number of scabies outbreaks here, with 26 reported. There were nine outbreaks in 2022. As of February 15, an additional eight outbreaks were notified. The two main treatments for the condition are Permethrin cream and Malathion lotion. One person affected by scabies in north Dublin had to go to more than five pharmacies before getting a cream and said they still have the condition. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) confirmed it was notified of a product shortage of Permethrin 5pc cream, a topical treatment for scabies. GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Limited, the company that places the cream on the market, has informed the watchdog supply is expected to be available by early this week. A spokesman said the HPRA has not been notified of current shortages of other medicinal products for the treatment of scabies. Last year, most scabies outbreaks were reported in places where people are grouped together, including nine in nursing homes and eight in residential institutions, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Three outbreaks were in private households. There has also been a rise in cases in other European countries. The watchdog here said scabies is a common condition caused by a mite. It can spread easily from person to person through skin-to-skin contact, including during sexual contact. It is not caused by poor hygiene, it said. Once infected, it can take three to six weeks for symptoms to occur and can spread to others during this time. It usually starts with itching, which can affect the whole body, and can be worse at night-time. A rash can also be present in affected areas of skin; it may be seen in skin folds between fingers and toes. It said scabies is not usually a serious condition, but it does require correct management to prevent further spread. Normal washing or showering with disinfectant does not prevent or treat scabies. Anyone who thinks they have scabies should seek advice from a GP or pharmacist to provide them with information on the steps needed to treat and get rid of the infection. 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 Fine Gael leader 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. 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 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. Government expected to approve former KPMG managing partner Terence ORourke as new RTE chair todayMedia Minister Catherine Martin last night faced calls to resign Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the reputation of former RTE chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh should not be tarnished. The Government is expected to approve the nomination of former KPMG managing partner Terence ORourke as new chair of the RTE board today. It comes as embattled Media Minister Catherine Martin last night faced calls to resign. Ms Ni Raghallaigh resigned from her role hours after Ms Martin expressed disappointment in her during a Prime Time interview. 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. I think theyre both women in good standing, in my view. What happened, essentially, between them is the relationship broke down, trust broke down, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. 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 said: Im absolutely sure Ms Martin will be happy to respond to what the former RTE chair, Siun Ni Raghallaigh, has said. The Government was left reeling after a bombshell letter from former RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh yesterday, who said she had no option but to resign after an enforced dismissal by the Media Minister. Ms Ni Raghallaigh 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. Last night, the three leaders of the Coalition parties approved the suggestion of Terence ORourke as new chairman of the RTE board. The appointment will be put to a full cabinet meeting this morning for approval. The new chair and two new board members are due to be appointed by the Cabinet today as the Dails public spending watchdog, the Public Accounts Committee, publishes its report into the saga, which has plagued the broadcaster since last June. The coalition leaders last night expressed confidence in Ms Martin as the opposition called on the minister to answer questions in the Dail in the wake of Ms Ni Raghallaighs letter. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar reiterated his confidence in Ms Martin through his spokesperson. A spokesperson for Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said: Minister Ryan knows just how determined she is to transform RTE and public service broadcasting in Ireland. The PAC report is expected to ban all side deals, such as the one agreed by RTE for presenter Ryan Tubridy, which cost the taxpayer 150,000, and recommend the broadcaster is taken under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Ms Ni Raghallaigh broke her silence yesterday, saying she was left with no option but to resign after Ms Martin refused to express confidence in her during the Prime Time interview. She criticised the minister for actively taking a hands-off approach to the widening scandal at RTE. I cannot remain silent about the manner of my enforced dismissal which seemed designed to traduce my reputation, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said. Her statement was also sent on to the Oireachtas Media Committee. In response, the minister noted the statement, but said she needed to rely on getting clear, timely and accurate information from the former RTE chair. The minister said she outlined in detail the position of the department officials and I on this matter last week, attended the Media Committee and made Dail statements. Any minister needs to rely on getting clear, timely and accurate information from the chair of a state body, she said in a statement. I would again like to put on record my thanks to the former chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh for her dedication and commitment to RTE and public service broadcasting. Ms Martin said she will seek to meet the director general and new chair in the coming days. The minister is once again facing calls to come into the Dail and answer questions on the latest twist in the RTE saga. Social Democrats TD and PAC deputy chair Catherine Murphy said the minister needs to address the issue in the Dail. Ms Ni Raghallaighs damning statement raises a number of serious questions for the minister, which urgently need to be clarified, she said. The minister now has serious questions to answer about whether she misled an Oireachtas Committee in an effort to scapegoat Ms Ni Raghallaigh and damage her reputation. The minister must come before the Dail and answer questions as a matter of urgency. The Labour Party said Ms Martin should resign, calling the former chairs statement a devastating exposure. Ultimately, the statement by the former chair calls into question how any future chair could work with this minister going forward, Labour senator Marie Sherlock said. Ms Ni Raghallaigh said Ms Martin had an active hands-off approach in communicating with her through her officials. She said during her 15 months as RTE chair, she only had a handful of meetings with the minister. The former chairperson said it was baffling that the minister asked questions about an exit package for a former executive five months after it happened. She also said Ms Martin did not assist in the boards goals of restoring licence fee payers confidence in RTE. This was urgent, not least to continue to arrest the decline in licence fee compliance since the controversy began last summer and which, regretfully, was not assisted by the minister who said she would refuse to tell licence payers what to do, she said. She said at no point was she offered a phone call or a meeting with the minister directly before the Prime Time appearance. Giving a timeline of events leading up to the live interview, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said she had no option but to resign after Ms Martin told the programme she had sent a letter expressing disappointment in her. Ms Ni Raghallaigh had been told by department officials before the interview she would be receiving a letter from Ms Martin expressing disappointment that she had been misinformed about the circumstances around an exit package for former chief financial officer Richard Collins. Ms Ni Raghallaigh asked the department not to send the letter as she felt it would reflect the minister expressing no confidence in her and make her position untenable. Carers said their responsibilites often had a negative impact on their personal mental health. Photo: Stock image Over 70pc of adult caregivers say it is challenging to balance work and caring responsibilities, a new report has found. The report from Ibec, the group representing Irish businesses, found the majority of people caring for another adult are also in employment. About 48pc of Irish adults aged 25 to 65 identify as a primary carer, with one in four being the primary carer of adults, and 63pc of those who are primary carers of adults are employed. Almost 90pc of working carers agree that it can be hard to manage all responsibilities, while almost three-quarters say it is hard to balance work and their caring responsibilities. Carers identified their personal mental health as the biggest negative impact of their caring responsibilities, followed by financial pressure. While a majority of respondents said their employer is aware of their caring responsibilities, 43pc are concerned about career progression being slowed. Other respondents said they were forced to reduce their work hours, leave the workforce or have difficulty balancing responsibilities. Almost three in 10 have taken unpaid leave, while one in four have taken paid leave and reduced their working hours due to their caring responsibilities. The report also found that just 17pc of working carers were satisfied with the current range of government supports available to them. The top suggestions for changes required include financial supports, access to respite and services, better home-care help and policy changes. Caring responsibilities are increasingly concerning for our members as staff struggle to balance care with work, Dr Kara McGann, the head of skills and social policy at Ibec, said. With the potential rise in the number of individuals requiring long-term care, relying solely on informal care and working caregivers without adequate supports and services is unsustainable. Care must be accessible, affordable, and responsive to the changing demographic needs of the country. There is a crucial role for both the Government and employers to better support individuals in need of care and those providing ancillary care. Dr McGann said the current waiting lists for home care and other social services show a significant gap between the demand and supply of adequate services. A Fine Gael TD has accused Media Minister Catherine Martin of constructive dismissal over the controversial resignation of Siun Ni Raghallaigh as RTE chair. In the strongest criticism yet by a Government TD, Brendan Griffin told party colleagues the former RTE chair had been treated appallingly by Ms Martins appearance on Prime Time nearly two weeks ago, where she failed to express confidence in Ms Ni Raghallaigh. The Kerry TD, who is a member of the Oireachtas Media Committee, told the Fine Gael parliamentary party this evening that the Government was associated with what amounted to constructive dismissal on the airwaves with Ms Ni Raghallaigh subsequently resigning her position hours after the minister's TV appearance. It comes as the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the same meeting that he and Ms Martin would soon meet with the new RTE chair Terence ORourke, who was appointed on Tuesday following the Cabinet meeting, Mr Varadkar said one of the biggest issues facing the national broadcaster is irregular self-employment and PRSI that might not have been paid to the State along with other financial implications. Hundreds of workers are believed to be caught up in the bogus contracting scandal which could leave RTE with a tax liability of tens of millions of euro. It comes after Ms Martin mounted a staunch defence of her actions in relation to RTE at the Cabinet meeting, claiming she met the former chair 11 times in the last eight months. Addressing her Cabinet colleagues on the statement issued by Siun Ni Raghallaigh on Monday evening, Ms Martin said she was not going to get into a back and forth with the former chair. In an incendiary 2,300-word statement, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said she had no option but to resign after an enforced dismissal and claimed that Ms Martin has a "hands-off approach whilst delegating through her officials" during her 15 months as chair. But Ms Martin told colleagues she had met Ms Ni Raghallaigh 11 times in the eight months since the crisis at RTE began last summer. Sources said Ms Martin also told Ministers she had answered questions for three and a half hours on the matter last week as the Government is to face down Opposition demands for her to answer further questions on the matter in the Dail. Two replacement RTE board members were approved by Cabinet on Tuesday. Businesswoman and human resources professional Terri Maloney, a current Enterprise Ireland board member, and Neasa Hardiman, a BAFTA-winning executive producer, director and writer, have been appointed to the board of RTE following this morning's Cabinet meeting. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 The Government also named former KPMG managing partner and current ESB board chair Terence ORourke as the new chairman of the board of the crisis-hit national broadcaster. In a statement confirming the appointments on Tuesday afternoon, Ms Martin said: Terence ORourke has gained vast experience at executive level having served as Managing Partner with KPMG Ireland as well as serving on the firms Global Management Team. He also brings a wealth of non-executive board experience, including chairing both Enterprise Ireland and the ESB. The minister will meet with the new chair later this week. Mr ORourke said: I am honoured to be appointed Chair of the RTE Board. RTEs public service role across news, current affairs and beyond is arguably more important today than ever. I look forward to working with the Board and Director General in charting the future for RTE, and to working with the Minister and Government to establish a stable footing for the organisation. Ms Martin said: All three new members bring with them a range of experiences and attributes which will enable the Board to continue its important work of delivering further reform at RTE, whilst also driving new strategies to bring the organisation forward and continue to deliver high quality public service content for Irish audiences. Mr ORourke is a chartered accountant and former managing partner with KPMG Ireland until 2013. He is a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland; former chair of Enterprise Ireland, the ESB and the IMI and former board member of the Childrens Health Foundation and the Irish Times. He is also on the board of The Hugh Lane Gallery, the Irish Film Institute and Hibernia Reit PLC. Terri Moloney was senior director of HR, strategy and operations in Salesforce Ireland from 2015-22 and previously head of HR in Boston Scientific and HR director in Hilti. She is a non-executive board member of Enterprise Ireland and is on the governing body of UCC. She chaired the Dublin Regional Skills Forum 2021-23. Dr Neasa Hardiman is an IFTA and BAFTA winning executive producer, director and writer, including for Happy Valley, who has worked with Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Hulu as well as public service broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, RTE and TG4. She is currently on the board of Trinity College Dublin, the Irish Film Institute, the Dublin International Film Festival and Screen Skills Ireland. The appointments came as the Public Accounts Committee published a report on the RTE crisis which contained 21 recommendations from the committee on a series of controversies that have engulfed the national broadcaster since last year. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said there was clearly a breakdown in the relationship between the Media Minister and the former chair of RTE. Mr Martin has defended Catherine Martins actions following a damning statement by former chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh on Monday which raised fresh questions for the Green Party deputy leader. He said that it was a basic enough thing that Ms Martin had asked very fundamental questions of Ms Ni Raghallaigh about the board approval of an RTE exit package and had gotten different answers. He also cited the situation last summer where the now former chair failed to tell the minister she had sought the resignation of former director general Dee Forbes. Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Martin said the Media Minister answered questions very comprehensively in the Oireachtas Media Committee, describing her as very open and transparent in terms of the fact that the relationship broke down. He added: We all regret what has happened in the sense that I dont think anyone doubts the bonafides of Siun Ni Raghallaigh in terms of her role as chairperson of RTE and her commitment to public service. He said the minister was adamant with colleagues that when she puts questions shes entitled to get answers and to be informed fully when significant decisions are taken in terms of who was responsible for the taking of those decisions. He added: Clearly there was a breakdown in that confidence, in that relationship. The Fianna Fail leader also said he understood that Ms Martin met on 11 occasions with the former chair and said it was standard practice for the chair of state bodies to communicate with the secretary general. Defending his Cabinet colleague, Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said the measure of making progress with RTE was not how many times Ms Martin meets with the chair and the director general. There have been multiple meetings with the chair of our RTE over the last number of months and well all be working with her now to look at how we can move forward on these important issues, he said. Meanwhile, Mr Martin said that the reform of RTEs funding model was a very high priority and that it would like to have a decision taken before the Dail summer recess, however he admitted that legislation could take time. The RTE licence will be there for 2024 and I suggest it could be there for 2025 as well whilst youre getting new systems in place, depending on what the Government decides, he added. Opposition parties said the Media Minister has further questions to answer after the former RTE chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh heavily criticised Catherine Martin. Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain said that Catherine 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 Green minister refused to express confidence in her during a live television interview. Siun Ni Raghallaigh resigned as chairwoman of the RTE board last month (Brian Lawless/PA) 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. He added: I feel Siun Ni Raghallaighs statement has certainly made Catherine Martin having to come back again to explain her position or to restate her own position. Its never a good look when a minister comes out and has to then come out again in order to make a further clarifying statement. Were not in the position to accuse somebody of misleading an Oireachtas committee, but clearly, there are two accounts which differ, and the minister has given one account, and Siun Ni Raghallaigh has given other accounts. But it appears to me that Siun Ni Raghallaigh has performed her duties in a way that was conducive to RTE moving beyond this crisis, into a new phase, and the minister hasnt behaved that way. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said that 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 row has broken out after TDs were asked to speed up scrutinising extensive new planning laws in 24 hours of intensive meetings over three days. The schedule set out for the Select Housing Committee to consider the Planning and Development Bill has prompted objections from opposition party members. In a statement issued this evening, Sinn Feins Eoin O Broin, Labours Ivana Bacik, Cian OCallaghan of the Social Democrats and Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit jointly expressed concerns at the move. The government members of the committee are preventing proper scrutiny of a Bill that will impact the lives of millions of people for decades to come, they said. The Planning Bill is more than 700 pages long and more than 1,100 amendments to it have been tabled by government and opposition parties. The Select Housing Committee has already spent 17-19 hours a week for the last three weeks working its way through it. A plan to finish scrutiny in 24 hours of meetings on March 19th, 20th and 21st was pushed through by government party TDs during a private session of the committee earlier today. The four opposition members said they had previously written to committee chair, Green Party TD Steven Matthews, stating their concerns about the existing schedule. It does not allow for proper consideration of what is a complex and controversial piece of legislation, they said It does not allow the Ministers taking the Bill to properly prepare for what can be very detailed and exacting scrutiny sessions. Nor does it allow all members who have tabled amendments to be present to discuss their concerns. The Bill proposes the most radical shake-up of planning law in years. It will change how local and county development plans are made, set new timelines for decision-making by planning authorities and create new procedures for access to the courts in the case of judicial review of planning decisions. It also formalises arrangements for the restructuring of An Bord Pleanala after a series of scandals and investigations, some of which are ongoing. The Opposition members said the Bill had been the subject of significant criticism from a range of sectors involved in the planning and development sector, among them the Irish Planning Institute. Steven Matthews rejected the complaints, saying the committee was working well and making good progress. "I don't think it's a big ask to ask people to work eight-hour days on something that's so very important to everybody," he said. "We're going through the bill line by line, section by section, part by part, and the Minister (Darragh OBrien) has accepted some amendments so it's working well." Mr Matthews also accused Sinn Fein of using delaying tactics that hampered the effectiveness of the committee's meetings. He said the party had withdrawn Deputy Thomas Gould from the committee so every amendment voted on took ten minutes as the committee was obliged to give time for all members to assemble before voting. "We have to wait each time even though he's not going to turn up. I don't see how that helps the work of the committee," Mr Matthews said. Pope Francis has appointed Dublin priest Fr Donal Roche as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin, the countrys largest Catholic diocese. News of the appointment was made public on Tuesday morning after mass in Dublins Pro-Cathedral by Archbishop Dermot Farrell. Fr Roche succeeds bishops Ray Field and Eamonn Walsh, who retired as auxiliaries in Dublin in 2019. The appointment is seen as an effort to inject new leadership and energy in Dublin diocese as it rolls out its renewal strategy for more than one million Catholics, 197 parishes and 238 churches. Archbishop Dermot Farrell described the appointment as important for ministry and leadership in Dublin. Fr Roche (65) is a native of Drimnagh in Dublin and a fluent Irish speaker. His appointment as auxiliary bishop will be challenging as the diocese grapples with fewer clergy, aging priests and introducing greater lay involvement in parishes. As a support role to Archbishop Farrell, it is likely Fr Roche will play a significant role in implementing a more synodal approach to faith and practice in the running of the church in Dublin. Auxiliary bishops in Dublin had a rather chequered history under Archbishop Farrells predecessor, Diarmuid Martin. In the wake of the publication of the Murphy Report into the handling of allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the diocese, Dr Martin challenged six former auxiliaries in Dublin to take responsibility for being part of a system that put the prestige of the church above the welfare of children. He secured the resignations of four auxiliary bishops in 2009: Donal Murray; Jim Moriarty; Eamonn Walsh; and Ray Field. Another auxiliary, Dr Martin Drennan, who became Bishop of Galway, refused to stand down, insisting that he had done no wrong. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 However, in August 2010 it was announced that Pope Benedict had refused to accept the resignation letters of bishops Ray Field and Eamonn Walsh and they were reinstated. A group of Dublin priests claimed at the time that the auxiliary bishops had been hung out to dry. Fr Roche comes from a family of seven children. He worked as a clerical officer in Dublin County Council before entering Clonliffe College in 1980 to study for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1986. He worked as a priest-teacher in Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock, for six years. He then spent five years as a diocesan adviser for religious education in primary schools. This was followed by eight years as chaplain to St Marks Community School, Tallaght. After 19 years involvement in religious education, he remains interested in the evangelisation of young people and has an active involvement in sacramental preparation programmes. He has also served as assistant vocations director in Dublin diocese. As an auxiliary bishop, Fr Roche will be given the titular see of the ancient diocese of Cell Ausaille, which is situated in the area of Killashee near Naas, Co Kildare. St Auxilius was said to be a nephew of St Patrick and there are monastic ruins in Kilashee that are believed to date to the fifth century. Public Accounts Committee report makes 21 recommendationsNew RTE chair and two new board members appointedCommittee chair says recommendations must be implemented in full and if not there must be a damn good reason why Decisions taken by RTE demonstrated a "lack of rigorous financial controls", the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has said. Brian Stanley was making a statement upon the publication of 21 recommendations from the committee on a series of controversies that have engulfed the national broadcaster since last year. The report states the possibility of figures relating to Ryan Tubridys salary being deliberately misrepresented by RTE cannot be discounted. The former director general Dee Forbes note which underwrote the 75,000 Renault side payments for Tubridy suggests an attempt to circumvent normal regulations and procedures on the part of RTE and to conceal the purported underwriting of the contract and payments to Mr Tubridy, the PAC report states. The RTE solicitor present at key meetings when the deal was negotiated was not there to give legal advice but to take notes, the PAC believes. The PAC report has recommended that the Government should bring RTE back under the statutory remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It has called for RTE to publish the salaries of staff earning more than 150,000 in its annual statements and those earning more than that sum upon their departure. The PAC recommended that future severance agreements do not contain any confidentiality clauses and also ensure that departing employees must co-operate with internal and external inquiries. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 The report was released as a new chair and two replacement RTE board members were approved by Cabinet. ESB board chair and former KPMG managing partner Terence ORourke has been appointed as the new RTE board chairman. Businesswoman Terri Maloney, a current Enterprise Ireland board member, and Neasa Hardiman, a BAFTA-winning executive producer, director and writer, have been appointed to the board of RTE following this morning's Cabinet meeting. Terence ORourke has gained vast experience at executive level having served as Managing Partner with KPMG Ireland as well as serving on the firms Global Management Team, said Media Minister Catherine Martin. "He also brings a wealth of non-executive board experience, including chairing both Enterprise Ireland and the ESB. The Minister confirmed that she intended to meet with the new Chair later this week. Meanwhile, Media Minister Catherine Martin went nearly two months without meeting the RTE chair at the height of the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal. A Coalition TD says he had a concern about the "hands off" approach between the minister and board as the crisis unfolded. During that period, licence fee payments collapsed as a wave of revelations emerged. The Media Minister claims she had "monthly meetings" with then RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh. Yet she went seven weeks from July 6 to August 25 as the RTE crisis escalated without any meetings. Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said he had "a concern with the hands off approach" as he pointed to the seven-week gap. Mr Dillon said the new RTE chair Terence O'Reilly "needs to be be aware of the communications piece with Catherine Martin". Labour Party TD Alan Kelly said there is a "huge credibility issue" for the minister following a statement from the RTE chair. He said the minister's argument was "full of holes". Mr Kelly said that as a former Cabinet minister, it was a given that when a secretary general is told something, then the minister is informed. "For me there is a credibility issue in saying you are not aware because the chair didn't tell you directly," he said. Green Party TD Marc O Cathasaigh said there was a "breakdown of communications". He said he was "not sure how many glaring differences" there were between the former chair and the minister. He said he wasn't sure how much clarity would come from a "three and a half hour circus at an Oireachtas committee". On Monday, former chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh issued a stinging statement in which she hit out at Media Minister Catherine Martin, whom she accused of having a hands-off approach to the RTE crisis and of enforcing her resignation last month. Other recommendations in the report include introducing a written policy in relation to negotiations with presenters and their representatives, ensuring no side deals are undertaken with employees or contractors, and developing a policy on promotional work undertaken by staff. The recommendations by the Public Accounts Committee include: - That RTE is taken under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General and as a result, under the remit of PAC - That side deals, such as the one which underpinned Ryan Tubridys Renault deal which cost the taxpayer 150,000, are banned - That credit notes of significant value are signed off by senior managers or the leadership team - All invoices should be clearly labelled The powerful committee also made a number of recommendations around the dealings with presenter agents - such as Noel Kelly, which found himself in the spotlight alongside Mr Tubridy last summer. A written policy should be introduced in relation to negotiations between presenters and agents so that the following is ensured: - More than one member of the leadership team is involved in negotiations - Negotiations are documented - Meetings relating to negotiations are officially recorded and minuted by RTE - Legal advice is given in relation to such negotiations. The Department of Media should also fully account to the PAC the full cost of the RTE debacle since it was revealed last summer that Mr Tubridys earnings were misstated by 345,000. The PAC has also said RTE should provide it with a report in June, detailing all of the changes made by the broadcaster in relation to improved governance, transparency of financial controls and practices, and accountability to the taxpayer at RTE. Sinn Fein TD and chair of the committee Brian Stanley said the recommendations should be implemented in full. Mr Stanley said the onus is on the Media Minister Catherine Martin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as well as Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe to ensure that the reports recommendations are implemented by RTE. Theres a responsibility on Government and on the ministers to make sure this happens, said Mr Stanley. He said if any of the Ministers think that any of the recommendations shouldnt be implemented, TDs on the committee want to hear a damn good reason as to why via a minute from Minister Martin. Each and every recommendation is essential, he said. Mr Stanley said if the broadcaster was under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General the committee would be in a much clearer position in relation to compellability. PAC deputy chair, Social Democrats Catherine Murphy, said there is no reason why the PAC report should be treated any different to the previous reports into RTE that have already been published, such as the Grant Thornton report. RTE would be very foolish not to take the recommendations into account, she said. Labour TD Alan Kelly said there is a huge credibility issue for Minister Martin as a result of the damning statement put out by RTE Board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh last night. Commenting on the PAC report, committee chairman Mr Stanley said: "Based on the evidence before it, the committee believes that decisions taken by RTE demonstrate a lack of rigorous financial controls, poor communication, little transparency and amount to a failure of governance which combined have damaged public trust in an organisation for which trust should be paramount." The vast majority of the public dont even know there are referendums on, is a sentiment echoed by several TDs in government and opposition parties. Even though nearly all political parties except Aontu have backed a Yes-Yes vote, there is little excitement among government ministers, TDs and senators ahead of the country taking to the polls in a few days time. The proposed constitutional changes are not as emotionally charged as the marriage equality or abortion referendums and so the government parties have faced challenges in getting their members excited and mobilised. Tanaiste Micheal Martin appealed to his parliamentary party colleagues in a private meeting last week, asking them to keep pushing the referendum message when canvassing for local elections. Ive been to some of the canvassing for the locals but none of the members bring it up with the public. And nobody mentions it, one Fianna Fail figure said. There have been some people who have asked me what way they should vote. I tell them that I see no issue with the carers referendum but I tell them to research and make up their own minds on the family one. There are legitimate concerns from people on durable relationships. The politician said constituents had raised concerns around what would happen to farms or family businesses if a couple separated, either party got into a new relationship and then either the husband or wife died. One Fianna Fail TD has even said publicly he would not support the referendums. John McGuinness told conservative news website Gript he would be voting No in both polls. There are increasing fears that either the family or care referendums, or even both, may be lost despite polls showing an overwhelming Yes vote on both. Either referendum falling will be seen as a blow to the publics confidence in the Government and set a gloomy tone for the coalition parties as elections edge closer. The Government is set to ramp up campaigning this week, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar set to go canvassing with Fine Gaels director of elections for the referendums, Heather Humphreys, today in Dublin. Ministers will also be on the airwaves making the case for a Yes-Yes vote throughout the week. Fianna Fails director of elections, Thomas Byrne, has been out canvassing, while Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman, who is responsible for the two referendums, has been to the forefront of campaigns. The Green Party has long campaigned against the sexist language used in the Constitution, promising to remove the clause in its 2020 manifesto and lobbying to include it in the Programme for Government, a statement from the party said when its campaign for a Yes-Yes vote was launched. However, it is who is missing that has been noticed by government colleagues. Swamped by the latest crisis at RTE, Media Minister Catherine Martin, who previously has been vocal on the need for a referendum to remove the offensive language around a womans role in the home, has taken a back seat in campaigning. Her spokesperson said she had been campaigning but did not provide details. Party colleagues have also pointed to junior health minister Anne Rabbitte, the minister of state for disabilities, who they have said had been quiet in the campaign. Some have said the Taoiseach himself, while calling for Yes-Yes votes in media interviews on RTEs Today show and Virgin Medias Ireland AM, could take more of a leading role. Sinn Fein, which has said it will re-run the referendums if they fail should it get into government, is also pushing for a Yes-Yes vote, but privately members of the parliamentary party do not have much energy for the referendums either. Its not our campaign, one member said. Another added: If there were no local elections coming up, I would find it very difficult to get teams out to canvass for the referendums. The poll later this week will mean the closure of some schools so they can be used as polling stations. While referendums which are held on election days normally have high turnouts, one opposition TD predicted that turnout would be close to 30pc, and most in Government acknowledge it will be quite low. One minister admitted many of the non-governmental organisations have been doing a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to campaigning. The National Womens Council, which has been particularly active in the Yes-Yes campaign, disabled comments on its social media profiles due to personalised and hateful abuse. It was not the only group to do so. One Family, a lone parents charity, said it had a duty of care against often hateful abuse towards individuals who were supporting the Yes-Yes side. Referendums should be about constructive debate and discussion of the issues, Mr OGorman said. The level of personal abuse faced by campaigners is appalling, and damages the democratic process. Former Irish President Mary McAleese has called for a Yes vote in the referendums on family and care. Ms McAleese said the amendments would take Ireland another step towards the egalitarian future that our citizens desire. Two referendums will be held next Friday proposing to change the Irish Constitution. The family amendment proposes extending the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and to include those based on durable relationships. The care amendment proposes removing references to a womans role and duties in the home, and replacing it with a new article that acknowledges family carers. March 8 is our opportunity to insert new realities, new energy, new insights into parts of our Constitution that have just aged badly, said Ms McAleese. She was speaking at We Are Family, a pro-Yes vote event jointly hosted by Treoir and One Family. I intend to vote Yes to both proposed changes to the Constitution because I am persuaded strongly that they will reflect the overwhelming impulse for equality and inclusivity that is the hallmark of modern Ireland, Ms McAleese added. They remove from the Constitution language and attitudes that have long been controversial on account of perceived sexism. They will also stop the marginalisation of many good, decent people whose strong contribution to family and community life has been completely undervalued. Speaking about the second referendum, which deals with an article commonly referred to as women in the home, she said: It is no longer suited to an Ireland anxious to promote gender equality. Other speakers included John OMeara, who recently won a case at the Supreme Court which found he was entitled to the widowers pension even though he was not married or in a civil partnership with his long-term partner. Mr OMeara and his three children challenged a High Court decision to uphold the refusal by the Department of Social Protection to grant him the pension. The seven-judge Supreme Court unanimously said that the section of legislation which had excluded the OMearas was invalid. Speaking at yesterdays event as the carer of his children, he said the case did not change his constitutional position. Im still not recognised as (being) in a family, even though I won that case, he said. Social worker Deirdre McCarthy told the gathering she felt abandoned by the Constitution when she became a lone parent at 17, as she and her child were not recognised as a family. Maxine Walshe, a psychotherapist and carer, said she works with lone parents who feel isolated. She said: The fight wont be over on March 8, but a Yes-Yes vote puts us in a much stronger position to push for that change. Minister argues change to Constitution would strengthen her hand in Budget talks Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys says she will be able to push for more supports for carers in the Budget if the referendum on care passes this Friday. The Government will review the means test for carers, with strong suggestions from the Fine Gael minister that more carers will be able to access payments after the review. A group of civil servants from the Departments of Social Protection and Health will review the means test and report back before the end of the year. If we recognise carers in our Constitution, and clearly put it in the words, why we strive to support them, it strengthens the hand of any future minister for social protection and indeed strengthens my own hand when it comes to negotiating at Budget time because theres a very clear recognition of carers in our Constitution, Ms Humphreys said. I know theres more to do. There really is. And the fact is, if we vote Yes on Friday, that strengthens my hand to do more for carers. She said the group of civil servants has been set up to look at how carers can be further supported in the work that they do. The minister said the group will absolutely not recommend for the means test to be tightened up, so fewer people can avail of it. The group will consult with stakeholder groups, such as Family Carers Ireland. What we need to do is sit down and fully assess the contribution that carers are making to our society and how we can support them in the work that they do, because some people cannot work because theyre caring full-time for somebody who has a disability, or maybe an elderly person, or whatever reason they need that support, Ms Humphreys said. We need to just deal with this issue once and for all. All allowance payments apart from benefits from the Department of Social Protection are means tested, the minister said, and thats just the way it is. From June onwards, couples will be able to earn up to 900 a week and single people 450 a week before it impacts on their carers allowance payment. This was the first increase since 2007 and the minister has also brought in the carers pension. We need to see how they can tease this out and how we can improve it, she said. The Cavan Monaghan TD is Fine Gaels director of elections for the upcoming referendums, which seek to change the definitions of family, delete a part of the Constitution relating to mothers duties in the home and insert an article about carers. The Irish Independent put three scenarios to the minister and asked what the proposed constitutional changes would mean in those cases. Two of those have been previously detailed by Independent senator Michael McDowell, who is advocating a No-No vote. In the first, a farmer who has a durable relationship with his partner, has a will and dies. In the will, he wants to pass on the farm to an heir of his choice. If durable relationships are put into the Constitution, does that mean the partner can then go to the courts to obtain some of the farm? Ms Humphreys said legislation covering cohabitation would cover that. Like any changes to the Constitution, theyre always open to challenge and we know that from the past, they have always been challenged for whatever reason, some not always successfully, she said. The second scenario detailed to the minister is the case of John OMeara, who the Supreme Court ruled is entitled to a widowers pension despite not being married to his partner of 20 years. Ms Humphreys said his case set a precedent, adding that he was in a durable relationship and the law is now being changed to reflect the Supreme Courts decision. The third scenario put forward to the minister sees two households, with a married and unmarried couple, with children in each. The father in both cases owns the house and dies. Mr McDowell said the unmarried couples household will be much poorer than the married couples household as a result, with a devastating tax bill which could mean they may have to sell their house. Ms Humphreys said this is all to do with the Succession Act. Any inheritance or property rights come from the Succession Act, she said. I think what people are missing here is that the Constitution is a statement of our values as a society. The Constitution is underpinned then by the legislation. So legislation already covers cohabitation situations and already covers the Succession Act. So really, what were doing here is, the Constitution is reflecting what already legislation has dealt with. The current chairman of the ESB, Terence ORourke has been nominated to be the next chair of the RTE board. Mr ORourkes nomination was approved by the three leaders of the Coalition parties and Media Minister Catherine Martin will seek Cabinet approval for the appointment on Tuesday morning. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 It was understood the former head of the HSE Paul Reid was also interested in the position. With Mr ORourke announced as the replacement for Siun Ni Raghallaigh following her shock resignation from the RTE board, who is the man taking up the position of RTE chair? A native of Inniskeen in County Monaghan, Mr ORourke graduated from UCD with a BA in economics and history. He joined KPMG in 1975, became an audit partner in 1988 and was elected as managing director of the accountancy firm in 2006. As managing director of the Big Four accountancy firm in Dublin, he served on the companys global board and was also a senior member of their executive team. As a former managing director of KPMG, Mr ORourke gave evidence before the inquiry into the banking crisis in 2015. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, Mr ORourke served as president of the organisation from 2004 to 2005. Currently a member of the Council of the Irish Management Institute, Mr ORourke has also been on the board of the Dublin Theatre Festival and the WXN Ireland Advisory Board. As well as serving as chairman for the ESB, Mr ORourke is the chairman of Kinsale Capital Management and the Hugh Lane Gallery Trust. He has also been on the boards of Hibernia Reit and The Irish Times. During his time as a board member of Enterprise Ireland, Mr ORourke accepted the Outstanding Contribution to Irish Business award at the Business and Finance Award in 2022. From October 2013 to June 2021, he was a member of DCUs governing authority and the university awarded Mr ORourke with an honorary doctorate in October 2023. Two additional new members are expected to be appointed to the RTE board by Cabinet alongside Mr ORourke on Tuesday morning. Ms Ni Raghallaigh resigned as RTE board chair in February after Ms Martin did not express confidence in her during an appearance on RTEs Prime Time. The chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Brian Stanley TD has said PAC members will recommend RTE be put under the remit of Comptroller and Auditor General. Its the most significant transformation in our history," says Chief Executive Officer Sean Doyle British Airways will spend 750 million (876m) on information technology improvements including an overhaul of its website as part of a 7 billion (8.1bn) push to modernise the airline. The former flag carrier owned by airline group IAG, which also owns Aer Lingus will also release a new mobile app and upgrade its digital systems to improve on-time performance, the company said. The 750 million will be spent over the next three years, and customers will begin to see improvements by the end of 2024, it said. Repeated technology failures have led to canceled flights while a sluggish online experience for customers and lacklustre on-time performance at London's busy Heathrow airport have trailed rivals. Parts of British Airways' website are more than 20 years old, the company acknowledged at an event on Monday. "It's the most significant transformation in our history," said Chief Executive Officer Sean Doyle. "A lot of investment, a lot of improvement." The new economy class seat The spending is part of a broader effort to invest across the carrier's operations to rebuild a reputation that's been tarnished as it fought to compete with budget rivals such as EasyJet. The carrier also plans to invest in its fleet with new seats for short-haul flights and upgrade its lounges following a record year of profits for parent company IAG. New Club Europe seats will see the return of a bespoke leather tray that sits between the aisle and window seat. All seats will be fitted with USB-A and USB-C charging ports. A new First suite is planned, debuting at the end of 2025 or early 2026 as part of its A380 aircraft refurbishments, and the airline is investing in a new lounge space in Dubai, as well as previously announced refreshes for Lagos, Seattle, Heathrow and Edinburgh. From April 3, the airlines Executive Club Members will start to be able to send messages free of charge on a single device using the airlines WiFi - whatever cabin theyre travelling in. It will include services such as WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger and Teams Chat - but for text only, without images, videos or attachments. "The service will be available on every WiFi-enabled aircraft within two weeks of the rollout date, it said. WiFi is currently available on all of the airlines Gatwick fleet and more than 80pc its Heathrow fleet, with a target of 100pc by 2025. British Airways has been plagued by IT failures in recent years, with hundreds of flights canceled from Heathrow last May as systems failed. A lengthy disruption in February 2022 saw flights disrupted for days while long-haul flights were hit by another failure in December. About 80pc of British Airways' flights were on time in January, close to 2019 levels, it said. A year ago, that performance was closer to 60pc, Chief Operating Officer Rene de Groot said. The carrier also plans to roll out new first-class training and a refresher for all its staff. It cut thousands of jobs during the pandemic and struggled to manage the rapid rebound of travel demand. That led to a lack of consistency in its service, said Lisa Tremble, the head of corporate affairs and sustainability. BA will offer Free onboard messaging for Executive Club Members The airline plans to restart flights to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok later this year, two flights halted due to Covid. Asian routes have been lower on the priority list, while the region was slower to re-open, as the London-based carrier focuses on profitable routes to North America. Asian routes also take longer to fly as most carriers re-route around Russian airspace. The expansion to Asia will make a small difference to rebalance BA and parent IAG's reliance on North America. At the end of 2023, Asia accounted for just 3.5pc of IAG's capacity, compared with 9pc pre-Covid. North America contributed about 32pc of flight capacity last year, exceeding 2019 levels which stood at about 30pc. IAG said last week it plans to grow by around 7pc as it delivered a record annual operating profit of 3.5 billion in 2023. BA chief customer officer Calum Laming said in January the airline was constrained in relaunching flights, particularly to Asia, as it faced a shortage of aircraft meaning it could not add new routes or additional frequencies. It has been a turbulent start to the year for the British royals with health scares, in-fighting and conspiracy theories all taking centre stage. Speculation continues over Kate Middleton's welfare, with the Princess of Wales yet to make a public appearance in 2024. Meanwhile, officials at Buckingham Palace have remained tight-lipped on the specifics of King Charles health struggles. And where do 'work-shy' William and exiled black sheep Harry fit into the prestigious picture with even the disgraced Prince Andrew returning to the fold? Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheehan is joined by Sarah Caden, columnist with the Sunday Independent, to examine the latest multi-layered royal crisis, and ask the question - are we more fascinated by them than ever? Chloe Martin has spoken glowingly of her recent appearance on First Dates Ireland. Cavan woman Chloe Martin has encouraged others in search of true love to consider appearing on RTE's hit show First Dates Ireland. A Cavan hairdresser who appeared on First Dates Ireland last week has urged others to follow her lead by signing up for the hit RTE show in the search for love. Twenty-two-year-old hairdresser Chloe Martin wowed audiences last Thursday evening as she enjoyed dinner with Craig Claxton, a 21-year-old dairy farmer from Tullamore. The former Cavan Institute student previously spoke to the Irish Independent website ahead of her upcoming appearance. Follow Independent Cavan on Facebook And, despite what appeared to be a memorable first encounter between the pair, a second date failed to materialise for the affable Canningstown native. On the day we got on well and chatted, she said. I just dont think it worked out in the end, or it didnt work out romantically anyway. Chloe Martin has spoken glowingly of her recent appearance on First Dates Ireland. I would encourage anyone to do it That said, the personable Cavan woman was staying upbeat about her own hopes of finding true love, saying: Sure, theres plenty more fish in the sea and all that. An easy-going response it may have been, it was one many of Chloes friends were quick to reflect on when last Thursdays episode aired on television screens nationwide. They were like: Oh you came across well and other people were saying things like: It was just you on the tele and some were saying: You looked so natural. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 Despite her own lack of good fortune in the loves stakes on the popular RTE show, Chloe said the experience was one she urged other hopeful singletons to consider. I would encourage anyone to do it, she said. It was such a good experience. It was just fun and it was good craic and I had such a fun story to tell. First Dates Ireland airs on Irish television screens each Thursday evening on RTE 2 at 9:35pm. New coalition government formed in Nepal Kathmandu, Mar 4 (UNI) Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday broke his coalition with the Nepali Congress party and reshuffled the cabinet. Dahal, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), joined hands with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and after removing all the cabinet ministers, he initially introduced three ministers into the new cabinet, with one from the CPN-UML and the others from CPN (Maoist Center) and the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The Centre Stage School in Mallow celebrated its 20th birthday last weekend with a special show entitled 20 Years On at Cork Opera House. The performance brought together past pupils and teachers, along with current students, to perform pieces from each of the schools productions over the past 20 years. Centre Stage School was established in 2003 by Aideen McAuliffe, with one teacher and 12 young drama students. Twenty years ago, my dream for this school was very simple. I wanted to create an artistic centre of excellence where young people were part of a positive community who supported and cheered each other on. I am incredibly touched that so many past pupils and staff members came back to join our current students to make tonight so memorable, said Aideen, Director of Centre Stage School. Today, Centre Stage School employs 30 teachers and welcomes 1,500 students to classes each week. It was so great seeing everyone again, we all travelled from different parts of Cork and the world to come together. Being back on stage together, it felt like no time had passed. Centre Stage is such an incredible community and I felt so lucky to be a part of that again, said past pupil Katie Curtin. Centre Stage currently has numerous past pupils studying musical theatre, voice or drama at third level education, and several are currently employed professionally in the arts industry. Patricia Liddy, Director of Services, Cork County Council, left, Valerie OSullivan, Interim, Chief Executive, Cork County Council, and Katie Mann and Noel Lawn from the Skibereen Town Team pictured with Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister of State Kieran ODonnell, at an event to mark local authorities completion of 26 Town Centre First Plans. Picture: Andres Poveda. Kanturk has been announced as one of 26 towns nationally to benefit from a Town Centre First Plan. Funding of 30,000 has been granted to Cork County Council for the development of the plan as part of the Governments national Town Centre First Policy initiative. Kanturk will subsequently be provided with the funding to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop its town centre. The Town Centre First policy represents a joint strategy by the Department of Rural and Community Development, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; to tackle vacancy and dereliction, drive future development and breathe new life into town centres. Welcoming the announcement of Kanturk as part of the second phase of Town Centre First Plans, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O Flynn said: I am delighted that Kanturk is set to benefit from this fund. Town Centre First Plans provide the community with an opportunity to shape the future of their town. It can contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting business and tourism potential and protecting historical landmarks. This has the potential to be truly transformative, paving the way for newly revitalised town centres, thriving communities and economic growth for generations to come, he added. Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie OSullivan said a Town Team will now be assembled to initiate a plan for Kanturk to development process. Cork County Councils dedicated Town Regeneration Office will now work to assemble a Town Team for Kanturk to guide this exciting plan to development process over the coming months. The input of the local community is key to the success of these projects to ensure a shared vision that is unique to each town. Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan also welcomed the news that Kanturk will develop a Town Centre First Plan. I am delighted that Kanturk will be supported with funding of 30,000 to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop its town centre. This investment is all about giving the people of Kanturk the tools they need to improve the town and make it a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in. Launched in 2022, Town Centre First has a core aim of confronting dereliction and the general decline in the health of Irelands town centres. Town Centre First also supports the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Housing for All by unlocking the potential of vacant and underused buildings to increase housing supply and attract more people to live and work in town centres. Cork County Council is also inviting Expressions of Interest for projects identified by Town Teams and local communities that will assist in regenerating their towns. Selection of projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme Project Development Measures 2024 will be by means of a competitive process. Cork County Council can submit two applications to a value of 50,000 each to the Department of Rural and Community Development. Development of projects must be undertaken in consultation with the Town Regeneration Office of Cork County Council, the local town/village community and business interests. The Expression of Interest form and further information on the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is available on the Councils website www.corkcoco.ie The closing date for completed Expression of Interest forms is 5pm on Wednesday, March 20 2024. Forms can be emailed to townandvillagerenewal@corkcoco.ie or posted to Town Regeneration Office, Cork County Council, Floor 11, County Hall, Cork, T12R2NC. More than 1,200 students and staff members of University College Cork have signed an open statement regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The aim of the statement is to add voices to the national and international calls for a ceasefire. The statement currently has over 1,245 signatures from UCC members; over 300 staff members and 940 students, with numbers still rising. In the letter they have called on UCC to extend its solidarity and sanctuary to Palestinian students and academic colleagues. We are calling on UCC, one of the first universities to embed SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) into our curriculum and research strategy, to show leadership and courage in this time of extreme suffering in Palestine, the statement reads. It also compared UCCs prompt compassion for Ukraine during the Russian invasion with its efforts to support students and colleagues from Ukraine as something to be proud of and illustrates the University of Sanctuary status. Let us add our voices to the growing calls for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine. We are in a privileged position living in a free democratic country and universities are one of the institutions which can offer perspectives and leadership and we have a duty to do so, it continues. The letter highlights that over the last four months, all 12 of Gazas universities have been damaged or destroyed by the Israeli Defence Forces. It also states that the homes of academics, scientists, and other intellectual Palestinians have been bombed, while 94 university professors and at least 231 teachers have been killed. It further states that the president of the Islamic University of Gaza, which was partnered with UCC, Prof Sufyan Tayeh, was killed alongside his family in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp. Referring to the killing of one other academic, it calls on "UCC to raise its collective voice in solidarity with them". Members of UCC are asking the university to issue a public statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; condemnation of the mass killing, starvation and destruction being inflicted on the Palestinian people by the Israeli Government and Army; recognition of the ICJ interim ruling and a call for Israels adherence to international and humanitarian law; unhindered access of aid, to and throughout Gaza; review of all academic links between UCC and Israeli academic and industrial institutions; adopt a Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Policy across the university. Claire Shorten offers geography classes online after facing brick wall trying to find a job A Dublin teacher, who lost her sight at the age of 20, is taking her career into her own hands after facing multiple roadblocks due to her vision impairment. Claire Shorten (33), from Ballinteer, graduated from Maynooth University in 2019 with a bachelors degree in Geography and History. During first year studying in Maynooth in 2011, she unexpectedly lost her sight following surgery to remove a brain tumour. After qualifying to become a teacher, including a placement in St Marys Holy Faith school in Glasnevin, Ms Shorten faced brick wall after brick wall in trying to secure a job. I got one interview over four years, and I remember when I got that call, I was crying because I was so overwhelmed, she said. My family members were supportive and encouraged me to explore different roles, but that was never my passion or where my experience lay. Some of the barriers Ms Shorten faced were around reasonable accommodations she requires and is entitled to. If teaching in a school, she would require a personal assistant to help with specific parts of her role, such as resizing images, going through handwritten work, and pulling up images of specific diagrams. Geography is a very visual subject, and I can visualize everything. I was 20 when I lost my sight, and nothing physiologically has changed. I can describe any diagram I need to, Ms Shorten said. There is a massive problem in Ireland with this, and the truth is it trickles all the way down. If a school doesnt have the financial resources to provide me with reasonable accommodations required by law, then I cant work there. Fortunately, she has now found a way of teaching that doesnt require being in a school, and at the beginning of this year launched GeographyTeacher.ie, catering to both Leaving and Junior Certificate students. Claire Shorten lost her sight when she was 20 Ms Shorten is currently providing Junior Certificate revision courses and, from September, will offer a two-year course for students looking to take geography as an extra subject for their Leaving. Its for students who may have a subject clash or who may not have had geography available to them in their school, she said. Its also for students who might be looking to take on a subject where they can be more assured, they will receive a high mark compared to subjects like maths, science and languages. It also caters to people who might want to study medicine, for example, and are looking to ensure high marks. The service provided is completely online, with live interactive weekly lessons with Ms Shorten. She will provide 90-minute lessons in geography every week, just like any normal school class. Lessons will include the use of Google Classroom, Google Workspace, and Google Meet. Ms Shorten says this step in her career has given her a new lease of life to be able to do what she is truly passionate about. Im taking my career into my own hands. Im totally avoiding any type of discrimination. I dont see being blind as an excuse until it becomes evidence, she said. I am so much more enthusiastic and optimistic about my future. Its been a lot of work, but I love it because it is what I am passionate about doing. Housing scheme in Donabate previously faced court challenge The development of 1,323 residential units has been given the green light in Donabate The construction of over 1,300 homes and a vast nature park in the Fingal area, which previously faced local opposition, has been given the green light. Permission for the large-scale residential development, based along the Donabate Distributor Road at Corballis East, was granted on February 23. The decision follows an agreement reached by the property company and local residents at a public meeting held by Donabate/Portrane community council. In January 2023, a campaign was set up to overturn planning permission for the homes. However, a judicial review will now be struck out after 67pc of the 344 residents at the meeting voted in favour of the project going ahead. As part of the construction, the developer will sell 102 dwellings for an indicative 39.88m to Fingal council for social and affordable housing under part of their conditions. The construction will also include the building of local shops and a site for a new 24-classroom primary school. Fingal councillor Adrian Henchy, who made a detailed submission on behalf of the locality back in October, said he was pleased to see that many of his requests were incorporated into the 47 conditions. Some of these conditions include phasing the project and the provision of community facilities, a site for a school, and amenities alongside the building of the homes. Phasing is key to the successful development of this area, and I am pleased to see the required conditions, he said. This includes a delivery programme for the completion and commencement of the use of childcare facilities linked to the housing units. The centre piece of the project is a nature park covering 13 Hectares Another condition includes that the ownership of the large park be transferred to the council before anyone moves into the housing units. The final condition includes that before the 301st residential unit is begun, a site to facilitate at least a 16-classroom primary school will be transferred to the Department of Education. I largely welcome the new housing. The most important thing we are about is building communities, and key to new housing is to have, in tandem, the supporting physical and social infrastructure, Cllr Henchy added. The Donabate scheme will feature 1,323 residential units, a 32-acre park, creches, and links to the Broadmeadow Greenway. The Corballis Nature Park will be located on land to the south of the Donabate Distributor Road. Work is under way on the 30m Broadmeadow Greenway, which is a shared footpath and cycleway linking Malahide and Donabate across the Broadmeadow Estuary. The first phase will see 600 new homes being built along with two childcare facilities and the primary school. One part of the site has already had permission to build some 54 units and some retail spots at the back of Smyths Bridge Public House. The construction of this significant development for the area will take place over 10 years and will also boast a community use unit and a medical centre. As part of the construction, the developer has agreed to provide 10,000 per year for the next ten years to support community projects. New lift car, additional lighting and enhanced security among range of measures The stairwell has been plagued by poor lighting 'Temporary' access to Clongriffin Dart Station has been in place for 14 years. Pic: @hopkins_joan A new report has recommended a series of upgrades and enhancements to provide safe, universal access at Clongriffin Dart Station in north Dublin. Local representatives and campaigners welcomed the news, with one describing it as a real victory for the community. The temporary access to the station has been in place since 2010, but has been plagued by a repeatedly broken lift, poor lighting and anti-social behaviour. Local residents have been campaigning for years to have these issues addressed. In response to the problems, an options and feasibility report was commissioned by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of Fingal County Council, Irish Rail and the landowners. The recommendations in the report, seen by the Irish Independent, include a new lift car, additional lighting and enhanced security. Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan on a recent visit to Clongriffin Dart station Campaigner Samantha OFlanagan, from Myrtle the Coast Residents Association, said she is absolutely delighted with the outcome. She said it has been a long and frustrating process and its unfortunate that she and other people behind this campaign have had to fight for this basic service. Ms OFlanagan added that it goes to show what a strong community they have in Baldoyle, one she is proud to be a part of. The report targets short-term measures which could be implemented within a 3 to 4-month timeframe. These include the procurement of a new lift car, additional public lighting, enhanced security and monitoring arrangements, and upgrades and enhancements to the existing staircore and access path in the Dart station. Medium-term progressions for Clongriffin Dart station, which will likely be implemented in 12-18 months with planning permissions being granted in a timely manner, include developing resilience measures to reduce the risk of the lift failing, which will look to include an additional lift core or semi-permanent ramp access. Longer-term solutions for safe universal access include developing the design of the permanent plaza and addressing the conditions set out in the initial approved planning permission for the station. The timeframe for these arrangements will be dependent on wider plans for the area. However, all parties have indicated a willingness to engage in pushing forward to designing the space. The access point, managed on behalf of the owners by Richmond Homes, has been in place since April 2010. Social Democrats councillor Joan Hopkins, who has been a big advocate for ensuring the station is a priority, described the news as a real victory. The stairwell has been plagued by poor lighting Its a testament to the tireless work of a small group of determined women and the wider community who finally said enough was enough, and we never should have found ourselves in this position, she said. Bernard Mulvany, of Access for all Ireland and People Before Profit rep for Dublin Bay North, welcomed the recommendations in the report. It looks like were going to get a really positive result on the lifts in Clongriffin, he said. Weve worked hard over the last four or five years to get these lifts which are just appalling. It shows when people come together, put enough pressure on and work hard enough to do better for their community, that the results can be really positive. Social Democrats TD Cian OCallaghan also added that it was positive news. It is equally important that the provision of a well-designed universal access from a public plaza is progressed as quickly as possible, he added. Huge effort has been put in by local residents who have highlighted the need for these measures. Its great to see their hard work resulting in concrete actions that will make this access safer for all commuters. A spokesperson for the NTA confirmed the recommendations and next steps identified in the report have been agreed across the four stakeholders (NTA, Fingal Co Council, Irish Rail and Richmond Homes). It added that the NTA has committed funding to the next phase of development of the measures outlined in the report. It is now planned for all parties to engage with residents, local elected representatives and other interested groups to outline the proposed measures, the spokesperson said. As the design progresses and more certainty on the timelines for implementation is achieved, further engagement will be held. The NTA, Fingal County Council, Iarnrod Eireann and Richmond Homes remain committed to implementing measures in the short term that address the issues currently being experienced providing safe, reliable and robust access to Clongriffin Dart station. Fianna Fail Councillor Norma Moriarty has said 30,000 allocated to Kenmare to develop a town-centre plan will help the town move to the next level. Kenmare was named as one of 26 Irish towns that will benefit from the Town Centre First scheme. It comes as the first raft of towns selected for the programme in 2022 Milltown being one of them finalise their plans, which were developed in consultation with local communities. These plans deal with a wide range of issues, including redeveloping vacant sites, creating community amenities, and boosting tourism and small- and medium-sized businesses. Cllr Moriarty, Cathaoirleach of the Kenmare Municipal District, thanked the Department of Rural and Community Development. The town has been proactive in dealing with two of its major issues of recent years providing a designated area for casual trading, and upgrading a wastewater-treatment plan and she feels now is the time to push on. This is Kerry Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Kerry newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Its a first stepit helps with scoping out and consultation, and prepares you for an application for phase two, she said. At least then, therell be an agreed application going in for phase-two funding, which is far more significantAll funding is warmly welcomed and will be put to good use. The key thing is people have a chance to speak on it and see what it will look like. Dereliction and vacancy are among the most-common issues tackled by these plans. Cllr Moriarty said that Kenmare does not suffer as badly as other towns in this regard, but its not a non-issue, and there are vacant spaces to be utilised. What do you do with those spaces, what kind of business do you attract into those, these are the things the community will be discussing? Cllr Moriarty said. Brian Ward and Jackie Kerry with the Kerry Emigrant Support Group at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday morning. Photo by Mark OSullivan Vincent Moran, Isabella McDougall, and Peter Turtle with the Kerry Emigrant Support Group at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday morning. Photo by Mark OSullivan. Guests of the Kerry Emigrant Support Group at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday morning. Photo by Mark OSullivan. Over 30 Irish people living in the UK are in Tralee this week as guests of the Kerry Emigrant Support Group (KESG). They are currently enjoying a short break in the Kingdom as they tour the county and reconnect with home while enjoying the best in Kerry hospitality. Included in the groups itinerary are visits to Killorglin, Ballybunion and Limerick. Its all part of a Kerry Emigrant Support Group initiative that involves working with various organisations and agencies in Ireland and the UK who support Irish emigrants. The primary aim of KESG is to assist people on personal emigration journeys through practical, hands-on interventions and supports. It represents Irish people based in London and elsewhere in the UK who emigrated from Ireland. This is Kerry Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Kerry newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Through the work of KESG, emigrants can remain connected with Kerry and Ireland by engaging in various activities. The Kerry Emigrant Support Group understands the challenges of emigration and how this experience is different for people. Brid McElligott of KESG said the visitors are enjoying the best Kerry welcome and hospitality. Vincent Moran, Isabella McDougall, and Peter Turtle with the Kerry Emigrant Support Group at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday morning. Photo by Mark OSullivan. This visit is made possible due to the generous support of its many volunteers throughout Kerry who give of their time and those, who through financial contributions, support the work of the organisation, Ms McElligott said. It is through the generosity of these people that this trip is occurring and the association would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of their supporters for their ongoing support and contributions, which is having a really positive impact on the lives of many, she added. Brian Ward and Jackie Kerry with the Kerry Emigrant Support Group at The Rose Hotel on Tuesday morning. Photo by Mark OSullivan Founded in 1992, the Kerry Emigrant Support Group is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation. It is also an approved housing body, with houses and apartments in Tralee and Castleisland. The association works closely with Irish emigrants who are considering returning to Kerry on a more permanent basis. It has worked in partnership with various agencies and organisations to support people relocating safely and compassionately back to Kerry. Candid dialogue continues over d Hotel In the same week that 500 asylum seekers were due to take up residence in the d Hotel in Drogheda, crisis meetings are still taking place with government ministers to either revise the decision, or allow for dual use of the facility, to also allow guests. Meanwhile the Taoiseach says talks are still ongoing to prevent a loss of revenue to Drogheda, including the possible reopening of a hotel in town, which is currently housing Ukrainian refugees. A delegation of Drogheda councillors met with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman, and Minister Heather Humphreys at Leinster House on Monday, in an effort to save the towns largest hotel from effective closure to tourists and business guests. This is Louth Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Louth newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Deputy Mayor Kevin Callan says calling it a meaningful meeting would be a step too far, but it is clear that a resolution is desired by all parties. "The councillors and the TDS raised other options, including other properties, and I don't want to name any other property specifically to complicate it even further, said Cllr Callan. Drogheda has always welcomed people who need help and protection; however, the hotel remains the key issue. "We need our tourist facility for our local economy, so we have to go back to the people of Drogheda and explain what's going on, because we weren't informed at the start and now we are aware, and we want to continue to do what's responsible and right. It would appear that the arrival of the asylum seekers is on temporary hold while a resolution is being sought, however management at the d Hotel are adamant that dual use is not an option. Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland on Tuesday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said dual use was still his preferred outcome and they are still working on that option, however they are having to look at other alternatives. There are issues around the way you get in and out of the building, with child protection and so on, so there's an alternative we're looking at where there's another hotel in the town currently in use for Ukrainians that could potentially be reopened, he said. I do think it's really important that a town the size of Drogheda should have a functioning hotel. Its a town where a huge amount of progress has happened in recent years; new roads, new housing, improvements in the hospital, investment, and this is a setback for the town. Louth TD Fergus ODowd challenged Minister OGorman on the contract in the Dail on Friday March 1, but he defended the decision as his department is under pressure to accommodate asylum seekers. The provider is engaging with the fire officer with respect to the suggestion that the d Hotel would be used for both international protection applicants and paying guests, and that proposal is still under consideration. No decision has been made, said Minister OGorman. My officials have engaged with the hotel in terms of the understanding of the layout, in terms of the particular concern around child safety in terms of use of shared entrances, share exits, shared lifts, shared stairs, and that is ongoing; there's a challenge but engagement is ongoing. Drogheda Business Representatives engage in candid dialogue with Government on hotel bed removal Issue Drogheda & District Chamber and Love Drogheda Business Improvement District (BID) representatives also met with the three ministers, in what they described as candid dialogue on the hotel bed removal. During the meeting, the representatives conveyed the sentiments of the business community in Drogheda regarding the imminent removal of 113 tourist hotel beds at the D Hotel to accommodate International Protection Applicants. Robert Murray, representing Drogheda & District Chamber, emphasised the importance of finding a suitable arrangement for all stakeholders despite the challenging circumstances. Losing a tourism asset, especially the second town centre hotel to lose tourism beds, poses significant challenges. Notwithstanding the stark situation faced by Government, were asking for the current proposed arrangement to be reconsidered. Trevor Connolly, representing Love Drogheda BID noted it was the third Ministerial meeting to be held regarding the potential removal of visitor accommodation at the d Hotel. We have conveyed the economic impact this will have across the tourism, hospitality and retail sector. This decision will be taken with the fullness of information provided by the business community to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on future impacts on skilled labour provision for the hospitality sector, the impact and ability to host and attract festivals of scale, he explained. Based on detailed information provided by the business community, we are asking that the department re-evaluate their decision-making process and weigh the long-lasting consequences this decision will have on the tourism industry and explore alternative options within the county and region that does not involve visitor accommodation. The Chamber and BIDS reiterated their commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to improve the economic landscape for businesses in Drogheda, adding that the decision to remove the hotel beds has the potential to undermine the progress made through joint efforts with government agencies, local authorities, and the Drogheda Implementation Board. Two beehives have been stolen from a property in County Roscommon. Gardai are investigating the incident involving the theft of two beehives from a domestic location at Deerpark, Boyle, County Roscommon. Follow Independent Roscommon on Facebook The incident occurred overnight, between Tuesday, February 20 and Wednesday, 21 February 2024. Each beehive is believed to have weighed approximately 30kgs and home to native Irish Black Bees. Investigating Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information on this incident, or who may have witnessed it, to make contact with Gardai at Boyle Garda Station on (071) 966 4620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the money-laundering case against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying that criminal conspiracy can be a charge under the PMLA only when the conspiracy relates to a crime enlisted as a scheduled offense under the 2000 Act. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan said, given its November 2023 judgment, that criminal conspiracy, which is punishable under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), cannot be the only offense for initiating a money laundering probe. Taking note of the Supreme Courts judgment in the Pavana Dibbur case, in which another two-judge bench declared that criminal conspiracy can be a charge under the PMLA only when the conspiracy relates to a crime enlisted as a scheduled offense under the 2000 Act, the two-judge bench quashed the case being probed by ED against the congress leader. The matter relates to a case in which Congress leader Shivakumar and a few others were accused of establishing an extensive network of individuals and places across Bangalore and Delhi to transport and use unaccounted cash. A case of money laundering was registered against Shivakumar and two others in 2018 after around Rs 7 crores of cash was reported to be seized during Income Tax raids in 2017 from premises in Delhi that were said to be linked to him. The ED probe followed a spate of income tax raids in 2019 as the agency alleged Shivakumar conspired with Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah, Sunil Kumar Sharma, and some others to evade tax. Shivakumar was arrested by the ED in September 2019, and his interrogation continued for many days. He remained in jail for nearly two months. He was eventually granted bail by the Delhi High Court in October 2019, which was also upheld by the Apex Court. Prior to his arrest, Shivakumar and others had filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court challenging the ED summons issued to them. In August 2019, Justice Aravind Kumar of the Karnataka High Court, who has since been elevated to the Supreme Court, dismissed these writ petitions and refused to quash ED summons against Shvakumar. Shivakumar then moved the apex court against the same. The Supreme Court today set aside the High Court order and quashed the proceedings. Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra appeared for Shivakumar. Senior Counsel Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and S Nagamuthu appeared for the other accused. Advocates Parmatma Singh, Mayank Jain, and Madhur Jain briefed the senior advocates on the matter. Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Hanumanthaiah and Shivakumar, argued that the ED probe against Shivakumar and others was premised solely on the criminal conspiracy charge under Section 120 of the IPC and that there was no scheduled offense involved in the matter. The lawyers argued that the PMLA enumerates certain offenses in the Schedule annexed to it. These include numerous offenses under the IPC, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and other statutes, besides offenses having cross-border implications. Singhvi pressed that the high court order was not tenable in law after the top courts ruling that Section 120B cannot be a standalone offense to initiate a probe under the PMLA. He added that the alleged offense under the Income Tax Act was admittedly not a scheduled offense under the Act, and therefore, there is no basis for the money laundering probe to continue. Senior Advocate Luthra cited the 2023 ruling of the top court to contend that since there was no allegation of the commission of criminal conspiracy to commit any of the offenses included in the PMLA Schedule, Shivakumar could not be prosecuted under the Act. In its judgment on November 29, 2023, a bench of Justice Oka and Justice Pankaj Mithal held that criminal conspiracy to commit any crime cannot be grounds to initiate money laundering proceedings against a person, adding the conspiracy must relate to an offense that is a scheduled offense under the PMLA. Representing the ED, additional solicitor general SV Raju conceded that a prosecution under the PMLA cannot be conducted only based on the invocation of Section 120B in the wake of the November 2023 judgment by the Supreme Court. SV Raju said that the ED has filed a review petition against the 2023 judgment in the Pavana Dibbur case, and if it succeeds, the agency should be granted the liberty to revive the prosecution. The bench then proceeded to quash the ED summons against Shivakumar and two others. The Court said, The ASG fairly submits that the question of whether 120B can be a stand-alone and distinct offense had been decided by a two-judge bench in 2023, holding that Section 120B can become an offense only when it is applied with a main offense, which is a scheduled offense, the Apex Court held. The judgment said that it wasnt the legislative intent to make all offenses under PMLA by applying Section 120B. Given this, the reasons assigned by the high court cannot be sustained. Appeals are allowed, and the proceedings under the PMLA are quashed, the Supreme Court order stated. The bench also granted ED the liberty to seek review or recall this order if its review petition against the 2023 judgment eventually succeeds. UNI/SNG GNK The Mayor of Sligo has called for Israel to be booted out of the Eurovision Song Contest. And, if the European Broadcasting Union fails to do this, then Ireland should boycott the event, Councillor Declan Bree has said. At Mondays monthly meeting of the County Council, Cllr Bree said that in countries all over the world, more and more people were expressing their growing concern at the extent of the genocide and the numbers of civilian deaths in Gaza. To date over 30,000 Palestinians have been confirmed dead, two thirds of them women and children. Another 70,0000 have been wounded. Israels blockade of Gaza and its refusal to allow essential supplies of food, water and medicines to be delivered is leading to increasing levels of starvation among the civilian population. The Taoiseach has stated that Israel is not a normal, liberal, western democracy. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney has called Israels behaviour monstrous and akin to a rogue state. Polls show that the vast majority of people in Ireland understand that what is happening in Gaza is genocide. As Palestinians bury their children, surrounded by the rubble of their homes and their dreams, Israel must be shown that there can be no business as usual with a State that is committing genocide and perpetrating war crimes on a daily basis. In this context, it is unthinkable that Israel should be permitted to be part of the Eurovision Song Contest. The Eurovision Song Contest is supposed to be a platform that celebrates diversity, unity, and cultural exchange. Russia was excluded from the competition in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine after organisers said that to do otherwise would bring the competition into disrepute. So how in the name of goodness can Israel, which is committing war crimes on a daily basis, be allowed to participate in the competition? The Mayor said that Irelands entry to Eurovision, Bambie Thug, have already said that Israel should not be allowed to compete in the competition while more and more people nationwide and across Europe are calling on the European Broadcasting Union to exclude Israel from the competition. Ireland as a nation, cannot stand idly by while Israel continues its oppression of the Palestinian people. Our Government must demand that the European Broadcasting Commission ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. In the event of the European Broadcasting Commission allowing Israel to participate, we should call for a total boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. Cllr Bree proposed: Aware that over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military operation four months ago; that 85 per cent of the population has been displaced, mostly to areas that have faced repeated bombardment from Israel by land, air and sea; that South Africa has initiated proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; this Council calls on the Government to demand that the European Broadcasting Union bans Israel from the Eurovision song contest, and further we call for a boycott of Eurovision should Israel be permitted to participate in the contest. The motion was seconded by Cllr Gino OBoyle and unanimously adopted. Eurovision is due to take place in Sweden next May. A community development worker has appeared in court charged in connection to the seizure of over 60,000 of cash and 20,000 of cannabis following a series of searches in Westmeath yesterday. Sifoso Mpobole (37), Alverno Drive, Willow Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath, was brought before a sitting of Longford District Court this morning to face two charges. Detective Garda Sean Barrett gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, revealing how Mpobole replied: Im sorry when one of the charges was put to him at Mullingar Garda Station shortly before midnight last night. Follow Independent Westmeath on Facebook Father of four, Mpobole was charged with the alleged possession of 62,100 in cash at Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath yesterday while knowing that or being reckless as to whether or not the said property was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The court was told the State were not objecting to bail with defence solicitor Frank Gearty stating his client fully consented to the conditions set down by the court. They include directions for Mpobole to reside at his home address, sign on twice a week at Athlone Garda Station, to provide a mobile number to gardai, remain intoxicant free and surrender his passport within 72 hours. Mr Gearty also revealed Mpobole was currently employed with Westmeath Community Development, a local partnership body which empowers people and communities to overcome disadvantage and tackle social inequality. The accused was also charged with the unlawful possession of cannabis at 46 Alverno Drive, Athlone, Co Westmeath contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Those charges came after gardai stopped a car on the Dublin Road in Mullingar at around 5:30pm before later carrying out further searches at two properties in county Westmeath. Mr Gearty also applied for legal aid on behalf of his client, a request which led Judge Bernadette Owens to reserve granting the order until such time as Mpobole files a statement of means. A second male, aged in his 20s, was arrested as part of the investigation and remains detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in County Westmeath. Mpobole was remanded on continuing bail to a sitting of Mullingar District Court on June 20. Seamus is well-known around north Wexford as he was a teacher for many years. He was Head Teacher at St Peters College years ago before he went to the United States for years. When he came back to Ireland, he was parish Priest in Davidstown for 10 years and Kilmuckridge for 14 years. "Hes very well-known around Wexford. Youd have to laugh when he meets you he always says, did I teach you? said Grace Lawlor a friend of Seamus who also takes care of him nowadays. Grace was in attendance at the party on his birthday and said it was a lovely way to celebrate with all of his friends and the workers at the nursing home. The nursing home are very good to him. Its the best thing we ever did, theyre so lovely, said Grace. Seamus was the second resident to enter the nursing home when it first opened. He was born in 1934 and is the third youngest child of sixteen children. Four of his sisters; Brid who is 94, Mary who is 93, Bernadette who is 88 and Agnes who is 87, are still alive. "Hes a gentleman to his fingertips, hes a lovely man and he was very good to me when my sister was dying, said Grace. Councillor Moore stands in solidarity with those who have lost loved ones in the conflict. With the Rosslare district being to the fore in supporting those fleeing the war in Ukraine, it was fitting that cathaoirleach of the district, Councillor Jim Moore, visited the Russian Embassy in Dublin to join protestors on the second anniversary of the conflict. Since the war began in 2022 there have been daily demonstrations held outside the embassy and, to mark two years since the war began, over 200 people gathered to voice what they described as the illegal and criminal activity of Russian leader, Vladimir Putin. I met local protestors as well as a man from Donegal, while Ukrainians, Lithuanians and others took part in a formal protest which lasted an hour, said Cllr Moore. The event opened with a presentation from the lead individuals who have gathered at the embassy daily for two years, reminding us all of the lies told by Putin when he declared he had no intention of invading his neighbouring country but proceeded shamelessly. "We were also reminded of the many chilling events where citizens were murdered, injured and many forced to flee and seek shelter away from their home including Ireland. As well as the atrocities detailed against the Ukrainian population there was also support offered to the Russian people who do not support Putin and his actions and are prohibited from protesting. Among the Ukrainian songs and prayers, chants of Russia out, out, out, placards and anti-war slogans, was some poetry from Irish contributors. Tributes were also paid to the people lost in the war, some of whom had travelled to Ukraine from Ireland. Photos of some of the victims were raised aloft, women and children, as well as the three Irish citizens who fought with the Ukrainian forces and perished, said Cllr Moore. Included was a photograph of Alexei Navalny, who perished in the Arctic gulag recently. The Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Ms Larysa Gerasko, addressed the protestors and thanked the Irish people for their generosity and support since the invasion. She also reiterated her wish for all Ukrainians that their country return to democratic freedom and for Putin and his Russian army to leave her country. There was also an address by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Egidijus Meilunas, who declared his support for Ukraine and thanked Ireland and Europe for the continued support. He highlighted the threat to democracy with the Russian invasion and the ongoing threats to Europe. The protest event came to end with the expression of hope hope for peace and return to democracy with the recent birth of a Ukrainian child on Sherkin Island to a Ukrainian couple who first met on the island, said Cllr Moore. The playing of the Ukrainian national anthem closed the proceedings. From Age is a Privilege, Unless You Forget by Debbie Castro. On Tuesday, March 12, Arklow Library will host Laurynas Zubrickas for a talk about his journey in astrophotography. Photo: Irish Astronomy Week 1 INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY: A group of fascinating women will celebrate International Womens Day by sharing their journeys and specialist knowledge at Inspiring Women in St Mary & Patricks Church, Avoca, on Friday, March 8. Beginning at 8 p.m., six women from different backgrounds will speak about their lives and the causes they believe in, including horticulturalist Debbie Bailey, artist Pauline Merry, Bibiana Savin of Sage Advocacy, author Barbara Scully, agony aunt Tina Koumanaros and Councillor Miriam Murphy. Music on the night will be provided by Mary Graham and Neasa Kenny, and there will also be an exhibition of craftwork from Avoca ICA. Tickets are 10 and available from local shops or by calling 0402-31943. For further information, contact Valerie Cox at 087 6858406. In the west, Blessington Library will celebrate International Womens Day with a workshop on emotional mastery and self-leadership for women changemakers, hosted by Aliz Merlics, on Thursday, March 7, at 6 p.m. Booking is essential. Contact (045) 891 740 or blessingtonlib@wicklowcoco.ie This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details 2 LARAGH ACTIVE RETIREMENT: Laragh Active Retirement Group welcome Annette Burke, Occupational Therapist, and Kate Cowell, Wicklow Dementia advisor, to the Brockagh Resource Centre on Tuesday, March 12, for an information session for people with dementia and other memory loss issues, and their families. They will provide advice and information on memory and brain health and practical ways to help. The meeting gets underway at 11am and tea and coffee will be served afterwards. All are welcome to attend. Laragh Active Retirement Group meet every Tuesday from 10.45am to 12 noon at the Brockagh Resource Centre. 3 ASTRONOMY WEEK: Wicklows libraries will host a trio of events for Irish Astronomy week. On Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m., Arklow Library will host Laurynas Zubrickas for a talk about his journey in astrophotography. Rathdrum Library will welcome The Aurora and Meteors by Michal Mielnik on Wednesday, March 13, at 6.30 p.m., with Greystones Library hosting Solar Radio Astronomy by Alex Labunskij on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. 4 WORLD BOOK DAY: Arklow and Dunlavin libraries will celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, March 7, with events for all ages. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Arklow Library will host a treasure hunt, with children invited to come along in their World Book Day costumes. Dunlavin Library will host a book exchange and would like students to give a book suitable for their age and in good condition - including graphic novels, fact and fiction - to their English teacher. Students will get a ticket for every book they donate, and these tickets will allow them to take home a new book from the book exchange. 5 ART EXHIBITION LAUNCH FOR DEMENTIA CARE: St Josephs, Shankill, is launching an exhibition featuring photographer Debbie Castros work, Age is a Privilege, Unless You Forget (as seen in the RHA Gallery). TDs Simon Harris and Steven Matthews will be in attendance at the event, which takes place on Thursday, March 7, at 7pm. Debbie Castro is the daughter of one of the residents at St Josephs. Her artwork allows residents to engage with the community in meaningful conversation about the realities of a dementia diagnosis within a family. The exhibition is an intimate collaboration with the artists father, Charles. Multi-layered, it explores the perspective of a person living with dementia with an aim to open up a dialogue for the wider community and will be on display at St Josephs. 6 GOOD CRAIC COMEDY CLUB: The monthly open mic comedy night returns to The Harbour Bar, Bray, on Wednesday, March 13, with guest co-host Ian Lynam, regular host Sean Begley and headliner Ben Verth introducing the next crop of future stars to the stage. Ben regularly gigs all over the UK and Ireland, and has been described as snappy and slow-burning, crude and classy (The Skinny) with sharp writing beautifully timed (The Scotsman) and a stage presence that ricochets off the back wall (Broadway Baby). He has written and performed for some legendary TV and Radio shows back in his native Scotland (BBCs The Karen Dunbar Show, Only An Excuse?, Scot Squad and The Good, The Bad and The Unexpected, STVs The Late Show) and he is co-founder of Edinburghs multi-award-winning Monkey Barrel Comedy Club. He is also co-host of the hugely popular Paddy Irishman, Paddy Englishwoman, Paddy Scotsman podcast, which recently sold out the live show recording at the Bray Comedy Festival. Entry, as always, is free, but get down early to guarantee your seat. Doors 7.45pm, show at 8.15pm. 7 SHAMANIC DRUMMING CIRCLE: A Shamanic drumming circle takes place at the Turquoise Cafe in Roundwood on Thursday, March 7. Participants can gather at 7pm for tea, cake and some chat before sitting in a circle for the Shamanic drumming at 7.30pm. A shamanic drumming circle is a place to come with friends, catch up over a cuppa and then connect in an authentic way. Organised by Safe Haven Transpersonal Centre, the event costs 7 and is a non-profit event so the costs are to cover the venue and refreshments. You are advised to bring along your own cushion and blanket. Fr Donal Roche, who was appointed a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral this morning. Photo: John McElroy Archbishop Farrell and Fr Donal Roche, appointed a priest of the Archdiocese of Dublin, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral this morning. Photo: John McElroy Pope Francis has appointed a priest who has forged strong links to County Wicklow throughout his career as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin. Fr Donal Roche, who was appointed to the parish of Wicklow town for 11 years, while also looking after the surrounding areas of Kilbride, Barndarrig and Brittas Bay for four of those years, marked the episcopal appointment at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin, on Tuesday, March 5, with principal celebrant Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin. Fr Roche is also currently the Episcopal Vicar with responsibility for the deaneries of Bray and Wicklow. On the occasion of his appointment, Fr Roche said it was an honour that I feel is undeserved, but it is also a challenge that I take up willingly, if nervously. This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details Born in 1958 to Sheila and Joe Roche, Fr Roche grew up in Drimnagh in Dublin, one of a family of seven children. He attended both primary and secondary school at Drimnagh Castle CBS. Fr Roche worked for four years as a clerical officer in Dublin County Council before entering Clonliffe College in 1980 to study for the priesthood. He was sent to Maynooth to study for a degree in theology and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Dublin in 1986 in his home parish of Mourne Road. His first appointment was a period of six years as a priest-teacher in Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock. He then spent five years as a diocesan adviser for religious education in primary schools. This was followed by eight years as chaplain to St Marks Community School, Tallaght. Fr Roche's first parish appointment was in Lucan South, where he spent seven years. This was followed by 11 years in Wicklow town, also looking after the surrounding areas of Kilbride, Barndarrig and Brittas Bay for four of those years. This mixture of town and rural areas gave him a great experience of the richness of the Archdiocese and its many different and distinct communities. His current appointment is in the Cabinteely-Johnstown grouping of parishes, with additional responsibility for the growing area of Cherrywood. This provides the new challenge of creating a Catholic community in an area where there is no plan for a church building but many people who wish to belong to the Church. Fr Roche was appointed Episcopal Vicar by then Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin in 2019 and continues in this role under Archbishop Farrell, with responsibility for the deaneries of Bray, Donnybrook and Wicklow. This is very much a pastoral role, supporting priests and parishioners in times of challenge and times of celebration. Fr Roche is a fluent Irish speaker and is often called on to celebrate Mass and the sacraments in Irish in various parts of the Archdiocese. His appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin brings a new challenge in these changing times. With fewer clergy and greater lay involvement in parishes, the new Auxiliary Bishop will be supporting the Archbishop in his role of leading the Archdiocese along the synodal pathway: clergy and lay faithful working together to bring the message of the Gospel to a new generation. An Auxiliary Bishop is given a titular see. Fr Roche's will be that of the ancient diocese of Cell Ausaille, which is situated in the area of Killashee near Naas, County Kildare. St Auxilius was said to be a nephew of St Patrick and there are monastic ruins in Kilashee that are believed to date back to the fifth century. Following his appointment, Fr Roche said: I want to express my gratitude to His Holiness Pope Francis for the honour he has bestowed on me by calling me to serve as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin. And I thank Archbishop Montemayor, the Papal Nuncio, and Archbishop Farrell for the trust they have placed in me by supporting that call to serve as an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese. It is an honour that I feel is undeserved, but it is also a challenge that I take up willingly, if nervously. I will be hoping for and very much dependent on the support of the priests and people of the diocese. Everybody says that these are challenging times for the Church and that is true, he continued. We have been through difficult times over the last 20 years or so and the path that lies ahead is also very uncertain. But we have a strength in the commitment and faith of the priests and people of the Archdiocese who draw nourishment from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and who are engaged in the process of Building Hope for the future. I have seen that faith and commitment in action in all the parishes and communities I have been involved in over the years. As I accept the call today to be an Auxiliary Bishop, I pledge my support to Archbishop Farrell, and I promise to devote myself to the service of the priests and people of the Archdiocese. I can say with complete honesty that I still have the same enthusiasm for the ministry today that I had at the start, despite all the us and downs and upheavals of recent years. Being a priest has been my greatest joy and privilege and I hope I can continue to share that joy with the people I work with for many years to come. Hope and joy in ministry is my greatest strength, he concluded. Finding a home for WDS has been an ongoing challenge since the school opened in 2016. The school, which provides evidence-based, inquiry-led education for primary and secondary students from ages five to 18 years old, has moved multiple times and was even homeless for one term in 2019. When the community was informed in December 2022 that their current building in Rathnew was going to be sold, they decided to try to buy the building and have the stability of a permanent home. Fortunately, the local parish who owned the building were willing to give the WDS community first offer, and the staff, students and parents of WDS came together to fundraise. As an independent school, WDS are not eligible for state funding, so the purchase of the school building was possible through the hard work and dedication of the schools staff, students, parents and network of supporters. The WDS community is now brimming with excitement after finalising the purchase of their school building on February 9. Owning the building means there are a lot less limits on how the school community can express themselves in shaping their environment democratically, said WDS staff member Khalil Moran. It also means we have more freedom for how to collaborate with our surrounding community to further share the values of real, meaningful democracy, and active, creative citizenship. We're very excited for what's to come. These practical elements - the ability to customise the space and put down roots in the local community - are important developments for the future of WDS. Staff member, Richard Boate said: It's hard to quantify, but I imagine one impact of having security of place, combined with the knowingness that we were able to bring this about, having been essentially homeless only 4 years previously, is a sense of confidence and agency, the effects of which will ripple out for many years to come. With the added stability of owning their school building, WDS is eager to grow the community and will hold an open day in their building in Rathnew, on Saturday, March 9, with two sessions at 11am and 1pm. The WDS community is excited to welcome new members and give more students the opportunity to experience education in a compassionate environment, with the freedom to pursue their interests and the support to flourish into the person they want to be. Just one in four Irish parents are using IT controls to protect their children online despite 80pc admitting they believe it is their personal responsibility to shield their child from cyber threats. The figures came as internet security firm Trend Micro launched a special cyber academy module in Irish with An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaiochta (COGG). The academy offers a free IT tool in both Irish and English to children aged seven to 11 years on how to keep themselves safe online. It was launched to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge - and aims to cater for the growing number of children attending Gaelscoils and for whom Irish may be their first language. Trend Micro developed the tool amid concern over the fact only 28pc of parents use IT controls on a weekly basis to protect their children. Today's News in 90 seconds - 5th March 2024 One in five parents said their child had an experience of being excluded from a group chat or online event while 18pc had been abused through the use of offensive names while online. A study last February revealed 25pc of six year olds have their own smartphone and 45pc of 10 year olds admitted being allowed to use their smartphones in their bedrooms. Trend Micro will launch the special online safety tool with a special webinar for schools, in Irish, on March 19. Aimed at students from third to sixth classes, it is available to all children nationwide and will cover two of the key cyber academy security topics including use of passwords and two-factor identification. The cyber academy was launched by Trend Micro in October 2021 in response to parental concerns and alarm at the growing threats facing youngsters online. It covers a total of 11 different topics ranging from password to camera safety and from misinformation to time online. The new Irish language module was launched with the assistance of students from fifth class in Gaelscoil Ui Riordain in Ballincollig, Cork. COGG education officer Frank O Tormaigh said the online safety resource was critical for both children and parents. "It is one that is particularly pertinent in todays internet-obsessed world," he said. "To take something so positive and informative and make it accessible to our young Irish speakers has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As representatives of COGG, our role is to continuously celebrate the use of the Irish language across multiple educational contexts, and as such, this project ticked every box for us. Trend Micro said there had been a remarkable response to their cyber academy over the past three years and the firm were delighted to now offer an Irish language resource. Internet safety director Avril Ronan said they were very excited by the new development. "It is incredibly important to our identity to sustain and promote our beautiful language at every opportunity, and to do so while also educating our young population on how to navigate the virtual world is the icing on the cake," she said. Our new Irish language resource also falls nicely in line with the Department of Educations CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) initiative, which encourages schools to use the Irish language outside of formal Irish lessons, to improve both competence and confidence." The online safety webinar can be accessed via www.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/eventsga Hamas pushes ahead in talks on truce despite Israels decision not to attend Discussions are aiming for deal to free hostages and halt bombardment of the Gaza Strip Palestinian boy Ahmed Qannan, who is suffering from malnutrition, is attended to at a healthcare centre in Rafah, Gaza, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues. Photo: Reuters Nidal Al-Mughrabhi and Bassam Massoud Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 03:30 Hamas and Egyptian mediators said yesterday they were pressing on with talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, despite an Israeli decision not to send a delegation. Israeli troops carries out biggest raid years on West Bank main city of Ramallah, killing a teenage boy after storming refugee camp Israeli troops fire on people waiting for aid as Gaza death tolls hits 30,000 Ali Sawafta Tue 5 Mar 2024 at 03:30 Israeli forces raided the Palestinian administrative capital of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank in the early hours of yesterday killing a 16-year-old in a refugee camp during their biggest such operation into the city in years, Palestinian sources said yesterday If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit One of two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthis at the container vessel M/V MSC SKY II in the Gulf of Aden hit the ship and caused "damage", the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Tuesday. Super Tuesday could be former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley's last chance to stop former U.S. President Donald Trump's drive to clinch the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Fifteen states hold the party's nominating contests on March 5, the biggest day of primaries, when more than a third of delegates will be assigned to July's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. President Joe Biden is a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination when party loyalists vote for delegates to August's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with only two long-shot challengers remaining. Photo courtesy: Pixabay Singapore's anti-trust regulator announced its approval of the merger between Air India, owned by Tata Group, and Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, subject to certain conditions, Reuters reported. This move comes after Singapore Airlines revealed its intention to merge Vistara and Air India in November 2022, aiming to establish a prominent full-service airline in both domestic and international aviation sectors. Although India's antitrust body had given its nod to the deal in September last year, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) had raised specific competition-related issues regarding the merger. The watchdog highlighted that the involved parties held a significant portion of the market share on four routes of concern between Singapore and Indian cities, namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Tiruchirapalli, where direct flights operate, according to the Reuters report. In response to the concerns raised by the watchdog, the involved parties have put forward a proposal. This proposal entails maintaining the capacity on the specified flights at levels that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, appointing independent auditors to oversee adherence to capacity commitments, and submitting both annual and interim reports. "CCCS considers the proposed commitments sufficient to address the competition concerns arising from the transactions," the watchdog said on Tuesday, the report said. As per the terms outlined in the deal, Tata, a steel-to-software conglomerate, would possess 74.9% ownership of the merged entity, while Singapore Airlines would retain the remaining 25.1% stake. Kolkata/IBNS: Healing Words, a Kolkata based team of poets, performing artists and mental health professionals, has undertaken a project where they are leveraging poetry as one of the instruments of healing, of comforting troubled minds. An effort which synchronises with the World Health Organizations (WHOs) stated view to deepen the value given to mental health by individuals, communities and governments; and matching that value with commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. Drawing inspiration from William Siegharts anthology of poems titled The Poetry Pharmacy, Healing Words has set up a collaborative space where they interact with each other to create prescriptive poetry for troubled minds. Recently, at a workshop (held in February at Zoom Tea-O-Graphy) conducted by Rantideb Mukherjee, Barnamala Roy, Ayesha Begum and Arindam Lahiri, along with psychologist Nilanjana Chatterjee, the team composed a series of poems on the subject. The members discussed select responses sent to them by a range of people who have put their faith in the power of poetry to heal their mental anguishes, said Healing Words in a note. Exclusive poems were crafted for the responders based on the consultant psychologists insights on the problems. At Healing Words first of a series of poetry clinics, actor and voice artist Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee will be in conversation with Nilanjana Chatterjee (consultant psychologist and founder of Anusharan Mental Health Wellness Clinic & Research Centre) and will also read out the poems for the audience. The event will be held at Surfire Coastal Cafe in south Kolkata at 4pm on March 10, 2024. Note: The programme is open to all but admission will be on a first come first served basis as seating is limited. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has bolstered its global partnerships by signing four Memorandums of Understanding with renowned international educational institutions. The institute took a significant step towards enhancing knowledge exchange by formalizing collaborations with Dalhousie University, Canada and Gifu University, Japan on March 3. All the MoUs have been signed for a period of 5 years and may be further extended based on mutual understanding. Speaking during the event, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati, expressed pride in the collaborations with the partner institutes. He emphasized, IIT Guwahati is committed to supporting students' academic and personal growth through these programs. The primary goal is for enriching the educational experience of students and noted that such cross-cultural opportunities would enable them to achieve that. In essence, the collaborations aim to provide students with diverse learning experiences and opportunities for growth, fostering a holistic educational environment at IIT Guwahati. The key highlights of the agreement with the two Universities are as - MoU with Dalhousie University, Canada, to establish Joint Doctoral Program: This innovative collaboration marks the inception of joint doctoral programs designed to foster dynamic research collaborations between scholars and students from both institutions. By facilitating exchange programs for students and academic staff, fostering joint research activities, and promoting the sharing of research materials, this partnership aims to cultivate a rich academic environment conducive to ground breaking discoveries and academic excellence. Additionally, the joint supervision of PhD candidates promises to offer diverse perspectives and expertise, enriching the educational journey and enhancing the quality of research outcomes. For this collaboration, Prof. P. Balakrishnan from the Dalhousie University, Canada, signed the MoU with Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati. 3 MoUs with Gifu University, Japan, for International Joint PhD Program : IIT Guwahati has established an International Joint PhD Program in collaboration with Gifu University, spanning a standard duration of three years. This program entails a collaborative course design by both universities, offering students a comprehensive educational experience. Throughout their dissertation work, scholars will receive collective guidance and mentorship from faculty members at both the home and partner institutions. Research progress will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of experts from both universities, ensuring rigorous academic standards and fostering innovative research outcomes. An agreement has been forged for a 2-year International Masters Joint Degree Program in Food Science and Technology between the two institutes. This program is guided by collaborative management between Gifu University and IIT Guwahati, facilitating coursework and dissertation evaluation for enrolled students. Additionally, the program emphasizes data sharing across institutions, aiming to cultivate highly skilled professionals in food science and related fields. This initiative is poised to address challenges in building a sustainable society by optimizing resource utilization and benefiting both regions. IIT Guwahati has further collaborated with Gifu University to establish a Glocal Expert Program, an international joint-certificate initiative under the Inter-University Exchange Project (IUEP). This program enables students to obtain certification from both universities as exchange students, fostering cross-cultural learning and enhancing global competencies. Prof. Kazuhiro Yoshida, President of GIFU University, formally endorsed the MoU for the Joint Ph.D. and Joint M.Tech. programs, in addition to the Agreement on the Glocal Expert Program. Subsequently, in recognition of his significant contributions to academic collaboration, Prof. Yoshida was extended the prestigious position of Honorary Professor at IIT Guwahati. These partnerships were solidified during the 3-day event, the Japan-NER Bioeconomic Technology Cooperation Symposium 2024 (JNBTCS-2024), being hosted by IIT Guwahati from 3rd to 5th March 2024. JNBTCS-2024 aims to explore essential technical areas for accelerating bio-economic development in Japan and NER, featuring multiple invited talks and numerous poster presentations. The symposium is providing insights into how international collaborative education can accelerate societal transition, with academic sessions focusing on cutting-edge research in food supply chains, sustainable technology, disaster management, and biomass utilization, particularly in bamboo resources of NER. Distinguished researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and young researchers from across India and Japan are participating in the event, providing a platform for discussions on current challenges and future opportunities in bio-economic development. (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Photo Courtesy: NIA The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids in Chennai and Ramanathauram district in connection to Bengaluru Rameshwaram cafe IED blast in which ten people were injured. The raids are being held in at least 4-5 locations, reports said. A day after taking over the probe by registering a formal case on the orders of the Union Home Ministry, the NIA authorities conducted raids to ascertain whether there has been any link with any outfits in Tamil Nadu in connection with the Bengaluru cafe blast. The initial probe has revealed the involvement of some suspected links with people outside Karnataka in the blast that prompted the Union Home Ministry to hand over the probe to the NIA. In Chennai, the raids are being conducted at Mannaday and Muthialpet in North Chennai and also in the southern Ramanathapuram district. Based on the CCTV footages, Police have identified the culprit who had kept the bag in the cafe in which the IED was kept and has launched a manhunt to nab him. Officials also suspect that the culprit, who had travelled by a bus from the blast site, might have fled Karnataka to any of the neighbouring states. (With UNI Inputs) Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from YouTube video Kolkata/IBNS: Ending all speculations, former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Ganguly on Tuesday cleared he will be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections. "I am set to join the BJP. I will join the party most probably on March 7," said Ganguly. When asked why he has decided to join BJP in particular, he said, "This is because BJP is the only national party, which is fighting against TMC." Since his announcement, it has been speculated that Justice Ganguly may contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Tamluk on BJP's ticket. "I have no idea. BJP will decide it," said Ganguly, who resigned as the judge on Tuesday afternoon. Who is Justice Abhijit Ganguly? In 2022, Justice Abhijit Ganguly ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal schools. Justice Ganguly's orders in the scam cases have created ripples in the state with multiple arrests including the one of former education minister Partha Chatterjee. However, Justice Ganguly was criticised by the Supreme Court last year for giving an interview to a Bengali news channel spoke on the cases, referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, revealing that he was upset with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in one instance et al at length. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud had asked for a separate judge to hear the respective cases. While Justice Ganguly's strict actions and directives had impressed anti-government protesters who were demanding "justice" and legitimate recruitments, a section of people had questioned his television interview citing "ethics". Photo courtesy: video grab | wikipedia.org Kolkata/IBNS: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday transferred the Sandeshkhali case stemming from the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers allegedly by the followers of erstwhile Trinamool Congress leader from West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court ordered after the ED moved a plea seeking a transfer of the case to the CBI. A division bench comprising Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam has asked the case to be transferred to the CBI by 4:30 pm on Tuesday. Shahjahan and his aides have also been accused of land grabbing and sexual assault of women from Sandeshkhali. After being absconded for 56 days, Shahjahan was arrested by state police last week. He was remanded to 10-day police custody by a lower court. Shahjahan's two aides, Shibaprasad Hazra or Shibu Hazra and Uttar Sardar- co-accused of land grabbing and sexual abuse- were arrested last month. What is the Sandeshkhali incident? On January 5, the ED officials reached Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam, in which erstwhile state Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick is already in jail. In quite an unanticipated reaction, the ED officials were attacked allegedly by Shahjahan's followers who were in huge numbers and were forced to flee the spot boarding a vehicle of a news organisation. Shahjahan- the head of an administrative block in Sandeshkhali- was an aide of Mallick, who is accused of diverting a huge sum of money from the food distribution system. After Shahjahan went absconding from Sandeshkhali, a few women came out in protests against the leader accusing him of land grabbing for over a decade. The protests escalated in February when a large of number of women with brooms, sticks gathered to demand the arrest of Shahjahan accusing him of sexual abuse. Several women with most of them covering their faces accused Shahjahan and his aides of calling them to the local party office at odd hours. Some accused the TMC leaders of sexual abuse. Police last Thursday nabbed Shahjahan only after the Calcutta High Court cleared no stay was put on his arrest in connection with the January 5 incident, a claim put forward by the TMC top brass, a party which is at loggerheads with the BJP which runs the Centre. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee last Sunday claimed police could not arrest Shahjahan due to a stay order by the Calcutta High Court. The claim was outrightly rejected by the high court. In another direction, the high court on Wednesday said police or ED or CBI can arrest Shahjahan, who has been remanded to 10-day police custody by the Basirhat court. Photo Courtesy; Unsplash The accused have been produced in court and remanded to police custody for four days. An official spokesman said on Tuesday that a complaint was received in this case on April 12, 2023, at the Cyber Crime Police Station, Crime Prevention, Gurugram. In the complaint given by the complainant, it was stated that on April 10, 2023, he received a call from an unknown person introducing himself as an employee of a well-known parcel company. The employee told him on the phone and made him talk to a senior Mumbai police officer, who told the complainant that a parcel in his name was found to be involved in illegal activities and demanded Rs 9,21,500 to remove their name from the case. A team was constituted to nab the accused. In this case, the team took action and arrested all the three accused. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Muqeem, Ankesh, and Roshan Kumar. The accused, Mohammad Muqeem, is currently working as a branch manager at the Lajpat Nagar Delhi branch of a private bank, while the other two accused are working as sales officers. During police interrogation, it came to light that the above accused were working in different positions in a private bank. The accused fraudulently prepared fake documents and opened accounts in the bank and received Rs 2 lakh from the fourth accused, Suhail Akram, in the name of opening a bank account, and the amount received was divided equally among themselves. Rs 1,52,000 out of the cheated amount was transferred to the bank account provided by the accused. The search for the accused, Suhail, is on. All these accused used to open accounts fraudulently and sell them to cyberthugs after taking money. The investigation is on to find out how many other accounts have been opened by these accused, how much money has been taken per account, and who else is involved in this gang. Based on the complaint received, FIR number 65 was registered under the relevant sections at Police Station Cyber Crime Prevention, Gurugram. In another case, the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday arrested ASI Ajay Kumar, posted at HTM Police Station, Hisar district, while taking a bribe of Rs 5500. A spokesperson of the Haryana ACB said that the ACB team had planned to nab the accused based on the information and succeeded in catching him red-handed. ASI Ajay Kumar had demanded a bribe in exchange for settling the matter instead of filing a criminal case against the complainant's brother. The accused ASI had demanded Rs 8500 in this case, out of which Rs 3000 had already been given to him as a bribe. The remaining bribe amount of Rs 5500 was recovered from the accused ASI at the time of his arrest. This entire action was carried out with complete transparency before the witnesses and impartially. A case has been registered against the accused in the ACB Hisar in this case, and he has been arrested. The ACB team is investigating the case by collecting all necessary evidence. (With UNI Inputs) Photo Courtesy: UNI In a major relief to farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the state government has decided to extend 100 per cent rebate on the electricity bills of private tube wells in rural and urban areas with effect from April 1, 2023. A proposal in this regard was passed by the state cabinet, which was chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday. Giving details of the proposal passed by the cabinet, Energy Minister AK Sharma said, "During the CM and several other leaders had made an announcement in this regard. Accordingly, a 100 percent rebate in electricity bills will be given to the farmers on their private tube wells," he said. He said that at present, there are 14,73,000 tube wells in rural areas and 5,188 in urban areas. "As 200-gram panchayats have been upgraded to Nagar panchayats, this distinction has been removed, and as a result, in total, there are 14,78,000 tube wells," he said. Sharma said that generally, 45 farmers benefit from one tube well. "Going by this, while 1.50 crore farmers will benefit from the decision, it will actually benefit 6 to 7 crore farmers. The farmers will not be required to pay any bills with effect from April 1, 2023," he said. He said that, as far as the old dues of the farmers were concerned, an interest free scheme would be brought by the government and would be implemented in the days to come. "For this, while a provision of Rs 2,400 crore has been made in the current fiscal year 202324, a provision of Rs 1,800 crore has been made for the next financial year 202425," he said. The minister said that in another important decision, the cabinet approved a proposal to set up two units of 800 megawatt (MW) each in Anpara in joint venture with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). He said, "Last year, during the Global Investors Summit (GIS), the state government signed two major agreements with the NTPC. "The proposal passed by the cabinet is part of the agreement. These 2 units in Anpara will be set up with the help of NTPC in 50-50 per cent contribution," he said. Sharma said that the project will cost around Rs 8,624 crore. "The first unit will be executed in 50 months, whereas the second unit will be executed in 56 months. There will be an equity of 30 percent, which will be borne by the state government and NTPC in a ratio of 50 percent each. Remaining 70 per cent will be taken as loan," he said. He said that as the coal mines of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) are nearby, arrangements to provide cheap electricity to the consumers have been made. "With the commissioning of a 660 MW plant in Jawaharpur and a 600 MW plant in Obra C, UP is moving forward in the direction of becoming a self-reliant and surplus state in terms of power generation," he said. (With UNI inputs) A file picture of Indian PM Narendra Modi meeting Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. Photo Courtesy: PIB Continuing his anti-India stance, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has said no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, will remain in his nation after May 10 deadline. Addressing the residential community of Baa atoll Eydhafushi during his tour across the atoll, the President stated that due to this governments success in expelling Indian troops from the country, people who spread false rumours are attempting to twist the situation, reported The Edition. That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instill doubts in our hearts and spread lies, he said. There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence," the President said amid the deteriorating relationship with India in recent days. While the first troops to depart the country are the Indian military personnel operating helicopters in Addu City, the military personnel present in Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimaadhoo and Laamu atoll Kahdhoo are also expected to leave ahead of May 10, reported The Edition. Currently, there are approximately 80 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, media reports said. The President came to power last year by riding on his anti-Indian stance. Recent controversy Recently, Indians have expressed anger against Maldivian authorities on social media after its Minister Mariyam Shiunas disparaging comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "clown" and "puppet" in posts on X, which have since been deleted. These tweets were removed following criticism and backlash on the micro-blogging site. Other Maldivian officials, including another minister named Zahid Rameez, also mocked Prime Minister Modi's visit to Lakshadweep after the photos garnered significant attention on social media as many drew comparisons between Modi's visit and the Maldives. Closeness to China Amid a strained relationship with India, the Maldivian government has signed a military agreement with China. Maldives Military of Defence posted on X: "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 stronger bilateral ties." Details of the agreement are still not known. Photo courtesy: video grab | wikipedia.org Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Police Tuesday refused to hand over the case of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) even after the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the same, media reports said. The court ordered after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) moved a plea seeking a transfer of the case to the CBI. The state has approached the Supreme Court and asked for an immediate hearing, but it was turned down. The Supreme Court directed senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the state, to mention its plea before the Registrar-General, in accordance with the rules. ED has provisionally attached Rs. 12.78 crore worth-property of Sheikh Shahjahan including his land and apartment in Sandeshkhali, from where the issue stemmed after the ED officials were attacked on Jan 5 when they reached the area in North 24 Parganas for a raid. ED, Kolkata has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs. 12.78 Crore in the form of 14 immovable properties in the nature of apartment, agriculture land, land for fishery, land and building etc. in Gram Serberia, Sandeshkhali and Kolkata and two bank ED (@dir_ed) March 5, 2024 A division bench comprising Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam has asked the case to be transferred to the CBI by 4:30 pm on Tuesday. Shahjahan and his aides have also been accused of land grabbing and sexual assault of women from Sandeshkhali. After being absconded for 56 days, Shahjahan was arrested by state police last week. He was remanded to 10-day police custody by a lower court. Shahjahan's two aides, Shibaprasad Hazra or Shibu Hazra and Uttar Sardar- co-accused of land grabbing and sexual abuse- were arrested last month. What is the Sandeshkhali incident? On January 5, the ED officials reached Shahjahan's residence to quiz him in connection with the ration distribution scam, in which erstwhile state Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick is already in jail. In quite an unanticipated reaction, the ED officials were attacked allegedly by Shahjahan's followers who were in huge numbers and were forced to flee the spot by boarding a vehicle of a news organisation. Shahjahan- the head of an administrative block in Sandeshkhali- was an aide of Mallick, who is accused of diverting a huge sum of money from the food distribution system. After Shahjahan absconded from Sandeshkhali, a few women came out in protests against the leader accusing him of land grabbing for over a decade. The protests escalated in February when a large number of women with brooms, and sticks gathered to demand the arrest of Shahjahan accusing him of sexual abuse. Several women with most of them covering their faces accused Shahjahan and his aides of calling them to the local party office at odd hours. Some accused the TMC leaders of sexual abuse. Police last Thursday arrested Shahjahan only after the Calcutta High Court cleared that no stay was put on his arrest in connection with the January 5 incident, a claim put forward by the TMC top brass, a party that is at loggerheads with the BJP which runs the Centre. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee last Sunday claimed police could not arrest Shahjahan due to a stay order by the Calcutta High Court. The claim was outrightly rejected by the high court. In another direction, the high court on Wednesday said police, ED or CBI can arrest Shahjahan, who has been remanded to 10-day police custody by the Basirhat court. Image courtesy: X/NarendraModi Kolkata/IBNS Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in this city on Tuesday evening to unveil some Kolkata Metro Railway projects and later is scheduled to address an open rally at Barasat in North 24 Parganas on Wednesday, official sources said. After landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Dum Dum), the PM was taken to Raj Bhawan by car and will stay there tonight. PM Modi also went to Sishumangal Hospital and enquired about the health of the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Srimat Swami Smaranananda ji Maharaj. Upon reaching Kolkata, went to the hospital and enquired about the health of the President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Srimat Swami Smaranananda ji Maharaj. We are all praying for his good health and quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/2jammDbWsH Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024 The PM will hold an official function in the city to inaugurate several central government projects, including that of the Kolkata Metro Railway. Kolkata Metro sources said the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section and the Kavi Subhas-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay and the Taratala-Majerhat stations. He will also address a BJP rally in Barasat, to be attended mostly by women including those from Sandeshkhali, who were allegedly tortured by some TMC leaders in North 24 Parganas, reports said. Last week during his visit to Bengal, PM Modi stayed a night at Raj Bhawan and unveiled development projects worth Rs 22,500 crore and addressed two BJP rallies at Arambagh in Hooghly district and Krishnanagar in Nadia district on Mach 2 and 3 respectively. [With UNI inputs] Photo courtesy: Pixabay New Delhi/IBNS: Social media giant Google has given temporary relief to Indian companies whose apps were delisted from the Play Store and has agreed to restore them, pending appeals in the Supreme Court. In the spirit of cooperation, we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court, a Google spokesperson said in a statement. Announcing the decision, Union Minister for Communications & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw posted: Deleated Apps to be restored. Google and app developers will work in close co-operation with other. Delisted apps to be restored. Google and app developers will work in close co-operation with each other. pic.twitter.com/ANOC8BlEs9 Ashwini Vaishnaw ( ) (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 5, 2024 Earlier this week, the association of Internet and Mobile companies had also asked Google not to delist Indian companies Apps from the Play Store. Google maintains its right to implement and enforce its business model, as established in various courts. We will invoice our full applicable services fees in the interim and are extending payment timelines for these companies, Google said. Google looks forward to a collaborative effort to find solutions that respect the needs of all parties, the statement said. The mobile telecom operators also opposed such action by Google and demanded immediate reinstatement of apps on the Play Store. IAMAI had earlier said that at least four of its members have received notices from Google. The affected members of IAMAI are of the view that a substantive hearing of the case is pending before the Supreme Court of India, and Google should not take any coercive action during the pendency of the case. The IAMAI represents 580 members, including Indian and multinational corporations, as well as start-ups, IAMAI has been instrumental in shaping Indias digital economy. [With UNI inputs] Photo courtesy: Facebook/DK Shivakumar New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed a 2018 money-laundering case against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The division bench of the apex court passed the order against the August 2019 Karnataka High Court judgement in August 2019. The matter pertains to a money laundering case registered against Shivakumar and his associates after approximately Rs. 7 crore of cash was seized during Income Tax raids in 2017 from the Congress leader's premises in Delhi. After days of interrogation, Shivakumar was arrested by ED in September 2019. The Delhi High Court granted bail to Shivakumar in October 2019, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court. Photo courtesy: PR Team Mumbai/IBNS: Producer Sandeep Singh has produced and presented some of the most memorable films in Bollywood and his eye for detail is well known in the industry. With films such as Sarbjit, Aligarh, Jhund and Main Atal Hood to his credit, his next film is Veer Savarkar, a biopic on the life of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who called for armed revolution against the British Raj. The producer says that the film wouldn't have seen the light of the day, had actor Randeep Hooda not come on board with it. Sandeep says, "I have been trying since 2018 but I knew that no studio or funder would support me and actors would be very difficult. I had such a great experience working with Randeep in Sarbjit. "I can say that out of my 15 films, it has been the best. I knew that if Randeep would say 'no' to this film, then this movie wouldn't have been made. Other actors think about the marketing perception or their image over the story and character." Sandeep, during the press meet also thanked Zee Studios for supporting the film on a subject that others wouldn't have the courage to support. "When I gave the concept of making this film, everybody told me not to make this because it will never be made and then one person who has always stood by me is Anand sir. In these kinds of films, no studio comes forward, so Zee thank you so much." Produced by Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Randeep Hooda, Sandeep Singh & Yogesh Rahar. Co-produced by Roopa Pandit, Sam Khan, Anwar Ali, Panchali Chakraborty. Starring Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, and Amit Sial, is slated to release on March 22 in two languages - Hindi and Marathi. A heavily war-damaged neighbourhood in central Gaza.Photo Courtesy: UN News/Ziad Taleb Egyptian and Qatari officials are calling on Palestinian movement Hamas to provide a list of hostages who will be released in the first stage of a phased ceasefire agreement with Israel, The Guardian newspaper reported, citing officials. On Sunday, the Axios 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. Later, The New York Times reported that the Israeli delegation did not attend talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas refused Israels request to provide a list of the hostages who were still alive. US officials say Israel has "more or less" agreed to a six-week ceasefire, the report said. At the same time, US diplomatic sources noted that it was unclear why Hamas was unable to provide a list of hostages for release. According to one version, the problem lies in the difficulties of communication between Hamas units and other movements, such as Islamic Jihad. According to another source, some Hamas elements are hiding information about the hostages in order to prevent the conclusion of a deal with Israel, the newspaper reported. At the same time, Washington believes that the absence of an Israeli delegation at the ceasefire negotiations will not affect the possible agreement since Israeli officials could arrive in a few hours if the agreement is reached on a list. (With UNI inputs) Five people were killed on the spot in a collision between a sleeper bus and a container truck on the national highway running through Vietnam's northern Tuyen Quang province early Tuesday morning, Vietnam News Agency reported. Five others seriously injured and were rushed to the hospital. The accident occurred at about 1:40 a.m. local time (1840 GMT on Monday) when the sleeper bus was running on the highway No. 2 towards Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang provinces. The container truck was running from Hai Phong city to Ha Giang province on the opposite direction when collided with the bus. The truck overturned while the side of the sleeper bus was completely deformed, local news website VnExpress reported. The case is being further investigated. (With UNI inputs) Kamikawa said sending Japanese troops to join a military conflict abroad is against Japan's constitution. (Photo courtesy: wikipedia.org) "Generally speaking, sending armed forces to the territorial land, sea, air or other countries for a purpose of exercising force exceeds the minimum necessarily limit that is needed for self-defense and is not allowed under the constitution," Kamikawa told a regular press conference, when asked whether Tokyo might consider sending armed forces to Ukraine. At the same time, Japan is strongly committed to supporting Ukraine and working together with the "like-minded" countries, including G7 states, to achieve "just and permanent peace" in Ukraine, the minister said. Last week, after a Paris-hosted conference on Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said Western leaders had discussed the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and, although no consensus had been reached in this regard, nothing could be ruled out. Macron also vowed to do everything to stop Russia from winning. At the same time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius responded by saying that Berlin would not send its forces to Ukraine. The chancellor also said that NATO had no such intention either. Last Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had taken notice of Macron's remarks that France may send troops to Ukraine and was aware of his position of seeking to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. Peskov also said some of the countries that participated in the meeting held in Paris on Ukraine had quite a "wise assessment" of the potential dangers of being involved in a conflict with Russia. On May 3, 1947, the modern post-war constitution of Japan went into effect. In Article 9, often referred to as the "peace article," Japan renounces the use of force as a means of settling international conflicts and commits to not maintain permanent armed forces. The basic law has undergone no amendments since and is known as a "Peace Constitution." (With UNI/Sputnik inputs) Photo Courtesy: PIB "Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan," the Indian PM posted on X congratulating his Pakistani counterpart. Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2024 Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif on Monday took oath as the Prime Minister of the financially struggling nation, ending a political crisis that was created after the national polls after none of the contesting outfits secured the majority votes needed to form the government. President Arif Alvi administered his oath to office. The country's national assembly on Sunday elected Shehbaz Sharif as the 24th elected prime minister of the country. The election process was held amid a ruckus created by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). "Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been elected prime minister with 201 votes. [While] Omar Ayub obtained 92 votes," announced Speaker Ayaz Sadiq as quoted by Geo News. Omer Ayub Khan was fielded as a PTI-backed candidate. Sharif held the post of PM after PTI chief Imran Khan was ousted from power in 2022. Sharif was in power till August when the country's parliament was dissolved ahead of polls. Pakistan has been ruled by a caretaker government since then. After his election,Sharif promised to 'steer Pakistan' back to the shore as the nation continued to struggle financially. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Suspected robbers shot down a private university student in Karachi, showcasing the deteriorating law and order situation in the Pakistani city. The incident reportedly happened on Monday night and the student was gunned down after he resisted a robbery attempt. The victim was identified as Laraib. He reportedly studied in a private university. According to police, the victim was intercepted by two suspects while returning home from a gym, reported ARY News. The suspect fired a bullet that hit near eye of the victim, which turned out to be fatal, police told the news channel. Police said a 30-bore pistols empty bullet shell was found at the spot of the attack. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident. The victims father Muhammad Hussain told ARY News Laraib was engaged and his marriage was scheduled to take place in 2025. If your girl gang is fond of adventures then celebrate International Women's Day in Rishikesh. Here you will get a chance to do adventures like white-water rafting, bungee jumping and trekking. Today, March 5th, 2024, marks Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti, the birth anniversary of this influential Hindu scholar and social reformer. Here's a look at his life and legacy: Who was Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati? Born Mool Shankar Tiwari in 1824, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati was the founder of the Arya Samaj, a reform movement within Hinduism. He advocated for a return to the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, believing they held the key to true knowledge and social progress. Social Reforms and Teachings Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati challenged social evils prevalent during his time. He condemned practices like child marriage, the caste system, animal sacrifice, and idol worship. He emphasized education for women and advocated for a society based on reason and equality. His most famous work, Satyarth Prakash (Light of Truth), expounded his ideas on religious and social reform. Wikipedia Celebrating Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti This day is observed by Arya Samaj followers and others who revere Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati's teachings. Prayers and discourses are held at Arya Samaj temples, focusing on his life and philosophy. Social service activities and educational programs may also be organized. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati is considered a pivotal figure in modern Hinduism. His emphasis on social reform and rational thinking continues to inspire many. His ideas influenced the Indian independence movement and continue to contribute to discussions on social justice and religious reform in India today. For more stories like these, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle. Women have played significant roles across various sectors, and education is no exception. Renowned female educators throughout history have left a lasting impact, serving as inspirations to millions globally. In a world dominated by men, certain women have not only carved out their own paths but have also left the door ajar for others, becoming inspirational figures for many. List of inspiring women leaders who have left their impact on education Here is a list of some of the most influential women leaders: Savitribai Phule (1831-1897) Savitribai Phule Savitribai Phule played a pioneering role in women's education during the 19th century in India. As one of the first female teachers and educationists, she was instrumental in promoting education for girls and women. Along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule established the first school for girls in Pune in 1848, breaking social norms and advocating for the rights of women to access education. Her legacy continues to be an inspiration in the history of women's education in India. Chandraprabha Saikiani (1901-1972) Chandraprabha Saikiani/ Wikipedia Chandraprabha Saikiani, a freedom fighter hailing from Assam, displayed remarkable resilience to pursue her education, commencing her journey at the age of 13 upon completing her initial studies. Awarded a scholarship, she enrolled at Nagaon Mission School, leaving a lasting impact on education in Assam. Her notable contribution includes the establishment of the Asam Pradeshik Mahila Samity, which continues to make a significant impact. In 2009, Tezpur University honored her legacy by inaugurating the Chandraprabha Saikiani Centre for Women Studies. Durgabai Deshmukh (19091981) Durgabai Deshmukh/ X Durgabai Deshmukh, a prominent Indian social worker and reformer, played a crucial role in advancing women's education. Aligned with Gandhiji's principles, she established schools dedicated to teaching women weaving and spinning. Her significant contributions include the establishment of various educational institutions with a focus on delivering quality education to girls. To prepare young women for the Banaras Hindu University Matric exam, she founded the "Andhra Mahila Sabha," evolving into an institute providing training for careers in teaching, journalism, and nursing. Despite her active participation in the freedom struggle, Deshmukh prioritised her education, earning M.A. and B.L. degrees during that period. For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education. As International Women's Day 2024 approaches, a courageous Mizo woman police constable has displayed her valor by stopping a pistol-wielding man from harming innocent men. We shouldn't really be surprised though, since women have been demonstrating their strength for ages, and this incident is just another example. Mizo woman constable disarms man with pistol On March 1, an incident took place at Safdarjung Enclave on 1 March, wherein a lawyer was attacked by an Army naik and another man after a car collision. The assailants fled but were later arrested, with one of them brandishing a pistol in a threatening manner. The incident, captured on CCTV, unfolded with a chaotic crowd as one man brandished a pistol. Mizo woman constable, PC Vanlalruati, courageously intervened. She was then aided by a man in disarming the individual. CCTV grab/ Instagram The crowd turns aggressive towards the gun wielder, but PC Vanlalruati restored order, preventing a potential disaster through her swift and brave actions. Bravery & professionalism, laud netizens Mizoram's Women and Child Development Department minister, Lalrinpuii, praised PC Vanlalruati for her courage and prompt response. On Instagram, comments poured in, lauding her quick thinking and action. One remarked, "Amazing clarity of thought and swift action." Another praised her bravery, saying, "Wow!! She's so brave." Suggestions for promotion surfaced, with one stating, "Bravery and professionalism. She deserves promotion." Police Constable (PC) Vanlalruati/ Instagram Others acknowledged her technique, emphasising, "Her technique is spot on; she works on her safety and others all at once." Another simply stated, "Salute to the bravery of this officer," while one credited the bravery to her tribal roots. The sentiment of women empowerment echoed among all. In a world that often witnesses acts of aggression and violence, PC Vanlalruati's brave intervention serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating the power of courage, quick thinking, and a commitment to maintaining peace. For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. In the early hours of Monday morning, a male leopard named Sachin escaped from its enclosure at Punes Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Elusive leopard still missing despite zoo's efforts Despite the tireless efforts of the zoo staff and the authorities, the elusive leopard is still missing. The Zoo Director reported that the big cat was last seen on a CCTV camera at approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday. However, despite their best attempts, they have not been able to identify its whereabouts since then. #Pune: Escaped Leopard Still In Katraj Zoo, PMC Releases Video; Zoo Closed For Visitorshttps://t.co/UKFV35XR8M pic.twitter.com/VEjxvMKuB3 Punekar News (@punekarnews) March 5, 2024 The Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WARRC) and the zoo staff are receiving assistance from the Pune Fire Brigade and State Forest Department teams in the ongoing animal rescue operation. To enhance the search efforts, a drone has also been deployed. Leopard still within zoo premises: PMC official Vikas Dhakane, Additional Municipal Commissioner of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), affirmed that the leopard is still within the zoo premises. He told Free Press Journal, The rescue operation is ongoing, with the deployment of top-notch equipment and manpower. However, the animal is continuously changing its location, prompting us to cordon off the zoo perimeter and station staff at all entry points. Twitter Dhakane emphasised the need for caution during the operation, noting, The leopard has been in captivity for an extended period, necessitating meticulous safety measures. Around 200 individuals from various agencies are actively involved in the mission. PMC denies rumours of leopard straying beyond zoo limits The male leopard was relocated to the WARRC in the zoo three months ago as part of an animal exchange program from Hampi, Karnataka. Amidst the search efforts, unfounded rumours circulated on Monday night suggesting that the leopard had ventured beyond the zoo boundaries. However, the PMC swiftly debunked these rumours via social media, urging citizens to refrain from spreading misinformation. Lexica| Representational Image Their tweet read, "Leopard Out Of Cage At Rajiv Gandhi Zoo, But Not Premises! Citizens are requested to neither believe in any rumor nor spread it further. Senior officials of PMC, Fire Brigade & Forest Department are on the spot & efforts are on to put leopard back into the cage. #ShutTheRumors." For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Artificial intelligence can be a great tool that can make learning easier and even fun. That is exactly what a school in Kerala is hoping to do, with the use of a humanoid, as a teacher. Kerala school gets AI teacher Meet Iris, the AI-enabled humanoid robot, a sari-clad teacher at the KTCT Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram. Makerlabs According to Makerlabs Edutech which introduced the AI humanoid, Iris is not just the first Generative AI school teacher in Kerala, but also in the country. The Generative AI school teacher was unveiled last month and has become an instant hit with students. How Iris works Iris can speak three languages and also can answer complex questions by students. According to MakerLabs, Iris's knowledge base is wider than that of other automated teaching tools since it is powered by generative AI, which is also employed by programs like ChatGPT. Makerlabs They also said that the humanoid has not been trained on information on inappropriate subjects for the students, such as drugs, sex, and violence. Not emotional Iris talks in a feminine voice and has many characteristics of a human instructor, yet she is neither emotionally invested in her pupils nor is able to recognize them. The possibilities are infinite with AI. When a student asks a question, Iris generates answers that closely resemble human responses Hari Sagar, CEO of MakerLabs, told The New Indian Express. Students have developed many skills through the lab, gaining handson workshop experience in various areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing. These workshops have helped us realise the potential of AI and that prompted us to collaborate with MakerLabs, Meera MN, the school principal said. Makerlabs Following the positive feedback from students, the school which has more than 3,000 students is reportedly planning to deploy more Generative AI teachers in the next academic session. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. A female zookeeper found herself in a perilous situation when a crocodile attacked her at the Scales and Tails Reptiles Center in Utah. Video footage of the incident has gone viral, highlighting the bravery of a visitor and co-worker who rushed to her rescue. Lexica| Representational Image How the crocodile caught hold of the zookeeper According to crazed.net, the harrowing event unfolded in 2021 at the Reptiles Center. A group of children, gathered for a birthday celebration, stood near the crocodile enclosure, watching zookeeper Lindsay Bull feed the reptile its lunch. Suddenly, the 11-year-old, eight-and-a-half-foot-long crocodile seized the zookeeper's hand, clamping its jaws shut and pulling her. Reports detailed how a 48-year-old visitor bravely dove into the tank, attempting to free the zookeeper's hand from the crocodile's grip. Additionally, another staff member swiftly intervened, pulling the victim away from the dangerous reptile. The video footage also captured the distress of children witnessing the terrifying ordeal. Crocodile attacks zoo keeper and a visitor jumps in the cage to help pic.twitter.com/IFUonmU18g non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) March 1, 2024 Chilling resurgence of crocodile attack video The resurfacing of the old video sent shivers across social media platforms, prompting reactions from users. One user praised the visitor's courageous act, stating, "Massive respect to that man. He risked his life so that she could keep her arm." Another echoed the sentiment, commenting, "That man has got serious guts and deserves more than just a thank you." "I'm amazed at how calm and levelheaded she remained. Bravo," applauded a third user, acknowledging the zookeeper's composure amidst the chaos. Lexica| Representational Image Following the incident, the 31-year-old zookeeper underwent surgery to address her injuries. Reports indicated that she suffered tendon damage and chipped bones in her wrist and hand. This incident highlights importance of maintaining vigilance and preparedness in zoo environments, emphasizing the need for continual evaluation of safety measures to protect both staff and visitors. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Music is a boundless and all-encompassing form of expression, transcending boundaries with its universal language. This narrative about the police locating a missing autistic child with the help of a Peppa Pig theme song is an illustrative example of it. Hours of search, but no sign of missing child On February 16, authorities in Jiangxi province, southeastern China, responded to a report of a missing eight-year-old child named Lu, who had autism. The child also had intellectual disabilities, as informed by his mother to Police Officer Xu Haozhan, who arrived at the scene for the search operation. Representative image/ Autism Speaks Lu's mother confirmed that she had thoroughly checked crucial areas such as stairwells and the rooftop without success. Additionally, with surveillance cameras not functioning, there was no way to determine if the child had left the premises. Despite Officer Xu's extensive search, spanning over six hours and extending into the early hours of the next morning, the efforts proved to be futile. Peppa Pig to the rescue The resourceful officer surmised that the child likely hadn't ventured too far and might have gone to the roof upon returning home and finding no one there. Aware that autistic children may not respond to conventional calling and considering Lu's fondness for Peppa Pig, Xu opted to play the cartoon's theme tune on the rooftop to attract the child. IMDb Subsequently, a faint sound was heard, leading to the discovery that Lu had made his way to the rooftop on his own, climbed the stairs, fallen, and gotten trapped behind a surrounding three-meter-high wall. Xu climbed over the wall and, with the assistance of fellow rescuers, lifted Lu to safety. A medical examination revealed that the youngster was unharmed, and he was subsequently reunited with his family. The successful rescue owes much to Peppa Pig and, more importantly, to the quick-thinking officer's presence of mind. For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Bill Gates shared his reflections on the event after attending the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. In a social media post, Gates expressed admiration for the grandeur of the celebrations, highlighting the blend of tradition and modernity that characterized the event. He praised the Ambani family's hospitality and remarked on the significance of such gatherings in fostering social connections and cultural exchanges. Gates emphasized embracing diverse cultures and traditions, citing them as essential for global understanding and cooperation. Furthermore, he lauded the couple's commitment to philanthropy, noting their potential to impact society positively. Overall, Gates' experience at the pre-wedding festivities impressed him with the Ambani family's values, the splendor of the event, and the couple's potential to contribute meaningfully to the world. What Did Bill Gates Said After Anant & Radhikas Pre-Wedding? Bill Gates said for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants pre-wedding | Image: Instagram Bill Gates posted a heartfelt message on Instagram about his participation in Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations. The Microsoft co-founder was seen thoroughly enjoying the festivities spanning three days and shared diverse images on social media. In his most recent post, uploaded over an hour ago, he expressed gratitude to the couple. He mentioned how the occasion allowed him to reconnect with old acquaintances. Bill Gates said for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants pre-wedding | Image: Instagram Bill Gates shared his experience attending his first wedding celebration in India, expressing how incredible it was. He congratulated Anant and Radhika and thanked them for the invitation, which allowed them to reconnect with old friends. The post concluded with a picture featuring Bill Gates and Paula Hurd posing alongside Rohini and Nandan Nilekani. Where Can You Check Out The Post? You can read the post on Instagram posted by Bill Gates. The post has garnered over 258,000 likes, and the count continues to rise. Bill Gates was seen at the event alongside his girlfriend, Paula Hurd, dressed in Indian clothing and engaging with others. In addition to participating in the event, the Microsoft co-founder also embarked on a brief tour of the country, including a visit to the Statue of Unity. What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. A passenger once requested a selfie with the man who hijacked the plane he was on. Since the event, the Brit has come out, revealing why he chose to take a picture with the hijacker. When was the Egyptair flight hijacked? The plane was hijacked by a man apparently wearing a suicide belt | Image: Pexels In 2016, an Egyptair flight from HBE Airport in Alexandria, Egypt, to Cairo Airport, Egypt, was hijacked by a man apparently wearing a suicide belt. The short-haul flight carried only 556 passengers, along with staff members and one member of the airline's security team. The hijacker demanded that the flight be redirected to Cyprus and threatened to blow up the jet if the pilot didn't comply. Fortunately, the airplane landed safely at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus, with all passengers except four and the whole flight crew released. Who took the selfie with the hijacker? Ben Innes bizarrely took a photo with the hijacker | Image: Ben Innes Among the four passengers held captive by the hijacker, eventually identified as Seif Eldin Mustafa, was a Brit named Ben Innes, who bizarrely took a photo with him. Why, though? 26-year-old Innes, an oil sector health and safety auditor based in Aberdeen, was on board the plane for five hours after it arrived in Larnaca, along with three other passengers and flight crew. Mustafa apparently diverted the plane to visit his ex-wife, who lived in Cyprus. During that time, while officials were negotiating with the accused hijacker, Innes decided to take a photograph with Mustafa, which went viral. Why did the man take the unusual selfie? His motive? He wanted 'a opportunity to get a closer look' at the purported bomb device. In an interview with The Sun (via CBS), Innes stated that he's not entirely sure why he did it. The Brit went on: "After about half an hour in Larnaca, I requested for a photo with him while we were hanging around waiting. I thought, "Why not?" "I just threw caution to the wind, trying to stay positive in the face of adversity. I believed I had nothing to lose if his bomb was real, so I took the opportunity to have a closer look." Innes explained that he had one of the cabin crew interpret for him and asked the hijacker if he could snap a selfie. "He just shrugged OK, so I stood by him and smiled for the camera while a stewardess did the snap," Innes told me. "It has to be the best selfie ever." What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. MrBeast, a popular YouTuber, spent seven days in an abandoned city for his next challenge. MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, described the challenge as "one of the hardest," and the video has had over 76 million views since it was shared two days ago. Where was the challenge shot? The challenge was shot at Kupari | Image: YouTube The challenge was shot at Kupari, a derelict Croatian beach hamlet near Dubrovnik. The majority of the bay's structure is made up of seven derelict hotels, the oldest of which dates back to 1920. The settlement has been abandoned since the Croatian war of independence in 1991. What did the team do at the site? Jimmy and his buddies were given supplies such as water, instant meals, and sleeping bags to set up camp in an exposed structure. On the first day, the crew established their base in the structure and were exposed to extreme cold at night. While asleep, two crew members were awakened by the sound of glass breaking. Jimmy and his buddies were given supplies such as water, instant meals, and sleeping bags | Image: YouTube As seen in the video, two team members were forced to flee the city when half of their water supply was destroyed during the challenge. This left Donaldson and Mark Rober to finish the challenge alongside a few camera crew members. According to the YouTuber, one of the most difficult elements was dealing with loneliness. Which challenges has MrBeast taken in past? This is not his first time attempting something like this. In a stunning feat in November, MrBeast spent seven days confined inside a coffin and buried underground. He added that the prank caused him "mental agony" and advised his followers not to do it at home. The suit-clad superstar was first lowered into the ground in a cutting-edge transparent coffin, equipped with food and drink, to begin his underground voyage. The casket also included cameras to record the video and ensure that nothing went wrong. Check the video here. What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. In a shocking incident on a Delhi bus, a routine commute turned into a chaotic WWE-like scene as passengers engaged in a brawl with pickpockets. The bus, typically a mode of transport, became an arena for a confrontation between commuters and the alleged thieves. Eyewitnesses reported a frenzy of slapping, punching, and kicking as passengers took matters into their own hands to apprehend the pickpockets. The incident highlights the pervasive theft and pickpocketing on public transportation in Delhi, where commuters often fall victim to such crimes. The spontaneous eruption of violence underscores the frustration and anger felt by many passengers towards those who prey on unsuspecting travelers. Authorities have been urged to take stricter measures to ensure the safety and security of commuters on public transport systems. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges passengers and authorities face in combating crime on Delhi's buses. What Happened In Delhi Bus? Delhi bus chaos where passengers punch, slap, and kick pickpockets | Image: X Resembling a scene reminiscent of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's character facing public outrage for pickpocketing in the movie "Munna Bhai MBBS," a chilling real-life video has recently gone viral on the internet. The footage depicts passengers aboard a moving bus in Delhi viciously assaulting individuals accused of pickpocketing. The widely circulated video captures a group of commuters taking justice into their own hands while the alleged thieves plead for forgiveness and are visibly distraught. This incident mirrors a recurring problem, as numerous instances of theft on Delhi's buses have emerged in recent months. Delhi bus chaos where passengers punch, slap, and kick pickpockets | Image: X While some on social media praised the public's vigilante actions against pickpockets, others criticized the local government for the absence of marshals on buses. The video showcases multiple individuals repeatedly assaulting the two pickpockets, accompanied by shouts from other passengers. Despite pleas for mercy, the assault persists, with passengers delivering multiple kicks to the accused. The person recording the video can be heard urging the bus driver to stop at a police station directly. Sharing the video on X, one user lamented the increasing incidents of pickpocketing on Delhi buses, stating that such criminal activities frequently harass passengers. Where Can You Watch The Viral Video? You can watch the video on X posted by @DELHIBUSES1. How Did The Internet React? Since being shared on X, the video has rapidly gained traction, amassing over 13,000 views as it spread across various social media platforms. The widespread circulation of the footage indicates a significant public interest in the incident and the broader issue of crime on Delhi's buses. This surge in viewership underscores the power of social media in amplifying and disseminating such incidents, sparking discussions and raising awareness about the challenges commuters face in urban areas. As the video continues circulating, it will likely prompt further debates on the effectiveness of existing security measures on public transportation and the role of both authorities and the public in addressing such issues. Internet reacts to Delhi bus chaos where passengers punch, slap, and kick pickpockets | Image: X Internet reacts to Delhi bus chaos where passengers punch, slap, and kick pickpockets | Image: X What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. In a surprising turn, a woman found herself at her friend's wedding reception, only to realize she hadn't been invited to the celebration. The bewildered guest, who had assumed her friendship secured her a place at the joyous occasion, was left feeling embarrassed and confused. This incident sheds light on the complexities of social dynamics and the delicate balance of friendship and etiquette. Questions arise about communication breakdowns and the assumptions we make in our relationships. What led to this miscommunication? Was it an oversight on the part of the couple or a misunderstanding on the guest's behalf? As weddings symbolize unity and celebration, this unexpected scenario prompts reflection on inclusivity, boundaries, and the importance of clear communication in maintaining healthy relationships. Join us as we delve deeper into this intriguing tale, exploring its implications and lessons for navigating the intricacies of social engagements. What Happened With This Woman? Its a representative image of a women who reached to a friends wedding reception and finds out that she is not invited created using AI | Image: Binge The humorous notion of gatecrashing weddings and indulging in the spread without invitation has been a longstanding jest within the desi diaspora. This scenario, often depicted in movies and anecdotes, has been amusing for many. However, imagine the incredulity of travelling for eight hours to attend a friend's wedding, only to discover that you have yet to be invited to the reception upon arrival. Such peculiar occurrences manifest in real life, as evidenced by a Reddit user's recent account shared on the platform. Recounting the experience, the user narrated feeling mortified at the venue and later shared her retaliatory actions. According to her, this incident unfolded during her twenties, marking her maiden invitation to a non-familial wedding. Its a representative image of a women who reached to a friends wedding reception and finds out that she is not invited created using AI | Image: Binge She elaborated on arriving early at the bed and breakfast, where the host graciously escorted her to the wedding venue. Following a splendid ceremony, she joined fellow attendees en route to the reception, only to be met with an unwelcome revelation. Upon scrutinizing the guest list on the reserved tables, the user and her accompanying colleague were dismayed to discover their names conspicuously absent. Their confusion heightened when the master of ceremonies approached, demanding to inspect their invitations. To their dismay, they were informed that their invitation extended solely to the church ceremony and the post-wedding beverages, not to the meal. This stipulation, clearly outlined in the minuscule font on the invitation, had evaded the user's notice, leading to their uncomfortable predicament. Following their abrupt departure, the woman and her colleague were left with no choice but to hastily retreat, resorting to dining at the bed and breakfast where they were accommodated. Later, it came to light through the bride's inadvertent revelation that only office colleagues were invited, prompted by the suggestion of their boss as a gesture of courtesy. Its a representative image of a women who reached to a friends wedding reception and finds out that she is not invited created using AI | Image: Binge However, the woman didn't let the incident pass without a taste of retribution. In a fitting act of petty revenge, she disclosed in her post that they had each contributed 50 (Rs 5,260) to the card envelope, intending to present a combined gift worth 100 (Rs 10,519) from the bridal registry at Debenhams. Yet, slyly, they withdrew the cash from the card, opting to gift only the bedding set instead, leaving the bride none the wiser to their subtle retaliation. Where Can You Read The Post? You can check out the post on Reddit posted by r/weddingshaming. How Did The Internet React? It's been quite a few days since the post was shared on social media, and till now, it has gotten over 4.2k upvotes and many comments. Internet reacts to a women who reached to a friends wedding reception and finds out that she is not invited | Image: Reddit Internet reacts to a women who reached to a friends wedding reception and finds out that she is not invited | Image: Reddit What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments. For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram. Google's move to delist several Indian apps, including popular ones like BharatMatrimony, Jeevansathi, 99 Acres, Naukri.com, and Shaadi.com, from its Play Store faced massive backlash. Founders, executives of the affected companies, and users on social media criticized this decision by the technology giant. Hashtag '#EvilGoogle' started trending in response to the removal of apps. Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and a Shark Tank judge, expressed his discontent, declaring it a "dark day" for the Indian internet. He highlighted that Google proceeded with delisting the apps despite ongoing legal proceedings at the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Supreme Court. anupam mittal/financialexpress Their false narratives and audacity show they have little regard for Make no mistake - this is the new Digital East India Co and this #Lagaan must be stopped! Pls RT and #SaveOurStartups, he said on social media platform X. In a new turn of events, Google has decided to temporarily reinstate all the delisted apps of developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court, after the government met the tech giant and digital startups to resolve the matter. In a statement to IANS, a spokesperson for the company asserted the right to uphold and enforce its established business model, as validated in various court rulings. The spokesperson mentioned that they will continue invoicing the complete applicable service fees temporarily, with an extension of payment timelines offered to these companies. All the apps belonging to 10 companies are to be restored: Ashwini Vashnaw twitter Union IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Google has agreed to address the matter and will reinstate all apps associated with the 10 companies. "Google has been supporting our technology development journey and we believe that the homegrown startups and the company will come to a long-term solution," he said. Continuing their fight against Googles new Play Store policies, Indian startup founders on Monday met Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar to discuss the issue and said that the government has assured them support. Last week, Google delisted about a dozen apps by major Indian digital companies including Matrimony.com, Naukri.com, Shaadi.com, and others from the Play Store. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Right after Elon Musk finalized the $44 billion deal to take over Twitter on 28th October 2022, Twitters then CEO Parag Agrawal was among the first ones to be fired by the billionaire. Fast forward to today, i.e. nearly a year and a half after that incident, Twitters former CEO Parag Agrawal is suing Elon Musk for $128 million. But why? Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal Suing Elon Musk For $128 Million Parag Agarwal and Elon Musk/indiatimes Former CEO Parag Agrawal, Former CFO Ned Segal, Former Chief legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, and Former General Counsel Sean Edgett are suing Elon Musk and the company now known as X (formerly Twitter), mentioning that they have not been paid more than $128 million in severance payments, as per The Wall Street Journal report. Four Former Twitter Executives' Allegations Against Elon Musk Elon Musk/bloomberg As per the lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco, Musk fired the four top executives and then denied them severance pay which they had been promised for years. The plaintiffs mention that each of them are owed one year's salary and hundreds of thousands of stock options. "This is the Musk playbook: to keep the money he owes other people, and force them to sue him," the former executives said in the 39-page lawsuit. In the complaint filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, Agrawal's lawyers noted (as quoted by Bloomberg), Under Musks control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. 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." Also Read: From Parag Agrawal To Elon Musk: List Of Twitter CEOs & Their Net Worth Not The First Lawsuit Against Musk & Twitter twitter parag agrawal elon musk sue/x This is neither the first nor the only lawsuit faced by billionaire Elon Musk and Twitter. X (formerly Twitter) is already facing two proposed class actions claiming it owes rank-and-file workers who were laid off after Elon Musk's acquisition at least $500 million in severance, and a third lawsuit by six former senior managers making similar claims. X has however, denied wrongdoing, as per Reuters report. X has also been previously sued for failing to pay its former public relations firm, landlords, vendors and consultants. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Elon Musk is no longer the worlds richest person. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has overtaken Elon Musk as the worlds richest person, with his net worth hitting the $200 billion mark. But the reason behind Musk losing the title is the crash in Tesla shares on Monday (4th March 2024). Jeff Bezos Overtakes Elon Musk To Become World's Richest Person Jeff Bezos Overtakes Elon Musk As Worlds Richest Person/indiatimes As per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Jeff Bezos currently has a net worth of $200 billion, whereas Elon Musks net worth is $198 billion. Elon Musk lost $17.6 billion net worth in a single day on Monday after Tesla shares tumbled 7.2% . 60-year-old Bezos' Amazon has seen its shares surge 18% this year till date and nearly 90% in last one year. On the other hand, Tesla shares have fallen 24% this year till date. tesla shares/webscreengrab Also Read: Why Apple CEO Tim Cook Once Rejected Elon Musk's Offer To Buy Tesla Why Tesla Shares Crashed 7% In A Single Day? Tesla shares crashed more than 7% on Monday after preliminary data showed shipments from its factory in Shanghai slumped to the lowest in more than a year. Also, Tesla CEO Elon Musks wealth may take a further hit after a Delaware judge struck down his $55 billion pay package at Tesla. As per Bloomberg report, the decision turned out to be on the side of an investor who had previously challenged Elon Musks compensation at Tesla. elon musk tesla ceo/getty List Of World's 10 Richest People As per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, these are currently the world's 10 richest people world's richest people/bloomberg 1. Jeff Bezos-$200 Billion 2. Elon Musk-$198 Billion 3. Bernard Arnault-$197 Billion 4. Mark Zuckerberg-$179 Billion 5. Bill Gates-$150 Billion 6. Steve Ballmer-$143 Billion 7. Warren Buffett-$133 Billion 8. Larry Ellison-$129 Billion 9. Larry Page-$122 Billion 10. Sergey Brin-$116 Billion For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg had a gala time in Jamnagar at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants Pre-wedding bash. He could be seen donning Indian attires and jungle-themed clothes spanning across three days of the grandest celebration hosted by Asias richest man Mukesh Ambani. While the world was glued to their screens to catch a glimpse of popular celebrities and influential personalities, many even joked that only Elon Musk was missing from the party. bill gates mark zuckerberg /x Now, in a latest update tech billionaire tweeted that he is ready to fight Zuckerberg anywhere, anytime, with any rules. His response was to a tweet posted by a user on X "After the tour, I asked the tour guide about the Elon vs Zuck fight and he laughed and said 'Thats something we would love to see'. He then proceeded to bring up and briefly talk about dogecoin so I tipped him some doge afterwards," a user wrote. To which, Musk said, "Im ready to fight Zuck anywhere, anytime with any rules". x What Is Mark Zuckerberg And Elon Musk's Beef? The talk of the much-anticipated cage fight initially started when Musk in June last year replied to a tweet about the news that Meta was releasing a Twitter (now X) competitor. "I'm sure Earth can't wait to be exclusively under Zuck's thumb with no other options. At least it will be 'sane'. Was worried there for a moment." To this, a user replied: "Better be careful @elonmusk I heard he does the jiu-jitsu now." "I'm up for a cage match if he is lol," Musk replied. Then, Zuckerberg posted a screenshot of the Tesla CEO's tweet with the caption "send me location". mark zuckerberg instagram Soon after, Zuckerberg accused the X owner of not being serious about the fight in a Threads post. Musk responded to Zuckerberg's allegations in a conversation with Joe Rogan, he said "[Zuckerberg] accused me of not being serious, and I said, Listen, at the end of the day, Ill fight you any place, anywhere, under any rules," he was quoted as saying by TMZ. The billionaire also revealed that Italy was willing to let the two tech leaders fight it out at the Coliseum. He said, Italy actually was willing to let us use the Coliseum," ap I was like, well, cant turn that down. Then I was like, well, if its going to be in the Coliseum, I like UFC and everything, but we dont have tons of ads in UFC branding on the Coliseum 'cause its a place of great history. You dont want to have it be all like NASCAR. And then Zuck pulled out." With his new found sword skills that he acquired during his Asia trip in Japan, do you think Mark Zuckerberg will accept an all new challenge thrown at him by Musk? Only time will tell. For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here The Greek Prime Minister stated that the fight against rising prices is ongoing, during his visit to a supermarket in Athens earlier today The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is not concerned about the legal threat of Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, amidst the dispute over the recognition of Asue Ighodalo as the Partys gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming election. Recall that Shaibu recently visited the Partys national headquarters, demanding recognition as the authentic governorship candidate. He also raised concerns about facing potential impeachment for advocating for the correct procedures within the Edo State PDP. The controversy stems from parallel primaries held on February 22, 2023, which saw both Shaibu and Ighodalo emerge as gubernatorial candidates. READ ALSO: Your Policies Cant Bring Economic Growth Obaseki Slams CBN Despite this, the PDP has maintained Ighodalo as the sole candidate and issued him a certificate of return. Responding to Shaibus threats in a chat with Daily Trust, PDPs Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, expressed the Partys indifference, stating, We are not worried. We wish the deputy governor well on his journey to the court. We are waiting for him. Abdullahi who questioned Shaibus stance, pointed out that other aspirants who contested the primary had accepted the Partys reconciliation efforts. He however emphasized the need for unity and reconciliation within the party and highlighted the availability of legal mechanisms to address disputes. French lawmakers, on Monday, approved the bill to make abortion a constitutional right for women in the country. The parliamentarians, voted 780-72, making France the first country in the world to guarantee freedom of women to abortion. President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing for the enshrining of abortion as a womens right in the French constitution. Macron said the new amendment will now allow the law to determine the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed. After the voting, the Macron was said to have invited members of the French parliament for a special meeting at the palace of Versailles in Paris. The bill had received massive support from the lower house of the parliament of Frances National Assembly in January. READ ALSO: France Set To Return $150m Abacha Loot On February 1, some French protesters demonstrated in support of abortion rights during a debate on the draft law on the constitution at the senate in Paris, Frances capital. According to British Broadcasting Corporation, about 85 percent of French are in support of the bill despite stern disapproval by right-wingers in the parliament. Discussions on the constitutional review of abortion rights in France were prompted after the United States Supreme Court removed the right to abortion in 2022. Many people have criticised the relevance of the bill, arguing that it is not a constitutional matter. Gabriel Attal, French prime minister, speaking on the bill, said womens right to abortion has been in danger and at the mercy of decision makers. I am telling women, within our borders and beyond, the era of a world of hope is starting. The constitutional amendment makes it the 25th review of the document by the parliament. Israel Afeare, well known as Isreal DMW, Davidos logistics manager, has severely cursed his estranged wife Sheila Courage. In a lengthy Instagram post, he vowed that it would never be good with her in the morning and night. He further stated that every man who touches her will collapse and die in the afternoon, and whatever business she touches as an influencer will be cursed. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who attended his wedding ceremony and pledged to remember their altruistic deeds, he also promised to provide them with justice because his marriage collapse was not caused by any kind of abuse, adultery, or assault. Isreal disclosed that his mother-in-law was the issue, perceiving her daughter as a fast route to financial success and a lifestyle akin to that of Regina Daniels and other celebrities. In conclusion of his note, he apologised to his boss. READ MORE: Ebuka Uchendu Recounts Experience Of Being Jobless For Years Before Stardom He wrote, Sheila Courage, it will never be well with you morning and night. Any business you lay ur hands as an influencer is CURSED. That business begins to into problems immediately. Any man who touches you Slumps and Dies in the afternoon. Let me also ones again thank those who travelled far away to Benin to honor me. Cant forget this day in my lifetime. You all must get JUSTICE. What happened in my marriage was never any case of Assault, Infidelity, or any form of abuse at all. It was a pure case of a mother-in-law wanting to extend the control of her husband to me, which I fully declined. A mother-in-law who saw her daughter in marriage as a quick means of getting rich than safety and rest of mind. A mother inlaw who forcefully removed her daughter from a very safe marriage, sending her to Abuja, to stay with Ginika, a certified ABUJA OLOSHO, whos using content creation as a cover, to look for rich men in the name of influencing. Parents who keep saying they regretted not giving out dia daughter to highly respected Sen. Ned Nwoko, seeing the lifestyle of my darling sister, Reginal Daniels? Senator Daisy Danjuma, MY OGA. Make una no vex. SEE POST: Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, has posited that the recent protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against the rising cost of living was a mere distraction. While speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Kennedy-Ohanenye opined that the country needs constructive ways to tackle its challenges. Now that NLC has gone out to protest, what have they done? Its just a mere distraction of the federal government but the kind of action that you people (Integrity Brigade) will take, you will see the effect. It will be loud and clear, that is why I said there is no need for that. If you do things without the end result, what is it for? Lets focus on constructive ways of solving our problems by coming out bold and clear with what we want. READ ALSO: Hardship: Buhari Left Poor Economy For Tinubu Plateau Gov The minister added that on March 7, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would unveil PBAT cares for Nigerian women, a programme seeking to empower women in the country. Kennedy-Ohanenye said she is establishing a body known as Integrity Brigade which would ensure that funds sourced by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for women and children would be used for that purpose. The president has endorsed a mobile court to address violence minor issues of violence against women and children, the minister said. The most important is the Integrity Brigade which all of you are joining and most Nigerians will volunteer to come in. Our royal fathers and religious leaders across the country, both Muslims and Christians, are equally coming and joining the Integrity Brigade. The Integrity Brigade will ensure that any decision made concerning Nigeria must be the one to benefit Nigerians. Even if you are an NGO, if you want to write for support for Nigerians, you must bring support that will bring sustainable empowerment. Not support that you will use advocacies, meetings, consultancies and siphon monies you bought on behalf of Nigerians that is what the Integrity Brigade is all about. The Integrity Brigade will inform Nigerians what is going on. If the money is meant for A, the Integrity Brigade will ensure that it is pushed to A. If it is not pushed to A, the Integrity Brigade will inform Nigerians what is going on. Lawyer Ryan Stumphauzer, the court-appointed receiver in the SEC case against Par Funding. He is with the Miami law firm of Stumphauzer Foslid Sloman Ross & Kolaya. Read more Its been nearly four years since a federal judge granted the Securities & Exchange Commissions request to put the fraudulent Philadelphia loan company Par Funding into receivership under a former SEC lawyer. Now, the senior SEC attorney who brought the case to court is at odds with that receiver over how to divide $150 million seized from Par owners among 1,700 investors who filed to get their money back. The way claims were calculated was incorrect, SEC senior trial counsel Amie Riggle Berlin said Monday at a lawyers conference called by federal judge Rodolfo Ruiz to review progress toward repaying investors. The receiver, Ryan Stumphauzer, has detailed nearly $150 million already available to repay the $250 million investors are owed, using cash, Philadelphia properties, and other assets seized from founder Joseph LaForte and other ex-Par officials. Advertisement There also are proposals that could raise tens of millions more though Berlin warned against investors expecting to get all their money back: The investors are not going to be made whole, she said. Last year, the receivers office reviewed claims and began sending investors estimates of amounts they should anticipate in repayment, if enough assets could be found to pay them. But, according to Berlin, Stumphauzers office erred in discounting the interest that Par paid some of its investors more than a year before the SEC seized the company from the amounts they are owed. Opposing approaches Because Par sold long-term investors new notes every year to replace their earlier investments, Berlin contends that investor profits from previous investment years shouldnt affect their losses or repayments since the company stopped payments and went into receivership in 2020. By throwing out the receivers approach and doing things her way, Berlin said, investors would all be getting significantly more under our calculation. However, Ruiz, who sits in the Southern District of Florida, pointed out that Berlins approach would not make additional money available rather it would have the effect of reducing recoveries for recent investors while boosting payback to investors who had profited the most from Par since it began raising funds to lend to small businesses with bad credit in 2012. Asked whether the SEC would be able to take over distribution of Par funds directly, freeing the receiver to pursue additional assets for possible future payment to investors, Berlin said she did not know but would find out. Stumphauzer maintains that discounting for prior year investments is a familiar practice and not the outlier formula that Berlin depicted. Ruiz told the SEC and the receiver to send him reports detailing their differing approaches by March 11 so he can review them and progress toward a decision. The judge wants to see a first distribution proposal drafted before the end of March so investors, many of them elderly, can regain the use of some of their funds that have been effectively frozen since Par stopped most payments in March 2020. Agreed not to contest LaForte and other former Par officials have agreed not to contest the SECs accusations that they lied about LaFortes criminal record, investment insurance, and other key facts and also failed to register the investments, which would have required fuller disclosure of investors true risk. But LaForte and his wife, Lisa McElhone, have continued to contest the amount the SEC expects them to pay nearly $200 million, including assets already seized from the couple, plus additional cash. LaForte, McElhone, former Par chief financial officer Joseph Cole Barleta, and LaFortes brother, James, also face criminal charges in federal court in Philadelphia. Hainesport Mayor Leila Gilmore, a Diamond Diner regular, bids farewell to owner Gus Diamantis (right) after stopping for breakfast before the diner closed on Sunday afternoon. Read more Burlington Countys Diamond Diner has joined the gone-but-not-forgotten list of departed roadside eateries in South Jersey. A fixture on Route 38 in Hainesport, the Diamond descended from the Cherry Hill diner of the same name, which opened in 1967 shut down on Sunday. The Red Lion, Gateway, Star View, and Shamong diners also closed in the last six months for reasons that include retirement, redevelopment, and highway construction. READ MORE: South Jerseys revered Gateway Diner closes to make way for a bridge construction project Advertisement I opened for business here in 2007, and now this is the end of it, said Diamond owner Gus Diamantis, 85, sitting in a booth on the morning of the final day. Diamantis (thats Greek for diamond) was an 18-year-old immigrant when he landed a dishwashing job at the original Olgas Diner at 16th and Federal in Camden in 1957. Hed been in the business ever since, running a succession of his as well as his family-owned diners in South Jersey. COVID changed things, Diamantis said. People got different habits. They work from home, and they want discount prices. Am I sad? Yes and no, he said. I realize its time for me to go. ... I worked 10 hours a day, seven days a week. I have a lot of memories. Market forces Historian, author, and fan Michael C. Gabriele said Jersey diners on suburban highways and downtown streets like Holstens, the Essex County setting for the famous final Sopranos episode seem to be hitting a rough patch lately. Fresh competition, changing commuter habits, and rising prices are having a major impact on what have traditionally been small, local, family-owned businesses. READ MORE: You can buy Tony Sopranos diner booth on eBay but it will cost you Running a diner takes a lot of time. Its a tough business, and partly because of the pandemic, its tougher than ever, he said from his home in Clifton, Essex County. Many diners have shortened their hours and condensed their menus, rendering the 24-hour breakfast a thing of the past in many locations. One of my local diners used to have a menu like a phone book. Now its a one-sheet, front and back, Gabriele said. The Star View, which closed in January, is under renovation and will become an Amys Omelet House, the fourth in the state. The Diamond also will be renovated, reopening as South Jerseys fourth Pandora Diner. Meanwhile, Shamong Diner owner Manny Monteiro, 64, said he decided to sell in order to retire; his establishment will become a cannabis dispensary. Two other closed Burlington County diners are expected to follow: the Sage in Mount Laurel and the Marlton, in Marlton. The Sage closed in 2017 and the Marlton shut down in 2022. Mark Matthews, whose 42Freeway.com website covers South Jersey roadside and small-town development, said demand for high-traffic, commercially zoned parcels with lots of parking, as is typical of diners, can persuade owners to sell. Some people were saying, We should have a GoFundMe, for one local diner, he said. But its not like someone is stealing this land from the owner. Given that three western Burlington County diners the Red Lion, Shamong, and Diamond have closed within the last six months, something other than business as usual may be going on, which is concerning, Gabriele said. But is it the end of the business? I dont think so. Generational and ethnic shifts For decades, the diner business in New Jersey has been dominated by the families of Greek immigrants. Diners, often owned by siblings, have been passed down from parents to grown children. Diners have been so successful that owners were able to send their kids to the best colleges and universities, and now theyre all lawyers and accountants, and theres no one to hand over the business to, said Gabriele. Diamantis nephew, Cosmas Diamantis, said he and many of his peers from South Jersey diner families worked in the business as young people and have gone on to professional careers. And now were seeing the last generation retiring, said Diamantis, who is the municipal attorney for Cherry Hill Township. In recent years, other ethnic groups have entered the diner business across the state, including in South Jersey. Ive talked to Asians and Hispanics and others who have gotten into the bu siness, said Gabriele, who noted that Italians and Jews also have been involved in the New Jersey diner industry. Monteiro, the Shamong owner, was born in India, and he said he introduced Indian food and expanded vegetarian and vegan offerings on the menu to attract customers during and after COVID. PeopIe thought, This man is crazy, he said. I started doing complete Indian dinners, five courses, advance reservations, for parties of eight people or more, and it took off. Saban Pamuk, whos Turkish, opened his first Pandora Diner in Springfield Township, Burlington County, with his cousin and business partner, Seval Sevinc, in 2013. Pamuk, 52, said he grew up in the business since I was 10, working for his dad, who owned the Pandora when it was called the Esquire Diner. He said the business has been able to grow because were very ambitious, and youve got to give the customers good quality and quantity for their money. Then the rest will take care of itself. Dear to our hearts While nostalgia for a golden age of diners is a romanticized version of reality, Gabriele said, there is something about the relationship between these places and the people in New Jersey. As backdrops for informal reunions and youthful hanging out, diners become very dear to our hearts, and when one closes, people feel like theyre losing a friend. As morning turned into afternoon at the Diamond on Sunday closing time was set for 3 p.m. longtime customers talked about why theyll miss the place. Ive been coming here for 10 years and always get an omelet with bacon and Italian sausage, said James Natson, 61, of Willingboro, who is a materials handler at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Ive been to the Pandora Diner on 206, he said. Its good, and Im glad theyre going to open here. Terry Eisenhardt, 52, a Lumberton resident and sales executive, grew up going to the Diamond when it was in Cherry Hill. He and his wife, Kelly, had to be here on the last day, he said. Were really sad to see it go. This story has been updated. One thing about being a senior citizen who belongs to a union is that unlike most Americans I get a lot of vacation time. Luckily, I didnt miss anything during my two-week staycation, other than a major (and majorly frustrating) Supreme Court announcement, Mitch McConnell stepping aside, the rise of Christian nationalism, the further unraveling of Gaza, a protest vote in Michigan, Texas wildfires, and a blizzard at Donner Pass. Just typing that makes me want another vacation. If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. How a few activists and 101,000 Michiganders made U.S. democracy work This Sunday was unseasonably warm in the Upper Midwest. In a crowded park in Minneapolis, scattered among the seesaws and swing sets, were dozens of parents whod brought their kids, both for play and for politics. As organizers of the pre-Super Tuesday event showed attendees how to take a Democratic primary ballot and vote the Uncommitted line, Amanda Purcell of MN Families for Palestine led them in a chant: Gaza kids! Our kids! The event, which was covered by a reporter for the Guardian, spotlighted a hastily put-together movement seeking to replicate, and maybe even improve on the coalition of Muslim Americans, college students, and other progressives in simpatico Michigan who also voted Uncommitted in the Wolverine States Feb. 27 primary. Their goal, as in Minnesota, was to send a message to President Joe Biden, who most of them had voted for in 2020: Change U.S. policy on the war in the Middle East to make an immediate cease-fire the No. 1 priority. Advertisement Im hoping that President Biden listens, because I dont want to have to organize my community out of becoming Republicans or just sitting at home, Asma Mohammed of Vote Uncommitted MN told the Guardian referring to possible bad outcomes for Biden in November if resentment over Gaza lingers. And its not just my community. In the Michigan primary, more than 100,000 voters, or just over 13%, pulled the lever for sending uncommitted delegates free agents not bound to any candidate to this summers Democratic convention in Chicago. It was enough to capture two of the states 117 delegates, with the rest going to Biden. There are two ways to look at this. The political-science major in me could dismiss the result as not too significant. In 2012, with a Democratic incumbent, Barack Obama, and no flashpoint issue like Gaza, Uncommitted got about 11%. But the line also drew fewer than 21,000 votes that year. So 2024s surge of an additional 80,000 Uncommitted votes apparently struck a nerve with top Democrats coming from a key swing state that went from a narrow Trump win in 2016 to a slightly bigger Biden victory in 2020 to a 50-50 tossup now. It cant be a coincidence that after the Michigan votes were tallied, with a healthy amount of media coverage, there was a palpable change in the way that top Democrats talked about a war that has killed 30,000 Palestinians, including more than 12,000 children. Two Philadelphia-area members of Congress Montgomery County Rep. Madeleine Dean and the citys Rep. Dwight Evans, both stalwarts of the partys mainstream came out strongly in favor of a cease-fire, as well as increased humanitarian aid and release of the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Dean, returning from her second trip to the war-torn region, said Israel has a right to defense, but what is happening is beyond self-defense and unacceptable to me. The new support centering the demand for a cease-fire was accompanied by a clear shift in focus from the Biden White House, which had seemed to embrace Israels right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu in the early days of the war. Stunned by Israeli attacks on food convoys, the administration launched a campaign to airlift food into hunger-ravaged Gaza. Although the pallets contained just a fraction of whats needed by the starving Palestinians, the effort did send a signal. The move echoed 1948s Berlin airlift, when the blockading USSR was our adversary. What does that make Israel today? On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Selma, Alabama a mecca for the American civil rights movement, where marchers endured blows to the head and tear gas to embarrass the federal government into doing the right thing and passing the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It was fitting, then, that the first Black woman vice president stood before the Edmund Pettus Bridge to issue the White Houses strongest plea for peace since Oct. 7. For sure, the Biden White House is far short of the steps such as cutting off arms shipments until Israel stops hitting civilian targets sought by activists on the left. Some of the new Team Biden rhetoric is just that rhetoric and marks a very belated falling-in-line with an outraged world community. But I believe words do matter, and the Biden line has clearly changed since the Michigan primary. There are other big issues involved besides Gaza. Here at home, Biden has said repeatedly that democracy is on the ballot in 2024 but what kind of democracy are we fighting for? To me, the activists and voters in Michigan who technically lost an election yet actually won, by getting some politicians to listen and even act on their life-or-death cause, strike me as the very essence of government by the people. Its a shame that some elites still dont get it. I was infuriated over the weekend at a viral clip of a politician whom I greatly admire Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, a relentless fighter for gun control insisting that Biden should ignore the voice of more than 100,000 Michiganders. I would hope that the president doesnt make decisions about what to do in Gaza or the Middle East based upon how the votes line up, Murphy told an interviewer. I wont argue there are some Profiles in Courage moments when a senator is heroic for bucking public opinion on a tough moral issue, but this is not such a time. Like the 1969 Vietnam protesters who stopped Richard Nixon from further escalation in Southeast Asia, todays Uncommitted voters are desperately trying to get our leaders to listen, using methods that are peaceful and effective. If we are fighting to save democracy in November and I believe we are lets build a democracy worth saving. I agree with the political figure who once said, If democracy cannot deliver on the disconnection and the disaffection that Americans feel, Americans are going to give up on democracy. That wise man was also Sen. Chris Murphy. He should listen to himself. And Biden should listen to the American people. Yo, do this! When I was a younger journalist working in New York in the late 1980s and early 90s, I couldnt imagine a week without the Village Voice, from the exposes of sleazy machine politics to the essential record reviews. Today, like a lot of folks, I wasnt sure if the Voice even still exists (it does, as a low-wattage website). But the golden age of radical, alternative journalism does live on in Tricia Romanos remarkable new oral history, The Freaks Came Out to Write: The Definitive History of the Village Voice, the Radical Paper That Changed American Culture. This tome has me laughing out loud at the newsroom characters, and crying over the world that weve lost. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Maybe its the time of year, but its a lousy moment for new movies in the theater. When that happens, I drift back to the early-mid 1970s, which was a) the best era for motion pictures, bar none and b) a time when as an adolescent/young teen I missed a lot of the best stuff. Theres always one or two classics from that golden age streaming on Netflix or some other site. Last week, I finally saw Francis Ford Coppolas The Conversation from 1974 about a morally tortured wiretapper (played by Gene Hackman in maybe his greatest performance) that is drenched with Watergate-era paranoia. They dont make em like that anymore. Ask me anything Question: Are these polls way off? I dont understand how [Trump] could be influencing voters. Jared Beloff (@Read_Instead) via X/Twitter Answer: Jared, my attitude about the polls is, to steal a phrase, to take them seriously but not literally. With the general election still eight months away, todays polls dont tell you whos going to win, but what the candidates need to work on. The thing about Donald Trump is that hes not actually influencing anyone at this point; his numbers stay around 46-48% come heck or high water. President Joe Biden trails in surveys like last weekends over-discussed New York Times poll because groups that cast ballots for him in 2020 under-30 voters, or Black and brown working-class folks havent yet committed to him for 2024. But they could come home with the right words and policy actions on the issues they care about. Team Biden should be grateful for these polls, which are screaming at them what to do to win. What youre saying about... A lot of you responded to my pre-vacation question about President Joe Bidens age, whether he should drop out at this late date, and who might replace him. Despite the liberal bent of newsletter readers, many of you are clearly worried about Bidens ability to handle a second term and open to the idea of a switch, even now. Most striking was how many of you picked the same potential replacement: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. I do not see Bidens age as the issue, Frank Friedman wrote. I see his physical and mental infirmities as the issues. But Barry Rosen argued for keeping Biden both because of his first-term accomplishments and because Democrats cannot allow the equivalent of Republican memes to dictate our choices for anything, let alone President. This weeks question: Pennsylvanias freshman Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has delighted some former detractors and outraged some of his more progressive 2022 voters with outspoken stances on Gaza and the border. Would you vote for him in 2028? For a chance to be featured in my newsletter, email me your answer. Please put Fetterman in the subject line. Backstory on a book preaching apocalyptic optimism over climate doom Despite the balmy weather outside, the calendar insists that it is still winter not normally a time to worry about deadly wildfires. But tell that to the good people of the Texas Panhandle, where the largest uncontrolled blaze in the recorded history of the Lone Star State spreading rapidly in 82-degree heat that is 26 degrees above normal for this time of year has already killed two humans, obliterated herds of cattle, and continues to get bigger. Climate scientists say higher temperatures the first month of 2024 was the worlds hottest January on record, a story you see almost every month now and drier air has turned Texas into a tinderbox. There were clear fire seasons for Texas in the past, but fires have become a year-round threat, Yongqiang Liu, a meteorologist at the U.S. Forest Services Southern Research Station, told the New York Times. And yet the nations second-largest state remains ruled by climate deniers such as Gov. Greg Abbott, whos raked in at least $30 million and probably much more in campaign cash from Big Oil. But now a new book by a longtime friend of the newsletter Dana R. Fisher, the American University sociologist whos a top expert on modern protest movements argues that disasters like the Texas wildfires and likely bigger ones to come are probably the only catalyst for the kind of massive change that will be necessary for humankind to get serious about the climate crisis. In Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action, Fisher who grew up in Philadelphias western suburbs synthesizes what shes learned in a lifetime of researching all sorts of protest movements and her recent work on climate activism. Her kind of Eureka! moment came with the COVID-19 crisis that exploded four years ago this month, when a deadly disaster caused people to radically change their behaviors, sometimes for good. Fisher now calls such a moment an AnthroShift, and says that seeing that social change is possible and understanding the types of major events that causes it has turned her into an apocalyptic optimist. Fisher notes that early expectations that normal politics could deal with climate change the way that other environmental problems like the ozone hole were successfully tackled have proved wrong, because folks underestimated how deeply Big Oil and Gas have polluted our political and other social structures. In Saving Ourselves, Fisher looks at how the glacial pace of reform has driven the current wave of climate extremism. But she firmly believes people power can ultimately save the planet, even if that only happens when the planet stares into the brink of an abyss. Its striking how similar her message is to what people are saying about American democracy after the failures of Congress, the Supreme Court, and our other broken institutions. No one else is coming to save us. We are the ones weve been waiting for. What I wrote on this date in 2009 Remember Jon Stewart from The Daily Show? Whatever happened to that guy? Wait, theyre telling me in my earpiece that Stewart just returned, with great fanfare, as executive producer of the Comedy Central show and as its Monday night anchor. Well, whatever he churns out in 2024 wont be as good or as influential as a piece he aired just over 15 years ago. On March 5, 2009, I raved about Stewarts epic takedown of the financial journalism on CNBC and elsewhere that slept before Wall Street burned in the prior years financial meltdown. I argued that journalism, which was really beginning to struggle in 2009, could be saved with the kind of deep research and passionate point of view that you could find on a comedy show, but not in a newspaper. Think about the ensuing decade-and-a-half as you read: What battered newsrooms can learn from Stewarts CNBC takedown. Recommended Inquirer reading I sprung back to life this weekend after my two-week hibernation with some righteous anger about the destruction wrought on America by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and how last weeks decision to step down from that role in November has all the appearance of an arsonist fleeing the flaming embers. McConnells greatest project was reshaping the Supreme Court and the rest of the federal judiciary. How has that worked out for things like reproductive rights, or justice for a criminal ex- and perhaps future president? Not surprisingly, crime and punishment has been the narrative in the early weeks of new Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers tenure. The citys first female chief executive promises a tough-on-crime approach, including the highly controversial return of stop-and-frisk policing. That philosophy put Parker in an awkward spot Saturday when a traffic stop on the Schuylkill Expressway went off the rails, and the arrestees were the head of the citys Office of LGBT Affairs and her husband. Ironically, the cop involved was not one of Parkers Philadelphia officers, but a state trooper. The city official, Celena Morrison, filmed the encounter, screaming that the trooper had only restrained her husband on the expressway asphalt because they are Black, then alleging that the lawman punched her off-camera. The Inquirer has been all over this story, including the latest that the trooper has been placed on restrictive duty. Its a quintessential Philly saga, and you wont be able to follow all the twists and turns unless you subscribe. So what are you waiting for? By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. This is Part 1 of Losing Conviction, a series about homicide investigations in Philadelphia. When detectives walked Danielle Crawley through a maze of cubicles and filing cabinets in the Philadelphia Police Departments Homicide Unit, her hands and clothes were still stained with her brothers blood. That morning, Crawley, age 19, was retrieving her things from her ex-partners home when her protective older brother, Eric, a SEPTA bus driver, came to check on her. Patrol officers, dispatched there on a disturbance complaint, were outside, as was Crawleys mother. Minutes later, everything changed: One of the officers shot Eric, firing a single bullet to the chest, right in front of his mother and sister. Crawley rushed to stop the bleeding, pressing her hands onto the wound, but her brother did not survive. In a tight cubicle in the Police Administration Building, a detective was asking about what would become the departments narrative of the incident: that Eric, whod been agitated over the domestic incident, had pulled his licensed handgun from its concealed holster before he was shot. I told her, my brother never had his gun out, said Crawley, who a decade later still sobs thinking about the interrogation. I kept telling her what happened. She said she was going to take my kid away. I just had my daughter. She said shes going to throw me in jail. She said my mom is old, Ill never see her again, and whos going to take care of my mom? According to Crawley, who first made those claims in a civil lawsuit, Detective Angela Gaines kept her for hours and would not let her leave or speak to her mother. Sit there and think about what could happen to your daughter, she said the detective threatened. Gaines did not respond to requests for comment. Finally, exhausted and scared, worried for her 2-month-old daughter, Crawley relented. She went with detectives into a room with a video camera, to read aloud and sign what she said was a fabricated statement, that her brother had drawn his gun first. She pushed me to say it, Crawley said. They treated me like I did it. The city settled with the family for $210,000 though lawyers for the city, answering the Crawleys lawsuit, denied that detectives threatened the young woman, detained her against her will, fabricated statements, or covered up any misconduct. Yet, Crawleys claims are hardly unusual. She is one of at least 15 people over the last 30 years who have said in testimony, court filings, and complaints to police that Philadelphia homicide detectives threatened to take away their children if they did not provide a satisfactory statement. She is one of at least 62, many of them vulnerable due to youth, addiction, illiteracy, or disability, who have reported being held in isolation for hours, cut off from a parent or lawyer, in what was known around the criminal courthouse as homicide hotel. (At least two of those people were hospitalized, according to lawsuits, after being deprived of medications for diabetes and high blood pressure while at the unit.) And shes among 81 who have said detectives fabricated statements or supplied false information. Those are some of the claims revealed in a new Inquirer database that for the first time aims to compile such allegations into a single resource. It is based on court documents, public records, interviews, and other reporting. The Inquirer database includes 49 allegations of physical abuse, 64 of threats, and 28 of manipulation or destruction of evidence. The allegations cast new light on what has been a startling wave of exonerations: 19 murder convictions tossed since 2018, most of them hinging on some alleged misconduct by homicide detectives or prosecutors. In the last two years, Philadelphia alone accounted for one out of 10 homicide exonerations in the country, making the per capita rate here 25 times higher than the nation as a whole. Philadelphia also is second in the country, after Chicago, in exonerations of death-row inmates over the last half-century. And taxpayers here are paying a steep price: $37 million in civil rights settlements just for homicide convictions overturned in the last decade, with at least 10 more wrongful-conviction lawsuits pending. Among the most egregious cases was that of Anthony Wright, who signed a confession to the 1991 rape and murder of his 77-year-old neighbor, Louise Talley. He later testified that statement was fabricated by detectives, and he signed it only after they handcuffed him to a stationary chair, and threatened to rip his eyes out and skull-f him. Detectives denied all of that, and said Wright was in custody just 14 minutes before he voluntarily confessed. Wright was convicted, and fought for years for DNA testing of the evidence, which matched a different man. Even so, prosecutors later introduced Wrights 1991 signed statement at a second trial in 2016. This time, Wright was acquitted. The city paid him almost $10 million to settle a civil lawsuit. Such settlements raise questions about a unit whose case-clearance rate has plummeted. For decades, Philadelphia homicide detectives were performing the extraordinary feat of closing more than 80% of cases. That figure has lately slumped to 42%, which is 20 percentage points below the national average. That decline coincided with an era of reform in the Police Department that some say has led to a drastic decline in allegations of coercion and mistreatment. Yet, many convictions rife with such allegations remain intact and many of the detectives who worked on those cases remain on the job, their credibility with the court unaffected. One homicide detective, James Pitts, has been reassigned to a desk job since at least 2019. Two others who were fired or resigned are facing criminal prosecution. One, Detective Philip Nordo, is awaiting trial on charges he repeatedly raped, groomed, and intimidated informants, causing at least six cases to be reversed, downgraded or tossed out. We shouldnt strong-arm individuals to gain their cooperation. Capt. Jason Smith, who oversees the detectives in Homicide Current department leaders cast the allegations, if true, as problems of the past. They say DNA, video, and cellphone evidence mean detectives no longer need to build cases on a few reluctant witnesses. They say minors are never interviewed without parental consent. And, in response to the allegations against Nordo, supervisors now monitor staff far more closely. Other recurrent complaints have been resolved, they say, by policy updates such as videotaping interrogations and making it clear to witnesses that interviews are voluntary and they can revoke their cooperation at any time. Now, we have to ask the person. Its not a situation where you can basically utilize your presence to convince that individual to come down and cooperate with the investigation, said Capt. Jason Smith, who oversees the roughly 70 detectives in Homicide. He said all investigative units saw clearance rates dip as a result, though he said he likes the directive. We shouldnt strong-arm individuals to gain their cooperation. Chief Inspector Frank Vanore said the investigations have also become more thorough and forensic evidence more extensive. He said that also affects clearances. That bottleneck gets larger and larger. Theres so much evidence that needs to be analyzed now. But looking at decades of practices, lawyer Patricia Cummings, who came from Dallas in 2018 to lead the Philadelphia DAs Conviction Integrity Unit, said she believes Philadelphias problem of wrongful convictions may be the largest in the country. Her 12-lawyer team, the nations largest, has 120 cases under investigation; 1,400 more await review. She noted that allegations against homicide detectives date back to the 1970s. Theres not a ton thats changed, except they got a little wiser, she said. I still think they employ a lot of really unreliable tactics to interview witnesses and suspects, and I think weve got a huge problem. An equally huge problem, she said, is that Pennsylvania courts unlike the federal court system and many other states permit prior statements to be introduced as evidence in court, even if the witness has recanted the statement or claims its fabricated. That literally gave a license to a bad cop, saying we can convict somebody based on a supposed statement that they gave to the cops to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone has committed a crime. We know that cops have done all sorts of things to develop statements that arent truthful. Over the years, many recantations and allegations of misconduct have been made in open court, by witnesses who testified to coercive practices they said began in the Homicide interview room and, in some cases, continued through the trial. Often, detectives have taken the stand and denied those allegations. And judges have frequently found the detectives more credible than their accusers, who sometimes had criminal records of their own. In many instances, detectives or prosecutors suggested that witnesses went south not because their statements were fabricated by detectives, but because witnesses were intimidated by the defendant. Given Philadelphias entrenched no-snitch culture, theres often reason to believe them. Most of the witnesses live in the same neighborhood as the person who committed the crime. While theyre in the safety of the Police Department they give truthful information, but when in court facing that individual, and that individuals family or cohorts, they become afraid and then will change their testimony, said Carlos Vega, a longtime homicide prosecutor now running for Philadelphia district attorney who has successfully prosecuted cases with reluctant or recanting witnesses. Thats why we have a jury evaluate a witness testimony and [whether] what they said to the police or what theyre saying in court is true. Richard Sax, a former longtime homicide prosecutor, said he acted on the lone credible allegation of fabrication a witness brought to his attention. In that case, Sgt. Stephen Brader was fired over allegations he framed a man in a 1985 shooting. But Sax questioned the integrity of recent exonerations, which include two convictions he obtained that he believes were beyond reproach. He sees the exonerations as part of DA Larry Krasners agenda to end mass incarceration. (In court filings, Krasners office has at times taken aim at Saxs work, calling one of those convictions an egregious example of police and prosecutorial misconduct.) Likewise, Sax said, while he carefully evaluated any allegations of detectives misconduct from recanting witnesses, he rarely believed them. Theres only a couple of columns they can pick from: I was forced into signing it. I didnt really see it. They cant say I lied because then theyre subjected to perjury or [making] false police reports, he said. Word gets out as to what youre supposed to say. Its very easy to say, Well, he threatened me, Sax said. So the fact that a dozen people say detectives threatened to remove their children, for instance, doesnt raise an alarm, he said. Teri Himebaugh a Philadelphia defense lawyer who saw so many such allegations that she began developing her own database, called the Philadelphia Police Transparency Project, which also went online this week said ample proof exists of a rampant and systemic problem, especially given that homicide detectives work collaboratively. What were arguing is every officer and supervisor who permits this to occur is just as complicit, she said. Himebaugh and a handful of other lawyers who specialize in post-conviction work have also begun presenting that pattern-and-practice argument to the court. Many of those cases have centered on Detective James Pitts, a prolific investigator who efficiently extracted witness statements and confessions during a decade in homicide but who, in court testimony, also has been accused of slamming people into walls, choking them, punching them in their heads, and leaving them handcuffed to a chair for hours. Pitts has repeatedly denied any physical abuse. He suggested that defense lawyers are coordinating on allegations, viewing his name on an interview record as a winning lottery ticket for anyone seeking to overturn a conviction. Whats the evidence? he said. Especially if you want to talk about the racial aspect of something, since I hit Homicide, thats the narrative: A Black man cant conduct a conversation with somebody without being physically abusive. One man, Dwayne Thorpe, was exonerated in 2019 after his lawyer, Todd Mosser, brought in 10 people to testify about Pitts alleged abuse. Himebaugh attempted the same path for Brandon Sawyer, who said Pitts coerced his confession to the murder of Charmaine McQuilkin when Sawyer was just 15. But two homicide detectives, Brian Peters and Henry Glenn, and supervisor Lt. Philip Riehl testified that they had never seen Pitts hit or threaten anyone. In the Sawyer case, Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott found that testimony compelling. She wrote in her opinion: None of [Sawyers] witnesses presented credible evidence to support a finding that Detective Pitts engaged in a habit or routine practice of coercion or intimidation in order to secure fabricated statements. One witness who testified in both cases was Katherine Cardona, whose then-boyfriend Obina Onyiah alleged that Pitts and Detective Ohmarr Jenkins coerced his confession to a 2010 robbery and murder. Cardona said she was at the Homicide Unit, and described hearing thumping noises and Onyiahs screams for help through the wall. Even with that testimony, Onyiahs confession was deemed voluntary, and he was convicted. He was exonerated this week, after the DA determined surveillance footage proved his innocence. For Himebaugh, his lawyer, it was a long-fought victory. Yet many other cases Himebaughs raised with similar allegations have languished. What no one wants is for these cases to see the light because once you start to open this can of worms, there are a lot of worms, she said. She thinks thats a mistake. You have to have this level of transparency if were ever going to gain back any kind of trust between community and police. It was just: Solve the case Lead pipes. Blackjacks. Brass knuckles. A swordlike instrument. In 1977, an explosive Inquirer investigation found homicide detectives routinely used these extractive tools, among others, to wrench confessions from suspects. In one in five cases, a confession was suppressed because of such conduct, the reporters found, concluding that many detectives have come to accept breaking the law as part of their job. In the wake of that report, a grand jury was impaneled. Six detectives who coerced a mans false confession to a firebombing that killed five people would be convicted of federal civil rights violations. But then-Mayor Frank Rizzo did not announce any systemic reforms. Michael Chitwood, a Philadelphia homicide detective who was featured in The Inquirer series he reportedly took part in an interrogation in which a subject was stabbed in the groin and, ultimately, hospitalized remained in Homicide through 1983. Later, he spent 14 celebrated years helming the Upper Darby Police Department. To Chitwood, the homicide detective holds a unique post, on the front line of a lonely war on violent crime. Except the victims family, no one cares about who dies or doesnt die. Its a sad commentary about the city we live in. I also believe, from day one, the only people that really cared were homicide detectives. And sometimes, we did things we probably should not have done. Back then, police didnt have the ample data available today: cellphone records, DNA analysis. And, like now, they were facing upward of 400 murders a year, hampered by witnesses too fearful to come forward. Chitwood said detectives were not formally trained to meet that challenge. They handled cases as they saw fit. There was no set standard. It was just: Solve the case, Chitwood said. Today its a lot different, and youre seeing the results of that. Those results, he suggested, include todays low case-clearance rates, but potentially fewer citizen complaints. Again, if thats what society wants, thats what society demands, then thats the right thing to do. Looking back at the same historical climate, Nilam Sanghvi, legal director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, said its evident that detectives felt pressured to do whatever it took to close cases, amid rising crime. It was like, if we get somebody arrested for this, the means kind of dont matter, she said. People who did these things are training the next generation of people and mentoring them, so you have these practices that are handed down over time. Philadelphias 80%-plus clearance rates, the highest of any big city, continued well into the 1990s. Homicides most successful and celebrated squad was the Special Investigations Unit, which handled cold cases cases the line squads couldnt close. It was known as the wacker squad, according to news reports, for its offbeat characters, like Martin Devlin, a.k.a. the Golden Marty, who was known to wear loud Hawaiian shirts and, according to one reporters ride-along, bring a sawed-off shotgun for backup as he went out looking for suspects. In interviews and depositions, Devlin touted, among his career achievements, eliciting a confession from Walter Ogrod, accused of the murder of 4-year-old Barbara Jean Horn. Ogrod was exonerated in 2020, after 23 years of wrongful imprisonment on death row. As early as the 1990s, there were also alarms raised about the methods of homicide detectives. In 1994, at a hearing related to the prosecution of Percy St. George after charges were dropped in a capital murder case built on a statement a key witness said was coerced three detectives refused to testify about the investigation, invoking their Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. Charges against St. George were dismissed. But some of the same detectives other cases, including the conviction of Anthony Wright, remained intact. If you want to know why the Philadelphia homicide unit was running wild for years, look at that case, said lawyer Marc Bookman, who defended St. George on the case and now heads the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation. What kind of prosecutors would let these cops stay on the force? They didnt get censured. They didnt get disciplined. What kind of prosecutors would let these cops stay on the force? They didnt get censured. They didnt get disciplined. Marc Bookman, head of the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation Lynne Abraham, who was DA from 1991 to 2010, declined an interview request. A higher-profile example was the prosecution of Herbert Haak and Richie Wise, both of whom signed confessions that they killed Kimberly Ernest, a 26-year-old paralegal who became known as the Center City Jogger after she was murdered on her morning run. Haak already had a criminal history, but he never experienced anything like the hours in Homicide. It started, he said in an interview, when a detective smacked him across the face and told him to strip naked. Haak said he was sitting in his underwear when Detective Thomas Augustine entered, holding a metal fingernail file, asking: Why are you looking at this? You think Im going to poke you with it? After that, Augustine told him to get dressed and to sign 15 blank pages, then typed out a horrifying confession, Haak said. The way he tells it, he was so fed up he began answering sarcastically Yeah, sure, I threw her bra in the backseat. Is that what you want me to say? Those responses were typed into the statement. When his sarcasm grew too caustic, he alleged, Augustine began choking him until he nearly blacked out, then spit in his face. I just sat there and I felt so defeated, he said. Physical and DNA evidence contradicted the incriminating statements, which both men recanted. They were acquitted in 1997 of Ernests murder, an embarrassing outcome for the department and a source of anguish for Augustine. Haak sued the city for police misconduct. It denied his claims but settled with him for $50,000. After the Haak and Wise acquittals, Philadelphia reversed a long-standing policy against videotaping confessions. Augustine said making recordings was an improvement: Video confessions always resulted in guilty pleas. (Retired to Florida, he said he still keeps tapes of 12 murder confessions he personally took, on a shelf below his desk.) I would rather be dead than to frame somebody and put them in jail just because I solved a murder. Detective Thomas Augustine Yet, Augustine said, Haak and Wises abuse allegations were obvious lies because their faces were unscathed in their mug shots and by the fact that supervisors monitored every step of the interrogation. A federal civil rights investigation went nowhere, and Augustine was not disciplined. To this day, Augustine believes Haak and Wise were guilty, their confessions legitimate. I would rather be dead than to frame somebody and put them in jail just because I solved a murder. It may be hard for people to believe that detectives think that way, he said. Why would a guy sit down and confess to the most intimate details of a crime? Leon Lubiejewski, a retired longtime homicide detective, takes a different view. He said he found it hard to believe any detective would intentionally coerce a confession, but its possible, if you have a weak individual, to talk to that person into confessing. Its something detectives should be aware of. Saul Kassin, an expert on false confessions and a professor of psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said physically and verbally abusive interrogation practices are not only illegal, but also render any statements gathered less reliable. Threats elevate the level of false confessions and reduce the diagnosticity of the confession, he said. Each of the coercive tactics alleged in scores of Philadelphia cases has been linked by researchers to similarly untrustworthy results. For example, prolonged interrogations are a major driver of wrongful convictions, a national study found: 84% of documented false confessions occurred after at least six hours in custody. (Of those who made allegations of prolonged questioning in The Inquirers database, 30 said their interviews lasted at least twice that long). Back in the late 70s, Pennsylvania courts went so far as to begin tossing out such confessions, under what became known as the six-hour rule. But over the years, that timeline grew increasingly elastic. In 2004, Pennsylvanias Supreme Court scrapped it altogether. The impact of such treatment is magnified when detectives target vulnerable people, such as minors: They have a more difficult time than adults grasping their Miranda rights, Kassin said. Juveniles are more compliant to authority, and theyre more suggestible. He analyzed Innocence Project data and found a startling number of wrongful convictions began with a false confession which was then corroborated by more flawed evidence. When a confession is unleashed and it gets recanted, which means the main evidence going forward is in dispute, other errors in evidence like jailhouse informants and bad forensic science are far more likely to happen, Kassin said. He noted the power of confirmation bias to drive poor decision-making. By the time an Anthony Wright comes to trial, there is this appearance of a mountain of evidence but its not a mountain of evidence. Its a house of cards built on the back of a false confession. Reforms, lies, and videotape Lubiejewski, who joined the Homicide Unit in 1978, did not recall any training on how to avoid false confessions, either when he first started out or in the decades that followed. Theres not much training for a detective, he said. Detective school, as he recalled, was three weeks. In my case, most of that was spent in typing. Four hours a day in law, and then four hours a day for three weeks learning how to type. As of 2019, according to a review the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) conducted at the departments request, there was still no formal training specifically for homicide detectives. The think tanks review also found that detectives case documentation was inadequate, and the department did no significant supervision or formal review of homicide investigations. If you value this kind of investigative work, please subscribe today. Separately, the department collaborated with the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice at Penn Law School to conduct event reviews to identify what went wrong in two exonerations. The review team made numerous recommendations, including to implement policies that will promote information gathering, rather than confessions, as the goal of both witness interviews and suspect interrogations. The team also concluded that the video policy should be expanded further, to include all interviews with suspects or witnesses from start to finish. Not all of those recommendations have been instituted. But the department has made moves to reform. In 2014, then-Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey began requiring detectives to remind witnesses they were free to leave. He introduced procedures like double-blind photo arrays that is, administered by an officer who does not know which photos are fillers to improve the reliability of eyewitness identifications. He limited the time suspects could be held to 36 hours, and required a supervisors approval to go past 12. Most controversially, he began requiring video of homicide suspect interrogations. At the time, Homicide Capt. James Clark lamented to a reporter that the new policies have really handcuffed, and made it very, very difficult, for my detectives to do their jobs. But Smith, the current captain, said the department now embraces those reforms and is drafting new policies to comply with PERFs 2019 recommendations. Other changes proposed by PERF, like equipping each detective with a smartphone, have been instituted, he said. Hes also begun equipping detectives with body-worn cameras to ensure interactions with suspects are recorded in their entirety. Out of 152 hours of detective training, just four hours are dedicated to interview and interrogation practices and three hours on administering photo arrays to witnesses. Detectives do have access to professional development opportunities like the International Homicide Investigators Association symposium. Asked what training the Philadelphia Police Department has instituted to guard against false confessions, Smith said video cameras had entirely resolved the issue. Supervisors monitor and review interrogations, and detectives are trained to seek corroborating evidence. He and Vanore said they were not familiar with research on false confessions, and did not believe false confessions were a problem. James Trainum, a retired Washington, D.C., homicide detective whos now a consultant, reviewing alleged wrongful convictions and developing police training, said far more and different training is needed. He argues police should abandon the accusatory approach to interrogations, which creates a climate in which suspects feel compelled to say what the detective wants to hear. Video does not stop false confessions, said Trainum, who speaks often about how he once inadvertently took a false confession on video. It does allow for independent review, but he said that too must be more critical. Just because you can see [the confession] doesnt mean you understand whats happening. Some defense lawyers said the improvements are noticeable, and allegations of abuse have declined. Others still hear complaints of lengthy pre-interviews, which are not documented and are conducted outside the interview room before the camera is turned on. Vega, the DA candidate, said if a suspect or a witness declines to be video recorded, that should not affect the validity of the statement. Right now the state of the law is this: You have the right to refuse, he said. To Kassin, requiring video in all cases would be the best practice, in part because it insulates detectives from false complaints. Several years ago, he worked with a police department to conduct a controlled trial of video interviews, and found that people were just as forthcoming with the camera rolling. Such reforms are already law in other states. According to an Innocence Project analysis, 25 states and the federal government require start-to-finish video of suspect interrogations. And 24 states have adopted legal requirements that police must use eyewitness-identification best practices for such statements to be admissible in court. The next frontier for reform advocates, according to Kassin, is to ban lying to suspects and witnesses. He believes this routine, legal, and generally accepted practice should be prohibited, since research shows that it can alter peoples memories or open them to manipulation. Detectives like Augustine, though, see manipulation as just part of the process. What you do is you want to befriend this person, he said bring them coffee, a snack, a cigarette. He never threatened anyone, he said. You beat a confession out of somebody? You might as well take that and throw it down the toilet because youre not going to win. To me, it was like a contest. If I knew I was going to go in a room with a guy tomorrow Id be up all night figuring out, How am I going to question him? Hed offer the opportunity to minimize, to get ahead of the story, to tell before the other guy did. You con them into giving a statement. But is the con illegal? No. The courts decided you can lie. Ive heard how they play The fallout of flawed cases lands particularly hard on the families of those who were killed, said Chantay Love, who with her mother runs the victim-support organization EMIR Healing Center. They started it in memory of Loves brother, Emir Greene, who was gunned down at age 20 in 1997 in Germantown. When you dont have someone who is held accountable for the loss, how do you move forward? Now when you have a clearance rate we have, where they are not able to solve cases and people are left in the community to cause more harm, that impacts the community as a whole, because you have this violence thats still there. At the same time, she said, people need to be able to have faith in the convictions. Even before, there might have been a 90% clearance rate. But if now theyre getting overturned, you didnt have a 90% clearance rate. You had a large rate of creating destruction. Shannon Coleman has been struggling with that since 2015, when she learned about the DNA evidence that cleared Anthony Wright. The victim in that case, Louise Talley, was Colemans great-aunt. It was devastating in our family. She was a sweet old lady. She was a Christian. You wouldnt think anything like that could happen to her, Coleman said. Her family was especially terrified by the attack because Talleys siblings lived on the same block. As Coleman learned more about the case, she became convinced of Wrights innocence. It was just heartbreaking to find out that something like this could happen and, more importantly, that this monster that did what he did to my aunt continued to walk the streets and terrorize other citizens. The loss of trust has ongoing consequences, according to community organizers like Kendra Van de Water, the executive director of YEAH Philly, a group that works with young people to mediate the beefs that often lead to gun violence. The majority of the detectives are older white men, she said. (About two-thirds were white, and 95% male, a review of 2020 payroll records showed.) When youre thinking about homicides in a community and you really dont understand that community, even if youve been a detective for 30 years the cultural competency plays a large role. A lot of complaints I got from families of victims lost to homicide were about how nasty and disrespectful the detectives were to them. It made them not want to go out of their way to give information. Often, the community knows who committed a crime. But when people do come forward with information, they often feel they are not heard. On one recent occasion, she said, she had to call a city councilmember to ensure that promised witness protection services were provided. On another, she tried to assist a man who had spent four months trying to give security camera footage that captured a 2019 West Philadelphia shooting to detectives who would not call him back. To this day, the police still do not have that footage, and it is clear footage of the person that committed that shooting, she said. The man, who didnt want his name used because he feared retaliation, said he called twice and even went in person to deliver the video, but each time was told the detective was not available. The next time his doorbell camera captured a shooting which he described as a calculated setup that, though terrifying, did not result in injuries he did not call the police. If youre not going to come and at least check it out, then why bother? he asked. The Homicide Files: Search our database of Philadelphia investigations and exonerations On the other hand, crime levels have detectives overwhelmed, said Smith, the homicide captain. As murders spiked, he had to switch his cold-case unit over to responding to incoming cases. Then, as they rose further, he was forced to bring his fugitive squad into that rotation. The last resort, one being considered, would be to recruit detectives from other units to Homicide though he said hed then risk short-staffing those divisions. To Van de Water, though, its a lack of confidence in the official response that enables the code of the street, and the cycle of retaliatory violence, to prevail. The way to change that, she believes, is by building relationships and respect between police and community. Lubiejewski, the retired longtime detective, sees things differently. If the department cant close cases, its because people wont speak up. He said a total lack of resources for witness protection makes matters worse. The Police Department certainly wont protect you for any length of time. They might protect you up to the hearing. It sounds cruel, but once youre on the record they can read your testimony in. Hassan Bennett who was tried for murder four times for the same case, and spent 13 years incarcerated before being acquitted said many people he knows are simply afraid to talk to homicide cops. They know the allegations of abuse, ones that he alleged, in a civil lawsuit, can be found in his case: hours of isolation in a dark room in handcuffs, intimidation, beatings, and threats. Recently, a friend called him after being contacted by homicide detectives who were investigating the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old child in West Philadelphia. She said, Im scared. Ive heard how they play, Bennett said. She didnt want to go in alone, so he agreed to go with her. First, though, he said he called the Homicide Unit and warned them shed only stay for 30 minutes. Then, he turned on location-sharing on his phone and asked a friend to monitor it. As a final precaution, he recorded himself going into the Homicide Unit, and refused to speak to anyone while he sat outside the interview room. He could still hear the yelling through the closed door: Youre going to be out there marching for Black Lives Matter, and you wont even tell us who the shooter was? His friend came out of the room shaking. What struck Bennett was how crisply the shouting traveled through the Homicide Unit, within earshot of detectives and supervisors, but no staff seemed to notice anything amiss. All these people arent making up stories about being verbally abused and physically abused, he said. Yet, detectives routinely testify theyve never seen or heard of such abuse. In Bennetts view, thats the real lie: You guys heard it and you ignored it. Barton Seltmann will not face trial in Montgomery County for his wife's murder amid concerns of his declining mental and physical health. Read more An elderly Lower Pottsgrove Township man who prosecutors say beat his wife to death in November will not face trial after a Montgomery County Court judge dismissed the murder charges against him amid concerns about the mans deteriorating health. Barton Seltmann, 84, was scheduled to face a preliminary hearing later this month on first- and third-degree murder charges in the death of his longtime wife, Margaret. Investigators said Seltmann bludgeoned his wife, 85, to death during a Nov. 28 fight over the cost of their cats veterinary bills. But his lawyer, Patrick Duffy, wrote in court filings submitted in late January that Seltmann suffered from advanced dementia and was not fit to stand trial. Judge William Carpenter agreed and dismissed all criminals charges against Seltmann in a brief ruling filed late last week. Carpenter based his decision on a state statute that allows for dismissal of a case if a defendant is not competent and unlikely to regain competency to stand trial. Advertisement Duffy declined to comment on the outcome of the case, noting that a guardian has been appointed by the county Orphans Court to make legal and medical decisions for Seltmann, a former police officer in West Pottsgrove Township and security chief for the long-shuttered Philadelphia Gear factory. Seltmann called 911 on the day of his wifes murder, telling police his wife was dead and someone had beat her, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. He made it seem, investigators said, as if he had no idea what had happened to her. But when officers from Lower Pottsgrove Police, including the departments chief, arrived at Seltmanns home, they found him on the porch, covered in blood. Inside, the officers found Margaret Seltmann unresponsive, with severe injuries to her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It was then, police said, that her husband admitted that he had beaten her. During an interview with detectives, Seltmann said he and his wife had been arguing over the mounting cost of their cats veterinary care, when she, in a burst of anger, grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened him with it, the affidavit said. In response, he said, he pushed his wife with a nearby chair, knocking her to the floor. He then hit her with a candle holder and continued to beat her as she lay on the floor, the affidavit said. During the assault, Seltmann said, she told him he was killing her and then she eventually fell asleep, according to the affidavit. But about a week later, as he met with Duffy, his lawyer, for the first time while locked up in the county jail, Seltmann seemed confused and disoriented, according to court filings. In a Jan. 22 petition to reduce Seltmanns bail, Duffy wrote that Seltmann told him he didnt know why he was in jail and did not seem to know what had happened to his wife, whom he referred to in the present tense. Duffy said Seltmann told him he will like his wife when [he] meets her, according to the petition. It was clear at that point, Duffy wrote, that Seltmann was in the throes of dementia. A month before his wifes death, Seltmann underwent a CAT scan that showed tissue loss in the right frontal lobe of his brain, the petition said. He met with a neurologist Nov. 8 after being hospitalized for being confused and agitated, and couldnt remember what the specialist had told him the following day. While in prison, Seltmanns health declined rapidly, according to Duffy. He had to be transferred from the county jail to a private medical facility for treatment on Jan. 12 after suffering a cardiac episode. Seltmann remains there, bedridden and unable to communicate, the filing said. Duffy said he doubted his client would ever be competent to stand trial. He noted that Seltmanns daughter was supporting him and wanted him to receive proper care in his final years. She did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Scenes of vandalism and unrest shared by a social media influencer from North Philly known as Meatball on Instagram Sept. 26, 2023. Read more A Philadelphia social media influencer who goes by the name Meatball, who live-streamed looting across Philadelphia last year after a judge dropped murder charges against a police officer who shot and killed a Kensington man, will face trial on burglary and related charges, a judge ruled Monday. Dayjia Blackwell, 22, a local influencer who has a massive following on Instagram and TikTok, was held for court on charges of burglary, conspiracy, criminal trespass, and related crimes. Blackwells attorney, Jessica Mann, declined to comment Monday. The looting that prosecutors say Blackwell took part in was sparked by a judges decision to drop all charges, including murder, against Officer Mark Dial, who prosecutors say shot and killed Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop in Kensington. The decision last Septemberdrew immediate public outcry and Irizarrys family, friends, and supporters organized a peaceful protest near City Hall the same day. Advertisement Shortly after that protest wrapped up without incident, and mere blocks away in Center City, a group of people began vandalizing and looting local stores, including the Apple Store on Walnut Street, police said. Among the looters, and broadcasting to her thousands of followers, prosecutors said, was Blackwell. What we doing tonight behind this injustice tap in? Blackwell wrote to her followers on Instagram earlier that day after the judges decision to drop charges. Blackwells videos of the vandalism and theft that followed posted to Instagram throughout the night and showed groups of people targeting Center City businesses before heading to the Roosevelt Mall in Northeast Philadelphia. Blackwells posts showed people stealing iPhones and other devices and smashing them on the sidewalk outside and vandalizing a Lululemon store. Blackwell also filmed people looting a liquor store in another part of the city, police said. Blackwell was arrested mid-livestream, one of the 52 people taken into custody on the night of the looting, police said. She is scheduled for arraignment on March 18, according to court records. Bill McSwain (center) attends a school board meeting at the Central Bucks School District Educational Services Building in Doylestown on April 20, 2023. Read more Central Bucks officials were advised last year that the Duane Morris law firm had submitted seriously inflated bills in its work investigating allegations of discrimination against LGBTQ students, according to an email published Monday by the Bucks County Courier Times. The email, from a lawyer with the Wisler Pearlstine law firm, was sent to then-Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh and then-school board president Dana Hunter in June and only covered the firms initial bills after it was hired in late 2022 to respond to a federal complaint against the district. In November, Duane Morris filed additional bills totaling $1.1 million, bringing its total costs to $1.75 million. The bills, and Duane Morriss hiring, have been a source of controversy in the district, which changed hands from Republican to Democratic control after a heated November election focused on the districts treatment of LGBTQ students and other culture-war issues. Jennifer Barton, a spokesperson for Duane Morris, said Monday that the firm doesnt comment on billing matters. Edward Diasio, who reviewed the costs and had advised district officials to try to reduce them, declined to comment Monday, citing attorney-client privilege. Advertisement Here are some of the red flags raised by Diasio in his June email and what we know about what happens next. Way too many attorneys When Central Bucks hired Duane Morris in November 2022 to respond to a complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain said in a letter to district leaders that he would bill $940 an hour, while another former federal prosecutor, Michael Rinaldi, would bill $640 an hour. To the extent possible, I will endeavor to have associates and/or legal assistants, at lower rates, handle appropriate tasks, said McSwain, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2022. While a good strategy in theory, that doesnt seem to be what happened, Diasio said in his email. Instead, a whole team was brought in, and the district paid for all of their combined time to work the matter together. Several hundred thousand dollars were spent just on internal communications between lawyers, Diasio said. There were way too many attorneys working on this matter, Diasio said. Extremely excessive hours billed Diasio questioned the hours the firm billed for work toward its report, unveiled last April, that concluded there was no evidence Central Bucks had created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students. For instance, lawyers billed 24 hours of work more than $10,000 to produce a memorandum after an interview with the principal of a middle school where students had protested the suspension of a teacher. (Duane Morris accused the teacher, Andrew Burgess, of concealing bullying against a transgender student to weaponize the allegations and undermine the school boards GOP majority; Burgess has since sued the district, accusing it of retaliation.) This process significant preparation time for an interview, attendance at the interview by 3+ attorneys, followed by significant backend work summarizing the interview is repeated for many witnesses, Diasio said. He noted that on the February and March bill, there are hundreds of hours billed for preparing the ultimate investigation report. This seems extremely excessive. Diasio also noted vague entries, like one attorney who billed 29 hours of work at $560 an hour for reviewing documents. And he said the amount of time lawyers spent reviewing and submitting records to the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, which has been investigating complaints filed by the ACLU and others against the district, was absolutely staggering. I actually cannot fathom a scenario where so many documents were produced, or produced in a way that took even a fraction of the amount of time billed, Diasio said. Five attorneys for literally a 1.5 page document In addition to preparing the report that found the district hadnt committed wrongdoing, Duane Morris lawyers also helped the school board implement a policy barring teacher advocacy in classrooms. The policy, which passed in January 2023 and banned teachers from advocating about partisan, political or social policy issues, is literally a 1.5 page document, Diasio said. It can be read and understood in a few minutes. Why five attorneys were involved in reviewing, commenting on, and revising the policy was unclear, Diasio said, noting dozens of time entries in November 2022 related to the policy. The policy spurred backlash in the district, including more accusations that the board was targeting LGBTQ students; when it was proposed, board leaders said it would prohibit the classroom display of Pride flags. I recognize that policy work is not something that Duane Morris perhaps specializes in, but no more than a handful of hours are likely warranted here, Diasio said. What happens next? The fact that district leaders had engaged in any review of the bills wasnt publicly known until December, when board members approved paying Duane Morris $1.1 million for the latest bills. During that board meeting, the districts business manager, Tara Houser, said that after receiving bills from Duane Morris in April, she hadnt received any more until Nov. 13. I was told the bills were under negotiation, Houser said. She mentioned that a previous audit had identified several concerns with the bills, but said she wasnt involved in those discussions. Houser told the new Democratic majority that it should pay the latest bills, given the districts agreement with Duane Morris. (The districts insurer covered $250,000 of Duane Morriss $1.75 million costs.) School board president Karen Smith, who served on the board previously and was reelected in November, said Monday that she wasnt aware of any review of the bills until Housers comments at the December meeting. Its truly staggering that they would so overcharge a public entity, Smith said. Theyre basically stealing money from kids. She said the district is actively pursuing all legal options that are available to us to challenge the bills, but declined to comment further. Colleen Schroeder was arrested without incident and released on a summons, police said. Read more A South Jersey school principal has been arrested and charged with stealing $700 in cash from the schools main office, police said. Evesham police said Colleen Schroeder, 46, of Hainesport, was charged March 1 with a single count of theft, which occurred in late February at the Helen L. Beeler Elementary School in Evesham Township. She was arrested without incident and released on a summons, police said. Police said the theft involved more than $700 in cash. The money belonged to the Burlington County school district, police said. The school enrolls about 500 students. In a statement, Evesham Township School Superintendent Justin Smith said the district had been in contact with police and intended to fully cooperate. Schroeder is on an unrelated leave and will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case, he said. Smith and police declined further comment. Schroeder could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Evesham enrolls about 4,400 students in grades pre-K to 8. Bruce Springsteen with tears in his eyes when he first appears on stage with the E Street Band during their 2023 tour stop at the Wells Fargo Center. He will headline the Sea.Hear.Now festival on the beach in Asbury Park on Sept. 15. Read more Bruce Springsteen is coming to the Jersey Shore. Isnt he there already, you might ask? Well yes, he did grow up in Freehold, lives in Colts Neck, and got his start in Asbury Park. But other than popping in for surprise visits at the Stone Pony, Springsteen appearances in the central Jersey boardwalk town are rare. He hasnt played an officially announced show in Asbury Park in over 20 years. That will change in September when the Boss and the E Street Band headline the Sea.Hear.Now on the Asbury beach on Sept. 15. Advertisement Sea.Hear.Now will kick off on Sept. 14, with Noah Kahan headlining and the Black Crowes, Revivalists, Peaches, and Robert Randolph also performing. Springsteen tops the bill on Sept. 15, with the Gaslight Anthem, Trey Anastasio Band, Norah Jones, Joy Oladokun, and Rachel Ana Dobken on the bill. The Jersey Shore date is scheduled just a few weeks after Springsteen and the E Street Band are slated to play Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia on Aug. 21 and 23, in shows that were rescheduled from August 2023. Those two dates were postponed at the last minute due to what was originally announced as a Springsteen illness. The following month, it was revealed he was suffering from peptic ulcer disease, and all of his remaining 2023 concerts were postponed. READ MORE: Review: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band make a triumphant return to the Wells Fargo Center Springsteen and the E Streeters are scheduled to resume touring on March 19 in Phoenix. After a monthlong U.S. arena tour, the Boss and band head to Europe in May for two months before the second leg of the U.S. tour begins in Pittsburgh on Aug. 15. Sea. Hear.Now launched in 2018 and has featured Green Day, the Killers, Stevie Nicks, and Pearl Jam. In 2018, Springsteen showed up to play with Social Distortion. Tickets go on sale via a presale at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 7. General on-sale will follow at 11 a.m. Details can be found at seahearnowfestival.com Everyone wants the chocolate souffle, that sweet icon of French elegance, a steamy cocoa-scented cloud that levitates above its ramekin like a magic trick. Even centuries after its invention, it remains a magnetic and majestic finale. But its also notoriously finnicky and time-consuming to make. Should we have requested ours in advance at Bar Lesieur? No worries: We have our own way of doing it, a manager assured me. It takes no extra time at all. Sure enough, it appeared within moments alongside a couple other sweets, each with issues of their own a runny-centered creme brulee made with duck eggs, and a Paris-Brest whose ring-shaped pate a choux was as limp as a soggy doughnut. The souffle? It was cakey on the outside, vaguely gooey at the core, and also half cold. A forgettable lava cake, maybe. But definitely not a souffle. Thats why we put the souffle' in quotes on the menu, the manager explained with a please-dont-shoot-the-messenger shrug. A diner can be excused for missing the sneaky menu punctuation in the low-lit sepia glow of the dining room at Bar Lesieur, whose kitchen is apparently so small that made-to-order souffles are technically impractical. But putting quotes around an aspiration doesnt make it real, no matter how convenient that little shortcut might seem. And based on the rest of my meals, watching a kitchen that struggled to properly cook a potato, I could just as well put winky quotes around several other dishes that lacked the discipline, depth, or finesse of genuine French cuisine. Theres a risk now that an air of concept-du-jour impermanency will hover above anything the Schulson Collective installs in the ground floor space above its massive subterranean Giuseppe & Sons on Sansom Street. The revolving-door entrance has become an apt metaphor for the parade of short-lived concepts there over the last six years, from the original Italian American luncheonette to a Neapolitan-style pizzeria, and then Samuels, the scratch pastrami deli I enjoyed but which hardly lasted a year. (Its set for a revival this summer at Ocean Casino Resort). Advertisement But constructing the lavishly outfitted Bar Lesieur, named for the late-19th-century Philadelphia bon vivant, Louis Lesieur, was no half-baked pop-up transformation. Owner Michael Schulson, an architectural engineering student turned chef, did a nice job designing the room with familiar touches of brasserie romance. Tufted leather banquettes are tucked behind bricked archways dividing the L-shaped space, with distressed mirrors, walnut wood accents and pendant lights keeping the mood clubby, and perforated tin ceiling tiles moderately buffering the noise. The sexy lounge vibe is a Schulson forte that continues here at the handsome zinc bar in front, where the post-work Market Street crowd and cashmere-clad Rittenhouse singles, or the occasional group of Freemasons in tuxedos passing through to the dining room for dinner, can be found sipping Frenchified cocktails and wine. The Parisian Breakfast (a marmalade martini with tea syrup and an egg white foam) and the French Bird (Martinique rhum with coconut-washed Campari) are popular choices. There are thoughtful zero proof cocktails, too. The drink program from corporate beverage director Michael McCauley is one of the things Bar Lesieur does best. That includes an approachable French wine list with 15 moderately priced wines by the glass (plus 80 bottles), including a cab franc from Pierre Tailleurs in Carcassone that had enough ripe fruit to pair with both the salmon and roast chicken two entrees with decidedly different results. I was skeptical of the gimmicky salmon served beneath a glass dome filled with smoke. But it was a playful contemporary twist on a potentially dull entree, the seared fillet moist from its butter bath and the smoke present but not overwhelming, allowing the horseradish gribiche and a surprising caramelized cabbage foam to keep my fork in motion. The roast chicken should have been a slam dunk, a $69 splurge for two presented whole with copper pan fanfare in the dining room before its returned to the kitchen to be carved. Our finished bird, though, was noticeably pale after just 25 minutes in Lesieurs high-tech oven, not the deep golden brown of the picture above. The chicken is brined then hung for a week to dry the skin and intensify flavor, but it was startlingly salty, its sodium glow boosted even more by the treacly contrast of a reduced chicken jus that was borderline sweet. A side of dry mashed potatoes was also oversalted, while another copper pan held boiled baby Brussels sprouts that were so bitter and mushy at the edges, they undid two decades-worth of forgetting why people hated Brussels sprouts to begin with. The same Brussels (minus the bacon) were also piled next to a beet salad for the pitiful vegetarian entree that this kitchen, flummoxed like it was 1999, cobbled together for a guest who noted zero options for vegetarians among the nine main courses. I was surprised. The Collective has a culinary ace behind the scenes: corporate chef Chris Painter, the onetime star who helped launch multiple Philly hits (Tangerine, Angelina, Il Pittore) before he left town after sexual harassment allegations at Wm. Mulherins Sons in 2018. His recent return to work with Schulson is an opportunity for a fresh start. Painter, whod been running a chicken sandwich shop in his hometown Pottsville, said hes glad to be back in a place where he could be creative. And hes always been a fine cook. But hes also responsible for overseeing food at the companys 10 active restaurants, and this kitchen has been in transition, changing chefs de cuisines between my visits. Inconsistency happens when a smart corporate game plan doesnt have the steady talent on site to execute menus with more than paint-by-numbers feeling. There were a few positives. The coquilles St. Jacques showcased sweet bay scallops in the shell broiled with Pernod-scented mousseline sauce and mushroom duxelles. A mushroom carpaccio brought shaved ribbons of snappy king oysters topped with toasted pine nuts and a Champagne-thyme vinaigrette. The sweetbreads with hazelnuts took on the added dynamic of smoked chanterelles. The poached lobster salad over gingery citrus vinaigrette was cheerful, and the tuna crudo with blood orange, pistachios, and candied kumquats was refreshing and bright. Too many dishes, though, were sabotaged by careless cooking. An intriguing tortellini stuffed with brandade was too timid with its salt cod swagger, but a bigger issue was the garnish of chorizo bits rendered to such inedibly hard nuggets, I mistook them for stones. Too much rosemary syrup turned folded crepes into mush beneath artless ice cream scoops of goat cheese. The hot mushroom appetizer, redundant among the starters beside the carpaccio, was served over a theoretically delicate pate brisee that tasted instead like a doughy biscuit. The chilled foie gras mousse was stiff and gray. The dry-aged duck, suggested to us medium-rare, came with flabby skin and breast meat that had a bulls-eye of raw flesh at the center. Quack. One cant help contrast the warm shrimp salad to the very similar hit at nearby Parc, but these crustaceans were served in an overly brothy butter that might as well have been soup. The comparisons to Parc are inevitable, given that so many Schulson team members are alums of the standby Rittenhouse brasserie. Baker Nicholas Brannons trio of crusty breads are still a welcome bite of fresh-baked hospitality to start each meal (the roasted shallot loaf is the bread equivalent of French onion soup). And Schulson Collective vice president, Kareem McCafferty, insists Bar Lesieur has enough of its own twists on the French canon that its not a Parc cut-and-paste. The steak-frites is one example because its been upsized for sharing, an 18-ounce bone-in N.Y. strip from the dry-aging room at Alpen Rose, Schulsons excellent steak boutique. This prime cut was among the most satisfying things I ate at Bar Lesieur, perfectly cooked, tender, and complex, with a minerally savor glazed in garlic-herb butter. It was worth the $63, but would have been even better if our fries hadnt been so terrible. Neither crisp nor particularly hot, these thrice-cooked frites were chewy. Potato problems persist. At least the desserts on my final visit showed improvement. The Paris-Brest, delivered from the Collectives commissary every other day, still retained a faint crunch. But the pear Bourdaloue stole the show, a lightly bruleed rosette of vanilla-poached pear atop an almond cream tarte with candied almonds and vanilla-rich ice cream. Topped with a pretty leaf-shaped tuile, it was a truly rewarding and delicious finale. No quotation marks required. Bar Lesieur 1523 Sansom St., Philadelphia; 215-330-2732; barlesieur.com Menu served Sunday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Very few gluten-free or vegetarian entree options. The new Federal Donuts location at Swanson and Wolf Streets in South Philadelphia. Read more Federal Donuts & Chickens largest location yet will open Thursday in South Philadelphias Whitman neighborhood, on the corner of Wolf and Swanson Streets near Columbus Boulevard. On paper, it replaces the original location, a mile away in Pennsport, which closed in January after a little over 12 years. This new spot has 24 seats, at tables and a counter, and will be open initially from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The new location also includes an R&D kitchen, important since FedNuts is expanding by franchising. Two years ago, the founders, including Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook of Zahav, announced that had taken on private-equity investment in a deal that could grow the brand to 150 stores nationwide. The gamble is paying off; a franchise location opened this week in Las Vegas. From the March 7 opening till March 17, the new Wolf Street location will offer $1 hot coffee with the purchase of a cinnamon brown sugar, strawberry lavender, or cookies and cream doughnut between 7 and 11 a.m. The first 50 customers on opening day will also receive an exclusive T-shirt. Through March 8 chainwide, FedNuts will offer a limited-release doughnut called Porters Peep, which puts milk chocolate glaze, marshmallow glaze ring, and blue and yellow sprinkles atop a classic spiced cake doughnut. It was designed by a 12-year-old Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia patient named Porter; $1 per doughnut will be donated to CHOPs greatest area of need. Advertisement Besides doughnuts and coffee/espresso drinks, the Wolf Street menu includes a breakfast sandwich of steamed and fried egg with Cooper Sharp cheese, bacon, cherry pepper relish and a hand-battered chicken tender on a potato roll), a fig mascarpone fancy doughnut, and the complement of chicken. The Wolf Street location, amid a longtime industrial and warehouse district near I-95 and blessed with ample on-street parking, seems poised for a food-driven metamorphosis. One local restaurant group is in talks to open a commissary nearby, a local bakery is eyeing another building for an expansion, and a developer is planning a shopping center across the street. David Fajgenbaum at Every Cure's office in Philadelphia. Fajgenbaum, a cofounder of the nonprofit, uses his windows as a white board. Read more Penn immunologist David Fajgenbaum has received $48 million from the White Houses newest health agency for his nonprofit organization to find breakthrough treatments for rare diseases without the years and expense required to develop new drugs. Hes living proof that its possible. Fajgenbaum was a third-year medical student at Penn when he began experiencing flare-ups of a rare lymph node disorder. His doctors were striking out on options to control his form of Castleman disease, a condition in which a hyperactive immune system begins attacking and shutting down organs. He was so weak during one hospitalization that he called for his last rites. Hes alive 10 years later because he decided to look for answers himself, storing vials of his blood in a campus lab fridge and testing them for abnormalities. By chance, Fajgenbaum had learned in class about a drug given to organ transplant recipients that suppresses a protein that he found was off the charts in his blood tests. Advertisement His doctors eventually agreed to try it, and Fajgenbaum recovered. Now he wants to harness emerging AI technology to help more patients with rare diseases find potential treatments through already available drugs. The nonprofit he cofounded, Every Cure, last week was named among the first recipients of federal funding through a new effort designed to elevate treatment ideas so innovative that private industry isnt taking the investment risk needed to realize their potential. Through a $48 million federal contract, the Philadelphia-based group will develop an artificial intelligence program that can systematically scan tens of thousands of diseases and already approved drugs to find potential matches. The approach would automate and expedite a process that is currently left to case-by-case serendipity, when a medical team attempts to find a new treatment for a patients rare disease. Im alive because of a drug that wasnt made for my disease, Fajgenbaum said. How many more cures are just sitting on a pharmacy shelf that we dont even know are out there? READ MORE: These 8 diseases are so rare that drug firms havent tried treating them with gene therapy. A $97 million program aims to help. AI for rare disease treatment Fajgenbaum founded Every Cure in 2022 with his former medical school roommate, Grant W. Mitchell, and research specialist Tracey Sikora. The new, three-year contract is a significant financial jolt from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), created within the National Institutes of Health in 2022 with the goal of expediting breakthrough medical treatments for cancer, Alzheimers, and other diseases. Every Cures AI program uses algorithms to scan some 70 publicly available drug and disease databases to find commonalities. The program gives any matches a predictive efficacy score a way of rating their potential to be repurposed to treat other diseases. Matches with the highest scores represent medications with the greatest potential for addressing a disease they were not originally intended to treat. Every Cure will recommend clinical trials to test new uses for the most promising matches. READ MORE: A scientists daughter was born with a rare disease, so he began to study it. An anonymous donor just chipped in $25 million. The contract will allow Every Cure to expand its capacity to search for treatments. It plans to connect to more public databases and potentially partner with private organizations that manage drug and disease databases the nonprofit has not yet been able to access. The money will help the nonprofit make its algorithms more precise and detailed, to better identify potential links between diseases and drugs. Every Cure also wants to expand support for clinical trials as part of the contract. The group wants to ensure clinical trial participants are racially and geographically diverse, Sikora said. A system of serendipity The approach is a dramatic departure from the system of serendipity patients with rare diseases currently rely on, said Mitchell, the nonprofits CEO. There isnt really any existing process, he said. Patients with rare diseases may wait months or years for doctors to find an already available drug that could help their condition if they ever do. Many rely on the chance that their doctor at some point reads a relevant study or happens to know another specialist who treated a patient with a similar condition. Fajgenbaum was lucky, he said, that the medication he needed happened to be one hed learned about in medical school. I didnt have 10 years and millions of dollars to make a new drug, he said. If I had any chance to survive, I had to find something that was already there. Fajgenbaums blood tests showed extremely high levels of mTOR, a protein that stimulates the immune system. He recalled learning about mTOR and a drug called sirolimus that suppresses it in a medical school class. Sirolimus is given to kidney transplant patients to prevent the immune system from rejecting the new organ. His doctors were hesitant because they didnt know whether the drug had ever been used to treat Castleman disease, but with no other options, ultimately agreed, Fajgenbaum said. He now works for Penn as an immunologist and associate professor. In January, he marked 10 years in remission. Brian Fiocca leaves his sentencing hearing at the federal courthouse in Reading on Monday. Read more READING Comparing the nephew of former labor leader John Dougherty to prey caught up in a spider web spun by his uncle, a federal judge opted Monday to spare the younger man from a possible prison term for his role in a $600,000 embezzlement scheme for which both men have now been convicted. Instead, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl sentenced Brian Fiocca who worked as his uncles personal assistant and driver to three years probation and ordered him to pay back the more than $10,000 he drained from the coffers of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union Dougherty led for nearly 30 years. At the time of these offenses, [Fiocca] was young and was working for his uncle, the judge said Monday in explaining his decision. The situation is more like him being caught up in a spider web spun by the spider. READ MORE: John Dougherty union embezzlement case: Day-by-day updates Advertisement For his part, Fiocca, 32, apologized to Local 98s members as he read a brief statement in court. From the time I was a child, Local 98 has meant everything to my family, he said. Realizing I let down the members the people who make it tick is devastating to me. With that sentence Monday, Fiocca became the fourth Dougherty codefendant to face punishment in a case that prompted the ex-labor leaders ouster and a complete shake-up of its leadership. Last month, Schmehl sentenced Local 98s former head of apprentice training, Michael Neill, and its onetime political director, Marita Crawford, to prison terms of 13 months and two weeks, respectively for misspending thousands of dollars in union money between 2010 and 2019. Another young Local 98 employee who worked as an assistant to Dougherty, Niko Rodriguez, was sentenced to three years probation on Feb. 22. And while Dougherty, who faces his own sentencing in May, has not attended the sentencing hearings of his former allies including his nephews on Monday his shadow has loomed large over them all. In Fioccas case, prosecutors had urged Schmehl to sentence him, like Crawford, to a short stint behind bars, saying they viewed him as more culpable than Rodriguez and deserving of a prison term. But defense lawyer Elizabeth Toplin pushed back, insisting that Fioccas familial connection to Dougherty gave him even more reason than Rodriguez to follow Doughertys lead. Fiocca, she said, viewed Dougherty as a surrogate parent after the death of his father, also a Local 98 electrician, in 2009. He grew up in a house on East Moyamensing Avenue next door to Doughertys. His older brother was also a member of the union. And it seemed inevitable, Toplin added, that Fiocca would go to work for Local 98 after his graduation from Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School. In our neighborhood, if youre not a longshoreman, youre a Local 98 member, Fioccas mother, Maureen Fiocca, told Schmehl. That is just what we grew up in and what my children grew up in. But despite earning an annual salary well north of $100,000 , Brian Fiocca spent his workdays mostly running errands for his uncle, prosecutors said. Evidence presented at Doughertys trial last year showed that the former labor leader routinely instructed Fiocca to use Local 98 credit cards to buy groceries, takeout meals, gifts, and household goods for himself and members of their family. In 2015, Fiocca bought his mother a $470 washing machine and charged it to Doughertys card. She later got a mattress out of the deal, too. When he wasnt shopping on union time, he was driving Dougherty family members including his grandfather John Sr. around or taking trips to New Jersey to check on the familys Sshore homes. And on top of the misspending personally authorized by his uncle, prosecutors said, Fiocca racked up thousands more on his own buying mundane items like breakfast cereal, mouthwash, and dog food all on the unions dime. This was not a one-time mistake, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben said Monday. He repeatedly over the course of more than a year stole from the union that employed him. She noted that shortly after Fiocca, Dougherty, and four other union officials and employees were charged in the embezzlement scheme in 2019, the union increased Fioccas salary to roughly $140,000 a year. But since Fioccas guilty plea in 2022 and resignation of his union post, his financial outlook has grown significantly dimmer, Toplin, the defense lawyer said. He hasnt held a full-time job since, instead pursuing part-time work as a roofer, and hopes to start an apprenticeship with the operating engineers union later this month. Still, Schmehl, the judge, concluded Monday that Fiocca had the ability to pay a $5,000 fine on top of the more than $10,000 in restitution he now owes Local 98. As part of his term of probation, the judge also ordered Fiocca to complete 40 hours of community service. As Fiocca departed the courtroom Monday with his wife, mother, and sister by his side, Schmehl paused to wish him luck. Mr. Fiocca, he said from the bench, I hope you never see the inside of a courtroom again. The north side of the Ben Franklin Bridge was taken from Coopers Point Park in Camden, N.J. on Sunday. Read more A half-lit Ben Franklin Bridge was one of the first views to welcome Marion Blow, 70, to her new neighborhood. Its very dark, she recalled thinking while looking out the window. It isnt strange for a bridge to lack decorative lights. What caught Blows eye, however, was that the northern lights on this particular overpass are on, while the southern lights are off. She found it so confounding that she asked a neighbor about the situation, only to learn that the 61,700-ton expanse had been like that for a while. Advertisement Longing for an answer, Blow asked Curious Philly, The Inquirers forum for questions about the city and region: When will the new lights on the south side of the Ben Franklin Bridge be lit? When will the south-side lights return? Blows theory is that, since the lights on the northern side came back on, the southern side lights will soon be lit. She is not too far off. The south side of the bridge is expected to be relit between October and December, according to John Hanson, the Delaware River Port Authoritys chief executive officer. Thats provided there are no supply chain issues or other things that may impact the schedule, Hanson said. But, there is a bit more to lighting up the bridge. Why are half of the Benjamin Franklin Bridges lights off? Originally named the Delaware River Bridge, this suspension bridge opened in 1926. Sixty-one years later, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce raised funds to install spotlights and reflectors across each of the bridges 256 vertical suspender cables. By 2000, the DRPA had to perform an upgrade. Colorful LED lights were introduced, but only on the deck. These are the lights that have adorned the bridge since, providing a chasing effect to PATCO trains and themed-light colors on special events. Twenty-three years later, maintenance, lighting upgrades, and remodeling were a must. Instead of splitting them into independent projects, the DRPA lumped everything into a $216.9 million rehabilitation project, according to Hanson. Since the south side which faces the Walt Whitman Bridge was in better condition, Hanson said, the decision was made to first focus on the north side. After seven months of electrical work, steel repairs, painting, widening work, and rail updates, the north side was energized in April 2023. The south side was immediately turned off. Why replace the bridge lights? Replacing the lights will account for about $8 million of the rehabilitation project budget, a worthwhile modernization investment, the DRPA says. Our engineers were taking lightbulbs from the north side to balance the south-side repairs because parts were no longer available [on the market], said spokesperson Mike Williams. In addition, despite having LED lights, the system installed around 2000 was not energy-efficient and could produce only primary colors, limiting what could be done. With the new system, we could make the bridge Eagles green, even kelly green, whereas now we can only do a dark green, Williams added. What to expect from the new light system According to Hanson, the system change will provide beautiful light scenarios on the bridge. From a new centralized system that is meant to facilitate both the control and maintenance of the equipment, to 84 new fixtures in two towers one on the Philadelphia side of the bridge, the other on the Camden side and new decorative lights on the PATCO tracks, Philadelphians can prepare for a more modern lighting system. However, he urges people to keep in mind that when you look at the bridge its not a screen. Its still a steel structure that is painted Ben Franklin Bridge blue. Crime scene tape on a tree along Mount Pleasant Drive near Fairmount Park's Mount Pleasant Mansion marks the spot where a man and woman were found dead last Thursday. Read more Philadelphia police said Tuesday that two suspects were in custody in connection with the execution-style fatal shootings of a man and woman in East Fairmount Park last week. Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said police had a man and woman in custody and were questioning them about the killings. He declined to identify them, as they had not yet been charged in the case. The victims have been identified as Thurston Cooper, 49, of the 1500 block of Chew Avenue, and Krystina Chambers, 38, of the 500 block of Devereaux Avenue. Shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of a body on the 3800 block of Mount Pleasant Drive, half a block from the historic Mount Pleasant Mansion, which has been closed to the public since 2023. Advertisement Police found Chambers with gunshot wounds to the head and chest lying next to Cooper, who had a gunshot wound to the head. Both were unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. Officers found three spent shell casings next to the bodies. Vanore declined to discuss details of the case and said the motive remained under investigation. A source with knowledge of the case, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said investigators believe that Cooper and Chambers had been at Tellups Tavern in Olney earlier in the night with the two suspects. Surveillance video shows Cooper and Chambers getting into the suspects car, a red KIA, to leave the bar, the source said, and video then shows that same KIA in the area of Mount Pleasant Drive around the time of the killings. The source said that it was still not clear what happened among the four, but that some sort of disturbance unfolded inside the bar. Five people were shot, one fatally, when gunfire erupted at a bus stop at Godfrey and Ogontz Avenues in Philadelphia. Two women on the bus, which eventually stopped at 16th Street and Limekiln Pike, were hit by stray bullets, police said. Read more A teenager was killed and two others were injured in a street shooting that also left two passengers on a SEPTA bus wounded by stray gunfire Monday afternoon in the citys Ogontz section, police said. The shooting occurred around 3:45 p.m. at a bus stop at the intersection of Godfrey and Ogontz Avenues, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. About 20 people were at the stop boarding a Route 6 bus when two people approached a 17-year-old, later identified as Dayemen Taylor, from behind and began shooting, Bethel said. Police took Taylor to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Two other boys identified as being 15 and 14-years-old are in stable condition at Einstein, where they are being treated for graze wounds. Advertisement As the shooting started, the bus pulled away and stopped at 16th Street and Limekiln Pike, Bethel said. A 50-year-old woman and 49-year-old woman on the bus were also struck by stray gunfire, Bethel said. Both women are in stable condition at Einstein, according to police. Police said they found around 40 spent shell casings at Godfrey and Ogontz. The two shooting suspects were still at large. City Councilmember Cindy Bass, whose district includes the shooting scene, said in a statement that she was heartbroken and outraged. Once again, we see a life senselessly lost and others injured in yet another brazen and disgraceful act of gun violence. I am constantly thinking about the incredible loss these senseless deaths leave behind, Bass said. We need to develop proactive steps to ensure these incidents no longer occur. SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said in a statement: All SEPTA customers should be able to feel safe while they are traveling. We provide 700,000 passenger trips a day, and incidents like this are extremely rare. But even one is unacceptable, and SEPTA Police will continue working closely with Philadelphia Police and other law enforcement partners on measures to enhance safety and security on our transit system. It was the second shooting in as many days involving a SEPTA bus. Late Sunday night, a 27-year-old man was shot and killed after an argument broke out on a SEPTA bus in Oxford Circle late Sunday night. The shooting happened after the victim, Sawee Kofa of Lawndale, got off the bus at Castor Avenue and Van Kirk Street. No arrests were reported in that case. A 61-year-old man was exonerated Monday for a 1990 murder when a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge vacated his conviction, which his lawyers argued was tainted because police and prosecutors withheld evidence discrediting the only two witnesses in the case. Ronald Johnson, who was behind bars for 34 years, was released from the State Correctional Institution Phoenix in Montgomery County on Monday night after Judge Scott DiClaudio issued his order earlier in the day and the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office moved to dismiss all charges, said Johnsons lawyers at the nonprofit public interest law firm Phillips Black. For over three decades, Mr. Johnson and three generations of his family have fought tirelessly to prove his innocence, the law firm posted on its website. The Conviction Integrity Unit of the District Attorneys Office said in a 29-page filing in November that the evidence in the case undermines confidence in the outcome of Johnsons trial. Johnson was convicted of the 1990 murder of Joseph Goldsby. Advertisement Johnsons lawyers said there were no fingerprints, DNA, or other forensic evidence to support his conviction. During the investigation, the witnesses told police that Mr. Johnson was not present at the crime and identified a different perpetrator, the law firm said. At trial, however, police suppressed this critical evidence, and then lied about it on the stand. Stephen Lazar, a legal apprentice on Johnsons legal team and a formerly incarcerated person who also was exonerated, said in a statement that Johnson and his family wept as the judge ordered his release. His first plan as a free man is to visit the burial site of his mother, who always believed in his innocence, Lazar said. On March 1, 1990, Goldsby was fatally shot in his car on the 2100 block of Westmoreland Street in the Tioga section of North Philadelphia. Investigators said Goldsby was dealing drugs when two men approached his car. One entered the car while the other waited on the sidewalk. During a struggle inside the vehicle, shots were fired and the car rolled into a pole. At Johnsons trial, prosecutors argued that he was standing next to the car and aimed a gun inside, but that it misfired. Prosecutors relied on the eyewitness testimony of two men, both of whom changed their stories considerably over the course of many police interviews, Johnsons lawyer argued in a filing last year. The two men at first told police that Johnson was not at the shooting. They later identified other potential suspects, then stated that Johnson could have been either the man in the car or the man on the sidewalk. Finally, the mens statements agreed on Johnsons involvement in Goldsbys slaying. The mens accounts of what happened were the entirety of the commonwealths case against Mr. Johnson, resulting in a conviction and sentence of life without the possibility of parole, Johnsons lawyers said. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. and Board of Education vice president Mallory Fix-Lopez during a 2023 discussion considering revoking the charter of Franklin Towne Charter School. Read more After 17 years of state oversight, former Mayor Jim Kenney wrested control of Philadelphias school district from Harrisburg in 2017, bringing it under the aegis of a nine-member Board of Education. As she prepares to name a new board later this year, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker must ensure that the people tasked with supervising the education of Philadelphias children along with the districts $4.5 billion budget have the students best interests at heart. As part of the effort to name a new board, Parker has appointed an Education Nominating Panel whose members will be asked to select a pool of 27 nominees. Kenney, who created the first nominating panel, picked a mix of parents, students, community, business, and labor leaders, and even a local college student. Two members of Kenneys panel Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier now serve on City Council. At first glance, Parkers panel appears to follow this rubric. Most members are respected community leaders, and all possess relevant credentials. However, two of Parkers choices are people who will have to do business with the same board they will help select. Advertisement Robin Cooper, the head of the citys union for school principals, certainly has ample qualifications when it comes to education, given her 18 years of experience and a doctorate in the subject. She also, inevitably, will need to negotiate with the Board of Education, given her position. Kenney, despite being a strong ally of organized labor, did not select any labor leaders who negotiated directly with the district in his initial nominating panel. Most concerning, however, is the inclusion of Dawn Chavous. Chavous is married to Council President Kenyatta Johnson; the couple was acquitted of federal bribery charges in which Chavous allegedly received a consulting contract meant as a bribe for her husband. Chavous frequently has business before the Board of Education. In the past, this relationship has been combative. Thats because Chavous, a former chief of staff to Harrisburgs foremost charter advocate, State Sen. Anthony Williams Jr., consults for many charter schools organizations that operate privately while relying on public dollars. Under the 17 years of the School Reform Commission, a state-dominated body created to run the citys schools, charter schools saw a massive expansion, with dozens of new schools authorized in a relatively short amount of time. While many charter school parents cherished the ability to opt out of their local public school, others saw the new schools as siphoning away desperately needed resources, especially after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett stopped reimbursing districts for their costs. Kenneys Board of Education sought to strike a balance between charter advocates and opponents, but while dozens of charter renewals have been approved, the city has not authorized any new charters since 2018. A board majority believes there is good reason for this. As board president Reginald Streater said after a recent 6-3 vote denying for the third time an application for a proposed Global Leadership Academy High School (a Chavous Consulting client), the city has seen too many of these schools collapse. Take, for example, the ongoing saga of Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School. The charters board voted to dissolve the school upon the request of its founder, Veronica Joyner. Parents and students opted for the school in hopes of receiving a stronger education. Instead, theyve received a chaotic closing, and test scores are no different than district schools. District leadership has been left with little recourse to reverse this decision. Even when charters do succeed academically, other issues may exist. Franklin Towne Charter High School is a National Blue Ribbon School. According to whistleblower complaints, it has also acted as a den of nepotism and patronage and systemically excluded children from certain zip codes in the city. Theres also the question of resources. Philadelphia schools are structurally underfunded, a fact acknowledged by a 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling. Adding charter schools soaks up resources that could be used to remediate the lead, mold, and asbestos that plague city schools, hire needed nurses, librarians, and school counselors, and ensure competitive pay that could help retain more teachers. Given the many challenges Philadelphias public schools face and the mixed record for charter schools in the district it is essential that the Education Nominating Panel give Mayor Parker a choice of potential board members who will not revert to the charter free-for-all of the past. The more you learn, the more you know, the superstar physicist Stephen Hawking once observed. The more you know, the more you forget. Ive been thinking about Hawkings remark during the run-up to President Joe Bidens State of the Union address on Thursday. A source close to Biden said the president will try to neutralize the negative aftershocks of last months report by special counsel Robert Hur, who declined to charge Biden with mishandling public documents but called him a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory. Republicans seized gleefully on Hurs report, which seemed to confirm a well-worn talking point on right-wing media: At 81, Biden is just too old and feeble for the job. Several prominent GOP leaders called for Bidens removal under the 25th Amendment, which provides a procedure for replacing presidents who become incapacitated. In reply, Democrats noted that Donald Trump the putative GOP presidential nominee has also seemed baffled and confused. And during Trumps presidency, his critics likewise demanded that he be removed under the 25th Amendment especially after he encouraged the assault on the U.S. Capitol in the waning days of his term. Advertisement But heres the big difference: Biden knows more than Trump, so he also has more to forget. And thats also why voters say hes less able, as a poll released last weekend shows. His gaffes and memory blunders suggest decline, whereas Trumps mistakes can be chalked up to his ignorance. Call it the obverse of the Hawking principle: The less you know, the less you have to forget. And that makes the public more likely to give you a free pass as you age. Just ask Ronald Reagan. At 69, Reagan was the oldest American president to enter the White House until Trump (70) and Biden (78). Reagan routinely made mental lapses (and was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease after he left office), but Americans didnt much care. They had come to expect it from a man who was fundamentally dreamy, detached, and incurious. As one of Reagans own children admitted, He makes things up and believes them; he would build these little worlds and live in them, a senior adviser confirmed. Sound like anyone you know? READ MORE: Joe Bidens age has people asking: What does it mean to be in your 80s? Let me tell you. | Opinion Reagan had a much sunnier disposition than Trump, of course, who is a tempest of rancor and resentment. But both of them have lived in fantasy worlds that make it difficult if not impossible to perceive any kind of debility. If someone is already checked out, how can you check if theyve gotten worse? Nearing the end of his first term as governor of California, Reagan was unable to tell a reporter a single legislative achievement of his administration. But the voters returned him to office anyway. He believes hes above it all, an astonished campaign aide said. Thats why they believe it. I cant believe it. But they do. In 1981, at a White House meeting with big-city mayors, Reagan greeted Samuel Pierce his secretary of housing and urban development as Mr. Mayor. It could have been an embarrassing moment, especially because Pierce was his only Black cabinet member. But not for Reagan, who made a joke out of it. And everyone in the room laughed, including Pierce. During his 1984 reelection campaign, newspapers started to suggest that Reagan was showing his age, as a Wall Street Journal headline noted. Television reports picked up on the cue, running a clip of Reagan dozing off in front of Pope John Paul II. Once again, Reagan defused the matter with a joke. I will not make age an issue in this campaign, he quipped during a debate with Democratic challenger Walter Mondale. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience. As Mondale recalled in a 1990 interview, that was the moment he knew he had lost. But he laughed anyway, along with everyone else. In his second term, Reagans lapses became even more glaring. Asked by the Icelandic prime minister what he hoped to accomplish at his now-famous 1986 summit in Reykjavik with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at a time when U.S.-Soviet relations were strained and the world was worried about nuclear war Reagan replied that Icelands airline would be granted landing rights in Boston. Later that year, at a ceremony to celebrate his tax reform bill, he signed it by writing Reagan not Ronald first. Again, no matter. As an assistant to French leader Francois Mitterrand remarked, following a meeting with Reagan, cluelessness was actually Reagans prime asset. Formidable will, based on mediocre understanding of the facts, the aide observed. As often in politics, ignorance sustains strength. As often in politics, ignorance sustains strength. Aide to French leader Francois Mitterrand Ignorance also insulates politicians from charges of decline. Borrowing from Reagan, Biden has tried to make jokes about his advanced age. But the voters arent buying it, because put simply they expect more of Biden. Unlike Reagan or Trump Biden has spent his life teaching himself about the world. It would be tragic if we punished him for forgetting what Trump never knew. Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn, with illustrations by cartoonist Signe Wilkinson. The lyrics to Kenny Rogers The Gambler are branded onto my brain. In the summer of 1979, I was a 20-year-old so eager to break into journalism that I took a job at a tiny paper in Peoria, Ill., and lived there with my grandparents. You know that ol Gambler? was probably the first thing my grandfather, A.B. Bunch, said to me in his hillbilly drawl when I walked off the plane. The 45 rpm single was maybe the first record hed bought in 20 years, and so he blared it from his large prehistoric stereo five or six times a day. You gotta know when to hold em/ Know when to fold em/ Know when to walk away/ Know when to run. You gotta hand it to Mitch McConnell, the GOPs 82-year-old Senate minority leader who arguably has done more to bend, staple, and mutilate America in the 21st century than anyone else. He did so with zero charm or charisma, in the slow, ageless, and ultimately inscrutable manner of the giant Galapagos turtle he so weirdly resembles. But last Wednesday, the ancient gambler of the Senate looked carefully at his final hand. He knew when to run. Advertisement In announcing that hell step down as the chambers Republican leader after Novembers presidential election, McConnell did his best impersonation of a statesman, proclaiming, One of lifes most underappreciated talents is to know when its time to move on to lifes next chapter. But the real McConnell burned through as he tried to have it every which way seemingly attacking todays MAGA-mesmerized GOP without saying exactly what the problem is or using his power to do anything about it while pretending he had nothing to do with it. Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time, McConnell said, in a seeming verbal subtweet of his fellow Republicans who are delighting Russian dictator Vladimir Putin with their failure to fund Ukraine aid. I have many faults. Misunderstanding politics is not one of them. Heres what McConnell understood but wouldnt say out loud: Americas political arsonist, having managed in his record-setting 17-year run as Senate GOP leader to light multiple matches under all three branches of U.S. government, could see the wildfire he started finally lapping at the U.S. Capitol. This November, he will make us all truly believe that turtles can run. The echoes from McConnells farewell had barely died in the Senate chamber when the U.S. Supreme Court the senator has shaped and molded like a lump of Kentucky clay did exactly what many of us feared and put its clumsy thumb of injustice firmly on the life-or-death scales of Novembers presidential election. The high courts handling of Donald Trumps ridiculous claims of presidential immunity from all crimes has been guided by three principles delay, delay, and delay that are pushing Trumps 2020 election interference trial past Election Day. Its a realpolitik move in the image of the courts creator, McConnell, but Mitch doesnt want to be around for the consequences. This is my first column back after a two-week staycation, and I watched with alarm from my couch as the flames of the McConnell Fire jumped from place to place, fanned by the gale-force winds of autocracy and intolerance. In almost every soul-crushing story, I could practically smell the senators presence amid the rubble and ashes. Remember that MAGA stunt a couple of years ago when gas prices were so high and they put those stickers of a laughing President Joe Biden on the pumps, saying I did that!? When they sift through the smoldering ashes of the American Experiment in a couple of decades, the I did that! stickers on the burned-out stumps will instead picture McConnell. Look at the news. Last weeks Supreme Court shocker was all but guaranteed the moment in 2016 when McConnell ended any debate over whether or not SCOTUS is a political animal smashing through the guardrails of democracy to block even a hearing for the nominee of the first Black president to hold the seat open for a Trump-flavored conservative. The courts stall tactic around Trumps federal Jan. 6 trial is an echo of McConnells stall tactics that gave it its right-wing supermajority. Mitch did that! It was also the McConnell court, of course, that by that one-vote margin he carved out finally overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and reversed nearly a half-century of womens reproductive rights in America. That Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision has sparked a red-state revival of the patriarchy that is making The Handmaids Tale seem like a documentary. That Alabama Supreme Courts God-citing decision blocking desperate would-be parents from in vitro fertilization (IVF) so extreme it even had the states right-wing Republicans backpedaling? Mitch did that! And dont forget that McConnells reshaping of the judiciary didnt begin and end with the Supreme Court. The GOP Senate leader slowed Barack Obamas nominees at the end of his presidency and then flipped the switch when Trump arrived in January 2017, ultimately pushing through 230 new federal judges, including one-third of the appellate seats. Some had minimal qualifications except for their ties to the right-wing Federalist Society. Exhibit A might be U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon of Florida, whom Trump plucked from legal obscurity in 2020 and seems hell-bent on returning the favor by slow-walking the ex-presidents classified documents trial. Mitch did that! READ MORE: Mitch McConnell gets his own chapter in the story of America's dying democracy. And it's devastating | Will Bunch Some Democrats seem willing to give McConnell a pass because they find themselves allies on the urgent issue of funding Ukraines war effort to block Putins aggression. But the reality is more complicated. It always is with Mitch. In 2016, McConnell could have worked to expose the Russian political interference that seems to have poisoned the brains of Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Instead, he refused that fall to sign a bipartisan statement that would have warned voters about Putins crusade. Stopping Russian meddling? Mitch didnt do that! Of course, its fair to ask why Putins preferred candidate the man who summoned a violent coup attempt on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021 is even allowed to run for another term. Once again, the cowardly machinations of McConnell played the decisive role. Weeks after the insurrection, Sen. Watch-What-I-Do-Not-What-I-Say issued a stinging verbal condemnation of Trumps actions, then voted to acquit his fellow Republican at his impeachment trial. Even worse, he didnt use his sizable clout as leader to convince his GOP colleagues to convict Trump, which would have barred him from running this year. Americas political arsonist seemed to really believe the blaze would burn out and die of its own accord. Instead, the wildfires are engulfing everything including McConnells legacy. Like everything with McConnell, its hard to say exactly why hes surrendering his leadership post now. His almost ghostly countenance last week clearly suggested his declining health was a factor. But he also must have taken a long look at the political cards he was holding. The Democrats could hold onto their narrow Senate majority in 2025, but I have to think McConnell realized the likelihood of returning as majority leader was even worse. A GOP leader under Trump 47 would have to actually enact the endgame for democracy that McConnell has teed up over the decades. Having to whip 51 votes for authoritarian Trumpists just imagine Homeland Security Secretary Stephen Miller or for mass detention camps along the border would expose McConnell as the firebug hes been all along. Whyd he do it? Its not even clear McConnell knew what he was doing, on a lifelong political power trip that spiraled out of control. His epitaph was written by the friend who as the New Yorkers Jane Mayer struggled to understand what made McConnell tick in writing a 2020 profile told her: Give up. You can look and look for something more in him, but it isnt there. I wish I could tell you there is some secret thing he believes in, but he doesnt. We are currently consumed, as we should be, with Trumps autocratic march on Washington. But it was McConnells rank amorality, in a wetland where everything and everybody even justices of the Supreme Court is up for sale, that caused the utter devastation that burned the pathway for a narcissistic dictator. When McConnell tells you that he doesnt misunderstand politics, he is telling you hes smart enough to know he doesnt want to be seen wandering lost among the smoldering wreckage he created. Somewhere in the darkness, this gambler did not break even. Its time to run. Eric Suter-Bull holds a Vote Uncommitted sign outside a voting location in Dearborn, Mich., for the Michigan primary election on Feb. 27. An effort to get Democrats to vote uncommitted in Michigan has inspired a larger initiative that includes Pennsylvania. Read more An effort to pull votes away from President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries through uncommitted voting is gaining national traction. Progressive activists upset at Biden over his support of Israels military operation in Gaza have been encouraging voters to vote uncommitted in the Democratic primaries in protest. Activists across the country followed the lead of a group of activists in Michigan who helped secure enough uncommitted votes to be represented at the Democratic National Convention. The movement reached the same milestone in Minnesota Tuesday. The movements strength was tested this week, with nearly half of the Super Tuesday states posing the option to declare an undesignated vote in the Democratic primaries. What does voting uncommitted mean? Some states have the option to cast a vote in the primaries without choosing a specific candidate on the ballot. Depending on the state, this option appears on the ballot as uncommitted, no preference, or noncommitted delegate. These votes represent a vote from a party member who isnt supporting a particular candidate on the ballot. Advertisement Half of the 16 states that voted on Tuesday had the option for at least one partys primary for the Super Tuesday races. Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tennessee all had the option to vote uncommitted in the Democratic primaries, while Alabama, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas had the option for the Republican primary. Washington, which holds its primary on March 12, will also have the option for the Democratic race. Meanwhile, advocates in Georgia are encouraging Democrats to submit blank ballots in protest when that state holds its primary the same day. Can you vote uncommitted in Pennsylvania? Voting uncommitted is not an option in Pennsylvania, but an initiative funded by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) called Vote Uncommitted PA is encouraging people to write in uncommitted in the April 23 Democratic primary. Since Pennsylvania has closed primaries, voters must be registered as a Democrat to participate. Some young voters in the Philly region told The Inquirer earlier this year that they were feeling conflicted over whether they want to vote for Biden because of the conflict. READ MORE: What you need to know to vote in Pennsylvanias April 2024 primary Why are activist groups encouraging uncommitted voting? On Monday, DSA endorsed voting uncommitted in the Democratic primaries on a national scale as a way to hold Biden accountable for the United States military support of Israel. More than 30,600 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military operation, following the Oct. 7 attack in which Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Until this administration ends its support for Israels genocide in Gaza and delivers a permanent, lasting ceasefire, Joe Biden will bear the responsibility for another Trump presidency, DSA posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The organization also announced initiatives in Minnesota, Colorado, and Washington. DSA isnt the only group looking to punish Biden at the ballot box for his role in the conflict. A national effort called Abandon Biden recently launched in Pennsylvania to encourage Muslim voters and their allies not to vote for Biden. Our Revolution, a progressive group founded by Bernie Sanders has also pushed for voting uncommitted, as well as The Armenian National Committee of America. Listen to Michigan, a group that encouraged voters to vote uncommitted in that states primary, said the effort isnt an endorsement of former President Donald Trump but rather an opportunity to question whether the incumbent genuinely holds the support of his own partys base. The group called it a warning sign to Biden and the Democratic Party before its too late in November. READ MORE: Some young Pa. voters cant bring themselves to vote for Biden this year over the war in Gaza What has the impact been so far in the 2024 primaries? On Tuesday, Minnesota became the second state where the uncommitted movement garnered delegates. With nearly 19% of the electorate voting uncommitted in the Democratic primary, 11 of the 75 delegates will represent them at the DNC. North Carolina also saw a notable uncommitted turnout, with almost 13% voting no preference. Listen to Michigan, the nexus of the effort, called itself a last minute, low-budget effort born out of desperation to get our voices heard by President Biden. The states uncommitted turnout garnered national attention shortly before Super Tuesday, with more primaries in the coming weeks. While the efforts launch in Michigan was successful enough in two congressional districts to garner a pair of delegates at the DNC, its unlikely to prevent Biden from winning the Democratic nomination. While the representation is a symbolic victory, they are just a small portion of the 117 delegates across the state. The impact of the effort on a national scale will depend in part on how quickly activists can grab the attention of Democratic voters who want to make a point to Biden. Across Michigan, 13.2% of voters, or more than 100,000 people, chose uncommitted in the Democratic primary. But in two congressional districts, uncommitted surpassed the required 15% threshold to send a delegate to the convention. READ MORE: These Muslim activists in Pennsylvania want to abandon Biden over Gaza Michigan has seen similar uncommitted efforts in the past that didnt reach the threshold of earning delegates. This years statewide uncommitted vote share was just a little higher than it was in 2012 during former President Barack Obamas reelection bid, however, when nearly 11% of voters in Michigan voted uncommitted in the Democratic primary. Obama still won the primary that year, and defeated Republican nominee Mitt Romney in Michigan by 9.5 percentage points in the general election. In the 2008 Democratic primaries, when Obama wasnt on the ballot in Michigan, the uncommitted vote garnered a little over 40%. But Hillary Clinton still won the state, surpassing 55%. The Associated Press contributed to this article. U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.) speaking at a news conference on Capitol Hill in July. A legal challenge to Perry's candidacy is likely moot after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump cannot be removed from the ballot in Colorado. Read more Mondays U.S. Supreme Court ruling protecting former President Donald Trump from ballot disqualification was good news for him and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry. The ruling, which overturned a Colorado court decision and found Trump cant be removed from the ballot, is likely to doom challenges to Trumps ballot eligibility in other states. It also likely signals trouble for a pending challenge to Perrys candidacy in Pennsylvania. Gene Stilp, a former Pennsylvania congressional candidate and liberal activist, filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court against Perry (R., Pa.) in January, arguing that Perrys role challenging the results of the 2020 election should make him ineligible to run for office. The suit came shortly after the Colorado courts ruling and echoed the challenge to Trumps candidacy. Advertisement Stilp argued Perrys efforts to overturn the certification of Pennsylvanias election and participation in Trumps fake elector scheme amounted to insurrection under the U.S. Constitution. Article 3 of the 14th Amendment says people who engage in insurrection are unable to hold public office. That interpretation of the Constitution is what justices struck down on Monday, writing states may disqualify candidates for state office, But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency. The court ruled that only Congress, not the states, can disqualify a presidential candidate under the Constitutions insurrection clause. It did not weigh in on whether Trumps attempts to subvert the 2020 election amounted to engaging in an insurrection. The decision was somewhat expected as the justices had signaled concern over the complications of allowing individual states to assess presidential eligibility and the possibility that it could lead to a candidate on the ballot in some states and not in others. Trump celebrated the ruling, posting on Truth Social: BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!! Perry has not been charged with a crime in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol or the efforts to overturn the election results. The Pennsylvania congressman was part of Trumps inner circle devising attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He spoke on the House floor hours after rioters ransacked the U.S. Capitol, seeking to have Pennsylvanias electoral votes thrown out. Theres been little movement on the lawsuit against Perry since it was filed. Both Perry and Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt entered objections last month. Schmidt had said he did not believe his office had the authority to remove a candidate from the ballot. Perry, whose district includes Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York Counties, is one of the only Pennsylvania Republicans in Congress facing a serious challenge in November, as several Democrats are vying to run against him. Staff writer Jeremy Roebuck contributed to this article. We are steadfast in our commitment to deliver the broadest platform of global best practices and enable outcomes that improve the long-term financial health of our Canadian clients. Sapiens is well-positioned to drive positive change and empower even more insurers across Canada to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive landscape. Thats the problem with Great Big Ideas. They may be great but theyre also BIG which means, more often than not, deep pockets are required. And Tesla having its own insurance (because the cars can drive themselves so well of course) could be deemed one of those ideas. These factors also contributed to a record profit before tax of $625.9 million, up from $275.6 million in 2022. Earnings per share likewise saw a substantial increase to 206.1 from 73.8, with an adjusted figure for Bermuda DTA at 162.7, maintaining parity with the prior years adjusted earnings. Additionally, the total dividend per share was raised to 37.5 from 36.0, and the net asset value per share jumped to 951.1 from 764.5. On Monday, former Trump Organization CFO Allen Wesselberg, 76, admitted that he had perjured himself when testifying to the New York attorney general about his knowledge of the size and value of Trumps apartment. Trump allegedly overstated the size of the apartment for years on financial statements given to banks and insurance companies in order to artificially inflate its value. As members of Congress are hearing more from constituents, they want to show theyre responsive, said Nathan Riedel (pictured immediately above), senior vice president of federal government affairs at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. Youre seeing greater interest in the factors driving the lack of insurance availability and affordability. The interest in those factors doesnt mean they want to take regulation away from the states. This is an exciting opportunity for me to be joining Dale Underwriting Partners at a significant time in the companys history. I hope to use my experience to enhance the teams offering in the global property market and to build Dales Risk excess of loss portfolio, Curran said. Brians depth of experience in cyber insurance underwriting and broking adds specialized expertise to our expanding cyber business. With Lockton Res upward trajectory, we are strategically focused on investing in the right people to support the needs of our clients and markets, and Brian is an excellent addition to the growing capabilities of our cyber team around the globe, Durant said. This survey is an important step in raising awareness and educating the public about the tactics being used and the negative impacts of legal system abuse. This is not going away anytime soon, Freiwald said. If left unchecked, it will lead to higher insurance costs, financial strain on insurers, depletion of municipal resources, and disincentives for businesses to take risks. A former New Jersey insurance agent has agreed to a deal with prosecutors under which he will testify in the federal corruption case against U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. In federal court in Manhattan last Friday, Jose Uribe pleaded guilty to seven charges including conspiracy to commit bribery and extortion, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice related to insurance fraud investigations, and tax evasion related to several businesses Uribe controlled. Uribe pleaded guilty to trying to influence Senator Menendez by paying for a Mercedes Benz convertible for the senators wife so that the senator would try to influence officials to end investigations into a business associate and an agency employee suspected of involvement in insurance fraud. Uribe, who in 2011 pleaded guilty to insurance premium fraud, is among three businessmen charged in the federal corruption case brought against Menendez and his wife last fall. In exchange for potential leniency in sentencing, Uribe agreed to testify against the other defendants, forfeit all property he gained through his crimes, and pay $246,000. Senator Menendez and his wife, Nadine, have been charged with accepting bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, furnishings and the luxury car in exchange for the senators alleged favors that included sharing sensitive information and taking other actions to benefit the government of Egypt and pressuring government officials to aid three New Jersey businessmen including Uribe. Insurance Fraud In December 2011, when he owned Inter America Insurance Agency, Uribe pleaded guilty to third-degree theft by deception and was sentenced to three years of probation by a New Jersey judge. According to the New Jersey attorney general, Uribe admitted that between May 30, 2003 and Feb. 22, 2010, he obtained $76,819 in insurance premiums from seven clients by creating the false impression that he was remitting the monies to insurance carriers to secure commercial automobile insurance. In reality, he did not remit the premium payments to the insurance carriers. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance revoked the insurance licenses of Uribe and his agency and ordered him to pay $92,500 in fines. According to the indictment, Uribe now works in the trucking industry. In the Menendez affair, Uribe was accused of providing Nadine Menendez with the Mercedes-Benz in exchange for her husband intervening with the state attorney generals office on behalf of an associate who had been charged with insurance fraud relating to a trucking company that was his insurance client and also on behalf of one of his insurance agency employees, whom Uribe referred to as a relative, who was being investigated for allegedly submitting the insurance applications at issue in the criminal case. Intervention Allegations According to prosecutors, Senator Menendez agreed to attempt to intervene in the cases in exchange for the Mercedes. Uribe provided the $15,000 down payment for the car and arranged for the monthly payments of the $60,000 balance to be paid. Prosecutors allege Menendez contacted a senior prosecutor in the New Jersey attorney generals office in an attempt, through advice and pressure, to resolve these matters favorably. According to the indictment, the official in the attorney generals office did not share with the prosecutors that Menendez had contacted him about the matter and he did not intervene in the matter. Uribes trucking company associate was eventually able to resolve his criminal prosecution with a plea agreement with no jail time, a resolution that was more favorable than the prosecutors initial plea offer earlier in the case, according to prosecutors. About six months later, prosecutors allege Senator Menendez attempted to intervene in the investigation of the agency employee who was Uribes relative. In late October, the Menendezes, Uribe and the relative met for a celebratory dinner, prosecutors claim, citing a photo they obtained apparently showing the three toasting with glasses of champagne. The Menendezes have denied wrongdoing and the senator has said he believes that when all the facts are presented, not only will he be exonerated, but also he still will be New Jerseys senior senator. Topics Agencies New Jersey A Michigan village has agreed to a $320,000 settlement with a man from Japan who was wrongly accused of drunken driving after a police officer badly misread a breath test, court records show. Ryohei Akima blew a 0.02 on the test, but it was mistakenly read by the Fowlerville officer as 0.22 nearly three times over Michigans blood-alcohol limit for driving. Caitlyn Peca, who was a rookie officer, told a colleague over the radio, I have no idea what Im doing, according to a summary of the case. Akima, a native of Yonago, Japan, was in the U.S. on a work visa in 2020. Charges of driving while intoxicated were dropped when a blood sample further showed that he wasnt drunk. Akima, 37, filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging that Pecas actions violated the U.S. Constitution. A settlement was reached in January, a few months after a federal appeals court said the case could move forward. It would be evident to a reasonable officer that (Akima) was, quite apparently, sober, Judge Jane Stranch said in a 3-0 opinion. So a reasonable jury could conclude that (the) arrest was not supported by probable cause and that Officer Peca was not entitled to qualified immunity. Fowlerville is paying the lawsuit settlement through insurance, records show. An email seeking comment from Akimas lawyer wasnt immediately answered Thursday. T. Joseph Seward, an attorney who represented Peca, claimed that performance on roadside sobriety tests was enough to make an arrest and avoid civil liability in the lawsuit. Were disappointed the courts didnt see it that way, he said. Peca is no longer an officer in Fowlerville. Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Personal Auto Michigan Japan A unit of Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway was added on Monday to a lawsuit accusing the National Association of Realtors and several brokerages of conspiring to keep real estate commissions artificially high nationwide. The complaint filed in a Kansas City, Missouri federal court adds Berkshire Hathaway Energy as a defendant, joining Compass, Douglas Elliman, eXp World Holdings, Redfin, United Real Estate and Weichert Realtors. Berkshire Hathaway Energy owns HomeServices of America, in addition to a variety of assets including utilities, pipelines and renewable energy projects. HomeServices was among the defendants ordered last October by a Kansas City jury to pay $1.78 billion, which a judge could triple, in a similar antitrust lawsuit covering Missouri agents. Mondays complaint will not affect that verdict, which HomeServices plans to appeal, but could increase Berkshires financial exposure from similar litigation. Berkshire Hathaway owns 92% of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and has the deepest pockets among the defendants, having ended 2023 with $167.6 billion of cash and equivalents. According to the complaint, Berkshire Hathaway Energy is liable for HomeServices conduct by supporting and encouraging the anticompetitive nature of its agents activities and accepting the ill-gotten gains of the conspiracy. Berkshire Hathaway Energy did not immediately respond to a request for comment after business hours. The lawsuit is among several challenging a longstanding industry practice of having home sellers pay the combined 5% to 6% commissions for their own agents and for buyers agents. Critics say commissions should be lower, and sellers should be able to list homes on various databases without paying buyers agents. Real estate generated $4.32 billion of operating revenue for Berkshire in 2023. Overall revenue for the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate totaled $364.5 billion. The case is Gibson et al v National Association of Realtors et al, U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, No. 23-00788. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Stephen Coates) Topics Lawsuits Missouri Toyota Motor said Friday it is recalling about 380,000 trucks in the United States over an axle issue that could increase the risk of a crash. The recall covers 2022 and 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles because an axle shaft separation can impact vehicle stability and brake performance due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners, according to a filing by Toyota with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly and retighten the axle retaining nuts and damaged axle components may be repaired or replaced based if needed. Toyota said it has no reports of warranty claims or field reports of incidents related to the recall. Toyota opened an investigation into the issue after in late October finding an issue involving an axle housing. Toyota said during the investigation, Toyota and its supplier found issues within the suppliers inspection process for completed axle assemblies, the company said. Toyota has issued three other recalls in the United States over last two weeks, including calling back 280,000 2022-2024 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Lexus LX600, and 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid models because vehicles may have unexpected movement when the vehicle is in neutral, and the brakes are not applied. Dealers will apply a software update to address the issue. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Shubhendu Deshmukh in Bengaluru; editing by Anil DSilva and Aurora Ellis) Related: Lockton Re Taps Lewis From Zurich to Lead Cyber Practice in North America Lockton Re, the reinsurance business of independent insurance broker Lockton, announced that Brian Lewis has joined as senior broker leading the Cyber Practice for North America and will be based in Lockton Res New York office. Specializing in Cyber, Lewis brings over 20 years of insurance broking and underwriting experience to Lockton Re and was most recently cyber product leader at Zurich North America. Before that, Lewis was a cyber broker and team leader at Willis Towers Watson. He also held roles in underwriting and claims at AIG. *** Sedgwick Names Liberty Mutuals Fink as Chief Marketing Officer Sedgwick, the Memphis, Tennessee-based provider of claims management, loss adjusting and technology-enabled business solutions, has named Emily Fink as its new chief marketing officer. As CMO, Fink will further define and implement Sedgwicks global marketing and communications vision and strategy in support of company objectives. Fink joins Sedgwick with more than 20 years of experience in marketing and brand management for leading global companies, including Liberty Mutual Insurance, Colgate Palmolive and Pfizer. She has a wealth of knowledge regarding the insurance industry and is a well-known thought leader, having spent the last 11 years at Liberty Mutual. Fink most recently held the role of president, Marketing and Distribution at Liberty Mutual, along with the roles of chief experience officer, chief digital officer and chief marketing officer. Among her accomplishments there was creating the iconic mascots, LiMu Emu and Doug, and the Liberty, Liberty, Liberty jingle used in national advertising campaigns. She earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from Yale University. Topics Cyber SpaceXs bid to keep its lawsuit against the US National Labor Relations Board in Texas was denied by a federal appeals court, a setback for Elon Musks aerospace company in its battle against the agency. The aerospace company sued the NLRB in January, seeking to have its structure declared unconstitutional. That came the day after the agency issued a complaint accusing SpaceX of illegally retaliating by firing eight employees who had circulated an open letter critical of Musk. A US district court judge last month ruled that the case should be transferred to California. Musks companies have repeatedly brought cases challenging the NLRB in the New Orleans-based 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, the court that denied its request to keep the suit in Texas. The 5th Circuit, which includes Texas, is regarded as one of the most conservative of the federal appeals courts. SpaceX headquarters and the NLRB region that brought the case against Musks company are both based in California. But SpaceX argued that Texas was an appropriate venue for its lawsuit because its facilities there were disrupted by the ex-employees letter and would be affected by the remedies the NLRB is seeking in its complaint. Photo: A SpaceX rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Copyright 2024 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Texas Aerospace ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) Moments before the deadly crash of a charter jet on a Florida highway, three warnings about oil pressure problems in its two engines sounded, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report Tuesday. The Bombardier aircraft flying from Ohio with five people aboard was cleared to land at Naples Municipal Airport at 3:08 p.m. on Feb. 9, the report says. It was about 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) north of the airport when what the NTSB called a master warning about oil pressure issues in the left engine took place. Seconds later, another oil warning sounded for the right engine, followed by a third that simply said ENGINE. These warnings include lights and a voice advisory including chimes in the cockpit, according to the report. At 3:10 p.m., the pilots announced they had lost both engines and were attempting to make an emergency landing on busy Interstate 75 in Naples, Florida. The control tower repeated the aircraft was cleared to land and one of the pilots responded, We are cleared to land but we are not going to make the runway because of the engine failures. The aircraft did manage to crash-land along the highway but slammed into a concrete sound barrier and burst into flames, killing both pilots. The flight attendant scrambled to open a rear door and led the two passengers to safety with only minor injuries, the report says. No one was seriously injured on the ground. Although there was some damage to the two engines, most of the components were recovered and no obvious problems that might have caused their failure were noted by NTSB investigators. A final report will be released in the coming months. The aircraft was built in 2004 and had its most recent airworthiness inspection on Jan. 5. It had more than 9,700 total hours of flight operation, according to the NTSB. The plane was operated by Hop-a-Jet Worldwide Charter based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It had flown from there to the Ohio State University airport in Columbus, picked up its two passengers and then headed to Naples. The dead pilots were identified as Edward Daniel Murphy, 50, and Ian Frederick Hofmann, 65, who each had thousands of hours of flight experience, including time on the Bombardier-type of airplane. The survivors were crew member Sydney Ann Bosmans, 23, and passengers Aaron Baker, 35, and Audra Green, 23, both of Columbus. Photo: An image provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, showing the scene after the plane crash. (Florida DOT/The News-Press via AP) Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Energy Oil Gas The head of two property insurance companies set to enter the Florida market this year is warning state lawmakers that bills that would limit some policy cancellations and nonrenewals after storm damage could do more harm than good. It absolutely it gives me pause to sit here and see the state revert back, said Ken Gregg, the CEO of Orion180 insurance companies. If this thing passes, it would absolutely bring up a question of concern about coming to Florida, or how much Im willing to do in Florida. Gregg was talking about Senate Bill 1104 and House Bill 1149, which were slated for floor votes this week, the final week of the Florida Legislatures regular 2024 session. Those bills have been dubbed the agents bills, and have been pushed, at least in part, by the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Both bills would retain current law provisions that restrict HO cancellations or nonrenewals until at least 90 days after storm repairs have been made, with some exceptions, including fraud, misrepresentation or nonpayment of premiums. The House bill would allow the state insurance commissioner to ban cancellations and nonrenewals for up to 270 days in ZIP codes most affected by a storm, even for homes with flood damage that was not covered by a wind or multi-peril policy. The Senate bill, as passed by the chamber on Monday, would ban cancellations and nonrenewals until repairs are completed or until the expiration of one policy renewal when flood damage was not covered by a wind or multi-peril policy. The bills arose out of concerns that some policyholders have been waiting months for repairs to be made after Hurricane Ian. Some with flood damage have faced nonrenewals while repairs are unfinished, causing agents to scramble to find new coverage. This was really done to help policyholders, said Laura Pearce, general counsel with the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Pearce said Tuesday that concerns about the bills are misplaced and overblown. The most significant change proposed by the Senate bill is to extend the current nonrenewal restrictions to include flood damage. But the 270-day moratorium clock begins when a hurricane hits, and could end up being a shorter time period than the 90 days after repairs are made provision already in existing law. Other Florida agents, including the head of the Professional Insurance Agents of Florida, and Gregg have said theres no need for the new provisions. Most insurance companies I dont want to say everyone but most will work with customers if theyre getting their homes repaired, Gregg said Monday in an interview with Insurance Journal. But if the homes just sit there and dont have any progress whatsoever, you cant stay on the risk because it creates a lot of uncertainty. There could be another loss come in, and where do they apply the loss? Gregg is in a rather unique position to evaluate the ups and downs of the Florida insurance market and recent legislative changes. He previously was with CNA Insurance and Allianz, and launched Orion180 as a tech-heavy company in 2018. It is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. But the company has waited to enter the Florida property market until this year, after 2022 and 2023 litigation reforms were enacted and after extensive market analysis. Meanwhile, Orion has rapidly expanded into other Southern states, as well as Indiana, and plans to add another half-dozen jurisdictions later this year, Gregg said. The firms first quarter of 2024 is shaping up nicely and reinsurance placements have been secured at better-than-expected prices, Gregg said. Orion180 will operate as two insurers in Florida: Orion180 Insurance Co. and Orion180 Select Insurance Co. Both are domiciled in Indiana and were approved in August 2023 to operate in Florida under an expansion application. The companies had plans to launch in Florida in the next few months, but now Gregg is having some thoughts about how many policies the firms may go after in the Sunshine State, due to SB 1104 and HB 1149. If youre trying to attract people to the market, putting more controls in place is not going to be very attractive, in my opinion, he noted. I dont understand quite what the politicians are thinking when they have an environment where theyre trying to attract companies. While he has credited lawmakers with passing major reform bills in the last two years, reining in excessive litigation and roof claims, he noted that those laws have yet to make a big difference for insurers. He pointed out that notices of intent to litigate against insurers, filed with the Florida Department of Financial Services, increased sharply in the wake of the reform legislation, from 2022 to 2023. DFS data show that 54,226 notices were filed in 2022, compared to 86,338 in 2023. Many of those came after plaintiffs law firms rushed to file claims lawsuits before the historic 2023 tort reform package took effect last summer. So far in 2024, the trend has continued. About 11,500 notices of intent were filed in the first two months this year. If that pace continues for the rest of the year, it would reflect a 28% increase in notices over 2022s level. Gregg said the numbers show that litigation threats continue and insurers dont need to be hit with new risks from unrepaired properties that must remain on the books. The bills limiting nonrenewals incentive the insured not to get (the property) fixed. Or it could just be a bad risk and the insurer is stuck on a risk that could increase losses, he said. He noted that while the legislation may be well-intended as a nod to consumers and agents after the pro-insurer litigation reforms, the bills raises questions about how well lawmakers understand the risk-transfer fundamentals of the insurance business. Update: This article has been updated to include current and correct information about the House and Senate bills. Topics Florida Carriers Floridas so-called stop woke act, championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, violates businesses and employees First Amendment free speech rights, a federal appeals court ruled Monday in striking down the 2022 law. This law, as Florida concedes, draws its distinctions based on viewpointthe most pernicious of dividing lines under the First Amendment, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Britt Grant wrote in the three-judge panels opinion. The appeals court upheld a lower courts preliminary injunction that found the law put unconstitutional restrictions on workplace training. The act had barred employers from holding mandatory meetings for employees if those meetings endorse racial-awareness viewpoints the state finds offensive, the 11th Circuit explained. Florida Republican lawmakers approved the law as DeSantis and others argued that diversity training and systemic racism discussions were part of woke discrimination awareness and were inappropriate. The act dictated that employers cannot subject any individual, as a condition of employment, to training, instruction, or any other required activity that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels a certain set of beliefs, the court wrote. All of those rejected ideas related to race, color, sex or national origin. The law was challenged by a number of Florida firms, including a Ben & Jerrys ice cream franchisee, a wedding registry company, and a workplace inclusion firm in Miami. Attorneys for the state of Florida argued that the law restricts conduct, not speech. But the courts did not buy that argument. We reject this latest attempt to control speech by recharacterizing it as conduct, the appeals court said. Florida may be exactly right about the nature of the ideas it targets. Or it may not. Either way, the merits of these views will be decided in the clanging marketplace of ideas rather than a codebook or a courtroom. The judges noted that under the act, the only way to discern which workplace training was prohibited was to find out if the speaker disagrees with Florida officials. That is a classic and disallowed regulation of speech, the court wrote. Some categories of speech historically have been unprotected through the decades, including obscenity, incitement and such. But outside of those narrow categories, content-based restrictions of speech are presumptively invalid, the court said. Intellectual and cultural tumult do not last forever, and our Constitution is unique in its commitment to letting the people, rather than the government, find the right equilibrium, the 11th Circuit opinion concludes. Because the anti-woke acts mandatory-meeting provision, Fla. Stat. 760.10(8), undermines that basic principle, it must be enjoined. We therefore AFFIRM the district courts order preliminarily enjoining the operation of that provision. The anti-woke claims have been an issue in business and insurance arenas since the law was passed two years ago. Floridas chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, accused Farmers Insurance of stopping new business in Florida last year due to its wokeness, according to news reports and press releases. Farmers said the move was financial-based, necessary to limit its exposure in the distressed and storm-battered Florida market. The full opinion can be read here. Topics Florida Killarney Chamber of Commerce has assured businesses that it is optimistic 2024 will be a bumper year, despite cost pressures that have contributed to a wave of closures in recent weeks. The business representative groups upbeat outlook comes as the key tourist town is expected to attract 3,500 visitors to the Wander Wild Festival this month, an event forecast to be worth around 500,000 to the local economy. Chamber joint presidents Padraig Treacy and Johnny McGuire told 70 members at a lunch gathering in the Great Southern Hotel that it is important not to pay heed to constant negative sentiment as all indications are that Killarney has much to enthuse about as it prepares for the season ahead. Closures in the town, including Celtic Donuts, Garrets restaurant, and Revive cafe, have become a bad omen for other towns across Ireland, while many other businesses cite the 13.5% Vat rate and high costs such as rents and wages as immediate challenges. However, demand among retail and hospitality operators remains strong despite the volatile economic environment. The Chamber joint presidents said local auctioneers will confirm that of the six empty business properties in the town centre, three new leases have been signed and the other three are at an advanced stage of negotiations. Derelict shops really bring down a whole place but we are fortunate in Killarney, Mr McGuire told the Irish Examiner last month, adding that he is aware of vacant premises that have been snapped up by new independent business owners. However, nobodys going to be opening a place now while theres not a lot of business in the town, he said. 'Major economic boost' The Chamber also said the town is set to benefit from another major economic boost as Hotel Killarney will return to the tourism sector. It was recently in use as an accommodation base for asylum seekers and refugees through a lucrative State contract. The property, upgraded to four star, has undergone a 9m redevelopment and refurbishment and 190 bedrooms will be open for tourism business this year. Some lobby groups expressed concern that the use of hotels to house asylum seekers will have a detrimental impact on local economies; however, many hospitality operators have said the high cost of doing business remains the most pressing challenge. Attendees at the event in the Great Southern Hotel were reminded that the building in which they were gathered was a shining example of how a hospitality enterprise can adapt and thrive as it was celebrating 170 years in business and has traded through two world wars, a civil war, and recessions. The Irish Farmers' Association will hold a national meeting for potato growers next week. The meeting on Wednesday, March 13, at 8pm in the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston, Co Meath, will address the major challenges in the sector with guest speakers from Teagasc, Bord Bia, and the Department of Agriculture on the night. IFA national potato chairman Sean Ryan said that the past number of years have been difficult for growers. The past harvest season was "one of the most difficult in recent memory and some growers have significant acreage of potatoes unharvested". "Growers are constantly battling market challenges, seed availability, input costs and longstanding issues such as land availability," he said. "These issues must be addressed, or the reduction in the number of growers will inevitably continue." Crossroads The latest report from Teagasc outlines how input costs have not abated for the sector, the IFA said. These costs do not include land rental which has soared due to competition with the dairy sector. Growers are now at a crossroads on making decisions to continue growing," Mr Ryan said. "The sector requires joined-up thinking from all Government departments to address these issues, or this downward trend will continue." Horticulture meeting The IFA is this week holding a national meeting for horticultural growers. IFA horticulture chairman Mark Walsh said the sector is "under severe pressure due to market challenges, input costs and longstanding issues such as staff and land availability". The meeting will be held this Wednesday, March 6, at 8pm in the CityNorth Hotel, Gormanston, Co Meath. IN this Fridays referendum, we will vote on whether we want to replace the role of women in the home in the Constitution with new wording that recognises care provided by family members to each other. Ahead of the vote, we ask two stay-at-home parents one a mum, the other a dad what brought them to the role, what they enjoy about it and what they find challenging. Pregnant with her first child, Andrea Austin knew she wanted to spend the early childhood years full-time at home with her baby. Back then the County Meath-based mum wasnt thinking Im never going to work again. It was more Id stay home at least until she was in junior infants, says the mum-of-two who worked in banking before Avas birth. Ava is now 12, while her brother, Cian, is nine, and Andrea bar one year when she returned to work has been a stay-at-home mum since her daughter was a baby. Andrea has fond memories of her own childhood with a stay-at-home mother. My mothers face was the first I saw when I came out of school. Whether Id had a good or a bad day, I could decompress [with her]. I wanted that for my children. I felt I could help them become their best selves. It wasnt at all a hard decision to make, that my career would take a break and my priority would become the family. Her husband, Ruairi then an electrician, he now works in data centres all over Europe was on the same page about it and very supportive. By the time Cian arrived, Andrea had no wish to return to work. I knew other mums who were dying to get back. Their career was important to them. I never felt I was missing out. When Ava was seven and Cian in Montessori, children they knew were attending after-school club. They said theyd love to do it and I thought maybe they need a bit of a break from me, maybe they dont need me in quite the same way anymore, so I started applying for banking jobs and I got one pretty quickly. Soon enough, her children realised that after-school club wasnt as glamorous as theyd expected, and Andrea was also struggling to be everything to everyone. Wanting to ensure her children had everything they were getting before I went back to work, she felt under pressure to be the mother she wanted to be. Andrea Austin, with children Ava, 12, and Cian, 9 at home in north County Dublin. Picture: Moya Nolan I didnt have time. I was stretched in every direction. I felt I couldnt be the employee I should be or the mum I should be. I felt I was half-assing everything. Andrea quit her job after a year. I went to my manager and said I cant do this anymore. I hadnt even discussed it with Ruairi. Thankfully hes 100% supportive, whichever decision Id want to make. If she missed anything about work, it was the adult interaction. That general chit-chat, having the tea break, What are you up to at the weekend kind of thing but it certainly didnt impact my mental health, and I didnt miss the career or financial aspects. For me, the pros of being at home far outweigh anything I could be missing out on. I feel I get to be my best self because Im doing what means most to me. I think a lot of people feel society expects women to be out [in the workplace], fighting to be equal, yet theyre still expected to do most things in the house, be everything to everyone. Andrea acknowledges that stay-at-home parenting has its challenges. What I struggle with most is the responsibility overload, being the default parent. I know Im at home [full-time], so 99% of things will fall in my lap, but always being the one getting the phone calls when theyre sick, always doing most things thats what challenges me most. Reactions vary when others hear shes a stay-at-home mum. Some ask Oh, dont you miss your career, or they say Thats the hardest job in the world. But most, especially those I surround myself with, are very positive. Even the jet-setting career mums. With most of them, its You do you. Her solid group of friends are a vital support. People who are really dependable they save my sanity. Were each others cheerleaders. Stay-at-home dad skills Jamie Kinsella with his children Ruben, 8, and Faye, 6. Picture: Moya Nolan From Mondays through Thursdays, and on occasional weekends, Dubliner Jamie Kinsella is a fulltime stay-at-home dad to Ruben, eight, and Faye, six. Weekends he works as a chef, while his wife, Niamh, works for a technology company. Her job brings her away from home for a week at a time every few months. When Niamh is away I take the weekends off work, says Jamie, adding that he has a very supportive boss. Jamie did his apprenticeship as a stay-at-home dad during covid. I was home fulltime with the kids for two years so I got used to it. Pre-covid, Niamh and I both worked mad hours my mother minded the children. I enjoy getting stuck into the stuff that needs doing at home, the upkeep of the house shopping, cleaning, cooking. I cook the dinner when the children are at school. It eases the pressure I can just heat it up later when theyre doing homework. I like to have the house as good as I can get it for the weekend, so as to take the pressure off Niamh when shed be bringing the kids to their various activities. Jamie feels the arrangement has 100% benefitted his relationship with his children. When I was doing shift work, theyd go to my wife more. Now it has balanced out they ask for both of us, not just Niamh. I think being present is the hardest thing about being a parent. Time is the best investment you can make in children. He says it could be as simple, and as profound, as ways to help your child get to sleep or just how to communicate better with your children. Both parents need to be happy with big decisions Majella Kennedy, counsellor and member of Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy For anyone considering being a stay-at-home parent, theres a lot to think about. Majella Kennedy, counsellor and member of Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, says the first step is to know why you are making the decision. You need to reflect a lot on what is your purpose, your goal and reason for doing this. What do you hope to achieve? Both parents need to be happy with the decision, she says, and the person undertaking the stay-at-home role needs to know it is right for them. Kennedy cautions about unhelpful perspectives on the stay-at-home parent role. Sometimes a partner might think well youre at home all day you should have everything done when I get home or they might perceive the stay-at-home role as not really work. She recommends stay-at-home parents put boundaries around self-care. When were at work we get a morning break and a lunch-break. Put these structures in place for yourself at home too so youre not running yourself ragged. And if youve been very career-focused and used to working in a stimulating environment, how will you adjust to having little adult interaction? Maybe by arranging a Zoom call, a walk with a friend, or a meet-up with another stay-at-home parent where you both bring your children to the swimming pool. Regarding finances, Kennedy recommends prospective stay-at-home parents ask if they can see themselves becoming dependent on their partner. Will it be like a child going to the parent for money? She suggests both partners agree to a disposable amount of money for each to do with as they wish. At the end of the day, Kennedy says balance is important in stay-at-home parenting around finances, chores and the time out we give ourselves. Andrea Austin says when she was working, the family didnt have more money. We just did more things that cost money. Her advice to prospective stay-at-home parents? Try it. You can always go back to work or get a new job. Irelands homeless situation for older people is set to deteriorate in the coming years unless we can decide who will pay the rent when they retire, according to a leading advocacy group for the elderly. Representatives from Alone will tell the Oireachtas housing committee that Irelands population figures suggest that in the next 20 years, the country will need at least double the current levels of social housing suitable for older people. They will state that in addition to the rising numbers of homeless older people, the number of elderly men and women privately renting has increased, as has the number of such people requiring local authority housing, and the rate of older people living alone in mortgage arrears is also increasing. This is against the backdrop of Ireland as one of the most rapidly ageing EU member states, with a pension system based around home ownership, and without the culture of provision of sheltered housing for older people that we see in other jurisdictions. This all means we will see more homelessness in older people unless we can decide who will pay the rent when they retire, they will state. The committee will hear this afternoon that the family homeless situation in Ireland has deteriorated, having increased by 110% since 2021. Louise Bayliss from homeless group Focus Ireland will represent the National One Parent Family Alliance and will state that there are now 1,940 families homeless in Ireland, up from a figure of 925 in less than three years. All homelessness is fundamentally wrong, but homelessness is particularly devastating for families and children it causes trauma, contributes to malnutrition, and carries lifelong adverse outcomes for children. "Under international law, the State has obligations to protect the rights of the child, which should be reflected in the urgency to end child homelessness, she will say. The Cork Simon Community will separately tell the committee that it is currently busier than ever. The increased service pressures have been accompanied by increased financial pressures and a recruitment and retention crisis, the grouping will state, while calling for an increased allocation of social housing to those experiencing homelessness with a particular focus on people who are long term homeless. Dublin city centre traders association Dublin Town will meanwhile tell the committee that the single greatest barrier to people enjoying Dublin city centre are poor perceptions of personal safety, adding that they have come to the conclusion that there are shortcomings in how we, as a society, are providing necessary supports to those in need. The organisation will note the heavy concentration of social services provided within the city centre itself. There are districts of 250m radius where up to 1,000 highly vulnerable people are being accommodated. There are locations where we understand over 300 people, who have been asked to leave other accommodation, are now being housed, they will state, adding that the proliferation of such services in a small geographical area is inconsistent with best practice and is facilitating drug markets with the core city centre. The Department of Agriculture said it will investigate alleged breaches of pig welfare following an undercover investigation by two animal welfare groups. Animal Rebellion Ireland and the National Animal Rights Association secretly filmed two pig farms over several days in Leinster and Ulster in January which showed distressed and dying animals in filthy conditions. The groups said they forwarded 200 files of images to the Department of Agriculture using the anonymous animal cruelty portal. In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Department said it "takes any allegations of breaches of animal welfare regulations extremely seriously". The spokesperson said: In relation to the alleged breaches of the pig welfare requirements raised by Animal Rebellion Ireland and the National Animal Rights Association, we will investigate these following receipt of any evidence, and take appropriate action where non-compliance or poor welfare is identified." The department said pig farms were subject to regular inspections. The footage of the undercover investigation was shown at a press conference in Dublin on Tuesday. It showed pregnant and breastfeeding pigs confined in tiny spaces, while open wounds could be seen on a number of animals. One pig could not stand, while dozens of dead animals lay in piles outside the sheds. Becky Jenkins with Animal Rebellion Ireland said the footage had left viewers distressed. The big one that struck a lot of people is the extreme confinement of these mother pigs," she said. They are kept in coffin-like conditions for up to half of their lives, not able to turn around or move from side to side, just very confined for a long period. This is quite tortuous, they dont get to socialise at all. "Another disturbing point is the piglets tails are generally speaking docked or cut off, often done without anesthesia, often not by a vet but by a lay person. This can cause infection. The level of filth and contamination and faeces if we are consuming these pigs, what kind of pathogens are we consuming?" she said. Ms Jenkins said they were concerned about the number of dead pigs that had been left lying outside the farms for days. There are around 300 pig farms in Ireland and up 3.4m pigs are slaughtered in Ireland every year. 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 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. Even more concerning are the incidents of mis- and disinformation that have directly caused safety concerns for local people 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. A financial advisor sent a group of backers a fraudulent fax "covering up" the theft of about 130,000 from an investment fund, a court heard. Donal Quinn, 50, of Newtown Glen, Tramore, Co. Waterford, pleaded guilty to using a fraudulent copy of a Bank of Ireland fax on February 14, 2012, to induce investors to think "the money was safe" after it was stolen. The father-of-two remains on bail and will be sentenced in July. Judge Treasa Kelly accepted jurisdiction for the case to be dealt with in Dublin District Court instead of transferring it to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers. She said he "paid a heavy price" after his actions ruined his financial services career. The prosecution follows a Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) investigation. The court heard the background to the case was the setting up of a private placement programme, a PPP investment. GNECB Detective Laura Barton told the court it was done through two companies where the defendant was a director. Eleven complainants put funds into the PPP investment, but their money, which should have been locked in a Bank of Ireland account in Arklow, was removed. They had a contract that "through the scheme, the money was supposed to be locked in that account and used as an investment fund". However, the court heard investors pooled the fund, and it would be used to trade within the PPP scheme, and the balance would be held in the account. However, Judge Kelly was told that the balance was removed when it should not have been. Quinn was not accused of the theft, and the specific allegation against him centred on a fax sent to six investors about the scheme "reassuring them that their money was secured and in this account and that they would be able to get it back with no risk". The court heard he told them "the money was safe", but the funds were lost. Detective Barton agreed with prosecution counsel Simon Donagh that another unnamed individual has been charged with the theft and is before the courts. Asked by the judge if Quinn had sent the fax, knowing the money was no longer there, the GNECB detective replied: "I believe so, judge". Together, they had invested 130,500 in the scheme, but the six investors declined to make victim impact statements. Quinn had no prior criminal convictions, and he has not come to further Garda's attention. The offence is contrary to section 28 of the Theft and Fraud Act, and he would have faced trial at a higher level if he had contested the case. Case background Defence solicitor Tony Collier said Quinn was a financial advisor at the time, and his role was to find certain investment products and sell them to clients. However, the court heard he did not create the PPP investment, which he had sold to investors in good faith at the start of the process. However, he could not satisfy the clients' questions and was getting numerous phone calls, text messages and emails over a long period looking for the return of money. The solicitor said Quinn sent them the fraudulent fax "to create some space for himself" but never financially benefited from this situation, which cost him his career. The court heard he suffered psychologically and financially but now works in the public sector. Pleading for leniency, Mr Collier said the money was stolen by someone else. Instead of telling the truth, which would have allowed investors to contact gardai early, Quinn was "basically covering up for someone else to no end for himself, other than to alleviate stress knowing it would ruin him and his business." The solicitor asked the judge to note that his client was not the cause of their loss and now lives like a recluse. The court heard it destroyed his reputation and affected his family greatly. Given the passage of time and previous good character, Mr Collier asked the court to leave Quinn without a conviction. Judge Kelly said he paid a very high price for his actions but adjourned the case for a pre-sentence probation report to be furnished to the court. A Cork man who attacked a teenager with two hurling sticks and also swung them at gardai while highly intoxicated was released from Cork Prison after he pleaded guilty to three offences on Tuesday. Neil ORahilly struck at the 17-year-old with a hurling stick on September 29, 2023, at OBrien St, Mallow. The youth, who was working at the time, was carrying a mattress which he used to protect himself. Inspector Tony OSullivan said that the youth had been moving furniture that morning when he heard shouting on the street outside at 9.35am. He went outside and when ORahilly saw the teenager, he allegedly started roaring at me and swinging the hurling. Although the teenager said that he was hit on the chin, he was holding a mattress at the time with which he was able to defend himself, Insp OSullivan said. The defendant was shouting gibberish during the attack, according to the teenagers testimony shared by Insp OSullivan. When gardai arrived, Mr ORahilly was holding two hurling sticks. The defendant was highly intoxicated. Swung hurleys at gardai He swung two hurling sticks at Garda David Lynch, Insp OSullivan said. The young boy does not want to make a victim impact statement, he wants to move on with his life, Insp OSullivan said. Mallow District Court heard ORahilly had five previous convictions. It was noted, however, that the defendant had health issues. Insp OSullivan said the accused was in custody since the offences occurred last September. ORahilly, aged 37, of Flat 2, Bank Place, Mallow, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to an assault charge contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. A more serious assault causing harm charge contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, was withdrawn as the victim did not sustain injuries. He also pleaded guilty to two public order offences on Davis St, Mallow, on that date. One offence was contrary to section four of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to be intoxicated in a public place to such an extent that he might endanger himself or another person. He was also charged with an offence contrary to Section Six of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 to engage in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in a public place. Solicitor David OMeara said his client had pleaded guilty to the two public order offences one week after the incident. But he had pleaded not guilty to the Section 3 assault causing harm charge which was later withdrawn. Health problems ORahilly had suffered ill health with a mental health diagnosis and a brush with leukaemia, Mr OMeara said. There is no excuse for his behaviour, Mr OMeara said. But unfortunately if his medication is taken on time, correctly in the right amounts, and that is mixed with a small amount of alcohol bang! When he is calm, he is the nicest person you will meet but this unfortunately was a non-calm moment. Mr OMeara said his client had been in prison for five months and five days and he appealed to Judge John King to take this into account. Judge King said that the Section 2 assault was a serious enough event and he would convict. Insp OSullivan agreed that while it was serious, the injured party did not visit a doctor afterwards and there were no photos of injuries. I will convict and sentence him to four months on the basis of his plea, Judge King said. That sentence would commence from September 30, when ORahilly went into custody. The Section 4 and Section 6 Public Order offences were taken into consideration. So, youre free to leave here today, Judge King said. ORahilly said: Ill go on my merry way again, so, as he left the courtroom. A Native American student who worked with an autism charity and Irish Travellers during a special Government scholarship at University College Cork (UCC) said she found her tribe and friends for life here. Choctaw-Ireland scholar Skylee Glass, 24, from Verden in Southwest Oklahoma, was speaking as she brought her father, Dion, to visit the Choctaw-inspired Kindred Spirits sculpture in East Cork, ahead of her graduation on Wednesday with a masters in applied psychology from UCC. It makes me feel seen here," she said. Skylee Glass, her father Dion Glass and Dr Sharon Lambert, centre, senior lecturer at the school of Applied Psychology. "Where I come from, Im the minority so coming here and seeing how minority groups come together was very interesting to see. We in the Choctaw Nation have our own government but we are still treated poorly by the federal government. And when I met women from the Traveller Visibility Group and heard about their stories, their history, I felt that was like our story, our history. I have also made great friends during my time here, I have met friends for life, like a new family. "One of my great friends, Aoife Temple, and I reckon my ancestors may have helped her ancestors in Cork during the Famine, and that's just incredible to think about. We are like kindred spirits. Scholarship programme The Choctaw-Ireland scholarship programme, which includes tuition and expenses for a full year of study for two Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma students each year, was launched by the Irish government in 2017 to recognise the act of generosity and humanitarianism shown by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma towards the people of Ireland during the Great Famine of the mid 19th-century. The Choctaw were barely a decade off the Trail of Tears the forced relocation of about 100,000 native Americans in five tribes from their indigenous lands to territory west of the Mississippi River, during which an estimated 15,000 people died when they heard news of the suffering in Ireland. They collected the equivalent to $5,000 today, and sent it through churches to the Irish people. Skylee with her father Dion Glass. Skylee, who graduated a state academic champion from Anadarko High School in 2018, and from the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology in 2022, applied for the scholarship and was selected. Her masters thesis explored education, intercultural and community work but she also completed a six-month placement outside of academic time with the autism charity, the Rainbow Club, and she engaged with the Traveller Visibility Groups Traveller Pride event. She said the scholarship had expanded her worldview, and challenged, encouraged, and empowered her. Once home, she hopes to continue her studies and open her own mental healthcare organisation for underprivileged individuals. Dr Sharon Lambert, a senior lecturer in applied psychology at UCC, said Skylee had made outstanding contributions to UCC and Ireland during her time here. Skylee will graduate alongside fellow Choctaw scholar Aurianna Jewell Joines, who will be conferred with a masters in digital arts and humanities. Her thesis explored the importance of storytelling within tribal culture through digital multimedia environments. I was challenged but encouraged through my work at UCC and my time there was a gift that I will reflect on throughout my life," she said. I have since started my brand design studio, Foundwell Design, where I create brands and websites for heart-led businesses rooted in storytelling. I am deeply thankful to be working with small businesses, many of which are a part of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. A new taskforce is to be established to examine measures to strengthen Irelands laws on dog control. Heather Humphreys will today inform Cabinet that former Garda Assistant Commissioner John Twomey will chair the new stakeholder group on dog control. The group will be tasked with recommending changes to strengthen Irelands laws on dog control and will be made up of several government departments, as well as representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, Dogs Trust and the ISPCA. It is understood that Ms Humphreys is very open to taking actions similar to that taken by the British Government, where the XL bully breed was banned unless an owner had an exemption certificate. Earlier this year, Ms Humphreys announced that spot fines for serious dog control offences would be tripled from 100 to 300, while increasing funding to dog warden services. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is due to update Government on a project to archive between 8m-11m records from the former Irish Land Commission. The documents, which are historically significant and held by the Department of Agriculture, are due to be catalogued and provided to the National Archives as is required under Irish law. A pilot phase is set to be established first, which will examine the time frame and a roadmap to catalogue all these records. After this is carried out, a final cost expected to be significant will be provided to Cabinet. The Land Commission itself, first established by the British Government in 1843, was used in the re-distribution of land to Irish farmers following the Land War in the late 1870s. It was formally dissolved in 1999. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris will update Cabinet on a series of measures to bring more people into careers in both construction and offshore wind. Mr Harris will outline further actions as part of a campaign to bring people who are working on construction sites across the world back to Ireland. It is understood that as part of his visit to Britain next week, Mr Harris will meet with construction workers who left during the economic crash and examine the existing barriers to returning to Ireland. Mr Harris will also update Cabinet on a report which shows the economic benefits of offshore wind could be worth up to 38bn to Ireland. He is set to allocate 500,000 to help develop skills related to offshore wind, including targeting mid-career professionals. Minister for Education Norma Foley will update Cabinet ministers about the rollout of her free schoolbooks scheme. Elsewhere, Education Minister Norma Foley is set to update her Cabinet colleagues on the rollout of the free schoolbooks scheme for secondary school students up to third year. A total of 50m has been provided to allow schools buy schoolbooks and other classroom materials, including e-books, workbooks, and copybooks. The memo itself will be around ensuring that secondary schools are provided with the resources to buy materials in the run up to the next school year, beginning in August and September. The scheme itself is designed to help ease financial pressures on parents, due to the significant costs ahead of a new school year. Currently, senior cycle students are not covered by the free book scheme. Terence ORourke has been confirmed as the new chairman of the RTE board. Media Minister Catherine Martin announced on Tuesday that Mr O'Rourke would replace Siun Ni Raghallaigh, who resigned last month. Ms Ni Raghallaigh resigned from her role on the board hours after Ms Martin expressed disappointment in her during a live television interview. On Monday, Ms Ni Raghallaigh hit out at Media Minister Catherine Martin, stating she had no option but to resign last week after an enforced dismissal. She also criticised the minister for actively taking a hands-off approach to the widening scandal at RTE and accused her of not assisting with falling TV licence revenues. Ms Martin also confirmed the appointment of human resources professional Terri Moloney and executive producer Dr Neasa Hardiman as members of the board. Mr O'Rourke, a former managing partner with consultants KPMG, said he was "honoured" to be appointed to the new role. "RTEs public service role across news, current affairs and beyond is arguably more important today than ever," he said. I look forward to working with the board and director-general in charting the future for RTE, and to working with the minister and Government to establish a stable footing for the organisation. Ms Martin said she will meet Mr ORourke this week, adding: Terence ORourke has gained vast experience at executive level having served as managing partner with KPMG Ireland as well as serving on the firms global management team. He also brings a wealth of non-executive board experience, including chairing both Enterprise Ireland and the ESB. Ms Martin said that the three new board members "bring with them a range of experiences and attributes which will enable the board to continue its important work of delivering further reform at RTE, whilst also driving new strategies to bring the organisation forward and continue to deliver high-quality public service content for Irish audiences. You become immune, dont you? I cant remember when I last saw anything as awful, as cruel and terrible, as the Israeli assault on the women and children of Gaza. Its inexcusable, indefensible at any level, and cannot possibly achieve anything worthwhile. But Ive found myself watching the news coverage less and less lately. More and more pictures of more broken buildings and weeping people who can handle it, day after day? Yet every now and again something about this awful tragedy catches me by the throat, and forces me to stop what Im doing. I only heard it on the radio. Two babies being buried in southern Gaza after an Israeli bomb blew their house to bits while they slept. Twin babies. Naeim and Wissam. Their mothers name is Rania, and the news report described her weeping in agony as her babies were buried. For the first time since this terrible slaughter began, I found myself close to tears. Twin babies. Blown to bits. Some general somewhere shrugging his shoulders, muttering about the unfortunate casualties of war. A Palestinian man holds a child as he mourns the death of twin babies Naeim and Wissam Abu Anza, killed in an overnight Israeli air strike, during their burial in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Picture: Getty Images Have these generals and politicians ever suffered the pain of a loss like that? How can they sit in their offices or wherever they run their wars from and pretend this is ok, just another bit of collateral damage from a war they were forced to fight? I can remember a time in our own country when atrocities would happen in the middle of our war the war the Provisional IRA ran against the rest of us and youd wonder is this the moment when they realise its gone too far? Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry being blown up by an IRA bomb in Warrington. Thomas Begley blowing himself and a dozen other people to shreds in a fish shop on the Shankill Road. It turned out then that those were fleeting moments when we thought that the depths of despair might yield some hope. But the men who ran that war had inured themselves entirely. They were incapable of being reached by any sort of remorse or pain. I met some of them subsequently and you could tell from looking in their eyes, once you screwed up the courage to do it, that something was dead in their souls Something has died in the souls of those prosecuting this war now. The Israeli Government started a fight against a terrorist act committed by a heartless terrorist organisation, and they have now descended to the status of terrorists themselves. There is a special place in history for people like Slobodan Milosevic, the architect of ethnic cleansing in former Yugoslavia, whose forces killed tens of thousands of Bosnians and others. Or people like Henrik Verwoerd, who designed the brutal system of apartheid in South Africa and whose police tortured and killed thousands of people, including in the course of a massacre in Sharpeville, when they shot protestors in the back as they ran away. You could add other names to that list, for sure. But Benjamin Netanyahu will go down in history as among the worst of them And all the more so because all the signs are that he is prosecuting this remorseless terror against utterly defenceless people in order to cling to power himself. Perhaps there are some in his Cabinet whose souls havent died. Perhaps there are some who will stand up to him and demand an end to the slaughter. Perhaps. But it seems a forlorn hope, doesnt it? Inspiring individuals Until I heard about the death of the twin babies, this was not the column I was going to write today. I know this can be a cruel world, but I also know that it can be redeemed by people. I wanted to give you a couple of examples of that. On the day of the snow last week, I spent a couple of hours slipping and sliding my way to an event in Dublin organised by One Family as a space where people could offer their own stories in support of a double yes vote this week. We were all late getting there because of the weather, but I have seldom met such a bunch of inspiring people. John OMeara is famous now for taking the State all the way to the Supreme Court because his family had been denied a widowers pension after his partner of twenty years, Michelle, passed away. John told us that despite his victory, despite his evident commitment to the memory of his partner and his love and care for three children, the State and the constitution still does not recognise his family as a family. Because the constitution says family based on marriage. Then there was Christopher Tuite, a young man from a disadvantaged background who is the proud father of three children and not married to the mother of his kids. He argued passionately about the importance of mens role in care, and about the need for greater equality in the division of that role. He may not have a family based on marriage, but I dont know if Ive ever met anyone more committed to his family. I also ended my week watching an amazing team at work. A multi-national team at that. All sorts of skin colours, all sorts of backgrounds, all sorts of foreign accents. Working as one Ten days ago my sister (my twin sister, imagine) and her husband had a bad car accident just outside Skibbereen. They ended up in a ditch, upside down, strapped into their seat belts. Within minutes fire brigade help had arrived and, amazingly, a helicopter landed close by. It was clear that Robert was the more seriously hurt and he was carried to the helicopter and taken to Cork University Hospital, with Finola following in an ambulance. Robert was in intensive care in Cork within an hour of a car crash in Skibbereen. Over the next few days, he required a lot of treatment, including late-night surgery for a bleed on the brain. It will take time for him to recover, but the quality of care he received has been beyond praise. Finola needed a lot of stitches (staples they use nowadays) for a bad gash on her head and is really battered and bruised, mostly from the seatbelt. But shes on the mend already. The thing she keeps talking about though it was obvious when I was there too was what she calls the United Nations of care in the hospital. Young hard-working professionals, with enormous empathy and skill, and theyre from every country in the world. As Finola said, Thank goodness for immigration! The thing I noticed about the hospital was how enormous it has become since I was last there many years ago. And how often, as a result, I got lost. But at every corner there was someone who wouldnt just point me in the right direction but would walk some of the way so I wouldnt get lost again. Yes, its often a really cruel world, often redeemed by brilliant people. There are parts of the world where brilliant people are desperately needed now, and are in terribly short supply. Thats the cruellest thing of all. Turkish police have detained seven more people suspected of selling information to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, authorities said, in the latest wave of such arrests in Turkey. The suspects were taken into custody during simultaneous raids in Istanbul on Tuesday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The raids were a joint operation with Turkeys National Intelligence Organisation. People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza during a protest rally in Istanbul (Khalil Hamra/AP) The detained are suspected of collecting data on individuals and companies in Turkey and selling it to the Israeli intelligence agency, Mr Yerlikaya said. We will never allow espionage activities to be carried out within the borders of our country, he added. It is not yet known if any charges have been raised and authorities provided no additional information. Last month, seven other people, including private detectives, were arrested on similar suspicions. And in early January, 34 people were also detained by Turkish police on suspicion of spying for Israel. The suspects arrested in January have been accused of planning to carry out activities that included reconnaissance and pursuing, assaulting and kidnapping foreign nationals living in Turkey. At the time, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said most of the suspects were charged with committing political or military espionage on behalf of Israeli intelligence. The state-run Anadolu Agency, citing unnamed security officials, said those detained on Tuesday included a former civil servant currently working as a private detective who was allegedly trained by Mossad in Belgrade, Serbia. He collected information on Middle Eastern companies and individuals, and placed tracking devices in vehicles of people targeted by Israeli intelligence, Anadolu said. Turkey and Israel had normalised ties in 2022 by reappointing ambassadors following years of tensions. But those ties quickly deteriorated after the Israel-Hamas war, with Ankara becoming one of the strongest critics of Israels military actions in Gaza. In December, the head of Israels Shin Bet security agency said that his organisation was prepared to target the militant Hamas group anywhere, including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel of serious consequences if Israel pressed ahead with its threat to attack Hamas officials on Turkish soil. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for two high-ranking Russian military officers on charges linked to attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. It is only the second time the global court has publicly announced arrest warrants linked to Russias war in Ukraine. 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 Lieutenant General Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash, who was commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force at the time of the alleged crimes. Also wanted is Russian navy Admiral Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, who was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. They are wanted for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects, and causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects, and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. The court said that judges who reviewed 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. There is little prospect that either of the suspects will be turned over to face trial in The Hague. Russia isnt a member of the global court, doesnt recognise its jurisdiction and refuses to hand over suspects charged by the court. The court didnt release details of the warrants, in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the investigations. But it said it publicised the warrants 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. When it issued the arrest warrant for Putin last year, the court also issued a warrant 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. 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. The memo had said the photo depicts a non-consensual act and is inconsistent with the departments sexual harassment policy. Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities - and we will keep it in VA facilities. pic.twitter.com/dYSikLxHAJ Secretary Denis McDonough (@SecVetAffairs) March 5, 2024 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. 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. 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. The photo, by Alfred Eisenstaedt, is called VJ Day in Times Square but is known to most people simply as The Kiss. Tuesday, Mar 5th, 2024 (10:51 am) - Score 3,680 Telecoms giant BT has today announced that theyve secured a state-aid supported 26m contract under the UK Governments 5bn Project Gigabit programme, which will see them connect over 650 primary schools in hard-to-reach (rural) places across England with gigabit broadband using full fibre technology. In case anybody has forgotten. In March 2022 the government pledged to ensure that every school across the country would be able to access high speed internet by 2025 (here and here), which would harness a mix of public investment from both the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). NOTE: Project Gigabit aims to make gigabit-capable (1Gbps+) broadband ISP networks available to at least 85% of UK premises by the end of 2025 and then nationwide (c.99%) by 2030. The Schools Gigabit Connectivity Project has since been making steady progress, and todays deal with BT to connect 650 additional schools will no doubt have a big impact. The schools covered by this agreement are said to be located in both rural and urban settings that are difficult to reach under commercial broadband roll out schemes. BT, working closely with infrastructure supplier Openreach, plan to reach the sites using full fibre broadband (its unclear if were talking about FTTP or optical Ethernet / leased lines) capable of delivering in excess of 1,000 Megabits per second. The schools are based across South West, North, South East and East England, as well as London. Ashish Gupta, BTs MD of Corporate and Public Sector, said: This project marks a milestone moment for hundreds of schools across England, and were proud to play such a central role in making it happen. Access to high speed, reliable broadband is vital in the modern world and underpins so much of our daily lives. Nowhere is this more important than education. This investment will transform the learning experience for thousands of pupils, opening up opportunities for interactive lessons, collaborative projects with other schools and pupils anywhere in the world, as well access to an expanding online library of educational content and video. Working with Openreach, we will be connecting the schools with lightning-fast broadband in phases over the next two years, with an ambition to complete delivery by Dec 2025. Julia Lopez MP, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said: Todays classrooms have been transformed by the internet, with children able to access an endless library of incredible resources to boost their learning. We need to make sure every pupil can benefit from these exciting digital experiences, so were investing millions to bring top-of-the-range broadband to schools in places that would otherwise have been stuck in the digital slow lane. This is just one way our 5 billion Project Gigabit programme is putting a stop to buffering broadband in hard-to-reach communities, with more than a million mostly rural premises already able to access lightning-fast gigabit speeds thanks to government subsidy. According to the last quarterly progress update from the Project Gigabit programme in December 2023 (here), the government via the Building Digital UK (BDUK) agency expected that more than 800 schools would be in scope of their procurement to help improve connectivity in England. Delivery of this effort was expected to start in early 2024 and complete by March 2026. Suffice to say that BTs deal accounts for the vast majority of that target. Tuesday, Mar 5th, 2024 (2:55 pm) - Score 2,640 Budget internet provider TalkTalk has today announced the appointment of Susie Buckridge as the CEO of their consumer business. The previous CEO, Adam Dunlop, will be stepping down to pursue other opportunities outside the group Adam was promoted to the position in March 2023 and retained it during the groups demerger (here). Susie is said to be an experienced CEO, having previously run the YouView (IPTV) platform- TalkTalks TV joint venture with shareholders BT, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. She first joined TalkTalk in 2022 as Group Product, Data & Analytics Director, and more recently has been working in the Consumer leadership team as Chief Strategy & Data Officer. Susie was previously a strategy lead at the BBC across technology, commercial and partnerships. In case anybody has forgotten, TalkTalk has spent much of the past year wrestling with the pressure from its existing c.1bn debt pile, which involved demerging the group into three separate businesses (TalkTalk Consumer, TalkTalk Business Direct and the wholesale focused PlatformX Communications here), while cutting costs and monetising some assets (e.g. selling IP addresses). Since then, TalkTalks Business Direct division has been sold to the companys own shareholders for 95m (here) and theres a possibility that their Consumer and PlatformX Communications divisions may follow (here and here). Dame Tristia Harrison, CEO of TalkTalk Group, said: I am delighted to appoint Susie to the role of CEO of our consumer business. An experienced and highly respected leader in technology, data and media, I know that Susie will bring her characteristic dynamism, innovation and vision to the role, with some really exciting ideas on how TalkTalk can continue to disrupt the market after 21 years as a challenger. I want to thank Adam for the great job he has done in both leading our supplier work and preparing our consumer business for separation from our wholesale PlatformX Communications business. He leaves us with a consumer business that is delivering against its plan. It has been a pleasure working alongside him. The leadership changes are effective immediately, with Adam remaining in the business for a period to ensure an orderly transition. UPDATE 6th March 2024 @ 6:58am Just an amendment above to say that Adam took on the role of consumer CEO in March 2023 and not late 2023. Tuesday, Mar 5th, 2024 (12:02 am) - Score 1,360 The Telcom Group, which via its various sub-brands (ClearFibre, WeFibre, HyperCity etc.) operates a mix of fixed wireless access (FWA) and gigabit-capable full fibre broadband and Ethernet networks across parts of England, has today announced the appointment of Elliott Mueller to be the companys new CEO. Elliot is an experienced leader who previously served as CEO of several other notable organisations in the telecommunications sector, such as JT Global, Metronet and Tele2. He replaces Telcoms former CEO and co-founder, Shaun Gibson, who appears to have exited the role in November 2023 (todays press release makes no mention of Shaun). NOTE: Telcom secured an investment boost of 63m from Gresham House in 2021. Gresham House made a further investment in October 2023 to enable Telcom to acquire Luminet. In addition, Steve Best has also been appointed as a Non-Executive Director. He has previously served on the boards or held executive leadership roles with major UK telecom companies, including EE and BT. Chris Baldock, Chairman of Telcom, said: We are delighted to welcome Elliott as our new CEO and we are confident that we have made the perfect appointment for Telcom. Elliott is a dynamic, values-driven business leader with a diverse background of experiences and an excellent track record of delivery in the telecommunications sector. The Board looks forward to working with Elliott to deliver the full potential of Telcom for business customers across the UK. Elliott Mueller, CEO of Telcom, said: I am delighted to have been appointed to lead Telcom. The business has an impressive UK footprint, a strong brand portfolio, a talented team, and an enviable reputation. The company continues its focus on building its solutions for business customers and I am looking forward to working with the team. The news, while positive, does come shortly after one of the groups brands (WeFibre) appeared to step back from some of its planned broadband deployments in rural parts of Wales (here). Tuesday, Mar 5th, 2024 (12:01 am) - Score 480 Broadband ISP Ogi, which is deploying a multi-Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network to premises across parts of South Wales, has today announced an expansion of their high street presence to more locations this reflects an ongoing partnership with the Get Connection retail chain. A 500Mbps tier is also on special offer. In case anybody has forgotten, the UKs largest independent mobile phone retailer, Get Connected, started offering Ogis ultrafast full fibre broadband and voice packages in their high street stores for the very first time last August (here). This occurred in areas where Ogis network actually exists, such as in stores across Abergavenny, Chepstow, Haverfordwest and Monmouth. NOTE: Ogi is backed by 200m via Infracapital, employs over 210 staff and originally aimed to cover 150,000 premises in South Wales by 2025. The latest development is that Ogi has now added the Blackwood, Pontypool and Tonypandy stores to its existing locations. At the same time, the ISP will be using this to help push a new promotion, which offers a special 500Mbps package (normally its 400Mbps) for just 21 per month on a 12-month term (49 thereafter) with free setup. Chief Revenue Officer, Sally-Anne Skinner, said: Offering 500Mbps at a very competitive price, we hope to once again boost interest in full fibre services here in Wales. The internet has become a vital utility, and accessing it shouldnt be based on how much you can afford to pay. For too long communities have had to suffer poor speeds and eye watering prices. Weve always said were here to change that and once again were reflecting that in our offer to customers. Extending our partnership with Get Connected also offers wannabe Ogi customers another way to find out about our services face-to-face, and is a welcome boost to the independent high streets across south Wales. The network operator has so far covered a total of 100,000 premises with their new full fibre network most of them residential in Wales up to the end of 2023 (up from 60k on 30th June 2023) and theyre also now home to a total of over 15,000 customers, which is up from 10,000 on 4th Jan 2024 and 6,000 on 30th June 2023. 1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241 A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Mournful fans of Flaco the Eurasion eagle-owl have gathered in New York City to say goodbye to the beloved celebrity creature who became an inspiration and joy to many as he flew around Manhattan after he was let out of his zoo enclosure A federal district court in Alabama held that the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), P.L. 116-283, which requires the reporting of beneficial ownership information (BOI) by businesses, is unconstitutional. The district court granted the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment Friday in the case of National Small Business United v. Yellen, No. 5:22-cv-1448-LCB (N.D. Ala. 3/1/24). One plaintiff, the National Small Business Association, has over 65,000 members. While the legislation may have "sensible and praiseworthy ends," the court stated in its opinion, the government's arguments that Congress has "the power to regulate millions of entities and their stakeholders the moment they obtain a formal corporate status" from a state "are not supported by precedent." The act "exceeds the Constitution's limits on the legislative branch and lacks a sufficient nexus to any numerated power to be a necessary or proper means of achieving Congress' policy goals," the opinion said. BOI reporting provisions Under the act, which Congress passed as an anti-money-laundering initiative in 2021, reporting companies, defined as corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and similar entities, must disclose the identity and information about beneficial owners of the entities. For new entities incorporated after Jan. 1, 2024, reporting companies must also disclose the identity of "applicants" defined as any individual who files an application to form a corporation, LLC, or other similar entity. Reporting companies are required to provide information about both the companies and their beneficial owners and applicants, including full legal name, address, state or tribal jurisdiction of formation, IRS taxpayer identification number, birth date, and other details. Willful violations are punishable by a fine of $591 a day, up to $10,000, and two years in prison with similarly serious penalties for unauthorized disclosure. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which administers the act, estimates that BOI reporting regulations apply to 32.6 million entities with 5 million added each year through 2034. Constitutional arguments The government argued that Congress has the power to enact the CTA under its plenary power to conduct foreign affairs; via its Commerce Clause authority; and as a necessary and proper exercise of its taxing power. The court rejected all three arguments. On the foreign affairs argument, the court found that Bond, 564 U.S. 211 (2011), "yields an unavoidable conclusion: the CTA is not authorized by Congress' foreign affairs powers because those powers do not extend to purely internal affairs, especially in an arena traditionally left to the States." The court also found that the law does not fall within the scope of Congress's powers under the Commerce Clause: "The plain text of the CTA does not regulate the channels and instrumentalities of commerce, let alone commercial or economic activity." The court also held that Congress does not have authority to "regulate non-commercial, intrastate activity when 'certain entities, which have availed themselves of States' incorporation laws, use the channels of commerce, and their anonymous operations substantially affect interstate and foreign commerce.'" Regarding the government's Commerce Clause arguments, the court found that Congress could have written a law that would have survived a constitutional challenge. The court pointed to two cases cited by the government American Power & Light Co. v. Securities & Exchange Commission, 329 U.S. 90 (1946), and California Bankers Ass'n v. Shultz, 416 U.S. 21 (1974) that show "how easily Congress could have written the CTA to pass constitutional muster." Nothing in either case "would bar Congress from imposing the CTA's disclosure requirements on State entities as soon as they are engaged in commerce, or from prohibiting the use of interstate commerce to launder money, 'evade taxes, hide illicit wealth, and defraud employees and customers,'" as the BOI reporting requirements state. FinCEN's customer due diligence (CDD) rule from 2016 provides "nearly identical information," the court stated, "but the CDD rule does so in a constitutionally accepted manner." On the question of Congress's taxing power, the court said the act's civil penalties are not a tax for several reasons, including that they have no income thresholds and that the amounts are fixed, not variable. Because it found that the act is unconstitutional on the grounds that Congress lacked authority to enact it, the court declined to consider whether it violates the First, Fourth, and Fifth amendments, as the plaintiffs had argued. An attorney for the plaintiffs, John Neiman, agreed with the court that the goals of the legislation to counter money laundering and terrorism financing are laudable. "But as the court also noted, the Constitution sets limits on what Congress can do to achieve even the most laudable of goals, and Congress violated those limits here," he said. "Congress can find a way to achieve these goals without exceeding the limits on its powers under the Constitution." An official from Treasury, which oversees FinCEN, said the agency would comply with the injunction and referred further questions to the Justice Department, which declined comment. AICPA response In a statement, the AICPA said that small businesses should continue to file BOI reports. The statement also said that the AICPA continues to push for suspension of the BOI reporting rule. To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Martha Waggoner at Martha.Waggoner@aicpa-cima.com. As much of the Great Lakes region experiences its warmest winter on record, and more record high temperatures are expected in Michigan, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported record low levels of ice coverage on the Great Lakes, amid a steady, decades-long decrease in coverage. Lake Michigan in Chicago, March 1, 2024 | Susan J. Demas While ice coverage on the Great Lakes usually peaks in the late February to early March, NOAA began reporting daily record-lows for Great Lakes ice coverage on Feb. 8, through Feb. 15. While there was a brief spike above historic lows after Feb. 15, those numbers quickly neared and tied low ice-coverage records, with historical lows recorded on Feb. 27 and 28, Jennifer Day, director of communications for NOAAs Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory said in an email. Ice coverage on the individual lakes has followed similar patterns, with Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron recording historic low coverage for the date on Feb. 28, while ice concentration for Lake Erie sat at 0% and concentration on Lake Ontario sat at less than half a percent. NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory Ice Coverage Chart for Feb. 29, 2024. | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Ice concentration on Lake Superior sat at 1.74% on Wednesday, while NOAA recorded 3.6% concentration in Lake Michigan and 7.84% concentration in Lake Huron. The total peak for ice concentration across the five lakes was recorded on Jan. 22, with 16% coverage. However, Lake Superior has since recorded a new maximum for the year on Feb.19, exceeding its January peak. Ayumi Fujisaki-Manome, an associate researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research told the Michigan Advance the lack of ice is the result of anomaly conditions overlaid on long term warming trends. Alongside El Nino conditions contributing to a warmer and wetter winter than normal, the North Atlantic Oscillation which describes atmospheric pressure patterns is in a positive phase, which prevents cold arctic air from coming down into the Great Lakes region. Day noted that the strong El Nino coupled with a warm December and above average air and water temperatures throughout winter did not create the conditions needed for ice to develop. Low ice was also recorded in 2020 and 2023, Day said, with the annual maximum coverage near 20%, compared to the long-term average of 53%. However, NOAA has also recorded very high ice years in the previous decade, in 2014, 2015 and 2019. Even though theres a decreasing trend in max ice (5%/decade), there is a great deal of year to year variability, Day said. Although there has been a long-term decline in Great Lakes Ice Coverage, predicting those fluctuations from year to year remains a big question for researchers, Fujisaki-Manome said. While a lack of ice may bring disappointment for those looking to ice fish in the Great Lakes, or visit ice caves near the coast, the lack of ice coverage also carries concerns for shoreline conditions, lake effect weather, and for various animal species in and around the Great Lakes. Ice coverage serves as a barrier, protecting coastlines from high winds, high waves and storm surges. Without that barrier there will be long-term impacts, such as shoreline erosion, Fujisaki-Manome said. A lack of ice to protect from waves makes shorelines more susceptible to coastal flooding and creates a higher potential for storm damage to shoreline infrastructure, Day said. Additionally, less ice and more open water is the perfect set up for a lake effect snowstorm or an ice storm, Fujisaki-Manome said. During late fall and winter cold air flowing over the warm waters of the Great Lakes leads to the production of lake effect snow leading to increased snowfall in areas downwind from the lakes. This effect usually diminishes late into the winter season, as the formation of lake ice reduces the supply of warm and moist air in the atmosphere. Thick, stable ice also protects fish eggs that are deposited nearshore in the fall and incubate over winter, Day said. Ice cover can help minimize the effect of waves that would dislodge or break apart eggs from species like lake whitefish or lake herring, she said. Ice cover also affects winter fishery harvests, especially in bays, drowned river mouth lakes and nearshore areas, Day said. During cold winters when ice is thick and lasts three to four months, harvests for panfish, whitefish, bass, walleye and yellow perch are high, with low harvests when coverage is low and unstable. It is unlikely that total ice coverage across the Great Lakes will exceed its January peak, Day said. Significant ice growth is not expected over the coming weeks, and longer term temperature trend predictions indicate that ice levels across the Great Lakes will likely remain below average for the next several weeks, Day said. Kyle Davidson By Atalia Omer, University of Notre Dame | (The Conversation) The months since Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, have been excruciating ones for Israeli peace activists. As the country rallies behind the war effort, critics have been arrested and condemned by opponents who say the attacks proved how misguided the peace movement is. But in activists eyes, the horrific violence of Oct. 7 and Israels sweeping military response only prove its urgency. Vivian Silver, who spent a decade leading Women Wage Peace a solidarity group of Israelis and Palestinians was one of several peace activists murdered that day. If we want a future here, we have to make the conflict a thing of the past, her son Yonatan Zeigen wrote in an op-ed after her death. For some activists, in other words, Oct. 7 only underscored the urgency of their cause. Yet the peace movement has always been diverse and often fragmented. In reality, there are multiple movements, each with its own definition of peace. As a scholar of religion, ethics and politics, I have traced how divergent accounts of Israels founding connect to different visions of justice. The peace camp The Israeli demographics most associated with the peace camp are predominately Ashkenazi Jews, meaning they are descended from communities in Central and Eastern Europe. They also tend to be secular, meaning they do not closely observe traditional Jewish religious law. Even within this larger camp, however, there are divergent perceptions of justice, shaped by how people understand the root causes of the conflict. Did it truly start in 1917, when a British lord promised a home for Jews? In 1948, with Israels War of Independence which Palestinians experienced as the Nakba, their catastrophe? Or is the most important date 1967, when Israel occupied the Golan Heights, east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip? For the most part, this peace camp believes Israel proper consists of land within the Green Line, set by the armistice agreements at the end of the 1948 war. The Green Line does not include the territories Israel has occupied since the end of the 1967 war, which most of the peace camp considers a morally wrong occupation. More broadly, their vision is grounded in preserving Israel as a democracy with a Jewish majority. This necessitates the creation of a sovereign Palestinian nation-state in the occupied territories. Owen Jones Video: This Israeli Peace Activist Must Be Heard w/ Dana Mills A prominent example of a secular group accepting the Green Line as a peace premise is the once-robust Peace Now movement, created in 1978 by Israeli veterans. They argue, using human rights and international law, that a permanent occupation will threaten the character of Israel as a Jewish democracy. and its dissenters Ever since the early days of Zionism, however, other Jews have challenged the movements basic objective of creating a Jewish-majority state, given the reality that other groups of people, in addition to Jews, already lived in historic Palestine. For example, the group Brit Shalom, established in 1926 by European Jewish intellectuals, envisioned a binational state that would include equality for non-Jewish Palestinian communities. In Brit Shaloms view, a commitment to democratic principles contradicted ambitions for creating a majoritarian Jewish state, which they predicted would depend on driving out Palestinians and preventing their return. Other contemporary secular groups that are mostly made up of Jewish Israelis also oppose the Green Line as a basis for peace building. Zochrot, for example, emphasizes the Nakba of 1948 as a root cause of the conflict. Therefore, they advocate for Palestinian refugees right of return, which is central to Palestinians own conceptions of justice. Other critics of the mainstream peace movement have criticized it for ignoring the social justice struggles of non-Ashkenazi Jewish Israelis, such as Arab Jews or Mizrahim and Ethiopian Jews, or connecting those issues with Palestinians experience. Palestinian voices The continuous expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has eroded the Green Line as the basis for peace. This de facto annexation, as many analysts call it, makes it increasingly unlikely that peace could mean most Israelis living within the line and most Palestinians outside it. Yet with the erosion of the Green Line, various organizations are reemphasizing a binational vision of a single state, or two states joined in a confederation. Compared with the mainstream peace camp, some of these groups have more Palestinian representation, coming mostly from Palestinian citizens of Israel. A Land for All: Two States One Homeland, known as ALFA, was formed in 2012 and is co-led by Palestinian and Jewish Israelis. In events after Oct. 7, members grappled with their grief by resolving to imagine a political future together. ALFAs foundational assumption is that both people belong in the whole land. While it believes that, realistically, Jewish settlers will remain in the territories occupied in 1967, it envisions them becoming Israeli residents of a future State of Palestine one half of a larger confederation with the state of Israel. Similarly, the organization Standing Together sent two representatives one Jewish Israeli, one Palestinian Israeli to the United States together to hold events with the message that both Jewish people and Palestinians are going to stay on this land. No one is going anywhere. Notably, the Palestinian members of groups seeking Palestinian-Israeli dialogues tend to be Israeli citizens from within the Green Line, with a few exceptions, such as Combatants for Peace a group of Palestinians and Jews committed to nonviolence but made up of former fighters. However, after decades of peace process, many Palestinians interpret coexistence initiatives as a form of normalizing the occupation. The Faithful Left The tension between Israels Jewish and democratic identities has been present since before the states founding. Under the current hard-line government, however, critics fear the state has been relinquishing the democratic part in favor of Jewish supremacy. Religious politicians have been some of the most visible advocates for measures that decrease the likelihood of a contiguous Palestinian sovereign state, such as by constructing new settlements. Yet the current right-wing coalition has provided an impetus for more Israelis who are observant Jews to join peace efforts: the Faithful Left, or Smol Emuni in Hebrew. The movement was born when hundreds showed up to a Jerusalem conference in January 2023, discussing their discomfort with how Jewish tradition was being used politically, and a second conference was held in February 2024. Because many of the Faithful Left are products of religious Zionist schools, their key advantage within the peace movement is the ability to challenge arguments for annexation or domination on religious grounds. Older groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights, whose members range from humanist to Orthodox, have also drawn on religious ideas for decades. Some activists within the Faithful Left have also been a part of Bnei Avraham, a group that shows solidarity with Palestinians by building relationships in the West Bank specifically Hebron, where Palestinians routinely experience violence and harassment. Secular anti-occupation groups such as Taayush take this idea one step further by trying to provide in-person protection against violence. For example, Taayush activists walk kids to school or accompany Palestinian shepherds as a buffer to prevent harassment. The erosion of the Green Line has challenged many peace groups visions for peace and justice, as diverse as those are. Even more fundamentally, it has reopened the question of what it means for Israel to be Jewish and democratic a question at the heart of Israeli peace activists challenges today. Atalia Omer, Professor of Religion, Conflict and Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. TORONTO, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Adventus Mining Corporation ("Adventus" or the "Company") (TSXV: ADZN) (OTCQX: ADVZF) is pleased to announce the signing of an Investment Agreement ("IA") with the Government of Ecuador for the development of the Condor mining project located in southeastern Ecuador (the "Project"). This important milestone reached between the Government of Ecuador and Adventus provides a foundation for the continuing advancement of the Project towards development and for the negotiation of the Investment Protection Agreement ("IPA") that would be required for future mining construction and operations if the Project reaches that stage of advancement. The IA is a statement of mutual interest between Adventus and the Government of Ecuador, through the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries, to negotiate the terms and conditions for a future IPA that is expected to outline the Projects scope, investment commitments, timelines and responsibilities and to work together towards obtaining all necessary approvals, licences and permits under Ecuadorian law and international standards. The IA explicitly covers an investment commitment by Adventus, totaling a minimum of US$100M, which includes US$52 million of historical spending made on the Project from 2010 to 2023 and the future investment commitment of US$48 million for the period between 2024 and 2038. The IA also extends to include any additional investments made by Adventus during the period, which would be included for investment protection in the future IPA. About Adventus Adventus Mining Corporation is an Ecuador-focused copper-gold exploration and development company. Adventus is advancing the 215 sq. km majority-owned Curipamba copper-gold project, which has a completed feasibility study on the shallow and high-grade El Domo deposit. With the recent merger with Luminex Resources Corp., Adventus Mining owns the Condor gold project and a large exploration project portfolio that spans over 135,000 hectares one of the largest holdings in Ecuador. The company's strategic shareholders include Ross Beaty's Lumina Group, Altius Minerals Corporation, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., and significant Ecuadorian investors. Adventus Mining is based in Toronto, Canada, and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ADZN and trades on the OTCQX under the symbol ADVZF. 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 news release. This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as "defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company's expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the discussions regarding the advancement of the Project, including, without limitation, the continued advancement of the Project towards development, mining and operation; the negotiation of the IPA, including the content and terms thereof; cooperation with the Government of Ecuador to obtain all necessary approvals, licenses and permits under Ecuadorian and international standards and the timing thereof; the future investment commitment of U$48 million, including the timeframe thereof; and the additional investment amounts being included for investment protection in the future IPA; By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, amongst others, risks related to the exploration, development production recoveries and other anticipated or possible future developments at the Company's mineral properties, including the Project, including, without limitation, that exploration, development and other activities will not occur at all or will not occur within expected timelines, or will not be as anticipated; that the Project will not advance to development, production or operation; risks that the benefits of the IA will not be anticipated; risks that the IPA will not be negotiated at all or as anticipated, or on the expected timelines; risks that the benefits of the IPA will not be realized; that cooperation with the Government of Ecuador will not result in obtaining all necessary approvals, licenses and permits under Ecuadorian and international standards and the timing thereof; the future investment commitment not be satisfied as and when required; that the additional investment amount will not be included for investment protection under the IPA; and general economic, business and political conditions. Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such factors, among other things, include: business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of copper or certain other commodities; change in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, along with the other risks and factors set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on the information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. For further information from Adventus Mining, please contact Christian Kargl-Simard, President and Chief Executive Officer, at +1-416-230-3440 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please also visit the Adventus Mining website at www.adventusmining.com and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdventusMining and LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/adventus-mining-corporation. 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 Figure 2: Champion Electric Lithium Project location map Figure 3: Grains of spodumene in till sample fraction 0.25 - 0.50mm from the Western prospect (courtesy of Overburden Drilling Management) Figure 4: Fist-sized angular spodumene boulders retrieved from a till sample at the Western prospect (courtesy of IOS Services Geoscientifiques) 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: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - March 5, 2024 Manning Ventures Inc. (the Company or Manning) (CSE: MANN; Frankfurt: 1H5) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Option Agreement (the Option Agreement) with Claremont Mines Nevada, LLC (the Optionor) who is the legal and beneficial owner of 66 unpatented lode mineral claims located in the State of Nevada (the Copper Hill Project) whereby the Optionor has granted the Company the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Copper Hill Project, located within the Walker Lane Trend, Nevada, USA. The Company is eager to expand its energy metals exposure, and increasing its footprint in copper at this time is strategically significant. Supply deficits, declining grades, and geopolitical instability combined with a widening supply imbalance and increased demand are fueling what appears to be a very strong copper market in the years ahead, said Alex Klenman, CEO. New supplies from proven geopolitically sound jurisdictions must be secured to meet demand estimates over the next few decades. We like this project in Nevada, which has seen strong historical results. This is an excellent addition to our portfolio, and well announce phase one exploration and drilling plans shortly, continued Mr. Klenman. About the Copper Hill Project Copper Hill hosts copper-gold-molybdenum mineralization in both porphyry and skarn styled deposits in Mineral County, Nevada. The property consists of 66 mineral claims covering an area of 2.3 miles. The property is located 22 miles north of Hawthorne, Nevada and is accessible using well-maintained County Roads. The Project is centered on a Jurassic Age quartz monzonite porphyry intruding Triassic age Luning Limestone. The claims cover 2.3 sq miles and are 33 miles east of the Yerington Copper District which hosts the Yerington Copper Mine (Anaconda 1952-1978), Ann Mason Deposit, Bear Deposit, MacArthur Deposit, and the Pumpkin Hollow Mine. Image 1: Location of the Copper Hill Project, Walker Lane Trend, Nevada, USA Historically at Copper Hill, reported high-grade copper was mined from underground shafts from skarn and porphyry-copper styled mineralization at the Copper Mountain Mine. Between 1914 to 1926 mining from the Copper Mountain Mine produced an estimated 1,000,000 pounds of copper from shallow underground workings. Historic reporting from the period of production describes ore zones of contact skarn- type and porphyry-type mineralization with shipping grades ranging from 3.5 to 11.0% copper*. *Historic Minning information was summarized from an Unpublished Report on the Carson Sink Area, Nevada by F.C. Schrader, U.S. Geological Survey (Field work 1911-1920) 1947. Manning Ventures cautions investors that the historic exploration and production information is believed to be accurate but has not been verified by a qualified person. The Copper Hill mineralizing system forms a topographic high surrounded and partially covered by younger volcanic rocks. Mineralization identified at Copper Hill are bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, chrysocolla, copper-native, covellite, cuprite, gold, malachite, molybdenite, silver, sphalerite (rare), and tetrahedrite. The Copper Mountain area was explored between 1959 to 1979 by Idaho Minning Corp. and Walker-Martel who conducted ground geophysics, underground mapping, prospecting and reported 6000 feet of Rotary drilling. Since that time ground magnetics were conducted in 2007. Rock sampling collected at this time returned values from select samples of 7.2% and 12.7% copper and 1.06 g/t gold and 1.19 g/t gold respectively. The target being sought at Copper Hill is a porphyry styled copper-molybdenum-gold deposit. Image 2: Copper Hill Project Geochemistry - Cu in Rocks Terms Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement dated February 27, 2024, and in order to acquire a 100% interest in and to the Copper hill Project, the Company must pay the Optionor an aggregate of USD $1,500,000 in cash (the Exercise Price) on or before the thirteenth anniversary following the execution of the Option Agreement (the Option Term) (the date of execution being referred to herein as the Effective Date). During the Option Term, the Company shall pay the Optionor annual minimum payments, which shall each constitute partial payment of Exercise Price, on or before the following dates: I) USD $15,000 on the Effective Date of the Option Agreement; ii) USD $25,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; iii) USD $50,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; iv) USD $60,000 on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date; v) USD $80,000 on or before the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date; vi) USD $100,000 on or before the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date; and vii) after the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, USD $100,000 on or before each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date. Upon exercise of the Option, the Optionor will retain a royalty equal to two percent (2%) of net smelter returns from the Copper Hill Project, which may be reduced at any time from two percent (2%) to one percent (1%) by the Company, or its permitted assign, by paying the Optionor an aggregate of USD $1,000,000. Warren Robb P.Geo., is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. About Manning Manning Ventures is a mineral exploration and development company focused metals and materials critical to the growing Energy Metals space. Mannings project portfolio includes Lithium/Copper projects in Ontario and Quebec, in addition to multiple Iron Ore projects in Quebec. For further information contact: Manning Ventures Inc. Alex Klenman - CEO Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone: (604) 681-0084 www.manning-ventures.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain statements in this press release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the Companys payment of the Exercise Price during the Option Term, the granting of the net smelter return royalty to the Optionor, and the Companys payment of the annual minimum payments to the Optionor. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, BC, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU) (OTCQB: VCUFF) (FRANKFURT: 97E0) ("Vizsla Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 23,076,923 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.065 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.12 per Warrant Share until the date which is 36 months following the Closing Date (as defined below). The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for further exploration and general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is anticipated to occur on or about April 4, 2024 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the Company's receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval. In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finder's fees to eligible finders. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from the Closing Date. The Units will be offered pursuant to available prospectus exemptions set out under applicable securities laws and instruments, including National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions. The Offering will also be made available to existing shareholders of the Company pursuant to the existing shareholder exemption set out in BC Instrument 45-534 Exemption From Prospectus Requirement for Certain Trades to Existing Security Holders (the "Existing Shareholder Exemption"). The Existing Shareholder Exemption is available to shareholders residing in all Canadian jurisdictions. Shareholders of record of the Company as at March 4, 2024 (the "Record Date") are eligible to participate under the Existing Shareholder Exemption. To rely upon the Existing Shareholder Exemption, the subscriber must: (a) have been a shareholder of the Company on the Record Date and continue to hold shares of the Company until the Closing Date; (b) be purchasing Units as a principal and for their own account and not for any other party; and (c) not subscribe for more than $15,000 worth of securities from the Company in the past 12 month period under the Existing Shareholder Exemption unless they have first received advice from a registered investment dealer regarding the suitability of the investment. Existing shareholders interested in participating in the Offering should consult their investment advisor or the Company directly. Subscriptions will be accepted by the Company on a "first come, first served basis"; therefore, if the Offering is over-subscribed it is possible that a shareholder's subscription may not be accepted by the Company, unless the Company decides to increase the size of the Offering. The securities described herein 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 except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Vizsla Copper Vizsla Copper is a Cu-Au-Mo focused mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company is primarily focused on its flagship Woodjam project, located within the prolific Quesnel Terrane, 55 kilometers east of the community of Williams Lake, British Columbia. It has three additional copper exploration properties: Copperview, and Redgold, all well situated amongst significant infrastructure in British Columbia. The Company's growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of its copper properties within its portfolio in addition to value accretive acquisitions. Vizsla Copper's vision is to be a responsible copper explorer and developer in the stable mining jurisdiction of British Columbia, Canada and it is committed to socially responsible exploration and development, working safely, ethically and with integrity. Vizsla Copper is a spin-out of Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSX.V: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) and is backed by Inventa Capital Corp., a premier investment group founded in 2017 with the goal of discovering and funding opportunities in the resource sector. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.vizslacopper.com). Qualified Person The Company's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Ian Borg, P.Geo., Senior Geologist for Vizsla Copper. Mr. Borg is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. 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. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to: obtaining the required regulatory approvals for the Offering; the expected Closing Date; completion of the Offering; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; the Company's growth and business strategies; and the exploration and development of the Company's properties. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Cosa Resources Corp. (TSXV: COSA) (OTCQB: COSAF) (FSE: SSKU) ("Cosa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the brokered private placement previously announced by the Company on February 12, 2024, as upsized on February 13, 2024, for aggregate gross proceeds of C$6,500,816 (the "Offering"). The Offering was completed through a syndicate of underwriters, led by Haywood Securities Inc. and including PI Financial Corp. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued 2,128,000 units of the Company (the "Hard Dollar Units") at a price of C$0.47 per Hard Dollar Unit and 7,704,000 charity flow-through units of the Company (the "Charity FT Units", and together with the Hard Dollar Units, the "Units") at a price of C$0.714 per Charity FT Unit. Each Hard Dollar Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Charity FT Unit consists of one Share of the Company that qualifies as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and will qualify as an "eligible flow-through share" as defined in The Mineral Exploration Tax Credit Regulations, 2014 (Saskatchewan) and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.67 until March 5, 2026, subject to an acceleration provision whereby, if for any ten consecutive trading days, the closing price of the Shares exceeds $1.20 per Share on the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company may announce by way of press release that the expiry date of the Warrants will be accelerated to 30 days thereafter. The gross proceeds from the sale of the Charity FT Units will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and to incur "eligible flow-through mining expenditures" pursuant to The Mineral Exploration Tax Credit Regulations, 2014 (Saskatchewan) (collectively, the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, on or before December 31, 2025. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Charity FT Units effective December 31, 2024. The net proceeds from the sale of the Hard Dollar Units will be used to fund exploration and for additional working capital purposes. In consideration for the services provided by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, on closing the Company: (i) paid to the Underwriters a cash commission equal to 5.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, other than in respect of Units issued to certain purchasers on a president's list agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters (the "President's List"), in which case the commission in respect of such issuance was equal to 3.0%; and (ii) issued compensation options of the Company (the "Compensation Options") to the Underwriters to acquire that number of common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Compensation Option Share") which is equal to 6.0% of the number of Units sold under the Offering, other than in respect of Units issued to purchasers on the President's List, in which case the Company did not issue any Compensation Options. Each Compensation Option entitles the holder to acquire one Compensation Option Share until March 5, 2026, at an exercise price of C$0.47. Taylor Collison Limited acted as a special financial advisor to the Company with respect to the Offering. The Company welcomes CQS (UK) LLP, as investment manager for both CQS Natural Resources Growth and Income PLC and Geiger Counter Limited, as a new insider of the Company. The securities issued and made issuable pursuant to the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring on July 6, 2024. Directors and officers of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 120,500 Hard Dollar Units for gross proceeds of $56,635 under the Offering. Participation by insiders of the Company in the Offering constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of these 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 as the common shares of the Company are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The issuance of these securities is also exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value was less than $2,500,000. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of 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. About Cosa Resources Cosa Resources is a Canadian uranium exploration company operating in northern Saskatchewan. The portfolio comprises roughly 200,000 ha across multiple projects in the Athabasca Basin region, all of which are underexplored, and the majority reside within or adjacent to established uranium corridors. Cosa's award-winning management team has a long track record of success in Saskatchewan. In 2022, members of the Cosa team were awarded the AME Colin Spence Award for their previous involvement in discovering IsoEnergy's Hurricane deposit. Prior to Hurricane, Cosa personnel led teams or had integral roles in the discovery of Denison Mines' Gryphon deposit and 92 Energy's Gemini Zone and held key roles in the founding of both NexGen and IsoEnergy. Cosa's primary focus through 2024 is initial drilling at their Ursa Project, which captures over 60-kilometres of strike length of the Cable Bay Shear Zone, a regional structural corridor with known mineralization and limited historical drilling. It potentially represents the last remaining eastern Athabasca corridor to not yet yield a major discovery. Modern geophysics completed by Cosa in 2023 identified multiple high-priority target areas characterized by conductive basement stratigraphy beneath or adjacent to broad zones of inferred sandstone alteration - a setting that is typical of most eastern Athabasca uranium deposits. For further information on Cosa Resources, please contact: Keith Bodnarchuk, President & CEO Tel: +1 888-899-2672 (COSA) Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.cosaresources.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. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "pending", "intends", "plans", "forecasts", "targets", or "hopes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "will", "should" "might", "will be taken", or "occur" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information herein includes, but is not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that Cosa expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and the tax treatment of the Charity FT Units. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of the Company, future growth potential for the Company and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Company's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner. These statements reflect the Company's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the future tax treatment of the Charity FT Units, competitive risks and the availability of financing; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of potential health epidemics, pandemics or other outbreaks of communicable diseases; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the speculative nature of exploration and development; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified in the Company's public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking 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 anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. 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 (CuFeS 2 ), enargite (Cu 2 AsS 4 ), and molybdenite (MoS 2 ) 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. UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Monday said China was violating fundamental rights in its Xinjiang and Tibet regions and called on Beijing to change course. Turk, who has been criticised for not challenging China strongly enough over human rights, also asked Beijing to release rights defenders arrested under the "vague" offence of "picking quarrels and making trouble". Turk called on Beijing to implement recommendations made by his office and other human rights bodies "in relation to laws, policies and practices that violate fundamental human rights, including in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions". "I am engaging with the Hong Kong authorities on continuing concerns about national security laws," he added, in his global update to the UN Human Rights Council. In the northwestern Xinjiang region, China is accused of incarcerating more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. Beijing vehemently rejects the charges. A bombshell report by Turk's predecessor Michelle Bachelet -- released just minutes before her term ended in 2022 -- cited possible "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang. The report, flatly rejected by China, detailed "credible" evidence of torture, forced medical treatment and sexual or gender-based violence -- as well as forced labour. But it stopped short of labelling Beijing's actions in Xinjiang a "genocide", as the United States and some Western lawmakers have done. China denies allegations of abuse and insists it is running vocational training centres in Xinjiang which have helped to combat extremism and enhance development. - 'Baseless allegations' - Turk said his office was in talks with China on counter-terrorism policies, gender equality, minority protection, civic space, and economic, social and cultural rights. "As we move forward, it is important that this dialogue yield concrete results," he said. Turk recognised China's advances in development and in alleviating poverty, but urged that such policies be accompanied by reforms "to align relevant laws and policies with international human rights standards". "I particularly encourage revision of the vague offence of 'picking quarrels and making trouble' in Article 293 of the Criminal Law, and I urge the release of human rights defenders, lawyers and others detained under such legislation," he said. In response, China's ambassador Chen Xu called for countries to "resist the practice of using human rights as a pretext to interfere in internal affairs" and stop "imposing one's own values and development models on others". "We are willing to carry out dialogue with all countries on human rights, but resist baseless allegations against my country, by any country." In January, China received stinging criticism from Western countries during a regular review of its rights record at the United Nations, but other nations praised Beijing, including Russia and Iran. Western countries highlighted a crackdown on civil liberties and a sweeping national security law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 to quash dissent after pro-democracy protests. Others voiced alarm at alleged efforts to erase cultural and religious identity in Tibet, and repression in Xinjiang. China insisted it was making strides to improve the lives of its people, end poverty and protect rights. It has slammed critics for "politicising and weaponising" rights issues. The International Criminal Court said Monday it will hold hearings in October to confirm charges against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, who has been on the run for almost two decades. The Hague-based ICC issued an arrest warrant in 2005 against Kony and several senior commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group, which conducted a reign of terror in northern Uganda in the early 2000s. Kony, 62, is suspected of 36 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity as his rebels gained notoriety for abducting young boys and girls and turning them into child soldiers or sex slaves. The ICC will "hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the case against Joseph Kony in the suspect's absence, should he not appear, and set the date for this hearing to commence on 15 October, 2024." It will be the first time the tribunal -- which opened its doors in 2002 to try the world's worst crimes -- will hold a hearing featuring an absent suspect to see if he should be sent to trial. Suspects however cannot be tried in absentia at the ICC, but it is possible to hold confirmation hearings while they are still fugitives to speed up the process. Kony launched a bloody rebellion more than three decades ago seeking to impose his version of the Ten Commandments in northern Uganda, unleashing a campaign of terror that spread to several other countries. He has been on the run since and US president Barack Obama in 2011 deployed a small number of US troops to help regional armies try to capture him. Although Kony's current whereabouts are unknown, some news reports placed him in the war-ravaged Darfur region of western Sudan. Starting with a bloody rebellion in northern Uganda against President Yoweri Museveni, the LRA's campaign of violence has claimed more than 100,000 lives and seen 60,000 children abducted. The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. The allegations against Kony in the arrest warrant include murder, cruel treatment, enslavement, rape, and attacks against civilian population, the ICC said. In 2021, the ICC convicted a LRA child soldier-turned commander, Dominic Ongwen, of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced him to 25 years in jail. What does international law mean for Palestinian children in Gaza today? It has protected neither them, nor their childhood. It has not protected their families or communities. It has not protected their lives or limbs, their hopes or homes. Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations Riyad Mansour was fighting back the tears when he addressed the judges of the International Court of Justice in The Hague in February. He complained that for Palestine, the law continues to be only a measure of the severity of breaches, rather than a catalyst for action and accountability. For a week after Mansours address to the court, 50 other states and international bodies - the highest number of interventions at the ICJ - followed up with their interpretations of the United Nations General Assembly request for an advisory opinion on the legality of Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories. Ottilia Anna Maunganidze of South Africas Institute for Security Studies counted up all the submissions, both oral and written on the issue; in total, 63 states and international organisations weighed in. She notes this is a considerable increase on the 45 who intervened 10 years ago when the court was last asked its opinion on the Israeli-Palestinian context which resulted in the judges opinion that Israeli settlements are illegal. The last state to present during the February 2024 hearings was the tiny island of the Maldives with a population of just over 500,000. They had the same amount of time as, for example, China and the USA. The power of a small country like the Maldives presenting arguments at the ICJ says Maunganidze, in a space where it could be seen not only as a small country but lacking political weight, is their equal footing. Famously, Lennart Meri, president of Estonia in the late 1990s, suggested that the nuclear weapon of small states is international law. The numbers of states involved and the multiplicity of ways that states are now approaching the ICJ including South Africas current genocide case against Israel, and Ukraines genocide case against Russia, along with the General Assembly request for the advisory opinion suggests something has shifted, says Heidi Matthews of York University, Toronto. If you look at where these requests for the court's attention are coming from we see states from let's call it the Global South who just like South Africa in the genocide case, are really pressing on the levers available to them in international law to get up on the world stage. Maunganidze concurs: I do think the value of the International Court of Justice is that states, regardless of their size, are able to intervene. Against the backdrop of a lack of negotiated progress on the conflict between Israel and Palestine within the framework of a two-state solution, there was a very strong desire on the part of the UN General Assembly to clearly put that question on the agenda using the ICJ, notes Matthews. It was an interruption of the status quo approach, politically, to the question of Palestine. International law is part of a states toolbox, says Iryna Marchuk of Copenhagen University, one of the avenues that Ukraine pursued, because to achieve accountability, you have to explore all options. It does seem that there is this growing understanding that we should be using the international instruments that we have. Partly thats because it's not easy, she says, to create a new international instrument like the Comprehensive Terrorism Convention or the Convention on crimes against humanity, neither of which has yet become a reality. Not an activist court As the principal judicial body of the UN, the ICJs job is to be highly formalistic, highly positivistic in the way that it interprets law. And that's never going to change, says Matthews. But if we read between the lines, politics is obviously always present. Its part of the role of the ICJ, especially in its advisory capacity, to assist the work of the UN General Assembly, which is fundamentally political. But to do so in accordance with international law. Marchuk describes herself as an international criminal law person who has reluctantly become an ICJ expert. It's interesting how states came to instrumentalize the International Court of Justice, because they want this to be the platform for their grievances to be heard. But she recognises that it remains a conservative court: Ukraine is still smarting from the way the court downsized and rejected its applications against Russia under a variety of international conventions. Everyone knows that ICJ is a conservative body, and it's not a secret that it adopts some kind of avoidance techniques, she says. The court often says: There are many issues at stake here, but our jurisdiction is limited. We will narrowly address this and this violation. So it's not an activist court, she concludes. According to Marchuk this is partly because if the courts judgements were not obeyed, it would reflect badly on its legitimacy. But, she says: I find that right now the ICJ has to step out of its comfort zone. It cannot always hide behind this avoidance technique and say oh, we are not able to address this question because it falls outside our jurisdiction. They cannot always, you know, reframe the question or refuse to ask the question or answer by a minimum. Because otherwise, no one will go to the ICJ anymore and it will be dismissed as the court that is not capable of dealing with major international issues, and not able to uphold the major principles in the UN Charter. So I think that we are in this moment where the ICJ has to reinvent itself. For it to deliver meaningful justice. The power of the Genocide Convention One of the repeated themes in many of the states interventions in the recent Palestine hearings was that states have rights and responsibilities that they have automatically signed up to and which have strong consequences in international law. States are actually legally obliged to ensure that the norms are followed by other states, says Matthews. We saw many of the states in their oral statements at the court really focusing on the right of people's self-determination. Looking back at the high number of state interventions supporting Ukraines cases at the International Court of Justice Marchuk suggests that there can also be a bit of peer pressure. Copenhagen was among those who condemned Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine: It would be awkward, even for such a small country as Denmark, to support Ukraine in different international fora and then not to [intervene at the ICJ] knowing that more than 30 states actually did that. The legal obligations that states take on are particularly strongly illustrated in the Genocide Convention which has come to the fore not only with the South Africa case against Israel, but also the Gambia case against Myanmar. The way the convention is worded offers any state in the world who is a party to the convention, to be able to bring a claim against another state for violation of the convention, or a dispute around the interpretation of the convention, says Matthews. It provides a fairly easy mechanism, a certain access on the part of third states to the court, she continues. That's one reason why the Genocide Convention is coming up over and over again. At the beginning on March, Nicaragua illustrated again how the treaty can provide surprising opportunities with an attempt to accuse Germany of failing in its obligations in relation to supporting Israel during the current conflict. Tempering expectations While Maunganidze agrees that states do view the ICJ as an important forum she wants to caution against assuming that this is something new. States have regularly resorted to the court since its establishment, she says. Matthews admits to a bit of an excited sense with the current flurry of attention on the court. We should be careful to temper our expectations of what the court can deliver, especially in moments of very serious, and very active, ongoing conflicts. That's true both of the war in Gaza and of the situation in Ukraine. We need to be careful how much we expect from institutions of international law in general and the ICJ in particular, she warns. Pointing to the recent provisional measures ordered by the court in the Gaza situation, Marchuk says it's very clear that we need concerted political will and pressure in order, even for those binding decisions and judgements, to have any kind of effect on the ground. Looking back at the provisional measures in the Ukraine situation when in March 2022 the court ordered Russia to stop its invasion brings a rather sobering account of the power of such orders. However, says Maunganidze, in a time when there's a lot of walking away or scaling back on the gains of democracy, I do think countries using judicial mechanisms means the rule of law is still something that countries respect. Even if they disagree fundamentally on the substance that they're discussing, they still take part in a non-aggressive manner. Swiss prosecutors on Monday sought a life jail term for former Gambian interior minister Ousman Sonko who has been on trial for crimes against humanity, the Keystone-ATS news agency reported. Federal prosecutors said Sonko, 55, was responsible for killings, torture, rapes and other sexual crimes, the agency said. Sonko was one of a group of close associates of Yahya Jammeh, the former Gambian president. Prosecutors said he took part in a systematic wave of crimes against the population. Sonko has denied any knowledge of the acts he is accused of since his trial started in January. He has also had several attempts to have the trial halted rejected. The charges against Sonko relate to crimes carried out between 2000 and 2016 under the rule of the country's former strongman Jammeh. Sonko served as an army officer, then inspector general of police and then a minister. Sonko told the trial however that he had no "operational powers". His claims that the national intelligence agency were behind the abuses have angered civilians who filed complaints against Sonko. The trial became possible under legislation passed by Switzerland in 2011 that allowed its courts to hear trials for crimes against humanity when mass abuses are committed against civilian populations in other countries. Sonko was sacked as a minister in September 2016 after 10 years in the post. He was arrested in Switzerland on January 26, 2017 after requesting asylum. Prosecutors in Guinea on Monday sought a crimes against humanity charge over a 2009 massacre in which at least 156 people died. Former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara and 10 other former military and government officials are accused over the killing of 156 people and the rape of at least 109 women by pro-junta forces at a political rally in a stadium in the capital Conakry in September 2009. They face charges ranging from murder to sexual violence, kidnappings, arson and looting. Camara himself is charged with "personal criminal responsibility and command responsibility". If the charge is retained by the court, it will mark a major development in a case probing one of the darkest episodes in the West African nation's history. Several rights groups and the United Nations have also called for crimes against humanity charges to be brought against the accused. The International Criminal Court said Tuesday that it had issued arrest warrants for two senior Russian officers over the Ukraine war, including strikes targeting Ukrainian power infrastructure. The move comes after the court targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin in March last year with an international arrest warrant on war crime accusations over the deportation of Ukrainian children since launching the war in February 2022. It identified the two new warrant targets as Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash and Viktor Nikolayevich Sokolov, an army lieutenant general and a navy admiral, and said the suspected crimes were committed between October 2022 and March 2023. The two men "are each allegedly responsible for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian" targets and are also accused of crimes against humanity, the court said. The court said there were grounds to believe that the two suspects were responsible for missile strikes against Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least October 10, 2022, until at least March 9, 2023. Over this time, there was an alleged campaign of strikes against electric power plants and substations that were carried out by the Russian armed forces in several locations in Ukraine, the court said. "There are reasonable grounds to believe they bear individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes," the Hague-based court said in a statement. The two men either carried out the attacks directly or ordered them, or failed "to exercise proper control over the forces under their command", it said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the court's action, saying it sent a message to Russian commanders that "justice will be served" over strikes against civilians and critical infrastructure. "Every perpetrator of such crimes must know that they will be held accountable," he said. 'Another milestone' Kobylash, 58, commands an air unit linked to Russia's nuclear deterrence system, the country's defence ministry says in a document on its website. Sokolov, 61, is commander of Russia's Black Sea fleet, according to his official biography. The ICC, created in 2002 to investigate war crimes around the world, in September opened a field office in Kyiv as part of efforts to hold Russian forces accountable for potential war crimes. That move came after an international office to probe Russia for the war crime of aggression opened in The Hague in March 2023 in what Kyiv called a "historic" first step toward a tribunal for Moscow's leadership. Along with Putin, the ICC has also issued a warrant against Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, on similar charges of unlawful child deportations during the Ukraine war. Russian officials responded furiously to the court's arrest warrants for Putin, with Moscow issuing a retaliatory arrest warrant for ICC prosecutor Karim Khan of Britain and other court officials. The court's move appears to have limited Putin's foreign movements, with the Russian president skipping a BRICS summit last year in South Africa. Neither Russia nor Ukraine are official members of the ICC, though Kyiv has been working with the court to furnish what it considers evidence of Russian crimes. "It took us many months of dedicated work of prosecutors, investigators of Ukraine, different Ukrainian agencies, who supplied the office of the prosecutor of the ICC with thousands of evidences and information," Ukraine's prosecutor general Andriy Kostin said Tuesday. "Today, we reached another milestone in ensuring justice for all victims and survivors of this war. I'm really grateful for prosecutor of the ICC Karim Khan and his team," Kostin said in Brussels, where he was attending a meeting of European justice ministers. The ICC does not have its own police force for enforcing arrest warrants, and relies on its 123 member states to do so if the individuals targeted travel to their territory. "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," Khan said in a statement on Tuesday's move. "All wars have rules. Those rules bind all without exception." More than 10,000 victims of Chad's former dictator and convicted war criminal Hissene Habre have begun to be paid government compensation totalling $16.5 million, NGOs announced on Tuesday. Habre, dubbed "Africa's Pinochet", was sentenced by a special African court to life in jail in 2017 for crimes against humanity. More than 40,000 people are thought to have been murdered during his rule. "There are around 10,800 victims, who each have received 925,000 CFA francs ($1,529)," president of Chad's human rights commission, Djidda Oumar, told AFP. "We divided the money equally, with direct and indirect victims (families of those killed) receiving the same amount." The payments, which began February 23, amount to less than 10 percent of the total sum awarded to victims by courts in Senegal and Chad, according to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). Habre ruled Chad from 1982 until he was ousted by Idriss Deby Itno in 1990 and fled to Senegal. In April 2017, Dakar's appellate court mandated the African Union to find 82 billion CFA francs for victims by searching Habre's assets and soliciting contributions, the ICJ added. But the fund is not yet operational and many victims have died without receiving any compensation. In a separate trial in 2015, a Chadian court convicted about 20 Habre-era security agents to pay half of 75 billion CFA francs awarded to victims, with the government paying the other half. The former dictator served his sentence in Senegal where he died aged 79 from Covid in August 2021. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announced Tuesday the launch of a package of satellite news channels catering to Russia, much of it produced by Russian journalists forced to leave the country after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The Svoboda Satellite project -- named after the Russian word for freedom -- "is clearly not propaganda against propaganda", RSF secretary general Christophe Deloire said at a Brussels event in the European Parliament inaugurating the launch. "This is independent journalism -- exported from democracies, by mostly media in exile -- towards people living in countries with a despotic regime," he said. Deloire said the satellite package had the potential to reach 4.5 million households in Russia fitted with satellite dishes. He said broadcasts would be "secure and reliable". European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova welcomed the initiative as a challenge to disinformation campaigns both inside and outside Russia. "We've been failing in this information war. I'm not happy to say it," she said, pointing to "aggressive communication" strategies by Moscow that tailor disinformation to each country targeted. "Some are common, but many different narratives are just abusing the vulnerabilities of the society and historical tendencies and language proximity," she said. Promotors of the Svoboda Satellite project said it will give a Russian-speaking audience, in Russia and in neighbouring countries, access to journalism "able to speak about war crimes" Russia is committing in Ukraine. Notably, and unlike media in Russia, they will be free of Russian domestic laws that require the war in Ukraine to be termed only a "special military operation" under threat of criminal punishment. The nine channels, among them ones produced by Radio Sakharov and Novaya Gazeta Europe, are to be hosted on the French-based Eutelsat network of Hotbird satellites. There are plans to later expand the offering to 25 channels, said RSF, which is financing the endeavour. Liberia's lower house of parliament on Tuesday approved a motion to set up a long-awaited war crimes court, more than two decades after the end of a devastating civil conflict. The vote is the first step towards trying perpetrators of human rights violations and what the resolution terms "economic crimes" during two civil wars which left an estimated 250,000 people dead between 1989 and 2003. While Liberia's bloody conflicts resulted in massacres, mutilation, rape, cannibalism and the forced recruitment of child soldiers, no trial has yet been held inside the country. "The resolution has been passed, and justice for the Liberian people has finally arrived," said Jonathan Fonati Koffa, speaker of Liberia's House of Representatives, after the vote. Lawmakers danced, sang and chanted: "War crimes court, we want justice," according to an AFP correspondent at the scene. More than two-thirds of the house voted in favour of the resolution, which will now be debated by the Senate before it is passed onto President Joseph Boakai. If it gains final approval, a statute will be drafted to establish the court. Boakai said, during his swearing-in speech in January, that his government would explore the possibility of opening a "war and economic crimes court" for "those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity". Boakai announced his government's plan for a "war and economic crimes court" during his swearing-in speech in January. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2009 recommended the establishment of the court, but the call went largely unheeded as a number of accused warlords remain influential in their communities. Some of the most prominent warlords named in the TRC report, including Senator Prince Johnson, have yet to be held accountable for actions during the war. Johnson has argued that he is protected by a general amnesty granted to all sides in the conflict as part of a peace agreement at the end of the war. Tuesday's resolution stated that the House of Representatives supports the "full implementation of the TRC recommendations, including the establishment of an Extraordinary Criminal Court in Liberia and commits to working with Boakai for the court's establishment". While Han So Hee is living her best life in Paris, the "My Name" star made sure to express her love for her fans. The South Korean actress handed out special gifts for her fans who came and waited to see her. Han So Hee Viral Again for Top-Tier Fan Service In a video uploaded on TikTok, Han So Hee was spotted walking out of her hotel building, where she had a brief interaction with her fans in Paris. However, instead of signing autographs and taking selfies with them, the "Nevertheless" star prepared something for everyone. Taking it to the next level, Han So Hee's fan service exceeded expectations, as the actress gave handwritten letters with a special message from her. Moreover, she added a little surprise because the letter was sealed with a lipstick-stained kiss. @joyetbam Nhung lan minh gap #hansohee o Paris : -Von di chi muon i Phap du hoc nganh nghe thuat , nhung luc o phai chung minh tai chinh 60 trieu. Hoi o #hansohee khong co nhieu tien nhu vay, sau o chi bat au i lam them. Ban au lam 12 tieng mot ngay va uoc tra 1,8 trieu won mot thang. Roi i lam nguoi mau hai tieng thoi a uoc tra 3 trieu won, the la tiep tuc lam nguoi mau. -Minh bat au lam fan tu 2021 qua Nevertheless va an tuong nv Nabi cung muon sang Paris du hoc nganh ieu khac.Cam giac nhu ang boc lo cho chinh Han So Hee vay. -Du gi cuoi cung chi cung a uoc en Phap va chung ta cung a uoc gap nhau ngoai oi #sohee # #fyp #myname #xeesoxee #Nabi #fyp #xuhuong #kdrama love. - wave to earth Han So Hee's heartfelt message, written in Korean, said: "It's late, but Happy New Year, and I hope you're happy." Another one said: "I'll support you from afar; let's all be healthy in each of our positions." Interestingly, this was not the first time that the actress showcased top-tier fan service. READ MORE: Han So Hee's Odd Behavior at Paris Fashion Week 2024 Sparks Buzz On her way to Paris, the actress wanted to accommodate fans who waited for her at the airport; unfortunately, she was busy signing autographs, receiving little tokens, and more. In an Instagram post, Han So Hee apologized for not being able to make room for some and expressed her regret on social media. "I have only two hands, so I'm very sorry that I couldn't sign or make a heart for you guys." Han So Hee flew to France to join the star-studded fashion event. She graced Paris Fashion Week 2024 for Dior and French luxury jewelry brand Boucheron, where she both serves as global brand ambassadors. Apart from her brand activities, both local and internal, Han So Hee is booked and busy with upcoming K-dramas in 2024. What's Next for Han So Hee? After having successful projects in previous years, Han So Hee continues to headline back-to-back K-dramas. Reprising her role as Yoon Chae Ok, she returns with Park Seo Joon in "Gyeongseong Creature" season 2, which will air sometime in the summer of 2024. In addition to this, she is also selected to play one of the main leads in the upcoming drama "Dotgabi." Per reports, the series will be directed by Oh Jin Seok of "Queenmaker" and penned by "River Where the Moon Rises" writer Han Ji Hoon. It depicts the story of a woman's unexpected transformation. She is unattractive during the day and could make heads turn at night because of her beauty. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Han So Hee Shows Off Her Hip Tattoo in Chic Airport Fashion Look For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Director Kim Hee Jin dished on the behind-the-scenes experience during the filming of Song Joong Ki's movie "My Name is Loh Kiwan." With the action thriller as her first movie, the filmmaker revealed why she wanted the top star to portray the titular role. Did You Know: 'My Name is Loh KiWan' Director Waited 7 Years for Song Joong Ki to Accept the Offer In an interview with media outlets, director Kim Hee Jin expressed how thankful she is for the actor to finally accept the offer. Did you know that the "My Name is Loh Kiwan" director waited 7 years for the top star to officially agree to headline the series? According to Kim Hee Jin, the role was previously offered to Song Joong Ki in 2017, but he rejected it. At the time, she thought that Song Joong Ki couldn't relate to the character of Loh Ki Wan and how can a person could "fall in love in a country where he's barely surviving." However, she really wanted the movie to be her directorial debut and chose not to start and "bury" the project. "Personally, I put 'My Name is Loh KiWan' aside and continued to prepare other works, but for the character of Loh Ki Wan, I kept only Song Joong Ki in mind and waited." READ MORE: Song Joong Ki Garners Mixed Reactions for Yet Another 'Fashion Disaster' Interestingly, things went in her favor, and she received news that Song Joong Ki had officially said yes to the role. "Over the years, his mindset changed, and both he and Netflix made the big decision to go ahead." She added that many factors, such as schedule, also influenced the actor to accept the offer. The director also expressed her gratitude to the top star, adding: "I don't think it could have been made if it wasn't for actor Song Joong Ki." Where to Watch 'My Name is Loh Kiwan' Song Joong Ki's new movie, "My Name is Loh Kiwan," depicts the journey of a North Korean defector named Loh Ki Wan, who arrived in Belgium with the hope of surviving and having a fresh start. During his search for his new purpose in life, he meets Marie, played by Choi Sung Eun, who has lost her reason for living. Amid the uncertainty of life, the duo falls in love with each other despite the unpleasant first meeting. Released on March 1, "My Name is Loh Kiwan" exclusively airs on Netflix. The streaming giant also released this to over 190 countries around the world. Other than the duo, the movie also featured a roster of talented stars. Song Joong Ki reunites with Jo Han Chul, who played the role of Marie's father, Yoon Seong. Both the top star and Jo Han Chul worked together in "Vincenzo" and "Reborn Rich." Adding to the list of supporting cast members are Seo Hyun Woo, Kim Sung Ryung, Lee Il Hwa, and more. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Song Joong Ki Failed Overseas Auditions? Actor Shows Eagerness to Expand Career Abroad For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Children are shown outside during a break week from school in Cat Lake, Ont. on April 13, 2012. The chief of a remote northwestern Ontario First Nation says his community has established a task team to find solutions and provide health services after his community's nursing station was burned down over the weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heather Scoffield Tuesday, March 05, 2024 A 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by a neighbours dogs in Alabama, USA. Mark Alan, 2, wandered from his New Hope home Friday, March 1, and opened the gate to the neighbours property before being killed by the residents two dogs, a Siberian husky and a German shepherd/golden retriever mix, according to police and local outlets. The child's mom, Kayla Hughey Partain, took to Facebook on Saturday, March 2, to say no one was to blame for the very tragic accident. The hurt is unreal. I dont even feel like Im living in reality. My childrens hearts are so broken. Id like to thank everyone that has messaged, prayed, or sent kind words, the grieving woman wrote. Ive spoken with all of the police and investigators. There will be a full investigation but it looks as if this was just a very tragic accident with no one to be held at fault, she added. New Hope police confirmed there was no criminality, calling the incident a tremendous tragic accident. The dogs owner, Ricky Clark, recalled the aftermath of the incident to WAAY-TV when Alans father told him what happened. He was banging on the door real hard, and he said, Its my son! Its my son! I think he might be dead! Clark said. I couldnt believe it because my dogs aint never growled or barked at nobody or nothing. If I even had a clue that those dogs were going to hurt anybody, I wouldnt have had them, the dog owner said. The neighbour speculated that the dogs had been trying to protect the child from a brown bulldog that had been running through the neighbourhood. [Mark] mightve opened the gate, and that other dog mightve come in here with him, and then they mightve all went at it, and he mightve been right in the middle of it, said Clark. Clarks dogs were taken by animal control and set to be returned to him after 10 days, according to the report. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Detectives have arrested four suspects and charged them with using forged credentials to secure jobs at the Moi Teaching and Referal Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret. The four, Bethwel Kipkoech, Celestine Cherop Chepsoi, Eddah Cheptanui Boit, and Jackson Kipkosgei were charged with the offences of forgery of academic certificates, making false documents, uttering of false documents, and fraudulent acquisition of public property. They used the forged documents to secure jobs at the government facility against the law. Four more suspects who used forged credentials to acquire public service jobs at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital were yesterday arraigned at the Eldoret law courts, DCI stated. The four pleaded not guilty to the counts and were released on Ksh100,000 cash bail or a bond of Ksh300, 000. Cases of cheating and fake qualifications are on the increase with a good number of Kenyans securing public jobs, without the requisite qualification. EACC announced in January that it had commenced investigations to smoke out Kenyans holding fake academic certificates. EACC Chairperson Bishop David Oginde said the campaign targets all arms of the national government and county government departments to ensure that only qualified personnel are allowed in the establishment. Monday, March 04, 2024 More than 40 countries on Monday, March 4, demanded an independent international investigation into the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny alleging that President Vladimir Putin bore ultimate responsibility. European Union members, the United States, Britain, Ukraine, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway were among the countries to voice outrage over Navalnys death at the UN Human Rights Council. Navalny, 47, died in an Arctic prison colony, last month and was laid to rest in Moscow on Friday, March 1, surrounded by crowds of defiant mourners who chanted his name. We are outraged by the death of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which the ultimate responsibility lies with President Putin and the Russian authorities, EU ambassador Lotte Knudsen told the UN rights body on behalf of 43 countries. Russia must allow an independent and transparent international investigation into the circumstances of his sudden death. Mr Navalnys unexpected and shocking death is yet another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia. The 43 countries said they were deeply concerned about the systematic crackdown on civil society and the repression of political opposition within Russia and abroad. They urged Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists and anti-war activists detained for peacefully exercising their human rights and for opposing Russias war in Ukraine. We call on the Russian Federation to end this climate of impunity and create a safe environment for political opposition and critical voices, the statement said. They also urged Russia to abolish its oppressive legislation and end political misuse of the judiciary. Russias political leadership and authorities must be held to account, said Knudsen. Navalnys courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice, freedom and democracy will never be forgotten. The death of Navalny was announced on February 16 as the Kremlin leader campaigned to secure a new six-year term in an election in mid-March where he will face no real competition. Thursday, March 5, 2024 - A section of Azimio One Kenya Alliance senators has accused the Speaker of the Senate, Amason Kingi, of undermining them. The Senators, led by Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), claimed that the speaker had contributed to the capture of the Senate legislative business by stifling debate on controversial bills. Madzayo said the government was using shortcuts to fast-rack bills and limit debate in the House. We the membership of the minority side have left the said retreat in protest at the hypocrisy of the leadership of the Senate and especially the open disregard of the rules of the House and contempt directed at the minority side and its leadership, said Madzayo in a statement. The Senators accused the Speaker of repeatedly and without legal justification refusing to approve questions and motions sponsored by members of the Minority. Ledama Olekina (Narok) said they were dissatisfied with the way the House was being managed. We are not asking for favours. All we want is that the minority is respected and that debate is not stifled, he said. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna accused the Speaker of hypocrisy and professional misconduct. The Senate is a House of debate but debate is being stifled. It is also professional misconduct not to respond to official letters. "There are a few characters notorious of bringing frivolous points of order whenever Senators from the Minority side are making their debates, said Sifuna. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, March 04, 2024 The Massachusetts, US, Air National Guard member who leaked troves of classified military documents and posted them online in a case considered one of the most serious US national security breaches in recent years, has agreed to accept a 16-year sentence on Monday, March 4. Jack Teixeira, who was 21 at the time of his arrest in April 2023, was accused of abusing his security clearance and leaking top-secret Pentagon documents and sharing them on the social media and gaming app Discord. The documents were then widely shared and viewed by the public. The highly classified documents he was accused of disclosing included detailed intelligence assessments of Russias invasion of Ukraine, including how the equipment would be transferred, and how the equipment would be used upon receipt, according to the indictment. Teixeira "accessed and printed hundreds of classified documents" and posted images of them on Discord prior to his arrest last April, a prosecutor said Monday during a hearing in Boston federal court, where the Air National Guardsman pleaded guilty. Teixeira entered court in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit with the initials PCCF on the back for Plymouth County Correctional Facility and appeared to smile at his father, who was seated in the second row. Judge Indira Talwani asked Teixeira whether he understood he was agreeing to serve as much as 16 years in prison and no fewer than 11 years. "Yes your honor, I understand," Teixeira said, leaning down to speak into a microphone at the defense table. "How do you now plead to counts one, two, three, four, five and six? Guilty or not guilty?" the clerk asked. "Guilty," Teixeira responded. As part of his plea agreement, Teixeira must sit for a debrief with the Defense Department and the Justice Department and give back any sensitive materials that might remain in his possession. Teixeira remains on active duty in the Air Force and could face U.S. military charges after the civilian criminal charges have been adjudicated according to reports. 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's sentencing is set for Sept. 27. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Bishop Joseph Waweru of the Church of The Lord situated along Thika Road was over the moon after being gifted a luxurious Mercedes S-Class by his congregants. The car was driven towards the bishop with the headlights on as the congregants erupted in joy. It was also driven on a red carpet as praise and worship members dressed in uniforms beat the drums and sang joyfully. The brainwashed congregants, most of whom reside in Dandora and Kariobangi, gathered around the controversial preacher and gifted him the pricey car. He looked excited as one of the church members shared a memorable speech before they gifted him the car. The man of God prayed and sanctified the car before he got into it and drove off as the church members cheered. The video was shared on the Churchs Tiktok account and captioned, Bishops gift. Bishop Waweru is among the popular Nairobi preachers accused of performing fake miracles. Miracles at his church come at a fee. At one time, he claimed that he was raising the dead at a fee. Watch video of his pricey ride gifted to him by his congregants. Bishop JOSEPH WAWERU of Thika Road-based Church of the Lord gifted Mercedes S-Class by his congregants. pic.twitter.com/3FNTbfLoWr DAILY POST (@TheKenyanPost) March 5, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - President William Ruto has appealed to Kenyans to support and contribute to his controversial housing levy. Speaking during the Salvation Army Centenary celebrations at the Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi County, Ruto said the fee would make the Affordable Housing Programme a success. The President noted that the aim is to give low-income earners, especially those living in slums, a chance to own homes. It is our responsibility to contribute to the housing levy that will help us ensure those without decent homes become homeowners, remarked the Head of State. According to the President, the Affordable Housing Programme will create jobs for thousands of youth in the country. The Head of State also urged Kenyans with arable land to take advantage of the various governments agricultural initiatives to increase productivity. This, he explained, would help the country to achieve its food security goals. As a government, we have done our part with the provision of adequate and affordable seeds and fertiliser. I urge you to plant food so that we can eradicate hunger in our country," Ruto stated. Ruto said the government is investing in programmes and policies that will create many jobs for Kenyans. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is over the moon after all East African Heads of State agreed to back his African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship bid. This was revealed by President William Ruto who indicated that EA Heads of State have agreed to front one candidate for the AU chairmanship. Speaking on Tuesday, during the opening of the third session of the East African Legislative Assembly meeting at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, Ruto said the agreement attests to the strength of the East African Community (EAC). He went on to note that this coming together also shows the spirit of the leadership that is being provided by the EAC. "The chair of the AU is coming up next year as the term of our chair Moussa Faki comes to an end. It is going to be the turn for East Africa to provide the chair of the African Union," Ruto said. "We have sat down in the spirit of the East African Community; we have consulted as heads of state from the East African Community together and we have agreed to sponsor one candidate as East Africans." "That is the strength of our community that we can do things together and we can consult amongst one another. It speaks to the spirit of the leadership that is being provided by our region," he added. Kenya has fronted Raila Odinga to be the next chairperson of the AU Commission. Raila has also received the backing of AU Special Envoy and former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was with him when he announced his candidature in Nairobi. He has also received backing from EA Heads of State among them Ruto, Yoweri Museveni, and Samia Suhulu. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - A Kenyan woman identified as Victoria Muthama has taken to social media to announce that she has broken up with her husband over infidelity. She put some of her husbands designer items, including shoes and watches on sale, following the breakup. She is selling the items at a throw-away price. Victoria said that from 10th March, she will drop her husbands name. She went ahead and exposed the city lawyer for wrecking her marriage. Check out her posts. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - A young man caused drama along a busy street in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) after he was reportedly dumped by a lady believed to be his girlfriend. He held her leg and refused to let her go, prompting members of the public to intervene. Curious passersby gathered around the scene of the dramatic incident. Some could be heard asking what was going on. In the amateur video shared on social media, the middle-aged man is seen holding the ladys leg as he desperately prevents her from boarding a cab. However, his efforts were futile. Patrol cops came to the ladys rescue and arrested him. At first, he tried to resist arrest but he was overpowered and bundled into a police vehicle. The lady boarded a cab and left. Watch the video. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Monday, March 04, 2024 The FBI has launched an urgent manhunt for an Iranian secret intelligence official accused of plotting to assassinate Trump-era officials. Federal agents say Majid Dastjani Farahani has been trying to recruit allies to murder current and former US government officials as revenge for the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. In an urgent notice released, the FBI office in Miami asked for information on Farahani, who is said to speak Spanish and frequently move between Iran and Venezuela, where the ruling regime is friendly with Iran. 'Farahani is wanted for questioning in connection with the recruitment of individuals for various operations in the United States, to include lethal targeting of current and former United States Government officials as revenge for the killing of IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani,' the FBI said. 'Farahani also reportedly recruited individuals for surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses, and other facilities in the United States. Farahani acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security.' The FBI has asked anyone with information to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or consulate. Iran vowed to take revenge on the US following the assassination of Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, the overseas arm of the elite Revolutionary Guards. Soleimani was killed in Iraq in a drone strike in January, 2020, ordered by then-president Donald Trump. Aside from Pompeo, the FBI also believes Iran is also targeting Brian Hook, Trump's envoy to Tehran, the agency told Semafor. Both Pompeo and Hook are currently under around-the-clock security due to the increased threat level. Farahani was sanctioned by the Treasury department in December, which claimed he works for Iran to 'aggressively target and stifle opponents and dissenting voices.' 'The regime's efforts to silence its opponents extend far beyond its borders, where Iran has carried out acts of transnational repression, including rendition and lethal plotting against activists, journalists, and foreign government officials,' the Treasury department said. Tuesday, March 05, 2024 The FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem, is reportedly under investigation for allegedly interfering with the result of a Formula One race. According to the BBC, a report by the motorsport governing bodys compliance officer, Paolo Basarri, to the ethics committee claims Ben Sulayem acted to overturn a 10-second penalty given to Aston Martins Fernando Alonso at the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The BBC report claims a whistleblower has alleged that Ben Sulayem called the FIAs vice-president for sport for the Middle East, Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa al-Khalifa, who was in Saudi Arabia for the race in an official capacity. Ben Sulayem allegedly told Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa that he thought Alonsos penalty should be revoked. The removal of Alonsos 10-second penalty, imposed for work done on his car while he was serving a previous five-second sanction, returned him to the podium behind the Red Bull duo of race-winner Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen in second, after the deduction had dropped him to fourth. At the time there was no suggestion there was anything untoward with the decision after Aston Martins sporting director, Andy Stevenson, had put the teams case to stewards in a right of review. Mercedes driver George Russell would have moved up to third place if Alonsos 10-second penalty had stood. Tuesday, March 05, 2024 French lawmakers have approved the bill to make abortion a constitutional right for women in the country. The bill was approved in an overwhelming 780-72 vote on Monday, and nearly the entire joint session stood in a long-standing ovation. There were jubilant scenes of celebrations all over France as womens rights activists hailed the measure promised by President Emmanuel Macron following a rollback of abortion rights in court rulings in the United States. Both houses of parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, have already adopted a bill to amend Article 34 of the French Constitution to specify a womans right to an abortion is guaranteed. In the lead-up to the historic vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal addressed the 925 lawmakers gathered for the joint session in Versailles and called on them to make France a leader in womens rights and set an example in defense of womens rights for countries around the world. We have a moral debt to women, Attal said. He paid tribute to Simone Veil, a prominent legislator, former health minister and key feminist who in 1975 championed the bill that decriminalized abortion in France. We have a chance to change history, Attal said in a moving and determined speech. Make Simone Veil proud, he said to a standing ovation. The lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, overwhelmingly approved the proposal in January. The Senate adopted the bill on Wednesday, clearing a key hurdle for legislation promised by Macrons government, intended to make a womans right to have an abortion irreversible. The measure must be approved by a three-fifths majority in the joint session. None of Frances major political parties represented in parliament have questioned the right to abortion, including Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party and the conservative Republicans. However, some lawmakers have voted against inscribing abortion right into the constitution in previous votes in both houses. Le Pen, who won a record number of seats in the National Assembly two years ago, said on Monday that her party will vote in favor of the bill but added that there is no need to make this a historic day. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Over 4,000 prisoners in Haiti escaped prison after armed gangs stormed the countrys largest penitentiary. Reports from the Caribbean country indicated that only 100 inmates refused to escape jail after the gangs broke into the prison. Interestingly, among those who refused to flee the prison were 18 Colombian soldiers who had been accused of assassinating Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. The police officers guarding the prison put on a feeble fight to prevent the breach as the gang members outnumbered them. According to reports, the incident left four police officers dead and five injured. There was indiscriminate violence within the overcrowded prison as hardened criminals took advantage of the chaos to escape. Police officers were stretched thin within the capital as the gangs raided different places within the country concurrently. While some gang leaders were executing the prison break, others attacked national government buildings adjacent to the prison. With key government buildings under siege, it was not clear whether Prime Minister Ariel Henry would return to the war-torn country. Ariel had travelled to Kenya where he signed agreements with President William Ruto on Friday to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti. It is not immediately clear whether Kenya will go ahead with the deployment and if Ariel will be able to go back to his country. Already, the gangs have control of the airport and are dictating which planes land or take off from the Caribbean country. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Central Regional Commissioner Fredrick Shisia has said headteachers from the Mt Kenya region who ordered students to block President William Rutos motorcade will face criminal charges. The students, many of whom were from Gatundu and Lari constituencies, blocked Ruto's motorcade when he was on a three-day tour of Mt Kenya region. In a letter to the headteachers, Shisia highlighted that teachers intentionally mobilised learners to block Rutos motorcade to pursue favours. The students of Kirenga Girls Secondary, Kirenga Boys, Technical High School, and Kirenga Primary School blocked the presidential motorcade while en route to the venue of a presidential function. These students were intentionally mobilised by teachers for reasons best known to them. Students of Munyuini Secondary School lined along a route H.E the President was using, waving placards which were intended to seek favours from the President despite prior caution that they should not portray such, the letter addressed to the management of learning institutions read. According to Shisia, the activities portray deviation from established norms of head teachers defying valid instructions, inculcating deviant behaviour in children, and promoting extortion, and further breaking the law. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Lawrence Gitonga, the 33-year-old man who spent time with 19-year-old Joan Mbula Nzomo before she died under mysterious circumstances, claims that she attacked him with a knife. Gitonga was found lying unconscious in the bathroom with 8 stab wounds, shortly after Joans body was discovered on Saturday morning. He had one stab on his back and seven others on his chest. Police had to use spare keys to access the house. Gitonga told the police that he had locked himself in the bathroom because he was bleeding so much. He reportedly feared he would die from the stab wounds allegedly inflicted by Mbula. When police interrogated him, he had no idea that Mbula was dead. He even asked the police where she was. All he told the police was that he remembered hitting and kicking her before she stabbed him with a knife. When he realized he was bleeding badly, he rushed to the bathroom and locked himself in. He said he couldnt remember anything else. Gitonga remains the prime suspect in the death of Mbula, who was a student at the Nairobi Aviation College. He is currently recovering at the Kenyatta National Hospital under police guard. Police are also seeking to establish whether he was high on drugs, given how disoriented he was found in the bathroom lying in a pool of blood. They are awaiting the results of a blood test to see if he had taken drugs. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, March 05, 2024 A new report has claimed that Miley Cyrus's mother, Tish Cyrus 'hired security' to keep her daughter Noah from attending her wedding to Prison Break actor, Dominic Purcell. Noah, 24, was notably missing at her mother's nuptials to the Prison Break hunk in August 2023, with recent reports stating that Tish, 56, had 'stolen' the Australian star, 54, from her daughter and Noah was 'offended.' However, it has now been reported that it was Tish who prevented her youngest daughter from attending the ceremony. 'Tish was the one who did not invite Noah and Braison [her son] to her wedding, and blocked them on Instagram after she pursued Dominic... it was Tish who requested security at her wedding to keep Noah and Braison out,' a source told ET. The source confirmed that Noah and Dominic, who have a 30-year age gap, had been dating before he began romancing her mother, but added that Tish 'did not steal' the actor. 'Noah stopped seeing Dominic and Tish decided to pursue him and did not tell Noah,' the insider explained. While some family members, including daughter Miley Cyrus, 31, were present for her wedding to the actor, Noah and son Braison, 29, were absent from the nuptials, fueling speculation of a rift at the time. Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, 62, ended their 28-year marriage in April of 2022 when the Achy Breaky Heart vocalist filed for divorce. The ex-couple share a total of three children together: Miley, Noah and Braison. Tish also has a daughter Brandi, 36, and a son Trace, 35, from a previous marriage. Meanwhile Billy Ray shares son Christopher Cody, 31, with ex Kristen Luckey. The source also claimed that Tish's famous daughter Miley had 'no idea' about Noah and Dominic's involvement and that her role as a maid of honour at the wedding was not a slight at her dad, Billy Ray. 'Miley and Billy Ray are totally fine,' the source added. Tuesday, March 5,2024 - A section of religious leaders from the Mt Kenya region have expressed displeasure about the governments decision to tax farmers, saying the move is not only punitive but one that could injure the countrys economic growth. Led by Bishop David Thagana, Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya (FEICCK) Secretary General, the bishops, reverends, and pastors urged lawmakers to rescind what they call punitive laws. In its bid to go for more taxes, the government wants every farmer delivering their produce to the markets to pay Sh5 for every Sh100 obtained from sales, claiming the agricultural sector is undertaxed. Thagana lamented that the heavy taxation has seen the cost of living skyrocket, hurting the majority of Kenyans, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid. His sentiments were echoed by Bishop Joseph Karani, who called on lawmakers to stop enacting laws that are punitive to common mwananchi and that are introducing hefty taxes. I urge MPs to put the interests of Kenyans first while making crucial decisions that can make or break the country socially, economically, or politically, he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, March 05, 2024 A Muslim woman, Khadija, has said that her fellow Muslims need to learn the manner of approach. In a post shared on X, Khadija made the appeal while narrating how she had to intervene when a non-Muslim was harassed for her appearance. She said that on Monday, March 4, she was walking in front of the Ilorin Central mosque when other Muslims at the mosque began to hurl insults of a non-Muslim dressed in a short denim skirt who was walking past the mosque. Khadija said it took her intervention for the Muslims not to assault the non-Muslim lady who was almost in tears. Read her account of what happened below Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has irked Western Kenya leaders over his continued undermining of the regions kingpins Moses Wetangula (Speaker of the National Assembly) and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Speaking at a funeral service in Bungoma County, the leaders cautioned the governor, stating that he was contributing to derailing the region from achieving its political ambitions. According to the leaders, Natembeyas continuous remarks about the two senior leaders and Ford-Kenya politicians, in general, are disrespectful and out of sync with his status as a community leader. They therefore cautioned him to respect their leadership and desist from mentioning them in negative light or else he will have himself to blame. Further, they reiterated that Wetangulas Ford Kenya is the second-oldest in Kenya, and was deserving of the Governors respect. However, some leaders cautioned the Governor, that they were ready to continue the face-off if that was the direction he aimed to take. In his defence, the Governor explained that he was not afraid of pointing out the Western leaders mistakes in case he felt that they were steering the community in the wrong direction. When we say that is not the direction, that is not lack of respect, I will not accept us to be led blindly because if I say we are not moving in the right direction I will be accused of disrespected, stated Natembeya Natembeya had alleged that Wetangula and Mudavadi did not deserve to be in leadership as they were leading the Luhya community astray. The deepening wrangles have continued to simmer within the community with different factions insisting they are right. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, March 05, 2024 An Oregon dad has been accused of drugging his daughter's young friends with smoothies laced with sedatives during a sleepover at his house, then creeped over them as they drifted off to sleep. One of the three 12-year-old girls texted her mom with a desperate plea for help at 1:45 a.m. as she lost consciousness and begged to be rescued from the home in Lake Oswego, just south of Portland. Mom please pick me up and say I had a family emergency. I dont feel safe. I might not respond but please come get me (crying emoji), Please. Please pick up. Please. PLEASE!! she wrote, according to police. Michael Meyden, 57, turned himself in at the Clackamas County Jail on Wednesday after a grand jury issued an indictment accusing him of multiple felonies and misdemeanors stemming from the Aug. 26, 2023, sleepover, Lake Oswego police said. It has now emerged that one of the 12-year-old girls allegedly fed drug-laced mango smoothies during the sleepover claims the creepy Oregon dad was doing tests to see if they were conscious while they pretended to sleep. The child desperately texted a family friend begging for a ride from the Lake Owego home, saying her friends 57-year-old dad was making her feel unsafe after he had coerced her and two other girls into drinking the smoothies he had laced with benzodiazepine a depressant that slows the nervous system, according to a probable cause affidavit. So Im sleeping, and her dad comes down and [Im] hugging [one of the other girls] because she was scared, and he kept moving us away from each other but kept doing tests to make sure we werent awake, the unidentified girl wrote in a text. Also, [the other girl] wont wake up and she did for like 2 seconds, but she kept her eyes closed and didnt talk, the girl added before the family friend agreed to pick her up. When the family friend arrived at the home, the girl stood to get her things and was met by creepy dad Michael Meyden, who seemed drunk and slurred his speech in response to her leaving but did not try to stop her, the girl said. The girl also told police that she had used a very loud door to retrieve her shoes from the garage while fleeing and became concerned when one of the other girls didnt wake up when she slammed the door. After the girl was brought home by the family friend, she woke her parents, who decided to drive to Meydens house at 3 a.m. to retrieve the two other girls, the document says. At the hospital the next day, one of the girls told Lake Oswego Police Detective Nicole Palmeri she still felt hot, woozy and clumsy, while another child said she couldnt recall what occurred upon blacking out. One of the three girls, whose mother said she is typically a light sleeper, described falling into a thick, deep sleep that she had never experienced before. The same girl was unable to walk upon getting home and had to be carried inside the house, where she repeatedly asked, What happened before her parents decided to bring her to the hospital. Police observed that one of the girls walked slowly and used the assistance of her mother for balance, her eyelids were heavy, and she spoke slowly. None of the girls or their families were particularly close with the Meyden family or had been at their home before the sleepover, which Meyden had arranged because his then-wifes primary language is Japanese, the affidavit said. Meyden faces charges including causing another person to ingest a controlled substance and application of a controlled substance to the body of another person. Tuesday, March 5, 2024 - Kenyan authorities have charged two Chinese nationals and their company with possessing and attempting to sell imitation Louis Vuitton shoes. The seized merchandise is estimated to be a staggering Sh 671 million (approximately $5.6 million USD). According to court documents, Gong Hongmel and Zhu Yong, along with their company Hao Mei Shoe Trading Limited, are accused of possessing nearly 4,000 counterfeit LV shoes for commercial purposes. Each shoe is alleged to have been priced at Sh 170,000, bringing the total value to a significant sum. The charges against them include possession of counterfeit goods for trade, importing counterfeit goods into Kenya, and possession of counterfeit goods during trade activities. The alleged crime took place on November 25th, 2023, at a warehouse in Nairobis Industrial Area. During the initial court appearance, Gong Hongmel denied the charges. However, Zhu Yong failed to appear, prompting the issuance of a warrant for his arrest. Gong Hongmel was released on bail of Sh 350,000 while awaiting the cases hearing, scheduled for March 11th, 2024. The case is supposed to be mentioned on March 11. Below is a photo of one of the suspects. Monday, March 04, 2024 The US Supreme Court on Monday removed March 4, a potential hurdle to Donald Trumps bid to come back to the White House, unanimously dismissing a Colorado state court ruling that could have barred him from the ballot for engaging in insurrection. The ruling in favour of the former president came a day before the Super Tuesday primaries that are expected to finalize Trumps march toward the Republican nomination to contest against USS President Joe Biden in November. The question before the 9 justices was whether Trump was ineligible to appear on the Republican presidential primary ballot in Colorado because he engaged in an insurrection, the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters. In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court said the judgment of the Colorado Supreme Court cannot stand, meaning 77-year-old Trump, the Republican White House frontrunner, can appear on the states primary ballot. All nine Members of the Court agree with that result, they added. The case stemmed from a ruling in December by the state Supreme Court in Colorado, one of the 15 states and territories voting on Super Tuesday. The court, citing the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, ruled that Trump should be kicked off the ballot because of his role in the January 6 attack on Congress, when a mob tried to halt certification of Bidens 2020 election victory. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars anyone from holding public office if they engaged in insurrection or rebellion after once pledging to support and defend the Constitution. But during two hours of arguments last month, both conservative and liberal justices on the US Supreme Court expressed concern about having individual states decide which candidates can be on the presidential ballot this November. On Monday, the top court ruled that responsibility for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates rests with Congress and not the States. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, was aimed at preventing supporters of the slave-holding breakaway Confederacy from being elected to Congress or from holding federal positions. Besides the Colorado case, the Supreme Court has also agreed to hear Trumps claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution as a former president and cannot be tried on separate charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives for inciting an insurrection but was acquitted thanks to Republican support in the Senate. The General Court Martial has dismissed the case against seven senior police officers who had been charged alongside former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen Kale Kayihura, with aiding and abetting kidnap of Rwandan refugees and failing to protect war materials. In a twist of events, on August 30, 2023, the state decided to withdraw charges against Gen Kayihura and left his juniors to battle without any single witness presented by the prosecution. The withdrawal letter dated March 5, 2024, has been signed by the Army Director of Prosecutions Lt. Col Rapheal Mugisha who did not explain why the charges have been withdrawn. Prosecution had alleged that on October, 25, 2013, at Kamengo in Mpigi District, the 7 police officers conspired with their former boss Kale Kayihura to kidnap three Rwandan refugees; Joel Mutabazi, Jackson Kaleemera and Innocent Kaliisa and conveyed them to their country against their will. The eight police officers were also charged with unlawfully allowing the issuance of guns to the then Boda Boda 2010 leader Abudallah Kitatta; who was unauthorized to own millitary possessions. In addition, the officers along with Kayihura were accused of failing to account for guns issued to specialised police units such as the Flying Squard , Special Operations Unit, Witness Protection Unit and the crime intelligence directorate unit of police. For the 2 offences , the senior police officers were jailed for several months at the millitary police barracks in Makindye before being released on bail. Me Kitatta and his bodyguard, Detective Constable Sowali Ngobi were later in May 2019 also charged, convicted and sentenced to 8 years in prison for being in illegal possession of firearms ammunitions by the then courts chairman Lt Gen Andrew Gutti. The duos sentence was later reduced on appeal and too set free. The Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo says Ugandas Judiciary may not address the ever growing system of case backlog by only using the courts of law. He made the revelation during the ongoing two-day Africa Chief Justices Summit on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) organized by the Judiciary at Mestil hotel in Kampala. The summit is being attended by about 300 officials including; several chief justices on the African continent, justices, African judges, ADR practioners, professional associations like Uganda Law Society, East African Law Society, Association of lawyers and government ministeries among others. The summit aims at finding a quicker and more peaceful way of settling disputes which in the end reduce case backlog and also provide an opportunity to the African judiciaries to interrogate different ADR forms as they speak to different litigants who seek resolutions for the ever growing disputes. The summit is being held under the theme re-engeenering the administration of justice on the African continent with key topics like the role of ADR as an enabler of Africas economic growth and development and strategic ADR intervention areas for African judiciaries among others. While giving his opening remarks, the Chief Justice noted that they have successfully applied ADR on mainly commercial, labour, tax, land and family disputes among others, and that inspite of the courts using ADR mechanisms for the last 20 years, case backlog is still prevalent. In the financial year 2022/23, Ugandas case backlog stood at 5592 (30%) cases, with a case staying in the system for over two years and above against 168007 pending cases with 422672 total cases. By the end of June 2023, the total pending cases were 156349 out of 42960 (27.4%) backlog. These statistics my lords, Chief Justices ,your excellences show that the Judiciary may not adequately attend to the needs of our people through the formal process alone, he said. Owiny-Dollo says the formal justice is ill equiped to attend to the problem of adjudication and that this calls for the need to look onto the traditional justice system that predated the current justice system including the African conflict resolution that looked at creating peace and harmony in society instead of punishing. As Uganda prepares to join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Womens Day on March 8, 2024, the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) has implored the government to empower men economically in a bid to stop acts of domestic violence. NEED secretary general, Mr Asuman Odaka says that the high levels of poverty and unemployment in Uganda are driving men to commit crimes related to domestic violence. He says if men are empowered, they will have no time to engage in fights with their wives which will also give women a peace of mind to concentrate on improving the social welfare of their families. A hungry family will always be an angry family. Flights will be a habit anytime you cant take your child to school, if you cant put food on the table and if you cant provide basic needs of the family, said Odaka. Keep Kilkenny Beautiful launched their National Tree Week planting with two events at the Black Quarry Park and Loughboy Park. Volunteers from KKB were on hand to support the resident volunteers from both areas to plant 21 semi mature native trees. National Tree Week aims to highlight the benefits of trees for nature and human health. Trees are a win win for communities and Minister Malcolm Noonan said that his Department will be meeting Local Authorities in the coming months to outline requirements for urban tree cover under the National Restoration Plan following the passing of the EU Nature Restoration Law. Chair of Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, Cllr Maria Dollard added that planting the right tree in the right place is the best way to safeguard trees for the future and planting a tree is an act of hope and faith for future generations. The events were organised by KKB special projects officer Pat Boyd in partnership with the residents and the trees were donated by Paddy Mangan from Free Trees Ireland. Pat Boyd liaised with residents and with Martin Gaffney of Kilkenny County Council and Pat Durkin of Birdwatch Kilkenny. Pat Boyd is well renowned for his love of promoting the planting of native Irish trees and his mantra is the best time to plant a tree was yesterday Of course the second best time to plant a tree is today and Keep Kilkenny Beautiful will be out planting this weekend for our last event of the year in collaboration with residents in Robertshill and Loughboy. All welcome to come along. Clara Parish Priest, Fr Willie Purcell has called on the Kilkenny public to restore the St Patrick's Day traditions of old when celebrating our national saint's holiday on March 17. "In Kilkenny it was part of our tradition to go to Mass and then to the Parade, it was also part of our tradition that families would put a statue of St Patrick in their window to welcome the Saint," the local Priest commented. "Many still wear shamrock on St Patrick's Day remembering St Patrick's teaching on the Trinity. We need to restore these traditions that stood fast to the generations of our families and communities." "We need to put St Patrick back into St Patrick's Day and celebrate the man who we cheer and sing about," said Fr Purcell. Meanwhile, Kilkenny is gearing up for a busy schedule of Irish events as Tradfest gets underway, celebrating and championing the best the country has to offer on our doorstep. More Details Here A new survey conducted by the Ukrainian Action in Ireland group has found more than two Ukrainian adults in Ireland (UAI) with temporary protection status are now working. The survey of over 4,600 people, which UAI hope will help influence and shape government policy, also found that the majority of those that are not working would like to. Anatoliy Prymakov, one of the Directors of UAI, spoke to RTE's Morning Ireland to say the focus of this survey is based on integration and employment of the Ukrainian people who had to flee their country following the invasion of Russia in 2022. Since then, around 100,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Ireland. Mr Prymakov said, "We are seeing that there's a big increase in people working. If there were only 29% working last year, there's now 43% working and then 43% more would like to work. So, they're actively looking for work. "What we're finding though, is that there are still some barriers to employment. "For example, we are finding that the vast majority of Ukrainians that are here are an educated workforce with a lot of experience in their field, for an example, on average 12 years in their field, however, they're finding it hard to work for various reasons. Mr Prymakov also said that English was one of the biggest issues faced by Ukrainians here in Ireland. "We find that if people don't speak English, then only a fifth of that segment can work, and it is generally not in their field. In fact, the majority are not working in their field. "And then we find that the employment increases dramatically once we see people actually speaking the language and you can also see that people themselves realise that and that the overwhelming majority of the Ukrainians are trying to learn the languages. "Over 90% are trying to learn the language because they themselves see that id the key to employment. And overall, there's a lot of people employed in part-time and seasonal work and work that is not related to their fields", he added. "And you can see that that is directly related to the areas that they're in. The hospitality sector dominates in the employment and obviously it makes sense, seeing that a lot of them will e living in State provided accommodations like hotels." 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. 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. 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. Everyday Learning Spaces, where adults who return to education can learn safely and feel supported, are being celebrated in Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny and engage in the theme. 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 County Kilkenny to check out the events taking place and to learn about the transformative power of adult learning for people and communities," she said. Adult Learners Festival 2024 Kilkenny Events Among the event highlights taking place in Co Kilkenny during the Adult Learners Festival are: Hug Your Book, at Presentation Primary School in Kilkenny City on March 5, 9-11am; at Presentation Primary School in Castlecomer on March 5 at 9.30-11.30am; and at Mother of Fair Love School in Kilkenny City on March 6, 10am to 12pm. The Hug your Book programme by Lana McCarthy supports parents in making reading fun and learning new ways to support childrens reading, writing and talking. Project-based Family Learning, at St John's Junior and Senior Schools, Kilkenny City on March 8, 9.15-11.15am. To find out more about the free public events taking place in Kilkenny during the Adult Learners Festival or to register for an event, visit www.adultlearnersfestival.ie. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 42F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 29F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Businesses located along the Interstate 29-Highway 34 corridor were among the hardest hit by the floods of 2019. More than a year later, many businesses have yet to come back. JEFFERSON CITY Monday's Jefferson City Council meeting came to a halt when a group of anonymous people began interrupting council members with racist and antisemitic statements. In the council's livestream, which has since been removed from the city's website and YouTube page, a male voice began interrupting city council members, telling them to look at one of the council chamber's televisions. Instead of the typical display of the online video call, the screen appeared to show an explicit sexual image. Upon seeing the photograph, members of the council can be heard asking for the video call to be shut down. The anonymous speaker then continued to make antisemitic comments regarding the photograph as well as racial slurs directed at members of the gallery, with another female voice joining in. The incident lasted over a minute and a half before council members turned off the TV display and shut down the video call. Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater apologized to any viewers of the stream and those in the chamber. In a statement Tuesday, Fitzwater called on the residents of Jefferson City to condemn any hateful speech. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "It is imperative that we work together to promote a culture of civility and inclusivity in all aspects of our civic discourse," Fitzwater said. "Such behavior is wholly unacceptable and contradicts the values of respect, civility and inclusivity that our community upholds." City officials told KOMU 8 that their IT department is working to identify those who interrupted the meeting. The city is also, according to the statement, working to "mitigate the unfortunate use of technological loopholes." KOMU 8 asked Jefferson City administration for more information about how the city plans to move forward, but they declined to comment. "The mayor extends gratitude to those who have already spoken out against offensive comments and encourages continued vigilance in maintaining a welcoming and respectful atmosphere," the statement said. KOMU 8 also reached out to the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney, who said there is no official investigation on the incident. Missouri Girl Scouts were told to stop bracelet-making fundraiser for kids in Gaza. Now they can't keep up Scopia Capital Management LP lowered its stake in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 28.8% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 253,491 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 102,672 shares during the quarter. KBR comprises approximately 1.8% of Scopia Capital Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest holding. Scopia Capital Management LPs holdings in KBR were worth $14,941,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of KBR in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 110.6% in the second quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 697 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 113.6% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 814 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 433 shares during the period. Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new position in KBR during the third quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in KBR by 35.5% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 871 shares of the construction companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the period. Get KBR alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.95, for a total transaction of $471,600.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 38,524 shares in the company, valued at $2,270,989.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.03% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades KBR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on KBR from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. KeyCorp upped their price objective on KBR from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 21st. StockNews.com raised KBR from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. UBS Group dropped their price objective on KBR from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on KBR from $62.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $69.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on KBR KBR Price Performance KBR stock traded up $0.95 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $61.72. The stock had a trading volume of 1,842,377 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,422,579. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 1.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -30.21, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.95. KBR, Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.37 and a 1-year high of $65.87. The stocks fifty day moving average is $55.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.25. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.69. KBR had a positive return on equity of 25.08% and a negative net margin of 3.81%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.69 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that KBR, Inc. will post 3.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. KBR Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.15 dividend. This is an increase from KBRs previous quarterly dividend of $0.14. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. KBRs dividend payout ratio is currently -26.34%. About KBR (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schroder Investment Management Group decreased its holdings in shares of HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB Free Report) by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 8,533,750 shares of the banks stock after selling 379,470 shares during the period. HDFC Bank comprises 0.7% of Schroder Investment Management Groups investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest holding. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in HDFC Bank were worth $503,577,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in HDFC Bank by 6.2% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 8,761 shares of the banks stock worth $537,000 after buying an additional 511 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in HDFC Bank by 57.1% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,838,182 shares of the banks stock worth $296,725,000 after buying an additional 1,757,638 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its stake in HDFC Bank by 6.1% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 7,350 shares of the banks stock worth $451,000 after buying an additional 421 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its stake in HDFC Bank by 19.5% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,819 shares of the banks stock worth $1,093,000 after buying an additional 2,903 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. boosted its stake in HDFC Bank by 6.5% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 38,877 shares of the banks stock worth $2,384,000 after buying an additional 2,387 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.24% of the companys stock. Get HDFC Bank alerts: HDFC Bank Price Performance HDB traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $54.93. The stock had a trading volume of 3,178,699 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,244,450. The company has a market cap of $102.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a fifty day moving average of $58.26 and a 200 day moving average of $59.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.52. HDFC Bank Limited has a 1 year low of $52.16 and a 1 year high of $71.39. HDFC Bank Profile HDFC Bank ( NYSE:HDB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 16th. The bank reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.11. HDFC Bank had a return on equity of 15.98% and a net margin of 17.34%. The business had revenue of $8.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.67 billion. As a group, equities analysts forecast that HDFC Bank Limited will post 2.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. (Free Report) HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Dubai. The company operates in three segments: Wholesale Banking, Retail Banking, and Treasury Services. It accepts savings, salary, current, rural, public provident fund, pension, and demat accounts; fixed and recurring deposits; and safe deposit lockers, as well as offshore accounts and deposits, and overdrafts against fixed deposits. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HDB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HDFC Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HDFC Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in shares of Nu Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NU Free Report) by 8.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 17,900,114 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,385,179 shares during the quarter. Sei Investments Co. owned approximately 0.38% of NU worth $129,776,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NU. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in NU by 1,232.5% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 4,144 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 3,833 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in NU by 37.0% in the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,081 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,641 shares in the last quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co acquired a new stake in NU in the third quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in NU by 234.3% in the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 7,593 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 5,322 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in NU in the first quarter valued at approximately $48,000. 53.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get NU alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets NU has been the subject of several research reports. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on shares of NU from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. TheStreet downgraded shares of NU from a b- rating to a c rating in a research note on Friday, January 12th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of NU from $10.50 to $11.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $9.67. NU Stock Performance NU traded down $0.04 on Tuesday, reaching $11.10. The stock had a trading volume of 29,145,402 shares, compared to its average volume of 36,274,914. Nu Holdings Ltd. has a 12-month low of $4.13 and a 12-month high of $11.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $9.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.35. The company has a market cap of $52.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 52.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 1.07. NU (NYSE:NU Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.39 billion. NU had a net margin of 12.84% and a return on equity of 20.02%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.03 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Nu Holdings Ltd. will post 0.41 earnings per share for the current year. NU Profile (Free Report) Nu Holdings Ltd. provides digital banking platform and digital financial services in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and internationally. It offers Nu credit and debit cards; Ultraviolet credit and debit cards; and mobile payment solutions for NuAccount customers to make and receive transfers, pay bills, and make everyday purchases through their mobile phones. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for NU Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NU and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Snow showers early with a chance of lingering snow showers later. High 34F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Angola, IN (46703) Today Snow showers will become more widely scattered for the afternoon. High around 35F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 26F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Snow showers this morning becoming more scattered later. High 36F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A few flurries are possible. Low 27F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Fans are patiently waiting for BTS Jin to finish his military service, and have been longing for the idol ever since his enlistment in December 2022. Here's the current update on Jin's ongoing military service! BTS Jin's Military Enlistment in 2022, Social Media Activity, More The idol's military enlistment started when HYBE Labels shared Jin's cancellation of his military postponement on October 13, 2022. On December 6, BIGHIT MUSIC released the following statement: "Hello. This is BIGHIT MUSIC. We would like to express our gratitude to those who support BTS and would like to give out new information regarding Jin's upcoming military enlistment. Jin will be enlisting in the army to complete the required time and no official events will be held on the recruitment date. Military personnel and recruits' families are the only ones allowed to observe the entrance ceremony. We kindly ask fans to refrain from visiting the site, since this is to prevent any crowding. To offer support, we ask you to keep your kind words in your hearts. We would also like to advise you not to purchase unauthorized tours or products that are illegally using the IP of our artist. Such usage will be taken seriously with legal action from our company. We ask for your love and support for Jin until his return from the military. The agency will do its best in providing support for Jin during his service." This was then trailed by procedures of his enlistment, amid the debate regarding BTS's exemption due to their immense contribution to South Korea's economy. Ultimately, Jin enlisted on December 13, 2022, to train under the 5th Infantry Division. Throughout numerous updates, various content featuring Jin inside the base camp has trended in online communities. How Much Longer Does Jin Have to Serve in the Military? Here's What We Know On March 4, Jin made a post on platform Weverse, indicating a countdown for his discharge date. According to the post, the signer simply relayed the caption, "D-100," meaning that he currently has 100 days on his timeframe before he finishes his military service. Jin's enlistment began on December 13, 2022, and with the 100-day countdown starting on March 4, 2024, this only concludes that the discharge date would be on June 12, 2024. Ever since his enlistment in December 2022, Jin has continuously garnered the attention of the K-pop community and ARMY fandom for his excellence in the military. Throughout his ongoing service, the idol made trends on social media for his determination and resolve. Since ARMYs have received a countdown of 100 days from the vocalist, they are also given a glimmer of hope regarding Jin's exciting return to the K-pop industry after finishing his duty. Are you thrilled for Jin's return to K-pop? Is he your bias in BTS? Let us know in the comments below! For more intriguing K-pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz! IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: How is BTS Jin Doing Now? Current Update on Group's 'Worldwide Handsome' Member KpopStarz owns this article Written by Riely Miller Authorities say a fire that destroyed a building which housed supplies for the vaping industry caused multiple explosions that killed one person and injured a firefighter as the blasts rocked suburban Detroit, sending gas cannisters and debris shooting into the air PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 5: Alliance University successfully concluded its AI & Society Confest 2024, a three-day exploration of Artificial Intelligence's multifaceted impact on society from March 1-3. Held at both the Alliance University Anekal campus and the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), the confest brought together leading academics, industry professionals, and artists for a stimulating exchange of ideas. Also Read | Semiconductor Investment in India: Dutch Companies To Invest in Semiconductors and Collaborate With Country for Research and Development, Says Report. The Alliance School of Design & Creative Arts showcased remarkable design installations in the university campus, crafted by both students and faculty. Among them, Infinite Binaries stood out, inviting viewers into the boundless realm of technology, where a meticulously crafted room brimming with tactile elements symbolizes the intricate workings of a computer's mind. The confest began with Abhay G. Chebbi, Pro-Chancellor of Alliance University, envisioning Bengaluru as a global nexus for the convergence of technology, culture, and the arts. Dr. Michiel Baas, the event curator and a senior researcher at the Max Planck Institute, delivered a keynote address illuminating the creative dimensions of AI and its potential to foster innovation and artistic expression. Also Read | Indian Cricket Team Head Coach Rahul Dravid, Captain Rohit Sharma to Inaugurate Khel Mahakumbh in Bilaspur, To Arrive in Helicopter: Report. "Through the AI Confest, the Liberal Arts team at Alliance University has curated a gathering of leading experts across diverse fields such as philosophy, warfare, governance, media, psychology, culture, and design, alongside top Indian artists leveraging AI in their work. Over three days, participants engaged in a thought-provoking exploration of AI's implications on society, addressing its risks, potentials, and realities.", said Dr. Anirudh Sridhar, Dean of Thought Leadership at Alliance University and the visionary behind the AI Confest. The program delved into various facets of AI's influence on society, including a panel discussion on 'Beyond AI Evangelism' examining the practical implications and ethical considerations surrounding AI adoption. Dr. Hiroki Habuka, Research Professor at Kyoto University, provided valuable insights into AI governance frameworks. The interplay between AI and the media landscape was explored in a session featuring Sannuta Raghu, Executive Producer, Scroll.in and Lakshmi Sivadas, Program Manager at London School of Economics and Political Science. On the second day, chief guest Prof. (Dr.) T.G. Sitharam, Chairman of the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), highlighted Alliance University's pivotal role in advancing AI research and innovation. Discussions on the future of education in the AI era, personalized learning experiences, and ethical considerations of AI-driven military technologies ensued. A series of discussions on diverse topics followed, including sessions on AI and design, AI and mental health, and AI's implications for governance. The day concluded with a captivating musical performance by the Generative Jugalbandi. The final day, held at the BIC, featured a vibrant AI art exhibition showcasing the works of talented artists. A panel discussion titled 'Deconstructing AI as an Idea and Practice' offered a historical analysis of artificial intelligence, while another session explored the implications of AI for governance, featuring Dr. Hiroki Habuka and Dr. Charru Malhotra, Professor at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. As Dr. Sayan Dey, Assistant Professor in the Department of Language & Literature, states, "This confest introduces a novel perspective, underexplored in Indian institutions thus far. While AI predominantly resides within business, management, engineering, and technology domains, our confest uniquely invites participants to explore AI through diverse disciplinary lenses such as culture, society, media, philosophy, and psychology. By broadening the discourse, we aim to democratize AI understanding, fostering engagements that transcend traditional frameworks, envisioning AI not just as a technology, but as a holistic paradigm and way of life." The confest concluded with insightful discussions on AI and culture, featuring Dr. Francesca Ferrando and Tanuj Solanki, author of 'The Machine is Learning A Curatorial Overview' allowed participating artists to discuss how AI serves as a catalyst for artistic innovation. Dr. Michiel Baas provided a guided tour through the captivating art exhibition, highlighting the intersection of technology and creativity in the 21st century. "The fusion of AI and art provides a unique entry point for newcomers to the art world. We curated discussions on technology and art, culminating in an exhibition at the BIC, reflecting our university's vision. As Bangalore emerges as India's AI capital, Alliance University is dedicated to leading in technological innovation and shaping conversations about its societal impact. Our three-day conference convened a diverse array of experts to explore these intersections", said Dr Ravi Chakraborty, Director of Communication for Liberal Arts, Department of Language & in his closing remarks. "Alliance University aims to redefine academia, fostering a dynamic space where contemporary ideas are openly debated. Recognizing AI's transformative impact, the School of Liberal Arts integrates it across disciplines. Positioned as a cultural nexus, the University endeavors to set a new standard, epitomized by its forthcoming AI art gallery- a precursor to future museum experiences", Dr Anirudh added underscoring the institution's commitment to interdisciplinary exploration and cultural innovation. For additional inquiries, please contact at MediaRelations@alliance.edu.in About Alliance University Established in 2010, Alliance University stands as South India's pioneering private institution, nestled in the vibrant city of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the university is committed to fostering a community of lifelong learners and shaping global citizens. In 2010, Alliance University became South India's first private university by Act No. 34. Subsequently, in 2012, the institution established the Alliance College of Engineering & Design and the Alliance School of Law. Notably, in 2014, the university conferred Honorary Doctorates to Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and Padma Bhushan Smt. Rajashree Birla. In 2016, Alliance University hosted its inaugural international alumni reunion in Dubai. The accolades received over the years include the 2013 Excellence in Education Award for the Most Innovative University by The Economic Times and the 2015 Best Private University of the Year by ASSOCHAM. In 2020, the university secured a notable 39th rank among management institutions in the NIRF Rankings.Recent achievements from 2022 to 2023 include being ranked 238 in Southern Asia and 751-800 in QS Asia University Rankings. Alliance University also secured the 25th position in the Law category and the 87th position in the Management category in the NIRF Rankings. Additionally, the university debuted TEDxAllianceUniversity, achieved a DIAMOND rating by QS I. GAUGE, hosted the inaugural Alliance ONE festival, and received the Times Business Awards 2023 for Excellence in Placement & Corporate Mentorship. With 11+ Schools and Departments across 4 Faculty Groups, 300+ World-Class Faculty, and 570+ Recruiting Partners for 2023, Alliance University remains a dynamic hub for academic excellence. The institution is a founding member of PACT 2030 - an SDG initiative by QS India, offering 31+ Undergraduate Programs, 9+ Postgraduate Programs, and 7+ Doctoral Programs. The university emphasizes experiential learning, renowned faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities to provide a holistic educational experience. The mission of Alliance University is to provide a dynamic, high-quality setting for teaching, research, and service, facilitating global collaboration and knowledge dissemination to transform lives through innovation and excellence in higher education. The university's clarion call is "A World of Opportunities," reflecting its unwavering commitment to empowering individuals in both academic pursuits and personal growth. Contact:Merin MariyaNo: +91 8046199153 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353583/Leadership_team.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353585/AU_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced a review of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy on the space sector in India. According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the amendments, made under Para 5.2.12 of the Consolidated FDI Policy Circular of 2020, aim to liberalize and streamline FDI regulations to attract more investment and foster growth in the space industry. Also Read | Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S Joins Board of Directors of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. Under the revised policy, some changes have been introduced. Satellites: Manufacturing and Operation- The sectoral cap for FDI has been set at 100 per cent. For investments up to 74 per cent, automatic approval will be granted, while investments beyond 74 per cent will require government approval. Also Read | Dry Days in March 2024 in India: Know the Dates When Alcohol Will Not Be Available for Sale in Liquor Shops, Restaurants, Pubs and Bars in The Third Month. Satellite Data Products, Ground Segment and User Segment- The sectoral cap for FDI remains at 100 per cent, with automatic approval for investments up to 100 per cent. Launch Vehicles and Associated Systems or Subsystems- The sectoral cap for FDI has been set at 100 per cent, with automatic approval for investments up to 49 per cent. Investments beyond 49 per cent will require government approval, read the press release. Creation of Spaceports for Launching and Receiving Spacecraft- This category has been introduced, allowing 100 per cent FDI with automatic approval for investments up to 100 per cent. Manufacturing of Components and Systems/Subsystems for Satellites, Ground Segment, and User Segment- The sectoral cap for FDI remains at 100 per cent, with automatic approval for investments up to 100 per cent. The amended policy provides clear definitions for various activities within the space sector, including satellites manufacturing and operation, satellite data products, ground segment, user segment, launch vehicles, creation of spaceports, and manufacturing of components and systems/subsystems, read the press release. These amendments are expected to streamline FDI regulations and attract more investment into India's burgeoning space industry. The liberalization of FDI policy is in line with the government's vision to promote ease of doing business and facilitate greater participation of foreign investors in key sectors of the economy. The revised policy will come into effect from the date of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) notification, signaling a new era of opportunities and growth in India's space sector, read the press release. With enhanced participation from domestic and foreign investors, the country is poised to strengthen its position as a global hub for space technology and innovation. The liberalization of FDI policy in the space sector underscores the government's commitment to fostering a conducive business environment and promoting investment-led growth. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) BusinessWire India Warren (New Jersey) [US]/ Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 5: Fosfor, a product division of LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, at its Foton 2024 event, announced the launch of the Fosfor Decision Cloud (FDC). The FDC is a connected fabric that helps companies organize data to build automated, modular, trustworthy data transformation pipelines, build and deploy impactful AI applications, and harness the power of AI to make better business decisions, faster. Currently companies need to create their own collection of disconnected point solutions to facilitate the transformation of data into business insights. The Decision Cloud represents the next step in the evolution of formerly disconnected data and AI investments into a modern decision stack that augments the data-to-decisions journey using three new innovations: Also Read | Semiconductor Investment in India: Dutch Companies To Invest in Semiconductors and Collaborate With Country for Research and Development, Says Report. * Fosfor AI: The GenAI-powered assistant that helps with frequent tasks across the data-to-decisions journey such as constructing data pipelines, generating ML model code, constructing natural language prompts, and curating data stories. Fosfor AI radically increases productivity for virtually any user persona, thereby reducing time-to-insights and accelerating the realization of business outcomes. * Fosfor Semantic: The knowledge graph used by all FDC capabilities to organize and maintain the integrity of data, define data relationships, and enable the application of advanced analytics to the data. Because Fosfor Semantic is used to facilitate everything from data integration to AI algorithm development to insight generation, it vastly accelerates all steps of the data-to-decisions journey. Also Read | Indian Cricket Team Head Coach Rahul Dravid, Captain Rohit Sharma to Inaugurate Khel Mahakumbh in Bilaspur, To Arrive in Helicopter: Report. * Fosfor UX: The design system through which all capabilities are accessed using consistent navigational elements and constructs, curated for specific personas based on their commonly used workflows and goals. Fosfor UX flattens the learning curve and simplifies collaboration across various personas, allowing all users to adapt more quickly to the FDC platform. The FDC is supported by a robust partner ecosystem anchored by Snowflake, Fivetran, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, the Google Cloud Platform, and GoldenSource. Snowflake, the Data Cloud company, and Fivetran are FDC launch partners. "The Decision Cloud marks a major milestone in the evolution of Fosfor and is a major breakthrough in the way businesses can develop and deploy AI to achieve business value," said Debasis Satpathy, Chief Business Officer, Fosfor. "To elevate the impact of business outcomes, the Decision Cloud brings all the required capabilities onto a single platform, along with powerful insight tools, to support every persona involved in an accelerated data-to-decisions journey. We are excited about the impact the FDC is going to have on the business effectiveness of AI." "Organizations across industries continue to struggle with the fragmentation of applications and tools," said Tarik Dwiek, Head of Technology Alliances, Snowflake. "With the Fosfor Decision Cloud seamlessly integrated into Snowflake, customers can now tap into a single experience to fully democratize their data and fuel their data-driven decision making." "Fivetran is pleased to be Fosfor's launch partner for automated data movement," said Scott Jones, Chief Revenue Officer, Fivetran. "Providing the foundational capability to integrate with virtually any data source to cost-effectively bring business data into cloud warehouses where the Decision Cloud can then transform it into insights and business value. Using our library of 400+ connectors, Decision Cloud users can focus on building outcome-targeted data products that accelerate their insights journey. We look forward to working together with Fosfor to define the modern decision stack and create transformational outcomes for our customers." Learn more about the Fosfor Decision Cloud at www.fosfor.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) PNN New Delhi [India], March 5: Familyprohealth Inc., a Delaware registered software solution provider in healthcare, and Vesta Elder Care Pvt Ltd, having its registered office at New Delhi, an Indian healthcare services platform focused on Elder Care, are pleased to announce a formal business partnership to help the Resident and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) stay informed and address health issues of their parents. Also Read | Gemini AI Issues: Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin Admits Errors in Google's AI Chatbot and Says 'We Definitely Messed Up'. Vimal Shukla, Co-founder and Board Member of Familyprohealth Inc. said "Our solution provides an easy-to-use advanced technological solution for Resident and Non-Resident Indians to stay informed, monitor and address health issues of their parents and other loved ones. Currently the solution has been launched in 20+ countries with BP Monitor, Blood Glucose Meter, Thermometer, Pulse Oximeter and Weighing Scale to help the parents take their vital health parameter readings as per recommended schedule and to share the data with family members and caregivers." Rahul Misra, CEO of Vesta Elder Care, welcomed this partnership and said "this is a unique solution play for us and by partnering with Familyprohealth, Vesta Elder Care's commitment to delivering technology driven 360-degree care is further bolstered. This integration of trusted partners and advanced technology is at the heart of Vesta Elder Care's mission to provide holistic and exceptional elder care services. This fusion of compassionate caregiving with modern technology enables Vesta Elder Care to deliver comprehensive and efficient elder care services." Also Read | WPL 2024: 'I Don't Have To Rush Into Anything', Says Meg Lanning on Her Post Retirement Plans. Currently the solution has been launched in 20+ countries for NRIs with parents in India but can also be used by people in India who are staying away from their parents. The two companies plan to extend this business partnership to other countries and add more services soon. FamilyproHealth Inc. Familyprohealth is driven by a common mission of providing an easy and advanced solution to stay informed, monitor and address health issues of parents and loved ones. Their aim is to strengthen family bonds by simplifying health monitoring at home, thereby giving us all some peace of mind when it comes to their health concerns. Familyprohealth has offices in US and India and is focused on strengthening family bonds based on the principle "Sharing Is Caring". They strive hard to make technology solutions available for family members living away from each other stay connected. Please visit https://www.familyprohealth.com for more details. Vesta Elder Care Vesta Elder Care leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance the quality of care provided to the elderly in the comfort of their homes. Through the integration of telehealth solutions, caregivers can remotely consult with families, monitor vital signs, and provide real-time updates to healthcare professionals. Please visit to the Website: https://www.vestaeldercare.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 5: Kido International, a UK headquartered chain bringing future-proof early years' education to children in India, US, UK, and China has announced its acquisition of Amelio Early Education, one of India's leading preschool and daycare operators. This strategic acquisition positions Kido as one of India's few non-franchised players in the Indian early childhood education market, offering parents and families access to its award-winning pedagogy and world-class operating standards. Also Read | Tera Kya Hoga Lovely: Review, Cast, Plot, Trailer, Release Date - All You Need To Know About Ileana D'Cruz, Karan Kundrra and Randeep Hooda's Film!. With a pedagogy anchored in the British Early Years Foundation Stage and inspired by latest research in brain development; and a consistent parent and child experience across the world, Kido is committed to transforming early childhood education through cutting-edge methods and technology and bringing the highest quality international preschool and daycare experience to parents in India. This acquisition allows Kido to leverage its expertise and Amelio's established network to provide its premium early years education and care services to a wider audience in India. With 13+ years of childcare in India and 20,000+ happy children, Amelio Early Education, incorporated in 2008, has 30 centres across Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, with several locations dedicated to serving corporates for their employees' childcare needs. Also Read | Rhea Kapoor Birthday: Most Stylish Pics of Bollywoods Favourite Stylist!. Aniruddh Gupta, Founder and Group CEO, Kido International, said, "India is a crucial part of our global ambitions. We're proud to be one of the very few providers in the country that deliver a truly global experience to parents and children with our world-class infrastructure, teacher training and quality. Now, with the addition of the Amelio network, we have critical mass in India to bring our services to a wider network of parents, and embark on the next stage of our nationwide expansion plans. We aim to be one of the largest providers of premium early years education and care in the country within the next few years, and this acquisition is a step towards that goal." The acquisition follows a USD 7.5 million fund raise by Kido, led by Tanas Capital, a Singapore based private investment firm. The investment will serve as a springboard for Kido International's organic and inorganic growth plans, specifically in India. Amit Sharma, MD, Tanas Capital, sheds light on their investment thesis stating, "The Indian pre-school/childcare market size reached USD 3.8 Billion in 2022 and is growing at a CAGR of 11.5%. Kido with its carefully curated program balances a child's need for care and intellectual stimulation. With its demonstrated record of executing this playbook at scale in the UK and the US, we are excited to partner with Kido Schools as it gears up to make a difference in India". Arpita Sur, CEO, Kido International, said, "Kido's unwavering commitment to delivering excellent childcare and education seamlessly aligns with Amelio's mission. We will integrate Kido's renowned global curriculum with Amelio's expansive network of high-quality centres. Our focus on delivering exceptional and sustainable learning experiences will remain. Both Kido and Amelio teams are well equipped to address any concerns and prioritise the well-being of both parents and children throughout this process." India's National Education Policy 2020 has set a transformative vision for the future of children. It mandates the need for quality early childhood education and positive learning environments in the formative years of life. With these new regulations, it is expected that the sector will get renewed focus from parents and the government going forward. Kido is well placed to become a leading player in the space with a wider network, award winning pedagogy and international quality operations. About Kido International Kido International brings future-proofed early years education to children everywhere. With a commitment to excellence, Kido seamlessly integrates cutting-edge design, technology, and pedagogy to establish premier daycares and preschools worldwide. Having served over 15,000 families globally, Kido offers customised and unique early childhood education and care programs. Recognized with prestigious awards like the "Education Group of the Year 2020" by Education Investor (London), "Top 20 Nurseries Group" (London) and "Leading Preschool of India," Kido's key global presence spans the UK, USA, India, and China. Media Contact: Kid-O Education Pvt Ltd,VKG Corporate Centre,2nd floor 201Marol Pipeline Rd,Ajit Nagar, J B Nagar,Andheri East, Mumbai - 400059 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353603/Kido_ESTZ.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353604/Kido_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended the Branch Manager, Central Bank of India, Gorakhpur Branch, in Dindori, Madhya Pradeesh, Rahul Singh Rajput, while accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 from a complainant. According to a press release, CBI registered a case on complaint against Branch Manager, Central Bank of India, Gorakhpur Branch, on allegations that accused demanded of bribe of Rs 8,000 from complainant to disburse the sanctioned KCC loan amounting to Rs 164,000. Also Read | Shahbaz Nadeem Announces Retirement From Indian Cricket; Jharkhand Stalwart To Explore 'New Opportunities in World of Cricket'. CBI said it laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting bribe amount from the complainant. Searches are being conducted at the premises of accused and an investigation is on. (ANI) Also Read | Elon vs Zuckerberg Fight: Elon Musk Says He Is Ready To Fight Mark Zuckerberg Anywhere, Anytime With Any Rules. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) PRNewswire New Delhi [India], March 5: Simpli Group, a leading innovator in HR technology, proudly announces the addition of Vinny Ganju as COO and Co-founder to its leadership team. This strategic enhancement reflects the company's commitment to advancing its position as a tech-enabled platform that uniquely combines outsourced HR services with cutting-edge technology. The move signifies a pivotal moment in Simpli Group's journey, emphasising the blend of tech innovation and the indispensable human touch in transforming HR practices. Also Read | Bitcoin Price Crosses 'USD 67,000' Due to Demand Driven by Adoption of Spot Bitcoin ETFs and Positive Investor Sentiment, May Hit All-Time High This Week: Reports. Vinny Ganju, a seasoned entrepreneur and non-linear growth specialist, brings over 17 years of experience in scaling consumer internet brands across diverse sectors, including News & Content Media, Jobtech, Edtech, Proptech, and Consultancy. His expertise in building significant digital brands from the ground up, such as Naukri, 99acres, and Dainik Bhaskar, positions him as a key player in Simpli Group's next growth phase. Vinny's current role in his digital consultancy venture, which focuses on scaling brands through strategic growth phases, aligns with Simpli Group's vision for a global-first HR Tech Platform. Vinny Ganju commented on his new role, "I am thrilled to join Simpli Group at a juncture where technology and human-centric solutions converge to define the future of HR. The opportunity to innovate for India and globally with a sachet SKU-based approach in the HR tech space is immense. The Indian (SAAS) market is expected to grow to $35 by 2027 and the HR tech market size is projected to reach $39 billion by 2030. Simpli Group's commitment to blending tech with essential human services resonates with my vision for scalable, impactful business solutions." Also Read | Google Temporarily Reinstates All Delisted Apps of Developers After Centre's Intervention. Rajneesh Singh, CEO of Simpli Group, highlighted the strategic direction of the company: "Bringing Vinny Ganju on board is a testament to our ambition to innovate and expand. His proven track record and strategic mindset are invaluable as we enhance our platform to offer a seamless blend of technology and outsourced HR services. Simpli Group is at the forefront of redefining HR solutions, ensuring that businesses benefit from both our advanced tech platform and the irreplaceable human touch. As we prepare for the next phase of our growth, the recent advisory inclusion of Rishi Khiani further strengthens our core team, positioning us to lead the transformation in HR practices." About Simpli Group Founded by seasoned HR veterans renowned for their transformative strategies at prestigious organizations, including Network18, Simpli Group stands as pioneer of HR innovation. The original four founders Rajneesh Singh, PS Babu, Saurabh Khandelwal and Saurabh Saxena, with their profound experience in leading human resources, have steered Simpli Group towards becoming a people-first platform. This strategic evolution highlights the company's commitment to integrating culture deeply within the corporate fabric. Simpli Group transcends traditional HR functionalities, enriching them with cultural depth and understanding, thanks to its tech-enabled solutions. As it continues to evolve, Simpli Group's unwavering focus is on empowering organizations to foster environments where talent thrives, culture flourishes, and business grows. More than just an HR service provider, Simpli Group is a partner in cultivating a people-first culture that lays the foundation for sustainable success. For more information about Simpli Group and its services, please visit www.simpli.group. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354819/Simpli_Group_Vinny_Ganju.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 6: The Congress on Tuesday condemned the reported controversial remarks of A Raja, a senior leader of ally DMK, and asserted that one should exercise restraint while speaking. Stoking a controversy, DMK MP Raja said that India has never been one nation but is a subcontinent, which is home to diverse practices and cultures, even as the BJP slammed him and alleged that it was a call for "Balkanisation" of the nation. 'Hindu Religion Is the Biggest Menace Not Only to India but to the Entire World', Says DMK MP A Raja (Watch Video). In a purported video where he is seen addressing a party-organised meeting, Raja said, "India is not a (one) nation. Understand this well. India has never been one nation. One nation denotes one language, one tradition and one culture and only such characteristics make one nation." After Udhayanidhi Stalin, A Raja Makes Controversial Remarks on Sanatan Dharma, Calls It 'Social Disgrace Like HIV and Leprosy' (Watch Video). He also reportedly made controversial remarks on Lord Ram that the BJP alleged amounted to humiliation of Hindu gods. Supriya Shrinate, a Congress spokesperson, when asked about Raja's remarks, said, "I 100 per cent disagree with his remarks. From this platform, I condemn such a statement. I believe Ram belongs to everyone and is all encompassing." "I believe that Ram, who was called Imam-e-Hind, is above communities, religions and castes. Ram is an ideal of living life. Ram is dignity, Ram is ethics, Ram is love. I completely condemn this statement, it could be his (Raja's) statement, I do not support it. I condemn it and I think people should exercise restraint while talking," she said at a press conference. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Mar 5 (PTI) Fourteen trainee Rajasthan Police sub-inspectors were arrested on Tuesday over a 2021 paper leak case connected to the recruitment exam they cleared, officials said. They said sixteen probationary sub-inspectors were detained in connection with the case and an FIR was filed against 40 people in total. Also Read | Indian Navy Responds to Suspected Drone Attack on Liberia-Flagged MV MSC Sky II in Gulf of Aden. At the Special Operations Group (SOG) headquarters here to discuss the paper leak of the Sub-Inspector and Platoon Commander Recruitment Examination held in 2021, Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena said the number of fraudulently recruited candidates for the SI position could reach 300. "I will talk with the government to cancel the examination," he added. Also Read | Indian Army Doctors Give New Lease of Life to Eight-Year-Old Boy From Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla. Meena also claimed that he was in possession of documents and evidence that indicate the involvement of certain individuals within the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) in the paper leaks. "The figure of those (fraudulently) selected as sub-inspectors may range from 250 to 300. These individuals will be removed and possibly replaced with new recruits. No action will be taken against those who are innocent," Meena told reporters. The minister alleged that the previous government recruited 50 per cent fake candidates. He instructed the SOG to review the videography stored in the RPSC office to obtain information on fake candidates. Talking to reporters, Meena accused the RAS topper of being selected through fraudulent means during the previous Congress government rule. Additional Director General (ATS and SOG) V K Singh said 14 out of 16 sub-inspectors currently undergoing probation have been arrested in the paper leak case. He said the centre superintendent at the time of the examination Rajesh Khandelwal has also been arrested for his involvement and an invigilator at the examination centre is wanted. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chennai, Mar 5 (PTI) As many as 99 kg of hashish, said to be worth Rs 108 crore, was seized from a country boat near Mandapam coast in Tamil Nadu by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Indian Coast Guard Mandapam, an official said on Tuesday. The country craft was heading toward Sri Lanka, and it was intercepted after a hot pursuit by the joint team of officials from the DRI, Chennai zonal unit, and ICG Mandapam. Also Read | Sandeshkhali Violence: NCW Chief Rekha Sharma Meets President Droupadi Murmu, Recommends Presidents Rule in West Bengal. Following a tip-off that narcotics substances were being smuggled from India to Sri Lanka via the coastal route near the Mandapam sea coast, the officials took up surveillance over the Gulf of Mannar through a Coast Guard ship on the intervening night of March 4 and 5. "During the surveillance in deep sea, officers of DRI and the Coast Guard identified a country boat sailing towards Sri Lanka and intercepted the same after a brief hot pursuit," an official release here said. On interception, officers rummaged the boat and found five sacks concealed inside it. Also Read | Delhi Horror: Woman Dies After Husband Pours Kerosene on Her, Sets Her Ablaze Following Quarrel in Rohini Area. The country boat along with the contraband and three persons on board were brought to Coast Guard Station Mandapam today morning for further investigation. During interrogation, they admitted that the bags were packed with narcotic substances and that they received the bags from a person at Pamban coastal area and acted upon his instructions to carry the same to be delivered to an unknown person from Sri Lanka in the deep sea, the release said. Following this, the DRI apprehended the said person from his house and upon questioning it was found that this man was the kingpin who organised the smuggling of narcotics substances from India to Sri Lanka via the coastal route. "Preliminary investigation reveals that the seized drugs were transported from different parts of the country for further transportation to Sri Lanka by country boats," the release stated. A total of 111 packets of hashish weighing 99 kgs valued at Rs 108 crore in the international market was seized under the NDPS Act. All four persons were apprehended for further investigation, the release said. This is a major haul of narcotic substances initiated by the DRI as part of its sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking. On March 1, the DRI officials seized Rs 180 crore worth narcotic drug methamphetamine meant to be transported to Sri Lanka from a rail passenger in Madurai and a dumpyard in Chennai. They also detained the man and his wife in connection with the seizure. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, Mar 5 (PTI) The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international educational institutions for the establishment of academic programmes and facilitating student exchanges, a release said on Tuesday. While one pact has been signed with Dalhousie University, Canada, three MoUs were inked with Gifu University, Japan. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Indias First Under-River Metro Tunnel in Kolkata on March 6 (Watch Videos). The pacts will be for a period of five years, which may be extended based on mutual understanding. Speaking at an event, Professor Rajeev Ahuja, officiating director, IIT Guwahati, said, "IIT Guwahati is committed to supporting students' academic and personal growth through these programmes. In essence, the collaborations aim to provide students with diverse learning experiences and opportunities for growth and fostering a holistic educational environment." Also Read | Indian Navy Responds to Suspected Drone Attack on Liberia-Flagged MV MSC Sky II in Gulf of Aden. Under the MoU with Dalhousie University, a joint doctoral programme will be established. The agreement was signed by Professor Ahuja and Professor P Balakrishnan from the Canada varsity. By facilitating exchange programmes for students and academic staff, fostering joint research activities, and promoting the sharing of research materials, this partnership aims to cultivate a rich academic environment conducive to ground breaking discoveries and academic excellence. Additionally, the joint supervision of PhD candidates promises to offer diverse perspectives and expertise, enriching the educational journey and enhancing the quality of research outcomes. As per one of the three MoUs signed with Gifu University, an 'International Joint PhD Programme' will be established, spanning a standard duration of three years. Throughout their dissertation work, scholars will receive collective guidance and mentorship from faculty members at both the home and partner institutions. Research progress will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of experts from both universities, ensuring rigorous academic standards and fostering innovative research outcomes. As per the second agreement, there will be a two-year 'International Masters Joint Degree Programmes in Food Science and Technology' between the two institutes. This initiative is poised to address challenges in building a sustainable society by optimising resource utilisation and benefiting both regions. IIT Guwahati has further collaborated with Gifu University to establish a 'Global Expert Programme,' an international joint-certificate initiative under the Inter-University Exchange Project (IUEP). This programme enables students to obtain certification from both universities as exchange students, fostering cross-cultural learning and enhancing global competencies. Professor Kazuhiro Yoshida, president of GIFU University, formally endorsed the three MoUs on behalf of his varsity. In recognition of his contributions to academic collaboration, Professor Yoshida was extended the position of Honorary Professor at IIT Guwahati. These partnerships were signed during a three-day event, 'Japan-NER Bioeconomic Technology Cooperation Symposium 2024' (JNBTCS-2024), hosted by IIT Guwahati, which ended on Tuesday. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shivamogga (Karnataka), Mar 5 (PTI) Veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday said the party's Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting will be held on March six, during which the candidates for all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, will "by and large" be decided. Also Read | Gurdaspur Shocker: Depressed Over Wife Eloping With Someone, Man Kills Kids by Giving Them Tea Mixed With Fatal Dose of Mosquito Repellent in Punjab. The former Chief Minister, a member of BJP's all important Parliamentary Board and CEC, said he is going to the national capital to take part in the meeting. "Tomorrow there is an Election Committee meeting in Delhi, it is an important meeting to finalise Karnataka candidates, so I'm leaving for Delhi to participate in the meeting," Yediyurappa said. Also Read | PM Modi Gets Death Threat: FIR Filed in Karnataka for Threat Video on PM Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath. Speaking to reporters here, he said, the candidates for the 28 Lok Sabha seats will by and large be decided at the meeting, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior party leaders. The BJP had swept the 2019 general elections winning 25 out of the 28 seats, while an independent backed by it had also emerged victorious. The Congress and the JD(S) headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, which were running a coalition government back then and fought the election together, had come a cropper winning just one seat each. But the political scene has changed significantly since then. The Congress scored a thumping victory in the Assembly elections in May last year and now appears battle-ready, determined to put up a strong show in the Lok Sabha polls. It is also a role reversal of sorts for JD(S) which joined the BJP-led NDA in September last year and wants to prove that it's still a force to reckon with, particularly in South Karnataka. Both BJP and JD(S) have had discussions on seat sharing. However, there is no official announcement yet. As per information available so far, JD(S) may contest in three or four seats. There is also a possibility of a candidate from the JD(S) contesting on the BJP symbol, sources said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The Special Cell of Delhi Police has filed a chargesheet against Hizbul operative Javed Ahmed Mattu, who is among the top ten terrorists designated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He was arrested by the Delhi Police on January 4, 2024. Also Read | CAA in Assam: Opposition Parties in State Seek Meeting With PM Narendra Modi Over Citizenship Amendment Act. According to Delhi Police, Mattu has been associated with multiple terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and has been wanted by security agencies for the past 13 years with a 10 lakh reward on his head. As per the Delhi Police, he was in the Delhi NCR region allegedly to collect arms and ammunition, which were to be used for a series of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir Also Read | Navi Mumbai Share Trading Fraud: Four Booked for Cheating Financial Analyst of Rs 29 Lakh by Luring Him To Take Up Share Trading. The Cell has filed the chargesheet before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Nabeela Wali of Patiala House Court on March 3, 2024. The court has fixed March 15 for cognizance on the charge sheet. Earlier, the police, while taking custodial remand, stated that the accused Javed Ahmed Mattu was required to be verified from Jammu and Kashmir who are indulged in channelizing the funds through hawala from Pakistan. Police earlier told the court that on January 4, information was received that Javed Ahmed Mattu, a resident of Sopor would be coming to Delhi to collect arms and ammunition from his associates at the behest of Pakistan's ISI. Delhi police also informed that his Pakistan-based handler Abdul Majid Jergar alias Shaheen would be coordinating the delivery of arms and ammunition, and Javed Ahmed Mattu would carry out some audacious terror strikes in J-K and another place on the instructions of his Pakistan-based handler. Delhi police arrested Mattu and recovered one 9 mm Star pistol with six live cartridges, one extra magazine, and one stolen Santro car from him. A case has been registered in this regard at the PS Special Cell. Delhi police also stated that Javed Ahmed Mattu is a college dropout. He is a member of the gang of seven dreaded terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen operating in the area of North Kashmir, particularly Sopore, J-K. After getting injured in an exchange of fire with security forces, he went underground and fled to Nepal on the instructions of Pak ISI, as J-K police were hotly on the chase of him, Delhi police said on Thursday. It is alleged that he was involved in the killing of HC Mohammad Yousuf of CID, Sopore, near Police Station Sopore in 2010. He was also allegedly involved in an attack on the residence of SP, Sopore, in 2010, resulting in the residence being partially damaged. It is also alleged that he committed the killing of two CRPF personnel in Pattan and the snatching of their service rifles in 2010. As per Delhi police, he was also involved in a case FIR of PS Sopore, relating to fire upon the patrolling party of police at Bough, Sopore in 2011. He along with his associates, was also involved in the killing of one police constable, Mohd Shahfi Lone in 2011, Delhi police stated. He, along with his other associates, was also involved in an IED blast at Police Station Sopore, in which one police personnel Morifat Hussain of PS Sopore was killed in 2011, Delhi police said. It is also alleged that he was involved in a grenade attack on Sopore Police Station which involved Ishfaq Kana and Saleem Beig in 2011. Police said that he was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at the CRPF stationed in the SBI Complex in Hathishah, in which many civilians got injured. He was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at the BSNL office in Sopore, J&K. He was also involved in a grenade-throwing incident at Chankhan Chowk, Sopore, J-K, Delhi police said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Mar 5 (PTI) A Special Task Force (STF) constable was found dead in his car in Jhajjar district on Tuesday with bullet injuries, prompting the state police to register a murder case and launch an investigation. Police said Satbir's body was found near a canal in Bhurawas village. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Indias First Under-River Metro Tunnel in Kolkata on March 6 (Watch Videos). While police said they have not entirely ruled out the possibility of suicide, a murder case has been registered on the complaint of his family. "At this stage, investigations are on and whether it is a case of murder or suicide will be known after further investigations and after postmortem is done. We are investigating the case from various angles. Also Read | Indian Navy Responds to Suspected Drone Attack on Liberia-Flagged MV MSC Sky II in Gulf of Aden. "Satbir was posted in the STF. We have registered an FIR under Sections 302 (murder) of the IPC based on complaint of his relatives. Further investigations are on. Postmortem would be conducted soon," SHO, Sahlawas, Inspector Prakash Chand said over the phone. The incident comes close on the heels of the murder of INLD's Haryana unit president Nafe Singh Rathee in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh. Rathee and INLD worker Jai Kishan were killed after multiple bullets were fired on their vehicle in Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district on February 25. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Nagpur, Mar 5 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Tuesday set aside the life sentence of Delhi University professor G N Saibaba in an alleged Maoist links case, noting that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The High Court bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes overturned Saibaba's sentence terming the sanction for prosecution under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as "null and void." Also Read | Indian Navy Responds to Suspected Drone Attack on Liberia-Flagged MV MSC Sky II in Gulf of Aden. The court highlighted the invalidity of the sanction procured under the UAPA, leading to the acquittal of all accused individuals and also remarked on the trial court's verdict saying that "violation of mandatory provisions of the law itself amounts to failure of justice". The Maharashtra government faced a double blow as the High Court denied its plea to stay the execution of the order saying "stalling the order" will affect the right to personal liberty of an individual. Also Read | Indian Army Doctors Give New Lease of Life to Eight-Year-Old Boy From Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla. "We have already acquitted the accused and directed their release forthwith if not required in any other case. We cannot stall the said order, which may affect the right to personal liberty. We reject the application of stay," the court said. The plea was moved by Advocate General Birendra Saraf, appearing for the government, informing the bench that an appeal against the high court judgment has been filed in the apex court this afternoon. Saraf sought the high court to stay its judgment for a reasonable time. The High Court order was almost similar to an earlier October 14, 2022, order of a different bench which had acquitted Saibaba with the same noting that the trial proceedings were "null and void" in the absence of a valid sanction under the UAPA. In its detailed judgment, the High Court declared the prosecution's actions as flawed, stating a lack of evidence and legal seizure against the accused. "The entire prosecution is vitiated on account of invalid sanction to prosecute all the accused. The trial held despite the violation of mandatory provisions of the law itself amounts to the failure of justice," the HC said. Saibaba, who has been wheelchair-bound due to a physical disability, has been in custody at Nagpur Central Jail since his arrest in 2014. "The prosecution has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the case against the accused persons," the court said, adding that "the prosecution has failed to establish any legal seizure or any incriminating material against the accused". "The trial court judgment is not sustainable in the hands of law. We, therefore, allow the appeals and set aside the impugned judgment. All the accused stand acquitted," the bench said. In March 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district convicted Saibaba and five others, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student, for alleged Maoist links and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country. The trial court had held Saibaba and others guilty under various provisions of the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code. On October 14, 2022, another bench of the HC acquitted Saibaba, noting the trial proceedings were "null and void" in the absence of a valid sanction under the UAPA. The Maharashtra government on the same day approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision. The apex court initially stayed the order and later in April 2023, set aside the HC order and directed it to hear the appeal filed by Saibaba afresh. The earlier HC bench comprising Justices Rohit Deo and Anil Pansare, in its October 2022 judgment, said the sanction to prosecute under the UAPA was granted in 2014 against the five accused, who were arrested first, and then against Saibaba in 2015. The bench had noted that in 2014, when the trial court took cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the prosecution, there was no sanction to prosecute Saibaba under the UAPA. Justice Deo, who was due to retire in December 2025, tendered his resignation on August 4, 2023, citing personal reasons. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) [India], March 5 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Tuesday visited and offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. This marks Gandhi's second visit to the temple during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, with the last one taking place on November 29, 2022. Also Read | Sandeshkhali Violence: NCW Chief Rekha Sharma Meets President Droupadi Murmu, Recommends Presidents Rule in West Bengal. Notably, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Madhya Pradesh on March 2 and will stay in the state till March 6. The Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', after the party's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner. This visit comes at a time when the Congress party, under the leadership of Kamal Nath, is gearing up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Also Read | Delhi Horror: Woman Dies After Husband Pours Kerosene on Her, Sets Her Ablaze Following Quarrel in Rohini Area. Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said that the party will win at least 12-13 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections out of 29 parliamentary constituencies in the state. "I think we will win at least 12-13 seats in the state. I have spoken to people at many places. I have campaigned at various places in the state and will do so now too. Every political party creates an atmosphere but the BJP is expert in creating it," Kamal Nath told reporters here. State Congress chief Jitu Patwari, who addressed a press conference on Tuesday with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh in Shajapur as part of Bharat Jodo Yatra, however, said the party will win over 15 Lok Sabha seats in the state. He said the Congress was ahead in nine Lok Sabha seats based on the outcome of assembly polls held late last year. "Congress is in the role of a strong opposition in the state. If we talk about Lok Sabha elections, there are nine such Lok Sabha constituencies in the state where if we compare the result of the last state assembly polls, we are ahead...we will win over 15 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and we will honestly play the role of opposition in the state," Jitu Patwari said. Kamal Nath told the media during his interaction that the biggest challenge before the state is unemployment and youth are looking for employment opportunities. Referring to the Regional Industry Conclave held recently, he said former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had also organised investment summits. "The question is not about investment, the question is how much employment is generated in whatever investment comes. Economic activity is linked with employment. So today the question is how to increase economic activity," he said. Kamal Nath said if farmer has money in his pocket, economic activity picks up in villages and noted that he had "waived off loan of 27 lakh farmers" during his tenure as Chief Minister. "This (economic activity) is our priority today, he added. Kamal Nath also scotched rumours that were circulating earlier about the possibility of his joining the BJP. "Have you ever heard this from my mouth? You (media) run this news (about switching sides), and then ask me about it. I had said it that first, journalists should refute it," Kamal Nath said. The Congress leader said he will not contest the Lok Sabha polls. "I am not contesting elections, Nakul Nath will contest," he said. Kamal Nath's son Nakul Nath is the sitting MP from Chhindwara. Asked about BJP working hard in Chhindwara and seeking to win the seat, the former Union Minister said he has a relationship with the people of the area for the last 45 years. "I dedicated my life to Chhindwara. Today Chhindwara has an identity. Any person from Chhindwara, wherever he goes, can proudly say that he has come from Chhindwara." Answering a query on Congress' first list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls, Kamal Nath said a meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee is slated for Wednesday and a list of at least 15-20 candidates may be announced. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The Israeli embassy in India confirmed on Tuesday that one Indian national was killed and two more Indians were injured in a terror attack by Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon in Northern Israel on Monday. The deceased has been identified as a 31-year-old man from Kerala. As per information, the deceased has been identified as 31-year-old Nibin Maxwell, son of Pathrose Maxwell, from Kollam district in Kerala. Reports have also confirmed that the other two injured are also from Kerala. Also Read | Rhea Kapoor Birthday: Most Stylish Pics of Bollywoods Favourite Stylist!. Nibin Maxwell had arrived in Israel two months ago and was working in a farm there. In its statement, 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 yesterday early afternoon. Our prayers and thoughts naturally go to the families of the bereaved and those of the injured." Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on Taking Oath As Prime Minister of Pakistan for Second Time. "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 embassy in India said. Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets at northern Israel on Monday night, 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. According to the Israel Defence Forces, at least 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Western Galilee. Some of the projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system.Fighting also continues in Gaza with the Israeli Defence forces claiming that they eliminated Islamic Jihad terrorists who fired rockets toward Kibbutz Be'eri and Kibbutz Hatzerim. Fifteen terrorists were eliminated using sniper, tank and aerial fire. IDF forces also struck terrorist targets and eliminated terrorists operating from within civilian areas in Western Khan Yunis. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, March 5: A mere 1.6 per cent of companies listed on the Fortune India 500 have women at the helm, while the figures stand at 5 per cent for the Fortune India Next 500, according to a study. The study -- 'Enhancing Women Leadership in India Inc' -- conducted jointly by Fortune India and SP Jain Institute of Management and Research sheds light on the persistent gender gap in leadership roles within Indian industries. Supported by the Women and Child Development Ministry and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the study engaged 130 industry leaders, with a representation of 54 per cent female and 46 per cent male CEOs, in 16 roundtable discussions across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Additionally, a survey questionnaire was distributed to Fortune 500 companies for their insights. Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani unveiled the findings of the study on Monday. Smriti Irani, Husband Zubin Perform Griha Pravesh Rituals in Amethi Residence; Video Surfaces. A key finding of this study is the industry leaders' recognition of the government's decade-long efforts to promote women in the corporate sphere and admitting that the responsibility now lies with the industry to implement measures that foster women's leadership, she said. The study underscores the industry's acknowledgment of gender inequality within corporations, pinpointing organizational policies, career advancement opportunities, work-life balance, and cultural norms and stereotypes as significant obstacles to be addressed. Kotak Mahindra Bank to Appoint International Banker Ashok Vaswani As New MD and CEO for Three Years. "I commend the industry's transparency in recognising the challenges that need to be tackled to advance the vision of Women-led Development, which is the cornerstone of PM @narendramodiji's government, Irani said in a post on X. Despite advancements in various sectors, the study reveals a stark reality: only a minuscule percentage of companies are led by women MDs/CEOs across different tiers of corporate India. According to the study, a mere 1.6 per cent of companies listed on the Fortune India 500 have women at the helm, while the figures stand at 5 per cent for The Next 500 and 3.2 per cent for the Fortune India 1000 companies. Fortune India publishes an annual list of the top 500 corporations in India by revenue. This list is similar to the Fortune 500 but focuses specifically on Indian companies. The Next 500 refers to the companies that follow the top 500 in terms of revenue or other criteria. These companies are often called 'The Next 500' or 'Fortune India Next 500'. While Fortune India 1000 is an extended list that includes both the Fortune India 500 and The Next 500, encompassing the top 1000 corporations in India by various metrics. The study identifies several root causes contributing to this gender disparity. One significant factor is the 'leaky pipeline' phenomenon, where a substantial portion of women employees exits the workforce upon entering middle management due to familial responsibilities. Over 30-40 per cent of women employees quit the workforce by the time they enter middle management. This is the time when they invariably get married or have a family. They take maternity leave and the return post childbirth gets challenging, it said. Also, the study said maternity leaves and caregiving duties often disrupt their career progression, leading to a severe shortage of women groomed for leadership roles. Moreover, inherent biases prevalent in corporate mindset further exacerbate the problem, the study pointed out. Organisations shy away from hiring a woman in mid-management roles as they know there could be a six-month maternity leave' in the offing. It is paid leave and most organisations don't want smaller ones can't afford to make that investment, it said. Stereotypes regarding women's commitment, willingness to relocate, or capability to handle P&L roles hinder their advancement opportunities, according to the study. The next round of losses occur when women leaders have to take a break when their children write board exams. There is also a break in their career, typically in their late forties when they have the responsibility of taking care of parents or in-laws, the study said. Decision-makers often make assumptions about women's preferences without consulting them directly, perpetuating discriminatory practices, the study said. The study rejected the idea of quotas but suggested actionable solutions to bridge the gender gap. Will a quota system make sense to get the much-needed number of women in the middle management? It was a vehement No' from the industry. Quotas would impact meritocracy, was the unanimous view, the study said. However, a section of the industry did feel that a mandate to hire more women on the shop floor of manufacturing units could help to improve the representation at the grassroot level, it said. The recommendations suggested in the study include tax rebates, enhanced corporate disclosures on diversity, increasing women's representation on boards, fostering a culture of sponsorship, and introducing gender-specific hiring mandates. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) In a setback to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha Sabha polls, its prominent leader from Uttar Pradesh Rajesh Mishra joined the BJP here on Tuesday, hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Mishra, a former Congress MP from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, joined the BJP here in the presence of senior party leaders, including national general secretary Arun Singh and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Also Read | Gurdaspur Shocker: Depressed Over Wife Eloping With Someone, Man Kills Kids by Giving Them Tea Mixed With Fatal Dose of Mosquito Repellent in Punjab. Addressing a joint press conference here, Mishra expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, party chief JP Nadda and other leaders for his induction into the BJP and asserted that he will continue to remain with the saffron party for the rest of his political life. My efforts will be to ensure that in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the opposition party doesn't even get a polling agent to man the booths in Varanasi seat this time, Mishra told the press conference at the BJP headquarters. Also Read | PM Modi Gets Death Threat: FIR Filed in Karnataka for Threat Video on PM Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath. I started politics with the Congress and it is now certain that I will remain with the BJP for the rest of my political life, he added. Prime Minister Modi is contesting the Lok Sabha polls seeking his re-election from the Varanasi seat for a third consecutive term. Welcoming him to the party fold, Singh said Mishra, a strong Congress leader from Varanasi, has joined the BJP accepting the party's policies and also looking at the work done by Prime Minister Modi government in the last ten years for people's welfare and country's progress. He is from Banaras (Varanasi) and a strong leader of the Congress. In the recent Congress president's election, Ramesh Mishra was a key member of the party's election committee. He was an MP from Banaras from 2004-09, the BJP national general secretary told reporters. Singh said Mishra is a very popular leader in Uttar Pradesh. Resigning from the Congress, he has joined the BJP today. He will work for the party now under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and ensure a massive and historic victory of the BJP from Banaras and neighbouring constituencies, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) Calling it a "victory of truth", the BJP on Tuesday lauded the Calcutta High Court order to transfer to the CBI the case of attack on ED officials by a mob allegedly at the behest of TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali in January. "Satyamev Jayate" (truth alone triumphs)," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said and also cited the court's critical observations on the state police to assert that the Trinamool Congress tried to shield Sheikh while police acted as a wing of the state's ruling party. Also Read | Ravi Kumar S Joins USISPF Board: Cognizant CEO Joins US-India Strategic and Partnership Forums Board of Directors. The Calcutta High Court earlier in the day ordered the 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 Sheikh, who was arrested by the West Bengal police on February 29 in connection with the case, be handed over to the central agency. Also Read | Ex-Odisha Deputy Speaker Rama Chandra Panda Gets Back Stolen Gold After 19 Years. Poonawalla claimed the HC order has vindicated the BJP's stand. TMC leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, initially defended Sheikh and when complaints against him mounted, a sham of his arrest and removal from the party was orchestrated, he alleged. Sheikh, also facing charges of land grab and sexual assault on women in Sandeshkhali, was under "secular protection" all this while, the BJP spokesperson said, asserting that the court has struck a hammer to such a mindset. In a swipe at the Congress, he said the likes of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have maintained silence over the atrocities inflicted on the women of Sandeshkhali. Later in the day, the West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court challenging the HC order but the apex court bench refused an urgent listing of the plea and asked its counsel to mention the matter before the Registrar General. At a press conference, Poonawalla also spoke of Moody's revising its growth forecast for India for 2024 from 6.1 per cent to 6.8 per cent, claiming that the rating agency has also endorsed "Modi ki guarantee". In this context, he also slammed Rahul Gandhi for his claim that unemployment in India was worse than in Pakistan and said the Congress leader leaves no opportunity to undermine the country's economy and standing. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Mar 5 (PTI) Godrej Consumer Products chairperson Nisaba Godrej on Tuesday pitched for India Inc to be an "isles of inclusion" by having more representative workforces. Speaking at a special event organized by the Godrej Group in the run-up to International Women's Day, Godrej said there is also a need for making workforces more gender-balanced. Also Read | Gender Disparity: Only 1.6% of Companies Listed in Fortune India 500 Led by Women, Study Shows. "You know there is whole thing on religion, caste and there is so much going on in India but we should be more representative of the country," she said. Corporate India should also be talking more on parenting, caregiving and taking care of the elderly people, she said, adding that if need be, share the same with the government as well. Also Read | BPSC Recruitment 2024: Vacancies Notified For Over 46,000 Posts on bpsc.bih.nic.in, Know How to Apply. Godrej also said that there are challenges on the employment front and the government needs to do more on this. "I think we have a jobs issue which the government needs to sort out," she said, voicing worries on the decline in labour force participation among women. Stressing on the need to disaggregate the data by states, she said the female labour participation rate in Punjab is around 10 per cent while the same will definitely be higher in Tamil Nadu, which is home to half of India's overall female workforces. Citing her own difficulties at a company as a director, she also rued the practice of having critical board meetings on Sundays and stressed on the need for women to speak out on the same. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Hamirpur, Mar 5 (PTI) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 15 National Highway and ropeway projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in Hamirpur. Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh were also present during the event held at the police line complex here. Also Read | Gender Disparity: Only 1.6% of Companies Listed in Fortune India 500 Led by Women, Study Shows. BJP's national president JP Nadda joined the programme virtually. Gadkari announced an additional Rs 150 crore for roads and bridges in Himachal Pradesh on the demand of Vikramaditya Singh and asked the state government to send a proposal to the Centre in this regard. Also Read | BPSC Recruitment 2024: Vacancies Notified For Over 46,000 Posts on bpsc.bih.nic.in, Know How to Apply. Addressing a gathering, Gadkari said that the BJP and development are two faces of the same coin and by 2024, works worth Rs one lakh crore will be completed in the state. The progress would continue under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added. He asked people to join hands with PM Modi to carry out the development works and to make India a third-world power financially. Following the demand by Anurag Thakur, he announced to make the Hamirpur bypass a four-lane road and speed up the process of making the Shimla-Bilaspur National Highway a four-lane road and said that work worth Rs 125 crore will be undertaken in Bilaspur for which a proposal was given by JP Nadda earlier. Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said that Gadkari had given whatever was asked of him. The length of roads has increased from 96,000 to 1.5 lakh kilometres. Vikramaditya Singh said that he believes in rising above party politics and taking the state forward in the interest of Himachal. "We will strongly support those powers that will support us in taking Himachal forward so that there is no hindrance in the path of development of the state", he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) A woman died of burns after being allegedly doused in kerosene and set on fire by her husband in Delhi's Rohini area, police said on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) G S Sidhu said the incident occurred in the Begumpur area on Monday. Also Read | Gender Disparity: Only 1.6% of Companies Listed in Fortune India 500 Led by Women, Study Shows. "A police control room (PCR) call was received at the Begumpur police station that a fire broke out at a house, where some people are suspected to be trapped. A team was immediately sent to the spot and the matter was brought to the knowledge of fire officials," the senior officer said. He said a police team reached the house and found the main gate locked from inside. Fire officials too arrived on the scene and doused the blaze, Sidhu added. Also Read | BPSC Recruitment 2024: Vacancies Notified For Over 46,000 Posts on bpsc.bih.nic.in, Know How to Apply. "On inspection of the house, a critically burnt female was found in an unresponsive state. She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead," the officer said. He added that in the meantime, another PCR was received from a different hospital regarding the admission of an injured person and his two children. When police officials reached the hospital, they learned that the injured man was none other than the husband of the woman who died of burns, Sidhu said. One of the injured girls informed police that her parents fought over a dispute following which her father poured kerosene on her mother and set her on fire, the DCP said. An FIR under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered and further investigation is underway, the officer added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Ayushi Agarwal New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): Visiting Danish Parliament Speaker Soren Gade has expressed hope for an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Also Read | Abortion Rights in France: French Parliament Passes Bill Enshrining Womens Abortion Rights in Constitution. The EU and India had first launched negotiations for an FTA in 2007, but talks were suspended in 2013. Discussions resumed on June 17, 2022. "When I was here just after the COVID and met the minister of trade, we discussed this (FTA) because I was representing the European Parliament. I and your minister were optimistic. But after the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), non-trade issues have come up in the Free Trade Agreement discussions and it has made it all more difficult," the Danish speaker said while speaking to ANI on Monday Also Read | US Shocker: Middle School Principal Hires Hitman for USD 2,500 To Kill Teacher Pregnant With His Baby in St Louis, Pleads Guilty. "India, of course, is a little sceptical on those two issues. After the election and after India has made an agreement with FTA countries, hopefully, there can be a restart of the FTA with Europe. Europe needs India and hopefully, India feels like it needs Europe too," he said. Speaking further about the India-Denmark relations, Gade said that despite being a smaller country (60 lakh population) and smaller economy, being considered as friends is "something special." "I'm honoured that India also pays attention to a small country like Denmark. We have had 75 years of friendship and may it continue in decades to come. In a few years, India will be an even bigger economy than it is today, hopefully, we can still be friends. Today India is number five in the world economically, and in one, two, three years, it will be number three... It is something special that we are still considered as friends and I can still, as a representative from a small country, see ministers in India and that's an honour for me and my colleagues from the Danish Parliament," said the speaker. Gade went on to underscore the importance of New Delhi and Copenhagen partnership that is needed to take the journey forward. "Even though I'm from a very small country, we can do a lot on the green deal together. We have to transfer technology to India because we made a lot of mistakes in the past and we will not repeat them in the future... India has a right to be a developed country. On this journey, a lot of technology is needed, especially to reduce climate change. And that is the reason why we are here also to encourage this green partnership", he said. Lauding India as a democracy, the speaker highlighted further how the two countries are easier to get closer. "We share values on democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law. That is the reason why not only India and Denmark, but India and the European Union should have closer ties because it's much easier to be friends with countries where you have the same values", said Gade. "In the world right now, you have wars going on, you have non-democracies trying to say what's right or wrong, then those countries with the same values, as we have, should stick together. Because fewer people in the world today are living in a democratic country than it was 20 years ago", he added. Gade during his India visit met National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), JP Nadda. The official account of BJP National President JP Nadda shared on X (formerly Twitter), "Today, BJP National President Shri @JPNadda ji welcomed a Danish delegation led by Speaker Mr. Soren Gade, accompanied by deputy speakers and Amb @svane_freddy. The discussions revolved around India's impending elections, the BJP organization, and the various initiatives of the Modi government." Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane also reflected on the discussions, tweeting, "Engaging and insightful discussion between Party President Nadda and the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, Soeren Gade, along with the deputy speakers." Speaker during his visit also met with Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. 'Discussions focused on the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) & new avenues to further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries', said a tweet. India and Denmark established diplomatic relations in September 1949. Bilateral relations were elevated to the level of "Green Strategic Partnership" during the Virtual Summit held on September 28, 2020 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen. The current development of renewed India-Denmark relations has been guided by the "Green Strategic Partnership". (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New York [US], March 5 (ANI): Former top Twitter executives, including Parag Agrawal, have sued Elon Musk, claiming the Tesla CEO had withheld USD128 million in severance payments after the billionaire took over the social media company in 2022 and dismissed them, according to The New York Times. After paying USD44 billion to acquire Twitter, Musk sacked the company's chief executive, Parag Agrawal; chief financial officer, Ned Segal; head of legal and policy, Vijaya Gadde; and general counsel, Sean Edgett. Also Read | Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, March 05, 2024. The Twitter was later renamed as X by Musk. The lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California on Monday, claimed that because the executives' contracts stated they would receive severance payments if Twitter was taken private by Musk in October 2022, they were entitled to the payments. Also Read | Abortion Rights in France: French Parliament Passes Bill Enshrining Womens Abortion Rights in Constitution. Agrawal's offer letter for the position said that he would get a USD1 million annual salary in addition to USD12.5 million in shares, The New York Times reported. According to a Twitter securities filing, Agrawal was entitled to a so-called golden parachute payment of USD60 million in the case of an involuntary termination. According to the document, Segal would receive USD46 million and Gadde would receive USD21 million in the identical circumstances. Musk claimed he could fire the executives "for cause" at the time of the takeover in order to avoid having to pay them severance. In order to save himself roughly USD200 million, Musk informed Walter Isaacson, his biographer, that he would refuse the executives' severance benefits. He vowed to "hunt" the executives "till the day they die" in front of Isaacson, according to The New York Times. "This is the Musk playbook: to keep the money he owes other people, and force them to sue him. Even in defeat, Musk can impose delay, hassle and expense on others less able to afford it," the lawyers for the executives wrote in court documents, according to The New York Times. The executives previously sued Musk for legal fees they incurred while responding to investigations into the company. In October, a Delaware judge ordered Musk to pay them USD1.1 million to cover those expenses. After closing the USD 44 billion acquisition deal, Elon Musk has started to reform the policies of the micro-blogging platform and is wasting no time remodelling it by dismissing employees, The Hill earlier reported. In one of the first few changes, he purged the top executives of the company as soon as he closed the deal in which Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and finance chief Ned Segal left the company's San Francisco headquarters. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab) New Delhi [India], March 5 (ANI): The second India-France Strategic Space Dialogue was held in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on the Indian side and by Secretary General, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms Anne-Marie Descotes on the French side, said an official statement. Also Read | Ravi Kumar S Joins USISPF Board: Cognizant CEO Joins US-India Strategic and Partnership Forums Board of Directors. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the progress made since the first India-France Strategic Space Dialogue and discussed the ongoing robust bilateral engagement in the space sector and avenues for further cooperation in the G2G (Government-to-Government) and commercial segments. Additionally, both sides also discussed the implementation of the recently signed Letter of Intent on Defence Space Cooperation, capacity building and training, space exchanges and defence space industrial cooperation. Also Read | US: 12-Year-Old Boy Gunned Down in 'Targeted Attack' as Sisters Slept Nearby in Family Apartment in Texas, Investigation Underway. Earlier on Monday, India and France held a bilateral dialogue to discuss disarmament and non-proliferation relating to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The two sides also discussed space security, conventional weapons, including AI in the military domain, lethal autonomous weapon systems, and multilateral export control regimes. Moreover, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descotes on Monday. He stated that the strategic partnership between the two nations is growing from "strength to strength." Jaishankar expressed confidence that the Foreign Office Consultations and Strategic Space Dialogue between the two nations will further enhance the momentum of India-France ties. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Wellington [New Zealand], March 5 (ANI): New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters is embarking on a diplomatic mission to India, departing on March 10. The visit includes key stops in Ahmedabad and New Delhi, with a focus on extended meetings with Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar. "In Ahmedabad, Peters plans to meet with Bhupendrabhai Patel, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, a state that has been an engine of Indian economic growth and has significant connections to New Zealand's Indian diaspora. In Delhi, he will also be highlighting the shared interest that New Zealand and India have in helping the development of the Pacific Islands region," the New Zealand government said in a press release. Also Read | Haiti Violence: Heavily Armed Gangs Try To Seize Control of Main International Airport in Newest Attack on Key Government Sites. "India is a country with which New Zealand can, should and will be doing more. New Zealand recognises the global and regional leadership role that India plays, and we are determined to build a broader, deeper, mutually beneficial relationship," Peters stated in the press release. As per the press release, "The Coalition Government is making South and Southeast Asia a priority because it is critical to maintaining and building New Zealand's security and prosperity. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on Taking Oath As Prime Minister of Pakistan for Second Time. "We intend for the New Zealand Government to bring greater focus and energy to South and Southeast Asia--a fast-growing region with significant further potential for our country," Peters stated in his statements in the press release. During the upcoming diplomatic mission, the focal points of Foreign Minister Winston Peters' itinerary will be extended meetings with the Foreign Ministers of India, Indonesia, and Singapore: S Jaishankar, Retno Marsudi, and Vivian Balakrishnan. "It will be a privilege to spend further time with three such experienced and accomplished foreign ministers whose views on the issues facing the world and the Indo-Pacific in particular carry considerable weight. If New Zealand wishes to maximise our influence and impact in the region, we need to lift our game with all three of India, Indonesia and Singapore," the press release reads. "Peters leaves on March 10-13, for Indonesia (Jakarta) on March 14-15, and Singapore on March 15 before returning to New Zealand on Saturday, March 16," the itinerary mentioned in the press release. In Jakarta, Peters will meet with Indonesian leaders to discuss strengthening the two countries' ties further in 2024. "Indonesia will be among the world's top 10 economies by 2030 and there is considerable potential to increase our two-way trade, including through halal recognition and resolving barriers to trade. Indonesia shapes the region and the world," Peters says. Peters' visit is also an opportunity to acknowledge the fifth anniversary of the March 15 terror attacks. "Jakarta was the first capital I visited following the March 15 attacks in 2019, and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marsudi was instrumental in helping New Zealand engage with the Muslim world in the weeks following. It is appropriate that we return to the capital of the world's most populous Muslim country on this anniversary," Peter added. In Singapore, Peters will also meet Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen and Richard Chandler, the New Zealand-born chair of Singapore conglomerate Clermont Group. "New Zealand and Singapore have a strong, long-standing relationship that requires further effort to ensure it is realising its full potential. We intend to talk to partners in Singapore next week about priority developments in our region, and further areas where we can cooperate," Peter said.(ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Mar 5 (PTI) Indian-American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is trailing far behind her rival Donald Trump, who is most likely to emerge as the presumptive nominee after the Republican Party's crucial Super Tuesday contest. Trump and Haley were campaigning vigorously in various Super Tuesday states, making a last-minute pitch to the Republican voters. Also Read | Ahmadi Community Leader Assassinated in Pakistan: Tahir Iqbal Shot Dead by Unknown Assailants in Bahawalpur's Hasilpur. Super Tuesday is an important new phase of presidential primaries when the early contests are over, and voters from multiple states cast ballots in primaries timed to occur on the same date. RealClearPolitics, which keeps track of all national polls, reported that 77-year-old former president Trump was leading by more than 60 percentage points on average in various national polls. Also Read | Parag Agrawal Sues Elon Musk: Former Twitter CEO Sues Billionaire for Over USD 128 Million in Severance, Tesla CEO Responds With Emoji. No political pundit is giving Haley, 51, any chance against Trump, the most popular politician in the Republican party in recent times. Despite facing scores of legal battles and embarrassing indictments, Trump is attracting thousands of Republicans to his rallies, while the numbers at Haley's events are far less. On Super Tuesday, Republican presidential primaries are being held in California, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado, Arkansas, Maine, and Vermont. More than a third of all the Republican delegates are at stake on Super Tuesday, the biggest haul of any date on the primary calendar. To win the presidential nomination of the Republican party, either of the two candidates needs 1,215 delegates, who are elected during the primaries. So far, Trump has 244 delegates in his kitty, while Haley's strength stands at 43. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who dropped from the presidential race earlier, has nine delegates, and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has three. Both of them have quit the race and endorsed Trump. Even though Haley, the former US envoy to the UN, is trailing far behind her ex-boss, she has already broken several glass ceilings in the party. On Monday, the former South Carolina governor won her first Republican nominating contest by trumping rival Trump in Washington, DC. With her win, Haley scripted history by becoming the first woman to win a Republican presidential primary. She is the first Indian-American politician to have won a presidential primary in any State in either the Democratic or the Republican party. Her popularity has gained ground in the last two months, and in January and February alone, her campaign raised USD 28 million. On Monday, a large number of people came out in support of her in Texas. We have been in 10 states just in the past week. I just finished a rally here in Houston, Texas. We had well over a thousand people show up," Haley told Fox News in an interview. "This isn't an anti-Trump movement; this is a pro-America movement. This is something where they're saying they're tired of the chaos. They don't want two candidates in their 80s; they want to make sure that we go back to normal. They want to see a DC that works for the people instead of people working for the government, she said. And so we've got people who are passionate, they're excited, they want to go and get America back where they can be proud again. And so we're going to do as much as we can," she said. "I want to be as competitive as we can. We certainly have numbers we're hoping for, but we'll see what happens tomorrow. But until then, I continue to remind everyone in those 16 states and territories that in a general election, we're given a choice. In a primary, we make our choice. And so I hope everybody will go out and make their choice tomorrow, she added. On CNN, Haley claimed that 70 per cent of Americans want neither Trump nor 81-year-old incumbent US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, as president. That's not a small number, Jake. If you look at the early states, Trump didn't get 40 per cent of the vote. In Michigan, after campaigning for eight years, he didn't perform as well as I did campaigning for just two days and securing 30 per cent of the vote," she said. "This comes down to people worrying about the fiscal cliff we're heading toward. They're concerned about the younger generation, which is facing a USD 34 trillion debt and knows they'll have to bear that responsibility, she said. They're anxious about the fact that the younger generation endured COVID-19, facing challenges and uncertainties. They're worried about securing employment, making ends meet, and doubting their ability to afford a home. With wars occurring worldwide, they want assurance that someone will dedicate eight years day and night to focusing on solutions, not on negativity or personal baggage, Haley said. When you look at Joe Biden and Donald Trump, they're entirely immersed in their own worlds, preoccupied with how these issues affect them. It's not about either man; it's about the American people who have been ignored for far too long. They want things done right," she said. "I'm in Texas, and people here are vocal about the border situation, considering it unacceptable. This is the United States of America, and this should not be happening, said the Indian American leader. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, March 5: The Ahmadiyya community's President was shot dead by unknown assailants in the Hasilpur district of Pakistan's Bahawalpur on Monday morning, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Tahir Iqbal (54) was shot during his morning walk in the Chak-84 village when two motorcyclists opened fire at him. He died on the spot, according to a Dawn report. According to the police, Tahir Iqbal's body was taken to a morgue for autopsy and a case was registered against two unidentified suspects. An application submitted for the registration of the first information report mentioned that the assailants fled from the spot. Speaking to Dawn, Bahawalpur District Police Officer (DPO) Syed Abbas Shah said the initial probe suggested that the reason behind the murder was not religious but connected to 'honour'. Attack on Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan: Another Three Ahmadiyya Worship Places Desecrated in Lahore by Police According to the official, Iqbal, a landlord was in a relationship with a woman in the village and her relatives had warned him several times to end the relationship, according to the Dawn report. DPO Shah speculated that the woman's relatives might have killed Iqbal "in the name of honour." He said that police was also finding whether there was a possibility of a "religious angle." He further stated that police was carrying out raids to arrest the suspects and an investigation was being conducted. The Ahmadiyya community has condemned the killing and stressed that Tahir Iqbal's death was the result of the ongoing wave of hatred and violence against them in Pakistan. Ahmadiyya community's spokesperson said they had received death threats from extremist groups. It has called on authorities to take action to protect their community and bring the culprits to justice. The community faces frequent attacks and persecution in Pakistan. Earlier in February, a mosque belonging to the Ahmadiyya community in the Kotli district of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was vandalized. Sources reveal that a group of 50 people equipped with hammers, shovels, and sticks formed a mob and stormed the mosque, injuring eight Ahmadi worshippers, including five women, and destroying all of the mosque's four minarets. Earlier in January, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called for setting up a statutory national commission for the rights of minorities according to the recommendation of the 2014 Supreme Court Jillani judgement, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Pakistan: Doctor Belonging to Minority Ahmadi Community Shot Dead in Punjab Province, Say Police The demand was raised during a national roundtable held by the HRCP. HRCP's director Farah Zia recalled that the national commission for minorities that was established in 2020 failed to meet the demands of minorities. She stressed the need for an autonomous commission formed along the lines of the Paris Principles, Dawn reported. Mahmood Iftikhar from the Ahmadiyya community stressed that the commission must be inclusive of the rights of vulnerable groups like Ahmadis, who had faced numerous desecrations of their sites of worship in 2023. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad [Pakistan], March 5 (ANI): Senator Ali Zafar of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called for the resignation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after it denied the Sunni Ittehad Council's (SIC) request seeking allocation of reserved seats in the National Assembly, reported ARY News. He also termed the ECP's verdict, "the last dagger in the heart of democracy." Also Read | Abortion Rights in France: French Parliament Passes Bill Enshrining Womens Abortion Rights in Constitution. Speaking on the Senate floor on Sunday, the PTI senator further requested that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja be charged with treason under Article 6 of the Constitution. The senator added that the PTI has drafted a resolution in this regard and would present it soon. Also Read | US Shocker: Middle School Principal Hires Hitman for USD 2,500 To Kill Teacher Pregnant With His Baby in St Louis, Pleads Guilty. "They [ECP] cannot stay in this position for a minute longer," he said, adding that the poll body had once again violated the Constitution through this verdict, according to ARY News. "If our share is being given to other parties then this is a constitutional mistake that the ECP has committed," he said, claiming that the verdict had proven that ECP failed to fulfil its responsibility of holding free and fair elections, ARY News reported. He pointed out that the presidential and Senate elections could not be conducted in an "incomplete house". "Until the national and provincial assemblies are complete, elections can't be held for these constitutional positions. "We have chosen to contest the ECP ruling," he said, according to ARY News. In a major setback for the already embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled that the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which is backed by Imran Khan-founded party, is "not eligible" for the reserved seats allotted to women and minorities. The commission's five-member bench -- headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja -- announced the split decision with a 4-1 majority. The remaining 77 reserved seats will now be allotted to other political parties, as reported by Geo News. "The electoral body said the SIC cannot claim the share in the reserved seats for women "due to non-curable procedural and legal defects and violations of mandatory provisions of the Constitution." Notably, ECP Punjab member Hassan Bharwana dissented with the majority verdict, which was reserved on February 28. In the dissenting note, ECP Punjab chapter member Bharwana said he partially agreed with the majority verdict that the reserved seats cannot be allocated to SIC, as the priority list was not submitted in time. "However, I have dissenting views with regard to the allocation of seats by way of proportional representation to the other political parties," Geo News quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, PTI has criticised the ruling and said that it will be challenging the ECP verdict in the higher court. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New York, Mar 5 (PTI) Twitter's former leadership team, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal and Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, has sued the platform's owner Elon Musk, saying the billionaire fired them without reason and owes them severance payments worth USD 128 million. The lawsuit against the Tesla and SpaceX chief and X Corp was filed in the US District Court, Northern District of California by Agrawal, Gadde, Twitter's former Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal and General Counsel Sean Edgett. Also Read | Maryam Nawaz's Selection As Punjab Chief Minister a 'Milestone' in Pakistani Politics, Says US. Musk has a special ire toward Agrawal, Segal, Gadde, and Edgett, who in their leadership roles at Twitter appropriately and vigorously represented the interests of Twitter's public shareholders throughout Musk's wrongful attempt to renege on the deal. For their efforts, Musk vowed a lifetime of revenge, the 38-page lawsuit said. Also Read | Big Win for Donald Trump: US Supreme Court Rules Former President Can Remain on Colorado Primary Ballot. Agrawal worked at Twitter from 2011 until 2022 and was the platform's Chief Executive Officer from November 29, 2021, until October 27, 2022, a role he took over from the company's founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey. The lawsuit also notes that as Musk was closing Twitter's acquisition for USD 44 billion in 2022, the billionaire told his official biographer Walter Isaacson, that he would hunt every single one of Twitter's executives and directors till the day they die. These statements were not the mere rantings of a self-centred billionaire surrounded by enablers unwilling to confront him with the legal consequences of his own choices. Musk bragged to Isaacson specifically how he planned to cheat Twitter's executives out of their severance benefits in order to save himself USD 200 million, he said. The four former Twitter executives claim in the lawsuit that Musk owes them severance payments totalling about USD 128 million. Under Musk's control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. Musk doesn't pay his bills, believes the rules don't apply to him, and uses his wealth and power to run roughshod over anyone who disagrees with him, the lawsuit said. It said that Agrawal is entitled to severance benefits amounting to over USD 57 million, which is equal to his one-year salary of one million dollars plus restricted stock units, performance share units and other benefits. Gadde is entitled to severance benefits in the amount of USD 20 million, an amount equal to one year's salary of USD 600,000 plus other benefits. The lawsuit alleges that under Twitter's severance plans if an eligible executive is terminated without cause following a change in control, they are entitled to severance benefits. Because Musk decided he didn't 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. He claimed in his termination letters that each Plaintiff committed gross negligence and willful misconduct without citing a single fact in support of this claim, the lawsuit said. The four executives highlighted the Musk playbook, which is to keep the money he owes other people and force them to sue him. Even in defeat, Musk can impose delay, hassle, and expense on others less able to afford it. The lawsuit added that it would be inequitable and unjust to prevent the four plaintiffs from recovering benefits and other remedies from Musk, who is personally responsible for and will individually benefit from the acts of X Corp. It also adds that as early as April 2022, shortly after signing the Merger Agreement, but before he owned the company, Musk wanted Agrawal to terminate Gadde. On or about April 27, 2022, Musk, Agrawal, and Dorsey joined a FaceTime call. Agrawal's intention for the call was to discuss Musk's vision for Twitter, and how they could align so that Agrawal could lead with an awareness of that vision over the next few months prior to the closing, while shareholder and regulatory approval was pending. Musk had no such intention. Within minutes of the start of the call, Musk directed Agrawal to terminate Gadde immediately. When Agrawal refused, Musk gave him a day to comply, telling him to text Musk confirmation of her firing. The lawsuit alleges that Agrawal then said that he would take what Musk had asked under consideration, but as CEO, he made his own decisions. "Musk became aggressive and angrily repeated his orders. When Agrawal refused to fire Gadde, Musk told him that we can't work together as a result. Following the call, Musk texted Dorsey about his frustration over Agrawal's refusal to fire Gadde. Dorsey wrote, At least it became clear that you can't work together [with Agrawal]. That was clarifying. Musk agreed, responding Yeah. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thiruvananthapuram, March 5: One Indian worker was killed, and two others injured in a missile attack by the Hezbollah militant group in Margaliot in Israel. This is the first reported death of an Indian near Israels border with Lebanon in several years. The attack took place on Monday evening. The deceased was identified as Nibin Maxwell, a 31-year-old resident of Vady in Kerala's Kollam. Seven others were grievously injured in the rocket attack. Two of the injured hail from Kerala and were identified as Joseph George and Paul Melvin. Nibin Maxwell's father told IANS that he had left for Israel in January and that his elder brother Nivin was also working there. He said that the family was informed about the death around Monday midnight. Kerala Police sources when contacted told IANS that the body was expected to reach Kerala in four days. Maxwell is survived by his wife, who is seven months pregnant and a five-year-old daughter. Kollam Man Killed in Hezbollah Terror Strike in Israel; Two Others Injured Also from Kerala The Embassy of Israel in India mourned the death and 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 yesterday early afternoon. The statement further 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 beingtreated 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. Akhilesh Yadav Lashes out at Centre over Unemployment After Indian Man Dies in Israel According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 18,000 Indians continue to reside in Israel despite the advisory issued in October that had prompted India to undertake the evacuation of several batches of Indians. After some days the evacuation was paused. Israel has suspended work permits for thousands of Palestinians because of the ongoing conflict leading to vacancies in a large number of positions. India and Israel had signed an agreement in May 2023 for 42,000 Indian workers to be absorbed into the Israeli economy. In the latest development in the Spanish woman gang rape case, the Jharkhand police arrested five more people today, March 5. "A total of 8 accused have been arrested so far," Dumka SP Pitamber Singh Kherwar said. The Spanish woman was allegedly gang-raped in Jharkhand's Dumka district last week. Today, she said that she has no complaints against the people of India as she has safely travelled around 20,000 km across the country. Spanish Tourist Gangrape Case: 'People of India Treated Me Very Well', 28-Year-Old Victim Says Before Leaving for Nepal. Five More Accused Arrested Spanish woman gang rape case | Five more accused have been arrested by the police today. A total of 8 accused have been arrested so far: Dumka SP Pitamber Singh Kherwar. ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) A Detroit suburb was rocked by hundreds of explosions lasting over an hour on Monday night, March 4, as emergency crews battled a massive fire at a business building housing Select Distributors in Clinton Township, Michigan. Area residents and businesses were evacuated as Clinton Township police responded to the chaotic scene. Reportedly, the suburb, located about 23 miles northeast of downtown Detroit, was engulfed in flames and loud explosions, prompting widespread concern among locals. Although the fire was brought under control by 11 pm on Monday, cleanup efforts for the aftermath continued into Tuesday morning, March 5. Videos of the dramatic incident circulated online, capturing the intensity of the explosions and fire. US Fire Videos: Oil Refinery Explosion Sparks Massive Blaze in Michigan's White Lake, Emergency Crews on Scene. Multiple Explosions Rock Detroit Suburb Moments of explosions from the industrial fire in Clinton Township captured. Police urge extreme caution in the area and report debris is being projected into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion. : Anthony Argeropoulos https://t.co/eCVZSn2ts1 pic.twitter.com/9SMFoghCq7 The Detroit News (@detroitnews) March 5, 2024 WATCH: Hundreds of explosions, massive fire reported at building in Detroit suburb, one person killed. pic.twitter.com/LyHV2FSne5 Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 5, 2024 Massive Fire Engulfs Business Building #BREAKING: A structure in a Detroit suburb has been the scene of numerous explosions and a large fire; one person has died. pic.twitter.com/pCiHob1X6o War Intel (@warintel4u) March 5, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Mumbai, March 5: Bitcoin price hit $ 59,289 a week ago for the first time, higher than the recorded price of $16,487 in January 2023. Now, the price of this cryptocurrency is $66,936. According to the reports, the Bitcoin price has risen above $67,000 since November 2021. It reportedly rose for the second straight day and went towards hitting an all-time high. The reason for the price rise is robust demand from the customers for expectations of ETFs at the start of the week. According to the report by Hindustan Times, the frenzy for the largest crypto token is due to an insatiable demand from US-listed Bitcoin ETFs, which reportedly started from January 11. In the last 12 months, the report said that the price of Bitcoin jumped nearly 186%. Since the debut of the US Bitcoin ETFs from companies like BlackRock and Fidelity Investments, a net inflow of $7.35 billion has been invested. Gemini AI Issues: Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin Admits Errors in Googles AI Chatbot and Says We Definitely Messed Up. The report said that the traders are betting that the price could go as high as $69,000, which was witnessed during the Covid pandemic. As per the report, the strong ETF demand and fear of missing out on Bitcoin halving are anticipated to occur around April 2024. According to a report by Bitcoin.com, Bitwise Asset Management's Chief Investment Officer, Matt Hougan, said that the Bitcoin price could surge above $200K in 2024. He reportedly said it will happen due to "too much demand and insufficient supply for the cryptocurrency". Further, the report said that he added that there could be even a "bigger wave" regarding the demand for Bitcoin due to spot Bitcoin ETFs. Moreover, they said that the prices of Bitcoin could go higher. Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S Joins Board of Directors of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. On the other hand, the Hindustan Times reported that when the reward for mining is cut in half (halving), the supply growth of Bitcoin will come down due to a demand squeeze. The report said that the co-founder of Orbit Markets, Caroline Mauron, stated that this situation reminded of the 2021 bull run, during which the traders were looking to make quick profits from the increasing prices in the volatile tokens. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2024 05:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, March 5: Embattled edtech company Byjus on Tuesday said that no funds have been siphoned off and around $533 million are currently in a 100 per cent non-US subsidiary of the company. US-based hedge fund manager Camshaft Capital is no longer managing the funds which are part of $1.2 billion Term Loan B (TLB), the company said in a statement. Camshaft has disclosed in court filings that $533 million it managed for Byjus Alpha, a US unit of Byjus, was transferred to another 100 per cent and US-based subsidiary of Byjus. Cellular Operators Association of India Says Not Just Home-Grown Startups, LTGs Like Google Also Opposed Fair-Share Demand From Telcos. Byjus had taken a loan from certain US-based lenders in November 2021. For that purpose, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named Byjus Alpha was incorporated in Delaware. Byjus Alpha was never an operating company. Its sole role was to receive the funds and then disburse them through the group. Under the loan agreement, there is no restriction on the use of funds, except that for regulatory reasons the funds cannot be brought to India, the edtech company argued. Byjus alleged that in an attempt to extract better and unbargained-for terms, the lenders accelerated the loan in March 2023. The company further alleged that the lenders relied on concocted non-monetary events of default, such as the failure of one of Byjus Indian subsidiaries, Whitehat, to accede to the loan agreement as an additional guarantor. That is the case even though it had become legally impossible for Whitehat to provide the additional guarantee due to amendments to certain RBI regulations that came into effect in August 2022. This is currently contested in the New York Supreme Court and the Delaware Supreme Court. In the meantime, lenders took control over Byjus Alpha by purporting to replace Byjus nominee with their own designee, alleged the Byju Raveendran-run company which is yet to pay salaries of its more than 20,000 employees for the month of February. In early 2023, the funds were transferred from Byjus Alpha to Inspilearn, another US based fully owned subsidiary of the company. Swiggy Signs Memorandum of Understanding With IRCTC To Provide Food Delivery Service on Trains. Inspilearn, thereafter, transferred those funds from Camshaft to a non-US based fund. More recently, and on receipt of advice from counsel, those funds have been transferred from Inspilearn to a non-US based 100 per cent subsidiary of Byjus, said the company. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2024 04:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). It should have been fun sitting in the Splash Zone at SeaWorlds Shamu stadium with her two sons, watching killer whales perform impressive tricks. Instead, Gabriela Cowperthwaite felt a pit in her stomach. Seeing whales up-close in captivity made her uneasy. So she began looking into the theme park, working on a documentary called Blackfish a 2013 film that would ultimately shift the way the public viewed the multibillion-dollar corporation too. Just three years after the release of Blackfish, SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby announced Thursday in an op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times that the company would stop breeding orcas this year. That means that the 29 killer whales currently owned by the theme park will be the last to swim in SeaWorld tanks. The remaining orcas will live out the remainder of their lives at the companys three SeaWorld-branded parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego but will not perform in theatrical shows by 2019. See more of Entertainments top stories on Facebook >> Advertisement We are proud of contributing to the evolving understanding of one of the worlds largest marine mammals, Manby wrote. Now we need to respond to the attitudinal change that we helped to create. Though Manby made no reference to Blackfish in his op-ed, the film was largely responsible for that attitudinal change. The documentary was released in theaters in July 2013 and went on to gross $2.1 million a respectable sum for a documentary. But the film really began to make waves after it aired in October of that year on CNN, where the movie has since been broadcast more than 30 times and been seen by nearly 30 million viewers, according to the cable network. Its exceedingly rare to see this kind of result, said Amy Entelis, the co-founder of CNN Films, which acquired Blackfish at Sundance in January 2013. There are a lot of good stories out there, but they dont always see the final chapter that Gabriela is seeing at this point. Weve had other documentaries about Steve Jobs and Glen Campbell attract many viewers during their premieres, but Blackfish endures even after multiple viewings. Its had a deeper impact and has been seen by far more people. There have been just a handful of documentaries released over the last few decades that have led to tangible change, including 2004s Super Size Me, in which filmmaker Morgan Spurlock suffered serious health complications after eating only McDonalds for 30 days. Six weeks after the film came out, the fast-food chain stopped offering super-size portions. Theres also Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofskys Paradise Lost trilogy, which ultimately led to the release of three Texan men who had been wrongly imprisoned for murder for nearly two decades. It seems to make a difference when a film is very specifically calling out a company or government official by name, said Thom Powers, who serves as the documentary programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival. But Blackfish also has an enormous amount of filmmaking craft at stake. I watch 300 or 400 films a year on very worthy topics, but many of them dont rise to a level that makes them as compelling as that movie was. Advertisement Cowperthwaite, 45, began working on Blackfish in 2010 following the death of Dawn Brancheau, a SeaWorld trainer who was dragged underwater to her death by an orca. Cowperthwaite was disturbed by the news and began exploring the idea of making a movie about what it was like to work as a killer-whale trainer. I didnt necessarily think there was anything wrong with what SeaWorld was doing with their whales, recalled Cowperthwaite, who lives in Culver City. I had no agenda. And nobody sees documentaries, anyway. They dont garner huge audiences. I couldnt have imagined that the film would be like lighter fluid. Immediately after Blackfish was released, backlash against the theme park began on social media. The public boycotted a number of musical acts set to perform at SeaWorld, and celebrities, including Cher, Ellen Page and Harry Styles, urged their fans to stop visiting the parks. In 2014, attendance at the companys 11 parks dropped 4.2%. In 2015, lawmakers in Sacramento and the U.S. House of Representatives proposed legislation that would keep whales out of captivity. The California Coastal Commission also proposed a ban on orca breeding at the parks San Diego location. And just last week, SeaWorld announced that Tilikum the killer whale responsible for Brancheaus death was in declining health. Tilikum was largely the subject of Blackfish, as the film explored how living in captivity may have driven the whale to erratic, dangerous behavior. Tilikum has lived at SeaWorld for 23 of his 35 years, the company said, and is now suffering from a drug-resistant bacterial infection in his lungs. All the while, Cowperthwaite remained a spokesperson for the cause. Even this fall while making her debut feature, Leavey - about an Iraq war hero who is bonded to her bomb-sniffing dog she would answer interview requests about SeaWorld from the set in Spain. It was constant, the amount of information I had to learn every day to continue to speak on this issue and inspire people, Cowperthwaite said. But it gets inside you. You can move on, but the idea becomes a part of your DNA. And still, I never imagined SeaWorld would stop breeding orcas. That is such a huge shift, them realizing that the grand experiment didnt work. Its a defining moment. On 4 March Brazils national indigenous affairs agency (Funai) released a statement lamenting the death of prominent indigenous rights activist, Chief, who was found dead yesterday in Minas Gerais state. End of preview - This article contains approximately 408 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options The man known as Donald Trump's Moneyman, former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, has now pleaded guilty to perjury. He admitted to lying under oath about Donald Trump's properties, particularly about his knowledge of the size of Donald Trump's apartment triplex. He also admitted to lying under oath about how the value of that apartment was inflated on Trump's financial statements for years. Allen Weisselberg was charged with five counts of perjury. However, he signed a deal with prosecutors and agreed to plead guilty to two counts of felony. This is regarding the testimony he gave during a 2020 deposition with the New York Attorney General's Office. In addition, the former Trump Organization CFO also admitted that he falsely testified during Donald Trump's civil fraud trial last fall. However, it was noted that these admissions were not among the charges that he pleaded guilty to. Because he pleaded guilty to perjury, Allen Weisselberg would not be sentenced for the counts he did not plead guilty to, as agreed upon by the parties involved. This means that even though he pleaded guilty to other counts of perjury at Trump's civil fraud trial over the triplex, he would not be sentenced for that even though it is considered a violation of his parole in connection to his 2022 guilty plea to 15 counts of tax fraud, per CNN. Judge Laurie Peterson questioned the former Trump Organization CFO during the hearing. Weisselberg confirmed his plea, telling her that he is pleading guilty because he is guilty. Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Faces Up to 5 Months in Prison Weisselberg may find himself back in prison for his guilty plea, as prosecutor Gary Fishman says he is not recommending more than five months in prison. He then admitted that prison time was necessary for the former Trump Organization executive as the harm caused by his lying under oath "tears at the very fabric" of the justice system. READ NEXT: Nikki Haley Wins First Primary, Finally Beats Donald Trump in Washington DC According to the Associated Press, prosecutors also cited Weisselberg's age and willingness to admit wrongdoing for recommending a five-month sentence, which is well below the maximum punishment for the crime, which is up to seven years in New York state. This guilty plea came weeks after Weisselberg was among the many people, including Donald Trump himself, found liable for being part of a scheme to deceive banks, insurers, and others by lying about how rich the former president actually is. They used fraudulent financial statements to secure deals and loans and also to lessen the taxes Trump would have to pay. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10. Donald Trump Cannot Be Kicked Off Ballot, Rules Supreme Court Meanwhile, as Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty to perjury, his boss and good friend, former President Donald Trump, finally had a legal victory in the Supreme Court as it ruled that Trump gets to stay on the ballot in Colorado after the state's Supreme Court ruled he should be disqualified over the 14th Amendment. The ruling was unanimous, and it made it clear that Congress, not states, has the responsibility to set the rules on the 14th Amendment, according to NBC. READ MORE: Trump Organization Convicted of 17 Felonies, Gets Maximum Punishment This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Ex-Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg pleads guilty to two counts of perjury - MSNBC In the wake of escalating Haiti gang violence and a mass prison escape, Haiti's government declared a state of emergency on Sunday, signaling a dire security situation that has gripped the Caribbean nation for months. Finance Minister Patrick Boivert, acting as prime minister, cited the deteriorating security conditions, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to CNN> The violence includes kidnappings, citizen killings, assaults on women and children, and rampant looting. The unrest reached a critical point with armed group attacks on Haiti's two largest prisons over the weekend, leading to the escape of dangerous prisoners and resulting in casualties among police and prison staff. According to a United Nations source, approximately 3,500 prisoners broke free from the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince out of the 3,687 initially housed. Gangs, controlling about 80% of the capital, have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, whose current whereabouts remain unknown after his trip to Kenya. READ NEXT: Haiti Mass Jailbreak Haiti Gangs Violence Takes Hold Haiti has long grappled with persistent gang violence, but the recent surge has reached alarming levels. Gangs have effectively gained control over a significant portion of Port-au-Prince, causing widespread fear and disruption. Following the state of emergency announcement, the government instituted an immediate nighttime curfew starting at 20:00 local time, as acts of "disobedience" were deemed a threat to national security. Police stations faced attacks, diverting authorities' attention before the coordinated assault on prisons. Serge Dalexis from the International Rescue Committee reported that many police stations were under gang control, resulting in numerous police casualties over the weekend, BBC reports. Among the detainees were individuals linked to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, further intensifying the prevailing violence. Since Moise's assassination in 2021, gang violence has escalated, and political instability has persisted. The absence of a replacement for Moise and the delay in holding presidential elections since 2016 have fueled the turmoil. Gangs have fortified their strongholds in shantytowns, creating barricades to impede security forces. Schools and businesses remain closed, with reports of looting in certain neighborhoods, leaving the streets empty and citizens in fear. The latest surge in violence, triggered by Prime Minister Ariel Henry's trip to Nairobi to discuss a multinational security force, has led to the displacement of 15,000 people from their homes in Port-au-Prince. Many have sought refuge in a school building, receiving only limited hygiene kits from aid organizations like Food for the Hungry. However, the organization faces challenges in meeting the growing complexity of needs, emphasizing the urgency of humanitarian assistance. Boby Sander from Food for the Hungry highlighted the inadequacy of resources to address the escalating crisis. "We don't have adequate capacity to deal with the complexity of the need increasing," he stated. With the streets deserted and citizens seeking refuge in makeshift shelters, the humanitarian situation is reaching critical levels. Airport Attack Marks Unprecedented Violence In an alarming turn of events, heavily armed gangs targeted Haiti's main international airport, Toussaint Louverture International Airport, on Monday. This marked the largest attack in the airport's history, with gangs exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers, AP noted. The airport was closed at the time of the attack, preventing any planes from operating or passengers from being present. Armored vehicles were deployed to the tarmac, engaging in a firefight to prevent the Haiti gangs from breaching the airport grounds. Associated Press journalists witnessed the chaos, capturing the intensity of the situation as employees and workers fled amid the gunfire. This incident follows a previous week where the airport faced brief gunfire but remained unpenetrated. The airport attack unfolded shortly after authorities imposed a nighttime curfew in response to the violence that saw armed gangs overrun two major prisons, facilitating the escape of thousands of inmates. A 72-hour state of emergency commenced Sunday night as the government vowed to track down the escaped prisoners, including those in pre-trial detention for serious crimes. As Haiti grapples with this unprecedented wave of violence, the government faces the daunting task of restoring order, ensuring the safety of its citizens, and addressing the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold. The international community closely watches, ready to respond to the urgent needs of the beleaguered nation. READ MORE: Haiti Former First Lady Martine Moise Faces Murder Charges This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: State of emergency declared in Haiti amid escalating violence, prison breaks - From CBS News SB4, the controversial Texas immigration law that allows police to arrest suspected illegal migrants and for judges to deport them, has temporarily been blocked by the US Supreme Court. This ruling reverses a previous 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to let the law take effect as soon as this Saturday. The 5th Circuit reversed a previous decision by a federal judge who ruled that the law "threatens the fundamental notion that the United States must regulate immigration with one voice." Now, that decision has been reversed by the Supreme Court, which is now considering permanently blocking the controversial Texas immigration law. Senate Bill 4, or SB4, was Texas Governor Greg Abbott's attempt to deter migrants from crossing the US-Mexico border and into Texas. It would have allowed Texas authorities, from police to the National Guard, to arrest people they suspect are illegal migrants. These suspected migrants are then brought before a judge with two options: voluntarily leave the country or be forcefully deported and slapped with a misdemeanor. Repeat offenders will be charged with a felony, according to the Texas Tribune. As for the Supreme Court order, the highest court in the land issued a temporary stay until March 13 as the nine Supreme Court justices consider either permanently blocking the law or allowing Texas to enforce it. Texas is facing several lawsuits over SB4, including one from the US Department of Justice. Several rights groups are also suing the state over the law, including the ACLU and the Texas Civil Rights Project on behalf of El Paso County and two immigrant rights organizations, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and American Gateways. The US Justice Department's Arguments Vs. Controversial Texas Immigration Law SB4 In its argument to the Supreme Court about why SB4 should be junked, the Justice Department stated 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." READ MORE: Russia Spreading Disinformation About US Border Crisis To Undercut Ukraine Aid According to the Associated Press, The DOJ also argued that the controversial Texas immigration law would have "significant and immediate adverse effects" on the country's relationship with Mexico. It would also "create chaos" in enforcing federal immigration laws in Texas as jurisdictions would clash, and Texas might deport asylum seekers who are lawfully in the country, as well as actual US citizens. It also cited a 2012 Supreme Court ruling regarding Arizona's failed effort to implement such measures, which the court ruled against the state's so-called "show me your papers" bill, which is similar to what Texas is trying to implement. Federal Judge Debunks Texas State Argument of 'Invasion' to Justify SB4 When US District Judge David Ezra ruled against Texas on the grounds that it is the federal government's jurisdiction to enforce immigration and not the state's, he also threw out one of the arguments that Texas made to support its claims, and that was that Texas was facing an invasion. "I haven't seen and the state of Texas can't point me to any type of military invasion in Texas," he said in his decision, but acknowledged that there are a high number of crossings and that "Texas is definitely under pressure." However, he ultimately e rejected the state's characterizations, saying there is no evidence Texas is at war. KUT News noted that the "invasion" rhetoric has been especially harmful to the El Paso community, which is along the border and is made up of mostly Latino US citizens. READ MORE: Joel Osteen Church Shooting: 7-Year-Old Child Wounded in Shooting Was Shooter's Son This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: US Supreme Court temporary halts Texas migrant law SB4 - KVUE During his daily press conference on Monday, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) admitted that seven National Guard recruits drowned in an army training accident last February. The incident was considered the deadliest training accident in the history of Mexico's military. According to the Associated Press, these drownings, which happened only last February 20, raised questions regarding AMLO's insistence that guard members receive military training and be under army command. This is despite the fact that they are not doing military work but civilian law enforcement work. This also marked the first time that AMLO acknowledged that seven Mexico National Guard recruits died during that fatal February training exercise. In his statement to the media, he told reporters that "a total of 11 recruits had been swept away by the waves and four survived." The incident happened on a beach near a military base in Ensenada, Baja California, and the deaths were revealed by a video posted by a support group of the victims' relatives. It showed dozens of cadets wearing full uniforms walking into the surf before a massive wave swept some of them away. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated during the press conference that the recruits "had their boots on, they're very heavy." This led to some of them drowning. He added that the commanding officer responsible for the recruits had already been detained. "An investigation of the facts has been opened," he added. "We are very, very sorry." Reports Indicated That Waves Were Strong When Mexico National Guard Recruits Drowned The relatives of the recruits who drowned in Baja California questioned why they were ordered to wade into the Pacific as a local weather alert warned that there were rough seas and high waves. Meanwhile, the Defense Department of Mexico, as well as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador himself, previously refused to answer press questions about casualties. READ NEXT: Mexico Elections Feared To Be Bloodiest Ever After Several Candidates Already Killed by Organized Crime ABC News noted that the silence from the army was a reflection of their newfound power under AMLO, who has repeatedly insisted that only the armed forces are free from corruption despite the many reports that say otherwise. He even tried to hand complete control of the National Guard to the army, but this effort was unsuccessful. In Mexico, the National Guard is used to perform anti-crime duties. However, they often do not make arrests as local police have argued that the military of these recruits leaves them ill-prepared to perform simple tasks like filling out arrest reports. Van Crash Leaves 9 Dead in Mexico Over at Mexico's Caribbean Coast, a deadly crash that happened in the state of Quintana Roo has resulted in the deaths of at least nine people. It happened early Monday morning in an area 75 miles from the resort town of Tulum. According to the AP, the van collided with a truck before bursting into flames, killing nine people aboard, including three minors. Six others were seriously injured after that fatal crash. It was noted that these vans typically serve as the most common form of public transport among the largely Mayan Indigenous towns in the area. READ MORE: Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Says Law Does Not Apply To Him This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Can President AMLO's National Guard tame violence in Mexico? - Al Jazeera English In a decision that is raising legal scholars' eyebrows around the United States, the US Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Colorado State Supreme Court ruling to disqualify Donald Trump from the ballot under the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment. The highest court in the land restored Republican front-runner Donald Trump to the Colorado primary ballot. All nine justices, including embattled Justice Clarence Thomas, who many said should have recused himself from the case, ruled that the state of Colorado lacked authority to disqualify him over the January 6 Capitol Insurrection. The decision came just weeks after the justices heard oral arguments in the politically sensitive case and also just a week removed from their controversial decision to delay the Donald Trump immunity case for April when they are scheduled to hear oral arguments for it. "Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the States, responsible for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates, we reverse," the high court wrote in its decision. According to NPR, the ruling made it clear that the Constitution "empowers Congress" to determine how to use the "severe" penalty of disqualification, with that power not going to the states but Congress itself. Donald Trump celebrated the rare legal win with a post on his Truth Social account, saying that the opinion was a "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!" He added that the Supreme Court decision "will go a long way in bringing our country together." However, the decision was largely criticized by many legal scholars despite it being unanimous. READ MORE: Melania Trump Was 'Pissed' at Donald Trump Over Stormy Daniels Scandal Legal Scholars Say Supreme Court Decision on Donald Trump Colorado Disqualification 'a Bad Sign' As Donald Trump celebrated, his critics and several legal scholars blasted the 9-0 decision by the Supreme Court as a "blow against accountability." While legal scholars accepted that this was the most likely outcome, the real controversy about the decision actually lies in the "details." Thomas Keck, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, spoke with Al Jazeera News and admitted that the Colorado case was a "long shot" and the ruling was "not surprising." However, the ruling only "opened up larger questions about what guardrails exist to protect US democracy." "It has been three years [since January 6], and Trump has faced almost zero consequences. That is a bad sign for the health of the country's democratic institutions," the legal scholar said. Former Federal Judge Reacts to Supreme Court Decision on Donald Trump Colorado Case Retired federal Judge J. Michael Luttig was one of many legal experts who blasted the Supreme Court ruling on the Donald Trump Colorado disqualification case. He stated that the decision that allowed former President Trump to remain on the presidential ballot is "stunning in its overreach." "Not for its decision of the exceedingly narrow question presented by the case, though that issue is important, but rather for its decision to reach and decide a myriad of the other constitutional issues surrounding," he added during an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. READ MORE: Arizona: Man Hired by Donald Trump and Kari Lake To Find Voter Fraud Admits He Found Nothing This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Supreme Court keeps Trump on Colorado ballot, rejecting 14th Amendment push Bloomberg has updated its global billionaire index and revealed that Tesla, SpaceX, and X CEO Elon Musk has been dethroned as the richest person in the world. The man to dethrone him? Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos. Bloomberg viewed the profiles of each of the world's 500 richest people in the world to come up with the ranking, which the financial media outlet describes as "a daily ranking of the world's richest people." It noted that their calculations "are provided in the net worth analysis on each billionaire's profile page. The figures are updated at the close of every trading day in New York." On Monday, Jeff Bezos topped the list as he is listed to be worth $200 billion and around $2 million richer than his rival, Elon Musk, who was listed at $198 billion. Luxury goods mogul Bernard Arnault, who also used to be the richest man in the world, rounded out the Top 3 for Monday as he was listed to be worth around $197 billion. Elon Musk's number 1 rival, Mark Zuckerberg, whom he constantly feuds with, is listed at $179 billion, with Bloomberg listing him as the fourth richest person in the world. Meanwhile, the former richest man in the world, Bill Gates, is in 5th place with a net worth of $150 million. Meanwhile, Mexico's Carlos Slim made it to the Top 20, as he is listed at #14, with a net worth of $103 million. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault Competing Over 'Richest Person in the World' Title for Months The top 3 in the "Richest Person in the World" list have constantly been trying to dethrone one another for months. Musk reclaimed the title last year as he overthrew LVMH (LVMHF) CEO Bernard Arnault, who runs one of the world's biggest conglomerates and includes brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Celine, for the title. Now, Bezos once again has the title. READ MORE: Elon Musk Did Not Pay X Workers the Bonuses He Promised, Finds Judge CNN noted that Bezos has gained $23 billion, while the #2-ranked Musk has lost about $31 billion over the past year. The share prices for Tesla also tumbled by over 7%, contributing to Bezos overtaking the social media and car manufacturing CEO. Musk also suffered from a Delaware state court judge's decision earlier this year to throw out Musk's 2018 pay package that was worth over $50 billion. That money was one of the reasons he is currently one of the richest people in the world. Big Tech Rally Propelled Jeff Bezos to Become Richest Person in the World While Musk stumbled, Heff Bezos quietly earned more money than him, and this is all thanks to a massive rally in Big Tech shares, including Amazon. Yahoo! News noted that it has been over two years since Bezos was dethroned as the richest person in the world. His big win came as the artificial intelligence boom helped give Big Tech shares a sustained rally. Thanks to that, Amazon shares are up 17% this year to date and nearly 90% higher than a year ago. READ MORE: Elon Musk's SpaceX Sued by US DOJ -- Here's Why This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Jeff Bezos dethrones Elon Musk as richest person on earth | ANC - ANC 24/7 On a chilly Saturday morning last month, a smiling First Lady Tammy Murphy walked into the wood-paneled Portuguese Club of Long Branch, just a few blocks off the beach, where hundreds of Monmouth County Democrats gathered to decide who theyd back for U.S. Senate. As she glad-handed her way through the packed room, greeting rank-and-file voters, so did her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, the most powerful politician in New Jersey. A two-alarm blaze fully engulfed two townhomes and ripped through three others Monday morning in Whitehall, a fire official said. Whitehall Deputy Fire Marshal Mark Bilder told lehighvalleylive.com crews were dispatched at about 11 a.m. Monday to the 400 block of Carolina Avenue. Flames had fully engulfed the back of a second home then spreading to the homes neighbors on the left and right, Bilder said. Nine adults escaped on their own with some carrying out cats and dogs, Bilder said. Its unclear where the fire began, but Bilder said flames spread from the outside, eventually torching the last two townhomes in the strip to the right. The other townhomes eventually became fully ravaged by flames in the back, Bilder said. Flames spread faster to the other units because the fire walls on the structures were built in the 1970s to 1980s. Under law, fire walls at the time didnt have to be constructed up to the roof and the fire walls on these townhomes only went up to the top level, keeping the attic areas open, Bilder said. There was virtually no wind Monday morning, which helped keep some of the flames at bay, he said. It took firefighters from about a half dozen agencies 35 to 40 minutes to get the flames under control, Bilder said. Crews battled for several hours, not clearing the scene until about 7 p.m. Monday. Three families a total of nine adults were displaced in three of the townhomes. Three townhomes were deemed uninhabitable with significant fire, water and smoke damage in two and some fire and water damage in the third. The last two townhomes had some smoke odor, but those families were allowed to return, Bilder said. The American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region is assisting the displaced families with shelter and other needs. Aside from the Whitehall Fire Department, also responding to the blaze was Woodlawn Fire Department, Greenawalds Fire Company, Catasauqua Fire Department, Coplay Fire Department, Allentown Fire Department, and Laurys Station Volunteer Fire Company. The cause of Mondays fire remains under investigation by the Whitehall Township Fire Marshal. A two-alarm blaze Monday, March 4, 2024 fully engulfed two townhomes and ripped through three others in Whitehall. In the end, three families were displaced, Whitehall Deputy Fire Marshal Mark Bilder said.Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Protesters are continuing to obstruct entrances to a site where emergency accommodation facilities for hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are being built, the High Court has heard. Last week Total Experience Limited, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, which is constructing facilities at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare for families fleeing the war, secured a temporary order restraining protesters from blocking entrances. Pastures New runs a site in Stradbally in use since last September which can accommodate 950 Ukrainians temporarily. The company claims its work in Kildare continues to hampered by those opposed to the State's provision of accommodation to displaced persons. When the matter returned before the High Court on Monday Mr Justice Oisin Quinn was told by Gary McCarthy SC, with Barry Mansfield Bl for the plaintiff that despite the granting of the injunction the protest remains ongoing. His client's workers and trucks making deliveries continue to have difficulties accessing the site, the court heard. After the injunction was granted some of the protesters left the site Counsel said that the protesters have erected a campsite, consisting of a tent or gazebo, at the entrance, which forms part of his client's property. While some smaller vehicles can enter and leave the site, the campsite's presence has prevented larger articulated lorries from doing so, it is claimed. Counsel said that it is now his client's case that the protesters, who have refused to leave the campsite, are trespassing. As a result counsel said that his client needs to amend its proceedings to deal with the alleged trespass, and asked that the order previously granted by the court be further extended. Counsel said the plaintiff also wants to add the names of several other individual it claims it has identified as being part of the protest. Counsel said the matter remains urgent as it has not been possible to get the facility up and running on time. It was scheduled to open this week. When the case was called on Monday there was no appearance by any of the defendants, nor were any representations made on their behalf. Mr Justice Quinn accepted that the matter remains urgent, and adjourned it to later this week. Last week the company told the court that up to 50 protesters were preventing persons and vehicles from entering or leaving the site by using tactics including forming "a human shield," and by parking cars in front of the site's entrances. These activities amount to a nuisance and an unreasonable interference with the company's work, it claims. The protesters have no legitimate basis for blocking the site, it further alleges. The court granted the company a temporary injunction, on an ex-parte basis, restraining the protesters from deliberately preventing or obstructing entrances from the site. The firm has been contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities at the site. The company says it is not attempting to interfere with anyone's lawful right to peacefully protest. However the blocking of the entrances is not lawful, and creates a safety risk. The company has also voiced concerns about aggressive social media posts made by various persons regarding the protest. One post stated: "All them trucks need is (fire emoji). Others stated: "(Four fire emojis) only solution man!"; "Put barrels at the entrance and make fires in them. Big fires"; "Put a few nails through timber and lay it down in front of the truck tyres"; "Burn it"; "It will take a war are the Irish ready". It is fearful that matters may escalate, and noted that other buildings have been burnt after they were earmarked as accommodation for refugees. A man accused of phoning in a bomb scare to the Minister of Justice's home admitted in a garda interview to having well-known links to the paramilitary group named in the threat. Michael Murray (52), formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to one count of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else while he was imprisoned in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise on March 7, 2021. The jury has heard that an anonymous caller claiming to be from the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) phoned the Samaritans saying explosives had been planted at the home of the Minister of Justice, Helen McEntee. No explosives were found, but the call was traced to the Midlands Prison. The person who made the call used a unique identification number registered to Mr Murray. He was alone in his prison cell with access to a telephone on the night, the court has heard. https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/crime---court/1438333/accused-had-access-to-telephone-when-alleged-bomb-threat-made-from-portlaoise-prison.html Video footage of gardai interviewing Mr Murray after his arrest on March 26, 2021 was played to the jury on Monday. You have a bit of a history with the criminal justice system, one of the gardai said to Mr Murray at the outset of the interview. When asked if he had been aligned with the INLA in the past, Mr Murray responded: That's well known. During the course of the interview, Mr Murray said he had previously been imprisoned with political prisoners due to this association. He also said he had made an unsuccessful application to the High Court to be released as part of the Good Friday Agreement. Gardai asked him if he disagreed with what was going on in the State today, and Mr Murray responded that he had a problem with the DPP office and that it was a constant fight to get evidence when you're a defendant. It's harder to run a criminal trial than it is to commit a f**king bank robbery these days, he said, Our State is run on lies and deceit and its the same as the criminal justice system. He said his issue with Ms McEntee is that she represents a department that does not release material in a defence trial. He said that he has no personal problem with her, but with the Department she represents. When gardai asked him if he rang the Samaritans and phoned in the bomb threat, the interview footage shows him laughing and responding: Oh man, are you serious? The investigating gardai put it to Mr Murray that technical examination and tracing of the phone call had satisfied them that the phone call came from his cell at the time of the threat, and that nobody else could have made the call because he was alone in his cell at the time. He denied the allegations and said the gardai were bleeding off your heads. Mr Murray said he regularly called the Samaritans and had no problem that he called them on the day of the bomb threat. He said they discussed how he was feeling a bit down and that he was in court the following day. Earlier in the interview, Mr Murray discussed his previous convictions with the gardai. He said he started crime in the early 80s and was convicted of a serious amount of armed robberies. The court also heard Mr Murray pulled a firearm on someone in the Mater hospital, had been on the run in Liverpool after robbing two banks in Cork and had set up escort agencies while imprisoned. In the interview, Mr Murray also described how in 2010, a woman said he had kidnapped her off the street with her son. That woman said Mr Murray held her in an apartment, attacked and raped her over a period of hours. There was a trial following this and Mr Murray was convicted and initially sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. The sentence was appealed for undue leniency and increased to 19 years. Mr Murray told the investigating gardai that there was video proof that he had not kidnapped the woman. He said there was footage of her following him through the area. During the course of the trial, the prison services admitted that they intercepted a call to my lawyers, said Mr Murray in the footage. Why would people go through the bother of intercepting the phone call? He asked his defence solicitor to report the matter to the Law Society and gardai, but she responded that she didn't want to get involved. At the time of the garda interview, Mr Murray said he had an upcoming trial for threats to kill and harassment. The complainants included this solicitor and two barristers who had been involved in his prosecution. The threats and harassment had been via phone call and by placing ads using their details on websites, the court heard. The court heard Mr Murray was in the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on these matters on March 8, 2021, the day after the threat had been made. When's the book come out? asked one of the gardai at one stage, It'd make a good read. I'd buy it. The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury. Pedestrians could trip on a damaged footpath past Supermac's Portlaoise Plaza at Junction 17 of the M7 motorway, a councillor warns. Laois County Council has been urged to use some of the development fees it charged Supermac's to build the plaza, to fix its footpaths at Togher. Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh tabled a motion to the February meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. He asks that the council review the path from the J17 roundabout to the Togher roundabout. "There are a number of trip hazards that need to be addressed and rectified urgently," Cllr Walsh said. He reported a particular accident. "I got a call from a lady who took a bit of a fall. Beside the path edge, the grass has receded. I sawa a couple of trip hazards there. Can we get an update of the review?" he asked. Cllr Willie Aird suggested that Laois County Council use the development fees paid by Pat McDonagh's company Supermac's. "What did you do with the money you got from the planning charges from Supermac's? You're supposed to invest it back into the area," he told the Director of Services, Simon Walton. Mr Walton replied that he will "have a look". Mr Walton also said that there is now "a gap" between two new footpaths, on the upgraded Abbeyleix Road and in the J19 National Enterprise Park roadworks scheme. "We applied to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for funding. We got 3 million for a shared cycle and walkway," he said. Cllr Walsh asked him if streetlighting would be part of the upgrade of the stretch of road in question. "That is part of the scheme. Incrementally it will be delivered," Mr Walton said. An Irish mother has detailed her near-death experience following a gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey and now advocates for people to avoid bariatric surgeries abroad. On the latest episode of Upfront With Katie Hannon this Monday, Leanne O'Driscoll, explained that in 2022, she opted for the surgery, and was only asked for her age, weight and height as part of the medical assessment for the procedure. The complications after the procedure included severe bleeding in her spleen, resulting in sepsis and septic shock. Leanne, from Meelick, Co Clare, vividly described the critical situation, stating, "My family were called to say goodbye to me." Reflecting on the experience, she mentioned, "Looking back, I saved 10,000 by going to Turkey. That 10,000 I saved could have been used for my funeral. I was given 30 minutes to live." Expressing gratitude, Leanne commended the professionals at University Hospital Limerick for saving her life. "Only for them, I wouldn't be here today," she acknowledged. Previously reported by Limerick Live, the same procedure that Leanne underwent would have cost over 14,000 in Ireland. However, she and her friends paid only 2,400 for the operation in Turkey. Leanne revealed, "My blood pressure had dropped to 48 over 27, and my heart rate had gone up to 130. I had gone into septic shock, and they found a bleed in my spleen, which had been nicked during the surgery." Leanne's story brought the alarming surge in complications following weight loss surgeries abroad to the forefront. Panelist, Professor Helen Heneghan, revealed that cases like Leanne's have become all too common, with an average occurrence of once or twice a week in their hospital. Furthermore, she noted a threefold increase in such complications since March 2020, coinciding with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The surge in patients seeking weight loss surgery abroad during lockdowns raised concerns about the motivations behind this trend. Despite acknowledging improvements in Ireland's investment and efforts to address obesity, Fianna Fail Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee emphasised persisting challenges. She stated that waiting lists for assessments and surgeries remain, prompting individuals to explore alternative options. One such option she discussed on the show is the cross-border directive, which allows Irish citizens to undergo surgery in other EU countries. The mandatory retirement age for gardai, the Defence Forces and prison officers has been increased in a bid to address staffing issues. The Government has increased the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62. The maximum recruitment age will also rise from 29 to 39 for the Defence Forces. The announcement was made by Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The move will include all permanent members of the Defence Forces that currently have a mandatory retirement age of 60. Mr Martin said: The fact is that we are facing a major recruitment and retention challenge. A large part of that is down to the fact that our very strong economy is providing many more options for potential recruits. But there are more things that we could be doing internally to improve the offer, and also make it more attractive for people to stay. Weve already implemented a number of measures under the building momentum agreement. Recruits on completion of training would start at 38,016 euro in year one rising to 40,700 euros in year three. A school leaver cadet on commissioning as an officer is paid 41,962. After two years, theyre promoted and their pay rises to 47,245. Ms McEntee said: The increase in the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 62 for members of An Garda Siochana, but also the prison service will be a very welcome change to support the work of those in our justice sector. It will help us to retain the skills, the knowledge, the expertise that we know exists and there is a demand for this. In the last three years alone, at the request of the Garda Commissioner, I have extended the working age for 150 members. What were doing here is putting into practice what is happening on the ground, and it reflects the situation that we find ourselves in, it reflects the fact that people want to stay on in their chosen career for longer. Crucially, though, this is one of a number of measures that I am taking to support the recruitment and retention of An Garda Siochana. Mr Donohoe said he will amend the relevant pension legislation. We have a fast accrual pension scheme in place that delivers pension certainty to those public servants, he added. Tanaiste and Minister for Defence,@MichealMartinTDtoday announced that the mandatory retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel will increase to 60. The maximum recruitment age will also be raised to 39. Full story here: https://t.co/8s9RbiUZHV pic.twitter.com/28aiH6OvrV Department of Defence (@IRLDeptDefence) March 5, 2024 These terms allow individuals to accrue maximum benefits quicker, typically in 30 years versus 40 years in standard accrual grades. My department concluded that fast accrual schemes are expensive, because benefits are accrued at a faster rate and typically paid out over a longer duration and that also retaining fast accrual schemes beyond the age of 60 could raise significant equity concerns, given that the average age of retirement for a standard accrual grade in the public service is now 61. So the policy framework that we have now adopted sets out that beyond the age of 60, if an individual remains in employment, their pension accruals reverts from a faster accrual scheme to the standard scheme. The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Sean Clancy welcomed the announcement. The women and men of Oglaigh na hEireann are our organisations greatest asset and central to everything we do, he said. This is why the increase of mandatory retirement ages for all ranks and the security of tenure it provides has been an absolute priority for me as Chief of Staff and for the wider Defence Forces Board. Protesters are continuing to obstruct entrances to a site where emergency accommodation facilities for hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are being built, the High Court has heard. Last week Total Experience Limited, trading as Pastures New Accommodation which is constructing facilities at Newhall, Naas, County Kildare for families fleeing the war, secured a temporary order restraining protesters from blocking entrances. The company claims its work continues to hampered by those opposed to the State's provision of accommodation to displaced persons. When the matter returned before the High Court on Monday, March 4 last, Mr Justice Oisin Quinn was told by Gary McCarthy SC, with Barry Mansfield Bl for the plaintiff that despite the granting of the injunction the protest remains ongoing. His client's workers and trucks making deliveries continue to have difficulties accessing the site, the court heard. After the injunction was granted, some of the protesters left the site. Counsel said that the protesters have erected a campsite, consisting of a tent or gazebo, at the entrance, which forms part of his client's property. While some smaller vehicles can enter and leave the site, the campsite's presence has prevented larger articulated lorries from doing so, it is claimed. Counsel said that it is now his client's case that the protesters, who have refused to leave the campsite, are trespassing. As a result counsel said that his client needs to amend its proceedings to deal with the alleged trespass, and asked that the order previously granted by the court be further extended. Counsel said the plaintiff also wants to add the names of several other individual it claims it has identified as being part of the protest. Counsel said the matter remains urgent as it has not been possible to get the facility up and running on time. It was scheduled to open this week. When the case was called on Monday there was no appearance by any of the defendants, nor were any representations made on their behalf. Mr Justice Quinn accepted that the matter remains urgent, and adjourned it to later this week. Last week the company told the court that up to 50 protesters were preventing persons and vehicles from entering or leaving the site by using tactics including forming 'a human shield', and by parking cars in front of the site's entrances. These activities amount to a nuisance and a unreasonable interference with the company's work, it claims. The protesters have no legitimate basis for blocking the site, it further alleges. The court granted the company a temporary injunction, on an ex-parte basis, restraining the protesters from deliberately preventing or obstructing entrances from the site. The firm has been contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities at the site. The company says it is not attempting to interfere with anyone's lawful right to peacefully protest. However the blocking of the entrances is not lawful, and creates a safety risk. The company has also voiced its concerns about aggressive social media posts made by various persons regarding the protest. One post stated: "All them trucks need is (fire emoji)", while others stated: "(Four fire emojis) only solution man!" "Put barrels at the entrance and make fires in them. Big fires" "Put a few nails through timber and lay it down in front of the truck tyres" "Burn it" "It will take a war are the Irish ready" It is fearful that matters may escalate, and noted that other buildings have been burnt after they were earmarked as accommodation for refugees. A domestic violence service based in County Kildare has helped to launch what it calls a 'gamechanger' course to help survivors of domestic abuse. Own My Life, which has already changed the lives of thousands of women subjected to abuse, has launched brand-new Irish materials in celebration of International Womens Day 2024 with its founder, Natalie Collins, in partnership with County Kildare charity Teach Tearmainn. According to Teach Tearmainn: "The Own My Life course is creative, educational and has now been specifically developed with Irish context materials to help women who have been subjected to abuse or violence from a partner to regain ownership of their lives." CEO of Teach Tearmainn, Lorraine Rowan, also said: "Own My Life is an exceptional course, and our team has been taken aback by the positive impact this survivor support group has had on the women who have participated." Natalie Collins pictured at Teach Tearmainn Naas Outreach Centre discussing the Own My Life program. Photograph supplied by Lorraine Rowan of Teach Tearmainn. Natalie explained that 'abusers steal our joy', which led her to develop Own My Life, based from her own experiences being subjected to abuse and incorporating decades of research and evidence, that puts fun, laughter and the strength of togetherness at the heart of the work with women. Teach Tearmainn has been delivering the Own My Life course with success since May 2022; now, women attending courses in Kildare will have materials which reflect their experiences in Ireland, including a comprehensive Irish learning journal. The course covers all dynamics of domestic abuse, including economic, sexual, emotional and psychological. It includes: domestic abuse education, literacy building on the psychology of trauma, the cycle of abuse and the most up-to-date information about male violence and entitlement, as well as coping mechanisms for co-parenting with an abuser. TESTIMONIALS Women who have attended the course have said the following: "Do it! It will be the best decision you make, absolutely mind-blowing" "I have started to live, not just exist. Its fun and exciting" "It will change your life and liberate you" Commenting further on the launch of the course, Natalie had this to say: "It is brilliant to partner with Teach Tearmainn to implement Own My Life with their great passion and skill to help transform womens lives. "They join many dedicated and determined practitioners who are delivering the course and fighting adversity on behalf of women up and down the country every single day." She continued: To the women taking part in Own My Life courses, you are the reason we do this work and we are honoured to be part of your healing journey." "In this week of International Womens Day, we are delighted to have a story of hope and positivity... Abusers can try to destroy women, but the love and laughter Own My Life enables women to cultivate with one another can change everything. "Women can take back ownership of their lives!" Lorraine Rowan further said that Teach Tearmainn 'was thrilled to welcome Own My Life Founder, Natalie Collins to Teach Tearmainns Outreach Centre in Naas on Monday, March 4, 2024 as part of our International Womens Day celebrations.' On the day, Natalie met with women in Teach Tearmainn who had already or are currently participating in Own My Life Groups. Any woman in County Kildare who may be interested in participating in an Own My Life course can contact Teach Tearmainn on 045-527584. Sustainable funding must be ringfenced to ensure the new National Rare Disease Strategy will be implemented to support people with rare diseases in Kildare. Thats according to Rare Diseases Ireland, who were marking the annual 'Rare Disease Day' last week on Thursday, February 29 last with a conference attended by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. Rare Disease Day takes place annually on the last day in February. There are approximately 300,000 people living with a rare disease in Ireland, of which there are more than 6,000 types. This years conference, "Looking to the Future for Rare Diseases" heard from medical experts and patient representatives as to what is needed to ensure people with rare diseases are prioritised as we transition to Health Regions under the Slaintecare model. Minister Donnelly also addressed the event which took place in Dublin and was attended by people living with rare diseases and their families; care providers, policy makers and medical industry representatives. Pictured at the conference marking Rare Disease Day in Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park is CEO of Rare Diseases Ireland Vicky McGrath, Alan Finglas(father to Dylan Finglas who is living with a rare metabolic condition) and Gillian Stafford, who is living with two separate rare diseases. Photo: Barry Cronin / www.barrycronin.com. A new National Rare Disease Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed and is expected to be completed over the coming months. Speaking at the conference, Vicky McGrath, CEO of Rare Diseases Ireland, highlighted how the Strategy will need to be adequately funded if it is to have a positive impact on people in Kildare living with rare diseases. Ms McGrath said: "People in Kildare living with rare diseases experience delays with diagnosis, limited and disjointed access to specialist expertise and treatments, and inadequate care in the community. "Around one in three patients wait up to five years for a diagnosis. "That results in five years of incorrectly managed treatment for patients." She continued: "We are pleased with the progress with the development of the new National Rare Disease Strategy for Ireland. The patient is at the heart of the work of the strategy steering group. "However, the strategy will only have an impact on the lived experience of the rare disease community if implementation is properly resourced and funded; places the rare disease community at its centre; and if its implementation is prioritised as rare diseases must be elevated as a public health priority in the Slaintecare roll out. "For too long the care and treatment of people living with rare diseases in Kildare and throughout the country has been under-resourced; we have an opportunity now to put in place proper integrated care where it is most needed... in local communities," she concluded. The voices and lived experience of people living with rare diseases and their families are central to the development of the strategy. Rare Disease Ireland are encouraging people living with rare diseases and their families to become involved in the recently established Rare Disease Patient Forum, which will input directly to the Steering Group responsible for the delivery of the Strategy and associated implementation plan. Professor Cecily Kelleher, Chair of the National Rare Disease Strategy Steering Group, highlighted the importance of taking account of the whole lived experience and how factors outside traditional health settings such as housing, education and transport impact on the health and welfare of individuals. Avril Daly, President of EURODIS Rare Diseases Europe, spoke to the need for Ireland to align with international best practice when supporting people living with rare diseases. Ms Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency, discussed how there is an expected increase in the rate of advanced medicines approval over the coming years that will have the potential to transform the lives of people with rare diseases and their families. For further information on Rare Diseases Ireland, visit: www.rdi.ie. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. 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 native Diego Costa Silva called emergency services and told them that he "thought he had killed his wife". When gardai arrived, they found Mr Costa Silva's wife, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, with her head "clearly separated from her torso". Counsel 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. Counsel also told the jury that the day before Mr Silva attacked his wife, he was arrested for his own safety after being seen jogging on the street "practically naked" in early November. He was brought to hospital but "unfortunately he was released that evening," Mr Costelloe said. Diego Costa Silva (35) has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to the murder of Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva (33) on November 4, 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 today (TUE) 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. 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," counsel added. 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. 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 4, 2021. 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." The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and the jury. Today marks the launch of Fostering Awareness Week, the Irish Foster Care Association's annual campaign to raise awareness and understanding of foster care in Ireland. This year's Fostering Awareness Week takes place from today to March 08. This year's theme is 'Growing Hope, Fostering the Future' and highlights the hugely impactful and positive role a foster care placement can have in a child or young person's life. Irish Foster Care Association's is celebrating Fostering Awareness Week with tree planting ceremonies in Dublin, Cork, Cavan and Wexford, with the plan to continue in counties throughout Ireland to celebrate the deep roots of foster care in Ireland and recognition of its important and valued role in our communities. Speaking at the Tree Planting Ceremony in St. Stephens Green, Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithi de Roiste said: "I am delighted to be here today celebrating foster care. I have had the honour of meeting many who have come through foster care, and I can honestly say that each and every one is extraordinary." Speaking at the launch of Fostering Awareness Week, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman said: "It is imperative that we recognise the importance of fostering in providing loving and secure family environments to children in care, and this week will highlight the immeasurably positive impact this has on the lives of these children." Jacqui Smyth, National Lead for Foster Care, Tusla, commented that Tusla welcomes the opportunity to join in celebrating the foster care community, saying that fostering is "central to the Tusla fostering strategy." Roisin Clarke, CEO of the Irish Foster Care Association, said: "A foster carer can be like a 'circuit breaker' in the life of a child who is experiencing adversity, providing them with the opportunity to have a safe and nurturing environment, strengthening their roots to grow and develop - a sense of place, inclusion and connection with the community. "The importance of this unique relationship between the foster carer, the child and the community is an essential part of the support system that allows children to flourish and feel a sense of belonging. This year, during Fostering Awareness Week, we come together to celebrate foster care and the community of support that surrounds it," Roisin added. You can keep up to date on all the activities taking place during Fostering Awareness Week at www.ifca.ie. Digges Beekeepers' Association and Sligo/Leitrim Beekeepers Association members attended the Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) annual conference last weekend. Entitled "Keep it Local," the conference attracted its biggest crowd yet with speakers including Professor Grace McCormack from Galway University, who spoke about the work the Galway Honey Bee Research Centre has carried out showing that Ireland still holds significant populations of Apis mellifera mellifera (Amm), the subspecies native to here and under threat elsewhere across its range, and that wild honey bees are common here. Eoghan Mac Giolla Coda is a commercial beekeeper whose primary interest is honey production. Over the 12 years he has worked as a full-time beekeeper, his colonies averaged close to 80 lbs p.a., Given Ireland's cool and damp climate. He believes that to achieve good yields, it is essential to work with locally adapted bees that can best take advantage of the generally short periods of good weather. Mike Palmer, also a commercial beekeeper but from Vermont, spoke about how best to improve local bee stock. The weekend was wrapped up with Colm O'Neill on practical queen rearing for conservation. Speaking about the conference's success, NIHBS Chairperson Loretta Neary said: "We are very pleased to see the biggest turnout yet. Our membership rose by 20% this last year, which is encouraging and means our message is reaching the general public interested in learning more about our threatened native Irish honey bee and are keen to help us conserve it." Ms Neary continued: "Honey bee hybridisation in Ireland is worrying and rose from under 5% in 2018 to over 12% in 2023, with some areas having more than 30% hybrids. Many beekeepers confirm that hybrids are leading to aggression and other undesirable characteristics. "There will be no return once we lose these important genetics, and the more people we can inform, the more chance we have to save this important part of our natural heritage," she said. Legislation to prohibit imports of non-native honey bees was introduced into the Seanad with full party support. The bill was paused until the completion of a review by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine. In the meantime, an interim ban on imports is urgently required under the precautionary principle to prevent further worsening of hybridisation. RTE should be brought back under the statutory remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), a heavyweight parliamentary committee has recommended. On Tuesday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) launched 21 recommendations after investigating a series of controversies which engulfed the Irish national broadcaster last year. Committee members described some of the recommendations as common sense, basic and corporate governance 101. It has called for RTE to publish the salaries of staff earning more than 150,000 euros in its annual statements, and also those earning more than that sum upon their departure. The committee recommended that future severance agreements do not contain any confidentiality clauses and they ensure that departing employees must co-operate with internal and external inquiries. It was unable to make findings against specific individuals. Other recommendations include introducing a written policy in relation to negotiations with presenters and their representatives, ensuring no side deals are undertaken with employees or contractors, and developing a policy on promotional work undertaken by staff. Irish premier Leo Varadkar has already said that placing RTE under the C&AG would be a good idea, adding that he hopes the Government will make a decision on that in the next few weeks. The committee was tasked with examining the understatement of RTEs highest-paid presenter Ryan Tubridys earnings, the national broadcasters use of barter accounts, executive pay and allowances, lack of oversight for the ill-fated Toy Show The Musical which accrued multimillion-euro losses, and other financial matters including loss of TV licence revenue. At the launch of the recommendations, PAC chairman Brian Stanley heavily criticised the national broadcaster. Mr Stanley said there were common threads of poor governance and a general lack of transparency and accountability to the board and minister. He said: Based on the evidence before it, the committee believes that decisions taken by RTE demonstrate a lack of rigorous financial controls, poor communication, little transparency and amount to a failure of governance which combined have damaged public trust in an organisation for which trust should be paramount. Mr Stanley also said the RTE board should have been more vigilant, assertive and inquiring. The committee also recommended that all invoices issued by RTE be clearly and accurately labelled. Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said: It should be bog standard that when you write an invoice, that its for the purpose that its intended. Green Party TD Marc O Cathasaigh added: Some of the recommendations here are corporate governance 101. It shouldnt be necessary to say invoices should clearly state what theyre actually for. It shouldnt be necessary to say the audit and risk committee need to be properly resourced. Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe said: At the very heart of this is a failure of governance and financial controls across a series of projects. He said the committee had concluded that RTE had attempted to circumvent normal regulations and procedures and to conceal the purported underwriting of the contract and payments to Mr Tubridy. Mr McAuliffe also said the committee felt that RTE had used its barter account as a slush fund, defined as a reserve of money held secretly by a company that has no accountability for its use. He also said that the committee felt it had been misled by the broadcaster in relation to correspondence about Toy Show The Musical. Elsewhere in the report, the committee said former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffes refusal to attend frustrated its work in resolving conflicts in evidence. Other persons of interest, including former director-general Dee Forbes, cited medical reasons for not attending the committee. Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said it was hugely disappointing that the committee was unable to receive evidence from key witnesses. Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster said RTE still had a mountain to climb in reforming the organisation. She said senior officials appeared answerable to nobody and were a law unto themselves. Last month, RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh resigned during a dispute with Media Minister Catherine Martin and her department. Mr Kelly said that the committees work had concluded prior to her departure but suggested an unofficial 22nd recommendation arising from those events would be that the Department of Media must take proper minutes and records of all meetings and phone calls. The committee also noted that there is further work to examine, including RTEs classification of certain workers as contractors which had PRSI implications. It said this could cost the broadcaster tens of millions of euro and take more than 20 years to resolve. Sinn Fein TD John Brady said hundreds of employees had their rights and entitlements denied. The Government is expected to publish two independent expert reports into culture and governance at RTE this month. Social media platforms Facebook and Instagram are back online after a technical issue caused a widespread outage on Tuesday, with users logged out of their accounts and unable to load the sites as normal. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the website Downdetector, which tracks online outages, to report issues with Meta-owned platforms Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and Threads. More than 300,000 reports of outages on Facebook were made between about 3.20pm and 4pm, while Instagram users flagged more than 120,000 outages on the site at about the same time. Andy Stone, Metas head of communications, said on X, formerly Twitter, that the problem had been resolved, and that it had been caused by a technical issue. He wrote: Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Elon Musk, the owner of X, appeared to poke fun at the outages, writing on the platform: If youre reading this post, its because our servers are working. Facebook and Instagram are owned and operated by Meta, which also owns Threads and WhatsApp among other products and services. ESET Featured on CRN's 2024 Security 100 List: 20 Coolest Endpoint and Managed Security Companies SAN DIEGO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ESET, a global leader in digital security, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named ESET to its ninth annual Security 100 list, which recognizes leading IT security vendors that are committed to working hand in hand with channel partners to protect businesses from cyber threats. Listed under "The 20 Coolest Endpoint and Managed Security Companies of 2024," ESET is highlighted for its best-in-class threat intelligence services, which combine AI with human expertise to help businesses minimize the attack surface and provide a global view of the threat landscape in real time. As the issue of security remains a top concern for businesses of all shapes and sizes, CRN's Security 100 list serves as a guide for solution providers by highlighting the leading security vendors to collaborate with on innovative customer solutions. "CRN's Security 100 list recognizes top-tier companies that provide the IT channel with groundbreaking offerings in a number of security areas that stand up to a wide range of threats and risks," said Jennifer Follett, Vice President, U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. "As security becomes ever more important to every business, these companies are laying the foundation for cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions." ESET helps companies to stay one step ahead of known and emerging cyber threats with its AI-native, prevention-first approach. The company's scalable, cloud-first XDR cybersecurity platform, ESET PROTECT, combines next-gen prevention, detection and proactive threat hunting capabilities, and a wide range of security services, including managed detection and response (MDR). These solutions identify and neutralize threats before they can be executed, support business continuity, and reduce the cost of implementation and management. "ESET is a pioneer in the use of machine learning and AI in our cybersecurity portfolio, and we remain committed to empowering channel partners with an innovative portfolio and new programs that empower their growth," said Ryan Grant, Vice President of Sales for ESET North America. "ESET's partner-centric strategy is informed by our partner council, which comes together on a quarterly basis to collaborate, gather insights and best practices and inform the future of our partner program. As businesses grapple with new regulations, market innovations and threat vectors, our team of local technical experts, customer support, account managers and marketing experts work closely with the partner community to creatively expand their programs and drive leads." ESET's cybersecurity solutions are supported by a worldwide network of R&D centers, where hundreds of experts and researchers analyze emerging threats and track sophisticated threat group activity. This real-time monitoring and reporting is a value-added component of ESET's partner program?arming the channel with global threat intelligence services, easy-to-digest resources and cybersecurity education tools, and world-class, timely research, which is published on WeLiveSecurity, one of the top cybersecurity blogs. These investments, especially when augmented with ESET's certification and product training programs, enable channel partners to quickly grow their businesses and give their customers a prevention-first advantage in the fight against cybercrime. As one of the fastest growing cybersecurity segments, MDR poses a tremendous opportunity for ESET's channel partners as a value-added offering to protect businesses from advanced threats and comply with new regulations and cyber insurance requirements. To help channel partners differentiate their solutions and services, ESET recently expanded its managed services portfolio to include ESET MDR. This SMB-targeted offering combines the power of AI with human expertise and comprehensive threat intelligence knowledge to make best-in-class protection easy and effective for SMBs. To learn more about ESET's partner program, visit https://www.eset.com/us/partnernow/. About ESET For more than 30 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, as well as encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET's high-performing, easy-to-use solutions unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company that enables the safe use of technology. This is backed by ESET's R&D centers worldwide, working in support of our shared future. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn , and Facebook. 2024 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. SOURCE ESET 4 march 2024 at 16:00 News published onand distributed by: The Wound Pros Joins Fight Against Human Trafficking, Announces $100,000 Donation The Wound Pros partners with Libertas Intl. to support victims and combat global human trafficking and exploitation MARINA DEL REY, Calif., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wound Pros , the nation's leading wound care management company, has partnered with Libertas International, a non-governmental organization dedicated to eradicating human trafficking and child exploitation. This collaboration is a testament to the company's dedication to societal impact and communal welfare, extending its healing touch beyond medical care. Libertas International works tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate victims in Latin America, offering them a fresh start through English language training, education, and mentorship programs. This initiative is crucial, considering the harrowing reality of human trafficking, a $150 billion industry that ensnares more than 40 million individuals globally, with women constituting up to 70% of the affected. The collaboration with Libertas was spearheaded by The Wound Pros' Director of Global Help Desk, Ayanna Releford, and aligns with the wound care company's values of care, community, and transformation. Reflecting this commitment, the company made a donation of $100,000 to support Libertas in its mission. The donation by The Wound Pros will enhance Libertas International's capacity to create safe, educational, and supportive environments for survivors. It will provide them with the essential physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual healing tools. This enables them to break free from the cycle of trauma and step into a new life of freedom. "The Wound Pros' partnership with Libertas International represents a powerful alignment of our mission with actionable care that transcends borders and impacts lives profoundly. The fight against human trafficking is not just a battle against a criminal industry; it is a fight to restore human dignity and freedom," said Ayanna Releford. About The Wound Pros The Wound Pros is a physician-owned and managed durable medical equipment (DME) company committed to transforming the treatment and management of chronic non-healing wounds with data-driven decisions and comprehensive documentation. By incorporating technologies like AI and Machine Learning into wound care management, The Wound Pros aims to achieve superior wound-healing outcomes. With services ranging from digital wound management to EHR systems and advanced wound care dressings, The Wound Pros is steadfast in its mission to deliver quality care to long-term facilities nationwide. The company offers exceptional customer service and top-notch care by merging state-of-the-art technology with a patient-focused approach ("High-Tech, High-Touch"). As a prominent DMEPOS supplier and Medicare Part B provider, The Wound Pros serves long-term care facilities nationwide. The Wound Pros is a privately held company. Media Contact: Michael Washington (323) 425-4838 [email protected] SOURCE The Wound Pros, LLC 4 march 2024 at 17:19 News published onand distributed by: Bitcoin Well Announces Brokered Financing Led by Haywood Securities NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. EDMONTON, Alberta, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitcoin Well Inc. ("Bitcoin Well" or the "Company") (TSXV: BTCW; OTCQB: BCNWF), the non-custodial bitcoin business on a mission to enable independence, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") dated February 29, 2024 to act as sole agent and sole bookrunner to assist the Company in selling on a commercially reasonable efforts private placement basis, units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.175 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for gross proceeds of a minimum of C$1,250,000 (from the sale of a minimum 7,142,857 Units) and a maximum of C$2,100,000 (from the sale of a maximum of 12,000,000 Units) (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of C$0.275, subject to adjustment in certain events, for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the Offering (the "Closing Date"). The Company has granted to Haywood an option (the "Agent's Option"), exercisable in whole or in part by Haywood at any time up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date, to offer for sale up to an additional 2,520,000 Units at the Issue Price for additional gross proceeds to the Company of C$441,000. In the event that the Agent's Option is exercised in its entirety, the total gross proceeds to the Company from the Offering will be a maximum of C$2,541,000 (from the sale of a maximum of 14,520,000 Units). The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for sales and marketing, working capital and general corporate purposes. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Offering is being made to purchasers resident in all provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The securities offered under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at bitcoinwell.com/financing. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision. Haywood will also be entitled to offer the Units for sale in jurisdictions outside of Canada provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises in such other jurisdiction. All securities not issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities law, expiring four months and one day following the Closing Date. The Company expects to close the Offering on or about March 22, 2024, or such other date as the Company and Haywood may agree. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary TSX Venture Exchange and regulatory approvals. Upon closing of the Offering, the Company shall pay to Haywood: (i) a cash commission equal to 7% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) non-transferrable broker warrants of the Company exercisable at any time prior to the date that is 36 months from the Closing Date to acquire that number of Units equal to 7% of the number of Units issued under the Offering at an exercise price equal to the Issue Price, subject to adjustment in certain events. This press 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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. About Bitcoin Well Bitcoin Well is on a mission to enable independence. We do this by making bitcoin useful to everyday people to give them the convenience of modern banking and the benefits of bitcoin. We like to think of it as future-proofing money. Our existing Bitcoin ATM and Online Bitcoin Portal business units drive cash flow to help fund this mission. Join our investor community and follow us on Nostr , LinkedIn , Twitter and YouTube to keep up to date with our business. Bitcoin Well contact information To book a virtual meeting with our Founder & CEO Adam O'Brien please use the following link: https://bitcoinwell.com/meet-adam For additional investor & media information, please contact: Tel: 1 888 711 3866 [email protected] 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. Forward-looking information Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", or the negative thereof and similar expressions. All statements herein other than statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements in respect of: closing of the Offering; TSX Venture Exchange approval of the Offering; exercise of the Agent's Option; use of proceeds from the Offering; and Bitcoin Well's business plans, strategy and outlook. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Bitcoin Well actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of inability to obtain TSX Venture Exchange approval, regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which Bitcoin Well operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Bitcoin Well. Bitcoin Well believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents Bitcoin Well expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. Bitcoin Well 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 securities legislation. For more information, see the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information found in the Bitcoin Well quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis. 4 march 2024 at 17:50 News published onand distributed by: Chubb Limited Announces Pricing of $1 Billion Senior Notes Offering by Subsidiary ZURICH, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) announced today that its subsidiary, Chubb INA Holdings Inc., has priced a public offering of $1 billion of 5.000% senior notes due 2034. The notes are guaranteed by Chubb Limited. Chubb intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the repayment at maturity of its $700 million 3.35% senior notes due May 15, 2024. The joint book-running managers for the offering are Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the senior notes or any other securities, nor will there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the senior notes or any other securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by calling Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at 1-800-831-9146, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. at 1-866-811-8049 or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC at 1-800-645-3751. Alternatively, the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at www.sec.gov. About Chubb Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as statements regarding repayments, reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Additional information regarding factors that could cause differences from these forward-looking statements appears in the company's filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. SOURCE Chubb Limited 4 march 2024 at 20:45 News published onand distributed by: MethaneSAT Now in Orbit after SpaceX Launches Groundbreaking Mission to Protect the Climate 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 Earth's climate by accelerating reductions of a powerful greenhouse pollutant, focusing first on oil and gas operations, a major source of methane. 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 can't and identify large emitters in places they aren't 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. "MethaneSAT's 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 can't, 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 Programme's International Methane Emission Observatory on a new, first-of-its-kind initiative to hold companies and governments more accountable for their methane management. "You can't manage what you can't measure, and that's 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 University's 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, EDF's scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund. 4 march 2024 at 21:40 News published onand distributed by: Reticulate Micro Transmits First-ever Real-time Streaming Video over UHF TACSAT in Army Demonstration ? Groundbreaking Capability Offers Low-power Solution for Tactical Communications in Today's Denied Battlefield PALM BAY, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Reticulate Micro, Inc., a defense technology company dedicated to delivering trusted and resilient communications over any transport and in any environment, announced today that it successfully streamed live video over a UHF TACSAT radio link ? a first for the industry. Reticulate conducted the demonstration on Feb. 28th with the US Army, using Reticulate Micro's VASTtm encoder and NanTenna's Ultra High Frequency (UHF) TACSAT antenna. It marked the first time a commercial provider has demonstrated live video streaming in a tactical environment over the Army's legacy TACSAT network. "This demonstration showed it is possible to stream video over dial-up speeds. Today, there is no other solution capable of streaming real-time video over legacy tactical networks such as HF and TACSAT," said John Dames, CTO of Reticulate Micro. Reticulate Micro's open-standards, software-defined encoder delivers higher compression and lower bitrates capability than other encoders (as low as 5kbps in video-only mode). VAST does not rely on hubs or cloud services and delivers direct streaming capabilities required for tactical use. NanTenna's low-profile, high-gain antenna played a pivotal role in establishing robust signals, enabling reliable connectivity both in stationary and on-the-move scenarios?performance and connectivity previously unseen by communicators. "Our joint solution breathes new life into the backbone of military PACE planning, which is UHF TACSAT, and bodes an exciting future with the full deployment of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)," said Thomas Larkin, President of NanTenna. Mike Henry, a 29-year military combat veteran, who previously served as Technical/Operational SME on the Joint Staff J6 Joint Tactical Integration Element, commented on the significance of the demonstration, stating, "This innovative capability brings substantial gains in a disconnected interrupted and low bandwidth (DIL) tactical environment by shortening the kill chain and bringing disruptive C2 technologies to the future fight. Providing direct live streaming capabilities, over HPW on the UHF TACSAT architecture and eventually MUOS with KLV metadata, dramatically enhances the PACE plan like we have not seen before." Reticulate will continue to do validations of its VAST video system across all tactical communication networks in use today and will make this data available to government customers. About Reticulate Micro, Inc.? Reticulate Micro, Inc ., with headquarters in Palm Bay, Florida, is a commercial and defense technology company dedicated to delivering trusted and resilient communications over any transport and in any environment. Reticulate is building one of the world's first quantum-protected open-systems platforms for robust video streaming, simplified terminal management and satellite mobile connectivity in austere environments and diverse orbital regimes. Serving the defense, mobility, broadcasting, enterprise infrastructure monitoring and security sectors, Reticulate Micro and its newest business segment Reticulate Space embrace open standards across its software and product offerings. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition, our representatives or we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including our financial performance and projections, revenue and earnings growth, and business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical facts, particularly those that use terminology such as "intends," "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including our limited operating history, our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to manage rapid growth, the potential loss of our senior officers and directors who we rely upon, our potential inability to maintain, train and build an effective sales and marketing infrastructure, our need for additional financing to accomplish our business strategy, the reception of our technology by the market, our ability to compete effectively in a very competitive environment, our ability to build brand awareness and brand loyalty, potential supply limitations, our potential inability to protect our intellectual property, the possibility that our products become obsolete, risks associated with our use of certain artificial intelligence and machine learning models, and failures, or perceived failures, to comply with privacy, data protection, and information security requirements in the variety of jurisdictions in which we operate or plan to operate. These and other factors may cause our results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking statements discussed in this press release, and other statements made from time to time by our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement in this release, except in accordance with applicable law. Contact: Media: Reticulate Micro Media Relations [email protected] Investors: Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA 561 489 5315 MZ Group ? MZ North America [email protected] SOURCE Reticulate Micro, Inc. 5 march 2024 at 09:45 News published onand distributed by: Pioneering Quantum Computing in the Energy Industry: Chevron Joins OQC's $100 Million Round READING, England, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OQC, a global leader in quantum computing-as-a-service (QCaaS), today announced that Chevron Technology Ventures, part of Chevron Corporation (CVX: NYSE), has joined its $100m Series B funding round. Quantum computing in the energy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 37.9%, owing to the increasing demand for efficient optimisation and simulation across the sector[1]. Chevron's investment marks a significant move by a supermajor into the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing. "OQC's development of the quantum computer has the potential to change the information processing landscape by merging the bounds of engineering and physics," said Jim Gable, Vice President, Innovation and President of Technology Ventures at Chevron. "This is the latest investment from our Core Energy Fund, which focuses on high-tech, high-growth startups and breakthrough technologies that could improve Chevron's core oil and gas business performance as well as create new opportunities for growth." OQC recently launched OQC Toshiko, an upgradable 32-qubit platform and the world's first Enterprise Ready Quantum Computing Platform. As the first company in the world to integrate quantum computing into commercial data centres, OQC is bringing quantum out of the lab and into the data centre. The company aims to make it possible to offer hybrid computing, integrated quantum and high-performance computing, to the market. A quantum future for energy OQC's technology provides several potential groundbreaking opportunities for the energy sector, including the development and optimisation of catalysts and the efficiency of transportation and distribution networks. Quantum is anticipated to accelerate the energy industry's discovery and development of new materials through the simulation of complex molecules to lower carbon products. To realise this future, the energy industry requires secure, accessible and powerful quantum computing that is integrated with existing high-performance computing. Prior to the launch of OQC Toshiko, quantum computers were only available in labs, making secure access for companies and integration with existing high-performance computing the largest barriers to wider business adoption of this groundbreaking technology. Spearheading industry-leading R&D OQC recently announced that SBI Investment, Japan's premier venture capital fund, is leading OQC's $100m Series B raise. Existing investors Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC), Lansdowne Partners, and OTIF, acted by manager Oxford Investment Consultants (OIC), are also participating. The ongoing round is the UK's largest ever Series B in quantum computing enabling industry-leading R&D that could pave the way to quantum advantage and furthers OQC's ability to bring next generation platforms of hundreds of qubits to businesses globally. Commenting on the news, Ilana Wisby, Chief Executive Officer at OQC, said: "Chevron's investment marks a significant milestone in harnessing quantum computing for the energy sector. We're excited to drive innovation and efficiency in exploration and renewables and pioneer enterprise-ready quantum in the energy sector." About Chevron Technology Ventures Chevron Technology Ventures identifies and invests in externally developed technologies and new business solutions with the potential to enhance the way Chevron produces and delivers affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy. CTV has more than two decades of being the primary on-ramp for external innovation into Chevron. For more information, visitwww.chevron.com/technology/technology-ventures. About OQC OQC is a global leader in quantum computing-as-a-service, building a brighter future by providing enterprise-ready quantum solutions that seamlessly integrate into digital infrastructures and customer workflows. Its award-winning and world-first integration of quantum computing into colocation facilities removes technical, financial, and geographical barriers to quantum; offering every enterprise a chance to seize a competitive edge. Prior to Series B, OQC raised $52 million including the largest Series A in quantum in the UK at that time. In 2023, OQC's team grew to over 100, attracting talent from across the globe. The team has built and deployed OQC Toshiko platforms to colocation data centres expanding its operations in the UK, Japan and Spain. OQC Toshiko is the world's first and only enterprise ready platform: a powerful next generation system, deployed to commercial data-centres, enabling businesses to securely tap into ground-breaking technology from anywhere in the world. This new technology is now in private preview and coming soon on public cloud and data centre fabric. For more information, visit our website: www.oxfordquantumcircuits.com. [1] UnivDatos Market Insights SOURCE Oxford Quantum Circuits 5 march 2024 at 10:00 News published onand distributed by: Federal government and Indigenous communities partner on public transit planning projects YELLOWKNIFE, NT, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - The federal government is investing $150,000 to support public transit studies in three communities. Announced by Minister Gary Anandasangaree, these projects will support the Nahanni Butte First Nation, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and the Hay River Metis Government in establishing public transit options for their residents. All three communities are using the funding to conduct feasibility studies to determine the needs and requirements for their respective communities. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Hay River Metis Government are conducting transit assessments, laying the groundwork for future transportation projects and more efficient ways to connect to Yellowknife. The Nahanni Butte First Nation received funding for a study, public consultations, and field research to better understand transit needs in its community. These public transit initiatives will help make Indigenous communities more inclusive and enhance the safety and quality of life for users of these services, including Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people. Quotes "Better and reliable public transportation infrastructure in the Northwest Territories will ensure that communities are safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable. Supporting Indigenous-led, evidence-based solutions will help improve the safety of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people and assist them in travelling safely in their communities and to other parts of the territory. These studies and assessments are critical to determine the best ways of connecting residents to schools, jobs, and medical services through safer modes of travel." The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "Nahanni Butte is a remote community located in the Dehcho region of Northwest Territories. The funding announced today will support the development of a study to identify possible transit solutions to address the needs of our Elders, kids and our growing population. Transit options will help our residents travel safely within the community and visit other towns and nearby communities for essential goods and supplies, while reducing dependency on Fossil Fuel. This strategic investment will not only provide a much needed long-term transit solution for Nahanni Butte but also improve the quality of life of our residents." Chief Steve Vital, Nahanni Butte Dene Band. "This funding will help us engage with our members and identify typical and non-traditional public and community transportation options for Ndil? and Dettah. This should contribute to the ability of YKDFN community members to meet their day-to-day needs, including access to important health and social services, greater employment, and recreational opportunities.." Chief Ernest Betsina, Yellowknives Dene First Nation Quick Facts The federal government is investing $150,000 split equally between these three projects through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). split equally between these three projects through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get around their communities more easily. It supports the development of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models that could be replicated or scaled up. A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding is allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities. Applications to the RTSF's Planning and Design Projects stream are accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible applicants can receive a grant of up to $50,000 to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution. to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution. One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural communities in Canada account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product. account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product. The RTSF complements Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation available in every community. strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation available in every community. Since 2015, the federal government has announced an unprecedented investment of over $30 billion in thousands of transit projects in communities across the country. in thousands of transit projects in communities across the country. This funding announced today helps respond to Call for Justice 4.8 from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It calls upon all governments to ensure that adequate plans and funding are put into place for safe and affordable transit and transportation services and infrastructure for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people living in remote or rural communities. The 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan was developed in partnership with survivors, families, Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, as well as provincial and territorial governments, in response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. was developed in partnership with survivors, families, Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous women's and 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, as well as provincial and territorial governments, in response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People is Canada's contribution to the National Action Plan. It is supported by historic investments and a significant part of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan in which measure #9 states that the federal government will continue to "implement the Federal Pathway to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people." Associated Links Rural Transit Solutions Fund https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html Federal infrastructure investments in Northwest Territories https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-nt-eng.html Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1590523702000/1590523850562 Yellowknives Dene First Nation https://ykdene.com/ Naha Dehe Dene Band / Nahanni Butte https://dehcho.org/community-page/nahaea-dehe-dene-band-nahanni-butte/ Hay River Metis Government https://nwtmetisnation.ca/communities/hay-river/ Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada 5 march 2024 at 10:24 News published onand distributed by: SCS Technologies Donates 1,125 Trees to Galena Park Community Through Urban Reforestation Event SCS Technologies (SCS), a leading provider of CO2 measurement and pipeline leak detection systems, methane vapor recovery units and petroleum LACT units, today announced that the company is donating 1,125 fruit and shade trees to the Galena Park community in partnership with Trees For Houston and One Tree Planted. On March 23, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., free trees will be distributed in a drive-through event at the Galena Park Resource and Training Center at 1721 16th Street, Galena Park, Texas. This urban reforestation event is part of SCS' commitment to planting 1 million trees by 2030. For every unit SCS produces, the company plants 100 trees with One Tree Planted. "In our collective efforts to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard our future, the role of carbon sinks, such as trees, becomes vital within a comprehensive strategy," said Cody Johnson, CEO of SCS Technologies. "Our goal to plant 1 million trees by 2030 underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and enhancing the well-being of local communities like Galena Park. The support from forward-thinking leaders such as Jane Stricker and our allies in the energy sector for this urban reforestation event illustrates the power of unity in achieving transformative change." The Galena Park tree donation event is spearheaded by Executive Chairperson Jane Stricker, an esteemed leader in the energy transition and the Executive Director of the Greater Houston Partnership's Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI). Industry sponsors of the event include Emerson, Sensia, Franklin Valve, Midstream Valve Partners, Encino Environmental Services, and Viking Pump. "As an advocate for the transition to sustainable energy practices and technologies, I see companies of all sizes and in a variety of sectors aggressively seeking ways to reduce carbon emissions and positively impact the environment," said Stricker. "It is inspiring to partner with companies like SCS Technologies and the other committed supporters of this urban reforestation event who are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and revitalizing communities like Galena Park. I'm looking forward to the event and invite anyone interested in making a difference in the community to join us." "With generous support from businesses like SCS Technologies, Trees For Houston aims to plant trees to clean the air, mitigate runoff, cool the surroundings and beautify our neighborhoods," said Barry Ward, Executive Director of Trees For Houston, a non-profit organization dedicated to planting, protecting and promoting trees in the Greater Houston area. "The Galena Park community recognizes the role trees play in improving air quality and increasing green space across the city. We are grateful to SCS Technologies, Jane Stricker and the other corporate supporters as we look forward to another successful tree distribution event in Galena Park." As a leader in CO 2 compression and measurement solutions, SCS Technologies is dedicated to utilizing its expertise and technology to actively support the energy sector in attaining its sustainability objectives. Partnering with One Tree Planted is a part of SCS' strategic initiative to mitigate CO 2 emissions within its operations. Collaborating with One Tree Planted ensures that local partner organizations and community volunteers will plant the trees donated by SCS in regions adversely affected by deforestation. Through these collective endeavors, SCS is actively fostering sustainable practices within the energy industry and taking tangible steps toward a greener future. To learn more about SCS Technologies' environmental initiatives, please visit www.scstechglobal.com/environmental. About SCS Technologies SCS Technologies designs, fabricates, and installs CO2 measurement and leak detection systems, methane vapor recovery units, and petroleum LACT units for the energy, industrial and environmental sectors. SCS Technologies has committed to net zero emissions by 2050 as part of the company's strategic initiative to mitigate CO2 emissions within its operations. Based in Big Spring, Texas, with a Strategy & Innovation Office in the Ion Houston, SCS Technologies is partnered with Black Bay Energy Capital, an energy-focused private equity fund based in New Orleans, Louisiana. www.scstechglobal.com; www.blackbayenergy.com About Trees For Houston Founded in 1983, Trees For Houston initially focused its early efforts on planting street trees in the heart of Houston. With over half a million trees planted, the organization has evolved into one that grows, plants, and maintains thousands of trees across the greater Houston region. By planting trees wherever they may benefit the public, Trees For Houston can ensure a far-reaching impact throughout the region for generations to come. For more information, visit https://www.treesforhouston.org/. About One Tree Planted One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and environmental organizations to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to restore forests that have been degraded or deforested, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity habitat. Many projects have overlapping objectives that contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at www.onetreeplanted.org. 5 march 2024 at 11:00 News published onand distributed by: California Credit Union Foundation Looking to Fund Innovative Teacher Projects ** Foundation Encourages Los Angeles County Teachers to Apply for a Project Grant ** LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- California Credit Union Foundation encourages Los Angeles County teachers who have an innovative class project idea to apply for a credit union grant through its spring Teacher Grant program. Ten grants of $500 each will be awarded to area teachers in April in the spring program. The California Credit Union Foundation grant program is available to full-time teachers in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, or credit union members teaching in California, looking to fund special learning opportunities for their students. The project should have clearly defined learning objectives tied to students' academic needs, display creativity, and benefit a significant number of students. "Providing grants to help our teachers and schools thrive and recognize their commitment to learning is one of the Foundation's focus areas as a pillar of long-term community empowerment," said California Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford. "We're excited to offer this grant program to support our hard-working teachers in bringing their dream project to life, and encourage any educator who has a project idea to apply." Interested teachers can find more information and apply online here. The application deadline is April 1, 2024. Since the creation of the program in 2012, $185,000 in teacher grants have been awarded to benefit students across Southern California. The fall grant program funded a wide range of projects, including creating student wellness corners, starting a cow eyeball dissection lab, expanding school music programs, incorporating multi-media into school newspapers, among others. A non-profit charitable corporation, California Credit Union Foundation focuses its resources on four key pillars of long-term community empowerment, including investing in its communities and youth, supporting educators and schools, promoting financial literacy and honoring our service members. About California Credit Union Foundation California Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that serves as the philanthropic arm of California Credit Union, a state chartered full-service credit union with assets nearly $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. The Foundation works to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by providing targeted resources to non-profit partners effecting meaningful change across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling it to return 100% of donations back into community programs. Please visit ccu.com/foundation to learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, or follow the Foundation on Instagram @ccufoundation. SOURCE California Credit Union 5 march 2024 at 11:15 News published onand distributed by: Government of Canada supports Chelsea & Co Microbrasserie's project by funding equipment acquisition Chelsea business receives $200,000 in financial assistance from CED. CHELSEA, QC, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Supporting manufacturing businesses contributes to economic development in Quebec's regions. That is why Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac, on behalf of the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED, today announced a repayable contribution of $200,000 for Chelsea & Co Microbrasserie (a Gainsbourg Microbrasserie business). This CED support has enabled it to launch its industrial beer production activities through the acquisition and installation of production equipment. Created in 2012, Microbrasserie Gainsbourg, a craft brewery and restaurant, was located in Gatineau, in the Vieux-Hull sector. Due to the growing demand for its products, the business wanted to bring its beer production up to industrial scale. This is how Chelsea & Co, a brewery located in the heart of the village of Chelsea, came into being. Its project involved acquiring and installing beer production equipment and developing a tasting area that also offers a ready-to-eat menu. CED's assistance has enabled this agri-food SME to acquire brewing apparatus, vats, a fermenter, and a laboratory. The Government of Canada recognizes and supports businesses and organizations that are a source of pride in their communities. Quebec's economic growth relies on organizations with strong roots in the regional economy. They are major contributors to growth, as well as key assets in rebuilding a stronger, more resilient, greener, and more just economy for all. Quotes "By investing in the expansion of Chelsea & Co Microbrasserie, the Government of Canada is reinforcing its commitment to economic development, thereby supporting businesses in their growth, innovation, and capacity to export their products. By helping to create and maintain quality jobs, we are working together to strengthen prosperity in the Canadian economy." Sophie Chatel, Member of Parliament for Pontiac "SMEs are at the core of community development and are part of our government's economic recovery plan. We are helping them to invest in equipment that will increase their performance, and so I am delighted with CED's support for Chelsea & Co Microbrasserie's project. We are here to assist workers and Quebec and Canadian SMEs. By helping them equip themselves with what they need, together, we are rebuilding a stronger, more resilient, more sustainable economy." The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED "CED's funding is one of the most advantageous, and this was an extraordinary opportunity for us in the region to access it. CED's team was listening when it granted us this assistance during a tumultuous period in recent years. Thank you to your team for placing your trust in us!" Nicolas Cazelais, President, Chelsea & Co Microbrasserie Quick facts The funds have been granted under CED's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. This program targets entrepreneurs leveraging innovation to grow their businesses and enhance their competitiveness, as well as regional economic stakeholders helping to create an entrepreneurial environment conducive to innovation and growth for all, across all regions. In Quebec, SMEs account for 99.7% of the province's businesses and 50% of its GDP. CED is the key federal partner in Quebec's regional economic development. With its 12 regional business offices, CED accompanies businesses, supporting organizations and all regions across Quebec into tomorrow's economy. Associated links Stay connected Follow CED on social media Consult CED's news SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions 5 march 2024 at 13:00 News published onand distributed by: Boundless Bio Announces Multiple Upcoming Presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024 Boundless Bio, a clinical-stage, next-generation precision oncology company interrogating extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) biology to deliver transformative therapies to patients with previously intractable oncogene amplified cancers, today announced multiple upcoming poster presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2024, which is being held April 5-10, 2024, in San Diego, CA. Details of the presentations are as follows: Title: Oral CHK1 inhibitor BBI-355 allows flexibility of dose and schedule with demonstration of monotherapy and combinational antitumor activity in extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) driven preclinical models Abstract Number: 613 Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics Session Title: Kinase and Phosphatase Inhibitors 1 Session Date and Time: Sunday Apr 7, 2024, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM PT Location: Poster Section 25 Poster Board Number: 23 Title: Preclinical and clinical pharmacodynamic characterization of BBI-355, a novel, orally bioavailable, and selective CHK1 inhibitor being evaluated in the first-in-human Phase 1/2 POTENTIATE clinical trial of patients with cancer harboring oncogene amplifications Abstract Number: 3631 Session Category: Clinical Research Session Title: Biomarkers in Clinical Trials Session Date and Time: Monday Apr 8, 2024, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM PT Location: Poster Section 40 Poster Board Number: 9 Title: ecDNA-based amplification of multi-drug resistance genes leads to acquired resistance to taxane-based chemotherapy Abstract Number: 5870 Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics Session Title: Mechanisms of Drug Resistance 3 Session Date and Time: Tuesday Apr 9, 2024, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM PT Location: Poster Section 24 Poster Board Number: 14 About BBI-355 Boundless Bio's lead ecDNA-directed therapy (ecDTx), BBI-355, is a novel, oral, selective inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) being studied in the ongoing, first-in-human, Phase 1/2 POTENTIATE clinical trial (NCT05827614) in patients with oncogene amplified cancers. CHK1 is a master regulator of cells' response to replication stress (RS). RS is elevated in ecDNA-enabled oncogene amplified cancer cells and, because of this, represents a key vulnerability of those cells. BBI-355 was designed to exploit the elevated RS in ecDNA-enabled oncogene amplified cancer cells by disrupting proper CHK1 function in regulating RS and thereby facilitating catastrophic RS to preferentially kill cancer cells relative to healthy cells. About Boundless Bio Boundless Bio is a clinical-stage oncology company dedicated to unlocking a new paradigm in cancer therapeutics to address the significant unmet need of patients with oncogene amplified tumors by targeting extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), a root cause of oncogene amplification and observed in more than 14% of cancer patients. Boundless Bio is developing the first ecDNA-directed therapy (ecDTx), BBI-355, which is an oral inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) and is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with oncogene amplified cancers Boundless Bio's second ecDTx, BBI-825, is an oral inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) and recently entered a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in cancer patients with resistance gene amplifications. Leveraging its Spyglass platform, Boundless Bio has additional programs advancing through preclinical development and discovery. Boundless Bio is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, visit www.boundlessbio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. 5 march 2024 at 16:35 News published onand distributed by: Bechtel and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Partner to Prevent Construction Worker Suicides Bechtel's $7 million dollar commitment to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will provide critical resources and programming to 500,000 U.S. construction workers over the next five years. WASHINGTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) today announced a new, multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. The initiative was unveiled this morning in Washington, D.C., at an event focused on raising awareness, educating stakeholders on this crisis, and beginning to build a coalition to prevent construction worker suicides. The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by Bechtel and AFSP. The $7 million, five-year commitment to AFSP to fund the effort is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP and the largest single donation ever made by the Bechtel Group Foundation. "This is the start of a long-term, sustained effort to lift up the whole construction community. We want to see mental health become as much of a priority as physical safety in our industry," said Brendan Bechtel, chairman and CEO of Bechtel. "It's our belief that addressing suicide in construction is as vital as wearing a hard hat on site. This is the next frontier in taking care of each other." The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives lost in jobsite safety incidents, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respectively. The initiative will leverage Bechtel's industry knowledge and reach in combination with AFSP's expertise in research, education, and effective prevention strategies, as well as its national network of local chapters. Bechtel welcomes participation from others in the industry, as this partnership forms a construction working group and a first-ever senior advisory council to help guide the effort. "We know we cannot meet this challenge alone. Real change will take all of us. We want to build an industry-wide effort, and we are actively encouraging others in construction to join us," added Brendan Bechtel. "The partnership with Bechtel is the first of its kind for AFSP, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with an industry leader that is focused on improving the mental health of the construction industry as a whole," said Robert Gebbia, CEO of AFSP. "We're excited to be building a team within AFSP dedicated to this important initiative aimed at reaching thousands of people in need and preventing suicide." "All of us who work in construction have seen gains in physical safety that were once unimaginable, become the standard for success," said Sean McGarvey, president of North America's Building Trades Unions, who also spoke at today's event. "It's time to bring the same mindset, resources, and innovation to the issue of mental health and suicide prevention." Learn more about this new initiative and how you can get involved at: Confronting Suicide in the Construction Industry | Bechtel. About Bechtel Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Learn more about AFSP's ongoing campaign Talk Away Dark to learn the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and bravely have a REAL open and honest conversation with others. Media Contact: Rayna V Farrell | [email protected] SOURCE Bechtel 5 march 2024 at 16:41 News published onand distributed by: InvestigationA Le Monde investigation in partnership with Brasilian media 'Reporter Brasil' reveals the social and environmental costs of this rush and how French energy companies are involved. Leaning on the windowsill of his modest pale-yellow concrete house, Paulo Roberto proudly contemplated his corn and manioc crops. On this early summer day in the southern hemisphere, small, scattered tufts finally seemed to be emerging from the arid ocher earth of Brazil's Nordeste region. "It's the most beautiful thing in the world," said the 73-year-old farmer, as thin as a twig and marked by a long life of toil under the sun. The farmer had hoped to spend the rest of his life quietly cultivating his plot of land in Parazinho, a small rural municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (population 5,200), cradled by Atlantic winds. But the tropical calm was brutally shattered in 2015, when Brazilian company Energisa installed a wind farm on a neighboring farm. Fifteen 100-meter wind masts with 49-meter blades now encircle the 30 small houses of Roberto's village. One of them is just 150 meters from his home. A muffled roar, like a huge fan, emanates from the machinery's rotation. "It's driving me crazy," said the farmer, who has lost sleep and cannot even hear his visitors knocking on the door. Sometimes, when the wind dies down or blows too hard, the wind turbine stops working with a sound like an explosion: "I jump up every time!" Turbines at Voltalia's wind farm in Serra do Mel (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil), December 18, 2023. FRANCISCO PRONER/VU FOR LE MONDE In Brazil, champion of green energies, where 83% of electricity production comes from renewable sources, wind power is booming. The result of a proactive policy implemented since 2009, some 1,016 wind farms have been installed across the country, representing 14% of the country's electricity production, far behind hydro (52%) but ahead of natural gas (9%) and solar (6%), according to the national electric energy agency. Brazil is now the world's sixth-largest producer of wind-generated electricity. Read more Subscribers only Renewable energy projects are rising in number worldwide Radically changed landscape In the space of 10 years, installed capacity has increased twelvefold, from 2.5 to 30 gigawatts between 2012 and 2023. But the growth of wind power has not been without incident. An investigation by Le Monde, in partnership with the Brazilian media outlet Reporter Brasil, revealed that, for lack of adequate regulations, this rapid development is the source of a series of environmental and social damages, implicating several French groups from the wind energy sector, particularly in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Located at the extreme tip of the Nordeste and battered by trade winds, the small state of Rio Grande do Norte (about the size of Slovakia) accounts for half of the country's wind farms. In Parazinho, the "wind rush" has dramatically transformed the landscape. Wind turbines line the roads as far as the eye can see, crushing the tiny houses with their mass. While in France, the law imposes a minimum distance of 500 meters between wind turbines and dwellings, no such rule exists in Brazil. You have 76.79% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Przewalski's Horse (Equus caballus przewalskii) herd, San Diego Zoo, California JIM BRANDENBURG / MINDEN PICTURES / BIOSPHOTO Prague Zoo said on Tuesday, March 5, 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-kilometre 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. Narrowly avoided extinction 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. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius gives a statement on apparent eavesdropping of a German army call at the Defense Ministry in Berlin, Germany, March 5, 2024. LISI NIESNER / REUTERS Germany sought on Tuesday, March 5, to downplay an audio leak of senior military personnel discussing the war in Ukraine, blaming "individual error" and stressing that Berlin still had the trust of allies. A 38-minute recording of the talks, in which the officers debated the possible use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukraine, was posted Friday on Russian social media. "A serious mistake happened here that should not have happened," Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told a press conference. The initial results of a probe showed the German army's "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." Read more Subscribers only Russia's Luftwaffe eavesdropping scandal embarrasses Berlin Pistorius said he had telephoned allies over the leak and was reassured that their "trust in Germany is unbroken (...) Everyone knows about the danger of such wiretapping attacks and knows that no one can offer 100% protection." Kyiv has been calling on Germany to provide it with Taurus missiles, which can reach targets up to 500 kilometers away. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has however declined to approve the deliveries, fearing it could draw Germany into the war. 'Unauthorized connection' In the recording, Bundeswehr officers can be heard discussing various details about the possible use of Taurus missiles, including specific quantities. The participants speculate whether they could be used to hit a key bridge over the Kerch strait linking the Russian mainland to Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014. The conversation also touched on long-range missiles supplied to Ukraine by France and Britain with references to British soldiers on the ground. The Kremlin said on Monday that the content of the recording proved Western countries were participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Berlin has accused Russia of seeking to "destabilize" Germany and its allies by leaking the sensitive discussion. Pistorius said Tuesday that the German military's use of the popular meeting platform WebEx was legitimate, while "extra security" measures were in place. One of the participants, who was attending the Singapore Airshow, had however dialed into the meeting via an "unauthorized connection" leading to the intercept, Pistorius said. 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. The hotels where attendees at the event were staying would have been targeted by "widespread wiretapping efforts," he added. 'Putin's game' The successful interception of the German military call was therefore a "random hit in the scope of a broad-based approach," Pistorius said. "Our partners know that we will investigate the case thoroughly and with determination." A preliminary disciplinary probe would be opened into the participants attending the meeting but "personal consequences are not on the table," he said. "I will not sacrifice my best officers to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's game." The Kremlin was seeking to "drive a wedge between us," including different political parties in Germany and those who wanted "more or less support for Ukraine," Pistorius said. On Monday, Moscow's Justice Ministry put the German Friedrich Ebert Foundation, which has close ties to Scholz's Social Democrats, on a list of undesirable organizations in Russia. Three other German organizations were also put on the list. Read more Subscribers only Germany's rearmament will take time A voter casts their ballot during early voting, a day ahead of the Super Tuesday primary election, at the San Francisco City Hall voting center in San Francisco, California, U.S. March 4, 2024 LOREN ELLIOTT / REUTERS It's the biggest day during the American primary elections, a key stage in the process of nominating candidates for the country's presidential election. This year, on March 5, 16 states and one US territory are voting in the Super Tuesday primaries and caucuses. During these ballots, almost a third of the total delegates required for a candidate to be nominated at each party's national convention are nominated: 865 of the 2,429 delegates on the Republican side, 1,420 of the 3,936 delegates on the Democratic side. Traditionally, the outcomes of the day give a clearer insight into the prospective winners of the nomination race. This year, there's no such suspense, with Joe Biden and Donald Trump crushing the competition in their respective camps. Fifteen states, including the two most populous Super Tuesday this year involves 15 states including two of the most populous, California and Texas and one territory. Polls generally close around 7 pm or 8 pm local time, and many states will announce results shortly thereafter. However, some states, such as California, may take several hours to announce their results. The primaries, a formality for Joe Biden On the Democratic side, there is not much at stake: As the incumbent president, Biden is the natural candidate, and the party has lined up behind him. The primaries are a mere formality for him, despite the candidacies of Dean Phillips, 55, a centrist member of the House of Representatives from Minnesota, and author and activist Marianne Williamson, 71, who presents herself as a progressive spiritual leader. To win the Democratic nomination, Joe Biden needs the support of 1,968 delegates. If he doesn't pass this mark on Super Tuesday, he'll come close. US President Joe Biden holds a campaign rally ahead of the state's Democratic presidential primary, in Las Vegas, Nevada, US February 4, 2024. KEVIN LAMARQUE / REUTERS "Joe Biden will be nominated," predicted Marie-Cecile Naves, a political scientist and director of research at the French Insitute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS). However, she said, the Michigan primary, marked by tens of thousands of "uncommitted" votes to protest the White House's support for Israel, "sounds like a warning that may give ideas to his competitors, for example, Robert F. Kennedy Jr." At 81, Biden is also the oldest candidate to hold the presidency and stand for re-election, which worries some of his 2020 voters. In a New York Times poll, 61% of respondents said he was "too old to be effective." Donald Trump wants to distance Nikki Haley even further Donald Trump can hope that March 5 will mark the final defeat for Nikki Haley, his last rival in the Republican camp. On March 4, at the end of the first 10 caucuses and primaries, the former president had 244 delegates out of the 1,215 needed to be officially nominated. A total of 874 delegates will be distrbuted on Super Tuesday. He will not be able to win on Super Tuesday, then, but he can distance his rival for good. His campaign team has predicted that he will win 773 delegates in Tuesday's voting and reach the majority two weeks later. "Nikki Haley is holding on because she figures that if Trump is ever prevented for any reason, she's available," said Naves. "And as long as she's around, Donald Trump himself will be forced to campaign a bit and spend money, when he'd like to project himself fully into the duel with Biden." Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. REBECCA BLACKWELL / AP Will Haley, the former US ambassador to the United Nations be able to stay in the race if Donald Trump crushes the scores further on March 5? She has so far remained evasive. "We're going to keep going all the way through Super Tuesday," she told reporters in late February. "That's as far as I've thought in terms of going forward." Trump's teams did everything they could to maximize his front-runner status. They have encouraged local Republican Party officials to make the rules governing the allocation of delegates as favorable to him as possible. The "winner takes all" rule, whereby the person who comes first wins all the delegates, has become more widespread. In California, for example, if Trump wins more than 50% of the vote, all 169 of the state's delegates will be awarded to him. Republican presidential candidate and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a campaign event in Charlotte, North Carolina, US., March 1, 2024. JONATHAN DRAKE / REUTERS Only the courts now appear to be a potential threat to Trump's bid for the presidency. Nevertheless, the former president has so far used each of his appearances before judges as a platform to portray himself as a victim. On Monday, the eve of Super Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that he could not be struck from the ballot because of his role in the January 6 Capitol attack, after several states had attempted to do just that. Up next: formal nominations at the party conventions At the end of the primaries, Trump and Biden will be officially nominated by their parties at the traditional conventions. The Republican National Convention will be held July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while the Democratic Convention will take place August 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. Delegates also validate a party's candidate choice of vice president, which is usually announced a few days before the convention. Israeli soldiers in a house in the Be'eri kibbutz, where more than a hundred residents were killed by Hamas fighters at dawn on October 7, and where the army did not arrive until around 7 hours after the attack. Be'eri, Israel, October 13, 2023. LAURENT VAN DER STOCKT FOR LE MONDE On Monday, March 4, 2024, Israel accused the United Nations of taking too long to respond to the claims of sexual assault by Hamas militants, a charge the UN has robustly defended itself against as it published a report detailing evidence of Hamas rapes and assaults. At the heart of the increasingly bitter row is the embattled UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which has already seen its funding pulled by multiple Western countries after Israel accused about a dozen of its employees of involvement in the October 7 attack. Read more Subscribers only Why Israel attacks the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA declared on Monday that 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 a UNRWA school[...] describing his entry into Israeli territory and stating that he is holding female Israeli hostages" following the October 7 attack. UNRWA employs around 30,000 people in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria with about 13,000 staff in the Gaza Strip. It is at the center of efforts to provide humanitarian relief in Gaza, where aid groups have warned of looming famine after nearly five months of Israeli bombardment. UN torture charge UNRWA said Israeli authorities had "detained several of its staff from the Gaza Strip" who later described abuses in custody. "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. "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." Following the earlier Israeli allegations about involvement in the Hamas attack, the UNRWA fired the accused employees and began an internal probe. The European Commission, recognizing steps taken by the UN, said Friday it would release $54 million in UNRWA funding. Phillipe Lazzarini, the head of the UNRWA, has said Israel provided no evidence against his former employees and warned that dismantling the 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. Read more Subscribers only UNRWA: Who funds the UN agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees? A group of migrants disembarks from an inflatable dinghy at the Le Portel beach after an unsuccessful attempt to cross the English Channel from the coast of northern France, October 2, 2023. PASCAL ROSSIGNOL / REUTERS A grouping of northern European countries on Monday, March 4, agreed to work on a new "customs partnership" to disrupt the supply of small boats used to carry migrants cross the Channel, Britain's interior ministry said. The UK and France will lead in setting up the new initiative, which will see countries' customs agencies share information on the shipping of small boat materials more effectively, it added. This initiative comes as Britain no longer an EU member since 2020 tries to stem the flow of tens of thousands of migrants arriving each year on its southeastern shores on small boats from mainland Europe. The journeys have repeatedly proved deadly. The latest victim is a seven-year-old girl who drowned on Sunday when a boat carrying 16 people heading from northern France to Britain capsized. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed at the start of last year to "stop the boats" but nearly 30,000 still made the crossing in 2023 despite stepped-up efforts to thwart them. The issue a politically potent one given the UK government's promise to "take back control" of the country's borders after Brexit is set to feature prominently in a general election later this year. Read more Subscribers only UK PM Sunak keeps pushing for transfer of asylum seekers to Rwanda 'Share information more effectively' The plan for better customs coordination was discussed at a ministerial meeting Monday of the so-called Calais Group in Brussels. It comprises the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as the European Commission and its agencies, and works to promote cooperation in tackling irregular migration. "This is an initiative to work with countries throughout the supply chain of small boat materials, and will build on the effective work already being done to prevent small boat launches from northern France," the UK interior ministry said in a statement. "Partnership countries and their customs agencies will [...] be able to share information more effectively to disrupt shipments of small boat materials, preventing them from making it to the English Channel." The grouping is set to discuss the plan again at its next meeting in April. Monday's gathering also explored working with social media companies to tackle online activity by people-smuggling networks, the UK ministry said. In addition, participants discussed a recent UK deal with Frontex, the European border and coastguard agency, to exchange information and intelligence and take on the gangs together, it added. Read more Subscribers only Europe faced migration resurgence from Africa in 2023 An employee of Mecar, a Belgian arms and munitions manufacturer, assembling 120 mm and 155 mm shells in Petit-Roeulx-lez-Nivelles, October 24, 2023. JOHN THYS / AFP Firmly committed to Ukraine, the Czech Republic likes to present itself as a bastion of agility and pragmatism. At a time when the European Union is struggling to supply the million rounds of large-caliber ammunition it had promised Kyiv, Petr Pavel, the country's president surprised everyone by announcing at the Munich Security Conference on February 17 that the country had "identified at this point 500,000 rounds of [NATO-standard] 155 mm caliber [shells] and another 300,000 rounds of [Soviet-standard] 122 mm caliber" shells around the world, all ready for purchase and immediate shipment to Ukraine. Following this announcement, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on February 26 that he had convinced around 15 European countries to follow suit. Even France, which had long been reluctant to buy weapons outside the European Union (EU), has ended up expressing an interest. During a visit to Prague on Tuesday, March 5, the French president could be the next to make a financial commitment in addition to those made by the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada and Belgium. These countries have already announced that they are ready to donate several hundred million euros to this purchasing plan, which aims to obtain these supplies from countries that have often refused to commit themselves politically to the war in Ukraine, but which have remained interested in current economic opportunities. "Our plan had been on the table for months, but France had stalled for a long time in the name of 'Buy European,' even though we don't have the necessary production capacity: Europe has promised a million rounds of ammunition, and we haven't even been able to supply half of them," explained Pavel Fischer, president of the Czech Senate's foreign affairs, defense and security committee, welcoming the Elysee's change of heart. "The French understand a lot more than they did three or six months ago," agreed Tomas Kopecny, the Czech government's special envoy for Ukraine, who attributed "this change in political attention to the current military situation," with the Russians advancing on the front line. Export networks This former defense ministry arms export specialist has been one of the key participants in this Czech plan, which has in fact been underway for several months, together with the Netherlands and Denmark. "The Danes came to us in the spring of 2023, saying they had the financial resources, but not enough production capacity, to supply what Ukraine needed most," he explained. The Czech Republic, however, has "a long history in the arms sector." You have 55.87% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo during her vows at City Hall, January 10, 2024. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP The controversy surrounding Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's trip to Tahiti last fall is taking a judicial turn. Searches have been underway since the morning of Tuesday, March 5, at Paris City Hall and its annexes, Le Monde has learned. The operations carried out by investigators from Paris's judicial police were confirmed by a judicial source. They are part of a preliminary investigation into charges of "conflict of interest and misappropriation of public funds," opened by the National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF), following a complaint filed in mid-November 2023 by an organization, AC !! Anti-Corruption, and "several reports from advisers to the Paris Council and the Ile-de-France region." Paris City Hall did not respond to requests for comments. The case concerns a three-week trip by Hidalgo to the Pacific, from October 16 to November 5, 2023, which raised questions about public money possibly being used for private business. The stated aim of the trip to New Caledonia and Tahiti was to deepen cultural relations with these two French territories in the Pacific, and to visit the Olympic surfing venue of Teahupoo in Tahiti something she was in the end unable to do due to local tensions. The controversy was heightened by the fact that Hidalgo extended her one-week official stay with a fortnight's private vacation on a Polynesian island with her family. 59,500 spent travel Questions quickly arose about the cost of her trip to the other side of the world, estimated at 59,500 by the City of Paris. That cost encompassed expenses for the five staff members who accompanied her. Questioned by Le Parisien in November, Hidalgo's entourage explained that all return tickets were paid for by the city, but later asserted that the mayor had "paid for [hers] out of her own funds, before the delegation left" a claim that Le Monde was able to confirm. The return journeys of two members of the delegation, who had also decided to stay on site for a few extra days in a private capacity, are said to have been paid for by the city. City Hall's ethics committee had cleared the mayor on November 10. "The public part of the trip made by Ms. Anne Hidalgo, in her capacity as mayor of Paris, (...) is directly linked to the interests of the City of Paris, both in terms of its objects and meetings with various authorities," the committee wrote, deeming the Socialist politician's travels "ethically regular." Nonetheless, the local opposition continued to attack the mayor. "This case is not closed," reacted Rachida Dati, the conservative mayor of the 7th arrondissement, on November 14. Accusing Hidalgo of "refusing" to disclose all the expenses incurred for the trip, Dati, her main opponent, felt that it was up to the courts to examine the case to rule on "the legality of this trip, for Hidalgo and the members of the delegation." You have 10.74% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. Members of French Parliament applaud at a joint session of Parliament to vote on a reform of the Constitution to include the "guaranteed freedom" to abortion, in Versailles, on March 4, 2024. JULIEN MUGUET FOR LE MONDE France's Parliament approved a bill to enshrine a woman's right to an abortion in the Constitution in a historic vote on Monday, March 4, as lawmakers gathered for a joint session of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles. The bill was approved in an overwhelming 780-72 vote, and nearly the entire joint session stood in a long standing ovation. The constitutional reform amends Article 34 of the French Constitution to specify that "the law determines the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy, which is guaranteed." Editorial Enshrining abortion access in the French Constitution is a win for feminism and democracy The measure was promised by President Emmanuel Macron following a rollback of abortion rights in court rulings in the United States. After the bill's adoption, Macron described the move as "French pride" that had sent a "universal message." A special public ceremony is planned to celebrate the move on International Women's Rights Day on March 8. In the lead up to the historic vote, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal addressed the 925 lawmakers gathered for the joint session in Versailles, and called on them to make France a leader in women's rights and set an example in defense of women's rights for countries around the world. "We have a moral debt to women," Attal said. He paid tribute to Simone Veil, a prominent legislator, former health minister and key feminist who in 1975 championed the bill that decriminalized abortion in France. "We have a chance to change history," Attal said in a moving and determined speech. "Make Simone Veil proud," he said to a standing ovation. Read more Subscribers only The unsung hero of the trial that decriminalized abortion in France French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal speaks during the joint session of both houses of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles in Versailles, west of Paris, Monday, March 4, 2024. THOMAS PADILLA / AP The Assemblee Nationale overwhelmingly approved the proposal in January. The Senat adopted the bill last Wednesday, clearing a key hurdle for legislation intended to make "a woman's right to have an abortion irreversible." The measure needed to be approved by a three-fifths majority in the joint session for the Constitution to be amended. None of France's major political parties represented in Parliament have questioned the right to abortion, including Marine Le Pen's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party and the conservative Les Republicains party. However, some lawmakers have voted against inscribing abortion rights into the Constitution in previous votes in both houses. Le Pen said Monday her party would vote in favor of the bill but added that "there is no need to make this a historic day." Out of the 91 RN members of Parliament, 49 voted for the bill, 11 against, and 20 abstained. The right to an abortion has broad support among the French public. A recent poll showed support at over 80%, consistent with previous surveys. The same poll also showed that a solid majority of people are in favor of enshrining it in the Constitution. Citing the US There were scenes of celebrations around France ahead of the historical vote. The Eiffel Tower was lit up in celebration after the change was passed with the slogan "My Body My Choice." 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, France, March 4, 2024. ABDUL SABOOR / REUTERS With the right to an abortion added to the constitution, it will be much harder to prevent women from voluntarily terminating a pregnancy in France, women's rights and equality activists said. Sarah Durocher, a leader in the Family Planning movement, said Monday's vote is "a victory for feminists and a defeat for the anti-choice activists." "We increased the level of protection to this fundamental right," said Anne-Cecile Mailfert of the Women's Foundation. "It's a guarantee for women today and in the future to have the right to abort in France." A woman clenches her fist and others hold flags of the Women's Foundation rights group as they gather at the Place du Trocadero in Paris, on March 4, 2024. DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP The government argued in its introduction to the bill that the right to abortion is threatened in the United States. "Unfortunately, this event is not isolated: in many countries, even in Europe, there are currents of opinion that seek to hinder at any cost the freedom of women to terminate their pregnancy if they wish," the introduction to the French legislation says. Read more Subscribers only The increasing difficulties of getting an abortion in Italy The decision by the US Supreme Court to strip women of the right to abortion has reverberated across Europe's political landscape, forcing the issue back into public debate in France at a time of political upheaval. "It only takes a moment for everything we thought that we have achieved to fade away," said Yael Braun-Pivet, the first female president of a chamber of French Parliament, in her address to the joint session. Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the Assemblee Nationale, applauds after French lawmakers enshrined the right to abortion in its constitution, at the Versailles Palace near Paris, France, March 4, 2024. STEPHANIE LECOCQ / REUTERS Amending the constitution is a laborious process and a rare event in France, requiring either a referendum or a three-fifths majority vote in Parliament after both houses agree on common language. Since it was enacted in 1958, the French Constitution has been amended 17 times. The last time was in 2008, when Parliament was awarded more powers and French citizens were granted the right to bring their grievances to the Constitutional Court. At the market in Conde-sur-Sarthe, Normandy, January 31, 2024. LOU BENOIST / AFP At the start of the 20th century, French textile workers' daily meals consisted of boiled potatoes and cottage cheese spread on thick toast. At the time, food accounted for more than half of household budgets. The economist Jean Fourastie described this in his famous 1979 book Les trente glorieuses ("The glorious thirty"), which coined the nickname for the 30 years of growth in France after the Second World War. A century later, food accounts for 14% of household spending, according to 2021 data from the national statistics institute, INSEE. Does this mean that in France, the country of 365 cheeses, people would rather pay for a Netflix subscription than to eat properly? On February 24, at the Paris Agricultural Show, President Emmanuel Macron vigorously denied he had suggested just that. The local daily La Marseillaise had reported that in a meeting with farmers' representatives, Macron had said that people earning minimum wage "prefer VOD subscriptions to healthier food." But Macron had immediately added: "The problem we have in our country today is that the share of income that French people allocate to food has fallen over the last 30 years." He went on: "People are spending more on housing, telephone subscriptions, travel and television. Lifestyles have changed, and they spend proportionately less on food." The report earned Macron accusations of "class contempt" from the left and the far right. The numbers, however, are on his side at least in part. Spending on food has fallen the most since the post-war period, along with clothing. This is what economists call "Engel's law," named after the German statistician Ernst Engel, who showed that the proportion of income spent on food declines as people become richer. "This is rather good news," said Philippe Moati, an economic professor at Paris Cite University and founder of the Observatory of Society and Consumption. "People are eating more and better, and the extra income is devoted to other expenses." A larger variety of products consumed Collective enrichment is not the only explanation. The agricultural revolution of the second half of the 20th century, the invention of intensive agriculture, and European Union policies have also enabled food prices to fall drastically, thanks to productivity gains "far greater in agriculture than in industry," said Moati. The price of a kilo of wheat has been divided by three since 1960, the price of sugar by two, and the price of pork by four, according to Fabrice Etile, professor at the Paris School of Economics and researcher at the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. The shift has primarily benefited low-income households, giving them access to a form of food security and abundance. But it has undoubtedly "contributed to people's belief that food is cheap," said Frank Lehuede, a researcher at the Center for Research for the Study and Observation of Living Standards (CREDOC). You have 53.33% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. RESIDENTS living alongside the Limerick-Foynes rail line are struggling to sleep at night now hedgerows outside their homes have been chopped away. Thats according to councillors who passed a motion at this months metropolitan meeting calling for the issue to be addressed. In readiness of the return of freight traffic to the rail line, Irish Rail has removed vegetation. But given the proximity of many homes to the Limerick to Cork road, these trees and hedges were muffling the noise from the carriageway. Fianna Fail councillor Fergus Kilcoyne said one woman has installed triple-glazed windows as a result of the increased noise. That alone was not successful that she now has to sleep in the front of her home, he added. It was the Patrickswell councillor who introduced the notice of motion which was supported by all other council members. Councillor Dan McSweeney of Fine Gael said some residents are living a nightmare. It was Social Democrats councillor Elisa ODonovan who seconded the motion. She said: The sound levels from the M20 have increased all along from Ballinacurra out to Patrickswell. We need to see some action taken on it. She said the only sustainable way of mitigating noise in these circumstances is hedges and trees. READ MORE: Croom Medical St Patricks Day 10k run makes its return But Cllr Kilcoyne has called for sound barriers to be introduced. Effective noise cancellation was something that Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler called for. Its impacting people right along the route of the Irish Rail line. For some of the residents, particularly those in Kilteragh, all thats separating them is the back wall. Whats been keeping them sane and secure has been a flourishing hedgeline. The aggressive levels Irish Rail cut back the hedgeline is devastating, he said. On top of additional noise, the loss of hedgeline has tallied with an increase in anti-social behaviour, added the former mayor. Metropolitan district leader, Cllr Azad Talukder also supported the calls for noise measures. The councils manager in the metropolitan district, Kieran Lehane said a presentation on noise mitigation would be provided to members. The Leader contacted Irish Rail for comment, but had not received a response at the time of going to press. TESCO Ireland is seeking planning permission to expand its trading area at Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle. The retailer has lodged papers with Limerick City and County Council seeking to merge two units for its facility in the shopping centre. On top of this, the firm wants to bring a former creche facility, out of use for 15 years, back into regular service for retail. The proposed development includes the relocation of the alcohol sales area in the store. In documents provided to council planners, representatives of Tesco Ireland said the plans are coming forward as part of an upgrade of the British retailers estate across the country. This is being done to provide an enhanced customer experience and represents a significant investment at Crescent Shopping Centre. READ MORE: Mary Immaculate College to host Femfest The documents also add that the expansion will provide for a more modernised and efficient convenience store. Tescos branch in Dooradoyle is the final store in the firms Irish estate yet to be refurbished. Council planners are expected to make a decision on the proposals by Tuesday, April 9 next. Last month, Tesco Ireland outlined plans to open a new store in Limerick. The firm is recruiting for staff at the former Iceland unit at Watch House Cross on the edge of Moyross. INDEPENDENT Ireland have confirmed their second candidate in the Adare/Rathkeale area for the upcoming Local Election. Thomas (Tommy) Hartigan will run for the party alongside Councillor John O'Donoghue in the electoral area. Mr Hartigan, from Pallaskenry, is a passionate advocate for rural Ireland and his local community "I am running as an Independent Ireland candidate because I believe that being a young candidate gives me the ability to represent and work with all people to get the best possible results for our community," expressed Mr Hartigan. "I am passionate about rural Ireland and don't feel we are being heard on the political stage. Independent Ireland gives me the support of a party structure while still allowing me to retain my principles and priorities in working for the people of Limerick to deliver the full support and positive change I believe our community needs. "Politics isn't about suits and meetings; it's about you and methe people who are affected by the decisions made. "I feel that I have something to bring to you, the people of the district. I can't promise you much except my best. In my humble opinion, it's not about you or me; it's about us." Mr Hartigan's key areas of focus include protecting rural identity and tradition, creating local jobs and opportunities, supporting grassroots clubs and communities, and promoting sustainable actions regarding climate change and biodiversity. Additionally, he aims to improve infrastructure, particularly in areas of transportation, mental health, and services for both the young and elderly. READ MORE: Limerick councillor joins Independent Ireland party Mr Hartigan has served as chairman of the Askeaton Ballysteen Youth Club, chairman of the Pallaskenry, Kilcornan Ballysteen Gun Club, and club manager of Ballysteen AFC. Furthermore, he is the secretary and founding member of the Duck on the Shannon River Project and chairman and founder of the West Limerick Grey Partridge Conservation Project. General Secretary Richard O'Donoghue commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Thomas Hartigan as our second candidate for the Adare/Rathkeale electoral area. "His passion for rural issues and dedication to community development align perfectly with the values of our party. We are confident that he will be a strong voice for the people of Limerick County." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it is a "real struggle" to keep up with the number of asylum seekers that are coming into the country seeking accommodation as "huge numbers" arrive each week. Mr Varadkar said: It's not our policy to deliberately not provide shelter and accommodation to those seeking asylum. However, he admitted there is an issue of ongoing shortages of accommodation. The Taoiseach acknowledged that there are "many dozens, if not hundreds, who have nowhere to stay in Ireland". "Even though we are no longer in a position to provide accommodation for single male asylum seekers, we are still seeing huge numbers arrive every week - larger numbers than would have been the case 3, 4, 5, 6 years ago, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. "That's a reflection of what's happening in the world," he said. "The real struggle that were having at the moment is just to keep up with the numbers that are coming in," he said. "The numbers are very, very significant and part of what we have to do is have better controls on our borders were doing that turning around decisions more quickly so that those that are entitled to status get it and those that dont are asked to leave the State, are required to leave the State if they dont leave, the Taoiseach said. He said they used to have a situation up until 2019 where between 3,000 and 10,000 people arrived in Ireland each year seeking international protection. Due to the war in Ukraine and instability around the world, he said "we have accepted over 100,000 people in to our country in the past two to three years and have provided accommodation for almost all of them". Mr Varadkar said there are number of reception centres around the country "and there is barely a week that passes that we don't open another reception centre of some sort". A Galway-based lecturer is part of an international team of astronomers who have shed new light on a complex process of planet formation. Dr Christian Ginski, lecturer at the University of Galway, helped capture images of more than 80 young stars and discs of dust and gas where planets are forming. Researchers used the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope (ESOs VLT) in Chile to capture the images. The data has been published on Tuesday in three papers in Astronomy & Astrophysics. The research represents one of the largest surveys ever of planet-forming discs, providing astronomers with a wealth of data, imagery and insights to help unpick the mysteries of planet formation in different regions of our galaxy. Dr Ginski, who was a lead author of one of three new papers, said: This is really a shift in our field of study. Weve gone from the intense study of individual star systems to this huge overview of entire star-forming regions. We know there is a very diverse population of planets out there. Now we know there is a very diverse population of planetary nurseries. Our images help us to try and connect these two, and this will eventually tell us how different kinds of planets are forming. Once we know that we can begin to figure out how often we get something like our own solar system that has the conditions for life to emerge. The team studied 86 stars across three different star-forming regions of the Milky Way galaxy: Taurus and Chamaeleon I, both around 600 light years from Earth, and Orion, a gas-rich cloud about 1,300 light years away that is known to be the birthplace of several stars bigger than the Sun. The collection of new images showcases the diversity of planet-forming discs in just three, relatively small, regions of the galaxy. Dr Ginski described the imagery captured: We could call these planetary nurseries huge discs of gas and dust surrounding young stars. And in terms of the universe, these are in our backyard, as they are only 600-1,300 light years away. Our own Galaxy, the Milky Way, is roughly 80 times as extended. Some of these discs show huge spiral arms, presumably driven by the intricate ballet of orbiting planets. The observations were gathered by a large international team, with scientists from more than 10 countries. To date, more than 5,000 planets have been discovered orbiting stars other than the Sun, often within systems markedly different from the Solar System. To understand where and how this diversity arises, astronomers must observe the dust- and gas-rich discs that envelop young stars. These are best found in huge gas clouds where the stars are forming. Dr Ginski added: We are looking at these young birth places of planets because we want to understand why we are finding so many planetary systems around distant stars that are extremely diverse in their architecture and, mostly, very different from our solar system. To find that answer we turn to the earliest phase of planet formation. The international research team was able to glean several key insights from the imagery and dataset. In Orion they found that stars in groups of two or more were less likely to have large planet-forming discs. This is a significant result given that, unlike the Sun, most stars in the galaxy have companions. While 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 away makes them appear as tiny pinpricks in the night sky. To observe the discs, the team employed the sophisticated Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet Research instrument (Sphere) mounted on ESOs VLT. Spheres state-of-the-art extreme adaptive optics system corrects for the turbulent effects of Earths atmosphere, yielding crisp images of the discs. This meant the team were able to image discs around stars with masses as low as half the mass of the Sun, which are typically too faint for most other instruments available today. Additional data for the survey was obtained using the VLTs X-shooter instrument, which allowed astronomers to determine how young and how massive the stars are. The award-winning laser skin technology Sciton has come to Limerick thanks to Melissa Ferguson Skin Studio. These devices are scientifically proven to offer head-to-toe wow! results and are favoured by celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham. Flawless skin lovers can rejoice as Melissa Ferguson Skin Studio has brought the GOAT of premium skin lasers and light sources to Limerick city and Adare in Co Limerick. Melissa Ferguson The Facialist has been passionate about skin health since she was 17. After travelling the world and working with the best in the skin industry, Melissa returned to Ireland with a wealth of knowledge to transform and enhance her clients skin. Always looking for the best of technology in the international market, the award winning light and laser treatments Melissa has brought to Co Limerick are already showcasing incredible results for her patients. Skin guru Melissa Ferguson commented, "Our mission is to empower individuals to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. With Sciton's cutting-edge technology, were excited to offer transformative treatments that deliver unparalleled results, ensuring every client leaves feeling radiant and rejuvenated." More than 25 years ago, Sciton was founded with a mission: to build exceptional lasers and light sources to improve peoples lives, and this award-winning technology can now be enjoyed by Irish consumers. These devices are scientifically proven and Irish aesthetics clinics, who have attained the award-winning technology, have already seen incredible results for their patients and their businesses. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sciton UK and Ireland (@sciton_uk) Melissa Ferguson, founder of Melissa Ferguson Skin Studios, commented, "Our mission is to empower individuals to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. With Sciton's cutting-edge technology, were excited to offer transformative treatments that deliver unparalleled results, ensuring every client leaves feeling radiant and rejuvenated." Among many other things the treatments target wrinkles, scars, acne, rosacea, port-wine stains, skin discoloration, sun damage, visible signs of aging, enlarged pores, vascular lesions, and signs of melasma. The results are clearer, smoother and younger appearing skin. The phenomenal results are loved by countless celebrities across the globe - including Victoria Beckham - and now, thanks to Scitons arrival in Ireland, all Irish beauty lovers can be red-carpet ready too! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashkan Ghavami MD (@drghavami) What type of treatments are available? BBL HERO Head-to-Toe Skin Transformation with Scitons proprietary award-winning technology, BBL HERO, rooted in science and backed by thousands of reviews and incredible before and afters. BBL Hero improves the appearance of aging skin and reduces rosacea, acne, and sun damage comfortably with little to no downtime. MOXI A Gentle Approach To Radiant Skin. Want to look your best but dont know where to begin? Moxi is Scitons newest fractionated and non-ablative laser for revitalized skin. In a quick 12-15 minute treatment with minimal downtime or discomfort, Moxi reduces pigment and improves the skins overall tone and texture. The treatment is perfect if youre looking to correct the initial signs of sun damage and agingor if you want to upgrade your skincare regimen with a powerful solution for younger-looking skin. Performed year-round and on all skin types, men and women love their results from Moxi. *Sponsored Content New Delhi: The Union government is considering a demand for reducing taxes on flex-fuel, or dual-fuel, vehicles, a move that could accelerate the push for cleaner transportation. The ministry of heavy industries and the ministry of road transport and highways are in talks with stakeholders and may recommend a rationalization of goods and services tax (GST) on flex-fuel vehicles post the consultations, said two people familiar with the developments. Following this, a final proposal by the finance ministry would then be placed before the GST Council for approval, they added. Flex-fuel vehicles are equipped with internal combustion engines but designed to run on more than one fuel. They are primarily meant to run on biofuels such as ethanol and methanol, or a blend of biofuels and conventional fuels. The 10% ethanol-blended petrol currently available in the country doesnt require flex-fuel vehicles but higher blends would. The ministry of road transport has been pushing automakers to manufacture flex-fuel vehicles as the government targets use of cleaner fuels, aiming to reduce dependence on oil imports. The ministries have received several industry representations seeking reduction in GST, which is currently at 28%. The industry is concerned that both high GST and compensation cess would make adoption of these environmentally friendly vehicles difficult," said one of the two persons mentioned above. The second person said the talks are underway and a consensus is yet to be arrived as some stakeholders are against GST rationalization for flex-fuel vehicles. A final decision on putting forward the proposal for a rate cut to the finance ministry will be taken once the talks are over," this person said. The ministries of heavy industries, and road transport and highways did not immediately reply to queries on the matter. A GST of 28% is currently levied on flex-fuel vehicles, similar to that for conventional internal combustion engine-based vehicles, while the levy on electric vehicles is 5%. Industry bodies have requested parity in the tax rates for flex-fuel and electric vehicles. In December 2021, the government advised automakers in India to start manufacturing flex-fuel vehicles and flex-fuel strong hybrid electric vehicles, complying with BS-6 norms. Electrified flex-fuel vehicles provide the option of advanced batteries along with flex-fuel engines. Nitin Gadkari, the Union minister for road transport and highways, had said that in line with the governments vision to reduce crude oil imports and policy on promoting ethanol as a transport fuel, guidelines for use and development of flex-fuel engines and vehicles would be formulated. The segment is, however, yet to pick up. In August, Toyota Kirloskar Motor unveiled a prototype of the worlds first BS 6 (Stage II) electrified flex-fuel vehicle. The push for biofuels and flex-fuel vehicles comes simultaneously with the governments focus on promoting electric vehicles as it has set an ambitious net-zero target of 2070, and decarbonization of mobility is a major requirement for lowering overall carbon emissions. To accelerate the introduction of flex-fuel vehicles, the government has included automobile and auto components for flex-fuel engines in its production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme. Under the ethanol-blending programme, all petrol pumps in the country already sell 10% ethanol-blended petrol. The target is to graduate to 20% ethanol-blended petrol by 2025. It is expected that higher percentages of ethanol will be blended in petrol in the next five years, requiring mass availability of flex-engine vehicles. Mumbai, India - March 4, 2024: Pressure Sensitive Systems (India) Limited (BSE Code: 526773), a leading manufacturer of salt adhesive tapes since 1987, is attracting the attention of investors with its strong financial performance and promising future prospects. The company has recently reported impressive financials for the quarter ended December 2023. With a revenue of 96 crore, a net profit of 40 crore, and an operating profit margin of 42%, Pressure Sensitive Systems (India) Limited demonstrates robust financial health. This positive performance is further accentuated by the company's attractive valuation. Currently trading at 11.5 per share, the stock boasts a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of only 1.2, significantly lower than the industry average of 30. This low valuation presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking value stocks with high growth potential. Adding to the optimism surrounding the company, Pressure Sensitive Systems (India) Limited has announced plans to raise 70 crore through a preferential issue. These funds will be used for business expansion, paving the way for further growth and profitability. View Full Image Pressure Sensitive Systems (India) Limited Stock market experts are particularly bullish on the company's future, with some predicting a one-year target price of 100 per share. This substantial increase, representing a potential tenfold return, reflects the confidence in the company's ability to capitalize on its strong fundamentals and growth opportunities. Analysts believe that Pressure Sensitive Systems (India) Limited is: Trading at a significant discount: The low PE ratio compared to the industry average indicates the stock's potential for significant price appreciation. Financially strong: Consistent revenue growth, healthy profit margins, and debt-free status paint a picture of a financially sound company. Positioned for expansion: The planned fundraising signifies the company's commitment to growth and its potential to capture a larger market share. With its compelling valuation, impressive financials, and strategic expansion plans, Pressure Sensitive Systems (India) Limited appears well-positioned to deliver substantial returns to investors in the long run. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The safe space for students, called CLUST SPACE, officially started operating at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. The shelter will provide a safe offline learning environment for students during wartime and a hub for development, creativity, and innovation. After the cessation of hostilities, the space will continue to operate, providing students with additional opportunities for self-expression, hosting large-scale events, and engaging in other activities. The official opening of CLUST SPACE took place on January 25th at the Scientific and Technical Library of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Government, education, business, and civil society representatives participated in the event. Ruslan Tymofieiev, the initiator of the CLUST SPACE project, entrepreneur, investor, founder of the venture builder CLUST, and CEO of the venture fund Adventures Lab, was also present in an online format. Ruslan Tymofieiev opened the official part of the event with his speech and shared how the idea of building the smart shelter appeared and who exactly helped to implement the project. Several speakers also spoke at the event, including: Mykhailo Zgurovsky, Rector of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute; Denys Kurbatov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; Inna Maliukova, Head of Sikorsky Challenge; Yuriy Kryvosheia, Vice President of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Managing Partner of Toronto-Kyiv, co-founder of Yakaboo, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of "Prompribor.Renovation"; Oleksii Shaldenko, Ph.D., CEO/Co-Founder of Wantent, Associate Professor at the Department of Digital Technologies in Energy at KPI; Natalia Kushnerska, Head of the DEFENCE-TECH cluster at Brave1. View Full Image The official opening of CLUST SPACE took place on January 25th at the Scientific and Technical Library of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Ruslan Tymofieiev About The First CLUST SPACE in Ukraine During the event, Ruslan Tymofieiev commented that CLUST SPACE is not just a singular solution to the issue of education during wartime but a systemic effort toward the development of student life. This project has responded to numerous current societal demands and is a unique safety solution that can be replicated in other regions of Ukraine and beyond. The entrepreneur noted that the idea of building a safe shelter did not come immediately. After the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians united and tried to help each other as much as possible. As Ruslan Tymofieiev pointed out, his team constantly received requests for assistance from refugees, volunteers, military personnel, and territorial defense and sought to address all issues individually. However, all the assistance resembled more chaos. When the tension slightly eased and everyone began to adapt to the new reality, understanding that a long struggle with the enemy lay ahead, Ruslan Tymofieiev realized he wanted to provide systematic assistance to his country. He set himself to find an important niche and invest funds there. Ruslan Tymofieiev decided to invest in education very thoughtfully. For the entrepreneur, the topic of education is highly significant because, throughout many years of managing businesses abroad and communicating with foreign entrepreneurs, he observed that Ukrainian professionals are the most qualified, surpassing their colleagues from abroad both in terms of education level and responsibility in task accomplishment. View Full Image The construction of the smart shelter lasted for five months, and the total implementation cost of the project amounted to $415,000. Who Else Took Part In The Implementation Of The Clust Space Project The construction of the smart shelter lasted for five months, and the total implementation cost of the project amounted to $415,000. This price was mainly because the target facility had some architectural peculiarities. For example, it was necessary to completely update the ventilation system, install armored glass, ensure autonomous power supply, and much more. Ruslan Tymofieiev noted that the primary donor was Freedom Holding Corp. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the Kyiv City State Administration, the "Svichado" Charitable Foundation, and the Usyk Foundation also support this project. As a result, Ruslan Tymofieiev's team managed to create a modern educational space covering an area of 600 square meters, accommodating over 500 people, and designed for prolonged student stays in case of threat. In addition to the large open space, there are several meeting rooms for online meetings, reading rooms, a cafeteria, restrooms, and more. Construction Of Clust Space In Dnipro At the opening of the smart shelter in Kyiv, Ruslan Tymofieiev also revealed information about the next city where a smart shelter will appear. Construction will begin at the base of the Honchar Dniprovsky National University in Dnipro. The project has already received its first contribution Kyiv Polytechnic Institute graduate and entrepreneur Mikhail Savchenko invested $100,000 for the construction. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Choosing the right web designing company in Dubai is the most critical decision you have to take as a business owner. Website is the first impression, the first pitch to your potential customers. It is the place where everyone can see all the information about your business and connect with you. A website is a place that allows potential customers to know everything that a business has to offer them. List of Questions to Ask What are the other services that you offer, apart from web design? You should look for a web design agency that provides you with more value than just creating a visually appealing website. You should hire a web agency that can help you generate quality leads, convert visitors to customers and make the UX/UI friendly for visitors to navigate through. You need to look for a web agency that also provides digital marketing services such as social media management, blog writing and so on as it helps to boost the search engine rankings. How much time will it take to complete the website for my business? The answer to this question depends on both, the business and the agency. Business owners or employees need to provide the content on time so that web agencies can implement it quickly. Time is taken in design approvals, text and image placement, features and so on all factors in while completing a website. Do you provide stock images for the website? Decide whether you as the business will provide relevant images that need to go on the website, or the agency will need to help you out with it. A website needs to have a fine balance of stock images as well as real team images. Photos of the team, logos, partner logos, and other relevant images will need to be provided by the enterprise themselves. But on certain pages, stock images may be required. You will need to check with the agency in regard to stock images and if in case there are any additional charges for it. What do you do to increase conversions from the website itself? A web design agency also needs to provide solutions to your business for generating more leads and conversions effectively. SEO strategy plays a key role in improving the search engine ranking of your website. Apart from that, an on-point conversion strategy is also important. Things like website pop-ups, dedicated landing pages, CTA banners on the website can help improve to convert visitors to purchasing customers. Do you follow SEO best practices while creating the website? If the web designing company in dubai follows the best practices of SEO, you are bound to optimize the website for search engines and increase its visibility from the get-go. Once the groundwork is built for SEO while creating the website, you can apply an advanced keyword research strategy and start building backlinks for your website. Check with your website agency as to what kind of SEO practices they use. If they are using any black-hat SEO practices, your website may get into serious trouble by search engine platforms like Google. Do you keep the mobile design in mind while developing websites? By having a Mobile-friendly design, your business can attract many users. Since most browse websites on mobile nowadays, it is important that the UX/UI of the website is easy to use on mobile or a tablet device as well. Accessibility and ease to navigate the website are important factors to consider while designing the website for mobile. Do you create websites from scratch or use website templates? Depending on your requirements and the features you need on your website, you can either opt for a custom website or a website which has certain templates. A web agency may change differently for both these websites, as custom websites are more expensive in nature. Template-based websites take less time to be created and hence, costs lesser than a custom website. Do you have a past work to show in a similar industry as ours? You can check with your agency if they have ever created a website that is similar to the industry you are in. This will give you an idea of how your website may come out post-development. In case they have not made a website for the industry that you are in, you can ask for their portfolio and check other websites that they have created. What is the cost of creating a website? It is now, more than ever, easy and affordable to create a website. As soon as your business is launched, a website is a must-have. But how much does it really cost to build a website? This totally depends on what kind of website you require. You pay for what you need, and that mantra applies when one talks about the cost associated with website creation. Conclusion These are some of the most common and recurring questions that are put forward to us. If you would like to know more about the business, get in touch with our website design Qatar firm and they will provide the right advice. Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Most controversies in the ESG arena concern the E, for environment. At center stage is ExxonMobils lawsuit against shareholder activists Arjuna Capital and Follow This for their campaign to force the company to change the nature of its ordinary business or to go out of business entirely." The S, for social, has gotten plenty of play too. Coca-Cola faced pressure in 2023, when activists tried to force the company to assess state policies on abortion restrictions that ostensibly affect its bottom line. But these campaigns are historical anomalies. The shareholder activists who bedeviled executives the most have long pressured companies to cut costs and boost productivity according to their idea of how the business should operate. Sometimes these activists injected new life into companies under sclerotic management. Sometimes they were simply gadflies. Either way, these people wanted to increase the value of their shares, not to pressure companies to take stands on extraneous issues or to destroy their investment. Yet the latter model is now becoming the norm, including in ESGs third initial: governance. The latest comes courtesy of the Strategic Organizing Center, a coalition of unions using a $16,000 investment in Starbucks to push three labor nominees onto the companys 11-member board. All three candidatesformer members of the Clinton and Obama administrationsare liberal stalwarts. One, Wilma Liebman, as chairman of the National Labor Relations Board in 2011 pushed for labor intrusion into boardrooms with control on management decisions such as company relocations. The coalition hopes that by placing activists on the board, it will pressure management into boosting union membership for employees who dont seem to want a union card. Employees have reportedly voted in favor of unionization at only some 400 of the more than 9,000 stores in the U.S. Though the unions have played a role, the real muscle behind the campaign is in Washington. President Bidens NLRB appointeesthe legal sword of our most pro-union president in American history"are using their sway to investigate and prosecute companies, from Amazon to SpaceX. Often they decide cases and complaints with in-house administrative judges, depriving defendants of critical due-process protections. The Securities and Exchange Commission, under Chairman Gary Gensler, is doing its part with new universal proxy rules" to force companies to list activist directors on a single proxy card alongside those recommended by management. This will confuse many investors, who will likely conflate dissidents with managements nominees, while giving the unions a free ride on mailing proxy cards. SEC disclosures show that the Strategic Organizing Center and the Service Employees International Union are ready to spend up to $3 million on the cost of proxy solicitation. With a Starbucks shareholder vote set for March 13, its time to ask: Who benefits if these activists are forced onto the Starbucks board? It wont be consumers, who will lose when bureaucracies like the NLRB and SEC inject themselves into the boardroom to tilt the playing field toward director nominees with activist agendas. It is hard to imagine customer-centric companies like Starbucks or Amazon improving by becoming union-centric. It wont be the card-carrying members of the SEIU, whose dues are going to unionize a company where they dont work. Starbucks employees likely wont benefit, either. The company says it has already increased hourly pay by 50% since fiscal 2020, while offering employees more working hours. It is also giving part- and full-time employees full tuition to earn online degrees from Arizona State University. Instead of voting with their feet, Starbucks employees stayed behind the counter, reducing staff turnover. This dynamic is why the ESG movement is increasingly perceived not merely as a social movement but as a cartel. In a 2022 letter to BlackRocks Larry Fink, 19 state attorneys general questioned the effect on fiduciary responsibility when big asset managers work in tandem with nongovernmental organizations and proxy advisers to restrict oil and gas production. The attorneys general asserted that ESG investors violate the Sherman Act, the nations foundational antitrust law, by engaging in a restraint of trade." This has manifested in the environmental arena, when asset managers have made huge investments in oil and gas while seeking to restrict the supply of oil and gas. In the coffee business, a partial union takeover of Starbucks likely will mean higher prices and worse service. No amount of sugar will make that go down any easier. Mr. Bork is president of the Antitrust Education Project. Singapore's competition watchdog said on Tuesday it has granted approval for the merger between Air India and Vistara, a joint venture between Indian conglomerate Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, subject to certain conditions. Singapore's flagship carrier had announced its plan to merge Vistara and Air India in November 2022, in a bid to create a dominant position as bigger full-service airline in domestic and international skies. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore has identified certain competition concerns in assessing the various transactions regarding the merger. The watchdog said the parties possess the majority of market shares among airlines operating direct flights on four routes of concern that is between Singapore and Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. The watchdog said the respective parties have submitted their proposals to avoid the competition issues which it finds sufficient to address the concerns. Singapore Airlines and Air India did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The lawyers who won a historic verdict against the National Association of Realtors and brokerage firms are turning to a new target as part of their antitrust litigation: Warren Buffett. On Monday they named a large subsidiary of Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway as a defendant in one of their lawsuits. In October, plaintiffs won a $1.8 billion verdict after alleging that NAR and two brokerages used a commission structure that kept fees for Missouri agents artificially high. A judge could triple that amount to more than $5 billion. One of those brokerages was HomeServices of America, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway owns 92% of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. The new filing, which is part of a national lawsuit against NAR and a handful of brokerages, wont directly affect the case that went to trial last year. But naming Berkshire Hathaway Energy as a new defendant in the national case could pressure HomeServices and Berkshire to reach a large nationwide settlement of that and other cases. What were trying to show is that this isnt an isolated event in some corporate office. This goes to the top of Berkshire Hathaway," said Michael Ketchmark, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. The new legal strategy underscores the challenges the plaintiffs are likely to face in collecting potentially billions of dollars in damage awards from NAR. By trying to tie Buffetts conglomerate to what they allege was a conspiracy to raise real-estate commissions, they are aiming to move beyond NARs more limited financial resources and tap Berkshires deep pockets. The three other brokerages originally named as defendants in the Missouri case have settled for some $210 million combined. Those relatively modest settlements reflect how much these companies could pay without being pushed into bankruptcy, plaintiff lawyers have said. NAR, the other remaining defendant, had total assets of roughly $1 billion at the end of 2022. Berkshire, on the other hand, held more than $160 billion in cash and equivalents at the end of 2023. HomeServices, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Berkshire didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Berkshire said in its 2023 annual report that HomeServices could face losses due to the October verdict that could be up to $5.4 billion, excluding attorneys fees and other potential costs. HomeServices intends to vigorously appeal on multiple grounds the jurys findings and damage award," the company said in the annual report. The appeals process and further actions could take several years." After winning the Missouri verdict, the same lawyers filed a similar lawsuit nationwide, one of more than 15 copycat lawsuits that have been filed since October against NAR, local Realtor associations and numerous real-estate brokerages. The revised filing on Monday was in the national lawsuit. Greg Abel, who oversees all of Berkshires noninsurance companies and is in line to eventually succeed Buffett as CEO, was formerly CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. In their complaint, plaintiffs argue that even as Abel has risen through the ranks at Berkshire, he has continued to be involved in the operations of HomeServices as chair of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Plaintiffs also say Buffett has endorsed using his companys name to promote its real-estate brokerage. We think the Berkshire Hathaway name will be good for HomeServices and HomeServices for Berkshire," Buffett is quoted as saying on a company website. Write to Laura Kusisto at Laura.Kusisto@wsj.com and Nicole Friedman at nicole.friedman@wsj.com New Delhi/Mumbai: Indias leading management institutes continue to grapple with gender diversity. Over the past five years, the gender ratio at premier institutes such as Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has hovered around 3070 female students for every 100 male students, a Mint analysis of past five years data showed. Female enrolment at three most-sought-after, older IIMsAhmedabad, Bangalore and Calcuttahas remained modest, with about 3050 female students for every 100 male students. Other top B-schools, too, did not show significant improvement in the past five years. Its not for want of trying. B-schools are implementing scholarship programmes, allotting additional marks to women candidates at the time of admission, and creating women leadership communities and mentorship programmes, among other things. But even among the leading B-schools, safety of the students in a city, need for more career paths are deciding factors that impact gender diversity on campus. Womens participation in the Common Admission Test (CAT), the entrance test for most B-schools, hovered around just 35-36% of total candidates who took the exam between 2019 and 2023. Mint analysed class profiles from batches 2017-19 to 2022-24 for two-year postgraduate programmes at some of the top B-schools. In the case of Indian School of Business (ISB), we considered its one-year management programme. View Full Image (Graphic: Mint) The analysis showed that IIM-Ahmedabad has persistently struggled with low gender diversity among students, reaching a low of 28 females for every 100 males in the 2020-22 batch. Similarly, IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Calcutta witnessed their lowest enrolment of female students in the 2018-20 batch, comprising only about 30% of the overall batch. One exception was IIM-Kozhikode, but only in one batch (2020-22), when the number of females outnumbered the men. Back in 2012, we had adopted a policy of greater gender and other forms of diversity in IIMK," said Debashis Chatterjee, director of IIM-Kozhikode. Prior to this, the average intake of women in flagship programmes at IIMs was 8-10%. The diversity targetsboth gender and academicwere achieved through introduction of consistency in academic performances, including class 10 and 12 results." Meanwhile, management colleges are taking steps to up their gender scores, to improve global rankings. Himanshu Rai, director of IIM-Indore, told Mint that there are additional points to female candidates applying for the two-year course, and also to those with non-engineering backgrounds. Interestingly, location of the B-school and student safety within the campus is a key parameter in choice of college for women candidates. Both IIM-Indore and IIM-Bangalore have highlighted how location of the city and its safety plays an important role. IIM Bangalore has student clubs like Women in Management; runs executive education programs like Tanmatra for women leaders; has pioneered women entrepreneurship programs; has a significant number of women faculty and women on the Board. B-schools are also pushing for more committees that are women-focused. The stress on diversity comes at a time when a large number of women have opted out of India Inc during the pandemic years and now are trying to bring them back. Ramabhadran Thirumalai, deputy dean, academic programmes at ISB said that the institute is offering scholarships to encourage more women candidates. There is also a push and pull relation between companies and colleges. In some cases, companies have requests for women candidates, and it adds to the pull factor," the dean said. A senior executive in one of the top B-schools said that some companies ask for more women candidates. The recruiters say they want to recruit only women this year and have specialised leadership programs for them," he said, requesting not to be named. The gender ratio in some of the top B-schools in developed economies is higher than that in Indian B-schools, but female enrolment has remained at 35-45% in the past two years. NEW DELHI : Following two years of robust growth, Indias solar capacity additions sharply declined by 44% in 2023, the lowest since 2016. What triggered this slowdown, and will this trend persist? Mint explores. How much solar power was added in 2023? In 2023, India added 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity, declining significantly from the previous years record of 13.4 GW. This marked the lowest levels since 2016, barring the pandemic-hit 2020. The drop was primarily in large solar power projects, with capacity additions declining by over 50% to 5.8 GW from 11.7 GW in 2022. However, rooftop solar power capacity, which is being aggressively promoted by the government, grew by 1.7 GW, in line with 2022 levels. Indias cumulative solar power capacity reached 72 GW at the end of 2023, with large-scale solar power projects contributing over 60 GW. What were the reasons for the decline? Solar power producers encountered several regulatory hurdles in recent years, including stricter grid connectivity rules and a Supreme Court directive of 2021. The apex court ruling mandated the relocation of overhead power cables to safeguard the Great Indian Bustard habitats across Rajasthan & Gujarat. Compliance became increasingly demanding following the amended grid code provisions, leading to delays in project execution. Challenges with land acquisition persisted. Several projects spilled over to 2024, with the central government granting extensions and waiving penalties for delays in project completion. How much capacity is likely to be added in 2024? The fall in solar capacity addition in 2023 seems to be a temporary blip. The pipeline for 2024 is robust at 105.3 GW, with additional 70.6 GW awaiting auction. Delayed large-scale projects, auctioned by SECI, NHPC, NTPC, and IREDA, which were given extensions from December 2022 to June 2023, will contribute significantly to capacity additions this year. How did Make in India impact the industry? Initially, Indias solar capacity depended on imported cells from China. Subsequently, the Centre imposed 40% and 25% customs duty on imported solar modules and cells, respectively, leading to significant decline in imports. Besides, India introduced the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers in 2021 as a non-tariff barrier. This enabled local manufacturers to participate in government bids, but to maintain the momentum of solar installations, the ALMM mandate was suspended till April 2024. Is solar in line with Indias energy targets? In 2023, Indias renewable energy capacity surpassed 180 GW, with solar capacity contributing a significant 40%. Initially, the Centre had set a renewables power target of 175 GW by 2022, with solar accounting for 100 GW, but due to the pandemic, the targets were missed. However large-scale solar projects achieved 60 GW a year later. Now, India seeks to achieve a renewable energy target of nearly 600 GW by 2032, with solar at 365 GW. To achieve it, 30 GW of fresh solar capacity must be added annually for next 8 years. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have been a smash hit, helping feed into a frenzy that has sent the cryptocurrencys price toward a record high. Investors have piled into the funds at a historic clip since their Jan. 11 launch, with total assets in the 10 U.S. spot bitcoin funds on the market swelling to nearly $50 billion. BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust eclipsed $10 billion in assets Thursday, the fastest a new ETF has ever reached that milestone. Fidelitys fund, now with more than $6 billion in assets, is already the asset managers third-largest ETF and has accounted for the bulk of its net ETF inflows this year. Its been a persistent wave of demand. These products came out of the gates strong and theyve remained strong," said Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi. The funds allow everyday investors to buy the digital asset through their brokerage accounts, without having to go to a crypto exchange or to funds that track bitcoins price through futures contracts. Some analysts predicted the funds big initial splash would be followed by a slowdown, but instead the pace of flows has accelerated in recent weeks as bitcoin prices approached record levels. Bitcoin traded above $67,000 Monday afternoon, just shy of its November 2021 record of $68,990.90. It ended 2023 near $40,000 and was hovering around $23,000 a year ago. Many analysts attributed bitcoins advance in the second half of last year to anticipation that the ETFs would be approved. Now, they say investors embrace of the funds is driving more bullishness, in addition to creating new demand. This is one of those rare instances where the price of the underlying asset is tied to the fund," Rosenbluth added. Its hard to quantify, but bitcoins performance is tied to the hope that there will be greater availability. Theres a circular benefit here." The BlackRock fund is already in rarefied air: Only about 4% of the more than 3,000 listed U.S. ETFs have more than $10 billion in assets, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Nine of the bitcoin funds were new to the market in January, while Grayscales Bitcoin Trust converted into an ETF with almost $30 billion of existing assets the day the others launched. Investors have since pulled more than $8 billion from that fund, which charges a substantially higher fee than its competitors. Grayscales 1.5% annual fee would generate about $400 million in annual revenue for the asset manager if the funds average assets remained around current levels. BlackRock is charging 0.25% after a promotional period ends, and most of the smaller asset managers are charging even less. To be sure, not all asset managers consider the products appropriate for individual investors based on bitcoins boom-and-bust history. Vanguard, for one, has said it has no plans to offer a bitcoin ETF and wont offer crypto-related products on its brokerage platform. The asset-management giant called bitcoin more of a speculation than an investment" in a recent blog post. Registered investment advisers, who are hugely influential in directing capital to ETFs, have limited access to the bitcoin funds for now. The wealth-management platforms at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, UBS and Wells Fargo offer the funds on an unsolicited basisadvisers cant actively pitch them to clients but can buy them for a client who asks. If that changes, analysts expect more inflows. Adviser platforms have stayed out of the asset class because they didnt have an SEC regulated product," said Aniket Ullal, head of ETF data and analytics at CFRA Research. Now that could change, and we would expect increased demand." Some of the new bitcoin funds are going head-to-head with industry heavyweights from other asset classes when it comes to taking in new money. BlackRocks bitcoin fund brought in the third most money of any U.S. exchange-traded fund in February, narrowly edging out its largest S&P 500 ETF for flows. Fidelitys bitcoin fund was No. 8. (Februarys most popular funds were Vanguards S&P 500 fund and its information-technology fund.) For now, there is a dearth of data on who is actually buying the funds. Wall Street will know more after big investors report their fund holdings in quarterly disclosures. Trading activity, however, has accelerated lately. About $8 billion of shares changed hands Wednesday, the biggest day yet, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. The speed at which investors have adopted these has been a surprise. Its a very unusual situation," said Ullal, who said it normally takes much longer for ETFs to gather assets as they wait for different adviser platforms to list them. Vicky Ge Huang contributed to this article. Write to Jack Pitcher at jack.pitcher@wsj.com It is, by now, a familiar story. A metal previously only traded in a sleepy corner of commodity markets becomes vital for the energy transition. Constrained supply and geopolitical jockeying meet forecasts for ever-rising demand. Prices surge as investors foresee a crunch. The only wrinkle in the story is that this time the metal is not used in electric vehicles or solar panels; it is used in the decades-old technology of nuclear reactors. Uranium prices are blowing up. Hoarding uranium oxidewhich, once processed and enriched, is the main fuel for nuclear bombs and reactorsmight seem like a strategy more suitable for supervillains than investors. But speculators now have a number of ways to gain exposure. Stockmarket darlings include Yellow Cake, a firm that buys and stores the stuff, whose share price is up by 160% over the past five years, and Sprott Physical Uranium Trust, a fund that does the same and has enjoyed returns of 119% since its launch in 2021. Hedge funds have got in on the action, too, reportedly stockpiling the metal and buying options on uranium from banks. According to UXC, a consultancy, prices on the spot market have more than tripled from $30 a pound in January 2021 to a recent peak of over $100, the highest in 16 years. An initial rise was spurred by speculation that Western governments would impose sanctions on Rosatom, a Russian firm. A coup in Niger in July prompted another rise. Then in September Kazatomprom, the worlds biggest supplier, warned that a shortage of sulphuric acid would reduce production. At the same time, Western countries are trying to build their own supply chains, since Rosatom currently has more than half the worlds enrichment capacity. In December America, Britain, France and Japan together committed $4.2bn to build facilities to separate uranium-235 isotopes, the only naturally occurring material that can undergo fission, from the more common uranium-238. The world needs reliable low-carbon electricity and nuclear power is one of the few options available. Governments have announced plans to expand capacity: Sweden has pledged another two reactors by 2035 and the equivalent of ten more by 2045; last year Japan restarted three that had been mothballed; America recently connected its first new reactor in eight years. All of this is small-bore compared with China, which plans to build another 150 reactors over the next decade. Little wonder that investors are pouring in. Yet there are reasons for caution, which start with the supply crunch. Although Nigers coup was dramatic, the country is only the seventh-largest uranium supplier and it is not clear that there will be a permanent reduction in output. Moreover, many governments have stockpiles, often acquired for defence purposes, which can be released for civilian use. Investors can only guess how much policymakers will be willing to let out. And energy firms have stockpiles of their own, which are often sufficient to keep them going for a few years. Then consider demand. Nuclears history is one of false starts: it has never delivered the too-cheap-to-meter power once promised. During oil shocks in the 1970s uranium prices rose more than sixfold, reaching a peak of $44 in 1979, equivalent to $198 today. Owing to subsequent falls in oil prices, uranium prices had halved by 1981. Later, in the 2000s, a bubble grew. Prices jumped from $10 in 2003 to $136 in 2007 as investors forecast a nuclear renaissance thanks to peak oil", a supply crunch and dwindling Russian stockpiles. Things went wrong during the global financial crisis of 2007-09; Japans Fukushima accident in 2011 appeared to be the final nail in the coffin. For a happy ending this time, nuclear power must finally come good. Demandfrom energy firms, not just speculatorsmust rise, which will require someone to pay nuclears colossal upfront costs or make the power source cheaper. Both are plausible: net-zero targets might mean governments are willing to spend big; a number of startups are working on small modular reactors, which would lower construction costs if successful. China, which has the most ambitious plans to build capacity, has so far managed to contain costs. But return to the example of other metals. When prices surge, more supply is almost always found and customers discover cheaper alternatives. That is what happened with cobalt, lithium and nickel. High prices are the solution to high prices, goes the saying in commodity markets. How confident can investors really be that uranium is different? 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com After breaching $68,800 i.e., hovering its all-time high, bitcoin pared some of the gains on Tuesday in the international crypto markets to trade around $66,700. According to data shared by Crebaco, a cryptocurrency research firm, trades on Indian exchanges CoinDCX, WazirX and BitBNS hit $2.6 million, $3.4 million and $7.8 million, respectively, in February clocking their highest ever volumes since June 2023. ALSO READ: Bitcoin surges to $66,000, market cap crosses $2.5 trillion Bitcoin had reached its all-time high of $68,990 in November 2021. There are still some experts who continue to believe that cryptocurrency is not a safe investment and one should stay away from it as a credible investment option. Amidst the recent Bitcoin price surge sparked by the introduction of the Bitcoin ETF, investors are advised to remain cautious. Regulatory uncertainties in over 190 countries, exemplified by Nigeria's recent crackdown on cryptocurrency transactions, pose significant challenges for investors," says Gaurav Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, Catax- Simple Crypto Taxes. While developments like the approval of the Bitcoin ETF in the US may grab headlines, the practical realities of navigating regulatory landscapes vary widely from country to country. Indian investors, therefore, are urged to prioritise local regulations and the government stance has been indirect but clear," he adds. Here we share some key reasons for which one should stay away from it: 1. Lack of regulations: In India, cryptocurrencies are yet not regulated. As capital markets regulator Sebi regulates investments in stocks and derivatives, banking transactions are regulated by the RBI; crypto transactions do not have any regulator as yet. 2. Volatility: Price rise is a function of volatility. When bitcoin can spike because of it, it can conversely pare gains at the same time at the same pace. Bitcoin has moved from $68,000 to $28,000 to return to $68,000 between Nov 2021 to March 2024. In 2023 alone, bitcoin jumped by a whopping 160 percent. Deribit DVOL index, a measure of expected price volatility of bitcoins over the next 30 days, has surged to 76%, highest since Nov 2022, CoinDesk reported. 3. Critical views: Time and again, Indias banking regulator Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been overly critical of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoins. In a press release, RBI had even stated that any user, investors, trader, etc dealing with virtual currencies will be doing so at their own risk. 4. Intrinsic value: One argument that often goes against cryptocurrencies is that they have no intrinsic or tangible value. ALSO READ: Crypto trading reaches 10-month high in India: Report Think of any store of value they are either currencies, or financial assets or commodities which are tangible and have intrinsic value (works of art like paintings also have historical, aesthetic and scarcity value). We have seen that cryptocurrencies are none of these. Notwithstanding their current valuations, if a threshold number of people decide to opt out, the entire values can easily collapse to nothing," the statement by T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India on Feb 14, 2022, reads. P Vasudevan, executive director at RBI also echoes similar sentiments. Cryptocurrencies cannot be called currencies as they don't have any underlying value," he said during a panel discussion last month. 5. Greater fool theory: Warren Buffett, known as a legend of investing, too, have strong views on bitcoins. The Oracle of Omaha once remarked that if all the bitcoins in the world are made available for $25, he will still not buy them. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once called NFTs and cryptos to be 100 percent based on the greater fool theory. 6. Frauds galore in past: Remember Sam Bankman-Frieds FTX crypto exchange in the US? The exchange went bankrupt, and Bankman poster boy of cryptocurrrencies in America was convicted of seven counts of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Sam was ironically included in the 2021 list of Forbes 30 under 30. A similar fraud was reported from Canada where one of the largest crypto exchanges Quardriga went bankrupt and crypto assets worth $119 million of 1,15,000 customers went missing. 7. High taxes minus legitimacy: In 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharmaan introduced 30 percent capital gains tax and 1 percent TDS on crypto transactions but this did not construe as a green signal to crypto transactions. Ms Sitharaman has often stated that any set of regulations in virtual digital currencies would require global consensus. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NEW DELHI : Kerala-based auto dealership network Popular Vehicles is gearing up to become the second listed automotive dealer in India, following Landmark Cars 552 crore public share issue in December 2022. Popular Vehicles initial public offering, featuring an offer for sale by private equity firm BanyanTree Capital and a fresh issue of 250 crore, is set to open for subscription this month. BanyanTree holds a 34% stake in the company. The remaining shareholding is evenly split among the company's three promoters. Popular Vehicles, having relaunched its IPO and enlisted new bankers, including Nuvama and ICICI Securities, is seeking to attract investor interest that was lacking in its previous attempt. Landmark Cars has demonstrated an impressive return of 65% since its listing in December 2022. In its red herring prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Popular Vehicles said it would use the proceeds from its IPO to repay debts incurred by various group entities as well as for general corporate purposes. The company operates passenger vehicle dealerships for Maruti Suzuki Ltd, Honda Cars, and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), as well as commercial vehicle stores for Tata Motors Ltd and Bharat Benz. Additionally, it houses showrooms for three-wheeler maker Piaggio and e-two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy. Although Popular Vehicles boasts a diversified dealership chain across segments, about 65% of its total sales emanate from its Maruti Suzuki dealerships. A consolidation of dealer networks is anticipated in the coming years as carmakers have started preferring working with limited dealers," said Gaurav Vangaal, associate director at S&P Global Mobility. This approach also reinforces trust and brand equity among car buyers. However, in the premium sector, the issue remains with the stagnation of the overall volume of luxury brands, which is not rising above 1%," Vangaal said. Nevertheless, the rise in average selling prices for luxury carmakers continues, which supports the overall business aspect of the dealers." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Suzlon Energy Ltd witnessed a continued decline in its share price for the fourth consecutive day. The stock experienced a 5 percent drop, reaching its lower price band of 40.53, on Tuesday's trading session. This decline was propelled by reports indicating that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is considering reintroducing "reverse auctions" for the auctioning of wind power capacity to energy firms. According to reports, the ministry has issued a directive to companies such as NTPC, NHPC, SJVN, and other Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) through a formal letter. The directive cites reasons including undersubscription and elevated tariff discovery observed in recent wind bids. In the last five trading sessions, Suzlon Energy stock declined over 7.39 percent and in last one month, it slumped around 15 percent. Despite this recent downturn, it's worth noting that the stock has surged impressively over the year, boasting a remarkable rally of over 370%. The BSE and NSE have implemented the long-term Additional Surveillance Measure (ASM) framework for Suzlon's securities. Such measures are applied by exchanges like BSE and NSE to alert investors to significant volatility in share prices, whether on a short-term or long-term basis. NTPC, NHPC, and SJVN serve as Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies for developers such as Suzlon and Inox Wind, in addition to collaborating with state agencies. Analysts in the financial sector are expressing concerns regarding the recent directives from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), suggesting that they pose a negative outlook for both equipment suppliers and developers in the renewable energy sector. They argue that the anticipated decrease in tariffs could potentially diminish returns for prominent developers such as ReNew and NTPC. Additionally, they warn of potential margin pressure for equipment suppliers due to these regulatory changes. Other energy stocks like Inox Wind was also trading 5 percent lower on March 5 to 525. SUZLON ENERGY More Information Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! What would happen if lawmakers reinvented the criminal-justice system to target systemic racism" instead of crime? California is about to find out. Thanks to a 2020 law called the California Racial Justice Act, every felon serving time in the states prisons and jails can now retroactively challenge his conviction and sentencing on the ground of systemic bias. To prevail, the incarcerated prisoner need not show that the police officers, prosecutors, judge or jurors in his case were motivated by racism or that his proceedings were unfair. If he can demonstrate that in the past, criminal suspects of his race were arrested, prosecuted or sentenced more often or more severely than members of other racial groups, he will be entitled to a new trial or sentence. The Racial Justice Act repudiates a key U.S. Supreme Court precedent governing allegations of criminal-justice bias. McCleskey v. Kemp (1987) held that to defeat prosecution or sentencing under federal equal-protection grounds, a defendant must show that decision makers acted with discriminatory purpose; statistical disparities arent enough. The Racial Justice Act establishes a new state cause of action that simply presumes that the justice system is biased, obviating the need to show individual discriminatory intent. Californias criminal-defense bar is lining up an onslaught of litigation. The 2020 law initially applied only to new prosecutions, and even before the onset of retroactivity at the start of 2024, defense lawyers were demanding that district attorneys provide decades worth of records, no matter how tangential to their case, to create statistical claims of bias. That discovery burden is onerous, but its the least of the acts problems. The statute abandons the rule of comparing like to like. If a defense expert seeks to show that defendants from one racial group were sentenced more harshly in the past than defendants of other races, he can ignore criminal history in composing the comparison groups. He can ignore the heinousness of the crimes committed by the two groups. As long as they were charged under a similar statute, they will be deemed sufficiently comparable to build a case for prosecutorial racism. The Racial Justice Acts drafters and supporters justify the exclusion of criminal history from statistical analysis via circular reasoning: They claim criminal history is infected by the same bias that infects everything else in the criminal-justice system. The act establishes an infinite regress of bias. If a prosecutor tries to offer what the law calls race neutral reasons" for either past prosecutions or the one under challenge, those reasons can themselves be discounted as the product of systemic and institutional racial bias, racial profiling, and historical patterns of racially biased policing and prosecution." There is no clear way out of the presumption of racial guilt. Court testimony now sounds like a critical race studies course. When a felon in San Francisco contested his arrest and prosecution for having a loaded handgun in his car, a race expert" testified that the arresting officers use of the phrase high crime area" demonstrated bias against people of color." The trial judge disagreed, but an appeals court reversed and allowed the felons claim to proceed. (Speaking of bias, that same expert, Dante King, asserted at the University of California, San Francisco, on Feb. 8 that whites are psychopaths" whose behavior represents an underlying, biologically transmitted proclivity.") On Feb. 14, a state appellate court in San Diego held that a police officer can be guilty of implicit bias against black drivers even if he doesnt know the race of the driver he stops. Not surprisingly, defense attorneys are now tacking on Racial Justice Act claims to almost any case involving minority defendants. The defense bar, academia and activist groups know how powerful a tool the California Legislature has handed them. Advocates are tutoring prisoners to file new claims under the law. A lawyer from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California recently told a conference at Berkeley Law School: We have the potential for something grand: to unravel an unjust system. We are celebrating the dawn of a new era." The acts author, Assemblyman Ash Kalra, predicted that other states would follow Californias lead and that variants would be enacted in such domains as healthcare and family court. The possibilities are endless, because racism is so pervasive," Mr. Kalra told the conference. A case from Contra Costa County last year shows the snowballing potential of the Racial Justice Act. A judge found that four black gang members who had committed murder as part of a bloody feud between two Oakland gangs had been improperly sentenced to life in prison without parole. That conclusion wasnt based on flaws in the four defendants trials, but simply on an alleged historical pattern of sentencing bias toward black gang murderers. The black comparison group in the case was made up of 30 black defendants who had also committed gang murder in Contra Costa County from 2015 to 2022 and who had also received life without parole. All 30 can now sue to erase those sentences. By mandating disparate treatment based on race, the Racial Justice Act will produce unequal justice for victims as well as offenders. Racial disparities in prosecuting and sentencing reflect disparities in criminal offending. In Los Angeles, blacks are 21 times as likely as whites to commit a violent crime, 36 times as likely to commit a robbery, and 57 times as likely to commit a homicide, according to police department data. Those data come from reports filed by victims and witnesses, who are themselves disproportionately black. Blacks in Los Angeles are 17 times as likely to be homicide victims as whites; statewide, the disparity is 13 times. Many of the largest California counties have leftist district attorneys who cheer the new law. Some are setting up Racial Justice Act units; it is unclear which side those units are on. Alameda Countys Pamela Price has already banned almost all sentencing enhancements on grounds of disparate racial impact. Oakland, the countys principal city, had a 21% increase in violent crime last year, a 45% increase in car theft, and a 23% increase in carjackings and burglaries. The incidence of some crimes has tripled since 2019. As California courts apply the Racial Justice Act, the rest of the state will look more and more like Oakland. Ms. Mac Donald is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of When Race Trumps Merit." (Bloomberg) -- Chinese investment cant be the solution for cash-strapped Canadian miners seeking financial backing, according to Canadas natural resources minister. We need to be working to solve access to capital issues, but the answer cannot be investment from Chinese state-owned industries," Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said Tuesday in an interview. Chinese firms have been pursuing investments in Canadian junior mining companies in recent months, suggesting that tougher federal government rules imposed in 2022 havent dissuaded China from delving deeper into the countrys mining sector. Canada and its allies have been discouraging efforts by China to deepen ties in domestic critical minerals companies to counter the Asian nations industry dominance. Read More: Chinas Ties to Canada Miners Face Chill in Key Metals Crackdown Transactions like Zijin Mining Group Co.s plans to take a 15% stake in Vancouver-based copper company Solaris Resources Inc., announced in January, are testing Canadas national security rules. Chinas Yintai Gold, meanwhile, reached an agreement last month with Osino Resources Corp. to buy the Canadian gold explorer for C$368 million ($271 million). Canadas crackdown may not have totally dissuaded the Chinese, but they will all have to go through a national security review," Wilkinson said. Junior graphite explorer SRG Mining Inc. backtracked on plans to secure C$17 million from a Chinese firm for a 19.4% stake in the Montreal-based company on Tuesday, a day after drawing criticism from Canadas industry minister. Some miners have argued that the Canadian rules constrict access to capital when small mining firms are struggling to raise money. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Hamas negotiators, who are in Egypt's Cairo for ceasefire talks, had to extend the negotiations for another day as the first two days ended in a stalemate just as the Ramadan approaches. The 40-day ceasefire involve halting the Israel-Gaza war, freeing Israeli hostages and staving off famine in the Gaza Strip. The Cairo talks have been billed as a final hurdle to reach a 40-day ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel in time for the Ramadan Muslim fasting month, due to begin at the start of next week. During the ceasefire, some Israeli hostages who were abducted during the October 7 attack by the Hamas militants will be exchanged and aid to Gaza will be ramped up. A Hamas official said, The delegation will remain in Cairo on Tuesday for more talks, they are expected to wrap up this round later today." "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," Bassem Naim was quoted as saying by Reuters. However, an Israeli official has said that the country was making all efforts and awaiting a response from the Hamas group. Meanwhile, the United States has asked the Hamas group to immediately" accept the ceasefire. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, We have an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian assistance getting to Palestinians who so desperately need it, and then also set the conditions for an enduring resolution," Anthony Blinken said. On Tuesday, one Indian national died and two others were injured when an anti-tank missile from Lebanon hit a plantation in Margaliot on the Israeli border area. The Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory on Tuesday, urging its nationals to move to safer areas in the country, In a post on X, the Indian embassy 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." (With Reuters inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NEW DELHI : Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday pitched for South Korea to participate in India-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Jaishankar is in South Korea for a two-day visit, during which he will chair a joint commission meeting with his Korean counterpart. If I were to give some examples for (Republic of Korea) as an important trading country, maritime security is a very, very vital concern. We in India host a Fusion Centre which is built as a result of a number of White Shipping agreements with different partners where you actually have a common operative picture across the entire Indian ocean," Jaishankar said addressing a gathering at the Korean National Diplomatic Academy. Similarly, RoKs participation in initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, which looks at a range of oceanic issues from ecology and environment to transport and science technology, would, I think, be a very valuable addition," he said. Indias top diplomat was referring to the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which is hosted by the Indian Navy and headquartered in Gurugram. It has 25 partner countries, including the US, Japan, Australia, and Bangladesh. Jaishankar also suggested cooperation through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, both of which are led by India. He also called for greater cooperation on supply chain security and for expediting the review of the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in 2009. India has raised concerns about its unbalanced trade with Korea, which tilts heavily towards Seoul. During his visit, Jaishankar met with Koreas Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo, trade minister Ahn Dukgeun, and director of national security Chang Ho-jin. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The government introduced the Chakshu portal as part of the Sanchar Sathi initiative on Monday, allowing users to report suspicious activities such as fraudulent calls, messages regarding lottery or job offers, and potential leaks of phone numbers by businesses. The Union Minister of IT and Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that through digital interventions to combat fraud and crime, the Department of Telecom Services has successfully prevented citizens from losing approximately 1000 crore over the past nine months. Also Read: Pune man loses 2.1 crore to online fraud: How to keep yourself safe from cyber criminals? Moreover, 1008 crore has been frozen in bank accounts associated with fraudulent transactions. What is Chaksu? "Chakshu is about reporting something which people suspect is fraud," Vaishnaw said. In response to inquiries regarding mobile numbers leaked by businesses, the minister explained that subscribers can use the Chakshu portal to report instances of such leaks, and appropriate measures will be taken against those responsible. He noted that in the past nine months, 1 crore mobile numbers associated with malicious activities have been disconnected. What is DIP? The Department of Telecom has also introduced the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), aimed at facilitating the coordination and exchange of information between law enforcement agencies, banks, and other financial institutions to address instances of fraud effectively. 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. The minister added that there will be an investigation carried out on the reported number and action will be taken thereafter. Also Read: Online payment fraud: Beware of these five most common scams in India that everyone should know to protect their money Vaishnaw said that the ministry is working with financial institutions including RBI to recover money, and prevent and freeze accounts in which money has been transferred fraudulently, adding, 17 lakh mobile numbers have been blocked in the last nine months that were used only once, especially for fraudulent activities." As reported by PTI, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan appreciated the efforts of DoT which he said, has 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. Also Read: Have you been a victim of a cyber threat? Explore these five roles of cyber insurance in a hyperconnected world Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal noted that the two new portals are yet another step for dealing with cyber security threats to every citizen's digital assets. He said the new tools will help curb any kind of fraudulent means and misuse of the communications system. (With inputs from PTI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bengaluru news: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar explained plans for the state government to take control of private water tankers in Bengaluru due to the critical water shortage. As reported by ANI, Shivakumar said, We have identified that 50% of the borewells have dried up. There is a big problem." He highlighted that out of approximately 14,700 borewells in Bengaluru, 6,997 have dried up, while around 7,784 are still operational. Water doesnt belong to any individual, its for everyone. We are creating a war room. All the officials will try and come up with a solution. We will also fix a common price for water tankers. 556 crores have been allocated for water supply," Shivakumar added. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Vrishabhavati Lift Irrigation Project in the Nelamangala Assembly Constituency and stated that the project would permanently solve the water problems faced by the people of Bengaluru City, the surrounding rural areas, and the Tumkur districts. Also Read: Cauvery river water row: Govt will not try to curtail protests, Bengaluru bandh, says Siddaramaiah We have spent 3000 crore rupees on KC Valley and MN Valley and now we are spending 2240 crore on the Vrishabhavati project. Due to this, the water problem faced by the people of Bengaluru City, rural areas and Tumkur districts will be permanently solved," CM claimed. Karnataka CM highlighted that this project aimed at replenishing 70 lakes with water in the initial phase, to elevate groundwater levels across four districts. Earlier on Saturday, Shivakumar informed that the private water tankers in Bengaluru would be taken over by the State government given the severe water shortage. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence here, he said, There is a massive water shortage of water in Bengaluru. The officials of the BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) and BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) are holding meetings daily to overcome the issue." Also Read: Cauvery water dispute straining Karnataka-Tamil Nadu ties explained Shivakumar had earlier said that the state government has instructed all the water tankers in Bengaluru to register before March 7 as water suppliers are fleecing customers. We have called for a meeting on Monday noon to discuss tackling the drinking water issue in Bengaluru. A grant of 10 crore has been given to each Assembly constituency to address drinking water issues," he added. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bengaluru , the Silicon City of India, is facing a serious water crisis. There has not been enough rain in the region which has caused the water level in the Cauvery River to drop. This shortage has not only impacted irrigation but also created a drinking water crisis in some areas of the capital city of Karnataka. Meanwhile, a housing society in Bengaluru's Whitefield area has decided to impose a fine of 5,000 on residents over the misuse of drinking water and has deployed a security guard to monitor the situation amid the severe water crisis in the city, India Today reported on Tuesday. The report said The Palm Meadows" housing society located in Whitefield has issued a notice to its residents, stating that the society has not received water from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) for the past four days and is managing the situation with borewells, risking the depletion of groundwater very soon. It is important to note that Whitefield is one of the worst-affected areas in the city due to the ongoing water crisis. The other severely-hit areas include Yelahanka and Kanakpura. "We have been managing with our borewells and run the risk of depletion of groundwater very soon," India Today quoted the AOA of the society as saying. Society to cut 20% water consumption To deal with the water crisis, the Apartment Owners Association (AOA) said it has decided to reduce water consumption by 20% for each of its units. "If the resident does not cut back water consumption by 20% (and meet the target), there will be an additional charge of 5,000," the notice said, adding that the reduction could increase as per the supply and is expected to go up by 40% in the peak summer months. Further, the AOA has also warned of higher penalties for repeated violations, adding that a separate security person will be hired to intensify patrolling. Other housing societies Several other housing societies in Bengaluru too have advised its residents to be careful with their daily water usage. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar held a crucial meeting to address the shortage of drinking water in Bengaluru, reported ANI Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that he is 'seriously looking' into the matter. "I am very seriously looking at it. I had a meeting with all the officials. We are identifying the points where water is available... More than 3000 borewells have dried up in Bengaluru..." he said. He warned the water tanker owners in the state that the government would seize their tankers if they do not register with the authorities before the deadline of March 7. With the summer expected to be more severe this year, some 7,082 villages across Karnataka and 1,193 wards, including in Bengaluru Urban district, are vulnerable to drinking water crisis in the coming months as per an assessment made by the government as of February 10. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! An Indian national from Kerala was killed and another two were injured on Monday after an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot. All three victims hail from Kerala. Speaking to PTI, Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA) said 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. The deceased has been identified as Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala, said official sources adding that his mortal remains were recognized in Ziv hospital. The injured identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin were injured who were taken to hospitals for treatment. "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," the 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. 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. On Monday, the Israel Defence Forces said they responded by shelling the launch site with artillery. It also 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, the Israeli military said. 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. (With PTI inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Indias first-ever underwater metro tunnel built in Kolkata on March 6, 2024. The metro tunnel built under the Hooghly River is part of the Kolkata Metro's East-West corridor and connects Howrah Maidan to Esplanade In a historic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Indias first-ever underwater metro tunnel built in Kolkata on March 6, 2024. The metro tunnel built under the Hooghly River is part of the Kolkata Metro's East-West corridorspanning a distance of 16.6 kilometresand connects Howrah Maidan to Esplanade. As per the General Manager of Kolkata Metro Railway, the section is expected to see a daily ridership of 7 lakh commuters and they will be travelling 16 meters below the level of river water. Visuals of the first-ever underwater metro train service in India Kolkata Metro's Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section is touted to be not only the first tunnel "under any mighty river in India", but also the distinction of being the deepest in the country. This 4.8-km section, extending beneath the River Hooghly, will seamlessly connect Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, forming an integral part of the East-West Metro corridor. The underwater metro features six stations, three of which are situated underground. Kolkata Underwater Metro: An Engineering Marvel On the underwater metro tunnel section between Howrah Maidan-Esplanade, Uday Kumar Reddy, General Manager, Kolkata Metro Railway, said, ...We travelling about 16 metres below the level of the river water..It is a marvel. We are expecting a daily ridership of 7 lakh." Anil Kumar Khandelwal, Member-Infrastructure, Railway Board said, "This is viksit Bharat ka viksit infrastructure...There are all safety features in this metro rail tunnel." The underground Metro is expected to cover a 520-metre stretch under the river Hooghly in just 45 seconds. Currently, the East-West Metro corridor spans 16.6 km, with 10.8 km situated underground, including the Hooghly River tunnel. The remaining portion above ground is a testament to the integration of modern transportation with the city's existing landscape. The Majerhat Metro Station is a uniquely elevated metro station which will also include a canal. Also Read | Himachal Pradesh: Six rebel Congress MLAs move SC against speaker's action Along with being the deepest metro station in India, the East-West Metro station at Howrah is set to be India's largest, a Times of India report said. The report said the metro station building is equal to a 10- storey building as it could not have been any other way. To align with the 40-meter deep under-river tunnels, the station had to be excavated to a depth of 30.5 meters. The Esplanade-Sealdah stretch of the East-West alignment is awaiting completion. The Salt Lake Sector V to Sealdah stretch of the East-West Metro corridor is commercially operational at present. The metro works on Automatic Train Operation (ATO) system. In the ATO mode, a Metro train moves from one station to the next station automatically after a long press of 'ATO departure' push button by the motorman. "This is a gift from our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Kolkata. A long-cherished dream is going to be realised with this inauguration," India Today TV quoted Kausik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer of Kolkata Metro Railway as saying. Kolkata Metro is targeting June-July to start commercial operation in the entire route of East-West alignment between Salt Lake Sector V and Howrah Maidan. Kolkata Metro created history in April 2023, when its rake ran through a tunnel under a river, the Hooghly, for the first time in the country. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! On Tuesday, Indias external affairs minister S Jaishankar will leave for a four-day visit to South Korea and Japan, where he is expected to discuss cooperation on advanced technologies, especially semiconductors, besides a host of other issues. Mint breaks down his agenda. What's on the cards? Jaishankar will first travel to Seoul, where he is expected to chair the 10th India-Korea Joint Commission Meeting with the new South Korean foreign minister Cho Tae-yul. At previous meetings, the two countries have focused on supply-chain security and collaborating on advanced technologies. Last August, Indias deputy national security adviser Vikram Misri visited South Korea to discuss critical and emerging technologies. New Delhi and Seoul have also set up a trilateral dialogue with the US on critical tech, led by the National Security Councils of the three countries. Jaishankar will then travel on to Japan on Wednesday, where he will meet foreign minister Yoko Komikawa. According to Indias foreign ministry, the two will discuss defence, digital technologies, semiconductors, clean energy and high-speed rail, among other things. What are the other issues on the agenda? Discussions on Indo-Pacific issues and China are also expected during the visit. While Japan is a member of the Quad and has spoken about its concerns regarding China, South Korea has been more reticent. Seoul has attempted a more balanced policy as it tries to find a path between China and the United States. Trade and investment will also be a likely topic of conversation with both Tokyo and Seoul. While Japan has announced targets for large investments into India, Seouls investment in India remains relatively muted. What are the issues in bilateral ties? Experts have said that Seoul and New Delhi have often found it hard to prioritise the other. Indias focus in East Asia has typically been on China and Japan, while South Koreas recent efforts to diversify its foreign partners, such as through the New Southern Policy, have focussed on Southeast Asian countries rather than India. India has also raised concerns that its 2009 free trade agreement with South Korea is unbalanced in Seouls favour. Meanwhile, New Delhi and Tokyo have seen fairly anaemic growth in bilateral trade. What are the key strategic issues? India and South Korea have had some success on defence. India has bought K9 Vajra howitzers, made by Koreas Hanwha, for its army. A senior executive from Hanwha told Indian media that submarines and space-technology cooperation could be a key focus. Defence ministers from both countries have travelled to the other and bureaucracies have remained in touch. Although both sides raised their strategic dialogue to the level of a 2+2 Ministerial meeting in 2019, no such meeting has taken place. India and Japan have also committed to working together on robotics, underwater platforms and drones. According to the latest forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), residents of Mumbai can expect relatively stable weather conditions in the coming days, characterized by cold winds and a drop in temperatures. The city is experiencing partly cloudy skies, with maximum temperatures reaching approximately 30C and minimum temperatures hovering around 20C. Over the next 48 hours, there is expected to be a transition to mainly clear skies, with temperatures ranging between 31C and 19C. Also Read: Heavy rain, snowfall kill 39, injure over 30 in Afghanistan As reported by Free Press Journal citing Sunil Kamble, the head of IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre, highlighted heavy rainfall predictions for two districts in Vidarbha, with no thunderstorms expected for the next five days from Monday onwards. He said that even if rainfall occurs, it is anticipated to be light and devoid of any accompanying thunderstorm activity. Moreover, IMD scientists predict that maximum temperatures will remain steady over the next two to three days before gradually increasing again, while minimum temperatures are expected to decrease over the next two days. Also Read: Pakistan rains: At least 36 killed as heavy winter rains collapse buildings, trigger landslides In other parts of Maharashtra, isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning were observed in Akola, Amravati, Gondia, and Nagpur. Residents in these areas are advised to take precautions and stay indoors during such weather conditions. In the upcoming 24 hours, Mumbai can expect partly cloudy skies with maximum and minimum temperatures of 30C and 20C respectively. Over the following 48 hours, clear skies are forecasted with maximum and minimum temperatures of 31C and 19C respectively. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 5 paid tribute to former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary, and said his visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. Modi is scheduled to visit Odishas Chandikhole in Jajpur district later in the day to unveil development projects worth over 19,600 crore. I pay homage to the legendary Biju Patnaik Ji on his birth anniversary. His visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. His contributions to our nation and his unwavering commitment to development are exemplary," the prime minister said in a post on X. Today, on this special day, I look forward to being among the people of Odisha to inaugurate various projects in Chandikhole. I will also address a @BJP4Odisha public meeting," he added. Modi is slated to address a rally of the BJP in Jajpur, considered a stronghold of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to unveil development projects worth over 19,600 crore in Odisha on Tuesday during his visit to the state. March 5 also happens to be the birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, after whom the ruling BJD is named. The projects are from sectors including oil and gas, railways, roads, transport and highways and atomic energy. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ashish Kumar Singh, while speaking to ANI said that the security forces have been placed properly in the view of PM's visit. "An adequate arrangement has been made in view of PM Modi's visit. Over 3000 police forces under the command of senior officers have been deployed. On the basis of programmes, the teams have been divided," Singh said. PM Modi will inaugurate the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd's mono ethylene glycol project in Paradip refinery which will further help in reducing India's 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 prime minister 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. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is likely to announce 10-point poll promise for the youth and unemployed people of the country in a rally in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday, news agency ANI reported citing sources. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also join the rally at Badnawar District of Madhya Pradeshthe last day of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the state. Earlier today, the senior Congress leader alleged that social injustice prevailed in every institution in the country, and claimed that members from backward, Dalit, ST and minority communities together forming 90% population do not hold any key positions. He was addressing a meeting in Shajapur city of Madhya Pradesh during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra that entered Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. "How much is the population of people from backward classes in this country? It's 50 per cent, then Dalits are 15 per cent, Scheduled Tribes (ST) eight per cent and minority 15 per cent, which comes to about 90 per cent. Now if you take out the list of top industrialists and management of top companies, you will not find a single person belonging to this 90 per cent category," PTI quoted Gandhi as saying. "Similar is the situation in the media. You will not find a single big journalist belonging to backward, Dalit or ST categories. It's the same with TV anchors as well as media owners," he said. "Likewise, if you look at bureaucracy, 90 IAS officers at the Centre allocate the entire country's budget. In Madhya Pradesh also, 60-70 IAS officers allocate the state's budget. If you look at the list, you will not find a single person belonging to the 90 per cent category. Even if someone is there, then he must be looking after some minor ministry with a small budget," the former Congress president said. The senior Congress leader today offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain alongside fellow party leader Kamal Nath. BJP workers also offered potatoes to him in a mocking gesture while he blew a kiss in response. Sometimes it happens during the yatra, like it happened today. Three-four people from BJP were standing with flags. They were shouting. I got down from the vehicle and shook hands and asked how are you brother? And they stopped shouting and started smiling and then when I was leaving, they were doing like this (making gesture of blowing kisses)," Gandhi recounted later. The Congress lawmaker insisted that it was easy to face such incidents by opening "mohabbat ki dukan" (shop of love) in "nafrat ka bazaar" (market of hatred). Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, March 5 attached movable and immovable assets worth 12.78 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the ongoing investigations against Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Shahjahan Seikh and others. The ED has attached proceeds of crime in the form of immovable and movable properties, including 14 immovable properties like apartments, agriculture land, land for fishery, land and building etc in Gram Serberia, Sandeshkhali and Kolkata. Two bank accounts have also been attached. The ED initiated the investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against Shajahan Seikh and others, which include heinous offences in the nature of giving threats of injury, murder, attempt to murder, extortion, grabbing land of the general public etc. The TMC-ruled West Bengal government had moved the Supreme Court of India seeking an urgent hearing against the Calcutta High Court decision to hand over TMC strongman and Sandeshkhali accused Shajahan Sheikh to Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI). He was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29, as many as 55 days after he went missing. A team from the CBI, the premier central probe agency on Tuesday arrived at the CID headquarters in Kolkata to take jailed suspended ruling party strongman Sheikh Shahjahan into its custody. Shajahan Sheikh, who was absconding after a team from the ED came under attack while raiding his Sandeshkhali residence in connection with the alleged ration scam case, was placed in the custody of the state police after his arrest. As he continued to remain in the wind even after hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali came out against the TMC strongman, accusing him of perpetrating atrocities on them along with his henchmen, the high court sanctioned his arrest by either the state police, ED or CBI. However, close to two months after reportedly being on the run, Shahjahan Sheikh was nabbed by the state police and taken into custody. A three-member CBI team, flanked by CRPF escorts, arrived at the CID headquarters, Bhabani Bhaban, on Tuesday. Dealing a blow to the Mamata Banerjee-led government earlier, the Calcutta High Court transferred the Sandehskhali case to the CBI. The high court also directed the West Bengal Police to hand over Shahjahan Sheikh and all documents related to the ongoing probe against him to the CBI by 4.30 pm on Tuesday. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi filed a plea in the Supreme Court, challenging the high court order to hand over the case against the suspended TMC strongman to the CBI. The Supreme Court asked the senior advocate to mention the plea before the registrar general of the apex court. An island in Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, Sandeshkhali came to hog national headlines after women, with their faces covered, came out on the streets accusing Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides of excesses and land-grab. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! NEW DELHI : Indias space regulatory body has opened its first technical centre that it said would aid startups and larger private companies design and plan space missions. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centres (In-Space) facility in Ahmedabad will offer shared infrastructure including for climate simulation, thermal and vacuum environment simulation, and space systems assembly and testing environment. The centre has been on the agencys agenda since the liberalisation of the space industry for private sector participation in 2020, said Pawan Goenka, chairman, In-Space. It would incentivise private companies to develop technologies and help boost commercial space projects in the long run, Goenka told Mint, adding that the centres facilities will be available for both early-stage startups and established companies. The facility will boost private space efforts and make India self-reliant in space technology," said Jitendra Singh, Union minister of state for science and technology, at the facilitys inauguration. As we aim to grow our share in the global space economy from 2% to 8% by 2033, we have come up with new policies and eased restrictions for investments as well as space startups. The opening up of (foreign direct investment) in the space sector is one such progressive step," Singh said. S. Somanath, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, added that Isro will work alongside In-Space to to boost growth of the space economy and empower non-governmental entities." For space startups, availability of capital is a key challenge, which the Union government hopes to resolve by making it easier for companies to attract global investors. On 21 February, the Cabinet approved a long-awaited foreign direct investment policy for space startups, enabling 100% automatic investments in space component manufacturers, and 49% in rockets and space launch service providers. Critics of the policy have said FDI may not be an immediate answer to bolstering capital availability for the space sector. Instead, consultants and advisers have underlined the need for the government to become a customer to private startups. The public sector entity, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), is accepting commercial global contracts, and offering such projects as business opportunities to private startups," Goenka told Mint. This will eventually build the startups ability to execute sensitive space projects, and also build global confidence in private space startups. Until then, NSIL will handhold the sector since reaching maturity in the space sector is a long-drawn affair." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! PM Modi to inaugurate projects in Odisha Mar 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Odisha to dedicate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over 19,600 crore at Chandikhole in Odisha on March 5. Telangana-PM Modi to open AAIs CARO in Begumpet Airport Mar 5: PM Modi's visit to Telangana on March 5 is full of plans. Read his rundown of the five key actions he's taking. AP-Chandrababu Naidu likely to re-join NDA Mar 5: Sources have indicated that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu, is poised to announce its return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), according to a report by India Today. UP cabinet expansion likely Mar 5: The anticipated expansion of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet is slated for March 5, with anticipated participation from members of the BJP, RLD, and SBSP. This expansion is seen as a strategic maneuver ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, Gopi Raj, the leader of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, newly aligned with the NDA alliance, has voiced expectations regarding the expansion, as per a report by India Today. Punjab budget to be presented on March 5: The budget session of the Punjab Assembly beginning Friday is likely to witness stormy scenes with opposition parties set to take on the AAP government over a host of issues including farmers' stir, outstanding debt and law and order. 15% water cut in Mumbai, and neighbouring areas till Mar 5: According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), there will be a 15% water supply cut across Mumbai and neighbouring areas till 5 March. JG Chemicals 251 crore IPO to open Mar 5: JG Chemicals IPO opens for subscription tomorrow (Tuesday, March 5). In terms of both output and income, JG Chemicals is India's largest manufacturer of zinc oxide, according to the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP). This is due to the fact that JG Chemicals employs the French method, which is the most widely used manufacturing technology in the Americas, Europe, and Asia for the manufacture of zinc oxide (CARE report). BYD India to unveil Seal EV sedan in India Mar 5: In a major development for the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market, Chinese automaker BYD is all set to launch its highly anticipated third offering, the Seal EV, on March 5th. The company opened bookings for the sedan in February, with an expected price range between 55 lakh and 60 lakh. Oppo F25 Pro launched in India, will go on sale from Mar 5: The device is currently available for pre-order, and goes on sale on March 5. A few other options one can consider in this price range are the Realme 12 Pro 5G, the OnePlus Nord CE 3, and the Redmi Note 13 5G. Nothing to launch CMF Neckband, Buds alongside Nothing Phone 2(a) on Mar 5 South Korea-Jaishankar to visit Seoul to co-chair the Korea Joint Commission Meeting Mar 5: EAM will first visit Seoul from 05-06 March 2024 to co-chair the 10th India - Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with H.E. Mr. Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Goa-Rajnath Singh to inaugurate new building of Naval War College at INS Mandovi Mar 5: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the new administrative and training building of Naval War College at INS Mandovi near Panaji on March 5, a Navy official said on Friday. Kochi-Indian Navy to commission MH 60R Seahawk at INS Garuda Mar 5: The Indian Navy will commission the newly inducted MH 60R Seahawk (a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter) multi-role helicopter on 06 Mar 2024 at INS Garuda, Kochi marking a pivotal moment in Indias Defence modernisation journey. The Seahawks squadron will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334. Rahul Gandhi plans Mahakaleshwar Temple visit Mar 5: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain, one of the Jyotirlinga temples, during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on March 5. Delhi-NDMC to start admission to its 12 Navyug schools Mar 5: New Delhi Municipal Council to begin admissions to its 12 Navyug schools from March 5 this year, officials said on March 4. AP-CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to visit Vizag to take part in two programmes: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit Visakhapatnam on March 5 to take part in scheduled programmes, according to an official release on Sunday. Hookah ban-Kerala HC hearing on Mar 5: The high court on February 28 posted a batch of petitions filed by hookah bars to March 5 Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Pat Nibin Maxwell, 31, from Kollam in Kerala was killed when a missile fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah militants struck near Israel's northern border community of Margaliot. Two other Indians, also from Kerala, were injured in the attack. They were identified as Idukki natives Paul Melvin and Bush Joseph George. "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," a spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), told PTI. Maxwell, who hailed from Kollam, had arrived in Israel two months ago on a work contract and was working in a plantation there. He was near the orchard when the missile struck the Israeli border. Maxwell's father was quoted by media cannels as saying that Maxwell was in Muscat and Dubai earlier and then returned to Kerala. Thereafter, he went to Israel. First my elder son went there and a week later my younger son too went there," he said. Maxwell is survived by his wife and a five-year-old daughter. Nibins wife is also seven months pregnant, his father told news agency ANI. The father informed that he was informed about his son's death and is now awaiting the arrival of the mortal remains. Maxwell has two other siblings, and his elder brother is also working in Israel. The third sibling is in Abu Dhabi, Maxwell's father said. His family has contacted the Indian embassy already and the body should be brought to Kerala in around four days, the Hindustan Times reported. The Embassy of Israel in New Delhi 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 organisation Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon." The attack was believed to have been carried out by the 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 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. The skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side, PTI reported. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! An Alabama federal judge ruled the Corporate Transparency Act, a sweeping bipartisan anti-money-laundering law passed in 2021, was unconstitutional, leaving its future uncertain. The act became effective Jan. 1. Congress hoped it would help stop money-laundering by rooting out the use of anonymous shell companies and would track the flow of illicit money and protect U.S. national security interests. The law creates a beneficial ownership database and reporting requirements for companies to file ownership information to the U.S. Treasury Department, similar to existing requirements in the U.K. and the European Union. The law focuses primarily on small and private companies and applies to more than 32 million small businesses nationwide. The National Small Business Association, a small business advocacy group, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department and its leaders in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in 2022, seeking to block the CTA. NSBA argued the bill was unconstitutional because it infringes on protected rights of state sovereignty, privacy and due process. U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke, in a ruling Friday, sided with the small business group, saying that the CTA was unconstitutional. Judge Burke raised questions about the corporate formation requirements imposed by the bill, a process which is usually left to state governments, and noted that the law applies to corporate entities even if the entity conducts businesses only within a single state or does no business at all. The judge added that the CTAs ownership disclosure requirements gave the government unfettered legislative power." The CTA exceeds the Constitutions limits on the legislative branch and lacks a sufficient nexus to any enumerated power to be a necessary or proper means of achieving Congress policy goals," Judge Burke, a Trump appointee, wrote in the ruling. A spokeswoman for the Treasury Department said in an email Monday the agency is complying with the courts injunction, but didnt indicate whether the government would appeal the ruling. Congress overwhelmingly voted to enact the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act in 2021 to crack down on illicit shell companies and combat financial crime," the spokeswoman said, referring to the Justice Department for any further information about the case. Representatives for the Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. Todd McCracken, president and chief executive of NSBA, welcomed the ruling, saying it justifies the concerns of millions of American businesses about how the CTA is not only a bureaucratic overreach, but a Constitutional infringement." The judges decision is an opportunity for Congress to go back to the drawing board and find a solution that will truly protect Americans from bad actors," McCracken said in a statement Monday. But many supporters of the CTA, including the U.S. banking industry and anticorruption groups, are cautioning about the impact of striking the law. This is a pro-crime, pro-drug cartel, pro-fentanyl ruling which undermines the rule of law and allows criminals to use anonymous shell companies to hide their dirty money from law enforcement," Ian Gary, executive director of the anticorruption group FACT Coalition, said in a statement. Scott Greytak, director of advocacy at anticorruption group Transparency International U.S., said that Judge Burkes ruling failed to recognize the national security interests that were the basis for the CTA. Instead, Judge Burkes opinion imagines a world in which international money laundering simply doesnt exist," Greytak said in a statement, adding that the group expects the ruling to be appealed and overturned by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. In practice, the ruling could create confusion for some companies, according to Angela Gamalski, a partner at law firm Honigman specializing in regulatory requirements and compliance. Companies that are facing rapidly approaching filing deadlines may be wondering whether compliance is now optional," Gamalski said. Companies that already filed may be wondering if they can retract reports of beneficial owners personal information." Write to Mengqi Sun at mengqi.sun@wsj.com TEL AVIVFearing a breakdown in ties between the White House and Israel over the war in Gaza, Benny Gantz, chief political rival to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a minister in his wartime cabinet, planned a trip to Washington. When Gantz informed Netanyahu about the trip, the prime minister was angry. Theres only one prime minister," Netanyahu told Gantz, who defied the prime minister and met with Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday. The incident, recounted by Israeli officials, reflects the rising tensions between Israels wartime leadership as they jockey for political clout and disagreements mount over how to wage the war and secure a deal to release hostages. It also comes amid growing international pressure for a cease-fire over the humanitarian disaster inside Gaza, and increasing frustration with Netanyahus leadership from Israels most important ally, the U.S. The move by Gantz to pursue the trip to Washington came days after the third member of the wartime cabinet, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, demanded the government pass legislation to draft ultraorthodox men into the armya move widely seen as one that could topple Netanyahus coalition that relies on two ultraorthodox political parties. Gantz, who leads the center-right National Unity party, and Netanyahu, who leads the right-wing Likud party, have been longtime rivals who put aside their differences after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that sparked the war in Gaza to form an emergency government. Along with Gallant, they make up the three-member war cabinet that is responsible for all political wartime decisions. The three men are a team of rivals, each with their own bitter back story of gripes and slights against each other. Each also has their own political ambitions, with most polls showing Gantz would likely trounce Netanyahu if elections were held today. Their partnership has at times appeared united, and insiders say they have generally worked professionally together, but cracks are appearing more as the war drags on. Gantz has been open about his desire to unseat Netanyahu, even from within the cabinet. At the end or after the emergency government we will be political rivals," Gantz said of Netanyahu in late December. But, he said, Netanyahu was never my enemy." Gantz has held meetings with state leaders and other foreign dignitaries since the beginning of the war, acting as a separate locus of power in the cabinet beyond Netanyahu. His current trip to Washington is the first time he planned high-level meetings without coordinating with Netanyahu, according to Israeli officials. Gantz met with Harris and other top Biden administration officials on Monday, and is expected to meet Tuesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The two discussed ways to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and how that can broaden normalization efforts between Israel and the region, the need to remove Hamas from power, and the need for Israel to establish a credible humanitarian plan before a major military operation in the town of Rafah, where over a millions Gazans are currently sheltering, according to statements by the White House and Gantzs office. In inviting Benny Gantz to the White House, the administration is sending an unmistakable signal of unhappiness with Benjamin Netanyahu, concerns that he may no longer be the reliable predictable partner that the U.S. needs," said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former U.S. Mideast negotiator. Michael Biton, a lawmaker in Gantzs National Unity party, said Gantz was alarmed by the degrading relationship with Washington. He said the U.S. decision to airdrop humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip last week showed the U.S. and Israel werent coordinating policy properly. It has become very urgent to solve and to build relations with American partners and Gantz is well accepted and well known in Washington," said Biton. Members of Netanyahus Likud party decried Gantzs decision to go to Washington as a political move to undermine Israels leader during wartime. The Israeli prime minister similarly blasted Gallants decision to call for drafting ultraorthodox men as a ploy that could lead to elections. Netanyahu, in a press conference the day after Gallant demanded a law to extend the mandatory service to the ultraorthodox, said elections during the war would mean defeat for Israel." He argued it would paralyze decision-making and undermine national unity. He also said he would seek a compromise on the issue. Both Gantz and Gallant, former senior generals, are pushing for policies supported by the security establishment but opposed by many in Netanyahus hard-right and religious coalition. The two have publicly pressed Netanyahu to come up with a plan for who should govern Gaza after the war, and Gantz has joined Gallant in pushing the prime minister to enlist ultraorthodox men into the military. Both are issues that could bring down the prime ministers coalition. Netanyahus coalition, the most right-wing, religious and ultranationalist in the countrys history, includes lawmakers who flatly reject U.S. plans for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take over in the Gaza Strip. This includes Netanyahu, who argues the authority is too weak to survive and too antagonistic toward Israel. Instead, some of the ministers in his coalition are pushing for Israeli resettlement of Gaza, a move the U.S. strongly opposes. Netanyahu says he wants Israel to keep indefinite security control of Gaza and locals approved by Israel to run civilian affairs. Netanyahu also relies on two ultraorthodox political parties who could pull out of his coalition if a bill moved forward that forced ultraorthodox conscription, a move that would topple his government and bring new elections at a time when Netanyahus popularity is at an record low. Theres no simple solution here," said Gideon Rahat, a professor of politics at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Netanyahu is really in trouble." The disagreements arent designed to topple the coalition, associates of Gantz and Gallant say, but to make their influence felt in government. Both men want to retain their sway over the war. A cease-fire remains elusive, and Israel still faces the prospect of war with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah later this year, a far more powerful foe than Hamas. The tensions brewing between the three men now can also be traced back to historical political rivalries. Netanyahu burned Gantz when he forced new elections rather than allow Gantz to become prime minister after the two had formed an agreement to split up the term. Gallant was fired by Netanyahu last year as defense minister after he called for a stop to a planned judicial reform that had sparked mass protests across the country. Netanyahu was forced to cancel the termination after widespread pushback. Gantz isnt the first Israeli minister to initiate his own trips to the White House. Former Defense Minister Ehud Barak frequently traveled to Washington while serving in a previous Netanyahu government, said Michael Oren, Israels D.C. ambassador at the time. Oren said such rivalry inside the cabinet is a feature of Israeli politics. A prime minister of Israel has more than a team of rivals. A prime minister has a team of replacements. And often a team of assassins. Almost no one in an American cabinet would ever be an American president. But everyone in an Israeli cabinet is a potential prime minister," Oren said. Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com and Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com Oscars 2024: The 96th annual Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 10 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. Jimmy Kimmel is set to return as the host for the second consecutive year, marking his fourth time hosting the prestigious ceremony. A biopic centred on Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist behind the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has garnered nominations in 13 categories, including 'Best Film', 'Best Director', and Best Adapted Screenplay. Everything you need to know about the live-streaming details for Oscars 2024: The Oscars 2024 will take place on March 11 and will start at 04:00 am IST. You can watch the event live on Disney+Hotstar in India. Comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel will host the Oscars for the fourth time in March 2024. Also Read: 2024 Oscar nominations announced: See the full list here Below are the nominations for Oscars 2024: Best Picture: American Fiction Anatomy of a Fall Barbie The Holdovers Killers of the Flower Moon Maestro Oppenheimer Past Lives Poor Things The Zone of Interest Other categories include Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Direction, Best Animated Feature Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Documentary Feature Film, and Best Documentary Short Film. The nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role are: Annette Bening for "Nyad" Lily Gladstone for "Killers of the Flower Moon" Sandra Huller for "Anatomy of a Fall" Carey Mulligan for "Maestro" Emma Stone for Poor Things" The nominees for Best Cinematography are: "El Conde" Cinematography by Edward Lachman "Killers of the Flower Moon" Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto "Maestro" Cinematography by Matthew Libatique "Oppenheimer" Cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema "Poor Things" Cinematography not provided. The nominees for Best Directing are: "Anatomy of a Fall" directed by Justine Triet "Killers of the Flower Moon" directed by Martin Scorsese "Oppenheimer" directed by Christopher Nolan "Poor Things" directed by Yorgos Lanthimos "The Zone of Interest" directed by Jonathan Glazer. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prince Harry is not comfortable with Queen Camilla's leading the Royal Family, according to a Royal insider. The insider indicates that the Duke of Sussex finds it tough to accept Camilla as the Queen, a role he envisioned for his late mother, Princess Diana. Kinsey Schofield, the host of To Di for Daily podcast, discussed on GB News that Camilla's prominence might deter Harry from returning to the UK to offer his support for King Charles III. Schofield suggests Harry's admiration for Queen Elizabeth II contrasts sharply with his feelings towards Camilla's rise to the throne. View Full Image Diana, the Princess of Wales holds her son Prince Harry while Royal Families posed for photographers at the Royal Palace, in Majorca, Spain, on Aug. 9, 1987. (AP Photo/John Redman, File) (AP Photo/John Redman, File) "I think the fact that Queen Camilla is seen as leading the family is significant proof that Prince Harry would not return to temporarily support the family because Camillas elevated position is likely something not sitting well with him right now," Schofield said. He loved Queen Elizabeth II, he likely resents the idea of Queen Camilla, and we know, he felt like thats a position his mother should be in. I imagine the idea of her leading the family is something he has a hard time digesting," Schofield added. Camillas proactive contribution Camilla has been proactive. She has taken on numerous solo engagements to uphold the monarchy during King Charles's absence due to health issues. Despite preferring to be by Charles's side, especially now as he undergoes cancer treatment, the 76-year-old has demonstrated dedication to her duties. Camilla has been working overtime to support the monarchy, just last month, she reportedly drove over six hours to a Royal engagement after her flight was grounded because she reportedly didnt want to let down her husband," Schofield said. A source has informed the Times that the queen, despite not anticipating her role as the family's leader, is fully ready to undertake whatever is necessary for the institution, according to Schofield. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Shah Rukh Khan is facing a lot of flak for apparently disrespecting" Ram Charan at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchants pre-wedding celebration in Jamnagar. It happened while the three Khans - SRK, Salman and Aamir - were performing on Naatu Naatu, the song that originally featured Ram Charan along with NT Rama Rao Jr. During the performance, the Bollywood actor looked for Ram Charan to join them on stage. Where are you, Ram Charan?" he kept asking. He seemingly wanted the RRR star to join the three Khans in the performance. During this time, in apparent jest, SRK started speaking gibberish Telugu, which included the word idli". Not everyone was impressed with it while some of them accused SRK of being racist. Shahrukh Khan is being racist to South Indians by calling "Ram Charan idli" after a South Indian director gave him the biggest hit of his career," wrote one use on X (formerly Twitter) while referring to Atlee who directed Jawan. When ego of an actor like Shahrukh shoots up above his head, this is expected. His average acting was just hyped by some of his fans. I am not a big fan of him," said another. Things got more intense when Ram Charans make-up artist Zeba Hassan Zaidi joined in the conversation. As per a screenshot of her Instagram Story that is doing rounds on social media, she walked out of the celebrations after the incident. "Bhend idly vada Ram charan kahan hai tu"?? I walked out after this. So disrespectful towards a star like @alwaysramcharan," she apparently wrote in her Insta Story. The Story is, however, not available at the moment. It is unclear if shes deleted it. However, her comment on a video shared on Instagram is still there. Im a huge srk fan but I really disliked the way he called ram charan on stage," she wrote. View Full Image Zeba Hassan's comment on SRK calling Ram Charan on stage Zeba also wrote a detailed post on her Instagram Story. Coming from the industry it's so saddening to say that all the South Indian stars, artists etc are not really appreciated or given the respect that we all deserve," she wrote. View Full Image Zeba Hassan's post on South Indian stars not getting enough respect Zeba, however, is being trolled for her comment on SRK. Some are accusing her of looking for cheap publicity". SRK gets support Not everyone found SRKs gesture disrespectful". Idli is racist? If u call a Delhiwaala a batura or lassi will he be hurt? We south Indians love idli and sambar is in our blood," wrote one user. People here judging SRK for no reason..Grow up and let the humour live," wrote another. It was not disrespectful.. SRK ko Telugu nahi aati hai.. tho usko Telugu ka Jo b pata tha vo as an introduction use Kara hai (SRK doesnt know Telugu, so he said whatever Telugu he knows).... Don't create unnecessary mess and hate," came from another. Some people mentioned that it was a dialogue from the 2001 movie One 2 Ka 4, starring SRK, which Khan used to call his good old friend" Ram Charan. Ram Charan joins Khans Ram Charan, on the other hand, was quick to join the Khans on stage. He performed to the song along with them. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! China is getting ready to boost its defence spending by 7.2 per cent in 2024, as Beijing hardens its stance on Taiwan, according to an official report released on Tuesday. China has also officially adopted tougher language against Taiwan as it released the budget figures, dropping the mention of "peaceful reunification". The mention was dropped in the government report delivered by Premier Li Qiang at the opening of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's rubber-stamp parliament. In the government work report, China reiterated a call for "reunification" with Taiwan, but added emphasis that it wants to "be firm" in doing so and dropped the descriptor "peaceful", which had been used in previous reports. Although it is not the first time that China had omitted the word "peaceful", the change in language is closely watched as a possible sign of a more assertive stance towards Taiwan. China has been increasing its military budget, and it has been more than doubled under President Xi Jinping's 11 years in office, Reuters reported. The hike in the budget mirrors the rate presented last year and again comes in well above the Chinese government's economic growth forecast for the year. In recent years, tensions over Taiwan have risen sharply as regional military deployments rise. China has claimed the democratically ruled island as its own. Despite China's struggling economy, Taiwan is a major consideration in Beijing's defence spending, Li Mingjiang, a defence scholar at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, told Reuters. "China is showing that in the coming decade, it wants to grow its military to the point where it is prepared to win a war if it has no choice but to fight one," Li added. According to a Reuters report, for over a decade now, since Xi became president and commander-in-chief of China, its defence budget has ballooned to 1.67 trillion yuan ($230 billion) in 2024 from 720 billion yuan in 2013. The percentage increase in China's military spending has consistently outpaced its annual domestic economic growth target during Xi's time in office. This year, the growth target for 2024 is about 5 per cent, similar to last year's goal, according to China government's report. Based on data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), China's budget this year marks the 30th consecutive year of increasing defence spendings. The purchase of new equipment is likely to take up the largest single chunk of the budget as the military works to meet Xi's goal of full modernisation by 2035, the IISS said in a research report published last month. That push continues across several fronts, with China producing weapons ranging from warships and submarines to drones and advanced missiles that can be equipped with both nuclear and conventional warheads. In July 2023, China's top military body, the Central Military Commission, ordered a "clean-up" of the procurement process and invited the public to report irregularities. The commission has not announced the results of its investigation, but at least nine generals, including four directly in charge of procurement, have been stripped of their title as parliamentarians, a necessary procedure before they can be charged in court. Two former defence ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, have also gone missing without explanation, which in China often means they are under investigation. Li had been in charge of military procurement from 2017 to 2022. On Tuesday, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council urged China to accept the fact that the two sides are not subordinate to each other. The Council also urged China to create healthy cross-strait exchanges. The island's defence minister had said that Taiwan's armed forces would increase the number of missile drills they hold this year. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Shehbaz Sharif after taking oath as Pakistan's new PM for a second time, nearly four weeks after an uncertain national election caused delays in the formation of a coalition government. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan." Shehbaz Sharif on Monday officially took up office at a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential office in the nation's capital, Islamabad, a day after parliament elected him prime minister despite protests from lawmakers aligned with jailed former premier Imran Khan. After the oath-taking ceremony, the newly-elected PM held the first meeting with his finance team and directed them to begin talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on an extended funding facility. The current agreement expires in April, Reuters reported. In his victory speech in the National Assembly soon after he was elected as the 24th prime minister and for a second time since 2022, the 72-year-old profusely thanked his elder brother and three-time former premier Nawaz Sharif and allies for putting their trust in him and allowing him to head a coalition government after last month's election resulted in a hung Parliament. Sharif said his government would not allow the country to become part of some "great game" and would maintain cordial relations with neighbors based on the principles of equality. "We will keep ties with neighbors based on equality," Shehbaz said. Shehbaz, however, raked up the Kashmir issue and equated it with Palestine. The February 8 election was marred by a mobile internet shutdown, arrests, and violence in its build-up, and the unusually delayed results triggered accusations that the vote was rigged. Candidates backed by Khan gained the most seats but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) agreed to form a coalition government. The PML-N is spearheaded by Shehbaz Sharif's elder brother, three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, but he decided not to take the prime minister's post. The younger Sharif returns to the role he previously held until August, when parliament was dissolved to prepare for the election. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! A group of seven men from Punjab's Hoshiarpur left India for Russia just days before the New Year to celebrate. But now, they are fighting the ongoing war from the side of President Vladimir Putin-led nation. In a video that has been going viral on social media, seven men can be seen inside a room, saying that they are being made to fight the war against their will. According to a report by NDTV, the person speaking in the video is Gagandeep Singh. He says that they had left for Russia on December 27. They had a valid visa to stay in the country for 90 days. But later they travelled to the neighbouring Belarus. Singh said that the agent, who took them to Belarus, abandoned them upon reaching there. They were then arrested by the police and handed over to Russian authorities. "Now, they are forcing us to fight in the war against Ukraine," he says in the video. Recently, the Indian government said that it was aware that around 20 Indians are "stuck" in the Russian Army. "We are trying our level best for early discharge. We are in regular touch with Russian authorities both here in Delhi and in Moscow," foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said. News agency AFP reported that it has spoken to several such Indians. "The soldiers who spoke with AFP said they had been promised non-combatant roles but were trained to use Kalashnikov assault rifles and other weapons before being sent to Ukraine," it said in a report. Moreover, on Tuesday, Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said his country has strengthened its military forces in the north and west to counter what Moscow perceives as a build-up of NATO forces near Russia. "Against the background of a build-up of NATO's military potential near the Russian borders, the expansion of the alliance through the accession of Finland and, in the future, Sweden, we have taken steps to strengthen the groupings of troops in the north-western and western strategic directions," Shoigu said. It is still unclear where the seven men in the viral video are posted. However, the NDTV report said that Singh's family has reached out to the External Affairs Ministry for help. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Afghanistan has been battling with incessant heavy rains and snowfall that killed over 39 people and injured more than 30 across different provinces of the country, Khaama Press reported on Monday. Spokesman for the Ministry of Disaster Management, Janan Sayeq said that thousands of livestock have also perished due to the snowfall. "The recent snow and rain have completely or partially destroyed 637 residential homes and claimed the lives of 14,000 livestock," ANI quoted him as saying. The Salang Highway reopened to passenger cars on March 4 following four days of snowfall and blizzards. Moreover, the recent heavy snowfall has blocked several communication routes in provinces and districts of Afghanistan. Statistical data from Balkh and Faryab provinces obtained by TOLO news suggests a devastating impact on livestock that resulted in the perishing of almost ten thousand animals due to the recent snowfalls. Abdul Qadir who is a resident of Sar-e-Pul in Afghanistan, expressed the prevailing anxiety among the population as ANI quoted him as saying, "The snow is ongoing and very heavy, and people are anxious as their livestock have suffered losses, many roads are blocked, and there is hardly any movement." Another resident, Amanullah, stressed the urgent need for government assistance, especially for those affected by road blockages and the plight of hungry livestock. Therefore, Afghanistan announced the formation of a committee comprising various ministries to address the damages and crisis arising due to the adverse weather situation. The government has allocated fifty million Afghanis to support livestock owners in the provinces of Balkh, Jawzjan, Badghis, Faryab and Herat. Crisis Residents of the Herat's Zindajan district of Afghanistan claimed that 15 earthquake-affected villages in the north of the district have never had a school, TOLOnews reported. We couldn't study, it's too late for us, but the future hope of Afghanistan is in our young generation. When these youths don't study, what do you think should be done?" TOLOnews quoted Ghulam Nabi, a Zindajan resident, as saying. Another resident, Mehr Del said, "We don't have a clinic, there are many health problems here. When we get sick, we have to rent a car to go to the city." (With inputs from ANI) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! China inked a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives on March 5. This pact offers free military assistance to the island nation, strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. The agreement comes just weeks after Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu requested the withdrawal of a contingent of Indian military personnel stationed there. The Defence Minister of the Maldives, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, met with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, to discuss enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries. Maumoon and Major General Baoqun signed an agreement on Chinas provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties," the Maldivian defence ministry posted on its X handle. The details of the defence cooperation agreement were not provided. Meanwhile, China has also gifted 12 eco-friendly ambulances to Maldives, Edition.mv news portal reported on Monday. In a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health on Sunday, Chinese Ambassador to Maldives, Wang Lixin, presented the letter gifting the ambulances to the Maldives, it said. The visit of the Chinese military delegation took place days after Male allowed Xiang Yang Hong 03, a hi-tech Chinese research ship, to make a port call for the rotation of its personnel and replenishment." On January 5, Sri Lanka, while denying entry to the same ship, said it had declared a moratorium on foreign research ships entering its waters for a year amid concerns from India over Chinese research vessels docking in its neighbourhood and collecting data from the oceans, including in the Indian Ocean Region, for military purposes, especially for submarine operations. Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson had previously defended the port call by the Chinese research ship to the Maldives, saying, Chinas scientific research activities in relevant waters are for peaceful purposes and aimed at contributing to humanitys scientific understanding of the ocean." 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 had reached the island nation to replace the military personnel operating an advanced light helicopter in the country. President Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, has set March 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country. 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 spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi at his weekly media briefing on February 29. Following meetings of the high-level core group that was set up to address the issue of withdrawal of the Indian military personnel, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace all its military personnel in two phases by May 10. According to the Maldivian government, 88 Indian military personnel are in the country, primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions. The ties between the two countries came under some strain since Muizzu came to power in November last year. Muizzu maintained after assuming charge as the president that he would keep his election promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country. Muizzu defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year. The Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region, and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. The current government has said that it was reviewing more than 100 bilateral agreements signed with India by the previous governments. The Maldives proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainlands western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) A federal agency is asserting legal rights to waters that feed the Okefenokee Swamp and its vast wildlife refuge, setting up a new battle with a mining company seeking permits to withdraw more than 1.4 million gallons daily for a project that critics say could irreparably harm one of America's natural treasures. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tells Georgia state regulators that federal law prohibits diverting water from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in quantities that would harm its function as a protective habitat for native animal and plant species. Disruption to the natural flow of groundwater in this interconnected system could have far-reaching consequences for both the Refuge and surrounding areas," Mike Oetker, the federal agency's acting Southeast regional director, wrote in a Jan. 31 letter to Georgia regulators. He added: Any decision regarding the proposed mining permit must be made with consideration of federal reserved water rights." Twin Pines Minerals is on the cusp of obtaining permits it has sought since 2019 to mine titanium dioxide less than 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from the southeastern boundary of the Okefenokee refuge, the largest U.S. refuge east of the Mississippi River. The Okefenokee refuge covers nearly 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) in southeast Georgia and is home to more than 400 animal species including alligators and bald eagles. The swamps wildlife, cypress forests and flooded prairies draw roughly 600,000 visitors each year, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages the refuge. Scientists have warned that mining near the Okefenokee's bowl-like rim could irreparably harm the swamps ability to hold water and increase the frequency of withering droughts. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in 2022 declared the proposed mine poses an unacceptable risk" to the fragile ecosystem at the Georgia-Florida line. Twin Pines has insisted its proposed 773-acre (312-hectare) mine wont harm the Okefenokee refuge. Regulators with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division have said their own analysis concluded that water level in the swamp will be minimally impacted." The Georgia agency issued draft permits for the mining project Feb. 9, starting a 30-day period for public comments before regulators work up final permits for the agencys director to approve. While it's unclear how much permits might be delayed by the Fish and Wildlife Service's formal assertion of water rights, legal experts said Georgia regulators are legally obligated to work with the federal agency to ensure the Okefenokee keeps enough water to function as a wildlife refuge. Legal issues dealing with water consumption are generally left to the states. However, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1908 established that public lands reserved by the federal government for Native American tribes, national parks and other purposes have rights to water that take precedence over other users. This doctrine does not just give the Fish and Wildlife Service a seat at the table," said Megan Huynh, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. It legally entitles the Okefenokee to as much water as is necessary to support the primary purpose of the refuge and wilderness area." While federal agencies commonly assert water rights for public lands in the West, where the arid climate makes water more scarce, they have rarely done so in the eastern U.S., said Ryan Rowberry, a Georgia State University law professor who has studied how federal reserved water rights protect public lands. Now were moving into a different era," Rowberry said. Growth in population, industry and awareness that climate change is getting worse have called into question the premise that theres enough water for everybody" in eastern states, he said. The move by the Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to reassert some level of federal oversight of Twin Pines' proposed mine. Typically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would also need to approve permits. But it lost that authority over the Georgia project in 2020 because of regulatory rollbacks under then-President Donald Trump. The Fish and Wildlife Service's letter to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division asks for federal officials and state regulators to meet and work together to quantify the amount of water" the Okefenokee refuge needs. The state agency has not yet responded. Georgia EPD is reviewing the letter from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service like all of the other comments being submitted" by the public on Twin Pines' mining application, John Eunice, the state agency's deputy director, said in an email Monday. He anticipated a response once the public comment period has closed." The groundwater use permit Twin Pines is seeking would allow an average daily withdrawal of 1.44 million gallons (5.45 million liters) of water from the Floridan Aquifer to process mining debris and waste. The plan calls for removal of additional water that gushes into mining pits during excavation. Any discussions between federal officials, Georgia regulators and Twin Pines over the Okefenokee's water needs and how much water the proposed mine would divert from the swamp could be contentious. Hydrologists for the National Park Service said last year that documents Georgia regulators relied upon to conclude the mine wouldn't harm the refuge contained technical errors and critical shortcomings" that made them unreliable. Regulators stood by their analysis. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The House of Lords inflicted the first defeats on Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government as it tries to pass controversial legislation designed to enable the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda. The governments bill seeks to designate Rwanda a safe" destination for deportees, despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that refugees risked being forcibly sent on to their home countries where they could suffer harm. Peers late Monday passed amendments in five separate votes removing Rwandas designation as already safe," stipulating that the government must maintain full compliance with domestic and international law," and adding more safeguards for human rights. The defeats are the first for the government on a key piece of legislation designed to implement one of the Conservative governments flagship policies to stop the boats" of migrants crossing to Britain in small vessels from France. The bill passed unamended through the lower chamber, the House of Commons, in January, and Sunak at the time urged the Lords not to frustrate the will of the people." The Lords amendments came as Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the UK had agreed new measures with European counterparts to tackle the supply chain of small boats. Along with France, the UK will lead a new customs partnership encouraging customs agents to crack down on the imports of materials which could be used by people-smugglers. Working closely with our European neighbors is fundamental to solving the illegal migration crisis," Cleverly said in a statement. Our new customs partnership demonstrates our enduring commitment to smashing the business model of criminal gangs and stopping the boats." Mondays defeats in the largely appointed Lords, where the Tories dont have a majority, set the stage for a process known as ping-pong" in which legislation passes between the Commons and the Lords until agreement is reached. While typically the upper chamber backs down, any procedural delays will be a concern for Sunak, who has said he hopes to get a deportation flight to Rwanda off the ground by spring." Peers voted to back an amendment aimed at ensuring the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is compliant with the rule of law. A further change was made altering Rwanda from being a safe country" to saying it will be a safe country" as long as the Rwanda Treaty is adhered to. Thats a reference to an agreement sealed between Britain and the east African nation in December designed to allay some of the concerns of UK courts about Rwandas suitability for deportees. The Lords also voted in favor of a third amendment, which would establish a mechanism allowing Parliament to monitor whether human rights safeguards were being implemented. A fourth amendment said the government should only treat Rwanda as a safe country unless presented with credible evidence to the contrary," while a fifth removed sections which would have banned courts from reviewing Rwandas designation as a safe country. All of the amendments passed in the Lords with a majority of 87 or more. Christopher Tugendhat, a Conservative peer and uncle of security minister Tom Tugendhat, accused the government of behaving in an Orwellian manner and said failure to amend the bill would have profound implications." The government will in fact be behaving like the ruling party in George Orwells 1984," Tugendhat said, referring to the way in which citizens in the novel are forced to believe whatever the government desires. The bill is seeking to achieve by act of Parliament what in 1984 the ruling party and its apparatus sought to achieve by torture." Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti said the government had tried to gaslight" the Supreme Court with its attempts to override judges concerns about the safety of Rwanda for refugees. The prime minister, who must hold a general election in the next 11 months, has made reducing the number of small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel one of the five key promises of his government. He is also under pressure from the right wing of his party to reduce the number of migrants entering the UK more broadly, including those reaching the UK via legal routes. Last week, a report from the National Audit Office revealed the escalating cost of the Rwanda bill, laying out how it could cost the taxpayer almost 2 million ($2.5 million) for each of the first 300 asylum seekers sent. Speaking on a visit to Scotland last week, Sunak said he still thought the plan was value for money. Taxpayers are already forking out millions of pounds a day to house illegal migrants in hotels across the country," he said. Thats why the Rwanda scheme is so important. Its a worthwhile investment and Im determined to see it through." Sunaks spokesman, Dave Pares, on Monday reiterated that the government wants the first flights to Rwanda to take off in the spring. Our legally binding treaty makes clear that individuals relocated to Rwanda under the partnership will not be returned to an unsafe country," Pares said. Building on our treaty, the bill will make absolutely clear in UK law that it is a safe country and play a key part in our efforts to stop the boats and save lives." But several organizations, including Parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, have said the Rwanda bill is incompatible with the UKs own human rights law and risks breaching international obligations. Peers on Monday raised concerns including around the provision of mental health services to migrants who had experienced trauma, and the way gay asylum seekers might be treated. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England whose position affords him a seat in the UKs upper chamber, said amendments requiring the bill to be compliant with the primacy of the law should not be a problem if Rwanda is indeed a safe country, as the government would be able to demonstrate that. He pointed out that international human rights law grew out of the horrors of the 1940s," when Nazi Germany passed horrific laws that did terrible things," before clarifying were not in any situation remotely like that." Just last week, Home Office figures revealed that Britain had granted 15 Rwandans asylum protection last year, but Conservative peer Simon Murray sought to minimize the significance of that, saying: The fact that there are refugees from a certain country does not mean that that country is of itself always and everywhere unsafe." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The Super Tuesday is here. Voters across 16 US states and one US territory cast ballots in presidential primaries. It's a crucial part of the 2024 US presidential election process through which Democrats and Republicans will declare their final presidential nominee. The results are likely to be released starting Wednesdays. This time, the choice seems to be simple. Both political parties already have clarity over who their nominees will be, as Joe Biden (Democrat leader) and Donald Trump (Republican leader) have cruised through the early voting states. What is Super Tuesday? Super Tuesday is the primary election day the most states hold their primaries and caucuses and decide on the bulk of delegates for candidates in their respective parties. Over a third of all the available delegates for both the Republican and Democratic nominations are at stake on Super Tuesday, CBC news explained. It's called Super Tuesday because more delegates are at stake on March 5 than on any other single date during the primary campaign. ALSO READ | Explained: How US elects its President? A look at the electoral process As per reports, there are 865 Republican delegates that will be allocated, and the winner of the GOP (Republican Party) presidential nomination must collect 1,215 delegates. On Tuesday, Democratic primaries will allocate a total of 1,420 delegates, and 1,968 delegates are needed to win the Democratic nomination. Which states vote on Super Tuesday? Voters will cast their ballots in the Republican presidential primary on Tuesday in these 15 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. All these states except Alaska will hold their Democratic primary contests on Tuesday, the Guardian reported. Meanwhile, the US territory of American Samoa will simultaneously hold its Democratic caucus. It is also the last day for Iowa Democrats to mail in their primary ballots, the report said. For the unversed, the main voting events Primaries and Caucuses help in the selection of delegates who will represent the people at the upcoming conventions. These are simply two ways in which people help states and political parties choose presidential nominees. What has happened so far? 1. Former US President Donald Trump looks to cement his hold on the Republican presidential nomination with a sweep of Super Tuesday primaries. He aims to deliver a knockout blow on "Super Tuesday" to his lone challenger for the Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley, Reuters reported. Another competition to watch could be Utah, whose sizable Mormon population is cool on Trump. 2. Trump or Haley? Trump is likely to approach the crucial 1,215 delegates needed to end the race. Many Super Tuesday states have demographics favouring Trump, and party rules limit non-Republicans' participation, the Hindustan Times reported. Trump was leading Haley in every Super Tuesday state where public polling data was available, according to poll tracking website 538. In California and Texas, which together account for more than 300 delegates, Trump was ahead by an average of more than 50 percentage points. But Haley's allies see a narrow window of opportunity to eke out a win in states such as Virginia, Massachusetts and Vermont, which have more of the wealthy, college-educated voters who tend to support her candidacy Trump, the Republican frontrunner with 64% support, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, has leveraged his unprecedented legal challenges to boost his popularity among his base and raise money. He scored victories in nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina, Michigan, Missouri and Idaho. He is pushing for his allies to take over the leadership of the Republican National Committee ahead of the party's July convention. 3. Joe Biden, the Democratic president is all but certain to seal his party's nomination, despite long-shot challenges from congressman Dean Phillips and self-help author Marianne Williamson, BBC reported. It takes 1,968 delegates to win the Democratic nomination. Biden has already won the support of 206 delegates. 4. Pop sensation Taylor Swift urged her fans to vote on Super Tuesday. Taking to her Instagram story, Swift wrote, Today, March 5, is the Presidential Primary in Tennessee and 16 other states and territories. 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. Whether you're in Tennessee or somewhere else in the US, check your polling places and times at vote.org." 5. One of the countrys most closely watched elections will be in North Carolina, where the race for governor will be a test of Democratic strength in a state whose narrowly divided electorate includes a crush of newcomers. 6. President Joe Biden hit the radio airwaves as he aims to shore up his standing among Black voters, a critical constituency for Democrats in the November general election. In a radio interview that aired on Super Tuesday morning with Ms. Jessica, a radio personality in North Carolina, Biden promoted his achievements for Black voters, such as increased funding for historically Black colleges and universities and key investments in infrastructure to benefit Black communities. 7. The final days before Tuesday demonstrated the unique nature of this years campaign. Rather than barnstorming the states holding primaries, Biden and Trump held rival events last week along the U.S.-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 Trump to primary ballots following attempts to ban him for his role in helping spark the Capitol riot, Trump pointed to the 91 criminal counts against him to accuse Biden of weaponizing the courts. Fight your fight yourself," Trump said. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent." (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! India claimed to be disturbed by the conflict in Gaza and suggested a two-state solution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) briefing on the Gaza crisis. Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, pointed out that the humanitarian crisis has deepened and said, As far as India is concerned, we have been deeply troubled by the conflict in Gaza that has been raging for nearly five months now. The humanitarian crisis has deepened...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." The Indian representative condemning the deaths of civilians demanded immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and said, We have strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict...India has a long-standing and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." India took its stand and raised a call to scale up humanitarian aid, It is imperative that humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza be scaled up immediately in order to avert a further deterioration in the situation." India further called for a two-state solution and stated that India is committed to supporting a two-state solution. Ruchira Kamboj emphasised that such a solution would protect the integrity and sovereignty of the people, wherein the Palestinian people would be able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders with due regard to the security needs of Israel. India and France hold bilateral dialogue India and France held a bilateral dialogue on Monday, March 4, to discuss disarmament and non-proliferation relating to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced on September 5, 2023. The Ministry of External Affairs in a press release stated, India-France Bilateral Dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation was held on 4 March 2024 in New Delhi." The two sides discussed developments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation relating to the nuclear, chemical and biological domains, as well as outer space security, conventional weapons including AI in the military domain and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems and multilateral export control regimes." Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! The digital age has ushered in a new era of responsibilityto safeguard the core of our online existence: our data. The surge in cyber threats has made regulators formulate new laws or strengthen existing ones to safeguard the data privacy of individuals. While compliance is essential, it is no longer sufficient. Data privacy, protection and its responsible use by enterprises demand a proactive and strategic approach, which needs board-level oversight. The recent enactment of Indias Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 marks a significant step in this direction. In the contemporary landscape, data privacy is a pervasive concern across all facets of operations. This must prompt enterprises to redefine their strategies and align themselves with the evolving dynamics of privacy. The shift requires cross-functional accountability, acknowledging the vital role that every individual and department plays in managing sensitive information. Recognizing that third parties are also involved in the custodianship of data, enterprises need to foster a culture where all stakeholders in the value chain understand and actively engage in good data practices. This also helps effectively confront emerging threats, ensuring a holistic commitment to data privacy. It is everyones business responsibility, which necessitates a commitment right from the top. The EUs General Data Protection Regulation has set off a global chain reaction, serving as a model adopted by numerous countries for crafting regulations for managing personal data. A study by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development revealed that 70% of the worlds countries now have data protection and privacy legislation in place. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed rule amendments under its Privacy Act with the aim of clarifying and streamlining regulation. In India, regulatory bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India and Securities and Exchange Board of India advocate increased board involvement in cybersecurity discussions, emphasising collaboration between technical experts and those less familiar with cybersecurity. It is crucial for boards to familiarize themselves with terms like security posture and compliance, risk assessment and management, incident response plans and privacy impact assessment and for their agendas to incorporate these. A cyberattack can harm an enterprises reputation, causing loss of customer trust and lasting damage to its brand. In acknowledging the role of data privacy being integral to corporate governance and risk management, the board has a crucial role in not only ensuring that the enterprise meets legal obligations, but also establishing a bedrock of trust under its overall strategy and guiding managers to establish a work culture that makes all functions privacy-compliant. At a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is being leveraged for social engineering attacks and spreading mis- information at scale, enterprises also share a social responsibility to protect users from exposure due to data breaches. Hence, boards must play a proactive role in the establishment and monitoring of data privacy programmes, going beyond compliance requirements and seeding changes right at the cultural level. Fast-changing business, technology, threat and regulatory environments call for a rigour that boards must ensure as part of their corporate governance and trust-building responsibility. First, boards must familiarize themselves with regulatory obligations and industry standards. Second, they need to recognize the significance of investment in privacy capacity-building and prompt enterprises to establish strong data protection practices. Third, with management support, boards can steer the creation of an executive committee for a robust, business-aligned and cross-functional data privacy programme. Fourth, boards can foster a culture of privacy first by being vocal about responsible management of data, encouraging training and awareness programmes for employees and stakeholders. Fifth, it would add value if boards sensitize themselves with real-life scenarios and simulations to understand incident-response and data- breach handling measures. Finally, boards must ask for periodic audit reports that can help improve oversight and the effectiveness of data protection and privacy programmes over time. In summary, boards have a crucial role in the top-down assimilation of a culture that holds data privacy high in its order of priorities. The board can play a pivotal role in instilling privacy by design, where privacy is not an afterthought, but becomes a part of an enterprises operational DNA. Building such an enterprise without compromising data-driven innovation requires a clear understanding of various possibilities, such as the use of privacy-enhancing technologies, fully-visible data flows, centralized controls and streamlined consent management. Globally, corporate boards should go beyond regulatory compliance to integrate data privacy with their business strategy, helping everyone imbibe the principles and ethos of privacy in day-to-day operations. An advisory by the ministry of information technology, issued 1 March, has sent shockwaves through India Inc. The government wants platforms using Generative AI (artificial intelligence) models, or LLMs (large language models), to explicitly seek government permission before deployment. They must also put an under-trial" or under-testing" label on their websites. Such platforms, including Googles Gemini (which has suffered recent controversy), ChatGPT and Krutrim AI, must clearly state that the GenAI model could give incorrect information. Users should also be explicitly asked for consent before their personal data is processed. The directive's broad wording initially left its scope ambiguous. Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar subsequently clarified that the labelling requirement would only target major platforms and intermediaries as outlined in the IT Rules. The government has requested status reports and specify action taken from relevant platforms within 15 days, amid concerns over the possible use of AI to create and spread false political content ahead of upcoming elections. More clarifications are, however, necessary about the advisory since industry remains somewhat confused as to the scope. Does any entity which deploys AI need to seek government permission and if so, do they need to share details of the algorithm? Queries also arise about whether the labelling mandate affects various sectors, including telecoms, HR websites, banks, and inventory management systems, using AI. As somebody recently said, We should not need to ask the government for permission to do maths." Any sort of government control and permission is likely to slow down deployment. In an area like AI induction, where speed is of the essence, this may be unacceptable. A cursory glance shows there are well over 500,000 open source AI algorithms available for anybody to use. It would be a useless and time-consuming task for the ministry to sort through these and grant granular permission to some entity that wished to use them. In addition, there are in-house AI developments done by entities and individuals for many purposes, which would also require scrutiny if this advisory is taken literally. The issue of protection for intellectual property also arises if a company develops an algorithm which may have probable monetary value, it may not wish to share the details with anybody, including the government. There may also be gaps in the legislation and regulations covering such situations and these cannot be adequately addressed until the general elections are over. There are two recent developments that could give policy makers a better roadmap for oversight and regulation since these set down both broad principles about AI regulation as well as dealing with technical specifics of combating fake content. One is the European Unions (EU) Artificial Intelligence Act which was signed in December 2023. This the first Act regulating AI provides a benchmark for such regulation. India is also part of the Global Partnership on AI which is trying to put together a broad set of principles based on similar logic for AI regulation. The second is a commitment at the Munich Security Conference in February by the worlds largest tech companies to combat the misuse of AI in elections - The Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections". Over 40 countries including India, the US and UK have elections this year affecting the fate of over 4 billion individuals. How corporates like Meta, Microsoft, Google, X, OpenAI, Tik-Tok, etc, which are all signatories intend to do this is important. The EU framework classifies AI according to risks. Higher risk leads to more stringent oversight, and more obligations for providers and users. Limited risk systems need only comply with transparency requirements that allow informed decisions labelling as suggested in the Meity advisory is enough. In the EU, AI that affects safety or fundamental rights are high risk". This could be AI used in products like toys, aviation, cars, medical devices, etc. Use of AI in certain specific areas must be registered. This includes biometric identification, education, employment, access to essential services and financial benefits, law enforcement, immigration, etc. Such high-risk AI systems must be assessed before rollout, and reviewed regularly while in use. These areas are places where the Meity should be focussed. Some systems are banned in the EU. These include cognitive manipulation of people (such as election-related fake news), toys that encourage dangerous behaviour, and social scoring that classifies people based on behaviour, socio-economic status or personal characteristics. Some real-time and remote biometric systems, like facial recognition may be used only with court approval to identify and apprehend criminals after a serious crime has been committed. The tech accord signatories will collaborate to detect and block online distribution of fake AI content about politics, and provide transparency about AI usage in generating political content. They will attempt to track the origin of deceptive political content and raise public awareness about it. They will block such content on their platforms. Given the high stakes, this is obviously not just a symbolic commitment. In summary, it is imperative for the government to promptly provide clear and precise explanations regarding the advisory's implications and the types of AI deployments that necessitate explicit permissions. Given that legislation on this matter cannot be enacted until after the elections, there is a risk of a legal void. Potential regulatory overreach during this period needs to be carefully monitored. The Supreme Court has held that lawmakers are not immune from prosecution in cases of bribery for making a speech or voting a certain way in Parliament or state legislatures. The verdict of the seven-judge bench sets aside the judgement in the 1998 Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case, in which a five-member bench of the apex court had upheld the immunity of lawmakers. While Articles 105 and 194 provide them a legal shield to enable them to work without fear, the court on Monday disagreed that this encompassed bribery. To give any privilege unconnected to the functioning of Parliament or legislature will lead to creating a class that enjoys unchecked exemptions from the operation of law of the land," the court said. Corruption and bribery of members of the legislature erode the functioning of democracy," it added. This rights a wrong judicial example that had been set in India. While lawmakers do need some privileges to better discharge their duties, this doesnt imply they can live above the law. Corruption, especially, should be dealt with sternly, whether it takes places outside or in Parliament. As representatives, lawmakers should welcome the ruling. Six rebel Congress MLAswho were disqualified after they cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court to challenge their disqualification ordered by the Assembly Speaker. Filing a plea against the February 29 decision of the state Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, the rebel MLAs said that the Speakers order was illegal and constitutional. The disqualified MLAs who moved to the apex court are Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma. Earlier, the MLAs had moved the Himachal Pradesh High Court challenging their disqualification from the state Assembly following the defeat of party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha election. Assembly Speaker Pathania disqualified these rebel MLAs who had not only cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha polls but also abstained from voting on the Budget in the state Assembly, defying the party whip. The House passed the Finance Bill by voice vote. Also Read | Govt advises Indians working at Israeli border to relocate after Keralite dies The ruling Congress had sought disqualification of these rebel MLAs saying that they abstained from voting on the Budget in the Assembly, defying a party whip to vote for the government on the Finance Bill. Meanwhile, seven BJP MLAs have received notices for allegedly creating a ruckus in the Vidhan Sabha on February 28. Confirming that notices have been sent to some BJP MLAs, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker said the matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee. Also Read | Sandeshkhali: HC orders Bengal police to handover Shajahan Sheikh to CBI "Notices have been received from some members (on the ruckus) and I have also taken suo motu notice. The matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee," PTI quoted Pathania as saying. "The indiscipline created by BJP legislators inside the House invites action for breach of privilege, rules and constitutional provisions and notices are being issued to them in this regard," he said. On February 28, the speaker had adjourned the House after suspending 15 BJP MLAs, including the leader of the opposition Jai Ram Thakur for misbehavior with the marshall outside the speaker's office and creating a ruckus on February 27, but the suspended BJP MLAs refused to leave the House and threw papers on the chair of the speaker and raised slogans. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of Calcutta High Court submitted his resignation today, March 5, as he is speculated to contest Lok Sabha polls and kickstart his second innings in politics, sources informed Mint. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay will hold a press conference at 2 pm to announce his resignation. In an interview with reporters outside the High Court premises, he said, "I am going to meet the Chief Justice. I am going to meet the Chief Justice for a courtesy visit. I have already sent my resignation to the President." On Sunday, the Calcutta High Court judge said that he will resign from his post on March 5 which gave raise to speculations that the BJP will field him as their candidate for the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat from West Bengal. These speculations arose after BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari promised a surprise on March 7. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay had said that he will send his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. Also read: Delhi HC to decide on taxability of corporate guarantees The judge was quoted as saying, "These days I will not do any justice work, I will just remove all the cases listed with me," reported India Today. Additionally, the judge said he would answer all questions regarding his resignation and what is next for him on Tuesday. The judge is also being pursued by Communist Party of India (CPIM) to join their party. Also read: Bombay High Court acquits former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and 5 others in Maoist link case Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay noted that he took the decision owing to the challenge thrown by the TMC and said I have been challenged to come and fight on the (political) field several times by the ruling partys (TMCs) leaders, so I thought why not," in an interview with the Bengali news channel ABP Ananda. Also read: Supreme Court orders AAP to vacate its Delhi headquarters from land allotted for HC expansion Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2022 , to investigate the alleged irregularities in recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government schools in West Bengal. Justice Gangopadhyay gave an interview to a news channel last year about the pending case relating to the teachers recruitment scam. Subsequently, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud ordered the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court to reassign the case to another judge. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Americas two most powerful political parties will move closer to selecting their Presidential nominees for the upcoming 2024 election on Tuesday. In an event known as Super Tuesday, more than a dozen American states will vote in the primary elections for both the Democratic and Republican parties. Incumbent President Joe Biden is expected to comfortably march to the Democratic nomination, while former president Donald Trump is expected to defeat Nikki Haley for the Republican nomination. Mint breaks down the event. What is a primary election? In the US political system, each major political party holds primary polls that allow registered party voters to select the partys nominee for a particular election. This is the case for elections to major offices such as the Presidency and state-level governorships. During a presidential primary, candidates hoping to be their partys presidential nominee must win the support of voters in a series of state-level contests. Each state is assigned a certain number of delegates, and they are allotted to candidates on the basis on how many votes they receive in the state-level contest. The candidate who wins a certain fixed target of delegates wins their partys nomination for the presidency and gets to fight in the general election. What is the setting for the 2024 US election? Observers pay most attention to the primaries of Americas two biggest political parties: the Democrats and the Republicans. To secure the Democratic nomination, a candidate must win a total of 1,968 delegates across the country, while 1,215 delegates are needed to win the Republican nomination. While primaries can be closely contested, this doesnt seem to be the case for 2024. President Biden has breezed through the Democratic primaries, while former president Trump has bested Haley, an Indian-American who served as Americas UN ambassador and governor of South Carolina. Why is Super Tuesday important? On 5 March, also known as Super Tuesday, more than a dozen states and some US territories will hold primary polls. Around 1,420 delegates for the Democratic primary and 865 delegates for the Republican primary will be allotted. In the past, Super Tuesday has proven a decisive date that has made and broken candidacies. This year, it is likely to make a rematch between Biden and Trump a near certainty. However, both men will have to contest a few more polls after Super Tuesday to clinch their partys nomination. What does this mean for Nikki Haley? Despite suffering heavy defeats in the primaries thus far, Haley has refused to drop out of the race against Trump. She scored a victory in one primary in the District of Columbia. She has become increasingly critical of Trump in recent weeks. However, polls indicate that Trump is headed for another easy victory on Super Tuesday, which could end Haleys run. After state-run lender State Bank of India (SBI) moved the Supreme Court over electoral bonds data sharing, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that the bank executives should be punished for 'kam chori' (truancy), adding that it is an insult to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who works "20 hours all 365 days 9 years 10 months". On Monday, SBI moved the top court seeking an extension of the deadline till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties. In its verdict last month, the apex court had directed the bank to furnish the details to the Election Commission of India by March 6. Raut, in his social media post on microblogging website X (formerly Twitter), wrote: "Yeh kya ho raha hai. SBI Chairman and Directors should be punished for insulting our PM Modiji. Modiji has changed India now its Digital India! And SBI asked Supreme Court time of 4 months to submit details of Electoral Bond." "How dare they insult our dear PM Modiji who has been working 20 hrs all 365 days 9 years 10 months! And these Kam Chor want 4 months? Send them all to Jail. Aaram Haram hai!" he added. In an application filed before the Supreme Court, the SBI contended that retrieval of information from "each silo" and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise. The plea submitted that due to stringent measures undertaken to ensure that the identity of the donors was kept anonymous, "decoding" the electoral bonds and matching donors to the donations made would be a complex process. In a landmark judgement that delivered a big blow to the government, the Supreme Court on February 15 annulled the electoral bonds scheme for political funding, saying it violates the Constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression as well as the right to information. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed that the SBI must disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties. The information should include the date of encashment and the denomination of the bonds and be submitted to the poll panel by March 6. (With PTI inputs) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Among the 34 Union Ministers whose names featured in BJPs first list of 195 candidates released last weekend was Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who has been fielded from Thiruvananthapuram, a seat in Kerala considered Congress leader Shashi Tharoors stronghold. While Congress has yet to announce its candidate from the constituency, if they choose to field Tharoor again, it will be one of the high-profile contests in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. Fielding Chandrasekhar is part of BJPs aim to make inroads in Kerala, where it had failed to win any seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In one of his recent visits to Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the goal of achieving a two-digit figure in the state in the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 polls. Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Skill Development, is a three-time Rajya Sabha member and will contest Lok Sabha polls for the first time. Tharoor, former Union Minister of State for External Affairs, has won the seat three times since 2009. Also Read: BJP can win double digit number in Kerala if: Shashi Tharoor crunches number ahead of Lok Sabha polls 2024 Chandrasekhar, 59, brings a technocratic background, having worked at Intel, founded BPL Mobile, and later sold his stake for US $ 1.1 billion. Tharoor, 67, is a former international civil servant, an author, and a public intellectual apart from a politician. Not born in Kerala Chandrasekhar and Tharoor are from Kerala, yet neither was born there. Chandrasekhar was born to Malayali parents in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. His ancestral home is in Kondayur in Thrissur district of Kerala. Tharoor was born in London, United Kingdom, to Chandran Tharoor and Sulekha Menon, a Malayali couple from Palakkad, Kerala. After completing his electrical engineering at Manipal Institute of Technology, Chandrasekhar studied Masters in Computer Science at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. In 1988, he joined Intel. In 1991, Chandrasekhar returned to India and joined his father-in-laws company, BPL Group. He founded BPL Mobile in 1994. However, in 2005, he sold his 64 percent stake in BPL Communications to Essar Group for US $1.1 billion. In 2005, Chandrasekhar founded Jupiter Capital with an initial investment of US$100 million. Tharoor studied at Montfort School, Yercaud, near Salem in Tamil Nadu, and Campion School in Mumbai. He did his Bachelors in history from St Stephens College, New Delhi. Tharoor got his Masters in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, United States. He also has a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy and a PhD in International Relations and Affairs. Also Read: BJP candidate list 2024: Rajya Sabha route? Not any more for these 7 Union ministers. Details here Tharoors career in the United Nations began in 1978 as a staff member of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. Tharoor resigned from the post of Under-Secretary-General in April 2007. In 2006, the Union government nominated Tharoor for the post of UN Secretary-General. Tharoor finished second, behind Ban Ki-moon of South Korea. Political Journey Chandrasekhar began his parliamentary journey in 2006 as an independent member of the Rajya Sabha, representing Karnataka. In 2018, he was re-elected for the third term to Rajya Sabha as a BJP member. Chandrasekhar became a Minister of State following the cabinet reshuffle in July 2021 in the second Narendra Modi government. He has been a prominent voice in the Narendra Modi government and is also present at the BJP headquarters during the induction of new leaders into the party. Tharoor contested his first Lok Sabha elections from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in 2009. He won by a margin of nearly 1 lakh votes. In 2014, when Tharoor was up against BJP veteran O Rajagopal, the winning margin came down to 15,470 votes. In 2019, Tharoor once again defeated BJP candidate Kummanam Rajasekharan. Also Read: Indian national from Kerala killed in anti-tank missile attack near Israel, 2 injured Tharoor was the countrys most-followed politician on X (formerly Twitter) until 2013, when he was overtaken by Narendra Modi, the then BJPs prime ministerial candidate. Tharoor has been Minister of State for External Affairs and HRD (now Education) in the UPA governments under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In 2022, Tharoor lost the Congress presidential elections to Mallikarjun Kharge. In December last year, Tharoor hinted that the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections may mark his final contest from the Thiruvananthapuram seat. The Congress party has not announced its candidates yet. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders rallied on March 4 around Prime Minister Narendra Modi while countering Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs No Parivar jibe, with the whole country is Modi ka Parivar slogan. Union Ministers, chief ministers and party leaders added, Modi ka Parivar (Modis family)" to their social media handles soon after PM Modi said at a rally in Telanganas Adilabad that the people of the country love him like a member" of their family. And that is why I say 140 crore people of this country are my family... Crores of daughters, mothers and sisters all the poor people in the country....are my family. The children and elderly in the country are Modis family. Those who have no one, belong to Modi and Modi belongs to them. My Bharat, my family," Modi said at the rally in Adilabad. PM Modis comments about his family were seen as a counter to Lalu Prasad Yadavs comment made at the Opposition INDIA blocs Jan Vishwas Maha Rally in Patna a day before, Modi keeps talking about pariwarwaad (dynastic politics). What can we do if Narendra Modi does not have a parivar (family) of his own?," the former Bihar Chief Minister said. PM Modis counter to Lalu Yadav at the Adilabad rally was followed by a social media campaign with top leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP Chief J P Nadda and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, adding Modi ka Parivar" suffix to their names on X (formerly Twitter). The campaign trended throughout the day on March 3. Also Read: Modi a self-proclaimed Vishwaguru, Jairam Ramesh on PMs 140 crore Indians are my family remark The BJPs counterattack ahead of the2024 Lok Sabha campaign is not the first such campaign. In fact, the party has mastered the art of weaponising personal attacks and jibes against Narendra Modi, first as Gujarat Chief Minister and then as Prime Minister, as a successful poll campaign strategy. 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' of 2019 The Modi Ka Parivar in the run-up to the Lok Sabha election 2024 is on the lines of Main Bhi Chowkidar slogans popularised by the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections. Then Congress leader Rahul Gandhis Chowkidar Chor Hai had become the Oppositions biggest poll campaign slogan against PM Modi over the alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal with France. In response, top BJP leaders had then added the Chowkidar prefix to their social media handles to show solidarity with the PM, countering Rahul Gandhis Chowkidar Chor Hai jibe. The BJP eventually swept the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Chai Pe Charcha campaign of 2014 In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections 2014, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar sparked a row when he claimed that Narendra Modi, then the BJP prime ministerial candidate, would never become the Prime Minister of India. He could sell tea at a Congress conclave," the former Union Minister, Aiyar, said. The Chaiwala jibe, in turn, helped BJP project PM Modi as a leader who had risen from modest beginnings. Soon, the Chai Pe Charcha campaign became a popular pre-poll campaign tool for the BJP. Narendra Modi led the BJP to an unprecedented victory at the Centre. Three years later, Aiyar was at the centre of a row again when he called PM Modi a neech kisim ka aadmi in the run-up to the 2017 Gujarat elections referring to PM Modis OBC caste. PM Modi and the BJP lost no time in converting the casteist personal attacks on him into a political campaign, with PM Modi calling it Aiyars Muglai (elitist) mindset. The BJP unleashed a massive OBC outreach in the midst of raging Patidar agitation in the 2017 Gujarat Polls. Once again, the counter campaign yielded political dividends, and the BJP returned to power in Gujarat. Sonia Gandhi's Maut Ka Saudagar jibe in 2007 The Congress party was predicted to win the 2007 Gujarat assembly polls when United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in a poll rally, attacked the then Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, over the Gujarat riots of 2002. The Congress leader referred to Modi as Maut Ka Saudagar" (merchant of death). Chief Minister Modi smartly weaponised the attack against him and, in fact, turned it around against the Congress as a party, at the centre, that was shielding the perpetrators of the Parliament attack of 2001. The BJP won with a majority, bagging 117 of the 182 seats in the Gujarat Assembly. So, will Lalu Yadavs No Parivar comment and the counter Modi Ka Parivar campaign by the BJP also yield political dividends for the saffron party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls? Only time will tell as the election season hots up. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth more than 7,200 crore at Sangareddy in Telangana , about 60 km from here, on Tuesday. Addressing an event here, PM Modi reiterated his commitment to Telangana's progress and said he works with the spirit that states' development is the country's growth. Telangana can be called the 'Gateway for South India'. Work is being done on the electrification of railways. Six new stations have also been made. These developments will have a spillover effect on the economy of Telangana and the surrounding regions," he said. PM Modi said that for the last 10 years, the Centre was continuously working to take Telangana to new heights of development. The Prime Minister also said, Today 140 crore Indians are determined for Viksit Bharat (developed India). It was essential to have modern infrastructure for a developed India. Therefore, the Centre had allocated 11 lakh crore towards infrastructure in this year's budget and the Centre wanted Telangana to get the maximum benefit from it." Recalling that he had launched development projects worth 56,000 crore from Adilabad in the state on Monday, he said development initiatives worth about 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. The aviation sector is breaking records in the country. In the past 10 years, the number of airports has doubled," PM Modi added. The PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for three National Highway projects. The two National Highway projects inaugurated by the Prime Minister include four lanes of 40 km long Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161. PM Modi is on three visits to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar from March 4 to 6. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other Congress leaders on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Assembly against Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Earlier on Monday, Bajwa slammed the Central and Haryana governments for their handling of the ongoing farmers' protest, drawing parallels with the recent French farmers' protest in Paris. Bajwa asserted that the police from Delhi and Haryana had no right to impede the farmers' movement. The manner in which Punjab was barricaded by the Central Government as well as the Haryana Government. Business suffered. At this time, the state government and the CM himself should have gone to the centre with the demands of the farmers...This is a border state, it is essential to maintain peace in a state with an international border. But the CM did not shoulder his responsibility," Bajwa told ANI. Furthermore, the opposition leader raised serious allegations against the Haryana Police and levelled allegations against them for causing harm to the agitated farmers. "Haryana Police put up barricades, came within Punjab's area and affected around 300 people. One young man was killed, 8-9 farmers have died but what is our Police doing?," Bajwa said. The farmer leader declared that groups of farmers will continue their presence at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders until the government reopens the roads leading to Delhi. Since February 13, farmers have been stationed at various points along the borders of the national capital, accompanied by their tractors, mini-vans, and pickup trucks. Their demands include a law ensuring minimum support price (MSP) and the withdrawal of police cases lodged against farmers during previous protests. (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi was greeted with Modi-Modi chants as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra wove through Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. The senior Congress leader offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain alongside fellow party leader Kamal Nath. BJP workers also offered potatoes to him in a mocking gesture while he blew a kiss in response. Sometimes it happens during the yatra, like it happened today. Three-four people from BJP were standing with flags. They were shouting. I got down from the vehicle and shook hands and asked how are you brother? And they stopped shouting and started smiling and then when I was leaving, they were doing like this (making gesture of blowing kisses)," Gandhi recounted later. The Congress lawmaker insisted that it was easy to face such incidents by opening "mohabbat ki dukan" (shop of love) in "nafrat ka bazaar" (market of hatred). (With inputs from agencies) Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Uttar Pradesh Cabinet expansion: The Uttar Pradesh government expanded its Cabinet on Tuesday and four new ministers took oath. The new ministers are Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) MLA Anil Kumar and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma. The four ministers were sworn-in in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow on Tuesday. After taking the oath as minister, RLD leader Anil Kumar thanked his party chief Jayant Chaudhary, Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This is a big responsibility, and I will try to work with honesty. We will work towards winning all 80 (Lok Sabha) seats here (in UP) and fulfil PM's target of 400 seats," he said. Meanwhile, BJP's Sunil Kumar Sharma said, "The responsibility that has been given to me by the Chief Minister and the party will be carried out responsibly. I will do what I learnt while being in the party...In Lok Sabha elections, we will win all 80 seats this time..." Who are the new UP ministers? > Sunil Kumar Sharma: He is a BJP MLA from Sahibabad in Ghaziabad district. He was elected for the first time as a Member of the fifteenth UP Legislative Assembly in 2007. Between 2010 and 2012, he was a member of the Joint Committee on Women and Child Development. In 2017, he was elected as an MLA for the second time. He won the Sahibabad seat by a record margin in the 2017 and 2022 UP polls. > Dara Singh Chauhan: Chauhan was originally in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before he joined the BJP ahead of the 2017 UP assembly polls. He joined the SP before the 2022 UP polls. He later returned to the BJP. He represents Nonia, a backward caste in east UP. Chauhan was elected as an MLA from Ghosi as an SP candidate in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. He was made a minister in the first Yogi government between 2017 and 2022. > Anil Kumar: He is an RLD MLA from Purkazi in Muzaffarnagar district. He has been a three-time MLA. > OP Rajbhar: He is the chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP). He is a former cabinet minister in the Uttar Pradesh government and an MLA from the Zahoorabad constituency in Ghazipur. This was the first cabinet expansion in Yogi Adityanath's second term as chief minister. The current UP council of ministers has 52 members -- 18 cabinet ministers, including the chief Minister, 14 ministers of state (independent charge) and 20 ministers of state. The cabinet expansion is seen as an attempt by the BJP to consolidate its position in several regions of the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, news agency PTI reported. Last week, RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda in Delhi and formally joined the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). On Monday, the RLD declared its candidates from Bijnor and Baghpat for the general elections. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! Bollywood actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre over publicity" of Ayodhya's Ram Temple. He claimed that the number of visitors to Ayodhya's Ram Temple dropped significantly after the inaugural ceremony. TMC MP Sinha alleged that around 5 lakh people visited the temple on the first day. However, the number came down to 5,000 and 10,000 eventually, he said. Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Shatrughan Sinha said, "...I say it with sadness...After so much publicity (of Ram Temple in Ayodhya), around 5 lakh people reached there on the first day...Big corporate houses and artists were called but the common man was not invited." "However, on the second and third day, only 3 lakh people reached there. After that, it came down to two lakhs. Now, 5 thousand, 10 thousand and 20 thousand people are going there...," Sinha alleged. Shatrughan Sinha a 'liar', says BJP leader Sinha's comments drew sharp criticism from BJP leader Amit Malviya who accused the TMC leader of "lying". In a post on X, Malviya shared the clip of Sinha's speech and said, "Like Mamata Banerjee, TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha is also a liar." Malviya claimed that "more than 50 lakh people visited Ayodhya for Bhagwan Rams darshan in the first month and the numbers have been only rising". "It is projected that 5 crore devotees will visit Ayodhya annually, far more than what Mecca and the Vatican receive. For Pran Pratistha also, people from all walks of life, rich and poor, all castes and denominations were present," Malviya said. While the world focuses on the threat posed by Irans growing nuclear program and its terror proxies, Irans ballistic-missile program is underwriting the expansion of both. Over the past decade, Iran has transformed much of its ballistic-missile arsenal, the largest in the Middle East, from mere tools of terror to battlefield-ready systems. Iranian missiles are more precise, mobile, lethal and abundant than ever beforegiving the regime more dangerous options when it wants to throw its weight around. Iran spent decades mastering the art of covert and deniable military action by using proxies. It still does that, as weve seen since Oct. 7, but Iran also has a newfound confidence, which has reduced its threshold for the use of overt and attributable force. Since 2017, Iran has engaged in at least 11 separate ballistic-missile operations from its own territory against Kurdish, U.S., Islamic State, Baluch and other targets and interests across Iraq, Syria and Pakistan. Iran is likely to use these missiles to respond to any serious or perceived provocation in the future. Citing this newfound missile power, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in 2018 that the enemy knows if he hits one, he will receive 10." In January, Iran launched four medium-range ballistic missiles at Syria in response to Islamic State attacks. Though the strike was on Syrian territory, the projectiles also sent a message to Israel. Their stated range of 900 miles is roughly the distance between Iran and Israel, and the missiles nameKheibar Shekan or Breaker of Kheibar"invokes the destruction of a Jewish stronghold in seventh-century Arabia by the prophet Muhammads armies. In 2023 the regime claimed to have developed its first-ever hypersonic missile and celebrated with a poster in Persian, Arabic and Hebrew proclaiming that it needed only 400 seconds" to strike Tel Aviv. In late 2021, Tehran built a mock-up of Israels nuclear facility at Dimona and struck it during a military drill using ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones. Iran also fired ballistic missiles at a mock-up of the Star of David in 2017 and has emblazoned anti-Israel slogans on a host of ballistic missiles. These declarations and drills arent merely performative. Ukrainians and Israelis have learned the hard way not to play down the irredentist or genocidal intentions of their adversaries. Leaders often mean what they say and will spend time and resources to effect ends they desire. No one has ever accused the Islamic Republic of shying away from telegraphing its intentions. Some experts see the regimes recent missile operations as sign of internal weakness and external limits. In response to Israels killing of an Iranian general in Syria in December, Tehran opted to launch missiles at what it alleged was a Mossad stronghold in Iraqin reality, the missiles hit the home of a Kurdish businessmanrather than attack Israel directly. In this case, Iran used its missile capability to save face. Better missiles dont mean that Iran will become a conventional military power overnight, and the regime isnt expected to shun its carefully cultivated proxy network. But the West should fear how Tehran might incorporate its improved long-range strike capabilities into a larger strategy in pursuit of its ideological goals. Tehran is already taking advantage of its missile capability to provide cover for other escalatory acts against the U.S. and Israel. When Israel thinks about how to respond to Hezbollahs attacks, it must take into account a deadly and potentially direct Iranian response. This, on top of Hezbollahs Iran-supplied precision-guided munition capabilities, helps deter Israel and is keeping 80,000 Israelis from returning to their homes in the north. The missiles also distract from Irans nuclear progress, which could provide the clerics with the ultimate sword of Damocles to dangle over the Jewish state. To date, Israel hasnt been able to stop either threat from advancing, largely because of the costs of a potential Iranian reprisal. Tehran can also use its missile capabilities to limit the options available to its adversaries, forcing them into grudging accommodation. One need only look at Saudi Arabia, which for years was under a barrage of Iran-supplied missiles and drones via the Houthi rebels in Yemen and has settled for a not-so-cold detente with Iran. As the gap between Tehrans missile capability and its braggadocio narrows, the risk of harsh Iranian responses to threats grows considerably. Missile mastery has emboldened the Islamic Republic, making it keen to take more risks and to respond to fire with fire. Mr. Taleblu is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Indian startups have now approached the country's top antitrust regulator to force Google to reinstate the apps it removed on Friday for policy reasons. Google had removed around 200 Indian apps, including Naukri , 99acres , Bharat Matrimony and Kuku FM, and the tech giant later reinstated only around 15 of them. Also Read | Google vs Indian startups row: its global implications According to a Reuters report, citing the letter written by the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), Indian startups claim that Google's "brazen" move to delist these apps from the Google Play store was anti-competitive and that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) should ask the Mountain View, California-based company to reverse its decision. The report said that ADIF, in its letter to the CCI dated March 1, had alleged that Google's move would cause "irreparable damage to the entire market". Meanwhile, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Rajeev Chandrasekhar met separately with Google and Indian startups to find a solution to the current crisis. Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for IT and Communications, has held several meetings on the issue but declined to give any new details, saying "I will share when it is finalised". Meanwhile, Minister of State for IT and Electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar held a meeting with ADIF where the start-ups raised their issues on the matter and sought support from the government, reported PTI. Why did Google delist Indian apps? Indian startups and Google have been at loggerheads over the company's decision to impose a fee of 11-26 percent on in-app payments. Notably, in an earlier order, the CCI had stopped Google from enforcing a system of charging 15-30 per cent for in-app fees. The Indian startups claim that Google is abusing its dominant position in the market to charge a fee of 11-26 per cent for in-app payments, when most payment gateways charge only around 0.5-2 per cent. They also claim that their apps are forced to use Google's API while implementing any Google model, which gives the tech giant access to their customer data, in clear violation of the CCI order. Google, for its part, has maintained that an in-app fee helps it develop and promote the Android and Play Store ecosystem. The company also added that treating a small group of developers differently creates an uneven playing field for the vast majority of developers who pay their fair share. Milestone Alert! Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world Click here to know more. Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed it's all here, just a click away! Login Now! AI in Asia Asias Ascendancy in AI: A Look at Innovations from Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, and the ETT | iByond and Knightsbridge Group Joint Venture In the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence (AI), Asia has emerged as a global leader in innovation and technology development. With powerhouse companies like Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent at the forefront, the region is driving significant advancements in AI that are reshaping industries and transforming economies. Alibaba, known for its e-commerce prowess, has been making substantial investments in AI to enhance customer experiences and drive business efficiency. The companys AI-driven initiatives span a wide range of applications, from personalized shopping recommendations to intelligent logistics and supply chain management. Alibabas AI-powered cloud computing services are also empowering businesses to harness the full potential of AI to drive innovation and growth. Similarly, Baidu, often referred to as the Google of China, is leveraging AI to revolutionize search engines, autonomous driving, and healthcare. The companys AI research division, Baidu Research, is spearheading groundbreaking projects in natural language processing, computer vision, and deep learning, with a focus on solving complex real-world problems. Tencent, another tech giant in China, is harnessing the power of AI to enhance its social media platforms, gaming services, and financial products. The companys AI initiatives range from voice recognition and facial recognition technologies to AI-driven content moderation and personalized advertising. In addition to these industry leaders, the recent joint venture between Economic Transformation Technologies (ETT) | iByond and Knightsbridge Group has further underscored the importance of Asia in AI innovation. By combining iByonds expertise in AI with Knightsbridge Groups global network, the partnership aims to deliver cutting-edge fintech solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers worldwide. The joint venture represents a significant milestone in Asias AI landscape, as it brings together the strengths and capabilities of two leading players in the industry. With a focus on harnessing AI to drive innovation in financial technology, the partnership is poised to unlock new opportunities and propel Asia to the forefront of the global AI revolution. As Asia continues to lead the way in AI innovation, companies like Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent, and the ETT | iByond and Knightsbridge Group joint venture are driving the development of AI technologies that are reshaping industries, transforming economies, and shaping the future of AI on a global scale. With their unwavering commitment to innovation and technology, these companies are poised to shape the next wave of AI-driven innovation and propel Asia to new heights in the digital era. The geopolitical tensions between China and Western countries, particularly in Europe and the Americas, have inadvertently fueled anti-Asian sentiment among their populations. As political rhetoric intensifies and trade disputes escalate, the portrayal of China as an economic rival and geopolitical threat has led to generalized perceptions of Asians as foreign adversaries. This has manifested in various forms, including discriminatory attitudes, xenophobic rhetoric, and even acts of violence targeting individuals of Asian descent. The rise of anti-China politics in the West has contributed to the stigmatization of Asian communities, who are often perceived as proxies for the Chinese government or associated with the perceived threats posed by Chinas rise on the global stage. Negative portrayals in media, political discourse, and online platforms further exacerbate these stereotypes, leading to increased discrimination and marginalization of Asian individuals and communities. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing tensions, with some politicians and media outlets scapegoating China and Asians for the spread of the virus. Terms like Chinese virus or Kung Flu have been used to assign blame and vilify Asian communities, leading to a surge in hate crimes and discrimination against Asians in Western countries. The consequences of this anti-Asian sentiment are significant, ranging from social exclusion and discrimination to physical violence and hate crimes. Asian-owned businesses have been vandalized, individuals have been verbally and physically assaulted, and entire communities have been traumatized by acts of bigotry and hate. Addressing anti-Asian sentiment requires a concerted effort from governments, civil society, and individuals. Political leaders must refrain from using inflammatory language and rhetoric that vilifies entire ethnic groups, while media outlets should strive to provide balanced and accurate coverage of international affairs. Education and awareness campaigns can help combat stereotypes and promote understanding and empathy among diverse communities. Ultimately, fostering inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for diversity is essential for building cohesive and harmonious societies. By challenging prejudice and discrimination, we can create environments where all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity, can thrive and contribute to the collective prosperity of our communities. Asia plays a pivotal role in the global economy, contributing significantly to trade, innovation, and economic growth. As such, fostering positive relations with Asian countries is essential for maintaining global stability and prosperity. However, the promotion of anti-Asian sentiment by the European Union (EU) and the United States (USA) is detrimental to these goals and must be addressed. The EU and USA, as influential players on the world stage, have a responsibility to promote tolerance, inclusivity, and mutual respect among nations and peoples. Unfortunately, recent political developments and rhetoric have contributed to the stigmatization of Asians and Asian communities, leading to discrimination and hostility. The rise of anti-Asian sentiment in the EU and USA can have far-reaching consequences, not only for individuals and communities but also for diplomatic relations and economic cooperation. Prejudice and discrimination undermine trust and cooperation, hindering efforts to address global challenges such as climate change, security threats, and economic inequality. To combat anti-Asian sentiment, concerted efforts are needed at both the governmental and societal levels. Political leaders must condemn xenophobic rhetoric and policies that target Asians and promote inclusive policies that uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Furthermore, civil society organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals can play a crucial role in raising awareness about the harmful effects of prejudice and discrimination. By fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and challenging stereotypes, we can create a more inclusive and harmonious society where diversity is celebrated and valued. EU and USA must take proactive steps to address and combat anti-Asian sentiment, both domestically and internationally. By promoting tolerance and respect for diversity, we can build a more equitable and prosperous world for all. "I don't know what kind of special x-ray machine they've got when people walk in that they can look at you and go 'nope, you're not a republican' and 'yes, you are a republican,'" said Harris. It can be difficult to notice if someone is in a volatile relationship because the victim may not be honest with you or dismiss your concerns. This is what therapists call 'freezing'. He spoke to our partners at Mix 104.1, saying he has heard a lot of pros and cons, which is why the idea needs to be thoroughly researched. A Midlands man (60s) has appeared in court facing 90 charges relating to the possession and production of child pornography, false imprisonment, sexual assault and sexual exploitation of four children over the course of 2021 and 2022. The man, who cannot be named due to the nature of his offences, was arrested and charged by Detective Garda Brendan Lynn last night, Monday, March 4, 2024, and detained by gardai to appear before Longford District Court this afternoon (Tuesday, March 5). Among the 90 charges against the four juvenile female victims were two charges for false imprisonment and five for sexual exploitation. A total of 81 charges relate to the sexual assault of underage girls. He was also charged with the possession of 32 images of child pornography and faces a separate charge of producing child pornography by recording 30 images of himself sexually assaulting a female child using his phone. A cash lodgement of 500 was paid and independent surety was approved by the court. The man was admitted to bail on the condition that he reside at the address on the charge sheets and notify Gardai should he seek to change address. He is to be contactable 24/7 and must sign on three times a week at his local Garda station. He must also surrender his passport and has been ordered not to contact seven named people either directly or indirectly. The man is due to reappear on April 4, when it is hoped a book of evidence will be served. A protest involving people from Roscrea in Co. Tipperary took place outside a private residence in Tullamore on Monday night. About 15 people stood on a footpath near the entrance to a house and one of them, Maria Phelan, said the protest was connected with asylum seekers being housed in Roscrea. Ms Phelan told the Tullamore Tribune the group comprised only peaceful protesters. We don't have facilities and stuff for all of these people to be in our town, said Ms Phelan. Asked if an attempt had been made to make contact by post instead of standing outside the house, Ms Phelan replied: I haven't but some of the other lads or girls might have, I don't know. One woman, who did not give her name, said emails had been sent. Ms Phelan said: We just said that we were going to come up and make a little bit of noise, I suppose, to protest outside. The majority of us here, all of us here are part of the protest in Roscrea. The services and stuff in our town are just not there. A garda car arrived at the scene of the protest shortly after 9pm and guards spoke to a number of the people taking part. Some of the protesters were holding placards and one placard was placed near the entrance to the house. The message on it said: The Power Of The People, Is Stronger Than The People In Power. The protesters also brought a number of flags, which one woman said were Roscrea flags. Shortly before 10pm the protesters walked back to their cars nearby and left the area but as they drove by the house some of them sounded car horns. A spokesman for An Garda Siochana said gardai were alerted shortly after 8.30pm after a group of individuals gathered outside a private residence in Tullamore. The spokesman added: The group dispersed peacefully a short time later. No policing intervention was required. A man has been charged by gardai following the seizure of a large quantity of cash and drugs, including 'magic' mushrooms in Co. Westmeath. Gardai in Mullingar say they seized over 60,000 in cash and approximately 20,000 worth of suspected cannabis herb during a search operation on Monday afternoon. "At approximately 5.30pm, gardai stopped a car on the Dublin Road in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Following a search of the vehicle, 62,000 in cash was located and seized by gardai," said a garda spokesperson. "Follow-up searches were conducted at two properties in County Westmeath yesterday evening. During the course of these searches, approximately 20,000 of suspected cannabis was seized as well as quantities of suspected cocaine and 'magic' mushrooms," they added. After the car was stopped, the male occupant, who is aged in his 30s, was arrested and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in Westmeath. He has since been charged and is due to appear before Longford District Court, later this Tuesday. A second man, aged in his 20s, who was arrested as part of the investigation remains in custody at a garda station in Co. Westmeath. Investigations are ongoing. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 05 2024 Jeffrey Edsall Was Operating a Stolen Vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration that was Nearly Double the Legal Limit When He Caused a Four-Car Collision. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jeffrey Edsall, 52, was sentenced to three to six years in prison for stealing a car, driving it while under the influence of alcohol, and causing a four-car collision in North Patchogue that left a 73-year-old woman with serious physical injuries. The actions of this defendant are every drivers worst nightmare, said District Attorney Tierney. My office recommended this defendant be sentenced to the maximum allowed by law because his brazen actions caused a four-car collision and seriously injured a passenger in one of those vehicles. According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on June 15, 2023, at approximately 7:04 p.m., Edsall was driving a stolen blue 2001 Ford Explorer northbound on North Ocean Avenue in North Patchogue. Video surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the stolen vehicle rear-end an SUV which was waiting to make a left turn into a parking lot. The force of the crash caused the SUV to be pushed forward several feet and the stolen vehicle to spin into the oncoming southbound lane where it collided with two additional vehicles, one of which contained a 73-year-old woman. As a result of the crash, the victim suffered a broken nose, a fractured right wrist, a fractured right leg that required surgery, and other physical injuries. During the crash, Edsall was ejected from the stolen vehicle and found lying unresponsive nearby. The Suffolk County Police Department transported Edsall to Stony Brook University Hospital, where a sample of his blood was taken by hospital staff. That blood was subsequently seized and tested pursuant to a search warrant, which revealed that Edsalls blood alcohol concentration was .13% at the time the blood was drawn. On January 30, 2024, Edsall pleaded guilty to the following charges before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro: Aggravated Vehicular Assault, a Class C felony; Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony; Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; and Driving While Intoxicated Per Se, a Class E felony. On March 4, 2024, Justice Ambro sentenced Edsall to three to six years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. Edsall was represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James McCormack of the Vehicular Crime Bureau and the investigation was conducted by Detective Stephen Masciopinto of the Suffolk County Police Departments Fifth Squad. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: March 05 2024 Funding Secured Through the Smart Schools Bond Act, Investment Plans Approved by Smart Schools Review Board. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the approval of 59 Smart Schools Investment Plans focused on reimagining education in an evolving age and boosting school security. The approved plans, totaling $27 million, are part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, a sweeping education technology program. Providing our students the opportunity to learn with cutting-edge technology is essential to prepare them for to the workforce of the future, Governor Hochul said. These investments not only provide a safer learning environment, but will give our students a greater understanding of the utilities available to them in the world they will graduate into. The Smart Schools Review Board met today for the 21st time to consider investment plans submitted by school districts and special education schools. The Board is composed of the New York State Budget Director, the Chancellor of the State University of New York, and the Commissioner of the State Education Department. The plans approved by the Board were submitted by 53 school districts and two special education schools. Projects include $21 million for high-tech security, $4.4 million for classroom technology, $1 million for prekindergarten classrooms, $604,000 for school connectivity, and $37,000 for nonpublic schools' classroom technology and school connectivity. A summary of the plans is available. The investments authorized will help ensure student safety and modernize classrooms statewide. High-tech security tools supported by the Smart Schools Bond Act include entry control systems, video systems, and emergency classroom notification systems. These upgrades will enhance the safety of New York schools, helping to ensure that students are able to learn in a secure environment. New technology purchases supported by the Smart Schools Bond Act include computer servers, interactive whiteboards, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, and high-speed broadband and wireless connectivity. These tools empower students to individualize their learning, expand opportunities for learning both inside and outside the classroom, and promote parent-teacher communication. Division of Budget Director Blake Washington said, The Smart Schools Bond Act modernizes outdated classrooms and also enhances school safety. By continuing these investments in IT infrastructure and technology in our schools, our students will grow and develop in the digital age safely. Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, For nearly a decade, schools across the State have benefitted from the resources provided by the SSBA -- and the plans we approved today will help even more districts as they address the rapidly changing technology and security needs of their students and educational communities. Technology enhancements have been a real game-changer for New Yorks teachers, students, and families. Innovative technologies can foster improved teaching and learning and make our schools safer as well. Tomorrows groundbreaking technologies will be created by todays students, so lets continue to give them the tools and resources they need to lead us into the future. SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, "Preparing students for success requires access to technology that helps them learn and opens doors to future possibilities. The Smart Schools Bond Act provides equitable access to advanced technology that enables New York students to be better prepared for their education and careers." In 2014, New York State invested $2 billion in its schools through a Smart Schools Bond Actan initiative to finance educational technology and infrastructure, providing students access to the latest technology and connectivity needed to succeed and compete in the 21st century economy. New Yorkers agreed, as the voters authorized the Smart Schools Bond Act that November. Following the proposal of the Bond Act, the Smart Schools Commission was established to gather information on strategies for how schools can most effectively invest the bond funds. This advisory commission recommended a focus on expanding robust broadband and wireless connectivity and utilizing transformative technologies. The plans approved today by the Smart Schools Review Board reflect many of the best practices identified by the Commission. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 05 2024 Police say that they served a search warrant at a residence in Amityville Tuesday morning, with at least two arrests being made. Following the discovery of several human body parts in Babylon last week - including a severed head - Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives have announced that arrests were made on Tuesday, March 5, in connection with the grisly incident. Police say that they served a search warrant at a residence in Amityville Tuesday morning, with at least two arrests being made; officers reportedly spent the entire night searching the home. In addition, New York State Police have assisted Suffolk authorities in conducting a search of Bethpage State Park, where it is suspected that more human remains may be present. The chain of events leading to Tuesday's police actions began on Thursday, February 29, when a student was walking to school and discovered a severed left arm on the west side of Seagal Boulevard at the eastern end of Southards Pond Park, between Park Avenue and Mason Avenue, at approximately 8:40 a.m. The student called her father who then responded to the scene and called 911. Following an investigation by Homicide Squad detectives, a cadaver dog from the Canine Unit discovered a leg in a mound of leaves on the western side of the park near Graham Place. The same dog continued searching the east side of the park and found a right arm approximately 20 feet away from the original discovery of the left arm. The remains found on the eastern edge of the park appeared to be male. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner determined that the severed head, right arm, left leg from the knee down, and a right upper leg found by a Suffolk County Police Canine Section cadaver dog at the western side of Southards Pond Park on February 29 are believed to be of an adult woman. The Suffolk County Homicide Squad are attempting to identify the woman as well as the man whose body parts were also found. Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-Tips. All calls will remain anonymous. Luxembourgs labour court has ordered a company to repay a worker for lost earnings plus interest after the company refused to provide meal vouchers for a period the employee was working from home, the financial industry labour union said. The unnamed Luxembourg employer unilaterally decided to withdraw the meal vouchers, the Aleba union said in a press release. The employer contended that the employee was only entitled to his meal vouchers for his periods of actual presence in the office and not while working from home, said the labour organisation that represented the worker. The company lost in court last week as judges ruled all employees must be treated the same when it came to what was a component of the compensation whether they were working in the office or from home. The employer was ordered to pay the employee the value of the withheld meal vouchers, plus interest, Aleba said. About 80,000 employees in Luxembourg receive the government and employer-subsidised meal vouchers as a work benefit, the Finance Ministry said last year. The credit-card-like vouchers that are phasing out printed paper coupons can be used in participating restaurants and supermarkets for all food purchases. (This story first appeared in Virgule. It was translated and edited by Emery P. Dalesio) Some projects have experienced delay, but overall progress is underway at clinics across the country The emergency unit at the CHL hospital in Strassen, where the government is investing more than 670 million in various refurbishment and expansion projects The emergency unit at the CHL hospital in Strassen, where the government is investing more than 670 million in various refurbishment and expansion projects Photo credit: Luc Deflorenne The emergency unit at the CHL hospital in Strassen, where the government is investing more than 670 million in various refurbishment and expansion projects Photo credit: Luc Deflorenne Luxembourgs government looks to spend more than 1 billion on hospital infrastructure over the coming years, according to numbers reviewed by a parliamentary budget committee on Monday. Looking ahead, several projects are planned for 2025 and 2026. Among these, the construction of a rehabilitation centre, the Nei Rehaklinik at Luxembourgs Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Centre (CHNP), is anticipated to start in 2026. Administrative offices at the same clinic will start in mid-2026, funded by the state up to 13.8 million. Other projects are also planned, such as the conversion of mutual health insurer CMCMs former premises to build the ADDI-C Center as a day hospital for individuals battling drug addiction and a long Covid clinic for the ongoing needs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Steinfort Intercommunal Hospital is set to undergo development starting in April 2025, with an allocation of 31.7 million, as well as other substantial investments in other healthcare institutions such as Robert Schuman hospital, the Centre Hospitalier du Nord (CHdN), and the Emile Mayrisch Hospital. Healthcare infrastructure projects exceeding 10 million in state funding that are in the works include the near completion of the National Juvenile Psychiatry Services extension at Kirchberg Hospital, a project to which the country has allocated 19.5 million, with spending to date reaching 18.7 million. In addition, Luxembourg Citys hospital centre (CHL) has completed construction of its new maternity ward, with the help of taxpayer funds worth 37.9 million. At the same hospital, the so-called Annex 2 expansion is now 80% completed, supported by a state contribution of 25 million, of which 5.5 million has already been spent. The CHLs paediatric clinic is also undergoing a modernisation, with 50% of the work already carried out, a project with a budget of 11.3 million. Delay for hospital in the south Meanwhile projects with higher financial state contributions have experienced delays. These include the construction of Sudspidol, with only 3% of the work completed. The government has committed to spending 566.9 million on this project, with 45.8 million already disbursed, and a new budget estimate expected this year. Another projects is the extension of the Zithaklinik in Luxembourg City, which carries a budget of 61.8 million and a new main building for the CHL, with completion anticipated in 2028, with the state contributing a staggering amount of 676 million. In Luxembourg, projects exceeding a threshold of 60 million necessitate a specific financing law, although this can also apply to projects with lower costs following a recent reform that adjusted the threshold from 40 million. There have been accounts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas, UN experts say. There have been accounts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas, UN experts say. Photo credit: AFP There have been accounts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas, UN experts say. Photo credit: AFP The United Nations has found reasonable grounds to conclude that Hamas committed sexual violence during its assault on Israel on 7 October, and said there are indications such violence continues to be carried out against those being held hostage by the group. A UN team that investigated the allegations against Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the US and the European Union, received what it called clear and convincing information that women and children held in captivity were subjected to rape, torture and inhumane treatment. Also read: Israeli troops fire on crowds seeking aid as Gaza officials say dozens killed The team reviewed more than 5,000 photos and 50 hours of footage of the attacks, as well as conducting interviews with dozens of Israeli officials. It said the true prevalence of sexual violence during the attack and afterward may take months or years to emerge and may never be fully known. Across the various locations of the 7 October attacks, the mission 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, according to the report Monday led by Pramila Patten, the UNs special representative on sexual violence in conflict. Although circumstantial, such a pattern of undressing and restraining of victims may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence. Ongoing sexual violence Regarding hostages, the mission team said it found clear and convincing information that some have been subjected to various forms of conflict-related sexual violence including rape and sexualized torture. It also has reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing. Responding to the report, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz recalled his countrys ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, for consultations on why the findings didnt immediately result in UN Security Council action. Also read: Israelis who fled October attacks settle into Luxembourg life Despite the authority granted to him, the UN Secretary General did not order the convening of the Security Council in view of the findings, in order to declare the Hamas organization a terrorist organization and impose sanctions on its supporters, Katz said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Negotiations for a cease-fire in exchange for the release of some of the hostages have bogged down, putting a damper on hopes for an imminent deal. The war erupted when Hamas, which is backed by Iran, rampaged through southern Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 people and capturing 250. More than 30,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israels retaliatory air and ground assault, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Claims about Israeli violence unverified Patten and her team of technical experts visited Israel and the West Bank for two weeks starting 29 January. The UN mission didnt request to visit the Gaza Strip, where several other UN entities operate, but did receive information alleging forms of sexual violence against Palestinians by Israel in detention settings, during house raids and at checkpoints, according to the report. It said it hasnt verified those claims. Also read: Gazans in Luxembourg plead for family reunification A separate report by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel found last month that the sexual violence committed by Hamas was systematic and deliberate, and not a malfunction or an isolated incident. Hamass practices were designed to destroy and inflict sadistic terror, author Carmit Klar-Chalamish wrote in the report. The manner in which these assaults were carried out aimed to reinforce their impact on the victims and their communities. Download Image: Web As part of the Lycoming College Spring Symposium, The Politics of Consumption: Race, Class, and Ethics, Lycoming College will host Joseph Ewoodzie, Jr., Ph.D., associate professor of sociology and Vann Professor of Racial Justice at Davidson College, for a talk about the role that food plays in cultural and racial diversity. The event is planned for Wednesday, March 20, 4:30 p.m., in the Trogner Presentation Room, Krapf Gateway Center, and is free and open to the public. The Lycoming College Spring Symposium calls attention to the ways in which food intersects with difficult discussions surrounding race, class, and ethics. The Ewoodzie lecture, as well as other symposium events planned for the spring semester, will help to reinforce Lycoming Colleges commitment to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence by creating safe spaces for hosting complex dialogues surrounding the ways in which food unites and divides us as humans. Other Spring Symposium events include a cooking demonstration by several Lycoming College faculty, and a screening of the movie, Gather, which will be followed by a panel discussion and refreshments from Tomahawks, an indigenous American restaurant in Mifflinburg, Pa. "This symposium calls attention to the ways food intersects with discussions around race, class, indigeneity, and ethical responsibility, which contribute to Lycoming Colleges commitment to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence on our campus." The making and sharing of food represent aspects of life through which identities are created and maintained. This symposium calls attention to the ways food intersects with discussions around race, class, indigeneity, and ethical responsibility, which contribute to Lycoming Colleges commitment to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence on our campus. These events will provide engaging opportunities for Lycoming students, faculty, staff, and broader community members to engage in these important conversations, brought together over our shared and unique experiences with food, said Spring Symposium co-coordinators Hannah Espy, assistant professor of sociology, and Mallory Melton, visiting assistant professor of anthropology and archaeology. In his research, Ewoodzie studies belonging by using qualitative methods to examine how marginalized populations in urban locales make sense of inequalities in their everyday lives. During his lecture at Lycoming, Ewoodzie will discuss his award-winning book, Getting Something to Eat in Jackson: Race, Class, and Food in The American South, where he provides a vivid portrait of African American life in todays urban South that uses food to explore the complex interactions of race and class. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event. Ewoodzies first book, Break Beats in the Bronx: Revisiting Hip Hops Early Years, combines historical methods with sociological theorizing about symbolic boundaries to provide an account of the making of hip hop. With the help of previously unused archival material, the book sheds light on a crucial period (1975-1979) consistently ignored in the historical literature. Ewoodzie earned a bachelors degree from Ithaca College, and a masters and doctoral degree from University of Wisconsin Madison. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 38F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low 27F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. The relationship between Emmy-nominated actor B.J. Novak and the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston has been repaired 27 years after a prank Novak pulled while he was in high school. Before he landed the role of Ryan Howard in the NBC sitcom The Office, Novak was practicing his comedic chops in other ways. In 1997, the Newton native recorded over audio guides for an MFA exhibition called Tales From the Land of Dragons: 1,000 Years of Chinese Painting, according to WCVB. The prank both confused countless innocent visitors and showed the museum that even the pettiest and most sophomoric pranksters among us can leave an impact on a historic institution, the MFA wrote on Instagram Monday. However, Novak was pardoned for the elaborate prank he pulled at the MFA in high school in front of a sold-out crowd on Friday night, March 1, the MFA said. The MFA welcomed Novak alongside his friend and Newton South High School classmate Amir Dehestani as part of the Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Celebrity Lecture Series. NORWOOD Castle Island Brewing Co. is now just Castle Island. Starting Tuesday, the Massachusetts brewery has undergone a major rebranding that will change its name and logo. During an event at Castle Islands Norwood taproom, CEO and founder Adam Romanow announced that the company will drop its old historical cannon logo in favor of a new wordmark that is fun, flowing and stress-free. Youll notice the cannon is no more, Romanow said. The historical reference didnt really travel outside of the Greater Boston area the way that we thought it might. And it also looked a little militaristic. If you know us and our long hair, we are not a militaristic brand. We are not militaristic people. Founded in 2015, Castle Island went to market with a historic cannon as its logo. The imagery was a nod to the actual Castle Island in Boston, which is the site of Fort Independence, a fortification that dates back to 1692 and currently serves as a historical site. Romanow said the company worried consumers that consumers seeing the beer on the shelf might get the wrong impression based on the logo. But now, Castle Island believes it has the logo and visual identity to carry the message that its about quality beer, good times, being excellent to people and not military equipment. A glass featuring the original logo for Castle Island Brewing Co., which has rebranded to simply "Castle Island."(Nick O'Malley, MassLive) As for the name change, Romanow said Castle Island wants to be more of a lifestyle brand and not just a brewery. Were simply, Castle Island, Romanow said. Why? Well, weve gone outside of beer at least here in our taprooms. We serve hard seltzer. We serve wine, hard cider, hard lemonade, hop water, all of this alongside all the beers you know and love. Its time to drop the brewing company and become the lifestyle brand weve always wanted to be. The Dedham taproom has already been updated with the new branding, with a line of new merch available for purchase. Castle Island also announced a rebranding for its flagship beers, which it distributes across Massachusetts along with parts of New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Six beers, including its flagship Keeper IPA, Candlepin Pale Ale, White Ale, Hi-Def Double IPA and Light Lager will hit shelves with a new look. The relaunch also included the addition of a new beer, the Winner IPA, to its primary lineup. The hoppy ale holds a lower ABV and is marketed to customers who dont want an IPA quite as heavy as Keeper or Hi-Def. Castle Island currently operates two taprooms, its flagship location in Norwood and a second location in South Boston. A Brockton elementary school student was struck by a car while getting off a school bus Monday afternoon, according to Brockton Public Schools. The Hancock Elementary School student was hit by a passing car as they got off the bus at a stop near Manthala George Jr. Elementary School on Colonel Bell Jr. Drive around 3:30 p.m., officials said. The student was medically evaluated at a health care center after the crash and is not believed to have been seriously injured. We are grateful that this incident did not result in a tragedy, Acting Superintendent James Cobbs wrote in a letter to families. Officials said the bus red lights and stop sign were activated at the time of the crash, officials said. Brockton police responded to the crash, and the driver was cited at the scene, Boston 25 News reported. We urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution around schools and bus stops to ensure the safety of students, Cobb wrote in the letter. Hancock Elementary School teaches students in grades pre-K through fifth, but it is unclear how old the student was. No further information about the crash has been released. A 43-year-old mail carrier from Fall River was sentenced for purposefully delivering five packages to the incorrect people after ripping off the address label, acting United States District Attorney Joshua Levys office announced. Rafael De Los Angeles was sentenced to time served about one day in prison and six months of supervised release, the office said. He pleaded guilty to five counts of obstruction of mail in December 2023. De Los Angeles had tampered with the delivery of five mailed packages he was supposed to drop off on five separate occasions in August 2017, the office said. In each incident, the mail carrier would drive the packages to different locations that were not listed as the delivery addresses, the office said. He would scan the packages there and record the packages correct delivery, the office said. Then, De Los Angeles would rip off the address labels and give the package to someone other than the listed recipients, the office said. De Los Angeles case was prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Kunal Pasricha and Luke Goldworm of the Criminal Division, the office said. A man will see prison time after he pleaded guilty to killing a Brockton man in 2020, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office announced. Dvante Bly-Moollenthial, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter and firearm charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Christopher Lascase, 20, of Brockton, Cruzs office said in a statement on Monday. Judge William Sullivan sentenced Dvante Bly-Moollenthial to serve 12 to 15 years in state prison on the manslaughter indictment and was sentenced to concurrent time and probation from and after on the firearm indictments, Cruzs office said. At around 6:21 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2020, Brockton police received several 911 calls about a shooting at a Super 8 motel in Brockton, Cruzs office said. Police went to room 212 where they found a man with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead after he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital. Brockton police reached out to Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Cruzs office to investigate the mans death. Following the investigation, State Police and Brockton police received an arrest warrant for Bly-Moollenthial and brought him into custody, Cruzs office said. Part of the investigation led police to Valdir Rodrigues, 39, of Weymouth, who was with Bly-Moollenthial to buy drugs from Lascase and witnessed the shooting, Cruzs office said. Police arrested Rodrigues, who is scheduled to appear in court on March 7. EASTHAMPTON The Easthampton Democratic City Committee will hold a caucus on Saturday at 50 Payson Ave., second floor in the municipal building, to elect delegates and alternates to the 2024 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. Doors will open at 9 a.m., and the caucus is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. The speeches have been spoken. The rallies have been rallied. And the commercials all have been aired. Now its all up to you, Massachusetts. Voters in 16 states, including the Bay State, and one U.S. territory head to the polls starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday for one of the most important dates on the American political calendar: Super Tuesday. Its the quadrennial volley of voting, from coast to coast, that will go a long way toward determining who will become the presidential nominee of the Big Two Parties and at least one small one. Early voting in Massachusetts started two weeks ago. And mail-in ballots continue to be returned by voters from the Berkshires to Boston. Still, thousands of voters are expected to descend on school gyms, community centers, and other locations as in-person voting runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across the commonwealth. Heres everything you need to know as you head to the polls. Whos running in the Massachusetts primary? In Massachusetts, like the rest of the nation, Republican former President Donald Trump faces former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, although candidates who already have dropped out of the race, such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, also are on the GOP ballot. On the Democratic side of the ledger, President Joe Biden faces U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn. Author Marianne Williamson also is on the ballot. Libertarians Michael D. Rectenwald, Chase Russell Oliver, Michael Ter Maat, Lars Damian Mapstead, and Jacob George Hornberger, also are running in a five-way primary for the partys nomination, according to the Boston Globe. Through Saturday, Trump held an average lead of 63.4%, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average. That was well ahead of the average 15.8-point lead he held at the same time during his first campaign for the White House in 2016. Trump carried Massachusetts in the 2016 Republican primary, taking 49.3% of the vote. His nearest competitor, former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, followed with a distant 18%, according to the New York Times. Four years later, in 2020, when Trump, the incumbent, faced only token opposition, the Republican took 87.7% of the vote. Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, who also sought the GOP nomination that year, scraped out just 9.3% of the vote. While Haley, who barnstormed Massachusetts over the weekend, did win Washington, D.C.s Republican primary on Monday, she has been shut out of every other Republican nominating contest, including her home state of South Carolina. As a result, the race is widely seen as a two-way contest between Trump and Biden, even as Haley, as recently as her campaign stop in Needham on Saturday, was insisting she will stay in the race. The protest vote While Biden remains the odds-on favorite to win the Democratic nomination, he continues to face a stubborn protest movement in his own party. That came, at first, among voters who were concerned about Bidens advanced age, and his fitness for office. That groundswell of concern effectively gave rise to Phillips insurgent candidacy. Over the past few weeks, however, another protest movement has emerged among voters in the partys progressive who disapprove of Bidens vocal support of Israel in its war against the terrorist group Hamas. In Michigan last month, a protest movement encouraging Democratic primary voters to vote uncommitted, exceeded its goal, taking more than 100,000 votes, NPR reported, citing results reported by the Associated Press. Biden faces a similar protest movement in Massachusetts. On Monday, a coalition of advocacy groups held an online news conference, where they urged Bay State Democrats to vote no preference on their primary ballot, MassLive previously reported. So today, we join a national movement which has been galvanized by what has come out of Michigan and were asking people to use their ballot to tell Biden we say no to genocide, a spokesperson, Lara Jirmanus, said. Youll see on your balance that no preference is an option. Its listed under the registered candidates names. We ask people to please fill in that bubble. Also on the Massachusetts ballot: Bay State voters will have some other decisions to make on Tuesday in some less high-profile, but no-less-important, down-ballot races. Democratic and Republican party foot soldiers, known as state party committee people, along with town and ward committee people, also will be on the ballot. These are the party loyalists who knock on doors, hammer the yard signs into the ground, and basically do the hard work of campaigning. And, at least in the case of the Massachusetts Republican Party, the committee candidates who emerge from Tuesdays voting will determine whether the statewide GOP remains the party of genteel New England conservatism, or is transfigured by Trumps pugilistic populism. Last month, GOP state party bosses condemned one candidate, Lori Kauffman, of Dorchester, who has praised Adolf Hitler, shared transphobic and homophobic posts on social media, and called for the expulsion of Jewish people, MassLive previously reported. Party leaders urged her not to run for a committee seat in Bostons First Suffolk District. Kauffman remained defiant in the face of those calls. Also, six towns will hold concurrent municipal elections, and Republican John Marsi is unopposed in a Central Mass. special election to fill a vacant House seat, State House News Service reported. What to know about voting The polls generally open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., but because some towns get started even earlier, you can check with your local election office for voting hours. You can check your registration status here. And heres everything you need to know about how to cast your ballot once youre inside the polling station. If youre in line before 8 p.m., and youre still in line before closing time, stay there. They cant turn you away. And if you need special accommodations, ask for them. You cant be denied those either. When you check in, if your name doesnt appear on the list of voters, and your registration cant be verified, you still have the right to cast a provisional ballot. You can find more information here. Massachusetts has an open primary, which means that voters who arent enrolled with a party can participate, according to the Boston Globe. Registered Democrats and Republicans vote in their respective parties primaries. If you see or experience voter interference or intimidation, report it to an election judge, or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). You can find your polling place online if you dont know the location of your local voting station. If youre casting a mail-in ballot, you have until 8 p.m., when the polls close, to return it. You can find a dropbox here. And you can track the status of your ballot here. Super Tuesday has arrived, with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley making a new plea to voters before they go to the ballot box: bring 10 friends with you. Haleys campaign released a new video ad on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting her Sisyphean battle on Tuesday against former President Donald Trump, with an eye on the general election and incumbent President Joe Biden. In the ads voiceover, Haley told voters that they do not need to look at the news to see its tough right now. We have a country to save, and we need your help to do it! Go vote today, and take 10 friends with you! pic.twitter.com/HisB5U0AYE Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) March 5, 2024 Were $34 trillion in debt, Haley said as the ad features Biden behind a podium. Were having to borrow money just to make our interest payments. For the first time, 81% of Americans dont think their kids are going to have as good of a life as we did. We cant be OK with that, Im not OK with that. She emphasizes that voters have a country to save, but we all have to do our part. Haley then asks voters to take part in Tuesdays election and take 10 people with you and to contact everyone that you know and tell them about the importance in voting in this election. You would be shocked at how many of your friends and family are only general election voters, Haley continued before she highlighted that in a general election, youre given a choice. In a primary, we make our choice. The ad closes with a cinematically-styled, Go Nikki. Go vote. March 5. On Tuesday, party primaries in 16 states and and one U.S. territory, including Massachusetts, will decide whose name should be on the ballot in November. For the GOP primary, there are 854 delegates at stake out of 2,429 up for grabs on Super Tuesday, according to the AP. So far, Trump has won 273 delegates in nine primaries or caucuses while Haley has won a total of 43 and has only won the District of Columbia primary, the AP reported. Trump would need 1,093 delegates in order to reach the 1,215 threshold that would officially end the primary derby, and further cement his place as the presumptive Republican nominee. Trump could reach this threshold during the primaries on March 12 and March 19, NBC News reported. But between now and then, Haley could drop out of the race and effectively end the primaries then and there. However, Haley made clear on NBCs Meet the Press on March 3 that she will stay in the race after Super Tuesday. Were a big country and we want everybody to feel like they had the opportunity to vote for someone and not against someone, Haley said in the interview. Haley has argued that most Americans do not want a rematch of the 2020 election. Shes paid attention to campaign stops about Trumps ongoing legal battles, along with both his and Bidens ages. This latter point even resulted in a campaign ad that photoshopped Trump and Bidens faces over those of Walter Matthaus and Jack Lemons on a poster for the 1993 comedy Grumpy Old Men, Boston Universitys BU Today wrote. More of the same is not just Joe Biden. More of the same is Donald Trump. And 70% of Americans dont want Joe Biden or Donald Trump, Haley told a cheering crowd at the Sheraton Needham Hotel in Needham on March 2, citing an April 2023 NBC News poll. Sixty percent of Americans think Joe Biden and Donald Trump are too old to be president. Haley said the country needs to go in a new direction instead of a continuation of the Biden and Trump presidencies. Even on Tuesday, Haley highlighted MassLives own reporting on X and said, America can do better than two 80-year-old names of the past. (*This story was updated at 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 to correct information about the Democratic Election Fund.) Even with the nationwide outages of Facebook and Instagram, Massachusetts voters still couldnt escape their cell phones on Tuesday. And they probably had political candidates to thank or blame for the intrusion. As they have for weeks, the campaigns of Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Nikki Haley, as well as Democrat Joe Biden, and their backers, all have blasted out messages ahead of, and on, Super Tuesday, exhorting Bay State voters to empty their wallets and get out to the polls. As you read this, voters across the country are heading to the polls to make their voices heard in this election. And Nikki is fighting for every single one of them, Haleys campaign said in a text message sent out at midafternoon on Tuesday. " ... Its never been more clear than it is now, voters are are ready to move on from the drama and the chaos, presented by Trumps candidacy, the text message continued. Speaking of Trump, the former president sent out a pair of text messages to supporters on Monday. The first came shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cant kick him off their primary ballots. SUPREME COURT RULES TO KEEP ME ON THE BALLOT! the message thundered in Trumps familiar all-capitals style, urging recipients to click on a link to read what the Republicans campaign described as an emergency broadcast. The link brings recipients to a fundraising page, similar to this one, punctuated by some political rhetoric, urging supporters to donate as little as $20.24 or as much as $3,300. Donors also are given the option of making an ongoing donation or a one-time contribution. Trump had previously fallen under scrutiny for using pre-checked boxes, a controversial tactic, that unwittingly steered supporters into continuing donations. In 2021, Trumps campaign was forced to issue $12.8 million in refunds over the tactic, according to Insider. A second Trump text message, sent out on Monday night, urges supporters to buy the most sought-after MAGA hats ever. Clicking on a link once again brings recipients to a fundraising page, where they can donate $50 to claim the black MAGA hat. As is the case with the earlier text, donations scale up to a maximum of $3,300, and recipients are once again given the option of making a recurring or one-time donation. Not to be left out, a midafternoon text by the Democratic Election Fund asked Bidens supporters to grade his performance ahead of Thursday nights State of the Union address. Recipients also are asked their age, their voting habits, whether they live in a blue or red state, how concerned they are about the future of American democracy, and whether theyre committed to voting for Biden in November. Successfully completing the quiz brings supporters, inevitably, to a fundraising page, where they can donate as little as $10 or as much as $500. Recipients are once again given the option to make a recurring donation. If youre annoyed, youre not alone. But theres a simple reason campaigns are buzzing in your ear. Campaigns bombard people with dozens of messages daily because it works, Jennifer Stromer-Galley, a professor of information studies at Syracase University, wrote in a 2020 commentary piece for The Conversation. They use email and text messaging because the people who sign up for those communications are, typically, supporters. They already back the campaign and campaigns need money. Despite that effectiveness, campaigns may also find themselves reaching a point of diminishing returns. During the 2022 midterm elections, Americans filed 9,477 fraud reports, tied to political text messages with the Federal Trade Commission, the New York Times reported. The Federal Communications Commission, meanwhile, received about 2,100 complaints related to political texts that year, the newspaper reported. One month after winning a special election primary, state Rep. John Marsi, R-Worcester, is running again. Marsis name will once again appear on a 2024 election ballot, this time for the March 5 primary. The biggest difference between now and the Feb. 6 special election is that he is running unopposed. To the voters across the #6thWorcesterDistrict, I humbly ask for your vote for state representative in todays [primary] election, Marsi said in a post on Facebook. Although I am running uncontested, I hope to earn your vote. Read More: Republican John Marsi wins Mass. special election primary for 6th Worcester House seat In February, Marsi won against Republican rival David Adams, a Southbridge town councilor, with 53% of the vote to 47%, according to unofficial tallies. Both were running to fill the vacancy left by Republican Peter Durant when he joined the state Senate on Nov. 29. The district was once a haven for Democratic politicians until Durant won in 2011 over then-incumbent Geraldo Alicea. The district consists of Dudley, Southbridge, part of Charlton and part of Spencer. Democrats stopped intervening in the 6th Worcester District race after two more attempts to reclaim it from Durant. Given Democrats status as the party with a supermajority on Beacon Hill, letting Republicans keep the district wont change the balance of power, Politico reported. The Big E has revealed rapper Ludacris as one of its musical headliners at the Big E Arena for this September, when New Englands largest fair returns to Western Massachusetts. Ludacris will perform on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m., according to The Big E, with concert tickets going on sale this Friday, March 8 starting at 10 a.m. through the fairs website. A 19-year-old Chicopee man went missing following a car crash in Pennsylvania late last month, according to police. But on Tuesday, the local coroner confirmed that his body had been found in the same town in which the crash occurred, a Pennsylvania news station reported. Timothy Kravchenko traveled to Pennsylvania from Massachusetts on Feb. 24, Pennsylvania State Police said. The following day, he was involved in a minor car crash in Girard Township a small town in the northwestern part of the state that borders Lake Erie. EASTERN Gaels LGFA have expressed disappointment with their omission from over 11,000 of funding from JP McManus, The Mayo News has learned. The East Mayo club and Mayo Gaels LGFA were the only clubs omitted from 11,363 paid to every GAA, LGFA and camogie club in Mayo by the Limerick billionaire. The recent meeting of Mayo GAAs county board heard that the clubs were omitted as they did not field adult teams and did not constitute a club. The funding formed part of a 32 million donation to every GAA, LGFA and camogie county board on the island by McManus. Eastern Gaels secretary Michael Murphy said that including the two omitted clubs as part of Mayos 1 million allocation would have resulted in a deduction of 252 per club. The club currently field at Under-14 level and is aiming to enter an adult ladies team in the future. As a newly formed LGFA club who pay affiliation fees to the LGFA we are disappointed not to be included in this funding, Murphy said. We are entering our third year and aiming to enter an adult team as our girls progress. We have fulfilled all fixtures since formation and are striving to give the girls in our community the opportunity to play sport. Mayo GAA distributed its share of the funding to clubs on January 31. Seamus Touhy, Mayo GAA Chairman, said that the Mayo GAA received no guidelines from Croke Park regarding the distribution of the funding. Touhy told the recent county board meeting allocating funding to underage LGFA clubs or amalgamated clubs, such as Carras, would create inconsistency in the distribution. Mayo Gaels county board delegate, Dermot Flaherty, described their omission from the funding as very unfair. "Mayo for Gossies" posted Alan Clarke on Instagram. "It hasn't really sunk in yet, not even after sleeping over it. There has been little sleep to be honest," says podcast-host Alan Clarke. No surprise, it is the second Gossie-award for the Castlebar-man already. Last year he won the Newcomer of the year category and this year his podcast "Big News Coming Soon" won the award for Best Podcast. Clarke says he didn't expect to win this year and already felt privileged being nominated. "You kind of get a bit of imposter syndrome in that room when you're in with all these celebrities and TV presenters and people who are much, much bigger than me." "My phone hasn't stopped going since Saturday night. But the most surprising thing actually happened when I was walking on the red carpet and TV-presenter Dathi O Se came over to me to shake my hand, that was a very surreal moment." "All this support is very encouraging" says Clarke. "I guess the reason why many people resonate with my podcast is that I don't try too hard. The podcast is about talking to real people about real stories. And I think, people engage with that and people can relate to that. Maybe about topics like drug or drink addiction or being an orphan or struggling with being bullied or anxiety or depression. Every episode brought something different and people can relate to and that's why you have such good engagement in such good support." And the work never stops for Alan Clarke: "I'm recording the next season of the podcast so that the eight more episodes. So they'll be going out in April and May." And obviously there is the Live Show coming up in the TF Royal Castlebar on May 11: Tickets here. And to make things even more legendary from a Mayo perspective: Clarke wasn't the only Mayo-person enjoying big success at the RDS in Dublin last Saturday: Fellow county-man Garron Noone from Ballina won the award for Newcomer of the year: A Westport bookshop has begun stocking Sadie Harpurs new autobiography, The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl. The Tertulia Bookshop on The Quay in Westport, run by Neil Paul and Brid Conroy, has taken stock of the Wexford based writer's autobiography. Ms Harpurs book is dedicated to the memory of her much-missed foster-brother Gary and the official launch included a short ceremony to honour his memory. Born and raised in Dublin, but now living in Wexford, Ms Harpur went through turbulent periods of high anxiety as a foster child. Suffering from learning difficulties resulting from undiagnosed dyslexia, she was described as mentally below average, and suffered bouts of depression, suicidal thoughts and was repeatedly bullied. She endured serious teenage problems, including self-harming, violent outbursts, zero self-esteem, and the eventual suicide of her foster-brother Gary. Ms Harpur said writing the book was hugely therapeutic. It helped me look deep into my past and unlock thoughts and experiences I had hidden away in a dark place. I hope others might take comfort from the fact that I survived she said. Neil Paul and Brid Conroy of The Tertulia Bookshop, Westport Jackie Hayden assisted Ms Harpur in writing this book. Mr Hayden has previously topped the Irish book charts with two editions of My Boy, a book about the late rock star Philip Lynott based on exclusive interviews with Lynotts mother, Philomena. Hot Press writer Niamh Browne called The Hidden World Of A Foster Girl a hugely powerful, gut-wrenching read, pulling at every heart string. Hugely powerful, its a memoir about the anxieties of growing up in foster care in Ireland said Ms Browne. Posting on writing.ie, Grace OReilly, Sadie is an inspiration to many, and I sincerely hope that she is proud of both how far she has come in her life, and of her writing her true-life story in this book to help others both now and in the future overall my heart ached for her. The Irish Foster Care Association has described her book as inspirational. The Hidden World of a Foster-Girl is available from all good bookshops for 15. A man who twice travelled from his home 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 this 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 playing this game 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 female children. 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. Garda 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 Northen Ireland which included offences of indecency and breaches of the sexual offenders act. 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. A woman has been sentenced to three months imprisonment and fined almost 12,000 for offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (AHWA) 2013. According to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), the 60 year old Wicklow woman was sentenced at Arklow District Court in February 2024 having previously admitted charges under the AHWA. Judge David Kennedy reportedly fined the defendant 5,000 and ordered that she pay a 500 contribution to ISPCA costs, as well as 6,441.15 in costs incurred by the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT). She was also banned from keeping all animals for life, and given three months to sell or rehome any other animals in her care. A total of nine horses were reportedly removed from lands and a barn in Wicklow on three dates in late July and early August 2022. ISPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon described how she found several horses "in varying levels of severe neglect". All the horses were reportedly visibly underweight, their hooves were overgrown, and their coats were matted with faecal material. One horse had two swollen legs and was struggling to walk. According to the ISPCA, the defendant admitted under caution that veterinary attention had not been sought for the animal. The same was reportedly the case for a horse with a semi-protruded and swollen penis, despite the fact that the injury was sustained up to three years prior. The sheds in which the horses were housed had insufficient light and ventilation, and there were huge accumulations of dung. According to the ISPCA, Senior Inspector Conlon discovered another horse at a later date that had not been disclosed during previous visits; it was shut in another shed and was in "an emaciated state" with "deformed hooves". The horse was also surrendered and required sedatives and pain relief to enable it to travel. The ISPCA stated that of the nine horses removed, three were ultimately euthanised as they could not be adequately rehabilitated to allow them to live pain-free, while a further two had permanent hoof damage that meant they would no longer be able to be ridden. Judge Kennedy indicated it was the worse case of animal cruelty in his 15 years on the bench, and described accompanying photos as "extremely distressing". Speaking after the case, Senior Inspector Conlon said, "This successful prosecution is a significant step forward in ensuring the good welfare of equines in our community. We are committed to holding accountable those who neglect or mistreat vulnerable animals. "This was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty I have witnessed, every shed I entered I found yet another animal in horrendous condition and living in totally unsuitable accommodations. I want to acknowledge Jill Power and her team from the Irish Horse Welfare Trust, who helped me get them to safety. "Unfortunately, the outcome was not good for three of the horses and they had to be euthanised on welfare grounds. Good equine welfare is not just about the ethical treatment of horses, it is the foundation of their health and performance and the bond we share with these incredible animals." The ISPCA is asking members of the public to continue to report any animal welfare concerns, by calling the ISPCAs National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 0818 515 515, report online here or email helpline@ispca.ie. Irish President Michael D Higgins is to remain in hospital until Thursday while his blood pressure is monitored before returning to the Aras an Uachtarain. Medical tests have shown that the president experienced a mild transient weakness and he is expected to make a full recovery. Mr Higgins, 82, was admitted to St Jamess Hospital in Dublin on Thursday after feeling unwell. A spokesperson for the president said he had completed all medical tests which had shown positive results. The spokesperson added: They have indicated no serious or long-term concerns for the presidents health. The tests have determined that the president experienced a mild transient weakness from which they expect him to make a full recovery. Following consultation with his medical team, President Higgins has agreed with their recommendation that he remain in hospital for an extra few days in order that they can monitor his blood pressure. He will return to Aras an Uachtarain on Thursday. The president remains in excellent spirits and is continuing to carry out his constitutional duties. It is anticipated that he will proceed with a scheduled meeting with the Taoiseach at Aras an Uachtarain on Friday afternoon. While in hospital, the president is considering two pieces of legislation the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023 and the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023 both of which are due for signature between tomorrow and Thursday. The presidents medical team have further advised that he put a limit on the extent of the public engagements which he undertakes over the coming weeks in order to facilitate the short period of recuperation that they have recommended. Courtesy of PA and X USE ARROWS OR NEXT BUTTON TO SEE MORE PICTURES The Northern Lights could be seen from one part of Ireland last night, with some stunning photos captured as a result! The Northern Lights lit up the night across Irish and UK skies last night, March 4. According to the Met Office, the northern lights are usually best witnessed in Scotland, North England, North Wales and Northern Ireland - but Cork stole a glimpse this Monday night. WOWZERS!! . My #northernlights photo over Courtmacsherry areas of #WestCork in #Ireland looked mesmerising on ITV News in the UK yesterday! . Many Thanks to @itvnews for choosing my photo for their amazing #Aurora feature too.. #auroraborealis #solarstorm pic.twitter.com/tFWE8wxVAE Alan Mac Carthaigh (@AlanMcC82) March 5, 2024 According to experts, the natural light display is caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with earths magnetic field. The colour display depends in part on what molecules the charged particles interact with. Red and green colours tend to be hallmarks of oxygen, pink and red the signs of nitrogen with blue and purple being the results of hydrogen and helium. Director of Administration and Finance for USAID DRC Feed the Future Flagship Agriculture Activity Tetra Tech International Development (International Development Jobs - Tetra Tech) is currently accepting expressions of interest from qualified candidates for a Director of Administration and Finance position on an anticipated USAID-funded Feed the Future Flagship Agriculture Activity program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Position Description: This anticipated activity will focus on the development of resilient agriculture and food market systems that support the accessibility and consumption of safe and nutritious food in the DRC Feed the Future Zone of Influence (ZOI). The likely ZOI is expected to be Kasai Central and Kongo Central in Western and Central DRC. The Director of Administration and Finance (DAF) will work under the direction of the Chief of Party. The DAF will be responsible for the projects administrative and financial management, human resources, and logistics/procurement, while ensuring compliance with USAID regulations, local laws, and Tetra Tech rules and regulations. The DAF should model ethical behavior and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Responsibilities: * Provide guidance to all staff for complying with the budgetary regulations of Tetra Tech and USAID. * Manage the Financial Accounting System, including managing cash flow, tracking expenditures, and preparing monthly financial reports and projections in compliance with USAID and Tetra Tech requirements and regulations. * Participate in project procurement processes for local subcontracts, goods, and consulting services, including drafting procurement requests, analyzing cost proposals, drafting contracts, negotiating contracts and prices, reviewing contractual deliverables for quality, and preparing the required documentation. * Manage HR records for each employee including employment contracts, employment evaluation forms and annual leave. * Manage confidential payment of monthly payroll and orders payments of income tax, pension health and unemployment benefits to government funds. * Supervise project administration and finance team members. Qualifications: * Bachelors degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or related field is required. A masters degree is preferred. * Minimum seven (7) years experience providing administrative leadership and oversight to all aspects of development project operations. * Minimum of three (3) years working experience in a senior supervisory role related to accounting, payroll, procurement, and logistical support services. * Demonstrated and credible experience effectively supporting complex multimillion dollar activities funded by USAID or other donors. * Excellent Excel skills, time management skills and demonstrated teamwork. Preferred Qualifications: * Demonstrated experience working on donor funded development initiatives in rural DRC. * Knowledge of local labor laws, and tax regulations relative to contracts, payroll, and other payments. * Experience with QuickBooks or a similar accounting system is a plus. * Professional proficiency in both spoken and written English and French. * Congolese nationals strongly encouraged to apply. To be considered, please submit the following: * Cover Letter * CV Apply on-line at: https://tetratech.referrals.selectminds.com/intdev/jobs/director-of-administration-and-finance-for-usaid-drc-feed-the-future-flagship-agriculture-activity-40299 Please ensure that only the requested documents noted above are submitted. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Tetra Tech International Development is committed to safeguarding and technical excellence in equality and social inclusion. Our team of dedicated Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) advisers work closely with our staff and partners to share international norms and best practices to improve the livelihoods of the worlds most marginalized groups. Tetra Tech International Development is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that aim to expand inclusion and an authentic sense of belonging to all our staff regardless of background. Reasonable Accommodations: We are dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Techs Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide helpful and reasonable accommodations for candidates. Tetra Tech combines the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in more than 550 locations around the world. Our reputation rests on the technical expertise and dedication of our employees 27,000 associates working together to provide smart, scalable solutions for challenging projects. We are proud to be home to leading technical experts in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans employer. ARD 188 Proposal and tender opportunity Agriculture and Food Security (International Development) by Tanya Gazdik , March 1, 2024 CVS and Walgreens have received certification to dispense mifepristone under guidelines that the Food and Drug Administration issued last year. The chains plan to make the medication available in stores in a handful of states at first. They will not be providing the medication by mail, according toThe New York Times, which first reported the news. Both chains said they would gradually expand to all other states where abortion was legal and where pharmacies were legally able to dispense abortion pills about half of the states. In January 2023, the FDA passed a rule that allows pharmacies to fill prescriptions for abortion pills. Previously, the drug was only available straight from doctors or by mail via telehealth consultations. The pill has been legal in the U.S. since 2000. advertisement advertisement Mifepristone remains at the center of an ongoing legal battle between anti-abortion activists and the FDA, according to NPR. Anti-abortion rights groups sued the agency in 2022 over the approval of mifepristone a drug that had been in use for more than 20 years. Shortly after the FDA policy change was announced Walgreens and CVS said they planned to become certified and offer mifepristone in states where laws would allow pharmacies to dispense it. Walgreens later became the focus of a consumer and political firestorm including threatening letters from Republican attorneys general. Both chains have had protests outside their stores, mostly from anti-abortion advocates, and similar protesters interrupted a meeting of shareholders at Walgreens Boots Alliance, the chains parent company, according to The New York Times. Walgreens has come under pressure from both sides of the abortion debate. The company infuriated supporters of abortion rights last year by saying it would not dispense abortion pills in 21 states, including four states where abortion is still legal, according toThe Washington Post. It also faced protests from antiabortion demonstrators objecting to Walgreens selling abortion pills at all. Both pharmacy chains noted they already dispense misoprostol, the other medication involved in medication abortion regimens. Medication abortion is the most common method of abortion in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is approved by the FDA for use up to 10 weeks into pregnancy. CVS will begin filling prescriptions for mifepristone in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the weeks ahead, and plans to expand to more states, where allowed by law, on a rolling basis, according to a statement from the company. Walgreens expects to start dispensing mifepristone within a week, and is beginning in select locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and Illinois. "The pharmacy giant said its starting with a phased rollout to allow us to ensure quality, safety and privacy for our patients, providers and team members, according to CNN. The announcement by CVS and Walgreens comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to weigh whether the pill could be acquired by mail without an in-person doctor visit. The case will be heard by the Supreme Court later this month, after a federal appeals court ruled that the pill should remain legal, but should not be sent through the mail or prescribed through telemedicine, notes the BBC. If the U.S. top court upholds that ruling, it would mean that patients would have to obtain the pill by visiting a clinic, doctor or pharmacy in-person. by Ray Schultz , March 4, 2024 Gannett has moved out of its headquarters in Fairfax County, Virginia, preparatory to a relocation to New York City. The company will open its new headquarters, a 24,000 square-foot space in New York on March 31, according to FFXnow, quoting an SEC document. Pending that change, employees will work remotely or in the publishers Washington, DC bureau, which will survive, the report states. Were embracing our flexible working model by investing more in our people and technology rather than real estate, a Gannett spokesperson told FFXnow. We remain firmly committed to the sustainable future of journalism as we adapt to a progressively digital world. However, Gannett continues to lease 176,000 square feet in its Valo Park, Tysons building, but space is available for sub-lease. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 4, 2024 Threads partnered with some third-party platforms to test post-scheduling capabilities through an API. The plan is to add more features in the near future such as the ability for moderators to reply, as well as analytics for select third-party partners. Both are part of the pilot. Post scheduling on Threads allows brands and publishers to more easily manage their presence on the app. Analytics provides businesses with insights into Threads engagement. by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, March 4, 2024 For a ninth year, MediaPost is naming its picks for top automotive marketers and agencies. There was a large array of choices, and a panel of industry observers, experts and marketers had the arduous task of finding the best of the bunch. The winners will be honored at the Marketing: Automotive conference during the New York International Auto Show on March 27 at the Javits Center in New York. The jury that selected the award winners included veteran jurors Tanya Gazdik, editor, Marketing: Automotive, MediaPost; Ian Beavis, chief strategy officer, AMCI Global; and Scotty Reiss, founder, A Girl's Guide To Cars. Other jurors were Elgie Bright, automotive marketing and management department chair, Northwood University; Noah Mallin, chief of brand strategy, IMGN Media; Luis Miguel Messianu, founder-president-chief creative officer, MEL; and Omar Rana, automotive content creator at OmarDrives. The Automotive Agency of the Year award goes to Carmichael Lynch. As the lead agency for Subaru of America since 2007, its work is a model of consistency and connection with what is important to its audience not just features they might like, but the life that they love, including their families, pets and the great outdoors. Since introducing the Love campaign in 2007, sales and market share for Subaru have more than tripled. The Best Integrated Campaign award goes to Kia America for its Binky Dad campaign for the Kia Telluride from David+Goliath. The campaign revolved around one forgetful dad who embarked on an unforgettable journey in his Telluride X-Pro to retrieve his childs missing Binky. After the commercial aired on the Super Bowl, for the first time ever, the agency ended the spot on TikTok with three different alternate endings. A TikTok filter put fans inside the Telluride X-Pro during the epic jump, generating nearly 7,000 videos. Overall, the campaign content on TikTok garnered 39.5 million impressions, 95.1K engagement, and drove 73.16% positive sentiment. The campaign was created under the leadership of Russell Wager, Kia Americas vice president of marketing, who was recently named MediaPost's automotive marketer of the year. Best Electric Vehicle Campaign goes to Nissan for its Ariya Lofi Girl effort from TBWA\Chiat\Day NY. The brand tapped into the popularity of Lofi videos on YouTube by creating a four-hour-long ad, replacing EV range anxiety with calm serenity just like the Ariyas timeless Japanese futuristic design, EV quiet drive, and 300 mile range. The result: 395 million impressions and growing, 2 million + hours of listening time on the Nissan Lofi content and +7.6% lift in awareness and a 1082% search lift for Nissan Ariya. For Best Social Campaign, Lincoln wins for a creative effort featuring an organic post from brand spokesperson Matthew McConaugheys Road Trip. Lincoln AOR Hudson Rouge gathered footage from previous Lincoln commercials, added music to McConaugheys already-trending audio, and made a new piece of social content available for users on TikTok and Meta platforms to add to their own footage, continuing the social trend. Implementing this facet of social media increased awareness of the Lincoln brand and took advantage of a cultural moment, resulting in 400k impressions/engagements/likes and 2.3k comments. Best Multicultural or Interest Group Campaign goes to Hyundai for its Cautionary Tales campaign from Lopez Negrete Communications, which targeted the Hispanic audience, who have been hesitant to embrace electric vehicles. To help them realize their misconceptions were baseless, the agency drew on the very relatable topic of cautionary tales, which were contrasted with indisputable facts about Hyundai EVs. The campaign was developed in English and Spanish for broadcast, radio, digital and social, and is an example of how leading with culture, being consumer-first, and matching your brand naturally with consumers lives creates work that is not only effective but game-changing. Best Interactive Execution goes to Lucid Motors, which completely redesigned its website. Code and Theory was charged with leading strategy, design and engineering implementation for its website. The newly launched experience transforms lucidmotors.com into a digital showroom. The new experience is driven by aesthetic elevation and streamlined purchase funnel that promotes exploration of Lucids vehicles and brand alike. Since launch, Lucids website has demonstrated tangible impact for the business and brand with +18% engagement rate, +1:24 session duration, +7,246% sign-ups and a #4 SEO ranking (up from 8). Finally, Best Campaign Activation for a Dealer Group goes to Koeppel Auto Group for its Koeppel Kares social responsibility effort. The initiative consolidates all philanthropic endeavors under one cohesive brand. By focusing on making a meaningful impact in the local community, Koeppel Auto Group has set a new benchmark for dealership-led philanthropy. Through this campaign, the group has demonstrated a genuine dedication to giving back and improving the lives of those they serve. Congratulations to all the winners. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 5, 2024 Google explains another bundle of product changes ahead of Thursday's deadline for compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Some of the companies that have been designated to comply -- other than Google's parent company Alphabet -- include Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. In total, 22 core platform services provided by those gatekeepers have been named. On Tuesday, Google shared more details about the changes it will make to comply, following product testing the company announced earlier this year. advertisement advertisement "We have now implemented more than 20 product changes, including the introduction of dedicated units and chips to help users find comparison sites in areas like flights, hotels and shopping," Oliver Bethell, director of competition at Google in Europe, wrote in a blog post. "We have removed some features from the search results page which help consumers find businesses, such as the Google Flights unit." The changes made are the result took many months with support from engineers, researchers, product managers and product designers from across Google. Throughout this process, the company has worked with the European Commission, industry stakeholders and consumer associations. Changes also point to additional browser and search choice screens that will serve-up to users of Android phones when they set up a device. It also will rollout to users of Chrome on desktop, as well as on iOS devices. The new choice screens will appear on or before March 6. Additional consents for linking Google services were added. Google shares data across some of its products and services for certain purposes, including to help personalize content and ads, depending the user settings. EEA users can visit settings in their Google Account and choose if they want to continue to share data across Google services by linking them. Users may also see new consent banners asking them whether they would like to link their Google services. Multiple upgrades have been made to its advertising products and tools to help advertisers communicate consent for data they collect, in accordance with EU end user consent policy. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 5, 2024 Siding with Google, a federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected Android users' attempt to revive claims that the company wrongly collected information about their app usage. In an unsigned opinion, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Google expressly disclosed in its privacy policy that it tracks people's activity on outside sites and apps that use Google services -- including the Android operating system. As a result, the judges wrote, plaintiffs have no reasonable expectation of privacy in that data. The ruling, handed down by Circuit Judges Bridget Bade, Eric Miller and Lawrence VanDyke, comes in a privacy lawsuit brought in 2021 over the Android Lockbox -- a program that allegedly enables Google employees to gather data about users when they interact with non-Google apps. Android users Marie Hammerling and Kay Jackson, both of Florida, claimed in a class-action complaint that Google's alleged data collection violated various California privacy and consumer protection laws, and the company broke its contract with users. advertisement advertisement U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California dismissed the complaint in 2022, essentially ruling that even if the allegations were proven true, they wouldn't support a finding that Google violated any privacy standards or consumer protection laws. Android Lockbox came to public attention in 2020, when The Information reported that Google drew on data about people's use of outside apps, like TikTok, for competitive purposes. Google reportedly only collects the data from users who agree to share their usage and diagnostics information with the company. The tech company says in an online support page the company uses that data to improve products and services, like Google apps and Android devices. Visit Dublin (Ohio) is inviting residents of another Dublin (Ireland) to visit in March in honor of St. Patricks Day. Any Irish Dubliner who makes the 3,566-mile (or 5,738-km) trek to their American counterpart and lands between March 8 and 18 will be rewarded with free pints of beer and plenty of Visit Dublin swag from the visitors center to take back home. The tourism campaign, from Lexington, Kentucky-based Cornett, originally broke last August, and included a recent paid social campaign on the Meta platform in Dublin, Ireland that focused on adults 25-44 interested in international travel, to drive qualified traffic to the Other Dublin landing page. advertisement advertisement After two weeks, the effort resulted in more than 1,986 visitors to the landing page, which represented 68% of overall site traffic and 61% of the clicks to the Aer Lingus page for users to book a trip. During this period, the paid social campaign delivered 192% more impressions and a 2x higher CTR than originally estimated - largely due to optimization and a warm reception from Dubliners. As of Feb. 29, Visit Dublin had received two emails from parties who have already booked their flights to explore the city and were looking forward to those free pints. The effort also includes sitcom-inspired Youre in Luck'' tourism ads (complete with catchy theme song) created by ad agency Cornett, cheeky OOH billboards in downtown Dublin, Ireland, along with location-targeted social ads. Our name sometimes causes confusion, said Sara Blatnik, Visit Dublin marketing director, in a release. So we think this is a good opportunity to have fun with the mixup and show off our Midwestern hospitality. With the new Aer Lingus route that flies from Dublin, Ireland to Cleveland, Ohio directly, Visit Dublin hopes this might be just the incentive needed to foster some cross-cultural connection. Newly arrived Dubliners can see the St. Patricks Day Parade on the 9th, sample a variety of drinks on the Celtic Cocktail Trail, or join the St. Paddys Day pub crawl on the 16th. Plus, if theyre feeling a little homesick, they can pop by bars like the Dublin Village Tavern or Fado Pub & Kitchen. Trusted Source Insecticide paints: a new community strategy for controlling dengue and zika mosquito vectors in Cabo Verde Go to source Trusted Source Painting Away Mosquitoes: Long-lasting Insecticide Paint Shows Promise Did you know? VESTA insecticide paint kills mosquitoes for a year in Cabo Verde, aiding malaria-free efforts and improving local health. #insecticidepaint #mosquitocontrol #malariafree #publichealth #medindia Did You Know? Almost half of the worlds population, about 4 billion people, live in areas with a risk of dengue. Each year, up to 400 million people get infected with dengue. Approximately 100 million people get sick from infection, and 40,000 die from severe dengue. Advertisement Advertisement Insecticide paints: a new community strategy for controlling dengue and zika mosquito vectors in Cabo Verde - (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fitd.2024.1321687/full) VESTA insecticide paint, applied to homes in vulnerable neighborhoods, killsmosquitos by 98% for at least a year, offering a potential solution for controlling vector-borne diseases such as malaria dengue , and Zika infections.These results have been published in).Malaria and other illnesses caused by parasites, viruses, and bacteria transmitted by organisms that spread infectious pathogens account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases worldwide. These vector-borne diseases , typically transmitted by insects like mosquitoes, flies, and ticks, disproportionally affect the poorest populations in tropical and subtropical regions.In Cabo Verde, an island nation off West Africa, vector-borne disease has been prevalent for centuries, in part due to the islands geographical location and climate. Now, researchers in Cabo Verde and Spain set out to test the efficacy of three insecticide paint formulations to reinforce the existing national program to minimize disease outbreaks.Here we show that, said lead author Dr. Lara Ferrero Gomez, who coordinates a research group on tropical diseases at the Jean Piaget University of Cabo Verde. We also found it has good acceptance in the population, with 98% confirming the decrease in mosquitoes in their residences after paint application.In a large-scale field trial, trained volunteers painted 228 houses in two Praia neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. This is due to insufficient drainage which leads to flooding in the rainy season and poor wastewater management. Additionally, many residences in Cabo Verde store water due to insufficient and disrupted water supply, and water storage is often unsafe.After one, three, six, and 12 months, WHO cone bioassays were conducted at two randomly selected houses in each neighborhood. Bioassays record the mortality of A. aegypti mosquitoes after exposing them for half an hour to the insecticidal paint. This allows us to directly evaluate the effectiveness of the insecticidal paint, Ferrero Gomez explained.All three insecticide paint mixtures lead to complete mortality ofmosquitoes one month after the houses were painted. Three months after painting, all formulations still exceeded the WHO efficiency threshold, which lies at 80%. At month six, two formulations fell below this threshold. The VESTA formulation, however, also met WHO requirements at months six and 12. , Ferrero Gomez pointed out.The researchers did not register any serious effects of the paint on residents health. Adverse effects reported by a few residents included mild eye or nose irritation (10%) and headache (4%).At the beginning of the year, Cabo Verde was the third country in Africa to be declared free of Malaria by the WHO. The challenge to stop its reoccurrence, however, remains. The researchers said that insecticidal paint is also a promising strategy to strengthen the prevention and control of malaria cases at a household level since insecticide paint is effective for any type of vector disease transmitted by mosquitos, not just zika and dengue fever While the researchers face certain limitations, such as the need to meticulously apply the paint in two layers to ensure it does not lose its effectiveness, the TINTAEDES project is expected to extend to more locations across Praia, which is a hotspot for vector-borne diseases, as well as across all of Cabo Verde.Source-Eurekalert France's Landmark Decision France becomes the first nation to enshrine abortion rights in its constitution, challenging global norms. #france #abortion #medindia Implications for Women's Rights Advertisement Advertisement France has made an indelible mark on the global stage by becoming the first nation to explicitly embed the right to abortion into its constitution. This historic decision, ratified by an overwhelming 780-72 vote in the Versailles parliament, reflects a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for women's reproductive rights.President Emmanuel Macron hailed the amendment as a testament to "French pride" and a beacon of progressivism that sends a "universal message" to the world. However, the path to this constitutional change was not without its challenges and controversies.Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, yet concerns persist over the potential erosion of these rights. Recent polls indicate that approximately 85% of the French public supports amending the constitution to enshrine the right to terminate pregnancies , highlighting widespread recognition of the importance of reproductive autonomy.The amendment marks the 25th revision to France's foundational document since its inception in 1958, representing a significant evolution in the country's legal and social landscape. The decision to illuminate the Eiffel Tower in Paris with the message "My Body My Choice" following the vote underscored the profound significance of this constitutional milestone.Prime Minister Gabriel Attal emphasized the ongoing threat to abortion rights, stressing that individuals have the inherent right to autonomy over their bodies. He reiterated the message that "your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you," echoing the sentiments of advocates for reproductive justice across the nation.Critics have accused President Macron of leveraging the constitutional amendment for political gain, suggesting that his support for the measure is aimed at burnishing his left-wing credentials. However, proponents argue that the amendment is a necessary step to safeguard women's rights in the face of mounting challenges and threats.The decision to explicitly include the right to abortion in the constitution was prompted by recent developments in the United States, where the Supreme Court's decision in 2022 revoked abortion rights, empowering individual states to enact restrictive legislation. France's proactive stance serves as a bulwark against the erosion of reproductive rights on the global stage.Supporters of the amendment view it as a vital safeguard against potential rollbacks in abortion access, particularly in light of conservative trends observed in various parts of the world. Laura Slimani, representing the Fondation des Femmes rights group, emphasized the emotional significance of the amendment, underscoring its importance for feminist activists and women alike.Despite widespread support for the amendment, opposition from religious institutions, including the Vatican and French Catholic bishops, remains staunch. The Vatican reiterated its opposition to abortion, asserting that there can be no "right" to take a human life, a sentiment echoed by religious leaders worldwide.The constitutional amendment reflects France's commitment to upholding the principles of equality, autonomy, and reproductive justice. By enshrining the right to abortion in its constitution, France sends a powerful message of solidarity with women's movements globally, reaffirming its status as a vanguard of progressive values and human rights.In conclusion, France's decision to embed the right to abortion in its constitution marks a watershed moment in the ongoing struggle for reproductive justice. As the world watches, France stands as a beacon of hope and progress, championing the fundamental rights of women and reaffirming its commitment to equality and dignity for all.Source-Medindia Despite warnings, Patanjali's misleading ads persist, raising concerns about consumer trust. #patanjali #medindia Patanjali: Defiance Amidst Warnings Upholding Ethical Advertising Practices Advertisement The recent reprimand by the Supreme Court against Patanjali Ayurved highlights a troubling pattern of disregard for regulatory standards and ethical advertising practices. Despite repeated warnings and legal interventions, Patanjali, led by Baba Ramdev, seems undeterred in its propagation of misleading health claims and controversial advertising campaigns.The Supreme Court's strong indictment of Patanjali's advertising practices marks yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of the company's contentious behavior. The court has not only issued contempt notices to Baba Ramdev and Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna but has also condemned the company for what it perceives as misleading the nation through its advertisements.The genesis of this legal confrontation stems from Patanjali's persistent flouting of regulations, particularly under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act (DOMA). The Act expressly prohibits the advertisement of products claiming to treat specific diseases unless backed by scientific evidence. Despite these clear stipulations, Patanjali's advertisements have often made bold claims about the efficacy of its products in treating various ailments, disregarding the established norms.The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has been vocal in its criticism of Patanjali's advertising strategies, citing instances of false and unfounded claims about curing diseases. Moreover, Baba Ramdev's disparaging remarks about allopathic medicine, branding it as "stupid and bankrupt," have only added fuel to the fire. Such rhetoric not only undermines the credibility of established medical practices but also poses a significant risk to public health , especially in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic Despite regulatory frameworks in place, including the Memorandum of Understanding between the AYUSH ministry and the Advertising Standards Council of India, Patanjali has continued its misleading advertising campaigns with impunity. The company's non-compliance with regulatory guidelines raises questions about the efficacy of existing enforcement mechanisms and the commitment of regulatory bodies to uphold consumer protection standards.The Supreme Court's admonition serves as a wake-up call not only to Patanjali but also to regulatory authorities and the government. The court's skepticism about the efficacy of existing regulatory mechanisms underscores the urgent need for robust enforcement measures and greater accountability in the advertising industry.Moreover, the court's emphasis on protecting public health highlights the responsibility of the government to safeguard citizens from deceptive marketing practices. With a significant portion of the population susceptible to misinformation, particularly in matters of health and wellness, the government must prioritize the enforcement of stringent regulations to prevent the exploitation of consumer trust.In conclusion, the Supreme Court's rebuke of Patanjali Ayurved underscores the need for a comprehensive overhaul of regulatory frameworks governing advertising practices. As a prominent player in the market, Patanjali must recognize its social responsibility and adhere to ethical standards in its advertising endeavors. Failure to do so not only erodes public trust but also undermines the integrity of the healthcare system as a whole. It's time for Patanjali to heed the warnings and embrace responsible advertising practices in the interest of public health and consumer well-being.Source-Medindia Alaska has more veterans as a percentage of its population than any other state but has yet to land the funding it has been requesting to build its first veterans cemetery -- much to the frustration of some residents and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Sullivan vented over the Department of Veterans Affairs' repeated failure to grant the state's request for funding for its first-ever state-run veterans' cemetery during a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Feb. 28. "The majority of the state, a state with more veterans per capita than any other state," Sullivan said during the hearing, "and we actually don't have a [state-run] veterans' cemetery. ... We keep missing the cutoff." Read Next: Air National Guardsman Teixeira Pleads Guilty to Leaking Classified Info, Faces Up to 16 Years in Prison Veterans make up nearly 10% of Alaska's population, according to the U.S. Census, and yet it has been repeatedly passed over for VA cemetery funding, thanks in large part to a $220 million backlog of funding requests through the department's Veterans Cemetery Grants Program. Since its inception in 1978, the grant program has provided nearly $1 billion in funding for the burial rites of veterans and their families. This includes establishing, expanding and maintaining 122 cemeteries across 49 states and Puerto Rico, with a prioritization for the expansion of existing cemeteries above all other projects. "As currently planned, funding requested in the president's FY 2024 budget would be used to address cemetery expansions exclusively," Terrence Hayes, a VA spokesperson, told Military.com. "No funding would be available for new establishments." The 18 proposals approved under fiscal 2024 funding are expansions that include three separate cemeteries in North Carolina and two in New Mexico. That means 51 grant proposals did not make the funding cut, 26 of which are older than five years. The backlog of proposals would cost about $220 million to get through, Matthew Quinn, the under secretary for VA memorial affairs, said during the hearing. "I understand that you want to help maintain the [cemeteries] you have," Sullivan told Quinn during the hearing. "That makes total sense. But it also makes total sense to help out the states that don't have anything yet." The benefits of a state-run cemetery can include free burials, perpetual care, accessible facilities, and more room for veterans and their loved ones to be laid to rest together. States can also follow different eligibility requirements than the national VA cemeteries, which were in the spotlight recently after finally offering the proper burial rites owed to 17 Black soldiers wrongfully convicted of mutiny and murder in the 1917 Houston Riot. The soldiers were awarded honorable discharges by the Army in 2023 and had their headstones updated to reflect the honors owed to them. Alaska does have veterans cemeteries -- one on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the other within the state's only reservation, Metlakatla. But neither cemetery is state-run, and both are hard to access. The veterans cemetery on Elmendorf-Richardson requires pre-approval to visit, which can be a time-consuming and logistical struggle for many families. The base cemetery is a madhouse over Memorial Day weekend, Sullivan said, and it can be just too challenging an endeavor for the families who want to visit but have no current military ties. Metlakatla is home to a large population of Alaska Natives, who serve in the military at a higher rate than any other ethnic group in the country, and is located on southern Alaska's Annette Island, which is easier to get to from Vancouver, Canada, than the state's most-populated cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks. Alaska has already purchased land necessary for a state-run cemetery, a step not covered through funding, but requisite to obtaining it. "It's a beautiful property," Sullivan said, but as the state keeps missing the cutoff for VA funding, the property continues to go unused. Hayes confirmed to Military.com in an email that Alaska's application met all of the requirements needed for its proposal to be funded. The state's proposal "would compete favorably with other requests to establish new cemeteries," Hayes said. "Cemeteries that serve veterans not currently served compete more favorably under current policy." But prioritization still remains with pre-existing cemeteries, he added, seemingly leaving the state in limbo. Despite the prioritization, Quinn promised to look into the Alaskan senator's request, as well as others expressed during the meeting, including inclement weather shelters for cemetery visitors in states such as Montana and North Dakota, and faulty flagpoles in Maine. "We know we have just one chance to get it right, to honor veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice at their most vulnerable time," Quinn said. -- Rachel Nostrant is a Marine Corps veteran and freelance journalist, with work published in Reuters, New York Magazine, Military Times and more. Related: National Cemeteries Offer Free Burial for Veterans The Pentagon's independent watchdog will investigate the Navy's ability to prevent and respond to suicides, a recently posted memo revealed. The memo, dated Feb. 27, says that investigators from the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General will try to "determine whether the Department of Navy effectively took actions to prevent and respond to incidents of deaths by suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation among members of the Navy assigned to sea duty or shore duty." The investigation comes after the sea service experienced several suicide clusters aboard its ships that were undergoing maintenance at shipyards on both coasts, as well as an East Coast maintenance depot. The Navy's own audits have found the service's implementation of suicide prevention efforts to be lacking. Read Next: VA Secretary Intervenes After Top Officer Orders Iconic World War II Kiss Photo Removed for Being 'Non-Consensual' The memo notes that investigators plan to visit most of the Navy's main base areas, specifically citing Norfolk Naval Air Station in Virginia; Naval Base San Diego in California; Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington; and Naval Station Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Navy has been plagued with high-profile suicide clusters and media coverage of the incidents for several years. In 2022, Military.com first reported that the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier that was undergoing a massive yearslong overhaul, had suffered at least nine suicides since November 2019. Later, Navy investigations confirmed that quality-of-life issues, along with poor leadership and a general failure to take care of sailors, basically left them fending for themselves and drove suicidal thoughts to become widespread on the ship. The USS Theodore Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier that underwent a much shorter 18-month overhaul in Bremerton, also had at least three suicides aboard. The last of those occurred in January 2023. A Navy spokesperson told Military.com that they were "aware of the announcement, and we are standing by to support the evaluation." "The Department of Navy remains committed to the well-being and mental health of our sailors and their families and will continue to prioritize suicide prevention efforts," the spokesperson added. The Navy's investigation into a cluster of four suicides in the fall of 2022 at a regional maintenance center in Norfolk revealed that the command -- staffed in no small part by sailors who are undergoing mental health or other medical issues -- was not equipped to handle their needs. The investigation also found that the command struggled to offer even basic suicide prevention, and its policies didn't have any guidance on dealing with sailors who demonstrated suicidal behaviors or what should be done in the aftermath of a suicide. Investigators also found that the unit hadn't conducted an annual suicide prevention drill in three years. That investigation also revealed that "the Navy, writ large, has failed to fully implement the suicide prevention program" as defined by its own rules. Related: Navy Survey Shows Continued Problems with Stress, Burnout Among Sailors, But Progress on Culture A recent memo from the Department of Veterans Affairs to its regional offices directed all copies of the iconic World War II photo of a sailor kissing a woman in Times Square on V-J Day to be removed from agency facilities because it depicts a "non-consensual act." RimaAnn Nelson, the VA's assistant secretary of health for operations, sent the Feb. 29 memo calling for the prompt removal of the photo -- capturing a historic moment of public jubilation after Japan surrendered in 1945 -- saying it was "inconsistent with the VA's no-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment and assault." But on Tuesday, VA Secretary Denis McDonough intervened, saying the photograph can remain. "Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities -- and we will keep it in VA facilities," he wrote on the social media platform X. Read Next: Alaska Is Still Waiting to Get its First State-Run Veterans Cemetery. A Backlog Stands in its Way. Nelson wrote in the memo that the placement of the photo in VA facilities was originally meant to commemorate the end of World War II and the return of American troops, but that perspectives on historical events "evolve." "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," she wrote in the memo. McDonough's social media post officially rescinded the order. The couple was snapped by a number of photographers, including photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt and U.S. Navy photographer Victor Jorgensen. The photo cited in the memo was Eisenstadt's; McDonough used Jorgensen's for his post. Shortly after his post on X, House Veterans Affairs Committee Republicans praised McDonough's action but wondered why the policy was even created. "Good. And we still have serious questions about who at VA thought potentially banning this photo would be a good idea in the first place," @HouseVetAffairs posted on X. A copy of the memo first appeared on the account @EndWokeness on X. The photograph in question was taken on Aug. 14, 1945, in New York City by Eisenstaedt, a Life magazine photojournalist. Eisenstaedt never identified the sailor or the woman, who is wearing what appears to be a nurse's uniform, in the photo. Many people have claimed to be the pictured couple, but in 1980, Life asked former Navy quartermaster George Mendonsa and Greta Zimmer Friedman to recreate the moment, believing them to be the original pair. In a 2005 interview for the Veterans History Project, Friedman, who worked as a dental assistant at the time, had gone to Times Square to confirm the news that the war had ended. She said she was grabbed by a sailor. "It wasn't that much of a kiss; it was more of a jubilant act that he didn't have to go back. I found out later he was so happy that he did not have to go back to the Pacific ... and the reason he grabbed someone dressed like a nurse was that he just felt very grateful to nurses who took care of the wounded," Friedman said. "It wasn't a romantic event," she added, "it was a 'thank God the war is over.'" Another couple, Edith Shain and Carl Muscarello, claimed to be the couple and were pictured in Times Square in 2005, but a book published last year by the U.S. Naval Institute Press, "The Kissing Sailor," concluded that the real couple was Mendonsa and Friedman. In her memo, Nelson said "debates on consent and the appropriateness of celebrating such images" contributed to the decision. "Employees have expressed discomfort with the display of this photograph, suggesting that its presence could be construed as a tacit endorsement of the inappropriate behavior it depicts," Nelson wrote. VA officials did not respond to questions about the memo, its approval by any higher-ups, the decision that led to its creation or the number of facilities that display the photo. "VA will NOT be banning this photo from VA facilities," VA officials said in a response to questions. Attempts to reach Nelson were not successful. In the past several years, the VA has worked to make its facilities more welcoming to all veterans, to include efforts to improve benefits delivery and health care for female veterans and changing its motto to be gender neutral. Related: VA Weighs Ditching Lincoln Quote for Motto That's Inclusive of Women and Minorities A civilian employee at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska was arrested and charged with providing classified information through an online dating app to someone claiming to be a woman in Ukraine, according to federal prosecutors. David Franklin Slater, a 63-year-old Air Force employee and retired Army lieutenant colonel assigned to U.S. Strategic Command, was arrested Saturday and charged with one count of conspiring to transmit and two counts of transmitting classified information related to the national defense. The information was shared "on a foreign online dating platform beginning in or around February 2022 until in or around April 2022, federal officials said in a press release Monday. Slater's exchanges were detailed in the federal indictment but the recipient, referred to as a co-conspirator, was not identified. Read Next: Want to Reenlist in the Guard? Consider Not Doing It for Now, as Bonuses Are on Hold Slater signed a top secret nondisclosure agreement on Aug. 23, 2021, according to the federal indictment, and had undergone numerous training sessions on handling classified materials. The alleged co-conspirator wrote a message to Slater in March 2022: "Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting." Then, later that month, the person wrote: "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." Another conversation happened around April 19, 2022, when the co-conspirator wrote: "Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant 'surprise' for Putin! Will you tell me?" From February 2022 through April 2022, Slater attended classified Strategic Command briefings "regarding Russia's war against Ukraine," federal prosecutors said. With prodding from the co-conspirator, Slater allegedly provided information he had obtained to that person on the online dating platform. "Slater transmitted classified [national defense information] regarding military targets in Russia's war against Ukraine, and on or about April 13, 2022, [he] transmitted classified [national defense information] regarding Russian military capabilities relating to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the indictment. 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, federal prosecutors said in the press release. The news of Slater's case came the same day that Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira, 22, an Air National Guardsman with the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base who was charged with leaking classified information online, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. Teixeira was arrested in early 2023 following long-running leaks on an online platform used by gamers that disclosed classified information about the war in Ukraine and U.S. relations with allies. He was charged in April with unauthorized retention, removal and transmission of national defense information and classified documents. He faced six counts for the unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and remained in jail after having filed an initial plea of not guilty in June. As part of Teixeira's plea agreement, prosecutors will ask a judge to impose a sentence of no less than 11 months and up to 200 months, or a little more than 16 years -- which could mark one of the stiffest sentences imposed for similar crimes in recent history. Related: Air National Guardsman Teixeira Pleads Guilty to Leaking Classified Info, Faces Up to 16 Years in Prison Various militaries have given the world plenty of interesting vehicles, but few reach elite status as cultural icons. Its nearly impossible to think about World War I without remembering Britains Mk IV tank; no movie about Vietnam is complete without a UH-1 and Fortunate Son. Likewise, the mental picture of American service members in the Middle East will always include a Humvee. Civilians call it a Hummer. The U.S. military calls it an HMMWV. Service members call it a Humvee, and Motor-T calls it names we cant repeat in polite company. Whatever you call it, this hardcore truck is one of the most legendary military vehicles of all time. Supersize the Jeep U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion and 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conduct cold-weather vehicle maneuverability training in preparation for exercise Cold Response near Bjerkvik, Norway, Feb. 21, 2020. (Cpl. Isaiah Campbell/U.S. Marine Corps photo) In the early 1980s, the U.S. military had an age problem - not with its service members, but with its gear. The most powerful military in the world was staring down the Soviet Union with the 1911, a pistol that saw action in World War I, and the M151, a lightweight 4x4 that wasnt very different from the Willys first used in World War II. Service members needed a vehicle that could still rumble over rough terrain, but with enough cargo space to carry modern warfighting equipment. ''The increase in size, sophistication, and crew requirements for new communications, weapons, and missile systems strains the load-carrying ability and mobility of the jeep beyond its limits,'' a background paper on the development of the Humvee stated, as reported by The New York Times in 1983. The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, which entered service in 1984 and saw its first action five years later in Panama, bridged the gap between the M151 and the M809 truck, according to The Guardian. Like other heavy equipment, it ran on diesel rather than gasoline. The early M998 A0 series Humvee came with a 6.2-liter turbocharged V8 that provided a 2,500-pound payload (later models delivered payloads as high as 5,100 pounds). Adding machine gun turrets, low-altitude air defense systems and more modern ambulance cabs became possible, thanks to the broad roof and strong carrying capacity. Soldiers with the 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment drive their Humvee through a water hazard on Fort Hood Training Area 11-12, Texas, April 23, 2014. (Sgt. Ken Scar/U.S. Army photo) The Humvee was larger and heavier than an M151, but it was even more formidable off-road. Even at just 72 inches tall, it had 16 inches of ground clearance. Portal axles raised the entire drivetrain above the wheel hubs, meaning that drivers had access to maximum ground clearance across the seven-foot width of the vehicle. Independent front and rear suspension, advanced shock absorbers and torque-biasing differentials allowed the Humvee to get traction on terrain that would stop other four-wheel-drive vehicles in their tracks. The disc brakes were even moved inboard, near the differentials and between the frame rails, for protection. An aluminum body kept the Humvees weight down despite its size. Compared to steel, aluminum allows more body flex off-road and reduces the risk of corrosion, making the Humvee easier to maintain. The Humvee was a smash hit from the very beginning. It was a dominant off-roader that refused to quit, and civilians couldn't get enough of the way it looked. For two decades, it seemed like nothing could stop the militarys new truck. But as it turned out, the vehicles greatest challenge had nothing to do with extreme terrain, but paved city streets. The Unofficial Vehicle of the War on Terror A Humvee with Marines from 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, provides security while camels walk by during Operation Bonneville Flats in the desert southwest of Lake Habbaniyah, Iraq, July 9, 2008. (Courtesy of DVIDS) When the U.S. military steamrolled Iraqs defenses (both times, in 1991 and 2003), the Humvee was in its element. The big bruiser crushed miles of open desert with ease - not to mention a killer soundtrack. But after the initial push into Iraq in 2003, the mission changed. The Humvee was no longer responsible for whisking soldiers and Marines across wide expanses of sand; it suddenly became an urban taxi in the world's most dangerous urban neighborhoods. The trucks aluminum body might as well have been tissue paper in the face of small arms fire. Roadside improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades turned the vehicle into little more than a rolling coffin. Two Paratroopers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division watch on Sept. 18, 2005, as two HMMWVs pass their patrol on a street in Tall Afar, Iraq. (Pfc. James Wilt/U.S. Army photo) To protect the service members patrolling cities such as Ramadi and Fallujah, the military began retrofitting Humvees with armor and bulletproof windows. This increased protection, but it came at a cost: the immense weight of added armor made the Humvee slow, clumsy and prone to rollovers. Extra strain on the engine, transmission, drivetrain and chassis accelerated wear and brought about a rash of mechanical failures. Worst of all, the armored doors had a tendency to jam and trap service members inside during deadly attacks. The JLTV Is Bigger and Better U.S. soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, use Joint Light Tactical Vehicles to provide 360-degree security at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 30, 2020. (Spc. Derek Mustard/U.S. Army photo) Bolting steel plates to the Humvee was better than doing nothing, but it was only a temporary fix. After only a few years in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was clear to leaders at the Pentagon that the military needed something else. According to a deep-dive comparison by Motor Trend, the Army and Marine Corps began replacing the Humvee with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle in 2018. Light is a misleading term, though, since the truck weighs 14,000 pounds. The JLTV won the job with better armor; a V-shaped, mine-resistant hull; longer suspension travel; locking differentials; and a 400-horsepower turbo diesel engine that leaves the best Humvee motors in its dust. In 2021, Forbes reported that 10,000 Humvees had been replaced by the JLTV. That replacement process will likely continue into the 2030s due to its scale, its cost and the shifting needs of the military. The JLTV is better than the Humvee at many things, including the last big fight, but that doesn't mean it will be ideal for the next one. You can bet that the military is going to hang on to a fleet of Humvees as an insurance policy. Around the World in the HMMWV A Humvee is loaded onto a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, assigned to Bravo Company, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade at the 28th ECAB's mobilization station during an air assault training mission at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 28, 2020. (Staff Sgt. Darrell Sutton/U.S. Army photo) Since the U.S. military announced a switch to the Humvee in 1983, it has covered nearly every patch of dry land on the planet. A search on DVIDS, the militarys media archive, will turn up images and videos that show the Humvee in the U.S., Iraq, Japan, Germany, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Australia, Italy, Poland, Spain, Norway and Guam. The Humvee has conquered mud, sand, rocks, snow and ice. The funny-looking 4x4 has evaded detection in the desert and pulled trailers down the highway. Its dangled from CH-53s, ridden inside the belly of CH-47s, taken to the seas with Marine Expeditionary Units and jumped entire continents in transport aircraft. A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion carries a Humvee while conducting an external lift exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 1-18 at Auxiliary Airfield 2, Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 27, 2017. (Sgt. Allison Lotz/U.S. Marine Corps photo) As threats evolved from the anticipated fast-paced movements of the Cold War to insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Humvee changed along with it. The truck was a hot-rodded Jeep when the military needed an off-roader, and it was an armored outpost when service members needed shelter. Its been more than a decade since the military stopped allowing Humvees outside the wire in combat zones. Its been five years since the JLTV started replacing the aging platform. And yet, Humvees are still on active duty, reserve, and Guard bases to this day. The iconic light vehicle is in its sunset years, for sure. But its earned a special place in American history. Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians and Seabees from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Five, assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 75, conduct off-road driving skills proficiency training in a Humvee in Yigo, Guam, June 22, 2023. (Chief Mass Communication Specialist Chad M. Butler/U.S. Navy photo) Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for fitness and basic training tips, or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. DETROIT - A popular Michigan chef known for his Caribbean cuisine has died at 40, according to multiple publications including Detroit Eater. Chef Max Hardy, from Detroit, passed away yesterday. No reason for his death has been given. Hardy was the owner of COOP Caribbean Fusion located within the Detroit Shipping Company. He also received national recognition from the New York Times, naming him one of the top Black Chefs Changing Food in America. We have lost one of the most celebrated and promising Black chefs from Detroit, his publicist, David Rudolph, said in a statement to MLive. He will he remembered for his work in the community as an advocate to end childhood food insecurity, feeding the un-homed during the pandemic with Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen for Good, his work with DPSCD high school culinary students, and recently the coming together of 30 Black male chefs in celebration of Black History Month (Black Excellence Culinary Symphony). Rudolph also told the Detroit News, who named him one of its Michiganians of the Year in 2021, that Chef Hardy was getting ready to open his seafood restaurant, Whats Crackin in Detroit. Chef Hardy was also one of the 12 chefs from around the country to compete on season 2 of Food Networks BBQ Brawl. At that time, Hardy told MLive how much he loved watching people try the Caribbean recipes at his restaurant, inspired by his mother, being from the Bahamas. The jerk wings are amazing, he said back in 2021. Were known for those the most. I make them with a guava barbecue sauce. I would try the Caribbean corn. Its loaded up with cilantro aioli, queso fresco, toasted coconut and bacon crumbles. The jerk ribs are my all-time favorite. Thats what I love the most. Chef Hardy was also known for his work in the community. According to the Detroit News, he founded the nonprofit, One Chef Can 86 Hunger and also worked with the Horatio Williams Foundation, the I AM Hope Foundation and Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen For Good. The Detroit News says he is survived by his two daughters. ANN ARBOR, MI Ann Arbor renters now have new protections against landlords pressuring them to renew leases early. City Council voted unanimously Monday night, March 4, to give the final OK to strengthen the citys renter rights laws, giving tenants roughly six months to live in their apartments before landlords can ask them to renew leases for another year. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Washtenaw County health officials warned of potential exposure to measles at one local emergency department on Sunday. The first measles case in Michigan since 2019 was reported on Feb. 23 in an Oakland County child. A third case was also reported in Wayne County on Sunday. Heres what you need to know about the measles in Washtenaw County and across the state. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact, and through the air. Symptoms of measles usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure but can appear up to 21 days after exposure. It can cause complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. Measles can also cause miscarriages or premature delivery in pregnant women. Symptoms may include: High fever, which may spike to over 104 degrees; Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums and roof of the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin A rash that is red, raised, blotchy, usually starting on the face and spreading to trunk, arms and legs three to five days after symptoms begin Who is at risk? Health officials are the most concerned with anyone not vaccinated against measles, especially those who may have been in the potential exposure area, said Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia. County health officials say the exposure possibly happened between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, in the waiting and triage areas at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Emergency Department at 5301 McAuley Drive in Ypsilanti. Anyone present at the above time and date should receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine within 72 hours or no later than Monday, March 4, if they are not already considered immune to measles. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Anyone potentially exposed should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. If symptoms develop, call ahead before visiting a doctor, urgent care or emergency room so they can take precautions to avoid exposing others. Those vaccinated as children are considered to have lifelong immunity, Ringler-Cerniglia said. People born before 1957 or who have had prior measles illnesses are also considered immune. How is measles prevented? The best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated against it, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. The vaccine is given in combination with the mumps and rubella vaccines, known as MMR vaccine. Two MMR injections are needed to be completely immunized. Those who are not vaccinated against measles can receive the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure to prevent infection. Typically, children get their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at four through six years of age, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However if a young infant is exposed, Ringler-Cerniglia said, they can get the vaccine as early as six months of age. For vaccination and guidance, people should contact their healthcare provider, pharmacy or the Washtenaw County Health Department at 734-544-6700. How is measles treated? Besides prevention through vaccinations, there is no specific medicine to cure measles. Rest, plenty of fluids, and a non-aspirin product including acetaminophen, ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever and discomfort associated with the measles. Aspirin should not be used in children with viral illnesses due to cases associated with the development of Reye Syndrome, a rare, serious illness that can affect the liver and brain. The sick person should stay at home until four days after the appearance of the rash. Why is measles appearing now? All three cases of measles in Michigan this year have been related to recent international travel, Ringler-Cerniglia said, which is where most measles cases in the United States come from. However, she said, the reappearance of measles in recent years is also related to a decline in vaccination rates. Years ago, we didnt really get a lot of measles cases, although there are still some that happen in other countries, Ringler-Cerniglia said. But as we have declining rates of vaccine coverage, then we have more possibility for those cases to spread. Across the United States and in Michigan, routine immunization coverage has dropped, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Ringler-Cerniglia said this came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, although its unclear what specifically led to the decline. RELATED: Michigans vaccination rates are down. See how your school grades. Statewide, vaccine coverage for the MMR vaccine for children ages four to six years old has decreased from 89% in 2017 to 84% in 2022. For children ages 19 through 35 months of age, MMR coverage in Washtenaw County has decreased from 90% in 2017 to 81% in 2022. In recent years weve had that kind of anti-vax sentiment where people have... gotten more concerned about the potential harm of vaccines than the actual illnesses, Ringler-Cerniglia said. Most of us nowadays havent seen measles or havent seen some of these illnesses, because vaccines have mostly eradicated them. Ringler-Cerniglia said the COVID-19 pandemic could have also presented barriers to routine healthcare that led to the decline in immunization rates. Illnesses and deaths families may have experienced due to the pandemic could have also been a factor, she said. Were encouraging folks to check their vaccine status and get caught up, if you dont have some of those routine ones, she said. And especially with something like measles that is so easily prevented. Its a very, very effective vaccine and the protection is lifelong. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A Michigan university claims to be the first in the nation to launch a fully bilingual degree program, offering classes in a dual language format to equip Spanish speakers for high-demand careers in business, technology, healthcare, urban education and more. Davenport University, a private university based in Grand Rapids, developed the new bilingual program, called Casa Latina, in an effort to better serve Spanish-speaking students and address the talent gap in the Latino population in Michigan and across the U.S. We need a Latino community thats well-educated, Casa Latina Executive Director Carlos Sanchez said at a Tuesday, March 5, press conference announcing the program. Theres about half a million Latinos in Michigan, but only 2% of us have a college degree. Students in the Casa Latina program will take all their classes online in a bilingual format, where courses are taught fully in Spanish one week, and fully in English the next. Students will also have access to bilingual support in admissions, financial aid, counseling, tutoring and library services, all offered in both Spanish and English. Davenport University President Richard Pappas said the program was developed in an effort to make higher education more accessible and inclusive for Latino students, who make up about 8% of the universitys population. This is us changing for their needs, Pappas said. Often universities say, come into our culture, to what we do. And what we said is, what is the culture that would be most successful for you? And thats what weve been changing. While Davenport has improved its retention rates for Latino students over the last five years from 62% to 68% Pappas said university leaders wanted to come up with a way to address the barriers that prevent Spanish speakers to pursuing higher education and completing their degrees. The university did not immediately provide data on graduation rates for Latino students. One of the biggest barriers that prevent Latino people from going to college in the U.S. is that they think their English is not good enough, Sanchez explained. By offering a fully bilingual degree program, Sanchez said Davenport will reduce those language barriers and help Latino students develop professional proficiency in both English and Spanish, equipping them to lead in a bilingual world. Many Latino students also face financial barriers to higher education, which is why Davenport is offering scholarships to full-time Casa Latina students of $9,200 a year for undergraduates and $5,000 for graduate students. Students attending part-time would be awarded a prorated amount. The program isnt just for Latino students or native Spanish speakers, Sanchez noted. Casa Latina is open to any students who are interested in earning a bilingual degree and have a Spanish background, like students from K-12 Spanish immersion programs. At the core, Casa Latina is a bilingual program, Sanchez explained. Even though we want to have an impact in the Latino community, anybody that wants to get a bilingual degree can come to Casa Latina. They dont have to be fluent in Spanish. They come to us, and we will assess them not for admission, but for placement. Davenport is currently offering 12 undergraduate and graduate degree pathways through Casa Latina, including in accounting, business administration, education, human resource management, health services administration and technology project management. Another service that Davenport will offer through Casa Latina is translation assistance to students who need to translate their school transcripts if they attended school in another country, to help them transfer over any eligible credits, Sanchez said. Students typically have to go through a third party to translate their school transcripts, which can be costly, he explained. With Casa Latina, were going to take that process in house, where the students will bring their transcripts... from their college, and well assist them in-house, he said. Were not going to charge them for that, so theyre going to save money, and hopefully well be able to get them the most credits that they deserve. Omar Cuevas, senior vice president of investor relations for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, said the bilingual program will be hugely beneficial to both students and employers in Kent County, where growth in the Latino community is expected to continue for years to come. Our county attributes population growth to immigrants and refugees calling Kent County home, and employers in West Michigan are hurting for talent, Cuevas said. What were creating here is that pipeline, a bridge, to make sure that those international individuals, refugees, and new Americans that are coming into our community that may have some type of certification or degree from their country, they can either have that accredited in our state, or continue their educational journey, as employees are looking for high skilled immigrants to fill jobs. Cuevas said Davenports program will help meet the demands of Michigan businesses with national and international operations who need workers that are prepared for a more globalized market. We have more than 130 companies that are global, that are headquartered here in West Michigan, Cuevas said. That tells you that the potential for growth in Latin America is there. With individuals that are coming to get their degree from Davenport, were able to serve in a very global marketplace. Davenport University has received $2.7 million for the new Casa Latina program, from donors including the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the M.E. Davenport Foundation, the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation, the Frey Foundation, Steelcase Foundation, and Steve and Tana Wessell, according to a university news release. Davenport is currently accepting applications for Casa Latina, with the bilingual program scheduled to start in fall 2024. The university is hoping to enroll about 150 students in the program this fall, Sanchez said. For more information on the new Casa Latina program, visit davenport.edu/casa-latina. Moka Roots Coffee House brings coffee from its roots of origin in Yemen to the Greater Grand Rapids area. (Photo/Skyla Jewell-Hammie)Skyla Jewell-Hammie BANGOR TWP, MI Bay County Sheriffs deputies had an extra presence around Bangor Township Schools on Monday, March 4, after a student reported a potentially threatening message on Snapchat. The morning of Saturday, March 2, Superintendent Matt Schmidt contacted deputies regarding the message, which the student had alerted the district to. The message contained an image of a Glock pistol on a desk and was described as being taken in Bangor, United States, said Sheriffs Lt. James Chlebowski. A total of nine downtown enhancement and improvement projects throughout Michigan have been selected to share in $200,000 in grants awarded as part of the states Michigan Main Street program. Two of those projects are found in the Detroit communities of Mexicantown and the North End.The Southwest Detroit Business Association will launch a new marketing and brand awareness campaign in support of the Mexicantown district, which will include engaging the Locable marketing platform, and creating a new marketing campaign that includes brochures, maps, digital content, banners, and branded trash bins.Through targeted branding efforts, we will be able to elevate awareness of the Mexicantown Main Street district, showcasing its unique offerings, local businesses, and cultural assets, says Mexicantown-Hubbard Communities Main Street Director, Southwest Detroit Business Association Vice President of Programs and Compliance Brandi Watts.This heightened visibility will not only attract more visitors, but also foster a sense of pride and belonging among businesses and residents, ultimately strengthening our community fabric. Furthermore, an enhanced marketing platform and campaign will help cultivate a more engaging and functional corridor that encourages engagement, ownership and pride in what our district offers to residents and visitors.[Related: Read Dismantling barriers for Southwest Detroit business owners on Model D.]The Vanguard Community Development Corporation wins funding support for their annual Light Up Main Street event in the North End, which includes festive lighting of East Grand Boulevard in the winter season and a holiday shopping event supporting local businesses.Both Mexicantown and the North End are members of the Michigan Main Street program , which supports downtown enhancement projects in enrolled communities throughout the state. Those communities enrolled receive access to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and their strategies, tools, and resources for revitalizing historic downtowns and business districts.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, March 4th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Friday, April 12th will be paid a dividend of 0.125 per share by the apparel retailer on Friday, April 26th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.07%. American Eagle Outfitters has raised its dividend by an average of 2.9% per year over the last three years. American Eagle Outfitters has a dividend payout ratio of 29.6% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect American Eagle Outfitters to earn $1.55 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.50 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 32.3%. Get American Eagle Outfitters alerts: American Eagle Outfitters Price Performance AEO stock remained flat at $24.14 on Monday. 3,568,558 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,042,006. American Eagle Outfitters has a fifty-two week low of $9.95 and a fifty-two week high of $24.47. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $21.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $18.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.75, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.59. Insider Activity Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other news, insider Jennifer M. Foyle sold 60,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.73, for a total value of $1,243,800.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 232,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,818,875.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In related news, insider Jennifer M. Foyle sold 60,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.73, for a total transaction of $1,243,800.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 232,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,818,875.07. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,363 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.91, for a total transaction of $47,047.33. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders have sold 106,634 shares of company stock worth $2,198,937. Corporate insiders own 7.50% of the companys stock. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEO. Profund Advisors LLC lifted its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 11,025 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 586 shares during the period. BRYN MAWR TRUST Co lifted its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. BRYN MAWR TRUST Co now owns 102,497 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $1,378,000 after purchasing an additional 982 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 21,406 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $299,000 after purchasing an additional 1,004 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 81,461 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $911,000 after purchasing an additional 1,061 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 6.7% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 19,670 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 1,241 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.10% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AEO has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $27.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. StockNews.com raised shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $14.00 to $13.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 24th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued a market perform rating and issued a $22.00 price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Friday. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $21.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $19.55. View Our Latest Report on AEO American Eagle Outfitters declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Thursday, February 1st that authorizes the company to buyback 30,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the apparel retailer to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. About American Eagle Outfitters (Get Free Report) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a specialty retailer that provides clothing, accessories, and personal care products under the American Eagle and Aerie brands in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for American Eagle Outfitters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Eagle Outfitters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE:BHLB Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report issued on Monday. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Berkshire Hills Bancorp from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. Piper Sandler raised Berkshire Hills Bancorp from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and set a $24.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 10th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Berkshire Hills Bancorp from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $26.00 price target on shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, Berkshire Hills Bancorp currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $25.00. Get Berkshire Hills Bancorp alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on BHLB Berkshire Hills Bancorp Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BHLB traded down $0.59 during trading on Monday, reaching $20.90. The stock had a trading volume of 303,817 shares, compared to its average volume of 247,689. Berkshire Hills Bancorp has a 52 week low of $18.07 and a 52 week high of $28.71. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $23.40 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $911.66 million, a PE ratio of 13.06 and a beta of 0.86. Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE:BHLB Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The savings and loans company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.02). Berkshire Hills Bancorp had a net margin of 11.24% and a return on equity of 9.48%. The firm had revenue of $142.15 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.05 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Berkshire Hills Bancorp will post 2.07 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Berkshire Hills Bancorp In related news, Director Michael Zaitzeff sold 51,910 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.18, for a total value of $1,307,093.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 2,665 shares in the company, valued at approximately $67,104.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders sold a total of 213,788 shares of company stock worth $4,995,804 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Berkshire Hills Bancorp Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 1.9% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 6,616,955 shares of the savings and loans companys stock valued at $165,821,000 after purchasing an additional 126,150 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,253,783 shares of the savings and loans companys stock worth $152,203,000 after purchasing an additional 51,437 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,820,311 shares of the savings and loans companys stock worth $81,705,000 after purchasing an additional 45,304 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,352,989 shares of the savings and loans companys stock worth $68,166,000 after purchasing an additional 56,505 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its position in shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,724,977 shares of the savings and loans companys stock worth $35,759,000 after purchasing an additional 167,243 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.24% of the companys stock. About Berkshire Hills Bancorp (Get Free Report) Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Berkshire Bank that provides various banking products and services. It offers various deposit accounts, including demand deposit, interest-bearing checking, regular savings, money market savings, time certificates of deposit, and retirement deposit accounts; and loans, such as commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, consumer, and residential mortgage loans. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Berkshire Hills Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Berkshire Hills Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:BCAUY Get Free Report)s share price rose 2.2% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $4.80 and last traded at $4.60. Approximately 2,100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 64% from the average daily volume of 5,787 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.50. Brilliance China Automotive Stock Up 2.2 % The firms 50 day simple moving average is $4.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.60. Brilliance China Automotive Company Profile (Get Free Report) Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells BMW vehicles and automotive components in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company offers minibuses under the JinBei, Renault, Haise, Grand Haise, and Granse brands, as well as multi-purpose vehicles under the Huasong brand. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Brilliance China Automotive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brilliance China Automotive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 18,700 shares, a growth of 23.8% from the January 31st total of 15,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 132,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. DNB Bank ASA Price Performance DNB Bank ASA stock traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $20.22. The stock had a trading volume of 43,690 shares, compared to its average volume of 78,145. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.53. The firms 50 day moving average is $20.18 and its 200 day moving average is $19.67. DNB Bank ASA has a one year low of $16.34 and a one year high of $21.32. Get DNB Bank ASA alerts: DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The company reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter. DNB Bank ASA had a net margin of 21.11% and a return on equity of 14.54%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that DNB Bank ASA will post 2.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About DNB Bank ASA DNB Bank ASA provides financial services for retail and corporate customers in Norway and internationally. The company offers personal banking products and services, including savings and investment products; loans, such as home mortgages, and car and consumer loans; pet, home and property, travel, and personal insurance products, as well as insurance products for vehicles; retirement savings products; foreign exchange and treasury activities; and Internet and mobile banking services, as well as cards. Read More Receive News & Ratings for DNB Bank ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DNB Bank ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FIBRA Prologis (OTCMKTS:FBBPF Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,444,200 shares, a decrease of 14.6% from the January 31st total of 5,206,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 9,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 453.5 days. FIBRA Prologis Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:FBBPF remained flat at $4.37 on Monday. FIBRA Prologis has a 1-year low of $3.21 and a 1-year high of $4.91. The companys 50-day moving average is $4.38 and its 200 day moving average is $3.98. Get FIBRA Prologis alerts: About FIBRA Prologis (Get Free Report) Read More FIBRA Prologis is a leading owner and operator of Class-A industrial real estate in Mexico. As of December 31, 2023, FIBRA Prologis was comprised of 235 logistics and manufacturing facilities in six industrial markets in Mexico totaling 46.9 million square feet (4.4 million square meters) of gross leasable area. Receive News & Ratings for FIBRA Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FIBRA Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lithium Chile Inc. (OTCMKTS:LTMCF Get Free Report)s share price was down 3.4% on Monday . The company traded as low as $0.51 and last traded at $0.51. Approximately 75,059 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 83% from the average daily volume of 40,934 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.53. Lithium Chile Stock Down 3.4 % The stock has a 50 day moving average of $0.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.46. Lithium Chile Company Profile (Get Free Report) Lithium Chile Inc engages in the acquisition and development of lithium properties in Chile and Argentina. The company also explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. It holds interests in a lithium property portfolio consisting of approximately 111,978 hectares in Chile and 20,800 hectares in Argentina; and owns 5 properties totaling 21,329 hectares in Chile. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Lithium Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithium Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of NIPPON STL & SU/S (OTCMKTS:NSSMY Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $8.12 and last traded at $8.43, with a volume of 49321 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.46. NIPPON STL & SU/S Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $8.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.22. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $7.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.74. About NIPPON STL & SU/S (Get Free Report) Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation engages in steelmaking and steel fabrication businesses worldwide. It operates in five segments: Steelmaking and Steel Fabrication, Engineering and Construction, Chemicals, New materials, and System Solutions. The company offers steel plates; hot- and cold-rolled steel sheets and coils, coated steel sheets, color coated steel sheets, electrolytic tin plates, and electrical steel sheets; bar and rod materials; and structural steel products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NIPPON STL & SU/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NIPPON STL & SU/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rio Novo Gold Inc. (TSE:RN Get Free Report)s stock price rose 4% on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$0.13 and last traded at C$0.13. Approximately 34,500 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 63% from the average daily volume of 92,675 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.13. Rio Novo Gold Trading Up 4.0 % The firm has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.13. Rio Novo Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Rio Novo Gold Inc acquires, explores, and develops gold mineral resource properties in Brazil and Colombia. It holds interests in the Almas Gold Project located in the Tocantins State, Brazil; the Matupa Gold Project located in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil; and the Tolda Fria Gold Project located in the Caldas State, Colombia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rio Novo Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Novo Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ Get Free Report) major shareholder Series U. Of Um Partners, Llc sold 446,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.40, for a total value of $7,764,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 397,885 shares in the company, valued at $6,923,199. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. Utz Brands Stock Up 2.6 % Utz Brands stock traded up $0.46 during trading on Monday, reaching $17.98. 941,477 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 871,181. 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 companys 50-day moving average is $17.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.93. The firm has a market cap of $2.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -58.00, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.96. Utz Brands, Inc. has a 52-week low of $11.17 and a 52-week high of $19.21. Get Utz Brands alerts: Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.17 by ($0.01). Utz Brands had a positive return on equity of 6.08% and a negative net margin of 1.73%. The company had revenue of $352.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $354.63 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.15 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Utz Brands, Inc. will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current year. Utz Brands Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 4th. Investors of record on Monday, December 18th were paid a dividend of $0.057 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 15th. This represents a $0.23 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.27%. Utz Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -74.19%. A number of research firms have recently commented on UTZ. DA Davidson began coverage on Utz Brands in a research report on Friday. They set a neutral rating and a $20.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Utz Brands from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on Utz Brands from $20.00 to $20.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Utz Brands from $13.00 to $17.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Mizuho began coverage on Utz Brands in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 target price on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $17.73. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Utz Brands Institutional Investors Weigh In On Utz Brands Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. American International Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Utz Brands by 9.3% during the second quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 34,678 shares of the companys stock worth $567,000 after buying an additional 2,957 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in Utz Brands by 47.5% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 594,643 shares of the companys stock worth $7,986,000 after buying an additional 191,441 shares in the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Utz Brands by 96.5% during the third quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 409,027 shares of the companys stock worth $5,493,000 after buying an additional 200,850 shares in the last quarter. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Utz Brands during the third quarter worth approximately $852,000. Finally, Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust boosted its holdings in Utz Brands by 14.5% during the third quarter. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust now owns 752,119 shares of the companys stock worth $10,101,000 after buying an additional 95,243 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.01% of the companys stock. 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. Jervois Global Limited (OTCMKTS:JRVMF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,816,900 shares, a growth of 28.1% from the January 31st total of 1,418,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,003,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Jervois Global Stock Performance Shares of JRVMF stock remained flat at $0.02 during mid-day trading on Monday. The stock had a trading volume of 1,197,316 shares, compared to its average volume of 486,654. Jervois Global has a one year low of $0.01 and a one year high of $0.13. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $0.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.02. Get Jervois Global alerts: Jervois Global Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Jervois Global Limited engages in the exploration, development, and production of mineral properties. The company explores for cobalt, nickel, copper, and gold deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Idaho Cobalt Operations project located in the state of Idaho, the United States; the Sao Miguel Paulista nickel cobalt refinery in Sao Paulo, Brazil; and the Nico Young nickel-cobalt deposits in New South Wales, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Jervois Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jervois Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zelira Therapeutics Limited (OTCMKTS:ZLDAF Get Free Report)s share price dropped 12.2% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $0.53 and last traded at $0.53. Approximately 1,449 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 3% from the average daily volume of 1,500 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.60. Zelira Therapeutics Trading Down 12.2 % The business has a fifty day moving average of $0.61 and a 200 day moving average of $0.66. About Zelira Therapeutics (Get Free Report) Zelira Therapeutics Limited, a bio-pharmaceutical company, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of cannabinoid-based medicines for the treatment of various medical conditions in Australia and the United States. The company offers formulations under the HOPE brand in Australia, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, as well as develops Zenivol, a cannabinoid-based medicine for treatment of chronic insomnia. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Zelira Therapeutics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zelira Therapeutics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India. Jinit Parmar is a correspondent based out of Mumbai covering the banking sector, fintechs, NBFCs, insurance and more, tweets @jinitparmar10 In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: More NBFC's piled in past three years, simultaneous polls may not be an unalloyed... Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Markets need their Vitamin D too, as disclosures make them stronger *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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She focusses primarily on insurance, banking, taxation and financial planning News Highlights: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan spekaing on Kerala Veterinary University VC's suspension over student's death, emphasizes that the remand report highlights alleged torture of student with belts and wires. The Governor questions the University administration over the incident and advocates inquiry led by a High Court Judge. In today's edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: More NBFC's piled in past three years, simultaneous polls may not be an unalloyed... Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | Markets need their Vitamin D too, as disclosures make them stronger Last week, Google delisted 10 prominent Indian apps (including Naukri, Shaadi and AltBalaji) from its Play Store saying they were not in compliance of its new Play Store norms. The App makers cried foul and the government The Indian government often jumps into a private dispute with the best of intentions but in the process, it further muddies up things. Its intervention in the Google Play Store vs 10 Indian apps fight is a case in point. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Tyler Cowen is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. He is a professor of economics at George Mason University and writes for the blog Marginal Revolution. Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day While refusing to accept IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd's contention that the deceased life assured (DLA) suppressed pre-existing diseases while obtaining the life insurance policy, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) directed the insurer to pay Rs9.75 lakh for repaying home loan instalments. In an order last month , the NCDRC bench of air vice-marshal (AVM) J Rajendra (retd) (presiding member) says, "The Andhra Pradesh state consumer disputes redressal commission, after due consideration of the pleadings and arguments, determined that no intervention is warranted on the Vishakhapatnam district consumer disputes redressal forum's order. This was primarily because the grounds relied upon in the repudiation letter are not supported by leading any cogent and convincing evidence with regard to the life assured suppressed the pre-existing diseases and obtained the policy." However, the bench modified the order passed by the district forum to set aside Rs10,000 compensation, stating that multiple compensations for singular deficiency are not justifiable. Korada Kasulamma's husband had obtained a home loan from Andhra Bank on 28 August 2011. As suggested by the Bank, he also bought an insurance policy from IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company, for which Andhra Bank paid the premium on his behalf. When he died on 4 July 2014, his wife Kasulamma filed an insurance claim with the insurer. However, IndiaFirst Life Insurance rejected the claim, citing the concealment of a pre-existing disease. Ms Kasulamma then filed a complaint before the district forum. While allowing the complaint, the district forum directed IndiaFirst Life Insurance to pay Rs9.75 lakh towards loan-due instalments directly in the home loan account of Ms Kasulamma's husband. It also asked the insurer to pay Rs10,000 compensation and Rs2,500 litigation cost to Ms Kasulamma. Aggrieved by the order, IndiaFirst Life Insurance filed an appeal before the state commission. The state commission reiterated that the burden lies on the insurer to establish that the life assured suppressed the pre-existing disease and induced it to issue the insurance policy. Tearing into the medical documents submitted by IndiaFirst Life Insurance, the state commission says, "Exhibit B-5 (discharge summary) and B-6 (health card issued under the Aarogya Sree scheme) are not the authenticated documents. Viewed from any angle, no credence or credibility can be attached to exhibits B-5 and B-6. There is no material much less cogent and convincing material, to establish the stand taken by the insurer. In the light of the foregoing discussion, we have no hesitation to hold that the insurance company failed to establish that the life assured suppressed the pre-existing disease and obtained the policy. The insurer repudiated the claim of the complainant without any foundation or basis. The act done by the insurer amounts to 'deficiency' in service as contemplated under Section 2(1)(g) of the Consumer Protection Act." When the matter reached NCDRC, the bench noted that despite serving notices, nobody appeared for Ms Kasulamma and thus, she was placed as ex-parte. Also, Andhra Bank is a proforma party and has no liability in the case, the bench stated. After hearing arguments by the counsels for IndiaFirst Life Insurance, AVM Rajendra observed that in the case, there are concurrent findings of the facts, and the revisional jurisdiction of NCDRC is limited. "After due consideration of the entire material, I do not find any illegality, material irregularity or jurisdictional error in the order passed by the state commission warranting our interference in revisional jurisdiction under the Act," he says, while dismissing the revision petition filed by IndiaFirst Life Insurance. (Revision Petition No627 of 2020 Date: 16 February 2024) CHamoru cultural dancers perform at the Humatak reenactment of Ferdinand Magellan's 1521 landing in Guam on Monday, March 4, 2024. FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., January 11, 2024. Economic plans, Taiwan and other things to know from the opening of Chinas legislature Economic plans, Taiwan and other things to know from the opening of Chinas legislature View Photo BEIJING (AP) Chinas Premier Li Qiang promoted an image of confidence as he announced modest economic growth goals for the worlds second largest economy, at one of the countrys most important political gatherings. Li addressed a few thousand delegates of the countrys rubber-stamp legislature, the National Peoples Congress, which met in Beijing. Its a time when the government reviews the work of the past year, and crucially reveals targets and goals for the coming year, especially in its approach to its economy, military budget and Chinese society. Here are some key takeaways from Lis address Tuesday. STABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH The governments overall approach to the economy will not change, as the goals by the government for 2024 signal that they want to stabilize growth. Li announced that the GDP growth target was 5% this year a modest target that is still going to be difficult. China is grappling with an economic slowdown and a real estate market in crisis after a crackdown on excess borrowing led to a liquidity crisis among developers. This years targets are virtually the same as last year, reflecting policy stasis in Beijing as the central leadership delays any significant economic policy decisions until the Third Plenum later in the year, said Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese Politics at the Asia Society. TOUGHER LANGUAGE ON TAIWAN Lis report had stronger language on Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China considers its own. Missing from this years report was the word peace. Last year, the premier had called for advanc(ing) the process of Chinas peaceful reunification. This year, Li said they will be firm in advancing the cause of Chinas reunification. Overall, the language this year was tougher, said Arthur Zhin-Sheng Wang, a professor at Taiwans Central Police University whos an expert on cross-Straits relations. Dropping the word peace combined with the phrase resolutely opposing Taiwan independence, is what signals a stronger stance, Wang said. Last year, the work report had more language about promoting the prosperity of both sides as well, while this year only had a brief nod. Taiwan held presidential elections in January and elected Lai Ching-te to be its next president, giving the Democratic Progressive Party a third term. The partys platform maintains that Taiwan is already independent of China. Taiwan and China have been ruled separately since 1949, when the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek retreated to the island after losing a civil war on the mainland to Mao Zedongs communist forces. DEFENSE SPENDING RISING 7.2% The government announced an increase of 7.2% in the military budget, the worlds second-highest behind the United States at 1.6 trillion yuan ($222 billion). Chinas defense budget has more than doubled since 2015, but in recent years it has dialed down the increase in defense spending as economic growth slowed. MIGRANT WORKERS Chinas rural and urban populations have long been divided by the hukou, a registration and identification system through which social benefits are allocated, such as health insurance and schools. Cities and urban areas generally have better social benefits than rural ones. For the first time in recent years, the governments work report mentioned that it would want to make it easier for migrant workers with rural hukou registrations to be able to change their hukous to urban ones. While hukou reform has long been discussed, the mention in the government report signals that it could be higher on the agenda of the central authorities. CONFIDENCE In spite of the slowing economy, and U.S. export controls on several tech-related industries, such as semi-conductors, Li struck a note of confidence in his report. The Chinese people have the courage, wisdom, to overcome any difficulties or obstacles, he said. Chinas development will surely endure storms and plough through the waves, (and) the future is promising. ___ AP news researchers Yu Bing and Wanqing Chen contributed to this report. By HUIZHONG WU Associated Press Albanian mayor from Greek minority is imprisoned for vote buying. Thats likely to anger Greece TIRANA, Albania (AP) An Albanian court on Tuesday imprisoned a mayor from the countrys Greek minority on vote-buying charges, a ruling that was expected to raise tensions with neighboring Greece. Greece had called on Albanias government to stop the process against Dhionisios Alfred Beleri, saying the case could negatively impact Albanias application to join the European Union. Albania is a candidate member negotiating full membership. Albanias government has said it could do nothing while the case was in court. The Special Court on Corruption and Organized Crime gave Beleri a two-year sentence. Beleri was elected mayor of Himare, 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of the capital, Tirana. He was arrested days before the vote while allegedly offering 40,000 Albanian leks ($390 at the time) to buy eight votes. Beleri won the election but could not be sworn in while under arrest. Beleris lawyer, Geni Gjyzari, asserted that the verdict was political as the prime minister had ordered it, adding that he would appeal. Greeces foreign ministry said the court decision increases the concern already expressed on the objectivity of the (judicial) process, claiming that the sentence is clearly disproportionate to the alleged offense. The selective implementation of court rulings and the prejudging of court decisions do not conform with the rule of law, a ministry statement said. The Greek government will closely follow the case and hopes to see a fair and objective ruling at the appeal trial. Relations between Greece and post-communist Albania have been uneasy at times, largely over issues of minority rights and the sizable Albanian community in Greece. ___ Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini ___ Nicholas Paphitis in Athens contributed to this report. By LLAZAR SEMINI Associated Press 3 men suspected in the disappearance of a US sailing couple ordered deported from St. Vincent 3 men suspected in the disappearance of a US sailing couple ordered deported from St. Vincent View Photo KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (AP) Three men from Grenada suspected in the disappearance of a U.S. couple whose catamaran was hijacked were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday. The men, Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor, had pleaded guilty to immigration charges in a court in the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent. Senior Magistrate Colin John ordered that they be repatriated as soon as practicable. The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking the catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were aboard. Police have said they believe the couple were thrown overboard as the suspects sailed to St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21. They have not been charged in the case. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities noting there were signs of violence aboard the couples boat found abandoned in St. Vincent. The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as veteran cruisers who participated in last years Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 5 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.11 drams to 404.03 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.28 drams to 438.37 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 4.44 drams . GBP exchange rate up by 0.18 drams to 512.43 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 619.52 drams to 27253.39 drams. Silver price up by 4.86 drams to 300.07 drams. Senator Mitch McConnell View Photo U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor. McConnell was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: As some of you may know, this has been a particularly difficult time for my family. We tragically lost Elaines youngest sister, Angela a few weeks ago. When you lose a loved one, particularly at a young age, there is a certain introspection that accompanies the grieving process. Perhaps it is Gods way of reminding you of your own lifes journey to reprioritize the impact on the world that we will all inevitably leave behind. I turned 82 last week. The end of my contributions are closer than Id prefer. My career in the United States Senate began amidst the Reagan Revolution. The truth is, when I got here, I was just happy if anybody remembered my name. President Reagan called me Mitch ODonnell. Close enough, I thought. My wife Elaine and I got married on President Reagans birthday, February 6th. Its probably not the most romantic thing to admit, but Reagan meant a great deal to both of us. For thirty-one years Elaine has been the love of my life and I am eternally grateful to have her by my side. I think back to my first days in the Senate with a deep appreciation for the time that helped shape my view of the world. I am unconflicted about the good within our country and the irreplaceable role we play as the leader of the free world. It is why I worked so hard to get the national security package passed earlier this month. Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time. I have many faults, misunderstanding politics is not one of them. That said, I believe more strongly than ever that Americas global leadership is essential to preserving the shining city on a hill that Ronald Reagan discussed. For as long as I am drawing breath on this earth I will defend American exceptionalism. So, as I have been thinking about when I would deliver some news to the Senate, I always imagined a moment when I had total clarity and peace about the sunset of my work. A moment when I am certain I have helped preserve the ideals I so strongly believe. It arrived today. My goals when I was narrowly elected to the Senate in 1984 were fairly modest do a good job for the people of Kentucky and convince them by doing so to rehire me for a second term! That was it. That was the plan. If you would have told me forty years later that I would stand before you as the longest serving Senate leader in history I would have thought youd lost your mind. I have the honor of representing Kentucky in the Senate longer than anyone else in our history. I just never could have imagined that happening when I arrived here in 1984. I am filled with heartfelt gratitude and humility for the opportunity. But now its 2024. As I said, I am now 82. As Ecclesiastes tells us, To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven. To serve Kentucky in the Senate has been the honor of my life. To lead my Republican colleagues has been my highest privilege. But one of lifes most underappreciated talents is to know when its time to move on to lifes next chapter. So, I stand before you today, Mr. President and my colleagues, to say that this will be my last term as Republican leader of the Senate. Im not going anywhere anytime soon, however. I will complete the job my colleagues have given me until we select a new Leader in November and they take the helm next January. I will finish the job the people of Kentucky hired me to do as well albeit from a different seat in the chamber. I am looking forward to that. So its time for me to think about another season. I love the Senate. It has been my life. There may be more distinguished members of this body throughout our history, but I doubt there are any with more admiration for it. After all this time, I still get a thrill walking into the Capitol and especially on this venerable floor knowing that we each of us have the honor to represent our states and do the important work of our country. But Father Time remains undefeated. I am no longer the young man sitting in the back, hoping colleagues would remember my name. It is time for the next generation of leadership. As Henry Clay said in this very body in 1850, The Constitution of the United States was not made merely for the generation that then existed but for posterity unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity. So time rolls on. There will be a new custodian of this great institution. Next year, I intend to turn this job over to a Republican Majority Leader. I have full confidence in my conference to choose my replacement and lead our country forward. There will be other times to reminisce. Im immensely proud of the accomplishments I have played some role in obtaining for the American people. Today is not the day to discuss all of that because, as I said earlier, Im not going anywhere anytime soon. There are many challenges we must meet to deliver for the American people and each will have my full effort and attention. I still have enough gas in the tank to thoroughly disappoint my critics and I intend to do so with all the enthusiasm which they have become accustomed. To my colleagues, thank you for entrusting me with our success. It has been an honor to work with each of you. There will be plenty of time to express my gratitude in greater detail as I sprint towards the finish line, which is now in sight. Mr. President, I yield the floor. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Vote Here In Tuolumne County - Election View Photo Sonora, CA Tuolumne Countys head of elections has a warning for anyone planning to drop off a vote-by-mail ballot at the Post Office on this Election Day. Clerk and Auditor Controller Debi Bautista says, If you have to mail in your ballot on Tuesday (today), please go into the post office and have them put a postmark on it. She notes that sometimes mail dropped off is sent to Sacramento for processing, and if so, it will be postmarked the following day, on March 6, and Bautista will not be able to count the ballot when it arrives at her office. Going in and having the postal worker postmark it ensures that it will be part of the final tally. Other options to ensure it is counted include physically taking it to one of the various ballot drop boxes or vote centers today. Click here for a list of sites in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. In addition to being a Presidential Primary election, California voters are also voting on races for US Senate, Congress, Assembly, and various local races. In Tuolumne County, there are contests for Board of Supervisor seats and Sonora City Council. Calaveras County is voting on several Board of Supervisor seats and a Measure A Fire Tax. Tune in for live local election night coverage after the polls close at 8 pm sponsored by Nates Tree Service. There will be twice hourly local updates on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML, Star 92.7 and 93.5 KKBN. The results will also be posted on myMotherLode.com here. In addition, AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML will air special Super Tuesday national coverage starting at 6 pm. Democrats make play for veteran and military support as Trump homes in on GOP nomination Democrats make play for veteran and military support as Trump homes in on GOP nomination View Photo CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Highway signs welcome drivers entering North Carolina to the nations most military friendly state, and veterans here know theyre being courted. But in a state where camouflage-colored appeals have become commonplace, recent efforts by progressive groups to cut into what has long been a reliably red constituency face an early test on Super Tuesday. Among the 16 states and one territory casting ballots in Tuesdays 2024 presidential primaries and caucuses are some with the nations highest rates of active-duty service members and largest populations of veterans: Texas, California, Virginia and North Carolina. But Tar Heel State veterans interviewed in the runup to the primary seasons biggest voting day varied in their politics, even if they agreed that their military service informed their opinions. Ryan Rogers, who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, says the Biden administration mishandled the August 2021 attacks on Kabuls airport that killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops during U.S. forces Afghanistan withdrawal. The right-leaning independent voter from eastern North Carolina fears the blasts signaled a weakness that could endanger U.S. troops overseas. I dont care what side youre on, he said. You better be strong. But Ric Vandett, a 78-year-old Vietnam veteran from Hickory, wont vote for President Joe Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump. The left-leaning independent voter said he cannot forget Trumps refusal to acknowledge defeat in the 2020 election, which he blames for the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. We came extremely close to a major constitutional crisis on Jan. 6, he said. Im afraid to see that happen again. Recent statements by Trump have fueled Democrats sense that theres an opening among voters with strong military ties, even if that gap hasnt surfaced during his march toward the GOP nomination. Ahead of South Carolinas Republican primary, Trump said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO countries that dont meet defense spending targets. He also questioned why the husband of rival Nikki Haley wasnt joining her on the campaign trail, though Michael Haley was then deployed with the South Carolina Army National Guard. Haley responded that Trump knows nothing about serving the country. Trump handily defeated Haley in South Carolina, just like every state primary and caucus to date. Her only win came on Sunday in Washington, D.C. Trump benefited from the blocs support in the 2020 general election. AP VoteCast found that about 6 in 10 military veterans said they voted for Trump then, as did just over half of those with a veteran in the household. Among voters in this years South Carolina Republican primary, AP VoteCast found that close to two-thirds of military veterans and people in veteran households voted for Trump over Haley. Still, progressive groups are citing Trumps unorthodox foreign policy and past comments to argue that hes no friend to Americans in uniform. Any significant departure from the more conservative constituency of veterans and military families could spell trouble for Trump in a November rematch with Biden. The Democrats will have to work for that support, according to Cal Cunningham, North Carolina Democrats 2020 nominee for U.S. Senate and an Army reservist who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Winning over this community is always challenging, Cunningham said, because people with military experience tend to value a culture more aligned with the hierarchical GOP than the egalitarian Democrats. Their ability to do so could help determine which candidate receives North Carolinas 16 electoral votes this fall. Its going to be part of where the presidency is won and lost, Cunningham said. Trumps weekend rally in Greensboro was protested by Common Defense, a progressive organization founded in 2016 to engage veterans as more than just political props. The group said Trumps alarming disregard for the core tenets of democracy goes against their oaths. The Biden campaign has also ratcheted up attacks over Trumps history of disparaging remarks about the armed forces. I call them patriots and heroes. The only loser I see is Donald Trump, said Biden, angrily wagging his finger during the South Carolina Democratic Partys fundraising dinner, in reference to reports that his predecessor described the American war dead at a French cemetery as losers and suckers. VoteVets, a liberal political action committee, is planning a $10 million to $15 million push targeting veterans and military families in key battleground states, according to co-founder Jon Soltz. A 60-second ad invoking former President Ronald Reagan to attack Republicans over blocking Ukraine aid will hit airwaves soon, Soltz said. Soltz, a U.S. Army officer in the Iraq War, said the GOP lost its status as the party of the military during the Trump era. Anyone who claims to support service members just cant vote for someone with a ridiculous amount of deferments who trashes the likes of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, he said. Some veterans who oppose Biden say Trump has better defended the countrys priorities despite past comments. Rogers, the Afghanistan and Iraq veteran, didnt like Trumps description of McCain as not a war hero, but said hes voting on a strong America and not what comes out of the mans mouth. Ive been the guy on the ground, he said. Ive lost Marines because of decisions. The modern GOP has grown skeptical of foreign entanglements. So have many former military members, according to John Byrnes, a senior adviser for a conservative advocacy group called Concerned Veterans for America. Ken Deery, a Charlotte resident whose Army career took him from Missouri to Germany in the 1980s, said he sought to defend the American way against the Soviet Union. That dream affordable home ownership and education, for example isnt possible nowadays, he said. Weve got global wars starting up all over the place. Any one of these could blossom into a world war, said Deery, who described himself as libertarian. And thats all on Bidens watch. Biden supporters say they trust his administration more to navigate the wars in Russia and Gaza than Trump who as president bucked tradition by currying favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Liberal veterans also point to 2022 legislation that extended health care services to millions who served at military bases exposed to toxic burn pits, but who had often seen their disability claims denied. Considered the largest expansion of benefits in three decades, the law added hypertension to the list of ailments presumably caused by exposure to chemicals used during the Vietnam War. For Sandra Williams, who spent most of her five years with the Army in Georgia, it means a lot that Biden pushed that to the forefront. She said the law opened up medical services for several relatives. Williams plans to back Biden and disagrees that Trump has the countrys best interests at heart. She said the United States almost turned into a laughingstock and lost our credibility under Trump. Whats certain is that veterans do tend to vote. According to the Census Bureau, they cast ballots at rates 8 percentage points higher than non-veterans in the last presidential election. Those votes should not be taken for granted, cautioned Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. In a survey of over 2,500 members, the non-partisan organization found that nearly three-fourths of respondents were dissatisfied with the way democracy is currently practiced. Jaslow said veterans are so politically engaged because they want their sacrifices to be worth it. She said some politicians claim theyre for the troops but lack the guts to fully debate the cost of going to war. I think its fair for the average veteran to feel like our service was taken for granted, she said. ___ Pollard is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ___ This story has been corrected to show North Carolina has 16 electoral votes, not 15. By JAMES POLLARD Associated Press/Report for America Yves here. I must confess to be lacking in imagination. It never occurred to me that social media sites would be major platforms for illegal animal trade, most of all endangered species. But since there is is sex trafficking galore intermediated on the Web, it is actually a no-brainer that other illegal high value items would be for sale. And of course Facebook pretends it has no idea that there is gambling in Casablanca. By Marina Wang, a multimedia journalist from Calgary, Alberta. Her work has appeared in Hakai Magazine, Atlas Obscura, Science Magazine, and many others. Originally published in Hakai Magazine; cross posted from Undark In the summer of 2020, Jennifer Pytka spent three and a half hours a day sleuthing the internet for evidence of wildlife trafficking. Shed type , a Thai word that loosely translates to stingray, into Google, and her search would immediately yield images of rings, each studded with an ornate white thorn about the size of a thumbnail. Pytka, a doctoral candidate at the Universita di Padova in Italy, is investigating the previously undocumented trade of bowmouth guitarfish a critically endangered ray whose spine and brows are adorned with these thorns. In Thailand, the horns are made into amulets, such as rings and bracelets, believed to have protective properties. In a 2023 study, Pytka notes how she pinpointed 977 of these items on online vending platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and the Alibaba-owned e-commerce site Lazada, over 21 days. Bowmouth guitarfish amulets are just one example of the boundless number of protected wildlife products sold online, where a global Grand Bazaar of seedy vendors hawk their wildlife wares, and anyone with internet access can find products from rhino horns to exotic orchids to tiger claws with just a few clicks. With lax regulations, even weaker enforcement, and a lack of legal culpability, not only is wildlife trafficking able to fester online, but algorithms actually amplify sales, boosting the platforms profits. Products sourced from protected species can be found across all manner of vending platforms, but with three billion active monthly users, Facebook is the grand pooh-bah. Pytka found 30 percent of the bowmouth guitarfish products on Facebook and 65 percent spread across other ecommerce sites, such as Shopee and Lazada. Ive come to believe that Facebook is a driver of the global extinction crisis, says Gretchen Peters, director of the Alliance to Counter Crime Online (ACCO), a nonprofit whistle-blower organization. Prior to the emergence of the internet and online trading, vendors selling wildlife products had to connect with their customers largely through in-person networking, says David Roberts, a conservation scientist at the University of Kent in England who researches wildlife trafficking. But in the early 2000s, an increasing number of transactions in the physical world went digital, with wildlife trafficking being no exception. Today, nearly 6,000 species of plants and animals are traded illicitly, and the trafficking is worth up to $23 billion annually. It is the fourth-largest illegal market, and many animals, such as rhinos, pangolins, and some species of parrots and sharks, are at risk of extinction due to their popularity on the black market. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) identifies at-risk species and designates protections and trade prohibitions. On-the-ground enforcement of CITES rules, however, is another matter. Glenn Sant, a senior adviser on fisheries trade for TRAFFIC, a nonprofit aiming to reduce illegal trafficking, describes a hypothetical example of what might play out when someone catches a protected species of shark. The fins will potentially be going to Hong Kong or China, and the meat might be going to Europe, he says, adding that the skin might become leather and the oils sold for cosmetic products. Sant says that processing, shipping, and distribution around the world can make illicit animal harvesting nearly impossible to trace and therefore convict. Thats part of the reason Pytka chose to study bowmouth guitarfish their unique thorns are easy to distinguish. eBay was the first to acknowledge the growing problem of online trafficking and banned all ivory sales on its platform in 2009. Another milestone was reached in 2018 with the creation of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online. This alliance, spearheaded by animal welfare groups TRAFFIC, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, advises technology platforms on how to identify and prevent wildlife trafficking. So far, 47 companies have joined the coalition, including Meta the parent company of Facebook and Instagram eBay, TikTok, and other international giants like Alibaba. The coalitions most recent report, from 2021, found that between all the platforms, more than 11.6 million products made from prohibited wildlife have been removed or banned. A spokesperson from eBay said that over 350,000 listings for prohibited wildlife items were blocked or removed in 2022. Giavanna Grein, a wildlife specialist at WWF, encourages platforms to be more transparent with the public and concedes that the efforts undertaken by the coalition are just one small part of the picture. We fully acknowledge this is a very complex and challenging issue, and theres no one organization or effort that can tackle this, she says. Even with all the efforts, loopholes remain. Despite eBays ivory ban, for instance, a quick search by Roberts identified what he believes to be elephant ivory being sold under a code name. The product is still so readily available, in fact, that he centers his students projects on it. Similarly, a quick search on Facebook Marketplace for rhino horns for sale in southeast Asia immediately yields several posts. Metas own policy prohibits attempts to buy, sell, trade, donate, gift, or solicit endangered species or their parts, and in a statement, a spokesperson said that content that violates their policies is removed. However, whistle-blower reports published since Facebook joined the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online have been scathing. Facebook policy and public comments about countering illicit content are rendered virtually meaningless by the firms ineffective follow-up and enforcement, reads a 2020 report from the ACCO. To assess the severity of wildlife trafficking on Facebook, the report used search terms such as exotic + animal + for sale in English, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Indonesian, turning up 473 Facebook pages and 281 groups openly selling wildlife products. Over half the pages were created since Facebook joined the coalition, showing that online trafficking appears to have increased. In part, researchers were able to find so many illicit items because the Facebook algorithm is designed to recommend similar products and thus amplify the connections between vendors and prospective clients. (While looking at bowmouth guitarfish rings on Facebook Marketplace in Thailand, for instance, I saw posts for tiger claw amulets. After clicking to view them, my marketplace page automatically filled with curios made from guitarfish, tiger claw, and elephant ivory.) The ACCO report found 29 percent of the wildlife trafficking pages through Facebooks Related Pages feature. Avaaz, a nonprofit that supports global activism, carried out a similar investigation and found that Facebooks algorithm directed the researchers to dozens of wildlife groups, more than half of which contained potentially harmful wildlife trafficking content. Since it appears that Facebooks algorithms are able to identify wildlife products, the algorithms should be able to hide these posts rather than promote them. When I asked about the discrepancy, Meta did not respond to this or any other question. Peters says Meta is also passively profiting from the illegal activity. The platform makes money from embedded advertisements, and the online storefront Facebook Shops takes a small transaction fee from sales including those of trafficked animals. [Facebooks] platform is so big and its in so many different languages that its really going to take a Herculean effort and a huge investment, says Peters. I dont think Facebook is prepared to make the investments to clean up their own mess. Peters also notes that Facebook could be more proactive in collaborating with law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks. Facebook is sitting on a huge amount of information about some of the worlds biggest wildlife trafficking networks, she says, and in many circumstances, the platform is not proactively showing that intelligence to law enforcement, claiming theyre protecting user privacy. Yet she says the firm is renowned for harvesting user data to sell to private companies. Its completely contradictory to me. eBay is attempting to tackle this problem by implementing a regulatory portal that allows law enforcement authorities easy access to suspected criminal activity. For the benefit of regular citizens looking to report posts on these platforms, I ask Roberts if taking down posts is akin to a game of whack-a-mole with new posts cropping up as others are removed. I dont think we actually have the mallet to hit the mole, replies Roberts. In spite of the efforts of animal welfare and social justice groups like WWF and the ACCO, illicit wildlife sales are able to thrive online because platforms are protected from civil liability by section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in the United States. The act generally protects the platforms from being liable for the nefarious content they host. The way section 230 works is [that] any content created by a user like you or me or anybody else is considered free expression, explains Peters. But she argues that illegal sales occurring over online platforms arent free speech theyre felonies, and implementing something like a duty-of-care law would require platforms to remove criminal activity. I think [the platforms] should be held accountable, says Roberts, who compares online trafficking to a bar allowing drugs to be sold in the bathrooms. The establishment is liable for allowing illicit activity on its premises. How is that any different [from] a platform allowing illegal trade to take place? Both ACCO and Avaaz suggest simple measures for Facebook to reduce online wildlife crime. For example, when a user searches bowmouth guitarfish amulets, the algorithm could fail to return a search or trigger a pop-up explaining that the amulets come from a protected species. AI algorithms could also automatically flag questionable content or be used to trace trafficking activity. Pytka says it would be relatively simple to design such a system for bowmouth guitarfish rings because theyre so visually distinct. In early 2023, eBay acquired an AI-based software that will supposedly make the marketplace safer. In the meantime, though, my Facebook Marketplace home page swims with skeletal amulets, while researchers like Pytka can only speculate about how many of the endangered fish remain in the sea. The keeper of the Vaticans secrets is revealing century-old discoveries for forthcoming book Associated Press (Chuck L) Power Outage: On the thermodynamics of history. Lewis Lapham (Anthony L) Trouble in Paradise Literary Review (Anthony L) Miles Davis and the Recording of a Jazz Masterpiece Esquire (Anthony L) #COVID-19 "More than half (56%) of adults with Long COVID who were working prior to infection were unable to return to work as normal." A stunning statistic in the state's second annual report on Long COVID: https://t.co/lzgF8HjjkU Ryan Warner (@cprwarner) February 28, 2024 Delighted to share our latest work on #longCOVID sex differences in symptoms and immune signatures. Led by @SilvaJ_C @taka_takehiro @wood_jamie_1 et al. with @LeyingGuan & @PutrinoLab. We find a striking inverse correlation btw testosterone levels and symptom burden (1/) Prof. Akiko Iwasaki (@VirusesImmunity) March 3, 2024 Climate/Environment China? 1/3 There were no surprises in today's speech, but there were also no meaningful solutions. There will be a slight shift in the locus of borrowing from local governments to the central government, but nowhere near enough to achieve the growth target.https://t.co/OnOndkjBzs Michael Pettis (@michaelxpettis) March 5, 2024 India The Death and Privatization of Japanese National Railways (Part 2, 1982-1987) S(ubstack)-Bahn (Micael T) Old Blighty MSN took this story down! Since when are they in the business of protecting pols from their stupidity? The Legacy of RuPauls Drag Race New Yorker (Userfriendly) Haiti Gaza New Not-So-Cold War Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch How to Defend Yourself Against the Powerful New NSO Spyware Attacks Discovered Around the World Intercept (Dr. Kevin) Trump GOP Clown Car Senate conservatives seek to expand power post-McConnell The Hill Democrats en deshabille Inside the lopsided battle to overhaul Californias mental health law Politico. Userfriendly: Newsom is HRC minus the pant suit. The New Blue Divide Boston Review (Anthony L) Zoomer Hackers Shut Down the Biggest Extortion Ring of All Maureen Tkacik, American Prospect (Anthony L). I wish Tkaciks editors werent so keen about cute, obfuscatory headlines. This is about the terrible UnitedHealthcare. Immigration Explosive Questions You are Not Supposed to Ask about the Border Crisis Anton Chaitkin (Chuck L) Antitrust AI The Bezzle Homeless Man Tries to Steal Waymo Robotaxi in Los Angeles Los Angeles Times Guillotine Watch Americas Super-Elite Disconnect Simplicius the Thinker (Chuck L) Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): And a bonus: This is how you feed baby manatees pic.twitter.com/NTYIu2prxU why you should have an animal (@shouldhaveanima) March 4, 2024 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Amid the absurdity of clownworld: How should we then live? I believe people are as they think. The choice we make in the next decade will mold irrevocably the direction of our culture and the lives of our children. Author and theologian Francis A. Schaeffer in 1976 The picture at the top of this article shows one of Americas founding fathers according to Googles Gemini image generation tool. Pursuant to complaints about the blatant inaccuracy and the ensuing maelstrom of negative press coverage, Google claimed it was actively working on a fix. Nonetheless, there remain claims that Google is not telling the truth and the company will never give up on its desire to reshape the world in a specific way. (Article by Doug Uncola republished from TheBurningPlatform.com) Indeed. It appears artificial intelligence, woke relativism, and Orwells two plus two equaling five are here to stay. And the memory hole first conjured by Orwell has increasingly manifested in The Borgs nearly completed Simulacrum as misinformation, false flags, and propaganda daily populate our collective screens. With that in mind, amid the absurdity of Western culture in the twenty-first century, I will often seek credible information and insights where they are more surely found: in the printed past, and by the words of authors and researchers mostly forgotten. Having written previously on the prescient prognostications of twentieth-century thinkers like C.S. Lewis and Augusto Del Noce, another book was recommended by a commenter in the thread of my last article. The book was said to have predicted the decline of empirical science, the rise of technological science, and a frightening future. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Well, that seemed right up my alley, so to speak, and quite pertinent to todays headlines. Plus, my local library fortuitously had the book. It was published in 1976, written by the American theologian Francis A. Schaeffer (1912-1984) and titled: How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. The book is not a complete chronological history of Western Civilization but, instead, highlights key moments in history that, according to the author, formed our present culture, and the thinking of the people who brought those moments to pass.1 In How Should We Then Live?, Francis Schaeffer identified a flow to history and culture that has its wellspring in the thoughts of people. He furthermore defined presuppositions as the world view, or grid by which people see the world and with the grid positioned upon that which a person considers to be the truth of what exists. In turn, these ideological presuppositions have created another grid one for everything that is brought forth into the external world. 2 In order to understand modernity, Schaeffer argued that three lines in history must be traced, namely, philosophy, science, and religion. He claimed science consists of two parts: first, the makeup of the physical universe and, secondly, the practical application of what it [science] discovers in technology. Schaeffer claimed the direction of science is set by the philosophic worldview of the scientist while religious views determine the direction of individual lives and of their society. 3 The book tracks the ideological genealogies of various philosophers and their influence on Western Civilizations art, music, general culture, and theology. Starting with ancient Rome and then through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment, Schaeffer revealed how select presuppositions have formed the ideological foundation for our current Clownworld. Just as Schaeffers book is not an exhaustive historical analysis of Western Civilization, neither is this article a complete summary of Schaeffers book. Instead, the purpose of this post is to address specific highlights that, I believe, are important to understand especially in the pursuit of deconstructing the ideological tenets of modernity and to better withstand the sh*tshow now pervading into our daily existence. (Note to readers: Approx. 4,300 words ahead = about an 18-minute read) Shifts in Science, Philosophy, Theology Schaeffer acknowledged the Scientific Revolution as occurring almost simultaneously with the High Renaissance and Reformation periods in history. However, he stopped short of implying these periods caused the rise of modern science. Instead, he believed the foundation for modern science was laid at Oxford College when scholars like Roger Bacon (1214-1294) and Robert Grosseteste (1175-1253) challenged Aristotelian science, and, thus, the teachings of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) regarding Aristotles (384-322 BC) mistakes about natural phenomena.4 Prior to the rise of modern science beginning with the Italians Copernicus (147-1543) and Vesalius (1514-1564), Schaeffer claimed medieval science was based on authority rather than observation; and this was generally true with the Greeks, Arabs, and Chinese, albeit with some notable exceptions.4 Naming a veritable whos who of historical scientific luminaries like Galileo (1564-1642), Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), and others, Schaeffer pointed out that modern scientists like Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) and J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) agreed that modern science was born out of the Christian world view; even though Whitehead and Oppenheimer were not known to be Christians.5 According to Schaeffer, the early modern scientists believed the universe to be an open system that God and man were outside of the cause-and-effect machine of the cosmos, and therefore they both could influence the machine.6 But, then, modern science shifted to what Schaeffer termed as modern modern science (also called naturalistic science, or materialistic science) whereby the existence of everything and all natural causes are claimed to exist within a total cosmic machine. 7 According to Schaeffer, those who embrace the ideology of modern modern science believe the mechanical laws of cause and effect (within the closed system of the universe) apply not only to physics, astronomy and chemistry, but, also, equally to psychology and sociology. However, Schaeffer argued (as paraphrased by me), these believers did not come to their faith according to the findings of science, but, instead, they came to believe as a result of their world view. Or, in Schaeffers exact words, they became naturalistic or materialistic in their presuppositions.8 Furthermore, Schaeffer traced some early-nineteenth-century German philosophers who preached materialism until their influence was realized not only in abstract thought but also on the arts and on the state; which, in turn, led to an acceptance that people have no freedom of will. 8 According to Schaeffer: When people began to think in this way, there was no place for God or for man as man. When psychology and social science were made part of a closed cause-and-effect system, along with physics, astronomy and chemistry, it was not only God who died. Man died. And within this framework love died. Schaeffer, Francis A., How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1976, page 147 Additionally, Schaeffer identified the philosophical influence of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831) and his emphasis on the centrality of the state and the flow of history. Hegel believed the universe and mans evolving conscience and understanding unfolded dialectically and that truth and morality were the result of their synthesis found in the flow of history. This belief, Schaeffer claimed, has resulted in the death of truth, as people have traditionally thought of truth, in modern philosophy, politics, government, and individual morality.9 Just as German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) claimed God is dead, Schaeffer believed Nietzsche fully understood where that ideology would lead: If God is dead, then everything for which God gives answer and meaning is dead. Correspondingly, it was Schaeffers contention that modern liberal theologians abandoned their faith in a personal God thus leaving them exclusively with the connotation of religious words without context, and the emotion which certain religious words still bring forth. 10 Consequently, the separation of highly motivating religious words from the original content and context of the Bible allowed the words to be used wrongly and toward dire ends: The words became a banner for men to grab and run with in any arbitrary direction either shifting sexual morality from its historic Christian position based on the Bibles and Christs teaching, or in legal and political manipulation. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 178 In closing the chapter titled Modern Philosophy and Modern Theology, Schaeffer concluded, in part: Without the infinite-personal God, all a person can do, as Nietzsche points out, is to make systems. In todays speech, we would call them game plans. A person can erect some sort of structure, some type of limited frame, in which he lives, shutting himself up in that frame and not looking beyond it. This game can sound high and noble, such as talking in an idealistic way about the greatest good for the greatest number. Or it can be a scientist concentrating on some small point of science so that he does not have to think of any of the big questions, such as why things exist at all That is where modern people, building only on themselves, have come, and that is where they are now. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, pages 180-181 Indeed, that is an adequate summation of Agenda 2030, right there. Modern Fragmentation: The Dichotomy of Reason and Non-Reason In Schaeffers How Should We Then Live? he often referenced both [philosophical] pessimism and [philosophical] optimism but without exactly defining them. Obviously, he assumed readers would understand these constructs. In short, philosophical pessimists consider human existence as being adverse to living beings, and that life is fundamentally meaningless or without purpose (also called absurd by Schaeffer), and philosophical optimists argue that the world is the best of all possible worlds or, in ethics, that life is worth living. Or another way of separating these two ideological constructs would be to consider the Latin etymology in terms of pessimal which means as bad as it gets and optimal which means as good as it gets. Schaeffer contended that people in Western culture are surrounded by an almost monolithic consensus regarding the same basic dichotomy in which reason leads to pessimism and all optimism is in the area of non-reason.11 Schaeffer also correlated modern pessimism with modern fragmentation and with the absurdity presenting first in philosophy, then through art, music, general culture, and, finally, in theology. He also claimed it spread geographically from Europe to England and then to the U.S. and socially it spread from the intellectuals to the educated and then through the mass media to everyone. Subsequently, modern pessimism spread socially until the generation gap came into being because parents were governed only by a dead tradition and acted largely out of habit from the past. 12 In reading Schaeffers views on the modern dichotomy of reason (i.e. logic/truth) vs. non-reason (i.e. experiential fulfillment?), the generation gap, tradition, and societal fragmentation: I was perpetually reminded of the writings of Italian professor and philosopher, Augusto Del Noce (1910 1989), and, specifically, the following excerpts from my May 2023 post summarizing Del Noces book The Crisis of Modernity: A crucial point made by Del Noce is this: the crisis of the idea of authority is linked with the crisis of the idea of tradition; and, all throughout his writings, Del Noce considered the idea of tradition as derived from tradere, which is to hand down. Just as parents have represented authority in the family, so do professional educators hand down knowledge that was until recently in history understood as a process of elevation from the immediate experiences of the spirit to the recognition of the order of values. Now, modern teachers have become more authoritarian and less authoritative as conformity is prioritized in education. Del Noce argued that participation in the [Christian] Word allowed for a communion of the spirits in one same truth yet, today, the young seek to emancipate themselves from the burden of the past and use the teacher as an instructor in the methods of liberation. .Within the modern church, Del Noce defined the endpoint of the theological revolution as the death of God; and, in particular, the death of God the Father in Jesus Christ. ..Del Noce labels gnosis in all its variations as a single metaphysics and an anti-Christian philosophy. Deriving from a fear of the supernatural, the new gnostics seek a surrogate in experiential alternatives Francis Schaeffer identified a historical flow that began intellectually with philosophers such as Rosseau, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, et al; and when these men lost their hope of a unity of knowledge and a unity of life, they, in turn, presented a fragmented concept of reality that artists later depicted artistically. 13 From there, Schaeffer identified many Impressionist and post-Impressionist painters ranging from Monet and Renoir, to Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin. He claimed Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) merged the fragmentation of Cezanne with Gauguins idea of the noble savage and painted Les Demoiselles dAvignon (1906-1907), which marked the birth of modern art. Schaeffer claimed: this new technique of fragmentation fits the world view of modern man a fragmented world and fragmented man. 14 Its been said before the works of Pablo Picasso contain truth without logic like being inside a dream. But can such a dichotomy exist in the real world? Just look around. Whether logic is added to lies or reason is subtracted from truth, the results are the same: Clownworld. In the chapter titled Modern Art, Music, Literature, and Films, Schaeffer tracked what he termed the absurdity of all things into twentieth-century music, books, and cinema. He furthermore noted the strange contrast to the airplanes in our airports or slicing through our skies: An airplane is carefully formed; it is orderly (and many would also think it beautiful). This is in sharp contrast to the intellectualized art which states that the universe is chance. Why is the airplane carefully formed and orderly? Simply because an airplane must fit the orderly flow lines of the universe if it is to fly! Sir Archibald Russell (1904-1995) was the British designer for the Concorde airliner. In a Newsweek: European Edition interview (February 16, 1976) he was asked: Many people find that the Concorde is a work of art in its design. Did you consider its esthetic appearance when you were designing it? His answer was, When one designs an airplane, he must stay as close as possible to the laws of nature. You are really playing with the laws of nature and trying not to offend them. It so happens that our ideas of beauty are those of nature. Every shape and curve of the Concorde is arranged so it will conform with the natural flow as conditioned by the laws of nature. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 196 Just as twentieth-century theologians like C.S. Lewis and Augusto Del Noce defined Scientism as the totalitarian conception of science, in which science is regarded as the only true from of knowledge, Francis Schaeffer, in 1976, termed such myopia as sociological science. His contention was that modern modern science has no epistemological base for being sure that what scientists think they observe corresponds to what really exists.15 He claimed once scientists abandoned the Christian base, they made the philosophy of positivism their base for knowing but the data is subjectively processed through the senses of an observer and according to the bias of the scientists. This means there can be no certainty that scientific observation/data is not just illusion.16 This brought to my mind the final words of C.S. Lewis in his 1943 book The Abolition of Man to see through all things is the same as not to see. Schaeffer claimed humanists have no base for knowing within their own philosophic system and, thus, modern modern science tends to bifurcate into a high form of technology, often with a goal of increasing affluence or sociological science whereby with a weakened certainty about objectivity, people find it easier to come to whatever conclusions they desire for the sociological ends they wish to see attained.15 In addition, Schaeffer noted how weakened objectivity in science also corresponded with the rise of a sociological media: This [weakened objectivity] is parallel to a change among the news makers. As their concept of truth becomes more relative, the ideal of objectivity in the news columns in contrast to the editorial pages is increasingly diminished. Thus, the loss of a philosophic base for truth and the certainty of knowing has the practical result of making for a sociological science and a sociological news medium both available for use by manipulators. And this is especially potent with science because of the almost religious belief which people have developed about the objectivity and thus the certainty of the results of science. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 200 Bill Gates founded Microsoft in 1975, a year before How Should We Then Live? was published. But Francis Schaeffer warned us about manipulators like Gates and the scientific fork-in-the road separating high forms of technology with the goal of increasing affluence and the psychological, even religious, acceptance of sociological science. The Gates-funded COVID-19 media manipulation comes to mind; and the correlative rigorous enforcement of arbitrary mandates. Or, in the words of the French philosopher Voltaire: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. According to Schaeffer: Modern people, on their basis of reason, see themselves only as machines. But as they move into the area of non-reason and look for their optimism, they find themselves separated from reason and without any human or moral values. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 202 Once again, Schaeffer echoed the predictions of C.S. Lewis. In the final analysis of The Abolition of Man (1943), Lewis predicted that a small group of wizards, in the pursuit of power, would perfect psychology and technology to the point they could create a new reality but the wizards would not be human because they will have erased the age-old system of values that has always constrained humanity across all cultures. Consequently, Schaeffer identified Materialism as the philosophic base for Marxist-Leninism, and noted that it gives no basis for the dignity or rights of man. And yet people are attracted to Marxism by its constant talk of idealism. In this sense, according to Schaeffer, Marxist-Leninism is a Christian heresy, because Christianity actually does provide a base for the dignity of man.17 Once the Christian consensus died, Schaeffer identified some of the available alternatives and none of them were optimistic. Hedonism was one possibility, but a society built on hedonism leads to chaos. Another possibility is the absoluteness of the 51-percent vote: In the days of a more Christian Culture, a lone individual with the Bible could judge and warn society, regardless of the majority vote, because there was an absolute by which to judge. There was an absolute for both morals and law. But to the extent that the Christian consensus is gone, this absolute is gone as a social force. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 223 Besides the chaos of hedonism or the absoluteness of the 51-percent vote, Schaeffer believed there was only one other alternative left: one man or an elite, giving authoritative arbitrary absolutes; and this simple but profound rule: If there are no absolutes by which to judge society, then society is absolute. This is because arbitrary absolutes can be handed down and there is no absolute by which to judge them.18 It was Schaeffers contention that modern modern man destroyed the base which gave him the possibility of freedoms without chaos and, thus, Schaeffer saw two effects manifesting as a result of our loss of meaning and values: 1.) Societal degeneracy, decadence, depravity, and violence and 2.) Some elite group or person stepping up to offer arbitrary absolutes in order to save us from ourselves. As these manifestations progressed, Schaeffer questioned if men would stand to defend their liberties or, instead, give them up step by step, inch by inch; and he (quite accurately, in retrospect) predicted liberties would be forfeited by both young and old, alike, as long as their life-styles were not threatened.19 Manipulation and the New Elite Similar to his twentieth-century philosophical peers, C.S. Lewis and Augusto Del Noce, Francis Schaeffer foresaw the coming of an elite, an authoritarian state, to fill the vacuum left by the loss of Christian principles.20 And, like Lewis and Del Noce, Schaeffer concluded it would not be our fathers (i.e. twentieth-century) form of communism or fascism: .we must not think naively of the models of Stalin and Hitler. We must think rather of a manipulative authoritarian government. Modern governments have forms of manipulations at their disposal with the world has never known before. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 228 Augusto Del Noce wrote a similar assessment in the 1970s (that was reprinted in the 2014 compilation of his earlier writings): ..All that people on the right do, essentially, is identify totalitarianism with Stalinism and deny that Communism might undergo a democratic evolution People on the left evoke the ghost of a Fascist threat and to some kind of ill-defined American imperialism There are also centrists who want to oppose all forms of totalitarianism, both Communist and Fascist. What utterly escapes all three positions is the new totalitarian reality that is taking shape. Del Noce, Augusto. The Crisis of Modernity, trans. Carlo Lancellotti, McGill-Queens University Press, 2014 , pgs. 95-96 Francis Schaeffer additionally addressed technocratic totalitarianism by referencing methods and theories of manipulation, psychological techniques, biological science, and media influence; starting with Sigmund Freuds psychological determinism, B.F. Skinners sociological determinism (through conditioning), and Francis Cricks chemical/genetic determinism. At the same time, Schaeffer pointed out that researchers like Skinner, as an example, could not live on the basis of his own system and that he lived inconsistently on the memory of Christian values for which his system has no place.21 Certainly, if he were alive today, Schaeffer would vehemently disagree that humans are merely hackable animals as claimed by the modern secular humanist, and World Economic Forum adviser, Yuval Noah Harari. Unfortunately, however, Schaeffer did concede that modern determinism has yielded two practical results: First, people have opened themselves to being treated as machines and treating other people as machines. And, secondly, every theory of determinism has carried with it a method of [psychological, sociological, chemical] manipulation.22 Furthermore, now that man no longer sees himself as qualitatively different from non-man (i.e. a hackable animal), Schaeffer added: on the basis of nature there is no way man can derive the ought from the is. 23 And once people accept this mentality, it is much easier to impose arbitrary absolutes. 24 And that, it would appear, my friends, is how sh*t happens. Just as Schaeffer identified sociological science, he also identified sociological law, and sociological news. He predicted an elite class would increasingly use mass media as a grid by which to present their world view. In so doing, they would utilize news organizations, newspapers, news magazines, wire services, and news broadcasts that have the ability to generate news. In short, these would become news makers so that whatever appears in them becomes the news.25 Schaeffer also foresaw the malevolent use of high-speed computers, ever-expanding information storage, and a manipulative authoritarian government coming from the administrative side or from the legislative side, or through what could become known as the imperial judiciary 26: As the memory of if the Christian consensus which gave us freedom within the biblical form increasingly is forgotten, a manipulating authoritarianism will tend to fill the vacuum. The central message of biblical Christianity is the possibility of men and women approaching God through the work of Christ. But the message also has secondary results, among them the unusual and wide freedoms which biblical Christianity gave to countries where it supplied the consensus. When these freedoms are separated from the Christian base, however, they become a force of destruction leading to chaos. When this happens, as it has today, then to quote [American moral and social philosopher] Eric Hoffer (1902-1983), When freedom destroys order the yearning for order will destroy freedom. At that point, the words left or right will make no difference. They are only two roads to the same end. There is no difference between an authoritarian government from the right or the left: the results are the same. An elite, an authoritarianism as such, will gradually force form on society so that it will not go on to chaos. And most people will accept it from the desire for personal peace and affluence, from apathy, and from the yearning for order to assure the functioning of some political system, business, and the affairs of daily life. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 245 How Should We Then Live? Ironically, How Should We Then Live? was published in 1976 the very same year that I marched in a bicentennial parade and Peter Finch, playing Howard Beale, told us to shut off our televisions in the Oscar-nominated film Network. Yet, even back then, Francis Schaeffer predicted Americas future thusly: Economic collapse, war, societal violence / terrorism, global wealth redistribution, and shortages of food and natural resources: Overwhelming pressures are being brought to bear on people who have no absolutes, but only have the impoverished values of personal peace and prosperity. The pressures are progressively preparing modern people to accept a manipulative, authoritarian government. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 246 Schaeffer also claimed the men in Western Governments did not understand that freedom without chaos was NOT a magic formula that could be imported to any nation. This is because freedom without chaos derived from a Christian base and it could not be separated from its roots.27 As a result, Schaeffer predicted a forthcoming tyranny of the majority in the United Nations and its chartered organizations, particularly, in the midst of the winds of political change. He claimed: When the [Christian] principles are gone, there remains only expediency at any price. 28 Schaeffer warned that freedom would disintegrate as the memory of the Christian base grew ever dimmer.28 And, eerily, it almost seems as if Schaeffer was envisioning the emergence of CBDCs, digital ID, and the proposed WHO pandemic treaty, when he asked this question: Without the base for right and wrong, but only a concept of synthesis, pragmatism, and utilitarianism, what will not be given up, both inside of nations or in foreign affairs, for the sake of immediate peace and affluence? Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, pages 251-252 In Schaeffers last chapter, entitled The Alternatives, he quoted the Bible and, specifically, Paul the Apostles Letter to the Romans (chapter 1) but without exactly identifying it as such. Instead he attributed the words as coming from a Jew who became a Christian writing to those in Rome; and citing the failure of Greek and Roman ideologies to perceive the uniqueness of man amid the existence and form of the universe. Personally, I found Schaeffers clarifications in the brackets (below) to be interesting from both a phenomenological and ontological perspective, respectively: The retribution of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which is known of God is evident within them [that is, the uniqueness of man in contrast to non-man], for God made it evident to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made [that is, the existence of the universe and its form], even his eternal power and divinity; so that they are without excuse. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 253 Addressing Christians directly, Schaeffer claimed humanistic thinking accepts the following dichotomy: The separation of [philosophical] optimism about meaning and values from reason. And, once this separation is accepted, whatever an individual inserts into the area of non-reason is incidental.29 According to Schaeffer: God exists that he has not been silent but has spoken to people in the Bible and through Christ was the basis for the return to a more fully biblical Christianity in the days of the Reformers. It was a message of the possibility that people could return to God on the basis of the death of Christ alone. But with it came many other realities, including form and freedom in the culture and society built on that more biblical Christianity. The freedom brought forth was titanic, and yet, with the forms given in the Scripture, the freedoms did not lead to chaos. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?, page 253 At the beginning of How Should We Then Live?, Schaeffer contended that no totalitarian authority nor authoritarian state can tolerate those who have an absolute by which to judge that state and its actions. This is why, he claims, Christians were fed to wild beasts in Ancient Rome: The Christians had that absolute in Gods revelation an absolute universal standard by which to judge30 Then, at the close of his book, Schaeffer admonished Christians not to fall prey to humanistic thinking (which he also labels as existential methodology), and, instead, he advises to hold fast to the value system, and the meaning system, and the religious matters given in the Bible. In so doing, the real absolute will be maintained by which to help, or by which to judge, the culture, state, and society. Furthermore, he exhorts Christians to know and to act upon that world view so as to influence society in all its parts and to resist authoritarian government in all its forms. Accordingly, Schaeffer said the following statement was one to memorize: To make no decision in regard to the growth of authoritarian government is already a decision for it.31 And that concludes my review of the 1976 book How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, by Francis A. Schaeffer. What then will be decided? Isnt that always the most important question? References: 1. Schaeffer, Francis A.. How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1976 , page 17. 2. Ibid., page 19 3. Ibid., page 20 4. Ibid., pages 130-131 5. Ibid., page 132 6. Ibid., page 146 7. Ibid., pages 146-147 8. Ibid., page 147 9. Ibid., pages 162-163 10. Ibid., page 178 11. Ibid., page 182 12. Ibid., pages 182-183 13. Ibid., page 190 14. Ibid., pages 184-187 15. Ibid., pages 199-200 16. Ibid., pages 198-199 17. Ibid., page 215 18. Ibid., page 224 19. Ibid., pages 226-227 20. Ibid., page 228 21. Ibid., page 229 22. Ibid., page 230 23. Ibid., page 237 24. Ibid., page 238 25. Ibid., pages 242-243 26. Ibid., pages 244-245 27. Ibid., page 249 28. Ibid., page 250 29. Ibid., page 255 30. Ibid., page 26 31. Ibid., pages 256-257 Read more at: TheBurningPlatform.com YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Hamas negotiators will remain in Cairo for another day at the request of mediators, keeping ceasefire talks going after two days with no breakthrough, an official from the militant group told Reuters. The Cairo talks have been billed as a final hurdle to reach the first extended ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel - a 40-day truce during which Israeli hostages would be freed and aid pumped into Gaza - ahead of Ramadan, which is due to begin on March 10. "The delegation will remain in Cairo on Tuesday for more talks, they are expected to wrap up this round later today," a Hamas official told Reuters. Egypt's Al Qahera television also reported the talks had been extended for a third day, but said they were "facing difficulties". The Israelis have stayed away from this round of negotiations. 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. Egyptian security sources said on March 4 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. More than 30,500 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's assault in Gaza, launched after Hamas attacks in Israel that killed 1,200 people in October. Canadas government virologists exposed for clandestine relationship with Chinese agents The reason why two top virologists at Canada's leading biolaboratory abruptly quit their jobs with no explanation is finally known thanks to documents leaked from the Justin Trudeau regime's top intelligence service. We know from the documents that the "personal issue" cited as the reason for the unexpected departures has to do with the two virologists' close ties to agents from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) says Dr. Xiangguo Qiu of Canada's Public Health Agency has a long history of "clandestine relationships" with CCP agents, which put Canadians' health and security at risk. Not only that, but Qiu's research was fed directly into China's military machine, helping to strengthen its resolve. Not only did Qiu hold a secret Chinese bank account, but the virologist also sold deadly pathogens to Chinese authorities at the infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in Wuhan, China, for a mere $75. "Further to our security assessment [...], the Service assesses that Ms. Qiu developed deep, cooperative relationships with a variety of People's Republic of China (PRC) institutions and has intentionally transferred scientific knowledge and materials to China in order to benefit the PRC Government, and herself, without regard for the implications to her employer or to Canada's interests," the CSIS said. "Overall, the information ... relates to: Ms. Qiu's close and clandestine relationships with a variety of entities of the PRC, which is a known security threat to Canada." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. The CSIS further announced that Qiu made cogent efforts to conceal her projects with various PRC institutions from Canadian officials which, given her extensive knowledge of the damaging effects of deadly pathogens on human health, should have known that what she was doing put Canadian interests as well as international security at risk. "Ms. Qiu repeatedly lied in her security screening interviews about the extent of her work with institutions of the PRC Government and refused to admit to any involvement in various PRC programs, even when documents [REDACTED] were put before her," the top Canadian intelligence agency added. "The Service also assesses that Ms. Qiu was reckless in her dealings with various PRC entities, particularly in her lack of respect for proper scientific protocols regarding the transfer of pathogens and in working with institutions whose goals have potentially lethal military applications that are manifestly not in the interests of Canada or its citizens." (Related: Did you know that Canada's budget currently allows funding for so-called "vaccine passports" all the way through 2026?) China stole Canada's most secret, secure pathogenic diseases to create bioweapons At least two employees of a PRC institution whose work is not aligned with Canadian interests were given direct access by Qiu to Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory, described by the CSIS as "a Biosafety Level 4 facility which houses Canada's most secret and secure pathogenic diseases." "These pathogens can be used in weaponry," the CSIS warned. Qui was also actively working with the Chinese Wuhan Virology Lab on a project called "Project 1" in redacted form that began on Jan. 1, 2019, just three months before she sent shipments of materials to the Wuhan lab as part of a project involving the study of mRNA (modRNA) "vaccines." Another project, dubbed "Project 2" by the CSIS in redacted form, involved a "cross-species infection" that may have been used for gain-of-function research into bat viruses sound familiar? To make sure you are tracking thus far, the secretive projects Qui was involved in sound a whole lot like what would later become the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), the suggestion being that Canada's "most secret and secure pathogenic diseases" were used by the CCP to develop COVID bioweapons. "... at least five virus strains from that March 31, 2019 BSL-4 pathogen shipment from [Winnipeg] to [Wuhan] were referenced in the Wuhan Institute of Virology Project 1," the CSIS revealed. According to Conservative Party Opposition Leader Pierre Poilieve, what has been revealed in this story thus far merely scratches the surface of corruption within the Trudeau regime concerning its use of Chinese-compromised scientists who appear to have played a direct role in the creation and unleashing of COVID. "Under Justin Trudeau's watch, the PRC and its entities, including the People's Liberation Army, were allowed to infiltrate Canada's top-level lab," Poilieve said in a scathing statement. "They were able to transfer sensitive intellectual property and dangerous pathogens to the PRC." "This is a massive national security failure by Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government, which he fought tooth and nail to cover up, including defying four parliamentary orders and taking the House of Commons Speaker to court. He cannot be trusted to keep our people and our country safe." It turns out that Poilieve is right: The Trudeau regime did, in fact, sue the Speaker of the House of Commons in an attempt to prevent any of this damning information from going public. All in all, some 600-plus pages were released from the incriminating document revealing all this by an ad hoc committee of parliamentarians who studied matters relating to Qiu's transfer of pathogens, which also include Ebola and Henipah viruses. The fired virologist who worked in Canada's top biolab in 2019, Xiangguo Qiu, was born in China, secretly worked at the Wuhan Virology Institute at the same time on projects related to mRNA vaccines and gain of function research, sent a shipment to the Wuhan Lab in March 2019, https://t.co/8uVph57xXd Mike Campbell ? (@Skeptical_Mike) February 29, 2024 Communist China seems to have its hands in just about everything here in North America these days. Find out more at CommunistChina.news. Sources for this article include: TheCounterSignal.com NaturalNews.com TheCounterSignal.com Several truck companies plan to completely ELIMINATE the use of human drivers this year Three startup firms have announced plans to eliminate all human drivers and replace them with driverless trucks traversing through Texas highways by the end of 2024. The move comes amid objections from critics who warn that financial pressures, not safety, are behind the proposed timetable. After years of testing, Aurora Innovation Inc., Kodiak Robotics Inc. and Gatik AI Inc. claim that they are ready to get rid of safety drivers of trucks being guided by software and different sensors including cameras, radar and lidar, which send pulses of light that bounce off objects. The three startups have already hauled cargo for big companies such as FedEx, Kroger, Tyson Foods and Walmart. In an interview, Chris Urmson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Aurora, said by the end of 2024, the company is slated to reach the point where it starts "operating those trucks without drivers on board." Mountain View, California-based startup Gatik AI has already driven trucks without a human driver in Arkansas and Canada. In an interview, Gautam Narang, Gatiks co-founder and CEO, explained that the company uses smaller, box trucks and plans to deliver from distribution centers to stores. In 2024, the startup expects to deploy driverless trucks in the Dallas area "at scale," added Narang. Meanwhile, Kodiak CEO Don Burnette, said the company plans to "start small in 2024 and gradually ramp it up as we build confidence in the system that we didn't miss anything." Burnette added that Kodiak is aware of "the damage that can be done," like the case of robotaxis in San Francisco. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Kodiak's first operations without a human driver include short runs near the companys truck terminal near Dallas and extend from there, added Burnette. The three startups will be supported by truckport partners who will help with refueling their diesel-powered fleets and will offer roadside assistance in case of a flat tire. Amid the various accidents linked to autonomous vehicles, the startups said the risk is worth it since the technology can allegedly help "improve highway safety and lower transportation costs." (Related: California DMV SUSPENDS Cruises driverless car permits for misrepresenting information on safety.) However, critics said these companies have an incentive to reduce the losses that investors have been financing during the delicate development and testing phase. Driverless trucks lack regulation, transparency and comprehensive data collection Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, explained that they are worried about the lack of regulation, transparency and comprehensive data collection. Critics have also warned that trucks pose severe dangers because they often travel at highway speeds and weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. This is more than 15 times as much as General Motors controversial Cruise driverless robotaxi. For now, the federal government has left regulation of driverless large trucks mostly up to states, which resulted in a confusing patchwork of rules. California suspended Cruise operations in October after several reported incidents in San Francisco. California's absence of rules for allowing trucks to be tested on public roads encouraged the three driverless truck startups and others to target Texas for testing and deployment. The problems that Cruise's robotaxis faced on the streets of San Francisco, such as unpredictable pedestrians and sudden road closures, aren't a major hurdle for driverless trucks, claimed the three companies. Trucks usually transport cargo on fixed routes, usually on highways that require much less interaction with passenger vehicles and pedestrians. Aside from saving money on trucker salaries, autonomous trucks can travel longer than the 11-hour limit enforced on human drivers. Autonomous trucks also have sensors that scan in all directions several times a second to identify objects, which allegedly speeds up reaction time. The companies also said there are estimated savings on emissions of 10 percent or more because the vehicles will "stay just below the speed limit and travel at a steady cadence." According to statistics compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 5,700 large trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more were involved in fatal crashes in 2021. The majority of those incidents were from trucks with a gross weight of 33,001 pounds or more. These Class 8 trucks are almost as big as those used in Aurora and Kodiak's fleets. Driverless trucks are not immune to road accidents While driverless trucks haven't had any at-fault incidents with other vehicles in testing with safety drivers, the FMCSA report suggests that they're not completely accident-proof. At least two-thirds of fatal accidents occur when a person, object, animal or other vehicle veers into a truck's lane. Data collected by a self-driving truck's computer system is essential to determining what caused an accident. Brian Ossenbeck, a transportation industry analyst with JPMorgan Chase, warned that the companies planning to go driverless in 2024 can't just claim that they are "better than humans." He added that they must first "reach that superhuman level, at least initially, until there's broader acceptance. And who knows how long that would take." If things go as planned, safety drivers, whose hands usually hover above the wheel without touching it while the truck is in transit, will no longer be needed by 2024. Urmson said the company plans for things to feel like a normal day, but with their trucks transporting cargo without human drivers. Watch the video below as driverless trucks are being tested on public roads. This video is from the ZGoldenReport channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Amazon prepares army of 750,000 ROBOTS to eliminate HUMAN workers. "Confused" industrial robot crushed a worker to death at a vegetable packing plant in South Korea. Uber Eats to deploy an additional 2,000 delivery robots, putting more jobs in peril. Sources include: Bloomberg.com CNBC.com Brighteon.com Farsam Shadab warns about the rise of TECHNOCRACY in eye-opening interview with Mike Adams Farsam Shadab, the creator of HoloSpace, has warned of the emergence of technocracy during a live interview with the Health Ranger Mike Adams. Adams mentioned that humanity is already on the verge of singularity, the so-called artificial general intelligence (AGI). He expressed belief that most of society has no idea what has already happened and predicted that civilization is going to change dramatically in the next several years. Shadab agreed, adding that technological trends have effectively been technocracy in disguise. This slow creep of government structures in people's lives is also evident in the form of private and consumer-grade technology. According to the founder of Enaxion, InterEnactive and Integral Commons, these current technologies are also simultaneously listening to one another. Moreover, Shadab noted that people are now carrying devices that are spying on them everywhere they go. He added that younger people nowadays are born into a culture that has normalized surveillance. According the cognitive science researcher, people in the mid-1990s were moving toward the democratization of technology with their cyberpunk view of the future. But if the people from that era saw a snapshot of the current year, they would be terrified. Shadab also told the Health Ranger that people already have tools that distract and amuse them in the form of devices such as smartphones and tablets. Adams agreed, stressing that this "distraction" is one of the key weapons being used against humanity. These devices, he added, feeding all of the people's information voluntarily through search queries, browsing histories and more. (Related: AI takeover is INEVITABLE: Experts warn artificial intelligence will become powerful enough to control human minds, behaviors.) Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Despite this, the HoloSpace creator pointed out that people in the present technological age can flip the script and start to change this trend for greater independence. Tech giants want to CONTROL and MONOPOLIZE AI space According to Adams, the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) that uses large language models is a critical pivot point for freedom and human civilization. But several Big Tech companies want the whole pie, or at least a huge slice of it. "The [tech] giants Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta and what have you want to control the AI space. They want a monopoly of it," said the founder of Natural News and Brighteon.com. "They don't want people to have open-source options, but I think they are going to lose. I think that the democratization or decentralization of AI technology is already unstoppable." Shadab agreed with Adams on this matter, noting that Big Tech is concerned about capturing the AI space. He added that these tech giants have captured every corner of the internet since the advent of the latter. The HoloSpace creator warned that AI tools will soon take away the last vestiges of people's freedom. The Health Ranger ultimately stressed that every technology, including augmented reality (AR) technology, can be used to enslave or liberate people. But Adams also believes that AR technology can help humans in some ways when used properly. Follow FutureTech.news for more stories about technocracy and the rise of artificial intelligence. Watch the full conversation between Farsam Shadab and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Technocrats Gates and Altman admit current AI is the stupidest version of AGI but believe it can eventually overcome polarization or in reality censor views. Tom Renz warns about the danger of TECHNOCRATS gaining power in government Brighteon.TV. Elon Musk says Microsoft developing real-life Skynet AI to control every facet of human life. Artificial intelligence is set to affect nearly 40% of all jobs, according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). AI allowing globalists to construct worldwide surveillance PRISON from which there is no escape. Sources include: Brighteon.com TeamHolo.com Is Germany plotting to unleash WWIII by bombing Russias Crimean Bridge? The war in Ukraine is escalating after evidence has emerged that Germany is secretly devising plans to furnish Ukraine with the weaponry needed to bomb the Crimean Bridge in Russia. A 38-minute audio recording was made public this week of a recent conversation among senior Bundeswehr officers about how to destroy the Crimean Bridge and other Russian targets in support of Ukraine. The conversation occurred on February 19 and was later leaked to RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan. In it, General Ingo Gerhartz, the head of Germany's air force (Luftwaffe); Brigadier-General Frank Graefe, Luftwaffe's deputy chief of staff for operations; and two others in the German military are heard discussing how to use Taurus long-range missiles to attack key Russian targets, but to do so discreetly in such a way as to maintain plausible deniability, thus avoiding any chance of crossing the "red line" of direct involvement in the war. Up until now, Western powerhouses like the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany have avoided all appearances of direct involvement in the war, recognizing that to do so would prompt a severe response from Russia. Now, it appears that red line may have been crossed with this newly leaked recording. Gerhartz was heard in the recording fleshing out various "tricks" that Luftwaffe could use to slip the weapons to Ukraine undetected and utilize Germany's own troops to fire them. One such trick involves having "many people [in Ukraine] in civilian clothes who speak with an American accent." Responding to this, Graefe told Gerhartz not to worry because "there is no language that makes us a party to the conflict." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. (Related: The United Kingdom is also poking the bear by quietly and secretly helping Ukraine to craft battle plans against Russia while pretending to not be directly involved in the war.) Russia demands explanation from Germany Concerning the Crimean Bridge, the German military officers noted the political importance of attacking the bridge, though they stated that it is probably too sturdy for Germany's Taurus long-range missiles to cause much damage. Gerhartz admitted during the meeting that even with the 50 some-odd Taurus missiles that Germany could provide to Ukraine, firing all of them at the 20-mile-long Crimean Bridge "won't change the course of the war," the suggestion being that they would cause little damage to the solid structure. The Russian government is responding to the leaked call by demanding immediate answers from the German government about what it has been plotting in secret. "We demand an explanation from Germany," said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. "Official Berlin must provide it immediately. Attempts to dodge the question will be considered an admission of guilt." Like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Germany has yet to respond to the leak. Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov says that NATO at large now has "egg on its face" based on the clarity of what was discussed and its intent. When the Russian legislature reconvenes on March 11, it will address the recording, said Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, adding that the matter "deserves the most serious discussion" and that Moscow needs to "send a demand to the Bundestag to conduct an investigation." "Once again," commented former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Germany has "turned into our archenemies." "Just take a look at how thoroughly and in what detail the Krauts are discussing long-range missile strikes on Russia's territory, and are picking out targets and the most workable ways to harm our Motherland and our people," Medvedev wrote in a post, ending it with his World War II-era slogan, "Death to the Fascists!" How much longer will it be before regional conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza go hot globally? Find out more at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com Largest wildfire in Texas burns approximately 1,700 square miles and 500 structures (and counting) The largest wildfire in Texas history has burned down approximately 500 structures and at least 1,700 square miles in the Texas Panhandle and neighboring areas. Known as the Smokehouse Creek fire, the wildfire that started on Feb. 26 killed two people and left a burned landscape of charred prairie, dead cattle and burned-out homes. (Related: Southern California's "Highland Fire" burns over 2,400 acres of land, forces more than 4,000 people to evacuate.) The cause of the fire is still unknown, although strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm weather certainly fed the flames. "When you look at the damages that have occurred here it's just gone, completely gone nothing left but ashes on the ground," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said during a news conference in Borger, Texas. Abbott lauded what he called a "heroic" response from "fearless" firefighters who worked to contain the fires as 14 state agencies and 45 local agencies battled the inferno and assisted in recovery. "It would have been far worse and far more damaging not just to property but to people, but for those firefighters," Abbott said. The National Weather Service forecast for the following days warns of strong winds, comparatively low humidity and dry conditions that present a "significant" wildfire threat. "No one can let down their guard. Everyone must remain very vigilant," Abbott said. In the hard-hit town of Stinnett, which has a population of about 1,600, families who evacuated because of the Smokehouse Creek fire returned Thursday, Feb. 29, to horrific scenes that include melted street signs, scorched frames of cars and trucks, and homes reduced to heaps of ash and rubble. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Smokehouse Creek fire crosses into Oklahoma The Smokehouse Creek fire has crossed into Oklahoma and has combined with another fire, the Texas A&M Forest Service announced Friday, March 1. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said individual ranchers could suffer disastrous losses because of the fires, but estimated the overall effect on the Texas cattle industry and consumer beef prices would be minimal. Two women were killed by the fires. According to Sgt. Chris Ray of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Cindy Owen was driving in Hemphill County south of Canadian on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 27, when she faced fire or smoke. Owen went out of her truck, and flames overwhelmed her. A passerby discovered Owen and called first responders, who took her to a burn unit in Oklahoma. Ray stated that Owen died Thursday morning. The other victim was identified by family members as 83-year-old Joyce Blankenship, a former substitute teacher. Her grandson, Lee Quesada, said deputies told his uncle Wednesday, Feb. 28, that they had discovered Blankenship's remains in her burned home. Abbott had issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties in response to the widespread wildfire. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said the weekend forecast and "sheer size and scope" of the blaze are the largest challenges for firefighters. Follow Disaster.news for more news about wildfires happening in America. Watch the video below to know more about the half a million acres burned in Texas recently. This video is from the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Check out the things that mysteriously DIDNT burn in the Lahaina disaster that SHOULD have if it was really just a freak wildfire. Biggest wildfire in Louisiana history ruled ARSON by state officials. Massive fire engulfs Texas chicken plant as global elites ramp up calls for world to stop eating meat. Canadian officials warn: Wildfire smoke spreading across North America could last all summer. Italy reveals ARSONISTS not climate change are responsible for wildfires across the country. Sources include: APNews.com USAToday.com Gov.Texas.gov Brighteon.com DEADLY INK: Study reveals 90% of tattoo ink contains chemicals that cause ORGAN DAMAGE A study has found that more than nine in 10 people who get tattoos in America could be unintentionally exposing themselves to harmful chemicals that cause organ damage Testing conducted in New York on 54 ink samples has revealed at least 45 contained compounds that were not listed on the label. Details of the study were published in the journal Analytical Chemistry. Surveys suggest that around one-third of Americans have tattoos now. Results also showed that at least half have tattoos among adults aged 30 to 49 years old. Testing reveals tattoo ink contains contaminants linked to organ damage The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is slated to start regulating tattoo inks later in 2024 following a vote in Congress in late 2022 that gave the agency the power to do so. Legislators have decided on the shift after several reports of illnesses caused by microbe contaminants found in tattoos. Like make-up and body lotions, tattoo inks are regulated as "cosmetics" under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). This was the largest revision of existing cosmetics regulation since 1938 and gave the FDA new powers, such as monitoring the ingredients in tattoos. So far, the FDA has released draft guidance on tattoo inks, as it prepares to regulate the products. (Related: Tattoos can leak dangerous heavy metals into your lymph nodes, study finds.) Kelli Moseman, a chemistry researcher at Binghamton University in New York, and her fellow researchers gathered ink samples from nine U.S.-based manufacturers. They then compared the ingredients found in the tests to those listed on the inks' labels to find discrepancies. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. Some ink labels listed additives that weren't present. For example, 36 listed glycerol but it was only detected in 29 of the tattoo inks that were studied. Only one brand accurately listed the ingredients contained in its ink. Fifteen inks contained propylene glycol, which the American Contact Dermatitis Society (ACDS) reported as the 2018 allergen of the year. Researchers reported that the most common contaminant was also polyethylene glycol, a compound that has been linked to organ damage, including a type of necrosis in the kidneys. Polyethylene glycol is sometimes used in tattoos as a thickening agent, making them easier to apply. The compound is also used in other products such as body wash, foundations and hair spray. Other chemicals used in tattoos include 2-phenoxyethanol, which has been linked to nervous system dysfunction in infants. The chemical can sometimes be added as a preservative. Experts think that 2-phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative because it can stop microbes from growing in the ink once a bottle is opened. It is also used in products like eye shadows, moisturizers and sunscreen for these effects. The tests also found the presence of propylene glycol, an antibiotic that is often used for urinary tract infections (UTIs). The antibiotic wasn't declared on the label and it may have been added to reduce the risks of contamination. Propylene glycol has previously been linked to allergic reactions that can cause skin conditions, like eczema. Tattoo inks put into the body by tattoo artists may be absorbed by a type of white blood cell called macrophages, which then hold the ink in the skin, keeping the tattoo in place. However, impurities can sometimes leach into the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This process then increases the risk of adverse side effects like organ damage. The researchers said that while they are only studying six inks per manufacturer, there is reasonable cause for concern that labeling issues also affect other inks not considered in this study. Tattoos make it harder to detect skin cancers In the past, dermatologists have warned against tattoos because they make it harder to detect skin cancers. They also cautioned that tattoo inks contain impurities that can increase the risk of health complications. Dr. Marc Everett, a plastic surgeon in New York, has previously warned that tattoo inks can cause inflammation in lymph nodes that also help carry fluids around the body. Everett, who was not involved in the study, explained that the swelling may harm your body's immune system and reduce its ability to fight off infections. Dr. John Swierk, a chemist at Binghampton University who led the study, said the research team hopes that the manufacturers use the study data to reevaluate their processes. He also added that both artists and clients should "take this as an opportunity to push for better labeling and manufacturing." Swierk said this was the first study to explicitly look at inks sold in the U.S. He added that is probably the most comprehensive one because it studied the pigments used in tattoo inks. "We're trying to highlight that there are some deficiencies in manufacturing and labeling," he said. According to Swierk, pigments "nominally stay in the skin, [along with] the carrier package, which is what the pigment is suspended in." Visit Chemicals.news to read more stories about chemicals that can harm human health. Watch the video below as tattoo artists say that vaccinated skin has changed and can no longer defend itself. This video is from the SJWellFire: Final Days Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: How toxic is tattoo ink, exactly? Study: Chemical in popular artificial sweetener found to damage DNA. Health Canada confirms that Pfizer COVID-19 injections contain SV40 DNA sequence that can cause CANCER. STUDY: Energy drink consumption harmful for the developing bodies and brains of children. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk ScienceAlert.com Brighteon.com The five FUBARs The USA is a runaway train with a dead man in the engineers seat. The conductor goes through the cars assuring the passengers that everything is fine. . . never mind the screeching wheels on the curves. . . or the blinding strobe effect of low sunlight passing through the trees out the window at a hundred and forty mph. . . or the bump that made half the stuff in the overhead luggage rack jump out. More than half the people on-board are at tachycardia levels of fright some are wailing but the other less than half just remain fixed on their phones and laptop screens. They cant be bothered to look out the window. . . . (Article by James Howard Kunstler republished from Kunstler.com) Okay, thats a metaphor. But if youre a citizen of our country and care about it, these are the matters youd better pay attention to, because they are all going off the rails: The war in Ukraine. We started it in 2014 to mess with Russia and Russia is going to finish it. Who knows what our real motives were. A resource grab? A desperate ploy to erase our national debt by creating a global fiasco? Sheer psychopathic hatred of this Putin fellow? We cant bring ourselves to acknowledge the failure of this ill-conceived venture. Instead, our feckless allies in Europe are foolishly rattling their sabers, apparently forgetting that you dont bring a sword to a nuclear missile fight. Mr. Macron in France affects to offer up his army for slaughter on the blood-soaked plains of Ukraine, just as the Ukrainians offered up a half a million of their young men so that Victoria Nuland could feel good about herself. Mr. Macron is insane, but the society he presides over is collectively insane, so perhaps he represents them well. Similarly, Olaf Scholz in Germany, whose top generals were caught on a leaked recording last week discussing their plan to blow up the Kerch Bridge that connects Crimea to Russia. Do you understand that this would be a direct attack on Russia, an act of War by NATO? And what the obvious consequence would be? We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. The phantom government of Joe Biden is too weak and mindless to join any negotiation. Ukraine and Russia are up to some kind of cross-talk down in Riyadh with Prince MBS. Even Mr. Zelensky went down for a day, though video appears to show him coked-up, sniffling and snarfling, not a good sign. If ever there was a time to end this stupid conflict, its now, before the Russian election. After that, terms will only be more difficult for Ukraine, up to direct custodial supervision instead of remaining a nation. It was never any of our business (though the Biden family, BlackRock, and the CIA saw fabulous opportunity to profit there). Next is the border. You saw last year how the blob elite greeted the transfer of illegal immigrants to their happy little island of Marthas Vineyard. (They were not amused by Governor DeSantiss prank, and off-loaded the mutts post-haste.) But that same smug demographic doesnt care if hundreds of thousands are distributed to the big cities, which are now fiscally destabilized by them to an extreme, probably to bankruptcy. Of course, that is not the main thing to worry about with what altogether amounts to millions of border-jumpers flooding our land. The main reason to worry is what the blob that invited them here intends for them to do, which, you may suspect, is to unleash mayhem in the streets, malls, stadiums, and upon our infrastructure just in time to derail the election perhaps even to make war on us right in our homeland. The US government is paying for this whole operation, you understand, funneling our tax money to international cut-out orgs who set up the transfer camps in Panama, and buy the plane tickets for the mutts to cross the ocean, and coordinate with the Mexican cartels to shuttle this horde of mystery people among us to work their juju for the Democratic Party. The pissed-off-ness of the public has passed the red line on this treasonous scam. A third FUBAR is the lawfare campaign of the Democratic Party and its regime in power against the citizens of this land. This folder includes overt and obvious political prosecutions by DAs and AGs who make election promises to go after individuals without such niceties as probable cause. It includes the gigantic new scaffold of inter-agency censorship and propaganda. It includes the psychopathic struggle sessions mandated by diversity and inclusion policy. It includes election-rigging directed by the likes of Marc Elias and Norm Eisen, getting states to fiddle laws on voter ID and mail-in ballots. It includes the political protection of rogue groups ranging from looter flash-mobs to Antifa anarchists who bust up things and people and burn buildings down. It includes state officials who peremptorily kick candidates off the ballot. It includes a nakedly biased judiciary, and especially the use of the DC federal district court to punish people extralegally, unjustly, extravagantly, and cruelly. In short, lawfare is the complete perversion of law, and we-the-people are entreated by reprobate officials such as Merrick Garland and Letitia James to accept it. Read more at: Kunstler.com Union County, North Carolina bans use of fluoride in its water systems Residents of Union County, North Carolina have successfully lobbied their county commissioners to ban the use of fluoride in the county's water systems The decision came after a group of citizens who call themselves the Fluoride Fighters expressed concerns about fluoride's potential harms. The commission also heard from dentists and supporters of fluoridation, many of whom pointed to the other chemicals added to water to keep people healthy, such as chlorine. Before the vote, several community members shared their thoughts on fluoride being added to the county's water. One community member, Abigail Prado, pointed to a 2019 study that pointed out exposure to fluoride during pregnancy has the potential to harm the baby's intellectual development. (Related: CDC warns against too much fluoride in kids' toothpaste, ignores harms from fluoridated water.) The study she referred to was published in JAMA Pediatrics and it found that in a birth cohort study from six cities in Canada, higher levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with lower IQ scores in children ages three and four. Similar observations have been made in North American women, indicating the need to reduce fluoride intake during pregnancy. Prado told commissioners the loss of a single IQ point translates into a two percent reduction in lifetime economic productivity. "Even if we take moral and philosophical questions about protecting children out of this discussion, how long can our society bear the cost of knowingly lowering our population's IQ?" Prado asked. We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. For decades, municipalities have been adding small amounts of fluoride to water, beginning in 1945 when Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the United States to flood its water suppl with fluoride. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to claim that fluoride in the water supply is vital for helping to keep teeth healthy in young children, and has tied water fluoridation to helping improve dental health in all communities. Defenders of water fluoridation claim it saves on dental costs At the last meeting of the Union County Commission, three commissioners voted in favor of the ban on water fluoridation. Following this, a second vote was held to determine if the county should also stop adding fluoride to its water at the Yadkin River Water Treatment Plant, which is owned and operated by the county and provides water to about one-third of the county's population. Commissioner Richard Helms wants the fluoride to stay in the water. "My children have grown up on fluoridation in the water and have very few cavities, I rather follow the science," Helms said. "I tend to follow what the medical professionals tell me." "It's probably the most successful public measure in the history of this Country," North Carolina pediatric dentist Dr. Frank Courts said. "It saves North Carolina citizens hundreds of millions of dollars in dental care costs." Courts said fluoride is most effective on people who don't take good care of their teeth or go to the dentist. "I currently work part-time in Ashe County, North Carolina. Its a rural county and the difference in decay between Ashe County and a fluoridated area is striking," Courts said. Water fluoridation has been used by cities for decades to reduce tooth decay. Pediatric dentists told commissioners the practice was not only safe, but it was also essential for those who never or rarely see a dentist. Dr. Meg Lochary, a Union County board-certified pediatric dentist, told commissioners fluoridation was a public health issue. "I take care of a lot of people who have terrible, terrible dental health. If you had to sit in my office every day and see screaming 4-year-olds getting teeth extracted, it would be a very personal situation for you too," said Lochary. Another implored that fluoride was critical for underprivileged children, whose parents may not brush their teeth or help them get to a dentist. The American Dental Association calls fluoridation of community water supplies "the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay." Fluoridated water has been proven to reduce cavities by about 25 percent in children and adults. The CDC named community water fluoridation one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. Head over to CleanWater.news to read more stories about chemicals in the water supply. Watch this video discussing how fluoride can cause cancer. This video is from the Journaltv channel at Brighteon.com. More related stories: Landmark fluoride trial CORRUPTED by judge: Scientists not allowed to reveal political influence in keeping public water supply laced with NEUROTOXINS. Government report finds that fluoride lowers children's IQ bureaucrats quickly bury it. CDC warns against too much fluoride in kids' toothpaste, but says nothing about the issue of fluoridated water. Fluoridated water consumption linked to skeletal fluorosis, a condition similar to osteoarthritis. Science proves that fluoride is a neurotoxin that harms children so why are state and local governments still polluting the public water supply with poison? Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com NCNewsline.com WCNC.com Brighteon.com DAMAGE CONTROL: Germany plotting to attack Crimean Bridge in Russia, leaked recording shows The full recording of German officials discussing plans to secretly help Ukraine damage Russia's strategic Crimean Bridge has dropped, and it is a real doozy. Late last week Russian security officials leaked news about the recording, which reveals that European Union (EU) powerhouse Germany has been scheming up ways to attack the Crimean Bridge in Russia, but covertly so it looks like Ukraine did it. The leaked audio exposes German military officials for plotting to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine in such a way as to avoid accusations of direct involvement in the war this is the same thing the United Kingdom and other Western powers are doing. RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan dropped the news about the recording late last week, and now it is here in all of its 32-minute, subtitled glory for the world to hear listen below. The recorded conversation is said to have occurred on February 19, and Russian security officials reportedly gave it to Simonyan to share publicly. The four people heard in the conversation include German Air Force General Ingo Gerhartz; the branch's deputy chief of staff for operations, Brigadier-General Frank Graefe; and two personnel from the German Space Command Air Operations Center. Germany prepares for war with Russia The recording was confirmed as legitimate by German sources, which say they are now in the process of conducting an investigation to determine how the conversation was intercepted and leaked. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova is demanding an explanation from Berlin, while former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has come forward to declare that the recording's contents leave no doubt that "Germany is preparing for a war with Russia." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. In the recording, the four German officials talk about how to deliver the long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine in an unassuming way, as well as discuss the operational and targeting details of the weapons. The four also talk about how to maintain plausible deniability so Germany can avoid being accused of directly involving itself in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As for the Crimean Bridge, the German officials admit in the conversation that all-out destroying it is probably not possible because of how sturdily it was built. Damaging it, however, could still be an option. "There are a lot of people with an American accent walking around [in Ukraine] in civilian clothes," Gerhartz is also heard stating during the discourse, suggesting that Germany is well aware of the fact that other Western militaries, including those of the UK and the United States, are already operating on the ground in Ukraine. Other details of the conversation include a discussion about the efficiency of the Franco-British cruise missile called Storm Shadow in the UK and SCALP in France, a weapon that both countries have reportedly "donated" to Ukraine. The Volodymyr Zelensky regime is also eager to get its hands on Taurus missiles with Kiev having asked Germany to send some over in order to target the Crimean Bridge, which connects eastern Crimea to the Krasnodar Region across the Kerch Strait. In order to successfully strike the Crimean Bridge, Germany would have to obtain additional satellite data, as well as deploy the weapons from French Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Preparing for such an attack would also take a least a month of preparation. Because of the sheer size of the Crimean Bridge, Europe's longest, sending even 20 missiles to strike it would not be enough to cause significant damage, the German officials admitted in the conversation. "They want to destroy the bridge ... because it has not only military strategic importance, but also political significant," Gerhartz is heard stating in the conversation, apparently referring to officials in Kiev. "It would be concerning if we have direct connection with the Ukrainian armed forces." The latest news about the Russia-Ukraine conflict can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com RT.com NaturalNews.com Israel will invade Lebanon in late spring if conflict continues to escalate, Bidens intel warns President Joe Biden's intel team has recently warned that Israel is actually planning a ground operation in southern Lebanon in a few months if diplomatic efforts fail to push Hezbollah away from the border. According to a CNN report, though the decision is not yet final, the threat is acute enough that it has made its way into intelligence briefings for senior administration officials, as per one person who received a briefing and was told an operation could happen in early summer or spring. "We are operating with the assumption that an Israeli military operation is planned in the coming months," the anonymous U.S. official told the news agency. "Not necessarily imminently in the next few weeks but perhaps later this spring. An Israeli military operation is a distinct possibility." The Biden intel said that he thinks what Israel is doing is that they are raising this threat in the hope that there will be a negotiated agreement. He added that some Israeli officials suggested that it is more of an effort at creating a threat that they can utilize while others speak of it more as a military necessity that's going to happen. A second senior Biden administration official said there are elements inside the Israeli government and military in favor of an incursion. "There's a growing group that says: 'Hey, let's just take a shot. Let's just do it,'" the senior official said. He further stated that any incursion could lead to a major, major escalation that we don't even know the proportions of. A third source knowledgeable about U.S. intel also told CNN that there is a great possibility that the current Israeli aerial campaign against Lebanon could expand, reaching "much further north into populated areas of Lebanon and eventually grow to a ground component as well." Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. During the past few days, Israel's air campaign has been ramping up. According to reports, strikes last week came within 27 miles of the capital, Beirut, the farthest into Lebanese territory from the border since the violence started immediately following Hamas October 7 attack in Israel. Last week, Israel struck the Hezbollah stronghold Baalbek in the northeast of the country. "There are fears this will grow to an expansive air campaign reaching much further north into populated areas of Lebanon and eventually grow to a ground component as well," another source stated. Meanwhile, Lebanon's Hezbollah has vowed to continue attacking Israel until the war in Gaza is brought to an end despite the West's demand for its withdrawal from the border region. Washington has been pushing a de-escalation proposal since the start of this month. The proposed deal included a vague border demarcation agreement which Lebanons foreign minister recently referred to as a partial solution. The Lebanese government has not officially responded to the proposal as of yet. But earlier in February, Lebanese media cited sources as saying that a Hezbollah withdrawal from the border is "unthinkable" and that officials in Lebanon believe the proposal fails to meet the country's fundamental demands. (Related: Local media reports IDF is set to launch full-blown war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.) IDF drone attack kills Hezbollah leader's grandson The tensions continue to rise in the Middle East as the grandson of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Abbas Ahmed Halil, was one of the three Hezbollah terrorists killed on Saturday when Israel Defense Forces (IDF) held a drone strike in Neqoura in south Lebanon on Sunday. According to a report by the Syrian radio channel Voice of the Capital, the news is yet to be confirmed by official sources, but the report cites the same attack in which the IDF announced that three Hezbollah operatives were killed in a vehicle in southern Lebanon after it was attacked by an Israeli drone strike. The Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Manar also reported the airstrike in the village of Kila in southern Lebanon and artillery strikes in the villages of Aitaroun and Belida, which are close to the border with Israel. The IDF's violent attacks, since it retaliated the Hamas' initial October strike, have already killed more than 200 Hezbollah fighters and some 50 civilians in Lebanon, while attacks from Lebanon into Israel have killed a dozen Israeli soldiers and five civilians. Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have fled villages on both sides of the frontier. According to the Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group, it would halt its attacks if Israel's Gaza offensive stops, but it is also ready to keep on fighting if the Gaza war continues. Head over to WWIII.news to get more updates on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co Edition.CNN.com JPost.com Media outlets blame innocent American VICTIM for being murdered by an illegal alien A journalist from the New York Post is being slammed online for an article that appears to blame American Laken Riley for being murdered by an illegal immigrant while she was jogging on her college campus. The story was published and shared on the Posts social media with the headline Man charged with murdering Laken Riley likely panicked when she fought back; it appears that it has since been changed, likely due to the controversy. Many readers felt the piece tried to humanize the 26-year-old Venezuelan, Jose Antonio Ibarra, who came to the U.S. through the border in El Paso, Texas in September 2022 and was paroled by the Biden administration. The author of the story, Yaron Steinbuch, is an Israeli native who has been with the Post for eight years. In the article, a former criminal profiler for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, John Lang Jr., is quoted as saying that the killer was probably taken by surprise that the 22-year-old nursing student fought back when he grabbed her during a run on the University of Georgia campus and thats why he killed her. In this case, the offender was met with resistance which he wasnt expecting, and it got overpowering and he couldnt control it and he resorted to violence, he said. During the attack, Ibarra reportedly stopped Riley from calling 911 for help, attacking her violently and then dragging her body into a secluded area. Lang, who is not involved in the case, said: But he didnt know what he was in for and I suspect she probably fought back. Hes not a very big fellow and he may have been overwhelmed by her size and her strengths and tenacity to fight back. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. Ibarra, who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, already had a rap sheet, with a previous arrest in New York City on child endangerment charges. His case was dismissed and the records are sealed, however. He was also charged with shoplifting in Georgia. After Riley's murder, he was booked into Clarke County Jail and has been charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, kidnapping, concealing the death of another, hindering a 911 call and false imprisonment. Affidavits indicate some of his charges stem from seriously disfiguring her body by disfiguring her skull. Washington, D.C. Young Republicans National Committeewoman Kingsley Wilson called out the New York Post on X, writing: "Journos are trying to humanize the animal who murdered Laken Riley. 'He likely panicked and bashed in her skull' is a real quote from this article. You don't hate the media enough." Several mainstream media outlets are twisting the story to take the focus off Riley's illegal immigrant murderer It isnt just the New York Post that is painting this story in the wrong light. Several news outlets are using the story as an excuse to call out people who are criticizing her killer and the immigration policies that helped him stay in the country. CNN Opinion Columnist Paul Reyes wrote an article entitled: "Laken Riley deserves justice - not to be exploited as a symbol of xenophobia or hate." In the piece, he argued: "Any narrative that portrays undocumented immigrants generally as violent criminals is harmful and inaccurate." Crime statistics, however, tell a different story, with violent crimes carried out by illegal immigrants rising considerably in the past few months. Other stories in the press have glossed over the identity of her killer, with some simply saying it was a man she didnt know and conveniently omitting the fact that he was an illegal immigrant. Others have focused their stories on how dangerous it is for women to go running, another angle that seems to imply that what happened is the victims fault. The idea that this innocent murder victim is somehow responsible for her own death because she went jogging alone or because she tried to defend herself from a brutal murderer is absolutely abhorrent. The mainstream media has a lot to be ashamed of, but this type of desperate victim-blaming to avoid drawing attention to the real issue of criminals taking advantage of open borders and making America unsafe is a new low. Sources for this article include: Twitter.com ThePostMillennial.com Russian warnings of nuclear escalation deter NATO members from sending troops to Ukraine Several European member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have put out statements confirming that they will not be sending troops to Ukraine amid fears of being dragged into a wider conflict with nuclear-armed Russia. On Feb. 27, the Kremlin warned that a conflict between Russia and the United States-led NATO military alliance would be inevitable if European members of NATO sent troops to fight in Ukraine. This warning was published a day after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that European countries might send soldiers to Ukraine. "The very fact of discussing the possibility of sending certain contingents to Ukraine from NATO countries is a very important new element. In that case, we would need to talk not about the probability but about the inevitability [of a direct conflict]," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He added that the West should ask themselves if such a scenario is in the interests of their countries and their people. NATO members, particularly European military heavyweight Germany, clarified that there was unanimous agreement among participants in the recent conference in Paris from more than 20 Western backers of Ukraine that they would not deploy ground troops to Ukraine. He said soldiers from these countries would not actively participate in the conflict. Donald Tusk, Petr Fiala and Robert Fico, the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, respectively, affirmed that they are not considering sending troops. "Poland does not plan to send its troops to Ukraine," said Tusk. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. "[My country] certainly doesn't want to send its soldiers," said Fiala. Fico said his government has no plans either, but claims that some other countries are considering it. In an interview with the Associated Press, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also made a similar statement. "NATO allies are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine. We have done that since 2014 and stepped up after the full-scale invasion. But there are no plans for NATO combat troops on the ground in Ukraine," Stoltenberg said. Sending and keeping troops in Ukraine would require strong transportation and logistics, which only a few NATO members can provide, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and maybe Italy, Poland and Spain. In other words, NATO's involvement would require unanimous agreement from all 31 member states. (Related: U.K. deploys troops to NATO military drills while ramping up aid to Ukraine.) French government clarifies Macron's earlier statement to send troops to Ukraine Macron looked isolated from the other NATO members after he said that sending Western ground troops to Ukraine could not be "ruled out." In an attempt to clarify the earlier statement, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on Feb. 27 that the president was considering sending troops for specific tasks, such as mine clearance, on-site weapon production and cyber defense. Sejourne clarified that this would not entail sending troops to wage war against Russia but rather a military presence to address specific needs [This] could require a [military] presence on Ukrainian territory, without crossing the threshold of fighting. Its not sending troops to wage war against Russia," Sejourne told French lawmakers. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu also clarified that discussions at the conference revolved around de-mining and military training operations in Ukraine, away from the front lines, rather than the deployment of ground troops. UkraineWitness.com has more stories about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and NATO's involvement. Watch the video below that talks about NATO cutting off weapons supply to Ukraine as Poland accuses Kyiv of committing Nazi war crimes. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: White House threatens to SEND AMERICAN TROOPS TO UKRAINE if Congress doesnt approve more aid. Biowarfare incoming? Russia accuses US of planning to drop malaria-infested mosquitoes on Russian troops in Ukraine. YouTube censoring evidence of Ukrainian troops embracing Nazi symbols. Polish book: British special forces are embedded with Ukrainian troops fighting Russia. Poland alerts NATO, sends more troops to border after accusing Belarus of violating its airspace. Sources include: USNews.com Aljazeera.com Brighteon.com Supreme Court rules Trump must remain on primary, general ballots in 2024 election In a unanimous decision that likely shocked many, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that Donald Trump's name will remain on both primary and general state ballots for the 2024 election, much to the gnashing of teeth of his opponents. Reversing several state-level removals of Trump's name, including in Colorado, Illinois and Maine, SCOTUS in a 9-0 decision ruled that the states' citing of an interpretation of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment provision is flawed, meaning states cannot erase Trump from the ballot claiming he engaged in an "insurrection" or "rebellion" with what happened at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Representing the first time in U.S. history that SCOTUS has ever considered Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, the decision is already triggering some leftists into claiming that the Supreme Court itself is no longer valid. "This is another example among many that are playing out right now of the Supreme Court playing a huge role in American elections, and it's not necessarily the case that that's a good thing for the Supreme Court," complained NBC's Ken Dilanian, who proceeded to accuse SCOTUS of "interfer[ing] in the election." "The approval levels of the court poll at historic lows ... It's going to be seen by many people as the court essentially interfering in some sense in the election, and so this is all sort of playing out here in terms of how we assess the Supreme Court and its legacy." MSNBCs @DonnaFEdwards: Not since Bush v. Gore have we seen a Court thats had this many opportunities to interfere in the election pic.twitter.com/GcabhUpkKh Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 4, 2024 CNN also had a meltdown over the decision, complaining that "unfortunately for America, the court isn't necessarily wrong that this is the way the Framers wanted it to be." ?WATCH: CNN tries to hold it together after 9-0 Supreme Court decision on the Trump Colorado ballot case: Unfortunately for America, the court isnt necessarily wrong that this is the way the Framers wanted it to be. ? pic.twitter.com/dPbwTgLUH8 News Nomad ? (@The_Nomad_News) March 4, 2024 (Related: According to Trump, the United States will see "obliteration" unless he is reelected president in 2024.) Trump says he's not an insurrectionist, Biden is The argument made by Trump's lawyers to SCOTUS prior to the decision stemmed from the claim that only Congress, and not state governments, can determine who is allowed to become president according to the 14th Amendment. What Colorado, which led the pack, did in removing Trump's name from the ballot represents "the first time in the history of the United States that the judiciary has prevented voters from casting ballots for the leading major-party presidential candidate," Trump's lawyers argued, adding that the decision "is not and cannot be correct." Trump was quick to speak out against Colorado's decision himself on social media, arguing that he is "not an insurrectionist," but that Joe Biden is one. Trump then claimed that what his supporters did on January 6 was merely a protest that was conducted "peacefully and patriotically" during his same-day rally. Thanks to your generous support, we are building the infrastructure of human freedom and actively donating our technology to independent publishers, authors and home schooling organizations. Learn about our game-changing non-commercial AI project here. Support our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance human knowledge by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com. While SCOTUS was initially reluctant to take up the matter, it ultimately decided that no single state, or even collection of states, can decide for the rest of the country which candidates qualify for president. "The fact that it took the Supreme Court to settle this is terrifying," commented someone on the internet about the matter. "It's going to get crazy, folks," said another about the expected response to all this from the other side of the political aisle. The latest news about Trump's bid for the presidency in 2024 can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Canadian constitutional expert: Trudeaus Online Harms Act threatens free speech A top Canadian constitutional lawyer has warned the public that a new bill that claims to protect children from online sexual abuse, cyberbullying and self-harm is actually an attack on free speech The Online Harms Act, known as Bill C-63 and introduced by Justice Minister Arif Virani, also includes amendments to the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act. The new law and additional amendments could reinstate Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act, a "hate speech" provision that was abolished by conservative former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2013. Bill C-63 will not only reinstate Section 13 but will also enable the government to target specific content on the internet for removal. The government claims this bill will only be used to target child sexual abuse and pornography. The bill proposes the establishment of a digital safety commission, a digital safety ombudsperson and a digital safety office to handle public complaints about online content. The committee will also form a regulatory function with a five-person panel of government appointees to monitor internet platform behaviors. In other words, the bill will give the committee the power to hold "secret commission hearings" against those who break the rules. (Related: Justin Trudeau TERRIFIED of independent media winning information war, calls for aggressive new CENSORSHIP to protect mainstream media propagandists.) However, critics argue that it could lead to more severe penalties for "hate crimes" and fines for posts defined as "hate speech" based on gender, race or other categories. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Learn about our free, non-commercial AI / LLM project here. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. Marty Moore, litigation director for Charter Advocates Canada, which is funded by the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms, argued that this will also "open doors for government regulation to target undefined psychological harm." "The use of the term 'safety' is misleading, when the government, through Bill C-63, is clearly seeking to censor expression simply based on its content and not on its actual effect," he said. Moore warned the public about the broad reach of the commission. He stated that it could regulate anyone operating a social media service, regardless of the number of users. He argued that the bill gives the commission significant powers, including the ability to seek secret warrants, enter people's homes and impose massive fines. Moore explained that it will likely coerce those operating social media services to exceed the Commissions requirements of censorship on Canadians' expression." Furthermore, Moore highlighted concerns about the bill allowing secret commission hearings, citing the discretion to consider secrecy "in the public interest." He warned that the bill could make the commission an "order of the Federal Court," potentially resulting in fines and imprisonment for contempt. "While people cannot be imprisoned under section 124 of Bill C-63 for refusing to pay a Commission-imposed fine, it is possible that having a Commission order reissued by the Federal Court could result in imprisonment of a person for refusing to impose government censorship on their social media service," he said. Poilievre: Hate speech for Trudeau means "speech he hates" In response to Moore's claims, the government argues that the bill aims to protect children from online harm. However, Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre stated that the federal government is only searching for clever ways to implement laws for internet censorship. In the House of Commons on Feb. 27, Poilievre opposed the Online Harms Act, stating that enforcing criminal laws, rather than censoring opinions, is crucial for protecting children online. Meanwhile, in a press conference, Poilievre questioned Trudeau's definition of "hate speech." "What does Justin Trudeau mean when he says the word 'hate speech?' He means speech he hates," he said. Two prominent Canadian civil liberties organizations, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF), are also against Bill C-63. The CCLA and CCF argue that the provisions in Bill C-63 that prevent hate speech are draconian, vaguely worded and could infringe upon constitutional rights. CCF Executive Director Joanna Baron expressed skepticism about the government's intentions. "Justice Minister Virani has tied these speech restrictions to defensible measures like removing images of child sexual exploitation material and revenge porn. But don't be fooled. Most of the bill is aimed at restricting freedom of expression. This heavy-handed bill needs to be severely pared down to comply with the constitution," Baron said. Visit SpeechPolice.news for more stories of government censorship of online speech. Watch this episode of "The Fascist New World Order Podcast" which touches on hate speech. This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: European Union adopts resolution that criminalizes "hate speech" which can mean almost anything. "Hate speech" bill passes the Michigan House, conservatives warn it threatens First Amendment rights. Polish socialist deputy justice minister announces amendments to penal code targeting so-called "hate speech." "Hate speech" censorship group partnered with White House funded by these 9 "dark money" sources. Ireland passes controversial hate speech law: Those caught "misgendering" someone will face five years in prison. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com MSN.com Brighteon.com White House calls border crossers newcomers THEYRE STILL ILLEGALS! The White House is now pertaining to unlawful border crossers as "newcomers" a euphemism to conceal the fact that they are illegally on U.S. soil. According to the National Pulse, the executive branch reportedly used the term in a fact sheet describing the Senate agreement on Ukraine and border funding which had the backing of President Joe Biden. The use of such a term, the outlet added, obfuscates the difference between legal and illegal immigrants. The White House's use of "newcomers" to describe illegals did not sit well with several Republican congressmen, with some of them taking to social media to air out their disgust. Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany wrote on X: "Biden is now calling illegal aliens 'newcomers' this is absurd. He has no interest in putting an end to this invasion. He just wants to use more of your tax dollars to aid and abet it." Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde agreed with his colleague's sentiments, calling the use of the "newcomer" term "insanity." He continued: "'Newcomers' are flooding our country with fentanyl [and are] costing American taxpayers nearly $500 billion. Biden wants to normalize his intentional illegal invasion." Other House GOP members who criticized the move on their social media accounts include Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber and Texas Rep. August Pfluger. Even the House GOP Conference's official X account decried the White House's use of "newcomers" to describe illegals. "This is a catastrophe by design," the House GOP Conference wrote. "Biden is not serious about stopping the illegal immigration into the United States." We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Learn about our free, downloadable AI tools on nutrition, health and preparedness at this article link. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance. Aside from the use of "newcomers," the fact sheet for the border bill also mentions the allocation of $1.4 billion for "cities and states who are providing critical services" to these illegals. Moreover, it also pledges that the work permits of "qualified" illegals will be expedited. But House GOP members argue that the proposal would normalize high levels of unlawful immigration and achieve little in terms of curbing crossings at the border and drug trafficking. (Related: Chinese nationals being let into U.S. via Bidens pathetic open borders policies, raising new fears of espionage.) Use of "newcomers" comes ahead of Biden's trip to southern border The release of the White House fact sheet came ahead of Biden's Feb. 29 trip to the southern border, trailing after former President Donald Trump. The incumbent visited Brownsville, Texas which has seen very few crossings compared to other locations. In contrast, Trump visited Eagle Pass, Texas the crossing that sees the heaviest traffic. White House officials have also pushed back against critics of the border deal, arguing that it represents a "genuine commitment" to border security. They cited various aspects in the proposal to back this up such as expanding the Border Patrol staff, amending asylum rules, strengthening law enforcements authority to tackle drug smuggling and expanding visa and guest worker programs. Since taking office, the Biden administration has sought to undo many of the strict immigration policies implemented by former President Donald Trump, advocating for a more humane approach to immigration that includes the expansion of legal pathways for migrants and asylum seekers. Republicans advocate for stricter border enforcement, including the continuation or expansion of physical barriers, and stricter asylum rules to deter illegal crossings. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, the number of encounters at the border has increased by nearly 1 million people every year since fiscal year 2021. Visit OpenBorders.news for more stories about illegals. Watch this video about Border Patrol agents seeing an 800 percent rise in the number of Chinese nationals being apprehended at the southern border. This video is from the TNFMWorldNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Globalist billionaire George Soros is financing efforts to elect more open borders Democrats in Texas. Breitbarts Alex Marlow: Biden favoring OPEN BORDERS to keep wages down and Democrats in power. Video leaves many with impression China is building secret army in U.S. thanks to Bidens open borders. Take Our Border Back convoy on track to southern border, will demand government secure our wide open borders. Sanctuary city mayors admit being at the breaking point with migrant crisis, but they blame Texas Gov. Abbott instead of Bidens open borders. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com The southern US can expect isolated tornadoes and hail conditions this week, according to the latest forecasts. Homeowners should watch out for dangerous travel outlooks and power outages. The first week of March in the US became challenging for Americans, with blizzard threats in the Sierra Nevada and severe thunderstorms in the Southern US this week. Staying updated with the weather outlook is essential, especially for tornado watches and warnings. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of Tornado Warnings, and residents should always become vigilant to prevent any dangers. The forecast warned of isolated and strong tornadoes with large hail and power winds impacting portions of central Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley. In the Midwest, homeowners should also stay alert for a poor weather outlook. In Sacramento, the advisory showed that potential heavy snow could impact the region with gusty winds. In addition, the central and eastern US can expect above-average temperatures and spring-like temperatures this week. A possible wildfire threat could unfold due to strong winds and warm conditions this early week. Weather in the Southern US: Where Will Isolated Tornadoes Emerge? In the Southern US, residents can expect rounds of heavy rain and severe weather threats this week. Motorists should anticipate travel delays associated with the weather. The rain conditions can spread over Texas and the Carolinas. Americans traveling this week should face difficult driving conditions, particularly road closures and slippery roads. In the late week, cooler temperatures can unfold in the following areas: Denver Oklahoma City Wichita Kansas City Springfield Lubbock Odessa El Paso Albuquerque On the other hand, severe thunderstorms could impact the following areas: Birmingham Jackson New Orleans Houston Jackson On Friday night, isolated tornadoes and hail can emerge in the following areas: Atlanta Montgomery Mobile New Orleans Tallahassee Houston Shreveport In Houston, the advisory showed that heat-related health concerns could unfold in the city, especially for older adults, children, pets, and people with medical conditions. Prolonged exposure to heat should be avoided to prevent any heat-related dangers. On the weekend, heavy downpours are still possible, with a risk of flooding and flash floods in the following areas: Savannah Charlotte New Orleans Jackson Greenville Chattanooga Atlanta The stormy conditions can likely unleash life-threatening conditions, particularly for low-lying areas in the US. Travelers should limit any travel to ensure their daily safety, especially when it is considered unessential. Also Read: Florida Panhandle Weather Forecast: Scattered Rain, Thunderstorms To Bring Slower Commutes Weather in the Southern US: How Can Americans Keep Safe from Tornado Threats? The latest forecasts warned of tornado threats in the Southern US this week, causing a dangerous travel outlook. Homeowners should keep updated with the latest forecasts for tornado alerts. In addition, keeping emergency kits is important for tornado threats, as people can be stranded at home. Keeping away from doors, windows, and falling debris will help you stay safe. Related Article: Heavy Snow in West Coast: Strong Blizzard Conditions to Hit Sierra Nevada This Week For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News Solar maximum, which is part of the current Solar Cycle 25, could already be ongoing and has the potential to intensify solar storms, a solar physicist warned as reported on Monday, March 4. Over the past year, scientists had predicted that the cycle's heightened phase to occur than earlier than expected. Previously, it was estimated that the stronger out of the two phases would occur in the year 2025. Solar Physicist Warning An expert solar physicist warned that the Sun may have already entered its most active stage or dangerous phase as part of its 11-year solar cycle, according to a report on Monday. This means that our Solar System's only star could release solar storms more frequently since the cycle started in December 2019. Even prior to the apparent ongoing solar maximum, previous solar storms have disrupted Earth's radio frequencies and satellite signals. During a convention in 2019, an international panel predicted that the current Solar Cycle 25 will reach its peak or solar maximum from late 2024 to early 2025, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) reported. Furthermore, the cycle was initially predicted to go down until the remainder of the 11-year phase, which will end in 2030. Also Read: Solar Storm Alert: 'Cannibal' Solar Plasma Eruption to Hit Earth on Friday, May Affect Electronic Communications What is a Solar Maximum? The solar maximum is the middle period of the solar cycle or when the Sun has the highest number of sunspots, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In contrast, the solar minimum is the beginning of the solar cycle or a period when the Sun has the least number of sunspots. As the cycle ends, the solar maximum fades back to the solar minimum to begin another 11-year phase. NASA states that counting the number of sunspots is one way to monitor the solar cycle. The higher the number of sunspots is parallel to the frequency or intensity of solar storms, which includes solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Unlike weather events on Earth such as hurricanes and other types of storms, solar storm prediction is harder to predict in terms of the time and intensity of its emitted solar particles. Space Weather Prediction Space weather prediction is still a great challenge for scientists, and researchers are currently working on finding ways to increase the efficiency of forecast time before a solar storm reaches Earth, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). While scientists and space agencies base their predictions on solar activity, there has never been a successful 'long-term solar storm forecast' before. However, current knowledge and technology allow scientists to make general space weather predictions; by using the solar maximum and solar minimum of a solar cycle as a basis. In addition, constant monitoring of the Sun's activity is also significant to make a significant space weather forecast. In recent years, space weather authorities recorded multiple geomagnetic storms and radio blackouts striking Earth following solar storms. Related Article: Solar Maximum Is Peaking Sooner Than Expected, Study Says Sewage pollution affecting rivers, waterways, and coastlines across the United Kingdom is causing a series of deadly pathogenic outbreaks. In a report on Monday, March 4, a UK expert in ecology warned that river pollution is causing the emergence of harmful epidemics of sewage fungus and sewage bacteria in the country. This ecological disaster threatens both aquatic life and terrestrial wild animals, as well as humans. In similar cases, pathogens like fungi and bacteria have been recorded to cause serious health illnesses and even deaths for living organisms that consume contaminated water. Some of the most vulnerable groups are pets. In 2022, several dogs died after they drank water from a toxic lake located in East London. The lake is reportedly filled with toxic blue and green algae, which were found following a post-mortem of the animals. Sewage Fungus Outbreak In a report on Monday, postdoctoral research fellow Dania Albini, from the University of Exeter's Aquatic Ecology in England, reported that sewage pollution and the sewage fungus associated with is endangering aquatic life, human health, and the UK's economy. As frequent sewage fungus outbreaks is a manifestation of a polluted environment, Albini is calling governments, water companies, and regulators to take action. The research fellow also clarified that sewage fungus is not entirely fungus, but rather it is a mixture of microscopic bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that can accumulate and form visible masses in water. In this context, the sewage fungus outbreak is becoming a significant issue for lakes, ponds, and rivers across the country. This is because sewage bacteria can multiply quickly in rivers and other nutrient-rich environments, according to the report. Also Read: Brain-Invading Fungus That Killed 40 Dolphins, Porpoises Might Have Come From Humans Sewage Pollution The phenomenon of sewage pollution is common and it occurs around the world, and studies are warning that this type of pollution threatens biodiversity and overall ecosystem health, according to a research paper published in the journal Biological Conservation in 2021. Amid the threat, scientists recommend to prioritize the mitigation of the problem by authorities from the conservation and public health sectors. Sewage pollution is caused by issues in several areas such as wastewater, sewage, and sanitation. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), sewage is part of wastewater contaminated with feces or urine and states that untreated sewage may contain various substances and pathogens, including viruses and protozoa. Moreover, wastewater is any water discharged by residential, commercial, agricultural, or industrial sectors. Due to the prevalence of sewage contamination, river pollution is becoming a problem not only in the UK but also in other countries globally. In the United States, 3.5 million miles of rivers that span across the country "were treated like open sewers and garbage cans." This has left the bodies of water filled with feces, fertilizer, paint, oil, and other refuse, according to a 2022 report published in the Scientific American. Related Article: US Fungus Outbreak: Deadly Candida Auris Fungi Spreads in 28 States [CDC Warns] YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday had a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo. The meeting took place within the framework of the Armenian Prime Minister's official visit to Egypt. The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Egypt exchanged ideas on the bilateral agenda and prospects for expanding the political dialogue, the foreign ministry said. According to the source, the parties highlighted the role of regular high-level reciprocal visits in expanding the scope of Armenian-Egyptian interaction and further developing cooperation in mutual interest domains. Regional security issues were also discussed during the meeting. It is noted that Minister Mirzoyan addressed Armenia's continuous efforts to establish long-term peace and stability in the South Caucasus, presenting to his Egyptian counterpart the recent discussions in the process of regulating Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. FM Mirzoyan stressed that Armenia's approaches to key issues are fair and legitimate, based on the need to respect well-known principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and jurisdiction. In the context of unblocking regional infrastructures, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized Armenia's clearly expressed interest and political will to advance the process based on the principles of reciprocity and equality. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Ministers visit to Egypt confirms the interest and determination of both sides for the development and strengthening of cooperation. That cooperation will serve the interests of both peoples, also relying on the long-standing historical relations that bind the two countries, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, said after the meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the PM's office said. Thousands of Armenians lived in Egypt and contributed to the development of Egyptian society in various spheres: politics, economy, culture, art. I am happy to note that our today's negotiations confirmed the willingness of both countries to increase the volume of trade, as well as to strengthen the investment component between the two sides, which will correspond to the level of political relations between the two countries. Cooperation can develop in new areas as well, in particular, information technologies, artificial intelligence, food and pharmaceutical industry. Also, during today's discussions, we confirmed the willingness to exchange Egypts experience in the fields of infrastructure, construction, transport and electricity production. Also, we will benefit from the Armenian experience, specifically from those Armenian companies that stand out in the field of artificial intelligence, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said. During the discussions, the sessions of bilateral commissions for economic and technical cooperation were particularly emphasized. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi presented to the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan the efforts that Egypt is making to achieve a cease-fire in the occupied Gaza Strip, as well as in the West Bank, which will allow for the establishment of an autonomous Palestinian Republic, based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. It is necessary to establish peace in the region instead of war and destruction. Also, during these negotiations, we confirmed Egypt's support for any initiatives that seek to establish peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. We express our full support to the dialogue and negotiation process that will establish a comprehensive, just peace. This will create a new phase of growth and development that will serve the interests of the peoples of the region. In conclusion, I would like to once again welcome the visit of the Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia to Egypt. I express my hope that this visit will be a very important step for strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries in all fields, which will enrich the relations and historical ties that unite the peoples of the two countries. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister," concluded the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The sponsors of a new $5 million prize want to boost the quantum computing industry by encouraging developers to write new algorithms to help the emerging technology solve real-world problems. The new Quantum for Real-World Impact contest, from the XPRIZE Foundation, aims to speed the development of quantum computing algorithms focused on sustainability, health, and other societal issues. The three-year contest, sponsored by Google Quantum AI and the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator Foundation, wants to unleash the potential of quantum computing, according to the contest site. Currently, quantum computers are not sufficiently advanced enough to solve real-world societal problems that classical computers cannot, the contest site says. However, as the technology advances, relatively few companies and university researchers are focused on translating quantum algorithms into real-world application scenarios and assessing their feasibility to address global challenges once sufficiently powerful hardware is available. The new contest is crucial for the advancement of quantum computing, said Rebecca Krauthamer, co-founder and chief product officer at QuSecure, a vendor of quantum-resilient cybersecurity tools. XPRIZE has a powerful history of pushing forward advancements in cutting-edge technology in spaceflight, conservation, advanced medicine, and more, she said. The contest signifies were in a truly exciting time for quantum computing. Quantum computing hardware development still has a significant road ahead, she added, but much of the innovation from the technology will come from new algorithms and the application of quantum computers to real-world problems. YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Constantinos Kombos, will arrive in Armenia on an official visit on March 6-7, the foreign ministry said. On March 7, a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Cyprus will be held at the Armenian Foreign Ministry, followed by a joint press conference by the foreign ministers. PM Modi meets legendary actress Vyjayanthimala in Chennai Chennai, March 4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met with legendary actress Vyjayanthimala in Chennai. "Glad to have met Vyjayanthimala Ji in Chennai. She has just been conferred the Padma Vibhushan and is admired across India for her exemplary contribution to the world of Indian cinema," he wrote. https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1764690348234903983?s=20 Recently, veteran actress Hema Malini also met Vyjayanthimala at her residence. Taking to Instagram, Hema Malini shared a series of pictures of herself with the 'Jewel Thief' star. Vyjayanthimala looked as evergreen as ever in a yellow saree. On the other hand, Hema Malini was dressed in a green suit. "Most memorable day of my life - meeting my role model, the icon Vyjayanthimala along with her lovely family at her Chennai residence yesterday. She is so full of life, still so full of dance in her. She talks dance, lives dance and has a glow and aura around her. I was in as much awe as I was many years ago! Had a nostalgic discussion about her stint in films and her experiences in the industry. One has to learn a lot from her. It was a great moment for me to have been given so much love by this lovely lady - beautiful inside and out," Hema Malini captioned the post. Vyjayanthimala made her screen debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949). 'Devdas', 'Sangam', 'Madhumanti' and 'Naya Daur' are some of her iconic films. On the eve of Republic Day 2024, Padma Awards 2024 were announced. Vyjayanthimala was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian award. (ANI - Posted on 05 March 2024) PM Modi meets legendary actress Vyjayanthimala in Chennai Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Vice President Dhankhar to attend Sadhguru's Mahashivratri celebrations in Coimbatore New Delhi, March 5 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will take part in Mahashivratri 2024 celebrations at Sadhguru's Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore on March 8. Viewed by over 140 million people, Isha Mahashivratri in front of the iconic face of Adiyogi in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore has earned the place to be the most-awaited annual event in the country. This year too, the night-long celebrations will see immersive meditations guided by Sadhguru, celebratory music and enthralling dance performances, the statement said. The grand spectacle will be broadcast from 6 pm on March 8 to 6 am of March 9 in 22 languages worldwide on Sadhguru's YouTube channels and major media networks. Notably, Pawandeep Rajan, Rathijith Bhattacharjee, Mahalingam, Mooralal Marwada, rappers like Brodha V, Paradox, MC Heam, Dharavi project; French musicians, Sounds of Isha and Isha Samskriti, will also grace the occasion. The festivities are set to kick off with the Pancha Bhuta Aradhana at Dhyanalinga, a potent yogic process of elemental cleansing, followed by the Linga Bhairavi Maha Yatra, Sadhguru's discourse, explosive meditations, and the spectacular Adiyogi Divya Darshanam, a powerful visual journey depicting the origin of yoga. Sadhguru, who will guide a LIVE and online audience through powerful midnight and Brahma Muhurutam meditations, emphasizes on the importance of keeping one's spine erect on the "grand night of Shiva". "The significance of the day is that there is an upward movement of energy in the human body. So this night, we want to spend awake, aware, with our spines erect so that whatever sadhana we are doing, there is a great assistance from nature," Sadhguru says. https://twitter.com/SadhguruJV/status/1626834843307999233 In recent years, Isha Mahashivratri celebration has consistently shattered streaming records. In 2022, the Mahashivratri livestream surpassed viewership numbers for both the Super Bowl and the Grammys. In 2023, with a staggering 140 million LIVE viewership, Isha Mahashivratri emerged as the largest and most-watched spiritual festival globally. This year, it promises to be even grander with PVR INOX, a chain of multiplexes in India, creating history by tying up with the Isha Mahashivratri to stream the 12-hour celebrations LIVE on select big screens across the country for the first time. In order to make it a truly immersive, spiritual experience for seekers across the world, program, like 'Rudraksha Diksha', 'In The Grace of Yoga', 'Yaksha Festival', 'Maha Annadanam', and Mahashivratri & Shivanga sadhana are being offered to enhance one's well-being. (ANI - Posted on 05 March 2024) Vice President Dhankhar to attend Sadhguru's Mahashivratri celebrations in Coimbatore Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal sues Musk, billionaire responds with emoji San Francisco, March 5 Indian-origin Parag Agrawal, former CEO of Twitter (now called X), and three other employees have sued Elon Musk for about $128 million in unpaid severance. Musk on Tuesday reacted with just an emoji, when a follower posted: Parag Agrawal is suing Elon Musk claiming that he did in fact get a lot done that week. The lawsuit claimed that the Tesla CEO showed "special ire" towards them by "publicly vowing to withhold their severance payments of around $200 million, when he took over Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion. Under Musks control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. 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, read the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. In October 2022, Musk informed Agrawal, Gadde and Segal that their employment with the company was terminated. According to reports, the three top executives had an exit package of more than $100 million when they left the company. Agrawal was set to receive the largest payout at around $40 million, largely due "to the entirety of his shares vesting upon his firing. (IANS - Posted on 05 March 2024) Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal sues Musk, billionaire responds with emoji Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Telangana is called the Gateway for South India: PM Modi Sangareddy, March 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the Central government has been working continuously to assist the development of Telangana and said that the state is called the "Gateway for South India." The Prime Minister recalled laying the foundation stones and dedicating multiple development projects to the nation worth about Rs 56,000 crores from Adilabad yesterday in the sectors of energy, climate and infrastructure and mentioned today's occasion where development projects worth more about Rs 7,000 crores are being unveiled and foundation stones are being laid which include sectors of highways, railways, airways and petroleum. "In the last 10 years, the central government has been working to take Telangana to new heights. Yesterday, from Adilabad, I inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth more than Rs 56,000 crores. Today, I am in Sangareddy to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects worth more than Rs 7,000 crores," he added. "I believe in the mantra of Rashtra vikas through vikas of the states", the Prime Minister said, highlighting the government's working ideology. He emphasized that the central government is working to serve Telangana with the same spirit and congratulated the citizens for the development works of today. Stressing the centrality of modern infrastructure in the resolution of Viksit Bharat, PM Modi mentioned the allocation of Rs 11 lakh crore in this year's Budget. In an effort to provide maximum benefits of this to Telangana, the Prime Minister said, Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161 and Miryalaguda to Kodad Section of NH-167 will improve transport facilities between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. "Today 140 crore people are committed to building a developed India and for a developed India, it is equally important to have modern infrastructure. In this year's budget, we have given Rs 11 lakh crore for infrastructure. It is our endeavour that Telangana gets maximum benefit from it," he added. Prime Minister Modi mentioned the doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar - Moula Ali route today along with six new station buildings. "Today, Telangana has got a huge gift in the aviation sector. Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) has been established at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad today. This will be the first of its kind aviation centre in the country which is built on such modern standards. From this centre, Hyderabad and Telangana will get a new identity, this will open new avenues for the youth of Telangana in the aviation sector, this will provide a platform for research and skill development to aviation startups in the country, and will provide a strong base," he added. With MMTS Train Service from Ghatkesar - Lingampalli via Moula Ali - Sanathnagar flagging off today, the Prime Minister stated that many areas of Hyderabad and Secunderabad region will now be connected making it convenient for passengers. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline today which will carry petroleum products in a cheaper and environmentally sustainable way, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said this will give a push for Viksit Bharat through Viksit Telangana. PM Modi is on three visits to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar from March 4 to 6. (ANI - Posted on 05 March 2024) Telangana is called the Gateway for South India: PM Modi Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! The marine aquarium trade is booming, with research showing 55 million invertebrates and fish are sold globally every year. Corals feature prominently in the sector, thanks to hobbyists preferences for mini reef replicas. Combined with their use in jewellery and curios, the aquarium trade has led to stony corals being the most heavily exploited marine animals in internationally regulated trade. Australia is among the top exporters of corals, according to records from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates global trade in the animals and many other wild species. A better understanding of harvest levels in different species is required to protect the Great Barrier Reef, according to one expert. Source: Morgan Pratchett The countrys largest fishery is in Queensland, where commercial collectors hand pick live stony corals, coral rock, soft corals, and sea anemones from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, outside of certain restricted zones. The maximum allowable commercial catch in the Queensland Coral Fishery (QCF) is 200,000 kilograms annually although the actual harvest is often less with limits in place for different types of coral products and several species. Is coral collecting sustainable? Coral reefs worldwide face existential threats from climate change, plastic pollution and disease. Indeed, 2023 saw widespread bleaching in the Americas and scientists warn 2024 may prove even worse across the Indo-Pacific. Reef ecosystems can also be severely damaged by storms and other extreme weather events. Given these threats, the coral trade is facing increased scrutiny, including extraction in the QCF. With climate change, plastic pollution, and disease already affecting reefs, there are warnings to limit commercial extraction of wild corals. Source: Getty (File) According to Morgan Pratchett, marine biology and aquaculture professor at James Cook University, coral collection on the Great Barrier Reef has long been presumed to be sustainable, due to the reefs size and selective harvesting. But amid rising threats to reefs from other dangers, he says a good understanding of wild stocks status and their sensitivity to non-fishery threats is essential to determine whether harvesting is sustainable. Story continues Presently, the necessary understanding about corals in the QCF is lacking, which is why Pratchett is involved in assessing potentially at-risk corals in this fishery. This is the first step to ensuring that coral harvesting is sustainable, he says. Pratchett also suggests a better understanding of harvest levels in different species is necessary. This applies to the industry more broadly, as many corals are only identified at their genus level in trade records, due to species being difficult to distinguish. This makes exploitation levels unclear. How coral farming could save reefs Amid uncertainties over the coral trades impact, some countries, such as Indonesia, are now farming many internationally traded corals, although these operations often still rely on extraction from 'donor colonies' of corals in the wild. Others like Belize dont allow commercial exports of live stony corals. At a CITES meeting in 2023, its fisheries officer, Mauro Gongora, urged countries to work towards limiting the trade to the lowest level possible, due to corals importance and vulnerability. Belize (pictured) no longer allows live stony corals to be commercially taken, however Australia is among the top exporters of corals. Source: Mauro Gongora Reefs are home to around 25 per cent of all known marine life. According to the United Nations, the ecosystems are worth $US375 billion annually in terms of the resources and benefits they provide, meaning their destruction can threaten food security, jobs, and more, Gongora says. He also emphasises that reef-building corals protect coastlines and people because reef structures provide a buffer from storms. For instance, the Great Barrier Reef limits incoming wave energy, thereby safeguarding coastal ecosystems and people, as The Conversation reported. Globally, the extent of living corals on reefs has dropped in area by half since the 1950s, according to research. With the threats they face showing no sign of abating, Gongora warns, "if we are not very careful in terms of how we regulate the trade of corals, we can find ourselves in very big problems in the future. This story was produced with support from Internews Earth Journalism Network. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Jaishankar discusses trade and energy cooperation with South Korea Minister Ahn Dukgeun Seoul, March 5 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a meeting with South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun in Seoul. The two leaders held discussions on trade and economic cooperation between India and South Korea. EAM Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, also met think tank representatives of South Korea. He stated that exchanges will only increase as the convergences between India and South Korea rise. Sharing insight about the meeting, Jaishankar in a post on X stated, "Interesting conversation with think tank representatives of RoK. Our exchanges and interaction would only increase as the convergences between our two countries grow." Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met the Director of National Security Chang Ho-jin in Seoul. During the meeting, the two sides discussed shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific and contemporary regional and global issues. "Good start to my visit. Met 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," EAM Jaishankar posted on X. During his visit to Seoul, Jaishankar will co-chair the 10th India - South Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul. He is also expected to meet with Korean dignitaries and the Indian community, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. In a press release, MEA stated, "India - Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership has expanded to diverse areas of cooperation, which include trade, investments, defence, education, S&T, and culture." "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," it added. After concluding his visit to South Korea, Jaishankar will travel to Japan from March 6-8 for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Minister's Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. The two Ministers are expected to discuss issues of bilateral, regional and global importance, and exchange views on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, according to MEA. MEA in the press release said, "India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership has further deepened in the last decade in areas such as defence and digital technologies, semiconductor supply chains, clean energy, high-speed rail, industrial competitiveness and connectivity. EAM's visit and meetings in Tokyo will provide strategic guidance to our functional cooperation in these areas." Jaishankar will also participate in the first Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo. He is expected to interact with business leaders, think tanks and academia, building upon strong cultural and people-to-people ties. "EAM's visits to the Republic of Korea and Japan, two of our major partners, will impart further momentum to bilateral exchanges and set the agenda for future cooperation," it added. (ANI - Posted on 05 March 2024) Jaishankar discusses trade and energy cooperation with South Korea Minister Ahn Dukgeun Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Japan PM Kishida to address US Congress next month Washington, March 5 Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has been invited to address a joint session of the US Congress on April 11, congressional leaders said, according to Kyodo news agency. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and other congressional leaders in a letter to Kishida on Monday said that his address, the first by a Japanese leader in nine years, is necessary with the relationship between the United States and Japan "as important as ever," Kyodo reported. According to a White House statement, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Fumio and his wife Kishida Yuko for the official visit, which will include a state dinner, on April 10. "The visit will underscore the enduring strength of our Alliance partnership, the unwavering US commitment to Japan, and Japan's increasing global leadership role," the statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre read. "President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida will discuss efforts to strengthen political, security, economic, and people-to-people ties so that our Alliance is postured to address evolving challenges and advance our shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and world," the White House said. The last time a Japanese prime minister addressed a joint session of Congress was in 2015, when the late Abe Shinzo delivered a speech. According to a report in NHK, US House Speaker Johnson released a statement along with bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate on Monday. In the statement, he says, "It is our honour to host Prime Minister Kishida for his first joint address" to the US Congress. "Now, more than ever, we must speak out against tyranny and continue our pursuit of freedom and democracy worldwide," the Japanese media outlet reported. Johnson, according to the NHK report praised the Japan-US security treaty, calling it a "shining example of international cooperation and diplomacy." He describes the bilateral alliance as a "cornerstone of stability and security" for both nations and the world. The Japanese media outlet further cited sources to say that Kishida is also considering a trip outside Washington to see Japanese companies doing business in the United States. Kishida's US visit comes eight months after Biden hosted Japan's Prime Minister and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol at the US presidential retreat of Camp David for a landmark summit focused on accelerating an anti-China policy. At the end of the first trilateral summit of the three countries, a joint statement condemned the "dangerous and aggressive behaviour" by China and expressed stern opposition against any attempt to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, the joint declaration by US, Japan and South Korea expressed shared concerns over Chinese actions in supporting unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, as well as their strong opposition to any unilateral actions by Beijing aimed at changing the existing situation in the Indo-Pacific waters. They also opposed the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities, and further expressed concern about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. (ANI - Posted on 05 March 2024) Japan PM Kishida to address US Congress next month Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Sunny (Leone) side up: Chica Loca makes you go loco over sumptuous food, trippy drinks Noida, March 5 Sunny Leone's many talents include being a good cook and her ability to spot the right flavours has enabled her newly opened Chica Loca restaurant at Sector 132, Noida, pull off daring combinations in a menu curated by Chef Vaibhav Bhargava. Spread over two floors, Chica Loca's decor is dominated by the rich hues of purple and gold accompanied by velvet seating. A ginormous bar sits on the first floor and next to it are pictures of the Canadian-Indian actress and her family in monochrome. It has seating, dancing and event areas. The terrace has romantic and breezy canopies. Everything about the restaurant is luxurious, including the food and drinks, which can cost up to approximately Rs 2,500 for two people, but the price seems right for the satisfaction it guarantees. Let us start with the drinks. Rainbow Trippin' is one of the best drinks in Chica Loca and is "mostly ordered by couples", according to the bartender, who insisted that it oozes love. The drink is made with rum, mango puree, coconut cream and citrus and catches the eye because of hearts, a rainbow and a 'love is life' edible tattoo placed on it. For those who like their cocktails sweet, a drink that cannot be missed is the tequila-based Charlie. It gets its sweet notes from passion fruit, citrus and berry puree. The drink is served in a glass full of crushed ice and the reason why it was created is because "Charlie Chaplin cried only in the rain". Then came Sunny's favourite avocado chaat. The taste buds will go on a flavour carnival as it has everything right. "The main ingredient, the papdi, is made in-house," said Chef Arpit Verma, explaining their freshness. He added that the "avocados are marinated in chaat masala" and then dunked on to the papdis covered with tangy tamarind chutney, the 'chatpata' coriander chutney and sweet curd. What caught my fancy were the butter chicken gujiyas. These will remind you of the popular Chilean dish, empanadas, but they come with a juicy butter chicken filling and are served in the gravy. You must also try Sunny's other favourite, avocado sushi. Avocado, which seems to be a favourite of the actress, introduces a buttery texture, the sushi rice adds a sweet and sour flavour, and the cucumber adds the crunch and freshness to make it a complete tactile experience. The satiating journey came to an end by flushing everything down with a lemongrass and litchi martini, the fruity gin-based drink that can definitely be tagged as refreshing and delicious. The actress is joined by Sahil Baweja, director of Singing Bowls Hospitality, for this venture, which in every sense gives us a taste of her storied life. What it does not do is let luxury overpower the salience of good food and trippy drinks to ensure a restaurant survives competition and lives to see many milestones. (IANS - Posted on 05 March 2024) Sunny (Leone) side up: Chica Loca makes you go loco over sumptuous food, trippy drinks Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Users flag global outage of FB, Instagram on X, Elon Musk takes veiled dig at Meta New Delhi, March 5 Social media users across the world complained of widespread outages across several Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, on Tuesday. Meta spokesperson, Andy Stone said the company was aware of the troubles being faced by users worldwide, adding that it was working to resolve the issue. "We're aware people are having trouble accessing our services. We are working on this now," Stone posted on X. https://x.com/andymstone/status/1765042684132241580?s=20 DownDetector website showed a spike in graphs showing the widespread outage being experienced by users. According to the outage monitoring service, the service interruption in India started around 8. 30 pm. At least 14,857 users flagged difficulty in using Facebook and 32,518 users in using Instagram, according to the website. The DownDetector map showed outages being experienced in cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and many others. The website also showed outages being experienced not just in India, but in several other countries as well, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil. Facebook users in Nepal also complained that they are not able to access Facebook and even Facebook Messenger. Several social media users took to the microblogging website X -- which is now owned by Tesla CEO Elon Musk -- and complained of difficulties being faced in using the platforms. Meanwhile, taking a veiled dig at Meta over the global outages across its two popular platforms, the Tesla CEO said the server of 'X' platform were 'working'. "If you're reading this post, it's because our servers are working," he posted from his official handle. Further details are awaited. (ANI - Posted on 05 March 2024) Users flag global outage of FB, Instagram on X, Elon Musk takes veiled dig at Meta Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Telangana CM seeks Centre's support for various projects Hyderabad, March 5 Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking Centres support for various projects in the state. Revanth Reddy along with Governor Tamili Sai Soundararajan gave a warm send-off to the Prime Minister at Begumpet Airport on his return after a two-day visit to the state. The Chief Minister requested PM Modi to allot 29 IAS officers to Telangana. He also demanded setting up of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Hyderabad and Centres support for expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail and development of Musi Riverfront. Revanth Reddy sought the Centres cooperation for construction of an elevated corridor on Hyderabad-Srisailam national highway passing through the Amrabad forest area. The PM Modi was told that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3 crore in 2022-23 for preparation of a detailed project report of the elevated corridor to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 7,700 crore. The CM requested the Centre to accord speedy clearance as the project would ease traffic movement between Hyderabad and Srisailam. This would also reduce the distance between Hyderabad and Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh by 45 km. CM Revanth mentioned that though NTPC has power production capacity of 4,000 MW, the previous government achieved production of only 1,600 MW. He sought Centres cooperation for additional power production of 2,400 MW. Stating that Telangana is ready to build Tummidihatti lift irrigation project, the CM requested the PM Modi to make Maharashtra agree for land acquisition and water sharing. While thanking the Centre for granting permission for construction of elevated corridors on Hyderabad-Ramagundam and Hyderabad-Nagpur highways through defence lands, he requested transfer of 178 acres of land in Cantonment area to the state government. He also sought transfer of 1,350 acres of military dairy farm lands (Tosha Khana) near Ponnala village for construction of 10 TMC Keshavpuram reservoir. The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to transfer back to state Shameerpet field firing range (1038) whose lease has expired. (IANS - Posted on 05 March 2024) Telangana CM seeks Centre's support for various projects Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Champaign, IL (61820) Today Some snow flurries during the morning hours will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 39F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 26F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Euthanasia could be the kindest solution to dealing with overabundant koalas, Kangaroo Island's mayor has suggested, following allegations the marsupials are being routinely killed and injured because they have spread into timber plantations now being cleared for farmland. Disturbing images of twisted and bloody koalas allegedly harmed during harvesting on the island aired on Channel 7 on Monday night, sparking outrage across parts of Australia. The Greens responded, describing the allegations as shocking and called for timber harvesting to be paused until the situation is investigated. The public is rightly outraged at reports of this cruelty to koalas. These allegations of death and injury must face an independent investigation immediately, and the company responsible must be held to account, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said. Kangaroo Island Mayor Mike Pengilly suggests euthanasia is really the only real option for responding to overabundant koalas on private property. Source: Kangaroo Island Council/Channel 7 Koala populations causing problems on island, mayor says Kangaroo Island Mayor Mike Pengilly argues the issue has been blown out of proportion, and that most harvesters effectively monitor trees during harvest to avoid harming koalas. He says koalas have become overabundant and are causing problems for both landholders and the natural environment through over-grazing of trees. He's also concerned they die frequently on roads and can be impacted by starvation. Pengilly, who has received death threats over his stance, notes that koalas are not native to Kangaroo Island and were introduced there over a century ago amid fears they could become extinct on the mainland. But they have since proliferated throughout native forests and timber plantations. Euthanasia is already used to reduce kangaroo numbers elsewhere, one program in the ACT is supported by the territory's Labor-Greens government. He believes similar measures could be used with koalas, but the idea is not palatable to those not living on the land. They're warm and cuddly. They're not like kangaroos. But I actually seriously think it is the only option, Pengilly told Yahoo News. Its one everyone is terrified of because of the effect it has on tourism, the internationals and whatnot. Story continues Experts warned about issues in plantations years ago Warnings about koala abundance in plantations are not new. Prior to joining WWF-Australia, conservation scientist Dr Kita Ashman completed a PhD on the issue, and later published an article in The Conversation titled "When gum trees are cut down, where do the koalas go?" Her message in 2019 was that plantation owners needed to be proactive and plan for good koala welfare outcomes ahead of harvesting. She urged them to clear the landscape in a way that prevented koalas from being stranded in fragmented clusters of trees, and instead preserve corridors that allowed them to move into surrounding habitat. "The key thing to all of these recommendations is that it had to be done proactively. What we've seen on Kangaroo Island is a mess because proactive management hasn't happened," she told Yahoo News. "We knew they were breeding up interest in plantations years ago, and there was never any proactive view towards what's going to happen when we harvest." Ashman doesn't support euthanasia of koalas on Kangaroo Island but she says finding a solution will be "tricky". She suspects translocation would be both costly and finding a new home for them would be difficult. "Really what it comes down to is time and money," she said. Euthanasia used to combat overabundant koalas Before the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, euthanasia was sometimes used as a koala control method in the neighbouring state of Victoria. In 2013 and 2014 around 700 starving koalas were euthanised by the state government's environment department in forest near the famous Great Ocean Road that had been severely denuded of feed. Since the fires drew international attention to the plight of koalas, similar large scale culls have not been reported. In Victoria today, euthanasia and sterilisation are sometimes used to respond to koalas suffering from poor health, which occurs on both public land and private property. Koalas routinely shot on Kangaroo Island in the past Prior to the Black Summer bushfires which impacted an estimated 41,000 koalas on Kangaroo Island, sterilisation was being used there in an attempt to reduce numbers. But Pengilly says that program was largely ineffective, and the number of koalas remains high. When koalas became overabundant 20 years ago, Pengilly alleges farmers would simply shoot them and authorities would turn a blind eye. I know one bloke who shot 1100 on his property and just put them in a pit, and there was an understanding it was the way to go, he said. Now he believes a coordinated approach to koala management is needed to protect Kangaroo Islands native wildlife, the rights of property owners and the welfare of koalas. Estimates suggest 41,000 koalas were impacted by fire on Kangaroo Island, with thousands killed in plantations (pictured). Source: Michael Dahlstrom Kangaroo Island mayor receives death threats He argues its hard for many Australians living in cities to understand life in the bush. Since he appeared on Channel 7 and downplayed the severity of the issue of koalas dying in plantations, he claims to have received several death threats. Among them are accusations hes a koala killer and that he should get up a tree, fall out and die. My view is that Australia was out of touch with what really happens in regional Australia and life in the bush. And it's such a city-centric culture around the country now, he said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. How did society treat women in medicine in the past? Key contributions of women in medicine and research Gender diversity and balance in medicine Strategies to encourage more females to pursue careers in medicine and research References Further reading For many years, there have been discussions and debates on the presence of women in medicine. The recent increase in the number of women in the field of medicine and the change in gender composition stems from the contribution of many women in the past two centuries. This article is focused on the important contribution of women in medicine and how it has impacted society's outlook. How did society treat women in medicine in the past? The role of women in medicine and healing has been traced back to several centuries ago. Women were not allowed to enter medical schools in many countries, including the United Kingdom, until the late nineteenth century. Historically, only the rich could afford university-trained medical practitioners for treatment, while others sought help from female healers who were called 'wise women' or sometimes 'witches.'1 The knowledge of herbal remedies was passed down from generation to generation and was often practiced by female healers.2 Historically, the practice of herbal medicine was opposed by the church because it felt that the medicinal benefits would demean the power of prayers. Furthermore, it would decrease the value of medical licenses that were issued by the church to university-trained doctors. Women as healers were not looked upon favorably, and witch-hunting was encouraged throughout Europe.3 Disrupting the Flow: Dr. Naseri's Revolutionary Approach to Empowering Women's Health During this period, midwifery was the only clinical position that was allowed for women to practice as it had a lower status than male medical practitioners. Interestingly, to enter the male-dominated workforce, many females disguised themselves as men. As an example, Dr. James (Miranda) Barry, whose medical career as a physician spanned several decades, was known to be a woman only after she died in 1865.4 The outlook of having women in medicine changed in the nineteenth century with greater progress in science and technology. In the UK, the wave of feminism resulted in the approval of the 'Enabling Act' in 1875, which theoretically allowed British Universities to grant medical licenses to women.2 Vintage photo of a Hospital Hallway Lined With Men In Beds. Image Credit: chippix/Shutterstock.com Key contributions of women in medicine and research Many women enrolled to study medicine in the early twentieth century after medical schools that catered exclusively to women were established. Some of the latest and historical contributions of women in the field of medicine are discussed below: Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831-1895) Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman to earn an MD degree in the United States of America. She worked as a nurse for eight years and consequently gained admission to the New England Female Medical College in Boston. She completed her education in 1864 and became the first black woman to graduate from the school.5 Susie King Taylor (1848-1912) Susie King Taylor was born into slavery and secretly attended a school where she learned how to read and write. During the Civil War, she volunteered for the Army's first Black regiment, where she became the first black army nurse. Taylor opened the first school for black students in Georgia after the war.6 Kadambini Ganguli (18611923) She was the woman of many firsts. Ganguli was the first woman graduate of India and the first Indian woman physician to graduate and practice Western medicine. She overcame many societal obstacles and pursued further medical studies in the United Kingdom. Upon completion of her degree, she returned to India and practiced medicine.7 Gerty Cori (1896-1957) She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Grety Cori emigrated to the US from Prague after completing a doctorate in medicine. She researched how the human body processes sugar and produces insulin and hormones. Cori later joined Washington University in St. Louis as a professor of biochemistry.8 Virginia Apgar (1909-1974) She was the first director of Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital's anesthesia department in 1938. Even though Virginia Apgar studied anesthesiology, she continued to explore the effects of labor, and delivery on a newborn's health. At present, a child's Apgar score is considered the gold standard to determine the health of the newborn. In her 50s, she focussed on the ways to prevent birth defects.9 Tu Youyou (1930-) Tu Youyou is an eminent Chinese scientist and phytochemist who isolated the antimalarial component qinghaosu, later renamed artemisinin, a leading anti-malarial drug. She won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for her medicinal discoveries.10 Patricia Bath (1942-2019) Patricia Bath was a humanitarian and ophthalmologist from the USA who invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment. She was the first African-American female doctor to be awarded a medical patent.11 Maria Elena Bottazzi (1966-) Maria Elena Bottazzi is continuing her work to develop vaccines for neglected tropical diseases such as Chagas, hookworm, leishmaniasis, and schistosomiasis. Although these diseases can be fatal, they are not paid much attention to in developed countries. Bottazzi's research aims to change this thought process and save the poorest population from these tropical diseases through vaccination.12 Gender diversity and balance in medicine In recent years, the number of female medical students has outnumbered males in many countries. Gender differences are more significant in part-time working arrangements, perhaps because the flexibility attracts female doctors more. Currently, the average hours worked by female doctors in the UK is increasing gradually. Interestingly, the number of female and male doctors choosing to work full-time instead of part-time has also increased substantially. It has been observed that for female doctors, spousal support for childcare and domestic responsibilities is an important factor in their career progression. The history of women in medicine Play In comparison to men, more female doctors choose pediatrics and psychiatry as their specialty. Furthermore, they are also inclined to pursue obstetrics and gynecology. In the UK, the choice of specialization also depends on the training route, job security, and stability. In the US, less than 15% of practicing gastroenterologists are female. It has been observed that many female patients prefer to be treated by female doctors. This preference highlights the need for a gender-balanced workforce in medicine. In terms of training and self-development, it has been observed that women doctors attend national conferences much less frequently than their male colleagues. The lack of interaction between female practitioners and the biomedical industry was prominently noted through the design of endoscopic devices. These devices are not designed for women's relatively smaller hands, which increases their risk of musculoskeletal injuries compared to their male colleagues.13 Strategies to encourage more females to pursue careers in medicine and research It has been proposed that grant-making organizations could allow certain funds to pay for eldercare, childcare, or other family-related expenses. This would encourage participants to travel and attend scientific conferences and meetings. Gender-neutral award programs for primary caregivers permit "extra hands" funding opportunities. This funding scheme allows newly independent young investigators, who are also primary caregivers, to employ technicians, postdoctoral fellows, or administrative assistants to carry out experimental work more efficiently. Education could be used as a tool to combat the difficulties faced by the female workforce in medicine and research. All institutions must conduct gender awareness training as part of medical and doctoral/post-doctoral orientations. These training programs are expected to raise awareness and help mitigate gender disparities. References Walling A, Nilsen K, Templeton KJ. The Only Woman in the Room: Oral Histories of Senior Women Physicians in a Midwestern City. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2020;1(1):279-286. Jefferson L, Bloor K, Maynard A. Women in medicine: Historical perspectives and recent trends. British Medical Bulletin. 2015; 114(1), 5-15. Minkowsli LM. Women Healers of the Middle Ages: Selected Aspects of Their History. American Journal of Public Health. 1992; 82(2). Hurwitz B, Richardson, R. Inspector General James Barry MD: putting the woman in her place. Br Med J. 1989; 298:299 Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, January 1). Rebecca Lee Crumpler. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rebecca-Lee-Crumpler Butchart RE. Susie King Taylor. New Georgia Encyclopedia. 2023; Mukherjee, S. Women and medicine in colonial india: a case study of three women doctors. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress.2005; 66, 118393. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44145930. Nicola, L. Gerty, the first female winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine. https://www.ibsafoundation.org/en/blog/gerty-the-first-female-winner-of-the-nobel-prize. 2020; Assessed on February 20, 2024. Oliveira, DRC. The legacy of Virginia Apgar. British Journal of Anesthesia. 2020; 124,3. Liu W, Liu Y. Youyou Tu: significance of winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2016;6(1):1-2. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-3652.2015.12.11 Kermode-Scott B. Patricia Bath: ophthalmologist, inventor, and humanitarian. BMJ. 2019; 366. Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. "Running the Gauntlet": Formidable challenges in advancing neglected tropical diseases vaccines from development through licensure, and a "Call to Action". Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2019;15(10):2235-2242. doi:10.1080/21645515.2019.1629254 Noronha B, Fuchs A, Zdravkovic M, Berger-Estilita J. Gender balance in the medical workplace A snapshot into anesthesia. Trends Anaesth Crit Care, 2022; 43, 4-10. Allan, MJ, et al. Five Strategies Leaders in Academic Medicine Can Implement Now to Enhance Gender Equity. J Med Internet Res. 2023;25:e47933 Further Reading In a recent study published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research, researchers observe an increased risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) and mortality with accelerated biological aging. Study: Accelerated biological aging elevates the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity and mortality. Image Credit: Explode / Shutterstock.com What is CMM? CMM, which is the coexistence of two or more cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), including ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and type 2 diabetes (T2D), has been associated with reduced life expectancy and mortality. CMM occurs due to the physiological aging of cardiometabolic systems; therefore, reliable tools are needed to assess and predict CMM risks for clinical management and prevention. Biological aging measures based on clinical traits reflect the landscape of aging across multiple organs and systems. To date, two biological aging measures have been associated with the risk of mortality, aggravating disability, falls, care home admission, and hospitalization in older adults; however, their associations with CMM dynamics remain undefined. About the study Researchers used health, lifestyle, and physical measurement data from the United Kingdom Biobank participants to assess the relationship between biological aging and CMM risk. Individuals lacking information on CMDs, traits for biological aging measures, covariates, and those with stroke, IHD, or T2D at baseline were excluded from the analysis. Incident T2D, stroke, and IHD cases and mortality were determined using self-reported, primary care, and hospitalization data. Biological aging was quantified based on 12 blood chemistry characteristics, lung function, and systolic blood pressure using the PhenoAge and Klemera-Doubal method Biological Age (KDM-BA) algorithms. Frailty was determined by the frailty phenotype, defined as five deficits, including exhaustion, weight loss, grip strength, walking speed, and physical activity. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using systematic coronary risk evaluation 2 (SCORE2) and Framingham risk score (FRS) algorithms. Covariates included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, ethnicity, employment, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and household income. Survival time was calculated from baseline to incident event, death, or censoring. Cox regression models examined the association of PhenoAge and KDM-BA with first CMD (FCMD), CMM, and death, all of which were adjusted for covariates. Unidirectional multistate models assessed temporal disease progression among participants free of CMDs at baseline. Five transition states were created for pattern A, of which included baseline to FCMD, baseline to death, FCMD to CMM, FCMD to death, and CMM to death. FCMD was stratified into stroke, IHD, and T2D to determine which CMD had a greater risk of CMM. This led to the creation of sub-transitions in stages one, three, and four of pattern A, which resulted in 11 transitions denoted as pattern B. Study findings A total of 341,159 individuals with an average age of 55.8 years were included in the study. Over 95% of the study cohort were White, 53.6% were male, 55.3% were never smokers, 62.9% were employed, 69.5% had at least 10 years of education, and 72.1% reported high physical activity levels. During the follow-up period, 7.71% of participants developed at least one CMD. A total of 2,396 individuals had a stroke, 10,571 with T2D, and 13,352 with IHD. Moreover, 2,502 participants developed CMM, 8,508 deaths were recorded without CMM, and 360 deaths occurred after CMM. The average PhenoAge acceleration was -11.14 years, whereas the mean KDM-BA acceleration was -13.81 years. Both PhenoAge and KDM-BA acceleration estimates were associated with the risk of FCMD, CMM, and mortality. The two measures showed considerable associations with all stages of CMM. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with KDM-BA acceleration were 1.22, 1.14, and 1.42 for transitions from baseline to FCMD, FCMD to CMM, and CMM to death, respectively. For PhenoAge acceleration, the corresponding HRs were 1.24, 1.15, and 1.26, respectively. The probability of FCMD-to-death or CMM-to-death transition was 10-30% greater than the transition from baseline to death. The probability of transition from FCMD to CMM was much higher than that of baseline-to-FCMD transition. The probability of FCMD-to-CMM transition was highest in the eighth year for both measures. The HRs for the baseline-to-FCMD and FCMD-to-CMM transitions for every single standard deviation increase in FRS and SCORE2 were much lower than those of PhenoAge and KDM-BA acceleration estimates. Moreover, the HRs for SCORE2 and FRS for other transitions were not statistically significant. Conclusions Taken together, the study findings highlight that accelerated biological aging could help identify people at risk of CMM and mortality, thereby allowing for early intervention and sub-clinical prevention. People with cancer have different amounts of a type of repetitive DNA -; called Alu elements -; than people without cancer. Now, machine learning can measure that from a blood draw. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have used this finding to improve a test that detects cancer early, validating and reproducing the results by starting with a sample size tenfold larger than typical of such types of studies. The research was published Jan. 24 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Alu elements are small: around 300 base pairs long out of 2 billion steps in a DNA ladder. But, changes in the proportion of Alu elements in people's blood plasma occur regardless of where cancer originates, explains lead study author Christopher Douville, Ph.D., an assistant professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins. Blood testing holds great promise for the earlier detection of cancers before people exhibit any symptoms. However, analyzing results with machine learning "has not necessarily translated into long-term success for patients when minor fluctuations produce widely different predictions in these complex models. To have a long-term impact on patient care, physicians and patients must have confidence that models consistently and reproducibly classify cancer status. In our manuscript, we evaluated 1,686 individuals multiple times to assess whether our machine learning model consistently delivers the same answer." Christopher Douville, Ph.D., assistant professor of oncology, Johns Hopkins Douville and colleagues developed a test to detect aneuploidy, chromosome copy number alterations found in cancers. The test measured aneuploidy through a blood test called liquid biopsy, which detects fragments of cancer cell DNA circulating in the bloodstream. However, Douville observed an unexplained signal that distinguished cancer from noncancer but could not be explained by chromosomes being gained or lost. The team decided to combine their previous test -; able to check 350,000 repetitive locations in DNA -; with an unbiased machine learning approach. Douville and colleagues collected samples from 3,105 people with solid cancers and 2,073 without. The study covered 11 cancer types and 7,615 blood samples. The repeats were used as replicates to see how well the model worked. They reached 98.9% specificity, which meant they could minimize false-positive test results. "This is crucial when screening asymptomatic patients, so people aren't told incorrectly that they have cancer," says Douville. In an independent validation cohort, adding Alu elements to the machine learning model caught 41% of cancer cases missed by eight existing biomarkers and the group's previous test, making "a greater contribution," authors wrote in the paper, "than aneuploidy or proteins." The type of repetitive DNA contributing most to cancer detection was the largest subfamily of Alu elements, called AluS; the blood plasma of people with cancer had less of it than usual. The model was called A-PLUS (Alu Profile Learning Using Sequencing). The code is available online. Despite making up 11% of DNA from humans and other primates, Alu elements have been long touted as too difficult to use as a biomarker, Douville says. "They are small and repetitive -; technically difficult. But this research shows that counting repetitive lengths of DNA in blood plasma -; a motley crew of DNA fragments hailing from organs throughout the body -; is cost-effective and enhances early cancer detection," Douville says. They envision their Alu-based cancer detection as a complement to the toolkit of other cancer tests available to clinicians. The next step is prioritizing which biomarkers seem the most promising and aggregating them together. Study co-authors included Kamel Lahouel, Albert Kuo, Haley Grant, Bracha Erlanger Avigdor, Samuel D. Curtis, Mahmoud Summers, Joshua D. Cohen, Yuxuan Wang, Austin Mattox, Jonathan Dudley, Lisa Dobbyn, Maria Popoli, Janine Ptak, Nadine Nehme, Natalie Silliman, Cherie Blair, Katharine Romans, Christopher Thoburn, Jennifer Gizzi, Michael Goggins, Ie-Ming Shih, Anne Marie Lennon, Ralph H. Hruban, Chetan Bettegowda, Kenneth W. Kinzler, Nickolas Papadopoulos, Bert Vogelstein and Cristian Tomasetti of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and City of Hope. Additional authors were from the Department of Medicine and Department of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh; the Department of Surgery at NYU Langone; and abroad in Vietnam (Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine and Saigon Precision Medicine Research Center) and Australia (the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, the University of Melbourne, the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales). This study was supported by the NIH (grants U01CA271884, R21NS113016, RA37CA230400, U01CA230691, 5P50CA062924-22, Ovarian Cancer SPORE DRP 80057309), Oncology Core CA 06973, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research, the John Templeton Foundation (62818), the Commonwealth Fund, the Thomas M. Hohman Memorial Cancer Research Fund, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, The Sol Goldman Sequencing Facility at Johns Hopkins, the Conrad R. Hilton Foundation, the Benjamin Baker Endowment (80049589), Swim Across America, Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Medical Scientists, the Thomas M. Hohman Memorial Cancer Research Fund, and the NHMRC (Investigator Grant APP1194970). Under a license agreement between Exact Sciences Corp. and The Johns Hopkins University, Tomasetti and the university are entitled to royalty distributions. Tomasetti has patent applications for I.P. related to cancer early detection, is a member of the scientific advisory board of PrognomiQ Inc., an adviser for Haystack Oncology, and a paid consultant for the Rising Tide Foundation and Bayer AG. Vogelstein, Kinzler and Papadopoulos are founders of Thrive Earlier Detection, an Exact Sciences Company, and hold equity in and are consultants to CAGE Pharma. Kinzler, Papadopoulos and Douville are consultants to Thrive Earlier Detection. Vogelstein, Kinzler, Papadopoulos and Douville hold equity in Exact Sciences. Papadopoulos and Douville are consultants to Thrive Earlier Detection. Vogelstein, Kinzler, Cohen and Papadopoulos are founders of and own equity in Haystack Oncology and ManaT Bio. Kinzler and Papadopoulos are consultants to Neophore. Vogelstein is a consultant to and holds equity in Catalio Capital Management. Bettegowda is a consultant to Depuy-Synthes, Bionaut Labs, Haystack Oncology and Galectin Therapeutics, and is a co-founder of OrisDx. Bettegowda and Douville are co-founders of Belay Diagnostics. The companies named above, as well as other companies, have licensed previously described technologies related to the work described in this paper from The Johns Hopkins University. Vogelstein, Kinzler, Papadopoulos, Bettegowda and Douville are inventors of some of these technologies. Licenses to these technologies are or will be associated with equity or royalty payments to the inventors as well as to The Johns Hopkins University. Patent applications on the work described in this paper may be filed by The Johns Hopkins University. The terms of these arrangements are managed by The Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies. Researchers at Cima Universidad de Navarra have discovered that a ribonucleic acid that does not contain information to make proteins (long non-coding RNA) plays a crucial role in signalling and repairing errors in DNA replication during cell division. This finding could lead to the development of new anti-tumor therapies. Scientists have identified an RNA that they named 'lncREST' (long non-coding RNA REplication STress) and uncovered its role in triggering an effective response to the stress induced by rapid cell division. "LncREST localises to chromatin (the structure in which DNA is organised in the cell). Its main function is to facilitate the localisation of key proteins in the process of DNA replication and DNA damage repair where they are needed. In fact, the absence of lncREST has been shown to cause impaired stress signalling, leading to the accumulation of severe DNA defects and, ultimately, cell death", explains Luisa Statello PhD, first and co-corresponding author of the study. We have discovered that lncREST - controlled by the tumour suppressor p53 - acts as a functional sensor. It ensures that the necessary proteins are in the right place at the right time and, that genome replication does not fail." Maite Huarte, leader of the study and principal investigator of the Non-Coding RNA and Cancer Genome Group at Cima Universidad de Navarra The work, published in the journal Nature Communications, has not only revealed IncREST as a critical component of the stress response, but could also be an effective therapeutic target in the fight against various types of cancer. "This discovery is an important step towards a better understanding of how our cells deal with stress during cell division. In addition, it could open up a new avenue for studies to develop new therapies against cancer cells, or improve existing ones, using lncREST as a therapeutic target," argues Statello. The researchers, who carried out the study in colorectal cancer cells and in mouse tumour models, also highlight the promising scenario that may result from combining known inhibitors with lncREST inhibitors to achieve a greater therapeutic effect. "The findings may lead to a combination therapy to use fewer drugs and reduce toxicity to the patient. By using two inhibitors at the same time, the chances of tumour cells developing resistance to treatment are reduced," suggests Huarte. New cutting-edge method In this study, the Cima researchers have reformulated an existing technology to detect RNA molecules in the replication process. "We have developed a methodology called iROND, which allows us to identify RNAs that are located specifically at the sites where DNA is replicating. In fact, that is how we detected lncREST associated with replication sites under stress conditions," reveals Luisa Statello. This research was carried out by a team of scientists with public and private funding from the Worldwide Cancer Research Foundation, the Spanish State Research Agency, the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the European Research Council (ERC) and a Marie Skodowska Curie European grant. Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new generation of high-performance DNA aptamers and highly accurate drug sensors for cocaine and other opioids. The sensors are drug specific and can detect trace amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine even when these drugs are mixed with other drugs or with cutting agents and adulterants such as caffeine, sugar, or procaine. The sensors could have far-reaching benefits for health care workers and law enforcement agencies. "This work can provide needed updates to currently used tests, both in health care and law enforcement settings," says Yi Xiao, associate professor of chemistry at NC State and corresponding author of two studies describing the work. For example, drug field testing currently used by law enforcement still relies on chemical tests developed a century ago that are poorly specific, which means they react to compounds that may not be the drug they're looking for." Yi Xiao, associate professor of chemistry at NC State "And the existing aptamer test for cocaine isn't sensitive and specific enough to detect clinically relevant amounts of the drug in biological samples, like blood. The sensors we developed can detect cocaine in blood at nanomolar, rather than micromolar, levels, which represents a 1,000-fold improvement in sensitivity." In a pair of studies appearing in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) and JACS Au, Xiao led a team that developed aptamer-based sensors for cocaine, heroin, codeine, fentanyl and other illicit drugs. An aptamer is a short single strand of DNA or RNA that will bind to a specific molecule with high affinity, meaning that it won't bind to molecules other than the one of interest. The researchers begin the search by adding the molecule of interest cocaine, for example to a mixture of hundreds of trillions of randomized DNA sequences. Then they see which aptamer binds to the molecule. "We refer to the process as 'bio-panning,' since it is a lot like sifting through river sediment to find gold," says Obtin Alkhamis, NC State graduate student and co-author of both papers. "Once we separate the target-bound strands from non-bound strands, we rigorously test that aptamer against other interfering compounds to ensure that it is specific only to the compound of interest." The researchers then tested the compound-specific aptamers against pharmaceutical mixtures, tablets and blood, to determine whether they could identify certain drugs in the samples. Xiao's team used the cocaine aptamer to detect cocaine in blood serum at levels of 10 nanomolar (equivalent to 30 nanograms per milliliter or 30 parts-per-billion), a 1,000-fold improvement over the best prior aptamer test which can only detect 10 micromolar cocaine in 50% serum. Additionally, collaborators at the University of California Santa Barbara were able to incorporate the aptamer into an electrode that could measure drug concentration in situ in the blood (in a vein) of rats in real time every 10 seconds over a two-hour time period. This is the first study able to measure the pharmacology of a drug of abuse with time resolution measured in seconds. The opioid-specific aptamers were incorporated into colorimetric assays that can specifically detect opioids like heroin and oxycodone in solution at levels as low as 0.5 micromolar (M). A colorimetric assay is a test that changes color when the compound of interest is detected. These assays were also able to detect opioids in complex chemical matrices within seconds including pharmaceutical tablets and drug mixtures. For comparison, the "Marquis test," a standard test used by law enforcement officials and forensic laboratories, could not detect opioids in chemical mixtures. The researchers believe that these aptamer sensors have useful applications for health and public safety. "The aptamers can be mass produced, have a long shelf life and are easily chemically modified, which means they can be utilized for any type of sensor you develop," Xiao says. "So they could be incorporated into testing strips for officers in the field, for use at home or for human patients in a physician's office." "Since they detect drugs at clinically relevant levels, you could potentially do a blood drop test in the ER to immediately determine what a patient may have taken, without a full blood draw and lab testing," Alkhamis says. "The possible uses are really exciting." The work was supported by the National Institute of Justice (awards 2019-DU-BX-0024 and 2022-GG-04440-RESS), the National Science Foundation (grant CHE-2135005), and the National Institutes of Health (grant R01DA051100). Nicole Emmons, Yuting Wang, Kevin Honeywell, Kevin Plaxco and Tod Kippin, all from the University of California Santa Barbara, contributed to the development of the electrochemical aptamer-based sensor for in vivo cocaine testing. NC State graduate students Juan Canoura, Yuyang Wu, Matthew Venzke and Phuong Ly also contributed to the opioid work. insights from industry Kyriakos Michailaros Head of Drug Product Services DS InPharmatics (DSI) This interview addresses the challenges and complexities of developing and manufacturing controlled-release drug formulations. Could you introduce yourself and your expertise in drug development and manufacturing? Since university, I have worked in the development and manufacturing of drugs. After graduating from college with a degree in chemical engineering, I started working in clinical trial manufacturing for a big pharmaceutical company. After that, I worked for several large and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies, all involved in developing drug products, formulations, processes, manufacturing, troubleshooting, commercial support, and introducing new products. This is also the type of work that I have been doing with DSI for the last 14 years. Can you highlight the importance of controlled-release drug formulations? Controlled release is an essential technology in drug delivery. For many diseases, patients do not want to take medications multiple times per day. We can reduce the pill burden on patients by using controlled-release technologies in drug products. Controlled release has many benefits in certain formulations, such as reducing the number of times a patient must dose themselves and providing more consistent levels of medication in their system over time. Can you outline specific challenges in developing controlled-release drug formulations and how your expertise addresses these complexities? When formulating for controlled release, there are certain constraints because different actives have different chemistry and work with different types of controlled-release modifying excipients and other components in the drug product that influence how the drug is released in the body. The excipients used to control drug release must be appropriate for the drug. This is accomplished through screening work, but different drugs and control release polymers have different pH. They also have different ionic characteristics, partition coefficients or physical properties. One of the challenges in developing controlled-release drug products is matching the suitable excipient with the drug to achieve the desired release profile. Another challenge is navigating intellectual property claims that some companies have around drug release. If we are working on a drug that will compete with another, we have to ensure we do not infringe on a patent. This is a consideration that comes up sometimes. However, the main challenge is ensuring that the drug formulation and excipients match the active to achieve the desired overall release profile. What is DSI's strategy for ensuring efficient scale-up and process transfer for controlled-release drug products? When we work with a client, we try to understand where the drug product project will go if it is successful. Cost is always a consideration for our clients, and we look for the most efficient way to get there. By knowing what the end result will be, we can limit the amount of experimental work and customize the design of the experimental development work to get us the information needed for an FDA-approved dosage form. But it all starts with understanding what the end goal is and thereby avoiding unnecessary development work or potentially going down formulation paths that will require a lot of iteration and fine-tuning to work as intended. Our extensive experience, having developed so many different products under time constraints, allows us to streamline the experiments and only do what is required for that particular product to stay as on schedule as possible. How does DSI's early involvement in drug development save time and money and what methods are used in planning and executing controlled release formulations? By having early discussions with our clients about how the final dosage form should perform to meet patient needs, we can stick to a development program that only collects the information we need and keeps the product on track. What strategies does DSI employ to overcome challenges related to varied release times and bioavailability improvement in controlled release formulations? This refers back to the formulation challenges that were discussed earlier. Different actives work well with different excipients, and depending on the indication, the goal may be to release the drug immediately, over four, six, eight, 20, or 24 hours. Once we know the target release profile, we are very experienced in developing formulations that released over a specific time period. We screen certain excipients that may work well with the active under consideration. Then we can fine tune how much of each component is required to achieve the desired profile. Image Credit: DS InPharmatics (DSI) Can you provide some examples of non-sterile drug product formulation and how DSI tailors its approach for different types, such as immediate, controlled and extended release? Most oral products are non-sterile. These include tablets, capsules, oral liquids, and sprinkle formulations. The approaches for developing a drug product are heavily influenced by what the drug product is supposed to do, the disease it is supposed to treat, and the patient population to which it is intended. For example, pediatric populations have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. As a result, our formulation approaches for these types of products focus on something that will not cause a swallowing issue. Oral liquids, and sometimes sprinkles, have a more noticeable taste, that can also become an issue in these types of formulations. For a controlled or an extended release formulation, there are several well-understood technologies, such as matrix formulations or osmotic pump formulations. In some cases, they can extend the release time of a tablet by up to 24 hours. But, once again, it comes down to understanding who the patient population is, what disease they have, and how frequently they will be taking the drug. Considering these factors, we can develop a customized drug product that will be released most appropriately and effectively. What are some considerations and challenges unique to sterile development and how does DSI address them? A major concern in sterile development is to maintain sterility and cleanliness in your process area until the drug product is released. DSI has a team of experts well-versed in parenteral manufacturing, namely sterile manufacturing, that has been through many product development cycles, launches, and audits. These experts understand which aspects of the sterile manufacturing processes must be prioritized. How does DSI support drug product manufacturing? In most cases, we do this based on the needs of our clients. We can offer support in line with what our customers need. If they need a full-time technical expert to attend drug development meetings, lead drug development efforts, scope out experiment plans, and help them in selecting and managing vendors, we can do it all. We visit vendor facilities to review protocols and, on occasion, write protocols for our clients and their vendors to follow. We travel to be present for the manufacturing of critical batches. We are also available by phone or email if any questions come up. However, in most cases, we are involved in semi-regular, often weekly meetings with our clients to discuss drug development issues. We write and review protocols for all of the experimental development work that is needed to get the product through the various phases of clinical trials. We have all the chemistry and manufacturing controls in place to put the package together for our clients. How does DSI offer support for drug product regulatory affairs? We accomplish this by being involved throughout the drug product development process. We help ensure that the information taken at each step of the development process is in line with the regulations and guidance from the FDA, the EMEA, and the ICH (International Conference for Harmonization). By being engaged with our clients, we make sure that the expected regulatory CMC requirements for a drug product are met. We also have regulatory experts who specialize in communicating with the agency and drafting correspondence documents for end-of-phase two, end-of-phase three, and pre-approval meetings with the agency. We have done it all for clients, from being present for development activities to helping answer questions, as well as assisting them with the drafting of briefing books, submissions, NDAs, INDs, IMPDs, and all types of regulatory documents and communications. In addition to our analytical and manufacturing experts, we have a dedicated team of regulatory affairs professionals. About Kyriakos Michailaros Mr. Michailaros provides over 21 years of drug product expertise with both oral and solid processes, and product development and manufacturing. He specializes in difficult technical formulation and manufacturing challenges and products with unique requirements, including controlled release, zero-order release, abuse deterrence, pediatric formulations, oral disintegration. In addition, he has developed, and optimized products including controlled release tablets, abuse deterred capsules, pediatric formulations, solid and liquid filled capsules, suspensions, inhaled products, and transdermal. Before joining DSI, Mr. Michailaros was Senior Engineer, Validation and Commercial Technical Services at Teva Pharmaceuticals as well as Johnson & Johnson. He has served DSI clients for over ten years. He earned a chemical engineering degree from Lehigh University and a mini-MBA in Management Essentials from Rutgers University. About DS InPharmatics DS InPharmatics (DSI) provides regulatory, technical, and project management consulting services to healthcare product companies that manufacture and/or market pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and cellular and gene therapy products. Since 2007 we have provided our clients with innovative strategies and exceptional quality work products intended to enhance product development, approval, and marketing presence. Whether advocating CMC strategy, directing CMC operations or developing CMC submission content that represent the best interests of emerging biotech, we focus on the critical CMC issues and build programs that enhance development. Testing of illicit drugs bought online found 35% were not what they said they were, highlighting the urgent need for more local drug testing facilities in Australia to prevent harm and overdose. The RMIT-led study analyzed 103 illicit drug samples sourced from the now-defunct dark web forum Test4Pay in collaboration with the Australian National University, UNSW Sydney and Canadian testing facility Get Your Drugs Tested. While 65% of samples contained only the advertised substance, the study found 14% of samples had a mixture of the advertised substance with other psychoactive or potentially harmful chemicals. Meanwhile, 21% of samples did not contain any of the advertised substances. MDMA, methamphetamines and heroin sourced were consistently found to only contain the advertised substance. Products sold as ketamine, 2C-B and alprazolam were most likely to be completely substituted with other substances or new synthetic drugs, which increased the risk of unwanted side effects, potential overdose or death. Of the 19 cocaine samples tested, only four were pure cocaine while 13 contained other substances and two samples did not contain any cocaine at all. Lead researcher and RMIT Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow, Dr Monica Barratt, said the results were concerning as drugs sold through cryptomarkets online vendors on the dark web were believed to be less likely to be mixed or substituted with other substances. Cryptomarkets allow anonymous buyers to review purchases, which theoretically means vendors who sell inferior products are more likely to receive bad reviews, thereby rewarding vendors selling superior products." Dr Monica Barratt, RMIT's Social Equity Research Centre "But despite this perception of accountability and quality, our findings show prohibited drugs purchased from cryptomarkets are still not safe from adulteration and substitution." The dark web drug market According to the 2023 National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System survey, there was a slight decline of people buying drugs on the dark web, with more people turning to messaging and social media apps to source drugs. "These apps are a lot more convenient and easier to use than the dark web, but they lack many of the security features and review capacities of darknet markets," she said. Barratt said Australia's policies on tackling darknet markets focused on using law enforcement to 'disrupt' operations. "These takedowns are used to create a sense of general deterrence through announcing arrests and interruptions to markets," she said. "However, we know through research on darknet market takedown operations that this ecosystem is quick to adapt to removal of markets. "These days, vendors have accounts across many markets, in case one goes down, their clients can find them on other markets. This mitigates against the disruption of a takedown." Australia's approach to drug regulation With Australians finding new ways to source illicit drugs, Barratt said it was more urgent than ever to launch more drug checking services. Currently, CanTEST is the only drug checking service available in Australia, with Queensland due to launch its own services this year and Victoria considering following suit. "Drug checking is a precautionary and pragmatic response to the health risks of unpredictable drug markets, often detecting hazardous substances before they flood the local market," she said. While drug checking services have been operating around the world for over 50 years, Barratt said Australia remained resistant to expanding the harm reduction service. "Australia's resistance to opening more drug checking facilities stems from an assumption that drug checking 'green lights' drug use," Barratt said. "Drug checking services never tell consumers that their drugs are 'safe' as no drug use can be 100% safe. "What the service can do is explain the known risks of specific drugs, in a credible and non-judgemental way, enabling people who use drugs to adjust their behavior to reduce risk." A 2022 systemic review of pill testing found people who found unexpected substances in their drugs were more likely to discard them and adjust their use. "If we can prevent overdoses from happening in the first place, then we can not only reduce harm for consumers and avoid the pain felt by bereaved family members, but also ease the pressures on our emergency health system," Barratt said. "Adulteration and substitution of drugs purchased in Australia from cryptomarkets: An analysis of Test4Pay" was published in the Drug and Alcohol Review (DOI: 10.1111/dar.13825) Monica J. Barratt, Matthew Ball, Gabriel T. W. Wong and Angus Quinton are co-authors. In this Gulf Coast city, addiction medicine doctor Stephen Loyd announced at a January event what he called "a game-changer" for state and local governments spending billions of dollars in opioid settlement funds. The money, which comes from companies accused of aggressively marketing and distributing prescription painkillers, is meant to tackle the addiction crisis. But "how do you know that the money you're spending is going to get you the result that you need?" asked Loyd, who was once hooked on prescription opioids himself and has become a nationally known figure since Michael Keaton played a character partially based on him in the Hulu series "Dopesick." Loyd provided an answer: Use statistical modeling and artificial intelligence to simulate the opioid crisis, predict which programs will save the most lives, and help local officials decide the best use of settlement dollars. Loyd serves as the unpaid co-chair of the Helios Alliance, a group that hosted the event and is seeking $1.5 million to create such a simulation for Alabama. The state is set to receive more than $500 million from opioid settlements over nearly two decades. It announced $8.5 million in grants to various community groups in early February. Loyd's audience that gray January morning included big players in Mobile, many of whom have known one another since their school days: the speaker pro tempore of Alabama's legislature, representatives from the city and the local sheriff's office, leaders from the nearby Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and dozens of addiction treatment providers and advocates for preventing youth addiction. Many of them were excited by the proposal, saying this type of data and statistics-driven approach could reduce personal and political biases and ensure settlement dollars are directed efficiently over the next decade. But some advocates and treatment providers say they don't need a simulation to tell them where the needs are. They see it daily, when they try and often fail to get people medications, housing, and other basic services. They worry allocating $1.5 million for Helios prioritizes Big Tech promises for future success while shortchanging the urgent needs of people on the front lines today. "Data does not save lives. Numbers on a computer do not save lives," said Lisa Teggart, who is in recovery and runs two sober living homes in Mobile. "Im a person in the trenches," she said after attending the Helios event. "We don't have a clean-needle program. We don't have enough treatment. And it's like, when is the money going to get to them?" The debate over whether to invest in technology or boots on the ground is likely to reverberate widely, as the Helios Alliance is in discussions to build similar models for other states, including West Virginia and Tennessee, where Loyd lives and leads the Opioid Abatement Council. New predictive promise? The Helios Alliance comprises nine nonprofit and for-profit organizations, with missions ranging from addiction treatment and mathematical modeling to artificial intelligence and marketing. As of mid-February, the alliance had received $750,000 to build its model for Alabama. The largest chunk $500,000 came from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, whose tribal council voted unanimously to spend most of its opioid settlement dollars to date on the Helios initiative. A state agency chipped in an additional $250,000. Ten Alabama cities and some private foundations are considering investing as well. Stephen McNair, director of external affairs for Mobile, said the city has an obligation to use its settlement funds "in a way that is going to do the most good." He hopes Helios will indicate how to do that, "instead of simply guessing." Rayford Etherton, a former attorney and consultant from Mobile who created the Helios Alliance, said he is confident his team can "predict the likely success or failure of programs before a dollar is spent." The Helios website features a similarly bold tagline: "Going Beyond Results to Predict Them." To do this, the alliance uses system dynamics, a mathematical modeling technique developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1950s. The Helios model takes in local and national data about addiction services and the drug supply. Then it simulates the effects different policies or spending decisions can have on overdose deaths and addiction rates. New data can be added regularly and new simulations run anytime. The alliance uses that information to produce reports and recommendations. Etherton said it can help officials compare the impact of various approaches and identify unintended consequences. For example, would it save more lives to invest in housing or treatment? Will increasing police seizures of fentanyl decrease the number of people using it or will people switch to different substances? And yet, Etherton cautioned, the model is "not a crystal ball." Data is often incomplete, and the real world can throw curveballs. Another limitation is that while Helios can suggest general strategies that might be most fruitful, it typically can't predict, for instance, which of two rehab centers will be more effective. That decision would ultimately come down to individuals in charge of awarding contracts. Mathematical models vs. on-the-ground experts To some people, what Helios is proposing sounds similar to a cheaper approach that 39 states including Alabama already have in place: opioid settlement councils that provide insights on how to best use the money. These are groups of people with expertise ranging from addiction medicine and law enforcement to social services and personal experience using drugs. Even in places without formal councils, treatment providers and recovery advocates say they can perform a similar function. Half a dozen advocates in Mobile told KFF Health News the city's top need is low-cost housing for people who want to stop using drugs. "I wonder how much the results" from the Helios model "are going to look like what people on the ground doing this work have been saying for years," said Chance Shaw, director of prevention for AIDS Alabama South and a person in recovery from opioid use disorder. But Loyd, the co-chair of the Helios board, sees the simulation platform as augmenting the work of opioid settlement councils, like the one he leads in Tennessee. Members of his council have been trying to decide how much money to invest in prevention efforts versus treatment, "but we just kind of look at it, and we guessed," he said the way it's been done for decades. "I want to know specifically where to put the money and what I can expect from outcomes." Jagpreet Chhatwal, an expert in mathematical modeling who directs the Institute for Technology Assessment at Massachusetts General Hospital, said models can reduce the risk of individual biases and blind spots shaping decisions. If the inputs and assumptions used to build the model are transparent, there's an opportunity to instill greater trust in the distribution of this money, said Chhatwal, who is not affiliated with Helios. Yet if the model is proprietary as Helios' marketing materials suggest its product will be that could erode public trust, he said. Etherton, of the Helios Alliance, told KFF Health News, "Everything we do will be available publicly for anyone who wants to look at it." Urgent needs vs. long-term goals Helios' pitch sounds simple: a small upfront cost to ensure sound future decision-making. "Spend 5% so you get the biggest impact with the other 95%," Etherton said. To some people working in treatment and recovery, however, the upfront cost represents not just dollars, but opportunities lost for immediate help, be it someone who couldn't find an open bed or get a ride to the pharmacy. "The urgency of being able to address those individual needs is vital," said Pamela Sagness, executive director of the North Dakota Behavioral Health Division. Her department recently awarded $7 million in opioid settlement funds to programs that provide mental health and addiction treatment, housing, and syringe service programs because that's what residents have been demanding, she said. An additional $52 million in grant requests including an application from the Helios Alliance went unfunded. Back in Mobile, advocates say they see the need for investment in direct services daily. More than 1,000 people visit the office of the nonprofit People Engaged in Recovery each month for recovery meetings, social events, and help connecting to social services. Yet the facility can't afford to stock naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse overdoses. At the two recovery homes that Mobile resident Teggart runs, people can live in a drug-free space at a low cost. She manages 18 beds but said there's enough demand to fill 100. Hannah Seale felt lucky to land one of those spots after leaving Mobile County jail last November. "All I had with me was one bag of clothes and some laundry detergent and one pair of shoes," Seale said. Since arriving, she's gotten her driver's license, applied for food stamps, and attended intensive treatment. In late January, she was working two jobs and reconnecting with her 4- and 7-year-old daughters. After 17 years of drug use, the recovery home "is the one that's worked for me," she said. New research from Flinders University has revealed that parents are feeling conflicted, confused and concerned when it comes to zero-alcohol beer, wine and spirts and adolescents. In recent years alcohol-free alternatives have flooded the Australian drinks market, reaching into the millions of dollars and heralding a new - but ever more confusing - era for parents across the country. With such a meteoric rise in choice and popularity, the rules, regulations and wider implications of these drinks for adolescents are still being studied. Non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits, sometimes known as zero-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks, are drinks that have alcohol levels below 0.5 percent by volume but look and taste like their alcoholic counterparts. Whilst alcohol-free alternatives are popular with adults choosing to cut back on their alcohol consumption or quit altogether, there is a grey area when it comes to teenagers says Nathan Harrison from the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), College of Medicine and Public Health. "We already know that conversations around alcohol can be uncomfortable and tricky to broach, especially when it comes to teenagers," says Mr Harrison, who led the latest research published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. "Now parents face the additional challenge of navigating zero-alcohol drinks that look, and taste, like the real thing. "Our research found that parents feel like they don't have enough information to make an informed decision, and are conflicted on whether alcohol-free alternatives are suitable, healthy or possibly harmful for teenagers. "Parents are sometimes confused by zero-alcohol drinks. They wonder if giving them to their children might normalise alcohol, because these drinks look so similar. As a result, around half of the parents we spoke to were concerned that these drinks could result in increased alcohol consumption," says Mr Harrison. Researchers documented the concerns of parents and their decision-making dilemmas regarding drinks like non-alcoholic beer and wine. One parent said, "It works like a gateway drug, you know, that they start on the zero-alcohol and they wanna try the real thing." Another parent said: "If it's the whole 'being cool because you're drinking alcohol' sort of link, it's almost in the same realm as being harmful, you know: it's glorifying, it's normalizing everything about alcohol." Parents also voiced concerns relating to the current marketing of zero-alcohol drinks and the similarity of branding to their alcohol-containing equivalents, in particular the zero-alcohol drinks produced by major alcohol companies-; especially beer brands. Researcher Dr Ashlea Bartram from the College of Medicine and Public Health led recent research that analyzed the views of over 1100 parents, finding that those who are confused about alcohol guidelines for adolescents are more likely to provide zero-alcohol products to their teenagers. Dr Bartram says that parents face considerable challenges in setting boundaries and navigating conversations surrounding alcohol with their teenage children. "Research has shown that delaying the introduction of alcohol to children can reduce the likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol-related issues later in life. "This underscores the importance of parental guidance and intervention in shaping healthy behaviors and decision-making regarding alcohol consumption. "Many parents want to do what they can to minimize harms from alcohol to their children. For now, we advise a precautionary approach and recommend that parents do not provide zero-alcohol drinks to their adolescents. "We know that they are not intended for consumption by children and we would like to see steps towards preventing children and young people from accessing and consuming these products going forward," she adds. Zero-alcohol drinks are allowed to be marketed and sold in ways that regular alcoholic drinks cannot. Any amount of any type of alcohol increases the risk of seven types of cancer, and it's important to make sure that children and young people are not exposed to advertising from alcohol companies that could put them at risk of harm." Christine Morris, Prevention and Advocacy Manager at Cancer Council SA 'They start on the zero-alcohol and they wanna try the real thing: Parents' views on zero-alcohol beverages and their use by adolescents' by lead author Nathan Harrison, Christina A. Norris, Ashlea Bartram, Michael Murphy, Simone Pettigrew, Ally O. Dell, Robin Room, Caroline Miller, Ian Olver Marina Bowshall, Cassandra J. C. Wright, Rebecca Jenkinson and Jacqueline A. Bowden. DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100119 'Which parents provide zero-alcohol beverages to adolescents? A survey of Australian parents' practices and intentions' by lead author Ashlea Bartram, Nathan J. Harrison, Christina A. Norris, Susan Kim, Simone Pettigrew, Robin Room, Caroline Miller, Ian Olver, Rebecca Jenkinson, Marina Bowshall and Jacqueline A. Bowden. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107840 This research was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council GNT1157069 and produced with the financial and other support of Cancer Council SA's Beat Cancer Project on behalf of its donors and the State Government of South Australia through the Department of Health. It's the ethical dilemma almost every dog owner in Australia has faced at one point or another. You're out walking your furry friend, and then suddenly nature calls and you're forced to bend down and pick up a steaming hot pile of something you'd much rather not. If you're lucky, a public bin will be close by but if not, what then? Many Aussies choose to carry around their newly-obtained doggy handbag until such an amenity is in sight, but others will simply opt to ditch it in the closest bin at their disposal, often belonging to a household. Whether you're the one helping yourself to somebody else's kerbside bin, or an occupant of a home who is sick of being targeted by dog owners, it's a relatable issue that's long sparked heated debate. A Bondi resident has unleashed online over what he said was Eastern Suburbs residents' consistent dumping of dog poo in his bins. Source: Facebook Bondi man reignites age-old debate One Bondi man reignited the discussion on Tuesday, taking to social media to post a lengthy rant in an attempt to deter Eastern Suburbs residents from ditching their dog poo in his red-lidded bin. "BONDI DOG OWNERS - what is the matter with you?" the frustrated local asked on the community Facebook page. "Our bin was only emptied last night and already its building up a collection of baggies. Theres even a steamer in the grass ...Get your shit together or Im installing razor wire and an electric fence," he said. It's not the first time the resident posted to social media about the issue. The local recently wrote about what he described as "Bondi's biggest dog turd" being left on his neighbour's lawn. The droppings were so big in fact he theorised they were human. What do you think? "Personally I think its human but my neighbour, on whose lawn the offending item resides thinks its a Great Dane. Can the offender please clean up after themselves or their dog. Its getting out of control on Beach Road," he said at the time. Story continues "Waverley Council should start fining offenders." Aussies appear to be bitterly divided In response to today's post, people questioned what exactly the resident was taking issue with, the fact others didn't pick up the poop, or rather that they left it behind in his bin. "Are you upset about people picking s**t up and putting it in a bin, or not picking the s**t up?" one man asked. "Better in the bin then left on the street, hey. It's a bin, get over it honestly," a woman wrote. A Bondi local said the vicinity of his home is frequently targeted by poo-dumpers. Source: Facebook "Geez (sic) mate, you complain when people pick it up and when people don't. If you put your bin properly inside your property then it won't get those presents," another said. Others agreed with his sentiment. "Gets my goolies BIG TIME dog sh*t sits in bottom of my freshly- cleaned bin," a woman said. "Pongs it out forever. You own dog, deal with your own! Do not make others apart of your issue. Do to others as you would have done to you." Sydneysiders feel strongly about the issue It's an issue that has divided Australians for some time, and one that appears to frustrate Sydney residents in particular. A Sutherland Shire resident sparked debate in 2022, asking whether it's acceptable to dispose of canine excrement in someone else's bin. In September last year, another Sydney local fired up about whether it was inappropriate to lean over a fence to dispose of dog droppings. One resident of the city's southwest even went as far as calling out their "local dog poo bandit" in a very unique way, using a hand-written note nailed to a tree. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. A Maryland firm that oversees the nation's largest independent network of primary care medical practices is facing a whistleblower lawsuit alleging it cheated Medicare out of millions of dollars using billing software "rigged" to make patients appear sicker than they were. The civil suit alleges that Aledade Inc.'s billing apps and other software and guidance provided to doctors improperly boosted revenues by adding overstated medical diagnoses to patients' electronic medical records. "Aledade did whatever it took to make patients appear sicker than they were," according to the suit. For example, the suit alleges that Aledade "conflated" anxiety into depression, which could boost payments by $3,300 a year per patient. And Aledade decided that patients over 65 years old who said they had more than one drink per day had substance use issues, which could bring in $3,680 extra per patient, the suit says. The whistleblower case was filed by Khushwinder Singh in federal court in Seattle in 2021 but remained under seal until January of this year. Singh, a "senior medical director of risk and wellness product" at Aledade from January 2021 through May 2021, alleges the company fired him after he objected to its "fraudulent course of conduct," according to the suit. He declined to comment on the suit. The case is pending and Aledade has yet to file a legal response in court. Julie Bataille, Aledade's senior vice president for communications, denied the allegations, saying in an interview that "the whole case is totally baseless and meritless." Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Aledade helps manage independent primary care clinics and medical offices in more than 40 states, serving some 2 million people. Aledade is one of hundreds of groups known as accountable care organizations. ACOs enjoy strong support from federal health officials who hope they can keep people healthier and achieve measurable cost savings. Aledade was co-founded in 2014 by Farzad Mostashari, a former health information technology chief in the Obama administration, and has welcomed other ex-government health figures into its ranks. In June 2023, President Joe Biden appointed Mandy Cohen, then executive vice president at Aledade, to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Aledade has grown rapidly behind hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital financing and was valued at $3.5 billion in 2023. Mostashari, Aledade's chief executive officer, declined to be interviewed on the record. "As this is an active legal matter, we will not respond to individual allegations in the complaint," Aledade said in a statement to KFF Health News. "We remain focused on our top priority of delivering high-quality, value-based care with our physician partners and will defend ourselves vigorously if needed in a court of law." The lawsuit also names as defendants 19 independent physician practices, many in small cities in Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. According to the suit, the doctors knowingly used Aledade software to trigger illegal billings, a practice known in the medical industry as "upcoding." None has filed an answer in court. More than two dozen whistleblower lawsuits, some dating back more than a decade, have accused Medicare health plans of overcharging the government by billing for medical conditions not supported by patient medical records. These cases have resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties. In September 2023, Cigna agreed to pay $37 million to settle one such case, for instance. But the whistleblower suit filed against Aledade appears to be the first to allege upcoding within accountable care organizations, which describe part of their mission as foiling wasteful spending. ACOs including Aledade made headlines recently for helping to expose an alleged massive Medicare fraud involving urinary catheters, for instance. Finding the 'gravy' Singh's suit targets Aledade's use of coding software and guidance to medical practices that joined its network. Some doctors treated patients on standard Medicare through the ACO networks, while others cared for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, according to the suit. Medicare Advantage is a privately run alternative to standard Medicare that has surged in popularity and now cares for more than 30 million people. Aledade has sought to expand its services to Medicare Advantage enrollees. The lawsuit alleges Aledade encouraged doctors to tack on suspect medical diagnoses that paid extra money. Aledade called it finding "the gravy sitting in the [patient's] chart," according to the suit. The company "instructed" providers to diagnose diabetes with complications, "even if the patients diabetes was under control or the complicating factor no longer existed," according to the suit. Some medical practices in Delaware, North Carolina, and West Virginia billed the inflated code for more than 90% of their Medicare Advantage patients with diabetes, according to the suit. The lawsuit also alleges that Aledade "rigged" the software to change a diagnosis of overweight to "morbid obesity," which could pay about $2,500 more per patient. Some providers coded morbid obesity for patients on traditional Medicare at 10 times the national average, according to the suit. "This fraudulent coding guidance was known as 'Aledade gospel,'" according to the suit, and following it "paid dividends in the form of millions of dollars in increased revenue." These tactics "usurped" the clinical judgment of doctors, according to the suit. 'No diagnosis left behind' In its statement to KFF Health News, Aledade said its software offers doctors a range of data and guidance that helps them evaluate and treat patients. "Aledades independent physicians remain solely responsible for all medical decision-making for their patients," the statement read. The company said it will "continue to advocate for changes to improve Medicare's risk adjustment process to promote accuracy while also reducing unnecessary administrative burdens." In a message to employees and partner practices sent on Feb. 29, Mostashari noted that the Justice Department had declined to take over the False Claims Act case. "We recently learned that the federal government has declined to join the case U.S. ex rel. Khushwinder Singh v. Aledade, Inc. et al. That's good news, and a decision we wholeheartedly applaud given the baseless allegations about improper coding practices and wrongful termination brought by a former Aledade employee three years ago. We do not yet know how the full legal situation will play out but will defend ourselves vigorously if needed in a court of law," the statement said. The Justice Department advised the Seattle court on Jan. 9 that it would not intervene in the case "at this time," which prompted an order to unseal it, court records show. Under the false claims law, whistleblowers can proceed with the case on their own. The Justice Department does not state a reason for declining a case but has said in other court cases that doing so has no bearing on its merits. Singh argues in his complaint that many "unsupported" diagnosis codes were added during annual "wellness visits," and that they did not result in the patients receiving any additional medical care. Aledade maintained Slack channels in which doctors could discuss the financial incentives for adding higher-paying diagnostic codes, according to the suit. The company also closely monitored how doctors coded as part of an initiative dubbed "no diagnosis left behind," according to the suit. The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Ltd. declared on March 4 that the underground Kankariya East Metro station in the east-west corridor of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project will be made functional from today. This Metro station connecting Thaltej and Vastral is located underground on the east-west corridor between Kalpur railway station-based Metro station and Apparel Park Metro station. Currently, the Kankaria East metro train services are operational in Ahmedabad from 6:20 AM to 10:00 PM, with a flat 12-minute headway between 07:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The opening of the Kankaria East metro station is poised to further streamline travel around the city, providing commuters a reliable and efficient mode of transportation. Kankariya East Metro station in the east-west corridor of the Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project is ready for passenger operation today, March 4, 2024. Metro train services will be available at Kankaria East station for passengers as per existing operational timings, effective from March 5, 2024. Presently, Metro Train services are operational in Ahmedabad from 6:20 am to 10:00 pm with a flat 12-minute headway between 07:00 am and 10:00 pm, stated Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) Ltd. in a press release. The strategic location of the Kankaria East metro station is expected to cater to travelers going to Kankaria Lake, a popular recreational spot in Ahmedabad. It is anticipated that the metro station will witness substantial pedestrian activity during Sundays and holidays. The Kankaria East metro station is well-positioned to house the influx of commuters seeking to explore the vibrant attractions in the vicinity. It is to be noted that parallel construction was adopted instead of the sequence method to expedite work at Kankaria Station. The project team also followed a new methodology of TBM passthrough without a D-Wall at Kankaria East metro station. In October 2022, the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) announced that three stationsThaltej Gam, Sabarmati, and Kankaria East were yet to open as construction work on them was underway. Recently, officials stated the Sabarmati station, which connects the Ramnagar railway station and bullet train going to North India, is nearing completion. It is expected to be the next metro station to be inaugurated after the Kankaria East metro station, according to the Times Of India. The media outlet also reported that the officials also informed that the Thaltej Gam metro station is likely to be completed and operational by the end of the year, along with the second phase of the metro project, which links the city to Gandhinagar. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced the launch of a pod taxi service to improve commuting to the Bandra-Kurla Complex, the business hub of Mumbai. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has given the green light for this service on the 8.8 km route between Bandra and Kurla railway stations. According to the Chief Ministers office, these pods will have a capacity of six passengers each and will run at a speed of 40 km per hour. They will also have 38 halts along the route. The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership, which is expected to greatly enhance the commute between the two railway stations and the BKC area Last year, the Uttar Pradesh government announced a pod taxi service, which will connect the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar to the proposed Film City, will be launched by 2024. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) approved the detailed project report of the Rs 810-crore project in Sector 21. According to the plan, there will be 12 stations on the 12-km route connecting the two mega projects within the YEIDA area. Pod taxis, officially known as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), are a type of public transportation system that consists of small, driverless vehicles designed to carry a small number of passengers or goods. Shares of IIFL Finance Ltd. are down in a 20 per cent lower circuit on Tuesday after the Reserve Bank of India imposed restrictions on further sanctions and disbursements of gold loans. Following the development, the stock fell 20 per cent to hit a low of Rs 478.50 on BSE. This is the biggest single-day drop for the company since its demerger in 2019. In May 2019, IIFL had demerged IIFL Wealth Management and IIFL Securities from IIFL Finance to create three different entities. In an analyst call held earlier this morning, IIFL Finances management said that the number of customer complaints that have gone to the Reserve Bank of India with regards to the gold loan are very few. They further added that they have requested for a meeting with the central bank today itself. Reserve Bank of Indias concerns were received by the company in January and they are taking corrective actions, the management said during the earnings call. However, the management also clarified that there will be no impact on the companys recovery process and there is no embargo on the auction of gold for recovery either. There were also no governance issues or KYC issues in RNBIs report. Motilal Oswal Securities called it a major negative setback for IIFL, as gold loans constitute 32 per cent of its AUM mix and a large proportion of co-lending done by the NBFC was in the gold loan segment. Since these are process-related lapses, the company can work with the regulator to rectify its observations in the gold loan portfolio. Given that there is little clarity on the duration for which this ban could remain in effect, it is difficult to quantify the impact of this ban on IIFLs AUM growth and profitability. We may look to revise our estimates after the conference call hosted by the IIFL management on March 5, Motilal Oswal Securties said. Motilal Oswal, however, noted that the RBI has allowed IIFL Finance to service its existing gold loan portfolio through the usual collection and recovery processes. The RBI also shared the findings of an inspection that it carried out into the companys financial position as of March 2023. The regulator found certain material supervisory concerns in IIFLs gold loan portfolio, including: Serious deviations in gold appraisal and certification of purity and net weight of gold at the time of sanctioning of gold loans and at the time of auction upon default, it said. Besides, the RBI found breaches in loan-to-value (LTV) ratio; significant cash disbursements and collections (far in excess of the statutory limit); non-adherence to the standard auction process anda lack of transparency in charges being levied on customer accounts. The regulator also shared that it was engaged with the companys senior management team and statutory auditors over the last few months. However, since no meaningful corrective action was forthcoming, it necessitated the imposition of business restrictions with immediate effect to safeguard the interests of customers, Motilal Oswal said. SpiceJet Ltd shares rose 3.87 per cent to hit a day high of Rs 65 in Tuesdays deals. This comes after SpiceJet on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that it has settled its Rs 93 crore-dispute with aircraft leasing firm Cross Ocean Partners. As a part of this settlement, SpiceJet will acquire additional assets including an airframe and an engine. The company said it expects substantial savings as a result of this settlement. The parties made this joint announcement before the Delhi High Court in the ongoing execution petition being pursued by Cross Ocean Partners. The settlement is expected to result in significant savings for SpiceJet and also put an end to dispute. As part of the arrangement, the airline will also benefit from transfer of airframe and an engine at no additional cost, augmenting its operational capabilities, the airline stated. We are pleased to have reached a mutually acceptable resolution with Cross Ocean Partners, which will result in significant cost savings for SpiceJet and also cease prolonged expensive litigation. This settlement reinforces our commitment to effectively settle with our partners and strengthen our operational capabilities. We remain focused on sustaining the positive momentum and creating long-term value for our stakeholders, said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet in a statem .. In addition to this settlement, SpiceJet recently concluded a similar agreement with Celestial Aviation, a subsidiary of AerCap, one of the largest aircraft lessor groups. The settlement was valued at $29.9 million (Rs 250 crore). On technical setup, the counter was trading higher than the 5-day, 100-, 150-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMAs) but lower than the 10-day, 20-, 30-day and 50-day SMAs. The stocks 14-day relative strength index (RSI) came at 48.90. A level below 30 is defined as oversold while a value above 70 is considered overbought. The companys stock has a negative price-to-equity (P/E) ratio of 47.25 against a negative price-to-book (P/B) value of 1.61. SpiceJet has been facing headwinds for the last couple of quarters for want of funds, leading to the grounding of a number of aircraft and returning some of the leased planes to the lessors. Some of its lessors have dragged the airline even to court for non-payment of lease rentals. SpiceJet in late February said it raised an additional Rs 316 crore through a preferential share issue, taking its overall fundraise to Rs 1,060 crore. In January SpiceJet had received Rs 744 crore as the first tranche of funds through the allotment of securities on a preferential basis. On December 12, the airline had said it would raise fresh capital of Rs 2,250 crore through issuance of securities. Sainik Schools Society (SSS) is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The society runs Sainik schools. Sainik Schools are English-medium residential schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). They offer admission to students in Classes 6 to 9. Many students aim to take admission in these schools that have been spread all across the country. The only way to get into Sainik schools is through an entrance examination called the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination, which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This year, the AISSEE 2024 was conducted in January 2024. Many students took the exam. Now, there are reports that the results can be out any time soon. The All India Sainik School Entrance Exam (AISSEE) result is expected to be released this week. Earlier, NTA released the AISSEE 2024 answer key on February 25, 2024. Students can check their answers through the provisional answer key. Apart from that, the agency has also released the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets and recorded responses. Students were allowed to lodge objections on this until February 27, 2024. Generally, Sainik School Entrance Exam results are released within 10 days of the closure of the objection window for the AISSEE 2024 Answer. Students and parents are expecting it to be released this week. The AISSEE 2024 result will be released on the official website of the NTA: www.exams.nta.ac.in. After its declaration, students should check the details entered in it carefully. In case of any discrepancy, students and parents can contact the NTA. AISSEE 2024 Results: How to Check Step 1: To check the Sainik School Entrance Exam result, students and parents will have to go to the official website of the NTA: https://exams.nta.ac.in/. Step 2: Click on the Sainik School 2024 Result link on the homepage of the website. Step 3: Then, the students are required to enter the login details and then click on submit. Step 4: After that, AISSEE Result 2024 will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: After checking the scorecard, students can download it. Then, take a printout of the result for future reference. It was Chaiwala in 2014, Chowkidar in 2019 and now it is Parivaar. The Opposition seems to have conceded another full toss to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Lok Sabha election. This time too, the BJP wont lose the chance to make this a mass public campaign. 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. Nearly all BJP leaders and thousands of BJP workers have added Modi Ka Parivaar to their social media handles. Common people will make it (the campaign) bigger. People know how the PM has been addressing them as parivaar-jan (family members) in recent months. Now, people would closely relate with the same, another senior BJP leader told News18. Celebrities may well amplify the campaign as well. It was Mani Shankar Aiyyar of the Congress who had set the tone for the BJP ahead of the 2014 general elections with his infamous chaiwala jibe at Modi. The BJP pitched the election as one being fought by a commoner against the family dynasty of the Gandhis. In 2019, Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at Modi saying Chowkidaar Chor Hai to allege a scam in the purchase of the Rafale fighter jets. The BJP turned the tables then too, with Modi saying Main Bhi Chowkidaar and all BJP leaders taking that line to attack the Congress. Personal attacks against PM Modi have never worked and, in fact, have boomeranged on the political opponents. While people related to Modis commoner image in 2014, they did not believe Gandhis corruption allegations against Modi in 2019 given the PMs clean record and na khaunga, na khane dunga motto. The BJP has made the spotless and corruption-free political career of Modi over the last 23 years the centerpiece of its campaign in 2024. RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has sent the parivaar jibe to the BJP way too, only helping the saffron party sharpen its political narrative. The PM did not lose even 24 hours to now attack Lalu after the latter said on Sunday that Modi had no family and hence was taking potshots of dynasty politics against his opponents. Modi has led the way in getting empathy from the people, saying they are his family and he stands with even those who do not have anyone. This development will also make the BJPs campaign against dynasty politics more effective as it puts the likes of RJD, SP, DMK and Congress in the dock for protecting their family interests while Modi stands for a much larger cause of Bharat. This is a self-goal like none other by the INDIA bloc. Inching closer to the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll dates, a team of the Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed the tour of five states since February 16 and is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir next week before declaring the schedule. On Tuesday, the ECI team, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, ended its tour in West Bengal. Speaking to the media before wrapping up his tour, Kumar assured that violence will not be tolerated during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He said that strict instructions have been issued to the bureaucracy in the state. West Bengal has a history of both pre-and post-poll violence. There is no place for fear or intimidation in elections. Any partisan approach to the bureaucracy will not be tolerated. There is absolutely no tolerance for any form of violence in this celebration of democracy, he said. The CEC added that there is no place for money power and violence in the elections. As per sources, the ECI team will visit Jammu and Kashmir next week. The team has already visited Andhra Pradesh in January. Since February 16, it has been on back-to-back visits to Odisha, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. The ECI heads visit the states and union territories ahead of polls to ensure that all preparations are done properly for free and fair elections. The terms of the Lok Sabha and the assemblies in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim will end in June. These four states will witness simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections. In 2019, the parliamentary polls were announced on March 10. The counting of votes took place on May 23. The total electorate of India has reached 96.88 crores the largest in the world. The poll body data shows that six states Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh have more than half of these voters. These six states collectively have more than 51 crore voters. When compared to 2019, there has been an eight per cent increase in voters in 2024 from 89.6 crore to 96.8 crore. Members of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra are conducting hectic meetings every week to finalise a seat-sharing formula so that the Congress can get clearance for the constituencies and candidates from their high command and the coalition can kick off campaigning in the state for the coming Lok Sabha elections. A senior leader of Maha Vikas Aghadi told News18 that talks are in the final stages. Only a few seats still have to be discussed. Once that is done, we expect that by this week we may hold a press conference and announce it, he said. According to sources within MVA, talks are going on for seats like Bhiwandi, Mumbai South Central, Ramtek, and Nashik. Once the matter is settled, the top leadership of the alliance is likely to hold discussions with Prakash Ambedkar of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), as this time the three-time MP and Dalit leader has shown interest in fighting against the BJP-led bloc by joining the MVA. According to sources, Ambedkar has already submitted a proposal to MVA, saying his party wants to contest at least 27 Lok Sabha seats. He also wants the MVA to give tickets to at least 15 OBC candidates and three from minority communities. MVA member Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) is already in alliance with Ambedkar and is confident of further positive talks with him. Top MVA leaders Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Nana Patole, and Balasaheb Thorat are likely to hold discussions with Ambedkar. As per a source, one seat which is yet to be finalised is the South Central Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency. Chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Senas Rahul Shewale represents this seat. In the MVA, both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) want to contest this seat. The Congress says it is a party tradition, but Shiv Sena (UBT) feels it has a natural claim as it has beaten the grand old party here in the previous two elections. Sources also indicated that Mumbai Congress chief and former state minister Varsha Gaikwad has shown a willingness to stand in the polls from here because her late father Eknath Gaikwad used to contest from this seat. Also, the constituency includes areas like Dharavi, Dadar, Sion, Wadala, Mahim, and Chembur, with a significant number of Dalit voters. Sources say the Dharavi redevelopment issue, which is on the boil, may also help Varsha Gaikwad fetch more votes. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has not yet decided on a candidate for the seat, but there are reports that former Rajya Sabha member and party office bearer Anil Desai could get picked. MVA partners Congress and Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar are in a tussle over the Bhiwandi constituency. The seat is adjacent to the Thane Lok Sabha constituency, and the area was seen as a bastion of the Shiv Sena. But after the party split, Shiv Sena (UBT) doesnt have a huge influence in Thane, though its leader Rajan Vichare is the MP here. The Bhiwandi Lok Sabha seat is with BJPs state minister Kapil Patil. He won the seat in 2014 and then again in 2019. Before 2014, Patil was in the then-undivided NCP. Another interesting seat is Nashik. The undivided NCP and Shiv Sena have traditionally fought each other here. Now, both Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar are claiming this seat, which is being held by Eknath Shindes party. While the states ruling Mahayuti comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, and NCP is not holding alliance meetings, sources say discussions are underway. According to them, the BJP central leadership has given a target of 45 seats to the state unit. In 2014, the BJP contested 24 seats in Maharashtra and won 23, while Shiv Sena contested 20 and won 18. The Congress contested 22 seats and won two, while the NCP contested 21 seats and won four. In 2019, the BJP contested 25 seats and won 23, while Shiv Sena contested 23 and won 18. The Congress contested 25 seats and won one, while the NCP contested 19 seats and won four. A source also indicated that the formulas of the 2014 and 2019 general elections would not come into play this time due to the splitting of the original Shiv Sena and NCP. The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) lone Muslim candidate on the first list of Lok Sabha candidates, M Abdul Salam, for Keralas Mallapuram seat is on a mission. My primary task is to shine the light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the dark minds of Muslim minorities. I want to make them realise that they have been living in the darkness created around them. PM Modi has spent a large amount of time and money for development of Muslims and Christians," he told News18. ALSO READ | PM Modi From Varanasi, Amit Shah From Gandhinagar: Check Full List Of 195 BJP Candidates For LS Polls Salam, the former vice-chancellor of Calicut University (CU), is contesting for the second time on a BJP ticket. His electoral debut was in 2021, when he was a BJP candidate from Tirur in Mallapuram in the Kerala assembly polls. He finished third with 9,097 votes. Before serving as vice-chancellor of the Calicut University, Salam has been a professor and head of the department of agronomy at the Kerala Agricultural University. He will contest from the communally volatile Mallapuram, which has, over several decades, seen bloodshed due to clashes between the cadres of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the now-banned terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). MUSLIMS LIVING IN CREATED DARKNESS; SAFEST IN INDIA Salam says that people in the region have been misled over the years and have been living in darkness, while many are living in created darkness. The Muslims have a strict religious network in the area and they are guided by the madrasas. They are living in a different time. My aim is to go with a powerful lamp and shine the light of Modi and development in their minds and hearts," he said. On being selected as the lone Muslim candidate so far, Salam feels that it is important for him to be the voice of minorities. Minorities are the safest in India. Indian Muslims have the safest haven in India, more than the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have the maximum freedom to do what they want. They can express, expand their religion and have democratic freedom," he said, blaming the Oppositions INDI Alliance for creating false propaganda. Salam added that the INDI Alliance has been stopped from looting public money" as they have not been in governance for 10 years, while Modi was in power. They are unable to resist their hunger to grab public money, so they are planning this propaganda against the BJP and Muslims," he said. MODI IS CANDIDATE ON EVERY SEAT When asked what would be the focus of the BJP in Kerala, the former VC said that there is a huge Modi phenomenon and undercurrent in favour of the party. Salam said that the revolution created by Modi in terms of eradicating poverty, industrial, education, tourism and environmental revolution is winning hearts. Kerala has seen a severe spike in corruption, lawlessness, increased activity of terrorist groups and the BJP can put a stop to it, he said. Modi is contesting from all Lok Sabha seats in the country. I would go one step ahead and say those who are contesting are mere representatives, the votes the candidates get are just byproducts of peoples love for Modi," he said. ALSO READ | Go Win, Well Meet Again Soon: Modis Message to Council of Ministers Before Lok Sabha Polls THE MODI IMPACT So why did he shift from being an educationist to a politician? I have never even said Inquilab Zindabad or participated in strikes during my career. But then I saw the impact Modi was making since 2009. He is a PM who has made such a big impact, who has a mission, vision and powerful action. I could not resist myself," he explained. I mentally joined the BJP in 2014, but officially in 2019, with the help of present Goa Governor Sreedharan Pillai. I told Mr. Pillai I was joining the party for Modi, not for the BJP. Such has been the impact of the leader on me," he told News18. On his chances in the election, Salam said his mantra would be: Modi mantra, Modi model of governance and development and Modis model of Muslim inclusivity." Swimmers at one of the country's busiest beaches were sent fleeing from the water on the weekend after a shark was spotted by a member of the public. As temperatures heated up at Noosa on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, beachgoers flocked to Little Cove to soak up what remained of the summer sun, but just after 10am everyone was ordered out of the water after the sighting, which was later confirmed by the the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter. It's not known what type of shark was located, but a spokesperson for Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLS QLD) said a drone was deployed to patrol the area along with crews on a rescue water craft and inflatable rescue boat (IRBs). People quickly flocked to social media to warn others of the sighting, with many taking aim at the shark nets along Noosa Main Beach. Although the SLS QLD spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia the animal was spotted outside of the netted area. A shark sighting at Little Cove on Noosa Main Beach sent swimmers fleeing to the shore over the weekend. Source: Facebook Surf Life Saving Queensland confirmed the animal was seen outside of the nets, with the beach reopening roughly one hour later. Source: Facebook Authorities confirm 'no other sightings observed' Life savers said people were ordered out of the water for a little over an hour until it was deemed safe again. "Noosa Main beach was closed from 10am AEST. IRBs were deployed to Little Cove to warn swimmers in the water and a drone was used to patrol from the air along with crews on the water on rescue water craft and IRBs," the spokesperson told Yahoo. "With no further shark sightings observed, the beach was reopened at 11.17am AEST." 'Heaps of sharks' in Noosa area The Sunshine Coast and Noosa in particular is renowned for its shark activity, with bull sharks in particular known to populate the region's rivers. One woman on Facebook claimed she was just metres from the animal when authorities sounded the alarm. "I was swimming about 70 metres away from it at Little Cove," she wrote of the dramatic incident. "I have been fishing Noosa River and the bay for over 25 years ... there are heaps of sharks around 24/7," one local man claimed. "In all this time no one has been killed or bitten in the river, yet people's fear is over the top. It's like they think Jaws is coming for them." Story continues Where am I more likely to be attacked by a shark? Gavin Naylor who curates the Florida Museum of Natural Historys internationally recognised database on shark bites previously told Yahoo he believes being further out isnt always the problem because a lot of shark bites happen relatively close to shore. Instead, being a distance away from other swimmers could increase your chances of being attacked. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Of the 195 names in the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) first list of Lok Sabha (LS) candidates announced on Saturday, there was one that came as real surprise for the partys Maharashtra unit Mumbai leader Kripashankar Singh. Singh has been announced as a candidate from Uttar Pradeshs Jaunpur constituency. The former Congress leader has served as a state minister in-charge of the Maharashtra home department. In 2011, he was made in-charge of the Mumbai Congress to corner the Shiv Sena in the Mumbai civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). ALSO READ | PM Modi From Varanasi, Amit Shah From Gandhinagar: Check Full List Of 195 BJP Candidates For LS Polls While there was no name for Maharashtra on the list, Singhs inclusion, at a time when BJP leaders such as Dr Harsh Vardhan and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur were dropped, sends a message that there could be more in store. An LS aspirant from Maharashtra, while disappointed over Singhs name, said that this could mean that new faces will get a chance". Singh had launched a book along with Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, 26/11 RSS ki Sajish, written by Aziz Burney. Despite this, in 2021, he got an entry into the BJP, which has Hindutva as its agenda. And in 2024, he gets a ticket for the Lok Sabha from Jaunpur," he said. HINDUTVA, CORRUPTION CHARGES What has hurt the BJP leaders and right-wing cadre more is that Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, who was an aggressive advocate of Hindutva, was denied a ticket from Bhopal. She had defeated Congress leader Digvijaya Singh by a good margin. On the other hand, Singh, who had taken a stand against the BJPs ideological fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindutva, was awarded a Lok Sabha ticket. Another issue against a ticket for Singh is that the BJP is strict against corruption and doesnt allow its MPs, MLAs, leaders or ministers to indulge in malpractices. The BJP had led the attack against Singh, when he faced charges of accumulating assets disproportionate to known sources of income. Singh was even made to wait for long before being inducted into the BJP. According to sources, a few top leaders of Maharashtra BJP were not ready to accept Singh. Singh couldnt get any responsibility in Mumbai BJP, despite having a strong base and support of the North Indian lobby. Still, Singh, who is known to have an excellent network and connection across all parties, managed to convince the leaders of the BJP in Delhi. Singh is not as lucky as Ashok Chavan who got a direct nomination for the Rajya Sabha after he joined the party. He was made to work in Jaunpur. SENA ATTACK After the BJP declared its first list of 195 candidates, Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray took a quick potshot. He questioned the move of the BJP to give the ticket to Singh before loyalist and senior leader Nitin Gadkari. ALSO READ | BJP Leaves Out 33 Sitting MPs in First List of Candidates for Lok Sabha Polls Nitin Gadkari is a senior leader of the party, he is a loyal worker. Within record time, he constructed the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Such a persons name was not on the first list of BJP. However, a person like Kripashankar Singh, who they alleged has disproportionate assets, made it to the first list," he said. France has become the first country in the world to make abortion a constitutional right. This means, that abortion will now be a guaranteed right enshrined in the French constitution. The country had already superseded some of the developed countries of the world when it legalized abortion in 1975. This development comes when the US, the worlds powerful economy, had removed right to abortion in 2022 a move that not only vexed feminists but several progressive societies of the world, including some in Asia. How is This a Political Win for Macron? French President Emmanuel Macron has been criticised for making an unnecessary move, and fiddling with the constitution for electoral gains. With more than 85% of French people exuding support in Macrons move, critics say it is just to please the left-wingers and weed out any opposition to abortion. Macrons earlier decision on immigration and pension reform had caused a stir in France, and the European Unions climate policies have kept the French farmers and the agricultural sector on tenterhooks, thus, the right to abortion guarantee is being considered a balancing act by his Renaissance party. With European elections scheduled to be held in June, Macron is hoping that the abortion decision would put him in a stronger position against his main opponents, including right-wings Marine Le Pen. What is the French Law on Abortion? Since 1975 the law has been updated nine times, with an aim to extend access. Even the Frances constitutional council that decides on the constitutionality of law never raised any questions on right to abortion. Thus, critics stress that the move by Macron was unnecessary. In the 2001 ruling, the council approved the abortion right based on the notion of liberty as mentioned in the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man, which is part of the constitution. Will this Lead to Misuse of the Constitution? Many fear that the right to abortion will be interpreted as right to have a child, and open a lot of questions around surrogate motherhood, gay marriages and carbon footprint targets. There is a French particularity which leads politicians in an almost Pavlovian way to look for a constitutional change each time they want to signal the importance they attach to an issue, Ann Levade says, as quoted by the BBC. The Vatican, which has always opposed abortion, stated, There can be no right to take a human life. The French Catholics have echoed similar sentiments. It appealed to all governments and all religious traditions to do their best so that, in this phase of history, the protection of life becomes an absolute priority. How is the US Different? Abortion is banned in around 14 states in the US since Roe v Wade was overturned in 2022 by the Supreme Court. Two states Georgia and South Carolina have banned abortion past roughly six weeks of pregnancy. Roe struck down laws that made abortion illegal in several states, and ruled that abortion would be allowed up to the point of foetal viability, that is, the time after which a foetus can survive outside the womb. Foetal viability is the point at which the rights of the woman can be separated from the rights of the unborn foetus. The length of a pregnancy, a metric applicable in most countries, is calculated from the start of a persons most recent menstrual period. Since many people identify pregnancy only after the sixth week, pre-viability timelines leave women with little time to make a decision to abort. What is the Law in India? The Medical Termination of Pregnancy, 1971 allows abortion until 20 weeks of pregnancy. After the amendment in 2021, the limit was raised to 24 weeks, but only in special categories such as rape or incest survivors. In case of foetal disability, there is no limit on the timeline of abortion. In such a case, a medical board of specialist doctors in states and Union Territories take the decision. Days after a Spanish woman biker was gang-raped and robbed in Jharkhands Dumka, a woman musician from Chhattisgarh was offered a spiked drink and raped by three men in the states Palamu district on Monday. Police have arrested two accused so far. Police said a woman musician from Chhattisgarh, who had come to perform in an orchestra programme in Palamu, was allegedly gang-raped by three men in a car. According to the womans statement to the police, the accused had mixed some intoxicants in her soft drink. She alleged that the accused gang-raped her in a car. Police have arrested two of the accused, but the third accused is still on the run. Police said they had launched a manhunt to arrest the accused. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of an incident involving the gang-rape and assault of a Spanish woman who was on a cross-country bike tour with her husband. The incident occurred at Kurumahat in the Hansdiha police station area, approximately 300 km from Ranchi, on March 1 when the couple was spending the night at a makeshift tent. The incidents of crime of any kind against a foreign national may have serious national and international repercussions including impacting the tourism economy of the country. A sex-related crime against a foreign woman is likely to bring adverse publicity against the country and thereby tarnish the image of India across the globe, the Jharkhand High Court said. The court further pointed out that the woman speaks Spanish but it is not known whether there is the facility of translator with the help of whom her statement was recorded. Angered over not giving a wedding anniversary gift, a Bengaluru woman allegedly stabbed her husband, while he was asleep in their house in the citys tech corridor. Police have filed a case of attempt to murder against the wife, identified as Sandhya. In the early hours of February 27, a dispute unfolded between the couple for not giving an anniversary gift, reported Wion, adding that the 35-year-old accused then resorted to violence and stabbed her 37-year-old husband, Kiran with a kitchen knife while he slept. Shocked by her attack, Kiran pushed her before she could injure him further. Later, he alerted the neighbours and went to a private hospital to treat his hand injury. Bellandur police registered the case against her on March 1. The victim informed the police that due to his grandfathers death, he could not buy her a gift a day before their wedding anniversary, leading to a tense situation between the two. The 37-year-old private firm employee also informed police that it was the first time when she did not receive a gift on their wedding anniversary, adding that due to some personal issues, Sandhya was disturbed and wanted to take counseling sessions. While the authorities recognise the familial nature of the incident, they still prompted a comprehensive investigation, since the hospital released a medico-legal report. In another unrelated incident reported from Uttar Pradeshs Baghpat, a woman allegedly stabbed her husband in the eye with a scissor after he asked to use her mobile phone to listen to music on YouTube. The husband, Ankit, had filed a complaint against his wife, Priyanka, over the incident. A case had been registered and an investigation had been launched in the matter, an officer said. Ankit had asked Priyanka for her mobile phone to listen to songs on YouTube, the officer said. However, she refused to give him the mobile saying that he should use his own phone for listening to songs. As she refuted, an argument broke out between the two, leading to Priyanka allegedly stabbing Ankit in the eye. BSF director-general Nitin Agarwal will meet his Border Guard Bangladesh counterpart Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, ahead of the 54th BSF-BGB Director-General Level Border Coordination Conference March 5 to 9 in Dhaka Amid concerns about cattle smuggling leading to violent attacks on Indian civilians and BSF personnel on the eastern border, the forces director-general Nitin Agarwal will meet his Border Guard Bangladesh counterpart Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui on Tuesday. The four-day 54th BSF-BGB Director-General Level Border Coordination Conference is being held from March 5 to 9 in Dhaka. The Indian side is likely to take up issues of rising border crimes, cattle, narcotics and gold smuggling as well as human trafficking with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). During the conference, both sides will discuss a range of issues related to border management, especially prevention of border crimes, infrastructure-related issues, joint efforts for effective implementation of coordinated border management plan (CBMP), river bank protection works and water sharing between both the countries, said a BSF spokesperson. BSF personnel injured At least 40 BSF personnel and 37 civilians have been injured in the last one year on the Indo-Bangaldesh border, making it the highest number in a few years. In 2022, a total of 43 cases were reported while in 2021 the figure was at 64. India suspects that in some cases, a crossborder syndicate of Indian and Bangladeshi criminals could be at work with the primary motivation of allowing safe passage for cattle smugglers. A total of 37 civilians were injured on the Indo-Bangladesh border last year. This is the highest figure reported since 2019 when 83 Indians, including civilians, were injured. Cattle smuggling & fake currency In 2023, at least 16,786 cattle smuggling incidents were recorded, which is the lowest in the last five years but 12,228 of these were between May 2023 and January 2024. Eight Indians were apprehended this year for carrying fake Indian currency notes (FICN) from across the border. The BSF seized 20,18,000 of fake currency this year. While previous years showed an equal number of Indians and Bangladeshis carrying FICN, this year no Bangladeshi national has been caught. India wants to collaborate with the BGB to ensure that smuggling of cattle, narcotics, gold and fake currency is stopped. A BSF constable, Vivek Tiwari, was drowned in a nullah by alleged cattle smugglers in 2022. Arms recovery The BSF suspects that small arms, country-made weapons and primitive sharp-edged weapons carved out of material like bamboo are being used by crossborder criminals. While no AK series rifle has been seized this year, 29 arms including 23 pistols and five country-made arms, were seized. At least 580 ammunitions were also captured last year. In three cases, BSF personnel or an Indian civilian was injured by firearms used by alleged Bangladeshi criminals. Sharp-edged weapons were used in 28 cases while criminals resorted to stone pelting in 41. Bangladeshi nationals intercepted At least 3,342 Bangladeshi nationals were intercepted in 2023, the highest in the last five years. We have not separately accounted for the Rohingyas, said a BSF official, when asked if this showed a continued trend of Rohingyas trying to enter India as Bangladeshis. Paving the way for all-weather connectivity to Himachal Pradeshs Bijli Mahadev temple, union minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for a public ropeway on Tuesday. The ropeway, which is to be developed at a cost of more than Rs 270 crore, will ease the journey to the temple located 2,460 metres above sea level. At present, trekking is the only way to reach the temple that makes it difficult to access for many. The ropeway is expected to be ready by July 2026. What is the project? The new 2.5-km ropeway will reduce time taken to reach the temple to just seven minutes from the one or two hours it takes to trek up the slope. A ministry official told News18 that this was a long pending demand. A number of pilgrims would find it difficult to reach the temple as trekking is not for everyone. With this ropeway, even the elderly will be able to reach the temple in just a couple of minutes, the official said on condition of anonymity. According to the project details, which were accessed by News18, the ropeway will have a monocable detachable gondola. There will be 18 towers and two stations as part of the project. It will start at nature park in Mohal and end at the temple. On the way, it will offer a panoramic view of the Kullu valley. With the help of the ropeway, more than 36,000 people will be able to visit the temple daily. The ropeway is being developed under the hybrid annuity model. Last week, News18 had reported about eight ropeway projects across India that are expected to be ready by 2026 and will enhance connectivity to several places, including temples. The ropeway connectivity to Bijli Mahadev was one among these. READ MORE | Ropeways Looking Up: With 8 Projects Expected to be Ready by 2026, What the Future Holds for Cable Cars All about the temple The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation said the place got its name after lightning the great miracle that occurs occasionally. The shivalingam is struck by lightning and breaks into pieces, then the priest of the temple collects all the pieces and joins them together with the help of butter as an adhesive. During Shivaratri every year, a great rush of devotees gather here to pray to Lord Shiva, said the corporation. In a significant ruling, the Meghalaya High Court has upheld a conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, emphasising that minor inconsistencies in the survivors statements do not detract from the overall credibility of the accusation. The court held that despite variations in the survivors testimonies, the essence of the accusations remained consistent, underscoring the traumatic impact such experiences can have on young victims and their recollections. A single-judge bench of Justice B Bhattacharjee noted: The statement of the survivor stood firm and nothing has been pointed out in the evidence which may cast a shadow of doubt over the statement of the survivor. The observation came while the court was considering a criminal appeal filed by an accused against his conviction and sentence for sexually assaulting a 7-year-old boy under Section 7/8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused allegedly invited the survivor to his house and attempted to commit a sexual assault by taking off the trousers of the survivor. The accused then also took off his own trousers and started committing sexual assault. This incident was purportedly interrupted by the presence of other children nearby, leading to the survivors release. The complainant, the survivors father, upon learning of the incident from his wife, found his 7-year-old son had been assaulted at the appellants house. The complainant thereafter went to the house of the accused, who made an admission of his guilt. Subsequently, an FIR was lodged on September 09, 2019, before Officer-in-Charge, Lumshnong PS, East Jaintia Hills District. The trial court, upon the production of the accused and considering the arguments of both parties, framed charges under Sections 5(m) and 6 of the POCSO Act read with Section 377 of the IPC. However, the trial court convicted the accused under Section 7/8 of the POCSO Act. Upon further analysis of the evidence from the survivor, his parents, and witnesses corroborated the assaults circumstances, with no defence cross-examination to challenge their accounts. Medical testimony and investigation further supported the survivors narrative, establishing a well-founded case against the appellant without reliance on material exhibits. Appearing for the accused (appellant), the Legal Aid counsel, argued that the survivors statement wasnt corroborated by any other evidence, implying that the judgement and sentencing should not stand according to law, thereby calling for them to be set aside and quashed. It was further contended that the trial courts failure to formally read and explain the altered charges to the appellant violated Section 216(2) CrPC. Charges against the appellant were framed under Section 5(m)/6 of the POCSO Act read with Section 377 IPC, but the learned Trial Court has convicted the appellant under Section 7/8 of the POCSO Act by altering the charges while delivering the impugned judgment and order of conviction. the accuseds counsel argued. The lawyer stated that as per the mandate of Section 216(1) CrPC, a court may alter or add to any charge at any time before judgment is pronounced and not at the time of pronouncing of judgment. Contrarily, the counsel, representing the state, argued that the depositions of witnesses remained unchallenged because they were not cross-examined, a situation that arose due to the absence of the defence counsel. Furthermore, the defence did not submit any request to recall these witnesses for cross-examination during the trial, even though there was incriminating evidence against the accused. On the issue of alteration of charges, the state counsel contended that the alteration and the subsequent conviction did not prejudice the appellant, supporting the trial courts judgment. The high court, taking into account the statements of witnesses and evidence on record, ruled: The contention of the appellant that the evidence of the survivor has not been corroborated is devoid of merit and cannot be accepted. The court added that the mere mention of charge alterations in a judgment to uphold a conviction for a minor cognate offence does not constitute an improper change of charge according to Section 216 of the CrPC. Furthermore, under Section 222 of the CrPC, a criminal court is authorised to convict an individual for a minor offence, even if it was not the initial charge, as long as the offence is of a similar nature and its elements are proved beyond a reasonable doubt without causing prejudice or a failure of justice to the appellant. The high court, therefore, dismissed the criminal appeal, confirming that a case under Section 7 of the POCSO Act, punishable under Section 8 of the same Act, was firmly established against the accused. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) identified 48 backup sites across the world for the Gaganyaan crew and module could splash down to ensure a safe and secure return of the astronauts, senior officials associated with the mission said. Ideally, the mission module is supposed to land in the Arabian Sea, where Indian agencies will be placed for rescuing the crew and the module, Hindustan Times reported. However, if the main plan goes any other way even a small change the space agency has identified 48 backup locations in international waters, officials said. In any mission, there is an ideal scenario and there are back-up plans in case that is not achieved, a senior ISRO official said, adding that in case of Gaganyaan, if everything goes as per plan, then the module would splash down in the Indian waters. But, the official said, since the mission involves human spaceflight, no risk can be taken when it comes to the safety of the crew. Hence, the space agency has marked possible points where the capsule could land. Even a minor variation in the mission can lead to the capsule landing hundreds of kilometres away, the official was quoted as saying. The official also noted that initially, the space agency had zeroed in on two landing spots in the Indian waters, one in the Arabian Sea and other in the Bay of Bengal. But, the roughness and unpredictability of the latter led to the finalisation of the Arabian Sea. The missions progress is also running at a satisfactory pace, the official said, adding that the team is confident of conducting at least one uncrewed mission this year before the final missions a go. Meanwhile, in the time leading up to the final manned mission, ISRO will conduct several rounds of tests to ensure that each and every system functions properly, with the satisfaction that the module is safe for the crew to fly out and return. Just a week ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of the four astronauts who have been selected for the Gaganyaan mission. The four astronaut-designates are Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla. The four are already undergoing training at Bengalurus Astronaut Training Facility for undertaking the nations first human spaceflight mission. GAGANYAAN MISSION Indias maiden human spaceflight programme, Gangayaan, is set to carry a crew of astronauts into low Earth orbit, making India the fourth nation in the world to do so, after the United States, Russia and China. The spacecraft is designed for the mission is being developed with advanced technology to ensure the safety and success of the mission. The spacecraft will be equipped with life support systems, communication systems and other essential features to sustain human life in space. The mission is set to be launched by the end of 2025. Hours after resigning as a Calcutta High Court judge, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Tuesday said that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Earlier, citing personal reasons, he had sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu. He sent the copies of his letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court TS Sivagnanam, sources said. Justice Gangopadhyay arrived at his chamber at the High Court earlier today, following which his resignation letter was sent. At a press conference later in the day, Gangopadhyay addressed the speculations on his likely future plans in the political circuit and said that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party. TMC will crumble down, he said, adding that a couple more arrests are required, following which the party will not be able to stay. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he is a very good leader. However, he noted that he does not know whether or not he will contest in the elections. That depends on the BJP, the former Calcutta HC judge said. Earlier, News18 spoke to Justice Gangopadhyay exclusively about his plans. The former Calcutta HC judge, known for his strong opposition against the Trinamool Congress, said that he resigned because he realised my work here is done. Asked about what the leaders of the ruling-TMC say about him, Gangopadhyay said Most of the ruling party members are half-learned, which is why they are saying so. What they say does not matter me at all. They are part of the half-learned club Slamming the Mamata Banerjee-led party, he said that he slams corrupt people and if they are such people, its not that they have made small mistakes, he said, adding that these were deliberate serious errors. WHAT GANGOPADHYAY SAID ABOUT BJP Amid speculations of his political plans, Justice Gangopadhyay said that the The BJP is better than the TMC and also than the Congress. The TMC is obviously not a political party. They are a club. The Congress is a family zamindar party. Compared to the TMC, the Congress and BJP fare better. However, the TMC is the worst party I have ever seen he added. Earlier, when he was asked about whether he would join the BJP or Left, he had said, Let them offer, then we will see. This is a hypothetical question. I cant answer like this. Commenting on the nations political system, he termed it to be mostly corrupt. When the ED raids their house, they start shouting that it happens because they are in the oppositionHave you seen the ED or CBI chasing CPM leaders? If there anybody in India who fights with the BJP thats CPM, but there is no such case against them he added. (With PTI inputs) Days after a blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and two ministers from his cabinet have received a bomb threat email. The explosion will rock the entire city on Saturday, India Today reported citing the email. The mail was addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy DK Shivakumar, the Home Minister and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. Reportedly, one Shahid Khan had sent the threat. The explosion, the email said, would rock busy locations such as restaurants, temples, buses or trains. Khan also warned the authorities of planting bombs at public events. In addition to this, the email also mentioned that in order to avoid the blast from taking place, a ransom of 2.5 million dollars (over Rs 20 crore) should be paid. Cops have registered a suo moto case in this regard, the report added. Earlier in February, the Delhi Public School (DPS) in the national capitals RK Puram area received a bomb threat on Friday, leading to authorities immediately evacuating the premises as a precautionary measure. The threat was received via email that said the school would be blown up with a bomb, news agency ANI quoted Delhi Police as saying. A few days after this, some schools in Chennai also received a bomb threat. The warning prompted police action, who soon reached the schools with bomb disposal squads. Following the threat, students in these schools were sent back home with their parents, while anti-sabotage checks were conducted by the police. Among the schools which received the bomb threat mail were Chennai Public School in DAV Gopalapuram and St Marys School, Parrys. In December last year, around 60 schools across Bengaluru city received an email claiming there were explosive devices on the school grounds. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda had told News18 that prima facie it looks like a hoax mail, adding that police personnel had spanned across the city to check every school mentioned and secure them. A similar hoax email was received by 15 schools in 2022 claiming that explosives were planted on the school premises. Our teams are conducting a thorough search, but it looks like a case of mischief, he had told News18. Hundreds of volunteers may be hampering the search for missing mum Samantha Murphy, a former missing persons detective fears. Narelle Fraser told the ABC's 7.30 those desperate to help may be eating up precious police time by taking something to police they believe is evidence involved in the 51-year-old's disappearance. Murphy has been missing since February 4 and has not been seen since she left her Ballarat home to go for a run. There has been a huge community response in the area, with up to 300 people joining the search for the mum of three. Fraser, who was involved in the high-profile missing persons cases of pregnant mother Anna Kemp and her toddler Gracie two decades ago, said police are facing a "huge job" with no trace of Murphy. And while she admitted authorities would likely have more information than they are sharing publicly, they now find themselves in a tricky position. Samantha Murphy has been missing since February 4. Source: Victoria Police "There is so much information coming in and you have to go down every single rabbit burrow because you don't want to miss something. If you're the one that's missed it, it would be terrible," she said. Fraser said she felt "uncomfortable" making the claim as she was well aware friends and family were doing whatever they could to help locate the mother. However she said the immense response from the local community is likely to cause "great difficulties" for authorities who are working around the clock. Samantha Murphy described as the 'ideal victim' Murphy's case has gripped Australia, with well-known criminologist Associate Professor Xanthe Mallett describing the "very average" mum as the "ideal victim" thanks to her relatability to many people across the country. A former missing persons detective believes the huge community response could actually be a bad thing. Source: NCA Newswire It is only very occasionally that a missing person case strikes a chord like this, she told news.com.au. A lot of people could say, that could have been me." Police will now use mobile phone tower data to identify the movements of people in the area at the time, as searches of the area continue to prove fruitless in terms of significant leads. Story continues It is understood police will use the data to find out who was in the area before probing their backgrounds. Such a tactic was previously used to track Murphy's phone and help them narrow their search down last month. Speculation surrounding her disappearance has been rife in the weeks since she vanished. One recent theory suggests she may have fell down an old mine shaft from the town's gold rush, however locals say the area's terrain was well known to Murphy. Police have identified family as "people of interest" however stressed they are not suspects in the case. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-405 RESULT ON TUESDAY, MARCH 5, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of Sthree Sakthi SS-405 lucky draw for Tuesday, March 5. Check the full list of winning numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Result Today LIVE: Karunya KR-644 WINNERS for March 9, 2024; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh! FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-405 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE WORTH RS 8,000 ARE SA 959785 SB 959785 SC 959785 SD 959785 SE 959785 SF 959785 SG 959785 SH 959785 SJ 959785 SK 959785 SM 959785 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE WORTH RS 75 LAKH IS SL 959785 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE WORTH RS 10 LAKH IS SC 807947 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE WORTH RS 5,000 ARE 1243 1511 2651 2951 3952 4165 5575 5598 6893 7099 7906 7963 8234 8276 9050 9314 9649 9922 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE WORTH RS 2,000 ARE 0268 3051 3371 3437 4830 4926 6188 6278 9160 9559 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE WORTH RS 1,000 ARE 0731 1022 1171 1513 2097 2244 2330 3568 3812 3954 4182 5506 6217 6869 6914 7081 7510 8952 9077 9787 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE WORTH RS 500 ARE 0290 0374 0704 0878 1527 1567 1682 1756 2545 2550 2609 2629 2879 2925 3006 3069 3274 3505 3591 3864 4053 4174 4380 4606 4852 5153 5674 5728 5819 6600 6856 6889 7138 7474 7567 8186 8187 8282 8378 8782 8923 8946 8966 9043 9106 9192 9262 9523 9597 9610 9691 9965 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE WORTH RS 200 ARE 0053 0452 0509 0534 0867 0948 1754 1958 2392 2495 3359 3470 3722 4161 4481 4757 4799 5569 5839 6209 6505 6516 6611 6899 6964 7027 7168 7218 7322 7397 7434 7511 7816 7885 8184 8197 8326 8549 8593 8759 8933 9172 9720 9800 9885 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE WORTH RS 100 ARE 0120 0231 0242 0246 0394 0423 0488 0591 1147 1206 1247 1262 1327 1393 1525 1526 1595 1691 1722 1868 1874 1907 1971 2037 2051 2064 2116 2171 2307 2431 2460 2481 2572 2592 2692 2701 2825 2878 2908 2963 2994 3168 3173 3332 3372 3418 3563 3565 3582 3612 3658 3701 3826 4058 4086 4181 4239 4616 4640 4708 4946 5000 5103 5116 5236 5726 5882 5895 5923 6027 6087 6147 6179 6184 6339 6368 6391 6469 6483 6580 6643 6839 6946 7020 7022 7054 7085 7103 7147 7187 7257 7302 7531 7532 7651 7827 7862 7990 8002 8007 8105 8110 8163 8165 8347 8379 8393 8401 8563 8765 8772 8778 8916 9082 9208 9231 9341 9355 9428 9478 9583 9682 9741 9848 9959 9976 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-405 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-405 LOTTERY RESULTS? Participants who want to confirm their winning numbers in the Sthree Sakthi SS-405 lottery results have two alternatives. They can either visit the Kerala Lottery Departments official website, www.keralalottery.info, or pay a visit to the lottery office. HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY? Individuals can authenticate the status of their lottery ticket by comparing their ticket numbers to the stated winning numbers in the Kerala Government Gazette. After a match has been validated, winners must claim their winnings in person at the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days after the results announcement. For authentication purposes, the winning ticket must be shown alongside acceptable identification. A 42-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly smoked a beedi inside a lavatory onboard a Riyadh-bound IndiGo flight, a Mumbai Police official said on Tuesday raising concerns over security as the passenger had managed to pass through pre-boarding check-in at the Delhi airport. After the Delhi-Mumbai-Riyadh flight landed, the cabin crew handed him over to the police on Monday. The accused managed to sneak a lighter and a beedi onto the flight from Delhi on Monday, leaving officials shocked. The man identified as Mohammed Fakruddin Mohammed Ammuruddin, who worked as a labourer, was flying to Riyadh via Mumbai on a connecting flight. The incident came to light when a flight security official noticed smoke in its lavatory mid-air after Ammuruddin exited it, the official said. After the flight landed in Mumbai, the man was detained by the cabin crew, and the police were informed, he said. The airline personnel said Ammuruddin told police that he works as a labourer in the Saudi Arabia capital. During questioning, he claimed to have successfully passed the security check-up at the Delhi airport by concealing a beedi and a lighter in pockets of his pants, the official added. Ammuruddin was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and the Aircraft Act. He was remanded to judicial custody by a local court. In another unrelated incident reported in Akasa Air airline, 56-year-old first-time flyer, who was travelling from Ahmedabad to Bengaluru by Akasa Air airline, was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport upon arrival for allegedly smoking a beedi midair in the lavatory and risking the lives of other passengers onboard. The man, identified as M Praveen Kumar, was a labourer by profession and a native of Marwar junction in Rajasthans Pali district. He was sent to Bengaluru Central Jail. The incident came to the fore when the crew members found the accused smoking inside the toilet. Upon arrival at the Bengaluru airport, the airlines duty manager Vijay Thulluru lodged a complaint against Kumar to the cops at airport. (with PTI inputs) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation of several development projects worth more than Rs 6,800 crore. He also dedicated the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre to the nation. Later in the day, he will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation of stones of multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,600 in Odisha. An official release earlier said that the projects are related to several key sectors such as road, rail, petroleum and natural gas. CONGRESS & BRS SHARE GHOTALA BANDHAN The prime minister said that be it BRS or Congress, both are the same. The people of Telangana will tell whether there is an alliance between BRS and Congress or not, he said. But the world knows that the scam bond between BRS and Congress is very strong. Both of them provide cover fire to each other in scam bandhan i.e. loot of Telangana, he added. 140 CRORE INDIANS ARE MODIS FAMILY, MODI KA PARIVAAR Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the opposition consistently forgets that the 140 crore Indians are Modis family. Every mother and sister is Modis family. Every son, every youth is Modis family, he said. Reinforcing the intent, he chanted Modi Ka Parivaar with the people of Telangana. THEY BELIEVE FAMILY FIRST, I BELIEVE NATION FIRST PM Modi said that him and the opposition share ideological differences. They believe in Family First, and I believe in Nation First. For them, their family is everything; for me, my country is everything. They sacrifice the Nation for the welfare of their family; I have sacrificed myself for the welfare of the Nation, he added. PARIVARVAD THREAT TO DEMOCRACY The prime minister said that the opposition Congress and its alliance partners make personal comments on him, saying that The reason why the mere sight of him makes them restless is because I am unveiling their secrets and scams. He said that he has never made personal comments, he just says Parivarvadi. He justified his stance saying, I condemn Parivarvad because its a threat to democracy, it does not let talent grow and hinders the growth of the country as well as the individuals. BJP FULFILLS ITS PROMISES BJP has talked about the end of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and we fulfilled this promise. We had said that together we will welcome Lord Ram in the grand temple of Ayodhya. This promise was fulfilled, he said, adding that Modis guarantee fulfilled. The PM said that now that the guarantees given by him and his party are being fulfilled, Congress and its allies have come out to abuse Modi and his family. The reason for this is because I am exposing their scams worth hundreds of thousands of rupees. I am raising my voice against the nepotism of these people, he said. WONT LET YOUR CONFIDENCE IN ME GO TO WASTE Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his confidence gets a boost seeing peoples enthusiasm for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Telangana. I will not let your confidence in me go to waste, the PM said, adding that, You also know that whatever Modi says, he does it. I told you that together we will take India to new heights in the entire world. Today you are seeing how India is reaching new heights by becoming a ray of hope in the entire world, the prime minister added. TELANGANA CAN BE CALLED GATEWAY FOR SOUTH INDIA Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the public in Sangareddy and said that Telangana can be called the Gateway for South India. Work is being done on the electrification of railways. 6 news stations have also been made, he said. These developments will have a spillover effect on the economy of Telangana and the surrounding regions, he added. PM INAUGURATES PROJECTS, FLAGS OFF MMTS IN TELANGANA Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation of several development projects worth more than Rs 6,800 crore. He dedicated the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre to the nation. #WATCH | Sangareddy, Telangana | Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone of several development projects and dedicates to the nation the Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) Centre in Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/ED9r3GKokx ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 The prime minister also flagged off MMTS facility between Ghatkesar and Lingampalli. PM VISITS UJJAINI MAHAKALI TEMPLE PM Modi visited Shri Ujjaini Mahakali temple on Tuesday morning. He offered his prayers and performed puja at the temple. #WATCH | Telangana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits and offers prayers at Ujjaini Mahankali temple in Secunderabad. pic.twitter.com/zijxd4LYAX ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN ODISHA Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ashish Kumar Singh told news agency ANI that security forces have been deployed ahead of the PMs visit. An adequate arrangement has been made in view of PM Modis visit. Over 3,000 police forces under the command of senior officers have been deployed. On the basis of programmes, the teams have been divided, Singh said. PROJECTS TO BE INAUGURATED TELANGANA: The Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre in Hyderabad, set up at Begumpet Airport, will be inaugurated by the prime minister today. The centre was set up by the Airports Authority of India to upgrade and enhance research and development (R&D) activities in the civil aviation sector. The state-of-the-art CARO facility, built at a cost of over Rs 350 crore, is compliant with 5-STAR-GRIHA Rating and Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) norms. PM Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation for three National Highway projects. The foundation stone for the six-laning of the 29 km long Pune-Hyderabad Section of NH-65 will also be laid. The NH-65 project will provide better connectivity to significant industrial centres in Telangana like Pashamylaram industrial area near Patancheru. The Multi-Modal Transport Service (MMTS) Train Service from Ghatkesar-Lingampalli via Moula Ali-Sanathanagar will be flagged off by the prime minister. The train service extends the suburban train service in the Hyderabad-Secunderabad twin city regions to new areas for the first time. PM Modi will also inaugurate the 1,212-km Indian Oil Paradip-Hyderabad Product Pipeline, which has a capacity of 4.5 MMTPA. The product pipeline 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). ODISHA: PM Modi will inaugurate the Indian Oil Corporation Ltds mono ethylene glycol project in Paradip refinery, which will contribute towards reducing the nations dependency on imports. The 344-km-long product pipeline from Odishas Paradip to West Bengals Haldia will be dedicated to the nation. A 0.7 MMTPA LPG import facility at Paradip will also be inaugurated by the PM to augment the import infrastructure on the eastern coast. He will also unveil a four-laning of Singhara to Binjabahal section of NH-49, Binjabahar to Tileibani section of NH-49, Balasore-Jharpokharia section of NH-18 and Tangi-Bhubaneswar section of NH-16. The prime minister will also lay the foundation stone for the eight-laning of Chandikhole-Paradip road. He will also dedicate to the nation the 162-km-long Bansapani-Daitari-Tomka-Jakhapura rail line. Other than enhancing the current capacity, it wil also enable efficient transportation of iron and manganese ore from Keonjhar to the ports and steel plants. A 5-mld seawater desalination plant at Odisha Sands Complex of Indian Rare Earths Ltd will also be inaugurated by the prime minister. (With PTI, ANI inputs) The BJP in Karnataka on Tuesday demanded that Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain be named in the FIR registered in connection with the case of raising Pakistan zindabad slogans and said it would request the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar not to allow him to take oath as member of the House till investigation is completed. Three people have been arrested for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans during victory celebrations in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha after Hussain was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka in the February 27 elections. BJP State President and MLA B Y Vijayendra said the government would not have made the arrests had the party not released the investigation report by a private forensic science laboratory (FSL) on the pro-Pakistan slogan shouting video . Naseer Hussain should be included as the fourth accused in the case pertaining to raising the Pakistan zindabad slogan, Vijayendra told reporters here, as he alleged that the police dropped his name from the FIR. Public representatives and members of the Rajya Sabha take an oath to uphold the Constitution and protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country. Till the investigation is completed, Hussain should not take oath, he said. We are going to write a letter today on behalf of the BJP to the Vice President who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in this regard. BJP will force Hussain not to take oath till the investigation is completed, Vijayendra said. He sought to know why the government is not making public the report of the state-run FSL on the incident. He also demanded that the names of the masterminds of the conspiracy be made public. A court here on Tuesday extended by a week the interim bail to Amit Katyal who was arrested last year on money laundering charges linked to the land-for-jobs scam case allegedly involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad and several members of his family. Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who had granted interim bail to Katyal on February 5 on medical grounds, extended the relief after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought time to reply to the accuseds application seeking an extension of the interim bail. The ED submitted before the court that it has challenged before the Delhi High Court the interim bail granted to the accused, and the order has been reserved in the matter. The central probe agency sought time to reply to Katyals application seeking an extension of the relief, saying it would file its response within the next few days, subject to the orders of the high court. The counsel appearing for Katyal then prayed that pending adjudication of the matter by the high court, the present fresh application for extension of interim bail may be adjourned. The court finds it appropriate in the present circumstances that the proceedings be adjourned. List for further proceedings/filing of the reply from the ED on March 12, 2024. The interim bail of accused Amit Katyal is extended till then, the judge said. The judge will also hear on March 12 the regular bail application of the accused. Special Judge Gogne had on February 5 granted Katyal interim bail for a month saying, He must be accorded a purposive and humane interpretation of sick or infirm within the meaning of the proviso to section 45(1) PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act). The court had granted the relief on personal bonds and two surety bonds of Rs 2 lakh each and said the accused was permitted to receive medical treatment at a hospital within the National Capital Region. The judge had also imposed various conditions on the accused, including prohibiting him from leaving the country during the period of the interim bail and attempting to contact, influence or coerce any person or witness connected with the case. Katyal was first detained and later, arrested by the ED on November 11, 2023, under PMLA provisions. The central agency alleged that Katyal had acquired land from several job aspirants on behalf of the RJD chief and former Union railways minister Lalu Prasad. The ED claimed that Katyal was the director of a company called AK Infosystems Private Limited, which acquired land from candidates on behalf of Lalu Prasad. The registered address of the company is D-1088, New Friends Colony, New Delhi, which is the house belonging to Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members. Several other lands were also acquired by Amit Katyal in the said company in return for giving undue favours by Lalu Prasad when he was minister of railways, the agency had alleged in a statement. After acquiring the land parcels, shares of the said company were transferred to the family members of Lalu Prasad in 2014, it alleged, adding that Katyal is a close associate of the RJD supremo and had evaded summons for questioning in the case for about two months. A K Infosystems Private Limited is allegedly a beneficiary company in the case and its registered address in south Delhis New Friends Colony was being used by Tejashwi Yadav, the ED had claimed earlier. The alleged scam pertains to the period when Lalu Prasad was the railway minister in the UPA-1 government. It is alleged that from 2004 to 2009, several people were appointed to Group D positions in various zones of the Indian Railways and in lieu, these people transferred their land to the family members of then railway minister Prasad and A K Infosystems Private Limited. The ED case, filed under the criminal sections of the PMLA, stems from a complaint lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to the CBI, no advertisement or public notice was issued for appointment, but some residents of Patna were appointed as substitutes in different zonal railways in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hazipur. As a quid pro quo, the candidates, directly or through their immediate family members, allegedly sold land to Prasads family members at highly discounted rates, up to one-fourth to one-fifth of the prevailing market rates, the CBI alleged. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams began conducting searches at multiple locations in Chennai and Bengaluru on Tuesday morning in connection with a probe linked to the low-intensity explosion that took place in Bengalurus Rameshwaram cafe last week. The probe into the blast that left at least 10 people injured at Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookfield in East Bengaluru on March 1 was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), sources said on Monday. This development came a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government may consider handing over the probe to the NIA if the need arises. So far, Karnataka Polices investigation of the blast has been assisted by officials of the NIA, National Security Group (NSG) and Intelligence Bureau (IB). A man wearing a cap, mask and glasses is the prime suspect in the case and is still untraceable, the sources said. The explosion is suspected to be carried out through an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Soon after the blast, the Karnataka Police registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act. The NIA is a specialised probe agency to investigate terror-related cases. The agency was created in 2008 following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (With agency inputs) In Hinduism, a Rudraksha holds a lot of importance as it is associated with Lord Shiva and the devotees wear it for protection. As per Local18 Telugu, a Rudraksha exhibition is being held in Warangal, Telangana, where the devotees can find original Rudraksha made in Nepal. The Rudraksha exhibition is organised by the Om Sri Nepal Rudraksha Sanstha Sai Durga Residency at the Haritha Kakatiya Hotel, located in the city. The visitors here can get their hands on various types of Rudraksha, along with the original Rudrakshas made in Nepal. The managing director of the company Durga Prasad, shared more insight on the importance of a Rudraksha. He said, Rudrakshas not only give good results but also help in improving health issues. According to him, it is hard to get a hold of real rudrakshas, as many traders sell fake ones. He stated that this exhibition offers real Rudrakshas. We have been bringing the original Rudrakshas from Nepal and selling them for the last few years, he added. Prasad revealed that several types of Rudrakshas are available here, which include Ekamuki, Dwimukhi, Trimukhi, Panchamukhi, Shanmukhi, Saptamukhi, Ashtamukhi, Navamukhi, Dashamukhi, Ekadashimukhi, Dwadashamukhi and more. Speaking further, he stated that those who would visit the exhibition early would get to check their horoscopes for free and only after that they will be given Rudrakshas. Speaking about the business, he added that it has been going on for a few years now, and it is held annually in Warangal. Prasad added that a lot of customers visit them and are satisfied with their purchases. This time as well, they are getting a good response from the visitors. The reports state further that the exhibition is to be held for a week. The West Bengal Polices CID on Tuesday refused to hand over TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, the main accused in the Sandeshkhali case, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), despite the Calcutta High Courts order transferring the investigation to the central agency. The court had directed the police to transfer custody of Shahjahan, as well as case materials, by 4.30 pm to CBI. At 7.30 pm a CBI team left the police HQ in Kolkata empty-handed. As per the ground report, the Central agency officers had to wait for over 2 hours at the CID office for the transfer of documents, however, the West Bengal government denied the request. The state police refused to hand over the case filed stating that the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of investigation 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. Hours after the high courts order, the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Courts order transferring the probe to the CBI. Meanwhile, in another major update concerning the Sandeshkhali case, the Enforcement Directorate said it had provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 12.78 crore in connection with the Sheikh Shahjahan case. Shahjahan Sheikh, the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali violence case, was arrested by Bengal police a day after the high court ordered that Sheikh can be arrested by the CBI, the ED or the police. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday transferred the probe into the January 5 attack on financial probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in West Bengals Sandeshkhali by a mob of jailed and suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikhs supporters to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court also said Shahjahan Sheikhs custody will be handed over to CBI. A division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam directed the Bengal Polices Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to hand the jailed politician to the CBI by today (Tuesday) evening and share all documents related to the case. 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. Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested and suspended from the Trinamool Congress last week. Sheikh and his aides are among the key accused in cases of land grab and sexual harassment that surfaced following violent protests in Sandeshkhali island of North 24 Parganas district. Sheikh had been on the run since January 5 after a team of ED officials was attacked by a mob of his supporters near his residence in Sandeshkhali. The team had gone to his residence to conduct searches in connection with the ration scam. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the high courts decision, Trinamool Congress said the Bengal Police was doing its duty deligently. Following his arrest, the Calcutta High Court stated that the court had no sympathy for the Trinamool leader, thus asking 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. The high court had reserved its verdict on the matter on Monday. During the hearing, the lawyers appearing for central agencies said the state police acted in collusion with the accused and the matter needed to be transferred to the CBI. However, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court that the state police did not do anything and mischievously arrested him in specific matters to defeat the investigation. He said, 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. 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. The Attorney General, appearing for the Bengal government, said unrelated cases were being dragged into the transfer matter, adding that central agencies were not cooperative. Investigation is a state subject and thats why Bengal Police shall be the one probing, the Bengal AG said. Responding to him, ASG SV Raju said, Our allegations were not against Bengal Police. We alleged that we were assaulted because a minister was involved. The FIR was diluted, and the offence of Section 307 under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) wasnt added. National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma met President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday and submitted a report on the Sandeshkhali violence recommending the Presidents Rule in West Bengal. A team of the NCW recently visited the restive Sandeshkhali village to probe the reports of sexual violence and intimidation against women in the region by TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides. Sharma submitted a fact-finding report prepared by the commission which reportedly said that it has gathered disturbing testimonies of women alleging widespread fear and systematic abuse by both police officers and members of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Earlier, the National Commission for Scheduled Caste (NCSC), which conducted a detailed investigation into the matter, had also recommended presidential rule in the TMC-ruled state. Several women in West Bengals Sandeshkhali alleged that the TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his gang captured swathes of land by force, besides sexually harassing them. Sandeshkhali Violence Investigation Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer of investigation 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. Hours after the high courts order, the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Courts order transferring the probe to the CBI. Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested by Bengal police a day after the high court ordered that Sheikh can be arrested by the CBI, the ED or the police. Depictions of Australia almost always include images of Sydney and its world famous landmarks. Love it or hate it, it's the first city many think of when speaking about Down Under, and tourists and backpackers arrive here in droves every year eager to experience it. Yet one Irish woman has lifted the lid on her experience of Sydney, claiming Australia's most iconic city isn't actually all it's cracked up to be and many others including Aussies are in total agreement. "Sydney is the worst place in Australia," Kerry Simons complained recently in a spirited online rant. "It's not the fact that it's ugly and there's not much to do," she continued. In fact, quite the opposite. "The harbour and the city is beautiful, but it's the energy about the place. People would literally bump into you on the street and they wouldn't even say sorry, they wouldn't even acknowledge your existence." Irish woman Kerry Simons believes Sydney has 'dark energy' and is a 'lonely' place to live. Source: Yahoo News Australia and Instagram Simons has previously lived in Sydney for four months but now lives in Western Australia after travelling around and living in regional towns. She moved away after the "dark energy" got too much for her, with even an overnight stay in the city over the weekend putting her in a bad mood. "I actually feel for solo travellers coming over to Australia and coming straight to Sydney. How do you make friends? It's the loneliest place on the world... it's very cliquey," she said. Not a 'unique' opinion of Sydney Despite being one of the most popular travel destinations in Australia, many shared Kerry's opinion of the city, with other large cities across the globe also tarnished with the same brush among the backpacker community. "I would say that is not a unique opinion towards Sydney, many of the world's top cities get associated with a similar charge; be that London, Paris or New York," Matthew Heyes, Founder of Backpacker Job Board, told Yahoo News. Story continues Travellers who stay longer than a few weeks and seek to "immerse themselves into a community" often become lost in a large city, and instead they travel to smaller towns to "forge meaningful connections and create lasting memories" beyond the typical tourist experience, Heyes said. "She's already had a unique experience living and working in a regional town... when the time comes to escape the cost of living in Sydney and find an experience more meaningful, backpackers are heading off the beaten track," he said. People love to hate Sydney After Kerry shared her thoughts online hundreds of people were in agreement, arguing the city was overhyped. "I have lived in Melbourne my entire life and I agree with absolutely everything youre saying about Sydney! Its the worst!" one wrote. "Sydney is such a stressful place. Brisbane and Melbourne are much better. Brisbane is sunny and chill and Melbourne is fun and funky," another said. Yet plenty came to the defence of the "beautiful" city boasting one of the "best harbours in the world", with some suggesting it may be best she was leaving since she can't appreciate it. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the 2018 money laundering case against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The case relates to the unaccounted cash which was found in the Congress leaders Delhi flat in August 2017. A bench of justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan granted the relief to Shivakumar. The proceedings initiated against appellants under PMLA are hereby quashed, the top court said. Shivakumar had moved the apex court against the High Courts 2019 order refusing to quash the Enforcement Directorate summons issued to him in an alleged case of money laundering. Question of whether 120B IPC (criminal conspiracy) can constitute a predicate standalone offence, to enable ED to invoke Prevention Against Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has already been decided by SC, the top court said. Review against that order is pending, the SC said adding that if the federal agencys review plea is accepted, the top court grants liberty to it to seek recall of todays order. Shivakumar was booked for alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The case was based on a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax department in 2018 before a special court in Bengaluru on charges of alleged tax evasion and hawala transactions worth crores of rupees. The IT department had accused the Karnataka deputy CM and his alleged associate SK Sharma of indulging in transactions involving huge amounts of unaccounted for money on a regular basis through hawala channels with the help of three other accused. Shivakumar was granted bail in connection with the money laundering on October 23, 2019 by the Delhi High Court, with the condition that he will not leave the country without the permission of the court. (With PTI inputs) Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Ganguly, known for his strong stance against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), resigned on Tuesday five-and-a-half months before his tenure ended. Amid the strong speculation that he may join politics, News18 spoke to him exclusively about his plans. Edited excerpts: Why did you decide to resign? I have realised my work here is done. I have completed my duty in the judiciary and I think I should resign. I will give my resignation on March 5 and move on. You were fighting for people who needed justice, they say. Now what will happen to them? Investigation in all cases is on. It [my resignation] wont matter. I have completed my work. I will definitely continue to work for the helpless in every way possible. The ruling party has said that you are resigning to join politics and have raised questions on neutrality of your judgments Most of the ruling party members are half-learned, which is why they are saying so. What they say does not matter me at all. They are part of the half-learned club You have bashed the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) several times and have even ordered Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probes in a lot of cases. The ruling party has called it a planned move I have bashed corrupt people. If the ruling party people are corrupt, I cant help it. Its not that they have made small mistakes, these were deliberate serious errors. If mistakes are deliberate, then that is definitely corruption. ALSO READ | Calcutta HC Judge Abhijit Ganguly Likely To Resign, Hints At Joining Politics To Work At Grassroots Level You have given so many cases to the ED and CBI, are you happy with their investigation? The ED and CBI are very slow and they should have acted promptly. I must say they that there is a huge burden on them. There are a huge number of cases. The scams involve big rackets. It is not a small thing. There is a huge amount of pressure. How big is the recruitment scam? Its hugeas I told you, its a huge racket. A large number of corrupt people have done it together. A lot of dalals (agents) and commission earners were involved. They sold every job in the village. They took money from the poor. They are all from the ruling party. Some of them are in jail. Its huge. How do you rate the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)? The BJP is better than the TMC and also than the Congress. The TMC is obviously not a political party. They are a club. The Congress is a family zamindar party. Compared to the TMC, the Congress and BJP fare better. However, the TMC is the worst party I have ever seen Has the BJP or Left asked you to join their party? Let them offer, then we will see. This is a hypothetical question. I cant answer like this. What is your take on PM Narendra Modi? Modi is a hardworking man who is trying to pull India out of great danger. His leadership is definitely good. He is doing a lot of things. Whats your take on TMC chief Mamata Banerjee? Although she is a veteran politician, my opinion of her is poor. Is there any administration in Bengal? Law and order is at an all-time low. Why do political parties have to come to court for permissions for meetings? This is Bengal, which has a rich heritage. She fails in every aspect as an administrator, leader What has been the reaction after you announced your resignation? I am not getting any negative reaction. At least 200 people have met me saying I am taking the right decision. An 82-year-old told me I should have completed my whole tenure. He was the only one to say so. I am getting very good reaction. Do you think that your mission of changing things will stop or will you take it forward? I am on a mission, but I know I will not be able to change everything. I will try though. What do you have to say about the political system of India? The political system of India is mostly corrupt and something needs to be done about it. When the ED raids their house, they start shouting that it happens because they are in the oppositionHave you seen the ED or CBI chasing CPM leaders? If there anybody in India who fights with the BJP thats CPM, but there is no such case against themAll allegations that Modi is using the CBI and ED are baseless. Whats your take on Sandeshkhali? Do you think the CBI should investigate? The CBI should investigate. The police is not allowed to carry out an investigation. I know the Bengal police can do a good job, but they wont be allowed to work. I prefer the CBI. But the CBI does not have much success rate, according to the TMC I engage the CBI and ED as soon as things happen, so a lot of good investigation has happened. Some big people are now languishing in jail. If the CBI is allowed to investigate, they will get success. Worthless, there are learned judges here, who am I?Lets see. I can follow spirituality. A lot of things [to do] How do you want to be remembered as a judge in this court? Worthless, there are learned judges here, who am I? What will you do next? Lets see. I can follow spirituality. A lot of things [to do] Your ties with the Left are good. If there an offer? My ties with the Left were never good. I was never their member. My ties with some people in the Left are good. I have never gone to any of their meetings or joined them. The West Bengal government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Courts order transferring the probe into an attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali on January 5 from the West Bengal Police to the CBI. Senior Advocate Abhishek Mani Singhvi, who was representing the West Bengal government mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna. This comes hours after the high court ordered the transfer of the investigation into an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials at Sandeshkhali 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. The accused who was apprehended on 29th February 2024 after being on the run for more than 50 days is not an ordinary citizen. He is an elected representative of the public, holding the highest office in a Zilla Parishad, he was fielded as the candidate at the elections held for the said post by the political party which is ruling dispensation. Thus, it has become imperative and necessary for doing complete justice and enforcing the fundamental rights of the public in general and the public of the locality that the cases be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for investigation and to proceed further, the court stated in its order. The TMC leader was arrested by Bengal 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 police. Both the ED and the West Bengal government moved separate appeals challenging a single bench order which on January 17 ordered the formation of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and the state police to probe the mob attack on the ED officials. Nibin Maxwell, the 31-year-old Kerala man killed in a missile attack in northern Israel, is survived by his wife and a five-year-old daughter. Nibins wife is also seven months pregnant, deceaseds father, Pathrose Maxwell, told News18. Around 4:30pm, my daughter in-law called me and informed that Nibin has met with an accident. A relative informed them about the accident. It was at midnight when we were informed about our sons death, Pathrose said. The father added that he has three children two are in Israel and one is working in Abu Dhabi. My elder son (Nivin) is saying that the body should be in India within four days as they have to contact the embassy, Nibins father further said. A relative of Nibin in Kollam was quoted by Indian Express as saying, Before the incident, Nibin spoke to his father and shared his concern about the volatile situation in the region. He told his father that they (the Kerala natives employed on the farm) were planning to move to another location. Nibin Maxwell, a native of Kaikulangara in Kollam municipal corporation in Kerala, moved to Israel two months ago to work on a farm. Along with him two other, Joseph and Paul Melvin, were injured in the attack at a moshav, a collective agricultural community in northern Israel. 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), was quoted by PTI. 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. Embassy of Israel in New Delhi 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 organisation Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were cultivating an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon. 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, it posted on X. Television actress Dipika Kakar has reacted to her husband Shoaib Ibrahim losing Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11 trophy to Manisha Rani. In one of her recent vlogs, Dipika shared that it is human to feel bad also congratulated Manisha for her historic win. However, Dipika also praised her husband and shared that he has evolved a lot as a dancer. Thoda bura toh lagta hai (it does feel bad a little), it is human nature. After a journey of 17 weeks and all the hard work, coming so close, Shoaib was never at the bottom. He has evolved so much as a dancer, Farah maam praising him is a big deal, Dipika said. Anyways, congratulations to Manisha and Ashutosh, when I was on Jhalak, Ashu was assisting Vaibhav and this is his first season as a main choreographer, so congratulations to him, the Sasural Simar Ka actress added. In the same vlog, Shoaib also admitted feeling bad but thanked the audience for showering love on him. It is obvious to feel bad a little, but its okay, always things do not go the way you plan them. I had never thought I would make it to the top 3. So, all I will say is Thank You, he said. Manisha Rani recently emerged as the winner of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11. She was honored with a generous prize of INR 30 lakhs, while her choreographer, Ashutosh Pawar, received INR 10 lakhs. The duo also won a grand trip to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. On winning the title, Manisha shared, This journey has been nothing short of a dream come true, and I owe it all to the love, support, and encouragement of the judges and the audience. I knew this experience would change my life, and it truly has. As a wildcard entry, I had to work twice as hard to prove myself, and every moment has been filled with excitement and my growth as a dancer. Katrina Kaif has come a long way in her career. She has essayed many roles which has left a mark on her fans minds. Well, recently she took a trip down memory lane and shared her early days in the film industry where she honed her dancing skills alongside Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta. Katrina Kaif, in conversation with MidDay, revealed that she used to learn kathak with Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta. Priyanka was like the star in our Kathak class. This was the same time when I was investing myself into learning Hindi that I put myself into Kathak training. From 6 am to 12 noon, we would train in a small room with no AC. In the same interview, Katrina Kaif shared that she was not very happy about doing the film New York and it was Salman who encouraged her. In terms of her acting career, Katrina Kaif has given several noteworthy performances in films like Namaste London (2007), Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011), Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009), Raajneeti (2010), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) among others. She rose to become one of the most successful actresses in Bollywood gradually in a career nearing twenty years. Meanwhile, she also launched her beauty line called Kay Beauty in 2019. The brand, within a few months, became the top favourite of women across the nation as its products are also vegan and cruelty-free. The brand has a yearly revenue of around INR 100 crore. In 2022, Katrina Kaifs net worth stood at INR 230 crore approx whereas it was estimated to be INR 205 crore in 2021. In 2020, the net worth of the Raajneeti actress was INR 189 crore approx. On the work front, Katrina was last seen in Merry Christmas with Vijay Sethupathi. The film was again loved by audience. She will be next seen in Jee Lee Zaraa with Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra. The details have not been shared but fans are surely waiting for it. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambanis youngest son Anant Ambani and industrialist Viren Merchants daughter Radhika Merchant hosted their pre-wedding festivities in Gujarats Jamnagar. The functions were a star-studded affair with performances by several Indian and global artists. Several Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, and Aditya Roy Kapur had arrived in Jamnagar to attend. Among them were also the hottest B-town couples of Bollywood, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, as well as Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif. Deepveer as Deepika and Ranveer are lovingly called, are now back to Mumbai. The couple was spotted at Jamnagar leaving the premises for Mumbai. The lovebirds twinned in white. Deepika was beautiful in a pristine, white shirt featuring exaggerated sleeves paired with blue wide-legged denims. She accessorised it with blue sneakers and sunnies. Ranveer was smart in a white tee and grey trousers and a sling bag. Ranveer was seen holding Deepika close as they waded through a sea of fans at the airport. In a video that went viral on the internet, soon-to-be parents Deepika and Ranveer are seen enjoying the Garba dance as part of the pre-wedding bash. Another video had Deepika and Ranveer shaking a leg to Ranveers song Gallan Goodiyaan from Dil Dhakadne Do. Deepika, being pregnant, stayed in one spot during the performance, keeping in mind her delicate health at the moment, while Ranveer brought the energy, more than making up for her performance! Ranveer, who hosted a fun segment during the sangeet, said about Anant, I am happy that he is getting the girl of his dreams. And I am glad that I was able to help. It obviously worked because here we are seven years later. Anant aur Radhika ki shaadi ho rahi hai. Mera Bachha ho raha hai (Anant and Radhika are getting married. I am gonna have a baby). He then pointed towards Deepika and complimented on her pregnancy glow. In his inimitable Rocky Randhawa style, Ranveer said, Hi Babes, Rocky Randhawa this side. Love you from last life. You are the glowing babes What is the raaz (Secret)? Come, let us do special dance for beautiful couple. Ishqbaaz actress Surbhi Chandna recently tied the knot with her longtime beau Karan Sharma in a grand ceremony on March 2. The wedding was held at the Chomu Palace Hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The couple, whose relationship has been under the radar for years, delighted fans with glimpses of their much-anticipated wedding festivities. Surbhi shared a heartwarming post-wedding picture on Instagram, featuring herself and Karan, along with a special song, Kahani Suno. In the photo, Surbhi Chandna can be seen hugging her husband Karan Sharma. However, what stole the spotlight was the actresss dazzling engagement ring. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surbhi Chandna (@officialsurbhic) Fans and followers inundated the comment section with heartfelt wishes and praises, with one fan writing, This is so aesthetic, while another user commented, The song is too beautiful. Notable industry friends of the couple also joined the chorus of congratulations, expressing their sheer joy for the newlyweds. Surbhi Jyoti couldnt contain her excitement, exclaiming, Yayyyy, love and only love to both of you, while Niilam Paanchal offered her heartfelt felicitations with a warm Congratulations, sweetheart. Surbhi and Karan delighted fans further by sharing additional pictures from their wedding festivities in a heartfelt combined post. In the photos, the couple can be seen dressed in resplendent grey ensembles adorned with intricate embellishments. In the first image, Surbhi tenderly holds Karans hand as they solemnly complete the sacred pheras. Another picture captures Surbhis radiant smile as she points towards Karan during her entry, exuding excitement. A candid shot portrays the couple immersed in a moment of pure joy. The series also includes intimate moments such as Karan tenderly applying sindoor on Surbhis forehead, followed by Surbhi proudly flaunting her mangalsutra in the next frame. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surbhi Chandna (@officialsurbhic) Accompanying the photos, Surbhi wrote in the caption, Finally Home after 13 Years. We Seek all your love and blessings as we embark on this new journey together. Surbhi and Karan have been together for almost 13 years. Their wedding festivities commenced with a roka ceremony held in Goa in September 2023. However, their happiness reached new heights as they officially tied the knot on March 2, 2024. Surbhi Chandna gained fame for her roles as Anika Trivedi Singh Oberoi in Ishqbaaaz and Bani Sharma Singhania in Naagin 5. Her stunning performance in both shows earned her two ITA Awards for Best Actress Popular. On the other hand, Karan Sharma is an entrepreneur. Vijay Varma is set to star in Netflixs upcoming murder mystery, Murder Mubarak. During the trailer launch event, Vijay discussed how his character in this film is different from the rest of his filmography. The trailer of the thriller, produced by Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films and directed by Homi Adajania, was launched earlier today. It provided a glimpse into the enigmatic character of a lawyer, called Akash Oberoi, portrayed by Vijay Varma. Speaking about his character, Vijay said, It is a little bit of a break from the bad guys I have played. I would like to say that. Although its a mystery, I wont reveal much But Akash Oberoi is a lawyer, his heart is broken, thats all I know. He has a love-and-hate relationship with this Club, and he wants to run away from it. So, this is what I can say right now. Besides Vijay Varma, the murder mystery boasts of an ensemble cast including Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Karisma Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, Suhail Nayyar and Aashim Gulati. The trailer takes viewers to the heart of New Delhis upper class, where a series of strange events disrupt the peace of an elite club. As the polished facade begins to crumble, club members find themselves entangled in a web of deceit, testing their loyalties and blurring the lines between innocence and guilt. Leading the investigation is Pankaj Tripathi, portraying a determined cop with his own unique methods. Hes set on uncovering the club members darkest secrets in this murder mystery. As Murder Mubarak gears up for its release, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing Vijay Varmas transformation on screen and unravelling the mysteries surrounding his character. Apart from that, he will also be seen playing a pilot in IC814: The Khandahar Hijak. Sandeshkhali, which is a part of the Sunderbans, has not escaped the curse of the political malaise that has befallen West Bengal since 1947. A remote village, Sandeshkhali, has recently been at the centre of massive outrage against local TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh, with multiple accusations of land grabbing, intimidation, and rampant sexual abuse of village women. The village was first on the news on January 7, 2024, when an Enforcement Directorate team raided Shajahans house in connection with money laundering and a public distribution system scam. The team was subsequently attacked by his henchmen. The entire area of the Sunderbans, which includes Sandeshkhali, was once a part of a widespread mangrove forest that once extended almost to what is now Kolkata. In 1783, Tilman Henckell, the British magistrate of Jessore (now Bangladesh), decided to clear up the mangrove forests and start farming in the Sunderban area in order to increase British revenues after the salt industry started failing. Settlers (mostly poor peasants and destitute) were brought in from east Bengal (what is now Bangladesh), Midnapur areas, and the Santhal Parganas. The settlers were asked to clear the forests, and each family was given land as much as they could clear. Thus, humans started habitation in an ecologically fragile and naturally hostile region that saw regular cyclones, and life here was difficult right from the start. In the beginning, indigenous varieties of paddy were planted, which were more tolerant to the saline environment of the Sunderbans, and despite the regular cyclones, crop yield was somewhat favourable. As more mangroves were cut down, the area became more unstable and more prone to cyclonic damage owing to the loss of the shield that the mangrove forests provided. However, desperately poor migrants kept arriving (post-1943 famine), as besides the paddy crop farming, there was the additional promise of food from catching fish from the various ponds, rivers, and the sea. By then, the government had become aware of the dangers of the ecologically sensitive islands of the Sunderbans, but it could not stop the migration. Attempts at forced removal of migrants settled in the Sunderbans saw the terrible Marichjhapi incident (1979) under the CPI-M rule, when thousands of Dalit Namashudra settlers who had migrated from Bangladesh were killed by the WB state police. Disaster struck these areas in 2007 in the form of the Aila cyclone, which changed the lives of these villagers forever. West Bengal had 102 islands in the Sunderbans during partition, and soon the forests on 54 of the 102 islands were destroyed. Without protection of the mangrove forests, Aila proved to be disastrous, and Sunderbans saw areas inundated under almost 20 feet of sea water. The salt water later receded, but it had done permanent damage to most of the farmland by making it unfit for farming. Whatever farmland survived saw poor yield because the modern hybrid paddy crops, unlike the indigenous varieties, were not suitable for the highly salty environment of the Sundarbans. At this time (post-Aila), for survival, attention was turned to earning from fishing, and soon it was discovered that a good catch of crabs, prawns, and fishes was a huge money earner. In 2011, as TMC came into power, the earnings from fishing (especially prawns, which are mostly exported) in Sunderbans soon caught the attention of the politicians and their minions. Shajahan, who had started as a worker in fisheries and brick kilns in Sandeshkhali, joined the CPI-M sometime in 2004, under the guidance of his uncle, who was then a CPI-M party member. Sensing the fall of CPI-M, Sheikh shifted his allegiances to the Trinamool Congress in 2012 and worked under the leadership of Mukul Roy and North 24 Parganas TMC district president Jyotipriyo Mullick. He quickly rose to power and became close to Mullick. What happened thereafter in Sandeshkhali was a story of the rise in power of a fishery mafia with political backing. Not content with the existing fisheries, Shajahan and his goons decided to turn more farming lands into ponds for fish farming (mainly for prawn), locally known as macher bheri. They started this by promising money for leasing lands from poor farmers, sometimes paying a paltry sum, then stopping all payments; that is, to sum it up, they began a systemic process of land grabbing from poor farmers. A picture of the terrible situation in Sandeshkhali can be derived from an interview of Arjun Mondal to the Telegraph online (published February 22 by Snehamoy Chakraborty). Arjun Mondal is a 68-year-old farmer from Sandeshkhali who used to farm on his familys 1.5-bigha land until 2018. However, now he is forced to run a tea stall near Sandeshkhali ferry ghat, while his two sons are forced to work in other states as migrant labourers. In the words of Arjun Mondal, I belong to a marginal family and have been a farmer for the past 40 years. I still have the land on paper, but it is no longer mine as it became the property of Shibu (Shib Prasad Hazra, a minion of Shajahan). I was not ready to hand over my small land parcel, but I was not able to bear the pain of being beaten black and blue by the kodaleyr bnaat (wooden spade handle), wielding which he and his cronies ran their writ in our area. His words give a spine-chilling account of how his land was grabbed under torture and immense pressure. Besides beating the farmers if they refused to hand over their lands, Shahjahan and his cronies like Noor Alam (who goes by the name Uttam Sardar) and Shibu Hazra would pump saline water into the farmlands, making the land unfit for growing any crops. Thus, the farmers would then be forced to hand over the land, which was already destroyed by saline water. As the number of farmlands decreased, there was an exponential increase in artificial water bodies for fish farming in Sandeshkhali and adjoining areas. By turning farming lands into artificial water bodies for fish-farming, Shajahan and his cronies were earning thousands of crores, with the money moving up in hierarchical order to the political leaders as protection money to keep police away. The story of Arjun Mondol is the story of innumerable small farmers in Sandeshkhali and in many other adjoining areas. Land grabbing, which was present during the CPI-M era, has grown exponentially under the TMC rule. It has led to the creation of two sections within the village population: the extremely rich and powerful fish mafias and the desperately poor villagers with almost no source of income due to land loss. The land loss and lack of a source of income have led to another problem in these areas. Many men in the earning age group have been forced to migrate to other states as migrant labourers. Sandeshkhali and the villages around it are full of women and the elderly, with very little protection in the name of able-bodied male members. This is also the reason for the easy picking up of women for sexual abuse, which has been a major cause of outrage among women in Sandeshkhali in recent times. With huge funds and political protection, Shajahan and his cronies found it easy to target pretty Hindu and tribal women and treat them as sexual slaves. Village women were ordered by his cronies to visit the party office, and the pretty ones were asked to stay for the night for obvious reasons. If the women refused to comply, the other family members were ruthlessly beaten up. There are multiple videos available on X where women have shown the patchily built huts beside bheris that were used for such purposes. From land grabbing to murders, tortures, rampant sexual abuse, and money laundering, the accusations against Shajahan are many. Just arresting him is not enough; one must ensure he remains in prison and his control over the bheris is gone. Also, Shajahan is just one of the many other mafias controlling other villages and towns in West Bengal, aided and abetted by political leaders. West Bengal not only needs a change in political scenario, it also needs a thorough cleaning up of its institutions and systems, which includes its law enforcement agencies that often work hand in glove with the mafia bosses and political leaders. (The author is a well-known travel and heritage writer. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) Public affairs programming from Cayuga Community College's telecom/media department continues this week with guests from Cayuga County and beyond. On Tuesday, March 5, the guests on "Inside Government with Guy Cosentino" will be members of the staff of Cayuga Countys Department of Social Services, Wendy Armstrong and Janet Saco, discussing the countys foster care program. The show airs at 7 that night and at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 7, on Spectrum 12, and will replay at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, on Spectrums 12 and 98 and Verizon Fios channel 31 from Auburn Regional Media Access. "Beyond The Front Page with Guy Cosentino" will follow with Seward House Museum Director of Education Jeffrey Ludwig to discuss the museum and its upcoming programs. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, on Spectrum 12, and will replay at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, on Spectrums 12 and 98 and Verizon Fios channel 31 from Auburn Regional Media Access. On Thursday, March 7, on "Inside Government" the guest will be state Assemblyman John Lemondes to give an update on his work in the Assembly and also the status of Gov. Kathy Hochul s proposed budget for 2024-2025. The show airs at 7 that night and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, on Spectrum 12, and will replay at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, on Spectrums 12 and 98 and Verizon Fios channel 31 from Auburn Regional Media Access. On a rescheduled Beyond The Front Page," Karen Belcher, the executive director of the Food Bank of Central New York, will discuss the work of that agency, focusing on its efforts in Cayuga County. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, on Spectrum 12, and will replay at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, on Spectrums 12 and 98 and Verizon Fios channel 31 from Auburn Regional Media Access. The shows are rebroadcast starting at 10 a.m. each Saturday on the colleges station, WDWN 89.1 FM. Future guests this semester include state Sen. Rachel May, new Cayuga County Administrator Stephen Lynch, Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert and Auburn Comptroller Mary Beth Leeson. Forums with candidates for June primaries are also being planned, with questions from The Citizens Robert Harding. Viewers who wish to pose questions for any of the shows guests can email cozguytho@aol.com. The shows are taped at the college on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons by the students of Cayuga County Community Colleges telecom/media department. 'Take that step': Cayuga County has 'urgent need' for foster parents FLEMING The Cayuga County Department of Social Services had an ulterior motive for bringing all of its foster parents together for dinner We Six rebel Congress MLAs on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court to challenge their disqualification ordered by the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker. The rebel MLAs said that the Speakers order is illegal and constitutional. These MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker due to their absence during the budget in the Assembly. Last week, the six rebel MLAs moved the Himachal Pradesh High Court challenging their disqualification from the state Assembly following the defeat of party candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha election. The state Assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania disqualified the rebel MLAs who had cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha polls for the only seat in the state. Additionally, they had also abstained from voting on Budget in the assembly, defying a party whip to vote for the government on the Finance Bill. Following this, the Congress-led government managed to pass the budget. The Finance Bill was passed by voice vote after the suspension of 15 BJP MLAs by Pathania. The ruling Congress had sought the rebel MLAs disqualification. The disqualified MLAs are Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma. This was the first time in Himachals history that any MLA has been disqualified under the anti-defection law aimed at checking defections. These disqualified MLAs, who had voted for BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls were not present in the House during voting on the Budget. Targeting the Congress government in Karnataka and its leadership over the pro-Pakistan slogan issue, BJP national President J P Nadda on Tuesday questioned whether they were running the party to speak Pakistans language and if they were representatives of the neighbouring country in India. Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussains supporters allegedly raised Pakistan zindabad slogans, while celebrating his victory in the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27 at Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature and secretariat. A purported video of the incident was telecast by TV news channels and it also had gone viral on social media. Police on Monday arrested three persons in connection with the incident, following the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirming that the slogans were indeed chanted. The Assembly assembly poll results have not come in our favour, but you might have realised by now and also the people of Karnataka that the government they have elected is cheating them and has mislead them, and have plundered their interest for their own self interest, Nadda said Addressing booth level party workers meeting here, he alleged; if anything is available free in Karnataka it is terrorism; terrorists are getting encouragement and patronage. What a situation has come. Pakistan zindabad slogans are raised in Vidhana Soudha, and Congress Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) and Deputy Chief Minister (D K Shivakumar) are mute spectators. Isnt it from this very Karnataka that the Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge comes from? The MP is someone who sits next to him (Kharge), on whose victory (in Rajya Sabha polls) Pakistan zindabad slogans are raised, he said. Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra, Nadda asked, is this the way you are uniting India? Your MP wins an election and on his victory Pakistan Zindabad slogans are raised. Whom are you representing? Kharge ji why are you silent? The nation wants to know, the people of Karnataka are asking, he said while questioning the silenceof Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. He further asked, Are you born to help Pakistan? Are you running the party to speak Pakistans language? Are you representatives of Pakistan in India? I want to know, I want answers for this. BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Chikkodi MP Annasaheb Jolle, and MLA from Nippani Shashikala Jolle, were among others present. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) parliamentarian A Raja found himself embroiled in another controversy on Tuesday for his comments that the people of Tamil Nadu wont accept Jai Shri Ram and Bharat Mata remarks that drew a sharp retort by the Centres ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing a public gathering in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore on March 3 (Sunday), he also took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned the idea of India as a nation, in what is seen as the latest in a series of controversial comments by leaders of the southern states ruling party. If this is your Jai Shri Ram, if this is your Bharat Mata Ki Jai, we will never accept that Jai Shri Ram and Bharat Mata. Tamil Nadu wont accept. You go and tell, were enemies of Ram, A Raja said. #BreakingNews: BJP rains fire on DMK over A Rajas controversial remarks; BJP Leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said whatever A Raja said is a language of a Maoist#ARaja #DMK #BJP pic.twitter.com/ahZxO6g66p News18 (@CNNnews18) March 5, 2024 Speaking at a public gathering in Coimbatore to mark the 71st birthday of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on March 3, the DMK leader also said, I dont have faith in Ramayana, and lord Ram. If you say that in name of the Ramayana is human harmony, where four brothers are born as siblings, one Kuravar as brother, one Hunter as brother, another monkey as another brother, another monkey as the 6th brother, then your Jai Sri Ram is Chi! Idiots! He then went on to target PM Modi, accusing him of helping Gautam Adani in looting commoners, citing the Hindenburg report. He also slammed PM Modi for not visiting ethnic riot-hit Manipur and challenged him to come clean on corruption allegations. During his speech, the DMK MP said India was not a nation but a sub-continent, similar to the divisive notion of India peddled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He also quoted the preamble to support his claims. BJP REACTS Responding to A Rajas statements, BJP Media Cell In-charge Amit Malviya said DMK first made derogatory comments against Sanatan Dharma and then went on to target the idea of India and PM Modi. The hate speeches from DMKs stable continue unabated. After Udhayanidhi Stalins call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for balkanisation of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris and questions the idea of India, as a nation. pic.twitter.com/jgC1iOA5Ue Amit Malviya ( ) (@amitmalviya) March 5, 2024 Taking to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), he shared exerpts from the DMK MPs speech and wrote, The hate speeches from DMKs stable continue unabated. After Udhayanidhi Stalins call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for balkanisation of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris, and questions the idea of India, as a nation. Congress and other I.N.D.I Alliance partners are quiet. Rahul Gandhi, their putative Prime Ministerial candidates silence is eloquent. A recent college graduate, Camryn Herriage, is currently in the hospital, fighting for her life after a tragic incident involving a drunk driver. On February 11 in Dallas, US, Camryn and her friends were waiting at a red light when an extremely drunk woman crashed into their car. The impact led to a chain reaction, as it damaged several other cars. Immediately after the incident, the 23-year-old, along with four friends, were rushed to a nearby hospital. Sadly, her roommate, Sara House, lost her life in the crash. A recent graduate of Texas Tech University, Camryn remains on a ventilator, fighting for her life. The police reported that the driver, driving a Ford pickup truck, fled the scene on foot. Meanwhile, Camryns older sister, Casie Campanello, has strongly criticised the female driver for the reckless incident. In a conversation with Fox 4 News, she said, Literally, a careless act. Put us in a situation that changed all of our lives. We are very helpless and just stay strong for her, but its very difficult to see." According to a legal document acquired by the portal, people called emergency services and reported the situation. They mentioned that a lady who came out of the drivers side, wearing a short black dress and white clubbing shoes, was very drunk. The woman, later identified as 27-year-old Carmen Guerrero, was arrested last week, around 11 days after the accident. During the investigation, officials found her wallet in the truck, which was left behind. Casie Campanello, who has been by her sisters side in the hospital, shared that her focus is solely on her little sister and her future, not on the investigation. She said, When she came out of her first surgery, the surgeon told us he told us he never saw anyone make it to the hospital with her injury. So she has a purpose." Carmen Guerrero is dealing with serious charges, including manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. As per reports, she was found driving the vehicle at 70 mph in an area where the speed limit is 35 mph. Currently, she is in custody at the Dallas County jail. As per the GoFundMe organised by Camryn Herriages best friend, the crash caused her severe injuries, including a torn aorta, a broken C1, brain swelling, bleeding and over 20 breaks throughout her body. A Reddit post recently shed light on how they encountered a group of people on an IndiGo flight who misbehaved with the air hostess just to have fun. The Reddit user who goes by @britolaf, shared the post under India subreddit, revealing how they were seated ahead of a group of youngsters. I was a solo traveller and just behind were a group of 12-15 youngsters. Seems like they are all working in the same company and they came here for a colleagues wedding. The group had 3 ladies, they detailed. The post continued to narrate how this group of supposedly educated professionals attempted to cause trouble for the flight attendant, making inappropriate comments towards her and challenging one person to persuade her to fasten their seatbelt for them. Once they sat, one guy said he could get the air hostess to buckle his friend up. Then he accepts the challenge and calls the air hostess and tells her The buckle isnt working properly. Can you help?. She politely buckles his seat which had no issues, recounted the OP. Also Read: IndiGo Passenger Gets Seat With No Cushion On Nagpur Flight, Airline Responds As the post progressed, the user expressed disappointment as the group cheered for the individual who had the flight attendant buckle their seatbelt. When she goes away they cheer for him and that shockingly included the ladies who were travelling in that group. They were calling some of them Sir, which means some senior in the company. Not a single person in the group objected and even the women found it funny to degrade the air hostess, they lamented. Subsequently, the post delved into broader societal issues, with the caption, Incident on Indigo airlines yesterday just confirms how unsafe India is for women, prompting discussion on a recent case where a Spanish woman touring India with her husband was attacked and gang-raped in Jharkhand. Reflecting on their inaction during the incident, the user regretted not speaking up, acknowledging their complicity as a silent bystander. I wish I had some sense and guts to stand up and stop it, the post ended. Heres the Viral Post: The post garnered significant attention, with public comments condemning the behaviour. This is why group-ism is a big problem in our country. Doesnt matter whether the group of individuals are educated or not. Ive seen some doing such low level activities only when they are in a group. They indulge in such activities even when they are sober, remarked one user. Another shared, Unfortunately I had similar incident in an international Indigo flight. I was travelling from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Delhi and a group of 10-12 boys and 2-3 girls (looked like medical students) were creating a scene right from the waiting area. Using foul language, commenting on passengers and cabin crew, breaking queue, pushing into girls on purpose, the entire scene was so uncomfortable and unbelievable that most people were just dumbfounded, shared another. Also Read: Man Slams IndiGo For Not Selling Tea-Coffee Separately But With Snack Pack, Airline Responds Truly, its high time for Indians to realise that not everyone who is meant to assist them is their servant! Pre-wedding festivities are incomplete without dance performances by family and friends. Many practice for their performances and try to do their best in front of the guests. Several Bollywood songs have transcended boundaries, and videos of people grooving to Hindi songs or creating their beautiful renditions or hilarious versions are proof of that. One such video of a young Pakistani duo dancing to an old Bollywood item song has emerged online, and it is receiving much love from Internet users. This perfectly synchronised performance will definitely make you want to get up and groove along. The clip opens to show a girl in a red gharara set energetically dancing with a boy dressed in a black kurta set to hit Bollywood track Beedi Jalaile at a pre-wedding festivity. As they danced to the groovy tunes of Bipasha Basu and Saif Ali Khans song, the onlookers cheered them. Their choreography, graceful dance moves, and on-point expressions have left viewers amazed. The video was shared by an Instagram user named @arsalnaiqbal. Sharing the video, the user wrote, If your friends dont dance like this at your wedding, so are they even your friends? The video also reads, This is how your friends are supposed to dance at your wedding. Also Read: Ustad Zakir Hussains Absolute Mastery On Tabla Is A Treat For The Ears Check the energetic dance video: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Arsalna Iqbal (@arsalnaiqbal) Also Read: Mans Energetic Performance On Kala Chashma Is Perfect Inspiration For Sangeet Celebration The video was shared a few days ago and has ranked thousands of views and numbers are still rising. The share has also received thousands of likes and comments from netizens. Several people reacted with heart emoticons and tagged their friends in the comments section of the post. You too good watched more than 50 times, wrote an Instagram user. Absolute fav duo, added another. Damn, Damn, Damn, commented a third. Earlier, a video of a group of men dancing energetically to Shah Rukh Khans Chaiyya Chaiyya at a Pakistani wedding garnered widespread admiration. The video was posted on an Instagram account named @weddingsbysalman. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman ameen (@weddingsbysalman) Social media users adored the fiery dance performance and flooded the comments section with compliments. Normally, an emergency mid-air flight situation would instigate panic among passengers, but a recent VietJet flight from Taipei, Taiwan to Bangkok encountered a very different kind of emergencyone that culminated in joy and appreciation. Captain Jakarin Sararnrakskul, already lauded for his piloting skills, now boasts another remarkable feat: assisting in delivering a baby mid-flight. As reported by Viral Press, Captain Jakarin Sararnrakskul left the cockpit upon learning that a woman was experiencing labour pains in one of the aircrafts restrooms. Hastening to the expectant mother, he discovered she was in active labour, leaving his female co-pilot in charge of piloting the aircraft. Despite lacking any medical experience, Sararnrakskul addressed the passengers and inquired if there was a doctor on board. Unfortunately, there were no doctors among the passengers that day. Determined to take charge, Sararnrakskul retrieved instructions on safe baby delivery from his cell phone and successfully assisted in the mid-air birth while thousands of feet above the ground. Passengers were thrilled to witness their flight captain cradling a healthy newborn shortly after the delivery. Despite his 18-year career as a pilot, Sararnrakskul admitted to Viral Press that he had never before delivered a baby. Upon landing in Bangkok, Thailand, paramedics promptly attended to the mother and child, both reported to be in good health. The crew affectionately nicknamed the baby Sky. A 2020 study by the International Society of Travel Medicine revealed that between 1929 and 2018, 74 children were delivered aboard commercial flights, with only three not surviving. While most pregnant women can travel safely, as stated by the NHS, consulting with a doctor or midwife before air travel is advisable. A study published by researcher Wenyi Zhang in 2020 on hair loss and how it affects Chinese youth showed that hair loss had become one of the ten most prevalent health problems in the country. Zhang, a researcher at the School of African and Oriental Studies in London, UK, found that three in ten female respondents were reporting losses of hair and one in every five male respondents reported hair loss. A survey conducted by the China Association of Health Promotion and Education in 2019 found that a staggering 250 million people in China are experiencing hair loss. Surprisingly, most of them are between the ages of 20 and 40. Out of this large number, men make up 160 million, which is approximately 23 percent of all Chinese men. Whats concerning is that many of them are noticing hair loss as early as age 30, which is twenty years earlier than the generation before them. Following the pandemic, the number of people in China suffering from hair loss has only grown. A report by consulting firm Daxue also said that the most adversely impacted age group is people under 30 and those aged between 31- and 40-years old account for 69.8% and 25.4%, respectively, of the population who are going bald. Why Are Young Chinese Suffering From Hair Loss Hair loss can happen due to several reasons which could also be out of a persons control, like environmental or genetic factors. However, young Chinese are witnessing rapid hair loss because of lack of sleep, anxiety over rising costs, pressure to earn more and unhealthy eating and sleeping habits which build up due to the nations work culture. The Chinese state-run broadcaster CGTN in a report published in 2019 said that the youth are aware regarding what causes rapid and early hair fall. They attributed it to disrupted daily schedules, late nights, and stress from busy work and high living expenses in a bustling city. A Growing Market Data from Chinas health authorities dating back to 2019 indicates that urban Chinese residents are spending more on hair care each year, with a rapid growth rate of 30%. Over the next decade, the hair nutrition, restoration and transplantation industry is expected to grow by a whopping 260%. On JD.com, sales of hair-growing shampoos rose by 136% in 2018 compared to 2017. Taobao, another major e-commerce platform, revealed that in 2017, hair products like vibrating hair brushes, herbal remedies, Minoxidil and adhesive hair pieces ranked among its top 40 bestsellers. Over 40% of these sales were made by consumers under 30 years old. During 618 shopping festival in 2022, also known as June 18 Shopping Festival, is one of Chinas major annual online shopping events, originally created by e-commerce giant JD.com to commemorate its founding anniversary on June 18, demand for hair care products increased by 33.1%. The Daxue report said that youth suffering from hair loss often opt for shampoos for thinning hair. The sales of shampoos for thinning hair in China reached around 1.54 billion yuan. A survey by Ipsos revealed that in 2022, 69% of 3,000 Chinese participants bought anti-hair loss shampoo. Among hair loss treatments, finasteride, spironolactone, and minoxidil are widely used. Chinese brands like Mandi and Dafeixin, who sell these hair loss treatments, have seen significant sales growth. Mandis Minoxidil spray sales on Taobao and Tmall hit nearly 60 million yuan in the first quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, Dafeixins annual sales surged from 11 million yuan in 2018 to 116 million yuan in 2021, as per Zhendong Pharmaceuticals data. Since 2016, Chinas hair transplant industry has grown steadily, reaching 13.4 billion yuan in 2020. However, only 516,000 surgeries were done that year, with a low penetration rate of 0.2%, though the lower rates could be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Covid Zero policy which barred people from getting out of their homes. The Enforcement Directorate in India also unearthed an 11,793-crore human hair smuggling network in Hyderabad, Telangana which smuggled hair into China using a three-point corridor spanning Hyderabad, Mizoram and Myanmar. The smuggled hair from Hyderabad was routed to China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Vietnam and funds from traders in Myanmar were reportedly funnelled back to Hyderabad. China increased its defence budget by 7.2% to $232 billion as it continues to pursue the modernization of its military amid ongoing tensions with Taiwan, the South China Sea disputes and the border frictions with India. The nation will remain the second highest spender on defence after the US and has allocated 1.67 trillion yuan (about USD 232 billion) for defence spending. The increase in terms of the percentage was the same as last year, a report by the PTI said. In comparison to India, Chinas 2024 defence budget was almost three times higher than that of India. India allocated about $74.8 billion for defence, which amounted to Rs 621,541 crore. China has set an economic growth target of around five percent in 2024, the same goal as last year but far lower than previous decades. Beijing has struggled to sustain its rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic as a property sector crisis and flagging consumption weigh on growth. The defence spending remained unchanged despite the economic slowdown as China appears to prioritise the simmering territorial disputes with some of its neighbours while also countering the US as Beijing tries to dent US dominance of the global economy. China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force. On Taiwan, Li said China would resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at the self-ruled islands independence and external interference. He said Beijing would seek the peaceful development of ties with Taiwan but did not commit to peaceful unification as mentioned in previous years. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. Tensions between China and the Philippines have risen over the past few months as the latter, backed by the US, stepped up efforts to assert its rights over the part of the South China Sea firmly resisted by the Chinese coast guard ships. Some Western analysts believe Beijing ploughs a significant amount of extra money into its armed forces without officially disclosing it, a report by news agency AFP said. The Indian embassy in Israel on Tuesday told Indian nationals living in the country and those working in or visiting border areas in northern and southern Israel to relocate to safe areas within Israel. *IMPORTANT ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN ISRAEL* pic.twitter.com/Fshw7zcbmj India in Israel (@indemtel) March 5, 2024 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 advisory said. The Embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals, the advisory further said, while sharing an emergency contact and the Tel Aviv consulates email address as well as the contact of the Population and Immigration Authority of Israel. The advisory comes after an Indian national was killed and another two were injured when an anti-tank missile from Lebanon, with whom Israel shares a border on its northern side, struck an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot. All three Indian citizens hailed from the state of Kerala. The deceased, identified as Patnibin Maxwell, belonged to Keralas Kollam. The injured were identified as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin. George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body, an official source was quoted as saying. George underwent an operation and is currently under observation, the official said, adding that he is recovering well and could speak with his family. Melvin was slightly injured and hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in northern Israels Safed city. The Israeli embassy also released a post expressing grief over the death of the Indian citizen. 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. City Jaclyn J. Freeland, 40, of Venice, was charged March 2 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Caitlin P. Giannone, 34, of Auburn, was charged March 3 with second-degree criminal trespass. Annette M. Schoneboom, 56, of Auburn, was charged March 3 with fugitive from justice. Joseph W. Swietoniowski, 40, of Auburn, was charged March 3 with driving while intoxicated first offense and aggravated driving while intoxicated first offense. Kenneth M. Lafler, 32, of Auburn, was charged March 4 with possession of a mislabeled dangerous drug and resisting arrest. Jabari A. Penda, 31, of Auburn, was charged March 4 with aggravated family offense, second-degree menacing, second-degree criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child. Joseph R. Tifft, 39, of Auburn, was charged March 4 with second-degree criminal contempt. County Levi T. Barron, 35, of Dallas, Georgia, was charged March 4 with driving while intoxicated first offense, aggravated driving while intoxicated first offense and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. State Callen G. Space, 36, Locke, was charged March 2 with driving while intoxicated first offense and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of .08 of 1% first offense. Moregan K. Persail, 27, Port Byron, was charged March 3 with obstructing governmental administration and second-degree criminal contempt. Jesse L. Cogan, 31, Elbridge, was charged March 5 with endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief. The records page: Police blotter, restaurant inspections and more Visit the records page of auburnpub.com to see The Citizen's latest police blotter, restaurant inspections, property transfers and building permits. An Indian national was killed and another two were injured when an anti-tank mission from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israels northern border community of Margaliot on Monday, officials said. All three victims hail from the southern state of Kerala. The deceased, identified as Patnibin Maxwell, belonged to Keralas Kollam. His mortal remains were identified in Ziv hospital, official sources said. A spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA) told news agency PTI that the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot a moshav (collective agriculture community) in northern Israels Galilee region around 11 am on Monday. The other two Keralites, Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin, were injured and rushed to hospitals for treatment, they said. George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body, an official source was quoted as saying. George underwent an operation and is currently under observation, the official said, adding that he is recovering well and could speak with his family. Meanwhile, Melvin hailing from Keralas Idukki district was slightly injured and hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in northern Israels Safed city. Earlier, the rescue services had said that one foreign worker was killed and seven others were injured in the attack. The Israeli Embassy in India reacted to the unfortunate incident and 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 yesterday early afternoon. 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 The statement also said that Israeli medical institutions are completely at the service of the injured who are being treated by their very best medical staff. Extending their condolences to the bereaved families, it said that Israel stands united with the hopes of a speedy recovery for the injured. It is believed that the attack was carried out by the Shiite Hezbollah faction in Lebanon, which has constantly been launching drones, rockets and missile attacks on northern Israel since October 8 as a show of support to Hamas. According to MDA, as many as seven foreign workers were injured in the attack, of which two were were seriously wounded. All of them 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 to the attack by shelling the launch site with artillery. A short time ago, fighter jets attacked a series of targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the areas of Bint Jabal, A-Saltaniya and Tzadikin in response to launches towards the Margaliot area this morning. Among the targets attacked: military buildings and a military headquarters used by the organization, the Israeli Air Force said. The IDF also noted that it struck a Hezbollah compound, where its members were gathered in the southern Lebanon town of Chihine, and another site belonging to Hezbollah in Ayta ash-Shab. Hezbollah has been attacking northern Israeli communities and military posts since October 8, saying that it is to support to Gaza. Conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side. The terror outfit, on the other hand, named 229 members who were killed by Israel during the recent flare ups. Majority of the casualties on the Hezbollah side were in Lebanon, but also some in the region of Syria. Another 37 operatives from other groups, a Lebanese soldier, and at least 30 civilians have also been killed since October 8. (With PTI inputs) Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu stepped up his anti-India rhetoric and told a gathering in Baa atoll that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10. According to a report by Edition.mv, the comments were made by pro-China Muizzu while addressing the Baa atoll Eydhafushi residential community during his tour across the atoll. He said that people are spreading false rumours to twist the situation as his government was successful in expelling Indian troops from the country. His statement comes less than a week after an Indian civilian team reached the Maldives to take charge of one of the three aviation platforms in the island nation, well ahead of the March 10 deadline agreed by the two nations for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instil doubts in our hearts and spread lies, the portal quoted Mr Muizzu, widely regarded as a China-backed leader, as saying. 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. Earlier last month, after a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2 between the two sides, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10. In his maiden address to Parliament on February 5, he made similar remarks. There are 88 military personnel manning the three Indian platforms that have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. Muizzu rode to power last year on an anti-India stance and within hours of taking oath demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The Maldivian news outlet further reported that while the first troops to depart the country are the Indian military personnel operating the two helicopters in Addu City, the military personnel present in Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimaadhoo and Laamu atoll Kahdhoo are also expected to leave ahead of May 10. India had agreed to remove their troops from Maldives under the condition that a number of their civilians equivalent to the military presence are brought to operate the aircraft. The Maldivian opposition has been directing criticism at the administration asserting that the Indian personnel sent to Maldives as civilians are in reality military officials out of uniform and that the government has no way to ascertain otherwise, the portal claimed. Meanwhile, local media reports also said that Maldives has successfully tied up with Sri Lanka to run flights for medical evacuation last week, further indicating that it is bent on removing all Indian troops in whichever category. Further highlighting that securing true independence is a concept he regards with utmost priority, the President remarked that the State is exerting efforts with due importance to regain the southern maritime area deprived of the country in addition to expelling Indian troops from the Maldives. I am confident we can achieve this. The delay in concluding this task is due to the adverse procedures practised during the implementation. It was done without even taking the matter to the parliament in violation of the Constitution as well, the portal quoted the President as saying. The Maldives proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainlands western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. The Maldives has been Indias key maritime neighbour in the IOR and it occupies a special place in its initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy. (with inputs from PTI) Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Tuesday failed to reach a consensus with allies on a power-sharing deal as their talks ended inconclusively, giving rise to speculation about the stability of his government following his dramatic move to terminate alliance with the Nepali Congress. Prachanda, a former guerilla leader, forged a new alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) the second-biggest party led by former premier KP Sharma Oli on Monday following which three ministers took the oath of office. As the power-sharing deal among the members of the ruling alliance could not be materialised, Prime Minister Prachanda failed to expand his cabinet even 24 hours after the new alliance government was formed, sources said. Prime Minister Prachanda has kept 25 ministerial portfolios including those of Home, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Finance with himself as he hurriedly reshuffled the cabinet with the support of CPN-UML and appointed three ministers without portfolio. Padam Giri from the CPN-UML, Hit Bahadur Tamang from CPN (Maoist Center) and Dol Prasad Aryal from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) took the oath of office and secrecy on Monday. The cabinet expansion is expected to be completed by Wednesday as discussions were underway among the alliance members till Tuesday evening, Bishnu Rijal, central member of CPN-UML, told PTI. The talks held among Prime Minister Prachanda, UML chairman Oli, Janata Samajwadi Party chief Upendra Yadav and Rashtriya Swatantra Party president Ravi Lamichhane regarding the power-sharing deal and cabinet expansion ended inconclusively. The four parties have a combined strength of 142 seats, which is sufficient to show a simple majority, said Rijal. However, we are also trying to include other smaller parties including CPN-Unified Socialist (10) led by Madhav Nepal, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (4) led by Mahantha Thakur and Janamat Party (6) led by C.K Raut, in the alliance to get a comfortable majority, he said. The CPN-US, LSP and Janamat have a combined strength of 20 seats. The UML and RSP both have claimed the portfolio of Home, sources close to the ruling alliance said. Similarly, within the Maoist Centre, both senior leaders Narayankaji Shrestha and Barshaman Pun are claiming the portfolio of Finance. Similarly, Upendra Yadav, chief of JSP is also vying for the coveted Foreign Ministry portfolio. Prime Minister Prachanda is now having a tough time bargaining and satisfying his alliance members in a bid to give stability to the new alliance. Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress has decided to withdraw its support to the Prachanda-led government, party vice-president Dhanraj Gurung said after a meeting of the NCs central work execution committee on Tuesday. The meeting concluded that the party will play the role of constructive opposition, said Gurung. As a key member of the previous ruling alliance, NC withdrew its support to the Prime Minister. Now he must take a vote of confidence to prove his majority in the 275-member lower house, said senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi. After the change in coalition, the prime minister must take a vote of confidence in the parliament within 30 days. The Maoist Centre led by Prachanda and the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress was terminated as the growing differences between the two top leaders reached a climax, a CPN-Maoist Centre party leader said. Prachanda became the prime minister for the third term with the support of the Nepali Congress on December 25, 2022. His party is the third-largest group in the House of Representatives. After breaking the alliance with the Nepali Congress the largest party in the House of Representatives Prachanda joined hands with 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 political equation formed by keeping the largest party and the strongest democratic force Nepali Congress out of power and bringing together the two largest communist forces may not be in the interest of India, according to senior journalist and political analyst Dhruva Hari Adhikary. The frequent changes in coalition government lead to political instability, which is not in favour of the neighbouring countries, Adhikary said. Nepal has witnessed 13 governments in the last 16 years. 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. A party must win the support of at least 138 members of the House of Representatives to form the government. In the 2017 election, Prachanda and Oli merged their parties and secured the majority. Oli became the prime minister, but their partnership ended halfway following differences between them. Cayuga County Democrats endorsed a familiar face and a newcomer in the county's two congressional districts. The local Democratic committee met Monday and designated state Sen. John Mannion to run in the 22nd Congressional District, while David Wagenhauser is the party's pick in the 24th Congressional District. The congressional district map was redrawn by state legislators and Cayuga County was split into two congressional districts, with the 22nd district including the city of Auburn and the southern half of the county. The northern towns are in the 24th district. In the 22nd district race, three of the four declared Democrats Sarah Klee Hood, a DeWitt town councilor and Air Force veteran; Clemmie Harris, a former aide to Gov. David Paterson and a Utica University professor; and Mannion participated in the process. Jake Addington, a Marine Corps veteran and farmer from Oneida County, did not seek the party's support. "John has represented us well in the past," Cayuga County Democratic Chairwoman Dia Carabajal said. "We are happy to work with him again." Mannion, D-Geddes, received the Cayuga County Democratic Committee's endorsement for two state Senate campaigns in 2018 and 2020. He won the latter and represented parts of the county, including the city of Auburn, for one term. In 2022, his state Senate district was redrawn and no longer included Cayuga County. His current state Senate district is comprised of Oswego County and part of Onondaga County. After two state Senate terms, Mannion launched his campaign for Congress last year. Democrats are vying for the nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams in the general election. "Cayuga County Democrats know that we must beat (Williams) in November and I'm grateful that they trust me to be the candidate who can get the job done," Mannion said. "Together, we flipped a state Senate seat in 2020 and we're going to do it again in 2024." He continued, "I'm proud to have delivered for Auburn and Cayuga County as a senator and I'm going to bring that record of success to Washington. I'm thankful for the committee's strong support and we're going to hit the ground running to win in NY-22." The leading contenders for the Democratic nomination are Klee Hood and Mannion. While Mannion has been endorsed by the Cayuga and Onondaga Democratic committees, along with nearly two dozen unions, Klee Hood has been the top fundraiser in the race and she has been endorsed by the Madison County Democrats. The 22nd district race is a top target for Democrats. It's a district that President Joe Biden won by double digits in 2020. Outside groups are planning to invest millions to help unseat Williams, a Cayuga County Republican. In the neighboring 24th district race, it's not expected to be as competitive. Republicans have a large voter enrollment advantage and incumbent U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney is the favorite to win another term. But Wagenhauser, an attorney who previously served as a trustee in the village of Brockport, Monroe County, is mounting a longshot bid to defeat the GOP congresswoman. Carabajal said the committee was impressed by Wagenhauser's experience. "We look forward to getting to know him," she added. The Cayuga County Democratic Committee has already endorsed two candidates for state Legislature. The committee backed state Sen. Rachel May in the 48th Senate District, which includes all of Cayuga County, and Ian Phillips in the 126th Assembly District. Phillips, D-Auburn, is challenging Assemblyman John Lemondes, a Republican. Hopes were high in Oregon three years ago when voters approved decriminalizing hard drugs that the result would be fewer addicts in prison and more in treatment. The approach hasn't lived up to the promise, and the legislature has approved a bill making possession of small amounts of hard drugs a misdemeanor carrying up to a six-month jail sentence, the Wall Street Journal reports. "I came into this building two weeks ago knowing that we had to do something," said Democratic Rep. Dacia Grayber, "because the status quo of what we are doing is not working." It turned out that not many people turned to addiction services, which had been expanded, once the threat of imprisonment was removed. And drug use in public became widespread. Saying that fentanyl use had led to a public health and public safety crisis, the governor, mayor of Portland, and the chair of its county declared a joint state of emergency in January. Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek's office did not comment on whether she'll sign the newly passed bill, but she's said before that she wasn't opposed to restoring criminal penalties for drug possession. Legislative debate included stories about the effect addictions and overdoses have had on lawmakers' loved ones. "I've worked so many overdoses," said Grayber, a firefighter-paramedic. Advocates warned against turning back to the war on drugs, per the New York Times. They've called for increasing investment in affordable housing and drug treatment. "This Legislature did not pass real solutions," said Sandy Chung of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon. "This is about politics and political theater." (More drug laws stories.) The mayor of a small town in Quebec says a resident who used a slingshot to take down a rogue turkey may not have been playing by the rulesbut he got results. The wild turkey had been terrorizing Louiseville for days and was seen in a Facebook video chasing a man down a street after the man tried to scare it away from the entrance to his seniors residence, the CBC reports. Mayor Yvon Deshaies said he talked to a resident he knew was a good shot about dealing with the turkey, even though it's not turkey hunting season and slingshots aren't an approved weapon. The mayor said the hunter brought him the claws and took the bird home to cook and eat. "A man with a slinglike in the time of David and Goliath, he's very good with ithe hit the wild turkey with two metal stones in the head and he fell," the mayor told the Montreal Gazette after the turkey was killed Thursday. "He didn't suffer at all." Deshaies said he would have preferred it if wildlife officials had dealt with the turkey, but their only response to his request was to say turkeys aren't dangerous. The mayor said that people were being attacked by birds with "claws like razor blades" and that he had to do something. "When it's attacking citizens, or children, a person in a wheelchair, it doesn't matterthat's not normal," said Deshaies. "I defend my citizens." He said he thinks the turkey may have been "mentally unstable." The turkey killed with a slingshot was one of numerous turkeys that traveled from nearby fields to downtown Louiseville in recent weeks, the Gazette reports. The mayor said he wasn't going to wait until a child was injured before taking action. He said he acted as a "good captain" and "didn't abandon the ship"but wildlife officials are now threatening to take action against him. He's been hearing from residents angry about how the bird was dealt with. "They're saying I'm Putin," Deshaies told the Gazette. "They said I'm worse than Putin." (More turkeys stories.) This file has been updated with the Supreme Court's action. The US Supreme Court on Monday temporarily halted a new Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants who enter the country illegally and has set up another legal showdown over the federal government's authority over immigration. Hours after the Justice Department asked the justices to intervene, the court blocked the state law from taking effect until next week. The high court also requested a response from Texas by Monday. The Justice Department's emergency request came after a federal appeals court over the weekend stayed US District Judge David Ezra's sweeping rejection of the law, the AP reports. Gov. Greg Abbott, who for months has escalated border measures that have tested the boundaries of how far a state can go keep migrants from entering the country, had signed the measure that was to become law Saturday. The Justice Department told the court 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 argued that the law would have "immediate adverse effects" on the country's relationship with Mexico and "create chaos" in enforcing federal immigration laws in Texas. The measure allows state officers to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally; those in custody then can agree to a Texas judge's order to leave the country or face a misdemeanor charge for entering the US illegally. In a 114-page ruling Thursday, per the AP, Ezra rebuked Texas' immigration enforcement and brushed off claims by Republicans about an "invasion" along the southern border. The judge said the law violates the US Constitution's supremacy clause, conflicts with federal immigration law, and could get in the way of US foreign relations and treaty obligations. According to Ezra's ruling, allowing Texas to supersede federal law would "amount to nullification of federal law and authoritya notion that is antithetical to the Constitution and has been unequivocally rejected by federal courts since the Civil War." (More illegal immigration stories.) A team of United Nations experts reported Monday it found reason to believe that during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, women in Israel were sexually assaulted, raped, and gang raped. In calling for a full investigation, the report said the attacks took place in at least three places, including the site of the Nova music festival. "In most of these incidents, victims first subjected to rape were then killed," Pramila Patten, the UN special representative, said in a news conference in New York, NPR reports. In at least two cases, Patten said, corpses were raped. "The mission team also found a pattern of victims, mostly women, found fully or partially naked, bound, and shot," the report said. The team said it found "credible circumstantial information" indicated victims were subjected to genital mutilation and sexualized torture, per Reuters. Some Israeli hostages being held in Gaza also were subjected to sexual violence, the report said, basing its findings on accounts by hostages who have been released, per the AP. In the past, Hamas has rejected accusations that its fighters committed sexual violence. Patten's team gathered information in Israel and the West Bank from late January to early February. An Israeli spokesman praised the UN report for recognizing "that the crimes were committed simultaneously in different locations and point to a pattern of rape, torture and sexual abuse," per the New York Times. Patten described the assignment as difficult. "We saw a catalog of the most extreme and inhumane forms of torture and other horrors," she said. Her team's findings do not in "any way legitimize further violence," Patten said, but emphasize the need for a cease-fire. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.) A fire raging at an industrial facility caused multiple explosions that rocked suburban Detroit on Monday night and sent debris shooting far into the air, prompting police to implore residents to stay inside, the AP reports. The debris fell as far as a mile away, the Clinton Township Police Department said on Facebook. Authorities said they didn't know exactly what was burning or the potential health effects from it. "We can not stress enough the danger that is happening right now," one police post said. "Please, please, please stay inside and out of the vicinity." One woman says she heard the explosions from eight miles away. Back in October, the White House announced an ambitious initiative to get rid of rampant junk fees, including in the banking industry. On Tuesday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a big move toward that end, with a new regulation that will significantly reduce the late fees that customers have to fork over for their credit cards, reports the Washington Post. A smaller hit: Per the new CFPB proposal, customers would pay just an $8 late charge, down from an average of $32unless the issuing banks can "show their math" and prove they need to charge more to make up any losses. The government agency notes that this adjustment would save US families more than $10 billion in late fees annually, with an average savings of $220 per year for the 45 million or so individuals who pay such late charges. With much attention on wars in Europe, the victims of Sudan's civil war are facing death and destruction largely without help. Eleven months after fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group broke out on the streets of the nation's capital, Khartoum, more than 13,000 people have been killeda figure experts say is likely an undercountand more than 8 million displaced, Vox reports. That makes Sudan "the largest displacement crisis globally," according to Peter Graaff, the World Health Organization's representative to Sudan. UNICEF calls it the "world's largest internal displacement crisis for children," with nearly 3 million minors forced from their homes. "Sudan has become a living nightmare," United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a Friday speech, describing reports of ethnically motivated killings, arbitrary detentions and torture, and sexual violence well beyond Khartoum. He accused both sides of recruiting children as fighters. He described other abuses, including "the apparently deliberate denial of safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian agencies within Sudan," which "may amount to a war crime." Both sides block humanitarian aid from reaching those it's intended for, Sudanese activist Niemat Ahmadi tells ABC News. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's SAF has recently said it will suspend the delivery of humanitarian aid from Chad into RSF-controlled areas, per Vox. Almost half of Sudan's population, some 25 million people, are in need of humanitarian assistance. Some 18 million people are already facing acute hunger, with 5 million "at emergency levels of hunger," Graaff said in his briefing last month, warning that "a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions" was unfolding. Turk noted "less than 4% of Sudan's Humanitarian Response Plan has so far been funded, which seriously affects the ability of humanitarian agencies to respond to this crisis." "Without delay, the international community must refocus its attention on this deplorable crisis before it descends even further into chaos," Turk continued. "The future of the people of Sudan depends on it." (More Sudan stories.) CHATSWORTH, Calif.The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has officially responded to the United Kingdom's guidance regarding age verification for pornography websites promulgated by Ofcom, per the statutory requirements of the Online Safety Act. "Free Speech Coalition members agree with the goal of keeping children from material that is age-inappropriate or harmful," argued Alison Boden, executive director of the FSC, in a recent filing made with Ofcom. "However, it is essential that any guidelines not only protect minors but also respect the rights of adults to access content and avoid undue burden on the providers." In the filing, it is the position of FSC that Ofcom's regulations will cause harm to otherwise legitimate and legal adult firms. Boden makes the argument that Ofcom's mission to boost investment and innovation in the country's technology and telecoms space is stymied by introducing guidelines that run counter to this mission. "The real winners, from what we've seen in the United States, are almost certain to be websites that disregard the laws, are unreachable by the authorities, and present the greatest danger to users," Boden asserts in the filing. "That is, pirate and dark [websites] that also have no incentive to police illegal content such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM)." Read the FSC's blog post on its website. The filing made with Ofcom is available here. Ukraine claimed Tuesday that it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones as Kyiv's forces continue to take aim at targets deep behind the war's front line. Russian authorities didn't confirm the claim, and it couldn't be independently verified. 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. The sinking of such a modern ship would be a significant loss and an embarrassing blow for Moscow, reports the AP , even though there are dozens of other vessels in its Black Sea fleet. Patrol boats such as the Sergey Kotov are part of Russia's countermeasures against drone attacks, according to an article published last month by US think tank Foreign Policy Research Institute. The vessels use radar and a helicopter to detect and destroy drones using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, it said. 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. Ukraine's Defense Ministry posted on X a video of what it said was the nighttime attack on the Sergey Kotov using Magura V5 uncrewed vessels. Seven Russian crew members were killed and six were injured in the strike, while 52 crew were rescued, the military intelligence agency said. The private security firm Ambrey said the attack took place at the port of Feodosia, in Crimea. 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. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) Liberty University has agreed to pay an unprecedented $14 million fine for the Christian school's failure to disclose information about crimes on its campus and for its treatment of sexual assault survivors, the US Department of Education announced Tuesday. The fine is by far the largest ever levied under the Clery Act, a law that requires colleges and universities that receive federal funding to collect data on campus crime and notify students of threats, per the AP . Schools must disseminate an annual security report that includes crime reports and information on efforts to improve campus safety. Liberty has marketed itself for years as having one of the nation's safest campuses, with more than 15,000 students enrolled at the school in Lynchburg, Virginia. But its police department had a single officer with minimal oversight who was investigating crimes for most of the time period reviewed by federal investigators, 2016 to 2023. The Department of Education said it identified numerous cases that resulted in the misclassification or underreporting of crimes. And there were several incidents that the university determined to be unfounded without any clear showing that the initial report was false or baseless. "This was especially common with respect to sexually based offenses, including rape and fondling cases, many of which were originally classified using non-specific or less specific codes such as sexual assault," the settlement stated. Investigators found that many victims of sexual crimes were fearful of reporting incidents because of fear of reprisal. "In fact, over the course of this review period, several sexual assault victims were punished for violating the student code of conduct known as 'The Liberty Way,' while their assailants were left unpunished," according to the settlement. The university said it is "fully committed to maintaining the safety and security of students and staff," and would continue to cooperate with the Department of Education. (More Liberty University stories.) Story by RNZ The Hurricanes are investigating the women's team haka that criticised the coalition government labelling it "redneck" The Hurricanes Poua began their Super Rugby Aupiki season last Saturday with a defeat to the Chiefs Manawa and before the match they used an altered haka with the kaitaraki (leader) called out "karetao o te Kawana kakiwhero" or "puppets of this redneck government". Joining the chant, the team acknowledged He Whakaputanga (Declaration of Independence), a contract signed between Ngapuhi chiefs and the Crown before Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and mana motuhake - Maori sovereignty. The haka referred to Toitu te Tiriti, a political movement that has taken a stand against coalition government policies on te reo Maori and perceived breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and encouraged people to "never fold and never bend". Hurricanes Poua prop and haka leader Leilani Perese said she presented the new haka to the team's management "strategically". "I sent it to management at the last minute. They were like 'go for it. We back you 100 per cent,'" she said. Haiti's government declared a state of emergency on Sunday evening (local time), following violent clashes in the capital that have damaged communications and led to two prison breaks as a major gang leader seeks to oust Prime Minister Ariel Henry. To restore order, the government has imposed with immediate effect a curfew throughout the West territory for a "renewable period of 72 hours", the statement said. "Between six in the evening and five in the morning on Monday 4, Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and this Sunday, March 3, 2024", the curfew will apply. The statement added law enforcement, firefighters, ambulance drivers, health personnel and duly identified journalists would not have to comply with the curfew. The emergency decree follows a dramatic escalation in violence over the weekend that has paralyzed parts of the capital, damaged communications and led to two prison breaks, including one at the country's largest prison. The chairman of Digicel, a major telecoms provider to the Caribbean country, said lines had been affected following days of street violence in parts of the capital. TALLAHASSEE, Fla.Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has announced that he is repealing an age verification proposal touted by his own party in the state legislature as a crucial measure to adopt and implement. The bill, House Bill (HB) 1, would have required age verification for adults looking to access pornography content online from Florida IP addresses. It would also ban social media use for individuals under the age of 16 years. AVN previously reported on the measure. Lawmakers in the state legislature, dominated by the Republican Party, adopted House Bill 1 and engrossed the bill. This means it was transmitted to Gov. DeSantis for approval. Republican House Speaker Paul Renner of Palm Coast indicated HB 1 will become a priority for his chamber to pass after the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee revamped the entire proposal to include the two issues. The bill was advanced out of committee on a vote of 12-5 in favor and now faces a floor vote in the state Senate. Voting history from both chambers indicates the Florida Senate voted to adopt the bill, 23-14, and the House, 108-7. However, upon bicameral approval, DeSantis was granted the right to adopt the law or veto it. He chose the latter action. 'I have vetoed HB 1 because the Legislature is about to produce a different, superior bill," DeSantis said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Protecting children from harm associated with social media is important, as is supporting parents rights and maintaining the ability of adults to engage in anonymous speech." "I anticipate the new bill will recognize these priorities and will be signed into law soon," adds the governor. Supporters of Gov. DeSantis claim that he saw House Bill 1 as an overreach. Instead of supporting House Bill 1, DeSantis said that a "superior" bill was currently in the pipeline at the state legislature. There is currently no indication that the state legislature will vote to overrule the veto. There is also no clear indication as to which bill DeSantis refers to, but the measure is likely to be House Bill 3. HB 3 was the original age verification measure introduced by conservatives in the state House with the support of far-right parental rights organizations and the religious right. HB 3 additionally provides for so-called "reasonable" age verification measures implemented by the operators of porn websites. The most recent action taken on House Bill 3 was a Senate vote adopting the measure, 30-5. It is similar to other copycat bills. DeSantis expressed concern over HB 1's broad nature, citing concerns that social media restrictions might not hold up in court, alleges Florida Politics journalist Jacob Ogles. This apparent restraint demonstrated by DeSantis comes after the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of the state's social media regulation preventing platform self-moderation. Age verification proposals are considered potentially unconstitutional given that the Supreme Court, in previous rulings, sided with technology companies and civil liberties organizations that segregating the internet based on age violated the First Amendment. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Cabinet approved a memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs on a Memorandum of Agreement between the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the Department of Economy and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Dubai, and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman. This was among the several memorandums discussed and approved by the Cabinet during its weekly meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, at Gudaibiya Palace yesterday. The Cabinet extended its congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, following the success of the 2024 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. It noted the significance of this years race as it coincided with the 20th anniversary of Bahrain hosting the race at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), and commended the efforts of the Bahraini workforce in the Ministry of Interior, BIC, and relevant government authorities in the organisation and success of the global sporting event. In this regard, the Cabinet reviewed a memorandum submitted by the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Fiscal Balance on the positive impact of hosting Formula 1 races across various economic sectors within the Kingdom of Bahrain. Best wishes The Cabinet extended its best wishes to His Majesty the King, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the citizens of Bahrain, and the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasion of the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. It also commended the Kingdoms comprehensive womens advancement programmes and policies on the occasion of International Womens Day, led by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), the Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the SCW, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. The Cabinet followed up on the efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to intensify inspection campaigns to monitor markets, ensure price stability, and ensure the abundance of consumer goods ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has been honoured with two prestigious awards, the Airport Operator of the Year for Medium Size Airport and Aviation Sustainability Award at the 2024 Aviation Achievement Awards held in Dubai. Bahrain Airport Companys Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Eng. Hasan Farhan, and BAC Environment and Sustainability Engineer, Dana Ismaeel, received the awards. The Airport Operator of the Year award recognises BACs commitment to excellence in managing and operating BIA, delivering top-notch services, and providing exceptional travel experience for passengers. On the other hand, the Aviation Sustainability Award acknowledges BACs groundbreaking initiatives to reduce carbon emissions as part of its strategy to minimise the impact of airport operations on climate change, highlighting the LEED Gold certificate received by the company for the new passenger terminal building, which incorporates sustainable architecture and energy-efficient systems. These accolades serve as a testament to BACs commitment to providing a world-class airport experience while reducing environmental footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), participated in the 55th sessions of the United Nations Statistical Commission, which was held in New York, USA. The iGA participated in the main sessions and workshops, in-which number of regional and global statistical topics been discussed. The meetings also discussed the principles of official statistics, data and indicators related to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as discussing statistics on open data, ICT, business registry, governance, national accounts, and data science and more. iGA Deputy Chief Executive for Statistics and Population Registry, Ms. Duaa Sultan Mohamed highlighted that participating in this global statistical event is in-line with Authoritys direction towards achieving the governments aspirations, and to contribute in the implementation of National plans and programs in the field of statistics. She added that these meetings will enhance statistical cooperation between the Kingdom and international organizations and countries with long experience in the field of conducting surveys and studies. Ms. AlHarban stressed on the importance of the Statistical Committee meetings in providing opportunities to review the statistical activities and experiences of countries, indicating the impact of this in supporting data generation regionally and globally, as well as facilitating the knowledge sharing and capacity building to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Current and future challenges iGA Deputy CE for Statistics and Population Registry also pointed out that the meetings enable experts and specialists around the world to discuss current and future challenges that may face the use of statistical data, emphasizing the role of this in identifying and enhancing countries access to best practices at the statistical field. She added that the joint meetings will promote the regional cooperation in various areas, including setting regional statistical system priorities, building relationships with different sectors, and facilitating knowledge exchange to achieve the outcome and results. It is worth mentioning that the United Nations Statistical Commission whose membership includes 24 member states of the United Nations, get selected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, including the Republic of Tunisia, whose membership concludes in December 2025. Established in 1947, the Statistical Commission is the highest body of the global statistical system that brings together senior statisticians from Member States from around the world, responsible for decision-making for international statistical activities, setting statistical standards and developing concepts and methods, including their implementation at the national and international levels. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com In a bid to combat environmental degradation and promote community engagement, Al Hassanain B.S.C, a reputed construction company in Kingdom of Bahrain, has orchestrated a highly successful beach cleanup event this past weekend on Friday, 23rd February 2024. The initiative, held at Karbabad Beach of Capital Governorate, Bahrain drew in an impressive turnout of volunteers from across the community, ranging from concerned citizens, residents, employees and enthusiastic environmentalists. Armed with gloves, trash bags, and an unwavering commitment to preserving marine ecosystems, participants descended upon the coastline with fervor, ready to tackle the daunting task of removing litter and debris that had accumulated over time. The event not only served as a catalyst for environmental stewardship but also fostered a sense of camaraderie among attendees, united by a common goal of safeguarding our precious natural habitats. Al Hassanains Executive Director Mr. Jassim extended his heartiest welcome and thanks to the Capitol Governorate, Supreme Council of Environment, Clients, and employees for their approvals and participation for the noble cause. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A high-ranking Bahrain Interior Ministry testified in the High Criminal Court that no remains were found at the burial site identified by the accused in the ongoing trial of a European female murdered in Nuwaidrat. The officer, who accompanied a police dog unit in searching the area, revealed this discrepancy between the defendants confession and the physical evidence collected. The defendant, a man in his forties, previously admitted to killing, burning, and burying the victim. This case marks an unusual situation in Bahraini courts, as the prosecution proceeds without recovering the victims body. While the defendant confessed to the crime, he claimed the act was unintentional, occurring under the influence of alcohol and drugs that led to hallucinations. The lack of physical remains presents a significant challenge for the prosecution. Building a strong case will likely rely on witness testimonies, forensic analysis, and circumstantial evidence. The court will need to meticulously examine the circumstances surrounding the bodys disposal and the defendants statements. A thorough investigation and comprehensive evaluation of all available evidence are crucial to establishing the truth in this case. The prosecution faces the challenge of convincing the court of the defendants guilt beyond a reasonable doubt without the usual physical evidence. AFP | Tehran The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Iran on Monday announced a turnout of 41 percent in last week's elections for parliament and a key clerical body -- a record low since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to voting records. Conservatives were reported to have secured the bulk of seats in Friday's elections for the national legislature and Assembly of Experts, the body which selects Iran's supreme leader. "Around 25 million people participated, with a turnout of 41 precent," Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi told a press conference in Tehran. The vote was the first since nationwide protests broke out following the September 2022 death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Amini, an Iranian Kurd, had been arrested for allegedly flouting the Islamic republic's strict dress code for women. The elections, in which a vetting process barred many hopefuls including moderates and reformists from running, took place as Iran suffers a severe economic crisis deepened by international sanctions. Vahidi said the vote took place "despite the ill-wishers of the nation, including intelligence services and terrorist groups, trying very hard to undermine security". Of the 290 seats in parliament, 45 will go to a second round of voting to be held in either April or May, including 14 of 30 seats in the capital Tehran, according to the spokesman for Iran's elections authority Mohsen Eslami. He also said all the new members had been chosen for the 88-seat Assembly of Experts. Iran's 2020 parliament was elected during the Covid pandemic with a turnout of 42.57 percent -- at the time the lowest since 1979. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, turnout was above 61 percent in the first round. SALT LAKE CITYSenate Bill (SB) 104, officially the Children's Device Protection Act, is poised to be signed into law by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a conservative Republican and member of the LDS Church. SB 104 is likely to be legally challenged as unconstitutional. Republican state Sen. Todd Weiler and state Rep. Susan Pulsipher introduced the act in a bid to advance elements of a law passed in 2021. Once signed into law, provided Gov. Cox doesn't veto the bill for some reason, Senate Bill 104 would require mobile device manufacturers to enable filters that block pornography content at the point of purchase for all devices sold to minors and adults. Manufacturers and employees could face prison time, a felony or a misdemeanor charge, if the law isn't respected. The only way to remove the parental filters is through a code provided to a parent or legally aged adult directly from the device manufacturer. This bill implements the provisions of the 2021 law, which originally mandated that it wouldn't enter force unless five other states offered similar legislation. Utah remains alone in the adoption of a porn filtering requirement for all mobile tablets and phones. Regulated manufacturers would include Apple, Asus, Google, Samsung, Lenovo, and dozens of others. The mobile phone market is dominated by Apple and Samsung and the operating systems iOS and Android. Apple iOS and Android both come with parental controls pre-installed but disabled, providing the parent or guardian the choice to enable the filtering software. Weiler and Pulsipher claim that parents struggled to identify parental controls. This is far-fetched, given that this information is readily available online. Device manufacturers and retailers have expressed concern over the liability levied onto their businesses by this bill. A retailer group representing major companies with business operations in Utah has cautioned against the legislation, calling it an overreach. AVN reported on the passage of that bill, House Bill 72, which was signed by Gov. Cox to send an "important message." Weiler introduced the 2021 bill and this immediate bill to counter so-called "porn addiction." Major psychiatric organizations have criticized the push to characterize pornography as an addiction. It is the position of the American Psychological Association that pornography isn't an addiction and is rather a product of behavior, compulsion and environment. Weiler was also the lawmaker who sponsored a resolution in 2016 that Utah lawmakers adopted declaring pornography a supposed public health crisis. Public health practitioners have additionally come out against the efforts to classify pornography as a crisis similar to a disease or virus. AVN will inform readers upon Gov. Cox adopting Senate Bill 104. The Annual Awards Program Spotlights Outstanding Women Leaders Who Have Catalyzed Significant Change Over the Past Year TORONTO, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, Women of Influence+ , a leading global organization dedicated to promoting gender equity in the workplace, has announced the recipients of its annual Top 25 Women of Influence Awards . Honourees will be celebrated during the Top 25 Women of Influence Luncheon on April 9, 2024, in Toronto. The awards program spotlights outstanding women leaders who have catalyzed significant change over the past year. Post this Meet the 2024 Top 25 Women of Influence Award recipients. This years honourees exemplify innovation, leadership, and the pursuit of gender equity and inclusion, breaking barriers and setting new precedents in various sectors. They represent a diverse range of industries, each with their own unique stories of success and impact. (CNW Group/Women of Influence+) The annual awards program recognizes the achievements and contributions of women who have made significant contributions in their respective fields, driving meaningful progress and change in business and society. This year's recipients exemplify innovation, leadership, and the pursuit of gender equity and inclusion, breaking barriers and setting new precedents in various sectors. They represent a diverse range of industries, each with their own unique stories of success and impact. "At Women of Influence+, our commitment is to shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of self-identifying women who have pushed the boundaries of what's possible," said Dr. Rumeet Billan, CEO, Women of Influence+. "Their accomplishments demonstrate the important role that women play in driving meaningful progress in business and society. Through celebrating their stories, we aim to inspire others to challenge the status quo, paving the way for future generations. Wishing a huge congratulations to this year's recipients." This year's Top 25 Women of Influence Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Lindsay Glassco, President and CEO, Plan International Canada. Lindsay's journey is a powerful illustration of resilience and transformative leadership, marked by more than 30 years of international experience in developing and managing social policies and programs across diverse environments. Her people-centred approach, empathy, and courage have helped define her unique leadership style. "I share this recognition with every individual who has walked alongside me, guided by the North Star, to make a meaningful contribution to social change," said Lindsay. "We often question our individual capacity to tackle global challenges. Yet, I've seen the undeniable power of collective action as a force for change. Each one of us plays a critical role in creating a just world, no matter how small our part may seem. Thank you to Women of Influence+ for continuing to shine a spotlight on the contribution and impact of inspiring leaders. Congratulations to all the 2024 Top 25 Women of Influence+ recipients. To be among you is a true honour." This year, several hundred applications were submitted between December 1, 2023, and January 12, 2024. The 2024 Top 25 Women of Influence recipients are: Raissa Amany Dr. Anna Banerji Jennifer Bishop Bernice Carnegie Yvonne Chan Lee Allison Clark Gaby Dabrowski Simran Dhillon Angela Diano Christiana Egi Dr. Pamela Farrell Jennifer Flanagan Tori Ford Vanessa Genier Meseret Haileyesus Nakissa Koomalsingh Dr. Victoria Lee Dr. Atty Mashatan Geetha Moorthy Orlane Panet Lynn Posluns Martine Roy Tina Singh Dr. Ingrid Waldron Zoey Williams About the Top 25 Women of Influence Awards The Top 25 Women of Influence Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of self-identified women and gender-diverse role models. The awards acknowledge the unique achievements of diverse women representing various sectors, career stages, and contributions to the advancement of women. The awards consider the following criteria: Initiative. From grassroots campaigns to global programs, recipients are leading the charge when it comes to impactful, inclusive, and inspiring action. From grassroots campaigns to global programs, recipients are leading the charge when it comes to impactful, inclusive, and inspiring action. Inspiration. Honourees have demonstrated how they have broken barriers to reach impressive heights on a global stage. These role models are inspirational examples of how one defines success on their own terms. Honourees have demonstrated how they have broken barriers to reach impressive heights on a global stage. These role models are inspirational examples of how one defines success on their own terms. Influence. From sparking important conversations to setting a positive example, recipients are using their influence to drive wide-reaching change. From sparking important conversations to setting a positive example, recipients are using their influence to drive wide-reaching change. Leadership. Honourees stand out for their purpose-driven leadership, steering initiatives with integrity and a clear vision. They inspire and mobilize for collective success and exemplify leadership that not only achieves outstanding outcomes, but also empowers and uplifts others toward excellence and innovation. To learn more about this year's Top 25 Women of Influence, visit: www.womenofinfluence.ca/top-25/ . About Women of Influence+ For more than three decades, Women of Influence+ has been at the forefront of sharing the unfiltered success stories of diverse role models to illustrate the unique paths and challenges self-identifying women and gender-diverse individuals navigate to reach success. Our goal isn't to change the narrative we are rewriting it. We understand that there are many challenges women face when trying to navigate advancement in their careers. Instead of watching from the sidelines, we take a proactive, inclusive, and multi-faceted approach to ensure women are supported and celebrated every step of the way. Through our work carefully curated success stories, awards programs, learning and development events, and research we are providing a reimagined definition of what it means to be influential. This definition isn't static, it's inclusive and dynamic and deeply considers how influence is used to positively impact the world of business and work. We equip women with connections, support, training, and tools to carve new pathways and excel within their careers on their own terms. No matter what stage you are at in your career when you discover the WOI+ platform, there is something here for you. Follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook , and X . SOURCE Women of Influence+ For further information: Media Contact: Maricel Joy Dicion, Head of Media, Women of Influence+, [email protected] A 25% increase in facial tissue production at the Richelieu Plant in Gatineau GATINEAU, QC, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Kruger Products Inc., a company in which KP Tissue Inc. (TSX: KPT) has a limited interest, today announced a major increase in its production of Scotties facial tissues at its Richelieu Plant in Gatineau, Quebec. The announcement was made in the presence of Christopher Skeete, Quebec Minister for the Economy; Suzanne Tremblay, the Member of the National Assembly for Hull, and Michel Manseau, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Products Canada, Kruger Products. Through this expansion project, which received investments totalling $14.5 million and created 16 jobs, Kruger Products commissioned a new facial tissue converting line at its Richelieu Plant in November 2023. The additional equipment will increase the production of facial tissue by 25%. Another component of the project will be rolled out at the Laurier Plant, also in Gatineau, where new equipment will collect tissue production residues. With a view to the circular economy, the residues will be repulped for the manufacture of value-added projects. This component, which is expected to be completed in June 2025, will also enable the Laurier and Richelieu Plants to increase their productivity. Investissement Quebec provided support for the project in the form of a $7.27-million loan granted under the ESSOR program. "I congratulate everyone who contributed to the installation of our new converting line at the Richelieu Plant, on time and on budget. Ultimately, our recent investments and our new converting line in Gatineau will allow us to increase our facial tissue capacity by 2.2 million cases annually by providing high quality products and diverse capability to respond to the increase in demand observed in the North American market." - Michel Manseau, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Products Canada, Kruger Products "This investment will help Kruger Products to produce more in Quebec, and that's what makes me particularly proud. When we support our companies in their modernization and expansion, we strengthen Quebec's assets and ensure that we are always more competitive." - Christopher Skeete, Quebec Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region "We support companies so that they can not only become more efficient, but also reduce their environmental footprint. This project will enable Kruger Products to make better use of its resources, with a view to increasing productivity and the circular economy." - Suzanne Tremblay, Member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Hull Since 2018, Kruger Products has invested more than $1 billion in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to meet consumer needs. The new converting line in Gatineau consolidates our Richelieu Plant as a centre of excellence in facial tissue manufacturing and is part of a broader objective to expand the Company's activities in North America. As a leader in the facial tissue category, Kruger Products has ten plants in North America with significant capacity to supply facial tissue to the market under the Scotties and Bonterra brands in Canada and White Cloud in the United States. About KP Tissue Inc. (KPT) KPT was created to acquire, and its business is limited to holding, a limited equity interest in Kruger Products, which is accounted for as an investment on the equity basis. KPT currently holds a 12.9 % interest in Kruger Products. For more information visit www.kptissueinc.com. About Kruger Products Kruger Products is Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products for household, industrial and commercial use. Kruger Products serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere, Purex, SpongeTowels, Scotties, White Swan and Bonterra. In the U.S., Kruger Products manufactures the White Cloud brand, as well as many private label products. Kruger Products has approximately 2,800 employees and operates ten FSC COC-certified (FSC C-104904) production facilities in North America. For more information visit www.krugerproducts.ca. Forward Looking Statements Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the projected increase in production capabilities of the Richelieu Plant, increases in facial tissue case output and market demand for facial tissue products. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by KPT or Kruger Products. Although KPT and Kruger Products believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements since no assurance can be given that such expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause Kruger Products' actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments (which could in turn affect the economic benefits derived from KPT's economic interest in Kruger Products), to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors which are discussed in the "Risk Factors Risks Related to Kruger Products' Business" section of the KPT Annual Information Form dated March 9, 2023, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and KPT undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Kruger Products For further information: Marie-Claude Tremblay, Manager, Corporate Communications, 514 297-1364, [email protected] Led by veteran silicon entrepreneurs, Taalas' direct-to-silicon foundry will pave the way to a 1000x improvement in the cost of AI, with a single chip able to outperform a small GPU data center. TORONTO, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - Taalas Inc., an innovator in AI and silicon, is pleased to announce today that it has exited stealth mode and raised $50 million dollars over two rounds of funding led by Pierre Lamond and Quiet Capital. Over the last year, AI has undergone a large scale productization and has already begun reshaping the world. Concurrently, deep learning models have become the world's most demanding computational workload, unsustainably capital intensive, power hungry, and GPU constrained. "Artificial intelligence is like electrical power an essential good that will need to be made available to all. Commoditizing AI requires a 1000x improvement in computational power and efficiency, a goal that is unattainable via the current incremental approaches. The path forward is to realize that we should not be simulating intelligence on general purpose computers, but casting intelligence directly into silicon. Implementing deep learning models in silicon is the straightest path to sustainable AI," said Ljubisa Bajic, Taalas' CEO. Taalas is developing an automated flow for rapidly implementing all types of deep learning models (Transformers, SSMs, Diffusers, MoEs, etc.) in silicon. Proprietary innovations enable one of its chips to hold an entire large AI model without requiring external memory. The efficiency of hard-wired computation enables a single chip to outperform a small GPU data center, opening the way to a 1000x improvement in the cost of AI. "We believe the Taalas 'direct-to-silicon' foundry unlocks three fundamental breakthroughs: dramatically resetting the cost structure of AI today, viably enabling the next 10-100x growth in model size, and efficiently running powerful models locally on any consumer device. This is perhaps the most important mission in computing today for the future scalability of AI. And we are proud to support this remarkable n-of-1 team as they do it," said Matt Humphrey, Partner at Quiet Capital. The company is taping out its first large language model chip in the third quarter of 2024 and planning to make it available to early customers in the first quarter of 2025. "Making chips is a difficult and risky endeavour in which success requires experience, ingenuity, and persistence. Taalas' founders have produced numerous cutting-edge chips and systems. Their track record in the industry is second to none," said Pierre Lamond, a legend in the field, whose work across Fairchild, National Semiconductor, Sequoia, and many other organizations, helped lay the foundation of the semiconductor industry. Taalas was founded by Ljubisa Bajic, Drago Ignjatovic, and Lejla Bajic. Prior to co-founding Taalas, Ljubisa founded Tenstorrent in 2016. Drago and Lejla joined Tenstorrent soon after as early engineering leaders. The team has spent decades collectively working together on a long list of AI processors, GPUs, and CPUs across Tenstorrent, AMD, and NVIDIA. SOURCE Taalas Inc. For further information: All further inquiries should be directed to [email protected]. TOKYOJapanese pleasure brand Tenga has launched the latest addition to its popular Tenga Egg line, the Hard Boiled II Series, comprised of six new designs. The textured interior of the Tenga Egg Hard Boiled II Series enhances solo and partnered pleasure at a low cost ($6 per Egg). Its compact size makes it ideal for travel and easy to store, while its super-stretchable elastomer expands to fit users of almost any size. Each Egg in the Hard Boiled II Series includes a packet of Tengas own Egg Lotion, and the unique external design of each Egg reflects its internal details. The six designs in the Hard Boiled II Series are as follows: Egg Spiral - Arranged like a spiral staircase, each step provides an invigorating experience. Egg Shiny II - The bold sun shape and surrounding rays create a vigorously stimulating sensation. Egg Combo - Delicate ribs and fine protrusions of varying shapes are intricately arranged in a spiral pattern. Egg Cone - The distinctive twisting edges of the internal large, tightly-packed cones create an intense sensation. Egg Misty II - The thick inner surface is adorned with an array of densely-packed fine protrusions. Egg Gear - Thick edges resembling gears are strategically placed all over, generating a firm, stimulating pleasure. Commented Tenga global marketing manager Eddie Marklew, The Tenga Egg remains the original and best egg-shaped male pleasure product on the market. It can proudly boast to be the worlds most famous and iconic Egg, having sold more than 33 million units since its launch in 2008. The strong, dense and super-stretch material of the Tenga Egg Hard Boiled II Series is ideal for those who enjoy firmer stimulation. With six new designs, it wont be long before users have their new favorite in the Egg Series. The Tenga Egg Hard Boiled II Series is available at usstore.tenga.co. For more information, contact John Benadora at [email protected]. Senator Titus Zam, federal lawmaker representing Benue North West, has lamented that the All Progressives Congress, APC, lost its peace since Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia became governor of the state. The lawmaker, who spoke on behalf of the National Assembly members from the APC in Benue during the partys stakeholder meeting in Makurdi, regretted that their party is now under siege. The stakeholders had met at the Makurdi residence of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume over the lingering leadership crisis rocking the state chapter of the ruling party. Governor Alia and Akume, a former governor of the state, have been in a face-off over the control of the partys structure in the state. The APC stakeholders had, during the meeting, resolved to withhold support from Governor Alia until he recognizes Akume as leader of the party in Benue. Speaking at the meeting, Titus Zam lamented that despite the efforts of the stakeholders to ensure that the governor emerged winner of the March 2023 gubernatorial polls, Alia has decided to abandon them. He said, Our party is under siege by the governor of Benue State. He is new in politics. The party was generous enough to give him the ticket against those long in the party before him. By Gods grace and with the support of all of us, he became governor. Since he became governor, the APC has had no peace. We are doing everything possible to ensure stability and peace to return to our party in Benue. Its unfortunate that we had an embarrassing situation on Friday when our chairman, Agada, was stoned on his way to his office. PDP held a meeting on Monday, and nobody stopped them. We all spread out in the state to help him win on the day of the election. We will seek the intervention of the national secretariat of our party to ensure that Alia returns home. Billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, has named the 120km road leading to his refinery in Lagos after the late Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the project. The announcement was made on Monday during a special event held in honour of the late banker at Eko Hotel, Lagos, titled Celebrating Herbert Wigwe A Professional Legacy. Dangote paid tribute to the deceased, highlighting Wigwes dedication and expertise. To immoratalise my beloved friend, my brother, and mentee, Ive actually decided to name our major refinery and petrochemical road-out of the 120km road, the biggest road will now be named Herbert Wigwe, Dangote said. The businessman described him as a dependable mentee who was willing to go the extra mile to support him, his business, and his family. I am proud to name it after him, my devoted friend, mentee, and supporter. I will forever cherish the warmth of his friendship, Dangote said. On February 9, Wigwe, his wife, Doreen; son Chizi; and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, died in a helicopter crash that occurred near a border town between California and Nevada in the United States. Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Minister of Finance, Wale Edu; President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu; the Managing Director of Access Bank in Ghana, Dolapo Ogundimo, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor; Olayemi Cardoso. The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Ken Opara, expressed deep condolences on the passing of the late Wigwe. Opara shared his heartfelt reflections on the life and contributions of the departed industry stalwart. He started, Very difficult to talk about but also very important. Its not about how long, its about the quality and impact. I have known him for over 36 years. His words captured the essence of a relationship that spanned more than three decades, emphasizing the profound impact Wigwe had on those around him. Opara continued, He was very courageous and a top-notch banker. Worked tirelessly. He contributed immensely to the development of banking in Nigeria. The Group CEO of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, said Wigwe packed into 57 years what most exceptional people will not pack into in two lifetimes. Herbert was my colleague, friend, brother, and competitor, only Herbert could have been all those things at once, Agbaje said. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, lauded his achievement in the banking sector. The governor also recalled how Wigwe was instrumental with a few others to mitigate some of the risks that came with Covid 19. French lawmakers have approved the bill to make abortion a constitutional right for women in the country. The parliamentarians, on Monday, voted 780-72, making France the first country in the world to guarantee freedom of women to abortion. President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing for the enshrining of abortion as a womens right in the French constitution. Macron said the new amendment will now allow the law to determine the conditions by which is exercised the freedom of women to have recourse to an abortion, which is guaranteed. After the voting, the French president was said to have invited members of the French parliament for a special meeting at the palace of Versailles in Paris. The bill received massive support from the lower house of the parliament of Frances national assembly in January. On February 1, some French protesters demonstrated in support of abortion rights during a debate on the draft law on the constitution at the senate in Paris, Frances capital. Advertisement BBC reports that about 85 percent of French are in support of the bill despite stern disapproval by right-wingers in the parliament. Discussions on the constitutional review of abortion rights in France were prompted after the US supreme court removed the right to abortion in 2022. Many people have criticised the relevance of the bill, arguing that it is not a constitutional matter. Speaking on the bill, Gabriel Attal, French prime minister, said womens right to abortion has been in danger and at the mercy of decision makers. I am telling women, within our borders and beyond, the era of a world of hope is starting, Attal said. The recent constitutional amendment makes it the 25th review of the document by the parliament. Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, on Monday, accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of being responsible for the current economic hardship being faced by Nigerians. Mutfwang specifically said that we sold our future under the last administration. The governor spoke on Monday during the swearing-in of 22 Special Advisers and heads of government agencies at the Government House in Jos. We are at a very difficult juncture in the history of this country and Im an advocate that after the election you forget politics and face governance. And even though the Federal Government is being led by a party other than my own, I owe you the duty to tell Nigerians the truth that this government inherited a worse situation than 1999. Mutfwang said Buhari left the countrys economy in terrible shape for his successor, President Bola Tinubu. He said: This government inherited an economy where we simply printed money up to the tune of N30tn and shared. This government inherited an economy where the crude oil were yet to take out of the ground had been sold in advance. So, when youre talking about the fall of the naira, its not rocket science. We sold our future under the last administration. According to him, this explains the hunger and widespread looting of warehouses and food stores across the country. No wonder youre hearing of riots today, people intercepting food on the way. We are lucky on the plateau that perhaps we have more food than many other states. And I pray that the time will not come on the Plateau that we will see this kind of riot for food, but it means we must roll up our sleeves and get to work. And that is why, for us as a government, when we announced one of the positions that talked about food security, people were laughing but it is a serious issue, he stated. Mutfwang further said his administration plans to set up a special agro-processing zone in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in partnership with the African Development Bank to the tune of $300m. He urged the new appointees help the administration to reverse the ugly situation in the state for the good of the people, adding that Plateau people have suffered enough distraction. You know of the bloodshed on the Plateau. The time is now to say enough is enough, he added Recall that the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, had disclosed that the financial distress currently plaguing the country was a direct result of President Bola Tinubus administration inheriting an empty treasury upon assuming power a few months ago. Ribadu acknowledged the severe financial constraints affecting budgetary allocations but reassured the nation that the federal government was committed to maintaining a robust and viable defense management and mechanism. Meanwhile, the country has been hit with a food crisis and soaring prices of goods and services, leading to looting of food stores and warehouses across the country. Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, vowed to immortalise the late founder of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, who was born at the Island Maternity Hospital in the state. Sanwo-Olu made the pledge on Monday night at an event to celebrate the late Group Chief Executive, Access Corporation, Dr Herbert Wigwe, tagged, Celebrating Herbert Wigwe A Professional Legacy. NAN reports that the event was divided into six segments Young Hebert, the banker, the entrepreneur, the CEO, the builder and the ambassador. The governor narrated his last conversation with Wigwe on Thursday, February 8, where lofty ideas were discussed. Sanwo-Olu said This was the last conversation that I will keep on my phone for a long time. According to him, Wigwe was a man who always had good stories and supported different projects of his administration and was driving him to take up new challenges. He said, Herbert was one of the very first people that supported my ambition generously. Sanwo-Olu said it was unbelievable how a man could give so much, including his words of encouragement. He also revealed how Wigwe collaborated with other partners to cushion the effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus) during the dreaded global pandemic. Herbert led from the front, encouraged and stood with the state government. I have indeed lost a big friend, the governor said. Sanwo-Olu said if places of birth mattered, Wigwe should be of Isale Eko origin, noting, Herbert has transcended beyond borders. Lagos will not forget Herbert Wigwe. We will support the family, he said. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has described Sundays looting of a government warehouse in Abuja as a reflection of the frustration of majority of Nigerians with the economic policies of President Bola Tinubus administration. Adegboruwa gave this view while featuring on Channels Televisions breakfast show (The Morning Brief) on Monday. He said it is a message to the President and his economic team that there is a need to rejig the system to guarantee the survival of majority of Nigerians. He said, Across all states in Nigeria presently there is crisis of survival from the part of the people. So, it is not just this particular occurrence, a truck bearing foodstuff was randomly attacked and looted. I do not support this in any way at all because we must have an environment where we can secure lives and property. But it is a reflection of the fact that the economic policies of the present administration are not helping the people of the country and of course these occurrences showcase the frustration that people are going through. Recall that on Sunday that some residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, looted a warehouse allegedly belonging to the National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria, NEMA, over the current economic hardship across the country. It was gathered that the residents carted away foodstuffs and other items. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Africa needs good leadership to go far. The former president spoke on Monday in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, during the public presentation of his new book. The book The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical, was launched at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta as part of the activities marking his 87th birthday. In a statement on Tuesday by Kehinde Akinyemi, his special assistant on media, Obasanjo stressed the importance of good leadership, noting that without it, Africa cant go fast and move far together. John Mahama, former president of Ghana, and special guest of honour at the event, said African leaders should lead with wisdom. Mahama added that they must seek divine guidance and inculcate values that are worthy of emulation. Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, who reviewed the 13-chapter book, said leaders have to be obedient as well as instil values in the discharge of their duties. Kukah said the publication spoke on how Christians can make an impact in politics, adding that leadership as described in the book is for service. He said Nigerian leaders must cooperate with the grace of God, noting that Christians who are in politics must infuse values that would be evident for all to see. He said the social conditions of Nigeria have continued to slow down the pace of the country. Okey Emuchay, the secretary general of the Ohanaeze Eze Ndigbo, said the former president has continued to be a worthy role model to the Ibo race. The event was also attended by traditional rulers, captains of industry, diplomatic corps members, academia from tertiary institutions and close associates of the former president. Obasanjo also organised a youth leadership symposium Monday as part of activities to mark his birthday. The symposium was titled Opportunities for peace: Roles of the youths in conflict prevention in Africa. The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, said yesterday that SIM cards previously linked to the National Identification Numbers, NIN, were barred because they were bad. It also explained that the job of using NIN to track kidnappers currently terrorising the country is that of the police. NCC spokesman, Reuben Muoka, who explained in an interview on Channels Televisions breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, said: People who probably didnt get a cleared or verified NIN had been barred because the earlier ones they submitted were not good. He said some SIM cards had verification and identification issues, such as disparity in information, including names and other data. There are still some subscribers whose NINs are yet to be verified by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, and those have to also be corrected, Muoka said. It will be recalled that many subscribers have complained that they had previously linked their NIN with their SIM cards years ago but the NCC spokesman said some lines were barred because the information on the NIN did not tally with what the customers registered their SIM cards with. He said subscribers will have to visit the outlets of their service providers to validate their NINs and resolve other matters. Muoka added: For now, it requires those physical visits to the stations to get them verified and validated but in the future, we hope this will be done virtually. The NCC had last week issued a directive to telecom service providers to bar subscribers who have failed to link their phone numbers to their NIN on or before February 28, 2024. As of December 2023, Nigeria has over 224 million lines, according to data by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, with MTN having over 87 million subscribers, representing 38.79% of the total market share, the highest in the country by any licensed Mobile Network Operator. Globacom and Airtel have 61 million subscribers each, while 9mobile has 13.9 million users. Millions of lines were barred last week at the expiration of the deadline but the regulators spokesman said the NCC had been going through one deadline after another since 2022 to give extension for convenience, stressing it was time to get a closure on the issue. He insisted that the deadline would no longer be extended. Take it that everybody who has not submitted his NIN to the service providers has been barred. Actually, the service providers started barring people many days before the deadline, he said. Muoka, however, said it would be difficult to tell the actual number of phone lines that had been barred, adding that the NCC will do an audit before the end of the week as data were expected from service providers. At least 40 million lines blocked But the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said at least 40 million telephone lines had been barred as at last weekend. I can tell you that over 40 million lines have been blocked and the affected customers are those who didnt submit their NIN at all. Some persons have not presented any NIN to operators. They havent registered their SIMs or participated in the harmonisation programme. They simply havent made any presentation of the NIN number to their operators. So why is the number so alarming, despite repeated warnings? It shows many people still communicate but are not registered, he said. Speaking further yesterday, Adebayo said: Yes, we confirm that the industry has complied with regulatory directives in suspension of services to subscribers who have not submitted their NIN for linkage to their SIM. We have not received any contrary directives and all subscribers affected by this suspension of services will remain suspended until the NIN is submitted, verified and linked to their SIM. But Muoka said the NIN-SIM linkage has an objective, which was to give Nigerians have digital identity to tackle security matters. The NCC scribe said: The whole essence is actually to achieve the convenience that digital services and products will offer. By the time you have your identity together, you will be able to attend to several things. Even the banks are now asking their customers to link their NINs to their Bank Verification Numbers, BVNs. It is actually to make a holistic package of all your digital services, he stated. From left: APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; Vice President Kashim Shettima, and President Bola Tinubu as the president arrived from a two-day working visit to Doha, Qatar in Abuja yesterday. State House Photo. President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Abuja after a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar. The presidential jet, NAF 001, that conveyed the President landed at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 7pm, concluding his 12th foreign trip since assuming the Presidency nine months ago, and logging 75 days abroad. Tinubu was received by top government officials including Vice President Kashim Shettima; his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, among others. On the first day of his visit, the Nigerian leader toured Qatars National Museum where he stressed the importance of accurate documentation of a nations history, cultural evolution and challenges. Touring the 39,994 square metre edifice centred around Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al-Thanis original palace, the President said, It is great to document culture from the beginning of history, the culture of civilisation, collaborations, challenges and perseverance of leadership. The following day, Tinubu alongside the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, witnessed the signing of seven landmark agreements between both nations after closed-door talks at the Presidential Palace in Doha. They include: cooperation agreement in the field of education; regulation of employment of workers with the Government of Qatar; establishment of a joint business council between the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture; in addition to a cooperation agreement in the field of youths and sports. The other agreements are cooperation in the field of tourism and business events, and a memorandum of understanding combating illicit trade in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The documents were signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and relevant officials in the Government of the State of Qatar, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Dr. Ahmad Hassen Al-Hammadi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior. Later that Sunday, Tinubu presided over the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum where he asked Qatari captains of industry to report any Nigerian official who demands any form of bribe before allowing them do business in the country. He insisted that Nigeria will no longer be held back by its past dotted with bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption that stifled ease of doing business. Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me, Tinubu said. The President also assured the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business as his administration will deal decisively with any and all entrenched interests in the country who undermine investor confidence in the Nigerian economy. He also pledged to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise saying, Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionizing investment promotion. Qatar is the third Gulf state Tinubu has visited since assuming the Presidency and his 16th foreign destination. So far, he has visited Paris, France (thrice); London, the United Kingdom; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau (twice); Nairobi, Kenya; Porto Norvo, Benin Republic; New Delhi, India; Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; New York, the United States of America, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Berlin, Germany and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A South Jersey bar is planning to celebrate Jason Kelces career with Philadelphia Eagles fans later this year after the stalwart offensive lineman announced his retirement on Monday. Charlies, a bar and grill in Somers Point minutes from the Jersey Shore, said Monday it is hosting Jason Kelce 6-2 Day on June 2, using the centers jersey number to mark the celebratory event. Throughout the day and night, Charlies said it will offer beer and food specials along with giveaways to celebrate Kelces 13-year NFL career. Its owners also plan to add Kelces jersey to its memorabilia collection that day to commemorate his impact on the fanbase. Kelce, with family beside him at the Eagles training facility, announced his retirement from the NFL at an emotional press conference, solidifying him as a likely hall-of-fame candidate in 2029. Kelce earned seven Pro Bowl and six first-team All-Pro selections since being a late-round draft choice by the Eagles in 2011. He also helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl championship in 2018. Besides being considered by sports analysts as one of the NFLs best centers, Kelce has been adored by Eagles fans for his camaraderie with the organization and fanbase. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. A 37-year-old New Jersey man was arrested on charges he beat a child with a belt, authorities said. Martin Desir, of Mahwah, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said. The child was struck with the belt on various occasions between Feb. 25 and Sunday, according to a criminal complaint that said there were visible injuries to the childs body consistent with the shape of a belt. Desir was taken into custody Monday in Mahwah and is being held at the Bergen County jail ahead of a court appearance. The circumstances of the allege abuse werent disclosed. Attorney information wasnt immediately available. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com UPDATE: N.J. school principal charged with theft was caught on camera stealing bag of cash, officials say The principal of an elementary school in Burlington County was arrested and charged with stealing money from the school, authorities said. Colleen Schroeder took $700 from the main office of Helen L. Beeler Elementary School in Evesham, township police said Monday. Schroeder, 46, of Hainesport, was already on leave for a reason unrelated to the alleged theft, Superintendent Justin Smith said in a statement. Smith acknowledged Schroeders arrest, but declined additional comment. Schroeders annual salary is about $144,000, according to state pension data. Attorney information wasnt immediately available. About 537 students attend the kindergarten to 5th grade school on Caldwell Avenue in the Marlton section of town, according to state education data. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com The families of men and women who died by suicide while they were held in the Cumberland County Jail are still waiting for proceeds from settlements made years ago after the attorney who represented them allegedly provided the court with incomplete records of the agreements. Conrad J. Benedetto, the attorney who arranged a majority of the settlements, is in federal prison for tax fraud in an unrelated case, court records show. The settlements, which totaled more than $2.3 million, stemmed from seven federal lawsuits involving claims of negligence and, in some cases, criminal conduct by jail employees before people held at the jail died by suicide. Benedetto represented all seven of the families who sued, according to newspaper articles and court documents. A creepy science teacher retired when accused of giving students back rubs and holding a girls hand. An elementary school educator was disciplined for withholding bathroom breaks and grabbing students by the shirt. And a science teacher was reprimanded on multiple occasions after students complained he called them cute, asked girls to bend over in front of him and talked about oral sex. A former daycare aid has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison for the sexual assault of multiple children at the daycare center. Kyle Finn, 23, of Sayreville, was sentenced on Friday following a guilty plea of six counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of sexual assault, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said. Finn had already been fired from his job at Superhero Schoolhouse Day Care in Old Bridge when he was arrested in October 2020. Days after his arrest, the director of the daycare center, Charmaine Larkin, was charged with failure to report child abuse. Superhero Schoolhouse has since closed. Finn, who was 20 years old at the time of his arrest, also previously worked as a camp counselor at Our Lady of Victories Parish Church and the Sayreville Department of Recreation in addition to volunteering for the Sayreville Association for Brain Injured Children, officials said. Prosecutors did not provide an update on the daycare directors criminal case. Finns sentence is subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring to serve 85% of the term, or 34 years, before he is eligible for parole. He will also be subject to supervision for life and will have to register as a sex offender under Megans Law. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. A man who shot and killed the clerk at an Edison gas station during a robbery more than five years ago has been sentenced to life in prison without parole, officials said. Marcus A. Wright, 27, of Beaufort, South Carolina, gunned down the employee on Dec. 20, 2018, at the Speedway on Amboy Avenue, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said. Wright was convicted in the killing of John Bertram, 38, of the Fords section of Woodbridge, in September. A jury also found Wright guilty of two counts of robbery and weapons offenses. Bertram handed Wright the money in the cash register at the station before being shot. Wright and his getaway driver, Olya Quinnam, fled after the robbery, but were arrested in January 2019. Quinnam was previously convicted but has not been sentenced. Voters will have to wait to weigh in on a controversial proposed school district merger in Ocean County after a referendum vote originally scheduled for next week was delayed after paperwork was filed by attorneys for all three districts involved in the debate. Plans for the merger of the Seaside Heights and Toms River Regional school districts may also be revised to allow Seaside Heights lone elementary school to remain open for up to five years, even if the two Jersey Shore school districts combine, according to the proposal. Officials in Seaside Heights and Toms River Regional are now seeking authorization to hold the referendum vote on April 16 to ask voters in both districts to approve a plan for Seaside Heights to withdraw its students in grades 7 to 12 from the Central Regional School District. Instead, Seasides students would the join Toms River Regional School District, on of the states largest regional districts. Voters in Seaside Heights and all of Toms River Regionals districts which include Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River would have to vote to approve the merger. The vote was originally slated for March 12 before it was derailed by Central Regionals objections to the merger. The timeframe is significant, because school board referendums are only allowed on a limited number of days throughout the year in New Jersey and the third Tuesday in April is the last opportunity for the vote before the start of the 2024-25 school year. Central Regional officials objected to the plan for Seaside Heights to pull out of their district in a Feb. 20 filing to state education officials. That prompted attorneys for Toms River Regional and Seaside Heights to file their own plans to move the vote to April 16 and revise their original plan to close the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School in Seaside Heights by September. The elementary school enrolls about 200 students, according to state statistics. Through no fault of the kids attending TRRS (Toms River Regional Schools) and Seaside Heights, the process has created uncertainty concerning Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School, William R. Burns, attorney for Toms River Regional, wrote in a Feb. 27 letter to Acting Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. To eliminate the uncertainty and maintain consistency TRRS, the Borough of Seaside Heights, and the Board of Education of Seaside Heights have agreed that if the referendum is authorized by you and approved by the voters, Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School will remain open for the 2024-2025 school year and up to four years thereafter, contingent upon enrollment, Burns wrote. However, Central Regional officials questioned whether the districts can have an April vote on the plan. In their response filed to state officials last week, Central Regional officials said April 16 referendums are only allowed in districts that have not moved their regular elections to November. Eric Harrison, the school districts attorney, wrote that Toms Rivers agreement to delay closing the Boyd school shows that expedited approval for a referendum in April is not needed. Central Regional has commissioned a study of its own to assess the feasibility of expanding to become a unified K-12 regional school district in a manner that would maintain consistency for Seaside Heights students by never closing the sole elementary school on the island, Harrison wrote. The state education department did not immediately respond to a request to comment. Seaside Heights officials joined Toms River officials in expressing frustration over the delay. Central Regional has no legal or factual grounds for the denial, Seaside Heights attorney Vito Gagliardi wrote in a letter the acting superintendent for Ocean County. It has sought only delay and now wants more, by asking for a hearing in the office of Administrative Law, which also is foreign to the statute and is not used when questions of regionalization are submitted to the voters. But, what this delay has accomplished, is to make the March 12 date no longer feasible. An informed public is critical and all activities have been on hold as we wait for the Department of Education to act, Gagliardi wrote. A merger would have financial impacts on both Central Regional and the Toms River Regional school districts. Under the original proposal, students from Seaside Heights would attend East Dover Elementary School through fifth grade, Toms River Intermediate East School from grades 6 to 8, then Toms River East High School. Toms River has 18 schools, including three high schools and three middle schools, and enrolls approximately 15,000 students from Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River. Central Regional has a middle school and a high school and enrolls about 2,300 students from Berkeley Township, Island Heights, Ocean Gate, Seaside Park and Seaside Heights. It said in its objection that it is exploring the process of forming a larger K-12 district of its own. If the merger proceeds, Toms River is seeking to expand its school board from nine members six from Toms River and one from South Toms River, Beachwood, and Pine Beach to 11 members. Under the new board, seven members would be from Toms River and there would be one member each from South Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach, and Seaside Heights. Another merger of school districts is currently underway in Monmouth County after voters granted approval in separate referendums in September. Starting in July, the K-6 school districts in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands will be joining the Henry Hudson Regional School District, which already serves middle school and high school students from both municipalities. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. The United States Postal Service will hold a public meeting Wednesday in Cherry Hill to get feedback about the future uses of its South Jersey Processing and Distribution Center facility in Bellmawr, Camden County. A USPS statement said a plan to move mail sorting and distribution from Bellmawr to Philadelphia is part of a nationwide, $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve the processing, transportation and delivery networks. It said the branch retail services are not expected to change. The meeting will be held at the Cherry Hill Public Library, 1100 Kings Highway North, at 1 p.m. The American Postal Workers Union South Jersey local issued a statement this week saying the proposed move has sparked significant concerns among residents and businesses. This move has already resulted in mail delivery delays and the loss of mail and packages, the union statement said. These issues underscore the pressing need for a thorough reassessment of this decision. The postal service is promising to work closely with unions throughout the facility review and will monitor the impact of changes and adjust plans when necessary, according to a USPS statement. Public comments can also be submitted online through March 21. The publics input will be considered prior to a final decision, the postal service said. First, we are not closing the South Jersey facility, Xavier Hernandez, a USPS regional spokesman told NJ Advance Media in an email Tuesday. We will convert it into a Local Processing Center and the Postal Service intends on investing between $20 million and $25 million into it. Second, the Postal Services will not be laying off any career employees as a part of this review. Third and finally, our modernization efforts will have no effect on services here. Hernandez said the postal service had incurred $137 billion in losses in 2020 was going to run out of cash. He said they had 30-year-old vehicles and had deferred over $20 billion in maintenance on its infrastructure, which led to shameful workplaces. The facility review, intended to inform resource allocation and enhance customer service, has instead led to disruptions that are negatively impacting the community, the union said in its statement. Moreover, the potential decrease in employment opportunities due to this relocation adds to the local economic struggles. The South Jersey (Local Processing Center) will be a critical node to the unified movement of mail and packages across the regional processing and transportation ecosystem, USPS said. But the postal carriers union is still not convinced. While recognizing the need for modernization and efficiency, we emphasize that these goals should not come at the expense of service quality and community well-being, the union said. We call for a more comprehensive evaluation, with ample opportunity for public input, to ensure that any changes made benefit all stakeholders involved, including the employees whose livelihoods are at stake. The postal service plan is proposing similar changes in 30 facilities nationwide. Bellmawr is the only facility in New Jersey. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Probably fewer than one in 10 New Jerseyans have ever travelled to Trenton or Washington to sit down and ask a legislator to do something. Those who do that kind of thing for a living acknowledge theyre lobbyists. Others call themselves advocates. The second group is usually a bit more passionate about what they want. Organizations often rely on lobbyists to represent their interests, but a growing number now use professionals only to teach them how to do it themselves. U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and his wife were hit with a flurry of additional federal corruption charges Tuesday in a another superseding indictment that included new accusations of obstruction of justice in connection with a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible prosecutors say was a payoff to the New Jersey Democrat. According to the unsealed indictment, Menendez allegedly gave false and misleading statements to the U.S. Attorneys office early in the investigation through his attorneys to conceal the fact that the vehicle had in fact been intended as a bribe. The charges against Menendez grew from four counts to 18 criminal counts, ranging from bribery, extortion, conspiracy to act as a foreign agent and wire fraud. In addition, he was also charged with accepting thousands in cash and gold from a developer who wanted him to make statements in support of the government of Qatar in an effort to secure Qatari investment in a real estate project. Menendez, through his attorney, slammed the latest action by the government in a statement. Todays superseding indictment is a flagrant abuse of power. The government has long known that I learned of and helped repay loans not bribes that had been provided to my wife, he said. Not content, or capable, of meeting those facts fairly at trial, the government has now falsely alleged a cover-up and obstruction. Menendez said the latest charge 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. Nicholas Biase, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys office in Manhattan, declined comment. The added obstruction counts mirrored those against one of the senators co-defendants, Jose Uribe, who arranged to pay for the car. He pleaded guilty last week to bribery and corruption charges along with similar obstruction counts. A Hudson County businessman with insurance and trucking interests, Uribe initially claimed the payments that he made for the luxury auto were only loans intended to be repaid, but admitted in court that he had not been telling the truth. He has agreed to testify against Menendez at trial The senator, who once sat on the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, has been charged with taking tens of thousands in bribes that included gold bars and envelopes stuffed with cash, as well as the Mercedes, in return for his influence to benefit several friends and allies. Among those allegations were claims that Menendez improperly pressured an individual at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect a business monopoly granted to Wael Hana, whose New Jersey company had been authorized by the Egyptian government to verify that halal meat exported for sale had been prepared according to Islamic law. That monopoly, charged prosecutors, was used in part to fund the bribes being paid to Menendez through his wife. According to prosecutors, Hana and the senators wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, also worked to introduce Egyptian intelligence and military officials to Menendez for the purpose of establishing and solidifying a corrupt agreement, exchanging hundreds of thousands of bribes to Menendez and his wife, in exchange for Menendezs acts and breaches of duty to benefit the government of Egypt. And the indictment alleged that Menendez promised to use his influence to recommend that President Joe Biden nominate an individual as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey who Menendez believed could be influenced with respect to an unrelated federal criminal prosecution of Fred Daibes, a well-known developer and friend of the senator. Daibes had been charged in an insider loan scam at Mariners Bank, the financial institution that he founded and where he served as chairman of the board of directors. Daibes also figured in the efforts to get Qatari investment for one of his projects outlined in Tuesdays new charges. He and Hana have entered not guilty pleas. Menendez has denied any wrongdoing, as has his wife. The Mercedes, according to prosecutors, was part of a scheme to kill a state criminal insurance fraud prosecution case by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office involving Uribe. In his appearance last Thursday before U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein in New York, Uribe said he had agreed with several people, including Hana and Nadine Menendez, to provide her with a Mercedes-Benz, after she had wrecked her own car in 2018 in a still unexplained accident in Bogota that killed a pedestrian. No charges were ever brought against her. In exchange, Uribe wanted Menendez to use his power and influence as a U.S. Senator to get a favorable outcome and to stop all investigations related to one of my associates, and, if necessary, to stop the possible investigation into another person he considered to be member of his family. A few days after Menendez made a call to an unnamed official in Attorney Generals office, prosecutors said the senators wife texted Hana, All is GREAT! Im so excited to get a car next week! Prosecutors say this Mercedes was given to Menendez and his wife as a bribe. An image of the luxury car was included in the indicement against the senator and his wife. Uribe said he made certain payments on the Mercedes in a manner to conceal his involvement. I knew that giving a car in return for influencing a United States senator to stop a criminal investigation was wrong, and I deeply regret my actions, he told the judge last week. When receiving a subpoena relating to Menendez, he admitted he attempted to cover up what he had done. Nadine Menendez contacted me through another individual. Later that afternoon, I met with Nadine at a Marriott, and she asked what was I going to say if somebody asked me about the car payments, he said in court. I told her that I would say a good friend of mine was in a financial situation and I was helping that friend to make the payments on the car, and when she was financially stable, she will pay me back. Nadine, he recalled, said something like that sounds good. Later, Uribe said he repeated his lie to his attorneys. They transmitted that false story to the United States Attorneys Office in New York with my approval, he told the judge. Late in 2022, I received a check from Nadine paying me back for the car payments. I then deposited the check. In the charges unsealed on Tuesday, prosecutors said Menendez also had his attorney meet with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York in June 2023 and again in September of that year, to claim that the senator was unaware of mortgage payments until 2022 by Hana on the house of Nadine, who was his fiancee at the time, or the money Uribe paid toward the Mercedes. The indictment said Menendez believed the payments were loans. In truth and in fact, and as Menendez well knew, Menendez had learned of both the mortgage company payment and the car payments prior to 2022 and they were not loans, but bribe payments, the indictment charged. Menendez, in his statement, charged that prosecutors were trying to get him to give in simply by making wild allegations again and again, without actually proving anything. I have no intention of allowing overzealous prosecutors, with unlimited resources and budget, to do that to me. I am innocent and will prove it no matter how many charges they continue to pile on, said the senator. Meanwhile, on Monday, Judge Stein denied a request by Menendez to hold a hearing into the legality of the search warrants that led to the seizure of evidence against him and Hana, claiming that the warrants were littered with intentional or recklessly false and misleading statements and material omissions. Stein said Menendez had not provided any credible and probative evidence that the omissions were designed to mislead or made in reckless disregard of whether they would mislead. At the same time, the judge said a hypothetical corrected affidavit, after setting aside the allegedly misleading statements or omissions, still supported a finding of probable cause and would have allowed the issuance of a search warrant. __ Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. As Nikki Haleys longshot bid to challenge former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary is set to fizzle after Super Tuesday, things got a little strange today as reporters interviewed Trump supporters. And by strange, lets just say deeply misogynistic. A Fox News interview in a diner in Allen, Texas, during Fox and Friends was meant to get some folks thoughts on an NBC News report that former First Lady Michelle Obama is definitely not running for president. The reporter told a woman the news and put the microphone to her face: Thank God. Yes. The reporter said he was looking for a reaction from a woman in the crowd and then turned the mic over to her again: I wouldnt vote for a woman and especially, you know, Nikki Haley, Im just going to say this: Shes probably menopausal. We dont need that. The hosts immediately went back to talking about Obama, apparently not interested in debating the womans thoughts on a female president. Siri, show me an example of internalized misogyny pic.twitter.com/QoBb7CrfDa Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 5, 2024 And then there was an exchange an NBC News reporter had with a Trump support in Graham, North Carolina, after he asked the man his thoughts on Haley. What I got to say, you dont really want to put it on (TV), the man said. Let me hear it, the reporter responded. Full video of that moment in Graham, N.C. Men and women have told me they wouldnt vote for Haley because shes a woman before (and in plenty of other states), but rarely is it said this explicitly and in front of a camera. https://t.co/2t2GAw50Mk pic.twitter.com/nmTSL2Ymh6 Shaquille Brewster (@shaqbrewster) March 5, 2024 Well, one, shes not going to be a good president. She doesnt have no balls to scratch. Shes just gonna scratch her head. All a womens good for in my book is having babies and taking care of the house. Thats the old thing, you know? Im old school, the man said. AUTHOR HTML: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. If Fools rush in and the best is yet to come, then this might be the perfect time to snatch up an iconic house at the Jersey Shore. The Sinatra house on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk is back on the market with a new price. Its now listed for $2,950,000. In comparison with other properties on the beachfront and that are oceanfront, this is in line with recent sales, said James Ward, the listing agent from Keller Williams Ocean Living. It actually comes across as a pretty good deal if you look at the square footage and other unique features the property has versus anything else in the area. The home was originally listed in September 2022 for $4.4 million. The listing was removed in March 2023 and in April it went back on the market with a new price tag, $3.3 million. The home went off the market again in August 2023. The price point wasnt based on anything else other than the fact that it was a famous property and it has unique physical features that make it stand out, he said. There was just nothing remotely in that price range that would suggest it would go for that. The home, built in 1987, was owned by Paul R. Smith, who worked for 39 years in the music industry, retiring in 1999 as chairman of distribution for Sony Music. He never worked with Sinatra, but Smith loved his voice. And his appreciation for Old Blue Eyes has trickled down to Smiths kids and grandkids, Smiths daughter, Susan Stinneford said. Smith bought the property in the late-1980s and Stinnefords husband, Patrick, and her brother, Jeff Smith built the eight-bedroom, four-bathroom shore cape with an open concept main floor. When her dad retired, he lived there full time. Family, including her and her kids, spent entire summers there from the day after school ended until the day before it reopened. Music, almost always Frank Sinatra, bellowed from speakers two in the ceiling of the porch and two under the porch from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. everyday during the summer months. It was always great when we were sitting there on the porch and different generations of people would walk by and stop and dance, Stinneford said. They would always say what great music it was. It didnt matter if they were old or young. Smith passed away in 2002 and the home is now being sold by his four children two of whom live in New Jersey and two who live out of state. When youre dealing with multiple family members, some are ready to move on and some arent. This is the typical result that youll see when people are not all on the same page, Ward said. The home is unique not only because of its iconic status, its large at 4,000-square-feet. If you look at it from the boardwalk you dont see that much house there, he said. When you go inside, it just opens up. People are surprised when they see it in person. It also has parking for at least 10 cars. In an area with zero to one-car parking that is a really attractive proposition, Ward said. Its also on Point Pleasant Beachs mile-long boardwalk. Its a very small stretch that has homes, and only on the north end, he said. A lot of the properties are walk-up only. You can only walk up from Ocean Avenue because theres no street access at all. A lot of the beachside lanes theres no cars allowed. Then when you move your car you might not have a spot when you come back. But with this house, you have more parking than you need. The most common question he gets from prospective buyers is, do they have to continue to play the music. As the owner that will be their decision, he said. Were not going to put it in the contract. The last call Ward got on the house was a potential buyer who suggested they should make it a Taylor Swift house and play her music. I said I think something more timeless like Old Blue eyes would be better, Ward said. But I guess its understandable given how popular shes been. The 4,000-square-foot home was built in 1987.Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living French doors provide an ocean view from from the open concept living area.Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living An open floor plan connects the living room, dining room and kitchen.Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living The kitchen has an island and stainless steel appliances.Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living There are eight bedrooms. Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living It has four full bathrooms.Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living There is a full finished basement.Courtesy of James Ward of Keller Williams Ocean Living Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jerseys real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. A weekly newsletter that delivers original reporting and dives into the top headlines involving reproductive justice, sexual health, relationships, parenting and more every Tuesday. Enter your email to subscribe today. An all-Republican Alabama Supreme Court ruling on Feb. 16 defined life as beginning at conception, effectively granting personhood to embryos. This decision has thrown the states IVF clinics into chaos, as they cease operations for fear of prosecution. In response, Alabamas hastily passed bills granting civil and criminal immunity to IVF providers, a short-term fix to encourage clinics to reopen and serve families on Thursday. The move came a day after Senate Republicans blocked legislation that would provide national protection of assisted fertility, sponsored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth. This legal fiasco has brought IVF to the forefront of national conversation, with the decision to consider frozen embryos humans impacting the future of in vitro fertilization in the state, questioning how other states will respond with similar policies, and bringing to light the barriers BIPOC families face in accessing fertility treatment. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared the ruling a war on women during a Feb. 24 Meet the Press interview, though digging into the details illustrates that this blow to family planning is impacting white, wealthy families the most. Nearly half of Americans say they or someone they know has used fertility treatment, but these numbers primarily reflect the experiences of white and Asian adults, according to Pew Research Center. Only 26% of adults and one third of Latinos say they or someone in their life has received treatment for infertility, with the high cost being a major barrier. The Alabama ruling highlights a crucial conversation about racial and economic disparities in reproductive healthcare. While white, wealthy families are facing significant new hurdles, the barriers for BIPOC families are often insurmountable. White women, married, the 81% who are over $100,000 in income. This is about you and they are coming for you because yall comprise of over 61% of people who are able to get IVF. When I go into an IVF clinic, nobody else looks like me. They talking to you said TV personality Erica Cobb, who has documented her experience as an IVF patient of color on Tik Tok said on a Feb. 21 episode of Daily Blast Live. What is IVF and why is it under attack? In IVF, the egg and sperm cells are combined outside of the body and then implanted into the uterus of a person seeking pregnancy. Sometimes, fertilized eggs are frozen and saved for future when IVF results in more than one successful embryo or when done proactively to initiate a later pregnancy, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Today about 2% of U.S. births result from IVF. But treatment is costly, ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 for a single cycle depending on a patients needs and it can take several cycles to conceive. Some insurance may cover fertility treatments, but people with lower incomes are more likely to be on Medicaid or commercial plans which do not offer this type of coverage. This desire to build their family results in some people taking out loans or dipping into their savings accounts or 401(k)s to pay the out-of-pocket costs if they have those. By not covering this for poor folks, were saying we dont want you to reproduce, medical ethicist Lisa Campo-Engelstein of the University of Texas Medical Branch told the Associated Press in May. White women, over the age of 35, with higher incomes and private insurance represent the highest demographic of those seeking fertility treatment, according to data analysis by KFF. A 2020 study by Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine on disparities in fertility care found over 75% of participants were white. Thought leaders like Erica Hart, sex educator and activist, point to the ruling as a measure to uphold white supremacy amidst a declining white population. We have seen over the past 10 years is a decline in white people having children, and trust me the state notices that and if you remember Charlottesville, this is directly in line with that, and in fear of white people being in declining numbers and Black and non-Black people of color literally taking over " Hart said in a Feb. 22 Instagram video. In 2018, white Americans accounted for less than half of the population under 15 for the first time, and the decline is projected to continue, as the number of births declines and the country continues to diversity. Catholic and Evangelical leaders have spoken out against IVF, but have used the product of these services to grow Christian households. The Christian adoption agency Nightlight runs the Snowflakes embryo adoption program connecting unused embryos to prospective families. This program received federal funding through former President George W. Bushs Embryo Adoption Awareness Campaign from 2022 to 2013, which Trump restarted and now grants $1 million to embryo adoption agencies each year, according to Mother Jones. The Alabama ruling leaves the fate of hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos unclear. It also raises the question of whether states like Louisiana, where embryos cannot be legally destroyed, will follow suit. The Department of Health and Human Services estimated there were about 600,000 frozen embryos across the country in 2020, while the National Embryo Donation Center places the number closer to 1 million, according to USA Today. Infertility rates are higher for Black women The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development estimates that about 9% of men and 11% of women of reproductive age in the U.S. experience infertility problems, and the U.S. birth rate has declined overall because of this. Black women from 33 to 44 are twice as likely to experience infertility than their white counterparts. Yet, they only undergo about 5% of IVF cycles, compared to 85% for white women, according to a 2016 University of South Carolina report. Dr. Stephanie Marshall Thompson, a fertility specialist at CCRM Fertility blames underdiagnosis of conditions impacting fertility for this disparity. When youre in medical school youre taught white women have endometriosis and Black women have fibroids, while there are a lot of Black women out there suffering from endometriosis and undiagnosed endometriosis, which is one of the toughest things for us to deal with as fertility specialists, she said in December on the Fertility FM podcast. This medical bias and structural racism in healthcare lead to Black women facing worse outcomes. Black IVF patients have more miscarriages than white patients, and a 30% less chance of clinical pregnancy than for all other races, according to a 2021 study published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Additionally, babies conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART), which includes IVF, born to Black mothers are four times more likely to die as newborns. The 2022 study also found that the death rates for newborns born to Latino, Asian, and Pacific Islander mothers through ART were double that of white mothers. Reproductive justice advocates say that this case reflects issues theyve long vocalized and express concerns on how other states will follow suit. What this ruling means is that access to an already inaccessible service for many is going to be further from reach, said South Texans for Reproductive Justice co-founder Denni Arjona. Reproductive justice means you also have the human right to become a parent if you want to regardless of your income, where you live, your gender, marital status or ability. We urge you to pay attention to this case and to continue to fight for reproductive justice for all. Josh Donaldson used to be able to back up his brashness with production. By the end of his major-league career, however, his edginess and outspokenness seemed to go far enough that he created some enemies. The former third baseman announced his retirement Monday, and he credited being unapologetically himself to a conversation he had early in his career. BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER For me, Jonny Gomes was one of my guys, Donaldson told Sean Casey on The Mayors Office podcast Monday. I just always remember, because obviously people can see throughout the course of my career, I can definitely rub people wrong at times, and I was just always concerned about that as a younger player. And I remember having a couple conversations with him, and he would say, Look, you go play. If you do something that you shouldnt do, Ill let you know and well take care of it. And I was like, that kind of gave me the freedom to gout there and be myself. Gomes had a 13-year career as an outfielder who played for seven teams. Donaldson has several times attributed his true self coming out on the field to Gomes, whom he played with in 2014. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE YANKEES NEWSLETTER: RESTORING THE GLORY Donaldson joined the New York Yankees in a 2022 trade following a career full of well-above-average offensive seasons and a 2015 AL MVP with the Toronto Blue Jays. When he came to New York, however, he averaged a 90 OPS+ in 666 plate appearances across two seasons. He hit .207 and was released in 2023. The Milwaukee Brewers were his last stop, the culmination of a strong career that ended injury-filled. At times considered a troublemaker, Donaldson came under fire for calling former Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who is Black, Jackie, as in Jackie Robinson, in 2022, the second bases-clearing incident between the two players. From NJ Advance Medias Bob Klapisch, who wrote on Donaldsons remembrance of his fathers violence against his mother. Donaldsons father spent 15 years in prison on charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment and aggravated battery. Donaldson doesnt ask for sympathy, not from the Yankees or their fans. He and his father have made peace, although that forgiveness has come at a price. The slugger today bears the behavioral scars of a man whos lived through too many terrible moments. Theyve stripped Donaldson of the kindness that most adults are hard-wired for. Hes instead blunt and uninterested in small talk. Although not an intimidating person, Donaldson can make a stranger feel uneasy. Its not a surprise he has struggled to fit in with six different teams during a 12-year career. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Snow this morning will give way to lingering snow showers this afternoon. High 37F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snowfall around one inch.. Tonight Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. The Marcos family had to flee the Philippines and the Great Satan assisted them. Like the Shah of Iran who was overthrown by the people, Marcos jnr. is a puppet of the Great Satan. That's why his policy is so different from his predecessor, Duterte. Here's a snapshot of a video from the Guardian, showing a filipino coast guard vessel deliberately colliding with China's coast guard in China's territorial waters: The video clearly shows the filipino vessels moving quicker and deliberately causing the collision, while China's is virtually stationary. This is despite China's vessel having right of way: A very generalized rule of thumb for power boating navigation right of way, is that its similar to road driving in the United States. Approaching another boat head on, you must pass port to port (keep the approaching vessel on your left). Crossing paths with another boat, the starboard boat has the right of way (Just like if both vehicles reached an intersection at the same time. The car to the right has right of way). - Which Boat Has The Right Of Way? Port Vs Starboard The restaurant took its name from Magazine Street, where got its start. And it took that name with it when it moved to a different part of town. The diversion "may result in changes affecting the accuracy of the current flood risk identified on the regulatory maps in Plaquemines Parish," said the Aug. 30 email message from Justin McBride, a floodplain and insurance specialist with FEMAs Region 6 office in Denton, Texas, to Zach Smith, the parishs chief building official. The email was cited in the lawsuit Plaquemines Parish filed against the state Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority on Nov. 9, which asked a parish judge to enforce a cease-and-desist order on the project. The suit also asked that the state be required to obtain permits under the parishs land use and floodplain management regulations. The suit has halted construction of the diversion for the time being. Levees This graphic shows all the different levee systems around the Barataria Basin. Full version of the map and explanation are available in the Co In response to questions from The Times-Picayune, a senior Region 6 FEMA official said Monday that McBrides email is no longer accurate. Nebraska's deputy auditor confirmed Monday that all 235 outstanding Red Way airlines refunds had been paid and processed. Craig Kubicek, the deputy auditor for the Nebraska Auditor's office, confirmed in a letter to Lincoln Airport Executive Director David Haring that all outstanding airfares have been refunded. Kubicek had been communicating with Red Way CEO Nick Wangler, who Auditor Mike Foley said was "helpful and upfront with our office, providing routine updates along the way." According to the letter, Wangler confirmed Feb. 13 that all remaining 235 customer refunds "were issued with no processing errors." On Feb. 14, the auditor's office reached out to more than 25 Red Way customers awaiting refunds and said it got responses from "several" of them who confirmed their refunds had been processed. Red Way, a startup airline based out of Lincoln, shut down after less than three months in operation, burning through $3 million in public funds and leaving thousands of customers holding tickets for flights that were no longer scheduled. According to a state audit of Red Way that was completed in December, the airline owed more than $360,000 in customer refunds when it shut down at the end of August. Even after Attorney General Mike Hilgers got involved and announced that final refunds for 670 customers were being processed, Foley's office discovered that many customers still had not received them. Red Way got its start largely thanks to $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from both the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County, which was used as a revenue guarantee to offset startup losses. But the airline used up all the money in less than three months, without coming close to turning a profit. Last week, County Commissioner Matt Schulte, who was not on the board when it approved the money, called for the Lincoln Airport Authority to fire Haring. I believe that the Airport Authority (board) has the power to fire their director and they probably should fire their director for losing that much money, Schulte said Friday. Photos: First Red Way flight departs from Lincoln Airport Ernie Chambers, Nebraska's longest-serving state senator who filed last week to once again run to represent District 11 in the state's Legislature, has no reservations over his decision to challenge incumbent Sen. Terrell McKinney for the North Omaha seat. Chambers, 86, held the seat for 46 years and was term-limited out twice, including in 2020, which paved the way for McKinney's election to the body, where the 33-year-old has emerged as a champion of Omaha and the Legislature's most vocal critic of mass incarceration. McKinney's once-likely path to reelection was upended Tuesday, when Chambers, one of the state's most famous politicians known for his fiery speeches and mastery of the Legislature's rules, followed through on filing for the office again after long flirting with the idea of another return to the body. His entrance into the race, though, comes as a majority of Americans harbor doubts about the age and acuity of President Joe Biden, 81, raising questions over Chambers' bid for another term that pits him against the senator he endorsed to succeed him four years ago. "There's the obvious, immediate concern that you have when you have the system we have in our state where the MAGA Republicans can choose a replacement," said Jane Kleeb, the chair of Nebraska's Democratic Party, who noted that should Chambers be elected but unable to finish his term, Gov. Jim Pillen would appoint his replacement in a district where 63.6% of voters are registered Democrats. "Thats obviously a factor," Kleeb said. "People shouldn't pretend that its not. The state party is "firmly behind" McKinney, she said, noting that he's the only Democrat in race to represent District 11 in the formally nonpartisan Legislature. Chambers, like 23% of voters in the district, is a registered nonpartisan. "It's time to pass the torch," Precious McKesson, the party's executive director, said in a social media post last week. "I love Sen. Chambers and will always acknowledge his fight and the great things he's done for LD11, but it's time to let the younger generation lead and that person is Sen. McKinney." Chambers, though, remains unmoved. In an interview Friday, he downplayed concerns over his age and insisted McKinney's performance as a senator was not a factor in his decision to seek office again, nor were the preferences of anyone in Nebraska other than Chambers himself. "I can be aware of what other people are doing, but the obligation I have is to my own conscience," he told the Journal Star. "And I tell people, always, I'm not running against somebody. I'm running because of things that I think need to be handled differently." Chambers said he "really meant it four years ago" when he suggested he might run again for the Legislature this year if his mind was clear and his health good and he believes he meets the criteria on both fronts. Still, the octogenarian acknowledges the uncertainty that his age inherently brings. "I cannot pretend I'm not reaching the end of my rope," said Chambers, who will turn 87 in July. "None of us knows when we will die. There are babies who have died. There are middle-aged people. Of all ages, people kick the bucket. "But thus far, I haven't had any of the kind of ailments that would give me a warning that the grim reaper is right around the corner or knocking at my door. "And I do believe there are things that I could do in the Legislature to diminish the negative impact that will be felt in the kind of things that are being introduced and I look at the governor somebody needs to be there who can kind of be a check or a brake on that wheel on this runaway train." In a style distinct from Chambers, though, McKinney has often tried to play that role in Lincoln, railing against the state's "horrible" prison system which he calls the Department of Punitive Services and pleading with his colleagues to "have some humanity." McKinney, who said he was unsurprised by Chambers' decision to run against him, said he appreciates the legendary former lawmaker for "still having the energy to still want to fight for the community." But McKinney is unconvinced by Chambers' belief that he alone can change the course of the Legislature. "I mean, if you want to stop the runaway train, the honest truth is youve got to get more one person is not gonna stop that train," McKinney said. "You have to get more people who feel a different way about these bills. "In the Legislature, its about the vote count. I mean, yes, you can slow it down and filibuster, but we had senators here filibustering all last year. Those bills were still passed because of the votes. So, I mean, yeah, you can slow it down, but if they still got the votes, they got the votes. And thats what weve got to change is the vote count." McKinney, too, said the legislative wins he has notched in his first term in office banning hair discrimination in the workplace, barring the suspension of students younger than third graders, bringing "historic" economic recovery to North Omaha set him apart. He said he never expected his community's mantle to be handed to him. In fact, he said, he never expected anything to come without a fight. "Life has always been hard," McKinney said. "And I still deal with things, even as a senator. So even (Chambers) running thats why I said it is what it is. Because to me, its just life. Life is an obstacle in itself everyday. "So I dont get too up or down about things. You take the obstacles and you figure out the pathway to win. And thats what Im focused on, is winning. And representing my community. In his first run for office as a 30-year-old political newcomer in 2020, McKinney triumphed in the general election over 72-year-old Fred Conley, a longtime officeholder who became Omaha's first Black councilman in 1981 and beat McKinney by 17% in the May 2020 primary. In this year's election that will feature a similar generational divide, "Ernies got to be the favorite," said Walt Radcliffe, a longtime lobbyist and state political observer. He pointed to Chambers' inherent name recognition and the "retail politics" of the 11th District, where there were fewer than 10,000 votes cast in the November 2020 election that saw McKinney win 64% of the vote. Over half of those voters know Sen. Chambers, probably personally," Radcliffe said, later adding: "This just comes down to people knowing Chambers forever. Still, Radcliffe said it would be "very difficult to attack Terrell on his record" after four years of delivering "in concrete ways" for the 11th District. He suggested McKinney is in a better position to beat Chambers than any candidate before him. But no candidate before him has prevailed. The cold, hard truth is it puts McKinney in a hard position, right? said Kevin Smith, the chair of political science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "He's been an effective legislator. I dont see how you avoid an uncomfortable dynamic in that race. But as somebody once said, politics isn't bean bag. Its a sharp-elbowed sport. Smith, an observer of state politics who studies the biology and psychology of the differences in people's political attitudes and behavior, said that Chambers' age would undoubtedly be a storyline as the "fascinating race" plays out. But he cautioned that a candidate's age is not an accurate tell of their mental acuity. That assessment, Smith said, should be left up to the voters of District 11. Does Ernie get one more hurrah or does the torch get passed on firmly and finally to a new generation?" he said. "I mean, ultimately, I think thats what this election will come down to. Photos: Sen. Ernie Chambers through the years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Photos: Ernie Chambers through the Years Ernie Chambers, Megan Hunt Ernie Chambers Ernie Chambers Ernie Chambers 103rd Legislature starts 103rd Legislature starts Surprise Ernie Chambers Rally, 8.13 Surprise Ernie Chambers Rally, 8.13 Surprise Ernie Chambers Rally, 8.13 Chambers Birthday Card Virus Outbreak Nebraska Legislature First Day XGR - Schimek and Chambers Chambers 45 Chambers and his 'Republican' Chambers quotes Hitler Chambers at death penalty debate Chambers reloads Chambers campaign Chambers on burial sites Chambers on University Chambers addresses the press Chambers on speed limits Chambers in 1974 Chambers aims Chambers in 1978 Ernie Chambers Chambers at a hearing Chambers at Grenada protest Chambers on gambling Chambers enters the legislature Chambers goes fourth and long Chambers in 1974 Chambers' death penalty shirt Chambers and Carpenter Chambers and Taylor Chambers on lawyers Chambers at anti-apartheid rally Chambers' desk Chambers with Nigerians Chambers in 1982 Chambers at Boyd Elementary Chambers cutting hair Chambers and the electric chair Chambers in 1971 Ernie Chambers apartheid Chambers and De Camp Chambers on corporal punishment Chambers and Carpenter Chambers' uniform BLM Protest A new organisation dedicated to reinstating the Bideford to Barnstaple railway line was launched on Friday, March 1. The Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance wants to create a new rail link between the two towns and to upgrade the Tarka Line connecting Exeter and Barnstaple. With 30 representatives from 13 stakeholder organisations in attendance, the Alliance has pledged to advocate for government support to re-establish this crucial connection for the Torridge community, which boasts more than 40,000 residents. The first meeting took place at Bidefords Royal Hotel at an event organised by Railfuture and set the stage for reversing the closure of Bideford's railway in 1965, a decision made during the Beeching era. Torridge and West Devon MP Sir Geoffrey Cox was unable to be present, but said in a statement: You are embarking on a very worthwhile cause. There is substantial support in Torridge for exploring the viability and economic case for this important railway connection to Barnstaple. Housing and population growth are likely to require improved communication links in the future. In a statement, North Devon MP Selaine Saxby, also unable to be present, said: I wholeheartedly support the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliances ambition to restore the rail link between Bideford and Barnstaple, and to upgrade the existing Tarka Line between Barnstaple and Exeter. The proposal includes not only restoring the rail link between Bideford and Barnstaple but also upgrading the existing Tarka Line, which expects to strengthen economic prospects and transportation options for North Devon. Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment, and Transport at Devon County Council added: Devon County Council and Peninsula Transport are committed to decarbonising the transport system, improving connectivity and giving genuine transport choice for our residents, visitors and businesses. Improving connectivity for residents in Northern Devon, supporting new development with transport infrastructure and creating healthy, connected communities for the future is key to our future wellbeing and prosperity. The town of Bideford has long awaited the return of its railway. The revival efforts, including the ACE Rail campaign led by the Tarka Rail Association and supported by Railfuture, gained momentum, leading to the formation of the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance. SFF Presents will host six summer creativity camps for middle and high school-aged students at Sisters Art Works, 204 W. Adams Ave., set to take place in July and August. The nonprofit has partnered with regional teaching artists to create these fun-filled sessions of art, music, theater, and self-expression. Registration opens on March 6 at 10 a.m. at https://www.sffpresents.org/summer-creativity-camps with pay-what-you can pricing starting at $25 to ensure that no child is prevented from participating due to financial barriers. On July 8-12, the half-day Seed to Sprout Music Camp will take place for players with minimal music experience on their chosen acoustic instrument. Teaching artist Joe Schulte, mandolin player and bandleader from Moon Mountain Ramblers, Cascade School of Music, and String Theory Music School in Bend, will teach the course. Schulte will provide songs that can be played with the most basic common chords and short, easy-to-learn melodies to memorize. Students will have opportunities to try other instruments as well, offering players real-life experience and showing them what each different "noise machine" can offer. Enrollment is open to students in grades 58 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Maximum of 20 participants. The Kaleidoscope Mixed Media Art Camp is another half-day camp where students will be encouraged to explore the creative process through multiple art mediums. The afternoon camp is scheduled for July 8-12. The week will include abstract art through the fun of paint pouring, color theory with portrait painting, and animal sculptures. Campers will learn layering techniques in paints, pens, and collages. Enrollment is open to students entering grades 5-8 and will run from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. Maximum of 14 participants. Teaching artist and SMS science teacher Melissa Stolasz will lead a half-day Outlaw Middle School String Camp July 15-19. This camp is open to players who have some experience on fiddle or guitar and can play a few tunes. Instruction will include two music sessions each day providing specific musical expertise. Students will learn new techniques on the fiddle, work on their bowing game, and learn some great new tunes. The camp will close with a short concert open to families on July 19. Enrollment is open to students going into grades 6-9 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Maximum of 25 participants. A theater production camp will begin on July 22 and run through July 26. Taught collaboratively by teaching artists Steven Livingston, Judy Fuentes, and Jayana Hinkle, this camp will focus on building skills to help develop a deeper understanding of the creative theatrical process. Student thespians will explore the theme of one of the oldest stories known to humankind: the unexpected hero and their quest to greatness. Though this trope is largely known, student thespians will work within a cast to study archetypes, musical storytelling, and stagecraft to create a unique retelling of this classic. The culmination of their work will be presented to family, friends, and community members on the final day of camp. Enrollment is open to students grades 5-9 and will run all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Maximum of 30 students. Another half-day camp focused on felt and fabric arts will take place August 5-9 with teaching artist and visual arts teacher Judy Fuentes. During the Fabric Arts Camp, students will work with unique materials to create wall hangings, landscapes, and creatures using wet felting and needle felting. Exploring a variety of techniques and applications, campers will develop their own personal style. Enrollment is open to students grades 5-9 and will run from 9 a.m. to noon each day in the upstairs JAM Studio at Sisters Art Works. Maximum of 14 participants. From August 12 to 16, Joe Schulte will offer a full-day Branch to Fruit Music Camp for players who are comfortable on their instrument and relatively fluid in the common major and minor chords found in popular music. In addition to playing together as a large group, this camp will break out into some small group ensemble sessions in which two to four players will work out tunes that may include custom song arrangement, individual solos, harmonies, and improvisation. The camp will close with a concert open to families on August 16. Enrollment is open to students grades 6-9, and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Maximum of 20 participants. The suggested tuition for each full-day camp is $275 and includes lunch and snacks each day. Half-day suggested tuition is $175 and includes snacks. The minimum full-day camp registration is $50, and the minimum half-day camp registration is $25. For more information, visit https://www.sffpresents.org/summer-creativity-camps. The Outlaw Strings Club made an impression at the four-day Wintergrass Festival in Bellevue, Washington last month. Outlaw Strings is run by Sisters Middle School teacher Melissa Stolasz, but would not be the same without the strong support from Sisters Folk Festival, who helps with introducing students to new artists, financial support, instrument availability, and a daytime summer camp where kids can continue to play without the club. Stolasz explained that she "saw the lineup for the festival and made the decision to go based on three bands that were going to be there that I knew the students would love; Vasen, Hawktail, and Le Vent du Nord. Once we found out there was a kids strings program it seemed like an opportunity we couldn't miss." The strings club that went was made up of 21 kids (18 fiddlers and three guitarists). They had 10 adult volunteers tag along with seven cars, and they stayed in two Airbnbs. The fiddlers participated in a full-day strings program called "Jamz 2" that went from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Then on Friday evening and all day Saturday, they got to tour the festival. When The Nugget asked Stolasz what the most memorable part of the festival was she said, "Watching the Strings Club just absolutely embrace traditional music. It was so joyful, and watching them get excited about different bands and want to see them again was so cool. They also joined jams and had some great dance sessions!" Stolasz also mentioned that another memorable aspect was, "The degree to which our eighth graders stepped up with so much enthusiasm and leadership. They encouraged younger kids, went to adult workshops, and just fully embraced the whole experience. They were asked to play a set for the festival patrons in the VIP lounge on Friday, and on Saturday when we had the morning off they asked if they could get up early and if someone could drive them back to the venue so they could go to a Quebecois workshop. All the kids were amazing but our 8th graders really set the tone for the weekend." The Nugget asked eighth graders Odin Rea, Carter Anderson, and Gryffon Dyer about their experience, and what they took away from the festival. Anderson mentioned that "the workshops were insane, and you got to play with whoever you wanted. I got to form strong connections with lots of people." There was a similar theme of excitement and joy from both Rea and Dyer's experience as Rea stated, "I met lots of people and just fiddling all the time was my favorite part." Dyer also added "Watching the concerts, specifically Vasen, Le Vent du Nord, and Biriba Union was super amazing." The three of them mentioned that they all had strong, adventurous spirits, the city was beautiful, and there were lots of great, inspiring musicians. They explained that the Outlaw Strings group was the youngest group there, as it was led by adults but there was a good vibe, good rhythm, strong energy, and everyone was happy. Photo by Kelli Carter Sisters students brought enthusiasm to the Wintergrass Festival. The Outlaw Strings Club went to four different summer camps last year, but this is the largest group they have taken to a single event. This summer Stolasz is hoping to get the group to the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, July 1-8. Stolasz noted "a really rad admin team at Sisters School District that lets teachers have wild ideas and says yes to them. When we walked into Jamz 2 with 21 kids it was a huge deal and when we debriefed it later we realized that a traditional music strings club in a public school just does not happen. Either your school values music and there is an orchestra program, in which case the orchestra teachers won't let you anywhere near their violin players, or your school doesn't prioritize music. People were blown away by our little program and are so excited about it. It's really a testimony to the magic that happens in our little town. We feel so lucky to be here and experience that synergy!" Abkhazia's de facto foreign minister, Inal Ardzinba, praised the Georgian authorities and expressed relief that the Georgian government appears 'rational'.Ardzinba stated that "nobody wants war", and asserted that aggression against Abkhazia is perceived as aggression against Russia. He believes Georgia will refrain from such actions."We, Abkhazians, ask ourselves why they haven't signed the agreement. Does Georgia really want to fight? Or do the Americans want to open a second front? We understand, one way or another, there have been reports that the Americans are going to open a second front, but, thank God, the Georgian government is reasonable; no one needs war, including Georgia itself. Because today, according to the legal framework, aggression against the Republic of Abkhazia is aggression against the Russian Federation. Therefore, I am sure that Georgia will not do this," Ardzinba said.The Minister of Defense of Georgia Irakli Chikovani held an introductory meeting with Zhou Qian, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Georgia.According to the Ministry of Defense, Irakli Chikovani thanked the Chinese ambassador for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.The conversation reportedly touched upon the strategic relations between the countries and China's decision to establish a visa-free regime, as well as the importance of deepening cooperation.Chikovani also met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Georgia, Mariusz Maszkiewicz."The parties discussed the successful cooperation between Georgia and Poland in the field of defense and future plans. The Minister of Defense also spoke with the Polish diplomat about Poland's contribution to the implementation of initiatives outlined in the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package (SNGP) and to the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM).Cooperation in military education, joint participation in multinational exercises, and collaboration in the military-industrial field were also noted," the statement reads. Back in 2005, local husband-and-wife duo Jason and Ana Willenbrock were making a lot of mistakes as they tried to get their fledgling little chocolate business off the ground from a 300-square-foot kitchen above Scottys Table restaurant in the Wilma. The couple had been working as chefs at a luxury resort in the Bitterroot Valley and had wanted to start a restaurant of their own in Missoula. But Montanas liquor license laws made getting a coveted permit prohibitively expensive, so they decided to try their hand at selling homemade chocolates. They called it Posh Chocolat. We kind of went in blind with using what limited experience we had in the pastry and chocolate world, Jason recalled. There was no YouTube at that time either. So we basically had to just roll up our sleeves and figure it out. But we wanted to do it and we were focused on doing it. And now, after 19 successful years of growing their brand and selling chocolate all over the country, the couple recently proudly announced that their business is on the precipice of a groundbreaking evolution. Theyve expanded into a brand new, modern 5,000-square-foot facility at the former Bonner mill site just east of Missoula near the Blackfoot River and the KettleHouse Amphitheater. They remodeled a historic mill building, and they call it a new chapter of growth and transformation. Theyve invested in cutting-edge production equipment, including a massive machine imported from Italy that will allow them to automate chocolate bar production. Theyre expanding their accounts and retail outlets and are now looking at offering space for tours, classes, tastings and private events at their new headquarters. This is huge for us, Ana explained, and shes talking about both the new space and the significance of the evolution of their business. They moved into the new space in Bonner right after New Years. So literally two months ago, Ana said. And its been crazy because then right after was Valentines Day. And now Easter is right around the corner and theres spring break in the middle. So yeah, its a lot. The couple operate what they call a bean to bar chocolate factory, meaning they import raw cacao beans from tropical countries and then roast the beans themselves in Missoula. Jason said they import about 12,000 pounds of beans a year. Then, with adding extra ingredients, that makes for about 15,000 pounds of chocolate that they sell annually. Beans really soak in the flavors of their surrounding environment, Ana said, meaning chocolate made from Brazil tastes quite a bit different than chocolate made from Costa Rican beans, for example. Its a lot like wine, she noted. They have major accounts to sell chocolate in Yellowstone and Glacier National parks, and theyll be selling in Death Valley and Grand Canyon National parks this year. One of their most popular items is the Montana Fly Box, full of 12 huckleberry chocolate bonbons, each with a different fly pattern design created by Ana. With their team of employees, they also create items like brownies for Big Dipper Ice Cream, half moon pies that are sold at the Good Food Store and whiskey barrel chocolate bars made from beans that were aged in an empty whiskey barrel from Montgomery Distillery. Because they both have backgrounds as chefs, theyve been able to come up with innovative and exotic truffle flavors through their passion for foods, spices and herbs from around the world. Chocolate is an amazing vessel to carry the nest seasonings and products that represent world cuisine, Jason explained. Posh Chocolats former downtown location inside the Florence Building will still be a retail outlet for Posh Chocolat, but it will now be the home of One Eleven Boutique, owned by local entrepreneur Paige Livingston. The Willenbrocks also sell products at both Tagliare locations, Wordens Market, Rattlesnake Market, Missoula Wine Merchants and other boutique hotels and resorts in the region. They also sell wholesale and online at poshchocolat.com. The couple hope their new headquarters will give them many years of success and allow them to employ workers and give a jolt to the Missoula economy for many years. Chocolate makes everything in life better, period, Ana said. Its scholarship season, and a local school-and-student support system is preparing high school seniors for their next academic steps toward promising professional careers. March signals scholarship application review time for the Sisters Schools Foundation (SSF), which will distribute two $1,000 scholarships, an annual endeavor for the nonprofit established in response to financial challenges faced by public schools. SSF is undergoing a transformation with the induction of three new board members. We really wanted to have some younger representation because we knew that there was a whole section of families who hadnt really known about us, said SSF Vice President Treasure Lewis. Local volunteer parents Karissa Bilderback, Haley Ellison, and Kay Grady recently joined as board members. Im so excited to be able to help select the recipients of our two foundation scholarships this year, said Bilderback. Knowing that these funds will help them in their future endeavors is so rewarding. I love that our community comes together to provide for these students each year. One of the nonprofits core functions is to give teachers and students what they need to succeed. We have a simple application process for funding. Teachers fill out a form; principals review and prioritize requests, then send them to us. The funding goes directly to teachers, said Lewis. SSF funds programs such as the fourth-grade Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) and Oregon Trail Field Trip. The foundation also helps teachers procure materials unfunded by the district. Recipients underscore SSFs invaluable role in enhancing educational opportunities. Katie Parsons, a fourth-grade teacher at Sisters Elementary, emphasized the significance of the foundations contribution to the field trip, an annual highlight for students. Its amazing, Parsons remarked. The organization has helped us every year for the past 15 years. We receive significant funding from them because weve needed more money to pull off this trip, and theyve been very gracious in funding it every year. Parsons requested and received $2,000 from SSF to help cover transportation, food, and other expenses for the overnighter to Laurel Hill on Mount Hood, Fort Vancouver, and the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City, scheduled for May 23-24. Sisters Middle School teacher and advisor Jeff Schiedler highlighted support for the Outlaw-run student store, part of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program encouraging life skills and social, emotional, and mental health among students. Teachers have Outlaw Bucks, which they hand out for various positive behaviors among students, and then students spend those bucks at the student store, Schiedler explained. The cool thing that the students do within the leadership program is make the Outlaw gear in the store. We have a vinyl-cutting machine and a heat press. The students design and make shirts and sweatshirts. We have pencils, notebooks, water bottles, and things like that. Schiedler said the foundation has never denied his requests for the PBIS program. Each year, Ive asked for a little bit more. This year, they struggled in their overall fund, I think, so they werent able to give me all that I requested, but that was alright. They still gave plenty, said Schiedler, who teaches the leadership group, math, STEM, and is the yearbook coordinator. At Sisters High, teacher Bethany Gunnarson praised SSF support of the art department. Anytime we apply for funds that will enhance our program buying materials and tools that are essential for our curriculum theyve always accepted, said Gunnarson. Its really cool to know theyre not a long shot; we dont have to jump through hoops to be able to get funding. Most recently, she received $7,700 to order iPads for digital illustration, something the school budget did not cover. We had won a nationwide design contest, the Vans Custom Culture competition, and the students got within the Top 5, Gunnarson said proudly. They brought home a $15,000 prize, and used it to purchase 12 art-program-loaded iPads, however, there is no class size that is 12. Trying to teach something and share technology is really hard, so (SSF) was able to kind of supplement that and help us get six more iPads. That was a huge expense, Gunnarson said. The momentum empowered students to explore digital artistry and gave rise to the schools first graphic design class. The need, in my view, was more access to current technologies and programs to help students pursue design as a career, or as part of their jobs, said Gunnarson. We appreciate that (SSF) takes the time to fundraise and support the classroom, because there are a lot of needs that otherwise wouldnt be met. SSF has supported Sisters public schools and teachers for more than 27 years. A group of parents and people in the community wanted to see the schools continue to have the extracurricular and academic programs that make Sisters special, said Lewis. They started the Starry Nights concert series in 1997 to raise money that would go directly to teachers and schools, to be used as they wanted or needed. Beyond financial contributions, the organization fosters a sense of community. Starry Nights accomplished that goal for 20+ years, drumming up more than $1.3 million in donations. However, like many organizations, SSF faced struggles during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting a need for revitalization. Our last Starry Nights concert was in 2019, right before Covid. Afterward, we couldnt have those kinds of events. Last year, there was no Starry Nights concert. Thats not due to Covid; thats dependent on the Starry Nights committee, which leaned on personal connections and professional relationships in the music industry to bring in big-name acts at no charge. Managers and production companies arent as willing to do that anymore, Lewis lamented. We cant always have a Starry Nights concert. Its been the main type of fundraising in the past, but mostly because of changes in the music industry, we are looking at other fundraising. The new board is working to establish a new event that will be meaningful and bring value to the community. We are being intentional with our time to host an event which makes a big impact, said new board member Ellison. We are in deep discussion to bring back a fun and engaging community event which supports the growth and continuation of the foundation services and offerings! In the meantime, SSF is encouraging direct donations. To donate to the SSF general fund, a specific program or specific school, visit https://district.ssd6.org/why-sisters/our-partners/sisters-school-foundation/donate-now/ or send a check to Sisters Schools Foundation, PO Box 2155, Sisters, OR 97759. Sisters Eagle Airport's annual Fourth of July event has become extremely popular - which is pushing insurance costs and volunteer demands up. The annual July 4th fly-in, car show, and drag-racing event at Sisters Eagle Airport, known as Rumble On The Runway, is in danger of disappearing from the Sisters event scene, a victim of its own success. Airport co-owner, Julie Benson, told The Nugget "that the cost to insure the one-day event has risen by 500 percent and there are simply not enough of us to staff the event. We need many more volunteers." In 2021 the event attracted about 1,500 people. That grew to around 2,000 to 2,500 in 2022, and last summer close to 4,000 (some say 5,000) packed the affair. "It is no longer a locals-only event," Benson said. "Hundreds come from the Valley and as far as Madras, Prineville, and La Pine." Some of the fly-in planes come from Washington, Idaho, California, and Nevada." That sounds like good news to local merchants and town promoters, but the sheer number is overwhelming Benson and her husband, Benny. Parking is a major issue, and there has been no traffic-control support from the Sheriff's Office or help from the City. On Friday, when The Nugget told Mayor Michael Preedin of the possibility that the event cannot continue, he immediately reacted to the potential loss of the iconic event, one particularly loved by families. "The community needs to come together to make sure this continues. This is too important for Sisters. And besides, it's a whole lot of fun," he said. Preedin couldn't commit to anything concrete the City could do beyond "amplify the call for community support." He thought the event would be eligible for a Community Grant, a pool of money the City distributes every year to organizations vital in their mission of service benefiting Sisters. "It's too late for this year, but I'd feel confident that they'd qualify and likely be awarded some support going forward," Preedin said. Rotary Club of Sisters has long been a supporter of the event, manning the pancake and sausage breakfast that opens the day-long event. Rotary provides the labor and the Airport the ingredients and supplies. Profits from the breakfast go to the aviation and flight science program at Sisters High School. Rotary President Bill Kelly said, "I have no doubt that we can solve the volunteer issue and we may even be able to help with the insurance cost. We'd probably be willing to become sole sponsors for the event and relieve the Bensons of the arduous job of putting it on." Kelly, like Preedin, believes the community would step up in any number of ways. He's going to seek support from the new Downtown Sisters Business Association, who are keen on interactive promotions. Word of the possible end of the event has spread on social media with residents somewhat stunned. "This can't be true," lamented Phil Dalton, who brings no fewer than 15 extended family members every year. "No way this happens," insisted Chloe Willis, whose grandkids come every year from Klamath Falls for the day. The Bensons are taking a few days to examine all the options. Meanwhile Kelly is holding talks with community leaders to formulate an action plan. Long Hollow Ranch sits on 12,000 acres across two counties. Its main entrance is on Holmes Road in the heart of Sisters Country. The most visible part of the operation is its wedding and event venue but behind the bucolic setting are cows. Hundreds of them. The ranch also sits on an AKWA (Area of Known Wolf Activity). Long Hollow is claiming the loss of seven cows to wolves beginning in February of 2023 with the most recent loss last year between May and July when two calves went missing. One of the five (four in the Deschutes County claim) on February 28, 2023, was an 800-pound dairy heifer. All the others were in the range of 350 to 600 pounds. Ashanti Samuels, Long Hollow owner, did not wish to speak on the record. On July 19, 2022, a new AKWA was designated in the Upper Deschutes wildlife management unit. Since August of 2021, there have been public reports of wolf activity in this area and one wolf was counted in the 2021 annual count. Remote camera photographs of an adult wolf with pups taken in July 2022 established that wolves have become resident in this area, prompting the designation of this AKWA. In April of last year, six wolves were counted in the Upper Deschutes pack during the winter count. The pack produced at least two pups that survived until the end of the year and was recorded as including a breeding pair. This pack is far south of Sisters Country. This AKWA and these wolves are not to be confused with the Metolius AKWA or the Warm Springs AKWA, each with two documented wolves, both presumed, but not confirmed, to be breeding pairs. These packs are generally thought to remain within their boundaries but wolves can often cover 30 miles in a day. Long Hollow has two confirmed kills, one on the Deschutes side of their land and the other on the Jefferson County side. Confirmed depredation means an ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) biologist has inspected the loss and certified it. Aaron Bott, ODFW wolf biologist, explained to The Nugget how a claim can be made for more livestock lost than certified. "Under Oregon Department of Agriculture rules, if losses occur on a farm or ranch inside an AKWA, then other methods can be used to determine loss. If the loss is outside an AKWA then the state biologist has to certify the loss to receive compensation." Compensation also requires a full-fledged, functioning county Wolf Compensation Committee, which Deschutes County established last June. Various stakeholders are required under Oregon law to comprise the committee. Sisters Country is well represented on the committee. Owners or managers of livestock members are Ethan O'Brien, co-owner North 44 Farm LLC, and Johnny Leason, owner Pineridge Ranch Hay & Cattle LLC on Goodrich Road. Supporters of Wolf Conservation and Coexistence with Wolves members are Sarahlee Lawrence, owner and operator of Rainshadow Organics, also on Holmes Road, and Donna Harris, Core Member of Sisters-based Wolf Welcome Committee. Phil Chang is the designated County Commissioner assigned to the committee. Long Hollow's claim to the Committee is $10,743. Being that all but one of the losses was not certified by ODFW, their application for relief included all the supporting mitigation measures the ranch had taken which included removal of attractants, installation of cameras, barriers, and range riders. The County in turn has rolled that into a grant application to the state Agriculture Department for $77,000. The additional funding includes $45,000 for Long Hollow to cover one tower for invisible fencing, a one year lease on livestock collars, and a seasonal range rider for 200 days at four hours a day. The grant also seeks $5,000 for education and outreach and $20,000 for preventative measures to be distributed to ranchers and livestock owners as requested in the upcoming calendar year. What happened to integrity To the Editor: As I watch and listen to the collective failure of our nations congressional members, the question arises of what happened to integrity, truthfulness, and honesty. When fear of reprisal and political backlash overshadows ones action to do what is right, that person needs to leave their political office. Those members were sent to our capital to work for the betterment of our country, not to bow to an entity whose self-centered nature perpetuates falsehoods and attacks our democracy. Think about both sides of the political spectrum and what you expect from your elected officials. We need people in office who tell the truth, maintain honesty and integrity. People that will put this country before political party or personal interest. David Hiller Case of the missing Snowblower To the Editor: The response to my letter about the stolen snowblower from Shepard Of The Hills Lutheran Church has been a testament to the kindness and generosity of the residents of Sisters. Pastor Ron Gregg informed me that he received several phone calls immediately after Wednesdays publication of residents wanting to buy the church a new snowblower, many of whom were not even members of the church. Pastor has informed me that the church is in the process of getting another snowblower. I do want to thank the community for the concern and offers of help to the church. This is a great place to live. Thank you very much, Sisters community. Bill Anttila Safety project To the Editor: Currently Sisters Public Works is finalizing the McKinney Safety Project. The project will make adjustments along McKinney Butte to make it safer for pedestrians. I think it is well thought out in the school area. The westside community will appreciate the additional crossing at Brooks Camp but especially the new crossings at Trinity and Arrowleaf. Something more needs to be done at the east end by the roundabout. I suggest you do a site visit before the project is finalized. Go on a weekday afternoon between 3 and 3:40 p.m. (there is a lag time between 3:15 and 3:20 p.m.). At 3 p.m., most of the traffic is westbound and at 3:20 its heaviest eastbound. Walk the area and cross McKinney several times. Go along the hotel and cross at Wheeler Loop (just west of Dollar Tree). Think about cars accelerating out of the curve as you cross. Really watch the traffic patterns. Count the number of cars that are using the DQ driveway as a side street and whether they continue straight onto Arrowleaf or make a left/right hand turn. Look at the traffic going into Bi-Mart and walk down the driveway. While you are walking the area, please keep the following in mind: Next fall all the elementary school traffic will be using this area. We will be adding 1,500-plus people to this end of town. Brook Camps Village is a 55-and-older community, however 45 percent are between the ages of 70 and 80, and 30 percent are 80 and over. You have elderly people using this area daily. There are at least three people in our area that are mobility-assisted. School-age children, parents riding bikes with their children or pushing strollers use this area daily. I believe that the crossing just west of Dollar Tree needs to be a raised crosswalk. The speed zone should be 20 mph and there needs to be a pedestrian crossing sign east bound on McKinney between the first crossing and the intersection of Brooks Camp and McKinney. This project is not finalized. Please contact Paul Bertagna or members of the Public Works Advisory Board with concerns/suggestions to make this area safer for all users. Cathy Russell Parenting To the Editor: One of the most satisfying things about being on the Sisters School Board is being introduced to the families and children of our district, hearing what is happening in our buildings, and knowing the children of our community are in good hands. Good hands in their classrooms, and in their relationship with their parents. It is obvious that much good work is taking place. Knowing that, I am also aware of how difficult the job of being a parent is. Not only am I the mother of four and the grandmother of seven, I have also been a parent educator for over 30 years, trained in several of the current research-based programs. Those who have been in my classes in Sisters and throughout Central Oregon have heard me say, Parenting is the hardest job, and the most important job, you will ever take on. I believe this completely and say it with no reservations. I also feel it can be the most satisfying and rewarding job you will ever have. There is no manual for this job, you are on your own, and often the examples that have gone before you (the way you were raised) fail to teach the essentials of doing your job. My role as a parent educator gives me a wonderful opportunity to share ideas that could be part of a manual. Ideas I wish I had as I raised my four children. Over the years, Ive been introduced to many ways to parent. I have met many marvelous parents, from whom I have learned much; parents I have tried to emulate and examples that have informed my teaching. There have been a few who desperately needed help, but not many. I have had the joy of helping to raise thousands of Central Oregon children by passing on what Ive learned and Im eager to have that continue. There is no one right way to parent. However, there are some tried and true conditions of living that make a difference. When relationships are built on trust, love, support, and understanding the results are usually positive. How to learn and pass these on have been offered in a variety of ways, some good, some not so good. In the next few weeks, Id like to share some of my thoughts and perspectives on what I think are good ways. I hope they will be ideas many of you can relate to. I will try to keep these suggestions uncomplicated, non-cutie, not trendy, or religious based; principles that honor all people and respect individuality. Edie Jones Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday. On February 26, The New York Times published a column by Professor Paul Krugman titled The Mystery of White Rural Rage. While the professors opinion perpetuated stereotypes and tropes about many communities across America, I can imagine it may speak to people looking outside of their circle for someone to blame for policies they dont care for, or the divides seen in our country. With Prof. Krugmans platform he has the opportunity; and as a professor, he has the obligation; to encourage others to think critically about the messages they receive about people and places they dont know. His role should be to challenge readers and students to break down silos and ask questions beyond a book they have read. I would encourage others to read their news the same way with a critical eye toward authenticity. I urge people to think about the last time they had a substantive conversation with someone from a rural or remote community. A community beyond where they live, or the circle of people they spend time with. Not just stopping for gas and asking for directions; a real conversation about what life is like outside of the city what issues communities are facing, what hopes they have for the future. With my job I get the opportunity to work every day around challenges and inequities facing rural, remote, and Reservation communities. In a country where 97 percent of the land mass is considered rural and 19% of the population there are rich stories of the people who live there. There are complex histories that have led to challenges seen across America today. Overall, rural people are expected to know and understand how to operate in urban settings; its where many larger services are located things like hospitals and financial institutions. Its where policy decisions are made. If they dont understand them, they can be treated as inferior or less-than. Yet, the expectations are not the same the other direction; neighbors in metropolitan areas generally are not required to understand rural spaces. It is imperative that those in urban power centers spend some time getting to know the people who grow the countrys food, provide its energy, and support the data systems that permeate American life. These services provided by rural spaces are critical to the daily lives and infrastructure of our urban and suburban neighbors, just like many of the things in urban spaces are critical to rural communities. The two are interdependent. Prof. Krugman, from behind his desk, blames white rural America for all this countrys problems. He fails to see the irony that from New York, he points to this other America as vengeful, resentful, and hopeless looking for someone to blame for their problems. Americas problems are rural and urban. Elevating blame and pointing fingers has gotten us nowhere and continues to increase divides. So, what is there to do? Prof. Krugman mentions there is no solution to rural rage, best just walk away. I beg to differ. I encourage others to go and visit, get to know people with lives that are different from their own in communities or places that are farther away from where they live. Grab lunch at a hometown diner and chat with the locals. They will share stories of hope and resilience, challenge, and opportunity stories of humanity. The thoughts and insights heard may echo stories that the listener has in their own life. Rural communities and urban centers have more in common with one another than we think. The recognition of a common humanity, one based on interdependence, may lead to compassion, compromise, and opportunity to move forward more united. The solution? It starts with a conversation. 04 Mar 2024 --- As the food and nutrition industries are gearing up to meet at the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California, from 12-16 March, we... Read More Illinois and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached a civil rights agreement over the proposed relocation of General Iron to Chicago's Southeast Side meant to reform the state's industrial permitting, General Iron sought to relocate its metal shredding operation from Lincoln Park to 116th Street and Burley Avenue on the Calumet River on the far South Side. Local environmental groups, who also successfully campaigned against petcoke from the BP Whiting Refinery being stored in huge, open-air piles along the river, objected and filed a civil rights complaint that ultimately led to the settlement, which is now being touted as a potential national model.. Chicago denied General Iron a permit in 2022, after initially helping it to relocate, after Southeast Side Chicago residents objected over air pollution concerns. We've been caught in the middle in a constant struggle to protect our health while industry continues to pile up in neighborhoods like mine and while government agencies continue to rubber stamp permits, said Cheryl Johnson, executive director of People for Community Recovery. This is a huge step in the right direction that will finally end some of the worst practices of the IEPA that helped create Chicagos sacrifice zones. Illinois agreed to a new policy that will allow it to consider industrial permit applicants' previous history with environmental compliance, such as with Clean Air Act violations. The new policy is intended to improve public participation, streamline its process for handling discrimination grievances and weigh more requirements and monitoring at sites that could cause disproportionate impacts to public health and the environment. The goal is to combat so-called sacrifice zones in which vulnerable, low-income and often minority residents have to bear the brunt of pollution. Under the settlement, the Illinois EPA will have to more actively consider environmental impacts, including the cumulative effects of different factories and operations in an area, before issuing new industrial permits. Community groups will be given more opportunities to participate in the permitting process and voice their concerns. Affected communities like the Southeast Side will be prioritized for grants. Just by walking through Chicagos Southeast Side, you can see the result of decades of environmental racism, said Olga Bautista, director of the Southeast Environmental Task Force. The most toxic industries are stacked right next to schools and peoples homes. Changes like these are signs that we can change racist policies that hurt our health and put people of color at an economic disadvantage. Environmentalists tout the new agreement as a blueprint for national reforms for industrial permitting to protect vulnerable neighborhoods. Segregation is alive in Chicago, and its a future that I dont want my kids to live through, said Gina Ramirez from the Southeast Side Coalition to Ban Petcoke. Illinois should treat permitting these dangerous facilities with the seriousness that it deserves. That means actually taking into account the health of the people living in the communities where they are operating. CHESTERTON The driver of a speeding SUV, who died Monday evening after crashing into the rear of a semi-trailer truck along the local stretch of Interstate 94, has been identified by the Porter County Coroner's Office as 41-year-old Timothy O'Hara of Porter. Indiana State Police say O'Hara was eastbound on the highway driving a 2015 Toyota Rav4 at a high rate of speed in the far left lane when for reasons unknown, he changed lanes to the far right, police said. Complaint over Nicki Minaj song results in disturbance at Portage skating rink, cops say "(The woman) stated this was inappropriate for her children to be listening to, and she asked employees to change the song," police said. "At the same time, a semi that had been parked on the right shoulder of the highway, was merging back into the right lane at a reduced speed when the SUV rear-ended the trailer of the semi-truck," according to ISP. Police arrived shortly before 7:30 p.m. to discover the truck in the right lane and the SUV with heavy damage in the ditch. O'Hara, who was the only occupant of the SUV, was unresponsive and did not have a pulse, police said. "Paramedics and fire also arrived at the scene but were unable to revive the driver and the Porter County Coroner was contacted," according to ISP. The driver of the truck was not injured. GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week Valparaiso University is considering cutting nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate programs due to low student enrollment, according to a memo sent to faculty members Friday. The academic programs being considered for possible discontinuance include a number of science and medical studies, some foreign language majors, theology, music and cybersecurity, among other subject areas. "We have too many majors, minors and graduate programs for the number of students and faculty we have," Eric Johnson, the university's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said in the memo. Johnson cited "first and foremost" the university's current low student population and enrollment trends among several factors considered for which programs to potentially cut. Over the next five months, a thorough review process will take place with several possible outcomes, according to the university. Some academic programs may continue with recommended changes, be merged together or be discontinued. Programs with fewer than 25 students that are not cut will be given improvement plans to work on over the next two years and then be reevaluated, according to Johnson. Additionally, even if a program is eliminated, courses in that subject area may continue to be taught, depending on general education requirements and student demand. While not all program changes or cuts will lead to job cuts, a limited reduction in faculty positions is expected in some academic departments, according to Johnson. Final decisions regarding discontinuing programs are expected to be made by the beginning of the fall semester in August. Any programs that are discontinued would be phased out through the 2026-27 academic year, allowing impacted students to complete their degrees. According to Johnson, if all undergraduate programs under consideration were cut, it would impact around 3% of the current student population. The university's declining student enrollment has already forced the discontinuation of several programs, including its secondary education major, theater program and multiple foreign language majors, as well as the closure of its law school in 2020. While Valpo discontinued its secondary education major, it still maintains a secondary education licensure program. Across the country, numerous colleges and universities have announced plans to cut academic programs or jobs citing, in part, stagnant enrollment numbers. Despite the potential elimination of some academic programs, Valpo also announced it had received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to offer a new master's program in social work starting this fall. Close Nursing students learn the basics in the skill center before moving on to the simulation center at Valparaiso University. Valparaiso University Simulation Specialist Susie Zaweski explains the use of simulators in the Sim Center to Valparaiso City Council President Robert Cotton in the Sim Center. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University Director of the Center for Experiential Learning Gail Kost speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University Simulation Specialist Susie Zaweski explains the use of simulators in the Sim Center to Valparaiso City Council President Robert Cotton in the Sim Center. Valparaiso University Assistant Dean Lynette Rayman speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University nursing student Eleanor Schuler speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University nursing student Mariya O'Grady speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University Assistant Dean Lynette Rayman speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. PHOTOS: $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program Nursing students learn the basics in the skill center before moving on to the simulation center at Valparaiso University. Valparaiso University Simulation Specialist Susie Zaweski explains the use of simulators in the Sim Center to Valparaiso City Council President Robert Cotton in the Sim Center. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University Director of the Center for Experiential Learning Gail Kost speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University Simulation Specialist Susie Zaweski explains the use of simulators in the Sim Center to Valparaiso City Council President Robert Cotton in the Sim Center. Valparaiso University Assistant Dean Lynette Rayman speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University nursing student Eleanor Schuler speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University nursing student Mariya O'Grady speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Valparaiso University Assistant Dean Lynette Rayman speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan speaks at a press conference announcing $1 million in federal funding secured for Valparaiso University nursing program. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will soon host public meetings in each region to gather input for the 2025-26 fishing regulations. Proposed regulation changes will be posted online later this month. FWP will also accept and review fishing regulations changes proposed by the public during the initial review period. The final fishing regulation proposals will be available for public comment in August, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission will adopt, modify or reject the proposals at its October meeting. Some of the proposals pertaining to northeast Montana's Region 6 that will be discussed include: Addition of green tag for paddlefish from Fort Peck Dam to the North Dakota border. This tag will allow harvest seven days a week. Change that would allow anglers to clean fish on the water. Fish would need to be identifiable, requiring anglers to leave the full skin attached and countable fillets. Limiting take of shortnose gar. Following the fishing regulations discussion, Region 6 fisheries biologist Jared Krebs will provide an overview of recent Glasgow-area fisheries sampling, including yellow perch, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and panfish fisheries, an overview on the Fort Peck Dredge Cut paddlefish archery fishery and the current status of Missouri and Milk river sport fisheries. The meeting schedule is as follows: Region 1: March 19, 6 p.m., Kalispell, 490 North Meridian Road; Region 2: April 10, 6:30 p.m., Missoula, 201 Spurgin Road; Region 3: March 28, 6 p.m., Bozeman, 1400 South 19th St.; Region 4: April 4, 6 p.m., Great Falls, 4600 Giant Springs Road; Region 5: March 14, 6:30 p.m., Billings, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive; Region 6: March 13, 6 p.m., Glasgow, 1 Airport Road; Region 7: March 21, 6:30 p.m., Miles City, 352 I-94 Business Loop. The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered two Northwest Indiana attorneys to temporarily stop practicing law after determining each violated the Professional Conduct Rules all Hoosier lawyers agree to follow. The justices last month also indefinitely suspended the law license of another Region lawyer James Dillon of East Chicago for failing to cooperate with the investigation of two grievances filed against Dillon at the Disciplinary Commission, records show. According to court records, Crown Point attorney Lynda LeBlanc is suspended from practicing law beginning April 11. Her suspension is for 60 days but comes without automatic reinstatement, which means LeBlanc cannot resume her work as an attorney until the Supreme Court certifies she once again is fit to practice law in Indiana. LeBlanc's suspension is based in part on her failure to review a qualified domestic relations order, and to prepare a second order, after a client paid her $900 for the work, records show. According to court records, LeBlanc was unresponsive to the client's attempts to reach her, vacated her office, and did not respond to the client's request for a refund. LeBlanc did prepare a qualified domestic relations order for a second client, but it was rejected by a pension plan. She then never responded to the client's contact requests after the order was rejected, records show. The Supreme Court said those actions, along with her initial refusal to reply to the Disciplinary Commission, violated four professional conduct rules, including failing to act with reasonable diligence; failing to keep a client reasonably informed and respond to reasonable requests for information; charging an unreasonable fee; and not timely providing information to the commission. The other sanctioned attorney, Thomas Dogan of Portage, is suspended from practicing law beginning April 4 for a 45-day period, with automatic reinstatement, records show. According to court records, Dogan repeatedly refused to withdraw from a client's personal injury and worker's compensation lawsuit despite the client hiring a new attorney, and Dogan sought to collect $552,850.80 in legal fees, interest and other expenses. The Supreme Court said that behavior violated multiple professional conduct rules, including attempting to not abide by a client's settlement decision; representing a client when the representation may be materially limited by the attorney's self-interest; failing to withdraw after being discharged; and attempting to engage in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Gallery: Indiana historical markers in the Region First Physician Great Sauk (Sac) Trail St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston Dutch in the Calumet Region St. John Township School, District #2 The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section Froebel School - side 1 Froebel School Stewart Settlement House Stewart Settlement House Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law Bailly Homestead Iron Brigade Willow Creek Confrontation Ogden ski jump.jpg Teale 1.jpg Teale 2.jpg Steel 1.jpg Steel 2.jpg Civil War camps.jpg Old lighthouse.jpg Railroad.jpg Camp Anderson.jpg Boundary line 1.jpg Boundary line 2.jpg LaPorte courthouse 1.jpg LaPorte courthouse 2.jpg Carnegie 1.jpg Carnegie 2.jpg Rumely Co 1.jpg Rumely Co 2.jpg Lincoln train 1.jpg Lincoln train 2.jpg LaPorte university 1.jpg Laporte university 2.jpg Gary Roosevelt 1 Gary Roosevelt 2 A House-approved plan explicitly condemning antisemitism in educational settings faces an uncertain fate in the final days of this year's Indiana legislative session after a detailed definition of antisemitism was deleted from the proposal by the Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the revised version of the legislation by a 42-6 margin Tuesday, after the sponsor of the measure, state Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, acknowledged it was the best version he could advance out of the chamber. In its current form, House Bill 1002 defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews," particularly when manifested through words or deeds directed to Jewish or non-Jewish individuals, their property, or Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. It also requires Indiana schools at all levels to provide equal opportunities and facilities regardless of a student's religion as well as a student's race, creed, national origin, color or sex and specifies that any permitted expressions of antisemitism in Indiana schools fall short of that mandate. In contrast, the 83-0 House-endorsed measure employed a similar definition of antisemitism, but specifically referred to other examples of antisemitism contained in the May 26, 2016, working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, U.S. State Department and U.S. Department of Education. The House version also noted criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country does not constitute antisemitism. The legislation was rewritten by state Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development, with the consent of state Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, the House sponsor of the proposal, who said he didn't want the definition of antisemitism in Indiana law to be conditioned on a definition crafted by an outside group or organization. A large number of Jewish groups based in Indiana objected to the change. They said the state's definition of antisemitism will be unclear if it doesn't include reference to the examples included in the working definition of antisemitism adopted by 36 states, 45 countries and 1,200 institutions around the world. The revised measure now returns to the House where lawmakers can consent to the Senate changes and immediately send it to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to be signed into law. Otherwise, Jeter can dissent and send the proposal to a House-Senate conference committee, where a small group of senators and representatives can try to work out compromise language that must be reapproved by both chambers to advance to the governor. Among those rooting for a return to the original House version of the measure, as opposed to what he called the "toothless" Senate version, is Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita. "Anything less than that is a betrayal of Jewish individuals and the whole notion of equal protection under the law," Rokita said. If artistic stature worked by osmosis, Christian Wolff could claim greatness based on that alone. My father met Brahms, he said, easing into conversation at a sturdy wooden table in the dining room of his Hanover, N.H., home. That meeting was in 1896, when Brahms was in Bonn, Germany, for Clara Schumanns funeral. Wolffs father was 6 or 7. Wolffs grandfather, a violinist, conductor and professor, knew Brahms personally and professionally, he said. His great-grandfather, also a conductor, was a supporter of Robert Schumann. And my great-great-grandfather was a champion of Beethovens, so there is something back there he added, laughing at the implications of such a heritage. Wolff, who turns 90 on Friday, is associated with a different pantheon. He is the last living representative of whats known as the New York School of composition, a group that included John Cage, Morton Feldman, Earle Brown and David Tudor. Their tight-knit circle shifted midcentury American music away from classic European models. And it radiated out, intersecting with other arts and artists who were making New York a leading center of modernism: the choreographer Merce Cunningham, the poet John Ashbery, the painters Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, and many others. The main campus of the bankrupt San Francisco Art Institute, which is home to a beloved Diego Rivera mural, has been sold to a new nonprofit organization led by the philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs. The nonprofit, made up of local arts leaders and supporters including Powell Jobs, the widow of the Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, bought the campus which has been plagued by debt through a limited liability company, for about $30 million. The sale, reported earlier in The San Francisco Chronicle, includes The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City, a 1931 mural by Rivera, which has been valued at $50 million and will remain in a viewing room. The former school will house an unaccredited institution that will include a residency program where artists can develop their work and show their work, said David Stull, the president of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, who is a member of the new nonprofit organizations advisory committee. He described the new center as a platform for supporting artists and creating a center for the community around art. A senior New York City official acknowledged on Monday that Rikers Island, one of the nations most notorious jails, would most likely not be closed by the legally mandated deadline of August 2027. The candid admission from Jacques Jiha, the citys budget director, reflected Mayor Eric Adamss resistance to closing the Rikers jail complex and the citys nearly invisible progress in building the four smaller borough facilities that are supposed to replace it. We know its not going to happen by 2027, Mr. Jiha told the City Council, referring to the completion of the replacement jails. The Council in 2019 voted to close Rikers Island and replace it with four smaller jails that would be more humane in design and, because they were not on an island in the middle of the East River, more accessible to detainees lawyers and family members. President Biden recently went to New York to appear on Late Night With Seth Meyers. On the show he was the same guy whom those of us whove spoken with him have seen: not a spring chicken, obviously, but lucid, well informed and moderately funny. The contrast couldnt be greater with Donald Trump, whose ranting has become increasingly incoherent; after mixing up Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi a few weeks back, he has now once again appeared to confuse Biden with Barack Obama. But not to worry: Trump recently assured an audience, Theres no cognitive problem. If there was, Id know about it. Oh. Republicans arent going to acknowledge either Bidens lucidity or Trumps increasingly more noticeable lack thereof. But the reaction to the Late Night appearance that I found most revealing wasnt about presidential age; it was about what happened next. Biden and Meyers went for ice cream after the show, and Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama fired off a post on social media hoping Biden enjoyed his ice cream while the rest of the city is afraid of crime and migrants. Reporters and readers were quick to point out that according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021 Alabama had a homicide rate more than three times as high as that of New York State, and, as Bloombergs Justin Fox notes, New York City is among the safest big cities in America. Tuberville has become known for getting crossed up on the issues, but his comment illustrated two larger aspects of our politics. Microsoft filed a motion in federal court on Monday that seeks to dismiss parts of a lawsuit brought by The New York Times Company. The Times sued Microsoft and its partner OpenAI on Dec. 27, accusing the two companies of infringing on its copyrights by using its articles to train A.I. technologies like the online chatbot ChatGPT. Chatbots compete with the news outlet as a source of reliable information, the lawsuit said. In its motion, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Microsoft argued that large language models, or L.L.M.s the technologies that drive chatbots did not supplant the market for news articles and other materials they were trained on. The tech giant compared L.L.M.s to videocassette recorders, arguing that both are allowed under the law. Despite The Timess contentions, copyright law is no more an obstacle to the L.L.M. than it was to the VCR (or the player piano, copy machine, personal computer, internet or search engine), the motion read. Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona vetoed a bill on Monday that would have authorized the state police to arrest undocumented immigrants. It was the first veto of the year from Ms. Hobbs, a Democrat who shot down a record number of bills passed by Arizonas Republican-controlled Legislature in 2023 dealing with abortion, elections, L.G.B.T.Q. rights and other hot-button issues. Her veto highlights the election-year tensions over border security as border states and major cities grapple with a record number of migrants crossing the southern border. Ms. Hobbs has expressed frustration with the Biden administrations handling of the border crisis, but said the Republican-backed measure was anti-immigrant and most likely unconstitutional. The bill, called the Arizona Border Invasion Act, would have made crossing the border without authorization a misdemeanor state crime, and a felony for migrants who crossed after being deported or ordered to leave. It would also have allowed state law enforcement officials to detain migrants, and Arizona judges to order deportations. When Hussein Smko was 9, the American military arrived in his hometown, Erbil, the capital of Iraqs Kurdish region. It was 2003, and Smko, already a survivor of the Kurdish civil war, would chase the American Humvees with other kids. One day a soldier beckoned him over and demonstrated a simple, beguiling gesture: He held out a straight arm then made it ripple like water, a classic hip-hop move. I thought it was like a big sparkle, Smko, 30, said in an interview. And I was like, How could you break your bones like that? That brief encounter loomed large for Smko, starting him on an unlikely dance journey that eventually brought him to a small, sun-dappled theater in Tarrytown, N.Y., where he was rehearsing with the Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg last week. The dance they were preparing, On the Nature of Rabbits, opens Wednesday at the Joyce Theater in Manhattan. Guy Wildenstein, the international art dealer, was found guilty in France on Tuesday of massive tax fraud and money laundering, the latest twist after years of legal entanglements that have unraveled the secrecy that once surrounded his powerful family dynasty. Mr. Wildenstein, 78, the Franco-American patriarch of the family and president of Wildenstein & Co. in New York, was sentenced by the Paris Appeals Court to a four-year prison sentence, with half of it suspended, and the other half to be served under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. The court also sentenced him to pay a one million euro fine, or about $1.08 million, said that over 3.4 million of his assets would be seized and ordered him to pay all back taxes owed to the French government. Mr. Wildenstein stood accused of hiding significant chunks of his familys art collection and other assets in a maze of trusts and shell companies when his father, Daniel, died in 2001, and after his brother, Alec, died in 2008. Seven other defendants, including family members, financial advisers, and trust companies, were found guilty over similar accusations. A Mandan man charged with attempted murder and terrorizing following a November shooting in Bismarck will spend at least two years in prison after pleading guilty to the lesser offense under a plea agreement. Adrian Bustillos on Monday entered a guilty plea to terrorizing with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed the more serious attempted murder charge. Assistant Burleigh County State's Attorney Dennis Ingold recommended Bustillos receive a five-year straight time sentence with credit given for the 119 days he's been in custody following his arrest last Nov. 6 after an incident in which authorities allege he fired one round from a handgun after exchanging words with another man. Under state law, a five-year sentence is the maximum allowed. Under North Dakota's armed offender statute, Bustillos must serve a mandatory minimum of two years without the possibility of parole. "This was close to not just being terrorizing, but something far more serious," Ingold said, supporting his recommendation for the maximum sentence, which South Central District Judge Lindsey Nieuwsma agreed to. Bustillos' attorney, Stephen Fischer, told Nieuwsma that given the circumstances, a plea agreement was appropriate. Charges against Bustillos were filed following an incident in which police said an argument with a man identified as Tristan Barstad resulted in Bustillos firing a handgun out a car window at Barstad, who was sitting in another vehicle in the 1600 block of Park Avenue in Bismarck, according to an affidavit. The document does not state definitively what the two were arguing about. Barstrad was not injured. Barstad fled the scene and crashed his vehicle in the 1200 block of Frontier Avenue, according to the affidavit. It was there responding officers learned of the attempted shooting, Bustillos' alleged involvement and a description of Bustillos' vehicle. Officers spotted that vehicle outside a residence on South 12th Street in Bismarck following the shooting. Bustillos was reportedly seen entering the residence. Officers attempted to make contact but were unsuccessful, according to the affidavit. The document states police requested the West Dakota SWAT Team to assist, and Bustillos surrendered peacefully following a standoff lasting roughly four hours. Following Bustillos' arrest, officers recovered a 9 mm pistol and ammunition from the residence. Ingold said the ammunition matched a shell casing found at the scene on Park Avenue, and the firearm recovered tested positive as the weapon that fired the round. "The bullet struck the door handle of the victim's car and was stopped by a steel plate," Ingold said. "Had it been an inch higher it might have passed through the door and struck Mr. Barstad." Nieuwsma asked if Barstad was aware he could have appeared in court and offered an opinion on the plea arrangement. Ingold replied Barstad had been informed both of the agreement and his rights. "He supports the agreement as it carries significant prison time," Ingold replied of Barstad, whom Ingold said chose to submit a written victim impact statement. Episode 3: Tomorrow Is Tomorrow A lovely scene is taking place at sea. After a daring escape, Lord Toranaga and his newfound English associate John Blackthorne are free from captivity. Much has been lost in the attempt. Toranagas wife, Lady Kiri no Kata (Yoriko Doguchi), remains in the clutches of the hated Lord Ishido, having fulfilled her part in the ruse that allowed her husband to flee. Lady Marikos husband, Buntaro (Shinnosuke Abe), sacrifices himself to prevent enemy soldiers from thwarting the escape. Or at least he appears to: Until we see a dead body, its probably wisest to consider this character still in play. As far as Mariko, Toranaga and Blackthorne are concerned, a lot of people gave all they had in order to safeguard them. Theres much for which the survivors can be grateful. How does Lord Toranaga choose to celebrate? With a diving lesson from the Anjin, the barbarian, John Blackthorne. Blackthorne rolls with the odd request. Hes becoming increasingly adept at acclimating himself to Japanese customs, and equally adept at knowing when to break them. Throwing a theatrical fit about the propriety of inspecting womens quarters in light of European chivalric ideals is, after all, what enabled Toranaga to escape Ishidos clutches while wearing his wifes clothes. Toranaga names Blackthorne hatamoto, an honorific indicating high status earned through his courage in effecting Toranagas escape. If this lord, who has very obviously taken a shine to him, wants to learn to dive, then John Blackthorne will see it done. Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now. The Only Place Where Trump Can Win the Popular Vote On Monday, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can appear on all 2024 election ballots. Stephen Colbert said the justices were once again shoving their gavels up the election. Yes, the Supreme Court knows you cant just let states decide who goes on their ballots, Colbert said. States are too busy deciding that life begins in the freezer section, next to the pearl onions. Millions of Americans in 15 states and one territory went to the polls today for primary contests that will set the stage for Novembers elections. We call it Super Tuesday because its the busiest voting day before November, and typically it plays a central role in the presidential nomination process. This year, however, is different. President Biden faces no major challengers, making him a lock to win every Democratic primary. Donald Trump is competing only against the dwindling campaign of Nikki Haley, whom he is expected to defeat in most or all of todays contests. Still, tonights results which we will be tracking live as the votes come in over the next several hours will offer important insights about the American electorate and the likely rematch between Biden and Trump, both of whom are deeply unpopular. Heres what else to watch for: Signs of strength or weakness: While it is difficult to use primary results to gauge general-election prospects, my colleague Kellen Browning said he would be monitoring the enthusiasm for both Trump and Biden. For Trump, Kellen is watching the suburbs, where Haley has demonstrated strength. For Biden, he is watching for protest votes against the presidents support for Israel. Haleys do-or-die moment: If polls in California and Texas that show Trump leading by huge margins prove correct, Haley will most likely lack a clear path forward. Starbucks franchise operators across the Middle East and Southeast Asia are losing significant business amid boycotts linked to the Israel-Hamas war, and at least one has started laying off employees. Alshaya Group, a Kuwait-based franchise operator that owns the rights to operate Starbucks in the Middle East, confirmed on Tuesday that it planned to cut 2,000 jobs across the region as a result of the continually challenging trading conditions over the last six months. Since the Israel-Hamas war began, Starbucks has been forced to deflect perceptions that the company has supported and even funded the Israeli government and the Israeli military. It issued a lengthy statement in October describing the claims as false, but that has not cooled the calls for boycotts in numerous regions. Alshaya Group, which operates over 1,900 Starbucks shops in the Middle East and North Africa that employ 19,000 workers, said in a statement that it would provide affected employees and their families with the support they need. The unusual contraband is sold on Craigslist and Facebook for hundreds of dollars: canisters of a banned refrigerant, for use in outdated refrigerators and air-conditioners, that is also a potent planet-warming gas. On Monday, a California man became the first in the nation to be arrested and charged with smuggling the powerful gases into the United States, a felony offense, according to the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. Michael Hart, 58, of San Diego, is accused of buying coolants in Mexico and smuggling them over the border in his vehicle, concealing the canisters under a tarp and tools. Mr. Hart then posted the refrigerants for sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace and other sites, and sold them for a profit, federal agents say. Mr. Hart pleaded not guilty. He faces charges of conspiracy, importation contrary to law and sale of merchandise imported contrary to law. Attempts to reach lawyers for Mr. Hart were unsuccessful. When Lyndsey Ingram hosts dinners at her namesake gallery in the Mayfair district of London, the art on her walls initially grabs her guests attention. But by the time they are seated at the table, it is her Saint Laurent goldtone metal cuff with a cutout heart that fascinates them. I often find myself taking it off and passing it round, she said of the cuff, which she bought for 350 pounds ($442) on the Matches website in 2021 and, on this day, was wearing over the sleeve of her Eric Bompard cashmere sweater. It is the last thing I put on before I go out the door, she said. Because its like armor. You need it when you are out of the house. Midway through A Revolution on Canvas, one of the documentarys directors, Sara Nodjoumi, receives a warning from a friend. She and her father, the painter Nikzad Nodjoumi (commonly known as Nicky) have been trying to discover if his paintings left behind at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art when he fled Iran in 1980 are still in the basement archives of the museum. By video chat, a friend counsels caution. Its just a film, he says. You dont want to risk your life. Thats not hyperbole. An element of danger hangs over A Revolution on Canvas, which Sara directed with her husband, Till Schauder. The films goal is to locate Saras fathers paintings and, hopefully, bring the work to the United States, where father and daughter both live. But the political situation that drove her father away from his homeland and from his protest paintings puts their quest, and anyone who helps them in it, in danger. Nicky Nodjoumi moved to New York in the 1960s, arriving after the artist Nahid Hagigat, whom hed met as a student in Tehran and who would become his wife. Yet Nicky returned to Tehran in the late 1970s, feeling a pull to criticize the reign of the Shah through his art. Its remarkable work, blending pop art techniques, classical Persian painting, illustration and a bold vision for criticizing not just the Shah but all kinds of ideologies. Seeing his art which is sprinkled liberally throughout the film makes it clear why he was a figure of danger in Iran. This grim assortment of relics is housed in a small museum in New Jersey, about 20 miles away from where the decaying body of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., the toddler Hauptmann was convicted of kidnapping and killing, was discovered face down in the dirt. Nearly 100 years ago, the Lindbergh case was known as the crime of the century by virtue of its cinematic details and the boys high-profile parents, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a diplomats daughter, and Charles A. Lindbergh, an aviator who had catapulted to fame by completing the worlds first nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris. The perspective, the lens, the representation, the experience of a Black woman from California is badly needed. Thats what Representative Barbara Lee a California Democrat vying for the Senate seat held for three decades by Dianne Feinstein told a television reporter last month about why people should vote for her in the race. On Sunday, before a rally that evening outside a production studio in Los Angeles owned by the former N.B.A. all-star Baron Davis, I asked Lee what she meant by that, since Black people are only about 7 percent of the population of the state. She replied in a way that was both shrewd and true to her career in politics: Ive taken everything I know about what it means to be Black in America or brown in America or low-income in America or a woman in America and tried to turn it into policies. My dad and I were once invincible dominoes partners. I was his frente, and he was my compinche, my wingman. When the domino table materialized at that time of the night at our family parties, he scanned the room looking for me until we locked eyes. I am not competitive, but I was driven to win, if only to see the fire in his eyes. The thrill of the domino smack on the table as my soft-spoken papi yelled, Capicua! he just knew he killed it. We are not close in the way some families are. We dont tell each other secrets. When he was still physically able, my dad did not show his affection by way of hugs or saying I love you. Ours is a tacit understanding that weve got each others backs. When I was younger, hed show his care and complicity by bringing me toasted peanuts or fixing my toys. Later, hed slip out at the crack of dawn to clean my filthy car and fill up the tank before every trip back to Boston. My favorite moments were Papi and me in the kitchen, eating roasted batata with warm cafe con leche, talking politics and history before the rest of the household stirred. The mornings were always ours. But when I was a teenager growing up in New Jersey, his unspoken love made me feel even more lonely in a family that always felt a little foreign to me. I come from a loud Pentecostal Dominican family, and we are quick to dispense advice and gossip, often while shouting over one another, but we rarely say things like I love you or I am gay. The important stuff goes unsaid. Two poll workers unintentionally rattled David Bohlken two decades ago when he walked into a petite country church near Tulsa to vote for his first time as an Oklahoman. They wouldnt offer him a ballot. Only a cup of coffee. The ballot got flipped upside down on me. I wasnt even allowed to look at it, Bohlken said, noting that the two apologetic poll volunteers his friends were just doing their jobs. That kind of made me feel bad. Bohlken grew up in Minnesota, a state with open primaries, where all registered voters may participate in any partys primary election. He didnt realize his status as a registered independent in Oklahoma would exclude him from partisan primaries. Millions of voters in states like Oklahoma with primaries that are at least partially closed are shut out from voting in contested races because of their independent status or party affiliation, denying participation in elections their tax dollars fund. In some cases, those primaries decide who wins the seat outright. Across nine closed or partially closed primary states, about two in five registered voters in districts with contested U.S. Congressional primary elections in the 2022 midterms were barred from casting ballots in those races, according to a Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism team analysis of publicly available data. Similarly, about two in five registered voters throughout those nine states in districts with contested state legislative primaries in 2022 were prohibited from participation. In 181 of those 590 contested federal and state primaries, disallowed voters were entirely blocked from a choice in who represents them because the primaries decided who won the office either directly or with an uncontested general election, according to Lee Enterprises analysis. Thats almost one in three districts where the excluded voters had no say in their representation. Jeremy Gruber, a lawyer and senior vice president of Open Primaries, a national advocacy group, frames the issue in stark terms. There's a country where when you vote in the general election, half the time there's only one person on the ballot. Almost every time it's an uncompetitive election, and half the voters in the country are barred from the first round or limited, Gruber said. And even the voters that can participate are segregated into warring camps. People would say, Well, that doesn't make sense. That doesn't sound democratic. Where is that? What strange country has that system? But that's us. That's our system. Gruber is part of a burgeoning movement across the U.S. to open up primaries so all registered voters can participate. As the 2024 election season begins, there are already about a dozen active campaigns in states across the U.S., including Oklahoma, Arizona, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Idaho. Proponents who are pushing for changes through citizen-led ballot initiatives, state law changes or even lawsuits say open primaries strengthen American democracy by allowing all registered voters equal access to taxpayer-funded elections while broadening voter choice and improving outcomes through competition. But open primary efforts are running up against opposition from some political party leaders and partisans who think only party members should choose their candidates for the general election. In the 20 years since Bohlken first tried to vote in Oklahoma, the states Democratic Party has opened its primaries to independent voters. But neither Republicans nor Libertarians have followed suit. State Sen. Nathan Dahm, chair of the Oklahoma GOP, said he adamantly opposes open primaries because political parties are private organizations with specific ideals that should be able to decide who participates in their affairs primary elections included. "You don't want the out-of-town atheist coming in and voting on who your next pastor should be in your church," Dahm said. Dahm said no requirements force a person to vote in a primary. In fact, he said, most registered voters don't participate. And many citizens aren't even registered to vote. "The purpose of the primary is for the party to determine who they want to be their nominee," Dahm said. However, primaries often are where the real decisions are made, Gruber said. General elections in most state and federal races have ceased to be determinative, he said, becoming more of a dance a formality. All of a sudden, we've allowed the parties to control the process that we pay for that our tax dollars pay for and it's perverted our democracy in all kinds of ways, Gruber said. Most U.S. states have some form of open primary even if advocates like Gruber argue they're more limited or less inclusive than they should be. He emphasized that the de facto model for municipal governments are nonpartisan elections, which he said are effective and elicit the highest satisfaction in voter surveys. Bohlken, a farmer and rancher who lives in Leonard, an unincorporated town near Tulsa, described his move to Oklahoma from Minnesota as a sort of slap in the face politically. His voting power was erased from primaries that his tax dollars support. As an independent, he prefers to carefully consider candidates from both sides of the aisle. I feel like I hesitate to say this out loud, but the primaries seem to drive a lot of real zealots some people who are really extreme in their views, Bohlken said. So those few people who can show up for a primary really determine whos going to be put in office. And that just kind of freaks me out. What research has found The high level of voter disenfranchisement that Lee Enterprises analysis found in states such as Oklahoma was surprising even to a researcher who studies open primaries. Thats nuts, said John Johnson, a research fellow at Marquette University in Wisconsin, a state with open primaries. Johnson said he would be angry if he lived in a state in which he couldnt participate in the primary, particularly if the general election wasnt competitive. In stark contrast, Wisconsins open primary system doesnt require voters to register with a party and allows them to decide in which partys primary they want to vote. Its mostly people just voting with the party that they prefer, and then when they cross over its because they genuinely feel some stake in the contest thats happening inside the other party, Jo hnson said. Johnsons research has found that crossover voting when Republicans vote in a Democratic primary, for example happens at such low levels as to be inconsequential in swaying the results, despite fears of party-raiding expressed by opponents of open primaries. In analyzing both the 2016 and 2018 Wisconsin primaries, an identical share of Republicans and Democrats 2% crossed over to the opposite party. Even if this tiny share of people were indeed party raiding, they canceled each other out, Johnson wrote in a summary of the study. But there is no good evidence suggesting they werent voting in good faith. Still, high-profile stories of voters trying to disrupt primary elections pop up. For example, some Democratic and independent voters in Wyoming crossed over to the Republican primary in 2022 to try to save former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney from her GOP challenger. They were unsuccessful as Cheney lost by more than 30 percentage points. Johnson thinks the academic literature is pretty settled in that open primaries dont cause harm but they do increase voter turnout. The Bipartisan Policy Center examined the 2022 midterm primaries and found that open primary states had higher voter turnout on average than closed primary states. The average turnout was 24.5% in states with fully open primaries or what are referred to as top-two or top-four formats, according to Bipartisan Policy Centers analysis. Meanwhile, average turnout was just 21.5% in states with semi-open primaries and 20.7% in states with closed primaries. Fully open primaries allow individuals to decide in which partys primary they want to vote. Top-two or top-four formats place all candidates on a common ballot for all voters, with the top vote-getters advancing to the general election. Generally, partially open primaries permit independent or unaffiliated voters to choose a partys primary but dont allow party members to switch to another partys primary. Closed primaries only authorize party members to vote and only within their designated party. And partially closed primaries let the recognized parties decide whether any independent or unaffiliated or minor party voters can participate. Primary systems can be nuanced and vary widely by state. For example, Nevada and New Mexico technically closed primary states allow any person to register to vote or switch parties at the polls on primary day. Other state deadlines for switching parties are weeks or months in advance of primary elections. Wyoming, for example, requires that individuals who want to change or declare a new party affiliation for the primary must do so before the candidate filing period even begins. Oklahoma Republican mayor reverses view Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, a Republican, is now one of the faces of a grassroots movement to open up the Sooner states primaries, called Oklahoma United For Progress. But a decade earlier, he said he wrongly campaigned against the concept. Bynum, then a city councilor, opposed the citizen-led ballot question that made Tulsas municipal elections nonpartisan on his mistaken belief that political parties fundamentally are supposed to educate and motivate voters. He had feared voter interest would wane in a nonpartisan process. At the core of Bynums change of heart? He said he unexpectedly unseated the Republican incumbent for mayor in 2016 by building a broad coalition that he couldnt have mobilized in a partisan primary. And contrary to his belief, average voter turnout in the three mayoral primaries after Tulsa switched to nonpartisan elections rose 35% compared to the same period before the reform. In his 2020 re-election bid, Bynum said the center held despite a strong primary challenge from his ideological left and right opponents. The fact that Im sitting here as a mayor right now and didnt lose in 2020 is testament to the fact that most people are not in the vocal, angry extremes, Bynum told a crowd in July at a burger restaurant in Oklahoma City. Most people are in between there somewhere, but theyre not as loud. The Lee Enterprises analysis of publicly available voter data for the 2022 midterm primary illustrates how Oklahomas partially closed system and others like it stifles voter participation. In districts with contested U.S. House races, about 49% of registered voters or 889,880 eligible Oklahomans were shut out from casting a ballot in them. Similarly, about 45% of registered voters or 350,669 eligible Oklahomans in contested State House races and about 40% or 252,197 in contested State Senate races were blocked from voting in them. And 31 of those 52 contested state and federal seats about 60% were decided outright by the primary and not the general election, meaning hundreds of thousands of registered voters who were disallowed a primary voice had no vote at all for who would represent them in public office. Bynum called that data one of the great arguments in favor of open primaries. From a democracy standpoint, he said, its much better to have elected leaders chosen by all of the people not half of half the people, in many cases. Dahm, who has been chair of the Oklahoma GOP since May, said it isn't fair to consider closed primaries as keeping voters from participating because all someone has to do is register with the party. He said Democrats weren't pushing for open primaries when they had control of the state 20 years ago. "What happened is Republicans organized better," Dahm said. "We got better candidates people that better represent the will of the people in those districts and we flipped those seats from Democrat seats to Republican seats. "And if those people want to continue to participate in that, they can become registered Republicans." Privately, Bynum said he hears from many elected officials who support the open primaries effort but wont do so in the open. The party in control in a state no matter whether Republican or Democrat doesnt have incentive to change a system that could loosen its grip on power, he said. He said he is sticking out his neck publicly for a shot at generational change because he sees better focus on policy and improved outcomes in nonpartisan races. I think a fear of (open primaries) would betray a lack of confidence in the ideas that one political party or another is supporting, Bynum said. Organized party pushback in some states like Missouri While momentum to open up primaries is building among the countrys independent voters, some states including Missouri, Tennessee and Ohio are facing action in the other direction, forcing advocates to play defense. In Missouri, voting rights advocates like Denise Lieberman of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition so far have successfully staved off Republican efforts to close the states open primaries, but the threat is constantly looming, she said. Major changes to the states voting system already have taken place, such as the 2022 elimination of the Republican presidential primary election in favor of a caucus system, which tends to encourage participation by loyal party members and decrease turnout overall. This is all part of a national trend to constrict who is able to cast a ballot, Lieberman said. I do think these efforts to close primaries that weve seen in about a half-dozen states are part of this effort to make the electorate smaller. Lieberman said a consequence of shutting out voters from primaries is making them feel like it was rigged from the beginning. What we know from the data is that fewer and fewer people are choosing to affiliate with the major political parties, Lieberman said. If you have no say in who the party candidate is going to be, why even bother to show up at the general election to vote? It remains to be seen what happens in this legislative session in Missouri. A Republican state senator who last year sponsored a bill to close primary elections, Sen. Andrew Koenig, doesnt appear to be focused on it in 2024. Dave Evans, communications director for the senator, said I dont know that thats an issue thats going to be a burning issue this year. But Evans said the senators view hasnt changed on the matter. In fact, the Missouri Republican Party states on its party platform that it believes in closed primaries requiring all voters who cast a ballot to declare a partisan affiliation and maintain declared party affiliations as a public record. Political parties are in fact private organizations, Evans said. They ought to have the right to have freedom of association like any other group. Independents the new plurality in Arizona In swing-state Arizona, independent voters, or individuals not with a recognized party, became the plurality of registered voters in October. But those voters are excluded from the states version of a presidential primary, called a presidential preference election. Ray Kimball is a retired U.S. Army officer who is a relatively new independent voter in Arizona after nearly three decades as a registered Republican. Kimball said the GOP alienated him over its refusal to acknowledge that Joe Biden is the duly elected president, prompting his move to independent status. Kimballs wife received notice in the mail of the forthcoming presidential preference election and that she automatically will get her partys ballot. Kimball himself wont be sent any such mail and won't be able to participate in what he called a crucial election. Im fiercely proud of my vote, and I will cast it at any opportunity available, said Kimball, who lives in Gilbert in the East Valley of the Phoenix metro. Im just angry that I dont have the ability to make that voice heard in every election. I think thats wrong. Kimball, who works in higher education after his military retirement, is open to considering a return to the GOP if it were to find its bearings and embrace reality. But he does find meaning in his fresh status as an independent. I feel proud to be close to what George Washingtons original vision for politics in this country was he warned against partisan politics, Kimball said. He was concerned about what it would do to our country. So I feel proud that Im exercising a political tradition that has its roots in the origin of our country. Paul Johnson, a former Democrat mayor of Phoenix, is helping lead the Save Democracy Arizona petition effort to enshrine nonpartisan primaries and uniform signature requirements into the state Constitution. As it stands, Arizona law requires independent or unaffiliated individuals who want to run for legislative office to come up with tens of thousands of signatures more than someone who is with a recognized political party. Now an independent, Johnson said voters breaking away from a desire to be identified as a member of a party is one of the most powerful movements ongoing in American politics. The countrys single greatest achievement has been to empower individuals over itself, he said. He added that the magical key to democracy is talking to people with whom you dont necessarily agree. The single biggest thing that defines (the parties) is they hate each other. They cannot stand one another, Johnson said. And my answer is, I dont want to eliminate them. I want to get the best from them. Pennsylvania voters push for open primaries Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is closer than it ever has been to adopting an open primary system. But its not there yet. For the first time in October, a bill to open up primary elections to an estimated 1.2 million excluded unaffiliated and independent Pennsylvania voters passed out of a house legislative committee. One of the key proponents of the bill, Democratic Rep. Jared Solomon of Philadelphia, said he feels a shift, that more and more folks are coming on board. The proposal has been around forever and its the first time it passed the House (committee), Solomon said. I think its a really big deal. We need to finally get this bill to the finish line. However, the full House chamber still hasnt acted on the bill yet. A spokesperson for the House speaker, who has the power to call the bill down for a vote, told Lee Enterprises that the measure is currently being reviewed. Solomon says hes pushing hard on this because he believes its the right thing to do. The fastest group of unaffiliated independent voters are people aged 18 to 35, he said. Imagine youre a new voter in Pennsylvania and were basically saying to you no thanks, not welcome, not here. At the same time, Solomon said the state will take their tax money to prop up the primary system. It doesnt really roll out of the welcome mat, he said. This is not the look we want in PA. One of those new young voters is Ethan Barnes, a Dickinson College student who was disappointed to find out upon moving to Pennsylvania that he wouldnt be able to vote in primary elections unless he registered as a Democrat or a Republican. But at heart, hes an independent, just like his dad, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who instilled in him the importance of being politically active at a young age. Its really sad that you cant register as an independent and still be able to be as politically active as you could if you were registered as either a Democrat or Republican, Barnes said. Thats what many of my friends (and I) have had to go through. Why should I not be able to participate just because Im registered as an independent? Barnes said. The issue led Barnes to join BallotPA, a statewide advocacy group of independent and unaffiliated voters who are trying to push lawmakers on the issue. I always cared a lot about politics, but I dont know if I would have imagined myself getting this strongly involved in the fight for open primaries, Barnes said. But Im happy that I did. I think the ability to participate in politics and being able to vote should be open to all. The most prized pigment of antiquity was processed not from a tangle of root or the frothy extract of a weed, but by drawing out a slimy secretion from the mucus glands behind the anus of murex sea snails the bottom of the bottom-feeders, the historian Kelly Grovier has written. The common name of the dyestuff, Tyrian purple, derives from the habitat of the mollusks, which the Phoenicians purportedly began harvesting in the 16th century B.C. in the city-state of Tyre in present-day Lebanon. Because each snail yielded little more than a drop of the discharge a clear, malodorous liquid some 250,000 were required to produce an ounce of dye, by some accounts. Purple was labor-intensive, but so widely produced that piles of shells discarded millenniums ago are now geographical features in the region. The dye was also so pricey worth more than three times its weight in gold, according to a Roman edict issued in 301 A.D. that its use was reserved for priests, nobility and royalty. Though purple may have symbolized a higher order, it reeked of a lower ordure, Dr. Grovier writes in his book, The Art of Colour. Where all this purple came from has long been a mystery. Just a few locations along the Levants southern coast and in Cyprus show evidence of dye-making at the start of the period, and all were on a modest scale. But a new study by researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel suggests that through most of the Iron Age biblical era, from roughly 1150 B.C. to 600 B.C., a small promontory called Tel Shiqmona on Israels Carmel coast was not a residential settlement, as previously supposed, but a major purple-dyeing factory. Ellen Bernstein, a river guide turned rabbi who blazed a spiritual trail in the environmental movement by undergirding it with the Hebrew Bibles veneration of nature, died on Feb. 27 in Philadelphia. She was 70. Her husband, Steven J. Tenenbaum, said the cause of her death, in a hospital, was colon cancer. In 1988, when she was 34, Rabbi Bernstein founded Shomrei Adamah the name is Hebrew for Keepers of the Earth which she described as the first national Jewish environmental organization. The Creation story, Jewish law, the cycle of holidays, prayers, mitzvot (good deeds) and neighborly relations all reflect a reverence for land and a viable practice of stewardship, Rabbi Bernstein wrote in Ecology & the Jewish Spirit: Where Nature & the Sacred Meet (2000). She developed curriculums for students and teachers, organized conferences, and wrote scholarly articles and books to spread a gospel that resonated in progressive congregations and on college campuses. Her work gave a new dimension to the words holy land and to the synergy between heaven and earth. In the twenty-six years she lived after World War II, Coco Chanel never publicly apologized for her treacherous behavior during the Nazi Occupation of Paris. While living at the Ritz Hotel with a handsome German spy, she had tried to use the Nazi race laws to wrest control of her perfume company from her Jewish partners. She also had embarked on a Nazi-authorized scheme to broker a separate peace with Winston Churchill, and she was overheard making ugly, antisemitic remarks. The New Look, an Apple TV+ series about how couturiers Chanel and Christian Dior spent the war, accurately depicts Chanels defiant lack of remorse, while casting her somewhat sympathetically as a victim of Nazi intimidation. But in converting Chanels experiences into a TV production inspired by true events, the shows creators have mangled or lost much of the actual truth, which is more complicated than whats portrayed onscreen. (Warning: Spoilers ahead.) Dont wander off the resort after dark. Keep the flashy clothing and jewelry to a minimum. Stay aware of your surroundings. Those are some of the travel rules that Ginger Moore, a retired logistics analyst from Panama City, Fla., adheres to on her solo trips throughout the Caribbean. Ms. Moore, 75, has always felt safe during her stays in Jamaica, where shes returning for the fourth time on Wednesday. But this year, while shes still happy to take a trip, a travel advisory for Jamaica, reissued in January by the U.S. State Department, has elevated her concerns. Im sure there are parts, just like the United States, that you can go into that are not recommended, said Ms. Moore. Nonetheless, she has taken new precautions for her upcoming trip, like packing additional health supplies and purchasing a security bar for the sliding balcony door of her hotel room. In recent weeks, the State Department and U.S. Embassies have issued new and updated advisories urging travelers to Mexico, Jamaica and the Bahamas some of the busiest international spring break destinations to exercise extra caution after recent violent events, some in tourist areas. Security experts suggest that the advice is largely consistent with advisories of previous years. A jury is deliberating in the trial of James Crumbley, whose son killed four students and injured seven others at a Michigan high school in 2021, in the deadliest school shooting in the states history. Three days after the massacre at Oxford High School, prosecutors took the rare step of filing involuntary manslaughter charges against Mr. Crumbley, 47, and his wife, Jennifer Crumbley, 45, setting up one of the nations most high-profile efforts to hold parents responsible for violent crimes committed by their children. Ms. Crumbley was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in a separate trial last month. She will be sentenced next month and faces up to 15 years in prison. The Crumbleys son pleaded guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder, and was sentenced in December to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Unlike his wife, Mr. Crumbley did not testify at his own trial. Heres what else to know about the case. Justice Amy Coney Barretts opinion was just a page long, all of two paragraphs. But in distancing herself from both blocs in Mondays nominally unanimous Supreme Court decision rejecting a constitutional challenge to former President Donald J. Trumps eligibility to hold office, she staked out a distinctive role. Justice Barrett was the third of Mr. Trumps appointees, rushed onto the court after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, arriving just before the 2020 election. But she is viewed as one of the more moderate members, relatively speaking, of the courts six-member conservative supermajority. At oral arguments, she can convey a mix of intellectual seriousness and common sense. In public appearances, she is adamant that the court is apolitical, though she sometimes says so in venues that undercut her message. In 2021, for instance, Justice Barrett told an audience in Kentucky that my goal today is to convince you that this court is not comprised of a bunch of partisan hacks. Super Tuesday will not make President Biden or former President Donald J. Trump a presumptive party nominee, as defined by locking up a majority of the delegates available nationwide. But they are likely to come fairly close, setting themselves up to secure the nominations mathematically in the next two weeks. On the Republican side, Mr. Trump needs 1,215 delegates, and he currently has 273. With 854 available on Tuesday across the 15 states holding Republican contests, he cannot reach that threshold even if he secures all of them. Nine more delegates are available on Friday, from American Samoa, but that will not get him there, either. But if he wins the lions share of the delegates up for grabs, as polls suggest is likely, he will be positioned to secure the nomination on March 12 (when Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington State have Republican contests) or March 19 (when Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio vote). Organizers in several Super Tuesday states are calling on voters to oppose President Biden at the ballot box over his stance on the war in Israel and Gaza, building on momentum that began last month in Michigan. More than 101,000 Michiganders voted uncommitted in the states Democratic primary, after a group of young Arab Americans started a campaign encouraging voters to protest Mr. Bidens alliance with Israel earning two delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Inspired by the campaign, pro-Palestinian groups around the country started similar efforts to push the president to call for a permanent cease-fire. In Colorado, a group of Palestinian activists scrambled to create a social media campaign for the states noncommitted delegate option while Michigan returns were still coming in last week. In Minnesota, organizers knocked on doors and held get-out-the-vote events to promote the uncommitted category, with outreach to Muslim Somali Americans and young voters. And in Massachusetts, thousands of protesters at a rally in Cambridge chanted no preference, the similar designated protest option. Late last year, it seemed likely that former President Donald J. Trump would spend part of the 2024 campaign facing at least one, if not multiple, criminal trials. As he was charged with more crimes and as the trial dates drew closer, the share of voters who said he had committed crimes ticked up. The Trump team has pushed to stall the trials as much as possible, hoping to delay any verdicts until after the general election in November. Beyond that, his team has tried to wring the indictments for any political advantage it could find. The tactics may be paying off. The share of Americans who say that Mr. Trump committed serious federal crimes, steadily on the rise since the fall of 2022, has declined since December, the latest New York Times/Siena College poll found. Voters across the political spectrum are now less likely to say that Mr. Trump acted criminally. Democrats are 7 percentage points less likely to say that they think Mr. Trump committed crimes, while the share of political independents who said the same is down 9 percentage points. Republicans have remained relatively stable, only ticking down one point since the end of last year. Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, the Democrat turned independent who cut bipartisan deals that cemented parts of President Bidens agenda but also stymied some of her former partys highest priorities, said on Tuesday that she would not seek re-election. Her announcement ended a year of speculation about her future in a politically competitive state. It cleared the field for a traditional matchup in the high-stakes battle for control of the Senate, between a more conventional Democrat, Representative Ruben Gallego, and the eventual Republican nominee. Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year, she said in a video announcement. Ms. Sinema, a first-term senator who left the Democratic Party in 2022, faced potentially long odds in a three-way race for re-election as Democrats fight to maintain control of the Senate. Recent polling found her trailing both Mr. Gallego and Kari Lake, the favorite for the Republican nomination who is an acolyte of former President Donald J. Trump and has championed his baseless election fraud claims. Bismarck police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting late last year of a 17-year-old boy. During a Tuesday afternoon news conference Deputy Chief Jason Stugelmeyer identified the officers involved. K9 officer Wade Nordick and Patrol Officers Benjamin Friedt and Zach Halpin were all returned to full duty status effective Jan. 2, he said. The three officers were placed on administrative leave while the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation looked into the shooting of Nick Bruington, of Bismarck, who was shot and killed in the early morning hours of Nov. 12 in a parking lot near Kirkwood Mall by officers who had earlier responded to reports of a shooting at a nearby motel. Burleigh County State's Attorney Julie Lawyer on Tuesday announced that she had reviewed the results of the BCI investigation and concluded that no criminal charges were warranted. "The force used by the officers in their attempts to arrest Bruington and/or prevent his escape after it had been established that he had shot at another person just two hours prior was necessary to effect his arrest and/or prevent his escape, she said in a letter to BCI Special Agent John Clemens and repeated in a public statement. The Tribune requested the full BCI report but did not immediately receive a response from the state Attorney General's Office, which oversees BCI. Stugelmeyer went through a timeline of events the morning of the shooting. Police also played two videos recorded by dash-mounted cameras. In the first, video shows the traffic stop that occurred following Bruington being identified as a suspect and picked up by family members. In that video Bruington, wearing a black coat and jeans, steps out of the vehicle with his hands up before reaching for his waist. He can be heard yelling "shoot me then" twice before turning back to the vehicle, where he retrieves a gun. The gun can be seen in Bruington's right hand as he runs out of frame, ignoring officers' commands to stop. Shortly after Bruington leaves the video frame, four gunshots can be heard. A second video shows a different officer's point of view. In that video Bruington can be seen running from the scene. The officer follows him -- at one point driving on a city sidewalk -- before Bruington runs out of frame. Bruington is out of the camera's point of view when two more gunshots are heard. Two shootings Lawyer's letter refers to an incident before Bruington's encounter with police in which eyewitnesses reported Bruington firing a handgun at two juveniles in the area of Third Street and Arbor Avenue. Four shell casings were reportedly recovered in the area, and officers were advised Bruington had a handgun. Police on Tuesday played dash cam video recorded from a private citizen's vehicle. That video shows the Everspring Motel, and audio records four gunshots. Those gunshots, Stugelmeyer said, are the initial shots Bruington fired at juveniles that precipitated the police response. The video also shows one person running from the scene. Stugelmeyer said that person is one of the juveniles shot at by Bruington. Those juveniles identified Bruington as their assailant, recognizing him because they were former schoolmates, according to Stugelmeyer. Officers were also advised Bruington was going to be picked up by family members, and a traffic stop was made in the west parking lot of Kirkwood Mall, according to Lawyer's letter. The document states three people were in the vehicle -- Bruington's brother was driving, his mother was in the front passenger seat and Bruington was in the back seat. The front seat occupants complied with police commands, the letter states, but Bruington initially did not. Bruington eventually exited the vehicle, yelled at officers and kept reaching for his waistband, then turned and reached into the vehicle, emerging with a gun in his right hand, according to Lawyer's summation of events. Shortly after retrieving the handgun, Bruington fled from police on foot and ignored officer commands, according to Lawyer's letter. Officers fired their first shots and pursued Bruington on foot and in vehicles. Following those initial shots Bruington dropped the weapon but kept running, Lawyer states. Her summary does not say how many shots were fired after Bruington dropped the weapon. It does state that the officer who recovered the gun was not able to communicate with other officers by radio to indicate the gun had been recovered, but it doesn't say why radio communication wasn't possible. Stugelmeyer said the three officers involved fired a total of six shots. Privately shot video posted on social media in the hours following the incident captures six gunshots. Four rounds are fired in quick succession followed by a gap of just over 22 seconds, followed by two more gunshots. The video shot from a window across the street from the mall's parking lot does not show who fired the shots. Before shots are fired, the video captures more than 20 seconds of what sounds like commands being shouted. Lawyer's summary states the the incident, beginning from Bruington emerging from the vehicle until the last shots are fired, lasted 25 seconds. The summation also includes information that the gun Bruington dropped was damaged. The initial recovery was of a slide, barrel and trigger mechanism. Other pieces, including the grip, were recovered in another location. The grip had what appeared to be blood on it, and another piece had what the letter describes as a bullet defect that appeared to be the cause of the gun breaking apart. A photo of the gun provided by police Tuesday shows a dark green 9 mm semiautomatic handgun with a portion of the grip missing and what appears to be an extended clip. "I've seen photos of the magazine and the magazine was severely damaged," Stugelmeyer said. "Potentially, they couldn't get it in because it was damaged." Stugelmeyer also said the magazine, when recovered, was empty. Whether it was empty because Bruington had earlier exhausted his ammunition or rounds were dislodged when the gun was damaged isn't clear. Following the shooting, Bruington was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Lawyer's letter refers to the results of an autopsy that revealed bullet wounds to Bruington's upper back and his right hand. Lawyer said the gun's bullet defect and blood on the grip are consistent with Bruington's hand wound. Bruington's mother and brother did not immediately respond to Tribune requests for comment. Aftermath The Strategies for Youth nonprofit, which focuses on youth interactions with law enforcement, issued a statement after the shooting advocating generally for alternatives to the use of force with juveniles. The statement said "most U.S. law enforcement agencies lack any guidelines about how to interact, interrogate or arrest young people." Bismarck police spokesman Lt. Luke Gardiner responded at the time that Bismarck Police Department policy and procedures regarding the use of deadly force are based on state law and U.S. Supreme Court decisions, not a suspect's age. Bismarck police previously said they were familiar with Bruington -- Gardiner said officers had dealt with him on a number of occasions, "mainly drug use and runaways." Bruington was not enrolled in a public or private school at the time of the shooting, according to Bismarck Public Schools and Light of Christ Catholic Schools. The incident was one of three officer-involved shootings in Bismarck last year. Four officers involved in an April 2023 nonfatal shooting of a chase suspect and an officer involved in a May 2023 nonfatal shooting of a terrorizing suspect all were previously cleared and returned to duty. Police continue to work on the Bruington case, Stugelmeyer said. The department has a detective assigned doing follow-up work even after the completion of the BCI's probe and Lawyer's decision that officers' actions were justified. "Burleigh County State's Attorney is independent of us. They do a review based on evidence that BCI gave them," Stugelmeyer said. "Typically there's investigations that happen after the fact. That includes how did one get in possession of a firearm, are there other firearms involved. That part of the investigation continues to this day." Follow live updates on Trump and Haley after Super Tuesday. Voters in 15 states, including two titans, California and Texas, will head to the polls today for a Super Tuesday that is likely to set a White House rematch in November between President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump. The contests will also determine the contours of races for the House and Senate that will shape the legislative branch next year. Here is what else to watch as the results roll in. Will Nikki Haley end her campaign, or keep going? In major cases concerning former President Donald J. Trump, the Supreme Court has tried to put some distance between itself and politics. That fragile project does not seem to be succeeding. If the court is trying to stay out of the political fray, it is failing miserably, said Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University. The case for attempted unity at the court in cases involving the former president is built on 27 data points, or nine votes each in three important rulings, all nominally unanimous. Those rulings suggest that the justices are trying to find consensus and avoid politics. There were no dissents, for instance, in Mondays Supreme Court decision letting Mr. Trump stay on ballots nationwide despite a constitutional provision that bars insurrectionists from holding office. I dont know how to make sense of it. It just hurts my heart. It should not be that hard. Americans have argued about immigration for decades, often with anger, fear and racial resentment. But if the debate stands out today, it is for another sentiment coursing through the conversation: exhaustion. Decades of neglect and political stalemate have left the American immigration system broken in ways that defy simple solutions. The number of people crossing the border has climbed. Many are settling in cities far from the border, making an abstract problem suddenly concrete for some Americans. And now comes a presidential election. Ahead of Super Tuesday, when Americans in 15 states are casting their first ballots of the year, we talked to voters about immigration, the issue that has jumped to the top of the list of their concerns. The conversations revealed worry, frustration, confusion and suspicion. There was appetite for the hard-line approach pushed by Donald J. Trump, the likely Republican nominee who has made his career on anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric. There was empathy for migrants who many believe have no other options. And there was little hope that President Biden might figure out a way out of the morass. Notably, the solutions voters proposed didnt fit neatly into either partys ideological box. Panamas electoral tribunal disqualified former President Ricardo Martinelli from running in the May presidential election in light of a 10-year sentence he received for money laundering. The body, which oversees the countrys electoral process, reached the decision on Monday night after 10 hours of debate. In a statement, it said his disqualification was the result of his having been sentenced to more than five years in prison for an intentional crime. Panamas Supreme Court last month denied Mr. Martinellis appeal of the money laundering conviction in a case in which prosecutors said funds were obtained from government contractors for the 2010 purchase of a publishing house. A few days after the court ruling, Mr. Martinelli, 71, a conservative businessman who led Panama from 2009 to 2014, was granted asylum by Nicaragua and fled to its embassy in Panama City, the capital. Whats at stake on Super Tuesday Millions of voters across 15 states are casting ballots on Super Tuesday, one of the most important dates on the U.S. political calendar. Its the day in the presidential primary cycle when the most states vote, and it will move the race closer to a White House rematch in November between President Biden and Donald Trump. It will also almost certainly be a blow to Nikki Haley, Trumps Republican challenger. Results will start coming soon after we send out this newsletter. Heres the latest. Trump is seeking to bounce Haley from the race. Recent polls in Texas and California the states that will award the most delegates on Tuesday show him with wide leads. For Biden, who has no major opponents, observers are watching turnout and the popularity of the uncommitted ballot option as a protest vote in states like Minnesota. Taylor Swift has descended on Southeast Asia, or one small part of it at least: All of her six sold-out shows are in Singapore, the regions wealthiest nation. Many of her fans in this part of the world, which is home to more than 600 million people, are disappointed. But the Singapore leg of Ms. Swifts wildly popular Eras Tour, which began last weekend and ends on Saturday, is a soft power coup and a boost for the countrys post-pandemic economic recovery. The shows and the undisclosed price that Singapore paid to host them have also generated diplomatic tension with two of its neighbors, Thailand and the Philippines. Last month, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand said publicly that Singapore had paid Ms. Swift up to $3 million per show on the condition that she play nowhere else in Southeast Asia. A lawmaker in the Philippines later said that was not what good neighbors do. After a week of often hysterical speculation about her well-being, there were suddenly two plausible pieces of evidence that Catherine, Princess of Wales, was on the mend: a photo of her in a car driven by her mother and a confirmation by the British Army that she would attend a military ceremony in June. But as with almost everything surrounding the health of Prince Williams 42-year-old wife in recent weeks, any sense of certainty quickly melted away. A palace official said on Tuesday that the army had jumped the gun in announcing Catherines participation in Trooping the Color, an annual ritual that celebrates the birthday of the sovereign. And while British newspapers reported the existence of paparazzi shots, purportedly of Catherine, that were posted on social media on Monday, none of them published the images. At the end of another hothouse news cycle, consumers of royal news were back where they started: in the dark about the princess, who had abdominal surgery in January and has not been seen during her lengthy convalescence. The Ukraine war has been fought largely on the ground in the past two years, with troops often locked in back-and-forth battles with heavy artillery and drone support. The countries air forces have played second fiddle because of Ukraines limited fleet of planes and Russias inability to gain the air supremacy it once expected. But as the Russian military presses on with attacks in the east, its air force has taken on a greater role. Military analysts say Russia has increasingly used warplanes near the front lines to drop powerful guided bombs on Ukrainian positions and clear a path forward for the infantry. That tactic, used most notably in Avdiivka, the strategic eastern city captured by Russian forces last month, has yielded good results, experts say. It has also come with risks. Its a costly but quite effective tool that Russia is now using in the war, said Serhiy Hrabskyi, a retired Ukrainian army colonel. Its dangerous for them to send their fighter jets close to the front line, he added, but it can impact Ukrainian positions effectively. The Ukrainian Army last week said it had shot down seven Su-34 fighter jets, nearly all operating in the east, just a few days after downing an A-50 long-range radar reconnaissance aircraft. It was, according to Ukrainian officials, part of a series of successful strikes against the Russian Air Force, in which Ukraine claimed to have shot down 15 planes in as many days. The United States made a second round of airdrops of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, as the Biden administration continued its efforts to prevent a greater humanitarian disaster in the Palestinian territory. U.S. Air Force cargo planes dropped 36,800 ready-to-eat meals, in a joint operation with the Jordanian Air Force, to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Tuesday. It said that army troops trained in aerial delivery were part of the airdrop, and that it was planning more such missions. However, the Pentagon said on Tuesday that the United States did not intend to send its troops into Gaza to strengthen the aid distribution process. At this time there are no plans to put U.S. forces on the ground in Gaza, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, said at a news conference. Some aid experts and humanitarian groups have criticized the American airdrops as insufficient and largely symbolic, given the scale of the hunger problem facing Gaza after five months of war. Cargo planes can only move a fraction of the food a convoy of trucks can deliver, experts say, and a better solution would be for the United States to persuade Israel to open more border crossings and speed up inspections. The operation on Tuesday followed a first round of airdrops on Saturday, two days after more than 100 Palestinians were killed as Israeli forces opened fire around a convoy of aid trucks in northern Gaza. Doctors at Gaza hospitals said most of the casualties were from gunfire. The Israeli military said most of the victims were trampled as they tried to seize the cargo, although Israeli officials acknowledged that troops had fired on some people who they said had threatened them. After the convoy killings, President Biden said the United States would find new ways to get aid to Palestinians in desperate need because of Israels five-month military campaign to destroy Hamas. Only a trickle of aid has been reaching northern Gaza via land, but aid groups have criticized airdrops as ineffective. The amount of aid delivered by a French plane in an airdrop last week was much less than a single truckload. Although Mr. Biden has implored Israel, which has largely sealed its border with Gaza, to clear the way for more aid deliveries, the demand for food, water and medicine there remains huge. Those conditions have put Mr. Biden under political pressure to do more to help the Palestinians, even as the United States supplies Israel with military hardware. Despite his frustrations with Israels political leadership, Mr. Biden has not threatened to put limits on American military aid to the country. Polls close at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. In the 2022 state primaries, first results were reported 14 minutes later, and the last update of the night was at 3:18 a.m. Eastern time with 99 percent of votes reported. Voters do not register by party, but they could only participate in one partys primary. The state offered a period of in-person early voting, but voters were required to have a valid excuse to vote absentee. Arkansas is one of five states on Tuesday holding presidential primaries as well as its state primary, which will include races for state and congressional offices. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in a state primary race, the top two candidates will advance to an April runoff. A Detroit man accused of transporting illegal drugs into Burleigh County changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to two years in federal prison during a court hearing Monday in Bismarck. Cameron Dixon, 32, entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The maximum penalty under federal law is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland told Dixon that based on his prior criminal history and the offense level in Dixon's case, the federal sentencing range fell between 30 and 37 months -- somewhere around three years. Offense levels in federal drug cases are determined to a large extent by the types and quantities of drugs involved, the judge explained. Dixon is one of three defendants in a case involving transportation of a backpack containing oxycodone, hydromorphone and alprazolam. Dixon was to transport the drugs on behalf of Edward Sartin, of Detroit, and make contact with Bismarck resident Cole Rothschiller, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk and court documents. Volk said Rothschiller and Sartin have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Dixon's attorney, Thomas Jackson, took exception to a presentence report, arguing on Dixon's behalf that previous state convictions for marijuana possession in Michigan and Ohio should be discounted because both states have legalized the drug. Jackson asked that rather than prison, Dixon be given supervised release and an opportunity to seek treatment for habitual marijuana use. He also downplayed Dixon's role in the alleged drug trafficking conspiracy. "He's not a major player," Jackson said of Dixon. "This is not a hard-core criminal. He doesn't have violent drug offenses." Volk opposed Jackson's position, telling Hovland the convictions in Ohio and Michigan occurred before those states legalized marijuana, thus Dixon's criminal history at it related to the presentence report should remain as indicated. However, Volk did recommend Hovland take Dixon's potential sentence down to the 24-30-month range, despite Dixon knowing he was transporting illegal drugs and not taking steps to either contact law enforcement, destroy the drugs or simply not make the delivery. "How'd you get caught up in this nightmare?" Hovland asked Dixon. "I'm still trying to figure that out for myself," Dixon replied. Dixon said he has a large support system at home and asked for supervised release, a chance to get treatment for his marijuana use and an opportunity "to set a better example for" his younger brothers. Hovland gave Dixon two years in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and said he would recommend Dixon be placed in a facility as close to Detroit as possible. The judge also recommend Dixon be given access to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons drug treatment program while in custody. Polls close at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. In the 2022 state primaries, first results were reported 8 minutes later, and the last update of the night was at 12:52 a.m. Eastern time with 99 percent of votes reported. Tuesdays results could be reported later because of a new law that requires officials to wait until polls close to tabulate early votes. Voters affiliated with a party were eligible to cast a ballot in that partys primary, though unaffiliated voters could choose to vote in any partys election. The state offered an early in-person voting period, and no excuse was required to vote absentee. Voters could return absentee ballots by mail or in person as long as they were received by the close of polls. An option to vote no preference appeared on the presidential ballot. In last weeks primary in Michigan, more than 13 percent of Democrats voted uncommitted as part of a protest of President Bidens policies toward Israel and the war in Gaza. North Carolina is one of five states on Tuesday holding presidential primaries as well as its state primary, which will include races for state and congressional offices. A woman who pleaded guilty to three motoring offences was banned from the road for two years and received over 1,000 in fines. Marina Walker (27), of Kilcoursey, Edgeworthstown, Longford faced the charges arising from an incident on August 25, 2023. Ms Walker pleaded guilty to driving with a quantity of cocaine in system above legal limit, and driving without insurance or a drivers licence. Sergeant Enda Daly told District Court judge, Bernadette Owens, that the defendant was stopped at 11pm on the date of the offence at Knockahave, Dublin Rd, Longford. The officers conducted a road side drug test which returned a positive reading for cannabis and cocaine. Ms Walker was brought to Longford Garda Station and provided a sample, which subsequently proved positive for cocaine. No documentation was produced. Solicitor Frank Gearty this was out of character for Ms Walker. He explained that the previous night a good friend of his client had a party before emigrating. Marina was very emotional, and made a mistake, Mr Gearty said. The solicitor told the judge that his client had previously been insured on the car, but she had let her documentation lapse and got into a bad habit of taking it out. The vehicle was seized by Gardai. She is extremely sorry for what has happened. She recently secured work in a local holiday camp and is a good worker, Mr Gearty said. Having considered the facts of the case Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of 400 with five month to pay for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, a further fine of 450 with seven month to pay was imposed for driving without insurance and all other matters were taken into consideration. The offences also attracted a two year ban from holding a licence. An investigation into former lawmaker Ray Holmberg for alleged child sex abuse led to the discovery of long-sought state emails from the deleted account of former North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. Attorney General Drew Wrigley said in a letter to a county prosecutor that the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation discovered on Feb. 7 that a cellphone extraction software program may have automatically copied and stored the contents of Stenehjems personal cellphone. The emails became the focus of public intrigue after Stenehjem died in office in January 2022. The former attorney generals executive assistant, Liz Brocker, immediately asked IT staff to delete Stenehjems entire email account. Last week, Mountrail County States Attorney Wade Enget concluded no criminal charges were warranted for the deletion of the emails. For two years, the state thought the emails could not be recovered after review by the state Information Technology Department, Microsoft and an outside expert. But new information has come to light through an investigation into Holmberg, a former lawmaker who was a close associate of Stenehjem, Wrigley told the North Dakota Monitor. Not long after his death, Stenehjems family asked for help from BCI personnel to unlock the former attorney generals personal phone to recover his photographs, Wrigley wrote in the Friday letter to Enget. At the time, the BCI didnt have the technology to get into the phone, so they left the matter alone. State police tried again to unlock the phone about a year later -- in February 2023 -- with improved technology, the letter indicates. After some technical difficulties, the agency successfully accessed the phone that summer. The BCI at that point returned the phone to the Stenehjems. The agency informed Wrigley in February that the software used to unlock the phone automatically copied and saved the phones data. We have a mirror image, a digital file of everything in that phone as of the time it was accessed with this law enforcement technology, Wrigley said Monday. Since Stenehjem had used his personal phone to access his state email account, the BCI ended up with backed-up copies of Stenehjems emails. The state obtained a federal warrant to look through the device in connection to the ongoing investigation into Holmberg, Wrigley said. Stenehjem was interviewed as a witness in the inquiry prior to his death, according to Wrigley. Having a warrant for somebodys phone is not an indication that that individual is under investigation, he said. In order for the warrant to be approved, investigators had to demonstrate that evidence relevant to a crime may be found on Stenehjems phone, he added. The affidavit for the search warrant is under seal, Wrigley said. There are at least around 2,000 emails on the phone and thousands of text messages, Wrigley said. Investigators may be able to review other records on the device depending on the parameters of the warrant. We dont know whats in there yet, Wrigley said. The state secured another piece of electronic equipment as evidence as part of the investigation this morning, according to Wrigley. He would not say what it is. Holmberg, a Republican from Grand Forks, was indicted in October 2023, with federal court documents alleging that Holmberg repeatedly traveled from North Dakota to Prague, Czech Republic, to have sex with children. He resigned from the North Dakota Legislature in 2022 after serving for more than 45 years. The indictment says the allegations occurred between June 2011 through November 2016. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial is scheduled for April 29 in Fargo. Enget, the Mountrail County states attorney, will be provided copies of the emails, Wrigley said. He said Enget was informed that data from the phone was recovered prior to his decision not to pursue charges related to the deletion of Stenehjems emails. Enget on Monday said he was not aware the state was planning to send him the emails. He maintained he was only asked to review the findings of the report by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which was requested by Wrigley in 2022. I dont know under what authority I would have to look at these, Enget said. News that Stenehjems emails were deleted by state employees became public following media open records requests related to an over-budget building project spearheaded by Stenehjems administration. Former President Donald Trump easily won North Dakota's 2024 Republican Presidential Caucus, the latest step in his path toward a likely GOP presidential endorsement for this year's November general election. Trump's victory Monday is his latest in a string of resounding state-level successes: His only remaining mainstream opponent, former U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, has managed to win just one contest thus far, which was Sunday's Washington, D.C., presidential primary. His win also came just one day before Super Tuesday, the date when a large swath of states hold their primaries. Trump received 84% of the 1,933 votes cast at 12 caucus sites, well ahead of Haley. The turnout was a sharp decrease from the last time the party held an in-person caucus in 2012 and saw more than 11,000 ballots cast. Voting sites this year were in Bismarck, Dickinson, Williston, Minot, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Carrington, Valley City, Wahpeton and Cavalier. Trump posted on Facebook "Thank you North Dakota!" with a picture of himself and the words "Trump wins North Dakota!" The results mean that Trump gets all 29 of North Dakota's delegates to the national convention. Delegates in North Dakotas Republican caucus are allocated first to any candidate who receives more than 60% of the vote, as Trump did on Monday. If no candidate meets that threshold, the states 29 delegates are distributed proportionally to candidates who receive more than 20% of the vote. Haley garnered a sliver of support across the state but less than 20%. She received 14.2% of the votes cast. Jan Wangler, of Bismarck, said the caucus at Bismarck State College -- and the overall state vote -- was kind of a unifying event for North Dakota Republicans. That unification was clear as votes were tallied, with the state overwhelmingly backing Trump. Candidates had the chance to electronically address voters simultaneously at the 12 caucus events across North Dakota during the three hours of voting on Monday night through a Zoom that was broadcast at all voting sites. Gov. Doug Burgum spoke on behalf of Trump, while Haley and David Stuckenberg, a Florida businessman and Air Force veteran, both spoke for themselves. Ryan Binkley, a Texas pastor and businessman, also appeared on the ballot, though he suspended his campaign on Feb. 27 and endorsed Trump. North Dakota GOP Caucus Chair Bob Harms said the decision to have Burgum speak for Trump was made by the Trump campaign, which alerted him of the plan about 10 days before the caucus. During his speech, Burgum included an anecdote from a flight he took on "Trump Force One" -- the Trump Organization's Boeing 747 -- the night after the Iowa Caucus. He said Trump worked the entire flight from Iowa to New Hampshire, which took off after midnight, and cited it as an example of the candidate's work ethic. Trump and Haley have focused their energy in other states throughout the primary, so the 15-minute speeches from candidates and their surrogates provided a chance for North Dakota residents to hear a pitch tailored to them. Party Chair Sandi Sanford said the opportunity to speak at all caucuses through Zoom was an important part of the caucus process. To know that the candidates are listening, I think that helps, she said. And wanting to get to know us as a small state, I think that's what it showed, that the candidates took the time to do this. Arnie Zent, a Bismarck resident, said Monday's event was the first time he had ever attended a Republican caucus. The 74-year-old told the Tribune that he felt it was important to "try to do what I can to keep a decent face on the Republican Party" -- and he thinks Trump will be able to provide taxpayers with the results he says he isn't seeing. "The reason why I'm so strongly supporting Trump is not necessarily his personal actions," Zent said. "People may have a problem with that. But when he says something, he does it. And the world leaders in this world know that, and we need somebody with a backbone and not a fishbone." Trump has been immensely popular in North Dakota. He won 63% of the vote in the 2016 presidential election and 65% in 2020. He traveled to North Dakota in September 2017, making a visit to the Mandan oil refinery to speak about tax reform. He also came to Fargo in 2018 on behalf of U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Cramer. One of the first things Trump did after taking office in January 2017 was push through the stalled Dakota Access Pipeline, a project state officials said was key to maintaining North Dakota's energy economy. State Sen. Dick Dever, R-Bismarck, said he's previously supported Trump, but on Monday he was backing Haley. He views Trump and Biden as two extremes of their parties, he said, and he hopes to see a more positive attitude in North Dakota in the coming months. "So many people say, 'I like his policies, but I don't like the way he acts,'" Dever said. "I say that we make a mistake if we think that he's the only one that would put forward those kinds of policies. So we should return to sobriety." Trump's win in North Dakota was also far from his biggest victory of the day. On Monday morning the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Colorado doesn't have the authority to bar him from the ballot under an interpretation of a 14th Amendment provision. Colorado and multiple other states have argued that Trump is ineligible for the presidency because the amendment disqualifies people who engaged in an insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again -- but the court indicated that giving such a power to the states could result in inconsistencies in federal elections. The court didn't wade into the question raised by these efforts -- whether Trump is eligible to run for the presidency in the wake of his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Democratic President Joe Biden's win in the 2020 election. And the door was still left open for federal court input on the argument that the 14th Amendment disqualifies him from the ballot. Mandan resident Dave Faulkner showed up on Monday to support Trump, citing the former president's business background as a primary motive. He said he was excited to cast a ballot for Trump in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling. "I really think if he would have been eliminated from the ballots, I would hate to see where the country would have gone," Faulkner said. Republicans will hold their national convention from July 15-18 in Milwaukee. North Dakota's Republican delegates will be selected at the state party's convention, which is scheduled for April 5-6 in Fargo. A public meeting is set Wednesday night on three bridges maintained by the Burleigh County Highway Department. The project includes bridge replacement on Apple Creek Road, half a mile east of 80th St. SE; bridge replacement on 236th St. SE, half a mile south of Lincoln Road; and bridge removal on 102nd Ave. SE, half a mile east of U.S. Highway 83. The state Department of Transportation will host the meeting from 6-8 p.m. at Apple Creek Elementary School, 2000 93rd St. SE. There will be an open house format with no formal presentation. Representatives from DOT, Burleigh County and KLJ Engineering will be on hand to answer questions and discuss concerns. Meeting materials will be available on the DOT website at www.dot.nd.gov; click Public Input Meetings under News and Events. People unable to attend the meeting can submit written comments. They must be postmarked or emailed by March 21, with Public Input Meeting in the letter heading or e-mail subject line. Mail to to Adam McGill, KLJ Engineering, 400 E. Broadway Ave., Suite 600, Bismarck, ND 58501; or email adam.mcgill@kljeng.com. People who wish to request accommodations for the meeting should contact Heather Christianson at DOT's Civil Rights Division, at 701-328-2978 or civilrights@nd.gov. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888. Jet Infosystems, a prominent IT firm in Russia, recently initiated a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) to tackle cyber threats. To improve its defense against attacks on industrial control systems, it partnered with Kaspersky, a top name in industrial cybersecurity. Kaspersky supplies Jet CSIRT with up-to-date threat data, enhancing its ability to detect, identify, and understand attacks on industrial networks. This collaboration has already enabled Jet CSIRT to pinpoint several industrial threats, significantly boosting its response services for industrial clients. For more on how Kaspersky's data bolsters Jet CSIRT, see the full case study. Bet365's Cheltenham Sweepstake promises thrilling rewards with a 5,000 prize poolcomplete missions for entries and a chance to win big. Bet365 sets the stage for an unparalleled gaming experience with its Cheltenham Sweepstake as the Cheltenham Gold Cup approaches. This promotion, running from 10:00 GMT on March 1st until 15:30 GMT on March 15th, 2024, offers participants the opportunity to win a share of a generous 5,000 prize pool. The sweepstake is designed to engage and reward Bet365's poker enthusiasts, intertwining the thrill of poker with the excitement of one of horse racing's most prestigious events. How to Participate: Engaging in this thrilling sweepstake is straightforward. 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It's important to note that this offer is available to new and eligible customers who meet the promotion's criteria. Bet365's Cheltenham Sweepstake presents an exciting opportunity for poker players and horse racing enthusiasts. By blending the strategic gameplay of poker with the unpredictability and thrill of horse racing, Bet365 offers a unique promotional event that rewards players' skills, dedication, and passion for one of the UK's premier racing events. With significant prizes at stake and many missions to engage with, the Cheltenham Sweepstake is poised to be a highlight of this racing season. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey urged Kamala Harris to invoke Amendment 25 because Biden "has experienced a profound cognitive decline. listing examples of Biden's "mental struggles." He referenced a poll about voters' concerns about Biden's "mental and physical ability to continue as president" and Special Counsel Robert [ not Ben Hur from the book by New Mexico Governor, Lew Wallace, a Lincoln appointee] Hur's report on Biden's handling of classified documents, in which Hur noted "diminished faculties" as reason for not charging him. Biden, at 81, is the oldest-serving president. Harris, former California attorney general and U.S. Senator, said Hur's report was "gratuitous" and "politically motivated." She also said two days before Hur's report was released Thursday that "I am ready to serve ( for a few months! ). There's no question about that." End The Illegal Occupation of Palestine by alisdare1 Attribution-ShareAlike License (Image by alisdare1) Details DMCA Awful Feeling! 'Starving Palestinian Children Are Watching Me Eat Their Food '- Can't Take It Anymore Am feeling some slight pangs of hunger as I sit down to my dinner, and the thought automatically arises, 'how could a starving person take the immeasurably more severe hunger pain caused by the strong contractions of the stomach when it's empty,' and that makes me think of the poor desperately hungry children being starved in Gaza. Am still aware of the good taste of the food in my mouth but suddenly am not enjoying eating. I want to tell the children I feel are watching me eat, to go watch the sky for an American plane dropping meals to them, Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace & Democracy Press Statement Released on the 4th March, 2024 Peoples Forum urges for resumption of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan The Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) warmly welcomes the suggestion that New Delhi and Islamabad resume the dialogue on outstanding differences and potential fields of cooperation between them. PIPFPD welcomes the dialogue offer by the Pakistani government and strongly urge the Indian Govt to reciprocate. South Asia constitutes a full quarter of the worlds population but, arguably, is ranked among the lowest in indices for regional collaboration in trade, cross-border contacts, commerce, or people-to-people interaction. We believe it has resulted in the loss of a collective regional voice in the world for its two billion peoples. The absence of dialogue also means incarceration for arrested fishermen, enhanced misery for border people, losses in trade exchanges and cessation of sporting and cultural opportunities. The start of a dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad represents an opportunity for not only the two states but the rest of the region to regain its voice and assert saliency for South Asia in international forums. In the event that such a step is taken, the PIPFPD pledges its support and looks forward to backing that with concrete measures in people-to-people initiatives to further regional understanding, cooperation and solidarity. Issued by PIPFPD Secretariat +919868165471 pipfpd.india[at]gmail.com While Nutanix technology simplifies transitions from VMware, enterprise migrations always require careful planning and execution. Whatever your migration strategy, Nutanix offers a full range of services to address your needs. In this white paper, find services that can jumpstart your migration efforts and help improve your IT operations post-migration, with 5 key migration areas highlighted to help you streamline your organizations journey. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Mrs. Elliot's conducts a classroom experiment among her third graders. She's determined "to do something out of the ordinary to teach her dominant-caste students how it felt to be judged on the basis of an arbitrary physical trait," writes Isabel Wilkerson, in Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents . Mrs. Elliot, choosing eye color instead of skin color, assigns those with blue eyes to the dominant caste. In turn, the brown-eyed students are told they are now members of the lower caste. For the white students, this change in their social status is baffling. But Mrs. Elliot moves on. She informs the once dominant caste that they are now members of the lower caste. As one student acknowledged after the experiment, it seemed that "'when we were down on the bottom, everything bad was happening to us.'" Decades later, Mrs. Elliot informed NBC News that she watched as brown-eyed white children, "put on a pedestal," become "'vicious, ugly, nasty, discriminating, domineering people in the space of fifteen minutes.'" She could only imagine the change for those at the bottom of the caste hierarchy, forever changed, "'psychologically.'" Mrs. Elliot could only imagine how it must be for those in not just the lower caste, but also for those in the dominant caste. Individuals, groups, changed by something so arbitrary as eye color. Or skin color, for that matter. For Wilkerson, the subject of caste became an obsession because, she came to understand, caste is "the basis of every ism ." Prior to reading Wilkerson's study of the subject, I hadn't thought about caste in relationship to the racial status of Blacks in the US; instead, I thought I was studying or teaching a different subject, that is, racism . I had no idea that when I was discussing racism in the US, I was referring to caste-- as Wilkerson writes, an "unspoken caste structure." In turn, Wilkerson explains that while she studied the "unspoken caste structure" in the US, she hadn't "spent time on the original caste system of India." She came to understand that it wasn't just those subjected to the horrors of the lower caste; but, there were white Americans too, members of the dominant caste, dying from the absurd structuring of human life. There is, Wilkerson explains, a trend among middle-aged white people in which their mortality rates "fell between 1998 to 2013. The rise in the white death rate was at odds with prevailing trends in the rest of the Western world." These "'deaths of despair'" accounted for the "loss of some half a million white Americans." And it's not all about wages. There is "real wage" stagnation, for sure. However, in the UK and other Western countries, Wilkerson explains, there isn't something called "'deaths of despair.'" There is, in the US, something called whiteness , however. As Wilkerson writes, "in a psychic way, the people dying of despair could be said to be dying of the end of an illusion, an awakening to the holds in an article of faith that an inherited, unspoken superiority, a natural deservedness over subordinated castes, would assure their place in the hierarchy." I'm reminded of the disillusionment of Faulkner's character Quentin Compson in The Sound and the Fury. When the young Mississippian student attending Harvard realizes that he has inherited a big lie, evident in the presence of free Black people walking about the streets of Boston, he is determined to committed suicide. On June 2, 1910, Quentin prepares the day-long to drown in the Charles River. And, so, at just twenty years old, this member of the dominant caste couldn't live free of the caste system. He couldn't, in other words, live free of whiteness. So there's a memorial plaque in Boston on the Anderson Memorial Bridge that reads, "Drowned in the Fading of Honeysuckle." "' One might lose everything, but not whiteness.'" This quote Wilkerson cites from historian David Roediger could refer to individuals like Quentin. To many Americans today. If Quentin Compson had lived a few more years, he would have participated in the backlash as a result of Blacks free from the confines of the plantation. He would have been instrumental as were many from the dominant caste in establishing Jim Crow. Segregation. But then, by after the brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till, and despite the effort to lynch and burn out Black humanity unless tamed , Quentin would have been dismayed again by the comeback and resilience of Black Americans who refuse to die. As Wilkerson writes, "the civil rights legislation opened labor markets to women of all races, to immigrants from beyond Europe, and to African-Americans whose life-and-death protests helped unlock doors for all of these groups." A Quentin in the 1960s would have turned himself into a zombie. At times a frightened but nonetheless determined Black people, following the lead of Mamie Till, rose up to decry that enough was enough! As Wilkerson states, once again, the "comfortable" position of the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant became precarious. It's no wonder that those "in the dominant caste" found themselves lagging behind those seen as inherently inferior [and] potentially faced an epic existential crisis." And, in this situation, it's a "natural" response "from someone weaned on their caste's inherent superiority" to "perceive a threat to their existence, a heightened sense of unease, of displacement of fear for their very survival." The "great lie," writes Indian psychiatrist Dr. Sushrut Jadher, cited in Caste , is the core of the dominant caste's identity. At all cost, the caste hierarchy must survive! It's no wonder that today we in the US are experiencing the absurdity of book bans. For example, books pertaining to America's history of conquering Indigenous people and enslaving Africans and their descendants is subject to a ban from the classroom. Books written by or about the LGTBQ+ community is subject to a ban. Writes Wilkerson in Caste , instead of "encouraging a greater understanding of how "'disparities [between class and races] came to be a framework for compassion for fellow Americans, political discourse has visually reinforced prevailing stereotypes of a lazy, inferior group getting undeserved handouts, a scapegoating that makes the formal barriers the more unjust and resentments of white working class citizens all the more tragic." In the meantime, it's not unusual to find "wonderful" people, writes Wilkerson, in the US, who are still Americans, as Wilkerson reminds us, "fed the larger stereotypes of blacks that are deeply embedded in the culture of this society." Even if these "wonderful" Americans are sympathetic about the "bad things that have happened in the past." It's not crazy to suggest how the idea of genocide becomes a wished-for-solution to the problem of the lower caste in the US. This kind of thinking results in the extreme, the existence of enslavement, the legalization of segregation, and rape and lynching-- the appearance of a full deployment brown shirts, vigilantes and corrupt law enforcers, working at the behest of an authoritarian leader. For the big lie to continue surviving generations after generations, it requires not just the violence of mobs and hateful politicians, ideologues, but also the violence of silence from all Americans. * I've encountered well-meaning white Americans who always want to assure me, the "race activist," that there isn't a trace of racism in their bones. "'I'm not a racist!'" I hear this all the time, and it's said as if I had better not comeback with an "expert" or "academic" statement (ignore my lived experience of 70 years) contradicting their tried and true statement of fact! Period! So I just look at the individual and smile, but I recognize that this individual is chained to the caste system. While I might be stressed out and while many of us are dying from this arbitrary structuring of human life, I at least can read the tea leaves! In the end, I, like many Black Americans, assess the situation and decide if it's worth a "teaching moment." Or not! I had a similar situation with a non-profit organization here in Kenosha. The young woman called because, the week before, I left a message stating that I needed a ride to the vet for one of my cats. She called to ask, if I would be using a carrier for my indoor cat. Twenty-one pounds and, in addition to cancer, I have an Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) disease. I've had this medium-sized organization, with two transportation workers, take me to the vet many times in the last few years. And yet" I said, of course, he will be in a carrier. I actually have two carriers. I forgot I was in America. In Kenosha. I forgot that as an older woman and educated woman, my voice still gives away (and no problems with that) that a Black is on the line. And as a Black woman I tend to speak louder, particularly when someone addresses me with a silly question. The young white woman informed me that she will hang up! Why? Because I'm not allowed to be rude and yell at her! And she hangs up! I called and the older woman I've had a lot of trouble with over the years answers. Now, I doubt if she is as old as I am, but that's not what matters to her. She has always talked to me as if to a child. She let's me know that the younger woman didn't ask a silly question and that this situation isn't a matter of racism! But my rudeness! This woman, living here, in a city that is filled with white evangelical nationalists! Knows! What recourse do I have, PHD and all, in this town? Here, the civil rights benefits to white women in power is everywhere. * Lower-caste success makes a lie out of the myth that white supremacy is natural, if not a divine ordering of humanity. As Wilkerson writes, "achievement by those in the lowest caste goes against the script handed down to us all." The caste system dares lower-caste members to step "outside the roles expected of them," Wilkerson explains. Wilkerson refers to W. E. B. Du Bois as the scholar who recognized this phenomenon. The failures of former enslaved persons can be blamed on their inferiority. But what to do if a Black member of the lower caste succeeds? And worse, as Du Bois explains in Black Reconstruction in America, 1860-1880 , those enforcing the great lie had to content with the Black rank and file labor that, unlike the masses of white working class laborers, "had a notable leadership of intelligence during Reconstruction times." One example Wilkerson offers is that of Black officers in 1918, fighting as reinforcements during WW I for the French. The Black soldiers were treated by the French "according to their military rank rather than their rank in the American caste system." The American military command, angered by the recognition as equal of inferior beings, orders the French to cease and desist! The French, in turn, had to send out an announcement to their soldiers, many of whom, Wilkerson writes, admired the Black soldiers, asking them, basically, to cease and desist-- in being human to other human beings! Camaraderie between the French soldiers and Black American soldiers would be curtailed. "'This indulgence and this familiarity" are matters of grievous concern to the Americans. They consider them an affront to their national policy.'" Then there was the case of Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr., in 1946. Home from serving honorably in the war, he boards a Greyhound bus in Augusta, Georgia, headed for North Carolina. At some point, Woodard asks the driver if he could stop the bus. He need to relieve himself. When the driver objected, Woodard had to remind him that they both were human. The driver stops the bus. However, at the next stop, the driver calls the police. Woodard is removed from the bus, arrested, and beaten. He's beaten badly with a bully club and ends up blind. His sight is never restored, thanks to the delayed medical attention he received. As for the culprits? Those who blinded Woodard? They were members of the dominant caste! The uniform did it. In part. Then Woodard, it was revealed later, said yes when he should have said yes, sir to the police chief. Wilkerson continues: "It was largely black efforts to rise beyond their station that set off the backlash of lynching and massacres after Reconstruction following the Civil War." And the backlash: There is the "burning black homes and business to the ground, lynching and castrating black men, and driving the remaining black population out of town." This on election day in 1920! The "'single bloodiest election day in modern American history.'" Some 60 Blacks were killed by a white mob in Ocoee, Florida. Nazi Germany learned, too, to exclude Jews from "any position or circumstance in which they might outshine Aryans." The end of Jim Crow didn't dismantle the caste structure. A caste structure, writes Wilkerson, "shape-shifts and protects" those who benefit from it remaining the ordering of human beings. She continues: "A workaround emerges, provisions are made, and the hierarchy remains intact, even in the face of challenges from the highest authority in the land." " This is how a caste system," writes Wilkerson, "manages always to prevail." But where does it get any of us? Certainly not democracy! Not freedom! We all should know better by now! Filmmaker Michael Moore says Michigan's 'Uncommitted' campaign can save Biden from himself During Michigan's Democratic Primary on Tuesday night, more than 100-thousand voters sent a message to President Biden by ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: MSNBC) Details DMCA If you vote Democrat and you don't want Biden, then it is very important for you to vote in your state's primary, but don't vote for Biden. Send a message to the Democratic Party leadership and Joe Biden that you don't want him. You can leave the presidential ballot slot blank of vote for anyone else on the ballot but Biden. They did this in Michigan and people noticed, The media had to report it. If 20% of Democrats vote in the primary and only half of them vote for Biden, this will send a strong message to the media and the Democratic party that Biden has a huge problem . I've said it before. The Democratic leadership is massively betraying their constituents by bullying other potential candidates to stay away from the primary. This will prove to be incredibly destructive down-ticket. Biden brings no energy or enthusiasm to his candidacy and that wilil hurt efforts to hold the Senate and win the House. Even if Biden beats Trump, it is highly likely that the Democrats will lose the House and Senate because of their attempts to block a democratic presidential primary process. Gaza has been invaded by Israel many times since the indigenous people of Palestine were run off their ancestral land and herded there by a newly-formed state, the year I was a newly-formed human. I remember 2008, 2012 and 2014; that was the year I wrote the following, for a forum on U.S. policy in the Middle East under Professor Michael Schwartz (Stony Brook State University, author, "Levers of Power"). If I would change anything, it would be the word, "mitigate," toward the end. I think I meant "modify" or "render moot." I pick this nit to highlight the extraordinary amount of change (zero), except for the increase in bloody civilian deaths (logarithmic) after a full ten years since. There are links at the bottom that may provide a glimpse into the relationship between Israel and al-Shifa Hospital, since destroyed by Israel. Thank you (all) for holding an honest conversation, in which disagreement is permissible. Thank you for asking for my comment, and that's all it is, for I have no solutions. It boils down to this: I live in a peaceful, rural, beautiful part of the world, on a meager income from farm labor and other work, some seasonal, some sporadic. I'm 66, with no retirement plan and no nest egg. The minimally functional local economy would not function even at this level but for the war-and-extraction economy that is currently exterminating the Palestinian people and making Israel a monster. It keeps gas prices low here, and myriad other petroleum-derived benefits we don't even think about, like the synthetics in our cars, houses, clothes, fertilizers, foods and medicines. Let me try to articulate the connection. The background to all this, as I understand it, is that stateless political entities hope to get land and resources for their stateless constituencies, and a seat among the high stakes players in the "international community." The entrance requirements to that lofty fraternity are steep, because the members only wish to use the new aspirants as pawns in their own games, and steal their resources; anything but move over and make room at the top. Nevertheless the newcomers have little other choice if they and their people are to survive. So, they do what all the established nations did as startups, e.g., extortion, murder and hijacking, hoping to amass sufficient economic and political power to grab the bottom rung of civilization. Until they do, they are called "Terrorists," as were all the others, including the USA when it was a ragtag band of angry farmers (and incidentally, radical religionists in their times). Lest readers think I'm describing one or another of the antagonists, please notice I have not made any assignments above. My view is that this same drama plays out over and over and over. All our art and literature deals with it; all our military and political and religious traditions. I can't think of a culture that has not been immersed in this struggle, and the older ones have played every bloody, miserable role at one time or another. The various participants emerge in this churning arena at quite different stages of competence and circumstance, so when there is a "conflict" such as the one under discussion, it is actually rather unlikely in modern times that the antagonists will be closely matched unless they are both quite small in the scheme of things. What seems historically new is that we spend so much time on these horrendously bloody acts without completing them. Something like this would have taken about a week, a hundred years ago, the bodies disposed of, the victors victorious, meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The difference, besides sheer population density, is that a participant with the overwhelming economic and military might to ride on the surface of this maelstrom mediates these "conflicts" so as to keep the rest busy while extracting their resources. A pretty kettle of fish indeed. Against this context, to argue about who broke a ceasefire first, or whose hidden agenda precludes any serious peacemaking efforts, seems quite futile to me. Peace is not in the program in Washington, which is both playing and being played by Israel, but is the keystone that keeps the carnage rolling. To have peace in Gaza, short of the peace of the graveyard of course, we have to deal with the non-democratic, transnational corporate system that drives the economy of continual warfare and resource extraction, without which the present American way of life (which now extends globally) will collapse. In fact it has collapsed quite substantially already for "the 99%". As long is the system functions as it does now, peace and prosperity for a very large and growing portion of humanity is out of the question. And if it is not moderated somehow, it will grind on until life for everyone becomes untenable. It doesn't help to see it as an evil plot. It may be more useful to declare it a form of addictive disease that we didn't count on when we took that first free hit of petroleum. There were earlier versions of this, sugar, rum and slaves come to mind, but now scale is a major factor. Now we can't live without it, and we can't live with it: population and resources are on unsustainable trajectories, and whole generations of terribly abused individuals are coming of age in a world of awful weaponry. I, a 1966 highschool dropout, presume to enter into this conversation among true experts because my taxes are the reason Israel's government can do all that shooting and shelling and bombing in a densely populated area they already control utterly. They even control the water supply, the amount of food in Gaza, even the paychecks for public service jobs. The Israeli government gets a great deal more Federal money from Washington than my little State of Vermont does. Israel, with more policy clout in Washington than our own representatives, might as well be our fifty-first State, except that would be a demotion. This is all simple arithmetic. From where I sit it appears that a gang of ruthless thugs is bludgeoning the hapless population of a vast concentration camp to death, to take over their land and resources. I don't buy any of the rhetoric that attempts to explain why this is the action of a civilized people; it's pretty much what civilized people do all the time. I'd say the same if Vermont was attacking Frackville, PA, with hellfire missiles. (There really is a place called Frackville, PA. The people there have exceptional hair and fingernails, and subsist entirely on pizza and beer, to judge by the predominant businesses on Main Street.) If I accept the popular notion that the USA is a representative democracy, then Gazan children and women and men who aren't dying of starvation and disease are being shot, burned and blown to bits in my name, with my backing and protection. Of course nobody consulted me about it, and I have been ignored on the subject by the policy makers. So have my Senator and my Congressperson, who agree with me. But the behaviors of all the antagonists conform to the same old synopsis outlined above, and their rank, so to speak, in the global power hierarchy must mitigate some of the arguments about original culpability, as Washington pulls the purse strings and wields the big sticks. And as mentioned, I pay. In essence, the USA is doing Gaza for reasons having nothing to do with Palestinians or Jews or terrorism or democracy, and the Israeli government is a pawn in a larger game. Later on, Israel may find these favors being called in, as Washington's tender attentions in Africa over the last three or four decades come to their bloody fruition. Norwegian doctors Mads Gilbert and Erik Fosse were at al-Shifa Hospital during Israel's deadly assault on Gaza in December 2008-January 2009. For a time, they were not just the only western doctors in Gaza, but among the handful of western witnesses to what they repeatedly call Israel's massacre of some 1,400 Palestinian men, women and children. Dr. Gilbert's testimonies were broadcast worldwide on ABC, BBC, CBS, CNN and more. Dr. Gilbert was one of two foreign doctors allowed into Gaza during "Operation Cast Lead." BBC, 14 November 2014: "Israel bans Norwegian doctor Mads Gilbert from Gaza" Dr. Mads Gilbert interview, February 2024: Earlier links (still active) first sent to me in 2012: CBS News and a lecture Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator .youtube.com/watch?v=d2wtzzziJP0 YouTube video Israelis are in the streets protesting against their government. Their grievances are many, and the protesters might be standing shoulder to shoulder with a fellow Israeli citizen, but have very different reasons for coming out on cold February nights. Mounted Israeli security services have used water cannons, and batons against protesters, and many have been arrested for something that in a democratic country should be tolerated, and admired as a basic right. On Saturday night in Tel Aviv, the police arrested 21 persons protesting. The biggest group of protesters are angry that the Netanyahu government has not done more to secure the release of the hostages who are held captive in Gaza. With the number of hostages killed by Israeli bombing in Gaza growing, the families and supporters of the hostages want an immediate release of the hostages, and they know that requires negotiations with Hamas. But, Netanyahu has rejected the hostage release deal presented by the US through Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Their slogan is "Choose the lives of our loved ones". Many of the protesters have focused their wrath of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who they view as a convicted corrupt politician, who is prolonging the war in order to save himself from jail. This group are pro-democracy and the protests, in which 719 were arrested, prior to the October 7 attack are fresh in their mind. From January to October 2023, large-scale protests took place across Israel in response to the government's push for a wide-ranging judicial reform which would strip democracy from Israel through the subversion of the Supreme Court. This pro-democracy group are calling for the immediate resignation of Netanyahu. Their slogan is "You are in charge; you are guilty". The last group of the protesters are the 'peaceniks', who want an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. This group of protesters is the smallest, and are mainly leftist, educated, open-minded people who care about the international standing of Israel and value human rights for all. They want to live in peace alongside their Arab neighbors, and they want to enjoy the respect of the international community, and shed the current image of Israel as a pariah state. These people should find common ground with the US; however, the US government has supported the Israeli occupation. Their slogan is "It's time to wake up". Even though there are deep divisions and discontent within Israel, Netanyahu seems to not be concerned about addressing the grievances of the Israeli citizens. He pushes on with his war, fueled by his extremist partners, such as Ben Givir and Smotrich, who hold him on a short leash, reminding him constantly that if he should make deals with Hamas, or even allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, they will pull out of the government, and Netanyahu will be on his way to jail. Across the US and UK there were mass protests beginning in the early days of Israel's response to the October 7 attack by Hamas. This overwhelming international response in support of the Palestinians in Gaza encouraged South Africa to appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide. The mass global pressure has not phased most Israelis. A recent survey conducted by Tel Aviv University showed that more than half of the Jewish Israelis surveyed thought Israel was using the right amount of force in Gaza, with another 43% that said it had not used enough. In another recent survey by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), a majority of Jewish Israelis opposed a political agreement to end the war, and two-thirds opposed humanitarian aid to Gaza. In the same survey, only 39% of all Israelis, think there is a high or very high likelihood of "absolute victory", as the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has promised. After about five months of war, Israelis see that Hamas has not been destroyed and is still fighting, and this adds to their distrust and lack of confidence in their government. Instead of rallying around the flag during a war, the Israelis are out in the streets in the thousands asking for the end of Netanyahu and his radical partners. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Tom Cotton holding a kitten. (Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: CPT T.B. Cotton, US Army) Details Source DMCA On February 25, Aaron Bushnell live-streamed the following statement: "I am an active duty member of the United States Air Force. And I will no longer be complicit to genocide. I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest. But compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers -- it's not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal." Then, dressed in an Air Force uniform, he doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself on fire, repeatedly screaming "Free Palestine!" as the flames consumed him. He died a short time later at a local hospital. Now US Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) wants the US Department of Defense to explain "how this individual was allowed to serve on active duty" and whether he was "ever identified as exhibiting extremist leanings." In his letter, Cotton probably libels Bushnell, claiming that his suicidal act was "in support of a terrorist group." To Cotton's mind, the Israeli regime's murders of civilians in Gaza -- the current toll stands at 30,000 or more -- are morally justifiable and worthy of his support, while killing one's self in protest against genocide is "extremist" and supportive of "terrorism." Color me unsurprised. Cotton's incapable of opening his mouth without revealing the sewer of narcissism and sociopathy that passes for his mind. This is the guy who believes America has an "under-incarceration" problem, who advocated sending in federal troops to suppress American protests against murders committed by police officers, and who's never met a war he didn't like. Oddly, the answer to Cotton's first question is yes: Aaron Bushnell grew up in an "extremist" religious organization, the Community of Jesus. If its timeline on X is any indication, the Community of Jesus is strongly "pro-Israel," including support for the Gaza holocaust. Bushnell even went on a church-sponsored trip to Israel as a teenager. As an adult, he left the group and joined another "extremist" organization, the US Air Force ... after which he apparently became a "left-anarchist," arguably a less "extreme" affiliation than either of the others. Bushnell spent most of his life as a Tom Cotton type extremist (which explains why he was "allowed to serve on active duty"), before somehow acquiring the kind of moral compass Cotton either never possessed or discarded long ago. America would have been better off losing Tom Cotton than Aaron Bushnell. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Living on the Wrong World A Planetary Cease Fire Is Desperately Needed By Tom Engelhardt On this planet of ours, it almost doesn't matter who's right and who's wrong when it comes to our wars. Actually, let me correct that thought slightly: it certainly does matter, but what matters so much more is that we humans simply can't stop fighting them. That is (or at least should be) a stunning and deeply saddening reality. What obvious lessons we seem congenitally incapable of learning! In the previous century, after all, there were two truly global wars, World War I and World War II, that were estimated to have left significantly more than 100 million military personnel and civilians dead, while decimating parts of the planet. The second of those conflicts ended with the obliteration of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, 1945, with the loss of possibly 200,000 dead, and the arrival in our world of a shattering new weapon, the atomic bomb. After so many centuries of endless warfare, it finally brought humanity to the edge of future annihilation. And since those fateful August days so long ago, ever more nations -- with the addition of North Korea early in this century, the number has risen to nine -- have acquired nuclear weapons, while the nations that had them only continue to "improve" and expand their arsenals. My own country, in fact, is planning to spend something like $1.5 trillion (yes, trillion!) "modernizing" its already vast arsenal of nukes deliverable from the land, the sea, or the air, and undoubtedly, in the years to come, from space. Russia is doing the same and the Chinese are hustling to "catch up" in their ability to take down this planet in a big-time fashion. It is -- or at least should be -- incredible to think that today, 78 years after the first test atomic bomb was exploded in New Mexico, even a relatively modest nuclear war between two countries like India and Pakistan (as opposed to powers like the United States and Russia with monster nuclear arsenals) could induce a global nuclear winter that would be likely to starve to death most of humanity. Worse yet, at this point, that's undoubtedly not even the worst nuclear scenario imaginable. The Most Remarkable Accomplishment Not so very many years ago, in the period after the Cold War officially ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, I would have found it strange to be writing a piece about nuclear weapons. I mean, yes, they were still obviously around in Russia, and in the U.S. But after the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, those two powers had at least started signing nuclear pacts, including the START agreement in 1991 to reduce the American and Soviet nuclear arsenals significantly. And that seemed so hopeful then. Given who we are, I've always found it somewhat miraculous that, since those atomic bombs were dropped on two Japanese cities, even as nuclear weapons spread and grew ever more powerful, another never was used (unless you count the above-ground nuclear tests of the 1950s that did indeed harm small numbers of human beings). Now, however, the great powers on the planet are once again in a global nuclear arms race; key arms treaties have been left in the dust of history; rumors are rife about such weaponry spreading into space; and two nuclear powers -- Russia and Israel -- are at war at this very moment (even if not with each other). The Russian leadership has indeed threatened to use what are now called "tactical" nuclear weapons in its conflict with Ukraine, though most of them are significantly more powerful than the bombs that took out Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Only recently, in fact, Russian President Vladimir Putin similarly threatened to use nuclear weaponry against European countries and the possible "destruction of civilization." And yes, a mildly antinuclear movie, a biopic of Robert Oppenheimer, the man who first developed such weaponry, did come out in this country and was a massive hit (right up there with a nuclear movie of another sort, Barbie). In a sense, someday, if there are any of us left to look back on this past we're now living through, the greatest "achievement" of humanity might be viewed as our ever more stunning ability to nuke ourselves and everything else in sight, the works, the whole shebang. Honestly, that might be the most remarkable accomplishment of our species, if, of course, we don't use them again. Oh, wait, I almost forgot! In our strange brilliance, we humans came up with not one but two ways to utterly devastate humanity and the planet we live on. While the first, atomic weaponry, remains an ongoing threat of instantaneous destruction and horror, the second, a slow-motion version of ultimate destruction, the literal broiling of this planet over decades rather than minutes or hours, was launched almost two centuries ago. It was then that we humans began burning fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and later natural gas -- to power our industrialization and then our world. Today, the heating of this planet continues to accelerate day by day, month by month, year by year, decade by decade. Heat records of a surprising sort are now regularly being set locally and globally, while storms are becoming more devastating, droughts ever more "mega," and forest fires fiercer, longer-lived, and more destructive. And remind me, what have we learned from such a world? Well, the United States certainly learned that it needed a military beyond compare and began pouring what would, in the end, be untold trillions of dollars into it. (As of 2023, our yearly "defense" spending would add up to more than that of the next 10 countries combined.) Between the end of World War II and this moment, my country would also fight wars in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq (twice), and on a smaller (or do I mean larger?) scale its so-called war on terror stretching from Pakistan across South Asia to the Middle East (where only lately the Biden administration has been launching multiple air strikes in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen), and deep into Africa. Today, in the wake of all that and having assumedly learned something from more than a century of war-making, death, and destruction (and since the end of World War II, not a significant victory anywhere on the planet), my country has -- yep, you guessed it! -- been upping its "defense" budget in a big-time fashion, heading for the trillion-dollar mark annually. It all makes perfect sense, right? Meanwhile, having discovered that nukes were capable of obliterating life as we knew it on Planet Earth, we also came to realize that, by mining for, drilling for, producing, and then burning fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and natural gas -- in a distinctly unprecedented fashion, we were, in fact, engaging in a war not on, but of terror against this planet and every living thing, us included. The casualties from climate change (and it is indeed changing this planet in an all too disastrous fashion) are growing more numerous, as are the refugees from places that are already becoming too uncomfortably hot to handle. And yet, with that now common knowledge and the last 10 months -- month by sweltering month -- of record heat globally, the hottest months, one after another, in human history, a leading candidate for president of the United States is running on a platform of, as he puts it, "drill, drill, drill," ensuring that, should he win, the country that's already the largest producer of oil and natural gas on Planet Earth will be leading us all ever more directly into hell in a proverbial handbasket. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). WAR TRAUMA & FORGETTING Our memories are often suppressed by trauma, a word derived from "Traumatiko", a wound or mental shock. Examples of traumatic events are people being compelled to leave their homes due to war, disease, drought, famine or similar events. Recent sociological studies on the after-effects of war reveal feelings of apathy, resignation and hopelessness brought on by being forced to leave one's ancestral territory. Kelly Borhaug, author of " Moral Injury and War Culture ", quotes Hannah Arendt's famous phrase on "the banality of evil" in reference to the Holocaust. The "evil" referred to was a "failure to think" [through the consequences of their actions]. Evil has many guises, as Borhaug notes, and is "most pernicious and dangerous when it is routinized and normalized". Bombing civilians makes the victims "hopeless and willing to leave", which facilitates dispossession and depopulation. According to the Israeli historian Illan Pappe, an Israeli historian recently wrote in his book: " Ethnic Cleansing ", the aggressor nation masks their intent by dehumanizing the displaced in order to excuse themselves from the consequences of their actions. He also noted that the term "Zionism" is often confused with Judaism, but they are not the same. Zionism, including Christian Zionism, is an ideology, whereas Judaism is a religion. In Aristotle's Politics, "wealth is the guiding principle of oligarchy" and "freedom the guiding principle of democracy". But when "freedom" is only freedom for those who are within the tribe it becomes "ethnocracy", which concerns a nation favoring only one group, which is particularly true in Israel. When one ethnic group is favored then empathy for others is in short supply. According to the 17th-century Scottish philosopher, John Hume, the highest sensibility that humans should strive for is empathy, Genuine empathy is not just a convenient word, it represents an identification with the suffering of others. When civilian populations are slaughtered in Gaza by incessant bombing, the devastating results are experienced by thousands of women and children, some now buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Such circumstances are so painful to contemplate that euphemisms are adopted to find blame with the victims. A former Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir, once said "we can never forgive the Arabs for forcing us to kill their children"; this tribal attitude asserts that only those who are within the group deserve to be protected, whereas those who are outside the group must be treated harshly. Such tribal attitudes toward the Palestinians in Gaza has resulted in mass death in gruesome circumstances with the end result being starvation and disease. The enormity of the suffering numbs the mind, and the complicity of U.S. politicians betrays the reality that our leaders have become emotionally disconnected and unable to fully comprehend the devastating effects of suffering taking place on a daily basis. In her book on trauma, Borhaug quoted the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who spoke to veterans: "We know that war is not only in us, it is in everyone, veterans and non-veterans alike. We must share our insights [from the tragedies of war], not out of anger but out of love." Buddhists understand that suffering has causal factors that inevitably result in consequences to the victims, but also to those who cause suffering, since they too will inevitably suffer the results of their actions. We try to obliterate the memory of war victims but "we do so by dehumanizing the victims, which, in turn, dehumanizes the military forces which are the causes of pain and suffering" (Borhaug). Yet it is the policy makers, enabled by political leaders, who contribute to wrongful conflict and war, although everyone, to some degree, may be complicit. In order to atone for war's atrocities we need to face into the causes and deal with the results, which cannot be effaced or blotted out. There are those who adopt a form of amnesia as a way of disconnecting from a sense of responsibility, and who insist that they are merely carrying out orders. But what if the persons in command are unable to fully comprehend the harm caused by their decisions, and are themselves suffering from cognitive or emotional dissociation? A journalist at VOX Media recently wrote an article titled: "How Israel's War against Hamas has gone horribly wrong", stating that: "The truth is that this nightmare was depressingly predictable. When a dozen experts were surveyed about the war they warned that Israel had a dangerously loose understanding of what the war was about. [and its] conduct in the war so far has vindicated these fears. [having] dragged Israel down to a moral nadir" to an "an era-defining catastrophe". Israel, at one time, represented qualities admired by small nations, but it has descended into a moral quagmire that is taking place at a time in history when the world has become a "Global Village" and where communication takes place almost instantaneously around the world. The present war in Gaza is a slow-motion tragedy being viewed throughout the world community via video imagery. What is taking place is a calamity with enormous ramifications, Israel's pretense to being an exceptional nation is shown to be questionable, while Europe and America's pretense to upholding humanistic and humane values is shown as having very little value in these circumstances. The only saving grace to the catastrophe taking place in Gaza are the dozens of peace groups within Israel and Palestine who continue to work toward a ceasefire and a permanent peace. Other groups, such as: "Jewish Voices for Peace" (JVP), with its tens of thousands of members demonstrating daily in peace marches and rallies in cities of America and Canada, hoping that the moral sensibilities in the heart and soul of Israel can be re-awakened. Hugh Curran lives in Surry and teaches in Peace & Reconciliation Studies at the University of Maine In the final weeks of the campaign that will determine control of the LAUSD School Board, two Board districts have been rocked by revelations that threaten to upend the races. Graciela Ortiz, the candidate supported by the Charter School Industry in BD5, was served with a lawsuit alleging that she did not take the steps necessary to protect a minor from a violent sexual assault. This was on top of allegations of improper campaign contributions mirroring those that led to the felony conviction of former LAUSD Board Member Ref Rodriguez. In BD1, Kahllid Al-Alim's campaign was derailed by the spotlighting of a Tweet supporting a book that is "widely criticized for being antisemitic." In both cases, it is surprising that the candidates pursued a run for office knowing their closets were fully stocked with skeletons. LAUSD elections are big money affairs and even in a race like the one in BD7, where the challenger has only raised $3,484.00, the Charter School Industry has spent over $1 million to support the incumbent. Ortiz and Al-Alim should have known their secrets would not be safe in this type of environment. Kevin de Leon, John Lee, and Wendy Carrillo (From their respective websites) (Image by Kevin de Leon, John Lee, and Wendy Carrillo) Details DMCA The situation is even worse in the races for City Council seats where numerous candidates filed to have their names appear on the March 5th ballot after getting caught in the act, the most notorious being Kevin de Leon. The CD14 incumbent's political career should have been dead in the water when he was caught on tape plotting to dilute the vote of black Angelinos through a corrupt redistricting process in a "conversation rife with disparaging and racist language." Ignoring calls by President Biden and the example of Nury Martinez, de Leon refused to resign. Instead, he is running for reelection. Either he will be removed from office with a final, humiliating loss or his constituents will embarrass themselves by ignoring his transgressions and returning him to City Hall. One of de Leon's seven challengers is California State Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo. In November of last year, she risked the lives of her constituents by driving with a blood alcohol level that was "over two times the legal limit" while driving home from a fundraising event. She was arrested after crashing into two parked cars. While she "issued a statement of apology, saying she would seek the necessary help and support," the incident did not stop her from continuing her campaign. She pleaded "no contest" to the charges instead of taking responsibility for her actions. The voters will decide on March 5th if further accountability is warranted. In the Valley, City Councilman John Lee decided to seek reelection despite being implicated in the corruption scandal that sent his former boss, Mitch Englander, to jail. While Lee admits that he "was in Las Vegas with Councilmember Englander in June 2017," he refused to acknowledge that he is "City Staffer B" as mentioned in both the charging documents and the disgraced City Councilmember's guilty plea. "Businessperson A" fronted the costs for this debaucherous trip, which included a $2,481 dinner, $34k in bottle service at a nightclub, and $300 to $400 for the "services" of two escorts. Lee says that he "did everything in [his] power to pay for and reimburse expenses related to [the] trip," but the records show that he only paid $442, thousands of dollars less than the actual costs. This payment caught the attention of authorities as it was postdated, allegedly to make it appear that it was sent before Englander was called in for an interview with the FBI. Lee is currently suing to stop the City Ethics Commission from investigating charges that he aided and abetted the misuse of a city position, accepted excess gifts, failed to disclose gifts, and misused his city position. While the process plays out, the voters can be the first to extract accountability by evicting "City Staffer B" from City Hall. His opponent on the ballot is Serena Oberstein, the former president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission. In an attempt to obscure Lee's apparent ethical lapses, his supporters are bombarding his constituents with over $1 million worth of telephone calls and junk mail. Oberstein has earned $157,355.94 worth of public matching funds, proving her grassroots support is based locally. While Lee has "Accepted" matching funds, he has yet to earn any. Instead, he is relying on corporations like Delta Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines that are pouring money into independent expenditures even though they have no operations in his district. After being rejected by the voters, former City Councilman Paul Koretz yielded his time to Angelenos with a big "F@ck You." It is time for the public to return the favor and take back a City Council chamber rocked by corruption, bigotry, and scandal. Vote accordingly by March 5th. Carl Petersen is a parent advocate for public education, particularly for students with special education needs, who serves as the Education Chair for the Northridge East Neighborhood Council. As a Green Party candidate in LAUSD's District 2 School Board race, he was endorsed by Network for Public Education (NPE) Action. Dr. Diane Ravitch has called him "a valiant fighter for public schools in Los Angeles." For links to his blogs, please visit www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com. Opinions are his own. Dino Impagliazzo, also known as 'the chef of the poor', died yesterday 25 July in Rome, Italy. He fed over 300 people every day in Rome's most famous railway stations together with the volunteers who had been following him for years. A personality in the Catholic and social world, he was a historic member of Chiara Lubich's Focolare Movement and the Community of Sant'Egidio. He was born on the island London, Singapore, February 19 - The Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CFTE) is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Tokyo Tatemono for an insightful collaboration at the Japan Fintech Festival 2024. This year's Japan Fintech Festival is enhanced with two pivotal sessions, co-hosted by CFTE and Tatemono and supported by Mizuho. These sessions are meticulously designed to advance Tokyo's financial ecosystem through innovation and skill development. The Visionary Session By Bob Marley 1 All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter War, terrorism and human rights Acts of war or terrorism challenge the human rights framework almost to the point where it seems to collapse. It is hard to see any place for human rights when human life is deliberately targeted, or where it is seen as "collateral damage" in the course of mass bombing campaigns, which either directly or indirectly lead to sickness, disease, suffering, destruction of homes, and death. In times of war, particularly wars which last for years on end, every human right appears to be affected adversely. Health systems break down, education suffers, and home, work, supplies of food and water, the legal system, freedom of the press and free speech, and accountability for abuses by the state or by the "enemy" state all see restrictions, if they do not disappear completely. However poor protections were in peacetime, the rights of children, women, minority groups and refugees will almost certainly be poorer still in times of war. The protection offered by the human rights conventions does not cease in case of armed conflict2. International Court of Justice War and terrorism are indeed a breakdown of humanity, acts which seem to undermine and sideline the values at the heart of human rights and the legal system which protects them. However, even in the midst of such a breakdown, human rights continue to operate, albeit in a weakened state, and although they cannot fix all evils, they can provide some minimal protection and some hope for justice. Wars and national emergencies allow for states to "derogate" from or temporarily put aside some of their human rights commitments. However, certain human rights, such as the right to life or the right to be free from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment can never be put aside. These are regarded as so important and so fundamental that they should be observed even when a state's security is at risk. A judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in 20113 (Al-Skeini and Others v. the UK) found that the United Kingdom had been in violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, providing for the right to life, in its treatment of a number of civilians while carrying out security operations in Basra, Iraq. The case was the first of its kind in finding that the European Convention applied in times of war, in foreign territories, and over the whole region for which a signatory to the Convention had effective control. Other cases have found that the treatment given to prisoners in detention camps amounted to torture. When is a war a war? In many ways war and terrorism are very similar. Both involve acts of extreme violence, both are motivated by political, ideological or strategic ends, and both are inflicted by one group of individuals against another. The consequences of each are terrible for members of the population whether intended or not. War tends to be more widespread and the destruction is likely to be more devastating because a war is often waged by states with armies and huge arsenals of weapons at their disposal. Terrorist groups rarely have the professional or financial resources possessed by states. Apart from the methods used and the extent of the violence, however, war and terrorism are also seen differently by international law. The differences are not always clear-cut and even experts may disagree about whether a violent campaign counts as terrorism, civil war, insurgency, self-defence, legitimate self-determination, or something else. Question: In the 20th century, Chechens, Abkhaz, Kurds, Palestinians and Irish Nationalists have all seen themselves as fighting a war against a colonising nation. Nation states have always regarded the actions of such groups as terrorism. How can we decide which is the right term? Problems in defining war Wars are sometimes defined by the fact that they take place between nation states: but where does that leave civil war, or the so-called "War on Terrorism"? Sometimes a formal declaration of war is taken as defining an act of war, but that excludes low-level bombing campaigns which take place over a number of years, such as the United States' attacks on the borders of Pakistan or in the no-fly zones declared over Iraq in the 1990s. You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake. Jeanette Rankin4 Should a definition of war include economic or trade wars, both of which may be enormously destructive in terms of human life? Are sanctions a form of war? UNICEF estimated that the sanctions on Iraq in the 1990s led to the deaths of over half a million children (and many adults). Question: Carl Von Clausewitz, a Prussian military general, defined war as follows: "War is thus an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will." Do you agree with this as a definition? What is terrorism? Terrorism is intimidation with a purpose: the terror is meant to cause others to do things they would not otherwise do. Igor Primoratz Terrorism is another of those terms that everyone seems ready to use, but no-one can agree on an exact definition. Even the experts continue to argue about the way the term should be applied, and there are said to be over a hundred different definitions of terrorism, not one of which is universally accepted. This lack of agreement has very practical consequences: to take just one example, the UN has been unable to adopt a convention against terrorism, despite trying for over 60 years to do so, because its member states cannot agree on how to define the term. The UN General Assembly tends to use the following in its pronouncements on terrorism: "Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them."5 Ancient Terrorists The three most famous "terrorist" groups existing before the 18th century were religiously inspired, (and all had names which passed into the English language as words associated with their acts: fanatics are known as zealots, assassins are murderers, and thugs are violent or brutish individuals). The Sicarii, otherwise known as the Zealots, were a Jewish movement in the 1st century who tried to expel the Romans from Palestine. They used ruthless methods, including mingling in crowds at public gatherings and stabbing their victim before disappearing back into the crowd. The Assassins were a medieval Shia Muslim sect who aimed to purify Islam, and targeted prominent religious leaders, using similar methods to the Sicarii in order to gain publicity. The Thugi (Thuggee) were an Indian group sometimes classified as a cult or sect, which operated over the course of about 600 years, brutally murdering travellers by strangulation, and according to very specific rules. They are the longest lasting such group, and were eliminated in the 19th century largely as a result of recruiting informants from within the group. Question: Should the threat to use a nuclear bomb be classed as terrorism? Terrorism: a classification Some of the following criteria have been seen as important in deciding whether an act is one of "terrorism". Be aware that the experts do not all agree! The act is politically inspired An act of terrorism normally has an end goal which is "bigger", and more strategic than the immediate effect of the act. For example, a bomb attack on civilians is meant to change public opinion in order to put pressure on the government. The act must involve violence or the threat of violence. Some think that the mere threat of violence, if genuinely believed, may also be an act of terrorism, because it causes fear among those at whom it is directed, and can be used for political ends. Act of Terrorism = Peacetime Equivalent of War Crime A.P. Schmid, in a 1991 report to the UN Crime Branch An act of terrorism is designed to have a strong psychological impact. Terrorist acts are often said to be arbitrary or random in nature, but in fact groups tend to select targets carefully in order to provoke the maximum reaction, and also, where possible, to strike at symbols of the regime. Terrorism is the act of sub-state groups, not states. This is probably the most widely disputed among different observers and experts. Nation states tend to use this as the essence of a terrorist act, but if we limit terrorist acts to sub-state groups, then we have already decided that a violent act carried out by a state cannot be terrorism, however terrible it may be! Terrorism involves deliberately targeting civilians. This criterion is also disputed by many experts, since it rules out the possibility of attacks against military personnel or other state officials such as politicians or the police being classified as terrorist attacks. Question: Can you define terrorism? How would you distinguish acts of terrorism from other forms of violence? Can states commit terrorism? I am convinced that the best the only strategy to isolate and defeat terrorism is by respecting human rights, fostering social justice, enhancing democracy and upholding the primacy of the rule of law. Sergio Vieira de Mello The word terrorism was first used to describe the "Regime de la Terreur" (the Reign of Terror) in France in the last decade of the 18th century, and in particular, the period from 1793-1794 under Maximilien Robespierre. These years were characterised by the use of violent methods of repression, including mass executions authorised by the Revolutionary Tribunal, a court set up to try political offenders. Towards the end of this era in particular, people were often sentenced only on the basis of suspicion and without any pretence at a fair trial. All of the above led to a general atmosphere of fear: a state in which people could no longer feel secure from the threat of arbitrary violence. From such beginnings, the concept of terrorism entered the vocabulary. During the 19th century, the term terrorism came to be associated more with groups working within a state to overthrow it, and less with systems of state terror. Revolutionary groups throughout Europe often resorted to violence in order to overthrow rulers or state structures that they saw as repressive or unjust. The most favoured technique was generally assassination and among the "successes" were the assassination of a Russian tsar, a French president, an Austro-Hungarian empress and an Italian king. The 20th century, the most terrible in terms both of numbers of victims and perhaps in terms of the cruelty and inhumanity of methods, saw both governments and sub-state groups turning to violence in pursuit of their goals. The actors and initiators in this series of horrible dramas have included state officials, as well as sub-state groups. However, by the end of the century, it was almost exclusively the latter that were termed terrorist groups. The sub-state groups are often armed, funded and even trained by other states: does that make the states which prepare and support these groups terrorist states? Question: Do you think state actions should be termed "terrorist" actions if they cause terror in the population? The use of force in international law In war, truth is the first casualty. Aeschylus International law covers a number of different cases involving the use of force by states. Sometimes as in the quote at the start of the chapter the law applies to cases when one state uses or threatens force against another state. Such cases are normally classed as wars, and are regulated by the UN Charter and the Security Council. Sometimes the law applies to the way force is used in the course of war whether legal or illegal. This is generally the area of international humanitarian law. Even while a war is taking place, however, human rights law continues to function, although for certain rights, restrictions by the state may be more permissible than they would be in peace time. War in international law UN Charter, Kellogg-Briand Treaty The High Contracting Parties solemnly declare in the names of their respective peoples that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies, and renounce it, as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another. From the Kellogg-Briand Pact (also known as the General Treaty for the Renunciation of War, or the Pact of Paris) As the most grandiose act in a series of peacekeeping efforts after the First World War , the Kellogg-Briand Pact was signed by 15 states in 1928, and later on by 47 others. Although the Treaty did not prevent later military actions between signatories, nor the eruption of the Second World War, it was important because it established a basis for the idea of "crimes against peace" and thus played a central role at the Nuremberg Trials. According to the Nuremberg (or Nurnberg) Principles6, crimes against peace include the "planning, preparation, initiation, or waging of wars of aggression, or a war in violation of international treaties". The solemn renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy necessarily involves the proposition that such a war is illegal in international law; and that those who plan and wage such a war [...] are committing a crime in so doing. From the Nuremberg Judgment After the Nuremberg Trials, the Charter of the United Nations became the key international treaty regulating member states' use of force against each other. The Charter does not forbid war completely: it allows, in certain tightly defined circumstances, states to engage in war where this is necessary for them to defend themselves. Even such wars of self-defence, however, must be approved by the UN Security Council, except in rare cases where immediate action is necessary and there is insufficient time for the Security Council to meet. Responsibility to protect (R2P) In recent years, some countries have pushed for the idea that where people are suffering grave abuses at the hands of a state for example, genocide is threatened the UN should have the power, and the obligation, to step in to protect the people. This has included the possibility of military action against the state responsible. The genocide in Rwanda, where the international community failed to intervene, sparked the debate. The war in Kosovo was seen as one of the first examples of "humanitarian intervention" by military means and in 2011, NATO's military intervention in Libya was based on a similar principle. Genocide is an act "committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group". Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)7 The idea of R2P is not uncontroversial. Genocide and the other acts included are serious and terrible acts. However, critics have argued that R2P may be used as a pretext and some military interventions have not really been based on the likelihood of "mass atrocity crimes" but have been more political in nature. Many mass atrocity crimes do not appear to evoke R2P, and some of those where intervention has taken place have seemed less serious in terms of the dangers people face. Even the Responsibility to Protect involves the idea that intervening states should explore all other possible means before undertaking military action. It is not always clear that these avenues have been explored. Finally, people have questioned whether war, which is itself a terrible and destructive act, is an appropriate means of putting an end to suffering. Can the bombing of a country, with all that it entails, be the best way to promote peace and resolve what is often a much more deep-seated conflict between two sides? Question: Can war be the "best of two evils"? The laws of war Even in times of war, there are certain laws which impose limits on the actions of the warring parties, for example, concerning the treatment of prisoners of war, targeting civilian populations and medical care for the wounded. The "laws of warfare" are mostly governed by international humanitarian law, otherwise known as the Geneva Conventions. The first Geneva Convention The first of the Geneva Conventions was signed in 1864. It was created after Henry Dunant, a citizen of Geneva, witnessed a ferocious battle at Solferino in Italy in 1859. He was appalled by the lack of help for the wounded, who were left to die on the battlefield, and proposed an international treaty which would recognise a neutral agency to provide humanitarian aid in times of war. His proposals led to what later became the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and also to the first Geneva Convention. The Convention made provisions for the humane and dignified treatment of those no longer engaged in the battle, regardless of whose side they were on. The Geneva Conventions continued to be developed up to 1949, when the fourth Geneva Convention was adopted and the previous three were revised and expanded. Later, three amendment protocols were added. These Conventions have been ratified in whole or in part by 194 countries. In addition to the Geneva Conventions, there are other standards in international humanitarian law, including the Hague Conventions and a range of international treaties on the weapons that can and cannot be used in warfare. Throughout the 1990s, a coalition of NGOs successfully lobbied for an international ban on the production and use of landmines. The Ottawa Treaty or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was adopted in 1997 and has since been ratified by 157 states worldwide. The Coalition continues to campaign for a treaty which bans the use of cluster bombs, which, just like landmines, leave a trail of destruction even once a war has ended. War crimes The most serious violations of international humanitarian law are considered to be war crimes. War crimes are such serious offences that they are held to be criminal acts for which individuals can be held accountable. War crimes Based on the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), war crimes (in the Convention: "grave breaches") include: "Wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments, wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, unlawful deportation or transfer or unlawful confinement of a protected person, compelling a protected person to serve in the forces of a hostile power, or wilfully depriving a protected person of the rights of fair and regular trial [...], taking of hostages and extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly."9 Other acts for which individuals can be held responsible include crimes against humanity, mass murder and genocide. Crimes against humanity are severe crimes committed against a civilian population, such as murder, rape, torture, enslavement and deportation. The first trials of individuals for such crimes were the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials of Nazi and Japanese political and military leaders in the aftermath of the Second World War. Since then, a number of ad hoc tribunals have been set up, for example to deal with the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Lebanon and Sierra Leone. Other conflicts, many equally serious, have not seen special tribunals set up, which has sometimes provoked criticism that the decision on whether to do so is influenced by political factors. International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was set up by the UN to prosecute serious crimes committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia and to try their perpetrators. The majority of those indicted have been Serbs and this has led to accusations of bias from some observers. Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticised the ICTY for failing to investigate a number of serious charges against the NATO forces, including the bombing of Serbian State Television and a railway bridge when it was evident that civilians had been struck. Amnesty's report into violations of humanitarian law recorded that "NATO failed to take necessary precautions to minimize civilian casualties".10 Question: War Tribunals including the Nuremberg Trials are sometimes seen as "victor's justice". Do you think both sides in a war should be judged according to the same principles? [T]hose who export war ought to see to the parallel export of guarantees against the atrocities of war. Judge Giovanni Bonello, in the European Court of Human Rights' judgment on Al-Skeini and Others v. UK11 The International Criminal Court The second half of the 20th century saw a movement to set up a permanent court to deal with the worst crimes against humanity. In 1998, the Rome Statute was adopted, which provided the legal basis for the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC came into being in July 2002 and sits in The Hague in the Netherlands. The ICC is the first permanent international court and has been set up to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. Even though the Rome Statute is ratified by states, the ICC prosecutes individuals who are responsible for crimes, not the states. As of 1 January 2012, 119 countries are state parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, including nearly all of Europe, but excluding for example the United States, India, China and Russia. The court has opened investigations into conflicts in Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, the Central African Republic and Libya. Question: Can you think of any individuals who are responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide or the crime of aggression that should be taken before the International Criminal Court? To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, 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. Robert Jackson, Chief American prosecutor at Nuremberg Terrorism in international law Drawing up international legislation to deal with terrorism has been beset with problems, mainly because of the difficulty of reaching a common definition of the term. The Council of Europe has produced a set of guidelines12 on where the line can be drawn in order not to violate other international treaties or agreements. The guidelines contain the following key points: Respect for human rights and the rule of law and prohibition of discrimination. Absolute prohibition of torture: "The use of torture or of inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, is absolutely prohibited, in all circumstances " The collection and processing of personal data must be lawful and proportionate to the stated aim. Measures which interfere with privacy must be provided for by law. Anyone suspected of terrorist activities may only be arrested if there are reasonable suspicions and he/she must be informed of those reasons. A person suspected of terrorist activities has the right to a fair hearing, within a reasonable time, by an independent, impartial tribunal established by law. They benefit from the presumption of innocence. All measures taken by States to fight terrorism must respect human rights and the principle of the rule of law, while excluding any form of arbitrariness, as well as any discriminatory or racist treatment. Council of Europe Guidelines on human rights and the fight against terrorism "A person deprived of his/her liberty for terrorist activities must in all circumstances be treated with due respect for human dignity." "The extradition of a person to a country where he/she risks being sentenced to the death penalty or risks being subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment may not be granted." "States may never [] derogate from the right to life as guaranteed by these international instruments, from the prohibition against torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, from the principle of legality of sentences and of measures, nor from the ban on the retrospective effect of criminal law." Human rights and terrorism There are two key areas where the concepts of human rights and terrorism may come into conflict: the first, most obviously, concerns an act of terrorism itself; the second concerns measures that may be taken by official organs in the process of trying to counter terrorism. Irrespective of the way that terrorism is defined and irrespective of the reasons behind it or the motivation for engaging in it, the act of terrorising members of the population constitutes a violation of their dignity and right to personal security, in the best case, and a violation of the right to life, in the worst. In terms of human rights law, the matter is less simple since human rights law has mostly been drawn up to protect individuals from infringements on their rights and liberty from the side of governments. There is no possibility, for example, to take a terrorist group to the European Court of Human Rights! However, governments do possess certain obligations: firstly, in terms of protecting citizens from attacks on their personal security; secondly, in terms of compensating victims who may have suffered from terrorist attacks; and thirdly, of course, in terms of not engaging in terrorism themselves. Question: Do you think that a country which exports arms which are then used against civilians should be held accountable for the use to which the weapons are put? Do you know which groups or countries your government sells arms to? A number of human rights issues arise in connection with the fight against terrorism and there is almost bound to be a continuing tension between the measures a government regards as necessary to take in order to protect the populace and the rights it may need to limit in order to do so. Secret renditions A report written by Dick Marty for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in 200613 looked at the assistance given by various European countries to the United States of America in "rendering" suspected terrorists to countries where they faced torture. The report found that 7 countries Sweden, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Italy, Macedonia, Germany and Turkey could be held responsible for "violations of the rights of specific persons" because they had knowingly assisted in a programme which resulted in individuals being held without trial, often for a number of years and being subjected to torture. Other countries, including Spain, Cyprus, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Romania and Poland were also accused of "collusion" with the United States. Marty said he had evidence to show that Romania and Poland were detainee drop-off points near to secret detention centres. It is now more dangerous to be a woman than to be a soldier in modern conflict. Major General Patrick Cammaert, 2008 (former UN Peacekeeping Operation commander in DR Congo) The victims of conflict War and terrorism have a terrible and long-lasting impact on huge numbers of people. Deaths at the time of conflict are just one element: psychological trauma, collapse of the physical and economic infrastructure, displacement of people, injury, disease, lack of food, water or energy supplies and a breakdown of trust and normal human relations are some of the others. The impact can last for generations. With the decline in inter-state wars and the rise in civil wars and new methods of warfare, civilian populations are now at more risk and suffer higher casualties than professional soldiers. UN Women estimate that in contemporary conflicts as many as 90% of casualties are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children14. Rape and sexual violence are used as a weapon of war, as a tactic to humiliate, dominate and instil fear in communities. Women in armed conflicts In October 2000, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 to address the issues faced by women in armed conflict. The Resolution calls for their participation at all levels of decision making on conflict resolution and peace building. Four further resolutions have since been adopted by the Security Council. The five documents focus on three key goals: - Strengthening women's participation in decision making - Ending sexual violence and impunity - Providing an accountability system Child soldiers A particularly sobering development in warfare, particularly over the past ten years, is the use of children as soldiers in brutal conflicts. Child soldiers exist in all regions of the world and participate in most conflicts. However, the problem is especially critical in Africa, where children as young as nine have taken part in armed conflict. Most child soldiers are between the ages of 14 and 18. Child soldiers are recruited by both rebel groups and government forces. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires state parties to ensure that children under the age of 15 do not take part in hostilities. However, this is felt by many to be too low, and initiatives have been made to raise the minimum to 18 years old. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (with 143 state parties as of November 2011) raised the minimum age to 18. European countries do not recruit under the age of 17 and do not send soldiers into combat under the age of 18. The UK has the lowest recruitment age in Europe 16 years old, although this is nominally for training purposes only. The UK has been widely criticised for this by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. In Chechnya, children under 18 have reportedly served in rebel forces. Youth, war and terrorism In 2011, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work". Young people are directly concerned by war in many ways. In addition to the case of child soldiers mentioned above, young people constitute the vast majority of soldiers, especially in countries and times of national military service. It can therefore be said that young people are in the front line of the victims of war. In the case of professionalised armies, it is often young people from underprivileged social backgrounds who are enlisted into armed forces, because they have fewer opportunities of earning a decent living. What have I done? Someone has lost her husband, someone else a father, someone a child, someone an unborn infant ... . What's this debris of the corpses? Are these marks of victory or defeat? Are these vultures, crows, eagles the messengers of death or evil? Ashoka Young people are often targeted by terrorist groups as possible agents of terrorist attacks, regardless of the motivation, as exemplified by the attacks in London in 2005. This is often attributed to the identity-searching that some young people experience and that makes them especially vulnerable to extremist ideas and ideals. Young people may also be specifically targeted by terrorist attacks, as exemplified by the attacks in Norway in 2011 and by attacks on schools in the Caucasus. Youth organisations have traditionally played an important role in raising awareness about the non-sense of war and the costs it imposes on young people. Several reconciliation and exchange programmes were set up after the carnages of the First World War; many of them still exist today, such as Service Civil International or the Christian Movement for Peace / Youth Action for Peace which promote international voluntary youth projects and workcamps. The European Bureau of Conscience Objection works for the recognition of the right to conscience objection to military service the right to refuse to kill in Europe and beyond. War Resisters International is an international movement created in 1921 under the credo: "War is a crime against humanity. I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war, and to strive for the removal of all causes of war". WRI promotes non-violence and reconciliation and supports conscience objectors and asylum seekers in cases of draft evasion or desertion. Endnotes 1 Bob Marley in the song "War", adapted from Ethiopian Emperor H.I.M. Haile Selassie's address to the United Nations on October 1963 2 Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 9 July 2004, para. 106. 3 Al-Skeini and Others v. the United Kingdom, European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber (Application no. 55721/07), 7 July 2011; http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2011/1093.html 4 Jeanette Rankin was the first woman to enter U.S. House of Representative in 1917 5 1994 United Nations Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism annex to UN General Assembly resolution 49/60 , "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism", of December 9, 1994 6 Document A/CN.4/L.2, Text of the Nurnberg Principles Adopted by the International Law Commission, Extract from the Yearbook of the International Law Commission: 1950,vol. II; http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/documentation/english/a_cn4_l2.pdf 7 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; http://www.un.org/millennium/law/iv-1.htm 8 http://www.physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/us-ban-landmines-facts.html 9 Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949 http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/FULL/380?OpenDocument 10 NATO/Federal Republic of Yugoslavia "Collateral Damage" or Unlawful Killings? Violations of the Laws of War by NATO during Operation Allied Force, Amnesty International - Report - EUR 70/18/00, June 2000; http://www.grip.org/bdg/g1802.html 11 See Endnote 2 above 12 Human rights and the fight against terrorism, The Council of Europe Guidelines, 2005; http://www.echr.coe.int/NR/rdonlyres/176C046F-C0E6-423C-A039-F66D90CC6031/0/LignesDirectrices_EN.pdf 13 Alleged secret detentions and unlawful inter-state transfers involving Council of Europe member states, Parliamentary Assembly, Doc. 10957, 12 June 2006 http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/WorkingDocs/doc06/edoc10957.pdf 14 http://www.womenwarpeace.org/ KC Overseas Education, a leading name in Study Abroad Industry, is set to host a Walk-In Mega Recruitment Drive on 10th March 2024. This initiative aims to cater to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the education sector, offering exciting opportunities for individuals passionate about shaping the future of global education, as KC thrives amongst the Top 10 IT companies in Nagpur. The recruitment drive will take place at Koblenz, March 3, 2024 - The international expert in early childhood communication with baby sign language from Lehmen an der Mosel gave a spontaneous speech in Koblenz city center and announced a revolution in German daycare centers. Under her expert guidance, new daycare center instructors for baby sign language were trained this weekend to establish sign communication with babies and toddlers in daycare centers at over 70 locations. On Sunday morning One of the Portland areas most enduring businesses is at the end of the line. Vancouver-based home exercise equipment company BowFlex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday and agreed to sell its assets to a Taiwanese business for $37.5 million. The University of Oregon denies it violated Title IX, as alleged in a federal lawsuit filed in December by 32 current and former members of the schools beach volleyball and club rowing teams, and says their complaint is replete with pages and pages of inaccuracies and outright false allegations. In an 89-page response filed Monday night, UOs outside counsel from Perkins Coie LLP denies nearly all of the allegations made against the school three months ago in a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Eugene. The universitys response, which contains more than 720 denials, contends there is no evidence that the University of Oregon engaged in gender discrimination against any of its student-athletes, female or male, past or current and that the school is fully in compliance with Title IX. AUSTIN, Texas Texas plans to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally and order them to leave the country is headed to the Supreme Court in a legal showdown over the federal governments authority over immigration. An order issued Monday by Justice Samuel Alito puts the new Texas law on hold for at least next week while the high court considers what opponents have called the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since an Arizona law more than a decade ago. A group representing city and county managers in Oregon announced Monday that it had censured and expelled Janell Howard after determining her egregious conduct while the city manager of Brookings had violated the organizations code of ethics. The move was the latest blow for Howard, who was cited in 2022 for third-degree theft after security cameras at the Fred Meyer next to city hall captured Howard, who earned $151,320 a year, stealing two items: toilet paper and a veggie tray, together worth $15.98. The move from the Oregon City/County Managers Association also came after months of political turmoil in tiny Brookings, the southern coast city of 6,800 with a $63 million annual budget. Brookings elected leaders put Howard, 53, on paid leave from her job following the July 4, 2022 accusation of theft and the revelation that Fred Meyer alleged she had shoplifted at the store 15 other times. But they reinstated her in January 2023 after she pleaded no contest to the single charge. The ensuing backlash prompted successful recalls in last Novembers special election of the mayor and two former city councilors, who had all voted in favor of reinstating Howard. The newly constituted city council voted Jan. 16 to fire Howard. Among Howards most vocal critics was former Brookings police officer Bryan Holmes, who resigned from the citys police force in February 2022 to protest her reinstatement. The city councils decision to fire Howard came as a long-anticipated relief, he said. It took a year and a half to finally get the result that was necessary and I think that the citys actually going to start heading in a better direction, said Holmes, 36, who now works at a gym he co-owns with his brother and father in Brookings. If everyone would have just stayed quiet, it wouldnt have gotten brought to light and nothing would have ever been done about it, and that sort of behavior would have still been tolerated and continued for a long time. During its Jan. 16 session, the city council appointed Police Chief Kelby McCrae as acting city manager. Howard and representatives for the Oregon City/County Managers Association did not immediately respond to inquiries Tuesday from The Oregonian/OregonLive. -- Catalina Gaitan covers public safety, politics, policing and more. You can reach Catalina at cgaitan@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. During this years short legislative session, we have the opportunity to make our ocean more resilient to climate threats. Across the globe, our seas are rising and warming, and its no different in the Pacific Northwest. Some of the creatures hit hardest by this are Oregons seabirds. Our beaches, rocky cliffs and coastline provide innumerable spots for millions of seabirds to thrive. But recently, common murres, tufted puffins and many others are at risk because of warming temperatures. Thankfully, we know that conservation is one of the best ways to increase our climate resiliency. A bill introduced in our state legislature, HB 4132, seeks to reinvest in our ocean by better supporting the Marine Reserves Program - our most successful ocean conservation initiative. It would provide additional funding to the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, which stewards the MRP and our five marine reserves. Additionally, the bill would compel the Ocean Policy Advisory Council to create an adaptive management plan helping Oregons coast adapt to increasing threats from climate change. Multnomah County commissioners will vote Thursday on a resolution to demand an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The resolution from Commissioner Lori Stegmann asks U.S. officials to call for the release of Israeli and Palestinian hostages, humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and a two-state solution that will enable both Palestinans and Israelis to live peacefully. The war has created horrific circumstances, as civilians in Gaza have been bombed, families decimated, houses, places of worship, hospitals and businesses destroyed, and people displaced from their homes, county leaders wrote in the pending resolution. If commissioners approve the measure, Multnomah County will join Eugene, Corvallis and other jurisdictions outside Oregon in demanding a cease-fire. The Portland City Council has not considered a similar resolution. For months, Multnomah County residents have called on the county to demand a cease-fire. Dr. Ahmed Ebeid testified at last weeks board meeting and detailed a medical mission he said he was a part of in Gaza. I stand before you not as a distant observer, but a direct witness to the unfolding tragedy in Gaza, Ebeid said. The scenes I have witnessed are beyond comprehension. I urge each of you to recognize the dire urgency of the situation. This isnt the first time the county has weighed in on the Israel-Hamas war. Shortly after the Hamas attack Oct. 7 that sparked the conflict, the county committed to lighting the Morrison Bridge in blue and white to show solidarity with Israel. After backlash, Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced the bridge would be lit in all white as a call for peace. On Saturday, thousands of Portland protesters marched through downtown and across the Hawthorne Bridge to demand a cease-fire. Protesters also descended on the Aladdin Theater in Southeast Portland last week to demonstrate against the pro-Israel stance of Jewish American musician Matisyahu, whose concerts have been canceled elsewhere in the United States in response to alleged threats or other concerns. Austin De Dios covers public safety and diversity, equity and inclusion. Reach him at 503-319-9744, adedios@oregonian.com or @AustinDeDios. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A little more than a week after announcing he would run for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer, Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, has reversed course. In an email Monday, Golden said he will not seek the nomination and instead will remain in the Senate. A few dozen conversations, patient counseling from friends and long hours of reflection have brought me to a clear conclusion: More than serving as treasurer, I want to continue working in the state Senate for stable wildfire funding, campaign finance reform and programs that grow opportunities for struggling Oregonians, he said. This leaves just two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination: state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner of Portland and Jeff Gudman, a former city councilman from Lake Oswego who previously ran as a Republican. Steiner, a family physician and instructor at Oregon Health & Science University, has served as co-chair of the powerful budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee for the last five years and is considered a frontrunner. No Republicans are registered to run yet. The treasurer oversees state investments, including the $94 billion Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund, or PERS, and manages public banking and saving programs including the Oregon College Savings Plan and OregonSaves, a retirement plan for self-employed workers. Golden, a former Jackson County commissioner and broadcast journalist, has served in the Senate since 2018 and is chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire. He said he initially decided to run not because he dreamed of being state treasurer, but out of a desire to get state money out of investments he said are harmful to Oregonians. In the end, he said, he did not want the job badly enough. My urge to run wasnt about becoming state treasurer as much as shining a spotlight on one message: Its time for the Treasury to stop investing money in activities that clearly hurt Oregonians, he said. As examples, he said investments in fossil fuel companies contribute to climate change and in private equity firms drive housing and rental prices higher. Golden is co-sponsor of House Bill 4083, also known as the COAL Act, which is awaiting a final vote in the Senate. If passed it would direct the Treasury to divest PERS of holdings in publicly traded companies that derive 20% or more of their revenue from coal production. It would also put limits on new investment in such companies. I hope our next treasurer strives to reduce investments harmful to Oregon in ways that fulfill his or her fiduciary obligation. I will actively support that effort as a state senator and concerned citizen, Golden said. Oregons current state treasurer, Tobias Read, is running for secretary of state after serving for nearly eight years in the job. -- Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle, abaumhardt@oregoncapitalchronicle.com The Oregon Capital Chronicle is a nonprofit news organization that focuses on Oregon state government, politics and policy. The clock, it seems, has run out on Oregons chance to switch to standard time for good. A bill that have would put Oregon on permanent standard time if Washington and California made the same switch narrowly passed the Senate on Monday. But shortly after its passage, House Speaker Dan Rayfield, a Democrat from Corvallis, consigned the bill to die. Now, the House will not get a chance to vote on whether to end the twice-yearly time change. We received the bill later than we would usually take on Senate policy bills since it got referred back to committee before making it over here, said Hazel Tylinski, a spokesperson for Rayfield. Given the shortened timeline and the queue of critical bills were still working through, we arent able to give enough time to consider the merits of the bill in the time we have left this session. Senate Bill 1548 would have ended the practice of switching to daylight saving time and instead kept most of Oregon on standard time year-round. I like the concept that was brought forward this session and would be interested in supporting something similar in the future, Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, a Portland area Democrat and one of the sponsors of the bill, in a statement. This is an important change that will make a difference for not only the health and safety of Oregonians but also for people like me whose religious practices are tied to sunrise and sunset. Oregon passed a bill to switch to permanent daylight saving time in 2019, but that requires an act of Congress which has yet to materialize. After that effort, many groups came out against the idea of a permanent daylight saving time, noting that in the past, switches to permanent daylight saving time caused a variety of problems, including the deaths of children who were hit by vehicles on the way to school in the dark. A change to permanent standard time requires no congressional involvement. After Oregon senators evenly split on an earlier version of the bill in late February, changes were made to the proposal to ensure that Oregon would not switch to permanent standard time unless California and Washington also did. That version of the bill passed the Senate on a 16-14 vote Monday before Rayfield referred it to a House committee that is not scheduled to meet before the sessions required end of March 10. A similar bill in the Washington state legislature also did not move forward this session. And time marches on. Daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. on March 10. -- Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com or @lizzzyacker Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Oregon became the fourth state to pass a bill giving consumers a legal right to fix their own home electronics Monday with legislation that requires manufacturers provide access to the tools, parts and manuals required to repair their gadgets. Oregons right-to-repair bill takes things a bit further than the other states laws and triggered objections from Apple and others in the tech industry. The companies warn Oregons expansive law might compromise device security and safety, and lawmakers opposing the legislation say its likely to be tied up in court. The bill passed the Oregon Senate last month 25-5 and the House on Monday 42-13. It now awaits Gov. Tina Koteks signature. The governor hasnt indicated whether she supports the bill, which is typical. The governor rarely takes position on bills before they pass the Legislature. Senate Bill 1596 includes: A requirement that consumer electronics manufacturers to make parts, tools and repair manuals available to consumers and third-party repair ships on fair and reasonable terms. A prohibition on tech companies blocking third-party components that are an otherwise functional replacement for manufacturers parts. Manufacturers also may not inhibit devices performance if consumers install third-party parts, or send misleading alerts or warnings. Penalties of up to $1,000 a day for violators, beginning July 1, 2027. The bill applies to consumer electronics equipment manufactured since July 1, 2015, or cell phones manufactured after July 1, 2021. Advocates have pushed right-to-repair legislation in Oregon since 2019. This years bill, however, goes further than prior iterations with its provisions relating to third-party parts. Using software to identify authorized components is called parts pairing. Repair companies and consumer advocates hailed Oregons bill as setting a new benchmark for right-to-repair legislation. By limiting how manufacturers can use parts pairing, they say Oregons law could make it cheaper and easier for people to repair their phones and home electronics. I do believe this moves the ball forward and this would be one of the strongest right-to-repair bills in the country, said Nathan Proctor, with the Public Interest Research Group, an advocacy organization that has helped lead the national push for right-to-repair laws. A cell phone industry trade group and various other electronics organizations and companies opposed the legislation, warning that consumers could be at risk from defective batteries of biometric sensors with security flaws. We remain very concerned about the risk to consumers imposed by the broad parts-pairing restrictions in this bill, John Perry, principal secure repair architect for Apple, said at a legislative hearing last month. While Apple supports consumers right to repair their devices, Perry who works at an Apple office in Beaverton said the language in Oregons bill is too broad. He said it could introduce vulnerabilities to biometric security and battery safety and could potentially increase theft. An iPhone contains its owners important personal data including financial, health, and location information, and this bill introduces the possibility that Apple would be required to allow unknown, non-secure third-party Face ID or Touch ID modules to unlock that personal information, Apple said in a statement Monday. We will continue to support repair legislation, but strongly believe this bill does not offer the consumer protections Oregonians deserve. In floor debate Monday, Rep. Virgle Osborne, R- Roseburg, decried potential security risks and predicted the bill will trigger a lawsuit. He urged supporters to pare back the bill to match less ambitious legislation California passed last year. We were so close to getting this right, but we decided we were going to make it a little bit different from California and take a little bit bigger bite, Osborne said. Weve got to be careful of unintended consequences. Supporters said the tech industry had been raising unwarranted fears about the legislation and described it as a straightforward way to secure Oregonians right to fix their own devices. Were really not asking manufacturers to create anything new, said Sen. Janeen Sollman, D-Hillsboro, at a forum last month introducing the bill. Sollman, who has led efforts to champion right-to-repair efforts in Oregon for five years, said the legislation benefits everyone who owns a tech gadget by giving them a choice if it stops working. What we want to do is to provide the opportunity for Oregonians to have choice on where they have that repaired, or if they have that repaired, she said. -- Mike Rogoway covers Oregon technology and the state economy. Reach him at mrogoway@oregonian.com Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Washington DC, US (PANA) - The US has ended debilitating economic sanctions against Zimbabwe after nearly two decades despite years of appeals by the African Union to end the sanctions Photo: (Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images ) A seven-year-old girl lost her life when a small vessel, trying to cross the English Channel, capsized in northern France. The boat, carrying 16 migrants, sank near the Dunkirk coast. Authorities disclosed the boat was not large enough to carry the passengers on board. Makeshift Boat Capsizes, 7-Year-Old Girl Drowns The parents of the dead girl, along with three other children, were hospitalized. Local authorities implied the vessel was likely stolen and inadequate for the number of people on board. The couple on board, with four children, including a pregnant mother, hailed from an unclear origin. Two men and six children were hospitalized, with non-life-threatening situations. Prosecutors in Dunkirk have imprisoned certain individuals in relation to the occurrence. This misfortune happened amid a series of channel crossing attempts, with 249 people rescued on the same day. In 2022, over 2,000 migrants have already reached the UK, according to Home Office data. A makeshift vessel carrying 16 people from northern France to the UK capsized near Dunkirk, resulting in the deadly passing of a seven-year-old girl, as verified by the prefecture in France's Nord department. The migrants included 10 other young people, aged seven to 13, the girl's pregnant woman, father, and three siblings. Despite emergency services' efforts, the little girl could not be resuscitated. The incident, located 16 miles inland, raises concerns about smugglers' tactics to avoid detection. Daniel Deschodt, the mayor of Watten, noted this as a new trend, indicating migrants departing from further inland due to coastal saturation. This marks the sixth known death in 2024 related to people-smuggling across the Channel. Collaboration between the EU and the UK to combat criminal gangs, particularly those led by Iraqi Kurds operating from Germany, has been emphasized. Recent arrests in Calais disrupted a significant gang, prompting discussions on migration legislation during a meeting of home affairs ministers in Brussels. However, a report by the NGO Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime suggests that heightened migration barriers may strengthen the control of organized criminals rather than break it. Read Also: Migrant Children Face Challenging Situations in Border Camps, Court Records Revealed English Channel Crossing Attempts On Sunday, French authorities announced the death of a youthful girl after a small boat capsized on the delicate route across the English Channel, frequently used by migrants pursuing to reach Britain from France. The incident occurred off the coast of Dunkirk, involving a vessel deemed too small for its 16 passengers. Among the inhabitants were a couple with four children, and terribly, their 7-year-old daughter passed away in the submerging occurrence. The girl's parents, along with her three siblings, were rescued and taken to a hospital. Additionally, another couple, two men, and six young children were rescued with minor injuries. This unfortunate event follows a similar incident on Wednesday when three people died in an English Channel crossing attempt. According to maritime authorities overseeing French waters, approximately 180 people were assisted in four rescue operations on that day. The UK government's figures from the start of 2024 indicated that around 30,000 people made the crossing in 2023. Related Article: Tragic Death of 5-Year-Old Boy Sparks Criticism of Migrant Shelters in Chicago Photo: (Photo : Tim Vizer/Getty Images) The founder of a Christian boarding school in Missouri is now at the center of a legal storm, facing kidnapping charges amid growing concerns about student welfare. The institution, known as ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy, situated in the serene town of Piedmont, has come under intense scrutiny following reports of runaways and unsettling allegations of abuse. Allegations Emerge as Founder and Wife Arrested Larry Charles Musgraves Jr., the 57-year-old founder of the Christian boarding school, and his wife, Carmen Grizel Musgraves, 64, were apprehended by the Wayne County Sheriff's Department on charges of first-degree kidnapping. Both have been actively involved in the operation of ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy, which caters to boys aged 10 to 13. Situated on a 25,000-square-foot campus spanning 250 acres near the Ozarks, ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy markets itself as a specialized haven for troubled or "learning impaired" youths. The academy, nestled in the rural city of Piedmont, Missouri, has faced a series of challenges, with multiple reports of runaways prompting a comprehensive investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. The arrests follow an ongoing investigation initiated by Sheriff Dean Finch after several calls reporting runaways from the Christian boarding school. Interviews with current students revealed a troubling pattern of enforced physical exercises, raising questions about the overall well-being of the boys at ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy. The investigation, initially spurred by concerns over runaways, is evolving into a broader probe encompassing allegations of abuse and potential misconduct. Read Also: Pennsylvania Man Arrested for Pregnant Amish Woman's Murder, Shock Grips Rural Community Ongoing Investigation and Future Legal Implications in Christian Boarding School, Missouri As the investigation unfolds, Sheriff Finch has expressed that the charges against the Musgraves are just the tip of the iceberg. The Sheriff's Department, in collaboration with the State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control, conducted interviews with the 19 boys residing at the academy. The students, while not indicating criminal activities, revealed an environment where physical exercises were enforced, creating an atmosphere of fear among the youth. The community in and around Piedmont, Missouri, is anxiously awaiting the outcome of the investigation, with concerns escalating as more potential victims are expected to come forward. The state's Social Services Department, bound by confidentiality laws, has refrained from commenting on ongoing investigations related to specific child abuse and neglect cases. In the wake of recent events, former students have expressed their satisfaction with the attention the investigation is receiving. A renewed sense of hope has emerged, fueled by the anticipation that justice will be served. This case follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny of religious boarding schools, echoing past controversies and legal actions against similar institutions in Missouri. As the legal proceedings against Larry Charles Musgraves Jr. and Carmen Grizel Musgraves unfold, the community remains on edge, hopeful that the investigation will bring clarity to the allegations surrounding ABM Ministries Lighthouse Christian Academy. The Sheriff's Department has urged patience, emphasizing their commitment to leaving no stone unturned until all victims are interviewed. This unfolding story sheds light on the challenges faced by Christian boarding schools, particularly in Missouri, emphasizing the need for comprehensive oversight to ensure the safety and well-being of students entrusted to these institutions. Related Article: How to Guide Your Child Through Big Feelings: Teaching Emotion Regulation Skills 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. Incl. Bible-Tradition Relationship; Fathers & Conciliar Infallibility; Popes & Early Councils; Perspicuity (Luther vs. Erasmus); Communion in One Kind; Late & Supposedly Unbiblical Dogmas Rev. Dr. Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran pastor, adjunct professor of Systematic Theology, Executive Director of the popular Just & Sinner YouTube channel, and the President of the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (which holds to a doctrinally traditional Lutheranism, similar to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod). He has authored several books, as well as theological articles in a variety of publications. All my Bible citations are from RSV, unless otherwise indicated. Jordans words will be in blue. This is my 7th reply to Jordan (many more to come, because I want to interact with the best, most informed Protestant opponents). All of these respectful critiques can be found in the Replies to Lutheran Theologian / Apologist Jordan Cooper section on the top of my Lutheranism web page. ***** This is a response to the first 40 minutes of Jordans YouTube video, Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone (The Five Solas) (2-24-24). 13:54 what we see is that the earliest Christians do use language of tradition but when they define tradition, theyre defining tradition really as things that are also clearly taught within the word of God, not not some kind of separate dogma or separate theological claims that have no basis in the word of God. There is a middle position (which is the Catholic one). The fathers, I contend, adhered to a three-legged-stool rule of faith: Bible / Tradition / Church, in which all operate in non-contradictory harmony with each other. Martin Luther appeared to accept something like this: I do enough if I prove that it is not contrary to Gods Word, but consistent with Scripture. (That These Words of Christ, This Is My Body, etc., Still Stand Firm Against the Fanatics, March 1527, Luthers Works, vol. 37) In almost all cases, Scripture can be brought to bear. But in a few instances, beliefs that are not explicit in Scripture, such as, for example, infant baptism, were accepted as true on the basis of the authority of the Church and apostolic tradition and succession (in complete opposition to sola Scriptura). This was St. Augustines view, and he also wrote more generally: [T]here are many things which are observed by the whole Church, and therefore are fairly held to have been enjoined by the apostles, which yet are not mentioned in their writings. (On Baptism, v, 23, 31) Likewise, Luther wrote about infant baptism: We, however, are certain enough, because it [infant baptism] is nowhere contrary to Scripture, but is rather in accord with Scripture. (Concerning Rebaptism, Jan. 1528, Luthers Works, vol. 40) [C]hild baptism derives from the apostles and has been practiced since the days of the apostles. . . . It came to me by tradition and I was persuaded by no word of Scripture that it was wrong. . . . Baptism did not originate with us, but with the apostles and we should not discard or alter what cannot be discarded or altered on clear scriptural authority. . . . Were child baptism now wrong God would certainly not have permitted it to continue so long, nor let it become so universally and thoroughly established in all Christendom, but it would sometime have gone down in disgrace. . . . Just as God has established that Christians in all the world have accepted the Bible as Bible, the Lords Prayer as Lords Prayer, and faith of a child as faith, so also he has established child baptism and kept it from being rejected . . . You say, this does not prove that child baptism is certain. For there is no passage in Scripture for it. My answer: that is true. From Scripture we cannot clearly conclude that you could establish child baptism as a practice among the first Christians after the apostles. But you can well conclude that in our day no one may reject or neglect the practice of child baptism which has so long a tradition, since God actually not only has permitted it, but from the beginning so ordered, that it has not yet disappeared. (Ibid.) Here, Luther accepts infant baptism based on ancient tradition, and states outright that there is no passage in Scripture for it. Therefore, he has accepted a principle utterly contrary to sola Scriptura; namely, that something can be regarded as infallibly true, not on the basis of Scripture, but rather, apostolic tradition. Sola Scriptura holds that only Scripture is such an infallible authority. Augustine and Luther in these excerpts also contradict Jordans claim above. Luther felt so strongly about infant baptism, that he and his successor Philip Melanchthon consented to executing Anabaptists for denying it (a doctrine and practice not even explicitly biblical). 17:10 Read Athanasiuss works against the Arians; he is just expositing Scripture. Hes looking at the text trying to explain the text, trying to demonstrate how the text shows his point. Of course, the Bible will be his primary argument. No one is denying that in the first place. Refuting Jehovahs Witnesses (modern-day Arians) was, in fact, my first major apologetics endeavor, back in 1981-1984 (the product of that research is on my blog today). I argued against them almost always from Scripture. I was a Protestant then. Now that I am Catholic I would do the same thing if I set out to refute them. This doesnt prove that Athanasius had a Protestant rule of faith (nor that I do now; I argue from Scripture virtually every day in my apologetics writing). St. Athanasius also accepted the infallible authority of ecumenical councils, contrary to sola Scriptura: . . . the Synod which was held at Nica. For the Faith there confessed by the Fathers according to the divine Scriptures is enough by itself at once to overthrow all impiety, and to establish the religious belief in Christ. . . . a monument of victory over all heresy, but especially the Arian, . . . (Letter #59 to Epictetus, 1) 17:59 the foundation of the argument is always the text of Scripture and other figures or authorities are used secondarily. Largely, yes, but not always (and Jordan used the word always and attempted to make a universal claim. St. Basil the Great thought that the Nicene Council was infallible, and arguably inspired as well: . . . you should confess the faith put forth by our Fathers once assembled at Nica, that you should not omit any one of its propositions, but bear in mind that the three hundred and eighteen who met together without strife did not speak without the operation of the Holy Ghost, . . . (Letter #114 to Cyriacus, at Tarsus) St. Gregory Nazianzen appeared to believe the same: I never have and never can honour anything above the Nicene Faith, that of the Holy Fathers who met there to destroy the Arian heresy; but am, and by Gods help ever will be, of that faith; . . . (Letter #102: Second to Cledonius the Priest, Against Apollinarius) As did St. Cyril of Alexandria: [H]e opposes the truth and the very symbol of the Churchs Faith, which the fathers once gathered together at Nicea through the illumination of the Spirit defined; he, fearing lest any should keep whole the Faith, instructed unto the Truth by their words, endeavours to calumniate it and alters the significance of the words, . . . against the holy fathers who have decreed for us the pious definition of the Faith which we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast, as it is written. (Tomes Against Nestorius: I, 5) . . . the holy Churches in every region under Heaven, and the venerable Fathers themselves who put forth unto us the definition of the right and undefiled Faith, viz. (the Holy Ghost speaking in them) that the Word of God was made flesh and became Man, . . .(Tomes Against Nestorius: IV, 2) 19:00 The other thing that I think really important here is . . . the question of how is it that the church looked at the councils. If you look at something like the Council of Nicaea, the question is: did the church at the time believe that the Senate of Nicaea was necessarily the final arbiter of what was actually true? . . . Its not the understanding at the time that whatever happened in this Council was necessarily declaratively true forever because of the authority of a church Council. My citations above regarding Nicaea, from four Church fathers, contradict Jordans take. Sola Scriptura requires a denial of the infallibility of ecumenical councils. But many Church fathers agree with the high Catholic view of such councils. 20:13 the bishop of Rome actually doesnt have really any significant role within the Council of Nicaea at all. A plausible case can be made that he did: Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea [August 1997] Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority. [4-2-07] 20:19 Its not really until Pope Leo with Caledon that the bishop of Rome has any significant say within these ecumenical councils. Constantinople, 381 [no pope and no legates] No bishops from the west were present, nor was the Pope represented. Therefore, this was not really an ecumenical council, though due to later historical confusion and the enthusiastic acceptance by the whole Church of its strongly orthodox creed, including an explicit confession of the full divinity of the Holy Spirit, it came to be regarded and numbered as such. (Dr. Warren Carroll, The Building of Christendom, Christendom College Press, 1987, 62) With the First Council of Constantinople (381) we are dealing with another case in which there are not extant acts. This council also was convoked by an emperor, Theodosius I. [Ibid.] The language of his decree suggests he regarded the Roman see as a yardstick of Christian orthodoxy. He commands all his subjects to practice the religion which Peter the apostle transmitted to the Romans. In calling the Council, Theodosius did not envisage the assembled bishops debating Roman doctrine as thought it were an open question. The fact that Meletius of Antioch presided at Constantinople I, and the absence of any Roman legates, might appear to be evidence against the Roman primacy. It must be remembered that the Council was not originally intended to be ecumenical in the same sense as Nicaea. It included, after all, only 150 bishops from Thrace, Asia Minor, and Egypt and was convoked to deal with certain Eastern problems.[New Catholic Encyclopedia, s.v. Constantinople, First Council of.] In fact, it was not recognized as ecumenical by the Council of Ephesus half a century later, and it was left to Pope Gregory the Great to elevate it to that status. (Papal Authority at the Earliest Councils, Brian W. Harrison, This Rock, Jan. 1991) Ephesus, 431 [papal legates Arcadius, Projectus, and Philip] The pope . . . sent two bishops, Arcadius and Projectus, to represent himself and his Roman council, and the Roman priest, Philip, as his personal representative. Philip, therefore, takes the first place, though, not being a bishop, he could not preside. It was probably a matter of course that the Patriarch of Alexandria should be president. The legates were directed not to take part in the discussions, but to give judgment on them. It seems that Chalcedon, twenty years later, set the precedent that the papal legates should always be technically presidents at an ecumenical council, and this was henceforth looked upon as a matter of course, and Greek historians assumed that it must have been the case at Nicaea. (Catholic Encyclopedia: Council of Ephesus; written by John Chapman) 21:28 when you look at something like . . . indulgences you really have no scriptural basis. * * 30:33 Luther . . . has a really great discussion of this question at the beginning of [his 1525 book] The Bondage of the Will, where [he] addresses Erasmus . . . he has a really great discussion of this and the fact that Scripture defines itself as a light which enlightens our path. Its not just this obscure book that nobody can really understand without a proper theological degree or without the necessary authoritative tradition, as is passed down within the canons of the Roman tradition. * Luther is maybe a little too harsh to Erasmus at some point . . . Indeed. Here are some examples from his aforementioned book (from the 1823 Edward Thomas Vaughan translation; Im delighted that Jordan brought this up. I have researched this very thing (way back in 2009), along with many other teachings of Luther. Why dont we be fair and see how Erasmus responded? In other words, examine both sides for a change. . .? But first, at 30:46. Jordan stated thatIndeed. Here are some examples from his aforementioned book (from the 1823 Edward Thomas Vaughan translation; available online ): * [Y]ou only show that you are nourishing in your heart a Lucian, or some other hog of the Epicurean sty, who, having no belief at all of a God himself, laughs in his sleeve at all those who believe and confess one. (pt. 1) * Assuredly, any Jew or Heathen, who had no knowledge at all of Christ, would find it easy enough to draw out such a pattern of faith as yours. You do not mention Christ in a single jot of it; . . . (Pt. I) * [Y]our words sound as though, like Epicurus, you accounted the word of God and a future state to be mere fables . . . (Pt. I) * Nice ecumenical thoughts there, huh? But this was usually what happened whenever anyone refuted Luther. Luther wrote about interpretation of Scripture in the section of his book, Erasmus Skepticism (I cite the 1823 Henry Cole translation ): * What say you, Erasmus? Is it not enough that you submit your opinion to the Scriptures? Do you submit it to the decrees of the church also? What can the church decree, that is not decreed in the Scriptures? If it can, where then remains the liberty and power of judging those who make the decrees? As Paul, I Cor. xiv., teaches Let others judge. Are you not pleased that there should be any one to judge the decrees of the church, which, nevertheless, Paul enjoins? What new kind of religion and humility is this, that, by our own example, you would take away from us the power of judging the decrees of men, and give it unto men without judgment? Where does the Scripture of God command us to do this? . . . This is the distinction which I make; that I also may act a little the rhetorician and logician God, and the Scripture of God, are two things; no less so than God, and the Creature of God. That there are in God many hidden things which we know not, no one doubts: as He himself saith concerning the last day: Of that day knoweth no man but the Father. (Matt. xxiv. 36.) And (Acts i. 7.) It is not yours to know the times and seasons. And again, I know whom I have chosen, (John xiii. 18.) And Paul, The Lord knoweth them that are His, (2 Tim. ii. 19.). And the like. But, that there are in the Scriptures some things abstruse, and that all things are not quite plain, is a report spread abroad by the impious Sophists by whose mouth you speak here, Erasmus. But they never have produced, nor ever can produce, one article whereby to prove this their madness. And it is with such scare-crows that Satan has frightened away men from reading the Sacred Writings, and has rendered the Holy Scripture contemptible, that he might cause his poisons of philosophy to prevail in the church. This indeed I confess, that there are many places in the Scriptures obscure and abstruse; not from the majesty of the thing, but from our ignorance of certain terms and grammatical particulars; but which do not prevent a knowledge of all the things in the Scriptures. . . . All the things, therefore, contained in the Scriptures; are made manifest, although some places, from the words not being understood, are yet obscure. But to know that all things in the Scriptures are set in the clearest light, and then, because a few words are obscure, to report that the things are obscure, is absurd and impious. And, if the words are obscure in one place, yet they are clear in another. But, however, the same thing, which has been most openly declared to the whole world, is both spoken of in the Scriptures in plain words, and also still lies hidden in obscure words. Now, therefore, it matters not if the thing be in the light, whether any certain representations of it be in obscurity or not, if, in the mean while, many other representations of the same thing be in the light. For who would say that the public fountain is not in the light, because those who are in some dark narrow lane do not see it, when all those who are in the Open market place can see it plainly? Sect. IV.WHAT you adduce, therefore, about the darkness of the Corycian cavern, amounts to nothing; matters are not so in the Scriptures. For those things which are of the greatest majesty, and the most abstruse mysteries, are no longer in the dark corner, but before the very doors, nay, brought forth and manifested openly. For Christ has opened our understanding to understand the Scriptures, Luke xxiv. 45. And the Gospel is preached to every creature. (Mark xvi. 15, Col. i. 23.) Their sound is gone out into all the earth. (Psalm xix. 4.) And All things that are written, are written for our instruction. (Rom. xv. 4.) And again, All Scripture is inspired from above, and is profitable for instruction. (2 Tim. iii. 16.) . . . Let, therefore, wretched men cease to impute, with blasphemous perverseness, the darkness and obscurity of their own heart to the all-clear Scriptures of God. . . . [T]he Spirit is required to understand the whole of the Scripture and every part of it. If you speak of the external clearness, nothing whatever is left obscure or ambiguous; but all things that are in the Scriptures, are by the Word brought forth into the clearest light, and proclaimed to the whole world. Now lets look at how Erasmus responded, with regard to Holy Scripture. I cite from Peter Macardle and Clarence H. Miller, translators, Charles Trinkhaus, editor, Collected Works of Erasmus, Vol. 76: Controversies: De Libero Arbitrio / Hyperaspistes I, Univ. of Toronto Press, 1999 (I have a hardcover copy in my library): * But if knowledge of grammar alone removes all obscurity from Sacred Scripture, how did it happen that St. Jerome, who knew all the languages, was so often at a loss and had to labour mightily to explain the prophets? Not to mention some others, among whom we find even Augustine, in whom you place some stock. Why is it that you yourself, who cannot use ignorance of languages as an excuse, are sometimes at a loss in explicating the psalms, testifying that you are following something you have dreamed up in your own mind, without condemning the opinions of others? . . . Finally, why do your brothers disagree so much with one another? They all have the same Scripture, they all claim the same spirit. And yet Karlstadt disagrees with you violently. So do Zwingli and Oecolampadius and Capito, who approve of Karlstadts opinion though not of his reasons for it. Then again Zwingli and Balthazar are miles apart on many points. To say nothing of images, which are rejected by others, but defended by you, not to mention the rebaptism rejected by your followers but preached by others, and passing over in silence the fact that secular studies are condemned by others but defended by you. Since you are all treating the subject matter of Scripture, if there is no obscurity in it, why is there so much disagreement among you? On this point there is no reason for you to rail at the wretched sophists: Augustine teaches that obscurity sometimes arises from unknown or ambiguous words, sometimes from the nature of the subject matter, at times from allegories and figures of speech, at times from passages which contradict one another, at least according to what the language seems to say. [De doctrina christiana 2.6.7, 2.9.15] And he gives the reason why God wished such obscurity to find a place in the Sacred Books. [De doctrina christiana 4.8.22] (pp. 130-131) * Furthermore, where you challenge me and all the sophists to bring forward even one obscure or recondite passage from the Sacred Books which you cannot show is quite clear, I only wish you could make good on your promise! We will bring to you heaps of difficulties and we will forgive you for calling us blinder than a bat, provided you clearly explicate the places where we are at a loss. But if you impose on us the law that we believe that whatever your interpretation is, that is what Scripture means, your associates will not put up with such a law and they stoutly cry out against you, affirming that you interpret Scripture wrongly about the Eucharist. Hence it is not right that we should grant you more authority than is granted by the principal associates of your confession. (p. 132) * But still, if I were growing weary of this church, as I wavered in perplexity, tell me, I beg you in the name of the gospel, where would you have me go? To that disintegrated congregation of yours, that totally dissected sect? Karlstadt has raged against you, and you in turn against him. And the dispute was not simply a tempest in a teapot but concerned a very serious matter. Zwingli and Oecolampadius have opposed your opinion in many volumes. And some of the leaders of your congregation agree with them, among whom is Capito. Then too what an all-out battles was fought by Balthazar and Zwingli! I am not even sure that there in that tiny little town you agree among yourselves very well. Here your disciples openly taught that the humanities are the bane of godliness, and no languages are to be learned except a bit of Greek and Hebrew, that Latin should be entirely ignored. There were those who would eliminate baptism and those who would repeat it; and there was no lack of those who persecute them for it. In some places images of the saints suffered a dire fate; you came to their rescue. When you book about reforming education was published, they said that the spirit had left you and that you were beginning to write in a human spirit opposed to the gospel, and they maintained you did it to please Melanchthon. A tribe of prophets has risen up there with whom you have engaged in most bitter conflict. Finally, just as every day new dogmas appear among you, so at the same time new quarrels arise. And you demand that no one should disagree with you, although you disagree so much among yourselves about matters of the greatest importance! (pp. 143-144) * Certainly no one after the apostles claimed that there was no mystery in Scripture that was not clear to him. (pp. 153-154) You stipulate that we should not ask for or accept anything but Holy Scripture, but you do it in such a way as to require that we permit you to be its sole interpreter, renouncing all others. Thus the victory will be yours if we allow you to be not the steward but the lord of Holy Scripture. (pp. 204-205) We were talking about your spirit and that of your followers, who profess that there is nothing in Holy Scripture which is obscure to you as long as you know grammar, and we demanded that you establish the credibility of this certainty, which you still fail to do, try as you may. (p. 219) [I]n Acts, when Paul had taught and admonished them, they compared the scriptural passages with what had been carried out and what had been propounded to them; and there was much they would not have understood if the apostle had not supplied this additional light. Therefore I am not making the passages obscure, but rather God himself wanted there to be some obscurity in them, but in such a way that there would be enough light for the eternal salvation of everyone if he used his eyes and grace was there to help. No one denies that there is truth as clear as crystal in Holy Scripture, but sometimes it is wrapped and covered up by figures and enigmas so that it needs scrutiny and an interpreter, either because God wanted in this way to arouse us from dullness and also to set us to work, as Augustine says, or because truth is more pleasant and affects us more deeply when it has been dug out and shines forth to us through the cover of darkness than if it had been exposed for anyone at all to see . . . (pp. 219-220) If Holy Scripture is perfectly clear in all respects, where does this darkness among you come from, whence arise such fights to the death about the meaning of Holy Scripture? You prove from the mysteries of Scripture that the body of the Lord is in the Eucharist physically; from the same Scripture Zwingli, Oecolampadius, and Capito teach that it is only signified. (p. 222) But if you attribute a total understanding of the Holy Scripture to the Holy Spirit, why do you make an exception only for the ignorance of grammar? In a matter of such importance will the Spirit allow grammar to stand in the way of mans salvation? Since he did not hesitate to impart such riches of eternal wisdom, will he hesitate to impart grammar and common sense? (p. 239) If you contend that there is no obscurity whatever in Holy Scripture, do not take up the matter with me but with all the orthodox Fathers, of whom there is none who does not preach the same thing as I do. (p. 242) See my entire seven-part series, Luther Meets His Match, which documents this dispute, with Erasmus replies (and see more from this particular installment). Erasmus replies are generally not available online (I had to pay good money to purchase this book), whereas Luthers Bondage of the Will is online. So, as usual, folks are usually far more familiar with Luthers argument against Erasmus, than vice versa (most have never heard of this book from Erasmus). And that is rather one-sided, as I think fair-minded readers would agree. Luther never responded to Erasmus 1526 work in reply to him, Hyperaspistes (A Defensive Shield). What a surprise . . . That would have made it a true debate, where both sides interact with each other and respond to counter-replies. Luther was scarcely even capable of that: at least not when he met his match with Erasmus (considered perhaps the greatest Christian scholar of his time), and was way over his head. He could rant and rave, rail and thunder, as he always eventually did in controversy (being a rather excitable sort), but he couldnt overcome Erasmus reasoning, and so once that was fully laid out, he didnt even try. At least he had wits enough to know when he was bested in debate. See my related article, 25 Brief Arguments Regarding Biblical Clearness [2009]. 37:03 What Rome has often done historically [is to] say, look, when weve got a competition between Scripture as the Word of God and tradition we go with [tradition]. Heres an example . . . communion in both kinds in the medieval church . . . this is a very very late development. There was a lot of superstition that developed around the sacrament of the Eucharist to such an extent that there was this fear of spilling the blood of Christ so that it was taught that only the priests should consume the blood of Christ and the lay person should not receive it at all. First of all, how it is superstition to be concerned about what both sides agree is the Blood of Christ not spilling on the floor? I must confess that I have no idea what he means here, and its rather shocking. It seems to me that we can agree that Jesus Blood spilled on the ground is not a good thing. The medieval Church was concerned about that. Secondly, Jesus cant be technically separated under symbols of wafer and wine. Jesus is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in both of what were formerly bread and wine. No one need take my word for that. Its biblical teaching: 1 Corinthians 11:27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Note the bolded or and and. The way that Paul phrases this proves that he believes that the Body and Blood are present in both species. Its all in the word or. The logic and grammar require it, so that the above can also be expressed in the following two propositions: Whoever, therefore, eats the bread of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Whoever, therefore, drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Im glad both kinds are offered in the Catholic Church now, but there is no necessity to receive both, in order to receive Jesus Christ. I myself have received the cup, I think, two times in my entire 33-year Catholic life: when I was received into the Church and once when the consecrated hosts ran out during Mass. My practice has nothing to do with theology; its merely a hygienic objection. The Catholic Church makes no claim that no one will ever contract a germ, drinking from a common cup with scores or hundreds of others. In any event, no one is missing anything. I would throw this objection back onto Jordan, having explained our position, and ask him: what is worse: not receiving the chalice when the host contains all of Christ, or receiving no Body and Blood at all, as in Zwinglis view, and that of most Protestants besides Lutherans? Luther himself said hed rather partake of the Holy Eucharist with Catholics, than drink mere wine with the Zwinglians and others who denied the Real Presence. He didnt deny that Catholics were Christians, but he denied that Zwingli and his followers were. Thus, in light of these considerations, Jordan is majoring on the minors and knocking the Catholic Church, when the vast majority of his fellow Protestants dont even believe they are truly receiving Jesus at all (and indeed they arent, and Catholics contend that Lutherans and the few Anglicans who still believe in Real Presence arent, either, since they broke the line of valid ordination). Which is the more important of the two things? A Calvinist apologist wrote: I openly challenge the Roman apologists to bring forth any example of a church father who says that after the consecration the bread is the blood of Christ (bolding his own) Im happy to oblige, by providing two examples of the logically equivalent converse: the cup described as Christs Body: [W]hen the great prayers and the holy supplications are sent up to God, the Word descends upon the bread and the cup, and they become His body. (St. Athanasius, Sermon to the Newly Baptized, PG 26,1325) So now repeatedly the bread and wine, sanctified by the Word (the sacred Benediction), is at the same time changed into the Body of that Word; and this Flesh is disseminated among all the Faithful. (St. Gregory of Nyssa, The Great Catechism, 37) The Catholic Encyclopedia article, Communion under Both Kinds makes further biblical arguments and provides a detailed history of many instances in the early Church in which the cup or the host only was distributed, such as the faithful receiving at home (thus implying indirectly that both Body and Blood and the whole Christ were contained in either kind). Example: It is recorded of St. Basil that he received Holy Communion several times on the day of his death, and under the species of bread alone, as may be inferred from the biographers words . . . These testimonies are sufficient to establish the fact that, in the early centuries, reservation of the Eucharist for the sick and dying, of which the Council of Nicaea (325) speaks (can. xiii) as the ancient and canonical rule, was usual under one kind. The reservation of the species of wine for use as the Viaticum . . . was never the general practice. . . . I could also bring up the issue of adoration of the consecrated wafer and wine. If indeed Jesus Christ is truly present, then wouldnt it follow that He should be adored in the sacrament? Thats what Martin Luther in consistency thought: Now to come back to the sacrament: he who does not believe that Christs body and blood are present does well not to worship either with his spirit or with his body. But he who does believe, as sufficient demonstration has shown it ought to be believed, can surely not withhold his adoration of the body and blood of Christ without sinning. For I must always confess that Christ is present when his body and blood are present. His words do not lie to me, and he is not separated from his body and blood. (The Adoration of the Sacrament, 1523, Luthers Works, vol. 36) [O]ne should not withhold from him such worship and adoration either . . . one should not condemn and accuse of heresy people who do adore the sacrament. For although Christ has not commanded it, neither has he forbidden it, but often accepted it. Free, free it must be, according as one is disposed in his heart and has opportunity. (Ibid.) Lutherans do not, however, practice eucharistic adoration now. Why? Jesus is present, so why would they not worship Him? On what basis is the practice neglected? And is this not a far greater omission than merely partaking in one kind (when Jesus is fully present in both kinds)? Catholics worship Jesus in the consecrated elements and receive Him. Lutherans only do the second. Again, I ask: why? So they wont be too much like Catholics? Jordan is now almost two-thirds through his talk on sola Scriptura and he has scarcely defended it at all (so I had to change my title). Certainly nothing he has presented in the first 37 minutes presents undeniable arguments that sola Scriptura is true, and that only Scripture is an infallible authority in Christianity. But lots of potshots against the Catholic Church! This is a form of the old your dads uglier than mine! tactic. When some folks have insufficient arguments to make their own case, they go after the other guy and hope that no one notices. 37:47 This has no precedent in Scripture whatsoever. [When] Jesus talks about the sacrament what does he say?: take eat, take drink . . . I already mentioned 1 Corinthians 11:27, so there is indeed relevant Scripture. And the second claim isnt true, either. In John 6:58, Jesus mentions eating His Flesh as salvation-giving, without mentioning drinking His Blood: he who eats this bread will live for ever (cf. 6:33, 50-51). Nice try, though. 38:27 here is a very clear example where you have the entirety of Scripture and the entirety of the testimony of the church fathers . . . It is true that the Church for its first twelve centuries offered both kinds. But it also offered only one kind in several different instances, as the Catholic Encyclopedia I linked to, documents, thus implying that either element is sufficient. And I have shown how this has scriptural support, in at least five passages. 40:15 You dont find the bodily Assumption of Mary in the early church; you dont find the Immaculate Conception of Mary in the early church; you dont find the dogma of papal infallibility in the early church. Most doctrines take many centuries to develop. One didnt have the complete canon of Scripture until the late 4th century. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity was developing in key respects up through the 4th century, and in more particulars even a few centuries more. The view of religious image took many centuries to sort out (with Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, and Anglicans coming down on one side and Calvinists and some fundamentalists on the other). So thats a given. And its true for doctrines that we believe in common. The Blessed Virgin Marys Assumption and Immaculate Conception can be strongly deduced from Scripture and by analogies in Scripture. The primacy of St. Peter is very strongly indicated in the Bible and even strongly backed up in many particulars by Protestant scholars. Then we also have solid Protestant scholars noting how sola Scriptura and sola fide were both profoundly absent not only in the fathers but all the way up till Luther. See my article: Bible / Faith Alone vs. The Fathers (vs. Gavin Ortlund) [2-13-24]. We can defend our views on these matters (I just gave links where I have done so). Protestants cant, and usually wont, when scrutinized and pressed, in depth (as I am doing right now). Jordan has that choice. Well see what he decides. 40:27 There are many things that are declared dogma that actually dont have any roots in Tradition. Its just traditions that they happen to grab on to [with] many of them being very late . . . This is one of those hyper-polemical statements that take a lot of time and effort to refute. Fortunately, I have already done so, in my 33 years of Catholic apologetics writing (now available in 4,500+ articles on this blog and 55 books). In all of that work I have offered biblical and traditional arguments for virtually all major Catholic dogmas and doctrines. Ive never found a single one that had didnt have any biblical or patristic support. Id be happy to discuss any of them with Jordan or Gavin Ortlund or any other active Protestant apologist. 40:43 infallibility isnt declared Dogma until 1870 . . . Thats right, which means that Catholics were required to believe it after that time. It doesnt follow that it wasnt entrenched in Catholic tradition long before. I found a statement from St. Francis de Sales in the 16th century that is identical in many ways to the dogma of 1870. It was clearly believed. Luther makes many statements where he says that such-and-such a doctrine is good and pious but that its not required. Thats how Catholics were regarding papal infallibility before 1870. But then it was required, just as Luther would say about the Holy Eucharist or baptismal regeneration. Its a debate about the precise nature of the level of authority any given doctrine has. Not one Protestant in a hundred understands these distinctions, and even Jordan seems not to (by the way he frames his statement). One could say the same about the canon of Scripture, which was largely held with more and more certitude for 350 years, and then the church decreed that various books were certainly canonical and everyone accepted it, for the most part. It was fairly certain and then it became certain In terms of the faith of Christians). No one identified all 27 New Testament books as Scripture until 367, when Athanasius did it. Within 30 years, the Church at large agreed and proclaimed these books canon, along with the Old Testament (including the seven deuterocanonical books). So late dogmatic proclamations are no new concept with medieval Catholics. Protestants should be the last people to even bring such a thing up, seeing that their two pillars (sola Scriptura and sola fide) are scarcely found at all in the Bible, nor the fathers, nor the medieval Church. Its a case of log-in-the-eye disease. * Rev. Dr. Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran pastor, adjunct professor of Systematic Theology, Executive Director of the popular Just & Sinner YouTube channel, and the President of the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (which holds to a doctrinally traditional Lutheranism, similar to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod). He has authored several books, as well as theological articles in a variety of publications. All my Bible citations are from RSV, unless otherwise indicated. Jordans words will be in blue. This is my 8th reply to Jordan (many more to come, because I want to interact with the best, most informed Protestant opponents). All of these respectful critiques can be found in the Replies to Lutheran Theologian / Apologist Jordan Cooper section on the top of my Lutheranism web page. ***** This is a response to the end portion of Jordans YouTube video, Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone (The Five Solas) (2-24-24). For the definition of sola Scriptura, see my paper, Sola Scriptura as Defined by Historic Protestantism [12-15-21]. Remarkably (but honestly and correctly), Jordan Cooper stated in his video, A Defense of Sola Scriptura (3-12-19): I think the question that we have is: do we have to find a particular Scripture that says Scripture is the only authority? And I just dont think we have to. We dont. Theres nothing in you cant find in any of Pauls letters, for example, . . . by the way, Scripture is the only authority and traditions are not an authority and there is no magisterium that is given some kind of infallible authority to pass on infallible teachings. It seems like a lot of Roman Catholic apologists think that for Protestants to defend their position, that they have to find a text that says that. [1:39-2:14] Yes they do, in the nature of things. I dismantled this argument in 2004: Sola Scriptura is Self-Defeating and False if Not in the Bible (vs. Kevin Johnson) [5-4-04]. 38:39 Scripture is . . . our sole infallible authority. Scripture itself refutes this particularly in the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 and 1 Timothy 3:15 as I have detailed many times. See my Bible & Tradition web page: section III. Sola Scriptura (Scripture as the Only Infallible Authority). 38:47 its our sole God-breathed authority. There is nothing that has the kind of authority that Scripture has. We all agree that its God-breathed (i.e., inspired) and in many respects quite unique. The specific dispute with regard to sola Scriptura, however, is whether it is the only infallible authority. Its not. Sola Scriptura cant be true (at least in its standard definition) according to the Bible itself. Ive also made an extended argument that there are even inspired utterances, prophecies, and teachings besides Scripture: Reply To Gavin Ortlunds 6-Minute Sola Scriptura Defense (Including the Biblical Case for Prophets as Inspired and Infallible Authorities Besides Holy Scripture) [1-26-24]. 40:59 2 Timothy 3:16: it [Scripture] is breathed out by God or God-breathed. It is inspired by the Spirit. So was the prophet Agabus, who stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius (Acts 11:27-28; cf. 21:10-11, where he predicts Pauls captivity, prefacing his words with Thus says the Holy Spirit, . . .). Thats breathed by the Holy Spirit, too. Paul wrote that the mystery of Christ, . . . has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Eph 3:4-5). Peter wrote that true prophecies were inspired: no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Pet 1:21). The first Christian council in Jerusalem was inspired, since the Holy Spirit agreed with it (Acts 15:28). The first pope, Peter, even made an infallible declaration in the council (Acts 15:7-11) that was crucial in its determination. This in turn was largely based on a vision (Acts 10:17) that God gave to Peter (Acts 10:11-16), while he was in a trance (Acts 10:10). God showed him the meaning of it by sending to him the Gentile centurion, Cornelius (Acts 10:25 ff.), to whom He had communicated by an angel (10:22, 30-32). The larger point is that so much of this had nothing directly to do with Scripture at all. Yet it was infallible (and arguably inspired as well). Moreover, when Jesus was talking to His disciples about future persecution, He said, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say (Lk 12:11-12). Mark in his parallel passage puts it even more strongly: it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit (Mk 13:11). Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied (Lk 1:67). Simeon also had a close relationship with the Holy Spirit (Lk 2:25-26). Now, if the Holy Spirit can talk to Jesus disciples in that way (and by extension possibly to any follower of Christ), or literally talk through them, is that divine speech or the words of God? Since the Holy Spirit is God, the answer must be yes. But again, thats not Scripture. Paul also refers to two spiritual gifts that seem to involve direct communication from God to human beings: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-8). Here again God the Holy Spirit is communicating to persons. It seems to me that all words that authentically come from God must be considered to be inspired, as all of Gods words are. Jordan himself admits this at 44:48: we recognize in the Old Testament, God sent prophets, and when the prophet Isaiah spoke he spoke the word of God. The people of Israel didnt have to stop and say were going to wait till he writes it down . . .. I would only add that the office of prophet is present in the New Testament and new covenant as well. I made an analogical argument from Ephesians 4:11-15 (see the passage) in my first book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism (pp. 15-16), in response to the alleged sola Scriptura prooftext, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Here is the heart of that argument: Note that in Ephesians 4:11-15 the Christian believer is equipped, built up, brought into unity and mature manhood, knowledge of Jesus, the fulness of Christ, and even preserved from doctrinal confusion by means of the teaching function of the Church. This is a far stronger statement of the perfecting of the saints than 2 Timothy 3:16-17, yet it doesnt even mention Scripture. Therefore, the Protestant interpretation of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 proves too much, since if all nonscriptural elements are excluded in 2 Timothy, then, by analogy, Scripture would logically have to be excluded in Ephesians. It is far more reasonable to synthesize the two passages in an inclusive, complementary fashion, by recognizing that the mere absence of one or more elements in one passage does not mean that they are nonexistent. Thus, the Church and Scripture are both equally necessary and important for teaching. This is precisely the Catholic view. Neither passage is intended in an exclusive sense. To expand the original argument regarding Ephesians 4 a bit: Protestants are saying that Scripture is the rule of faith. It is the sole and ultimate criterion for theological doctrine and truth, insofar as it is regarded as the only infallible authority. Therefore, it stands to reason that in a passage talking about truth over and over again, and denouncing falsehood, and referring to one faith and the unity of faith, that Scripture would likely be mentioned (under the erroneous Protestant premise). Its not absolutely necessary, but it would be probable, I think. This would be a logical place for Paul to reiterate that the Scripture is the rule of faith. But he never does that. He refers repeatedly to truth and denounces falsehood, and refers to the Church over and over: one body; [listing of Church offices]; body of Christ; the whole body; bodily growth; members of one another. Now, under Catholic assumptions of the three-legged stool (Church, Scripture, Tradition), this is perfectly plausible and would be predictable. Not all have to be mentioned in the same context. Any one of them can be (or all of them, or any combination thereof), because they are all authoritative. 41:12 Jesus says Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). Those kinds of things are not true of anything else outside of the text of Scripture. I just demonstrated how those things are false. Every true prophecy or vision or direct communication of God to men (of which there are many examples in Scripture) cant be broken either, because they involve the words of God the Holy Spirit. 41:30 Now what does Scripture then say about tradition and the Church? Well, Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:15 that the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth and some Roman Catholics will quote that and say, there you go: the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth, therefore sola Scriptura is wrong. Indeed it is, once one seriously considers what is expressed in 1 Timothy 3:15. The Church cant possibly be the pillar and ground of the truth without at the same time being infallible. And if it can be and is infallible, then sola Scriptura which denies this characteristic to anything but the Bible collapses in a heap, from this one Bible passage alone (see how I fully unpack the meaning of the passage). 42:41 It is the foundation of the truth because it is the place where Scripture is taught and preserved . . . He just got through noting that the passage doesnt talk specifically about the bishops of Rome (which is true, but irrelevant to the Catholic argument from this verse, which only depends on the Church whatever it is being referred to). Having done that, he turns around and makes this claim, which is nowhere in the text, either. Its simply superimposed. Scripture is never mentioned in chapter 3 of 1st Timothy. Its mentioned twice in the entire letter (4:13; 5:18), but neither instance has the slightest relation to what Jordan is claiming. Word of God appears once in 4:5, but again, not in any sense related to the hopeful claim. The Bible actually teaches that the Church is the foundation of the truth and includes a thing like the Jerusalem Council, which shows the Church actually displaying and exercising this God-given authority. I wrote a paper once that was about what I thought was a very interesting topic: St. Pauls Word Selection vs. Sola Scriptura [4-3-10]. One can read the details there of how I did my tabulations, but several interesting facts emerged from it: The words Scripture or Scriptures appear 51 times in the New Testament. Yet in eight of his thirteen epistles (2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Titus, Philemon) St. Paul (it may be surprising to learn) never uses either of these words. He uses it only 14 times altogether: in Romans (6), 1 Corinthians (2), Galatians (3), 1 Timothy (2), and 2 Timothy (1). Likewise, word of God appears 43 times in the New Testament, and many of these (as in Old Testament prophetic utterances) are intended in the sense of oral proclamation rather than Scripture (especially apart from the Gospels). St. Paul uses the phrase only ten times, in nine different epistles. And it is by no means certain that any individual instance refers without question specifically to Holy Scripture, rather than to oral proclamation of apostolic tradition. I suspect that it is much more likely the latter sense in most or all cases. In surveying Pauls thought-world, then, as indicated by his choices of words and notions, in his teaching of the gospel and the content of the Christian faith in his epistles, we arrive at the following tally: Scripture(s): 14 + 84 citations of OT = 98 Church (20) and Body (of Christ) (19) = 39 Tradition and equivalent terms and concepts: 73 We can see that the tradition and Church legs of the three-legged stool are indeed prominent and together make up 53% of the 210 total instances, whereas Scripture appears 47% of the time (112-98). Moreover, I have not included obvious aspects of Church authority such as bishops and elders; the Jerusalem Council, etc. That would add even more non-scriptural authority to the mix. In eight of the twelve epistles above, the combination Church/Tradition appears more than Scripture. In six of these eight, the tradition category alone outnumbers Scripture; two by very wide margins (2 Timothy: 14-1; 1 Timothy: 13-2). In Ephesians, the Church/Tradition ratio to Scripture is 18-6; other books are similar: Philippians (4-1), Colossians (12-0), 1 Thessalonians (5-0), 2 Thessalonians (3-0), Titus (4-0). Would any sola Scriptura advocate have predicted such an outcome before studying these words? Not likely . . . Citation of the OT is just as consistent with the Catholic three-legged stool rule of faith as it is with sola Scriptura, and doesnt prove the latter at all. All his frequent citations prove is that he wanted to make an elaborate case drawing from old covenant precedent. I conclude, then, that it is implausible for sola Scriptura to be considered the Pauline rule of faith. The biblical facts just dont add up. 42:53 Now also Scripture does talk about traditions (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2): that there are traditions, that the apostles tell people to uphold the traditions that I have handed on to you. Does this mean that there is some kind of infallible authority within Church tradition? * Yes. The New Testament massively refers to tradition . St. Paul constantly refers to the apostolic deposit of faith or tradition in many ways, that are all synonymous or nearly so: tradition, word of God, the faith, the truth, the commandment, the doctrine, teaching, the message, and (to a lesser extent because its more specific) the gospel: all received and delivered by him. In doing so, he obviously has in mind a concrete body of teachings that he taught the churches that he established. Its not just one thing. If that were the case, he would have specified it. But he doesnt do so in almost all cases of his use of the words above. * Thayers Greek Lexicon (Strongs Greek word #3862) states that ( paradosis tradition) means a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing what is delivered . . . instruction . . . the substance of the teaching in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, whereas he thinks it refers to particular injunctions of Pauls instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15. He holds that the word can refer to precepts received from the fathers, whether handed down in the O. T. books or orally (Gal 1:14: the traditions of my fathers): with some restricting or including the reference in that passage to extra-biblical traditions. In the Greek Septuagint (LXX) its used for the law [of God]: Ezra 7:26. Kittels Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (one-volume edition, p. 168, also, like Thayer, not a Catholic work, affirms that it refers to written as well as unwritten traditions in Galatians 1:14, and is equated with Christian teaching (1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 2:15); also deducing from 1 Corinthians 15:3 ff. and 11:23 ff., that it is older than Paul and is already acquiring a fixed form in his day. Any way we look at it, there is plenty of tradition in the sense that Catholics refer to it (including oral) in the New Testament. Because tradition is presented as synonymous with truth and the gospel and the faith etc. it, too, must be as infallible as they are. The truth itself is always infallible. If it werent, it wouldnt be the truth. Jordan then quibbles about apostolic succession and ecclesiastical primacy. But that wont help him one whit to establish and defend sola Scriptura. Its simply another rabbit trail and non sequitur. 45:34 Is it that Scripture is where we find the apostolic tradition today . . .? Its not the only place, but its certainly a major place where we can find both the 1) concept of tradition, and 2) examples of same. The inclusion of an infallible tradition and Church in the Bible itself is what precisely and most undeniably refutes sola Scriptura, because Protestants cant deny the inspiration of Scripture when it makes such statements. Acts 15:28 and 1 Timothy 3:15 are themselves infallible, and they teach the infallible authority of the Church. 1:00:22 Roman Catholic apologists like to throw around this number that there are 33,000 Protestant denominations. Its [an] absolutely ridiculous number; its totally inflated . . . Some less-educated Catholic apologists do so, and its most unfortunate, but not me. I objected to this number and explained exactly why, almost twenty years ago: 33,000 Protestant Denominations? No! [9-4-04]. Cabrini, the highly-anticipated follow-up from Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde, releases Friday, on International Womens Day, from Angel Studios. The film shares the story of Saint Francesca Cabrini (Christiana DellAnna), a poor, audacious Italian immigrant who used her willpower, courage, compassion and business skill to secure housing and healthcare for societys most vulnerable. David Morse, a popular character actor who has appeared in The Green Mile, St. Elsewhere, The Rock and Contact, appears Archbishop Corrigan. In this interview with Reel Faiths DeWayne Hamby, he talks about what drew him to the film, what roles hes most remembered for, and what he believes audiences will experience when watching Cabrini. What was it that drew you to Cabrini? Well, Alejandro, the director had asked me to do a couple of other movies and those did not work out. So, I particularly paid attention when this one was sent to me. I knew he was a good director. I was interested in working with him already. But it always has to be the script, and it has to be the character. If those dont work, Im not going to do it. But this one, the storytelling was really good, about Mother Cabrini and my character. I get asked to play some hard cases pretty often. What I liked about it is he was he starts off that way. But he has a real journey that he goes on. And by the end of it, he is really helping her and friends with her. And she teaches them a teaching a pretty good lesson about how far he has strayed from, from being, in his words, a shepherd. So I liked that. Sound of Freedom became so huge for Alejandro that that this is like a highly anticipated follow up. So, it has so much enthusiasm around it. What do you think people will kind of get from it when they walk away? Its an inspirational story. Yes, its completely an inspirational story. She truly was an amazing woman, and Christiana DellAnna, who plays her, is absolutely fantastic. I cant imagine anybody playing this role truer or better than her. And shes a wonderful human being. You can feel it when you watch it. The quality of her melding with the quality of this woman. In a lot of ways, this is a kind of storytelling and filmmaking we dont get to see a lot anymore. Because Hollywood isnt making these movies. And Eustace Wolfington, who was the inspiration behind getting this done, he said, If were going to do it, were going to do this right. And that means spending money. And Ive never been an independent movie that has spent the kind of money that hes spent on, on making this. When you watch it, its all there of creating that world. Its beautiful. The images, some of them could be paintings or hung on the wall. I mean, theyre just really framed so beautifully. Completely. He was originally into it before the pandemic. So he had two years basically to do nothing but storyboard this movie, and originally was going to do it in black and white. He designed it to be shot with those, you know, those old black and white, beautiful lighting and image and all, all of that and framing. And right before they started shooting this, the producer said, You know what, I love that youre, youre inspired to do this in black and white, but we cant do that. Its got to be color. But the lighting all comes from that those two years of working those black and white images and transferring them to color and framing. It really is spectacular. What was it like working with John Lithgow? H You know, we hadnt. But it was really fun. Because wed known about each other forever. And he had actually asked me when I was doing St. Elsewhere in the 1980s to do a reading of a script that he wrote, I couldnt do it. I was so disappointed to read the role that he would have done. In this movie, he walked into the makeup trailer when he got there. And the first thing he said was, So, heres the man has been stealing all my roles. We got together. When somebody approaches you on the street, whats the first thing they say? Whats the first role they associate you with? Well, always The Green Mile. It just shows all the time all over the world. Its not just in the street here. I go to another country, theyre stopping me because of it. And what a great movie to be remembered for. St. Elsewhere. I cant believe how many times people say to me, now its mostly people saying, Oh, I used to watch you with my mother when I was a kid. And Contact too. Contact is another big one. You know it because its a movie that meant so much to people. Its nice to be remembered for those things. Are there any particular memories that you take away from the from the filming besides John Lithgow ribbing you? Alejandro, because hes a director, we didnt get to spend that much time together, but Christiana, just my scenes were with her. And the quality of her as a human being and her and her husband. The friendship, that that to me is, is probably the big thing and the most important thing. Cabrini, starring stars Cristiana DellAnna, John Lithgow, David Morse, Giancarol Giannini, and Federico Castelluccio, releases Friday, March 8, from Angel Studios. The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the defunct Beige Bank Limited Michael Nyinaku has told the High Court in Accra that he would be calling 61 witnesses to mount his defence to over 40 charges. Mr Nyinaku has been ordered by the Court to open his defense after prosecution closed its case after calling five witnesses. The founder of the defunct bank has been charged with stealing, fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering and pleaded not guilty l. In court on Monday, March 4, his lawyers led by Thaddeus Sory told the Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal that they have so far filed a list of the 61 Witnesses they intend to call. The Court has since directed them to file the first of the 15 out of the 61 in order of which they would be testifying. The case has been adjourned to March 13, 2024. Brief facts Per the brief facts of the case narrated by Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, Deputy Attorney General, Mr Nyinaku was the former Chief Executive Officer of the Beige Bank and that on August 1, 2018, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) revoked the banking license of Beige Bank and placed it in receivership. He said a review of the financial and other records of the Bank conducted by the receiver and his team showed several suspicious and unusual transactions, which were subsequently reported to the law enforcement agencies for investigations. The AG said investigations conducted revealed that between 2015 and 2018, the accused person as CEO of the Bank had allegedly used various means to transfer huge sums of monies to companies related to him and for his personal benefits. He alleged that the funds transferred were depositors funds lodged with the Beige Bank and that between 2017 and 2018, Nyinaku had caused the transfer of GHC10,071.00 fixed deposit account held with Beige Bank in which various customers placed a total of GHC448,636,210.21 to Beige Capital Asset Management Limited, (BCAM), without the knowledge and consent of the customers. Plot The AG said BCAM was a limited liability company wholly owned by the Beige Group Limited (Beige Group), an entity which in turn was wholly owned by the accused person, adding that the accused person between 2017 and 2018 caused the transfer of 35 fixed deposit investments of 23 customers of Beige Bank valued GHC141,042,348.92 to the Beige Group, a Company wholly owned by the accused person and its majority shareholders of Beige Bank. The prosecution said further investigations revealed that in March 2018, the accused person had caused a fictitious second account to be opened in the name of First African Savings and Loans (FASL), an existing account holder with Beige Bank, without the knowledge of the board and management of FASL. The AG said the accused person then caused the transfer of the sum of GHC320 million from the accounts of various Beige Bank customers into the bank accounts of BCAM held with Beige Bank. The GHC320 million was subsequently transferred from the BCAM account held with the Beige Bank into the fictitious FASL account that had been opened in Beige Banks books on the instructions of the accused person allegedly, said the prosecution. It said between March 2018 and August 2018, GHC21,123,270.96 out of the GHC320 million was transferred from the fictitious FASL bank account to some two individuals and ten companies, nine of which were related to Nyinaku, on his instructions. Email transactions The AG said again, between 2015 and 2017, the accused person, through the use of payment vouchers, had caused the sum of GHc1,465,000.00 of depositors funds lodged with Beige Bank to be paid to himself and other persons, the Court heard. It said the transactions were recorded in a general ledger account of the bank described as Directors account, adding that it came out that the accused person through the use of payment vouchers, emails and memos, had caused a total of GHC20,599,052.58 of depositors funds lodged with Beige Bank to be transferred to a number of a general ledger account of the bank described as shareholders account. The AG also said, between 2016 and 2017, the accused, through the use of payment vouchers, had caused a total amount of GHC141,742,087.70 of depositors funds lodged with Beige Bank to be transferred to a number of companies and individuals for his benefits allegedly, it said. It said the transactions were recorded in the general ledger account of the Bank described as Prepayment - a Project Work Account, and that between 2017 and 2018, the accused person using payment vouchers, e-mails, and memos had further caused the sum of GHC118,076,813.09 of depositors funds lodged with Beige Bank to be transferred to several companies and individuals for his benefit allegedly. It said the transactions were also recorded in a general ledger account of the bank described as Beige Group Account. The AG again said investigations had established that the money the accused allegedly dishonestly appropriated from the Beige Bank remained unpaid as of August 1, 2018, when the Banks license was revoked by BoG. Source: starrfm.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Registrar of Companies, Jemima Oware, has urged entrepreneurs to legitimize their business ideas to ensure legality over patent, trademarks and copyrights. According to the registrar, an entrepreneur must not necessarily register a company which will mandate filling of annual returns and payment of some administrative taxes, but must register the business operations under available provisions made for smaller entities to legitimise whatever dream enterprise they envision to create. She stressed that by formalising business entities, entrepreneurs can unlock various benefits and opportunities. Business registration comes in various forms, including business names dubbed as one-man business/ sole proprietor, subsidiary business name in which a company owns the business instead of an individual, and partnerships normally between two-to-20 people. Company registration comes in two folds limited and unlimited liability types for profit-making types and the limited by guarantee which is non-profit type. So, entrepreneurs can start small with just business name, subsidiary business name or partnership and later grow into a company, she said. Madam Oware also revealed a rising trend in the number of small businesses operating without proper registration or licensing. While some businessowners may consider these practices as a means to cut costs or avoid bureaucracy, there are various downsides associated with such approaches, she noted. Unregistered businesses not only risk legal consequences in case of litigation, but also limit their growth potential and access to important resources. Formalising a business entity offers numerous advantages that entrepreneurs cannot afford to overlook. By registering their business, entrepreneurs gain legal protection, credibility and increased access to financial resources. A registered business is more likely to secure favourable partnerships and attract investors, leading to enhanced growth prospects. Furthermore, registering a business allows entrepreneurs to operate and engage with clients in a compliant manner, ensuring the trust and confidence of customers. It also allows businesses to access various government programmes, grants and incentives that can contribute to their success, she added. She made these remarks at the launch of the Wealth and Jobs Expo 2024, in Accra. An event aimed at bringing policy-makers, entrepreneurs, unemployed graduates and the business community as well as investors together to deliberate on creating job for the teaming youth. She assured stakeholders that the Office of the Registrar of Companies is committed to assisting entrepreneurs in navigating the complex process of formalising their operations. The office provides comprehensive services, including name registration, licensing, taxation registration and more. With the registrars support, entrepreneurs can rest assured that they are adhering to all legal requirements and positioning their businesses for long-term success. Additionally, she indicated that business registration processes have been digitalised for easy accessibility and convenience. Nonetheless, the vast knowledge and experience in business registration by the team members is accessible to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process. From initial documentation to final approvals, the company remains dedicated to simplifying the registration process and providing prompt assistance to entrepreneurs at every step. The registrar strongly encourages them to consider the long-term benefits of operating legally by ensuring the legitimacy of their operations. Source: B&FT 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 Oyster Agribusiness, a leading agricultural technology (Agritech) company, has hosted a vibrant celebration, recognizing the dedication and contributions of smallholder farmers in the Kintampo Municipality in the Bono East Region. The event, which included the company's annual Smallholder Farmer Award Scheme, underscored the vital role of agriculture in Ghana's economy and the importance of empowering smallholder farmers. Oyster Agribusiness CEO, Edmond Kombat, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Operations Manager, Daniel Kuupol praised the farmers for their hard work and commitment. I am profoundly honoured to witness the fruits of our collective labour. In 2018, when we set out on this journey, our vision was clear: to uplift the lives of our farmers and communities, to bring sustainable agriculture practices to the forefront, and to foster a future where every smallholder farmer thrives. Today, as we gather here, we see the impact of that vision manifesting in the lives of over 3,000 farmers, he said. The Director for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) in Kintampo North MOFA Director, Simon Yambor, as well as his colleague in the South, Afia Asukua, both commended Oyster Agribusiness for complementing the government's efforts in recognizing and supporting farmers. "These awards will not only motivate you to continue putting food on our tables, but also serve as a beacon for continued excellence and innovation in agriculture," the latter said, Additionally, Municipal Chief Executive Isaac Baffoe Ameyaw emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in driving growth in the agricultural sector. The highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding farmers. Nana Asaw Kabator Dramani, the overall best farmer with the highest yield per acre, received a MotorKing, symbolizing the rewards of dedication and hard work. Other farmers received awards like motorbikes, seed planters, and essential farming equipment. Oyster Agribusiness Board Chair, Dr. James Kombiok, concluded the event by stating, "Today marks a milestone in our journey to transform agriculture in Ghana. By empowering our smallholder farmers, we are building a brighter future for our communities and our nation." Farmers awards List Dunabood Birikoe (Asuogya) Yakubu Kombat (Kobeda) John The Baptist Sankari (Dabaah) Emmanuel Wajule (Miawani) Daniel Batuuro (Kunsu) Chan Kangben (Yawpare) Desuriku Winnibon Peter (Aboagye) Isaac Baffoe(Anokyekrom) Barnabas Gyaakom (Ebenezerkrom) Adu James (Agyegyemankunu) Second highest quantity per acre Duut Zakari Woman with the highest quantity per acre Laar Laari Overall highest quantity per acre Gumna Iddrisu Overall highest quantity per acre Nana Asaw Kabator Dramani About Oyster Agribusiness Oyster Agribusiness is a leading Agri-tech company dedicated to transforming agriculture in Ghana. They empower smallholder farmers through innovative solutions, training, and support, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and driving economic growth for rural communities. 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 Hundreds of business leaders and representatives of governments and organizations from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal and Uganda have gathered at an awards ceremony to celebrate the private sector champions and companies that have contributed to the fight against malaria through the "Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative". Nine companies and three champions, including the Honorable Ake Natonde from Benin, Kenneth Mugisha, President of Malaria Free Uganda, and Samuel Asiedu Agyei, Director of AngloGold Ashanti Malaria (AGAMAL) in Ghana, were recognized for their significant contributions to the fight against malaria between 2021 and 2024, to the tune of $6 million in in-kind and financial contributions. According to the WHO, despite sustained global efforts to reduce malaria cases, 249 million cases were recorded in 2022, 94% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. This preventable and treatable disease caused 608,000 deaths worldwide. In some African countries, malaria can impact GDP growth by up to 1.3%, placing a significant burden on businesses. The involvement of the private sector is essential to boost national objectives and mobilize more partners and resources. It is against this backdrop that in 2020, the Ecobank Group, in collaboration with the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Speak Up Africa, launched the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative to mobilize the private sector for malaria control efforts. Since its launch, the initiative, implemented in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal and Uganda, has raised $6 million in financial and in-kind contributions. To date, some sixty companies from the African private sector have contributed, and many business leaders considered champions in this fight have lent their voices and expertise to strengthen the prioritization of malaria by bringing together decision-makers. At the gala dinner, Yves Mayilamene, Group Executive, Human Resources, Ecobank, declared: "As the leading pan-African banking Group, we could not remain insensitive to the damage caused by this disease within our communities. We are an African bank, and our purpose is Africa. We are also firmly committed to going beyond in meeting our corporate and social responsibility. This is exemplified by our Ecobank Foundation through which Ecobank shows its actions as a good corporate citizen. Therefore, launching the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative in 2020 was no surprise. Together, we recognised that the private sector must play a major role in helping to end malaria by providing essential funding, broader awareness and political advocacy and acting as champions. Doing so, they help strengthen the partnership around national malaria control programmes", Yves Mayilamene. RBM representative Philippe Batienon, in turn, offered words of encouragement to the finalists from the CEO: I am delighted that the Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative has been able to come together in one place to honour the work which is being done as part of this programme and congratulate the partners for their great success. The RBM Partnership is just that - a Partnership. The ability to convene with one mission, in a multisectoral approach, to collaborate and work together to end malaria, gives me great hope that we will be able to defeat this disease. I congratulate the award winners who have dedicated time and resources to this cause, as well as thanks to the Togolese Government, Ecobank Foundation and Speak Up Africa for their continued determination to support this fight. I urge business leaders inspired by this moment to come together and join us. Cross-sectorally, we can achieve our goals, - Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of RBM Partnership to End Malaria. Yacine Djibo, Founder and Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, said: "Health and the economy are closely linked. At a time when the cost of treating malaria and its impact on our African economies is well known, we need more than ever to rethink the fight against this old, preventable and treatable disease. It is vital that we work together to strengthen political commitment, coordinate the actions of all stakeholders and guarantee sustainable domestic funding in each of our states. At Speak Up Africa, we are convinced that Africa's private sector has enormous potential to catalyze positive change, and we recognize the power of partnerships to solve African problems including malaria." The ceremony marks the close of the initiative's successful pilot phase and thus the lessons learned will help document the social impact that private sector involvement can play. 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 Kwami Sefa Kayi, widely called "Chairman General", has shared his opinions on the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The bill was passed in Parliament on Wednesday, February 27 by a unanimous decision. It awaits President Nana Addo's assent to become law and when effected, every person caught in the act of homosexuality or promoting the activities of the LGBTQ+ society will face a jail term of 6 months to 5 years. But the bill has received a backlash as the international community and some Ghanaians have condemned it, calling on the President not to assent to it. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk describes it as deeply harmful stressing the bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual and queer people simply for being who they are and threatens criminal penalties against perceived allies of LGBTQ+ people. He called for the bill not to become law. I urge the Ghanaian Government to take steps to ensure everyone can live free from violence, stigma and discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consensual same-sex conduct should never be criminalized. US ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Evelyn Palmer also says the bill undermines human rights. I am saddened because some of the smartest, most creative, most decent people I know are LGBT. The bill Parliament passed takes away not only their basic human rights but those of all Ghanaians because it undermines their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press. It will be bad for public order and public health. If enacted, it will also hurt Ghanas international reputation and Ghanas economy, she wrote on the embassys X (formerly twitter) page. Sharing his thoughts on the bill during his morning show "Kokrokoo" aired on Accra-based radio station, Peace FM, Mr. Sefa Kayi described the adamant position of the framers of the bill as "scary". To him, there should rather be a dispassionate conversation concerning the bill and its impact on the homosexual community. "I think we should have a dispassionate conversation. We shouldn't let because we attend church or this person is like this or that, we rash to do it. Because ask yourself, what if your son says he is gay?...As a parent, what do you do?", he commented. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Limited, Maxwell Kofi Jumah has condemned Ghana's anti-gay bill passed by Parliament. The bill, which aims at strengthening proper human sexual rights and family values of Ghanaians, has set six months to five years imprisonment for persons found in breach of the bill. The proponents of the bill have prescribed this jail sentence in an attempt to prevent homosexuality in Ghana and to reform persons caught in the act. The bill criminalizes the promotion, advocacy and every act of homosexuality. But Maxwell Kofi Jumah says the bill is undemocratic and a danger to the LGBTQ+ community. "I want to be on record that I, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, I am totally against this LGBT whatever . . . based on my present knowledge and my upbringing, I don't subscribe to gayism. I am totally against its promotion but I believe the present laws deals adequately with it. I take strong exception to the tactics of the proponents of the law. It is dangerous and anti-democratic and must be condemned," he texted host Kwami Sefa Kayi during Peace FM's Monday edition of "Kokrokoo" morning show. The anti-gay bill is however not yet assented to by the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. As the nation awaits his decision, there is incessant pressure on him not to append his signature for the bill to become law. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Construction works on the Obetsebi Lamptey Circle Road is expected to be completed by September 2024 ahead of the December schedule by contractors. The Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso Boakye, who disclosed this to journalists at the site when he inspected the progress of work said the new date was agreed on between the government and partners to enable them complete the work on time due to the delay. According to him, the government has negotiated with the consultant and partners to complete the second phase of the project by September, 2024 earlier than December, 2024 due to the debt exchange programme. I am personally satisfied with the timelines and I have urged them to stay true to their pledge to complete it in September. This is a very important project and as you can see, it is right in the heart of the city centre linking Korle Bu and Circle. We know how this is an important project so that the people around, and Ghanaians in general will enjoy the full benefit of the project. I am satisfied with the work done so far and hopeful that they will stay true to the end of the project, he added. The first phase of the project which includes the construction of a 170 metre long stretch along the Graphic Road was successfully completed in November, 2020 and subsequently commissioned by President Akufo-Addo while the second phase which is yet to be completed involves the construction of a 389 metre long stretch from circle to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital towards the Obetsebi Lamptey roundabout. The Minister also stated that the government has renegotiated with most of the project partners to ensure that ongoing projects that were 80 to 100 percent complete were continued without an additional cost though the projects timelines were delayed. He also mentioned that the government would therefore not incur additional cost to the Obetsebi Lamptey interchange project which is about 83 percent complete. Chief Resident Engineer, of FAS consult in charge of the project, Owusu Sekyere Antwi, said a lot of the drains, ground work, and steel work among others have been completed and was very hopeful that his outfit would adhere to the September timelines given the work done so far since the resumption of work on the project. He mentioned that challenges with the relocation of pipes along the Korle Bu stretch is also been resolved by the Ghana Water Company Limited while evaluation for the payment of affected people along the stretch would also be completed by the evaluation division of the Lands Commission, soon. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video THE opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been accused of not treating the people of the Volta Region, where the party gets most of its electoral votes, with respect. The presidential candidate of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, a native of the Volta Region, who made the observation, said clearly the NDC only uses the people of the Volta Region for votes and dump them afterwards. According to him, he doesnt understand why the NDC selected someone outside the Volta Region to partner former President John Mahama, the NDC presidential candidate, as his running mate for the 2024 elections. Kofi Akpaloo, who is noted for his outspoken nature, stated that at least the NDC should have chosen someone from the Volta Region as their running mate for the impending polls, considering the regions active support to the NDC over the years. According to LPG presidential candidate, its now an open secret that the NDC has taken the people of the Volta Region for granted for a long time, stressing that the Volta Region hasnt been rewarded by the NDC after long and loyal service. Kofi Akpaloo, without mincing words, said the NDC are only interested in getting colossal number of votes from the Volta Region but dont want to reward people from the region, which gives them precious votes in elections. Tracing history and recounting the support that the Volta Region has given to the NDC over the years, he said ideally the NDC should have chosen a native of the Volta Region as former President Mahamas running mate for the 2024 polls. The NDC only wants Volta votes but they (NDC) are not interested in giving a running mate position to a Voltarian, Kofi Akpaloo said on Otec FM in Kumasi to buttress his claim that indeed the NDC has taken the Volta Region for granted. Kofi Akpaloo also predicted that the NDCs decision to select a person outside the Volta Region as their running mate for the 2024 polls, would spell doom for the party and be a blessing in disguise for his own political party, the LPG. Akpaloos Secret Prayers I prayed fervently that the NDC shouldnt select a Voltarian as John Mahamas running mate, and God has answered my secret prayers, Kofi Akpaloo disclosed, adding that the NDCs decision has greatly benefitted the LPG. According to him, the LPG would have faced a fierce competition from the NDC in the Volta Region over votes had the NDC selected a Voltarian as their running mate, saying but now its a smooth ride for the LPG. LPG Fights NDC Kofi Akpaloo also stated that the days when the NDC garnered more votes in the Volta Region during presidential and parliamentary elections in the country is under serious threat as the December 7 polls draw near. He insisted that the Volta Region is now the LPGs stronghold, stating emphatically that the LPG would win most of the votes in the Volta Region during the December 2024 polls. The Volta Region is now the stronghold of the LPG and we shall win most of the votes from this region in the presidential and parliamentary elections, he boldly declared. 275 Parliamentary Seats He also announced that the LPG will contest for all 275 parliamentary seats in the 16 regions of the country, stressing that the LPG is poised and determined to make an impact in the 2024 elections. According to Kofi Akpaloo, the LPG started their 2020 political campaign very late, and that contributed to their poor showing, pointing out that he has learnt from his mistakes, hence starting their 2024 campaign early. In 2020 I campaigned late and it affected my party in terms of votes and the Covid also prevented me from campaigning actively. In 2024, LPG is seriously working to make a strong impact in the polls, he declared. Source: Daily Guide 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 A Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, believes that the choice of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate by the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is an attempt by the NDC leader to prove his critics wrong that he is not consistent. For him, choosing Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who partnered him (Mahama) in the 2020 presidential election is a clear demonstration of his faith in his running mate. He said the choice of the former Education Minister is also significant in the sense that her selection helped the NDC to increase their votes in the last elections, closing up the gap President Akufo-Addo gave the party in the 2016 presidential election. Speaking on 3FM on Friday, March 1, 2024, Dr Otchere said Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who also comes from the coastal area in the Central Region would help the NDC to attract more votes from the coastal regions of the country. His reason is that many people in the coastal regions are suffering and therefore would consider voting for someone who can identify with them. The UCC lecturer also said that even though the selection of a running mate would play a major role in the outcome of the 2024 elections, many Ghanaians would vote based on the economy, citing the Kumawu and the Assin North by-elections as a reflection of what should be expected in the 2024 general elections. Source: graphiconline.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 President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has advised Ghanaian youths, especially students, to be mindful that formal education is not just about securing excellent academic grades but the acquisition of requisite skills. President Akufo-Addo said that students must be open-minded enough to acquire skills, values and knowledge that would empower them to make a positive impact on the world. He encouraged them to be curious, compassionate and resilient because the country looks up to the youth not only as scholars but also as ambassadors of the nations potential in engendering progress, prosperity and development. President Akufo-Addo made these revelations while extending congratulatory messages and advice to the recipients of the Presidents Independence Day Awards 2024 in Accra on Friday, 1st March. At the annual event, 46 students were adjudged the overall best among the 602,477 that sat the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and were honoured by the President at a ceremony that has become part of the National Independence Day celebration. Out of the number, 36 were selected from public schools, with the remaining 10 from private schools. This is the first time students from private schools have been added to the list of awardees. All the 46 students, who were representative of all the 16 regions, were selected based on their outstanding raw scores obtained during the examination. Two visually impaired and two hearing impaired students were also given awards for their performances at the exams. Speaking on the successes of the students, President Akufo-Addo said the successes chalked up by the students were not just personal achievements, but had made them a beacon of hope for the entire nation. Ghanas future lies in the hands of her youth, and you represent the bright future we envision. I urge you to recognise the responsibility that comes with academic success; a responsibility to contribute positively to the development and progress of our society, he said. He exhorted the students that as they progressed in their Pull quote educational journey, whether through senior high school or other pursuits, it was important that they strove for excellence, adding that, this is just the beginning, and the path ahead is filled with opportunity for growth and exploration. President Akufo-Addo urged the students to seize every chance to expand their horizon, embrace challenges, and continue to excel in all their endeavours. The President commended the students for bringing pride to their communities, parents, schools and themselves, stressing that it was appropriate that they received the plaudits while encouraging them to challenge themselves to the highest pedestal. He further stressed the commitment of his administration towards education, saying this was not just a moral one but a strategic investment in the intellectual capital that would drive the nations economy and innovation in the years to come. 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 On Saturday, March 2, 2024, UK for DMB, in collaboration with the NPP UK Branch, celebrated a significant milestone with a Unity Get-Together and Thanksgiving Service to bring together the rank and file of NPP UK members and sympathisers. The event, organised by Team UK FOR DMB in partnership with Branch members, aimed to unify various factions and energize the base for a formidable push towards breaking the eight-year cycle. The gathering was graced by esteemed personalities, including Chairman Otchere Darko, head of the Strategic Team UK (the lead group of UK FOR DMB project), NPP-UK Branch 1st vice Chairman Alex Appiah Mensah, 2nd Vice Chairman Ibrahim Abdul-Mumuni, Secretary Otuo Acheampong, Women Organiser Patricia Boakye (Daakyehemaa), Nasara Coordinator Issa Ayumah, Youth Organiser Ike Price Asante, Treasurer Charles Asmah, along with other Branch and chapter executives. The presence of the special guests of honour; Dr. Mutaka Alolo, Technical Adviser to the Vice President, Ms. Abigail Swad Layea, Deputy CEO of NEIP, and Kwame Frimpong, NPP Deputy Director of Protocol, highlighted the importance and significance of the occasion. Under the theme Energising Our Base to Break the Eight,' speakers delivered poignant messages emphasizing unity and determination. On his part, Dr. Alolo emphasised how the event was timely and the first of its kind in either Ghana or the diaspora as a process to bring everyone on board after the presidential, and parliamentary primaries. He stressed on the beauty of democracy and encouraged members to champion the collective interest of the Elephant party over personal gains in ensuring that we win the 2024 elections to continue the many great works of the NPP government. Dr Alolo further conveyed best wishes from NPP Presidential candidate, H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, urging continued support to promote government achievements and secure victory on December 7. Ms Abigail Sward Laryea, Deputy CEO in sharing the success story of NEIP, enumerated the great works of the NPP government over the last seven years and urged members of the diaspora to boldly share those achievements. She mentioned that very soon a performance tracker will be outdoored to showcase all programs and projects undertaken by the current administration for everyone to see how well the NPP has performed. She further underscored the importance of unity among Patriots and encouraged all diasporans to contribute their best to ensure a triumphant historic victory for the elephant party on December 7, 2024. The event exuded vibrancy with a massive turnout from NPP members and sympathizers in the UK, showcasing a unified front and a shared commitment towards achieving the collective goal. The colourful and beautiful Get-together and Thanksgiving successfully came to an end with members and guests present fully energised for the great task ahead in winning the election 2024 and making Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the next president of Ghana. 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 John Dramani Mahama, former President and the 2024 Presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been invited by former Nigerian President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, to be the chairperson for the launch of his latest book on leadership. The book, which is entitled "The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical Leaders" is set to be launched on the 4th of March, 2024 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Former President Mahama who shared this on his social media page [Monday, March 4] also said he will be the Special Guest of Honour at an event honouring Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. He said he will use the opportunity to discuss transformational leadership and good governance, saying "I am excited to participate in these important conversations." I am honoured to have been invited by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to chair the launch of his new book on leadership, The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical Leaders in Abeokuta, Nigeria, later today. I am, of course, looking forward to Tuesdays grand lecture to celebrate his 87th birthday on the theme, Quality Leadership and Inclusive Democracy as Catalysts for Development in a Strife-Ridden World. During my time in Nigeria, I will also be the Special Guest of Honour at an event honouring Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. It will be an excellent opportunity to discuss transformational leadership and good governance, and I am excited to participate in these important conversations. 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 Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has suggested that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South be picked by Dr. Bawumia as his 2024 Presidential running mate. The senior political science lecturer opined that Dr. Opoku Prempeh, over the years has demonstrated exceptional competence in all sectors where he has served hence, it will be more expedient to nominate him as the running mate. In an interview, Dr. Asah-Asante reposed his confidence in Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh stating that he would enhance Dr Bawumias electoral prospects come December 7, 2024. He emphasised that Dr Bawumia recognises the strengths and advantages that the Energy Minister brings to the table, ensuring a prudent decision-making process. As for me, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is number one. In his area of work, he has demonstrated that he has what it takes to lead anytime the call comes and all that. So he will be Dr Bawumias top choice for his running mate, he said. On November 4, 2023, Vice President Dr Bawumia won the New Patriotic Partys flagbearer position, setting the stage for the upcoming December general elections. While Dr Bawumia has yet to officially unveil his running mate for the upcoming polls, some political analysts have been busy speculating on some possible candidates. Among those frequently mentioned are Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Dr. John Kumah, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Joseph Osei Owusu, and esteemed reverend minister and former chairman of the church of Pentecost, Prof. Opoku Onyinah amongst others. 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 Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces has said he is neither for or against the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill recently passed by Parliament. Nunoo-Mensah was livid that after 67 years of the countrys independence it is still not able to determine and control its own affairs. Speaking on Asaase FM Tuesday, he said, You spoke about Ghana [Parliament] passing a bill and standing the risk of losing about US$3.8 billion World Bank fundsIm neither for or against the anti-gay bill but for us to be told that because you are taking a decision that is going to affect your future you going to be punished [doesnt sound right]. This makes me go back and think if we will had real independent The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, passed on Wednesday (28 February) is set to criminalise the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality Desist from signing The Ministry of Finance has advised President Akufo-Addo to desist from signing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQ+) by Parliament into law. The bill, passed on Wednesday (28 February) is set to criminalise the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality. In a brief on the immediate impact of the bill on the 2024 Budget on Monday (4 March), the Finance Ministry warned such action could lead to severe repercussions on the countrys financial support from international organisations like the World Bank and IMF. Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the diplomatic community in Ghana that despite the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill) by the nations Parliament on Wednesday, 28 February 2024, the country will not slip from her enviable and longstanding record as a country that respects the fundamental human rights of all persons within her territory. Addressing the diplomatic corps in Ghana at the annual New Year Greeting held at the Peduase Presidential Lodge, Aburi Hills on Monday, 4 March 2024, President Akufo-Addo said he is aware of the difficulties some of the countrys international partners have with the Bill as has been passed by Parliament. He indicated a concerned citizen has invoked the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Bill and to that end, he calls on everyone to hold their guns until the apex of the land (Supreme Court) pronounces its judgment on the constitutionality or otherwise of the bill. Source: asaaseradio.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 Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel George Nartey, is of the view that Ghana's economy will not collapse if American businesses decide to pull out of the country following the passage of Ghana's Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021. The controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation which prohibits lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activities and criminalises their promotion, advocacy, and funding in the country, was unanimously passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, after three long years since it was introduced on the floor of parliament. The anti-LGBTQ bill if assented to by the President will, among other things, impose sanctions on willful promotion and engaging in LGBTQ activities in the country. The bill proscribed a minimum sentence of six months and maximum three years for persons caught in the act of same-sex activities. However, persons found guilty of willful promotion or advocating or funding the activities of LGBTQ will, upon conviction, face three years minimum and five years maximum imprisonment. The Ningo-Prampram legislator, who was speaking with a Nigerian-based News Central TV said, "American businesses in Ghana are not in Ghana because of LGBTQ+" and that "they are in Ghana because they make profit." For him, Americans ought to stay away from Ghanaian local politics, stressing that Ghana is a sovereign nation. Mr Sam George called on African nations to be strong and firm in their decisions. He said Americans and Western nations do business with nations such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but such nations have death sentences for persons who are caught in same-sex activities. Source: graphiconline 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 National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi has sent a passionate call to journalists desirous of a future anchored on and devoid of nepotism, disillusionment, corruption and brazen disregard for human dignity to partner with the party in its quest for electoral victory in the upcoming general elections. He insisted that the call is not to support a political party but a civil one meant to save the country and the region. This country has been heading in the wrong direction for over seven years. Things are falling apart, nothing is working, and the government has betrayed the trust of this country. The only thing thriving today in Ghana is corruption, nepotism, arrogance of power and insensitivity on the part of the leadership of this country, he claimed to a group of journalists in the Western Region at a media soiree. There are many people who are suffering, who wake up today hopeless, not knowing where the next meal will come from. There is no hope, and disillusionment is at an all-time high. And so, if we sit down for the current climate to continue for four years more, I dare say that we may not have a country called Ghana by 2028. Mr Gyamfi observed that as the largest opposition political party, NDC carries the burden to lead an urgent process of change. And so, we have a mission as a political party which, mission, is above all of us because the mission is about the soul of our dear country. We are on a mission to rescue and redeem our country. For this reason, Mr Gyamfi indicated that the party will need like-minded citizens, patriotic citizens, people who still have a conscience, people who have a love for country to join us and stressed that the NDC sees journalists as key agents, key partners in our quest to develop Ghana. So we need you. We need your esteemed platforms. For those who write, we need your pens, for the cameramen, we need your cameras, for producers here, we need your skills for us to tell the story of the Ghanaian. We want to partner with you to make sure that we speak for the people of the Western Region, whose water bodies are being destroyed like there is no tomorrow as a result of galamsey, not galamsey being done by ordinary citizens, not galamsey being done by small scale miners but galamsey being done by government officials, apparatchiks of this ruling party, officials of the state destroying our forests. . .what water will the next generation inherit, what region, what country are they going to inherit. He reiterated that so if you join this struggle, you are not joining a political party, you are supporting a cause for change in the leadership, management and governance of this country, so your children and their childrens children can have a future. The National Communications Officer assured that the next NDC government will remember journalists who stood to be counted when we needed them the most, and those who heeded the call of Ghanaians to save them. Our sacrifices will not be in vain. I want to assure you, with the full blessings of our flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, that there will be a place for the media in the next NDC Mahama government. He has already spoken about the governance advisory council, whose representation will include the media. We have also spoken about the media development fund, which we hope to establish and strengthen to support the media, particularly, in the area of career development. NDCs Director of Legal Godwin Edudzi Tamekloe admonished journalists to guard against and resist the urge for misinformation as the work of the journalist is at the fore of our democracy. We also strongly believe that our 24-hour economy proposals can be meaningful only with the support of you journalists, so once again, we are pleading with you let us build a relationship anchored on mutual respect. The media soiree was for the NDC to formally renew its relationship with the media in the Western Region before, during and after the election 2024. 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 You Are Just Like The Biblical Figure Esau Who Sold His Birthright For A Bowl of Porridge - Sam George To Peace Council/CDD Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George has criticized the National Peace Council and the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) in relation to the ongoing debate surrounding the anti-gay bill. According to him, the National Peace Council is part of the problems of the country. The Peace Council is one of the problems of this country. The Peace Council have become a political organization; it should be disbanded for the sanctity of Ghanas peace. The Peace Council is a threat to our peace as a country, declared Sam George during an interview with 3FM on March 5. Sam Georges remarks didnt stop there; he likened the members of the Peace Council to the biblical figure Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge, implying they had compromised their principles for personal gain. Turning his attention to the CDD, Sam George accused the organization of being financially motivated in their advocacy efforts, particularly regarding their involvement with what he termed Ghanas gay lobby. The CDD advocacy is financial. The CDD is funded. They are funded by and this advocacy, all the work theyve done with the gay lobby so-called group of 18, they are Ghanas gay lobby, he asserted. He went further to imply that the CDDs involvement in the debate was driven by financial incentives rather than genuine concern for academic research or Ghanaian values. Let people not think that the CDD is doing an altruistic job and that Professor Gadzekpo is interested in doing academic research. This is financial, Sam George stated emphatically. Highlighting his own motivations in the debate, George reiterated his commitment to protecting Ghanaian cultural values and the innocence of children, contrasting it with what he perceived as the financial interests of other parties involved. My interest is the protection of the Ghanaian cultural values and the protection of the innocence of my children and the children of Ghana. Thats my interest. And their interest is money, its financial, he emphasized. 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 A former Enola man who admitted to possessing human organs illegally taken from a morgue as part of a nationwide scheme got two years of probation handed down Tuesday as part of a plea deal. Jeremy Pauley, 41, now of Susquehanna County, appeared in court wearing all black alongside his girlfriend, who comforted him in the minutes before Cumberland County Judge Albert Masland handed down his sentence. Pauleys January guilty plea only encompassed his illegal possession of human flesh. He will be sentenced for possession of the other illegally obtained body parts in federal court. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. The sentencing ended one of two criminal cases filed against him. He previously pleaded guilty to interstate transport of stolen property and conspiracy to interstate transport of stolen property in federal court and has not yet been sentenced in that case. East Pennsboro Police accused Pauley, a self-described collector of oddities, of purchasing the body parts from Candace Scott, of Arkansas. She, in turn, stole the parts which are the property of the University Arkansas from a mortuary, police said. Jeremy Pauley, formerly of East Pennsboro Township and now living in Susquehanna County, arrives at the Cumberland County courthouse. Pauley is accused of illegally buying and selling human remains. March 5, 2024. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.comDan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com The majority of the remains Pauley had in his basement were legally obtained, his attorney Jonathan White told Masland. But for those that were not, Pauley took responsibility by pleading guilty. White said Pauley is very educated in skeletal and human remains, and that he takes the time to try to share that education with others. Masland acknowledged that the facts, however, dont lead others toward a different response. To many the facts are disturbing, Masland said. To many more, they are abhorrent. Masland also acknowledged Pauleys unconventional appearance and said he would not treat Pauley differently. White indicated the majority of Pauleys punishment would come at the federal level; Pauley is still waiting on a sentencing date for the federal case, which addresses the interstate angle of the human remains path from the University of Arkansas. Pauley initially told police when he was questioned in June that he was a collector of oddities and that the human parts he owned three full skeletons and 15 to 20 human skulls were legally purchased. Police found three- to five-gallon buckets containing various human remains, including two brains, skin, a heart, kidney, spleen, fat, skull with hair, two livers, six pieces of skin and fat, a trachea, two lungs, and a child mandible with teeth when they executed a search warrant. Pauley also bought half of a head, a whole head missing a skull cap, three brains with a skull cap, a heart, a liver, a lung, two kidneys, a female pelvis, a piece of skin with a nipple and four hands from Scott for $4,000, police said. Scott sent that shipment through the United States Postal Service, which was intercepted by the postal service, FBI Scranton and state police, according to Pauleys criminal complaint. Prosecutors did not respond to requests for comment by deadline. WILLIAMSPORT The Lycoming County coroner has identified the 15-year-old boy fatally shot in the parking lot of a restaurant near Williamsport on Saturday evening. Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. said Monday that an autopsy revealed Ahmeen Palmer of Williamsport died from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at 8:10 p.m. Saturday at UPMC Williamsport. No one has been charged in the shooting that occurred about 6:35 p.m. in the parking lot of Fridays in the 1800 block of East Third Street in Loyalsock Twp. HARRISBURG, Pa. 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. Honeys October 2021 request under the states 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 Ceislers majority opinion concluded that Lycomings 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 analogs 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 States press office said it was working on a response to the ruling. Mail ballots like ones seen here in Lehigh County during the 2022 election are part of the recount effort in Lycoming County. Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA In a dissent, Judge Patricia McCullough said the cast vote records dont 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 electors 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. Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers will perform in Pennsylvania this summer. They will appear at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Musikfest Cafe in Bethlehem, according to ArtsQuest, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Spirit Trail. Ticket presale will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6. Tickets for the general public will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 8. Ticket prices range from $59 to $85. Bruce Hornsby has built one of the most diverse, collaborative and adventurous careers in contemporary music. Based out of Williamsburg, [Virginia], Hornsby first rose to national prominence with The Way It Is, his 1986 Grammy Award-winning debut album with The Range. The title track became the most played song on American radio in 1987. In 1991 Hornsby collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, playing on her iconic hit I Cant Make You Love Me. Hornsby was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing over 100 concerts in America and Europe. The 13-time Grammy nominee has also solidified his status as a highly sought-after collaborator. Hornsbys own 23 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and he has appeared on over 100 records including releases with Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Stevie Nicks, Ricky Skaggs, Bob Seger, Chaka Khan, Bon Iver, Brandon Flowers, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, Mavis Staples, Willie Nelson and more. His most recent studio album, Flicted, was released in May 2022. Paz Lenchantin, who has served as the bassist for the seminal alternative rock band The Pixies for about a decade, has parted ways with the band. Paz Lenchantin, who joined Pixies in 2014, has exited the band to concentrate on her own projects. Were grateful for Pazs many contributions, and wish her all the very best going forward, the band said in a post on Instagram. Lenchantin will be replaced by Emma Richardson, formerly of the group Band of Skulls. The band will begin a European tour on March 8 in Dublin, Ireland. In an email to Rolling Stone, Lenchantin suggested that the departure was not entirely her decision. It has been a dream of dreams these past 10 years to have been accepted as a Pixie by the band and by fans and an honor to have contributed to the Pixies legacy, Lenchantin said in a statement to Rolling Stone. My departure is a bit of a surprise to me as it is to many, but it looks like they have a solid plan figured out, which in turn has pushed me to move onwards onto new projects that I am excited about. The bands original bassist, co-founding member Kim Deal, departed from the Pixies in 2013 in order to focus on her group The Breeders and her solo work. Lenchantin, who had previously played with A Perfect Circle and Zwan, joined the group in 2014, replacing then-bassist Kate Shattuck. Formed in 1986, The Pixies helped pave the way for the grunge and the alternative rock boom of the 1990s. Theyre best known for such songs as Gigantic, Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man and Where Is My Mind. A handful of activists supporting statewide marijuana legalization and/or decriminalization gathered Monday at the Capitol for the Pennsylvania State Police budget hearing. Marijuana is a potentially key part of negotiations on the 2024-25 budget, with Gov. Josh Shapiro proposing to legalize and tax recreational marijuana a significant boost to the commonwealths finances, if it comes to pass. The total solar eclipse on April 8 will have millions turning their attention to the sky to catch a glimpse. But the not-so-exciting part about the event is that it could result in congested traffic conditions, making it dangerous for those trying to get the best view. Pack your patience, whether traveling a great distance or locally, people will be out and about to catch a glimpse of the eclipse, said Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association, per USA Today and The Mirror. A crowd is expected to gather at the epicenter of the eclipse, which is Ohios Lorain County. Crowds are expected in cities, towns and remote areas, places that might not have the infrastructure to handle a massive amount of people. The same thing happened back in 2017 during the last solar eclipse. Traffic at the time was also snarled in some areas, and lasted about 13 hours after it ended, according to Transportation Research News. An analysis of the traffic patterns from 2017 showed that the worst traffic both on big interstates and rural backroads will happen after the eclipse ends and everyone tries to leave at the same time. But theres a slight chance that this year could be worse. Officials in Lorain County are warning residents that there could be an increase in visitors, and to brace for traffic and jammed roads, as well as possible cell phone signal drops. What we could have is crowds here that were not used to, wrote Dave Freeman, the director of Lorain County Emergency Management, to USA Today. Were not set up infrastructure-wise for that, we dont have the roads. Per an announcement from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the state could experience an influx of anywhere from 17,000 to 66,000 visitors to watch the solar eclipse, according to a study conducted by GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Parts of southeastern Oklahoma will be able to witness the eclipse. Visitors will likely watch the eclipse within the path of totality in which the moon will completely block out the sun. This stretches across southeastern Oklahoma. The path of totality will completely cover McCurtain County, and partially cover Choctaw, Bryan, Atoka, Pushmataha, Latimer, and Leflore Counties. The town with the longest total eclipse viewing time will be Shults, Oklahoma, approximately 3 miles east of Idabel, with 4 minutes and 19 seconds of viewing time, according to eclipse2024.org. The eclipse will pass over Oklahoma starting at 1:44 p.m. CDT and end by 1:51 p.m. CDT on April 8, 2024, the announcement reads. The announcement also adds that roads may be overwhelmed by traffic, and that the major highways in the area are US-70, US-259, and State Highway 3. It also reminded residents to plan ahead by filling up gas tanks, stocking up on groceries, and checking the weather. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Five people aboard a single-engine plane died when the aircraft crashed near an interstate highway in Nashville, Tennessee, authorities said. The pilot made an emergency call to John C. Tune Airport around 7:40 p.m. Friday, reported engine trouble and was given clearance to make an emergency landing, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said. A short time later the pilot radioed that the aircraft would not reach the airport, he said. The plane burst into flames when it crashed in a grassy median just off Interstate 40 and behind a Costco on the citys westside. The crash scene was about 3 miles south of the general aviation airport. It appears that everyone on board perished, Aaron said. BREAKING: 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. pic.twitter.com/6tyBa3UCpB Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 5, 2024 In a statement early Tuesday on the social media platform X, police said five people died. It said the Federal Aviation Administration was at the scene and the National Transportation Safety Board planned to arrive Tuesday. Authorities also were working to determine from where the plane originated. There were no injuries to drivers on the interstate, Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney said. Authorities said no vehicles or buildings were damaged. CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) A fire that destroyed a building which housed suppliers for the vaping industry caused multiple explosions that killed one person and injured a firefighter as the blasts rocked suburban Detroit, sending gas cannisters and debris shooting far into the air, authorities said. The debris fell Monday night as far as a mile away, the Clinton Township Police Department said on Facebook. As the fire and explosions raged, authorities urged people in the area to stay inside after the explosions began about 8:50 p.m. Monday. Officials said the fire was contained by late Monday and the ruins were still smoldering Tuesday. Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan said Tuesday morning that the building housed two businesses, one of them a distributor for the vaping industry called Goo which had more than 100,000 vape pens stored on-site. He said a truckload of butane cannisters had arrived within the past week at the building and more than half of that stock was still on site when the fire began. A 19-year-old man died after being struck a quarter of a mile away by one of the cannisters, he said, calling his death very unfortunate. Duncan said its believed the man was just observing the fire when he was struck. The person was essentially about a quarter of a mile down the road here and did suffer injury from one of these flying cannisters, Duncan said at a Tuesday news briefing. In this frame grab taken from video provided by WXYZ, firefighters battle an industrial fire in the Detroit suburb of Clinton Township, late Monday, March 4, 2024. (Courtesy of WXYZ via AP)AP Fire departments battle an industrial fire near 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck Highway in the Detroit suburb of Clinton Township on Monday, March 4, 2024. (Robin Buckson/Detroit News via AP)AP He said the building also housed a business called Select Distributors that he said he believed supplied gas cannisters for the local vaping industry for vape pens, along with other products. He said those cannisters are believed to have accounted for the explosions that littered a large area with debris. A firefighter was also injured when one of the cannisters struck the windshield of a fire vehicle. The firefighter was believed struck by glass and was treated and released from a hospital, Duncan said. According to its website, Select Distributors is a wholesale supplier of novelties, phone accessories and other merchandise to discount stores, dollar stores, wholesalers and other stores. Glass products and nitrous oxide were also advertised on the site. The business did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Duncan said the cause of the fire was not yet known and firefighters had not yet been able to inspect the ruined building because it was unsafe while debris was still smoking. By Heather Hollingsworth, The Associated Press Missouri Girl Scout leaders threatened legal action against a troop that made bracelets to raise funds for starving children in Gaza, provoking outrage and ridicule from the girls supporters and advocates for people trapped in the Palestinian territory by the latest humanitarian crisis. Girl Scouts of the USA said its eastern Missouri chapter had only been following fundraising rules, but that it was disappointed and disheartened by the tone of the communication with the troop in St. Louis. We felt like we were targeted, unfairly belittled and unheard, said Nawal Abuhamdeh, a first generation Palestinian Muslim American and the leader of Troop 149 in St. Louis, which has since disbanded from the Girl Scouts. Tasneem Manjra, a troop leader in California, said it looks like the Girl Scouts are backtracking because they were called out. I think thats a load of Thin Mints, said Manjra. They were way too heavy-handed in their response to Nawal and her troop. Abuhamdeh said the fundraising effort began because the girls in her troop were uncomfortable selling Girl Scout Cookies while people are starving in Gaza. During one meeting, the girls who are of Pakistani, Indian, Somali, Syrian, Palestinian and Jordanian heritage cried and said they felt hopeless. What do you think a group of 10-year-old girls would want to do if they felt helpless? Abuhamdeh asked during a Zoom meeting promoted by Ceasefire for Kids, which advocates for children in Gaza. They would want to help. How do they want to help? They want to make bracelets. Theyre 10 years old. Thats what they felt like they could do. By mid-January, they were selling bracelets of black, red, white and green beads the colors of the Palestinian flag with Palestine spelled out in letter blocks. They were raising money for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, a U.S.-based charity that historically has helped children in need travel to the U.S. for medical treatment. Since the latest war in Gaza began, its focus has shifted to providing food, medication, clothing and humanitarian aid. Finished bracelets sit in a basket at former Girl Scout Troop 149's fundraiser for children affected by the war in Gaza at the Dar Al Jalal Masjid Mosque in Hazelwood, Mo. on Saturday, March 2, 2024. (Vanessa Abbitt/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)AP Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri sent an email to the troop last month threatening legal action if they continued to sell the bracelets, according to the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Thats when the troop disbanded from the national organization. Abuhamdeh said she is concerned about Girl Scouts commitment to girls like ours. We aspire to be part of an organization that does not only advertise its desired value, but acts on them, she said. In response to demands from CAIR, Girl Scouts of the USA said the local chapter followed its rules but mishandled the situation. GSUSA policy stipulates that money raised by Girl Scouts be used for scouting except in extraordinary circumstances. In the past, restrictions have been suspended to raise funds to help those suffering because of the Hawaii wildfires and the war in Ukraine. Restrictions were lifted for three months through Jan. 10 to allow Girl Scouts to raise money for groups supporting people in Gaza, including the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund, which was approved by a charity assessment organization. While the fundraiser in question fell outside of these dates, GSUSA did not consider taking and did not take legal action against this troop or the leader, the national group said. It said cookie sale proceeds can always be donated and are never subject to the same restrictions. GSUSA said in 2017 that the organization sells about $800 million in cookies annually. A petition signed by more than 100 troop leaders demands that Girl Scouts of the USA apologize to Troop 149, issue a statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and promise that no other troop will get in trouble for fundraising, Manjra said. If the organization refuses, they will stop selling cookies, she said. Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri said in a statement this weekend that it had been concerned about maintaining the organizations tax-exempt status. It said it had provided Abuhamdeh with options to continue fundraising, including to modify the language on the bracelet order form to remove the Girl Scout name, or to do the fundraiser on her own. We are sorry that Ms. Abuhamdeh chose to disband, the statement said. We would welcome them back to the Girl Scout family. Melissa Saunders ties loose bracelets for her daughter's fundraiser for children affected by the war in Gaza at the Dar Al Jalal Masjid Mosque in Hazelwood, Mo. on Saturday, March 2, 2024. (Vanessa Abbitt/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)AP Abuhamdeh and other scouts questioned the national organizations response, saying they knew nothing about restrictions on fundraising or the moratorium on those limits. Neither the American Jewish Committee, a prominent advocacy organization, nor the National Jewish Girl Scout Committee have responded to emails from the Associated Press seeking comment. CAIR said the national organizations statement was a positive first step but that questions persist. All these Girl Scouts were trying to do was help the children impacted by the war, just like other troops did for Ukraine, CAIRs Missouri board chairman, Yasir Ali, said. Meanwhile, the controversy has so boosted bracelet orders that the girls suspended sales last week because they couldnt keep up. Abuhamdeh invited members of the public to help them make bracelets at a mosque on Saturday, and about 100 volunteers showed up. Thanks to that solidarity and humanity, they have raised more than $10,000, Abuhamdeh said. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war CLEVELAND (AP) Drivers on an Ohio interstate came upon an unusual traffic hazard over the weekend a pair of police horses trotting against traffic on the highway. The two animals on the lam caused an unusual traffic jam Saturday afternoon as they wove through slowing traffic and then stopped it on Interstate 90 in the downtown Cleveland area. Cleveland.com reports that video from the Ohio Department of Transportation showed the animals trotting on the side of the road near the units stables at about 12:15 p.m. Saturday. Another video showed them headed westbound in the eastbound interstate lanes, slowing and then halting traffic. The camera follows the animals, ultimately trailed by a police cruiser with flashing lights, heading further along the highway and then down an onramp before cutting across a grassy section onto a side street and out of view. Cleveland Police Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz told reporters that the horses were members of the departments mounted division. He said they inadvertently strayed during routine care and exercise. Mounted officers promptly recovered both horses, ensuring their safety, and no further incidents ensued, Diaz said. Some real horsepower on I-90 in downtown Cleveland today. Any injuries? Neigh. pic.twitter.com/jVPAe87IAf Ohio Dept of Transportation (@ODOT_Statewide) March 2, 2024 Video of the horseplay prompted a good deal of online hilarity, with even the transportation department getting into the snarky act. Some real horsepower on I-90 in downtown Cleveland today. Any injuries? Neigh, the department posted on Twitter/X. By Acacia Coronado and Lindsay Whitehurst, The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas Texas plan to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally is headed to the Supreme Court in a legal showdown over the federal governments authority over immigration. Justice Samuel Alito on Monday issued an order that temporarily halts Texas immigration law from going into effect until next week so the full court can decide what steps to take next. The law was set to take effect Saturday under a lower courts decision. Alitos order putting it on hold until March 13 came just hours after the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to intervene. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law in December and for months has unveiled a series of escalating measures on the border that have tested the boundaries of how far a state can go keep migrants from entering the country. The law would allow state officers to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. People who are arrested could then agree to a Texas judges order to leave the country or face a misdemeanor charge for entering the U.S. illegally. Migrants who dont leave after being ordered to do so could be arrested again and charged with a more serious felony. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Whitehurst reported from Washington. The Veterans Administration announced Tuesday that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military at home or abroad are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. This means that all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 are eligible to enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits, according to a press release. Additionally, veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are eligible to enroll. As directed by President Biden, this expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act meaning that millions of veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. This is a critical step forward because veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. Additionally, VA health care is often more affordable than non-VA health care for veterans. VA encourages all eligible veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care. Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law on August 10, 2022, more than 15,994 Pennsylvania veterans have enrolled in VA health care. In addition to expanding access to VA care, this decision makes it quicker and easier for millions of veterans to enroll, according to the release. Many veterans believe they must apply to receive VA disability compensation benefits to become eligible for VA health care, but this is not correct. With this expansion and other authorities, millions of eligible veterans can enroll directly in VA care without any need to first apply for VA benefits. This expansion of care covers Vietnam veterans, Gulf War veterans, Iraq War veterans, Afghanistan War veterans, veterans who deployed in support of contingency operations for the Global War on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedoms Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Resolute Support Mission), and more. This expansion also covers many veterans who never deployed as a part of a conflict but were exposed to toxins or hazards while serving in the U.S. Specifically, under this expansion of care, any veteran who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) at home or abroad is eligible for VA health care. VA has determined that veterans who were exposed to one or more of the following hazards or conditions during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training participated in a TERA: air pollutants (burn pits, sand, dust, particulates, oil well fires, sulfur fires) chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium with embedded shrapnel, contaminated water); occupational hazards (asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, paints including chemical agent resistant coating, firefighting foams) radiation (nuclear weapons handling, maintenance and detonation, radioactive material, calibration and measurement sources, X-rays, radiation from military occupational exposure) warfare agents (nerve agents, chemical and biological weapons) VA will use all available information to determine if veterans participated in a TERA, including military records and service connection. VA is executing a nationwide campaign to ensure that as many veterans as possible enroll. To date, VAs PACT Act outreach campaign has included more than 2,500 events nationwide, $13 million in paid advertising, 88,000 earned media clips, more than 400 million emails and letters to Veterans, VAs first-ever text messaging campaign, and the creation of a one-stop-shop PACT Act website. For more information about how the PACT Act is helping veterans and their survivors, visit VAs PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care or benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. More information on eligibility can be found at VA.gov/PACT. Lebanon VA Medical Center is one of 170 medical centers in the nation with the sole purpose of providing world-class medical care to Americas Veterans. Lebanon VAMC serves a nine-county area in South Central Pennsylvania covering Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill and York counties. Lebanon VAMC also oversees community clinics located in Mechanicsburg, Lancaster, Pottsville, Wyomissing, York and Fort Indiantown Gap. If you are veteran, you may be eligible to receive care and benefits from VA. To learn more, call 717-228-6000. A worker on Tuesday morning walks past building supplies and equipment outside a new six-storey, mixed-use building on Eckhardt Avenue that will feature commercial space on the ground floor and 70 apartments above. Electricity Canada is sounding an alarm over a proposed tax change it warns could see some private utilities saddled with millions in additional income taxes. A device is plugged into an electrical outlet, in St. John's, Saturday, June 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld A load on a crane fell from the top of the building, smashing multiple floors of the Oakridge Mall construction in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. There has been another crane accident in Metro Vancouver, in what B.C.'s workers' safety agency says is the fourth such incident this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns MALE (PTI): China on Monday signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives to provide free military assistance to foster "stronger" bilateral ties, weeks after President Mohamed Muizzu set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his island nation. The Defence Minister of the Maldives Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon met with Major General Zhang Baoqun, Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China, to discuss enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries. 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 handle. The details of the defence cooperation agreement were not provided. Meanwhile, China has also gifted 12 eco-friendly ambulances to Maldives, Edition.mv news portal reported on Monday. In a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health on Sunday, Chinese Ambassador to Maldives Wang Lixin presented the letter gifting the ambulances to the Maldives, it said. The visit of the Chinese military delegation took place days after Male allowed Xiang Yang Hong 03, a hi-tech Chinese research ship to make a port call for the "rotation of its personnel and replenishment." On January 5, Sri Lanka, while denying entry to the same ship, said it has declared a moratorium on foreign research ships entering its waters for a year amid concerns from India over Chinese research vessels docking in its neighbourhood and collecting data from the oceans, including in the Indian Ocean Region, for military purposes, especially for submarine operations. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has previously defended the port call by the Chinese research ship to the Maldives saying, "China's scientific research activities in relevant waters are for peaceful purposes and aimed at contributing to humanity's scientific understanding of the ocean." 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, widely seen as a pro-China leader, has set March 10 as the deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel from his country. "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 spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi at his weekly media briefing on February 29. Following meetings of the high-level core group that was set up to address the issue of withdrawal of the Indian military personnel, the Maldivian foreign ministry had said India will replace all its military personnel in two phases by May 10. According to the Maldivian government, 88 Indian military personnel are in the country, primarily to operate two helicopters and an aircraft that have carried out hundreds of medical evacuations and humanitarian missions. The ties between the two countries came under some strain since Muizzu came to power in November last year. Muizzu maintained after assuming charge as the president that he would keep his election promise of evicting Indian military personnel from his country. Muizzu defeated India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential runoff held in September last year. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties, including in the areas of defence and security, witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. The current government has said that it was reviewing more than 100 bilateral agreements signed with India by the previous governments. The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. Mika Gadsden is well versed in the electoral process, having run for mayor, served as a polling precinct clerk and worked as a political activist over the past decade. But Gadsden said even she was having a hard time determining which congressional district she is slated to vote in later this year in South Carolina's Charleston County. Her confusion stems from a process known as gerrymandering, in which political parties in power manipulate the boundaries of voting districts to gain an electoral upper hand. The process can amount to an "assault on democracy," Gadsden said. The effects of gerrymandering are neither new nor uncommon, but with Democrats and Republicans currently splitting control of Congress by the narrowest of margins, experts say a small number of pending redistricting battles and newly released maps could help determine which party holds the levers of power in the U.S. House of Representatives after this year's elections. The states where the stakes are highest include: South Carolina, where the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide soon whether to allow a new congressional map to stand. New York, where the state Legislature rejected this week the latest congressional map drawn by a bipartisan commission and adopted a new one. Wisconsin, where a recent lawsuit could lead to the redrawing of congressional maps. Louisiana, where a new map released in late January creates an additional majority-Black congressional district. North Carolina, where redistricting has been the subject of Supreme Court rulings and ongoing lower-court fights. South Carolinas electoral maps redrawn in 2021 moved Gadsden and some 30,000 other Black voters out of a competitive district and into one that has been in Democratic hands for four decades. The process, she said, has sown seeds of confusion" and really does demoralize a lot of people who find their vote will carry less weight. SC maps 'really an assault on democracy,' voter says What we see is that the powers that be have pretty much picked the winners for people, Gadsden said. Its so undemocratic. Its really an assault on democracy in general. The practice of moving electoral district boundaries to promote certain outcomes, such as increasing the odds that a certain party wins or reducing the voting power of particular groups of voters, is not a new part of our election system. Politicians have employed the tactic for centuries, and voting rights activists have been trying to combat it for about as long. The back and forth has left courts to determine when such redistricting crosses a legal line. After South Carolinas governor signed the new maps into law, the state NAACP and a local voter sued, alleging that the new state map is an example of illegal gerrymandering that discriminates against those voters based on the color of their skin. With that case now in the hands of the Supreme Court, the implications for Gadsden and the other voters in Charleston could be significant. Should the court decide the gerrymander was illegal, those Black voters will go back to casting their ballots for a seat that a Democrat held as recently as 2021, when Republican Rep. Nancy Mace won election. Decisions in a few cases could have nationwide effect And with Republicans holding a razor-thin majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, experts say the ramifications of that court decision and a handful of other pending cases that allege illegal gerrymanders could be felt nationwide. There are going to be some places where Democrats pick up a seat or two or, maybe in New York, three or four, said Paul M. Smith, senior vice president of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center and a lawyer who has argued multiple landmark gerrymandering cases before the Supreme court. In North Carolina, when the new Supreme Court there had the map redrawn, the Democrats lost two or three or four seats. So it may end up having a net effect thats fairly modest across the country, Smith said. But given how closely divided the House is, we might very well find that a decision or two here were decisive, because whichever party is in control next time might be in control (of the House) by about two seats. Candidates choose their voters when maps redrawn Mitchell D. Brown, senior counsel for voting rights for the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, puts the problem of gerrymandering plainly. It occurs, he said, when legislators are choosing their voters, and voters are not choosing their legislators. Our democracy is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people, Brown said. But right now its of the elected officials, by the elected officials and for the elected officials. The anti-democratic effects of gerrymandering, Brown and other experts argue, are wide-ranging. When individual voters see the power of their vote weaken as they are packed by party, race or other factors into districts designed to reliably elect candidates of a certain party, Brown said it tends to dampen voter interest in elections where outcomes seem preordained. Voters also can be undermined by a gerrymandering tactic known as cracking, which involves splitting up groups of voters and assigning them to electoral districts that are safe for the party they dont belong to. However gerrymandering is implemented, Brown said, the result is it makes it harder for voters to hold politicians accountable at the ballot box. And when officials are less accountable to their constituents, he said, the effects are felt far beyond the polling precinct. The practical effect is theres less representation, Brown said. When gerrymandering is based on race, he added, the needs of the Black community are not met because you have elected officials that dont speak to the experience of the Black community. The creation of safe seats can also exacerbate partisan polarization and push people to the extremes, politically, said Smith, of the Campaign Legal Center, because politicians have to focus primarily on winning primaries, not general elections. And that, Smith said, pushes people toward the extreme right or the extreme left. Wonky shapes lead to shift in political power While the problems with gerrymandering are easy to see, the practice is difficult to stop, according to Smith, who has spent decades trying to do so. Despite repeated attempts to get the Supreme Court to find it illegal when an electoral map is designed to guarantee one party wins most of the seats, even if they dont get most of the votes, Smith said the court determined in 2019 that such partisan gerrymandering is a political question thats too complicated for the federal courts to deal with. And so, he said, you cant go to federal court and challenge partisan gerrymandering. But the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the rights of state courts to combat partisan gerrymandering in maps drawn by state legislatures. Last year, the court ruled that the North Carolina courts can regulate redistricting to ensure it accords with the state constitution. North Carolina has really been ground zero for the redistricting and gerrymandering conversations nationwide, said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University. The Supreme Court ruling leaves the partisan gerrymandering fight at a state level. In North Carolina, that allowed a new conservative state supreme court majority to reverse a previous ruling, allowing Republican-leaning redistricting maps to be implemented for the 2024 election, Cooper said. The court also ruled that political gerrymandering was not a question for state courts. The fight over gerrymandering in North Carolina is nothing new but has increased in the past decade, Cooper said. Since 2010, the state has seen seven congressional district voting maps enacted, four of which were used in elections. Texas maps reflect 'unbridled gerrymandering,' professor says The change in gerrymandering after 2010 was seen in Texas as well, Rice University political science professor Mark Jones said. The states 2021 voting maps reflected unbridled gerrymandering in a way that hadn't been the case in 2005 and 2011, Jones said. Congressional districts in Texas pack Democrats together, twisting and turning to form wonky shapes that span miles. In Texas, the redistricting has all but ensured a Republican hold in the state, Jones said. While gerrymandering might not always play a significant role in elections, in a year like 2024, when the election is close, a handful of seats could affect control, Jones said. Gerrymandering takes some of the question out of elections, leaving some voters feeling disenfranchised, Jones said. The near-constant changes in North Carolina also make it difficult for voters to know who represents them at a state and national level, Cooper said. Despite challenges, Cooper says, it's unlikely anything will change in North Carolina. The latest maps in North Carolina, allowed by the state Supreme Court, are still being challenged in court, Cooper said. The most recent lawsuit, filed in December, alleges racial gerrymandering, the first case to do so for the current maps, he said. The stakes are too large for people to not at least try to overturn these maps, Cooper said. Both parties are challenging the maps. Its very clear they know the maps mean power. Its a convenient fiction but a fiction to say the people still get the final say. Courts can intervene if race main motive vs. politics While state courts have become the main battleground over partisan gerrymandering, the U.S. Supreme Court has found that federal courts can get involved in race-based gerrymandering. Thats based in part on the Constitutions Equal Protection Clause, which says states cannot undermine citizens rights, and in part on the Voting Rights Act, a 1965 law designed to ensure all citizens have an equal opportunity to participate in elections. But to pursue cases under those provisions, a court has to determine, first, whether race was the predominant motive in the minds of the people drawing the lines, Smith said. That can be tricky, especially when race seems to be used as a proxy for party, as often occurs with Black voters, who tend overwhelmingly to vote for Democrats. Brown said the difficulty in making distinctions between race and party means Black voters dont have the same protections. All the legislature has to do is say, Hey, we didnt do this for racial reasons. We did this for partisan reasons, Brown said. Courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have heard several cases that hinge on such determinations. While many of its decisions were widely viewed as undermining legal protections for Black voters, the court surprised observers last year when it upheld a key piece of the Voting Rights Act that requires states to create opportunities for voters of color to elect candidates of their choice when theyre faced with massive racially polarized voting, like in the South, Smith said. The effect of that decision will be felt in this years congressional election, because the ruling resulted in the drawing of a second Black-majority district in Alabama. That district is expected to elect a Democrat to Congress. Decision helps cause of 'racial justice' in districting It also means there will be continued efforts to create majority-Black, majority-Latino districts in situations where, if you dont, the majority white population will control all the districts, Smith said. So that was a very positive decision for those who believe in racial justice in districting. Brown said such protections are crucial, because, he argues, race is a factor even when legislators profess not to be considering it. To believe that a legislature can draw a race-blind map is farcical, Brown said. These people know where the Black voters are, where white voters are, where Latino voters are. To say something is race blind, you can draw your district by memory, and you know how to gerrymander. Race is always going to undergird what the legislature does, which is going to affect minority voters. The South Carolina case currently pending in the U.S. Supreme Court hinges on whether the justices find politics or race influenced the district maps. If justices rule the new electoral maps were drawn to advance a partisan advantage, the changes will be allowed to stand. If the high court determines legislators were motivated by a desire to pack Black voters in a single safe district, the court could order maps to be redrawn. Clyburn case complicates gerrymandering discussion This distinction between race and politics has been further clouded by the findings that Rep. Jim Clyburn, the Black Democrat who has represented the states 6th Congressional District since 1993, worked with Republicans to move Black voters into his district in order to shore up his chances of reelection. ProPublica examined Clyburns role in depth. A three-judge panel that found the new lines represented a racial gerrymander also described the congressmans staffs role in helping Republicans alter his district. While a Republican who led the redistricting effort said he received a map from the staff of Congressman James Clyburn and (that) he incorporated the Clyburn staff proposals into the final plan, he also acknowledged making dramatic changes to the staffs recommendations, court documents say. Clyburns office has strongly denied that he participated in the states gerrymandering, but experts have long described an unholy alliance between Black Democratic lawmakers and Republican lawmakers to draw maps that create safe seats for the former at the expense of a broader advantage for the former. Is there a fair solution to drawing districts? While theres no doubt legislators from both parties work behind the scenes to draw maps to their advantage, Smith said there isn't an obvious way to draw them objectively and fairly. The challenge lies, in part, in how people tend to congregate geographically by party, which leads to what Smith calls unintentional gerrymandering. One of the things that is true of the way our country is set up is that Democrats tend to cluster themselves in cities, he said. And so if you draw maps without thinking of partisanship at all just draw squares or whatever you end up with more Republican seats than Democratic seats, even if its a 50-50 state, because the Democrats pack themselves into a smaller number of districts with really, really high percentages of Democrats. So although he said Republicans have been in a better position to do more gerrymandering, Smith said he doesnt think they are more prone to it than Democrats. As courts tangle over whether to allow legislators to move electoral lines and decide who elects whom, a growing number of states have taken such decisions out of their hands altogether through the formation of redistricting commissions. Samuel Wang, a Princeton University professor who leads the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, said court victories and citizens initiatives have led to a sharp decline in the practice over the past decade. You look at the congressional level the degree of gerrymandering in the U.S. House of Representatives compared to 10 years ago the distortion is less than half what it was in 2012, he said. So things are getting better. But issues remain. While the movement to create independent commissions is spreading across the country, Smith believes theres a natural limit on how far that can go because in about half the states, at least, in order to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot, it has to be passed twice by the legislature. And they dont pass it. Are independent commissions better at drawing maps? Though experts say commissions tend to make better maps than politicians, some have struggled, including in New York. New York voters changed the state constitution to take redistricting out of the hands of the state legislature and into an independent commission. But the commission deadlocked on its first attempt, which gave the job of redistricting back to legislators. That Democrat-controlled body then drew its own maps, which were signed into law, promptly challenged in court and invalidated. The state Supreme Court then appointed a special master to draw yet another new map, which was used for a 2022 election that saw Republicans make important gains in New Yorks congressional races. But Democrats have been fighting to allow the Independent Redistricting Commission to have another chance at redrawing the maps, and in December, the state Supreme Court ruled in their favor. When that new map was released this month, little was different from the one used in 2022. Had the state Legislature approved that map, Republicans would have been expected to maintain their gains. But on Feb. 26, Democrats rejected the map. Two days later, the state Legislature adopted a slightly different map designed to help Democrats pick up seats in a small number of key battleground U.S. House districts without drawing further court challenges. Congress seen as unlikely to act on redistricting rules Ultimately, Smith and others say, comprehensive change to the nations redistricting rules would have to come from the U.S. Congress itself. But that, Smith said, is unlikely anytime soon. Congress is the place where a lot of the problems with our democracy could get fixed, Smith said. Its just, youve gotta get a majority in both houses and a filibuster-proof majority at that who really want to fix them, and thats not easy. We dont have that now. That leaves voters like Gadsden, in Charleston, waiting for court decisions and new maps that will decide where they vote, influence who wins their local elections and help determine who controls a bitterly divided Congress. Gadsden views the situation as an alarming part of a larger assault on peoples access to their own democracy. It seems like the old guard within the establishment really has worked hard to maintain a level of power that doesnt serve the voter at all, she said. It really does not serve the voter. It also does not serve democracy, Wang said. It is possible through legislative jiggery-pokery to gain an advantage that could never be gotten through any amount of campaigning, Wang said. So at the level of national power, it actually could be quite consequential. Election advantages due to district mapping Doug Polk on Joe Ingram's Poker Podcasting Return: Come Play at The Lodge, Mike Postle March 04, 2024 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Joey Ingram, perhaps the most popular poker podcaster ever, returned to the podcast streets Monday for an entertaining discussion with Doug Polk, who made a bold offer to accused poker cheat Mike Postle. In an unrelated note, Postle made a surprising random public appearance last week for an X Spaces conversation. During that discussion, which lasted around two hours, he repeated his longstanding denial that he cheated during Stones Live streams in 2018 and 2019. Veronica Brill, the Stones player and commentator who originally brought forth the accusations in September 2019, then fired back with a lengthy statement to PokerNews. Polk Offers Up a Challenge for Accused Poker Cheat Mike Postle The interview with Polk on Ingram's Power Poker Podcast, formerly the Poker Life Podcast, wasn't all about poker. They discussed numerous topics such as the upcoming $1 million buy-in Hustler Casino Live game, the ongoing bot issues on ACR Poker, the current state of content in poker, among other topics. But the juiciest of all topics discussed was on Postle. More specifically, an intriguing offer that Polk made for the accused cheat that would certainly bring in viewers. If you can hold your own at Stones Gambling Hall, you can do just fine down here at The Lodge. Well make sure to track everything and its done fairly, assuming the players want to play with Mike Postle, and lets just see if he can run it back, Polk offered a challenge to Postle. Polk is the co-owner of The Lodge Card Club near Austin, the largest poker room in Texas with over 80 card tables. The Lodge hosts a popular stream with 168,000 subscribers, second only in the space to Hustler Casino Live (322,000 subscribers). If he can get even close to (his Stone Live win rate), Im willing to eat my own words as he rakes in my money, Polk offered up to Postle. Can Polk Lure in Postle to Play Doug Polk During the 2019 poker-wide investigation into the Postle cheating allegations, Polk and Ingram were two of the most prominent figures taking a deep dive into the Stones Live hand histories. Polk reiterated his thoughts on the situation to Ingram, saying the guy clearly cheated. Either he is the greatest gift that poker has ever seen, or hes cheating. Lets settle this on the felt. I would love to host it, Polk said of Postle. He wasnt joking and made it clear he would allow Postle to come prove his chops on The Lodge stream. But he also gave a doom and gloom prediction for those who'd like to see it take place. You know whats going to happen, Joey? Hes not going to win anywhere close to what he won before. Hes instead not going to take me up on this. Or, lose. Or, win small. Hes not going to be the greatest poker player of all-time, and I do hope he brings his hat because theres going to be nothing in that crotch to help him at The Lodge. Ill tell you that right now, Polk anticipates. Postle hasnt appeared on a live-stream since September 2019 when Brill accused him of cheating. He did, however, make a deep run in a tournament in Mississippi last January, which resulted in a seventh place finish for $32,703. Polk, once a regular guest on the Poker Life Podcast, and Ingram chatted for about two hours (full conversation below). Sharelines @joeingram1 returned to the poker podcasting streets with @DougPolkVids. Michael Esquivel Earns a Vacation With Destination RunGood Tunica Win ($55,321)* March 05, 2024 Matt Hansen Live Reporting Executive The Destination RunGood Tunica Main Event has come to an end and Michael Esquivel is the winner after a deal with Loi Hoang at the beginning of heads-up play. The latest stop for the RunGood Poker Series at Horseshoe Tunica drew 662 players one more than the previous trip in November 2023 and the best 82 players split up a prize pool of $337,620. Esquivel dominated a wild final table to finish with the big stack for a top prize of $55,321, along with the RGPS ring. The deal was cut with Hoang, who won $45,608 for the second-place effort. They both outlasted Brian Duffy in third and Michael Chilton in fourth. Chilton parlayed the second-highest stack from Day 1c to a $22,614 payday. Chris Cochran rounded out the top five. Destination RunGood Tunica Final Table Results Rank Player Prize (USD) 1 Michael Esquivel $55,321* 2 Loi Hoang $45,608* 3 Brian Duffy $30,337 4 Michael Chilton $22,614 5 Chris Cochran $17,047 6 Walker Miskelly $12,996 7 Brian Winter $10,022 8 Chris Dandrea $7,819 9 Dorothy Crossman $6,172 * Denotes heads-up deal Winners Reaction The win takes Esquivel over $500,000 in lifetime earnings, and the score is the third-biggest of his career. His top win came in 2019 at MSPT Minnesota for $98,113 and he won $63,666 in a Heartland Poker Tour Main Event in 2018. The money is good, but I dont need to prove myself to anybody, Esquivel said in his post-game interview. Thats the beauty of this game, anybody can win. Esquivel plans to take a couple of weeks off to spend some much needed time with his family. I have cheated them for so long about spending time with them because I have to work, but business is done and I can take two weeks off before I get back to the grind. Day 2 Highlights The day started with 82 players and Juston Hamilton led the way after three opening flights. Also near the top of the leaderboard was Chris Dandrea, who held the chip lead after Day 1b. Dandrea, along with Chilton, were the only players from the top ten chip stacks at the beginning of the day to advance to the final table. Just outside that top ten was Brian Winter, the prohibitive favorite to win RGPS Player of the Year honors. Winter also made a deep run to the final table and added some more room to his lead. Other early Day 2 exits include Terrance Reid, Andrew Todhunter, and WPT champ Mark Davis. David Moses also qualified for Day 2 and finished in 68th for $1,034. Dorothy Crossman The final table was reached in the 10th level of the day, and Dorothy Crossman was first to go after Walker Miskelly beat her pocket sixes with Big Slick to leave the Cordova native short. Her fate was sealed a few moments later when Duffy knocked her out with ace-queen. Dandrea got it in with ace-jack in the opening moments of Level 29, but Duffy was there once again with ace-king to knock him out in eighth place. Winter was next to go in seventh after an ill-timed bluff slowed his final table momentum. He got it in with pocket sixes but Esquivel called with ace-eight and turned the top pair to eliminate Winter before he could do serious damage. Hoang began to surge after Winters elimination and he held almost half of the chips at one point during six-handed play. Miskelly fell next in sixth place when his suited queen-ten wasnt good enough to beat Chiltons pocket eights. Five-handed play was over quick when Cochran got his short stack in with four callers. It was Chilton who beat them all with pocket tens after the board checked down to send Cochran home in fifth. Brian Duffy The players took a break and Duffy returned to double twice, setting up the chips for his third-place finish. Chilton was the unlucky fourth-place finisher when he shoved with pocket sixes and ran into Esquivels wheel. Duffys fate was soon sealed when his ace-jack ran into Hoangs ace-king. After Duffy left the room, Hoang and Esquivel stepped away to broker a deal. Esquivel had a two-to-one chip lead at that point and a modest deal was made to end the tournament. That wraps up the PokerNews live coverage of Destination RunGood Tunica. Be sure to join us again next time when the RunGood Poker Series returns to bestbet Jacksonville from March 14-24. Sharelines Michael Esquivel won the latest RunGood Poker Tour Series. Thiago "azevedo45" Azevedo Takes Down the Irish Open Online Main Event at PokerStars March 05, 2024 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor The 2024 Irish Poker Open is less than three weeks away, and PokerStars got into the spirit by running a 17-event online edition of Europe's longest-running poker tournament. Over $1.1 million was distributed throughout the Irish Open Online, with $27,678 of that princely sum now nestled in the PokerStars account of Thiago "azevedo45" Azevedo. Azevedo was one of 2,297 entrants in the $109 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Max Irish Open Online Main Event. That bumper crowd created a $229,700 prize pool, way more than the advertised $150,000 guarantee. The top 335 finishers received a slice of the prize pool, with the likes of Ronan "Sw33ney" Sweeney, Andras "probirs" Nemeth, Tom "hitthehole" Middleton, Jerry "Perrymejsen" Odeen, and Mathew "matfrankland1" Frankland all seeing a return on their investments. $109 NLHE 8-Max Irish Open Online Main Event Final Table Results Rank Player Country Prize 1 Thiago "azevedo45" Azevedo Brazil $27,678* 2 Sprinkler01 Estonia $30,409* 3 Biguethi339 Brazil $17,231 4 DoctorPoker44 Malta $12,283 5 Darapan Poland $8,756 6 BetForNympho United Kingdom $6,241 7 Mastermandel Austria $4,449 8 huziu Poland $3,171 9 Andre "99Palanke" Luis Brazil $2,260 *reflects a heads-up deal Each of the nine finalists received more than $2,200 for their efforts, but none of them wanted to collect that amount when $33,913 was reserved for the eventual champion. Andre "99Palanke" Luis's deep run ended in a ninth-place finish worth $2,260, with Poland's "huziu" busting one place later, banking $3,171. The final table officially became short-handed when "Mastermandel" crashed out in seventh for $4,449. The pay jumps began growing more substantial with each elimination. "BetForNympho" fell in sixth for $6,241, then "Darapan" got their hands on the $8,756 fifth-place prize; the remaining four players were now guaranteed five-figure sums. Don't Miss the PokerStars Sunday Million Season; Six-Week Festival Guarantees $19 Million Learn more The first of those $10,000+ prizes, $12,283 to be exact, went to Malta's "DoctorPoker44" before "Biguethi339" was relieved of their chips, and they collected $17,231 in prize money. That elimination left Azevedo heads-up against "Sprinkler01" in a battle with over $9,700 on the line. That difference proved too much, and the heads-up duo struck a deal to shorten the payouts; "Sprinkler01" was leading at the time. Azevedo came from behind, banked $27,678 and cliched the title of Irish Open Online Main Event champion, leaving "Sprinkler01" to collect a $30,409 consolation prize. 2024 Irish Open Online Results Azevedo aside, four other Irish Open Online champions padded their bankrolls with five-figure scores. Vilian "PavanaTTo23" Pavanatto was the first after taking down the $82 buy-in Progressive Knockout for $12,113. Adam "pruttzz12" Jonsson walked away with $11,740 after triumphing in the $320 High Roller, while "legionsof" turned $22 into $10,552 at the title of Irish Open Online Mini Main Event champion. Last but not least, Oleg "Fukuruku" Vasylchenko won the $55 Mystery Bounty, worth $10,449. Event Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Country Prize #1 Series Opener $55 1,152 $57,600 fcb-serv Brazil $9,103 #2 Progressive KO $22 2,598 $51,960 johnyguedes1 Brazil $5,630* #3 Deep Stack $55 1,024 $51,200 Ins420 United Kingdom $8,361 #4 Progressive Total KO Zoom $33 1,038 $31,140 LeaderJoe01 Canada $3,762* #5 Progressive KO $82 1,197 $89,775 Vilian "PavanaTTo23" Pavanatto Brazil $12,113* #6 Deep Stack $11 2,744 $26,891 69trini69 Belgium $3,939 #7 Mystery Bounty $22 4,297 $85,940 lele19941607 Argentina $5,813* #8 High Roller $320 197 $59,100 Adam "pruttzz12" Jonsson Sweden $11,740 #9 8-Game $11 756 $7,408 lilam18 United Kingdom $1,073 #10 Progressive KO $22 2,325 $46,500 H!tthehole Canada $5,326* #11 PLO Main Event $33 541 $16,230 partanet1 Finland $2,066 #12 High Roller $215 242 $48,400 dimadub93 Belarus $9,335 #13 Mini Irish Open $22 4,147 $82,940 legionsof Slovakia $10,552 #14 Main Event $109 2,297 $229,700 Vinicius "azevedo45" Azevedo Brazil $27,678 #15 Progressive KO $22 839 $16,780 shahibles Sweden $2,258* #16 Mystery Bounty $55 2,972 $148,600 Oleg "Fukuruku" Vasylchenko Ukraine $10,449* #17 Series Wrap Up PKO $33 2,079 $62,370 ryzhankoff Poland $6,422* The 2024 Irish Poker Open Runs March 25 to April 1 David Docherty won the 2023 Irish Open Main Event after qualifying for 109 If you missed out on Irish Open Online glory, you could always head to Dublin, Ireland, for the 2024 Irish Poker Open. The Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge plays host to eight days of intense poker action, including the 1 million guaranteed Main Event. Online satellites for the 2024 Irish Open Main Event are running right now at PokerStars costing as little as 1.10. Satellites feed into the 109 buy-in Qualifiers, but you may be better off using your 109 entry for one of the three MEGA qualifiers PokerStars has planned. 16 Irish Open Main Event packages are guaranteed on March 10 and 17 at 8:00 p.m. GMT, and a last-ditch MEGA qualifier, with eight packages guaranteed, runs at 8:00 p.m. GMT on March 24. Each package awards a 1,150 seat to the 2024 Irish Open Main Event plus 350 in cash towards your expenses. Last year, David Docherty won his way into the 2023 Irish Open Main Event via a 109 satellite and went all the way, becoming the Main Event's champion, a result good for 365,000. Sharelines Check out the full results from the 2024 Irish Open Online series at PokerStars. Rachel Maddow said it will be the American people not the courts who will defeat Trump and save democracy. Rachel Maddow said: I will just leave you with this. There, theres no magic spell, theres no solution that is going to come say from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court did the favor of reminding us all of that today when they ruled that Trump will stay on the ballot all over the country. They gave us that reminder today after last week, they made sure we knew it in the first place when they, someone inexplicably took action to delay all the Trump, the Trump criminal trials except the one they couldnt stop until after the election. Theres no magic wand coming to stop this thing. Theres no, you know, magic beans that you can grow here that make some bean stalk, take us away from all of this. Theres only one way out of this pick one. The Democratic Party has picked its nominee. Yes, its an old guy who is doing practical, normal and popular things as president and who has a lot to show for it, particularly in terms of how well things are going economically since he has been at the helm. The Republican Party is pretty obviously picking their guy as well. Also an old guy who for example, cannot say the word Venezuela and who has no idea who is the current President Of The United States currently riding high on his partys abortion bans and measles curious virological denialist free associating. Hes trying to warm the American people up to the idea of just a little bit of dictatorship from him and hes getting us ready to, you know, start building camps to hold millions because his advisers say the deportations start at noon on day one. The courts are not going to help the law will be a sidebar to the main decision. You will make this decision. The only way this decision will be made is by you picking one by you volunteering and donating and campaigning and deciding it matters enough to you to not only vote but to help, to help your candidate try to win the Republican Party. Really, really is amazing right now. But the only thing that will stop them is Democrats winning instead, period, full stop. To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily. Video: Rachel #Maddow The courts are not going to help. The law will be a side bar to the main decision. You will make this decision. The only way this decision will be made is by you picking one. pic.twitter.com/WhRG732Trt Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 5, 2024 For a long time, at least going back to Mueller, some people in the media sold the left the idea that the courts would stop Trump. Someday, Trump may very well be criminally convicted, but the courts operate on a different schedule than the election calendar, so there is no certainty that Donald Trump will ever be convicted. The only way that Donald Trump will ever be stopped is if a majority of voters vote against him. The ballot box isnt as flashy as a court case and requires work from all of us, but it is the most effective way to save democracy in the United States. It will not be a court, a judge, or a prosecutor who saves the day. You, your friends, and your relatives will save democracy by defeating Donald Trump. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. Thousands more hospital staffing complaints are on the way from Western New York to state Health Department officials in Albany. Communications Workers of America District 1 on Tuesday said it has reported about 2,700 staffing complaints to the Health Department on behalf of union health care employees who work at Catholic Health Systems hospitals. The complaints, the union said, were made under the states clinical staffing committee law legislation that is seen as a key to improving workplace conditions that eroded within hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our members have been grappling with understaffing for far too long, CWA Local 1133 President Brian Magner said in a statement. We must address the critical staffing shortages plaguing Catholic Health System facilities, he said. Our efforts to work with Catholic Health System management to improve staffing at the hospitals just arent enough and our patients and our staff deserve better. The submission comes after CWA District 1 in late November submitted nearly 8,000 unresolved staffing complaints across several hospitals, including Kaleida Healths Buffalo General Medical Center and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital; Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira; and New York-Presbyterian, a downstate provider. More than 5,300 of those complaints came at Kaleidas hospitals. CWA said the Health Department has started conducting unannounced visits to hospitals across the state to investigate compliance with the clinical staffing committee law. That has included, according to the union, a visit last month to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst and a visit in the fall to Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. In a statement Tuesday, Catholic Health said staff recruitment and retention has always been a priority for the health system, with even more resources committed to those efforts since the Covid-19 pandemic. Catholic Health said it has hired more than 1,200 nurses in the past two years and reached retention rates 10% better than the national health care average. In a recent presentation to its bond investors, Catholic Health reported progress in its recruitment and retention of permanent employees. For one, Catholic Health spent about $46 million on external staffing costs in 2023, which was less than half of what it spent in 2022. While we work hand in hand with the CWA to support our Clinical Staffing Committees, the unions staffing complaints go beyond Catholic Health and represent a more pressing concern there are simply not enough nurses and clinical professionals in our community to fill all the job vacancies that exist across the region, Catholic Health said. Further, Catholic Health called on state leaders to commit more funding for clinical education programs and by recognizing that increased Medicaid funding to support the cost of care and its workforce is long overdue. Hospitals and labor unions across the state are in the midst of a campaign to get the state to increase Medicaid reimbursements in the upcoming state budget, expected to be finalized April 1. CWA said the complaints submitted Tuesday were gathered across Catholic Healths Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Kenmore Mercy Hospital and St. Joseph Campus in Cheektowaga. The submission includes complaints over nurse-to-patient ratios; staffing shortfalls in intensive care units; overburdened telemetry units where nurses and aides were overwhelmed with patients; and night shifts with not enough staff assigned. The union also called out the staffing plan for Clearview Treatment Services, a 40-bed chemical dependence rehabilitation unit at St. Joseph Campus, that leaves registered nurses and licensed practical nurses trying to care for too many patients. We urge the Department of Health to prioritize robust enforcement of this law, Magner said. As of last month, the Health Department had cited 15 hospitals for violations of the clinical staffing committee law. The department has declined to disclose which hospitals have been cited. Hospitals found to be in violation of the law, following an investigation, are required to submit a corrective plan of action within 45 days from when the findings are presented to the hospital. Failure to comply, the Health Department said, can lead to fines: up to $2,000 per citation and potentially other related civil penalties. Clinical staffing committees, which were formed at every New York hospital at the start of 2022, include at least one-half clinical staff members and up to one-half hospital administrators. Each committee is tasked with developing and adopting an annual clinical staffing plan by July 1 and then implementing that plan six months later on Jan. 1. The first clinical staffing plans under the law were implemented in January 2023. The most recent clinical staffing plans can be viewed online at health.ny.gov/facilities/hospital/staffing_plans/. A man who was injured in a September 2020 road rage incident in Aiken will have to pay a fine and follow a permanent restraining order after harassing his shooter and wife. Rickey Ford pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree harassment after he harassed his shooter, Joseph Ryan Cincotta, and his wife after the events of the road rage incident which led to him being shot. As part of the negotiated plea, Second Judicial Circuit Judge Courtney Clyburn Pope agreed to let Ford pay a $200 fine or spend 30 days in jail, attend anger management classes and for Ford to be placed on a permanent restraining order. Ford was originally charged with first-degree harassment and stalking. In the 50 years that I have been involved in criminal work as a lawyer and as a judge, this is the worst instance in the miscarriage of justice that I have ever seen and any case I ever read in the state of South Carolina, said John Harte, Fords attorney. Assistant solicitor David Howard Rittgers said the plea is connected to the events that took place after the shooting. Rittgers said during three different incidents from March 30 to July 31, 2022, Ford made threats toward the Cincottas. Rittgers said prior to March 30, Cincotta's wife had an encounter with Ford in the car line at their childrens school on multiple occasions, including Ford swerving his vehicle. "It escalated to where the defendant (Ford) put himself at places only to be near Mrs. and Mr. Cincotta to intimidate them, to stalk them and harass them," he said. On March 30, 2022, after Mrs. Cincotta was dropping her kids off, she took a short-cut and said Ford followed her, Rittgers said. Rittgers said Mrs. Cincotta filed a police report. Ritthers said state's evidence shows that on July 14, 2022, Ford drove by Newberry Hall and saw Mrs. Cincotta. Ford engaged in conversations with Mrs.Cincotta and made death threats to her husband by saying, "this won't be over until he is dead." 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 party's 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 court's decision as she acknowledged that "Donald Trump is an eligible candidate on Colorado's 2024 Presidential Primary." Trump's 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. Colorado's 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, but some Trump critics pointed to the silence on that topic as a victory of sorts because the court failed to absolve him of responsibility for the Capitol riot. 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. BEAUFORT The Beaufort History Museum is preparing to auction off several items from its collection a U.S. Cavalry saber, a rare book and artwork as it makes plans to commemorate, and pay for, the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nations founding on July 4, 1776. The museums volunteer board hopes to raise $15,000. That money will be used to help create a plan for a local exhibit. Before delving into the museums plans, it is worth noting that there isnt widespread agreement on what to call the 250th anniversary. The country celebrated its Bicentennial in 1976. The use of the term bicentennial was, as far as can be determined 50 years later, uncontested. As 2026 looms, there seem to be a number of choices: Semiquincentennial, Sestercentennial or Quarter Millennium. There is even, as reported in 2016 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the term Bicenquinquagenary. That mouthful of syllables was initially favored by the federal government in 1999 when it first started mapping its plans for the celebration, the AJC reported. At some point, the U.S. government opted to go with Semiquincentennial though perhaps for reasons other than how it flows off the tongue. The museum, started in 1939, is housed in the iconic Beaufort Arsenal. Built in 1798, the arsenal also houses the headquarters of the Gullah Geechee National Heritage Corridor and the Greater Beaufort Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau. Like many small-town museums, it became a repository for local residents collected treasure regardless of where it came from, what is was worth or any number of other criteria. They cleaned out their attics and closets and brought it over here, said Mayor Phil Cromer. A lot of stuff they had they thought had some historical significance, but a lot of it doesnt have any significance to Beaufort. Items up for auction include a 1902 U.S. Cavalry saber, a 19th century bronze copy of Giovanni da Bolognas statue The Flying Mercury, acquired by the Museum in 1939, several other works of art and a rare book. Other items not from the museums collection, like international trips and a hosted party for 20, will also be auctioned off. The founder of a Charleston construction and engineering firm was sentenced to 2 years in prison last week for his part in a kickback scheme for work at a Nucor Corp. steel plant in Kentucky. Tony Berenyi, founder of Berenyi Inc., will also serve two years of supervised release once his incarceration term ends. A federal judge also ordered him to pay $753,625 in restitution and a $50,000 fine. In addition, a $396,500 judgment was filed against Berenyi. Prosecutors had asked for a 50-month prison sentence followed by three years in a supervised release program. The court granted Mr. Berenyis motion for a variance, which sought a reduced sentence based on his professional standing and well-documented charitable work in the community, said Peter Shahid, a Charleston lawyer who represented Berenyi. Mr. Berenyi expressed his remorse to the court. He provided over 30 letters of support from a member of Congress, local pastors, former military service members, former clients and from members of his family. Shahid said Berenyi plans to appeal his sentence. A Covington, Ky., jury deliberated for less than one day on July 18, 2023, before issuing a guilty verdict against Berenyi, who faced 25 felony charges including wire fraud and money laundering. He was charged in a 2022 indictment over payments he made to Jaymin Vinson, a former Nucor engineer who was overseeing an expansion at the steel giants Gallatin County mill in Kentucky starting in 2018. Prosecutors said the payments were kickbacks to Vinson for steering construction work to Berenyis firm. The payments were hidden in the projects overall costs, according to court documents. Vinson, of Ohio, pleaded guilty in 2022 to a single felony charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Vinson, who agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14. Berenyi told The Post and Courier that Vinson was extorting the money from his Immigration Street firm and cooked up the kickback allegations so prosecutors would recommend a light punishment. A onetime Mount Pleasant-based business owner who was among the first to be charged in the government's "Operation Brace Yourself" probe is to be sentenced this week. Read moreMajor SC Medicare fraud case shifts to the penalty phase after 5 years COLUMBIA On one busy stretch of road in northeast Columbia, large yellow bulldozers make way for the upcoming Publix grocery store. A two-minute drive up the road, clay-orange land sits barren, awaiting the construction of uniform single-family homes. Spears Creek Church Road, the strip of asphalt from an Interstate 20 exit to Two Notch Road, has grown significantly in recent years. Just off the interstate, car-centric businesses like a Starbucks drive-thru and a QuikTrip gas station bring hordes of customers driving along the two-lane road. Over the next few years, the 2-mile strip will see a slew of retail and housing grow up along it. A 311-unit townhome set for the area received an initial nod of approval from the city of Columbias planning commission in January. The long-awaited Publix at the corners of Earth and Spears Creek Church roads nears completion after land-clearing began earlier this year. But, as the area grows with housing developments and new businesses, so does the amount of traffic. The congestion woes are the subject of a Richland County plan, through the Transportation Penny Tax program, to widen parts of the road and add right-of-way lanes. That project isnt set to begin until early 2026, according to a recently published progress report. With the additional growth that weve seen, as far as development, but also with housing popping up, were definitely working to figure out how to move that timeline up, Richland County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey said. Its here now. We definitely need it. The plan is to widen the stretch of road to three lanes from Two Notch to Earth roads and five lanes from Earth to Jacobs Mill Pond roads. That widening excludes the overpass bridge at the center of much of the traffic. The project is expected to be completed by January 2029, according to the Penny Tax website . In other areas of the country, adding extra lanes hasnt worked when it comes to dealing with traffic, studies have shown. Oftentimes, when lanes are added, congestion is initially cleared. But the relief of traffic can sometimes lead drivers to switching up their commutes to utilize areas with improved traffic. Then, the cycle of bad traffic begins again. COLUMBIA Its been years since the COVID-19 pandemic first shoved teacher vacancies toward the top of any list of problems facing South Carolina education, but that doesnt mean the issue has gone away. Instead, its gotten worse. As the Palmetto State keeps breaking its own record for the amount of vacancies in its public schools, the two largest Columbia-area districts together still have more than 300 teacher positions open on their online hiring portals. Those lingering vacancies have Richland One and Two deploying smaller-scale measures to offer financial incentives for teachers to stick around while they continue to beam virtual teachers into classrooms to offset vacancies impacts. In one such effort, staff at the areas more rural schools are getting $500 stipends from Richland One for working at Lower Richland campuses, including Lower Richland High, Hopkins and Southeast middle schools, and Horrell Hill, Webber, Hopkins and Gadsden elementaries. Lower Richland principals told board members that schools were struggling to keep teachers working the the districts more rural southern areas, school board member Cheryl Harris said during a community meeting Feb. 26. The stipends are meant to offset the cost of driving to the more out-of-the-way campuses, she said. In another cash-payment system, neighboring Richland Two is implementing a pilot teacher referral program. An employee would get $250 if they refer a teacher who then signs on with the district. The northeast Richland district has already had success with such a system for its bus drivers, Senior Chief Human Resources Officer Franklin Foster told the school board Feb. 27, bringing 37 new drivers to district bus routes. That pilot initiative is aimed at both recruiting new teachers into the district and retaining already employed staff members, though some board members questioned whether $250 was enough to move the needle before they eventually approve the program. COLUMBIA Environmental groups are threatening to sue a carpet manufacturer they say is pumping dangerous forever chemicals into the Lower Saluda River, threatening nearby drinking water supplies and wildlife. Owned by Shaw Industries, the 470-acre plant is located on St. Andrews Road near Seven Oaks Park. The facility has been producing fiber and nylon chips used in carpets since 2005. The Southern Environmental Law Center and Congaree Riverkeeper allege that the plant is discharging untreated water that contains PFAS a hazardous class of chemicals that persist in the environment for long periods of time into the Lower Saluda River. Elevated PFAS levels in the human body have been linked to decreased fertility, high blood pressure during pregnancy, developmental delays in children, hormonal disruption, reduction of the immune system and an increased risk of certain cancers. SELC, on behalf of the Congaree Riverkeeper, sent a letter of intent on March 4 to sue Shaw if it didnt address its illegal discharge, which the environmental advocates say violates the federal Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Saluda Shoals Park is located about 1.5 miles upstream of the plant, and both West Columbia and Cayce draw public drinking water just downstream from the plant and its wastewater outfalls, according to the letter. Shaws discharges contain toxic PFAS whose adverse effects on human health and wildlife have been well documented in scientific literature, the letter reads. This section of the river also supports an important fishery known for its trout, striped bass and other species. The letter notes that PFAS chemicals contaminate wildlife and can be passed on to humans through fish consumption. If youve got folks who are regularly fishing on the Saluda and eating these fish, that means that these discharges from Shaw could potentially be impacting peoples health through not just drinking water, but also fish consumption, and thats a concern of ours as well, Congaree Riverkeeper Bill Stangler said. Xinhua News Agency: On March 4, the donation ceremony of the emergency aids for fighting dzud provided by the Chinese government to the Mongolian government was held at the State Palace of Mongolia. Mogolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai attended the event and thanked China for the assistance. Could you share with us more information on the assistance? Mao Ning: China and Mongolia are friends and neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, and we have always helped each other in trying times. During the pandemic, the two countries gifted one another with sheep and tea, which is still a much-told story. Recently, Mongolia has suffered rare and extreme cold weather and snow storms, and the livelihood and production of many herders in the country are faced with severe difficulties. China is paying close attention to this. To address the urgent needs of the people in affected areas and support Mongolia in fighting the disaster, the Chinese government provided emergency cash assistance to the Mongolian government. Local government and the Red Cross Society in China also delivered funds and material aids to the Mongolian side. Chinas Embassy and Consulate in Mongolia and Chinese companies also made donations and actively engaged in local rescues. This is another good example of building a China-Mongolia community with a shared future. We believe that with joint efforts of all sides, the Mongolian people will tide over the current difficulties and return to normal life at an early date. AFP: According to relevant departments of China and the Philippines, Chinese and Philippine boats collided in the South China Sea today. Aside from the statement of China Coast Guard, does China have any other comment on this? Mao Ning: As you mentioned, the spokesperson of China Coast Guard has released a statement on relevant information. On March 5, two supply vessels and two Coast Guard vessels of the Philippines, without permission from the Chinese government, intruded into the adjacent waters of Renai Jiao of Chinas Nansha Qundao, in an attempt to send materials, including construction materials, to the vessel illegally grounded at Renai Jiao. 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. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged serious representations to the Philippine side to express our strong protest. Chinas position on the issue of Renai Jiao is consistent and clear. For some time, China and the Philippines have maintained communication on properly managing the situation at Renai Jiao. The Philippines once again broke its promise to China by making infringement and provocations, and creating trouble in the waters of Renai Jiao, seriously violating Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China once again urges the Philippines to stop maritime infringement and provocation, and refrain from taking any action that may complicate the situation at sea. China will continue to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with domestic and international laws. CCTV: The Senate of the Philippines recently approved the Maritime Zones Act. Whats your comment? Mao Ning: China noticed the relevant developments. The Maritime Zones Act approved by the Senate of the Philippines has attempted to further enforce the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea by domestic legislation and include Chinas Huangyan Dao, most islands and reefs of Chinas Nansha Qundao, and their adjacent waters into its maritime zones, which severely violates Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China firmly opposes it and has lodged solemn demarches to the Philippines. I would like to reaffirm Chinas position as follows: First, China has sovereignty over Nansha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao, including Huangyan Dao, and their adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. Chinas above-mentioned sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law, which are in compliance with the UN Charter and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Second, the territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties. Chinas Huangyan Dao and other islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao are completely beyond the limits of the Philippines territory. The Philippines illegal occupation of Mahuan Dao, Feixin Dao, Zhongye Dao, Nanyao Dao, Beizi Dao, Xiyue Dao, Shuanghuang Shazhou and Siling Jiao in Chinas Nansha Qundao severely violates international law, including the UN Charter. The Philippines arbitrarily went beyond its territorial scope to set up the so-called Kalayaan Island Group, which has violated Chinas territorial sovereignty. This is illegal, null and void. Third, without the Chinese governments prior consent, the Philippines unilaterally initiated an international arbitration, which violated international law, including UNCLOS. The arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration handled the case ultra vires and made an illegitimate ruling. The rendered award is illegal, null and void. China neither accepts nor participates in that arbitration, neither accepts nor recognizes the award, and will never accept any claim or action arising from the award. Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will not be affected by the award in any way. Fourth, territorial sovereignty is the precondition and foundation for the generation of maritime rights and interests. Under the pretext of implementing UNCLOS, the Philippines has advanced the legislation of the Maritime Zones Act in an attempt to put a legal veneer on its illegal claims and actions in the South China Sea. Such an Act goes against the provisions of international law, including the UN Charter and UNCLOS, and against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. This egregious act will inevitably make the situation in the South China Sea more complex. Fifth, China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, immediately end any unilateral move that may escalate the dispute and complicate the situation, return to the right track of properly settling differences through negotiation and consultation as soon as possible and work with China to uphold the larger interest of the bilateral relations and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable. Global Times: It was reported that on March 4, Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda ended the partnership with the Nepali Congress party, joined forces once again with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) to form a coalition government and reshuffled the cabinet. What is Chinas comment? Mao Ning: China noted that Nepal has formed a new government coalition and reshuffled the cabinet recently. We sincerely hope that the relevant parties of Nepal will work together in solidarity, advance the work related to the formation of the new government in a smooth manner, and realize political stability, economic growth and improvement of peoples livelihood. As a friendly neighbor and cooperation partner, China highly values its relations with Nepal. We would like to work with the new government to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen our traditional friendship, strengthen practical cooperation, advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, and deliver more benefits to the peoples of the two countries. Bloomberg: The Maldives on social media reports that China will provide military assistance to the Maldives. Can you comment on this? Mao Ning: On your specific question, Id refer you to competent Chinese authorities. More broadly, China is committed to working with the Maldives to build a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Normal cooperation between China and the Maldives does not target any third party and will not be disrupted by any third party. AFP: Yesterday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on China to implement the recommendations made by his Office and asked China to stop the law, policies and practices that violate human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet. What is Chinas response? Mao Ning: A happy life for the people is the most important human right. Putting the people front and center, China has worked to realize, protect and advance the fundamental interests of the greatest majority of the people. We have found a path toward better human rights that follows the trend of the times and fits our national realities and made historic achievements in the human rights cause. Currently, Chinas Xinjiang and Xizang enjoy social stability, economic growth, solidarity among all ethnic groups and harmony among various religious beliefs, and the people there are living a happy life. China stands ready to carry out dialogue and communication with the UN human rights body and other parties on the basis of mutual respect to enhance understanding, build up consensus and jointly provide positive energy for global human rights governance. In the meanwhile, we urge the UN human rights body to respect the judicial sovereignty of member states, carry out its work under the principle of impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization, and play a constructive role in promoting the healthy development of the international human rights cause. I would like to point out that in recent years, some Western countries have attacked and smeared China under the pretext of human rights. They have concocted a number of rumors and lies on issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang. What they did was not at all out of care for human rights, but for the purpose of holding back Chinas development. Facts prove once and again that the international community has seen more and more clearly about the political agenda and double standards of the US and other Western countries behind their manipulation of human rights issues, and their rumors and lies have been rejected by more and more people. In recent years, more than 100 countries have supported Chinas just position on issues related to Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong and opposed interference in Chinas internal affairs under the pretext of human rights at multilateral human rights meetings. This fully proves that the world is not blind to the truth. A Buffalo man who had four guns and methamphetamine in his apartment when it was raided nearly two years ago pleaded guilty last week to possession of firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes. Htoo Lwai pleaded guilty to the felony on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer in Buffalo. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a possible maximum of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara will sentence him at a future date. The conviction could result in Lwai, who is not a U.S. citizen, being removed from the United States, according to court papers. Lwai was arrested May 26, 2022, when Buffalo police and agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at his apartment on Pooley Place. Officers seized 70 grams of methamphetamines, $1,943 in cash and four firearms a rifle, two handguns and a shotgun from his bedroom. Mike McAndrew When it launched in 2005, the Charleston Wine + Food Festival's goal was to put Charleston on the map in the national food and beverage industry. Economic impact numbers and Charlestons culinary destination status are evidence the festival has helped the citys food scene grow. Community-based programming was also part of that initial mission statement. As festival organizers look ahead to the 2024 event taking place March 6-10 a pilot program that launched in 2023 will further those philanthropic efforts, Executive Director Alyssa Maute Smith told The Post and Courier. Partnering with the Charleston County School District, the festival last year welcomed 35 students from four schools to work with Charleston Wine + Food Director of Culinary Operations Gena Berry during the three-day Culinary Village, hosted March 8-10 at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. The externship program will expand in 2024, with 39 students from six schools participating in a total of about 500 hours of paid work at the festival. Last year was hugely successful, said Berry who pulls the festivals culinary strings from a tent behind Quarters K in Riverfront Park. Helping assemble that kitchen is one of the students first tasks during their externship, which starts March 4 and concludes a week later, the day after the festival concludes. Accompanied by teachers like Molly Gordon of Wando High School, the students assist Berry and her team, charged with the curation of the food programming for the entire event. Her tent operates as a temporary restaurant, exposing students to the regulatory requirements that come with this line of work. ANDERSON U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham started his week close to home with a keynote address at the annual Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce meeting, where he commended leaders for drawing in business and working hard to keep up with growth. With money on his mind, he told the crowd that if the Senate appropriations bills pass this week, there would be money headed to Anderson to aid in some major road improvements specifically his earmarks for Exit 21 of Interstate 85 where Buc-ees is planning to build. Id like to have a say about where your money is spent, he said. So, you know, I want world peace. I want Ukraine to beat the Russians. I want to get our house in order in Washington, and I want Buc-ees to build in Anderson. The bipartisan infrastructure bill has $4.9 billion set aside for road improvements, Graham said. He received criticism for voting on that bill, but the money was going to go somewhere and now its coming here. We have 477 bridges that are in a state of disrepair that makes them dangerous, he said in a media gathering before his keynote address. We have 1,036 miles of really very difficult, outdated roads. The earmark would bring $1 billion each year for five years, providing some relief to Exit 21 where S.C. Highway 178 crosses I-85, and several other neglected roads, he said. The S.C. Department of Transportation is in the procurement phase of the Exit 21 expansion and realignment project and expects to begin construction in summer 2025. It should take between 18 and 24 months to complete, according to SCDOT. When youre growing this fast, you have to stay ahead of roads, water and sewer, Graham said. Not very glamorous, but if you dont have the infrastructure in place, to our legislative delegation, they will not come. Anderson County was competing with every other exit on I-85, Graham said, and Buc-ees choice of location says a lot about what youre doing and whats going on in this community. Does it seem to you that a lot of the controversies in education (homework, grading, punishment, curricula) exist because people arent considering things from the students point of view and what they might need? Read more'Luxury beliefs' leaving some kids in the dark When I was in third grade, my teacher had a vegetable tasting day for us. We each brought in a vegetable from home and shared it with our classmates. I remember coming home, excited, and announcing to my mother that I had fallen in love with rutabaga. After a startled moment or two, she sm Read moreStevens: For the love of rutabaga and our children We keep being told that the Legislature isnt going to make any major changes to the way judges are selected in South Carolina as if that somehow makes the debate the Senate launches this afternoon any less consequential. Minor changes would be a problem if South Carolina needed a complete overhaul. We dont. We need tweaks that are frankly minuscule to all but a handful of lawyer-legislators who have positioned themselves to game our current system. Indeed, the only people who are talking about major changes switching to public elections or stripping the Legislature from the process are the defenders of the present system, who harp on those ideas as scare tactics. Yes, there would be advantages to letting the governor appoint judges, and it might be a better way to go if it didnt require amending the state Constitution, which requires far more legislative support than is likely to materialize in the foreseeable future. But there are also disadvantages beyond the political odds against it. And the main problems we need to fix the Legislatures stranglehold on the judiciary and the ability of a handful of lawyer-legislators to use that stranglehold to intimidate judges, undermine public confidence in the judiciary and benefit their clients in the courtroom can be fixed with the Legislature still electing judges. As Sen. Greg Hembree, a former solicitor, told his colleagues on Thursday, those fixes are needed because a public already predisposed by the national political climate to question the trustworthiness of institutions has been nudged by recent revelations into adding South Carolinas judicial selection system to its untrustworthy list. FLORENCE Some local residents woke to find antisemitic flyers dropped in their driveways. A spokesperson confirmed that the sheriff's office had received multiple reports March 5 that the flyers were distributed in West Florence, in both the city and county. The flyers were dropped in plastic bags that also included corn kernels, apparently to weigh down the bags to make them easier to toss from the road, presumably from a moving vehicle. Multiple versions of flyers all espoused anti-Jewish rhetoric. The flyers also contained links to a video-sharing website where people stream racist content, including antisemitism and white supremacy. The flyers appear to be provided by the Goyim Defense League, an antisemitic and neo-Nazi organization. The group encourages people to download flyers from a website it operates. Ron Soto found a flyer lying in front of his home on Evergreene Road. He and his wife said they were shocked to find it on their driveway. They also said they were disgusted. Its not something that I thought would have happened here. I thought everybody was accepting here, not racist, Soto said. Maj. Michael Nunn said the sheriff's office is limited in what it can do because of the First Amendment right to free speech. The sheriff's office will investigate if it determines a crime has been committed, but as of right now, the sheriff's office sees this as political speech. If there is a criminal offense, they should contact law enforcement. But based on what weve returned so far, it does not appear to be criminal in nature," Nunn said. The Florence Police Department did not immediately have a comment. The activity comes amid a nationwide rise in hate crimes, with antisemitism becoming more pronounced in the wake of the latest war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. According to an audit done by the Anti-Defamation League, more antisemitic incidents occurred in the U.S. in 2022 than in any other year since 1979. The 2022 numbers represent a 36 percent increase from 2021. Former Vice President Mike Pence says he will not be backing Donald Trump in the 2024 election. It should come as no surprise that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year, Pence said in an interview with Fox News Channel Friday. Pence ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination but dropped his bid before voting began. The decision makes Pence the latest in a series of senior Trump administration officials who have declined to endorse their former boss. While Republican members of Congress and other GOP officials have largely rallied behind Trump, a vocal minority has continued to oppose his bid. When Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Pence was forced to flee as rioters chanted, Hang Mike Pence! Read moreFormer Vice President Mike Pence says he's not endorsing Trump YORK A traffic pursuit, followed by a SWAT team response, ended in a shooting death when authorities said a deputy killed an armed man barricaded in a car. The shooting happened early March 3 on Alexander Love Highway near Wesley Amaker Road, just north of York city limits, according to the York County Sheriff's Office. The county coroner identified the motorist shot and killed as 62-year-old Charlie Baker of Clover. The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. Authorities said the series of events started in the city of York when officers there had contact with Baker during a traffic stop. No details were available about the stop, but Baker fled, and the sheriff's office was contacted. Deputies said they found an armed Baker in his car on Love Highway. Members of the SWAT team arrived to negotiate with him. The confrontation ended with SWAT team member Lance Cpl. Berlin Gipson shooting Baker, the sheriff's office said. Baker was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner's office will conduct autopsy and toxicology tests this week. According to a LinkedIn profile, Gipson has three years of experience at the sheriff's office and spent four years with the Rock Hill Police Department. He will be on paid administrative during the course of the SLED investigation. The March 3 shooting death was the eighth by an officer or deputy in South Carolina this year. It's the first such one by the York County Sheriffs Office since September 2022. A man who violated terms of his probation has been sentenced to four years in state prison on a felony drug charge, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt announced. Todd Dalton, 39, of Jamestown, also was ordered by Chautauqua County Court Judge David Foley to receive two years of supervision after he is released. Dalton pleaded guilty in January to fourth-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony. He also was given a concurrent sentence of four years in prison for a probation violation. He was sentenced as a nonviolent predicate felon. Dalton was arrested in March 2023 after Jamestown police found him with suspected methamphetamine. At the time, Schmidt said, Dalton was on probation following an August 2022 conviction in Cattaraugus County for third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony. Dale Anderson A North Carolina man admitted in a Buffalo courtroom last week to making racist threats to kill Buffalo police during about 50 phone calls he made to a city police station last August. Ryan Johnston, of Lenoir, N.C., pleaded guilty to a felony charge of interstate communication of threats. Federal sentencing guidelines call for Johnston to be sentenced to 12 to 18 months in prison, but he could be sentenced to a maximum of five years. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara is expected to impose a sentence at a date that has not yet been scheduled. Johnston, who first called police to check on the welfare of his children at their mothers house in Buffalo, made threats to hang and shoot police officers during the phone calls from North Carolina, according to court papers. Mike McAndrew PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 03:15:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 422 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 4, 2024 / Breaking new ground in artificial intelligence, Air Ai unveils advanced AI solutions-tailor-made to transform sales and customer service. With a focus on practical application and efficiency, these AI tools are set to redefine the standards of customer interaction and sales strategies.Air Ai's latest AI offerings come as a result of extensive research and development by a team of seasoned professionals, including former CEOs and industry leaders from Fortune 500 companies. This team's collective experience, notably in scaling six companies to over $1 million in monthly revenue, has been instrumental in crafting AI solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also highly attuned to the dynamics of customer service and sales.A standout feature of Air Ai's new AI solutions is their cost-effectiveness. These tools are designed to perform at a capacity five times more economical than traditional human representatives, offering a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative for businesses. Moreover, these AI systems operate continuously, 24/7, eliminating issues related to employee burnout or inconsistent performance, thus ensuring a consistent quality of service.At the core of Air Ai's innovation lies more than just the pursuit of technological progression. It's a profound dedication to utilizing AI as a tool for elevating human experiences. This guiding philosophy shines through in their unique approach to AI development, where the emphasis is on ethical integration and alignment with humanity's broader interests.With these latest advancements, Air Ai aims to set a new benchmark in AI application, particularly in sales and customer service, where human interaction and efficiency are crucial.This launch marks a pivotal moment for Air Ai, as it moves beyond its previous success in educational technology with Apex 4 Kids. It represents a significant step in their mission to harness AI for the betterment of society, aligning technological growth with human values and ethical standards.About Air AI:Founded on the principle of harnessing artificial intelligence for the greater good, Air Ai is a cutting-edge technology company that specializes in AI solutions for sales and customer service. With a rich history of innovation and success, including scaling multiple companies to over $1 million in monthly revenue, Air Ai combines technological expertise with real-world experience. The company is driven by a team of top-tier professionals, including former CEOs and leaders from Fortune 500 companies. Air Ai stands committed to ethical AI development, focusing on creating tools that not only advance technology but also significantly enhance the human experience.Media Details Website URL: https://www.air.ai/ Company Name: Air AIEmail address: media@ airai.ai SOURCE: Air AI PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 00:30:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 472 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / March 4, 2024 / American Technology Services (ATS), a leading managed IT services company based in Fairfax, VA, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Cyber Defense International (CDI), a renowned American cybersecurity firm. This strategic move will significantly enhance ATS' existing cybersecurity offerings. The CDI and ATS cybersecurity team will lead incident response operations from the new ATS Security Operations Center (SOC) Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia."ATS is committed to providing state-of-the-art cybersecurity services to our clients. The acquisition of CDI is a testament to our dedication to protecting businesses from evolving cyber threats. Leveraging CDI's specialized knowledge and deep experience combating bad actors and data breaches, our Security Operations Center in Atlanta will be a stronghold against cyber incidents, ensuring unparalleled security for our clients," said Andy Wayne, President of ATS.CDI has been at the forefront of cyber defense, offering cutting-edge cybersecurity operations, cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and vulnerability management services. "Joining ATS is a milestone in our journey. Our combined expertise will deliver enhanced cybersecurity measures, keeping our clients one step ahead of threats," remarked DaMon Ross, Founder of CDI.Integrating CDI into ATS will strengthen ATS' advanced cybersecurity solutions, including incident response, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management, to ATS' comprehensive portfolio of MSP and MSSP services. "This acquisition enriches our cybersecurity capabilities. Our clients can trust that they are receiving the highest level of protection," stated Shashank Katikaneni, VP of Operations at ATS.CDI's clients will continue to receive the exceptional service they have come to expect, now with the added benefits of ATS' vast resources and comprehensive IT service offerings. This acquisition is a significant step forward in ATS' mission to provide integrated, secure IT solutions that support and enhance business operations.For more information about ATS and its services, please visit networkats.com About American Technology Services (ATS) American Technology Services (ATS) stands at the forefront of technological innovation and service excellence. With a rich heritage dating back to 1994, ATS has consistently demonstrated award-winning expertise in supporting businesses' technology needs. ATS offerings span a comprehensive suite of managed IT services, including cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, software development, and IT consulting. ATS clients range from innovative startups to government contractors to established global entities. Our extensive MSP and MSSP services ensure businesses can operate seamlessly, with ATS managing every aspect of their IT infrastructure.About Cyber Defense International (CDI) Cyber Defense International (CDI) specializes in cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive solutions designed to protect businesses from cyber threats. With a focus on cybersecurity operations, cyber threat intelligence, cybersecurity consulting, and vulnerability management, CDI has been a trusted partner for businesses seeking to enhance their cybersecurity posture.Contact InformationCindy MallorySenior Manager of Marketing & Emerging Tech Strategycindy.mallory@networkats.com SOURCE: American Technology ServicesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 15:01:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 399 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / National plaintiffs law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP encourages investors in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company ("ADM" or the "Company") (NYSE:ADM) who suffered losses from purchasing or otherwise acquiring ADM common stock between April 30, 2020 and January 22, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"), to contact us immediately regarding a pending securities fraud class action against ADM. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff is March 25, 2024.Class Period: April 30, 2020 - January 22, 2024Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: March 25, 2024Case information: lieffcabraser.com/securities/adm Contact us: Email or text investorinfo@ lchb.com or call 1-800-541-7358ADM, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is an agricultural supply chain manager and processor.The action alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements about the performance and prospects of ADM's Nutrition segment, while engaging in improper accounting practices and procedures that obscured the segment's true performance and purported growth.On January 21, 2024, ADM announced that it had placed its CFO and Senior Vice President, defendant Vikram Luthar, on leave effective immediately. According to ADM, Luthar's "leave is pending an ongoing investigation being conducted by outside counsel for ADM and the Board's Audit Committee regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to ADM's Nutrition segment, including as related to certain intersegment transactions." The Company also revealed that it launched its investigation after it received a request for documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, ADM delayed its Q4 and FY 2023 earnings release and withdrew its outlook for the Nutrition segment. On this news, the price of ADM common stock plummeted $16.23 per share, or approximately 24%, from its closing price of $68.19 per share on the previous trading day, to close at $51.69 on January 22, 2024.About Lieff CabraserLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, with over 120 attorneys in offices in San Francisco, New York, Nashville, and Munich, Germany, is an internationally recognized law firm committed to advancing the rights of investors and promoting corporate responsibility. Recognized as a "Plaintiffs' Powerhouse" by Law360, Lieff Cabraser has litigated some of the most important civil cases in the United States, and has assisted clients in recovering over $129 billion in verdicts and settlements. For over 50 years, Lieff Cabraser has remained committed to ensuring access to justice for all.Contact:Sharon LeeLieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP415 956-1000 slee@ lchb.com SOURCE: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 07:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 564 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 U.S. Investment firm Argentem Creek Partners to expand into PE Secondaries through partnership with wealthtech solutions provider Emerge9NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / U.S. investment firmArgentem Creek Partners("ACP") an emerging markets specialist investment firm, partners withEmerge9 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 PartnersArgentem 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 Emerge9Emerge9 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.Media ContactOrganization: Argentem Creek PartnersContact Person: Loredana MateiWebsite: https://www.argentemcreek.com/ Email: media@ argentemcreek.com Contact Number: +18772354500Address: 156 West 56th Street, 12th FloorAddress 2: New York, NY 10019City: New YorkState: New YorkCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Argentem Creek Partners PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 14:03:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 613 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BHT closes oversubscribed financing round, adds new investors to revolutionize low bone density treatmentsREDWOOD CITY, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 /Bone Health Technologies (BHT), a health technology innovator developing breakthrough non-invasive solutions for bone health, today announced the company has raised a new $5 million funding round from leading investment firms, including Esplanade Ventures, Berkeley Catalyst Fund, as well as strategic investor and leading global medical technology provider Terumo Medical. Ella Seitz of Esplanade Ventures and Yushin Yazaki of Terumo were appointed as board observers.Bone Health Technologies Bone Health Technologies is the developer of the Osteoboost wearable vibration device, clinically-proven to slow the loss of bone density in postmenopausal women.This influx of capital marks a pivotal moment in BHT's mission to reshape bone health for postmenopausal women, closing right in time for de novo FDA clearance. The funding will support the final development stages of BHT's flagship Osteoboost vibration wearable, expected to launch later this year.Osteoboost is a smart wearable device, worn as a belt around the hips, that is clinically proven to protect postmenopausal women from the bone strength and bone density loss common with menopause and aging. Through the delivery of precision vibration, Osteoboost stimulates the natural mechanism of bone regeneration, reducing a user's risk of progression from osteopenia to osteoporosis. During the trial, Osteoboost not only significantly slowed the loss of bone density but also had a high user adherence rate exceeding 80% and zero serious adverse events.Over 64 million people in the U.S. are affected by osteopenia and osteoporosis today. Osteoboost is the first and only non-pharmacological FDA-cleared prescription device to address this $30 billion market. Currently, BHT is finalizing the manufacturing and distribution logistics for the first public release of Osteoboost, anticipated later this year. Patients and health professionals interested in following the launch progress are invited to join a notification list."Bringing a breakthrough, de novo, prescription medical device to market is a challenging road that requires patience and perseverance," said Laura Yecies, CEO of Bone Health Technologies. "We chose to validate the science behind Osteoboost through a rigorous clinical trial, so that postmenopausal women and their physicians could have confidence in our data. The FDA clearance was the last major external hurdle, and now our focus shifts to the launch later this year. We're thankful for our early investors who believed in our vision and our new investors who seized on the clinical data and recognized the impact we can have for women around the world." "Osteopenia is a serious condition that affects one in six women in North America, and we believe that Osteoboost, as the first FDA-cleared noninvasive wearable device, can make a substantial improvement in the lives of millions of women," said Ella Seitz, Partner at Esplanade Ventures, a new investor in Bone Health Technologies. "We're excited for the future of the company and are honored to support Osteoboost's journey to solving a critical chronic condition for women." About Bone Health TechnologiesBone Health Technologies (BHT) is a Redwood City-based company that applies science and medical expertise to create better health outcomes for women and men at risk of developing osteoporosis and associated bone fractures. The company's first FDA-cleared device, Osteoboost, is poised to become the new standard of care in treating postmenopausal osteopenia. BHT is backed by leading investors, including Esplanade Ventures, Ambit Health Ventures, Good Growth Capital, Portfolia, Astia Angels, and Golden Seeds. For more information about BHT and Osteoboost, including the full Indications for Use, please visit www.bonehealthtech.com Contact InformationMichelle KafkaKafka Media Groupmichelle@ kafkamediagroup.com 407-603-5716SOURCE: Bone Health TechnologiesView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 15:01:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 992 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Retained executive search firm Caldwell (TSX:CWL);(OTCQX:CWLPF) today announced a major enhancement to its cybersecurity recruiting capabilities with the addition of Sophie De Ferranti as a partner in the firm's Data, Digital and Technology Leaders Practice."The pace of digitalization, accelerated by the pandemic and geopolitical stress factors, has intensified cyber risk for organizations and created higher demand for experienced cybersecurity professionals amidst a global talent shortage," said Jim Bethmann, managing partner of Caldwell's Technology Practice. "Sophie's market-leading expertise in placing executives of the highest level in this critical area makes her an invaluable addition to the Caldwell team." Ms. De Ferranti advises C-suite executives and board members on their organization's cyber risk strategy and builds world-class security teams for her clients. Her functional expertise extends across industries such as financial services, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, aerospace, and technology, media, and telecommunications. She is passionate about identifying and supporting women leaders in cybersecurity and technology and brings a modern approach to global people advisory solutions.Prior to joining Caldwell, Ms. De Ferranti spent 25 years in senior leadership positions at global executive search, financial services and specialist consulting firms in Singapore, New York, London and Zurich. In her earlier career she held a high security UN classified role at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.Ms. De Ferranti is based in London with an international client base extending across the United States, Europe and the Middle East. She is fluent in English, Spanish and German and conversant in Italian and French. In her personal time, she is an avid polo player and instructor."We remain focused on adding highly skilled and content-focused search professionals to our partner team, to the betterment of our ability to serve our clients," said Chris Beck, president. "Cyber security is an area of tremendous importance and growth, and Sophie's addition to the team enhances our capability in this space. We're excited to have her on board and eagerly anticipate the addition of more new partners to the Caldwell team in the weeks and months ahead." About Caldwell Caldwell is a leading retained executive search firm connecting clients with transformational talent. Together with IQTalent, we are a technology-powered talent acquisition firm specializing in recruitment at all levels. Through the two distinct brands - Caldwell and IQTalent- the firm leverages the latest innovations in AI to offer an integrated spectrum of services delivered by teams with deep knowledge in their respective areas. Services include candidate research and sourcing through to full recruitment at the professional, executive and board levels, as well as a suite of talent strategy and assessment tools that can help clients hire the right people, then manage and inspire them to achieve maximum business results.Caldwell's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:CWL) and trade on the OTCQX Market (OTCQX:CWLPF). Please visit our website at www.caldwell.com for further information.For further information, please contact:Caroline LomotCaldwellclomot@ caldwell.com +1 516 830 3535Forward-Looking StatementsForward-looking statements in this document are based on current expectations subject to the significant risks and uncertainties cited. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "may," "will," "likely," "estimates," "potential," "continue" or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements.We are subject to many factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward looking statement including, but not limited to, the impact of pandemic diseases, our ability to attract and retain key personnel; exposure to our partners taking our clients with them to another firm; the performance of the US, Canadian and international economies; risks related to deposit-taking institutions; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; competition from other companies directly or indirectly engaged in talent acquisition; cybersecurity requirements, vulnerabilities, threats and attacks; damage to our brand reputation; our ability to align our cost structure to changes in our revenue; liability risk in the services we perform; potential legal liability from clients, employees and candidates for employment; reliance on software that we license from third parties; reliance on third-party contractors for talent acquisition support; the classification of third-party labour as contractors versus employee relationships; our ability to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity issues; adverse governmental and tax law rulings; successfully integrating or realizing the expected benefits from our acquisitions, adverse operating issues from acquired businesses; volatility of the market price and trading volume of our common shares; technological advances may significantly disrupt the labour market and weaken demand for human capital at a rapid rate; affiliation agreements may fail to renew or affiliates may be acquired; the impact on profitability from marketable securities valuation fluctuations; increasing dependence on third parties for the execution of critical functions; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to support our growth and fund any dividends; potential impairment of our acquired goodwill and intangible assets; and disruption as a result of actions of certain stockholders or potential acquirers of the Company. For more information on the factors that could affect the outcome of forward-looking statements, refer to the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Information Form and other public filings (copies of which may be obtained at www.sedar.com) . These factors should be considered carefully, and the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although any forward-looking statements are based on what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, we cannot assure readers that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Except as required by Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake to update any PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 12:00:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 623 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 StatementCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information or StatementsThis 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 AnalystsChesapeake Group(410) 825-3930SOURCE: Cannapharmarx, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 16:01:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 433 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Premier Preboarding and Employee Experience Provider Click Boarding Welcomes Strategic Operations Leader to Accelerate GrowthMINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Click Boarding, LLC, employee onboarding and experience platform, announced today the appointment of Stephanie Davis Neill as Chief Operations Officer (COO), reporting to Chief Executive Officer Mike Ehrle. Davis Neill joins at a pivotal time in Click Boarding's growth trajectory, bringing 25 years of experience in operations excellence at diverse retail and service organizations.Click Boarding Chief Operations Officer Stephanie Davis Neill In this new strategic role, Davis Neill will accelerate operational models for enhanced effectiveness in helping progressive organizations successfully leverage Click Boarding's solutions to streamline their processes and deliver rich employee lifecycle experiences. Davis Neill's proven track record of service optimization and strategic client expansions amidst evolving market dynamics will be instrumental to the growth of the organization.Prior to joining Click Boarding, Davis Neill served as Vice President of Customer Success and Direct Sales at The Aaron's Company, Inc., where she built and lead customer-centric operational support teams. Throughout her career, Davis Neill has garnered extensive experience across industries from omnichannel retail and supply chain to technology and financial management. Today, she also acts as founder and managing principal at Milepost 22, LLC, an independent consulting firm based out of the greater Atlanta area. With Lean tools and Six Sigma certifications, her tenure as a consultant provides the competitive edge in an ever-changing technology landscape.As a transformative and adaptable leader, Davis Neill is energized by Click Boarding's offering to solve unique employee experience challenges for innovative HR practitioners. According to Davis Neill, "When our customers succeed, we succeed." The addition of Stephanie Davis Neill as COO positions Click Boarding to amplify operations and ultimately propel its clients to new heights. Team Click Boarding is thrilled to welcome her to the team.For details about Click Boarding's executive leadership changes, contact Michelle Graham, Director of Communications, at 651.431.1410.About Click Boarding, LLCFounded in 2016 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Click Boarding, LLC is an employee experience platform providing compliant HR solutions that impact first-year employee growth and retention. With a seamless, mobile-first platform, we help leading enterprise organizations deliver modern, guided lifecycle experiences throughout the entire employee journey from preboarding to offboarding. Our technology and unparalleled expertise help Fortune 500 companies achieve a higher return on investment. For more information, visit https://www.clickboarding.com Contact Information https://www.clickboarding.commarketing@clickboarding.com Sales: (952) 283-3450 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/click-boarding-llc/ TWITTER: @ClickBoardingHRContact InformationMichelle GrahamDirector, Communicationsmgraham@ clickboarding.com 6514311410SOURCE: Click Boarding, LLCView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 14:33:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1000 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Crown Holdings, Inc.Originally published in Crown Holding's 2022 Corporate Responsibility ReportWater 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 WaterWater 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 ApproachWith 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 AmbitionWe 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 partnersCompliance 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 ProjectThe 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 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Crown Holdings, Inc.Website: A Rochester man been sentenced to 24 weeks in jail for a pair of incidents involving a knife, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced. Saquan P. Young, 24, had pleaded guilty on March 14, 2023, to third-degree criminal mischief, a Class E felony, and two counts of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing last July. Prosecutors said that shortly before 1 a.m. on Dec. 27, 2022, Young slashed four tires on an employees vehicle outside a convenience store in the 600 block of Prospect Avenue in Buffalo after employees would not let him into the store, which was closed because of the blizzard. Buffalo police arrested him a short time later, found him with a knife, and gave him an appearance ticket. A bench warrant was issued when he failed to show up for arraignment. Young was arrested again after a second incident in which two men suffered hand injuries during the afternoon of Jan. 26, 2023, when they were stabbed during an argument inside a residence on Letchworth Street in Buffalo. Dale Anderson PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 18:01:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 557 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 ChildrenIn 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 ChildrenAt 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 PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 21:59:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1009 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against GrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech") (NYSE:EAF). The action charges GrafTech with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of GrafTech's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, GrafTech's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR GRAFTECH LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/graftech-international-ltd?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=eaf&mktm=r CANNOT VIEW THIS VIDEO? PLEASE CLICK HERELEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2024CLASS PERIOD: FEBRUARY 8, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 3, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field as well as the firm itself which is continuously awarded for the successful results we've achieved. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.In addition to representing investors in cases where the fraud has been revealed, Kessler Topaz also represents whistleblowers - persons who expose wrongdoing to those in positions of authority or to the public- in cases brought under federal and state qui tam statutes, and through financial fraud whistleblower programs, such as those run by the SEC, CFTC and IRS. If you have information about fraud against government programs (such as Medicare), or violations of federal securities, commodities, tax or anti-foreign bribery laws, contact Kessler Topaz at (866) 369-7779 or at wbinfo@ ktmc.com or go to https://www.ktmc-whistleblower.com DEFENDANTS' ALLEGED MISCONDUCTBefore the start of the Class Period, GrafTech had underwent an extensive transformation that wasintended to revamp the company's business and return it to profitability. In public filings with the SEC, the company lauded its "transformation" and claimed that it had emerged from its restructuring with the "most competitive portfolio of low-cost graphite electrode manufacturing facilities in the industry." The company further represented that GrafTech's facilities were "modern, strategically located and well-maintained," which they claimed would provide the company with efficient growth opportunities following the offering. Key to this purportedly sustainable growth were the company's claims regarding the "more environmentally friendly nature of EAF steelmaking" employed by GrafTech's customers. Defendants continued to represent throughout the Class Period that GrafTech was committed to protecting the environment and acting "proactively" to advance sustainability initiatives.The truth began to be revealed on September 16, 2022, when GrafTech disclosed that its critical manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico had been shut down by regulators following inspections by the State Attorney's office for the Secretary of Environment and the Ministry of the Environment. The Monterrey facility was responsible for manufacturing 30% of GrafTech's overall graphite electrode output and 100% of its pin stock. Following this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $0.45, or 8.5%, to close at $4.85 on September 19, 2022.Then, on August 4, 2023, GrafTech issued a press release reporting the company's financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. In the results, GrafTech reported that sales declined 49% compared to the second quarter of 2022 as the company continued to "recover" from the effects of the Monterrey facility shutdown in 2022. As a result of the substantial decline in net sales, GrafTech reported a net loss of $8 million compared to $115 million in net income reported in the second quarter of 2022. On the investor conference call discussing the results, GrafTech attributed the Monterrey suspension as the "key driver" of the underperformance and disclosed that GrafTech's ability to secure customer contracts would continue to be indirectly impacted in the second half of fiscal 2023.Following this news, GrafTech's stock price fell $1.18 per share, or 22.56%, to close at $4.05 per share on August 4, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?GrafTech investors may, no later than March 25, 2024, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages GrafTech investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against GrafTech, Porter v. GrafTech International Ltd., et al., Case No. 24-cv-00154, is filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Jonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453 info@ ktmc.com SOURCE PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 15:31:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 795 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 MattersBurnout 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 ServicesUK-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-WoodChief Marketing & Experience Officer Karsten.Russell-Wood@equummedical.cominfo@equummedical.com (410) 409-7376About 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 CliftonSenior Manager, Marketing Communications jclifton@ caregility.com (678) 360-9043SOURCE: Equum Medical PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 16:01:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 954 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 Southtaking place on October 24-26, 2023 at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN andThe ASSEMBLY Showtaking 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 PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 15:02:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 452 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 5 Spearheads Pioneering Community Solar Partnership Between Bradley University and Nexamp, Promoting Renewable Energy and Cost Savings in IllinoisPEORIA, IL / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / 5, a leading energy and sustainability advisory firm, orchestrated a community solar deal between Bradley University and Nexamp that will help to add renewable energy to Illinois' power grid. Bradley University will be the anchor subscriber on four community solar projects developed by Nexamp in Illinois in the next two years. The projects stand to produce over $115,000 in annual cost savings for Bradley University, and over 26,000 MWh of renewable electricity to advance Illinois' renewable energy goals."Bradley University is proud to support renewable energy development across Illinois," said Stephen Standifird, President of Bradley University. "This agreement with Nexamp and 5 underscores our commitment to innovative energy solutions. By leveraging renewable energy sources, we are not only investing in a cleaner future but also demonstrating our dedication to responsible fiscal management." 5 played a pivotal role in facilitating the collaboration between Bradley University and Nexamp, providing expert guidance and strategic counsel throughout the contracting process. As an energy advisory firm committed to delivering tailored solutions to its clients, 5 identified the community solar opportunity and facilitated the contracting process."We are thrilled to have played a part in bringing together Bradley University and Nexamp for this transformative project," said Karen Sweeney, Director of Sustainability at 5. "At 5, we are dedicated to empowering our clients to make informed decisions that drive sustainability, risk management, and cost savings. This agreement exemplifies the positive impact that can be achieved when organizations collaborate towards a common goal of environmental responsibility and financial resilience." The community solar projects supported by this agreement will not only contribute to Illinois' renewable energy portfolio but also serve as a testament to the power of partnerships in advancing sustainable solutions. Through their shared vision and collaborative efforts, Bradley University, Nexamp, and 5 are paving the way for a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come.For more information about 5, visit https://www.energyby5.com/home About Bradley University: Bradley University is a prestigious private university located in Peoria, Illinois. Known for its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, Bradley University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in diverse fields of study.About Nexamp: Nexamp is a leading solar energy provider committed to delivering clean, renewable energy solutions that empower communities and businesses to thrive. With a proven track record of developing, owning, and operating solar projects across the United States, Nexamp is dedicated to accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy future.Contact InformationKaren SweeneyDirector of Sustainabilitykaren.sweeney@energyby5.com 518-207-7350SOURCE: 5View the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 14:31:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 797 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 CompanyBased 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.For more information, please contact:Frequency Exchange Corp.Stephen Davis CEO & Director President250-732-7170FREmedica Technologies Nicole SullivanPresident Nicole.sullivan@wearenikki.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking InformationCertain 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. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 13:01:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 952 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSX:FURY)(NYSE American:FURY) ("Fury" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has identified a robust geochemical gold anomaly within the same sedimentary rock package that hosts Newmont's Eleonore Mine at the Eleonore South gold project located in the Eeyou Istchee Territory in the James Bay region of Quebec.The orientation level biogeochemical sampling survey was designed to target an interpreted fold nose within the Low Formation sediments in an area where conventional soil or till sampling was not possible due to the ground conditions. The targeted area exhibited similar geological, geophysical, and structural characteristics to those present at the nearby Eleonore Mine. The identified anomaly is up to 200x the background value in gold and outlines the folded sedimentary package (Figure 1). The Company intends to complete the biogeochemical sampling program in early summer 2024 with the goal of identifying drill targets for later in 2024."We recently acquired 100% ownership of Eleonore South because of the tremendous amount of potential for new discovery at the project, as well as its strategic location close to a major mining company," commented Tim Clark, CEO of Fury. "These geochemical results out of Eleonore South could be meaningful given the similar style of mineralization to Newmont's Eleonore Mine, as such, we are excited to follow up this coming year." Eleonore South Project The Eleonore South project is strategically located in an area of prolific gold mineralization with Newmont's Eleonore Mine to the north and Sirios' Cheechoo deposit to the east (Figure 1 inset). Two distinct styles of mineralization have been identified to date; structurally controlled quartz veins hosted within sedimentary rocks similar to the high-grade mineralization observed at the Eleonore Mine; and intrusion-related disseminated gold mineralization similar to that seen at the low-grade bulk tonnage Cheechoo deposit with higher grade potential as seen at the JT and Moni prospects on the project (Table 1).A total of 641 biogeochemical samples were collected at 25 metre (m) intervals along four north-south and two east-west oriented survey lines. The variable spacing of the lines, covering an area of 4.5 by 2.0 kilometers, was designed to better test the interpreted fold structure identified through geophysics. The survey lines targeted the limbs and the nose of an interpreted fold within a sedimentary rock package with coincident chargeability highs. The biogeochemical survey successfully identified continuous robust gold and arsenic anomalies which followed closely with the geology and geophysics (Figure 1).In addition to the newly identified Eleonore style biogeochemical targets several gold in-till anomalies remain undrilled throughout the project (Figure 1). These gold in-till anomalies have similar geological and geochemical characteristics to the Cheechoo style of mineralization. Furthermore, the JT and Moni prospects represent a potential higher-grade style of intrusion-related gold mineralization with historical drilling intercepting 53.25m of 4.22 g/t gold (Au); 6.0m of 49.50 g/t Au and 23.8m of 3.08 g/t Au.Table 1: Regional styles of gold mineralizationCategoryEleonore StyleCheechoo StyleMineralizationQuartz-diopside-tourmaline-sx veins and stockwork. Silica-carbonate-diopside-actinolite-phlogopite alteration. Quartz-feldspar-amphibole-sx veins and stockworks. Strong strain zones. Feldspar-sericite-carbonate alteration. Geometry5-6m, up to 20m wide40-50m wide vein networksGeologyMassive to thinly bedded wacke, pelite, conglomerate. Pegmatites.Contacts of tonalite intrusions into sediments, pegmatitesStructureFolded stratigraphy, strong strain zonesStrong strain zones, rigid intrusive contactsGeochemAu-AsAu-As-W-BiGeophysicsChargeability highs associated with mineralizationMagnetic lows/highs associated with intrusion marginsAnaloguesEleonore(32.6Mt @ 7.8g/t Au)Cheechoo(67.0Mt @ 0.87g/t Au)Figure 1: Eleonore South Project Location."With samples returning results over 200x the background value in gold and nearly 20x background in arsenic the results from this orientation biogeochemical survey indicate that there may be a large, mineralized body nearby. Our technical team benefits from direct experience working at the Eleonore mine and we plan to leverage that experience as we develop this target to the drilling stage through 2024," stated Bryan Atkinson, P.Geol., SVP Exploration of Fury.Biogeochemical Sampling Biogeochemical samples were taken by collecting approximately 200 grams of black spruce twigs and sent to ALS Lab in Vancouver, BC (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015 accredited facility) for preparation and analysis. Preparation included drying, separation of needles from twigs and ashing of needles only at 475C for 24 hours (VEG-ASH01). Ashed samples are analyzed for 65 elements using nitric/hydrochloric acid digestion with ICP-MS finish (ME-VEG41a). QA/QC programs using lab duplicates, standards, and blanks indicate good accuracy.David Rivard, P.Geo, Exploration Manager at Fury, is a "qualified person" within the meaning of Canadian mineral projects disclosure standards instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this press release.About Fury Gold Mines Limited Fury Gold Mines Limited is a well-financed Canadian-focused exploration company positioned in two prolific mining regions across Canada and holds a 59.5 million common share position in Dolly Varden Silver Corp (22% of issued shares). Led by a management team and board of directors with proven success in financing and advancing exploration assets, Fury intends to grow its multi-million-ounce gold platform through rigorous project evaluation and exploration excellence. Fury is committed to upholding the highest industry standards for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustainable mining. For more information on Fury Gold Mines, visit www.furygoldmines.com For further information on Fury Gold Mines Limited, please contact: Margaux Villalpando, Manager Investor RelationsTel: (844) 601-0841Email: info@ furygoldmines.com Website: www.furygoldmines.com Forward-Looking Statements and Additional Cautionary LanguageThis release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which statements relate to the future exploration operations of the Company and may include PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-06 00:15:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 328 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of JBS S.A. ("JBS" or "the Company") (OTCQX:JBSAY). Investors who purchased JBS securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/JBSAY Investigation Details:On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled "New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims." The article reported, in relevant part, that New York State's Attorney General has "accused [JBS] of misleading the public about its impact on the environment in order to boost sales. Attorney General Letitia James said JBS USA Food Co, the Brazilian company's American-based unit, has no viable plan' to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, making its stated commitment to achieving that goal false and misleading." On this news, JBS's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $0.22 per share, or 2.38%, to close at $9.02 per share on February 28, 2024.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased JBS securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/JBSAY . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his law clerk and client relations manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson 332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 16:00:48 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 474 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Startup Accelerator's latest investment helps companies securely streamline inventory operationsSAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 /LogicBoost Labs, a startup accelerator focused on promoting the growth of early-stage B2B SaaS startups, today announced their seed investment into their first-ever San Diego company, Growthsayer, a supply chain technology company whose platform helps companies of all shapes and sizes to transform their inventory operations and increase profitability.The investment package from LogicBoost Labs includes putting cash on the balance sheet for growth and expert advice in sales, marketing, customer success, and tech development from the in-house team of experts.Growthsayer has a focus on eliminating the reliance on cumbersome spreadsheets, offering an intelligent, automated platform designed to enhance supply chain planning, analysis, and optimization. Their technology connects seamlessly with various operational systems, providing real-time insights and actionable recommendations to improve efficiency, sales, and customer satisfaction."Throughout the pandemic, the significance of supply chains became clear to us all," said Jonathan Cogley, Founder, and CEO of LogicBoost Labs. "For small and medium-sized business owners, the ability to effectively plan, order, and receive goods can be the difference between success and failure." Growthsayer founder and CEO Phil Geltman has nearly 15 years of experience with supply chains, inventory, and product management. He understands the weight that can be lifted off a company's shoulders by having a reliable, efficient, and effective method to manage your goods."I'm thrilled to be partnering with the folks over at LogicBoost Labs. Their expertise in sales, marketing, customer success and technology allows their team to swoop in and focus on all of the nooks and crannies of the business that haven't been given the time or attention they deserve," said Phil Geltman. "Fundamentally, when you work with a VC, you don't often get a lot more than some cash and a lot of opinions with very little in terms of support or advisement. LogicBoost Labs has done a great job threading the needle between providing support where needed in all aspects of the business." For more information on LogicBoost Labs or Growthsayer, please visit https://www.logicboostlabs.com/ or https://growthsayer.com/ AboutLogicBoost Labs:LogicBoost Labs is a startup accelerator designed to advance the growth of pre-revenue and early-stage B2B SaaS startups. As such, LogicBoost Labs offers a full-service line-up of resources and capabilities to further increase the likelihood of a young company's success. Each portfolio company has full access to LBL's talented pool of experienced executives whose sole job is to guide and mentor start-ups on such matters as staffing, sales, marketing, technical support, and customer success. The ultimate goal: take the start-up from early revenue or pre-revenue to 1 million ARR.Contact InformationMelissa KleinPR Consultant LogicBoost Labsmkkcomms15@ gmail.com 415-977-5733SOURCE: LogicBoost LabsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 13:01:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 999 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 SolidsFigure 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-offClassificationTonnes(k)Au(g/t)Au (k Oz)Indicated1529.3845.8Inferred28710.4396.2The 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 PersonThe 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 LimitedMcFarlane 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 InformationThis 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 %2 The recent story by Geoff Kelly of Investigative Post was a real doozy, even by the standards of Lackawanna politics. Kelly reported that Lackawanna Mayor Annette Iafallo has appointed Louis Violanti, a former judge who resigned in disgrace 11 years ago and who had his law license suspended, to a $100,000-per-year position as an associate City Court judge. Violanti was part of a bizarre ticket-fixing scandal in which he ordered a court police officer to impersonate a friend of his before dismissing the friends traffic ticket. If thats not odious enough, heres the kicker: the judgeship is currently held by Violantis older brother, Gary. Because nothing greases the wheels of justice like a dose of nepotism. It would be nice to dismiss this case as an outlier or an anomaly. To chalk it up to the sort of patronage and self-dealing that festers in a poor city. But the truth is, we should not be surprised. There are plenty of questionable political figures sitting on the bench in Western New York. Not all of them. I know some fine judges who represent everything we should want in a fair, impartial and honorable judiciary. But the bad ones are often there because of the way we select judges in New York: with way too much politics and money instead of, say, legal theory or judicial scholarship baked into the system. Its all very political: Party bosses often see the selection of judicial candidates as just another chip on the political chessboard. The phenomenon of cross-endorsing candidates where the Democratic and Republican committee chairs agree to endorse the same person, which guarantees them victory effectively robs voters of a choice in who to elevate to the bench. Two years ago, party cross-endorsements of four candidates for State Supreme Court meant that in 32 out of 59 judicial elections since 1995, voters had no say in who served on the Supreme Court bench. Recent cases have involved the money coming from the judges spouses or going to Rep. Nick Langworthys campaign for Congress, but those are just the latest wrinkles. The definitive work on the subject is The Buffalo News Courting Big Money series from 2002, which showed how party bosses like Steve Pigeon were manipulating the system and practically extorting judicial candidates by requiring them to fundraise and donate that money back to the party. That work was done by Bob McCarthy and retired investigative reporter Mike Beebe, and Dan Herbeck has exposed many weaknesses of the system, too. More recent examples include Joe Lorigo, a longtime county legislator whose father is Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lorigo, getting elected in 2022 to a State Supreme Court judgeship despite receiving the lowest possible judicial rating of not recommended by the Erie County Bar Association. At least unlike many other state judges Lorigo faced a Democratic opponent and was not cross-endorsed by both major parties. I reported last year that Justice Lorigo was the subject of an ethics complaint being investigated by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which has the power to censure and remove judges for unethical conduct. The probe involved scrutiny of pro-police themes in his campaign advertisements that may have been technically legal but that were thematically way over the top. They looked like the kind of Back the Blue political ads youd see in a race for county executive or sheriff. Judges are not supposed to get that political or be overtly pro or anti law enforcement because in criminal cases, they are required to mediate between the police/district attorney and the person who is charged with the crime. They need to maintain their impartiality or risk damaging public trust in the judicial system. The commissions process, though, is opaque and nothing is announced unless a sanction comes down. So we have no idea where that investigation went or if it has ended. Studying past cases, you can see that even if Lorigo did violate campaign finance laws or an ethics code, judges are not typically removed from the bench for those types of offenses. How about the obvious and inevitable conflicts of interest that occur when judges who are products of a political system have to rule on issues involving members of that system? State Supreme Court Justice Craig Hannah just ruled on a case involving raising the pay of elected leaders in the City of Buffalo. Hannah served as counsel to Mayor Byron W. Brown when he was a state senator and was appointed as a City Court judge, and later as chief judge, by Brown. Hannah also contributed more than $1,500 to Browns campaigns over the years but did not recuse himself from the lawsuit being brought by the New York Coalition for Open Government. Some think the answer is for governors to appoint judges instead of forcing them to run for office, but Im not so sure that fixes the problem as much as it creates a new one. Look at the recent case of Court of Claims Judge Mark Grisanti. He was appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo as a political favor for providing one of the decisive votes on New Yorks approval of same-sex marriage. Some lawyers say Grisanti is not a bad judge in the courtroom, but look at the recent debacle where the judge was caught on video pushing a cop after he and his wife appeared to be involved in a drunken fight with their neighbors on their front lawn. The judge was shirtless, which isnt illegal but certainly doesnt make for good optics. Whatever the context, any news story that has shirtless judge in the headline is going to go viral. Is it any surprise, given how many scandalous news stories he has been a part of dating back to his fighting-at-the-casino State Senate days, that Grisanti seems to like closing his courtroom to reporters? The situation in Albany and Washington is not much better. Witness the recent political battle Gov. Kathy Hochul fought over the political views of her nominee for chief judge. Or the apparent ethical bankruptcy of U.S. Supreme Court justices who are somehow able to take extravagant trips paid for by wealthy business people who have business before the court. All of this is a shame, because with democracy on the brink and former President Donald Trump exhibiting increasingly more autocratic tendencies as he tries again for the White House, trust in the judiciary has never been more important. Heres hoping those who have the power and influence start acting in a way that builds trust in the judicial system rather than undermining it. Just dont expect any new model of good government to start in Lackawanna. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 14:03:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 467 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The accessible luxury jewelry brand will donate 10% of proceeds from all sales on March 8th to a Venezuelan organization providing resources for women and children impacted by gender-based violence.MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / In honor of International Women's Day, Miami-based, accessible luxury jewelry brand Artizan Joyeria will be donating 10% of its profits on March 8th to the "Equidad" Program by Fundana, an organization that provides confidential and free support for women and children impacted by gender-based violence. The female-founded jewelry brand chose to contribute to an organization that aligns with its brand values and empowers women. The "Equidad" Program by Fundana invests in women and their children in Venezuela who have been impacted, offering victims psychological, legal and educational support with free and confidential counseling for survivors. The organization also provides temporary protection for children at risk, placing them in a safe family environment and offers those in vulnerable communities with sustainable solutions for water, hygiene and sanitation.Let's Change Some Lives IWD: Let's Change Some Lives On Womens Day As a female-founded and led business, it's embedded in Artizan Joyeria's DNA to raise awareness for this special charity and to be able to give back. Launched in 2008 by Keren Yoshua, Artizan Joyeria began as a wholesale brand, pivoting to DTC in 2019. Quickly gaining recognition across socials, the brand is known for its gold and silver plated jewelry including necklaces, earrings and rings perfect for layering. With the goal of empowering women, the brand continues to emphasize the importance of individuality and empowerment, reflective in their unique designs and statement pieces."It means the world to me knowing these proceeds will be going toward such an important cause that isn't talked about enough," says Yoshua. "Being able to give back on a day that celebrates the incredible impact of women around the world is close to my heart. I hope to continue this tradition for years to come!"Artizan Joyeria's beautiful pieces can be purchased at ArtizanJoyeria.com and you can catch the latest on socials @ArtizanJoyeria. Be sure to check out the brand's new arrivals and best sellers to join in giving back to the "Equidad" Program by Fundana this International Women's Day.ABOUT ARTIZAN JOYERIAArtizan Joyeria is a Miami-based jewelry brand committed to empowering individuality and defying conventions. Since its inception in 2008, the brand has focused on creating unique, fashion-forward, high-quality jewelry pieces that inspire women to embrace their unapologetically authentic selves. Artizan Joyeria seeks to make luxury accessible to all while fostering a strong connection with its customers and leading the way in responsible business practices.Contact InformationSofia MedinaMarketing & PRsofia@ artizanjoyeria.com La Rue PRartizanjoyeria@ laruepr.com Related FilesIWD ArtizanSOURCE: Artizan JoyeriaView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 13:46:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 843 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DELHI, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Global FinTech innovators to converge at third edition of FinTech Festival India from 6 - 8 March 2024Focusing on "Innovation, Global Collaboration, Regulation and Inclusion", FinTech Festival India 2024 will take place at Asia's largest convention centre, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, Dwarka, on6th-8th March 2024.Shri Sanket Bhondve, Joint Secretary, M/o Electronics & IT will be joining the event as Guest of Honour and delivering a keynote address at the FFI 2024 opening ceremony. His participation is anticipated to provide pivotal insights and steer the conversation on the future of financial technology in the region.Themed "Connecting innovators, co-creating the future of finance", FFI 2024 will feature over 100 speakers and expects more than 6,000 attendees, bringing together the key stakeholders of the world's FinTech industry to shape the future of finance.FFI 2024 will feature a robust conference agenda built on four key pillars - Innovation, Global Collaboration, Regulation, and Inclusion - as well as a comprehensive mix of exhibition showcases, live demos, and new product launches.This year's edition of FFI will deep dive into key trending topics that are shaping the FinTech industry, featuring discussions and panels led by prominent leaders and experts from Meta, Google, Microsoft, The World Bank, UK, GIFT City, JP Morgan & Chase, Findi, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Dept of Economic Affairs, Government of India International Finance Corporation, NPCI Bharat BillPay, Tata Digital, MUFG, Lending Kart, Muthoot FinCorp One, Silicon Valley Bank and more.Day one of FFI 2024 will focus on Innovation as being the key driver of financial inclusion, while day two will explore Regulation and how it keeps the pace with innovation. The final day will dive into the India's rising and resilient FinTech journey.Leading to the main festival in March were the successful city experiences-single day conclaves held in Bangalore and Mumbai on 15 December 2023 and 19 January 2024 respectively-joined by key movers and shakers in the industry who helped shape and drive the overarching agenda and conversations set to take place at FFI 2024. As part of the festival, the second edition of the FinTech Festival India Awards will also be taking place on 7 March 2024, recognising industry pioneers and innovators across 17 categories.FFI 2024 will also host the Founder's Pivot, where Unicorns, Soonicorns and successful start-up founders will share their wisdom and insights, as well as the Investor Forum for start-ups to gain the opportunity to pitch to a panel of investors in closed-door sessions.Another integral part of the Festival will be the showcase of new and exciting solutions emerging from the inaugural Scale +91 FinTech Hackathon organised by FFI 2024. The Hackathon gathered over 3,000 teams from across the country to create tangible, impactful solutions at the crossroads of innovation and finance, and the 20 highest-ranking finalists will be introducing their revolutionary ideas and preliminary products at the vibrant Start-Up zone on the FFI 2024 exhibition floor.Organised by Constellar, FFI 2024 is proud to have support from Government of Karnataka and Government of Odisha, as well as partnerships with top organisations and luminaries in the FinTech space. These include Digit as Gold Partner, Avalanche as Blockchain Partner, Silver Partners - Advantage Club, MongoDB, RING (formerly known as Kissht), Aditya Birla Capital, JSA Law, BharatPe, Bronze Partners - PingCAP (TiDB), Trustt, Smart Ping, Futurex, IDEMIA and American Express, BDO as Advisory Partner, Northern Arc as Visitor Bag Partner, Fibe and PayU as Associate Partner, United Kingdom as Country Partner, and Bharat Bill Pay as DPI Partner.If you'd like to attend FinTech Festival India, clickhereto register.FinTech Festival India 2024 is an industry-first future-ready event that will showcase the future of FinTech and bring together thought-leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and flag bearers of the FinTech fraternity while facilitating on-site business meetings, conferences, and networking sessions for an unprecedented opportunity to witness the upward trajectory of FinTech in India. Visitfintechfestivalindia.com About Constellar Exhibitions IndiaConstellar Exhibitions India harnesses insights and its strategic networks to organise and manage a series of trade exhibitions and conferences that play at the intersection of industries principally between digital and verticals like finance, manufacturing and healthcare. These events aim to connect businesses in India and globally facilitate business matching opportunities and knowledge sharing. Constellar Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Constellar Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singapore).About ConstellarConstellar is Asia's preferred partner for convening businesses, curating ideas and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth and global impact. Based in Singapore with a regional footprint in China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia, we curate and develop influential trade and consumer events for key industries and sectors, connecting people, global marketplaces and networks for sustainable growth. We also manage the Singapore EXPO, Singapore's largest purpose-built venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE).Our vision is to be a global leader made in Asia, activating impactful networks to enable cross-industry collaboration and innovation through our holistic portfolio of intellectual property (IP) in the MICE industry.For media enquiries and interview requests, please contact:INDIAShalini Yadav Head of Marketingmarcom@ fintechfestivalindia.com +91 124 427 0707SINGAPOREDax Lim Manager, Communications & CultureDax.lim@constellar.co +65 9019 6133PR Contact:ZEX PR WIREinfo@ zexprwire.com SOURCE: Fintech Festival India PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 20:45:37 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 565 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Santanna Energy Services (Santanna), a leading supplier of natural gas and electricity, is proud to announce recent charitable donations made possible by its caring customers and employees-owners.Through its partnership with One Tree Planted, Santanna donated funds to plant over 8,000 trees in U.S. forests. This includes:1,052 trees donated thanks to Santanna's Earth-Friendly Energy customers 7,333 additional trees donated through employee-owner participation in Santanna Gives Back and in honor of the company's 35th anniversaryAdditionally, thanks to Santanna's Unlimited Energy customers, a donation was made to the nonprofit organization Feeding America to help provide at least 4,375 meals to those in need.*"At Santanna, we believe in giving back and doing good whenever we can," said Greg Rabaey, President and CEO of Santanna Energy Services. "We are thankful to have caring customers and employee-owners who make these donations possible. Together, we can make a real difference by supporting reforestation efforts and helping provide meals to those who need them. We look forward to continuing these acts of service and charity for years to come." Santanna is committed to ongoing charitable efforts in addition to these recent donations. The company donates to One Tree Planted with each Earth-Friendly plan purchased.** Santanna also donates to hunger-relief charities with every Unlimited Energy plan purchased.** To learn more about Santanna's dedication to charitable initiatives, please visit the following link: Santanna's Commitment to Doing Good and Making a Difference ( santannaenergyservices.com) About Santanna Energy ServicesSantanna Energy Services is an energy supplier of choice for thousands of customers in Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. Santanna provides a wide range of innovative energy services including Earth-Friendly and Unlimited Energy plans. With over 35 years of experience, the company is committed to creating life-long relationships by providing quality service to customers, communities, and employees. For more information, visit http://santannaenergyservices.com About One Tree PlantedOne Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. To learn more, visit onetreeplanted.org About Feeding AmericaFeeding America is the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, working to end hunger in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, Feeding America provides meals to more than 40 million people each year. The organization also advocates for policies that support a hunger-free America.* $1 helps provide at least 10 meals on behalf of Feeding America partner food banks. Meal claim valid as of November 2020.** Santanna Energy Services (Santanna) works in partnership with One Tree Planted. For every residential Earth-Friendly Santanna gas or electricity initial enrollment or renewal, Santanna, via its One Tree Planted partnership, will plant trees after 60 days of billed usage. For every Unlimited Energy gas or electricity initial enrollment or renewal, Santanna will contribute corporate donations to a hunger-relief nonprofit organization after 60 days of billed usage. Plans may vary. See plan details for eligibility and current charity donation promotions.Contact Us:Santanna Energy ServicesE: marketing@ santanna.netLinkedIn | Twitter | BlogsSOURCE: Santanna Energy Services PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 16:01:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 606 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Independent PBM Provides Clients With Flexible Ways to Boost Prescription AffordabilityMILWAUKEE, 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 logoWith 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 RxServe 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 CompanyThe 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 InformationNancy FlemingMarketing Directornfleming@ serveyourx.com 414-410-8164SOURCE: Serve You RxView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 19:00:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 338 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Soho House & Co Inc. f/k/a Membership Collective Group Inc. ("Soho House" or the "Company") (NYSE:SHCO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Soho House and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On or around July 15, 2021, the Company, then known as Membership Collective Group Inc., conducted its initial public offering ("IPO"), selling 30 million shares priced at $14.00 per share.On February 7, 2024, GlassHouse Research ("GlassHouse") published a short report on Soho House, which it described as "a company with a broken business model and terrible accounting". Among other allegations, GlassHouse asserted that Soho House "went public to dump on retail investors, all while its debt surged to insurmountable levels", highlighted the Company's "persistent lack of profitability," and expressed "suspicions surrounding the company's accounting practices and critical comments made by both the SEC and its auditors regarding the company's financials." On this news, Soho House's stock price fell $1.18 per share, or 19.09%, to close at $5.00 per share on February 7, 2024.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 18:32:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 420 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 /Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), has recovered money for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2018-2022 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are now investigating:Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE:JNPR), relating to its proposed sale to Hewlett Packard. Under the terms of the agreement, JNPR shareholders are expected to receive $40.00 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/juniper-networks-inc . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. Battalion Oil Corp. (NYSE:BATL), relating to its proposed sale to Fury Resources, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, BATL shareholders are expected to receive $9.80 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/battalion-oil-corp . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:MDC), relating to its proposed sale to Sekisui House, Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, MDC shareholders are expected to receive $63.00 in cash per share they own. Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/mdc-holdings-inc . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:Do you recover money for shareholders? Do you litigate and go to Court? Do you even go to the office and wear a suit? About Monteverde & Associates PCOur firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholdersand we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit ourwebsiteor contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail atjmonteverde@ monteverdelaw.comor by telephone at (212) 971-1341.Contact:Juan Monteverde, Esq.MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740New York, NY 10118United States of America jmonteverde@ monteverdelaw.com Tel: (212) 971-1341Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC ( www.monteverdelaw.com) . Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.SOURCE: Monteverde & Associates PC PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 13:01:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 884 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 GOLDSignal 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. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 23:45:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 536 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / SirQochar remains steadfast in its mission to illuminate the world with the timeless elegance and profound depth of Armenian heritage. With a visionary commitment to preserving and promoting the essence of Armenian identity, SirQochar is not merely a fashion brand; it is a heartfelt commitment to weaving the essence of Armenian identity into the fabric of everyday life, both within Armenia and across the globe.In an era where cultural appreciation and representation are increasingly vital, SirQochar emerges as a pioneering force at the forefront of celebrating Armenian heritage through fashion. With a mission deeply rooted in preserving and promoting the richness of Armenian culture, the brand's dedication shines through in every meticulously crafted piece, inviting individuals from all walks of life to partake in a journey of discovery and appreciation.Founded by a visionary Armenian designer, SirQochar encapsulates the spirit of Armenia through its meticulous innovation at the intersection of history, culture, creativity, and modern lifestyle. With a deep-rooted appreciation for the intrinsic value and aesthetic appeal of the Armenian alphabet, the brand is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Armenia's rich cultural heritage.SirQochar believes that the Armenian cultural legacy is not just to be admired but to be experienced and shared. Their meticulously crafted clothing and accessories serve as ambassadors of their heritage, telling the story of Armenia's past, present, and future. Each piece in their collection is designed with the intent to connect individuals to the Armenian spirit, making it accessible to people of all backgrounds interested in embracing and celebrating cultural diversity.Their offerings are symbols of resilience, beauty, and the enduring strength of the Armenian people. By integrating the elegant forms of the Armenian alphabet into their designs, they aim to ignite conversations, foster understanding, and build bridges between cultures. It's their way of ensuring that the rich tapestry of Armenian history and culture continues to inspire and influence well into the future.SirQochar's commitment to innovation is reflected in its fusion of traditional motifs with contemporary fashion trends. By seamlessly blending heritage with modernity, SirQochar creates timeless pieces that appeal to both aficionados of Armenian culture and fashion-forward individuals seeking uniqueness in their wardrobe.Furthermore, SirQochar's dedication to customer service mirrors the Armenian value of hospitality, ensuring that every customer feels valued and understood. Beyond the sale, SirQochar aims to cultivate a community united by a shared appreciation for Armenian culture, fostering connections that transcend borders and generations.SirQochar is a movement towards cultural preservation through the lens of contemporary fashion. The brand invites everyone to join them on this journey of discovery and appreciation, as they strive to make a meaningful impact on the world by honoring Armenian roots and sharing the unique beauty of the country with an international audience.About SirQocharSirQochar is a visionary Armenian fashion brand dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of Armenian culture through innovative clothing designs. With a deep-rooted commitment to quality, creativity, and cultural heritage, SirQochar aims to inspire individuals worldwide to embrace diversity and celebrate the beauty of Armenian culture through fashion.Country: USAMedia Contact Name: Lilit SargsyanCompany: SirQocharEmail: Sirqochars@ gmail.com Phone Number: 818-848-2324Website: https://www.sirqochar.com/ SOURCE: SirQochar PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 22:30:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 483 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HAGENS BERMAN, NATIONAL TRIAL ATTORNEYS, Encourages Investors with $250k+ Losses to Contact Firm's Attorneys Investigating Possible Securities Law ViolationsSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Hagens Berman urges Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP) investors who suffered losses in excess of $250,000 to submit your losses now.Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/snap Contact An Attorney Now: SNAP@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP) Investigation:"We're focused on investors' losses and whether Snap may have misled investors about its ability to capture increased ad spending," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.On Feb. 6, 2024, one day after announcing it would reduce its job force by 10%, Snap reported disappointing Q4 and FY 2023 financial results and disappointing guidance for its March quarter, again unable to prove that it can be profitable on a GAAP basis. Quarterly revenues came in at about $1.36 billion, just a 5% year-over-year increase and missing analysts' consensus. While the company said that its daily active user base grew 10% year-over-year to 414 million, that rate decelerated from prior quarters.The financial press observed that Snap continued to struggle in the ad market, unlike its larger peers, which could show that advertisers may be giving up on Snapchat. One analyst reportedly observed "Snap has failed to show the market its ability to capitalize on resilient ad spending across different parts of the economy.'" This news drove the price of Snap shares crashing as much as $6.21 lower, or down about 35%, during intraday trading on Feb. 7, 2024, wiping out over $8 billion in shareholder value. The news was also accompanied by several analysts' price target cuts.If you are a Snapinvestor who suffered losses in excess of $250,000, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, Hagens Berman encourages you to submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Snap investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Snap should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SNAP@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 15:10:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1003 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 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 SteelTsodilo 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 ProjectThe 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 6/02/2014on 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. SeePress Release of 12/17/2013on 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 LimitedTsodilo 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 OfficerJBruchs@ TsodiloResources.comHead 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 fina WASHINGTON Buffalo area residents can still get help from what once was the office of Rep. Brian Higgins, who resigned Feb. 2 after 19 years in Congress. But Higgins absence in Washington has already been felt. While several former Higgins employees remain employed by the House of Representatives and can still help constituents with troublesome Social Security claims and the like, House Democrats sorely missed Higgins on Feb. 13 when Republicans voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas in a party-line 214-213 vote. In other words, had Higgins a Buffalo Democrat still been a member of Congress, the GOP attempt to impeach Mayorkas likely would have failed. Such are the oddities that result from a congressional resignation at a time when Republicans hold the House by a razor-thin margin. In some ways, with no congressman representing Buffalo until after an April 30 special election to fill Higgins seat, its business as usual. But on the House floor, Higgins resignation temporarily makes things easier for the Republican majority. Constituent service Things are the same but different at Higgins offices in Washington, Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Higgins recently told The Buffalo News t hat several of his former employees remain at work in those offices, helping constituents with whatever struggles they face regarding federal agencies. We had an office built for constituent service, Higgins said. You know, a call coming from (a) congressional office is helpful sometimes in trying to break through the federal bureaucracy. Constituent service is one of the few duties congressional staffers are permitted to perform. Employees no longer work for the former lawmaker; instead, they work for the Clerk of the House. Upon exiting contentious Congress, Higgins vows to steer clear of drama at Shea's As the new leader of Shea's Performing Arts Center, former Rep. Brian Higgins brings a calm presence to the successful downtown theater. The main duties of those lame-duck staffers include closing down the office operations and reconciling accounts, a source with the House Administration Committee said. They also work to preserve any important records, but they cannot promote any particular policy position. Lame-duck congressional staffers are also barred from interacting with the media. In fact, when The News contacted longtime Higgins communications director Theresa Kennedy for this story, Kennedy who, for years, had been especially responsive to media requests referred the request to the House Clerks office. Higgins former employees can communicate with congressional committee staffers about work left over from the lawmakers time in office, said Brad Fitch, president and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, which works with congressional offices to improve their operations. But he stressed that their main recurring role involves helping the people back home. Their most prominent activity is to continue to do what is called casework, which means contacting federal agencies, Fitch said. It is perfectly OK for that work to continue, so for people dealing with a lost Social Security check, or who have a problem with Veterans Administration or something like that, these staffers can go to those agencies and advocate on behalf of you. They can advocate on behalf of the constituents of New York-26, Higgins old district. Its perfectly legitimate. A narrow margin Higgins was never as prominent in Washington as he was in Buffalo, where hes widely seen as the visionary behind the citys revived waterfront and the federal lawmaker who brought plenty of federal money back home for the waterfront and other efforts. But Higgins became newly prominent in his absence on the day of the Mayorkas impeachment vote, just as Chad Pergram, senior congressional correspondent for Fox News, predicted in an analysis published on the day Higgins left office. The retirement of Higgins helps the GOP make the math work in their impeachment quest, Pergram wrote. Republicans can now lose three votes on their side and pass something without assistance from Democrats. The margin was two votes prior to Higgins stepping down. McMurray won't be on ballot for 26th Congressional District special election Democrat Nate McMurray, who was mounting a challenge to State Sen. Tim Kennedy for Buffalo's seat in Congress, will not appear on the ballot for the April 30 special election. Sure enough, three Republican representatives Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Tom McClintock of California voted against the Mayorkas impeachment on Feb. 13. Those three lawmakers also opposed the first attempt to impeach Mayorkas a week earlier, a move that failed in a 214-216 vote largely because House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, was away for cancer treatment. One other Republican switched his vote to no that day in a procedural move that allowed Republicans to bring up impeachment once again. By Feb. 13, Scalise was back and the odds turned in favor of the Mayorkas impeachment. The measure passed in part because Rep. Judy Chu of California missed the vote because of a Covid-19 diagnosis, while one Democrat and two Republicans from Florida missed the vote because of flight delays. Still, a nay vote from Higgins would have likely swayed the outcome. Asked how he felt about that, Higgins said he left Congress when he did because he needed to start his new job as president and CEO of Sheas Buffalo Performing Arts Center at the start of February. The Mayorkas impeachment is indicative of why people are leaving the House, said Higgins, who previously said he was leaving Congress because of its increasingly performative nature. Impeachment votes are becoming a regular thing. Censure votes are becoming so routine. Everything is punitive. Democrats argued that Mayorkas was not guilty of the high crimes and misdemeanors that merit impeachment under the Constitution. But Rep. Nick Langworthy, who represents much of suburban Buffalo and the Southern Tier, begged to differ. Under Secretary Mayorkas, weve seen record-breaking illegal immigration month over month, amounting to more than 8.3 million border crossings, Langworthy said. He willfully and systemically refused to comply with federal immigration laws. Higgins noted that the Mayorkas impeachment will go nowhere in the Democratic Senate but that doesnt mean Higgins absence wont matter again on coming votes on other issues. After all, thanks to the recent election of Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat, to replace the disgraced Republican Rep. George Santos, Republicans can now lose only two votes and pass any measure, down from three before Suozzis swearing-in last Wednesday. PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 14:42:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 503 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Voliro integrates first drone PEC payload, revolutionizing non-destructive testing technology.HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 /Voliro - the Aerial Mobile Robotics company - is integrating the first-ever drone-enabled Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) payload, the innovative Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technology developed by Sixpec. This marks their first venture into adopting a third-party payload, showcasing a commitment to their open robotic platform and advancing inspection technologies and methodologies.Voliro PEC payload PEC payload inspection Understanding Pulsed Eddy Current TechnologyPulsed Eddy Current technology is a sophisticated method used in the NDT field to detect flaws, such as Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), in insulated metal components and structures. By emitting short, high-energy electromagnetic pulses, PEC systems can penetrate through various materials, including coatings and insulation, to reveal hidden corrosion or metal loss without direct contact. This technology is invaluable for industries where maintaining the integrity of pipelines, vessels, and structures is critical, such as petrochemicals.Revolutionizing Inspections with Voliro's PEC-equipped DronesTraditionally, inspections for CUI require using bulky, heavy equipment on scaffolding, by rope access, or by removing the insulation, posing safety risks and high costs. Voliro's integration of the lightweight, second-generation Sixpec module onto the Voliro T drone, eliminates these challenges. Their solution enables safe, efficient, and accurate inspections of hard-to-reach areas without the need for direct contact or invasive preparatory work.This groundbreaking approach was successfully tested at a refinery, demonstrating the capability to detect early-stage CUI with up to 100 mm of insulation thickness.The unique features of the PEC payload, including new probe design, noise shielding and canceling, and specialized algorithms, ensure high-quality measurements through thick layers of coating and corrosion (patents pending).The Voliro T as a PlatformThe new third-party PEC payload developed by Sixpec is another step into their platform strategy. The Voliro T drone is not just a drone; it's a comprehensive platform designed to cater to diverse inspection needs. The adaptable payload system allows for the seamless integration of various inspection tools, making the Voliro T an indispensable asset for any work at height.The platform approach allows Voliro to meet the changing demands of any industry and cater to a wide variety of clients using the same top-of-the-line drone technology.A Leap Forward for the NDT IndustryThe development of the PEC Payload represents a significant leap forward for the NDT industry. By combining advanced PEC technology with the agility and safety of drone inspections, Voliro is setting new standards for efficiency, safety, and accessibility in industrial inspections.We invite the industry to embrace this new era of inspection technology with Voliro's innovative solutions. Together, it's possible to achieve safer, more efficient, and more comprehensive inspections, propelling the NDT industry into the future. The early adoption program of the PEC payload for Voliro T is starting now with select customers. The date for general availability is to be announced.Contact InformationAkvile Zelnyte Head of Growthaz@ voliro.com +41782334029Laurent Zimmerli VP Customer Experience in Sales & Marketinglz@ voliro.com +41765878525SOURCE: VoliroView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 01:15:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 788 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ROUND ROCK, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 4, 2024 / Q4 2023 marks the official launch of the Zoom Sale Engine, a specialized marketing and sales service company that focuses on leveraging Zoom, a prominent video conferencing tool, to use thought leadership to boost conversions. While thought leadership is typically an intangible asset, marketing and consulting company YCN Media Group utilizes the Zoom Sales Engine as a unique service to generate thought leadership on the front end while raising conversions on the backend.Users can download the book for free on the company website. The novel platform merges the advantages of live, interactive video engagements with strategic content creation and distribution, as well as conversion optimization. The company conducts monthly Zoom sessions with clients, during which they demonstrate their expertise in real-time. These sessions are then repurposed into a range of digital content formats, which the Zoom Sale Engine team then disseminates broadly across multiple online platforms, while the sales team follows up and closes.The platform leverages a proprietary methodology and requires only an hour of the expert's time each month, focusing on igniting robust thought leadership with the potential to significantly boost conversion rates. To go beyond traditional marketing techniques, the Zoom Sale Engine integrates live demonstrations of expertise with real-time engagement. This allows experts to showcase their skills and knowledge in a collaborative, interactive environment.The service effectively transforms these live sessions into a variety of organic thought leadership content which is distributed across multiple platforms. This is an opportunity for experts to enhance their brand visibility and impact while minimizing their direct involvement in content creation. This approach can build credibility and authentic connections with the target audience, as well as address the unique challenges of digital marketing in an AI-dominated landscape.The Zoom Sales Engine was designed as a done-for-you service that offers an efficient, hands-off approach which allows industry experts to focus on their core competencies while the company manages the end-to-end process of the Interactive Zoom sessions, content creation, distribution and email marketing follow up.YCN Media Group founder and CEO Yifat Cohen conceptualized the Zoom Sales Engine based on her years of experience in marketing and technology. She has trained teams at Google around the world; she has worked with the city of Austin, Texas; and she has been featured as a keynote speaker on radio shows and live events. One thing she has learned: "In our overly connected world, we are starving for connection," Cohen shares.From this experience, she created the Zoom Sales Engine as a comprehensive done-for-you service tailored for experts in various fields, such as finance, business, law, health, and more, who are already investing in marketing and seeking to establish themselves as thought leaders while increasing their conversion rates.YCN Media Group founder and CEO Yifat Cohen Cohen states that the company's beta testing has been promising. "We have had experts do a quarter of a million dollars in revenue, convert at 40%, and draw in audiences from all over the world without needing to market themselves," she reveals. "Having thoroughly tested it through our beta program, we are so excited for the official launch." The program is available to any industry expert who has deep-seated knowledge in their field. Cohen says it's even easier to get started with the Zoom Sales Engine if they already have a loyal following, even a small one of 50-100 people, such as on social media or through an email list."The idea is to keep time commitment minimal so these experts can focus on their various fields," Cohen explains. "Modern marketing is no longer about loud and flashy tactics. A more trust-based approach can go a long way. This is why the Zoom Sales Engine emphasizes the creation of authentic, credible connections." She says that the company's goal is to help experts move beyond superficial marketing strategies; rather, helping them build genuine, mutually respectful relationships with audiences. "People are skeptical of marketing, and they're nervous about things like AI," says Cohen. "So we're looking to create genuine connections, turning them into thought leadership assets. It's a unique and effective way for experts to enhance their digital reputation and market presence, and it aligns with the modern need for authenticity and credibility in business interactions." About YCN Media GroupYCN Media Group is a marketing and consulting company that specializes in enhancing the effectiveness of business-customer relationships through innovative strategies and technology. The Zoom Sales Engine is YCN's fully managed marketing service designed to elevate the digital presence of industry experts through strategic thought leadership and conversion optimization.Website: https://thezoomsalesengine.com Media contact:Yifat CohenYifat@ YCNMediaGroup.com209.763.8467 SOURCE: YCN Media Group PR-Inside.com: 2024-03-05 14:06:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 823 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Plan to List Non-Core Asset for sale for $16 Million to Pursue Direct-to-Consumer Real Estate StrategySCOTTSDALE, 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:@ZonedPropertiesSafe Harbor StatementThis 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 McLarenTel (877) 360-8839 Investors@ zonedproperties.comwww.zonedproperties.com SOURCE: Zoned Properties, Inc. Crypto exchange platform, Binance, on Tuesday disclosed plans to discontinue all Nigerian Naira (NGN) services on its platform, with a detailed timeline provided for users to take necessary actions. According to the notice it sent to its customers, Binance users are urged to withdraw their naira balances, trade their NGN assets, or convert naira into cryptocurrencies before the discontinuation of NGN services. It noted that this discontinuation affects NGN services exclusively, and users can continue to utilise services and products for other available cryptocurrencies on the platform. Nigeria is recognised as one of the largest cryptocurrency markets globally. Timeline On Tuesday, Binance said it will discontinue deposits in naira after Tuesday afternoon and will no longer support withdrawals of the currency after 6 a.m. Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) on Friday. It said auto-invest for naira will be de-listed and payment in naira will be removed as a supported payment on its app by Wednesday at 3 a.m. (UTC). Converting to naira will also be de-listed along with corresponding pairs at 2 a.m. On Thursday, naira Spot Trading Pairs including BTC/NGN and USDT/NGN, will be de-listed at 3 a.m. Starting this Friday, any remaining naira balances in user accounts will be automatically exchanged for Tether, a cryptocurrency stablecoin tied to the value of the U.S. dollar. It said it would be exchanged at a rate of 1 USDT equivalent to 1,515.13 NGN after Friday at 8 a.m. UTC. It told its users to note that the conversion rate will be based on the average closing price of the USDT/NGN trading pair on Binance Spot over the last seven days. The statement added that the conversion process may take up to approximately 24 hours or longer. Following the conversion, USDT tokens will be credited to users Spot wallets, and users can verify the receipt of tokens via the Convert History page. For users with balances of less than 0.00000001 USDT worth of NGN in their spot and funding wallets, they will each receive 0.00000001 USDT in their Spot wallets post-conversion. Backstory The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting, told journalists that about $26 billion flowed through Binance Nigeria over the past year from unknown sources. The federal government has also accused the platform of engaging in foreign exchange rate manipulation through currency speculation and rate fixing. The Nigerian government had earlier blocked the online platforms of Binance and other crypto firms to halt what it described as continuous manipulation of the forex market and illicit movement of funds. It later detained two executives of the Binance crypto exchange platform after they flew into the country as part of moves to negotiate with the Nigerian authorities amid a crackdown on the crypto platform. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Asiya (real name withheld) was nine years old when she was raped by a 20-year-old man last year in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. The rapist, Kamilu, was well known to the little girl as a frequent visitor to her parents house. I know him. He used to come and collect food from my mummy and he always called me to give me sweets and money, Asiya told this reporter in the presence of her mother. That day, he took me into an uncompleted building and removed my clothes. He started with his finger and then inserted his penis in my vagina. He warned me not to tell anyone, that if I did, he would kill me. When the mother realised what had happened to her little daughter, she called her husband. The family immediately reported the incident to their community leaders and then the police. With the help of the officers, Asiya was taken to a hospital where tests showed that she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease. The case was also reported to the Kano office of the National Human Rights Commission which ensured that Mr Kamilu was arraigned in court. But the judge ruled that the offence was sexual assault and not rape. So Mr Kamilu escaped with a slap on the wrist he was sentenced to three months imprisonment. Rape and the Law Despite the signing of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act into law by the Nigerian government on 25 May 2015, rape remains one of the most common crimes in the countrys north-western states, particularly in Kano. The VAPP Act was meant to, among others, ensure due punishment for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and ensure justice for the victims. Unfortunately, Kano is the only Nigerian state yet to domesticate the law. Halima Faruk of the states Sexual Referral Centre at a recent stakeholders forum, during the 16 days of Activism on the issue, said Kano has the highest rate of gender-based violence in the North-west region. The VAPP Act outlaws and stipulates punishment for acts such as sexual abuse, domestic violence and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and forced marriage. The Child Rights Act (CRA), a federal law, was earlier enacted in 2003 to protect the rights of children. Section 31 (1) and (2) of the CRA stipulates that any person who has sexual intercourse with a child commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. The CRA provides that it is immaterial that (a) the offender believed the person to be of or above the age of eighteen years; or (b) the sexual intercourse was with the consent of the child. The CRA does not restrict victims of rape to the female gender and also recognises that rape can be committed by either a male or female. Therefore, under the two laws, boys and girls can be victims of rape. However, just as it is yet to domesticate the VAPP Act, Kano is also yet to domesticate the CRA. Mr Kamilu was tried under the Penal Code Act, a law applicable in the northern states of Nigeria. Section 283 of the penal code stipulates that: Rape is said to occur where a man has sexual intercourse with a woman in any of the following circumstances: I. Against her will, ii. Without her consent, iii. With her consent, when her consent has been obtained by putting her in fear of death or hurt, iv. With her consent when the man knows that he is not her husband and that her consent is given because she believes that he is another man to whom she is or believes herself to be lawfully married, v. With or without her consent, when she is under fourteen years of age or of unsound mind. The law further states that if any of the above circumstances occur, rape has been committed and it provides imprisonment for life or any less term and or a fine as punishment. Significantly, the penal code does not recognise men or boys as victims of rape and does not recognise marital rape where the woman has attained the age of puberty. Yet, young married women and young boys have been victims of rape in many reported cases in Kano State. Kanos Rape Scourge The Director of Research, Planning and Statistics of the Kano State Ministry of Women, Children and Disabled Affairs, Yakubu Salihu, said his ministry is currently tackling about 300 rape cases and the survivors include young girls and boys. Mr Salihu said in an interview with BUK FM, Kano, that the incidents mostly happened in the victims homes, neighbourhoods, and communities and on their way to school and were mostly perpetrated by the victims loved ones, relatives and also strangers. Unlike Asiya who survived her ordeal, 17-year-old Saratu did not. Saratu found out that she was pregnant five months after she was drugged and raped in her uncles house. According to her sister, Hadiza, Saratu told her family that she suspected Auwal, an adopted son in her uncles house, was the one who raped her. He had told her he liked her and wanted to marry her but she had turned his request down because she already had a suitor. Hadiza said Saratu remembered that Auwal bought her a drink one night but she could not remember what happened after she took the drink. When the family confronted Auwal, he denied it, so the family took the case to the Human Rights Commission, which sent the matter to court. The court ordered a DNA test and adjourned the matter until after Saratu had her baby. Hadiza said her sister received messages from an unknown number threatening her life if the family did not drop the case. After Saratu was delivered of her baby, the DNA was conducted for the baby and the suspect, Auwal. But before the results were released, Saratu went missing. Her corpse was later discovered in a pond on their street. No suspect has been arrested for the crime. The baby is now with Hadiza, Saratus sister and the family does not know what else to do to ensure justice for the deceased. In the course of the investigations for this report, PREMIUM TIMES interviewed many rape victims, between the ages of four and 17, in the presence of their guardians. The victims were interviewed in Nassarawa, Tarauni and Dawakin Tofa local government areas of Kano State. One of them, four-year-old Khadija (not her real name) was raped by a young man running a provision shop on their street. As in the case of Asiya, the rapist had also lured the child with sweets, as she narrated to our reporter in the presence of her mother. The mother said she suspected Khadija had been raped after noticing a white discharge coming out from her vagina. I became curious and started asking her questions. That was when she told me what happened. I called my sister, and we took her to a hospital but they said they would not admit us because the case had to be recorded and handled by the Sexual Referral Centre first to check if she had injuries or complications before referring her to the hospital. At the centre, they called the police before conducting the test and the result said it was a severe infection. But the mother said she and her sister decided not to report the perpetrator to the police because of fear of stigma and that the suspect might hurt or kill the girl. This reporter made efforts to trace and speak with the suspect but he could not be found. Khadijahs mother said he stopped coming to his shop and had not been seen in the community since the incident. This reporter also tried to speak with Kamilu, the 20-year-old man who assaulted nine-year-old Asiya, but his family members denied access to him. His cousin, Musa Yau in Unguwan Nassarawa said: We cant allow him to be seen or heard in the media on an allegation that the court has already passed judgment. Six-year-old Abubakar Adamu (not real name) was sexually assaulted by a 17-year-old boy in the neighbourhood where he lives. The victims mother said the boy had severe stomach pains after the incident, which made them take the case to court through the police and the Human Rights Commission. The perpetrator was found guilty and sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine of N25,000. He was also asked to pay N25,000 for the victims medication but since his release, he has not paid for Abubakars treatment. Even more atrocious is the case of a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her father in her room in their house. She had a severe infection from the incident. She said he threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She later informed her aunt about it because her mother was dead, but the aunt pleaded with her to bury the issue so as not to tarnish her fathers image. In the case of 13-year-old Zahrau, she was raped and impregnated by a young man in her village in Dawakin Tofa. Since Zahrau was delivered of a baby, she has been suffering from ill health. According to the lawyer handling the case, Badamasi Suleiman, her family tried to bury the case because of shame and stigma. But after she was put to bed and became unconscious, a family member reached out to him to take the case to the police and the court. The court ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano to investigate the matter. The investigation is still on. Growing Public Concern A community head in Nassarawa LGA, Bala Shehu, said the community frequently received complaints of rape. Mr Shehu noted that there are no sufficient laws to deal with the issue. He said the state needs to introduce new laws so that offenders will start serving proper punishment. I believe if the new law ensures punishment of the perpetrators, most of them will stop doing it. The Kano State Sexual Referral Centre (SARC), Waraka, was established by the state government to tackle issues of sexual assault in the state. The Protocol Officer at the Centre, Aminu Usman, said it receives about 100 cases in a month. It is (getting) out of hand. In a month we can receive 95-100 cases of rape. Currently, in this month, January, so far, we have received over 50 cases. Just last week, 17 cases were brought to us on a single day from one community that I cannot disclose because of confidentiality. Mr Usman agreed with Mr Shehu that cases are increasing because perpetrators are not being handed proper punishment. He estimated that 60 per cent of offenders escape justice and return to the community to continue their atrocities. He said the centre had been advocating for the VAPP Act to be domesticated in the state as the only way to mitigate SGBV in Kano. Common Health Effects of Rape Rape affects the victim physically, psychologically and sociologically, according to experts. Medical, surgical and psychological conditions are mostly the three complications rape victims always experience during and after the incidence, Hassan Abubakar, who is a theatre nurse at the Sexual Referral Centre, explained. Medical complications and conditions are the worst because there are diseases that can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. The sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) include HIV/Aids, Hepatitis, Gonorrhea and Syphilis. These kinds of diseases can cause a lot of problems and even death. The scary part is that the victim might not know if she contracted any of these diseases unless she is taken to a hospital on time for a test until the victim starts to exhibit signs and symptoms. A victim may become pregnant too, which brings a whole lot of different repercussions. For surgical conditions, it may warrant carrying out surgery for the victims. The incident may result in the victim having complications such as fistula, vascular vaginal fistula, a slit/vaginal cut or abnormal communication between the urinary bladder and the vagina, that is abnormal leakage of urine, and this may lead her to get severe infection unless the condition is treated immediately. Some victims may also lose their lives. And for victims that were assaulted through anal sex, they may experience complications such as faeces leakage and this needs surgical intervention to be treated. Mr Abubakar said psychological complications experienced by the victims may include depression, trauma and worry over whether she might get someone that will marry her and issues like that. He said some victims do not fully express themselves to medical personnel because of fear and stigma. He urged the state authorities to domesticate the VAPP Act to curtail the menace of sexual assault and ensure justice for the victims. Police, Human Rights Commission Helpless How are the police handling the increasing trend of rape cases? According to the spokesperson of the police in Kano State, Abdullahi Kiyawa, there is a Gender Desk at the police headquarters that handles SGBV cases. Yes, we do have a Gender Desk at the police headquarters and we treat such cases diligently and professionally by taking the victims statements, carrying out our investigations and taking the victims and culprits to court for prosecution. However, Mr Kiyawa said the police had not noticed an increase in rape cases in Kano, though he could not provide the number of cases handled by the police in the state. The State Coordinator of NHRC, Abdullahi Shehu, said the agency responds promptly to rape and other cases of sexual assault. We work diligently alongside relevant stakeholders, including the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigerian police, Mr Shehu said. Anytime we receive such a call on a rape case, especially if it is in a rural area, we would tell them to go to the nearest police station to report the case and then we will call and speak to the officer on the desk and tell him about the situation and will take the report. The reason we do this is to ensure that all evidence is intact so that the offender will not have a reason to lie or deny what he did. After the police report, we take an appropriate step in bringing justice to the victims by arraigning the suspects. An investigation will be conducted and the case will go to the court of jurisdiction for prosecution. He said the commission follows the cases to ensure that justice is done. However, there are insufficient laws to tackle rape in Kano, he said. We put a lot of effort in such cases but our challenge now is the issue of not domesticating the VAPP Act. You know when there is a legal framework, it will assist in the promotion of justice, Mr Shehu said. Also, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kano State chapter, said it is putting more effort into fighting against SGBV through advocacy programmes and ensuring that offenders face the consequences of their crimes. A Senior Magistrate at the Kano State Judiciary and Vice Chairperson of FIDA, Hajara Hamza, said rape has become a worrisome issue in Kano State. She said the existing laws do not directly render significant help to rape victims because there is a gap in the legal framework. She said the federal VAPP Act is the only law that contains all the necessary provisions for the punishment of the offenders, adding that its domestication is the best way to eliminate or mitigate the incidence of rape and other sexual assault cases in the state. Kano State Government on SGBV Meanwhile, the Kano Ministry of Women, Children and Disabled said it has been working towards dealing with the issue of SGBV and creating a safer environment for both girls and boys. According to Yakubu Salihu, the Director of Planning Research and Statistics in the ministry, who spoke for the commissioner, the state government is aware of the increasing incidence of rape. We do receive cases of GBV incidents from SARC and the report includes all forms of abuses from different local governments. Currently, we have recorded 300 rape cases, and it is because of the increasing incidence that the government is making more effort to establish additional sexual referral centres across the three emirate councils while the Rano LGA is awaiting equipping. He suggested that the Kano State government was working towards putting in place a tougher law against SGBV. We have put a multi-sectoral responsive and preventive mechanism in place. We also advocated to the Kano Ministry of Justice to revisit the draft copy of the harmonized state VAPP Bill with the review of the Kano Penal Code. The review of the referral mechanism is awaiting validation soon, he said. When asked about the kind of help the ministry renders to rape victims, Mr Salihu said they offer psycho-social support and empowerment services. However, Mr Salihu said, domesticating the VAPP Act has been the major challenge to addressing SGBV. He said the lack of political will was the reason the national law had not been domesticated. Are Current Efforts Enough? The various organisations working towards eliminating SGBV in Kano pointed out that the efforts put in place by the state government are not enough to check rape and other forms of sexual abuse. The Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA), an NGO working around public awareness on the dangers of SGBV, said it has done a lot of advocacy and enlightenment programmes to educate the public and young girls on the dangers of the menace and how to go about it. Akibu Hamisu, the Programme Officer of CAJA, said they have done a series of advocacies and sensitization programmes for girls and the general public on the issue, but that alone is not enough unless relevant laws are put in place. He said the government needs to put in more effort by domesticating and implementing the VAPP Act and Child Protection Act in the state, adding that only that can solve the problem and reduce the menace, thereby creating a safe environment for our wards and sons. The Centre for Information Technology and Development advocates the use of technology to tackle SGBV in Kano. As part of our initiatives to eliminate SGBV in Kano, we created, designed and deployed a Gender-Based Violence Mobile Application (GBV App) in 2021, which is available on Google Play Store, to monitor and report cases of SGBV to connect survivors with the support they need and also yield an extensive database on SGBV cases across Kano State, particularly in public schools, so that Kano citizens especially women and girls can plan safer education for themselves and their loved ones, the organisations Gender Technical Officer, Zainab Aminu, said. She said that the GBV App monitored and recorded 171 SGBV cases between November 2022 and February 2023, mainly cases of rape and other sexual abuses. She said her organisation, based on its findings, has written to the Kano State Government to domesticate the VAPP Act. This report was done with the support of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, under its Promoting Democratic Governance in Nigeria Project. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Despite security challenges, the education sector plans in six north-west Nigerian states led to a significant increase in girls enrollment in secondary schools and a reduction in the percentage of girls married before the age of 18, a new report has shown. The report said before the introduction of state education plans, the average girls secondary school enrollment declined and rates of early marriage increased. The study Gender Review and Advocacy For Gender Responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) was authored by the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) with the support of the Malala Fund. The report covers a gender review of 11 years (2011 to 2023) of State Education Sector Plans (SESPs) in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. SESPs is the only official education policy in Nigeria that mainstreams girls education goals within the education system and establishes performance indicators for government outcomes within the basic education system. There was a five per cent increase in secondary school enrollment rates across the six states during the period of the education sector plans and the rate of child marriage fell by an average of 6.9 per cent across the states during the period of the plan, the report said. READ ALSO: It further pointed to an intersectionality between the two outcome indicators enrollment and early marriage. Jigawa State, with the highest increase in enrollment for girls at the basic education level, was also the state with the second most significant reduction in the age of marriage. Conversely, Kaduna State, which experienced the lowest change in enrollment rates for girls within the same period, also experienced the least change in the age of marriage for girls among the six states. In terms of positive change in girls education outcomes, Jigawa State also takes the lead, followed by Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna. Methodology The dRPC researchers aimed to generate empirical evidence to show how the components of education sector plans and operational plans deliver a gender-responsive education system that keeps girls in school and supports their learning outcomes. Applying a mixed method research methodology, the gender review first conducted a trend analysis of two girls education outcomes to establish patterns in the period before sector plans were introduced in Nigeria and the period during education sector planning in Nigeria. At the launch of the report last Tuesday, experts said the review is timely and significant, coming against the background of the exogenous shocks to the school system in Nigeria. The shocks include COVID-19 and its impacts and the incessant attacks on schools and abductions of schoolchildren in the region The researchers also conducted a Focus Group Discussion with a total of 180 school-age children. Factors threatening school enrollment The insecurity in north-west Nigeria has led to the compulsory closure of many schools. This is a major factor that would likely stop students, especially girls, from achieving their education plans for the future, the report states. Compulsory school closures had a significant impact on students psychological, social, and mental well-being, causing a large number of students to forget nearly everything they had learned at school prior to the start of the lockdown and school closure, it added. The attacks on some schools may have also deterred some students from going to school. About 14 per cent of female and male participants from educational schools and 7 per cent of girls in all-girls schools mentioned that insecurity and school attacks were factors that could stop them from achieving their educational plans. The researchers also found that while insecurity was a factor, poverty and lack of financial support are also a threat to future education while COVID-19 also played an impact. When asked about the impact of COVID-19 on their education, 13 per cent of students from girls schools responded indicating a loss of interest in continuing education as a result of COVID-19. No boys gave such a response, the report said. Other factors mentioned by participants included drug abuse and peer pressure, bribery and corruption, fear of not succeeding in school, fear of not getting employment after graduation, and discouragement by the community members. The report noted that gender responsiveness in education sector planning calls for flexibility to adjust to these unpredictable challenges emerging from the environment impacting negatively on the education of all children, especially girls. Second stage of analysis The second stage of the gender review sought to explore relationships between the trend in girls education outcomes established in the first step in the analysis and the structures and functions of bureaucracy prescribed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) model of gender-responsive education. The GPE model of Gender Responsive Education Sector Strategic Planning (GRESP) argues that during the formation phase of planning, the application of three specific process factors can contribute towards positive girls education outcomes. The factors include: gender equality and girls education policies and strategies integrated into education sector plans; Stakeholders, including CSOs and local communities as well as government departments that are consulted during the design; and the GRESP has adequate financial resources allocated to gender equality and girls education strategies. Here, the analysis found clear and consistent correlations, thus confirming the prescriptive powers of the GPE model of gender-responsive education planning. Findings show that Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina states budgeted for activities derived from State Education Sector Plans (SESP). While in Kaduna, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, there was less alignment between the activities of the state education sector plans and annual budgets. In terms of SESP activities in the annual budget, Jigawa State emerged as the state that allocated the most funds to SESP activities. On the contrary, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto performed poorly in terms of allocating funds for SESP activities. Call for Action The report noted that with new administrations at the federal and state levels, this is the time for a definitive understanding of what works for girls education and what has not worked for girls in the education system of states implementing education sector plans over the 11 years of 2011 to 2023 in Nigeria. Experts said the findings of the report provide an opportunity to strengthen the gender transformative plans through the advocacy of civil society stakeholders. They said evidence-informed advocacy is critical in Nigeria in 2023 given the recent findings of the 2022 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) report, which showed that the out-of-school population of Nigeria virtually doubled between 2016 and 2022 to 20 million. Trailing behind India and Pakistan, Nigeria now stands as the third country with the largest out-of-school population. The majority of these children are recognised by the Nigerian government to be girls, many of whom are in the northwestern states with education plans. In its 2018 data on out-of-school children, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) reported the estimated number in Nigeria as 10.1 million out of which there were approximately 3.2 million out-of-school children cumulatively in the six northwestern states covered in the dRPC report. The 3.2 million is about 31.84 per cent of the total estimated number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Out of this number, 1.9 million were boys and 1.2 million were girls. Why the six north-west states? In terms of criteria for selecting the states studied, the researchers said the review of the gender responsiveness of education sector plans of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara was strategic and important for generating evidence of what works for girls education. The six states are accessing the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) funding. READ ALSO: New report reviews gender responsiveness of education sector plans in Nigerian states The GPE is an independently governed partnership that includes national governments, multilateral organisations, civil society, the private sector, and foundations. Established in 2002 as the Education for All Fast Track Initiative, the GPE has evolved and now designs evidence-informed and gender-responsive education sector plans. GPE contends that gender responsiveness in education sector plans offers the most comprehensive and systematic approach to delivering change in girls education. For a country such as Nigeria, GPE serves as a mobilisation point for donor coordination of multiple development impact investors, including the World Bank and the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to fund the country-led basic education interventions very often with a specific focus on girls education. Between 2012 and 2020 when Nigeria became a GPE partner, a total of $101 million has been awarded in grants to the West African country, of which $81 million has been disbursed as of January 2020. States performance In 2020, dRPC organised a gender workshop for the recipients of the grants to assess their education sector plans in terms of gender transformative, gender-responsive, integrated, or gender-blind characterisation. The result shows that delegates from Kano and Jigawa states assessed their respective education sector plans as gender blind. Delegates from Sokoto and Katsina assessed their education sector plans as gender-responsive. Meanwhile, delegates from Kaduna State assessed their plan as ranging between gender responsive and gender transformative. This was highlighted by the fact that the state has done much to mainstream gender into the education sector plan. We have rated Kaduna to be between transformative and responsive (high on the responsive and just going into the transformative scale), the researchers said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Katsina State Police Command says it has provided about 17 different Computer Base Test (CBT) centres for the 2022 Nigeria Police Force recruitment examination across the state. Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the commands public relations officer, disclosed this in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Monday. He said the approved CBT centres were; Alqalam University, Barda International College, Beti ICT Centre, CBT Centre Quality Assurance, Malumfashi and Dr Aliyu Idris Funtua CBT Centre, Federal College of Education Katsina. Mr Sadiq-Aliyu, an assistant superintendent of police, listed others to include; Dr Yusuf Bala Usman College, Daura, Federal University Dutsinma takeoff Campus, Federal Government College (FGC) Daura, and ICT Centre Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic Katsina. Also on the list are; Ideas and Data Global, formerly Dialogue Computer Institute Katsina, CBT centre Isah Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma, and JAMB PTC Mega Centre 1, (JAMB WING) JAMB office Dutsin-ma Road by Al-Qalam University roundabout, Katsina. The remaining are; Mugaj Information and Communications, Kurami bypass Bakori, Umaru Musa Yaradua University Computer Lab 1 Centre, Umaru Musa Yaradua University Faculty of Natural and AMP Applied Science, and Zed Alpha International School, GRA Funtua, he said. READ ALSO: Mr Sadiq-Aliyu said that successful candidates from the state, who applied for Constable as General Duty and participated in the recent physical/credential screening exercise should note that the CBT exercise has been slated for 5 and 6 March. According to the police spokesperson, Candidates are advised to log on to: https://www.apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to verify their qualification status for this stage and print out the slip. The qualified candidates will see their CBT centres, date and time for examination on the slip, which must be produced at the examination centre together with other relevant documents. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has directed all Area Commanders to ensure adequate security of all the examination centres across the command so as to ensure a hitch-free exercise, he said. Mr Sadiq-Aliyu added that the commissioner also advised the candidates to conduct themselves in an orderly manner and abide by the instructions provided during the examination. He further called on them to be wary of fraudsters, as the exercise is completely free. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Terrorism persists in many parts of Northern Nigeria because the Nigerian military does not have enough personnel, Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru said on Tuesday. Mr Badaru said despite the challenges, the military has continued to decimate the terror groups and recently killed seven top leaders of the groups. The military are not enough, what the bandits do is take advantage of soft targets, he said. They find out where there is absence of the military, they attack and run to the bushes. Mr Badarus narration of insufficient soldiers is not new as previous military and defence chiefs had expressed similar views. Although the military is originally expected to protect the country from external threats, the security concerns across Nigeria have led to soldiers being deployed to almost all of Nigerias 36 states and Abuja. The Bola Tinubu administration has promised massive recruitment into the security agencies including the military. On Tuesday, Mr Badaru spoke in an interview with journalists after addressing the members of Senior Course 46 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The minister, who was on a working visit, delivered an address to the course participants at a seminar organised by the college on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism. The theme for the seminar was Imperatives of Operational and Tactical Level Leadership for Enhanced Counter Terrorism, Counter Insurgency Operations in Nigeria. Mr Badaru said, The governments commitment to defeating insurgency is a comprehensive security strategy and community engagement remains unwavering. We are pursuing a whole-of-the-government approach in handling the counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations. PREMIUM TIMES has reported how various terror groups operate in different parts of northern Nigeria. Apart from the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east, terrorists, locally called bandits, operate in many states in the North-west and North-central. The terrorists attack communities, travellers and government institutions, killing and kidnapping victims. In his speech, Mr Badaru expressed optimism that all the terror groups would be defeated. He disclosed that the military would deploy technology for surveillance and tracing to find the terrorists and deal with them decisively. From what you have seen, in the last few months, the military have killed about seven big leaders of the insurgency, he said. We are working hard to continue defeating them, and we are making progress. On the issue of a non-military approach to the fight against insurgency, he said many of the insurgents were surrendering. He, therefore, said that they were accepting and de-radicalising the insurgents that surrendered and re-integrating them back into society, while those who didnt want to repent would be dealt with and decimated. Speaking further after a tour of some of the military facilities and formations in the cantonment, Mr Badaru said some of the facilities were meant to train special forces to fight insurgency. The minister said a total of 2,400 of the special forces would be trained while the first phase would begin with 800 military personnel. He explained that the special forces would be saddled with the responsibility of tackling the insurgents and the training would begin in two months. There are enough fighting equipment and platforms, which after the training, they will go into the forests and fish out the terrorists, he said. The minister acknowledged the different types of training camps which included that of peacekeeping troops, who would be deployed to Sudan, among others. According to him, this signifies the level of commitment to peace by the federal government and the military. Mr Badaru commended the personnel in charge of the different trainings, adding that what he saw had reinvigorated his belief that the government would be able to surmount the security challenges in the country. He charged the personnel to be active and creative and always think ahead to continue defeating the criminals. NAN reports that the minister toured camps Kabala and Selaya, the shooting range, training camps and platforms in the Jaji military cantonment. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Bank of Ghana on Monday announced the suspension of the Foreign Exchange Trading Licences of Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Limited (GTB) and FBNBank Ghana Limited (FBN). The suspension, effective 18 March, will run for one month. According to a statement by the Ghanaian central bank, the suspension is in accordance with section 11 (2) of the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, (Act 723). It said the move comes as a response to several breaches of the foreign exchange market regulations, including instances of fraudulent documentation in their foreign exchange operations, which have been brought to the attention of the Bank of Ghana. According to the statement released by the Bank of Ghana, the licenses of GTB and FBNBank Ghana Limited will be restored at the end of the one-month suspension period, provided the Bank of Ghana is satisfied that they have implemented effective controls to ensure strict adherence to the foreign exchange market regulations. READ ALSO:Jaiz Bank announces successful completion of its private placement The licence will be restored at the end of the one-month suspension period once the Bank of Ghana is satisfied that they have put in place effective controls to ensure strict adherence to the foreign exchange market regulations, it said. The Ghanaian apex bank by the statement cautioned all foreign exchange market players, emphasising the need for strict compliance with the applicable forex market regulations and guidelines. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Navy has sealed a tank farm in Calabar, Cross River State, suspected to be storing illegally refined diesel. Rotimi Oderemi, commander, Nigeria Navy Ship Victory, made this known at a news conference in Calabar on Tuesday. He said the tank farm was identified following an intelligence report from the militarys joint task force in the South-south Operation Delta Safe. Based on the report, the tank farm was sealed and samples of the suspected illegally refined diesel were taken for laboratory analysis. Investigation is ongoing. I advise business owners and tank farm operators to operate within the confines of the law by obtaining necessary approvals for their operations, Mr Oderemi, a commodore, said. On 24 February, a joint operation by the Nigerian and Cameroonian navies led to the interception of a vessel laden with 30,000 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen from Nigeria. Mr Oderemi told reporters then at the inspection of the vessel at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State that the vessel, MV Jasmine, was intercepted by a Nigerian Navy patrol boat, NNS Ekulu. Upon noticing NNS Ekulu, the suspected vessel proceeded to the international waters between Nigeria and Cameroon, just as NNS Ekulu was in its hot pursuit. Resulting from our collaboration and with the support of the Cameroonian Navy, the vessel was intercepted and brought to Ibaka with eight Nigerians on board, he said. The Captain of the intercepted vessel, Pere-Ebiye Abraham, claimed its ownership and said he went into illegal bunkering because of hardship. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Cheektowaga woman has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges for failing to provide proper food and water to 156 animals, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynns office said. Kerisa J. Schmitt, 24, was charged in December with 308 counts of animal cruelty after SPCA Serving Erie County officers responded to a request for a welfare check on a dog at a home on Colton Street. Officials said when the officers looked through the window of a small garage, they noticed a number of farm animals kept in unsanitary conditions. SPCA investigators returned with Cheektowaga police officers to execute a search warrant, wherein they discovered 117 chickens in two pens, one 3 feet by 4 feet, and the other 5 feet by 7 feet, according to the SPCA. The agency alleged that the pens were packed with feces about 6 inches deep. Officers also discovered 18 ducks, two goats and a pig in the garage and seven rabbits in an outdoor hutch, they said. They found eight more rabbits, two dogs and a cat inside the home, totaling 156 farm and domestic animals on her property. Schmitt pleaded guilty to 10 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and failure to provide proper sustenance, officials said. Schmitt, who has relocated to West Virginia, was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and was granted a yearlong conditional discharge. She had to forfeit custody of all of her animals and has been issued a no animal order that will prevent her from owning or caring for one for the next five years, officials added. The SPCA took in the surviving animals, The Buffalo News reported in December. The animals many of whom were injured and ill were cleaned, fed and given housing and veterinary checkups. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a leading voice in the quest for political emancipation and good governance. Mr Abiodun stated this on Tuesday at a lecture to mark the 87th birthday of Mr Obasanjo, titled, Quality Leadership and Inclusive Democracy as Catalysts for Development in a Strife-ridden World at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. He acknowledged Mr Obasanjo for being deeply connected to his roots, and praised him for being a respected democratic leader globally. Baba has become a world-respected democratic leader, a detribalised Nigerian, and a Pan-African whose passion and vision is for Africa that is being led by quality leadership for the desired economic development. Baba is deeply connected to his roots. Babas passion for his culture and tradition is unparalleled. Baba remains the leading voice in his quest for political emancipation, good governance, anti-corruption and social justice, he said. The governor commended the former president for being far-sighted with a knack for nurturing leaders. Meanwhile, in his welcome address, the chairman of the lecture and former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, noted that access to justice, quality of elections, and tribalism are some of the factors working against quality leadership in Africa. Mr Jonathan said that there was a need to look at the issues of winner-takes-it-all in politics, noting that when a president is elected, he isnt just the president of his party alone, but a president of all. He added that whenever a serving president brings a member of the opposition on board his team, it tends to bring quality and inclusiveness into governance. In his remarks, a former President of Slovenia and the Chairman of Club De Madrid, Danilo Turk, said the club is currently involved in establishing a body that will look at fighting corruption around the world. He said that the club will not get tired in its quest to ensure that democracy succeeds around the world. He also noted the need to always give the people a choice, stressing that democracy should be beyond the elite in any country. Meanwhile, former President Obasanjo has stressed the need for good leadership if Africa is to go far. He spoke on Monday in Abeokuta during the public presentation of his new book, The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), as part of the activities marking his 87th birthday. In a statement on Tuesday by Kehinde Akinyemi, his special assistant on media, Mr Obasanjo stressed the importance of good leadership, noting that without it, Africa cant go fast and move far together. Former president of Ghana and special guest of honour at the event, John Mahama, said African leaders should lead with wisdom. Mr Mahama added that they must seek divine guidance and inculcate values that are worthy of emulation. Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, Hassan Kukah, who reviewed the 13-chapter book, said leaders have to be obedient as well as instil values in the discharge of their duties. Mr Kukah noted that the publication spoke on how Christians could make an impact in politics, adding that leadership as described in the book is for service. He said Nigerian leaders must cooperate with the grace of God, noting that Christians who are in politics must infuse values that would be evident for all to see. He also noted that the social conditions of Nigeria have continued to slow down the pace of the country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Blue Economy and Transport, Gboyega Oyetola, over the handling of concession of port infrastructure in the country. Chairman of the House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Ibrahim Hamisu, said this at a meeting with the seaport terminal operators in Abuja. He expressed reservations about the methodology used in the concession of the seaport terminals. The others summoned were: the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammed Koko, and the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Mamman Ahmadu. Also summoned was the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Michael Ohiani. Mr Hamisu said the poor handling of the concession process had led to the five companies operating for three years without renewal of their operating licences. He said this had resulted in the loss of huge revenue to the federal government. He said there was a need to address the prolonged renewal process to attract investments into critical port infrastructure. From the brief we received from the affected parties and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the process, we now understand what is happening. What is outstanding in concluding the process that started over five years ago is the execution of the negotiated Supplementary Agreements for the respective terminals. That is why we invited all stakeholders to see how we can work together to quickly address these concerns in the mutual and national interest, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Enugu State Government has reopened ShopRite and SPAR malls for businesses after sealing them for allegedly failing to remit their taxes to the state government. The Chairperson, Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Emmanuel Nnamani, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu. Enugu State Internal Revenue Service in the early hours of Tuesday sealed the Enugu ShopRite and SPAR malls over alleged failure to remit purchase taxes in their malls to the government after being served several warning notices. Mr Nnamani gave the two malls one week to remit all purchase taxes collected from their customers on behalf of the government. He said the reopening of the malls came after their management agreed to implement the purchase tax and also pay the arrears. According to him, the agency has since noon opened the malls after they reached out to it and agreed to pay. We realised that closing their shops was not the best option in compliance with ease of doing business, Mr Nnamani said. The chairperson noted that when businesses refused to comply with tax remittances, they would not have any other option than to take action. He explained that the purchase tax was the Enugu State version of the consumption tax paid by customers, not the mall owners. Mr Nnamani said the tax was imposed on certain goods in which a customer pays five per cent only of the value of the goods. The chairperson said the tax had been in the state law since 2004 but was activated for collection in October 2023, and that they were implementing it now. Because it covers mall activities, it is not them that pays but the customer. For instance, if the price of goods is N10 000, we ask that the customer pay five per cent. What the business is expected to do is to charge customers N10, 500 and remit N500 to the government, he stressed. He added that ShopRite and SPAR owed the state more than N10 million each over purchasing tax. It is not them that were supposed to pay purchase tax but customers, but they refused to implement it. We have engaged and pleaded with them and they refused but now they have agreed to pay even the arrears, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has said if Nigeria was serious about overcoming her numerous socio-economic and political challenges, 14 areas in Nigerias constitution are long due for amendments. Mr Fagbohun, a Professor of Environmental Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) spoke on Sunday in Lagos as the keynote speaker at the 21st annual public lecture and luncheon by the states chapter of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA). The lecture with the theme: Fundamentals of a New Nigeria: Harnessing the Opportunities, was also organised in honour of two prominent members of the association- Habeeb Abiru and Yusuf Ali, who recently got elevated in their chosen careers. While Mr Abiru, a judge, was elevated to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was recently appointed as a Professor of Legal Practice by the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State. The keynote speaker said rather than clamouring for a new constitution as some critics are wont to have, amendments to the identified areas would address the key challenges of governance, security, and revenue generation, among others. He queried how the constitution has been amended five times within the last 14 years but with these critical areas unable to scale through. Suggested areas for amendments According to Mr Fagbohun, the identified areas requiring alteration in the constitution are those that concern devolution of power, removal of Land Use Act from the constitution, affirmative action for women, state creation and boundary adjustment, constitutional provisions to protect election of chairmen and councillors of local government to insulate them from governors, state police, restructuring of the federation, abrogation of immunity clause, tenure of office, financial autonomy for the judiciary and local governments, revenue allocation, strengthening the independence of institutions, citizenship and indigeneity, and constitutional roles for traditional rulers. Mr Fagbohun said once these areas are properly addressed in the existing constitution, there is no point seeking another fresh document as the nations constitution. He said a constitution is as important as its operationalisation, saying: Whatever document that is in place will not succeed for as long as operators continue to prioritise self over the nation. READ ALSO: He said: While I fully agree with distinguished scholars, jurists, and other critics of the 1999 constitution that it could have been better designed to achieve a more appropriate balance of the federal structure, and more transparently provide for the values of democracy, I respectfully believe that the attack on the constitution which holds that it is not a document of the people has long been overtaken by events. To continue to tug at it will be a distraction from the real issues which I am convinced has more to do with operationalisation of the constitution. I say this for the simple fact that the 1999 constitution has been in use for close to 25 years. The Provisional Ruling Council that introduced it at the time represented the sovereign. Thus, even if it contravened established norms, that which otherwise is not lawful has been made lawful by necessity. Asserting the illegitimacy of the constitution on this basis at this stage therefore can be no more than for the historical purpose of revisiting our past and re-imagining our shared future. Mr Fagbohun urged the new administration of President Bola Tinubu to consider key areas for immediate intervention towards addressing the challenges of hunger, unemployment, insecurity, endemic corruption, and poor leadership across all sectors of the national economy. The keynote speaker said beyond the challenge posed by the constitution are what he described as the betrayals of public office holders in the areas of violation of procurement rules and regulations for self-gain; utilisation of sub-standard construction materials; usage and production of sub-standard goods and products; outright stealing and mismanagement of funds allocated for the provision of social services and amenities; orchestrated killing of innocent citizens to gain relevance, power or to make the system ungovernable to maintain a corrupt status quo; appointment of unqualified and inept individuals to positions of authority; outdated rules that are creating opportunities for graft. Others are wasteful prestige projects orchestrated by some governors to siphon state funds; refusal to grant citizens a say in government despite provisions of Freedom of Information law and other relevant provisions of the Constitution; subversion of justice either through negligence, ignorance or corruption by agencies responsible for law enforcement; quick-fix solutions and unsustainable social intervention programmes; and subversion of the rule of law and due process. Abiru, Ali appreciate honours Both Messrs Abiru and Ali thanked the organisers for finding them worthy of the honour and pledged to continue to serve humanity with integrity and fear of God. They also enjoined everyone to remain steadfast in their support and prayers for them, even as they prayed for the progress of Nigeria, individual families and their alma mater- Obafemi Awolowo University. Law scholar, Popoola, Ebiti others grace event The whole banquet hall of Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos was, however, thrown into a frenzy when the keynote speaker, in the middle of his speech, spotted a foremost scholar and an authority in Jurisprudence, Ademola Popoola, and urged him to stand for recognition. Mr Popoola, a professor, thanked the organisers for celebrating the honorees, saying the gathering was a rare one where three legal icons, all products of the law faculty at OAU, would be celebrated at once. He urged Mr Ali, who was appointed a Professor of Practice of Law to consider pursuing his PhD degree, citing various scholars such as Adeogun Ajose, among others, who were once awarded similar positions. There is no point in you justifying your appointment, you are more than qualified. But if you study for PhD degree it will help you in your research, Mr Popoola advised Mr Ali. Meanwhile, the event which was chaired by the Managing Director of Lotus Bank Plc, Kafilat Araoye, was also attended by the Chairman of the UNIFEMGA Board of Trustees, AbdulRafiu Ebiti; and a Professor of English at OAU and former Chairman of Parents Forum at Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Yisa Yusuff, among other dignitaries. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Traders and residents have protested alleged incessant extortions by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service in MaiAdua Local Government Area of Katsina State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday in MaiAdua, the LGA headquarters, lasted several hours with the protesters accusing customs officials of extorting them huge amounts of money. Some of the protesters chanted We will not condone customs incessant extortions while many of them held placards with various inscriptions. READ ALSO: They (customs officials) are making our lives miserable, Umar Muhammad, leader of the traders in MaiAdua, told journalists during the protest. Products manufactured by companies in Nigeria are finding it difficult to enter MaiAdua because of the money customs officials extort. For example, cement, maize and other commodities in MaiAdua are becoming expensive because we have to pay customs to bring the goods into our town. He said the products are mostly bought in Kano with weight bills clearly stating this, but officials would insist that unreceipted payments must be made. I buy goods direct from companies but even with documents showing where I bought the goods, customs officials ask us for money. We pay about N300 per bag of cement. I pay about N300,000 for a trailer of goods I broughtgoods that were produced in Nigeria, Mr Muhammad said. Katsina State has an expansive border with the Niger Republic covering about six local government areas of Jibia, Kaita, Mashi, MaiAdua, Zango and Baure of the state. There are 12 official borders in the state being manned by security agents, especially from the Customs and Nigeria Immigration Service. But there are several unofficial entry and exit routes. They can get food in Daura (neighbouring local government area) but we cant get it in MaiAdua. Its difficult for us to get commodities especially food, Yusuf Muhammad, the representative of MaiAdua civil organisation, said. There are allegations that we are hoarding foodstuffs or taking them to Niger Republic which is nothing but a blatant lie. We are trying to sort this thing out but the customs officials are making life difficult for us. The customs spokesperson in Katsina State, Tahir Balarabe, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the allegations by the protesters. Allegations of extortions by customs officials in the state are not new as traders or commercial motorists associations had on several occasions accused officials of the service of extorting their members. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A rights campaigner, Olukoya Ogungbeje, on Monday, filed a suit before a Federal High Court Lagos, against telecommunications companies in Nigeria, challenging the recent barring of phone lines of citizens. NAN reports that the applicant joined as respondents to his suit, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Aminu Mada, and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. Other respondents are Airtel Networks Nigeria Ltd., Globacom Ltd. and Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. (EMTS 9 Mobile). In his affidavit, the applicant averred that sometime in January, the respondents had threatened to bar or deactivate the mobile lines of Nigerians, whose phone lines were not linked with their National Identification Number (NIN). He stated that following the threat, he had proceeded to court and had obtained an order on 22 February, restraining the respondents from barring or deactivating the phone lines of Nigerians, pending the determination of the suit. According to the applicant, to his amazement, he discovered that on 28 February, his mobile lines as well as those of many Nigerians, had been barred by the respondents in defiance of a subsisting court order. READ ALSO: The applicant, therefore, sought a declaration that the act by the respondents in barring and deactivating the lines of Nigerians from 28 February till date, despite a subsisting court order, is wrongful and illegal. He sought a declaration that the respondents, being creations of law, are subject to the court of law and its judicial powers, and are under an obligation to obey the same. Mr Ogungbeje prayed the court to give an order setting aside the entire directives restricting the phone lines of Nigerians. The applicant also sought an order directing the respondents to immediately unlock and unrestricted the phone lines of affected Nigerians. He claimed the sum of N10 billion against the telecom companies, as exemplary damages for their unlawful restrictions on phone lines of Nigerians. Mr Ogungbeje also prayed the court to give an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from taking further steps or action against such affected citizens in relation to the facts of the case. No date has been fixed for hearing of the new suit. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Enugu State Government has sealed a popular retail mall, ShopRite in the state over its alleged failure to remit purchase tax to the government. The SPAR Nigeria and other retail malls in Enugu State were also sealed by the state government for the same alleged offence. Some of the malls sealed by the state government included Roban and Mama Onyinye restaurant. Officials of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) who sealed the facilities on Tuesday said they had issued several warnings to the management of the facilities, but they were ignored. The ESIRSs Head of Department of Eateries, bars, hotels and shopping malls, Perpetual Egwuonwu, said apart from warnings, the agency also visited the facilities to request evidence of payment of the purchase tax, but they failed to produce any. Ms Egwuonwu explained that the agency was only enforcing payment of purchase tax on goods that the buyers pay for whenever they patronise the facilities. She stressed that they had appealed to the management of the facilities to remit their taxes as at when due but they have been recalcitrant to date. It is worthy of note that after we met with the Roban stores, they displayed our sticker and have complied with remitting their purchase tax to the ESIRS. On the other hand, ShopRite has frustrated all our efforts to get them to do the needful. It is always one story or another. Eventually, they promised us that before the end of February, they would do something but we are in March and the ESIRS has not heard from them, she said. The official stressed that the malls would remain closed until the issues were resolved. The spokesperson of the ESIRS, Nnamdi Eneh, told reporters that the agency had been enlightening and educating the people, through the media, on the need to remit their taxes to the government. The objective (for sealing the facilities) is not to disrupt anybodys business but since pleading did not work, this is the only way to compel them to do what they are supposed to do, Mr Eneh said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The High Court of Benue State in Makurdi has declared as malicious the claim that Tiv men offer their spouses to male guests for sexual pleasure under Tiv native law and custom. The court made the declaration on Tuesday in a judgement delivered by the Chief Judge of Benue State, Maurice Ikpambese, in a case filed by a nonprofit organisation, Mzough U Tiv, against the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC). Mzough U Tiv had filed the suit seeking declarative judgement against the false claim made by Venita Akpofure on the Big Brother Naija show. In a writ of summon, counsel for the plaintiff, Douglas Pepe, averred that Ms Akpofure on the BBNaija show, which was broadcast worldwide by MultiChoice Company, asserted that Tiv men offered their wives to their male visitors for sexual pleasures. Mr Pepe expressed shock that instead of pursuing a legal action against Ms Akpofure for making such defamatory statement, TATC as the overarching cultural body responsible for safeguarding the collective interests of the Tiv people, merely verbally condemned the assertion. He submitted that what Ms Akpofure said on the BBNaija show about Tiv men had no supporting particulars to back up her falsehood. It was better if Venita Akpofure, an Urhobo from Delta State, had stated that in her marriage to a Tiv person, she was given out to another man for sexual pleasures, Mr Pepe argued. The plaintiff therefore sought the court to make a declaration that under the Tiv native law and custom, a Tiv man does not offer his wife to his visitor for sexual pleasure. The plaintiff also sought an order of mandamus to compel TATC to promptly convene a meeting of the supreme council to initiate and subsequently issue a formal resolution codifying the principle that a Tiv man does not offer his wife to his visitor for sexual pleasure. Trial The plaintiff called three witnesses to prove its case. Counsel for the defendant, E.K. Ashiekaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), aligned himself with the argument of the plaintiffs counsel. The defendant called one witness and closed its case. Judgement Delivering judgement, Ikpambese granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff. He said that Ms Akpofures assertion about Tiv men were malicious falsehood and lacked substance and should therefore be discountenanced. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi State Council, has rejected the selection of only three of its members to cover the activities of Governor Nasir Idris in the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. The rejection was sequel to a meeting held in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday between Acting Permanent Secretary, Government House, Alhaji Ibrahim Saraki; Acting Permanent Secretary, Protocol, Sagir Mahe, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki. Others at the meeting were Special Adviser to the governor on New Media, Aliyu Bandado. and Master of Ceremony to the governor, Faruk Bello-Birnin Kebbi. Shortly after the meeting, they informed the journalists in the government house through the special adviser to governor on media and publicity that the governor had directed that he did not want to see more than three members of the correspondents chapel covering his activities. In his reaction to the development, the chairpeeson of the chapel, El-Yakubu Usman-Dabai, described the development as counterproductive to journalism profession as well as the promotion of Kebbi governments activities. A situation whereby we have about 18 members, representing different media outfits within and outside Nigeria, each with different in-house media style, its not proper and its unethical to give opportunities to only three members. The government officials should not be unmindful of the fact that, we have representatives of television, radio, newspapers and online media outlets whose in-house style varies from one another. When you pick newspapers to cover your functions, you deny other journalists their constitutional rights to keep Kebbi people informed on the good works of the governor. We have people living in remotest areas that rely solely on radio and television to receive information about governments policies and programmes in the state, he said. Mr Usman-Dabai urged the concerned officials to rescind their decision as journalists were partners in progress, saying that they should not undermine the constitutional provision that recognised journalists as the Forth Estate of the Realm. In his response, the chapels Secretary, Ibrahim Bello, advised the media aides to the governor to educate the concerned government officials on the modus operandi of practicing journalists for the development of the state. I am calling on our patriotic and hardworking members to be patient and calmed as the leadership of the chapel is working hard to resolve the matters amicably, he assured. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has promised to ensure the safety of residents of the state doing businesses on Mondays. Mr Adeoye spoke on Monday when he visited business people in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper. The police commissioner was referring to the infamous sit-at-home often enforced by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the state and other states in Nigerias South-east. IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. Mr Adeoye said he visited the commercial city to assess the security situation in the area following efforts to end the sit-at-home in the state. The police chief used the visit to meet with shuttle drivers operating along the Upper Iweka part of the city, which has been a known den of criminals enforcing the illegal lockdown. He subsequently announced the lifting of a curfew in Nnewi, Onitsha, and Ogbaru Areas by the state government, which was imposed during frequent attacks in the areas. While urging the residents and business people to be law-abiding and vigilant, Mr Adeoye commended them for coming out for their activities on Mondays in compliance with the resolve of security agencies and the state government to end the illegal sit-at-home. The commissioner assured that the police in the state would guarantee their safety on Mondays. Your return to your businesses on Mondays shows an act of patriotism to the nation and in return, we assure that your safety is our responsibility, he assured them. He gave out his mobile numbers to the residents and urged them to report any criminal activity to the police in the state for immediate action. We need synergy with the public to effectively perform our duties, we should work as allies, he said. Background IPOB, in August 2021, introduced a sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-east to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The separatist group later suspended the order, in preference for it to be implemented only on days Mr Kanu appears in court. But despite its suspension, residents of the five South-east states Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Anambra have been observing the Monday sit-at-home order, mostly out of fear. IPOB had repeatedly disowned the Monday sit-at-home across the region, saying those who still enforce the order were criminals attempting to blackmail the separatist group. A leader of Autopilot, a faction of the IPOB, Simon Ekpa, has continued to declare the sit-at-home in the region, despite being suspended by the IPOB faction led by Mr Kanu. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Kanu, the IPOB leader in late July 2023, through Aloy Ejimakor, his special counsel, ordered Mr Ekpa to stop issuing sit-at-home orders in the region. However, Mr Ekpa described the letter as fake, and maintained that the illegal action would go on until Mr Kanu spoke to him directly in Finland, a North European country, where he (Ekpa) resides. Meanwhile, several Igbo leaders such as the President-General of Ohanaeze Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and his Anambra State counterpart, Charles Soludo, had made unsuccessful efforts to stop the illegal action. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some of the most beautiful stretches of Western New York can be experienced throughout its rural expanses, ones full of sights emblematic of the states scenic diversity. Unfortunately, the overall wellbeing of these areas community members are not on par with their views and vistas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many of the 46 million Americans living in rural communities are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke than their urban counterparts. Ive seen this in my role with The Rural Outreach Center (theroc.co) in East Aurora. Since our establishment in 2013, weve sought to improve access to quality health care and proper nutrition for our cherished rural communities. Thankfully, weve found an incredible partner in the mission in the Independent Health Foundations Good for the Neighborhood initiative. Started in 2006, Good for the Neighborhood programs present health fair-style events held quarterly in community centers, schools, and businesses in neighborhoods throughout Erie and Niagara counties. Their mission is simple: to connect historically underserved communities to health information, screenings, and fresh fruits and vegetables they so sorely need. Those whove shown up at these events in the past have benefitted from free checks of their blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Theyve been able to speak to pharmacists about prescriptions and over-the-counter medication; learn about the importance of living an active lifestyle from health and fitness professionals from across WNY; and connect with community groups that help everyone from senior citizens to children to live healthier lives. Over the years, weve seen the effect this assistance has had for our community members, ones we aim to assist, empower, and elevate from difficult constraints. Ultimately, we want to provide individuals with the tools to become self-sufficient, and with a healthy dose of loving support, realize the best version of themselves. Understanding health deficienciesand learning how to address these shortcomingsis a big step in the right direction, and its one of the most valuable takeaways these Good for the Neighborhood programs provide for our rural residents. Learn more at goodforatheneighborhood.com. Frank Cerny is the executive director of the Rural Outreach Center. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the fact that Nigeria accepted grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria a weak or failed state. Ukraine, which is in the throes of a devastating war with Russia, had recently donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in North-east Nigeria. Many including, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last years general elections, Peter Obi, described the gesture from a war-ravaged country as a national disgrace for Nigeria. But in a push-back on Tuesday, Mr Idris said, Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine. The fact that Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine does not make it a failed state. The fact that we are having challenges at the moment does not make Nigeria a failed state. Therefore, accepting grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria or Egypt failed countries. It is a normal thing, because countries exist to depend on one another, the minister said at the Leadership Annual Conference and Award 2023 on Tuesday in Abuja. The event was organised by the Leadership Group, publishers of Leadership Newspapers. According to the minister, it is true that Nigeria is facing some challenges and President Bola Tinubu is aware of this and he does not shy away from it. Nigerians voted for Tinubu with the deeper understanding and conviction that he has the capacity to turn things around for the better; and that is what he is doing. Some of the decisions he has taken were to ensure that Nigeria finds its place in the comity of nations. The decisions include removal of fuel subsidy and addressing the issue of foreign exchange and many others. In spite of the current challenges, the economic growth of Nigeria is on track and has continued to improve, Mr Idris said. He explained that fuel subsidy removal was a bold step in the right direction and urged Nigerians to support the president as the country would soon begin to reap the benefits. The minister noted that current national challenges did not begin upon assumption of office by President Tinubu He stressed that going by figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigerias fuel importation reduced by 50 per cent after fuel subsidy removal, just as the economy improved significantly. Mr Idris noted also that President Tinubu had demonstrated capacity and since his assumption of office, had attracted more than 30 billion dollars in foreign investments into the country. He has not stopped at that. Just last week, President Tinubu went to Qatar to attract more businesses and investments into Nigeria. We are optimistic that soon, what we are passing through will be a thing of the past and Nigeria will be better, Idris said. The Leadership Annual Conference and Award 2023 has its theme: An economy in distress: The way forward. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, ordered one of the alleged killers of two traditional rulers in Ekiti state, Bubuga Lede, 25, to be remanded at the Correctional Custodial Centre in Ado-Ekiti for 30 days. This followed his arraignment by the Ekiti State police command for alleged murder. Recall that two traditional rulers the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola, were ambushed and killed by gunmen in January this year while returning from a meeting. Police prosecutor, Osuolale Yomi, an Inspector, informed the Magistrate Court that there was cause to order the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre in Ado-Ekiti. Mr Yomi said the defendant is reasonably suspected to have committed an offence of conspiracy to kidnap, attempt to murder and murder of Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Oba Samuel Olatunde Ishola. The prosecutor also alleged that the defendant attempted to kidnap Oba Samuel Adebayo Fatoba and Bamidele Ibikunle Joseph (the driver). He said the offence is punishable under Section 280, 241 and 234 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021, within Ekiti Magisterial District on 29 January, 2024. Mr Yomi said the defendant was arrested in Ikole-Ekiti on 29 January with offensive weapons. He added that the duplicate case file has been forwarded to the Ekiti State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. The defendant was represented at the hearing by Olusoji Oladele, a lawyer. The Magistrate, Olubunmi F. Bamidele, ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre for 30 days pending legal advice from the DPP and adjourned the case till 24 April, for hearing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kunti Kamaras appeal of his November 2022 conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity got underway at the Paris Court of Appeal on Tuesday. Mr Kamara, a former rebel commander, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the lower court. Mr Kamara, 49, has admitted to being a commander with the United Liberation Movement for Democracy (Ulimo) rebel group in Foya, Lofa County in northern Liberia in 1993, but he denies he committed the 11 counts for which he was convicted including murdering a sick woman, torturing a school-teacher and eating his heart, and the gang rape of a nine- year-old girl. In his final statement to the jury in the earlier trial Mr Kamara professed his innocence. I am innocent today. I am innocent tomorrow, he told the jury. I am innocent the day after tomorrow. I was just a soldier. Thats all I have to say. On Tuesday, a jury of nine, their names drawn at random, took their seats along with five reserve jurors. The jury comprises four men and five women; all are white but one. Though Paris has a large population of African descent no juror was of African descent. In a peculiarity of the French legal system, the jurors sit with the judges looking down at proceedings. They also have the right to ask questions of witnesses. The appeal is taking place in the same location. Throughout the lower court trial Mr Kamaras lawyers, led by Marilyn Secci, argued that Mr Kamaras right to a fair trial was undermined by the limited budget that they, his publicly funded lawyers were given compared with the prosecution. They also questioned why the prosecution evidence was entirely made up of witness statements, often considered unreliable especially given the long time 30 years since the events took place, instead of physical evidence. They questioned why none of the graves of alleged murder victims were dug up to confirm the murder took place and the cause of death, for instance. Ms Secci has resumed her role as lead defence lawyer in the appeal. She is expected to pursue a similar defence. Surprisingly, Alieu Kosiah, a Ulimo ally of Mr Kamara, whose conviction for war crimes in Switzerland was upheld in an appeal in 2023, will testify for a full day next week, in Mr Kamaras trial. In an incendiary appearance in Mr Kamaras original trial, Mr Kosiah appeared more intent on defending himself and, experts thought, causing more harm to Mr Kamaras case than good. Mr Kosiah was escorted from Switzerland to appear in Mr Kamaras 2022 trial. He will appear again at the appeal. The civil parties nine victims and justice advocates Civitas Maxima are again represented by Sabrina Delattre. All nine Liberian victims will travel from Lofa over the next four weeks of the trial, to testify. Witnesses such as Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners Massa Washington and John Stewart will also appear to give context on the war and the devastation it inflicted on the country. Today the court spent the day learning about the start of the war. Mr Kamara explained how the war came to his village in Karnplay in 1989 when, he said, Prince Johnson was recruiting members of the Mano and Gio tribes to fight on behalf of rebel leader Charles Taylor. He also explained how he escaped Guinea for the Netherlands in 2001 where he claimed asylum and was eventually given citizenship. The earlier trial heard that Mr Kamara lost his job in the Netherlands when Dutch authorities learned of his association with Mr Kosiah who had been charged. Mr Kamara then moved to France in an attempt to escape investigation. Mr Kamaras first trial was groundbreaking in several ways. He was just the second Liberian to be convicted for his or her role in any of the countrys civil wars. Mr Kosiah was the first. Gibril Massaquoi, the Sierra Leonean ally of warlord turned President Charles Taylor was acquitted by a Finnish court on war crimes charges brought against him in Finland for his role in Liberias civil war. Messrs Kamara, Kosiah and Massaquoi were prosecuted under the legal principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to prosecute individuals for war crimes or crimes against humanity, regardless of where they occurred. The use of the law is relatively new in Europe. In France, four Rwandans have previously been tried using the principle. Mr Kamara was the first non-Rwandan to be tried that way. For this reason, the trial was closely followed by news media in France. Two more Liberians Mohammed Jabbateh of Ulimo and Tom Jucontee Woewiyu of Taylors National Patriotic Front of Liberia were found guilty of criminal immigration fraud for lying about their war crimes, by a U.S. court in 2017 and 2018. Mr Jabbateh is serving 30 years. Mr Woewiyu died of COVID-19 while awaiting sentencing. Chuckie Taylor is serving a 97-year sentence for torture committed in Liberia but the American born son of Charles Taylor was tried as a U.S. citizen. The trial continues tomorrow. This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of the West Africa Justice Reporting Project. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, says Nigeria requires 72,000 tractors to achieve food security. He said the country has fewer than 5,000 tractors that are working. Mr Kyari stated this on Tuesday when he appeared for the House of Representatives sectoral debate on food security. He appeared alongside the Minister of State in the ministry, Sabi Abdullahi, Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, Managing Director of NISARL, Abubakar Kure, and others. The 10th House has been holding debates on different sectors of the country. So far, it has held debates on security and the economy. Mr Kyari highlighted the lack of mechanisation in agricultural practice as a significant impediment to better output as farmers still depend on hoes and cutlasses. He informed the lawmakers that the federal government is on the verge of procuring tractors from foreign companies. Mechanisation is a substantial setback for us in this country. Today, I am not too sure if we have 5,000 tractors fully working in Nigeria. We need over 72,000 with what we have in terms of arable landscape. We signed an MoU last year in November with John Deere, a prominent American agricultural equipment company. The MoU aims for John Deere to bring in 2,000 tractors a year for the next five years, making it 10,000. As I speak, they are in Lagos today and will be arriving in Abuja this evening, and we are going to hold a meeting for the second time with the partners that are here, he said. Why fertiliser is expensive Mr Kyari also lamented the rising cost of fertiliser and its impact on the cost of food in the market. He explained that fertiliser plants are struggling with the cost of gas to power their plants, adding that some gas suppliers are selling in U.S. dollars to fertiliser manufacturers. Mr Kyari, a former senator, said the gas suppliers should accept payments in naira when selling to Dangote and Indorama Fertilisers to bring down the price of fertilisers in Nigeria. We have engaged two main fertiliser producers, Dangote Fertiliser and Indorama Fertiliser. For the production of urea, gas is the number one and the only feedstock for it. To our shock, gas is priced at the international market rate and in dollars. We have engaged NNPC Limited on the unavailability of gas. We discussed the issue with NNPC, and they have agreed to look into the price. This is a local resource, a good-given resource. Why should it be priced at an international price? The other issue is that there is an agreement with those UREA manufacturers to supply 35 per cent to the domestic market and 65 per cent to be exported. That 35 per cent is enough to feed our local needs, but they would never do that simply because they dont have gas. Some of them have the capacity of 8,000 metric tonnes a day but they could handle more, he said. The minister added that the high cost of gas is making it difficult for fertiliser manufacturers to meet local obligations. Some of them (fertiliser manufacturers) have loan repayment and other obligations like forward agreements. We need NNPC Limited to supply gas to them, he said. Following the presentation, Mr Kyari also engaged in a question and answer session, with lawmakers raising concerns on Nigerias food security. Weve seized 120 trucks of grain from smugglers Customs CG On his part, Mr Adeniyi informed the House that the ongoing crackdown on smugglers is going to continue in the face of the food crisis the country is battling with. He said the NCS has seized 120 trucks from smugglers, adding that the Service will continue to inject the seized grains into the local markets. We are currently in an operation all over Nigeria which has resulted in the seizure of over 120 trucks across different other stations and other areas in the country. Because were in a state of emergency, we have received the directive to implement some kind of restrictions on the export of critical food items, and this is what we have been implementing in the last one month to ensure that we have local self-sufficiency, Mr Adeniyi said. PREMIUM TIMES reported the poor distribution of seized grains by Customs, resulting in the deaths of Nigerians. NCS subsequently suspended the distribution following the stampede that happened in Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Pan-Yoruba social political group, the Afenifere, on Tuesday, said that its blueprint on how to restructure the country is ready. The group said that its idea of restructuring the country tilts towards the adoption of the parliamentary system of government, which helps to cut down on billions of Naira spent campaigning for elections, and significantly the heavy cost of governance as it obtains under the federal system of government. The group stated that President Bola Tinubu has no excuse not to run with the vision of restructuring the country, having been at the vanguard of the struggle and being a beneficiary of the call for restructuring within this democratic dispensation. The publicity secretary of the group, Gboyega Adejumo, stated this after the caucus meeting of the Afenifere held at the Isanya Ogbo Ijebu residence of Yoruba leader, Ayo Adebanjo. The meeting, which was presided over by Mr Adebanjo, had in attendance the deputy leader of the group, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the treasurer, Supo Sonibare; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor; the deputy national publicity secretary, Justice Faloye; Segun Ojo, and Segun Sanni, among others. Addressing journalists after the meeting, Mr Adejumo said, What we had here today is caucus meeting of Afenifere and the germane national issue that took the centre stage was restructuring. Sometimes last year November, a committee, under the leadership of Oba Oladipo Olaitan, was set up to aggregate Afeniferes view on restructuring. And today, the committee said that the report is ready. However, this report will still be considered by the executive of the association, after which it will be taken to the general assembly where all the members will get to know our stand on restructuring as Afenifere. We shall then print the report, and enlighten Nigerians on our stand on restructuring, he said. Mr Adejumo noted that President Tinubu himself is a product of group, having been elected on the platform and ideology of Afenifere. He recalled that Mr Tinubu took the federal government to court, under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for 31 times in an effort to implement restructuring. He didnt do anything when former President Muhammadu Buhari was there for eight years, probably he was bidding his time because he knew that northerners wont implement restructuring because of their believe that it wont favour them. But Tinubu is there now as the President; he is answerable to us all as a product of Afenifere, he said. Asked to give a hint on the Afenifere report, Mr Adejumo said what we are actually proposing is a parliamentary system of government. The late Obafemi Awolowo didnt have to campaign in Ijebu Igbo; all he had to do was to win in Ikenne to become a member of the House and whoever is the leader of the party becomes0 the Prime Minister or the Premier. The old Western Region was from Badagry in Lagos to Asaba in present day Delta State, but he never had to be campaigning everywhere as we do now. It makes governance so cheap; nobody will have to spend billions on campaigns again, he stated. The publicity secretary of Afenifere stressed that with the parliamentary system of government, Nigeria will be spending one tenth of the humongous resources being used currently to run the presidential system. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kano State State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, on Tuesday, warned the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the state against detaining suspects for more than 48 hours without bail or charging them to court. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Gumel handed down the warning while on visit to some police divisions within Kano metropolis. He said detaining suspects beyond 24 hours before taking them to court for prosecution amounted to violation of their rights because they were still presumed innocent until found guilty by a competent court. The commissioner of police also reminded the DPOs that grant bail to suspects was free. He urged them to always ensure the fundamental human rights of suspects at all times, and avoid actions capable of jeopardising their welfare and well-being. Mr Gumel was accompanied by representatives from the Correctional Centre, the National Human Rights Commission, the judiciary, Office of the State Attoney General, and some Civil Society Organisations. He said the unscheduled visit to police formations was in line with the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) launched in December 2023. The police boss said: All sectors of the society would want to see what the Police are doing in terms of access to justice. There was a marching order by the IGP to all commissioners of police to launch the PDSS to ensure fundamental human rights, access to justice and free legal services. We are determined to make the practical aspect of the PDSS. We have moved round a number of police stations within the metropolis and interacted with detainees. We went to Zango, Fagge, Sharada police divisions and the Correctional Centre at Janguza. We toured the facilities there, including the court inside the Correctional Centre handling special cases. Our intention is to keep visiting all the police stations. The visit is unscheduled . We did not inform them that we were coming, because we want to see things for ourselves. During the visits, I drummed it into the ears of the DPOs that bail is free as long as the suspect fulfills all the bail conditions. I also informed them that detainees are not supposed to stay more than 48 hours in the cell without bail or charging them to court. ( NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu says his nine month-old administration has attracted $30 billion Direct Foreign Investment commitments to shore up the Nigerian economy. Mr Tinubu said this at the 2023 Leadership Annual Conference and Award on Tuesday in Abuja. The event, with the theme, An Economy in Distress: The Way Forward, was organised by the Leadership Group, publishers of Leadership Newspapers. Mr Tinubu, represented by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Nigerian economy is not in distress, but facing challenging times. He explained that the in spite of the challenging situation, the country has attracted unprecedented opportunities to reset the course and build a new and sustainable economy away from the rent-seeking and the waste that was once the order of the day. Since we assumed office in May 2023, we have attracted $30 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitments into the real sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, telecoms, healthcare, oil and gas, and others. Those investments have already started coming into the country. Just a few days ago, I was in Qatar on an official visit, where the Emir assured that a senior government delegation would visit Nigeria after Ramadan. I have asked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy to directly interface with the Qatari authorities to ensure that speedy progress is made. The Nigerian economy saw a better than anticipated performance in the last quarter of 2023, growing by 3.46 per cent, compared with 2.54 per cent in the preceding quarter. Capital Importation into Nigeria was up by 66 per cent in Q4 2023, reversing a 36 per cent decline in the previous quarter. In January 2024, the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (ASI) crossed the 100,000 points mark, its highest ever. There is no one who looks at this data who will conclude that distressed is the accurate way to describe the Nigerian economy, Mr Tinubu said. He emphasised that these were the outcomes of ongoing reforms. Be patient Mr Tinubu, however, said the government was aware of the hardships due to the reform, but assured that a lot of efforts and energy were being made towards alleviating the pains and setting the economy on firm footing. There are incredible opportunities for investment in every sector of the economy, as the Federal Government stabilise our foreign exchange market and macroeconomic indices. I ask for the continuing patience and support of all Nigerians, including the elite that is very well represented in this room today. Media should report solutions The President also sought for understanding of the media as government continues the reform of the economy. To the Nigerian media, I urge you to strive to report not only the challenges but also the solutions and the opportunities as well. Ours is a story of a country that is taking the right steps, and feeling the fleeting pains that will come with this course of action. A glorious dawn is indeed assured. Since the removal of petrol subsidies, our imports of petrol have dropped by about 50 percent, which translates to roughly one billion liters of petrol every month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, Mr Tinubu said. Revenues rise, new minimum wage, N200bn business support funds coming The president added that the revenues accruing to the three tiers of government federal, state and local had grown by between 50 per cent and 100 per cent since the removal of the petrol subsidy. This means more funds are available to directly impact the lives of Nigerians through investments in critical infrastructure, social security, and other areas. For example, the additional funding we are receiving is going into a new minimum wage for which negotiations have started, between the federal and state governments and organized labour. I have approved the disbursement of N200 billion, through three new special intervention funds established to support Nigerian businesses. The first is a N50 billion Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme that will provide business grants and loans to traders, food vendors, transport workers, ICT businesses, creatives, and artisans. Verification of all submitted applications is ongoing, and disbursements will commence through the Bank of Industry as soon as this verification is completed. The second is a N75 billion MSME Intervention Fund which will provide single-digit-interest loans to our MSMEs. The third is a 75 billion Manufacturing Sector Fund targeting manufacturing businesses, with selected beneficiaries eligible to access up to one billion naira each, Mr Tinubu said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were presented to several politicians, companies, technocrats and experts during the annual event. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When Justice Olukayode Ariwooola, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) retires from the Bench in 2024, upon the attainment of the statutory, mandatory retirement age of 70 years, he would be able to count among his legacies, as CJN, the singular fact that it was under his watch that the Supreme Court achieved the full complement of 21 Justices as required by law. Section 230(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution states that the Supreme Court of Nigeria shall consist of such number of Justices not exceeding 21 as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly. By February 2020, the number of Justices left on the Supreme Court was 13. One after the other, their Lordships retired: Justice Paul Galumje retired in 2020, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta died while still in service in March 2021, three weeks to his 70th birthday, Justice Olabode Rhode-Vivour, retired in 2021, Justice Mary Odili in 2022, Justice Ejembi Eko in 2022, Justice Tanko Muhammad resigned abruptly in 2023, Justice Amina Augie retired in 2023, and Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammed, 2023, Justice Chima Cletus Nweze, due to retire in 2028 died in July 2023. By October 2023, the number of Supreme Court Justices had dropped to an unprecedented, all-time low number of 10. Those vacancies have now been filled. It is a historic, welcome development and beyond the Bench itself, an achievement for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. The extant Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts (2014), and the 2016 National Judicial Policy define the processes for the appointment of such officers nominations from a broad spectrum of persons and officials are required but for some reason, there was never a full complement of Supreme Court Justices under the Buhari administration. Sometime in 2019, President Buhari had in fact asked the then acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad to initiate the process of filling the vacancies on the Supreme Court Bench. This caused a little furore, the nomination of judges not being the function of the Executive. The integrity of the process was the issue. When the NJC went ahead to obey the Presidential directive and recommended the appointment of four new Supreme Court Justices, and sent the list to President Buhari, a civil society group, Access to Justice went to court. We need not allow the history of the relationship between the Buhari administration and the judiciary to detain us in this present enquiry, however. It is enough to say that at those times, 2015 2023, the relationship between the judiciary and the Executive arms of government were in turns adversarial and complementary. Buhari was the first President to allocate the largest amount of funding to the judiciary, but it was also in those days that it became common for the houses of judges to be raided at midnight. Justice Walter Onnoghen was suspended as CJN, and forced to retire before his time. His replacement, Justice Tanko Muhammad was also forced to retire prematurely. The Buhari administration routinely disobeyed court orders and violated the rule of law. In 2016, two Justices of the Supreme Court were appointed under the Buhari administration -Justices Ejembi Eko and Amina Augie, and in 2020 four Justices Tijanni Abubakar, Mohammed l. Garba, Abdu Aboki and Mohammed M. Saulawa but at no time since 1999 did the Supreme Court reach its full complement. This has now happened with the swearing in, a week ago, of additional 11 Justices of the Supreme Court: Haruna Tsammani (North East), Jamilu Tukur (North West), Abubakar Umar (North West), Jummai Sankey (North Central), Mohammed Idris (North Central), Stephen Adah (North Central), Moore A. Adumein (South South), Chidiebere Uwa (South East), Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East) Obande Ogbuniya (South East) and Habeeb Adewale Abiru (South West). These were the 11 that made it to the Supreme Court out of the 22 that were originally shortlisted and screened by the National Judicial Council on 28th November 2023, divided then into priority and reserved candidates. The final list has 10 of the priority candidates and one that was reserved Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme. It is most appropriate to congratulate their Lordships on their elevation to the apex Court. It is a great honour and an accomplishment of no small measure to sit on the highest court in the land. The CJN underlined this when he told the 11 Justices that they should see themselves as Gods representatives on earth. He told them that they should not seek to please everyone: the only deity you can fear is the Almighty God. Once your judgment is in consonance with what God expects from you, and is also in accordance with the Constitution, you should consider yourself the happiest and freest person on earth. Your moral uprightness, integrity and respect for the constitution and other extant laws in operation, must be unwavering and unassailable. Any judgement given at this level can only be upturned in heaven. In those words, CJN Olukayode Ariwooola reminded the JSCs of the role of the judex, and the high responsibility upon their shoulders. They are expected to be above board like Caesars wife, to dispense justice without fear or favour not minding whose ox is gored. These 11 Justices are taking their seats on the Supreme Court Bench at a time when the reputation of the Nigerian judiciary, including the apex court has received so much bashing, and there is a lot of cynicism about our judges among the populace. Today, not many would agree with CJN Ariwoola that Nigerian judges at any level are Gods representatives on earth, or that they have any clue about what God expects from them. The CJN could have offered his guidance without dragging God into the matter. But he was right to have suggested that all eyes will be on the apex court, especially the eyes of Nigerian politicians who think that part of their mission should be to steal the votes and also influence the judges. The eyes of lawyers will also be on the new Justices, who are already known, but in terms of how their elevation and having a full complement of the judex on the apex Bench would affect the dispensation of justice and enrich jurisprudence. The key concern about the depletion of the apex court was that the dockets were full, the court was over-congested with cases, and the Justices, so few in number, were overworked. They were also underpaid and under-resourced as Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad pointed out in his somewhat histrionic valedictory speech in October 2023. With the apex court now having 21 Justices, it means more cases can be heard and there can be a better rate of performance and efficiency. But for this to happen, however, the administrative processes at our Supreme Court also need to be overhauled and modernized. There is too much clumsiness that is advertised up there. Many cases that need not go all the way to the Supreme Court show up there. This should be a proper policy court, not an orisirisi court. It must be possible to have a strong, pro-active Registry of the Supreme Court that rejects cases that do not belong there. The Supreme Courts original and inherent jurisdiction should be clear enough. Many lawyers have had to go to the Supreme Court only to be told that the Justices are away for another function, or that the matter should not have been brought there in the first place. In the age of telephony and modern communication, that is scandalous. The Supreme Court must become a 21st Century Court by deploying technology to aid its processes and by learning the best lessons from other jurisdictions. Any counsel that files any incompetent or frivolous matter or tries to waste the time of the court must be promptly sanctioned. These days, there is too much indiscipline by lawyers that is condoned by the Bench at all levels. The 11 new Justices were said to have gone through screening by the Department of State Services (DSS). I think it is scandalous that potential Justices of the Supreme Court have to be screened by the DSS, which in the books has absolutely no role in the nomination or appointment of Judges. The very suggestion that the Nigerian judiciary can throw up any persons who can rise through the system and act as judges for years, only to be investigated for any form of wrong-doing at the point of elevation to the apex court is scary. But in any case, all the Justices reportedly passed the test and they were unanimously cleared by the Senate of the Federal Republic via the instrumentality of a voice vote. I think the rubber-stamp role of the Senate in the process should also be reviewed. In other jurisdictions, such as the United States, justices dont just get to the Supreme Court. They are subjected to rigorous public scrutiny and may be rejected or withdrawn. Public hearings are held, the nominees are interrogated. Their previous judgements are scrutinized to determine their scope, ideological bent and contributions to Constitutional doctrine. Their academic qualifications are carefully re-examined too. Students of comparative legal systems will remember the case of Justice Clarence Thomas and the sexual harassment testimony of Anita Hill in 1991, as well as the objection of Democrats to Justice Robert Kavanaugh, and the febrile public hearings that attended his screening in 2018. There is also the recent case of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. She did not get there because of her colour or gender. Her confirmation hearings were heated and contentious. Here in Nigeria, once you make the NJC final list, you are already on the Bench. We need to review the process and allow public hearings. In the course of the review of litigations after the 2023 general elections, questions were raised about the work of at least two of the 11 Justices who are now on the Supreme Court Bench: Justice Moore Adumein in the 2023 Kano Gubernatorial election case, and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme whose nomination was openly questioned by Senator Elisha Abbo. It would have been good for their Lordships to be asked for example to respond to the allegations and insinuations about their professionalism. It is also not a good thing that elevation to the highest judicial seat in the country has been reduced to geography and promotion. There has been some talk about how the appointments show diversity that is geography. Every geopolitical zone is now well represented at the Supreme Court Bench. It must be said that Supreme Court Justices are not quota representatives. They are to be chosen on the basis of merit, character and proven contributions to law. The notion that Justices of the Court of Appeal are entitled to be promoted to the highest court in the land is wrong. I find strong merit in the recommendation that the Supreme Court Bench should be made open to Senior Advocates of Nigeria of great distinction and academics to deepen the knowledge and expertise base of the court. The Supreme Court must not be turned into a secret society or a retirement zone for Justices of the Court of Appeal. In 2017, the Nigerian Bar Association nominated nine of its members for the Supreme Court seat but they were ignored. The appointment of judges must be reformed. And that would not be new: Justices Teslim Elias and Augustine Nnamani got to the Supreme Court through academia and the Bar. In Canada, this widening of the pool that we recommend is standard practice. The big elephant in the room is jurisprudence. One of the major concerns about Nigerias Court of Appeal is that it had become a court of technicalities, with the judex determining cases on convenient technical grounds rather than the higher ground of judicial activism. With the new Justices of the Supreme Court coming directly from that court, it is hoped that they would not bring their over-reliance on technicalities to the Supreme Court. Once upon a time, especially during the golden era of Justices Kayode Eso, Chukwudifu Oputa, Augustine Nnamani, Ayo Irikefe, Anthony Aniagolu, Andrew Obaseki, Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Alfa Belgore Muhammadu Uwais, Mohammed Bello Nigeria witnessed some of the most rigorous applications of the law and the delivery of justice, even under the military, and court judgements by their Lordships were profound exercises in law, language, philosophy and wit. Over the years, the standards collapsed, as court judgements were reduced to a simple summary of pleadings and a casual pronouncement of decisions a frightening indication of how robust craft and sound reasoning had disappeared from our courts. Most students of the law would like to see a return to the good old days not just at the apex court, but within the entire judiciary, which in itself is in urgent need of reform. With the current talk about reconfiguration, decentralisation and restructuring, whichever phrase suits our fancy, the Nigerian judiciary is also in urgent need of reconfiguring. There is too much power in the hands of the Chief Justice of Nigeria who in addition to being CJN, is also Chair of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Chair of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Chair of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) and Chair of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC). The military after a fashion may have imagined that the head of the countrys judiciary should also be an overlord like them, but that has to change: the office of the CJN must not possess the powers of an Emperor or what Yorubas call Kabiyesi, that is a traditional monarch, who represents God on earth! The NJC should be unbundled. The CJN must be a democrat within the system. It should also not be the duty of the NJC to appoint and discipline judges or to appoint Chief Judges of the states. There have been calls as well for the decentralisation of the Supreme Court for more effective administration of justice, with the apex court having divisions in the countrys six geopolitical zones like the Appeal Court. While the pros and cons of that suggestion may be a different kettle of fish altogether, the immediate expectation is that a full Supreme Court would have all its court rooms functioning and that the new Justices will enrich our jurisprudence and help the apex court achieve its full potential. Even with these new appointments, more Justices of the Supreme Court will also soon retire. There should be no delays in filling whatever vacancies may arise. At an individual level, each one of the Justices has a duty and a responsibility to prove his or her mettle. Welcome on board, your Lordships Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have alleged social media blackmail, but that is not enough to change the narrative. The fact that the police released me on the spot because I identified myself as a journalist doesnt mean I wont tell the story of an incident I witnessed and almost became a victim. The police can wield its power and pervert justice on voiceless citizens. But its the 21st century and a digital world. You cant manipulate the truth, even if you end up destroying the lives of those young men. Dear readers, Im but a storyteller. Please, allow me tell you a short story. Let me digress a little bit just to give you some background information. As Martin Luther King, the American fiery cleric and human rights activist, rightly said, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. On 5 July, 2022, the rain was sizzling quietly when a young female police officer jumped in front of my car opposite the aviation plaza, just beside Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). I hurriedly slammed the brake pedal. The new tyres screeched and the car stopped right in front of the traffic officer. Oga, park, park, you flouted the traffic, she screamed. Her colleagues jumped into my car while I was explaining to them that the light was green at the time I moved, but it turned yellow when she jumped in front of my car while the traffic was slow. She wouldnt hear any of that. Kamikaze policewoman. The officers took over and drove my car to the nearby Area F command and handed me over to their traffic chief, a chubby, fair-skinned, elderly woman with Saudi-gold-plaited tooth. I explained to her what the issue was, but she insisted I paid N10,000 before shed release my car. I called colleagues and I was directed to Benjamin Hundeyin, the command spokesperson, whom they said was a quiet, young and professional officer. I trekked to the command headquarters, a stones throw from Area F, and lodged a complaint with Hundeyin. He was aghast when I explained the matter and I asked him to confirm with the officers. He sent me back to Alhaja, the Area F traffic madam. I gave her the phone and when she spoke with Hundeyin, she returned my car keys with an apology. On 23 February, a few weeks back, my car developed a mechanical problem. One of the radiator fans blew up and the second one seized. With the help of some passersby, I pushed the car away from the road. A few minutes later, some police officers came and towed my vehicle, despite my appeal, to their office, under the new overhead bridge at Ikeja Along. They insisted I had to pay N50,000 for towing the car within a 10-minute distance. That moment, I could have called Hundeyin again to bail me out. But how many times would I call the police command media man over police misconduct? I was tired and just wanted to get my car out before the night set in. Still, I parted with N30,000. The officers smiled. Good day, good market. They handed my car over to a standby mechanic who also hiked his price. I paid. Car was fixed. I left. Now, lets get back to the main story. On 29 February, just a few days ago, my car developed the same problem that the mechanic working with the police had billed me a fortune for. I left home very early to visit a mechanic workshop that a friend had recommended highly to me in Aboru area of Alimosho Local Government Area. I got there exactly at 8 a.m. and waited for the mechanics to come. First come, first served. I had come a long way to get my car fixed and return to work, but I never knew it was going to be a long day. A few minutes after 11 a.m., some police officers in plain clothes drove a yellow commercial bus towards the workshop, and began to chase some young boys. The whole neighbourhood went into a frenzy. They succeeded in catching about three of them. The police alleged they were playing ludo and gambling. A few hours prior to that incident, one of the boys had approached me with the ludo, asking if I could play with him to keep myself busy while my car was undergoing cosmetic surgery. But the mechanic warned me not to attempt it because he was a professional. I dodged him with the excuse that I was actually doing some official work on my computer tab. In a few minutes, about 15 police officers invaded the neighbourhood in three yellow commercial buses. They went haywire. One held a cutlass and began to chase residents. He hit a young lady, who was making a video, on her buttocks with the cutlass. One broke an empty bottle of beer on the head of the mechanic working on my vehicle. The second mechanic was beaten to a pulp and the back of his head bled. More residents trooped to the scene, asking the officers why they wanted to take the boys away. The officers said they were gambling, but the boys said they were only playing ludo. The residents insisted that the boys couldnt go with the officers, because they were not identifiable in their plain clothes and they came in yellow commercial buses. At that moment, I approached one of the officers and asked him which station they came from. He said they were from Area P in Alagbado. I told him the boys were playing ludo, according to what I had seen, and thats not a criminal offence, but an indoor game, as the residents rightly protested. But he insisted that they were gambling. This was all captured on video. Right in my presence, the officer called the Area P office and told his colleagues that they were under attack. Everyone thought it was a joke, so they waited. One mistake they ended up regretting. In a few minutes, about 15 police officers invaded the neighbourhood in three yellow commercial buses. They went haywire. One held a cutlass and began to chase residents. He hit a young lady, who was making a video, on her buttocks with the cutlass. One broke an empty bottle of beer on the head of the mechanic working on my vehicle. The second mechanic was beaten to a pulp and the back of his head bled. While most of the residents ran for their lives, some were not that lucky. Two officers grabbed my trousers and dragged me towards the yellow bus where they had kept the residents they randomly picked. They said I must go with them too. I told them I was a journalist and was there to repair my car. That fell on deaf ears. One of the officers I had spoken with earlier identified me and told his colleagues that I was indeed a journalist. I confirmed that and they let me go. Eight residents were taken away and detained by the police. On Friday morning, when I returned to the neighbourhood for an update, four of the residents had been released after they allegedly parted with N80,000. The others, including the mechanic, were taken to a magistrate court in Ejigbo. They were remanded in Kirikiri. Now, what I found really interesting was the statement issued by Hundeyin on the matter. He said the boys were arrested for gambling, unlawful assembly and possession of hard drugs. Ludicrous! I understand that Hundeyin is into public relations, but such PR stunt was an attempt to rewrite the narrative to justify an illegal raid and assault on the residents. The fact that I witnessed the incident of that day and reported it doesnt change what I have seen. As a journalist and investigative editor, Ill speak the truth and uphold it. One of the videos of the event that was published showed residents lamenting how they were assaulted by police officers with machetes. Who would have waited to video armed police officers who freely wielded bottles and machetes against civilians? Why is the police not addressing the human rights abuse of its officers in this particular incident? Typical police brutality! I respect Hundeyin as a young professional, but that press release was laced with half-truths. After the police PPRO sent me the press statement, I replied him that he had been misled. The Area P police officers had fed him with fat lies. There are some questions the command needs to answer before defending its officers who went berserk on harmless citizens. (1) Immediately the officers swooped on the suspects and picked them up while playing ludo, where did they get the substances suspected to be hard drugs? The officers alleged they were gambling. The videos of the incident was an argument between the police and residents on whether playing ludo amounted to gambling. Right from the beginning, the police officers started making videos of the incident, while residents did theirs too. Do they have items suspected to be hard drugs in their videos? Thats nothing but a new development that I find totally unbelievable and heart-wrenching. (2) Why didnt the command admit in its press release that its officers were in plain clothes and they drove in yellow buses to effect an arrest which is against the directive of the Nigeria Police Force? (3) One of the videos of the event that was published showed residents lamenting how they were assaulted by police officers with machetes. Who would have waited to video armed police officers who freely wielded bottles and machetes against civilians? Why is the police not addressing the human rights abuse of its officers in this particular incident? Typical police brutality! The police have alleged social media blackmail, but that is not enough to change the narrative. The fact that the police released me on the spot because I identified myself as a journalist doesnt mean I wont tell the story of an incident I witnessed and almost became a victim. The police can wield its power and pervert justice on voiceless citizens. But its the 21st century and a digital world. You cant manipulate the truth, even if you end up destroying the lives of those young men. Taiwo Adebulu, a multi award-winning journalist, is the features and investigations editor at TheCable. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has highlighted some major outcomes of the two-day state visit to Qatar with President Bola Tinubu, as part of efforts to attract more foreign investments across multiple sectors to Nigeria. In a statement, on Tuesday, Mr Sani said that the state visit gave the Kaduna State Government the opportunity to strengthen its existing partnerships with the Qatari Government and the state-led humanitarian organisation, Qatar Charity while exploring new areas of cooperation. We held fruitful meetings with investors in the areas of solid minerals, agriculture, energy and infrastructure development. CGK GLOBAL, a waste management company with capacity to generate hydrogen and electricity wants to set up a plant in Kaduna with the possible injection of 350million dollars. Two Abu-Dhabi based companies, Masdar and Taqa also expressed interest in collaborating with the Kaduna State Government in the areas of power generation and distribution using gas. Governor Sani said. Mr SANI also revealed that Kaduna Stare was able to attract investors across mining,health and medical services,gas and agriculture which constitutes one of the seven pillars of his administrations SUSTAIN manifesto. The governor stated further: International corporations such as PASKO Limited, a South Korean international mining company with specific interest in lithium wants to invest in Kaduna State. Another international mining consortium, TROVEC Group expressed interest in collaborating with the Kaduna State Government in prospecting, exploring and exploiting different mineral deposits, as well as the establishment of a mining infrastructure fund. We also paid a visit to one of the leading hospitals in Qatar, Sidra Hospital located in Doha, to study its healthcare model and explore the possibility of forging a partnership with the hospital to boost healthcare delivery in Kaduna State. In particular, we held discussions on a cooperative agreement in respect of the running of the state-of-the-art 300-bed Kaduna Specialist Hospital, the governor said. He added: In the area of Agriculture, we held a meeting with the Managing Director of STALLION GROUP Nigeria to finalise discussions on the establishment of a 100,000 hectare rice farm, as well as the setting up of an assembly plant for Ashok Leyland in Kaduna. We also held a meeting with representatives of a Qatar based real estate company, Dream Construction, that expressed interest in partnering with the Kaduna State Government to develop the Mando Mechanics Village, Mr Sani added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In the end, after all the sound and fury, the Great New York Redistricting Drama ended with a shrug. Few were expecting it to conclude so peacefully. And for good reason. Gerrymandered political districts are the bane of democracy. Their purpose is to allow politicians to choose their voters before voters ever get to choose their politicians. In that, they create safe seats that ward off challengers and allow officeholders to play to party bosses and big donors instead of their constituents. That creates the kind of divisions that now plague the country and drives out actual leaders like former Rep. Brian Higgins. The Buffalo Democrat last month resigned his seat of almost 20 years, largely because of the deterioration of Congress in good part, a product of gerrymandered districts. Democrats and Republicans both do it, in New York and around the country. Four years after the most recent census the decennial event that drives redistricting New York was at it for a second time because courts ruled the initial Democratic-driven plan violated a 2014 amendment to the state Constitution. Many observers, including skeptical Republicans, expected something similar to happen again last month after the Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, took control of the process by rejecting the substitute plan drawn up by the states bipartisan redistricting commission. It didnt happen. For whatever reason, Democrats restricted themselves to some minor changes that could benefit them in Novembers congressional elections, but as even Republicans acknowledged, not to the extent that it would justify another lawsuit. While State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said he had no doubt that Democrats think the map is better for them, he also noted that Ive spoken with many of my members in Congress who do think this is not a terrible map for Republicans. That may have more to do with the constraints of the 2014 constitutional amendment than any commitment to honest redistricting on the part of Democrats, but its the right thing even if, in another context, it accedes to a broader unfairness. While New York did right by democracy in approving the 2014 amendment which stops short of true independent redistricting it still went further than other states. Thus, Democrats in New York are at a federal disadvantage relative to red states such as Florida and Texas, which gerrymander their districts with abandon. Texas once did it twice in the space of a few years when a change in its state legislature allowed Republicans to tighten their grip on power. There seems little to do about that. Politics, as former House Speaker Thomas Phillip Tip ONeill once observed, aint beanbag. Rough-and-tumble doesnt begin to describe the deviousness and duplicity that often defines it. Worse, in a 2019 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court washed its hands of gerrymandering, leaving redistricting largely in the grasping hands of politicians. Of course they play the system to their own advantage. Its human nature, especially when so much is riding on the issue. Thats why there need to be rules, as there are in business to ward off monopolies. A good place to start is across the northern border. In Canada, redistricting has long been in the hands of independent commissions. Unfortunately, the divisions in this country offer little hope that parties will willing give up this authority, even though its helping to tear the country apart. That would seem to leave it up to the Supreme Court to wake up and reconsider. Dont hold your breath on that one, either. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. The Commander of Kano States moral police (Hisbah), Aminu Daurawa, has returned to his position, four days after announcing his resignation. Mr Daurawa announced his change of mind on Tuesday after a meeting with Governor Abba Yusuf that was held late Monday. He was accompanied to the meeting by some Hisbah officials and Islamic leaders in the state. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Daurawa announced his resignation on Friday following Governor Yusufs criticism of the operations of Hisbah, which routinely raids locations it describes as suspected blackspots of immoral activities in the state. In a 2:53-minute video on his Facebook page, Mr Daurawa said he was quitting his position because of the governors criticism. His announcement brought the governor under criticism with some accusing his government of condoning alleged immoral activities when committed by his supporters. After the meeting with the governor, Mr Daurawas zeal appeared recharged as he immediately announced a two-week notice to people engaging in immoral activities to leave Kano or face the wrath of the law. He said the development over the past few days had strengthened the Hisbah Board as the governor has pledged to support it in the discharge of its responsibilities. Governor Yusuf had expressed dissatisfaction with the operations of Hisbah, while hosting a group of Ulamas at the Government House, on Thursday. I was disturbed when I saw a video of the Hisbah operations raiding suspected places of immoral activities. They beat the suspects with sticks and while they were running some officials squeezed their legs and packed them in a vehicle like animals. This is not right. In this kind of operation someone, if not of Gods protection, may have a spinal cord injury and you made him permanently deformed. Its a mistake to be hugging young women and men and throwing them inside a Hilux like goats. I saw a video of how Hisbah raided students dormitories at Bayero University (off campus), beating and squeezing them in a vehicle. READ ALSO: With this, I believe that something must be done to correct the abnormalities. The Hisbah must initiate means of tackling immorality in a moral way to achieve the desired objectives otherwise the people they are trying to correct will go astray. May Allah protect us. If these children go astray we dont know what the state will look like, the governor earlier said. The governor said Hisbah should collaborate with the police, Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies in arresting suspects and charging them to court in a civil manner. The governors remarks were in reaction to a controversy that followed the arrest and arraignment of Murja Kunya, a popular Tik-toker and her supporters. Ms Kunya was arrested last month by Hisbah officials at her residence with her boyfriend following complaints by her neighbours. She was subsequently arraigned before a magistrates court for allegedly posting inappropriate and un-Islamic content on TikTok. Following her not-guilty plea, the court ordered her remanded in prison until 27 February when it would hear the case against her. However, she was later released allegedly following an order from above. Her release sparked a controversy on social media with many commentators accusing the state authorities of selective justice. Ms Kunya is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation on the order of the court. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji have neutralised a bandit and rescued 15 kidnapped victims in Zamfara. This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by the Information Officer to Operation Hadarin Daji, Sulaiman Omale. In a swift response to a distress call, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji thwarted a massive abduction attempt by bandits in the Tsohuwar Tasha area of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara. On March 5, 2024, the troops engaged the bandits in a heavy gunfight, forcing them to withdraw in disarray through a riverline. Pursuing the fleeing criminals, our gallant troops neutralized one of the assailants along their withdrawal route while others fled with gunshot wounds, Mr Omale said. According to him, the rescued kidnapped victims comprised eight females and seven males. The restoration of normalcy in the area is now secured, bolstered by confidence-building patrols. The troops remain on high alert, with morale at its peak, Mr Omale added. Already, Godwin Mutkut, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, has commended the professionalism and resilience of the troops. Mr Mutkut urged them to persist in their efforts until peace is fully restored in the north-west and across Nigeria. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Edo State said they have arrested a 24-year-old man (name withheld) for claiming to be an official of the Kaduna State Government. The police spokesperson in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this on Monday in Benin. Mr Nwabuzor, a superintendent of police, said the suspect had been defrauding unsuspecting members of the public, claiming to be representing the Kaduna State Government. The spokesperson said the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Police Anti-kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit in Edo while acting on a petition from the Force Headquarters, Abuja. According to him, the suspect was picked up by the operatives along Ubiaja-Uromi Road, using technical intelligence. The suspect, Mr Nwabuzor said, confessed to using the profile of the Kaduna State Government to defraud people. Officers attached to the Force Headquarters have been contacted and are leading an investigative team from Kaduna to Edo. The suspect will soon be handed over to the team from Abuja, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State, Oladunni Odu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has dropped her ambition to back Jimoh Ibrahim. Mr Ibrahim is the senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly and one of the APC governorship aspirants. Mrs Odu is from the southern senatorial district with Mr Ibrahim and the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is also jostling for the APC governorship ticket. Mr Aiyedatiwa, the erstwhile deputy governor in the state, became the governor following the death of Mr Akeredolu in December 2023. The new governor had inherited Mrs Odu as the SSG, but recently removed her in a cabinet shake-up that he carried out just before Mr Akeredolus funeral. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ahead of the 16 November governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission I(NEC) has directed political parties in the state to hold their primaries between 6 April and 27 April. It was learnt that Mrs Odu disclosed her decision to quit the governorship race during a meeting with her Iwajowa Political Group coordinators and some chieftains of the party in the South Senatorial District at the weekend in Okitipupa. One of the coordinators of Mrs Odu group, Alaba Onayajo, confirmed this to journalists on Tuesday in Okitipupa. Mr Onayajo said that the former SSG pledged to work and galvanise her group towards ensuring the success and victory of Ibrahim in the April primary. He added that the Idepe-Okitipupa born politician directed her supporters under the Iwajowa Political Group to team up and start working with Ibrahims Aseyori Lakansi Group. Mr Onayajo added that Mrs Odu had earlier met with her supporters in the Central Senatorial District and directed them to work for Mr Ibrahims victory at the partys primary. The Iwajowa Political Group has been directed by our leader and founder, Odu, to start working and mobilising for Ibrahim. The primary goal of Iwajowa Political Group now is to ensure Ibrahim emerges victorious in the partys primary in April and since we have received the instruction, work has started in earnest. As directed by mama (Odu) in the meeting, we are ready and have resolved to work together with the Aseyori Lekansi Group. he said. Efforts to get confirmation of the development from Mrs Odu herself was futile as she did not pick calls made to her phone. However, her media aide, Debbie Funmilayo, confirmed to NAN that the former SSG had dropped her governorship ambition to support Mr Ibrahim. NAN recalls that Mrs Odu had in September 2023 declared her intention to vie for the APC ticket in the November 16 governorship election in the state. Mrs Odu, 71, had since 1995, served at various times as commissioner in the state, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and until recently, the Secretary to the State Government. The astute administrator was appointed by late Governor Akeredolu as the first female SSG in the history of the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of seven internet fraudsters. According to a statement by the EFCC head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, the convicts include Adio Olakunle, Adebanjo Samuel, Ezekiel Kolawole, Lukman Alabi, Sakiru Usman, Godwin Abaka and Amosu Gbenonu. They were arraigned on one-count separate charge each before Justices M.O. Ishola, and O.A. Lajide of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan and S.O. Adeniyi of the Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta. One of the charges reads: That you, Amosu Oladele Gbenonu, M on or about 12 October, 2023, in Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Court, with intent to defraud one Karl Ackman, did falsely represent yourself to be Sarah Williams, a white woman from the United States of America with google account sarah.dawkwills241@gmail.com which representation you knew to be false, thereby committing the offence of personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Mr Oyewale stated that all the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. Consequently, facts of the cases were reviewed and several incriminating documents were tendered before the courts by the prosecution counsels, urging the courts to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. After listening to the prayers of counsels, Justice Lajide convicted and sentenced Gbenonu, Abaka, Usman and Kolawole to six months community service each, while Alabi was sentenced to two months community service. Also, Justice Ishola convicted and sentenced Samuel to six months community service and Justice Adeniyi sentenced Olakunle to four months community service. Furthermore, Justice Lajide ordered Gbenonu to pay the sum of N2 million, Abaka to pay N1 million, Usman to pay N800, 000, while Kolawole is to pay the sum of N400, 000 as fines alongside their jail terms respectively. The convicts were also ordered to restitute to their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Osun State Chapter, has called off its over-three-month-old industrial strike whichcommenced on 22 November 2023. The strike by the union followed alleged seizures of its members wardrobe allowance, suspension of some colleagues, and the Chief Judges refusal to lift embargo on workers training. A statement by the JUSUN Chairman in Osun State, Oluwagbenga Eludire, announced the suspension of the strike in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo. He directed the members of the union in the state to resume work on 11 March. Mr Eludire said the suspension of the strike was premised on the tripartite agreement between the Osun State Government, th management of the Osun State judiciary and JUSUN. He said that one of the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed was that the Judiciary Service Commission would convene a meeting within seven days of suspension of the strike to ensure that other demands of the union are met. The Commission is to attend to other demands of the union to include regularisation and promotion of all qualified staff. Also, there shall be no form of intimidation of judiciary officers or members of JUSUN for participating in the just suspended strike, Mr Eludire said. The union, the chairman said, appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Speaker of the Osun State Assembly, Wale Egbedun. for their invaluable support leading to the calling off of the strike The union appreciate the state government, speaker of the Osun House of Assembly for calling back our members suspended for close to five years and paying off their salaries. I hereby suspend the strike embarked on 22 November 2023 while members are directed to resume work 11 March.(NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print 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. Chen-Shan Chang, Director-General of the Securities and Futures Bureau (Left) and Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao, Taiwans representative for the UK (Right) Group meeting at Taiwan Day event in London 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 ICEYE strengthens its persistent Earth Observation capabilities with the successful launch of three new satellites. HELSINKI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in persistent monitoring and natural catastrophe solutions, successfully launched three additional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites on March 4, 2024, including a 1200 MHz radar bandwidth in-orbit technology demonstrator that will enable 25 cm imaging. The satellites were integrated via launch integrator Exolaunch and successfully lifted off aboard SpaceX's Transporter-10 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Each spacecraft has established communication, and early routine operations are underway. ICEYE radar satellite imagery of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, acquired using Spot Fine mode in April 2023. Two of the three SAR satellites launched on the mission are manufactured by ICEYE US, while one is an in-orbit technology demonstrator manufactured by ICEYE in Finland. The in-orbit demonstrator model features an upgrade to ICEYE's unique X-band antenna, increasing radar bandwidth to 1200 MHz. This enables higher-resolution imagery, up to 25 cm, and will be initially assigned to engineering tests before being made available to ICEYE customers. "Our growing constellation provides an objective and reliable source of intelligence, enabling a faster, more accurate response to changes taking place anywhere on the planet," Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE. "The launch of the 1200 MHz bandwidth technology demonstrator delivers 25 cm resolution SAR imaging, unlocking a new level of clarity and detail for high-priority decision-making." The satellites launched include an advanced radar that enables major improvements in image quality, faster downlink speeds for more agile imagery collections, and better integration with ICEYE's global network of ground stations. Eric Jensen, CEO of ICEYE US, said: "Our partners require dependable and persistent change detection to address emergent, time-critical needs. We are proud to add two additional U.S-built satellites to our constellation, strengthening our commitment to deliver strategic insights for our defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers." ICEYE has now successfully deployed 34 spacecraft since 2018 and operates the world's largest constellation of SAR satellites, which can image any location on the Earth's surface in any environmental condition, day or night. SAR data provides precise insights for ICEYE's government and commercial customers in near real-time. ICEYE plans to launch up to 15 satellites in 2024. About ICEYE ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before. Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development. ICEYE is headquartered in Finland and operates from five international locations. ICEYE has more than 600 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. For more information, please visit: www.iceye.com Follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE ICEYE Senn brings extensive track record of successful site network leadership COLUMBIA, Md., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Advarra, the market leader in regulatory review solutions and clinical research technology for sites and sponsors, welcomes clinical industry veteran Christine Senn, PhD, as Senior Vice President, Head of Site-Sponsor Innovation. With extensive site leadership experience and a longstanding personal goal to drive site-sponsor collaboration, Senn will lead Advarra's effort to remove barriers between stakeholders and connect a siloed clinical research ecosystem ultimately, to accelerate clinical trials. Christine Senn, Senior Vice President, Head of Site/Sponsor Innovation at Advarra At Advarra, Senn will serve as Chair of the Site-Sponsor Consortium a collaborative body now in its second year and as Chair of Advarra's Customer Advisory Board. She will also drive and oversee the development of innovative ways to bring clinical trial sites and sponsors together in support of Advarra's mission. Further, Senn is excited to expand and elevate Advarra's tightknit site community that collaborates in an exclusive online portal to transform clinical research and culminates each year at the Onsemble Conference. "Fostering collaboration of all clinical research stakeholders has been important to me throughout my career," said Christine Senn. "For decades, there has been a huge disparity between the good intention of sponsor leadership and the reality in practice at the site level. Advarra gets this just look at its Longboat solution as evidence of the company's commitment to connecting a currently disconnected ecosystem. I am inspired to lead Advarra's mission and execute transformative ideas about how to accomplish it." Senn began her clinical trial career at the University of Vermont College of Medicine while pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology. She then spent 16+ years in various leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer at IACT Health, which later became Centricity Research, a top site network with more than 40 clinical research sites in the U.S. and Canada. Senn was also the 2023 Chair of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), is an ACRP Fellow (FACRP), and is double certified as a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) and Certified Principal Investigator (CPI). "Christine is an industry superstar with extensive clinical trial experience, particularly from the critical, patient-facing site perspective," said Advarra CEO Gadi Saarony. "We are driving full throttle on our mission to connect the ecosystem of sites and sponsors, and Christine brings the expertise and tenacity to propel us forward in that effort with the ultimate goal of speeding trials." Christine Senn will be presenting at Advarra's 35th annual Onsemble Conference March 18-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Onsemble is the industry's largest gathering of clinical research site professionals, including cancer centers, children's hospitals, research consortia, academic medical centers, healthcare systems, and more. About Advarra Advarra breaks the silos that impede clinical research, aligning patients, sites, sponsors, and CROs in a connected ecosystem to accelerate trials. Advarra is number one in research review services, site and sponsor technology, and clinical trial experience software, and is trusted by the top 50 global biopharma sponsors, top 20 CROs, and 50,000 site investigators worldwide. Advarra solutions enable collaboration, transparency, and speed needed to optimize trial operations, ensure patient safety and engagement, and reimagine clinical research while improving compliance. For more information, visit advarra.com. SOURCE Advarra CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aequum Capital recently expanded its revolving line of credit with Texas Capital Bank and Wells Fargo & Company to $80 million. This upsize in financing will further augment Aequum's significant equity base led by Castlelake, LP. Aequum continues to be well-positioned to execute on portfolio acquisition opportunities, as well as organic growth of its core portfolio. About Aequum Capital Aequum Capital is a non-bank lender that provides senior asset-backed and cash flow debt facilities that range between $2MM and $25MM to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the U.S. Aequum's proprietary technology platform allows for efficient underwriting, funding, servicing, and portfolio management to ensure a quick loan closing process and hassle-free experience during the loan lifecycle for their borrowers. Find out more at www.aequumcapital.com SOURCE Aequum Capital Financial LLC NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The agrochemicals market size is expected to grow by USD 49 million from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 4.48% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. The increasing use of herbicides is notably driving the agrochemicals market. However, factors such as Organic farming and viable substitutes may impede market growth. The market is segmented by Product (Fertilizers and Pesticides), Application (Cereals and grains, Oilseeds and pulses, and Fruits and vegetables), and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the agrochemicals market including American Vanguard Corp., Archer Daniels Midland Co., Arysta LifeScience Corp., BASF SE, Bayer AG, Cargill Inc., CF Industries Holdings Inc., Corteva Inc., Drexel Chemical Co., Evonik Industries AG, FMC Corp., Gharda Chemicals Ltd., Haifa Group, Koch Industries Inc., Nissan Chemical Corp., Nufarm Ltd., Nutrien Ltd., Rotam CropSciences Ltd., Syngenta Crop Protection AG, and Yara International ASA. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Agrochemicals Market 2023-2027 The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate Request a FREE Sample Report. Report Coverage Details Page number 167 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.48% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 49 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 3.95 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 50% Key countries US, China, India, Japan, and Brazil Company Analysis American Vanguard Corp. - The company offers green solutions and precision ag technologies. This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now for detailed company information. Market Segmentation Product The fertilizers segment will be significant for overall market growth during the forecast period. It can be also classified as synthetic and biofertilizer. Synthetic fertilizers are subdivided into nitrogenous, phosphatic, and potassic fertilizers. Nitrogenous fertilizers accounted for the largest share of the fertilizers segment in 2020. Nitrogen is one of the crucial macronutrients required for the growth and development of crops. However, nitrogen provides fast growth and improves the color and texture of plants. It also enhances the overall productivity of crops as well. Urea, ammonia, and ammonium nitrate are some of the commonly used nitrogenous fertilizers. Application (Cereals and grains, Oilseeds and pulses, and Fruits and vegetables) Geography APAC is projected to contribute 50% to the global market growth. One of the largest industries in the region is agriculture because of the large areas of farmland and good soil fertility, combined with the growing demand for food grains and an ever-rising population. Furthermore, APAC accounts for almost 60% of the global population and 30% of the total available land globally and has grown to be not only the largest agrochemicals market across the globe but also the fastest-growing market for pesticide consumption. North America , Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa . Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a PDF Sample Report Analyst Review The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of modern agriculture. Within this realm, agrochemicals emerge as indispensable tools, aiding farmers in combating various challenges to maximize crop yields and quality. Among the array of agrochemicals, neem cake stands out for its multifaceted benefits. Derived from the neem tree, it serves as both a natural fertilizer and pest repellent, offering a holistic solution to enhance soil health and ward off harmful insects. Farmers increasingly rely on neem cake to augment soil fertility while minimizing dependence on synthetic inputs. In the realm of pest management, insecticides play a crucial role. With evolving pest pressures, the demand for effective insecticides remains high. Agricultural practitioners seek innovative formulations to tackle pests while minimizing environmental impact. Herbicides complement this by targeting unwanted vegetation, ensuring optimal nutrient uptake for cultivated crops. Furthermore, fungicides safeguard crops against fungal diseases, preserving yield potential. As fungal pathogens continue to evolve, the need for resilient fungicidal solutions becomes imperative. Integrating fungicides into crop management practices is essential for maintaining crop health and maximizing profitability. The agrochemicals market is characterized by a diverse range of products catering to specific agricultural needs. From conventional chemical formulations to bio-based alternatives, farmers have a plethora of options to optimize their operations. Insecticides, in particular, witness significant innovation, with novel modes of action and enhanced efficacy. Alongside pest and disease management, fertilizers remain fundamental in sustaining soil fertility and supporting robust plant growth. Modern fertilizers are formulated to deliver nutrients efficiently, minimizing wastage and environmental impact. The integration of neem cake as an organic fertilizer exemplifies the industry's shift towards sustainable practices. Moreover, the agrochemicals market is witnessing increased emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. By combining herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides with cultural and biological control measures, farmers can achieve comprehensive pest management while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. In conclusion, the agrochemicals market serves as a cornerstone of modern agriculture, empowering farmers with the tools needed to overcome challenges and optimize productivity sustainably. Through continued research and innovation, the industry strives to develop solutions that are effective, eco-friendly, and economically viable, ensuring the long-term viability of global food production. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a PDF Sample Report Related Reports: The organometallics market size is expected to increase by USD 3.73 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.7%. The powered agriculture equipment market share should rise by USD 36.58 billion from 2022 to 2026 at a CAGR of 7.08%. ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio 30 new, high-tech, low-touch FloWater Refill Stations promote student hydration and reduce plastic waste ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FloWater, the company on a mission to decentralize water purification and democratize access to pure, safe drinking water today announces a partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) to provide 30 FloWater 7x Advanced Purification Refill Stations across the district with more to come throughout the year. This initiative, which addresses APS's need for better quality drinking water, will have a positive impact on students and staff by promoting hydration and reducing single-use plastic bottles. FloWater Refill Stations offer a convenient solution for schools seeking to provide great-tasting, high-quality water free of contaminants commonly found in tap water like lead, glyphosates, and other chemicals. These self-sanitizing, free-standing Refill Stations are designed for simple installation and connect to any potable water line within a 100-foot range for easy replacement of existing water fountains, water coolers, and five-gallon jug dispensers. FloWater Refill Stations offer a convenient solution for schools seeking to provide great-tasting, high-quality water free of contaminants commonly found in tap water like lead, glyphosates, and other chemicals. These self-sanitizing, free-standing Refill Stations are designed for simple installation and connect to any potable water line within a 100-foot range for easy replacement of existing water fountains, water coolers, and five-gallon jug dispensers. Students and staff gain access to chilled, fast-flowing water that undergoes a revitalizing process including the infusion of electrolytes, increased alkalinity, oxygenation, and trace minerals, providing a great-tasting hydration experience while eliminating up to 99.9% of contaminants, including microplastics, lead, and glyphosates. "We are proud to add APS to our growing network of over 1,100 schools across the country," said Rich (Raz) Razgaitis, CEO of FloWater. "With thousands of FloWater Refill Stations at schools nationwide, students have filled approximately 54 million times and counting. We've found students hydrate much more often and these partnerships are making waves in reducing the intake of sugary, caffeinated drinks in schools across the United States." "The partnership with FloWater aligns perfectly with our commitment to the well-being of our students and staff," says Gabriella Blakey, APS's COO. "Since implementing FloWater in our facilities, it has had a profound impact on our District community. In the morning, we have lines of people filling up water bottles for the day and talking about the water. It has become a community-building time for employees that we did not expect, and FloWater Refill Stations have made it easier for us to stay hydrated in such a dry climate." "At FloWater we are dedicated to the complete transformation of tap water by making hydration a fun, communal activity that students love to experience several times a day," adds Raz. "The adoption of sustainability practices, reduced intake of caffeine and sugar, and the provision of better, cleaner, and healthier water are exemplified by districts like APS." New Futures, a school for parenting and pregnant students with an on-site 5-Star daycare, also expresses excitement for FloWater's positive impact and the installation of two Refill Stations, one in the daycare. The stations have enhanced campus culture and health, providing a transformative hydration experience. This initiative represents a significant step towards promoting hydration, reducing single-use plastic bottles, and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for the Albuquerque community. "New Futures School acknowledges FloWater's revolutionary impact, extending beyond hydration to community-building and overall health," says Principal Michelle Martinez. "The Refill Stations have had such a positive impact on our campus culture and our students and staff can't get enough. FloWater aligns seamlessly with our commitment to student well-being, contributing to sustainability and shaping a shared, healthier future for New Futures." For more information about FloWater, please visit DrinkFloWater.com. For more information about Albuquerque Public Schools, please visit APS.edu. For more information about New Futures High School, please visit: NewFutures.aps.edu About FloWater, a Bluewater Company Denver-based FloWater is part of the Bluewater group, a global innovator of water purification and beverage solutions based in Stockholm, Sweden. Recognized as a World Changing Idea by Fast Company, FloWater Refill Stations are used in over 10,000 locations including Hyatt, Google, Red Bull, and Oakland Unified Schools, and have saved over 851 million single-use plastic water bottles from the environment. FloWater is known for its 7-stage Advanced Osmosis purification technology which transforms ordinary tap water into ultra-purified drinking water. This removes up to 99.9% of lead, PFAS, microplastics, glyphosates, and other contaminants while adding oxygenation, increasing alkalinity, and boosting trace minerals for great-tasting, best-in-class hydration. Bluewater is committed to providing access to pure, healthier tap water and beverages in line with its mission to eliminate the need for single-use plastic water bottles. More at DrinkFloWater.com. Media Contact: Misty Lamb Crier Communications 310.274.1072 x 251 [email protected] SOURCE FloWater, a Bluewater Company Andersen receives the highest possible rating of five stars BAYPORT, Minn., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation, manufacturer of America's most loved brand of windows and doors*, has been named a Newsweek America's Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024. This ranking highlights the companies that have created the best working environment for women based on a range of metrics, including compensation, diversity and work-life balance, according to women in the workforce. Andersen received the highest possible rating of five stars. Andersen Corporation has been named a Newsweek America's Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024 and received the highest possible rating of five stars. In cooperation with Plant-A Insights Group, Newsweek interviewed over 142,000 women across the U.S. about their companies' diversity policies and efforts. Respondents shared insights about corporate culture, working environment, and other subjects at both their own companies and others with which they were familiar. "We are honored to be recognized as a Greatest Workplace for Women, a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member's talent is not just recognized but celebrated regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, ability or experience," said Chris Galvin, president and chief executive officer at Andersen Corporation. "This recognition fuels our dedication to identifying and addressing workplace inequities and creating a space that empowers, inspires and champions the diversity of voices and experiences shaping our success." Andersen is also committed to increasing gender parity in leadership roles, including the executive leadership team. In 2023, Andrea Nordaune was appointed as the company's senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary, the first woman to hold the position in the company's history. Andrea was recently recognized as Board Member of the Year by Seramount as part of its Women of Excellence Awards and as a Notable Woman in Law by Twin Cities Business (TCB). Additionally, Andersen offers nine employee resource networks that foster a culture of inclusion. The Women Leaders of Andersen network is focused on empowering, supporting and inspiring women in their careers and lives. Andersen proudly highlights the women leaders within the company, including the following executives: Kelly Aronson, senior vice president and chief digital officer Karen Richard , senior vice president and chief human resources officer , senior vice president and chief human resources officer Andrea Nordaune, senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary Tracey Gibson , vice president and chief diversity officer This America's Greatest Workplaces for Women recognition is the latest accolade for Andersen's commitment to being a company where all employees feel welcomed, valued and inspired to achieve their full potential, including: View the full list of Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Women award-winners. To learn more about Andersen's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, visit AndersenWindows.com. *2022 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners ABOUT ANDERSEN Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 13,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style. Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO and MQ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com. Follow us on Facebook @AndersenWindows and Instagram @Andersen_Windows. SOURCE Andersen Corporation 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 Shiri Lasman Marketing Manager (215) 563-4116 ClaimScore LLC Robert Gallo Chief Executive Officer [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/angeion-group-announces-strategic-partnership-with-claimscore-to-enhance-angeionaffirm-fraud-detection-system-302080335.html SOURCE Angeion Group WASHINGTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presented the American Voice Award to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday, February 22, 2024, as part of the Opening Night celebration for the world premiere of Kia Corthron's Tempestuous Elements. Established in 2005, the American Voice Award honors public officials recognized for their extraordinary support of and advocacy for American arts and arts education. Justice Jackson has repeatedly demonstrated her dedication to fighting for human and civil rights and her deep commitment to equal justice. She is both the first Black woman and the first former federal public defender to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Jackson also has a unique connection to theater, having participated in student productions and an improv group throughout her career at Harvard. She was sworn in as the 116th Supreme Court Justice on June 30, 2022. Justice Jackson earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from Harvard University, graduating with the latter cum laude in 1996. The award was presented by Arena Stage Artistic Director Hana S. Sharif at the pre-performance dinner. "It is a distinct privilege to present this award to Justice Jackson on the opening night of Tempestuous Elements, a play that reflects on the life and legacy of another arts advocate, educational luminary Anna Julia Cooper," said Sharif in her remarks. "Justice Jackson stands in the magnificent tradition of Anna Julia Cooper as a trailblazing leader, undaunted by inequity and galvanized by her work in service of liberation and Justice for all people. This is emblematic of the spirit of the American Voice Award. I am honored to stand in the company of all of you this evening to present Justice Jackson with this award." American Voice Award recipients previously honored by Arena Stage include Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), the late Representative John Lewis (D-GA), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), among others. Corthron's Tempestuous Elements follows Anna Julia Cooper's fights for her students' right to an advanced curriculum. When her tenure as principal of D.C.'s historic M Street School is sabotaged by her colleagues and neighbors, Cooper's professional and personal relationships become fodder for innuendo and social ostracization. This inspiring new Power Play commission takes audiences on the journey of this formidable Black feminist's fight for educational equity, freedom, and legitimacy at the turn of the 20th century. Directed by Psalmayene 24, and featuring an ensemble cast led by Gina Daniels as Cooper, the world-premiere production runs through March 17, 2024, on Arena Stage's iconic in-the-round Fichandler Stage. The Tempestuous Elements Opening Night celebration included a reception in the Bank of America Lower Lobby, a seated dinner in the Molly Smith Study, the performance in the Fichandler Stage, and a post-show reception in the Grand Lobby. In addition to the award presentation, the dinner featured remarks from Corthron, Arena Stage Board Chair Catherine Guttman-McCabe, and AARP Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director of Internal Engagement Gerri Madrid-Davis. To view photos of the evening, please visit here. Arena Stage thanks Tiffeny Sanchez and Reg Brown for their generous sponsorship of Tempestuous Elements and their tremendous support of Black storytelling in DC. Tempestuous Elements is also made possible through generous funding from AARP with additional support from Susan and Steve Bralove, Dr. Donald Wallace Jones, Dr. Betty Jean Tolbert Jones, and Tracey Tolbert Jones, PNC, and The Drs. Elliot and Lily Gardner Feldman Endowment for New Plays at Arena Stage. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to Tempestuous Elements production sponsors, the Opening Night Celebration is supported by GEICO. The first racially integrated theater in our nation's capital and a pioneer of the regional theater movement, Arena Stage was founded on August 16, 1950, in Washington, D.C., by Zelda Fichandler, Tom Fichandler, and Edward Mangum. Todaynearly 75 years laterArena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is a national center dedicated to American voices and artists. We produce plays of all that is passionate, profound, deep, and dangerous in the American spirit, and present diverse and ground-breaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Consistently contributing to the American theatrical lexicon by commissioning and developing new plays, Arena Stage impacts the lives of over 10,000 students annually through its work in community engagement and serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000. arenastage.org Connect with us: facebook.com/arenastage twitter.com/arenastage instagram.com/arenastage youtube.com/user/arenastage1 SOURCE Arena Stage ARLINGTON, Va., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) today announced distinguished speakers and panelists for the second annual Ash Carter Exchange on Innovation and National Security , which will take place on May 7-8 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., alongside SCSP's first AI Expo for National Competitiveness . The Ash Carter Exchange, an innovation and national security forum organized jointly by SCSP and Mrs. Stephanie Carter, brings together pioneers and champions of innovation from the government, private sector, and scientific community to examine how to advance collaboration in pursuit of national security. The event honors and advances the legacy of former Secretary of Defense, Dr. Ash Carter, whose recognition of technology's role in national security continues to inspire preparedness for tomorrow's challenges. "Our distinguished speakers in this dynamic forum will provide insights on the future of advanced technology and its relation to national security and military power," said Ylli Bajraktari, CEO and president of SCSP. "Alongside the AI Expo, we look forward to exchanging ideas, forging strategic collaborations, and ultimately, solidifying the nation's place as a leader in emerging technology and national security." Current list of confirmed speakers of this year's Ash Carter Exchange includes: Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. , Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff , Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. (ret.) Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. , 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James E. Rainey , Commanding General, Army Futures Command , Commanding General, Army Futures Command Anne Neuberger , Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech , Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech Dr. Nadia Schadlow , former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy , former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy The Honorable William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment The Honorable Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Development The Honorable Alan Estevez, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security The Honorable Michele Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michael Collins , Head of the National Intelligence Council , Head of the National Intelligence Council Lt. Gen Karsten S. Heckl , Deputy Commandant, US Marine Corps , Deputy Commandant, US Marine Corps Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus , Chief, Office of Naval Research , Chief, Office of Naval Research Doug Beck , Director, Defense Innovation Unit , Director, Defense Innovation Unit Dr. Catherine Marsh , Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) , Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) Dr. Stefanie Tompkins , Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) , Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Dr. Evelyn N. Wang , Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) , Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Dr. Renee Wegrzyn , Director of The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) , Director of The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Gil Herrera , Director of Research, National Security Agency , Director of Research, National Security Agency Dr. Meghan O'Sullivan , Director of the Belfer Center, Harvard University For more information on SCSP, the Ash Carter Exchange on Innovation and National Security, and the AI Expo for National Competitiveness, please visit https://www.scsp.ai . About SCSP: SCSP is a non-partisan, non-profit project launched by Dr. Eric Schmidt and led by CEO Ylli Bajraktari. SCSP's mission is to make recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness as artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are reshaping our national security, economy, and society. SOURCE Special Competitive Studies Project Eva Soley Gubjornsdottir recognized amongst leading female entrepreneurs in the tech and startup industries. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth the leading Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, has announced today that its CFO & Deputy CEO, Eva Soley Gubjornsdottir has been included in TechRound's 50 Women in Tech campaign that celebrates the female entrepreneurs changing the tech and startup landscape across the UK and Europe. Eva's many accomplishments stem from her diverse background as CFO of Icelandair and COO/CFO of Advania. Her shrewd business strategy has contributed significantly to the thriving nature and expeditious growth of atNorth. Indeed, atNorth's headcount has tripled in recent years to over 100 people and the business has expanded from operating two Icelandic data centers, to running seven sites in four Nordic countries. atNorth also has three additional campuses under construction, one in Helsinki in Finland, one in Copenhagen in Denmark and one in Kouvola in Finland. Her passion for supporting and mentoring the career paths of other women in the industry also contributes to her personal career success, as well as her role at atNorth, where the ratio of female employees has increased from under 10% to almost 30% in 3 years. "I am delighted to be recognized as a leader in the tech industry", states Eva. "Women are still in the minority in major tech companies and this is something that must change. By creating diverse teams, we can learn from each other's strengths and build a stronger foundation for future success". "At atNorth we believe a diversity of people brings a diversity of thought - which in turn inspires creativity and innovation", she continues. "By actively fostering teamwork and collaboration, both internally and with our valued customers and partners, we have created a tight knit dedicated company community that I am proud to be part of." "Eva has been fundamental in shaping our growth journey at atNorth", states Eyjolfur Magnus Kristinsson, CEO atNorth "Our dedication to the greater good extends beyond sustainable infrastructure and the natural environment - we also promote diversity, personal growth and collaboration across our entire business and are delighted that Eva has been acknowledged for her pivotal role". About atNorth atNorth is a leading Nordic data center services company that offers sustainable, cost-effective, scalable colocation and high-performance computing services trusted by industry-leading organizations. The business acquired leading High Performance Computing (HPC) provider, Gompute, in 2023 enabling a compelling full stack offering tailored to AI and other critical high performance workloads. With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. The tailor-made solutions enable businesses to calculate, simulate, train and visualize data workloads in an efficient, cost-optimized way. atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland and operates seven data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, with additional sites to open in Helsinki, Finland in Q3 2024 and in Denmark in Q4 2024, as well as its tenth site ready for operation in Kouvola, Finland in 2025. For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn or Facebook. Press Contact: Caroline Brunton Kite Hill PR for atNorth +44 (0) 7796 274 416 [email protected] The following files are available for download: Aura Cacia Positive Change Project's 2024 grant recipients provide support services to women and girls facing significant barriers to stability and self-sufficiency NORWAY, Iowa, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aura Cacia, a leader in sustainably sourced essential and skin care oils, today announced three recipients of a cumulative $200,000 in grants from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project to help empower and enrich the lives of women and girls in communities across the U.S. Since its inception in 2016, the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project has provided grants to organizations that help equip women and girls with the resources necessary to further their commitment to live more purposeful lives. Recognizing that systemic barriers like generational poverty, a criminal justice-involved background, and lack of access to education or safe housing requires long-term commitment, the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project will shift from an annual to biennial cycle this year to maximize the impact of grant funding and offer longer term support for its partners. "According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women continue to experience higher poverty rates than men," says Somer Marshall, Director of Marketing at Aura Cacia. "In times of crisis, women and girls in marginalized communities bear a heavy burden. The Aura Cacia Positive Change Project directly funds solutions that address the unique social and economic challenges they face to build more equitable and resilient communities." This year, Aura Cacia's domestic giving fund selected organizations that offer women and girls essential needs like safe housing, transportation, reentry services, higher education and more. The 2024 Aura Cacia Positive Change Project recipients include: Calvary Women's Services a Washington, D.C. organization providing safe housing and other essential programs to women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Its New Foundations program will receive a $75,000 grant from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project in 2024 to help bring safety and supportive resources to women fleeing domestic violence as they work toward financial stability and independence. a organization providing safe housing and other essential programs to women experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. Its New Foundations program will receive a grant from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project in 2024 to help bring safety and supportive resources to women fleeing domestic violence as they work toward financial stability and independence. Resonance Center for Women, Inc. a Tulsa, OK organization providing reentry services and assistance with basic needs for women leaving incarceration, especially those who struggle with substance use. Its Rebuilding Lives and Families initiative will receive a $50,000 grant from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project in 2024 to continue supporting women as they work to improve their holistic well-being and self-sufficiency after prison. a organization providing reentry services and assistance with basic needs for women leaving incarceration, especially those who struggle with substance use. Its Rebuilding Lives and Families initiative will receive a grant from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project in 2024 to continue supporting women as they work to improve their holistic well-being and self-sufficiency after prison. ACHIEVEability a Philadelphia, PA organization providing single mothers and low-income families in West Philadelphia with the necessary resources to pursue higher education as a pathway to self-sufficiency. The program will receive a $75,000 grant from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project in 2024 to continue supporting these women as they strive to break the cycle of generational poverty for their families. "It's wonderful to have a likeminded partner and thoughtful support through Aura Cacia," said Kris Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Calvary Women's Services. "This grant will enable us to continue meeting the needs of women in our housing, health, education and employment programs so they can achieve their goals and end their homelessness for good." The Aura Cacia Positive Change Project has granted over $1.3MM to frontline organizations since its origin and is part of Frontier Co-op's extensive charitable giving. To learn more about the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project, visit www.auracacia.com/positive-change-project. Aura Cacia Inspired by the power of positive change, Aura Cacia's products are made from simple and pure botanical ingredients that unlock nature's ability to improve our well-being. The brand sources ingredients carefully and sustainably from the best locations around the world, then tests every shipment to verify its purity and quality. Each purchase of an Aura Cacia product supports organizations that help women transform their lives as part of the brand's Positive Change Project. Aura Cacia is a brand of Frontier Co-op. Learn more at www.auracacia.com. Frontier Co-op Founded in 1976 and based in Norway, Iowa, Frontier Co-op offers a full line of products for natural living under the Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic and Aura Cacia brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and aromatherapy products with a wide selection of organics. Frontier Co-op's goal is to provide consumers with the highest-quality products while supporting and promoting social and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit the co-op's website at www.frontiercoop.com. Media Contact: Alicia Simmons Sustainability Manager [email protected] SOURCE Aura Cacia Teams Will Develop Solutions to Advance Patient Healthcare in the Pharmacy and Infusion Therapy Space BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun), a leader in smart infusion therapy and pain management, today announced a collaboration agreement with Orlando Health, a nationally recognized healthcare provider with award-winning hospitals, to jointly develop innovative solutions to increase access to care for patients and clinicians. With a focus on the disruption across the pharmacy and infusion therapy landscape, the collaboration centers on early clinician feedback to identify needs and develop solutions to address those needs. "The idea behind this unique effort is getting together the right people to help bring impactful innovations to market," said Michael Schmidt, Vice President of Strategic Innovations at Orlando Health. "Our frontline clinical team members can bring both idea generation and provide quick feedback on prototypes, and B. Braun has the commercial and manufacturing know-how to bring these ideas to life. It's a true collaboration." The innovation teams that will form under the collaboration will consist of interdisciplinary colleagues from B. Braun and Orlando Health. By combining B. Braun's dedicated, cross-functional incubator team with over 200 years of commercial, technology and operational proficiency with Orlando Health's tremendous clinical and healthcare expertise, the teams can rapidly identify and develop the most promising solutions. "This collaboration provides us access to Orlando Health's broad, diverse team to help enable rapid developments with vital confirmation from clinicians on the front lines," said Mike Golebiowski, Corporate Vice President, Healthcare Strategy and Innovation at B. Braun. "Their feedback on both the need and the practicality of ideas in the early stages of the innovation cycle is invaluable to helping develop the right solution, reduce time to market and advance patient healthcare." B. Braun and Orlando Health plan to publish the various findings that come out of this collaborative, with the goal of pursuing commercialization of the technologies that have the strongest potential for adoption by other healthcare systems. About B. Braun B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun) is a leader in smart infusion therapy and safe and effective pharmacy products, patient and provider safety, and sustainable health solutions. Our purpose is to help providers constantly improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. With products and services created to help healthcare professionals focus on what matters mosttheir patientswe're uniquely positioned to help health systems succeed now and in the future. B. Braun is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap and CAPS. The company employs 8,500 people at over 30 locations across North America. Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, explore our website. About Orlando Health Orlando Health, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $9.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. Founded more than 100 years ago, the healthcare system is recognized around the world for Central Florida's only pediatric and adult Level I Trauma program as well as the only Adult Trauma Center in Pinellas County. It is the home of one of the nation's largest neonatal intensive care units, one of the only systems in the southeast to offer open fetal surgery to repair the most severe forms of spina bifida, the site of an Olympic athlete training facility and operator of one of the largest and highest performing clinically integrated networks in the region. Orlando Health has pioneered life-changing medical research and its Graduate Medical Education program hosts more than 350 residents and fellows. To learn more about Orlando Health, visit their website. SOURCE B. Braun Medical Inc. BUCHANAN, Va., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Buchanan-based Bank of Botetourt (OTCPK: BORT and BORTP) announced today the appointment of A. Randy Hostetter to the Board of Directors. Mr. Hostetter currently serves as the Owner & Chief Executive Officer for Randy Hostetter Excavating, LLC located in Lexington, Virginia. Mr. Hostetter has over 30 years of experience as a project manager, superintendent, and business owner. His company's success is attributed to his strong work ethic and focus. He is constantly working on site, juggling various responsibilities, and ensuring projects are completed to the highest standard. Mr. Hostetter's experience directing countless projects to completion, on schedule, and to the precise specifications of the customer, have been essential in growing the business to what it is today. Bank of Botetourt looks forward to Mr. Hostetter's further contributions as a Director. About Bank of Botetourt Bank of Botetourt was chartered in 1899 and operates thirteen retail offices in Botetourt, Rockbridge, Roanoke, and Franklin counties, the City of Salem, and the Town of Vinton, all in Virginia. Bank of Botetourt also operates a mortgage division, Virginia Mountain Mortgage and a financial services division, Botetourt Wealth Management. SOURCE Bank of Botetourt By H.E. Wang Qing Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone At the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the Peoples Republic of China, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, paid a state visit to China from February 27 to March 2, 2024. It has been 6 years since the head of Sierra Leone visited China last time. The two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Sierra Leone relations, China-Africa relations and international and regional issues of shared interest, which reached extensive and important common understandings. This visit has written an important chapter in the history of China-Sierra Leone friendship and unveiled a new era for the consolidation of bilateral relations and diversification of practical cooperation, which injected new momentum to the deepening of the China-Sierra Leone Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Friendship is the main theme of this visit. There is an ancient Chinese poem that goes, "Distance cannot divide true friends who feel close even when thousands of miles apart." Although China and Sierra Leone are separated by vast oceans, the two nations enjoyed a long history of friendship. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone 53 years ago, the two sides have supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, carried out efficient cooperation in the fields of economic and social development, coordinated closely on issues such as world peace and development, and worked together to fight against Ebola and the COVID-19 pandemic. China-Sierra Leone relations are a good example of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. President Bio said China is a trustworthy and reliable friend. The two sides have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and have a profound traditional friendship. Cooperation is the overall tone of this visit. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and President Bio witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of the Belt and Road Initiative, agriculture, economic development, and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative as well as China-Sierra Leone joint statement on deepening comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, which draw a grand blueprint for China-Sierra Leone practical cooperation in the next stage. President Xi Jinping emphasized that China firmly supports the Sierra Leonean people in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions. He said China stands ready to strengthen exchanges with Sierra Leone on national governance, and work with Sierra Leone to continue supporting each other's major concerns and safeguarding their respective sovereignty, security and development interests. China is also willing to provide assistance and support to the best of its ability for Sierra Leone's development in agriculture, infrastructure construction and human resources, and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Sierra Leone. President Bio said Sierra Leone is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative, and tap the potential for cooperation on infrastructure, trade, education and public services. In China, President Bio hosted the Sierra Leone Investment Forum and visited China Kingho Group, China Railway Group Ltd., Chendge Jianlong Special Steel Co. Ltd. He also visited Institute of Food Crops of Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huawei Wuhan Research Center and China University of Geosciences, where the President accepted Honorary Doctorate Degree, in Wuhan of Hubei Province, Central China. The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between China University of Geosciences and Kono University of Science and Technology. Win-win is the keyword of this visit. President Xi Jinping said that the people of China and Africa share a common destiny and China has always regarded solidarity and cooperation with African countries as an important cornerstone of its foreign policy. China will work with African countries to align its initiatives to support Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the development strategies of African countries; to further integrate the development of China, Africa and the world to promote the upgrading of China-Africa cooperation and move the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress. China is ready to work with African friends, including Sierra Leone, to make this year's session of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) a success. President Bio totally agreed with it and said that Sierra Leone is willing to inject new impetus into the traditional friendship and promote the further development of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two nations. Sierra Leone is also willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in regional and international affairs to jointly promote world peace and development. After 53 years of development, China-Sierra Leone friendship has grown from small gravel to huge mountains, from trickles to rivers and seas, and has become a good example of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. I believe that under the common care and strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation will gain more visible outcome. China is ready to work together with Sierra Leone to promote the continuous development of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Sierra Leone and better benefit the two peoples. Commercial and cultural leadership by this founder community 91% Black women grew the U.S. economy via sales, retail traffic, jobs and new products, from beauty AI to skincare, says the 2024 Economic Advancement Report by BrainTrust Founders Studio LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year, Americans of all races and ethnicities purchased more than $142 million in new beauty and wellness products created by a community of Black entrepreneurs and sold by national retailers, according to the 2024 Economic Advancement Report by BrainTrust Founders Studio .1 BrainTrust Founders Studio's 2024 Economic Advancement Report. $142.6 Million Sold. PHOTO CREDIT: LAMIKBEAUTY.COM In the last 12 months, the robust U.S. beauty and wellness industry grew again2 as overall venture funding to Black founders declined again, to less than one-half of one percent.3 During this period, the BrainTrust Founders Studio nearly doubled its membership of Black-founded beauty and wellness companies. These 209 founders 91% Black women collectively achieved nearly $142.6 million in sales, up 42.5% from the prior year, selling 39,000+ product SKUs4 across more than 47,000+ retail "doors" and online. While 25 of these founders have successfully raised $114.9 million in venture capital or angel investment since inception, venture-backed companies drove just 69% or $98.5 million of sales. Who bought these products? The shortest answer is "everyone." With the exception of products aimed at one solution, i.e., Black hair care, customer demographics mirror the social media followers of Black founders and their brands, and collectively identify as Asian, Black, Caucasian and Hispanic. BrainTrust Founders Studio: 2024 Growth Over 2023 Measure February 2022 February 2023 February 2024 Founders 26 116 209 (% Women) 85 % 92 % 91 % Sales $26,596,000 $100,054,541 $142,595,795 Retail "doors" 8,843 23,640 47,409 Product SKUs sold 250 4,048 39,336 Social media followers 997,474 6,091,513 69,330,504 Full-time jobs created 19 116 332 Venture and angel backed 6 30 25 Venture and angel capital raised $2,540,025 $43,937,524 $114,944,165 Black founders who participated in the 2024 Economic Advancement Report confirmed significant racial diversity among their customers. The BrainTrust Founders Studio does not reveal company-specific information, but confirmed based on 41 fields of data tracked for each member that the collective social media following of studio founders and brands reflects their customers. CreatorIQ, a comprehensive creator marketing platform founded by CEO Igor Vaks, provided a third-party assessment of all participating BrainTrust Studio founders and brands: Followers of BrainTrust Founders Studio Founders and Company Brands Racial and Ethnic Identity Mirrors Buying Customer Base 2023 2024 Black / African American: 40.96 % 17.30 % White / Caucasian: 30.45 % 54.60 % Hispanic: 7.17 % 13.10 % Asian: 21.42 % 15.10 % Totals: 100 % 100 % Source: CreatorIQ "These data further prove Black entrepreneurs create beauty and wellness products that everyone buys," said Co-founders Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, CEO, and Lisa Stone, Chief Investment Officer, the BrainTrust Fund. "Despite the fact that venture funding to Black founders has fallen to a three-year low,5 Black beauty and wellness entrepreneurs are growing the American economy with new, innovative products and services that drive sales by leading retailers, online and in-store, and create jobs. We are celebrating this commercial and cultural leadership by our members, most of whom are Black women!" Executive Summary: Economic Advancement Report, 2024 vs. 2023 Commercial leadership: $142.6 million in collective sales reported by 209 members of BrainTrust Founders Studio, up 42.5% from last year, when 116 members reported $100+ million in sales. Full-time jobs created last year: 332. Largest employer: Pressed Roots . See report. in collective sales reported by 209 members of BrainTrust Founders Studio, up 42.5% from last year, when 116 members reported $100+ million in sales. Full-time jobs created last year: 332. Largest employer: . See report. Cultural leadership: Who bought? Basically everyone. Many Black-led companies sold more products to Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic customers combined than to Black customers. 6 See CreatorIQ data above on the social media influence of participating Black founders and brands. Who bought? Basically everyone. Many Black-led companies sold more products to Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic customers combined than to Black customers. See data above on the social media influence of participating Black founders and brands. Product leadership: 39,000+ product SKUs sold in market, up from 4,000+ last year. Most SKUs: Thirteen Lune "pop-up" shops stock 90% BIPOC-led brands, 10% ally brands. See report. 39,000+ product SKUs sold in market, up from 4,000+ last year. Most SKUs: "pop-up" shops stock 90% BIPOC-led brands, 10% ally brands. See report. Retail leadership: Products were sold via 47,000+ retail "doors," up from 23,000+ last year. Continuing trend: Focus by retailers on shopper thirst for diverse, sustainable products. New trend: Using Black-led AI/tech like Myavana to solve individual consumer needs. See report. Products were sold via 47,000+ retail "doors," up from 23,000+ last year. Continuing trend: Focus by retailers on shopper thirst for diverse, sustainable products. New trend: Using Black-led AI/tech like to solve individual consumer needs. See report. Ally leadership: As venture funding to Black founders hit a three-year low, allies emerged to partner with underrepresented funders and founders, including many retailers. See report. For more information, please contact: [email protected] or visit www.braintrustfoundersstudio.com/economic-advancement-report BrainTrust Founders Studio BrainTrust Founders Studio , the largest membership-based platform for Black founders of beauty and wellness companies, is led by Founder/CEO Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Co-founder/Chief Investment Officer Lisa Stone . Both are general partners in the BrainTrust Fund . Venture Analyst Ryan Pierce also contributed to this report. ___________________________ 1 https://www.braintrustfoundersstudio.com/economic-advancement-report 2 https://www.circana.com/intelligence/press-releases/2024/growth-streak-continues-for-the-us-beauty-industry-in-2023-circana-reports/ 3 Crunchbase confirmed that venture capital funding to Black founders declined for the third year in a row in 2023 to 0.48% or ~$660 million of the total $136.69 billion raised by founders last year. Techcrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/17/funding-black-founders-down-in-2023 4 "A stock-keeping unit (SKU) is a scannable barcode, most often seen printed on product labels in a retail store." Source: Investopedia . 5 https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/17/funding-black-founders-down-in-2023 6 The exception: Products targeted at specific solutions, i.e., Black hair care. SOURCE BrainTrust Founders Studio The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by Bechtel and AFSP. The $7 million, five-year commitment to AFSP to fund the effort is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP and the largest single donation ever made by the Bechtel Group Foundation. "This is the start of a long-term, sustained effort to lift up the whole construction community. We want to see mental health become as much of a priority as physical safety in our industry," said Brendan Bechtel, chairman and CEO of Bechtel. "It's our belief that addressing suicide in construction is as vital as wearing a hard hat on site. This is the next frontier in taking care of each other." The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives lost in jobsite safety incidents, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respectively. The initiative will leverage Bechtel's industry knowledge and reach in combination with AFSP's expertise in research, education, and effective prevention strategies, as well as its national network of local chapters. Bechtel welcomes participation from others in the industry, as this partnership forms a construction working group and a first-ever senior advisory council to help guide the effort. "We know we cannot meet this challenge alone. Real change will take all of us. We want to build an industry-wide effort, and we are actively encouraging others in construction to join us," added Brendan Bechtel. "The partnership with Bechtel is the first of its kind for AFSP, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with an industry leader that is focused on improving the mental health of the construction industry as a whole," said Robert Gebbia, CEO of AFSP. "We're excited to be building a team within AFSP dedicated to this important initiative aimed at reaching thousands of people in need and preventing suicide." "All of us who work in construction have seen gains in physical safety that were once unimaginable, become the standard for success," said Sean McGarvey, president of North America's Building Trades Unions, who also spoke at today's event. "It's time to bring the same mindset, resources, and innovation to the issue of mental health and suicide prevention." Learn more about this new initiative and how you can get involved at: Confronting Suicide in the Construction Industry | Bechtel. About Bechtel Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Learn more about AFSP's ongoing campaign Talk Away Dark to learn the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and bravely have a REAL open and honest conversation with others. Media Contact: Rayna V Farrell | [email protected] SOURCE Bechtel BrandMuscle offers platform benefits to DISCUS Craft Members CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BrandMuscle and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) have announced their new collaboration. Through this collaboration, DISCUS Craft Members may qualify for complimentary access to a streamlined version of BrandMuscle's Instant Impact brand management platform, which is specifically designed for beverage alcohol brands and their distributors. DISCUS Craft Members will have the option to choose between three program tiers the first two tiers come with varying levels of access to customizable templates, marketing assets, and print ordering, while the third tier allows organizations to expand these offerings and become a BrandMuscle customer. These programs also give members access to BrandMuscle's team of graphic designers and meticulous compliance process. In addition to platform access and cost savings, DISCUS Craft Members will also benefit from increased brand exposure to BrandMuscle's distributor network and access to enterprise-level marketing expertise from key players in the bev-alc space. "DISCUS is committed to amplifying and advocating for distilled spirits, and this partnership is another benefit our members can use to support their place in the market. We want our Craft Members to have access to a partner who understands compliance while producing point-of-sale materials, whether for on-premise or off-premise use," said Aimee Carter, Vice President of Member Services & Business Development at DISCUS. "Learning to navigate and mitigate risks like wrong messaging, trademark infringements, and other aspects of compliance can be difficult. This benefit helps our Craft Members put their best foot forward." "This collaboration allows us to bring holistic support to the beverage alcohol industry. We look forward to working closely with up-and-coming suppliers and supporting them along their journey with best-in-class marketing solutions," said Robert Olivares, Executive Vice President of Beverage Alcohol at BrandMuscle. Learn how to become a DISCUS Craft Member: https://www.distilledspirits.org/why-join-craft-membership/ Connect With BrandMuscle Follow BrandMuscle on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Get in touch with one of our bev-alc marketing experts. About DISCUS DISCUS is the national trade association representing leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits products in the United States. For more than 50 years, DISCUS has served as the distillers' voice on policy and legislative issues, promoted the distilled spirits sector, and encouraged responsible and moderate consumption of distilled spirits. About BrandMuscle BrandMuscle makes channel marketing easy by empowering beverage alcohol brands and Fortune 1000 companies to activate and amplify local markets. Our flexible ecosystem of solutions helps brands drive revenue and protects businesses against legal, fiduciary, and other compliance risks. The BrandMuscle platform pairs cutting-edge technology with proven marketing services to support highly regulated verticals. More than 1.5M local businesses and over 50,000 sales reps and affiliates use BrandMuscle to seamlessly scale corporate branding, messaging, and demand generation to engage customers and increase ROI. Our robust ecosystem addresses every aspect of local channel marketing to unleash hyper-local activation for affiliates. Contact: Jordan Feise, [email protected] SOURCE BrandMuscle ** Foundation Encourages Los Angeles County Teachers to Apply for a Project Grant ** LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- California Credit Union Foundation encourages Los Angeles County teachers who have an innovative class project idea to apply for a credit union grant through its spring Teacher Grant program. Ten grants of $500 each will be awarded to area teachers in April in the spring program. The California Credit Union Foundation grant program is available to full-time teachers in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, or credit union members teaching in California, looking to fund special learning opportunities for their students. The project should have clearly defined learning objectives tied to students' academic needs, display creativity, and benefit a significant number of students. "Providing grants to help our teachers and schools thrive and recognize their commitment to learning is one of the Foundation's focus areas as a pillar of long-term community empowerment," said California Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford. "We're excited to offer this grant program to support our hard-working teachers in bringing their dream project to life, and encourage any educator who has a project idea to apply." Interested teachers can find more information and apply online here. The application deadline is April 1, 2024. Since the creation of the program in 2012, $185,000 in teacher grants have been awarded to benefit students across Southern California. The fall grant program funded a wide range of projects, including creating student wellness corners, starting a cow eyeball dissection lab, expanding school music programs, incorporating multi-media into school newspapers, among others. A non-profit charitable corporation, California Credit Union Foundation focuses its resources on four key pillars of long-term community empowerment, including investing in its communities and youth, supporting educators and schools, promoting financial literacy and honoring our service members. About California Credit Union Foundation California Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that serves as the philanthropic arm of California Credit Union, a state chartered full-service credit union with assets nearly $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. The Foundation works to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by providing targeted resources to non-profit partners effecting meaningful change across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling it to return 100% of donations back into community programs. Please visit ccu.com/foundation to learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, or follow the Foundation on Instagram @ccufoundation. SOURCE California Credit Union FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Care Resource has launched a new mobile health unit, made possible by a generous $50,000 donation from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation. Their financial contribution was further matched by a Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) H8F grant to complete the purchase and customization of the unit. This mobile health unit marks a significant advancement in the health center's mission to expand access to services in under-resourced communities throughout South Florida. Care Resource hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new mobile health unit. Advance Auto Parts Foundation presented with Community Appreciation Award. "Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life, which is why community health is a key pillar for our Advance Auto Parts Foundation. Together, with Care Resource, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families, ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing the vital healthcare they deserve," said Elisabeth Eisleben, President, Advance Auto Parts Foundation. There are one-hundred and twenty-three census tracts in Broward County that are designated as medically underserved. By traveling throughout these regions, Care Resource aims to improve the health of under-resourced residents. The mobile health program eliminates barriers to healthcare such as geography, transportation, mobility, language, and lack of insurance. The health center is committed to providing essential health care regardless of age, gender, immigration status, religious beliefs, insurance, and financial status. "With our new mobile health unit, we can now reach at least 2,000 more people annually in underserved areas of Broward County. Many individuals remain unaware of their health status regarding HIV, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis C, or cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, access to immunization and health education is limited. This contribution will help bridge these gaps and create a healthier, more informed community," said Ron Ledain, Director of Marketing, Health Promotion, and Linkage at Care Resource. In appreciation of their financial support, Care Resource presented the Advance Auto Parts Foundation with their Community Appreciation Award and recognized them as a new member of the health center's Keystone Society. By expanding health care services through mobile health units, Care Resource can further provide communities with the right care, at the right time, in the right place. About Care Resource: Care Resource is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four locations in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. The health center provides comprehensive health and support services to address the full healthcare needs of South Florida's pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. About Advance Auto Parts Foundation: Advance Auto Parts Foundation is the charitable arm of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Its primary areas of funding are community health, veterans' needs and career training programs at community colleges. SOURCE Care Resource Partnership with Hawaii's largest credit union brings nearly $400 million to Cetera platform SAN DIEGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Group, the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, announced today that Hawaii State Federal Credit Union is partnering with Cetera Financial Institutions in the delivery of its investment program. Cetera will provide dedicated resources and support to grow Hawaii State Federal Credit Union's retail investment program and enhance services and products for credit union members. Founded in 1936, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union is Hawaii's largest credit union with more than 126,000 members approximately $393 million in its investment services program, as of January 31, 2024. "We are proud to welcome Hawaii State Federal Credit Union to the Cetera family," said LeAnn Rummel, president and CEO of Cetera Investment Services. "Cetera is well equipped to help financial institutions enrich their investment programs in meaningful ways and we look forward to close collaboration with the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union team. We expect to make a significant impact by providing innovative solutions and services to members and a higher level of support for Hawaii State Federal Credit Union financial professionals." "We are excited to begin a new chapter of our business together with an established leader in supporting financial institutions in growing their business," said David Kimura, program manager at Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. "As we continue to provide an exceptional experience to our valued members and local community, this collaboration will empower the delivery of holistic financial planning services powered by Cetera's industry-leading technology, resources and support. We look forward to a very bright future for our members, our financial professionals and our business together with Cetera." For more than 40 years, Cetera Investment Services has empowered financial institutions to deepen client connections and expand their services with customized support that helps financial professionals meet their clients' full lifecycle needs. Click here to learn more about Cetera's resources and support for financial institutions. About Cetera Cetera Financial Group, which is owned by Cetera Holdings (collectively, Cetera), is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth. Home to more than 12,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees more than $475 billion in assets under administration and $190 billion in assets under management, as of December 20, 2023. In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of more than 32,000 reviews, Cetera's Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it's ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars. Visit www.cetera.com, and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. "Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms are FINRA/SIPC members. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. SOURCE Cetera Financial Group BEIJING, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China saw the number of contracted technology transactions grow by 28.6 percent in 2023, an achievement that speaks volumes of the country's enhanced capacity for innovation-driven development. China will leverage the leading role of innovation, spur industrial innovation through advancements in science and technology, and press ahead with new industrialization, according to a government work report submitted on Tuesday to the national legislature for deliberation. Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the report at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The report says that the country will strive to modernize the industrial system and develop new quality productive forces at a faster pace. Developing new quality productive forces With innovation leading the way, new quality productive forces mean going beyond the traditional models of economic growth. This path features high technology, high efficiency and high quality, and aligns with China's new development philosophy. In order to develop these new quality productive forces, the government work report lists a series of tasks. It calls for improving and upgrading industrial and supply chains besides cultivating emerging and future-oriented industries, such as hydrogen power, new materials, biomanufacturing, commercial spaceflight, quantum technology and life sciences. The report also says that innovative development of the digital economy will be promoted, an Artificial Intelligence Plus initiative will be launched, and the country will consolidate and enhance its leading position in industries such as intelligent connected new-energy vehicles. Moreover, China has set an economic growth target of around 5 percent for 2024 and vowed to promote high-quality development. It will issue ultra-long special treasury bonds annually over the next several years for implementing major national strategies and building up security capacity in key areas, starting with 1 trillion yuan of such bonds this year, according to the report. The report also stresses efforts for invigorating China through science and education and consolidating the foundations for high-quality development. China will speed up efforts to build a contingent of personnel with expertise of strategic importance and cultivate more first-class scientists and innovation teams. The country will develop platforms for identifying basic research talent, train high-performing engineers and highly-skilled workers, and enhance support for young scientists and engineers, according to the report. Acting on people-centered development philosophy China will make efforts to ensure and improve the people's welling and promote better and new ways of conducting social governance, the report says. It highlights that China will deliver real benefits to the people to their satisfaction by acting on the people-centered development philosophy. In 2023, China's per capita disposable income of residents increased by 6.1 percent, and over 66 million taxpayers benefited from an increase in the special additional deductions for individual income tax, which cover children nursing expenses, children's education and elderly care expenses, according to the report. In 2024, the country expects to create over 12 million jobs in urban areas and keep the surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent. China will also enhance ecological conservation and promote green and low-carbon development, including taking comprehensive steps to improve the environment and boosting the green and low-carbon economy, according to the report. In 2023, China's installed renewable energy capacity surpassed its thermal power capacity for the first time in history and it accounted for over half of newly installed renewable energy capacity worldwide, according to data released by the National Energy Administration. The country will advance the energy revolution and actively and prudently work toward peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, according to the report. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-03-05/China-s-top-legislature-starts-annual-session-1rImSPDg5EI/p.html SOURCE CGTN Innovative maker of methane-reducing seaweed-based cattle feed supplement earns coveted spot in magazine's inaugural GreenTech rankings HENDERSON, Nev., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CH4 Global today announced that it had been named one of America's Top GreenTech Companies by TIME magazine in recognition of its innovative seaweed-based cattle feed supplement that can reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90%. The inaugural GreenTech rankings, prepared by TIME and Statista, looked at over 4,600 companies and evaluated them based on their positive environmental impact, financial strength, and innovative ability. In the end, CH4 Global was among 250 U.S.-headquartered companies to earn a spot on the prestigious list. CH4 Global named one of Americas Top GreenTech Companies by TIME magazine The distinction comes just weeks after CH4 Global completed the first commercial deliveries of its Methane Tamer cattle feed supplement, which is now being fed to cattle on a feedlot in South Australia. In January, the company began construction, also in South Australia, of what will be the world's first commercial-scale facility for growing the Asparagopsis seaweed that is the product's key ingredient. In the United States, CH4 Global is encouraging Congress to pass the Innovative FEED Act, which would streamline the process for bringing Methane Tamer to the U.S. market. "This recognition from TIME magazine is a landmark achievement for CH4 Global and a strong validation of our commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions," said CH4 Global CEO Steve Meller PhD. "Our team is proud to lead the charge in reducing methane emissions and contributing to the global effort to mitigate climate change." A powerful greenhouse gas that cows naturally produce in their bellies and release through burping, methane is over 80 times more potent than CO 2 in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period, making it a critical target of efforts to combat global warming. Agriculture is the largest human-made source of methane emissions (bigger than the oil and gas industry), and cows are the largest source of methane within agriculture. About CH4 Global CH4 Global, founded in 2018, is on an urgent mission to bend the climate curve, through collaboration with strategic partners worldwide. Led by a world-class team of senior business builders, scientists and entrepreneurs, the company delivers market-disruptive products that enable the food industry value chain to radically reduce GHG emissions. The company's first innovation, Methane Tamer feed additives for feedlot cattle, harnesses the power of Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90%. CH4 Global is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, with subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand. To learn more, visit www.ch4global.com. Media Contacts CH4 Global, Inc. For press inquiries in North America, Latin America, and Europe Greg Frost [email protected] For press inquiries in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand Verity Edwards, Hughes Public Relations and Communication Counsel [email protected] | P: 08 8412 4100 | M: 0412 678 942 SOURCE CH4 Global, Inc. BOZEMAN, Mont. and HOUSTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Charlie Health, the leading provider of virtual high-acuity mental health care for young people, and Memorial Hermann Health System are collaborating to improve access to outpatient mental health treatment programs for Houstonians most at risk for crisis. The partnership aims to fill mental health care gaps in the community by leveraging comprehensive virtual treatment solutions. In Texas, the state that ranks last in terms of mental health treatment access , nearly three-quarters of young people with depression are not getting the help they need. Dr. Victoria Regan, Vice President, Women's and Children's Service Line at Memorial Hermann, explained, "One significant challenge our high-acuity patients experience is waitlists for outpatient treatment programs due to increased demand and limited resources." She added, "Addressing the mental health crisis requires proactive efforts to eliminate barriers to care for those who require an additional level of mental health support, which is exactly what Memorial Hermann is doing with Charlie Health." As part of their commitment to supporting the health and well-being of young people in the Houston community, Memorial Hermann is working with Charlie Health to extend the mental health care their providers can offer to high-acuity patients who may benefit from outpatient treatment programs. Patients who choose to enroll in one of Charlie Health's virtual programs will receive a tailored outpatient treatment plan that incorporates a variety of mental health services. These services are covered through most major commercial insurance and Medicaid plans in Texas. "Teaming up with Memorial Hermann was a strategic decision for Charlie Health as we expand our evidence-based treatment in the state of Texas. Their extensive network, robust community ties, and reputation for innovation make them an invaluable collaborator in addressing the urgent mental health crisis," said Carter Barnhart, CEO and Co-founder of Charlie Health. In addition to improving access to essential mental health services, Charlie Health is producing industry-leading outcomes. Peer-reviewed research found that Charlie Health drives positive outcomes, with 94% of Charlie Health patients avoiding further admissions to the emergency department for mental health reasons in the three months following treatment. Additionally, 89% of clients reported improvements in self-harm, 95% reported improvements in symptoms related to depression, 92% reported improvements in symptoms associated with anxiety and 74% reported a reduction in suicidal ideation. Patients and their families can easily access Charlie Health's virtual mental health programs by getting a referral from their Memorial Hermann-affiliated providers or by going directly to charliehealth.com . About Charlie Health Charlie Health connects young people across the country to life-saving mental health treatment. To achieve optimal outcomes, Charlie Health tailors treatment plans for each client, leveraging evidence-based approaches including curated groups, individual therapy, and family therapy. Its virtual intensive treatment programs close gaps by providing levels of care between traditional once-weekly therapy and inpatient treatment. Charlie Health is in-network with most major health plans, including commercial and Medicaid, in 30 states and counting. To learn more, visit charliehealth.com . About Memorial Hermann Health System Charting a better future. A future that's built upon the HEALTH of our community. This is the driving force for Memorial Hermann, redefining health care for the individuals and many diverse populations we serve. Our 6,700 affiliated physicians and 32,000 employees practice the highest standards of safe, evidence-based, quality care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across our more than 260 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization, 17* hospitals, and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Greater Houston area. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. For more than 115 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly $500 million annually through school-based health centers and other community benefit programs. Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do charting a better future for all. To learn more, visit: memorialhermann.org . *Memorial Hermann Health System owns and operates 14 hospitals and has joint ventures with three other hospital facilities, including Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital First Colony, Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood, and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy. Media Contact: Sydney Bronstein Senior Manager, Media Relations [email protected] 312-330-5336 SOURCE Charlie Health BEIJING, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily Government departments under China's State Council handled 12,480 suggestions and proposals submitted by deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in 2023, a spokesperson for the State Council Information Office said recently. In particular, the departments handled 7,955 suggestions, accounting for 95.7 percent of all suggestions submitted, and 4,525 proposals, 96.5 percent of all proposals submitted, said the spokesperson Xing Huina. Xing said that the departments rolled out over 2,000 policy measures based on some 4,700 suggestions and proposals last year. This has helped solve a series of problems concerning reform and development and pressing concerns of the people. Progress has been made in the promotion of high-quality economic development, and ensuring and improving people's livelihoods. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) received 1,888 suggestions and proposals in 2023, and took lead in handling 602 of them, said Xin Guobin, vice minister of the MIIT, adding that all of the suggestions and proposals had been handled as scheduled. The ministry issued about 290 policies based on the suggestions and proposals, which promoted the development of major technologies and equipment, as well as the development of specialized and sophisticated small- and medium-sized enterprises that produce novel and unique products. Paying high attention to green industrial development, NPC deputies and CPPCC members gave advice on optimizing industrial structure, promoting green development of industrial parks and improving energy efficiency in major industries, Xin added. China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security handled 962 suggestions and proposals last year. The ministry has introduced more than 40 policies and measures, striving to transform the suggestions and proposals into a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security for the people, said Li Zhong, vice minister of the ministry. According to him, the policies and measures to stabilize employment have been continuously optimized, and the nationwide pooling of basic pension funds for enterprise employees has been steadily promoted. A series of policies and measures to protect the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment have been introduced, Li added. The social security card is a fundamental carrier of livelihood services across the country, Li noted, adding that NPC deputies and CPPCC members have shown great concern for the "one-card-for-all-services" of the social security card. They have put forward excellent proposals and suggestions regarding enriching application scenarios and developing distinctive services, Li said. As of the end of January this year, 1.38 billion Chinese, or 97.9 percent of the country's population, had social security cards. Among them, 970 million had an electronic version of the card, which provided services to cardholders 15.1 billion times last year. Vice Minister of Transport Wang Gang noted that the ministry handled 775 suggestions and proposals in 2023, covering various aspects such as comprehensive transportation network planning, transportation infrastructure construction, development of new transportation formats, and green development of rural roads and water transportation. All of these suggestions and proposals have been addressed and responded to ahead of schedule. In recent years, the construction of supporting infrastructure for new energy vehicles has been a focus of NPC deputies and CPPCC members. "We are accelerating the development of charging infrastructure along highways. By the end of last year, we had already built a total of 21,000 charging stations, and the network of charging infrastructure along expressways has been further improved," said Wang. He disclosed that this year, the ministry plans to add 3,000 charging stations and 5,000 parking spaces with charging poles at service areas of highways. The ministry encourages construction of ultra-fast charging and high-power charging facilities at service areas. Additionally, based on the traffic characteristics during different holidays and in different regions, guidance will be provided to local authorities to offer targeted support measures, aiming to facilitate more convenient and efficient public transportation, Wang said. "The National Health Commission handled a total of 1,470 proposals and suggestions in 2023, of which approximately 1/10 were related to primary-level healthcare. These proposals and suggestions mainly focused on strengthening investment and support for primary-level healthcare, the construction of county-level medical consortia, the development of primary-level healthcare workforce, and the enhancement of primary-level healthcare service capabilities," said Li Bin, deputy head of the National Health Commission. The National Health Commission has made significant progress in handling related matters by fully absorbing and adopting the suggestions and proposals. For instance, it issued a guideline on comprehensively promoting the construction of county-level medical and health consortia, transitioning the construction of county-level medical and health consortia from a 4-year pilot phase to a comprehensive promotion stage. The commission has also established a task force for the construction of rural doctor teams, recruiting over 6,700 university graduates as rural doctors in 2023. Starting from 2023, a three-year action plan has been implemented to promote the construction of a number of health centers, addressing deficiencies in medical emergency response, infectious disease control, and pediatrics, among others. SOURCE People's Daily ZURICH, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) announced today that its subsidiary, Chubb INA Holdings Inc., has priced a public offering of $1 billion of 5.000% senior notes due 2034. The notes are guaranteed by Chubb Limited. Chubb intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the repayment at maturity of its $700 million 3.35% senior notes due May 15, 2024. The joint book-running managers for the offering are Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC. This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the senior notes or any other securities, nor will there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the senior notes or any other securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained by calling Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at 1-800-831-9146, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. at 1-866-811-8049 or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC at 1-800-645-3751. Alternatively, the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at www.sec.gov. About Chubb Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as statements regarding repayments, reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Additional information regarding factors that could cause differences from these forward-looking statements appears in the company's filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. SOURCE Chubb Limited Kaye and Baker bring executive and C-suite experience and diverse skills to the CBW team. NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Coldwell Banker Warburg, the premier brokerage that's been at the forefront of New York luxury real estate for more than 100 years, is pleased to announce that broker Kathy Kaye and agent Lorraine Baker have joined the firm. Kaye joins with a legendary track record of property sales, amassing more than $200 million in her career, while Baker also brings over $200 million in career sales to the company. "Lorraine is a powerhouse in the Manhattan luxury scene, boasting almost two decades of expertise and Kathy is synonymous with excellence and her extensive knowledge of Manhattan luxury and new developments across the city makes her an unstoppable force," said Kevelyn Guzman, Regional Vice President of Coldwell Banker Warburg. "We're thrilled to have Kathy and Lorraine join our Coldwell Banker family!" Before joining Coldwell Banker Warburg, Kaye managed full life-cycle sales and marketing for over $5 billion in inventory and represented both buyers and sellers in significant resales. Throughout her illustrious career, she served as President of Sotheby's International Realty Development Advisors, and as Senior Vice President for The Related Companies. Kaye is a Certified Negotiation Expert and a New York Residential Specialist certified by the Real Estate Board of New York. Further, she actively volunteers as a board member of the City of Hope's East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League (named for her mother) and remains involved in the SAG-AFTRA foundation, utilizing her skills as a performing artist. She holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Miami in Florida, and a Master's in Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York. "Throughout my career, I have always respected Warburg's esteemed presence in the Manhattan market, and I am very excited to join the prestigious Coldwell Banker Warburg Global Luxury team," said Kathy Kaye. Baker has spent nearly two decades working in Manhattan real estate and has extensive market knowledge to pair with her transactional expertise. Combined with her M.B.A. degree and years of business experience in banking and sales, as well as as a Silicon Valley manager and CFO, she has earned a well-regarded reputation for professional standards and exemplary service. In Manhattan real estate, Baker has consistently performed in the top 5% of her brokerage firm's business in recent years and has been recognized by "Real Trends" as one of America's Best Real Estate Professionals. "I am proud to be now affiliated with Coldwell Banker Warburg," said Lorraine Baker. "Its distinguished reputation locally, combined with an incredible and interconnected network of offices across the U.S., is most advantageous." Additionally, Coldwell Banker Warburg recently welcomed several new agents and brokers with a diverse range of industry experience, including Andrea Saturno-Sanjana , Michael Yehuda , Alana Lindsay , Dan Ragone , Victoria Adamo , Corrina Drost , Christopher Hall , and Sally Chame . About Coldwell Banker Warburg Coldwell Banker Warburg, formerly Warburg Realty, is a leading residential real estate brokerage in Manhattan. In 2021, it became the first company to be fully branded under Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, part of Coldwell Banker, one of the oldest and most established residential real estate leaders in North America. The legacy firms boast over two centuries of collective experience, offering agents and their clients a global network of resources, marketing power, and international presence. Coldwell Banker Warburg is led by Regional Vice President Kevelyn Guzman, who took the reins at the beginning of 2024. The brokerage is owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE:HOUS), the largest full-service residential real estate services company in the United States. Contact: Jesse Kent Coldwell Banker Warburg [email protected] SOURCE Coldwell Banker Warburg ANCHORAGE, Alaska, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Weidner Apartment Homes, the 15th largest apartment owner in the U.S. and prominent Alaska real estate investor, was one of the first public partners to support Catholic Social Services' (CSS) Complex Care Shelter to address homelessness in Anchorage. Complex Care can assist up to 83 elderly or medically fragile adults experiencing homelessness find permanent housing through supportive services and case management. This facility is essential for high-risk demographics requiring specific care to reach stability. Complex Care Shelter in Anchorage, AK. Photo credit: Weidner Apartment Homes. Complex Care's 2023 performance reports show promising data in solving homelessness in Anchorage. Of the 219 shelter guests, 80% developed a case plan during their stay. Furthermore, 94 of the 241 discharged guests transitioned into stable housing, and Complex Care outperformed Alaska's 2021 average successful shelter graduation rate by 25.5%. Weidner's support for Complex Care began in 2019 after partnering with public and private entities to fund the purchase of the site's building. This contribution encouraged other private and public groups to assist Complex Care financially. Robin Dempsey, CEO of CSS, shared, "Weidner provided the necessary resources to make the program as effective as possible. Complex Care wouldn't have happened without Weidner's initial contribution." Public-private partnerships are vital resources for piloting new approaches to solve city-wide problems. Weidner and other philanthropic investors saw an opportunity to ignite change where public sectors were initially unable to finance. These partnerships kickstarted Complex Care, and the following public investments have proven to sustain its success. "Leveraging the expertise of local service providers to determine Anchorage's needs while exploring national best practices was key to our investment in Complex Care," said Dean Weidner, Weidner's Founder and Chairman. "While that can feel risky for local jurisdictions, private-sector companies can contribute to the upstream risk-taking process to define a successful strategy. Innovation is an integral part of our business model, and employing that approach to our philanthropic partnerships provides new opportunities towards solving homelessness." About Weidner Apartment Homes Founded by W. Dean Weidner in 1977, Weidner Apartment Homes is a real estate investment and management company recognized as an efficient provider of quality rental apartment homes and a creative developer of new housing. The company is headquartered in Kirkland, WA, and its portfolio covers 13 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Please visit our website https://www.weidner.com/. SOURCE Weidner Apartment Homes LONG BEACH, Calif., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Galorath , the premier provider of digital engineering solutions and consulting services, today announced the appointment of Danny Polidi, Ph.D., as Practice Principal for Hardware and Systems Engineering. In his new role, Polidi oversees all members of Galorath's communities of practice, emphasizing enhancing staff development, fostering innovation in new solutions, and identifying and capitalizing on revenue stream opportunities. "Danny brings a wealth of engineering expertise and leadership experiences to his new role in leading our communities of practice and support for commercial and public sector customers," said Matt McDonald, President of Galorath Services and Vice President of Galorath Incorporated. "I look forward to collaborating with him on developing and delivering innovative digital engineering solutions, positively impacting our clients' missions." Galorath, digital engineering leader, taps Danny Polidi, PhD, as Practice Principal for Hardware and Systems Engineering Post this As Practice Principal, Polidi will play a pivotal role in cultivating Galorath's communities of practice. Leveraging his engineering expertise, Polidi will lead the development and execution of Galorath's transformational engineering solutions to the commercial and public sectors. His deep understanding and experience in the space and defense industries will facilitate expert-level program, acquisition, and engineering management of client programs, ensuring the effective and accurate research, development, and operations of systems over their lifecycles. Prior to joining Galorath, Polidi worked at Northrop Grumman as a Staff Engineer in Electronics; previously, he held leadership, management, and product development roles at Raytheon, NanoMetrics, REMEC, and Space Systems Loral. Polidi has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electronic engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif., and holds a doctorate in system engineering from Colorado State University. About Galorath Leveraging four decades of in-market experience and success, Galorath transforms cost, scheduling, should-cost analysis, and project estimation, optimizing outcomes and achieving unparalleled cost efficiencies for public and private sector organizations worldwide. SEER, Galorath's flagship digital engineering platform, is trusted by industry giants like Accenture, NASA, Boeing, the U.S. Department of Defense, and BAE Systems. Consistently delivering up to 30% cost savings within the first year, SEER accelerates time to market, dramatically enhances project predictability and visibility, and ensures project should-costs are on track and on budget. For more information, visit https://galorath.com/ . SOURCE Galorath SANTA CRUZ, Calif., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruz Foam , a circular materials company, has been honored by being included on TIME's inaugural list of America's Top GreenTech Companies 2024. This prestigious award is presented by TIME and Statista Inc., the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced on March 5th, 2024, and can be viewed on TIME's website . Companies headquartered in the United States that focused on developing and providing green technologies, products, or services that help mitigate or reverse the impact of human activities on the environment were considered for the award. The ranking is based on the research and analysis of over 4,600 companies across three dimensions: Positive Environmental Impact Financial Strength Innovation Drive In support of the research, data was gathered from annual reports, media monitoring, and other public sources. Additionally, Statista worked with specialized data partners, HolonIQ and LexisNexis PatentSight to further strengthen the data quality. Based on the study results, Cruz Foam is ecstatic to be recognized on TIME's list of America's Top GreenTech Companies 2024. Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, relevant business data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys. "We are honored to receive this award after many years of hard work solving critical issues in sustainable material innovation," said John Felts, CEO and Co-Founder of Cruz Foam. "Our compostable commercial products replacing EPS and EPE for applications in cold chain, block and brace, and wine & spirits solutions are the most sustainable, compostable products in their categories today." About Cruz Foam Cruz Foam is a circular materials company that produces regenerative, earth-digestible, and certified curbside recyclable protective packaging products and other eco-friendly solutions that offer a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic products. Cruz Foam's patented products are circular in nature, using biopolymers to create a compostable material using the existing supply chain and at a similar cost. Cruz Foam currently works with consumer-packaged goods, electronics, appliance, and durable goods companies. Cruz Foam is a mission-driven company that creates impact at scale by empowering industry leaders to be the catalyst for a cleaner environment. Cruz Foam is headquartered in Santa Cruz, California. ### SOURCE Cruz Foam NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The data center power market size is expected to grow by USD 20.56 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. Increasing investments in data centers are notably driving the market. However, factors such as UPS battery failure may impede market growth. The market is segmented by product (generators, transformers, UPS, transfer switches and switchgear, and others), end-user (IT and telecom, BFSI, energy, healthcare, and retail), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the market including ABB Ltd., Active Power Solutions Ltd., AEG Power Solutions BV, Black Box Corp., Caterpillar Inc., Control Technology Co., Cummins Inc., Cyber Power Systems Inc., Danfoss AS, Delta Electronics Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Exide Technologies, Generac Holdings Inc., Legrand SA, Panduit Corp., Rolls Royce Holdings Plc, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, Toshiba Corp., and Vertiv Holdings Co. Request Free Sample Report. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Data Center Power Market 2023-2027 Market Report Coverage Details Page number 183 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 11.1% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 20,569.77 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 9.26 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 29% Key countries US, China, Australia, Japan, and UK Company Analysis Active Power Solutions Ltd. - The company offers power through the Leansource flywheel. This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now for detailed company information Market Segmentation Product The market share growth by the generators segment will be significant during the forecast period. A generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electricity to act as a power source for different machines. In data centers, generators are employed as backup power supplies when the main power supply is lost. Nevertheless, companies are launching UPS systems with more backup time, which helps in increasing the adoption of UPS than generators, as they are cost-effective. Geography North America accounts for 29% of the market growth. The growing demand for it and servers in North America is driven due to the raised investments by hyper-scale cloud providers, colocation service providers, and enterprises. These investments support edge computing, 5G, multi-cloud services, big data analytics, and IoT. In addition, the rising adoption of cloud services has also led to an increased need for it. Modular UPS is the most popular among all UPS variants due to its high demand. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View PDF Sample Report Analyst Review In the age of digital transformation, Data Centers stand as the backbone of modern technology, supporting an array of IT equipment and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As the demand for seamless connectivity and computing power surges, the role of it has become increasingly vital, leading to a burgeoning market for power protection solutions. Schneider Electric, a key player in the industry, is at the forefront of this transformation with its innovative EcoSolutions portfolio. With a Mission to Zero emissions, Schneider Electric is not only addressing the electrification needs of the future but also emphasizing energy efficiency and cost reduction. It's owners face challenges in managing operational expenses and power tariffs, particularly in large data centers where power systems must be optimized for peak performance. Renovation of aging data centers and server rooms is essential to meet evolving standards such as ISO/IEC TS 22237-3:2018 and ANSI/BICSI 002-2014. Standards like ANSI/TIA-942-A ensure that it's infrastructure adheres to industry best practices, promoting energy efficiency and performance enhancement. However, high initial investment remains a concern for many owners, especially when upgrading power backup systems and HVAC systems. To mitigate these challenges, companies are turning to innovative solutions like Intelligent rack smart Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Power Distribution Units (PDU) equipped with battery monitoring equipment and intelligent power strips. Monitoring devices for PUE help optimize power usage efficiency and drive down TCO. The rise of cloud computing and Software as a Service (SaaS) further underscores the need for robust infrastructure. Colocation data centers and mega data centers are emerging as viable solutions, offering scalability and reliability. In the era of work-from-home models, web hosting clouds play a crucial role in supporting remote operations. Standards like CENELEC EN 50600 ensure interoperability and reliability in cabling infrastructure. In conclusion, the market is evolving rapidly, driven by the need for reliability, efficiency, and scalability. Companies like Schneider Electric are leading the charge towards a greener, more resilient future, where power systems are not just a necessity but a strategic asset in the digital economy. View PDF Sample Report Related Reports: The green data center market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 24.63% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 146.95 billion. The Europe data center market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 21.05% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 171.29 billion. ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today that it has officially moved its San Francisco office from One Bush Street to 45 Fremont Street, which signifies the firm's long-term commitment to California and its continued growth in the market. The new office hosts approximately 25 attorneys and 11 staff members. The space, which is significantly larger than the previous location, is optimally designed to be more efficient, foster more team communication and allow for continued growth. The office is fully equipped with state-of-the-art webcast and video-conference technology in its conference rooms, which offers a high-end meeting experience for clients and guests. As a law firm of the future, Dechert has moved away from closed spaces in favor of clear glass walls, allowing for 360-degree views of San Francisco, open seating areas and flexible workstations. Sustainable efficiency features, such as LED motion-controlled lighting and an energy management system, are also integrated into the space. David Forti, co-chair of Dechert, said: "With San Francisco being one of the world's key financial centers and experiencing a tech revival, we continue to see a great opportunity and potential to grow our transactions and complex litigation business and focus on key sectors that are important to our firm's overall strategy, including financial services, private equity, private credit, real estate, life sciences and technology." Jonathan Stott, managing partner of Dechert's San Francisco office, added: "Since 2021, we have more than tripled our attorney headcount and expanded our practice groups in San Francisco to reflect the firm's strengths and give us the ability to provide results-based solutions to our long-term clients as well as to new clients on the West Coast. Expansion in San Francisco and California more broadly remains a key priority for the firm, and we believe that our new office space reflects the firm's commitment." Dechert has always had a strong commitment to helping the local community. Last year alone, attorneys in the San Francisco office donated 1,875 hours to local pro bono clients that needed assistance with immigration, asylum, veteran, domestic violence and employment issues among several others. The office also supported several local charities that help homeless youths, food banks, children's literacy and more. About Dechert Dechert is a global law firm that advises asset managers, financial institutions and corporations on issues critical to managing their business and their capital from high-stakes litigation to complex transactions and regulatory matters. We answer questions that seem unsolvable, develop deal structures that are new to the market and protect clients' rights in extreme situations. Our 1,000+ lawyers across 21 offices globally focus on the financial services, private equity, private credit, real estate, life sciences and technology sectors. SOURCE Dechert LLP In collaboration with Trigger XR, Tequila Don Julio is creating the next level of access and engagement with spatial computing, beginning this spring. DIAGEO is the first beverage company to launch on Apple Vision Pro, as it continues its mission to shape the future of the beverage industry. NEW YORK, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the global leader in premium drinks, DIAGEO marks its ongoing ambition to shape the future of how people around the world interact with its extensive portfolio of iconic brands through an inaugural experience with Apple Vision Pro. Tequila Don Julio, Mexico's original luxury tequila, will be the first DIAGEO brand to leverage this immersive new storytelling platform, as the company adapts this emerging technology to create new experiences for tequila enthusiasts. The Tequila Don Julio experience on Apple Vision Pro With a commitment to bringing the culture of modern Mexico across the globe through the recently launched Por Amor campaign, this platform will allow tequila fans to be immersed in the world of Don Julio and experience the people, places, and processes behind the brand like never before. Agave-based spirits is one of the fastest growing categories in the industry, and tequila enthusiasts are seeking new ways to learn more about this incredible spirit. This new way to engage Don Julio with Apple Vision Pro leverages the latest in spatial computing and enables users to travel virtually to Mexico to experience the rich legacy, craft and culture that makes Don Julio the world's most authentic Mexican tequila from the comfort of their own home. Launching this spring, users will have a first-hand opportunity to experience the dedication to craft that brand founder Don Julio Gonzalez had when he began his tequila making journey in 1942. The Don Julio app experience on Apple Vision Pro will focus on the four key chapters in the Don Julio making process: harvesting the agave, baking the pinas, distilling the liquid, and aging the tequila. Future iterations will feature guided tastings, mixology demonstrations and experiences that will further celebrate the people and cocktail culture of modern Mexico. "Apple Vision Pro offers us a new opportunity to bring consumers closer to the vibrant world of modern Mexico and all that goes into making Tequila Don Julio an iconic brand," said Sophie Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Tequila and Mezcal Categories at DIAGEO. "Spatial computing gives us a rich canvas to deliver the closest version of the physical world of Tequila Don Julio through digital content, while allowing users to stay wherever they are in the world. What was once limited to visitor centers, distillery tours and physical activations, we're now able to inspire and educate seamlessly with behind-the-scenes access to our award-winning portfolio." Don Julio's app experience developed for Apple Vision Pro is spearheaded through a collaboration between DIAGEO's Global Breakthrough Innovation team led by Director Guy Middleton and Senior Vice President of DIAGEO's Global Tequila and Mezcal Categories, Sophie Kelly. The Breakthrough Innovation team was recently formed to build upon the company's commitment to push the boundaries of how people socialize and shape innovation at DIAGEO beyond the development of new products. The Tequila Don Julio experience on Apple Vision Pro will continue to evolve and is just the beginning as DIAGEO taps into this disruptive technology to bring similar experiences across its portfolio of exceptional spirits. "The technology behind Apple Vision Pro is an exciting new frontier that empowers us at DIAGEO to further our commitments to be cultural disruptors and provide industry leading experiences for our fans around the world," said Guy Middleton, Global Director of DIAGEO Breakthrough Innovation at DIAGEO. "We're excited to be amongst the first companies to adapt this new technology, enhance the way people discover our brands and help shape the future of immersive storytelling." The Tequila Don Julio experience on Apple Vision Pro will be a visionOS application available for users 21+ this spring. Follow @DonJulioTequila on Instagram to stay up to date on the details. ABOUT TEQUILA DON JULIO: Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. A tequila brand loved by Mexicans, Don Julio uses only the highest calibre, fully matured and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Don Julio portfolio includes Don Julio Blanco, Don Julio Reposado, Don Julio Anejo, Don Julio 70 and Don Julio 1942. For more information on Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com. ABOUT DIAGEO NA Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA ABOUT TRIGGER XR: Trigger XR is the world's most experienced XR developer and agency. For over 15 years, we've been trusted by some of the biggest companies and IPs to strategize, build and run cutting-edge AR, VR and immersive solutions across mobile and HMD. We push the limits of emerging technologies in service of stories Brands want to tell and people want to hear. Trigger XR has over 8 years of HMD experience, completed over 300+ XR projects and led more than 350,000+ hours of XR development with clients such as Disney, LEGO, Coca-Cola, the NBA, Nike, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Starbucks, Verizon and Molson Coors, along with premium entertainment IP including Spider-Man, Star Wars, Avengers, Avatar, Jurassic World and more. We are also exclusive early development partners with Unity, Apple, Niantic, Qualcomm, Roblox, Snap, Meta, Adobe and Google. We offer advisory, creative and development in-house with expertise at every stage of XR production, from R&D and prototyping to scalable mobile and HMD development, including live ops and maintenance. Trigger XR has numerous awards from Clios, Shortys, Auggies and Webbys and was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies by Inc. Magazine. As a minority owned business and a member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), we collaborate with a diverse slate of clients and partners who represent inclusive values. For more information about Trigger XR, visit us at www.triggerxr.com. SOURCE DIAGEO North America BANGALORE, India, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dilution Refrigerators Market is Segmented by Type (Base Temperature Below 10mK, Base Temperature Between 10-20mK, Base Temperature Above 20mK), by Application ( Quantum Computing , Low Temperature Detection, Nano Research). The Global Dilution Refrigerators Market is projected to grow from USD 118 Million in 2023 to USD 177.1 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.0% during the forecast period. Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-0M9558/Global_Dilution_Refrigerators_Market_Insights_and_Forecast_to_2028 Major Factors Driving the Growth of Dilution Refrigerators Market The growing need for ultra-low temperature conditions in high-tech industries such as astrophysics, quantum computing, cryogenic research, and cryogenics is propelling the market for dilution refrigerators. The necessity for accurate and dependable cooling solutions, which dilution refrigerators provide, is growing quickly because of the continued acceleration of innovations in these domains, which is driving market expansion. View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0M9558/global-dilution-refrigerators TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF DILUTION REFRIGERATORS MARKET The market for dilution refrigerators is expanding because of developments in quantum computing and science. For the purpose of maintaining the extremely low temperatures needed for quantum computing systems and experimental settings, dilution refrigerators are indispensable. Dilution refrigerators are necessary to operate quantum processors and qubits at cryogenic temperatures, and as quantum computing gains popularity for its promise to transform computing capabilities, this need is projected to grow. The growing need for cryogenic research and material science applications is propelling the market for dilution refrigerators. For doing research on quantum materials, superconductors, and other low-temperature phenomena, these freezers offer an ultra-low temperature environment. Accurate and dependable cooling systems are becoming more and more necessary as research in fields like condensed matter physics and quantum mechanics continues. In astrophysics and space research, dilution refrigerators are becoming more and more popular because investigating cosmic microwave background radiation and other celestial phenomena requires extremely low temperatures. Sensitive detectors and instruments used in ground-based telescopes and space-based observatories can function thanks to these coolers. Dilution refrigerators are predicted to become more and more necessary for space applications as a result of continuous space exploration missions and developments in observational astronomy. The rise of quantum information and sensing technologies is driving the market for dilution refrigerators. These freezers are essential for maintaining the temperature of sensors and other devices used in metrology, sensing, and quantum communication applications. Dilution refrigerators are expected to become more popular as cooling solutions as businesses and academic organizations engage in creating quantum-enhanced technology for secure communication. The semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries are high-tech sectors that fuel the expansion of the Dilution Refrigerators market. Dilution refrigerators are employed in these sectors for a variety of purposes, such as cryogenic sensor development, superconducting circuit cooling, and electronic device testing and characterization. It is projected that the need for dilution refrigerators to accommodate their unique cooling needs would rise as these sectors spur innovation and technical breakthroughs. Own It Today Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-0M9558&lic=single-user DILUTION REFRIGERATORS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS Key companies in the global Dilution Refrigerator market are JanisULT, Air Liquide (Cryoconcept), Leiden Cryogenics BV, Oxford Instruments NanoScience, Bluefors Oy, and others. The top three players own a share of around 36%. With a market share of over 42%, Europe is the largest, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific. Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0M9558/global-dilution-refrigerators/7 Key Players: Bluefors Oy Oxford Instruments NanoScience Leiden Cryogenics BV Air Liquide(Cryoconcept) JanisULT Taiyo Nippon Sanso ULVAC CRYOGENICS INC Quantum Design ICEoxford Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-0M9558/global-dilution-refrigerators/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. 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Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dodge is on the clock and just a day away from revealing to the world the brand's all-new, next-generation Dodge Charger muscle car. Mark your calendars: the global debut of the next era of Dodge muscle is set for tomorrow, March 5, 2024, starting at 11 a.m. ET., and can be viewed online at dodge.com. Dodge is on the clock and just a day away from revealing to the world the brands all-new, next-generation Dodge Charger muscle car. The global debut is set for March 5, 2024, starting at 11 a.m. ET., and can be viewed online at dodge.com. Dodge//SRT For more than 100 years, the Dodge brand has carried on the spirit of brothers John and Horace Dodge. Their influence continues today as Dodge shifts into high gear with a lineup that delivers unrivaled performance in each of the segments where they compete. Dodge drives forward as a pure performance brand, offering SRT Hellcat versions of the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger and Dodge Durango, as well as an R/T performance hybrid version of the all-new Dodge Hornet, representing the brand's first-ever electrified performance vehicle. Dodge delivers the drag-strip dominating 807-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock; the 797-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Redeye, the most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world; and the 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, the most powerful SUV ever; and best-in-class standard performance in the compact utility vehicle segment with the Dodge Hornet. Combined, these four muscle vehicles make Dodge the industry's most powerful brand, offering more horsepower than any other American brand across its entire lineup. Dodge is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com. Follow Dodge//SRT and company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Dodge brand: www.dodge.com Direct Connection: www.DCPerformance.com DodgeGarage: www.dodgegarage.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge and @StellantisNA YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge, https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis Buildout Efficiencies and Smarter Design Delivers Reduced Construction Costs for Franchisees PHOENIX, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogtopia, the leading dog wellness franchise, has recently unveiled its latest store design, which entails a smaller footprint and more playroom space than the company's previous store layout. While utilizing smart planning and space-saving efficiencies, the new design only requires 4,000-5,000 square feet, and delivers 20% more play area than the former model. Along with the super-efficient footprint, the new design includes savings in overall buildout, such as standardized millwork and graphics for a faster construction schedule, leading to a 15% savings in cost per square foot. Not only do these changes benefit franchisees by bringing down overall capital expenditure while maximizing revenue; they also reduce rent and open the opportunity for more Dogtopia daycares in dog-loving communities across North America, an attractive addition to any building or retail center for landlords. "We know that every community of pet parents can benefit from having a Dogtopia in their neighborhood, and this new, smart store design makes that a possibility," said Neil Gill, CEO of Dogtopia. "From a landlord's perspective, our customers visit our locations twice a day and at least twice a week, they don't need long-term parking. This makes Dogtopia a perfect neighboring tenant for any landlord looking to drive a higher-end demographic to their centers. We understand that other pet service franchises advertise cheap or "no-frills" buildout costs, which is a direct compromise to the modern and high safety standards of a Dogtopia facility. This new design makes Dogtopia more competitive while still delivering our premium amenities that have positioned us as the leading dog daycare, boarding and spa provider." Noise and odor control were also taken into consideration when designing the new space. With more than 20 years of experience in the dog daycare industry, Dogtopia has refined its design to provide maximum sound containment, while still utilizing standard construction materials and practices. Analysis of the existing structure, neighboring tenants, as well as their locations, are all evaluated during the design process to provide a dog daycare that is welcome in any environment from shopping centers to high-rises, retail centers and beyond. Notably, the Dogtopia Foundation is now a permanent fixture within the location, confirming Dogtopia's commitment to its Noble Cause and dogs giving back to humanity through its three key pillars: service dogs for veterans, employment for individuals with autism, and therapy dogs for students. For more information about Dogtopia and the franchise opportunity, visit https://www.dogtopia.com/franchising-us/. About Dogtopia: Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is an early pioneer and innovator in the dog daycare industry, offering an experience focused on wellness, quality of care, safety, and transparency in the market. The ultimate destination for improving the physical and mental well-being of dogs and pet parents, Dogtopia helps our furry friends live long, healthy, and happy lives with services that holistically address canine wellness. Pet parents have the assurance of leaving their beloved furry family members in the hands of trained professionals in an environment created with the safety of dogs in mind, including spacious playrooms assigned by size and play style, comfortable rubber flooring to reduce the impact on joints and paws, and webcams for pet parents to check in on their pups. For more information, visit www.dogtopia.com. Media Contact: David Robertson, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300 SOURCE Dogtopia WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Drucker Wealth, a hybrid advisory team with $750mm of assets under management, led by father-son duo Lance and Gideon Drucker, recently launched their own independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) based in New Jersey & serving clients nationally. They launched their new RIA, Drucker Wealth LLC, after the team separated from Hornor, Townsend and Kent (HTK), their independent broker-dealer of over 40+ years, where they had been the largest advisory team for a record-setting 18 consecutive years. Drucker Wealth, a $750mm advisory team, launches Independent RIA to embrace next-generation's vision. Post this With over 45 years of experience, a 12-person team, and ongoing relationships with over 800 client households, Drucker Wealth's decision reflects a strategic evolution driven by recent growth & the vision of the next generation. The move to independence marks the dawn of Drucker Wealth 3.0, a new endeavor spearheaded by President & CEO Gideon Drucker, who recognized the importance of adapting the business model to better serve evolving client needs in the modern financial landscape. This evolution has included hiring & training new advisor(s) each year to scale in an organized way, adding new services & partner integrations, and creating a more systemized client calendar for maximum efficiency. As Lance, Drucker Wealth's Chairman, put it, "A few years back, Gideon came to me with this wild idea of Drucker Wealth 3.0 ... a totally new and improved version of what had basically been working for the past half century ... my response was 'Have at it!' Change is inevitable, and adaptability is a core attribute of successful companies." As Drucker Wealth rapidly expanded its client base and enhanced its service offerings, the limitations inherent in the previous model became apparent. The desire for greater customization and flexibility in technology offerings and client service led the Druckers' to explore alternative options thoroughly before deciding to launch their own RIA. This shift to an independent RIA will afford Drucker Wealth more freedom and control, enabling the firm to curate a more seamless & elegant experience for its growing client base. By partnering with Fidelity and Altruist for custody, to accommodate different client segments, and PKS as their RIA-friendly broker-dealer, Drucker Wealth has reengineered its operational framework to optimize efficiency and, ultimately, to enhance client satisfaction. "While getting to this point took a lot of long nights & hard work, we could not be more excited about the opportunities it affords us to innovate and provide even greater value to clients long term," Gideon shared, continuing, "This was the right move at the right time for us to keep building the firm of our dreams and to serve our clients in the best way possible for decades to come." Drucker Wealth's evolution to an independent RIA underscores its unwavering commitment to client-centric excellence and sets the stage for a dynamic new chapter in its storied legacy that Bernie Drucker, Lance's father, began in 1959. For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Bridget Farrington Director of Business Development Drucker Wealth 212.681.0460 [email protected] www.druckerwealth.com SOURCE Drucker Wealth PEKIN, Ill., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp) upcoming 2024 Symposium brings leaders, practitioners, and experts worldwide to explore cutting-edge developments in eating disorder treatment. To support that effort, the iaedp Foundation extends a heartfelt appreciation to its diverse range of sponsors, whose invaluable support ensures the success of this event. As the highest level, Gold Sponsors play a pivotal role in making the symposium possible. Their unwavering commitment to advancing eating disorder treatment showcases their dedication to the well-being of individuals struggling with these complex conditions: Acadia Healthcare, Accanto Health and Alsana. The Silver Sponsor contributes significantly to the symposium's success. Their partnership underscores a shared vision of fostering innovation and progress in the field: Equip. Bronze Sponsors' generous support reflects a collective effort to bring about positive change and improved outcomes for those affected by eating disorders: Discovery Behavioral Health, EDRS, Embark Behavioral Health, Focus Treatment Centers, Hidden River Healing Eating Disorder Treatment, Med-X Consulting, PC, Odyssey Eating Disorder Network, Penn Med Princeton Medical Center - Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, and Within Health. In addition to the sponsors, the iaedp Symposium 2024 will feature a diverse array of exhibitors providing attendees with firsthand insights into innovative approaches, therapeutic interventions, and technological solutions: ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders & Severe Malnutrition at Denver Health Ai Pono Hawaii Dayton Children's Hospital Galen Hope Jennifer Nardozzi, LLC Living Hope Eating Disorder Treatment Center Rogers Behavioral Health River Oaks Hospital Timberline Knolls UC San Diego Health Eating Disorders Center ViaMar Health "We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors, whose contributions enable us to bring the latest in eating disorder treatment to practitioners worldwide," said Bonnie Harken, iaedp Managing Director. "It is through their generosity that we can continue to advance our mission of enhancing the quality of care and support for individuals on the path to recovery." As the anticipation builds, practitioners, experts, and advocates are invited to attend iaedp 2024 Symposium. This gathering promises to be a hub of collaborative expertise and inspiration, propelling the field of eating disorder treatment forward. Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to experience groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of eating disorder care. About the iaedp Foundation, since 1985, has provided education and training standards to an international and multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions. SOURCE iaedp Foundation NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The edge computing market size is expected to grow by USD 9.93 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 24.74% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. Rising demand for decentralized computing to reduce latency in decision-making is notably driving the edge computing market. However, factors such as Competition from low-cost centralized and general-purpose computing infrastructure may impede market growth. The market is segmented by End-user (Industrial manufacturing, Telecom, Mobility, Government, and Others), Component (Hardware, Software, Services, and Edge-managed platforms), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Edge Computing Market 2023-2027 The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate Request a Free Sample Report. Report Coverage Details Page number 185 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Edge Computing Market Forecast Period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 24.74% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 9,928.42 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 22.67 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 42% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the edge computing market incluidng Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Arrow Electronics Inc., Capgemini Service SAS, ClearBlade Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., EdgeConneX Inc., General Electric Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Intel Corp., Nokia Corp., NVIDIA Corp., Renesas Electronics Corp., Schneider Electric SE, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Aarna Networks Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., International Business Machines Corp., and Microsoft Corp. Request a Free Sample Report. Company Analysis Amazon - The company offers mobile edge computing services through Google Distributed Cloud Edge. This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now for detailed company information Market Segmentation End-user The market share growth by the industrial manufacturing segment will be significant during the forecast period. Industrial applications of edge computing are primarily focused on automating industrial manufacturing and process environments. These environments heavily rely on industrial IoT devices, automation hardware, and connected sensors and actuators. Some end-users in the industrial manufacturing segment are working towards establishing agreements with vendors operating in the market to integrate edge computing into their operations. For example, in February 2021 , Ford and Google announced a six-year strategic partnership on cloud services and the Android operating system. The market share growth by the industrial manufacturing segment will be significant during the forecast period. Industrial applications of edge computing are primarily focused on automating industrial manufacturing and process environments. These environments heavily rely on industrial IoT devices, automation hardware, and connected sensors and actuators. Some end-users in the industrial manufacturing segment are working towards establishing agreements with vendors operating in the market to integrate edge computing into their operations. For example, in , Ford and Google announced a six-year strategic partnership on cloud services and the Android operating system. Geography North America is estimated to account for 42% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The market in the region is expected to experience considerable growth due to the growing focus on improving efficiency in IT infrastructure within commercial and industrial environments and the rising adoption of big data analytics and IoT by end-users. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View PDF Free Sample Report Analyst Review In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, investments in cutting-edge technologies like edge computing have become imperative for businesses across various industry verticals. This paradigm shift is driven by the escalating demand for faster, more reliable data processing solutions that can handle data volumes and network traffic efficiently. Edge solutions offer a strategic advantage by bringing computation and data storage closer to the source of data generation, reducing network congestion and network bottlenecks. This proximity enables low latency and high bandwidth communication, critical for real-time applications like autonomous vehicles and smart driving systems. Enterprises are increasingly deploying initiatives to optimize workloads and minimize costs associated with centralized storage and cloud infrastructure. By establishing local centers, organizations can ensure the swift processing of mission-critical data while offloading non-critical data to the cloud for cost optimization. One of the main challenges in edge technology adoption is the security of IoT devices and edge nodes. Cyberattacks targeting these devices pose a significant risk to data integrity and confidentiality. Therefore, robust authentication mechanisms, encryption, and tamper-proof designs are essential to mitigate such threats. Despite these challenges, the market is witnessing substantial growth, with investments pouring in from various industry players. Technology giants like HPE are leading the charge by developing solution-specific technology and next-generation CDNs tailored for environments. Moreover, telecom firms are capitalizing on the low-latency connectivity offered by edge data centers to provide high-quality services such as online consultations in the healthcare sector. These firms leverage high-security measures to safeguard sensitive patient data and ensure uninterrupted service delivery. In conclusion, it is poised to revolutionize how data is processed and analyzed across industries. With its ability to enhance servers, optimize software, and drive cost reductions, it represents the future of IT systems architecture, offering unparalleled scalability and flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the digital age. View PDF Free Sample Report Related Reports: The micro servers market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.82% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 26,527.99 million. The microcontroller market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.97% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 9,031.4 million. ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it will participate in the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, which is being held in Miami, Florida, on March 12-14, 2024. Encompass Health's President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Tarr and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Doug Coltharp will participate in a fireside chat on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 8:30 8:55 a.m. ET. The presentation will be webcast live and available at http://investor.encompasshealth.com . About Encompass Health Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 161 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Media Contact: Kennedi Spurling | 205.970.5912 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: Mark Miller | 205.970.5860 [email protected] SOURCE Encompass Health Corp. The one-of-a-kind, affordable & clean collection is finally bringing the peptide movement to accessible hair care in Target, Walmart, & beyond WAYZATA, Minn., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A cutting edge innovation in peptide-infused hair care has arrived and is launching in-store and online at national and regional retailers, including Target and Walmart. V&Co. Beauty is a first-ever collection of shampoos and conditioners, powered by scientific innovation and rooted in targeted hair health that caters to the distinctive needs of each type and texture. The curated vegan and cruelty-free product selection allows consumers to level up their routine with four targeted shampoo and conditioner options: Wavy, Straight, Curly, and Thickening, empowering healthy hair journeys and inspiring individuality. V&Co. Beauty Peptides have become a staple across skin care and supplements because they can help deliver real, unrivaled results. However, there have been little to no options in the hair care aisle that leveraged their deeply reparative benefitsuntil now. V&Co. Beauty's Proprietary Peptide Blend is a carefully crafted fusion of peptides, amino acids, proteins and vitamins finally treating scalp and hair to the same quality and efficacy that we extend to skin care. From boosting hydration to increasing volume, intensifying shine, fortifying strength and adding an extra layer of protection, the peptides can go beyond the surface to help accentuate the best aspects of each individual hair type. The V&Co. Beauty team is committed to making the world a better and more sustainable place for generations to come, one beautiful head of hair at a time. It all begins with the elimination of harmful chemicals such as parabens and sulfates from the products. This commitment to health and well-being also extends to Mother Nature, with the formulas housed in custom, one of a kind bottles, made from up to 65% recycled materials. V&Co. Beauty is a family founded and multi-generational run team, headed by father-son team, Tom and Mike Redmond. The Redmond family are serial entrepreneurs within the hair care industry, having founded beloved household name brands like Aussie Hair Care and Renpure. Mike and Tom noticed peptides sweeping skin care aisles and were inspired to research their benefits for hair, alongside their seasoned scientific team. "With a combined 40 years of hair care expertise under our belts, my dad and I understood that what performs best in skin and body care, often eventually makes its way to innovate hair care as well," says Co-Founder, Mike Redmond. "We couldn't help but notice the peptide movement and began the lengthy process to develop and fine tune formulas, specifically created to leverage peptides for hair health. We discovered that with the right science and technology, they were indeed just as essential and transformative for the hair's structure and functionand V&Co. Beauty was born. Today, we are on a mission to empower every person to achieve a healthy relationship and confident connection with their hair. We truly love what we do and the proof is in every bottle." V&Co. Beauty Shampoos & Conditioners retail for $7.99 - $8.99 each/12 oz in-store and online at Target, Walmart, all Safeway and Albertsons banners, Meijer, H-E-B, Stop + Shop, Wake Fern, Ingles, Harris Teeter, Food City, Associated Foods, and Woodman's Market. About V&Co. Beauty: Prepare to enter your healthiest hair era with V&Co. Beauty, the new leader in peptide-infused hair care, powered by scientific innovation and rooted in targeted hair health. Our one-of-a-kind collection caters to the distinctive needs of each hair type and texture to level up every routine, all at an affordable price point. The Proprietary Peptide Blend goes beyond the surface to help accentuate the best aspects of your hair, while always promising to be paraben- and sulfate-free, cruelty-free and vegan. A family-owned company, the tight knit V&Co. Beauty team is on a shared mission to provide consumers everywhere with the highest-performing products in the industry all while being affordable and free of harmful chemicals, such as parabens, and sulfates, with no compromises, ever. https://vandcobeauty.com/ Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE V&Co. Beauty Agreement includes a single digit million US$ 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 SOURCE Fibrocor Therapeutics Under Pendery's leadership, the breakfast & brunch brand grew successfully from one California restaurant to more than 520 nationwide BRADENTON, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- His bold words are plastered on the walls of the Florida-based restaurant company's Home Office and serve as a constant reminder and permanent edict from the beloved hospitality leader: "Culture is integrity. It's honesty. It's respect." First Watch announced today that co-founder and longtime leader Ken Pendery passed away on March 4, 2024, after a battle with Multiple System Atrophy, a rare neurological disorder. He was 70. First Watch Co-Founder, Longtime CEO and Former Chairman Ken Pendery Passes Away at 70 Pendery retired from the company's board of directors in 2022 after 38 years with the breakfast, brunch and lunch concept. During his extensive and influential tenure, he and co-founder John Sullivan moved the company's operations from California to the Gulf Coast of Florida in the mid-1980s. Pendery assumed the role of CEO in the late '90s. During his time at the helm, First Watch grew from about 50 restaurants in 1998 to more than 330 in 2018, when he transitioned from CEO to executive chairman. After working together for 12 years, successor and current CEO and President Chris Tomasso continued the successful expansion to more than 450 restaurants by the time Pendery stepped down from the board of directors four years later. Today, First Watch operates more than 520 restaurants in 29 states. "Ken's impact and influence is and will forever be felt throughout our organization," said Tomasso. "He was a mentor and dear friend, and the epitome of the 'You First' culture our company is built upon. Everyone who crossed his path is better for it. Our hearts go out to his family, and we will carry his memory fondly." Regarded as a beloved leader and dear friend, Pendery cared deeply about the value of trust, humility, doing the right thing and having only the highest of standards. He instilled in each new leader their crucial and primary responsibility: company culture. Pendery was adamant that the behaviors of just one person can strengthen and embolden a culture or destroy it, and he found it his mission to protect the integrity of culture. Today, Pendery's legacy lives on through First Watch's "5 Steps of Service," first written on the back of a napkin in 1987, and his 10 Commandments (now "Commitments"). Beginning with "Welcome with warmth" and ending with "Act with infectious positivity," the tenets are actively trained and practiced in each restaurant. Pendery is survived by his wife, Jenny; two children, Trey (Maureen) and Libby (Kevin); and four grandchildren, Woods, Nora, Sita and Red. A private service will take place later this month. SOURCE First Watch Restaurants, Inc. Second Phase Reunites Industry Partners to Develop, Update New Tools for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Technologies NEW ORLEANS, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded a Phase 2 contract for the continuation of its successful TechCelerate Now trucking technology analysis and education program. TechCelerate "TechCelerate Now" (TCN) is an ongoing initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in partnership with the ITS Joint Program Office. Focused on "Accelerating the Adoption of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)" and using the project brand name "TechCelerate Now," the TCN program is focused on accelerating the adoption of ADAS by the trucking industry to reduce fatalities and prevent injuries and crashes. This Phase 2 of the initiative is a four-year program that will develop new and updated technical information and guidelines for various ADAS technologies. Many industry leaders are working together on "TechCelerate Now" under the leadership of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), ATA's Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) Foundation and the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The "TechCelerate Now" Program will incorporate technology data, research and analysis into a suite of innovative marketing tools in order to reduce truck crashes and generate substantial industry returns-on-investment (ROI). Among other key tasks, the program will document evolving fleet and driver perspectives, develop an expanded ADAS ROI Calculator, set up a national TCN Service Center and produce informational videos and brochures. TMC will also be producing new ADAS Recommended Practices and a TCN Ambassador Program. "We're very pleased to continue the progress TechCelerate Now has made in examining various safety technologies and setting a course for expanding the industry dialogue on the potential safety benefits of these systems," said Jeff Loftus, Chief, Advanced Technology Division, Office of Research and Registration, FMCSA. For more information on FMCSA's TechCelerate Now, email [email protected]. American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. SOURCE American Trucking Associations 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, 20222032". 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 20232032 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 [email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE Allied Market Research 0131 na grocery prices It has been almost 18 months since Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government announced a policy that prevents non-like-minded nations such as China from investing in Canadas critical minerals sector, and yet the issue continues to be an industry talking point. Thats partly because a few Canadian miners have announced deals linked to Chinese companies in the past three months. These deals have not been completed and need to be approved by the Canadian government, but they are being followed by many in the mining industry to better understand the limits of Chinese investments in the sector. Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne provided some clarity on the issue on March 4 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto, where he warned companies not to try to circumvent the rules. ADVERTISEMENT The minister was specifically asked about the case of Montreal-based SRG Mining Inc., which planned to redomicile to the United Arab Emirates after agreeing to sell 19.4 per cent of the company to a Chinese company. The company said moving out of Canada meant the deal would not require federal governments clearance. Champagnes response, though, was more general and not targeted at SRG. I would say to anyone watching or reading, its never smart to try to circumvent the rules, he said. The Government of Canada has a number of tools in our tool box to make sure Canadian law is upheld. SRG Mining on March 5 said it has cancelled its deal with Carbon One New Energy Group Co. Ltd. The SRG decision this morning, I think, was a helpful decision that they would essentially not redomicile in order to accept Chinese investments, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on March 5. We have been pretty clear that we are not interested in investments generally from state-owned enterprises, but certainly the ones that are raising significant flags will be those that require some kind of offtake agreements, those that require control of shareholders or those that provide for significant board representation. Story continues The issue with Chinese miners first came into focus in November 2022, when Canada ordered three Chinese companies to divest their shares from three Canadian lithium miners. That was a month after Ottawa released a policy making it more difficult for foreign businesses either owned or influenced by non-like-minded nations to own or invest in Canadian miners that deal with critical minerals such as lithium, copper and nickel. These three minerals, along with 28 others, are considered critical because of the key roles they are expected to play in the gradual transition away from energy produced from fossil fuels. The restrictions were imposed to ensure Canada lessens its dependence on China, which dominates the critical minerals sector. The move also seems to be a part of a wider goal by the United States and Canada to rely more on friendlier nations. Aside from SRG, Vancouver-based Solaris Resources Inc., which is developing a copper deposit, announced a $130-million investment from Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. in January. In February, Vancouver-based Osino Resources Corp. agreed to sell itself to Yintai Gold Co. Ltd. for $368 million. While this deal is focused on gold not a mineral the Canadian government considers critical and is not likely to face enhanced scrutiny from the federal government, it still highlights the influence of Chinese investments. Canadas Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson also spoke at the convention about the importance of forging critical minerals deals with allies. Right now, it is abundantly clear that the mining and processing of critical minerals is concentrated into few countries. Some of them do not share our interests, our priorities or our values, he said. This must change. We cannot allow our future prosperity, economic security and our ability to meet net zero-goals to be held hostage. Email: nkarim@postmedia.com Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Dont miss the business news you need to know add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. Men's grooming leader Wahl to create campus oasis where safe manscaping comes standard with FREE trimmers and the chance to win $2,000. STERLING, Ill., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It's been a long furry winter, so as spring break approaches, Wahl is helping college students prepare for the most perfectly groomed trip of their life. The company is inviting Georgia Institute of Technology students to visit The Nether Region a place where safe below-the-belt grooming comes standard thanks to the Wahl Manscaper. The pop-up oasis can be found at Tech Green on Georgia Tech's campus on March 8, 2024, from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Tourists to The Nether Region can expect a welcome gift as Wahl gives away 100 FREE Wahl Manscaper trimmers from its custom vending machine one of which will hold a golden ticket worth $2,000. Mens grooming leader Wahl is inviting Georgia Tech students to visit The Nether Region a place where safe below-the-belt grooming comes standard thanks to the Wahl Manscaper. The pop-up oasis can be found at Tech Green on Georgia Techs campus on March 8, 2024, from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Tourists to The Nether Region can expect a welcome gift as Wahl gives away 100 FREE Wahl Manscaper trimmers from its custom vending machine one of which will hold a golden ticket worth $2,000. Mens grooming leader Wahl to create Georgia Tech campus oasis where safe manscaping comes standard with FREE below-the-belt trimmers and the chance to win $2,000. "Even before they step foot on the beach, college guys cringe at the thought of nicking themselves when grooming down there," said Steven Yde, Vice President of North America Consumer at Wahl. "That's why we're visiting college campuses to let them know below-the-belt grooming can be a cringe-free experience with the #1 tool for safely navigating their 'nether region.'" Top Tips for Safely Navigating the Nether Region The Wahl Manscaper is key to fearless travels below the equator. The trimmer's integrated protection system prevents injuries, promising guys a smooth, snag-free experience as they explore bushy jungles, uncharted nooks and crannies. The following Wahl Manscaper features and grooming tips will ensure your precious cargo is protected: Pack smart. Yes, you can pack the trimmer in your checked luggage or carry-on. Start fresh. The trimmer is fully waterproof, so a hot shower is a great way to open the pores and get ready to tame Paradise Jungle. Explore danger-free. From the base of Mount Nethers to the soft rolling Dingle Hills, its safe-touch blade and wrap-around guard will help you navigate smoothly, minus bumps, nicks or cuts. Take your time. Don't rush it, with lithium-ion technology that runs an industry-best 100 minutes, and a fuel gauge that indicates how much run time is left, you can enjoy the scenery. Don't miss. No trip to The Nether Region is complete without a stop up north of the Beltline and down south in The Thighlands. With an adjustable dial that offers 20 different cutting lengths, every terrain is covered. The Wahl Manscaper has a MSRP of $59.99, and is currently available at WahlUSA.com or major retailers including Walmart.com. Besides the flagship below-the-belt trimmer, other grooming tools in the Manscaper lineup include a beard trimmer, hair clipper, shaver and more. For more information about grooming tips and tools visit WahlUSA.com or follow @WahlGrooming on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. About Wahl Grooming Celebrating its 105th anniversary, Wahl continues to help men look and feel their best with innovative products manufactured to define and elevate the men's grooming category. The company set the standard with the first-ever practical electric hair clipper in 1919, and later strengthened its leadership with the world's first battery-powered facial hair trimmer. It's this continued commitment to excellence that has solidified Wahl's place as the world's go-to brand for men's grooming solutions. For more information, visit WahlUSA.com. The Wahl Manscaper is a registered trademark of Wahl Clipper Corporation. All rights reserved. Download Product Images: https://cloud.hoffmanyork.com/portal/s/012381978700943272031 SOURCE Wahl Founded in Portland, Oregon, Gerber has been designing and manufacturing equipment and outdoor products since 1939. PORTLAND, Ore., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerber Gear, a leading outdoor brand dedicated to crafting problem-solving tools, proudly commemorates 85 legendary years of exceptional American-made craftsmanship and innovation in Portland, Oregon. Gerber 85th Anniversary. 85 legendary years image. As a local advertising agency founder and owner, Joe Gerber wanted to design a carving knife he could gift to his clients. This one-off gift became a highly sought-after knife and from those humble beginnings, Gerber Gear was founded in 1939. What began as a business to produce culinary knives quickly evolved into an innovative manufacturing journey that would go on to revolutionize the American knife market. From kitchen knives to combat tools for World War II, Gerber swiftly established itself as a global icon, crafting equipment embraced by hunters, soldiers, tradesmen, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Gerber also played a pivotal role in starting the Everyday Carry movement we see today, with the introduction of folding knives in the 1960's. "Gerber's 85th anniversary marks a time of celebration and reflection on the remarkable legacy of Pete, Joe, and Ham Gerber's innovative ideas and their impact on the industry as a whole," said Keith Carrato, VP/GM of Gerber Gear. "Our heritage runs deep and is rooted in a steadfast dedication to quality, innovation, and meeting consumer needs. We are proud to empower the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and problem-solvers." Each month throughout 2024, Gerber will tell a series of unique stories celebrating its history, culminating in a limited-edition product release in November. To learn more about Gerber's history and be kept up-to-date on the 85th Anniversary happenings, please visit https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/meet-gerber/85th-anniversary. About Gerber: Gerber is a global outdoor brand founded in 1939 that builds knives, multi-tools, and problem-solving gear for wherever the pursuit may lead you. For 85 legendary years, Gerber products have been used by mountain climbers, trail hikers, backpackers, kayakers, and more. Gerber products are at home on a hunt in the middle of nowhere, and patio campsites right outside the home. All Gerber products are backed by the Gerber Guarantee, a limited lifetime warranty. For more information, please visit www.gerbergear.com or follow on social media on Instagram and Facebook. SOURCE Gerber Gear LOUISVILLE, Colo., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) today announced the inaugural class of its Supply Chains of Distinction Award for 2023, which recognizes top performing hospitals and health systems in North America. Industry-leading supply chains have evolved to become more automated, data-driven and resilient, giving rise to a set of best practice "perfect order" metrics that measure an organization's supply chain performance. The Supply Chains of Distinction Award honors GHX Exchange-connected provider organizations that excelled in driving best-in-class supply chain operations. This is achieved through the successful execution of perfect order metrics during a calendar year. This year's recipients will be honored at the 2024 GHX Summit taking place May 13-16, 2024 in Austin, TX. "Each of these outstanding organizations demonstrates a deep commitment to innovation in service to a more reliable, responsive and resilient healthcare supply chain," said Tina Vatanka Murphy, president and CEO, GHX. "Together, they're driving the industry forward and making positive, lasting contributions to the patients and families we serve together. I look forward to honoring them at this year's Summit." Winners represent the top 25 performers across three segments: Small, Medium and Large. The following organizations represent the class of 2023 Supply Chains of Distinction Award recipients. Small Bozeman Health (Bozeman, Mont.) Brooklyn Hospital Center at Downtown Campus (Brooklyn, N.Y.) Carteret Health Care ( Morehead City, N.C. ) ) CentraState Medical Center ( Freehold, N.J. ) ) Cheyenne Regional Medical Group ( Cheyenne , Wyo.) , Wyo.) Children's Hospital of Orange County ( Orange, Calif. ) ( ) Connecticut Children's (Hartford, Conn.) Contra Costa Health ( Martinez, Calif. ) ) Door County Memorial Hospital (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) Erie County Medical Center (Buffalo, N.Y.) Fort HealthCare, Inc. ( Fort Atkinson, Wis. ) ) Greater Baltimore Medical Center (Baltimore, Md.) Holyoke Medical Center ( Holyoke, Mass. ) ) Lincoln Surgery Center ( Lincoln, Neb. ) ) Middlesex Health ( Middletown, Conn. ) ) Milford Regional Medical Center ( Milford, Mass. ) ) Parrish Medical Center ( Titusville, Fla. ) ) Southwest General Health Center ( Middleburg Heights, Ohio ) ) St. Claire Regional Medical Center ( Morehead, Ky. ) ) T.J. Samson Community Hospital ( Glasgow, Ky. ) ) The Polyclinic ( Seattle, Wash. ) ) UAB Medical West ( Bessemer, Ala. ) ) United Regional Healthcare System ( Wichita Falls, Texas .) .) University of Alabama Health Services Foundation ( Birmingham, Ala. ) Health Services Foundation ( ) University of Toledo Medical Center ( Toledo, Ohio ) Medium Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago ( Chicago , Ili.) ( , Ili.) Cape Cod Healthcare ( Hyannis, Mass. ) ) Children's of Alabama ( Birmingham, Ala. ) ( ) Eisenhower Health ( Rancho Mirage, Calif. ) ) El Camino Health ( Mountain View, Calif. ) ) Harris Health System ( Houston, Texas ) ) Marshall Health Network (Huntington, W.V.) MetroHealth System ( Cleveland, Ohio ) ) Northern Light Health ( Brewer, Maine ) ) Parkland Health ( Dallas, Texas ) ) Presbyterian Healthcare Services (Albuquerque, N.M.) Riverside Health System (Newport News, Va.) San Antonio Regional Hospital ( Upland, Calif. ) ) Seattle Children's ( Seattle, Wash. ) ) The Queen's Health System ( Honolulu, Hawaii ) ) TMC Health ( Tucson, Ariz. ) ) TriHealth ( Cincinnati, Ohio ) ) UC Health Parkview Medical Center ( Pueblo, Colo. ) ) UC Irvine Health ( Irvine, Calif. ) ) UK King's Daughters Medical Center (Ashland, Ky.) United Health Services (Binghamton, N.Y.) University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville, Tenn.) Medical Center (Knoxville, Tenn.) UW Health - Northern Illinois Region ( Rockford , Ili.) , Ili.) Valley Medical Center ( Renton, Wash. ) ) Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center ( San Francisco, Calif. ) Large Allina Health ( Minneapolis, Minn. ) ) Aspirus, Inc. ( Wausau, Wisc .) .) Catholic Health System (Buffalo, N.Y.) Cedars-Sinai ( Los Angeles, Calif. ) ) ECU Health (Greenville, N.C.) Hackensack Meridian Health ( Hackensack, N.J. ) ) Jackson Health System ( Miami, Fla. ) ) Loma Linda University Health ( Loma Linda, Calif. ) Health ( ) M Health Fairview ( Minneapolis, Minn. ) ) Memorial Hermann Healthcare ( Houston, Texas ) ) MemorialCare ( Fountain Valley, Calif. ) ) Mount Sinai Health System (New York, N.Y.) MultiCare Health System ( Tacoma, Wash. ) ) New York-Presbyterian (New York, N.Y.) NYC Health + Hospitals (New York, N.Y.) Health + Hospitals (New York, N.Y.) Providence Health & Services ( Renton, Wash. ) ) Rush University Medical Center ( Chicago, Ill. ) Medical Center ( ) St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Inc. ( Edgewood, Ky. ) ) Scripps Health ( San Diego, Calif. ) ) St. Luke's Health System ( Boise, Idaho ) ) Tufts Medicine ( Burlington, Mass. ) ) UAB Medicine Enterprise ( Birmingham, Ala. ) ) UC San Diego Health ( San Diego, Calif. ) ) UCLA Health ( Los Angeles, Calif. ) ) UF Health Shands ( Gainesville, Fla. ) The award is based upon a set of "perfect order" metrics, rated as a percentage of PO lines sent across the GHX Exchange (integrated) that are touchless and completely automated, from purchase through payment. The line must satisfy all the requirements below to be rated as "perfect": PO Line has a corresponding POA Line PO Line has a corresponding INV Line PO Line without Item Number Exception PO Line without Unit of Measure Exception PO Line without Unit Price Exception PO Line without a Rejection Exception PO Line without a Quantity Exception GHX has also launched a Perfect Order Dashboard featuring monthly performance metrics and rankings, helping to empower hospitals and health systems to commit to best-in-class practices around order performance throughout the year. About GHX Building on decades of collaboration among providers, manufacturers, distributors and other industry stakeholders, Global Healthcare Exchange, LLC (GHX) is leading the charge in helping organizations run the new business of healthcare. By automating key business processes and translating evidence-based analytics and data into meaningful action, GHX is helping the healthcare ecosystem to move faster, operate more intelligently and achieve greater outcomes. With the support of GHX, healthcare organizations have removed billions of dollars of wasteful healthcare spend. For more information on GHX's suite of cloud-based supply chain solutions, visit www.ghx.com and The Healthcare Hub . CONTACT: Eileen Flynn eflynn@wearetierone.com SOURCE Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) DUBLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Embedded Finance Ecosystem: Mapping the Path to Services Industries' Transformation" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Embedded Finance Ecosystem: Mapping the Path to Services Industries' Transformation global briefing offers insight into the size and shape of the Consumer Finance market, highlights buzz topics, emerging geographies, categories and trends as well as pressing industry issues and white spaces. Embedded finance is the critical factor to improve customer journey and drive transformation for services industries.. With travel recovery and sluggish volume sales of automotives, embedded finance is considered to have the most potential to build and enhance partnerships to support their market value sales growth. Meanwhile, behaviour finance backed by privacy computing and fraud detection will have great long-term impact for healthcare It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market. Forecasts provide an invaluable perspective on market evolution and the criteria for success. The briefing leverages the publisher's 360-degree coverage of the global payments' landscape including insight on consumer debt. Product coverage: Consumer Lending, E-Commerce in Proximity Location by Industry, Financial Cards and Payments. Data coverage: Market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data. Why buy this report? Get a detailed picture of the Consumer Finance market; Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change; Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands; Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop. Key Topics Covered: Introduction Embedded finance in mobility Embedded finance in travel Embedded finance in foodservice Embedded finance in healthcare Key takeaways Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3pp25s 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. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Loyalty Management Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global Loyalty Management market has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and is poised to maintain strong momentum through 2028. The market was valued at USD 9.45 billion in 2022 and is projected to register a compound annual growth rate of 17.02% during the forecast period. The global Loyalty Management market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven primarily by the widespread digital transformation taking place across industries worldwide. Prominently, sectors such as retail, CPG, travel and hospitality have increasingly recognized the importance of personalized customer engagement and loyalty programs to gain competitive advantage. This growth trajectory has been underpinned by a strong focus on innovation, resulting in enhanced customer analytics capabilities and more efficient loyalty program management. Loyalty management platforms have emerged as critical components supporting these advancements. In today's digital-first landscape, the ability to capture and analyze customer transaction and engagement data to power one-to-one personalization at scale is crucial. Leading brands are leveraging cloud-based loyalty management systems integrated with POS, e-commerce and CRM platforms to gain a unified view of customers across touchpoints. This enables them to quickly identify purchasing patterns, predict customer needs and optimize loyalty schemes in real-time. Given the global expansion of businesses, a consistent and scalable approach to loyalty programs across regional operations has become important. Major retailers, QSR chains, airlines and hotel groups are leveraging AI-driven tools on their loyalty platforms to deliver hyper-personalized engagements. This is helping them strengthen customer lifetime value while upholding data privacy standards. Loyalty management vendors are making significant investments in predictive analytics capabilities and flexible platform solutions tailored for multi-national rollouts. The convergence of data-driven marketing, personalized engagement and loyalty program management on integrated platforms offers significant opportunities. As these systems continue to advance in automation and localization capabilities, they promise to empower industries to navigate dynamic markets worldwide. Analysts expect the positive outlook for the global loyalty management industry to sustain on the back of these trends. Key Market Drivers Growing Emphasis on Personalized Customer Experiences The global loyalty management market is being driven by the growing emphasis on delivering personalized customer experiences. With consumers demanding more relevant engagements across touchpoints, businesses are investing heavily in understanding customer behavior patterns. Loyalty management platforms are enabling companies to capture granular customer transaction data, online activity and demographic details to build comprehensive profiles. Leveraging tools like AI, ML and predictive analytics, these platforms help analyze large customer databases to identify preferences, purchase patterns and expected needs. This allows organizations to deliver hyper-personalized communications, promotions, product recommendations, service updates and offers. As consumers continue raising expectations of customization, loyalty platforms will play a bigger role in driving 1:1 engagement at scale. Rising Adoption of Omnichannel Loyalty Strategies The market is also witnessing growth due to rising adoption of omnichannel loyalty strategies by businesses. Today's customers research products online, make purchases in-store, browse catalogs, engage on mobile apps and expect a seamless experience across all touchpoints. Legacy single-channel programs lack the flexibility to recognize customers uniformly and reward engagements holistically. Modern loyalty platforms integrate transaction systems, CRM tools, POS, website and apps to provide a unified multi-channel view of customers. This helps design rewards, communications and engagement rules consistently for customers progressing across channels. With omnichannel emerging as an imperative, loyalty management solutions that facilitate a consistent multi-touchpoint approach will see higher demand. Increasing Focus on Data-Driven Decision Making Loyalty management market growth is fueled by the increasing focus on data-driven decision making. Legacy programs relied on basic metrics like enrollment numbers, spend thresholds and one-size-fits-all schemes. Modern platforms are enabling businesses to capture granular behavioral data signals at every customer touchpoint. Leveraging advanced analytics, they help identify valuable customers, benchmark program performance, recognize emerging trends, predict future engagements and optimize schemes on the fly. This data-centric approach facilitates more informed, fact-based strategic and tactical decisions. As the ability to glean actionable insights from customer data becomes imperative, adoption of data-rich loyalty management solutions is accelerating. Key Market Challenges Ensuring Data Privacy and Security One of the key challenges faced by the global loyalty management market is ensuring robust data privacy and security. As platforms capture and store vast amounts of sensitive customer information, businesses face the daunting task of securing this centralized repository of personal and financial records. With growing regulations around data protection and frequent cyber-attacks, any security breach can severely damage brand trust. Loyalty solution providers need to implement stringent access controls, regular vulnerability testing, encryption, tokenization, activity monitoring and auditing. They must also facilitate compliance with dynamic privacy laws in different regions. Achieving the right balance between utilizing customer data for personalization versus protecting privacy is complex. Vendors face the ongoing challenge of bolstering security defenses while releasing simple and flexible tools to unlock analytics potential without compromising customer consent or confidentiality. Integrating Legacy Systems and Silos Another hurdle for the loyalty management industry is integrating legacy systems and data silos within organizations. Most businesses have disjointed customer data scattered in various transactional, operational, and analytical IT systems over the years. It is challenging to consolidate these far-flung sources and map them to a unified customer view. Data formats, definitions and standards vary widely. Extracting from old databases while migrating to new platforms requires careful planning and execution. Functional and technical teams must collaborate closely to develop integration architectures, APIs and governance models to ensure continuity during implementation. Legacy infrastructure modernization is an expensive, time-intaking process that can stall customer experience and analytics initiatives if not managed properly. Harmonizing diverse applications remains an obstacle for deriving true value from loyalty investments. Key Market Trends Emergence of AI-Driven Personalization One of the key trends gaining momentum in the global loyalty management market is the emergence of AI-driven personalization capabilities. Legacy programs relied on segmentation-based communications using basic demographic or transactional parameters. Modern platforms are leveraging deep learning algorithms to analyze vast volumes of customer profile and behavioral data. AI assists in identifying subtle preference patterns, predicting needs, gauging response likelihood and adjusting offers in real-time. It powers hyper-contextual, hyper-relevant engagements at scale across channels. AI-based next best action recommendations and simulations are also enhancing campaign design and optimization. As AI continues advancing loyalty personalization from rules-based to truly predictive, its role in driving incremental revenue and lifetime value will become more pronounced. Adoption of Cloud-Based Loyalty Solutions The market is witnessing rising adoption of cloud-based loyalty management platforms. Traditional on-premises models involved high upfront licensing costs, lengthy procurement cycles and internal infrastructure management. Cloud-hosted SaaS solutions provide an agile and affordable alternative with low upfront investments and pay-as-you-grow models. They empower businesses, especially SMBs, to quickly establish flexible programs without major capital expenses or IT overhead. Advanced capabilities like predictive analytics, AI, mobile optimization and multi-channel integrations are also easier to access and update via the cloud. With its benefits of scalability, accessibility and reduced total cost of ownership, the cloud model is gaining traction globally. Integration of Blockchain Loyalty Platforms Another emerging trend is the integration of blockchain technology with loyalty solutions. Blockchain facilitates decentralized ledgers for immutable recording of customer activity and points transactions. It enables secure peer-to-peer exchange of loyalty currencies and assets without intermediaries. Smart contracts power automatic rewards allocation and redemption. When integrated with platforms, blockchain brings trust, transparency and liquidity to loyalty markets. It also facilitates cross-program interoperability, NFT-based digital collectibles and metaverse engagements. While still nascent, blockchain is expected to significantly optimize loyalty operations and unlock new monetization models by addressing issues like fraud and secondary markets. Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Loyalty Management Market. Comarch SA ICF Next Aimia Inc Bond Brand Loyalty. Maritz Motivation. Capillary Technologies Tibco Software Oracle Corporation SAP SE Loyalty Lion Report Scope: Loyalty Management Market, By Technology: Mobile Loyalty Social Media Loyalty Web-based Loyalty Omni-Channel Loyalty Loyalty Management Market, By Program Type: Points-Based Loyalty Programs Tiered Loyalty Programs Value-Based Loyalty Programs Loyalty Management Market, By End-User Industry: Customers Employees Channel Partners Loyalty Management Market, By Region: North America United States Canada Mexico Europe France United Kingdom Italy Germany Spain Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea South America Brazil Argentina Colombia Middle East & Africa & South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Turkey Egypt For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/h81fze 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. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets DUBLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Marine Battery Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast 2019-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Marine Battery Market was valued at USD 3.08 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 20.19% through 2029, reaching USD 9.37 billion. The market encompasses a diverse range of battery types, with a notable emphasis on advanced technologies like lithium-ion batteries, designed to meet the unique challenges of the maritime environment. Driven by the maritime industry's increasing focus on sustainability, environmental regulations, and the pursuit of energy-efficient propulsion systems, the marine battery market plays a pivotal role in enabling cleaner and more sustainable maritime transportation. Key factors influencing the market include the global push towards electrification in shipping, advancements in battery technology, government policies promoting emission reductions, and the expansion of electric and hybrid vessel fleets. As a critical component in the transition towards greener marine technologies, the marine battery market is poised for substantial growth and innovation. Key Market Drivers Growing Demand for Electric Propulsion Systems in Marine Applications: Environmental Regulations: Stringent regulations, like the IMO's sulfur cap and decarbonization initiatives, drive the adoption of cleaner technologies. Stringent regulations, like the IMO's sulfur cap and decarbonization initiatives, drive the adoption of cleaner technologies. Climate Change Awareness: Increasing awareness of climate change prompts investments in sustainable marine propulsion systems. Expansion of the Electric and Hybrid Vessel Market: Fuel Efficiency and Cost Reduction: Electric and hybrid propulsion systems offer fuel efficiency and operational cost savings. Electric and hybrid propulsion systems offer fuel efficiency and operational cost savings. Government Support: Incentives and regulatory support encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid vessels. Advancements in Battery Technology and Energy Storage Solutions: Battery Efficiency: Ongoing advancements improve energy density, cycle life, and safety of marine batteries. Ongoing advancements improve energy density, cycle life, and safety of marine batteries. Lithium-Ion Dominance: Lithium-ion batteries gain prominence due to their energy density and lightweight design. Rising Investments in Renewable Energy Integration: Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Integration of renewable energy sources decreases reliance on traditional fuels. Integration of renewable energy sources decreases reliance on traditional fuels. Increased Energy Resilience: Renewable energy integration enhances energy resilience in vessels. Growing Awareness of Operational Cost Savings: Efficient Energy Management: Marine batteries optimize energy usage, resulting in significant fuel savings. Marine batteries optimize energy usage, resulting in significant fuel savings. Reduced Maintenance Costs: Advanced battery management systems lower maintenance-related downtime and costs. Government Initiatives and Incentives Supporting Electrification: Emission Reduction Targets: Government policies aim to reduce emissions by promoting cleaner propulsion technologies. Government policies aim to reduce emissions by promoting cleaner propulsion technologies. Tax Incentives: Tax breaks and subsidies incentivize the adoption of electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Key Market Challenges Technological and Operational Hurdles in Scaling Up Battery Systems for Maritime Use: Higher Energy Density: Batteries need to store more energy without compromising weight and space constraints. Batteries need to store more energy without compromising weight and space constraints. Integration Complexity: Retrofitting vessels with battery systems requires careful planning to ensure compatibility and stability. Economic Viability and Initial Investment Barriers: High Initial Costs: Upfront investment costs for retrofitting vessels deter adoption, particularly for smaller shipping companies. Upfront investment costs for retrofitting vessels deter adoption, particularly for smaller shipping companies. Financial Uncertainties: Perceived risks associated with new technology and inconsistent government support create uncertainties for investors. Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Marine Battery Market. Corvus Energy Siemens AG Saft SA EST Floattech Shift Clean Energy Echandia Marine AB. Leclanche SA Wartsila Corporation Furukawa Battery Co. Ltd.: Japan Lithium Werks Report Scope Marine Battery Market, By Type: Lithium-Ion Nickel Cadmium Sodium Fuel Cell Flooded Gel Lead-Acid Marine Battery Market, By Application: Commercial Defense Unmanned Marine Battery Market, By Design: Solid-State Batteries Flow Batteries Marine Battery Market, By Region: North America United States Canada Mexico Europe France United Kingdom Italy Germany Spain Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea South America Brazil Argentina Colombia Middle East & Africa & South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Turkey For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1us0bx 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. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets BEIJING, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of Chinese lawmakers and policy advisors are gathering in Beijing for the annual two sessions. The event not only offers an important opportunity for the world to understand China's whole-process people's democracy, but also a window to observe the country's development and understand its policy direction for the following year, experts pointed out. The second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will open on March 5 and 4, respectively. Chinese experts said that Chinese-style democracy is a well-orchestrated system combining elections, consultations, decision-making and oversight, constituting a high quality system that provides effective channels for collecting broad public opinion and offers timely solutions in order to make people's lives better and the country stronger. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, held a press conference on Sunday, one day ahead of its annual session. Liu Jieyi, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, briefed the press on the session. Liu said that the People's Political Consultative Conference is an important form of promoting socialist democracy and practicing whole-process people's democracy in China's political life. It is an important channel for socialist consultative democracy and a specialized consultative body, he added. This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NPC and 75th anniversary of the founding of the CPPCC. The NPC and CPPCC are an important platform for showcasing whole-process people's democracy, reflecting how much top Chinese lawmakers and policy advisors care about people's livelihoods by making efforts to turn people's expectations into reality, Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, who is also a national political advisor, told the Global Times. Whole-process people's democracy is not just a narrowly-defined form of democracy with periodic voting rights, but a combination of electoral and consultative democracy that includes elections, consultations, decision-making and oversight, covering economic, political, cultural, social and ecological sectors, he noted. People first Zhang said that this year is special as it is the first year that the two sessions are returning to their normal format in four years. "Opinions from various sectors, social groups, and different segments of society were all concentrated at the meeting, reflecting a common consensus to help China's economy develop more smoothly and society to progress rapidly, especially in the post-pandemic recovery phase," said Zhang. Xu Ruixia, a national political advisor from North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, who is also a member of the region's women's federation, told the Global Times that over the past year, she has been conducting an investigation into child care facilities in nursery schools and kindergartens. Her findings show that employees in these facilities are struggling with low salaries, parents are facing challenges in securing a spot for their children, and the facilities themselves are grappling with funding shortages. As a result, Xu documented her research findings and crafted a series of recommendations, which she submitted to the relevant authorities in a bid to advocate for solutions to the pressing issues at hand. Liu said at the Sunday conference that many political advisors conduct their surveys directly in communities and villages, going straight to residents' homes to listen to the truth and verify the situation. Some advisors continue to focus on the same theme for a longer period, and revisit it every year. According to a survey conducted by Chinese media from February 5 to 25 involving 6.15 million participants, topics such as rule of law, employment, medical care and high-quality development are among the top 10 buzz words netizens are most concerned about. All the suggestions and proposals given to the State Council during last year's two sessions have been handled, Xing Huina, a spokesperson for the Information Office of the State Council, said on Thursday. Xing said that in 2023, various departments of the State Council handled a total of 7,955 suggestions from NPC deputies and 4,525 proposals from members of the CPPCC during the two sessions, accounting for 95.7 percent and 96.5 percent of the total number of suggestions and proposals, respectively. All of them have been completed on schedule. Solving real problems At the CPPCC's press conference on Sunday, journalists from various countries gathered at the venue to get a peek into the policies and signals unveiled at China's two sessions. A reporter from Saudi Arabia told the Global Times that he is focusing on covering China's technological innovation and green energy during the two sessions, so that more Arab countries can learn from China's development experience. Zhang Yiwu said that the annual two sessions are not only platforms for deputies to raise suggestions and help solve the current problems facing the country, they also offer a window for foreign observers to get a glimpse of the country's future development plan, as well as how democracy is practiced in China. Real democracy must achieve good governance and promote the country's development, Zhang Shuhua, director of the institute of political sciences at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Deputies play an important role for people's democracy to be practiced throughout the whole process. By performing their duties, deputies promptly report the most direct and real problems of the public to the CPC committees and governmental departments, and give positive guidance and explanations for the problems that are temporarily difficult to solve while putting forward proposals and suggestions, Zhang Shuhua said. SOURCE Global Times BEIJING, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- China's annual two sessions officially kicked off on Monday when the country's top political advisory body opened its annual session and the national legislature published agenda of its own annual session. Held at the crucial juncture when both China and the world are undergoing fundamental changes, this year's two sessions are set to inject much-needed confidence into the Chinese public, via charting out a blueprint for generating more social wealth, Chinese experts believe. The two sessions also reiterate China's role as one of the world's biggest forces safeguarding peace and development, and as uncertainties are rising globally, China won't sit idle and swallow smears and crackdowns. It will continue taking forceful measures to guarantee a healthy international environment for the country's development. When China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, opened its annual session on Monday Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. At the meeting, the agenda for the session was reviewed and approved. Also on Monday, the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held a press conference on Monday, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the second session of the 14th NPC, briefed the press on the session scheduled to run from March 5 to 11. The NPC will hold three conferences regarding diplomacy, economy and people's livelihood during its session; moreover, it will also deliberate the report on the work of the government, review the report on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2024 draft plan, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024, according to Lou. Inject confidence How to develop our current potential, drive economic development, create more employment opportunities, and generate greater social wealth is perhaps the most important and urgent tasks to be discussed at the current two sessions, Wang Sixin, a professor of law at the Communication University of China, told the Global Times on Monday. He noted that China is at a key juncture of development, thus it is important to address various problems it encounters during its development process. Unveiling the solution, as well as future development plan at the two sessions, can help further unite people to fight together to achieve the development goals, and inject much-needed confidence into the public. The NPC, China's top legislature, and its Standing Committee will provide legal safeguard for sound economic development, focusing on deepening reforms, realizing opening-up and high-quality development, and improving livelihoods, Lou said at the Monday conference. Overall, the favorable conditions for China's development outweigh the unfavorable factors. The basic trend of economic recovery and improvement remains unchanged in the long term. We have sufficient confidence and strength, according to Lou. Deputies and political advisors also expect this year's Government Work Report to expound the country's plan to create "new productive forces" - a new concept proposed by Chinese top leader in September 2023 that has emerged as a buzzword of heated discussions, with broad ramification for the Chinese modernization in the years to come. Message to international community The NPC's Monday conference also touched on topics regarding China's relationship with the outside world. When answering whether China is concerned about the impact of the upcoming US election on bilateral relations, Lou said that US presidential election is US' internal affair. "China does not hold a position on that. No matter who becomes the [US] president, we hope that the US can work in the same direction with China and work for a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship," Lou stressed. In regards to concerns on whether the South China Sea is "the real flashpoint" now and on China's neighborhood diplomacy, Lou said that "China is opposed to bloc confrontation, and its cooperation with neighboring countries is open, inclusive and not exclusive." China has given high priority to its neighboring countries in its overall diplomatic work, Lou said. We have worked together to promote the building a community of shared future, he said. The message the two sessions will deliver to the outside world is that China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development, creating an environment of peace and development for the world; the country will not easily resort to the use of war, but will continue taking forceful measures to answer the crackdowns and bullies, said Wang. 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, according to Lou. As countries continue to strengthen their economic and trade ties with China, the ongoing two sessions are poised to outline China's development road map and inspire deeper collaboration with China, according to Wang. Some believe that China's economic development is currently encountering obstacles. However, the reality is that China is in the mid of a significant transition from traditional industries to cutting-edge technology sectors. The country's advancements in new-energy and electric vehicles, particularly in the Arab world, serve as a testament to China's promising economic future, Helena, a journalist from China Arab TV, told the Global Times on Monday. We must not judge China by the same standards that other nations are judged. Given its distinct history and exceptional pool of talent, China's trajectory is not one of decline, but rather of continued growth and innovation, said Helena. SOURCE Global Times RALEIGH, N.C., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when the global dialogue on environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance is more critical than ever, Greenplaces is empowering businesses to clean up their sustainability track record. The urgency for businesses to act is emphasized by an evolving regulatory environment. The impending adoption of a climate disclosure ruling by the SEC will become a landmark moment for climate accountability in the US, aligning with global trends that have already taken shape in the European Union and United Kingdom. The SEC's regulation could mandate a new level of disclosure for public companies and presents an opportunity for all private companies on the path to IPO to measure, report, and reduce their carbon footprint. With Fortune 500 companies accounting for approximately 27% of global emissions and consumers for 20%, the responsibility falls heavily on the broader business community to address the remaining 53%. Amidst this backdrop, Greenplaces' leadership expansion comes as a key milestone in their mission to simplify sustainability reporting for organizations of all sizes. "Greenplaces is designed to meet this moment. With the evolving regulatory landscape, businesses can use Greenplaces to comply with these new requirements and showcase their sustainability as a competitive advantage," said Alex Lassiter, Founder & CEO. "The expansion of our leadership team marks the beginning of a new era one where we continue to drive sustainability into the core of business operations globally. We're more committed than ever in leading that transition for our customers." As businesses grapple with the transition to emissions reporting and adopting more sustainable practices, Greenplaces' clients, such as Vid Prabhakaran, Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, recognize the immediate opportunity. "There's no reason to delay planning for a future that demands comprehensive documentation of your emissions and a robust strategy for their reductionthe future is now," said Vid. Channeling Impact with Distinguished Leaders As Greenplaces moves into its next growth phase, it is bolstered by the strong support of a $13M Series A funding round completed in 2023, with notable investors including Redpoint Ventures, Felicis, Tishman Speyer Ventures, and Bull City Venture Partners. Concurrently, the company is enhancing its leadership team with seasoned executives, a move that aligns with its commitment to advancing its sustainable mission. Butler Raines, VP of Product: A seasoned product leader with a rich history in the enterprise at Salesloft and Ambition, Butler has a unique ability to merge technology, data, and user-centric design to solve complex business challenges. His experience building out the category of sales engagement, combined with a track record of innovation, drive his mission for simplifying carbon accounting and sustainability reporting for all businesses. Blake Wolff, VP of Alliances: With a career that spans roles in customer services and alliances for high-growth SaaS companies including ServiceMax and Salesloft, Blake brings a deep understanding of building successful partnerships and scaling business operations. His entrepreneurial success, marked by founding and leading two companies to successful exits, reinforces his capability in driving strategic growth. Kristen Ribero, VP of Marketing: Kristen joins Greenplaces with a background in B2B and marketplace marketing. As an early employee at Handshake and PagerDuty, Kristen was instrumental in guiding the go-to-market strategy and messaging of these companies from their nascent stages to scaled companies. Her advocacy for tech as a conduit for social and environmental change is a testament to her ability to weave sustainability into the fabric of marketing narratives. A Unified Bench Committed to a Sustainable Future The recent strategic additions to Greenplaces' executive team complement an already dynamic leadership core, including Tara Whitty, VP of Customer Experience, Jeremy Globerson, VP of Sales, and Corinne Hanson, VP of Sustainability. This ensemble represents a powerhouse of diverse expertise, each leader bringing a profound commitment to embedding sustainability within the DNA of businesses globally. Standing at the helm of sustainability initiatives, Corinne Hanson brings a depth of expertise in ESG strategy unparalleled in the industry. Her tenure at SH Hotels & Resorts and Global Footprint Network, coupled with her decades-long work in corporate sustainability, positions her as a partner in guiding businesses through their sustainability journeys. Greenplaces is uniquely positioned to address the pressing sustainability needs of today and the future, offering businesses of all sizes the tools and insights they need to meet emerging standards. About Greenplaces Founded in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2021, Greenplaces provides an all-in-one sustainability platform designed to make it easy for businesses of all sizes to meet their sustainability goals. By offering technology, tools, and expert guidance, Greenplaces helps businesses navigate the complexities of carbon reporting, reduce emissions, and foster a sustainable business model that benefits both the bottom line and the planet. For more information, visit greenplaces.com. SOURCE GreenPlaces Annual Campaign Encourages Growers and Applicators to Protect Pollinators and Other Wildlife During Planting WASHINGTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To the agriculture industry collaboration, Growing Matters, our planet and people come first. That's why its annual BeSure! campaign is back for another year to promote the implementation of proper stewardship practices during planting season to help protect the biodiversity surrounding America's farmland. This campaign was created in 2019 to educate growers and applicators about responsible stewardship measures for neonicotinoid products to minimize any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife. The BeSure! campaign has helped educate millions of growers, crop protection applicators, urban landscaper applicators and agricultural supply retailers on best-management practices. BeSure! advocates that reading and following label instructions on neonicotinoid products is the first and most important consideration when handling any pesticide product. Labels provide precise information on how to minimize potential exposures to bees and wildlife, as well as how products may be safely used, handled, stored and disposed of. "Farmers, including soy producers, are committed to complying with pesticide laws and regulations to protect people, wildlife and the environment," said Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association president and soy grower from North Dakota. "The Growing Matters BeSure! campaign educates on safe, beneficial uses of neonicotinoids and is a great example of how the agriculture industry networks to share, learn, and implement best practices and repeatedly make the A-grade on pesticide usage to protect our people and our pollinators." In addition to the American Soybean Association (ASA), the campaign is endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, and others. Crop protection, including neonicotinoid products, are essential in the agriculture industry because they play a role in reducing diseases and increasing crop yields to keep pace with a growing world population. Without the use of crop protection, there would be a 78% loss of fruit production, a 54% loss of vegetable production, and a 32% loss of cereal production.1 Neonicotinoids and other crop protection products help ensure that growers can continue to maintain and grow the U.S. food supply at a sustainable rate, while minimizing risk to surrounding wildlife. "CropLife America is proud to be part of the Growing Matters coalition and support the BeSure! campaign each year. The stewardship work done by this group provides much needed information and support to pesticide applicators and users across the U.S., helping to ensure that neonic treated seeds are used correctly and are not likely to impact pollinators and other wildlife. Educational efforts like BeSure! are an important part of the work our industry does in support of growers nationwide," said Genevieve O'Sullivan, V.P., communications and marketing at CropLife America. The BeSure! campaign aims to reach growers who produce row crops like corn and soybeans, as well as fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products. Citrus Greening, first detected in 2005, is one of the most damaging plant diseases because there is no cure once a citrus crop is infected. American Society of Horticultural Sciences reports trees that are affected by the disease result in lower yields because of premature fruit drop and smaller amount of fruit harvested. Used safely and properly, neonicotinoids can help combat citrus greening by controlling its insect vectors an ever-crucial tool as citrus demand in the U.S. continues to grow. This planting season, BeSure! you are implementing proper stewardship practices and go to GrowingMatters.org/BeSure for up-to-date stewardship tips and more information. The BeSure! website also includes ASTA's Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship which includes videos and brochures on how treated seeds can be used in a way that avoids exposure to pollinators and other wildlife. The site contains a host of links to explain how neonicotinoids applications can be used responsibly, including the comprehensive Insect Pollinators and Pesticide Product Stewardship Guide. Two downloadable fact sheets with five quick tips to guide best stewardship practices during planting season one for growers and one for applicators are also available. BeSure! to follow along over the coming weeks as the coalition and its partners share relevant updates and best stewardship tips via social media content (search using hashtag #BeSure), radio programming, outreach via industry trade groups and a variety of digital content. For more information, please visit: GrowingMatters.org/BeSure. About Growing Matters Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities. Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter. Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes. Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions. The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation. Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides. About The American Soybean Association The American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers. Find more information at soygrowers.com. About CropLife America Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America's member companies produce, sell, and distribute virtually all the necessary and vital pesticide and biotechnology products used by American farmers. Media Contact AmyJo Hasselquist Account Supervisor Porter Novelli [email protected] _____________________________ 1 Tudi M, Daniel Ruan H, Wang L, Lyu J, Sadler R, Connell D, Chu C, Phung DT. Agriculture Development, Pesticide Application and Its Impact on the Environment. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jan 27;18(3):1112. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18031112. PMID: 33513796; PMCID: PMC7908628. SOURCE Growing Matters Hailey Bieber Adding to looks to try. Hailey Bieber, longtime Light Brunette, seems to be rocking some auburn-y highlights that respond only to the flash of a camera. Or maybe shes just editing her pics. In a new shoot for Victorias Secret, the Rhode founders chin-length lob seems to have a warm, copper tone. Its the same color that showed up in her November photo shoot for the latest Rhode peptide product. But in the behind-the-scenes video and other recent candids, her hair is as brown as ever. Is this some sort ofchestnut magic? Instagram:@haileybieber The latest post from her colorist and extensionist (yes, a thing), from mid-February, shows Bieber with a bouncy 90s blowout thats not red at all. Huh. ADVERTISEMENT But seriously, Hailey Bieber should think about giving herself the copper treatment. None of her peers in Hollywood or the modeling world have that shade right now, and it would make her stand out. (Here she is with a wig of Lohan hair, if you were wondering what that might look like.) Less than a day after the VS shoot hit her gram, Bieber posted a mini dump of pictures from a tropical vacation. Her hair doesnt look super red in these snaps, but at this point, who knows what any of it means, if anything. Actually, commenters seem to have decided that this is a soft-launch for a blush product, and theyre probably right. The Rhode account commented, . IRL, the Biebers were last spotted on February 28 headed to church. That outing came amid the latest wave of divorce rumors, bolstered by Haileys dad, Stephen Baldwin, seemingly asking the Christian community to pray for the couple. If they really are having a tough time, it adds another layer to this hair color situation. You know what they say about a girl going through her red-hair phase. Originally Appeared on Glamour DUBAI, UAE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GTN, a global fintech redefining investing and trading for all, and Blue Ocean Technologies, LLC (BOT), a capital markets fintech leader in global trading and data, announced today the launch of extended trading hours to trade US stocks from the Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East markets. This partnership marks the first-time expansion for Blue Ocean ATS in the Middle East marketplace while continuing its growth into the APAC. By partnering with Blue Ocean Technologies, GTN will enable its partners, brokers, banks, wealth managers and fintechs to provide investors around the world with 24-hour trading on US National Market System (NMS) stocks. The Blue Ocean Session provides a real-time trading experience with electronic order delivery and live data. With GTN's new capability, investors in the APAC and Middle East regions gain greater flexibility and opportunities to trade US stocks during regular local trading hours. Brian Hyndman, CEO of Blue Ocean Technologies, commented, "We are delighted to be partnering with an industry capital markets leader like GTN that shares our vision on the power of technology to grow our global trading customer base. The agreement is important to Blue Ocean as it marks our entrance into an entirely new market. The ability to expand in both APAC and the Middle East with the help of GTN was highly attractive to us and is in line with our mission of accessibility in markets all over the world." "The partnership with Blue Ocean is another step towards realising GTN's vision to make global financial markets accessible to all. GTN remains dedicated to pioneering solutions that remove barriers and increase accessibility for investors globally. This partnership with Blue Ocean Technologies further reinforces this commitment, offering extended trading hours that cater to the specific needs of investors in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East," said Manjula Jayasinghe, Group CEO of GTN Prior to this partnership, GTN customers were able to trade US stocks from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. With GTN's extended hours service in partnership with Blue Ocean, GTN customers can continue to trade U.S. stocks and ETFs from 8 pm ET to 3:50 am ET Sunday to Friday, allowing almost 24-hour access to US markets and aligning better with local trading hours. Throughout 2023, Blue Ocean Technologies has continued to expand globally, extending its trading model in Asia-Pacific. With partnerships in South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, Blue Ocean is focused on continuing its growth in 2024 by empowering international investors seeking broader access to US equities trading and data during extended hours trading sessions. About GTN GTN is a fintech pioneer with decades of success, holding broker-dealer and capital markets services licenses in multiple jurisdictions through subsidiaries. We are committed to empowering brokers, banks, asset managers, and fintechs with scalable and innovative investment and trading solutions that enable access to a comprehensive network of global markets and multiple asset classes, making investment and trading accessible to all. Our investment and trading solutions offer seamless integration with the existing services of regulated financial firms and fintechs via our co-branded front-ends and versatile API suite. Inspired by embedded finance, our API suite provides the adaptability to develop bespoke trading/investment applications or incorporate GTN features into existing platforms, enhancing their value proposition. In addition, our comprehensive global trading ecosystem includes best-in-class execution, custody, and post-trade solutions. We bring together a diverse team of over 400 talented individuals spread across Dubai, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UK, and the US, united by a shared passion and purpose: empowering clients and transforming the accessibility to investment and trading opportunities for all. We are backed by strategic investors IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and SBI Ventures Singapore Pte. Ltd., a group company of SBI Holdings, Inc., one of the largest financial services firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. To learn more, visit www.gtngroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn. About Blue Ocean Technologies Blue Ocean Technologies, LLC (BOT) is a unique capital markets fintech company empowering global investors by making trading possible during US overnight trading hours. Blue Ocean ATS, LLC, and its trading system, Blue Ocean Alternative Trading System (BOATS), currently trade US National Market System (NMS) stocks from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am ET from Sunday to Thursday. Founded in 2019, Blue Ocean ATS is on a mission to transform US trading to Global trading via its flagship service, Blue Ocean Session, providing access and transparency to subscribers in all time zones during non-traditional US market hours. For more information, visit www.blueocean-tech.io or contact us at [email protected]. Contact: Jorge Sanchez-Galiani, +44 (0) 20 4549 1757, j.[email protected] Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2283735/GTN_Logo.jpg SOURCE GTN Series A funding will drive expansion of platform, which enables quick, AI-powered insights previously unavailable in the energy sector BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HData , a company using AI and automation to help the U.S. energy industry to file, explore, analyze, and leverage regulatory data, today announces the close of $10 Million in Series A funding, led by Buoyant Ventures, an early-stage venture fund that invests in digital solutions to combat climate change. Participating investors include Victorum Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners, and Firebrand Ventures, among other prominent investors. Funds will be used to accelerate the expansion of the flagship HData platform with enhanced capabilities for energy industry professionals. HData's innovative AI-powered platform enables clients to receive, analyze and understand crucial data, empowering key strategic decision-making for energy initiatives. HData's expanded platform will play a crucial role by amassing the largest authoritative library of structured and unstructured regulated energy data in the industry, and equipping companies with powerful AI tools that can quickly unearth intelligence that previously would have taken months to uncover, if at all. This caliber of analysis will transform energy companies' day-to-day while also providing the critical energy transition intelligence required to solve significant regulatory and climate-related issues. "HData stands at the digital forefront, bridging the gap between the current energy sector and its sustainable future." Post this "HData stands at the digital forefront, bridging the gap between the current energy sector and its sustainable future," said Hudson Hollister, co-founder and CEO of HData. "With our Series A funding from Buoyant Ventures and other key investors, we are set to broaden our platform's impact, unlocking insights from industry data to make better decisions today and positioning our customers to navigate the changing industry tomorrow." Allison Myers, general partner and co-founder at Buoyant Ventures, emphasized HData's transformative potential: "HData's platform can unlock and analyze the industry data that is crucial to transitioning our energy economy efficiently," Myers said. "Buoyant is passionate about energy transition intelligence, and we see HData's technology as an essential tool and opportunity to help the industry and regulators address the climate crisis. We also see HData's work as a blueprint for addressing other monumental issues and heavily regulated industries which require precise data analytics." This funding also spotlights HData's work with leading energy companies, such as Southern Company, to enhance reporting, decision-making, rate case analysis, and industry benchmarking, ultimately streamlining compliance and risk management and fostering a more efficient, data-driven approach within the utility sector. "HData's AI-enhanced data analytics is an exciting development for the sector," said Noel Black, SVP of Federal Regulatory Affairs at Southern Company. "At Southern Company, we are committed to serving customers with safe, reliable and affordable energy. Our commitment to net zero goals and our customers will be greatly assisted by the insights and intelligence provided by HData." Currently used by more than 30 regulated energy companies and supporting organizations like consultants, intervenors, and regulators, HData's platform automates the entire regulatory data lifecycle from collection to actionable insights, allowing energy professionals to focus on strategies that drive growth and sustainability. To learn more about HData and its pioneering solutions in the energy industry, visit www.hdata.us. About HData HData is a technology company that enables anyone in the energy industry to file, explore, analyze, and capitalize on authoritative regulatory data. Using AI and analytics, HData's platform transforms millions of pages of filings and dockets previously tedious, manual, and error-prone to manage into rich intelligence, empowering analysts, and executives to make crucial decisions with confidence. HData's groundbreaking Regulatory AI allows users to query fully secured data libraries (including their own private documents) to get quick and accurate answers to their business-critical questions. The company was named to the GovTech 100 by Government Technology Magazine, appointed to the SAP.iO Munich Sustainability and Energy Management cohort, and recognized as the 'Best Regulatory or Compliance Startup' at the 2023 TLTF Summit. Visit www.hdata.us for more information. Media Contact: Truc Nguyen [email protected] SOURCE HData SHREVEPORT, La., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Holmes Honda in Shreveport has been honored with Honda's prestigious 2023 President's Award, the highest accolade granted to Honda dealerships, for the 8th consecutive time. The President's Award recognizes superior achievement in customer satisfaction, new-car-unit sales volume, and business management. It is typically reserved for the top 15% of Honda dealerships nationwide. Since the award's inception in 1995, Holmes Honda has received it an unprecedented 16 times. Mark Johnson, Regional General Manager of Holmes Honda, expressed his gratitude by saying, "We're excited to win this award. Our entire Holmes Honda team is dedicated to providing customers with the highest level of service. We are thrilled that our efforts have been recognized with this prestigious award." Johnson added, "It required a team effort and a commitment to being the best of the best. Most importantly, we couldn't have achieved this recognition without the overwhelming support and trust of our customers." Founded in 1970, Holmes Honda has been making it easy for customers to find and purchase the vehicle of their dreams for more than 50 years. In addition to the dealership in Shreveport, Holmes Honda has a location in Bossier City, as well. Holmes Honda is located at 1331 E Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport, LA 71105. For more information or media inquiries, please contact Mark Johnson at [email protected]. SOURCE Holmes Honda TAMPA, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, renowned for its expertise in specialized surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, proudly announces a significant milestone in its journey of healing and innovation: the treatment of its 10,000th surgical patient just two years after its opening in January 2022. The hospital has established itself as a world-wide destination for endocrine surgery, performing more than 5 times the number of endocrine operations as any other hospital in the U.S. "We are deeply honored to have reached this significant milestone of treating our 10,000th patient." Post this Dr. Clayman and Dr. Roy pictured with the Hospital for Endocrine Surgerys 10,000th patient, Ari Fischer, and his family, who traveled from Ecuador to have surgery at the Clayman Thyroid Center. The Clayman Thyroid Center, the world's highest-volume thyroid surgery practice, had the honor of treating the 10,000th patient on February 27, 2024. Like 60% of patients at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery, Ari Fischer, 51, lives outside of Florida, traveling from Ecuador seeking expert thyroid surgical care. Diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, he embarked on a quest for the finest care available. "I'm friends with a few fantastic doctors, and they all recommended the Clayman Thyroid Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery," he said, "it kept coming up again and again." Other than the very high-volume expertise of the surgeons, one of the things that convinced Mr. Fischer to journey to Tampa was how seamless and stress-free they make the process for traveling patients. The Center offers a unique one-day evaluation and surgery process, allowing patients to undergo a comprehensive thyroid assessment and thyroid surgery within a single day. Following their operation, patients can rest comfortably overnight at their hotel before traveling back home the next day. The surgeons will work closely with Mr. Fischer's local healthcare providers to coordinate ongoing care, eliminating the need for additional travel back to Tampa. Additionally, the Center has established partnerships with four nearby hotels, ensuring convenient accommodation options for our patients. A private shuttle service efficiently transports patients to and from the airport and the hospital, eliminating the need for them to rent a car or worry about transportation logistics. "We are deeply honored to have reached this significant milestone of treating our 10,000th patient," remarked Dr. Gary Clayman, founder of the Clayman Thyroid Center. "Each patient represents a unique journey, and it is our privilege to guide them towards healing and recovery. Mr. Fischer's decision to travel across continents to seek treatment at our facility speaks volumes about the trust and confidence patients place in our expertise." The Clayman Thyroid Center's commitment to excellence extends beyond thyroid surgical expertise. From diagnosis to treatment and post-operative support, the center's multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care every step of the way. "Our mission goes beyond surgical success; it is about empowering patients to reclaim their health and well-being," added Dr. Rashmi Roy, Director of Thyroid Surgical Services and Senior Surgeon at the Clayman Thyroid Center. "We strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and empowered throughout their treatment journey. Mr. Fischer's journey is a testament to the transformative impact of compassionate, patient-centered care." As the Clayman Thyroid Center celebrates this momentous occasion, it reaffirms its commitment to advancing the field of endocrine surgery, driving innovation, and improving outcomes for patients worldwide. "We never stop striving to innovate and offer our patients the latest in technological and treatment advancements," said Dr. Hyunsuk Suh, Founder of the Suh Scarless Thyroid Center. "We perform more scarless robotic thyroid operations than anyone else in the country, and we are pleased to begin offering radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules within the next month." The Clayman Thyroid Center operates at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery alongside the Norman Parathyroid Center and the Carling Adrenal Center. Together, they make up the highest volume endocrine surgery practice in the world. About the Clayman Thyroid Center: Founded by one of the nation's best-known thyroid surgeons, the Clayman Thyroid Center is the highest volume thyroid cancer referral center in the United States. The Center boasts the most experienced thyroid surgeons in the US who provide personalized care allowing the greatest opportunity for cancer cure, wellness, and cosmetic, and functional, outcomes via all types of thyroid surgery from minimal incision to scarless thyroid surgery to advanced cancer care. www.thyroidcancer.com | (813) 940-3130 About the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is a campus of HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital focused on compassionate patient care and highly specialized treatment of endocrine tumors. We provide a wide array of services necessary for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. Our team includes doctors, surgeons, nurses, and technicians who have dedicated their careers to delivering the highest cure rates using the most advanced techniques available. HCA's Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is the nation's highest-volume hospital for thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal tumors and cancers. www.hospitalforendocrinesurgery.com Media Contact: Julie Canan, Director of Marketing 941.468.3002 | [email protected] SOURCE Clayman Thyroid Center Cendyn's new value proposition presents a powerful collection of integrated solutions, enabling hoteliers to find new guests, book more direct, and grow revenue. Representing key parts of its product portfolio, Cendyn's new consolidated Revenue Growth Package - powered by artificial intelligence (AI) - is designed to unlock a hotel's full revenue potential across the digital landscape. Establishing a robust online presence is paramount for hoteliers as social media and search channels play a critical role in effectively sourcing direct bookings to grow revenue. With 90%* of searches for hotels conducted on Google, Cendyn's Revenue Growth Package prominently ranks hotels through metasearch and paid search strategies, utilizing competitive pricing that resonates with a hotel's target audience. Coupled with Cendyn CRM, hoteliers can deploy personalized marketing, offering guests bespoke experiences and targeted social media and multi-channel ad campaigns. Direct bookings offer huge revenue opportunities for hotels without third party commission costs. Last year, direct-online bookings ^ reached an all-time high, however, OTAs still managed to regain market share* since 2021 claiming back 20% of bookings from hotels. Alongside the brand revamp, Cendyn has reinforced its technology, services, and account management teams to support the company's market development plans for further expansion and market penetration. The company's headcount has seen double-digit growth in the past year, particularly in its key growth regions of EMEA and APAC. Cendyn now employs over 750 people across the globe, covering the USA, France, UK, Spain, Germany, Singapore, India, and Australia serving over 32,000 hotel customers in more than 150 countries. "Cendyn has massively evolved over the past couple of years, taking time to develop a fully integrated platform following the acquisition of a number of key technology partners," said Jack Blaha, CEO, Cendyn. "Our new visual identity captures the momentum and growth which hotels can achieve through our extensive range of products and services. It's important that every guest interaction provides an opportunity to nurture relationships as well as maximize profit. Our integrated technology underpins these relationships to help hoteliers make sense of digital marketing and create deeper human connections for continual success." Cendyn's integrated platform provides hotels with a seamless advertising strategy, ensuring marketing spend makes the most impact and converts more profitable revenue. "We're enabling hotels to leverage all their data," said Blaha. "By using AI to create audiences, identifying and communicating with people who should be your customers, hotels are able to allocate marketing budgets in a more targeted manner, spending it where it makes the most difference and converts the most profitable revenue." Available now, Cendyn's Revenue Growth Package provides hoteliers with all the functionality required to drive growth for their business across the digital landscape, maximizing profits across every guest interaction and touchpoint and engendering a deeper customer lifetime value. Discover more about Cendyn's new look and range of products and services at cendyn.com ^reference to the h2c's Digital Hotel Operations Study 2023 *reference to Skift Research 2024 Travel Outlook For requests and further information contact: Megan McIntyre - +44 (0)7981 930 304 - [email protected] Ryan Haynes - +44 (0)7919 510 051 - [email protected] About Cendyn Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests; drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions. Cendyn has over 32,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries - including brands such as Outrigger Hospitality, Hyatt, IHG, Aman Resorts & Hotels, Relais & Chateaux, Highgate, TFE Hotels, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Coraltree Hospitality, and Onyx Hospitality Group - generating more than $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com SOURCE Cendyn BEIJING, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Beijing Review: Clarence Ling Chun-kit, Director of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region-based Kwai Hung Realty Co. Ltd., is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body. Clarence Ling Chun-kit (center) attends a global youth forum organized by Beijing Review in Beijing on June 20, 2023 (COURTESY PHOTO) "I've submitted two proposals this year. One is about fully utilizing Hong Kong's unique role in attracting foreign students to study in China. The other one is more specific, focusing on leveraging Hong Kong's policy advantages to accelerate the approval process for prescription drugs and medical devices manufactured in the mainland," Ling told Beijing Review right before the opening of the CPPCC National Committee's annual session on March 4. But, he added, the two proposals share a common core: Hong Kong's future lies in how it can apply its uniqueness to the development of the country as a whole. And it's the responsibility and the mission of Hong Kong people to make sure of that. When it comes to communicating and submitting proposals, the consultation process has a considerable degree of freedom, Ling explained. CPPCC National Committee members have the right to ask the committee to convey their ideas to the Central Government. According to Ling, every time a CPPCC member discovers a problem and presents it through the appropriate CPPCC channels, the government will try its best to find a solution and respond in a timely manner. Over the decades, this system has been continuously fine-tuned and solutions are improving. "I think this is the most rewarding part of my work with the CPPCC," Ling said. Last year was the first year of his five-year term serving as a CPPCC member. Ling put forward proposals to increase convenience for Hong Kong residents living in the mainland and optimize related management, such as offering more accessible tax payment methods. Following extensive rounds of internal assessment, the suggestions generated clear responses and concrete results. "On the surface, proposals are suggestions, but there are very strict requirements: The research data should be well documented, the suggestions put forward should be substantial, the problems targeted should be realistic, and the solutions should be both practical and feasible," Ling said. This is what drives CPPCC members to go into the field personally and gather first-hand information. According to Ling, the proposals he submitted last year were all based on his own personal experiences taking planes and trains, checking into hotels and going to banks in the mainland. A youth entrepreneurship center in which he had personally invested provided much of the data on entrepreneurship. "Another very important task in the work of the CPPCC is study," he said. China is a vast place with a very diverse demographic. Attending meetings and discussions to learn about the country's system and get information that cannot be found in books can help members understand their country from different perspectives. "One could say that when CPPCC National Committee members gathered in Beijing for their annual session, they are representatives of the people, and when they leave the capital city, they are messengers who are responsible for delivering the latest information to the most remote corners of the country," Ling said, adding that if someone wants to understand the workings of the CPPCC, they should start by grasping China's vastness and complexity. Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, after having been under British colonial rule since the mid-19th century. Under the One Country, Two Systems policy, Hong Kong retains its own social and economic systems on the premise that there is only one China. As a "super connector" between the mainland and Hong Kong, Ling has been involved in youth work for over a decade. "I've been committed to helping young people in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to find suitable career paths and entrepreneurial projects for a long time. And, of course, Hong Kong's local youth are an important part of it," Ling said. The Greater Bay Area refers to the city cluster in south China's Pearl River Delta consisting of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and nine cities of Guangdong Province. In February, Ling established a new organization called the Chinese Young Entrepreneurs Association in Hong Kong. "We aim to fully leverage Hong Kong's role as an important bridge between the country and the international community to promote trade, investment and communication among young entrepreneurs, both domestically and internationally," he explained. SOURCE Beijing Review New Helen Zone Results (3 Holes) Include 22.6 g/t Au over 19.1 m, 32.9 g/t Au over 14.9 m and 23.5 g/t Au over 12.8 m RENO, Nev., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSX: IAU) (NYSE: IAUX) ("i-80", or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional results from 2023 drilling in the Helen Zone that include some of the best results received to-date from the underground drilling program at the Company's 100%-owned McCoyCove Property ("Cove" or "the Property") located in Lander County, Nevada. Figure 1 Property Location Map (CNW Group/i-80 Gold Corp) Figure 2 3D View of the Cove Deposit and Drill Program (CNW Group/i-80 Gold Corp) Figure 3 Surface Plan View of the Cove Deposit (CNW Group/i-80 Gold Corp) The new results are from results that continue to be received from drilling completed in 2023 to define the Helen Zone, the first horizon expected to be accessed at the Cove Mine. The program is confirming highgrade mineralization over appreciable thickness including multiple lenses in some parts of the deposit (see Figure 2). The most recently received results from the Helen Zone contain some of the best results received to-date from the underground program and compare favourably with initial results from the Gap Zone where previously released results included intercepts of up to 12.9 g/t Au over 36.1 m in hole iCHU2304, 14.9 g/t Au over 32.7 m in hole iCHU23-10 and 18.9 g/t Au over 29.3 m in hole iCHU23-11. A complete summary of new results is provided in Table 1. Highlight new results from drilling at McCoy-Cove include: Helen Zone iCHU23-37: 14.4 g/t Au over 9.1 m And 22.6 g/t Au over 19.1 m And 55.0 g/t Au over 1.8 m iCHU23-38: 13.8 g/t Au over 10.1 m And 32.9 g/t Au over 14.9 m iCHU23-39: 25.3 g/t Au over 9.4 m And 30.5 g/t Au over 2.1 m And 19.7 g/t Au over 2.7 m And 23.5 g/t Au over 12.8 m "Results received to-date have met or exceeded our expectations as definition drilling continues to confirm that Cove is one of the highest-grade, development-stage, gold deposits in North America.", stated Tyler Hill, Chief Geologist of i-80 Gold. "Deposits with grades in excess of ten grams per tonne gold over widths frequently in excess of ten metres are rare. Significant upside exists at McCoy-Cove as mineralization in the main deposit remains open for expansion and multiple high-potential exploration targets have been identified on the large land package." The McCoy-Cove Property is strategically located in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend immediately south of Nevada Gold Mines' Phoenix Mine and within 83 km (by road) of the Company's Lone Tree processing facility (see Figure 1). Cove is one of three projects being advanced to realize the Company's goal of becoming one of the largest producers in the United States. The underground drill program at Cove is expected to consist of more than 40,000 m of drilling on approximate 30 metre spacing focused on the CSD Gap and Helen Zone portions of the deposit while mineralization below the pit in the Cove South Deep and 2201 zones are not being drilled as part of this program (Figure 3) but offer a significant upside opportunity. Carlin-style mineralization in the Helen and CSD Gap zones is hosted primarily in the Favret limestone rock unit with enhanced grades and thicknesses of mineralized zones occurring at structural intersections, along the margins of dikes and sills, and within the axis of the northwest striking Cove anticline. Table 1 Highlight New Assay Results from Cove Underground Drilling New 2023 results from McCoy-Cove, estimated true thickness 80-95% Drillhole ID Zone Type From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) iCHU23-37 Helen Core 272.7 281.8 9.1 14.1 2.3 and Helen Core 291.3 310.3 19.1 22.6 10.8 and Helen Core 334.6 336.4 1.8 55.0 8.2 iCHU23-38 Helen Core 278.6 288.6 10.1 13.8 5.5 and Helen Core 323.6 338.5 14.9 32.9 6.0 iCHU23-39 Helen Core 274.9 285.4 9.4 25.3 4.2 and Helen Core 293.2 295.3 2.1 30.5 11.8 and Helen Core 309.5 312.1 2.7 19.7 4.2 and Helen Core 317.9 330.7 12.8 23.5 5.0 UTM Drillhole ID East m North m Elevation m Azimuth Dip NAD83 Zone 11 iCHU23-37 481774 4466011 1428 089 -81 iCHU23-38 481773 4466010 1428 098 -87 iCHU23-39 481774 4466010 1428 358 -85 The McCoy-Cove Property comprises a large package of approximately 13,000 hectares covering an area roughly 15 km by 10 km that offers substantial exploration upside as the bulk of work completed to-date has been focused on the main deposit areas. Earlier exploration, mostly completed in 20214, resulted in several new discoveries that have received little to no follow-up including polymetallic mineralization in the 2201 and Davenport targets. One of the primary future targets at McCoy-Cove is the pediment area to the east of the Cove deposit where only two holes have drilled to a sufficient depth to intersect the favourable Favret limestone unit. Both holes intersected broad zones of Carlin-type alteration with assays of up to 1.7 g/t Au and 364 g/t Ag over 11.4 m proximal to an interpreted large untested structural trend that represents a major future exploration target. Please click here for further information on abbreviations and conversions referenced in this press release. QAQC Procedures All samples were submitted to ALS Minerals (ALS) of Sparks, NV, which is an ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratory, independent of the Company. Samples submitted through ALS are run through standard prep methods and analysed using Au-AA23 (ALS) (Au; 30g fire assay) and ME-MS61 (35 element suite; 0.4g 4 acid/ICP-AES). ALS also undertakes their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. i-80 Gold Corp's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results. Qualified Person Tyler Hill, CPG-12146, Chief Geologist at i-80 is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. About i-80 Gold Corp. i-80 Gold Corp. is a Nevada-focused mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status through the development of multiple deposits within the Company's advanced-stage property portfolio with processing at i-80's centralized milling facilities. i-80 Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol IAU:TSX and IAUX:NYSE. Further information about i-80 Gold's portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.i80gold.com or by email at [email protected]. Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the expansion or mineral resources at McCoy-Cove and the potential of the Cove project. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp Pioneering the Future of Digital Media with Advanced AI-Powered Image and Video Optimization, Management, and Delivery SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era increasingly dominated by visual digital experiences, imgix stands at the vanguard of image and video management, optimization and delivery. The company's latest release introduces a suite of AI-powered features, marking a significant leap forward in the integration of AI into everyday media workflows. "Our vision is to make the entire Internet smarter, faster, and more captivating by optimizing every visual element it displays", said Chris Zacharias, CEO of imgix, "With this release, imgix is not just introducing new capabilities; we are reaffirming our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in digital imagery". The newly unveiled AI-powered features include Generative Fill, supercharging content creation by allowing users to extend, fill, and recreate images beyond original boundaries. Super Resolution enhances image details intelligently, enabling upscaling up to 4x without compromising on clarity. Background Removal offers precise editing capabilities to highlight the prominent feature of your images. And Auto-Tagging provides an efficient asset management solution to help organizations that manage thousands of images. Our vision is to make the internet smarter, faster, and more captivating by optimizing every visual element it displays Post this Designed to complement existing processes, these innovations promise to enhance efficiency, reduce operational costs, and encourage rapid adaptation to market trends. "Our aim is to bridge the gap between imagination and reality, providing tools that not only meet the current demands of the market but also inspire new creative possibilities," added Zacharias. Looking ahead, imgix will continue to explore new frontiers in AI and image processing to bring even more advanced solutions to the market, underscoring its promise to customers to provide the cutting-edge tools they need to stay ahead in an ever-evolving visual media landscape. About imgix: Imgix streamlines the process of elevating businesses through images and video. By seamlessly integrating their image repositories with our platform, imgix customers effortlessly generate and distribute optimized images to a global audience within minutes - dramatically impacting page load times and SEO. Customers like Unsplash, Porsche, Nikkei and thousands more rely on imgix for comprehensive image management, rendering capabilities, and cutting-edge technologies such as AVIF, HLS transcoding, and generative AI. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to excellence, imgix is shaping the future of digital media. Learn more at http:www.imgix.com Contact: Craig McDonogh Head of Marketing, imgix [email protected] SOURCE Imgix, Inc. NEW YORK, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The injection molded plastics market size is expected to grow by USD 83.3 million from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 4.18% during the forecast period, according to Technavio. An increase in demand for injection-molded plastics from developing countries is notably driving the injection-molded plastics market. However, factors such as the threat of substitutes may impede market growth. The market is segmented by application (packaging, consumer goods and electronics, automobile, and pharmaceuticals and others), product (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate, Buy Now Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Injection Molded Plastics Market 2023-2027 Market Report Coverage Details Page number 166 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.18% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 83.3 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 3.81 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 65% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK We provide a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the injection molded plastics market including All Plastics LLC, Biomerics LLC, BORCHE North America INC., C and J Industries Inc., Currier Plastics Inc., D and M Plastics LLC, ENGEL Austria GmbH, EVCO Plastics, Formplast GmbH, H and K Muller GmbH and Co. KG, Hehnke GmbH and Co KG, HTI Plastics, Husky Technologies, Majors Plastics Inc., Mold Hotrunner Solutions Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Tessy Plastics Corp., The Rodon Group, TR Electronic, and Woojin Plaimm Co. Ltd. This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Request Free Sample Report. for detailed company information Company Analysis All Plastics LLC: The company offers medical injection molding which is a plastic molding and manufacturing process involving liquefied plastic into a mold to create plastic products of various shapes and sizes. Market Segmentation Application The market share growth of the packaging segment is significant during the forecast period. There is a significant use of injection molded plastics in the food and beverages industry for the production of cans for beverages, packaging material (for food), and caps. Some of the main classifications of packaging include rigid and flexible. There is an increasing adoption of injection molding plastics for the production of rigid plastics. Cups, bottles, and cans are some of the main application areas of rigid plastics. Product Geography APAC accounts for 65% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. China and India are some of the main countries in APAC which are significantly contributing to the market growth in the region. Some of the main factors that are fuelling the market growth in APAC include the rapid expansion of the end-user industries, including e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and pharmaceuticals. Hence, such factors are driving the market growth in the region during the forecast period. are some of the main countries in APAC which are significantly contributing to the market growth in the region. Some of the main factors that are fuelling the market growth in APAC include the rapid expansion of the end-user industries, including e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and pharmaceuticals. Hence, such factors are driving the market growth in the region during the forecast period. Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View Free PDF Sample Report Analyst Review The automotive industry has long relied on automotive plastic injection molding for various components, with polypropylene and polystyrene being common choices due to their durability and versatility. Giants like Toyota Motor Corp. and Tesla have embraced these materials in their vehicles, contributing to the expansion of the market. Beyond automotive, the packaging industry extensively utilizes injection molded plastics for diverse applications, including frozen food packaging, vegetable packaging, bakery packaging, and ready meal packaging. PET, HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE are favored materials in this sector, ensuring both protection and presentation. The Rodon Group, a prominent player in packaging and consumables & electronics, specializes in producing high-quality injection molded products, catering to various industries, including automotive & transportation, building & construction, and medical sectors. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have fueled demand for specialized plastics like ABS, ASA, SAN, and polycarbonate due to their lightweight properties and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, driving further growth in the market. Innovation continues with materials like PEEK and polyurethane thermoplastics, offering enhanced performance and reliability in demanding applications across industries. Polystyrene maintains its relevance in both packaging and automotive sectors, showcasing its adaptability. The polyethylene family, including HDPE and LDPE, dominates the injection molded plastics market, finding use in a myriad of applications due to their excellent mechanical properties and cost-effectiveness. With injection molding serving as the cornerstone of production processes, manufacturers ensure efficiency and precision in creating intricate designs and meeting stringent quality standards. This method enables the seamless integration of diverse materials, facilitating the production of complex parts for various industries. As the demand for lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly solutions rises, the injection molded plastics market is poised for continuous expansion. Manufacturers are poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities across sectors, driving innovation and sustainability in material development and production techniques. View Free PDF Sample Report Related Reports: The printing inks market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.69% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 2,852.3 million. The functional textile finishing agents market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.32% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 822.96 million. ToC: 1 Executive Summary 2 Landscape 3 Sizing 4 Historic Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Segmentations 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Vendor Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio Active, controlled, and intelligent packaging goes beyond traditional storage methods by incorporating advanced technology. It not only stores food but also monitors and responds to changes in the internal environment, thus improving food safety and preserving freshness. BOSTON , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "According to the latest BCC Research study, the demand for Active, Controlled, and Intelligent Packaging for Foods and Beverages is estimated to increase from $37.8 billion in 2023 to reach $58.8 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2023 through 2028." The global market for active, controlled, and intelligent packaging in the food and beverage industry is thoroughly examined in the report, with a focus on segmentation by type and application. Analysis spans both global and regional levels, with the base year set at 2022 and forecasts extending from 2023 to 2028, presented solely in terms of revenue (U.S. dollars, millions). Active packaging encompasses various technologies such as oxygen scavengers, moisture controllers, ethylene absorbers, edible films, antimicrobial agents, carbon dioxide scavengers/emitters, ethanol emitters, self-venting films, microwave susceptors, and temperature control packaging. Controlled packaging includes modified atmosphere packaging, controlled atmosphere packaging, retort packaging, sous-vide packaging, and biodegradable polymers/biopolymers. Intelligent packaging solutions range from radio frequency identification packaging to freshness indicators and electronic article surveillance systems. These technologies cater to diverse applications within the food and beverage sector, ensuring enhanced safety, freshness, and quality throughout the supply chain. The burgeoning demand for advanced packaging solutions in the food processing and beverage sectors, coupled with heightened consumer concerns regarding food wastage reduction, is fueling significant growth in the active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market. Sealed Air's introduction of Prismiq, its digital packaging brand, exemplifies the industry's response to these trends. Prismiq offers a range of services including design, digital printing, and smart packaging solutions aimed at reducing waste and enhancing product quality and customer engagement. Leveraging an end-to-end cloud-based platform, Sealed Air's Prismiq generates package-specific digital IDs to collect and manage data across the value chain, further augmenting its appeal. Amidst intense global competition, companies like Amcor, Dow, Sealed Air, 3M, Avery Dennison Corporation, and BASF SE are actively investing in strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, capacity expansions, and geographic diversification to solidify their market positions and drive innovation in advanced packaging products. Unlock the insights driving the rapid evolution of packaging technologies. Click here to Learn More Key Drivers of Active, Controlled, and Intelligent Packaging for Foods and Beverages Advancements in Food Packaging Technology: Technology has transformed the landscape of food packaging, ushering in a new era of innovative solutions aimed at enhancing food safety, prolonging shelf life, and elevating overall quality. From smart sensors to RFID tags and nanotechnology, cutting-edge technologies are driving significant improvements in food packaging. These advancements enable real-time monitoring of critical factors such as temperature, humidity, and gas levels, ensuring optimal freshness and safety for consumers. Benefits of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP): Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) represents a transformative technique altering the composition of gases within food packages to preserve freshness effectively. MAP offers a myriad of advantages, including the extension of shelf life by slowing microbial growth and enzymatic reactions. Moreover, it maintains the quality attributes of food products, including color, texture, and flavor, by minimizing oxidation. The utilization of MAP also contributes to the reduction of food waste by mitigating spoilage risks, while simultaneously enhancing safety through the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria growth. Additionally, MAP is celebrated for its eco-friendly nature, as it diminishes the need for preservatives and additives, aligning with sustainable packaging practices. Example of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP): Consider the scenario of purchasing a package of fresh salad mix from a local supermarket. Although the packaging may appear ordinary, it is purposefully designed with innovative features. Inside the salad bag, small oxygen scavenger sachets or absorbers work actively to remove excess oxygen from the package. This reduction in oxygen levels significantly contributes to maintaining the freshness of the salad for an extended period. Consequently, the greens remain crisp, and the risk of spoilage is notably diminished. This exemplifies how MAP technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing food quality and safety, thereby benefiting consumers and reducing food waste. Request a Sample Copy of the Active, Controlled, and Intelligent Packaging for Foods and Beverages Report. Report Synopsis Report Metrics Details Base year considered 2022 Forecast Period considered 2023-2028 Base year market size $34.7 billion Market Size Forecast $58.8 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 9.2% Segment Covered Major Segment, application, Function, Type of Packaging, and region Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Latin America Key Market Drivers Advancement in Technology in Food Packaging Benefits of Modified Atmosphere Packaging Example of MAP Segmentation Analysis of Active, Controlled, and Intelligent Packaging for Foods and Beverages Delving into the realm of active, controlled, and intelligent packaging for foods and beverages reveals a multifaceted landscape encompassing various segments and aspects. Major Segmentation Analysis Within this domain, active packaging takes center stage, actively engaging with the packaged product to enhance its quality and safety. Examples include oxygen scavengers, antimicrobial films, and moisture absorbers. Controlled Atmosphere Packaging (CAP) is another pivotal segment, altering the gas composition within the package to extend shelf life by adjusting oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen levels. Intelligent Packaging emerges as a segment leveraging technology like sensors, QR codes, or RFID tags to offer real-time information about the product, including freshness, temperature, and authenticity. Applications Segmentation Analysis These packaging solutions find diverse applications across different food and beverage categories. Fresh produce benefits from active and controlled packaging to maintain its freshness, while meat and seafood rely on modified atmosphere packaging to prevent spoilage. Dairy products stay safe and flavorful through controlled packaging, and intelligent packaging in beverages can display nutritional information or promotional content on labels. Functions Segmentation Analysis The primary functions of these packaging solutions revolve around preservation, safety, communication, and traceability. They extend shelf life, ensure food safety by preventing microbial growth, provide consumers with relevant information such as expiration dates and allergens, and track the product's journey from production to consumption. Types of Packaging Segmentation Analysis Active packaging encompasses various solutions like oxygen scavengers, moisture absorbers, and antimicrobial films, while modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) adjusts gas composition to slow down spoilage. Intelligent packaging incorporates sensors, QR codes, or NFC technology, and smart labels display real-time data and interact with consumers. Regions Segmentation Analysis Globally, the adoption of these packaging technologies varies, with developed countries often leading in innovation and emerging markets catching up. Regional preferences, regulations, and consumer awareness significantly influence the market dynamics. This report on the Active, Controlled, and Intelligent Packaging for Foods and Beverages provides comprehensive insights and analysis, addressing the following key questions: What is the projected market size and growth rate of the active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage? The active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage is projected to grow from $34.7 billion in 2022 to $58.8 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% during the forecast period. What are the key factors driving the growth of the active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage? The key factors driving the growth of the active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage include: Advancement in technology in food packaging Increasing use of modified atmosphere packaging technology What segments are covered in the active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage? The active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage is segmented based on type, application, and region By type, which segment will dominate the market by the end of 2028? The controlled packaging segment will dominate the market by the end of 2028. Which region has the highest market share in the active, controlled, and intelligent packaging market for food & beverage? North America holds the highest share of the market. Some of the Key Market Players Are: 3M AMCOR PLC AMELCO DESICCANTS INC. AVERY DENNISON CORP. BALL CORP. BASF SE CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS INC. CROWN HOLDINGS INC. DOW EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO. ETHYLENE CONTROL INC. FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL INC. INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO. MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL CO. INC. MULTISORB NOVAMONT S.P.A. PLASCON GROUP PRICER AB SEALED AIR CORP. SMURFIT KAPPA GROUP PLC STORA ENSO OYJ TETRA PAK WESTROCK CO. Browse More Related Reports: Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Market: This comprehensive report provides a detailed analysis of the global pharmaceutical packaging market, utilizing segmentation based on material, packaging type, product, and application. With the base year set as 2021, the report offers market estimates and forecasts spanning from 2022 to 2027, quantified in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (in U.S. dollars). Material segmentation includes plastics and polymers such as PP, PE, PVC, PET, polystyrene, and others, alongside paper and paperboard, glass, metal, and miscellaneous materials like rubber, wood, and textiles. Packaging types are categorized as primary, secondary, and tertiary. The product segmentation covers a wide range of items including plastic bottles, caps, closures, parenteral containers like ampoules, vials, IV bags, blister packs, pouches, medication tubes, prescription containers, labels, accessories, and others. Furthermore, the report delves into applications such as oral drugs, pulmonary, transdermal, injectable, topical, nasal, ocular/ophthalmic, IV drugs, and various others like nebulization and otic treatments. Through detailed analysis at global, regional, and country levels, this report provides valuable insights for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical packaging industry, aiding in strategic decision-making and market positioning. Paper Packaging: Global Market Outlook: This comprehensive report offers a thorough analysis of the paper packaging market, focusing on three key categories: packaging type, end-user, and regions. Packaging types are segmented into eight major categories including corrugated boxes, cartons, wrapping paper, bags and sacks, transparent packaging, and others. Detailed estimates and forecasts are provided for the global market across various end-users such as food and beverages, healthcare, personal care and cosmetics, consumer goods, electrical and electronics, among others. The report also quantifies the paper packaging market across different regions. Notably, transparent packaging is considered a separate segment, with transparent bags and wrapping paper excluded from other segments and covered under transparent packaging. Using 2021 as the base year, the report projects market size through 2027, providing revenue forecasts segmented by product, end-user, and geography. Market values are estimated based on the total revenue of paper packaging solution providers, offering stakeholders valuable insights into market dynamics, industry structure, and supply chain analysis within the paper packaging industry. Directly Purchase a copy of the report with BCC Research. For further information or to make a purchase, please get in touch with [email protected]. About BCC Research BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions, free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: BCC Research LLC, 49 Walnut Park, Building 2, Wellesley, MA 02481, USA Email: [email protected], Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email [email protected] or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg SOURCE BCC Research LLC Darel A. Galorenzo will serve between 9-15 years in prison for manslaughter charges, which was three times the state sentencing guidelines Massachusetts State Police Darel A Galorenzo A Vermont man pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges related to the death of his 2-year-old son, who he had lost in a brook while attempting to flee a car crash on foot. Darel A. Galorenzo, 35, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, conspiracy to violate drug law, operating under the influence of liquor over .08 and operating under the influence, while endangering a child, according to a Berkshire District Attorneys Office news release. During his sentencing, it was determined that Galorenzo would serve between 9-15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, which was three times the state sentencing guidelines. It was in line with what the District Attorneys office had requested. He also received 2.5 years in prison for both operating under the influence charges. ADVERTISEMENT District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue described the case as one of the most tragic ones he had seen in his almost 40 years of practicing law. Related: Father Allegedly Fled Scene of DUI Crash, 'Lost' 2-Year-Old Son in Brook, Where Boy Died It gave me no pleasure to appear in court today to settle this horrific case, Shugrue said in a statement in the news release. I will spare the public of the traumatic details of the incidents that led to a two-year-old childs death which included first surviving a car crash then ultimately drowning on a cold, dark night in a river rushing with melting snow. During my term as District Attorney, I have stated multiple times that children are the most vulnerable members in our community, he continued. They deserve our protection. Mr. Galorenzo, the childs father, failed at this cardinal task. He put himself and his needs over the safety of his child. On Apr. 8, 2023, Massachusetts State Police said troopers responded to a car crash on Middle Road in Clarksburg, about 137 miles west of Boston. They had learned on the scene that Galorenzo had a toddler with him in his car, and he had attempted to flee the scene after the crash with the child on foot through a brook, but lost the toddler. Story continues Related: Father of Mich. School Shooter to Go on Trial for Involuntary Manslaughter Weeks After Mother's Conviction "While attempting to wade through the swift current and frigid water, Galorenzo more than likely fell and lost his grip on the child," a police report cited by NBC Boston said at the time. Troopers and Firefighters searched Hudson Brook for the child before finally locating him around 2:20 a.m. local time in the water. The toddler was recovered from the brook and emergency first-aid was administered to the child. However, the child was eventually pronounced dead. Galorenzo was taken to Berkshire Medical Center for evaluation, and it was determined that he had been intoxicated during the incident. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Shugrue commended the court in his statement for their stringent sentencing and his staff and law enforcement for bringing this case to justice. He also honored Massachusetts State Police Officer, Ryan Costello, who had heroically put his own life at risk while attempting to rescue the child from the river. I am certain that every person who dedicated themselves to this case will be haunted by it for the remainder of their lives, he added. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. TORONTO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Representatives from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum, McCarthy Tetrault, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, MineAfrica, and the Government of Canada, joined Dean McPherson, Head, Global Mining, TMX Group, to celebrate the ninth annual International Mines Ministers Summit (IMMS) and close the market. On March 4, 2023, PDAC, the World Economic Forum and The Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development co-hosted the ninth annual International Mines Ministers Summit (IMMS). International Mines Ministers Summit Closes the Market Monday, March 4, 2024 The Summit brings together ministers responsible for mineral exploration and mining from around the world, along with representatives from industry and civil society, providing an important setting to discuss challenges and opportunities affecting mineral exploration and development around the globe. The Summit was held during the PDAC 2024 Convention. CNW sponsored announcement. To learn more visit www.newswire.ca. SOURCE Toronto Stock Exchange HSINCHU, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has been named a Top 100 Global InnovatorTM 2024, according to the annual report released by ClarivateTM. For the eighth time and seventh consecutive year, ITRI has the most wins for this award among the Asian research organizations. The Institute's excellence in patents, evaluated through indicators such as technological uniqueness, impact, globalization, successful footprint, and quantity, places it alongside renowned international entities like ASML, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, and Siemens. ITRI has received its eighth recognition as a Top 100 Global Innovator for its excellence in patents evaluated based on technological uniqueness, impact, globalization, successful footprint, and quantity. Gordon Samson, President, Intellectual Property, Clarivate, said, "We congratulate ITRI for being named a Top 100 Global Innovator for the eighth time and seven consecutive years. To feature as a Top 100 Global Innovator is no mean feat as maintaining an edge in the innovation ecosystem is harder than ever. As one of the only three national research organizations on our 2024 list, ITRI truly demonstrates tremendous influence and success, at an international scale." Reflecting on ITRI's achievement this year, ITRI President Edwin Liu stated, "This underscores our commitment to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and effective use of a diverse, high-value patent strategy. Through models like startup incubation, patent-based financing, and the Intellectual Property Innovation Corporation (IPIC), we closely collaborate with industries to generate new value. To date, we've assisted 57 domestic enterprises and startups in procuring intangible asset financing. 28 of these have already acquired financing, bridging the tech and capital markets through intellectual property." As ITRI rolls out the 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap to guide its R&D activities, it is actively aligning with emerging trends such as 2050 net-zero emissions, the super-aged society, and Gen AI. The Institute is systematically cataloging and developing patent strengths to establish a high-quality patent pool, aiming to propose innovative technological solutions and services. For 13 years, Clarivate has recognized leaders in the global innovation landscape, measuring excellence with a focus on exceptional consistency and scale in innovativeness. Visit here for more information about other Top 100 Global Innovators 2024 and the methodology. About ITRI Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society. Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng. Media Contact Alex Chang Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI +886-3-591-8165 [email protected] SOURCE Industrial Technology Research Institute GAINESVILLE, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- James Moore & Company is proud to announce the hiring of Lucia Valenzuela as Chief Innovation Officer at our firm. In this new role, Lucia will focus on growth, innovation and technology that advance both client and employee experience. Lucia Valenzuela, Chief Innovation Officer at James Moore & Co. "I am thrilled to join James Moore as the Chief Innovation Officer, where I will have the privilege of spearheading transformative initiatives that will redefine how we leverage technology and innovation in the accounting industry," said Lucia. "We are charting the course where cutting-edge technology and transformative ideas elevate every client experience and redefine excellence." Lucia comes to James Moore after a decade of forward-thinking leadership in tax law and public accounting. Her work includes the market launch of revolutionary tax software and building a large specialty tax practice at a Top 50 accounting firm. Through these and other efforts, Lucia has developed a reputation for embracing, nurturing and promoting technology and other forms of innovation. "The impact technology is having on our profession can't be ignored," said James Moore managing partner Suzanne Forbes. "Lucia's experiencecombined with her work at a top CPA firm, building a strong tax practice and her experience outside the CPA professionmake her the perfect person to help us navigate new technologies as they emerge." Established in 1964, James Moore is a business consulting firm with offices in Daytona Beach, DeLand, Gainesville, Ocala and Tallahassee, Florida. The firm specializes in providing tax, auditing, accounting and controllership, data analytics, human resources, technology and wealth management services to clients nationwide. CONTACT: Stacy Dreher Director of Practice Growth 5931 NW 1st Place Gainesville, FL 32607 (352) 378-1331 [email protected] SOURCE James Moore Pilates Franchise Gains Steady Momentum with Over Sixteen Development Deals in Sunshine State MIAMI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JETSET Pilates the Miami-based, modern Reformer Pilates franchise, combining curated music and fitness for the ultimate revitalizing experience is rapidly expanding in its home state of Florida. With eight studios open and twelve studios in development across Tampa, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Doral, Coral Gables, North Miami, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest and Aventura, JETSET Pilates is one of the most attractive boutique fitness franchises. JETSET Pilates JETSET has also announced the opening of its two-story Miami flagship studio, located at Mr. C Residences a luxury, high-end development known for its selective curation of tenants. The studio will be open to clients in early summer of 2024. Mr. C is a sister company to Cipriani, an international hospitality brand with restaurants, lounges, hotels and residences across the globe. "Our rapid expansion in Florida perfectly highlights the high demand for our workout method," said Tamara Galinsky, Founder of JETSET Pilates. "Having our flagship located at Mr. C not only elevates the JETSET Pilates brand nationally, but also enhances our reputation internationally, as Mr. C is a sister company of Cipriani, an internationally renowned high-scale brand." Outside of Florida, JETSET is on a roll towards international expansion. The brand has signed a variety of development deals throughout Texas, North Carolina, New York, Georgia, and Australia. Most recently, JETSET Pilates announced its first Texas studio will be located in McKinney, and its first New York studio in SoHo, bringing its Reformer Pilates workouts to new states. "JETSET is dedicated to cultivating a robust franchise community, grounded in trust and enriched by comprehensive support and training, to ensure our partners excel in delivering Pilates experiences," said Bert Albertse, CEO of JETSET Pilates. "Each and every JETSET instructor is trained to create personal connections with clients, so everyone can reach their personal goals." Founded in 2010, JETSET Pilates uses personalized Reformer Pilates equipment, and the 50-minute workouts are guided by JETSET curated playlists. Clients can connect their minds and bodies, guaranteeing a full-body workout. Classes are intimate, with 12 to 16 Reformers per class. Since launching its franchise opportunity, JETSET Pilates has rapidly gained traction and established itself as one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique franchise business space. JETSET is seeking passionate and driven professionals with a desire to share their personalized work out experience with markets across the country. To learn more about JETSET Pilates, or for interest in the opportunity to own a franchise in your community, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/ About JETSET Pilates Founded in 2010 and franchising since 2022, JETSET Pilates has rapidly established itself as one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique franchise business space. JETSET Pilates currently has plans to open in Florida, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Australia with over 29 studios in development. JETSET now offers franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in some of the largest and fastest-growing markets within the fitness-franchise sector. For more information, please visit https://jetsetpilates.com/franchise/ . Contact: Bianca Thiros, Franchise Elevator PR, (847)-945-1300 ext. 288; [email protected] SOURCE JETSET Pilates Contemporary artists cover the bands Mouse brought to life through his art SAN FRANCISCO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 12, 2024, the musical world is set to pay homage to the iconic artwork of Stanley Mouse with the release of The Mouse That Rocked: A Tribute to Stanley Mouse. The album features contemporary artists performing songs by the bands featured in Mouse's legendary artwork dating back to the 1960s, spanning iconic album covers, classic Fillmore and Avalon ballroom posters, and beyond. Stanley Mouse, known for his psychedelic poster and album art, is celebrated for drawing the face on rock music. Through The Mouse That Rocked, his influence is honored by 12 new tracks from a diverse array of artists, including Chuck Leavell, Leftover Salmon, Charlie Musselwhite, Nicole Atkins, Shawn Sahm & The Tex Mex Experience, Junior Brown, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, Poor Man's Whiskey, The Mother Hips, Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, Jason Crosby, and the Pimps of Joytime. This musical journey features the music of Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Beatles, Howlin' Wolf, Journey, Cream, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Bo Diddley, Sir Douglas Quintet, Moby Grape, and, of course, Stanley Mouse himself. Reflecting on Mouse's remarkable evolution as an artist, one can trace his journey from early hot rod monster T-shirt designs to enchanting San Francisco ballroom posters, and ultimately to the era of mega-selling album covers. His creativity now extends into timeless and contemporary oil paintings, showcasing a breadth of work that spans various artistic realms with enduring brilliance. "Mouse has been a close friend for years and our team wanted to honor his legacy," says Joe Poletto, Founder of Blue Rose Music. "By inviting contemporary artists to reimagine songs by bands featured in Mouse's artwork, we can pay homage to his enduring influence on music and art." Beyond celebrating Mouse's artistic contributions, The Mouse That Rocked also serves a charitable purpose. "100% of the proceeds from album sales will benefit the Blue Rose Foundation, which is dedicated to providing preschool scholarships to underprivileged children," says David Gross, Producer. "Now, Mouse's fans can contribute to a meaningful cause while enjoying a musical celebration of one of rock music's most influential artists." The Mouse That Rocked: A Tribute to Stanley Mouse is more than just an album; it's a testament to the enduring power of art, music, and philanthropy to make a positive impact on the world. Discover more about the cause and how you can support it at bluerosemusic.com . Explore full liner notes, track info, and read Stanley Mouse's latest notes penned by esteemed rock journalist Joel Selvin. Media Contact: Justin J. Murphy A-Frame Creative Email: [email protected] SOURCE Blue Rose Music Top Craft Soda Brand Brings its Unconventional Flavors, Pure Cane Sugar Formula to Alcohol SEATTLE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Soda Co . (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA), the original craft soda known for its great taste, unconventional flavors, and iconic brand, has expanded into alcoholic beverages with the launch of Spiked Jones Hard Craft Soda. Unique to the hard soda category, Spiked Jones is full flavor with the iconic brand's cane sugar formulation and elevated alcohol content. It was created in partnership with Rainmaker, LLC, producer of Locust Cider with national distribution. This is the first product collaboration of the northwest based beverage companies focused on operational efficiencies, incremental sales and profits for key retailers. Spiked Jones will launch with 19.2 ounce single cans and a mixed pack of 12 ounce sleek cans. The 12oz cans feature 8.4% alcohol by volume and the 19.2oz 6.9% alcohol by volume, compared to the 5% or less of many other products. Launch flavors include M.F. Grape, Orange & Cream, Strawberry Lime, Berry Lemonade, Cola & Lime, and Green Apple. The brand has secured a major retail grocery partner for initial distribution in Q2/2024, to be announced at a future date, with additional distribution partners to follow in food service, retail grocery and convenience. Cans will feature user submitted photos, as popular with other Jones Soda products, and the launch is being supported by in-store sampling, and activation at music festivals. Rainmaker, producer of Locust Cider, has deep expertise in crafting authentic cider flavors and combinations, as well as national distribution in bars, restaurants, and other food/beverage establishments. The brand specializes in bold hard ciders and innovative beverages made with real ingredients. It compliments and broadens Jones' classic flavors and formulation, retail grocery and convenience relationships, as well as its new footprint in food service. "Jones has wanted to create a hard craft soda, but it was not possible to create the perfect taste until we partnered with Rainmaker," said David Knight, CEO of Jones Soda. "There was a natural fit due to our shared admiration of taste profiles, expertise and shared values in beverage philosophy." "Jones Soda has perfected its own iconic flavors and tastes with over twenty-eight years in beverages and a passionate fan community that spans across the USA and Canada," said Jason Spears, Founder of Rainmaker. "The brand has leveraged key partners with rich expertise and relationships to capture this and bring it into new markets and new product categories, like Spiked Jones. We are a great match." The launch of Spiked Jones Hard Craft Soda follows Jones' recent expansion into food service in the USA and Canada, with Dot Foods and other key partners. It is in addition to the craft soda favorite's successful launch into pets and legal cannabis, as well as its innovative labels, Special Release program, and other success. About Jones Soda Co. Jones Soda Co. (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA ) is a leading craft soda manufacturer with a subsidiary dedicated to cannabis products. The company markets and distributes premium craft sodas under the Jones Soda brand, and a variety of cannabis products under the Mary Jones brand. Jones' mainstream soda line is sold across North America in glass bottles, cans and on fountain and slush machines through traditional beverage outlets, restaurants and alternative accounts. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit www.jonessoda.com , www.myjones.com , or https://gomaryjones.com SOURCE Jones Soda BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Julie Kim is celebrating an exciting new food and beverage program she launched with business partner and Michelin-trained Chef Scott Koshnoodi, at Parklife Taqueria, their second establishment in Brooklyn. Julie Kim is available to share her expertise on the following topics to help small business owners celebrate International Women's Day: Today, Julie Kim is celebrating an exciting new food and beverage program she launched with business partner and Michelin-trained Chef Scott Koshnoodi, at Parklife Taqueria, their second establishment in Brooklyn. Today, Julie Kim is celebrating an exciting new food and beverage program she launched with business partner and Michelin-trained Chef Scott Koshnoodi, at Parklife Taqueria, their second establishment in Brooklyn. Three ways to sustain a small business in New York City . . Tips for navigating a woman-owned small business. Advice on managing family disappointment after switching career paths. To learn more about how Julie Kim, a Korean-American small business owner in Brooklyn, left her safe engineering job (against her family's wishes) to open and operate two successful hospitality establishments in Brooklyn or to schedule a call with her, please contact [email protected]. About Parklife Taqueria A taqueria inspired by Persian, Mexican, and Texan flavors, Parklife is a year-round favorite with its landscaped outdoor seating and expanded indoor dining. It's located on a quiet street in Brooklyn's buzzy Gowanus neighborhood, where industrial meets creativity. Parklife gets its name from the popular album by '90s Britpop band Blur, which the owners longtime friends Julie Kim and Scott Koshnoodi (who also serves as the chef) listened to on repeat while studying as Civil Engineering students at the University of Texas, Austin. Today, music, creativity, and innovative flavors serve as the beating heart and soul of the all-season restaurant, which serves artfully crafted tacos and other Mexican-inspired staples until 12 AM on weekdays and 2 AM on weekends. View the new menu and make a reservation here, https://parklifebk.com/menu/ Julie Kim, Co-Owner, Chief Operating Officer Parklife Taqueria & Littlefield Julie Kim moved to New York City from Seoul, Korea, at age five. Fast-forward nearly 20 years later, Kim earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at Northwestern University and a Master's in Environmental Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Julie worked as an engineer for ten years but ultimately followed her passion for music and hospitality when she opened a music/comedy club with her friend and fellow Texas alum, Scott Koshnoodi. Since 2009, Littlefield has been a popular destination for musicians and comics, hosting big names like Chris Rock, Chuck D, Zach Galifianakis, Cibo Matto, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Neko Case, Santigold, and Kim Gordon. Kim's training as an engineer ultimately gave her the foundation to establish and maintain a successful club. "As an engineer, you learn to troubleshoot and solve problems," she said. "I didn't think I could translate my engineering skills to hospitality, but I found them to be highly practical." Some of Kim's responsibilities include scouting and booking talent, facilitating a robust schedule of activities and programming, curating the on-site art gallery, overseeing private events, and managing a large team of staff, talented producers, engineers, and talent scouts. In 2017, Kim and Koshnoodi opened their second business, Parklife Taqueria, to feed hungry clubgoers leaving Littlefield. However, when original Chef Denisse Lina Chavez moved her popular El Atoradero restaurant concept from the Parklife kitchen to a food hall in midtown, Kim and co-owner Scott Koshnoodi had to spring into action. While Koshnoodi helms the kitchen, Kim manages the front-of-house operations. As a leader, she says, "I found that it's important to empower your staff and train them for moments when they need to troubleshoot on their own. I want my staff to feel confident they can do it themselves." In 2024, Kim and Koshnoodi announced a new food and beverage program featuring an eclectic blend of Persian, Texan, and Mexican flavors inspired by Chef Scott's roots merged with innovative food science techniques, which he learned from working at popular Michelin restaurants. SOURCE Parklife Taqueria Kamux Corporation, Press release, 5.3.2024 at 12:00 ESPOO, Finland, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kamux has signed a partnership agreement with Beely, a Finnish company that offers cars as a subscription. The partnership that will launch in Finland in March will diversify Kamux's service offering as it brings a large part of Kamux Finland's cars available to consumers also via Beely's subscription-based service. In addition to a new sales channel, the partnership gives Kamux access to cars that are returned to Beely. Beely is a Finnish company that was founded in 2019 and that offers cars as a service for a fixed monthly price. Beely's range consists of partner-owned cars with a mileage of less than 100,000 kilometers. Consumers choose the car and contract period that suits them from Beely's online service, as well as the additional services they want. The car will be delivered to their home, or they can pick it up at a partner company's showroom, such as Kamux. "With the Kamux cooperation, our car selection will increase significantly, by more than 50 percent, and we will be able to serve our customers even better across Finland," says Pertti Pigg, CEO of Beely. "We always strive to find each customer the car solution that best fits their needs. With the Beely partnership, that we are now starting, we can offer a flexible option for situations where owning a car is not an option," says Jani Koivu, Managing Director for Kamux Finland. For further information, please contact: Jani Koivu, Managing Director, Kamux Finland, [email protected] Kamux Corporation Communications Kamux is a retail chain specialized in used cars and related integrated services that has grown rapidly. Kamux combines online shopping with an extensive showroom network to provide its customers with a great service experience anytime, anywhere. In addition to digital channels, the company has a total of 78 car showrooms in Finland, Sweden and Germany. Since its founding in Hameenlinna, Finland, in 2003 the company has sold over 500,000 used cars, 68,257 of which were sold in 2023. Kamux's revenue in 2023 was EUR 1,002 million and its average number of employees was 885 in terms of full-time equivalent employees. Kamux Corporation is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. For more information, please visit www.kamux.com The reference channel for stunning premieres of the best Turkish productions entirely in Spanish brings this heartwarming drama to U.S. Hispanic audiences. MIAMI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Kanal D Drama, recognized for presenting praised Turkish series entirely in Spanish, announces the grand premiere of 'Luz de dia' (Daylight) a heartwarming drama that with its moving story and a cast of young talented actors will transport the Hispanic audience to a world full of emotions and unforgettable moments. The series premieres on March 6 through its linear channel in U.S., and by streaming SVoD, with no need for viewers to subscribe to pay TV. KANAL D DRAMA PRESENTS THE PREMIERE OF THE JUVENILE DRAMA DAYLIGHT FOR THE U.S. AUDIENCES "'Luz de dia' (Daylight) is an inspiring story that explores the theme of love, sacrifice and personal discovery. The series is a journey full of emotions, which masterfully combines a large cast of young actors with impressive natural settings, which adds beauty to the plot and promises to immerse all fans of Turkish dramas in U.S. in the universe and the vicissitudes of its protagonists," said Francheska Leon de la Barra, VP Marketing and Communications for Thema America (Marketing and Communications Representative of Kanal D Drama). 'Luz de dia' (Daylight) tells the story of Gece, a young woman full of dreams who lives in Istanbul and makes plans to go to university during the summer to study music with her boyfriend Emir. However, all her dreams are postponed due to the special health needs of her sister Gulce, which forces the entire family to leave the city and move to Foca on the coast. Gulce suffers from Asperger's syndrome, and the crowds and pace of Istanbul are bad for her health condition. In Foca, Gece meets Ozgur, the attractive instructor at the surfing club where Gulce attends. The young man has dedicated his life to his brother Ruzgar, who also suffers from Asperger's syndrome, and who was diagnosed with the disease after losing his parents in a terrible fire. As Gece and Ozgur get to know each other and navigate their own personal challenges, they will discover the true meaning of love and self-sacrifice. The unexpected arrival of Emir to Foca triggers new obstacles in Gece's life, which will test her love and her deepest desires. The series 'Luz de dia' (Daylight) great cast of young actors, includes Emre Knay (Cem), Caner Topcu (Ozgur), Sumeyye Aydogan (Gece). 'Luz de dia' (Daylight) premiers in the U.S., only on Kanal D Drama on March 6, at 20:20 p.m. ET / 17:20 p.m. PT and will also have daily premieres Monday through Friday on the Kanal D Drama app in the U.S. Kanal D Drama is the first 24/7 Turkish drama channel, owned by Kanal D International. It currently reaches 16 countries on three continents. It is the result of a strategic alliance between Kanal D International and Thema America, which is responsible for managing, operating, and distributing the Spanish-language signal and streaming platform of Kanal D Drama in the United States, Spain, and Latin America. There are other versions of the channel in Albania, France, and Kosovo. To learn more about Kanal D Drama, its linear programming, and SVOD service in the United States, visit www.kanalddrama.com and follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify. About Thema America: THEMA, a Canal+ group company, is a leading distributor of thematic and multicultural content on all platforms for MVPDs (Multichannel Video Programming Distributors). It has a varied portfolio of more than 180 channels worldwide. Its portfolio includes, among others, Kanal D Drama, in association with Kanal D International; MEZZO Live HD a Canal+'s, also it offers Mexico's leading channels, Once Mexico and Canal 22 International, and the Dominican Republic's Telemicro Internacional, among others. About Kanal D International: Kanal D International is the global business arm of Demiroren Media Group, Europe's leading media organization operating at television, newspaper, internet and magazine publishing and distribution industries. Since 2018, Kanal D International has widened its presence at the content world with Kanal D International Networks brand to reach the end-user. The distribution arm of the company continues its activities under the brand Kanal D International and Kanal D International Networks is the name of the business line that holds all linear assets. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2355261/Thema_America.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1488303/KANAL_D_DRAMA_Logo.jpg SOURCE Thema America McFarland is considered a national leader and industry expert on 1031 Exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts, and regularly hosts the Kay Properties weekly webinar series that helps educate investors on the pros and cons of Delaware Statutory Trust investments. TORRANCE, Calif., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kay Properties and Investments, which operates one of the nation's largest 1031 exchange property and real estate investment marketplaces, announced Matt McFarland, Senior Vice President has successfully raised more than $550 million in equity from accredited investors who invested in Delaware Statutory Trust real estate offerings and real estate funds. Matt McFarland, senior vice president with Kay Properties & Associates, was recently recognized by the firm for raising $550 million in equity on behalf of investors. "Matt is not only an incredibly hard-working individual, but also someone with whom our clients trust and feel comfortable discussing their particular investment goals. One of the areas Matt excels in is his dedication to educating our clients on the nuances of Delaware Statutory Trusts, including both potential benefits and risks," said Dwight Kay, Founder and CEO of Kay Properties and Investments. Kay Properties currently has 2,271 investors who have invested in nearly 10,000 DST investment assets nationwide. As a result, Kay Properties believes it has created one of the largest 1031 exchange and real estate investment marketplaces in the country that generates some of the largest DST 1031 investment volume in the United States. Joining Kay Properties early in the firm's history, McFarland started as an associate before being promoted Vice President and eventually Senior Vice President. In addition to personally raising $550 million in equity from investors, he has also participated in more than 2,000 transactions that represent more than $15 billion worth of real estate. McFarland is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles where he holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science. About Kay Properties and www.kpi1031.com Kay Properties is a national Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investment firm. The www.kpi1031.com platform provides access to the marketplace of typically 20-40 DSTs from over 25 different sponsor companies. Kay Properties team members collectively have over 200 years of real estate experience, have participated in over $30 Billion of DST 1031 investments, and have helped over 2,270 investors purchase more than 9,100 DST investments nationwide. This material is not to be considered tax or legal advice. Please speak with your own CPA and attorney for all tax and legal advice prior to considering an investment. All real estate and DST properties contain risk. Securities offered through FNEX Capital, member FINRA, SIPC. SOURCE Kay Properties and Investments WINDSOR, ON, March 5, 2024 /CNW/ - The 317 members of Unifor Local 195 employed by Jamieson have ratified a new collective agreement, ending a 34-day strike. A group of people standing together with a blue screen in the right background. (CNW Group/Unifor) "Congratulations to the bargaining committee for holding steady during some difficult negotiations and fighting for a contract their members could support," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "As well, my sincere thanks to our members and their families, for showing up on the picket line, day in and day out, remaining strong in your resolve and solidarity." After several weeks of very challenging negotiations, Unifor and Jamieson Laboratories in Windsor, Ont. reached the tentative agreement on March 2. ADVERTISEMENT Members voted 72% in favour of the deal on March 5. The new four-year contract which is in effect Feb. 1, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2028 includes significant wage increases, including a $5.50 an hour wage hike over the life of the agreement, a 20.5% increase. Production workers will receive a $2.50 hr increase upon ratification and a $1 an hour increase in each year of the last three years of the collective agreement. Skilled Trades workers will receive a $4 an hour bump in year one and $1.75 an hour increase over the remainder of the contract. Full-time production and Skilled Trades workers will also receive a $3,000 ratification bonus. The agreement includes improvements to the language to provide for a more equitable distribution of overtime, increases to vision and eye exams and additional call-in days. "We are pleased with the deal," said Unifor Local 195 President Emile Nabbout. "Through this challenging economy, the workers at Jamieson have produced one of the best known and most trusted brand of vitamins and health supplements and they deserve to receive their fair share." Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad and strives to create progressive change for a better future. Story continues SOURCE Unifor Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2024/05/c7804.html CINCINNATI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kodiak strengthens its position as a leading process fluid provider through the acquisition of Aztech Lubricants, expanding their product portfolio to powdered chemicals. Copper Strands Kodiak is a leading supplier of chemicals for the steel, automotive, energy, and aerospace industries, and the acquisition of Aztech Lubricants solidifies their position in the specialty chemical space. Kodiak has ramped up their manufacturing and distribution capabilities to supply a growing customer base in niche markets around the world. Their product portfolio of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids, rolling oils, metalworking fluids, corrosion inhibitors, and polymeric resins will now include powder-based chemicals for a variety of industrial applications including wire drawing. With their recent acquisition of Cincinnati based Coolant Control Inc. and Vulcan Oil in the first quarter '23, and their acquisition of Aztech Lubricants this quarter, Kodiak's product portfolio stands out as one of the most expansive in the global chemical industry. Based in Oklahoma, Aztech Lubricants provides innovative solutions for the wire drawing industry serving the aerospace, agricultural, tire manufacturing, fasteners, screens, and fencing market segments. The addition of powdered chemical manufacturing to their capabilities, and the increased capacity for oil-based blending, enables Kodiak to supply customers through an all-encompassing product portfolio that fulfills a broad array of needs. "By acquiring Aztech Lubricants we are continuing to execute our growth strategy increasing our geographical footprint and manufacturing capabilities, while optimizing delivery timelines," states Laura Dickey, president of Kodiak. "As we continue growing our portfolio of products organically and through acquisitions, our customers around the globe have demonstrated their receptiveness to our capabilities helping them streamline procurement through consolidation of suppliers." Kodiak attributes its success to their technical expertise, strength of research and development, and willingness to tailor formulas for specific applications in customer operations. The company's exponential growth over the past three years demonstrates the market's need for a customer centric supplier with superior operational expertise in a broad array of industries. Through the acquisition of Aztech Lubricants, Kodiak continues its growth trajectory providing an alternative to traditional suppliers in the specialty process fluid category. Contact: Kodiak, +1(513)-471-8770, [email protected] SOURCE Kodiak Leader in Automotive Aftermarket Repair Facilities Begins Franchising Newest Brand, Looking to Open 50 Locations Over the Next Five Years GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care, automotive aftermarket repair facility and flagship brand of FullSpeed Automotive, announces its franchise opportunity after record sales growth. Kwik Kar currently has 240 locations in Texas, and is primed to open 50 more locations nationwide over the next five years through franchising. Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care Kwik Kar specializes in full-service oil changes, scheduled maintenance, state inspections, and many other automotive repair services. The brand was acquired by FullSpeed Automotive in 2022 as part of the company's growth strategy. The iconic Kwik Kar brand adds impressive strength to FullSpeed's current roster of flagship brands, which already includes Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service. With a newly perfected franchise model, Kwik Kar's initial strategic franchising efforts will be nationwide. "As we settle into 2024, we are dedicated to driving Kwik Kar and our entire portfolio of brands to new heights of success and innovation," said Ron Stilwell, President, FullSpeed Automotive. "Since we've acquired the brand, we've had a lot of interest from eager entrepreneurs, which presented a perfect opportunity to enter the franchise landscape with a full automotive service model that also does oil changes. We've been working hard to make sure Kwik Kar is in an ideal position to grow outside of the Dallas, Texas area, and we are ready to start expanding nationwide." The success of Kwik Kar has not gone unnoticed. The brand was rated #2 in overall customer satisfaction for full-service maintenance and repairs by JD Power in 2022. With 240 current locations, the success of Kwik Kar is largely due to independent owners being actively involved in the day-to-day operations. With a strong presence in Texas, the brand is now ready to begin expanding. Kwik Kar Lube and Automotive Repair Centers are independently owned and operated with a proud company history. Kwik Industries was founded in 1964 by the legendary Ray Ellis, who helped pioneer the car wash and oil change industry in Texas. He began the Kwik Kar brand with self-service car washes, which then migrated into full-service car washes. In 1984, after the suggestion of a number of owners and operators, Kwik Industries began to study the growing demand for fast oil changes and complete auto repair. The result was the birth of Kwik Kar Lube and Auto Repair Centers. Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care is looking to bring on additional qualified and engaged individuals seeking single, multi-unit, and conversion opportunities. When franchisees invest in FullSpeed Automotive brands, they're investing in an organization with a strong culture, solid systems, and a proven business model backed with 80+ years of experience in providing quality car care in the industry. For more information on Kwik Kar and FullSpeed Automotive, visit kwikkarfranchise.com and fullspeedautomotive.com or call 800-364-0352. About Kwik Kar Kwik Kar specializes in full-service oil changes, scheduled maintenance, state inspections, and many other automotive repair services. The brand was recently acquired by FullSpeed Automotive, the nation's largest franchisors and operators of automotive aftermarket repair facilities and home to flagship brands Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service. For more information, go to kwikkarfranchise.com. About FullSpeed Automotive FullSpeed Automotive is among the nation's largest franchisors and operators of automotive aftermarket repair facilities and home to flagship brands Grease Monkey, SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, and Kwik Kar. FullSpeed brands offer oil changes, tire sales and rotations, brake services, car washes, and other ancillary services through multiple brand formats that target several desirable segments of the service market. The company's strategic geographic footprint of 900-plus franchised and company-owned locations provides density in high growth markets. In 2023, both Grease Monkey and SpeeDee were included in Entrepreneur's prestigious Franchise 500 ranking. FullSpeed is headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO. For more information, go to www.fullspeedautomotive.com . SOURCE Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care Exceptional Versatility and Robust Performance in the Most Demanding Conditions AKRON, Ohio, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Laird Connectivity, a global leader in wireless technology, is pleased to announce the release of the sub-GHz FlexDipole Antenna, engineered to redefine the standards of sub-GHz wireless communication. This state-of-the-art antenna is meticulously designed to support the 863 MHz - 928 MHz frequency range, making it a perfect fit for sub-GHz solutions such as LoRaWAN, Sigfox and Proprietary RF. The sub-GHz FlexDipole Antenna boasts a remarkably small footprint of just 75.8mm x 13.75mm x 0.1mm. Despite its compact size, it delivers exceptional performance across its operating frequency, ensuring reliable and robust communication. This performance is key for developers and manufacturers looking to enhance the connectivity and efficiency of their long-range wireless products. In addition to the compact footprint, the sub-GHz FlexDipole comes with an innovative design for mounting featuring adhesive backing, allowing for easy and flexible installation in a variety of enclosures and end product designs. This versatility is complemented by its ability to operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40C to +85C (-40F to +185F), ensuring dependable performance in even the most challenging conditions. Understanding the diverse needs of IoT devices, Laird Connectivity offers the sub-GHz FlexDipole Antenna with two connector options: MHF1 or MHF4L. This choice provides customers with the flexibility to cater to a wide range of wireless devices and applications. Senthooran Ragavan, senior product manager at Laird Connectivity, commented on the launch stating, "The sub-GHz FlexDipole Antenna is a testament to Laird Connectivity's commitment to innovation and quality. We understand the evolving demands of the IoT industry, and our new antenna is designed to meet these challenges head-on, offering superior performance, versatility, and reliability. It's an essential component for anyone looking to push the boundaries of what's possible with sub-GHz technology". The sub-GHz FlexDipole is ideal for many application areas, including industrial automation, smart cities, smart agriculture, smart transportation, smart environment, and SCADA. Additionally, the MHF4L antenna is pre-certified with the company's own RM1261/RM1262 LoRaWAN modules. The sub-GHz FlexDipole is available for purchase from all of our distribution partners including Digi-Key, Mouser, Arrow, Avnet, and Future. Visit the product page for more information about this antenna solution and links to buy now: https://www.lairdconnect.com/product/868-915-mhz-flexdipole About Laird Connectivity Laird Connectivity simplifies wireless connectivity with market-leading RF modules, system-on-modules, internal antennas, IoT devices, and custom wireless solutions. Our products are trusted by companies around the world for their wireless performance and reliability. With best-in-class support and comprehensive product development services, we reduce your risk and improve your time-to-market. When you need unmatched wireless performance to connect your applications with security and confidence, Laird Connectivity Delivers No Matter What. For the latest news or more information, visit: lairdconnect.com | twitter.com/LairdConnect | linkedin.com/company/lairdconnectivity SOURCE Laird Connectivity TORONTO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - In celebration of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2024 Convention, representatives from the Latin American mining sector joined Guillaume Legare, Head, South America, Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange, to open the market. Latin American Mining Sector Opens the Market Tuesday, March 5, 2024 The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community, an industry that employs more than 664,000 individuals, and contributed $132 billion to Canada's GDP in 2021. Currently representing over 7,000 members around the world, PDAC's work centers on supporting a competitive, responsible, and sustainable mineral sector. PDAC 2024: The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading event for people, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. The annual award-winning Convention in Toronto, Canada brings together up to 30,000 attendees from over 130+ countries for its educational programming, networking events, business opportunities and fun. CNW sponsored announcement. To learn more visit www.newswire.ca. SOURCE Toronto Stock Exchange Tech Founders Raise nearly $7M in Funding to Create a New Infrastructure that Allows AI Bots and Data Scrapers to Efficiently Pay for Website Content TollBit will Benefit Publishing Industry, Tech Companies, and Consumers by Boosting Content Revenue, Protecting Quality Information, and Reducing Legal Uncertainty NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TollBit founders Olivia Joslin and Toshit Panigrahi today announced the company has raised $7M for their new platform aimed at addressing the shifting economics of web content in the age of AI. TollBit allows AI bots and data scrapers to pay websites directly to license their content. The technology allows websites to monetize data and content, monitor bot traffic to sites, and easily onboard AI and LLM partners. By providing a tech infrastructure,TollBit helps to establish clear guardrails to reduce the legal uncertainty of scraping. The system relies on tokens that are issued and validated by the platform to ensure every scrape is authorized and logged. "We are seeing a fundamental shift in the economics of the Internet: as more consumers turn to AI to meet their needs, less eyeballs will reach websites. This trend inadvertently undercuts the financial health of the publishers and websites that reliable AI needs to thrive. AI agents and LLMs are only as good as the information they can access so this poses a massive threat to the entire ecosystem. TollBit is building the infrastructure to help power the Internet in this new era by ensuring publishers and content creators can be fairly paid for their work," said Joslin and Panigrahi. TollBit has raised initial funding from top investors with ties across digital media, tech, and AI. The round was led by Sunflower Capital and includes participation from AIX, Lerer Hippeau, Operator Collective, and Liquid 2 Ventures. Among other things, the funding will be used for the continued expansion of TollBit's tech team. Researchers have already raised concerns that AI companies may be running out of high quality content and data and many publishers see language models and web-enabled AI tools as an existential threat to website traffic . "Modern AI agents rely on a steady stream of fresh and high-quality content and data to provide users with trustworthy and timely answers. We believe TollBit will be a key part of the future AI stack, providing a mechanism to incentivize and compensate publishers for the content and data they produce," said Anthony Goldbloom, Partner at AIX. "This disruption is coming for every industry. Any company that relies on traffic to a website or app will need to rethink their approach. User-generated and aggregated content sites will soon be impacted as AI products begin to be able to take actions on end-users' behalf," added Liu Jiang, Founder of Sunflower Capital. "Our fund and leadership have spent decades managing and investing in legacy and digital media businesses, so we've seen the enormous impact technology has had on the sector," said Ben Lerer, Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. "The incredible power of AI promises tremendous benefits to society, but we need to act swiftly to coalesce around a sustainable content model that satisfies both the supply and demand sides of the market. If we fail to establish systems-wide guardrails and incentivize rich content creation, the entire system will collapse - it's the start of a sinkhole and we're all at risk of falling in. TollBit's solution benefits all parties, protecting world-class journalism, creative content, accurate data, and LLMs' ability to mature and improve." TollBit is currently onboarding publishers to the platform. Learn more at https://tollbit.com/ About TollBit TollBit offers AI bots and data scrapers an easy and compliant way to compensate websites directly for content. The platform seeks to address the new economics of content creation in the AI era by reducing the legal uncertainties of scraping and protecting the health of the entire content ecosystem. About Sunflower Sunflower Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with foundational infrastructure companies building for the modern enterprise. We specialize in B2B products with technical moats in categories like data and machine learning, developer tooling, cybersecurity, frontier tech, and more. Sunflower was founded by solo GP Liu Jiang, who has invested in companies including Athelas, Clay, DBT, Hadrian, Retool, Semgrep, Temporal, Vercel, Verkada and Warp. About AIX AIX Ventures is an AI-native, early-stage venture capital firm, founded in 2021 by Richard Socher and Shaun Johnson, that includes some of the world's top AI practitioners: Pieter Abbeel, Anthony Goldbloom, and Christopher Manning. AIX Ventures invests in founders who are developing industry-changing AI technologies. Its portfolio includes HuggingFace, Perplexity, Weights & Biases, You.com, Chroma, and others. AIX Ventures is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. About Lerer Hippeau Lerer Hippeau is an early-stage venture capital firm founded and operated in New York City. Our portfolio includes more than 400 leading enterprise and consumer businesses including Zipline, Guideline, MIRROR, Blockdaemon, K Health, Warby Parker, and ZenBusiness. We're experienced operators who invest early and stay in our founders' corners as they build iconic companies. Learn more at lererhippeau.com. About Liquid 2 Liquid 2 is building the most valuable ecosystem at seed. Founded in 2016 by Joe Montana, our ecosystem is defined by a network of deeply rooted connections with our founding advisors (Ron Conway, Jessica Livingston, Paul Graham), top-tier co-investors, and a portfolio of over 800 technology companies representing over $100B of combined enterprise value. Liquid 2 invests $250K - $1M in pre-seed and seed rounds and our portfolio includes Gitlab, Rippling, Jasper AI, Retool, Anduril, Applied Intuition, Remote, Solugen, Astranis, Stoke Space, Rappi, WhatNot, Modern Treasury, Athelas and many more. About Operator Collective Operator Collective is an early-stage B2B venture firm and community backed by tech's most exceptional operators and top-tier institutions. OpCo brings together leaders who are critical to a startup's success but largely absent from the venture ecosystem - senior operating executives from diverse backgrounds who have built the world's most admired tech companies. Our proprietary platform enables portfolio founders to efficiently tap into 200+ active Operator LPs to help companies as they build and scale, reach potential customers, and connect with talent networks for potential executives, board members, and industry leaders. For more information contact: press@tollbit.com SOURCE TollBit NEW YORK , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lindus Health , an "anti-CRO" running radically faster, more reliable clinical trials for life science pioneers, has launched an all-in-one package of contract research organization (CRO) services, site services and clinical trial technology to support research within the metabolic space. Lindus Health has an extensive track record in metabolic diseases, executing 18 end-to-end studies, with over 1,600 patients enrolled in the US and Europe in indications such as obesity, diabetes and more. Lindus has taken learnings from this experience to build a bespoke "All-in-One Metabolic CRO" offering that combines the expertise of a seasoned full service CRO and internal site/PI expertise with a distinctive technology driven approach on its proprietary Citrus platform. This unique marriage of technology and services sets metabolic sponsors up to run faster, more patient-centric clinical trials. "With the prevalence of metabolic disease growing on a global scale, and the massive uptick in research with the advent of GLP-1s, we want to use our unique expertise and capabilities to accelerate approvals of these essential therapies," says Emma Ogburn, VP of Clinical Operations at Lindus Health. "Our All-in-One Metabolic CRO offering is designed to streamline study activities at every stage of research. We're thrilled to be applying our extensive metabolic expertise to offer an all-in-one approach including study execution, site management, and technology services to sponsors in this area." Lindus Health has built a strong reputation for accelerating and bringing metabolic interventions to market garnering the support from a world-class advisory board, including newly appointed advisor Robert Langer , renowned MIT professor and co-founder of Moderna as well as metabolic industry leaders such as Carel Le Roux , Professor of Experimental Pathology at the University of Dublin, and Dimitar Tonev , hepatologist with extensive experience in NASH research. "We've had the privilege of collaborating with Lindus Health, and their team's attentiveness and dedication have been beyond our expectations, said CEO Thomas Gurry, Co-Founder and CEO of Myota , a health tech start-up that aims to improve well-being and prevent chronic diseases. "Their passion is evident in every aspect of their work, from meticulous study planning to execution." Lindus Health includes the following services and features within their "All-in-One Metabolic CRO" offering: End-to-end trial management and execution services: Lindus' offer covers the entire study delivery value chain, from designing effective study protocols and recruitment strategies specific to these patient populations, all the way through data collection, management, and delivery. Lindus' offer covers the entire study delivery value chain, from designing effective study protocols and recruitment strategies specific to these patient populations, all the way through data collection, management, and delivery. Expertise in regulatory affairs and the metabolic market segment: With experience in preparing ethics submissions in numerous countries, Lindus Health's team stays current with the ever-changing regulatory landscapes across the globe especially in metabolic health. With experience in preparing ethics submissions in numerous countries, Lindus Health's team stays current with the ever-changing regulatory landscapes across the globe especially in metabolic health. Patient recruitment powered by technology: Lindus helps metabolic sponsors achieve enrollment goals on-time by leveraging a variety of different recruitment strategies. With an extensive network of over 30 million electronic health records (EHRs) and a dedicated digital marketing team for multi-channel recruitment initiatives, the company has demonstrated success in targeting various patient populations to participate in metabolic studies. Lindus helps metabolic sponsors achieve enrollment goals on-time by leveraging a variety of different recruitment strategies. With an extensive network of over 30 million electronic health records (EHRs) and a dedicated digital marketing team for multi-channel recruitment initiatives, the company has demonstrated success in targeting various patient populations to participate in metabolic studies. End-to End eClinical "Citrus" Platform: Citrus, Lindus Health's proprietary home-grown Clinical Trial Management S(CTMS) and Electronic Data Capture (EDC) software, unites all the essential technologies to run clinical trials under one roof, mitigating the risks associated with fragmentation of data across multiple software products. Citrus, Lindus Health's proprietary home-grown Clinical Trial Management S(CTMS) and Electronic Data Capture (EDC) software, unites all the essential technologies to run clinical trials under one roof, mitigating the risks associated with fragmentation of data across multiple software products. Site management services: Lindus Health's in-house site operations team has supported single and multi-site studies as well as traditional to fully virtual and hybrid clinical trial models within metabolic research. Lindus carries a site team with extensive resumes in the metabolic study execution that cover roles across PIs, CRCs, and more. Therapeutics for metabolic medical conditions range from traditional pharmaceuticals to medical devices to digital therapeutic technologies. One compound of particular interest is GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are currently used to treat diabetes and obesity, but quickly expanding with research to many other indications. Lindus Health's all-encompassing Metabolic CRO offering empowers metabolic disease sponsors to run more timely and successful clinical trials while enhancing patient experience. To learn more about Lindus Health's solution for the metabolic market segment, click here . About Lindus Health Lindus Health is an anti-CRO running radically faster and more reliable trials for life science pioneers bringing ground-breaking treatments to patients more quickly. Lindus Health does this thanks to a commercial model that aligns incentives (fixed-priced quotes per study, with milestone-based payments), marrying a world-class clinical operations team with its unique software platform, and access to 30 million Electronic Health Records. Clinical trials are the biggest bottleneck to advances in healthcare and by removing this constraint they aim to improve health for everyone. They handle the end-to-end execution of clinical studies, including design, patient recruitment, clinical data capture, monitoring and project management. Lindus Health has to date delivered more than 90 trials across the US, UK and Europe to tackle a range of conditions including diabetes, asthma, acne, social anxiety, major depressive disorder, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome and insomnia. The company was named after James Lind, who pioneered the first clinical trial and treatment for scurvy, and co-founded by Michael Young, a former Special Adviser to the UK Prime Minister on Life Sciences, and Meri Beckwith, a former life sciences investor. The company has raised over $24M from investors including Peter Thiel, CREANDUM, Firstminute Capital, Presight Capital, Seedcamp, Hambro Perks, Amino Collective and Calm/Storm. Media Contact: Jodi Perkins Amendola for Lindus Health [email protected] SOURCE Lindus Health Lyric COB offering made possible through strategic partnership with Strout and customized connections built by DatumSure PHILADELPHIA, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyric, a leader in technology-first payment accuracy solutions, today announced a new, real-time Medicare Coordination of Benefits (COB) solution as a result of a strategic partnership with Strout (formerly The Strout Company), the market leaders in Medicare COB. The strategic partnershippowered by a customized connection by DatumSureenables Lyric customers to access Strout's Medicare COB capabilities as pre-pay claim edits within the Lyric payment accuracy environment. COB errors cost patients and health plans an estimated $17 billion each year1. These errors occur when an individual has coverage from more than one health plansuch as Medicare and an employer-sponsored planand the wrong one is billed for a given healthcare service. Typically, these errors are not found until long after inaccurate payments have been made, adding increased costs and waste to the healthcare system. And, because many incorrect payments cannot be recovered due to regulatory limitations on the timeframe in which recovery can take place, patients are stuck with unexpected out-of-pocket costs. But now, through the Lyric + Strout partnership, Lyric customers can solve this problem as part of the pre-payment process, effectively attributing healthcare service claims to the appropriate health plan coverage, notify health plans and employers to correct the claim record, which helps to eliminate administrative cost inefficiencies, and provide out-of-pocket cost transparency for patients. "More than a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries also have coverage from another health plan, and errors in determining primacy and payment are common and costly," said Stacey Stabenow, President of Strout. "Together with Lyric, we can reduce the financial burden of care for some of America's most vulnerable patients and the health plans that serve them, making healthcare more efficient for everyone." "Our partnership with Strout is another example of Lyric's vision to simplify the business of care," explained Lyric CEO, Rajeev Ronanki. "Strout has transformed coordination of benefits, delivering real-time, AI-powered payment accuracy to solve a problem that is generally otherwise managed through inefficient claim auditing after the fact. But together, we will address this critical need with unparalleled efficiency and effectiveness." The technical partnership is made possible by a customized real-time connection built by DatumSure, a leading data technology company. DatumSure's underlying data model promotes seamless integration of outside data sources. About Lyric Lyric, formerly ClaimsXten, is a leading healthcare technology company. Over 30 years of experience, dedicated teams, and top technology help deliver more than $14 billion of annual savings to our many loyal and valued customersincluding 9 of the top 10 payers across the country. Lyric's solutions serve as the foundation for streamlining increasingly complex claims payment processes, bringing the insights needed for more precision and efficiency along the continuum. Lyric serves many of the nation's largest commercial and government-sponsored health plans, responsible for covering more than 185 million lives. Lyric's strong relationships as a trusted ally to customers resulted in recognition from KLAS as "true partner" and "excellent value for investment," with a top score for overall customer satisfaction and A+ likelihood to recommend in their October 2023 Payment Integrity and Accuracy Report. As part of its vision to simplify the business of care, Lyric is investing in AI driven technology to ease implementation and speed to value for customer savings, while offering enhanced and newly available solutions through internal product development and strategic partnerships, including recently announced partnerships with Concert Genetics, Autonomize AI, Codoxo, and now Strout and Datumsure. Discover more at Lyric.ai. About Strout Strout, formerly The Strout Company, is the market leader in Medicare Coordination of Benefits (COB) payment accuracy solutions. For more than 30 years, the company has combined expertise in complex healthcare regulatory issues and pioneering technology solutions to regional and national health plans, third party administrators and partner companies, collectively serving more than 100 million members. Based in Dallas, Strout is HITRUST CSF certified and a certified Women's Business Enterprise. Visit strout.ai to learn more. About Datumsure DatumSure is a data technology company based in Houston, Texas with innovative solutions at the intersection of data fabric and data mesh. The company's flagship product, DS-Tapestry, liberates data from disparate sources without moving or duplicating data from the point of origin. DatumSure has ushered in a new era of real-time data solutions with an unprecedented level of data privacy, security, and mobility, and is currently supporting global initiatives in healthcare, life sciences, information systems, financial services, education, and humanitarian aid. Visit www.DatumSure.com to find out more. Media contact: Amy Churchill [email protected] (724) 841-4450 1 Journal of the American Medical Association. Waste in the U.S. Health Care System. Estimated Costs and Potential for Savings, October 2019. SOURCE Lyric NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Manhattan Mini Storage, the largest storage provider in New York City, proudly announces that the former Public Storage building at 155 West 29th Street is now managed and operated by Manhattan Mini Storage. The addition of this property to the Manhattan Mini Storage brand marks the twenty-first location in the boroughs with eighteen properties in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn, and one in Queens. "We are thrilled about the partnership with Manhattan Mini Storage, who will bring their unprecedented knowledge and experience of the Manhattan self storage business to our state-of-the-art asset at 155 West 29th Street," said David Allen, Senior Vice President of Asset Management at The Davis Companies (Davis), who developed the site in collaboration with Highland Development Ventures. "Having delivered an irreplaceable, purpose-built self-storage facility strategically located in the middle of Manhattan, we are confident that teaming up with Manhattan Mini will enable us to leverage their strong branding and customer knowledge to reach the full potential of our project." Manhattan Mini Storage takes over former Public Storage on 29th Street in New York City, NY. Post this Manhattan Mini Storage on 29th St has made the following enhancements: Upgrading the drive-in loading bay Adding more customer service features like 24/7 customer support Offering supplemental services such as Value Coverage programs that may provide gap or layered protection over an individual's private insurance policy Providing moving van vouchers for new tenants Discounting summer storage for students at nearby universities Alex Burnam, Senior Vice President for Manhattan Mini Storage, expressed enthusiasm for this newest acquisition , "Manhattan Mini Storage is as New York as it gets when it comes to living in the city. Our iconic brand has been serving New Yorkers for nearly 50 years and we look forward to serving the Chelsea, Midtown, and Flatiron communities," said Burnam. The self storage location on West 29th Street offers 6,300 storage units for rent, ranging from the size of small closets to sizable rooms, amounting to over 144,800 square feet of storage. The rooms have climate control, ensuring a stable environment for keeping furniture, antiques, vintage collections, electronics and other items. The 18-story facility is located in the Chelsea neighborhood and offers convenient access to numerous subway and bus lines, as well as Penn Station. About Manhattan Mini Storage: Manhattan Mini Storage is New York City's largest self storage provider, bringing a unique blend of humor and practicality to meet the city's diverse needs for over 50 years. The company is iconically known by New Yorkers for witty billboards that don't pull any punches. With more than 20 locations across Manhattan and the boroughs, you can find self storage at a location near you. For further details, visit their website at www.manhattanministorage.com . About Davis Davis is a vertically integrated real estate investment, development and management firm that leverages five decades of experience, the strength of its leadership team and employees and a diversified portfolio to deliver maximum value for its investors and tenants. Headquartered in Boston and investing across the United States, Davis prides itself on taking a nimble, collaborative approach to delivering best-in-class results from complex opportunities. With $12.8 billion in gross asset value invested through real estate equity, debt and fixed-income securities, Davis today owns a real estate portfolio of approximately 13.8 million square feet of healthcare and life science, industrial, retail, office and hospitality properties and more than 5,200 residential units across the United States. For further information, visit www.thedaviscompanies.com . Contact: Sarah Little 573.449.0091 [email protected] SOURCE Manhattan Mini Storage TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife announced today that Mike Durland and Don Kanak have been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective March 5, 2024, and Anna Manning and John Wong have been nominated for election as directors at the company's May 9, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Durland is a former senior executive at The Bank of Nova Scotia, holding a number of senior roles in their capital markets division, including Group Head and CEO, Global Banking and Markets. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Melancthon Capital Corporation, a private company primarily focused on the provision of capital and advisory services to emerging Canadian companies. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary's University and a Ph.D. in Management from Queen's University. Mr. Kanak is a former senior executive with deep insurance experience in Asia. Most recently, he held several senior roles with Prudential Holdings Ltd. (part of Prudential plc.). He ultimately served as Chairman, Insurance Growth Markets and Chairman, Prudence Foundation and, prior to that, Chairman, Eastspring Investments and Chairman of Prudential Corporation Asia. He served in senior executive positions at American International Group (AIG) for over 14 years before joining Prudential. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, a JD from Harvard Law School, and a MLitt from Oxford University in management studies. Ms. Manning is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA), a global reinsurance company focusing on life and health solutions. Prior to joining RGA, she spent 19 years with the Toronto office of Towers Perrin's Tillinghast insurance consulting service, providing consulting services to the insurance industry on mergers and acquisitions, value-added performance measurement, product development, and financial reporting. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and holds a B.Sc. in Actuarial Science from the University of Toronto. Mr. Wong is a former Senior Partner and the former Chairman of Greater China for Boston Consulting Group, where he currently serves as a Senior Advisor. He is a trusted consultant with over 30 years of experience serving global clients in the Asian healthcare market and a deep expertise in building businesses in biopharmaceuticals, medical technology, and consumer health. Mr. Wong holds an MBA from Harvard University, an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London. "Mike, Don, Anna and John bring skills and experience critical to supporting the Board of Directors' effective oversight of Manulife given its growth ambitions and strategic priorities," said Don Lindsay, Chair of the Board, Manulife. "They are accomplished executives who bring a wealth of experience, including in the financial services and insurance industries, as well as extensive global and Asia market knowledge. We are fortunate to have them join the Board." Mr. Durland joins the Board's Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and Mr. Kanak joins the Management Resources and Compensation Committee and Risk Committee. Ms. Manning will join the Management Resources and Compensation Committee and the Risk Committee and Mr. Wong will join the Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee following successful election at the annual meeting of shareholders. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation DALLAS, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McKool Smith Principal Lewis "Lew" LeClair has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. The induction ceremony at which Mr. LeClair became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 625 during the recent Spring Meeting of the College in Phoenix, Arizona. Lewis Lew LeClair, McKool Smith Principal Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. Mr. LeClair has been an active leader of the firm and a distinguished trial lawyer for many years. Based in the Dallas office, Lew handles litigation matters all across the country. He is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer in his field by major legal directories, including Benchmark Litigation and Chambers USA. He is also ranked by Best Lawyers in several practice areas, including Bet-the-Company Litigation. With 130 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America's leading trial firms. The firm has secured 14 nine-figure jury verdicts and 15 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal "Top 100 Verdicts" than any other law firm. These courtroom successes have earned McKool Smith critical acclaim and helped the firm become what The Wall Street Journal describes as "one of the biggest law firm success stories of the past decade." McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, insurance recovery, and white collar defense matters. For more information, please contact Keith Hill at (903) 923.9005 or email [email protected]. SOURCE McKool Smith HANOI, Vietnam (AP) Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan faces the death penalty in a trial that began Tuesday over alleged fraud amounting to $12.5 billion nearly 3% of the countrys 2022 GDP and Vietnam's largest financial fraud case on record. The 66-year-old chair of the real estate company Van Thinh Phat allegedly used thousands of ghost companies, paid bribes to government officials and violated banking regulations, according to a government document. She is accused of illegally controlling the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank between 2012 to 2022 and using it to embezzle $12.5 billion, the document adds. Another 85 people are being prosecuted in connection, including a former State Bank of Vietnam official accused of accepting $5.2 million in bribes. Lan was arrested in October 2022 and could get a death sentence if found guilty. She was escorted to the court by the authorities at around 7 a.m. Her husband Eric Chu Nap-kee, who works in real estate in Hong Kong, was also summoned, state media VN Express reported. VTP was among Vietnams richest real estate firms and its projects include luxury residential buildings, offices, hotels and shopping centers. ADVERTISEMENT Lan's arrest is among the most high-profile in an ongoing anti-corruption drive in Vietnam that gained momentum since 2022. The so-called Blazing Furnace campaign has seen thousands of officials and business executives come under investigation. It reached the highest echelons of the Vietnamese government in January 2023 with the resignation of former President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and two deputy prime ministers for the political responsibility of corruption scandals during the pandemic. But analysts added the anti-corruption drive has also dampened Vietnams economic outlook and made foreign investors jittery at a time when the southeast Asian nation has been positioning itself as the ideal home for businesses looking to shift their supply chains away from China. Story continues Its the scale of Lan's alleged scam that has been surprising, said Linh Nguyen, the lead analyst for consultancy Control Risks. Lan is accused of disbursing $44 billion in loans to herself and her allies between 2012 to 2022, and the documents related to the case weigh 6 tons, according to VN Express. More than 3% of the GDP is very large, Nguyen said, adding that it also raised questions about whether other banks and businesses had done the same (and) just havent been discovered. The anti-corruption drive has also resulted in Vietnam's bureaucracy slowing down with public officials becoming anxious about being investigated and shirking their responsibilities, according to a report from Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The most glaring evidence of this has been in the slow spending rates for public investment. As of October 2023, a little over 55% of the annual budget had been spent with $10.19 billion needing to be disbursed within 35 days, state media Vietnam News reported. These are funds necessary for development projects ranging from bridges to highways to airports and not spending it in time results in long delays. Nguyen said that investors especially in banking, finance and real estate are much more cautious now. It's a more 'let us wait and see' with investors at the moment, she said. The real estate sector in Vietnam has been hit particularly hard an estimated 1,300 property firms withdrew from the market in 2023, developers have been offering discounts and gold as gifts to attract buyers, and despite rent for shophouses falling by a third in Ho Chi Minh City, many in the city center are still empty, according to state media. Poor global demand and slowing public investment meant that Vietnams economic growth slowed down to 5.05% last year, compared to 8.02% in 2022, according to government data. In November, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam's top politician, said that the anti-corruption fight would continue for the long term. Around that time, Vietnamese authorities said they were investigating two other cases linked to Lan's real estate companies that involved laundering money overseas through real estate. Aniruddha Ghosal, The Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to strengthen dental education and improve access to dental care, the Minnesota Dental Association (MDA), in collaboration with the Minnesota Educators of Dental Assisting and the Minnesota Dental Hygiene Educators Association, have led the introduction of legislation seeking to appropriate state funds to dental academic institutions. This legislation aims to allocate substantial funding to enhance dental assisting and hygiene education programs across the state, ultimately benefiting both students and patients. The legislation seeks to provide grants and/or forgivable loans for dental assisting and hygiene schools designed to address various issues inhibiting their ability to increase program capacity. Senate File 4155, introduced by Senator Rob Kupec, and House File 4375, introduced by Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, proposes a $20 million grant appropriation specifically designated for dental assisting and hygiene education programs. These grants will empower academic institutions to enhance their programs, train more dental professionals, and address workforce shortages. Eligible institutions include community colleges, technical schools, and universities offering dental hygiene and dental assisting programs. "SF4155 is a critical investment in our state's allied dental education infrastructure. By supporting academic institutions, we ensure that the dental profession's critical workforce needs are addressed," said MDA President Dr. Rose Perpich. "This is a win-win for students, patients, and the dental profession," added Dr. Perpich. Minnesota faces a significant workforce shortage of dental assistants and dental hygienists. Recent data indicate that most dental practices are actively hiring for these positions, with two-thirds of dentists indicating recruitment is "extremely challenging" or "very challenging."1 Without more allied dental personnel in the workforce, access to care is significantly impacted. Minnesota's dental assisting and hygiene schools are at maximum capacity, with demand outweighing available openings. Each program faces financial barriers that limit its ability to increase student population. The number of graduates entering the dental workforce will continue to be limited if funding is not available to address program limitations. Potential uses of grants/loans include, but are not limited to, infrastructure projects for both classroom or clinic space, student scholarships, hiring additional faculty/staff, or other program-specific needs. 1 Minnesota Dental Association's internal member survey and the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute Data: Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry, August 2023 The Minnesota Dental Association is the voice of dentistry in Minnesota, representing practicing dentists. It is committed to the highest standards of oral health and access to care for all Minnesotans. Learn more at: www.mndental.org. SOURCE Minnesota Dental Association SEATTLE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today entrepreneur and former Microsoft director Kiesha Garrison proudly introduces Hey, Black Seattle!, a platform to help Seattle residents of the African diaspora answer the question "Where are all the Black people?" This community-centered initiative aims to connect, support, and celebrate the vibrant yet dispersed Black population in the region by using data and technology for good. Pushing Back on a Stifling Narrative Despite the often-cited small percentage of Black residents in the Greater Seattle area (6.7% in the city of Seattle, 8% in the central Puget Sound as of July 2022 census), the region is home to a rich tapestry of Black community organizations, Black-owned businesses, and artists actively working to preserve Black culture and address the isolation experienced by many Black residents. Some, like the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and the Black Heritage Society of Washington State have been mainstays for decades, while others like the Africatown Community Land Trust and Arte Noir were formed more recently to push back against gentrification and massive displacement in the historic Central District neighborhood. All are an example of the creative resilience of a people who refuse to be erased by systemic inequality. Founder Kiesha Garrison emphasizes, "When people repeat the popular hyperbole 'there are no Black people in Seattle,' they do so out of genuine frustration, but it is clear they are missing out on the important work of the deeply committed Black leaders here." Hey, Black Seattle! seeks to close the awareness gap so that disconnected individuals can come to know the facilitators of Black culture & community that are doing this powerful work in the region. Founder's Data-Tech Background Meets Her Love of Community Garrison, a Spelman alumna who held various business leadership positions in consumer products and enterprise AI at Microsoft, also worked at Vitals, a popular physician finder website. She was also a founding board member for The Live Music Project, a Seattle-based nonprofit which supports access to the arts through the development of community-driven technology products. She drew inspiration from Microsoft Employee Resource Group leaders who provided Black community resource lists to their employee population as well as from her conversations with local non-profit leaders who have long desired to have a digital community hub but lacked the bandwidth and expertise to build it. Leveraging her background with data-driven tech and her passion for the wellbeing of all Black people, Garrison set out to create a central space for the community to share and find information that transcends professional and social silos. A Simple Yet Necessary Mission The mission of Hey, Black Seattle! is simple yet profound: to shorten the time it takes for Black people to find their community in the beautiful Puget Sound region. Garrison, also a public speaker who focuses on how oppression affects personhood and culture, shares, "Community is essential because I believe isolation is a dream killer. And I want Black people and our dreams to thrive wherever we live." At the center of the web service is a comprehensive database of entities serving the Black community across King, Pierce, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties. Hey, Black Seattle! pre-seeded their database with over two hundred vetted community organizations, social groups, businesses, and artists, creating a rich directory that will grow through collective knowledge and aspires to give hope to those who might otherwise relocate for a sense of belonging and wellness. A Comprehensive Platform Beyond the community resource directory, Hey, Black Seattle! also offers: An events calendar, providing a focused space for the community to post and discover events which can often seem buried in traditional search sites. A job board, offering organizations a direct channel to list employment opportunities and support of economic empowerment for the Black community. A photo archive to contribute to the preservation of the historical record of Black life in the region. Regular meetups to introduce newcomers to neighborhoods and educate them about the rich Black history of Seattle . . And space for residents to share "Black Love Notes," acknowledging the importance of appreciation in any culture. Hey, Black Seattle! is more than a platform, it is a movement. A call to action for Black residents of the Greater Seattle area to come together and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone can thrive. Connect with Hey, Black Seattle!: For media inquiries, contact: [email protected] About Hey, Black Seattle! Hey, Black Seattle! is a community-driven platform dedicated to connecting and celebrating the African diaspora in the Seattle region. Through its rich database, media, events, and merchandise, Hey, Black Seattle! strives to be a beacon for Black life, highlighting resources and spaces for the community to connect and thrive. Contacts: Kiesha Garrison [email protected] SOURCE Hey, Black Seattle! MILWAUKEE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, premium men's and women's footwear and accessories brand Milwaukee Boot Company announces its Spring/Summer 2024 Collection debuting men's sneaker, loafer, and select dress casual styles as a first for the brand. The collection showcases eight all-new footwear styles and 10 new accessory styles, taking inspiration from Milwaukee's deep history as a leader in leather manufacturing and motivated by the desire to bring high-quality, handcrafted footwear to the brand's customers that can be worn all year. Milwaukee Boot Co.'s classic styles are given a hard-wearing touch through the use of materials like a rugged pull-up leather that will patina or a water-resistant suede, integrated into the SS24 Collection for a Midwestern aesthetic and long-lasting benefits. New Milwaukee Boot Co. Brand Ambassador John Clark Continuing with the brand's embodiment of rugged yet refined in their design, Milwaukee Boot Co. has taken timeless silhouettes and employed innovative construction to make these shoes lighter and more flexible, prioritizing comfort along with longevity. Each new style boasts a leather padded OrthoLite insole for all day wear and soft glove-tanned leather lining for natural breathability. All products are now available for purchase online, in store at Milwaukee Boot Co.'s flagship retail store located in Milwaukee's iconic Iron Horse Hotel, and at local retailers across the US. "Our customers wanted the same craftsmanship, quality and comfort all year round," says Zaid Malack, CEO of Milwaukee Boot Company and Moral Code. "These new shoes bridge the gap between rugged and casual, so our customers can seamlessly incorporate them into their lifestyle. With this expansion, just as with our boots, it's rare that you find brands that are making all of the products themselves like we do. From tanning our own leathers, to hand-stitching our uppers and making our own soles, we own every step of the material sourcing and production. When you wear footwear by Milwaukee Boot Co., it's actually by Milwaukee Boot Co." Building on the brand's well-loved men's selection and their first women's collection released last fall, the SS24 Collection continues Milwaukee Boot Company's dedication to handcrafted leather styles that tell the story of and show respect to Milwaukee's history. The brand's love for its city is apparent in every brand aspect: from product names that honor Milwaukee figures and sites, to material selection, to the entirety of the design process which unfolds in their Milwaukee headquarters. MILWAUKEE LOCAL PARTNERS WITH MILWAUKEE BOOT COMPANY Milwaukee Boot Co. also announces its newest brand ambassador, local beer distributor + enthusiast and Milwaukee native, John Clark. Leather and beer are two of the oldest and most vital industries in Milwaukee a perfect pairing to usher in a new chapter for Milwaukee Boot Co. As an ambassador John will be working to make a difference in the local community, as he already does as an advocate for men's mental health and breaking the stigma around asking for help. Founded in 2019 in their original flagship location in the heart of Walker's Point, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Boot Company's products come from four generations of shoemakers and artisans and operate out of family-owned factories worldwide. For decades, the brand has handcrafted leather goods with painstaking care for other brands under private label, and with the creation of Milwaukee Boot Co. brought their products to market directly while showcasing their love for the city they work and live in. The brand is under the portfolio of Milwaukee-based retail luxury goods company Well Dressed Men along with DTC men's and women's footwear and accessories brand Moral Code . Each handcrafted offering gives a nod to Milwaukee's history, spirit, and wealth of industry. The brand's flagship store relocated to the Iron Horse Hotel in June of 2022. To view and shop Milwaukee Boot Company's SS24 Collection and first-ever sneaker, loafer, and select dress casual styles, please visit milwaukeebootcompany.com . You can also find their first-ever women's line launched last fall here . ABOUT MILWAUKEE BOOT COMPANY Named for the figures and landmarks that have helped make Milwaukee what it is today, our boots are a hand-crafted nod to our city's wealth of industry and work ethic. We produce small batch leather boots and accessories, honestly handcrafted and priced, and are committed to superior quality and craftsmanship. milwaukeebootcompany.com ABOUT WELL DRESSED MEN WDM is a premium men's leather footwear and accessories company offering turnkey development for private label production. This includes licensing, design and development, sourcing, packaging and full EDI capabilities and integration. Plus, at WDM we take quality control a step further. By owning a leather tannery and outsole factory we are not only outfitted with the finest materials in the world, but are able to ensure superior quality every step of the way. Our artisan workers are the best in the business when it comes to handcrafted leather goods, everything from premium footwear to wallets, belts and luggage bags. PRESS CONTACT: Addisyn Bryant Pace Public Relations [email protected] 931-801-4901 SOURCE Milwaukee Boot Company Consolidated Appropriations Bill includes essential funding for active duty military programming and infrastructure, veteran healthcare and support, and other key security initiatives WASHINGTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Roll Call urges Congress to support the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill, emphasizing its crucial investments in veterans' healthcare, military infrastructure, and national security. As the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate prepare to vote on The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R.4366) this week, Mission Roll Call calls on all members of Congress to back this essential legislation. "Our organization's core mission is to give a voice to our veteran community, and our veterans have spoken loud and clear. They need this funding now and are counting on their elected representatives to deliver," stated Jim Whaley, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and CEO of Mission Roll Call. "This appropriations bill delivers on key priorities that veterans themselves have expressed regarding their personal health and well-being, and the health of our national security. I'm hopeful that our leaders will see this through." H.R.4366 includes full funding for veterans' healthcare programs, ensuring they receive comprehensive physical and mental health support and providing specific suicide prevention initiatives. The bill also allocates $2 billion above the President's Budget Request for military construction. This investment will directly enhance the quality of life for active service members by funding barracks upgrades and other essential infrastructure improvements. In addition, The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 also includes provisions that preserve veterans' Second Amendment rights by ensuring the VA cannot share information with the FBI regarding veterans' firearm ownership without a court order. Mission Roll Call advocated for this provision in testimony before Congress in July 2023. Mission Roll Call remains committed to advocating for policies that support our nation's veterans and active military personnel. For more information about Mission Roll Call, including upcoming events, and to sign up to be a part of its community, visit https://missionrollcall.org/ . About Mission Roll Call Mission Roll Call (MRC) provides a unified voice for veterans that is heard by U.S. lawmakers and leaders. MRC is a movement that gives every veteran a voice on the issues that are most important to them. It is a community where veterans and their families share stories, voice concerns, and present solutions for their benefit. Learn more at www.missionrollcall.org or @missionrollcall. SOURCE Mission Roll Call FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is celebrating dealer partners who go above and beyond for their communities. They provide more than just a great place to buy a car they help their hometowns thrive in the good times and heal in the challenging times. They rise to the occasion, whatever the occasion may be. RYAN GREMORE ON HOW GIVING BACK TO CHARITY COMES FULL CIRCLE O'Brien Mitsubishi is a dealership located in Normal, IL, serving the Bloomington and Normal areas. In 1987, Joe O'Brien built the first non-metro Mitsubishi dealership in the state of Illinois and partnered with Ryan Gremore, O'Brien Mitsubishi Dealer Principal, to provide Mitsubishi vehicles and service to the area. Since then, Gremore has worked alongside his O'Brien Mitsubishi colleagues for over 30 years, regularly partnering with local charities to serve the underserved and, by happenstance, creating an avenue for his daughter to find her passion in life and career path. FIVE QUESTIONS WITH RYAN GREMORE Dealer Principal, O'Brien Mitsubishi of Normal, Normal, IL To start, let's discuss the history of your dealer group and the success of your Mitsubishi store. We've been in business since April of 1987; we were the first non-metro Mitsubishi dealer in the state of Illinois . Back then, people didn't know what Mitsubishi was, so we built a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, opened our doors, and started to show the world what Mitsubishi was made of. It's been a good run for the last 34 years. We're still standing strong, and we have some staff who have been with us for over 30 years. Our community has been extremely good to the Mitsubishi brand and to O'Brien Mitsubishi. These days it's quite common to have employee turnover, however, you said you have staff who have been with you for over 30 years. Why do you think they have chosen to stay with O'Brien? You always have a little turnover; that's the case with any business, no matter how good or bad the culture is. We've been blessed to have people who work together for a long time and make a difference in people's lives. It's always fun to look back on how business was conducted in the 1990s compared to how it's done today, see how things have evolved, and experience how much quicker everything needs to be as technology has changed the dynamics of our day-to-day lives. We're blessed to surround ourselves with great people. Do you have any charity efforts that you and your dealership team are especially proud of? We're proud of all the philanthropic work we do. We've been blessed to have a successful business that can give back. One of our larger partnerships is with the local Red Cross, as we've done some pretty great things together to help the Red Cross have a strong position in the community to help people in need. Through our partnership, over half of our staff is trained in CPR and First Aid. Now, we have AEDs in every single store. We've had some instances where we've had trained employees save the lives of other employees who have gone into cardiac arrest, so that's been an impactful partnership. Which of the charities you've partnered or currently partner with is your personal favorite or affects you and your family personally? I have a daughter in college who found a special niche in helping kids. She loves helping children who are on the spectrum and have special needs, so I called the CEO of Lifelong Access and essentially asked, "I don't want you to hire her just because she's my daughter. I'd like you to interview her and see if maybe you have a position she can fill." They were happy to interview her, they hired her, and it completely changed her life. She even changed her educational major and became a behavioral therapist. This is going to be her career, so I would say there's a special place in my heart for Lifelong Access and all they do. Is there anything you'd like to share with your community and the people of Bloomington and Normal ? We're just proud to be able to provide our community members with a place to purchase and service their cars. We've been doing this for a long time. We're working on our craft to become an elite customer service facility and provide people with an experience that exceeds their expectations. We're not successful every single time because we're human, but we do really and truly care, and we want to provide exceptional service. As a business owner, you're always very grateful for people patronizing your business. It's never taken for granted that you have a community that will do its best to support local businesses, buy local, and support the local workforce. They should have expectations in return, so we try and exceed those expectations. I'm always grateful to Bloomington / Normal for their patronage and for always supporting us as much as they could in my last 25 years. For more information on the full lineup of Mitsubishi vehicles, visit MitsubishiCars.com . For more information on MMNA, visit media.mitsubishicars.com . ABOUT MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. Through a network of approximately 330 dealer partners across the United States, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in the U.S. In its recently announced Midterm Plan "Challenge 2025" MMNA's parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has committed to accelerating its efforts toward a sustainable carbon-neutral future, setting goals of 40 percent reduction in vehicle CO2 emissions and 50 percent reduction in operational CO2 emissions by 2030. Additionally, MMC has set targets for global sales of electrified vehicles at 50 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035, leveraging a blend of plug-in hybrids (PHEV), hybrids (HEV) and pure electrics (BEV). MMNA has its headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as corporate operations in California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and Florida. For more information on Mitsubishi vehicles, please visit media.mitsubishicars.com . Contact Jeremy Barnes Senior Director, Communications and Events [email protected] Mobile: 714-296-1402 SOURCE Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. 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 Disposable Gloves Market Research Report by Arizton 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: [email protected] 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 SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, mPATH Health, a digital health company dedicated to improving cancer screening, is proud to announce the successful closure of its first funding round, securing $706,000 in angel investments and $400,000 from a highly competitive National Cancer Institute Small Business Technology Transfer Grant. This significant milestone underscores the growing recognition and support for mPATH's clinically proven and innovative approach to increasing preventive cancer screenings by integrating automation with behavioral science. mPATH's core mission is saving millions of lives with its digital health platform that identifies individuals overdue for routine screening, educates them about their options, and empowers them to get needed care. mPATH Health co-founders, Drs. Dave Miller and Ajay Dharod, developed the technology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine with over $6 million in funding from the National Cancer Institute prior to forming the company. The company's platform combines sophisticated algorithms with personalized information, making it easier for individuals to recognize the value of regular screening. "We are thrilled to have received such strong support from investors who share our vision of transforming the way cancer screening is delivered to save more lives," said Dr. Dave Miller, Founder and CEO of mPATH Health. "This funding will let us expand the mPATH platform and help more individuals take proactive steps towards preventing and detecting cancer early." Winston-Salem Partners Roundtable (WSPR) Fund led the investment round. "Our members were enthusiastic about supporting mPATH," said Clay Johnson, WSPR Fund Partner. "WSPR's investment in mPATH reflects our belief in the transformative potential of technology to enhance healthcare and improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities." Other participating funds include Atlanta Technology Angels, FCP Ventures, First Launch Capital, RTP Angel Fund, and VentureSouth. "VentureSouth invests in talented and committed entrepreneurs seeking to improve lives," said Paul Clark, Managing Director of VentureSouth, one of the largest angel investment groups in the United States. "Few companies combine the entrepreneurial talent, medical knowledge, and behavioral health expertise like mPATH. We are proud to support them in their mission to get people critical screening and timely care." Despite advances in medical science, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States. Early detection through regular screening is one of the most effective ways to improve survival rates and reduce the burden of cancer. However, many individuals face barriers to accessing and prioritizing screening, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. mPATH Health addresses these challenges by offering a user-friendly, technology-driven solution that adapts to individual preferences and behaviors. mPATH uses plain language, engaging animations, and video testimonials to inform, motivate, and empower individuals to request and complete evidence-based recommended screenings. mPATH is currently in use across three healthcare systems in North Carolina for colorectal cancer screening and lung cancer screening. A fourth major healthcare system will launch the program in March. The funding raised will let mPATH Health develop new modules for other preventive care needs and add artificial intelligence to guide its outreach. With this infusion of capital, mPATH is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory and make meaningful strides in increasing cancer screening rates, saving lives and reducing the global burden of cancer. For more information about mPATH Health, its published clinical trials, and its groundbreaking approach to cancer screening, visit www.mpathhealth.com. About mPATH Health mPATH Health is a digital health company dedicated to transforming preventive cancer screening by integrating automation and behavioral science. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and personalized outreach, mPATH empowers individuals to prioritize their health and undergo regular screenings for early cancer detection. For more information, visit www.mpathhealth.com. SOURCE mPATH Health PenFed Credit Union President/CEO Recognized for Enduring Support of Aviation and Veterans WASHINGTON and TYSONS, Va., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is pleased to announce that PenFed Credit Union President/CEO & PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Bruce Whitman Memorial Trophy. A visionary leader and selfless humanitarian, Schenck is honored for his dedication to commemorating, celebrating, and advocating for the impact and heritage of America's military veterans and his willingness to promote and support the next generation of aviators. NAA Names James Schenck as the 2024 Whitman Trophy Recipient NAA Names James Schenck as the 2024 Whitman Trophy Recipient NAA logo Established in 2019 by the NAA Board of Directors, the Bruce Whitman Memorial Trophy honors outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation or aerospace in the United States and who, by working with museums and other institutions, have promoted an appreciation by students and the broader public of the sacrifices and legacy of members of the military service. Created in honor of the aerospace executive and philanthropist bearing its name, Bruce was posthumously named the first trophy recipient in 2019. "No one cared more about our industry than Bruce Whitman," said Jim Albaugh, NAA Chair. "He dedicated his life to service, and I know Bruce would be honored to know that this year's recipient of the Whitman Trophy is James Schenck. James is someone who contributed so much to our military and our nation." During his military career, James flew Black Hawk helicopters in Korea and trained other US Army aviators as a night vision goggle instructor pilot. He served on the Army Staff in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and was later selected to serve as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He received the Legion of Merit for his contribution to the Army by overseeing creation of the $453 million Army University Access Online educational initiative. Prior to his assignment to the Pentagon, James taught Economics and Finance at the United States Military Academy. James is a graduate of the Harvard Business School (1996) and West Point (1988). James was selected by HillVets as one of the nation's 100 most influential and impactful veterans. He's been recognized for his significant contributions to supporting the military community with honors including the Association of the United States Army's John W. Dixon Award, National Military Family Association's Military Family Champion Award, Canine Companions for Independence's Hearts and Heroes Award, and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Lifetime Service Award. "Deeply impacted by the failed Iranian Hostage Rescue mission on April 24, 1980, when 8 American servicemembers lost their lives, I have been steadfast from that date forward in my commitment to our men and women who serve," said Schenck. "I am forever proud of my military service as an Army Aviator, and for the millions of other veterans who have worn the uniform of our nation. We can never do enough for the men and women and their families who keep us free. I am honored to receive this prestigious award from the National Aeronautic Association." Since becoming PenFed's CEO in 2014, Schenck has supported veterans by donating up to 2% of the organization's net income annually to over 200 military charities and raising over $55 million for veteran causes through the PenFed Foundation to include major gifts to the Air and Space Forces Association, Mitchell Institute, Military Women's Memorial, American Heritage Museum and many other groups that champion and honor the military community. PenFed sponsored the first graduating class of the Red Tail Flight Academy, training the next generation of pilots to carry on the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. PenFed Credit Union also sponsors a top professional air show team and provides scholarships to young aviators. Previous recipients of the Whiteman Trophy include author and WASP advocate Erin Miller, the U.S. Golden Knights, and record-setting pilot and U.S. veteran Ross Perot, Jr. Schenck will be honored and receive the 2024 Whitman Award at an upcoming event. About NAA The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and to promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is the caretaker of some of the most important aviation awards in the world and certifies all national aviation records set in the United States. For information, visit www.naa.aero. About PenFed Credit Union Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.9 million members worldwide with nearly $35 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services with members' interests always in mind. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on X. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. SOURCE PenFed Credit Union WASHINGTON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected 15 companies to provide flight and payload integration services to advance technologies and procedures for operating in space, including testing in high-altitude, reduced gravity, or other relevant environments. Examples of payloads include NASA science instruments or technology demonstrations. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity base contract awards are firm-fixed-price with a total combined value of $45 million and a performance period of five years. The flights and other services covered by these contracts are for use by NASA and other government agencies. The types of platforms that will be used for testing include suborbital rockets, high-altitude balloons, orbital spacecraft and satellites, and, in some instances, suborbital rockets that can accommodate carry people. The following companies have been awarded contracts to provide services through demonstrated commercial capabilities: Aerostar International, Inc., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota Angstrom Designs Inc., of Santa Barbara, California Astrobotic Technology Inc., of Pittsburgh Astro Digital US Inc., of Santa Clara, California Blue Origin Texas, LLC of Van Horn, Texas Galactic Enterprises, LLC of Las Cruces, New Mexico Loft Orbital Federal, LLC of Golden, Colorado Momentus Space LLC of San Jose, California Near Space Corp., of Tillamook, Oregon Rocket Lab USA Inc., of Long Beach, California Inc., of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., of Hawthorne, California Spire Global Subsidiary, Inc., of Vienna, Virginia Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc., of Irvine, California Varda Space Industries, Inc., of El Segundo, California World View Enterprises Inc., of Tucson, Arizona The contracts are in support of NASA's Flight Opportunities and Small Spacecraft Technology programs, both part of the NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate at the agency's headquarters in Washington. These programs support technology development and missions to change the pace of space exploration, discovery, and space commerce. For information about the flight platforms available through NASA's Flight Opportunities program, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/4bRVhtz SOURCE NASA HOUSTON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from around the world will visit NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston this summer for a variety of activities associated with the 36th annual Space Studies Program of the International Space University. Through a continuing partnership with Houston's Rice University, NASA Johnson will welcome students from many countries participating in tours, lectures and hands-on activities with aerospace experts from June 8 to Aug. 3, 2024. "Johnson Space Center is looking forward to partnering with Rice as it hosts the International Space University's Space Studies Program in partnership with Rice University," said Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche. "This is an amazing opportunity, not only for the students participating in the Space Studies Program, but for employees of Johnson to share their knowledge and experiences with an international network of leading space experts and professionals." The Space Studies Program is an educational and training program in the space sector, covering both technical and non-technical aspects, in an international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary environment. During an intensive eight-week program, 200+ participants, lecturers, professors, staff members, experts, and executives from American and international space agencies and private companies from over 30 countries will converge in Houston. The program aims to provide aspiring space professionals and leaders with an educational experience, featuring a curriculum covering space exploration engineering, policy, business and management, and applications. Hands-on projects, workshops, and immersive learning experiences will provide students with networking opportunities with a global community of space enthusiasts. Learn more about how NASA explores the unknown and innovates for the benefit of humanity at: https://www.nasa.gov/ SOURCE NASA Home and Away spoilers follow for UK viewers. Coming up on Home and Away, Leah returns to Summer Bay and struggles to reconnect with Justin. Elsewhere, Bree gets overprotective with Remi, Dana makes a shocking discovery, and Felicity considers dipping her toe back into the dating pool. Here's a full collection of 12 huge moments. 1. Tane regrets kissing Harper Channel 5 Harper is still reeling over Tane's attempt to kiss her and is adamant she won't be his rebound fling. Meanwhile, Tane worries he's ruined their friendship by overstepping the mark. He discusses the situation with Cash and concludes what he and Harper need right now is space. He passes her the details for a new personal trainer, which she accepts. 2. Tane and Harper call a truce Channel 5 Having taken a little time to reflect on everything, Harper realises she doesn't want to let her friendship with Tane go. She approaches him after a boot camp class and they agree to try and move forward by pretending the embarrassing incident never even happened. But will it be that simple? 3. Bree and Levi are at odds Channel 5 At the hospital, Remi has come round from his coma but is suffering with terrible post-surgery pain. Bree is adamant her boyfriend should still be in ICU, and both her and Eden question Levi's decision to perform the high-risk operation. Levi remains firm in his stance, insisting Remi would not have survived if he hadn't gone through with it. 4. Bree goes into overdrive Channel 5 As Bree's anxiety builds, she refuses to leave Remi's bedside through fear of him developing an infection. Later, Kirby arrives at the hospital but Bree refuses to allow her access to Remi. Convinced by Justin to try again, Kirby returns armed with magazines and chocolate, much to Bree's annoyance. Remi witnesses Bree's controlling behaviour and questions what she's up to. 5. Leah's coming home Channel 5 Marilyn receives a call from Leah to say she's leaving the clinic and returning to Summer Bay but doesn't want Justin to know. Story continues Leah asks Marilyn if she can come and stay with her at Alf's place, which her friend agrees to. However, Alf doesn't like all the secrecy and feels Justin and Theo have a right to know what's going on. 6. Justin begs Leah to come home Channel 5 As Leah arrives back, Alf informs her that Justin and Theo know she's staying at his. Leah shares her reasoning and admits she can't forgive herself for pulling a knife on Justin, so Alf suggests she reaches out to Theo instead. Following their conversation, Theo reports back to Justin, which only fuels his determination to see her. He arrives at Alf's and Leah reluctantly lets him, but stresses that she's still in a fragile place. 7. Leah slowly starts to heal Channel 5 Justin's plea for Leah to come home backfires as she rushes off upstairs and refuses to come down. Alf escorts Justin out and takes him to Salt, where Justin admits he hates not knowing what the future holds. Soon, Leah joins Justin at the bar and explains although she wants to fix their relationship, she needs to do things on her own terms, which he agrees to. 8. Levi and Mac give into their feelings Channel 5 With his time in Summer Bay coming to an end, Levi makes a call to a person called Imogen, promising to be back in the city with her soon. But it's clear Levi's growing feelings for Mac are causing him conflict as the pair finally give into their desires. Mali catches them in a clinch and angrily accuses Levi of taking advantage of his patient. However, Mac snaps back, pointing out she has been discharged and tells Mali to butt out of her love life. 9. Dana uncovers foul play at the Surf Club Channel 5 The Surf Club is on the brink of collapse when the fourth secretary in a row hands their notice in to Alf. It doesn't take Dana long to work out what's going on when she witnesses Simon Henderson handing wads of cash out to committee members. Under Roo's guidance, Dana goes to the police station. Rose then summons Banjo, who confirms his father has been paying these individuals to resign. 10. Rose speaks to Simon Channel 5 Rose decides to confront Simon Henderson, despite Alf and John voicing their concerns that it could backfire. Sure enough, Simon hangs up on Rose and to make matters worse he tells Alf he'll withdraw his entire sponsorship if the police call again. Roo attempts to solve one problem by making herself club secretary, but fears it won't be enough to save the Club. 11. Felicity tries to move on Channel 5 Riled up by Mali's interference over her relationship with Levi, Mac enjoys a bit of girl time with Felicity and Eden. While Mac admits she's worried she's not good enough for Levi, Felicity starts considering the possibility of dating again. Later, an admirer at Salt leaves her his number on a napkin, but then Felicity panics and hangs up after one ring. Realising she's not as okay as she thought she was, Flick tells Xander that moving on from Tane is going to be a difficult process. 12. Cash's future is in doubt Channel 5 Cash attends his suspension review, but comes out none the wiser than when he went in. Later that evening, he finally receives a call from the station with an update it's good and bad news. The positive is he can have his job back, but will have to accept a demotion and be placed on restricted duties. Insulted by the offer, Cash tells his bosses to shove it. Is this the end of his policing career? Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5, with repeat screenings at 6pm on 5STAR and first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK. Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage You Might Also Like WASHINGTON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- An international crew of four reached orbit following a successful launch to the International Space Station at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission is the agency's eighth commercial crew rotation mission with the company to the space station. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched on March 3, 2024, from NASAs from Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying the agencys SpaceX Crew-8 mission into orbit for a mission to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, for a science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory. "Congratulations to NASA and SpaceX on another successful launch to the International Space Station! On this eighth crew rotation mission, we are once again showing the strength of our commercial partnerships and American ingenuity that will propel us further in the cosmos," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Aboard the station, the crew will conduct more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations to help fuel this new era of space exploration and benefit humanity here on Earth." During Dragon's flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA coverage continues with audio only commentary until the start of the rendezvous and docking broadcast. The Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, will dock autonomously to the forward port of the station's Harmony module about 3 a.m. Tuesday, March 5. NASA will provide live coverage of rendezvous, docking, and hatch opening, beginning at 1 a.m., on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency's website. NASA also will continue coverage of the crew welcome ceremony once they are aboard the orbital outpost. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media. Crew-8 will join the space station's Expedition 70 crew of NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Konstantin Borisov, Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chubb. For a short time, the number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 until Crew-7 members Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov return to Earth a few days later. Crew-8 will conduct new scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth. Experiments include a study of brain organoids to understand neurodegenerative disorders, shifts in body fluids during spaceflight, and the effects of UV radiation and microgravity on plant growth. These are just a few of the more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations that will take place during their mission. With this mission, NASA will maximize use of the space station, where astronauts have lived and worked continuously for more than 23 years testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted on the space station provides benefits for people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon and beyond through NASA's Artemis missions. More about Crew-8 Matthew Dominick is the commander for Crew-8, his first spaceflight since his selection as an astronaut in 2017. During Expedition 70/71 aboard the space station, he will serve as a mission specialist. Follow @dominickmatthew on X. Michael Barratt is the Crew-8 pilot, making his third visit to the space station. In 2009, Barratt served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 19/20 as the station transitioned its standard crew complement from three to six and performed two spacewalks. He flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 2011 on STS-133, which delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module and fourth Express Logistics Carrier. Barratt has spent a total of 212 days in space. During Expedition 70/71, he will serve as a mission specialist. Jeanette Epps is a mission specialist for Crew-8, her first spaceflight, working with the commander and pilot to monitor the spacecraft during the dynamic launch and re-entry phases of flight. Epps was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2009. She will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 70/71. Follow @Astro_Jeanette on X. Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin is flying on his first mission. He will serve as a flight engineer during Expeditions 70/71. Learn more about NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission and Commercial Crew Program at: https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew SOURCE NASA Jobs for the Future releases new survey on employers' commitment to green job creation and the role regions play in driving green job growth BOSTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- While nearly 90 percent of small and medium-sized employers say that businesses have a role to play in protecting the environment, more than 40 percent of employers in a new survey commissioned by national workforce nonprofit Jobs for the Future (JFF) say they are unsure how the creation of more green jobs and skills will impact their business. Over 80 percent of all employers agree that more resources like access to funding and information would help their businesses create more green jobs, while nearly 90 percent say regional efforts are somewhat important. "The demand for green jobs and skills is quickly exceeding the pool of workers ready to step into these positions," said Taj Eldridge, managing director, Climate Innovation at JFFLabs. "Small and medium-sized employers are a major driver of job creation, employing nearly half of all workers in the U.S. As we look at the growth in the green economy, we know these businesses, and their regional education and workforce partners, have an important role to play. We're committed to helping them and their partners navigate this new landscape." The green economy is projected to create an estimated 9 million new U.S. jobs over the next decade. A 2023 JFF and Burning Glass Institute report estimates that more than 17.6 million jobs already require some "green skills"meaning, the knowledge, competencies, and abilities necessary to engage in job tasks focused on climate mitigation and adaptation effortstoday. The fact that many of these jobs do not require a college degree, or traditional education options, presents an opportunity to establish a more balanced and fair workforce. To better understand the awareness and perceptions of employers and regions on climate change and green workforce development, JFF surveyed more than 800 director-level or higher individuals working at small- and medium-sized businesses. Conducted by Morning Consult, this survey defines small-sized employers as companies with less than 100 employees and medium-sized employers as companies with 100 to 500 employees. Among the key findings: Businesses want more resources to invest in green job creation and skills development. They expect governments and regions to step up. Over 80 percent of employers agree that more resources like access to funding and information on helping employees transition to green jobs would help amplify awareness of their businesses and create more green jobs. At the same time, more than half of employers say they would be more willing to create green jobs if "additional government funding" were made available to them (61%). Over 80 percent of employers agree that more resources like access to funding and information on helping employees transition to green jobs would help amplify awareness of their businesses and create more green jobs. At the same time, more than half of employers say they would be more willing to create green jobs if "additional government funding" were made available to them (61%). There is an information gap for employers on funding and resources for green jobs creation. Just over 1 in 3 employers say they are "very" or "somewhat aware" of funding opportunities (36%), and less than a third have used any government resources or funding to create green jobs at all (30%). Employers in the Northeast region show more awareness of resources and funding opportunities for green job creation (42% very + somewhat aware) compared to those in the South (35%), West (34%), and Midwest (31%). Regions play a critical role in leading on-the-ground efforts to tackle climate-related workforce challenges . Over 80 percent say regional-level efforts are at least 'somewhat important' to promoting green job growth (86%). And nearly 9 in 10 employers say that collaboration with other businesses in their region will be helpful to create more green jobs. To help regions better understand how to partner with businesses and encourage development of quality green jobs, JFF is releasing a new interactive, data-driven guide for regional leaders to understand their potential to create quality green jobs. The guide, Regional Solutions for Growing Quality Green Jobs , assesses county-by-county risk and readiness for the green economy and offers specific recommendations to advance green workforce development. Recommendations in the new guide include strengthening partnerships that advance green job opportunities, expanding talent pipelines to increase access to jobs with transferable green skills, and mapping available funding streams and additional support for green jobs creation. JFF works with employers, colleges, and community partners to develop quality green jobs strategies in 10 states across the U.S., and has recently published insights on the unique barriers they face. This work is part of Climate-Resilient Employees for a Sustainable Tomorrow, an initiative of the Ares Charitable Foundation that aims to close the gap between the demand for a skilled workforce for green jobs and the number of people prepared for these opportunities. About Jobs for the Future: Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. www.jff.org SOURCE Jobs for the Future BROOKLYN, N.Y., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Next In Natural, the firm specializing in bespoke operations for emerging organic food and beverage companies, is pleased to announce the expansion of a new M&A division and the appointment of Ted Tieken as Chief Future Officer at its helm. Founder and CEO, Jeff Lichtenstein, shares his enthusiasm, stating, "Next In Natural's organic growth is a testament to the quality of both our team and our products. The addition of Ted Tieken, with his experience as an owner-operator and scaler of better-for-you Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), positions us to expand our portfolio more strategically as we grow." In his role as Chief Future Officer, Tieken will be responsible for identifying and assessing companies to bring under the Next in Natural umbrella. Ideal candidates are $5 - $50M in revenue, preferably in the beverage and salty snack space, with founders at an inflection point. Such candidates typically have a proven product but need support reengineering or scaling their business. "That's where Next in Natural comes in," says Lichtenstein. "Our unique operating model lets founders do what they do best while we handle the rest." In addition to his focus on identifying and assessing new companies, Tieken will also spearhead Next in Natural's inaugural equity raise, support the firm's commitment to R&D, and provide operational guidance to the accelerate the growth of the firm's portfolio companies. Prior to joining Next in Natural, Tieken served for ten years as Founder and CEO of Keto and Co, a purveyor of low-carbohydrate snacks, baking mixes, and ready to drink meal shakes. He was an acclaimed analyst at the consulting firm, McKinsey and Co, and holds a degree in Social Studies from Harvard College. Tieken says, "Next In Natural's platform allows CPG founders to thrive in an innovation-focused environment, backed by a seasoned team that has successfully launched and scaled iconic brands. Our team has a unique ability to not just find what is next in natural and organic, but to get companies to a sustainable place quickly and then skillfully scale. We look forward to partnering with the right founders and strategic partners to help further our mission of helping make the world a better place to eat and drink, organically." About Next in Natural: Next In Natural, based in Brooklyn, New York, invests in and operates emerging natural CPG companies with a focus on sustainable and regenerative agriculture. CEO Jeff Lichtenstein's extensive experience in the natural CPG category includes helping launch and scale companies such as Chobani, Stumptown, and Hu, among others, as the founder and CEO of Gourmet Guru, later acquired by UNFI. For More Information: Email: [email protected] Website: www.NextInNatural.com SOURCE Next In Natural ** Foundation Encourages San Diego County Teachers to Apply for a Project Grant ** SAN DIEGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union Foundation encourages San Diego County teachers who have an innovative class project idea to apply for a credit union grant through its Teacher Grant program. Ten grants of $500 each will be awarded to area teachers in April in the spring program. The North Island Credit Union Foundation grant program is available to full-time teachers in San Diego and Riverside County, or credit union members teaching in California, looking to fund special learning opportunities for their students. The project should have clearly defined learning objectives tied to students' academic needs, display creativity, and benefit a significant number of students. "Providing grants to help our teachers and schools thrive and recognize their commitment to learning is one of the Foundation's focus areas as a pillar of long-term community empowerment," said North Island Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford. "We're excited to offer this grant program to support our hard-working teachers in bringing their dream project to life, and encourage any educator who has a project idea to apply." Interested teachers can find more information and apply online here. The application deadline is April 1, 2024. Since the creation of the program in 2012, $185,000 in teacher grants have been awarded to benefit students across Southern California. The fall grant program funded a wide range of projects, including creating a mindfulness planetarium, building solar powered lanterns, starting a Maker Space and launching an entrepreneur program, among others. A non-profit charitable corporation, North Island Credit Union Foundation focuses its resources on four key pillars of long-term community empowerment, including investing in its communities and youth, supporting educators and schools, promoting financial literacy and honoring our service members. About North Island Credit Union Foundation North Island Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that serves as the philanthropic arm of North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union operating in San Diego and Riverside Counties. California Credit Union is a state chartered full-service credit union with assets of nearly $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. North Island Credit Union Foundation works to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by providing targeted resources to non-profit partners effecting meaningful change across San Diego and Riverside counties. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling it to return 100% of donations back into community programs. Please visit ccu.com/foundation to learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, or follow the Foundation on Instagram @northislandcufoundation. SOURCE North Island Credit Union Contact [email protected] to schedule a media tasting dinner. A restaurant created out of necessity, owners Scott Koshnoodi and Julie Kim created Parklife Taqueria to feed hungry crowds leaving their Brooklyn music/comedy club, Littlefield. Hosting big names like Chris Rock, Chuck D, Zach Galifianakis, Cibo Matto, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Neko Case, Santigold, and Kim Gordon, to name a few, Littlefield has been a popular destination for musicians and comics for 15 years. Now, clubgoers, locals, and adventure-seeking day trippers (see tourist activities below) can enjoy Parklife's new ambitious menu under the stars in a sprawling outdoor setting from 5 PM 12 AM on weekdays and until 2 AM on weekends. About Chef Scott Koshnoodi Despite working in fine dining as a chef, Koshnoodi had been out of the kitchen for eight years but he sprung into action after learning that original Chef Denisse Lina Chavez was moving her popular El Atoradero restaurant concept from the Parklife kitchen to a food hall in midtown. Pulling from his Persian-Texan roots (Koshnoodi fled Iran at a young age to join his family in Texas) and food science-driven techniques, Chef Scott created a menu true to his heart. "Nothing on the menu tastes as expected. All dishes include a level of umami," says Chef Scott. An engineer-turned-chef, Scott Koshnoodi has extensive experience working in some of NYC's most acclaimed restaurants, including WD-50 and Aquavit. Here, he learned creative techniques like turning eggplant into the texture of shaving cream. Now, says Chef Scott, "I take that same approach at Parklife by going those extra steps to get the right texture and/or flavor that makes the dish as good as possible." Unique Outdoor Dining Parklife's lush, park-like setting complete with sprawling picnic tables, crackling fire pits, cornhole boards, and outdoor movie nights set the scene for an unplugged outdoor adventure in the middle of Brooklyn. Adventure-seeking ideas in Brooklyn The laid-back eatery is also a stone's throw away from some of Brooklyn's best attractions for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure lovers alike, making Parklife a must-visit for thrill-seeking NYC day-trippers and tourists of all ages. Neighboring activities include axe throwing, archery, and indoor climbing, to name a few. Parklife Feature Menu Items: Chef Scott and his team specialize in turning ordinary menu items into extraordinary edible works of art. Some of Parklife's best-selling offerings include: Tortilla: Our signature blue-corn tortillas are made in-house and take two days to create. The kernels are first soaked in Mexican Cal (similar to how ancient Aztecs used limestone) for a day before being ground using lava rocks in a Molinito. Guacamole: Parklife's guacamole features a distinct umami flavor by utilizing innovative techniques like using unused/peeled citrus from the bar (oranges, lemons, and limes) and koji to ferment the citrus. The juice is then added to the guacamole, along with a homemade poblano paste featuring smoked poblano, grilled poblano, and lacto-fermented poblano. Carnitas Taco: Parklife's take on carnitas tacos is anything but basic. Pork shanks are smoked with pecan wood; then, the bones are made into a broth to create an extra-juicy effect. Next up, Chef removes the fat from the meat and mixes it with maltodextrin to create a light dusting of "snow" on the side of the pork. Beriyani Taco: The Lamb Beriyani Taco takes nearly three days to prepare from start to finish. The true star of the show here is the sumac glass: To create it, the Chef starts by making tea with sumac berries and subsequently uses a corn derivative to give it a crisp, glassy appearance. 'Frito Pie': Scott also holds his Texas upbringing close to his heart, and the Frito Pie is an homage to one of his favorite nostalgia-inducing indulgences. His version features a delicious beef and potato chili, frito adobo, escabeche, and queso chip. Is Parklife Michelin-Quality? "We've seen a major shift in what Michelin considers worthy of a recommendation or a star, if a diner expects an army of servers, white table clothes, cutlery, and 20-course tasting menus, then no, we aren't a Michelin experience for them," says Chef Scott. "If they expect the food to stand out in terms of flavor, technique, and presentationthen yes, I think we hold up to that standard." Why Persian, Texan, and, Mexican? While Persian, Texan, and Mexican cuisine may seem like an unlikely combination, Chef thinks otherwise. "From a totally biased, personal viewpoint, these flavors work because they're my flavor roots, my nostalgia," he explains. They also work surprisingly well together. "Some unique aspects would be Iranians' use of sour notes, the various chilies used in Mexican cuisine, or the obvious use of smoke in Texas BBQ." One-stop day of adventurous activities in Gowanus, Brooklyn: Parklife Taqueria Kick Axe Throwing BK CrossFit South BK Bouldering Project BK Dancewave The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club Gotham Archery Movement Gowanus Arts Gowanus About Parklife A taqueria inspired by Persian, Mexican, and Texan flavors, Parklife is a year-round favorite with its landscaped outdoor seating and expanded indoor dining. It's located on a quiet street in Brooklyn's buzzy Gowanus neighborhood, where industrial meets creativity. Parklife gets its name from the popular album by '90s Britpop band Blur, which the owners longtime friends Julie Kim and Scott Koshnoodi (who also serves as the chef) listened to on repeat while studying as Civil Engineering students at the University of Texas, Austin. Today, music, creativity, and innovative flavors serve as the beating heart and soul of the all-season restaurant, which serves artfully crafted tacos and other Mexican-inspired staples until 12 AM on weekdays and 2 AM on weekends. https://parklifebk.com/ https://www.instagram.com/parklifebk/ About Littlefield Parklife is owned and operated by the same team behind Littlefield, one of New York's most acclaimed indie comedy clubs and live music venues, and it's also conveniently located right next door. Hosting big names like Chris Rock, Chuck D, Zach Galifianakis, Cibo Matto, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Neko Case, Santigold, and Kim Gordon, Littlefield has been a popular destination for musicians and comics for 15 years. https://littlefieldnyc.com/ Press Inquiries: Chad Carns www.CarnsMedia.com [email protected] (917) 626 1967 Additional Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5napwg89whjls74oriqr0/h SOURCE Parklife Taqueria SINGAPORE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX Ventures , the investment arm of leading Web3 technology company OKX , has issued updates for March 5, 2024. OKX Ventures Announces Strategic Investment in Bitcoin Restaking Platform BounceBit OKX Ventures , the investment arm of leading Web3 technology company OKX , today announced a strategic investment in BounceBit , a platform dedicated to building the infrastructure and offering solutions of Bitcoin (BTC) restaking. Within the first month of its launch, BounceBit has recorded a total value locked (TVL) of USD 510 million. The BounceBit chain is a proof-of-stake (PoS) Layer 1 which adopts a unique dual-token system leveraging native BTC's security with full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility. BTC Restaking provides shared security to infrastructure and DApps on BounceBit - for instance, bridges and oracles will be validated by restaked BTC. OKX Ventures Founder Dora Yue said: "BounceBit has redefined the value and applications of BTC. Through a dual-token system, BounceBit combines features of centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) to achieve higher standards of security and cross-chain interoperability. BounceBit's offering enables BTC holders to earn profit across multiple networks and helps enhance the value of the entire BTC ecosystem. We are looking forward to the upcoming Bitcoin halving, which is poised to bring in broader ranges of users, as well as use cases of BTC." About OKX Ventures OKX Ventures is the investment arm of global leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, with an initial capital commitment of USD100 million. It focuses on exploring the best blockchain projects on a global scale, supporting cutting-edge blockchain technology innovation, promoting the healthy development of the global blockchain industry, and investing in long-term structural value. Through its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of the blockchain industry, OKX Ventures helps build innovative companies and brings global resources and historical experience to blockchain projects. Find out more about OKX Ventures here . Disclaimer SOURCE OKX Ventures March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and incidence rates of early onset colorectal cancer are on the rise CENTER VALLEY, Pa., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the American Cancer Society reports an increase in death rates from colorectal cancer for patients under the age of 50,1 Olympus Corporation of the Americas and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA) offer a reminder about the importance of preventive screenings and knowing your family health history. During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Olympus Corp. of the Americas and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance are offering a reminder about the importance of preventive screenings and knowing your family health history. During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, Olympus and CCA are asking people to take an active role in their healthcare by learning about the recommended screening age and screening options, engaging their primary care providers (PCPs) in those discussions and being aware of family health history. More than 20 years ago, colorectal cancer (CRC) was known to be the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in men and women under the age of 50, according to the American Cancer Society. Now, CRC is the leading cause of cancer death for men under the age of 50 and the second leading cause for women under 50. Since 2015, incidence rates of CRC in adults younger than 55 have increased by 1% to 2% annually.1 Marking the importance of knowing one's family health history is the fact that nearly one in three people diagnosed with CRC before age 50 have a family history or genetic predisposition. A history of CRC in first-degree relatives such as a parent or sibling increases the risk of developing cancer.2 Colonoscopy Guidelines and the Importance of the PCP The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2021 lowered its recommended screening age for those at average risk of CRC from 50 to 45.3 Gastroenterologists support the lowered screening age,4 and Olympus supports the USPSTF guidelines for CRC screening beginning at age 45, evidence-based recommendations with relevance in the presence of increased early-onset CRC incidence. Screening modalities include colonoscopy, which allows physicians to remove polyps that could develop into cancer.5 There are other screening options, including a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which checks for hidden blood in the stool from the lower intestines. Such a test must be done every year, and a colonoscopy will be necessary if the test returns abnormal results.6 The best screening option, however, is the one someone is willing and able to get done, and Olympus encourages people to have those discussions with their PCP. A recent study looked at the key role PCPs play in offering screenings particularly among underserved populations. The study reviewed patients at safety-net hospital systems diagnosed with CRC between the ages of 50 and 75 and found that those with a primary care doctor had significantly reduced odds of late-stage CRC. 7 Early detection is key as the 5-year relative survival rate is about 90% when caught at a localized stage and about 73% when detected at a regional stage.8 Silver Lining: Technology Improvements Support Higher Adenoma Detection Rates The American Cancer Society reports that CRC deaths have been dropping in older adults for decades likely, in part, due to screenings such as colonoscopy that find polyps before they can develop into cancer or finding cancer earlier when it's more treatable.9 Olympus technologies like Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging (TXI) technology, which leads to improved visibility of potential lesions, are helping physicians to potentially reduce miss rates for early mucosal changes.10 A study evaluating the use of TXI technology on polyp detection during screening colonoscopies found that TXI technology significantly increased ADR and increased the number of adenomas found by physicians measuring 5mm or larger, as compared to those found during a procedure using high-definition white-light endoscopy. ADR was also higher with TXI technology (as compared to white light) in patients who were being screened as a result of a positive non-invasive test or due to a history of polyps or bowel cancer.11 TXI technology is not intended to replace histopathological sampling as a means of diagnosis but is an adjunctive tool for endoscopic examination that can be used to supplement Olympus white light imaging. But technologies that help improve preventive screenings are most effective when a patient takes the time and care to prepare for their colonoscopy. "Technologies like TXI are valuable tools in the fight to prevent colon cancer. One of the most effective tools in the fight, however, is the commitment to taking control of your health," said Dr. John de Csepel, Chief Medical Officer, Olympus Corp. "Talk to your doctor about your health history and risks and the screening options that are best for you. Should you decide that a colonoscopy is the right choice, make sure to focus on your prep, so your gastroenterologist can get the best results possible. Colorectal cancer is preventable, and the power to prevent it rests in your hands." About Olympus At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 4,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America. For more information, visit olympusamerica.com. 1 "Cancer statistics, 2024," CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians." Pub. Jan. 17, 2024 2 American Cancer Society, "Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors." Rev. July 2023 3 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, "Final Recommendation Statement, Colorectal Cancer: Screening." May 18, 2021. 4 American Gastroenterological Assoc., "GI Societies support starting CRC screening in mid-to-late 40s." May, 18 2021 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer." Rev. February 2023 6 American Cancer Society, "Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests." Rev. June 2020 7 Dimaano, K.; Croman, M.; Montero, S., et al, "Engaging primary care physicians is critical in the screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer at safety-net hospital systems." Surgery Open Science, pub. January 2024 8 American Cancer Society, "Survival Rates for Colorectal Cancer." Rev. Jan. 17, 2024 9 American Cancer Society, "Key Statistics for Colorectal Cancer." Rev. Jan. 17, 2024 10 Data on file with Olympus (DC00489968) 11 Young, E.; Rajagopalan, A.; Tee, D., et al, "Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging Improves Colonic Adenoma Detection: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial." Gastroenterology AGA Journal, pub. October 2023 SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against New York Community Bancorp, Inc. ("NYCB" or the "Company") (NYSE: NYCB) and reminds investors of the April 8, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In NYCB To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) If you suffered losses exceeding $100,000 investing in NYCB stock or options between March 1, 2023 and February 5, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/NYCB. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (i) the Signature Bank acquisition would not be immediately accretive to New York Community Bancorp because it caused New York Community Bancorp to be required to comply with materially enhanced prudential standards, including, among other things, risk-based and leverage capital requirements, and liquidity standards, and required that New York Community Bancorp build capital, reinforce its balance sheet and strengthen its risk management processes; (ii) New York Community Bancorp failed to comply with the materially enhanced prudential standards; (iii) New York Community Bancorp overstated the quality of its commercial office loan assets; (iv) New York Community Bancorp was experiencing higher net charge-offs and deterioration in its commercial office portfolio than represented; (v) New York Community Bancorp was reasonably likely to incur higher loan losses because it was experiencing higher net charge-offs and deterioration in its commercial office portfolio; (vi) New York Community Bancorp was reasonably likely to be forced to increase its allowance for credit losses due to its status as Category IV bank; (vii) New York Community Bancorp's loan loss provisions were understated so it overstated quarterly earnings and/or understated quarterly losses; and (viii) New York Community Bancorp failed to have adequate internal risk or disclosure controls and procedures. On January 31, 2024, New York Community Bancorp disclosed that it had recorded a $552 million provision for loan losses, up significantly from the $62 million reported just one quarter earlier, and that as a result, New York Community Bancorp had incurred a 4Q23 loss of $252 million, or $0.36 per share, down significantly from a profit of $0.27 per share Wall Street consensus estimate. New York Community Bancorp also disclosed it would cut its quarterly dividend from $0.17 to $0.05 per share. On this news, the price of New York Community Bancorp stock fell nearly 38%. Then, on February 5, 2024, Bloomberg reported, citing "people with direct knowledge of the matter," that it had been "mounting pressure from a top US watchdog" that "led to" New York Community Bancorp's "surprise decision to slash its dividend and stockpile cash in case commercial real estate loans [went] bad." According to the Bloomberg article, "[t]he drastic financial moves . . . followed behind-the-scenes conversations with officials from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the people said, asking not to be identified describing the confidential discussions." On this news, the price of New York Community Bancorp stock fell more than 22%. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding NYCB's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $3.6 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $5.1 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The major factors driving the growth of this market include Progress in medical technology and materials used in braces, coupled with rising awareness about injury prevention and rehabilitation, contributing to the expanding demand for orthopedic braces and supports. Download an Illustrative overview: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=24806829 Browse in-depth TOC on "Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market" 192 - Tables 47 - Figures 312 - Pages Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $3.6 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $5.1 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% Market Size Available for 20212029 Forecast Period 20232029 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, type, application, end user, and region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Increased sales of off-the-shelf and online products Key Market Drivers Increasing prevalence of orthopedic diseases and disorders Product segment to register significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2023-2029. Based on the product, the global orthopedic braces and supports market is segmented into Knee, Ankle, foot walkers, Hip, Back, and Spine, Shoulder, Elbow, Hand, Wrist Facial braces and supports. The Kness braces and supports segment is anticipated to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period. Preventive Care segment in application to register significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2023-2029. Based on application, the global orthopedic braces and supports market is segmented into preventive care, ligament Injury, post-operative rehabilitation, osteoarthritis, compression therapy, Other Application. The growing trend towards proactive health management has led to increased interest in preventive care, including the use of orthopedic braces and supports to address musculoskeletal issues before they escalate. Additionally, as individuals become more health-conscious, there is a rising awareness of the role that orthopedic braces can play in preventing injuries, promoting proper alignment, and supporting overall musculoskeletal well-being. The hospitals and breast care centers segment accounted for the largest share of the orthopedic braces and supports market, by distribution channel, in 2023. Based on distribution channel, the orthopedic braces and supports market is segmented into hospitals and surgical centers, orthopedic clinics, pharmacies and retailers, e-commerce platforms and other end users. The hospitals and surgical segment accounts for the largest share of the market in 2022. The increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and post-surgical rehabilitation needs has fueled the demand for orthopedic braces and supports in hospitals and surgical centers. Additionally, advancements in medical technology and a growing emphasis on non-invasive treatment options contribute to the expanding utilization of orthopedic braces within healthcare settings for comprehensive patient care. The Asia Pacific market to register a significant growth in the market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific orthopedic braces and supports market is estimated to register a significant growth from 2023 to 2029. The increasing patient population, rising geriatric population, rapid economic growth and increasing disposable income are driving the market growth in APAC countries. This region is having a rise in healthcare investment and expenditure, offering significant growth opportunities for the key players. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=24806829 Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market Dynamics: Drivers: Increasing prevalence of orthopedic diseases and disorders Restraints: Limited patient qualification for bracing-mediated orthopedic treatment Opportunities: Increased sales of off-the-shelf and online products Challenge: Significant adoption of pain medication Key Market Players of Orthopedic Braces & Supports Industry: As of 2022, prominent players in the orthopedic braces and supports market are 3M (US), Essity (Sweden), Ossur HF (Iceland), Thuasne Group (France), Zimmer Biomet (US), and Bird & Cronin Inc. (US) A breakdown of the primary participants referred to for this report is provided below: By Company Type: Tier 148%, Tier 236%, and Tier 3 16% By Designation: Director-level14%, C-level10%, and Others76% By Region: North America40%, Europe32%, Asia Pacific20%, Latin America5%, and the Middle East & Africa3% Recent Developments of Orthopedic Braces & Supports Industry: In January 2022 , Ossur announced the launch of the ReLeaf Active knee brace, designed to provide pain relief and support for patients with osteoarthritis. The brace features a unique hinge design that mimics the natural movement of the knee, and it is made from lightweight, breathable materials for comfort. , Ossur announced the launch of the ReLeaf Active knee brace, designed to provide pain relief and support for patients with osteoarthritis. The brace features a unique hinge design that mimics the natural movement of the knee, and it is made from lightweight, breathable materials for comfort. In August 2022 , DonJoy announced the launch of the Vizor 120 ankle brace, a lightweight and comfortable brace that provides support and stability for patients with ankle sprains. The brace features a unique air-filled pad that conforms to the shape of the ankle, and it is made from breathable materials to keep the foot cool and dry. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=24806829 Orthopedic Braces & Supports Market - Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help the market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall orthopedic braces and supports market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the market pulse and provides information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. This report provides insights on the following pointers: Analysis of key drivers (rising target patient population, growing adoption of orthopedic braces and supports imaging devices, technological advancement, and increasing investment, funds, and grants by public-private organizations), restraints (high capital and operational cost, unfavorable regulatory guidelines), opportunities (improving healthcare infrastructure across emerging countries, orthopedic braces and supports utilization for breast imaging, promising product pipeline), and challenges (availability of alternate imaging technologies) influencing the growth of the orthopedic braces and supports market Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product & service launches in the orthopedic braces and supports market Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative marketsthe report analyses the orthopedic braces and supports market across varied regions. Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the orthopedic braces and supports market Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players like DJO LLC (US), Ossur HF ( Iceland ), Breg, Inc. (US), Bauerfeind AG ( Germany ), Essity AB ( Sweden ), 3M Company (US), Zimmer Biomet (US), Ottobock Healthcare ( Germany ), Thuasne ( France ), ALCARE Co., Ltd ( Japan ), Nippon Sigmax ( Japan ), Bird &, Cronin (US), DeRoyal Industries (US), and medi GmbH ( Germany ) among others. Related Reports: Insulin Delivery Devices Market - Global Forecasts to 2028 Top 10 Medical Device Technologies Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Compression Therapy Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Cold Pain Therapy Market - Global Forecasts to 2027 Patient Monitoring Devices 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: [email protected] Research Insights: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/orthopedic-braces-support-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/orthopedic-braces-support.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets Nonprofit Survey Finds Veterinary Services Shortage Seriously Impacting Pets Most in Need SAN ANTONIO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) shortage has become a significant hurdle in ensuring that pets most in need receive the attention and care they deserve. Petco Love , a national nonprofit organization, is taking a proactive approach to tackle this issue by launching the Petco Love Registered Veterinary Technician Scholarship Fund with Penn Foster, an innovative online learning provider. This scholarship fund aims to address the growing concerns surrounding lack of access to care by increasing the number of registered veterinary technicians serving the most vulnerable pets, those at animal shelters, and those whose pet parents struggle financially. National nonprofit Petco Love is addressing a veterinary technician services shortage seriously impacting pets most in need. As pet ownership continues to rise, so does the demand for veterinary care resulting in a shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Petco Love initiated a study to assess this veterinary workforce shortage and its impact on nonprofit and municipal organizations providing services to shelter pets and pets whose pet parents struggle to afford care. The result: approximately three-quarters of shelters and low-cost clinics reported a shortage of veterinarians and veterinary technicians, leading to delays in preventive healthcare, spay/neuter, and treatment of sick and injured pets. Almost 70% of animal shelters reported that pets were waiting longer to receive veterinary care, with spay neuter bottlenecks impacting organizational efficiency as 60% of organizations reported more than 50 animals awaiting surgery. 80% of nonprofit affordable clinics serving owned pets in the community by providing wellness exams, spay/neuter, and other veterinary care reported delays of one to six months for appointments. The full study is published in "The nonprofit veterinarian shortage: who will care for the pets most in need?"1. "The survey results are a wakeup call. Nonprofits and municipal organizations serving pets that often have no other option are in crisis as the rising costs of hiring and retaining veterinarians and technicians make it difficult, and in some cases prohibitive, to maintain adequate staffing," said Petco Love President, Susanne Kogut. "Without proper staffing, shelters can't effectively manage shelter pet intake and the entire system breaks down, resulting in greater euthanasia of shelter pets. Further, respondents expressed their concerns that the rising costs of veterinary care forces nonprofits and municipal organizations into the role of providing accessible and affordable vet care to the community. But with the significant veterinary and technician shortage, some organizations expressed concern that we are failing the pets and pet parents who need us most." The Petco Love RVT Scholarship Fund at Penn Foster bridges the gap in the nonprofit veterinary workforce shortage by supporting approximately 100 candidates currently working in animal welfare organizations who aspire to become credentialed veterinary technicians. Applications for a scholarship will be made by the nonprofit or municipal animal sheltering organizations or veterinary clinics to Petco Love. Organizations that are selected to receive a scholarship will select a student currently working or volunteering with their organization to participate. After finishing the program, associates will be eligible to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination ("VTNE"). The program helps alleviate the shortage by providing an influx of newly credentialed veterinary technicians, who agree to continue working in the field while taking the course and for at least two years after certification. "It's exciting when career advancement and passion go hand-in-hand that's why we are excited to partner with Petco Love and offer the animal welfare community educational and training support through this scholarship program," stated Penn Foster General Manager, Stacy Caldwell. "Penn Foster's online Veterinary Technician Associate Degree program has full accreditation with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), meaning that learners can pursue a veterinary technician career after passing the VTNE. Improving accessible care for all pets starts with training their caretakers." Other Petco Love efforts designed to address the veterinary shortage include investing in the University of Florida Shelter Medicine program to increase the number of shelter veterinarians nationwide2 and partnering with Louisiana State University to establish the community outreach veterinarian program to address access to veterinary care in the Baton Rouge community3. To learn more about Petco Love, visit petcolove.org. About Petco Love Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we've empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $375 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We've helped find loving homes for more than 6.75 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide. Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Is love calling you? Join us. Visit petcolove.org or follow us on Facebook , Instagram , X , Threads , and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day. About Penn Foster Group At Penn Foster Group, we are transforming online learning to help learners by bringing together Penn Foster, CareerStep, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, the New York Institute of Photography, the New York Institute of Art and Design, and other education platforms. Together, we create an accelerated path to greater economic mobility through real-world skills and knowledge that enable them to achieve long-term success in the workplaces of the future. Our history dates back to 1890 when our founder, Thomas Foster, pioneered distance education by offering training by mail for coal miners to get the necessary skills for safer jobs. Today, with the partners who use our education and training programs, we continue that mission of providing accessible training and education for in-demand skills and are building a workforce that's prepared for the future job market. 1 Susanne Kogut, Meredith L. Montgomery, Julie K. Levy. The nonprofit veterinarian shortage: who will care for the pets most in need? February 2, 2024, PREPRINT available at Research Square. 2 https://petcolove.org/newsroom/news-story/national-nonprofit-petco-love-invests-in-uf-shelter-medicine-program-to 3 https://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/news/2024/petco_love_community_outreach.php Contact: Crystal Bugary, Petco Love, [email protected] SOURCE Petco Love A group of Indigenous women in Greenland has sued Denmark for forcing them to be fitted with intrauterine contraceptive devices in the 1960s and 1970s and demanded total compensation of nearly 43 million kroner (5.8 million), their lawyer said on Monday. The 143 Inuit women say Danish health authorities violated their human rights when they fitted them with the devices, commonly known as coils. Some of the women including many who were teenagers at the time were not aware of what happened or did not consent to the intervention. They each are demanding 300,000 kroner (40,000), the womens lawyer, Mads Pramming, told reporters. The purpose was allegedly to limit population growth in Greenland by preventing pregnancies. The population on the Arctic island was rapidly increasing at the time because of better living conditions and better health care. The small T-shaped device, made from plastic and copper and fitted in the uterus, prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. Danish authorities say as many as 4,500 women and girls reportedly half of the fertile women in Greenland received coil implants between the 1960s and mid-1970s. 'we can't wait any longer' In September 2022, the governments of Denmark and Greenland launched an investigation into the program. The outcome of the probe is due next year. But Pramming said they wont wait until then, and that the only option for the women is to seek justice through the court. "The oldest of us are over 80 years old, and therefore we cannot wait any longer, one of the women, Naja Lyberth, told Greenland public broadcaster KNR. As long as we live, we want to regain our self-respect and respect for our wombs. Lyberth was 14 when she had a coil fitted and was among the first to talk about it. The Danish government has offered psychiatric counselling to those affected. Last year, 67 women filed an initial lawsuit against Denmark over the forced contraception. The pain, physically and emotionally, that they have experienced is still there today, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke said. Story continues Denmark's dark past Denmark's past actions in Greenland have been haunting Danish authorities in recent years. In 2020, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen apologized to 22 Greenland children who were forcibly taken to Denmark in 1951 in a failed social experiment. The plan was to modernize Greenland and give children a better life, but it ended with an attempt to form a new type of Inuit by re-educating them and hoping they would later return home and foster cultural links. We apologize to those we should have looked after but failed, Frederiksen said, adding that "the children lost their ties to their families and lineage, their life history, to Greenland and thus to their own people. Greenland, which is part of the Danish realm, was a colony under Denmark's crown until 1953, when it became a province in the Scandinavian country. In 1979, the island was granted home rule, and 30 years later, Greenland became a self-governing entity. But Denmark retains control over its foreign and defence affairs. In 1992, Greenland took over control of its health sector from Copenhagen. BOCA RATON, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Tower International (PTI) announces it has entered a definitive agreement with Cellnex Telecom to acquire 100% of Cellnex's business in Ireland. The transaction will expand PTI's Irish business by adding approximately 1,700 mobile telecom sites and approximately 200 land locations that accommodate third-party wireless sites. The acquisition underscores Phoenix Tower International's commitment to fostering growth in Ireland and contributing to the enhancement of the country's telecommunications infrastructure. This strategic transaction is poised to bring substantial benefits to both the Irish population and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) operating in the region. "We are delighted to announce this strategic transaction with Cellnex after a successful transaction in France which signifies a significant step forward in Phoenix Tower International's expansion in Europe," commented Dagan Kasavana, CEO of PTI. "This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to Ireland, and we are eager to contribute to the development of robust and advanced telecommunications infrastructure that will benefit both the Irish people and our valued Mobile Network Operator partners. We appreciated the Cellnex team's constructive approach and hard work to sign this transaction." Cellnex CEO Marco Patuano stressed that "the sale of our business in Ireland at an appropriate valuation is one further step within the company's 'Next Chapter', in line with our strategy, to achieve the goal of consolidating, simplifying our corporate structure and focusing our efforts in the existing growth opportunities in the main markets in which we operate. We want to recognize PTI's readiness and swift decision-making and look forward to closing the deal on due time." Nomura is serving as exclusive financial advisor and Arthur Cox is serving as legal counsel to PTI. Barclays and Santander are serving as financial advisors and Matheson is serving as legal counsel to Cellnex. About Phoenix Tower International PTI will, pro forma for this transaction and contracted deployments, own and operate over 29,000 telecom towers throughout Europe, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. In Europe, PTI is present in several countries including France, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Malta and Cyprus. PTI was founded in 2013 with a mission to be a premier site provider to wireless operators across the world in high-growth markets. PTI's investors include funds managed by Blackstone, Wren House, USS and various members of the management team and is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, please visit www.phoenixintnl.com About Cellnex Telecom Cellnex is Europe's largest operator of towers and telecom infrastructures, enabling operators to access an extensive network of telecommunications infrastructures on a shared-used basis, helping to reduce access barriers and improve services in the remote areas. The company manages a portfolio of over 138,000 sites, including planned rollouts up to 2030, across 12 European countries, with significant presence in Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Poland. Listed on the Spanish stock exchange, Cellnex is a constituent of the IBEX 35 and Euro Stoxx 100 indices and holds prominent positions in major sustainability indexes, including CDP, Sustainalytics, FTSE4Good, MSCI and DJSI Europe. For more information, please visit www.cellnex.com SOURCE Phoenix Tower International PARIS, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ProductLife Group (PLG), the specialised global provider of regulatory, scientific, vigilance, quality and digital transformation consulting services for the life sciences industries, today announced the acquisition of Health Care Solution (HCS), a leading Moroccan consultancy whose reach spans across more than 30 different African countries. With this alliance, PLG reinforces its ability to support client regulatory and compliance needs globally. Health Care Solution was founded in 2016 in Casablanca, Morocco, specializing in Regulatory Affairs, Quality and Industrialization consulting. It offers operational support, audit and training services across Middle East and Africa, leveraging its strong technical and regulatory know-how. These new regional capabilities will complement PLG's end-to-end regulatory solutions designed to streamline compliance strategies across global markets. Abderrahim Bouabidi, Ph.D, Founder & Managing Director of HCS said: "This merger with PLG is a fantastic opportunity to grow internationally thanks to PLG's worldwide presence. The HCS consultants will be involved on larger scale global projects, and PLG will support HCS in opening new doors in Middle East and Africa. We are eager to see opportunities unfold as they will bring vast benefits to our clients and team members." Xavier Duburcq, CEO of PLG, commented: "PLG's global presence and expertise, combined with HCS's regional knowledge and capabilities, will enable us to deliver enhanced services and solutions to our clients. This strategic move comes approximately three years after the acquisition of AXPharma, which experienced rapid team expansion in Tunisia following its take-over by PLG. This is an exciting new chapter in our journey." About ProductLife Group: ProductLife Group's mission is to support patient access to safe and effective healthcare solutions by delivering worldwide consulting and outsourcing services through the entire product life. Combining local expertise with global reach spanning more than 150 countries, PLG is the Life Sciences Industries reference strategic partner for the development, market introduction and life cycle management of product portfolios, and the related business and digital transformation. With a goal of continuously improving the value delivered to teams and clients, PLG is committed to long-term partnership, innovation, flexibility, and cost efficiency. For more information, visit https://productlifegroup.com/ Contact Fabrice Galzin ProductLife Group Head of Marketing [email protected] Health Care Solution Health Care Solution is a consultancy founded in 2016 in Casablanca, Morocco by Abderrahim BOUABIDI Ph. D, located in Morocco and specialized in Regulatory Affairs, CMC, Quality assurance and industrialization. The company offers delivery support, audit, training services in particular to pharmaceutical, medical devices, food supplements, reagents and cosmetics industries. This is achieved through a profound combination of technical expertise and regulatory knowledge. HCS is known for being the leader in Morocco and one of the main consultancies in Africa in the Regulatory & Compliance space. For more information, visit https://www.hcspharma.com/fr/index.html Contact Abderrahim Bouabidi [email protected] CHICAGO, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PSM Partners, LLC is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Catania as the Director of Human Resources. Martin, former President of K2 Services, brings more than 20 years of Managed Services experience, organizational development, and executive leadership to PSM and has deep ties to the Legal Support Community. As Director of Human Resources for PSM, Martin will assume responsibility for maturing the Employee Experience and assisting other PSM leaders in the development of their Practice Areas. Mike Mete, Founder and Managing Partner at PSM Partners, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Bringing Martin in is another key component of our commitment to excellence, innovation, and outstanding service. This is a new strategic position for PSM and Martin's wealth of experience and connection to the Legal Support community will be huge assets in our mission to build upon our employee experience and create opportunities for continued growth and excellence in our Legal support practice." Martin Catania had this to say in comment regarding his new role: "PSM's focus on client success and employee growth opportunity is a huge driver of success in Managed Services. I am really impressed with the organization and excited for the opportunity to join a team that aligns so closely with my core values. I am looking forward to helping a great organization continue their growth trajectory and employee commitment." PSM continues to recruit top level leadership to manage their growth and maintain their commitment to excellence and innovation in Managed Services, Professional Services, and Talent Services. About PSM Partners PSM Partners is a market leader in Chicago's IT Consulting and Talent Sourcing landscape. Our services include Managed IT Services and project-based offerings such as business IT support, cloud services, cybersecurity, IT consulting, and telecommunications sourcing. We also help businesses hire or contract the IT talent to best suit their needs. We are dedicated to helping companies grow through technology and talent. No matter what challenges your team faces, our team of experts is ready to engage and provide executive level support to help guide you through the complex landscape of the IT marketplace. Learn more: https://www.psmpartners.com/ SOURCE PSM Partners, LLC National PTA 2024 Legislative Conference to feature remarks from First Lady Jill Biden ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: Hundreds of PTA leaders and education advocates from across the country will come together March 5-7 in Alexandria, Va., for the 2024 National PTA Legislative Conference . During the conference, attendees will take action on issues that affect the education, health, safety, well-being and long-term success of America's children by meeting with their members of Congress, Wednesday, March 6. They will also hear from speakers and participate in workshops to get an update on issues impacting children, families and schools and grow their advocacy skills. The theme for this year's conference is Share Power for Every Child. Among the speakers, attendees will hear from First Lady Jill Biden. The conference will also feature a panel discussion with PTSA student members as well as a panel discussion on "Protecting Our School Communities from Gun Violence" with Abbey Clements, co-founder and executive director of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, along with Michelle Kefford, principal at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Dr. George Roberts, leadership consultant for Baltimore County Public Schools, who are both part of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal Recovery Network. National PTA will recognize Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) during the conference with its 2024 Congressional Voice for Children Award . The association will also honor the recipients of its 2024 Outstanding Advocacy Awards . Additionally, during the conference, National PTA and Everytown for Gun Safety will be announcing a new collaboration. WHEN: National PTA Legislative Conference Tuesday, March 5 Thursday, March 7 Opening Session, Everytown for Gun Safety Remarks Tuesday, March 5 1 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. Edison ABCD First Lady Jill Biden Remarks Tuesday, March 5 4:30 p.m. Edison ABCD Youth Voices Panel Discussion Tuesday, March 5 8:30 p.m. Edison ABCD Awards Presentation, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes Remarks Wednesday, March 6 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Edison ABCD Closing Session, Protecting Our School Communities from Gun Violence Panel Discussion Thursday, March 7 11 a.m. to Noon Edison ABCD WHERE: The Westin Alexandria Old Town 400 Courthouse Square Alexandria, VA 22314 CONTACT: Heidi May Wilson, National PTA [email protected], (614) 570-3922 About National PTA National PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. SOURCE National PTA Plant-based Leader will Showcase New Formats, Korean-Inspired Flavors from Nasoya Brand AYER, Mass and FULLERTON, Calif., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pulmuone, the largest tofu company globally and makers of America's leading brands including Nasoya and Wildwood, today announced it will be previewing new plant-based, Asian-inspired offerings at Natural Products Expo West, March 14-16 in Anaheim, California. Pulmuone's Nasoya brand will be introducing a new format for its popular Vegan Dumplings - now featuring dipping sauces - a new line of Vegan Dressings, an exclusive first taste of new plant-based chicken and a preview of a limited-edition tofu packaging redesign in honor of April's Earth Month. Pulmuone to Introduce Plant-Based Innovations at Natural Products Expo West 2024 "Americans are expecting more of their plant-based products and are eager for them to feature globally-inspired flavors and ingredients," said Ellen Kim Director of Marketing Communications & Consumer Insights at Pulmuone, parent company of Nasoya. "As a company rooted in Korean heritage with a focus on high-quality plant-based proteins, Nasoya is well-suited to bring authentic and delicious plant-based and Asian-inspired offerings to consumers nationwide. Nasoya is embarking on an exciting year filled with innovation and Expo West is the perfect opportunity to showcase that." A longtime fan favorite, Nasoya's Vegan Dumplings available in Thai Basil Vegetable, Tofu Vegetable and Korean BBQ Vegetable - are relaunching in new packaging to feature sweet and savory dipping sauces. Now enhanced with a heartier dough and flavorful filling featuring Nasoya's Super Firm Tofu, the dumplings can be prepared in just minutes, providing a complete appetizer or satisfying meal for busy consumers. Now available at Walmart, the refreshed dumplings will start hitting shelves of local retailers nationwide in May. Nasoya will also be previewing a new line of Vegan Dressings, available in Garlic Sesame and Zesty Gochujang flavors. The K-Town inspired line brings global flavors for use as a marinade, salad topper, dipping sauce and more. The dressings are vegan, gluten free and contain no added preservatives. Nasoya will also be sampling a new plant-based chicken as part of its Expo West tasting menu. The new plant-based chicken solidifies Nasoya's place as a plant-based meat powerhouse, featuring a real meat-like texture, authentic Asian flavor and a simple ingredient list. Set to launch in late April, the new product builds on the success of Nasoya's Plantspired Plant-Based Steak, now available in both Korean BBQ and Gochujang varieties. In celebration of Earth Month (April), Nasoya is also previewing a limited-time packaging update for its Silken, Firm, Extra Firm and Super Firm Tofu varieties. The packaging showcases how making small choices, like enjoying more plant-based proteins, can be a step forward toward a more sustainable future. Aligning with a larger Earth Month campaign, the limited-time packaging will also include a QR code directing consumers to a dedicated site where they can learn more about tofu and the positive environmental impact of plant-based proteins. Pulmuone Adds to Successful Lineup of Asian Innovations Pulmuone will also be showcasing its latest innovations at Natural Products Expo West. Known for excellence in the plant-based and Asian-inspired categories, Pulmuone will be expanding its line of authentic and delicious restaurant-quality offerings to include a new pre-seasoned and pre-fried braised tofu brimming with Korean flavors and a plant-based soymilk noodle concept, both gearing up for launch at retailers later this year. "Pulmuone is thrilled to introduce a wide variety of new noodle and tofu offerings. We're proud to help shape a greener future with new plant-based options that don't sacrifice taste, convenience or flavor," says Suk Won Kim, VP of Marketing at Pulmuone. "Pulmuone's latest innovations align with our commitment to deliver high-quality products and authentic flavors, and we're excited to showcase them at this year's Natural Products Expo West." About PULMUONE FOODS USA Pulmuone Foods USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pulmuone South Korea, is home to a family of brands that includes a wide variety of delicious products inspired by contemporary flavor palates that encourage a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Amid the growing global demand for plant-based protein food, Pulmuone Foods USA is leading the US tofu market with over 65 percent market share with beloved brands like Nasoya and Wildwood. Pulmuone brands also include Plantspired, Monterey Gourmet Foods and a line of Pulmuone-branded Asian-inspired products available at mass grocery stores and major club channels throughout the United States. For more information, visit pulmuonefoodsusa.com. About NASOYA For over 40 years, Nasoya has been a leading provider of natural and organic foods. Part of the family of brands at Pulmuone, a company synonymous with authentic, wholesome products and the highest quality of ingredients, Nasoya believes in creating great-tasting, healthy, convenient snacks and meals for every eating occasion. Product offerings include tofu, high-protein tofu, Kimchi, Asian-Style Vegan Wraps, Asian Noodle Kits & Dumplings, low calorie/low carb Pasta Zero noodles and a variety of Plantspired products including TofuBaked, Toss'ables, Superfood Skillets, Plantspired Steak and many more. The Nasoya website offers countless healthy and delicious recipes, tips and tricks, and helpful blog posts. Learn more at Nasoya.com, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest or Instagram Media contact: Carly Wilhelm [email protected] SOURCE Nasoya Razor Group has acquired Perch, the leading Amazon aggregator in the US, solidifying its position as the global leader in the aggregation of online marketplace consumer brands. This acquisition paves the way for Razor to reach over $1 billion in topline revenue in the medium-term and adds significant scale to its operations. in topline revenue in the medium-term and adds significant scale to its operations. The combined entity will manage an assortment of more than 40,000 products across various online channels in the US, UK, EU, and Latin America . . The acquisition is part of Razor's broader consolidation strategy in the e-commerce aggregator space, following successful acquisitions of Factory14, Valoreo and The Stryze Group. Presight Capital is leading Razor's Series D financing round, demonstrating strong confidence in Razor's long-term vision and further growth potential. The additional funding will be used to further invest in Razor's technology infrastructure including leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) to achieve complete automation of Razor's consumer-to-manufacturer (C2M) retail operations. BERLIN and BOSTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Razor Group ("Razor") has acquired Perch, the leading Amazon aggregator in the US, solidifying its position as the global leader in the aggregation of online marketplace consumer brands and creating the #1 player in the industry. The acquisition is part of Razor's broader consolidation strategy, underscoring its capability to act as the key consolidator within the global e-commerce aggregator ecosystem, following successful acquisitions of Factory14, Valoreo and The Stryze Group. It also paves the way for Razor to reach over $1 billion in revenue in the medium-term, add significant scale to its operations and create a highly profitable global technology and e-commerce powerhouse. The new combined entity will manage an assortment of more than 40,000 products across key brands selling on 30+ marketplace and direct-to-consumer channels in 10+ countries across North America, United Kingdom, Europe, and Latin America. In conjunction with this acquisition, Razor is also announcing a Series D financing round, led by Presight Capital. This new round, against a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, underscores the strong confidence investors have in Razor Group's long-term vision and its potential for further growth. The additional funding will be used to further invest in Razor's technology infrastructure throughout the entire supply chain. Moreover, recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and the emergence of large language models (LLMs) presents a valuable opportunity to achieve complete automation of Razor's consumer-to-manufacturer (C2M) retail operations, optimising processes, improving efficiency, and driving faster product innovation cycles and delivery. "The e-commerce aggregator space will undergo continued consolidation in the medium-term, driven by the current macroeconomic environment. The acquisition of Perch is a highly value-accretive and transformative transaction on Razor's path to becoming a global technology-driven e-commerce powerhouse. Presight is delighted to lead this funding round and continue to support Razor on its future growth path. With this sizable investment, we are also doubling down on Razor's technology stack and capabilities, led by its CTO Shrestha Chowdhury, to power the global marketplace ecosystem," said Christan Angermeyer and Fabian Hansen, Co-Founders and General Partners of Presight Capital. Tushar Ahluwalia, Co-Founder and CEO at Razor Group, commented: "We are excited to partner with Perch, the leading US player in our space. The transaction further strengthens our market leadership, solidifying Razor Group as the #1 player globally. In contrast to our peers, our focus has been to build the Western response to Chinese vertical C2M models like Temu and Shein, rather than an internet version of P&G. Therefore, our secret sauce has been to invest in sophisticated technology automation to ensure deep supply-chain integration and hyper-fast product innovation cycles right from the start, a prerequisite to making the model work and seeing us develop the industry's leading automation stack. With the ongoing advancements in AI and LLMs, that work continues." Chris Bell, Founder and CEO of Perch, added: "Over the past 18 months, Perch has transformed its business through our proprietary technology, machine learning-based decision engine, and leading supply chain capabilities, creating one of the first large-scale, cash flow positive players in our space. This combination with Razor, which will combine the best technology and people across two top players in our industry, creates a clear global platform for the next stage of consolidation and growth." About Razor Group Razor Group GmbH ("Razor") was founded by e-commerce experts and serial founders Tushar Ahluwalia, Christoph Gamon, Shrestha Chowdhury and Dr. Oliver Dlugosch. The Berlin-based company acquires and operates profitable Amazon FBA businesses and other online marketplace sellers which have consistently demonstrated superior product quality, outstanding customer satisfaction and sharp business acumen. Razor pairs significant growth capital with extensive e-commerce and technology expertise, thereby ensuring that the acquired businesses reach the next stage in their development. Razor defines itself as a technology-driven e-commerce business to push world-class consumer products in relevant categories into all leading marketplaces globally. About Perch Perch is a technology-driven commerce company that acquires and operates Amazon FBA and other D2C brands at scale. With roughly 100 brands and 5,000 products, Perch offers a diversified portfolio of leading consumer goods across multiple popular categories such as Home & Living, Sports, Health and Toys. Through its proprietary technology platform, strong focus on the US Amazon sales channel, and leading supply chain capabilities, Perch has quickly become the established leader within the US Amazon aggregator segment. Perch was founded by Chris Bell in 2019 in Boston, USA. About Presight Capital Presight Capital is a leading venture capital fund with >$600m assets under management that backs ambitious founders across multiple sectors globally including Consumer, Fintech, Healthcare, Robotics etc. Presight was launched in 2019 by serial entrepreneur Christian Angermayer and seasoned investor Fabian Hansen, as the flagship venture capital investment arm of Apeiron Investment Group, the family office of Christian Angermayer. Since its inception, Presight has invested in 70+ companies and completed 8+ portfolio public listings. Contact: Ben Li VP Corporate Finance [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2355116/Razor_Group_Logo.jpg SOURCE Razor Group NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of Class A common stock of Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) between July 26, 2021 and December 7, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 9, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Xponential common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Xponential class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17334 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 9, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Xponential had permanently closed at least 30 stores; (2) Xponential's reported same-store sales and average unit volume metrics had been misstated by excluding underperforming stores; (3) 8 out of 10 Xponential brands were losing money monthly; (4) over 50% of Xponential studios did not make a positive financial return; (5) over 60% of Xponential's revenue was one-time and non-recurring; (6) more than 100 of Xponential's franchises were for sale at a price that is at least 75% less than their initial cost; (7) Xponential had misled many of its franchisees into opening franchises by misrepresenting the financial profile and profitability of its studios, as well as the expected rate of return for new studio openings; (8) many Xponential franchisees were substantially in debt, suffering high attrition rates and running non-viable studios that had no realistic path to profitability; and (9) based on the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable factual basis for their positive statements about Xponential's then-current business operations and future financial prospects. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Xponential class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17334 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. BANGALORE, India, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Satellite Data Service Market is Segmented by Type (Image Data, Data Analytics), by Application (Environmental, Defense and Security, Surveying and Exploration, Agriculture, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2030. It is Published in Valuates Reports Under the Category of Internet & Telecom . The global Satellite Data Service market was valued at USD 5421.3 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 12290 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Claim Your Free Sample Now: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-17H15507/Global_Satellite_Data_Service_Market_Research_Report_2023 Major Factors Driving The Growth Of Satellite Data Service Market The market for satellite data services is expanding quickly because of developments in satellite technology, such as downsizing, enhanced data transfer capacities, and lower launch expenses, have increased the affordability and accessibility of satellite data for a wider variety of uses. The market is expanding due to the growing need for real-time Earth observation data from a variety of industries, including forestry, urban planning, agriculture, and disaster relief. The market's potential is being increased by the advent of new applications that use satellite data, such as infrastructure monitoring, climate monitoring, and autonomous vehicle navigation. Further driving market expansion are the rising expenditures made by both public and commercial sectors in satellite deployment and space exploration. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-17H15507/global-satellite-data-service TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF SATELLITE DATA SERVICE MARKET The market for satellite data services is propelled by the rising need for Earth observation data for a range of uses, including environmental monitoring, disaster relief, urban planning, and agriculture. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-resolution imaging sensors on board satellites make it possible to gather precise and fast data about the surface of the Earth, which helps businesses and government organizations make educated decisions and get useful insights. The market for satellite data services is expanding due to developments in remote sensing technology, such as satellite sensors, data analytics, and machine learning algorithms. These technical advancements allow for more complex analysis and applications in fields like infrastructure monitoring, natural resource management, and climate modeling by improving the geographical and temporal resolution, accuracy, and interpretability of satellite data. The market for satellite data services is expanding as a result of the integration of satellite data with artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. By offering worldwide coverage and context-rich information for applications like asset tracking, supply chain management, and environmental monitoring, satellite-derived data streams may supplement IoT sensor networks. When AI algorithms are used with satellite data, automated analysis, pattern identification, and predictive modeling may be achieved. This opens up new possibilities and fresh insights for companies and organizations. Defense, security, and intelligence applications using geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) systems. Advanced sensors and image capabilities aboard satellites make it possible to gather intelligence that may be used for military reconnaissance, border monitoring, disaster relief, and counterterrorism activities. The need for satellite data services for GEOINT applications is growing as long as geopolitical tensions remain. The demand for climate resilience and sustainable resource management is driving the introduction of new use cases in environmental monitoring and agriculture, which is driving the satellite data service industry. Precision agricultural techniques like crop monitoring, yield prediction, and water management are made possible by satellite data, which raises production and ensures food security. Additionally, policy choices and conservation efforts are informed by satellite-based monitoring of environmental indicators including pollution, deforestation, and the effects of climate change. The market for satellite data services is expanding as a result of the increased use of satellite communication services, such as broadband internet, satellite TV, and satellite radio. In areas with insufficient or nonexistent terrestrial infrastructure, these services rely on satellite data transmission and receiving capabilities to deliver access to rural and underserved areas. The market for satellite data services is expanding as a result of consumer demand for satellite location and navigation systems like GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS. Accurate location, timing, and navigational data are provided by these satellite-based navigation systems for a range of uses, such as outdoor leisure, transit, logistics, and surveying. The need for satellite data services for positioning and navigation is only going to grow as more sectors and consumer markets rely on satellite navigation technology. Own It Today Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-17H15507&lic=single-user SATELLITE DATA SERVICE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS With a combined market share of over 35%, the top 5 global manufacturers of satellite data services are Maxar Technologies, Airbus, Planet Labs, L3Harris, and ICEYE. With a market share of almost 17%, Maxar Technologies is the most prominent among them. With a market share of over 56%, North America leads the market, followed by China and Europe, with respective shares of roughly 22% and 7%. Regarding product category, Image Data holds the most market share, accounting for around 60% of the total. In addition, the environmental field has the most use of any product, followed by surveying and exploration. Key Players: Maxar Technologies Airbus Planet Labs L3Harris ICEYE BlackSky Capella Space European Space Imaging Satpalda Geospatial Services ImageSat International Ursa Space Systems Satellogic Purchase Regional Data: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-17H15507/Global_Satellite_Data_Service_Market_Research_Report_2023 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Satellite Reaction Wheel Market - The global LEO Satellite market size is estimated to be worth USD 5162.6 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 16740 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 21.7% during the forecast period 2022-2028. - Satellite M2M and IoT Network Market - The global small satellite market size was valued at USD 3215.9 Million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 13711.7 Million by 2030 growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.4%. - The global Satellite Bus market size is expected to reach USD 11880 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2023 to 2029. - The global Satellite Solar Panel market is projected to reach USD 2192.1 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 1526.8 Million in 2022, with the CAGR of 4.9% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - The global Low-Cost Satellite market was valued at USD 1030 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 3992.4 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 21.1% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - The global Satellite Communication (SATCOM) market is projected to reach USD 219440 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 171710 Million in 2022, with the CAGR of 3.6% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - The global Artificial Satellite market is projected to reach USD 2700.9 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 1623 Million in 2022, with the CAGR of 8.0% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - Earth Observation Satellite Market - Small Satellite Services market was valued at USD 1030 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 3564.1 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 19.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Satellite Antenna market size is estimated to be worth USD 2414 Million in 2021 and is forecast to reach size of USD 3592 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.8% during the review period. - Satellite Imagery market is projected to grow from USD 2992.1 Million in 2023 to USD 8048.5 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.9% during the forecast period. - Satellite Remote Sensing Service Market revenue was USD 2914.9 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 5947.6 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 10.4% during the review period (2023-2029). - Satellite Launch System Market - Satellite Damper market is projected to reach USD 1159.2 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 820 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 4.9% during the period of 2023 to 2029. - Satellite Compasse - Global Market Insights and Sales Trends 2024 - Small Satellite Solution Market - Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Market - Satellite-as-a-Service (SataaS) Market - Satellite News Gathering Vehicle(SNG Vehicles) Market - Government and Military Satellite Communications market size is expected to reach USD 63880 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2029. - Satellite Ground Station Equipment market size is expected to reach USD 15390 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2029. - Commercial Satellite Broadband Market revenue was USD 4204.9 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 8472.3 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 10.4% during the review period (2023-2029). - Satellite Enabled IoT Software Market - Medium and Large Satellite market was valued at USD 151110 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 182920 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 2.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - 3D Printing in Low-Cost Satellite market was valued at USD 194.5 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 322.6 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Mobile Satellite Phone market size is expected to reach USD 758.6 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2029. - Military Satellite Payloads and Subsystems Market - SATCOM Amplifier Systems market was valued at USD 1225.9 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1574.9 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. 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Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports The global professional hair expert is working with Sofia Vergara and Chris Appleton to encourage consumers to own their story through new blonde hair color innovations and brand campaign DUSSELDORF, Germany, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the unrivaled authority in hair for over 125 years, Schwarzkopf announces an exciting new campaign backed by the star power of two global brand ambassadors. Schwarzkopf has defined 2024 as the year of the blonde, and the brand knows that behind every person's hair color is a story of courage, empowerment, and trust. Now, Schwarzkopf wants to inspire consumers to tell theirs. Today, on March 5, 2024, Schwarzkopf officially launched their campaign, "What Story Will You Tell?", marked by a highly visual TV commercial and comprehensive social media rollout , with the help of new Global Brand Ambassador, Actress, Producer & Entrepreneur Sofia Vergara and Global Color Ambassador, Celebrity Hairstylist Chris Appleton. Henkel Logo (PRNewsfoto/Henkel) Chris Appleton, Global Color Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Sofia Vergara, Global Brand Ambassador for Schwarzkopf A brand of firsts, Schwarzkopf's rich history is defined by innovations. The first dry shampoo, the first liquid shampoo, the first hairspray, the first cold perm, the first home color product. Schwarzkopf seamlessly combines its 125-year heritage with cutting-edge technology and pioneering innovation that empowers individuals to understand and embrace their unique hair stories. Schwarzkopf is one of the only labels backed by a global community of hairdressers that collaborate to bring professional expertise to consumers on behalf of the brand. Leading where others follow and encouraging people to showcase the best version of themselves, Schwarzkopf proudly provides the tools needed for everyone to celebrate their individuality. Schwarzkopf's "What Story Will You Tell?" campaign is more than just a tagline; it aims to inspire consumers to show up as their true selves and own the story they want to tell the world. They believe that beauty is the radiance that's exuded when your appearance reflects how you feel inside, and when your hair is a mirror and canvas to craft your story. Schwarzkopf elevates its consumers through hair so they can step into every moment with confidence and own their story, on their terms. To bring this campaign idea to life, Schwarzkopf enlisted two ambassadors - Sofia Vergara and Chris Appleton - to help spread this message worldwide, reaching both their professional hairstylist community and consumer audience. The partnership will be promoted and celebrated via a TV commercial, which premiered today, as well as collaborations on social media, red carpet appearances and more. Sofia and Chris are the perfect partners to bring to life Schwarzkopf's mission in creating a strong, purposeful, global and culturally relevant campaign message. Chris McClement, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Henkel North America remarks: "It is absolutely thrilling to see Schwarzkopf align with such impressive partners as Sofia Vergara and Chris Appleton. Henkel has always been committed to providing high-quality innovations & formulas and we can't think of two better people to help spread this message globally. Both Sofia & Chris embody Schwarzkopf's brand ethos in a way that resonates with stylists & consumers alike and we are excited to see what stories they tell in our continued work together." Chris Appleton discovered his passion for hair styling at a young age, experimenting with his mother's hair before getting his first salon job at just 13 years old. After years of working in London, Los Angeles came calling and soon Chris became the go-to stylist for Hollywood's top celebrities - Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa, to name a few. He's the tastemaker and mastermind behind some of the most famous looks and blonde hair color transformations of the past decade, knowing that iconic looks are made complete with the perfect hair shade to take any outfit to the next level. As an expert in color, Chris is the perfect partner to launch Schwarzkopf's new blonde innovations. Chris will collaborate with Schwarzkopf to demonstrate how he trusts and uses Schwarzkopf for his clients so they can tell their own hair story. When speaking about the partnership, Chris said: "Since the beginning of my career as a hairstylist, I have always known the name 'Schwarzkopf.' They have set the industry standard and have been a mainstay in salons globally for decades. Throughout my career I've become known for my color technique and dramatic hair transformations, many of them blonde. Schwarzkopf is a brand I trust to deliver high-quality salon results and I'm excited to take our partnership worldwide." While Chris will communicate the professional expert side of the brand, Sofia Vergara will help to show the premiumness and transformative effects of using Schwarzkopf products. Sofia is the epitome of "hair goals" and will be using her platform to showcase how Schwarzkopf products give her the look she wants to tell her unique story, and serve as inspiration for women to do the same. When asked about her connection to Schwarzkopf's campaign, Sofia said: "Hair is a powerful form of self-expression. Being in the spotlight, confidence is everything and hair plays a big part. For me, becoming Schwarzkopf's global brand ambassador is not just about endorsing hair products, it's about collaborating with a brand that shares my vision of embracing and celebrating the power of self-expression and confidence. We both believe in the power of hair and want to empower and inspire other women to take control of their narrative and express themselves through their hair." Evolution has been constant as the Schwarzkopf brand has grown over the last century and they will continue to keep innovating and elevating its hair care products and formulas. For more information, visit Schwarzkopf.com and follow @hairbyschwarzkopf.usa for new updates on the brand campaign and partnership with Sofia Vergara and Chris Appleton. About Henkel in North America: Henkel's portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes Schwarzkopf hair care, Dial soaps, Persil, Purex, and all laundry detergents, Snuggle fabric softeners as well as Loctite, Technomelt and Bonderite adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2022, North America accounts for 27 percent of the company's global sales. Henkel employs over 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com , and on Twitter @Henkel_NA . SOURCE Schwarzkopf Enabling seamless delivery of hospital-level care in the home PHILADELPHIA, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SENA Health announces its partnership with Inspira Health to support patients receiving Healing at Home clinical services. The home-based services deliver advanced-level care to eligible Inspira Health patients in the comfort of their own homes. The program combines expert care with advanced technology to offer a seamless, integrated service that maximizes health outcomes. The Healing at Home program at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill provides patients with various advanced clinical care options outside of the hospital, including administering IV medications and monitoring vitals through cellularly connected devices. Eligible patients are referred to the Healing at Home program by an Inspira physician. To qualify, patients must have one of the six eligible diagnoses commonly treated in a hospital observation unitcongestive heart failure (CHF), cellulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, asthma, or urinary tract infection (UTI)and be deemed appropriate for care in the home. The program does not accept patients who meet the criteria for an acute inpatient admission. "We are grateful to be working with SENA Health to offer our patients a new care setting, which they might find more comfortable," said Amy Mansue, President and CEO of Inspira Health. "Together, we're bringing advanced care to patients' homes, and redefining health care accessibility and outcomes." "Not only does Healing at Home help to improve patient experiences, it also aims to address the ever-present issue of hospital capacity," said Jamie Patel, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Inspira Medical Centers Mullica Hill and Mannington, and Inspira Health Center Woodbury. "Patients who require further care, medications and monitoring after spending time in the ED can now receive that care at home." Home-based patients receive medical care from experienced health care providers through in-person home visits and telehealth consultations. SENA Health utilizes high-tech equipment to monitor patients' vital signs and health status remotely, providing real-time data to attending physicians for effective treatment. The SENA Team is available 24/7/365 to facilitate and coordinate care and provide ongoing support to patients and their families. "Inspira Health sets itself apart as a truly innovative and forward-thinking organization in the region," said Dr. Anthony Wehbe, Founder and CEO of SENA Health. "We are honored to partner with them to support the delivery of advanced hospital-level care in the home." Inspira Health, in collaboration with SENA, has recently obtained the CMS Acute Hospital Care at Home Waiver. New Jersey recently enacted the Hospital at Home Act enabling hospitals to deliver acute care in private residences, aligning with the provisions of the federal waiver. The law requires NJ FamilyCare, Medicaid, and state health benefits carriers to provide coverage and payment for acute hospital care services under the program. Inspira has not implemented the CMS Acute Hospital Care at Home Waiver at this time. Growing momentum is evident at the national level, with measures aimed at enhancing the adoption of acute hospital care at home. A recently introduced bill in the US Senate seeks to mandate Medicare coverage for observation at home. If passed, the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act will initiate a hospital-at-home pilot program to evaluate the expansion of acute care services to include observation-status patients. About SENA Health SENA Health provides employee health and wellness benefits coordination, enables healing at home for many medical conditions that would typically require a hospital stay, and assists medical groups and hospitals with healing at home program launch services with staffing and technology to support each patient. SENA has a strong growth trajectory, providing advisory services to developers of advanced at-home care across five states. About Inspira Health Inspira Health is a charitable nonprofit health care organization and a regional leader in physician training, with approximately 267 medical residents and fellows in 15 nationally accredited programs. The system traces its roots to 1899 and comprises four medical centers, two comprehensive cancer centers, eight multi-specialty health centers, and locations throughout South Jersey. These include urgent care; outpatient imaging and rehabilitation; sleep medicine labs; cardiac testing facilities; behavioral health, digestive health and wound care centers; home care and hospice; and more than 35 primary and specialty physician practices in Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Camden and Atlantic Counties. Additionally, Inspira EMS services six South Jersey Counties. For more information, please contact SENA Health at 609-888-6039 or hello@senahealth.com SOURCE Sena Health Operation Rescue Joins Legal Battle: FDA's Abandonment of Safeguards for Chemical Abortions NEWS PROVIDED BY Operation Rescue March 5, 2024 WASHINGTON, March 5, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Operation Rescue is pleased to announce it has joined the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM) in its battle against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its reckless loosening of restrictions on the chemical abortion drug Mifeprex. The American Center for Law and Justice has filed an amicus brief on behalf of Operation Rescue and West Virginia Right to Life in support of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine in the appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Operation Rescue has worked for decades utilizing peaceful, legal strategies for exposing illegal violations of abortion clinics and abortionists that endanger women and end the lives of preborn babies, said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. We have been extremely disheartened by the neglect and refusal of various agencies to enforce health and safety regulations, and the FDAs actions are certainly not an outlier to that disappointment. Specific to chemical abortion, Operation Rescue has been instrumental in documenting the dangers of the drugs for many years. Incomplete abortions, hemorrhaging, and ruptured ectopic pregnancies are all common complications. Even the FDA has acknowledged that at least 32 women have died after taking the abortion inducing drugs since 2000. The original 113-page AHM lawsuit on which the appeal is based, filed in November 2022, argues that the FDA failed to abide by its legal obligations to protect the health, safety, and welfare of women and girls when the agency authorized the chemical abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol for use in the United States and subsequently eliminated necessary safeguards for pregnant women and girls who undergo this dangerous drug regimen.The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral argument on the appeals filed by the FDA and Danco Laboratories, the manufacturer of the drug, on March 26, 2024, according to the monthly argument calendar. We look forward to seeing judicial evidence that our nation protects vulnerable citizens instead of recklessly endangering women to achieve its political goals, added Newman. Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the U.S. Our goal is to expose abortion abuses, demand enforcement, save innocent lives, and build an Abortion-Free America. Click here to support Operation Rescue. SOURCE Operation Rescue CONTACT: Troy Newman, President, 316-683-6790 ext. 111; Anne Reed, Senior Policy Advisor, 316-683-6790 Advanced Education Minister Brian Wong says his department is working on a fair and just way to allocate the international study permit applicationss it has from the federal government. (Michael Gorman/CBC - image credit) The federal government has allocated 12,900 international study permit applications to be divided among Nova Scotia's universities, community and private career colleges and language schools in the province for the coming school year. Advanced Education Minister Brian Wong revealed the province's allocation from Ottawa during a debate on his department's budget on Monday at Province House. "Previous to this year, schools could submit really an infinite number of applications of international students to the federal government and sometimes the success rate of those going through for some schools was on average with the rest of Canada, and sometimes they were very low," Wong said. The federal average for successful applications is 60 per cent. Officials in Wong's department are working on a distribution model that "makes it fair and makes it just," he said. "We want to make sure that all schools, all designated learning institutions have a good opportunity to be successful," he said. 19,000 applications for current academic year The province submitted 19,000 applications for the academic year that started this past September. The number of applications does not directly translate to the number of students that attend schools in the province. In January, the federal government announced it would cap the number of international study permit applications, along with other changes. The move is an attempt to address concerns about whether students can find adequate places to live amid a national housing crisis, and instances in which international students were being taken advantage of by recruitment agencies. Wong's department is also targeting housing concerns for students as part of new bilateral funding arrangements it is negotiating with each of Nova Scotia's universities. As part of the deals, universities must have on-campus housing for at least 15 per cent of full-time students. NSCAD, Cape Breton University and Dalhousie University all fall short of that mark. The schools must provide plans for how they will increase housing or risk penalties. Story continues Wong said CBU, in particular, has faced rapid population growth that's raised concerns about how international students are being recruited and where they're expected to live when they arrive in the community. CBU to reduce enrolment Officials at the university "have identified that they have a problem" and so has the federal government, said Wong. "I think we all know that that population growth is something that, on one hand, we think it's a very positive thing until it's not." CBU is working on a two-year plan that would see its student enrolment reduced from about 9,000 to 7,000, said Wong. The minister said that effort, along with plans to expand student housing, should go a long way to addressing the situation in Cape Breton. Wong said it's important for international students to be ethically recruited and welcomed into the communities where they study. He said he's concerned that some people blame the students for the housing shortages plaguing communities. "It has nothing to do with the international students. They came to a school to get an education. A lot of them want to become part of that community." MORE TOP STORIES Legislation Would Help Cover Cost of Basic Necessities During Critical Reentry Period and Help Reduce New York's High Recidivism Rate ALBANY, N.Y., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a founding member of the Coalition for Reentry Cash, lauded New York Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblymember Edward Gibbs for introducing groundbreaking legislation aimed at transforming the reentry experience by replacing the insufficient amount of 'gate money,' the money people receive when leaving incarceration, with an innovative Reentry Fund. New York-based members of the Coalition for Reentry Cash - CEO, The Fortune Society, The Osborne Association, and Center for Community Alternatives - have been leading the advocacy for the proposed legislation, [S6643A/A9115], which would establish a reentry fund, with an approximate allocation of $2,550 per eligible individual, to empower thousands of New Yorkers to cover basic necessities, such as food, housing costs, and preparation for employment upon release from prison. Currently, the more than 11,000 people who are expected to reenter communities from prisons in New York this year are provided with a meager $40 in "gate money" when they leave incarceration and face strict supervision conditions that generally require them to be able to pay for housing and transportation, along with food and other basic needs. "As the first formerly incarcerated person in the New York State Legislature, I understand the monumental challenges facing those reentering society from our state prisons. Every year, thousands of individuals return to our communities, often with little more than the clothes on their backs," Assemblymember Edward Gibbs stated. This isn't just about financial assistance; it's about dignity, stability, and reducing the likelihood of re-offense. By offering this support, we're not only aiding individuals but also investing in the safety and prosperity of our communities. I urge my colleagues to recognize the transformative potential of the Reform to Gate Money Bill. Together, we can turn the tide on recidivism and pave the way for successful reintegration, ensuring all New Yorkers get a second chance." "Today, people are sent home from prison with $40. It's hardly enough for even a day of food. By replacing the antiquated 'gate money' concept with a dynamic fund that addresses essential needs, we are not only investing in the futures of New Yorkers coming home from incarceration but fostering the creation of safer and more productive communities, " Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities. "We know this approach works. CEO has distributed cash assistance to nearly two thousand New Yorkers through the Returning Citizen Stimulus and the results were transformative. The program evaluation found that recipients primarily used the money to cover things like food, housing, transportation, and essential personal care items. And by not having to worry as much about these basic survival needs, they were more likely to be able to find quality employment and were less likely to end up incarcerated again." Contact: Matt Sutton, Director of Communications [email protected] | (646) 951-4811 SOURCE Center for Employment Opportunities Arlington-Based Powerhouse Real Estate Team Poised for Growth PLANO, Texas, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JPAR - Real Estate, a leading real estate brand, is thrilled to welcome Sixteen100 Realty Group to its growing network. Led by experienced duo Rachael Fierro and Sergio Santiago, Sixteen100 brings a wealth of expertise and a commitment to client satisfaction to the JPAR brand. Sixteen100 boasts a strong track record of success serving homebuyers and sellers throughout the Arlington market and surrounding communities. Earning a reputation for personalized service and a deep understanding of local market dynamics, Sixteen100 Realty Group will maintain its unique branding while highlighting the combined knowledge and resources of the "Powered by JPAR" affiliation. "We are excited to join the JPAR family and leverage their innovative tools and resources to further elevate the level of service our clients expect," said Rachael Fierro, co-lead of Sixteen100 Realty Group. "We were particularly drawn to JPAR's commitment to agent success, alignment with our values, and dedication to building a strong community of real estate professionals." Beyond their business acumen, Sixteen100 is actively involved in the local community, with a dedication to giving back through their participation in the Hispanic Real Estate Broker Association (HREBA). This commitment to community engagement further aligns with JPAR's values of service and collaboration. "We are incredibly proud to welcome Sixteen100 Realty Group to JPAR," said Chris Sears, President, JPAR - Real Estate, Texas. "Their proven track record, commitment to their clients, and involvement in the community perfectly embody the JPAR spirit. We look forward to supporting their continued growth and success." About Sixteen100 Realty Group - Powered by JPAR: Sixteen100 Realty, LLC, is a Texas real estate firm located at 2201 N Collins St, Arlington, TX 76011. Sixteen100 Realty Group provides a wide range of real estate services. Consumers continue to find value in having a real estate professional help them through the home buying and selling process. Buyers and sellers give reviews to the real estate agents for the level of expertise and professionalism they bring to the real estate transaction. View Sixteen100 Realty, LLC Agent Roster. Sixteen100 Realty, LLC has multi-lingual agents: Spanish. Sixteen100 Realty, LLC has multi-cultural agents, including agents from Puerto Rico. Sixteen100 Realty Group may be reached at 817-505-8173 or [email protected]. About JPAR - Real Estate: (www.jpar.com) is a full-service real estate brand and franchise platform offering a highly competitive transaction fee-based model and agent-centric culture. The JPAR platform provides agents seven (7) days-per-week support, a comprehensive tech stack, marketing, lead generation, training, and mentoring. JPAR affiliated owners benefit from compliance review, 1-on-1 consulting, recruiting support, and a peer network of influential industry leaders. The company boasts 3,700 agents operating in 75 offices across 30 states and closes $7.8B annually in sales volume. JPAR is a forward-thinking real estate brokerage focused on empowering real estate professionals to deliver exceptional service and achieve outstanding results. With cutting-edge technology, comprehensive support, and a customer-centric approach, JPAR is committed to transforming the real estate experience for agents and clients alike. SOURCE JPAR - Real Estate Worth the wait, SKYY Vodka & Soda ready-to-drink cocktails come in two new expressions and are gluten-free, vegan and 90 calories. NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SKYY Vodka today announces the U.S. arrival of SKYY Vodka & Soda, an effervescent, fresh-tasting premium canned cocktail available in two citrus-led flavors: Lemon & Elderflower, and Lime & Mint, flavors thoughtfully selected to enhance the freshness and flavor of the real SKYY Vodka in the can. These convenient ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails feature key ingredients including real SKYY Vodka, soda, and natural citrus and botanical flavors, and they are gluten-free, vegan and 90 calories per cocktail. SKYY Vodka & Soda Ready-To-Drink Canned Cocktails: Lime & Mint and Lemon & Elderflower The secret to the elevated taste of SKYY Vodka & Soda is the use of real SKYY Vodka. All SKYY Vodka is quadruple-distilled and triple-filtered for purity, and is made using water enhanced by Pacific Minerals, resulting in even fresher tasting cocktails. In addition, each SKYY Vodka & Soda ready-to-drink beverage is meticulously calibrated to ensure the carbonation is just right. This, combined with the vibrant flavor of fresh citrus zest and hints of aromatic botanicals, provides a crisp, refreshingly light and elevated taste. "Since its inception, SKYY has been dedicated to crafting the most exquisite vodka possible. This commitment extends seamlessly to our carefully curated canned cocktails," said Mark Watson, Senior Category Director at Campari America. "Just like our Founder, Maurice Kanbar, who spent years developing a proprietary distillation and filtration process to produce the smoothest tasting vodka he could find, we continue to take the necessary steps to perfect our products across the entire SKYY portfolio from identifying the best tasting flavor combinations, to ensuring the effervescence of the soda in our RTD's is just right. We're convinced this attention to detail has been worth the wait, and we're excited for consumers to taste the difference in our new SKYY Vodka & Soda ready-to-drink cocktails now available in a convenient can." Debuting in Lime & Mint and Lemon & Elderflower, SKYY Vodka & Soda is available at select off-premise retailers in California, Florida and Texas, and can be found in convenient 355ml, 4-pack cans with an SRP of $10.99. With an emphasis on convenience and sophistication, consumers can now enjoy SKYY Vodka & Soda ready-to-drink cocktails wherever the day or night takes them. No matter how you choose to enjoy SKYY Vodka & Soda, please enjoy responsibly. SKYY Vodka & Soda Lemon & Elderflower. Vodka + Soda + Natural Flavors. 4% alc./vol. (8 Proof). 2024 Campari America, New York, NY. Please enjoy responsibly; PER 12 FL. OZ. (355 ML) - AVERAGE ANALYSIS: CALORIES 90, CARBOHYDRATES 4g, FATS 0g, PROTEINS 0g. SKYY Vodka & Soda Lime & Mint. Vodka + Soda + Natural Flavors. 4% alc./vol. (8 Proof). 2024 Campari America, New York, NY. Please enjoy responsibly; PER 12 FL. OZ. - AVERAGE ANALYSIS: CALORIES 90, CARBOHYDRATES 4g, FATS 0g, PROTEINS 0g. About SKYY Vodka SKYY Vodka was born in San Francisco in 1992 and is steeped with the innovative and progressive spirit of California. Conceived by a first-generation American inventor looking to create the world's smoothest vodka, SKYY revolutionized vodka quality with its proprietary quadruple-distillation and triple-filtration process. Breaking the mold again in 2019, SKYY began making its vodka with water enhanced by minerals, including Pacific Minerals sourced from the San Francisco Bay Area, and filtering through California Limestone for more character and fresher tasting cocktails. Like many things that originate in San Francisco, SKYY's forward-thinking mindset and inclusive values fueled its growth from a tiny startup into what it is today. To learn more, visit SKYY.com. About Campari Group/Campari America Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities. The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. Campari Group has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group is headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, and owns 22 plants worldwide with its own distribution network in 23 countries. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. Campari America LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano N.V. Campari America has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America manages Campari Group's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY Vodka, SKYY Infusions, Grand Marnier, Campari, Aperol, Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon, American Honey, Russell's Reserve, The Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Forty Creek Canadian Whisky, BULLDOG Gin, Cabo Wabo Tequila, Espolon Tequila, Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, Appleton Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew Rum, Coruba Rum, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Frangelico, Cynar, Averna, Braulio, Cinzano, Mondoro and Jean-Marc XO Vodka. 2024 Campari America. New York, NY. Please enjoy responsibly. SOURCE SKYY Vodka SCHEDULE YOUR 10-MINUTE DEMO WITH SOLLUM'S SUN AS A SERVICE CLOUD PLATFORM AND HELP US FEED AMERICA Montreal, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - In a groundbreaking debut at Indoor Ag-Con, Sollum Technologies, the leader in dynamic LED grow light solution, announces its commitment to go beyond revolutionizing indoor agriculture to make a significant impact on the local community by partnering with Three Square, Southern Nevada's only food bank. In a groundbreaking debut at Indoor Ag-Con, Sollum Technologies, the leader in dynamic LED grow light solution, announces its commitment to go beyond revolutionizing indoor agriculture to make a significant impact on the local community by partnering with Three Square, Southern Nevada's only food bank. For each 10-minute demo of its innovative SUN as a Service platform performed during the event, Sollum pledges to donate $ 100 USD directly to Three Square. Sollums goal is to reach or surpass a charitable contribution of $ 3,000 USD, which will contribute to serving approximately 9,000 meals. Attendees are invited to schedule their demos by clicking here or by stopping by our booth (#1206). (CNW Group/Sollum Technologies) For each 10-minute demo of its innovative SUN as a Service platform performed during the event, Sollum pledges to donate $ 100 USD directly to Three Square. Sollum's goal is to reach or surpass a charitable contribution of $ 3,000 USD, which will contribute to serving approximately 9,000 meals. Attendees are invited to schedule their demos by clicking here or by stopping by our booth (#1206). Sollum's unique solution provides unparalleled flexibility and control for greenhouse operators, enhancing plant growth and productivity thanks to fully programmable light recipes. This community initiative reflects Sollum's dedication to societal well-being and the leverage of technology for sustainable development. Three Square, a proud member of Feeding America, works tirelessly to provide wholesome food to hungry people while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. With 1 in 8 Southern Nevadans facing food insecurity and 1 in 6 children living in food-insecure homes, the need for support is more critical than ever. Three Square's extensive network ensures the distribution of food directly to the people, having supplied over 550 million pounds of food since its inception in 2007. "Sollum's participation in Indoor Ag-Con is not only just about showcasing our technology; it's about making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us," said Jenny Zammit, VP of Marketing at Sollum Technologies. "By aligning our demos of our SUN as a Service platform with a cause as vital as Three Square's, we hope to highlight a path towards a hunger-free community in Southern Nevada." Join Sollum Technologies at booth #1206 to experience the future of dynamic LED lighting and contribute to a noble cause. Together, we can achieve a better world for everyone. About Sollum Technologies Sollum Technologies designed the only 100% dynamic LED lighting solution that modulates the full spectrum of the Sun's natural light to illuminate closed environments such as greenhouses, research centers and laboratories. Sollum's award-winning, turnkey solution consists of internet of things, AI-powered light fixtures that are controlled by Sollum's proprietary SUN as a Service cloud platform. Sollum's distinctive proposition is a fully scalable cleantech solution that evolves with business needs and multi-zone light management, with each zone benefiting from automatic dimming of an unlimited number of light recipes; this is why it provides unparalleled value in terms of energy savings and, additionally for greenhouse growers, increased productivity and superior produce quality. Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Montreal (Quebec, Canada), where its design, development, and manufacturing activities are concentrated, and has a representative office in Leamington (Ontario, Canada). For more information, visit sollum.tech. About Three Square Food Bank A national model project inspired by Founder Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is Southern Nevada's only food bank and largest hunger relief organization, serving Las Vegas and all of Clark, Lincoln, Esmeralda and Nye counties. Since opening in 2007, Three Square has provided more than 550 million pounds of food to hundreds of thousands of people in need and earned a reputation as one of the most efficient and effective food banks in the country. Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with businesses, nonprofit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers working together to support food-insecure Southern Nevadans. Last year, Three Square provided nearly 43 million pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 36 million meals, through its network of community partners. A member of the Feeding America network of food banks, Three Square remains committed to its mission of providing wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, or wants to learn more about Three Square's vision of a community where no one is hungry, please connect at threesquare.org, Facebook (@ThreeSquareFoodBank), Instagram (@threesquarelv) and X (@threesquarelv). 2024 Sollum Technologies. All rights reserved. SUN as a Service, LED by nature, SF-ONE, SF-MAX, SF-PRO and the Sollum logo are registered or trademarks of Sollum Technologies. SOURCE Sollum Technologies The centre will amplify Sonata's cutting-edge capabilities in Generative AI and Cybersecurity as well as advance its regional capabilities by enabling close-to-client service delivery KRAKOW, Poland, and BENGALURU, India, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its strategic expansion plans in key markets, Sonata Software (NSE: SONATSOFTW) (BSE: 532221), a leading Modernisation Engineering company, today announced its plan to set up a delivery centre in Krakow, Poland. The nearshore centre will support the growing demands for business transformation, modernisation and cost optimisation initiatives, from global clients in Europe. Poland, with its rich tech talent pool, favorable economic environment, and best-in-class IT infrastructure, emerges as an ideal location for international companies seeking reliable and highly specialized software houses. Sonata Software plans to make significant investment in the delivery centre in Poland with an aim to advance its regional capabilities, to offer enhanced value to its clients by enabling close-to-client service delivery, and to penetrate the European market effectively. Samir Dhir, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Sonata Software said, "We are delighted to announce our delivery centre in Poland, a significant step towards attracting the best modernization engineering talent from the region, as well as towards our client-centric approach and commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence. Sonata will continue to invest in the European region as we witness growth in transformation programs for our solutions and services. The Europe region will continue to be a significant growth driver in enabling us to achieve the $1.5B goal by FY'26." The opening of the delivery centre in Krakow also highlights Sonata's strategic investment in the rapidly expanding field of Generative AI. Sonata Software's Harmoni.AI A Responsible-First AI is gaining significant attention from leading organisations, across the globe. It is designed to ensure trust, privacy, security, compliance, and uncompromising ethics. A Data Governance and Acceleration engine backs it with a choice of using industry-leading LLMs and a consulting framework to enable effective adoption and faster time to market. Anthony Lange, Chief Revenue Officer at Sonata Software said, "There is a need in the European market to further grow the nearshore capabilities to bridge the gap between Onsite-Nearshore-Offshore and to further foster a cutting-edge technology ecosystem designed for the European market and clients. This delivery centre of ours will amplify Sonata's cutting-edge capabilities in Generative AI and Cybersecurity. We plan to invest in a Sonata Software sponsored, university-led Generative AI and Cybersecurity program as well. With plans to expand our team by over 100 professionals this year, we are poised to strengthen our presence further in the region." About Sonata Software In today's market, there is a unique duality in technology adoption. On one side, extreme focus on cost containment by clients, and on the other, deep motivation to modernise their Digital storefronts to attract more consumers and B2B customers. As a leading Modernisation Engineering company, we aim to deliver modernisation-driven hyper-growth for our clients based on the deep differentiation we have created in Modernisation Engineering, powered by our Lightening suite and 16-step Platformation playbook. In addition, we bring agility and systems thinking to accelerate time to market for our clients. Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Sonata has a strong global presence, including key regions US, UK, Europe, APAC, and ANZ. We are a trusted partner of world-leading companies in TMT (Telecom, Media and Technology), Retail & CPG, Manufacturing, BFSI (Banking, Financial Services and Insurance) and HLS (Healthcare and Lifesciences) space. Our bouquet of Modernisation Engineering Services cuts across Cloud, Data, Dynamics, Contact Centres and around newer technologies like Generative AI, MS Fabric, and other modernisation platforms. For more information, please visit https://www.sonata-software.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/689012/4257625/Sonata_Software_Logo.jpg SOURCE Sonata Software DUBLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market size reached USD 1.32 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.94% in the forecast period, reaching USD 1.99 billion The global space debris monitoring, and removal market is gaining significant attention due to the increasing concern over the growing amount of space debris in Earth's orbit. Space debris, also known as space junk, consists of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other fragments resulting from human activities in space. These debris pose a significant threat to operational satellites, spacecraft, and even the International Space Station (ISS). The market for space debris monitoring and removal is driven by the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and to mitigate the risks associated with space debris collisions. Monitoring systems, such as ground-based radars and space-based sensors, are used to track and catalog space debris, providing crucial data for space agencies and operators to assess collision risks and plan avoidance maneuvers. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on developing technologies and strategies for space debris removal. Various methods are being explored, including active debris removal (ADR) missions, where dedicated spacecraft are deployed to capture and deorbit space debris, and passive debris removal techniques, such as designing satellites with built-in deorbiting capabilities. The market is also witnessing collaborations between space agencies, private companies, and research institutions to develop innovative solutions for space debris monitoring and removal. For example, the European Space Agency (ESA) has initiated the Clean Space initiative, which aims to develop technologies and techniques for debris removal and sustainable space operations. However, the space debris monitoring, and removal market faces several challenges. These include the high costs associated with developing and deploying debris removal missions, the complexity of capturing and deorbiting space debris, and the need for international cooperation and regulatory frameworks to address the issue on a global scale. In conclusion, the global space debris monitoring, and removal market is driven by the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities and mitigate the risks posed by space debris. The market is witnessing advancements in monitoring systems and the development of innovative technologies for debris removal. Collaboration between space agencies, private companies, and research institutions is crucial for addressing the challenges and ensuring the effective management of space debris. Key Market Drivers Increasing Space Activities Drivers: Growing Space Activities: The rise in satellite launches and space missions has led to a buildup of space debris, necessitating effective monitoring and removal solutions. The rise in satellite launches and space missions has led to a buildup of space debris, necessitating effective monitoring and removal solutions. Risk to Satellites: Operational satellites face significant risks from collisions with space debris, impacting critical services such as communication and weather forecasting. Operational satellites face significant risks from collisions with space debris, impacting critical services such as communication and weather forecasting. Safety of the ISS: The International Space Station (ISS) is constantly at risk of collisions with space debris, highlighting the need for monitoring and removal efforts to ensure crew safety. The International Space Station (ISS) is constantly at risk of collisions with space debris, highlighting the need for monitoring and removal efforts to ensure crew safety. Regulatory Initiatives: Governments and space agencies are initiating regulations to promote space debris monitoring and removal, encouraging technological advancements in the field. Technological Advancements: Improved Monitoring Technologies: Advances in ground-based radars, space-based sensors, and optical telescopes enable more accurate tracking and cataloging of space debris. Advances in ground-based radars, space-based sensors, and optical telescopes enable more accurate tracking and cataloging of space debris. Innovative Removal Techniques: Development of capture mechanisms such as robotic arms, nets, and harpoons for active debris removal missions, along with passive removal methods like built-in deorbiting capabilities in satellites. Commercial Space Industry Growth: Increased Satellite Deployment: The growth of the commercial space industry, including satellite constellations and space tourism, amplifies the need for space debris monitoring and removal. The growth of the commercial space industry, including satellite constellations and space tourism, amplifies the need for space debris monitoring and removal. Sustainability Awareness: Stakeholders recognize the importance of space sustainability, driving demand for debris monitoring and removal technologies. Collaborative Efforts: International Cooperation: Collaboration between space agencies, private companies, and research institutions facilitates resource-sharing and technology development for effective debris management. Collaboration between space agencies, private companies, and research institutions facilitates resource-sharing and technology development for effective debris management. Partnerships for Solutions: Joint initiatives and partnerships aid in the development of global frameworks and standards for space debris management. Key Market Challenges Complex Nature of Space Debris: Variety of Debris: Space debris comprises diverse objects, varying in size, shape, and composition, posing challenges for tracking and removal efforts. Space debris comprises diverse objects, varying in size, shape, and composition, posing challenges for tracking and removal efforts. Dynamic Orbital Paths: Changing trajectories of debris require constant monitoring and adjustment of removal strategies, adding complexity to cleanup operations. High Costs and Limited Resources: Investment Requirements: Monitoring and removal efforts incur significant costs for technology development, infrastructure deployment, and spacecraft missions, necessitating collaboration to share financial burdens. Monitoring and removal efforts incur significant costs for technology development, infrastructure deployment, and spacecraft missions, necessitating collaboration to share financial burdens. Resource Constraints: Limited resources for tracking and removal, including coverage and sensitivity limitations of current monitoring systems and capacity constraints for debris removal missions. International Cooperation and Legal Frameworks: Diverse National Interests: Varying national interests, policies, and priorities can hinder consensus on monitoring and removal strategies, requiring international cooperation. Varying national interests, policies, and priorities can hinder consensus on monitoring and removal strategies, requiring international cooperation. Regulatory Evolution: Evolving legal and regulatory frameworks necessitate clear guidelines and standards for satellite operators and removal missions, requiring collaboration among stakeholders. Technological Limitations: Tracking Challenges: Difficulty in tracking small debris particles and accurately predicting their trajectories presents technological hurdles. Difficulty in tracking small debris particles and accurately predicting their trajectories presents technological hurdles. Removal Complexity: Capturing and deorbiting large debris objects require advanced robotics and spacecraft technologies, challenging current capabilities. Space Traffic Management: Increased Complexity: Growing satellite deployments heighten the complexity of space traffic management, necessitating effective protocols and systems for collision avoidance. Growing satellite deployments heighten the complexity of space traffic management, necessitating effective protocols and systems for collision avoidance. Planning Protocols: Developing collision avoidance protocols and maneuver planning frameworks becomes essential for safe space operations. Public Awareness and Funding: Visibility Challenge: Space debris is often an invisible issue to the public, requiring efforts to raise awareness about its risks and consequences. Space debris is often an invisible issue to the public, requiring efforts to raise awareness about its risks and consequences. Funding Needs: Securing adequate funding for monitoring and removal initiatives is crucial for addressing space debris challenges effectively. Key Market Trends Advancements in Monitoring Technologies: Sophisticated Sensors: Ground-based radars, space-based sensors, and optical telescopes are becoming more advanced, enabling better tracking and cataloging of space debris. Ground-based radars, space-based sensors, and optical telescopes are becoming more advanced, enabling better tracking and cataloging of space debris. Automated Analysis: Integration of AI and ML technologies allows for automated analysis of vast amounts of data, enhancing tracking accuracy and efficiency. Focus on Removal Solutions: Active Debris Removal: Development of capture mechanisms and spacecraft missions for active debris removal, alongside passive removal techniques integrated into satellite designs. Technological Innovations: Advancements in robotics and spacecraft technologies drive innovation in debris removal solutions, aiming for safer and more efficient cleanup operations. Collaborative Initiatives: Global Partnerships: Collaboration between stakeholders fosters the sharing of resources, expertise, and technologies for effective debris management. Collaboration between stakeholders fosters the sharing of resources, expertise, and technologies for effective debris management. Regulatory Cooperation: International cooperation leads to the development of global guidelines and standards for space debris monitoring and removal. Sustainability Awareness: Growing Recognition: Stakeholders increasingly recognize the importance of space sustainability, fueling demand for technologies and initiatives addressing space debris challenges. Stakeholders increasingly recognize the importance of space sustainability, fueling demand for technologies and initiatives addressing space debris challenges. Public Engagement: Efforts to raise public awareness about space debris risks and consequences drive support for funding and initiatives in the field. Competitive Landscape Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market. Airbus SAS Altius Space Machines, Inc. Astroscale Holdings Inc. D-Orbit SpA Lockheed Martin Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation PAO S.P. Korolev RSC Energia The Boeing Company Report Scope Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market, By Purpose: Space Debris Removal Space Debris Monitoring Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market, By Debris Size: Larger than 10 cm Between 1 and 10 cm Between 1 mm and 1 cm Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market, By End Use: Commercial Defense Space Debris Monitoring and Removal Market, By Region: North America United States Canada Mexico Europe & CIS & CIS Germany Spain France Russia Italy United Kingdom Belgium Asia-Pacific China India Japan Indonesia Thailand Australia South Korea South America Brazil Argentina Colombia Middle East & Africa & Turkey Iran Saudi Arabia UAE For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fmp237 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. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets 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 [email protected] www.leaderspress.com SOURCE LibraryBub 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 Experienced Investment Management Leader to Identify Growth Opportunities for Advisors, Stratos Investment Management BEACHWOOD, Ohio, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratos Wealth Holdings, (Stratos), a family of companies focused on supporting the growth of financial advisors across business models and affiliation structures, today announced the appointment of Brian L. Sullivan as Head of Distribution for Stratos Investment Management. He will help the Stratos' advisors identify and leverage growth opportunities available through Stratos Investment Management. Stratos Investment Management, formerly Fundamentum, is Stratos' affiliated portfolio manager and investment support registered investment advisor ("RIA"). "Brian has decades of experience identifying and executing growth strategies for financial advisors, enhancing practice management and implementing asset management solutions," said Phil Nuttall, Chief Operating Officer of Stratos Wealth Holdings. "We look forward to having him support our family of independent financial advisors." Sullivan began his financial services career as an Investment Associate at Ormond Reinsurance. Sullivan joined Stratos from Putnam Investments where he was most recently the Central Region Director responsible for managing financial advisor relationships in an 18-state region. Sullivan said, "The demands on an advisor's time continue to grow, which presents challenges in managing operations, portfolios and relationships. My role at Stratos is to alleviate that pressure so advisors can focus on what matters most in growing their business which is supporting their clients." About Stratos Wealth Holdings Stratos Wealth Holdings is a family of companies focused on supporting the growth of financial advisors across business models and affiliation structures. Stratos companies include registered investment advisors Stratos Wealth Partners, Stratos Wealth Advisors, and Stratos Investment Management. Media Inquiries Donald Cutler or Lorene Yue Haven Tower Group 424.317.4856 or 424.317.4854 [email protected] or [email protected] SOURCE Stratos Wealth Holdings Tampa General Hospital is among just three organizations in Florida to achieve Top 100 ranking. TAMPA, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Forbes Magazine released its annual rankings of America's Best Large Employers, and Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is ranked #83 on the national list. Tampa General is one of just three Florida-based organizations of the top 100 on the list and the #1 health care organization in Tampa Bay. "At Tampa General, we're pursuing innovation and driving breakthroughs, and these efforts to transform health care require a talented, experienced and driven team," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "I believe that when we invest in our team, demonstrate that they are valued, provide support and resources to meet their needs, and welcome feedback and suggestions, our team members are best positioned to do their best. Putting our team members first is what allows us to achieve operational excellence and provide exceptional care to our patients." Tampa General Hospital is one of the nation's leading academic health systems. During the last year, the system has expanded its geographic footprint beyond Tampa and Palm Beach to include locations stretching from Citrus and Hernando to Charlotte counties. There are currently more than 14,000 team members and providers across 150 care locations in Florida. Tampa General prioritizes the team that contributes to the operational excellence of its academic health system. Initiatives to support the team extend well beyond salary, traditional benefits and schedule flexibility to include programs that align with the needs of the workforce. With a focus on authenticity, transparency, kindness and vulnerability, Tampa General invites suggestions from team members and works to offer the resources and support they need to do their best work. Team members can communicate needs, ask questions and offer feedback through multiple channels of communication. Opportunities include quarterly executive-led forums, surveys, direct messaging with the entity and system leadership including the CEO, and routine leader rounding with team members. The open feedback loop and ongoing exchange of information has directly contributed to initiatives such as the People Development Institute (PDI) in partnership with the USF Muma College of Business. Team members at all levels, regardless of their role, can access development courses through PDI at no cost to them. Feedback from team members has also contributed to an updated compensation and benefits structure designed to prioritize mental health free to all team members and dependents. TGH's Team Member Emergency Fund offers resources and support for challenges that team members face outside of work. The fund has supplied computers and school supplies to team members and their families in preparedness for school. The fund has also supported team members who needed resources for home repairs due to hurricane damage. When gas prices were high, the fund allowed the health system to distribute gas cards to provide financial assistance due to an unexpected economic peak. Additionally, the fund provides support for unexpected day to day expenses, such as vehicle repairs, because Tampa General knows that it is important for our team members to not only be fully present at work, but also fully present in their personal lives. "Each team member plays an essential role in our organization, our ability to care for patients and our journey to transform health care. That's why we work to support their unique needs and empower them to succeed," said Qualenta Kivett, executive vice president and chief people and talent officer at Tampa General. "We're honored to be listed among America's Best Large Employers by Forbes. This recognition reflects the meaning of our work to the team we serve." Forbes selected Tampa General as one of America's Best Large Employers 2024 based on an independent survey of more than 170,000 U.S. employees from all industry sectors working for companies employing at least 5,000 people within the United States. Over 3.5 million employer evaluations were considered. The America's Best Large Employers 2024 title reinforces Tampa General Hospital's reputation as an exceptional employer. The ranking in Forbes Magazine among America's Best Large Employers is the latest in a series of recognitions earned by Tampa General for its dedication to team members. Other accolades include Forbes Top 25 America's Best Employers by State, Forbes Top 100 America's Best Employers for Women and Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News and World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org. Media Contact: Amanda Bevis (202) 680-9262 (cell) [email protected] SOURCE Tampa General Hospital Paul Givan said costs of uniform could be a barrier to certain schools for some people Northern Ireland's education minister has said he intends to launch a public consultation on introducing a price cap for school uniforms. Paul Givan of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was speaking in the assembly on Tuesday. Members were debating a Sinn Fein motion calling for the minister to "make school uniforms more affordable". The consultation will also look at placing current guidance for schools on uniform policy into legislation. The minister said he had been advised by officials his department "will be in a position to consult in late spring of this year", adding that he was "keen that we will be in a position to take decisions later in the year". Mr Givan told assembly members there was statutory guidance on school uniforms in other parts of the UK but not in the Republic of Ireland. "There is no price cap in place anywhere on these islands. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do it," he added. "I believe it is something that we should be looking at, and that's why it will be part of the consultation that I will be putting forward in terms of the introduction of a price cap, because we do need to look at this issue. "The guidance currently is there for schools to follow. I will be moving now to a consultation process to place that guidance on a statutory footing. That will include looking at the issue of a price cap." He added: "The costs associated with uniforms should never be a barrier to what school you go to, and sadly for some parents, it is a consideration that they are having to take into account. "I believe that's wrong, and we need to make sure that there isn't any barrier in place when it comes to what school you go to." National homebuilder celebrates Women in Construction Week with team member stories and new workforce statistics SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the construction industry remains male-dominated, Taylor Morrison, America's Most Trusted Home Builder, is breaking barriers with an increasing number of women in its workforce. In honor of this year's Women in Construction Week, celebrated March 39, Taylor Morrison is highlighting women in construction roles to recognize their contributions while releasing new workforce statistics. Taylor Morrison continues to see a growing number of women pursuing construction roles and experiencing immense career growth opportunities. As of March 2024, Taylor Morrison reported: A 185 percent increase in women in construction roles over the last five years. Women make up 44 percent of Taylor Morrison's overall workforcefour times the construction industry average of 11 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Taylor Morrison's Chairman and CEO is a part of the 10 percent of women CEOs on the Fortune 500. The company's board of directors boasts an equal male-to-female ratio, the highest in the industry. "While women in construction roles could be seen as unconventional by the industry's historical standards, we are experiencing meaningful movement of women choosing a fulfilling career in construction at Taylor Morrison," said Taylor Morrison Chairman and CEO Sheryl Palmer. "Oftentimes people need to see themselves in key roles before going after something new, and Taylor Morrison is proof that people from all walks of life, experiences and perspectives can enjoy this rewarding career path." Amber Reynolds began her construction career seemingly by fate after being assigned a position for a commercial real estate company from a temp agency, where she fell in love with the dynamic atmosphere the industry provides. Over her 25-year career, Reynolds has served as a starts coordinator, land coordinator and construction administration manager. Today, and as a division cadence manager, Reynolds leads weekly production meetings, enforces safety protocols, ensures the division is meeting its metrics, and supports the field team. "The construction industry is fast-paced and inspiring," said Reynolds. "I love contributing to construction transformations and delivering beautiful homes with our team. I encourage women entering the construction field to always stand confident, ask questions and connect with a mentor." Tampa-based Superintendent Brittany McConnell is the first Build-to-Rent Superintendent in Taylor Morrison's Florida markets. Inspired by the strong women leadership at Taylor Morrison, she found her way to Taylor Morrison in 2023 and is now building the very first Yardly built by Taylor Morrison community in Florida. "I like being able to drive by my neighborhood and show my kids what I've built," said McConnell. "Before I got into construction, I didn't know any women in the industry. We're often put into a box, but women are far more capable in construction roles than what people might expect." Hope MacRonald, Construction Project Supervisor in Charlotte, knew from a young age that she wanted to work in the construction industry and has childhood memories of her building tree houses, forts and barns. MacRonald has since achieved those dreams and joined Taylor Morrison in 2022 where she has already earned two promotions. When asked what advice she would give women looking to enter the construction industry, MacRonald said: "I encourage women pursuing a construction career to understand that they deserve a seat at the table, alongside their male counterparts. It's important for women to remain confident and always take the opportunity to learn and grow." To read more team member stories, please visit the Taylor Morrison blog. About Taylor Morrison Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taylor Morrison is one of the nation's leading homebuilders and developers. We serve a wide array of consumers from coast to coast, including first-time, move-up, luxury and resort lifestyle homebuyers and renters under our family of brandsincluding Taylor Morrison, Esplanade, Darling Homes Collection by Taylor Morrison and Yardly. From 2016-2024, Taylor Morrison has been recognized as America's Most Trusted Builder by Lifestory Research. Our strong commitment to sustainability, our communities and our team is highlighted in our latest annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. For more information about Taylor Morrison, please visit www.taylormorrison.com. CONTACT: Erin Kristick (480) 840-8108 [email protected] SOURCE Taylor Morrison 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), technetium99m (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 99m Tc. 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] ; (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 ; US$15.0 million (approximately AU$23.0 million) upfront consideration payable in cash at closing; (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 (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: [email protected] 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 Mexico's original luxury tequila serves up a star-studded cast of signature cocktails featuring flavors from Modern Mexico that will take center stage during the 96th Oscars NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive year, Tequila Don Julio is proud to be partnering with the Governors Ball, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' official party following the 96th Oscars ceremony on March 10, 2024. To celebrate Hollywood's most iconic stars during the milestone evening, Tequila Don Julio will serve up a specialty bar experience curated by two of the world's most renowned cocktail connoisseurs: Globally Acclaimed Mixologist Charles Joly and Mexico's 2023 World Class Bartender of the Year Israel Baron. An award-winning mixologist himself, Charles is collaborating with Israel, one of Mexico City's most notable bartenders, for the first time ever to bring the flavors of Modern Mexico into this year's cocktail offerings. 1942 Encore Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9255051-tequila-don-julio-toasts-stars-oscars-governors-ball/ Crafted in the Highlands of Jalisco, Tequila Don Julio is an iconic brand from Mexico and celebrates those who live out their craft Por Amor (for love) every day. This year's luxury lineup of signature cocktails pays homage to Mexico, spotlighting its authentic and deeply powerful culture, landscape and people through a striking presentation and distinct flavor profiles that combine classic and modern Mexican ingredients. With these cocktails, Tequila Don Julio invites you to raise a glass to milestone moments. "Tequila Don Julio is the epitome of celebration so it was only appropriate to embrace the night with award-worthy cocktails curated with the luxury tequila's versatile offerings," says Charles Joly. "While the cocktails work cohesively together, they each stand on their own as a signature drink featuring diverse styles of serves and a range of exquisite flavor profiles honoring modern Mexico." Hollywood's biggest night brings together the film industry's most distinguished figures for a night of unforgettable milestones and celebration, which is deserving of a luxury drinks experience that only Tequila Don Julio can serve up as the iconic spirit for all milestone celebrations. To prepare for this important evening, Joly and Baron, along with their highly skilled team, pushed bounds to curate a cocktail experience fitting for the star-studded night. The A-list cast of cocktails includes It's Showtime featuring Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Round of Applause made with Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel, Written in the Stars with Tequila Don Julio Rosado, and 1942 Encore spotlighting Tequila Don Julio 1942. Those tuning into the awards from home that want to sip like the stars can mix up a signature Tequila Don Julio cocktail for guests at their at-home viewing party. It's Showtime is an elevated twist on a quintessential margarita offering a delicious balance of citrus and sweetness that's guaranteed to be the star of the show. Round of Applause is an elegant martini-style serve featuring herbal Mexican ingredients that let the cocktail's savory notes shine. It's Showtime Ingredients: 1.5 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco 1 oz Pineapple Coriander Tincture .5 oz Agave Nectar .5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice Preparation: Combine Tequila Don Julio, pineapple coriander tincture, agave honey and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain over large ice cube into Collins glass rimmed with salt and pink peppercorn. Round of Applause Ingredients: 1 oz Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel 1 oz Herb-Infused Bianco Vermouth 10 drops Chocolate Bitters 3 dashes Orange Bitters Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled Coupe glass. Whether walking down the red carpet or tuning in from a personal screen, Tequila Don Julio encourages genuine and responsible celebrations this award season. As we raise a glass to Hollywood's biggest night, Tequila Don Julio is proud to donate in support of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Ball for the seventh consecutive year. ABOUT TEQUILA DON JULIO Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. The original luxury tequila of choice in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino, Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel, Tequila Don Julio Rosado, Tequila Don Julio 1942, and Tequila Don Julio Ultima Reserva. For more information on Tequila Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com. SOURCE Tequila Don Julio Ham Expected to be in Eighty Percent of Easter Celebrations ATLANTA, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Easter is just around the corner and The Honey Baked Ham Company, the iconic name in premium hams and delectable feasts, once again delivers timeless taste to gatherings big and small with its Easter menu. Front and center is HoneyBaked's signature ham with its sweet and crunchy glaze. Recent research found ham is the most sought-after menu item on family's tables for Easter, with more than 80 percent of U.S. households serving the classic Easter centerpiece. Signature Honey Baked Ham Meal "Easter is a time of joy and togetherness, and the majority of those hosting Easter this year will have ham at those celebrations," said Tripp McLaughlin, CMO of The Honey Baked Ham Company. "Easter has always been a major occasion for HoneyBaked. Hundreds of our Master Glazers will prepare hams using precision, fire torches, and HoneyBaked's secret blend of ingredients to make every bite a celebration for families across the country." Ham Remains a Tradition for First-Time Hosts Research found first-time hosts plan to maintain family traditions by serving ham, however, many are changing up the ways the holiday is brought to life, including: 60% of first-time Easter hosts said they plan to include friends in their Easter gatherings, instead of limiting the guest list to family only. Nearly half of first-time hosts said their Easter celebrations will include a casual, buffet- or family-style meal, making Easter more of a laid-back affair than it has traditionally been. Millennials were the most likely to be hosting Easter celebrations for the first time this year, suggesting they are taking over the hosting duties from their parents and grandparents. 91% of first-time hosts said Easter traditions are important to them, suggesting they will carry on key family traditions even as they incorporate new ones. No matter what your celebration looks like, HoneyBaked is here to inspire hosts with tips and advice for serving the perfectly glazed Easter ham as part of their complete meals, as well as other menu items like Take & Bake Sliders and Take & Bake Ham & Cheddar Biscuits. Both are easy to enjoy at any time during your Easter celebration. "I often get asked how to cook a Honey Baked Ham and the good news is, there's no need," said Brian Heffern, HoneyBaked Master Glazer. "Our Honey Baked Ham is fully cooked, pre-sliced, and ready to eat. The best way to serve is to remove it from the refrigerator around 30 minutes before you expect guests to arrive. If you prefer your ham warmed, make sure to only heat it by the slice so it stays moist, tender, and flavorful. Just heat each pound of slices for 10 minutes at 275 degrees." Easter Menu Offerings HoneyBaked is excited to announce its seasonal menu, which elevates entertaining and promises to leave friends and family full and happy. The menu includes: Signature Honey Baked Ham Meal: A bone-in-half ham topped with HoneyBaked's signature sweet and crunchy glaze. Choose from four Heat & Serve sides such as Maple Sweet Potato Souffle, Double Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese, Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin, or Baked Cinnamon Apples. A bone-in-half ham topped with HoneyBaked's signature sweet and crunchy glaze. Choose from four Heat & Serve sides such as Maple Sweet Potato Souffle, Double Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese, Cheesy Potatoes Au Gratin, or Baked Cinnamon Apples. Half Boneless Ham Meal: A boneless half ham topped with HoneyBaked's signature sweet and crunchy glaze. Choose from four Heat & Serve sides. A boneless half ham topped with HoneyBaked's signature sweet and crunchy glaze. Choose from four Heat & Serve sides. Take & Bake Ham & Cheddar Biscuits: Take & Bake biscuits feature Honey Baked Ham & cheddar cheese generously piled on eight Southern-style buttermilk biscuits and topped with savory Garlic Herb Butter and Sweet Honey Glaze Sauce. Just bake for 20 minutes. Take & Bake biscuits feature Honey Baked Ham & cheddar cheese generously piled on eight Southern-style buttermilk biscuits and topped with savory Garlic Herb Butter and Sweet Honey Glaze Sauce. Just bake for 20 minutes. Take & Bake Sliders: A 12-pack of sliders available in two flavors, original Ham & Swiss, or savory Garlic Herb Turkey & Cheddar. Both served on King's Hawaiian Rolls and ready in 20 minutes. The full menu is available at your nearest HoneyBaked location. Visit honeybaked.com to find your nearest store. To make sure you are ready for your Easter gatherings, HoneyBaked encourages customers to order online no later than March 29 to pick up in-store on March 30. Survey Methodology This random survey of 1,000 Americans who celebrate Easter was commissioned by The Honey Baked Ham Company between February 16-21, 2023. It was conducted by market research company SWNS Media Group. About The Honey Baked Ham Company For more than 65 years, The Honey Baked Ham Company has provided customers and their families with delightful food to enjoy for all of life's special moments. HoneyBaked's origins began when founder Harry J. Hoenselaar patented a spiral-slicing ham machine, making way for the first HoneyBaked Store in Detroit, Michigan. Since that momentous opening in 1957, the family-owned company has grown to more than 400 locations nationwide, serving its signature spiral-sliced Honey Baked Ham with sweet and crunchy glaze, premium turkey breast, heat & serve sides, desserts, sandwiches, and most recently, delicious take & bake sliders and biscuits. Offering convenient meals using the best ingredients, HoneyBaked will make every occasion a little more memorable, whether you're dining in store, picking up or ordering online. For more information visit www.honeybaked.com and connect on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest and TikTok . SOURCE The Honey Baked Ham Co FLORHAM PARK, N.J., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Money Store has announced that top-producing mortgage loan originator John Abraham and his team have joined the mortgage lending firm. Abraham's home financing experience spans 34 years, and he has consistently been ranked among the top 200 mortgage originators in the nation by industry publications Mortgage Executive Magazine and Scotsman Guide. In his new role as Vice President, Producing Branch Manager based in Illinois, Abraham will serve as a sales leader, mortgage originator and driver of loan volume growth. Top 200 mortgage loan originator John Abraham recently joined The Money Store as Vice President, Producing Branch Manager. "It's important to me to be part of a company that combines an efficient lending platform with an authentic and supportive atmosphere. I've been impressed with The Money Store's transparent loan process, streamlined operations and highly competitive rates," said Abraham. "What truly sets them apart, however, is their dedication to cultivating a personal culture where team members are empowered to succeed. I'm thrilled to join this dynamic firm where integrity, collaboration and excellence are not just buzzwords but a reality." Prior to joining The Money Store, Abraham was a producing manager at Caliber Home Loans, where he established himself as one of the top producers in the Midwest during his 10-year tenure. In 2022, he was ranked No. 6 in the state of Illinois by Scotsman Guide for annual number of loans closed. Before joining Caliber, he was a vice president and producing manager for nearly 13 years at National City Mortgage. "We're excited to welcome John Abraham and his team to The Money Store," said Peter Alvarez, Chief Operations Officer at The Money Store. "John is a top sales leader in the Midwest, and his integrity, dedication to his team and sustained excellence perfectly align with our company. Our business model is a perfect fit for his business, and we are excited to continue our growth with John and his team on board. We look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with John and his group and will support them in any way we can to continue their success." MLD Mortgage, Inc. dba The Money Store, is a leading mortgage lending institution dedicated to providing personalized financial solutions and exceptional service to clients from coast to coast. About The Money Store: The Money Store is a direct mortgage lender headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, and is licensed in 47 states. The company offers a wide range of mortgage programs to meet the needs of homebuyers and homeowners while also providing low rates and superior customer service. The Money Store's online-based service model includes a secure application process that tracks every step from inquiry to closing. Visit them online at www.themoneystore.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Peter Alvarez ([email protected]) or call 973-295-3511. SOURCE The Money Store DUBLIN, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Next Wave of No-Alcohol Beverages in the U.S. 2023" report from Beverage Marketing has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. From alkaline waters, alcohol alternatives, cannabis drinks and kids drinks to plant-based waters, probiotics and yerba mate guayusa (and all the many many innovative segments from a-z), this report looks at the segments and brands that are invigorating the marketplace. It scrutinizes the always-changing beverage industry, identifying and quantifying emerging and niche non-alcoholic beverage categories, discussing companies of growing significance and describing what could be the next big thing. It also looks at the consumer market drivers and other factors that are inspiring entrepreneurial spirit, impacting innovation, functionality and new product development. The Answers You Need In an industry where evolution and innovation are constants, this report provides in-depth analysis of ways innovation is changing the beverage landscape through the emergence of new categories and brands. It also provides an overview of defining trends spurring developments in new categories. It also looks at the fast-growing liquid refreshment beverage companies, discusses their performance and indicates what makes them noteworthy. Report Features Get a comprehensive overview of several fledgling beverage segments, some of which are poised to become the next big thing. For added market perspective, the entrepreneurial brands that comprise the burgeoning beverage categories are anchored in the context of more-established beverage market. To provide context to the research findings, the report discusses factors that have led to the development of new beverage segments despite the relative maturity of the packaged beverage market as a whole. Backed by reliable, all-sales-channel-inclusive data, readers get a thorough understanding of key facets of emerging beverage markets including: Analysis of industry trends and quantification of emerging non-alcoholic beverage categories and sub-segments. Discussion of the types of companies driving innovation - from the traditional large beverage companies to entrepreneurs. Insight from our up and coming market research analysts' on the factors driving innovation into new beverage types. Analysis of niche and emerging segments including high-end water, cannabis-infused beverages, gut health, premium sodas, mixers and alcohol alternatives, dairy alternatives, premium ready-to-drink teas, coconut water, essence waters, kombucha, HPP/cleanses, ready-to-drink protein drinks, meal replacement, shots, functional beverages, probiotics, energy drinks, premium kids' beverages, ready-to-drink coffee and more. Discussion of companies with distinctive brands in each nascent and new segment. Our up and coming beverage companies market research analysis takes on the brands to watch in the various non-alcohol sectors and what they are doing to differentiate themselves. It also discusses the strengths of various emerging brands and categories and the challenges they'll face going forward. Questions answered include: What new categories are enlivening the U.S. beverage market? How big are these emerging sectors and why are they worthy of being on your radar? What trends characterize the various up-and-coming beverage types entering the marketplace? Which companies enjoy the backing of industry veterans and strong financial resources, and which do not? Which beverage companies and brands show the most promise for success in the competitive U.S. marketplace? Which companies could become takeover targets in the near future? THE NEXT WAVE OF NO-ALCOHOL BEVERAGE COMPANIES HIGH-END WATER Overview Sparkling ICE Zen WTR Liquid Death Path Icelandic Glacial Flow Water Proud Source/Source Global blk Nirvana Springs Alkaline88 Aquahydrate Eternal Voss Perfect Hydration Just Water Boxed Water is Better Richard's Rainwater Rambler Sparkling Water Evamor Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water Hawaii Volcanic Hy Vida HFactor Aqua Carpatica Jove Rebel Beverage Labs (Loftiwater) Splendor DAIRY AND DAIRY ALTERNATIVE BEVERAGES Overview Califia Farms Ripple Foods Oatly SunOpta Saputo A2 Milk Alexandre Family Farm Sproud New Barn Malk Three Trees Milkadamia Mooala Elmhurst 1925 Milked Koita Panos Farms Borden Dairy Hart Dairy Spylt NotCo Strive Altmilks/Perfect Day TurtleTree Imagindairy Numilk Minor Figures Nutpods Good Karma Oatbox Hope & Sesame Oddlygood (Valio) Hazelicious SODAS Overview Zevia Tractor Soda Reed's Boylan's Jones Soda Dry Soda Sprecher Maine Root Bruce Cost Ginger Ale Cheerwine Grown-up Soda (GuS) United Sodas of America Fresquita Original New York Seltzer Clearly Canadian Bundaberg New Wave Soda Uncle Waithley's Vincy Brew Green Bee Soda JUICE Overview Bolthouse Farms Calypso Lemonade Sambazon Bossa Nova Zola Acai Mamma Chia Ralph & Charlie's Cheribundi Uncle Matt's Organics Natalie's Orchid Island Swoon Sol-Ti De La Calle Tepache Ruby Hibiscus Water Cawston Press Barfresh Group Chiki Chiki Boom Boom Boom Agua Bonita Gunna Poppilu Antioxidant Lemonade Smart Pressed Juice Pressed New Tree Fruit Co. Better Juice Phyll Fruitish, Krisp Flavas Orange Toucan Moringa HYDRATION/ENHANCED WATER Overview Prime Hydration Electrolit Revitalyte Biolyte Recover 180 Roar Organic BioSteel Lemon Perfect Waterdrop Ready Nutrition A-Game Hoist Coco5 Greater Than DripDrop SOS Hydration Hydrant Barcode Nooma Halo Play Mode BYLT Berri Fit Dyla Brands (Stur Liquid Water Enhancer) (Stur Liquid Water Enhancer) Local Weather Leisure Project Wet Hydration Smootch READY-TO-DRINK TEA Overview AriZona Milo's Famous Sweet Tea Joe Tea Just Ice Tea Sweet Leaf/Tradewinds Seven Teas Saint James Tea Humanitea Shaka Tea EquiTea Brooklyn Best Halfday Twrl Minna Argo Tea MatchaBar Moonshine Sweet Tea Ryl Weird Tea Bad Tea Unsweet Organics TeaOnic HopTea/HopLark Rishi Thaiwala Bhakti Chai Bos Rooibos Cusa Powdered Tea Tea Drops Sarilla Draft Tea Doc's Tea Dona Chai Zest Tea Tea of a Kind 8th Wonder Enroot Leelanau Ku Cha Yaupon Teahouse & Apothecary Ilex Organics/Yaupon Brothers PLANT-BASED WATERS Overview Vita Coco Zico Harmless Harvest C2O Obrigado Coconut Water Blue Monkey Waikoko Taja Coconut CoAqua Coconut Water Eliya Coconut Water Buddha Brands Once Upon a Coconut 100 Coconuts Genius Juice Treo Fruit & Birch Water & Birch Water Sap! Sapsucker True Nopal Cactus Water Caliwater Pricklee Pickle Juice Tsamma Watermelon/Sarah's Homegrown Bhoomi Cane Water Reveal Mela Water KoKoMio ESSENCE WATERS Overview Hint Water LaCroix/Curate Waterloo Sparkling Spindrift Hal's Seltzer Sound Sparkling Water Sanzo Heywell KOMBUCHA Overview GT's Kombucha Health-Ade Brew Dr. Kombucha Humm Kombucha Revive Kombucha Better Booch + Live Kombucha Remedy Drinks Marin Kombucha Buchi Rise Kombucha Rowdy Mermaid Mobtown Fermentation (Wild Bay Kombucha) Aqua ViTea WhaleBird Element KTonic Greenbelt Bear's Fruit BKE Kombucha Town Holy Kombucha Cove Walker Brothers For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nuznhu 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. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets PITTSBURGH, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) expects to issue financial results for the first quarter of 2024 at approximately 6:45 a.m. (ET), Tuesday, April 16, as previously announced. PNC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William S. Demchak and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Robert Q. Reilly will hold a conference call for investors the same day at 10 a.m. (ET). Separately, PNC will hold its Annual Meeting of Shareholders at 11 a.m. (ET), Wednesday, April 24, in a virtual-only format. Event details are as follows: First Quarter 2024 Earnings Investor Conference Call: Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m. (ET) Dial-in numbers: (866) 604-1697and (215) 268-9875 (international). A link to the live audio webcast, presentation slides, earnings release and supplementary financial information will be accessible at www.pnc.com/investorevents ; a webcast replay will be available for 30 days. ; a webcast replay will be available for 30 days. Conference call replay will be available for one week at (877) 660-6853 and (201) 612-7415, Access ID 13744434. 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: Wednesday, April 24, at 11 a.m. (ET) Meeting Access: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/PNC2024 The 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be a virtual-only meeting held via webcast. Shareholders as of the close of business on the record date of Feb. 2, 2024 , are invited to participate in the meeting, vote their shares and submit questions. To vote or ask a question during the meeting, shareholders will need the unique control number located in their proxy materials that will be provided in advance of the meeting. Shareholders are encouraged to vote and submit questions prior to the meeting at www.proxyvote.com. Shareholders will need the unique control number located in their proxy materials to access this site. If you do not have a control number or are not a shareholder, you will be able to join the webcast as a guest; however, you will not be able to vote or submit questions during the meeting. Approximately 24 hours after the meeting ends, a replay will be available for 30 days at www.pnc.com/investorevents and www.pnc.com/annualmeeting. PNC's 2024 Proxy Statement and 2023 Annual Report are accessible on PNC's website at www.pnc.com/annualreport after their respective issuance dates. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com. CONTACTS: MEDIA : Timothy Miller (412) 762-4550 [email protected] INVESTORS: Bryan Gill (412) 768-4143 [email protected] SOURCE The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. $150 Million Donation, One of Largest in State's History, to Connect Hilo Medical Center, Hawai'i Pacific Health and UCSF Health SAN FRANCISCO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A major donation by longstanding philanthropists in Hawai'i will significantly increase healthcare access, addressing critical infrastructure gaps and helping ensure excellent and continuous care for communities in Hawai'i. The $150 million gift by Marc and Lynne Benioff is one of the largest single private donations in Hawai'i's history. Developed through more than a year of collaboration across three different hospitals, it provides $50 million for Hilo Medical Center, on the island of Hawai'i, to build out critical areas of care, including a state-of-the-art family birthing center, intensive care unit, and neurosurgical program as well as behavioral health services. It provides $100 million for Hawai'i Pacific Health, one of the state's largest nonprofit healthcare organizations, to help create a "healthcare campus of the future" at Honolulu-based Straub Medical Center. And it deepens connections between both Hawai'i hospitals and UCSF Health in San Francisco to provide more specialized care to patients who need it. The gift brings the Benioffs' total philanthropy in Hawai'i to more than $250 million, including recent gifts of 282 acres for affordable housing on the Island of Hawaii and another 158 acres owned by a separate nonprofit entity for charitable use. The gift builds on previous philanthropic efforts by the Benioffs to expand healthcare and emergency services in Hawai'i, including funding for state-of-the-art medical helicopters and fire trucks; support for Hawaii Island Community Health Center, Kona Hospital Foundation; previous contributions for Hilo Medical Center; providing housing for medical staff and other support at Queen's North Hawai'i Community Hospital in Waimea; and a recent $5 million gift to support Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green's HELP program aimed at recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. In all, the Benioffs' personal philanthropic giving totals more than $1 billion, including $600 million in healthcare donations in Hawaii, San Francisco and across the country. "Our philosophy has always been to give locally and to give through experts who deeply understand local needs, and we are so pleased to have found that with the wonderful, lifesaving teams at Hilo Medical Center, Hawai'i Pacific Health and UCSF Health," said Marc and Lynne Benioff. They added: "We feel fortunate to have been part of the Hawai'i community for many decades and to be able to support our ohana in this way. Nothing is more important than the health of our community, and access to care for all who need it." "Before becoming governor I worked as an ER doctor in these hospitals, so I know what it means to have a true benefactor step up and rescue services," said Hawai'i Gov. Green. "This huge donation will support the care for thousands of critically ill people in Hawai'i. This generosity is a game-changer for our state." The expansion of Hilo Medical Center is a unique public-private partnership, with the $50 million from the Benioffs matching a previous, separate $50 million appropriation from the State of Hawai'i. In addition to building out critical areas of care, the donation will support an expansion of Hilo Medical Center's physician recruitment program. The Benioffs' $100 million gift to Hawai'i Pacific Health will support a visionary renovation project that will triple the size of Straub Medical Center, which includes the state's only Burn Unit, lifesaving services, community outreach and education that furthers local clinical research. "Hilo Medical Center's mission is to provide the best possible healthcare for our family, friends and neighbors," says Dan Brinkman, CEO of Hilo Medical Center. "These new resources present an opportunity to make healthcare better on Hawaii Island for everyone." "We are truly grateful for this extremely generous and transformational gift," said Ray Vara, president and CEO of Hawai'i Pacific Health. "The Benioffs share our vision and commitment to ensuring access to high-quality care for our community, and we are excited to work with them and our healthcare partners to expand our efforts." In recognition of Lynne and Marc Benioff's longstanding partnership and significant contributions to Hawai'i healthcare, the Hilo Medical Center will be renamed the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and the Honolulu-based Straub Medical Center will become the Straub Benioff Medical Center. As part of the vision, San Francisco-based UCSF Health will expand its efforts to support Hawai'i patients in need of specialist care. Hilo Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and UCSF Health have committed to working together, leveraging the Benioffs' latest donation to extend the reach of UCSF clinical expertise and bring specialized care in areas such as oncology and neurology to more residents across the state. The Benioffs have been major contributors to UCSF Health over two decades, including UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, which are among the leading children's hospitals in the nation. "We have seen first-hand how Lynne and Marc Benioff's generosity has transformed healthcare in San Francisco and our surrounding communities," said UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS. "UCSF Health is excited to be part of this new opportunity to create a world-class continuum of care in Hawai'i and improve access to specialty care for Hawai'i residents, close to home." About Marc and Lynne Benioff: Marc Benioff is Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Salesforce and a pioneer of cloud computing. Under Benioff's leadership, Salesforce has become the third-largest enterprise software company and the largest enterprise applications company in the world. He also co-founded the Pledge 1% movement , committing 1% of Salesforce's equity, product and employee time to the community since the company's founding 25 years ago. Today, more than 20,000 companies have adopted the 1-1-1 model. He is the owner and co-chair of TIME. Lynne Benioff serves on the board of The Rise Fund, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, the Presidio Trust board and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. She is Distinguished Director of the Board of Overseers of the UCSF Foundation, co-chair of TIME and the former chair of the Presidio Trust board. In 2014, Ms. Benioff was honored by Mayor Ed Lee as one of San Francisco's "Women of the Year." Marc and Lynne Benioff received a George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for their civic engagement in 2020. About Hilo Medical Center: Hilo Medical Center is a 166-bed acute care hospital and Hawaii Island's leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care. As the largest hospital within the state-funded Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), Hilo Medical Center functions as a Level III Trauma Center, which includes the second busiest emergency room in the state that sees over 50,000 patients annually. Our medical staff is comprised of 250 physicians, advanced practice providers, representing more than 30 specialties. Hilo Medical Center is the flagship hospital within the East Hawaii Region of HHSC that also consists of Hale Hoola Hamakua, Kau Hospital, the Yukio Okutstu State Veterans Home, and the East Hawaii Health Clinics, our network of primary and specialty care clinics. The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a public entity established in 1996 by the State of Hawaii to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown healthcare. For more information, go to: www.hilomedicalcenter.org . About Hawai'i Pacific Health: Hawai'i Pacific Health is a not-for-profit health care system including medical centers, clinics, physicians and other caregivers working together to create a healthier Hawai'i. Its four medical centers Kapi'olani, Pali Momi, Straub and Wilcox specialize in innovative programs in bone and joint services, cancer care, cardiovascular services, pediatric care, women's health, and more. Hawai'i Pacific Health's employed physicians and advanced practice providers are unified under the Hawai'i Pacific Health Medical Group, which includes more than 800 health care providers brought together under one operational structure to provide consistency and excellence in patient outcomes and patient experiences across the system. Learn more at HawaiiPacificHealth.org . About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies, and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is a top-ranked hospital , as well as UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics; UCSF Benioff Children's Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. UCSF School of Medicine also has a regional campus in Fresno. Visit https://ucsfhealth.org . Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on Twitter . Contact: Carolyn Guss, Salesforce 415.536.4966 | [email protected] Elena Cabatu, Hilo Medical Center 808.333.7223 | [email protected] Liz Chun Uyehara, Hawai'i Pacific Health 808.535.7675 | [email protected] Kristen Bole, UCSF Health 415.317.3652 | kristen.bole@ucsf.edu SOURCE University of California - San Francisco CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tricoci University of Beauty Culture is proud to announce its partnership with Ashtae , a global leader in hair texture solutions, to enhance professional hair care education across its campuses. In today's diverse society, hair textures transcend conventional racial and ethnic stereotypes. Ashtae products address everyday hair problems, including dryness, shine/luster, tangling, hair breakage, buildup, and dandruff, catering to the needs of clients with various hair textures. The collaboration between Tricoci University and Ashtae emphasizes a shared commitment to offering the best products and education to students and surrounding communities. Ashtae's dedication to embracing the diverse spectrum of hair textures perfectly aligns with Tricoci University's mission. "As cosmetologists, our goal is to embrace all hair types and make every client feel welcome in our chairs," expressed Larry Foster, Vice President of Education, Compliance, and Student Services at Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. "We are thrilled to welcome Ashtae's products and education into our campuses. Together, we're shaping the future of cosmetology education, ensuring students are well-prepared to meet the demands of an ever-evolving beauty industry." The following Ashtae products are now available at all 15 Tricoci University campuses: Hair & Scalp Balm Fortifier Treatment Clarifying Shampoo Volumizing Detangling Shampoo Creme Revitalizer Treatment Heavenly Silk & Shine Conditioner Moisture Plus Leave-In Conditioner Heavenly Foam Lotion Hair Oil Sili Gloss Lay & Stay Edge Control High Gloss Curl Wax Lock & Twist Freeze Spray Triple Threat Silkening Serum Tricoci University's partnership with Ashtae adds to its roster of esteemed collaborations with industry leaders such as Ulta Beauty, Dermalogica, L'Oreal, Redken, Mizani, Reuzel, Pivot Point, Beauty as a Business, Sugrarlash PRO, Biolage, Matrix, Malibu C, Razor Roar Wellness Barber Lounge, Keratin Complex, Cirepil, Ardeur and Beauty Salon, Mario Tricoci Salon & Spa, Prosper U, and United Parcel Service (UPS). For more information about Tricoci University of Beauty Culture and its programs, please visit https://www.tricociuniversity.edu/ or connect with us on social media: Instagram: @tricociuniversity Facebook: @TricociUniversity, TikTok: @tricociuniversity and YouTube: @TricociU . About Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Tricoci University of Beauty Culture is a premier beauty education provider with 15 campuses throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Tricoci University is focused on producing salon-ready graduates who are prepared for successful careers in the beauty industry. Founded by international beauty industry leader Mario Tricoci, Tricoci University is developing a new type of beauty professional by using innovative teaching methods, an interactive learning platform, and upscale facilities. All guest services are provided by students under the supervision of licensed instructors. For more information about Tricoci University of Beauty Culture please visit www.tricociuniversity.edu . SOURCE Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Shares tips for a smooth travel experience WASHINGTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As spring break travelers prepare for their vacation getaways, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is up for the challenge and is offering practical tips to help them plan for a smooth journey as they go through the security checkpoint and take to the skies. The busy peak spring break travel season begins around March 7 and continues through March 25. "TSA screened a record number of passengers in 2023, and we expect that trend to continue this year," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "So far in 2024, travel volumes are trending at nearly 6% above the same period in 2023. We always work closely with our airline and airport partners to plan for and meet the increasing travel demand while doing our best to maintain our wait times of 30 minutes or less in standard lanes and 10 minutes or less in TSA PreCheck lanes." TSA knows travelers put a lot of time and effort into planning the perfect spring break getaway, so we are providing the following tips and tricks to help make sure your special trip gets off to a great start: Pack smart and remember the 3-1-1 rule. Make sure to start with an empty bag to avoid packing any prohibited items. If you're heading to the beach, you may wonder how to pack your sunscreen. Any liquids, sunscreen containers and alcohol over 3.4 ounces must be packed in a checked bag. Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes are allowed in carry-on bags as long as each item is 3.4 ounces or less and placed in one quart-sized bag. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes. Unloaded firearms must be packed in a locked, hard-sided case in checked baggage only and must be declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms or other weapons to the security checkpoint face consequences. To avoid delays, passengers should search TSA's "What Can I Bring?" webpage. Be checkpoint ready and bring a valid ID. Arrive at the checkpoint with a mobile or printed boarding pass and readily available valid ID. Listen closely to and follow instructions from TSA officers for guidance through the screening process. At many checkpoints, you may be asked to insert your physical ID into one of our Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units, where a boarding pass is not needed. Nearly 30 airports have a second generation of CAT, called CAT-2, which adds a camera with optional facial recognition technology and smartphone reader. This technology better detects fraudulent IDs. Passengers who do not want their photos taken may ask the TSA officer for a manual ID check without losing their place in line. For more information on how TSA is using facial recognition technology, see our TSA Facial Recognition Technology Fact Sheet. Starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. 2024 is a good time to get your REAL ID. Contact your state DMV for more information. Enroll in TSA PreCheck. Enjoy the benefits of faster checkpoint screening with a TSA PreCheck membership. Traveling with kids? Teenagers aged 17 and under may accompany TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck screening lanes when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen's boarding pass. Children 12 and under may still accompany an enrolled parent or guardian through the TSA PreCheck lanes any time, without restriction. Most new enrollees receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) within five days, and membership lasts for five years. TSA PreCheck starts at $78 for a five-year membership. That's about $15.60 per year. Online renewals are $70. Don't delay. Enroll in TSA PreCheck today. Arrive early and please be patient. Spring break travelers should give themselves plenty of time to account for traffic, parking, rental car returns, airline check-in, security screening and making any airport purchases before boarding a flight. The airport environment can be stressful. Remain patient, and remember everyone around you is also on their own journey. Passengers who engage in unruly behavior at the checkpoint, the gate area or inflight may face substantial penalties and possible prosecution on criminal charges. Call ahead to request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll-free at 855-787-2227 with any questions about screening procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. If you call at least 72 hours prior to travel, TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint for travelers with specific needs. For more information, visit the TSA Cares website. Ask TSA before you travel. Contact TSA over social media by sending a message to @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger. Passengers may also send a text directly to 275-872 ("AskTSA") on any mobile device. An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer commonly asked questions, and AskTSA staff are available 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET for more complicated questions. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends/holidays. An automated service is available 24/7. TSA encourages all passengers to remain vigilant. If You See Something. Say Something. Those traveling abroad for spring break should check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Know Before You Go page to learn about required documentation. For more information on airport security screening, visit tsa.gov. SOURCE Transportation Security Administration Novembers presidential election is set to be a rematch between Trump and Biden (AP) The United States was holding its biggest day of voting of the year on Tuesday before a likely November rematch for the White House between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Fifteen states were holding Republican contests on Super Tuesday including the two most populous, California and Texas, with Mr Trump looking to build up an impregnable lead over his rival for the partys nomination, Nikki Haley. More than a third of delegates - 865 of 2,429 - were up for grabs, with at least 1,215 needed to win the nomination. Mr Biden is running for the Democrats as the incumbent president, setting up another clash after he defeated Mr Trump in 2020. The Republicans groundless attempts to overturn his loss set in train multiple lawsuits that now dog him on the campaign trail. But it is a matchup between two elderly men that many Americans would rather avoid, with Mr Trump (77) threatening to reprise all the bitter divisions of his first White House term and Mr Biden (81) increasingly showing his age. A majority of Americans do not believe that either candidate has the necessary mental acuity for the job of leading the free world, according to a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. After thumping wins in the first five nominating contests, Mr Trump is far ahead of Ms Haley, but she is vowing to stay in the race - lying in wait in case he gets tripped up by his legal troubles. "We can do better than two 80-year-old candidates for president," the former South Carolina governor said on Monday in Texas. However, the ex-president went into Super Tuesday on the back of one legal breakthrough after the Supreme Court threw out attempts by Colorado and other states to throw him off the November ballot because of the insurrection waged by his rioting supporters on Capitol Hill in January 2021. Noting that he faces 91 criminal counts, Mr Trump accused the president of weaponizing the courts. "Fight your fight yourself," he said after the Supreme Court ruling. "Don't use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent." Story continues Mr Biden is pointing to his own record in office as he prepares to deliver the annual State of the Union address to Congress on Thursday, including record job creation, the strongest economy in the world, increased wages and household wealth, according to the White House. Nominating contests were being held on Tuesday in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and the US territory of American Samoa. Each candidate is vying to win enough party delegates to seal their nominations at the Republican and Democratic conventions in the summer. Mr Trump cannot mathematically seal the deal on Tuesday but is likely to cross the finishing line later in March. CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK") the premier healthcare-focused M&A Advisor, advised Endodontic Specialists in its partnership with Endodontic Practice Partners (EPP), a portfolio company of RC Capital. The transaction was led by Kevin Sauer, Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at TUSK Practice Sales. Alex Cherniavsky, Taylor Adams, and Sam Lupton spearheaded the diligence and analytics efforts for TUSK. Since 1976, Endodontic Specialists has served the Lansing, Michigan community. Endodontic Specialists is the premier endodontic service provider in the community, providing dental care in two distinct locations. Dr. Sam Epley, CEO and Partner of Endodontic Specialists shared, "TUSK dedicated themselves to understanding our business and providing areas of opportunity to maximize valuation when it came time to go to market. Our organization is thrilled with the results the TUSK team accomplished for our business. Their financial diligence and thorough negotiation have allowed us to reach our professional and personal goals. We are looking forward to beginning the partnership with Endodontic Practice Partners." Alex Nolte, Associate Vice President of Partnerships at EPP, commented, "We are elated to welcome the Endodontic Specialist team to EPP. Endodontic Specialists has established itself as one of the forefront groups of premier endodontic care. We look forward to providing support to Endodontic Specialists to help them achieve their vision for growth." About Endodontic Specialists Endodontic Specialists has served the greater Lansing, Michigan community for over 30 years. Our dedicated team is committed to providing advanced, specialized endodontic therapy in a friendly and professional atmosphere. For more information, visit: https://www.lansingrootcanal.com . About Endodontic Practice Partners EPP provides business support services exclusively to endodontic practices. Our founders have a combined 60 years of clinical and operational experience in dentistry and health care and are dedicated to creating a nationwide partnership of endodontic practices concentrated on patient care, clinical quality, and growth. EPP supports 98 endodontists across 9 states and its density within its core markets allows it to provide superior support to its partners. For more information, please visit www.endodonticpracticepartners.com. About TUSK Practice Sales TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK") provides M&A Advisory services in the healthcare industry. TUSK has completed over $1B of transactions across all specialties. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to 100's of buyers nationwide, we help our clients confidently pursue M&A transactions that maximize their long-term value. With our significant collective experience of over 40+ years of practice transactions, we offer our clients solutions that help them achieve their strategic and financial objectives. For more information, visit www.TuskPracticeSales.com . Media Contact: TUSK Practice Sales 704-302-1043 Info@TuskPracticeSales.com SOURCE TUSK Practice Sales Launch Event During SXSW Features A Conversation with Special Guests Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Nadine Strossen AUSTIN, Texas, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the University of Austin (UATX) , America's newest university dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth and fostering an environment of intellectual freedom and pluralism, announced the launch of the Austin Union, a debate society. To honor the commencement, the University is hosting an event on Saturday, March 9th, during SXSW, featuring special guest Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. alongside former ACLU head Nadine Strossen. American Values 2024 UATX logo Titled "The Importance of Civil Discourse, Free Speech and Debate in a Healthy Democracy," the conversation between Kennedy, an environmental lawyer, activist and independent presidential candidate, and Strossen, the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law Emerita at New York Law School, past President of the American Civil Liberties Union (1991-2008), and a Senior Fellow with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, aims to examine the effectiveness of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Morgan Marietta, Dean of the Center for Economics, Politics, and History at UATX, will go head-to-head with Richard Albert, Professor of Government and Constitutional Law at UT Austin, in a debate entitled "Is the US Constitution Broken?" moderated by Ben Crocker, Director of Special Programs at UATX. The entire evening will be live-streamed exclusively on Twitter. The University is throwing down for intellectual pluralism. The Austin Union Manifesto declares: "No mind can grow without some sort of resistance. No two people can build a relationship without laying the bricks of disagreement to rest between themselves. No society can be sustained without a peaceful mode of public civil discourse." The manifesto's author, Olivia Hagye, is a marketing manager in UATX's Office of Entrepreneurship and Leadership (OEL) and an alumna of the University of Texas School of Law. Hagye says, "I was inspired by the storied Oxford Union, which I experienced during my studies at Oxford a few years ago. Part of my role at OEL is to help launch new initiatives that are critical to realizing UATX's mission." "It's our goal that over time, the Austin Union will -- like Oxford's -- become a fully student-run organization," Hagye added. Professor Marietta, UATX faculty advisor to the Austin Union and a scholar of political polarization as well as constitutional politics, expanded on the Union's mission: "Our goal with this society is to model healthy and civil debate highlighting points of agreement as well as principled dispute, rather than merely scoring points against the opposition. The Austin Union audience can expect a respectful appreciation of opposing views, with enough disagreement to spur continuing discussion of decisions of great importance to all Americans." "It's an honor for me to debate Professor Albert on this topic," Marietta continued. "The constitutional law faculty at UT Austin are debatably the finest in the country." You can register for the livestream here . About UATX The University of Austin (UATX) is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian university in Austin, Texas, dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth. Its innovative undergraduate curriculum combines the rich and varied inheritance of the past with the most compelling ideas of the present. Students will learn from world-class scholars and partner with expert doers and makers in their local community. The University of Austin's founding freshman class will begin their educational journey in the fall of 2024. Undergraduate applications for fall 2024 are open at uaustin.org/apply. About American Values 2024 American Values 2024 (AV24) is a super PAC committed to educating and mobilizing voters to elect candidates who will restore and protect the soul of democracy in the United States. Our long-term vision is to build a movement starting at the local level to create a national groundswell to address the critical issues our country faces. Today, AV24 supports Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s presidential campaign. AV24 is co-founded by Mark Gorton (CEO of Tower Research Capital) and Tony Lyons (President of Skyhorse Publishing). Contact: Maggie Kelly, Communications Manager UATX, [email protected], 4753551237 SOURCE UATX Partnership aims to position the group as the preeminent cybersecurity provider for customers and partners who value data sovereignty and best-in-class cloud, compliance and digital communications security services PITTSBURGH, 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 analyzed 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, organizations of all sizes need flexible and adaptive cloud solutions to protect themselves. Hornetsecurity has established itself as a key partner to organizations 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. 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 organization'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." Daniel Blank, Chief Operating Officer of Hornetsecurity, added: "Both Hornetsecurity and Vade embrace the same values and share a genuine commitment to safeguarding global organizations, 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 organizations 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 organizations 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. SOURCE Hornetsecurity Refreshing more areas: Vexcel will collect 4.4 million km 2 of high-resolution aerial imagery, covering 93% of the U.S. population in 2024. Meeting growing demand: The enhanced program will boost yearly collection by 15% for super-detailed aerial data in key industries, including AI. Increasing frequency: Major cities and metro areas will be captured up to 3 times a year. CENTENNIAL, Colo., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vexcel Data Program, the world's largest aerial imagery program, announced today an expansion to its annual collection in the United States for 2024. The program will capture aerial imagery across 4.4 million km2 in the Lower 48 states, increasing its already market-leading coverage by more than 15% over last year and publishing more urban areas at a super-detailed 7.5cm resolution. Major cities and urban areas will be collected up to 3 times throughout the year. A detailed aerial image of properties in San Clemente, CA. Vexcel's 2024 U.S. collection plan will capture and refresh imagery for more than 120 million households. The latest expansion feeds the growing need for ready-to-use, accurate aerial imagery for reviewing properties, mapping assets, tracking changes over time, and supporting AI applications. These insights better inform sectors such as insurance, government, transportation, telecom, utilities, high tech, and high-definition mapping. "We are excited to grow our U.S. program yet again in 2024. This year's aerial collection covers big cities, little cities, and rural areas at an unprecedented scale, further cementing Vexcel as the largest aerial imagery program in the U.S.," said Erik Jorgensen, CEO of Vexcel Group. "Our customers and the greater market are hungry for high-quality imagery and location intelligence to provide detailed, up-to-date and more frequent insights to our ever-changing world." 2024 U.S. Program By The Numbers Vexcel's fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, equipped with its award-winning large-format UltraCam sensors, will be deployed throughout the year. The plan includes: Targeting a total of 4.4 million km 2 of aerial imagery across U.S. of aerial imagery across U.S. Refreshing imagery for 93% of population and 120 million households Publishing 1.4 million km 2 of imagery at 7.5cm (200,000 km 2 more area than 2023 and covering 6,830 cities total) of imagery at 7.5cm (200,000 km more area than 2023 and covering 6,830 cities total) Collecting 3 million km 2 of imagery at 15cm, spanning both cities and rural areas of imagery at 15cm, spanning both cities and rural areas Capturing major cities up to 3 times for multiple views throughout the year Processing several analytical and mapping-grade imagery products (Ortho, Oblique, Multispectral), elevation models (Elevate: DSM and DTM) and AI-derived products (Elements: Property Attributes and Roadways). Adding More Imagery To Its Existing Library Vexcel's historical library includes the contiguous U.S., covering 7.6 million km2 and 99.6% of the U.S. population with multiple aerial collections in urban and rural areas going back to 2014. The company runs the largest commercial aerial imagery program in the U.S., collecting up to 4 times more area than its nearest competitors. For more info and maps on the 2024 program, visit vexceldata.com/2024. About Vexcel Data Program For over 30 years, Vexcel has been the industry leader in the photogrammetric and remote sensing space, building market-leading UltraCam sensors, and providing a comprehensive library of cloud-based geospatial data. The Vexcel Data Program is the largest aerial imagery program in the world, collecting high-resolution imagery and geospatial data in 30+ countries. Its dedicated fleet of fixed-wing aircraft capture imagery in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and across Western Europe. Vexcel's unique technology stack results in consistency across its aerial collection programs. Its comprehensive aerial data library helps customers streamline remote assessment, innovate common workflows, and enhance decision-making with confidence. More at: vexceldata.com Media Contact: Kris Wagner [email protected] SOURCE Vexcel Data Program CHICAGO, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Warehouse on Wheels ("WOW"), formerly known as American Trailer Rental Group, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners ("Wind Point"), and a leading provider of mobile storage solutions is pleased to announce the acquisition of the storage trailer rental operations of BenLea Leasing Inc. ("BenLea"), a Cambridge, Ontario-based provider of trailer rental solutions to manufacturing, distribution, and 3PL customers. The move plays into WOW's aggressive growth strategy and capabilities to service customers across the greater Toronto area. Warehouse On Wheels ("WOW"), formerly known as American Trailer Rental Group continues growth in Canada. Post this The addition of BenLea represents WOW's twenty-first acquisition, alongside two greenfield expansion locations since partnering with Wind Point. "We are extremely grateful to the Bennett family for trusting us with continuing the legacy they have built at BenLea," stated Jonathan Brooks, CEO of WOW. "Their tremendous customer service and high-quality fleet align perfectly with our customer intimate value proposition. Along with our partners at Wind Point, we continue to execute our growth strategy of building the leading mobile storage services provider. BenLea strengthens our ability to serve the world's top manufacturers and distributors across a multitude of industries and geographies from the first mile to second to last mile." Established in 1976 and based in Cambridge, Ontario, BenLea is a provider of trailer rentals and a full-service maintenance program. BenLea's trailer rental business joins WOW, which specializes in solving business needs in a multitude of industries by providing storage, cartage, and over-the-road trailers. James Bennett, Owner, and CEO of BenLea noted "We're excited to partner with Warehouse-on-Wheels. They have a reputation for an exceptional level of customer service which continues the reputation that we've built at BenLea for the past 48 years." Konrad Salaber, Managing Director at Wind Point, remarked, "BenLea represents another strategic acquisition for WOW, further enhancing its market leadership position in the Greater Toronto Area. We look forward to continue supporting the combined business." WOW is seeking strategic acquisition opportunities, with a focus on leading storage and cartage trailer providers throughout the U.S. and Canada. About WOW Warehouse on Wheels, formerly known as American Trailer Rental Group, is a mobile storage solutions provider specializing in solving business needs in a multitude of industries by providing storage, cartage, and over-the-road trailers. WOW strives to simplify customers' supply chains by providing high-quality solutions for a diverse client base, from the first mile to last mile of their supply chain. WOW's core values include doing the right thing and having a can-do attitude. In 2017, WOW started with two locations in Evansville, Indiana and Memphis, Tennessee with approximately 5,400 units. Since then, WOW has expanded to more than 36 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada and has grown their asset base to over 41,000 units. The current team has overseen and integrated 26 acquisitions and launched ten greenfield locations. Additional information about WOW is available at www.wowtrailers.com. About Wind Point Partners Wind Point Partners is a Chicago-based private equity investment firm with approximately $6 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on partnering with top caliber management teams to acquire well-positioned middle market businesses where it can establish a clear path to value creation. Founded in 1984, Wind Point is one of the oldest private equity firms in Chicago and an early adopter in developing a partnership model to align with top operating talent in private equity investments. Today, the firm's Executive Advisor Partner ("EAP") network is comprised of more than 40 high-caliber executives who are closely aligned with Wind Point and contribute across all aspects of the firm's investment process. Wind Point targets investments in the business services, consumer products and industrial products industries. Since inception, Wind Point has deployed ten private equity buyout funds in partnership with leading institutional investors around the world, including public pensions, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, fund of funds and family offices. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com. SOURCE Warehouse On Wheels DUBAI, UAE, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in MENA (Middle East and North Africa), and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority are coming together to promote Bahrain as a leading travel destination. This strategic partnership combines Wego's cutting-edge travel technology with Bahrain's abundant cultural heritage and diverse attractions, promising an unmatched experience for travelers worldwide. Bahrain Wego, renowned for connecting millions of users to a wide array of travel options, is excited to join forces with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to showcase the Kingdom's unique attractions, historical landmarks, and warm hospitality. This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to enhancing Bahrain's visibility on the global stage and driving tourism growth for the Kingdom. The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, recognizing Wego's extensive reach and user-friendly platform as key assets to promote Bahrain's beauty and charm. With its blend of modernity and tradition, Bahrain has much to offer, from vibrant markets and cultural festivals to historical sites and pristine beaches. "Wego is delighted to collaborate once again with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to spotlight the incredible offerings of Bahrain," said Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer of Wego. "Our platform is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating travel experiences, and we are eager to showcase Bahrain's rich tapestry to our global audience. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to promoting exceptional destinations and creating memorable journeys." The co-marketing initiative will leverage Wego's digital platform to feature dedicated sections highlighting Bahrain's key attractions, travel tips, and exclusive promotions. The collaboration aims to position Bahrain as a top destination for travelers seeking a blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation. Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority is confident that this partnership will contribute to the Kingdom's tourism goals and foster positive economic impacts. Together, Wego and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority aim to showcase Bahrain as a must-visit destination, inviting travelers to explore its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique experiences. About Wego Wego provides award-winning travel search websites and top-ranked mobile apps for travelers living in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Wego harnesses powerful yet simple to use technology that automates the process of searching and comparing results from hundreds of airlines, hotels, and online travel agency websites. Wego presents an unbiased comparison of all travel products and prices offered in the marketplace by merchants, both local and global, and enables shoppers to quickly find the best deal and place to book whether it is from an airline or hotel directly or with a third-party aggregator website. Wego was founded in 2005 and is dual headquartered in Dubai and Singapore with regional operations in Bangalore, Riyadh, Cairo, Lahore, and Kuala Lumpur. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353600/Bahrain.jpg SOURCE Wego Select Splash and Detrick's locations to join fast-growing car wash chain, offering customers elevated experience and value CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Whistle Express, one of the leading brands in the rapidly consolidating car care industry, has acquired three more independently owned and operated car washes two from Detrick's Car Wash and one from Splash Car Wash that will become part of the fast-growing Whistle Express family. The two Detrick's locations are both in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, adding to Whistle's coastal offerings and increasing exposure in the popular tourist destination. The Splash location is in Raleigh, North Carolina, doubling its footprint in that popular and growing market. The company will invest in converting the three washes to Whistle Express locations by mid-March, including upgraded wash technology and new signage. "Both Raleigh and Myrtle Beach are bustling markets, allowing us to reach key customers in densely populated areas with even more room for growth on the horizon," said Whistle Express CEO Jose Costa. "We're excited to reopen the tunnels as Whistle Express locations, offering our industry-leading technology, seamless experience and that clean-car feeling to busy, on-the-go drivers in both cities." Known for offering customers a consistent, elevated car wash experience and tremendous value through its Unlimited Car Wash membership program, Whistle Express continues to add a variety of smaller, locally owned brands to its powerful portfolio. With these additions, the brand will have over 120 locations nationwide. Each Whistle Express wash is designed to clean, shine and protect vehicles by offering a quick service experience that's a cut above the rest. Leveraging the latest and most effective tunnel equipment, Whistle Express gets a car squeaky clean in under three minutes and provides customers with free high-powered vacuums, air nozzles, spray cleaners and clean microfiber towels to ensure each auto sparkles inside and out. Customers can also add affordable and effective treatments like Rain-X rain repellent for windshields or Armor All protectants and sealants to extend the life of their car wash and protect against bugs, pollen and other elements. Whistle Express is also good for our planet its innovative technology reclaims up to 85 percent of water used during a wash, using an average of 91 percent less water than a standard at-home wash. The car wash industry is undergoing rapid consolidation as investors see opportunities to take what has historically been a fragmented business comprised of thousands of independent operators and offer customers a more consistent, elevated experience. Whistle Express has grown to become the 10th-largest car wash operator in America, with plans to more than double its size in the next couple years. The three new Whistle Express locations are: Detrick's Car Wash locations at 2780 Church St., Conway, SC (Opened 2021) and 2261 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach, SC (Opened 2010) (Opened 2021) and 2261 Dick Pond Road, (Opened 2010) Splash Car Wash's location at 8012 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC (Opened 2017) About Whistle Express With more than 120 locations and counting, Whistle Express leverages technology and innovation to deliver a premium experience that saves customers time, moneyand their car's paint job. Customers can take advantage of the brand's Unlimited Wash Club Membership Program, plus free supplies and amenities including microfiber towels, vacuums and mat cleaning stations, to save money while getting their cars squeaky clean. Last year, the Charlotte-based company received a majority investment from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. to fuel its accelerated growth plan. For more information, visit www.whistleexpresscarwash.com. SOURCE Whistle Express Car Wash Meta, U.S.Vision, PPG enlist Zenni's new B2B platform, created to help organizations streamline operations NOVATO, Calif., March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenni Optical, the world's leading online eyewear retailer, today announced eye care solutions partnerships with three customers of Zenni Business, its recently-launched B2B platform. Meta, U.S.Vision, Inc., and PPG each are utilizing Zenni Business's end-to-end suite of eye care solutions for large enterprises, eye care providers (ECPs), insurance companies and corporate benefits. Zenni's B2B platform has its roots in an unmatched expertise developed during its more than two decades transforming the consumer eyewear industry. Zenni Business intends to challenge an eye care industry plagued by high costs, stifled innovation and consumer access limitations. With its vertically integrated business model that includes ownership of optical laboratories, manufacturing and logistics, frame design, technology and customer service, Zenni can control costs and help its business partners benefit from existing infrastructure and marketplace knowledge. "We are on a mission to elevate eye health awareness, revolutionize the prescription process, and optimize global operations and manufacturing," said David Ting, Zenni's Global Chief Technology Officer and General Manager. "Through Zenni Business, we empower our partners to achieve the same." Zenni Business partners are using its solutions suite in the following ways: Zenni partnered with Meta in early 2023 to provide VR prescription lens inserts for the Meta Quest 3 headset, catering to 66% of American adults needing corrective eyewear. Zenni is fueling U.S. Vision's e-commerce strategy to enhance its omni-channel presence across 260 retail locations nationwide. Zenni created a tailored shopping experience for PPG employees requiring ANSI Z87.1 Safety Eyewear, available at over 200 locations after a successful pilot program. "Partnering with Zenni Business will help us to deliver on our long-held mission to provide broader access to premium eyewear for all of our customers, regardless of their proximity to our brick-and-mortar locations" said Eric J. Bertrand, Chairman of U.S. Vision. "Zenni's top-tier e-commerce experience provides us with a digital infrastructure that can scale our offerings quickly and easily." Formally launched in September 2023, it is rooted in the company's two decades pioneering the online eyewear industry and democratizing consumer access. "We identified a strategic opportunity to revolutionize this industry, and the response to Zenni Business has been extremely positive. We have found that a significant number of businesses have been seeking an innovative partner to challenge the prevailing norms. Traditional industry leaders have maintained dominance for far too long, often with a rigid mindset, and our market entry now presents a more progressive alternative." - Brian Persons, Head of Business Development, Zenni Zenni Business offers a full suite of end-to-end solutions, tailored to meet the individual needs of businesses and insurance companies. This includes: Best-in-class e-commerce platform that includes industry-leading user experience seamless purchasing that includes industry-leading user experience seamless purchasing Powerful digital marketing solutions that increase conversion rates and generate customer loyalty that increase conversion rates and generate customer loyalty Top-tier, comprehensive manufacturing in Zenni's state-of-the-art labs and including end-to-end frame production in Zenni's state-of-the-art labs and including end-to-end frame production Seamless fulfillment and logistics that power award-winning delivery times and shipping to any global destination that power award-winning delivery times and shipping to any global destination Corporate benefits programs and gifting that are ideal for key milestones to enhance relationships, featuring a user-friendly redemption portal, vast frame selections and other custom features. For Eye Care Professionals (ECP) and Independent Eye Care Professionals (IECP), Zenni Business can help grow practices by providing new revenue streams and creating customer loyalty. This can include a curated collection from cost-effective options to designer brands that patients love, managed by Zenni to minimize infrastructure investment, ensure seamless execution and hasten time to market. About Zenni Business Zenni pioneered the online eyewear industry in 2003 with a mission to make prescription eyewear affordable and accessible. Zenni Business offers the same ethos of "eyewear for everyone" with its vertically integrated business model that includes ownership of optical laboratories, manufacturing and logistics, frame design, technology and customer service, all available as white-label solutions. Your partner in innovative eye care, Zenni Business's team of industry experts can help business partners control costs while benefiting from our existing infrastructure and marketplace knowledge. Zenni Business has worked with brands including Meta, US Vision, PPG, and hundreds of eye care providers. For more information, please visit zennioptical.com/press and zenni.io SOURCE Zenni Optical Ordinary Seaman Page Francis learns navigational skills during field training on August 8, 2018. Three new polls track growing support among Canadians for a boost in military funding. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press - image credit) Three new public opinion surveys suggest Canadians are growing more concerned about the state of the country's military and about Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump's threats to abandon allies who don't invest in defence. The Angus Reid Institute released new data Tuesday showing a larger share of Canadians 29 per cent are choosing military preparedness and the country's place on the world stage as their top political priority. Almost a decade ago, that figure was just 12 per cent. "Slightly more than half (53 per cent) say Canada should increase its spending level to two per cent or beyond," the survey analysis said a reference to NATO's spending benchmark, which calls on member countries to spend the equivalent of two per cent of their gross domestic product on the military. Quoting a series of leaked documents several months ago, the Washington Post reported that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau privately told allies Canada would never meet the target. Even though the Liberal government agreed at last summer's NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania to make the two per cent goal an enduring commitment, Trudeau and his ministers have not committed publicly to doing so. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said that, if elected, his party would "work towards" the two per cent goal which was the position taken by the government of former prime minister Stephen Harper. According to the Angus Reid survey, seven in 10 poll respondents said they would support a Conservative government that would meet or surpass the two per cent spending benchmark. The new poll shows that Trump's threat to allow Russia "to do whatever the hell it wants" to NATO allies who don't meet the target appears to be resonating with Canadians. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump walks off the stage after speaking at a Get Out The Vote rally at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's threats to abandon NATO allies seem to have alarmed many Canadians. (Manuel Balce Ceneta)/AP) Story continues Support for hitting the two per cent goal jumps from 53 per cent to 65 per cent in the Angus Reid survey when the idea of a second Trump presidency is factored in. And two-thirds of that increase in support for the two per cent target tracked by the Angus Reid survey is coming from young women. The survey randomly sampled 2,427 Canadians and is considered accurate to plus or minus two per cent, 19 times out of 20. A separate recent poll, conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights, offers an interesting contrast. People who participated in that survey were asked if Canada should increase defence spending because of Trump's threats even if it meant fewer dollars for other priorities. That choice appears to have given some Canadians pause. The Pollara survey polled support for increased defence spending at 34 per cent. A full 43 per cent said Trump's threats shouldn't require an increase in defence spending. The Pollara survey spoke with 1,552 Canadians and also had a margin of error of plus or minus two per cent. 'Super majorities' back higher defence spending A third survey, conducted by EKOS Research Associates Inc. on behalf of the Canadian Association of Security and Defence Industries (CASDI), also found increasing support for higher defence spending. "The public judgment is that we are failing to provide a strong and successful defence industry," said the EKOS survey, dated Jan. 31, 2024, which did an in-depth analysis of the public's attitudes toward defence contractors. "Although a harder trade-off analysis suggests less enthusiasm, super majorities of Canadians think that increasing defence expenditures is a clear priority. Even on less favorable comparative testing to other higher priorities, there has been a clear rise in support for defence spending." Asked if the defence budget should be increased, 66 per cent of those surveyed by EKOS said more dollars should be going in, while only 18 per cent favoured a reduction (5 per cent weren't sure). "There is a view that Canada's position on the world stage has eroded sharply and that our relatively poor performance is linked to problems with how our defence and security capabilities are responding to deepened challenges," the EKOS survey said. In fact, a clear majority (71 per cent) told EKOS Canada is not taken seriously by other countries on international defence and security issues (20 per cent of poll respondents claimed that it is). And 67 per cent told the pollster Canada's allies view this country as "weak" on defence. The EKOS survey survey spoke to 2,608 Canadians and is considered accurate to within 1.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pauses during a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at Hostomel Airport in Kyiv, Ukraine on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The ceremony was to mark the second anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pauses during a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine at Hostomel Airport in Kyiv, Ukraine on Saturday, February 24, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) Both the EKOS research and the Angus Reid Institute analysis gauged public perceptions of Canada's support for Ukraine and its war with Russia. Sixty-seven per cent of those who responded to the EKOS survey agreed that "Canada has an important role to play in supplying Ukraine" with Canadian-made military equipment and support, while 27 per cent said it wasn't a priority. The Angus Reid numbers mirror those findings but drill down a bit deeper into the perceptions. "A majority (60 per cent) of Canadians said in January that NATO's support of Ukraine is the only thing keeping Russia from invading more of Europe. However, support [for] the conflict is waning most markedly among past Conservative voters," says the Angus Reid survey. "Conservative supporters' reduced interest in supporting Ukraine does not appear to indicate a reduced appetite for military spending in general, however. Seven-in-ten (71 per cent) past CPC voters would increase Canada's defence spending, including the 15 per cent who would exceed NATO's two per cent target." Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as Zimbabwe's leader for a second term in 2023 The US has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa for corruption and human rights abuses. The order also affects other senior leaders in the country - blocking their assets in the US and barring them from unofficial travel there. The new sanctions replace a broader programme that was introduced two decades ago. "We continue to witness gross abuses of political, economic, and human rights," the White House said in a statement. "The targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political activity have stifled fundamental freedoms, while key actors, including government leaders, have siphoned off public resources for personal gains," it added. "These illicit activities support and contribute to a global criminal network of bribery, smuggling, and money laundering that impoverish communities in Zimbabwe, southern Africa, and other parts of the world." The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, meanwhile cited "multiple cases of abductions, physical abuse, and unlawful killing" in Zimbabwe that had left people "living in fear". The White House said it was "refocusing and elevating its efforts to hold accountable the individuals and entities that are responsible for this exploitation". As well as Mr Mnangagwa, the US also sanctioned 10 other people and three businesses. Those on the list include First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri. Various other senior security officials, including members of Zimbabwe's national police and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), are also targeted - as are businesspeople found to have facilitated state corruption. They include presidential advisor Kudakwashe Tagwirei, his wife and two of their businesses. All other people that were previously sanctioned by the US and are not on the new list have had their restrictions lifted. A spokesman for the Zimbabwean government, Nick Mnangagwa, described the lifting of the old sanctions programme as a "great vindication of President Mnangagwa's Foreign Policy" and called the new tariffs "illegal". Story continues Farai Muroiwa Marapira, a spokesman for Mr Mnangagwa's ruling Zanu PF party said the president's "policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none and having our doors open to all has yielded bittersweet results". "If the president, the first lady and senior officials remain sanctioned then Zimbabwe remains sanctioned and burdened by this illegality," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The US first imposed economic and travel sanctions on Zimbabwe in the early 2000s - targeting then president Robert Mugabe and dozens of other high-ranking government officials, whom Washington accused of undermining democracy in the country. Various countries including the UK and European Union members have also placed sanctions on Zimbabwe. President Mnangagwa, who was sworn in for a second term as the country's last year, has in the past blamed the economic tariffs for crippling development in the country. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Washington, March 5 : A Massachusetts Air National Guardsman accused of posting classified intelligence information and sensitive documents online has 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, US 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, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a report by ABC News. "Yes your honour, 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 September 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 centre of what was considered one of the most serious leaks of national security information in the US. 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. Officials said such information may have compromised the way the US gathers intelligence. If you have a bottle of vermouth, the possibilities are (almost) endless. Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele No home bar is complete without a bottle or two of vermouth. This aromatized, fortified wine can be sipped on its own as a refreshing aperitif, but is also key to making a classic Martini (or, if you really feel like leaning into the world of vermouth, try your hand a 50-50 Martini). Vermouth is made all over the world, from Spain to Italy to France and beyond, and comes in dry, sweet, and semi-sweet styles. Versatile and complex, it works well in everything from a simple, two-ingredient spritz topped with club soda, to iconic cocktails like the Negroni, Vieux Carre, or Boulevardier. No matter where your vermouth journey takes you, be sure to store opened bottles in the refrigerator to maximize the fortified wine's shelf life. Read on to learn how to make some of our favorite vermouth cocktails. Soft Arms Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon / Glasses from Mamo Dry Riesling and dry vermouth make this low-alcohol cocktail the perfect light way to start off a meal. Get the Recipe Chrysanthemum Cocktail Matt Taylor-Gross The Chrysanthemum cocktail calls for a bittersweet blanc vermouth to help lengthen the drink and accentuate the herbal notes from the absinthe. A bit of Benedictine adds some body. Get the Recipe Martini Matt Taylor-Gross Whether you're using gin or vodka to make a Martini, don't skip the dry vermouth. The ingredient is key to adding body and depth to this classic cocktail, while allowing the base spirit's more subtle aromas and flavors to shine through. Get the Recipe Yuzu Amaro Spritz Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon This citrus-forward, herbaceous amaro spritz comes together in minutes, and calls for just a splash of dry vermouth. Get the Recipe Be Cool Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis Hibiscus-infused sweet vermouth and Campari give this slushy cocktail its bright pink hue. Get the Recipe Caprese Martini Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon At Jac's on Bond in New York City, the caprese salad-inspired Martini (balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, and all) calls for Lustau Blanco, a bitter and nutty vermouth from Jerez, Spain. Story continues Get the Recipe Negroni Guillermo Riveros / Food Styling by Oset BabAr-Winter One of the most iconic sweet vermouth cocktails, the boozy Negroni has inspired several riffs, including the viral Negroni Sbagliato. Get the Recipe Rob Roy Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele The harmony of Scotch whiskey and sweet vermouth make this classic cocktail perfect for cold-weather sipping. Get the Recipe Aperol Fizz Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon A perfect marriage of an egg cream and Aperol Spritz, this frothy cocktail from Jupiter in New York City calls for dry vermouth. Get the Recipe Mother's Ruin Punch Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele If you think vermouth doesn't belong in punch, think again. The Mother's Ruin punch calls for gin, sparkling wine, and sweet vermouth for added complexity. Get the Recipe Campari and Bourbon Cocktail Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele This cocktail calls for blanc vermouth, which is sweeter than dry vermouth, but not quite as sweet as red vermouth. White vermouth typically has a floral, rich flavor. Get the Recipe Nocino Manhattan Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele Fans of the classic Manhattan will love this herbaceous upgrade that calls for nocino, an Italian walnut liqueur. Get the Recipe Mr. J Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Port-finished Scotch blends with coffee, sweet vermouth, and chocolate in this fireside-ready cocktail. Get the Recipe Vieux Carre Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon Channel the decadence and debauchery of Prohibition-era New Orleans with a classic Vieux Carre. We like to use Cinzano Rosso to make our recipe, but you can use any other sweet vermouth as well. Get the Recipe Rocky Mountain Wizard Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Potato vodka, yellow Chartreuse, and Italian white vermouth make this a must-try balanced, lightly herbaceous Martini for vodka fans. Get the Recipe Boulevardier Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Oset BabAr-Winter The whiskey lover's Negroni calls for equal parts of bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Get the Recipe For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Tehran, March 5 : Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has rejected claims by US officials about Tehran's space cooperation with Moscow as "baseless". Kanaani was reacting to the claims made by US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, in which he had described the recent launch of an Iranian satellite by Russia as "another indication of the deepening military partnership" between the two countries, which was "harmful to Ukraine, Iran's neighbours and the international community". The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday said that the defence and military cooperation between Iran and Russia were based on international laws and regulations as well as the two countries' common interests, Xinhua news agency reported. "It is the right of countries to cooperate within the framework of international regulations and laws. We categorically reject the claims made by the U.S. authorities and consider them baseless," Kanaani stressed. He added the cooperation would continue within its framework and was not against any third party. Iran on Thursday successfully put a domestically developed satellite, dubbed Pars-1, into a 500-km orbit via a Soyuz rocket launch in eastern Russia. Washington, March 5 : US Vice President Kamala Harris has met with a member of Israel's cabinet prosecuting the war in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire and the increase and safe distribution of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in need. Harris' meeting with Benny Gantz, former Israeli defence minister and deputy prime minister, came on Monday -- one day after she gave what appeared to be the most strongly-worded call to date from the Joe Biden administration for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Xinhua news agency reported. "The Vice President discussed the urgency of achieving a hostage deal and welcomed Israel's constructive approach to the hostage talks," said a readout of the meeting issued by the White House. "She called on Hamas to accept the terms on the table whereby the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire," it added. Harris also "expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza", the readout said, referring to an incident Thursday that killed scores of Palestinians trying to get food from an aid convoy in Gaza City. As a result, the civilian death toll since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza surpassed 30,000. The Israeli military said on Sunday that most of those killed in the chaotic event died from a stampede, while Palestinian-run local health authorities said those sent to hospitals were shot by large-calibre ammunition. During her meeting with Gantz, Harris "urged Israel to take additional measures in cooperation with the United States and international partners to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure its safe distribution to those in need", the readout said. Gantz's visit came amid a growing rift between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the latter's handling of the war. Gantz is a political opponent of Netanyahu, but the two have reached a deal whereby they agree to share power in planning the military operation against Hamas. New Delhi, March 5 : The Competition Commission of India (CCI) will hold the 9th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law here on Tuesday. The conference will bring together scholars, practitioners, academicians and experts working in the area of economics of competition law. The keynote address in the inaugural session of the conference will be delivered by Arvind Virmani, Member, NITI Aayog. The conference will have a plenary session and two technical sessions. According to CCI, the topic for the plenary session is 'Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities'. Arghya Sengupta, Founder and Research Director, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy is the Moderator of the plenary session. The two technical sessions will be chaired by Rajat Kathuria, Professor and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University and Rohit Prasad, Professor, Economic and Public Policy, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon. The objectives of the conference are to stimulate research and debate on contemporary issues in the field of economics of competition law, to develop a better understanding of competition issues relevant to the Indian context, and to draw inferences for the enforcement of competition law in India, the CCI said in a statement. The CCI has been organising the Conference every year since 2016. Seoul, March 5 : A US Navy destroyer arrived at a naval base on the southern island of Jeju on Tuesday for a replenishment purpose, the South Korean Navy said. The USS Higgins Arleigh Burke-class destroyer entered the base to replenish supplies and for crewmembers' rest, a day after South Korea and the US began their annual combined Freedom Shield exercise for an 11-day run, Yonhap news agency reported. A South 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 US vessel's visit, the official said. Lucknow, March 5 : The CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR) has offered to make an assessment of the ecological impact of treating 20 lakh tonnes of waste at the Shivri waste management site in Lucknow district. A proposal to this effect has been received by Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC). The plan integrates chemical profiling, bio-remediation and toxicological assessments and employing advanced techniques. The project aims to scrutinize waste for harmful substances pre and post-processing, while assessing air pollution impact through quarterly sampling and advanced modelling. Wastewater, groundwater and bio-soil will undergo thorough analysis to gauge pollution levels. The team plans to expedite the natural breakdown process of waste and evaluate its safety post-treatment by studying its effects on earthworms and zebrafish. Anticipated outcomes encompass enhanced understanding and management of air pollutants, assurance of treated waste safety, restoration of the site for improved use and protection of workers and local communities' health. This initiative addresses environmental, health and economic concerns in legacy waste management. If approved, this effort could serve as a blueprint for sustainable waste management practices in urban areas. Additional municipal commissioner Arvind Rao said, "We are considering the proposal as it ensures the right steps in treating legacy waste." Lucknow, March 5 : The Lucknow University will soon be offering online undergraduate courses, B.Com and BBA, from the academic session 2024-25. The university has got the approval to run the course in online mode as it fulfils the mandatory rule of having a good grade from the National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC). The proposal to run the course has also been approved in the executive council meeting. LU spokesperson Durgesh Srivastava said" "To offer online courses, a university should have a National Assessment Accreditation Council (NAAC) 'A' grade. In previous academic sessions, the university did not have a grade to offer online courses but now it holds a NAAC 'A++' grade." "We are finalising the modalities to offer these online courses. Offering online courses will help working professionals and others who cannot turn up for physical classes on campus and need the flexibility to pursue the course at any place and at any time. The mode of examination for the online courses will also be online," he said. India has serious concern over allegations against UNRWA, but considering more aid for Palestinians. Image Source: IANS News United Nations, March 5 : India has expressed "serious concern" over the allegations against the world body's beleaguered agency that provides support for Palestinians but said that it was "positively considering" requests for aid. United Nations, March 5 (IANS) India has expressed "serious concern" over the allegations against the world body's beleaguered agency that provides support for Palestinians but said that it was "positively considering" requests for aid. India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said on Monday, "Recent allegations against the UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) are a matter of serious concern". However, she added, "We are also positively considering specific requests from the UNRWA for assistance in kind. We urge utmost diligence in the utilisation of these assistance." Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced an investigation into allegations made by Israel that UNRWA employees had participated in the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and several staffers were associated with that group. He has also set up an independent review headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna of the overall working of the organisation. "We look forward to getting these reports" from the inquiry and the review, Kamboj said while participating in a special meeting on UNRWA convened by General Assembly President Dennis Francis. Francis warned that UNRWA was in danger of "imminent collapse" and it "may not survive without our immediate and decisive action". Sixteen countries led by the US have cut off aid amounting to over $400 million to UNRWA in the wake of the allegations against it. Kamboj reiterated India's support to the agency which serves the needs of Palestinian refugees and contributes to the "overall stability in the region". "As a mark of its solidarity with the Palestinian refugees" India has been making its annual contribution of $5 million -- raised from $1.5 million in 2018," she said. The conflict sparked by the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 "has led to large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children, and has resulted in an alarming humanitarian crisis", she said. "It is imperative that humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza be scaled up immediately in order to avert a further deterioration in the situation", she added. A peaceful end to the conflict is possible only through dialogue and ultimately only a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine existing side by side will bring enduring peace, she said. UNRWA was set up by the General Assembly in 1949 to help Palestine refugees displaced during the founding of Israel. It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan providing 5.9 million refugees food assistance and a range of services from education to healthcare. It has a staff of 13,000 in Gaza and over 160 of them were killed in the Israel counteroffensive that followed the Hamas attack. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the General Assembly that the agency "is at a breaking point" because of the cuts to contributions by several countries despite "prompt and decisive actions, and the unsubstantiated nature of the allegations". "Without additional funding, we will be in uncharted territory -- with serious implications for global peace and security," he said. He said that 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", Lazzarini said. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for dismantling UNRWA and said that it will not be allowed to operate in Gaza after the war. Israel's Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan told the General Assembly that UNRWA's "role in Gaza is finished, and it must be replaced immediately; UNRWA must be defunded and dismantled". At an earlier meeting of the General Assembly on Monday on the US veto of the Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, called the UN a collaborator with Hamas terrorism. Israel has alleged that 450 employees of UNRWA were members of Hamas or other terrorist organisations. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) New Delhi, March 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Shehbaz Sharif after he was sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Sharif, 72, was administered the oath of office on Monday in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, the presidential residence. Taking to his X, PM Modi wrote: "Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan". Sharif, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, served as the PM from April 11, 2022, to August 14, 2023, after the Imran Khan government lost a no-confidence motion. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and other PML-N workers. Shehbaz Sharif emerged as the consensus candidate of the PML-N and the PPP after they agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a coalition government. "PM Shehbaz Sharif worked day and night for the development of Pakistan. He has done it before, he will deliver again. Even his detractors say that he worked hard and delivered. He will prove to be an outclass PM!" the X handle of PML-N posted just after Sharif's swearing-in ceremony. New Delhi, March 5 : The Delhi Capitals Women's team received a grand welcome from the team's official fan club, DC Toli, upon their arrival in the national capital. New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) The Delhi Capitals Women's team received a grand welcome from the teamas official fan club, DC Toli, upon their arrival in the national capital. DC are set to play in a home venue for the first time since the Women's Premier League (WPL) came into existence in 2023. The Delhi leg of the WPL commences on Tuesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The home team, led by Meg Lanning, will square off against the Mumbai Indians in their maiden home game. The first half of the league was held in Bengaluru. Capitals, who reached the final in the inaugural edition of the tournament, currently sit on top of the table with six points after three wins in four games Kolkata, March 5 : A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a video surfaced where the Trinamool Congress legislator from Tarakeswar Assembly constituency in Hooghly district was seen and heard describing the Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh as an "unholy" place and just a "showpiece". Kolkata, March 5 (IANS) A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a video surfaced where the Trinamool Congress legislator from Tarakeswar Assembly constituency in Hooghly district was seen and heard describing the Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh as an "unholy" place and just a "showpiece". "I feel that no Indian Hindu should not go to offer prayers at the Ram Mandir which according to me is an unholy place. It is nothing but a showpiece." Sinha Roy was heard saying at a public meeting as per the video footage. Reacting to the comment, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said that he will lodge an FIR against this person for "hurting the sentiments of Hindus all over the world by making such hateful statements." "This is the true nature of Trinamool Congress leaders. Their audacity to attack Hindus has grown so much that now they call the sacred temple of Lord Sri Ram, the sacred seat of Hindus, as unholy," the leader of the opposition said. He also shared the video on his social media account X. Besides being the party MLA from Tarakeswar, Sinha Roy is also the president of Arambagh organisational district of the ruling party. Despite repeated attempts by IANS, Sinha Roy was not available for his comments on the matter. Staff Sgt. Oscar Gollaz The Army National Guard ordered a nationwide stand down of its helicopters after two crashes in 11 days. The stand down will review the circumstances of the crash and address safety issues. Despite the incidents, the Apaches safety record is higher than most helicopters due to its need to fly low and fast. The National Guard has grounded its entire helicopter fleet after two major crash incidents in the span of just two weeks. In separate incidents, Apaches from the Utah and Mississippi National Guard were lost. The Apache has a relatively high mishap rate for Army aircraftnearly three times higher than average. Two Crashes, 11 Days Apart DANIEL MIHAILESCU - Getty Images The first incident took place on February 13th, 2024 at the South Valley Regional Airport, approximately 13 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. Local news photos show the aircraft on its side and its main rotor missing. The report claims that the pilot is from the 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment (Air Pirates)part of the Utah Army National Guard and one of just four Apache battalions in the Army reserves. The pilot was treated and released at a nearby hospital. The second crew member involved was said to be a member of the Air Forces 419th Fighter Wing , located at nearby Hill Air Force Base. The 419th is home to two fighter squadrons, both equipped with the F-35A Lightning fighter. The crew member was described as injured but in stable condition. The second incident took place on February 23rd, 2024 in Mississippi during a routine training flight near Booneville, Mississippi. Both the pilot and co-pilot/gunner were killed. The pilot was described as a member of the 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment , a Texas National Guard Apache battalion, while the co-pilot was a maintenance test pilot for the Mississippi Army National Guard. Safety Record AFP - Getty Images The AH-64 Apache is the US Armys attack helicopter, designed to kill tanks at a distance with Hellfire anti-tank missiles. As a result, the Apache typically flies low and fast, taking advantage of terrain features to mask its presence from enemy air defenses. The -D variantthe version involved in both crashesuses a donut-shaped millimeter-wave radar antenna on top of the main rotor. Its designed to peek out from behind a hill or treeline and detect tanks from a distance. The Apache can then launch Hellfire missiles at tanks from beyond line of sight without further risking detection. Story continues Low altitude flying is inherently dangerous, taxing both the crew and the airframe. From 2016 to 2020, the Armys Apache fleet had 2.12 Class A incidents per 100,000 flight hours . An Army Class A incident is defined as a mishap in which the resulting total cost of property damage is $2,500,000 or more, an Army manned aircraft is destroyed, missing, or abandoned; or an injury and/or occupational illness results in a fatality or permanent total disability. Capt. Kyle Abraham By comparison, the Class A rate for CH-47 Chinook helicopters for 2015-2019 was 1.37 per 100,000 hours . The Class A rate for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for 2014-2018 was 1.2 per 100,000 hours . The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter, which was retired in the 2010s and often flew alongside the Apache, had a Class A rate of 2.11 per 100,000 hours . The stand down which took effect on Monday, February 26thwill allow the Guards aviation units to review safety policies and procedures following the two crashes. This does not necessarily mean there is anything mechanically wrong with the Armys helicopters, particularly the Apache. Of all Apache Class A incidents, 81 percent were human error, while just 19 percent were attributed to material failure. The Takeaway The two Apache helicopter crashes may or may not be related in some way, but for now, there is no evidence the incidents are linked. The only thing they might end up having in common is that they took place in February of 2024. The stand down will allow the Guard to review safety procedures and ensure that its remaining 70 Apaches are properly serviced and maintained. You Might Also Like Kolkata, March 5 : Reports of daily route marches conducted by personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) already deployed in West Bengal, are being sent to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Each police station under whose jurisdiction such route marches are being conducted is sending reports to the respective election cells, which will forward them to the Chief Election Officer in Kolkata, who in turn will give periodic updates to the ECIas headquarters in the national Capital. The basic purpose of the early deployment of the CAPF is to instill confidence among the voters ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, even though the polling dates are yet to be announced. A total of 920 CAPF companies have been allotted for West Bengal and the ruling Trinamool Congress party has raised objections to this early deployment. A full ECI Bench is already in West Bengal to take stock of the poll-preparedness and has directed the stateas police administration to execute pending non-bailable arrest warrants at the earliest and send it a report. The ECI Bench has also communicated to the police administration that civic volunteers attached to the state police should not be used for any kind of poll-related duty, directly or indirectly. Kolkata, March 5 : A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a video surfaced where the Trinamool Congress legislator Sinha Roy from Tarakeswar Assembly constituency in Hooghly district was seen and heard describing the Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh as an "unholy" place and just a "showpiece". Kolkata, March 5 (IANS) A political slugfest has erupted in West Bengal after a video surfaced where the Trinamool Congress legislator Sinha Roy from Tarakeswar Assembly constituency in Hooghly district was seen and heard describing the Ram Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh as an "unholy" place and just a "showpiece". "I feel that no Indian Hindu should go to offer prayers at the Ram Mandir which according to me is an unholy place. It is nothing but a showpiece." Sinha Roy was heard saying at a public meeting as per the video footage. Reacting to the comment, the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said that he will lodge an FIR against this person for "hurting the sentiments of Hindus all over the world by making such hateful statements." "This is the true nature of Trinamool Congress leaders. Their audacity to attack Hindus has grown so much that now they call the sacred temple of Lord Sri Ram, the sacred seat of Hindus, as unholy," the leader of the opposition said. He also shared the video on his social media account X. Besides being the party MLA from Tarakeswar, Sinha Roy is also the president of Arambagh organisational district of the ruling party. Despite repeated attempts by IANS, Sinha Roy was not available for his comments on the matter. Patna March 5 : An aircraft of the Indian Army's Officers Training Academy in Bihar's Gaya, with two pilots on board, crashed on Tuesday. Two pilots, including a female, survived with minor injuries. The Officers Training Academy (OTA) aircraft was on a routine training programme. The incident occurred in the Kanchanpur village under Bodh Gaya sub-division. The villagers said that two pilots were inside the aircraft when it crash-landed in an agricultural field. The villagers helped in rescuing the pilots and later informed the local police and OTA. The OTA officers reached the village and both pilots were taken to the base camp for treatment. Sangareddy : , March 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that Hyderabad and Telangana will get a new identity with the Civil Aviation Research Organization (CARO) Centre. He said the first of its kind aviation centre in the country, which has come up at Begumpet Airport, will give a platform for aviation startups, research and skill development. The Prime Minister said CARO will create employment opportunities for youth in the aviation sector. He noted that the aviation sector in India is setting new records, the number of airports have doubled in 10 years and new employment opportunities are being created in the sector. "In this context, CARO will have an important role to play," he said On the second day of his visit to Telangana, the Prime Minister dedicated CARO to the nation at a programme held here. He inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 7,200 crore. These projects encompass multiple key sectors like road, rail, petroleum and natural gas. The Airports Authority of India has set up CARO at a cost of more than Rs 350 crore to upgrade and enhance the Research and Development (R&D) activities in the civil aviation sector. It is envisaged to provide a global research platform for the aviation community through in-house and collaborative research to provide indigenous and innovative solutions. Stating that modern infrastructure is vital to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat, PM Modi said his government allocated Rs 11 lakh crore in the Union Budget. "We are trying to see that Telangana get maximum benefit," he said. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G. Kishan Reddy, state ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Konda Surekha and MP K. Laxman were also present. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the six-laning of the 30 km long Pune-Hyderabad (Sangareddy X Road-Madinaguda) section of NH-65. The project with an estimated cost of Rs 1,300 crore will provide improved connectivity to IT, industrial corridor and educational institutions like the IIT in the region. He inaugurated four-laning of 40 km long Kandi to Ramsanpalle section of NH-161 at a cost of Rs 1,540 crore. This will reduce travel time from Hyderabad to Nanded by about three hours and enhance connectivity to religious places in Nanded. The project is a part of Indore-Hyderabad Economic Corridor and will facilitate seamless passenger and freight movement between Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the upgradation of 47-km long Miryalaguda to Kodad Section of NH-167 to two lanes with paved shoulders. The project completed at a cost of Rs 320 crore will improve connectivity and boost tourism as well as economic activity and industries in the region. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation 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, whose cost is Rs 3,340 crore, will ensure safe and economical transportation of petroleum product from Paradip Refinery to delivery stations at Visakhapatnam, Atchutapuram, and Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh), and Malkapur near Hyderabad (in Telangana). He said this project strengthens the government's resolve for sustainable development. "In coming days, we will speed up the process to achieve Viksit Bharat through Viksit Telangana," he said. PM Modi inaugurated the doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar-Moula Ali rail line along with six new station buildings. The entire 22 route kms of the project has been commissioned with automatic signalling and has been completed as part of the MMTS (Multi Modal Transport Service) Phase - II project. As part of it, six new station buildings have come up at Ferozguda, Suchitra Centre, Bhudevi Nagar, Ammuguda, Neredmet and Moula Ali Housing Board stations. Doubling and electrification work paves the way for the introduction of passenger trains for the first time in this section. It will help improve punctuality and overall speed of trains in the region by reducing the burden on other highly saturated sections. The Prime Minister flagged-off the inaugural MMTS 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. It connects the new areas in the eastern part of the city like Cherlapalli, Moula Ali with the Western part of the twin city region. The safe, fast and economic mode of transport connecting the eastern with the western part of the twin city region will be highly beneficial for commuters. We freed UP from the status of BIMARU state: Yogi. Image Source: IANS News Lucknow, March 5 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, removed the chairperson of the UP Police Recruitment Board. The chairperson, Renuka Mishra, has been replaced with IPS officer Rajeev Krishna. Mishra was removed days after the UP Police constable recruitment examination was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak. More than 48 lakh candidates appeared in the examination, which was held on February 17 and 18 across the state. The state government on February 24 cancelled the police constable recruitment examination and announced that a re-examination would be conducted within six months. The state government has also ordered a probe into the paper leak by the Special Task Force (STF). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said that "there can be no compromise with the sanctity of examinations" and assured strict action against "unruly elements". "There can be no compromise with the sanctity of examinations. Those who play with the hard work of youngsters will not be spared under any circumstances. Strictest action is certain to be taken against such unruly elements," he said in a post in Hindi on X. Mumbai, March 5 : The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is likely to finalise its seat-sharing pact for the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, at the last round of talks scheduled for March 6, official sources said here on Tuesday. However, suspense continues on the role of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) headed by Prakash Ambedkar, and the number of seats it may be offered to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, besides satisfying the demands of other smaller allies. The VBA stumped the Opposition bloc last week by seeking at least 27 parliamentary seats, plus a unilateral choice of its candidates in certain constituencies, which was reportedly aunacceptablea to several MVA constituents. Claiming that the VBA is fully geared up for parliamentary polls Ambedkar has threatened several times that he is prepared to go solo in all 48 constituencies if the MVA alliance fails to consider his demands. On Monday, NCP-SP National General Secretary, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, publicly appealed to Ambedkar to join the seat-sharing efforts and help safeguard democracy and the Indian Constitution in the interest of future generations. As per current indicators, the MVA may allot the VBA around 10 per cent (four or five) of the Lok Sabha seats, plus three or four seats are likely to go to other smaller allies. The remaining 40 constituencies shall be divided among the major MVA allies, i.e. Congress-NCP-SP-Shiv Sena-UBT as per their formula, plus they would also accommodate their own allies, if needed, said a NCP-SP leader. At Wednesday's meeting, the top leaders slated to seal the deal -- barring any last-minute glitches -- include Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, NCP-SP President Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena-UBT President Uddhav Thackeray, VBA President Ambedkar, and the representatives of the six other smaller parties. New Delhi, March 5 : SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket has successfully aced three major launches -- all under a span of 20 hours, the company said on Tuesday. Billionaire Elon Musk's company first sent a four-member crew to the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday morning. During the afternoon, it launched 53 satellites on Transporter-10 rideshare flight, and 23 Starlink satellites took off to orbit early Tuesday morning. "Three Falcon 9 launches in 20 hours, carrying to orbit: 4 crewmembers headed to the @Space_Station; 53 rideshare spacecraft; 23 @Starlink satellites," the company wrote in a post on X on Tuesday. SpaceX, which is part of the astronaut launch services for NASA from 2020, carried the crew-8 mission to ISS at 10:53 p.m. EST Sunday (9.23 am, Monday IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew-8 mission includes NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin. This will be the first space flight for Epps, Dominick and Grebyonkin and the third stint on the ISS for Barratt. SpaceX's Transporter-10 mission lifted off at 5:05 p.m. ET on Monday (3:35 am Tuesday, IST) from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission includes 53 payloads, which were placed into various orbits including True Anomaly's Jackal spacecraft, a wide range of cubesats and nanosats, and the Aires satellite built by spacecraft-manufacturer Apex. The company's latest batch of 23 Starlink internet satellites lifted off at 6:56 p.m. ET on Monday (5:26 am Tuesday, IST) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. SpaceX currently has over 5,000 working Starlink satellites in orbit, and it has approval to launch up to 12,000. New Delhi, March 5 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar began his three-day Asian tour with discussions on Indo-Pacific, trade, and economic cooperation as he landed in South Korea on Tuesday to co-chair the 10th Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries. Imparting further momentum to bilateral exchanges and setting the agenda for future cooperation are among the main spotlights of the minister's visits to the Republic of Korea and Japan. Jaishankar kicked off his engagements by meeting the Director of National Security, Chang Ho-jin, with whom he had a "useful discussion" on the countries' shared convergences in the Indo-Pacific as well as contemporary regional and global issues. He also called on South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and appreciated his "valued guidance" and positive sentiments for India-Korea ties ahead of the 10th Joint Commission Meeting on Wednesday. The Joint Commission Meeting 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, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. To build convergences between the two countries, the minister had wide-ranging interactions with Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Dukgeun as well as representatives from various think tanks. "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-Korea relationship," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X. The strategic partnership between the two countries has expanded to diverse areas of cooperation, which include trade, investments, defence, education, S&T, culture. Ahead of Jaishankar's visit, South Korean Ambassador Chang Jae-bok on Monday appreciated the deepening and expanding economic relations between India and Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to visit India after the crucial elections in South Korea, scheduled to be held in April this year. Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : One Indian worker was killed, and two others injured in a missile attack by the Hezbollah militant group in Margaliot in Israel. This is the first reported death of an Indian near Israel's border with Lebanon in several years. The attack took place on Monday evening. The deceased was identified as Nibin Maxwell, a 31-year-old resident of Vady in Kerala's Kollam. Seven others were grievously injured in the rocket attack. Two of the injured hail from Kerala and were identified as Joseph George and Paul Melvin. Nibin Maxwell's father told IANS that he had left for Israel in January and that his elder brother Nivin was also working there. He said that the family was informed about the death around Monday midnight. Kerala Police sources when contacted told IANS that the body was expected to reach Kerala in four days. Maxwell is survived by his wife, who is seven months pregnant and a five-year-old daughter. The Embassy of Israel in India mourned the death and 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 yesterday early afternoon." The statement further 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." According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 18,000 Indians continue to reside in Israel despite the advisory issued in October that had prompted India to undertake the evacuation of several batches of Indians. After some days the evacuation was paused. Israel has suspended work permits for thousands of Palestinians because of the ongoing conflict leading to vacancies in a large number of positions. India and Israel had signed an agreement in May 2023 for 42,000 Indian workers to be absorbed into the Israeli economy. Nagpur : , March 5 (IANS) The Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) on Tuesday acquitted former professor of Delhi University G.N. Saibaba and five others who were awarded life sentences in 2014 Maoists link case. A division bench of Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Valmiki S.A. Menezes quashed the 2017 verdict of a Gadchiroli Sessions Court which had earlier convicted the six accused. The state did not seek a stay on the judgement, delivered on March 5, 2017 which came after the court re-heard the plea by Saibaba after a previous bench of the Bombay High Court had also acquitted the professor in October 2022. Arrested in 2014, 54-year-old Saibaba, who is mentally fit and alert, remains wheelchair bound and currently is lodged in the Nagpur Central Jail. After the arrest along with the other accused -- Mahesh Tirki, Vijaynan Tirki, Hem Kesawdatta Mishra, Prashant Rahi, and Pandu Pora Narote (who died in August 2022) -- he was charged with having links with Maoist organisations active in the region, and conspiring to wage a war against the country. The judges have on Tuesday directed the accused to be released from the jail after depositing Rs 50,000 each as bail bond till the Supreme Court decides the stateas plea against the verdict, if it is challenged. The current re-hearing of the case took place after the Supreme Court set aside the October 2022 acquittal order and remanded the matter for a fresh hearing back to the Bombay High Court. In the trial before the Gadchiroli Sessions Court, the state of Maharashtra contended that he and others were working for the banned CPI (Maoist) group and its frontal organisations like Revolutionary Democratic Front. The police had seized evidence like Maoist literature, pamphlets, electronic materials and other things deemed to be aanti-nationala from Saibaba. He had also handed over a 16GB memory card purportedly intended for the Maoist groups active and hiding in the Abujhmad jungles, sprawled over 4,000 sq. kms on the borders of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. After the conviction by the Gadchiroli Sessions Court Principal Judge Suryakant Shinde to undergo a life sentence in March 2017, Saibaba had challenged the ruling in the Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) and a division bench comprising Justice Rohit B. Deo and Justice Anil Pansare, acquitted Saibaba on October 14, 2022. That appeal was allowed on Saibabaas contentions that the Sessions Court had framed charges against him in the absence of sanction from the Centre as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Sec. 45(1). The previous bench had also noted that though terrorism posed an ominous threat to national security and every legitimate weapon in the armoury must be deployed against it, a civic democracy cannot sacrifice procedural safeguards afforded to the accused. The state government immediately challenged the high court verdict in the apex court where Justice M.R. Shah and Justice Bela M.Trivedi suspended the high courtas judgement on October 15, 2022. Later in April 2023, another bench of Justice M.R. Shah and Justice C.T. Ravikumar ordered a fresh hearing in the case by the Bombay High Court, which was completed by Justice Joshi and Justice Menezes, and resulted in the acquittal. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in) Kolkata, March 5 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) will involve central agencies in monitoring the polling process across the country during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC), Rajiv Kumar, told media persons in Kolkata on Tuesday. The CEC added that a separate portal would be opened involving all central agencies for the purpose of vigilance. He added that a mobile application named 'C-Vigil: Citizens be Vigilant' would be introduced to enable users to report any election-related irregularities or violence promptly. The CEC said that the full-Bench of the ECI, which was on a visit to West Bengal, had meetings with all the political parties. CEC Kumar said apart from complaints about the use of money and muscle power in the polls, the Bench had also received complaints that bureaucrats were not operating in a transparent and unbiased manner. "Barring one political party, all other parties have requested for deployment of additional forces. One political party has also insisted on a single-phase election in West Bengal," he said. He added that during the meeting with the functionaries of the state's administrative and police setup, clear instructions were given about ensuring an absolutely peaceful election. "Voting should be conducted in a festive mood. The higher administrative and police functionaries have been directed to convey the message to their subordinates down the line, so that all necessary steps are taken to ensure violence-free polls. If the state administration and police fail to do that, we will make them do it," CEC Kumar said during the interaction with media persons. He also said that this time separate polling stations for women and Divyangs would be set up. Meanwhile, sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) West Bengal said that the ECI will be taking special measures to prevent the use of black money in the elections. In order to ensure that, the Income Tax Department and the ED sleuths will also be activated, they said. New Delhi, March 5 : Indian Newspaper Society (INS) has urged the government to waive the 5 per cent customs duty on newsprint as publishers have come under a financial strain due to the escalation in costs. The INS said that a combination of factors such as geopolitical uncertainties, logistics, rupee depreciation and customs duty had affected the price and availability of newsprint, creating a formidable burden for publishers. "The escalation in the conflict in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine war has significantly impacted the global supply chain," a statement cited INS President Rakesh Sharma, as saying. It said that the continuous targeting of ships in the Red Sea region has also exacerbated the situation, leading to disruptions in the transportation of essential commodities, including newsprint. "As a result, the newsprint suppliers are cancelling the earlier confirmed orders of the publishers. Many newsprint mills in India and across the world have either suspended or ceased their operations, causing concerns about the supply of newsprint in India," the INS said. It said that the fluctuating currency exchange rates contribute to the rising costs of importing newsprint, thereby straining the financial viability of newspapers and publications. "This measure, if withdrawn, would provide much-needed relief to the print media industry, allowing publishers to manage their operational costs more effectively," the statement added. Bengaluru, March 5 : Karnataka Police arrested two BJP workers on Tuesday for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans while staging a protest in Mandya city in November 2022. The complaint was filed by an advocate Kannambadi Kumar based on a viral video on social media. The arrested BJP workers have been identified as Ravi, a resident of Dhanayakapura and Shivakumar Aradhya from Mandya. The action by the police, one and a half years later after the incident, has raised suspicions of political vendetta in the backdrop of the pro-Pakistan slogan row involving three Congress workers. Reacting to the development, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday that the incident of BJP workers raising Pro-Pakistan slogans was taken during the BJP governmentas rule. Mandya SP has arrested them now. When asked why the arrests were made now, Home Minister Parameshwara said that he did not know the details of the case. "The incident took place when the BJP was in power, why did they not take action?" Parameshwara questioned. Meanwhile, Ravi and Aradhya had stated before the arrest that they are staunch BJP and RSS workers and swear that even if their throat is slit, they will not raise 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans and will only raise 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogans. As the slogans were taken in Hindi, there was a confusion and instead of saying 'murdabad' they stated 'zindabad'. Both had apologized for the same. The BJP had organised a protest in November 2022 to condemn the statement of the Pakistanas Foreign Ministeras remarks against PM Modi. Sangareddy : , March 5 (IANS) Continuing his attack on Congress and its allies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that 'parivarvad' is a threat to democracy and does not allow new talent to emerge. Addressing a public meeting here, PM Modi lashed out at INDIA bloc leaders for saying that he has no family. He said from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, ruling families have become strong but states have been destroyed. The Prime Minister alleged that Congress and its allies have stooped to the level of abusing him and his family. "They are abusing me because I expose their scams of thousands of crores. I am against parivarvad but I don't make personal allegations," he said. "I say parivarvad is a danger for democracy, it is against talent and against youth but they are saying Modi has no family. Do the families have a licence to steal? Are they free to steal and capture power," he asked. PM Modi said he had seen a chief minister whose 50 family members were occupying high posts. He slammed the opposition leaders for their assertion that they are fighting an ideological battle against him. "They say family first, I say nation first. This is the ideological fight. For them their families are everything and for me every family of the country is everything. For their family interests, they sacrificed the nation's interests and I sacrificed myself for the nation's interests," he said, reiterating that 140 crore Indians are his family. The Prime Minister said that the family-centric parties are so insecure that they do not allow youth to come up in politics. "Ever since Congress became parivarvadi, it has not allowed anybody below 50 to come up. They bring those who are 75, 80 and 85 because they fear that if those aged 50-55 come and overtake them what will happen to their family," he said while claiming that he is promoting honest youth in politics. PM Modi also alleged parivarvadi looted the nation to fill their vaults while he spends money from his own salary on people. He also charged the leaders of family-centric parties with receiving expensive gifts to convert black money into white. The PM claimed that he deposited all gifts in Tosha Khana which were auctioned to raise money for the Ganga project. The Prime Minister said so far Rs 150 crore were raised through auction of gifts and the money was spent on public service. He also alleged that the parivarvadi opened accounts in foreign banks to hide black money. "Modi opened Jan Dhan accounts of crores of poor. This is the difference. They built palaces for their families but Modi has not built even a house. Modi is building houses for the poor. So far 4 crore houses have been built for the poor," he said. Alleging that parties which believe in 'parivarvad' sold mines, lands, skies and did everything to destroy the nation, he claimed that he was toiling to build the future of the people and their children. Stating that his government fulfilled its promises of scrapping Article 370 and building Ram temple, the Prime Minister claimed that it also implemented the promise of writing a new chapter of development in the country. "India is the fastest growing economy. I am giving you a guarantee that in the next few years, we will make India the third biggest economy in the world," he said. PM Modi said that the enthusiasm he is seeing among people of Telangana for the BJP is strengthening his faith. "I will not allow your enthusiasm, love and affection to go waste. I will return it in double the amount with the development of Telangana," he said. PM Modi termed BRS and Congress as two sides of the same coin. He said fed up with the scams of BRS, people of Telangana gave an opportunity to Congress. He reiterated that the Congress government is taking no action over the Kaleshwaram project scam. He alleged that Congress was sitting on files after realising that their own people were involved in it along with BRS. He alleged that the Congress party has made Telangana its new ATM. He said both Congress and BRS provide fire cover to each other in looting Telangana. "This fire cover will not last long because in the Modi government, there have been both surgical and air strikes," he remarked adding that for this he needs blessings of people of Telangana. New Delhi, March 5 : Surging credit has caused the loan-to-deposit ratios (LDRs) to climb at Indian banks, raising concerns that the trailing deposit growth and competition for funds would hit margins, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data and analysis. Loan growth has stayed strong since the Indian economy recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, but deposit growth lagged behind as Indian investors sought other asset classes. These include stocks via direct investments and mutual funds as well as real estate, driven by India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. This has skewed the loan-to-deposit ratios (LDRs) at most banks, the analysis said. LDRs at top public sector lenders, including the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India and Canara Bank, increased almost every year since the 2021 fiscal, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data. While the ratio has declined marginally at some private sector lenders, this is largely because they were already operating at much higher levels of LDR. The SBI, the biggest lender by assets, saw its LDR rise to 74.79 per cent as on December 31, 2023, from 67.50 per cent at the end of the fiscal year ended March 2021. Bank of Baroda's LDR increased to 82.39 per cent from 76.55 per cent over the same period. Among private sector lenders, HDFC Bank saw a sharp increase in its LDR to 114.02 per cent as on December 31, 2023, from 89.85 per cent, following its merger with Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd., its non-deposit-taking housing finance parent. But the LDR at peers, such as ICICI Bank and IndusInd Bank, edged slightly lower, S&P Global Market Intelligence data showed. Another jolt to YSRCP as Andhra minister quits party to join TDP. Image Source: IANS News Vijayawada, March 5 : In another jolt to the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) ahead of Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, state Labour and Employment Minister, Gummanur Jayaram on Tuesday resigned from the party and announced that he would be joining the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) soon. The leader told media persons here that he had resigned as a minister as well as from the primary membership of the YSRCP and would join the TDP to contest the Assembly election on their ticket from Guntakal constituency. He said YSRCP President and Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, had asked him to contest the Lok Sabha elections, but he refused the offer. "As the YSRCP assigned another candidate for my constituency (Alur), I felt hurt and left the party," he said. Gummanur Jayaram said TDP President, N Chandrababu Naidu, asked him whether he wanted to contest from Kurnool or Anantapur, but he chose Guntakal as he wanted to serve the region where he was born. The leader denied that he held discussions with the Congress Party. "I have no attachment with DK Shivakumar or the Congress Party. As my brother is a minister in Karnataka, I meet my brother and discuss our personal matters as both our constituencies are next to each other on the border," he said. Replying to a query, he said the Backward Classes (BCs) may have received importance in some aspects but they were neglected in many aspects under YSRCP's rule. He disputed CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's claims that he was doing justice to SCs, STs, and BCs. "The united Kurnool District has 14 Assembly constituencies. People have to ask themselves who got justice in these constituencies," he said. He claimed that CM Jagan Mohan Reddy was taking all decisions on the advice of Dhanunjaya Reddy and Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. "These two priests are doing justice to their community, but not to the devotees (people)," remarked Gummanur Jayaram. The leader alleged that his constituency did not get due attention from the YSRCP Government in the last five years. Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : A battle royal is in the offing at the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency with all the three political fronts gearing up, but the match to watch out for could be between sitting MP Shashi Tharoor and BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Last week the BJP announced its candidate, Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who arrived here on Monday night to a rousing welcome by the party workers. The Minister was taken in a convoy of hundreds of vehicles from the airport to the heart of the capital city. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front has brought in former Thiruvananthapuram MP, Paniyan Ravindran, a veteran CPI leader. Ravindran won a bypoll from the same seat in 2005 after sitting member, former Chief Minister and CPI stalwart P.K. Vasudevan Nair passed away. The Congress is yet to announce its candidates' list, but none has a doubt about who it could be, as it is certain that Shashi Tharoor will be defending his seat for the fourth straight time . A former Undersecretary General at the United Nations, Shashi Tharoor was a surprise choice when he flew into India and after meeting the then Congress top brass secured a party ticket to contest the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Thiruvananthapuram. Since then he has completed a hat-trick of wins and the only difficult time he had to face was in 2014 after the untimely death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar at a plush hotel in Delhi. In the 2019 polls he won with a margin of 99,989 votes, while in 2014 the margin was 15,470 and in his debut election in 2009 it was 99,998 votes. Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, though a Malayalee has always been based out of Bengaluru, is no stranger to Keralites. His name has been associated with the BPL TV after he married the company founder's daughter. He was part of the then premier electronics company from 1994 till he sold his stakes in 2005. Soon after the Union Minister landed here Monday night he hit the campaign trail and said his focus will be to turn the state into a major IT hub. "Even though the capital city had the first IT park, Technopark, it has not reached to the level where it should have been," said Chandrasekhar. This election is going to be more of a clash of personalities between the Congress and the BJP. Incidentally, in the 2019 polls, the BJP finished as runner up here, while in the remaining 19 seats in the state, they had to be content with a distant third position. Bengaluru, March 5 : In a worrying development, the Karnataka Government on Tuesday received an email threatening a series of bomb blasts on the lines of the recent Rameshwaram CafA blast in Bengaluru. The threatening mail has been sent to the official emails of the Karnataka Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister and Bengaluru Police Commissioner. According to sources, the person who sent the email has demanded a ransom of $2.5 million, failing which a series of Rameshwaram CafA-like blasts would be carried out at multiple places, including bus stops and railway stations. The police department is taking the threat seriously in the wake of recent developments and has launched a probe. The special wing of the Bengaluru city police department, CCB has taken over the investigation after lodging a suo moto FIR regarding the threatening email. The email has been sent from the ID, 10786progongmail.com and further investigation is on. Chennai, March 5 : Congress is likely to join hands with AIADMK after the DMK only offered it seven seats in Tamil Nadu instead of nine which the grand old party was demanding. A senior Congress leader in Tamil Nadu told IANS that the local Congress leadership is open for an alliance with the AIADMK as well. "We want to win as many seats as possible in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The AIADMK is willing to give us 16 seats. Why should we not have an alliance with them?" he said. Congress sources told IANS that both AIADMK and Congress have reached out to each other as AIADMK is willing to give 16 seats to the grand-old party. Sources said that Congress feels insulted after DMK refused to give more seats to the grand-old party. Local Congress leaders said that the party can make a good deal with the AIADMK and may also be able to win maximum seats. However, the Congress high command has not given any green signal to talks with the AIADMK. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal told IANS said that Congress has an alliance with DMK. "We are in talks with DMK leadership on seat sharing agreement. And we will continue our alliance with the DMK," Venugopal said. In the 2019 general elections, Congress contested over nine seats in Tamil Nadu and won eight seats. It lost the Theni seat where AIADMK leader O.P. Raveendranathan defeated senior Congress leader and former union minister E.V.K.S. Elangovan. AIADMK has been in alliance with NDA in the 2019 general elections and in the 2021 assembly elections as well. However, it snapped ties with the BJP-led NDA in September 2023 and now is planning to stitch its own coalition. The AIADMK polled around 33 per cent of the total votes in the 2019 general elections. Kolkata : Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali village, being produced at the Bhawani Bhawan. Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, March 5 : The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the attack on ED and CAPF teams at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5. A division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya also directed the state police to hand over the accused mastermind behind the attack, Sheikh Shahjahan, from the custody of the CID to the investigating officers of the CBI on Tuesday itself. The bench also directed the state police to hand over all the case-related documents to the CBI. The court was hearing a plea moved by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking an independent CBI probe into the matter after reserving its judgement on Monday. Initially, the single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta had ordered a probe into the attack on ED and CAPF teams in Sandeshkhali on January 5, which was allegedly orchestrated by Shahjahan, by a joint SIT of the West Bengal Police and the CBI. However, the ED had challenged the order and demanded that the probe be independently handled by the CBI. At that point of time, the division bench had put an interim stay on the formation and probe by a joint SIT. In the meantime, Shahjahan was arrested by the police on the night of February 28 after being on the run for 55 days, and the CID of the state police was handed over the probe. Welcoming the high court order, BJP's Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya said on Tuesday that this is a positive development considering the widespread fear that evidence might have been tampered had Shahjahan remained in state police custody for long. "This is a welcome verdict given the current role of the state police, which is restricted to just blindly following the directions of the ruling party and guarding the accused persons," Bhattacharya said. One Indian killed, two others injured in Hezbollah attack in Israel. Image Source: IANS News Tel Aviv, March 5 : The Indian embassy in Israel has issued a travel advisory to all Indian nationals residing there after Nibin Maxwell, a worker from Kerala, was killed in a missile attack by the Hezbollah militant group on Monday. The embassy has directed the Indians in Israel especially those working or in border areas of north or southern Israel or those visiting, to relocate themselves to safe areas within Israel. The Indian embassy also said that it was in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all Indian nationals. The embassy has also shared an emergency helpline number which is operational 24X7. The emergency number is +972-35226748 and the e-mail ID of the Indian consulate in Tel Aviv is consl.telaviv@mea.gov.in The hotline number of The Population and Immigration Authority of Israel has also been shared by the Indian embassy which is 1700707889. The embassy further directed the Indian community in Israel to share the details through their networks so that more Indianas are aware of this. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, an estimated 18000 Indians are living in Israel that include working people as well as students. New Delhi, March 5 : The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday apprised the Supreme Court that cleric Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui is attempting to delay the trial in a mass religious conversion case. Siddiqui has been charged by the state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for allegedly running the biggest conversion syndicate across the country. A bench presided over by Justice Aniruddha Bose was told by Additional Advocate General (AAG) Garima Prashad that Siddiqui and the other accused persons in the case are trying to delay the trial court proceedings. Refuting the allegations, the counsel appearing for Siddiqui said that in the last one year, 11 witnesses have already been examined during the trial. AAG Prashad requested the bench to place on record the additional facts, including the cancellation of bail of three accused. The bench, also comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar, allowed the state government to file a rejoinder affidavit in the matter by March 19. The matter will be heard next on April 2. The Uttar Pradesh government has filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of bail granted to cleric Siddiqui by the Allahabad High Court. In April last year, a division bench of Justices Attaur Rahman Masoodi and Saroj Yadav of the high court had directed Siddiquias release on bail. Siddiqui was arrested from Meerut on charges of converting over 100 people. The high court granted him bail on the grounds of parity as one of the co-accused was granted bail by the Supreme Court. Dakshina Kannada, March 5 : The Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Women, Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, on Tuesday visited the hospital where three victims of acid attack are being treated at Mangaluru city in Dakshina Kannada district, and assured them of all possible support. In a shocking incident, three girl students were attacked with acid on the campus of the government college in Kadaba near Mangaluru city on Monday. The attacker was nabbed by the people present on the spot. The victims are presently being treated at the AJ Hospital in Mangaluru city. After her visit, Chowdhary said that the young women, who became victims of the acid attack, are worried about missing their examinations. "They were only asking about exams. I am a mother, I can understand the mindset of the children. I will meet the Education Minister today and ensure that their education is not hampered," she said. "Two of the victims would need plastic surgery after two weeks. I would also ensure that the compensation from the police department reaches the victims. I will hold a meeting with the district administration and the police. An amount of Rs 4 lakh would be released as immediate compensation," she said. The accused, who has been identified as Abin from Malappuram district in Kerala, was wearing a mask and hat at the time of the attack after he had managed to sneak into the college campus in school uniform. He attacked the three girls as they were about to enter the examination hall. The victims suffered serious injuries on their face and were rushed to the hospital. According to preliminary reports, the victims are all second year pre-university students (Class 12). The attacker, who tried to escape from the spot, was caught by the public who handed him over to the police. The accused was reportedly in love with one of the victims, whose mother's house is located close to the accused's residence in Kerala. The other two girls who were with her also got injured in the attack. Bhopal, March 5 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday lashed out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, saying that he is wasting his time on roads with his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and instead should focus and prepare for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The Chief Minister said the grand-old party has a long experience in governance but it seems that their current leadership under Rahul Gandhi is focusing on others than their own party. Chief Minister Yadav said that even the Congress leaders have expressed their disappointment over the timing of 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'. On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi visited Ujjain's Mahakal temple and offered prayers. Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath also joined Rahul in Ujjain. "Ujjain is the land of Lord Mahakal and every citizen has the right to offer his or her prayer. But, at the same time, Rahul Gandhi should also tell the people why his party refused to participate in Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram in Ayodhya," the Chief Minister said. Addressing a public rally during his march, Rahul Gandhi continued his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of not doing anything to tackle the rising unemployment problem in the country. "PM Modi desires that our youth should spend all their time watching reels on cell phones and chant Jai Shri Ram, even as they starve to death," Rahul Gandhi said. Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered Madhya Pradesh on March 2 and after covering around 700 km in Gwalior-Chambal and Malwa-Nimar regions, it will enter Rajasthan on March 6. New Delhi, March 5 : Exuding confidence that the India- Republic of Korea partnership can emerge as a significant factor in the Indo-Pacific, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said on Tuesday that the two nations can "actively contribute" to the reshaping of the global order. Speaking on aBroadening horizons: India-Korea Partnership in the Indo-Pacifica at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, EAM Jaishankar said that the partnership between the two nations is acquiring a greater salience in a more uncertain and volatile world. "As two significant G20 members, India and Republic of Korea have a growing responsibility to actively contribute to the reshaping of the global order. The era when a few powers exercised disproportionate influence over that process is now behind us... It has become a more collaborative and broad-based endeavour," the minister said. Facing common challenges of terrorism and WMD proliferation that have impacted the national security of both nations, he said that working together has always been to our common advantage. Stating that it is important to work more closely with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific, the minister said that India's stakes in terms of trade, investment, services, resources, logistics, and technology in the region are growing by the day. "Ensuring the stability, safety, and security of this region is therefore vital for us. We have an obligation to the global commons, just as we have a duty to do global good," EAM Jaishankar, who is in Seoul to co-chair the 10th Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries on Wednesday, said. The Republic of Korea released its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022, envisaging a free, peaceful, and prosperous region based on three principles of inclusiveness, trust, and reciprocity. This, the minister said, creates the basis for working more closely with like-minded partners. Underlining the importance of intensifying bilateral engagement across various spectrums, the minister stressed the need to have more political discussions and more strategic conversations. Acknowledging that the two countries need stronger business connections and technology interactions, EAM Jaishankar said that the long-pending review of our CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) must be expedited so that it can be upgraded. Negotiated over twelve rounds for more than three years, CEPA came into effect in January 2010 after being signed in 2009, to promote greater economic exchanges between the two countries. The negotiations on the agreement are likely to conclude in 2024, according to South Korean envoy, Chang Jae-bok. The EAM Jaishankar said that the growing efficiencies of India are on offer as an attraction to Korean businesses. Recounting the growth prospects of India, he said: "We have rebounded robustly from the Covid period and are on track to become the third largest economy in the next few years. Along with that, if you look at the innovations underway, the start-up culture and the number of unicorns, there is a strong case here for greater focus and attention." "We will have to identify more intersections and meeting points that work for both of us. We will also have to be more collaborative, recognising the strengths that we each bring to the table," Jaishankar said. New Delhi, March 5 : Google on Tuesday said that it is temporarily reinstating all the delisted apps of developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court, as the government met the tech giant and digital startups to resolve the matter. In a statement to IANS, a company spokesperson said that it maintains its right to implement and enforce its business model, as established in various courts. "We will invoice our full applicable services fees in the interim and are extending payment timelines for these companies," said a company spokesperson. Google further said that it looks forward to a collaborative effort to find solutions that respect the needs of all parties. Earlier in the day, Union IT and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Google has agreed to resolve the issue and will restore all the apps belonging to the 10 companies. "Google has been supporting our technology development journey and we believe that the homegrown startups and the company will come to a long-term solution," he said. Continuing their fight against Googleas new Play Store policies, Indian startup founders on Monday met Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar to discuss the issue and said that the government has assured them support. Last week, Google delisted about a dozen apps by major Indian digital companies including Matrimony.com, Naukri.com, Shaadi.com, and others from the Play Store. New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Karnataka state Congress MPs, MLAs and MLCs during a protest against the centre. Image Source: IANS News Bengaluru, March 5 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, on Tuesday said that the police had been instructed to take stringent action against anyone involved in anti-national activities. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, "We have given a free hand to the police in the investigation of the pro-Pakistan slogan-raising case and we will not interfere in any way. "The Home Minister has already given a statement regarding this. The Rajya Sabha MP, too, has already asked for stringent action against the culprits." "The BJP may get any number of private reports but those are not official reports. The police will conduct an extensive investigation and take appropriate action," he added. Asked about some Congress ministers' statements that no pro-Pakistan slogans were raised in the Assembly, he said, "They have expressed their opinion. There is a possibility that the video may have been tampered with. The police investigation will reveal the truth. Police have taken some suspects into custody. Voice samples need to be collected for the probe. The police will also investigate an incident in which a BJP party worker raised pro-Pakistan slogans." Asked about the drinking water shortage in the city, he said, "We are taking this issue seriously. We are taking over private water tankers and bore wells wherever necessary. We are also identifying good sources of water around the city." Asked about the meeting with AICC General Secretary, Randeep Singh Surjewala, he said, "AICC Secretary, the Chief Minister and I held a meeting and discussed accommodating party workers in the Guarantee Committees. "As many as 4,000 party workers will be nominated for the Guarantee Committees. The Congress Election Committee meeting will be held in Delhi on March 7 and a decision will be taken regarding the nominations." Kolkata, March 5 : Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, announced that he will be joining BJP after forwarding his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu earlier in the day. Citing the reasons behind his decision to join BJP, he said that according to him BJP is the only national party which can take on the might of Trinamool Congress, which is basically a party of anti-social elements. When specifically asked whether he will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls on behalf of BJP, he said that he is himself not aware whether he will contest or not. "I am yet to join the BJP formally. Whether I will not contest or not, I have taken the decision to join BJP," he said while speaking to the media persons on Tuesday afternoon. He said that he will be formally joining BJP on March 7 and thereafter the party leadership will decide whether he will contest or not. Speaking on the occasion, he also said that the constant abuses showered at him by Trinamool Congress spokespersons had encouraged him to join politics. "They are not aware that a judge cannot be personally attacked. That is exactly what they had been doing. They had been constantly abusing me since many of their corrupt activities were getting revealed every day," he said. He was also candid in his explanation on why he did not join CPI(M) despite his close associations with a number of party leaders especially Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate of Calcutta High Court, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, whom he himself has described as his legal mentor. "I did not join CPI(M) since I am not an atheist," Justice Gangopadhyay said. Speaking on the occasion, he also stood by Leader of Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, over the allegation by Trinamool Congress that Adhikari was seen accepting cash in the Narada video scam," he said. "Suvendu was a victim of conspiracy," he said. Kathmandu, March 5 : As speculation is rife that Beijing is behind the new political change in Nepal, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Tuesday that China is ready to work with the new government in Nepal. Breaking the year-long political alliance with the Nepali Congress, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal a.k.a. Prachanda reorganised his Cabinet on Monday by ousting Nepal's grand old party, and inducting the CPN-UML and Rastriya Swatantra Party. China is willing to work with the new Nepali government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular press conference in Beijing on Tuesday. "We sincerely hope that all the parties in Nepal will unite and cooperate to smoothly advance the work related to the formation of a new government and achieve political stability, economic development, and improvement of people's livelihood," the spokesperson said. After snapping the alliance with the Nepali Congress, Prachanda on Monday inducted three ministers in the new Cabinet, one from his party CPN (Maoist Centre), one from CPN-UML, and a third from the Rastriya Swatantra Party. After Prachanda decided to break the alliance with the Nepali Congress, it is all set to withdraw its support by Tuesday itself. As a friendly neighbour and cooperative partner, China attaches great importance to Nepal-China relations and is willing to work with the new Nepali government to adhere to the five principles of peaceful coexistence, enhance traditional friendship, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and promote Nepal-China strategic cooperation for ever-lasting friendship oriented towards development and prosperity, Ning said. China is facing several controversies in Kathmandu for failing to expedite the projects under the Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI), not completing the projects undertaken by the Chinese companies and contractors, on the issue of corruption, and the ongoing investigation into one ambitious airport which was built on a loan by China, among others. China is in a very awkward position in Kathmandu and was hell-bent to reorganise the two major Communist parties - UML and Maoist Centre - so that its image could be improved in Nepal. The partnership will further develop and create more benefits for the people of the two countries, said spokesperson Ning. Noida, March 5 : Sunny Leone's many talents include being a good cook and her ability to spot the right flavours has enabled her newly opened Chica Loca restaurant at Sector 132, Noida, pull off daring combinations in a menu curated by Chef Vaibhav Bhargava. From butter chicken gujiya to a chicken tikka masala waffle, avocado koliwada and the ever-popular rock shrimp tempura, Leone's inspiration and Bhargava's talent have ensured none of the dishes is over the top, each combining a mouthful of flavours with creativity. Spread over two floors, Chica Loca's decor is dominated by the rich hues of purple and gold accompanied by velvet seating. A ginormous bar sits on the first floor and next to it are pictures of the Canadian-Indian actress and her family in monochrome. It has seating, dancing and event areas. The terrace has romantic and breezy canopies. Everything about the restaurant is luxurious, including the food and drinks, which can cost up to approximately Rs 2,500 for two people, but the price seems right for the satisfaction it guarantees. Let us start with the drinks. Rainbow Trippin' is one of the best drinks in Chica Loca and is "mostly ordered by couples", according to the bartender, who insisted that it oozes love. The drink is made with rum, mango puree, coconut cream and citrus and catches the eye because of hearts, a rainbow and a 'love is life' edible tattoo placed on it. For those who like their cocktails sweet, a drink that cannot be missed is the tequila-based Charlie. It gets its sweet notes from passion fruit, citrus and berry puree. The drink is served in a glass full of crushed ice and the reason why it was created is because "Charlie Chaplin cried only in the rain". Then came Sunny's favourite avocado chaat. The taste buds will go on a flavour carnival as it has everything right. "The main ingredient, the papdi, is made in-house," said Chef Arpit Verma, explaining their freshness. He added that the "avocados are marinated in chaat masala" and then dunked on to the papdis covered with tangy tamarind chutney, the 'chatpata' coriander chutney and sweet curd. What caught my fancy were the butter chicken gujiyas. These will remind you of the popular Chilean dish, empanadas, but they come with a juicy butter chicken filling and are served in the gravy. You must also try Sunny's other favourite, avocado sushi. Avocado, which seems to be a favourite of the actress, introduces a buttery texture, the sushi rice adds a sweet and sour flavour, and the cucumber adds the crunch and freshness to make it a complete tactile experience. The satiating journey came to an end by flushing everything down with a lemongrass and litchi martini, the fruity gin-based drink that can definitely be tagged as refreshing and delicious. The actress is joined by Sahil Baweja, director of Singing Bowls Hospitality, for this venture, which in every sense gives us a taste of her storied life. What it does not do is let luxury overpower the salience of good food and trippy drinks to ensure a restaurant survives competition and lives to see many milestones. St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls has informed patients and the community the hospital will close permanently in less than three weeks. According to a letter sent to hospital patients last month and communications with the Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services chief, HSHS St. Josephs is expected to close at noon March 22. A posted notice at HSHS St. Josephs hospital says the same. Sacred Heart is expected to close April 21, said Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services chief Jason Thom. This is the date HSHS has stated since the first announcement of the hospital closures. The Chippewa Herald reached out to HSHS for comment but did not receive a response. The information comes as a shock to some Chippewa County residents. Its been confusing. The website for HSHS is unclear. We thought we had more time, former St. Josephs patient Rebekah Kristofferson said Monday. Of course, we knew this was coming, but this is just two weeks away. Its devastating. An alert posted on HSHS St. Joseph's website states: It is with a heavy heart that we announce that HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital (including L.E. Phillips Libertas Treatment Center), and Preveas Western Wisconsin health centers are closing. St. Josephs Hospital and Sacred Heart will close around the end of the first quarter of 2024 and our Prevea partners on or before April 21, 2024, in western Wisconsin. Earlier this year, a Jan. 22 joint news release announcing the HSHS and Prevea closures stated the majority of closures were expected to be completed on or before April 21, with the exception of the Prevea residency clinics. The health centers were due to close on or before June 30, the release says. According to letters sent to HSHS patients, St. Josephs planned to close the third week of March. A Jan. 26 statement from HSHS says: HSHS and Prevea are committed to a safe and organized wind-down of all operations. Our thorough planning process has determined that we can safely close St. Josephs Hospital on or before March 22, 2024, due to longstanding low patient census in addition to operational and staffing challenges. We shared this date in patient letters and HR packets the day we announced the closures, and it is noted on signage posted at St. Josephs. Our team is committed to providing patients with information and resources to support the transition of their care as well as supporting employees in every way possible. The patient letter says St. Josephs will close by March 22. A Jan. 22 communication with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Dislocated Worker Unit states all St. Josephs Hospital Chippewa Falls facilities would close on March 22 or within 14 days thereafter. That includes not only St. Josephs Hospital, but also L.E. Phillips Libertas Center, which closed Feb. 2, in addition to the Prevea Health Center on County Highway I in Chippewa Falls, the Prevea Health Center on Lake Avenue West in Ladysmith and the Prevea Health Center on West Avenue in Rice Lake. The closures account for 248 employees in total, which includes 14 salaried employees and 234 hourly employees. Registered nurses are the hardest hit career field in the bunch, accounting for 86 of the employees who are out of a job. This closure is expected to be permanent, the communication reads. The company does not have a job bumping system. The date referenced in HSHS communications has led some patients to be confused and frustrated. Thomas Miller said Tuesday that he struggled to understand why the closing date was a moving target. I dont think it needed to be this complicated. I dont think its right or fair to do to the local patients, Miller said. HSHS should have picked a date and stuck to it. Now it seems everyone is running around thinking different things. Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman said Monday that he wasnt surprised by the date because he had heard St. Josephs would be closing on or around March 21. I've had a couple of people that were surprised, and they've contacted me, he said. While I wasnt surprised, I am frustrated and very sad that we have come to this point. Hoffman said regardless of what happens with the St. Josephs and Sacred Heart Hospital facilities in the future, the disassociation from HSHS is difficult for local communities. HSHS hospitals have been here serving the Chippewa County and Eau Claire communities for 100-plus years. The sisters and everything they've done in the community over the years has been outstanding. And it's a very valuable part of the community, Hoffman said. If you stopped and looked at it and all the people that gave money to them for donations, were talking about millions of dollars. People invested in them, and they did a great job here. Hoffman said its difficult to think about the number of employees who are losing work because of the hospital closures. I feel bad for the employees, so many devoted employees that have been there for 20, 30, even 40 years. I feel bad for everybody, Hoffman said. But we're working hard. We're trying to see what we can do. And were not giving up. Mumbai, March 5 : The ACES India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of ACES Saudi Arabia, will provide mobile infrastructure services on the upcoming Mumbai Metro 3 line, the city's first fully underground corridors, top officials said here on Tuesday. A contract was inked between Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation and ACES at the LEAD-2024, 'A Digital DAVOS' event held in Saudi Arabia on March 4, said MMRCL Managing Director Ashwini Bhide. As per the contract for 12 years, the ACES will provide mobile infrastructure services including advanced 4G and 5G technologies for more than 625-plus million commuters annually. The ultra-high speed services shall be available on the entire Metro 3 running 33.5 kms, including 27 stations, platforms, concourses, tunnels etc with seamless coverage for enhanced user experience. "We are pleased to partner with ACES India to provide Mobile Services Infrastructure for Mumbai Metro line-3. It will ensure uninterrupted mobile connectivity to Metro-3 commuters, with a rich experience as a leading International Neutral Digital Infrastructure company," said Bhide at the signing ceremony. Present were MMRCL's R. Ramana, Bassam A. Al-Bassam, Deputy Minister For Telecom And Infrastructure from Ministry of Communications and Information Technology from ACES, CEO Akram Aburas, Khalid Almashouq, India MD Mohammed Mazher, Amit Sharma, Naif AlShammari, Deputy CEO of Saudi Exim Bank, Abu Mathen George from Indian Embassy and other prominent members from MMRC & ACES. The Mumbai Metro 3 is expected to slash 450,000 vehicles trips per day and is expected to be extended from Colaba to Navy Nagar, and provide connections to the other Metro lines, the suburban railway, the monorail, inter-city railway, highways and the Mumbai Airport. Slated to cost around Rs 30,000, it is being financed by several agencies, including Japan's JICA, and its first phase is expected to open this year. Lucknow, March 5 : The Yogi Adityanath government inducted four new ministers in the Cabinet on Tuesday. Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar was sworn in as Cabinet minister by Governor Anandiben Patel. Rajbhar has made a return to the Yogi Adityanath Cabinet, almost five years after he severed ties with the ruling BJP and quit the government in 2019. Rajbhar is MLA from Zahurabad in Ghazipur. Dara Singh Chauhan, who had quit the BJP ahead of the 2022 assembly elections to join the Samajwadi Party and then returned to BJP months later, was also sworn in as minister. He is a member of Vidhan Parishad. Anil Kumar, Rashtriya Lok Dal MLA from Purqazi in west UP, was also sworn in as the minister. He is the first RLD MLA to join the Yogi government as a minister. Sunil Sharma, BJP MLA from Sahibabad was also sworn in as minister. The BJP has taken care to ensure a caste and regional balance in the second expansion of the Cabinet. At present, the UP Council of Ministers has 52 members and eight more can join it as per the rules. The council includes 18 Cabinet rank ministers, including two Deputy Chief Ministers, 14 Ministers of State with Independent charge and 20 Ministers of State. --IANS amita/dan Bengaluru, March 5 : The Karnataka Police on Tuesday nabbed the main accused behind the attack on an RSS worker in Bengaluru, who was assaulted while he was returning after attending a programme organised in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019. The accused has been identified as Azhar, who was arrested by the police from the Bangarpet town in Kolar district. Police sources said the accused had gone to Saudi Arabia where he managed to hide with the help of his brother-in-law. After five months, he had come to his wifeas place in Bangarpet and was living there. The accused has been sent to 14-day police custody. Azhar's associates -- Irfan a.k.a. Mohammad Irfan, Syed Akbar a.k.a. Mechanic Akbar, Syed Siddiqui, Anwar Basha, Sadiq Ameen and Sana -- have already been arrested in connection with the case. The accused had allegedly conspired and attacked RSS worker Varun, who was returning home on a bike after attending a programme at the Town Hall that was addressed by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya and Hindutva activist Chakravarthy Sulibele on December 22, 2019. Two of the accused had waylaid Varun and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons. The victim had suffered stab injuries on his head and back. Kochi, March 5 : The Kerala Police, probing the cheating case involving fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal, has named Congress state unit President, K. Sudhakaran as the second accused, as per the charge sheet filed at a court in Kochi on Tuesday. Incidentally, Mavunkal, based in Kochi, had claimed that he had several antique items in his possession and cheated many people. He had also claimed he was a trained physician and had medical solutions for skin ailments. He had a huge network of friends including the then state Director General of Police, Loknath Behra, and several other top-ranking bureaucrats, police officers, and politicians. However, his game ended in 2021 after a victim filed a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and soon, a police probe team arrested the 'antique' dealer. The complainant accused Sudhakaran of promoting Mavunkal despite knowing he was a fly-by-night operator and that the Congress leader was present when he handed over Rs 25 lakh cash to Mavunkal, who gave Rs 10 lakh to Sudhakaran. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case, and apprehending his arrest, Sudhakaran applied for and secured anticipatory bail. But after being called for questioning in June last year, his arrest was recorded but he was given bail instantly. In the wake of this, Sudhakaran offered to quit as state Congress chief, but the party high command rejected his resignation. Reacting to the development, Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said the Vijayan government is only hounding the opposition. "Everyone knows Sudhakaran has no role at all and this is a clear-cut case of fabrication to trap him. We will deal with this case legally," he said. New Delhi, April 5 : The Central Sanskrit University is set to make history on March 7, as it hosts its inaugural convocation ceremony. This momentous event will celebrate the academic accomplishments of its graduating students and mark a significant milestone in the university's journey. Over 3,000 students representing various programmes, including doctorate, will be conferred with their degrees during the ceremony, making it the largest-ever convocation in the history of Central Sanskrit University located in Delhi. The convocation ceremony will be graced by President Droupadi Murmu, who will deliver the convocation address as the chief guest. Her words of wisdom and encouragement is set to resonate deeply with the graduating students, faculty members, and distinguished guests in attendance. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who's also the Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, will preside over the ceremony. Ahead of the inaugural convocation, Pradhan said, "As Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, I am proud to witness the historic first convocation ceremony. Your accomplishments mark the beginning of a promising future." Leading the proceedings will be Professor Shrinivasa Varakhedi, the Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University. "The convocation ceremony is a celebration of the academic journey and accomplishments. We're introducing pioneering programmes to integrate Sanskrit into India's development agenda, leveraging its rich legacy. We will be recognising the dedication of 14,133 students across academic levels, including PhD scholars, postgraduates, and undergraduates. "Their achievements, with 105 gold medals and 636 PhD degrees conferred this year, highlight their diverse talents and contributions. Furthermore, we will be honouring five scholars with honourary degree to acknowledge their profound impact on Sanskrit studies," Varakhedi said. "Our emphasis on moral education transcends mere teaching; it aims to instill enduring values through engaging methodologies like Panchatantra stories and interactive activities. Initiatives like the Sanskrit Olympiad and the Bhagwat Gita online Olympiad are empowering students to explore our cultural treasures with enthusiasm and curiosity. "Looking ahead, the forthcoming Art Olympiad will provide another avenue for creative expression and learning. Together, we're nurturing a generation that cherishes our heritage while embracing the future," he added. For the unversed, the Central Sanskrit University has earned the distinction of being the largest and the only multi-campus language university in the world. It also has the privilege of acting as the nodal agency for the implementation of Sanskrit-related policies and schemes of the government. New Delhi: Amit Katyal, a purported associate of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav at ED office. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 5 : A Delhi court on Tuesday extended till March 12 interim bail of Amit Katyal, an alleged close associate of former Union minister Lalu Prasad's family, who has also been named along with some companies in the charge sheet filed in the land-for-job scam case. Promoter of AK Infosystems, Katyal who was arrested in November last year by the central probe agency, was granted four-week interim bail on medical grounds on February 5. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has challenged the order before the Delhi High Court, which has reserved its order. Judge Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Court had earlier allowed Katyal's application seeking bail for medical treatment in a hospital within Delhi-NCR, and had directed him to furnish the details of the hospital and treatment obtained on his surrender before the jail authorities upon the expiry of interim bail. The judge had also asked the accused to furnish a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and two sureties of the like amount. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 30 had informed the court that it will file a supplementary charge sheet within a month in connection with the alleged land-for-job scam. Before Judge Gogne, the agency had assured that the final report would be submitted by the end of February. Meanwhile, Katyal has been alleged of acquiring several lands from aspirants on behalf of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief and former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. He was first detained and later arrested by the financial probe agency on November 11 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Katyal's premises in upscale south Delhi's New Friends Colony was declared as an office of AK Infosystems but was allegedly being used by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as residential premises. The ED on July 31, 2023, attached six immovable assets having a value of Rs 6.02 crore belonging to RJD leaders Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti (daughter of Lalu Yadav), Vineet Yadav (husband of Lalu's daughter Hema Yadav), Shiv Kumar Yadav (father-in-law of Hema Yadav), AB Exports Pvt Ltd and AK Infosystems Pvt Ltd., both companies owned and controlled by family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav, under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the Railway job for land scam. The Delhi High Court had earlier declined to provide relief to Katyal seeking a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in a money laundering case, saying that it cannot impede the investigative process of the ED at the stage of summons issuance under the PMLA. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had dismissed Katyal's plea. Katyal had sought the quashing of the ECIR and a summons issued by the ED. He wanted to prevent the probe agency from taking any coercive action against him, including further investigation in the money laundering case. If BJP wins 28 seats in LS polls, its only guarantee is to defeat Cong govt in K'taka: Bommai. Image Source: IANS News Belagavi, : March 5 (IANS) Karnataka's former Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai, said on Tuesday it was unfortunate that some ministers were defending those anti-national people who raised pro-Pakistan slogans in the Assembly. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the media clearly showed some people raising pro-Pakistan slogans but still the ministers stood by them. "It was unfortunate that some ministers forgot their position and stood in their support. This attitude is quite dangerous," he said. He added that though the FSL report came four days ago, the arrests had been made only two days later and the state government targeted the media accusing it of instigation. "Those who spoke in favour of the anti-nationals must apologise," he said. Asked about the laying of the foundation stone of the Ammajeshwari (Kottalagi) lift irrigation project for the second time, the former CM said the government had not formulated any new scheme in the last nine months and the irrigation sector had been totally neglected. "So, they are laying the foundation stones for old schemes. The officials are misguiding the CM and the latter must examine and take necessary steps," he said. Asked whether the seat sharing formula between the BJP and the JD-S would be finalised following the arrival of the BJP National President, JP Nadda, he said such issues would not be discussed in Belagavi and would be decided in Delhi. Kolkata: West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick being taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials to be produced in court. Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, March 5 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a supplementary charge sheet in the multi-crore ration distribution case in West Bengal, with details of money laundering amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees by a former West Bengal minister and his close associate. This is the second charge sheet filed by the central agency in the matter. The first was filed in December last year. In this supplementary charge sheet filed on Tuesday, sources said that relevant details were given as to how Trinamool Congress leader and forex dealer Shankar Adhya helped erstwhile state Food & Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick to divert Rs 750 crore of scam proceeds between 2011 and 2021, first by converting them into foreign currencies and then by parking them abroad through the hawala route. Mallick is currently in judicial custody because of his alleged involvement in the case in his capacity as the Food & Supplies Minister from 2011 to 2021. Adhya is also in judicial custody for his alleged role in the same case. In the supplementary charge sheet, the sources added, details have been given about the amount received by Adhya as commission for fund diversion. The sources added that in the 83-page supplementary charge sheet, the central agency has also named four new corporate entities for their alleged involvement in the fund diversion process. In the first charge sheet filed in December last year, the ED had referred to 10 corporate shell entities that were opened to channelise and divert the ill-gotten proceeds of the alleged scam. Mallick and a Kolkata-based businessman named Bakibur Rahaman were named in the first charge sheet. It gave details as to how Rahaman sold flour meant to be distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) in the open market, especially to the corporate entities engaged in marketing of packaged flour. Rahaman has also been accused of illegally procuring paddy from the farmers by opening fake farmers' cooperatives at prices lower than the minimum support price (MSP), and then selling the same at a price higher than the MSP in the open market. New Delhi, March 5 : London-based consumer tech brand Nothing on Tuesday launched its highly anticipated smartphone -- Phone (2a), with dual 50MP camera in India. Phone (2a) will be available at Flipkart, Croma, Vijay Sales and other leading outlets in Black and White colours, with three models to choose from -- 8GB+128GB (Rs 23,999), 8GB+256GB (Rs 25,999), and 12GB+256GB (Rs 27,999) from March 12. "Phone (2a) is going to enable more people to experience the Nothing innovations that many have come to love, and we're confident it will become our best-selling product ever," Carl Pei, CEO and Co-founder of Nothing, said in a statement. Powered by Mediatek Dimensity 7200 pro chipset, Phone (2a) boasts a 50MP(OIS)+50MP rear camera, 32MP front camera, 5000 mAh battery, and Nothing OS 2.5 powered by Android 14. The device comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Phone (2a) supports 45W fast charging, delivering 50 per cent of power in just 20 minutes, according to the company. In addition, Nothing's sub-brand CMF launched two new products -- Neckband Pro and Buds. Buds will be available to purchase at Rs 2,499 starting March 8. It will initially be available at an introductory price of Rs 2,299. The Neckband Pro will be sold at Rs 1,999 from March 11. It will be available at an introductory price of Rs 1,799 in the country, the company said. New Delhi, March 5 : She says everyone always wants her to talk about struggles, about how she might be suffering, and she feels that is what the audience wants to know. "But for me, it is paramount that my music makes people dance, and celebrate, while also being honest and real," said Kinari, recipient of the Toto Music Awards 2024, who has emerged as one of the foremost voices for the LGBTQ+ community in Delhi's rap scene. She stressed that 'gaana' songs, ballroom beats and 'mujra' numbers in her debut album 'Kattar Kinnar' are her musical inspirations. Also Khushi Shaikh, who is someone she deeply respects. Kinari said, "Samples from her iconic vlogs and videos feature heavily as part of the sonic landscape of my album. This is why it was so incredible that she danced for my album's party," said Kinari. The opening 'mujra' performance by Khushi Shaikh, a trans model and dancer who is quite popular on social media, and samples from Shaikh's vlogs -- a collaboration between 'mujra' and rap, both by trans artistes -- was the first such commercial gig of its kind in Delhi that happened on March 3. The album will be officially released in mid-March. For someone who learnt casio at school, and is self-trained, Kinari said she has always been alive to the local music scene around her, including wedding bands outside her window in Khirki, or 'gaana' music playing in her hometown Chennai while growing up. Listening to hip-hop from a young age, she feels it is the best medium to express herself. "I cannot even think of choosing any other musical styles. There is much more to hip-hop than song and dance. Let us not forget that across the world, artists of this genre speak about social issues and bring contemporary realities alive with their music. Like MC Altaf says, 'If you listen to hip-hop, become a good person/become a helping hand to wanderer struggling/do good work before you die'," asserted this 25-year-old, who is Delhi's first transgender rapper. Talking about her debut album, a sonic expression of life in Delhi's Khirkee Extension that switches fluidly from Hindi to English, she highlighted her heritage by intertwining the beat of wedding bands outside her window with the coruscating pulse of 'gaana' songs and cuts of Mari Selvaraj films. The album is an expression of not just the sweet side of being a transgender. "It is also about some bitter truths. It was written and produced in Delhi. I want to share with people the pleasure and power of Tamil 'gaana' and Delhi 'mujra' dance throughout the album, which has helped me keep going through the daily harshness of life in the city. My song 'Baahar' talks more about this, the dichotomy between my day-to-day life in Khirki Extension as a language teacher, and the nights as the Indian hip-hop scene's exciting new rapper," she said. And did she face any roadblocks owing to her gender identity? "The main difficulty is not being transgender in the music industry, but being one in Delhi. I make music that I love to make and listen to. I will keep doing this even if the industry does not accept it. I believe in staying close to music and not losing faith," she said. Raving about Miss Boogie's latest album 'The Breakdown', she asserted that her inspirations keep changing over time. "There are so many transgender and marginalised artistes who are making great music today," concludes Kinari, who after the album's release will be going on her first multi-city tour this summer. 25th Annual 'Joy At Work Week' Coming on March 24-31 NEWS PROVIDED BY Northeast Christians At Work March 4, 2024 VERNON, Conn., March 4, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- The 25th annual Joy At Week Week will be held from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, March 24-31, 2024. According to the event's founder, Drew Crandall, Joy At Work Week encourages working Christians from all traditions and cultures to take the joy of the Lord into their workplaces, not only during Holy Week, but year-round. "As we ramp up for Easter, he says, Christians should be the most joyful people where we work because our sins are forgiven and we have the gifts of eternal life and the Holy Spirit." One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit described in the scriptures is joy. Therefore, a consistently grumpy Christian is a contradiction of terms. "In the midst of all the disease, distress and death in this world," adds Crandall, "the death, burial and resurrection of Christ gives us great hope and encouragement." Northeast Christians At Work (ChristAtWork.org) is a regional ministry. Called To Work (CalledToWork.org) is a global, bilingual workplace ministry in English and Chinese. Both ministries are based at 30 Lafayette Square, Suite 118 in Vernon, Connecticut. They offer many resources to help believers to be Godly at work, including free Joy At Work Week digital graphics. SOURCE Northeast Christians At Work CONTACT: Drew Crandall, dcrandall@keeptouch.com Binance to Exit Nigerian Market, Discontinues All NGN Services Binance has revealed plans to exit the Nigerian market, discontinuing all services involving the local fiat currency, the Nigerian naira (NGN). In a Tuesday announcement, the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange said it would suspend NGN withdrawals after March 8. Any remaining NGN balances in users Binance accounts will be automatically converted to the Tether stablecoin. To ensure a smooth transition, Binance has encouraged its Nigerian users to withdraw their NGN, trade their NGN assets, or convert them into cryptocurrencies before the discontinuation of NGN services. The conversion rate for NGN to Tether will be calculated based on the average closing price of the USDT/NGN trading pair on Binance Spot over the last seven days. Binance Suspends NGN Deposits Effective immediately, Binance has also suspended NGN deposits, rendering such transactions unsupported after 2:00 pm UTC on March 5. Furthermore, all trading pairs involving NGN will be removed from the Binance platform on March 7. Binance Pay, the exchanges payment service, will also eliminate NGN from its list of supported payment options on March 6. The decision to exit the Nigerian market comes as Binance faces increased regulatory scrutiny within the country. The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria recently raised concerns about illicit transactions and suspicious fund flows at crypto exchanges in Nigeria, including Binance. Additionally, the countrys National Security Adviser reportedly confiscated the passports of two Binance executives, who are citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom, in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The intensifying suspicions about Binances alleged illicit activities in Nigeria have prompted the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes to summon Binance CEO Richard Teng to appear before the committee. Nigeria Impost $10 Billion Fine on Binance Last week, the Nigerian government imposed a staggering $10 billion fine on Binance as part of a crackdown on the platform in an effort to stabilize the nations local currency. Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, revealed the fine in an interview with the BBC. The Nigerian governments actions against Binance and other crypto firms stem from concerns over continuous manipulation of the forex market and illicit movement of funds. Authorities believe that these activities have contributed to the weakening of the naira. In September 2023, Nigerias Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) declared Binance Nigeria Limited illegal, stating that the platform was neither registered nor regulated by the commission. Nigeria has emerged as one of the fastest-growing crypto economies globally in recent years. In September 2023, Chainalysis, a major crypto intelligence firm, ranked Nigeria second in the world in terms of cryptocurrency adoption. Moreover, Nigeria has been the most crypto-obsessed country based on Google search volumes for terms like cryptocurrency or buy crypto. However, regulators in Nigeria have shown less enthusiasm for the rapid pace of crypto adoption. In February 2024, an adviser to Nigerias president called for a ban on Binance, KuCoin, and other crypto trading platforms in the country. Two years ago, Nigerias central bank prohibited regulated financial institutions from providing services to crypto exchanges in the nation. Jalgaon : , March 5 (IANS) Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on dynastic politics in the country and said Maharashtra has 'suffered' Sharad Pawar for 50 years. Addressing a Youth Convention in Jalgaon on Tuesday evening, the Union Home Minister said that the INDIA bloc that has cobbled up against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a collection of parties with dynastic ambitions, with no concern for development or for the people of the country. "These parties have no internal democracy, how can they strengthen India's democracy, develop it and take it ahead? Sonia Gandhi wants to make her son Rahul Gandhi the PM, Uddhav Thackeray is keen to make his son Aditya the CM, Sharad Pawar desires to make his daughter Supriya Sule the CM, Mamata Banerjee is trying to make her nephew (Abhishek) CM and MK Stalin wants to make his son (Udhayanidhi) the CM" thundered HM Shah. Amid all this 'parivarvaad', he said there is nobody except PM Modi to think and care for the masses and aim to make India fully developed by 2047. "Maharashtra has endured Sharad Pawar for 50 years, but look at PM Modi's track record of the last 10 years when you go to vote None of these dynastic parties can take the country forward," he said. HM Shah said in the last 10 years, PM Modi has made India safe and secure, citing how during the erstwhile UPA rule, there were many bomb attacks, terrorists entered from Pakistan, created mayhem and went back with no retaliation. "Then came the BJP, and when the terrorists struck in Uri and Pulwama, PM Modi carried out surgical and air strikes right inside Pakistan territory," HM Shah pointed out. "It was PM Modi who revoked Article 370 of the Constitution to make Kashmir a part of India which the Congress governments could not do for 70 years, but Rahul Gandhi had expressed reservations about. "Rahul baba used to tell me in Parliament not to strike down Article 370 or there would be rivers of blood in Kashmir. Five years have passed nothing of the sort has happened," said HM Shah, taking a swipe at the Congress leader. In 10 years of ex-PM Manmohan Singh's government, the Indian economy languished at the 11th position in the world, but after Narendra Modi became the PM, he brought it to the 5th position, and "its PM Modi's guarantee that if he gets a third term, he will catapult the economy to the 3rd spot", declared HM Shah. "PM Modi is ready for a third term. See his bio-data, his performance of the last 10 years and his vision for the next 24 years for the country. He has opened the doors of opportunities for the youth in every sector, and India is a 'bright spot' in the world," said HM Shah. He pointed out how the Congress indulged in vote bank politics and kept Ram Lalla in a tent for 70 years, but PM Modi came and built the grand temple in Ayodhya, and has created the Kashi-Vishwanath temple corridor. HM Shah cited statistics of how under PM Modi, one university is set up in the country every week, daily two new colleges are opening, 33 new startups are coming up, 14 kms of rail tracks are being laid, 50,000 women get cheap gas cylinders and youth get Mudra loans for a better future. In the last 10 years, PM Modi has given free 5-kg rations to 80 crore poor families every month, built 12 crore toilets to accord dignity to women, given 12 crore gas cylinders, homes to 4 crore poor, tap water connection to 14 crore homes, 11 crore farmers get Rs 6,000 per annum and during the Coronavirus pandemic all the people in the country got free vaccines, he said. Now, PM Modi has even bigger plans like a space station and an Indian landing on the Moon he said and urged the youth to go and vote with their family members, and select the 'Lotus' button to give 45-plus to BJP in Maharashtra and 400-plus in the country. Present at the convention were Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, ministers, MPs, MLAs, party leaders and youth activists. Chennai, March 5 : Senior CPI-M leader and MP from the Madurai Lok Sabha constituency, Su Venkatesan, said on Tuesday that a private construction company has performed 'Vastu Pooja' at a site earmarked for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai. Chennai, March 5 (IANS) Senior CPI-M leader and MP from the Madurai Lok Sabha constituency, Su Venkatesan, said on Tuesday that a private construction company has performed aVastu Poojaa at a site earmarked for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai. The CPI-M leader slammed the Vastu Pooja, and called it a publicity stunt and a gimmick, adding that the construction company did not follow any official protocol. Venkatesan told IANS that the officials did not invite any of the elected representatives or the officials of the district administration, including the Collector, for the Vastu Pooja. He also charged that this was a publicity stunt on the eve of the Lok Sabha polls. It may be noted that after accepting the letter of acceptance (LoA) issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday, the private construction company for AIIMS Madurai performed a Vastu Pooja at the site earmarked for the hospital at Thoppur in Madurai on Tuesday. Officials at AIIMS Madurai told mediapersons that a meeting was held with a team from L&T on Monday. The officials said that some critical aspects like the contract agreements, priority of construction phases and other aspects of the project were discussed with the construction company officials at the meeting. The LoA was officially issued to the construction company after that meeting by M. Hanumantha Rao, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Madurai. The duration of the project has been fixed as 33 months from the date of commencement of the construction. New Delhi, March 5 : Indian scientists have identified a new catalyst that can efficiently oxidise urea and lower the energy demand for hydrogen generation by urea-assisted water splitting, thereby making way for improved production of the green fuel, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) said on Tuesday. DST, which comes within the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that the investigation was taken up as part of an ongoing project to develop high-active and tolerant catalysts based on high-valent Ni-oxides for urea electrolysis, which is supported by the erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), now ANRF. The team of scientists used neodymium nickelate (NdNiO3) as an electrocatalyst for urea electro-oxidation reaction (UOR), and using techniques such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy performed under operating conditions, substantiated that the catalyst drives the reaction specifically through a adirect mechanisma. A team of scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru -- Nikhil N. Rao, Dr Alex Chandraraj and Dr Neena S. John, have identified a new catalyst. Towards addressing the challenge posed by COx poisons, which are known for deactivating UOR catalysts and compromising their long-term electrolysis durability, neodymium nickelate emerges as a promising solution, the scientists said. Its exceptional tolerance to COx poisons endows it with notable electrocatalytic stability, they added. Computational calculations in collaboration with Dr Moumita Mukherjee and Prof. Ayan Datta from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, validated the experimental findings. Thiruvanthapuram, March 5 : Four lakh youth in Kerala will be skilled in the next three years under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said on Tuesday. The aim of the PMKVY 4.0 is to focus on future skills, in areas such as additive manufacturing (3D Printing), AI-data quality analyst, drone manufacturing and assembly technician, and electronic hardware assembly operator, among others. During his address at the Mar Ivanios College here, the minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government will ensure that "every young Malayali in Thiruvananthapuram is empowered with future-ready skills". The minister, who is contesting as the BJP candidate from Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha elections, also distributed certificates to the students who completed the German Certificate Course designed by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). "Skills, particularly future skills, have the potential to expand opportunities for young Indians. The aFutureSkillsa programme was devised to provide opportunities to all. As a Malayali, it is disheartening to witness the lack of opportunities in Kerala a" the absence of factories, tech hubs, and investments," Chandrasekhar told the gathering. "However, we will ensure that there are opportunities for all, to ensure that there are more skills and newer ways to earn for all." Highlighting how Apple has increased its manufacturing base in India, the minister said: "Apple has set up plants in India and is making iPhones for India and the world. Around 1.3 lakh direct jobs have been created. These plants have come up in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu. Why not Kerala?" Pointing towards the industry leaders from IBM and NXP, he noted: "I am confident, soon you will come to Trivandrum as Young Malayalis will show you what talent they bring to bear in fields of cyber security, AI, semiconductor and electronics design, etc." Sandeep Patel, Managing Director, IBM India, and South Asia, said that technology is an enabler as well as an equaliser. aThis whole focus on skill development that the minister and our PM Modi have put together is very critical to India today. Skill will make the youth a lot more capable and with our demographic dividend we can truly make India a net exporter of talent to the world," he said. New Delhi, March 5 : The Maharashtra government moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court's Tuesday order acquitting former Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba and five others accused in an alleged Maoist link case. Earlier in the day, the Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench acquitted Saibaba and five others, overturning the 2017 verdict of a Gadchiroli sessions court which had sentenced them to life terms. A division bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki S.A. Menezes ordered the acquitted accused to be released from jail after depositing Rs 50,000 each as bail bond. Justices Joshi and Menezes re-heard Saibabaas case after a previous division bench of the Bombay High Court had also acquitted the disabled professor in October 2022. The re-hearing took place after the Supreme Court set aside the October 2022 acquittal order and remanded the matter for a fresh hearing back to the Bombay High Court. The prosecution alleged that Saibaba and others were working for the banned CPI-Maoist and its frontal organisations like the Revolutionary Democratic Front. The Maharashtra Police had seized evidence like Maoist literature, pamphlets, electronic materials, and other things deemed to be "anti-national" from them. Jajpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during inauguration and foundation stone laying of various projects at Chandikhol. Image Source: IANS News Bhubaneswar, March 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the BJP government is trying to make Odisha the gateway to Vikshit Bharat and Atma Nirbhar Bharat. While addressing a huge public gathering at Chandikhole in Jajpur district, PM Modi said that the central government under BJP has invested hugely in Odisha. "For the last 10 years, the BJP government has been hugely investing in Odisha. We are trying to make Odisha become the gateway of developed India," PM Modi said. He said that in the last 10 years, around Rs 2 lakh crore has been invested only in the Petrochemical sector in the state and Odisha is fast turning into a big centre of polyester industry. He said that more investment means more job opportunities for the youth in Odisha. Referring to the huge gathering at the meeting, PM Modi said that the number indicates the mood of Odisha and the whole of eastern India. "The congregation of such a huge gathering here indicates the mood of eastern India. This clearly shows Odisha's resolve for "Abki Bar 400 paar Sankalp "(this time more than 400 seats to BJP). This resolve is meant to make India the third-largest economy in the world. This resolution is to bring back the government to power that could make strong and decisive decisions. The resolution of 'Abki Baar 400 paar' is to change the lives of farmers, youths, women and the poor. Eastern India and Odisha in particular will play a big role in this," said PM Modi. PM Modi narrated how flagship programmes like Jan Dhan account, Mudra Loan, PM SVANidhi, and PM Vishwakarma brought huge transformation to the lives of the poor. He targeted Congress saying that the feats of development could have been achieved by the previous Congress government but it was busy filling up its coffers. He said the ideology of Indi alliance parties is family first but PM Modi's ideology is nation first. He said that the aim of "Indi alliance" parties is to dethrone PM Modi while his resolve is to make India the third-largest economy in the world. The dynastic parties during their rule made their family members rich while PM Modi got 25 crore poor people in the country out of poverty. He said that the whole of India is his family and this is a problem for "Indi alliance". However, PM Modi did not criticise the ruling Biju Janata Dal or the Naveen Patnaik government in his speech on Tuesday. PM Modi's silence on BJD has further added fuel to the speculations regarding a possible coalition between the BJP and the ruling BJD. --IANS gyan/dan North 24 Parganas: Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, accused of sexual violence and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali village, being produced at the Basirhat court. Image Source: IANS News Kolkata, March 5 : Despite a clear instruction from the Calcutta High Court directing the CID of the state police to hand over Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind behind the attack on ED and CAPF teams at Sandeshkhali on January 5, to the CBI at the earliest, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday refused to hand over the accused to the central probe agency. Armed with the Calcutta High Court order, three officials of the CBI, accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, arrived at the CID headquarters at the Bhabani Bhavan here at 4.40 p.m. on Tuesday for the official hand over of Shahjahan and all case-related documents. However, after over two hours of discussions, the CBI officials left Bhabani Bhavan at 7.05 p.m. without Sheikh Shahjahan. Sources said since the state government has already moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI, the CID authorities refused to hand over the accused to the central agency on the same evening. The West Bengal government approached the Supreme Court bench presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna late on Tuesday afternoon, seeking immediate intervention of the apex court in the matter. However, the apex court refused to entertain the plea and instead asked the state government counsel to approach the Registrar (Judicial) of the apex court for obtaining directions from the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, for urgent hearing of the case. The opposition parties, meanwhile, have claimed that the state government approaching the apex court desperately is a proof to its desperation to protect the accused. Bengaluru, March 5 : BJP President J P Nadda on Tuesday attacked the Karnataka government over the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans in the state legislature. "I want to remind you, if you are getting anything free it is terrorism. The terrorism is encouraged by the Congress and the terror elements are protected from all around," Nadda said while addressing the rally of BJP party workers at Booth Samavesh in Belagavi district. He said that one can well imagine the situation in the state when pro-Pakistan slogans are raised in the corridors of state legislature. He said that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hails from Karnataka and those who sit beside him have allowed the pro-Pakistan slogan to be raised. "Kharge why are you silent? Do you run the party so that you can speak the language of Pakistan? (kya Pakistan ki bhasha bolne ke liye party chalate ho). Do you think you are Pakistan's well-wisher in India? I want answers," Nadda demanded. He said that those who speak the Pakistani language should keep in mind that they will never be pardoned by the "Bharat Mata". "The people of Karnataka will not forgive you and demand answers from you. When Kharge comes to his home ask him which party he represents?" He said that the BJP government had maintained peace during its rule in the state. "Now, the incidents of blasts are occurring. The government is soft towards terrorists. It is Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who withdrew cases against the PFI workers but it was PM Modi and the NDA government which banned the PFI," he said. --IANS mka/dan New Delhi, March 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mera Bharat, Mera Parivar' assertion at a public rally in Telangana's Adilabad district has struck a good chord with the audience, and also enabled the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to seize the moment, especially in light of the Opposition hurling slurs at him. New Delhi, March 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modias aMera Bharat, Mera Parivara assertion at a public rally in Telanganaas Adilabad district has struck a good chord with the audience, and also enabled the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to seize the moment, especially in light of the Opposition hurling slurs at him. The aModi ka Parivara discourse backed by BJP ministers and leaders centres around PM Modias commitment towards 140 crore citizens of the country. It also boasts about his desire to serve the nation since his childhood. A Twitter handle titled 'Modi Archive' released a series of short stories on Tuesday, giving a peek into the life of young Modi and his penchant for keeping 'nation's interests above self'. The 2.48-minute long video, portraying his life since childhood, shows that since early age, he had an inherent desire towards serving his aParivarjana. Since childhood, he dreamt of serving the nation and keeping its interest over his own. It says that Narendra Modi in his childhood had many conflicting thoughts in mind like awhat is the purpose of life if not to live for others? What is the purpose of our being?" During his growing up years, he understood very early that helping others was not a favour, but his duty. He developed a strong desire and passion to serve his country and soon he found a path to channelise that energy. Narendra Modias father used to sell tea at the Vadnagar railway station and he used to assist his father. He used to serve tea to jawans also, who travelled in trains. He developed a strong passion for the Army and also wanted to join the armed forces. He wanted to study at the Sainik School in Jamnagar, but the economic hardships prevented him from doing so. However, this didnat prevent him from pursuing his love for the Army. During the India-Pakistan war, Army personnel used to commute on trains, and often crossed the Mehsana railway station. A young Modi used to visit the Mehsana station daily via bus, just for getting a glimpse of the jawans in Army uniform. Notably, PM Modi has in his speeches often reminisced about his desire to join the Army. However, fate had some other plans for him -- to serve Mother India. As a child, he joined the NCC and nursed the desire to serve the country. The aSeva Bhaava in him remained intact and for many years now, he has been serving the country in multiple roles, from Chief Minister to Prime Minister. Itas his devotion and love for the armed forces that has made PM Modi turn his Diwali celebrations with jawans into a ritual. Every year, he visits some border outposts where he celebrates the festival of lights with the jawans. The controversy over PM Modias aParivaara emanated after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad launched a vilified attack at a public rally in Patna, saying that the former did not have a family. Giving a befitting reply the next day, PM Modi called the entire nation his family. Also, his apavivarjanoa pitch in every speech makes the message loud and clear. Chandigarh, March 5 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday hailed the budget 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, describing it as a step forward towards carving out 'Rangla Punjab' through inclusive, balanced, and comprehensive development of the state. In a statement here, he said that the 'zero-tax' budget had taken care of all the core sectors i.e. health, education, power, infrastructure, industry, sports, social security, and others, besides pushing the state into the orbit of a high-growth trajectory. He said this budget will further propel the tempo of overall growth and development of the state besides ensuring the prosperity of all sections of society, especially the poor and underprivileged ones. Bhagwant Mann said for the first time, the state budget has crossed the figure of Rs 2 lakh crore as the Punjab government has initiated several path-breaking initiatives for public welfare. He said the tax revenue has been much higher i.e. 13 per cent as against the compound annual growth rate of eight per cent during 2012-17 and six per cent during 2017-22, adding that this shows that delivery depends upon the clarity of thought and determination to convert thought into actions. The Chief Minister said to bring the farmers out of the rut of the wheat-paddy circle, an allocation of Rs 575 crore has been made in 2024-25 for various crop diversification schemes. He said the allocation of Rs 9,330 crore in 2024-25 towards power subsidy for agriculture will also ensure the welfare of farmers. The proposal to construct a new Malwa canal project with an aim to cover approximately 1,78,000 acres, benefiting Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, and Muktsar districts, will reduce reliance on groundwater and optimise Punjab's under-utilised share of the Beas-Satluj river water during the Rabi period. The Chief Minister said for the first time a budgetary outlay of Rs 16,987 crore has been made for the education sector which is around 11.5 per cent of the total expenditure. Fantom Plans Multichain Liquidation to Help Recover Millions Lost in Exploit Fantom Foundation, the team that builds Fantom Network, has received a favorable judgement from the High Court of Singapore in its legal action against the cross-chain protocol Multichain. The Foundation fell victim to Multichain exploit in July 2023, leading to a significant loss of over $210 million in assets. Following the exploit, it filed a lawsuit against Multichain Foundation for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentations for Fantoms losses. Since the July 2023 Multichain exploit, Fantom Foundations management and legal team have been working tirelessly across multiple jurisdictions to chart a path forward that enables victims to partially recover assets lost, the company wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Since the July 2023 Multichain exploit, Fantom Foundations management and legal team have been working tirelessly across multiple jurisdictions to chart a path forward that enables victims to partially recover assets lost. We have an important update in this regard. After all pic.twitter.com/pUxyalPdMD Fantom Foundation (@FantomFDN) March 4, 2024 Per Fantoms claims, it made several attempts to engage with the former directors and key personnel of the Multichain Foundation. However, the attempts failed, leading the firm to file an action against the Multichain in Singapore, where Multichain is incorporated. The lack of cooperation by the Multichain team created complexity to addressing the exploit, it said in a blog, Monday. We are pleased to announce that on January 30, 2024, the Honorable Registrar Tan Boon Heng of the General Division of the High Court of Singapore granted a default judgment ruling in Fantoms favor. Fantom Plans Multichain Liquidation to Recover Funds Fantom filed a petition at the Singapore court to appoint a Multichain liquidator to possibly recover the lost funds. A court-appointed liquidator will have the expertise required to aid in the tracing and recovery of assets; unique legal powers. A liquidator will also act in the interests of all creditors, it added. Furthermore, Fantom plans to use its legal victory against Multichain to have suitably qualified experts recover and distribute assets. The foundation also suffered a significant loss of approximately $6.7 million worth of digital assets in another hack in October. Per blockchain security firm Certiks estimates, attackers siphoned off nearly $657,000 worth of crypto assets in the Fantom Foundation incident. Heres all you need to know about RBIs Unclaimed Deposits portal. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, March 5 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday issued a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its UDGAM portal to help people recover their funds that are stuck in unclaimed deposits/ accounts with banks. The six FAQs cover in detail the centralised information that is available from about 30 banks on the portal to help track down these accounts. *What is UDGAM portal? UDGAM refers to Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway to Access inforMation, which is an online portal developed by RBI. It facilitates the registered users to search unclaimed deposits/accounts across multiple banks at one place in a centralised manner. *Are all banks part of the UDGAM portal? What percentage of the unclaimed deposits they represent? No. As on March 4, 2024, there are 30 banks, which are part of UDGAM portal, and they cover around 90 per cent of unclaimed deposits (in value terms) in Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund of RBI. The list of these banks is available on home page of UDGAM (https://udgam.rbi.org.in/unclaimed-deposits/#/login) and in the RBI Press Release dated October 5, 2023. The remaining banks are in the process of getting on-boarded. *What are the types of deposits/accounts covered in UDGAM portal? All unclaimed deposits/accounts that are part of Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund of RBI can be searched in UDGAM portal. *What inputs are required to search unclaimed deposits of (a) individuals and (b) non-individuals on UDGAM portal? A user is required to register on the portal by providing his/her name and mobile number. (The user manual available on the portal (https://udgam.rbi.org.in/unclaimed-deposits/#/login) elucidates the detailed process of registration and use of the portal). Individuals: For searching unclaimed deposits in individual categories, a user has to provide inputs such as the name of the account holder, the name of the bank (one or more banks can be selected) and any one or more of the five inputs viz., Permanent Account Number (PAN), Driving License Number, Voter ID Number, Passport Number and Date of Birth of the account holder. Non-Individuals: For searching unclaimed deposits in the non-individual category, a user has to provide inputs such as the name of the entity, the name of the bank (one or more banks can be selected) and any one or more of the four inputs viz., Name of the authorised signatory, PAN, Corporate Identification Number (CIN) and Date of Incorporation. Even if none of the above-mentioned information is available, the user can type the address of the account holder or the entity (as the case may be), in place of these inputs mentioned above for undertaking the search. *Whether user can settle/claim his/her unclaimed deposits through UDGAM portal or from RBI? No, the UDGAM portal facilitates only (a) the search of unclaimed deposits/accounts across multiple banks at one place and (b) provides information on the claim/settlement process of each bank (which will be available in the search result). The unclaimed deposits can be claimed only from the respective bank. *What is Unclaimed Deposit Reference Number (UDRN)? UDRN is a unique number generated through Core Banking Solution (CBS) by banks and assigned to each Unclaimed account/ deposit transferred to Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund of RBI. This number is used so that the account holder or the bank branch where the account is maintained, cannot be identified by any third party. The UDRN enables the bank branches to seamlessly settle claims received from the customers/depositors, who have made successful searches in the UDGAM portal. All the 30 banks on-boarded to the UDGAM portal have put in place necessary requirements to generate UDRN during the development of the portal. --IANS sps/dan Why are you shying away from filing bail plea? SC asks Sanjay Singh. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 5 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday could not take up, for hearing, the plea filed by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh seeking bail in the money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Due to lack of time, a bench, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, adjourned the special leave petition filed by Singh against the February 7 decision of the Delhi High Court rejecting his bail plea. As per the computerised case status, the plea is to remain on board and may be tentatively listed on April 5. Earlier, the bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, had issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and directed tagging of the bail plea along with another petition filed by the AAP leader, challenging his arrest and subsequent remand in the money-laundering case. Sanjay Singh had moved the Delhi High Court seeking bail on January 4 after Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court on December 22 dismissed his plea. Under the liberty granted by the Supreme Court in the pending matter, the AAP leader had moved a regular bail application before the jurisdictional trial court. Last week, the Rouse Avenue Court extended, till March 7, the judicial custody of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in the case. Jajpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during inauguration and foundation stone laying of various projects at Chandikhol. Image Source: IANS News Bhubaneswar, March 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth around Rs 19,600 crores during a programme at Chandikhole in Jajpur district. The projects were related to different sectors including oil & gas, railways, road, transport & highways and atomic energy. PM Modi indicated towards the efforts being made to enhance the capabilities of the Eastern states in the energy sector. He stated that major projects are underway for the supply of natural gas in five big states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha under the Urja Ganaga Yojana. PM Modi inaugurated a 344 km long product pipeline from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal, Indian Oil Corporation Limitedas Mono Ethylene Glycol project in Paradip Refinery and 0.6 MMTPA LPG Import facility at Paradip which will bring a revolutionary change in the polyester industry of eastern India. PM Modi said that this will also provide raw materials to the textile parks in Bhadrak and Paradip. Drawing comparisons, PM Modi stated that the previous governments never took interest in completing the development projects while the present government inaugurates the very projects on time whose foundation stones were laid by it. He said that the working culture in India has changed with the BJP government coming to power in 2014. He mentioned the Paradip Refinery which became a topic of discussion in 2002 but no work was accomplished until the present government came to power in 2014. PM Modi also highlighted the efforts of the central government in making use of the abundance of natural resources in Eastern India for the development of Odisha and spoke about the desalination plant in Ganjam district that will treat almost 50 lakh litres of saline water every day and make it suitable for drinking. PM Modi said that the central government is focusing on modern connectivity in Odisha so that local resources can be utilized for the growth of Odishaas economy. The Prime Minister said that in the last 10 years, 3000 km long national highways have been constructed in Odisha while the railway budget has been increased 12-fold during the period. He also mentioned inaugurating the Paradip - Hyderabad Pipeline in Sangareddy, Telangana yesterday and the 500 km long crude oil pipeline from Haldia to Barauni in Arambagh, West Bengal three days ago. Governor of Odisha, Raghubar Das, Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik and Union Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan were also present on the occasion. Chief Minister Patnaik thanked PM Modi for his focus on the development of Odisha. He said that Odisha is fast becoming a major manufacturing hub of Eastern India. He also sought the support of PM Modi in the endeavour of 4.5 crore people of Odisha for the development of the state. --IANS gyan/dan New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Minister of State Ajay Bhatt and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and others at the DefConnect 2024 event. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 5 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday urged the commanders to be prepared to deal with any kind of challenge. "The commanders must remain prepared to deal with all kinds of challenges. The government will provide all-possible support," the Defence Minister said while addressing the first edition of the inaugural session of Naval Commanders' Conference of 2024. He underscored the importance of jointness and synergy of the three services amidst the constantly-evolving geopolitical scenario and spoke about the increasing use of drones in modern-day warfare and various maritime operations. The Defence Minister also addressed the Naval Commanders during the session and commended the Indian Navy for increasing its multi-dimensional capabilities in the Indian Ocean region and continuously emerging in a leadership role. He appreciated the Navy's efforts to work towards peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region, in line with Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also lauded the anti-piracy operations of the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region which, he said, is being appreciated not only in India but across the globe. "If India's reputation has increased in the Indian Ocean Region and wider Indo-Pacific, it is due to the bravery and promptness of our Navy. It has become synonymous with credibility in the Indo-Pacific region. The Navy is a reflection of India's growing stature on the global canvas," the Defence Minister said. --IANS gcb/dan Kolkata, March 5 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Tuesday that its has provisionally attached properties worth around Rs 13 crore belonging to now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind behind the attack on ED and CAPF teams in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali on January 5. "The ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 12.78 crore in the form of 14 immovable properties in the nature of apartment, agriculture land, land for fishery, and building etc. in Serberia, Sandeshkhali and Kolkata, and two bank accounts under the provisions of PMLA in the matter of Shahjahan Sheikh and others," the agency said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The ED statement came soon after the CID of the state police refused to hand over Shahjahan to the CBI officers despite a clear order by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court passed earlier in the day. The CID refused to hand over Shahjahan citing the state government moving the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court order. To recall, an ED team accompanied by CAPF personnel had gone to Sandeshkhali on January 5 to question Shahjahan in connection with its probe into the multi-crore ration distribution case in West Bengal. However, as soon as they arrived in front of Shahjahan's residence, over a thousand supporters of the local Trinamool strongman attacked the ED and CAPF teams. There ED officers were severely injured in the attack, who had to be hospitalised. Guwahati, March 5 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched a sharp attack against RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Prime Minister does not have his own family rather the whole country is his family. I take pride in announcing that I also belong to his Parivar," the Chief Minister said. He said that Lalu Prasad Yadav has lost his knowledge about Hinduism. "If Lalu Prasad claimed that PM Narendra Modi is not a Hindu, then he has lost all his knowledge about the Hindu religion. Lalu Prasad Yadav has been opposing Hinduism for a long time and he has forgotten the Hindu culture," the Chief Minister said. Notably, Lalu Prasad while responding to the Prime Minister's accusation of using dynastic politics to undermine opposition parties, particularly the RJD, had said during a rally of the INDIA bloc in Patna, "What can we do if PM Modi does not have a family of his own?" "PM Modi's boasts about the Ram temple are endless, but he is not even a Hindu. Following the passing of their parents, a son is required by Hindu tradition to shave both his head and beard. PM Modi had not done so upon the demise of his mother," the RJD patriarch had also said. Reacting to Lalu Prasad's jibe, the Prime Minister said: "My life is an open book. The 140-crore people in this nation are my family. Modi's family today consists of crores of the country's daughters, mothers, and sisters. My family is every impoverished person in the nation. Modi belongs to those who have no one else, and they belong to Modi." The BJP has started a campaign of "Modi ka Parivar" and top leaders of the party including Amit Shah. J P Nadda changed their bio in the X handle to counter Lalu Yadav's personal attack against PM Modi. Hyderabad, March 5 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking Centre's support for various projects in the state. Hyderabad, March 5 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking Centreas support for various projects in the state. The Chief Minister sought funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide drinking water to every household in the state. Revanth Reddy along with Governor Tamili Sai Soundararajan gave a warm send-off to the Prime Minister at Begumpet Airport on his return after a two-day visit to the state. The Chief Minister requested PM Modi to allot 29 IAS officers to Telangana. He also demanded setting up of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Hyderabad and Centreas support for expansion of Hyderabad Metro Rail and development of Musi Riverfront. Revanth Reddy sought the Centreas cooperation for construction of an elevated corridor on Hyderabad-Srisailam national highway passing through the Amrabad forest area. The PM Modi was told that the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3 crore in 2022-23 for preparation of a detailed project report of the elevated corridor to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 7,700 crore. The CM requested the Centre to accord speedy clearance as the project would ease traffic movement between Hyderabad and Srisailam. This would also reduce the distance between Hyderabad and Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh by 45 km. CM Revanth mentioned that though NTPC has power production capacity of 4,000 MW, the previous government achieved production of only 1,600 MW. He sought Centreas cooperation for additional power production of 2,400 MW. Stating that Telangana is ready to build Tummidihatti lift irrigation project, the CM requested the PM Modi to make Maharashtra agree for land acquisition and water sharing. While thanking the Centre for granting permission for construction of elevated corridors on Hyderabad-Ramagundam and Hyderabad-Nagpur highways through defence lands, he requested transfer of 178 acres of land in Cantonment area to the state government. He also sought transfer of 1,350 acres of military dairy farm lands (Tosha Khana) near Ponnala village for construction of 10 TMC Keshavpuram reservoir. The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to transfer back to state Shameerpet field firing range (1038) whose lease has expired. Jaipur, March 5 : Over 7,600 inspections have been conducted at different medical institutions in Rajasthan from January 24 to March 3, which have improved the condition of health services, officials claimed on Tuesday. These inspections, which have been going on for the last five weeks, have brought about positive changes in the standards of medical institutions, including testing and treatment, availability of medicines, cleanliness, condition of wards and buildings, and other services, officials said. Following the instructions of Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh, the health department had issued orders to inspect all the medical institutions in the state from January 24 to March 3. Accordingly, more than 7,600 inspections were conducted in the state during this period. According to the report prepared on the basis of online monitoring of these inspections, expected improvement has been seen in health services from the first inspection to the fourth inspection. Additional Chief Secretary in the Health Department, Shubhra Singh, said that the level of satisfaction towards OPD and IPD services was 75 per cent at the time of the first inspection, which increased to 92 per cent at the time of the fourth inspection. Similarly, the level of satisfaction regarding the condition of buildings of medical institutions increased from 61 per cent to 70 per cent, the level of condition of labour rooms increased from 47 per cent to 82 per cent, while the level of satisfaction regarding the condition of bedsheets in wards increased from 55 per cent to 78 per cent. Further, in emergency services, the level of satisfaction increased from 28 per cent to 74 per cent, and the condition of honorarium to contract workers improved from 29 per cent to 74 per cent. According to the inspection report, the Chief Minister's Free Medicine Scheme was found to be running smoothly in 95 per cent of the medical institutions in the state, while the Chief Minister's Free Testing Scheme was running smoothly in 91 per cent of the institutions. Similarly, the condition of human resources in 73 per cent of the institutions and building condition in 63 per cent of the institutions were found to be satisfactory. On the basis of these inspections, reports for every medical institution are being prepared. Wherever shortcomings in health services are coming to light, efforts are being made to improve them with immediate effect, said officials. New Delhi: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman speaks at the one-day National Conference of Enforcement Chiefs of State and Central Goods and Services Tax (GST) formations. Image Source: IANS News Patna, March 5 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday criticised RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav over his remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Finance Minister said that it is highly disappointing that a senior leader like Lalu Prasad Yadav has given such a statement. "It is very important to maintain dignity in politics," Finance Minister Sitharaman said. She said that the BJP has given an appropriate answer to Lalu Prasad Yadav. "PM Modi rightly said that 140 crore people of the country are his family and entire countrymen consider him their family member. Such a frivolous statement is not right, especially from the person who has spent all these decades in the politics of the country," she said. Notably, Lalu Prasad while responding to the Prime Minister's accusation of using dynastic politics to undermine opposition parties, particularly the RJD, had said during a rally of the INDIA bloc in Patna, "What can we do if PM Modi does not have a family of his own?" "PM Modi's boasts about the Ram temple are endless, but he is not even a Hindu. Following the passing of parents, a son is required by Hindu tradition to shave both his head and beard. PM Modi had not done so upon the demise of his mother," the RJD patriarch had also said. Reacting to Lalu Prasad's jibe, the Prime Minister said: "My life is an open book. The 140-crore people in this nation are my family. Modi's family today consists of crores of the country's daughters, mothers, and sisters. My family is every impoverished person in the nation. Modi belongs to those who have no one else, and they belong to Modi." The BJP has started a campaign of "Modi ka Parivar" and top leaders of the party including Amit Shah. J P Nadda changed their bio in the X handle to counter Lalu Yadav's personal attack against PM Modi. --IANS ajk/dan Bengaluru, March 5 : A dominant show at home behind them, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) gear up for the second leg of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 with leg-spinner Georgia Wareham saying that consistency will be key for them in the Delhi-leg of the tournament. A packed Chinnaswamy Stadium gave RCB a rousing send-off in their last home game on Monday night, and Smriti Mandhana's team acknowledged the loving cheers of their 12th Man Army with a victory lap after their win against UP Warriorz. The unwavering support had lifted the team during tense moments in their matches, said the leg-spinner Georgia Wareham. "The crowds are a massive win for us. I think it's a little bit intimidating at first, but it's nice knowing that they're all cheering for us, which as an Australian being over here is a little bit different. "But, yeah, it's like having a 12th man. They call it a 12th Man Army. So, yeah, it's really special and I think having that noise is really cool for us and I think it brings us through big moments and, yeah, it sort of lifts the team when we need lifting," Wareham said at the post-match press conference following RCB's comprehensive 23-run victory, their third in this WPL. Looking forward to the Delhi leg, Wareham said that consistency would be an important factor for RCB. "More than anything, consistency. I think we've been a little bit up and down over the past five games. Travelling to Delhi, I think we've just got to be ready for anything when we get there and adapt and try and get there as fresh as we can. So it'll probably be not doing much tomorrow after we get there and just make sure that we get everything right before we step out on the field in Delhi." Wareham, recapping the night's performance, said that the batting exploits of skipper Smriti and Ellyse Perry were the highlights of the win. Wareham also praised Perry's fielding efforts, talking about how that set the example for the rest of the side. "Pez [Perry] also leads us in the fielding. I think the way that she's sprinting across the ground the whole game is, yeah, I think easy for everyone else to follow. I think when you've got fielders like that in the team to sort of just copy what they do is pretty easy for everyone else," said Wareham. Wareham also spoke about how she was impressed by fellow leggie Asha Sobhana's ability to soak up the pressure. "She's super talented. I think we both sort of bowl a little bit differently, but I think the way that Smriti's used us has actually been really cool, sort of both bowling through the middle there. "I love Ash's confidence, the way that she bowls sort of forgets about the last ball and her ability to just bowl her best ball every ball, I think, is something that everyone sort of aspires to be able to do, just to be able to sort of forget what just happened regardless and perform as well as she has so far has been unbelievable," Wareham said. RCB will be in action for their sixth match on Wednesday evening against Gujarat Giants at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Terras Do Kwon Wins Extradition Appeal in Montenegro, Avoids U.S. Charges Do Kwon, the founder of Terraform Labs, has received a legal reprieve as a Montenegro court overturned a previous ruling for his extradition to the U.S. The Appellate Court of Montenegro overturned the extradition decision made by a court in Podgorica, sending the case back for retrial. Do Kwon Wins Extradition Again Following a panel meeting on March 5, 2024, the Appellate Court of Montenegro announced its ruling, which granted the defense attorneys appeal and overturned the decision to deport Do Kwon. The court nullified the previous decision of the High Court in Podgorica and returned the case for retrial and decision at the first instance. This ruling comes after the Appellate Court of Montenegro had previously canceled Kwons extradition approval to either the U.S. or South Korea in December 2023, leading to the case being sent back to the Podgorica Basic Court for retrial. The High Court of Podgorica had earlier determined the legal requirements for Kwons extradition to the United States for criminal prosecution while denying extradition to South Korea in November 2023, leaving the final decision to the Minister of Justice of Montenegro. The Appellate Court cited significant violations of the provisions of criminal procedure as the basis for overturning the previous decision. It specifically mentioned the lack of clear and valid reasons for crucial data in the extradition request letter. Moreover, the court noted that the Podgorica court failed to properly link a document with its attachments and evaluate it in accordance with the provisions of the Law on International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. This law outlines the procedures for handling requests for international legal assistance from foreign judicial authorities, particularly when such requests are submitted electronically. Do Kwon has successfully appealed against his extradition to the U.S., where he faces fraud charges related to the collapse of the Terra ecosystem. This marks Kwons third victory against the Montenegro High Court, which had previously upheld extradition requests from both South Korea and the United States. Kwons successful appeals occurred on December 14 and February 8, overturning previous decisions to extradite him to either the U.S. or South Korea. Despite the High Courts initial validation of the extradition requests, Kwon persisted in his appeals. The latest decision comes after reports from local media on February 21 indicated that the High Court had ruled in favor of extraditing Kwon to the U.S. while rejecting South Koreas request. However, with this new ruling, the case will be sent back to the first-instance court for reconsideration. The Legal Battle Intensifies As Terraform Labs and Co-Founder Fight SECs Fraud Allegations Terras collapse in mid-2022 resulted in the loss of billions of dollars in investor funds. Following Terras failure, Do Kwon fled to Montenegro, where he was later arrested on charges related to the possession of falsified official documents. Alongside his co-defendant, Han Chang-joon, Kwon is serving a four-month prison sentence while awaiting the countrys decision on his extradition destination. In December, the Montenegro High Court ruled that extradition requests for Kwon were still pending, marking another legal victory against extradition. According to allegations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Terraform Labs and its co-founder, Kwon, orchestrated a fraudulent scheme that resulted in the loss of at least $40 billion in the market. The legal battle between Kwon, Terraform Labs, and the SEC in the Southern District of New York United States District Court is escalating as they seek to challenge the SECs complaint. One focal point of contention is the evidence provided by Dr. Matthew Edman, a primary expert witness for the SEC. The defendants argue that errors and modifications to relevant legislation warrant a reevaluation of the courts decision to reject their request to exclude Dr. Edmans testimony. Recent reports suggest that Kwon may miss the start of his trial on SEC fraud charges, scheduled for March 25, due to delays in his extradition process. This delay adds further complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings. Agartala, March 5 : The President of All India Mahila Congress, Alka Lamba, claimed on Tuesday that the BJP-ruled Tripura is ranked second in the northeastern region when it comes to crimes against women. She also announced that the Congress will soon launch a 'Nari Nyay Padyatra' covering all the districts of the country. Talking to mediapersons at the state Congress headquarters here on Tuesday evening, the Mahila Congress chief said, "The BJP talks about 'Beti Bachao', but in reality, they are saving those who rape, molest and assault our daughters. I'm travelling across the country to unite the women," as she cited examples of current and former BJP leaders and elected public representatives such as Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, Sandeep Singh Sahni, Ramdulari Gaur and others, who have been accused in cases of purported crimes against women. "There has been no word on women's employment, empowerment and protection apparatus during the last 10 years of BJP rule. The Mahila Congress is holding a slew of awareness and sensitisation programmes to unite the women of the country. Our objective is to unite and strengthen the organisation and hold a 'Nari Nyay Padyatra' in every district of the country," the Congress leader said. Citing a recent case at Kamalpur in Tripura's Dhalai district, where a magistrate was accused of molestation and sexual harassment of a rape survivor who had purportedly gone to his chamber to record her statement, Lamba said, "'Rakshaks' have become 'bhakshaks' in Tripura. The MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) figures say that 165 rapes were reported from Tripura in 2020, 152 in 2021, and 140 in 2022. Tripura is unsafe for women." "BJP's double-engine governments in the northeastern states have worsened the scenario for the women. A judge is involved in a rape case here. The government is standing with the rapists, and providing them legal and financial relief," she claimed. New Delhi, March 5 : Delhi Police's Special Cell has nabbed a wanted Mewat-based criminal, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, from Madhya Pradesh, a police officer said on Tuesday. The accused was identified as Tarsum, 35, a resident of Haryana's Palwal district. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Alok Kumar said they got information about the location of Tarsum. "After more than three months, specific information was received about the location of the accused, Tarsum, in the Madhya Pradesh area. A team was dispatched to Madhya Pradesh, where Tarsum was finally apprehended on March 2," he said. On November 17, 2023, Amarjeet Singh, a resident of Paschim Vihar, reported that on November 13, his truck driver, Tarsum, departed from Nangli Poona village of Delhi with a truck loaded with areca nuts, valued at approximately Rs 75 lakh, for Karnataka. However, Tarsum, and his associates, fled with the truck and its consignment. Co-accused, Adil had previously been arrested in this case. Delhi Police had announced a Rs 50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Tarsum. "Tarsum is an active member of the Mewati-based interstate robber/burglars. He came into contact with the Mewati gang through his associate, Adil, who has been previously involved in numerous cases of robbery and burglary," the DCP said. Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 : A day after a woman was crushed to death by a wild elephant in Kerala's Ernakulam district, a man in the state's Kozhikode succumbed to injuries suffered in a wild gaur attack, and another woman was trampled to death by a wild jumbo in Thrissur. Abraham, 70, who was injured in an attack by a wild gaur at Kakkayam on Monday afternoon, breathed his last at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital on Tuesday evening. In the other incident, Valsala, 64, who was collecting forest produce near a forest in Thrissur on Tuesday, was trampled to death by a wild elephant. The two deaths reported on Tuesday have now taken the death toll due to man-animal conflict to seven in the past five weeks in the state. Three similar incidents were reported from Wayanad, two from Idukki, and one each from Ernakulam and Thrissur. --IANS sg/vd Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 5 : The father of a youth named Siddharth, who was found hanging in his hostel room at the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pookode, on February 18, has demanded framing of murder charge against two officials of the institute who have been placed under suspension. Reacting to the suspension of the two officials, Siddharth's father of Jayaprakash .S. Siddharth said they should be charged for murder. The suspended officials include the Dean of the institute, M.K. Narayanan, and Assistant Warden, R. Kanthanathan. Jayaprakash claimed that both these officials knew everything about how his son was "brutally tortured and killed" in the hostel. "The need of the hour is framing of murder charges against the two officials. Mere suspension will not suffice," said Jayaprakash. Last week, Jayaprakash had said that his son could never commit suicide, as he alleged that Siddharth was tortured and killed by student members of the SFI in the college. So far, 18 accused persons have been arrested in connection with the case. On Saturday, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, in his capacity as the Chancellor of the university, had suspended the Vice Chancellor of the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, M.R. Saseendranath. Commenting on the issue, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, said on Tuesday, "What happened at the Pookode college is a case of IS model torture and murder. The probe should be undertaken by a central agency. It's unfortunate that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has not met yet the grieving family. But he knows that he has to protect the SFI." Bengaluru, March 5 : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the special court order on handing over the jewellery of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to the Tamil Nadu government. A bench, headed by Justice P.M. Nawaz, issued the order while hearing the petition by the late AIADMK chief's niece, J. Deepa, who is Jayalalithaa's legal heir and contended that all the jewellery, valuables, and other seized materials should be handed over to her. The court also issued notice to the state government to file objections in this regard and adjourned the matter to March 26. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that Jayalalithaa was no more when the Supreme Court ruled that she was not an accused in the case of owning disproportionate assets. Judge H.A. Mohan of the special court had set the dates of March 6 and March 7 for the handover of gold, diamond, silver, and ruby jewellery, and other valuables worth crores of rupees, belonging to the late AIADMK chief to the Tamil Nadu government. These items were seized by authorities in connection with the case. Two officials from the Tamil Nadu government were assigned to receive the jewels, and the authorities were instructed to bring five trunks for this purpose. The Tamil Nadu government had submitted to the court that the Home Secretary and the Inspector General, Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), would be present during the handover procedure. The court had previously ruled that Jayalalithaa's family was not entitled to the properties confiscated by the state. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids against Jayalalithaa in 1996, and a charge sheet was submitted in 1997. The trial was conducted in Karnataka as per the Supreme Court's directive, and all relevant evidence was held in the Karnataka treasury under the court's custody. On September 27, 2014, a special court in Bengaluru sentenced Jayalalithaa to four years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore. She passed away in 2016 RTI activist T. Narasimha Murthy filed a plea seeking compensation for the amount spent by the Karnataka government in this case through the auction of seized items. The court rejected the plea and directed the transfer of seized items to the Tamil Nadu government. Jaipur, March 5 : Rajasthan minister Kirodi Lal Meena on Tuesday submitted 'evidence' to the Special Operations Group (SOG) claiming that about 300-400 candidates were fraudulently selected in the SI recruitment examination of 2021. Meena also raised the demand for a thorough investigation into the matter based on the evidence submitted by him, claiming that fake selections took place in the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) recruitment of 2018 as well. The minister said that over 850 candidates were recruited by the previous Congress government after the sub-inspector recruitment examination in 2021. "I have already exposed large-scale fraud regarding the recruitment process. About a dozen FIRs have been registered regarding fraud in the recruitment examination, but no action has been taken yet," he said. The minister also said that about 859 candidates are currently undergoing training at the Rajasthan Police Academy after being selected through the SI recruitment examination in 2021. "If the videography/call letter (from RPSC) of the centre where the selected candidates appeared for the examination is released and the faces of the selected candidates at the RPA are matched with those who appeared for the exam, hundreds of candidates will be found to be fake," he said. Meena also claimed that he saw the interview of a selected girl, who was not able to name the President of the country, adding that he has proof to show that a male candidate took the examination on her behalf. If the selected candidates are thoroughly scrutinised, around 300 of them will be found to be fake, he added. Meena also demanded an investigation into the RAS 2018 and 2021 recruitment process. He said the answer sheets of the main examination of 2018 were checked at the MDS University, Ajmer, where the cameras were shut. "RPSC member Shiv Singh Rathore committed a big scam by appointing his favourite professor as the coordinator. Relatives of the leaders of the Congress government of the time were given good marks," Meena claimed. Jaipur, March 5 : Bhupendra Yadav, Union minister and BJP candidate from the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan, visited the state BJP office here on Tuesday and expressed his gratitude to the top leadership of the party for fielding him as a party nominee for the upcoming general elections. The minister said that India is going to become the third largest economy in the world because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's determination. He also said that the Lok Sabha elections will be held on PM Modi's guarantees for a developed India. "We are working with this resolve to become a strong India by 2047 with PM Modi's guarantees. The lotus will bloom in all the 25 seats in Rajasthan," he said. The minister also said that due to the efforts of PM Modi in the last 10 years, the country is rapidly moving on the path of development. "It is the determination of PM Modi which has made India the fifth largest economy in the world. The day is not far when India will become the third largest economy globally," he said. Chennai, March 6 : Tamil Nadu's PT party, which contested the previous Lok Sabha polls as part of the NDA, has now finalised an alliance with the AIADMK. PT founder-leader Dr K. Krishnasamy met AIADMK leader and former minister, S.P. Velumani, and has almost finalised a deal for the Tenkasi seat, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes. Sources in the AIADMK told IANS that the announcement would be made after the party General Secretary K. Palaniswami meets Dr Krishnasamy. The PT chief, who had contested the Tenkasi constituency as the NDA candidate in 2019, had garnered 3,55,389 votes but lost the seat to the DMK's Dhanush M. Kumar by a margin of 1,20,767 votes. Krishnasamy is likely to contest the polls and the party expects to win the seat in a three-cornered fight with the DMK and the NDA. New Delhi, March 5 : Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against Hizbul Mujahideen operative Javed Ahmed Mattoo for his alleged involvement in at least 11 terror attacks in the Jammu and Kashmir region. Mattoo a.k.a Irsad Ahmed Malla alias Ehsan (32), an A++ category terrorist, hails from Sopore of J&K's Baramulla district and was arrested on January 4 by the Delhi Police's Special Cell in coordination with other central agencies. In the charge sheet filed before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Nabeela Wali on March 3, the Delhi Police said that Mattoo is a member of a notorious gang of seven terrorists associated with Hizbul Mujahideen, operating primarily in North Kashmir, particularly Sopore. The court has fixed March 15 for cognizance on the charge sheet. Before his arrest, Mattoo, who was allegedly involved in five grenade attacks in the Valley, also carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for his involvement in a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. "Mattoo had been evading security agencies for the past 13 years and he was nabbed when he was in Delhi to acquire weapons at the behest of Pakistan's ISI, with plans to execute terror strikes in J&K and another location," said a senior police officer. Police also recovered a 9 mm Star pistol, six live cartridges, an extra magazine, and a stolen Santro car in the process. "He is the lone surviving A++ category J&K-based terrorist. After sustaining injuries in a confrontation with security forces, he went into hiding and escaped to Nepal on the directions of the ISI, as the J&K police were actively pursuing him," said the officer. The officer also revealed that Mattoo was shot a decade ago by security forces during an encounter, resulting in a bullet injury and subsequent limping. "This had an impact on his ability to directly engage in attacks against security forces," he added. Moscow, March 6 : A Russian Sukhoi-27 fighter jet escorted three French military planes near the Russian border over the Black Sea, state media reported, citing the Russian Defence Ministry. The ministry on Tuesday said that a Su-27 fighter from the air defence forces on duty was dispatched after Russian radars over the Black Sea detected three air targets flying towards the Russian state border, state-run TASS news agency reported. The French planes were identified as an E-3F long-range radar detection and control aircraft and two Rafale-C multipurpose fighters of the French air and space forces. After the Russian fighter jet approached, the foreign military aircraft performed a U-turn from Russia's state border and left the airspace over the Black Sea, the ministry said, adding that the country's border was not violated. Police investigating the killing of a pregnant Amish woman inside her Crawford County home last week recovered three firearms, bullets and two spent casings as well as broken knife parts, according to an inventory made public on Tuesday. The state police document said the search of the house where Rebekah A. Byler was killed on Feb. 26 produced the broken orange handle of a knife, a broken knife blade and a bone-handled knife. Investigators also took a white bonnet and the contents of an ash tray, trash can and dust bin. A man who lived about 8 miles from the Byler home in northwestern Pennsylvania was charged Saturday with criminal homicide, homicide of her unborn child, burglary and criminal trespassing. Police have not disclosed what they think may have motivated Shawn C. Cranston, 52, to kill her in the living room, where her husband and a family friend found her. It's unclear from the search inventory if any of the items taken belonged to Cranston or were used in the killing, which police have said involved shooting her in the head and/or slashing her throat. They include a .22-caliber rifle, two shotguns and a variety of ammunition. Investigators also recovered a .22-caliber cartridge case and a 6.5 Creedmoor casing, both discharged. Cranston remains in the Crawford County Correctional Facility without bail. No defense attorney has appeared in court records, and the county public defender's office said Monday it was not representing him. Family members have not answered phone calls seeking comment on his behalf. Police said the Byler, 23, whose two children were home but unhurt, suffered wounds to her neck and head. Cranston's cousin, Rebekah Cranston of Erie, said Tuesday that Cranston was a native of the Corry area and had worked as a truck driver. She said she had fallen out of touch with him in recent years and that many of his relatives knew nothing about the allegations. Were just in shock and sending out prayers for the victim, she said. Shawn Cranstons next-door neighbor, Chris Knight, said he was a respectful neighbor who often rode motorcycles. His wife is a nurse, she said. Knight said that in recent months Cranston's pickup truck was no longer parked at the home. The Cranstons seemed to be down to one vehicle, she said, a red Jeep. It seemed like hes been home a lot but I dont know what that situation is, Knight said. Ahmedabad, March 6 : Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday unveiled the Technical Centre of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Bopal, Ahmedabad. The advanced facility is set to offer comprehensive support to non-government entities (NGEs) within the space sector, ranging from design and development to simulation and testing of space technologies. Aimed at addressing the myriad challenges NGEs face in turning conceptual space innovations into tangible realities, the Technical Centre is outfitted with a suite of sophisticated facilities. Among these are the Climate Simulation Test Facility (CSTF), Thermal and Vacuum Environment Simulation Facility (TVAC), Vibration Test Facility (VTF), and several specialized labs and clean rooms dedicated to assembly, integration, testing, and checkout activities for space systems. The Union Minister highlighted that the inauguration of the IN-SPACe Technical Centre marks a stride towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's burgeoning space ambitions and the pivotal role of the private sector within this domain. With goals to increase India's share in the global space economy from 2 per cent to 8 per cent by 2033, the government has introduced new policies and relaxed investment restrictions, including opening up foreign direct investment (FDI) in the space sector. "Public and private should go together, if we want to go further," he said. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, and Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, both emphasized the Centre's role in fostering innovation and empowering entrepreneurs. The facility is designed to serve as a one-stop solution for NGEs, facilitating the transition from initial design phases to fully operational space products and solutions. Gandhinagar, March 6 : In a major setback for the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, party's former Gujarat unit chief Arjun Modhwadia on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Modhwadia is recognized for raising issues related to governance, rural development, healthcare, and education. His role in the opposition was significant in holding the government accountable and pushing for transparency and reforms. Modhwadia's political journey includes serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Porbandar constituency. His experience and contributions to the political discourse in Gujarat have made him a well-known figure in the state's political landscape. Also, his expertise in strategic planning and grassroots mobilization was instrumental in shaping the Congress party's electoral strategies in the state. Modhwadia's departure from the Congress was precipitated by his resignation earlier this week, citing dissatisfaction with the party's stance on the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya. He admired Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, comparing them to revered figures such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Mahatma Gandhi. Modhwadia's criticism of Congress' disconnect with the public underpins his decision to join the BJP, which he views as a platform to contribute to Prime Minister Modi's vision of a developed India. Addressing concerns of external pressure leading to his resignation, Modhwadia clarified that his decision was free from governmental coercion, emphasizing the absence of legal actions against him. His letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted his frustrations with the party, notably accusing it of losing touch with the populace and criticizing Rahul Gandhi for his role in the Ayodhya event controversy. Reflecting on his over four-decade-long association with Congress, Modhwadia described his departure as a difficult but necessary decision made in pursuit of aligning with the people's aspirations, especially regarding the construction of the Ram Temple. Brussels, March 6 : The European Union (EU) has presented its "first-ever" European Defence Industrial Strategy at the EU level in response to security concerns. "To increase European defence industrial readiness, Member States need to invest more, better, together, and European," the European Commission (EC) said in a press release on Tuesday. The strategy presented by the EC "sets a clear, long-term vision to achieve defence industrial readiness in the European Union", it added. According to the strategy, EU member states are expected to procure at least 40 per cent of defence equipment in a collaborative manner by 2030, to ensure that the value of intra-EU defence trade represents at least 35 per cent of the value of the EU defence market by 2030, and to make steady progress towards procuring at least 50 per cent of their defence procurement budget within the EU by 2030 and 60 per cent by 2035. "With the return of high-intensity conflict on our continent, Europe cannot wait any longer to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base's ability to produce more and faster," said Thierry Breton, European commissioner for the internal market. As a means to deliver the strategy, the EC also tabled on Tuesday a legislative proposal for a European Defence Industry Programme and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products, Xinhua news agency reported. The EC said that the program will mobilize 1.5 billion euros (about $1.63 billion) of the EU budget over the period 2025-2027, to continue enhancing the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. With the final book in her West African-inspired Legacy of Orisha series, Children of Anguish and Anarchy, coming in June, PW talked to Tomi Adeyemi about her inspiration for the bestselling trilogy, what drew her to writing fantasy fiction, and how her protagonist, Zelie, has evolved over the course of three books. What inspired this series? The inspiration of this series came from three distinct areas of my life colliding. On one side, there was a girl who had grown up loving fantasy and desperately wanting to be a part of the narrative. The little girl in me was hungry for epic magic and love and adventure, both in the stories I consumed, and the ones I created. The ability to bring that out in Children of Blood and Bone was a thrilling experience, and it felt like the culmination of everything Id ever wanted to experience as someone who grew up loving stories and storytelling. On another side of this series inspiration was the discovery of the Orisha, divine beings that stem from Yoruba spirituality and mythology. I had grown up with incredible series and adventures, but the main characters never looked like me. It got to a point where I realized I spent ten years of my childhood writing stories without people who looked liked me, too. When I discovered the Orisha, I was already on a journey to heal my ability to exists in my own imagination. But seeing dark-skinned, African Gods and Goddesses for the first time was a creative awakening. I had never seen people like me depicted in such a powerful, regal way. I didnt even realize that black gods and goddesses existed. So that discovery was foundational to the creation of this book. Its the reason I named the fictional country Orisha in the novel. The moment I saw the illustrations of the Orisha, the world of this series came to life. I just had to wait to find the characters who would fill it. And on the final side of this series inspiration was the political climate of the United States. I grew up in mostly white communities, so I wasnt a stranger to occasional racist comment or teacher. I knew racism existed and as a young, dark skin woman, it would hurt me, but I thought that the extent of that would be my feelings. I didnt feel like I couldnt achieve what I wanted for myself, and I certainly didnt think my life or the lives of those I loved was in danger. That all changed my freshman year at Harvard when Trayvon Martin was shot. The murder of Trayvon put the unarmed shootings of black civilians into the spotlight, and once the spotlight was there, the shootings and unjust killings didnt stop. My feed was filled with pictures and hashtags and names of the fallenTamir Rice, Orlando Brown, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Sandra Bland. It put me into a state of perpetual PTSD. I was suddenly forced to confront that the hatred towards black people was not only alive, but a lethal threat to me and those I loved most. I started having panic attacks every time I entered my car. My mother says I called her sobbing almost every night. And if that wasnt enough, I was seeing that same hatred brought into the fictional spaces I had always loved. When the adaptation of The Hunger Games came out in 2012, I wasnt expecting the visceral online backlash against Rue and Cinna, the prominent black characters in the story. To see people boldly tweeting things like how in the world are they going to make Rue a freakin black b-word in the movie?!? Lolol not to be racist buuuuutIm angry now or, Kk call me racist but when I found out Rue was black her death wasnt as sad, was debilitating. It brought me lower than I knew I could go. In many ways, writing Children of Blood and Bone and the Legacy of Orisha served as therapy for this fear and heartbreak and rage. What have readers told you about why this story has resonated with them? There has been so much! Ive had so many black girls and women just like me who have told me how much it means to have a protagonist like Zelie and see her beautiful face on the book cover. Ive had readers, young and old, who have recently lost a parent and expressed how loved they felt in Zelies heartbreak over the loss of the mother and the moments of healing and catharsis she experiences throughout the adventure. Ive had readers struggling with their gender identity tell me how they felt seen in Inans journey of discovering parts of himself that hes been taught to hate and has to learn how to love. Ive had young white boys in Texas tell me how cool the adventure is and how much they love the battle! Ive also had practitioners of Orisha-based spiritualities and religions tell me how much the representation of their divine beliefs in this series have meant to them. We live in an age where between social media and tour events, youre able to truly interact with your readers. For a first time author, its been an incredible blessing. What got you interested in writing fantasy fiction? Was this always your life plan? I am a first-generation Nigerian, meaning my parents were born and raised in Nigeria, and I am the first in my family who was born and raised in the United States. Because of this, the common joke is that I was supposed to be a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. Since I was a child, I have always loved reading and writing fantasy, but I never thought that this would actually be my career, or that I would get to be one of the blessed storytellers who gets to have a popular YA book series that gets adapted to the big screen. I do think that this was always my deepest, wildest dreambut it wasnt until I was in my early 20s that I started admitting that dream to myself, let alone acting on it. What fascinates you about magic? The ability to transform. As a child, I wanted to shoot lightning from my hands. I wanted to walk into my closet and walk out into a fantasy world with a huge conflict that I was somehow at the center of. Its the adventure and the endless possibilities, especially when ordinary life can often feel mundane. Now, as an adult, what fascinates me about magic is the encounter with the miraculous. The unseen. Those divine moments where you feel without a shadow of a doubt that there is something so much bigger at work and you get to be connected to it. I dont know if that fascination will ever die. I sincerely hope it doesnt. How can fantasy help us work out complex ideas about real-world issues and problems? Fantasy is a beautiful medium because it allows us to take the complex issues and conflicts we have in our world, and explore them in a neutral territory. If you step out into the world, or turn on the news, or open one of your social media feeds, it seems like all you see is division and pain. There is so much going wrong in our society, but it feels like there are very few spaces where people are coming together from all walks of lifeall races, all ethnicities, all religions, all gender identities and expressionsand discussing how we can fix them. In a book, every single person is welcome inside. Theyre let into the same world on equal footing. Theyre connected to a protagonist and get to experience an adventure and a story that can open them up to viewpoints and realities that might not get through to them in the real world. That openness is why fantasy remains paramount to todays literary landscape. How has your protagonist, Zelie, grown and evolved during the series? Something remarkable to me now that the trilogy is complete is that all three books feel like one story to me. I see a girl who started this trilogy fierce, yet afraid. Powerful, yet powerless. Ultimately heartbroken. Through this epic story, shes become a leader. A true warrior. A protector. In many ways, shes almost become a god. Zelie may be fictional, but I am incredibly touched by her journey and her fight, and I hope my readers will feel the same. What do you want readers to take away from this book, and the series as a whole? That is a very difficult question! As the young girl and woman who needed to get this story out of her heart and get these emotions out of her soul, I know I feel a sense of pride and completion, and Im truly grateful for that. But I think as an author at this point in my career, I know that you cant dictate what a reader connects to or takes away from a story. Ultimately, I hope my readers feel a certain pride and catharsis for the characters theyve come to love and the grand journey theyve experienced. I know I want writers who dream of doing what Ive done to be inspired and go after it. But ultimately, I leave it to them. Im honestly just grateful that theyre there, and that theyve allowed me to complete this story! You have spoken about representation in the publishing industry. Have you seen progress since you started writing the first book? What work still needs to be done? Just this morning I saw a BookTok that filled my heart with pride. A gorgeous, diverse BookToker uses the lyrics to Non Stop in Hamilton with the text: THEM: I never see black fantasy recommended Us: As Aaron Burr sings, How do you write like youre running out of time?, the BookToker proceeds to wave black fantasy after black fantasy in front of the camera. We see A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow. Daughters of Niri by Reni K. Amayo. Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury. Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye. A Song of Wrath and Ruin by Roseanne E. Brown. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen. Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite. Given by Nandi Taylor. The Upper World by Femi Fadugba. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn. Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige. Empress Crowned In Red by Ciannon Smart. And then to my utter delight, Children of Blood and Bone, by me, Tomi Adeyemi. The landscape has changed. Our stories, our protagonists, and our beautiful covers are here. And I still think its just the beginning. Whats next for you? The future is very exciting! Ive been blessed to work across all mediums of storytelling over the past seven yearswriting this trilogy, writing the screenplay of the adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone for Paramount Pictures, and writing animated television shows for Netflix. Ive come to learn that I really love the process of adaptationfrom creating the literary work to bringing something to life on screenand I now understand how I want that to play out throughout my career with my future stories. Im currently executive producing on the adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone and collaborating with our incredible director, Gina Prince-Bythwood of The Old Guard and The Woman King, on the picture. Im also working on my fourth novel, my first adult work, and Im excited to bring that story to shelves and to screens in a new way. Lastly, Ive spent the past few years creating a Young Adult memoir about what its like to have a giant dream and go after it. Im really looking forward to watching Zelies journey continue on screen, as well as connect with my readers in the world of fiction and non-fiction in brand new ways. BincTank, the Book Industry Charitable Foundations business incubator and mentorship program for BIPOC booksellers, has introduced its first cohort of 12 entrepreneurs from across the U.S. Over a three-year cycle, BincTank participants will receive support and access to bookselling information, including the full curriculum of the Professional Booksellers School, as they establish their stores. The program also plans to announce a call for mentors in the coming weeks. Binc announced plans for BincTank last July, and opened to applications in mid-January. The call yielded 48 applications, and a panel of four judges worked with program manager Ken White to review the pool, selecting the finalists according to predetermined criteria and anonymously, BincTank reported. Reviewers included Nuola Akinde, founding executive director of Legacy Unbound; James Fugate, the retired co-owner of EsoWon Books in Los Angeles; Javier Ramirez, co-owner of Exile in Bookville in Chicago; and Tianna Woodford, a program manager at Mortar Cincinnati, an organization that offers business training for historically marginalized entrepreneurs. Participants started the program with an in-person orientation in Washington, D.C., hosted by Binc over the weekend of March 2. During this initial meeting, they toured BIPOC-owned stores including Loyalty, MahoganyBooks, Sankofa, and Solid State Books. Later this month, theyll begin Professional Bookselling School coursework, receiving a two-month introduction to the business. Erika Mantz, Bincs communication coordinator, explained that BincTank developed out of a need to close the diversity gap in bookstore ownership. BincTank is designed to help remove known barriers for BIPOC entrepreneurs, such as limited access to capital, peer-to-peer business networks, and investments, Mantz said. While conducting research for the program, Binc found that minority entrepreneurs are up to three times more likely to have a loan application denied, and discovered that only 58% of Black business owners sought professional services due to expense, inaccessibility, and mistrust, compared to 70% of white business owners. Some of BincTanks cohort have only a business plan in hand, while others are further along. According to a press announcement, eligible entrepreneurs were either working toward opening a store or had a store that had been open no more than six months from the time of application. Five booksellers have established stores: Aysia Brown, founder of books-and-cocktails shop Protagonist Black (Fontana, Calif.); Diana Dominguez, founder of intersectional, feminist indie Mas Libritos (Springdale, Ark.); Gwendolyn Henderson, founder of the HBCU-focused Black English Bookstore (Tampa, Fl.); Florida House District 13 state representative Angie Nixon, founder of the about-to-launch Cafe Resistance Bookstore (Jacksonville, Fl.); and Jay Williams, founder of Next Chapter Books (Detroit). Seven BincTank participants are still in the planning stages: Courtney Bledsoe (Chicago) envisions a Black womanowned store. Robert Eckman wants to create a bookstore oasis in a book desert (Belleville, Ill.). Alma Guzman, who works in bookstore operations for the Los Angeles store LA libreria, plans a southeast L.A. bookmobile with a Spanish-language emphasis. Kenya Kirkman will open a childrens bookstore in Brooklyn, and W.W. Norton sales rep Kevin Zambrano plans another Brooklyn store that amplifies Latinx and queer voices. In Nashville, Ciona Rouse will focus on poetry, libations, and liberation. And in Fresno, Calif., Ashley Mireles-Guerrero plans a bricks-and-mortar location for online and popup bookshop Judging by the Cover. Aspiring BincTankers who missed out on this round will get another chance next year. According to Mantz, a second application period is planned to open in early 2025 for a second cohort. This article has been updated with additional information. Click Here to go to PublishersWeekly.com Madeline McIntosh and Don Weisberg, who have served as CEO of Penguin Random House US and Macmillan, respectively, have joined forces with Nina von Moltke, most recently president and director of strategic development at PRH US, to form a new publishing company, Authors Equity. As its name implies, the publisher will operate outside of traditional publishing business models, offering no advances but paying authors a high percentage of a books profitsa model used by some other types of hybrid publishers. Five of the companys investors are authors, including James Clear, Louise Penny, and Tim Ferriss. Clears Atomic Habits has been a nonfiction bestseller for years and, according to publisher PRH, has sold more than 15 million copies. Penny has been published by St. Martins, and her works include the bestselling Armand Gamache series, published by the Minotaur imprint. Ferriss is best known for his 4-Hour series, which is also published by PRH. According to the announcement, Clear will publish future books with Authors Equity. While Penny said that she is committed to St. Martins, she invested in Authors Equity because its time for a new way of doing business, where the author is top of the pyramid. Ferriss, too, will remain with his publisher, noting that he invested because he believes the publish industry is ready for change. I hope the company sets new precedents in an age-old industry thats ripe for innovation, he said in a prepared statement. McIntosh, von Moltke, and Weisberg all exited major positions at the Big Five over the past two years: McIntosh resigned from PRH last year after helping to restructure the company, von Moltke also stepped down from her role at PRH in 2023, and Weisberg ended his tenure as Macmillan CEO at the end 2022. (Before moving to Macmillan, Weisberg also served in various executive roles at Bantam, Random House, and Penguin Random House.) All three are listed as Authors Equity cofounders, with McIntosh serving as CEO and publisher, von Molte as president, and Weisberg as senior advisor. Other AE employees include Robin Desser, the former editor-in-chief of Random House who left PRH herself in 2022, who has been named editorial advisor at the new publisher; Carly Gorga, former head of partnerships and brand marketing at PRH US, who is chief marketing officer; and Andrea Bachofen, who headed Random Houses author services group before leaving for Amazon, is chief operating officer. That core group will be based in a small New York City office, and will be augmented, the publisher said in a statement, by a team of freelancers. All core team members are former employees from major U.S. publishers, and AEs core principals address what many see as the shortcomings of big publishers. The publisher promises long-term collaboration," acknowledging that larger publishers often dont have time to help their authors develop their ideas and audience. In contrast, AE says that it is committed to "giving books room to breathe and supporting individuals and teams with the space they need to think big and think differently. Were in it from day one, and for the long haul. Along those lines, the publisher will offer authors flexibility and transparency and make decisions jointly in the best interests of each book. Simon & Schuster, where McIntosh was named to the board following its acquisition by KKR, will handle distribution and production for some titles, the announcement said. Authors Equity has agreements in place for a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, and expects to announce its first titles in the coming months. Arguing that solitary confinement worsens mental health crises and violates constitutional rights, six people incarcerated at prisons throughout Pennsylvania filed a federal class action lawsuit Monday seeking to end indefinite use of the practice. Lawyers for the six plaintiffs say it is the first case of its kind to challenge indefinite solitary confinement and the use of solitary confinement for anyone with a mental health diagnosis. Lawyers are also seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the plaintiffs. A similar suit was filed in October 2023, with incarcerated people at the Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution at Fayette arguing that the solitary confinement practices there worsened and created mental health crises based on secret evidence. A number of lawsuits nationally have targeted the conditions of solitary confinement, saying the treatment of incarcerated people there has led to psychiatric episodes of self-mutilation and death due to lack of adequate care. In Pennsylvania, legislation seeking to reform the practice and protect vulnerable populations has been introduced. A state House of Representatives judiciary committee hearing Tuesday is expected to focus on the use of it. The federal suit filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the state Department of Corrections argues that people incarcerated have suffered from increased mental health struggles. Some have been in solitary confinement for up to 12 years consecutively. The six inmates are incarcerated at six facilities. A spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections declined comment, saying the agency does not comment on litigation. Lawyers say the state Department of Corrections is violating the constitutional rights of those incarcerated and is discriminatory by punishing people for symptoms of mental illness. In solitary, people are confined to their cell for a majority of the day, with limited time for visitation or to leave their cell. If they do leave their cells, they are often restrained. They have limited access to hot water for showering. Fluorescent lights are on in their cells constantly, making it difficult to sleep. The environment is loud, with slamming steel doors and screaming of people having mental health crises. The complaint alleges that mental health visits are not private, are conducted through the food slot in the steel doors and only last seconds. Many of the plaintiffs have harmed themselves or attempted suicide while in solitary confinement, according to the complaint. Plaintiff Khalil Hammond, 35, has spent 12 years in solitary. He is incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix in Collegeville. Hammond has a history of mental illness, which has worsened in confinement. He has attempted suicide eight times, according to the complaint. He is unable to participate in programming to become eligible for parole and has not been able to connect often with his family. He is not able to marry his fiance while in solitary. Solitary confinement is killing us. If you didnt have mental health issues before going in, you do once youre in the hole, he said in a statement. Imagine being locked in a cage for years and years without ever knowing when youll get out. Malika Henderson, 29, has been in solitary confinement for 22 months consecutively. She is incarcerated at State Correctional Institution at Muncy. Shes spent about six years cumulatively in solitary confinement. After her grandmother died in February and she was unable to attend funeral services virtually, she attempted suicide, the complaint states. Being in solitary confinement away from your loved ones and family is devastating, she said in a statement. Im suffering but I know with this lawsuit Im not just fighting for me, Im fighting for the thousands of men and women who are in solitary just like me and who need to get out. Saleem Holbrook, executive director of the Abolitionist Law Center, one of the law firms involved in the case, called it a historic filing. Ending solitary confinement is necessary on grounds of humanity and as a matter of public health, Holbrook said in a statement. The damage and devastation incarcerated people experience in solitary confinement has long-term and widespread consequences impacting individuals families, and the communities those individuals return home to. Remember U.S. Steel? It isnt what it used to be. Founded in 1901 by Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan, the company was the symbol of American industrial power. But employment peaked 80 years ago at 340,000; its now 23,000. Once the largest corporation of any kind in the world, U.S. Steel now ranks 27th among global steel producers -- and dropping. Its done nothing for decades, according to steel industry analyst Charles Bradford. Stagnation in steel is hardly inevitable. In 1969, another American steelmaker, Nucor, pioneered the electric arc mini mill, which recycles scrap metal, but U.S. Steel is still devoted to less efficient blast furnaces that produce three times the CO2 emissions. Nucor is now the number-one steelmaker in the country by far, its stock rising by a factor of 12 in the last two decades. The obvious solution to U.S. Steels problem was to find a deep-pocketed purchaser -- and thats what it did. The company in December accepted an offer by Nippon Steel Corp., the worlds fourth-largest steel producer. Nippon agreed to pay $14.9 billion for the company, a surprisingly large all-cash sum a 142% premium to the price of the stock on Aug. 11. Thats when Cleveland-Cliffs, a blast-furnace producer about the same size as U.S. Steel, made the original attempt to buy the company. In the end, Nippon outbid Cleveland-Cliffs, which wanted to pay with cash plus shares of a stock thats been lackluster. U.S. Steel also worried that a combination of the second- and third-largest American steelmakers would draw opposition from aggressive Biden antitrust regulators. Still, despite its defeat, Cleveland-Cliffs mobilized legislators to try to kill the Nippon acquisition. Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman called the purchase absolutely outrageous. Donald Trump is also opposed: I think its a horrible thing. Customers gathered recently at the Tampa Steel Conference disagree. Along with most U.S. Steel workers, they are thrilled with the deal. The head of the United Steelworkers of America called the sale shortsighted, but the union is probably just trying to gain negotiating leverage. Actual U.S. Steel employees were more worried about their company continuing to wither away and about potential layoffs with a Cleveland-Cliffs acquisition. Sure, we can shed a brief tear over a Japanese company buying an American icon, but what U.S. Steel needs is not nostalgia but capital and up-to-date technology. Nippon has a shot at providing both and thus reviving an American icon. U.S. Steel is not alone in its distress. Much of the American steel industry is fragmented and starved for investment. A wave of buyouts and consolidations is the sectors best hope. We dont need one or two deals, said Waldo Best, an industry analyst with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. We need 10 or 20. If a foreign company offers a route to success that will benefit American investors, consumers and workers, is there really a problem? Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) seems to think so. He argues that the foreign ownership of assets of such national importance could jeopardize our security. But foreign in this case refers to Japan. As the State Department puts it, The U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of U.S. security interests in Asia and is fundamental to regional stability and prosperity. Japan is a bulwark against the real foreign threat to the U.S. economy and security, which is China. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Community Party in December recommended that Japan be added to the white list of foreign states now just the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia that are exempt from various requirements of CFIUS, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which must approve deals with a possible effect on national security. China produces more than 10 times as much steel as the United States, and eight Chinese companies rank among the worlds top dozen steel producers. If were really worried about steel for national security reasons, we should be enhancing the position of our closest allies like Japan and welcoming them when they want to put billions into U.S. manufacturing. The best antidote to the Chinese challenge and the best chance of reviving an American icon -- is not to block investment but to encourage it. And the higher the price someone is willing to pay for U.S. assets, the better. Finally. After 25,000 Mexicans applied for asylum in Canada last year, thousands of attempts to illegally cross into the United States on the northeast border, and millions of dollars spent on security and aid, the Canadian government has decided to close the barn door (or fix its own mistake). After pleas from the United States and Quebecs premier, the Liberal government is reinstating visa requirements for Mexican citizens entering Canada. It reverses the governments ill-informed highly political decision against the expert advice of its own civil service. More than a mea culpa, the decision repudiates the governments professed values-based approach to public policy: policy should be based on national interest; values are merely the means by which interests are delivered. Unlike the more tumultuous Mexican border, the United States and Canada have reaped enormous benefits from a common border that is bilaterally governed and efficiently administered. Joint agreements, premised on trust and reciprocity, oversee cross-border trade, environmental policy, law enforcement, intelligence sharing and military co-operation. These arrangements underpin one of the most open and prosperous borders in the world, helping to facilitate over US$2.5 billion in daily trade and making Canada the top U.S. export market. But Canada is losing the plot. blunders on transnational organized crime, migrant smuggling and human trafficking are putting this cross-border prosperity and security at risk. Canada has become an enabler of the global illicit economy. Corruption is measurably on the rise. Up to $113 billion in illicit funds are being snow-washed through Canada annually. And as cartels displace their operation northward, Canada has become a top fentanyl exporter to Australia and Europe. In 2016, against the advice of its own bureaucrats, the Liberals reversed a policy by the previous government that had imposed visa restrictions on Mexican nationals. Predictably, Mexico is now the top source country for asylum seekers in Canada: over 25,000 individuals lodged asylum claims in Canada in 2023, up from just 250 in 2016. However, most Mexicans do not qualify as legitimate refugees: only a third of Mexican claims are accepted by Canadas Immigration and Refugee Board, which is much lower than the average for other countries. But the adjudication of refugee claims doesnt really matter because few unsuccessful claimants end up being deported. Despite the Mexican governments professed commitment to orderly, humane, safe and regular migration, migrants kept on coming in unprecedented numbers. Under Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus watch, U.S. Border Patrols encounters with potential illegals along the northern border especially in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire were on track to exceed over 200,000 in 2024, an increase of about 50 per cent from 2022. Pleas for change from the United States were bipartisan. The Biden administration urged Canada to reimpose visas. Republicans Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley all lamented the situation. Congresss Northern Border Security Caucus has been vocal about the liability that Canada poses. Sustained U.S. political attention and politicization is bound to accelerate the Mexicanization of the northern border, even as the militarization of the southern border has rewarded smugglers, coyotes, and cartels. At $6,000 a head, migrant smuggling from Canada into the U.S. was already big cartel business. Many Latin Americans were transiting through Mexico from Venezuela and Colombia en route to Canada. Migrant smugglers have been furnishing them with counterfeit passports: the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted over 15,000 forged Mexican travel documents in 2023. Canadian cartel offshoots also exploit these illegal migrants for human trafficking and forced labour, as well as sexual exploitation and abuse. This state of affairs, of northern complaisance and southern anxiety, came at great reputational risk to the bilateral trust that has made our border the envy of history and the world. Rolling back the 2016 decision to stop imposing visa restrictions on Mexican nationals signals that the Trudeau government is finally prepared to put the Canada-US relationship and continental security ahead of partisan politics. It is in the best interests of both countries for Canada to act decisively on migrant smuggling, human trafficking and transnational organized crime. That Prime Minister Trudeau is finally starting to relent on politicizing visa policy for partisan self-interest significantly reduces Canadas target surface during and after the U.S. presidential election. Christian Leuprecht is a professor at Royal Military College and Queens University, senior fellow at the Center for North American Prosperity and Security (www.cnaps.org), and co-editor of Security. Cooperation. Governance. The Canada-United States Open Border Paradox. Afghanistan is sitting on an estimated $1 trillion in natural resources including gold, oil, coal, copper, timber, precious gemstones, marble, onyx, and vast lithium deposits a potentially lucrative cash cow that the international community cant allow the countrys Taliban rulers to exclusively control. Transparent and accountable growth of Afghanistans extractive industries could contribute to the economic development needed to aid the nearly 70% of Afghans who couldn't meet their basic needs in 2023. But instead, the Taliban have callously profited as gatekeepers to the countrys natural resource wealth since retaking control of the country in 2021. As a series of new reports by the George W. Bush Institute shows, the world cannot afford to neglect the intense suffering of the Afghan people and the profound destabilizing impacts the Talibans brutal and corrupt regime has imposed, particularly given assessments that Afghanistan is again becoming a haven for terrorism. Preventing the Taliban from abusing these resources and cutting off their access to other forms of corrupt and illicit financing is one of the biggest untapped pressure points the international community can target to improve the lives of Afghans especially women and children who are suffering under the Talibans brutal and misogynistic rule. The United States, its allies, and the international community must target the sources of funding that the Taliban are using to line their own pockets and sustain their brutal rule in Afghanistan. That includes access to the wealth stemming from the countrys natural resources. The Taliban have been on a quest to rebrand themselves as the legitimate authorities of Afghanistan to access the international funding they desperately want and need. Claiming they would root out the countrys historic corruption and posing as government bureaucrats effective at delivering services to the Afghan people are crucial to this effort. But despite their claims, the Taliban have only perpetuated the countrys pervasive corruption and undercut the delivery of essential services. And theyre leveraging access to the countrys natural resources wealth as a lure to gain international recognition. So the world must not take the bait. The Taliban tossed aside previous efforts to establish a more transparent and accountable regulatory framework for developing Afghanistans resources when they seized control of the country. At the same time, they appointed their own leaders to run Afghanistans government ministries and assumed the authority to issue government licenses and award extraction rights. They have set up front companies, accepted bribes, pressured the private sector, and used their control of the ministries to direct revenue to themselves and their own networks of supporters. In many instances, these arrangements involve foreign actors all too eager to lock up long-term access to Afghanistans mineral and natural resource wealth. For example, two separate oil extraction awards involving partnerships with Chinese firms appear to have been made to companies directly linked to Taliban leaders and their cronies. First, in January 2023, the Taliban awarded oil extraction rights in the Amu Darya Basin to a partnership between Chinas state-owned Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas (CAPEIC) and Afghanistans state-owned Afghanistan Oil and Gas Corporation. The Taliban replaced more than 400 technical and fiduciary employees at the Afghanistan company that were hired by the previous government. Taking their place were Taliban members and a network of individuals linked to Heydatullah Badri, the Taliban-appointed head of Afghanistans central bank, according to the independent Afghan media outlet Hasht-e-Subh. Second, Bashir Noorzai, once Afghanistans top heroin trafficker and a longtime Taliban ally, is also said to have secured gold and oil extraction rights through his secret involvement in a joint venture between two Afghan and Chinese companies and thanks to his ties to the Talibans acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to Foreign Policy. Opacity around mining concessions and other government-issued licenses increases the likelihood that any development of natural resources in Afghanistan will primarily line the pockets of Taliban leadership, Taliban loyalists, and the foreign enablers who have agreed to partner with them. This wealth is captured at the expense of funding crucial services, such as health care and education for the Afghan people a cost disproportionately born by women and children, as well as other communities marginalized by the Taliban. As an important first step, the United States and other countries that oppose the Talibans heinous rule should tighten, update, and improve enforcement of U.N. and state-level sanctions against individual Taliban leaders and institutions under their control. The United States, along with the dozens of countries that have adopted Global Magnitsky sanctions, could also apply targeted sanctions to Taliban leaders in response to their institution of gender apartheid and gross human rights violations. More action must be taken to curtail the Talibans mafia-like corruption and ensure the militant group lacks access to the resources they crave to entrench themselves deeper into power. Jessica Ludwig is Director of Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute. Property details: San Clemente Inn San Clemente, CA Welcome home to San Clemente. Kick back and soak up the sun in this beautiful town on the Southern California coast, famous for its Mediterranean architecture, pristine beaches, and laidback charm. South of the bustle of Los Angeles and just north of San Diego County, lies a charming town with a Mediterranean feel and laidback pace of life set against a glimmering Pacific Ocean. San Clemente Inn sits on a hillside and is a short drive from the San Clemente Pier ... Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Missouri Property Address: 2600 Avenida Del Presidente, San Clemente, CA Number of Bedrooms: 1 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Zip/Postal Code: 92672 City: San Clemente State/Province: California Location: 658**, Springfield, Missouri You will be redirected to eBay Nearby California Property details: Selling (not renting) this timeshare since my wife & I don't travel to Cancun anymore after moving to Hawaii. We traveled many times using this timeshare. Westin Lagunamar is one of the nicest resorts in the world! We have core memories as a family there! One was getting to swim with whale sharks on an excursion there!! Here is the resort description:From the moment you arrive in Cancun, your cares will disappear in the nourishing beauty of this sun-kissed paradise. Begin with a restful day of ... Price: $ 7,500 Seller State of Residence: Hawaii Property Address: 77500 Cancun Q.R Mexico Number of Bedrooms: 2 Number of Bathrooms: 2 City: cancun State/Province: Hawaii Location: 967**, Kihei, Hawaii You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Hawaii TLC / Reality TV World By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/04/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Michael Ilesanmi has broken his silence one week after going missing and scaring his wife Angela Deem Michael took to social media on Friday, March 1 with a statement following his strange and largely unexplained disappearance from February 23 to February 26.While Michael didn't address the details of what happened when he went missing for several days , he made an announcement to his fans and followers."Hello, guys, this is Michael. I just want to quickly make this video to inform the public that I'm not on any social media platform right now," Michael, 35, said in a video to Instagram blogger Kiki and Kibbitz, who uploaded the message, according to In Touch Weekly."I mean, at this moment, when the time comes, I'll make it official. Okay, Thank you. And God bless you."Angela announced Michael's disappearance on Monday, February 26 after she hadn't spoken to him in three days. He went missing just two months after he had arrived in the United States from Nigeria.Angela claimed in a TikTok live video on February 26 that the police were "involved" and they couldn't find Michael. Angela also said her home security system didn't capture any footage of Michael leaving their house.Angela shared of the situation last week, "Michael left everything here. I know that there's people probably thinking, 'Oh, maybe he just left.' But like, nothing, not any ID, nothing to show his name on it, no clothing, not a toothbrush. Zero point zero zero."Angela pointed out how Michael didn't have his wallet either, further emphasizing that he had "nothing" with him."[The] clothes on his back [are] what he left with on Friday," she explained, adding that he "only had like $40 on him."Angela said if Michael had left on his own, he "should have" called her."Everybody in this town, I'm going to tell you, they say, 'Angela, he's f-cking walked out because he's got no reason to stay here.' I don't want to believe that," Angela said.Angela wondered if Michael, whom she married in Nigeria in 2020, had used her to get to America and planned to leave her as soon as he touched foot in her Georgia home."It's looking like he's planned this the whole f-cking time. This is not funny. This is real sh-t. I am not [ Chantel Everett ]. I am not [Daniele Gates]. I am not [ Molly Hopkins ]. You've got the wrong goddamn American," Angela continued, shading her co-stars who had gotten crushed by their foreign partners."I'm telling you now. I'm not going to let you f-cking come here if you didn't love me."Angela continued her rant in a follow-up YouTube aLive video in which she hinted at divorce."I love him, but I can't take him back because what he did here proves that he don't give a f-ck," Angela vented. "Nigerians, people that backed him, get him a good lawyer because mine is $10,000 a f-cking hour."Angela also confirmed that she never applied for Michael's green card following his December 2023 arrival in America.aa"I didn't get his green card or his license and that's why he's pissed and that's why he's doing this," Angela claimed. "He's rushed me from the goddamn Day 1 he landed for his f-cking license and his green card. So now he's going for the legal visa, they'll give it to him."Hours later, blogger John Yates announced in another YouTube Live video on February 26 that Michael had been found."Michael is safe. There's the good news," John said, after which Angela could be heard in the background saying, "Thank god."John explained, "Angela got a phone call from the police here stating that they were contacted by Michael.""They verified it with him. He did have a burner phone or another phone -- a phone that nobody knew about. And on that phone, he had pictures, I guess, of his passport, the one that he left [behind]," he elaborated. "So they verified his ID and it's him."John went on to reveal "the wild part" of this shocking turn of events."[Michael] told the police that he was in fear for his life here and he did not want Angela knowing his location," John revealed.A man could be heard in the background adding, "[Michael] asked the police not to tell her."Angela declared, "I asked him to go home because he doesn't love me. Now he has to fight for his visa here, and he's done."Once Angela learned that Michael was seemingly hiding from her, she said, "I'm f-cking mad as hell right now. Tell the truth. I'm worried thinking he was hurt."Angela and Michael were first introduced to the world on Season 2 of : Before the 90 Days.Angela and Michael -- who also starred on Season 7 of as well as Seasons 5, 6 and 7 of : Happily Ever After? -- have been dating for years and waiting for Michael's visa to be approved so he could move to the United States.The pair first applied for a visa in March 2020 but experienced delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.A December 2022 episode of : Happily Ever After? showed Angela finding out that Michael had been cheating on her in Nigeria. They split in early 2023 but clearly got back together.Angela and Michael starred on Season 1 of 90 Day: The Last Resort, and then Michael finally moved to America in December 2023.Once Michael touched down in the U.S., Angela says they had fun traveling to California and New York.Angela and Michael will be starring on Season 8 of : Happily Ever After?, which premieres Sunday, March 17 at 8PM ET/PT on TLC.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage! Showtime is giving a glimpse of the new show A Gentleman in Moscow. ADVERTISEMENT The network shared a trailer for the series Tuesday featuring Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead A Gentleman in Moscow is based on the Amor Towles novel of the same name. The series is produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Paramount, with Ben Vanstone as showrunner and executive producer. A Gentleman in Moscow takes place in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. McGregor plays Count Alexander Rostov, who is banished by a Soviet tribunal to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol and threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside again. "As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel's doors, Rostov's reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. As he builds a new life within the walls of the hotel, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love," an official synopsis reads. The cast also includes Winstead as actress Anna Urbanova, Alexa Goodall as the count's unlikely young friend Nina, Johnny Harris as secret police officer Osip, and Fehinti Balogun as Mishka, the count's best friend from university. A Gentleman in Moscow will premiere March 29 on streaming and demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before its on-air debut March 31 at 9 p.m. EDT on Paramount+ with Showtime. McGregor and Winstead, who married in April 2022, previously collaborated on Fargo Season 3. Photos by Kenda Lenseigne Theres something very Victorian and steampunk-esque about the GM6 Lynx. It has the proportions of a steam locomotive or a traction engine, and its mechanism ker-chunks back and forth like an ancient machine tool. But theres also an element of Starship Troopers in its monstrous bullpup design. While none of us would want to spend an entire afternoon plinking tin cans with it, it got us rethinking our abusive relationship with big-bore rifles. For a .50 BMG, this ones actually pretty fun to shoot. The GM6 is a bit of an anomaly in that unlike most semi-auto centerfire rifles, it eschews any form of gas operation. Instead, it borrows its layout from a shotgun, the venerable Browning A5, first produced in 1902 and designed by the prophet (pbuh) John Moses Browning. See that brake at the business end? If you shoot this thing, youll come to appreciate it as much as we did. JMB went on to use the same long recoil mechanism in the Remington Model 8 rifle introduced in 1905, which in turn inspired the Worst Machinegun of WWITM, the Chauchat. After that, the development of long recoil firearms in general fell into a black hole, and apart from the weird Frommer Stop handgun of 1912, and a product improved version of the A5 made by Remington, nothing else of note was ever produced that employed this operating system. Until now. Given the dearth of guns using it, its probably worth a recap of long recoil operation and its strengths and weaknesses. When a round is fired, the barrel and bolt are locked together to contain the pressure generated by burning powder. Newtons third law kicks in, and both bolt and barrel start recoiling together inside the receiver in reaction to the bullet proceeding up the barrel, but as theyre much heavier than the bullet, it has time to leave the barrel before things really get rolling. When the bolt and barrel reach the end of their recoil stroke, the bolt unlocks and is temporarily held to the rear against the force of its recoil spring, while a separate spring pushes the barrel back into battery, ejecting the fired case as it goes. As youd expect, everything about the GM6 is big, scaled around the .50BMG cartridge. We chose accessories accordingly, and the Trijicon Tenmile scope and Spartan Precision Kratos bipod both stood up to almost 100 rounds of ball and APIT. Which was quite enough, thanks. Once the barrel is back in position, it trips a lever to release the bolt, which moves forward, picking up a fresh round from the magazine. Without a gas system, the mechanism has fewer moving parts, and hence fewer things to go wrong. But getting the gun to work with different types of ammo is usually more involved than simply twisting a gas regulator, and due to the barrel not being fixed in the receiver, accuracy tends to suffer. When adopted by legendary lawman Frank Hamer, the Remington Model 8 was typically a minute-of-bank-robber rifle. Ask Bonnie and Clyde. NUTS AND BOLTS The GM6 is designed and produced in Hungary by Sero International and imported to the USA by Anwika LLC. Its expensive (but then, everything associated with .50 BMG rifles is) and rare; we got our hands on one of just 40 that are in the country at the moment. When you first heft it and manipulate the controls, it feels like its hand built in an Eastern European workshop populated by old guys in oily dungarees, each one of whom has worn a low spot in the wood flooring next to his workbench and expertly wields a file with a cigarette hanging from his lip. Not having visited the factory (yet), we cant say if this picture has any ring of truth to it in reality, its probably a product of brightly lit and clinically clean CNC machining centers, but well hold onto the mental image for now. Lets look at this beast from stem to stern. Up front is a large, single chamber muzzle brake that, trust us, you come to appreciate very quickly. Its attached via left-handed threads to a 29-inch-long barrel, which for a 50, has a fairly slender profile at the loud end. During firing, the entire barrel and bolt group recoil to the rear, softening the recoil impulse considerably, but at the cost of increased dust signature. Here, the action hasnt quite reached the rearmost position of its stroke, and the bolt and barrel are still locked. Attached to the barrel about a foot behind this is a bushing that reciprocates with the barrel and keeps the front end tight in the receiver, the front of which has a manually operated catch to lock the barrel in its rearward position, shortening the guns overall length by six inches. In this state, the GM6 is about the same length as a 16-inch barreled AR-15. Previous versions of the GM6 arrived in the USA with a bipod attached to the catch assembly, but the ATF decided that this was beyond the pale. Who knew bipods were so deadly? Anyway, the agency best known for immolating children and pulling decisions out of its collective arse has since reversed its position (surprise!), so future iterations of the gun will once again be able to stand up on their own. In the meantime, our friends at Spartan Precision sent over a prototype of their new Kratos bipod, designed specifically for beasts like this one. Made from 7075 T6 aluminum and carbon fiber, its built to handle 50-cal recoil and, like Tiny Tim, ask for another helping. The catch that holds the action to the rear can be seen just forward of the bipod. This allows the shooter to maintain a shorter overall length and empty chamber. When disengaged itll send the working parts forward, chambering a round in the process. An 18.5-inch-long, 20 MOA Pic rail is attached to the upper receiver, and to this we added a Trijicon Tenmile 4.5-3056 scope. Its 34mm main tube gives a whopping 100 MOA of adjustment, which coupled with the angled rail gives plenty of adjustment out to the horizon. If that isnt enough, you can always hold an extra few MOA in the reticle. The GM6s controls are fairly conventional, with a crossbolt safety and exposed magazine release catch at the rear of the pistol grip. Its trigger is very bullpuppy (is that a word? If not, it should be) but isnt the worst weve encountered. Theres about a inch and 2 pounds of take-up in its first stage before hitting a wall, then a long, mushy rollover break, topping out at about 5 pounds. We were initially concerned that this would make precision shooting more difficult, but we neednt have worried more on this later. The crossbolt safety can be seen just behind the trigger, while the charging handle can be seen in its folded position above the magazine. The rifle lacks a last round bolt hold open, but with a claimed five rounds on board, its unlikely youll lose count of how many you fired, and its single stack magazine slides in a dovetail at the rear of the pistol grip and locks very securely in place, despite the absence of any kind of magwell. While the manual lists its capacity as five rounds, its possible to load a sixth without malfunction. Getting the gun into action is slightly unusual due to its operating system. While you can haul back on the charging handle to hand cycle the first round into the chamber, youll be dragging back not only the bolt but also the barrel, not to mention compressing two recoil springs as well. The smart way to do it is to lift up on the charging handle first, unlocking the four-lugged bolt from the barrel extension and allowing the bolt alone to be pulled rearward before letting fly to strip the top round from the mag. ROUNDS DOWNRANGE Theres always that moment of anticipation when touching off a new 50 for the first time. After all, this is a cartridge thats dangerous at both ends a case head separation in a 9mm or 5.56 wont make for a great range day, but the same event in a BMG could result in a trip to the hospital. Burning more than 10 times the powder charge of a .223 with every trigger press is nothing to be sniffed at, so first shots after cleaning the preservative grease from the chamber and bore tend to raise the blood pressure a tad. Bullpup layout means that the GM6 is shorter than you expect, given the caliber. We neednt have worried. Sure, theres a lot of commotion going on between the enormous muzzle blast, reciprocating iron, and 624-grain projectile, but the GM6 has a very smooth recoil impulse, spread out over what seems like an eternity. Granted, its nearly 30-pound all-up weight dampens things a bit, but it mostly comes down to the effective brake and novel operating system. Our first two shots resulted in a failure to feed, requiring us to haul back on the bolt handle, but after that it was plain sailing, with all brass landing in a neat pile about a foot from the gun. We used CBC M33 ball ammo, along with a handful of homebrewed APIT loads, which were used to check function and bust rocks rather than punch holes in our steel targets. Barrel bushing to the right is replaceable and ensures a tight lockup when the action is in battery. 50 BMG is more difficult than most cartridges to wring out match-grade accuracy, and in our experience shooting ball ammo from a semi auto, you can count yourself lucky if youre able to achieve 3 MOA groups. And so it was with the Lynx. If we invested time to develop a load for it using premium components and take care with case prep, we might see things tighten up, but unfortunately the constraints placed by deadlines meant this wasnt going to happen. For its intended role as an anti-materiel rifle, or plinking at moving MTLBs, we could see it working just fine. For a sniper pair working out of vehicles or in an urban setting, its compact dimensions are a huge plus, especially when collapsed to its shortest length, and due to its long recoil system, it offers comparatively rapid follow-up shots. As a bonus, when moving in an infantry squad, the 50-cal gunner wont stick out like the balls on a greyhound and attract unwanted attention from UAVs. Unlike most rifles of this caliber, the GM6 Lynx is pleasant to shoot actually, scratch that its not flinch-inducingly obnoxious, which means that the risk of ruining your personal accuracy potential is considerably less. As a yardstick, we offer this wed rather shoot the GM6 than a 12-gauge with low recoil slugs, as a big push is better than a quick slap. The U.S. importer is currently working on a domestically manufactured suppressor, so youll hopefully see it on the line at the next RECOIL CANCON event in Arizona in April 2024. Virginia State Police officers are asking for the publics assistance to identify a vehicle involved in a wreck that hospitalized six people in Orange County Monday. The two-vehicle collision occurred around 5:50 a.m. on Constitution Highway near Rhoades Road between Locust Grove and Rhoadesville, police said in a statement issued later in the day. Police said the unidentified vehicle was headed west on Constitution Highway when it attempted to pass another vehicle that had stopped to make a left turn. As the unidentified vehicle attempted to pass in the eastbound lane, it encountered a Ford Ranger headed in its direction, according to police. The Ford Ranger ran off the side of the road in order to avoid being struck, overcorrected, crossed the centerline and collided with a Ram utility van that was headed west on the highway, police said. The 23-year-old Orange County man behind the wheel of the Ford Ranger was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was ejected from his vehicle, sustaining life-threatening injuries in the process. He was taken from the scene of the crash to University of Virginia Medical Center for treatment. His 20-year-old passenger survived with minor injuries and was taken to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg for treatment. She, too, was not wearing a seatbelt. The 41-year-old Fredericksburg man behind the wheel of the Ram utility van and his three adult passengers also escaped with only minor injuries and were all taken to Mary Washington for treatment. All four were wearing their seatbelts. Virginia State Police ask anyone with any information regarding the collision or the unidentified vehicle to contact its tip line at (833) 889-2300. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Singapore's competition regulator CCCS on Tuesday said it has given conditional approval for the proposed merger of Air India and Vistara, more than a year after the announcement of the deal. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters This was one of the key approvals required for the transaction. The merger of Vistara with Air India under a deal, wherein Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, was announced in November 2022. Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has granted conditional approval for the deal after accepting certain commitments from Air India, Singapore Airlines and Vistara to address possible anti-competition concerns. The commitments include those pertaining to scheduled air passenger transport services on the Singapore-Delhi (SIN-DEL), Singapore-Mumbai (SIN-BOM), Singapore-Chennai (SIN-MAA) and Singapore-Tiruchirapalli (SIN-TRZ) routes. The parties have committed to maintain capacity on these routes at pre-pandemic (calendar year 2019) levels, according to a release issued by the CCCS. Other commitments include appointing an independent auditor to monitor compliance and submit a written annual report. Also, each of the parties has to submit an interim report, which monitors their respective compliance with the committed capacity levels for every three weeks of non-fulfilment in a report year, the release said. In a statement on Tuesday, a Singapore Airlines spokesperson welcomed the approval and said the proposed merger is in progress, pending foreign direct investment and other regulatory approvals. From December 8, 2023, to February 1, 2024, CCCS conducted a market testing exercise on whether the proposed commitments would sufficiently address the competition concerns arising from the transactions. After evaluating the feedback provided, CCCS said the proposed commitments were sufficient to address the competition concerns. According to Singapore Airlines, the merger will bolster its presence in India, strengthen its multi-hub strategy, and allow it to continue participating directly in this large and fast-growing aviation market. In September 2023, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the deal, subject to certain conditions. As part of the commitments to the CCI, Air India and Singapore Airlines will ensure minimum capacity on various domestic and international routes, including Delhi-Sydney and Delhi-Paris. In January this year, Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan said the merger is expected to be completed by mid-2025, and all legal approvals for the transaction are anticipated by the middle of this year. More than half a dozen private-sector banks are awaiting regulatory approval for the appointment of a second whole-time director on their boards. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters In a notification in October 2023, the RBI advised banks to ensure the presence of at least two whole-time directors, including the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO), on their boards. Banks were asked to send proposals for the second whole-time directors within four months. A host of banks, such as IDFC First Bank, City Union Bank, CSB Bank, South Indian Bank, and Karur Vysya Bank, have sent their proposals to the RBI for the appointment of a second whole-time director. According to the RBI, the growing complexity of the banking sector as well as succession planning due to the upper age limit stipulation of MD & CEO called for the need to appoint two whole-time directors on boards. Banks that do not have the enabling provisions regarding appointment of two whole-time directors in their Articles of Association (AoA) were asked to seek necessary approvals to comply with the requirements. Dhanlaxmi Bank and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank were required to revise the AoA before proposing the names to the regulator. Sources said these two banks would need more time for sending their proposals to the regulator for the second whole-time director. The CEOs in both these banks have either resigned or their term ended, but they were asked to continue in their roles as they were the only whole-time directors on the board. Dhanlaxmi informed the exchanges last month that the RBI had approved extension of MD & CEO J K Shivan s term till his successor assumes the office. It has submitted its application to the regulator with the names of the candidates for the new MD & CEO. The bank has sought permission for six-month time for the appointment of a second whole-time director we have not yet received approval for the MD itself. Going for the second whole-time director will take time, said a source. The bank is in the process of amending the AoA. Typically, a bank first needs the board s approval before seeking the RBI s nod. After regulatory clearance, a bank will need shareholders approval for the second whole-time director. Tamilnad Mercantile Bank had also submitted names for the new CEO, which the RBI is yet to clear. City Union Bank has revised the AoA and is awaiting the RBI nod for the appointment. We have modified the AoA to take care of the requirement and complied with the regulatory instructions, N Kamakodi, MD & CEO, of City Union Bank told Business Standard indicating the bank has sent their proposals for a second WTD. IDFC First Bank said it had recommended the name of Pradeep Natarajan to the RBI for the second whole-time director. We have not yet received approval from the regulator, the lender told Business Standard. DCB Bank, which recently received approval for the appointment of a new CEO, refrained from commenting on whether it had applied for a second whole-time director. SBM Bank India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of State Bank of Mauritius, has received RBI approval for a new CEO but does not have a second whole-time director. The bank has not responded to a query on the issue. In November, the RBI had approved the name of Arun Khurana as Indusind Bank s second whole-time director. The share of foreign loans in total Adani group debt portfolio dropped to 61 per cent by September 2023 from 63 per cent as of March 2023, as the group repaid part of its foreign loans and refinanced part of older loans. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters The share of Indian lenders, on the other hand, rose to 39 per cent in the total debt pie in September 2023 from 37 per cent in March after a report by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research in January last year, which led to volatility in the share prices of group companies. The groups total debt remained static at Rs 2.26 trillion in the same period. The group, which recently met investors via roadshows in key cities across the world, has attracted investments in bonds from investors in the secondary market such as BlackRock, AIA, PIMCO, Fidelity, Apollo, MetLife, and Goldman Sachs, among other investors, according to a presentation made to investors. At present, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone has the highest foreign debt with $4 billion raised from bond investors, followed by $2.5 billion raised by Adani Energy Solutions and Adani Green at $1.57 billion, the presentation showed. The airport business has also raised $750 million as foreign bonds. Investment in Adani Group bonds in the secondary market has increased after investors identified the infrastructure sector as a theme for investment in India, a positive outcome from the Supreme Court on Hindenburg Research investigations, and recent upgrades by global rating firms. A spokesperson for Adani Group declined to comment. Group executives plan to raise funds worth $2.6 billion by selling stakes in the airport and green hydrogen business. The transactions would be announced soon, said a banker close to the transaction. The bonds have recovered as the shares and investors have gained in the past few months, and hence the renewed interest in new bonds, said a banker close to the transaction. On February 20, Fitch Ratings affirmed the BBB- rating on the $400 million senior secured notes issued by Adani Energy Solutions, (formerly known as Adani Transmission), with a stable outlook. The group is expected to end 2023-24 with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation of Rs 80,000 crore. Earlier, Moodys and S&P had reaffirmed the ratings for all issuers within Adani Group companies. The rating reflects the rating affirmation of eight issuers and the restoration of the stable outlook of five entities by both rating agencies. While giving a stable outlook, Moodys said the group has completed several debt transactions, including refinancing as well as obtaining new loan facilities, demonstrating its continued access to debt capital at a reasonable cost. At the same time, Moodys said several high-profile equity transactions by large institutional and strategic investors, such as GQG and Qatar Investment Authority, also demonstrated the groups continued equity market access. With land acquisition completed and infrastructure work streamlined, India's bullet train dreams are slowly, but finally, inching closer to reality. IMAGE: A passenger train moves past the under-construction elevated corridor of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, February 1, 2024. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters On a quiet day, it can take even the slickest of drivers half an hour to cross the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) area in Mumbai. On a busy day, the jam-packed roads of the city's up and coming commercial hub try the patience of every commuter -- even going by Mumbai's high tolerance levels for traffic snarls. Between the construction of the BKC station of the Mumbai Metro Aqua Line, flyover projects in the vicinity, and rapid development of real estate in the area, there has been little respite for those who come here, wriggling their way through congestion, every day to earn a living. Sequestered from all the din lies a 1-kilometre patch of land, where nearly 800 workers toil every day, away from the public commotion. This block of rubble and earth will eventually become the birthplace of high speed rail in India, better known as bullet train. "Is this where the bullet train will start?" asks Satish, a local vendor who works a little distance from the excavated site of the station on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor. "If you hadn't told me, I would not even have known. There hasn't been much disturbance overground because of the digging," he adds, apparently not feigning ignorance. Locals say that the station's progress has been largely unobtrusive, an exception almost anywhere in India and especially in the financial capital famous for constant construction work. IMAGE: Visitors take pictures of a Bullet Train model at a National Highspeed Rail Corporation Limited stall at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show at Gandhinagar, January 11, 2024. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters While construction is not noticeable to passersby, this site under excavation transports 500 trucks every day to dump the burrowed earth to the designated area. The digging will extend to a depth of 32 metres, a ninth of which has been completed by a consortium of Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd and Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. The joint venture was awarded the contract in March last year, and began construction in September. With a stated deadline of 54 months, the station is expected to be commissioned by March 2028. The 508-km long MAHSR corridor worth Rs 1.08 trillion aimed completion by 2022 when it was announced; it is expected to be delayed by at least six years, owing to political differences and technical delays. With land acquisition completed and infrastructure work streamlined, India's bullet train dreams are slowly, but finally, inching closer to reality. Changing gear Last July, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd (NHSRCL) issued a tender worth an estimated Rs 11,000 crore (Rs 110 billion) for the supply of 24 E5 series Shinkansen trains for the corridor, with only Japanese firms allowed to bid as part of India's agreement with Japan. According to senior NHSRC executives present at the review of multiple MAHSR projects on Friday, the financial bid by Japanese firms Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Hitachi Rail was opened on February 29, and the contract is expected to be awarded by mid-2024 as the proposal will be assessed in the following months. India and Japan previously finalised design changes in the trains, owing to the different climatic conditions in India. The Centre is targeting full operation of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor by 2028, a top executive of NHSRCL told Business Standard. IMAGE: Locals stage a protest against the Bullet Train demanding the return of their acquired lands according to entitlement, outside the Thane collectorate office, in Thane, October 6, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In Vikhroli, a Mumbai suburb, Afcons Infrastructure, the contractor for India's first undersea tunnel (7-km long) is working on triggered blasts to start the boring process. Three of the four shafts for the 21-km long tunnel will be followed by insertion of a tunnel boring machine. In the same suburb, 1,700 trees were cut to make way for the project. In 2022, the Bombay high court allowed the felling of 22,000 mangrove trees for the project. Late last year, the Union environment ministry reportedly pointed to the Maharashtra government how its battle against air pollution was also impacted due to the removal of trees. The resistance has died down after the change of government in the state. IMAGE: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visits the National High-Speed Rail-C3 project bullet train site in Surat, December 26, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Rising costs In 2017, former prime minister Manmohan Singh had called the project an 'exercise in vanity'. The flagship project of the Centre has been criticised often by political opponents as one that only caters to the rich. In the six years of the project's delay, the estimated cost has been reported to have been increased by at least Rs 60,000 crore (Rs 600 billion). The Centre has taken a stance that it does not know the cost or deadline. 'The anticipated timeline and final cost can only be ascertained after award of all contract packages,' Railways Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on February 9. Government officials and executives aware of the developments said the cost had increased significantly, and the Centre might move to get revised costs vetted by high-level committees and Union Cabinet once all contracts, including the Rs 11,000 crore Shinkansen train award, had been given. The economic internal rate of return -- an indicative benchmark calculated to assess the economic viability of projects -- is nearly 12 per cent for the country's maiden bullet train. However, it is unclear how this has been impacted with the cost escalation. "In the case of projects like these, one plus one is not two, but 11," Vaishnaw said in response to concerns about costs, citing the economic multiplier effect of infrastructure creation. While no decision on fares is likely to be announced before the operationalisation of the corridor, it is widely understood to be catering to the business class frequenting between Mumbai and Gujarat, such as those in the gems and jewellery industry. The Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai, is located in BKC itself, where the project starts. "There isn't much of a use case for high speed rail in an economy like India, but it's like hosting the Olympics," a Mumbai-based infrastructure expert, who closely studied the project, said. "It sends a message to the world that the country is capable of such projects, which has other economic benefits in terms of potential investments." Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is likely to move the Calcutta high court on Wednesday against the West Bengal government for not handing over suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh's custody to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a highly placed source said. Image only for representation. Photograph: PTI Photo/Rediff Archives The development came in the wake of the ED mentioning before high court Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam in the evening that the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) did not comply with the court's order to hand the accused over to the CBI by 4.30 pm on Tuesday. The Chief Justice asked the agency's counsel to move an application before the court on Wednesday, the source said. Acting on the court order, CBI officials reportedly waited for over two hours at the CID headquarters in Bhavani Bhawan for Sheikh's custody but returned empty-handed after the state agency cited the West Bengal government moving the Supreme Court on the matter. "We have not handed him over to CBI as the state government has moved the supreme court," a CID official said. The CBI has taken over the investigation, registering a first information report (FIR) on Tuesday hours after the Calcutta HC order, officials said. The CBI promptly acted on the orders of the high court which had directed on Tuesday that the central probe agency be handed over the case and the custody of Sheikh by 4.30 pm. A CBI team reached the CID office in Kolkata with paramilitary forces to take custody of Sheikh, who was arrested by the state police on February 29 in connection with the attack, but he was not handed over to the agency by the West Bengal police. Earlier in the day, a division bench presided by the Chief Justice had directed the transfer of investigation to the CBI into a mob attack on ED officials when they went to search the premises of Sheikh in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on January 5 in connection with a ration scam probe. Following the arrest of Sheikh on February 29 by the state police in connection with the attack, the West Bengal government handed over the matter to the CID. The Calcutta high court on Tuesday directed the state government to hand over to the CBI the case of mob attack on ED officials at Sandeshkhali and the custody of Sheikh, while slamming the West Bengal Police for 'totally biased' conduct and said every attempt was being made to delay the probe to 'protect' the accused. Within hours of the HC acceding to the ED's request, the Bengal government moved the Supreme Court challenging the order but an apex court bench refused an urgent listing of the plea and asked the state's counsel to mention the matter before the Registrar General instead. China on Tuesday increased its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to USD 232 billion as it continues with the massive modernisation of its military amid prevailing tensions over Taiwan, the disputed South China Sea as well as border frictions with India. IMAGE: Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China March 4, 2024. Photograph: Florence Lo/Reuters China, which is the second highest spender on defence after the United States, has allocated 1.67 trillion yuan (about USD 232 billion) for defence spending. The increase in terms of the percentage was the same as last year. China last year hiked its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to 1.55 trillion yuan (about USD 225 billion), marking the eighth consecutive year of increase in its military spending. Like its previous budgets, this year's defence budget of China was almost three times higher than that of India. India's defence allocation this year amounted to Rs 6,21,541 crore (about USD 74.8 billion). China has simmering territorial disputes with some of its neighbours. China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. In recent months, tensions simmered between China and the Philippines as Manila, backed by the US, stepped up efforts to assert its rights over the part of the South China Sea firmly resisted by the Chinese coast guard ships. 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. Image only for representation. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons 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. The police said Sandeep was earlier arrested by Sonipat's CIA (Crime Investigation Agency) and SIT (Special Investigation Team) in February 2017. In 2020, when he was being taken for an appearance in the Faridabad court, some miscreants surrounded the police bus on the Gurugram route and opened fire before freeing him. Sandeep's name hit the limelight after the murder of wrestler Sagar Dhankhar at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium in May, 2021. In this case, Olympian Sushil Kumar was arrested for murdering Dhankhar. Sandeep was believed to be a close associate of Dhankhar, the officer said. TUESDAY, MARCH 5 The Music of Sam Cooke Starring Bradd Marquis: A Change is Gonna Come: 7:30 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, $45. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 Kinky Boots: 7:30 p.m., Live Arts, (434) 977-4177, Ext. 123, sold out. The Frog Prince performed by Virginia Repertory: 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, $15. THURSDAY, MARCH 7 Julius Caesar: 7:30 p.m., Blackfriars Playhouse at American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, (877) MUCH-ADO, $63-$28. Kinky Boots: 7:30 p.m., Live Arts, (434) 977-4177, Ext. 123, sold out. Paramount Presents: Danu: 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theater, (434) 979-1333, $64.75, $34.75, $24.75, $19.75. FRIDAY, MARCH 8 Pride and Prejudice: 7:30 p.m., Blackfriars Playhouse at American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, (877) MUCH-ADO, $73-$34. Anything Goes: 8 p.m., Mainstage at Four County Players in Barboursville, (540) 832-5355, all Friday tickets are $10. Parental discretion advised: Contains mild adult language and innuendoes, as well as gunshot sound effects; not recommended for those younger than 10. Dara James and the Soul Disciples: Khadijas Kitchen food truck will be there, 6-8:30 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. The Tag Tem Tour: An Evening with Dawes and Lucius: 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., Jefferson Theater, (800) 594-8499, $69.50-$42.50 reserved balcony, $42.50 advance for general admission standing floor. Kinky Boots: 8 p.m., Live Arts, (434) 977-4177, Ext. 123, sold out. Paramount Presents: Pat Metheny: Dream Box Tour: 8 p.m., Paramount Theater, (434) 979-1333, $74.75, $49.75, $44.75, $39.75 Charlottesville Chamber Music Presents: A Free Spring Concert: Celebration of the festivals 25th season featuring cellist Raphael Bell, pianist Alexander Armstrong, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, violist Matthew Lipman, R.J. Kelley on French horn and violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, 7:30 p.m., V. Earl Dickinson Building at Piedmont Virginia Community College, (434) 295-5395, free. Friday Night Dance: 5-8 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. Poetry Out Loud: State Finals: Hosted by Regie Cabico, 2 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, free, livestream option available. Pride & Prejudice: 7 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, $32-$20. SATURDAY, MARCH 9 Live Music in the Orchard: Jon Spear: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Albemarle CiderWorks, (434) 297-2326, no cover, donations welcome. Julius Caesar: 2 p.m., Blackfriars Playhouse at American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, (877) MUCH-ADO, $68-$34. Shakespeare Uncorked with Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery: 6:30 p.m., Blackfriars Playhouse at American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, (877) MUCH-ADO, $25 includes souvenir glass. Pride and Prejudice: 7:30 p.m., Blackfriars Playhouse at American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, (877) MUCH-ADO, $73-$34. Music in the Mountains with Jimmy O: 2-5 p.m., DuCard Vineyards in Etlan, (540) 923-4206, no cover, reservations recommended. Oratorio Society of Virginias Together in Song: Music from the Theatre: Community workshop at 10 a.m. and concert at 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, (434) 295-4385, $20-$10, proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. Anything Goes: 8 p.m., Mainstage at Four County Players in Barboursville, (540) 832-5355, $20, $18 seniors and students, $16 ages 12 and younger. Parental discretion advised: Contains mild adult language and innuendoes, as well as gunshot sound effects; not recommended for those younger than 10. Scuffletown: 2-5 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA: 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., Jefferson Theater, (800) 594-8499, $25, $20-$18 advance, $15 early-bird general admission, must be 18 or older. Kinky Boots: 8 p.m., Live Arts, (434) 977-4177, Ext. 123, sold out. Met Live in HD: La Forza del Destino: Noon, Paramount Theater, (434) 979-1333, $26, $24 seniors; $20 students. Matt Johnson: 1 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. Deja Vu: 5 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. The Spirit Ball featuring Please Dont Tell with Charming Disaster, Nouveau Vintage and DJ Cadybug: Record release party, 8 p.m., doors at 7:30 p.m., the Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, $15 door, $12 advance, $40 for ticket four-pack, costumes encouraged. Pride & Prejudice: 7 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, $32-$20. SUNDAY, MARCH 10 Get Ready for St. Paddys family event with music by Blue Ridge Irish Music School: 12:30-5 p.m., Albemarle CiderWorks, (434) 297-2326, suggested donations $20 per family or $10 per adult. Live Music in the Orchard: Irish Music with Patrick and Aaron Olwell and friends: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Albemarle CiderWorks, (434) 297-2326, no cover, donations welcome. Anything Goes: 2:30 p.m., Mainstage at Four County Players in Barboursville, (540) 832-5355, $20, $18 seniors and students, $16 ages 12 and younger. Parental discretion advised: Contains mild adult language and innuendoes, as well as gunshot sound effects; not recommended for those younger than 10. Paulo Franco (solo): 2-5 p.m., Glass House Winery, (434) 975-0094, no cover. The Disco Biscuits: 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., Jefferson Theater, (800) 594-8499, $145 VIP, $50 door, $45 advance, general admission, all ages. Kinky Boots: 2 p.m., Live Arts, (434) 977-4177, Ext. 123, sold out. Paramount on Screen: Chinatown: 2 p.m., Paramount Theater, (434) 979-1333, $9. Adrian Duke: 1:30 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. Music Open Mic with host Theocles: 5:30 p.m., cafe opens at 7 p.m., the Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, no cover. Sign up in advance for your time slot Pride & Prejudice: 2 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, $32-$20. MONDAY, MARCH 11 Monday Night Trivia with Brandon The Trivia Guy Hamilton: 7 p.m., Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery and Tap 29 Brewery in Leon, (800) 800-WINE, no cover. LYAO Comedy Open Mic Night hosted by Chris Alan: 8 p.m., sign-ups start at 7 p.m., the Southern Cafe and Music Hall, (434) 977-5590, free. Monday Movies: The Luck of the Irish: 2 and 7 p.m., Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, (540) 943-9999, $75-$10. Google on Tuesday began reinstating about 250 Indian apps it had delisted from its Play Store over a billing dispute as it caved in to government criticism, but the squabble may not yet be over. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters The matrimony, dating and other apps were being allowed back on the Play Store but Google will continue to bill the companies a service fee of 11 per cent to 26 per cent on in-app payments during the 3-4 months period the two sides will sit across to resolve the dispute. Telecom and Information & Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who got Google and the startups to the negotiating table, said the United States tech giant has been supporting India's technology development journey. "Google and the startup community have met with us, (and) we have had very constructive discussions...Google has agreed to list all the apps," he said. In a brief statement, Google said, 'In the spirit of cooperation, we are temporarily reinstating the apps of the developers with appeals pending in the Supreme Court.' 'We will invoice our full applicable services fees in the interim and are extending payment timelines for these companies. We look forward to a collaborative effort to find solutions that respect the needs of all parties,' the tech giant said. App developers said that the battle hasn't yet been won as they still have to find a sustainable long-term solution. Google on Friday removed from its Play Store apps from a dozen of developers, including popular ones by Matrimony.com and job search app Naukri, for non-compliance with its in-app payment guidelines. As the government took strong exception to the removal, calling it unacceptable, Google beginning Saturday restored some apps that agreed to comply with its guideline to pay the fee on in-app payments or do financial transactions outside of the app. Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Information and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar held multiple rounds of discussions with Google and the app owners on Monday in a bid to find a solution to the crisis that was being labelled as a dark day for the internet by some. On Tuesday, Vaishnaw announced that Google has agreed to restore the status of Friday morning i.e. pre-delisting. "We believe Google and the startup community will be able to come to a long-term solution in coming months," he said, indicating the two sides will now sit down and thrash out the issue of levy of service charge. India is the world's largest consumer internet market for tech giants like Meta and Google. And with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government using its geopolitical clout effectively, they can't afford to either ignore the Indian market or ride roughshod over it. A day after Google delisted the apps, Vaishnaw revealed the government's thinking in an interview to PTI when he said the removal was unacceptable and that the 'startups will get the protection they need'. The government thereafter called the two sides for a meeting on Monday to resolve the issue. People Group (Shaadi.com), Founder and CEO, Anupam Mittal said that Google was immediately asked to restore the apps as was prior to March 1 and this should happen within 24 hours. "Further, we have been requested to create a forum with representatives from both sides. A 120-day period has been agreed upon to come to a solution that is non-monopolistic and reflects market realities. We want to ensure developers have freedom of choice in choosing payment gateways and let market forces determine their operating costs," he said. Mittal said the Google charges are arbitrary, selective and a blatant misuse of dominant power which will crush the local digital economy while Google continues to provide the same services for free to companies like Uber and Amazon. Bharat Matrimony CEO Murugavel Janakiraman said that charges levied by Google are highly burdensome for digital startups where the payment gateway charges are 1 to 2 per cent. For the long term, 'we have appealed to the government to develop a legislative framework to safeguard Indian startups and innovators from the unilateral and discriminatory actions of such global giants', Truly Madly's co-founder and CEO Snehil Khanor said. "The interim settlement is not at all justified but it's an acceptable term for the time being while we figure out a long-term solution," Vinay Singhal, co-founder & CEO of Stage, said. Antitrust body Competition Commission of India (CCI) had previously ordered Google not to mandatorily enforce an earlier system of charging 15-30 per cent. Google thereafter imposed a fee of 11-26 per cent on in-app payments. It removed the apps that weren't paying the fee after the Supreme Court did not provide interim relief to companies behind these apps in their battle against Google. Indian app firms have approached CCI against the delisting by Google. Some of the firms said the current developments will not have any impact over the ongoing proceedings at the CCI. Lal Chand Bisu, co-founder and CEO of Kuku FM, said, "This is a short-term fix. Google will try to get some hack around it again. It's a long battle for us". At the heart of the problem is Google's in-app fee. While Google says the fees help develop and promote the Android and Play Store ecosystem, startups say the tech giant was forcing them to use its payment system and pay a fee, failing which they were being offloaded by Play Store. Among the worst hit by the removals is Matrimony.com which has seen more than 140 of its apps being dropped from Play Store. Info Edge saw its job search app Naukri and real estate search app 99acres removed but they were back the next day when it moved to Google's consumption model, where any payment made is done outside of the app. The Calcutta high court on Tuesday directed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be handed over the case of attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali and the custody of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh, as it slammed West Bengal Police for 'totally biased' conduct and said every attempt is being made to delay the probe to 'protect' the accused. IMAGE: TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan being brought to Basirhat Court lockup. Photograph: ANI Photo The high court ordered that its directions be complied with by 4.30 pm on Tuesday but the West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court challenging the order and the state police refused to hand over Sheikh to the CBI team, which returned from Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters at Bhawani Bhawan at 7.30 pm. "We have not handed him over to CBI as the state government has moved the Supreme Court," a CID official said, even as the CBI took over the probe by registering an FIR soon after the HC order. The ED in the evening mentioned before high court Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam that the state CID did not comply with the court's order after which he asked the agency's counsel to move an application before the court on Wednesday, sources said. In the Supreme Court, the matter was mentioned before a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the West Bengal government. The bench refused an urgent listing of the plea against the HC order and asked Singhvi to mention the matter before the Registrar General of the top court. A team of ED officials was attacked by a nearly 1,000-strong mob on January 5 when they went to raid the house of Sheikh, who allegedly has close links with arrested former state food minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution scam in West Bengal. "There can be no better case than the case on hand which requires to be transferred to be investigated by CBI," a high court division bench headed by Chief Justice Sivagnanam ruled. Both the ED and the West Bengal government had moved separate appeals challenging a single bench's January 17 order to form 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 allowed to be done by the state police. Sheikh, who is also the prime accused in alleged sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing at Sandeshkhali, was arrested by the state police on February 29 in the ED officials attack case. The ED had contended before the court that the state police purposely arrested Sheikh in the case of the attack on ED officials, even though more than 40 other cases have been pending against him for years, to deny the CBI the custody of Sheikh if the case is handed over to the central agency. The division bench had earlier stayed a single bench order constituting the SIT and restrained the West Bengal police from proceeding with the investigation in the cases registered by them in connection with the attack on ED officials. The bench said that despite such an order, the case stood transferred to the state CID and they issued notices to the ED officials. '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,' the bench observed. The court noted that the then-absconding accused is stated to be a 'strong man' in the locality and has very powerful connections in the ruling party apart from having been elected on a TMC ticket as a Karmadhaksya of the North 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad. The bench observed that the state police had played 'hide and seek' to shield the accused who 'undoubtedly is a highly politically influential person and has demonstrably shown that he is and would be in a position to influence the investigation if allowed to rest with the state police'. The court noted that the case which has been registered by ED in its investigation into the alleged ration distribution scam involves highly politically powerful persons which include the accused Sheikh. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of protecting Sheikh, lauded the Calcutta high court order and said its stand had been vindicated. 'Satyamev Jayate (truth alone triumphs),' BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said and also cited the court's critical observations on the state police to assert that the Trinamool Congress tried to shield Sheikh while police acted as a wing of the state's ruling party. TMC leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, initially defended Sheikh and when complaints against him mounted, a sham of his arrest and removal from the party was orchestrated, he alleged. Sheikh, also facing charges of land grab and sexual assault on women in Sandeshkhali, was under 'secular protection' all this while, the BJP spokesperson said, asserting that the court has struck a hammer to such a mindset. Meanwhile, National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma met President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday and recommended imposition of President's rule in West Bengal over the alleged atrocities on women and violence in Sandeshkhali. An National Commisison of Women team recently visited West Bengal's Sandeshkhali to assess the situation there and review actions taken by the local authorities in response to reports of egregious violence and intimidation against women in the region. A fact-finding report was also prepared by the commission which said that it has gathered disturbing testimonies of women alleging widespread fear and systematic abuse by both police officers and members of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Previously, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) had also recommended President's rule in the state. "Sandeshkhali is not an isolated incident. Previously also many incidents of violence have been reported in the state and no action has been taken by the state government. Hence, NCW recommended to President Droupadi Murmu to impose President's rule in the state," Sharma said. A man hailing from Kerala who died in an anti-tank missile attack on Israel's northern border had gone there only two months ago to work in a poultry farm, his father said on Tuesday. While Nibin Maxwell, from Kollam in Kerala, was killed in the attack, two other Keralites -- Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin -- were injured and are hospitalised. Maxwell's father said that it was his elder son who informed him about his younger son's 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 that 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 that according to his elder son, Maxwell's 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 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. The Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory on Tuesday, urging its nationals to move to safer areas in the country, a day after a missile fired from Lebanon killed one Indian and injured two others. IMAGE: Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip. Photograph: Israel Defence Forces/Handout via Reuters '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 mission said in an advisory posted on various social media platforms. 'The embassy remains in touch with the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of all our nationals,' the advisory added. At around 11 am on Monday, an anti-tank missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a Moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel. Patnibin Maxwell, 30, from Kollam in Kerala, was killed in the attack. Bush Joseph George, 31, from Vazhathope; and Paul Melvin, 28, from Vagamon in Kerala as well were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment. 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. 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 the people in Gaza. The skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and ten IDF soldiers on the Israeli side. Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, Rashtriya Lok Dal's Anil Kumar and two Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were sworn in on Tuesday as Yogi Adityanath expanded his council of ministers, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. IMAGE: UP Governor Anandiben Patel administers the oath of office to RLD MLA Anil Kumar as the state cabinet minister during the swearing-in ceremony, as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath looks on, at the Governor's House, in Lucknow on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo They were sworn in as ministers by Governor Anandiben Patel at the Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Apart from SBSP's Rajbhar and RLD's Kumar, Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma from the BJP are the new entrants into the state Cabinet, in what is being seen as an attempt by the BJP to consolidate its position in several regions of the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. While Rajbhar represents the Zahoorabad assembly constituency of the Ghazipur district, Anil Kumar is an MLA from Purkazi (SC) in Muzaffarnagar. Sunil Kumar Sharma is the BJP MLA from Sahibabad assembly constituency in Ghaziabad district. Dara Singh Chauhan is a member of the UP Legislative Council. This is the first Cabinet expansion in Adityanath's second term as chief minister. The RLD and the SBSP are now a part of the ruling NDA. Prior to the expansion, the council of ministers had 52 members -- 18 Cabinet ministers, including the chief Minister, 14 Ministers of State (independent charge) and 20 Ministers of States (MoSes). With these four additions, the total strength of the UP's council of ministers will reach 56. Accordinng to provisions, Uttar Pradesh can have a maximum of 60 ministers. Chief Minister congratulated the newly-inducted ministers. 'There is full confidence that all of you will play an important role in realising the resolve of 'Developed Uttar Pradesh' by implementing 'Modi's Guarantee' at the ground (level). My best wishes to all of you for your bright tenure!,' he said in a post on X in Hindi. Speaking to reporters after taking oath, Dara Singh Chauhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief J P Nadda, Union Home minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Adityanath. "I will try my level best to fulfil their expectations. We will work diligently, and win 80 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP," Chauhan said. Rajbhar told reporters there has been no riots in the state during the seven years the Adityanath government and no curfew has been imposed. "During the rule of the SP and the Congress, riots used to take place in the state. Today, there is rule of law in the state. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, we will win 80 out of the 80 seats from UP, and the BJP will register wins on 400-plus seats in the country," Rajbhar said. RLD's Anil Kumar thanked party president Jayant Chaudhary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Adityanath. "I have got a huge responsibility, and I will discharge it with full honesty and allegiance. We will work to win all the 80 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, and fulfil the call of (winning) 400-plus seats (for the NDA) given by the prime minister," he said. Last week, Jayant Chaudhary met Home Minister Shah and BJP president Nadda in Delhi and formally joined the ruling National Democratic Alliance. On Monday, the RLD declared its candidates from Bijnor and Baghpat for the general elections. Dara Singh Chauhan, who lost the Ghosi assembly by-election after returning to the BJP last year, was elected to the UP Legislative Council this year in January. Rajbhar also re-joined the BJP-led NDA last year in 2023. Rajbhar, who separated from the Bahujan Samaj Party and founded the SBSP in 2002, is a native of Varanasi district. The Rajbhar community to which he belongs has a good following in the districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The SBSP had fought the 2017 UP Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP and four of their MLAs won. Om Prakash Rajbhar was made a cabinet minister (Backward Class Welfare) in Yogi's first government, but the party parted ways with the alliance before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and resigned from the minister's post. The SBSP contested the 2022 UP Assembly elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, and won six seats. Despite being 90% handicapped, suffering from multiple ailments and dependent on a wheelchair, the former Delhi University professor has not been able to step out of the anda cell of the Nagpur Jail at all since his conviction. IMAGE: Professor G N Saibaba with his wife Vasanta Kumari. Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives "I expected this. After all we knew there was no evidence, no crime committed by him," said an overjoyed Vasantha Kumari, wife of Professor G N Saibaba, who was acquitted today by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Yet, her joy was tempered by caution. "I don't know what they will do now," she said, "we have seen people being re-arrested as soon as they step out." Exactly the same sentiments were expressed by Shikha, daughter of Prashant Rahi, the former journalist who is also an accused. "I want to first see my father step out of that prison," said the young film-maker. "Only then will I breathe a true sigh of relief." For all the six accused Professor Saibaba, Rahi, Hem Mishra, Mahesh Tirkey, Vijay Tirkey, Narayan Sanglikar and Pandu Narote (who passed away in August 2022), sentenced under UAPA in 2017 to life imprisonment on the charge of being Maoists, the journey to prove themselves innocent has been long and difficult. The appeal against their conviction has seen innumerable adjournments; the two Covid lockdown years only made the wait worse. For Professor Saibaba, the imprisonment has been specially cruel. Despite being 90% handicapped, suffering from multiple ailments and dependent on a wheelchair, the former Delhi University professor has not been able to step out of the anda cell of the Nagpur Jail at all since his conviction. Inside the cell, he was deprived of the assistance and medical aid prescribed by doctors; and the court. All his pleas for bail, and parole when his mother was ill and later died, were turned down, citing the seriousness of the charges against him. Rahi was acquitted in 2022 of an earlier case filed against him in 2007. But because he was serving a life sentence in this case, he could not be released. He too was confined to solitary confinement in the anda cell. "Justice delayed, but not denied," said Shikha sadly. "Seven years of my father's life lost. The State is answerable." All the accused came close to tasting freedom in October 2022, but that chance was snatched away from them before they could do so. The Nagpur bench had discharged them because the prosecuting agency had failed to get the sanction to prosecute needed under UAPA. However, in a special hearing granted to the State of Maharashtra, the Supreme Court struck that down and ordered that the court hear the case on merits. Even after that, this judgment has been a long time coming. Arguments were concluded in September 2023. A team of lawyers represented the accused: Advocates Pradeep Mandhyan and Dharmadhikari from Mumbai, and Advocate Trideep Pais from Delhi. "Credit for today goes to all the advocates," said a grateful Shikha. "They have worked relentlessly and pro bono." Advocate Mandhyan thanked his Nagpur team of lawyers, Barun Kumar, Akash Sorte, Harshad Lingayat and Nihal Singh, for helping him analyse the facts of the case. "The entire case was false, forged and fabricated," said Advocate Pradeep Mandhyan. "There was not an iota of evidence. The arrest was wrong, the seizures fabricated. We demonstrated that." He also thanked the Bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki S A Menezes for giving him a "fantastic hearing. They were very kind and generous throughout the hearing." Sometimes judges keep interjecting in order to browbeat lawyers, added Advocate Mandhyan but in this case, "the questions asked by the judges were helpful." Soon after his conviction in 2017, Professor Saibaba wrote this poem. Finally he will be able to see the blades of grass he so loves. I REFUSED TO DIE When I refused to die my chains were loosened I came out Into the vast meadows Smiling at the leaves of grass My smile caused intolerance in them I was shackled again Again, when I refused to die tired of my life my captors released me I walked out into the lush green valleys under the rising sun smiling at the tossing blades of grass Infuriated by my undying smile They captured me again I still stubbornly refuse to die The sad thing is that They don't know how to make me die Because I love so much The sounds of growing grass November 2017. (Remembering October 1917) Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 44F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A few flurries are possible. Low near 30F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Do you have a knack for putting the pieces together? Picture all of downtown Charlottesville as your game board for a Saturday afternoon of collecting clues, meeting new friends and solving some satisfyingly crafty puzzles. The WTJU Puzzle Hunt returns from 2:30 to 6 p.m. March 16, and theres still time to sign up your solve-or-die squad for an afternoon of searching for clues to five cleverly designed puzzles. The immersive, multimedia experience, the community radio stations third, will begin at 2:30 p.m. March 16 at Ix Art Park with an opening clue thatll send teams scurrying to solve puzzles together. Its friendly competition, but its a collaborative effort, said Nathan Moore, WTJUs general manager. All of the clues are within walking distance. The clues will be embedded in places you didnt expect. Clues from past Puzzle Hunts have included a realistic fake movie poster at Violet Crown Charlottesville, a QR code that linked listeners to a song by local songwriter Devon Sproule and even a hint hidden in a podcast. The afternoon will come to a close at 5:17 p.m. back at Ix Art Park with the End Game, a gathering filled with spinning vinyl records, the solutions to the five puzzles and one final brain teaser. Plan to keep track of the solutions you hear; in each puzzle, whatever the solution is does play into the End Game, Moore said. The Puzzle Hunts inaugural outing lured about 700 participants, and last years event drew between 800 and 900, Moore said. The fact that this years hunt is scheduled for March means that organizers have been taking puzzle lovers suggestions to heart. The feedback we got all across the board was that August is too hot, Moore said. But spring is so busy in Charlottesville; spring and fall both. The event originally was inspired by the Washington Posts Post Hunt. What we do in Charlottesville is very much based on that, Moore said. It scratches the same itch, but its on a much bigger scale. The puzzles themselves are created by game designers Greg Ochsenschlager and Emily Patterson, the husband-and-wife team behind the company Puzzled Bee. On their website, beemeasure.com, Ochsenschlager and Patterson describe themselves as lifelong pub trivia fans and board game nerds, so puzzle aficionados will know theyre among friends. We like bringing people, and the community, together in different ways, Moore said. Teams may be of any size, but Moore suggests three to six members as just right. Its a great way to do something different with your friends, and perhaps make some new ones along the way. There isnt really a minimum age. Weve had teams of teenagers, and even tweens, Moore said. He recommends that puzzle solvers ages 11 and younger include at least one adult on their teams. It also is helpful to have at least one smartphone on hand, too. Local gift certificates, WTJU swag and bragging rights will go home with teams of any age that come out on top. Advance registration is requested online at CvillePuzzleHunt.com. The event is free; suggested donations of $5 per person will be accepted. Chinese-language posts claimed that Chinese coast guard vessels crossed into waters near Taiwan-controlled Kinmen island on Feb. 19, citing a video clip and a media report as evidence. But the claim is misleading. The footage was taken from an irrelevant event. The media reports in question cited a real-time tracker of Chinese ships but did not provide visual evidence. The claim was shared in a YouTube video on Feb. 24. Six Chinese coast guard vessels in two groups crossed into the restricted waters around Kinmen on Feb. 19, said the narrator of the video. The YouTube video featured several clips that show white and blue ships at sea, with the narrator pointing out the white ones as Chinese coast guard vessels. He also referenced a real-time tracker of Chinese ship locations to support his claim. A recent current events show claiming that six Chinese coast guard vessels entered restricted waters around Kinmen was quoted by a subsidiary of the official Chinese media National Defense Times. (Screenshot/Douyin) Tensions between Taiwan and China have escalated in the weeks following the death of two Chinese fishermen who crossed into the restricted waters and subsequently attempted to evade inspection by Taiwans Coast Guard on Feb. 14. After the Taiwan Affairs Office denied Taiwans restricted maritime zone around Kinmen on Feb. 17, the China Coast Guard, or CSG, announced the next day its intent to patrol waters near the island. On Feb. 19, the CSG forcefully boarded and searched a Taiwanese tour boat near Kinmen. Subsequently, on Feb. 25, they released footage showcasing naval drills in the vicinity. The claim was later reposted by a subsidiary of Chinas state-owned outlet National Defense Times. Old, irrelevant footage But a reverse image search on Google found the identical video published in a report by a Filipino online news website Rappler on Sep. 8, 2023. Video from the Philippine Coast Guard shows Chinese ships sailing dangerously close to Philippine vessels, the report reads in part. Chinese vessels on Friday, September 8, tried to block Philippine boats en route to Ayungin Shoal to bring supplies for Filipino Marines stationed onboard the BRP Sierra Madre, it reads further. Photos and videos showing the same vessels were also published by other Filipino media outlets, including the Manila Standard and Marine Link. The clips used in the Inspector Zhao Talk episode appeared in reports by Philippine outlets covering the September 2023 confrontation between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. (Screenshots/Manila Standard and Rappler) Lack of visual evidence While some media outlets, including Taiwans United Daily News and UP Media, referenced the China Ports Network, which offers a real-time tracking of Chinese ships, claiming that six CGC vessels neared Kinmen island on Feb. 19, they failed to present any visual confirmation. Keyword searches also did not find any reliable reports or visual proof of these vessels approaching the islands vicinity on that specific day. Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Taejun Kang and Malcolm Foster. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. The Charlottesville community appears on track to spend $72 million renovating its local jailhouse, in part because those proposing the changes have argued its a good deal. After all, the project proposal has been approved by the commonwealth for a 25% reimbursement. And while there are cheaper alternatives on the table, such as more modest renovations with price tags ranging from $25 million to $35 million, the jail authority has been vague as to whether those alternatives would also be eligible for the 25% reimbursement offered under Virginia law. At the second of three community forums organized by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, an architect hired to execute the renovation mentioned that the 1975 facility is not up to current standards. The most expensive option which is projected to cost $49 million but would ultimately cost $72 million due to interest on bonds required to fund the project would help meet some of those standards by demolishing the jails east wing and building a modern, two-story wing in its place. The other options would not bring as much of the jail up to current standards, and that could hurt the authoritys chances of receiving a full 25% reimbursement, Tony Bell of Richmond-based Moseley Architects told those at the forum. Projects are analyzed on a holistic basis for reimbursement, the jails superintendent, Martin Kumer, told The Daily Progress in early February. If the objective is to do as much as you can to bring the facility into compliance, then the project will be viewed more favorably for full reimbursement. If the perception of the project is to only do minor modifications and with no sincere intent to come in compliance, then the project may not receive full reimbursement. Before a jail can be renovated, it must receive approval from the commonwealth. That starts with approval from the Board of Local and Regional Jails, an 11-member body that determines if a proposed project may proceed and if it is eligible for reimbursement. The most expensive proposal, known as Option 3, was presented to that board in May 2022 to request a 25% reimbursement. It has since been approved. In Kumer and Bells telling, it was approved because it brings much of the jail up to standard. Those standards are spelled out in Virginia Code 6VAC15-81. At the Feb. 29 forum, Charlottesville city councilor Natalie Oschrin asked for more clarity on the reimbursement policy. The jails program manager, Bill Downey, took the question and referred to one of the alternative proposals. Option 1a is a heavy system replacement for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. It doesnt do a lot architecturally. It does nothing to bring the facility into current standards. Youre going to get zero [reimbursement] in my opinion, Downey said. A section of the Virginia Code, however, says that while any new construction must be up to current standards, older parts of the facility do not. According to Section 40, a renovation does not require the existing portion of the facility to comply with all requirements of this chapter. In other words, outdated portions of the jail would not need to be brought up to current standards for the proposal to be reimbursed. It appears to stand in contrast to Downeys prediction, as well as Kumers previous assessment that the board is more likely to offer full reimbursement if it perceives sincere intent to bring a jail fully up to standard. Asked recently to further clarify the reimbursement approval process, Kumer wrote, It is both an objective and subjective analysis based on the totality of the project. The Daily Progress reached out to Geoff Garner, executive director for the Board of Local and Regional Jails, about how the board determines which projects are eligible. One aspect of the review process is determining the amount for planned reimbursement, which is 25% of the approved project cost estimate. Staff then present the results of the review to the Board, and the Board either approves or disallows the project, Garner wrote in an email. Asked for further details, Garner said he had already spent significant time addressing questions and would no longer be responding to inquiries. Further information would have to be obtained by submitting public records requests, he said. The Daily Progress then reached out to individual members of the board. Soon after, Garner asked that those board members not be contacted. They have been instructed not to respond to media inquiries, he said of the public body. That includes David Hackworth, who is both a board member and the director of strategic development at Moseley Architects. Public documents show that Hackworth was one of several contractors who attended a meeting at the jail last September, before the jail had selected Moseley to execute the project. Hackworth had been appointed to the board by Gov. Glenn Youngkin one month earlier. Michael Carrera has been on the board for two years. Even if a jail simply wanted to add security cameras, that proposal would receive the reimbursement, he said. My understanding is, lets say they want to do an HVAC upgrade or improvement of windows or they want to replace doors, Carrera told The Daily Progress. As long as they apply, they bring the application and it follows guidelines, theyll get an approval up to 25%. During his tenure, every project he remembers being approved he also remembers being approved for the full 25% reimbursement. For the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail renovation, only Option 3 was submitted to the board for approval. While there is no rule prohibiting a jail from submitting multiple proposals simultaneously, a significant amount of work must go into a proposal for it to be considered. There is no record of the other alternatives either options 1, 1a or 2 being mentioned prior to last October. They were not viewed by the public until the first community forum, which occurred in late January. Carrera has visited more than 57 local regional jails, including Charlottesvilles. He remembers it being old but clean, and that management was at least trying to make it a better environment, unlike other facilities hes toured. My recommendation would probably be to modernize and go ahead with an expansion. I would even suggest doing a full rebuild, but I know thats expensive, he said. The jail has received minimal updates since it was built in 1975, and Kumer says Option 3 would improve conditions for inmates and staff alike. My job is to make sure that place is safe and humane and meets the needs of the city, the staff and the men and women who live there, Kumer said at the final community forum. Critics feel that they have been force fed Option 3 and that the alternatives have not received as much consideration. A flyer promoting the second community forum says that the session will be an opportunity to review the architectural design options. The first option is, intended to address minimal deficiencies while the second will address major deficiencies. The flyer notes that Option 3 comes with a 25% reimbursement. Each forum included a slideshow presentation, and each presentation noted that Option 3 includes a reimbursement. But it was not until the final forum, held last Thursday, that the slideshow was updated to include how much money would be saved if the alternatives also received that reimbursement. Bell has previously said that his team will fight tooth and nail to get the 25% reimbursement on the alternatives that havent yet been approved. But getting to that point will take some time and resources, time that has already been invested in Option 3. On March 14, the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jails board is set to vote on which option to pursue. There already appears to be support for Option 3, as well as the reimbursement that comes with it. If the board were to select one of the alternatives, it would be asking Kumer and Bell to spend more time to present that option to the state board, even as they have cast doubt that those alternatives would receive the full 25%. After the jails board makes its selection, it must also be approved by the governing bodies of the three jurisdictions the jail services: the city of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Nelson County. Albemarle County will be responsible for 45.39% of the costs, while the city of Charlottesville will cover 39.87% and Nelson County 14.74%. Gunnar Wiegand, the EU's former managing director for Asia and the Pacific, discusses bilateral trade relations with China. Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd from R) talks to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (3rd from L) and European Council President Charles Michel (4th from L) during a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Dec. 7, 2023. UPDATED at 4:43 P.M. ET on 03-05-2024 In 2021, China overtook the United States to become the European Unions largest trading partner. In 2022, China was not only the EUs largest importer, but also the EUs third-largest exporter, behind the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, once hailed as a historic investment agreement, came to fruition after seven years of negotiations. However, in May 2021, the European Parliament withheld ratification due to Chinas counter-sanctions on its members as well as other European scholars and think tanks. Previously, the EU imposed sanctions on Chinese officials who were accused of human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Gunnar Wiegand, former managing director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service, is currently a visiting distinguished fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the U.S. From 2016 to 2023, Wiegand was a key contributor to the EUs policy on relations with China, India and other Indo-Pacific partners. In a recent interview with RFA Mandarin, Wiegand discussed the EU-China relationship, challenges to trade relations and the effect of Chinas pro-Russian neutrality on bilateral ties in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. RFA: What factors are currently beneficial to the China-EU relations? Wiegand: The relationship between the European Union and China is first and foremost strong in the context of our economic relations. We are very important partners for each other, and there is, therefore, economic interdependence. And that requires a lot of responsible decision making on both sides. I will now enter into the specifics of the difficulties, which, of course, exist in such a vast economic relationship. These are linked to significant state subsidization of production in China, violations of intellectual property rights and forced technology transfer, or to the fact that there are certain sectors of the Chinese economy which remain closed to foreign investors. Gunnar Wiegand, former managing director of the EUs foreign policy arm for the Asia and Pacific, attends an event in Brussels, Sept. 5, 2023. (Image from AP video) I also want to emphasize that there is a common conviction that we need to cooperate closely, and we do so on everything related to climate change, the greening of our economies, and also to biodiversity, to name a few. Other international challenges are linked to the debt management of so many countries which are overly indebted, or to global health questions where we hope to have a global pandemic treaty at some point. These are examples which I would say are rather on the side where Europe and China are used to working together as partners. Sometimes, of course, when it comes to technologies for certain industries, we are also strong competitors. RFA: What is the anti-subsidies probe into electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured in China that the EU introduced last year about? Wiegand: For example, there are about 140 car-producing companies in China, active with a massive overproduction of cars. When you have highly subsidized products which you cannot sell on your own market, you have to look after markets in other countries. The effect is then similar as with a dumped product when you have a highly subsidized product. I cannot comment on the state of this investigation. There will be a proposal once the investigation is finalized, whether, and if so, at which level, specific import duties would be applied so as to balance out the price differences. I only wanted to say that the rules for imposing anti-dumping duties or anti-subsidies duties are encoded in the trade defense instruments, remedies agreed under the World Trade Organization. Visitors look at Chinese automaker BYD's ATTO 3 at the Munich Auto Show, also known as the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung, in Munich, Germany, Sept. 8, 2023. (Matthias Schrader/AP) RFA: Will the EUs goals to reach a zero-emissions target for new passenger cars registered in Europe by 2035, and to accelerate the production and sale of low-emission vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 conflict with the probe or the competition with Chinas EVs industry? Wiegand: China has, of course, built up over the last few years a formidable production capacity for the greening of its own industry. This includes solar panels, wind power, batteries, EVs and many more items. China has seen the need for industrial output, which facilitates this green transition. And this is, of course, important also for us. However, it is not possible for Europe to deal with the products put on the European market for this green transition, which are produced in a way ... that they are highly subsidized and result in overproduction. We are together with China to meet our goals of decarbonizing, moving out of greenhouse gas emissions, but it must be done in a way that our wide-open market will not become the dumping ground. RFA: What about factors that might be harmful to the EU-China relations? Wiegand: Among the problematic areas, we should first and foremost mention the impact of the war of Russia against Ukraine. China has certainly underestimated the Russian invasion of Ukraine in terms of its impact on relations between Europe and China. Because in the beginning, there has been, lets say, hope and certainly the encouragement expressed by all our leaders when engaging with China ... and [Chinese] President Xi Jinping was encouraged to reach out not only to [Russian] President Vladimir Putin but also to [Ukrainian] President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. China has opted for something which we call pro-Russia neutrality. China does keep contact with both sides, but it keeps much more contact with Russia because they have a limitless friendship. China has never condemned Russia for raging war against its neighbor and taking part of its territories. While China is officially supporting the territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, it has never indeed officially recognized the annexation of Crimea or Donetsk and Luhansk, southern parts of Ukraine. China has not done anything vis-a-vis Russia to reverse this and to restore Ukrainian territory. Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) gestures while speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, March 20, 2023. (Sergei Karpukhin/SputnikKremlin pool photo via AP) While the need for negotiations and the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of states were emphasized, Chinas Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis did not include the necessity for Russia troops to withdraw. Russia uses Chinas very reasoning that certain states and alliances are seeking to obtain military advantages to the detriment of the security of others, the so-called indivisible security. This interpretation of that principle negates the right of each state to decide how to secure itself and whether or not to belong to an alliance, which is equally enshrined in the security architecture of Europe in the 1990 Paris and the 1999 Istanbul charters under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. RFA: There have been multiple media and U.S. intelligence reports on civilian and military dual-use equipment flowing to Russia. What is the EUs understanding of this issue? Wiegand: When it comes to the question of delivery of arms or ammunition, which has been clearly put forward as a red line by our leaders, China has emphasized at the last EU-China summit in Beijing that it does respect this red line. That no lethal aid is provided for the Russian war effort. Theres a lot of discussion whether dual-use goods, which have components that could be used for arms production, are indirectly coming into Russia. ... And the expectation for Chinese involvement and engagement in this direction has not been sufficiently met with actions. That is certainly an issue in our bilateral relationship. The latest round of sanctions has included the interdiction for European companies to deal with a number of companies in countries, where one has seen a significant increase of trade volumes with goods that can be used for military purposes. ... Its quite a number of different countries, and this is also for the first time directly affecting a few companies from China, which are also in Chinese ownership. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Joshua Lipes. Story was updated to include Wiegand's former title in the subhead and to correct date of the Istanbul Charter under the OSCE. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government will renew efforts if compelling evidence is established. 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. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. A municipal public health official from Taiwan's Taoyuan city inspects food products after banned Sudan Red dye is found in chili powder from China, March 2024. Authorities in democratic Taiwan are scrambling to test food products containing chili powder from China for the banned food coloring Sudan Red, after recalling and sealing more than 20,000 kilograms of foodstuffs, including those sold in the popular Haidilao chain of hotpot stores, officials said. Authorities in Taoyuan city discovered the potentially carcinogenic substance in chili that was subsequently used to make hotpot flavoring and spicy rice noodles by Haidilao, a popular hotpot chain with outlets around the world, officials told the island's lawmakers on Monday. But fresh reports of contaminated products continued to roll in on Tuesday, with restaurant chain Bafang Dumpling and instant noodle maker Wei Lih Foods both saying they had bought chili powder tainted with Sudan Red, which is banned in many countries as a likely carcinogen. Bombarded by questions in the Legislative Yuan on Monday, Taiwanese Health and Welfare Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan said the government is reinspecting foods containing China-sourced chili, after tainted chili powder was found in several food products across the island. A municipal public health official from Taiwan's Taoyuan city inspects documentation after banned Sudan Red dye is found in chili powder from China, March 2024. (Taoyuan Municipal Health Bureau) The ministry has stalled inspections of fresh imports from 21 Chinese exporters and manufacturers and stepped up batch inspections, with Sudan Red found in nine batches out of the 59 officials had inspected by Monday, Hsueh said in comments reported by the United Daily News. Sudan Red has been banned by various food regulatory bodies worldwide , while European member states carry out mandatory testing for the substance in all products containing powdered chili pepper. It is considered "very likely" to cause cancer by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Health officials will continue to carry out checks and ensure that any other products containing tainted chili powder are recalled, Hsueh said. Tracing the source The scandal emerged on Sunday, when health officials in Taoyuan city said they had found chili powder tainted with Sudan III at six different businesses, including Haidilao, which used the tainted powder in products sold at 16 branches across Taiwan. Some 900 kilograms (1,985 pounds) of Haidilao products have now been recalled, the Taiwan News reported. Officials traced the source of the tainted powder to Chinese suppliers Jinzhan International and Jiaguang International, but blamed Taiwanese food importer Bao Hsin Enterprises for distributing the chili powder to companies despite being aware that it was substandard. Police detained Bao Hsin staff members and its chief executive Liu Ching-shih, and fined the company for violating food sanitation regulations, the China Times newspaper reported. National Taiwan University professor Wu Kun-yu said Taiwan's health regulations list 796 permitted food additives. Anything not on the list is banned. "Additives that aren't listed can't be used, and illegal additives will be recalled," Wu said, blaming "administrative laziness" for the failure to detect the substance sooner. A vendor arranges duck eggs at a market in Kunming, capital of southern China's Yunnan province, on Nov. 16, 2006, after Sudan Red dye and other banned food additives were detected in salted duck eggs. (Reuters) Haidilao has said it has removed all affected products from sale, and denied any direct business dealings with the suppliers. The company said it will conduct its own investigations into its supply chain, and actively cooperate with health officials in their investigations. Public health scandals Chinese companies have been embroiled in a string of public health scandals affecting foodstuffs in recent years, including other incidents involving Sudan Red in foods, melamine-tainted infant formula milk, used "gutter" cooking oil and cadmium-tainted rice. A businessman from the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu, who gave only the surname Ji for fear of reprisals, said Sudan Red and other banned food additives were detected in salted duck eggs in China between 2000 and 2008. "There is a huge problem with food safety in China," Ji said. "[They think] as long as you don't drop dead after eating it, then it's fine." Jiangsu-based current affairs commentator Zhang Jianping said Chinese officials are less likely to be exposed to toxic foodstuffs, because they have a special food supply chain that has been subjected to stringent safety checks, known as the "tegong system. "People at the top of the pyramid enjoy access to the special food supply, so they're not exposed to these hazards," Zhang said. "So officials aren't that concerned about tainted food, and don't pay much attention to food additives." "This is a systemic problem that will only get resolved if they cancel the special food supply for officials," he said. Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin Broadcasts transmit party orders and bad news about South Korea and the US into peoples homes. North Korean authorities are going door-to-door to ensure that all homes have a working speaker hardwired to receive the governments propaganda broadcasts, residents told Radio Free Asia. Three times a day, for an hour or two each time, the speakers broadcast directives from the party and bad news about South Korea and the United States allowing a way for the government to reach into peoples homes with propaganda, although residents say they are often static-filled and hard to hear. The broadcasts can include local news, mobilization instructions and even name and shame individuals who have been arrested for crimes, according to interviews with escapees conducted by the Washington-based Stimson Centers 38 North project. The so-called Third Network system is based on the Soviet radiotochka network that hardwired a speaker in every home to a central broadcast location so that messages can be transmitted without sending them over the air. If during inspections, the home is found to have a faulty speaker, or none at all, residents must pay for repairs or a new speaker but many resent the whole system because the broadcasts are not relevant to their daily lives, the residents said. These days, county authorities are inspecting broadcast cables and forcing any households without speakers to purchase and install them, a resident of Puryong county in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for security reasons. An inspector from the post office alongside the head of the neighborhood watch unit went to each home to verify that there was a speaker installed and that it was in working order, he/she said. Wires sold for scrap The closed nature of the Third Network, colloquially called wired broadcasting, means that the state can control who is receiving the broadcasts, as they cannot be picked up in neighboring countries or by invading armies over the air. The state can also limit the access to information within the same country, broadcasting different information to different regions. According to a report by 38 North, the Third Network was started in the 1950s and was said to have been completed in 1982. But North Koreas economy collapsed after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, and from 1994-1998 the country was plunged into a famine that killed hundreds of thousands of people, or as many as 2.2 million by some estimates. It was during this time that many of the speakers and wires were stripped from homes and sold as scrap as people did anything they could to survive. North Korea appears to be trying to rebuild the network by forcing residents to pay for new speakers if theirs did not survive to the present day. A few days after the inspection, the head of the neighborhood watch unit collected 7,000 won (82 US cents) from households that were identified as being unable to listen to wired broadcasting due to missing or broken speakers, the resident said. But these days, most families are having difficulty earning a living. Static and interference He said that they are resentful that the authorities are going around collecting money for speakers just so they can hear slanderous propaganda about the United States and South Korea. The sound quality is poor and there is a lot of static and interference, he said. So its often difficult to understand the broadcast content properly. A possible reason for poor sound quality is that the Central Broadcasting Committee in each city and county does not use the same wires connected to each home. The network was built over time and never updated, so some wires are as old as the 1950s and the ones in newer homes were installed recently. Also wires were made mostly of different materials in each era, with some made of iron and others made of aluminum. The cables are also overtapped in some areas and a broken cable in one area could affect an entire part of the city. Another North Hamgyong resident told RFA that the authorities are telling people that they should listen to the Third Broadcast as part of their daily routine. The party specifically assigned a task to a munitions factory to produce speakers, he said. They especially emphasized that families without speakers must install them as soon as possible. The party warned that not having a working speaker could be potentially disastrous, the second resident said. Authorities say that you will not be able to receive important messages or instructions from the Central Committee regarding emergency situations without wired broadcasting, he said. If one does not know the partys intentions, one could unknowingly commit an error or fall behind the times. Access to reliable electricity has been a constant problem in North Korea these days, with some rural areas going completely without power for long stretches, and others only getting a few hours each day. This means that even if the homes have working speakers they might not receive the broadcasts anyway. But they still have to pay to make sure they work. Broadcasts are rarely delivered properly due to frequent power outages, the second resident said. Even if the broadcasts are good, no one will listen to a Third Broadcast because it is not helpful for making a living. Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Legislative approval of the funding has become a test of U.S. commitment to the Pacific. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (second from right) speaks to the press with the Marshall Islands Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Jack Ading (left), Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina (second from left) and Palau President Surangel Whipps (right) ahead of a meeting at the State Department in Washington, Sept. 26, 2023. 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 Chinas government to further increase its influence in the region. "We are greatly encouraged by the recent developments, the office of Palaus 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. Micronesias 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 Bidens signature. This development reinforces our confidence in the strength of our partnership with the United States, Micronesias President Wesley Simina said in a statement. He said the compact is vital to the well being of Micronesias 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 didnt 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. Chinas 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. Micronesias previous president, David Panuelo, last year warned of aggressive efforts by Chinas 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. They tell residents and monastic heads that the building of the Gangtuo Dam will go ahead as planned. Chinese officials have told local ethnic Tibetans and monastic leaders in Sichuan province to maintain stability following the arrest of more than 1,000 protesters over a hydropower dam, and made clear that the project would continue, two Tibetans with knowledge of the situation said. If built, the Gangtuo Dam power station on the Drichu River could submerge several monasteries in Deges countys Wangbuding township and force residents of at least two villages near the river to relocate, sources earlier told RFA. Chinese officials have held meetings in the Wonto village area where they ordered local Tibetans to comply with the governments plans and regulations and called for the leaders of the local monasteries to mobilize the locals to toe the party line, said one source who hails from Dege and now lives in exile. On Feb. 25, Dege County Party Secretary Baima Zhaxi visited Wangbuding and neighboring townships to meet with Buddhist monastic leaders and village administrators, during which he called for stability and urged residents to comply with regulations or else be dealt with in accordance with the law and regulations, according to a local news report. As the stability maintenance period in March and the national Two Sessions approach, we must implement detailed stability maintenance measures to promote continued harmony and stability in the jurisdiction, Zhaxi was quoted in the report as saying. The Two Sessions refers to China's annual meetings of the National People's Congress and of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, being held this week in Beijing. We must continue to carry out the investigation and resolution of conflicts, risks and hidden dangers, and effectively resolve conflicts and disputes at the grassroots level, and nip them in the bud, Zhaxi said. Zhaxis visit comes ahead of Tibetan Uprising Day on March 10, a politically sensitive date that commemorates the thousands of Tibetans who died in a 1959 uprising against Chinas invasion and occupation of their homeland, and the flight of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile in northern India. Keep building Zhaxi also visited the dam construction site and told the leaders of the coordination team to adhere to their work orders and make arrangements for the next step of work, according to a local Chinese government announcement. Zhaxi told residents about the great significance and necessity of the construction of hydropower stations and indicated that the government would protect the legitimate interests of the masses to the greatest extent. Abide by the law, express your demands in a legal, civilized and rational manner, and do not exceed the bottom line, Zhaxi told locals during the on-site visit, according to the same news report. Otherwise, you will be dealt with in accordance with the law and regulations. Tibetans in exile hold a rally in Amsterdam to support dam protesters in Dege county, southwestern China's Sichuan province, March 1, 2024. (Netherlands Tibetan Community) On Feb. 23, police arrested more than 1,000 Tibetans, including monks and residents in the county in Sichuans Kardze Autonomous Tibetan Prefecture, who had been protesting the construction of the dam, meant to generate electricity. Authorities continue to heighten security restrictions in Dege county on the east bank of the Drichu River, called Jinsha in Chinese, and in Jomda county of Qamdo city in the Tibet Autonomous Region on the west bank of the river, said the sources who both live in exile and requested anonymity for safety reasons. Strict surveillance Residents are forbidden from contacting anyone outside the area, the sources said. Chinese officials continue to impose strict digital surveillance and tight restrictions on movement in Wangbuding after rare video footage emerged from inside Tibet on Feb. 22 of Chinese police beating Tibetan monks, before arresting more than 100 of them, most of whom were from Wonto and Yena monasteries. Since then, authorities have carried out wide-scale rigorous interrogations of the arrested Tibetans, even as information from inside Tibet has been harder to come by amid a crackdown on the use of mobile phones and social media and messaging platforms to restrict communication with the outside world, sources said. The protests began on Feb. 14, when at least 300 Tibetans gathered outside Dege County Town Hall to protest the building of the Gangtuo Dam, part of a massive 13-tier hydropower complex with a total planned capacity of 13,920 megawatts. Over the past two weeks, Tibetans in exile have been holding solidarity rallies in cities in the United States, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia and India. Global leaders and Tibetan advocacy groups have condemned Chinas actions, calling for the immediate release of those detained. Last week, Chinese authorities released about 40 of the arrested monks on Feb. 26 and 27, RFA reported. Additional reporting and editing by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Property tycoon Truong My Lan is accused of bribery, embezzlement and bank fraud. Truong My Lan arrives at a court in Ho Chi Minh city on March 5, 2024. The Vietnamese property tycoon went on trial along with dozens of others, accused of embezzling US$12.5 billion in the countrys biggest ever fraud case. The chairwoman of property company Van Thinh Phat went on trial in Ho Chi Minh City Tuesday, accused of misappropriating more than US$12 billion in Vietnams biggest fraud case. Truong My Lan, 68, is accused of bribery, embezzlement and violating bank regulations in connection with a VND304 trillion loan from Saigon Commercial Bank, or SCB. Hundreds of police officers were called out to provide security at the trial, Vietnamese media reported. Lans Hong Kong billionaire husband Eric Chu is accused of helping her secure the illegal loan from SCB more than 90% owned by Lan causing the bank to lose the equivalent of US$369 million. Police and security guards guarded the court entrances from possible protests by angry investors as nearly 80 defendants arrived early Tuesday morning. The accused include 45 SCB executives, 15 State Bank of Vietnam officials, three government inspectors and a former official at the State Audit Office, according to media reports. Eight defendants are on the run, with international arrest warrants out for them. Thousands of witnesses have been called to testify in a trial expected to last two months. The case has claimed the cash of an estimated 42,000 victims, SCB bondholders who havent seen a return on their investments since Lans arrest in Oct. 2022, leading to rare protests in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan. Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his nearly quarter-century rule with a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election as he seeks to demonstrate overwhelming popular support for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive policies. With 99.68 percent of ballots counted, Putin was set to win another six-year term with 87.32 percent of the vote, a post-Soviet record, according to official results. The Central Election Committee said that more than 70 percent of eligible voters cast ballots during the three-day election. The 71-year old Putin -- who has ruled as either president or prime minister since 2000 -- is now set to surpass Soviet dictator Josef Stalins nearly 30-year reign to become the longest-serving Russian leader in more than two centuries. The vote is the first for Putin since he launched an ill-fated invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of Russian citizens, upended the lives of tens of thousands more, and led to a clear break in relations with the West. In holding what has widely been viewed as faux elections, Putin wants to show that he has the nation's full support, experts said. The Kremlin's goal "is to get as many people as possible to sign off on Russia's war against Ukraine. The idea is to get millions of Russian citizens to retroactively approve the decision Putin single-handedly made two years ago," Maksim Trudolyubov, a senior fellow at the Kennan Institute, wrote in a note ahead of the vote. In remarks shortly after he was declared the winner, Putin said the election showed that the nation was "one team." Putin was opposed by three relatively unknown, Kremlin-friendly politicians whose campaign was barely noticeable. The main intrigue was whether Russians would heed opposition calls to gather at polling stations at noon on March 17 to silently protest against Putins rule. Russian media had reported in the months leading up to the election that the Kremlin was determined to engineer a victory for Putin that would surpass the 2018 results, when he won 77.5 percent of the vote with a turnout of 67.5 percent. The Kremlin banned anti-war politician Boris Nadezhdin from the ballot after tens of thousands of voters lined up in the cold to support his candidacy. Nadezhdin threatened to undermine the narrative of overwhelming support for Putin and his war, experts said. WATCH: Leading psychiatrists discuss how excessive power can impact brain functioning and what the impulse for total control reveals about the mind and personality traits of authority figures. Independent election observers were barred from working at this years presidential election for the first time in post-Soviet history, experts said. Russian elections have been notorious for ballot stuffing and other irregularities. The vote was also held in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, where hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers are located. The United States called the elections neither fair nor free. 'Noon Against Putin' With options to express resistance severely limited by the lack of competition and repressive laws, opposition leaders called on voters opposed to Putin to gather near polls at noon to show the Kremlin and the country that they were still a force. Russia's opposition movement suffered a serious blow last month when Aleksei Navalny, Putins fiercest and most popular critic, died in unclear circumstances in a maximum-security prison in the Arctic where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated. Long lines formed at polling stations across Russia's 11 time zones at the designated time for the "Noon Against Putin" protest, including in Novosibirsk, Chita, Yekaterinburg, Perm, and Moscow among other Russian cities. "We're not really expecting anything, but I'd somehow like to make a record of this election for myself, tick the box for myself, so, when talking about it later, I could say that I didn't just sit at home, but came and tried to do something," said one Russian who came to vote at noon. "The action has achieved its goals," Ivan Zhdanov, the head the Anti-Corruption Foundation formerly headed by Navalny, said in a YouTube video. "The action has shown that there is another Russia, there are people who stand against Putin." The Moscow prosecutor's office had earlier warned of criminal prosecution against those who interfered with the vote, a step it said was necessary due to social-media posts "containing calls for an unlimited number of people to simultaneously arrive to participate in uncoordinated mass public events at polling stations in Moscow [at noon on March 17] in order to violate electoral legislation." Lawyer Valeria Vetoshkina, who has left the country, told Current Time that if people do not bring posters and do not announce why they came to the polling station at that hour, it would be hard for the authorities to legitimately declare it a "violation." But she warned that there were "some basic safety rules that you can follow if you're worried. The first is not to discuss why you came, just to vote. And secondly, it is better to come without any visual means of agitation: without posters, flags, and so on." Ella Pamfilova, head of Russia's Central Election Commission (TsIK), on March 16 said there had been 20 cases of people attempting to destroy voting sheets by pouring liquids into ballot boxes and eight incidents of people trying to destroy ballots by setting them on fire or by using smoke bombs. Russians living abroad also took part in the "Noon Against Putin" campaign, with hundreds of people lining up at 12 p.m. outside the Russian embassies in Sidney, Tokyo, Phuket, Dubai, Istanbul, Berlin, Paris, and Yerevan among other capitals. "It's not an election. It's just a fake. And so we're here to show that not Russians elect the current leader of Russia, that we [are] against him very severely, and that lots of people had to flee their country to be free," said Anna, a Russian citizen living in Berlin and who gathered outside the embassy in the German capital. Putin was challenged by Liberal Democratic Party leader Leonid Slutsky, State Duma deputy speaker Vladislav Davankov of the New People party, and State Duma lawmaker Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party, none of whom opposed the war. The Russian leader had the full resources of the state behind him, including the media, police, state-owned companies, and election officials. The debut release by the trio Please Dont Tell brings to mind a bit of classical, a touch of jazz and a new take on Old World style that all but begged for a spirited release party. The Charlottesville-based musicians, purveyors of a sound they describe as dark chamber cabaret, include lead vocalist, pianist and songwriter Christina Fleming; cellist and backing vocalist Nicole Rimel; and violinist and vocalist Anna Hennessy. Together, they unite experiences ranging from Kennedy Center performances to punk club shows into a sound all their own. Its rooted in really strong friendship and simply enjoying each others company, Fleming said. No surprise, then, that the release party turned into a ball of bygone elegance. The Spirit Ball begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at a favorite haunt, the Southern Cafe and Music Hall, and also will feature Charming Disaster, the New York-based goth-folk duo of Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris and synth-pop group Nouveau Vintage. DJ Cadybug also is on the bill. Fleming said Charming Disaster is also in the cabaret theme we tend to occupy. The event is a release party for Please Dont Tells first professional recording, a six-song EP recorded at Fatback Sound in Nashville, Tennessee, with Gabe Rabben and Sam Wilson. We even were recorded more like a chamber ensemble than a rock band, Fleming said. We wanted to have a physical release as well, so we had records pressed. Its rooted in Old World imagery. Speaking of Old World imagery, the Spirit Ball also is an opportunity for fans to get dressed up. If youre right at home in Victorian, goth or steampunk garb, commence rummaging in your closets now. We always joke that we didnt have to buy anything to wear, Fleming quipped. And dont hesitate to leaf through vintage family photos for inspiration. Fleming said the musicians are encouraging people to dress as fancy spirit versions of themselves, or of an ancestor. The project began when Fleming sought a way to unite her operatic soprano and percussive piano style to the songs she was writing. She and Rimel started a cabaret duo to explore the stories of resilient women overcoming challenging circumstances. We got together, and we just clicked, she said. Hennessy, who was a music major with Fleming at the University of Virginia, came on board for what originally was planned as a one-off spooky dinner theater after the pandemic and stayed when the three-member mix of influences proved irresistible. Were accentuating the storytelling in the songs, Fleming said. Theres some jazz influence and some classical influence. Its sort of instrospective. The trio has found beauty and power in being able to find the absurdity in the difficult things life throws at us. If you need to find a way to embrace lifes absurdities in style, the Spirit Ball environment will give listeners a chance to step outside their routines without judgment, letting a part of themselves shine that may not get to come out to play very often, Fleming said. Tickets are $15 at the door and $12 in advance, and theres a ticket four-pack for $40. Get details at thesoutherncville.com. Some 20,000 NATO troops crossed the Vistula River in northern Poland as part of a military exercise called Dragon 24. The maneuvers are part of the alliance's Steadfast Defender operation, which involves around 90,000 troops from all 31 NATO countries plus Sweden. The exercise is NATO's largest since the Cold War and is meant to show solidarity among member states amid growing security concerns driven by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russians' farewell to the late opposition politician and Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, which began on March 1 with his funeral, continued all weekend. Hundreds of mourners brought flowers to his grave at Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscow, even though they had to wait in line for hours to do so. Russians also took to social media to express their sorrow, anger, and even hope after Navalny's death at the age of 47 on February 16 in an Arctic prison. The circumstances of his death have not been clarified. "The queue is huge. The cross is no longer visible on Aleksei's grave. A huge mound of flowers," one user wrote on Facebook. "The police stand silently, clearly in shock. It feels like people want to cover Aleksei with flowers from pain, suffering, and injustice. I have never seen anything like this in my life." Or as another person put it on X, formerly Twitter: "Fact: People gave Navalny a presidential-level funeral. During the entire time of farewell to [Russian President Boris] Yeltsin, 25,000 people came. Just yesterday, and in just 1.5 hours, 16,500 people crossed the Brateyevsky Bridge! And the farewell continues for a second day!" WATCH: Supporters continued to pay tribute to Navalny for a fourth straight day on March 4. Another person wrote on X: "March 2, 4:55 p.m. Officially, there are 5 minutes before the cemetery closes, and people are walking without stopping. They go from 9 a.m. They go all day. They go to say goodbye." Another user wrote on Facebook that she was buying flowers and when she said she was going to Navalny's grave, the woman "wrapped it, tied it with ribbons, I took two bouquets, and she said, "No money needed...." Another mourner on X found room for hope: "You know what I think. That he left behind a sea of love and caring. Now everything is filled with them. All conversations, all experiences, all texts, all chats and stories. I really want not to lose this love and compassion -- this is what he fought for. "And I also think that he is of course pleased with all this love, but in general he is now a little mad and scolds us up there -- 'Yo, dudes, why are you so serious? You're scaring me. Let's do this already.' He always and everywhere joked, in situations in which I dont even know how this is possible. He even joked with his Terminator at his own funeral. "In general, I imagine him making fun of us there and somehow my soul feels warm, because I feel that even there he is alive and energetic. He didnt die in hell. What nonsense. Here he is, everywhere and everywhere." WATCH: Hundreds of people brought flowers to Navalny's grave on March 2, a day after his burial. Visitors included Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, and mother-in-law, Alla Abrosimova, who can be seen visiting the grave together at the beginning of this video. Writer Viktor Shenderovich, a Kremlin critic who has left Russia, warned that the display of defiance would not go unnoticed by the Kremlin. "Their attempt to cover up Navalnys funeral failed, and the powerful demonstration of anger and grief that day made an impression, I assure you, not only on us," he wrote on Facebook. "The obvious idea: Putin will take revenge for yesterday's humiliation. I don't risk giving advice; it just needs to be clearly understood." Some bloggers saw the crowds who came to the cemetery as a sign that all is not lost for Russia. "I tried to walk through, take pictures of the line, and realized that there was no end to it. They stood behind the barriers, and along the fence, and on the other side of the street, and around the temple, and further, and were already spreading into the nearest courtyards. There were people of all ages there; some were brought in wheelchairs, others were carried by the arms," one blogger wrote on Facebook. "We didn't reach the cemetery. Everything there was blocked off, and already from the bridge one could see a huge crowd with flowers, into which we joined. A group of security forces was also 'relocated' there. People asked them if they would even let them put flowers? They were answered: 'You see that there are tens of thousands of you here. How can you all be allowed into the cemetery if you have occupied the entire street? Its your own fault that there are so many of you.' "This 'It's your own fault' made us laugh. Really.... "Yes, we were not allowed to say goodbye to Aleksei Navalny in a human way, but after the start of this war and the establishment of the police regime, this was a real breakthrough into the future, and Aleksei Navalny organized it. He could do it before, and he could do it now. A low bow to his mother, Lyudmila Ivanovna Navalnaya. Thank you, Aleksei, for staying with us! Heroes don't die!" Another blogger described what the scenes at the cemetery meant to her: "All these people on snowdrifts in a residential area, a kilometer-long queue, flowers and tears. Very different faces. I didnt recognize them; I didn't meet many people I knew at all. These were precisely the people of a large country (in the best sense of the word). "And I once again formulated for myself why I am not leaving and will not leave. I don't live in Putin's Russia, I live in Navalny's Russia, which one way or another, sometimes very imperceptibly, as if quietly, but still opposes Putin's Russia. And I want Navalny's Russia to win, which means I can't abandon it...." Others saw no signs of hope, just empty words: "A new outburst of 'they are afraid of us'... "God, God... "Why should they be afraid of us? "Why are we dangerous to them? "Are there so many of us and are we really capable of anything? "Let's honestly tell ourselves that there are very few of us and we can only wave our ducks," one user wrote on Facebook. "Everyone who thinks that Putin, cursed be his name, and his organized crime group is afraid of us, do not understand one simple thing: They do not see us as people; we are material for them. "They know very well that there are very few of us, and that we are not capable of anything -- well, at most shouting, 'Putin is a killer.' It irritates them about the same as fleas irritate a dog and nothing more. "For them to begin to fear us, we must earn it, but we have not done anything for this yet. For them to start being afraid of us, we don't need to wave ribbons, but something more serious." The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Activists and residents say Serbia's most visited mountain resort of Zlatibor is under threat from overdevelopment, with the local authorities seeking to attract 1 million visitors annually. RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government. If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us. To find out more, click here. Fatime Letifova On March 8-9, the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre (BIMC), the Centre of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Centre), and the G20 Interfaith Forum will organise an international conference dedicated to the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, themed "Protecting Diversity: Fighting Islamophobia in 2024", Azernews reports. 130 international guests, including scientists from 30 countries around the world, experts from international organisations, religious figures, and representatives of non-governmental organisations, are expected to participate in the conference. Two plenary sessions will be held within the framework of the conference. Each panel is supposed to have 6-7 speakers. "Multiculturalism, Islam, and the Clash of Civilizations Theory: Rethinking Islamophobia", "Shaping Public Opinion: Digital Islamophobia" and "Struggle with Islamophobia in the Context of Higher Education" in the panel session entitled "A Call for global dialogue to promote tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights and religious diversity" sessions will be organized. In the panel sessions on "Similarities and differences about Muslims in Western Europe, basic human rights of the Muslim community", "Policies against Muslims in France: Normalisation of Islamophobia", and "Deliberate acts of destruction and insult of Islamic cultural and religious heritage in non-Muslim countries" and "The Matrix of Gendered Islamophobia: repression and resistance of Muslim women, gender and society" will be held. On March 10, the conference participants are scheduled to visit Shusha, which has been declared the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2024. It is worth noting that March 15 was announced for the first time at the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Niamey, Niger, on November 27-28, 2020. In 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted March 15 as the "International Day of Combating Islamophobia". Ukraine says it has sunk a Russian patrol ship, the Sergei Kotov, in the Black Sea. On March 5, Ukrainian military intelligence told RFE/RL that Kyiv's forces have been hunting the ship for some time. The fate of its crew was not immediately clear. Control of an $850 million gas-storage development in Uzbekistan linked to sanctioned Russian tycoon Gennady Timchenko, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been transferred to an obscure offshore firm owned by an Uzbek political insider with whom Timchenko has commercial ties, an RFE/RL investigation has found. Expansion of the underground gas-storage facility at Uzbekistans largest gas field, near the town of Gazli in the southwestern Bukhara region, is overseen by a Russian-Uzbek joint venture called Gazli Gas Storage. The majority shareholder in the venture, launched in a secretive 2018 deal with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoevs administration, was the Russian company Forus, which RFE/RLs Uzbek Service last year found was owned by a proxy linked to Timchenko, a Kremlin insider who is under both U.S. and EU sanctions. But a new investment program authorized by Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov on February 14 revealed that the 60 percent stake in Gazli Gas Storage previously held by Forus had been transferred to a Hong Kong-based company called Daxon Holdings Limited. Corporate records reviewed by RFE/RLs Uzbek Service and Kristian Lasslett, a criminology professor at Ulster University, show that Daxons ultimate beneficiary is Uzbek energy tycoon Bakhtiyor Fozilov. An investigation by RFE/RLs Uzbek Service last year revealed that Fozilov is at the center of a Russian-Uzbek network of political insiders -- including relatives of former Uzbek security service officials -- profiting from Uzbekistans oil-and-gas sector. Companies controlled by Fozilov, who serves as a key figure in Moscows energy ties with Tashkent, have received billions of dollars in contracts under Mirziyoev's energy program, the investigation found. That investigation, published in February 2023, also revealed that a secret Uzbek government report had warned that offshore control of the Gazli expansion placed the country's energy security at risk by giving control over the strategic asset to the Timchenko-linked Forus, which the authors called a company of "dubious origin." Fozilovs control of Gazli Gas Storage, in which Uzbek state energy monopoly Uzbekneftegaz has a 40 percent stake, is now held through a nesting doll of Hong Kong offshore companies. The secret report said the Gazli expansion, which envisions boosting storage capacity from 3 billion cubic meters of gas to 10 billion cubic meters by 2025, did not make economic sense, an assessment echoed in a confidential report by Boston Consulting Group that called the project "impractical." Daxon, the 60 percent shareholder, is owned by three other Hong Kong-incorporated companies: Kenfame Limited and Denmount Limited, which are owned by Fozilov and hold 34 percent and 33 percent stakes in Daxon, respectively; and Sunworth Limited, which holds the remaining stake and is owned by Fozilovs cousin, Sanjar Samiev. Kenfame Limited was founded by Russian businessman Ivan Yegorov, who was identified in an August 2023 investigation by the Dossier Center as a business partner of Timchenko, a longtime close associate of Putin. The investigation by RFE/RLs Uzbek Service last year revealed that the founder of Forus, along with the Russian firm with which the Uzbek state partnered on the Gazli expansion, was a legal assistant named Aida Chachkhalia who has multiple ties to Timchenko and who was the sole Forus shareholder until December 2021. Yegorov later obtained a 34 percent stake in Forus, while Fozilov and an anonymously owned Cypriot company called Kunlun Red Star Investment each took 33 percent stakes, the Dossier Center investigation reported, citing financial filings for Forus. Following the Dossier Center investigation, the Ukrainian government imposed sanctions on Yegorov, citing his role in allegedly helping Timchenko evade sanctions. Fozilov and Timchenko have other commercial ties as well. Fozilov is chairman of Eriell Group, a monopoly contractor in the Uzbek state energy sector that he previously owned through an offshore company together with Gazprombank and a Russian company called AMGA Consulting that shares a Moscow address with companies owned by Timchenko and his son-in-law. The United States and the European Union have escalated their punitive sanctions targeting the Russian political and business elite following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that Putin launched in February 2022. The expansion of Uzbekistans largest underground storage facility comes amid increased imports from Russian state gas giant Gazprom, which the Kremlin has used as a geopolitical lever in its dealings with consumers in Europe and the former Soviet Union. Gazprom is set to deliver 2.8 billion cubic meters of gas to Uzbekistan annually through 2025 under a deal signed with Tashkent last year. RFE/RLs Uzbek Service sought comment from Fozilov, Timchenko, Uztransgaz, and the Uzbek government about Daxons new role as controlling shareholder of Gazli Gas Storage. None responded in time for publication. Elle Cosimano was inspired to write her best-selling series when her teenage sons woke her up at the crack of dawn on a family vacation arguing over who farted in their shared futon bed. She opens the first book in the series, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, with the iconic line, Its a widely known fact that most moms are ready to kill someone by eight thirty A.M. on any given morning. This past Saturday, three years after Finlay Donovan Is Killing It catapulted Cosimano to commercial success, the Virginia-based New York Times best-selling author visited Veritas Vineyard and Winery in Afton for an evening of female empowerment in support of her latest novel in the now-four-book series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. Were pretty much in the Barbie movie right now, said Jo Piazza, a Philadelphia-based author who interviewed Cosimano at the event organized by Bluebird & Co., Crozets women-owned book, clothing and gift shop. Veritas winemaker Emily Hodson kicked the evening off with a toast to women doing cool things. A crowd of more than 90 filled the tasting room at Veritas to hear Cosimano and Piazza in conversation about authorship, motherhood and female friendship. The crowd was mostly women, but spanned a variety of ages. I attended with my own mother; like most of the audience, we were already big fans of the Finlay Donovan series. I think one of the reasons that Finlay has done so well is because shes relatable to probably all of you, said Cosimano, who has called Wintergreen, Williamsburg and the Washington suburbs home over the years. In the series first novel, Finlay, a recently divorced mother of two small children, is mistaken for a hitwoman while discussing her latest suspense novel at a Northern Virginia Panera. She inadvertently accepts an offer to off an acquaintances husband, setting into motion a chaotic series of events that eventually involves Finlays own ex-husband. Finlays story gets progressively zanier as the series progresses. Piazza described Finlay as one of the few characters that feels like shes one of my friends. Now, in what Piazza said is her favorite book in the series so far, Finlay and her best friend and nanny, Vero, are headed to Atlantic City on a caper involving Veros ex-boyfriend and a recently murdered loan shark. This installment is partly inspired by several girls weekends Cosimano spent in the New Jersey resort city in her early 20s. Some things about Atlantic City never change. It seemed like very fertile ground for shenanigans, Cosimano told the crowd. Cosimano likened writing a series to a marriage; shes constantly looking for ways to keep things fresh, to keep the readers experiencing something new. Cosimano said she is particularly excited for fans to read the latest installment in Finlays story. Writing novels is like having your own sandbox, she said. I cant remember a time when I had quite so much fun in the sandbox. Cosimano says there are at least three more Finlay Donovan books to come. She doesnt know when or how the series will end, but female friendship will remain a focus of the series. The mast of this series has always been the relationship between Finlay and Vero, Cosimano said. Having read the first two books in the series, I cant agree more. I find the Finlay Donovan series to be fun, easy to read and over the top, but I really love the female friendship at the heart of the books. My female friends are the backbone of my life, and youve created that with Finlay and Vero, Piazza said. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It was first published in 2021, and Cosimano said many readers say it was a source of comfort to them during the pandemic. We need to laugh, she said. We need to give each other permission to laugh. Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice is available Tuesday. World famous Irish medic Dr. J. Aidan Carney, who hailed from Ballaghaderreen, passed away recently in the US. A doctor who had a disease named after him, Carney Complex, Dr Carney was a lifelong staff member of the famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He was born in Ballaghaderreen in 1934 and was best known for describing what became known as Carney Complex. The disease is a rare genetic disorder characterised by increased risk of tumours growing in different parts of the body. Mr Carney graduated in medicine from University College Dublin in 1959, and interned in St. Vincents Hospital. After further work in Dublin he moved to the Mayo Clinic in 1962, becoming a consultant there in 1966 and retiring in 2018 at the age of 80. As Emeritus Professor of Pathology, he stayed on as a consultant at the Mayo Clinic and made time to meet Carney Complex patients. He and his wife Claire sold their home in June 2018 and moved into a retirement home that is part of the Mayo Clinics buildings complex. Mr Carney died peacefully on February 16th last. The Roscommon Herald would like to thank Professor Muiris X FitzGerald for making the newspaper aware of his passing. Professor Fitzgerald also has strong Ballaghaderreen connections. His grandfather Michael Horkan, grandmother Una (nee Higgins) and mother Eithne Horkan lived at Barrack Street in Ballaghaderreen in the 1920s and 1930s. Professor FitzGerald is Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at UCD, and was Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician at St Vincents Hospital from 1977 to 2006. BOZEMAN Montana State University Extension will host a feral swine education tour March 7-8 in northeast Montana, with stops held for landowners, farmers, ranchers and anyone else interested in attending. Registration is not required, and there is no cost to attend. Tours will be held Thursday, March 7 in Scobey, 10 a.m. Ambulance Room, 106 Railroad Ave .; and Plentywood, 2 p.m. Cousins Family Restaurant, 118 S. Main St;.and Friday, March 8 in Sidney, 10 a.m. Richland County Event Center, 2118 W. Holly St. Montana residents can report suspected sightings of feral swine to the Montana Department of Livestock at 406-444-2976. Feral swine, also referred to as wild pigs, can cause significant landscape and agricultural damage, according to Jared Beaver, MSU Extension wildlife specialist. While feral swine are not currently present in Montana, the risk of feral swine is a serious concern, he added. Wild pigs are not native to the United States and are a highly effective invasive species, said Beaver. They have been declared one of the biggest threats to terrestrial biodiversity in the world and are expanding across the United States and Canada. According to Beaver, the ecological and economic impacts of feral swine could be significant in Montana if they were to establish a population. He regularly emphasizes the threat when working with Montana landowners. They can live just about anywhere, eat just about anything and are prolific breeders, said Beaver. Wild pigs have few natural predators and are intelligent, mobile animals that are highly pressure sensitive. They are extremely difficult to control and eradicate once established. MSU Extension agents will host the tour stops and provide continuing education and resources to local communities. Representatives from the Montana Department of Livestock and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will also present information. This program is working to inform producers and the public on what these impacts are and how best to respond and manage wild pigs, said Marley Voll, MSU Extension Richland County agent. Montanans should be prepared before wild pigs enter the state. BROADUS Fourth-generation Montana rancher and businessman Steve Held is running for U.S. House of Representatives in Montanas 2nd Congressional District as a Democrat. Held is running for office to get things done, clean up corruption, pass a farm bill that supports family farmers and ranchers, and be an actual representative for Montanans in Washington, D.C. He welcomes the opportunity to challenge any of the potential Republican nominees on his home turf, particularly either self-serving carpetbagger Matt Rosendale or career politician and lobbyist Denny Rehberg in the general election. Im running to bring actual representation back to Montanans living in the eastern congressional district and passing a farm bill that works for family farmers and ranchers, not just big agribusinesses and corporations. Whenever you cant tell the difference between a rodeo clown and your elected representative its time for a change. Lets take Montana back from the self-serving corrupt politicians in order to protect our family farms and ranches, seniors, children, businesses, and our way of life, said Held. He agrees with the vast majority of Montanans and Americans on privacy, solving the immigration crisis, keeping politicians out of the doctors office, lowering prescription drug prices and healthcare cost, addressing climate change, putting an end to the middle class tax burden, helping each other as neighbors, and finally, to leave a clean, safe world for future generations. Held recognizes and celebrates the diversity of Montana by promising to be a strong advocate and partner to our states tribal nations and Native American communities. At 63, he had never registered with a political party until, frustrated with American politics, he filed to run as a Democrat. He understands we can disagree without hating each other. Its called the United States of America for a good reason. We respect the Constitution and the rule of law. We arent afraid of anything and were all in it together. Protect your freedoms by supporting Montana Held, concluded Held. Those interested in learning more and supporting Steve Held can donate through his website at MontanaHeld.org. Steve is a fourth generation Montana rancher and businessman, and the father of twins. His daughter, Rikki, is currently serving in The Peace Corps in Kenya and was one of the youth plaintiffs demanding our government follow the Constitution and restore Montanans constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment in Held v. Montana. His son, Jaeger, is a military historian currently working for the Department of Interior. Steves late mother, Jean Hough, was Woman of the Year for the Montana United Church of Christ and his late father, Cap Hough, was the mayor of Broadus. In his first rodeo at age 3, the best times of Steves youth were hunting with his dad and working livestock. Before returning to Broadus in 2005, Steve served on the National Board of Directors for the Screen Actors Guild Union in Hollywood where he was among the 12% of actors who actually made a living. He is also a licensed pilot and certified scuba diver, with a CDL and parachute jumps. He traveled to every state in the Union before age 23 and knows Montana will always be his home. A 51-year-old man convicted of sexual crimes against minors was sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday, March 4 after dodging the hearing last month. Sweet Home resident Gary Louis Coomers sentencing was delayed for three weeks after he failed to appear in court Feb. 15 to hear his fate. Authorities reportedly found Coomer hiding on a property east of Lebanon on Feb. 22. A Place to Sleep, episode 4: Sweet Home In Sweet Home, you'll find the region's only designated sleeping place for folks actively self-medicating with alcohol and narcotics. A Linn County jury found Coomer guilty on felony first-degree sodomy, rape and two counts of sexual abuse in January. Judge Thomas McHill sentenced Coomer to 25 years on the sodomy conviction and a consecutive 25 years on the rape conviction. Coomer was also sentenced to 12 years on each of the sexual abuse convictions, to run concurrently with the larger sentence, and 99 years of post-prison supervision. Arraigned in April 2021, the case against Coomer stems from an investigation that began in August 2020 after two young girls said he sexually abused them. The girls younger than age 10 were known to Coomer, according to court documents. The crimes occurred between January 2019 and December of the same year. During interviews at ABC House, a childrens advocacy organization, the victims alleged five people associated with Coomer sexually abused them, including four adults and a juvenile. Court documents indicate a delinquency petition was filed against the juvenile. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. One of the accused adults, Alanna Partin, was sentenced to 12 years in prison last spring for victimizing the girls. Partin, 42, was found guilty on four counts of first-degree sexual abuse at a jury trial. Court records show Partin is appealing the case. Coomer has pending cases in Linn County alleging meth possession, failure to appear, and harassment. He has previous convictions for driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance, contempt of court, recklessly endangering another person, and attempted assault constituting domestic violence. Related stories: Brazil Rider Nanda Fernanda 4 Ever gang rape case latest news A compensation of Rs 10 lakhs has been handed over to the husband of the rape survivor Brazil Rider Nanda Fernanda 4 Ever gang rape case latest news: The whole nation was shocked after a Brazilian motorcycle rider named Nanda, also known as Fernanda 4 Ever, was gang-raped by seven men in India's Jharkhand while she was on a bike ride with her husband. (Who is Nanda Fernanda 4 Ever, Brazil Rider Gang-raped in India?) In the meanwhile, a compensation of Rs 10 lakhs has been handed over to the husband of the rape survivor, by Deputy Commissioner in Dumka, Jharkhand. Advertisement However, the people have been criticising the inhuman act by seven men in Jharkhand. The news of Nanda, aka Fernanda 4 Ever, the Brazil Rider getting gang-raped in India has led to criticism on social media, especially when India runs a campaign of 'Atithi Devo Bhava'. Who is Nanda Fernanda 4 Ever, the Brazil Rider Gangraped in India? Nanda is a passionate 28-year-old Brazilian motorcyclist. She experienced a shocking act of violence in Makarkanda, Jharkhand. She is married to her Spanish husband Vicente. This Brazilian adventurer, exploring the world on a motorcycle, shared moments of joy, the excitement of the ride, and authentic experiences. Advertisement Nanda and Vicente are known for documenting their global motorcycle travels to over 140,000 Instagram followers. What Happened? Reportedly, they were passing through Dumka district in India en route to Nepal when the incident took place. They had stopped to camp overnight in Dumka when the unfortunate incident took place, according to multiple sources. (For more news apart from Nanada Fernanda 4 Ever Brazil Rider gangrape case latest news, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Farmers Protest 2024: Chandigarh to Delhi Road Via Ambala Reopens The reopening of one side of the highway brings respite to residents Chandigarh-Ambala-Delhi Road Reopens Amidst Farmers' Protest 2024: In a welcome development for commuters and farmers, the Haryana Government has initiated the removal of barricades along the Chandigarh Delhi highway at Ambala which was closed due to farmers' protest at the Shambhu border. Their demands include a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP), implementation of the Swaminathan Commissions recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, and farm debt waiver among the others. The reopening of one side of the highway brings respite to residents who had been grappling with the challenges posed by the road closure. Advertisement Utilizing heavy machinery like JCBs, the Haryana Governmment are actively clearing the barricades, facilitating the restoration of traffic flow. Notably, the access to the toll plaza has been reinstated, as of this afternoon. However, amidst these developments, farmer leaders have announced plans for a march to Delhi. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent figure among the protesters, disclosed that those stationed at the Shambhu and Khanuri borders will conduct a sit-in protest there. Pandher further elaborated that farmers from states beyond Haryana and Punjab will make their way to Delhi using the various modes of transportation, including trains and buses. This decision comes amid government's assertions that farmers are permitted to travel to Delhi via these means. Advertisement (For more news apart from Farmers' Protest 2024 News, Delhi Ambala Chandigarh Road Reopens, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The World Health Organization chief says the lack of food led to the deaths of 10 children in Gaza. In a social media post, WHO's Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke of "grim findings" during a UN team's visit to the Al Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals in northern Gaza. The team - comprising the WHO, OCHA, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund - visited the hospitals to deliver fuel and essential medical supplies. The visits were the first to those hospitals since early October - despite UN agencies' ongoing efforts to gain more regular access to the north of Gaza. The team delivered 9,500 liters of fuel to each hospital - but that is just a fraction of what is needed. Dr. Tedros said the team found severe levels of malnutrition, children dying of starvation, hospital buildings destroyed, and serious shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies. Kamal Adwan Hospital is the only pediatrics hospital in northern Gaza, and it is overwhelmed with patients. Dr.Tedros said the lack of electricity poses a serious threat to patient care and the lack of food led to the deaths of 10 children. In a separate statement, UNICEF warned that the child deaths as feared have becme a reality, as malnutrition ravages the Gaza Strip. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 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 , 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. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 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. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 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. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Quebec Public Health Director Dr. Luc Boileau confirmed 10 cases of measles recently, involving mostly children. Similar cases were reported in Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. The director said that out of the total cases, only a few were related to international travel, confirming the doubts that the cases were likely caused by community transmission. "That's what worries us," Boileau added. "Measles is more contagious than COVID. The majority of people who are in contact with measles and are not vaccinated will contract the virus," Boileau said in a press conference. "The numbers can go up fast, very fast." The measles virus can remain active for up to two hours and has a long incubation period of 10 to 14 days. Its symptoms include fever, cough, diarrhea, and a red rash. The latest case of measles was reported in a man from York Region north of Toronto. The region's medical officer said that it might be a community transmission. Since the man was in close contact with students and teachers of a local high school, the health officials notified the school authorities regarding vaccination as a precaution. "We want to insist on vaccination. It's free, safe, efficient and acts quickly," Boileau said. "We're not in the same situation as we were with COVID, where we had to take significant public health measures, but there is a real concern." Measles is rarely fatal. However, it can adversely affect young infants, unvaccinated people, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems. Boileau explained that the contagion period of measles is four days before a rash appears and four days afterwards, providing enough time to the virus to spread. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News Amazon.com's (AMZN) cloud division Amazon Web Services has announced that it will launch an AWS infrastructure Region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026. The company also plans to invest more than $5.3 billion in the kingdom. The cloud region will enable customers to securely store content and run workloads while offering higher speed for its users. "Today's announcement supports the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation with the highest levels of security and resilience available on AWS cloud infrastructure, helping serve fast-growing demand for cloud services across the Middle East," said Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS. "The partnership with AWS and their announcement of an AWS Region, backed by a $5.3 billion investment, ignites a new era of technological excellence and innovation for the Kingdom," said His Excellency Engineer Abdullah Alswaha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Minister of Communications and Information Technology. "This cloud Region demonstrates a firm commitment to research, innovation, and empowering entrepreneurs to achieve prosperity for our region and the world." The new AWS Region will consist of three Availability Zones at launch, adding to the existing 105 Availability Zones across 33 geographic regions globally. AWS now has plans to launch 18 more Availability Zones and six more AWS Regions in Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News 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. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Honda Cars India Sales Leap Forward Domestic and Exports In February 2024, Honda Cars India (HCIL) experienced posted sales growth. The month witnessed an uptick in both domestic and export sales. HCILs position is an interesting player in the Indian automotive industry. And signals its potential as a formidable contender in the global market arena. Domestically, HCIL reported a growth rate of over 17.35 percent compared to the same period in the previous year, with 7,142 units sold. Domestic sales improved by 1,056 units compared to February 2023 when 6086 units were sold. This uptick in domestic sales can be attributed to several factors. They include the enduring popularity of Hondas flagship models, favourable market conditions, and strategic marketing initiatives. Honda Elevate, City, and Amaze: Backbone of HCIL Domestic Sales Models Honda Elevate, City, and Amaze continued to be an interesting proposition in respective segments. It goes without saying that Honda cars are appealing to a diverse range of consumers. All thanks to sleek designs, advanced features, and performance. A slow increase in domestic sales performance reflects HCILs innate ability to relate to Indian market dynamics. And its ability to cater to the evolving needs and preferences of local consumers. However HCIL offers a small range of vehicles across different segments. Despite this, HCIL has successfully positioned as a trusted automotive brand synonymous with reliability, quality, and innovation. Hondas Global Drive: Navigating International Markets The highlight of HCILs performance in February 2024 was its unprecedented success in the export market. Exports were up by an astonishing 510 percent year-over-year, with HCIL shipping out a record-breaking 5,936 units to international destinations. Thats 4,963 more units shipped compared to February 2023. Total combined sales for February 2024, comprising both domestic and export figures, amounted to 13,078 units. This stood at overall volume growth of 85.27 percent compared to February 2023. However, compared to January 2024, there was a notable decline in domestic sales by 1,539 units, marking a decrease of 17.73 percent. Honda February 2024 Sales: Setting the Pace in 2024 Exponential growth in exports can be attributed to HCILs strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening its presence in target markets, enhancing product competitiveness, and fostering long-term partnerships with global stakeholders. By focusing on product innovation, quality assurance, and customer satisfaction, HCIL has been able to carve a niche for itself in highly competitive international markets, positioning itself as a preferred choice. HCILs success in February 2024 is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and its ability to deliver great cars. The companys strong brand equity and customer-centric philosophy, has enabled it to navigate challenges and capitalise on opportunities, driving sustained growth. And to deliver value to customers. Biologists at the University of Surrey have investigated inter-species variation in particulate matter accumulation, wash-off, and retention on ten broadleaf plant species, with a focus on leaf characteristics. Green walls are vertical systems which are getting particular attention as they can be installed without occupying additional space at street level. They also provide other benefits, such as reduced dependency on existing soil conditions and additional ecosystem services. Green wall is a term that encompasses all forms of vegetated wall surfaces. Green facades and living walls are the two types of green walls, where green facades usually comprise climbing plants whereas living walls include planting materials and technology to support a wider variety of plants. Air pollutant reduction by green walls depends on several factors such as plant species, barrier dimension, leaf area index, humidity, wind speed and direction at a place. By planting vertically on a green wall, communities can clean up their air without taking up too much street space, said Mamatha Tomson, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Surrey. Our study suggests that this process depends not only on the shape of its leaves but on the micromorphological properties of their surfaces. We think a good mixture of species will produce the most effective green walls and look forward to carrying out further research to see if were right. In the study, Tomson and colleagues planted 10 species, including the evergreen candytuft (Iberis sempervirens), the ivy (Hedera helix) and the wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare), on a custom-built 1.4-m green wall. The evergreen candytuft and ivy leaves were found to be especially good at trapping pollutant particles, large and small. Meanwhile, rain was able to wash most of the pollution off the hairy leaves of lavender. The candytuft and marjoram also performed well in washing off smaller particles of pollution. We hope that town planners and infrastructure experts can use our findings to think more carefully about what they plant, said University of Surreys Professor Prashant Kumar. Having a green wall is a great way of removing pollution but what you plant on it can make a big difference to how successful it will be. The results were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. _____ Mamatha Tomson et al. 2024. Exploring the interplay between particulate matter capture, wash-off, and leaf traits in green wall species. Science of the Total Environment 921: 170950; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170950 Fatime Letifova 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. MTN South Africa has launched a new collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board in a bid to address network infrastructure theft and vandalism. The issue is not new but has escalated recently in South Africa, creating headaches for operators both financially, and in terms of customer experience as networks are forced offline. In a bid to safeguard tower infrastructure, the partnership has implemented an initial phase in Soweto, with a command centre aimed at detecting criminal activity and alerting responders. Ramsey Mosethedi, GM of Stakeholder Relations at MTN SA, said: We're currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in vandalism and theft targeting networking infrastructure. To address this issue, MTN has chosen Soweto as a proof of concept for a partnership between us and the government aimed at finding a solution ahead of rolling it out across the country. Engaging with Community Policing Forums is a strategic decision because of their intimate knowledge of the community, as our primary objective is to collaborate with the community to safeguard infrastructure crucial for socio-economic well-being and development. Persistent loadshedding in recent months has resulted in a significant increase in theft of network assets and vandalism of our tower infrastructure. These criminal activities come at a high cost to the company and they also prevent communities from accessing the networkThe effect is devastating on lives and livelihoods, and this is why we are ramping up prevention measures in the communities we serve, said MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi. Zoho Corp, a leading global technology company, has announced the opening of two Middle East data centres in Saudi Arabia. Located in Jeddah and Riyadh, the two data centres are now fully operational. With this addition, Zoho Corp now has 18 data centres worldwide. Zoho says the two Saudi facilities ensure local data is stored within the geographical boundaries of the country, in line with personal data protection laws (PDPL) and adds that this investment demonstrates its commitment to data sovereignty and compliance with local regulations while further enhancing service quality and security for its Saudi customers. The company will also be investing a total of about SAR500 million (US$133.33 million), focusing on digital infrastructure development and strategic partnerships with local government entities. The company has already partnered with Monshaat, the SME authority in Saudi Arabia. Through the Monshaat Academy and Thakaa Centre, Zoho Corp says it is digitally upskilling businesses workforces to foster tech adoption. In addition, as part of a long-term strategy set forth in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Zoho Corp has allocated SAR100 million (about US$ 26.7 million) in wallet credits yearly for the next ten years; these can be utilised to access any of its 55 plus cloud-based applications under the Zoho brand and for training. These partnerships will help ease the adoption of digital technologies for SMEs in Saudi Arabia and promote digital upskilling among local businesses. Headquartered in Chennai, India, Zoho offers cloud-based business applications. It is the parent company of tech brands ManageEngine, Zoho.com, TrainerCentrel and Qntrl. Through ManageEngine, the company has helped manage and optimise the IT infrastructure of 2,000 Saudi organisations in government and private sectors. Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced on Monday that it plans to launch an AWS infrastructure region in Saudi Arabia in 2026, and pledged to invest more than US$5.3 billion in the country. The new AWS region will consist of three Availability Zones at launch, which AWS says will give developers, startups, entrepreneurs, enterprises, healthcare, education, gaming, and nonprofit organizations greater choice for running their applications and serving end users from data centres located in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that customers who want to keep their content in-country can do so. The new AWS Region will enable organizations to unlock the full potential of the cloud and build with AWS technologies like compute, storage, databases, analytics, and artificial intelligence, transforming the way businesses and institutions serve their customers, said Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS. Part of that US$5.3 billion investment will include upskilling initiatives particularly for women to spur growth in cloud adoption in Saudi Arabia. For example, AWS said it is launching AWS Saudi Arabia Womens Skills Initiative, in partnership with Skillsoft Global Knowledge, to train up to 4,000 women on AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials, free of charge, through classroom trainings with AWS-certified professionals. AWS will also continue to invest in upskilling students, local developers and technical professionals, nontechnical professionals, and the next generation of IT leaders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through offerings such as AWS Academy, AWS Educate, AWS re/Start, and AWS Skill Builder. The company also plans to establish two new innovation centres and provide startups in the Middle East and North Africa with technical mentorship and trainings on AWS technologies such as AI and ML. AWS will also make grants available to fund graduate student research and provide free AWS Skill Builder subscriptions for up to 4,000 individuals working for small and medium enterprises established in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabias Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) will collaborate with Amazon through MCITs Future Skills initiative to encourage Saudi talent to sign up for the skills development academy, which is operated by Saudi Digital Academy (SDA) and TUWAIQ Academy. AWS currently has 105 Availability Zones across 33 geographic regions globally. AWS said it also has plans to launch 18 more Availability Zones and six more AWS Regions in Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. British media company Reach reported a 5.4% decline in revenue in its annual results on Tuesday, to 568.6m. The London-listed firm said print revenue fell 2% over the 53 weeks ended 31 December, to 438.8m, while digital revenue saw a sharper 15% decline, to 127.4m. Despite the overall drop in revenue, Reach said it made progress in its digital transformation strategy. Data-driven digital revenues, which are more resilient than open-market advertising, declined by 4% and now represented 43% of total digital earnings. The focus on data and targeted advertising helped to mitigate the impact of declining page views across the digital sector. Reach said it also successfully reduced its operating costs by 5.7%, maintaining its strong adjusted operating profit margin of 17%. The company said it remained highly cash-generative, with an adjusted operating cash flow of 91.9m. Looking ahead, Reach said it expected to deliver on market expectations for 2024. The company said it remained focussed on its digital strategy and delivering efficiencies. While referral traffic declines would impact the first quarter, Reach said it anticipated growing momentum in its digital business. Cost reductions of 5% to 6% were planned for the full year. Although the macroeconomic environment remained uncertain, Reach said the first two months of 2024 had shown robust performance. This year, we have successfully gained clarity on two significant long-term uncertainties in pension funding and historical legal Issues, said chief executive officer Jim Mullen. With the end of these issues in sight, we have significantly reduced our obligations and have a clear path forward for the business. The success of our strategy also came to the fore this year. Mullen said that, despite the macroeconomic pressures, Reach had continued to build a stronger digital business with an increasing portion of much higher-yielding revenues, reducing its reliance on the open market. At the same time, we have expertly managed our print business, maintaining circulation revenues as well as delivering necessary cost and efficiency plans across the group. Together, all of these actions have put our business in a stronger position, so that we can continue to deliver great content to our audiences as well as returns for our shareholders. At 1155 GMT, shares in Reach were up 13.87% at 67.7p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Shares in cell and gene therapy specialist Oxford Biomedica were jumping on Tuesday afternoon, after the company updated the market on its medium-term financial guidance. The London-listed firm said the update was on the back of the successful completion of its acquisition of ABL Europe from Institut Merieux, bolstering its position in the sector. It said that, in line with guidance issued during its interim results, it anticipated full-year 2023 revenue of about 90m. The company further expected its operating EBITDA loss for the second half of 2023 to show an improvement of around 10m compared to the first half, as previously indicated. Due to the integration of its newly-acquired French operations via the ABL Europe acquisition, Oxford Biomedica forecast revenue between 126m and 134m for the 2024 financial year, with revenue set to be weighted towards the second half. The firm also increased its three-year revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) expectation for the 2023 to 2026 period to over 35%, exceeding its previous guidance of over 30%. Oxford Biomedica reiterated its goal of achieving broadly breakeven EBITDA in 2024, excluding the impact of the ABL Europe acquisition. When factoring in the transaction, the company anticipated a modest operating loss associated with the French operations. It said it expected the loss to be fully covered by the 10m cash funding received from Institut Merieux prior to the transaction's completion. The company maintained previous guidance to achieve operating EBITDA margins surpassing 20% by the end of 2026, and profitability on an EBITDA level in 2025. Oxford Biomedica reported a cash position of 103.7m as of 31 December, excluding the 10m cash funding for ABL Europe received from Institut Merieux on completion on 29 January. Institut Merieux now held a 6.2% stake in Oxford Biomedica, and would further increase its shareholding with the issue of new shares as agreed during the transaction. During 2023, Oxford Biomedica continued expanding and diversifying its client base, securing multiple new and expanded agreements for the development and manufacturing of various vector types. The total contracted value of client orders signed in the 2023 financial year totalled 131m, representing an increase of over 50% compared to the prior year, excluding Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing. Chief executive officer Dr Frank Mathias expressed confidence in the company's strategy and outlook. Our expansion into the European Union through the acquisition of ABL Europe strengthens our vector-agnostic service offering and strongly demonstrates our commitment to global client service and excellence. With these developments and our growing order book, we are confident about accelerating our financial performance and fulfilling our updated medium-term guidance. At 1555 GMT, shares in Oxford Biomedica were up 12.32% at 187.8p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. ACES India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of ACES Saudi Arabia, has secured a contract to provide mobile infrastructure services for Mumbai Metro 3, the city's first fully underground corridors. The agreement between Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) and ACES was formalized during the LEAD-2024 event, a digital conference held in Saudi Arabia on March 4. Under the 12-year contract, ACES will deliver advanced 4G and 5G technologies to serve over 625 million commuters annually. The mobile infrastructure services will cover the entire Mumbai Metro 3 line, spanning 33.5 kilometers with 27 stations, platforms, concourses, and tunnels, ensuring seamless coverage for an enhanced user experience. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of MMRCL, expressed pleasure in partnering with ACES India. The collaboration aims to provide uninterrupted mobile connectivity to Metro-3 commuters, offering a rich experience as a leading international neutral digital infrastructure company. Key figures from MMRCL and ACES were present at the event, including R. Ramana, Bassam A. Al-Bassam, and other officials. The Mumbai Metro 3 project is expected to reduce daily vehicle trips by 450,000 significantly and is slated for an extension from Colaba to Navy Nagar, connecting other metro lines, suburban railways, monorail, inter-city railways, highways, and Mumbai Airport. With an estimated cost of around Rs 30,000, the project is funded by various agencies, including Japan's JICA. The first phase is anticipated to open later this year, contributing to the city's transportation infrastructure and connectivity. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inaugurated the 54th WTCA Global Business Forum organized by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) in collaboration with the Bengaluru World Trade Center. This marks the first time the WTCA Global Business Forum is hosted in Karnataka and only the second time in India, with participation from delegates representing over 30 countries. Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil outlined Karnataka's ambitious goal to become a $1 trillion economy by 2032 through sustained growth at 18%. Over the past five years, the state has seen a 62% increase in per capita income. Patil highlighted Karnataka's focus on partnering with technology firms to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies , driving automation, and developing AI-powered subscription products or services. Patil also emphasized the state's commitment to creating a favorable environment for investors through its industrial policy (2020-25) offering multiple financial incentives. Additionally, a forthcoming clean mobility policy aims to position Karnataka as a premier destination for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. Deputy CM Shivakumar noted the advantageous geopolitical position of India and urged collaboration to capitalize on the momentum. He invited participants to explore Bengaluru's possibilities, collaborate with the state, and celebrate the city's spirit. The event serves as a platform for networking and exploring business opportunities in Karnataka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a significant milestone in India's nuclear power program as the country entered the second stage with the initiation of 'core loading' at the first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) in Kalpakkam. This move signifies progress toward achieving the first criticality, a crucial step before power generation. During his visit, the Prime Minister toured the reactor vault and the control room, receiving briefings on its key features. The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is developed by Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) with contributions from over 200 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). Once operational, India will be the second country, after Russia, to have a commercial operating fast breeder reactor. The PFBR will initially utilize uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, with uranium-238 in the 'blanket' undergoing nuclear transmutation to produce additional fuel, earning the name 'Breeder.' The reactor also envisions the use of thorium-232, a non-fissile material, in its blanket. Through transmutation, thorium will create fissile uranium-233, serving as fuel in the program's third stage. This strategic approach sets the stage for the full utilization of India's abundant thorium reserves. Safety is a paramount consideration, with the PFBR classified as an advanced third-generation reactor featuring inherent passive safety features for a prompt and safe shutdown during emergencies. Additionally, as it utilizes spent fuel from the first stage, the FBR presents a significant advantage by reducing nuclear waste generation, thereby minimizing the need for large geological disposal facilities. Despite its advanced technology, both the capital cost and per unit electricity cost of the PFBR are comparable to other nuclear and conventional power plants. The achievement underscores India's commitment to advancing its nuclear capabilities while maintaining a focus on safety, cost-effectiveness, and strategic utilization of resources, according to a government statement. The equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty had a quiet Monday. They are expected to have a slow start on Tuesday, with investors keeping an eye on the weakening global markets. At 7:00 AM, the Gift Nifty futures were down by 11 points at 22,487.50 from the Nifty futures' last close. Tata Motors: The major Indian automaker Tata Motors has recently announced its decision to split its commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles businesses into separate listed entities. This strategic move is aimed at unlocking potential value and reflects the company's confidence in the future of both sectors. The commercial vehicles division (CV) of Tata Motors, which produces trucks, buses, and vans will operate independently from the passenger vehicles (PV) division that manufactures cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles (EV). Additionally, the PV division also includes the British luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land-Rover (JLR), which contributes to more than 80 percent of its revenue. IIFL Finance: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed IIFL Finance to stop distributing gold loans immediately due to significant supervisory concerns found in the non-banking financial company's gold loan portfolio. The central bank has identified regulatory breaches and lapses that negatively impact customer interests. The RBI examined the company's financial status as of 31 March 2023, and discovered grave discrepancies in the evaluation and certification of gold used as collateral for loans and during auctions in case of default. Jindal Stainless Steel: On Monday, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Union Minister for Aviation and Steel, praised the steelmaker's green hydrogen initiative, which aligns with the government's commitment to a greener and more sustainable future. This initiative, launched by Jindal Stainless Steel, will serve as a model for other industry players to adopt clean technologies. The inaugural green hydrogen facility in the stainless-steel industry has been set up by JSL in Hisar. This facility, established under a 25-year agreement with Hygenco Green Energies Private Ltd, is expected to revolutionize steel production sustainability. Macrotech Developers: Macrotech Developers, a renowned real estate firm, has recently initiated a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) to raise an estimated $400 million, according to reliable sources in the industry cited by Moneycontrol. As per one of the sources, the funds raised through this QIP will be utilized for land acquisition and debt repayment. The initiation of the deal has been confirmed by a second source as well. Maruti Suzuki India: The car manufacturer is getting ready for a major push in the SUV market. At least 60 percent of their new models planned to be launched in the next three years starting from the fiscal year 2025 will be SUVs. This indicates the Japanese automaker's intention to focus more on SUVs to cater to the changing preferences of consumers. As per insiders who are familiar with the company's plans, the upcoming releases will take the total number of SUVs in the manufacturer's portfolio to around 30, which already includes the Grand Vitara and Brezza SUVs. AU Small Finance Bank: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the Amalgamation Scheme between Fincare Small Finance Bank and AU Small Finance Bank Ltd. The merger will officially take effect from April 1, 2024, as per RBI's announcement. After the merger, all existing branches of Fincare Small Finance Bank Ltd will operate as branches of AU Small Finance Bank Ltd. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had already approved the merger on January 23. Jai Balaji Industries: Jai Balaji Industries, a rare success story in the iron and steel sector, has been added to multiple indices of the National Stock Exchange. From March 28, the company has been included in the Nifty 500, Nifty 500 Multicap 50:25:25, Nifty SmallCap 250, and NSE Mid and Small Cap index. The company was also added to the MSCI Smallcap Index in November of the previous year. As a result of its inclusion in the MSCI index, the institutional holding in the company increased from 0.67 percent as of September 30, 2023, to 2.57 percent by the end of December. Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels: The company announced on March 4th that it had achieved a 46 percent increase in its consolidated net profit, which reached Rs 27.42 crore for the third quarter ending on December 31, 2023. In the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year, the company had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 18.77 crore. The company's total income for the reviewed quarter was Rs 163.61 crore, compared to Rs 142.64 crore in the same period of the previous year. However, total expenses for the quarter also rose to Rs 102.99 crore from Rs 89.74 crore a year ago. Angel One: The brokerage firm reported a 4.9 percent increase in its client base from January to February, and a massive 60.8 percent increase from February last year. The client base stood at 2.14 crore at the end of February, compared to 2.04 crore at the end of January and 1.33 crore in February 2020. The firm acquired 10.1 lakh new clients in February, which is a 1.7 percent decrease from January, but a substantial 126.80 percent increase from the same month last year when the number was 4.5 lakh. Brigade Enterprises: The Bengaluru-based real estate developer has launched the Dioro project at Brigade El Dorado, covering approximately 6.1 million square feet. The project is projected to generate revenue of Rs 380 crore. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Information Technology and Telecom announced that Google has accepted to restore the delisted Indian apps in Google Play Store and will discuss & operate on a resolution to the controversial issue on payments. A day very after Google & Companies conducted meetings at a forum with the central government on the issue of delisting the apps. On this regard, Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, "Google and startup community, both have met with us. We have had constructive discussions. Google has agreed to list all the apps as on the way the status which was on Friday morning. That status will be restored. When he had a conversation with news agency ANI, Vaishnaw says, "Google has been supporting our technology development journey and we believe that in the coming months, both start-up companies and Google will come to a long-term resolution". The tech giant temoved more than 100 Indian apps of companies such as Bharat Matrimony, Info Edge the company which operates 99acres, Naukri, Naukri, Kuku FM and Shaadi.com from Google Plat Store for not abide by the app billing & financial policy for an extensive phase of time. The debatable move by Google was heavily affected the small firms & has been criticized by the whole industry along with the prominent business bodies including Internet & mobile association of India pointed out the Tech firm to restore the removed apps. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Its been one year since Amazon placed its Fresh concept on pause closing some underperforming locations and pumping the brakes on stores that were already deep into development including what appears to be a fully built-out market in New Dorp. But now the e-tailer is making a new brick-and-mortar grocery push, revamping stores in both Chicago and California and testing how to better resonate with supermarket shoppers. If you want to serve as many grocery needs as we do, you have to have a mass physical presence, CEO Andy Jassy said during the companys fourth-quarter earnings call on Feb. 1 when asked about the latest on grocery. And thats what weve been trying to do with Fresh over several years, Jassy continued. Weve been testing V2 [version 2] of our Fresh format in a few locations near Chicago, in a few locations in Southern California. Its very early, its just a few months in, but the results thus far are very promising and on almost every dimension. Jassy was speaking about updates to a pair of Chicago-area locations in Schaumburg and Oak Lawn, Illinois, that now feature more than 1,500 new products, plus new signage, a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop and lots of innovative merchandising features. Three Amazon Fresh stores recently got the same treatment in Los Angeles, each now offering about 3,000 new products and a number of self-checkout lanes. In an interview with CNBC, Claire Peters, Amazons vice president of retail, acknowledged that Amazon still has more work to do to win over customers, but also said that the company is currently laser focused on making the grocery shopping experience more enjoyable and delightful. She told the publication that Amazon is currently ranked second in the nations online grocery market, behind only Walmart. And Amazon has been dabbling in grocery for years: The brand first launched its Fresh grocery delivery service in 2007 before acquiring Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in 2017. The physical Fresh concept, which was rolled out in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, was supposed to serve as a place to fulfill online orders while allowing customers to shop in a contactless atmosphere. But the Alexa-enabled store format and Dash Carts which eliminate the need to check out didnt prove as positive as Amazon thought. And the company admitted that in order to compete with other grocery retailers some significant investment, innovation and persistence is required. Well continue to open new Whole Foods Market stores and will do so selectively with Amazon Fresh as we see results we like, said Amazon spokesperson Molly McWhinnie when asked if and when the new Fresh concept will make its way to NYC, and particularly open on Staten Island. Were encouraged by early signs of our new store design in Chicago and Southern California, and will proceed adaptively, McWhinnie added. This empty retail space in New Dorp has been decorated with a tell-tale green-striped awning and rows of idle shopping cart bays for almost two years. An enabled WiFi hotspot and pending state liquor license are both tied to Amazon at that address. (Staten Island Advance/Ken Paulsen)Staten Island Advance Meanwhile, theres 44,448-square-feet of empty retail space at the corner of Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp Lane decorated with a tell-tale green-striped awning and rows of idle shopping cart bays. An enabled WiFi hotspot and pending state liquor license are both tied to Amazon at that New Dorp address, even though the company has never confirmed it is building a Staten Island presence. Other frozen Amazon Fresh locations are scattered throughout the Tristate area. According to an article on northjersey.coms website, there are other locations in various stages of completion in Eatontown, Old Bridge, Lodi and Holmdel. The company did not comment on the status of any uncompleted stores, stating only that there are currently no details about specific location openings. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Staten Island woman who worked as a teacher in Brooklyn was arrested after locking a 3-year-old inside a closet at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy in Windsor Terrace, prosecutors allege. Alexis Breeden, 30, of Castleton Corners, was arraigned Feb. 28 in Brooklyn Criminal Court on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful imprisonment. The judge granted her supervised release. Breeden locked a 3-year-old boy in a cardboard box inside of a utility closet at the school, according to a complaint filed by the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office. On Feb. 2, at 8 a.m., the school nurse witnessed Breeden holding the handle of the closet door shut as the boy cried inside, according to the complaint. The nurse then immediately directed Breeden to release the boy from the locked closet, the complaint says. The New York Post reported, in the weeks leading up to the incident, Breeden would threaten her K-3 students with a Grinch mask that was kept in the classroom closet, according to parents. Breeden would allegedly tell the children, The Grinch is in there, a parent told the Post. The Dongan Avenue resident was fired after the alleged incident. According to court records, Breeden pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against her. An attorney for the defendant did not respond to a request to comment by the time of publication. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. After five months of negotiations and subsequent proposals, the Private Joseph F. Merrell Jr. - Father Vincent Capdoanno American Legion Post No. 1368, Staten Island, N.Y., was born. The new name became official on the afternoon of Feb. 27 during a solemn ceremony in the banquet room of Jodys Club Forest in West Brighton where more than 30 members witnessed the heartfelt moment in time. A meeting of the merged American Legion Posts, the Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell Jr. and the Father Vincent Capodanno Post, was held at Jody's Club Forest on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. They recognized the two heroes and also welcomed a new member to their roster. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel Jack Furnari proposed the merging of a post with the two names, said retired New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael Brennan, whos also Judge Advocate Emeritus for the Post. The Sons of Italy Fr. Vincent R. Capodanno Lodge is named in Capodannos honor, but there wasnt an American Legion Post named for him. After doing a bit of research, Brennan sent a letter to the International American Legion, and initially received resistance, he said. He went on to explain that it was natural to have these posts joined together since these two great men were both Staten Islanders, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and both were graduates of Curtis High School. At the meeting of the merged American Legion Posts, the Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell Jr. and the Father Vincent Capodanno Post, retired Justice Michael Brennan looks over the history of the honored men with Charles Blaich. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel Its appropriate for us to join the two names, he said. And it was agreed unanimously. At first we thought do we have to apply for a new charter? Do we have to disband the Merrell Post or just add the name? One man was 18 when he lost his life and the other was 38 years of age. Either way these two men should be remembered. The American Legion will grant a new charter with the same Post No. 1368, and we will add the name, making it official. Members were invited to the ceremonial meeting at 12:30 p.m. last Tuesday, where prayer cards of the two war heroes were distributed courtesy of Matt Scamardella. Meetings are always the last Tuesday of the month at Jodys Club Forest. A meeting of the merged American Legion Posts, the Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell Jr. and the Father Vincent Capodanno Post was held at Jody's Club Forest on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel I will ask William Costello, who did a rendition of Father Capodanno, to now paint one of Joseph Merrell,' Brennan said. We are honored that the names of these two men are in the same post. And its my honor to keep these two names going forever. Bill Magnuski, commander of the new post, who conducts the official ceremony, as well as monthly meetings, noted that it was Jack Furnari who brought it up at the meeting. And it was unanimously passed. Ray DeVito, Commander Bill Magnuski and Vice Commander Roy Wood open the meeting of the merged American Legion Posts, the Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell Jr. and the Father Vincent Capodanno Post, at Jody's Club Forest on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)American Legion We are very happy to do that and blessed to have Father Capodannos name added,' he said. In further speaking about the merging, Furnari noted that it was Brennan who went through the channels with the International American Legion. We finally had Father Capodannos name attached to the American Legion Post, said Furnari, who always leads the crowd in the National Anthem. Merrell was an 18 year-old Medal of Honor recipient from Staten Island and the other, Father Vincent Capodanno, who was 38, also made the ultimate sacrifice. Capodanno family members were on hand to witness the transition. Jack Funari leads the National Anthem at the meeting of the merged American Legion Posts, the Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell Jr. and the Father Vincent Capodanno Post, held at Jody's Club Forest on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel A LITTLE ABOUT THE TWO WAR HEROES April 18 of this year will mark 79 years since the death of an 18- year old U.S. Army private, Joseph F. Merrell. That was that day he lost his life during a one-man attack against superior German forces during World War II. And on that day in 1945 near Lohe, Germany, six months before the war ended, Pvt. Merrell killed 23 enemy infantrymen. According to his Congressional Medal of Honor Citation (he)stormed the enemy positions with utter fearlessness, intrepidity of the highest order, and a willingness to sacrifice his own life so that his comrades could go on to victory. For his bravery and valiant service, the West Brighton native, who was part of the Armys 3d Infantry Division, was awarded the highest and most prestigious military decoration to recognize American soldiers, on Feb. 26, 1946. He is buried in St. Peters Cemetery in his home community within 100 yards of Capodanno. Merrells name was added to the Livingston World War II plaque honoring North Shore World War II veterans, restored by Borough President James Oddo. FATHER VINCENT R. CAPODANNO Born on Feb. 13, 1929, and ordained a priest on June 14, 1958, the Elm Park native participated in seven combat operations before dying at the age of 38 on Sept. 4, 1967, while administering last rites to mortally wounded Marines during the Vietnam war. Capodanno, also known as the grunt padre, was shot 27 times in the back, neck and head on the battlefield in Que Son Valley when he refused to seek cover during the battle dubbed Operation Swift. Instead, despite his own injuries, the chaplain prayed with a young Marine he spotted lying mortally wounded in an open field, and fell by his side as he was ministering last rites.Despite the passage of years, his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched. Capodanno, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Navy Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, and three Purple Hearts for his bravery and sacrifice, was officially proclaimed a Servant of God, the initial step to sainthood by the Catholic Church, in May 2006. On July 4, 1974, Seaside Boulevard on the East Shore was renamed for the Staten Island priest, whose family hailed from Mariners Harbor and Elm Park. The effort to have him proclaimed a saint began in 2018 after a miracle had been attributed in his name. FACTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN LEGION Chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization, the American Legion was founded with a focus on service to veterans, service members and communities. It gradually evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of the WWI era into one of the most influential non-profit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. The Joseph Merrell chapter was part of that growth, having been launched in 1947. Members of borough American Legion posts support all the county functions and attend nationally recognized events like the Interfaith Breakfast, which honors the inspirational sacrifice of the Four Chaplains, and the Children and Youth Brunch, which awards young borough residents for their achievements. They also participate in and fund projects like Operation Comfort Warriors, which is dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured or ill military personnel by providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government. Veterans can call upon the Legion at any time to ask questions about benefits or to assist with a disability claim. The American Legion also sponsors youth and scholarship programs. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A motorist was injured after plowing a car into a telephone pole on St. Andrews Road in Richmond Monday afternoon, according to an FDNY spokesman. At approximately 2:03 p.m., emergency units responded to a black Hyundai sedan that crashed into a pole at the intersection of St. Andrews Road and McCully Avenue, said the spokesman. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- On Monday, the administration of Mayor Erik Adams asked state lawmakers to pass legislation and expand the citys red light camera program, according to a report by Gothamist. City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez met with the state governments transportation committees on behalf of a bill that would add speed cameras to 10% of intersections in the city, according to the media outlet. There are currently cameras at 150 intersections, which is less than 1% of the citys total number of intersections. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In the collaborative effort between Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) and the New York Blood Center, 50 donors came forward during the Pints for Pies blood drive Feb. 29. As a result, 49 units of blood were collected inside the main hospital, located at 355 Bard Ave. in West Brighton. An arrest warrant was issued for two people in North Carolina for the poaching of Venus flytraps, which are native to certain parts of the state, the Associated Press is reporting. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission alleges that two people stole nearly 600 of the plants from conservation land in Boiling Spring Lakes, the report said. Officers received a call that two people were digging for flytraps in the area. Their backpacks were searched when they were stopped at a gas station. Police allege the pair harvested more than 590 plants, the report said. They only grow naturally within a 100-mile radius of Wilmington, said Sgt. Matt Criscoe, of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. This time of year they start to bud flowers, making it easier to find them and prompting increased patrols for poachers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islands wild turkey problem has been the subject of countless news articles, dozens of social media videos, even sketches by former Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson. And now, Staten Islands fowl situation has been memorialized in one of Americas favorite reading pastimes the comic book. Midland Beach resident Patrick Hickey Jr., owner of Legacy Comix, said the first unique thing he noticed about Staten Island when he moved here last year from Brooklyn was the boroughs large wild turkey population. When I moved to Staten Island in July we drove over the bridge, the first thing I thought was, its so suburban, clean and so nice. And so different from Brooklyn, where I spent my first 39 years, he said. When we were about to make the right near [Staten Island University Hospital] to get to our house, all of a sudden there were like 30 huge turkeys crossing the street. Midland Beach Turkey Ninjas -- written by Hickey and illustrated by Joshua Adams -- is hot off the presses and on sale.(Courtesy of Patrick Hickey Jr.) Also a journalist and college professor, Hickey became intrigued with this unusual sighting for any New Yorker from a borough other than Staten Island. He quickly sought to learn the history of his new, not-so-friendly neighbors. The turkeys, first documented on Staten Island in the late 1990s, were once contained to the boroughs East Shore, often congregating on Seaview Avenue around what is now Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze. But in recent years, the population has exploded, with the pesky birds spreading their wings all across the borough. I look out my window and theyre always in front of my house. My kids are scared of them, said Hickey. I watched one jump up like 20 feet in the air, flap his wings three times and go from the ground to the roof of a house. I never saw a turkey do that before. And what better subject for a comic book tale, than one based on real life circumstances -- of course, with a little imagination thrown in. Now, the comic book, Midland Beach Turkey Ninjas -- written by Hickey and illustrated by Joshua Adams -- is hot off the presses and on sale. The reason why this book is about Midland Beach turkeys is because there have been so many times when Im walking and one will just pop out of nowhere, like from behind the car. Its ridiculous how stealthy they are, he said. They are the epitome of super hyper focused ninjas. Midland Beach Turkey Ninjas -- written by Hickey and illustrated by Joshua Adams -- is hot off the presses and on sale.(Courtesy of Patrick Hickey Jr.) MEET DEATHCLAW The comic book is told from the point of view of Staten Islands eldest turkey, Deathclaw, who wants to take over the borough. Youve seen them on the news. Youve read about them on the internet, but now youll be allowed into the flock for the first time! Told from the point of view of Deathclaw, the eldest of all Staten Island Turkeys, youll learn about their plan to take over Midland Beach and beyond, says the synopsis for the comic book on legacycomix.com. The family-friendly comic book is written very tongue in cheek, but straightforward, said Hickey. Patrick Hickey Jr. launched a Kickstarter campaign in November 2021. Hickeys Legacy Comix was 301% funded by January of 2022, Hickey said. After the companys first comic books were released in May of 2022, the real work started. Courtesy of Patrick Hickey Jr. Its silly, but its written straight and to the point where my daughter, who is 7, just cracks up when she reads it because she knows that its a joke, said Hickey. If you love funny comic books, like Howard the Duck, or if you like Mad Magazine, you will love the Midland Beach Turkey Ninja. Most recently, city and state officials have seemingly thrown in the towel on managing Staten Islands troublesome turkey population, now telling borough residents they must learn to live alongside the neighborhood nuisances -- all the more reason for Hickeys comic book to really catch on. The comic book is available at legacycomix.com. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and X STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Hospitals can be scary places, especially for parents with a sick 15 year old, but one Staten Island family has decided to share their story of gratitude and triumph. Dawn and Craig Daniels son, Brendan, who has been diagnosed with autism, recently experienced a pair of admissions to Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) after his appendix ruptured. But hes now back home with his family following two surgeries and some frightening times. Its so weird now, because I look back at all this ... It was the most horrible experience of our lives, but it was also so endearing to remember the support we had from [staff], Dawn Daniels said. They carried us through the hardest days of our lives. Brendans ordeal started towards the end of August when he began complaining of stomach pains. Initially, his parents attributed the pains to overeating at end-of-summer barbecues. But the problem persisted. At the time, Craig Daniels had to be in Oregon to visit with his own father, who was dying, so Brendans mom took him to RUMCs Emergency Department near the familys home because the problem wasnt going away. Doctors couldnt find an underlying cause for the stomach pains, sending the family home. The parents went elsewhere looking for a second opinion, but doctors still couldnt determine a specific problem. The stomach problems continued, so they returned to RUMC, where Brendan was admitted for pain management and monitoring on Aug. 17, with doctors believing the pain was linked to a virus or food poisoning. That was until they ran a series of new tests on the 15-year-old boy. When they did [a] new battery of tests, it showed not only was it appendicitis, but that [his appendix] had ruptured, Dawn Daniels said. Thats the moment when my heart sunk down to my feet, because things got really bad really fast...It went from [him] having a virus or [eating] a bad hot dog or something to now an infection in his body, and his symptoms were getting horrible. Dawn and Craig Daniels son, Brendan, who lives with autism, recently experienced a pair of admissions to Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) after his appendix ruptured. But hes now back home with his family following a pair of surgeries and some frightening times. (Staten Island Advance/Shira Stoll)Shira Stoll Doctors tried a series of procedures to alleviate the pain, but when things continued to get worse for Brendan, Dr. Brian Gilchrist, who heads the hospitals pediatric surgery division, decided it was time to operate on Aug. 20. Dawn Daniels said she couldnt be in the room when doctors performed the initial operation. Instead, she sat downstairs in the hospital with her sister, where a resident told her the seriousness of Brendans situation, with part of the boys body becoming gangrenous. As Brendan was going into surgery, his father was on an airplane back from Oregon to be with his family, not knowing the severity of his sons condition. It wasnt until I was in the air on the way home that they realized something was really going wrong [and] that they were going to have to go to surgery, he said. I was on the way home not even realizing that all that was happening...so [Dawn] had to do all this without me there. Could you imagine? Its like supermom. Brendan made it through the first surgery, but still experienced pain that the medical team initially attributed to his condition and sending him home after the procedure. Pain continued to get worse, and eventually Brendan needed to be readmitted to the hospital, where doctors determined the boy suffered from a bowel obstruction. Throughout the months-long ordeal, staff at RUMC got to know the family well, bonding with Brendan, the family said. A staff member named Tina went so far as to buy him a toy after learning his favorite Sesame Street character in younger years was Elmo. They were joking around about Elmo and it was funny, Dawn Daniels recalls. She went out and got him something that she knew would make him laugh and try to cheer him up. As the condition worsened, Brendan needed to be hooked up to a nasogastric feeding tube as doctors continued to monitor him, but the condition continued to deteriorate as the 6-foot-tall boy, who typically weighs around 115 pounds, dropped down to 96 pounds. Gilchrist eventually determined that another surgery would be necessary to clear the bowel obstruction, with Brendan heading into his second procedure on Sept. 15. When he had the ruptured appendix, it was all in the moment and everything happening was so horrible, but I felt like I was in a fog, Dawn Daniels said. With this [the second procedure], I wasnt in a fog. We were experiencing the whole thing. I felt like I didnt know what I was going to do, like I was going to go inside out. Brendan made it through the second surgery with his parents at his side, and was again sent home to begin his recovery. The family has remained in constant contact with staff from RUMC including Dr. Juliu Xu, the hospitals chief of pediatric gastroenterology making sure Brendans recovery goes well. Dawn Daniels said the family still has worries looking forward to a one-year anniversary of Brendans recovery, but she recently sent a heart-felt letter to RUMC President and CEO Daniel Messina about the family looking forward to better times. Those were dark and frightening times, but as I sit now baking cookies and planning fun times with my healthy boy, I focus not on the traumatic memories, but on my grateful heart, she wrote. This familys hearts overflow with gratitude for Dr. Gilchrist and the whole pediatric team. They are amazing people who possess the skills to cure a critically ill child, plus provide the patient and weary parents with emotional support, comfort and follow-up care when we need it most. Part of the reason the Daniels wanted to share the story was to let Staten Islanders know about the quality medical care available in their own community, they said. For Messina, the Daniels case speaks to the quality of work the staff at RUMC hopes to provide to all patients. When we talk about RUMC being a family organization and a real local community provider, there are cases from time to time that are so special that just highlight how fortunate we are as an organization to have a team of people that really take their job and careers in healthcare so personal, he said. When you put it all together, it just makes for an incredible community asset. IN CLASS: This feature is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities that engage school communities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Staten Island elementary school recently hosted a talent show to benefit local non-profit, Michaels Cause. PS 56 in Rossville held its Got Talent show on Feb. 1 a Hollywood-themed event with a variety of activities for parents and students, such as a red carpet, photo booth with Disneys Frozen characters, a temporary tattoo station, a concessions, novelties, raffles and much more. The talent show helped to benefit Michaels Cause, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research toward finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno It marked the first talent show in four years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In that time, students and school staff lost their beloved former Principal Philip Carollo, who died in 2022. Many different acts performed in the show. And the students competed in three separate categories -- piano, vocal/dance performance and other. First, second and third prizes were awarded in each category, and trophies and gift certificates were given to prize winners. Students and staff showed off talents. (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno There were 24 fifth-grade dancers who opened with dance routines to Respect, by Aretha Franklin, and Hopeful, by Bars and Melody. There was even a surprise staff performance that featured a mix of Taylor Swift songs. The talent show helped to benefit Michaels Cause, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research toward finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The show was organized and co-directed by Michelle LoMagno, the conflict resolution cluster teacher, and Brooke Lopez, the theater arts cluster teacher. The entire evening was a major success, and this was a night our PS 56 community will never forget, said LoMagno. My only wish was that Principal Philip Carollo was still here to enjoy the evening with us. There event featured a Disney "Frozen"-themed photo booth. (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno Here are the winners. Piano: 1st Place: Matthew Agranovskiy 2nd Place: Anwen Green 3rd Place: Alexa Diodato Vocal/Dancing: 1st Place: Maria Consolmagno and Brielle Femia 2nd Place: Eliani Brown-Amaro 3rd Place: Nina Lesko Other: 1st Place: Senen Chan 2nd Place: Joseph Saryian 3rd Place: Cody LaFata and Emily LaFata See more photos from the event below. (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno A staff-made Taylor Swift performance was put on. (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno . (Courtesy/Michelle LoMagno)Michelle LoMagno DEANS LIST The University of Hartford has announced several students from Staten Island have been named to the deans ist for the fall 2023 semester. Jessica Prempeh, Fiona Vukaj, Jenna Panettiere, and Lacey Rodgers all from Staten Island made the list at the university, located in Connecticut. The school has a 350-acre campus, with approximately 4,100 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students representing 48 states and 51 countries who come together for a common purpose: to collaborate across different disciplines, diversify perspectives and broaden worldviews. SEND US YOUR STORIES Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per month Premium Includes: Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. The ability to download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. The ability to clip & download articles or images to share with others. Access to the last 90 days of e-Editions with search, downloading and clipping options. Unlimited access to our award-winning online content Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community Virgin reported a full-year profit of $129 million to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission in 2023. The airline flies about 31 per cent of domestic travellers and is the second-biggest player in the domestic market behind Qantas 60 per cent stronghold. In a letter sent to staff on Tuesday obtained by this masthead, Hrdlicka said the business recorded $2.8 billion in revenue over the six months to December, up from $2.5 billion in the same period in 2023. Virgin was taken private after it was purchased out of administration by Bain Capital in 2020 for $3.5 billion. Virgin Australias outgoing chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka has told staff the airline increased its margins and recorded $236 million in profit over the December half, amid speculation Bain Capital ousted her over concerns about the carriers dwindling performance. In rough numbers, we delivered revenue of $2.8 billion and profit of $236 million, a strong increase in profit compared to the same period last year. This represents a group-level profit margin of 8.5 per cent for the half year versus 5 per cent last years first half, Hrdlicka said. Hrdlicka shocked much of the airline business and broader industry last month when she announced she would soon step down from Virgin after four years at the helm. She is yet to provide a specific exit date but said she would not commit to staying in the role for its return to the market. The next phase of this journey is another three to five years, making now the perfect juncture to begin the process of leadership transition to deliver the next few chapters of what Im sure will be a significant long-term success story, Hrdlicka said last month. Sources close to Virgin and its private equity controller, who were not authorised to speak publicly, have alleged Hrdlicka had fallen out of favour with Bain executives, who had hoped to refloat the airline on the Australian Securities Exchange by the end of this financial year. Bain cancelled its non-deal roadshow investor meetings in April last year and has not rescheduled them since. The business former chief development officer, David Marr, who was charged with leading the groups plans to float, quit in October. The groups head of investor relations, Chris Vagg, has also resigned. These retirements mean the three executives originally scheduled to pitch the potential float to investors have since left the business. CBD was always a little sceptical of the notion that the booze-soaked culture of Parliament House had been dried up by the sober-curious scolds in the Albanese government. Weve seen some things at the Kingston Hotel unfit to publish. Loading The vision of Barnaby Joyce fallen from a planter box and muttering profanities on a Canberra footpath just hours after this column spotted him at a knees-up in the Speakers Courtyard sponsored by the booze lobby certainly affirmed our scepticism. So did the footage, days later, of Joyces Nationals colleague Senator Perin Davey appearing to slur her way through a night-time estimates hearing after knocking back a couple of wines at staff drinks. So CBD isnt surprised to report that, later this month, the Parliamentary Friends of Brewing (yes, thats a thing) will hold a get-together up on the hill, bringing together a few representatives from the industry for a few cold ones. A decline in the state Labor governments popularity just a year into power is a wake-up call, Premier Chris Minns says, as he pledges to focus on the cost of living and root out any arrogance from his administration. The Heralds Resolve Political Monitor, conducted by Resolve Strategic, found Labors primary vote has slipped to 34 per cent from 37 per cent at last years election, while the Coalitions climbed to 38 per cent. The government is already in minority, with 45 seats in the 93-seat lower house. Premier Chris Minns at the Go West! Sydney Metro conference in Parramatta on Tuesday. Credit: Nick Moir I think the temptation is to say theres only one poll that counts and to shrug it off, Minns said on Tuesday. But I have to say we take it seriously, and its a good wake-up call for the government. The NSW premier said families were doing it tough with cost-of-living pressures, and the government had to be constantly working on their behalf. Zach Hope wrote for us back in November about the charade of now-Premier Steven Miles trip to Canberra to appear to fight the federal government for more infrastructure funding. The issue has returned to parliament today after the LNP opposition obtained an email from a federal bureaucrat to a high-up counterpart in the state transport department. Loading The phrasing of the November 15 email, the day before the fate of major projects nationwide was revealed, described changes to the list of projects as negotiated with your ministers. The LNP has seized on the wording as evidence the government had not, as Miles, former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and other cabinet members had said, refused to cooperate with the process. Miles echoed this sentiment again on Wednesday, saying the result of the convoy of mayors and industry leaders he led to Canberra two weeks later resulted in an ongoing commitment to the funding of Sunshine Coast direct rail. King has maintained nothing has changed. The wooden buildings, built in the 1950s, are disintegrating. One staff member, who agreed to speak to The Age anonymously, said the college had spent every cent of its budget just trying to keep up with repairs. Down the road, a brand-new school receives the same maintenance funding per student. The Sandringham College staffer said the current government was investing in education, but there was a substantial backlog for school building works after previous governments left schools to rot. They called for more funding at older, often heritage-listed schools, and a more transparent process that allowed schools to see repairs triaged in order of need, rather than political benefit. They need to take the politics out of schools, the staffer said. They need to make a list from the worst to the best and start replacing schools and fixing them. Theyre doing a lot of patching. The buildings need to be demolished and replaced. When theres a heritage overlay, they need to put the safety of the kids and staff first. Maintenance is a shared responsibility between schools and the Victorian School Building Authority, with more than $440 million allocated in the 2023-24 budget. The department uses all available information, including enrolment projections, to determine funding for the states 1570 public schools. Those in poor condition or in areas of high population growth are prioritised. Principals and teachers are often reluctant to speak out about the state of their schools for fear of being penalised by the department. State Greens MP Gabrielle De Vietri, who represents the seat of Richmond, told parliament schools in her electorate had old carpets, toilet doors that wouldnt close and staircases lifting off the floor. One school had to ask parents to fund a leaky septic tank. None of the schools wanted to be named. At Camberwell Primary School, in the same area as some of the states most expensive private schools, the roofs leak, paint is peeling and teachers keep watch for signs of broken asbestos. Loading School council president Stuart Lindsay said four classrooms had been closed for two years because theyre just deplorable. More than $9 million has been earmarked for the heritage-listed school to refurbish those classrooms and the schools administration building, but Lindsay said the Education Department was not acting fast enough. To be fair, I understand there are growing areas that are screaming out for more schools and theyre building as many schools as they can but then youve got these schools that are 150 years old, that are struggling to accommodate the kids in standard that youd accept anywhere in Australia, he said. Weve had leaking rooms, condemned classrooms for years. And were only now getting around to working on them. Loading Victorian Principals Association president Andrew Dalgleish agreed heritage schools should be given more money to maintain their facilities, and said the government should also consider employing operations managers to support principals with maintenance requirements. He said there should be more transparency around works in schools, but that the delays were indicative of the larger problem of inadequate funding for public schools. Federal MP Dr Monique Ryan whose electorate includes Camberwell said almost every public school principal in her community had told her of classrooms that were so poorly maintained they threatened the health of students and teachers. She said the federal government should set up a significant, ongoing capital works program to make state schools safe. State opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson said public schools were falling into disrepair but the building authority seemed intent on a go-slow policy for urgent maintenance requests. State education ministers last month called for the Commonwealth to close the gap in capital infrastructure spending after analysis by the Australian teachers union revealed twice as much money was being spent per student on private school infrastructure compared to public. An Education Department spokesperson said the government had invested an additional $14.9 billion since 2015 to build new schools and deliver more than 1940 school upgrades. The spokesperson said the completion date for works at Fitzroy North Primary School was revised due to unforeseen building site conditions and contractor delays, but the vast majority of school capital projects were delivered on time. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned of global disaster if the United States and China cannot improve their tense relationship, insisting it is not up to other nations to dictate whether Beijing takes control of the self-governing island of Taiwan. Anwar, who recently despaired at what he labelled a rising tide of China-phobia in Western countries, said he was untroubled by Chinas rise to superpower status and claimed the risk of conflict in the South China Sea had been exaggerated, in a significant departure from comments by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he did not believe China would use force to reunify with Taiwan. Credit: Joe Armao Speaking on the sidelines of a special Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Melbourne, Anwar said he was open to the prospect of Australia joining ASEAN as an official member state in what would be a transformation of the regional grouping. Australian nuclear-powered submarines could potentially pass through his nations waters despite Malaysias previous concerns about the AUKUS pact, he added. Former prime minister Paul Keating has launched an extraordinary attack on ASIO boss Mike Burgess, accusing him of trying to undermine the Albanese governments efforts to stabilise relations with China and claiming the spy boss should have been sacked after the last federal election. In a fiery statement that renewed his attacks on Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Keating accused Anthony Albanese of being at odds with South-East Asian leaders as the prime minister hosts a special ASEAN summit in Melbourne. Keating said the summit, which concludes on Wednesday, made clear that Australia and Australian policy is at odds with the general tenor of ASEANs perceived strategic interests that is, interests which relate to China and the United States and relations between them. Paul Keating (centre) took aim at ASIOs Mike Burgess and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Credit: Fairfax Media Declaring that Albanese should have fired Burgess, Office of National Intelligence chief Andrew Shearer and former Home Affairs Department secretary Mike Pezzullo when he came to power, Keating said: 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. Union delegates would have the right to approach colleagues to recruit them as members under an ACTU bid that could boost numbers in industries with low membership following Labors recent workplace reforms. The Coalition has accused the union movement of a desperate attempt to increase its membership off the back of fresh legislation which a key workplace law expert said gave unions a foothold in workplaces where they had little to no presence sparking debate about the scope of the new delegates rights. ACTU says all employees should be able to approach union representatives to discuss their rights. Credit: James Brickwood The first part of the governments Closing Loopholes legislation was passed in December. It mandated the inclusion of delegates rights in modern industry awards covering roughly 2.5 million workers, entitling union representatives to act not only for members but for workers eligible to join as well. As part of the Fair Work Commissions awards overhaul to include delegates rights, the Australian Council of Trade Unions wants a model clause included for all industries that includes a right to communicate with persons eligible to be union members about joining the union. Frustratingly, we are still waiting for them to provide dwelling targets. Once we have the dwelling numbers we will work through the best places to locate the new housing. Correspondence sent from Byrne to Scully last week, obtained by the Herald, says the council is eager to engage directly with you in negotiation regarding your proposals, as it urges the government to include several additional measures to tackle the housing crisis. In response to questions from the Herald, Scully dismissed concerns the entire LGA would solely be comprised of mid-rise apartments. He also noted recent Homelessness NSW analysis showed a 20 per cent increase in people seeking homelessness services in the Inner West in the latest financial year. But the idea that the entire LGA will be reshaped to only include mid-rise apartment blocks is fanciful and designed to scaremonger, he said. It remains the councils responsibility to assess a development based on a range of criteria including overshadowing, congestion, light, design and privacy, among other considerations. In early December, the government announced a suite of reforms to tackle the states housing crisis, including 39 development zones around transport hubs which would be subject to densification, and low-and-mid-rise uplift across Greater Sydney. Eight tier one transport-orientated districts (TODs) will undergo massive uplift, while 31 smaller zones (tier two zones) around train stations between Newcastle and Wollongong will be subject to rezoning on a smaller scale. Greens Balmain MP Kobi Shetty. Credit: Oscar Colman Committee for Sydney planning policy manager Estelle Grech said while there was a lot to like about the governments housing reforms we need to take the time to get it right before automatically uplifting heights around all centres. Grech said much of the inner west was covered by the reforms because it was already a relatively dense place, but warned the government should work with the council to develop place-based solutions in key parts of the LGA. Not all town centres are created equal. We need to make sure they have the social infrastructure new residents need, including childcare, primary schools, open space, libraries and cultural centres, as well as frequent and reliable public transport, she said. Instead of trying to do everything everywhere all at once, we should prioritise and start in the areas with the highest potential. It makes sense to start in the citys east and work our way west in a clear and certain manner, allowing markets to mature over time. Greens MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty said the revelations showed the government had not properly informed the community about the scale of the proposed changes. These proposed changes could see wholesale rezoning of the inner west, with significant impacts on current and future residents, she said. Despite the impact of these proposed changes, the NSW Labor government has failed to adequately consult with local communities. As a result, Ive had hundreds of local residents join public meetings to get the facts on these reforms and to understand how they can have their say. The potential extent of the governments reforms in the inner west came as forecasts included in the briefing document showed the eight tier-one transport precincts would only contribute 15,802 dwellings by July 2029, the end of the accord period. The accelerated transport precincts will be built in Bankstown, Bays West, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, Homebush, Hornsby, Kellyville and Macquarie Park, and are projected to contribute 147,000 dwellings over 15 years. The Herald has previously revealed that fewer than 10 per cent of the 138,000 homes proposed under the so-called tier two zones will be built during the accord period. It means the two transport pillars of the governments housing policies are only projected to contribute 26,402 dwellings by the end of the accord period. Taken with the departments base assumption of 200,000 new dwellings being built over this period, the government is 150,798 dwellings short of the 378,000 necessary. The governments missing middle reforms are projected to contribute 112,000 homes by 2039, according to briefings given to councils. Loading Scully said the states ability to meet the National Housing Accord targets did not only depend on the TOD and low and mid-rise reforms, saying they also rely on speed of approvals, additional infrastructure and improvement in the economy and other reforms the government will make over time. We cant afford to take a do-nothing approach because it means well go back to the problems of the last decade where young people are up and leaving because they cant afford to buy or rent a home in Sydney, he said. One of Australias largest appliance manufacturers has blamed Victorias gas policy for the closure of their Albury factory, sending a blunt message that the reckless plan will cost consumers dearly. Seeley International, who produce airconditioners and gas heaters, announced on Tuesday that 120 jobs would be lost from the local community when they closed their doors in December 2025 and relocated to South Australia. Victorian Energy Minister Lily DAmbrosio announcing the new gas connection ban. Credit: Joe Armao Group managing director Jon Seeley put a fall in demand down to the states efforts to move more houses onto electric products. He said the gas substitution road map was a major factor behind the decision to consolidate their businesses, which are 1000 kilometres apart, to ensure its financial stability. The size of Victorias second offshore wind zone has been slashed by as much as 80 per cent amid concerns about whales and other marine wildlife. The Albanese governments decision, which follows months of consultations with environmental and community groups, will raise questions about whether Victoria can meet its ambitious renewable energy targets. Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has dramatically reduced the size of the Southern Oceans offshore wind zone. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen will on Wednesday reveal the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone, originally meant to span 5132 square kilometres from the end of the Great Ocean Road to Port MacDonnell in South Australia, will instead be a fifth of its proposed size. The final zone will sit about 15 to 20 kilometres off the coast of Warrnambool and could generate 2.9 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy the equivalent of keeping the lights on in more than 2 million homes. The Hague: The International Criminal Court 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, Brussels time. 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. Sergei Kobylash, left, Viktor Sokolov, right. 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. I grew up at a time when antisemitism was retreating at least in public expression. Democracy and liberalism appeared to be dominant and spreading. Political scientist Francis Fukuyama spoke confidently about the end of history. Since October 7, I have keenly realised that history has apparently reverted back to the most primeval of times. I sadly appreciate the fear felt by my mother, who as a young girl, had acid thrown at her by antisemitic teenagers in Lithuania. I understand, in a new way, my fathers sonorous silence at the incomprehensible loss of his mother, brothers, and sister and so many family members in the Holocaust. I certainly never expected to feel this way in Australia. I had, after all, left racist, apartheid South Africa to live in a society that championed justice, equality and safety for all. Yet this all changed while watching a mob outside the Sydney Opera House on October 9 burning flags and shouting obscenities against Jews. It cant get much worse than this, I thought, for Australias Jews. But then we witnessed the violent pro-Palestinian provocateurs in my own Melbourne suburb as we welcomed in the Shabbat. Surely, this was the worst it could get but then the protesters outside the Melbourne City Council meeting last month shredded my heart yet again. Simpson Bay:--- On the last weekend of February Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. (PJIAE) hosted the third annual 2,3km Runway Run. Over 100 airport colleagues and staff working for airport community partners, including airlines, ground handling agents and service providers, participated in the event. The event is part of the PJIAEs internal health program, encouraging employees and stakeholders to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle. Brian Mingo signaled the start of the Runway Run with an opening statement: As we lace up our sneakers and hit the pavement, remember: success is not just about the finish line, but the journey we take together. Let's stride forward with determination, unity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. This runway run isn't just about breaking records; it's about breaking barriers and soaring to new heights as a team, and dont forget TO HAVE FUN!" The run took off at precisely 5:30 AM, which is outside of the operation hours of the airport. After the finish, all participants received a healthy Caribbean breakfast, courtesy of PJIAE. About Princess Juliana International Airport Princess Juliana International Airport is the second busiest airport in the Northeast Caribbean and serves as a vital airport hub for Saba, St Eustatius, St Barthelemy, Anguilla, Dominica, Nevis, and Tortola. The airport stands as one of the largest employers on the island, with 305 workers employed directly and a total of 1700 workers within the entire airport community. In 2024, Sint Maarten Airport expects to handle 1.5 million passengers and 54,000 aircraft movements. Reconstruction efforts at the airport commenced in September 2021, with the new terminal hall scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024. Historic Timeline Princess Juliana Airport was officially inaugurated by Princess Juliana in 1944. In 2006, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix inaugurated the new terminal building. PJIAE underwent a major reconstruction project in 2020, following severe damage to the main terminal caused by Hurricane IRMA in September 2017. After six years, the project is in its final stages and is set to be completed by the summer of 2024. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) convened for a reflective meeting on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024, to evaluate its operation during the Regatta 2024 event. This meeting aimed to assess the effectiveness of our strategies and the overall outcome of our efforts in ensuring public safety and order during this significant event. KPSM extends its gratitude to all the partners, particularly the French Police and the VKS, for their invaluable contribution and support throughout the Regatta weekend. The collaborative efforts of all agencies involved played a pivotal role in maintaining security and facilitating a smooth execution of the event. Following a thorough evaluation, we are pleased to announce that Regatta 2024 concluded incident-free. The diligent efforts of our officers in managing traffic situations and upholding public order were instrumental in achieving this remarkable outcome. Moreover, KPSM acknowledges the organizers of Regatta 2024 for their proactive approach to enhancing the general safety of the event. Their cooperation and commitment to implementing safety measures significantly contributed to the overall success of the Regatta. As we reflect on the accomplishments of Regatta 2024, KPSM reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. We remain dedicated to fostering partnerships, implementing effective strategies, and upholding the highest standards of law enforcement excellence. KPSM Press Release. During the second half of February 2024, a small delegation from Saba visited The Hague, engaging with several ministries and organizations about the most relevant issues impacting Saba. Joining Commissioner Bruce Zagers on this visit was Island Secretary Bram Streppel, Head of Policy and Project Bureau Nicole Johnson, Airport Manager Maegan Hassell and Policy Advisor Courtney Hassell. There was a series of meetings held with the Ministry of the Interior (BZK), where issues such as the free allowance and the most recent Ideeversa report were discussed. The Ideeversa study was commissioned by BZK with the aim of providing an analysis of what level of free allowance is necessary for the Public Entities to properly carry out their legal obligations. Other discussions with BZK included the Saba Package, banking, public transportation, connectivity and funding opportunities for projects. The delegation also had extensive discussions with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Some of these discussions focused on the planned quick scan into specific cost drivers of the importation of goods and services which are impacting the high cost of living. The study will provide recommendations for steps that can be taken to combat these costs. Other discussions focused on establishing an economic development plan, the renewable energy project, the subsidy for electricity and telecom, and the lack of shipping regulations. Meetings were held with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, as well as the Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport (ILT). These meetings focused on the permitting restrictions relating to landing on Runway 30, the results of the ILT audit report, and funding opportunities for airport renovations and training programs. At the Ministry of Finance, discussions were held about the draft tax plan for 2025, the complex asycuda customs system, and the overall functioning of customs, where specific examples were given to illustrate that it often does not go well. Other meetings during the visit focused on more general issues such as resident and work permits, border control processes, the upcoming review of the waste facility, the results of the wastewater study conducted on Saba, permitting and enforcement, the climate agenda, and the next steps for the Black Rocks Harbor project. Political meetings with second chamber members who are members of the Kingdom Relations Committee were also held. Overall Commissioner Zagers is satisfied with the results of the visit. Steps were taken in various key areas, with concrete follow-up actions concluded upon. While these missions to the Netherlands help to accelerate progress with the different projects and discussions, they also play a vital role in strengthening relationships with the ministries in The Hague. Each visit not only propels our objectives forward but also provides the opportunity for further collaboration and a better understanding between our entities. This lays the foundation for a more sustainable partnership and shared success." PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on March 6, 2024. The Public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The agenda points are: 1. Incoming documents 2. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Permanent and Ad hoc Committees of Parliament 3. Advice regarding the installation and composition of the Committees of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament As the region gets ready for the total solar eclipse on April 8, local officials and businesses are preparing for a large influx of people.Many towns in Ohio are in the path of totality, making them premiere spots to see this once-in-lifetime natural phenomenon.In Erie County, The hotels are filling up, says Tim Jonovich, Erie County Emergency Management Agency director. Some of the campgrounds are even opening up. Its going to be a little hectic out there.The good news for locals in addition to the welcome boost to the economy - Jonovich stresses, is that Erie County, including Sandusky and surrounding towns, are accustomed to handling large crowds, such as during busy weekends with Cedar Point traffic, driving home after the Fourth of July fireworks, and have the infrastructure to handle them.I dont think its going to be anything too major of concern, Jonovich says. Theyre not predicting a lot of people having cross-traffic over that blackout zone. Were definitely going to have people exiting.Theyre all probably going to be leaving Monday afterward. The roads will be a little busy for a while. Theyll probably get out of our area rapidly and then will disperse.As a popular destination in the spring, summer, and early fall, Sandusky and Erie County are used to crowds of visitors and vehicle traffic and have the number of gas stations, restaurants, and stores to accommodate the influx, he says. The areas hotels also regularly fill up.Our infrastructure is much more hardened for that, Jonovich says. Its nothing unusual to any area when they have large-scale events. Luckily, weve been built up for everyday Cedar Point traffic, but a lot of our resources are more robust than other areas that dont see the tourism influx that we do.The EMA is working with local partners to ensure additional emergency service personnel are available that day and are asking businesses to make sure they have plenty of stock on hand for the public, from gas to groceries. Area schools also have closed for the day, which will keep school buses out of the traffic.Those who dont like driving in heavy event traffic or going to the store when people are stocking up before a big storm should gather supplies and fill their gas tanks early, he says.Additionally, anyone planning to view the eclipse should make sure to have eclipse glasses, because looking at the sun can cause irreparable damage the eyes. Information on eclipse glasses is available here Shores and Islands Ohio also is giving away eclipse glasses at its welcome centers.The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is urging travelers and locals to have a plan for potential problems the eclipse could create. Some of those recommendations are based on issues that arose after the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse that spanned states from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts.Jonovich points out that many of the challenges reported were in rural areas in states like Kentucky and Tennessee, where gas stations and stores were much farther apart.This is an exciting event, and Ohio EMA wants people to be prepared and plan ahead, says Sandy Mackey, Ohio EMA public affairs chief.Youve heard the phrase prepare for the worst and hope for the best, Mackey says. We think that is the right mindset as planning is the first step to preparedness. With an event this rare and the pathway being straight through Ohio, we certainly expect traffic to be heavy in the days leading up, the day of, and a couple of days after the eclipse.Ohio EMA encourages travelers to map out their route, have a travel plan, and consider arriving early and staying an extra day to avoid traffic jams.While we are expecting traffic congestion, we are not aware of any concerns with any specific roadways, Mackey says. We encourage folks to plan their route, keep their gas tanks topped off, and have a backup route planned. Also, pack a paper map.And with traveling anywhere, its important to have an emergency kit with things like snacks, bottled water, a flashlight, phone charger, and any medications needed. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, and fill your gas tank often, she says.The full list of Ohio EMA recommendations can be found here The path of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. On Monday, April 8, 2024, Northern America will experience our next total solar eclipse, passing from the southwest to the northwest. Here's a look at the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse using maps by cartographer Michael Zeiler of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. The maps are arranged in the direction that the eclispe will travel with the gray ovals inside the path representing the moon's shadow. The duration of totality is also presented on the maps. Keep up to date with the latest eclipse content on our eclipse live blog and watch all the total eclipse action unfold live here on Space.com. If you need a helping hand we have written a "how to read and understand an eclipse map" article that may be of use as you navigate the many maps of the eclipse! Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, Coahuila Path of totality over Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, Coahuila. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) After passing over a few remote islands off the coast of Mexico, the moon's 124-mile-wide (199 kilometers) shadow will reach North America at Mazatlan at 11:07 a.m. MST. Durango, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Texas Path of totality over Durango, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Texas. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The maximum duration of totality for northern Mexico will be 4 mins 28 secs at Nazas, Durango. Coahuila, Texas Path of totality over Coahuila, Texas. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The path of totality will enter the U.S. at 1:27 p.m. CDT. At that time the path of totality will be 120 miles (195 km) wide. Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas. Path of totality over Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The maximum duration of totality for Texas will be 4 minutes and 26 seconds at Radar Base, Texas. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri Path of totality over Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The eclipse will then reach the Midwest at the Arkansas-Missouri border at 1:53 p.m. CDT. At this point the path of totality will be 116 miles (187 km) wide. Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois Path of totality over Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The maximum duration of totality in Missouri will be 4 minutes and 13 seconds at Fourche Creek Conservation Area, Missouri. Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio Path of totality over Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The 2024 total solar eclipse will cross an identical region also visited by the 2017 total solar eclipse in locations such as Cape Girardeau and Carbondale. These locations are lucky enough to enjoy two total solar eclipses in just six years. Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario Path of totality over Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The largest draws in the Midwest are Indianapolis (population 882,000) and Cleveland (368,000), both of which are close to the centerline. Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario Path of totality over Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The total solar eclipse will enter the Northeastern U.S. at the Ohio-Pennsylvania border at 3:15 pm EDT. At this point the path of totality is 111 miles (179 km) wide. New York, Ontario, Quebec Path of totality over New York, Ontario, Quebec. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The solar eclipse will enter Ontario at Peelee Island in Lake Eerie at 3:12 EDT. The path of totality will be 112 miles (181 km) wide. New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Quebec Path of totality over New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Quebec. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) This will be the first total solar eclipse to occur over Canada since February 26, 1979. Quebec, Maine, New Brunswick Path of totality over Quebec, Maine, New Brunswick. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) Totality will then close back into the U.S at Maine before heading out into the Atlantic Canadian provinces. New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island Path of totality over New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The total solar eclipse will then travel through New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador Path of totality over Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. Click the upper right corner to enlarge. (Image credit: Michael Zeiler/GreatAmericanEclipse.com) The total solar eclipse's shadow will depart at 5:16 p.m. NDT. Solar eclipse viewing advice To safely view all of this total solar eclipse, you must use solar filters. Only those in the path of totality will briefly be able to remove them to see the sun's corona with their naked eyes. Those not in the path of totality must keep them on the entire time. Everyone observing the partial phases of this eclipse and for those outside the path of totality, that's the entire event will need to wear solar eclipse glasses while cameras, telescopes and binoculars will need solar filters placed in front of their lenses. Our how to observe the sun safely guide tells you everything you need to know about safe solar observations. Five things to know about the EU's landmark digital act Brussels, Belgium, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 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 APPLE INC. Meta GOOGLE US imposes sanctions on spyware group members Washington, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 US authorities announced sanctions Tuesday on parties associated with Intellexa Consortium, citing their role in making and distributing commercial spyware used to target US officials, journalists and others. Commercial surveillance tools "increasingly present a security risk to the United States and our citizens," said Treasury Under Secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Brian Nelson. In particular, the Intellexa Consortium was founded in 2019 and served as a "marketing label" for companies offering commercial spyware and surveillance tools. The tools, the Treasury Department said, are packaged as a suite under the brand-name "Predator" spyware, able to infiltrate devices without user interaction. "The Predator spyware has been deployed by foreign actors in an effort to covertly surveil US government officials, journalists, and policy experts," the Treasury said. Among those targeted on Tuesday were Intellexa Consortium founder Tal Jonathan Dilian and Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, who has provided managerial services to the group. Five companies were also hit with sanctions, over activities such as exporting Intellexa's surveillance tools to authoritarian regimes and working as a developer of the Predator spyware. In July last year, Washington blacklisted Greece- and Ireland-incorporated units of Intellexa. They were placed on the Commerce Department's Entities List, which tightly restricts Americans from doing business with them. 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. NZ PM flies commercial to Australia after air force plane grounded Wellington, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had to take a commercial flight to Australia for high-level meetings Tuesday because of a landing gear fault on his air force plane. Luxon's office said he switched to an early morning scheduled flight out of Wellington, because of a last-minute problem with a New Zealand Defence Force Boeing 757 aircraft. Luxon's party had to transfer to a flight on Air New Zealand, the airline he led for seven years as chief executive before switching to politics. The prime minister was flying to Melbourne to attend meetings with leaders of Southeast Asian nations and the host country on the sidelines of an ASEAN-Australia summit. During pre-flight checks, the crew of the military plane became aware of a technical fault with the nose landing gear system, a defence force spokesperson said. "The aim is to remedy the fault as soon as possible." The Royal New Zealand Air Force has been asked to look at back-up options for when the prime minister returns on Wednesday, the spokesperson added. The second of the two defence force Boeing 757 planes is unavailable in Christchurch for scheduled maintenance work. This is not the first time there have been concerns about the reliability of defence force planes transporting New Zealand officials. A back-up Boeing 757 was used for a trip to China last year in case of a breakdown when then-prime minister Chris Hipkins led a delegation to Beijing. As leader of the opposition at the time, Luxon had criticised the move. ryj/djw/mtp BOEING Accused Pentagon leaker pleads guilty, faces almost 17 years jail Boston, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 The US airman accused of leaking a trove of top secret Pentagon documents pleaded guilty Monday under a deal that saw him sentenced to some 17 years in prison in return for prosecutors dropping more serious espionage charges. Jack Teixeira, once a low-level Massachusetts Air National Guard IT specialist, was accused of orchestrating the most damaging leak of US classified documents in a decade, some of which concerned the war in Ukraine. Had he faced charges under the Espionage Act, Teixeira could have been imprisoned for life. Instead he appeared in a federal court in an orange prison jumpsuit Monday and pleaded guilty to six counts of willful transmission of national defense information. 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. 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 Ukraine's 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. str-gw/bfm/nro/st Pyongyang warns of consequences over US-S. Korea drills Seoul, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 North Korea on Tuesday said Seoul and Washington would pay a "dear price" over large-scale military exercises that started this week, urging the allies to cease "frantic war drills". So far this year, Pyongyang has declared South Korea its "principal enemy", jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over "even 0.001 mm" of territorial infringement. Washington and Seoul started their annual spring military exercises Monday with double the number of troops participating compared to 2023, to enhance their preparedness in responding to the ever-escalating nuclear threats from Pyongyang, they have said. The allies said "Freedom Shield" would involve 48 field exercises and would entail missile interception drills, bombing, air assault and live-firing. An unnamed spokesperson for the North's defence ministry urged Seoul and Washington to cease the "reckless" and "frantic war drills". Pyongyang's 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 Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, using South Korea's official name. 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," Pyongyang's 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. Leader Kim Jong Un repeated last month that Pyongyang would not hesitate to "put an end" to South Korea if attacked, calling Seoul the North's "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. 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. Pyongyang warns of consequences over US-S. Korea drills Seoul, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 North Korea on Tuesday said Seoul and Washington would pay a "dear price" over large-scale military exercises that started this week, urging the allies to cease "frantic war drills". So far this year, Pyongyang has declared South Korea its "principal enemy", jettisoned agencies dedicated to reunification and outreach, and threatened war over "even 0.001 mm" of territorial infringement. Washington and Seoul started their annual spring military exercises Monday with double the number of troops participating compared to 2023, to enhance their preparedness in responding to the ever-escalating nuclear threats from Pyongyang, they have said. The allies said "Freedom Shield" would involve 48 field exercises and would entail missile interception drills, bombing, air assault and live-firing. An unnamed spokesperson for the North's defence ministry urged Seoul and Washington to cease the "reckless" and "frantic war drills". Pyongyang's 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 Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency, using South Korea's official name. 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," the spokesperson added. 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. Seoul said Tuesday its military was thoroughly prepared for North Korea's possible provocations. "If North Korea were to directly provoke under the pretext of (our) joint military exercises, we would respond overwhelmingly according to the principle of immediate, strong, and final (action)", South Korea's defence ministry said in a statement. Leader Kim Jong Un repeated last month that Pyongyang would not hesitate to "put an end" to South Korea if attacked, calling Seoul the North's "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. 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. India's Modi congratulates new Pakistan PM Sharif New Delhi, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday for his return to the premiership, a rare expression of goodwill between leaders of the two nuclear-armed rivals. Sharif was officially sworn in Monday as prime minister for a second time after a poll marred by claims of widespread vote rigging. The 72-year-old's army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-L) has formed a coalition government with their historic rival the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and several smaller factions that shuts out loyalists of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who won the most seats. "Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan," Modi said in a post on social media platform X. India and Pakistan are bitter adversaries with longstanding political tensions. The two nations have fought three wars and numerous smaller skirmishes since being carved out of the subcontinent's partition in 1947. But Sharif is seen in India as more conciliatory toward New Delhi than his predecessor Khan. Unusually for a senior Pakistani politician, Sharif visited India in 2013 when he was chief minister of Pakistan's influential Punjab province. He visited his family's ancestral village on the Indian side of the frontier and met with then-prime minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, along with other officials. Modi also attended a Sharif family wedding during a surprise trip to Pakistan in 2015, a year after the Hindu nationalist leader took office. He was hosted by Sharif's elder brother Nawaz, himself prime minister at the time. Hindu nationalist sentiment has risen in India under Modi, a populist leader seeking a third term in office in general elections expected from April. The two countries downgraded their diplomatic ties during Khan's premiership in 2019 after a dispute over India's attempt to entrench its grip over the part of Kashmir it controls. The Himalayan region, home to a long-running and deadly insurgency against Indian rule, is divided between the two countries and claimed by both in full. Organised backlash unravels progress in women's rights: research Paris, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 Conservative counter-campaigns are unravelling global advances in women's rights, the latest "backlash" in a series dating to the 1980s, activists and experts warned ahead of International Women's Day on Friday. Organised and politicised, the counter-movement unpicks abortion rights, fuels online hate and harassment and encourages domestic violence, researchers say. "Global progress towards gender equality has slowed across regions, and targeted rollbacks of women's and girls' legally protected rights have significantly intensified," the United Nations warned in a report last year. - Organised anti-abortion campaign - Neil Datta, the founder and head of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, identified 120 anti-abortion organisations in Europe and reviewed financial data for 54 of them. In a report published in 2021, he found that from 2009 to 2018, over $700 million (644 million euro) was given to "anti-gender" campaigns by these groups -- NGOs, foundations, religious organisations and political parties. They were primarily financed "by the US Christian right, Russian oligarchs and economic and social elites from several European countries", Datta said. These groups have become "professionalised", he added. "They now influence parliamentarians and member states' foreign relations. They know how to launch lawsuits." France's independent state equality council (HCE) in a 2023 report noted a backlash that was impacting "major political decisions in many countries", citing the "historic setback" on abortion rights in the United States alongside similar moves in Poland and Hungary. In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v Wade ruling -- a landmark judgement that legalised abortion nationwide in 1973. It said conservative movements have also used messaging on social media to "silence or discredit women." - History of 'backlash' - Observers say advances in women's rights have been systematically followed by a "backlash" ever since the 1980s. The theory was detailed by American feminist Susan Faludi in her 1991 book: "Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women." It describes US conservative movements' strategy following the liberalisation of abortion laws and the first entry of women into the labour market in the 1970s. Conservative movements blamed feminism for a range of ills including miscarriages, infertility and depression, using incomplete or false statistics to back up their position, Faludi wrote. The "backlash" theory re-entered the public sphere when Roe v Wade was overturned. The backlash was seen to surge during actor Johnny Depp's televised defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, with social media commentators attacking her over her accusations of domestic abuse. For Faludi, the effect of these campaigns can be seen in the increase in domestic violence during the pandemic, the emergence of "incels" -- a misogynist online subculture -- and "the flood of pornography and cyber-bullying," she was quoted as saying in 2023 by French arts magazine Telerama. - Domestic violence, incels - Lucie Daniel, an advocacy expert from the feminist NGO Equipop, called the backlash movement "a very heterogeneous coalition". "You find states with a very conservative agenda on these issues, far-right organisations, and fundamentalist religious movements," said Daniel, who co-authored a 2023 report on "backlash" with the Jean-Jaures Foundation, a French think-tank. She said these movements are "particularly well organised, connected to each other and benefit from very generous funding from big conservative figures." The report said it is vital to "increase funding for feminist associations and movements" to counter the backlash. EU seeks to boost defence two years after Russia's Ukraine invasion Brussels, Belgium, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 Faced with the threat of an expansionist Russia, the European Union will Tuesday propose the joint financing of agreed common weapon purchases as is the case for ammunition. "The threat of war may not be imminent, but it is not impossible," commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said last week, adding: "It is time for Europe to step up." There was an "urgent need to rebuild, replenish and modernise member states' armed forces" after decades of trimmed budgets following the Soviet Union's collapse in the 1990s, she said. The war in Ukraine has forced Brussels to innovate, and an EU defence strategy to be presented Tuesday by commissioner Thierry Breton borrows from some mechanisms already put in place. These include the bloc's Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), which according to Breton will swell the number of shells produced annually in the EU to two million in 2025 against a quarter of that figure when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. "We are doing it with artillery munitions, we must now be able to do it for all equipment necessary for our security," Breton said. The commission will propose favouring common purchases of weapons made in the European Union. That would change the scenario since the invasion of Ukraine, in which nearly 70 percent of arms bought by European nations and sent to Kyiv came from the United States, an EU official said on condition of anonymity. An overall aim is to make up lost ground and see Europe's defence industry become as competitive as that of the US. Brussels will suggest a European mechanism for arms sales similar to the US one. - Weapons stock - The commission will also suggest creating a "catalogue" so that EU countries can be aware of what other members' defence industries can offer, the EU official said. The United States possesses a strategic reserve of weapons -- a war reserve stock -- that it can call on in urgent moments. The EU wants to create a similar weapons stock, so that its defence industry can be just as reactive as its US counterpart. The EU official said the defence manufacturing sector also needed better visibility for investment and production, which would require firm orders made over longer terms. Part of the EU proposal is based on how the commission spearheaded the acquisition of Covid vaccines during the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, the commission advanced money under joint procurement contracts that allowed EU countries to ramp up production in their borders, the official said. The commission also wants to participate in major EU defence projects to defend space, digital connections and, after the sabotage of gas pipelines in the Baltic in September 2022, seabeds. These "bold decisions" will require "political courage", von der Leyen, a former German defence minister, said. For Breton, there will also need to be "adequate budgetary ambition", and he has advanced a figure of around 100 billion euros ($110 billion). Some EU countries, including France, are suggesting common borrowing as happened during the Covid pandemic. But other countries, like Germany, view that as unnecessary. To defuse the debate, von der Leyen has suggested using windfall profits generated from Russian assets frozen in the EU, which Greece's special envoy for Ukraine Spiros Lampridis said could come to 50 billion euros. US warships transits Taiwan Strait as China opens annual congress Taipei, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 An American warship passed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, the US Navy said, in a routine voyage through the narrow waterway separating the self-ruled island from mainland China. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military and political pressure on Taipei in recent years -- and reacts angrily to "freedom of navigation" missions by foreign warships. The voyage by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn comes on the same day that China's annual National People's Congress kicked off in Beijing. "The transit occurred through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that is beyond any coastal state's territorial seas," the Seventh Fleet said in a statement. "Within this corridor, all nations enjoy high-seas freedoms of navigation, overflight, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms." It added that US ships have transited between the South China Sea and the East China Sea via the Taiwan Strait for many years. The United States and its Western allies have increased crossings by naval vessels in the Taiwan Strait and the disputed South China Sea, to reinforce that both are international waterways. Taiwan's defence ministry said it had tracked activity in "the surrounding sea and airspace" during the transit, adding the "situation was normal". Beijing, which has never renounced to use of force against the island, dismissed the latest transit as "public hype" and said its navy and air force had trailed the US warship's "entire course." "Troops in the theatre remain on constant high alert to respond to all threats and provocations at any time," Senior Colonel Shi Yi, a spokesman for China's Eastern Theatre Command, said in a statement. CORRECTED: Belgium sends transporter to drop aid into Gaza Melsbroek, Belgium, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 Belgium on Monday sent a military transport plane to join an international operation to drop aid in war-ravaged Gaza also involving the United States, France and Jordan, officials said. The aid was taken to Jordan, where Jordanian officials were to inspect it before seeking an Israeli green light for an airdrop, which was to take place on Wednesday at the earliest, according to the Belgian defence ministry. "We are not deciding when we go in. We are being told when we can go in and we will abide by that," said Colonel Bruno Beeckmans, the commander of the air base outside Brussels from where the aircraft took off. "It's absolutely a no-go fly zone because it's a war zone. So we need to be precisely coordinated," he told AFP. The military Airbus A400M transporter was to make another flight from Brussels to Jordan's Zarqa air base outside Amman, to take in more more aid and personnel for the drop. Zarqa has been a hub for what Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder said was a "humanitarian coalition for Palestine". Jordan has conducted at least 16 air drops of aid into Gaza since the war broke out on October 7. One was made with a French military plane. The United States -- Israel's staunchest ally -- began air-dropping aid on Saturday into Gaza, which has faced relentless bombardment by Israel since Hamas launched its cross-border attack on October 7. The US air drop saw heavy pallets parachuted into the water off a Gaza beach thronged with people. Beecksman told journalists that was done for safety reasons, to avoid hitting people on land, but that Palestinian authorities did not want air drops into the water. "It was received as humiliating by the Palestinians. So we want to avoid that," he said. Beeckmans said: "The Palestinians indicated they prefer collateral damage than dropping at sea." UN officials have stressed the desperate conditions faced by people in Gaza, with dwindling food supplies pushing much of the population to the brink of starvation. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, who was also at the Melsbroek air base, said a ceasefire was needed to allow more aid deliveries. The Hamas attack on October 7 Israel resulted in about 1,160 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza, now in its fifth month, has killed more than 30,600 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry. rmb/ec/gil IAEA chief to hold talks with Putin about Ukraine nuclear plant Vienna, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi will head to Russia Tuesday for a fresh round of talks with President Vladimir Putin to discuss "the future operational status" of Ukraine's Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Europe's largest nuclear plant has been at the centre of fighting since it was captured by Russian forces in March 2022, with both Moscow and Kyiv frequently accusing each other of compromising its safety. Grossi last met Putin in Saint Petersburg in October 2022 to discuss safety issues involving the Zaporizhzhia facility. "I think it is very important that we keep this high-level dialogue with both belligerents," Grossi -- who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) -- told reporters Monday. The IAEA chief said he hoped to discuss "technical points" with Putin and get "an impression of what the plans" for the plant are. "There are issues related to the future operational status of the plant," Grossi said when asked about the topics he intends to raise. Russian Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also confirmed the talks. Grossi has visited Ukraine several times to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials. The IAEA chief said he also hopes to address the nuclear plant's "extremely fragile and thin" external power supply lines, after the facility suffered a complete loss of off-site power multiple times during bouts of fighting in the past two years. Fears over the plant's safety have persisted throughout Russia's invasion, with the IAEA warning that powerful explosions and mine blasts near the plant indicated "possible combat action" that were of "deep concern". Grossi has called for "maximum military restraint" around the plant "to reduce the danger of a nuclear accident". The UN nuclear watchdog has also voiced concerned about a possible shortage of staff at the Zaporizhzhia plant. Since February, workers from Ukraine's atomic energy operator Energoatom who refused to sign contracts with the Russian operating entity have been barred from working at the plant. IAEA officials have been on the ground monitoring the plant since September 2022. The plant's six reactor units, which produced around a fifth of Ukraine's electricity before Russia's full-scale invasion, have been shut down. Hungary refuses to back Dutch PM for NATO chief Budapest, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 Hungary's foreign minister on Tuesday said the country would not support Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to become the next NATO secretary general. Rutte is largely believed to be the frontrunner to lead the alliance and replace current NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, after the United States, Britain and Germany expressed support for his potential candidacy. Hungary, however, would not support Rutte, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters when asked, saying Budapest's backing would be "bizarre". "We definitely cannot support the election of a person to the position of NATO secretary general who previously wanted to force Hungary to its knees," he said. In 2021, Rutte said Hungary should not be part of the EU after the central European country passed a law banning the promotion of LGBTQ content to minors. For the past two years, the NATO alliance has navigated a challenging security enviroment in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A successor for Stoltenberg -- the former Norwegian prime minister who has overseen NATO for a decade -- is expected to be announced before a July summit in Washington. No decision is confirmed until consensus is reached on one candidate, according to NATO rules. Rutte, 57, is currently serving as prime minister in a transitional capacity after the party of far-right leader Geert Wilders won the most seats in the Netherland's general election last November, but has yet been able to form a government. Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed "winds of change" after Wilders' win. Orban's government last month became the last to approve Sweden's bid to join NATO, ending more than a year of delays that frustrated other alliance members. Hungary is also the only EU member state that has maintained close ties with the Kremlin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Hungarian president signs Sweden's bid to join NATO Budapest, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 Hungary's president on Tuesday signed the law on Sweden's bid to join NATO, a final technical step before the Nordic country becomes the alliance's 32rd member. Hungary's parliament ratified Sweden's bid on February 26, ending more than a year of delays that frustrated other alliance members in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Tamas Sulyok, the president of the republic, today signed the decision taken by the National Assembly on February 26, 2024, regarding Sweden's membership in NATO," a statement on the presidential website read. Sweden, which has been militarily neutral for two centuries, will then be invited to accede to the Washington Treaty and officially become NATO's 32nd member. Russia's invasion of Ukraine two years ago prompted Sweden and neighbouring Finland to apply to join the trans-Atlantic bloc, ending their longstanding stance of non-alignment. Every NATO member has to approve a new country's membership. Finland joined in April last year, but Sweden's bid was stalled by both Hungary and Turkey, with Ankara approving Stockholm's candidacy only in January. Though repeatedly saying it supported Swedish membership in principle, Hungary kept prolonging the process, asking Stockholm to stop "vilifying" the Hungarian government. After a meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in Budapest, the Hungarian leader announced that the two had clarified "our mutual good intentions". Hungary also signed a deal to acquire four Swedish-made fighter jets, expanding its fleet of 14 Jas 39 Gripen fighters. Last week I wrote about having meals with a special family when I was pastor of White Springs Baptist Church. Back then, and long before, having the pastor and his family in for a meal was quite common. Families often had them on Sundays after church. They didnt call those meals Sunday lunches but Sunday dinners, even though they were midday meals. Through the years, Jean and I have been guests for such meals many times. There is an old story about one family that had invited their pastor for one of those Sunday dinners. As they waited to gather around the table, one of the children asked the pastor if he knew what they were having for dinner. When he answered that he did not, the boy said, buzzard. Then he proceeded to explain that he overheard his mother tell his father, Well, I guess its about time to have the old buzzard for dinner! I may have possibly even been the old buzzard a time or two. This is a custom that has almost faded out these days. In the first church where I served as pastor, this was an event that took place every other week. At the ripe old age of 21, while I was still a ministerial student at Samford University, I became a pastor for the first time. Half Acre Baptist Church invited me to come serve there and have Sunday dinners. The Half Acre Community is located 15 miles southwest of Linden, Alabama. The once thriving community still had three churches there. They had Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations, but all three met in the same building which was called Half Acre Community Church. Basically, the same people went every Sunday, but the preacher changed each week. The Baptist was the largest group, so they had two Sundays each month. That meant that Jean and I went twice a month, so we were the honored guests for Sunday dinners every other week. Since we lived in Birmingham, some 140 miles away, we drove down on Saturdays, and went back home after the Sunday evening services. At first, we spent Saturday evenings in the homes of different church members, but eventually someone provided a little house for our weekendsrent free! Since the nearest restaurant was 14 miles away, we had Sunday dinners in homes. Baptists have always been big on fried chicken and signup sheets. Noah had a signup sheet for the ark, but his family members were the only ones allowed to sign up. Half Acre had a signup sheet for Sunday dinners on the bulletin board in the foyer. Anyone could sign up to host the pastor for Sunday dinner. Periodically, we all brought food to the church for one of those wonderful potluck dinners. One Sunday, Jean and I went to Mr. Quinton Tuckers home for dinner. It was another one of those wonderful home-cooked meals. I cant remember what all Mrs. Tucker set before us that day, but I do remember the main entree was smothered steak. It was a pounded steak covered with gravy. When I commented about how delicious the steak was, Mr. Tucker said, You like deer meat, do you? When I answered, I dont know, Ive never had it. Mr. Tucker grinned widely as he said, Well, you have now! The more I chewed the bigger it got! As it turned out, that was not the last time I had deer, and I learned to love it. I loved those times and those Sunday dinners, but I loved those people even more! Macron urges Ukraine's allies not to be 'cowards' Prague, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Ukraine's allies not to be "cowards" in supporting the country to fight off the Russian invasion. He added that he "fully stood behind" controversial remarks made last week not ruling out the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, which sent a shockwave around Europe. "We are surely approaching a moment for Europe in which it will be necessary not to be cowards," Macron said on a visit to the Czech Republic, which is pushing a plan to buy weapons outside Europe for Ukraine. Speaking later after meeting his Czech counterpart Petr Pavel, he asked: "Is this or is it not our war? Can we look away in the belief that we can let things run their course?" "I don't believe so, and therefore I called for a strategic surge and I fully stand behind that," Macron said. Most of Macron's European allies said they would not send troops to Ukraine after his comments on February 26. French officials also insisted that any such forces could be sent to back operations such as de-mining rather than fighting Russian forces. "We want no escalation, we've never been belligerent," Macron said Tuesday. Germany's defence minister said Macron's quotes were not helpful. "We don't need really, from my perspective at least, discussions about boots on the ground or having more courage or less courage," Boris Pistorius said at a press conference in Stockholm after meeting with his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson. "This is something which does not really help solve the issues we have when it comes to helping Ukraine," he added. - Cash for shells - Pavel, a former NATO general, agreed that Ukraine's allies should seek "new ways" to help, adding that the West would not cross "the imaginary red line" by getting involved in combat operations. He suggested NATO countries could for instance train Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine, which would be "no violation of international rules". The presidents also commented on Prague's plan to collect money to buy ammunition for Ukraine outside Europe, first presented by Pavel at a security conference in Munich last month. Around 15 nations have voiced support for the plan to buy 500,000 rounds of 155-millimetre ammunition and 300,000 122-millimetre shells worth about $1.5 billion. Macron reiterated Tuesday that France backed the plan but did not say how much it might contribute. The Netherlands has already pledged to donate 100 million euros ($108.5 million). Paris has so far tended to funnel defence spending into its domestic industry, and favoured European weapons production for EU money. Macron did throw his weight behind using revenues from frozen Russian assets in Europe to fund Ukraine's defence, estimating them at 3-5 billion euros ($3.25-$5.4 billion) per year, but said the capital should remain untouched. "We are not in favour of doing things forbidden in international law and opening a debate that I believe would weaken Europe," he said. - Nuclear power bid - Macron and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala signed a bilateral cooperation plan for 2024-2028, hailed by the French leader as a "foundation for long-term industrial and strategic partnership". Macron also addressed a nuclear forum in the Czech capital, attended by several French energy companies including the power giant EDF, nuclear fuel distributor Orano and nuclear reactor producer Framatome. EDF and South Korea's KHNP are in contention for the Czech Republic's multibillion-euro tender to build up to four new units at its Temelin and Dukovany nuclear power stations. Macron said EDF's bid, to be submitted in April, had the "full support of France". Earlier on Tuesday, Orano signed a deal with the Czech state-run power group CEZ to enrich uranium for the Dukovany plant, replacing Russia's TVEL in this capacity. Super Tuesday is one of the most important primary days in a presidential election year. And while this year's may feel a bit anticlimactic, here's why it still matters.Reason No. 1 is delegates. On the Republican side, 16 states will cast their votes for who they want to be their presidenti And yet we need to trust the police, now more than ever, when sexism and the harassment of women is rife across the city. Online misogyny is rearing its ugly head in London. Messages from the likes of Andrew Tate are finding their way onto our streets, into our homes and even our classrooms. Young boys in London are increasingly treating women like second-class citizens or objects, because that is what social media algorithms have fed them. Lukas has been playing his cello for combatants. You sometimes wonder, why are we playing music in the middle of the war? But it is really that moment when the things that you experience are so horrible, that nobody should see, it's like when the words stop, the music begins. It's such a private moment, but also such a communal moment and you don't need any more words. We both felt that the music is not anymore entertainment; we became servants. The hack, purveyed by Jennifer Lawrence over recent months, has gained traction once again thanks to regular sightings on the catwalks this season. It was perhaps best sold by London label 16Arlington there, designer Marco Capaldo sent men and women out wearing thick knits tied to the left, for an eye-catching asymmetric effect. Long grey skirts, patent leather trousers regardless of what you pair it with, a contrast sweater scarf can elevate a look. The suspended officer is banned from visiting any City of London Police premises unless for a pre-arranged appointment, and he is also prohibited from contacting others who were in the karaoke bar that night. Why Truong My Lans Hong Kong billionaire husband is in the dock in fraud trial Hong Kong billionaire Eric Chu, husband of Van Thinh Phat chairwoman Truong My Lan, divests from luxury apartments and a hotel in Hong Kong. Buildings in Hong Kong. Photo from Pixaybay Hong Kong billionaire Eric Chu is accused of aiding his wife Truong My Lan, property developer Van Thinh Phats chairwoman, misappropriate money from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB). He is charged with violating regulations governing the operations of credit institutions by the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam. It has accused Chu of causing losses of over VND9.1 trillion (US$368.4 million) to SCB by helping his wife misappropriate money from it. Chu is the majority owner and chairman of real estate developer Times Square Vietnam, whose properties were used as collateral for obtaining numerous loans from SCB by Lan. She also allegedly falsified documents to obtain numerous loans. Chu helped his wife borrow VND30 trillion. When the loans fell due in 2017, Lan again got her husband to put up Times Squares assets as collateral to borrow more money to repay them. According to investigators, Lan appropriates the bank VND304 trillion in principal and over VND194 trillion in interest. Lan, the alleged mastermind of the scam, stands trial this week for bribery, violating bank regulations and embezzlement. There are 85 others in court on Tuesday, including 45 former SCB executives, 15 central bank officials, three Government inspectors, and one former official from the State Audit Office. They face charges of embezzlement, bribery, abusing their authority while performing official duties, lack of responsibility causing serious consequences, and violating banking regulations. The majority of our local businesses act responsibly and store their commercial waste properly. But for those who arent doing this or think they can get away with fly-tipping their rubbish, this prosecution should serve as a strong warning that Redbridge Council will continue taking tough action against those businesses who refuse to act responsibly and legally when disposing of their waste. Met police figures show that 1,177 antisemitic hate crimes were recorded between October and December. This represents about two-thirds of such offences recorded between January and December 2023. Mr Falter said the marches over Gaza were fuelling the problem and called for police to use powers under the Public Order Act to ban them because of their cumulative negative impact on the Jewish population. He added: At the epicentre of this disaster are the weekly anti-Israel marches, which feature antisemitic signage, genocidal rhetoric and intimidation. They have made London a no-go zone for Jews. 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. Some 65 per cent of Londoners have reduced the number of times they eat or drink out due to affordability, a survey by Survation showed. This is 10 per cent higher than the national figure. One in ten people in the capital said they do not go out to eat or drink at all. As I said to the media at the time, and I want to reiterate now: I have never thought or claimed that Professor Sang, or any member of the Board, committed a criminal offence. I fully accept that she is not an extremist, a supporter of Hamas or any other proscribed organisation and I note that an independent investigation has concluded that there is no evidence that she is. I have deleted my original post to my X account. Edward used his weight to hold the red heavy-duty bag in place for 11-year-old Lacey Douglas as the youngster showed off her right hook at The Right Stuff Amateur Boxing Club. In an emailed statement, Teixeira's family said: It is unfathomable to think your child would ever be involved in something so serious, but he has taken responsibility for his part in this, and here we are." The UN report also said there had been allegations of sexual violence against Palestinians in Israeli custody, including "unwanted touching of intimate areas" and "prolonged forced nudity" in detention and at checkpoints. Elsewhere in the program, host AJ Odudu also asked him if the princess was likely to be watching the show, to which he replied: "If she is sitting behind a sofa, yes! It'll be a nice one in a nice house somewhere, I can guarantee that!" One is that Christian cuts or reduces contact with the woman, the source told the news outlet. For obvious reasons, Geri would like the female colleague who she knew before her appointment to be out of the picture as much as possible. A wind turbine blade collapses in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on March 1, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/An Minh Over 100 tons of wind turbine blades collapsed in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on Friday, causing VND200 billion (US$8.1 million) in company losses, announced the provincial People's Committee. Speaking at a meeting with businesses on Monday, committee chairman Pham Van Thieu said the developer of the Hoa Binh Windo Power No. 5 project, Hacom Bac Lieu Energy JSC, had submitted a preliminary report on the incident. The company said the damage estimate of VND200 billion "is just initial." The blades fell from 140 meters high in the sky before shattering on the ground. "The official [damages] figure and the cause of the incident are being reviewed and determined by the investor in coordination with specialized agencies," Thieu said. Attending the meeting, Tran Phu Chien, board chairman of Hacom Bac Lieu Energy, declined to answer further questions related to the incident. Hoa Binh District residents heard a loud noise at around 5 p.m. Friday, and some reported seeing wing blades falling to the ground at Hoa Binh Wind Power No. 5. The shattering of the blades, each of which was 80 meters long and three meters wide, saw pieces strewn about within a radius of 50 square meters of the crash site. Fortunately, no one was injured. Ho Van Linh, chairman of Hoa Binh District, stated that the investor had stopped operations of the wind turbine poles for inspection after the accident. The plant is expected to resume operation within Monday. Authorities have asked the investor to conduct regular inspections to ensure technical safety and prevent similar incidents. Vietnam wind turbine blade collapse results in M loss Hien truong canh quat ien gio roi tu o cao hon 140 m Pieces of the wind turbine blades that dropped in Bac Lieu Province on March 1, 2024. Video by VnExpress/An Minh Coastal wind power has been rapidly developed in Hoa Binh District as of late. The locality is home to four wind power plants, combining for a total capacity of 270 MW. The plant involved in the incident has a total investment of over VND3.7 trillion, a capacity of 80 MW, and was inaugurated in April 2022. The project occupies an area of nearly 30 ha with 26 turbine poles over 140 m high, with an average production capacity of 280 million kWh/year. It is the largest wind power facility in the coastal Mekong Delta region. Bac Lieu Province currently has eight wind power plants currently in operation with a total capacity of nearly 470 MW. Two more facilities are expected to open soon and bring combined capacity to 660 MW. The provinces total wind power output to date has reached over 3.35 billion kWh. My family has a couple in their 30s. They have a 10-year-old son who is in 4th grade, their only child, and they have left him in the care of his maternal grandparents since he was young. There's no significant reason to justify why the boy had to live with his grandparents. The parents do not work abroad, they do not work far from home, and their house is in the city and only about 30 km away from the grandparents' house. And despite everything, the couple rarely visits their son, leaving everything, from his meals to his education, to the grandparents. The grandparents, meanwhile, are not educated. The grandmother is illiterate and is known for being harsh, sometimes resorting to excessive violence to punish the child. In such a living environment, the boy suffers much misfortune. This year, he turned 11, but he only gets to eat cold rice with instant noodles, occasionally some sausages provided by his grandparents. He has never known the taste of pork, chicken, or fish. When people talk about it, the grandmother or the child's parents often say: "He doesn't like it, so we dont force him to eat. We leave him be." Because he has been away from his parents for so long and in such a negative environment, he has become very lonely, rarely playing with anyone, and spending all day watching YouTube, always looking sad. I know his mother has to work from morning till night, while his father has much time on his hands. So I messaged the child's father, suggesting that since they only have one child and he is still young, he needs his parents. Yet, they let him be, raised by the grandparents in such a negative environment. I asked them why they do not take their child back to raise him themselves. The father replied to my message, essentially saying: "It's our family's business." Another case I know involves a mother with two young children. She divorced her husband because she did not love him. Most notably, she left her children with the father, who is addicted to gambling and does not have a stable job. My neighbors who are in their 30s leave their child to the grandparents in similar situations. These children I mentioned live a very disadvantaged lives. It's hard to say if they will have a bright future. The reason is their irresponsible parents. Besides those in unavoidable circumstances, like working abroad or too far away from their kids, there are still many parents who willfully neglect their children, leaving them in the care of relatives, even when they could feasibly take steps to raise them themselves. Parents who give birth to their children but do not take care of them should be dealt with strictly. As I understand it, in Vietnam, if a minor commits an offense, the parents must compensate victims financially, but are otherwise not criminally prosecuted. Recently, Ive learned that in the U.S., there was a case where a minor violated the law and their parents had to bear joint responsibility as well. I think we should learn from this. Children need to be loved and respected. They need to live in unconditional love, even in the most challenging situations. Once someone decides to have children, there is a responsibility to nurture them until they reach adulthood. Criminally prosecuting parents of minors who violate the law is an effective deterrence against irresponsible parents. This strict approach, though harsh, could alleviate the tragic aforementioned circumstances. As many as 182 people with COVID-19 are hospitalized in specialized health units, with 16 patients at the ICUs, the Ministry of Health informs on Tuesday. Out of the total number of hospitalized patients, 23 are minors, all being treated in wards. In the week of February 26 - March 3, the National Institute of Public Health reported nine deaths: four men and five women, all the deceased patients had comorbidities, and three were vaccinated against COVID. Until now, 68,903 people diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania. To date, 3,527,677 cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2 have been registered. and, at the national level, 14,000,758 RT-PCR tests and 14,677,160 rapid antigenic tests have been processed. Chairman of the opposition Alliance for the Union of Romania (AUR) George Simion and several AUR lawmakers are at the headquarters of the Home Affairs Ministry on Tuesday to "receive explanations" about the emergency ordinance on the combination of elections, which the AUR leader previously termed as "unconstitutional". "The urgency arises from their ordinance, which today enters public debate. We will go in together with our colleagues, deputies and senators, to see if we are given the right to speak and if they offer us explanations as to why we were banned from the polling stations. Why is an intelligence service involved in the process of certifying all the members of the voting commission?! I mean, why does the Special Telecommunications Service have to approve the party members who oversee the ballot?! And last but not least, we want to learn the reason for these combined elections - as they call them, early - as we would say, held out of sheer fear," Simion said at the Ministry headquarters. "They argued that they would save budget money, but where are the spending cuts, because according to the initial calendar we were supposed to have four election days in Romania, and according to the new calendar with the vote set on June 9, September 15, September 29 and December 8 there are still four voting days," said George Simion, adding that the true reason why the ruling coalition wants to combine elections is fear. "The EPP Congress is yet another proof of the fact that Romania is under the control of a cross-party predatory gang. This congress is being held in Bucharest with one purpose alone, namely to confer legitimacy to the PSD-PNL hybrid bogey, to show that it is something natural for the so-called Left and the so-called Right to coexist, to come together in one party. (...) We strongly protest against this manner of doing politics, we do not believe the Romanians can be deceived by this circus the EPP Congress in Bucharest will be, we do not believe that the Ciuca - Ciolacu tandem will gain more credibility if they are patted on the head by those who are to blame for everything bad that has happened in Europe in recent years, for everything that seriously affects us, from migration to the aberrant measures taken during the pandemic," said AUR Senator Claudiu Tarziu. Caps on the mark-ups for certain basic foods will be kept in place and a regulatory act regarding Romanian products might be adopted, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday evening, emphasizing that there is currently a clear program to support the Romanian food processing industry. "Why are there no Romanian products, why did the Romanian food plants go bankrupt? Because they didn't exist... but now there is a clear program afoot to support processing in Romania. But, just like in France, the retailer mark-ups for domestic products should be capped, Romanian products should sell at retailers with a maximum profit margin of 20 percent, because you import from the country your equity capital comes from for jam, marmalade, and then you add a higher profit margin to Romania-made jam so that the domestic one is more expensive than the one from the country the retailer capital comes from, which is incorrect. Therefore we will come up with a legislative amendment to cap the mark-up for Romanian products and then we'll see the real competition. I don't need to conduct checks to see how much you add for each product," Ciolacu explained. The prime minister emphasized that with no bold decisions taken for 30 years, an adjustment to reality is needed now. "The causes are to be found in the 30 years during which some bold decisions should have been made. Strategic thinking regarding Romania should have been devised back then. Now I have to adjust to the current realities, and we must look at how things are done elsewhere. I cannot allow this, no matter how much the Romanians produce, if the retailer mark-up is very high, they are automatically rendered uncompetitive," Ciolacu said. Hidroelectrica completed, on Monday, the part of preparation and tests for hydro unit number 5 from the Iron Gates I /Portile de Fier I Hydroelectric Power Plant in southwestern Romania, on the Danube river, and put the technical objective back into operation, the company informs, through a press release, told Agerpres. On February 1, 2024, at around 8:30 p.m., Portile de Fier Hydropower Plant was affected by a fire at the transformer related to the previously mentioned hydro unit. The quick reaction of the Hidroelectrica employees, as well as the efficiency of the firefighting teams allowed the fire to be extinguished in record time. "We are pleased to announce that hydroelectric unit 5 at Portile de Fier has successfully passed all stages of testing, and today we have resumed the operation of this unit. The hydroelectric unit is currently operating at reduced power, but it is on a schedule of gradual increase of work intensity. This success would not have been possible without the commitment and constant effort of our team, who worked ceaselessly to restore normal operating conditions and availability. We are talking about difficult work and maximum responsibility, and I take this opportunity to thank especially to the management of the Portile de Fier branch and the Hidroserv specialists for their involvement and for the record time in which they put HA5 into operation," said Karoly Borbely, general manager of Hidroelectrica. Hidroelectrica is the largest producer of green energy in Romania and provides essential technological services for the National Energy System. The company, crucial for a strategic sector with national security implications, operates 187 plants with a hydropower capacity of 6.3 GW and, in addition, owns a wind farm in Crucea, southeastern Dobrogea, with an installed capacity of 108 MW. President Klaus Iohannis's approval rating among the Hungarian community, which once voted for him in proportion of over 80 percent, has plummeted dramatically, Chairman of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) Kelemen Hunor declared on Monday evening on broadcaster Realitatea TV. "I wouldn't be able to take stock of President Iohannis's terms in office as we speak, in two or three minutes. We'll do this when he finishes his term. For now, of course there are dissatisfactions. I see it in my community how the approach to President Iohannis has changed. In 2014, when he was competing against Victor Ponta, he took more than 80 percent of the ethnic Hungarians' votes. He enjoyed a lot of trust. Now he has fallen to a low I think not even Iliescu has seen," Kelemen Hunor said. He pointed out that he wasn't in the situation to be disappointed by President Iohannis's performance, but on the other hand, there should be transparency regarding his future after he completes his second term in office. Bringing to mind President Iohannis's ironic salute in 2020 "Jo napot kivanok PSD", the UDMR leader reaffirmed that this represented "a blow intended for the Social Democrats and Marcel Ciolacu". "President Iohannis made that mistake that has been massively discussed about, of using the Hungarian language in order to deal the PSD a blow. (...) It was a blow directed at Marcel Ciolacu, at the PSD, by saying things that were not true. Iohannis himself knew that that statement [about alleged negotiations to give Transylvania away] was not true, but this is how it went down... And now, the PNL is in a left-wing coalition with PSD," Kelemen Hunor said. The simple motion entitled "Minister Bolos - the inventor and guardian of the tax on illness must go" was rejected, on Tuesday, in the plenary meeting of the Chamber of Deputies. 172 deputies voted "against" the motion, 82 voted "for" and two abstained. The simple motion against the Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos, was submitted last week by Save Romania Union (USR) and Forta Dreptei deputies and was debated on Monday. The initiators of the motion argued that Marcel Bolos must leave the Romanian Government immediately. The deputies of the USR and Forta Dreptei accused the fact that the Minister of Finance, by introducing the taxation of medical leaves, "takes from those suffering" 500,000 euros every day. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had, on Tuesday, at the Victoria Palace, a meeting with the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Simonyte, in which context he declared his continued confidence in the bilateral partnership within the EU, NATO and in regional economic and defense formats, such as the Three Seas Initiative and B9. "I had a fruitful discussion with the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Simonyte. I am grateful for Lithuania's support in favor of Romania's accession to Schengen. I am confident that our partnership will continue within the EU, NATO and regional economic and defense formats, such as 3SI and B9Format", Marcel Ciolacu wrote in a post on his X page (ex Twitter). Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu declared that next year no progressive salary tax will be applied, answering a question on Monday evening for the private broadcaster Antena 3. "We have the highest labour taxation in Europe (...) because capital taxation is the lowest. Everywhere in the world, where you have cumulative income, not salary income, I have cumulative income. I have a salary, where I pay the tax - I put it aside. I have rent combined with salary, I have leases, I have..., they all add up in one basket and the moment you exceed certain amounts, anywhere in this world, you get a tax surplus, a kind of capital tax. I have exceptional income. I bought a plot of land on the outskirts of Bucharest for 1,000 euros and tomorrow I'm selling it for 10 million (euros, ed. n.). Everywhere in the world they don't pay 10%, even if you sell it with 1,200, even if you sell it for 10 million. After certain thresholds, another taxation comes to you," Marcel Ciolacu said. He emphasized, compared to what was shown, that a progressive taxation on capital is correct and a fiscal reform is necessary. "There is progressive taxation. A progressive taxation on capital, in this logical and correct logic, and with a decrease in the minimum wage for taxation as it is everywhere in Europe, but also with a legislation so that Romanians are not, one third, paid with the minimum wage. That if Ciolacu now decides with the Government to reduce taxation to the minimum wage on the economy, we will find that from one third we are two thirds with the minimum wage, because it is a fiscal optimization. So, this means that we have to make a fiscal reform. (...) The calculations are done by experts who are also from the World Bank... A fiscal reform (...) discussed for six months. It is passed in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in the request for payment number 4, but it will have effects, if you want, in my opinion, in 2026," Ciolacu also declared. The head of the Executive pointed out that a change in taxation cannot be discussed until the digitalization of the National Tax Administration Agency is implemented. People walk by the harbour in Sydney, Australia, October 22, 2021. Photo by Reuters Australia is to consider extending its 10-year frequent traveler visa scheme to tourists of eligible ASEAN countries as well as Timor Leste to drive tourism recovery. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to announce a series of measures including visa policies in a speech to top executives at a special summit between Australia and the bloc in Melbourne on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported. In addition to the 10-year visa for tourists from Southeast Asia, Australia plans to extend its business validity visas from three to five years, according to The Strait Times. The frequent traveler visa scheme can be granted for up to 10 years that allows frequent business travelers to stay up to three months each time. Australia previously allowed Chinese tourists to apply for the 10-year visa scheme as part of its effort to boost the world's second largest population. However, Australia is losing out as Chinese tourists have been flocking to Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia thanks to visa-free policy, tourism insiders said. The Political Assembly of the European People's Party in Bucharest validated on Tuesday evening the registration of Ursula von der Leyen in the competition for the nomination of the EPP candidate for president of the European Commission, EPP Vice President Siegfried Muresan announced in a press release. "It is official: we have just accepted, in the Political Assembly of the European People's Party in Bucharest, the inclusion of Ursula von der Leyen in the competition for the election of the EPP candidate for president of the European Commission. Her candidacy will be put to the EPP Congress vote on Thursday, 7 March, at 10.00 a.m.," Muresan announced.Current President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is the only candidate in the race for the nomination of the European People's Party's candidate for the presidency of the EU executive until the deadline for nominations on Wednesday 21 February.EPP President Manfred Weber has received a letter nominating Ursula von der Leyen from the German party Christlich Demokratische Union (CDU). The necessary support from two EPP member parties has been provided by Poland's Platforma Obywatelska (PO) and Greece's Nea Demokratia (ND), who have signed a joint letter to this effect, according to an EPP press release.According to the internal procedure, the nomination had to be evaluated and validated by the EPP Political Assembly on 5 March and then submitted to vote on 7 March, on the last day of the EPP Congress in Bucharest. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A Colorado-based Catholic graduate school and media organization is pursuing one of the most famous estates in St. Louis County after Boeing put the property up for sale. The Augustine Institute plans to expand its current campus near Denver with the purchase of the Boeing Leadership Center, a 286-acre property overlooking the Missouri River previously owned by the Desloge family. While a sales price has not been listed, the property just north of Florissant is appraised at $28.8 million, according to the St. Louis County assessor. Representatives for Boeing declined to comment. The Augustine Institute operates a 500-student graduate school of theology as well as Catholic school curriculum and formed.org, a streaming service for religious content. The organizations goal of relocating to St. Louis County is reportedly to increase enrollment in the graduate school and offer student housing. The Desloge estate is one of many the Augustine Institute has looked at as they continue to discern expanding their current campus, said spokeswoman Kate Sell of Mission Advancement Partners. Tim Gray, president of the Augustine Institute, also serves on the board of directors of the Napa Institute, a Catholic conservative think tank. Gray canceled an interview Monday with the Post-Dispatch, but told Catholic news site The Pillar on Friday that he was encouraged by the Archdiocese of St. Louis to buy the property from Boeing. The Very Rev. Chris Martin, vicar for parish mission and vitality with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, did not respond to questions about the move. Martin told The Pillar that the Augustine Institute could help the archdiocese with evangelization, a main focus of the All Things New downsizing of the archdiocesan footprint amid a declining number of Catholics and priests. The institute could also play a role in strengthening the Catholic identity of parish schools by training teachers and providing religious curriculum, Martin said in the article. Enrollment across the 82 Catholic grade schools in the archdiocese has fallen below 65% of capacity. There are now about 19,000 students in the schools, down from 40,000 in 2000. Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski has not revealed his findings in a review of long-term plans from the 30 smallest parish schools. Some school mergers or closures could be announced before next fall in the second phase of All Things New. Last May, Rozanski announced the closure of 35 out of 178 parishes and the merger of 15 others. Some of the closed parishes are still litigating an appeal process with the Vatican. Dozens of parishes and schools have closed in the last few decades, particularly in north St. Louis County where the Augustine Institute is looking to move. McDonnell Douglas Corp. bought the French country chateau known as the Vouziers mansion and surrounding woods in 1996 for $7 million. The mansion was built for Joseph Desloge in 1926 after the family made their fortune in mining and smelting in Missouris lead belt south of St. Louis. Under Boeing, the property at 16805 New Halls Ferry Road became a corporate retreat and conference center. The company added an eight-story, 98,000-square-foot event center with 84 guest rooms and multiple offices among other upgrades. Boeing shut down the property soon after the start of the pandemic in 2020 and laid off 81 Aramark employees who worked in hospitality at the center. The property was listed earlier this year by real estate firm CBRE. Steph Kukuljan of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report. JEFFERSON CITY A St. Louis County attorney challenging Missouri House rules hiding the names of constituents who communicate with lawmakers lost an appeal Tuesday but not for the same reason he lost the case at the trial level. As a result, the House can continue to use its rules to limit disclosures despite a 2018 constitutional amendment that made the Legislature subject to the Sunshine Law. The Tuesday ruling by the Western District Court of Appeals upheld the result of a Cole County case but found it was decided improperly. Mark Pedroli, who filed the lawsuit said it will be appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court. In its decision, the appeals court sent the case back to Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem and ordered him to dismiss it. In his January 2023 decision, Beetem granted summary judgment to the House, ruling that it had authority under its rules to limit disclosures under the Sunshine Law. On Tuesday, in a 2-1 decision, Judge Janet Sutton wrote that Beetem should have dismissed it because Pedroli did not have the right to bring the case in the first place. We conclude that Pedroli did not have standing to pursue his claims and therefore, the trial court did not have authority to determine the cases merits and grant summary judgment to state defendants, Sutton wrote. In a dissent, Judge Alok Ahuja criticized the majority for its legal reasoning and refusal to consider the case on its merits. And, Ahuja wrote, Pedroli should prevail. Because it is inconsistent with (the constitution), House Rule 127 is unconstitutional, and cannot be invoked to justify the withholding of information which is otherwise responsive to a Sunshine Law request, and which is not exempted from disclosure by the Sunshine Law itself, Ahuja wrote. The split decision provides an opening for another appeal, Pedroli said in a statement to The Independent. We look forward to applying for transfer to the Supreme Court so these issues of great public importance can be finally resolved to the benefit of all Missourians, he said. The case began in 2019, when Pedroli tried to use Sunshine Law to obtain records from lawmakers as part of an investigation into whether people were impersonating constituents in communications with lawmakers. As part of its first business of the year in 2019, the House added a rule that constituent case files, defined to include any correspondence, written or electronic, between a member and a constituent could be kept from disclosure. That rule was cited by the House as justification to redact email addresses, postal addresses and telephone numbers from records Pedroli requested. He sued in October 2019 under the name of the Sunshine and Government Accountability Project, an organization he founded. He filed an amended complaint in February 2020, to substitute Mark Pedroli as the plaintiff, Founder of the Sunshine and Government Accountability Project, Sutton noted in Tuesdays majority opinion. But the original record request was from his firm, Pedroli Law, on behalf of unnamed clients, Sutton wrote. Because his law firm, and not Pedroli himself, was the aggrieved person given authority to sue, and he did not establish he was a taxpayer to, or citizen of, this state in his pleadings, Pedroli had no case to argue, Sutton wrote. Cases from our court have concluded that citizen and resident are not necessarily the same, particularly when the statute at issue specifies which is to be pled and proved for purposes of standing to bring a claim, she wrote. No one who lacks standing in a case can be a party, the ruling states. Because of this, we in turn lack the authority to address the substantive issues presented, or to grant the appellate relief Pedroli requests, Sutton wrote. That reasoning, Ahuja wrote, is absurd. Pedroli is a resident, operates his law firm in Missouri and is licensed to practice in the state, which is enough to conclude he is a citizen, Ahuja wrote. His standing as a taxpayer to the state is also not open to question, he wrote. Unless he were a scofflaw, Pedroli would necessarily be paying taxes to the state as a Missouri resident, business owner, and worker, Ahuja wrote. The Sunshine Law states its provisions shall be liberally construed to promote openness, Ahuja wrote as he criticized the majority for its narrow ruling. The courts give great deference to the Legislature on its operations, in most instances deferring when the question is not defined in law elsewhere. For most of the more than 50 years since the Sunshine Law was enacted, the General Assembly has argued it did not apply to legislative records. But once a directive to follow the law was added to the constitutional article governing the General Assembly, lawmakers cannot modify it through a rule, Ahuja wrote. The Houses argument that it retains rulemaking authority to exempt its records from the Sunshine Law, despite the peoples adoption of (the constitutional directive) would render those constitutional amendments meaningless, Ahuja wrote. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. ST. LOUIS The driver accused of causing a downtown crash last year that severed a young girls legs had fentanyl, codeine and THC in his blood, prosecutors said. In opening statements Tuesday, prosecutors said that toxicology results presented at trial this week would show the driver, Daniel Riley, had multiple drugs in his system when he sped through an intersection, collided with a Chevrolet Malibu and pinned 17-year-old Tennessee resident Janae Edmondson between two cars. Both her legs were amputated as a result. This case is not about an accident, said prosecutor Adam Field. This case is about a series of choices the defendant made. But Rileys attorney, Dan Diemer, said Riley was actually T-boned that night by a speeding Chevrolet Malibu. Police rushed to judgment about the cause of the crash, he said. The Malibu hit the Audi with such force as to make it leave the ground, he said. The crash, in February 2023 at St. Charles and north 11th streets, jump-started an effort to remove former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner from office after it was revealed that Riley was out on bond for a previous robbery case despite violating the conditions of that bond dozens of times. The news generated outrage in Missouri and across the country, as critics pointed to it as an example of Gardners failures in office. Rileys 2020 robbery case, in which he is accused of stealing a gun from the son of a retired St. Louis police sergeant, had been dropped and refiled because attorneys were not ready for trial and a judge denied a request to delay it. Gardner eventually resigned in May and was replaced by current Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. Riley was charged with assault, armed criminal action and driving without a valid license. On Tuesday, Edmondsons father, James Edmondson, told the story of the crash. He, his daughter and his wife were walking from a volleyball tournament at the convention center to their car that evening when he heard the roaring of an engine. The family ran to get out of the way, but as James Edmondson reached for his daughter, the Audi SUV driven by Riley went airborne, taking her from her fathers arms and pinning her between the vehicle and a nearby parked car. One of her legs was immediately severed, and the other was severely damaged. James Edmondson said his decade of military service kicked in as he called to bystanders for a belt to apply a tourniquet and stop the bleeding a move that would save his daughters life. My mind went from father mode to military, he said. It was like God just had control of my hands. Janae Edmondson was taken to St. Louis University Hospital to undergo surgery. James Edmondson and his wife stood by her bedside, afraid they were seeing her for the last time. We love you, were here for you, he said. Then he asked her to squeeze his hand if she heard him. She did, he said. And that gave us hope. Janae Edmondson made it through surgery, but when she awoke hours later, her father had to deliver the news that her legs were gone. She responded by saying, I love you. The months following the crash have been full of surgeries, medical appointments and therapy, James Edmondson said. His daughter struggled to overcome phantom pains from her amputated limbs and deal with the skin grafts required to repair the ends of her stumps. She had to be trained on how to go to the bathroom, transfer into bed and maneuver with a wheelchair. The process is ongoing, but James Edmondson spoke hopefully about the future. His daughter got fitted for prosthetics, and it was amazing to see her with tears in her eyes on the day she stood for the first time. It was a miracle, he said. Following James Edmondsons testimony, the driver of the Malibu, Elizabeth Smith, testified that she couldnt recall many details of the crash. The only thing she remembered for sure was that she was hit by Rileys vehicle and then the airbags deployed. It happened in, like, a split second, she said. Another witness who saw the crash and called 911 also testified, as did a police officer who responded to the scene. Testimony is expected to continue Wednesday. ST. LOUIS A woman police say was assaulted and held hostage in the basement of a south city church had actually been living in the church for several months, said lawyers for the men charged with kidnapping her. Defense attorney Chris Combs said the woman was living in Kansas City and was brought here by her parents last May to avoid being committed to a psychiatric facility. He said the womans family supports the men charged with assaulting her and that the woman was having a mental health issue on the night she was found bound by ropes and bleeding from the head outside Mount of Olives Ministry. Itll all shake out at trial, Combs said after a bond hearing Monday. Police were called just before 1:30 a.m. Feb. 24 after a passerby found the woman outside the church in the citys Patch neighborhood. She told officers she had been beaten and held against her will inside the church. The woman showed officers the room where she said she was held, and it had a bucket full of urine and feces, according to charging documents. The woman was still in protective custody Monday. Police arrested three men at the scene: 32-year-old Pasi Heri of the citys Dutchtown neighborhood, 28-year-old Grace Kipendo of Arnold and 25-year-old Canadian Mmunga Fungamali. All three were charged with one count of second-degree kidnapping and one count of third-degree assault. The men were denied bonds on Monday. Heri and Fungamalis hearings had been delayed a week so the court could provide a Swahili interpreter. Kipendo, who can speak English, was denied bond last week and again on Monday. Mount of Olives Ministry is a Pentecostal church that caters to African refugees settling in St. Louis, according to the church reverend. The congregation mostly speaks English as a second language. The citys building division condemned the church two days after the arrests. Sgt. Charles Wall said Friday the building was not permitted for residential occupancy but authorities found people living there. Defense lawyers said there was an event at the church on the night of the arrests, so about 40 people were there. About a dozen church members attended Mondays hearings in support of the men. Arlie Singleton, pastor at the Friendship Assembly of God in Lemay, also attended the hearings. Singleton wrote a character letter in support of Kipendo. He told the Post-Dispatch he sold the church building to Mount of Olives Ministry a few years ago and has gotten to know Kipendo while helping the church of refugees with the building and figuring out how to make connections in the community as immigrants. Hes the most gracious, pleasant and personable person and I was very impressed with him, Singleton said. He said the charges seem bizarre because they dont fit what he knows about Singleton. Its not a cult. Its simply culture, he said, noting that the church pastor, Rev. Anna Nyassa Samuel, does not speak English and has not been able to defend her congregation. At Mondays bond hearings, defense attorneys focused on the support the men have from members of the church and the womans family. Lawyer Susan McGraugh said Heri came here from the Democratic Republic of Congo with his brother. He has a home plan, the ability to work and has no criminal history, she said. Justin Summary, Fungamalis attorney, said he believes the charges against the Canadian citizen are a case of mistaken identity because of a language barrier between police and the congregants. He noted how many people were at the church when the arrests were made and that Fungamali was identified through a description of clothing. Fungamali was arrested the same day he landed in the U.S. from Canada, Summary said. But prosecutors pointed to the body camera footage, which they said showed the men trying to intimidate the victim, and they argued that her account of what happened matched her injuries. Combs, Kipendos lawyer, said the officers investigation was sloppy and shortsighted and the police documents were filled with errors, including that the date in court documents says the incident happened Feb. 21, when it happened the morning of Feb. 24. Combs asked the judge to provide a bond for Kipendo so he could go home to his pregnant wife until we can hear from the victim and get to the bottom of this. ST. LOUIS City inspectors on Tuesday returned to a condemned south city church where police say a woman was held hostage and assaulted and reporters were allowed inside the building for the first time. The basement of Mount of Olives Ministry, where the woman said she was held against her will, opens with a large event space that was empty on Tuesday except for a set of African drums. A hallway with striking red floors was on the other side of the basement. Doors led to several small rooms, including some with multiple mattresses on the floor, clothing and other furniture. One storage room had trash bags full of items piled high. Another appeared to be a playroom for children. The small room where the woman said she was held captive was dimly lit with a nearly burnt-out overhead fluorescent light, and the walls were painted sky blue. It only had a school desk and a few chairs as furniture. A hanging white sheet acted as a partition, and behind it were two chairs and some fake flowers on a small table. The church, on Marceau Street in the citys Patch neighborhood, is largely made up of African immigrants who speak English as a second language. It garnered attention last week after a woman was found near the church, bound by ropes and bleeding from her head. She told officers she had been beaten and held hostage inside the church. Three men were arrested at the scene, where about 40 people were gathered at the church for an overnight prayer fasting event. The men were each charged with one count of second-degree kidnapping and one count of third-degree assault. The church was condemned one day later because police said people were living there without the building having proper permits. A lawyer for one of the men charged said Monday in court that several people, including the woman, were living in the basement of the church. Church members have disputed the womans allegations, and theyve denied that people live in the church. Several showed up in court on Monday in support of the three defendants. Nkulu Mwamba, secretary for the Pentecostal church, said Tuesday the mattresses in the basement are for congregants to come and pray, but that they dont live there. In our culture, we pray a lot, Mwamba said. We lead with the Holy Spirit. We can pray all week. Thats not like someone who just prays on Sunday. ... So, they dont know our culture. The people in the congregation here have their own (homes). Pastor Arlie Singleton, who sold the congregation the building several years ago and has maintained a relationship with the ministry, said on Tuesday if the city wanted a different kind of occupancy permit because of congregants prayer practice, inspectors should tell the church so they can get the right permit. But thats a matter of communication. This wasnt that kind of communication, he said, referencing the large condemnation sign posted on the door last Monday. All I know is that they didnt find any significant problems here today, and they said they would get back with me. The three men charged were 32-year-old Pasi Heri of the citys Dutchtown neighborhood, 28-year-old Grace Kipendo of Arnold and 25-year-old Canadian Mmunga Fungamali. Theyve been denied a bond and remain in custody. The woman remains in protective custody. When police showed up on the night the woman was found, she showed officers a basement room where she said she was held hostage. The room had a bucket full of urine and feces, according to charging documents. There was no bucket of feces in the room on Tuesday. But the floor of another room in the basement was covered in glass from a shattered TV. Mwamba said the woman had broken the television sometime before she left the church and police were called. That room had two mattresses on the ground with blankets and a small oscillating fan. I know people would come for prayer and fasting, Singleton said Tuesday. And I know they would stay for whatever period they were doing that. Beyond that, I dont have any answers. Monte Chambers, the citys Public Safety department, did not immediately return a request for comment on the citys latest inspection. ST. LOUIS A St. Charles County man was sentenced Monday to five years of probation and community service for illegally selling hundreds of guns, including several dozen that were later used to commit crimes. The guns were found at the scenes of a murder, a suicide and shootings, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski. Harry Trueblood, 69, also sold to felons and a juvenile, and to someone who had such severe mental health issues that two gun stores turned him away. The man told the court he was a self-taught car salesman who began selling guns when he was asked to sell a collection of firearms that belonged to a friend who died. Trueblood said he continued to sell guns after that. I was just recently retired and found it fun talking to other people about guns and being a salesperson, he wrote in a letter to the court. I found that they were easy for me to sell. Trueblood illegally sold guns at more than 15 gun shows between the beginning of 2021 and May 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. It is firearm traffickers like this defendant that fuel violence in our communities by putting deadly weapons in the hands of people who commit violent crimes in our communities, Szczucinski said. And though Trueblood intentionally avoided getting a firearms license, prosecutors said he didnt intentionally sell the guns to convicted felons and others who were not legally allowed to own guns. In November he pleaded guilty to being an unlicensed firearms dealer. Multiple factors were considered when deciding his sentence, said Robert Patrick, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri. Those include his age, health, lack of criminal history and intent. We dont have any evidence that Mr. Trueblood knew where his guns were going to end up, Patrick said. Its just the lack of screening on the front end that can contribute to the bad outcomes on the back end. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating Trueblood after tracing guns found at crime scenes back to him. In February last year, he sold AR-15-type pistols and handguns to undercover ATF agents. They ordered him to stop selling guns, but he didnt. I find that I am responsible for breaking the law and have given a guilty plea and accept those responsibilities whatever they may be, Trueblood wrote in the letter submitted to the court. He said hes now working to supplement his income. It feels good to be back in the workforce, even if the job just pays over minimum wage, he wrote. I feel productive and my mind is not idle. I hope to pay off my creditors and live a productive life from here on out. In addition to five years probation, Trueblood was sentenced to 200 hours of community service. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis man received 120 days of shock time in prison on Tuesday for causing a high-speed crash that left one person dead in 2017. Once the shock time is up, Missouri Department of Corrections officials will assess if he should move to probation or serve the rest of a four-year sentence in prison. Mahdi Gayar, 23, was found guilty November of first-degree involuntary manslaughter after driving a Maserati GranTurismo between 69 and 82 mph in a 30 mph zone and killing 62-year-old Daniel Domian on Dec. 9, 2017. The prosecutor said Domians vehicle was hit so hard while Gayar was turning from Gravois Avenue onto Kings Drive in south St. Louis that the windshield of Domians truck blew out, and the battery flew through the air and was found a half-block away. Punishment for first-degree involuntary manslaughter ranges from 3 to 10 years in prison, and prosecutors recommended a sentence of 3 to 7 years. Gayars lawyer asked the judge for probation, as Gayar was 17 at the time and had no prior felonies. If Gayar is released after the shock time, he will be on probation for five years. Judge Clinton Wright handed down the sentence and told the victims family on Tuesday that he empathized with them and was moved by letters they wrote describing Domians life. Domains wife, Pam Domian, said her husband was her life. Youll never know how much I hate you and how horrible youve made my life, she told Gayar. Though Gayar did not testify at trial, he apologized for his actions in court Tuesday. He said the case helped him realize his purpose in life was to work to prevent similar tragedies. Im the reason an innocent man lost his life, Gayar said. I know its never going to be enough but I am deeply sorry. Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin attends a session of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting at the Hotel Okura Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 17, 2023. Photo by Reuters Thailand has in the last week helped facilitate the transfer of some 900 Chinese nationals who had been trapped in scam centres in a Myanmar border town back to China, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Sunday. Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, has become a hub for telecom and other online fraud, according to the United Nations, with hundreds of thousands of people trafficked by criminal gangs and forced to work in scam centres and other illegal operations. The operation, which Thai police say started last Thursday and was completed on Saturday, involved transporting the Chinese nationals from Myanmar's border town of Myawaddy to an airport in the Thai border district of Mae Sot, where they were transferred to Chinese planes. "This was a joint voluntary operation between three countries, China, Myanmar and Thailand," Prime Minister Srettha said. Thai deputy police chief Surachae Hakparn said the operation involved 15 flights over three days to return Chinese scam victims to China. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Myanmar's military spokesperson also did not respond to a call seeking comment. Last November Myanmar authorities handed over 31,000 telecom fraud suspects to China in a joint crackdown against online scams in Myanmar. China and Myanmar also helped facilitate the transfer back to Thailand of more than two hundred Thais, both victims and those involved with telecom fraud gangs, who were trapped in fighting between Myanmar military and armed ethnic-minority groups in Laukkaing in Myanmar's northern Shan State. CLAYTON St. Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas wants the county to set aside $1.7 million to put a senior property freeze into place. Trakas, a Republican from unincorporated county, requested legislation this week that would set aside the money for the Department of Revenue. The tax freeze became law last November, but county officials havent released details about how homeowners can apply. County Executive Sam Page in December warned cuts the council approved could affect his administrations ability to enact the program. St. Louis opened its version of the application Monday. Residents older than 67 will have to apply for the tax break by submitting a form annually to the county Collector of Revenue. The law includes a $550,000 cap on the value of eligible homes. The collectors office will freeze taxes for those who qualify. Homeowners will pay on the value of their homes at the time they apply. But the law doesnt change the way the assessor values real estate, and taxpayers will still receive assessment notices. The Missouri Legislature is working on tweaks to the bill that would clarify whos eligible, and require taxpayers to pay all delinquent taxes, interest and penalties before becoming eligible. JEFFERSON CITY The Republican-controlled Missouri House voted 104-49 Monday to block public funds from going to Planned Parenthood as part of a yearslong effort to defund the womens health care provider. Although Planned Parenthood and other providers are already prohibited from providing abortions in Missouri in nearly all circumstances, the latest attempt is aimed at evading legal roadblocks that have stopped previous failed efforts to cut off funding for the clinics. This is not new policy in Missouri. This is something the Legislature has been working on since 2016, said Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, who sponsored the measure. Smith is chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee and is running for state treasurer in the August Republican primary. Abortion access is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming election after it was largely banned in the state in 2022. The effort is seen as a workaround after the Republican-controlled Senate was unable to advance a similar proposal earlier this year because of Democratic resistance. Attempts in previous years were ruled unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court because language making the change was added to the state budget and not in a standalone bill. Democrats in the House raised concerns about the prospects of the latest attempt. Rep. Barbara Phifer, D-Kirkwood, said she doubts the federal government will allow the maneuver to go unchecked. Womens health care is very critical in Missouri, said Phifer, listing high infant and maternal mortality rates and sexually transmitted diseases as chief concerns. Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Kansas City, said voters in both parties are concerned about reproductive rights in the wake of abortion being made illegal via a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Are we in two different worlds? Ingle said. The real life impact is more people will die, said Rep. Peter Merideth, D-St. Louis. Dont pretend this is a pro-life bill. Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, said the move doesnt mean Planned Parenthood would have to close. Rather, they just wouldnt receive taxpayer dollars to operate. This is a great policy move. It makes sense, Richey said. The legislation is House Bill 2634. JEFFERSON CITY Local governments would be banned from enacting eviction moratoriums under legislation given first-round approval in the Senate Tuesday. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Curtis Trent, R-Springfield, comes in response to actions by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal moratorium included millions of dollars in rental aid, partially distributed directly to landlords. At the time, St. Louis, St. Louis County and Jackson County placed a pause on kicking renters out of their units because of the health emergency. Trent said those prohibitions crossed a line between decisions by private landowners and the government. This is essentially a property rights issue, a landlord should not be forced to retain tenants without compensation against their will, Trent said during an earlier committee hearing. Similar attempts in previous years have been approved in the House, but have fizzled in the Senate. Tuesdays passage signals the concept could make it to Gov. Mike Parsons desk this year. Along with the Senate measure, the House last month endorsed a similar plan to ban municipalities from approving bans on evicting renters if they are not specifically authorized by state law. The legislation is Senate Bill 895. JEFFERSON CITY A parade of rural and environmental groups told members of a Senate panel Tuesday that a proposed change in state law could greatly weaken protections for water quality in Missouri. In a hearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources, opponents of legislation backed by powerful farm lobbying groups said the changes could lead to drinking water sources being contaminated by agriculture run-off and spills. Pollution still flows downstream and will end up in someones drinking water, said Zach Morris, president of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. At issue is a proposal by Republican Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe-area farmer, who wants to alter legal protections for certain water sources as a way to clarify what waters the state can and cannot regulate. Black said the measure is intended to make sure the Missouri Department of Natural Resources cannot overregulate farmers. Black acknowledged he faces pushback, but said he wants to press forward with the proposal. I am actively working with people to address these concerns, Black said. This is not some kind of attack on DNR. I have wells at home. I dont want those to go bad. Groups ranging from soybean farmers to pork producers say current law is pretty vague about which bodies of water are regulated. Attorney Robert Brundage, who represents livestock groups, said the proposal would not open the floodgates for people to start dumping pollution that later flows into rivers and streams. We believe this legislation would be very helpful, Brundage said. But, Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, was skeptical of the proposal saying It adds more confusion than clarity. The water in your pond doesnt stay in your pond, McCreery told Black. Opponents said the change could allow for pollution to be dumped into intermittent streams, many of which have already been damaged by years of agricultural use. That could allow the pollution to eventually flow into public drinking water sources, such as Mark Twain Lake in northeast Missouri. The abundance of water in this state is an absolute blessing, said Mary Culler, executive director of Stream Teams United. Missourians want clean water. Opponents also said Missouris varied landforms make a one size fits all regulatory scheme untenable. Theres no problem that were solving here, said John Madras, a former DNR water regulator who testified on behalf of the Missouri chapter of the Sierra Club. Tim Gibbons of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center called the legislation misguided and beneficial to corporate agriculture, rather than individual landowners. Although DNR did not testify, the agency also has raised concerns about the proposed change, saying in a fiscal analysis it could remove pollution protections on thousands of miles of streams. As an example, the analysis notes that a farmer could potentially dump leftover pesticides into a creek that serves as an occasional watering source for livestock. Under this change, the department would not have any authority to address this issue, even though the pesticide is toxic to the livestock, the analysis said. The loss of regulatory authority will result in decreases in water quality. The proposal also could remove water quality protection for wells, which provide drinking water to nearly 60% of the states population. If the aquifers these public water systems rely on become degraded, it could result in a substantial cost for Missouri public water systems that may need to add treatment processes in order to continue producing water meeting all Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, the analysis notes. The legislation is Senate Bill 981. ST. LOUIS A statewide philanthropic foundation dove deep into the lives of Missourians with medical debt and released a report Tuesday detailing the devastating impact of mounting medical bills. Medical debt is causing severe financial hardship and stress, with people having to take on multiple jobs, move, postpone retirement or deplete their savings, according the report, Medical Debt in Missouri. Some were forced to delay necessary medical care in order to avoid accruing additional debt. The debt also damaged their credit scores, which was affecting their ability to secure housing, a car or a job. This report shines a light on the human cost of a broken health care system, said Sheldon Weisgrau, vice president of health policy at Missouri Foundation for Health. The Missouri Foundation for Health in December interviewed 42 Missourians with medical debt ranging from less than $500 to $10,000 or more. The individuals were divided into eight focus groups that were either low-income (250% or less of federal poverty guidelines), rural, mentally or physically disabled, or Spanish-speaking. Their debt resulted from both anticipated and unforeseen health events such as the accumulating costs of managing a chronic condition, or the unexpected expenses that end up only partially covered by insurance or not covered at all. Key contributors to their financial strain included expenses for ambulance services, hospital admissions and long-term stays, diagnostic laboratory tests, deductibles, and procedures not fully covered by their insurance, the report stated. Many participants have been managing their debt for several years. Participants also pointed to incorrect billing codes that changed the price, the inability to get an accurate cost estimate of care, confusing bills from multiple companies and unexpected bills coming months after a service. People not only struggled to pay their regular monthly bills because of debt, but also experienced serious impacts on their well-being. They described relentless stress, aggressive debt collection practices and the shame from having to seek assistance from friends and family. Some shared that they had to forgo other needed care to avoid accruing additional debt, while others said they were coerced into settling debts before receiving essential treatment or being denied the care altogether. Missourians are struggling to afford basic necessities because of medical debt, and its having damaging effects on their physical and mental health, Weisgrau said. An analysis released last month by health research and news organization KFF shows that despite 90% of the United States population having some form of health insurance, medical debt is pervasive, often because of high deductibles and cost-sharing requirements. Data shows 20 million people (nearly 1 in 12 adults) have over $250 in medical debt. Most of them about 14 million owe over $1,000 in medical bills; and about 3 million owe more than $10,000. The percentage of adults with medical debt varies across states. Hawaii (2.3%) and Washington, D.C. (2.7%) have the lowest, while South Dakota (17.7%) and Mississippi (15.2%) have the highest. Missouri falls in the middle with 10.6% about 500,000 Missourians reporting having medical debt between 2019 and 2021. KFF polling showed that people with medical debt cut spending on necessities like food, spend their savings, borrow many from friends or family or take on additional debts. Samantha Schrage Bunk, health policy strategist at Missouri Foundation for Health, said the statewide report underscores an urgent need to address the harmful effects of medical debt. By amplifying the voices of those directly impacted, this report provides critical insights that can inform policy reforms so everyone can get the care they need without falling into debt, Bunk said. Participants recommended policy interventions such as streamlining health care costs, improving transparency in pricing, expanding financial assistance programs and improving insurance coverage to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. They also suggested targeted support programs for those struggling with financial loss because of a disability or unemployment. The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created in 2010 to mainly police mortgage brokers and banks, has recently turned its attention to hospitals, nursing homes and medical debt collectors. The watchdog agency is developing rules to be released later this year that would bar medical debt from consumer credit reports. Researchers at CFPB say that unpaid medical bills are the most common form of debt listed on credit reports, but a poor predictor of whether someone will pay off other bills and loans. They also found that medical debts on credit reports are often riddled with errors. Officials at the Missouri Foundation for Health say they are planning a statewide survey to learn more about the impact of medical debt and what policies are needed to help Missourians. ST. LOUIS A city commission is considering plans to abolish St. Louis unusual three-headed executive branch, eliminate the elected comptroller position, and then create a new watchdog for City Hall. After months of brainstorming ideas to reform city government, the Charter Commission kicked off debate Monday by taking on some of the citys most powerful institutions, which govern the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars per year. The proposals, a sampling of many currently before the commission, are far from final. The commission can only recommend changes for voters to consider. And commissioners still have several months to vet, amend or discard plans before making a final submission for the November ballot, where they will need 60% of the vote to pass. Still, the ideas discussed Monday marked a revival of a longstanding debates in city politics. Similar plans made it to the ballot 20 years ago, only to fall short. But the new debate could set the stage for a rematch with a system long derided by good-government advocates as inefficient and obsolete. And the ideas already attracting attention. Theyre bold ideas, said Ken Warren, a longtime political scientist at St. Louis University. Theyre good ideas. They would target some of the marquee achievements of the citys 1914 charter: The Board of Estimate and Apportionment and the city comptrollers office. Advocates implemented both in an effort to curb corruption by diluting the mayors power over city finances. The Estimate Board, composed of the mayor, the comptroller, and the aldermanic president, requires the chief executive to convince at least one of the other two to sign off on any spending. Having an independent comptrollers office allows all bills to be paid separately from the mayors office. And a requirement for the comptroller to sign all contracts before they can become final gives leverage to resist a questionable deal. But over the decades, critics have noted that the Estimate Board and the comptrollers office are also chokepoints that enable more political maneuvering and delays in decision-making. While mayors in other cities only have to negotiate budgets with legislators, the mayor of St. Louis has to horse-trade with two other officials with unusually powerful leverage. Comptroller Darlene Green has also come under fire in recent months for failing to pay the citys bills on time, and letting too many contracts sit awaiting her signature. Charter Commissioner Christopher Grant, a lawyer and one of multiple members who presented such ideas for discussion, acknowledged in the commission meeting on Monday night that the changes would be radical shifts. But there would be this hope that there would be greater efficiency, that these decisions could be made quicker, he said. The mayor would only have to negotiate with the Board of Aldermen, which would gain some new power to make increases as well as decreases to proposed budgets to better counter an offer from the chief executive. The comptrollers responsibility for financial affairs would shift to a mayor-appointed finance director and department. The commission members are also thinking about a new elected official, the Public Advocate. That person would carry on the comptrollers watchdog role of auditing city agencies while also doing new jobs like getting more people paying attention to city government. It would not be totally alien territory, said commissioner Anna Crosslin, the former director of the International Institute of St. Louis. Grant said the new Public Advocate could also be guaranteed funding to insulate it from critics elsewhere in City Hall. The commission did not take a vote on the idea Monday night. But some commissioners were wary of erasing an institution with more than a century of history in the city. Maybe we need to address some things in phases and steps, said commission chair Jazzmine Nolan-Echols, a business consultant. Others, like Travis Sheridan, a real estate executive, said the city needs to be bold. If St. Louis was working, we wouldnt need to fix it, he said. Elsewhere, the members of the Estimate Board watched with varying levels of approval. Aldermanic President Megan Green initially said she liked the idea of eliminating the Estimate Board. She said spending debates between the mayor and a newly empowered Board of Aldermen, which holds more public meetings than any other city entity, would be more transparent. But later Monday, she expressed concern that the changes would concentrate too much power in the executive branch. Conner Kerrigan, a spokesperson for the mayor, said he wasnt sure the changes would improve operations, and suggested that allowing the aldermen to make budget increases without requiring approval from an Estimate Board could lead to unbalanced budgets. Comptroller Darlene Green declined comment, referring a reporter to spokesperson Tiara Thomas, Greens non-voting representative on the commission. The current recommendations by the Charter Commission are evolving and on-going developments, Thomas wrote in an email. The Comptrollers Office and its Charter Commission representative will continue to follow the process. JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Senate is poised to give its stamp of approval to a series of updates to a law signed last year allowing counties to stop real property tax increases for certain seniors. Current law, approved last year, authorizes the freeze for homeowner taxpayers eligible for Social Security benefits. But opponents questioned whether the language of the law excluded certain seniors, such as Missouri teachers who participate in a state pension plan instead of Social Security. The plan by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, approved Monday night, clarifies that eligible homeowner taxpayers must be 62 or older to receive the benefit. The proposed change also would require taxpayers to pay all delinquent taxes, interest and penalties to the county to be eligible for the relief. Republicans voted down a Democratic-backed amendment that would explicitly allow counties and the city of St. Louis to means test when determining who is eligible for the credit. The amendment by Sen. Doug Beck, D-south St. Louis County, would have allowed counties to set certain income or home value limits for the tax relief. St. Louis and St. Louis County have both approved home value limits despite there being no explicit authorization for the limits in the state law. The city capped the appraised value of a home eligible for the credit at $500,000; the countys cap is $550,000. Im not against cutting taxes, said Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence. I just wish that these things were targeted to give relief to people that really need them. Instead of giving localities more authority, language included in Luetkemeyers measure would forbid any county procedure to limit the definition or scope of eligible credit amount or eligible taxpayer as defined in state law. People who are seniors many of whom are on fixed incomes whether they have a nicer home or not-so-nice home, to me, is particularly not relevant, Luetkemeyer said. I believe that this should be broad-based tax relief. The law says county collectors are to report the property tax credit amount on statements of taxes due sent to taxpayers. Another addition to last years law seeks to close a loophole enabling someone to purchase a low-value property, lock in a low property tax, and then dramatically increase the propertys value through major improvements to the property. And, if a new taxing jurisdiction annexes a property owned by someone receiving the benefit, the persons tax liability would also be increased to reflect the new taxes owed. Luetkemeyers bill needs another vote before advancing to the House for consideration. The legislation is Senate Bill 756. Federal officials are investigating whether residents of a small north St. Louis County subdivision are living on top of contamination dating back to World War II after finding radioactive material in their backyards. The Cades Cove subdivision, a small enclave in Florissant, was built on top of where Coldwater Creek once meandered. The creek, which runs through several St. Louis suburbs and into the Missouri River, was contaminated decades ago by waste left over from the development of the worlds first atomic bomb. Now, 78 years after the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, waste from their development lingers in Cades Cove residents backyards. And federal officials are drilling through their basement floors to determine whether its under their homes. There are homes built on top of the Manhattan Project in St. Louis, said Dawn Chapman, a co-founder of Just Moms STL, an advocacy group for affected communities, and there are residents who have been living in those homes on top of this for decades. Chapman was speaking on a press conference call about legislation that would compensate St. Louis-area residents who have developed illnesses because of exposure to radioactive waste. This is not a 50-year-old problem, Chapman said. This is a today problem. Following the conference call and media inquiries on Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for cleaning up Coldwater Creek and surrounding properties, announced the sampling efforts in a news release. The agency said it was planning a public meeting. Phil Moser, a program manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said in an interview with The Independent that the agency, which is responsible for cleaning up Coldwater Creek, discovered radioactive contamination in several backyards in Cades Cove, leading officials to sample under residents foundations. Moser said its the first time since the agency began sampling efforts meant to inform its cleanup plan that it has needed to go inside residents homes to collect samples. He called the neighborhood an outlier for its contamination in residents yards. Contamination in Cades Cove, Moser said, has been found deep underground because the creek meander was filled in with dirt when the neighborhood was built more than 30 years ago. He said several yards will need to be remediated. Its less clear what will happen if contamination is discovered under residents homes. Moser said the Army Corps is going to ensure it gets all the contamination. Asked if homes may need to be demolished or whether residents might have to move, Moser said he couldnt speak about hypotheticals. Were not taking anything off the table as far as what we would eventually have to do, he said. He said no matter what the agency will remove all the contamination. In an email to activists about the sampling and in an interview with The Independent, Moser said the agency had been in contact with Cades Cove residents and the local homeowners association. As expected, this is a difficult time for (residents) to navigate and we are striving (to) not make it worse with too much outside attention, Moser said in an email to activists. The Corps St. Louis spokesman, Jeremy Idleman, said the same in an emailed statement. Parts of St. Louis and surrounding counties have been contaminated for decades by waste generated during the Manhattan Project, the name given to the effort to build the worlds first atomic bomb. Uranium refined in downtown St. Louis was used in the first sustained nuclear reaction in Chicago, a key breakthrough in the bombs creation. After the war, waste generated from uranium processing was trucked to St. Louis County and dumped, uncovered, at the airport, right next to Coldwater Creek. Wind and rain spread the waste, polluting the creek for miles. Over the ensuing decades, tons of waste were moved around St. Louis and St. Charles counties, polluting numerous sites. Radioactive contamination remains at sites around the St. Louis metro today, and the cleanup of Coldwater Creek and surrounding properties is expected to take until 2038. Even at the time the homes in Cades Cove were built, the federal government had known for years that radioactive waste stored nearby had polluted Coldwater Creek. An investigation published last summer by The Missouri Independent, MuckRock and The Associated Press revealed that federal officials and the company that refined uranium for the Manhattan Project knew the waste posed a risk to St. Louis residents for years before acknowledging it to the public. Im angry, said Karen Nickel, Chapmans fellow co-founder, who visited the neighborhood Monday. Im angry. Im frustrated, disappointed, and I feel very, very bad for the people that are living in those homes, living in that subdivision. Nickel said Just Moms hopes to share resources and information with Cades Cove residents and ensure those outside the neighborhood know what is being found. She criticized the Army Corps for not making the findings public more quickly. Stop using this excuse, Nickel said. the rest of this community has the right to know. The revelation of the Cades Cove contamination comes at a time when St. Louis radioactive contamination is in the spotlight. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on legislation that would expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to residents of Missouri sickened by radioactive waste and several western states where atomic bomb testing exposed huge swaths of the nation to airborne radioactivity. And Chapman is attending President Joe Bidens State of the Union Address on Thursday as U.S. Sen. Josh Hawleys guest. Zach Linhares of the Riverfront Times contributed to this report. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. ST. LOUIS TV station KMOV has apologized after an outdated racial term was mistakenly read on air by an anchor, leading to widespread criticism of the station. In a Feb. 26 broadcast, evening anchor Cory Stark referred to minority homeowners as colored while previewing an investigative story about the impact of racial bias on home appraisals. Tonight, colored homeowners are sounding the alarm when it comes to undervalued home appraisals, Stark said on air. Starks use of the word drew swift criticism online, and the National Association of Black Journalists chastised KMOV in a statement on Friday. The term is outdated, offensive and racist, NABJ stated. We are concerned that no one in the KMOV newsroom caught this error, and we question KMOVs editorial process when it comes to cultural awareness. Given that St. Louis population is 43% Black, and the city is no stranger to racial strife, we would hope KMOV would be more sensitive in how it covers the Black community, NABJ continued. The racial descriptor colored was common during eras of legalized segregation in the U.S., but it is now considered an outdated and unacceptable term for Black, indigenous and other people of color because of negative connotations. In an emailed statement, JD Sosnoff, KMOVs vice president and general manager, said KMOV did not intend to include colored in the broadcast. It was in an original script as homeowners of color and was inadvertently changed and mistakenly read on air, Sosnoff said. We regret the error and apologized to our viewers on air at 10 p.m. on Monday night and at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. In an on-air apology, Stark said KMOV is meeting with community members as we strive to do better, every day. The word should have never come out of my mouth, and it does not reflect who I am or what First Alert 4 represents, Stark said on air. Sosnoff described the newscast as unacceptable and said KMOVs management has contacted local civic leaders, including the NAACP and NABJ. St. Louis County NAACP President John Bowman said he contacted KMOV management immediately after seeing the broadcast because use the word brings back Jim Crow era visuals that the Black community wants to forget, Bowman explained. But Bowman said he doesnt think Stark used the word with intent to offend. Trust me, Ive had enough experience dealing with people who intentionally show discrimination or racist behaviors, Bowman said. But Ive interacted with Cory Stark, and at no time have I ever felt that about him. KMOV is a CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television. Its headquartered in Maryland Heights. NEW YORK Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of Donald Trumps company, pleaded guilty Monday to lying under oath during his testimony in the ex-presidents New York civil fraud case. His plea deal will send him back to jail but does not require that he testify at Trumps hush-money criminal trial. Weisselberg, 76, pleaded guilty in state court in Manhattan to two counts of perjury and will be sentenced in April to five months in jail his second stint behind bars after serving 100 days last year for dodging taxes on company perks. In pleading guilty, Weisselberg found himself caught again between the law and his loyalty to Trump, whose family employed him for almost 50 years, sent him into retirement with a $2 million severance and has continued to pay his legal bills. His plea to perjury is further evidence that, rather than testify truthfully in a way that might harm his old boss, he was willing to again spend a chunk of his golden years in jail. It is a crime to lie in depositions and at trial plain and simple, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office said in a statement. Weisselbergs plea agreement does not require him to cooperate or testify at the hush-money trial, which is scheduled to begin March 25. Prosecutors promised not to prosecute him for other crimes he might have committed in connection with his employment at the Trump Organization. In court Monday, Weisselberg admitted lying under oath on three occasions while testifying in a lawsuit brought against Trump by New York Attorney General Letitia James in deposition testimony in July 2020 and May 2023 and on the witness stand at the trial last October. However, to avoid violating his probation in the tax case, he agreed to plead guilty only to charges related to his 2020 testimony. Weisselberg admitted lying when he testified he had little knowledge or awareness of how Trumps Manhattan penthouse came to be valued on his financial statements at nearly three times its actual size. You knew that testimony was false? Judge Laurie Petersen asked Weisselberg on Monday. Yes, Weisselberg replied. Weisselberg will be formally sentenced April 10. In agreeing to a five-month sentence, prosecutors cited Weisselbergs age and willingness to admit wrongdoing. In New York, perjury is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. The judge in the civil fraud case ruled last month that Trump, Weisselberg and others schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by lying about Trumps wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans. Along with penalizing Trump $455 million, Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Weisselberg to pay $1 million the amount of severance he received so far. Trump, Weisselberg and their co-defendants appealed. In his decision, Engoron wrote that he found Weisselbergs testimony intentionally evasive, with large gaps of I dont remember. The judge wrote that Weisselbergs severance agreement renders his testimony highly unreliable because it bars him from voluntarily cooperating with law enforcement. The Trump Organization keeps Weisselberg on a short leash, and it shows, Engoron wrote. Trumps Manhattan penthouse was valued on his financial statements from at least 2012 to 2016 as though it measured 30,000 square feet. Kevin Sneddon, a former managing director of Trumps real estate brokerage arm, testified that Weisselberg provided the larger figure. Sneddon recalled Weisselberg asking him in 2012 to calculate the triplexs value. He said when he asked for its size, Weisselberg replied: Its quite large. I think its around 30,000 square feet. However, Weisselberg got an email early in that same year with an attachment including a 1994 document that pegged Trumps apartment at 10,996 square feet. Weisselberg testified that he recalled the email, but not the attachment, and that he didnt walk around knowing the size of the apartment. After Forbes magazine published an article in 2017 disputing the size of Trumps penthouse, its estimated value was subsequently cut from $327 million to about $117 million on Trumps financial statement. As Weisselberg was testifying, Forbes published an article on its website with the headline: Trumps Longtime CFO Lied, Under Oath, About Trump Tower Penthouse. Jury selection in Trumps hush-money case is set to start in three weeks. The first of Trumps four indictments to go to trial, it involves accusations that Trump falsified company records to cover up payments made during the 2016 campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. Trump, the Republican presidential frontrunner, has pleaded not guilty and denies wrongdoing. Former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen has said Weisselberg had a role in orchestrating the payments. Weisselberg has not been charged in that case. Neither prosecutors nor Trumps lawyers have indicated they will call Weisselberg as a witness. Weisselberg went to jail last year after pleading guilty to evading taxes on $1.7 million in off-the-books compensation from the Trump Organization. Prior to that, he had no criminal record. Where each Trump case stands Classified documents case Election interference Hush-money scheme Georgia election indictment Civil cases Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Peoples Party has sent a congratulatory letter to President Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports. "The letter reads: His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Dear Excellency, I have the great honor to congratulate you on your re-election for another term in the Presidential elections held on 7 February 2024. Your landslide elections victory is a clear reflection of the strong confidence and trust that the people of Azerbaijan has placed in your wise leadership as much as your vast experiences, particularly in the national development and governance of state affairs of Azerbaijan. I firmly believe that the Republic of Azerbaijan under your Presidency will continue to prosper, and I am confident that it will play an even greater role in regional and global affairs for the greater benefits of the people on the region. The Cambodian Peoples Party attaches great importance in strengthening and deepening its long-standing bond of friendship between our two countries at all levels, especially in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) framework, as well as in other bilateral and multilateral fora. Please accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration and my best wishes for your good health, happiness and success in your noble tasks. Sincerely yours, Hun Sen President of the Cambodian Peoples Party" During his recent visit of Brazil, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with other foreign ministers of G20 countries to prepare an agenda for the November meeting of the G20 leadership. The scale of some of these global challenges is immense, and I know that there are times when it feels like those challenges are outpacing our collective capacity to tackle them, said Secretary Blinken. We actually do have the capacity when were working together, to effectively meet the moment, to meet the challenges that were facing, to actually address the needs of the people that we represent. The United States, for its part, is working to do that, and we had some discussion of these issues in the context of the G20, said Secretary Blinken. On Ukraine, there is a strong, palpable desire among virtually all of the G20 for the Russian aggression to end and for peace to prevail in a way that upholds the rights of Ukrainians to their freedom, to their future, to the territorial integrity of their country, he said. The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas were focused intensely on trying to get an agreement that results in the release of the remaining hostages and that produces an extended humanitarian ceasefire. Likewise, a number of countries, all of whom will be contributing to the mission to help provide renewed security for Haiti, said Secretary Blinken. Also, Were working together to deal with irregular migration, a challenge that countries around the world are facing in this moment. So many other places around the world where there is conflict, where there is insecurity, the United States, working with other countries, is trying to make a change and trying to make a difference whether its in Sudan, whether its in the eastern DRC, Ethiopia, Somalia, he said. Finally, beyond security, we are putting together new coalitions of countries and organizations to meet shared challenges in new ways. That coalition is increasingly focused on concrete projects and putting the resources into them, said Secretary Blinken. The powerful reality is this: No one country alone has the capacity to deal with these challenges effectively. But when we work together, when we focus our efforts on common goals, I think weve demonstrated in the past, and we will demonstrate in the future, that theres nothing we cant actually achieve. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court unanimously restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots Monday, 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. The outcome ends efforts in Colorado, Illinois, Maine and elsewhere to kick Trump, the front-runner for his party's 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. Trump's 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. Colorado's Supreme Court, in a first-of-its-kind ruling, decided that the provision, Section 3, could be applied to Trump, who that court found incited the Capitol attack. No court before applied Section 3 to a presidential candidate. The justices sidestepped the politically fraught issue of insurrection in their opinions Monday, but some Trump critics pointed to the silence on that topic as a victory of sorts because the court failed to absolve him of responsibility for the Capitol riot. 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 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 majority's 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. Congressional responsibility It's 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 it's frustratingly unclear what the bounds might be on Congress. Hasen was among those urging the court to settle the issue so there wasn't 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. Trump was kicked off the ballots in Colorado, Maine and Illinois, but all three rulings were on hold awaiting the Supreme Court's decision. The case is just one of several 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 Capitol riot. Historic first The arguments in February were the first time the high court 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 Trump's name from the Colorado ballot 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. The provision needs no enabling legislation, they argued. Trump's lawyers mounted several arguments for why the amendment can't be used to keep him off the ballot. They contended the Jan. 6 riot wasn't 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. The 9 current justices of the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan Justice Neil Gorsuch Justice Brett Kavanaugh Justice Amy Coney Barrett Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson A judge in Montana rejected abortion restrictions, the attorney general in Missouri is accusing Planned Parenthood of illegally transporting minors for abortions and new data shows how the way abortions they're provided continues to shift in a nation where some states have bans and others are protecting access. More than a year and a half since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion, the details of what that means are still in flux. With lawsuits still pending and ballot questions on the horizon, that's the one thing that's not likely to change quickly. Here are things to know about developments across the country this week. MONTANA JUDGE BLOCKS RESTRICTIONS A Montana judge on Thursday rejected restrictions on abortion that were adopted in 2021, possibly setting up a chance for the Montana Supreme Court to revisit its 1999 ruling that protected a woman's right to abortion until the fetus is viable. The 2021 laws were put on hold and never took effect. They would have banned abortion after 20 weeks' gestation, banned telehealth prescription of abortion pills, required a 24-hour waiting period after giving consent and required providers to show women an ultrasound or hear a fetal heart tone before providing an abortion. The state government plans to appeal the ruling, possibly putting it on a path for another showdown at the state's top court. The high court has previously declined to reverse the 1999 decision including when it backed up a lower court's decision to pause enforcement of the 2021 laws. A judge last year also put on hold enforcement of more restrictions the state adopted last year, including a ban on dilation and evacuation abortions the most common procedure after 15 weeks' gestation. Abortion rights groups are pushing for a ballot question to amend the state constitution to protect reproductive freedom, including the right to abortion. REPORT FINDS CHANGES IN HOW ABORTIONS ARE PROVIDED There have been legal and legislative battles over abortion access in the U.S. for generations, but everything changed when the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that had protected access nationwide. Since then, bans have taken effect in most Republican-controlled states, including 14 where abortion is banned at all stages of pregnancy, with varying limited exceptions. Most Democrat-controlled states have sought to protect access. Those changes are reflected in data released this week by #WeCount for the Society of Family Planning. The group finds that the number of abortions per month nationally is similar to what it was before the court's ruling. Although the number of monthly abortions has dropped to nearly zero in states with bans, they have risen in states that allow abortion and a larger portion of them use pills prescribed by telehealth. STATES PUSH VIDEOS TO DISCOURAGE ABORTION, CLARIFY POLICIES West Virginia's state Senate this week approved a measure to require eighth and 10th graders to see a video on fetal development. The Baby Olivia video is being used in classrooms in North Dakota and there's legislation that aims to require it in Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri. Though it was approved in West Virginia's Senate, Republican Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, a pulmonologist, objected, saying the video has grossly inaccurate information contradictory to science. The bill now heads to the House of Delegates. Meanwhile, South Dakota is looking to produce another video to guide medical providers on when to apply the one exception to the state's abortion ban. Under state law, abortion is allowed only to save the life of the woman. This week, the state Senate approved the plan, which had already passed the House, this week. It now heads to Republican Gov. Kristi Noem for her signature. MISSOURI ATTORNEY GENERAL SUES PLANNED PARENTHOOD Missouris attorney general is suing Planned Parenthood, asserting that the organization is illegally transporting minors from Missouri where most abortions are banned to obtain them in Kansas. The claim is based on a conservative groups hidden-camera video of someone seeking an abortion for a fictitious 13-year-old. Planned Parenthood denies the claim. The office of Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican running for election this year, has not said whether criminal charges could be filed, too. TEXAS OFFICIAL PUNISHED OVER MURDER CHARGE IN ABORTION CASE The abortion bans across the U.S. seek to criminalize doctors and others who provide abortions and in many cases those who help women seeking abortions but they stop short of allowing charges against those women themselves. Still, a 26-year-old who self-managed an abortion in 2022 in Texas was charged there with murder and spent two nights in jail before being released and having the charges dropped. It was revealed this week that the prosecutor who oversaw the case has been disciplined for his role in it. Starr County District Attorney Gocha Ramirez must pay a $1,250 fine and have his license held in a probated suspension for 12 months under a settlement agreement with the State Bar of Texas. Ramirez says he made a mistake and agreed to the deal because it will keep his office running. ALABAMA LAWMAKERS MOVE TO PROTECT IN VITRO FERTILIZATION AFTER COURT DECISION Alabama lawmakers this week advanced bills to protect fertility clinics after the state's Supreme Court issued a ruling last month that could be devastating for them. The court ruled that frozen embryos are the legal equivalent of children. Three large clinics quickly halted offering in vitro fertilization, a devastating outcome for people trying to expand their families. Abortion rights advocates including U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on a visit to Alabama this week have framed the court's ruling as a consequence of overturning Roe v. Wade and part of a conservative effort to ban abortion by declaring that embryos and fetuses have the rights of people. WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris and other top Biden administration officials held talks on Monday with a member of Israels wartime Cabinet who came to Washington in defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. White House officials said Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, requested the meeting and the Democratic administration believed it was important to meet with the prominent Israeli official despite Netanyahu's objections. President Joe Biden, Harris and other senior administration officials have become increasingly blunt about their dissatisfaction with the mounting death toll in Gaza and suffering of innocent Palestinians as the war nears the five-month mark. Were going to discuss a number of things in terms of the priorities that certainly we have, which includes getting a hostage deal done, getting aid in and then getting that six-week ceasefire, Harris told reporters shortly before meeting with Gantz. The U.S. on Saturday carried out the first of what is expected to be ongoing aidrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The moment is reflective of the increasingly awkward dynamics in the U.S.-Israel relationship, with the U.S. forced to fly badly needed aid past its close ally as it looks to ramp up assistance for desperate civilians in Gaza. The first airdrop occurred just days after more than 100 Palestinians were killed as they were trying to get food from an Israel-organized convoy. The White House agreed to the meeting with Gantz even as an official from Netanyahus nationalist Likud party said Gantz did not have approval from the prime minister for his meetings in Washington. Netanyahu gave Gantz a tough talk about the visit underscoring a widening crack within Israels wartime leadership. We have been dealing with all members of the war Cabinet, including Mr. Gantz," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. "We see this as a natural outgrowth of those discussions. Were not going to turn away that sort of opportunity. In addition to his talks with Harris, Gantz met with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk. Gantz was also scheduled to meet on Monday with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and on Tuesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Gantz just before the start of his White House meetings told a reporter with Israels public broadcaster Kan: There will be an open and honest conversation between two friendly and important countries and partners. Biden is at Camp David, the presidential retreat just outside Washington, until Tuesday as he prepares to deliver the annual State of the Union address later this week. Over the weekend, Harris issued a forceful call for a temporary cease-fire deal in Gaza, which administration officials say would halt fighting for at least six weeks, and also increased pressure on Israel not to impede the aid that workers were trying to get into the region. The White House has been advocating for that framework deal for weeks. Israel has essentially agreed to the deal, according to a senior Biden administration official, and the White House has emphasized that the onus is on Hamas to come on board. Biden faces mounting political pressure at home over his administration's handling of the Israeli-Hamas war, which was triggered when militants in Gaza launched an attack, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 people hostage. In last week's Michigan presidential primary, more than 100,000 Democratic primary voters cast ballots for uncommitted." Biden still easily won the state's primary, but the coordinated push by voters on the left who are dissatisfied with the president's unwavering support for Israel as its military operations in Gaza have left more than 30,000 Palestinians dead. The vote totals raise concerns for Democrats in a state Biden won by only 154,000 votes in 2020. Gantz, who polls show could be a formidable candidate for prime minister if a vote were held today, is viewed as a political moderate. But he has remained vague about his view of Palestinian statehood something that Biden sees as essential to forging a lasting peace once the conflict ends but that Netanyahu adamantly opposes. It is also assumed that when the heavy fighting subsides, Gantz will leave the government, which would increase pressure for early elections. Since Gantz joined Netanyahus three-minister war Cabinet in October, U.S. officials have found him to be easier to deal with than either Netanyahu or Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Although Gantz holds many of the same hardline views as Netanyahu and Gallant, he has been seen as more open to compromise on critical issues, including the increased delivery of humanitarian assistance. Until now, calls for elections have been muted due to the war, but analysts think that when Gantz leaves the government, it will send a signal to the Israeli public that the need for national unity has passed and efforts to oust Netanyahus government can begin in earnest. For his part, Gantz was aiming to strengthen ties with the U.S., bolster support for Israels war and push for the release of Israeli hostages, according to a second Israeli official. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent allowed to publicly discuss the disputes within the Israeli government. Gantz is scheduled to head to London for meetings after his U.S. visit. It was unclear if Gantz during his White House talks diverged from Netanyahu's stances on Palestinian statehood or carrying out an expanded operation in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned Israel against a Rafah operation without a plan to protect civilians. I dont doubt there are some administration officials who believe just by meeting with Gantz they are undermining Netanyahu, said Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative Washington think tank. But if Gantz carries the governments line on key issues of disagreement, these meetings are net-negative for the White House while helpful back home for Gantz. Associated Press writers Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel; Wafaa Shurafa in Rafah, Gaza Strip; and Samy Magdy in Cairo and Matthew Lee and Zeke Miller contributed to this report. Updated at 3:15 p.m. McALLEN, Texas (AP) An influx of hundreds of firefighters and more favorable weather conditions on Monday helped authorities in the Texas Panhandle keep the largest wildfire in state history from threatening more homes and communities, fire officials said. Strong winds spread flames and led to the evacuation of the small town of Sanford on Sunday while airplanes dropped fire retardants to stop a blaze that was quickly contained thanks to hundreds of firefighters who were deployed on the ground, said Deidra Thomas, a spokeswoman for the Hutchinson County Emergency Management. Yesterday had we not had the resources we had, that fire could have been catastrophic, Thomas said Monday. "We're in a really good position today and tomorrow and hopefully through the rest of the week. The weather is going to be favorable, the winds are going to be much lower, the humidity is coming up, and thats fantastic news for us. Although officials have not released an official cause of the largest fire, the Smokehouse Creek fire that scorched more than 1 million acres and destroyed dozens of homes near the towns of Stinnett and Canadian, a lawsuit filed Friday in Hemphill County alleges a downed powerline near the town of Stinnett on Feb. 26 sparked the blaze. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Stinnett homeowner Melanie McQuiddy against Xcel Energy Services Inc. and two other utilities, alleges the blaze started when a wooden pole defendants failed to properly inspect, maintain and replace, splintered and snapped off at its base. A spokesperson for Xcel said in a statement there is no official determination for the causes of any of the fires in the Texas Panhandle and that investigations are ongoing. As of Sunday afternoon, the Smokehouse Creek fire was 15% contained and two other fires were at least 60% contained. Strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm temperatures fed the blazes. A cluster of fires have burned across more than 1,900 square miles (4,921 square kilometers) in rural areas surrounding Amarillo. The largest blaze, Smokehouse Creek, accounting for nearly 1,700 square miles (4,400 square kilometers), spilled into neighboring Oklahoma. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday said the federal government has devoted funds, equipment and personnel to assist with battling the fires, but warned 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 during a CNN interview. 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. The National Weather Service late Sunday warned of an elevated fire risk through Monday in the area due to winds of 15-20 mph (24-32 kph). As firefighters fought the unprecedented wildfires, humanitarian organizations pivoted to victims who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Residents began clearing affected property on Saturday and by Sunday the extent of the loss began mounting. Donations ranging from $25 to $500 have been critical for the Hutchinson County United Way Wildfire Relief Fund, which is dispersing proceeds to displaced families. The organization has heard estimates of more than 150 homes being affected in the county, noting the fires extend to at least five other counties, said Julie Winters, executive director for Hutchinson County United Way. . A steady outpouring of donated clothing, water and hot meals quickly overwhelmed one community in the affected area. The city of Borger, Texas, urged people in a social media post to redirect donation efforts from food and water to clean-up supplies including shovels, rakes, gloves and trash bags. Associated Press writers Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City, Thomas Strong in Washington and Trisha Ahmed in Minneapolis contributed to this report. March 5, 2024: As military units increasingly depend on wireless communications in the combat zone, the Ukraine War is providing examples of how patterns of cell phone use can be mapped and provide targets for guided missile attacks. Military field headquarters have long known that they must restrict their use of wireless devices and, if possible, route communications via wire to a location hundreds of meters from the headquarters. From that remote location wireless transmissions can be made. If the enemy locates the wireless transmission site and attacks it with a missile, casualties and damage are minimized. Its been known that field headquarters using wireless communications, including cell phones, makes the headquarters a missile magnet. The war in Ukraine confirmed that. The Russians were often the target of these missile magnet attacks because the Ukrainians were more careful with their use of cell phones in the field. There are some more expensive alternatives. The most obvious one is from an American firm, Lynk Global. This is because in 2020 Lynk announced a major technological breakthrough. They conducted several demonstrations of this before numerous industry experts in which one of three recently launched Lynk LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites successfully enabled an ordinary cell phone in the U.S. to send text messages via that satellite 500 kilometers away to other another cell phone in the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic. Standard earth-based cell towers have a maximum range of 35 kilometers and there are not enough cell towers to cover the entire planet. Lynk eliminates the problems an estimated 800 million cellphone users have each day in not being able to get a signal. Lynk can also provide cell phone service to over a billion people who live in areas without access to cell phone networks. Lynk is literally a cell tower in space that sends 2G signals to any cellphone below. Lynk initially provided only a global texting service. As satellite technology improved, Lynk voice calls were made available in mid-2023. Lynk does not make ground-based cell towers obsolete because these local cell towers can provide high-speed service needed to access most of what is on the Internet. Other firms have developed satellite-based Internet service, but these require special, but small and inexpensive, equipment to access them. Lynk will work with any of the existing five billion cell phones. Lynk also takes advantage of the fact that most cellphone users prefer to use texting rather than voice calls. Access to the Lynk network is sold separately although more than 30 existing cell phone service providers agreed to offer Lynk service as an optional feature of their networks. For two billion people in remote areas, Lynk provides a reliable and affordable cell phone service. For the military and emergency service organizations Lynk is a lifesaver. In the aftermath of major storms, earthquakes and such, a major problem people in the disaster zone and emergency responders have is reliable communications. Cell phone towers are put out of action, sometimes for months. Yet in the first days of such disasters communications are vital and a matter of life or death. Lynk began offering texting service in 2020 as it put more satellites into orbit. Lynk put two more satellites into orbit during January 2023. For Lynk, this service is seen as a $300 billion a year market for them, plus a boost to sales of cell phones to many people who never bothered to get one because they lived in an area without any service and not much expectation of such service being installed. While many of these remote areas are populated by people without a lot of income, the fact that Lynk will work with any cellphone, including the many budget, under $100, phones or even cheaper as in under $20 second-hand phones, they will be able to afford Lynk. Lynk will also provide a missing capability that the military has been seeking. Troops often operate in areas where there is little or no cell phone service and, for the last thirty years, the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies have been working to equip commercial cell phones with encryption and other features that make cell phones usable in a combat zone. Back in 2012 the American NSA (National Security Agency), responding to troop demands for modern communications capabilities on the battlefield, created a version of the cell phone/tablet Android operating system suitable for combat use. SE, Security Enhanced, Android was based on a SE Linux version that NSA developed in 2000. NSA has been active for decades in hardening PC operating systems. Since Android is based on Linux, NSA had a head start in creating SE Android. SE Android is the last key element the U.S. Army needs to move commercial smartphones and tablets onto the battlefield. The troops have been clamoring for a combat smartphone, and in 2011 the U.S. Army began field-testing the Atrix smartphone and Galaxy tablet. Both use Android and are designated as NWEUD (Nett Warrior End-User Device) by the military. The U.S. has continued this work and troops will be able to use Lynk along with their encrypted messaging systems. The U.S. Department of Defense pioneered the widespread use of satellite phones by the troops. In 2000 the Department of Defense got this started when it rescued Iridium, an existing global satellite phone system. The Iridium satellite network was put into orbit during the 1990s at a cost of $5.5 billion. Not enough customers were willing to pay for the expensive satellite telephone service. In 2000 the company was not only broken, but no one wanted to take over its network of 79 satellites. The situation was so dire that the satellites were going to be deorbited, as they were bought lower so they would burn up in the atmosphere. Then the Department of Defense stepped in with an offer. For $3 million a month the Department of Defense would get unlimited use of up to 20,000 devices, mostly phones, but also pagers and similar devices. That was enough for someone to come in and take over the satellite system, which cost more than $3 million a month to operate, and make a go of it. The new owners didnt have the $5.5 billion in debt to worry about and were able to lower prices enough that they were able to sign up 80,000 civilian and military customers. The Department of Defense paid about $150-$200 a month per satellite phone account under the 2000 contract. Civilian customers paid more, and the company thrived. Eventually, Iridium was able to launch a new generation of satellites that provided faster and cheaper service. Iridium survived in large part because of the Pentagon business that grew larger after September 11, 2001. In 2013 the Department of Defense signed a five year, $400 million contract with Iridium. By 2014 there were over 51,000 Department of Defense and other U.S. government Iridium users. That has since grown to over 75,000 and troops in remote areas had plenty of satellite phones. But many also had their cell phones and a service like Lynk can translate into less gear for troops to carry. In 2014 the Department of Defense arranged for satellite telephone service provider Iridium to supply small paperback book battery-powered Iridium GO! devices that could connect to the Iridium sat phone network and provide a local Wi-Fi hotspot. Up to five users with Wi-Fi devices within about 30 meters of the Iridium GO! can have Internet access. That means smartphones or tablets can use texting and Skype to make phone calls, or a browser for web search and limited downloading. All of this uses military encryption. The Iridium Go! devices cost the Department of Defense $800 each and the Iridium service was taken care of by the contracts the Department of Defense has had with Iridium for over a decade. As of 2023, the Department of Defense, which also provides other government agencies with sat phone service, is Iridium's largest customer accounting for about 20 percent of revenues. Go! type devices have since become smaller, cheaper, and more capable. Back in 2000, the plan was that each combat brigade would have over 500 satellite phone accounts. That was never needed, in part because the air force and navy wanted lots of sat phones as well and the army began using portable satellite dishes to obtain high-speed service from military and commercial communication satellites. The Iridium and other satellite communications capability was the key to making the battlefield Internet work, although the army has found that its more efficient and cheaper to use military radios and other wireless devices to network with each other and get Internet access via satellite dishes connected with the military satellite communications system. But for many small units out in the bush, Iridium is still the way to go, and cellphones filled with the growing number of military-related apps provide local access to all manner of computer-based tools. Iridium offered Go! services to a growing number of civilian organizations, especially first responders to large scale disasters. This, in addition to Lynk, solves most of the communications problems people in disaster areas encounter. Lynks success attracted competitors, like SpaceX and their larger satellite network containing thousands 0f satellites. Currently the SpaceX network has nearly 6,000 satellites in orbit and that is supposed to grow until there are over 30,000. Similar firms from several countries are planning similar satellite networks. March 5, 2024: In early 2024 Ukraine held a crowdfunding effort to purchase more Sea Baby drones, also known as USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles). Ukraine raised nearly eight million dollars and that enabled Ukraine to build 35 Sea Babys. These are made of a material that is nearly invisible to radar. Each can carry up to 850 kg of explosives. Less explosives can be carried if you want the Sea Baby to travel farther. With a full load of explosives, it can reach targets up to 1,000 kilometers distant. Top speed is 90 kilometers an hour but more economical, in terms of fuel use, cruise speed is about half the top speed. That means it would take the Sea Baby about twenty hours to travel a thousand kilometers. That is a one way trip to a target, like a naval base or any ships docked at the base which is then attacked. Sea Baby navigates using several devices including GPS, INS, and short range sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. These sensors can also be programmed to identify and attack a specific target like a ship or other naval base facility. Sea Baby can also be equipped with short range weapons like explosive rockets that can hit targets a thousand meters distant with thermobaric/fuel air warheads. When used to launch rocket attacks, the Sea Baby can escape and return to a Ukrainian base for reuse. Some Sea Babys are equipped with video cameras to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions. In this case, communications equipment must be carried to transmit video or individual digital photos back to the Ukrainian base. The Ukrainians have been very imaginative and flexible in their use of these unmanned seagoing vessels. Currently Ukraine has three operational Ukrainian models of their USVs. These include Sea Baby, which is Malyuk in Ukrainian, Mother (Mamai), and MAGURA which means Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus. Sea Baby and Mother were developed by the Ukrainian Secret Service or SBU in cooperation with a state-owned firm. MAGURA was developed by GUR, translated as, Main Intelligence Directorate project and SpetsTechnoExport, a state-owned enterprise. At the end of 2023 SBU unveiled an updated Cossack Mamai with a claimed top speed of 100 kilometers an hour. These UUVs are controlled by the 385th Separate Brigade which specializes in naval warfare. Manufacturing of USVs takes place in underground production facilities to provide protection from Russian missile and guided bomb attacks. MAGURA carries 320 kg of explosives while Mamai carries 450 kg. These USVs are no longer used just for delivering explosives against a target, they can also be used for reconnaissance when equipped with video cameras that broadcast what they see back to the USV operator. Some USVs have been armed with small rocket launchers. Malyuk has a range of over 700 kilometers, which means they are suitable for operations on the high seas. Endurance is about 60 hours, and top speed is over 70 kilometers an hour. MAGURA has similar characteristics. Mamai was used in the long range attack at the distant naval base at Novorossiysk on Russias Black Sea eastern, which is a thousand kilometers from Crimea. Sea Baby was used in the mid-2023 Kerch Strait Bridge attack and was carrying 850 kg of explosives that inflicted enough damage to render the bridge unusable. The bridge is a key transport route for getting supplies into Crimea and as of early 2024 was still unusable. Ukraine has been developing subsurface USVs and in early 2023 the first one, the Toloka2 TK-150 was introduced. This USV was 2.5 meters long and equipped with a sensor mast that remained above the surface for navigation and to identify targets. Toloka2 can also carry a small explosive warhead. More recently, Ukraine developed the larger Marichka USV that is 6 meters long and one meter in diameter. Ukraine has planned for a Western manufacturer to build and weaponize Ukrainian USVs. Ukrainian USVs have been quite successful in attacking and sinking or disabling Russian navy ships. So far there have been twelve attacks which resulted in damage to 12 ships and the sinking of a cruiser, two small landing ships and one missile corvette. The longest range raids have been against targets in Kerch Strait and the more distant Russian naval base at Novorossiysk. Ukrainian USV operations in the Black Sea forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to withdraw to the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Sevastopol was no longer a safe place to be, and Russian ships could no longer launch their Kalibr cruise missiles without moving closer to Ukrainian territory and risking attack by Ukrainian USVs. The presence and aggressive use of the USVs means that Ukraines grain corridor has been kept open despite Russias threats to interfere. Beyond symbolic significance, the corridor holds critical economic importance for Ukraine and is expected to contribute 5-7 percent to GDP growth in 2024 because of the grain shipments. The aggressive and successful use of Ukrainian USVs against the Russian Black Sea fleet was unprecedented in the history of naval warfare. Not only were these USVs tactically successful but financially as well. For example, new frigates cost about $1.5 billion each. That much money can also pay for 5,000 such USVs. Destroyers cost twice as much. The frigates and destroyers are high seas ships and can travel all over the world. The USVs operate in coastal waters although some of the larger USVs can operate up to a thousand kilometers from where they were launched. These USVs carry video cameras and satellite-based communications systems to collect information and, in peacetime, do so without fear of attack. Severe storms are another matter, but any storm damage will be broadcast as it is happening, at least until the video cameras or communications equipment is disabled. Commercial cargo ships can carry hundreds of armed UAVs equipped with satellite communications so operators anywhere in the world can control them. These USVs can be unloaded at sea and sent to carry out attacks on targets in the area or move to a nearby harbor and remain tied to a dock until needed. The only maintenance is keeping the USV batteries charged. These USVs are a radical new weapon for naval warfare and the war at sea will never be the same because of the success of Ukrainian USVs in their victorious war against the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Nations with major warship fleets, like the U.S. and China, have much to fear from this new development of weaponized seagoing USVs. These USVs are difficult to spot visually, especially at night. Sonar can detect them, and autocannon equipped ship systems, like Phalanx, can be adapted to accurately target and destroy USVs. Since the United States provides most of the military aid to Ukraine, they can get some cooperation from the Ukrainians that will help American warships and those of other NATO nations develop weapons and tactics to deal with USVs. The Russians were taken by surprise when their Black Sea Fleet was attacked by USVs. In less than a year, most of the Black Sea Fleet warships were destroyed or severely damaged by USVs. Because of the USVs, Ukraine, which does not have a conventional navy, now controls most of the Black Sea. When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the invaders also expected to reinforce and expand their control of the Black Sea. This included blocking Ukrainian grain exports, which would drive up prices for Russian grain exports. That financial goal was never met because Ukraine fought back with USVs and some air strikes to not only contest efforts to expand Russian control of the Black Sea, but also disrupt Russian naval operations in the Black Sea as well as Russian use of the Crimean Peninsula as bases for naval, air force and army operations. In 2022 Russia had numerous warships in the Black Sea and these came under heavy attack by Ukrainian USVs and missiles. This led to the destruction of the flagship of the Black Sea fleet and systematic attacks on the remaining Russian warships. Ukraine didnt have any ships of their own for these attacks and had to improvise. Ukraine used armed UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and USVs for these attacks, as well as some land-based guided missiles. This eventually forced Russia to abandon Crimean naval and air force bases. This included the major Crimean port and naval base of Sevastopol. The growing number of Ukrainian attacks on Crimea forced most of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to move. The UAVs and USVs carry explosive warheads to destroy military targets, including bases, ports, headquarters, and airfields. While civilian targets are spared, the military facilities are a major source of employment. When these facilities are damaged, destroyed and shut down, the civilians begin to leave. Now Ukrainian forces are getting close to the narrow isthmus that connects Crimean to the mainland and the other access point, the Kerch Strait bridge in southeastern Crimea was also under constant attack. As the situation in Crimea deteriorates, corruption by local officials makes matters worse for the remaining civilians and persuades a growing number of them to leave. In late 2023, advancing Ukrainian forces were close enough to the narrow isthmus connecting Crimea to the mainland that the only Russian rail line carrying supplies to occupied Crimea was within range of GMLRS missile attacks. These NATO supplied missiles were carried and launched from HIMARS vehicles. They had a range of 80 kilometers and were a constant threat to Russian supply lines, including ports and ships in the Black Sea. Ukraine had already disabled the other rail supply route to Crimea, which used the Kerch Strait bridge. Ukraine used various types of UAVs, USVs and novel UUVs (unmanned underwater vessels) to do this, as well as destroy Russian air defenses in Crimea and drive the remaining ships of the Black Sea fleet to port on the east coast of the Black Sea. The largest of these eastern Black Sea ports is Novorossiysk, which had a small naval base facility added in 2012. Now it is being used to host the surviving remnants of the Black Sea Fleet. While Novorossiysk is mainly a commercial port, exporting oil and other goods produced in the area and handling most of the imports, most of that has been halted because of the Ukrainian unmanned weapons that now make the Black Sea a dangerous place for Russian ships of any type. Ukraine did this without a fleet of its own. The Russians were still able to launch missile attacks on Ukrainian ports using submarine launched cruise missiles as well as land-based missiles. These Russian attacks became less frequent as the Ukrainians NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / CBRE Group, Inc. CBRE CBRE has been named the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) WELL Enterprise Provider of the Year, reflecting its leadership in creating workplaces that support the well-being of people. The IWBI celebrates organizations and individuals that are making outstanding strides in health, well-being and equity. CBRE's global team of more than 600 sustainability specialists, including 85 who are WELL accredited, has facilitated WELL certifications for more than 21 million square feet on behalf of its clients as well as CBRE's own operations. This includes CBRE's Downtown Los Angeles office, which was the first building in the world to become WELL Certified in 2013. In addition to this prestigious company award, CBRE's UK Health & Wellbeing Lead, Giulia Mori, was named a IWBI 2024 WELL Faculty Rising Star' for her advocacy for the healthy building movement. This is the second consecutive year that a CBRE professional has been so honored; Laura Serafini, Associate Director, CBRE Italy, was a recipient in 2023. "CBRE is committed to creating spaces which support health, well-being and equity and this award is testament to our leadership in this area. We recognise that healthy buildings create healthy workplace experiences, which in turn lead to more productive and effective organisations. We look forward to continuing our work with WELL to deliver optimal business environments that enable our clients' workforces to thrive" Kaela Fenn-Smith, Managing Director, Sustainability and ESG Consultancy, CBRE "We're thrilled with CBRE's various achievements, showcased through our IWBI Awards. Giulia Mori is a fantastic advocate of the WELL movement, and CBRE's designation of WELL Enterprise Provider of the Year Award is emblematic of their commitment to people-first places. We are proud to work with such committed partner." Giovanna Jagger Senior Director Global Market Development, EMEA, IWBI About CBRE Group, Inc. CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2023 revenue). The company has more than 130,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com. International WELL Building Institute The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world's leading organization focused on deploying people-first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and WELL ratings and certifications, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CBRE Group, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: CBRE Group, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cbre-group-inc Email: [email protected] SOURCE: CBRE Group, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com 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: [email protected] SOURCE: CNH Industrial View the original press release on accesswire.com 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 [email protected] or [email protected]. 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 [email protected] [email protected] 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 The accessible luxury jewelry brand will donate 10% of proceeds from all sales on March 8th to a Venezuelan organization providing resources for women and children impacted by gender-based violence. MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / In honor of International Women's Day, Miami-based, accessible luxury jewelry brand Artizan Joyeria will be donating 10% of its profits on March 8th to the "Equidad" Program by Fundana, an organization that provides confidential and free support for women and children impacted by gender-based violence. The female-founded jewelry brand chose to contribute to an organization that aligns with its brand values and empowers women. The "Equidad" Program by Fundana invests in women and their children in Venezuela who have been impacted, offering victims psychological, legal and educational support with free and confidential counseling for survivors. The organization also provides temporary protection for children at risk, placing them in a safe family environment and offers those in vulnerable communities with sustainable solutions for water, hygiene and sanitation. Let's Change Some Lives IWD: Let's Change Some Lives On Womens Day As a female-founded and led business, it's embedded in Artizan Joyeria's DNA to raise awareness for this special charity and to be able to give back. Launched in 2008 by Keren Yoshua, Artizan Joyeria began as a wholesale brand, pivoting to DTC in 2019. Quickly gaining recognition across socials, the brand is known for its gold and silver plated jewelry including necklaces, earrings and rings perfect for layering. With the goal of empowering women, the brand continues to emphasize the importance of individuality and empowerment, reflective in their unique designs and statement pieces. "It means the world to me knowing these proceeds will be going toward such an important cause that isn't talked about enough," says Yoshua. "Being able to give back on a day that celebrates the incredible impact of women around the world is close to my heart. I hope to continue this tradition for years to come!" Artizan Joyeria's beautiful pieces can be purchased at ArtizanJoyeria.com and you can catch the latest on socials @ArtizanJoyeria. Be sure to check out the brand's new arrivals and best sellers to join in giving back to the "Equidad" Program by Fundana this International Women's Day. ABOUT ARTIZAN JOYERIA Artizan Joyeria is a Miami-based jewelry brand committed to empowering individuality and defying conventions. Since its inception in 2008, the brand has focused on creating unique, fashion-forward, high-quality jewelry pieces that inspire women to embrace their unapologetically authentic selves. Artizan Joyeria seeks to make luxury accessible to all while fostering a strong connection with its customers and leading the way in responsible business practices. Contact Information Sofia Medina Marketing & PR [email protected] La Rue PR [email protected] Related Files IWD Artizan SOURCE: Artizan Joyeria View the original press release on newswire.com. Escalating hostilities across much of Syria, particularly in the countrys north, continue to kill and displace civilians, while recent bombing strikes have caused the shutdown of hundreds of essential facilities, according to the United Nations. But even as these conditions increase peoples reliance on humanitarian aid, challenges to humanitarian workers ability to safely deliver essential assistance are also multiplying. One bright spot is the Syrian governments recent agreement to allow until 13 May, the resumption of humanitarian deliveries through the Bab al-Salam and Al Rai border crossings. More than 5,000 trucks carrying essential aid passed through these crossings in 2023, providing essential assistance to 2.5 million people monthly and administering over one million medical procedures. We welcomed the three-month extensions for UN access through the Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossings. These additional crossings have provided important capacity and enabled faster, more efficient aid deliveries to communities in need, on top of the vital crossing at Bab Al-Hawa, said U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs to the UN, Robert Wood. At the same time, we have made clear that reauthorizing these crossings for ninety-day increments is not a sustainable approach to addressing the scale of humanitarian needs in Syria, he said. Given that humanitarian needs are at the highest level since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, there is no reason why the regime and all parties in Syria should not guarantee humanitarian access for as long as needs persist. Indeed, humanitarian access to all Syrians, wherever they are, and through all modalities, must be unhindered. That includes cross-line humanitarian deliveries to the Rukban settlement, where the regime and Russia continue to block UN convoys, said Ambassador Wood. At the same time, we must not overlook Russias role in obstructing political progress for Syria as laid out in Resolution 2254 the only internationally established path to end the conflict, he said. Russia has undermined the work of the Constitutional Committee, a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned process facilitated by the UN, by imposing demands that have nothing to do with Syria that have kept the Committee from meeting since July 2022. The Assad regime has hidden behind Russia and refused direct negotiations for far too long, said Ambassador Wood. We call on the Syrian regime to do its part to implement a nationwide ceasefire, and to finally engage in the political process in good faith. 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." View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: [email protected] SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on accesswire.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / Nextech3D.AI (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS), a Generative AI-Powered 3D model supplier for Amazon, P&G, Kohls, Miele and others including major e-commerce platform integrations with Shopify, BigCommerce and WooCommerce, is pleased to announce that it has established a new business unit 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 GPT AI CAD to 3D texturing platform of its spin-off Company, Toggle3D.ai (OTCQB: TGGLF/ CSE: TGGL). Toggle3D.ai's technology can 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. The Company 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 Jewlery 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. 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. 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. 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 6,275,062 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$0.26 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 $0.26 per share for past services rendered. All Bonus Shares issued are subject to a four (4) month and one day hold period. Recent News Sign up for Investor News and Info - Click Here About Nextech3D.ai Nextech3D.ai or the "Company," (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:1SS), is a versatile augmented reality and AI technology Company that utilizes its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to craft immersive 3D experiences at scale for E-COMMERCE. The Company's primary focus lies in creating high-quality 3D WebAR photorealistic models for Amazon and various other online retailers. Nextech3D.ai has adopted a unique approach to creating shareholder value beyond its operating business of creating 3D models. The Company also develops or acquires disruptive AI-technologies, which are subsequently spun out to shareholders as standalone public companies. This spin-out strategy allows Nextech3D.ai to issue stock dividends to its shareholders while maintaining significant ownership in the public spin-out, without dilution to the parent Company Nextech3D.ai. Notably, Nextech3D.ai successfully spun out "ARway," (OTCQB: ARWYF)(CSE:ARWY)(FSE:E6 ) its spatial computing platform, as a standalone public Company on October 26, 2022. The Company retains a 49% stake with 13 million shares in ARway Corp. while distributing 4 million shares to Nextech shareholders. Similarly, Nextech3D.ai accomplished its second spin-out launching Toggle3D.ai, (OTCQB: TGGLF)(CSE:TGGL)(FSE:Q0C ) an AI-powered 3D design studio aimed at competing with Adobe. The Company retains a 44% stake with 13 million shares in Toggle3D.ai Corp. To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Contact Julia Viola [email protected] Nextech3D.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: Nextech3D.ai View the original press release on accesswire.com THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 5, 2024 / South Star Battery Metals Corp. ("South Star" or the "Company") (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB: STSBF), is pleased to announce that it has completed the successful closing of the second and final tranche of its oversubscribed, upsized non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") by issuing 2,485,209 Shares priced at C$0.72 per Share common shares (the "Shares"), for an additional gross proceeds of C$1,789,352. Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for accelerating exploration, development, construction activities, as well as corporate G&A and general working capital requirements. The Private Placement consists of issuing a total of 9,301,532 Shares priced at C$0.72 per Share for a total gross proceeds of C$6,697,119 (Refer to the Company's Press Releases dated December 14, 2023, January 26, 2024 and February 13, 2024). The Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In connection with the second tranche, the Company paid $46,250 in cash and issued 44,452 Shares in equity as finder's fees. A director and an officer of the Company participated in the Private Placement for an aggregate amount of $57,600. The transaction with the officer constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Units issued to the related party and the consideration paid by the related party under the Private Placement does not exceed 25% of Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Private Placement, as the details of the participation by related party of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Private Placement. In addition, South Star and its BamaStar project partners Hexagon and US Critical Minerals have extended the current existing mineral leases and surface agreements on the Project for an additional two-year period beyond the initial five-year term of the original agreements (Refer to the Company's Press Release dated December 07, 2021). The earn-in option agreement remains unchanged. Richard Pearce, CEO of South Star, commented, "We are very excited to get the oversubscribed, private placement successfully closed and be on very solid financial footing, while also executing on our strategy of near-term production with scalable graphite assets in Tier 1 jurisdictions at a critical time when the global supply chains require more graphite products sourced outside of China. We are aiming to produce at Santa Cruz around 5,000 tonnes of graphite concentrates in 2024 and 13,000 tonnes in 2025. We are getting ready to kickoff our National Instrument 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment for BamaStar, including the value-add plant in the southeast corridor of U.S., which we are planning to have preliminary results completed in approximately three months. We had excellent meetings recently with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, as well as the Louisiana Economic Development Agency. 2024 is going to be an exciting year for South Star as we become the first new graphite producer in the Americas this century." About South Star Battery Metals Corp South Star Battery Metals Corp. is a Canadian battery metals project developer focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in the Americas. South Star's Santa Cruz Graphite Project, located in Southern Bahia, Brazil is the first of a series of industrial and battery metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. Santa Cruz has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot-plant testing (> 30t) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of Cg concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95%-99% Cg. With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star is fully funded for Phase 1, and the construction and commissioning are underway. Santa Cruz will be the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996 with Phase 1 commercial production projected in Q1 2024. Phase 2 production (25,000 tpa) is partially funded and planned for 2026, while Phase 3 (50,000 tpa) is scheduled for 2028. South Star's second project in the development pipeline is strategically located in Alabama in the center of a developing electric vehicle, aerospace, and defense hub in the southeastern United States. The BamaStar Project is a historic mine active during World Wars I & II. A NI43-101 technical report with the maiden resource estimate has been filed on SEDAR. Trenching, phase 1 drilling, sampling, analysis, and preliminary metallurgical testing have been completed. The testing indicates a traditional crush/grind/flotation concentration circuit that achieved grades of approximately 94-97% Cg with approximately 86% recoveries. South Star is executing on its plan to create a multi-asset, diversified battery metals company with near-term operations in strategic jurisdictions. South Star trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STS, and on the OTCQB under the symbol STSBF. South Star is committed to a corporate culture, project execution plan and safe operations that embrace the highest standards of ESG principles based on transparency, stakeholder engagement, ongoing education, and stewardship. To learn more, please visit the Company website at http://www.southstarbatterymetals.com. This news release has been reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, P.E., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Battery Metals Corp. On behalf of the Board, MR. RICHARD PEARCE Chief Executive Officer For additional information, please contact: South Star Investor Relations Email: [email protected] +1 (604) 706-0212 Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarbm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarbatterymetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southstarbatterymetals/ YouTube: South Star Battery Metals - YouTube CAUTIONARY STATEMENT 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 press release. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the successful closing of the Private Placement and anticipated timing thereof and the intended use of proceeds and statements regarding moving Santa Cruz into production and scaling operations as well as advancing the Alabama project; and the Company's plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy 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. SOURCE: South Star Battery Metals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com 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 [email protected] 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 Novartis shareholders today agreed to the Board of Directors recommendations for all proposed resolutions at the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM). A total of 1693 shareholders were present at the meeting held in Basel, representing approximately 53.65% of the issued shares of Novartis. Shareholders approved the 27th consecutive dividend increase since the creation of Novartis in 1996, with an increase of 3.1% to CHF 3.30 per share. Payment for the 2023 dividend will be made as from March 11, 2024. The dividend for 2023 is an approximately 58% payout of free cash flow and results in a dividend yield of 3.7%1. Annual re-election of Members of the Board Shareholders re-elected Joerg Reinhardt as Chair of the Board of Directors, and all current members of the Board, for one year. Shareholders also re-elected all current members of the Compensation Committee, for one year. The Board of Directors intends to redesignate Simon Moroney as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Reduction of share Capital Shareholders also approved the Novartis Board of Directors proposal to cancel 87 547 255 shares (repurchased under the authorization of March 4, 2022) and to reduce the share capital accordingly, by CHF 42.9 million, from CHF 1 115 964 098.48 to CHF 1 073 065 943.53. Vote on the report on non-financial matters With the introduction of new provisions regarding transparency on non-financial matters in the Swiss Code of Obligations, Novartis was, for the first time for the 2023 financial year, obliged to prepare a report on non-financial matters and to submit it to the shareholders. The shareholders endorsed the report on non-financial matters for the 2023 financial year in an advisory vote. Votes on Compensation for the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee In two separate binding votes, shareholders approved the total maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Board of Directors, covering the period from the 2024 AGM to the 2025 AGM, and the total maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Executive Committee for the 2025 financial year. Shareholders also endorsed the 2023 Compensation Report in an advisory vote. Election of KPMG AG as Auditor In line with the Board of Directors proposal, the shareholders elected KPMG AG as auditor for the financial year starting on January 1, 2024. For a detailed listing of all resolutions at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, please visit: https://www.novartis.com/agm Cargobull North Americas Hybrid TRUs on Utility Trailers 3000R are Changing the Landscape of Refrigerated Transportation NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The ATA Technology & Maintenance Councils Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition celebrates industry innovation, progress, and performance. At this years conference, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, LLC announced the innovative Cargobull North America, LLC (CBNA) transport refrigeration units (TRUs) are now available throughout North America exclusively on Utilitys signature 3000R reefer trailer via Utility's expansive dealer network. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305079024/en/ Utility 3000R trailer with Cargobull TRU (Photo: Business Wire) After 110 years, and now under the fourth and fifth generations of continuous Bennett family leadership, its incredibly exciting for Utility Trailer to continue pushing the envelope of technological innovation, sustainability, and efficiency, said Mark Glasgow, Utilitys Chief of Sales. The positive response since unveiling CBNA TRUs last September has been overwhelming. Our dealers and their customers have eagerly awaited the opportunity to get their hands on these latest and greatest TRU offerings. The CBNA 625 Hybrid Mono-Temp and 655MT Hybrid Multi-Temp models already meet Californias stringent emission standards for 2030 and comply with California Air Resources Board (CARB) ultra-low-emission TRU (ULETRU) regulations. Cutting fuel consumption by up to 20%, reducing and, in some circumstances, eliminating emissions while maximizing cooling efficiencies, CBNA TRUs represent a monumental leap forward in TRU technology. With the UTILITY TrailerConnect portal and app, advanced telematics data is streamlined directly to industry-standard frontends, fleet operators, and transport management or enterprise resource planning systems. The industry awards and attention our new TRUs have already received tell us the market is ready for and excitedly anticipates this ground-breaking technology, remarked Andrew Bennett, Vice President and member of the family business fourth generation leadership. Weve been working tirelessly to get to this moment, and our expansive dealer network is now ready to serve customers across the continent. Sales and service for 3000R trailers with the 625 and 655MT Hybrid TRUs are now available at over 125 Utility Trailer dealers across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Additionally, CBNA aftermarket parts are available through Aurora Parts, its exclusive parts distributor, with more than 700 dealers served by six North American distribution centers. Aurora Parts dealers and customers can now enjoy quick access to the full line of Cargobull service parts whenever needed, said Brad Fulkerson, Aurora Parts President and CEO. Im proud to work with Utility and I look forward to seeing their new 625 and 655MT Hybrid TRUs revolutionize temperature-controlled transportation. For more information or to coordinate further media availability opportunities, please contact Brett Olsen at [email protected]. About Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, LLC Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, LLC is Americas oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Founded in 1914, Utility Trailers history of innovation and focus on customer value have helped it become the largest producer of refrigerated trailers and one of the largest dry-van, reefer, and flatbed manufacturers in the United States. With six manufacturing facilities and a network of more than 100 dealers across North and South America, the company produces 50,000 trailers annually and owns 55% of the market share among refrigerated trailer units. Cargobull North Americas transport refrigeration units are available exclusively on Utilitys 3000R refrigerated trailers. To learn more, visit utilitytrailer.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305079024/en/ Brett Olsen, Corporate Communications Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co., LLC [email protected] Source: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, LLC PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BerryDunn, a full-service assurance, tax, and consulting firm, is pleased to announce the new hire of Alan C. Weintraub, MD, a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Weintraub brings a physician perspective to the firms healthcare consulting team and clinically-driven revenue cycle management services. As a Senior Manager in BerryDunns Healthcare Practice Groupa growing team of experts with direct healthcare experienceDr. Weintraub brings extensive knowledge of medical practice and hospital operations. Prior to joining the firm, Dr. Weintraub served as Area VP of Ambulatory Services for North American Partners in Anesthesia. I am looking forward to working with other healthcare professionals here at BerryDunn to solve the interesting and unique challenges healthcare organizations, hospitals, ambulatory facilities, and medical practices face today, says Weintraub. Practice management, staff relations, physician onboarding, workflow assessments, and physician compensation are some of the emerging challenges he will address with clients. Dr. Weintraub brings a thorough understanding of staffing models and an ability to consult directly with physicians to bridge communication gaps, explains Regina K. Alexander, FACHE, CHC, Principal in the firms Healthcare Practice Group. This will ultimately help our clients improve relationships across the continuum of care. BerryDunn continues to expand and customize services in high-growth industries. The Healthcare Practice Group is building its team by hiring accomplished consultants with direct healthcare and medical experience. About BerryDunn BerryDunn is a nationally recognized firm providing assurance, tax, and consulting services. Evolving over the years to stay on the forefront of the many industries it serves, the firms mission has remained constant: To help each client create, grow, and protect valuewhile delivering exceptional service based on integrity, expertise, and a constant commitment to client success. BerryDunn serves clients from its eight offices with 800 employees across the US and territories. Learn more at berrydunn.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305689103/en/ Christine Downs [email protected] 617.340.1311 Source: BerryDunn OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of Kentucky Associated General Contractors Self Insurers Fund (KYAGC or the Fund) (Louisville, KY). The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect KYAGCs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The revision of the outlooks to positive reflects KYAGCs improved risk-adjusted capitalization and its overall balance sheet strength assessment over the most recent five-year period that was driven by the Funds prudent risk management strategies, which include strong underwriting guidelines and loss control measures. The strategies have contributed to sustained operating earnings that continue to outperform the workers compensation industry composite on a pre-dividend basis. Furthermore, the Funds investment portfolio has generated above average investment returns, which have supported organic surplus growth over the last five years. The outlooks further recognize KYAGCs decreasing underwriting leverage, maintenance of a solid reinsurance program with a manageable retention, as well as its financial flexibility to assess members, which has never been triggered. The limited business profile reflects geographical concentration and niche focus of KYAGCs monoline, single state operations, with potential exposure to unfavorable economic, legislative and regulatory changes within Kentucky. The Fund provides workers compensation coverage to approximately 3,600 construction-related contractor members. The positive outlooks consider AM Bests expectation that KYAGCs balance sheet strength assessment of very strong will remain supported by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which may improve further as the companys surplus continues to grow organically from strong operating profitability as a niche carrier within the workers compensation business segment. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305832587/en/ Adrienne Stark Associate Director +1 908 882 2336 [email protected] Dan Teclaw Director +1 908 882 2390 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best Arctaris Impact Investors, Housing Diversity Corp., and United Way of Greater Los Angeles form a new partnership to deliver accessible housing tailored to residents' needs LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC, a Boston based impact investment firm that supports revitalization projects in underserved communities, announces a lead equity investment in Liv DTLA, a $67 million market-rate affordable housing development in the South Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The transaction marks Arctaris Impacts first Opportunity Zone investment in Los Angeles and, together with its partners, is an effort to address downtown residents' critical need for affordable housing. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305198458/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The all-studio housing project, located at 1411 S. Flower Street, is being developed by Housing Diversity Corp., a Seattle-based large-scale multifamily real estate manager. Construction is 85% complete and is expected to consist of 227 units over 8-stories, of which 40% are reserved for extremely low-income and voucher-subsidized households, furthering the partnerships commitment to accessible housing. The building's amenities include a courtyard, a rooftop deck boasting panoramic views of Los Angeles, and ample bicycle storage for up to 149 bikes, all designed to enhance the residents' quality of life. Funding for the project includes Arctaris Impacts $13.6 million equity investment, a $34.9 million loan facilitated by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles' Affordable Housing Initiative, and $18.1 million of equity previously raised through the crowdsourcing real estate platform CrowdStreet and other impact-oriented high-net-worth individuals. Arctaris and Housing Diversity Corp. share a vision for developing housing units that are both environmentally sustainable and tailored to residents' needs. This investment is about providing stability and a brighter future for downtown LA residents. The Liv DTLA property is more than bricks and mortar; its offering hope, dignity, and security for those priced out of the American dream, said Jonathan Tower, Founder and Managing Partner of Arctaris. "Arctaris is committed to creating positive, sustainable change in underserved communities, and this investment is a powerful step forward for the residents of Downtown LA. Arctaris is proud to have partnered with Housing Diversity Corp. and United Way of Greater Los Angeles to finance a mixed income housing project with such a strong affordability component, said Nihar Sait, Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Investments at Arctaris. The investment is an example of Arctaris Impacts ability to forge meaningful public private partnerships and one we hope will serve as a template to direct needed capital toward critical community infrastructure projects. "These partnerships reflect and reinforce our mission to create healthy, diverse neighborhoods through housing that contributes to the greater good. They provide a stable financial foundation for Liv DTLA and add to HDC's substantial strategic partnerships designed to address the challenges of housing scarcity for low-to-moderate income households on the West Coast," said Brad Padden, Housing Diversity Corp. Founder and CEO. "This means more housing, and more accessible housing, for people living and working in DTLA." Additional partners include architect Simon Ha of Steinberg Hart and general contractor Craig Haveson of STS Construction. Arctaris remains steadfast in its commitment to catalyzing positive change through impactful investments. For more information on Arctaris and its initiatives, please visit www.Arctaris.com. About Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC is a Boston-based impact investment firm with experience spanning more than 14 years.. The firm manages funds which invest in growth-oriented operating businesses and community infrastructure projects located in underserved communities. Founded in 2009, Arctaris has partnered with the Kresge Foundation, Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porters Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, and multiple other foundation, federal and state government agencies to invest in Opportunity Zones, inner cities and targeted rural communities throughout the U.S., with the aim of delivering above-market investment returns alongside positive social impact. For more information visit https://arctaris.com or for press inquiries contact [email protected]. About Housing Diversity Corporation Housing Diversity Corporation is a leading Multifamily Real Estate and Qualified Opportunity Fund manager. HDCs principal Brad Padden has sponsored 23 real estate development projects over his development career, accounting for the production of 2,800 new multifamily apartments in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. About United Way of Greater Los Angeles United Way of Greater Los Angeles is one of LA's most trusted nonprofits, mobilizing neighbors and investments to support each other in a crisis and build a future where everyone shares in our regions wealth and prosperity. About STS Construction Services STS Construction Services is a highly regarded general contractor with over two decades of experience in commercial and residential construction in Seattle and Los Angeles. Craig Haveson, the founder and president of STS, has refined STS into an organization capable of actualizing projects of all shapes and sizes, and bringing owners dreams to life. Legal Disclaimer Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements. These statements reflect prevailing conditions and our best business judgment as of the date of issuance. As a result, actual results may vary from the projections and it should not be relied upon as investment advice. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305198458/en/ [email protected] Source: Arctaris Impact Investors, LLC Announces Planned Retirements of Chairman Thomas O. Barnes and Lead Independent Director Mylle H. Mangum, and appointment of Richard Hipple as Chair Elect Appoints Irenic Capital Management Co-Founder Adam Katz to the Board Enters into Cooperation Agreement with Irenic Capital Management BRISTOL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B), a global provider of highly engineered products, differentiated industrial technologies, and innovative solutions, today announced the planned retirements of Chairman Thomas O. Barnes and Lead Independent Director Mylle H. Mangum, consistent with the Companys corporate governance retirement policy, effective at the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders in May 2024. Mr. Barnes will become Chairman Emeritus and continue to lead the Barnes Foundation following his retirement from the Board. The company also announced that the Board of Directors has selected Richard J. Hipple as Chair Elect, reflecting its intention to appoint Mr. Hipple Chair of the Board of Directors effective immediately after the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to his re-election by the stockholders. In addition, the Company announced that it entered into a cooperation agreement with Irenic Capital Management (together with its affiliates, Irenic), pursuant to which the Board of Directors appointed Adam Katz, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Irenic Capital Management, to serve on its Board of Directors, effective immediately, and is engaging Larry Lawson, former CEO of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., to serve as a Special Advisor to the Board of Directors and Barness senior management team. Barnes will also work with Irenic to identify an additional mutually agreed upon independent director to appoint to the Board of Directors. Thomas O. Barnes, Chairman of the Board, said, It has been an honor to serve the company my family founded in 1857. Since our launch as a public company in 1946, we have endeavored to be an industry leader in the markets we serve and deliver value to all our stakeholders our customers, our employees, our partners, and our shareholders as well as support the communities in which we operate. Over my 45 years in leadership roles, I have had the humble opportunity to work with thousands of talented, capable, and dedicated people, especially those in our facilities around the world. Words cannot describe my appreciation. Looking forward, I am excited about the future of Barnes as we continue to execute our transformation strategy. Barnes continued, I want to recognize Mylle, a long-time director and my esteemed colleague, for her tireless dedication and meaningful contributions to Barnes over her 21-year tenure. Her energy, passion for our people, and impact has been profound. On behalf of the Board and the entire Barnes team, I want to thank Mylle for her service and wish her all the best going forward. Barnes added, I am delighted that the Board has selected Dick as my successor as Chair of our Board of Directors. Dick brings a wealth of management and board experience to our Board and has been an insightful and collegial presence in our boardroom. The Board will benefit from his leadership as the company continues to drive value for its stockholders. Thomas J. Hook, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, On behalf of our entire organization, I want to publicly recognize and thank Tom for his decades of steadfast leadership, championing of our people, and meaningful community impact. It has been an honor to serve with Tom, and we salute and celebrate his immeasurable service to Barnes. We look forward to his continued contributions as Chairman Emeritus. Hook continued, We also look forward to working with Adam and Larry, particularly as we drive our strategic processes to scale Aerospace, and integrate, consolidate, and rationalize Industrial. We expect that Adam will reinforce an investors perspective in our board deliberations, while Larry will provide valuable industry perspective as we expand our Aerospace business. We appreciate their enthusiasm for the Company and welcome their expertise and active participation in supporting shareholder value creation. Adam Katz, Irenic co-founder, said, We appreciate the Boards collaborative approach in reaching this outcome. Irenic invested in Barnes because we believe there is a significant opportunity to unlock shareholder value as the Company becomes more focused on Aerospace. I look forward to diving in immediately and getting to work alongside our fellow directors. Additionally, Larrys track record of driving operational improvements and strong performance to enhance value is unparalleled in the Aerospace industry, and we are grateful to him for his willingness to serve as a Special Advisor to the Company. The Company has entered into a cooperation agreement with Irenic which contains customary standstill, voting, confidentiality, and other provisions. The cooperation agreement with Irenic will be filed in a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor and BofA Securities is serving as financial advisor to Barnes. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher and Corbin Advisors are serving as investor relations advisors to Barnes. Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP is serving as legal counsel to Irenic and LDG Advisory and Longacre Square Partners are advising Irenic. Biographies Adam J. Katz, age 38, currently serves as the Managing Member of Irenic Capital Management GP LLC, the general partner of Irenic Capital Management LP, an investment management firm. Mr. Katz has served as the Chief Investment Officer since he co-founded the firm in October 2021. Previously, Mr. Katz served as Associate Portfolio Manager for Elliott Management L.P., from December 2013 to September 2021. Since August 2023, he has served on the Board of Directors of Arconic Corporation, a manufacturer of lightweight metals with a focus on high-performance aluminum products that are used in aerospace, automotive, defense, and construction applications. Mr. Katz received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an A.B., magna cum laude with High Honors in Field, from Harvard University. Larry A. Lawson, age 65, served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (Spirit AeroSystems) (NYSE: SPR), a manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets, from April 2013 until August 2016. Prior to joining Spirit AeroSystems, Mr. Lawson held various management positions at Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin) (NYSE: LMT), a global security and aerospace company. After retiring from Spirit AeroSystems, he served as Operating Partner of Advent International, a private equity firm, from March 2019 until March 2022. Since July 2022, Mr. Lawson has provided consulting services to Irenic Capital Management LP, an investment management firm. Mr. Lawson is an M.I.T Fellow, a Harvard Advanced Management Program graduate, and he has patents in advanced signal processing. Mr. Lawson holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Lawrence Technological University. About Barnes Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE: B) leverages world-class manufacturing capabilities and market-leading engineering to develop advanced processes, automation solutions, and applied technologies for industries ranging from aerospace and medical & personal care to mobility and packaging. With a celebrated legacy of pioneering excellence, Barnes delivers exceptional value to customers through advanced manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge industrial technologies. Barnes Aerospace specializes in the production and servicing of intricate fabricated and precision-machined components for both commercial and military turbine engines, nacelles, and airframes. Barnes Industrial excels in advancing the processing, control, and sustainability of engineered plastics and delivering innovative, custom-tailored solutions for industrial automation and metal forming applications. Established in 1857 and headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut, USA, the Company has manufacturing and support operations around the globe. For more information, please visit www.onebarnes.com. About Irenic Capital Management Irenic Capital Management LP is an investment management firm founded by Adam Katz and Andy Dodge. Based in New York City, Irenic works collaboratively with publicly traded companies to ensure operating activities, capital deployment and management incentives are all aligned to create value for the company and its owners. For more information about Irenic, please visit www.irenicmgmt.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future operating and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "plan," "estimate," "project," "continue," "will," "should," "may," and similar terms. These forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties are addressed in Barnes Group Inc.s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K. The Company assumes no obligation to update our forward-looking statements. Category: General View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305418739/en/ Investors: Barnes Group Inc. William Pitts Vice President, Investor Relations 860.583.7070 [email protected] Source: Barnes Group Inc. President Joe Biden announced the United States will provide additional food and supplies for Palestinians in Gaza by conducting airdrops to counter the dire humanitarian situation there. The United States is also working to find ways to open a maritime corridor as an additional pathway for assistance. Innocent lives are on the line, President Biden said. Were trying to pull out every stop we can to get more assistance in. On March 2, the United States made its first humanitarian assistance airdrop into Gaza in a joint operation with Jordan. Three U.S. Air Force cargo planes dropped 66 pallets that held 38,000 ready-to-eat meals. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said that the first airdrop is intended to be part of a sustained effort. He emphasized that airdrops will supplement - not replace - delivery on the ground. While airdrops have the advantage of speed, he pointed out that military aircraft cannot replicate the size and scale and scope of a convoy of 20 or 30 trucks. With $180 million dollars of assistance, the United States is the largest provider of aid to the people of Gaza and the West Bank since the onset of the conflict October 7, when Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 240 people hostage. In response, the Israeli military has gone into Gaza to destroy Hamas. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and famine is looming. At a briefing, a U.S. official stated that the problem with humanitarian assistance reaching the people of Gaza is distribution, exacerbated by the actions of criminal gangs taking it, looting it, reselling it. The way to solve the problem, the official said, is to flood the market Bring in assistance from every point you can Demonetize these commodities. Advisor Kirby noted that the desperation of the people of Gaza, made tragically manifest days ago when scores were killed rushing a convoy of aid trucks, underscores the terrible need for more aid. It is also why the United States is working so hard on a deal between Israel and Hamas that would trigger a six-week ceasefire. Such a deal would allow a surge in the flow of aid, the release of hostages, and a reduction in violence. As State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, A deal is on the table Hamas should accept it immediately. FEIS represents critical step in federal permitting for lease area with potential to provide 2 Gigawatts of clean, reliable power to the region BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a leading sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, today announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for its New England Wind lease area. The FEIS represents a significant permitting milestone that brings the project closer to full federal approval, with a Record of Decision (ROD) anticipated in April 2024 and Construction and Operations Plan (COP) Approval anticipated in July 2024. BOEMs efforts in developing the FEIS included robust stakeholder engagement with Tribal Nations, members of local residential and fishing communities, and other ocean users. The New England Wind lease area has the potential to provide approximately 2 Gigawatts to the region, enough clean, reliable energy to power nearly 1 million homes and businesses. Avangrid is grateful to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for its comprehensive environmental review of the New England Wind lease area which has the potential to deliver approximately 2 Gigawatts of clean, reliable energy, power nearly 1 million households, and advance the regions ambitious climate goals. Avangrid is pleased that the Final Environmental Impact Statement identified the benefits of the project in a clear and consistent manner, marking a pivotal step toward bringing this power to the New England region, said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. Just last week, Avangrid announced a landmark accomplishment by powering up the first five Vineyard Wind 1 turbines, and as we continue to build on the 68 Megawatts of power we are currently delivering to Massachusetts, we are pleased to achieve another milestone marking the strong forward momentum of our nation-leading offshore wind portfolio. The FEIS finalizes BOEMs analysis of potential environmental impacts of the projects construction, operation, and conceptual decommissioning plans. Stakeholder engagement for this critical environmental review included three virtual public meetings hosted by BOEM to solicit additional feedback on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement published in late December 2023 and consideration of over 750 comments received from the public. The full document is available on BOEMs website. NECEC applauds the completion of BOEM's environmental review of Avangrids New England Wind project. This milestone represents a significant step forward in advancing renewable energy development in our region. As a leading advocate for clean energy initiatives, NECEC firmly supports expanding offshore wind projects as a critical component of our transition to a sustainable energy future, said Joe Curtatone, President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council. Offshore wind holds immense potential to diversify our energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create high-quality jobs in the clean energy sector. By harnessing wind power off our coastlines, we can unlock new economic opportunities, strengthen energy security, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. "The responsible development of offshore wind energy projects like New England Wind provides an unrivaled opportunity to combat climate change while equitably advancing family-sustaining union jobs, economic development, community benefits, and environmental protection," said Kelt Wilska, Offshore Wind Director, Environmental League of Massachusetts, and Regional Lead for New England for Offshore Wind. "We appreciate the timely release of the New England Wind Final Environmental Impact Statement as a critical component to standing up this game-changing clean energy solution in an efficient and responsible manner and keeping states on track to meet decarbonization goals." Completing the New England Wind environmental review is a big step toward reducing the regions reliance on fossil fuels and building a green, just economy," said Sierra Club Massachusetts Director Vick Mohanka. Responsible offshore wind development requires carefully evaluating and mitigating potentially adverse impacts. We look forward to seeing Park City Wind and Commonwealth Wind continue to protect critical interests and deliver benefits to host communities, tribes, workers, consumers, and the environment." Development of the New England Wind lease area is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 4 million US tons, or the equivalent of taking approximately 700,000 cars off the road each year during the lifespan of the project. In February 2024, Avangrid announced that it has powered up the first five GE Haliade-X turbines for the nation-leading Vineyard Wind 1 project, delivering clean energy to 30,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind 1, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States, is currently providing approximately 68 Megawatts to the New England grid, delivering a steady stream of clean energy that will help the region meet winter electricity demand. The first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States, Vineyard Wind 1 will be the largest renewable energy facility in New England once fully operational, delivering 806 Megawatts enough clean electricity to power 400,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth. Vineyard Wind began offshore construction in late 2022, achieved steel-in-the-water in June, and completed the nations first offshore substation in July. Construction flows through the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal. In July 2021, Vineyard Wind signed the first Project Labor Agreement for an offshore wind project in the United States, which outlined the creation of 500 union jobs through the project. In December 2023, project shareholders announced that Vineyard Wind 1 has delivered nearly double of its commitment through the PLA by creating 937 union jobs through two years of construction. An 806-megawatt project located 15 miles off the coast of Marthas Vineyard, Vineyard Wind will generate electricity for more than 400,000 homes and businesses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, create 3,600 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) job years, save customers $1.4 billion over the first 20 years of operation, and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1.6 million metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 325,000 cars off the road annually. About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies a ranking of Americas best corporate citizens. In 2023, Avangrid ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the Worlds Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305551327/en/ Media: Craig Gilvarg, Director of External Communications [email protected] (857) 998-1130 Source: AVANGRID, Inc. KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Custom Truck One Source, Inc. (NYSE: CTOS) today announced that Chief Financial Officer, Chris Eperjesy, will present and meet with institutional investors at the J.P. Morgan 2024 Industrials Conference in New York City on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET and will include a fireside chat question-and-answer session. A live audio-only webcast of the presentation will be available through the Companys Investor Relations website at investors.customtruck.com. A replay will be archived and available for 30 days following the conference on the same website. ABOUT CUSTOM TRUCK ONE SOURCE Custom Truck One Source is one of the largest providers of specialty equipment, parts, tools, accessories and services to the electric utility transmission and distribution, telecommunications and rail markets in North America, with a differentiated one-stop-shop business model. The Company offers its specialized equipment to a diverse customer base for the maintenance, repair, upgrade and installation of critical infrastructure assets, including electric lines, telecommunications networks and rail systems. The Company's coast-to-coast rental fleet of more than 10,300 units includes aerial devices, boom trucks, cranes, digger derricks, pressure drills, stringing gear, hi-rail equipment, repair parts, tools and accessories. For more information, please visit customtruck.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305358219/en/ INVESTOR CONTACT Brian Perman, Vice President, Investor Relations 816-723-7906 [email protected] Source: Custom Truck One Source, Inc. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Leaders at Davenport University announced a groundbreaking initiative that leads to bilingual degrees with professional proficiency in English and Spanish. Casa Latina at Davenport has a unique approach by offering courses with one week fully in Spanish and the next week fully in English. Graduates of this program at Davenport will enhance the pool of bilingual talent for businesses, while offering a solid path to careers in business, technology, healthcare, urban education and the sciences. Casa Latina, which is the only program of its kind in the nation, represents a new era in higher education with 12 undergraduate and graduate degrees tailored to students who will not only become experts in their fields, but will join the workforce ready to lead in a bilingual world. Degree programs include accounting, business administration, education, human resource management, health services administration and technology project management. Students can apply now for courses beginning fall 2024. The Casa Latina program is fully online, giving students the flexibility they need to begin and finish their degrees. The program will be available worldwide, and Davenport will consider work experience and education credits, reducing the time it takes to earn a degree. Scholarships are available for full-time students: $9,200 for undergraduates and $5,000 for graduate students. Students attending part-time will be awarded a prorated amount. Davenport University saw the need for this bilingual program after studying the needs of employers across the country. Carlos Sanchez, the executive director of Casa Latina, believes the uniqueness of this program will appeal to the Latino community by offering key bachelor and master degrees along with wrap-around support for students. Davenports Casa Latina program offers bilingual and bicultural student support in admissions, financial aid, counseling, tutoring and library services. Davenport is taking an innovative, bold approach with Casa Latina, Sanchez said. We are creating this bilingual program that will provide an opportunity for Latino students to overcome so many challenges. We are taking barriers down related to language, finances and geography. We have virtual bilingual tutoring, and we have staff dedicated to advising our Casa Latina students. We are creating a community at Davenport that will embrace and guide students as they pursue their degrees. The energy for Casa Latina comes right from the top. President Richard J. Pappas and Executive Vice President of Academics and Provost Gilda Gely know Casa Latina will serve students and employers, while aligning with Davenports commitment to reach underserved populations in higher education. Despite being the fastest growing population in the country, Latinos are the least represented in higher education. In the U.S., only 18% of adults over the age of 25 who identify as Hispanic or Latino have a bachelors degree or higher. Thats compared to 37% of white/non-Hispanics. Pappas said Davenport is focused on closing this gap. We have taken direction from people within the Latino community to understand the needs and challenges they have to continue their education, Pappas said. We are absolutely committed to creating an environment with all the tools necessary for bilingual students to graduate ready to work and lead in bilingual environments. Gely has been instrumental in the development of Casa Latina and believes it is the right program to give bilingual speakers the opportunity to become confident in their ability to succeed in college and in the workplace. At Davenport, we have taken the position that Latino students do not have to fit into our mold, but rather we will meet them where they are and support them as they realize their potential, Gely said. We have been working toward launching this bilingual program with their success at the forefront of its development. This is truly an exciting moment and opportunity. The philanthropic community has so far contributed $2.7 million to Casa Latina at Davenport University. Foundations and donors giving to Casa Latina include: Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan M.E. Davenport Foundation Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation Frey Foundation Steelcase Foundation Steve and Tana Wessell Those interested in supporting Casa Latina, can find out more here. Casa Latina has an advisory board to ensure integration into the community with opportunities for networking and internships. Davenport offers career services support throughout a graduates lifetime. For more information about Casa Latina at Davenport University, visit https://www.davenport.edu/casa-latina. DropBox Link with Casa Latina logo, photos and soundbites https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/a4r2j24jrubwg32z5l5ap/h?rlkey=ccp8dbap3ma7qpw24271w80k9&dl=0 About Davenport University: Founded in 1866, Davenport is a private, nonprofit university serving about 5,000 students at campuses across Michigan and online. With tuition among the lowest of all private universities in the state, Davenport provides high academic quality, small class sizes, conveniently located campuses, faculty with real-world experience and more than 60 dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs. Visit: davenport.edu View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305998347/en/ Sensis Agency: Melissa Gonzalo, [email protected], (323) 868-2687 Davenport University: Mary Eilleen Lyon, [email protected], (616) 560-2548 Source: Davenport University After growing its SaaS business by 118% in FY2023 at near break-even cash flow, DTEX is set to innovate the Insider Risk Management space through the application of behavioral science research to accelerate investigations and decision-making. SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DTEX Systems, the global leader for insider risk management, today announced that it closed $50M in Series E funding. CapitalG, the independent growth fund of Googles parent company Alphabet, led the new investment round, bringing DTEX Systems total funding raised to $138M. The funding will be used to expand the companys U.S. engineering team and grow its go-to-market (GTM) operations globally, accelerating its mission to proactively protect global organizations from insider threats. These new funds will continue to fuel significant company momentum and accelerate DTEXs application of large language models (LLMs) and behavioral science research to disrupt the insider risk management market. In the last year, DTEX doubled its ARR growth rate and closed its highest-ever number of $1 million+ deals. This includes the largest deal in company history with a leading Financial Services company that deployed the DTEX InTERCEPTTM platform enterprise-wide, covering more than 800,000 user devices and mission-critical servers. Customer wins spanned multiple industries, including energy, mining, healthcare, banking and finance, technology, media, pharma, telecommunications, federal agencies and other critical infrastructure entities. The company also expanded its footprint in the public sector market, securing a multimillion-dollar deal with a major U.S. government agency that spans over 100,000 endpoints. To support this rapid growth, DTEX expanded its C-suite with the appointment of Marshall Heilman as CEO, Rajan Koo as CTO, and Dave Salverson as CFO. "Our investment in DTEX comes at a time when enterprises worldwide are increasingly reprioritizing their security investments in order to address the costs and impact of insider risks. At the same time, the market is underserved by legacy technologies that dont provide visibility into the behavioral nuances that are essential to understanding and proactively mitigating both malicious and unintentional insider risks," said James Luo, partner at CapitalG who will be joining the DTEX board of directors. DTEX takes a differentiated approach to mitigating insider risks and has a proven record of success as the most innovative and effective solution on the market. We look forward to partnering with the DTEX team to support the company in its next phase of growth. Insider risk management has quickly become one of the top priorities for business leaders today. Seventy-seven percent of organizations report they have or are planning to start an insider risk program and nearly 50% are increasing spending. According to DTEX and Ponemon Institute, 75% of insider incidents are non-malicious due to negligent and mistaken employees or exploitation by external threat actors. Against this backdrop, organizations increasingly acknowledge the need to focus on the human element to shift from reactive to proactive security and prevent unnecessary damages. Since its inception, DTEX has remained hyper-focused on leveraging behavioral science to help organizations better understand the human element impacting their security risk posture. This unwavering commitment has empowered hundreds of global enterprises to develop more effective and proactive insider risk management programs, without infringing on employee privacy. This investment closely follows the launch of DTEX Ai3 Risk Assistant, the newest enhancement to the DTEX InTERCEPT platform. Ai3 leverages generative AI, to simplify complex insider risk tasks typically reserved for the most highly trained investigators. By democratizing data analysis, it enables more eyes and know-how to be part of safeguarding an organization's digital assets. Underpinned by its existing behavioral science and AI/ML models, these new funds will empower the engineering team to explore adjacent disciplines to continue enhancing the platform and increase return on investment (ROI) for all customers. Insider risk is one of the most prevalent and insidious threats facing modern companies and governments, making it a matter of national security. DTEX has been instrumental in enabling critical infrastructure, commercial and government organizations to mitigate insider risk, while also protecting employee privacy, said Marshall Heilman, CEO of DTEX Systems. We are thrilled to join forces with CapitalG, renowned for their selective investments that have propelled companies like CrowdStrike and Zscaler to the top of their fields in cybersecurity. This funding underscores their confidence in DTEX's potential to lead the Insider Risk Management space, marking a significant milestone in our journey." To learn more about DTEX Systems, please visit www.dtexsystems.com About CapitalG CapitalG, Alphabet's independent growth fund, invests in remarkable companies transforming the fields of enterprise infrastructure, security, and data; fintech; and consumer services and marketplaces. CapitalG partners with growth stage companies in their transition from startup to scale up through hands-on assistance from its in-house growth team and connections to Google's engineering, product, marketing, sales and people operations experts worldwide. More than 35000 Googlers and Alphabet leaders have engaged with CapitalG portfolio companies, including Airbnb, CrowdStrike, Databricks, Duolingo, Freshworks, Gusto, Lyft, Stripe, UiPath and Zscaler, among others. Learn more at https://capitalg.com/. About DTEX Systems As the global leader for insider risk management, DTEX empowers organizations to prevent data loss and support a trusted workforce by stopping insider risks from becoming insider threats. Its InTERCEPT platform consolidates the essential elements of data loss prevention, user behavior analytics, and user activity monitoring in a single light-weight platform to detect and mitigate insider risks well before data loss occurs. Combining AI/ML with behavioral indicators, DTEX enables proactive insider risk management at scale without sacrificing employee privacy or network performance. To learn more about DTEX Systems, please visit www.dtexsystems.com. Connect with DTEX: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304157963/en/ Media Sam Hussey fama PR for DTEX Systems [email protected] Source: DTEX Systems Australias Leading Digital Deal Makers Save Countless Hours with Sugars Best-in-Class Automation, Workflows, and Extensibility SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eden Exchange, Australias leading marketplace for buying and selling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is revolutionising the deal-making process through technology with SugarCRM, provider of the award-winning AI-driven sales automation platform. Eden Exchange, an Australian company with partnerships across Asia Pacific, India, and the Philippines, offers an all-in-one DealXchange platform that seamlessly connects business experts with buyers, sellers, franchisors, and brokers, reshaping the landscape of business transactions. Its online ecosystem and extensive network with expertise in business sales enables successful transactions for more than 100,000 buyers, sellers, brokers, franchisors, and advisors. Eden Exchange has integrated Sugar Sell within its DealXchange platform to surface relevant data and automate processes throughout the entire deal cycle for improved client experiences. Its revolutionary approach to buying and selling businesses utilises the latest technology to provide transparency at every point of a deal. Sugar templates provide the ability to customize processes to meet the needs of hundreds to thousands of clients. Sugars built-in automation has saved Eden Exchange countless hours setting up and monitoring workflows. Via Sugars renowned extensibility, Eden Exchange can easily integrate third-party applications such as Zapier. Sugar is critical to our platform because of the number of workflows it drives and the big data it houses, said Dhanush Ganglani, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Eden Exchange. All of this plays an important role in what we do for our clients and has a direct impact on our ability to deliver. With Sugar, the ability to automate tasks and use process definitions has allowed us to streamline what were previously highly manual tasks and save our team a great deal of time and effort, added Isabel Dias, Chief of Marketing and Operations at Eden Exchange. Eden Exchange plays an integral role in guiding clients through each step of a business transaction, from lead and deal origination to preparation and transaction. With Sugar, Eden Exchange has increased its own sales and business efficiencies in an easy-to-use environment and extended the many benefits of AI-driven sales automation to its clientele, said Adam Frank, SugarCRMs Vice President and General Manager, APAC. Read the case study for more information about how Eden Exchange is fueling business growth with Sugar. About SugarCRM SugarCRM is a CRM software that helps marketing, sales, and service teams reach peak efficiency through better automation, data, and intelligence so they can achieve a real-time, reliable view of each customer. Sugars platform provides leading technology in the sales automation, marketing automation, and customer service fields with one goal in mind: to make the hard things easier. Thousands of companies in over 120 countries rely on Sugar by letting the platform do the work. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sugar is backed by Accel-KKR. For more information about SugarCRM, visit: www.sugarcrm.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305963453/en/ Erin Lutz Lutz Public Relations and Marketing (for SugarCRM) [email protected] 949.293.1055 Sarita Kincaid Vice President, Corporate Communications, SugarCRM [email protected] 408.913.2090 Source: SugarCRM SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GoNetspeed today announced that the City of South Portland now has access to 100% fiber internet. Residents in initial construction areas can now tap into GoNetspeeds multi-gigabit infrastructure through their privately funded $8.5 million investment in the community. Upon completion of the full construction process, more than 8,500 residents and businesses throughout the area will have the opportunity to experience GoNetspeeds symmetrical fiber internet speeds, allowing customers to upload just as fast as they can download. GoNetspeed expects the full construction process to be completed by summer of 2024. Residents and businesses interested may visit gonetspeed.com to sign up for priority installation once service is available in their area and to receive updates on construction. South Portland can officially experience the power of multi-gigabit 100% fiber internet, said Richard Clark, GoNetspeed President & CEO. With access to high-speed internet, South Portland joins many surrounding communities in having more provider choice with an even better result. Life online will be dramatically improved, and we look forward to witnessing the impact of our dependable internet. GoNetspeed is continuing to ensure that more communities throughout Maine have access to high-speed, 100% fiber internet. Currently, Auburn, Bangor, Bath, Biddeford, Brewer, Brunswick, Camden, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Gray, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Lisbon, New Gloucester, Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, Orono, Portland, Rockland, Saco, Scarborough, Topsham, Waterville, Westbrook, Windham, Winslow, and Yarmouth have access to GoNetspeeds service. Many other communities throughout the state are well on their way to having access to GoNetspeeds fiber internet. With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to customer service, GoNetspeed is excited to accelerate the expansion of fiber networks throughout nine states, including Maine. GoNetspeed continues to deliver more fiber, more access, more speed, and better reliability to residents and businesses throughout our footprint. With access to 100% fiber internet, customers have access to symmetrical upload and download speeds, ranging from 300 Mbps to 2 gigabits. Learn more about GoNetspeed at gonetspeed.com. About GoNetspeed: GoNetspeed, a high-speed fiber internet provider serving residential and business customers in Maine, Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia, formed a partnership with Oak Hill Capital (Oak Hill) in January 2021, allowing GoNetspeed to accelerate the expansion of its fiber network throughout the Northeastern U.S. Adding thousands of new service areas every year, GoNetspeed is one of the largest independent internet providers in the east. For more information about GoNetspeed, or to inquire about service in your residence, business or community, visit gonetspeed.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305639282/en/ Katherine Yochum 502.963.8409 [email protected] Source: GoNetspeed NORD/LB and Mitsubishi HC Capital America will support the clean energy facility through debt financing PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GridStor, a developer and operator of utility-scale battery energy storage systems, announced today that it closed its first tax credit sale with J.P. Morgan in support of its Goleta Energy Storage project. The standalone battery energy storage project is the largest lithium-ion battery facility in Santa Barbara County and began operations in December 2023. In addition to the tax credit transfer, GridStors Goleta Energy Storage project is financed with long term debt provided by NORD/LB and Mitsubishi HC Capital America. This deal demonstrates the superior execution capabilities of our team and the confidence that GridStor has earned from world-leading financial institutions, said Chris Taylor, CEO of GridStor. We are proud to work with J.P. Morgan to join the first class of tax credit transfer sales associated with battery energy storage projects in North America. The Goleta project contains 44 emission-free batteries that comprise the biggest energy storage facility in Santa Barbara County. The 60 MW / 160 MWh lithium-ion batteries are capable of powering the equivalent of over 30,000 households over the hours each day when the electrical grid is most stressed, providing critical local reliability and support of Californias goal to decarbonize its power sector by 2045. Battery storage assets are expected to be a significant asset class in the broader energy transition. Battery storage resources are eligible for federal investment tax credits that can now be transferred from asset owners to other business entities with tax liability. NORD/LB is delighted to have supported the Goleta stand-alone battery storage project financing, said Sondra Martinez, Head of Project Finance-Origination at NORD/LB. Battery storage is an essential part of the energy transition and mission to decarbonize the electric grid, while still ensuring grid resiliency. NORD/LB is a leader in financing storage assets as well as more broadly providing flexible, forward-looking financing solutions in support of all ESG assets across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. Mitsubishi HC Capital America has long been committed to contributing to a prosperous and sustainable future, said Stephane Arsenault, senior vice president of sustainable development finance at Mitsubishi HC Capital America. Supporting GridStor's mission, as well as their latest battery energy storage project, is perfectly aligned with our plans to provide unique and progressive financing solutions with the global environment in mind. Building on more than a decade of experience financing clean technology projects, Mitsubishi HC Capital America has established a dedicated Sustainable Development Group (SDG) to assist customers in achieving their sustainability goals. Their focus areas include clean technology, mobility, digital manufacturing, climate-smart agriculture, and water and water treatment. GridStors Goleta project represents the companys sixth transaction in the battery energy storage sector. About GridStor GridStor is accelerating Americas transition to a carbon-free economy by building and operating batteries on the power grid, storing electricity to deliver when and where its most needed. GridStor develops, acquires, and operates utility-scale, standalone battery storage projects primarily across North America. GridStor is backed by Goldman Sachs Asset Management and comprises a team of seasoned energy professionals with a record of past accomplishments in energy storage and clean energy project acquisition, development, and management. Visit us at www.gridstor.com and on LinkedIn. About NORD/LB NORD/LB Norddeutsche Landesbank is one of the leading German commercial banks. The core business segments include business with corporate customers, private and commercial customers including private banking as well as special finance in the energy and infrastructure sector, aircraft finance and commercial real estate finance. The bank is headquartered in Hanover, Germany with branches in London, New York and Singapore. About Mitsubishi HC Capital America Mitsubishi HC Capital America is a commercial finance company that has extensive capabilities throughout North America with its affiliate, Mitsubishi HC Capital Canada, combining a consultative approach and expansive digital platform to help organizations of all sizes accelerate growth. With $7.5 billion in assets and more than 800 employees, the company is the largest non-captive, non-bank commercial finance company in North America. Mitsubishi HC Capital America partners with equipment manufacturers, dealers and distributors, as well as end customers, in providing customized financial solutions, including transportation and commercial finance. Dedicated to improving the communities where it operates, the company is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Visit https://www.mhccna.com/en-us. About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the worlds leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and marketoverseeing more than $2.8 trillion in assets under supervision globally as of December 31, 2023. Driven by a passion for our clients performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305870588/en/ Alaina Gjertsen [email protected] Source: GridStor PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With March being nationally recognized as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month, Inovia Vein, a leading provider of world-class vein health services, is calling for enhanced education and awareness about this potentially life-threatening condition. DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, typically in the legs. If left untreated, DVT can lead to serious complications, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Inovia Veins vein health experts are stepping up to spread the word about the condition. It's critical for individuals to understand the risks associated with DVT, said Lauren Wikholm, Director of Inovia Vein in Vancouver, Washington, including who is most susceptible, the indications of DVT, and how to prevent it. Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing DVT, said Todd Jones, MD, director of Inovia Vein in Happy Valley, Oregon, including prolonged immobility (such as during long flights or bed rest), surgery, injury, cancer, obesity, pregnancy, and genetic predisposition. When patients have symptoms such as swelling, pain, tenderness, and redness of the leg, especially after surgery or trauma, they should seek medical attention to determine if DVT is present, said Toshi Nagamoto, MD, director of Inovia Vein in Northwest Portland. In some cases, DVT may occur without any noticeable symptoms or provocations such as surgery or trauma. "It's essential for individuals to be proactive about their health and seek medical attention promptly if they suspect they have a DVT, said Victor, Salcedo, MD, of the Tanasbourne Inovia Vein Clinic in Hillsboro, Oregon. Prevention is key in reducing the risk of DVT, said Dr. Andrew Jones, founder and Chief Medical Officer of Inovia Vein, who practices in Bend, Oregon. Simple measures such as regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, staying hydrated, and avoiding prolonged periods of immobility can significantly lower the risk of developing blood clots. For individuals at higher risk, medical interventions such as compression stockings or anticoagulant medication may be recommended. Patients who suspect they may have DVT should seek medical attention and evaluation, said Dr. Jason Gilster, MD, director of the Inovia Vein clinic in Tigard, Oregon at Bridgeport Village. Detection and treatment are essential to minimizing the risk of serious complications. DVT Awareness Month is an important, potentially life-saving initiative, said Edward M. Boyle, MD, founder and CEO at Inovia Vein. That said, at Inovia Vein, we believe every month should be DVT Awareness Month, and we are dedicated to educating the communities we serve and beyond about prevention and education. With our team now treating patients across six clinics, we have become the largest vein focused specialty group in the Pacific Northwest, and prevention is a key focus for us organization-wide as we strive to deliver world class vein care. Anyone in Oregon and Southwest Washington who wants to make an appointment with Inovia Vein is encouraged to call 1-800-VEIN-DOC. Inovia Vein, the leading provider of vein health services, is dedicated to offering comprehensive and compassionate care to patients with venous disorders. With an expert team of experienced specialists offering state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatments, Inovia Vein delivers the highest standard of care for patients with vein-related conditions. Learn more at inoviavein.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305136333/en/ Paul Williams [email protected] 310/569-0023 Source: Inovia Vein BROOMFIELD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intrepid Fiber Networks is proud to announce the expansion of its open access fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) network to over 27,000 households and businesses in Westminster, Louisville, and Lafayette, Colorado, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity for the next generation. Intrepids strong partnerships with top-tier Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will continue to accelerate growth and maintain Intrepids commitment to delivering FTTP services of the highest quality. Building on its success in Pueblo and Northglenn, Colorado, and the greater Minneapolis area, Intrepid Fiber is thrilled to bring symmetrical multi-gigabit Internet access to these municipalities. With construction currently underway, residents of Westminster, Louisville, and Lafayette can begin to enjoy best-in-class fiber services in 2024. Intrepid Fibers strategic investment in additional Colorado municipalities, backed by Brookfield Asset Management, represents a significant step in our nationwide fiber initiatives. Our open access network, built on a secure and dependable platform, creates enhanced opportunities for Internet Service Providers, fostering competitive pricing and delivering increased value to residents. This exciting next step in Intrepids Fibers mission to empower residents and businesses with next generation Internet marks another milestone for broadband expansion in Colorado, said Jack Waters, CEO of Intrepid Fiber. Over the next few weeks, residents of Westminster, Louisville, and Lafayette will be notified of any work by lawn signs and door hangers. Residents can also anticipate the following as Intrepid begins its construction: Preliminary survey Before construction, crews conduct thorough area surveys, mark utility locations, and communicate with residents through door-knocking and door hangers. Efficient Installation During the installation phase, crews will prioritize community safety and minimize disruption while installing fiber along designated routes, using either existing utility poles or underground conduits. Meticulous Cleanup Restoring landscaping to its former or improved state is essential during construction. Crews will provide watering instructions to nurture the new seed or sod. If residents have questions or comments, they can contact Intrepid via phone, email, or its website. About Intrepid Fiber Founded in 2021, Intrepid Fiber was launched by Brookfield Asset Management, one of the worlds largest investment groups, as a pioneering Fiber-to-the-Home platform championing a Wholesale Open Access Model. Intrepids mission is to deliver world class fiber to communities throughout the United States and meet the broadband demands of the future. To learn more, please visit intrepidfiber.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained herein or made by management constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our current expectations about our plans and future performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. We do not undertake to update these statements. Our expectations (or the underlying assumptions) may change or not be realized, and you should not unduly rely on forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304634464/en/ Dominic Thompson Intrepid Fiber 720-727-9224 Source: Intrepid Fiber Kymeta leads the Multi X satcom revolution with first to market products supported by innovative patents for hybrid satellite/cellular operation and multi-satellite network connectivity from a flat panel electronically steered antenna. REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- World-leading flat panel satellite antenna company Kymeta (www.kymetacorp.com) announced today the United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded Kymeta Corporation two U.S. patents. The first patent is related to the cooperation of a SD-WAN edge appliance and a satellite terminal, enabling users to engage in concurrent or switched satellite and cellular communications. The second patent is related to an Electronically Steered Array (ESA) antenna operating across multiple satellite networks in multiple modes (e.g., concurrent mode, switched mode, etc.). These achievements demonstrate Kymetas continued thought leadership in the marketplace as the satellite communications industry evolves into a multi-orbit, multi-network ecosystem. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305480488/en/ Kymeta - Leading the Multi X Revolution (Graphic: Business Wire) Ryan Stevenson, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, and Chief Scientist at Kymeta, emphasized the company's dedication to expanding its intellectual property (IP) with relevant additions to its patent portfolio and technology roadmap. He stated, "These patents exemplify our proven track record of continuous innovation and translating those innovations into fielded solutions. The launch in 2023 of the Hawk u8 LEO, Peregrine u8 LEO, and the Osprey u8 Hybrid-GEO-LEO [user terminals] demonstrate Kymetas commitment to leading the multi-x satcom revolution. With these latest additions, Kymeta's patent count surpasses 230 in the U.S. and internationally, along with an additional 165 pending applications. Since its establishment in 2012, the company has consistently demonstrated thought leadership in the market through continuous innovation and the advancement of Kymeta's connectivity solutions. U.S. Patent No. 11,818,606, issued November 14, 2023 https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/11818606 U.S. Patent No. 11,729,633, issued August 15, 2023 https://ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/11729633 About Kymeta Kymeta is the industry leader in flat panel satellite antennas, providing purpose-built solutions across a variety of enterprise and military applications and unlocking the commercial value of space to address the vast, unmet demand for ubiquitous broadband and truly mobile connectivity for customers around the world. Its innovative metasurface technology, coupled with a software-first approach, delivers the first commercially available, metamaterial-based and electronically steered flat panel satellite antenna. Kymetas low-cost, low-power and high throughput solutions make it easy to connect on the move or while stationary for any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or fixed platform enabling industries on earth to transform their operations by harnessing capacity in space. Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington. For more information, visit kymetacorp.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305480488/en/ Brenda Kuhns Senior Director of Marketing Kymeta Corporation [email protected] Source: Kymeta Guwahati strengthens global ties with four Memorandums of Understanding with prestigious international educational institutions. The institute advances knowledge exchange through formal collaborations with Dalhousie University, Canada, and Gifu University, Japan.Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director at IIT Guwahati, expressed satisfaction during the event about collaborations with partner institutes. He highlighted, 'IIT Guwahati is dedicated to enhancing students academic and personal development through these initiatives. The main objective is to enhance students' educational experience, with cross-cultural opportunities playing a crucial role. Essentially, the collaborations seek to offer students diverse learning experiences and growth prospects, nurturing a holistic educational atmosphere at IIT Guwahati.'This groundbreaking collaboration introduces jointcollaborations between scholars and students from both institutions. Through facilitating student and academic staff exchange programs, and promoting shared research activities and materials, the partnership seeks to nurture an academic environment conducive to groundbreaking discoveries and excellence. Moreover, jointly supervising PhD candidates ensures diverse perspectives and expertise, enhancing the quality of research outcomes and the educational journey.In partnership with Gifu University, IIT Guwahati introduces the 'International Joint PhD Program,' lasting for a standard three-year duration. The program features collaborative course design by both universities, providing students with a comprehensive educational experience. During their dissertation work, scholars will receive collective guidance and mentorship from faculty members at both home and partner institutions. A multidisciplinary team of experts from both universities will evaluate research progress, ensuring strict academic standards and promoting innovative research outcomes.A pact is established for a 2-year 'International Masters Joint Degree Program in Food Science and Technology' between the two institutes. This program is managed collaboratively by Gifu University and IIT Guwahati, streamlining coursework and dissertation evaluation for students. Moreover, the program stresses data sharing between institutions, aiming to nurture highly skilled professionals in food science and related fields. This initiative is positioned to tackle challenges in building a sustainable society by optimizing resource utilization, benefiting both regions. First satellite developed by an environmental non-profit will see methane emissions others cant, paving the way for heightened accountability and faster reductions VANDENBERG SFB, LOMPOC, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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/ Lexie Michel, Sun Public Relations, [email protected] or 952-457-1418 Lauren Whittenberg, Environmental Defense Fund, [email protected] or 512-784-2161 Source: Environmental Defense Fund NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that it has confirmed its previously announced declaration of the first quarter 2024 dividend of $0.42000544 per share on the companys floating rate non-cumulative preferred stock, Series A, with a liquidation preference of $25 per share (NYSE: MET PRA). The New York Stock Exchange has not yet set an ex-dividend date for the Series A preferred stock. Following this confirmatory announcement, the New York Stock Exchange will set an ex-dividend date for the Series A preferred stock. The dividend will be payable March 15, 2024, to shareholders of record as of Feb. 29, 2024. About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (MetLife), is one of the worlds leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help individual and institutional customers build a more confident future. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, using words such as will, are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the Risk Factors MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLifes future results could differ, and it does not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any of these statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305107904/en/ For Media: Dave Franecki 973-264-7465 [email protected] For Investors: John Hall 212-578-7888 [email protected] Source: MetLife, Inc. Virtualizes NVIDIA GPUs, improves Windows support, and can replace VMware at lower cost CAMPBELL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mirantis today announced the latest release of Mirantis OpenStack for Kubernetes (MOSK). The release incorporates hundreds of improvements from the open source upstream, plus dozens of innovations including graphics processing unit (GPU) virtualization especially useful for cost-effectively running artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. MOSK 24.1 introduces GPU virtualization as a technical preview, letting multiple cloud applications efficiently share resources of physical NVIDIA GPU boards. GPU virtualization helps optimize costs maximizing utilization of expensive GPU hardware while letting more teams and business units take advantage of processing power. Leveraging NVIDIA's AI Enterprise software platform, MOSK enables physical processing resources to be portioned and presented to workloads as dedicated resources for accelerated performance and optimal resource allocation. "In today's rapidly evolving landscape, organizations are increasingly reliant on AI and highly-intensive compute tasks for competitive advantage, said Roman Zhnichkov, director of engineering, Mirantis. MOSK 24.1 empowers enterprises to harness the power of NVIDIA GPU virtualization technologies, enabling cost-effective AI hosting while enhancing operational agility." MOSK 24.1 is built on OpenStack Antelope the first OpenStack release designated as SLURP (Skip Level Upgrade Release Process). Users of MOSK 24.1 running OpenStack Yoga will be able to upgrade directly to Antelope, skipping the intermediate OpenStack Zed. This saves operational overhead for users to stay current. Other key improvements include: UEFI booting for virtual machines enables MOSK to run modern Windows, for example, Windows 11 as guests, accommodating additional workloads efficiently and helping control costs in clouds hosting a lot of Windows applications. MOSK 24.1 also includes improved support for Secure Boot, virtual Trusted Platform Modules, and Hyper-V emulation, for workloads requiring these features. enables MOSK to run modern Windows, for example, Windows 11 as guests, accommodating additional workloads efficiently and helping control costs in clouds hosting a lot of Windows applications. MOSK 24.1 also includes improved support for Secure Boot, virtual Trusted Platform Modules, and Hyper-V emulation, for workloads requiring these features. SPICE (Simple Protocol for Independent Computing Environments) protocol for remote access to virtual machines as an option to replace VNC, offering enhanced security capabilities. SPICE has become a widely accepted open standard for secure remote access. to virtual machines as an option to replace VNC, offering enhanced security capabilities. SPICE has become a widely accepted open standard for secure remote access. Enhanced security features with updates to OpenStack Helm charts and default network policies for Kubernetes pods running control plane services to meet the most stringent security requirements. MOSK enables on-premise cloud infrastructure for cloud-native and traditional applications, ensuring reliability and complete control over application data. MOSK provides automated management of the underlying infrastructure, from hardware provisioning to software configuration, plus centralized logging, monitoring, and alerting. Mirantis offers a TCO calculator that will provide an approximation of how much can be saved by moving to Mirantis OpenStack for Kubernetes from other infrastructure, such as VMware. For more details on MOSK 24.1, please look here. About Mirantis Mirantis helps organizations ship code faster on public and private clouds, increasing developer productivity by removing the stress of managing infrastructure. The company combines intelligent automation and cloud-native expertise for managing and operating virtual machines, containers, Kubernetes, and cloud environments. Mirantis delivers a public cloud experience on any infrastructure, from the data center to the edge, with one cohesive cloud experience for complete app and DevOps portability, a single pane of glass, and automated full-stack lifecycle management, all based on open source. Mirantis serves many of the worlds leading enterprises, including Adobe, DocuSign, Inmarsat, PayPal, Societe Generale, Splunk, and S&P Global. Learn more at www.mirantis.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305842604/en/ Joseph Eckert for Mirantis [email protected] Source: Mirantis KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As North America's largest travel center network, Pilot Travel Centers LLC continues to prioritize strategic growth in 2024 with plans to add 35 travel centers and remodel more than 75 locations across its network. It is also expanding its truck maintenance network of Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J (STMP) shops. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305992576/en/ Pilot Travel Centers LLC announces 2024 network growth plans. (Photo: Business Wire) The 2024 growth plan includes building 10 new travel centers to increase the companys presence in several states, bringing additional services, amenities and over 500 truck parking spaces to the road. With 25 dealer locations also expected to join the network, drivers will gain access to more stops along their routes that are eligible for Pilot Travel Centers LLCs myRewards loyalty perks and other company programs. Expanding into new communities and enhancing our services remains a key part of our long-term strategy, said Allison Cornish, senior vice president of store modernization and development at Pilot Travel Centers LLC. We continually evaluate our network with our guests needs in mind and are making significant investments in our travel centers to provide drivers an exceptional experience at every stop along their journey. Last year, the company opened 10 new travel centers and welcomed more than 20 dealer locations to its network. The new stores were conveniently located along major routes in key markets for travelers and professional drivers, including Yucca and Ash Fork, AZ; Colton and Rialto, CA; Gallup, NM; McCarran, NV; Edon, OH; Holladay, TN; Odessa, TX; and Wamsutter, WY. As part of its New Horizons initiative, Pilot Travel Centers LLC has plans to overhaul an additional 75 locations this year for a total of nearly 200 completed remodels since launching the program in 2022. These major enhancements include curb-to-counter makeovers with refreshed restrooms and showers, new kitchens, expanded food and beverage options and updated technology. In addition to expanding its travel center network, Pilot Travel Centers LLC is looking to bring more top-of-the-line maintenance and tire services to its trucking customers through its partnership with Southern Tire Mart. Over the next year, the company plans to add more than 30 shops to its travel centers for a total of over 85 locations across the country. For more information on Pilot Travel Centers LLC and its travel center network, including locations and amenities, visit pilotflyingj.com. To easily find nearby stores and access great deals, download the myRewards Plus app.* *Data rates may apply. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. About Pilot Travel Centers LLC Pilot Travel Centers LLC keeps North Americas drivers moving as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Travel Centers LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot Travel Centers LLC has more than 870 Pilot, Flying J and One9 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.3 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot Travel Centers LLC offers trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates the third largest fuel tanker fleet in North America and supplies approximately 14 billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot Travel Centers LLC is committed to shaping the future of energy as the largest provider of biodiesel and renewable fuels and through the development of a coast-to-coast EV charging network and low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot Travel Centers LLC, visit pilotflyingj.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305992576/en/ Billy Leach Media and Public Relations Specialist 865-474-3043 [email protected] Source: Pilot Travel Centers LLC Professors Larry Abbott, Terrence Sejnowski, and Haim Sompolinsky have pioneered the field of computational and theoretical neuroscience and made seminal contributions to our understanding of the brain. They have also helped pave the way for the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence. Their efforts are rewarded with The Brain Prize 2024. COPENHAGEN, Denmark--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Lundbeck Foundation has announced the recipients of The Brain Prize 2024, the worlds largest award for outstanding contributions to neuroscience. This years award recognizes the pioneering work of three leading neuroscientists Professor Larry Abbott at Columbia University (USA), Professor Terrence Sejnowski at the Salk Institute (USA), and Professor Haim Sompolinsky at Harvard University (USA) and the Hebrew University (Israel). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305504553/en/ Credit: The Lundbeck Foundation Theoretical and computational neuroscience permeates neuroscience today and is of increasingly growing importance. The winners of The Brain Prize 2024 have made pioneering contributions to these scientific areas by uncovering some of the principles that govern the brains structure, function, and the emergence of cognition and behaviour. The Brain Prize 2024 worth DKK 10 million (1.3 million) is awarded to: Larry Abbott (USA), Terrence Sejnowski (USA), and Haim Sompolinsky (Israel/USA) for their Foundational work in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience. Chair of The Brain Prize Selection Committee, Professor Richard Morris, explains the reasoning behind this years award: It is inconceivable to imagine modern brain sciences without the concomitant development of computational and theoretical neuroscience. The three scientists have applied novel and sophisticated approaches from physics, mathematics, and statistics to study the brain. They have developed vital tools for the analysis of highly complex datasets acquired by modern day experimental neuroscientists. The three prize winners have also proposed conceptual frameworks for understanding some of the brains most fundamental processes such as learning, memory, perception and how the brain generates maps of the external world. They have also provided crucial new insights into what may go awry in several devastating disorders of the nervous system, such as epilepsy, Alzheimers disease, and schizophrenia. In addition, their scientific achievements have paved the way for the development of brain-inspired artificial intelligence, one of the emerging and transformational technologies of our time. On behalf of the Lundbeck Foundation, CEO Lene Skole extends her warmest congratulations to each of the three Brain Prize recipients: Their pioneering research has created trailblazing knowledge and paved the way for other scientists to better understand critical brain functions, also in relation to diseases. It aligns fully with our purpose of bringing discoveries to lives. Each of their scientific endeavours began in the 70s, and their determination, courage and persistence over decades should serve as inspiration for other scientists, and indeed be rewarded. FACTS The human brain consists of approximately 100 billion neurons connected by trillions of synaptic connections. Every function the brain performs relies on the flow of information through these staggeringly complex networks of neurons. A fundamental goal of neuroscience is to understand how these networks are wired together, and how the patterns of neural activity within them give rise to cognition and behaviour. The sheer complexity of the brain means that understanding its language requires theoretical and computational approaches. Theoretical and computational neuroscience uses mathematics, computer science, theoretical analysis, and abstractions of the brain to understand the principles that govern its structure, how it processes information, generates behaviour, and gives rise to cognitive abilities as perception, imagination, intelligence, the formation of knowledge, memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and the production of language. The field has laid the foundations for the development of AI - one of the most revolutionary developments in modern science. MORE INFO Find out more see the information pack of The Brain Prize 2024 >> About The Brain Prize The Brain Prize is the worlds largest neuroscience research prize, and it is awarded each year by the Lundbeck Foundation. The Brain Prize recognises highly original and influential advances in any area of brain research, from basic neuroscience to applied clinical research. Recipients of The Brain Prize may be of any nationality and work in any country in the world. Since it was first awarded in 2011, The Brain Prize has been awarded to 47 scientists from 10 ten different countries. The Brain Prize recipients are presented with their award by His Royal Highness, King Frederik of Denmark, at a ceremony in the Danish capital, Copenhagen. About the Lundbeck Foundation The Lundbeck Foundation is an enterprise foundation encompassing a comprehensive range of commercial and philanthropic activities all united by its strong purpose; Bringing Discoveries to Lives. The Foundation is the long-term and engaged owner of several international healthcare and medtech companies Lundbeck, Falck, ALK, Ellab, and Ferrosan Medical Devices and an active investor in business, science and people through its commercial investments in the financial markets; in biotech companies based on Danish research and through philanthropic grants to science talents and programmes in Danish universities. The Foundations philanthropic grants amount to more than DKK 500m annually primarily focusing on the brain including the worlds largest personal prize awarded in neuroscience, The Brain Prize. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305504553/en/ For media enquiries and more information please contact: Martin Meyer | Director of the Brain Prize | Lundbeck Foundation [email protected] Anne Sophie Tnnesen | Sr Communications Partner | Lundbeck Foundation [email protected] Source: Lundbeck Foundation SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, today announced its fully owned subsidiary, Planet Labs Federal Inc., was awarded a seven-figure contract by the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific for vessel detection and monitoring over key areas of interest throughout the Pacific. The project will integrate both Planets daily, global PlanetScope data and high-resolution SkySat data into the Department of Transportations SeaVision platform, a web-based maritime situational awareness tool. The contract includes fusion of technology from SynMax, a longtime Planet partner, who will provide vessel detection using their analytics technology over Planet data. Planets daily, global coverage, powered by its flagship PlanetScope constellation, is uniquely suited for broad area management, and will provide the SeaVision platform with a comprehensive and timely view of millions of square kilometers of ocean areas. In addition to this sweeping coverage, NIWC Pacific will also have access to Planets high-resolution SkySat data which can be used to capture finer detail. Further, SynMax has applied a subset of its Theia technology to meet the unique requirements of the NIWC Pacific project. This proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) enhancement enables the detection of maritime events at strategic and tactical levels, crucial for revealing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, illicit ship-to-ship transfers, and vessel spoofing. This work showcases the synergy between Planet's satellite capabilities and SynMax's advanced analytics. Integrating electro-optical imagery-derived vessel detections and high-resolution tasked imagery into the SeaVision platform will allow users to improve maritime domain awareness throughout the region. The unclassified data can be used to help validate alternative datasets, including Automatic Identification System (AIS) positions, and makes it easily shareable with SeaVision users, promoting a common understanding of key areas in the Pacific. NIWC Pacific continually pushes the bounds of innovating and advancing unmatched and disruptive technology in support of their operations, said Jon Powers, Planet Federals General Manager. Planet possesses a unique broad area imagery collection of land and ocean areas in the Indo-Pacific, so it's exciting for us to contribute that unique capability to provide maritime insights in support of the SeaVision mission. Planet Federal is pleased to equip US Federal Civilian Agencies, the Department of Defense, and Intelligence Community with real-time satellite data and analytics required to monitor and respond to global changes and looks forward to this important collaboration with NIWC Pacific. About Planet Planet is a leading provider of global, daily satellite imagery and geospatial solutions. Planet is driven by a mission to image the world every day, and make change visible, accessible, and actionable. Founded in 2010 by three NASA scientists, Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest Earth observation fleet of imaging satellites. Planet provides mission-critical data, advanced insights, and software solutions to over 950 customers, comprising the worlds leading agriculture, forestry, intelligence, education and finance companies and government agencies, enabling users to simply and effectively derive unique value from satellite imagery. Planet is a public benefit corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange as PL. To learn more visit www.planet.com and follow us on Twitter. Forward Looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, the Companys ability to capture market opportunity and realize any of the potential benefits from current or future product enhancements, new products, or strategic partnerships, contracts and customer collaborations. Forward-looking statements are based on the Companys managements beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to them. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future events and results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: Planets ability to obtain or maintain regulatory approvals and/or adhere to regulatory requirements, including those related to Planets ability to operate as a government contractor with the required security clearances; changes in government policies regarding use of commercial data or satellite operators, material delay or cancellation of certain government programs, government spending authorizations and budgetary priorities; changes in general global economic conditions or Planets operations (including the development, launch and operation of satellites) that may alter or delay Planets ability to perform under future contracts and the final profitability of such contracts; the cancellation of contracts by the customer and any potential contract options which may or may not be awarded in the future; and the risk factors and other disclosures about Planet and its business included in Planets periodic reports, proxy statements, and other disclosure materials filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which are available online at www.sec.gov, and on Planets website at www.planet.com. All forward-looking statements reflect Planets beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. Planet undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305304407/en/ Planet Press Sarah Bates [email protected] Planet Investor Relations Chris Genualdi, Cleo Palmer-Poroner [email protected] Source: Planet SolarWinds database experts will present multiple sessions at this years conference in Farnborough, England CORK, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI), a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software, today announced it will attend SQLBits in Farnborough, England, from March 19 23 as a gold sponsor. SQLBits is Europes largest data platform conference, featuring 200 world-class speakers, more than 300 hours of content, and engaging networking opportunities. Attendees can deepen their knowledge of everything from the SQL Server product suite and transactional data systems to the latest trends in big data, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. The complexity of modern database infrastructure introduces more risks than ever before, from downtime and data loss to poor customer experiences and security concerns, said Kevin Kline, database technology evangelist at SolarWinds and noted software industry veteran. SolarWinds database performance monitoring and observability solutions provide deep visibility and performance insight by simplifying the management of your most complex databases. At SQLBits, Ill share tips and techniques to help you shift from reactively fighting fires to proactively detecting and diagnosing issues before they become an issue. As a gold sponsor of the event, attendees can talk with SolarWinds IT pros at its stand and learn more about how SolarWinds delivers deep insights into the performance of complex and diverse database systems. The SolarWinds database portfolio includes SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer for performance monitoring and analysis, SolarWinds SQL Sentry for root cause analysis, and SolarWinds Database Observability, a SaaS solution built for DevOps and designed to help ensure optimal performance by monitoring open-source, cloud-enabled, and NoSQL databases. At the event, SolarWinds IT experts will also lead the following sessions: To learn more about SolarWinds database performance monitoring and observability solutions, visit https://www.solarwinds.com/database-performance-monitoring-software Additional Resources Connect with SolarWinds #SWI #SWIevents #SWIdatabase About SolarWinds SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI) is a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software built to enable customers to accelerate their digital transformation. Our solutions provide organizations worldwideregardless of type, size, or complexitywith a comprehensive and unified view of todays modern, distributed, and hybrid network environments. We continuously engage with IT service and operations professionals, DevOps and SecOps professionals, and database administrators (DBAs) to understand the challenges they face in maintaining high-performing and highly available hybrid IT infrastructures, applications, and environments. The insights we gain from them, in places like our THWACK community, allow us to address customers needs now and in the future. Our focus on the user and our commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT management have established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in solutions for observability, IT service management, application performance, and database management. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com. The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies. 2024 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305126830/en/ Media Contacts John Eddy Goldin Solutions Phone: +1-646-660-8648 [email protected] Investor Relations Tim Karaca SolarWinds Phone: +1-512-498-6739 [email protected] Jenne Barbour SolarWinds Phone: +1-512-498-6804 [email protected] Source: SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Paves the Way for Widespread Adoption of its Open XDR Cybersecurity Platform throughout the Region SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stellar Cyber, the innovator of Open XDR, has entered into a strategic partnership with Orca Technology Pty Ltd (Orca Tech), the fastest-growing distributor in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) region. In this milestone collaboration for both parties, this partnership enables Stellar Cyber to expand its presence in Australia as Orca Tech strengthens its cybersecurity portfolio. Stellar Cyber is revolutionising the cybersecurity landscape with its innovative Open XDR platform. Positioned in a new segment in Gartner's review, Open XDR is designed to provide comprehensive visibility, detection, and response capabilities across diverse environments, empowering organisations to effectively combat evolving cyber threats. That same Gartner review features Stellar Cyber among the top 10 XDR vendors, and as the leader for Open XDR. Orca Tech's expertise and extensive network in the region make it the ideal partner for Stellar Cyber's expansion into Australia. With its successful track record in delivering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, Orca Tech is committed to providing exceptional service and support to its partners and customers. "We are delighted to welcome Orca Tech as our distributor in Australia," said Dominic Neo, Vice-President of Sales, ASEAN and ANZ at Stellar Cyber. "Their deep understanding of the cybersecurity market and superior distribution capabilities will enable us to reach new heights and better serve our customers in the region." "We are thrilled to partner with Stellar Cyber, bringing Open XDR and a unique MSSP offering to the Australian market and to innovate security operations in the region," said Craig Ashwood, GM at Orca Tech. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver best-in-class cybersecurity solutions to our partners and customers, and we look forward to driving mutual success together." Orca Tech will distribute the Stellar Cyber Open XDR platform, providing organisations in Australia with access to advanced threat detection, rapid response, and centralised management capabilities. Through joint marketing initiatives, training programs, and dedicated support, the two companies will enhance the cybersecurity posture of Australian businesses and safeguard their digital assets. About Stellar Cyber Stellar Cybers Open XDR platform delivers comprehensive, unified security without complexity, empowering lean security teams of any skill to secure their environments successfully. With Stellar Cyber, organizations reduce risk with early and precise identification and remediation of threats while slashing costs, retaining investments in existing tools, and improving analyst productivity. The company is based in Silicon Valley. For more information, contact https://stellarcyber.ai. About Orca Tech Orca Tech is a leading technology solutions provider committed to delivering cutting-edge innovations to the market. With a diverse portfolio of solutions, Orca Tech caters to the evolving needs of businesses, ensuring they stay ahead in the digital era. For more information about Orca Tech and its distribution services, visit www.orcatech.com.au. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305549506/en/ Charlie Rubin Story PR [email protected] 510-908-3356 Source: Stellar Cyber KIYOSU, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.(TOKYO: 7282), in its efforts to pioneer new businesses to resolve societal healthcare issues, has invested1 in Craif, Inc., a startup out of Nagoya University that develops urine test kits that enhance the possibility of the early detection of cancer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304365301/en/ miSignal cancer risk test kit (Photo: Business Wire) With its expertise in nanometer level processing technology in the bioscience field, Craif develops and sells test kits that can easily and highly sensitively detect the risks of seven types of cancer, including pancreatic and lung cancer, as early as cancer stage 1. These kits comprehensively and efficiently capture and measure small microRNA molecules called miRNA2 in urine, which are generally difficult to detect. Higher accuracy is achieved in combination with the tests using AI analysis. Toyoda Gosei has been developing products and collaborating with other companies in the field of preventive medicine to tackle social issues brought on by increased longevity. The company will continue to cultivate healthcare businesses through activities to promote and maintain the health of its employees and those of its business partners. 1 Investment made in February 2024, through Toyoda Goseis Corporate Venture Capital Dept., an internal organization dedicated to these investments. 2 The amount and type of miRNA contained in urine differs depending on the type of cancer and its progression. This makes miRNA contribute to the detection of the cancer risk. Outline of Craif, Inc. Name Craif, Inc. Location 5F Hongo ITP Office, 2-25-7 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan CEO Ryuichi Onose Established May 2018 Capital JPY 100 million (as of March 20, 2023) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304365301/en/ Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Contact: Public Relations [email protected] Source: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Event held at Chase Field featured Dr. Jones, President of Oklahoma City Community College PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix held its Spring 2024 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, March 2, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, with more than 2,500 graduating students from five different countries and 48 U.S. states registered to attend. The in-person event offered morning and afternoon ceremonies which hosted a total of more than 11,000 attendees. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305058049/en/ Mautra Staley Jones, Ed.D., delivers the keynote address at University of Phoenix's spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Chase Field. (Photo: Business Wire) Attendees were welcomed by University of Phoenix Provost and Chief Academic Officer John Woods, Ph.D., and keynote speaker and alumna, Mautra Staley Jones, Ed.D., President of Oklahoma City Community College, and by University faculty and staff. The students who earned their degrees during the ceremony join a community of more than one million University of Phoenix alumni. Woods shared his immense pride in graduates achievements at the commencement ceremony. Its a privilege to lead commencement, to join our graduates and their families in celebrating their perseverance, grit, and accomplishment, stated Woods. As working adult learners, caretakers, mothers, fathers, and community members, our graduates juggle many commitments, and its a huge honor to be part of the ceremony recognizing their hard-earned achievement. Jones shared her own story with graduates in attendance. Like you, I know that education is the great equalizer, and I am passionate about ensuring that as many individuals as possible can access this transformative opportunity, she stated. Today, you leave this commencement with a hard-earned recognition. What is it that you want to do? I want to encourage you to bet on yourself, to be fearless. Jones earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Phoenix in 2005 and is now a prominent leader in higher education. She is currently the president of Oklahoma City Community College, the fourth-largest institution of higher education in Oklahoma, serving more than 18,000 students. Her appointment as the colleges 11th president was historic for the school and the state. In Oklahoma, Jones is the first African American to serve as president of any institution of higher education that is not an HBCU (historically Black college and university). Additionally, she is the first woman and first person of color to lead Oklahoma City Community College. Jones is an active and engaged community member, providing leadership to various corporate, civic, and charitable organizations, including serving as a board director for BancFirst and BancFirst Corporation, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has been honored for her service and leadership, including being inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022. She was the American Mothers National Mother of the Year in 2021 and has been named Woman of the Year by 405 Magazine, The Journal Record, Perry Publishing and Broadcasting, and With Love OKC. Forbes Magazine recognized Jones as one of the ten top Black Higher Education CEOs to watch in 2023, and Luxiere Magazine featured her as a Woman of Influence in 2023. Teressa Dalatri graduated with her Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSC/CCMH), flying into Phoenix from Oklahoma City to attend commencement in person. Attending commencement with a friend, Dalatri shared that she wanted to walk at commencement in memory of her mother. Dalatri completed her bachelors in correctional program support services in 2019 with University of Phoenix and immediately enrolled in the masters program. I have always been interested in counseling and although Ive tried other career paths, this was my calling, what I should always have been pursuing; I finally listened, she shared. One of the populations I want to work with are those in corrections, and with University of Phoenix I aligned my bachelors and masters degree pathways to better focus on support services and counseling in corrections. Dalatri, who worked two jobs while working towards her graduate degree, had also attended Oklahoma City Community College and transferred credits towards her bachelors degree at University of Phoenix. She had the opportunity to connect with Jones at the commencement. It means a lot to connect with her as OCCC is where I started my college journey, so it's almost like it's full circle, she said. The next in-person commencement ceremony for University of Phoenix is scheduled to take place in Detroit, Michigan, in June. Learn more about commencement at the University of Phoenix here. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelors and masters degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305058049/en/ Sharla Hooper University of Phoenix [email protected] Source: University of Phoenix Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin director of the Center for Biological Diversity, appeared before Nevadas Joint Interim Committee on Natural Resources on Jan. 29 and presented a proposal which he said could help reduce the potential negative impacts of the lithium mining which will be coming to the state and which could help to speed up the development of some lithium mines in the years ahead. In a Feb. 2 letter to the committee, Donnelly wrote that the many lithium projects being proposed or developed in Nevada are an enormous rush on natural resources which could have lasting consequences on the environment of this state. In response to this lithium rush, Donnelly wrote, We are requesting that the Interim Committee examine this issue and consider putting forward a bill draft request to fund a study by the Desert Research Institute or other appropriate entity and applicable state agencies to evaluate lithium resources in the state and determine which can be extracted with the least impact on communities and the environment; and to instruct the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to promulgate a rule-making to have the state prioritize permitting for mine proposals in areas of least conflict; while de-prioritizing permitting for mine proposals in areas of greatest conflict. Donnelly has developed a map highlighting each of the lithium projects being planned in Nevada, and in February he was tracking 83 lithium projects on the map. That is a huge pipeline of projects, much larger than the pipeline of gold projects, Donnelly said in an interview. And if half of those got built, it would be the biggest mining industry in Nevada. It would eclipse gold and really dramatically change the state. In his comments to the Natural Resources Committee Donnelly said, the scale of the potential for all these projects to get built out is just enormous; its really staggering. The Center for Biological Diversity has been battling Ioneers Rhyolite Ridge lithium project in Nevada for years, insisting that Ioneer take further steps to ensure that the mine will cause no harm to the Tiehms buckwheat plants in the area. But I think that might leave people with the wrong impression that were against lithium, Donnelly said. And we arent. In fact, if were going to be ethically coherent in our stances, then we have to support some degree of lithium production in order to maintain a coherence with the positions were taking in support of electric vehicles and so forth. So for us, its a question of how do we find lithium that we can either support, or at least stomach. The Center for Biological Diversity supports electric vehicles and battery storage as a part of our renewable energy transition, and thus by extension we support responsible, sustainable lithium extraction, Donnelly wrote in his letter to the Natural Resources Committee. We support domestic lithium extraction as well, if it is done in the right places and with the right techniques. We oppose business-as-usual mining, dewatering of open pits, pit lakes, excessive water consumption, extinction of species or severe degradation of habitat, and regulatory shortcuts to permit bad mines faster. We need incentives for domestic lithium production in places and using techniques that avoid significant impacts to the environment and communities, and by extension avoid conflict and litigation, Donnelly wrote. The State of Nevada has an opportunity to help shape the future of the lithium boom. Currently, there is no planning or landscape-level analysis going on for where lithium production should be permitted. Assuming that Nevadans do not want to sacrifice everywhere in the state to mine lithium, proactive planning for lowest conflict lithium production makes sense. Donnelly said in February that if people in Nevada can proactively identify the locations where lithium deposits can be mined or produced from brine with the least amount of environmental impacts, and without negatively impacting indigenous tribes, then not only would we be preventing those harms, and preventing a bunch of struggle and litigation, but we could also potentially get to our renewable energy goals faster by selecting mines that dont have a bunch of controversy. The point is to encourage Nevada to get ahead of this, so the state isnt just in reactive mode, and the people who work in this state on these issues arent just in reactive mode. Asked about which places on that Nevada map of 83 lithium projects have the potential for less controversy, he commented that there are some areas around Tonopah which might fit the bill. From a biodiversity standpoint, the area immediately around Tonopah, especially to the west and a little bit north in the Big Smoky Valley, appears to be an area of lower biological conflicts, Donnelly said. The area around Tonopah has a number of projects proposed right now, the TLC project and the Tonopah Flats project are the most prominent, but there are several others, he said. Thats an area that does not have endangered species. It doesnt have the desert tortoise or the greater sage grouse. There are no significant groundwater-dependent ecosystems nearby. And so for us, that checks a lot of boxes for places that dont have the kind of key focal resources that we would be considering for biodiversity. Now, I mean, there are pronghorn out there. Nowhere has zero wildlife. But the reality is, were going to have to make some sacrifices for this clean energy transition. We recognize that. And so, its about finding those low conflict zones. Donnelly said he feels the proposal to get Nevada involved in proactively determining where mining could take place with fewer conflicts is an idea which could get support from many different types of people, and not just from environmental groups. There could be a pretty wide swath of stakeholders in Nevada who might support something like this, Donnelly said. I dont think its just going to be an environmentalist thing. I think there is concern that Ive heard around rural Nevada about the implications of all this. Donnelly said he knows it will take time and effort, along with funding and political will, to move toward the new approach he is proposing for looking at potential mine projects in Nevada. Obviously getting legislation to pretty significantly change the permitting structure for mines in Nevada would be a big legislative lift, Donnelly said. So I dont necessarily hold delusions this would all happen overnight. But right now, were just asking the interim committee to examine the issue, and if they so choose, put forward a bill draft request for it. And we really hope theyll get behind this, because I think theres going to be a lot of consensus about this. Donnelly said again that he wanted to emphasize that this mine project planning proposal is not anti-mining. He said the Center for Biological Diversity is usually in the role of opposing mining, and were trying something different here. I would say this is an olive branch to mining saying, hey, lets figure this out as a community who cares about public lands in Nevada. The result of a recent comprehensive audit affirms the value that healthcare entities enjoy with Ventegras proprietary Robo-Rebate software. GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ventegra, Inc., a Medical Benefit Manager (MBM) that delivers innovative, cost-efficient pharmaceutical and healthcare solutions to payors, providers, patients, and the pharmaceutical industry, announces the most recent validation of its Robo-Rebate software by an independent third-party auditor that resulted in no findings nor clawbacks that required returning money to clients. A worlds top 5 ranked pharmaceutical manufacturer recently completed a detailed audit of Ventegra using a large third-party auditor. They conducted two separate audits on submissions generated by Ventegras proprietary Robo-Rebate software resulting in zero financial impact to Ventegra and Ventegras clients. The audit reviewed millions of dollars in complex medical benefit claims spanning Ventegras largest clients and risk-bearing medical groups (approaching 200 distinct entities). Ventegras Robo-Rebate software tracks rebate growth and savings with true transparency to help clients maximize savings while supporting quality care. The Robo-Rebate software provides an efficient, automated approach to managing rebates, giving clients peace of mind that their rebates will be accurately processed. Maria Ritchie, MPH, CPhT, Vice President of Industry Relations, says, This comprehensive audit, like many others before it, again confirms the integrity by which Ventegra administers its obligations to our clients and pharmaceutical manufacturers on discounts and rebates. It reflects the unique recognition that the industry has placed on Ventegra by designating it as the first entity contractually named as a Medical Benefit Manager (MBM) class-of-trade in 2014. In making the announcement, Robert T. Taketomo, Pharm.D., MBA, President/CEO, adds, This arduous audit affirmed the capabilities of our proprietary Robo-Rebate technology in administering discounts on behalf of the industry and our clients with a level of capability, integrity and transparency that is unique to the Medical Benefit Manager business model. After 20 years of development and refinements, it is gratifying to receive third-party validation on the accuracy and reliability of our Robo-Rebate software. Ventegra remains one of the few independent entities in the market that directly contracts with manufacturers and passes on such discounts directly to clients. It is also the only B-Lab Certified California Benefit Corporation administering pharmacy and medical benefit programs under the MBM class-of-trade. To further its mission to provide more cost-effective healthcare to the communities served, Ventegra, Inc. is in the process of transitioning its business to Ventegra Foundation, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. About Ventegra, Inc. Ventegra, Inc. is the legacy Ventegra that is dedicated to servicing Ventegra Foundation. A complex transition process has begun, and over time, Ventegra, Inc.s mission will be fully assumed by Ventegra Foundation. www.ventegra.com About Ventegra Foundation Ventegra Foundation is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. Its mission is to establish new channels for delivering better efficiencies and more cost-effective healthcare for the community that is served. Ventegra Foundation is expected to be fully operational by June 30, 2024. www.ventegra.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305697517/en/ Peggy C. Frank, MBA Director, Marketing and Public Relations [email protected] 818-642-6804 Source: Ventegra, Inc. Allbirds Inc., a global lifestyle brand that innovates with sustainable materials to make better footwear and apparel products in a better way, announced the completion of its previously announced agreements with distributor partners in Australasia and Japan. With the completion of these agreements, Allbirds has transitioned four international regions from direct selling to a distributor model. The shift from a direct go-to-market model to a third-party distributor model is one of the key pillars under Allbirdss previously announced Strategic Transformation Plan. In 2023, the Company transitioned to new partners in Canada and South Korea, and continues to explore distribution opportunities in other international geographies. Effective June 1, 2024, world-renowned industry leader Goldwin Inc. will be the exclusive Allbirds distributor in Japan, bringing decades of expertise in the region. Beginning July 1, 2024, Compendium Group will be Allbirds first appointed Australasian distributor, focused on continuing to build brand awareness and affinity across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, with a proven track record among breakthrough brands. We are proud to partner with illustrious distributors in two important regions for Allbirds, said Annie Mitchell, Chief Financial Officer of Allbirds. Goldwin is a world-class distributor and we look forward to benefiting from their regional knowledge and expertise as we build brand awareness in Japan. Australasia, including our spiritual home of New Zealand, is a significant market for our brand, and we couldnt ask for a better partner than Compendium to lead our efforts in this region. From its birth, Allbirds always drew our attention for its unique sustainable approach in business and products, said Mori Hikari, Managing Executive Officer of Goldwin Inc. As we pride ourselves in being one of the most outdoor/sports committed, environmentally focused companies in Japan, we are extremely happy to partner with Allbirds. We believe our partnership will surely accelerate not only Goldwins commitment to sustainable growth but also our societys awareness of it. To represent Allbirds down under, with its deep Kiwi roots, is something we are incredibly proud and passionate to get behind. Allbirds is a consumer-driven brand that empowers the public and advocates for change in the footwear industry. This movement has inspired change for other global footwear brands. This resonates in the New Zealand and Australian market, a region where the environment and how we use our natural materials while still protecting it is important from an early age, which sparks a powerful sense of connection to the brand values and product, said Compendium Groups CEO, Johnathan Lopes Da Silva. Magna International Inc. (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 SECs website at www.sec.gov or from: Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's (NYSE: NVO) Wegovy and Ozempic. From nih.gov: A weekly injection of semaglutide was safe and reduced the amount of fat in the liver by 31% in people with HIV and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a presentation today at the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Denver. This is the first clinical trial of semaglutide for MASLD in people with HIV. The research was sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and conducted in the United States and Brazil by ACTG, a global clinical trials network focused on HIV and other infectious diseases. ACTG is funded by NIAID and collaborating NIH institutes. McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston also contributed funding for this study. Previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, MASLD is characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol consumption or viral hepatitis. Over time, fat deposits may cause inflammation and cellular damage, and can result in cardiovascular and liver disease. MASLD also is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. It is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, and a leading reason for liver transplantation. An estimated 30-40% of people with HIV experience MASLD, slightly higher than the average among people without HIV.Semaglutide is an antidiabetic medication approved for use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. The Phase 2b pilot study enrolled people with HIV and MASLD aged 18 years and older whose viral loadthe amount of HIV in the bloodwas suppressed to undetectable levels by antiretroviral therapy (ART). Participants were diverse with respect to ethnicity, race, gender, and age. Of the 49 participants included in the analysis, 40 (82%) were taking ART regimens containing an integrase strand transfer inhibitor, which is a class of antiretroviral drugs shown to be highly effective at suppressing HIV but associated with weight gain in some people. Participants self-injected semaglutide on a weekly basis at increasing doses until they reached a 1 milligram dose at week four and participated in frequent safety monitoring visits. At 24 weeks, the study team assessed changes in participants liver fat content using a type of MRI specifically designed to measure the amount of fat in the liver. Participants experienced an average 31% reduction in liver fat, with 29% of participants experiencing a complete resolution of MASLD, meaning their liver fat decreased to 5% or less of overall liver content. They also experienced weight loss, reduced fasting blood glucose (the amount of sugar in the blood) and reduced fasting triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), consistent with effects observed in studies of semaglutide in people without HIV. A separate analysis showed the volume of psoas muscle a large muscle connecting the torso to the lower body also decreased with no significant change in physical function. Semaglutide was generally well tolerated with an adverse event profile similar to that observed in people without HIV. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal and included nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Two participants experienced more significant adverse events possibly related to semaglutide but were able to continue in the study. All participants completed the full 24 weeks of therapy at the originally prescribed dose. These findings suggest that semaglutide is a safe and effective therapy for MASLD in people with HIV. The study may help inform healthcare decisions by people in consultation with their providers, as part of an approach to healthier aging with HIV over the life span. According to the investigators, additional research is underway to understand whether people with HIV experience any unique immunologic or inflammatory pathway changes while taking semaglutide therapy. BROOMFIELD, Colo., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a groundbreaking move set to transform the retail marketing landscape, Alpine IQ (AIQ) announces its strategic acquisition of Dispense Software, a pioneer in ecommerce menuing solutions for regulated markets. Set to revolutionize retail marketing, the titan in behavioral automation and loyalty will now offer brands and retailers an unparalleled toolset to enhance consumer engagement and supercharge revenue growth. Dispense known industry-wide for their innovative digital menuing and unmatched SEO expertise empowers customers with a no-code platform that streamlines order management and optimizes customer engagement. The acquisition of Dispense represents an expansion of Alpine IQs goal to deliver a full range of products designed to seamlessly run core business needs and drive greater ROI efforts. A strategic play to fill a crucial void In an industry where retailers are increasingly concerned about competitive marketplaces and the rising costs of customer acquisition, this merger offers a compelling alternative. With Dispense, retailers gain native SEO benefits and the freedom to build their customer base and brand without relying on marketplaces, said Kyla Sirni, Co-founder and CEO of Dispense. By joining forces with Alpine IQs leading data and marketing platform, we can help retailers strengthen their strategies with a comprehensive suite of integrated ecommerce and marketing tools to help them thrive in a digital landscape. Our biggest challenge has been enhancing the shopping and recapture abilities within our loyalty app, which serves over 110 million shoppers, said Nick Paschal, CEO of Alpine IQ. The acquisition of Dispense is a game-changer, allowing us to significantly improve conversion rates and create more engaging, gamified experiences within retailer-owned apps. The brand looks to leverage both proprietary softwares to enable retailers to extend the average customer interaction from a few minutes in-store to a lifetime of loyalty and repeat business. Integrating advanced features for the future of online shopping Looking ahead, Alpine IQ is set to integrate a multitude of innovative features that promise to elevate the digital shopping experience. We're in the process of integrating features that will redefine how the customer shops online; from chat and personalized product recommendations to menu customization and seamless checkout processes, shared Tim Officer, Co-founder and CTO of Dispense. The products future includes a wide range of enhancements aimed at reducing customer frustrations often found in disparate technology stacks. Retailers can look forward to a seamlessly integrated platform compatible with popular point-of-sale systems such as Treez, Dutchie, Flowhub, Cova, and Square. This makes it easier than ever for retailers to become the consumer destinations that modern shoppers expect, Paschal emphasized. Expanding reach and setting new industry standards The acquisition is not just about enhancing Alpine IQ's current offerings but also about broadening its impact across various sectors. This move opens the door for us to expand our shopping capabilities into new industries, where we're rapidly increasing our footprint, Paschal noted. AIQ is committed to a comprehensive list of enhancements to the platform, incorporating features like in-cart upsells, abandoned cart recapture, and extensive analytics for both in-store and wholesale operations. Paschal goes on to explain, our goal is to offer a holistic solution that not only meets, but exceeds, the expectations of today's retailers and their customers. A testament to growth and innovation Alpine IQ's impressive trajectory from a modest $150k in revenue in 2020 to $26 million in 2023 underscores the company's exceptional growth and strategic vision. With a commitment to financial prudence and innovation, AIQ has not only knocked down stereotypes but has set a new standard for success in regulated industries and beyond. Honoring the Dispense legacy and vision In acquiring Dispense, Alpine IQ celebrates the remarkable journey of a female-led company, grown under the leadership of Kyla Sirni. Dispense's path to profitability and its status as a beacon in legal market cannabis technology are testaments to the ingenuity and dedication of the team. As part of AIQ, Dispense will be positioned to continue their mission of empowering retailers to manage operations on their own terms. The company is committed to preserving the Dispense legacy, retaining all staff and further enriching the ecommerce platform with new resources and data analytics capabilities. About Alpine IQAlpine IQ is a leading provider of behavioral marketing automation solutions and services to help retail businesses drive better business results and transform the customer experience. With over 3,600 retailer partners across North America, Alpine IQ's platform has consistently delivered extraordinary results, reinforcing its position as a leader in retail marketing innovation. About DispenseOne of the most notable cannabis technology companies in the market, Dispense solutions empower retailers to boost sales, manage operations, and provide a customer experience as unique as their brand. Headquartered in Boston, MA, the Dispense team serves more than 300 retailers throughout the US to help marketing and operations teams deliver top-tier order management, online order growth, and drive SEO rankings. SOURCE Alpine IQ Inc. For further information: Jordie Lowe, Integrated Marketing Manager, [email protected] Source: Alpine IQ Inc -- Trauma patient suffered from third degree open infected fracture of its radial shaft after injury by a bullet -- Graft vascularization was achieved by embedding vascular pedicle into the scaffold -- Recently published as a case report in the Journal of Personalized Medicine BellaSeno GmbH, an ISO 13485-certified medtech company developing resorbable scaffolds using additive manufacturing technologies, announced today that a team at the Hannover Medical School, Clinic for Trauma Surgery, led by Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Mommsen, successfully used a customized, resorbable bone replacement scaffold produced by BellaSeno to reconstruct a 14 cm segmental bone defect of the radial shaft after third degree open infected fracture due to traumatic gunshot injury. Prior to his treatment at Hannover Medical School, the patient had undergone eleven surgeries with soft tissue and bony debridement to obtain secondary wound closure, while the radial fracture was only stabilized by a ring fixator. Following six further operations and systemic antibiotic treatment to achieve bacterial eradication of the surgical field, bone reconstructive surgery was performed at Hannover Medical School using BellaSenos resorbable scaffold in conjunction with an autologous bone graft from the medullary cavity of the femoral bone. The scaffold is based on Resomer, a biodegradable polymer platform developed by Evonik. The surgery succeeded and after three months, the patient showed timely bony integration and had adequate elbow function without any signs of wound healing disorder. Also, no more clinical signs of infection were apparent. The case study was published in this months Journal of Personalized Medicine. The scaffold was designed by BellaSeno as a customized cage to perfectly match the patients anatomy and to ensure a secure hold of autologous bone graft (RIA material) in the large void. To enable proper internal vascularization by the positioning of an arterio-venous loop or a central vascular pedicle during reconstructive surgery certain design features were included to allow the placement of such a fragile structure inside the scaffold. The scaffold was manufactured by BellaSenos proprietary AI-driven additive manufacturing facilities based on the so-called no-touch approach. The cage consisting of an inner and outer support frame with a basic and a locking part is made from completely bioresorbable, high-quality, GMP-grade Resomer polycaprolactone (mPCL) and provides osteoconductive properties. During surgery, the team decided to use a vascular pedicle to ensure immediate internal vascularization, which was placed and fixed through an aperture located on the outer cage frame. The procedure was carried out in October 2023. As the example of the 46-year-old patients demonstrates, sophisticated solutions to treat large bone defects are scarce. BellaSenos scaffold enabled us to conduct a new surgical technique for graft vascularization by embedding a vascular muscle arcade directly into a patient-specific, 3D-printed bioresorbable scaffold, said Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Mommsen, Managing Senior Physician, Clinic for Trauma Surgery at Hannover Medical School and lead author of the paper. This surgical procedure represents an innovative and promising approach for the restoration of extensive bone defects. As we see an increasing number of such catastrophic and very difficult to treat defects we are facing a rapidly growing medical need to reconstruct such injuries. The sheer size of such defects and the lack of vascularization have limited the optimal treatment of large-volume bone defects, said Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Tobias Grossner, CMO of BellaSeno. Using one of our scaffolds, the outstanding team at Hannover Medical School was able to perform the reconstruction of such an extensive radial shaft bone while ensuring immediate vascularization. This demonstrates the power of our technology to improve the surgical treatment of large bone defects, individually customized to the specific anatomy of the patient and the design preferences of the surgeon. This case study once again underlines the versatility of our technology, said Dr. Mohit Chhaya, CEO of BellaSeno. Almost any design request by a medical team can be fulfilled to optimize the patients treatment. The open structure of the scaffold enables vascularization which is crucial not only for proper bone healing but also to allow access of immune cells and anti-microbial drugs to prevent surgical site infections. We are currently working on next-generation bone scaffolds made of a composite of PCL and bio-active glass with anti-infective properties. BellaSenos MDR-certified manufacturing platform is designed to meet the requirements of medical scaffolds ranging from soft tissue to bone and enables the production of both custom-made and off-the-shelf sterile medical implants. ### About BellaSeno BellaSeno GmbH was founded in 2015 and is headquartered on the BioCity campus in Leipzig, Germany, with a subsidiary in Brisbane, Australia. The Company is developing novel resorbable soft tissue and bone reconstruction implants made by additive manufacturing (3D-printing) under ISO 13485 certification. The Company has received substantial financial support from private investors as well as from the Saxony Development Bank (SAB), the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE), Germanys Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Australian government. The Company has been co-funded from tax resources based on the budget adopted by the members of Saxony State Parliament. Contact BellaSeno BellaSeno GmbH Dr. Mohit Chhaya [email protected] Tel.: +49 176 2283 9583 Media Inquiries akampion Dr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina Buth Managing Partners [email protected] Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64 Tel. +49 30 23 63 27 68 Marion, Illinois, USA, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearwave Fiber, a leading provider of 100% Fiber Internet, has been honored with the Regional Business of the Year award by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.The Chamber, in Southern Illinois, annually recognizes outstanding contributions to the local economy and community and presents this award to a business that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to Southern Illinois economic development and overall well-being."We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce," said Charles Lawrence, Clearwave Fibers President, Residential. "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local Illinois teams, who consistently strive to provide superior services and support to our customers. Clearwave Fiber offers state-of-the-art Internet to businesses and residents in Carbondale. The company is committed to delivering fast, reliable, and affordable services to all its customers. Clearwave Fiber Account Executive Chris Ahart, Strategic Account Representative Robert Tolnai, and Municipal Relations Manager Nathan Colombo were on hand to accept the award at a ceremony in February. Clearwave has a long history serving Carbondale and area communities. Our network is important to Southern Illinoisans because of the access it provides in an online world, from individual households to large institutions, said Colombo. The network we operate is a backbone for digital communication in Southern Illinois. The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce expressed its gratitude for Clearwave Fiber's contributions to the community. "Were honored to highlight Clearwave Fiber's accomplishments and their significant role in our region's economic growth," said William Lo, Executive Director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. Their achievements set a benchmark for excellence and inspire us all to strive for success and community betterment. For more information, visit ClearwaveFiber.com. About Clearwave Fiber Clearwave Fiber is an internet service provider that operates a more than 10,000 route-mile Fiber network serving communities across the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States. With an emphasis on exceptional customer care and community engagement, the fast-growing company delivers advanced telecommunications solutions, providing fiber to business, enterprise and residential customers in Illinois, Kansas, Florida and Georgia. Committed to deploying 100% Fiber Internet service to 500,000 homes and businesses across the country by 2026, Clearwave Fiber employs more than 400 and is based in Savannah, Ga. Learn more at ClearwaveFiber.com, Facebook, X, YouTubeand LinkedIn. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE: Clearwave Fiber Attachment Rozanne Witherow Clearwave Fiber 8169358577 [email protected] Source: Clearwave Fiber ASHBURN, Va. and ADELAIDE, Australia, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Codan Communications | DTC, the leading provider of Wireless MESH IP Technology and HF Radio solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Jones as Vice President of Asia Pacific. Jones will further strengthen the global leadership team and position the company for continued growth in key markets. In his new role, Matthew Jones will be responsible for leading the companys business activities and overall go-to-market strategy within the region with a particular focus on the Military and Uncrewed markets. Jones will also leverage his background and experience within military and government communities to spearhead business development in the Australian Defence market, while drawing upon his extensive knowledge to support DTCs tactical communications products and solutions as part of its global senior leadership team. Matthew Jones has been at the forefront of the Australian industry sovereignty initiatives to meet current and emerging defence strategic needs. He has led the successful delivery of specialized communications and combat systems programs into Australia, Middle East and Asia militaries and governments. Jones recently served as the Executive Vice President at EOS Defence Systems where he led the C4EDGE Australian Industry communications consortium demonstration. When it comes to manufacturing world-leading communications solutions equipment, Codan Communications is one of Australias Defence industry leaders. The companys emerging sovereign product portfolio is strategically important in meeting the connectivity needs of uncrewed combat forces, said Matthew Jones, Vice President Asia Pacific, Codan Communications | DTC. Im pleased to be joining the company at this key point in the development of uncrewed systems Codans product portfolio will be the critical enabler to customer capability delivery. We are delighted to welcome Matthew to the team, whose deep expertise and understanding of the Australian defense market and Joint operations in the region will be a great asset to Codans growth strategy, said Codan Communications | DTC President and Executive General Manager, Paul Sangster. His appointment represents the companys continued commitment to innovation, expansion and expertise within key markets, and several recent senior global leadership appointments. About Codan CommunicationsCodan Communications is a global technology company that develops robust technology solutions to solve customers communications, safety, security and productivity problems in some of the harshest environments around the world. We provide tactical communications solutions that enable our customers to be connected, ultimately to support critical missions worldwide. With almost 60 years in the business, we have garnered a reputation for quality, reliability and customer satisfaction, producing innovative and industry-leading technology solutions. Codan Communications is a member of the Codan group of companies. About Domo Tactical CommunicationsDTC is the leading MIMO MESH provider in the world. DTC radio solutions provide short range high bandwidth communications suitable for the wireless transmission of video and other data applications. DTC is an established provider to customers including Military and Special Forces, Intelligence Agencies, Border Control and First Responders. DTC is headquartered in the US with locations in the UK and Denmark, with over 150 employees. Attachment Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) [email protected] Source: Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) CALGARY, Alberta, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What if ideas, innovation, and inventions come from our understanding of culture? What if you could leverage culture to help you advance your ideas? Dr. Marcus Collins believes he has the answers to these kinds of questions, and he will present on them at INVENTURE$ 2024 (Inventures). Dr. Collins will deliver his keynote address from the main stage on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Dr. Collins believes there is no external force more influential than culture. The same mechanisms of culture that sway our consumption also inform organizational behavior and societal dynamics. Those who understand the dynamics of culture are more likely to have influence, while those who do not are almost always influenced by those who do. This creates an opportunity for leaders to leverage the power of culture to inform their inventions and establish an organizational culture for constant idea generation. Our collective understanding of culture presents unique opportunities, says Laura Kilcrease, CEO of Alberta Innovates. Dr. Marcus Collins brings a unique perspective that will launch Inventures 2024 and set the tone for the conference. Join me in Calgary, May 29-31, 2024 and prepare to be energized, inspired, and ready to do business! Dr. Marcus Collins is an award-winning marketer and cultural translator. He is the former chief strategy officer at Wieden+Kennedy, New York, a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and the author of the best-selling book, For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want To Be. Marcus is an inductee into the American Advertising Federations Advertising Hall of Achievement and a recipient of the Thinkers50 Radar Distinguished Achievement Award for the idea most likely to shape the future of business management. His strategies and creative contributions have led to the launch and success of Googles Real Tone technology, the Made In America music festival, and the Brooklyn Nets, among others. Before his advertising tenure, Marcus worked on iTunes + Nike sport music initiatives at Apple and ran digital strategy for Beyonce. He writes a column for Forbes CMO Network and contributes to business scholarship. Inventures is a global innovation experience hosted by Alberta Innovates to bring together the worlds brightest minds, angels, venture capitalists and industry leaders. Launched in 2018, Inventures is gaining global interest as the place to discover new technologies, talent, capital, customers and markets. Tickets are available for $749 at https://inventurescanada.com/Contact:Darrell Winwood, Senior Manager, Corporate RelationsAlberta Innovates | 780.306.3080 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b78465b-abd2-4bc2-8aee-4b2f03a045b8 Dr. Marcus Collins to deliver keynote address at Inventures 2024 Dr. Marcus Collins to deliver keynote address at Inventures 2024 in Calgary, May 29-31, 2024. Source: Alberta Innovates Tara A. Hamilton, 41, was arrested Feb. 26, 2024, at Smiths and charged with uttering or possessing with intent to utter a bill, note or check. Matthew J. Sinclair, 34, was arrested Feb. 26, 2024, at the Elko County Jail on a felony warrant charging three counts of grand larceny of a gun, buying, three counts of possessing or receiving stolen property, exploiting an older or vulnerable person and conspiracy to abuse, exploit or isolate an older or vulnerable person. Bail: $710,000 Douglas W. Winberg, 39, was arrested Feb. 26, 2024, at the West Wendover Police Department on a warrant charging failure to appear after bail on a gross misdemeanor crime. Bail: $25,000 Gallery: Felony and gross misdemeanor arrests The charges listed do not imply guilt. Under the law, everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Reannan L. Peacock, 42, was arrested Feb. 27, 2024, at River and Fifth streets and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Bail: $5,000 Andrea L. Pebbles, 41, was arrested Feb. 27, 2024, at 2432 West Laguna Drive in West Wendover on two felony counts of intent to utter a fictitious bill, note, or check. Bail: $30,000 Tabitha L. Bedont, 46, was arrested Feb. 28, 2024, at the Elko County Jail on a gross misdemeanor charge of removing or damaging a police or firearm. Kaylee A. Sharlow, 27, was arrested Feb. 28, 2024, at Eighth and Commercial streets on two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Bail: $20,000 Neko A. Wright, 21, was arrested Feb. 28, 2024, at the Wendover Nugget Hotel & Casino and charged with an unlawful felony act regarding computers and theft between $1,200 and $5,000. Bail: $65,00 Seikiameti Taukei, 39, was arrested Feb. 29, 2024, at the Elko County Jail and charged with failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $10,000 Dustin C. Marvin, 23, was arrested March 1, 2024, at Elko City Park on charges of violation of probation or condition of a suspended sentence, and three counts of defacing an historic building. Bail: $6,000 Russell A. Bingamon, 32, was arrested March 2, 2024, at the 200 block of Commercial St. on charges of residential burglary and violation of probation or condition of a suspended sentence. Bail: $15,000 Tara A. Hamilton, 41, was arrested March 2, 2024, at the Elko County Jail on a felony fugitive warrant from another state. David R. Steiner, 39, was arrested March 2, 2024, at 960 Alpine Drive and charged with owning or possessing a gun by a prohibited person. Bail: $100,000 Victor C. Brock, 35, was arrested March 2, 2024, at 680 West Wendover Blvd. and charged with domestic battery by strangulation. Bail: $50,000 Malik R. Serrano, 27, was arrested March 3, 2024, at the Elko County Jail on a charge of battery by a prisoner. Bail: $100,000 Jenna R. Ludwig, 37, was arrested March 3, 2024, at 1111 Idaho St. and charged with robbery. Bail: $100,000 Strong share price allows the Company to secure a strategic and accretive acquisition to fuel growth and complete its Diversified Blockchain Ecosystem Vancouver, B.C., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. (the Company or CryptoBlox) (CSE: BLOX) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement, dated effective March 4, 2024 (the Agreement), to acquire (the Acquisition) Blockchain Fintech Unipessoal LDA (Blockchain Fintech), a Portuguese corporation that develops blockchain-based financial technologies that help onboard average users to the blockchain economy. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of Blockchain Fintech for 20,000,000 common shares of the Company, having a deemed value of $11,000,000. Closing of the Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature, including Canadian Securities Exchange approval and the Companys satisfaction with the results of its due diligence. The Acquisition was negotiated at arms length and will not result in a change of control or the creation of a control person of CryptoBlox. A finders fee of 1,600,000 Common Shares will be payable on closing. Taking Advantage of Surging Share Price On September 28, 2023, the Company announced the execution of a letter of intent with Blockchain Fintech, which contemplated a strategic partnership in which CryptoBlox would acquire the rights to Blockchain Fintechs digital asset license then under development (the License). As the Company worked through due diligence, its shares underwent a 700% increase in value, which has enabled the Company, through share-based consideration, to acquire the entire Blockchain Fintech business instead of only the rights to the License. Building on the precedent set by the Acquisition, the Company hopes to be able to realize on other accretive acquisitions going forward, by taking advantage of its strong share price. CryptoBloxs Blockchain Ecosystem The Companys Blockchain Ecosystem Strategy, outlined in detail in the Companys news release dated January 3, 2024, is comprised of three major divisions. The Company hopes that the Acquisition will complete the final piece to this vision, by strengthening and accelerating the development of the Companys Structured Digital Asset Products & Blockchain Payments division. Through Blockchain Fintech, the Company intends to build and launch structured digital asset products and blockchain payments services within Portugal and eventually other jurisdictions. The Acquisition will enable us to accelerate and better execute our Blockchain Ecosystem strategy commented Akshay Sood, Chief Executive Officer of CryptoBlox. By integrating Blockchain Fintechs technology within our Blockchain Ecosystem, we hope to soon be positioned to launch our suite of non-custodial digital asset products, added Mr. Sood. Strategy Overview The Company and Blockchain Fintech are aligned with respect to their focus on user-centric design, simplicity and market-tested functionality. The Company hopes that this focus will encourage all user types to onboard onto its products, irrespective of such users prior blockchain know-how. In a similar manner, the Company is exploring a number of solutions designed to help onboard both the banked and unbanked onto the blockchain economy in an efficient and user-friendly manner. Recognizing that there is significant value in capturing the end-to-end value in blockchain transactions, the Company hopes to innovate not only within the realm of user-driven products, but also within the associated payment networks. This could involve product, application and interface layers, along with the blockchain networks used to implement transactions, being integrated within a singular focal point, which the Company hopes to one day be able to provide through its core product suite. About Blockchain Fintech Solutions Blockchain Fintech, is a company specializing in developing blockchain based technologies that help bridge the blockchain adoption gap. With a mission to streamline the transition onto the blockchain economy, Blockchain Fintech pioneers user-friendly payment solutions that redefine the way individuals and businesses currently transact both locally and internationally. Through their innovative blockchain based payment solutions, Blockchain Fintech is not only revolutionizing traditional payment systems but also catalyzing a broader shift towards both digital and decentralized financial ecosystems. In doing so, they are firmly committed to the principles of accessibility and ease of use, which extends beyond mere functionality, as they prioritize user experience to ensure that individuals of all backgrounds can navigate Blockchain Fintech products confidently and efficiently, while not being expected to understand the complexities of the technologies underlying such products. Blockchain Fintech is an early-stage pre-revenue company and, accordingly, has not yet prepared financial statements. Notwithstanding, through due diligence, the Company has confirmed that Blockchain Fintech has incurred in excess of $1 million in technology development costs to date. Establishing our Structured Digital Asset Products & Blockchain Payments division has been a core part of our Blockchain Ecosystem, especially as the industry is coming up from a whirlwind of bankruptcies related to custodial digital asset platforms over the past two years. The market share of these platforms and products, which at a fundamental level give people back control and ownership, is set to continue increasing over the next five years and we want to be at the forefront of that change and adoption. concluded Mr. Sood. On behalf of the Company, Akshay SoodChief Executive Officer Contact information - [email protected] or call 236-259-0279 About CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. CryptoBlox Technologies Inc. is a blockchain technology infrastructure company focusing on building out its diversified Blockchain Ecosystem Strategy that consists of Infrastructure & Sustainable Digital Asset Mining, Sustainable Mining Products & Technology, and Structured Digital Asset Products & Blockchain Payments. The Companys Infrastructure will be based on the value chain that stems from off-grid/alternate energy powered digital asset mining, along with a diversified portfolio of sustainable mining and blockchain fintech products and services enabled by both the Sustainable Mining Products & Technology and Structured Digital Asset Products & Blockchain Payments divisions. The Company will be focused on providing alternate energy solutions to power digital asset mining operations throughout North America - with the first site being in Redwater, Alberta. By using alternative energy sources and state-of-the-art operations techniques, the Company will be positioned to achieve a high degree of financial optionality and long-term operational certainty, which can result in some of the cleanest and lowest-cost digital asset mining operations in the world. For further information about the Company, please visit https://www.cryptoblox.ca or call 236-259-0279. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about managements view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward- looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: the Acquisition and the conditions precedent to completion of the same; the Companys plan to introduce its own structured digital asset products using the License; products that the Company hopes to launch pursuant to the License and through Blockchain Fintech; and the Company's plans for its blockchain ecosystem, including the development of a Structured Digital Asset Products & Blockchain Payments division, and its ability to execute on the same. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements, or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Source: Cryptoblox Technologies Inc. London, UK, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Bitcoin's price trajectory sparks anticipation for an impending Altcoin season, investors are increasingly turning towards automated trading bots to capitalize on the volatile crypto market. DeFiQuant, a leading provider in the crypto trading industry, is at the forefront, offering a suite of advanced trading solutions that promise to give investors an edge. A New Dawn for Crypto EnthusiastsThe recent rally in Bitcoin's value has not only bolstered confidence in the cryptocurrency market but also raised hopes for a significant uptick in Altcoin performance. This expected Altcoin season is seen as a pivotal moment for traders looking to diversify their portfolios and tap into the potential of lesser-known cryptocurrencies. In response, DeFiQuant has positioned its platform as an essential tool for investors aiming to leverage these market dynamics. Allen Heery, Media Representative for DeFiQuant, commented on the trend, "As Bitcoin leads the charge, the spotlight turns to Altcoins, which historically follow with their rallies. Our best automated trading bots are perfectly suited to help investors navigate this exciting phase. Designed to analyze market trends and execute trades with precision, they represent the best crypto trading bot solutions available today, making them indispensable for those looking to make the most of the upcoming Altcoin season." Empowering Investors with Cutting-Edge TechnologyDeFiQuant's platform offers a diverse array of automated trading bots, each engineered to meet the dynamic needs of the crypto market. These bots utilize advanced algorithms to monitor market conditions, identify trading opportunities, and execute trades at optimal moments. By doing so, they enable investors to stay ahead in a market known for its rapid price movements and fluctuations. The Advantage of Automated Trading BotsIn a market where timing is everything, DeFiQuant's automated trading bots offer a significant advantage. They operate 24/7, ensuring that no trading opportunity is missed due to human limitations like the need for sleep or the influence of emotions. This round-the-clock operation is critical during an Altcoin season when market conditions can change swiftly. A Comprehensive Solution for Every InvestorDeFiQuant prides itself on offering solutions that cater to investors at all levels of experience. From those making their first foray into the crypto market to seasoned traders, the platform's user-friendly interface and robust support system make it easy for anyone to start using crypto trading bots effectively. Moreover, with competitive pricing and a range of investment plans, DeFiQuant ensures that its cutting-edge technology is accessible to a broad audience. DeFiQuant offers a range of investment plans designed to meet the specific needs and goals of individual traders. Free Experience Bot: $5 investment returns $0.15 plus the initial amount in a day. 1-Day Bot: $50 investment for a $0.3 profit, returned in a day. 5-Day Bot: Invest $500 for a $21.25 profit, returned in 5 days. 7-Day Bot: $1050 investment for a $73.5 profit, returned in 7 days. 15-Day Bot: $3000 investment yields a $540 profit in 15 days. 20-Day Bot: $6000 investment for a $1680 profit, returned in 20 days. 30-Day Bot: $10800 investment brings a $5184 profit in 30 days. 45-Day Bot: $18000 investment for a $14580 profit, returned in 45 days. 60-Day Bot: Invest $30000 for a $36000 profit, returned after 60 days. As the cryptocurrency market continues to mature, DeFiQuant remains committed to staying ahead of the curve through constant innovation and improvement of its trading solutions. "The potential for Altcoins in the wake of Bitcoin's rally is enormous, and we're here to ensure our users can fully capitalize on these opportunities," added Heery. "We believe that through our automated cryptocurrency trading bots, investors can achieve unparalleled success in the crypto market." Join the Revolution with DeFiQuantInvestors looking to navigate the anticipated Altcoin season with confidence are encouraged to explore DeFiQuant's platform. With its advanced automated trading bots and comprehensive support, DeFiQuant is the partner of choice for anyone seeking to maximize their crypto trading potential. For more information about DeFiQuant's trading solutions and to get started with the best crypto trading bots in the market, please visit www.defiquant.net. Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency & securities. For media inquiries, please contact: Allen Heery Media Representative Email: AllenHeery-at-defiquant.net Website: www.defiquant.net Source: Defiquant New York, NY, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the digital age, the speed and ease with which scammers can separate unsuspecting individuals from their money are alarmingly high. However, the journey to recovery is one of persistence, patience, and the right support. Broker Complaint Alert (BCA) stands out as a steadfast ally in this journey, providing victims with the necessary tools and guidance to navigate the fund recovery process successfully. While instant gratification is the hallmark of many scams, from promising unrealistic investment returns to overwhelming victims with feigned affection in romance scams, the path to recovery is markedly different. Broker Complaint Alert underscores that recovering lost funds is a process that demands time, effort, and resilience. Yet, with BCA's support, victims gain access to a structured recovery process, shining a light at the end of a seemingly dark tunnel. Dave Marcus, Director of Professional Services at BCA, exemplifies the potential for success in fund recovery. Starting his career as a recovery agent, Marcus led a significant operation that resulted in the full recovery of $630,000, the life savings of a retired woman. This operation, spanning three months, highlights the dedication and expertise BCA brings to each case, offering more than just hopea real chance at redemption. Broker Complaint Alert provides specialized recovery services across a spectrum of scams, including crypto, investment, romance, and forex and binary options fraud. The company's five-step recovery process is designed to empower victims, beginning with a detailed report and consultation, leading to a tailored recovery strategy. Reporting the Scam: Victims initiate the process by reporting the scam on BCA's website, providing crucial details about the scammer and the scam itself. Free Consultation: BCA offers a free consultation, assessing the case and recommending the best course of action for fund recovery. Guided Recovery Process: With BCA's guidance, victims navigate the recovery process, equipped with expert advice and support. Fund Recovery: BCA's efforts culminate in the successful recovery of funds, which are then returned to the victim. Embarking on the recovery journey with Broker Complaint Alert begins with a simple stepa free consultation and assessment upon reporting the scam. This initial interaction sets the foundation for a structured and supportive recovery process, tailored to each victim's unique circumstances. Broker Complaint Alert's commitment to fighting fraud and aiding victims in reclaiming their lost funds positions the company as a leader in the fund recovery domain. Through dedication, expertise, and a proven process, BCA not only restores financial losses but also renews faith in the possibility of justice in the digital world. For individuals grappling with the aftermath of a scam, Broker Complaint Alert offers more than a serviceit offers a partnership in recovery. Victims are encouraged to reach out, take the first step towards recovery, and learn more about how BCA can help turn the tide against scammers. For more information and to start your recovery process, visit Broker Complaint Alert's website and tap into the resources and expertise dedicated to your financial recovery and peace of mind. For more information about Broker Complaint Alert and the AI-driven scam analysis service, please visit Broker Complaint Alert's website. About Broker Complaint Alert:Broker Complaint Alert is committed to supporting individuals who have fallen prey to online scams and deceptive investment strategies. Specializing in the cryptocurrency sector, BCA leverages cutting-edge technology to facilitate the recovery of stolen funds, ensuring the security of investors and upholding the digital currency ecosystem's integrity. Contact Information: Name: Costigliola Romualdo Email: support-at-brokercomplaintalert.com City: New York Country: USA Website: https://brokercomplaintalert.com Source: Broker Complaint Alert Genflow invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend in person or online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com LONDON, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genflow Biosciences Plc (LSE:GENF) (OTCQB:GENFF), an emerging leader in the field of longevity research developing therapeutics that can potentially halt or slow the ageing process, today announces that Dr. Eric Leire Chief Executive Officer, will present live at the virtual Life Science Investor Forum, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on March 7, 2024. DATE: March 7, 2024 TIME: 10:00 AM ET LINK: https://bit.ly/3OM3m93 Available for 1x1 meetings: March 8, 11 & 12, 2024 (GMT+1) This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask Dr. Leire questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com . Recent Genflow Highlights Genflow was awarded 2.89 million Euros in two new grants that will broaden its research pipeline and expand the size of its therapeutic markets over the next three years. (Please refer to press release here.) Genflow to undertake key Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling development activities that will help define the pharmacological and toxicological properties of its lead drug candidate, GF-1002, and its potential benefits for NASH patients. Initial site selection and QMS framework for clinical readiness, expected by the end of 2025 for its NASH program. About Genflow Biosciences Plc Founded in 2020, Genflow Biosciences Ltd. (LSE:GENF) (OTCQB:GENFF), a biotechnology company headquartered in the UK with R&D facilities in Belgium, is pioneering gene therapies to decelerate the aging process, with the goal of promoting longer and healthier lives while mitigating the financial, emotional, and social impacts of a fast-growing aging global population. Genflow Biosciences lead compound, GF-1002, works through the delivery of a centenarian variant of the SIRT6 gene which has yielded promising preclinical results. Scheduled to begin in 2025, Genflow Biosciences' upcoming clinical trial aims to explore the potential benefits of GF-1002 in treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the most prevalent chronic liver disease for which there is no effective treatments. Please visit genflowbiosciences.com and follow the Company on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. About Virtual Investor Conferences Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. CONTACTS: Harbor Access Jonathan Paterson Investor Relations +1 475 477 9401 [email protected] Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 [email protected] Dallas, Texas, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From February 22-24, 2024, thousands of healthcare professionals attended one of Parker Seminars largest annual Las Vegas events, which was hosted at the new Caesars Forum Event Center! Nearly 5,000 dedicated professionals learned the true meaning of Invictus from devoted speakers, unique classes, and the large Expo Center. Featuring more than 40 speakers, including well-known, popular keynote speakers like David Goggins, Nita Farahany, Ryan Holiday, Simon Sinek, Patrick Bet-David, and Dr. William E. Morgan, this seminar provided a fun and unique way for professionals to earn valuable CE hours and stay current on healthcare trends, technology, and resources. The popular event featured various class tracks and special events like the Expo Extravaganza, WCWC Luncheon, the Party at Drais Nightclub (with an appearance by special guest Gene Simmons), and so much more. To view some of the seminars highlights and greatest moments, click here! If you missed this years spectacular event, plan on attending in 2025! Next years event will take place from February 20-22, 2025. Go to parkerseminars.com to register now! Parker Seminars wants everyone in the healthcare industry to attend these prestigious events in the future, hoping that together, professionals will continue healing the world through their specialized professions. If you want to learn more about Parker Seminars or register for Parker Seminars Orlando, NeuroCon, or Dallas 2024 events, go to parkerseminars.com. About Parker SeminarsSince 1951, Parker Seminars has hosted more than 430 seminars across the globe and trained more than 40,000 Doctors of Chiropractic and more than 200,000 chiropractic assistants. Parker Seminars embraces the entire profession, regardless of ones philosophy or techniques. Not only is it a place of inspiration, learning, networking, and motivation, but each seminar also offers a variety of continuing education options for both the Doctor of Chiropractic and chiropractic assistant. Parker Seminars invites everyone involved and interested in chiropractic to attend hoping that together, chiropractic will become the preeminent healing profession in the world. Get more information about Parker Seminars at parkerseminars.com. About Parker University Parker University, the fourth-fastest growing college in Texas and the fastest-growing college in Dallas, was founded in 1982 by Dr. James William Parker (formerly Parker College of Chiropractic). Today, Parker University has more than 2,100 students and more than 35 academic programs, including its famed chiropractic program, as well as masters degrees in clinical neuroscience, strength and human performance, and functional nutrition. Currently, Parker Universitys chiropractic cohort is the second largest of any campus in the world. Parker University has been recognized as an Honor Roll Institution by Great Colleges to Work For, one of the 25 Fastest-Growing Colleges in the U.S., as a recipient of the FutureEdge 50 Awards, and as a Best Texas Online College by Forbes. Attachment Christine Miller Parker University [email protected] Source: Parker University Solordi ingeniously bridges the gap between dedicated gamers seeking lucrative opportunities and crypto enthusiasts with a penchant for immersive experiences. Chicago, IL, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an unprecedented move, Solordi has catapulted itself to the forefront of the gaming and blockchain industries with its innovative integration of augmented reality (AR) Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the introduction of its native digital currency, $SOLO, and a new business unit of Solana Labs, GameShift. Solordi ($SOLO) debut on December 23, 2023, through its dynamic online platform, Solordi.com, Solordi is pioneering a new era of interactive gaming combined with Web3 assets as an investment vehicle for players. Solordi is a powerful Solana meme with gaming utility. Marking a milestone in digital innovation, Solordi has unveiled the world's first AR (augmented reality) NFTs on Magic Eden , setting a new standard in how users interact with digital art and blockchain technology. This pioneering feature allows enthusiasts to engage with their NFTs in real-world settings, providing an unparalleled interactive experience. "Engage, explore, and experience the digital world like never before," invites the Solordi team, beckoning users to a novel realm of blockchain interaction. A Gaming Revolution: Addressing a niche yet burgeoning demand, Solordi ingeniously bridges the gap between dedicated gamers seeking lucrative opportunities and crypto enthusiasts with a penchant for immersive experiences. Through its prospective game launch, "Solordia: The Saga Begins," Solordi embarks on a quest to redefine gaming norms by enabling players in a third person, battle royale shooter game with a Kill2Earn tokenomics model. The NFTs associated with in-game skins could also potentially be related to additional player rewards, based on how long players lock in their in-game NFTs into their player profiles. The Competitive Arena: Solordi's ambition crystalizes through the development of a third-person shooter game, a competitive platform where players wield their AR NFTs in high-stakes tournaments to earn $SOLO rewards. This strategic endeavor not only solidifies Solordi's position in the gaming market but also introduces a reward mechanism that technologically could enable further returns, encouraging sustained engagement and investment growth. With aspirations to feature on the Solana Saga mobile app store, Solordi is poised for unparalleled accessibility and market penetration. The Architects of Innovation: At the helm of Solordi is a trio of visionary developers, led by a luminary with over 15 years in game development, supported by a strategic leadership team dedicated to cultivating a robust community through the universal appeal of the Solordi Inu Space-Robot Dog mascot. Esteemed collaborations with industry giants Solana Labs and GameShift, alongside prominent listings on CoinGecko and Coin Market Cap, solidify Solordis market presence and herald its potential for additional Centralized Exchange Listings and future possibilities of a token burn at a 9 figure market cap. A Future Unveiled: The Solana blockchain has proven to be one of the most efficient, secure, scaleable, and most inexpensive blockchain for the upcoming bull cycle. For Solrodi, the sights set on dominating the gaming landscape akin to Unreal Engine 5 by Epic Games, Solordi envisions a future where its platform transcends PC and console boundaries to become a staple on the Solana Saga Mobile phone utilizing and contributing to a SDK (Software Development Kit) that will be used by future game developers on the Solana Blockchain. Washington, D.C., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance filed a Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee challenging the Public Company Accounting Oversight Boards (PCAOB) secret, unaccountable, and inherently biased prosecutorial processes. PCAOB has investigated and brought a secret prosecution aiming to brand NCLAs client a wrongdoer, strip away his livelihood and impose severe financial penalties against himwithout a jury trial, due process of law, an impartial adjudicator, or any constitutional accountability. NCLAs client, John Doe (a pseudonym used to protect his anonymity), asks the Court to stop these disciplinary proceedings and declare them unconstitutional. NCLA is pleased to partner with Tom Potter in the Nashville office of Burr & Forman LLP on this important matter of first impression. After years of intrusive investigation, PCAOB can impose punishing sanctions against individual accountants and accounting firms in its regulatory ambit. For example, it can issue a permanent ban on an individuals associating with any registered firm, revoke a firms registration, and exact civil monetary penalties of up to $1.1 million for individuals and $22 million for firmsper violation. These potential penalty amounts are 20 times higher for firms than the statutory penalties the Securities and Exchange Commission itself may impose. PCAOB officials lack constitutional authority to prosecute John Doe. The Boards core investigative, prosecutorial, and pseudo-judicial activity is performed and superintended by private citizens, none of whom is constitutionally appointed as an officer of the United States nor is subject to real-time direction and supervision by any presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed government officer. PCAOB hearing officers are inferior constitutional officers who have not been lawfully appointed under the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, and they are unconstitutionally shielded by multiple layers of protection from removal by the President. PCAOB prosecutions are also being funded by money raised and spent in violation of the Appropriations, Taxing, and Spending Clauses of the Constitution and the separation of powers principles enshrined in those clauses. The Boards disciplinary proceedings deprive John Doe of his right to a jury trial, violating the Sixth and Seventh Amendments. PCAOBs disciplinary processwhich misappropriates Article III judicial power from federal courts where it belongsis systemically biased, secretive, and unfair in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Increasingly, Congress outsources vast governmental powers to private actors who are not elected by the citizenry nor appointed by the President. This pernicious trend has elicited understandable scorn, as Supreme Court justices have described PCAOB as highly unusual and as an unprecedented extra-constitutional stew. NCLA released the following statements: PCAOBs investigative and disciplinary machinery is profoundly unconstitutional for numerous reasons as detailed in our complaint. To begin with, private citizens and private corporations have no legitimate role to play in prosecuting and punishing alleged violations of federal law, especially not through secretive and inherently biased non-jury proceedings that make a mockery of due process. We are asking the federal court to put an end to this uniquely unconstitutional Star Chamber. Russ Ryan, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA It is high time that the unprecedented extra-constitutional stew that is the PCAOB gets tossed out for good. There is no place in our constitutional framework for private corporations like PCAOB to wield federal governmental power while operating in secret and escaping all meaningful accountability. Casey Norman, Litigation Counsel, NCLA For more information visit the case page here. ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### Ruslan Moldovanov New Civil Liberties Alliance 202-869-5237 [email protected] Source: New Civil Liberties Alliance ACHESON, Alberta, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (NACG or the Company) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) today announced that the MacKellar Group (MacKellar) has been awarded a five-year contract extension by a major metallurgical coal producer in relation to a mine in the state of Queensland, Australia. The contract contemplates the provision of fully maintained equipment and related services at the site operated by the producer. The award extends the expiry date from June 6, 2025 to June 30, 2030 and qualifies as contractual backlog given minimum hour commitments in the agreement. Rental scopes are estimated at $100 million per year resulting in a total value from this extension of $500 million. The contract requires the addition of two loading units and one service truck, for between $20 and $25 million, which will be purchased in 2024 Q4 and bring the total dedicated fleet at this site to approximately seventy heavy equipment units. We are excited about this extension and look forward to continuing the relationship we have with our customer at this site, said Joe Lambert, President and CEO of NACG. This is the first material contract we have signed in Australia since the acquisition of MacKellar and are very proud of how well the first five months have gone. MacKellar has provided an excellent platform to grow our business in Australia as we leverage our operational and maintenance expertise in the region. We believe this locking in of fleet is indicative of the strong demand for heavy equipment in the Australian mining sector. In light of this demand, and bolstered by long-term contracts, we have begun to take steps towards prudently increasing fleet size in Australia, including potentially transferring underutilized Canadian fleet into that market with the goal of maximizing overall utilization. About the MacKellar Group Established in 1966 based on humble family values, MacKellar has earned an enviable reputation in Australia for performance and reliability. MacKellar specializes in heavy earthmoving equipment solutions and has a proud history of working on both mining and civil earthwork projects. About NACG NACG is one of Canada and Australias largest providers of heavy construction and mining services. For more than 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource, and infrastructure construction markets. For more information about the Company, visit www.nacg.ca . For further information, please contact: Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA Chief Financial Officer North American Construction Group Ltd. Phone: (780) 948-2009 Email: [email protected] SAN DIEGO, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE: NOVA) securities between February 25, 2020 and December 7, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), have until April 16, 2024 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Sunnova class action lawsuit. Captioned Trindade v. Sunnova Energy International Inc., No. 24-cv-00569 (S.D. Tex.), the Sunnova class action lawsuit charges Sunnova as well as certain of Sunnovas top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Sunnova class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-sunnova-energy-international-inc.html You can also contact attorney J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Lead plaintiff motions for the Sunnova class action lawsuit must be filed with the court no later than April 16, 2024. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Sunnova is an energy services provider. According to the complaint, in September 2023, Sunnova entered into a $3.0 billion partial loan guarantee agreement with the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) to support solar loans originated by Sunnova under a new solar loan channel named Project Hestia. The Sunnova class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Sunnova routinely engaged in predatory business practices against disadvantaged homeowners and communities, the same groups that Project Hestia was purportedly intended to benefit; and (ii) this conduct subjected Sunnova to a heightened risk of regulatory and/or governmental scrutiny. The Sunnova class action lawsuit further alleges that on December 8, 2023, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Senator John Barraso, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, sent a letter to the DOE and Sunnova seeking information regarding the LPOs awareness of and treatment of Sunnovas allegedly predatory business practices. On this news, the price of Sunnova stock fell more than 16%, according to the complaint. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Sunnova securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Sunnova class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Sunnova class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Sunnova class action lawsuit. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Sunnova class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller is one of the worlds leading complex class action firms representing plaintiffs in securities fraud cases. The Firm is ranked #1 on the most recent ISS Securities Class Action Services Top 50 Report for recovering more than $1.75 billion for investors in 2022 the third year in a row Robbins Geller tops the list. And in those three years alone, Robbins Geller recovered nearly $5.3 billion for investors, more than double the amount recovered by any other plaintiffs firm. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs firms in the world and the Firms attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal, 800-449-4900 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 [email protected] Morehead, Kentucky (USA), March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, has been recertified for the sixth consecutive year as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001: 2015-compliant. The original ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification was achieved on March 7, 2019, when Rajant demonstrated compliance with the developing, technical support, and manufacturing of secure network radios at its Morehead, Kentucky facility. Kaitlyn Muncy, Rajant Quality Assurance Director in Morehead, shares, "Being able to tell our current and potential customers that Rajant Corporation is ISO 9001:2015 certified is very important to our growth as a company. This shows just how important delivering top-quality products is to our operation and gives our customers the confidence that we can provide them with what they need. We could only accomplish this with the support from headquarters and the dedication of our employees. Rajant has maintained certification with zero nonconformances found over the last six years. From the viewpoint of not just one but two ISO auditors, Rajant is "spot on" in how we do things. Other than receiving the actual certification, this is the highest compliment we could receive." Rajant Production Lead Jon Lacy offers, "Maintaining our ISO Certification is huge for the Morehead office and Rajant as a whole. Rajant prides itself on making sure it does everything possible to ensure quality products; this ISO Certification is always a highlight. Just shows the continued effort for always bettering itself as a company." Furthering the Morehead teams sentiments, Senior Manufacturing Engineer Travis Pettit states, Our manufacturing team is proud to continue our certification under the ISO 9001:2015 standard. The trust this imparts onto our partners and customers is indispensable to our continued success of delivering exceptional products." Morehead, Kentucky staff who worked together towards this goal include Nick Adams Manufacturing Associate, Megan Becraft Quality Assistant, Kolby Charles - Shipping/Receiving Coordinator, Austin Clark - Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Duke Estridge Manufacturing Associate, Jon Jenkins - Software Engineer, Seth Johnson - Shipping Assistant, Jon Lacy - Production Lead, Ryan Lacy - Production Lead, Maria Lemaster Procurement Manager, Alex Marin Manufacturing Associate, Kaitlyn Muncy - Quality Assurance Director, Laura Nickell Manufacturing Associate, Logan Pennington - Test Engineer, Travis Pettit - Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Austin Sanders - Quality Assistant, Gabe Taliaferro Manufacturing Associate, and Zach Wagner - Manufacturing Supervisor. #### About Rajant Corporation Rajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and YouTube. Attachment Alice DiSanto Rajant Corporation 914-582-8464 [email protected] Source: Rajant Corporation Heavy snowfall in Northeastern Nevada this season and last has provided ample water for communities and the regions ecosystem, a state hydrologist said. The National Weather service said Elko received about 7 inches of snow from Friday to Monday, while to the north Jacks Peak had 17 inches and to the south Lamoille Upper received 19 inches. The weekend blizzard is the eighth greatest March 1 amount based on SNOTEL [automated weather station] data back to 1981, said Jeff Anderson, the Reno-based state hydrologist and Nevada Natural Resources Conservation Service snow surveyor. The snowpack in the Upper Humboldt River Basin is doing very well. SNOTEL stands for Snow Telemetry. He said based on the automated weather stations and the snow surveys done by the conservation service, the snowpack in the Upper Humboldt Basin is 149% of median for March 1. This is the second year in a row with an above-normal snowpack, which is great news for summer stream and river flows that rely on snowmelt, he said. Last year was the second greatest snowpack since 1981. The last time the Upper Humboldt basin saw two consecutive above normal winters was 2019 and 2020, as well as 2016 and 2017. Having back-to-back years that have really good snowpack is good for our water supply and ecosystem, because were not coming out of a multi-year drought right now, Anderson explained. The drought was more or less solved last year. So this year, having a good snowpack really puts us in a position for having good river flows, because those rivers are still prime and theres still good base flow coming out of the ground into the river. The Humboldt River is still flowing all the way to Lovelock. It didnt dry up this summer like it does lots of years. How data is gathered Anderson explained how the conservation service collects data on the amount of snow covering Nevada. He said most of the daily data comes from the SNOTEL sites. These sites radio in snowpack and climate data every hour through the year. The snow pillow at a SNOTEL site weighs the snow water content of the snowpack like a scale, he said. The conservation services other snow collection method is to go out in the field and use snow tubes to core the snow and then weigh it to figure out how much water is in the snowpack and how deep the snow is, Anderson said. Surveyors may use skis or snowmobiles to get to the measurement sites. They follow a snow course, or a series of points set apart for snow collection. What does snow surveying look like for Elko? Our local snow state surveyor in Elko is Kory Kulinsky. Hes also a rancher in Starr Valley. He works with NRCS as a range conservationist and he usually works with one of our snow surveyors, Anderson said. I think this month it was Logan Johnson, whos often one of the snow surveyors from Utah who comes over to assist Kory. Snow surveyors tend to travel by snowmobile to different Elko snow sites. It may take them four or five days to reach every site, Anderson said. If youre a rancher or farmer at the bottom of a canyon, and there are one or two SNOTEL sites or snow courses above you, those are the ones youre most interested in. You dont really care about the whole Upper Humboldt basin because your water is going to come out of that one watershed. Each individual collection area in Elko County matters, Anderson explained. The SNOTEL sites record the snowpack data every day throughout the winter, and that data goes back all the way to 1981. So, we can compare this year to last year and we can compare it to all the years back to 1981, he explained. Offering a deeper dive into the world of snow measurement, Anderson provided a graph which visualizes snowfall trends over time in the Upper Humboldt area. The black line represents 2024, stopping short three months into the year in a clear visual contrast against other lines which span across 12 months. The light green line on that graph is the daily median amount. So its kind of the normal amount that you would expect if you took the median from all those different years. You can see our black line this year is well above that. Also, the light green daily media line is above the green X, which represents the median amount of peak snow, he said. Already above normal The amount of snow does not always peak at the same time, he explained. Sometimes they peak earlier in March. In a really big year they may not peak until late April, he said The top amount for each year is different from year to year, but if you took just the top of each of the lines for each year thats the peak and you took the median of those peaks, the middle value, thats how high that x would be. What were shooting for is the x because its the median peak amount, he said. Were higher than that already. Comparing todays amount to the April 1 normal peak amount, the snowpack is already 109% of that normal peak amount, Anderson said. This means we have already achieved an above-normal snowpack for the whole winter. These percentages will be bigger after the current storm is finished. Were having a huge storm this week, so were going to see that black line increase some from this storm, probably a couple inches at least. If more storms happen in March then well just continue to climb higher and higher above that green X. Getting to that green X, and itd only be in March 1, thats a great place to be in because we know we already have an above-normal winter. So everything that we get from this point on is kind of bonus. Visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/nevada/snow-survey for more information about snow collection and snowfall. Louisville, KY., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Walking the halls of the U.S. Capitol to have an audience with members of Congress regarding issues of long-term care, and actually being heard, takes tenacity, connection, and a passion for the future health of long-term care for our nations elders . After more than 25 years of being that kind of resolute advocate and legislative frontwoman for all things long-term care, Signature HealthCAREs Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Health Policy, Kathy Gallin, is being honored by McKnights as a Woman of Distinction and placed in their Hall of Honor. Long-term care faces many challenges today, and the women we are honoring are at the forefront of addressing those challenges, McKnights Editorial Director, Vice President and Associate Publisher John OConnor said. They are having a positive impact within their organizations and within the industry, benefiting colleagues, residents, patients, and clients. We are delighted to recognize their accomplishments and look forward to honoring them in person soon. Lawmakers on both sides of the isle, know Kathy Gallin. For the past 18 years, Kathy has taken on and pioneered legislative affairs, healthcare issues, and health care policies on behalf of Signature HealthCARE and its predecessor company , Home Quality Management. 7 years prior, she was a litigation paralegal for a large multi-office law firm defending skilled nursing facilities throughout Florida. Kathys impactful voice has been heard, and acted upon at the local, state, and federal levels and is highly regarded and respected by, not only her colleagues, but by legislators in multi-state and federal government venues as she has proven to be a leader in healthcare advocacy and policymaking. As a testament to her outreach, noted expertise, and impact, Kathy has been a requested speaker and panelist for numerous skilled nursing conferences, summits, radio talk shows, and news articles for her words of wisdom and perspective. She is truly a voice to be heard! And if not being heard on one of these platforms, or her many boards, memberships, or in the halls of Congress, Kathy Gallin is speaking powerfully on yet another platform; online, under her social media handle, The Legislative Lady! Check out her latest posts @legislativelady. Ive been involved in healthcare for over 40 years and the most rewarding, humbling experiences have been the past 18 plus years in the long-term care space, said Gallin. Being able to be a voice for those that we care for, and for our stakeholders, has always been the why I am such an advocate, to make a difference in the lives of others. Among her many endeavors, Kathy Gallin acts as a liaison with the American Health Care Associations Council for Post-Acute Care and Legislative Committee, actively working in Washington, D.C. for Signature HealthCARE. Formerly the VP of the Florida Health Care Association, she is also the past Chair of its Legislative Committee, and served on their Budget, Media/PR, and Quality Committees. Kathy is also the recipient of FHCAs prestigious Arthur B. Harris Government Services Award. On a multi-state level, Kathy also serves on the Indiana Health Care Associations Board of Directors and Legislative Committee, and Tennessee Health Care Associations Legislative Committee and Board of Directors. She was a previous Board member of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities, as well as a member of KAHCFs Legislative and reimbursement committees. She also served on the Georgia Health Care Association Legislative and reimbursement committees and was a previous Board member of Health Facilities Association of Maryland. She also serves on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. Kathy has championed Kentucky Medical Review Panels legislation, lobbied for Florida and Georgias bi-partisan increase of Personal Needs, led Signature HealthCAREs march on Washington D.C. lobbying for no cuts to Medicare, and lobbied congress for Provider Relief funds related to COVID. The march, held in 2017 called Save Our Nursing Homes, was picked up and shared on multiple media outlets. Click here to view a short excerpt from that campaign. I am so humbled to receive this recognition that I cried when I found out, and thanked God for the path he has led me down. My parents instilled in me the values I bring forth and I am so grateful that they encouraged me along the way, but I cant go without acknowledging a special person in my life, Joe Steier, CEO of Signature HealthCARE, who gave me a chance. Thank you! And to all of those at McKnights who selected me to receive this esteemed award, thank you as well and God Bless! Attachments HERNDON, Va., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SMX, a leader in next-generation mission support, digital transformation, and IT solutions, is proud to announce it has completed the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Foundational Technical Review (FTR) adhering to AWS FTR guidelines. The AWS FTR supports AWS Partners in identifying and remediating risks through AWS best practices tied to operational excellence, security, and reliability, and aligns AWS Partners to the AWS Well-Architected Framework pillars. Successfully completing the AWS FTR marks a significant expansion to SMXs efforts with AWS helping organizations capitalize on the value of cloud. As an AWS Public Sector Partner and AWS Premier Tier Services Partner for eleven years, SMX has invested heavily in their AWS practice with over 250+ AWS certifications, six designations in the AWS Competency program, four validated AWS services, involvement in eight AWS Partner programs, and a successful record of accomplishments in both the Public and Private Sectors. By combining nearly 25 years of IT innovation into software driven consulting and operations services, SMX offers highly tailored digital solutions delivered at the scale through its Elevate Platform. By achieving a Qualified Software badge following the AWS FTR, SMX continues to validate their status as an AWS Partner. SMX is committed to helping customers achieve operational excellence within the Federal IT market. As an AWS Partner with a FedRAMP accredited operations platform, SMX can offer customers looking to achieve Federal accreditation like FedRAMP, DoD RMF, and StateRAMP a faster path through the AWS Accelerator Program, says Rob Groat, EVP of Strategy and Technology of SMX. SMX helps customers navigate the challenges of the Federal IT market to realize full compliance within a shorter timeframe ensuring a compliant build, an authority to operate, and ongoing operational compliance within the Government marketplace. About SMX SMX is an industry leader providing digital solutions for mission-oriented clients, operating in close proximity to a vast set of clients across the United States and around the globe. SMX delivers scalable and secure solutions combined with the mission expertise needed to accelerate outcomes for the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other public and private sector clients. For more information on our solutions, please visit https://www.smxtech.com/. For inquiries about this press release, please contact us at [email protected]. Plus Companys Statista study shows 81% of CMOs using AI only use it for content creation and not for decision-making, despite entering a cookieless world NEW YORK, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plus Company, an entrepreneurial network of forward-thinking creative agencies, and Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, today released a joint report compiled from the responses of 200 CMOs about the challenges CMOs face implementing AI beyond content creation to more sophisticated decision-making processes in a cookieless world. The report, Marketing's AI Era: Strategies & Measurement Driven by AI-Powered Prediction, showed that 75% of marketers have not yet taken steps to prepare for measurement in a world without third-party cookies because they need guidance on how to take action. This number is not surprising given the lack of solutions for either audience level measurement for assessing advertising investment performance or for establishing a single metric that advertising buyers and sellers agree upon to trade digital media," said Michael Cohen, Chief Data Analytics Officer, Plus Company. We are entering a post third-party cookie era and yet according to the study although AI is widely embraced by CMOs (81%), only 36% of respondents use AI for creating attribution models. The Plus/Statista study is the first in a two-part series that explores insights into AI usage and its impact on marketing performance. The survey examined responses from 200 CMOs from mid- and -large-sized corporations across six industries (Manufacturing/CPG, Financial services, Retail/e-commerce, Transport/logistics, Hospitality/Travel/Tourism and Telecommunications), and revealed an excitement among 63% of CMOs in exploring machine learning to better understand customer behavior. The study also shows that contrary to widespread apprehensions, there is a surprising 53% consensus among industry experts anticipating a surge, not a decline, in creative roles because of AI. These are exciting times for CMOs thanks to AI and its seemingly limitless potential, said Plus Company, CEO, Brett Marchand. What will the Marketing Department of the future look like? Among the reasons why this study is important is that it reveals to CMOs that they are not alone in needing to learn more about AI. This is a wide-open vista where everyone is learning. The only mistake is not pushing forward with AI. For further information and a numerical analysis of CMOs embrace of AI, the full findings of the study are available here . About Plus Company: Plus Company, founded in 2021, is an entrepreneurial network of forward-thinking creative agencies, each bringing its own expertise and empowered by the collective capabilities of the network representing 15 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Brought together by the unabashed belief that anything is possible, the unique partnership of and limitless drive of delivering creative magic fueled by an innate understanding of culture, technology, and data. Plus Company agency brands include: We Are Social and its partner practices The Narrative Group (TNG), Socialize, Hello, Kobe, and Metta; Cossette, Citizen Relations, Mekanism, All Inclusive Marketing (AIM), Aperture1, Camp Jefferson, Cossette Media, Impact Research, Jungle Media, K72, Level Eleven, Magic Circle Workshop, Make My Day, Middle Child, Mindshaker, Munvo, Septieme, Visionnaire, Zapiens and 55rush. Built on collaboration, not competition. We are Partners In Possibility. About Statista: Statista is one of the worlds leading data and business intelligence platforms, empowering people worldwide to make fact-based decisions. Providing access to data, analysis, and trends on 80,000 topics from 40,000 sources across more than 170 industries, Statista.com has become the premier destination for statistics and reports, as well as for market, consumer, and company insights. Founded in 2007 in Germany, Statista employs around 1,400 people across 13 locations worldwide. For additional information, please contact: Jennifer Casey, Global Head, Marketing & Communications, Plus Company [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/739441ea-6a05-41ba-856e-dd24b705c450 OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joint Commission and Kaiser Permanente are now accepting applications for the 2024 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity. The award program will recognize a healthcare organization that led an initiative that achieved a measurable, sustained reduction in one or more disparities. Bernard J. Tyson, the late CEO and chairman of Kaiser Permanente, worked tirelessly to address the disparities that plague the U.S. healthcare system. Now in its fourth year, the award honors Tysons legacy by presenting organizations the opportunity to earn national recognition for their efforts to improve healthcare equity, as well as share best practices and lessons learned with thousands of organizations across the country. All types of healthcare organizations that directly deliver care and have addressed disparities for any vulnerable population, including but not limited to race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, may apply. In their application, organizations must provide data demonstrating how they have improved a disparity. This years application period is open until Tuesday, April 30, at 11:59 p.m. CT. There is no cost to apply. Please visit the Tyson Award webpage for more information and to submit an application. There are several resources available for applicants, including: Application criteria Application preview Application tip sheet Last years winning application The 2023 recipient of the Tyson Award was the University of Chicago Medicine, which was recognized for its initiative, Systematic Treatment and Management of Postpartum Hypertension (STAMPP-HTN), which improved postpartum care for women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. UChicago Medicine eliminated the disparity in postpartum follow-up visit attendance between Black and white patients and significantly improved patients clinical outcomes. The Joint Commission and Kaiser Permanente envision a world in which all people can experience and access safe, high quality and equitable care. Learn more about The Joint Commissions and Kaiser Permanentes commitments to healthcare equity. ### About The Joint Commission Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nations oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org. About Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of Americas leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. Attachment Maureen Lyons The Joint Commission (630) 792-5171 [email protected] Allie Furey Kaiser Permanente (510) 292-8580 [email protected] Source: The Joint Commission The boat maker sold 21 units at the worlds largest boat show HOLLAND, Mich., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tiara Yachts, a family-owned manufacturer of American-made luxury watercrafts, reported another year of positive sales today following the 2024 Miami International Boat Show (MIBS) earlier this month. The company exceeded its goals by selling 21 units, a 10% increase compared to 2023. The energy at Miami this year was excellent, said Sue Kane, Tiaras Director of Sales. The excitement about our products was evident from day one, and the performance at the show by our team was phenomenal. This set the stage for a great week and our best sales performance at MIBS in recent years. Tiaras MIBS presence was anchored by the debut of the all-new EX 54, the second model in the EX series following the EX 60. Also featured were several highly sought-after outboard models spanning from 34 to 48 feet from Tiaras Luxury Express (LE), Luxury Sport (LS), and Luxury Crossover (LX) lines, including the 48 LE, 48 LS, 43 LS, 38 LS 34 LS and 34 LX. In addition, recently added Fishing Modules and Equipment packages were on display. We look forward to MIBS every year, said Tom Slikkers, CEO and President of Tiara Yachts. This year, it was particularly exciting as we not only celebrated the debut of our new EX 54 but also kicked off our 50th anniversary on February 18. Based on what we saw and heard from customers and dealers alike, we could not be more excited about what lies ahead for our company. During the show, Tiara Yachts announced interior and exterior enhancements coming to its 43 LE, earned the 2023 Marine Industry Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) for the 16th consecutive year and celebrated its 50th anniversary on the final day of the show, Sunday, February 18. Customers can next view Tiara Yachts vessels at the Palm Beach International Boat Show from March 21-24; Tiaras display will be located between Ramp 7 and 8. For more information about Tiara Yachts, visit tiarayachts.com. About Tiara Yachts Tiara Yachts, headquartered in Holland, Michigan, is one of the oldest privately held boat manufacturers in the United States. The Tiara Yachts model line includes inboard vessels from 39 to 60 feet in the Coupe and EX lines. Outboard powered Tiara Yachts models range from 34 to 48 feet in three distinct Series: Luxury Sport (LS), Luxury Crossover (LX), and Luxury Express (LE). For more information, please visit tiarayachts.com. Media Contact: Alysa Kirn Lambert [email protected] 586.354.4669 Software Effective Solutions (OTC: SFWJ) (d/b/a MedCana), a global infrastructure and holding company in the cannabis industry, is paying close attention to growing data showing the power of cannabis. One recent study, conducted by postdoctoral research fellow Thomas Arkell, a PhD at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, suggests that medical cannabis treatment may be associated with improvements in health-related quality of life among patients with a range of health conditions. The results of the study were published earlier this year by JAMA Network Open This is just one of innumerable studies focused on cannabis Based on evidence currently available, the Schedule I classification is not tenable; it is not accurate that cannabis has no medical value or that information on safety is lacking, reads a recent article, which contains excerpts from a report by NORML, a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of tens of millions of Americans who use marijuana responsibly. This is positive news for MedCana, which has five companies focused on pharmaceutical cannabis production, as well as a software company focused on managing processes for plant-to-patient operations. In addition, the company recently rounded out its portfolio of holdings with the acquisition of an irrigation and greenhouse technology company MedCana is building the technology, laboratories, growing facilities and scientific teams needed to provide premium pharmaceutical-grade cannabis extracts to the world. To view the full article, visit https://cnw.fm/f4lX8 About Software Effective Solutions Corp. Software Effective Solutions/MedCana is a holding company focused on developing companies in the agricultural technology and cannabis industries. As MedCana moves forward with its expansion plans, the company remains committed to delivering on its promise of building a solid foundation for the future growth of its holdings. For more information, visit the companys website at www.MedCana.net. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SFWJ are available in the companys newsroom at https://cnw.fm/SFWJ About CannabisNewsWire CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on cannabis news and the cannabis sector. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, CNW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CNW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer CannabisNewsWire Denver, CO www.CannabisNewsWire.com 303.498.7722 Office [email protected] CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN Sekur Private Data (CSE: SKUR) (OTCQB: SWISF) (FRA: GDT0), a cybersecurity and internet privacy provider of Swiss-hosted solutions, offers a suite of secure cloud-based storage, disaster recovery, document management, encrypted email, and secure communication tools that do not rely on third-party cloud services. Sekurs products include SekurMail(R) with SekurSend/SekurReply, SekurVPN (R), and SekurMessenger(R). Sekur offers customers peace of mind with all customer information remaining confidential and safely stored in Switzerland using military-grade security. All data, whether physical, network-based or encryption security, is stored in bank-approved, state-of-the-art ISO-certified data centers used by Swiss and global banks and most United Nations organizations, as well as many corporations and governmental organizations. All user data is protected by the Swiss Federal Data Protection Act and the Swiss Federal Data Protection Ordinance, which offer some of the strongest privacy protection in the world for both individuals and organizations, a recent article reads. Sekurs entire suite of encrypted email, secure messaging and internet privacy solutions were designed to be user-friendly while providing customers with unparalleled security solutions stopping attacks before they happen. To view the full article, visit https://ibn.fm/xInXB About Sekur Private Data Ltd. Sekur Private Data is a cybersecurity and internet privacy provider of Swiss-hosted solutions for secure and private communications. The company distributes a suite of encrypted e-mails, secure messengers and secure communication tools. Sekur Private Data sells its products through its own website, www.Sekur.com, approved distributors and telecommunications companies. The company serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SWISF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SWISF About TechMediaWire TechMediaWire (TMW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on pioneering public and private companies driving the future of technology. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, TMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, TMW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. TMW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from TechMediaWire, text TECH to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit https://www.TechMediaWire.com Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the TechMediaWire website applicable to all content provided by TMW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.TechMediaWire.com/Disclaimer TechMediaWire Los Angeles, CA www.TechMediaWire.com 310.299.1717 Office [email protected] TechMediaWire is powered by IBN Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - Argo Living Soils Corp.(CSE: ARGO)("Argo") announces that it will be finalizing the 10-year licensing agreement with Canadian AgriChar Inc. ("CAI") by issuing the second and final tranche of shares. See the news release issued on September 28, 2023. Argo also wishes to announce that it has entered into discussions with Connective Global SDN BHD ("Connective"), a Malaysian-based company. 10-Year Licensing Agreement with Canadian AgriChar Inc Argo will be completing the payment terms and securing the exclusive licencing agreement rights to CAI's proprietary products, including all of the CHAR+ BioChar and BioChar enhanced products. Argo is poised to receive a percentage of revenues generated from CHAR+ BioChar and BioChar enhanced product sales. CAI stands at the forefront of biochar product development, harnessing proprietary techniques to create biochar materials, which serve to maximize organic plant growth. The organic fertilizer market, valued at USD 8.20 billion in 2019, is anticipated to reach USD 18.81 billion by 2027, experiencing a CAGR of 11.80% from 2020 to 2027. This market segment focuses on natural and sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical fertilizers, driven by increasing consumer demand for organic produce and growing concerns about soil degradation. The licensing agreement with CAI marks a substantial milestone for Argo, further fortifying its strategic foundation in the development, marketing, and distribution of a diverse range of natural and organic fertilizers. Commenting on the transaction Argo's CEO, Mr. Hoyle, added, "Our strategic plan to deliver environmentally sustainable products and services to the organic fertilizer market is advancing. Originating from our roots in developing, manufacturing, and distributing organic fertilizers and soil enhancers, we are pleased to complete our licensing agreement with CAI." Discussions with Connective Global Argo's CEO, Mr. Peter Hoyle, also noted, "We are pleased to announce our ongoing discussions with Connective Global SDN BHD. We are actively exploring multiple opportunities and initiatives connected to the production of organic solutions for agriculture, progressing toward a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which would delineate our potential strategic partnership. We anticipate finalizing the MOU shortly." Connective Global whose services include organic fertilizer trading, founded by a seasoned group of entrepreneurs with diverse experiences in food distribution and agricultural products in South East Asia focuses on environmentally sustainable products and services across that region. The ongoing discussions with Connective Global aim to further broaden Argo's environmentally sustainable products and services portfolio. We anticipate providing additional updates in the weeks to come. About Argo Living Soils Corp. The company specializes in producing and developing organic products, including soil amendments, living soils, biofertilizers, vermicompost and compost extracts formulated specifically for high-value crops. The Company's vision and overall business plan are to create an established brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. The company was founded in 2018, and its production facilities have been expanded and relocated to Duncan, British Columbia, in a joint venture with Pacific Composting. We Seek Safe Harbor. For further information please contact: Peter Hoyle Chief Executive Officer Argo Living Soils Corp. Email: [email protected] The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-Looking information includes, but is not limited to, the completion of the Offering, size of the Offering, the use of proceeds and the Company creating a brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "plans", 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 from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company have 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. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200424 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2024) - Black Banx Group, a leading global digital banking platform, today announced continued growth and expansion plans for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. Black Banx Group To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10055/200328_blackbanx.jpg This announcement follows a record-breaking year for Black Banx, surpassing 39 million customers and achieving a pre-tax profit of US$239 million and revenue of US$2.3 billion in 2023. This success underscores the company's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and customer-centricity. "We are excited about the tremendous growth potential in the MEA region," said Michael Gastauer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Black Banx. "With our commitment to financial inclusion and innovative digital banking solutions, we are well-positioned to serve the evolving needs of individuals and businesses in the region." Black Banx's expansion plans in the MEA region include: Expanding its product and service offerings: This includes tailoring existing solutions and potentially introducing new offerings aligned with the specific needs of the MEA market. This includes tailoring existing solutions and potentially introducing new offerings aligned with the specific needs of the MEA market. Building strategic partnerships: Black Banx aims to collaborate with local financial institutions and businesses to accelerate its growth and reach. Black Banx aims to collaborate with local financial institutions and businesses to accelerate its growth and reach. Investing in infrastructure and technology: The company will invest in building a robust infrastructure and leveraging advanced technologies to ensure a seamless and secure banking experience for its customers in the region. Black Banx's commitment to financial inclusion goes beyond its expansion plans. The company has: Established itself as a leader in the global digital banking landscape by offering a comprehensive suite of services, including: Global accessibility with accounts in 28 fiat and 2 cryptocurrencies. Instant international and inter-platform transactions in multiple currencies. Diverse debit card options (plastic, metal, virtual) catering to various needs. Real-time currency exchange and cryptocurrency trading. Secure and efficient payouts and withdrawals. Interest-bearing savings accounts. Business-friendly solutions like batch uploads and API for bulk payments. Cutting-edge security measures to protect customer funds. by offering a comprehensive suite of services, including: Pioneered new ground in: Cross-border payments: Setting a new standard with local real-time settlement systems. Financial inclusion: Bridging the gap with traditional banking by providing essential financial tools to the unbanked. Digital banking innovation: Utilizing emerging technologies like blockchain, AI, and machine learning to simplify transactions and open new avenues for global trade and commerce. Continued to adapt and evolve: Expanding cryptocurrency options: Including USDT and others alongside established options like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Demonstrating market adaptability: Ensuring it remains at the forefront of digital banking solutions by flexibly adapting to evolving trends. Evolving into a one-stop shop: Offering diverse financial solutions beyond banking, including investments and digital payment platforms. Looking to the future: Black Banx is confident its strong financial performance, unwavering commitment to innovation and customer focus, and dedication to financial inclusion position it to significantly contribute to the growth of the MEA region's digital economy. Black Banx's strong financial performance and innovative approach to digital banking position it well to become a leading player in the MEA region. The company's commitment to financial inclusion and its focus on customer-centric solutions position it to contribute significantly to the growth of the region's digital economy. About Black Banx Group: Black Banx Group is a leading global digital banking platform offering a wide range of financial solutions to individuals and businesses worldwide. The company is committed to providing innovative and accessible financial services, empowering its customers to manage their finances effectively. Media contact: Web: www.blackbanx.com Twitter: @WebBank21 Email: [email protected] Ralf Mueller, PR Manager Black Banx Inc., Email: [email protected] https://www.blackbanx.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200328 One of Largest Single Commercial Solar Installation in Company History Site Audits and Inspections Completed Clearing Path for Installation Woburn, Massachusetts--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - SinglePoint Inc (CBOE: SING) ("SinglePoint" or "the Company") subsidiary Boston Solar, a proud partner of the Boston Red Sox and a leading provider of solar energy solutions, recently completed site inspections clearing path for a rooftop solar installation on a global manufacturing services corporations building, headquartered in the heart of Boston, MA. The installation is expected to be 769.12kW DC / 483.3kW AC spanning across two roof plans with over +1600 MAXEON 460W panels and 9 solar inverters. "This is one of the largest commercial solar projects that Boston Solar has had the opportunity to be a part of," says Michael Morlino, President of Boston Solar. Within the scope of the project, Boston Solar will provide comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services which also includes the design and installation of the large and custom solar energy system. "Our team has worked diligently to ensure that this project progresses smoothly and efficiently to reach this stage," said Michael Ricci, Director of Commercial Solar at Boston Solar. The anticipated outcome of this project is significant for both the production and revenue goals of Boston Solar along with the renewable energy objectives for its partner. Boston Solar To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6548/200398_8549c726c4fe4803_001full.jpg Boston Solar has a proven track record of successfully completing commercial projects for prestigious clients, including prestigious jobs like Fenway Park and a Federal Agency, with updates on further progress forthcoming. Recently, the company has also secured a partnership with a prominent global hotel chain linked here. Anticipating a shift towards more commercial ventures in 2024, Boston Solar foresees substantial growth in profitable revenue. Notably, the company has amassed its largest-ever pipeline of commercial projects, with additional details to be unveiled as developments unfold. Boston Solar continues to lead the way in providing financially feasible and eco-friendly solar solutions for both residential and commercial customers. This and its other partnerships highlight the company's dedication to making the shift towards a more sustainable future and greener. Future announcements and updates will be provided as the project continues towards completion. About Boston Solar Boston Solar is a subsidiary of SinglePoint Inc. (CBOE: SING) Since its founding in 2011, Boston Solar has installed more than 5,000 residential and commercial solar arrays, powering thousands of homes and businesses in New England, primarily in Massachusetts. The mission of Boston Solar is to provide superior clean energy products, exceptional customer service, and the highest-quality artistry in residential and commercial installations. Boston Solar has accumulated several distinctions of recognition of the company's outstanding triumphs: Honored with the 2020 Guildmaster Award from GuildQuality, the award acknowledged how Boston Solar demonstrated exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry. Named a Top Solar Contractor by Solar Power World magazine for five consecutive years. Applauded by the Boston Business Journal's "Largest Clean Energy Companies in Massachusetts" list. Boston Solar is a Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) member. The company is headquartered at 12 Gill St. Suite - 5650 Woburn, MA 01801. Learn more at: www.bostonsolar.us About SinglePoint Inc. SinglePoint Inc. is a renewable energy and sustainable lifestyle company focused on providing environmentally friendly energy efficiencies and healthy living solutions. SinglePoint is initially focused on building the largest network of renewable energy solutions and modernizing the traditional solar and energy storage model. The Company is also actively exploring future growth opportunities in air purification, electric vehicle charging, solar as a subscription service, and additional energy efficiencies that enhance sustainability and a healthier life. For more information, visit the Company's website (www.singlepoint.com). Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, the use of proceeds, anticipated growth and future expansion, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications, which may arise, could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The Company undertakes no duty to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Media Contact: Nicholas Andrade, Marketing Assistant. [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: SinglePoint Inc [email protected] 888-682-7464 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200398 ELKO A $10 million donation from Nevada Gold Mines to the Boys and Girls Club of Elko is earmarked for the upcoming recreation and aquatics center. The Boys and Girls Club is thrilled to announce that Nevada Gold Mines, operated by Barrick, has committed a lead gift of $10 million, CEO Rusty Bahr said. The Nevada Gold Mines Recreation Center includes an indoor competition-sized pool, warm-up pool, gymnasium, fitness center, game room, full-service kitchen and teen room. Construction on the facility begins in April and it is expected to open the summer of 2025. Nevada Gold Mines has stepped up again for Elko County in a huge way, Bahr said. This project would not be possible without their generosity. [It] will serve our residents for generations to come. Bahr said the recreation center is expected to fill a critical void and need within the community. Alissa Wood, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Barrick North America, said the rec center would become a hub for the local youth and families. Being a partner in providing our community with access to a top-of-the-line recreational facility will not only help to promote health through physical activity but will also create a place where families and other members of the community can come to partake in activities and group events, Wood said. Nevada Gold Mines has a vested interest in the communities surrounding our operations and hopes that this new facility will help make Elko a more attractive place for families to live and work said Peter Richardson, NGM Executive Managing Director. The major contribution kicked off the fundraising campaign for the recreation center, said Casey Gallagher, Boys & Girls Club of Elko board president. We will be asking the community for support to raise the remaining funds and bring this new facility to Elko County. The Boys and Girls Club of Elko was founded in 1999 by Al Bernarda and today serves over 10,000 individuals each year. The Boys and Girls Club provides before- and after-school, youth summer camp, youth sports, pre-school, childcare, special events and community functions. For additional information about Boys and Girls Club, visit bgcelko.org/elko. 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. [email protected] For investor inquiries contact: Tel: 604.908.1695 [email protected] 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 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - le 5 mars/March 2024) - Effective immediately, Tryp Therapeutics Inc. will be reinstated for trading. The Company has rectified the situation that gave rise to the suspension. _________________________________ Avec effet immdiat, Tryp Therapeutics Inc. sera reintegree a la negociation. La Societe a rectifie la situation qui a donne lieu a la suspension. Date : le 5 mars/March 2024 Symbol(s)/Symbole(s) : TRYP If you have any questions or require further information please contact Listings at (416) 367-7340 or E-mail:[email protected]. Si vous avez des questions ou si vous avez besoin d'informations supplementaires, veuillez contacter le service des inscriptions au 416 367-7340 ou par courriel ladresse:[email protected]. Combining the world's largest chemistry database, Reaxys from Elsevier, with cutting-edge AI from Iktos, the advanced platform will enable pharmaceutical companies to identify preclinical drug candidates faster 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-Math, 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 [email protected] Nicolas Daniels + 33 6 63 66 59 22 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200297 BASMA Beauty has officially launched at Sephora Canada both online and in-stores. Created by burn survivor turned skin expert, Basma Hameed, each product is curated with everyone's (real) unique skin tones in mind. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2024) - BASMA Beauty officially launched in Sephora Canada marking a significant milestone for the brand. Since inception in 2021, BASMA Beauty is driven by creating products that are as unique and versatile as everyone's various (real) skin tones, undertones, and preferences. BASMA Beauty is a former participant in the Sephora Accelerate program that seeks to build a community of innovative and inspiring brand founders and champions founders who are people of colour. BASMA Beauty's launch in Sephora helps bring clean, skin tone-focused beauty to a passionate fan-base of Sephora customers. Created by burn survivor turned skin expert, Basma Hameed's understanding of skin tones and makeup has been a life-long educational journey. As an infant, a kitchen accident left Hameed with third degree burns on her face. Turning to makeup at six years old to attempt to conceal her scar, Hameed developed a deep understanding of undertones, skin textures, and developing unique pigments. Dissatisfied with the limited shade ranges and cakey formulas of most makeup brands, Hameed took matters into her own hands. Thus, she pioneered the Scar Camouflage Procedure at age 17 which involves implanting skin tone pigments into scar tissue. Hameed later opened her first clinic in Toronto and a second in Beverly Hills. Throughout her career, Hameed developed thousands of skin tone pigments to suit different skin types, textures, and varied skin concerns and conditions for people around the world. Born from this extensive knowledge and fueled by a desire to boost clients' confidence, BASMA Beauty was born. At its core, BASMA Beauty's products are created not only with people's skin tones in mind, but with their (real) skin journey, lifestyles, and skin types as key considerations. As a favourite of celebrity makeup artists and A-Listers, BASMA Beauty's must-have products have become a staple both within Hollywood and beyond. For BASMA Beauty's first product launch, it was a natural choice to begin with The Foundation Stick. Available in 40 shades - the largest shade range of any stick foundation at Sephora - The Foundation Stick has become a viral sensation. After the success of The Foundation Stick, BASMA Beauty debuted The Cream Blush, a buttery-soft buildable cream blush that can double as a lip tint. By offering versatile products that align with the diverse needs of users, Sephora Canada's customers can embrace self-expression and let their inner beauty radiate. "Seeing the impact that beauty-enhancing, skin tone-focused products can have, I am beyond excited to bring that same feeling to Sephora customers! Understanding the transformative power of beauty-enhancing products tailored to diverse skin tones and skin types that empower individuals is what guides BASMA Beauty. To collaborate with a retailer like Sephora Canada to celebrate individuality and foster confidence is a dream come true." - says Founder, Basma Hameed BASMA Beauty is thrilled to contribute to the growing array of diverse and BIPOC-owned beauty brands at Sephora. BASMA Beauty is excited to continue working with Sephora creating space for brands representative of Sephora's diverse consumers within North America. Beauty enthusiasts can indulge in The Foundation Stick exclusively online at Sephora Canada. The newly launched The Cream Blush is now available in all Sephora Canada locations and online at basmabeauty.com and sephora.com. BASMA Beauty's newly launched The Cream Blush is available in shades Bubble Gum Pink, Mauve, Fushia, Peach, Burnt Orange, and Cherry Red. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10359/200327_06accd5ba493da32_001full.jpg About BASMA Beauty Basma Hameed, a burn survivor and pioneer of the Scar Camouflage procedure, has dedicated her life to helping people feel their best - inside and out. For the last 20 years, she has treated thousands of people at her clinics, each with different skin types, tones, conditions, textures, life stories, and lifestyles. Basma combined her passion for helping people with her expertise in skin to launch BASMA Beauty, a cosmetics brand dedicated to creating makeup that looks good on (real) skin. BASMA Beauty develops formulas with not just skin tones in mind, but also skin journeys, skin types, lifestyles and all the things that determine when, why, and how people prefer their makeup to work. For more information on the BASMA Beauty launch into Sephora Canada or media inquiries, please reach out to Langton PR. Tiana Osborne, Senior Account Manager, Langton PR Inc. [email protected] Daniel Pillai, President & CEO, Langton PR Inc. [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200327 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: [email protected] 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 [email protected]. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200415 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 4, 2024) - Two Hands Corporation. (CSE: TWOH) ("Two Hands" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has agreed to settle an aggregate of $400,000 of indebtedness to a non-arm's length creditor of the Company through the issuance of 8,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.05 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement"). The Common Shares issued pursuant to the debt settlement shall be subject to a four-month hold period and completion of the transaction remains subject to final acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Debt Settlement constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as upon completion of the Debt Settlement, an insider of the Company will receive 8,000,000 Common Shares. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the Common Shares to be issued to the insider in connection with the Debt Settlement does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Debt Settlement, which the Company deems reasonable. About the Company Two Hands Corporation (CSE: TWOH) (OTC Pink: TWOH) is a Canadian-based distribution company focused exclusively on the grocery market through the Cuore Food Services brand. Two Hands' inventory is updated continuously and generally consists of produce, meats, pantry items, bakery & pastry goods, gluten free goods, and organic items, acquired from various suppliers in Canada and Internationally. For more information about Two Hands Corporation, please visit: www.twohandsgroup.com. For further information please contact: Nadav Elituv, Chief Executive Officer at (416) 357-0399 or [email protected] Forward-looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning: the commencement of trading of the Company's Common Shares on the CSE. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that the Company has made in respect thereof as at the date of this press release regarding, among other things: the Company completing its next financing. Although the Company believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: changes in general economic, competitive, business, political and social conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the impact of competitive entities and pricing; the ability to access various sources of debt and equity capital on favourable terms; changes in applicable laws and regulations and costs associated therewith; actions by governmental or regulatory authorities and costs associated therewith; technology and cyber security risks; natural catastrophes; and certain other risks detailed in the Company's final prospectus dated April 21, 2022, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. This list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200362 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 | [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/200430 Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation. Companies around the world find capable workers in the foreign exchange (forex) industry through Employ Solution, a subsidiary brand of FxCareer. The organization works to connect skilled workers in the USA with global companies seeking online employees to work from home. Employ Solution offers an online platform that allows some of the worlds leading forex employers and the top global candidates to connect and forge valuable connections. While FxCareer focuses on European job opportunities, Employ Solution is geared toward helping people in the USA find lucrative forex positions with global companies. Employ Solution helps you find a job and work from home, company representatives said. We help employers and job candidates come closer and work together. The company strives to create a global network of the planets top job candidates and employers looking to hire for online positions, bringing talent and opportunity together in one place. Knowing where to find legitimate and reliable assignments overseas can be challenging when looking for remote work. Employ Solution takes the guesswork out of finding a job in the international market. Creating a Global Employment Platform Finding the right candidate for an open position can be a challenge, particularly when working in the international financial tech (fintech) and forex industries. However, with Employ Solution and FxCareer, connecting with a network of skilled and experienced workers online is simple and easy. Thousands of jobs are posted on both sites, with plentiful opportunities for lucrative positions that allow work from home. We bring together Fx employers and candidates and provide for them the tools that can make the employment process easier, company founders said. Versatile Application Options Workers seeking employment through the platform have many options to promote themselves. Like most online employment platforms, Employ Solutions uses a credit system, which provides flexible avenues to apply for positions. Normal mode lets prospective employees apply for jobs at a rate of one credit per application. Candidates can also apply in priority mode, which costs 25 credits and puts their application at the top of the list. Workers can undergo an interview preparation session for 50 credits, with Employ Solution staff speaking to the employer and gathering the primary questions. Candidates undergo between two and three practice interviews so they are ready to shine. The company also offers an option for one of its agents to handle an applicants C.V. exclusively, contacting employers on their behalf for a cost of 100 credits. For the same cost, applicants can have their portfolio promoted to employers with a priority status or have their C.V. presented to 10 prospective employers of their choice. For 500 credits, Employ Solutions will promote candidates as remote employees explicitly looking to work from home in their own countries to their network of registered employers. Company staff will speak to 10 interested employers about the candidates profile. Learn Valuable Skills and Updates with the FxCareer Blog Employ Solution and FxCareer go beyond creating valuable work opportunities with a blog of articles exploring various aspects of the industry. Covering a wide range of topics, candidates can utilize the blog to learn useful tips to shine in an interview, propose solutions to issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, or learn about the problems forex employers are looking to solve, among dozens of other things. Exploring Online Employment Worldwide Qualified candidates searching for online forex and fintech jobs online can find valuable connections at FxCareer and Employ Solutions. Likewise, employers searching for capable people to fill positions can connect with skilled workers on the same platform. Seeking Workers with International Skills Beyond experience in the fintech and forex industries, Employ Solutions seeks to connect people with valuable international skills, such as fluency in multiple languages or having experience with business in a specific country. A wide variety of positions are available, from customer service representatives to company directors. Conclusion Visit the Employ Solution website to learn more about the fintech and forex jobs available online in the international market. Reach out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to connect with the FxCareer brand on social media. Contact Info: Name: Pantelis Panteli Email: Send Email Organization: FxCareer Website: https://www.employsolution.com/ Release ID: 89123328 If there are any deficiencies, problems, or concerns regarding the information presented in this press release that require attention or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we encourage you to notify us without delay at [email protected]. Our diligent team is committed to promptly addressing your concerns within 8 hours and taking necessary actions to rectify any identified issues or facilitate the removal process. Providing accurate and trustworthy information is of utmost importance. Bechtel's $7 million dollar commitment to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will provide critical resources and programming to 500,000 U.S. construction workers over the next five years. WASHINGTON , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) today announced a new, multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. The initiative was unveiled this morning in Washington, D.C. , at an event focused on raising awareness, educating stakeholders on this crisis, and beginning to build a coalition to prevent construction worker suicides. The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by Bechtel and AFSP. The $7 million , five-year commitment to AFSP to fund the effort is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP and the largest single donation ever made by the Bechtel Group Foundation. "This is the start of a long-term, sustained effort to lift up the whole construction community. We want to see mental health become as much of a priority as physical safety in our industry," said Brendan Bechtel , chairman and CEO of Bechtel. "It's our belief that addressing suicide in construction is as vital as wearing a hard hat on site. This is the next frontier in taking care of each other." The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives lost in jobsite safety incidents, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, respectively. The initiative will leverage Bechtel's industry knowledge and reach in combination with AFSP's expertise in research, education, and effective prevention strategies, as well as its national network of local chapters. Bechtel welcomes participation from others in the industry, as this partnership forms a construction working group and a first-ever senior advisory council to help guide the effort. "We know we cannot meet this challenge alone. Real change will take all of us. We want to build an industry-wide effort, and we are actively encouraging others in construction to join us," added Brendan Bechtel . "The partnership with Bechtel is the first of its kind for AFSP, and we are thrilled to be collaborating with an industry leader that is focused on improving the mental health of the construction industry as a whole," said Robert Gebbia , CEO of AFSP. "We're excited to be building a team within AFSP dedicated to this important initiative aimed at reaching thousands of people in need and preventing suicide." "All of us who work in construction have seen gains in physical safety that were once unimaginable, become the standard for success," said Sean McGarvey , president of North America's Building Trades Unions , who also spoke at today's event. "It's time to bring the same mindset, resources, and innovation to the issue of mental health and suicide prevention." Learn more about this new initiative and how you can get involved at: Confronting Suicide in the Construction Industry | Bechtel. About Bechtel Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction, and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers' objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a loss. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through public education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York , with a public policy office in Washington, D.C. , AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico , with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Learn more about AFSP's ongoing campaign Talk Away Dark to learn the warning signs and risk factors of suicide, and bravely have a REAL open and honest conversation with others. Media Contact: Rayna V Farrell | [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bechtel-and-the-american-foundation-for-suicide-prevention-partner-to-prevent-construction-worker-suicides-302080608.html SOURCE Bechtel This annual recognition highlights organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to business integrity through robust ethics, compliance and governance programs OAKLAND, Calif. , March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California has received the 2024 World's Most Ethical Companies recognition by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. The nonprofit health plan has received this recognition for the 12th time. In 2024, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 20 countries and 44 industries. "One of Blue Shield of California's strategic pillars is to stand for what's right," said Venetia Marshall , vice president, chief risk and compliance officer at Blue Shield of California. "That means ethical behavior is an integral part of our company's DNA and we believe that will help us reach our vision of creating a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends." Blue Shield is a nonprofit health plan driven by its mission of providing access to quality health care that's sustainably affordable for everyone. The company and its employees also continue to be at the forefront of responding to major health and social issues. "It's always inspiring to recognize the World's 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 , chief strategy officer and executive chair at Ethisphere. "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 Blue Shield of California for achieving this honor and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business." Ethics and Performance: The Ethics Premium The 2024 World's Most Ethical Companies honorees outperformed a comparable index of global companies by 12.3 percentage points from January 2019 to January 2024 . Methodology and Scoring 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 programs; diversity, equity and inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by a 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. Honorees To view the full list of this year's honorees, visit the World's Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees. About Blue Shield of California Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. Blue Shield of California is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with more than 4.8 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $24 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland , Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California . The company has contributed more than $97 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. 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 World's 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 World's Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com. CONTACT: Mark Seelig Blue Shield of California 510-607-2359 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-shield-of-california-named-one-of-the-2024-worlds-most-ethical-companies-for-the-12th-time-302079159.html SOURCE Blue Shield of California The trial for the six Nevada fake electors facing felony forgery charges over their efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election has been pushed back to 2025. The defendants attorneys and state prosecutors agreed Monday to push back the jury trial originally scheduled to start next week to Jan. 13, 2025. District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus also scheduled a hearing for April 22 on the defendants motion to dismiss the charges. Holthus originally asked for the trial to begin on Jan. 6, which the defense objected to. The attorney representing one of the defendants, Eileen Rice, filed a motion on behalf of all of the other defendants in early February asking to reschedule the trial because they needed additional time to review all discovery and prepare for trial. The state did not oppose the motion. The trial was automatically set for next week one week after a calendar call to address ongoing matters, as is standard practice but was not going to take place then because of the motion to reschedule, said Margaret McLetchie, another attorney representing a defendant, told The Nevada Independent. McLetchie said the January 2025 date was chosen to allow for enough time to prepare for trial and based on court availability. A spokesperson for the attorney generals office, which brought the charges, said the prosecution is ready for trial, but that the circumstances of the case a likely multi-week trial with all six defendants represented by different counsel presented scheduling challenges. The court offered up two dates in 2024 to hold the trial, but the defense asked for the January start date, which the prosecution agreed to, the spokesperson said. A Clark County grand jury in December indicted Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald, Republican National Committeeman Jim DeGraffenreid, Clark County GOP Chair Jesse Law, state party Vice Chair Jim Hindle, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice on two felony charges of false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument based on their conduct as fake electors three years ago. After then-candidate Joe Biden was declared the winner of Nevadas presidential election, the six Republicans held their own symbolic ceremony in Carson City purporting to certify the states electoral votes for then-President Donald Trump. They sent signed documents to the National Archives and state election officials referring to themselves as the duly elected and qualified electors, and purported to pledge the states six electoral votes to Trump. The six defendants argued in motions filed in January that prosecutors under Attorney General Aaron Ford did not sufficiently prove that their actions constituted forgery or that they tried to defraud state officials because they did not try to create a certificate that could have been mistaken for a real one. The fraudulent electors also argued that state prosecutors misled the grand jury that handed down the indictments. Kenneth Chesebro, a former Trump campaign attorney and architect of the fake elector scheme, told the grand jury that the purpose of the fake documents were in case the courts overturned Bidens victory. The Carson City ceremony occurred six days after the Nevada Supreme Court tossed out an effort by Trump campaign lawyers to overturn Bidens victory. Defendants argued in January that prosecutors had misled the grand jury by not including the fact that at the time of the Carson City ceremony, there was still ample time to challenge the Nevada Supreme Courts ruling (the ruling was never appealed). They also argued that Chesebro did not include the six Nevada fraudulent electors in conversations about how to proceed if there was no active court challenge. They added that Clark County where the charges were filed and court proceedings have been held was not an appropriate venue because the charges relate to conduct that occurred in Carson City. Last month, the attorney generals office filed arguments rebutting those arguments. It said the conduct should still be considered fraudulent even if state officials were not deceived, writing that it amounts to an argument that because the defendants were not especially skilled forgers, they cant properly be convicted of these charges. State prosecutors also said that because the Nevada Supreme Court had already ruled against overturning the election results, then the fraudulent electors would have known that their signed certificates were false. In addition, the prosecution said Clark County was an appropriate place for court proceedings because two defendants McDonald and Law conspired and drafted key documents related to the scheme while they were still in Clark County. Defendants had also mailed the fraudulent documents to a federal district court judge in Las Vegas. BEIJING , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: China will strive to modernize the industrial system and develop new quality productive forces at a faster pace, according to a Government Work Report submitted on March 5 to the national legislature for deliberation. The country will consolidate and enhance its leading position in industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, step up development of hydrogen power, new materials, innovative drugs, and other cutting-edge sectors, according to the report. Recently, local governments across China have been outlining their "roadmaps" to foster the development of new quality productive forces at local "two sessions" meetings, the annual meetings of provincial-level lawmakers and political advisors. Beijing is actively building an international science and technology innovation center. Anhui province is accelerating the development of three major science and technology innovation hubs in quantum information, fusion energy, and deep space exploration. Moreover, Heilongjiang province is implementing digital transformation in manufacturing, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises with digital capabilities, and promoting pilot demonstration projects in intelligent manufacturing. What do "new quality productive forces" mean? The term refers to contemporary advanced productive forces that are generated by revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and in-depth transformation and upgrading of industries. It takes the qualitative change of laborers, labor materials, labor objects and their optimal combination as the basic connotation, and the improvement of total factor productivity as the core indicator. Technological innovation can give rise to new industries, new models, and new driving forces, which are the core elements for developing new quality productive forces. In 2023, generative artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a shining star in the tech world. By the end of 2023, China had released over 200 large AI models, with more than 20 of them approved to provide services to the public. Most of the large models available to the public are general-purpose foundational models. Their greater competence is to empower intelligent industrial production and accelerate the development of new quality productive forces. Liu Qingfeng , chairman of China's leading AI and speech technology company iFLYTEK, noted that generative AI is one of the most significant technological innovations in recent decades. It has the potential to change the ways of content production, human-computer interaction, traditional business models, and the structure and competition pattern of industries. A well-planned layout of industrial chains can effectively support the enhancement of new quality productive forces by optimizing resource allocation. As a representative of new quality productive forces, the low-altitude economy has become an important direction for cultivating new momentum for development. Today, China has developed a relatively complete industrial chain of the low-altitude economy, which has generated agglomeration effects. Taking Shenzhen in Guangdong province as an example, by the end of 2023, it has gathered more than 1,700 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) companies with an annual output value of 96 billion yuan ( $13.34 billion ). Chinese civil UAV manufacturers, represented by DJI, are strongly competitive in the global market. According to a DJI executive, DJI's success benefited from the supporting and well-developed industrial chain in Shenzhen . With the continuous improvement of the entire Pearl River Delta's electronic consumer goods industrial chain, DJI's production capacity has been further strengthened. To develop new quality productive forces, it is necessary to promote the digital economy, facilitating the deep integration of the digital economy with the real economy. In recent years, new technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things, and new energy have been widely applied in the transportation industry, expanding the scope of intelligent transportation applications. Anhui Transport Consulting & Design Institute Co., Ltd. (ATCDI) developed a design system that automatically generates drawings for commonly used bridge structures. The system has been in operation for over a year and has generated more than 7,400 drawings, significantly reducing the workload of frontline designers. "Fostering new quality productive forces in the field of engineering information technology, such as intelligent manufacturing, digital design, as well as 3D laser scanning and inspection, can enable us to build bridges and roads more efficiently, thus better benefiting the people," said Nie Wenhua , deputy director of the ATCDI digital innovation center. Currently, some regions in China are focusing on the building of industrial chains for new quality productive forces, so as to enhance the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains. The municipal government of Beijing has proposed to promote the high-quality development of the new energy vehicle industry and actively establish industrial chains of key components, such as motors, batteries, electronic controls, and automotive-grade chips. The government of Shandong province said that it would carry out actions to promote the high-quality development of iconic industrial chains. It would implement 100 major scientific and technological innovation projects in fields such as integrated circuits and industrial machinery. Some regions are working to remove barriers and bottlenecks that hinder the development of new quality productive forces, and have made innovative allocation of production factors a key focus of their work this year. The government work report of Liaoning province proposed to promote the integrated development of strategic emerging industries such as new materials, aerospace, low-altitude economy, robotics, biomedicine and medical equipment, new energy vehicles, and integrated circuit equipment. Jiangsu province said in its government work report that it would focus on future industries and explore new sectors such as future networks, quantum technology, life science, hydrogen energy and new energy storage, as well as deep-sea, deep-earth, and aerospace exploration. Accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces also relies on the development of human resources. A program on cultivating high-skilled talents, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and six other departments, noted that China will cultivate leading talents in key industries such as advanced manufacturing and modern services, focusing on major strategies, major projects and key industrial needs of the country. China will strive to cultivate over 15,000 new leading talents and drive the addition of around 5 million high-skilled talents within approximately three years. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/china-accelerates-building-of-new-quality-productive-forces-302079937.html SOURCE People's Daily NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) will host a conference call on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 4:30 PM Eastern time to discuss first quarter financial results and provide a business update for the second quarter to date. A press release with first quarter financial results will be issued at approximately 4:10 PM Eastern time on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 . Participants can join the conference call by dialing 1-888-317-6003 and will be prompted to enter the code 7358132. International callers can dial 1-412-317-6061 and will be prompted to enter the code 7358132. The call will also be webcast live from the Company's website on the investor relations page at ir.chipotle.com and registration is available at https://app.webinar.net/rnaEYrbYlM4. An archived webcast will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call. ABOUT CHIPOTLE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Chipotle had over 3,400 restaurants as of December 31, 2023, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants in North America and Europe. Chipotle is ranked on the Fortune 500 and is recognized on Fortune's Most Admired Companies 2024 list and Time Magazine's Most Influential Companies. With over 115,000 employees passionate about providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital, technology and sustainable business practices. For more information or to place an order online, visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotle-mexican-grill-to-announce-first-quarter-2024-results-on-april-24-2024-302080503.html SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill HOUSTON , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at West Road Plaza in Houston, Texas on March 9th . "We are thrilled to open our store at West Road Plaza ," said Jack Williams , Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Houston community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication." The new Daiso store at West Road Plaza encompasses 6,500 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke , Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, " Houston based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 122 units in 7 states with more states opening in 2024." On both Saturday, March 9th and Sunday, March 10th , the first 100 customers to shop at the West Road Plaza location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a goodie bag and a plushie. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community. Daiso invites customers to join in the celebration. The West Road Plaza Daiso , at 10245 North Fwy Ste 140, is anchored by neighboring tenant Marshall's and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. About Daiso: Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan , known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in Anaheim, CA. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daiso-new-store-opening-in-houston-texas-302080466.html SOURCE Daiso USA SAN DIEGO , March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, February 20 , David Michael Jeremiah , President of Turning Point with Dr. Jeremiah , was elected to the Board of Directors for the National Religious Broadcasters Association. The annual meeting was held during NRB's 2024 Convention in Nashville, TN , where broadcasters and Christian communicators from around the world gathered for the four-day conference. NRB's Board of Directors is elected by its voting members to govern the organization's direction at large and oversee the eight standing committees representing the various interests of NRB members. While addressing the voting body, current NRB President Troy Miller noted that the association is in its eightieth year and still going strong: growing in membership, remaining financially stable, and looking ahead toward the future of broadcasting. This new slate of board members is stepping into a growing organization and will take NRB into an exciting future. Jeremiah was nominated and elected on the first ballot at the annual meeting. Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah is one of the largest organizational members in the NRB association. In speaking about his election to the board, Jeremiah said: "I'm looking forward to this leadership role and helping direct NRB into the next level of growth. Turning Point has been a member for many years, and I'm excited about what our membership experience can bring to the board. NRB has done a great deal in its 80 years, but there is more to be done, and I'm eager to work with my fellow board members and grow the organization to new and exciting levels." NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. The NRB Convention is the world's largest gathering of Christian communicators and is an excellent opportunity to network, learn, and reach new audiences across the broadcast and publishing industries. David Michael Jeremiah joined the executive team at Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah in 1995 and leads a staff of more than 240 employees across three facilities and six countries. About Turning Point Turning Point Ministries was founded in 1982 as the broadcast ministry of Dr. David Jeremiah to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. More than three decades later, with a multimedia network featuring radio, television, online programming, magazines, and books, Turning Point reaches people around the globe with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ . Turning Point is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization wholly supported by patrons and not underwritten by any church or organization. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/david-michael-jeremiah-joins-nrb-board-302079151.html SOURCE Turning Point Ministries The largest primary care community health system in Massachusetts shares plans for a more inclusive identity that speaks to its community of patients across Greater Boston BOSTON , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, during an announcement to its nearly 2,000 employees, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) outlined plans to rebrand its health system, which serves more than 120,000 people and has an operating budget of $270 million . The largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts announced it will become NeighborHealth in June 2024 , taking on a new name and visual identity. "For over 55 years, we've proudly served the East Boston community. In recent decades, our thriving and growing health system is serving many more families, in many more communities through a comprehensive and diverse set of services, programs, and clinical locations. Now, as our state's largest provider of community-based primary care services, we have an opportunity to unify our health system under one name that is inclusive of all our clinical locations and reflective of the diverse communities we serve," said EBNHC's President and CEO Greg Wilmot . "As NeighborHealth, we will remain as committed as ever to our mission and patient promise to provide high-quality, patient-centered care to all who live and work in our communities." EBNHC was founded in 1970 during the Civil Rights Movement to meet a gap in healthcare services for East Boston's working class and predominantly Italian immigrant population, serving as a relief station for Boston City Hospital in the early 1900s. As its patient community grew beyond East Boston, EBNHC followed with new sites and services to provide more convenient care. Today, EBNHC operates nearly a dozen clinical sites throughout Greater Boston including East Boston, Winthrop , Everett , Revere , and Boston's South End . Providing high-quality primary care services to the largest Health Safety Net population as well as the largest Latino population in the Commonwealth, NeighborHealth will remain committed to eliminating barriers to care due to disparities associated with race, cultural background, and economic status. "Five decades ago, community leaders of East Boston planted a seed of love in the heart of our community that grew to become the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Joined together with the South End Community Health Center, we will become NeighborHealth, serving many thousands of families in several communities. Along with our entire Board of Directors, I'm brimming with pride," said Rita Sorrento , EBNHC's long-time Chairwoman of its Board of Directors. "I am proud to see how East Boston Neighborhood Health Center continues to expand to meet the needs of our communities and remains committed to its founding mission of serving all who walk through our doors," said EBNHC's CEO Emeritus Jack Cradock . "Under the name NeighborHealth, I am excited to see the next chapter unfold and the positive impact it will undoubtedly bring to communities throughout Greater Boston ." Acquired by EBNHC in 2020, the South End Community Health Center, with an equally rich legacy, will also embrace the new name, NeighborHealth, in June of this year. "In the 1960s, I saw firsthand the urgent need for community-based primary care in the South End and was fortunate to join forces with an incredible group of people who shared my vision for justice in healthcare. For me, NeighborHealth symbolizes a renewed dedication to serve our communities with compassion and sensitivity, something we need now more than ever," said Dr. Gerald Hass , co-founder of the South End Community Health Center. Responding to community feedback, EBNHC worked with patients, staff, and community leaders across the Boston area to arrive at a name that best unified the health systems' breadth of services across multiple campuses. The new brand, NeighborHealth, will align the health system's visual identity with its mission and vision to deliver a healthcare experience that is compassionate, person-centric, culturally relevant, and most importantly accessible to all. Undergoing the official name change in June 2024 , the soon-to-be NeighborHealth will continue to be a staple in Boston's diverse communities by leveraging its core values: With community: We don't just serve communities; we belong to them. We understand the lives of our patients because they're deeply interconnected with our own; and that's why we can address complex needs and cultural nuances. We're more than providers; we're neighbors. We don't just serve communities; we belong to them. We understand the lives of our patients because they're deeply interconnected with our own; and that's why we can address complex needs and cultural nuances. We're more than providers; we're neighbors. Open to all: Too many people face barriers to receiving high-quality care due to disparities associated with race, cultural background, or economic status. As a community-focused health system, we are committed to eliminating these barriers to provide the right care to everyone who needs it, no matter who they are. Too many people face barriers to receiving high-quality care due to disparities associated with race, cultural background, or economic status. As a community-focused health system, we are committed to eliminating these barriers to provide the right care to everyone who needs it, no matter who they are. Beyond the clinic: We know that health care doesn't start or end in the exam room. The fact is, where and how people live can have a profound impact on health outcomes and wellbeing. That's why we take a holistic approach to care, working with community partners to engage people in the community before they become patients at our clinics. We know that health care doesn't start or end in the exam room. The fact is, where and how people live can have a profound impact on health outcomes and wellbeing. That's why we take a holistic approach to care, working with community partners to engage people in the community before they become patients at our clinics. A valued team: A healthful workplace is essential to great patient care. That's why we are committed to the wellbeing of our team, building a safe and supportive space where staff are recognized and valued for their work, and patients are treated based on their unique needs by providers they trust. A healthful workplace is essential to great patient care. That's why we are committed to the wellbeing of our team, building a safe and supportive space where staff are recognized and valued for their work, and patients are treated based on their unique needs by providers they trust. Better care: We bring compassionate, high-quality care to communities across Greater Boston . Community, however, is not just a place where care happens it's a healthful state we all should aspire to. We live longer, healthier lives in community, with those who know and care about us. That's why we believe that care in community is better. And that's what we're here to champion. Patients and partners seeking additional information about the upcoming rebrand, please visit ebnhc.org. About East Boston Neighborhood Health Center East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is one of the nation's largest Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts , serving over 120,000 people and recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a National Quality Leader. For more than 50 years, EBNHC has offered access to comprehensive primary care, specialty care and emergency care for patients in the Commonwealth. In a first-of-its-kind merger in 2020, EBNHC joined forces with the South End Community Health Center and expanded services to patients who live and work in Boston's South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. EBNHC champions innovative care models to actively bridge health equity gaps in our low-income and immigrant communities with services unique from other health care providers in our state. In addition to primary and specialty care, EBNHC operates Massachusetts' only satellite Emergency Department, which is the fourth busiest ED in Boston and is co-located with advanced radiology, including CT scan services, same-day Behavioral Health Urgent Care and an integrated pharmacy. Today, EBNHC remains dedicated to promoting and sustaining healthy communities, families, and individuals both in and out of the exam room by providing accessible, person-centered, compassionate, and high-quality health care services. For more information, visit www.ebnhc.org MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Auguste [email protected] 617.851.8211 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/east-boston-neighborhood-health-center-to-rebrand-as-neighborhealth-302078996.html SOURCE East Boston Neighborhood Health Center DALLAS , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of MTX Group's commitment to creating trusted, secure, and accessible election systems, the company announces the addition of Edwin Smith as Vice President of Election Solutions. Ed joins with over two decades of experience in the elections industry and will focus on driving transformation in election office business processes, security, reliability, and innovation. As an experienced leader, Ed previously implemented corporate strategies for market entry, bringing products that span the entire election management cycle to market. He is an expert in election system product management, certification, usability, and security and has supported election deployments on multiple continents. Ed has also served on the executive committee of the Elections Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Council (EI-SCC), responsible for building resilience in protecting and defending our nation's critical voting infrastructure. In his new role, he will be committed to providing digital transformation to ensure secure elections. "We recognize that trust is paramount when it comes to election systems. We are committed to investing in our domain experts to leverage their industry experiences while our world-class engineers tackle innovation for systems that drive outcomes for years to come. I am confident that Ed will bring great opportunities for MTX to create a global impact in our communities, " said MTX Founder & CEO Das Nobel . In one centralized system, MTX's Election Management System enables easy management of elections, voter maintenance, and campaign finance. The solution provides speed, storage, and security for the state's needs, with secure and verified end-to-end process execution. Features include: Voter Management Candidate and Petition Management Campaign Finance Management Redistricting Management Election Operations Management Election Results and Audit Management "I am excited by the work MTX is already doing in the election technology market. The company's innovation mindset and problem-solving approach are a great fit with my background and skill set. I am both honored and energized to lead this new team at MTX as we evolve into the leading technology partner to election offices worldwide," said Ed Smith , MTX Vice President of Election Solutions. ABOUT MTX GROUP INC. MTX Group Inc. is a global technology consulting firm that serves as a trusted advisor for government agencies and businesses to modernize through digital transformation. With data as the new currency, MTX helps transform long-term strategy with outcomes in mind around happiness, health, and economics. MTX improves decision-making with speed and quality by partnering with leading cloud technologies. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edwin-smith-joins-mtx-group-as-vice-president-of-election-solutions-302080443.html SOURCE MTX Group Founded in Portland, Oregon , Gerber has been designing and manufacturing equipment and outdoor products since 1939. PORTLAND, Ore. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerber Gear , a leading outdoor brand dedicated to crafting problem-solving tools, proudly commemorates 85 legendary years of exceptional American-made craftsmanship and innovation in Portland, Oregon . As a local advertising agency founder and owner, Joe Gerber wanted to design a carving knife he could gift to his clients. This one-off gift became a highly sought-after knife and from those humble beginnings, Gerber Gear was founded in 1939. What began as a business to produce culinary knives quickly evolved into an innovative manufacturing journey that would go on to revolutionize the American knife market. From kitchen knives to combat tools for World War II, Gerber swiftly established itself as a global icon, crafting equipment embraced by hunters, soldiers, tradesmen, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Gerber also played a pivotal role in starting the Everyday Carry movement we see today, with the introduction of folding knives in the 1960's. "Gerber's 85th anniversary marks a time of celebration and reflection on the remarkable legacy of Pete, Joe, and Ham Gerber's innovative ideas and their impact on the industry as a whole," said Keith Carrato , VP/GM of Gerber Gear . "Our heritage runs deep and is rooted in a steadfast dedication to quality, innovation, and meeting consumer needs. We are proud to empower the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and problem-solvers." Each month throughout 2024, Gerber will tell a series of unique stories celebrating its history, culminating in a limited-edition product release in November. To learn more about Gerber's history and be kept up-to-date on the 85th Anniversary happenings, please visit https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/meet-gerber/85th-anniversary. About Gerber: Gerber is a global outdoor brand founded in 1939 that builds knives, multi-tools, and problem-solving gear for wherever the pursuit may lead you. For 85 legendary years, Gerber products have been used by mountain climbers, trail hikers, backpackers, kayakers, and more. Gerber products are at home on a hunt in the middle of nowhere, and patio campsites right outside the home. All Gerber products are backed by the Gerber Guarantee, a limited lifetime warranty. For more information, please visit www.gerbergear.com or follow on social media on Instagram and Facebook. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gerber-gear-celebrates-85-legendary-years-302079840.html MINNEAPOLIS , March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Certain medications for multiple sclerosis (MS) called monoclonal antibodies, taken while breastfeeding, may not affect the development of a child during the first three years of life, according to a preliminary study released March 4, 2024 . The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 76th Annual Meeting taking place April 1318, 2024, in person in Denver and online. The study examined four monoclonal antibodies for MS: natalizumab, ocrelizumab, rituximab and ofatumumab. MS is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks myelin, the fatty white substance that insulates and protects the nerves. Symptoms may include fatigue, numbness, tingling or difficulty walking. "Most monoclonal antibody medications for multiple sclerosis are not currently approved for use while a mother is breastfeeding," said study author Kerstin Hellwig , MD, of Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany . "Yet MS can develop during the childbearing years of life. Since the risk of MS relapses increases after giving birth, some mothers may need or want to restart these therapies, so it is important to determine whether these medications, through breast milk, have a negative impact on a child's development." For the study, researchers used the German MS and Pregnancy Registry to identify 183 infants born to mothers taking monoclonal antibodies while breastfeeding. Of this group, 180 had mothers with MS and three had mothers with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD). NMOSD is also a demyelinating disease, but it is rare and specifically affects the optic nerve, spinal cord or brain. The infants were compared to another 183 infants, matched for exposure to MS medications shortly before or during pregnancy, born to mothers with the same diseases who did not take monoclonal antibodies while breastfeeding. Of those exposed to MS medications, 125 were exposed to natalizumab, 34 to ocrelizumab, 11 to rituximab and 10 to ofatumumab. Two infants were first exposed to natalizumab and then ocrelizumab. One infant was exposed to rituximab and then ocrelizumab. The first exposures to the medications through breastfeeding ranged from the day a child was born to the ninth month of life. Infants were breastfed for an average of five-and-a-half months while their mothers took these medications. For all infants, researchers then examined the number of hospital stays, antibiotic use, developmental delays such as problems with social and fine motor skills and delayed speech development, and the infants' weight at follow-up visits during the first three years of life. After comparing infants exposed to the medications to infants not exposed, researchers found no differences in their health or development. "Our data show infants exposed to these medications through breastfeeding experienced no negative effects on health or development within the first three years of life," Hellwig said. A limitation of the study was that only about a third of the infants were followed for the full three years. Therefore, Hellwig said, the results for the third year of life are less meaningful than for years one and two. Learn more about multiple sclerosis at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology's free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, X and Instagram. When posting to social media channels about this research, we encourage you to use the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting hashtag #AANAM. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 40,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/good-newsms-drugs-taken-while-breastfeeding-may-not-affect-child-development-302079162.html SOURCE American Academy of Neurology ROSELAND, N.J. , and LVIV-VYNNYKY, Ukraine , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hope for Ukraine , in collaboration with The Gadfly Project and supported by an in-kind software development grant, is embarking on a transformative journey to modernize humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine . Through creating an innovative web application, Hope for Ukraine and The Gadfly Project are pioneering an innovative system for aid distribution, leveraging technology to expand outreach to those in need of aid while ensuring effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness. This system incorporates user-friendly features akin to popular on-demand service platforms, offering a seamless experience for aid recipients and facilitating efficient resource allocation. The new web application, developed with a strong emphasis on technology, will transform how humanitarian aid is delivered on the ground in Ukraine . Similar to popular ridesharing and food delivery apps, the application will provide real-time notifications to users about upcoming aid distribution events in their area. This will empower individuals needing access to aid more easily and efficiently, reducing wait times and ensuring a more humane experience for recipients. "The qualifying process our grant applicants are subjected to, underscores the significance of Hope for Ukraine's innovative idea and their breadth of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine ," said Ryan Johnson , Chief Executive at the Gadfly Project. He continues, "Among a pool of high caliber grant submissions, Hope for Ukraine's project premise, follow-through, and potential for transformative impact for thousands of beneficiaries, made them an obvious grant awardee choice for us. This marks a poignant moment in leveraging technology to enhance aid delivery efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness; ultimately amplifying Hope for Ukraine's impact on the ground." Yuriy Boyechko , CEO of Hope for Ukraine , reflected on the journey since the organization's inception to the onset of the Ukraine war, stating, "As we commemorate the second anniversary of the war, this collaboration with The Gadfly Project and the generous support of the in-kind software development grant mark a pivotal moment for Hope for Ukraine . With this innovative web app, we are transforming how humanitarian aid is delivered and empowering individuals and NGOs to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. This grant not only underscores the potential impact of our project but also serves as a testament to the collaborative spirit driving positive change in our community." Through the web application, individuals on the ground can verify their need for aid and receive support from local NGO's streamlining the verification process and ensuring aid reaches those who need it most. It will provide a centralized platform for NGOs to access information about aid deliveries, enabling them to pick up aid immediately after delivery and reducing administrative burdens. Key features of the application include: Real-time notifications for aid distribution events. Verification process for aid recipients. Centralized information for NGOs about aid deliveries. Streamlined reporting process for distribution partners. Access to distribution site locations and registration requirements. Olha Olesuk , a representative of Path of Hope, shared her excitement about the App's potential impact, stating, "This application will serve as a powerful platform for beneficiaries, volunteers, and those in need of help. The application will make different operations easier and more efficient. It will facilitate the distribution of event announcements and help beneficiaries register quickly. Additionally, our volunteers can upload daily photos and video reports to inform donors about their impact, even from thousands of miles away." With this grant, Hope for Ukraine is poised to harness the power of technology to empower individuals and NGOs in their mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. The collaborative efforts between Hope for Ukraine and The Gadfly Project exemplify the spirit of innovation and dedication to humanitarian causes, setting a new standard for aid delivery in Ukraine and beyond. After the web application has been launched, it will be utilized by NGOs such as: Paths of Hope ( Non-Profit Organization ) ) Lviv Charitable Organization International Charity Foundation Frontline Volunteers Kyiv Charitable Organization Charitable Foundation of Development City Kryvyi Rih Charitable Organization Charitable Fund We Are Near.ua Chernivtsi Give the Community a Little of Myself ( Non-Profit Organization ) ) Volyn Region International Charitable Fund " House of Good Hearts " - Charkiv Region About Hope for Ukraine Hope for Ukraine is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 81-1401967), passionately committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those affected by the Ukraine crisis. Established with strong dedication in 2016, our mission is rooted in compassion and driven by the vision of a united, resilient, and peaceful Ukraine . Hope For Ukraine is a four-star charity with Charity Navigator, Platinum Transparency Charity with Candid, and received vetted status from Global Giving. These recognitions underscore our dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in supporting those impacted by the Ukraine crisis. Hope For Ukraine was established with a mission to provide assistance with food, shelter, and education to the needy people in Ukraine . Ever since 2016, we have evolved ourselves and helped people throughout the challenges of the Russian war. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 served as a rallying cry for Hope for Ukraine . In the face of hardship, we redirected our efforts to address the urgent needs of those affected by the conflict. Our primary focus shifted to providing food, clothes, shelter, and medical support to people affected by the war. Hope For Ukraine Charity | Donate to Ukraine Charity Site (hfu.org) . About The Gadfly Project The Gadfly Project's actions are guided by their values. This Social Enterprise is steadfast in the belief of a sustainable future, with an environment and society meeting basic human needs, for all. As technological advances are made daily, it becomes more apparent that software and technology can and should be vital instruments in this endeavor. The Gadfly Project is committed to being a part of that movement. With That in mind, the Gadfly Project makes in-kind grants available for organizations seeking to implement software initiatives addressing human rights, housing, health, equitable and sustainable food and water, environment/climate, conscious commerce/enterprise, and technology innovations. These grants are available to organizations both international and domestic. The Gadfly Project Site Contact: Brigit Hennaman VP, Rubenstein Public Relations [email protected] 212-805-3005 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hope-for-ukraine-teams-up-with-the-gadfly-project-and-receives-in-kind-software-development-grant-to-revolutionize-humanitarian-aid-efforts-with-innovative-web-app-302080440.html Eight distinguished honorees selected for their contribution to driving insurance innovation HARTFORD, Conn. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- InsurTech Hartford, a pioneering organization dedicated to the advancement of insurance innovation, today announced the honorees of this year's industry influencer awards. These awards celebrate individuals who are making waves in insurance innovation and having a positive impact on the industry. The honorees are: Bobbie Shrivastav , Co-Founder and COO, Benekiva , Co-Founder and COO, Benekiva Marissa Buckley , Co-Founder, RevUp , Co-Founder, RevUp Margeaux Giles , CEO, Irys InsurTech , CEO, Curtis Goldsborough , President, National Insurance Inspection Services , President, National Insurance Inspection Services Tony Canas , Co-Founder, Insurance Nerds , Co-Founder, Insurance Nerds Laura Dinan Haber , Innovation Brand Director, Nassau Financial Group , Innovation Brand Director, Christopher Frankland , Founder, InsurTech360 , Founder, InsurTech360 Alan Demers , President, InsurTech Consulting This year's honorees have been selected for their groundbreaking contributions, which highlight the critical role of technology in shaping its future. Finalists were chosen by last year's honorees: Rob Galbraith , Bryan Falchuk , Adrian Jones , Lisa Wardlaw , Patrick Kelahan , Matteo Carbone , Ema Roloff , David Gritz , Gilad Shai , Abel Travis , and Denise Garth . The "Making Waves" awards will be presented during the InsurTech Hartford Symposium, an event that is the cornerstone for collaboration, learning, and networking among the brightest minds in the industry. Held April 17th and 18th, the symposium is expected to attract hundreds of professionals from across the world, including representatives from over 100 different carriers and 50 startups. In addition to the awards ceremony, the symposium will feature an array of workshops and panel discussions designed to reshape the future of insurance and share insights on the latest trends and challenges. "We are incredibly proud to recognize these trailblazers who are creating a lasting impact in the InsurTech community," said Stacey Brown , Founder and President of InsurTech Hartford. "Their efforts and dedication inspire a future where technology and insurance converge to meet the evolving needs of society." The InsurTech Hartford Symposium is not just an event but a celebration of the spirit of innovation that drives progress within the industry. Attendees can look forward to engaging with honorees, exploring new opportunities, and gaining invaluable insights. InsurTech Hartford is also hosting a press conference that gives industry media the opportunity to interview leading executives, honorees, and keynote speakers bringing real-time insight to our industry. For more information, please visit www.insurtechhartfordsymposium.com. Contact: InsurTech Hartford ***@insurtechhartford.com Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13010176 Press release distributed by PRLog View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insurtech-hartford-announces-2024-industry-influencer-award-honorees-302080190.html SOURCE InsurTech Hartford After years of groundwater decline and failed legislative action, a court decision in January affirmed the states right to limit groundwater pumping using the most current scientific data, but full implementation of the ruling may take some time. Last week, the state engineer Nevadas top water regulator expanded on how the state will manage water resources in the aftermath of the recent Nevada Supreme Court decision that affirmed the states authority to develop science-based solutions to over-pumping, including managing surface water and groundwater as a single connected source when determining water rights. In the coming years, the courts decision will have sweeping ramifications for Nevada, state engineer Adam Sullivan told lawmakers. This is significant because it really has a direct relationship to issues that have been the topic of recent proposed legislation, Sullivan told lawmakers on the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources. It affirmed state engineer authorities to protect water rights using best available science and to conjunctively manage interconnected sources of water, he continued. The consequential Nevada Supreme Court case centers around a geographically vast complex of connected groundwater aquifers in Southern Nevada. The core of the dispute was State Engineer Order 1309, which proposed combining seven interconnected groundwater basins into a single superbasin in order to effectively manage and limit groundwater pumping in the northeast of Las Vegas, where developers had planned a new city of 250,000 people. After various state water agencies determined that over-pumping in the groundwater system would likely reduce spring flow in the Warm Springs area and the Muddy River, the 2020 order ruled that no more than 8,000 acre feet of water could be pumped out of the interconnected aquifers in the region. However, the suggested pumping cap attracted a lawsuit from Coyote Spring Investment LLC the developers of the proposed city in the Mojave Desert 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas who had previously applied for about 30,000 acre feet of water a year from one of the aquifers in the region. After a series of lower court rulings, the Nevada Supreme Court determined the state engineer had the statutory authority to merge multiple water basins into one superbasin, a decision that will likely have a profound impact on the way groundwater is managed in the state going forward. The court ruling affirms the states right to make changes to how groundwater basin boundaries are drawn and managed in the state, as new science reveals their amount of water and how they are interconnected with other sources of water. Ruling didnt settle issues Lawmakers expressed concern about the implications of the case on the state economy. Last year, state lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 387, a bill that would have clarified the states authority to deny water permits based on the potential for conflict between surface water rights and groundwater rights. But large water users including real estate developers and mining companies pushed back on the bill, arguing the state was attempting to exceed its authority and curtail water rights. Sullivan, the Nevada state engineer, said the Nevada Supreme Court ruling essentially does the same thing the bill would have accomplished. But he assured lawmakers he does not see redrawing water basin boundaries throughout Nevada as an immediate priority. When were talking about changing those boundaries, it has to be done very carefully, and with a lot of public outreach and clarity about why that might need to be done, what the basis of that decision might be, and what the impacts are, Sullivan told lawmakers. For one thing, the lawsuit that led to the court decision isnt over, Sullivan said. After the court opinion was issued, several parties petitioned for a rehearing, according to the state of Nevada Division of Water Resources. If the court chooses to send the case back to lower courts, the parties will have another opportunity to argue whether the state based its decision to create a superbasin on substantial scientific evidence. At this point, I havent seen anything from the court on whether they will order a response to those petitions or how they may rule on that petition for rehearing, said Melissa Flatley, the hearing section chief of the Division of Water Resources. Only after the states decision to form a superbasin is found to have been supported by substantial evidence can the state engineer begin to address policy and management questions related to the ruling, said Sullivan. We anticipate that that process will consist of a series of public meetings and evidentiary hearings regarding all of those many issues, including locations of pumping, seniority of rights, and the use of water thats already been appropriated, Sullivan said. Sullivan told lawmakers the court decision will ultimately support the long-term water security for Nevada by affirming the states authority to make decisions based on science to protect water rights and the public interest. That authority has been questioned because water law is not explicit, Sullivan said. The ambiguity in law that led to AB 387 has now been clarified by the supreme court decision. Throughout several parts of Nevada, significantly more groundwater is extracted than is returned to aquifers each year, leading to declining water levels. Nevada has committed water rights for 1.5 times the approximately 2 million acre-feet of available groundwater. About 56 of the states water basins are currently over-pumped, according to the Legislative Counsel Bureaus Research Division. As water is developed over time, we gain more knowledge about the water available to meet long-term needs. We need to use this knowledge so water resources can be developed responsibly and minimize the risk for conflict or curtailment, Sullivan told lawmakers last week. TSXV: ITR; NYSE American: ITRG www.integraresources.com VANCOUVER, BC , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Integra Resources Corp. ("Integra" or the "Company") (TSXV: ITR) (NYSE American: ITRG) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters (the "Underwriters"), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a "bought deal" basis, 11,112,000 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of C$0.90 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of approximately C$10 million (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole Common Share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.20 for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering. The Underwriters also have an option to purchase that number of additional Units equal to 15% of the number of Units sold pursuant to the Offering at Offering Price, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments for a period expiring 30 days after the date of closing. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund exploration and development expenditures at the DeLamar Project, the Nevada North Project, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Offering will be qualified by way of a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (other than the province of Quebec ). The Prospectus Supplement (together with the Base Shelf Prospectus) will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Closing is expected on or about March 13, 2024 and is subject to TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and other necessary regulatory approvals. The Company will also use its best efforts to list the Warrants on the TSXV. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States . The securities have not been registered under 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, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jason Kosec President, CEO and Director Some statements ("forward-looking statements") in this news release contain forward-looking information concerning plans related to Integra's business and other matters that may occur in the future, made as of the date of this news release including closing of the Offering and the use of proceeds thereof; and listing of the Warrants on the TSXV. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to regulatory approval of the Offering and legislative and/or regulatory changes; actual results and timing of exploration and development, mining, environmental services and remediation and reclamation activities; future prices of silver, gold, lead, zinc and other commodities; possible variations in mineral resources, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; Native American rights and title; continued capitalization and commercial viability; global economic conditions; competition; and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development activities. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at the time they are made. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, Integra has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the assumptions that all regulatory approvals of the Offering will be obtained and all conditions precedent to completion of the Offering will be fulfilled in a timely manner; that Integra will be able to raise additional capital as necessary, that the proposed exploration and development activities will proceed as planned, and that market fundamentals will result in sustained silver, gold, lead and zinc demand and prices. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Integra expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. 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 news release. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/integra-announces-c10-million-bought-deal-public-offering-302080651.html SOURCE Integra Resources Corp. A Vibrant and Innovative Hotel in Northeast Florida JACKSONVILLE, Fla. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LBA Hospitality, a renowned hotel management company committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences, is proud to announce the grand opening of Tru by Hilton Jacksonville West . Located at 4142 Perimeter Industrial Parkway , this new hotel marks the latest addition to the Tru by Hilton brand and represents LBA's first collaboration with Pritchard Hospitality, LLC. "The opening of Tru Jacksonville West marks a significant milestone for LBA Hospitality, showcasing our dedication to collaborating with outstanding partners like Pritchard Hospitality, LLC," said Beau Benton , President of LBA Hospitality. "As a dynamic and forward-thinking brand, we are thrilled to introduce Tru by Hilton Jacksonville West as the newest addition to our portfolio." Ideally situated in Perimeter West Industrial Park , this four-story, 82-room hotel enjoys a prime location surrounded by prominent commercial landmarks, including an Amazon distribution center, a UPS customer center, and the CSX Intermodal center. Just 15 minutes from JAX Airport , Tru Jacksonville West caters to both business and leisure travelers, offering innovative and comfortable accommodations near key attractions such as the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, downtown Jacksonville , and the beautiful beaches of Northeast Florida . Owned by Pritchard Hospitality LLC and managed by LBA Hospitality, this Jacksonville, FL hotel is the first Tru hotel to join LBA's portfolio of 111 hotels, which includes properties from Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, and independent brands, along with 51 Hilton branded properties. With a proven track record providing award winning hospitality, LBA brings a wealth of expertise and a commitment to unparalleled guest service to this exciting new venture. Tru by Hilton is a midscale brand that offers a fresh and innovative hotel experience for travelers. The hotel's central lobby, The Hive, is designed to create a unique atmosphere where guests can dine, work, play, and relax. The vibrant game area features pool, foosball, and shuffleboard, while well-equipped work pods offer guests a quiet spot for work. Guest rooms at Tru Jacksonville West prioritize comfort and functionality with mobile desks, multiple device charging stations, and sound absorption solutions. The hotel is pet-friendly and offers expert guidance through a partnership with Mars Petcare for an enhanced stay for pets and their human companions. Tru also guarantees prompt resolution of guest concerns with their Tru Promise, providing a high standard of quality service. The hotel uses technology such as the Hilton Honors app to provide seamless digital check-in, room selection, and convenient access with the Digital Key feature, enhancing convenience for guests. Reservations for Tru by Hilton Jacksonville West can be made online at www.trubyhilton.com/jacksonvillewest or by calling the hotel at 904-865-0050. About LBA Hospitality Established in 1973, LBA Hospitality is one of the leading hotel management, development, and consulting companies in the US. With an extensive portfolio of award-winning hotels in the East, Southeast, and Southwest, LBA Hospitality is a recognized leader in developing and operating the most respected brands under Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Best Western, and InterContinental Hotel Group franchise licenses. For more than five decades, LBA Hospitality has continued to set a higher standard in hotel development, management, and guest satisfaction, resulting in sustained, profitable growth for owners. For more information, visit www.lbahospitality.com. About Tru by Hilton Tru by Hilton is a game-changing hotel brand with more than 250 open locations across the Americas , providing guests with a consistent, fun experience at an affordable price. Spirited, simplified and grounded in value, Tru by Hilton is designed for cross-generational appeal. Efficiently designed modern guestrooms feature rolling desks, oversized windows for natural light and bright, spacious bathrooms. Guests can enjoy complimentary hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Premium snacks, light meal options and single-serve wine and beer are available for purchase at the 24/7 Eat. & Sip. market. Experience a positive stay at Tru by Hilton by booking at trubyhilton.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Tru by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/trubyhilton, and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact: Melanie Shammout Regional Director of Digital Marketing [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lba-hospitality-expands-portfolio-with-the-opening-of-tru-by-hilton-jacksonville-west-302080508.html SOURCE LBA Hospitality TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife announced today that Mike Durland and Don Kanak have been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective March 5, 2024 , and Anna Manning and John Wong have been nominated for election as directors at the company's May 9, 2024 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Durland is a former senior executive at The Bank of Nova Scotia, holding a number of senior roles in their capital markets division, including Group Head and CEO, Global Banking and Markets. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Melancthon Capital Corporation, a private company primarily focused on the provision of capital and advisory services to emerging Canadian companies. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary's University and a Ph.D. in Management from Queen's University. Mr. Kanak is a former senior executive with deep insurance experience in Asia . Most recently, he held several senior roles with Prudential Holdings Ltd. (part of Prudential plc.). He ultimately served as Chairman, Insurance Growth Markets and Chairman, Prudence Foundation and, prior to that, Chairman, Eastspring Investments and Chairman of Prudential Corporation Asia. He served in senior executive positions at American International Group (AIG) for over 14 years before joining Prudential. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, a JD from Harvard Law School, and a MLitt from Oxford University in management studies. Ms. Manning is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA), a global reinsurance company focusing on life and health solutions. Prior to joining RGA, she spent 19 years with the Toronto office of Towers Perrin's Tillinghast insurance consulting service, providing consulting services to the insurance industry on mergers and acquisitions, value-added performance measurement, product development, and financial reporting. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and holds a B.Sc . in Actuarial Science from the University of Toronto. Mr. Wong is a former Senior Partner and the former Chairman of Greater China for Boston Consulting Group, where he currently serves as a Senior Advisor. He is a trusted consultant with over 30 years of experience serving global clients in the Asian healthcare market and a deep expertise in building businesses in biopharmaceuticals, medical technology, and consumer health. Mr. Wong holds an MBA from Harvard University, an M.Sc . in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and B.Sc . in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London. "Mike, Don, Anna and John bring skills and experience critical to supporting the Board of Directors' effective oversight of Manulife given its growth ambitions and strategic priorities," said Don Lindsay , Chair of the Board, Manulife. "They are accomplished executives who bring a wealth of experience, including in the financial services and insurance industries, as well as extensive global and Asia market knowledge. We are fortunate to have them join the Board." Mr. Durland joins the Board's Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and Mr. Kanak joins the Management Resources and Compensation Committee and Risk Committee. Ms. Manning will join the Management Resources and Compensation Committee and the Risk Committee and Mr. Wong will join the Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee following successful election at the annual meeting of shareholders. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada , we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada , Asia , and Europe , and primarily as John Hancock in the United States . Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto , New York , and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manulife-announces-additions-to-its-board-of-directors-302080353.html SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation The partnership aims to cultivate a new generation of deep tech companies emanating from McMaster's academic entrepreneurs and will utilize Celesta Capital to accelerate commercialization SAN FRANCISCO , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McMaster University and Celesta Capital today announced a new collaborative partnership to spur the development of an emerging and sustainable ecosystem of Canadian deep tech entrepreneurs. The collaboration will foster innovation at McMaster, support McMaster-affiliated startups and researchers in commercializing their intellectual property (IP), and facilitate increased interactions and opportunities between the technology and venture capital hubs of Canada , Silicon Valley , India , and beyond. The partnership was announced at their inaugural joint event Partnering to Accelerate Deep Tech Commercialization in Canada held at McMaster Innovation Park . The partnership will advance the commercialization of deep tech cutting-edge technologies built upon advanced science and engineering innovations at McMaster and within the broader Canadian research and startup ecosystem. As one of Canada's most research-intensive universities, the long-term partnership will allow McMaster to tap into Celesta's expertise as a leading deep tech venture capital investor and business builder. Key initiatives and areas of collaboration will include: Access to Emerging Companies: Close engagement with McMaster's researchers and entrepreneurs working in relevant tech sectors, including potential investment opportunities and partnerships with Celesta's existing portfolio of companies. Close engagement with McMaster's researchers and entrepreneurs working in relevant tech sectors, including potential investment opportunities and partnerships with Celesta's existing portfolio of companies. Pitch Competition with Access to Capital: Celesta representatives to serve as judges at McMaster's start-up pitch competitions, mentoring these entrepreneurs and opening doors to additional potential investment opportunities. Celesta representatives to serve as judges at McMaster's start-up pitch competitions, mentoring these entrepreneurs and opening doors to additional potential investment opportunities. McMaster Entrepreneurship Academy (MEA) : Celesta representatives to serve on the MEA Advisory Council and provide mentorship to MEA fellows working to establish and grow startup companies. : Celesta representatives to serve on the and provide mentorship to MEA fellows working to establish and grow startup companies. Ecosystem Development : Celesta will connect researchers, tech industry leaders, and venture investors through bi-annual "Industry Summits" at McMaster designed to enhance the commercial viability of research and startup projects, particularly in the Energy, Cleantech , and Life Sciences sectors. Celesta will connect researchers, tech industry leaders, and venture investors through bi-annual "Industry Summits" at McMaster designed to enhance the commercial viability of research and startup projects, particularly in the Energy, , and Life Sciences sectors. IP Strategy: Celesta's bench of technical commercialization experts will assist the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO) in navigating IP procedures, maximizing startup competitive differentiation, and advising on invention optimization. "McMaster is committed to moving research from the lab and into the hands of those who can put it to work out in the world," said McMaster President David Farrar . "This partnership with Celesta Capital allows us to combine our research, talent, and intellectual property with their entrepreneurial expertise and vast network of investors to create companies that benefit both the Canadian economy and broader society." "We are excited to embark on this venture with McMaster University with the long-term goal to foster a vibrant deep tech ecosystem within Canada ," said Nicholas Brathwaite , Founding Managing Partner of Celesta Capital. "As a McMaster alumnus, it is a great honor to establish this partnership and build upon the strength of a renowned research institution. We believe Celesta will add tremendous value to McMaster's budding entrepreneurs, helping to nurture their innovations into successful companies and supporting them with investment, intellectual capital, network connections, and more." The first wave of activations in the partnership will include the joint judging of an April 2024 pitch competition at McMaster, followed by an entrepreneurship residency in Silicon Valley for MEA fellows and a co-hosted advisory summit for McMaster researchers and entrepreneurs focused on intellectual property development. About McMaster University McMaster is a research-intensive university ranked among the best in the world with a bold ambition to advance human and societal health and well-being. Among Canada's top universities for student services, our research excellence is matched by our long history of teaching innovations and commitment to preparing students for an increasingly complex future. Our alumni continue to be among the most employable graduates globally, as they bring the McMaster vision of a brighter world to communities near and far. About Celesta Capital Celesta Capital is a global multi-stage deep technology venture capital firm. Led by technology industry veterans with decades of investment and operational experience, Celesta Capital has a passion and proven track record for building and scaling global businesses. Founded in 2013, Celesta has a portfolio of more than 100 early-stage technology investments. Learn more at http://celesta.vc . Media Contacts: Michelle Donovan Associate Director, Media Relations McMaster University [email protected] Trevor DeWitt Head of Marketing Celesta Capital [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mcmaster-university-and-celesta-capital-launch-partnership-to-nurture-development-of-canadian-deep-tech-startups-302079404.html SOURCE Celesta Capital CAMBRIDGE, Mass. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. ("Myeloid"), a clinical stage immunology company, today announced it will be providing updates on its RNA immunotherapies at multiple presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting taking place April 5-10, 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center. Details follow: Title: In vivo programming of natural killer cells and T cells using mRNA delivered cytotoxic chimeric antigen receptors Date & Time: Monday Apr 8, 2024, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Poster Section 2 Session Category: Immunology Session Title: CAR-NK, NK Engagers, and NK Modulators Poster Board Number: 2 Published Abstract Number: 1319 Title: In vivo Immune Cell Programming Using mRNA-LNP Chimeric Antigen Receptors Date & Time: Monday Apr 8, 2024, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Poster Section 2 Session Category: Immunology Session Title: CAR-NK, NK Engagers, and NK Modulators Poster Board Number: 4 Published Abstract Number: 1321 Title: Preclinical & clinical activity of autologous mRNA engineered chimeric antigen receptor monocytes for targeted cancer immunotherapy Date & Time: Monday Apr 8, 2024, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Poster Section 39 Session Category: Clinical Research Session Title: Adoptive Cellular Therapy 1 Poster Board Number: 18 Published Abstract Number: 3612 About Myeloid Therapeutics Myeloid Therapeutics is a clinical stage immunology company, engineering cutting-edge RNA technology to program immune cells to combat cancer and other deadly diseases. Myeloid is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For additional information, please visit, https://www.myeloidtx.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. To meet with Myeloid leadership at AACR 2024 please email: [email protected] Investor Contact Amy Conrad Juniper Point [email protected] Media Contact Jennifer Hanley Ridge Hill Group [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/myeloid-therapeutics-to-provide-updates-on-its-rna-immunotherapies-at-multiple-presentations-at-the-american-association-for-cancer-research-aacr-annual-meeting-2024-302080595.html SOURCE Myeloid Therapeutics, Inc. WASHINGTON , March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The director of NASA's Johnson Space Center will discuss the objectives behind the center's new Exploration Park initiative at the next meeting of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership's (BAHEP) aerospace advisory committee at 12 p.m. CST Wednesday, March 6 , at 1150 Gemini in Houston . Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche will be joined by representatives from the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation (ACMI), which recently signed the second agreement to lease acres of underutilized land in a 240-acre Exploration Park . NASA signed a separate lease with the Texas A&M University System earlier this month. Media are invited to attend the opening discussion of BAHEP's committee meeting, then have a brief opportunity for interviews with Wyche, John Burer , founder of ACMI and other ACMI experts. NASA is leasing the land to create facilities for a collaborative development environment that increases commercial access and enhances the United States' commercial competitiveness in the space and aerospace industries. Media wishing to participate in person are asked to RSVP by 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 6 , by contacting the Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or [email protected]. To learn more about NASA Johnson and Exploration Park , visit: https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/johnson-news/#news-releases View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-johnson-director-to-discuss-exploration-park-facility-302078978.html SOURCE NASA HOUSTON , March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from around the world will visit NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston this summer for a variety of activities associated with the 36th annual Space Studies Program of the International Space University. Through a continuing partnership with Houston's Rice University, NASA Johnson will welcome students from many countries participating in tours, lectures and hands-on activities with aerospace experts from June 8 to Aug. 3, 2024 . "Johnson Space Center is looking forward to partnering with Rice as it hosts the International Space University's Space Studies Program in partnership with Rice University," said Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche . "This is an amazing opportunity, not only for the students participating in the Space Studies Program, but for employees of Johnson to share their knowledge and experiences with an international network of leading space experts and professionals." The Space Studies Program is an educational and training program in the space sector, covering both technical and non-technical aspects, in an international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary environment. During an intensive eight-week program, 200+ participants, lecturers, professors, staff members, experts, and executives from American and international space agencies and private companies from over 30 countries will converge in Houston . The program aims to provide aspiring space professionals and leaders with an educational experience, featuring a curriculum covering space exploration engineering, policy, business and management, and applications. Hands-on projects, workshops, and immersive learning experiences will provide students with networking opportunities with a global community of space enthusiasts. Learn more about how NASA explores the unknown and innovates for the benefit of humanity at: https://www.nasa.gov/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-joins-rice-university-for-2024-space-studies-program-302079123.html SOURCE NASA Kimberly S. Budd , Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, to Address Friends, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff at April 5 th Event BOSTON, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New England Law | Boston will hold its annual Law Day Banquet and Barrister's Ball on Friday, April 5th, 2024 at the Westin Copley Place, Boston. The evening is an annual commemoration to celebrate the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system. Friends of New England Law | Boston will join students, alumni, faculty, and staff for the event, which will feature the Honorable Kimberly S . Budd, the 38th Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, as keynote speaker. Chief Justice Budd was appointed as an Associate Justice by Governor Charlie Baker in 2016, and four years later was elevated to the leadership position she now holds. As such, Chief Justice Budd became the first African American woman to serve at the helm of the Commonwealth's third branch of government. Prior to her initial appointment to the bench in 2009, Chief Justice Budd worked in the General Counsel's Office of Harvard University, and later directed the Community Values Program at Harvard Business School. She then was appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Deval Patrick , and in her last year as a trial court judge on that bench, served as the Regional Administrative Justice in Middlesex County . "It is our privilege to host the Law Day Banquet and we are honored to welcome Chief Justice Budd to celebrate this annual event with our students, staff, and faculty," said Allison Dussias , Acting Dean and Professor of Law, New England Law | Boston. "Law Day is a unique opportunity to reflect on fundamental questions about democracy and the rule of law, and to appreciate the freedoms that our nation has enjoyed for nearly 250 years. We look forward to bringing our community together on April 5 th." Law Day was established in 1958 by proclamation of President Dwight D. Eisenhower . Celebrated annually by the nation's legal community and the general public, it promotes awareness of our country's laws and justice system and the role they play in maintaining the freedoms we enjoy. Nationwide, Law Day celebrations include events at law schools, court houses, bar associations, secondary schools, and community centers. For 2024, the Law Day theme is "Voices of Democracy" - encouraging Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and, finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair elections. In this way, Americans ensure that our government remains responsive to the wishes of the people. Past New England Law | Boston Law Day speakers include: John G. Roberts , Jr., Chief Justice of the United States ; Joseph P. Kennedy III, U.S. House of Representatives, Massachusetts ; and Roderick L. Ireland , former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. ABOUT NEW ENGLAND LAW | BOSTON New England Law | Boston was founded in 1908 as Portia Law School, the first and only law school established exclusively for the education of women. Today, New England Law offers its co-educational student body flexible, convenient programs that combine rigorous academics, dynamic community, and early access to practical experience, as well as a diverse, global alumni network spanning 29 countries, 50 states, and all areas of practice. For more information, visit www.nesl.edu. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-england-law--boston-announces-plans-for-2024-law-day-banquet-and-barristers-ball-302080425.html SOURCE New England Law | Boston ** Foundation Encourages San Diego County Teachers to Apply for a Project Grant ** SAN DIEGO , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union Foundation encourages San Diego County teachers who have an innovative class project idea to apply for a credit union grant through its Teacher Grant program. Ten grants of $500 each will be awarded to area teachers in April in the spring program. The North Island Credit Union Foundation grant program is available to full-time teachers in San Diego and Riverside County , or credit union members teaching in California , looking to fund special learning opportunities for their students. The project should have clearly defined learning objectives tied to students' academic needs, display creativity, and benefit a significant number of students. "Providing grants to help our teachers and schools thrive and recognize their commitment to learning is one of the Foundation's focus areas as a pillar of long-term community empowerment," said North Island Credit Union Foundation President Marvel Ford . "We're excited to offer this grant program to support our hard-working teachers in bringing their dream project to life, and encourage any educator who has a project idea to apply." Interested teachers can find more information and apply online here. The application deadline is April 1, 2024 . Since the creation of the program in 2012, $185,000 in teacher grants have been awarded to benefit students across Southern California . The fall grant program funded a wide range of projects, including creating a mindfulness planetarium, building solar powered lanterns, starting a Maker Space and launching an entrepreneur program, among others. A non-profit charitable corporation, North Island Credit Union Foundation focuses its resources on four key pillars of long-term community empowerment, including investing in its communities and youth, supporting educators and schools, promoting financial literacy and honoring our service members. About North Island Credit Union Foundation North Island Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that serves as the philanthropic arm of North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union operating in San Diego and Riverside Counties. California Credit Union is a state chartered full-service credit union with assets of nearly $5 billion , approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. North Island Credit Union Foundation works to strengthen the financial well-being of our communities by providing targeted resources to non-profit partners effecting meaningful change across San Diego and Riverside counties. California Credit Union funds all administrative costs of the Foundation, enabling it to return 100% of donations back into community programs. Please visit ccu.com/foundation to learn more or make a tax-deductible donation, or follow the Foundation on Instagram @northislandcufoundation. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-island-credit-union-foundation-looking-to-fund-innovative-teacher-projects-302079063.html SOURCE North Island Credit Union ATLANTA , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quatrro Business Support Services ("Quatrro"), a leading provider of cost-effective, tech-enabled outsourced finance, accounting, human resources, and IT support services for over 25 years, is thrilled to announce that they have been certified as a Great Place to Work in India , for the third year in a row. This recognition reflects their unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and supportive work environment for their employees. Great Place to Work is the global authority on building, sustaining, and recognizing High-Trust, High-Performance Culture at workplaces. More than 10,000 companies from more than 60 nations collaborate with the Great Place to Work Institute each year to review, benchmark, and develop initiatives to improve their workplace cultures. The assessment process reveals key factors that define as well as compare the culture at an organization with that of its competitors. The technique used by the Great Place to Work Institute is acknowledged as a thorough and unbiased method for evaluating work cultures. It is regarded as the gold standard for identifying and honoring outstanding workplace cultures. Acknowledging the recognition, David Ford , EVP Global Human Resources at Quatrro, said, "We are honored to receive this highly regarded recognition for the third year in a row. This recognition demonstrates our commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, encourages inclusivity, and prioritizes employee well-being. We seek to create an environment in which everyone feels respected, motivated, and inspired to succeed through our creative programs, initiatives, and employee-centric policies. Our most valuable asset at Quatrro is our employees; we prioritize talent development and seek to provide a rewarding employee experience. The company is excited to continue its journey of success and expansion, fueled by a workforce that is motivated, engaged, and pleased to be a part of the Quatrro family." Quatrro is a global organization with over 2,300 employees supporting clients across a range of verticals, including restaurant/retail, not-for-profit, private equity, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and services. The high-trust and high-performance culture that Great Place to Work looks for in an organization aligns with Quatrro's Get More to Go On approach. About Quatrro Business Support Services ("Quatrro"): Visit www.quatrrobss.com QBSS Contact: Kristen Flasch VP Marketing & Sales Support [email protected] About Great Place to Work Institute, India : Learn more at https://www.greatplacetowork.in and on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook and Instagram Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354780/Quatrro_GPTW_certified.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2006629/Quatrro_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quatrro-business-support-services-is-great-place-to-work-certified-for-3-consecutive-years-302079782.html SOURCE Quatrro Business Support Services Fatime Letifova On February 28, Azerbaijan announced that it has joined the "Global Methane Pledge" initiative, which includes voluntary obligations of states to reduce global methane emissions. According to Azernews, Azerbaijan is ready to join joint international efforts aimed at reducing global methane emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030. The Global Methane Pledge is an initiative put forward by the United States and the European Union (EU) as a global commitment to reduce methane emissions at the COP26 Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow, United Kingdom in 2021. The Global Methane Pledge aims to limit methane emissions by a total of 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. Currently, 155 countries have signed up to this international commitment and account for nearly half of global methane pollution. Azerbaijan ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1995, and the Kyoto Protocol of the Convention in 2000, joining international efforts to mitigate the negative effects of global climate change. In the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) document, Azerbaijan has set the goal of maintaining a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to the base year (1990) as its contribution to initiatives to mitigate the effects of global climate change. In the document updated in 2023, as a new commitment, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2050 is targeted. In addition, it was announced that the Garabagh and East Zangazur economic regions will be transformed into a decarbonization zone by 2050. Joining the "Global Methane Pledge" of our country, distinguished by its activity in the fight against global climate changes, will further strengthen its position as a reliable "green" energy partner in the world. As a responsible member of the international community, Azerbaijan always provides significant support and contribution to the joint action of states related to global climate policy, and encourages more efforts for "green" goals. Commitment to the commitments, successful activities and new initiatives within the framework of the "Solidarity for a Green World" initiative announced by the President of Azerbaijan, recognize Azerbaijan as a successful example of a major contribution to global climate policy. The hosting of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) to our country is also a clear manifestation of the international appreciation and trust shown to this activity. Foreign tourists at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) VNA reported the article by the travel magazine, the affordable, beautiful, and warm country will get graduates out of their comfort zone. On local tourist destinations from north to south, it wrote: Get lost in a sea of mopeds in Hanoi and slurp pho on stools along the sidewalk. Head up to Halong Bay, where you can tour its limestone islands on a junk boat. Enjoy an urban metropolis like Ho Chi Minh City, wander the Binh Tay Market or visit Vietnam's only Taoist temple, Khanh Van Nam Vien Pagoda, before cruising along the Mekong Delta and getting to know the locals at the Cai Rang Floating Market. Foreign tourists take a boat tour in Ha Long Bay, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Lux Cruises Other countries on the list include Mexico, the US, Greece, and Costa Rica. New York Times suggests coffee shops in HCM City Amid a hectic and bustling Ho Chi Minh City, theres a cafe for every coffee acolyte, with seven places being perfect for travelers to try egg coffee and other Vietnamese specialties, VOV reported the article by the New York Times of the United States. Travelers try egg coffee and other Vietnamese specialties in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo courtesy of New York Times) Cafe Cheo Leo is a favourite destination due to the exceptional bitterness and caffeine wallop provided by most robusta beans. Even sweeter concoctions await inside Lacaph, a classy new coffeehouse in District 1, just off Rach Ben Nghe, the slim urban canal that snakes through the southern city, the US newspaper wrote. Decorated with dark wood paneling and track lighting, the cafe serves lemonade for VND80,000, combined with coffee-blossom honey and a dose of coffee brewed in a traditional Vietnamese phin, a stainless-steel cup with an internal metal filter. In addition, the house coconut coffee for VND80,000 blends cold brew, coconut milk, coconut syrup, and coconut ice cream. 96B in Tan Dinh district is a good suggestion for any travelers. Gray, angular, and industrial, the style of this small cafe packs educational ambitions with hands-on workshops from VND300,000 to VND660,000 and is devoted to everything from roasting beans to latte art. There might be no better place to test ones tasting skills than at this vast, loft-like, neo-industrial The Workshop cafe, just off bustling Dong Khoi street. Meanwhile, Little Hanoi Egg Coffee tells tourists everything they need to know about its signature attraction, with a frothy, foamy, and sweet take on egg coffee on offer for VND40,000, with the Hanoi classic being made with whipped egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar, and vanilla flavoring. Bel coffee shop provides a great place for cool kids and global nomads, while baristas work the levers of a state-of-the-art Slayer espresso machine. Known as Ca Phe Vot, Net Coffee in English, the small, garage-like space is tucked away at 330/2 Phan Dinh Phung, a narrow lane in the Phu Nhuan district which is south of the airport. Vietnam ranks second in number of foreign tourists to Laos Nearly 837,632 Vietnamese tourists headed to Laos in 2023, the second biggest number of foreign visitors to the neighbouring country, VOV cited the figures given by the Laos Tourism Development Department. Vietnam ranks second in number of foreign tourists to Laos A recent report compiled by the department indicates that Laos welcomed over 3.4 million international arrivals last year. Topping the visiting nationalities was Thailand with more than 1.3 million arrivals, followed by the likes of Vietnam, China, and the Republic of Korea. The statistics revealed that the number of Vietnamese travelers to Laos in 2023 rose by 133% compared to 2022 and vice versa, with the number of Laotian tourists visiting Vietnam going up by 155% on-year. Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang all proved to be among the favourite tourist destinations for Vietnamese tourists during their trip to Laos. According to the Laos Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the country aims to receive over 2.2 million domestic arrivals and nearly four million foreign arrivals this year, with tourism activities expected to generate around US$1.3 billion in revenue. Laos recently launched the Visit Laos Year 2024 programme which consists of 79 activities nationwide. It provides an opportunity for the Asian country to introduce its unique culture and traditions to international tourists. Hanoi tourism promotion programme to feature drone light show According to NDO, a light show with the participation of hundreds of drones will be the highlight of Get on Hanoi 2024 - a programme to promote Hanois tourism on March 9-10. The poster of the programme. The event will be staged at the creative space near Trinh Cong Son and Lac Long Quan Streets. It will mark the opening of more than 50 cultural, festival and tourism activities held throughout the capital city in 2024, advertising its image to domestic and international friends. The activities are part of efforts to realise the citys target of welcoming 27 million visitors this year, including 5.5 million foreign visitors. Besides the light show, residents and visitors will have a chance to taste Hanois typical foods, attend folk games, and appreciate the award-winning photos of a tourism photography contest./. NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, together with RWJBarnabas Health, the state's leading cancer center and only Comprehensive Cancer Center as recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), has scored in the "exceptional" range and was redesignated by the National Cancer Institute, placing it among the top cancer centers reviewed in 2023. The prestigious designation from the NCI, held by only 56 such centers across the nation, is granted competitively to institutions characterized by the highest level of scientific excellence in cancer research and the ability to translate research discoveries into novel treatments. In its comprehensive review of Rutgers Cancer Institute programs, the NCI recognized the Institute's innovative, paradigm changing research, the impact on the relevant needs of the New Jersey population, notable community outreach, education and engagement efforts, and strong integration with its research consortium partner Princeton University. This redesignation ensures that Rutgers Cancer Institute maintains its "Comprehensive Cancer Center" status to support the continuation of outstanding world class research and comprehensive care. "The awarding of this grant and redesignation by the NCI reaffirms the value Rutgers Cancer Institute provides to our state through research, treatment, prevention and education, and our commitment to providing integrated, cutting-edge cancer care to those in New Jersey and beyond," notes Rutgers Cancer Institute Director Steven K. Libutti , MD, FACS, who is also the senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health. "Our continued dedication to excellence as recognized by the NCI also means that Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health are well positioned to continue delivering on our mission as we prepare for the opening of the Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in 2025, which will further propel us into the future of cancer discovery and care." "For decades, Rutgers Cancer Institute has been a lifeline for those battling the cruel and relentless disease of cancer. Through pioneering clinical trials and cutting-edge research, Rutgers Cancer Institute has evolved our understanding of this disease and helped countless families overcome devastating diagnoses," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy . "This redesignation is a testament to their work to advance the fight against cancer. I am proud that New Jersey continues to foster innovation, and that we are home to a facility that works every day to improve cancer prevention and care for our residents." "Our country depends on the world-class research and treatment scientists are doing right here, which is why I worked hard to ensure Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey was officially redesignated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. As the only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute is essential to the health of the people of our state and the advancement of cancer research nationally," says Congressman Frank Pallone . "Thanks to this important redesignation, the Institute will receive millions of dollars in federal funding to ensure Rutgers remains a national leader in cancer research and can develop new tools to better prevent, diagnose, and treat this terrible disease. In Congress, I will continue to be a vocal supporter of the federal research funding that is critical to the mission of Rutgers Cancer Institute." "This incredible achievement underscores the partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute and our shared commitment to provide our patients and communities with access to world-class physicians, clinical trials and services that are transforming cancer care in New Jersey ," notes RWJBarnabas Health President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark E. Manigan . "Rutgers Cancer Institute together with RWJBarnabas Health has never been better positioned to impact the field of cancer than it is today." "We are exceptionally proud of the NCI's recognition of Rutgers Cancer Institute, highlighting its scientific leadership, exceptional research capabilities, and leading cancer treatment," adds Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Chancellor and Rutgers Executive Vice President for Health Affairs Brian L. Strom , MD, MPH. "Rutgers Cancer Institute also serves a critical role in educating and training the next generation of diverse health care providers, and with this redesignation, the institute will continue to advance our research and training missions." Aiming to address the cancer burden that impacts New Jersey and beyond, Rutgers Cancer Institute collaborates with Princeton University as part of a research consortium. This longstanding partnership provides continued opportunities for scientific collaboration and cooperative use of state-of-the-art shared resources. As a result of this relationship, the Ludwig Princeton Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at Princeton University was established for the study of cancer metabolism and the translation of discoveries into clinical trials and novel therapies for patients. Scientific advances in metastasis and genomics have also contributed to impactful clinical progress in areas such as precision medicine and immunotherapy. "Through Princeton University's role as a consortium partner with Rutgers Cancer Institute, innovative basic and clinical cancer research discoveries that further our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cancer are being made every day," says Princeton University's Dean for Research Peter Schiffer . " Princeton is dedicated to advancing such critical work." About Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey As New Jersey's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, offers the most advanced cancer treatment options including bone marrow transplantation, proton therapy, CAR T-cell therapy and complex surgical procedures. Along with clinical trials and novel therapeutics such as precision medicine and immunotherapy many of which are not widely available patients have access to these cutting-edge therapies at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick , Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey at University Hospital in Newark, as well as through RWJBarnabas Health facilities. To make a tax-deductible gift to support the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, call 848-932-8013 or visit www.cinj.org/giving. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rutgers-cancer-institute-of-new-jersey-and-rwjbarnabas-health-retains-its-position-as-new-jerseys-only-national-cancer-institute-designated-comprehensive-cancer-center-302080470.html SOURCE RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey North Carolina -based veteran financial advisor sought upgrades in technology and investment solutions for her firm and clients Carter joins Sanctuary from Osaic INDIANAPOLIS , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Wealth (Sanctuary), home to the next generation of elite advisors, welcomes Marianne Carter , CLU, CASL, ChFC, President and Founder of Chadwick Bay Investments ( Chadwick Bay ), who has worked as an independent financial advisor for 25 years, specializing in a holistic approach to retirement planning for her clients in North Carolina . Ms. Carter's practice primarily focuses on the unique needs of military service members and their families, and defense contractors. She joins Sanctuary from Osaic. Ms. Carter chose Sanctuary for its robust technology offering, complete suite of investment solutions, breadth of educational resources and meaningful Partnered Independence model. "The technology that Sanctuary brings to the table is eye opening," Ms. Carter said. "Over the course of my career I have worked with several broker-dealers who seemed more interested in their own growth as opposed to what was best for me and my practice. Many of them have fallen far behind when it comes to the technology and other resources we needed to deliver for our clients. In Sanctuary, I've found a partner who understands the unique needs of my client base and wants to partner with me to enable my growth." Her daughter Rachel Carter , a Senior Retirement Benefits Consultant, launched her independent firm with Sanctuary in January from Merrill Lynch. The Carters will work together as part of Chadwick Bay . "Marianne has spent her career delivering the best-in-class retirement planning support to an extremely deserving client base," said Vince Fertitta , President of Sanctuary Wealth. "And now, by partnering with Sanctuary, she will finally get the support she deserves to build her business for this generation and the next. Our team is dedicated to helping Marianne and Rachel continue to serve their clients in a personalized way for years to come." About Sanctuary Wealth Sanctuary Wealth (sanctuarywealth.com/) is the advanced platform for the next generation of elite advisors, who have the entrepreneurial spirit to build and own their own practices and desire the freedom to deliver the tailored service their clients deserve. Sanctuary Wealth's ecosystem of partnered independence provides a complete technology and operations platform, as well as support from a community of like-minded advisors and the resources of invaluable affiliated businesses. Currently, the Sanctuary Wealth network includes partner firms in 27 states across the country with approximately $28 billion in assets under advisement. Sanctuary Wealth includes the fully owned subsidiaries; Sanctuary Advisors LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, Sanctuary Securities, Inc. a FINRA member broker-dealer as well as Sanctuary Alternative Holdings, Sanctuary Asset Management, Sanctuary Insurance Solutions, Sanctuary Global, and Sanctuary Global Family Office. Media Contact: Donald Cutler Haven Tower Group 424-317-4864 [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sanctuary-wealth-welcomes-marianne-carter-and-chadwick-bay-investments-to-its-network-of-partner-firms-302080219.html SOURCE Sanctuary Wealth Mexico's original luxury tequila serves up a star-studded cast of signature cocktails featuring flavors from Modern Mexico that will take center stage during the 96th Oscars NEW YORK , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive year, Tequila Don Julio is proud to be partnering with the Governors Ball, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' official party following the 96th Oscars ceremony on March 10, 2024 . To celebrate Hollywood's most iconic stars during the milestone evening, Tequila Don Julio will serve up a specialty bar experience curated by two of the world's most renowned cocktail connoisseurs: Globally Acclaimed Mixologist Charles Joly and Mexico's 2023 World Class Bartender of the Year Israel Baron. An award-winning mixologist himself, Charles is collaborating with Israel , one of Mexico City's most notable bartenders, for the first time ever to bring the flavors of Modern Mexico into this year's cocktail offerings. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9255051-tequila-don-julio-toasts-stars-oscars-governors-ball/ Crafted in the Highlands of Jalisco , Tequila Don Julio is an iconic brand from Mexico and celebrates those who live out their craft Por Amor (for love) every day. This year's luxury lineup of signature cocktails pays homage to Mexico , spotlighting its authentic and deeply powerful culture, landscape and people through a striking presentation and distinct flavor profiles that combine classic and modern Mexican ingredients. With these cocktails, Tequila Don Julio invites you to raise a glass to milestone moments. "Tequila Don Julio is the epitome of celebration so it was only appropriate to embrace the night with award-worthy cocktails curated with the luxury tequila's versatile offerings," says Charles Joly . "While the cocktails work cohesively together, they each stand on their own as a signature drink featuring diverse styles of serves and a range of exquisite flavor profiles honoring modern Mexico ." Hollywood's biggest night brings together the film industry's most distinguished figures for a night of unforgettable milestones and celebration, which is deserving of a luxury drinks experience that only Tequila Don Julio can serve up as the iconic spirit for all milestone celebrations. To prepare for this important evening, Joly and Baron, along with their highly skilled team, pushed bounds to curate a cocktail experience fitting for the star-studded night. The A-list cast of cocktails includes It's Showtime featuring Tequila Don Julio Blanco , Round of Applause made with Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel , Written in the Stars with Tequila Don Julio Rosado , and 1942 Encore spotlighting Tequila Don Julio 1942. Those tuning into the awards from home that want to sip like the stars can mix up a signature Tequila Don Julio cocktail for guests at their at-home viewing party. It's Showtime is an elevated twist on a quintessential margarita offering a delicious balance of citrus and sweetness that's guaranteed to be the star of the show. Round of Applause is an elegant martini-style serve featuring herbal Mexican ingredients that let the cocktail's savory notes shine. It's Showtime Ingredients: 1.5 oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco 1 oz Pineapple Coriander Tincture .5 oz Agave Nectar .5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice Preparation: Combine Tequila Don Julio , pineapple coriander tincture, agave honey and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain over large ice cube into Collins glass rimmed with salt and pink peppercorn. Round of Applause Ingredients: 1 oz Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel 1 oz Herb-Infused Bianco Vermouth 10 drops Chocolate Bitters 3 dashes Orange Bitters Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled Coupe glass. Whether walking down the red carpet or tuning in from a personal screen, Tequila Don Julio encourages genuine and responsible celebrations this award season. As we raise a glass to Hollywood's biggest night, Tequila Don Julio is proud to donate in support of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Governors Ball for the seventh consecutive year. ABOUT TEQUILA DON JULIO Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. The original luxury tequila of choice in Mexico , Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco . The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco , Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino, Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel , Tequila Don Julio Rosado , Tequila Don Julio 1942, and Tequila Don Julio Ultima Reserva. For more information on Tequila Don Julio , please visit www.DonJulio.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tequila-don-julio-toasts-to-the-stars-at-the-oscars-governors-ball-with-award-worthy-cocktails-co-created-by-renowned-mixologists-charles-joly-and-israel-baron-302079539.html FLORHAM PARK, N.J. , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Money Store has announced that top-producing mortgage loan originator John Abraham and his team have joined the mortgage lending firm. Abraham's home financing experience spans 34 years, and he has consistently been ranked among the top 200 mortgage originators in the nation by industry publications Mortgage Executive Magazine and Scotsman Guide. In his new role as Vice President, Producing Branch Manager based in Illinois , Abraham will serve as a sales leader, mortgage originator and driver of loan volume growth. "It's important to me to be part of a company that combines an efficient lending platform with an authentic and supportive atmosphere. I've been impressed with The Money Store's transparent loan process, streamlined operations and highly competitive rates," said Abraham. "What truly sets them apart, however, is their dedication to cultivating a personal culture where team members are empowered to succeed. I'm thrilled to join this dynamic firm where integrity, collaboration and excellence are not just buzzwords but a reality." Prior to joining The Money Store, Abraham was a producing manager at Caliber Home Loans, where he established himself as one of the top producers in the Midwest during his 10-year tenure. In 2022, he was ranked No. 6 in the state of Illinois by Scotsman Guide for annual number of loans closed. Before joining Caliber, he was a vice president and producing manager for nearly 13 years at National City Mortgage. "We're excited to welcome John Abraham and his team to The Money Store," said Peter Alvarez , Chief Operations Officer at The Money Store. "John is a top sales leader in the Midwest, and his integrity, dedication to his team and sustained excellence perfectly align with our company. Our business model is a perfect fit for his business, and we are excited to continue our growth with John and his team on board. We look forward to a long, prosperous relationship with John and his group and will support them in any way we can to continue their success." MLD Mortgage, Inc. dba The Money Store, is a leading mortgage lending institution dedicated to providing personalized financial solutions and exceptional service to clients from coast to coast. About The Money Store: The Money Store is a direct mortgage lender headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey , and is licensed in 47 states. The company offers a wide range of mortgage programs to meet the needs of homebuyers and homeowners while also providing low rates and superior customer service. The Money Store's online-based service model includes a secure application process that tracks every step from inquiry to closing. Visit them online at www.themoneystore.com. For media inquiries, please contact: Peter Alvarez ([email protected]) or call 973-295-3511. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-money-store-welcomes-top-200-originator-john-abraham-302080471.html SOURCE The Money Store $150 Million Donation, One of Largest in State's History, to Connect Hilo Medical Center, Hawai'i Pacific Health and UCSF Health SAN FRANCISCO , March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A major donation by longstanding philanthropists in Hawai'i will significantly increase healthcare access, addressing critical infrastructure gaps and helping ensure excellent and continuous care for communities in Hawai'i. The $150 million gift by Marc and Lynne Benioff is one of the largest single private donations in Hawai'i's history. Developed through more than a year of collaboration across three different hospitals, it provides $50 million for Hilo Medical Center, on the island of Hawai'i, to build out critical areas of care, including a state-of-the-art family birthing center, intensive care unit, and neurosurgical program as well as behavioral health services. It provides $100 million for Hawai'i Pacific Health, one of the state's largest nonprofit healthcare organizations, to help create a "healthcare campus of the future" at Honolulu -based Straub Medical Center. And it deepens connections between both Hawai'i hospitals and UCSF Health in San Francisco to provide more specialized care to patients who need it. The gift brings the Benioffs' total philanthropy in Hawai'i to more than $250 million , including recent gifts of 282 acres for affordable housing on the Island of Hawaii and another 158 acres owned by a separate nonprofit entity for charitable use. The gift builds on previous philanthropic efforts by the Benioffs to expand healthcare and emergency services in Hawai'i, including funding for state-of-the-art medical helicopters and fire trucks; support for Hawaii Island Community Health Center, Kona Hospital Foundation; previous contributions for Hilo Medical Center; providing housing for medical staff and other support at Queen's North Hawai'i Community Hospital in Waimea ; and a recent $5 million gift to support Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green's HELP program aimed at recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals. In all, the Benioffs' personal philanthropic giving totals more than $1 billion , including $600 million in healthcare donations in Hawaii , San Francisco and across the country. "Our philosophy has always been to give locally and to give through experts who deeply understand local needs, and we are so pleased to have found that with the wonderful, lifesaving teams at Hilo Medical Center, Hawai'i Pacific Health and UCSF Health," said Marc and Lynne Benioff. They added: "We feel fortunate to have been part of the Hawai'i community for many decades and to be able to support our ohana in this way. Nothing is more important than the health of our community, and access to care for all who need it." "Before becoming governor I worked as an ER doctor in these hospitals, so I know what it means to have a true benefactor step up and rescue services," said Hawai'i Gov. Green . "This huge donation will support the care for thousands of critically ill people in Hawai'i. This generosity is a game-changer for our state." The expansion of Hilo Medical Center is a unique public-private partnership, with the $50 million from the Benioffs matching a previous, separate $50 million appropriation from the State of Hawai'i. In addition to building out critical areas of care, the donation will support an expansion of Hilo Medical Center's physician recruitment program. The Benioffs' $100 million gift to Hawai'i Pacific Health will support a visionary renovation project that will triple the size of Straub Medical Center, which includes the state's only Burn Unit, lifesaving services, community outreach and education that furthers local clinical research. "Hilo Medical Center's mission is to provide the best possible healthcare for our family, friends and neighbors," says Dan Brinkman , CEO of Hilo Medical Center. "These new resources present an opportunity to make healthcare better on Hawaii Island for everyone." "We are truly grateful for this extremely generous and transformational gift," said Ray Vara, president and CEO of Hawai'i Pacific Health. "The Benioffs share our vision and commitment to ensuring access to high-quality care for our community, and we are excited to work with them and our healthcare partners to expand our efforts." In recognition of Lynne and Marc Benioff's longstanding partnership and significant contributions to Hawai'i healthcare, the Hilo Medical Center will be renamed the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and the Honolulu -based Straub Medical Center will become the Straub Benioff Medical Center. As part of the vision, San Francisco -based UCSF Health will expand its efforts to support Hawai'i patients in need of specialist care. Hilo Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and UCSF Health have committed to working together, leveraging the Benioffs' latest donation to extend the reach of UCSF clinical expertise and bring specialized care in areas such as oncology and neurology to more residents across the state. The Benioffs have been major contributors to UCSF Health over two decades, including UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland , which are among the leading children's hospitals in the nation. "We have seen first-hand how Lynne and Marc Benioff's generosity has transformed healthcare in San Francisco and our surrounding communities," said UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood , MBBS. "UCSF Health is excited to be part of this new opportunity to create a world-class continuum of care in Hawai'i and improve access to specialty care for Hawai'i residents, close to home." About Marc and Lynne Benioff : Marc Benioff is Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Salesforce and a pioneer of cloud computing. Under Benioff's leadership, Salesforce has become the third-largest enterprise software company and the largest enterprise applications company in the world. He also co-founded the Pledge 1% movement , committing 1% of Salesforce's equity, product and employee time to the community since the company's founding 25 years ago. Today, more than 20,000 companies have adopted the 1-1-1 model. He is the owner and co-chair of TIME. Lynne Benioff serves on the board of The Rise Fund, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, the Presidio Trust board and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory. She is Distinguished Director of the Board of Overseers of the UCSF Foundation, co-chair of TIME and the former chair of the Presidio Trust board. In 2014, Ms. Benioff was honored by Mayor Ed Lee as one of San Francisco's "Women of the Year." Marc and Lynne Benioff received a George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for their civic engagement in 2020. About Hilo Medical Center: Hilo Medical Center is a 166-bed acute care hospital and Hawaii Island's leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care. As the largest hospital within the state-funded Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), Hilo Medical Center functions as a Level III Trauma Center, which includes the second busiest emergency room in the state that sees over 50,000 patients annually. Our medical staff is comprised of 250 physicians, advanced practice providers, representing more than 30 specialties. Hilo Medical Center is the flagship hospital within the East Hawaii Region of HHSC that also consists of Hale Hoola Hamakua, Kau Hospital, the Yukio Okutstu State Veterans Home, and the East Hawaii Health Clinics, our network of primary and specialty care clinics. The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a public entity established in 1996 by the State of Hawaii to fulfill the promise to provide quality, hometown healthcare. For more information, go to: www.hilomedicalcenter.org . About Hawai'i Pacific Health: Hawai'i Pacific Health is a not-for-profit health care system including medical centers, clinics, physicians and other caregivers working together to create a healthier Hawai'i. Its four medical centers Kapi'olani, Pali Momi, Straub and Wilcox specialize in innovative programs in bone and joint services, cancer care, cardiovascular services, pediatric care, women's health, and more. Hawai'i Pacific Health's employed physicians and advanced practice providers are unified under the Hawai'i Pacific Health Medical Group, which includes more than 800 health care providers brought together under one operational structure to provide consistency and excellence in patient outcomes and patient experiences across the system. Learn more at HawaiiPacificHealth.org . About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies, and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is a top-ranked hospital , as well as UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland ; Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics; UCSF Benioff Children's Physicians; and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area . UCSF School of Medicine also has a regional campus in Fresno . Visit https://ucsfhealth.org . Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on Twitter . Contact: Carolyn Guss , Salesforce 415.536.4966 | [email protected] Elena Cabatu, Hilo Medical Center 808.333.7223 | [email protected] Liz Chun Uyehara, Hawai'i Pacific Health 808.535.7675 | [email protected] Kristen Bole, UCSF Health 415.317.3652 | kristen.bole@ucsf.edu View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transformative-gift-from-salesforce-chair-and-ceo-marc-benioff-and-lynne-benioff-will-expand-access-and-continuity-of-healthcare-in-hawaii-302080123.html SOURCE University of California - San Francisco FILE PHOTO: The logo of Airbus is pictured outside the Airbus facility in Saint-Nazaire, France, November 7, 2023. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo MONTREAL (Reuters) -An Airbus contract offer being voted on this month by Montreal-area workers involved in the production of its smallest A220 jets is being dismissed by their union as "totally unacceptable," according to a memo to members. Airbus is holding talks with the estimated 1,300 workers in Canada's province of Quebec at a time when the European planemaker is trying to control costs on its loss-making A220 jet. While details of the deal will only be presented on March 10, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) warned in the letter that the offer "doesn't work at all and is totally unacceptable." A vote on a deal to replace the contract that expired in December 2023 will be held on March 17. "This offer, that we consider as hostile, cannot be left without consequences," union negotiators said in the French-language letter. "We must send a clear message to the employer." "We have submitted a contract offer to the union that we believe is fair and reasonable while ensuring the long-term success of the A220," Airbus said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. "We remain committed to this negotiation," Airbus added. If the offer is rejected, IAM members can speak in favour of using pressure tactics. Workers, however, would first need to approve a strike authorization mandate before downing tools. (Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal; Additional reporting by Shivansh Tiwary; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Shounak Dasgupta) BAKU (Reuters) - Azerbaijani state television broadcast footage on Tuesday showing mechanical diggers destroying the building that once housed the breakaway ethnic Armenian parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh. The televised demolition, with giant metal claws tearing at the masonry of the gutted edifice, demonstratively underlined the restoration of control by Azerbaijan since its forces recaptured Karabakh last year and more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled. The region had previously been de facto independent of Baku since a war that spanned the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Azerbaijani state media said the parliament building, alongside a neighbouring structure housing an Armenian war veterans' association, had been demolished as they had been constructed "illegally". Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing - a charge denied by Baku, which has insisted the enclave's Armenians were welcome to remain in the territory. Karabakh Armenians say they left en masse because they do not feel safe in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a military parade in November in the capital's central square near the parliament building, and was filmed treading on a Karabakh Armenian separatist flag. Armenians have accused Azerbaijan of destroying their cultural heritage in areas under Baku's control, something Azerbaijan denies. (Reporting by Nailia Bagirova in Baku; Writing by Felix Light in Tbilisi and Lucy Papachristou in London; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) Philippine Coast Guard personnel inspect the hull of the ship during a collision incident between the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Sindangan and a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the disputed South China Sea, March 5, 2024. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout By Bernard Orr, Liz Lee and Karen Lema BEIJING/MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines summoned China's deputy chief of mission in Manila on Tuesday to protest at what it called "aggressive actions" by Chinese naval forces against a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed on a South China Sea shoal. Manila's South China Sea task force said Philippine vessels carrying out the routine mission to the Second Thomas Shoal were "harassed (and) blocked" by Chinese maritime militia and coast guard ships on Tuesday. Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon, shattering the windshield of one of the resupply boats and causing minor injuries to at least four crew members, the task force said. Their "reckless" and "illegal" actions also led to a collision between a Chinese and Philippine ship, with the latter sustaining minor structural damage, Manila's coast guard spokesperson said separately. The Philippine foreign ministry said it had summoned the Chinese diplomat on Tuesday to convey its protest and to demand that Chinese vessels immediately leave the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal, which Manila calls Ayungin. "China's interference with the Philippines' routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable," the ministry said in a statement. "China's actions in Ayungin Shoal infringes upon the Philippines' sovereign rights and jurisdiction." China laid the blame on Manila, saying Philippine ships had illegally intruded into waters adjacent to the Second Thomas Shoal - which it calls Renai Reef - so it had to take control measures. The Chinese action was also condemned by the United States, Philippines' defence treaty ally. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the actions were "provocative" and showed "a reckless disregard by the PRC for the safety of Filipinos and also for international law", referring to the People's Republic of China. Miller, at a press briefing, said the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which requires Washington to support Manila in the event of an attack, extends to armed attacks on Philippine vessels anywhere in the South China Sea, but declined to say whether the treaty could be triggered by the latest incident. "I will just say that the United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of these dangerous and unlawful actions," Miller said. SOVEREIGNTY CLAIMS The shoal is home to a small number of Filipino troops stationed on a rusting warship which Manila grounded there in 1999 to reinforce sovereignty claims. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which includes the Second Thomas Shoal, and has deployed vessels to patrol the disputed atoll which lies within the Philippines' EEZ. Tuesday's 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 China's claims had no legal basis. Beijing rejects that ruling. The Philippine task force said Beijing's "unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous manoeuvres" put "into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening of tensions". Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a press conference in Beijing the operation was "professional and restrained, reasonable and lawful". "China once again urges the Philippine side to stop maritime violations and provocations and refrain from taking any actions that may complicate the maritime situation," Mao said. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said at a forum in Australia on Monday that his country would cooperate in talks with China but it would push back when its sovereignty and maritime rights are ignored. In a departure from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte's 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. "Peace and stability cannot be achieved without due regard for the legitimate, well-established, and legally settled rights of others," the Philippine task force said. (Reporting by Bernard Orr and Shanghai newsroom and Karen Lema in Manila; additional reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington; Editing by Kim Coghill, Angus MacSwan and Alison Williams) LONDON (Reuters) - Container ship MSC Sky II was continuing its voyage to Djibouti on Tuesday after being hit by a missile a day earlier near Yemen's port city of Aden, its operator MSC said. MSC Sky II was hit by a missile about 85 miles southeast of Aden and 170 miles east-southeast of the Bab al-Mandab Strait while it was sailing from Singapore to Djibouti, the Swiss-headquartered MSC said in a statement. "The missile caused a small fire that has been extinguished while no crew were injured. She is currently continuing her journey to Djibouti and will arrive today for further assessment," it said. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Yemeni Houthi forces had attacked the Liberian-flagged MSC Sky II while it was en route to Djibouti. "I am not aware that either Switzerland, Liberia or Djibouti have ever participated in any way in the ongoing conflict in Gaza," Crosetto said on X. The attack is among the latest strikes by the Iran-aligned Houthis which have escalated since November. The Houthis have said they are targeting commercial ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. While the militia has said it would attack vessels with links to the United Kingdom, the United States and Israel, shipping industry sources said all ships were at risk. MSC, one of the world's top container shipping groups, said on Dec. 26 that the MSC UNITED VIII was attacked while sailing through the Red Sea. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul, additionl reporting by Gianluca Semeraro in Milan; Editing by Alex Richardson and Angus MacSwan) FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese Communist Party International Liaison Department Minister Liu Jianchao at the State Department in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2024. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden/FILE PHOTO By Yew Lun Tian and Laurie Chen BEIJING (Reuters) - As Beijing-based diplomats attend the annual session of China's parliament this week, one Chinese official drawing attention is a charismatic Oxford University graduate many expect to become the next foreign minister. Liu Jianchao, 60, leads the Communist Party's body in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties. Since taking the role in 2022, he has travelled to more than 20 nations and met officials from more than 160 countries. Liu's busy schedule, especially his meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington this year, have stoked expectations that the former ambassador and ministry spokesman is being groomed to be the next foreign minister. Liu's appointment is not certain, given the Chinese government's opaque decision-making process. But if chosen, he would be tasked with managing ties with Washington as both sides aim to rebuild relations after a period of unprecedented tension over issues from trade to Taiwan. "Violent winds do not last the whole morning, sudden rain does not last a whole day," Liu told foreign diplomats in a speech at the World Peace Forum in Beijing last year that portrayed China as an agent for peace. Diplomats in Beijing who met Liu during his recent rounds say they like his fluent English, confident and forthcoming style, and the ability to take questions and engage directly in discussions without talking points prepared in advance. Sources also say he is well-liked and respected within the ministry, and is regarded as friendly, warm, and personable. "This is a welcome change from other Chinese diplomats who either talk down to us in a 'wolf warrior' manner or merely repeat talking points," said one diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another added, "Old-school diplomacy is back." China's current foreign minister, Wang Yi, 70, a seasoned diplomat, was re-appointed to the role after Qin Gang, a protege of President Xi Jinping, was dismissed in June, less than a year into his term, following rumours of an extramarital affair. Born in the northeastern province of Jilin, Liu majored in English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and studied international relations at Oxford before taking up his first post as a translator with the foreign ministry. He has served in China's mission to Britain and later as ambassador to Indonesia and the Philippines. During his time as ministry spokesman, he was known for humorous off-the-cuff comments while making a no-nonsense defence of China's interests. During one briefing in 2008, Liu was asked about an Iraqi reporter who threw a pair of shoes at then U.S. President George W. Bush. He said: "Maybe I need to watch out, not just for who is raising their hands, but who is taking off their shoes." CHARM OFFENSIVE Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society, said Liu was the frontrunner to become China's next foreign minister and the parliament session would be a high-profile opportunity to announce such a promotion. "Beijing is trying to project a friendlier image to the world to stabilise markets, revive foreign investment, and slow the pace of Western efforts to curb economic linkages with China," Thomas added. But while Beijing has toned down its "wolf warrior" diplomacy it has not changed its ambition to make China a far more powerful actor in international affairs, he added. "China is pursuing the same goals but now with a smarter strategy." Liu's diplomatic career took an unusual detour in 2015 when he was transferred to two posts involved in anti-corruption work. That included a stint in the international office of China's top anti-graft body, where he helped track down and co-ordinate the repatriation of corrupt Chinese officials who fled overseas. The second stint was in the affluent province of Zhejiang, where he helped launch an anti-graft reform important for Xi's signature anti-corruption push that was later adopted for nationwide rollout. "Liu, with his background in anti-corruption and local party governance, has a sterling and demonstrated reputation of loyalty to the party and to Xi Jinping," said Dennis Wilder, a China specialist at Georgetown University. Liu returned to diplomacy in 2018 in the office of the Communist Party's Central Foreign Affairs Commission. As its deputy director, he worked closely to assist Yang Jiechi, then China's top diplomat and a former foreign minister. While serving again as foreign minister since July, Wang has retained his other job as China's top diplomat, or director of the party's foreign affairs office, an elite body chaired by Xi that has more say on foreign policy than the ministry. That is why many see Wang as a temporary solution until a longer-term replacement is found for Qin. For now, foreign ministry officials are staying tight-lipped, although they told diplomats that since Liu was born in the year of the dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac, and 2024 is the year of the dragon, that "good things will happen". (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian and Laurie Chen; Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by James Pomfret and Clarence Fernandez) Members of the media stand outside the building of Tesla's production plant in Gruenheide outside Berlin, Germany, March 5, 2024, after the site lost power following a suspected arson attack on a nearby pylon. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner BERLIN (Reuters) - A far-left militant group calling itself "Vulkangruppe Tesla Abschalten", or "Volcano group shutting down Tesla", has claimed responsibility for the suspected arson attack on a power pylon near Tesla's car factory outside Berlin on Tuesday. The attack resulted in a production halt that is expected to last several days. In a letter posted on website kontrapolis.info, the group said destroying Tesla was "a step on the path to liberation from patriarchy". Police said they were aware of the letter, which was signed "Agua De Pau", the name of a volcano in the Azores, and that they were checking its authenticity, which would take several days. GERMANY'S 'VOLCANO GROUPS' In a 2019 report, Berlin authorities listed Vulkangruppen, or volcano groups, as left-wing extremist organisations. "Unknown individuals have been committing arson attacks in Berlin under the name Vulkangruppen since 2011," it said. These have targeted cable ducts on railway lines and in some cases radio masts, data lines or company vehicles, it said. The suspects usually claim responsibility in letters in which they use names referring mostly to Icelandic volcanoes, such as "Grimsvotn", "Katla" or "Ok", it added. It is unclear how centralized the groups' activities are. The report said the structure of the letters suggested they were written by an at least partly fixed group of authors. "A strategy paper from 2015 also points to a fixed structure," the report said. POLITICAL ALIGNMENT The groups are ideologically seen to be close to the anarchistic end of the political spectrum. A 2021 report by authorities in Brandenburg, where the Tesla plant is based, described the Volcano groups as "left-extremist", saying they were trying to gain influence as part of the global climate movement. OTHER ATTACKS THE GROUPS HAVE CLAIMED Several arson attacks have been carried out in Berlin in recent years under the umbrella name of the Volcano group, according to the report. One of these groups claimed responsibility for an attack on the power supply of Tesla's Gruenheide site in May 2021, it said, citing a letter claiming responsibility that was published on a left-wing extremist media platform. In 2020, a Volcano group claimed responsibility for an arson attack against the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin, which studies digital infrastructure topics, the report said. (Reporting by Nette Nostlinger; Editing by Christoph Steitz and Jan Harvey) Stickers are pictured during the Super Tuesday primary election at the Library of the Canyons in Silverado, California, U.S. March 5, 2024. REUTERS/David Swanson By Jason Lange and Helen Coster WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Voters in Republican presidential primary contests in North Carolina, Virginia and California appeared particularly focused on immigration, according to the results of exit polls conducted on Tuesday by Edison Research. Following are figures from the polls: * 41% of North Carolina voters said immigration mattered most when deciding how they would vote in the contest, compared to 33% who said the economy mattered most. 11% cited abortion policy and 10% said foreign policy. * In Virginia, immigration was also the top concern, while in California, voters were slightly more likely to say the economy mattered most, with immigration cited nearly as often. * 62% of voters in North Carolina's Republican primary don't think President Joe Biden, a Democrat, was legitimately elected, compared to 50% in Virginia and 57% in California. * 65% of North Carolina voters said that if Republican former President Donald Trump were convicted of a crime, he would still be fit for the presidency, while 31% said he would not be fit. In Virginia, 55% said he would be fit, while in California, 68% said he would be fit. * In North Carolina, 63% thought immigrants without legal status should be deported and 33% said they should be able to apply for legal status. In Virginia, 61% said they should be deported, while in California, 69% said they should be deported. * 22% of Republican primary voters in North Carolina consider themselves moderate or liberal, compared to 33% in Virginia and 32% in California. * 44% of voters in North Carolina had a college degree, compared to 52% in Virginia and 42% in California. * 34% of North Carolina's Republican primary voters usually think of themselves as independents, compared to 30% in Virginia and 32% in California. * White people who consider themselves evangelical or born-again Christians made up 53% of North Carolina's voters, compared to 39% in Virginia and 22% in California. (Reporting by Jason Lange in Washington and Helen Coster in New York, editing by Ross Colvin and Howard Goller) French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference at the end of the conference in support of Ukraine, with European leaders and government representatives, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/P By John Irish PARIS (Reuters) - France has invited foreign and defence ministers from Ukraine's main allies and the NATO Secretary General to participate in a video call on Thursday aimed at showing a "united front" and coming up with concrete proposals to boost support for Kyiv. President Emmanuel Macron faced a backlash from many Western allies after he openly discussed the idea of sending Western troops to Ukraine at a Paris-based conference on Ukraine last week. A follow up conference had been scheduled to take place in Paris with ministers and senior diplomats from some 28 countries, but that was shelved for a video call amid the criticism that the meeting was too rushed. "The debate that followed reflects only partially the reality of the discussion in Paris and should not overshadow our collective determination to support Ukraine," according to the invitation seen by Reuters. The invitation, sent to ministers on behalf of France's foreign and defence ministers, is also addressed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Both of them had not been invited on Feb. 26. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will also participate by video call, diplomats said. The invitation said the meeting would look at ways of speeding up delivery of key capabilities, notably artillery ammunition supply and production, as well as organising a system that would enable partners to improve ways to empty their ammunition stocks and set up new options for medium and long-range missiles. It also said that "without becoming parties to the conflict ourselves", it would also explore support through cyber defence, mine or ordnance clearance, securing the border with Belarus and coordination of production and maintenance of equipment in Ukraine. The invite made no mention of sending non-combat troops to Ukraine, something that French officials have suggested could be a possibility. One other area that would be discussed is support for countries directly threatened by Russia, particularly Ukraine's neighbour Moldova. Three diplomats said Moldova's President Maia Sandu would be in Paris on Thursday for separate talks with Macron. (This story has been refiled to add the dropped word in the third bullet point) (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Ros Russell) A general view of Taurus cruise missile of Europe's multinational developer and manufacturer of missiles MBDA at their headquarters, in Schrobenhausen near Munich, Germany, March 5, 2024. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A high-level military call on Ukraine intercepted by Russia made clear that no political decision on sending Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv has been made, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday on a trip to Sweden. "They always mentioned during all that phone call, there is no political decision - neither by the chancellor (Olaf Scholz) nor by me to deploy Taurus to Ukraine," Pistorius said at a news conference. Germany's allies are not upset after the scandal surrounding the call recorded by the Russians, according to Pistorius. The minister said he informed his partners in Washington and London on Monday that it was an individual mistake. "They are not angry or upset with Germany because they know that we have rules and that things like this can happen," said Pistorius. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Writing by Madeline Chambers and Maria Martinez; editing by Matthias Williams, William Maclean) FILE PHOTO: Honduras former President Juan Orlando Hernandez is escorted by authorities as he walks towards a plane of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his extradition to the United States, to face a trial on drug trafficking and arms po By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez on Tuesday took the witness stand at his U.S. drug trafficking trial and denied taking bribes from cartel members in exchange for protecting their U.S.-bound cocaine shipments. Hernandez, 55, described himself as an ardent opponent of drug trafficking during his tenure leading the Central American country from 2014 to 2022. He pointed to his administration's military cooperation with the United States, and his frequent visits to Washington to visit U.S. officials. "I had a policy against all those people because I could not stand them," Hernandez testified, referring to drug traffickers. "They did a lot of damage in the country." Under questioning by defense lawyer Raymond Colon, Hernandez said he did not meet with or accept bribes from convicted drug traffickers. They included Mexican kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who prosecutors allege gave Hernandez a $1 million bribe. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to three counts of drug trafficking conspiracy and illegal weapons possession. His lawyers have said prosecutors are relying on testimony from convicted criminals seeking revenge for Hernandez's anti-drug policies and hoping to lower their own prison sentences. During Hernandez's presidency, Honduras received more than $50 million in U.S. anti-narcotics assistance, and tens of millions of dollars in security and military aid. Hernandez also won support from former U.S. President Donald Trump for cracking down on drugs and migration. But the Justice Department now says Hernandez ran Honduras as a "narco-state." Prosecutors say he used drug cash to bribe officials to manipulate voting results in his favor during Honduras' 2013 and 2017 presidential elections. Under cross-examination by prosecutor Kyle Wirshba, Hernandez said drug traffickers "try" to support all politicians in Honduras, but that did not include him. "So your testimony is that you're the only honest politician in Honduras, is that right?" Wirshba asked. U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel ruled Hernandez did not have to answer that question. The trial began two weeks ago. Jurors have heard testimony from several convicted drug traffickers about bribes paid to Hernandez. Closing arguments are expected to begin on Wednesday after Hernandez finishes testifying. Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years and up to life in prison if convicted on all counts. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New YorkEditing by Marguerita Choy and Bill Berkrot) Swedish and NATO flags are seen printed on paper this illustration taken April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo BUDAPEST/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok has signed the bill that approved Sweden's accession to the NATO military alliance, the president's office said on Tuesday, clearing the way for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the alliance in the coming days. Stockholm abandoned its non-alignment policy for greater safety within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The remaining formalities, such as depositing accession documentation in Washington, are likely to be concluded swiftly. "It is tremendously important and hopefully we will now become members and it will not be a matter of weeks but a matter of days," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a news conference in Stockholm. "It will be good for Sweden and it will be good for NATO. It will be good for stability in the entire Euro-Atlantic area that Sweden can become a full-fledged member of NATO." Most NATO countries approved Sweden's bid quickly after its application in May 2022 but Turkey and Hungary delayed the process, unhappy with Sweden's perceived support for Kurdish separatists and criticism of the Hungarian government. The accession of Finland last year and soon Sweden, which has not been at war since 1814, is the most significant expansion of NATO since it took in members from eastern Europe after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The accession is a blow to President Vladimir Putin and Russia now faces an almost unbroken chain of NATO members to its west stretching from the Black Sea to the Arctic. Hungarian lawmakers approved Sweden's NATO bid on Feb. 26 after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government had faced pressure from NATO allies to fall in line and seal Sweden's accession to the alliance. (Reporting by Anita Komuves, Johan Ahlander and Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Sharon Singleton) FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) speaks to reporters about ongoing negotiations on a U.S. border security deal at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/FILE PHOTO By Moira Warburton WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Independent U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said on Tuesday that she will not run for reelection in the highly competitive state, which will be critical to her former Democratic Party's chances of maintaining its narrow majority. Sinema's decision clears the way for an expected head-to-head contest in the November 2024 election between Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego, a former Marine veteran who served in Iraq, and Kari Lake, a far-right Republican who lost a bid for Arizona governor in 2022. Sinema, 47, was elected in 2018 as a Democrat, but drew her party's ire after she foiled some policy proposals of President Joe Biden along with moderate Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. They most notably refused to support any change to the Senate's filibuster rule to allow Democrats to enact major voting rights legislation. At the same time, Sinema, the first openly bisexual senator, gained the respect of many of her Senate colleagues as a dogged legislator who was willing to plunge into difficult issues until compromises were reached. Notably, Sinema was a key negotiator on Biden's successful $1 trillion infrastructure investment bill that was enacted in 2021. Just this year, she was one of three main negotiators on one of the most important border security and immigration reform bills offered in the Senate in a decade -- which was promptly killed by former President Donald Trump's opposition that led to the collapse of Republican support. Following her clashes with fellow-Democrats, Sinema changed her party affiliation to independent in December 2022. She continued caucusing with the Democrats in their 51-49 majority, although she said in subsequent media interviews that she rarely attended caucus meetings even before she formally left the party. She blamed an increasingly partisan tone of U.S. politics for her decision to leave office. "Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done I will leave the Senate at the end of this year," Sinema said in a video posted on X. "Compromise is a dirty word." Her move came as Americans in more than a dozen states cast ballots in Super Tuesday primary elections, with Trump seeking to strike a knockout blow in his run for the Republican nomination to challenge Biden in November. Sinema's announcement came the week after Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who has represented Kentucky in the Senate since 1985, said he will retire from his leadership role at year's end following a record-long run. EXPENSIVE ARIZONA Arizona's races have become among the closest-watched - and most expensive - in the country in recent years. The Senate race between Democratic Senator Mark Kelly and Republican challenger Blake Masters in 2022 saw $129 million spent. Kelly won reelection with 51.4% of the vote. "I want to thank Senator Sinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state," Gallego said in a statement issued immediately after her announcement in which he called for her support. Besides the spirited race expected in Arizona, Democrats have a difficult road ahead in keeping their Senate majority. Incumbent Democrats are trying to hold onto seats in states that likely will see furious battles in the presidential race as well. Longtime Senators Bob Casey and Sherrod Brown could face tough re-election bids in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Democrats' seat in West Virginia, where Manchin announced in November he would not be running for reelection, is all but certain to be captured by Republicans. And there are new worries in Maryland, where Democrat Ben Cardin is retiring and a popular former Republican governor, Larry Hogan, is running to replace him. Lake, a former television news anchor, ran in 2022 for governor, narrowly losing to Democrat Katie Hobbs. The Republican still has not conceded defeat, following Trump's practice of claiming falsely that his 2020 presidential election loss was the result of widespread voting fraud. "Senator Sinema had the courage to stand tall against the Far-Left in defense of the filibuster," Lake wrote on X. Whatever the outcome of November's Senate elections, one thing is certain. There will be far less fashion on the Senate floor when Sinema exits with her brightly colored wardrobe that enlivened members' famously drab dress. (Reporting by Moira Warburton, additional reporting by Makini Brice, Katharine Jackson and Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone, Nick Zieminski and Daniel Wallis) RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli forces shot dead a 16 year-old Palestinian at a flashpoint road junction in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday after a stabbing attack in which a soldier was severely injured, the military and Palestinian authorities said. The incident in the northern West Bank town of Huwara was the latest in a wave of violence across the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war five months ago. The Israeli military said soldiers killed a Palestinian who carried out a stabbing attack but gave no details. It said a soldier was seriously wounded in the incident and taken to hospital for treatment. Palestinian health authorities said the person killed in the incident was a 16 year-old boy. The incident came a day after Israeli forces killed a 16 year-old during a major raid in the Palestinian administrative capital Ramallah, and killed a 10 year-old boy in a separate incident in the town of Burin, in the northern West Bank. The military said it was reviewing the circumstances of the latter incident, which it said came after soldiers fired at people hurling rocks at them. At least 358 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since October, U.N. records show. At least 12 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians in the same period. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta; Editing by Mark Potter) FILE PHOTO: TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo 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) Poland's President Andrzej Duda speaks at a joint press conference with Kenya's President William Ruto during his visit to the State House in Nairobi, Kenya, February 5, 2024. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland stands ready to defend its NATO partners at any time, President Andrzej Duda said on Tuesday, as he observed part of the alliance's biggest exercises since the Cold War. With around 90,000 troops taking part, the Steadfast Defender exercises mark a show of strength from NATO as countries on its eastern flank boost their defence spending in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Polish leg of the exercises, called Dragon 24, sees troops crossing the Vistula river before travelling around 300 km to the Suwalki gap, a strip of land nestled between the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus. "These are our joint exercises that strengthen the security of NATO's entire eastern flank. Poland is ready to implement our obligations arising from collective defence at any time, it is determined," Duda said during a joint speech with the president of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda. Duda said the exercise showed the readiness to defend the territory of NATO, including Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic states. "Lithuania can count on us that if there was such a need, Polish soldiers would stand shoulder to shoulder with Lithuanian forces to protect every inch of land from an enemy attack," he said. Tuesday's exercises involved crossing the Vistula River with tanks and armoured vehicles from various NATO countries a point that is 340 meters wide. "This is a serious test for the soldiers, but it shows their excellent preparation and our readiness to move forces from west to east in response to a possible attack on NATO forces in our part of Europe," Duda said. Next week, Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk will go to Washington to mark 25th anniversary of Poland joining NATO, and discuss the situation in Ukraine, during a meeting with President Joe Biden. (Reporting by Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Alison Williams) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Wang Yongcheng (C), a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), reads the Braille versions of files at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo) Foreign diplomatic envoys to China observe 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/Shen Hong) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Journalists work at 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) Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Li He) Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) Editor: JYZ FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a visit to Dutch Creek Farms in Northfield, Minnesota, U.S., November 1, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/ FILE PHOTO By Nandita Bose ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Reuters) -President Joe Biden won almost all the Democratic nominating contests on "Super Tuesday" but a sizeable protest vote in Minnesota and six other states against his support for Israel again raised uncomfortable questions for his reelection campaign. With almost 90% of the expected votes counted in Minnesota, 19% of Democrats marked their ballots "uncommitted" to show their opposition to Biden's backing for Israel's attacks against Hamas in Gaza. The "uncommitted" vote was also on the Democratic ballot in six other Super Tuesday states - Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Tennessee. Support in those states ranged from 3.9% in Iowa to 12.7% in North Carolina, with more than 85% of the votes counted in each of those states, according to Edison Research. The Israeli military action has created a humanitarian disaster and killed over 30,000 people, Palestinian authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza say. Israel is responding to Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks that killed 1,200, according to an Israeli tally. Students, suburban women and liberal Jewish activists were among those who joined Muslim Americans to vote uncommitted, Edison said. More than 100,000 people, or 13% of all voters, staged a similar protest in Michigan's Democratic primary last week. Organizers in Minnesota had said they did not expect the protest to attract the same level of support as it did in Michigan, home to a large Arab American population. Instead, its share of the vote was even higher. "That is a powerful way to send the administration a message," said Christian Peterson, 22, a law student at the University of Minnesota. "Biden needs to stop sending military aid to Israel." After voting for Biden in the 2020 general election, the registered independent said he voted uncommitted in Minnesota's primary. Minnesota's main cities house a sizeable Somali American population and liberal Democratic Congress member Ilhan Omar, a fierce critic of Biden's Israel policy, represents a district in the state. The anti-Biden effort had backers from a wide range of Democrats in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, Reuters interviews showed. Walter Fromm, 26, a Minneapolis activist and self-described anti-Zionist Jew, said his grassroots group "Take Action Minnesota" has been supporting the uncommitted campaign. "I've reached out to my entire Jewish community here in the Twin Cities," as well as friends across the United States, he said. Fromm predicted the uncommitted movement, which is organizing in Georgia and Pennsylvania, among other key battleground states in the presidential election, will "continue to grow ... state by state and continue to win delegates." None of the voters Reuters interviewed said they planned to support Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee. While the general election pits party against party, the primary is a space for Democrats to "hold our own side accountable, to really make them listen to what the people want," said Charlie Bartlett, 27, a development associate at a literary arts nonprofit, who said she was voting uncommitted in Richfield, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Some said they believed Vice President Kamala Harris's call for a temporary ceasefire on Sunday showed the administration, and particularly the vice president, were listening to uncommitted protests. "I don't think the vice president would have made such a sweeping statement if Super Tuesday wasn't happening and we have been seeing the same thing with President Biden," said Asma Nizami, an organizer of Vote Uncommitted in Minnesota. "Because it's going national and because there are other states that are part of this," the administration can't sweep it aside, she said. On Sunday Harris said Israel needed to do more to allow aid into Gaza, where she said people were suffering from inhumane conditions and a "humanitarian catastrophe," going further in her remarks critiquing the Middle Eastern country's government than Biden has. A Biden campaign official who did not want to be identified by name said Biden has heard the voters participating in the "uncommitted" campaigns. "He shares their goal for a just, lasting peace - and he's working tirelessly to that end," she said, pointing to Harris' comments and recent U.S. airdrops of food in Gaza. (Reporting by Nandita Bose; additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Trevor Hunnicutt and Kanishka Singh; Writing by Heather Timmons; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Alistair Bell and Kieran Murray) KYIV (Reuters) - Moldova's spy chief said on Tuesday that Russia was planning fresh attempts to meddle in the country's internal affairs by provoking protests, interfering in upcoming presidential elections, and disrupting plans to join the European Union. Alexandru Musteata, head of the Information and Security Service, said his agency had intercepted a record level of activities by the Russian security services since 2023 and expected more destabilising actions this year and next. "Russian intelligence services intend to interfere in the election processes this year as well," Musteata told media. "We have information that attempts are being made to compromise a referendum on the European integration, interfere in the presidential elections, as well as discredit government institutions and politicians who support Moldovas accession to the European Union." Relations between Moldova and Russia have disintegrated as the government has steered a pro-European course and accused Moscow of trying to destabilise it. The ex-Soviet state's pro-Western president Maia Sandu has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine as she leads Moldova on a path to join the EU and defence alliance NATO. Moscow denies the allegations of interference and accuses Sandu of stoking anti-Russian sentiment in the country, which lies between Ukraine and Romania. Sandu plans to run for a second term in the presidential election expected this autumn, and her party won more than 40% of the votes cast for mayors, city officials, district and village councils. The government also plans a nationwide referendum on its pro-European drive although no dates have been set yet. Musteata said Moscow tried to meddle in the local elections last November in Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries. Moscow has denied such interference. Musteata said Moscow was also planning to interfere in the presidential vote by supporting pro-Russian politicians and parties. Russia would likely provoke protests in Moldova in March and April and stir up separatist sentiments, especially in the east and south of Moldova, he said. Last month, the pro-Moscow head of Moldova's Gagauzia region asked Russia for its support and to maintain close ties. Also in February, Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region asked Russia to help its economy withstand Moldovan "pressure". (Reporting by Alexander Tanas, writing by Olena Harmash; Editing by Bernadette Baum) FILE PHOTO: People lay flowers at the grave of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny following his funeral at the Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, March 1, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died his own death, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) chief, Sergei Naryshkin, was quoted as saying on Thursday. "I don't think this was some kind of special plan, but unfortunately, people have a peculiarity: sooner or later life ends, they die. Navalny died a natural death, yes," Russian news agencies said he told a television interviewer. He was answering a question about whether any forces in the West had been involved in Navalny's death. Naryshkin said he found vocal reactions in the West to Navalny's death "revolting". "Of course, it is quite revolting when satanic dances are performed in the West around Navalny's coffin," he was quoted as saying. "It is immoral, low and unethical. What else is there to say? It was totally predictable." Navalny, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponent, died last month, aged 47, in an Arctic penal colony. His supporters alleged he had been murdered. The Kremlin has denied any state involvement in his death. (Writing by Maxim Rodionov and Ron Popeski; Editing by Sandra Maler) FILE PHOTO: Pharmacist and co-founder of the now-defunct New England Compounding Center Barry Cadden walks to his car after being sentenced to nine years in jail, beginning in August, for his role in a deadly U.S. meningitis outbreak in 2012, in Boston, M By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - A former owner of a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy whose mold-tainted drugs sparked a deadly U.S. fungal meningitis outbreak in 2012 has pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter charges over the deaths of 11 Michigan residents. The plea by Barry Cadden, the former president of New England Compounding Center, was announced on Tuesday by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and resolves a criminal case her office brought against him in state court in 2018. The state's charges came after federal juries in Boston in 2017 convicted Cadden and NECC's supervisory pharmacist, Glenn Chin, of racketeering and fraud but cleared them of second-degree murder over 25 deaths nationally caused by tainted drugs the company produced. Prosecutors said those deaths stemmed from a fungal meningitis outbreak traced back to mold-tainted steroids that Framingham, Massachusetts-based NECC produced in filthy and unsafe conditions and sold to hospitals and clinics nationally. The outbreak sickened 793 patients, more than 100 of whom have died, prosecutors said. Prosecutors in Michigan, a state that was among the hardest hit during the outbreak, following the federal trials then charged Cadden and Chin with 11 counts each of second-degree murder over deaths in their state. Nessel in a statement said her office "worked closely with the families of these victims, and weve ensured that this plea fits their desire for closure and justice." Under the terms of the plea deal, Cadden, 57, on Monday pleaded no contest to manslaughter charges and agreed to be sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, which would run concurrently with his already-imposed federal sentence of 14-1/2 years. That federal sentence relates to misrepresentations that prosecutors say Cadden made to NECC customers about its drugs. He is scheduled to be sentenced by a judge in Livingston County, Michigan, on April 18. A lawyer for Cadden did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Charges in Michigan remain pending against Chin, who has pleaded not guilty and is serving a 10-1/2 year federal sentence. His lawyer declined to comment. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) By Ismail Shakil OTTAWA (Reuters) -Pro-Palestinian and human rights advocates in Canada on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the federal government to stop it from allowing companies to export military goods and technology to Israel. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court, argues that Canadian laws prevent military exports to Israel because there is "substantial risk" they could be used to violate international law and commit serious acts of violence against women and children, according to a statement from the applicants. Israel launched a ground and air assault on the Gaza Strip nearly five months ago in response to a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people. More than 30,000 people have been killed by Israel's assault. Since then Ottawa has authorized at least C$28.5 million ($21.0 million) worth of new permits for military exports to Israel, more than the value of such permits allowed in the previous year, the applicants said. The applicants include the Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights group, the Palestinian organization Al-Haq and four individuals. "Our policy on export permits has not changed. Canada has one of the strongest export controls systems in the world, and respect for human rights is enshrined in our export controls legislation," a spokesperson for the Global Affairs Canada department said in a written statement. "In recent years, the government has not received, and therefore not approved, any export permits for weapons to Israel. The permits issued since October 7th, and in fact all permits that are currently open, are for non-lethal equipment," the spokesperson said. NATO allies the United States and the Netherlands also face lawsuits over the Gaza war. Last month, a Dutch court ordered the government to block all exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel over concerns they were being used to violate international law. Israel's military campaign has prompted regular pro-Palestinian protests in major Canadian cities. Last week, demonstrators gathered at gun maker Colt Canada's facility in Kitchener, Ontario. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has consistently said Israel has the right to defend itself after the Hamas assault in October. Senior officials though have called for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the conflict. ($1 = 1.3596 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa, additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by David Ljunggren, Nia Williams and Michael Perry) FILE PHOTO: Head of the Roscosmos space corporation Yuri Borisov attends a State Committee meeting ahead of the planned launch of the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS), at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan Se MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia and China are considering putting a nuclear power plant on the moon from 2033-35, Yuri Borisov, the head of Russia's space agency Roscosmos said on Tuesday, something he said could one day allow lunar settlements to be built. Borisov, a former deputy defence minister, said that Russia and China had been jointly working on a lunar programme and that Moscow was able to contribute with its expertise on "nuclear space energy". "Today we are seriously considering a project - somewhere at the turn of 2033-2035 - to deliver and install a power unit on the lunar surface together with our Chinese colleagues," Borisov said. Solar panels would not be able to provide enough electricity to power future lunar settlements, he said, while nuclear power could. "This is a very serious challenge...it should be done in automatic mode, without the presence of humans," he said of the possible plan. Borisov spoke also of Russian plans to build a nuclear-powered cargo spaceship. He said all the technical questions concerning the project had been solved apart from finding a solution on how to cool the nuclear reactor. "We are indeed working on a space tugboat. This huge, cyclopean structure that would be able, thanks to a nuclear reactor and a high-power turbines...to transport large cargoes from one orbit to another, collect space debris and engage in many other applications," Borisov said. Russian officials have spoken before of ambitious plans to one day mine on the Moon, but the Russian space programme has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years. Its first moon mission in 47 years failed last year after Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft spun out of control and crashed. Moscow has said it will launch further lunar missions and then explore the possibility of a joint Russian-China crewed mission and even a lunar base. China said last month it aimed to put the first Chinese astronaut on the moon before 2030. Russian President Vladimir Putin last month dismissed a warning by the United States that Moscow planned to put nuclear weapons in space as false, saying it was a ploy to draw Russia into arms negotiations on the West's terms. (Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn) FILE PHOTO: The Toyota logo is pictured during the media day of the Salao do Automovel International Auto Show in Sao Paulo, Brazil November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker/File Photo SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Japanese auto maker Toyota officially announced on Tuesday an 11 billion real ($2.22 billion) investment in Brazil, saying it will be made in two parts by 2030, and include the output of a new vehicle specially designed for the country's costumers. Brazil's vice president and minister for industry, Geraldo Alckmin, had previously on Sunday unveiled Toyota's investment, but had not given details including its period extension. Toyota's CEO in Brazil, Evandro Maggio, told Reuters this is the first investment plan the automaker releases in the country, as until now it had been unveiling its investments project by project. From the 11 billion reais, Maggio said 5 billion reais are expected to be invested until 2026, and another 6 billion reais, which Toyota still not decided how to use, up to 2030. The automaker said in a statement it intends to build a new hybrid flex vehicle by 2025, and a car specially designed for the Brazilian market, without confirming a date. Toyota, which is latest global automaker to unveil plans for extra investment in Brazil this year, following companies such as Volkswagen, General Motors and Hyundai Motor, own three factories in the country, all located in Sao Paulo state. The investment plan also includes an expansion of its factories in the cities of Porto Feliz, which will start to build engines with hybrid systems by 2025, and Sorocaba, which will host batteries output starting in 2026. However, all the operations from its Indaiatuba unit will be transferred to Sorocaba between 2025 and 2026. Maggio said workers will be able to choose to migrate with the operations - the cities are an hour apart by car. The company did not say by how much its production capacity in the country will increase with the investments. ($1 = 4.9569 reais) (Reporting by Andre Romani; Editing by Steven Grattan and Marguerita Choy) FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the closing arguments in the Trump Organization civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., January 11, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Pho By Tim Reid (Reuters) - Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, according to a projection by Edison Research, ahead of a slew of contests known as Super Tuesday when he is expected to further strengthen his grip on the party's presidential nomination. In North Dakota former President Trump easily defeated Nikki Haley, his last remaining rival for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump is expected to dominate Tuesday's elections, when 15 states and one U.S. territory vote in the biggest day in the primary calendar. Former U.N. ambassador Haley won her first nominating contest on Sunday, the Washington, D.C., primary, but has no clear path to the nomination in a primary season where Trump has won the first eight contests and is expected to carry almost all the remaining races going forward. Trump is focused on a likely general election rematch in November with U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat. (Reporting by Tim Reid in Washington, editing by Ross Colvin and Deepa Babington) NAIROBI (Reuters) -A Cessna training aircraft collided with a passenger plane carrying 44 people above Kenya's capital Nairobi on Tuesday, killing the student and his trainer, police said. The passenger plane from local airline Safarilink, bound for the coastal resort town of Diani, had just taken off when it "experienced a loud bang", Safarilink said in a statement. It was able to turn back and land at Nairobi's Wilson Airport and there were no casualties aboard, the airline said. Nairobi county police commander Adamson Bugei told Reuters that a flight student and a trainer were killed aboard the smaller plane, without providing additional details. Photos of the crash site published by Kenyan media showed a small smashed-up plane lying in the tall grass of Nairobi National Park, a large wildlife reserve near Wilson Airport. The Safarilink plane was a Dash 8, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement, adding that investigations were under way. (Reporting by Humphrey MalaloWriting by Bhargav Acharya and Aaron Ross Editing by Alexander Winning and Nick Macfie) FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises above the area of Avdiivka town in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict, as seen from Yasynuvata (Yasinovataya) in the Donetsk region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko/File Photo (Reuters) - Ukraine's military said on Monday its forces had contained a Russian advance outside the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka captured last month, but Moscow's troops were regrouping in an area further south. The capture of Avdiivka last month provided Russia with a security cushion for the regional centre of Donetsk 20 km (12 miles) to the east and prompted Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to pledge that Moscow's forces would make further advances. Russia's defence ministry last week said its forces had captured new villages outside Avdiivka. Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy, speaking on national television, acknowledged that Russian forces were in partial control of two more villages -- but their advance had been halted. "At the same time, we are saying that in this hottest sector of the direct Russian assault, we are managing to stabilise the situation and the enemy's advance has been halted," he said. Speaking to U.S.-funded Radio Liberty, Lykhoviy said Russian forces were focusing on an area further south, around the village of Novomykhailivka, where they were "transferring reinforcements from the depths of Russia". The area had sustained 30 assaults on Sunday, compared to 20 near Avdiivka, the radio quoted him as saying. "But our defence is holding," he said. "The enemy is expending tremendous efforts but making no headway at all." An account of the fighting by the Russian defence ministry said Moscow's forces had "as a result of coordinated action continued to occupy more advantageous positions" near Avdiivka. It made no mention of the area near Novomykhailivka. Reuters could not verify accounts from either side. Russian forces have focused on securing control of eastern Ukraine in the two-year-old war after their initial attempt to advance on Kyiv failed. The capture of Avdiivka after months of fighting was their biggest gain in nine months, though the front lines have undergone only limited movement in that time. A Ukrainian counteroffensive has made little headway. Ukraine's Emergency Services reported that two firefighters had been killed near the eastern Ukrainian town of Kramatorsk -- north of Avdiivka -- when they came under Russian shelling while battling a blaze. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Sandra Maler) Head of Energoatom Petro Kotin assesses the level of danger of the situation at Zaporizhia NPP occupied by the Russian Federation from March 4, 2022 at 7-8 points on a ten-point scale due to the presence of several factors that negatively affect it and can provoke an accident. On a ten-point scale, I assess the situation at Zaporizhia NPP today at 7-8 points. However, tomorrow it could be more. The main problem is uncertainty and many factors that individually may not lead to an accident, but when taken together, he cumulative effect may work. This happened at Chornobyl nuclear power plant, at Fukushima. And then the Russians will say: how did this happen? And this happened because your equipment is degraded, you dont carry out repairs, the fuel exceeds the lifespan in the reactor, there is no personnel, no water, there is no external power supply, Kotin told reporters during an event dedicated to the second anniversary of the occupation of Zaporizhia NPP. According to him, the occupiers already understand that they will not receive any benefit from Zaporizhia NPP, because it is impossible to turn it on under such conditions. The station cannot be turned on, the units cannot be started, in particular due to the lack of water due to the loss of the Kakhovka reservoir, personnel, and communication lines, he explained. As for restoring the water supply, according to him, after the de-occupation of the station, it will be necessary to either fill the Kakhovka reservoir, or build pumping stations on the Dnipro bed and pull water to the station. But this is a very large amount of water. According to the most optimistic estimates, this will take at least six months, Kotin clarified. He also noted that the Russians could not reload fuel, the six-year life of which in the reactors is already expiring, although it is at the station. In order to reload it, you need to disassemble the reactors, gain access to it, and then carry out a very complex technological operation for reloading. This requires licensed personnel, who are not there now. There are personnel who have never done this, he described the situation. FILE PHOTO: The District of Columbia Court of Appeals is seen in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 1, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -A federal appeals court on Tuesday refused to hold five major technology companies liable over their alleged support for the use of child labor in cobalt mining operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a 3-0 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of Google parent Alphabet, Apple, Dell Technologies, Microsoft and Tesla, rejecting an appeal by former child miners and their representatives. The plaintiffs accused the five companies of joining suppliers in a "forced labor" venture by purchasing cobalt, which is used to make lithium-ion batteries that are widely used in electronics. Nearly two-thirds of the world's cobalt comes from the DRC. According to the complaint, the companies "deliberately obscured" their dependence on child labor, including many children pressured into work by hunger and extreme poverty, to ensure their growing need for the metal would be met. The 16 plaintiffs included representatives of five children who were killed in cobalt mining operations. But the appeals court said buying cobalt in the global supply chain did not amount to "participation in a venture" under a federal law protecting children and other victims of human trafficking and forced labor. Circuit Judge Neomi Rao said the plaintiffs had legal standing to seek damages, but did not show the five companies had anything more than a buyer-seller relationship with suppliers, or had power to stop the use of child labor. She added that many other parties are responsible for labor trafficking, including labor brokers, other cobalt consumers and the DRC government. "Without more specific allegations, the question is whether the tech companies' purchasing an unspecified amount of cobalt from a supply chain originating in DRC mines plausibly demonstrates 'participation in a venture' with anyone engaged in forced labor in that supply chain," Rao wrote. "We hold that it does not." Terry Collingsworth, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, in an email said his clients may appeal further, and could file new lawsuits if the companies' conduct met the court's test. The decision provides "a strong incentive to avoid any transparency with their suppliers, even as they promise the public they have 'zero tolerance' policies against child labor," he said. "We are far from finished seeking accountability." Dell said in a statement it was committed to upholding the human rights of workers throughout its supply chain, and has never knowingly sourced products made with child labor. Google had no immediate comment. Apple, Microsoft, Tesla and their respective lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. Tuesday's decision upheld a November 2021 dismissal by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington. The cobalt suppliers included Eurasian Resources Group, Glencore, Umicore and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, court papers show. None was named as a defendant. The case is Doe 1 et al v Apple Inc et al, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 21-7135. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis, Aurora Ellis and David Gregorio) FILE PHOTO: UnitedHealth Group's headquarters building is seen in Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S. in this handout picture taken in 2019. UnitedHealth Group/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo By Michael Erman NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. government said on Tuesday it will accelerate Medicare and Medicaid payments to some hospitals hurt by a hack at insurer UnitedHealth's technology unit Change Healthcare. The cyberattack on Change, disclosed on Feb.21, was perpetrated by hackers who identified themselves as the "Blackcat" ransomware group and has had a knock-on effect on players across the U.S. healthcare system. Disruptions triggered by the attack have impacted electronic pharmacy refills and insurance transactions. U.S. doctors' group the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) said the government support did not go far enough. "The magnitude of this moment deserves the same level of urgency and leadership our government has deployed to any national event of this scale before it. The measures announced today do not do that and are not an adequate whole of government response," Rick Pollack, President of the AHA said in an emailed statement. The AMA said the moves do not protect individual physician practices and urged the Biden administration "to go above and beyond what has been put in place and include financial assistance such as advanced payments for physicians." The groups called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make more widespread accelerated payments available - like those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic - amid cash flow concerns caused by an inability to submit claims and receive payments. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a division of the HHS, said hospitals may submit accelerated payment requests to the contractors who oversee their payments for individual consideration. CMS also encouraged Medicare Advantage plans to offer advance funding to providers most affected by the hack at Change and asked contractors to relax various requirements for compliance with Medicare rules. AHA's Pollack wrote in a letter sent on Monday that the temporary assistance program put in place by UnitedHealth last week was "not even a band-aid" on the payment problems caused by the hack, and called the terms of the program "shockingly onerous." UnitedHealth did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the letter from AHA. Change said last week it had enabled a new version of its ePrescribing service for all its customers, more than a week after it reported the hack. (Reporting by Michael Erman in New York and Pratik Jain; Editing by Devika Syamnath, Alison Williams and Nia Williams) FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen at the headquarters of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 29, 2020. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/ FILE PHOTO By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission on Monday said a government broadband internet subsidy program used by 23 million American households will run out of money in May and be shuttered without action by Congress. FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel told lawmakers in a letter that April is the last month participants will get the full subsidy, with partial subsidies expected in May. Congress previously allocated $17 billion to help lower-income families and people impacted by COVID-19 gain internet access through a $30 per month voucher to use toward internet service. "I believe we have come too far with the program to turn back and lose the gains we have made connecting so many households across the country," Rosenworcel said Monday. The FCC froze enrollment on Feb. 8 for new users. The White House in October asked for $6 billion to extend the program through December 2024 but Congress has not acted. The FCC says there is insufficient funding to support government subsidies beyond April. The White House says the program known as the Affordable Connectivity Program, helps current users save over $500 million per month on their internet bills. Verizon, Comcast and AT&T, have all called for Congress to extend the program. Bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Peter Welch, JD Vance, Jacky Rosen and Kevin Cramer would provide $7 billion for the program and similar legislation has been introduced in the House. The FCC cited a survey that if the program ends more than three-quarters of the households in the program "would experience service disruption or would have to change their existing plan or stop service altogether." (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Aurora Ellis) By Andrew Chung (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court acted unanimously when it sided with Donald Trump and prevented states from barring candidates for federal office from ballots based on a constitutional provision concerning insurrection. But despite the 9-0 outcome, the nation's highest judicial body clearly remained deeply divided, just as it has been in major cases in recent years on abortion, guns and federal agency powers, with justices differing on their reasoning in Monday's decision and sniping at each other over their choice of words. With another big case involving Trump just around the corner - arguments are set for next month in his claim of presidential immunity from prosecution - the nine justices are continuing to find unity elusive in the biggest legal questions they are asked to decide for a deeply polarized country. Four of the nine justices - its three liberal members and its newest member - disagreed with the rest of the court about decision, saying the outcome powered by five conservative justices went further than necessary. "There's definitely disagreement as to the reasoning behind the results," said Ohio State University election law expert Edward Foley. "The conclusion is there's more disagreement at the court than is desirable in a case involving the presidential election," Foley added. Colorado's top court found that the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment disqualified Trump, running to regain the presidency, from again holding public office and barred him from its ballot for Tuesday's Republican primary, finding he had engaged in an insurrection for his actions involving the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 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." Trump appealed the state court's ruling. The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, ruled in his favor. The court determined that only Congress can enforce the 14th Amendment's Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates. It ruled that barring state enforcement avoids a "patchwork" of candidates being declared ineligible in some states but not others. On that point all the justices agreed. 'CRYING OUT FOR JUDICIAL RESTRAINT' But liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, as well as conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in separate opinions faulted the other five justices for going further to specify that Section 3 can be enforced only through federal legislation. Given the profound partisan divisions in Congress, any such legislation is highly unlikely. Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson objected to the majority's "gratuitous" decision to resolve "much more than the case before us," shutting the door on other means of federal enforcement of Section 3. "It reaches out to decide Section 3 questions not before us, and to foreclose future efforts to disqualify a presidential candidate under that provision. In a sensitive case crying out for judicial restraint, it abandons that course," they wrote. Barrett agreed that the court went too far, but appeared to chastise the liberals for their choice of words, noting the volatile election year. "Particularly in this circumstance, writings on the court should turn the national temperature down, not up," Barrett wrote. 'SIGNAL OF UNANIMITY' "On the one hand, the court wants to send the signal of unanimity," George Mason University constitutional law professor Ilya Somin said. "On the other hand, there are these four justices who seem to have fairly significant reservations about at least some key aspects of the majority's ruling." Somin said he was disappointed the justices did not delve into tricky questions that the Colorado Supreme Court tackled, including its conclusion that the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack was an insurrection and that Trump took part. The ruling probably will not change any opinions among Americans, Somin said. "People who think that Jan. 6 was an insurrection and that Trump was responsible - this ruling certainly won't change their mind about that," Somin said. "And people who think the opposite, they will continue to think that as well." Mario Nicolais, a lawyer for the four Republican and two independent voters who challenged Trump's eligibility in Colorado, said the Supreme Court should not have ignored Trump's conduct. "It was a serious thing that happened on Jan. 6 and the Supreme Court chose to issue a 13-page opinion reversing on a technicality," Nicolais added. Nicolais noted that the Supreme Court resolved his clients' challenge in favor of Trump with unusual speed, but has dragged out its consideration of Trump's claim of presidential immunity from prosecution in a way that further delayed his trial on charges involving attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss. "The U.S. Supreme Court has more so inserted itself into the politics of our country than it ever has at any point in time, and that's happened over the last week," Nicolais said. Nicolais criticized the court for "kicking the can" to Congress, and leaving it unclear as to what actions lawmakers could take to keep an insurrectionist out of office. "I think that just sets up a ticking time bomb," Nicolais said. "They've set up a constitutional crisis for the future." (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) CAIRO (Reuters) - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis carried out a military operation in which they targeted two U.S. warship destroyers in the Red Sea, the group's military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a televised speech on Tuesday. He said the ships were targeted with a number of naval missiles and drones. Houthis' Red Sea attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa, and stoked fears that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to destabilise the wider Middle East. Houthi militants have repeatedly launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping since mid-November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel's military actions in Gaza. (Reporting by Yomna Ehab and Adam Makary; Editing by Sandra Maler) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. __)* BRERA HOLDINGS PLC (Name of Issuer) Class B Ordinary Shares, $0.005 nominal value per share (Title of Class of Securities) G13311108 (CUSIP Number) Christopher P. Gardner c/o Brera Holdings PLC Connaught House, 5th Floor One Burlington Road Dublin 4 D04 C5Y6 Ireland +1 312 402 0800 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) February 26, 2024 (Date of Event which Requires Filing of This Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. * The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). Page 2 of 5 pages CUSIP No. G13311108 1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS Christopher P. Gardner 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) (b) 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS PF, OO 5. CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: 7. SOLE VOTING POWER 300,000(1) 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 0 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 300,000(1) 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 300,000(1) 12. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 6.7%(2) 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN (1) Consists of (i) 250,000 class B ordinary shares, $0.005 nominal value per share (Class B Ordinary Shares) and (ii) 50,000 Class B Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of an option of which 16,667 shares subject to the option have vested and are exercisable within 60 days of February 26, 2024. (2) The calculation assumes that there was a total of 4,510,000 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding as of February 26, 2024, which is the sum of (i) the 4,460,000 Class B Ordinary Shares outstanding as of February 26, 2024, and (ii) the 50,000 Class B Ordinary Shares issuable upon exercise of an option of which 16,667 shares subject to the option have vested and are exercisable within 60 days of February 26, 2024 by the Reporting Person (as defined below). Page 3 of 5 pages CUSIP No. G13311108 Item 1. Security and Issuer. This Schedule 13D (this Schedule 13D) relates to the Class B Ordinary Shares of Brera Holdings PLC, an Irish public limited company (the Issuer). The Issuer has its principal executive offices at Connaught House, 5th Floor, One Burlington Road, Dublin 4, D04 C5Y6, Ireland. Item 2. Identity and Background. (a) This Schedule 13D is being filed by Christopher P. Gardner, an individual (the Reporting Person) . (b) The principal business address of the Reporting Person is c/o Brera Holdings PLC, Connaught House, 5th Floor, One Burlington Road, Dublin 4, D04 C5Y6, Ireland. (c) The Reporting Persons principal occupation or employment is as an investment banker, institutional financial advisor and author. The Reporting Person serves as Senior Managing Director at Sutter Securities, Inc. The Reporting Person also serves as a director on the board of directors of the Issuer. (d) During the last five years, the Reporting Person has not been convicted in any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors). (e) During the last five years, the Reporting Person has not been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. (f) The Reporting Person is a citizen of the United States. Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. On February 26, 2024, the Reporting Person was granted a restricted share award under the Brera Holdings PLC 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) for 100,000 Class B Ordinary Shares for no consideration. Prior acquisitions not previously reported pursuant to Regulation 13D consist of the following: On September 21, 2022, the Reporting Person purchased 50,000 Class B Ordinary Shares pursuant to a share subscription letter by and between the Reporting Person and the Issuer, dated as of September 21, 2022 (the September 2022 Subscription Letter), for $250. The source of funding for the purchase of the Class B Ordinary Shares was the personal funds of the Reporting Person. The foregoing description of the share subscription letter does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the September 2022 Subscription Letter attached hereto as Exhibit 1. On November 11, 2022, the Reporting Person purchased 100,000 Class B Ordinary Shares pursuant to a share subscription letter by and between the Reporting Person and the Issuer, dated as of November 11, 2022 (the November 2022 Subscription Letter), for $500. The source of funding for the purchase of the Class B Ordinary Shares were the personal funds of the Reporting Person. The foregoing description of the share subscription letter does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the November 2022 Subscription Letter attached hereto as Exhibit 2. On February 2, 2023, the Reporting Person was granted a share option under the Plan to purchase 50,000 Class B Ordinary Shares, which vest over a three (3) year period at a rate of 1/3 per year beginning on January 26, 2024, subject to continued service through each vesting date, of which 16,667 Class B Ordinary Shares subject to the share option have vested or will vest within 60 days of February 26, 2024. The share option has a seven-year term and an exercise price of $2.00. Item 4. Purpose of Transaction. The Reporting Persons acquisitions of Class B Ordinary Shares reported on this Schedule 13D were for investment purposes. On January 26, 2023, the Reporting Person was elected as a director of the Issuer, and in such capacity may have influence over the corporate activities of the Issuer, including activities which may relate to items described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. Page 4 of 5 pages CUSIP No. G13311108 Except as disclosed in this Item, the Reporting Person does not have any current plans or proposals which relate to or would result in any of the events described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. The Reporting Person, however, expects to evaluate on a continuing basis his goals and objectives, other business opportunities available to him and may change his plans or proposals in the future. In determining from time to time whether to sell the securities reported as beneficially owned in this Schedule 13D (and in what amounts) or to retain such securities, the Reporting Person will take into consideration such factors as he deems relevant, including the business and prospects of the Company, anticipated future developments concerning the Company, existing and anticipated market conditions from time to time, general economic conditions, regulatory matters, and other opportunities available to the Reporting Person. In addition, the Reporting Person may, from time to time, transfer shares beneficially owned by him for tax, estate or other economic planning purposes. The Reporting Person reserves the right to acquire additional securities of the Issuer in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions (which may be with the Issuer or with third parties) or otherwise, to dispose of all or a portion of his holdings of securities of the Issuer or to change his intention with respect to any or all of the matters referred to in this Item 4. Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer. (a) and (b) The information contained in rows 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 on the cover page of this Schedule 13D (including the footnotes thereto) is incorporated by reference into this Item 5. (c) The information provided in response to Item 3 and Item 4 hereof is incorporated by reference into this Item 5(c). Except as described in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Person has not effected any transactions in the Class B Ordinary Shares during the past 60 days. (d) No person other than the Reporting Person is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the Class B Ordinary Shares held by the Reporting Person. (e) Not applicable. Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer. The information provided in response to Item 3 and Item 4 hereof is incorporated by reference into this Item 6. Other than the relationships described above, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings, or relationships (legal or otherwise) between the Reporting Person and any other persons with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any of the securities, finders fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies. Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits. Page 5 of 5 pages CUSIP No. G13311108 SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: March 4, 2024 /s/ Christopher P. Gardner Christopher P. Gardner ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS SHARE SUBSCRIPTION LETTER, DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 SHARE SUBSCRIPTION LETTER, DATED NOVEMBER 11, 2022 Sgt. Mitch Thompson, a unit supply specialist assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, greets his newborn daughter for the first time, at Fort Carson, Colo., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. While Thompson was deployed to Korea for a nine-month training rotation, his child was born, waiting to meet him when he returned home. (Katie Freitas/U.S. Army) The Armys Mountain Warriors are once again home in the mountains of Colorado. The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division received a warm welcome from friends and family at Fort Carson during an uncasing and welcome home ceremony Tuesday. The soldiers returned from a nine-month training deployment to South Korea, during which time they trained with Republic of Korea soldiers, according to the divisions public affairs office. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment from Fort Cavazos, Texas, replaced the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team in February. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment is a combined-arms unit from the III Armored Corps that can act as a reconnaissance and security force or as a Stryker combat team, according to the Armys website. The U.S. plans to maintain an active-duty force of roughly 28,500 personnel in South Korea under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the annual Pentagon policy and spending bill. Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division reunite with family members at Fort Carson, Colo., Tuesday, March, 5, 2024, after a nine-month deployment to South Korea. After a briefing by Maj. Gen. David Doyle, the commanding general of 4th Infantry Division, soldiers were released to their families. (Katie Freitas/U.S. Army) Friends and family of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division soldiers watch as their Mountain Warrior soldiers stand in formation at a welcome-home and uncasing ceremony at Fort Carson, Colo., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Katie Freitas/U.S. Army) Col. Keith Benedict, commander of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Cobb, senior enlisted advisor for 2SBCT, unfurl the brigade colors during an uncasing and welcome home ceremony at Fort Carson, Colo., Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Katie Freitas/U.S. Army) Maj. Gen. David Doyle, the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, celebrates the completion of a successful nine-month rotation to South Korea for 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team during a short speech at Fort Carson, Colo., Tuesday, March. 5, 2024. (Katie Freitas/U.S. Army) David Franklin Slater, a retired Army officer who was working in a civilian capacity at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraka, transmitted classified information on the war in Ukraine via a foreign dating website, federal prosecutors said March 4, 2024, in announcing charges against Slater. (Offutt Air Force Base/Facebook) A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel is accused of leaking classified information about Russias war against Ukraine via text messages on an unspecified foreign dating website, according to the Justice Department. David Franklin Slater, 63, attended classified briefings as part of his work at U.S. Strategic Command and then sent secrets from them to a person who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine, prosecutors said Monday in a statement. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the charges, which include one count of conspiracy to disclose sensitive information and two counts of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The indictment was filed in U.S. district court in Omaha, Neb., on Feb. 21 and did not identify the alleged co-conspirator. Slater retired from the Army in 2020 and took a job as a civilian employee for the Air Force. He worked in a classified area at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska from August 2021 until April 2022, the indictment said. The base is the home of STRATCOM and contains some of the militarys most sensitive information networks. The person who prosecutors say plied Slater for information referred to him as her secret informant love and secret agent, according to court filings. Slater received messages such as Beloved Dave, do NATO and (U.S. President Joe) Biden have a secret plan to help us? and Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant surprise for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin! Will you tell me? In response, Slater sent classified assessments of Russian military capabilities and the travel plans of U.S. officials visiting Ukraine, the indictment said. One message on April 14, 2022, thanked Slater for valuable information about two U.S. officials going to Kyiv. That was the day the first U.S. delegation of Republicans Sen. Steve Daines of Montana and Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana visited Ukraine. Slater is scheduled for his first court appearance Tuesday, court documents said. He began speaking with the co-conspirator via emails and texts around the time of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to prosecutors. The co-conspirator would ask Slater questions about what he saw at classified briefings, the indictment said. A March 11 message said, Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting. Another on April 21 said, You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, Im sure there is a lot of interesting news there? Other messages appeared to thank Slater for providing information. One sent April 12 said, Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great! Slaters arrest Saturday came hours after Massachusetts Air Force National Guard member Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty to leaking U.S. secrets about the Russia-Ukraine war on the social media platform Discord. The atrium of C2F, US Strategic Commands new command and control facility at Offutt AFB in Neb., is seen before its dedication ceremony in honor of General Curtis E. LeMay Nov. 18, 2019. The Justice Department says a civilian U.S. Air Force employee has been charged in federal court in Nebraska with transmitting classified information about Russias war with Ukraine on a foreign online dating platform. (Nati Harnik/AP) OMAHA, Neb. A former Air Force employee and retired Army lieutenant colonel pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he shared classified information about Russias war with Ukraine on a foreign dating site. David Franklin Slater was in court in Omaha Tuesday afternoon three days after the 63-year-old was arrested. Slater, whose gray hair was closely cropped, briefly answered Magistrate Judge Michael Nelsons questions during the initial hearing. The federal public defender who represented Slater at the hearing didnt comment about the case, but Nelson ordered Slater to hire his own attorney after reviewing financial information including details of several rental homes Slater owns in Nebraska along with a property in Germany. The indictment against Slater gives examples of the messages he was responding to in early 2022 from an unindicted co-conspirator who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. Some of the inquiries investigators found in emails and on the online messaging platform of the dating site were: Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting. Another one was: Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant surprise for Putin! Will you tell me? The messages prosecutors cited in the indictment suggest Slater was sharing some information: 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? Prosecutors said Slater shared information about military targets on March 28, 2022 and also gave out details about Russian military capabilities on April 13, 2022. The indictment says that Slater shared classified information between February and April of 2022 while he was attending briefings about the war at the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base. He worked there from August 2021 to April 2022 after retiring from the Army at the end of 2020. Judge Nelson confirmed during the hearing that Slater no longer has any access to classified information, but prosecutors didnt share details of why his employment ended. Nelson agreed to release Slater Wednesday on the condition that he surrenders his passport and submits to GPS monitoring and restrictions to remain in Nebraska. He will also be allowed to use only a phone connected to the internet as long as authorities can monitor his activities on it. An MQ-4C Triton drone taxis at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in August 2023. A new Triton detachment was inaugurated Saturday at NAS Sigonella on the Italian island of Sicily. (U.S. Navy) NAPLES, Italy The Navy is boosting its intelligence capabilities in Europe and Africa with a contingent operating its newest high-altitude surveillance drone recently deployed to Sicily. The services only unmanned patrol squadron, or VUP-19, celebrated the deployment of a detachment to Naval Air Station Sigonella and the opening of an MQ-4C Triton drone hangar Saturday, a base statement the same day said. The Navy didnt say how many personnel were assigned to the detachment or whether it was operational yet. Its also unclear if any of the drones were assigned to the base. VUP-19 is homeported at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport in Florida. NAS Sigonellas location in the Mediterranean enables deployment of P-8 Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft throughout the theater, supporting U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. That makes the addition of the Triton a strategic win because it augments the capabilities of P-8 Poseidon detachments, Capt. Aaron Shoemaker, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, said in the statement. Designed to complement the P-8 Poseidon, the Triton can conduct multi-intelligence operations as well as support signals intelligence and search and rescue and communications relay, according to manufacturer Northrop Grumman. In September, VUP-19 returned to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for continued refinements in tactics, techniques and procedures so it could be eased into operations in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Andersen also has a VUP-19 detachment. With the war in Ukraine, Russian threats in the Baltic Sea and the impacts of the Israel-Hamas war in the eastern Mediterranean, there is greater focus on the European theater now than at any time since the Cold War. In addition, the Navy partners with African nations to combat extremist militants and protect sea lanes. The U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations covers half of the Atlantic Ocean, from the Arctic Ocean to the coast of Antarctica, including all of Europe and Russia and most of Africa. The drone is built to operate above 50,000 feet and can fly for more than 24 hours at a time, according to the Navy. It can survey 4 million nautical miles in a single 24-hour mission, Northrop said in a statement last year. Since 2017, Northrop has received more than $600 million in Navy contracts to produce and modify the Triton, which has a 20-year lifespan. Each one costs $32.8 million per year to support and operate. Tritons have been deployed to the Indo-Pacific region since achieving early operational capacity in May 2020, according to Northrop. The drone also is used by the Australian air force. The European Commission proposes to hold a Defence Industry Forum with Ukraine in 2024. A corresponding proposal is spelled out in the European Defence Industrial Strategy, which, together with another document, the European Defence Investment Programme, was approved at a meeting of the Board of the European Commission on Tuesday in Brussels, a senior European official told reporters. The official said in this strategy, the European Commission is also studying in detail how to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine, including in the defence industry. According to him, one of the proposals that they have developed is to hold the Defence Industry Forum with Ukraine later this year. The senior official said the strategies are primarily concerned with strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. The document has a section dedicated to partnership; and there is no other partner except Ukraine, which receives so much space and attention in this strategy, he said. The official also noted a legal point where there is a difference between Ukraine or a member state, or even between Ukraine and Norway, which is an associate member state, but in his opinion, that within the existing legal restrictions the Commission has gone as far as legally possible, integrating Ukraine into these programs. According to a high-ranking official, according to the approved documents, Ukraine has the right to participate in the program as a quasi-member state (almost a member of the EU). He said Ukraine is indeed, de facto, a quasi-member state of the EU and can actually participate in quite a few activities that are provided by the new instruments. According to the official, this is the first element, Ukraine can also receive some funding. There are many, many measures that are aimed at ensuring that Ukraine also participates in innovation: for example, the announcement of the opening of an innovative office in Kyiv is a sign of ambition, to unite with Ukrainians to do much more, the journalists' interlocutor said. The guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn sails through the Taiwan Strait, March 10, 2021. (Jason Waite/U.S. Navy) The USS John Finn on Tuesday completed the second reported transit of the Taiwan Strait by a U.S. warship so far this year. The guided-missile destroyer made a south-to-north passage, a routine transit of the 110-mile-wide waterway separating mainland China from self-governing Taiwan, according to a 7th Fleet news release that afternoon. Navy ships use the strait to move between the East and South China seas. The transit occurred in a corridor where all nations enjoy high-seas freedoms of navigation, overflight, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea, according to the release. China asserts sovereignty over Taiwan as a breakaway province that must eventually reunite with the motherland. It also claims jurisdiction over the strait, although even warships have the right of innocent passage in territorial waters under the international law of the sea. On Jan. 24, the John Finn made the first Taiwan Strait passage of the year by an American naval vessel. Chinas Eastern Theater Command condemned the destroyers January transit as provocative in a news release on the China Military website. No statement about Tuesdays passage was immediately available. U.S. military ships and aircraft transited the strait at least 11 times last year, a slight increase over nine in 2022. The John Finns transit took place the same day that Chinese coast guard vessels and accompanying ships blocked and maneuvered against two Philippine coast guard ships in the South China Sea, according to The Associated Press. The confrontation resulted in a minor collision between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships, said the report citing Philippine coast guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela. He did not identify the location, but Philippine and Chinese coast guard ships have squared off over Philippine attempts to resupply an outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, west of the Philippine island of Palawan. The U.S. and Philippine navies and air forces held a series of drills together last month in the South China Sea. In Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is scheduled to convene in Melbourne, where territorial disputes are expected to be part of the agenda, according to AP. Holocaust survivor Erzsebet Barsony and her son, Ervin Fenyes, in 1943 in Budapest. (U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum/Centropa) Erzsebet Barsony and her son, Ervin Fenyes, had been packed in a cattle car for three days en route to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. It was July 12, 1944, and very hot. They had no food or water, only their clothes. The police had taken Erzsebets wedding ring and Ervins shoes back in Budapest, where they were rounded up. She was 35. He was 15. He stood over 6 feet tall and played the violin. She kept telling him to sit down in the jammed car so he would take up less room. When they arrived, they were immediately separated, as were tens of thousands who went through the same ordeal. I was standing there with my emotions numbed, she recalled. Suddenly, Ervin appeared at her side. He had left his place to say goodbye. Tearfully, he hugged and kissed her, and told her not to worry. Mom, youll see, well meet again. They never did. When she told this story in her apartment in Budapest about 60 years later, Erzsebet Barsony was a frail, white-haired woman of 96. Her interviewers said she spent most of her time in her rocking chair with her cat, Mici, in her lap, sitting beneath a photograph of Ervin in a black frame. She died shortly afterward, in 2005. Now her account and thousands of other personal histories and photographs have been added to the collection of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, museum officials said. A wedding picture of Erzsebet Barsony and her first husband, Mor Fenyes, taken in Budapest in 1928. (U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum/Centropa) Late last year, the museum finalized the acquisition of the archive of Centropa, a nonprofit founded in Vienna and Budapest in 2000 to gather and preserve the life stories of elderly Jews, mostly in Central and Eastern Europe, the officials said. The Centropa archive includes 25,000 digitized family photographs and documents, and 45,000 pages of interviews in 11 languages. More than 1,200 people were interviewed in 20 countries. Not specifically a Holocaust project, the archive portrays local Jewish life before, during and after the World War II murder by Nazi Germany and its allies of about 6 million Jews. This brings to the fore voices, perspectives, experiences that are not always at the center of the discussion when it comes to Holocaust history, Zachary Paul Levine, director of the Holocaust Museums Archival and Curatorial Affairs Division, said in a recent interview. Its an incredible amount of information a major addition to the museums collection of records of the Holocaust, he said. The museum declined to say what it paid for the archive, but Levine said the amount covered the value of the material and some of the work that went into gathering it. He said the museum plans to have the archive available on its website this spring. It is also available on Centropas website. That website gets about 250,000 visitors per year. The Holocaust museums website gets about 36 million. Many of the Centropa stories, like most from the Holocaust, are heartbreaking. In addition to her son, Erzsebet Barsony lost her husband and her parents as well as her older brother, his wife and their 6-year-old son. She barely survived. I got home with nothing but the clothes on me, she remembered. Strangers lived in my house. My only desire was to die. Katarina Lofflerova, who survived Auschwitz and also lost her husband and her parents, recalled encountering a former classmate in their hometown of Bratislava, then in Czechoslovakia, after the war. Lofflerova, who was 94 when she was interviewed, remembered that her former classmate, as a Nazi operative helping to round up Jews, had pointed a machine gun at her and threatened to shoot when she asked for a drink of water for her ailing mother. When she spotted him after the war, he tried to elude her. But she chased him down. He gave her a strange smile. You dirty, lowest of killers, she said to him. Villainous trash. Then she slapped him and knocked off his glasses, which broke when they hit the ground. He didnt say a word, just stood there, like a petrified statue, she said. But as she walked away, she began to cry. Even though she had seen awful things in the camps, she felt remorse that she had struck another living being, she said. She recalled another incident after the war when she applied for permission to attend a funeral in Austria. A government official came to her home and reviewed a form she had filled out. She had put marks beside the names of her parents. What were the marks for, the official asked. To point out that her parents had died in Auschwitz, she said. Anybody can say that, he replied. Maybe in the meantime, theyre living in America and things are going great there for them. She was furious. She stood up and said, Get out! Her parents were martyrs, she told him. Get out! The official looked terrified. He thought I might beat him up or I dont know what, she recalled. He hurried out of the apartment, leaving his hat. She picked it up and threw it after him. Survivor Anna Lanota recalled being holed up in a house in Warsaws Old Town neighborhood, printing the Polish resistance newspaper on Aug. 26, 1944. The bloody Warsaw Uprising against Nazi Germanys occupation was underway. She was pregnant and was still recovering from a bullet wound in a foot, accidentally inflicted by a comrade. She carried a gun and had a fake ID. She was 29. She had studied psychology in college and had worked with mentally disabled children. She read Adolf Hitlers antisemitic manifesto, Mein Kampf, and couldnt comprehend it. We thought he was a bit crazy, she recalled. Her husband, Edward, a member of the resistance whom the Germans were after, was in another room. They had been married about two years. He called her Hania. The Nazis, who had occupied Poland since 1939, had been pounding Old Town for days trying to crush the uprising. Right at the start my husband said to me, There wont be victory here, only defeat, she told her interviewer in 2004 when she was almost 90. But it didnt occur to us not to fight. To fight the Germans was happiness. As she worked on the newspaper, a bomb with a time-delay fuse crashed into the house. Hania! her husband called out. Im here, she said. A comrade grabbed her and threw her through a hole in the wall out onto the street as the bomb exploded, killing him and her husband, and wounding her. She was taken to a basement hospital and patched up. She and others in her group escaped through the sewers as rats skittered by and the Germans dropped grenades through the manholes. Several months later, her daughter, Malgorzata, was born. Centropa the Central Europe Center for Research and Documentation was established by Edward Serotta, 74, an American author, photographer and filmmaker now based in Vienna. He had relocated from Atlanta to Budapest in his 30s to pursue journalism. He said he became fascinated by the stories told by elderly Jews, many of whom had lived through World War I, World War II, the Holocaust and communism. He said he wound up spending more and more time on projects, interviewing survivors in their kitchens and living rooms, hearing stories and looking at yellowed photographs. He said he thought: Who collects stuff like this? He decided he would. He assembled interviewers who helped identify candidates and then would visit them and record their oral histories. The recordings were transcribed, and old family photos were copied and digitized. The project was funded by foundations and several European governments. It became a lifelong endeavor. But as time passed, he said, I wanted to make sure, at my age, that there would be a permanent home, that this archive and stories would live in perpetuity. He had trouble getting other people interested, because the archive was unusual. I went to one library and museum after another and just couldnt find the interest, he said. Meanwhile, Levine started working at the Holocaust Museum in June 2020. He and Serotta had met when Levine was a graduate student living in Budapest. Levine had used the Centropa archive and did some editing for the project. He heard that Serotta was trying to find a permanent home for the archive and that the museum was discussing it. Fairly quickly, the stars started to align, where we could have the conversation about adding this material to the collection, Levine said. Levine said his grandparents, who were Holocaust survivors from Poland, used to say: Theres nothing back there. Its all gone. But these communities didnt stop, he said. They put pieces together so they could have a life. (Bruce McIlhaney/Stars and Stripes) Dak To, South Vietnam, March 11, 1968: An artillery piece at Fire Support Base 25 overlooks the Cambodian border of Vietnam. The base was one of many hilltop FSBs that were around Dak To. Together with the men from the surrounding FSBs, the men of FSB 25 Company A, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Division and 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery Division covered the whole Dak To Bowl, the small, unnamed valley in which Dak To is located. FSB 25 came under an intense mortar, rocket and ground attack Jan. 31, in which nine men of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Division were wounded. Looking for Stars and Stripes coverage of the Vietnam War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/. Treehouse Point, a collection of seven rentable treehouses in Issaquah, near Fall City, Wash., is neighbored by the Raging River about 30 minutes east of Seattle. This treehouse is known as Bonbibi. (Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times/TNS) The drive to Treehouse Point, half an hour east of Seattle, takes you through a forest fit for hobbits, crowded full of fir, spruce, cedar, maple and hemlock. Alongside the Raging River yes, thats its name you get to a gate, punch in the secret code and enter a realm where its perfectly normal to sleep in a tree, surrounded by clever carpentry and birdsong. Its a treehouse hotel, with seven elevated perches spread among the greenery. Like a Douglas fir in rich soil, Treehouse Point has been growing for 19 years, propelled in part by creator Pete Nelsons fame as a treehouse designer and the former host of Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet. The propertys treehouses, each unique and uniquely named, are priced at $325 to $625 a night, breakfast included. Five have water-flush toilets and sinks aboard. The Upper Pond unit has a composting toilet and the Bonbibi unit relies on access to the bathhouses toilets and showers. Now that Ive spent a rainy winter night in one of the treehouses, I can tell you that this setting was spectacular and the room was snug as a lumberjacks lunch box. (And later, I learned why it made me feel like I was in a cabin on a ship.) The story of these treehouses begins in the mid-1960s in Ridgewood, N.J. where 7-year-old Pete Nelsons father put up a backyard treehouse. Years later, after meeting his wife-to-be, Judy, at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nelson set about building a treehouse himself. Then another. Treehouses, Pete Nelson wrote later, speak in an ancient language and the message is universal: Climb up and be in harmony with nature. By 1994, he had published Treehouses: The Art and Craft of Living Out on a Limb, a coffee-table book. How could Peter Nelsons Treehouses fail to please? wrote L.A. Times reviewer Tobi Tobias. Its subject is immediately attractive, with its implications of escape and fantasy. Several similar volumes have followed. Pete and Judy Nelson bought the Treehouse Point property in Fall City in 2005, beginning with four largely raw riverside acres. The first treehouse, Temple of the Blue Moon, was completed in 2006. Since then, despite early tangles with King County building inspectors and the economic slump of 2008, the Nelsons have built seven treehouses, a central lodge (with a guest bedroom), an event space (with a shower and toilet) and a bathhouse, neighbored by a pond and a wedding lawn. The most recent unit, Ananda, was built in 2021 to be wheelchair accessible. Theres also a path down to the rivers edge, where you could try to skip a stone or just marvel at the lichen-swaddled tree trunks leaning over the fast water. The most popular units? Temple of the Blue Moon, followed by Ananda. The most affordable treehouse? That would be my room, Bonbibi, named for a Bangladeshi goddess of the forest. As I approached its spiral staircase on a short path through the forest, I encountered a tour group, dazzled and beaming after a stroll to the river. Youre staying overnight? one of the visitors asked me, envy in every syllable. At the top of Bonbibis stairs, I found a 9- by-12-foot room affixed to the broad trunk of a western red cedar. Below, theres an outdoors sitting area with a pair of chairs. Once youve stepped inside, theres a queen bed, plenty of electricity, a coffee maker, several big windows with white curtains and just about everything youd expect in an upscale hotel. Bonbibi, which is named for a Bangladeshi goddess of the forest, has a queen bed, plenty of electricity, a coffee maker and several big windows with white curtains but no bathroom of its own. It relies on access to the bathhouses toilets and showers. Five other treehouses have water-flush toilets and sinks aboard. The Upper Pond unit has a composting toilet. (Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times/TNS) Those amenities include a relatively quiet heating-air conditioning unit. Still, for much of the night, I turned it off because the temperature was stable and the sounds of the river, rain and forest, with no hum at all, were irresistible. Its probably not a coincidence that TreeHouse Point has grown along with the Nelsons fame. With partners, the Nelsons now have a hand in three other treehouse getaways: Treehouse Utopia in the Texas Hill Country ; the Woods Maine in Norway, Maine; and Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek Resort in Gatlinburg, Tenn. In addition, through Nelson Treehouse & Suppy, Pete Nelson spends much of his time designing and building treehouses nationwide. Meanwhile, it turns out that many brides and grooms love the idea of spending their wedding nights in a tree. TreeHouse Point has evolved into a busy wedding venue, hosting 80 or more ceremonies per year up to four a week, said general manager Bree Monahan. (Neither of the Nelsons, who travel often, was on hand during my visit.) For nonwedding guests, theres usually a two-night minimum. (Sunday nights are a good bet if you want to sidestep that.) Treehouse Point doesnt allow guests under age 16 or pets. In order to preserve privacy for guests, management doesnt allow check-ins before 4 p.m. or check-outs after 11 a.m., or drop-in visits by curious passersby. There are, however, yoga classes on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, and visitors can book midday tours, typically an hour for $35. There probably wont be any new treehouses coming along, Monahan said, because the operation has reached its maximum number of permitted lodgings. Its a fascinating place to prowl, almost ridiculously photogenic. I couldnt enter any units other than my own, but to me, the architectural star of the show is Trillium, a two-level wonder with 80 window panes, all clinging to the ample trunk of a western red cedar. It was completed in 2009. The architectural star of Treehouse Point is Trillium, shown here, a two-level wonder with 80 windowpanes, all clinging to the ample trunk of a western red cedar. It was completed in 2009. (Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times/TNS) Later, I learned that my room, Bonbibi, started out as a 2010 treehouse-building workshop project an elevated gazebo, built in five days, including a ships ladder, the interior finished with marine spar varnish. When the Nelsons expanded it into an overnight lodging in 2012, they replaced the ships ladder with the spiral stairs. But the upstairs still feels, as Nelson has written, like a state room in a 1930s lake-boat cruiser. This is, however, a state room with a shared bathroom. When nature called me in the wee hours, I was obliged to descend the 20 steps of that spiral staircase in the rain, then take another 20 steps to the shared toilets and showers of the neighboring bathhouse. At moments like this, its good to have a fully charged phone/flashlight. (Its also good to be unimpressed by stories of Bigfoot.) If Id spent $50 more for a different unit, Id have had an immediately accessible toilet. But I slept well. And waking up that moment of remembering where I was made me smile. Snoqualmie Falls, about 30 minutes outside Seattle, is neighbored by the Salish Lodge, now owned by the Snoqualmie tribe. You can eat dinner at the historic hotel and restaurant. (Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times/TNS) Breakfast was a buffet in the lodge, which is a pleasantly woodsy home with a big fireplace, Wi-Fi (which is unavailable in the treehouses) and bookshelves full of volumes on trees and treehouses. And there was plenty of time before checkout for a little reading and another walk down to the rivers edge. If you go Treehouse Point is at 6922 Preston-Fall City Road SE, Issaquah, near Fall City, Wash. Once you get onto the Treehouse Point property, you wont want to leave. But theres no restaurant on the site. So youll need to head back out for dinner or bring a picnic. In coming weeks, Monahan said, she hopes to introduce more food options (perhaps charcuterie boards) to go with the drinks, beers and wines offered in the lodges specialty shop. If you go out for dinner, the fanciest nearby option is the Salish Lodge, a historic hotel and restaurant above Snoqualmie Falls, about 15 minutes away. The most rustic alternative is the Last Frontier Saloon in Fall City, about five minutes from Treehouse Point. Having had lunch at the lodge (tasty chowder) and a midafternoon beer at the saloon (spicy banter), I met friends for a satisfying dinner at Well & Table, a pleasant locavore restaurant (main dishes $18 to $39) thats 15 minutes away in Issaquah. A courtroom sketch shows former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, seated center at the defense table, turning to look at prospective jurors in Federal court, in New York, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, during the jury selection process at the start of his trial. (Elizabeth Williams via AP) NEW YORK Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez took the witness stand in his defense at his New York trial on Tuesday, denying that he teamed up with drug dealers to protect them in return for millions of dollars in bribes. His testimony in Manhattan federal court came after several days of testimony by drug cartel traffickers who are hoping to earn leniency from long prison sentences in exchange for their cooperation against him. They claimed he protected the drug trade in return for millions of dollars that helped fuel his rise to power. But Hernandez said the opposite, testifying that he worked against the interest of drug traffickers because they did a lot of damage to my country. Prosecutors say Hernandez, who served as president from 2014 to 2022, used his Central American nations military and police to help drug dealers move cocaine through the country on its way to America. In the U.S., he was often viewed by Democratic and Republican administrations as beneficial to American interests in the region. Hernandez denied helping drug traffickers or accepting bribes and cast himself as a crusader against drug trafficking who did everything he could to help the United States in its pursuit of drug dealers, including by extraditing about two dozen individuals. I said any request of extradition by the United States was to be granted, Hernandez said. Hernandez was asked by a defense lawyer whether he ever accepted bribes or offered protection to several drug cartels or drug traffickers mentioned repeatedly at the trial that began two weeks ago. He insisted he did not. And, in regards to one witness who testified that he trafficked in tens of millions of dollars worth of drugs while Hernandez served as a mayor in Honduras, Hernandez said he did not promise to protect him from prosecution if he agreed not to run for another term as mayor amid headlines outing him as a drug dealer. Never, Hernandez said through an interpreter. At one point, he was asked if one cartel wanted to assassinate him. I was warned of that by the FBI, sir, he responded. On cross examination, a prosecutor took Hernandez to task over photographs, including one in which the arm of a known drug trafficker was wrapped around him at the 2010 World Cup. Throughout the questioning, Hernandez suggested that the images might be faked and he denied knowing the man at the World Cup at all. Of another picture, the prosecutor asked: Did the meeting depicted in the photo occur? Im not sure, sir, he said. Hernandez also said that drug traffickers had given money to all political parties in Honduras but not to him. The prosecutor mocked him, and asked him if he was seriously saying he was the only honest politician in Honduras. An objection was sustained by the judge and Hernandez was not required to answer. The ex-presidents brother, Juan Antonio Tony Hernandez, a former Honduran congressman, was sentenced in 2021 in Manhattan federal court to life in prison for his own conviction on drug charges. Prosecutors say Tony Hernandez secured and distributed millions of dollars in bribes from 2004 to 2019 from drug dealers for his countrys politicians, including $1 million from notorious Mexican capo Joaquin El Chapo Guzman for Juan Orlando Hernandez. The former president was arrested at his home in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital, in February 2022 just three months after leaving office and was extradited to the U.S. in April of that year. U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Songkran Waiyaka, a former Buddhist monk from Thailand, speaks with novice monks during a Cobra Gold cultural exchange at the port in Sattahip, Thailand. (U.S. Army) RAYONG, Thailand Seated in a cantina at a Thai navy base on Friday, a U.S. Army captain stood out for the cap insignia rarely seen on a military uniform the Buddhist wheel of dharma. Of more than 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, Chaplain (Capt.) Songkran Waiyaka is among the 10 Buddhists, a rarity that leads many soldiers to ask about the insignia on his hat, which can generate some confusion among anyone unfamiliar with Buddhism. When I was a second lieutenant, a captain saluted me, Waiyaka said jokingly. Thats why this (wheel of dharma) is my tool to interact with soldiers. The insignia represents the teachings of the Buddha, or the dharma. Assigned to the 53rd Transportation Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., is back in his native Thailand for Cobra Gold, one of Asias largest military exercises. Waiyaka is serving in a variety of roles here, from translator to a cultural ambassador between the U.S. and Thai militaries. The experience, he said, has been rich and diverse one he views as an invaluable aspect of his chaplaincy. Maintain the mind Born into a family of farmers in northern Thailands Chiang Rai province, Waiyaka grew up about 600 miles north of the Rayong base where elements of Cobra Gold are taking place this week. A novice monk at age 13, he was fully ordained a decade later. Now 52, Waiyaka said he became a monk for the challenge of it, the same reason he joined the Army. Buddhist novices, he explained, are bound by 10 precepts, or commands, such as abstaining from alcohol, eating after noon or accepting money. That was until I hit 20 years old; then I had 227 (precepts), he said with a laugh. Then-Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, now King of Thailand, right, bestows Songkran Waiyaka with the sixth-level rank of accomplishment in Pali language studies in 1993. (Songkran Waiyaka) Waiyaka said he doesnt struggle to work with his battalion, composed of mostly Christian soldiers. He often refers troops to other chaplains for some services, including weddings, and uses his position to promote mindfulness and mental wellness. My first assignment was at Fort Stewart in Georgia with the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, and the slogan of my battalion was to maintain the line, he said. I talked to my commander and said, Sir, maintain the line is not enough. I wanted to add maintain the mind. Waiyaka said mindfulness an important aspect of Buddhism that essentially means living in the moment and being self-aware of thoughts and emotions is important for anyone, but its especially critical for soldiers. If the soldier is weak, thats a no-go, he said. If they have a big six pack, big muscles, but their mind is weak, thats no good. To facilitate this, Waiyaka said hes incorporated yoga into his commands physical training regimen. Thai all day long After 10 years as a monk in Thailand, Waiyaka left to serve a Buddhist community in Fremont, Calif., as part of the Wat Buddhanusorn temple for another decade. But eventually, he said, the experience wasnt helping him grow the way he hoped. After I hit 20 years, I popped smoke from the Buddhist monastery because I didnt fulfill why I was in America, he said. Pop smoke, a military term used to call for extraction by air, is sometimes used in the Army as a euphemism for departure. I was serving a Thai Buddhist community, eating Thai food and speaking Thai all day long. I wanted to try something different, he said. Once he joined the Army, Waiyaka said he immediately saw similarities between his past and present lives. Both are vocations that demand commitment and sacrifice; he said the difference between the two is the nature of that sacrifice. As a Buddhist monk, I had no hair, had no eyebrows, had no civilian clothes, he said. No alcohol, no girlfriend or wife. U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Songkran Waiyaka shows the chin mudra, a Buddhist hand gesture, to novice monks at the port in Sattahip, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold. (U.S. Army) As a chaplain, the lay Buddhist minister is beholden to just five precepts prohibitions on killing, stealing, lying, intoxication and sexual misconduct. When I joined the Army, I found that Ive done more than when I was a monk in America for 11 years, he said. During his journey from monk to chaplain, Waiyaka also found love, something denied him as a monk. While studying in 2014 for his masters degree ahead of chaplain training, he met his future wife, Prisana Suchatsuthatham. Now with 13 years in the Army, Waiyaka is not far from retirement. When he does depart, theres at least one more challenge waiting for him. Im going to pop smoke permanently to enjoy life after, he said. I really want to write about my life, a book. You know what, I even want Steven Spielberg to make a movie about my life. In this photo provided by Japan Coast Guard, a coast guard helicopter hovers over a fishing boat tilting almost to the side, for their rescue, off Kozushima, southwest of Tokyo, Monday, March 4, 2024. A tuna fishing boat went aground near one of Izu islands southwest of Tokyo after an engine trouble. (Japan Coast Guard/AP) TOKYO A Japanese coast guard helicopter rescued 24 fishermen as they desperately clung to the deck of a tilting, half-submerged ship being pounded by high waves Monday morning off an island chain southwest of Tokyo. One crewmember thrown from the rocking ship into the rough seas before the arrival of the rescuers was found dead. The Fukuei Maru No. 8 stalled due to an engine failure Sunday evening in the Pacific Ocean, about five hours after it departed the Yaizu Port in central Japan en route to South America for tuna fishing, according to the coast guard statement. It apparently drifted in the rough seas and was blown by the strong wind, and the captain sent a distress signal about five hours later, saying his ship hit the rocks, the coast guard said. It said that within two hours of the rescuers arrival at the scene, the ship reported to them that one crew was missing. The coast guard sent three patrol ships and three helicopters with special rescue teams to the site where the 183-foot, 379-ton ship went aground just north of Kozushima Island, part of the Izu group and about 43 miles southwest of Tokyo. Public broadcaster NHK showed the crewmembers standing against the bridge of the half-submerged ship as the waves pounded into it, each person waiting for their turn as fellow crewmembers were airlifted one by one by the helicopter hovering overhead. The ship carried 20 Indonesian crewmembers and five Japanese, including its captain, the coast guard said. The man thrown into the water was found washed ashore and was pronounced dead at a clinic nearby. He was the ships first engineer and was a 67-year-old Japanese man. The cause of the ships engine failure and loss of power was not immediately known. Navy contractors collect water samples as part of the Navys Drinking Water Long-Term Monitoring program at Admiral C. W. Nimitz Elementary School, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Feb. 6, 2024. (Krystal Diaz/U.S. Navy) FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Navy will extend by a year monitoring of its water distribution system at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that had been contaminated with jet fuel in late 2021, the service said recently. We have made this deliberate decision as a result of our steadfast commitment to the people of Hawaii, our service members, civilians, contractors and their families. Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, commander of Navy Region Hawaii, said in a news release Saturday. The Navy will begin voluntarily monitoring in April, which is when the original two-year testing period ends. The testing was originally required by the Interagency Drinking Water System Team, whose members came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaii Department of Health, Navy and Army. The water sampling began in the wake of a 2021 jet fuel spill from Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, a World War II-era underground collection of tanks located a few miles from the joint base. The jet fuel seeped into the aquifer and contaminated one of three wells used by the Navy for its system that supplies water to roughly 93,000 residents of military housing communities on and near the joint base. Thousands of residents were temporarily relocated to area hotels as the Navy sealed off the tainted well and flushed the entire system. The Navy has tested more than 8,000 samples since monitoring began, the Saturday news release said. Testing results are posted at www.jbphh-safewaters.org. The voluntary monitoring plan, which is under final review by EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health, will implement a more investigatory approach to drinking water concerns, including low-level total petroleum hydrocarbon detections, the news release said. Total petroleum hydrocarbon, or TPH, refers to hundreds of compounds found in petroleum-based products. Earlier this year, the Navy began looking into a spate of complaints by residents on the distribution system about tap water with a foul smell or sheen. Testing found low levels of TPH that did not exceed the safe drinking water standard of 266 parts per billion. The TPH did not appear to originate from JP-5 jet fuel that had been stored at the Red Hill facility. In early February, the Navy announced that it was surging personnel, resources, and expertise to further investigate the low levels of TPH. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in March 2022 ordered Red Hill permanently closed. Joint Task Force-Red Hill, the Defense Department entity tasked with emptying the facility, said in an update Monday that it had emptied 59,888 gallons of an estimated 60,000 gallons of residual fuel at the facility. Residual fuel is what could not be drained via gravity and remains in low points in the pipelines. Removal of residual fuel is expected to be completed this month, at which time Joint Task Force-Red Hill will dissolve. A Navy task force, commanded by Barnett, will oversee closing the site and cleaning up any contamination caused by the facility. B-52 Stratofortress bomber crews take part in hypersonic weapon familiarization training at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on Feb. 27, 2024. (Pedro Tenorio/U.S. Air Force) Airmen on Guam trained last week on a hypersonic weapon the Air Force has kept under wraps for nearly a year. Photographs of airmen checking out what appears to be an AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon were released on Andersen Air Force Bases website Feb. 29. It was mounted beneath a B-52H Stratofortress bomber. The AGM-183 is a conventional, rocket-powered hypersonic gliding missile with a warhead of kinetic energy projectiles rather than explosives, according to a fiscal 2021 Air Force report. The Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) program combines critical high-speed flight technologies and accelerates the weaponization of air-to-ground hypersonic strike capabilities for the U.S. Air Force, manufacturer Lockheed Martin states on its website. Andersen is the only spot in the Indo-Pacific where the Air Force is conducting the training, 1st Lt. Ariana Wilkinson, spokeswoman for Andersens 36th Wing, said by email Monday. Similar training happened Sept. 28 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. It included B-52, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and F-15E Strike Eagle crews from across Global Strike Command and Air Combat Command, according to the Air Force. Guams training involved crews from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Wilkinson said. The 23rd is based at Minot Air Force Base, S.D.; the 49th is from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Plugging back in The training comes nearly a year after the service appeared to pull the plug on the hypersonic cruise missile. The Air Force asked $150.3 million for research and to test the weapon, Air Force assistant secretary Andrew Hunter told the House subcommittee on tactical and land forces March 29. While the Air Force does not currently intend to pursue follow-on procurement of the AGM-183 once it develops a prototype, there is inherent benefit to completing the test flights to garner the learning and test data that will help inform future hypersonic programs and, potential leave behind capability support, according to a record of that testimony on the Armed Services Committee website. On Guam, airmen trained on hypersonic fundamentals and discussed hypersonic operations to increase readiness and prepare for the weapons, including the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon and other programs under development, according to a news release that accompanied the photos. The Air Force will continue to invest in researching, developing, testing, producing, and fielding cost-effective weapons, the release said. These weapons are a mix of stand-off, stand-in, hypersonic, and subsonic precision guided munitions. Both China and Russia have conducted test launches and fielded their versions of the new weapons, which can travel five times the speed of sound and maneuver in flight like a cruise missile, making them harder to detect and shoot down. Hypersonic scandal The U.S. military is scrambling to defend against hypersonics, retired Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo, said Monday. He described the U.S. lag in hypersonic weapons as a scandal. The most senior U.S. leaders in the Pacific and elsewhere were warned at least in the mid-2010s of [Chinese] hypersonic development and the specific damage they could cause to U.S. warfighting capabilities in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, he said in an email to Stars and Stripes. Once operational, hypersonic missiles will give U.S. forces weapons that are difficult to intercept and that could be used to strike Chinese targets in a contingency, Newsham said. This increases the chance of a successful strike and thats obviously important if not essential, he said. You want to hit what youre aiming at and without the enemy being able to intercept or disrupt your projectile. Hypersonic weapons can be particularly useful against high-value targets such as command and control nodes and also key infrastructure. In the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, hypersonic weapons could strike targets on the Chinese mainland, such as command and control centers, ports and airfields, power plants and logistics hubs, Newsham said. That would hurt [Chinas] ability to conduct an offensive against Taiwan, or perhaps allow U.S. forces to respond in kind if [China] attacks U.S. or allied facilities in Japan, Guam, or elsewhere, he said. A Chinese coast guard vessel maneuvers beside the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach the Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, during a resupply mission on the disputed South China Sea on Nov. 10, 2023. Chinese coast guard ships blocked Philippine vessels from a disputed South China Sea shoal Tuesday, March 5, 2024, causing a minor collision, Philippine officials said. (Jim Gomez/AP) MANILA, Philippines Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijings aggression at sea. 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 maneuvers that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said. Officials in China gave fewer details but the countrys coast guard said that the Philippine ships were illegally intruding in the areas waters and accused one of them of ramming a Chinese vessel. Philippine officials said that the BRP Sindangan of the Philippine coast guard had minor structural damage from a collision that happened shortly after dawn. Over an hour later, another Chinese coast guard ship first blocked then collided with a supply boat the Philippine coast guard was escorting, the officials said. 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 maneuvers 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. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila summoned Chinas deputy ambassador to convey a protest against the Chinese coast guards actions, which it said were unacceptable. The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin shoal immediately, the department said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the contested shoal. 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. 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. The shoal has been the site of several tense skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships last year. 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. The Chinese coast guard said a Philippine ship deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard vessel, causing a minor scratch. Washington strongly condemned the Chinese coast guards actions and its ambassador in Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said the U.S. stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law. Australia and Japan separately expressed their concern over Chinas actions. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the latest incidents demonstrated Chinas reckless disregard for the safety of Filipinos and also for international law, and that China was interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations. 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 on Wednesday in Melbourne. 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. 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 authorized 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. 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. The confrontations have sparked fears of a larger conflict that could involve the United States. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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. AP video producer Caroline Chen contributed to this report. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allocated UAH 9.3 billion for rapid recovery for thirteen regions, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said. "We continue rapid recovery. Today we are allocating UAH 9.3 billion from the Fund for Eliminating the Consequences of Armed Aggression for Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Tuesday. According to the prime minister, these funds will be used to repair residential buildings, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure facilities. A Star of David badge with the Dutch word "Jood", or "Jew", worn during World War II, is displayed at the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Peter Dejong/AP) AMSTERDAM The Dutch resistance spirited newborn Flip Delmonte away after his parents were detained by Nazi occupiers of the Netherlands in World War II. They were among 102,000 Jews deported from the Netherlands and murdered in Nazi death camps. Delmontes mother was killed as soon as she arrived at Auschwitz while his father, a strong man, was worked to death. On Tuesday, the 80-year-old Delmonte attended the official preview of the Netherlands National Holocaust Museum, pointing proudly at a picture he donated of himself after the war. The Jewish people were murdered. There are people, children who survived and we cannot forget them. They must be remembered also in the future, Delmonte said. The museum will be officially opened Sunday by Dutch King Willem-Alexander. It tells the story, in video footage, photos, scale models and mementos, of Dutch victims of the Holocaust. Three-quarters of the prewar Dutch Jews were among the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis, the largest proportion of any country in Europe. Head curator Annemiek Gringold pulled together exhibition rooms that do not shy away from the atrocities. There is a prominent photo of a boy walking past bodies in Bergen-Belsen shortly after the liberation of the concentration camp. But the museum also features small mementos of the lives lost: a doll, an orange dress made from parachute material and a collection of 10 buttons excavated from the grounds of the Sobibor camp. Perhaps this is the closest I can come to the thousands and thousands of anonymous people that were rushed into the gas chamber, Gringold said. This is something that they chose to wear, and it is one of the last items that they touched. Gringold said the museum opens at a time that the generation that survived the Shoah is slowly leaving us. The portraits of Henriette (Jettie) Bolle, Jacob Vischjager and Abraham (Appie) Prins, from left, murdered by Nazis in World War II, are seen during a press preview of the new National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Peter Dejong/AP) Now she wants to tell their story to be aware of where antisemitism might lead to in certain circumstances. The walls of one room are filled, floor to ceiling, with the texts of hundreds of laws discriminating against Jews that were enacted by the German occupiers of the Netherlands, to show how the Nazi regime, assisted by Dutch civil servants, dehumanized Jews ahead of operations to round them up. The museum is in the Dutch capitals historic Jewish Quarter and close to a memorial officially opened in 2021 that honors Dutch victims of the Holocaust. It opens against a backdrop of Israels devastating attacks on Gaza that followed the deadly incursions by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7. The actual events as they are happening in Israel, with the war going on, they are ... on my mind. But I focus on the history of this particular site, Gringold said. Delmonte was happy to contribute a photograph to the museum, but he kept his most treasured keepsake for himself. I have a cookie plate at home which used to be my mothers, and my aunt has given that to me at my birthday, he said. I still have that at home. So thats very special for me. Former airman Alexander Driskill could receive a new trial after the U.S. militarys highest appeals court sent his case back for review. Judges ruled that he faced double jeopardy regarding his conviction on charges including child rape and child sexual abuse during his time at Aviano Air Base in Italy. (Facebook) A former airman serving 30 years in prison for raping and sexually abusing a 2-year-old child while he was stationed in Italy must have his case reviewed and may gain a new trial, the militarys highest appeals court has ruled. Alexander Driskill was unlawfully subjected to double jeopardy, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces said in a unanimous decision released Monday. The double jeopardy claim hinged on Driskills 2019 acceptance of a guilty plea on a charge of wrongful possession of obscene cartoons, which was tossed by the judges. They reversed the earlier denial of Driskills appeal on that charge by the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, which was ordered to revisit the case in light of Mondays decision. Although Driskill lost that 2022 challenge, the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals concluded that his prison term was inappropriately severe and reduced his nearly 41-year sentence to 30 years. Driskill served as an air crew flight equipment technician with the 31st Operations Support Squadron at Aviano Air Base. His offenses occurred between October 2016 and March 2018. At his first court-martial in 2018, he was charged with two specifications related to child pornography offenses and one specification of possessing obscene cartoons, according to court documents. Authorities searched his home and electronic devices after the victim was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection. They found drawings of childlike characters engaged in sexual acts, and Driskill admitted to having more than 100 similar images, according to court documents. The military judge found him not guilty of the first two specifications and dismissed the obscene cartoon charge on the grounds that the court did not have jurisdiction because the alleged offense occurred in Italy. In 2019, he went on trial again after the victim disclosed the abuse. The proceedings were held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Aviano and at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado. In the second trial, he was found guilty of rape of a child and sexual abuse of a child. He also pleaded guilty to wrongful possession of obscene cartoons after his request for dismissal of that charge on double jeopardy grounds was denied, according to court documents. Driskills guilty plea came with the understanding that he could raise the double jeopardy issue on appeal. Besides the prison sentence, he was required to forfeit all pay and allowances and reduced in pay grade to E-1. As a result of Mondays ruling, the Air Force appeals court must consider how the admission of the obscene cartoons as evidence may have affected the findings of guilty for the other contested offenses, the armed forces appeals court judges wrote. If the Air Force appellate judges set aside the remaining findings and sentence, a rehearing is authorized, the court said, adding that if the judges uphold the findings, they could reassess the sentence or order a sentencing rehearing. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks in Berlin on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, as he discusses the status of an investigation into a German military audio that was leaked by Russia. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP) BERLIN 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 defense 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. Not all participants adhered to the secure dialing procedure as intended, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said as he briefed reporters in Berlin on the initial results of an ongoing investigation. 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, and then dialed 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. 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. 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, Russias Foreign Ministry on Monday threatened Germany with dire consequences in connection with the leak. It did not elaborate. 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. The recording also shows the German government has not given its OK for the delivery of the cruise missiles sought by Ukraine. Pistorius said Tuesday 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 monthslong 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 U.S., 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. People react at the Borisovskoye Cemetery, in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, March 2, 2024, as they gathered to lay flowers at the grave of Alexei Navalny, who was buried Friday. (AP) Russias spymaster says that opposition leader Alexei Navalny died of natural causes, a statement that appears to reflect the Kremlin efforts to assuage international outrage over the death of President Vladimir Putins fiercest foe. Sergei Naryshkin, the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, a top Russian intelligence agency, made the statement in an interview broadcast Tuesday by Russian state television. He didnt name the cause of Navalnys death in a remote Arctic penal colony or give any other details. Russian authorities still havent announced the cause of his Feb. 16 death and many Western leaders blamed it on Putin, an accusation the Kremlin angrily rejected. Russias spymaster said Tuesday that opposition leader Alexei Navalny died of natural causes, a statement that appeared to reflect the Kremlins efforts to assuage international outrage over the death of President Vladimir Putins fiercest foe. Sergei Naryshkin, the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service, the top spy agency known under its Russian acronym SVR, made the statement in an interview broadcast by Russian state television. He didnt name the cause of Navalnys death in a remote Arctic penal colony or give any other details. Sooner or later life ends and people die, he said. Navalny has died of natural causes. Navalny died on Feb. 16 at Penal Colony No. 3 in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. Russian authorities still havent announced the cause of his death at age 47 and many Western leaders blamed it on Putin, an accusation the Kremlin angrily rejected. Navalnys mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, had spent eight to get authorities to release her sons body as officials claimed that they needed to conduct post-mortem tests. She made made a video appeal to Putin to let her bury her son with dignity. Navalny was buried Friday in a Moscow suburb in a funeral that drew thousands of mourners amid a heavy police presence. His team said several Moscow churches refused to hold the funeral. Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow to face certain arrest after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. His Foundation for Fighting Corruption and his regional offices were designated as extremist organizations by the Russian government that same year. Smoke and flames rise from the Crimean Bridge connecting the Russian mainland and the Crimean peninsula over the Kerch Strait, in Kerch, Crimea, in October 2022. (AP) Ukrainian sea drones reportedly sank another Russian warship in the Black Sea on Tuesday, the latest in a series of strikes that has crippled Moscows naval capability and limited its operations with the war now in its third year. Successful Ukrainian drone and missile strikes have provided a major morale boost for Kyiv at a time when its undermanned and under-gunned forces are facing Russian attacks along the more than 600-mile front line. Challenging Russias naval superiority also has helped create more favorable conditions for Ukrainian grain exports and other shipments from the countrys Black Sea ports. Heres a look at recent Ukrainian attacks against Russian naval assets and their consequences. Relentless strikes In the latest reported strike, Ukrainian naval drones attacked the Sergei Kotov patrol ship near the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, according to the Ukraines military intelligence agency. The strike, which couldnt be independently verified, killed seven members of the Russian crew and injured six others, while 52 were rescued, the agency said. The Russian Defense Ministry didnt comment on the claim, but some Russian military bloggers confirmed the ships loss and said its crew had been rescued. A video screen grab shows smoke and flames rising from a burning fuel tank in Sevastopol, Crimea, according to an April 2023 social media post. (Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev telegram channel via AP) The strike, if verified, would mark the latest successful use of Ukraines domestically produced Magura drones, the agile uncrewed boats that have become the Russian navys nemesis. Just last month, drones sank Russias Caesar Kunikov amphibious landing ship and Ivanovets missile corvette. The Russian military hasnt acknowledged those losses, either, but they have been reported by Russian military bloggers and some media. In another attack in late December, Ukraine said it destroyed the Novocherkassk landing vessel in Crimeas port of Feodosia with long-range cruise missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry said the ship was damaged in the attack, but Russian war bloggers said it was lost. The Ukrainian military also has launched a series of persistent cruise missile and drone strikes on Russian radar facilities, air defense assets and air bases in Crimea, a region of Ukraine that Russia annexed in 2014. Increasing the pain for Moscow, Ukrainian troops also downed two Russian early warning and control aircraft over the Sea of Azov in January and February, depriving the Russian military of some of its most precious intelligence-gathering assets. The strikes followed other highly efficient Ukrainian attacks earlier in the war, including the April 2022 sinking of the Black Sea fleets flagship missile cruiser, the Moskva, and a missile strike last September on the fleets headquarters in the port of Sevastopol. Ukraines deadly weapons The smart use of remote-controlled drone boats laden with explosives has allowed Ukraine to tip the scales of naval warfare in its favor despite Russias massive superiority in firepower. The Magura drones are equipped with advanced GPS and cameras, and have a low radar signature that makes them hard to detect. Its latest version, the Magura V5, is 18 feet long, weighs up to 2,200 pounds and has a range of up to 500 miles, 60 hours of battery life, and a 440-pound payload, according to Ukrainian authorities. It also beams live video to operators. Ukraine also has relied on cruise missiles provided by the U.K. and France for striking Russian assets in Crimea. The missiles produced jointly by Britain and France and called Storm Shadow by the U.K. and SCALP-EG by France are launched from Ukraines Soviet-era warplanes and have a range of more than 155 miles. The Russian navys amphibious assault ship Kaliningrad sails into the Sevastopol harbor in Crimea in February 2022. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Western officials praise the efficiency of the Ukrainian attacks, noting that Kyiv has smartly used its limited resources to defeat far stronger Russian forces and destroy about 20% of the Black Sea fleet, effectively blunting Moscows naval dominance. Ending the Russian blockade The successful strikes on Russian naval assets have allowed Ukraine to increase its food and other Black Sea exports despite Russias withdrawal last summer from a deal that guaranteed safe shipment of Ukrainian grain. Moscows pullback from the deal raised the possibility of Russian attacks on ships carrying Ukrainian grain and other products, posing a threat to the Ukrainian economy and global food security. But the steady series of successful Ukrainian attacks on Russian warships and other military assets in the area have put Russias fleet on the defensive, limiting its offensive capability. How did Russia react? Although the Russian Defense Ministry has mostly kept quiet about the Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on its naval assets, Russian military bloggers and commentators have harshly criticized the military brass for its slow and sloppy response to the threat. The strikes have forced the Russian navy to take precautions that have affected its operations, including relocating some of its ships from ports in Crimea farther east to Novorossiysk to better protect them. Despite the damage from Ukrainian attacks, the Black Sea fleet remains a powerful force and is still capable of launching long-range cruise missile strikes at Ukraine. Russian air bases in Crimea also have remained operational, hosting warplanes that have continued flying combat sorties to support its ground operations in the region. Russian military bloggers reported that the head of the Black Sea fleet, Adm. Viktor Sokolov, was dismissed last month following the latest losses of warships. There was no official confirmation of his ouster. Israeli soldiers near the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel on March 4, 2024. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) CAIRO 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, U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday. Theres no excuse. None. 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 an 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. U.S. officials have said that they are skeptical that Hamas actually wants a deal, because the group has balked at a number of what the U.S. and others believe are legitimate requests, including giving the names of hostages to be released. It is on Hamas to make decisions about whether it is prepared to engage, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday. We have an opportunity for an immediate cease-fire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian aid getting in to Palestinians who so desperately need it, and can set the conditions for an enduring resolution, Blinken said. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said Tuesday that his group demands a permanent cease-fire, rather than a six-week pause, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. The security and safety of our people will be achieved only by a permanent cease-fire, the end of the aggression and the withdrawal from every inch of the Gaza Strip, Hamdan told reporters in Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected Hamas demands and repeatedly vowed to continue the war until Hamas is dismantled and all the hostages are returned. Israel didnt send a delegation to the latest round of talks. Israel was still waiting for Hamas to hand over a list of hostages who are alive as well as the hostage-to-prisoner ratio it seeks in any release deal, an Israeli official said. It wasnt clear if that information was included in the latest proposal. The Israeli and Egyptian officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to brief the media on the negotiations. When asked whether Hamas has a list of the surviving hostages, Hamdan said that the matter wasnt relevant to the talks and accused Israel of using it as an excuse to avoid engaging in the negotiations. Benny Gantz, a member of Netanyahus War Cabinet and his main political rival, met with senior U.S. officials in Washington on a visit that drew a rebuke from the prime minister, the latest sign of a growing rift within Israels leadership. Mediators had hoped to broker an agreement before Ramadan, the month of dawn-to-dusk fasting that often sees heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions linked to access to a major holy site in Jerusalem. Ramadan is expected to begin around March 10, depending on the sighting of the moon. The negotiations are sensitive. I cant say there is optimism or pessimism, but we havent yet reached a point at which we can achieve a cease-fire, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday. The war began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which Palestinian militants killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. More than 100 of them were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. 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. Aid groups say the fighting has displaced most of the territorys population and pushed a quarter of the population to the brink of famine. The U.N. childrens agency said Monday that at least 10 children have reportedly died in isolated northern Gaza because of dehydration and malnutrition. There are likely more children fighting for their lives somewhere in one of Gazas few remaining hospitals, and likely even more children in the north unable to obtain care at all, Adele Khodr, the UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement. These tragic and horrific deaths are man-made, predictable and entirely preventable, she added. The Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday that 15 children have starved to death at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza and another six were at risk of dying from malnutrition and dehydration. It wasnt clear if the children had underlying medical conditions that increased their vulnerability. Northern Gaza, the first target of Israels offensive, has suffered mass devastation. The World Food Program recently suspended aid shipments to the north, citing a security breakdown. An attempt by the Israeli military to bring in aid ended in tragedy last week when more than 100 Palestinians were fatally shot by Israeli forces or trampled to death in a melee. The United States and Jordan airdropped 36,800 meals over northern Gaza on Tuesday, the second U.S. airdrop since Saturday. Up to 300,000 Palestinians are believed to remain in northern Gaza after Israel ordered the evacuation of the entire region, including Gaza City, in October. Many have been reduced to eating animal fodder to survive. The U.N. says that one in six children under age 2 in the north suffer from acute malnutrition. Israel is still carrying out strikes in all parts of Gaza. Gazas Health Ministry said that 97 people had been killed over the last 24 hours, bringing the overall Palestinian death toll to 30,631. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of the total casualties. ___ Tia Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Wafaa Shurafa from Rafah, Gaza Strip. Abby Sewell in Beirut, and Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed to this report. ___ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Goldenberg reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Shurafa from Rafah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza during a protest rally in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (Khalil Hamra/AP) ANKARA, Turkey Turkish police on Tuesday detained seven more people suspected of selling information to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, authorities said, the latest in a wave of such arrests in Turkey. The suspects were taken into custody during simultaneous raids in Istanbul, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The raids were a joint operation with Turkeys National Intelligence Organization. The detained are suspected of collecting data on individuals and companies in Turkey and selling it to the Israeli intelligence agency, Yerlikaya said. We will never allow espionage activities to be carried out within the borders of our country. It was not immediately known if any charges have been raised and authorities provided no additional information. Last month, seven other people, including private detectives, were arrested on similar suspicions. And in early January, 34 people were also detained by Turkish police on suspicion of spying for Israel. The suspects arrested in January have been accused of planning to carry out activities that included reconnaissance and pursuing, assaulting and kidnapping foreign nationals living in Turkey. At the time, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said most of the suspects were charged with committing political or military espionage on behalf of Israeli intelligence. The state-run Anadolu Agency, citing unnamed security officials, said those detained Tuesday included a former civil servant currently working as a private detective who was allegedly trained by Mossad in Belgrade, Serbia. He collected information on Middle Eastern companies and individuals, and even placed tracking devices in vehicles of people targeted by Israeli intelligence, Anadolu said. Turkey and Israel had normalized ties in 2022 by reappointing ambassadors following years of tensions. But those ties quickly deteriorated after the Israel-Hamas war, with Ankara becoming one of the strongest critics of Israels military actions in Gaza. In December, the head of Israels Shin Bet security agency said that his organization was prepared to target the militant Hamas group anywhere, including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel of serious consequences if Israel pressed ahead with its threat to attack Hamas officials on Turkish soil. 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, Oct. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Eric Gay/AP) AUSTIN, Texas Texas plan to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally is headed to the Supreme Court in a legal showdown over the federal governments authority over immigration. The high court on Monday blocked Texas immigration law from going into effect until March 13 and asked the state to respond by March 11. The law was set to take effect Saturday, and the courts decision came just hours after the Justice Department asked it to intervene. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law in December and for months has unveiled a series of escalating measures on the border that have tested the boundaries of how far a state can go keep migrants from entering the country. The law would allow state officers to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. People who are arrested could then agree to a Texas judges order to leave the country or face a misdemeanor charge for entering the U.S. illegally. Migrants who dont leave after being ordered to do so could be arrested again and charged with a more serious felony. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Whitehurst reported from Washington. An aerial view shows cattle grazing on small islands of hay surrounded by pastureland burned by the Smokehouse Creek fire on Monday, March 4, 2024, near Canadian, Texas. (Scott Olson, Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) After a year of deadly wildfires around the globe, the world is burning again from Texas to Australia and in some regions, the blazes are igniting early. Canadas 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 arent unusual in the Texas Panhandle, the current blaze is the worst in the states 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 fires from land management to downed power lines is the shadow of climate change. Global warming is contributing to hot, dry conditions at times of the year that historically were rainier. Thats 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 ways most obviously through extreme weather conditions but climate also influences ignitions, fuel, moisture and the growth of vegetation, said Hamish Clarke, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbournes Flare Wildfire Research Group. In many cases its 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, Canadas 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. Were 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. Were just profoundly worried about the situation we face. Brett LEsperance 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 havent 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 fuel raising 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 its a real no-brainer: Lets not put more heat into the system, the University of Melbournes Clarke said. We need to be taking strong climate change action. With assistance from Thomas Seal. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano Technologies USA, addresses a Kansas House committee on March 4, 2024. (Katie Bernard, The Kansas City Star/TNS) (Tribune News Service) The president of a technology firm working to build its $95 million U.S. headquarters in Johnson County, Kan., on Monday called claims it poses a national security risk completely incorrect. Allegations from Republican politicians in recent months that the company could steal military secrets hold no semblance of reality, the company official told Kansas lawmakers. Cnano Technology, a U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese firm, received economic incentives from Johnson County to build its facility last June. In the time since, theyve faced intense backlash from some conservatives and, more recently, from U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and state officials. They argue the company has ties to the Chinese Communist Party and that its new headquarters poses a national security risk because of its location 21 miles from the Kansas City National Security Campus, 35 miles from Fort Leavenworth and 70 miles from Whiteman Airforce Base in Missouri. For the first time on Monday the company directly addressed these concerns while objecting to a bill in the Kansas House that would force it to divest from their property in Kansas. Contrary to whats being portrayed, Cnano poses absolutely no threat, said Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano Technology USA. The notion that CNANO USA could be used as a conduit to steal Americas military and intellectual secrets is completely incorrect. Cnano USA, Montgomery said, is completely independent from its Chinese parent company aside from sending it monthly financial reports. He insisted the companys sole goal in Kansas was to make nanotubes, a technology developed in China, and turn them into a paste that can be used in electric vehicle batteries. I would never do anything that isnt in the best interest of the United States, Montgomery said. He said the USA subsidiary of the company had no employees that worked for the Chinese Communist Party. While their parent company did have employees in the party, Montgomery said, that is also common for American companies that do business in China. Montgomerys testimony comes as Kansas lawmakers consider policy barring foreign entities to own certain land in Kansas. The Kansas House is considering a bill that would bar foreign companies, governments and individuals from owning or leasing non-residential land within 150 miles of a military installation if the country they are from is listed on the U.S. Department of Commerces foreign adversary list. In addition to blocking new purchases of land, the bill requires any foreign companies already in Kansas to divest from land they own within the 150 mile radius which includes the vast majority of the state. A separate bill, promoted by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach in the state Senate, does not require divestment of land but requires any foreign entity, regardless of the country, purchasing three or more acres of land to seek approval from a council of state leaders. Republicans in Kansas and across the country have become increasingly concerned about Chinas influence on U.S. companies and the potential for the country to compromise the countrys food security through the purchase of farm land or spy on military installations. Cnano USAs testimony failed to adequately address the overwhelming evidence that ties their parent company, Cnano Jiangsu, to President Xi, the CCP, and Chinese intelligence services, LaTurner said. I applaud the Kansas legislature for working diligently to ensure we can protect our supply chains and crucial military bases from Americas greatest national security threatthe Chinese Communist Party. House Majority Leader Chris Croft, an Overland Park Republican who has led the effort to limit foreign land ownership in the House, said Montgomerys testimony did not fully assuage his concerns with the company. There are some issues out there that still need to be addressed, Croft said, adding he sought to craft the bill so that companies that self-reported would have more time to determine if they violated the new law and divest if needed. Just get beyond these three companies, what do we not know, what companies dont we know about? Montgomery also warned lawmakers that any effort to force existing companies to divest may be unconstitutional but Croft told lawmakers that element of the bill was important for determining what foreign companies are already in Kansas. Throughout the hearing Montgomery faced detailed questions from lawmakers about the parent companys links to the Chinese Communist Party and the status of individual company employees. Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, compared the questions to the campaign against communists carried out in the U.S. government by U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. I think everyone needs to calm down, take a deep breath and leave foreign policy to the federal government, she said. 2024 The Kansas City Star. Visit kansascity.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. DTEK energy workers restored electricity to 426,000 families in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk regions and the city of Kyiv in February, the energy holding company reported in a press release on Monday. "Over the past month, our specialists have restored power grids in 216 populated areas that were disconnected from power grids due to enemy shelling," the company said. In particular, in February it was possible to restore the operation of power grids for 189,000 families in Donetsk region. "Last month, shelling in Dnipropetrovsk region intensified, especially in the southern part of the region. In February, power engineers resumed power supply to the homes of 226,000 families who were without electricity due to lines and power facilities damaged by shelling," the company said. Due to another enemy attack in early February, power outages also occurred in the city of Kyiv then power engineers promptly returned power to the homes of more than 10,000 Kyiv residents. "Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, power engineers have already restored power to more than 11 million families. Our very first priority is to provide customers with power as soon as possible. Power engineers begin work immediately as soon as they receive permission and access to the site of damage from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service," CEO of DTEK Grids Oleksandr Fomenko was quoted in the press release. DTEK Grids is developing a business in the distribution of electricity and operation of electrical networks in the city of Kyiv, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odesa regions. The energy holding's distribution system operator serve 5.4 million households and 150,000 enterprises. President Joe Biden speaks on Aug. 10, 2023, in Salt Lake City, from left, former President Donald Trump speaks on July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas, and Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks on Feb. 18, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP) WASHINGTON President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, romped through more than a dozen states on Super Tuesday, all but cementing a November rematch and increasing pressure on the former presidents last major rival, Nikki Haley, to leave the Republican race. Their victories from coast to coast, including the delegate-rich states of California and Texas, left little doubt about the trajectory of the race. Haley won Vermont, denying Trump a full sweep, but the former president carried other states that might have been favorable to her such as Virginia, Massachusetts and Maine, which have large swaths of moderate voters like those who have backed her in previous primaries. The only contest Biden lost Tuesday was the Democratic caucus in American Samoa, a tiny U.S. territory in the South Pacific Ocean. Biden was defeated by previously unknown candidate Jason Palmer, 51 votes to 40. Not enough states will have voted until later this month for Trump or Biden to formally become their parties presumptive nominees. But the primarys biggest day made their rematch a near-certainty. Both the 81-year-old Biden and the 77-year-old Trump continue to dominate their parties despite facing questions about age and neither having broad popularity across the general electorate. Haley watched the election results in private and had no campaign events scheduled going forward. Her campaign said in a statement that the results reflected there were many Republicans who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump. Unity is not achieved by simply claiming were united, spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said. Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, meanwhile, was packed for a victory party. Among those attending were staff and supporters, including the rapper Forgiato Blow and former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn. The crowd erupted as Fox News, playing on screens around the ballroom, announced that the former president had won North Carolinas GOP primary. They call it Super Tuesday for a reason, Trump told a raucous crowd. He went on to attack Biden over the U.S.-Mexico border and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. After beginning the night with victories in Virginia and North Carolina, he wrapped Super Tuesday by winning contests in Alaska and Utah. Biden didnt give a speech but instead issued a statement warning that Tuesdays results had left Americans with a clear choice and touting his own accomplishments after beating Trump. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, all of this progress is at risk, Biden said. He is driven by grievance and grift, focused on his own revenge and retribution, not the American people. While much of the focus was on the presidential race, there were also important down-ballot contests. The governors race took shape in North Carolina, where Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein will face off in a state that both parties are fiercely contesting ahead of November. In California, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, a former Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player, advanced to the general election race to fill the Senate seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. Despite Bidens and Trumps domination of their parties, polls make it clear that the broader electorate does not want this years general election to be identical to the 2020 race. A new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds a majority of Americans dont think either Biden or 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. The final days before Tuesday demonstrated the unique nature of this years campaign. Rather than barnstorming the states holding primaries, Biden and Trump held rival events last week along the U.S.-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 Trump to primary ballots following attempts to ban him for his role in helping spark the Capitol riot, Trump pointed to the 91 criminal counts against him to accuse Biden of weaponizing the courts. Fight your fight yourself, Trump said. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent. Biden delivers the State of the Union address Thursday, then will campaign in the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. The president faces low approval ratings and polls suggesting that many Americans, even a majority of Democrats, dont want to see the 81-year-old running again. His easy Michigan primary win last week was spoiled slightly by an uncommitted campaign organized by activists who disapprove of the presidents handling of Israels war in Gaza. Allies of the uncommitted movement pushed similar protest votes elsewhere, such as in Minnesota, which has a significant population of Muslims, including in its Somali American community. At least 45,000 voters in Minnesota selected uncommitted, which won 19% with almost all votes counted. That exceeds the 13% of voters who selected uncommitted in Michigan. Joe Biden has not done enough to earn my vote and not done enough to stop the war, stop the massacre, said Sarah Alfaham of the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington. Biden also is the oldest president ever and Republicans key on any verbal slip he makes. His aides insist that skeptical voters will come around once it is clear that either Trump or Biden will be elected again in November. Trump is now the same age Biden was during the 2020 campaign, and he has exacerbated questions about his own fitness with recent flubs, such as mistakenly suggesting he was running against Barack Obama, who left the White House in 2017. I would love to see the next generation move up and take leadership roles, said Democrat Susan Steele, 71, who voted Tuesday for Biden in Portland, Maine. Trump has already vanquished more than a dozen major Republican challengers and now faces only Haley, his former U.N. ambassador. She had maintained strong fundraising and notched her first primary victory over the weekend in Washington, D.C., a Democrat-run city with few registered Republicans. Trump scoffed that Haley had been crowned queen of the swamp. We can do better than two 80-year-old candidates for president, Haley said at a rally Monday in the Houston suburbs. Trumps victories, however dominating, have shown vulnerabilities with influential voter blocs, especially in college towns like Hanover, New Hampshire, home to Dartmouth College, or Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan is located, as well as areas with high concentrations of independents. That includes Minnesota, a state Trump did not carry in his otherwise overwhelming Super Tuesday performance in 2016. Seth De Penning, a self-described conservative-leaning independent, voted Tuesday morning in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for Haley, he said, because the GOP needs a course correction. De Penning, 40, called his choice a vote of conscience and said he has never voted for Trump because of concerns about his temperament and character. Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Steve LeBlanc in Boston; David Sharp in Portland, Maine; Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina; Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia; Trisha Ahmed in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report. The 75th annual Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham, Ala., on Nov. 11, 2022. (Joe Songer for al.com/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Two new bills in the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives aim to create a health care system in the state for U.S. military veterans and their families. This bill would put veterans care in the hands of veterans, John Kilpatrick, founder and CEO of Vets Recover, a nonprofit in Mobile that provides mental health care primarily for veterans, first responders and their families. Kilpatrick is president of the Alabama Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America. The bills, introduced last month and awaiting review in their respective committees of origin, would task the state Department of Veterans Affairs with creating and implementing a health care system that would provide primary care, behavioral health care and social services to veterans and their immediate family. State Sen. Andrew Jones (R- Centre), chair of the senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committee who filed the senate version of the bill, says he hopes to spotlight the need for veterans mental health in the state with this bill. Mental health needs are already amplified because of the situations theyve served in, Jones said. We want to shine a light on the needs of veterans, because they can get lost in mental health and addiction conversations. Kilpatrick says that the system is needed to fill in the gap between the federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and state-authorized mental health authorities. Kilpatrick has been involved in the creation of these bills from the beginning, he said. Theres a brotherhood there What exactly the health care system will look like isnt clear. The bill states that, if it becomes law, the state Department of Veterans Affairs will create a comprehensive plan for the health system. Jones says he believes the state could partner with private facilities for some of the systems infrastructure. The ADVA was not involved in the creation of the bills, Brandon Miller, a spokesperson for the department, said in an email, and as a state agency, the ADVA did not lobby for the creation of a program. Although ADVA was not involved in drafting SB135 and HB197, we deeply appreciate the efforts of the primary sponsors, Rep. Chip Brown and Sen. Andrew Jones, to assist those veterans, Miller said in an emailed statement. If such a bill were to passwhether in the current or amended formit would create another avenue for ADVA to continue serving Alabama veterans along with our federal VA and private sector partners, which we consider to be an honor and privilege. Kilpatrick envisions five inpatient clinics and 25 outpatient clinics throughout the state. The outpatient clinics would be co-located with veterans service offices run by the state. The system would provide integrated health care services, including mental health care services, primary care, and peer support, among other services. The clinics would also be staffed by veterans or people familiar with the struggles that veterans face, Kilpatrick says. He hopes that this will ease the stigma that veterans often feel when trying to access treatment. Veterans want to talk to veterans, they want to talk to providers who know what its like to serve, Kilpatrick says. Calling a marine a soldier is offensive to them. And if you dont know what to call me, how do you know where Ive been? Scott Sloss understands the importance of having veterans involved in veteran health care. Sloss, who owns Truth & Grace Law Firm in Tuscaloosa, is a U.S. Army veteran and works with veterans often, though hes not involved with these bills. While he believes the stigma around mental health issues is eroding, he says that veterans are more likely to open up to another servicemember who can understand their experience. Non-servicemembers can build the same trust, he argues, but it takes time. When a program is run by veterans, theres an instant connection, because theres a brotherhood there, he says. It takes a lot longer to build that trust up with other people. Funding Overall, Kilpatrick estimates that the state will need to take on $60-70 million in capital costs to start the system. Once its operational, he estimates it will cost $120 million per year to run the system. Those estimates are based on the costs needed to run Vets Recover, which he hopes would serve as a model for the rest of the system. Kilpatrick says that theyre hoping to pull funding from three sources: the $278 million in settlement funds from lawsuits related to the opioid epidemic, federal grant funds that would typically go to the Alabama Department of Mental Health and reimbursement from the V.A. for providing services to eligible veterans. Jones says that hes not looking to pull funding from any other department in the state. Rather, hes hoping that the bills will create the infrastructure needed so the state can take advantage if federal funds become available. We need to come at it from a collaborative perspective, Jones said. Im not here to fight a turf war, Im here to try to do whats best for the state of Alabama. As for the next steps for the bill, Jones says hes not sure when they will be considered by the committee. The senate committee has not set a meeting date yet, he says, due to other priorities. But right now, he says hes focused on educating other members of the legislature. In addition to the senate bill, a similar bill was filed in the house by State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island). That bill will be reviewed by the House Military and Veterans Affairs committee. Both the house and senate bills have multiple sponsors. Understanding the need There are about 400,000 veterans in Alabama, and combined with their families, constitute 23% of the state population, according to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans are about 9% of the state population but account for about 20% of the states suicides. Nationally, the V.A. found in one study that though the veteran population decreased by 10.1% from 2010-2016, veteran overdose deaths increased by 28.9% and veteran opioid overdose deaths increased by 56%. The V.A. system will become even more overwhelmed starting this month, Kilpatrick says, when all veterans who were exposed to toxins or hazardous materials will be able to enroll directly in V.A. health care without first applying for V.A. benefits, following passage of the PACT Act in 2022. Kilpatrick says hes not criticizing the quality of care veterans receive through the V.A. or other mental health clinics, but V.A. clinics and hospitals in the state are overwhelmed. Civilian mental health clinics lack the cultural competency needed to cater to veterans and their families, he says. This system would increase access to care, which he says is desperately needed for veterans. Its not a 100% solution, this aims to fill in the gap from the V.A. and the [ Alabama] Department of Mental Health, Kilpatrick says. This is about access to care. 2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit al.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Adm. Richard H. Truly aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1981. (NASA) This story has been corrected Richard H. Truly, a naval aviator, test pilot and astronaut who helped rebuild NASAs space shuttle program after the Challenger explosion in 1986 and later oversaw the entire space agency as its top administrator, died Feb. 27 at his home in Genesee, Colo. He was 86. NASA announced his death. The cause was complications from atypical Parkinsons disease. A retired vice admiral who logged more than 7,500 flight hours in his dual Navy and NASA careers, Truly was the first astronaut to lead the space agency when President George H.W. Bush appointed him to the post of administrator in 1989. Truly had made his first spaceflight on Nov. 12, 1981 his 44th birthday, an occasion spectators marked by singing Happy Birthday as he and his fellow astronauts approached the launchpad when he piloted the space shuttle Columbia on its second mission. It was the first time, according to NASA, that a piloted craft was reflown in space. Two years later, in 1983, Truly served as commander of the third mission of the Challenger when it became the first shuttle to launch and land at night. He returned to naval service and was at the helm of the Naval Space Command in Dahlgren, Va., which oversaw the Navys surveillance and communications satellites, when NASA experienced one of the worst tragedies in its history. On Jan. 28, 1986, the Challenger, poised to make its 10th trip to space, exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members, including Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire teacher who had been selected as the first civilian to be sent into space. Within weeks, Truly returned to NASA to serve as associate administrator for space flight, tasked with reviving the space shuttle program along with the spirits of the people who worked on it. He was widely considered a success on this front, overseeing a $2 billion repair and redesign project. On Sept. 29, 1988, the space shuttle Discovery took American astronauts to space for the first time since the Challenger disaster. Truly oversaw a total of 20 space shuttle missions as associate administrator and then administrator at NASA. After his promotion to the top job, Truly was widely reported to have clashed in his vision for the agency with Vice President Dan Quayle, who chaired the National Space Council, an advisory panel to the White House. While Truly vigorously promoted the space shuttle program as well as the development of the International Space Station both massive and expensive undertakings the council complained that NASA moved too slowly and with too little regard for cost. Rather than relying on internal expertise, members of the council said, the agency should draw from the private sector and academia for greater innovation in the development of its technology. In addition, NASA suffered embarrassments over launch delays, technical problems with shuttles and damaged equipment on the Hubble Space Telescope and the Galileo spacecraft sent to Jupiter. In 1992, Truly resigned, but his departure was widely characterized as a firing, and he said that he was floored and that it was not my idea. He did an extremely valuable job in getting the shuttles flying again, and restoring a sense of integrity to the agency, John Logsdon, an adviser to the council, told The Washington Post at the time. But he also said that Trulys vision of the future was not compatible with the realities of the world. After leaving NASA, Truly led the Georgia Tech Research Institute, a nonprofit research arm of his alma mater, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Energy Departments National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Richard Harrison Truly was born in Fayette, Miss., on Nov. 12, 1937. His father was a lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission, and his mother was a teacher. Truly had no particular ambition to become an aviator when he was young, taking pleasure in the more sedate activities of stamp collecting. In becoming an astronaut, he told the New York Times in 1981, he just kind of stumbled from one good opportunity to the other. He received a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering from Georgia Tech, which he attended on a Navy ROTC scholarship. He joined the Navy after his graduation in 1959. Serving in a fighter squadron aboard aircraft carriers, he developed a specialty in night landings, experience that he would call upon years later in the space shuttle program. Fear is a nice, healthy phenomenon, the Times once quoted Truly as saying. Any pilot who says hes never been scared is lying. He later was a test pilot and test pilot instructor before becoming a military astronaut attached to the Air Forces Manned Orbiting Laboratory program in Los Angeles. He joined NASA in 1969. Before making his first space flights, he worked on communications for Skylab, the first U.S. space station. His honors included two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, as well as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal. Truly was married to the former Colleen Cody Hanner. Besides his wife, of Genesee, survivors include their three children, Mike Truly of Crested Butte, Colo., Dan Truly of Los Angeles and Lee Truly Rumbles of Denver; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Trulys flight aboard the Columbia in 1981, in addition to occurring on his birthday, made him the first American grandfather known to have entered space. World War II veteran and retired Ramsey County (Minn.) Sheriffs Deputy Herb Gustafson holds his service awards and insignias at Applewood Pointe in Woodbury, the senior cooperative where he lives, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Displayed behind Gustafson is some of his art photography. (John Autey, Pioneer Press/TNS) ST. PAUL, Minn. (Tribune News Service) Herb Gustafsons family was planning a big celebration for his 100th birthday, but his health rapidly declined after he reached the century milestone. The special menu intended for his party will instead be served at his funeral buffet. The World War II veteran and retired Ramsey County sheriffs deputy had been living an active and independent life. Just before his birthday last month, he turned too quickly and fell in his apartment. He died Friday. After his fall, he underwent surgery for a broken hip. The doctor told the family, Your dads strong, he should do just fine, said daughter Kristy DuBois. He was determined to get back to living on his own at Applewood Pointe in Woodbury, a senior cooperative where he was a longtime resident. Up until then, Gustafson woke up at 5 a.m. daily and went to lift weights at Applewood Pointes gym. After surgery for his broken hip, Gustafson was in transitional care. He wasnt feeling well and wound up back in the hospital, where tests showed cancer. Hed been diagnosed with lymphoma last fall. He had a tumor removed then and radiation treatment, and the doctor told him the cancer would likely come back in another part of his body. We didnt realize it was going to be so soon, DuBois said. His family brought him back home to Applewood Pointe in Woodbury last Wednesday on hospice care. Once he realized he was home, he started perking up and within half an hour he was telling me to call all these people, they were his card-playing buddies, he said. They just happened to be all the single women in the building, DuBois said with a chuckle. So he had a steady stream of women coming through to visit him. Gustafsons family was by his side when he passed away Friday. Grew up in St. Paul Gustafson was born Feb. 10, 1924, and grew up in St. Paul. After graduating from Monroe High School, he served in the Army from 1943 to 1946 and was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines. He returned to St. Paul, where he worked for the St. Paul school district for 16 years as the storekeeper and buyer for the schools trade shops. He was a Ramsey County sheriffs deputy from 1969 to 1989. And he had a 70-year hobby of photography, winning international awards for his artistic photos. He and Rose, who Gustafson was married to for 64 years when she died in 2011, raised their four children in St. Paul and later moved to Vadnais Heights. He was very kind and generous, and he just enjoyed life, DuBois said. He wanted to stay active. He still had all of his mental faculties, even up until the end. I attribute that to him staying engaged with people and being independent and wanting to have people around him. Gustafsons family had been planning a big birthday party at Applewood Pointe for after his Feb. 10 birthday and, after his Feb. 6 fall, they intended to hold it at a later date. The menu was to be appetizers from around the world because Rose and Herb Gustafson had traveled extensively. Instead of having your typical funeral buffet, Im going to keep the menu from the party, DuBois said. It was something he was looking forward to. Funeral arrangements are being finalized. In addition to DuBois, Gustafson is survived by his children, Karen Gustafson, Kathy Bidney and Aric Gustafson, along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at twincities.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Maldives has signed a military assistance pact with China as President Mohamed Muizzu reiterated his position that there will be no Indian military presence in his country not "even in civilian attire." According to the Defense Ministry of the island nation, Defense Chief Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon and Chinese official for Military Cooperation Maj. Gen. Zhang Baoqun signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties. The agreement appears to have been signed in the capital Male on Monday, according to the ministrys social media handle X. Chinas top diplomat in Male Ambassador Wang Lixin is also seen in the pictures shared by the ministry. Ahead of the signing ceremony, Maumoon and Zhang discussed enhancing defense cooperation between the Maldives and China, the ministry said. Meanwhile, Muizzu has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10. His statement comes after the Indian civilian team's arrival ahead of the agreed military withdrawal deadline which was earlier set as March 15. The Maldives asked India in January to withdraw its 88 troops from the island nation. Meanwhile, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing was committed to building a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with the Maldives, Chinese media reported. Normal cooperation between China and Maldives does not target, nor is it influenced by any third party, Mao said about the Chinese military aid to Maldives. The Main Intelligence Agency within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on Tuesday morning reported the destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergei Kotov. "On the night of March 4 and 5, 2024, the special unit of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine 'Group 13' attacked the patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Sergey Kotov. The mission took place in cooperation with the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. As a result of the attack, the Russian ship of project 22160 Sergei Kotov was damaged by the Magura V5 sea drones on the stern, starboard and left sides," according to the Intelligence Agency's statement in the Telegram channel. It is also noted that the fire defeat of the Kotov ship took place in the territorial waters of Ukraine, not far from the Kerch Strait, the cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million. They are in a state of shock over this. Its appalling the way they have been treated. The family of an alleged rape victim has slammed cops for failing to inform them that the man accused of the attack had been granted bail to the town where she works. Alcino Soares was granted bail last Friday despite police making strong objections that he presents a high risk to the public, specifically young females. The family of the woman who is an adult but was under the age of 21 when the alleged attack took place last year say they are in a state of shock nobody made them aware that the 18-year-old had been released. Their shock is compounded because the alleged victim works, shops and visits friends in Dungannon. Alcino Soares The failure to make the woman aware will be a huge embarrassment to the Department of Justice, with its minister Naomi Long this week launching a public information campaign to highlight the Victim Charter. Part of the charter clearly states that victims of alleged crimes should be kept informed about their cases and it specifically says they should be made aware of the outcome of bail hearings connected to their case. Soares, of Braeside, Dungannon, is charged with rape, sexual assault, and twice aiding and abetting a youth to rape. A second male, who cant be identified because of his age, is also accused of raping the woman. He was released on bail last year and police have told the court he was the instigator of the attack. Previous court hearings have heard Soares and the other male allegedly raped the woman in an underground car park in Dungannon on September 9. They both deny the charges. Soares has been in custody since last September and had failed in a number of previous bail applications, but was granted bail at the High Court in Belfast last week. The court decided Soares could be released on 500 bail with strict conditions, including electronic tagging, curfew from 8pm to 7am, no contact with the complainant, co-accused or any prosecution witness, and signing three times weekly with police. He must also surrender his passport and cannot leave Northern Ireland. A few days later, the Justice Minister and Geraldine Hanna, the commissioner designate for victims of crime, launched their public awareness campaign for the Victim Charter. Geraldine Hanna, the commissioner designate for victims of crime, and Justice Minister Naomi Long launch a public awareness campaign to promote rights of victims and witnesses in NI A friend of the womans family said: They are in a state of shock over this. Its appalling the way they have been treated. The family friend added that the woman has no experience of the court system and no one from the PPS or police called her to explain what was said during the latest bail application. He said that she has never been informed of imminent court hearings regarding the case. She lives in the outskirts of Dungannon but works in Dungannon, he added. Its her nearest shopping town and she has friends there. She has not been told whether theres an exclusion zone as part of the bail conditions or where the accused can and cannot go. She hasnt been contacted. It is very hard for her family to take on board that both the accused are back in Dungannon despite the very serious charges. A local reporter informed a family member before the case appeared in a newspaper and the young womans father sat her down to tell her that he had been released. It has been very traumatic. It is incredible the Justice Minister launched the Victim and Witness Charter campaign this week as none of these rights were implemented in this case. It is as if she has been airbrushed out of the proceedings which seem to be about the accused, the police and judiciary. In this case, the charter is just lip service and the young woman has been retraumatised by a process that has sidelined her. A PSNI spokesperson said last night: We cannot comment on the specifics of cases still making their way through the criminal justice system. A detective constable previously told Dungannon Magistrates Court the complainant reported being raped by two unknown males. She had been out with friends when the males approached and walked her, one on either side, to an empty underground car park. She was taken to a rear corner and raped by one of the males, while the other watched and laughed, the court heard. A police officer said she appeared limp and ragdoll-like on CCTV footage and may have been unconscious. Soares was arrested on September 23 and he allegedly provided officers with false details, although later corrected this, the officer told the court. A search of his home recovered clothing police believe he was wearing at the time of the alleged sexual attack. More than 10 mobile phones were seized and it emerged that DNA matching the defendant was found on the complainants trousers. After caution, he said: I didnt rape anyone. No way, man. During interview, Soares denied rape, insisting all sexual activity was consensual and that the complainant wanted it and was 50/50 drunk. The case is due for mention again on March 22. A Department of Justice spokesperson said: We are unable to comment on a case while there are live proceedings. A member of the group smearing jam and porridge on the bust (This Is Rigged/PA) An Irish activist is one of two members of a campaign group charged after they poured porridge and jam on a bust of Queen Victoria and sprayed painted the word c*** on the plinth at Glasgows Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Irish actvist Sorcha Ni Mhairtin, 30, and Hannah Taylor, 23 from This Is Rigged carried out the actions around midday, before reportedly gluing themselves to the plinth. The group said it carried out the act to protest against increasing food insecurity. The Victoria bust covered in porridge and jam (This Is Rigged/PA) Ms Ni Mhairtin, an Irish activist and community food worker in Glasgow, said: We refuse to be dragged back to the Victorian era. Diseases of starvation including scurvy and rickets are on the rise. Freedom begins with breakfast and if you cant understand that, well shove it in your face. Food is a human right, and we call out the rotten systems under which we are suffering. One of the members of This Is Rigged being escorted off the premises by police (This Is Rigged/PA) Other stunts carried out by the group this year include occupying the royal dining room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is Rigged has said it will continue to carry out similar actions until its demands are met, which include supermarkets reducing the price of baby formula to March 2021 prices and the Scottish Government funding and implementing a community food hub in every 500 households in Scotland. PA reached out to the museum, who declined to comment. One of the women being taken away by the police (This Is Rigged/PA) A spokesperson from Police Scotland told PA: Around 11.55am on Sunday March 3 2024, police were called to a report of a protest and alleged vandalism within Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow. Two women, aged 23 and 30 years, have been arrested and charged following the incident. They have been released on an undertaking to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Sandaraite spoke only to say not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter when the charge was read to her A 38-year-old Lithuanian woman who was charged with the murder of a 47-year-old Polish man in Co Meath two years ago has had a plea of guilty to manslaughter accepted by the State. Sandra Sandaraite with an address at Academy Street, Navan, Co Meath, had been charged with the murder of Zbigniew Czech at the same address on December 10, 2022. Zbigniew Czech At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, Sandaraite pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which Bernard Condon SC said was acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sandaraite spoke only to say not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter when the charge was read to her by the registrar. Scene of the incident Michael Bowman SC, for Sandaraite, said the charge arose in the context of a domestic dispute. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the matter to a sentence hearing date of May 16, to allow for the preparation of urinalysis and probation reports. He did an awful stupid thing and he is ashamed and remorseful. A Canadian national who brought just over half a million-euro worth of cannabis into Ireland has been jailed for five years. Shane Romel Bullock (29) of Ontario, Toronto, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importation of 29.8kg of cannabis, worth 597,048 at Dublin Airport on July 28, 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 that they were his. He said he didnt know what was in them and had agreed to take them from Canada with the intention of bringing them onto 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 a learned a great deal since his arrest and has 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. 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 Belfast 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 this 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 playing this game for about 20 years but initially his focus had been on woman 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 female children. 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. Gardai on duty on Mary Street were flagged down by the Toymaster manager who said items had been stolen by a group of women A mother of three used a pram to steal toys from a toy shop while she had very little money in the run-up to Christmas. Michelle Flynn (35) was caught with the shoplifted toys underneath the buggy when she was stopped after leaving the store. Adjourning the case, Judge Monika Leech said she would leave the accused without a criminal record if she made a 100 charity donation. Ms Flynn, a lone parent with an address at Heywood Court, Northwood, Santry, pleaded guilty to theft in the incident in Dublin city centre on November 30 last year. Dublin District Court heard gardai on duty on Mary Street were flagged down by the manager from nearby Toymaster who said a number of items had been stolen by a group of women. They had used a pram to conceal the items and Ms Flynn was one of them, a garda said. Gardai recovered three items worth 77 from underneath the pram. They were in a saleable condition and were returned to the shop. Ms Flynn was fully aware the other women had placed the items under her pram and left the store with them, her solicitor Peter Connolly said. It was before Christmas, she had very little money and she was in a toy store, Mr Connolly said. Its a matter of regret. Ms Flynn had no previous convictions. Mr Connolly asked the judge to leave his client without a criminal record. The judge told her to donate 100 to Focus Ireland and remanded her on bail to a date later this month. Ian Bissett (38), who was once jailed for an aggravated sexual assault on a man, was spared a prison term Ian Bissett was 'living at the side of the motorway near Blanchardstown'. Stock image A sex offender who failed to tell gardai his whereabouts as required by law had been living in a tent by the side of a Dublin motorway, a court heard. Ian Bissett (38), who was once jailed for an aggravated sexual assault on a man, was spared a prison term after a judge said the circumstances of the case were almost exceptional. He was given a four-month suspended sentence. Bissett, with an address at Navan Road Parkway in west Dublin, pleaded guilty to failing to notify gardai of his address under the Sex Offenders Act. Blanchardstown District Court heard the offence happened between November 7 and 24 last year. The prosecuting garda said Bissett made no reply to the charge after caution and was handed a copy of the charge sheet. He had one previous conviction for aggravated sexual assault, in 2005, for which he had served a sentence. When he appeared in court, he was serving a sentence imposed at Cloverhill District Court for other offences. Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said the triggering offence for the sex offenders notification charge was now nearly 20 years old. When he did not notify the gardai, Bissett was living at the side of the motorway near Blanchardstown. He was in a tent at the side of the road because he was sometimes unable to access homeless accommodation because of his record. It was a sad situation where the accused sometimes had to make his own way in the world, Mr Fleming said. The offences for which he was currently serving a sentence from Cloverhill included public order charges, the court heard. The reason the accused had not entered an earlier plea was because there had been a logistical difficulty in putting it to him. Mr Fleming asked the judge for leniency and to consider not adding to Bissetts time in custody. Judge McHugh said justice was best served if a suspended sentence was given in the case, given the facts. These were I wouldnt say exceptional, but something approaching that in nature, he said. He suspended the sentence for two years on condition the accused keeps the peace and is of good behaviour. The judge also granted free legal aid in the case as the accused was a serving prisoner and a statement of his financial means was submitted to the court. The landlady thought she was going to be killed and screamed for help A tenant assaulted his landlady as she slept in the night, pulling out clumps of her hair and claiming she was the devil before jumping out a second floor window on top of gardai, a court has heard. Paulo Ronchi (39), a chef, was having some sort of psychotic episode when he attacked his landlady, a fellow tenant and two gardai who arrived on the scene, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. Despite this, he has not yet been seen by a psychiatrist, which Judge Pauline Codd described as concerning. Ronchi, formerly of Upper Cliff Road, Howth, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm, one count of assault and one count of criminal damage at the same address on August 21, 2021. Garda Jay O'Neill told Garrett McComack BL, prosecuting, that the woman was asleep in her bed at 4am on the night in question, when she awoke to find her tenant, Ronchi, kneeling on top of her, screaming that she was the devil and a witch. He was shouting and raving that he was possessed by God, the court heard. Paulo Ronchi The landlady thought she was going to be killed and screamed for help. Another tenant in the house came to her aid and got Ronchi into a headlock and dragged him out to the landing. He then managed to push Ronchi into his own bedroom. The landlady realised her arm was bleeding from the assault, with blood dripping onto the floor. Ronchi had also pulled out clumps of her hair. Gardai were called to the scene and Gda O'Neill said that when he arrived, he could hear sounds of destruction coming from inside the house. Ronchi was thrashing his bedroom, damaging furniture, a door and the walls, the court heard. He then jumped out of his second floor bedroom window, landing on top of two gardai underneath and injuring them. In the ensuing scuffle, he spat at them and bit one of them just below his knee. Ronchi was detained under the Mental Health Act and not interviewed by gardai until a later date. Gda O'Neill said that when interviewed, Ronchi repeated his assertion that he was possessed by God, which Gda O'Neill described as alarming. Ronchi, who is originally from Brazil, has no previous convictions. In a victim impact statement handed into court, the landlady said the criminal damage to the bedroom and loss of rental income amounted to 800. She said she suffered with stress, depression and anxiety in the wake of the attack, and was afraid to leave her home for months. She said she developed a fear of the dark and was unable to return to her bedroom. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said Ronchi doesn't remember much from that night. He said that prior to this incident, Ronchi got on well with his landlady and the other tenant. He had smoked cannabis that night to help him sleep, the court heard. The court heard that at the time, Ronchi was struggling with work-related stress and his relationship was breaking down. Ronchi has a good work history and is currently working as a chef in a restaurant in Howth, defence counsel said. Mr Spencer asked the court to adjourn the case to allow for a pscychiatric report to be prepared. Judge Codd adjourned the case until June 10 and remanded Ronchi on continuing bail until then. She also ordered a urine analysis report to ensure he is not smoking weed. Daunte Millar Wruck (21) was a complete and utter patsy in the operation A Canadian who was found carrying over 590,000 of herbal cannabis in two suitcases in Dublin Airport was a complete and utter patsy in the operation, a court has heard. Daunte Millar Wruck (21) pleaded guilty to a count of importing a controlled drug for sale or supply on August 1, 2023. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since this date. Garda Peter Elliott told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday that Wruck was stopped at Terminal One, Dublin Airport by customs officials. He was carrying two suitcases, which were found to contain 29.8kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of 596,000. Wruck admitted possessing the suitcases, but said he thought they contained artworks which he was taking to Birmingham. Gda Elliott agreed with Paul Murray SC, defending, that his client entered an early guilty plea, answered all questions put to him and was as co-operative as possible, telling gardai that he took a chance. It was further accepted that Wruck, who has an address in Canada, told gardai that he expected to receive $10,000 Canadian dollars (7,000) for his involvement. Gda Elliott agreed that Wruck gave gardai the pin number to his phone. The investigation was able to retrieve messages sent by a third party to Wruck instructing him to book a flight from Toronto via Ottawa to London and also provided money to pay for the flights. It was accepted that the messages show an issue arose with the original flight and a new one was booked from Ottawa to Birmingham, travelling via Dublin. Wruck was to meet another individual at a hotel in Birmingham. Gda Elliott agreed with Mr Murray that the third party was in control and Wruck was a complete and utter patsy in the operation. Mr Murray told the court that his client is a young man with a work history. He built up debts and someone suggested if he did this, he might get some money for it. He said Wruck took a big gamble and it backfired spectacularly. Mr Murray asked the court to take into consideration his client's young age, his lack of previous convictions and his lack of connection to Ireland, which will make his time in custody more difficult. Wruck is doing well in custody and a number of certificates were provided to the court. A letter of apology was also handed in. Judge Martin Nolan noted that a substantial amount of cannabis was found in the suitcases. He said Wruck acted as a transporter and was going to receive some reward for his involvement. If he did not know he was transporting illicit drugs, he was certainly reckless in what he did, the judge noted. He said the court considered the mitigating factors including the guilty plea, Wruck's young age at the time of the offence and his co-operation with gardai. Judge Nolan said he would impose a sentence of between five and six years for a more mature adult before handing Wruck a sentence of three and half years, backdated to August 1, last. Driver caught with RAK PM-63 submachine gun had nothing to do with murder A machine pistol was seized on Saturday evening when gardai stopped a vehicle on a major road in south Dublin. Image: Garda Press Office. 27/2/21 The funeral of Barry Wolverson, who was shot in his car last year, at St. Monicas Church, on Edenmore Crescent, Dublin 5 Picture: Arthur Carron A gilly who had a machine gun dumped in his car by businessman Barry Wolversons killers insisted to the Sunday World this week: I want nothing to do with them theyre murderers. We approached Wicklow man Brian Lucey last week a day after he was given a four-year suspended sentence for the illegal possession of a RAK PM-63 submachine gun at the M11 Shankill roundabout on March 7, 2020. Although the parties previously convicted of moving the machine gun were not named in court this week, we can reveal one of them to be deceased hitman Bernard Fogarty. An associate of Fogartys, also convicted of moving the machine gun, cannot be named as he is before the courts charged with an unrelated murder. In December 2022, both Fogarty and his associate were convicted of murdering father-of-eight Barry Wolverson at Madigans Yard, Kileek Lane, Swords, Co Dublin, at around midday on January 17, 2020. Barry Wolverson The pair were sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of the 40-year-old, who was a businessman renting space at Madigans Yard. He was shot in cold blood and died after being in a coma for 13 months. At Brian Luceys sentencing hearing this week, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard how the 44-year-old had driven to an address in Donaghmede where he thought he would be picking up a quantity of cannabis. Instead, someone he didnt know threw the firearm into the footwell of his car. When we approached him at his home the day after the sentence was handed down, Lucey told our reporter: I dont really want to say anything about it. I just want to leave it behind me, to be honest. I had nothing to do with it. I want nothing to do with them. Theyre murderers. Brian Lucey Lucey, with an address in Co Wicklow, initially took a trial date but later pleaded guilty to illegally possessing the weapon at the M11 Shankill roundabout on March 7, 2020. He told gardai he panicked and drove off when the gun was flung in his car. Sergeant Brian McDermott told the court the whole incident was observed by gardai who had mounted an intelligence-led surveillance operation. Sgt McDermott told Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, that Lucey was identified travelling in his car with other people on the day in question. The vehicle was seen meeting with another car in Circle K in Shankill and then on to an address in Donaghmede. The gun was put in the car and gardai continued to follow Lucey until he pulled in on the M11. When confronted by gardai, Lucey co-operated and made admissions. Gardai found the blowback operated Mac type machine pistol uncovered and clearly visible in the passenger footwell. A machine pistol was seized on Saturday evening when gardai stopped a vehicle on a major road in south Dublin. Image: Garda Press Office. The court heard two co-accused people were also arrested and have been dealt with in the Central and Special Criminal Courts. Lucey has one previous minor road traffic matter and has not come to any adverse garda attention since this firearms offence. Sgt McDermott agreed with Paul Carroll SC, defending, that Lucey had not known about the firearm in advance and had driven to Donaghmede in the expectation of picking up some cannabis, having been told he could keep half the weed himself. Sgt McDermott further agreed that gardai told the co-accused that they used Lucey as a gilly. The sergeant also accepted that Lucey had used cannabis as a source of pain relief after suffering back and spinal injuries in two serious car crashes in 2006 and 2009. Luceys house was later searched by gardai who found cannabis to the value of 882 there. Mr Carroll said Lucey is still under medical attention for his spinal injuries and has been on disability since his second car crash in 2009. The court heard Lucey rang his contact from his car to say he wasnt happy about the gun and had pulled over in order to dump the weapon and get rid of it. Several character references were handed in for Lucey from family members and neighbours confirming that he was not a man of previous criminality. Mr Carroll said Lucey was completely up front with gardai from the start and told them he was terrified when the gun was put in his car. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Lucey had been completely taken by surprise and placed in an agony of the moment situation. Lucey should have informed the guards immediately, but he didnt. He was in a state of confusion as to what to do. His level of culpability is quite low, said Judge Nolan. Lucey was given a four-year fully-suspended sentence after Judge Nolan said he had certain sympathy for him and that a prison sentence would be very harsh. During previous sentencing hearings of Fogarty and his fellow killer, who cannot be named, in connection with the weapon, details emerged of the garda surveillance operation that led to its recovery. Bernard Fogarty Sergeant Brian McDermott revealed how, after receiving confidential information about the handing over of a firearm, gardai put a surveillance operation in place on two vehicles; a silver Hyundai jeep and a white Nissan Pulsar. On the evening of March 7, the two vehicles pulled in on the main street in Clondalkin and several passengers got out of the Hyundai, including Bernard Fogarty. The men then got back into the car and the convoy continued. Sgt McDermott said the Hyundai was observed travelling towards Donaghmede on the evening of March 7 when both vehicles pulled in at Hole in the Wall Road. Fogarty got out of the jeep and went towards his home address before gardai witnessed him going over to the Nissan Pulsar and leaning into it. Both vehicles then left the area. The court heard that the submachine gun was in the front passenger footwell of the Nissan Pulsar and the driver of the car was arrested. Fogarty was sentenced to five years in prison for moving the machine gun in December 2020. The court heard Fogarty was known to gardai as being heavily involved in organised crime and was linked through DNA evidence to the sub-machine gun. In passing sentence, Mr Justice Tony Hunt said that the damage done by gun crime could not be ignored. Mr Justice Hunt observed that the firearm was not in condition for immediate use but said undoubtedly the weapon was contemplated to be used at a future time. Bernard Fogarty, who passed away in prison earlier this year, was subsequently sentenced in May 2023 to an additional 15 years in prison for the attempted murder of Mark Ivers at Streamville Road, Donaghmede, north Dublin on September 6, 2019. On the night of March 5, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 18 of 22 Shahed-type attack UAVs sent from the Balaklava-Crimea launch area, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said. "On the night of March 5, 2024, the enemy attacked the launch areas of Balaklava, Crimea with 22 attack drones of the Shahed type," the AFU said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday. Reportedly, as a result of combat work, the air defense destroyed 18 UAVs within Odesa region. It is clarified that anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were involved in repelling the air attack. Gardai suspect the gang is using a number of front companies in the Coolock and Raheny areas on the citys northside. Detectives investigating the Mr Big drug trafficking network have arrested two suspects for alleged money-laundering offences. It follows a two-year investigation with gardai probing whether the crime gang have been laundering money through businesses in north Dublin. Gardai suspect the gang is using a number of front companies in the Coolock and Raheny areas on the citys northside. Todays arrests follow a number of searches of business premises and properties in March of last year when vital evidence, including documentation and company records were seized. Mr Big, aged in his mid 40s, remains one of the biggest drug traffickers in the country. His gang has been on the garda radar for almost two decades. Despite this, the north Dublin gang boss has no serious criminal convictions and he was not picked up in todays arrest operation. It is understood that the arrested men are important associates of the feared criminal and have been allegedly involved in managing the gangs finances. Despite long-standing links to criminals in the north inner city, Mr Big never got involved in the deadly Hutch/Kinahan feud and is considered an astute criminal with international drugs trafficking connections. A long term target for the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab), Mr Big has links to crime organisations all over the country, including the gang which was headed up by Sligo criminal Barry Young. Gardai announced details of the arrest operation this evening. As part of ongoing investigations into organised criminality and money-laundering offences in north Dublin, gardai in the DMR North arrested two males this morning, a garda spokesman said. The men, aged in their 30s and 40s, are both currently detained at garda stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. In 2022, An Garda Siochana commenced a criminal investigation into an organised crime group and their criminal enterprises operating in the DMR North. A number of targets were subsequently identified as having carried out suspected offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 and other related offences, he added. Mr Big who cannot be named for legal reasons is the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Real IRA terror boss Alan Ryan in 2012. Gardai believe he runs a drug-trafficking network on an international scale and he was a sworn enemy of gangland serial killer Robbie Lawlor, who was shot dead in Belfast in March, 2020. The involvement of his organisation in that murder has been probed by police and is considered one of the main motives. This is because Lawlor was the chief suspect for murdering Mr Bigs right-hand man and close friend, Kenneth Finn (36), in Coolock in February, 2018. Over the years, gardai have seized millions of euro worth of drugs from the Mr Big drugs network who often chip-in with other Irish gangs to import cocaine and other drugs into the country on a vast scale. However, despite these law enforcement successes, the gang are still classified as one of the biggest in the country. Despite their international profile, they have dozens of crack cocaine-dealing teenagers in their enterprises in Darndale and other northside suburbs who are also involved in drug debt intimidation on behalf of the organisation. They operate on a micro level as well as a macro level, a source previously pointed out. Mr Gallagher, who is in his early twenties, was last seen on Saturday evening close to his home in Ballycolman A Co Tyrone GAA club has joined the search for a missing former player Jordan Gallagher. It's understood Mr Gallagher, who is in his early twenties, was last seen on Saturday evening close to his home in Ballycolman. A cross-border search was launched along the banks of the Mourne and Foyle on Sunday after reports that a man may have entered the river. The area around Lifford Bridge was closed for a period on Saturday as part of the emergency operation. More than 50 people have been patrolling the banks of the two rivers in a co-ordinated search. Strabane Sigersons carried out a search on Monday and is set to search again today. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content On social media, the GAA club said yesterday evening: "Unfortunately, today's search has yielded no results. Tomorrow (Tuesday 5th March) we will continue to search to bring our boy home. "The meeting point will be Lifford Bridge at 10am, cars can be parked at Dolans in the spare car park next to Yum Yums ice-cream. "Please also be mindful of your own safety while out on the search, wear warm clothing, suitable footwear and hi-vis vest/ clothing if possible. As the sun rises tomorrow, let it be the light that guides you home." The motorist told barrister Adrianne Fields that he felt Hurst had taken the claim for the purpose of compensation and to get back at him A motorist, who forgot he had a 37-weeks-pregnant woman in the back of his car and accidentally moved it forward as she alighted from his vehicle, told a judge he could not remember at what stage of a 45 minute journey he had forgotten she was there. Dara ODonnell, of Milltree Rise, Ratoath, Co Meath, said in the Circuit Civil Court there had been tension and absolutely no talk in the car following remarks with regard to parking in disabled parking bays. ODonnell told Judge Terence OSullivan that during the 2017 bus strike he and his wife, Amanda, had given a lift into Dublin to Ms Amy Hurst, of Jamestown Park, Ratoath, who is an insurance claims fraud investigator and was known to them. He was dropping both of them off at the Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Street, Dublin, and his wife had got out of the car first. He had forgotten about Ms Hurst being in the back and had moved it forward an inch or two before hearing his wife shout stop and he braked the car again. Ms Hurst, who alleged in a 60,000 damages claim that she injured her back and groin as well as her ankle in the incident, said she had been half way out of the car when it jolted forward and knocked her back into the seat of the car on her bottom. She also claimed she had suffered post-traumatic stress as a result of fears she had about her baby. Fortunately she had been delivered of a healthy baby. ODonnell told barrister Adrianne Fields, who appeared with Delahunty OConnor Solicitors for Ms Hurst, that he felt Hurst had taken the claim for the purpose of compensation and to get back at him. In Ms Fields cross-examination he said he was not accusing Mr Hurst of having taken a fraudulent claim. His wife, Amanda, told the court her husbands car had jolted and she had shouted stop but did not believe Ms Hurst had stumbled back into the car or had been injured. Judge OSullivan told Mr Paul McMorrow, counsel for Mr ODonnell, it had been a very hotly contested case but the court accepted Mr ODonnells car had moved. He said he did not accept that Mr ODonnell had totally forgotten about Ms Hurst having been in the back of his car. He said he was satisfied Mr ODonnells wife had shouted out a warning and he had reacted to that by abruptly stopping the car. Awarding Ms Hurst 20,000 damages and costs, Judge OSullivan said he did accept that Mr ODonnell at no stage had deliberately moved his car forward with a view to deliberately discommode Ms Hurst. Judge OSullivan said it had to be said there had been allegations that Ms Hurst was not injured to the extent she had claimed and somehow had been making an awful lot of a very minor incident. He accepted that Ms Hursts back injury had lasted about a year and that there had been no impact between the door of Mr ODonnells car and her abdomen but that did not mean that her abdomen had not been in some way compromised. David Lawlor (60) will now be able to keep family home A builder who became insolvent following the construction sector crash in the late 2000s has had more than 2.2m in debt written off in return for a lump-sum payment of 80,000. Under a personal insolvency arrangement (PIA) approved by the High Court, David Lawlor (60) will be able to retain his family home, which was in negative equity. The court heard Mr Lawlor, a separated farmer and maintenance worker from Dragoon Hill, Hollywood, Co Wicklow, had overall debts of 2.7m. Under the court-sanctioned debt deal, most of his creditors will receive just 0.46pc of what they are owed. Mr Lawlors debts primarily arose from personal guarantees he gave on behalf of a construction company he was previously involved in. He had a string of development firms, all of which are now dissolved. Documents filed in court said he had amassed a tremendous amount of arrears and due to his age would struggle to pay back a fraction of what he owed. Mr Justice Alexander Owens approved the PIA after hearing unsecured creditors would receive nothing at all if Mr Lawlor was forced into bankruptcy. The PIA was devised by personal insolvency practitioner Nicholas ODwyer of Grant Thornton and presented to the court by Keith Farry BL. The court heard Mr Lawlors main creditors were Promontoria (Finn) DAC, owed 940,000; Promontoria (Scariff) DAC, owed 829,000; Lawson Construction, owed 596,000; and Everyday Finance DAC, owed 297,000. Mr Farry told the judge Mr Lawlors home was worth 335,000, but had an outstanding mortgage balance of almost 412,000. Under the PIA, the mortgage balance is to be reduced to 340,000, with the rest being written off. Mr Lawlor will only have to make repayments on a reduced mortgage balance of 102,000 for the six-year term of the PIA. The remaining balance of 238,000 will be warehoused until then. Mr Farry said the arrangement had the support of Mr Lawlors mortgage creditor. Mr Lawlor owed over 97,000 to the Revenue Commissioners, according to the PIA. But the court heard the Revenue was only claiming a preferential debt of 47,000. This is to be paid off out of an 80,000 lump sum being paid into the PIA. Mr Farry said the money was coming from Mr Lawlors sister. The court heard Mr Lawlor still owned several properties, but these were either of little value or valueless right of way or common areas. A parcel of land at Cuilmore, Swinford, Co Mayo, valued at 45,000, is to be surrendered to Everyday Finance. Three acres at Corbally, Castledermot, Co Kildare, worth 60,000, will also be surrendered. Mr Justice Owens said that if Mr Lawlors income increases over the term of the PIA, there might be a review of the arrangement. He said Mr Lawlor had previously been in a large way involved in the building industry. As a result of building houses in various places, he has ended up with some properties that are not valuable at all and are really only common areas, the judge said. His only real asset appears to be his principal private residence, valued at 335,000. It is clear that it is worth much less than the mortgage balance. It is also clear he is being supported by the lender who has security on his principal private residence. Approving the PIA, Mr Justice Owens said it appeared all statutory requirement had been fulfilled. The arrangement is fair as between himself and his creditors. It is also fair as between his creditors themselves, the judge said. It appears it is affordable. It also appears it will lead to a situation where he does not have to become bankrupt. A school leader says he is worried truancy will increase if school meals are limited to certain students next year. Associate Education Minister David Seymour has confirmed the government-funded lunch programme, Ka Ora, Ka Ako, is under review ahead of the Budget. Porirua College deputy principal John Topp says the school feeds more than 1000 students a day in the area through the free school lunch programme. The contract runs out at the end of the year and he was worried it would not be renewed for all students. "Sometimes it's the only food they'll have in that day - and [they ask] can we have more? So we've got to keep doing that. "But we can't target the students that need it the most because they are going to feel whakama [shame] about that and that's going to make it worse here at school, and they just won't come." Since 2019, the programme had been offered to students at schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. Leaders at the school say truancy is an ongoing challenge due to poverty and the cost-of-living crisis hitting families hard. The school has about 70 per cent of students attending at any given day, John says. Attendance officer Mose Skipworth agrees the lunches helped to keep kids in school. "A lot of people are just seeing students not showing up to school, not sitting in the seats - but I think what they are not seeing is that they didn't have dinner, or they haven't had lunch, or they haven't had breakfast." Ministry of Education statistics show in term three of last year, only 46 per cent of students across the country attended school more than 90 per cent of the time. David warned at an Education Select Committee this week that if the truancy crisis was not solved it would leave an 80-year shadow of negative effects. He says the school lunch programme, including whether it was targeted to certain students only, was going to be reviewed in the lead up to the Budget. David says there was no hard evidence in New Zealand the programme had improved achievement and attendance since it began. "When you've got a programme that is close to $350 million every year, you've got a duty to ask yourself is this programme delivering value for the people who need it most, not creating any waste, and having an effect on the government's overall objectives?" David cited a Treasury report of the programme from 2023 which says about 12 per cent of lunches, or about 10,000 a day, were left over. The report stated the lunches generally made students happier and healthier but did not find an impact on attendance. Researchers at the University of Auckland, also in 2023, found the programme improved nutrition and educational outcomes. Fines for truancy a possibility David says everything was on the table when it came to truancy, including imposing fines on parents who do not send their kids to school. "We fine people who speed past the school, but somehow we apply a totally different standards to the duty that says you've got to send your kids to school." He says fines were just one idea to tackle truancy, and they were not going to be used on families in financial hardship. "We don't intend to do it in a way that equates to 'the beatings will continue until morale improves'. "We are not going to fine people who are already hard up and may in fact not be sending their kids to school because they are in financial hardship," David says. Te Tai Tokerau principals' association president Pat Newman questioned how a fine system would work. "What are they going to do if they don't pay them, put them in jail at $150-$200,000 a year? You've got to look at how you are going to enforce this." Pat, who has been in education for 51 years, says he wanted effort and money put into regionally led programmes, putting the issue of children's attendance at the centre of the community. John says Porirua College's attendance programme has improved since they were able to employ attendance officers born and raised in the community. The school now delivered the attendance work for schools across Porirua East. Tamara To'omaga says she worked with families over weeks and months to turn truancy around. "Being born and raised here in Porirua, a lot of these families are families that we grew up with, so having hard conversations is okay." - RNZ/ Ellen O'Dwyer A two-week campaign aimed at enhancing food security in Tauranga is currently underway. GoGenerosity announced a collaboration with PAKnSAVE Cameron Road and Otumoetai Social Supermarket that allows customers of PAKnSAVE Cameron Road the opportunity to pay-it-forward (donate) at the checkout through an Eftpos prompt. Customers can choose to donate a small percentage of their total bill or set their own amount. Unlike most donation drives, 100 per cent of these contributions will be pooled and used to provide groceries to fill the shelves of the Otumoetai Social Supermarket. The Otumoetai Social Supermarket, established by the Linkt Community Trust in partnership with Foodstuffs and Otumoetai Baptist Church in November 2022, embodies a vision of fostering a connected, kai secure community in Otumoetai by making groceries accessible for people experiencing financial hardship. It provides groceries through a points system, allowing families to choose what they specifically need, differentiating the Social Supermarket from the likes of Food Banks. A shopper at the social supermarket. This two-week PAKnSAVE Cameron Road campaign is the second of this kind for Foodstuffs Bay of Plenty stores. A previous pay-it-forward drive held over three weeks at New World Brookfield last year generated $39,638 which translates to 991 people in need supported through Otumoetai Social Supermarket. This impressive amount was a combined total generated from New World Brookfield matching their customers donations dollar-for-dollar. PAKNSAVE is hoping to generate similar consumer pay-it-forwards for the Social Supermarket, at a time when many in our community need this support. "We are thrilled to partner with PAKnSAVE Cameron Road for this initiative," says Rohan McCloskey, CEO and Founder of GoGenerosity. "At GoGenerosity, we are deeply committed to leveraging technology for social good. This campaign is the perfect example of what happens when we work together as a community. It empowers individuals and businesses to make a tangible difference through giving small amounts, often." By collaborating with PAKnSAVE Cameron Road and the Otumoetai Social Supermarket, GoGenerosity continues to help create a world where generosity is not just an occasional act but a part of our every day. Police have received several reports of a rental property rental scam involving the Chinese community. The scammers are targeting China-based people who are seeking rental accommodation in New Zealand, and in particular the Auckland city area. Unfortunately, this not a new scam and targets victims through different platforms, says a police spokesperson. "We are seeing reports of this scam recently being advertised on a popular New Zealand-based Chinese web forum. "In all instances, the scammers are posing as legitimate landlords or real estate agents." Police say a person seeking a rental property is usually asked to make contact with the supposed landlord or agent over the messaging app WeChat. The scammer will send alleged proof of identity through to the renter, usually in the form of a real-looking passport photo or official-looking document. The renter is then asked to digitally sign a false tenancy agreement and transfer money, usually thousands of dollars, to a New Zealand-based bank account to secure the rental property. "The scammer often asks the renter for more money, again usually in the thousands to reserve the property, telling them a New Zealand-based tenant was also interested in the property," says police. "If the China-based renter does not pay, the property would be rented out to the New Zealand-based renter, and they would lose it. "Often, the victim is asked for a third payment, to make sure the rental property is furnished. "Upon arriving in New Zealand however, the renter soon learns they have been scammed, when they discover that their supposed rental property is already occupied. "Police understand that these offences can be very believable. "They can be carried out from anywhere in the world and are prevalent on many online platforms especially social platforms." Therefore, before giving people money or making an agreement, it is essential you consider: Papamoa College is swiftly implementing measures to address a disturbing incident captured on video, where two students were filmed in February assaulting another student on the college grounds. The footage, circulating widely on social media, has sparked outrage and concern among the college community. In response, the college has initiated investigations and implemented measures to address not only the specific incident but also the broader challenge of bullying within the institution. Papamoa College principal Iva Ropati says this was an isolated incident and both boys seen assaulting the third boy in the video have been suspended. One of the boys in the video was excluded from Papamoa College last year, says Iva. The Ministry of Education directed our board to re-enrol him despite our concerns. The other boy had some low level misdemeanours but nothing as serious as the current incident. Iva says the colleges counselling and pastoral teams are checking in with the student, who was assaulted, to provide support. The college has not notified police of the assault, as Iva says a police referral is not our practice but we support parents/caregivers to make that decision if they choose to. Ensuring student safety and well-being The videoed incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of all students at Papamoa College. In March 2021, the Papamoa College Board issued a message on bullying, which states that bullying of any sort is not acceptable to Papamoa College and the Board of Trustees is keen to see any harassment removed from the school environment because it affects all involved. The message provides helpful information for students about what to do if they are being bullied. Challenging antisocial behaviour The principal says, sadly, with the colleges higher expectations, some students have chosen not to cooperate. As a consequence, we have seen significant numbers of students stood down or suspended from Papamoa College last year in comparison to the previous years, says Iva. We do not believe this increase reflects an increase in poor behaviour, but rather our reduced tolerance for behaviour that is inconsistent with our values and an active effort to improve overall behaviour and pride. Papamoa College. Photo: Supplied. He says the number of students involved in disciplinary action last year doubled, with many coming from the junior school, and they are mostly boys. Iva says they manage every known case of bullying within the colleges policy and procedure. I suspect we may have allowed some anti-social behaviours to go unpunished in the past, says Iva. This has created a challenge for us as a school as we lift our expectations. I am confident that we will act on every report and where appropriate hold students accountable. Our stand-down and suspension rates last year highlight this commitment. Courage to stand up and speak out In the video of the assault, a female student is seen initially intervening, pushing back against one of the students who committed the assault. The student steps past her and unleashes a series of punches and kicks to the victim, being joined by a second student who does likewise. The student being assaulted is seen stepping back, trying to get away from the two bullies, before falling to the ground where he is punched again. Knowing how to deal with being bullied is also a challenge, as it requires the victim to speak up. Other students who witness bullying need the courage to stand together to stop bullying and to know how to get help to ensure all students feel secure, valued and free from any form of harassment, says Iva. We encourage students to reach out to a trusted friend or staff member so we can act. Our value of courage is an attempt to get many of those on the periphery of anti-social behaviours to speak up when they see or hear of such behaviour. Our whanau groups are pastoral groups where relationships between staff and students is different. The aim here is to reinforce positive relationships so that matters can be raised and support given. Barricading bathrooms A Papamoa College parent is also reporting that their student has stayed home from school due to not being able to enter the college bathrooms, and is waiting to get into a different college despite living outside the enrolment zone. She cant go to the bathroom at Papamoa College as the older girls have barricaded it because they are vaping, says the parent. The principal says they have not received any reports about barricading of toilets. We ask staff to monitor toilet areas while on duty and also have our cleaning/ground staff repair any damage or interference that may have occurred, says Iva. This year we have new buildings with new toilets available for student use that make barricading highly unlikely. In short, when we hear or see an issue, we fix it as quickly as we can. Students can use other toilet facilities around the campus. Involving the community Iva says in Term 2 of 2023, following the Papamoa College board surveying the community, a priority was accepted relating to student behaviour. The school then formulated a plan that was shared with the wider school community, says Iva. We are keeping our community updated and across our on-going challenges. We want to make the wider community more aware of our stance and practices and that this type of behaviour is not widespread as some would suggest. The way forward Although Papamoa College does not have a specific anti-bullying programme in place, it does have a school-wide approach to bullying. We have engaged with the Ministry of Education to have a new programme in our school which directly supports positive culture, called PB4L - Positive Behaviour for Learning. Iva says they are beginning the PB4L program at the college this year. It is a whole school initiative which aims to support a values based culture of well-being and care. This is a programme that we applied to and were successful in getting a place. He says they also hold timetabled and regular whole school and split assemblies which are values based. Where appropriate, we may from time to time use these sessions to address anti-social unwelcome behaviours, says Iva. Our approach is consistent with our policy relating to managing student behaviour. Once a matter is reported then our investigation process will start. This involves key staff and referrals up the chain of authority. As with any anti-social behaviour, we have little tolerance and as long as our process is robust we will always hold students accountable for their behaviour. Papamoa College. Photo: Supplied. The recent incident is shedding light on the prevalent issue of bullying within schools. A strategic objective that Papamoa College has is for the school culture to foster an environment which is positive, safe and affirming for students, with new strategies implemented. We have invested more resources into pastoral care for our learners, says Iva. Two new Associate Dean leadership positions were created which will directly support other year levels deans from Y7-Y13. He says they have also increased the time allowance for deans so they can always be available to students. He says the college has also increased staffing for their at risk students, with two new rangatahi mentors to assist with supporting students with behaviour and learning challenges. We have reintroduced formal student councils. These are opportunities to grow and develop more leaders at school to further promote and embed these values throughout the college. The student councils are operating at both the Junior (Year 7 - 10) and Senior School (Year 11 - 13). We have introduced a new set of school wide core values which we intend to roll out this year. Our aim is to provide opportunities for students to put these values in practice. They are Courage, Aspiration, Resilience and Empowerment. These values arose from significant staff and student feedback about what we needed, to live in a complex world. A portrait of a Maori man by a renowned New Zealand artist is heading for auction after spending six decades tucked away in a drawer. The signed oil on canvas is by Vera Cummings, whose esteemed paintings were among the first to focus on Maori people. The 20cm by 15cm portrait depicts a man with traditional Maori Ta Moko/face tattoos wearing a hei-tiki pendant. Although undated, it was probably painted in the 1930s or 1940s and is estimated at 1500 to 2000 in Richard Winterton Auctioneers Antiques & Home Sale on March 11. The canvas was consigned for sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre in Staffordshire, UK, following a valuation in person after an initial enquiry via email from its British owners. This is an old heirloom which has been in the family for 60 years, during much of which it has been safely stored in a drawer, says Senior valuer Sarah Williams. Beyond that it passes out of knowledge and its unclear where the New Zealand connection might have been. David Fergus, pictures valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers, says Vera Cummings was one of the very first artists to document the Maori people. As such this is quite a sought-after painting and its likely it will go back to New Zealand. Vera (Veronica) Cummings was a New Zealand painter and student of renowned portrait artist CF Goldie. Born in Thames a small town on New Zealands North Island in 1891 to parents of Scottish and Irish descent, the family later moved to Hamilton, Tauranga and Auckland. Something of a prodigy, at the age of 11 Cummings was one of the youngest students to receive a scholarship to attend Elam School of Fine Arts and studied under Goldie. After graduation, she continued to paint alongside Goldie and frequently depicted the same people, often elderly Maori from a hostel near the Aukland suburb of Parnell. David Fergus from Richard Winterton Auctioneers with the portrait by Vera Cummings. Cummings herself lived in Parnell near Judges Bay and died in Auckland in 1949, aged 58. Her paintings continue to sell well at auction; her work Portrait of a Maori Woman is part of the collection of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. The Maori portrait is Lot 320 in the March 11 Antiques & Home Sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre, starting at 9.30am. The catalogue can be viewed online at https://bid.richardwinterton.co.uk/auctions/8840/srric10399. Almudena Nogues / Europa Press Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 09:24 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A storm originating off the Galician coast in the north of Spain will leave "widespread and persistent" rainfall, moderate westerly and southwesterly winds, with the possibility of strong and very strong gusts and a drop in both maximum and minimum temperatures in Andalucia from Thursday onwards. The warning was issued by the state weather agency (Aemet) delegate in the region, Juan de Dios del Pino. Instability will dominate from the second half of the week onwards, after the first few days of transition. Therefore, according to Aemet, this Tuesday (5 March) and Wednesday the clouds will give way to an anticyclone that will leave clear skies and a rise in maximum temperatures of up to three degrees. It will be Wednesday afternoon when the first clouds of a "closer" storm will make their appearance. "From Thursday until Saturday it will leave precipitation. On Sunday the rains will continue but will be more scattered," added Del Pino. However, there are still days left to fine-tune the forecast and to be able to know the exact magnitude of this storm and its effects on the region. "In order for Andalucia to receive more accumulated rainfall, the two storms expected on Thursday and Saturday would have to be located at Cape San Vicente or on the 'nose' of Portugal. Looking at the latest weather models, the one on Thursday is located a little above the nose of Portugal and the one expected on Saturday above Galicia, although it would also affect us, even more oddly enough", explained Jose Luis Escudero on his SUR blog 'Tormentas y Rayos' (Storms and Lightning). The Meteored portal agrees with this diagnosis: "A new week of ups and downs in the weather is on the horizon, which will also be quite abrupt. We will have periods of clear skies and other stormy periods in which precipitation and wind will be the protagonists. The novelty lies in the location of the storms, most of which will be very close to the peninsula", the portal stressed. "An anticyclonic blockade in Scandinavia will allow the storms to move closer, so we will be talking about very heavy rainfall in some regions," it added, adding that the storms will bring associated winds from the west and southwest, which will blow moderately and strongly or even "very strongly" in the Mediterranean area. In addition to rain and wind, this weather phenomenon will bring with it a drop in the maximum temperatures in Andalucia of up to 4C in the case of the Guadalquivir Valley, with temperatures staying at around 17 degrees. The minimum temperatures will also fall, although "less markedly". They will stabilise at five degrees. On Friday and Saturday there is a probability of snow at altitudes above 1,500 and 1,600 metres, which will mean that the blanket of white will be concentrated in Sierra Nevada, in Granada, and in some parts of Cazorla, in Jaen province. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky and Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov held a conversation with British Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps and Commander of the Armed Forces Admiral Sir Anthony Radakin, during which the commander-in-chief briefed the parties about the "operational situation and pressing needs." "We also discussed the possibilities of implementation within the Maritime Capability Coalition. We must scale up Ukraine's successes in destroying the Russian fleet," Syrsky said on his Telegram page on Monday evening. The AFU Commander-in-Chief expressed gratitude to the UK for allocating GBP 200 million for the production of drones for Ukraine. "This is significant assistance," Syrsky said. Eugenio Cabezas Torrox Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 16:57 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Town councillors in Torrox on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol agreed during a council meeting on Monday 4 March to ask Spain's central government to increase the number of police officers and resources in Malaga province and in particular the Axarquia area following a rise in the number of burglaries in rural areas. According to councillor Jose Manuel Fernandez, who proposed the motion, there has been a constant rise in burglaries in recent months. In a statement he argued that the situation affects not only residents, but also the growing trend in tourism in the provinces inland towns and villages. Fernandez said in the statement that Torroxs Guardia Civil "lacks the necessary officers to properly ensure the safety of our municipality and the neighbouring towns of Algarrobo and Sayalonga. Matias Stuber Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 09:39 | Updated 10:14h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The Asaja, Coag, UPA and Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias agricultural associations have reached an agreement to present a calendar of new demonstrations in Malaga province. 'Tractoradas' (tractor rallies), roadblocks and demonstrations in front of the national government's subdelegation offices will return to draw attention to the unease experienced by farmers and stock breeders as a result of current agricultural policies, especially those set by the European Union. For now, the associations have called for two new days of protest on 7 and 13 March. On Thursday there will be a new 'tractorada'. It will be on the A-354 and the A-357, specifically, at the Zalea junction. The farming professionals will close the stretch of road from 10am to 1pm. One lane will be kept open for emergency vehicles. On 13 March, the agriculture sector protests will return to Malaga city. This time, with a demonstration in front of the Subdelegacion del Gobierno, on Paseo de Sancha. The intention is to occupy both lanes of traffic - also, between 10am and 1pm. City traffic will be affected and it is expected that Local Police officers will be on hand to divert the traffic. Rift exists These new demonstrations also highlight the rift that still exists between the sector and the Ministry of Agriculture. On 28 February, the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, summoned the agricultural associations to inform them of the agreements reached at the last Council of European Ministers held in Brussels. "The assessment of all the organisations that attended the meeting was negative, as what was proposed did not meet our expectations by any stretch of the imagination. Above all, because in order to achieve the objectives we are calling for, it is necessary to involve more government ministries, such as those of Ecological Transition, Labour and Finance", stated a communique signed by the four main associations of the agricultural sector. Cristina Vallejo Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 17:17 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Americans living in Malaga province have been able to vote in their presidential primaries this Tuesday through the new local chapter of Democrats Abroad. The group borrowed the offices of the Spanish Socialist party in the city's Calle Ollerias for Super Tuesday, so called as it is the day on which most states vote for the candidate they prefer to lead the ranks of the Republican and Democratic parties in the presidential elections that will take place, as every four years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November - which this year falls on 5th. Carey Ramos, alma mater and chair of the Malaga Precinct of Democrats Abroad, tells SUR that the group dates back just five months. With this Tuesday's meeting, Malaga joins the five Spanish cities where voting has been taking place for years: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Alicante and Valencia. Although with one difference: in Malaga the vote is still remote. US nationals went to Calle Ollerias to fill in the ballot paper, but then they had to take a photo of it to send it by email, while in the other five Spanish venues people can vote as if they were in any American district. The Malaga group hopes that the system will be in place here for coming elections. What motivated them to come together to vote in the first place was that they are growing in numbers. Previously, they say, the favourite Spanish destinations for Americans wanting to retire to Spain were Valencia and Alicante. But now Malaga is more popular and word is spreading. The other big motivation is political, and can be summed up in a phrase with which most of the people who turned out to vote early on Tuesday morning agree: "These are scary times: American democracy is at risk." And it is, they say, because of a possible victory of Donald Trump. Those speaking, of course, are members of or sympathisers with Joe Biden's Democratic Party. But there is no equivalent organisation to Democrats Abroad in the Republican ranks. Salvador Salas Most of those voting at ten in the morning - this unusual polling station was open from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon - are retired and have only been in Malaga for a very short time (a few months or a little over a year). Susan and Steven Isacoff have settled in Malaga after coming here for most of the last few years; he was studying Spanish in Salamanca, then they discovered Marbella first, and then the capital of the Costa del Sol. Eventually they closed their Massachusetts home and moved here. "We have come to meet people, to vote and to give our support to democracy, which is at risk because of Trump," says Susan to explain their presence in that improvised polling station. "The truth is that Trump scares me," adds Steven. And Terry Adams, from Virginia, speaks of the risks he sees in the Republican candidate who could be running for a second term: he does not respect constitutional norms or laws and is causing people to lose confidence in institutions. In everyone's mind is the frustrated coup of 6 January 2021, when Trump did not accept the election result, something that many US citizens still maintain to this day. But Steven expresses a widely shared wish: he would prefer a younger Democratic candidate, although in his favour he claims Biden has a lot of institutional experience and, above all, that "he's not going to do anything crazy". Terry also points out that he would like to see more choice, more parties: "We need more voices. In practice, only Republicans and Democrats have a chance of winning presidential elections." There are only two names on the ballot paper of the Americans voting in Malaga: Biden, the current president, and Marianne Williamson, a face not only unknown to Spaniards, but also to the Democratic sympathisers who have settled on the Costa del Sol. In fact, nobody seems to know that almost a month ago she threw in the towel and no longer aspires to run for president. Perhaps rallying around one candidate will strengthen him against his foreseeable adversary, Donald Trump. Terry is black and when asked if he fears a Trump victory because of his skin colour, he replies that in reality the Republican is a risk for everyone, because he feels that a potential government headed by him will only care about the leader, "when a government has to be about the people, for the people". "I am voting because my granddaughters are still in the United States. We cannot go back to the past and if Trump wins we will lose many of our rights" Myriam Juarbe is married to a Galician and settled in Malaga a little over a year ago after 35 years of living in New York. She says her motivation for voting in the primaries is that her granddaughters are in the United States and she wants to defend the rights women have earned: "We can't go back to the past and if Trump wins we could lose many of our rights," she says. Someone mentions how abortion rights are at risk in the United States. "No government is perfect, but I like Biden's because it is more inclusive, there is more diversity, it has many voices, women, people of colour, and it is decent," adds Juarbe. "Every vote counts. You have to vote, it's very important," says former Florida resident Ethel Kurland. "Republicans and Democrats are very close in the polls. In reality, the election will be decided in half a dozen states; it will be 100,000 votes that tip the balance one way or the other. There is a lot of work to be done between now and November," Ramos adds. International issues also come up in the conversation. For example, the war in Gaza. There is dissatisfaction among young people about Biden's performance, because he is not seen as being forceful enough against Israel's abuse. But Ethel asks: "What do they think Trump, who is anti-Palestinian, will do? They don't realise how important it is to protect democracy." Moreover, on foreign policy they chide the Republicans who, in order not to give victory to Biden, are advocating cutting budget support for Ukraine: "At the beginning, all Americans, including Republicans, supported the Ukrainians wholeheartedly, but now they are playing with human lives to play politics against Biden." They also fear the international alliances that Trump, who has shown himself to be sympathetic to Putin or Orban, politicians with authoritarian profiles, might build. Salvador Salas But above all, adds Jan Baskin, voting in the primaries "is an opportunity to stay connected to our country" and adds one of the US slogans: "no taxation without representation", which alludes to the fact that US citizens, regardless of where they live, must continue to pay taxes in the United States. And here they suggest that the Democrats should adopt some measures that would give them tax relief. But the reasons they say give them nightmares or keep them awake at night have less to do with this than with larger issues. "Voting in the primaries is an opportunity to stay connected to our country" "In Spain there is a more global view of what the implications of the US elections might be, in the US we are more focused on ourselves," Baskin points out: there is Nato, the wars in the world, women's and minority rights. She adds that the media in Spain are more neutral, more even-handed in how they portray the electoral dispute. But there are some who complain that Biden's lapses immediately fill the news in the United States, something that does not happen, they say, with Trump's lapses, which, according to them, are more and more serious. "Biden is seen as more physically fragile, but mentally he is better than Trump, even though Trump appears stronger," adds Carey Ramos. The participation of these US citizens in Malaga is not limited to their elections. They meet once a month to plan how to play a part in public life in their new place of residence. And they are already planning to join the LGBT+ march in Torremolinos, organise beach clean-ups and, of course, take part in the demonstration on 8 March, International Women's Day. Regina Sotorrio Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 18:17 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The Junta de Andalucia intends to protect the Cave of the Stegamites (La Cueva de las Estegamitas), in the area of the La Arana quarry, on the eastern edge of Malaga city. This features rare stegamites which are formed in black calcite and appear as ridges along a cave floor. They are only found elsewhere in caves in Australia, Puerto Rico, and Slovakia. The Malaga cave was discovered by chance in 2021 when a cavity opened up after one of the quarry's blasting operations. Following SUR's sight of the conclusions of the report commissioned by experts from the University of Granada, the department of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian regional government has confirmed its intention to provide the "maximum protection to the geological value of the cave". However, the Junta has clarified that a final study is still pending. This is a report from the Mines department commissioned from another Spanish university, which it has not yet received. Depending on what this work concludes (whether or not the site is accessible, whether it can be used for tourism, etc.), the protection status and formula will be more clearly defined. What already seems clear is that the cave will be preserved due to its high geological value. It remains to be determined how this is to be done, to determine the protection zone, and to analyse its compatibility with the normal operation of the Arana quarry in which it is located. La Arana cement works, which has halted all activity in the area around the cave, has declined to comment on the matter. However, the company has always been willing to collaborate with the investigations, facilitating the work of the experts in the area. This was reflected by the University of Granada's own team, who expressly thanked Sociedad Financiera y Minera Sur for the help they received at their facilities. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024 | Updated 06/03/2024 15:27h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram A group of local people against the skyscraper hotel planned for Malaga Port has launched an online campaign to raise funds to fight the project in court. Defendamos Nuestro Horizonte (Defend Our Horizon) wants to raise 30,000 euros on a crowdfunding site and has appealed to members of the public who share concerns about the project funded by Qatari investors to help them fight the plans in a 'contentious-administrative' court. The group has a month and a half (until 19 April) to present its case, which would be the second appeal against the approval of the project, after proceedings were already started by the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Telmo, an organisation formed by prestigious individuals from the worlds of art and architecture. The crowdfunding campaign is being coordinated by Malaga university lecturer Isabel Ruiz Mora, who said that in the first few hours after it was launched on Monday morning on Goteo.org it had already raised 1,800 euros. With the "financial support of the people", the group will start the legal proceedings to stop the luxury hotel "which has a huge impact on the bay, on the surroudings, on the landscape of our city, its historical heritage and our beloved lighthouse". "Everyone can take part with contributions that we have predesigned and which come with rewards, but each person can do their bit to say no to the skyscraper," said Ruiz Mora. Matias Merida, a professor in Regional Geographic Analysis at Malaga University, is the coordinator of the legal action. "If we are successful and raise sufficient funds we will file a contentious-administrative appeal against the modification of the Plan Especial del Puerto [planning regulations that allow the skyscraper], recently approved by the city hall," he said. The proceedings could take between one and three years. The group's legal arguments against the approval of the modification are based on the possible breach of the Andalusian planning law, the ports law and environmental legislation and a violation of historical heritage. Juan Soto Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 13:00 | Updated 13:09h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Malaga and the Costa del Sol continue to attract all kinds of companies and multinationals. The latest of these is Milbby, a creative leisure store specialising in handicrafts and hobbies, which is to open its first shop in the province. The company will set up store in the Miramar commercial park, in Fuengirola, and it will do it in a big way, as it will occupy premises covering 800 square metres. They will open in the unit between Schmidt Cocinas and Merkal, near Norauto. The national firm is already working on the fitting out and construction of the shop, and hopes to be able to open its doors during the final weeks of March. The number of people that will work in the new retail space has not yet been specified, although the Milbby has already started to recruit staff through its own website and other specialised portals. On the company site the position of sales advisor in Mijas is advertised, while on other portals they are looking to fill the positions of manager, assistant shop manager and shop assistants. For the position of manager they advertise a salary of between 19,000 and 22,000 euros gross per year plus a percentage of sales objectives, while for the positions of shop assistant they offer between 12,000 and 19,000 euros gross per year for a working day of 20/30 hours per week. Largest craft and hobbies chain in Spain Milbby is the largest craft and hobbies chain in Spain. It was born in July 2017 initially as an online project, but it has gradually established itself throughout the country with a big network of physical shops. The first of these opened in September of that same year in the Rivas Futura retail park in Madrid, and since then it has not stopped growing. They now have 20 physical shops throughout the country. The Fuengirola store will be the fourth to open in Andalucia, as they currently have establishments in Seville, Almeria and Jerez. The company itself claims to be a specialist in handicrafts and fine arts. In their shops you can find more than 15,000 products and their specialities include fine arts, needlework, modelling, scrapbooking and lettering. The company itself said the space "is ideal for all ages, providing inspiration and products for all levels. You don't need to be an expert. At Milbby you can find everything you need for crafts and we also teach you how to use it". In fact, one of the company's strengths is that they often run hands-on workshops to show all the possibilities available to customers. Beneficial for mental health True to its business concept, Milbby said that enjoying a hobby is beneficial for physical and mental health and that many therapists recommend its practise because "it is a way to focus our senses on the present world and to abstract ourselves from our surroundings, immersing ourselves totally in the activity, disconnecting from our worries, raising our endorphin levels and therefore our happiness". Miramar retail park also recognises that the store opening will be very important for them, as Milbby is a company that is well established throughout the country and has a wide following of customers and is grateful that the company has chosen to open its first store in the province. Cristina Vallejo Malaga Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 13:55 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram There are now almost 61,500 workers aged 60 and over signed up to the Social Security system in Malaga province, which includes the Costa del Sol. This is more than double the figure for 2012, when the affiliates numbered 29,150. The starting date for measuring this rise is not chosen at random: it was the year from which the statistics available from Spain's Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration are based. Additionally, 2012 is the year prior to the start of the gradual increase in the retirement age. In that year, the legal retirement age entitling people to receive 100 per cent of their pension was 65 years; in 2013, 65 years and one month; and in 2027 it will have risen to 67 years for people who have contributed less than 38 years and six months (it remains at 65 years for longer periods of contribution). The fact is that the number of workers, aged 60 and over, has increased by 110% in the last twelve years in the province. This is an increase that exceeds that of the country as a whole, where the rise is 88.5%, from 1.05 million in January 2012 to almost two million in January 2024. But there are other regions where the increase in the number of older workers has been greater: in Melilla and Ceuta the increase has been 185% and 154%, respectively. In Guadalajara, the increase in these older contributors was 143%. In Murcia, the rise was 130%; in Alicante and Las Palmas, more than 120%; in Albacete the increase was 117%; and in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 115%. The Social Security statistics provide a slightly more detailed breakdown. Within the group under analysis, the one that has grown the most is the over-64s: data from last January shows that there are 11,905 people registered with Social Security in Malaga, a figure that is 2.6 times (160% higher) than twelve years ago, when the figure was 4,500. At the same time, the number of contributors aged between 60 and 64 in the province has increased by 100%, i.e. it has doubled, from 24,704 to 49,532. In Spain as a whole, the number of workers aged between 60 and 64 has increased by 79% (from 905,604 to 1.6 million), while those who are still working after the age of 64 have grown by 146%, from almost 148,000 to nearly 364,500. Demographics and legal changes These increases are, at first glance, very large and important, but the numbers become even more relevant if we compare them with the dramatic change in the total number of Social Security affiliates. In Malaga, over the last twelve years, employment has risen by 35%, from 501,000 workers to almost 680,000 in January, i.e. it has risen three times less than employment among the over-60s. Meanwhile, in the country as a whole, the number of older people in employment has grown four times more than the working population as the national figures show that this group has risen by 21.5%, from almost 17 million to more than 20.6 million. What is the reason for this sharp increase? Andres Gonzalez, from the communist CCOO trade union, lists several factors. Firstly, he explained that the 'baby-boom' generation, i.e. people born in the 1960s, are approaching retirement age. "This is why it is said that they will have such a hard time in terms of pensions between 2027 and 2050 the retirement years of that generation. To this must be added, Gonzalez said, the migrants who arrived in Spain in the 2000s when they were between 30 and 50 years old and are now also approaching retirement age. And he highlighted the fact that the legislative changes that have taken place over the last decade have had an impact, albeit "minimal" in his eyes. Extending working lives to get a higher pension For the first time in history the increase in the effective retirement age has exceeded 65, as reported a few days ago by the Secretary of State for Social Security, Borja Corujo. The period of contribution required to access 100% of the pension has also been increased. And the reductions applied to early retirees have been tightened. David Conde, from the Malaga branch of the UGT trade union, pointed out that the increase in the number of over-60s on the labour market is due to the fact that people are increasingly extending their working lives in order to obtain a higher pension or not to suffer the penalties for shortening it. Carlos Vidal-Melia, professor of Social Security and Actuarial Science at the University of Valencia, said: "In addition to increasing the legal retirement age, access to early retirement has been tightened and there are incentives to continue working". By the latter he is referring to the bonus for each year contributed above the retirement age. Conde also noted that the ageing of the population itself is also influencing the changes, which means that older workers are becoming increasingly more important in the total number of workers. The figures are indisputable: in Malaga, just more than 29,200 over-60s in 2012 accounted for 5.8% of the total number of workers, while the current 61,438 account for 9% of the 680,000 contributors. In Spain, in the same period, they have gone from representing 6.2% to 9.6%. General trend in Europe But Raymond Torres, director of the economics at the Funcas think-tank, explained that this is not a phenomenon exclusive to Malaga, or even to Spain, because it is a general trend in Europe. Although, he added, in Spain it has occurred in a more accentuated way in recent years. In Spain, the participation in the labour market of people aged 60 to 65 years is 57%, when in 2019 it was 47%, and in 2012, 38%. Spain has surpassed the European average (54%), France (41%) and Italy (47%) in this ratio, although it is still below Germany (67%). As for the population aged 65-69, their participation in the labour market has risen from 5.7% to 11%, which is still below the European average of 15%. But is it good or bad to spend more and more years at work? Torres answers that this can contribute to economic growth and the sustainability of the pension system. But he also argues that the quality of life of people should be analysed, which will also differ according to the work they do, a factor that also influences their life expectancy. J.M.L. Ciudad Real Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 12:07 Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram Two people who allegedly tried to marry off a 12-year-old girl in exchange for 3,000 euros have been arrested in the central Spanish province of Ciudad Real. Guardia Civil officers started investigating the mother and stepfather of the girl, who lived in the town of Malagon, last January after they learned of several neglected minors, and one who had been physically assaulted by her mother. Police discovered the underage children were not attending school. Meanwhile, in the case of the girl who had been assaulted; her mother and stepfather had gone to where she was attending school with the intention of withdrawing her from the centre on the pretext they were moving to another municipality. Guardia Civil then found out from the girl's friends that her parents were planning to marry her off in Granada province in exchange for 3,000 euros. At the time of the stepfather's arrest, he was carrying 3,800 euros in his trouser pockets, according to investigators. When questioned about the origin of the money, he said he had earned it during the olive harvesting season that had just ended. But the man was unable to prove this and was arrested, along with the girl's mother. Guardia Civil continued searching for the girl who was found at a home in Baza in Granada province. She has been placed under the guardianship of the Junta de Andalucia's regional ministry of social inclusion, youth, families and equality. Ideal Granada Tuesday, 5 March 2024, 15:30 | Updated 16:08h. Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook X LinkedIn Telegram The Valencian association of farmers (AVA-ASAJA) in Spain has expressed its "concern" and demanded "urgent measures" to central Government and the European Union after a notification was issued on Monday, 4 March, on the EU's RASFF (Rapid Alert System Feed and Food) portal that warns of the "presence of Hepatitis A in strawberries from Morocco" detected at an entry point of Spain. According to the notification, the risk classification is "serious" because it exceeds the "maximum permitted level of absence/25g" of this substance which AVA-ASAJA stresses "poses a danger to public health and which may have appeared in the food due to the irrigation of farms with faecal water". In view of this new health alert due to fruit and vegetable imports from the country the organisation, chaired by Cristobal Aguado, has sent a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, to ask him to "urgently ask the Moroccan government for explanations and to specify what measures it intends to take to prevent this type of thing from happening again". In the same vein, AVA-ASAJA urged Planas to "convey to the competent authorities of the European Union that all strawberries coming from Morocco should undergo a thorough health inspection and, in the event that more health alerts are detected in other fruit and vegetables from third countries, controls should be extended to those products, because the health of consumers is at stake". The demand has also been sent to ASAJA Brussels to address the problem in the EU institutions. What is Hepatitis A and what are the symptoms? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is spread mainly when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests water or food contaminated by the faeces of an infected person". Symptoms include yellow skin or eyes, not wanting to eat, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, dark urine of light-coloured stools and diarrhoea. By Alimat Aliyeva Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will help Japan establish protection against possible terrorist attacks at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the most powerful in the country and the world, located in Niigata Prefecture, Azernews reports, citing foreign media outlets. Foreign media noted that a team of IAEA specialists will inspect the station, and assess and prepare recommendations on counter-terrorism security. In this area, several inconsistencies with established protocols have been identified at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP in recent years, which led to the prohibition of the operation of the plant in 2021. In more than two years, the operator of the Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) facility has made progress in improving the safety of nuclear power plants. In particular, measures to repel terrorist attacks, mitigate the effects of stormy weather were tightened and equipment for the protection of nuclear materials was improved. The Japanese regulator lifted the ban on the operation of the station at the end of 2023, but the consent of local authorities is required for its restart. It is assumed that the IAEA will help to finally resolve this issue. It should be noted that the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant is located on the shore of the Japan Sea. It ranks first in the world in terms of the combined capacity of seven reactors, which exceeds 8.2 thousand MW. The Japanese government has decided to review the policy of abandoning the construction of new nuclear power plants and intensify work on restarting reactors shut down after the accident at the Fukushima-1 plant in 2011. The list includes the sixth and seventh power units of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP. French President Emmanuel Macron this week is likely to announce Paris' support for the Czech Republic's proposal to purchase ammunition for Ukraine in countries outside the EU, Bloomberg said on Tuesday, citing sources. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to pledge as early as this week to help a Czech project to purchase hundreds of thousands of artillery shells from outside the EU to help Ukraine, people familiar with the matter said. "Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark have all joined France in backing the plan to buy non-EU ammunition, and Macron will discuss the proposal with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during a trip to Prague on Tuesday, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A separate discussion of EU defense and foreign ministers is expected to take place later in the week to hammer out the details," the agency said. At the Munich Security Conference held in February, Czech President Petr Pavel assured that Prague has data on the ability to supply Kyiv with 500,000 rounds of 155 mm caliber and 300,000 rounds of 122 mm caliber, within a few weeks. However, these supplies need to be financed. At the same time, the president did not name possible suppliers. Prague reported that it had received preliminary consent from Canada, Denmark, Lithuania and Latvia to participate in the initiative. After a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk last week, Fiala said Warsaw had also expressed its readiness to join in the plan implementation. A source in the ruling circles of France assured Bloomberg that funds for the purchase of rounds outside the EU will not be taken from EU structures, such as the European Peace Facility: contracts for the purchase of products will be concluded on a bilateral basis. The Czech Republic will play the role of coordinator of the program, and the priority will be to meet Ukraine's most urgent artillery supply needs. However, the agency's interlocutor explained that some in the EU consider the figures for future purchases of rounds announced by the Czech Republic to be too optimistic. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Syracuse, N.Y. A Lincoln Middle School parent called and threatened to come to school with a loaded gun Monday, police said. Dawn Torres, 44, of Syracuse, called Lincoln Middle School Monday around 8 a.m. and made threats to school staff, said Lt. Matthew Malinowski, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police Department. During the phone call, Torres said Im coming up there with my gun. They try to bum rush me again, Im going to bring my gun, police said in a criminal complaint filed in city court. Torres was arrested Monday for making a threat of mass harm, Malinowski said. The charge is a misdemeanor. Torres also said, I am licensed to carry, and I am locked and loaded, police said. Because Torres has a felony conviction she is not allowed to own or buy firearms, Malinowski said. In 2008, Torres was charged with a felony, according to county court documents. She was charged with attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to the Onondaga County District Attorneys Office. She was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, according to court documents. Malinowski could not confirm if Torres had a weapon and if a search occurred. The school at 1613 James St., went immediately into lockout after the threat, said Amanda Hull, director of communication for the school district. A lockout prevents anyone from entering the building while school activities continue inside. School started at 7:25 a.m. The school was under lockout for an hour and a half with staff and students inside, she said. Letters from the school were sent to the families detailing the incident. The school also increased security personnel on campus for the rest of Monday, she said. The threat happened less than three weeks after a parent was arrested for assaulting a teacher at the same school. On Feb. 16, a parent was able to bypass school security, hit a teacher in the face multiple times, then flee from the school grounds, Malinowski said at the time. Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com. Syracuse, N.Y. An owner of a Delaware County creamery pleaded guilty Tuesday in Syracuse federal court to producing cheese that caused a listeria outbreak that killed two people and hospitalized six others in 2016. Johannes Vulto, 64, and his company, Vulto Creamery LLC, pleaded guilty to causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, a misdemeanor, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York said in a news release. He faces up to a year in prison and has agreed to pay a $100,000 fine, according to his plea agreement. Sentencing is scheduled for July. Vulto started producing and shipping raw milk cheese from his creamery in Walton in 2012, according to the court papers. Swabs taken from the creamery repeatedly tested positive for listeria species between July 2014 and February 2017, according to Vultos plea agreement. Raw milk cheese is 112 times more likely to cause listeriosis than pasteurized cheese, prosecutors said. Listeria includes both harmless species and the potentially deadly species L. monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis in humans. A listeriosis infection can spread from the gut to the intestines, causing fever, flu-like symptoms, confusion, loss of balance and seizures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates listeria is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. from foodborne illness, with about 260 people dying each year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2017 linked Vultos cheese to an outbreak of listeriosis and shut down the creamery. A full recall of the cheese followed within weeks. The outbreak caused eight hospitalizations and two deaths, according to the CDC. Illnesses were reported in Vermont, Florida, Connecticut and New York. The widow of a Vermont man sued Vulto in 2017, saying her husband died from a stroke after eating cheese linked to the listeria outbreak. The lawsuit settled in 2018, according to federal court filings. Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com. Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse University aims to use an IBM pioneers $1.5 million gift to bring a preeminent researcher and educator in artificial intelligence to campus. The university announced this week that Kwang G. Tan, who earned an electrical engineering Ph.D. at SU in 1973, made a donation that will establish the K.G. Tan Professorship to focus on the emerging AI field. A search to fill the position will take place in the fall. Syracuse, N.Y. Onondaga County is hosting rabies vaccination clinics during most of the upcoming months. New York law requires that all puppies and kittens get their first rabies shot at three months of age, a booster shot at one year old, and then again every three years, according to the countys website. Ferrets must get a shot every year, county officials said. The upcoming clinics are: - Bob Cecile Community Center - March 21 - Environmental Health Field Office - May 16 - Burnet Park Warming Room- June 27 - John Dunn Ice Rink Warming Room - July 25 - Sunnycrest Ice Rink - September 19 - Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center - October 17 Only one case of rabies - in a skunk - has been reported so far this year. In 2023, 502 rabies tests were given and only 17 tests were positive for rabies. Bats had the highest number of rabies with seven testing positive. The clinics are just months after three people were attacked by a rabid fox in Syracuse. One of the victims was a school-aged child. A stray cat tested positive for rabies in the North Country city of Watertown recently as well. Rabies in humans is fatal if not treated, health officials said. To register for the clinics visit the website for Onondaga County Division of Environmental Health Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com. Ann Marie Taliercio is president of the Central New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. Mark Spadafore is president of the Greater Syracuse Labor Council, AFL-CIO. When announcing Microns Project Labor Agreement with the Building and Construction Trades late last year, Manish Bhatia, Microns executive vice president of global operations, spoke of the companys desire to partner with organized labor across the board, adding, That partnership really positions us as the best partner to labor and having that partnership to be able to make ourselves successful of any of the CHIPS applicants. A comprehensive partnership between Micron and organized labor would be most welcome, but it has not yet happened. To its credit, Micron has signed a project labor agreement with the Central-Northern New York Building & Construction Trades, guaranteeing the construction workers building Microns planned megafab in Clay will have access to good union jobs. The company has also worked with New York State United Teachers on a pilot curricular framework to train high school students for high-tech careers that will be created through the project. But what about the long-term permanent jobs created through this historic investment in our community? Micron is not the only company seeking public funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, a 2022 law investing $53 billion into domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Last month, the Department of Commerce announced selection of Microchip Technology for a potential $162 million CHIPS Act award touting the creation of high-quality jobs, despite the company paying manufacturing workers as little as $19.57 per hour, cutting worker pay by 10%, and planning massive furloughs in March and June. Last month, the Department of Commerce made another CHIPS Act announcement, this time to GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor company headquartered in Malta, New York, for $3.1 billion in federal grants and loans, celebrating the creation of good-paying manufacturing [jobs]. Unfortunately, these good job claims dont match the reality for workers at the company making as little as $32,300. We can do it better here in Syracuse. Micron is set to receive $10 billion in federal dollars, $5.5 billion from New York state, and tens of millions from Onondaga County, on top of almost half a billion in state and county funds budgeted for infrastructure projects that will directly support Micron. We must ensure the promise of 50,000 good paying jobs from this historic investment in public dollars is realized and that local residents here in Central New York have access to good union jobs. Local labor unions are also key for workforce training that our area will need as these jobs come online. Experience shows that when the community is organized and puts forward collective demands, we are able to both prevent exploitative practices and win valuable enforceable commitments that ensure new developments truly improve the quality of life for residents. One powerful tool for accomplishing this is a community benefits agreement, or CBA. A CBA is an agreement between a company and a community coalition that enshrines legally enforceable provisions that protect the community, its workers, and the environment. Whats great about a CBA is that if a company tries to wiggle out of its promises, workers and neighbors can themselves force the company to comply. For example, in 2017, a diverse coalition of faith-based, community, labor, and environmental organizations led by Jobs to Move America negotiated an agreement with electric bus manufacturer BYD to recruit 40% of its employees from marginalized groups in the local area of Lancaster, California, create a pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship program, and guarantee a fair process for workers to join a union. Here in Central New York, a CBA with Micron could be a powerful tool in ensuring this historic investment addresses rather than exacerbates our affordable housing crisis, creates an on-ramp to quality careers for local residents through a local hire program that includes job training, grows the middle class and bolsters our local economy. When we think about what good jobs and community benefits could look like for microchip manufacturing in Onondaga County, we need to be thinking about how to build on successful models that already exist and meet the needs of working families in Central New York. We cant let whats happening in Oregon, Vermont and the Capital Region happen in our backyard. We must work together to create the industry of the future that we deserve, right here, right now, for the true benefit of our colleagues, neighbors, and our community. If Micron really wants to live up to their words and partner with organized labor across the board, well be ready. Le Creuset is a renowned brand when it comes to French kitchenware goods. Crafted by hand in France, Le Creuset products are fashioned from top-notch materials like stoneware, cast iron, or stainless steel, which excel in retaining heat for extended periods and ensuring even cooking. As a result, they have garnered widespread affection from both professional chefs and amateur cooks. The brand recently released its Spring Collection filled with the cutest flower-inspired kitchen items like the Signature Petal Braiser, the Flower Cocotte, and the Mini Cocotte with Flower Lid. Some of the items are already on sale or are seeing new deals. The new Signature Petal Braiser is on Le Creuset's Spring Collection.Courtesy of Le Creuset Signature Petal Braiser - $300 Infuse your kitchen with perpetual springtime cheer by introducing the Signature Petal Braiser. Adorned with a graceful, raised petal motif on the lid, reminiscent of the French anemone flower, this braiser is offered in a selection of classic, vibrant colors, like freshly picked blooms in a bouquet. Flower Plate - $15 - $23 Traditional Casserole with Flower - $57 Flower Cocotte - $183.75 (was $245) The Flower Cocotte brings a perpetual burst of sunny delight to any kitchen setting. Its delightful flower-shaped design comes in a variety of signature, freshly picked colors, like a vibrant bouquet brightening up your cooking space all year long. Flower Spoon Rest - $24 Flower Cakelet Pan - $36 Mini Cocotte with Flower Lid - $24 (was $32) The Mini Cocotte with Flower Lid will add a touch of springtime joy to the kitchen. Featuring a delicate embossed flower pattern on the lid and knob, its perfect for sharing lovingly made individual cobblers, gratins and pot pies. Intelligence Agency on liquidation of Russian Black Sea Fleet ship Sergei Kotov: This isn't first time it hunted, this time ship definitely destroyed Ukrainian forces have already carried out successful attacks on the patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Sergey Kotov, but the ship was able to recover after repairs, but this time it was definitely destroyed, representative of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Yusov said. "The Main Intelligence Agency, in cooperation with the naval forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, carried out a brilliant operation, and Sergei Kotov was definitely destroyed this time. Why this time? Since it was not the first time they hunted him and there were already successful attacks, but he was able to recover after repair work," Yusov said on Radio Liberty. He said there were only two attempts to attack the ship: in July and September 2023. According to the Intelligence Agency's representative, the enemy planned to place an air defense system on the ship, and "the fewer such ships, correspondingly fewer anti-aircraft missile systems will be deployed, and this means more opportunities for the Ukrainian security and defense forces." In addition, the Sergei Kotov ship, together with the also destroyed cruiser Moskva, took part in attacks on Zmiinyi Island. Ukrainian intelligence is seeking information about the fate of the ship's crew. It is known that there are dead and wounded. "As for the crew, the situation is being clarified. There are dead and wounded, but there is also a possibility that part of the crew was able to evacuate. We know of more than ten ambulances that were called by the enemy on the nearest landmass, that is, the evacuation operation was still carried out," Yusov said. The Main Intelligence Agency within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on March 5 that the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov was destroyed. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Krish1309 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4 Thanked: 29 Times A 2000-mile journey through 7 States | Mahindra XUV300 Prologue: I learnt driving on a 2009 Alto LXi, my dad's first car, and have been driving her from day 1-till date. My wife lovingly calls her as her 'Sautan'. I was born and raised in Siliguri, a city in West Bengal - located at the foothills of The Himalayas. After staying across the country for education and job, I am currently staying in Bengaluru. The 15 year old beauty, Lady Alto, is my daily driver and serves all purposes on the city and the highway, absolutely seamlessly. With a heavy heart it's now time to pass the legacy on to my younger sister - who was planning to buy a used car for her needs. We decided to purchase a suitable replacement for the beauty, which was honestly a difficult find. After test driving all premium hatchbacks and compact SUVs in the market, we finalized on XUV300 TGDi W8 (O) Napoli Black. Got it delivered on Jan 1 2024 in Siliguri because we wanted our parents to witness the moment. My wife calls him 'The Black Stallion'. And I call him 'My Sautan'. The story: Well this story is about our first of many long drives with the Black Stallion - Blacky. Getting him from Siliguri to Bengaluru. I have done this route in the past, partially with Lady Alto and partially on one of my friend's Baleno. So a lot of research was not required for this trip. We planned the trip during our wedding anniversary - which was dicy because of a work related trip during the same time. My leaves were approved 4 days in advance and I jumped with joy. Booked flight tickets to reach Siliguri on Feb 16. Our journey with Blacky started on Feb 18 (Sunday). Here's how we planned the trip: Feb 18: Siliguri to Kolkata (574 kms) Feb 19: First service at Shree Automotive Rajarhat Feb 20: Kolkata to Puri (510 kms) Feb 21: Stay at Puri to celebrate anniversary Feb 22: Puri to Vizag (465 kms) Feb 23: Vizag to Hyderabad (660 kms) Feb 24: Hyderabad to Bengaluru (575 kms) Synopsis of the journey: Total distance travelled acc to trip meter: 3108.7 kms Total fuel consumed: 215 litres Total cost of fuel: INR20,000 Number of toll deductions: 42 Total toll paid: INR4,363 Brief notes of each day: Feb 18: Siliguri to Kolkata Fuelled up the previous day at Indian Oil COCO Matigara. Planned to start early by 5:30 am. My parents were accompanying us till Kolkata. Got delayed for whatsoever reason and practically started from home at 7:15am. Took the Hill Cart Road exit to NH31. Traffic was starting to build up and the roads already had lot of busses, autos and bikes. I thought no one wakes up that early on a Sunday morning! Soon after crossing Bagdogra we experienced dense fog for about 15kms, which made it a difficult drive. NH31 is mostly bumpy due to patch works. However with the opening of Dalkhola flyover and new 6 lane NH34, road conditions improved. We usually avoid stopping for food and therefore have home-cooked or packaged food and warm water for tea handy. Anyhow, we had to plan a customary pitstop at Raiganj (190kms from Siliguri) to meet my maternal relatives and have breakfast with them. For toilet breaks, I prefer stopping at large petrol pumps - Bharat Petroleum Apna Ghars, if we find one. That was technically our first stop as well. We reached Raiganj at 10:15 am. A planned 30 min break became 75 mins - because why not!! Haha! There was some traffic after crossing Malda and heavy traffic on the Farakka barage bridge, which reduced my speed. Our next stop for the day was at Palsanda in Murshidabad at MN Ghosh Indian Oil for refuel of both the machine and humans. Toilets were almost non-existent at this station, which made it uncomfortable for my mom and wife. After a 20 min break here, we resumed. I was contemplating heavy traffic after crossing KrishnaNagar, which made me not stop anywhere in between. As expected, average speed and fuel economy both dropped soon after crossing KrishnaNagar. Reached our Kolkata home at 8:30pm. I was impressed with the total driving time of around 11 hours on the Siliguri Kolkata highway. We went outside with my sister for tea at Sharma Tea Salt Lake and a quick drive around New Town. Craved for dirty street food and had those for dinner. Feb 19: First service at Shree Automotive Rajarhat Our car had done 1050 kms by the time we reached Kolkata. Pre-booked the first service at Shree Automotive. It is claimed to be the largest Mahindra service center in East India and Google ratings were good. Reached by 11am and got the car ready at almost 5 pm. They hardly did anything except for running the status check and washing the car. I requested them to adjust the clutch pedal. It's really long and gives me a leg workout everyday. They told it's not possible to adjust and it would get better with usage - please comment if you know how to make it slightly easier. The behaviour of the staff and cleanliness was good. Overall good experience. Met a friend and a cousin in the evening. Kolkata is really a well for foodies. You see food and you jump. That's it. Feb 20: Kolkata to Puri Planned to start by 8:30 am after a comfortable sleep. All the junk I ate in the last 36 hours did their job. I made uncountable trips to the bathroom even after being completely ready. Finally left the city at 12:30 pm after bidding goodbyes to parents. Every goodbye is with a sigh. Had to refuel and for heaven's sake could not find 1 petrol pump, without a significant detour, anywhere in between Laketown and NH16 Howrah. Refuelled to the brim and then there was no stopping. We didn't have a hotel booked and MMT showed crazy prices for hotels in Puri. I had OTDC Panthanivas in mind but rooms were not available online. So we had to reach as early as possible. My stomach was not the happiest, but thankfully I didn't have to stop because of that. Lesson reinforced that we should not have junk food. There's a saying in Bengali which translates to "Greed is a sin leading to death" - Very true. The roads were brilliant, in fact the best in this entire trip. Fresh tarmac, hardly any bikes and e-rickshaws or squids along the way. Some traffic while crossing major cities, but that's accounted for. Stopped 3 times: once for a power nap, once for a evening tea break, and a toilet break. Entered Puri at 9pm. Refueled and then searched for hotels. Truly, hotels in Puri charges a bomb for nothing. I was happy we finally found available rooms at OTDC Panthanivas puri for 2 days. Checked in the hotel at 10pm, ordered room service before the kitchen closed, ate and crashed! Feb 21: Stay at Puri to celebrate anniversary This was not part of our original plan. But got added because we reached Puri really late and we wanted to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath on our anniversary. This was my wife's first visit to Puri. We thought we will make the most from our stay. Got ready by 8:30 am after breakfast to leave for Chilika lake and offer puja in the evening. But before leaving for Chilika, I thought of contacting our known Panda for the prayers. He told that Darshan is closed that evening because of a monthly ritual of painting the deities' faces and therefore suggested to visit the temple by 11am. We prioritized religion over nature. Went to the adjacent private beach (Golden Beach) - which recently got a Blue Flag Beach status and spent an hour there. We were advised to reach the temple using public transport to avoid unnecessary delays and hassle. We returned from the temple by 2 pm. It was scorching hot outside therefore had to take a short break before heading out again. We started for Konark temple at 4pm and slowly drove to reach by 5:00pm, just in time for sunset. Experienced the remains of such an engineering marvel built in history. No wonder it's preserved so well by the archaeologists. Called it a day by having Jagannath mahaprasad. That was our third anniversary celebration. Feb 22: Puri to Vizag (465 kms) This was an easy stretch. Shortest one as well. Left the hotel at around 9am. The first 50 kms after exiting Puri was bumpy because of uneven concrete roads. After touching NH 16, roads got better but there was continuous local traffic up until Vizag. I had stayed at Ginger hotel in Vizag in the past. Hence blindly booked that hotel, oblivious of the fact that it shifted location to Gajuwaka on the Kolkata-Chennai highway, the other side of the town. We entered Vizag city limits by 4:30pm so thought of visiting the popular spots. Went to Rushikonda beach and spent some time there and other viewing spots along the coastal road. Wanted to visit the submarine museum but it was closed due to Indian Navy's Milan festival. I visited back in 2018 and wanted to take my wife there - maybe in our next visit. Crossing the city and reaching the hotel took a lot of time. Checked in at 7:30pm, had dinner and crashed. Feb 23: Vizag to Hyderabad (660 kms) This drive was special. Coz the destination was a city that we both loved, Hyderabad. I spent 6 years of my life and the first 2 years of our marriage in this city. We started from Vizag by 9:30am. Since we were staying right on the highway, it saved us from the city traffic. This day was the longest drive, distance wise. The first stop was after 2 hrs, a refueling stop near Kakinada. Filled up to the brim and then no stopping till we crossed Vijayawada. The Rajamundry bypass is excellent. The last time I drove on this highway, crossing Rajamundry took a bit of time, this time it was a breeze. Although crossing Vijayawada gave us some pain. Stopped at a ApnaGhar on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway for a washroom break, followed by ice-cream. The next stop was at 5pm, for a 5-min powernap and green tea, somewhere in the middle of Hyderabad and Vijayawada. These powernaps are extremely important when you do long drives. Reached Gachibowli by 8pm. Visited all the places close to our heart and re-lived the memories around our favorite food joints. Hyderabad aya aur biriyani & kebabs nahi khaya toh kya khaya. Checked into a newly built Ishtara business hotel in Kondapur. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Rooms were very basic and small. It is a good pg, but not a hotel. Anyhow, I wanted to leave the hotel asap. I was feeling claustrophobic. Woke up early. But by the time we checked out, it was 8:30 am already. Went for a quick drive around hitec city, had idli and watermelon juice for breakfast, fuelled up, explored the beauty of the city and vroom. We were set for our final leg of the journey. Feb 24: Hyderabad to Bengaluru (575 kms) Bengaluru here we come. Feeling thrilled that we are finally reaching home, no more hotel stays. Also bit numb that the journey is going to end today. Afterall, every start has an end. The experience we gathered across the states, the breeze, the variety of food & culture, the endless roads and the parallel moving trains - all were so ecstatic. On the way we took one tea & snacks break and one toilet break. We reached in one full tank and didn't have to refuel neither our car nor ourselves. We touched Bengaluru at 5:30 pm and were at home by 6:10pm. This was a much anticipated journey of a lifetime. Loved every bit of it. The car, the roads, the songs, everything was just perfect! After this long journey our Blacky got a thorough wash and then parked in the garage, for now. Thank you for reading. Until next time. Finally, I am here with my first article on Team BHP, after multiple tries since becoming a member of this esteemed group couple of years back.I learnt driving on a 2009 Alto LXi, my dad's first car, and have been driving her from day 1-till date. My wife lovingly calls her as her 'Sautan'. I was born and raised in Siliguri, a city in West Bengal - located at the foothills of The Himalayas. After staying across the country for education and job, I am currently staying in Bengaluru.The 15 year old beauty, Lady Alto, is my daily driver and serves all purposes on the city and the highway, absolutely seamlessly. With a heavy heart it's now time to pass the legacy on to my younger sister - who was planning to buy a used car for her needs.We decided to purchase a suitable replacement for the beauty, which was honestly a difficult find. After test driving all premium hatchbacks and compact SUVs in the market, we finalized on XUV300 TGDi W8 (O) Napoli Black. Got it delivered on Jan 1 2024 in Siliguri because we wanted our parents to witness the moment. My wife calls him 'The Black Stallion'. And I call him 'My Sautan'.Well this story is about our first of many long drives with the Black Stallion - Blacky. Getting him from Siliguri to Bengaluru.I have done this route in the past, partially with Lady Alto and partially on one of my friend's Baleno. So a lot of research was not required for this trip. We planned the trip during our wedding anniversary - which was dicy because of a work related trip during the same time. My leaves were approved 4 days in advance and I jumped with joy. Booked flight tickets to reach Siliguri on Feb 16. Our journey with Blacky started on Feb 18 (Sunday). Here's how we planned the trip:Feb 18: Siliguri to Kolkata (574 kms)Feb 19: First service at Shree Automotive RajarhatFeb 20: Kolkata to Puri (510 kms)Feb 21: Stay at Puri to celebrate anniversaryFeb 22: Puri to Vizag (465 kms)Feb 23: Vizag to Hyderabad (660 kms)Feb 24: Hyderabad to Bengaluru (575 kms)Total distance travelled acc to trip meter: 3108.7 kmsTotal fuel consumed: 215 litresTotal cost of fuel: INR20,000Number of toll deductions: 42Total toll paid: INR4,363Feb 18: Siliguri to KolkataFuelled up the previous day at Indian Oil COCO Matigara. Planned to start early by 5:30 am. My parents were accompanying us till Kolkata. Got delayed for whatsoever reason and practically started from home at 7:15am. Took the Hill Cart Road exit to NH31. Traffic was starting to build up and the roads already had lot of busses, autos and bikes. I thought no one wakes up that early on a Sunday morning!Soon after crossing Bagdogra we experienced dense fog for about 15kms, which made it a difficult drive. NH31 is mostly bumpy due to patch works. However with the opening of Dalkhola flyover and new 6 lane NH34, road conditions improved.We usually avoid stopping for food and therefore have home-cooked or packaged food and warm water for tea handy. Anyhow, we had to plan a customary pitstop at Raiganj (190kms from Siliguri) to meet my maternal relatives and have breakfast with them. For toilet breaks, I prefer stopping at large petrol pumps - Bharat Petroleum Apna Ghars, if we find one. That was technically our first stop as well. We reached Raiganj at 10:15 am. A planned 30 min break became 75 mins - because why not!! Haha!There was some traffic after crossing Malda and heavy traffic on the Farakka barage bridge, which reduced my speed. Our next stop for the day was at Palsanda in Murshidabad at MN Ghosh Indian Oil for refuel of both the machine and humans. Toilets were almost non-existent at this station, which made it uncomfortable for my mom and wife. After a 20 min break here, we resumed. I was contemplating heavy traffic after crossing KrishnaNagar, which made me not stop anywhere in between. As expected, average speed and fuel economy both dropped soon after crossing KrishnaNagar. Reached our Kolkata home at 8:30pm. I was impressed with the total driving time of around 11 hours on the Siliguri Kolkata highway.We went outside with my sister for tea at Sharma Tea Salt Lake and a quick drive around New Town. Craved for dirty street food and had those for dinner.Feb 19: First service at Shree Automotive RajarhatOur car had done 1050 kms by the time we reached Kolkata. Pre-booked the first service at Shree Automotive. It is claimed to be the largest Mahindra service center in East India and Google ratings were good. Reached by 11am and got the car ready at almost 5 pm. They hardly did anything except for running the status check and washing the car. I requested them to adjust the clutch pedal. It's really long and gives me a leg workout everyday. They told it's not possible to adjust and it would get better with usage - please comment if you know how to make it slightly easier.The behaviour of the staff and cleanliness was good. Overall good experience.Met a friend and a cousin in the evening. Kolkata is really a well for foodies. You see food and you jump. That's it.Feb 20: Kolkata to PuriPlanned to start by 8:30 am after a comfortable sleep. All the junk I ate in the last 36 hours did their job. I made uncountable trips to the bathroom even after being completely ready. Finally left the city at 12:30 pm after bidding goodbyes to parents. Every goodbye is with a sigh. Had to refuel and for heaven's sake could not find 1 petrol pump, without a significant detour, anywhere in between Laketown and NH16 Howrah. Refuelled to the brim and then there was no stopping. We didn't have a hotel booked and MMT showed crazy prices for hotels in Puri. I had OTDC Panthanivas in mind but rooms were not available online. So we had to reach as early as possible.My stomach was not the happiest, but thankfully I didn't have to stop because of that. Lesson reinforced that we should not have junk food. There's a saying in Bengali which translates to "Greed is a sin leading to death" - Very true.The roads were brilliant, in fact the best in this entire trip. Fresh tarmac, hardly any bikes and e-rickshaws or squids along the way. Some traffic while crossing major cities, but that's accounted for. Stopped 3 times: once for a power nap, once for a evening tea break, and a toilet break.Entered Puri at 9pm. Refueled and then searched for hotels. Truly, hotels in Puri charges a bomb for nothing. I was happy we finally found available rooms at OTDC Panthanivas puri for 2 days. Checked in the hotel at 10pm, ordered room service before the kitchen closed, ate and crashed!Feb 21: Stay at Puri to celebrate anniversaryThis was not part of our original plan. But got added because we reached Puri really late and we wanted to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath on our anniversary. This was my wife's first visit to Puri. We thought we will make the most from our stay. Got ready by 8:30 am after breakfast to leave for Chilika lake and offer puja in the evening. But before leaving for Chilika, I thought of contacting our known Panda for the prayers. He told that Darshan is closed that evening because of a monthly ritual of painting the deities' faces and therefore suggested to visit the temple by 11am. We prioritized religion over nature.Went to the adjacent private beach (Golden Beach) - which recently got a Blue Flag Beach status and spent an hour there.We were advised to reach the temple using public transport to avoid unnecessary delays and hassle. We returned from the temple by 2 pm. It was scorching hot outside therefore had to take a short break before heading out again.We started for Konark temple at 4pm and slowly drove to reach by 5:00pm, just in time for sunset. Experienced the remains of such an engineering marvel built in history. No wonder it's preserved so well by the archaeologists.Called it a day by having Jagannath mahaprasad. That was our third anniversary celebration.Feb 22: Puri to Vizag (465 kms)This was an easy stretch. Shortest one as well.Left the hotel at around 9am. The first 50 kms after exiting Puri was bumpy because of uneven concrete roads. After touching NH 16, roads got better but there was continuous local traffic up until Vizag. I had stayed at Ginger hotel in Vizag in the past. Hence blindly booked that hotel, oblivious of the fact that it shifted location to Gajuwaka on the Kolkata-Chennai highway, the other side of the town.We entered Vizag city limits by 4:30pm so thought of visiting the popular spots. Went to Rushikonda beach and spent some time there and other viewing spots along the coastal road. Wanted to visit the submarine museum but it was closed due to Indian Navy's Milan festival. I visited back in 2018 and wanted to take my wife there - maybe in our next visit. Crossing the city and reaching the hotel took a lot of time. Checked in at 7:30pm, had dinner and crashed.Feb 23: Vizag to Hyderabad (660 kms)This drive was special. Coz the destination was a city that we both loved, Hyderabad. I spent 6 years of my life and the first 2 years of our marriage in this city. We started from Vizag by 9:30am. Since we were staying right on the highway, it saved us from the city traffic. This day was the longest drive, distance wise. The first stop was after 2 hrs, a refueling stop near Kakinada. Filled up to the brim and then no stopping till we crossed Vijayawada. The Rajamundry bypass is excellent. The last time I drove on this highway, crossing Rajamundry took a bit of time, this time it was a breeze. Although crossing Vijayawada gave us some pain.Stopped at a ApnaGhar on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway for a washroom break, followed by ice-cream.The next stop was at 5pm, for a 5-min powernap and green tea, somewhere in the middle of Hyderabad and Vijayawada. These powernaps are extremely important when you do long drives.Reached Gachibowli by 8pm. Visited all the places close to our heart and re-lived the memories around our favorite food joints. Hyderabad aya aur biriyani & kebabs nahi khaya toh kya khaya.Checked into a newly built Ishtara business hotel in Kondapur. I would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Rooms were very basic and small. It is a good pg, but not a hotel. Anyhow, I wanted to leave the hotel asap. I was feeling claustrophobic.Woke up early. But by the time we checked out, it was 8:30 am already. Went for a quick drive around hitec city, had idli and watermelon juice for breakfast, fuelled up, explored the beauty of the city and vroom. We were set for our final leg of the journey.Feb 24: Hyderabad to Bengaluru (575 kms)Bengaluru here we come. Feeling thrilled that we are finally reaching home, no more hotel stays. Also bit numb that the journey is going to end today. Afterall, every start has an end. The experience we gathered across the states, the breeze, the variety of food & culture, the endless roads and the parallel moving trains - all were so ecstatic. On the way we took one tea & snacks break and one toilet break. We reached in one full tank and didn't have to refuel neither our car nor ourselves. We touched Bengaluru at 5:30 pm and were at home by 6:10pm.This was a much anticipated journey of a lifetime. Loved every bit of it. The car, the roads, the songs, everything was just perfect! After this long journey our Blacky got a thorough wash and then parked in the garage, for now.Thank you for reading. Until next time. Last edited by KarthikK : 3rd March 2024 at 19:07 . Reason: Smiley usage is restricted to two per post on Team-BHP. Please do NOT use more than 2 smileys in a post. Thanks! At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Super simple installation takes less than 5 minutes Supports Apple HomeKit out of the box Upgradeable to Wi-Fi via an add-on module Simple user access control with support for temporary pass codes Robust access log helps you keep track of whos coming and going Cons Pricey compared to more basic Bluetooth smart locks The keypad backlight can be hard to read in direct sunlight Wi-Fi and support for Google Home and Amazon Alexa is an $80 upgrade Not compatible with Apple Home Key Our Verdict The Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth is a very simple, easy-to-configure lock that works reliably and can be upgraded to Wi-Fi, Matter, or Z-Wave connectivity with the appropriate add-on module. Its compatible with both Android and iOS, but Apple users will want to know that while it is compatible with Apple HomeKit, it does not support Apples home key NFC tech. Best Prices Today: Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth (model YRD450-BLE-619) Retailer Price $160.68 View Deal Product Price Smart lock maker Yale was an early player in the smart lock market and remains a strong competitor, offering a wide selection of locks and door hardware. As its name states, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth (Yale model number YRD450-BLE-619) can be locked and unlocked with a Bluetooth connection to your Android or iOS smartphone. Well shorten the name of this lock to Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth from here on, but be aware that its available in several other configurations with different features. Part of the reason for the products very long name is that it describes the options you get with this particular model. Depending on which Yale Assure Lock 2 you buy, you can get both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity (or you can add Wi-Fi later), with or without a physical key, with or without a fingerprint reader, with a mechanical keypad instead of the touchscreen on this model, and as Ill explain in more detail: With or without support for Apples home key NFC technology. Setting up the Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth was fast and easyone of the easiest smart lock installations Ive done. To that point, this lock is Apple Home compatible, but Apple users will want to know that it is not compatible with Apples home key technology. Thats an important distinction, because smart locks that do support Apple home keys allow iPhone and/or Apple Watch (Series 4 and later) users with a HomeKit-compatible home hub (an Apple HomePod mini, a 2nd-generation HomePod, or a 3rd-gen Apple TV 4K) to store an electronic key in their Apple Wallet. They can open the lock by holding either device next to it. Yale does offer a different, more-expensive smart lock if Apple home key support is a must-have feature: the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys ($210). Robert Strohmeyer/TechHive The Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth reviewed here is a strictly keyless lock, but as Ive already mentioned, you can order an otherwise-identical keyed model for the same price. If you want Wi-Fi connectivity later, you can buy the Yale Wi-Fi Smart Module ($80). Without a Wi-Fi connection, you cant pair this lock with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This review is part of TechHives in-depth coverage of the best smart locks. Physical installation Setting up the Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth is fast and easyone of the easiest smart lock installations Ive done. The manual comes with a tear-out page you can use to measure your door width and openings, so you know, before you start grabbing components out of the box, how everything will fit, or whether you might need to adjust the holes in the door. In my case, with a fairly standard American residential door that was installed in the 1980s, no adjustments were necessary. The Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth comes with only a few components: a deadbolt latch with a strike plate, an external keypad, a mounting plate that holds the interior escutcheon in place, the interior lock itself, a door-open sensor, and a variety of screws for different door widths. The whole hardware installation took me less than 5 minutes, because I chose not to install the DoorSense door-open sensor, which would have required drilling additional holes in my door and door jamb. (Were I keeping the unit on a permanent basis, I would definitely have installed the included DoorSense module, because it adds the benefit of being able to see in the app if the door is closed or ajar.) To first step in installing the Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth is to screw in the latch mechanism and then set the keypad on the outside of the door. Next, slip the wiring harness through the hole, beneath the latch. Robert Strohmeyer/TechHive To set up the lock, simply use a screwdriver to remove your old deadbolt hardware from the door, and then slot the new deadbolt latch into the opening through the door-edge, being sure to orient it with the UP arrow pointing up, which is straightforward enough, and then screw it in through the strike plate. Set the exterior escutcheon with the keypad on the outside of the door and route its wiring harness through the hole and under the latch to the inside. From the inside, set the interior mounting plate into the hole, following the well-illustrated instructions, and slip the cable harness through the notch on the mounting plate. I found the hardware components to be well-made, so that they sat nicely in place while I worked. I didnt need to worry about holding everything together while I set it up, as has sometimes been the case with other locks Ive installed. With the mounting plate in place, you select the appropriate screws for your door width and thickness (again, the manual makes it easy to identify which ones to use based on your measurements). With the keypad and latch installed, set the mounting plate in place on the inside and slip the wiring harness from the exterior escutcheon through the notch in the interior bracket. Now youll secure the interior mounting bracket to the exterior escutcheon using the provided bolts. Robert Strohmeyer/TechHive Finally, connect the wiring harness to the interior escutcheons cable port and slot the door locks tailpiece (the little bar that runs through the latch mechanism and turns it to open and close the deadbolt) through the hole in the latch, setting the interior lock box onto the lower hook built into the mounting plate. At this point, the whole thing hangs together loosely while you grab the single screw that holds the interior lock in place and screw it through the hole in the center of the lock to tighten it all until the lock sits flush with the surface of the door on both sides. App setup The Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth can be controlled either by the Yale Access mobile app or the Apple Home app. Once the hardware is installed in the door, leave the battery cover off and start the Yale Access app to begin software setup. If you dont have an account already, create one and proceed to add your device to the app by scanning the QR code with the app. Give the lock a name, and either set a PIN or accept the default one. Once youre set up, slide the battery cover onto the lock and youre good to go for just yourself with basic Bluetooth access. The Yale Access app gives you simple controls for the door and a detailed log of automated and manual access. Robert Strohmeyer/TechHive To add Apple HomeKit support on your iPhone, which gives you remote access via the Apple Home app, tap Settings in the Yale Access app and select Apple HomeKit Integration. Follow basically the same steps as with the Yale Access app to capture the Apple HomeKit code from inside the battery cover and name the lock in your Apple Home app. You can also choose a couple of options to set rules for the lock to auto-unlock when you get home or auto-lock when the last person leaves. From this point, you can basically forget about the Yale Access app and just use the Apple Home app on iPhone, which is a better overall experience, particularly if you already use Apple Home for your other smart devices. Apple Home app access is just as straightforward as the Yale Access app, and works remotely if you have a HomePod or Apple TV configured as a home hub. Robert Strohmeyer/TechHive Adding additional users is also easy in the Yale Access app. You can invite family members with a few taps, or if you have temporary guests or service technicians coming to your home, you can give them time-limited codes. Add a guest user by assigning them a PIN with ongoing or time-limited access, and just text them their code. Robert Strohmeyer/TechHive Daily Life with the Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth In my evaluation, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Bluetooth worked hassle-free on a daily basis, with no issues on any of the iPhones or Android phones in my household. The lock is faster and more responsive via direct Bluetooth connection than via the Apple HomePod hub; but in either case, its response time to lock or unlock is comparable to other smart locks Ive tested. To lock the door when you leave, you just tap the Yale logo and walk away. To unlock, either tap in your code or use one of the two apps. You can also configure a widget on your phone for quicker access. As my colleague Michael Brown found with the sister product to this device, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi, this locks exterior keypad is difficult to read in direct sunlight. This is no surprise, of course, as theyre clearly made with the same components. As cool as it is that the numbers only light up when you need them, preserving the life of the 4 AA batteries, the white backlight seems to disappear in direct glare, so youll get in the habit of shielding the keypad from sunlight with your body as you tap in your code. This wasnt a big issue for me in my testing, but its still slightly annoying. The Yale Access activity logs are fairly comprehensive, letting you know who locked or unlocked the door with either an app or an access code, as well as when the lock was locked or unlocked via the manual latch. This is a great feature for parents of teens or anyone else who might have people coming and going and want to keep track of door access. If you install the included DoorSense module, itll also be able to detect whether the door is open or closed, and keep track of timestamps for those moments in the log. Installing this module does require making a couple of new holes in your door and door jamb, but for long term use its well worth the effort. One thing to consider when using smart locks is your fallback plans if the lock malfunctions, the battery runs out, or you forget your mobile device and cant remember the code. With a key-free lock, you dont have the option of falling back to a physical key if the smart lock isnt working. As with each model in the Yale Assure Lock 2 product line, however, this one has battery-charging terminals on the bottom of the lock. Touching a 9-volt battery battery to these terminals will charge its battery enough so that it can operate after its batteries die. You can also purchase a version of this lock that does include a key cylinder at no additional cost. Should you buy a Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth? With a $180 price tag, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with Bluetooth is certainly not the least expensive smart lock on the market. If you dont need the Apple-centric features of this lockor if youre just looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth-only locktake a look something like the Wyze Lock Bolt ($124), which comes bundled with a Wi-Fi bridge for $56 less than Yales offering without Wi-Fi access. Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu have all joined the party when it comes to password-sharing crackdowns, so whos next? Did you say Max? Thats right, Max appears to be next in the password-sharing crackdown derby, with the CEO of Max parent Warner Bros. Discovery announcing that the streamer will kick off its anti password-sharing plan this year. We think, relative to the scale of our business, its a meaningful opportunity, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO JB Perrette said Monday at a Morgan Stanley investor conference in San Francisco, according to The Wrap. Following an initial launch this year, Maxs password-sharing crackdown will ramp up in 2025, The Wrap reports. Perrette didnt reveal details about how Maxs password-sharing crackdown will work, but the streamer will likely follow Netflixs thus-far successful playbook: namely, rolling out a means for paying Max subscribers to purchase additional households on their accounts. Prior to that rollout, Max will likely send emails to its subscribers outlining changes in their service agreements that specifically forbid password sharing, just as Disney+ and Hulu did earlier this year. Behind it all, of course, is the urgent need for Maxjust like all the other big streamersto cut costs and boost profits. Max parent Warner Bros. Discovery is making headway toward profitability, with the conglomerate reporting a full-year profit of $103 million for 2023, versus a $1.59 billion loss the year prior, The Wrap says. Still, Warners direct-to-consumer properties, including Max, Discovery+, and HBO cable channels, are still operating at a loss, although greener pastures are expected in the second half of 2024, notes The Wrap. Disney, meanwhile, is poised to roll out paid account sharing this summer for Disney+, with HuluDisneys other streamerlikely to follow. Netflix is well ahead of the pack in terms of its password-sharing crackdown, having rolled out paid account sharing to the U.S. and other worldwide territories last year. Russia is highly likely not to use Armata tanks in combat operations in Ukraine, says the British Ministry of Defense, citing intelligence data. "On March 4, 2024, Sergei Chemezov, the chair of Russia's defence manufacturer Rostec, stated that Russia's most advanced Main Battle Tank (MBT), the T-14 Armata, had entered service in the Russian military but would not be deployed to Ukraine. Chemezov stated this was due to the high cost limiting manufacturing of the Armata MBT at scale," the intelligence said on X. The ministry also said the Armata MBT made its debut on Victory Day 2015, stalling during a rehearsal. The First Guards Tank Army was due to receive the T-14 Armata MBT in 2021, but it is unlikely that the tanks were delivered to any frontline unit. Additionally, the MBT was spotted during exercises in southern Russia in December 2022, and Kremlin news agencies said it would be used in Ukraine. "To date, it is almost certainly that the T-14 Armata MBT has not been deployed to Ukraine. This is highly likely due to the potential reputational damage of losing the 'prestige' vehicle in combat and the requirement to produce greater quantities of MBTs which can only be satisfied by other variants," the intelligence said. WTF?! Microsoft became a victim of its own policies as the company left a dangerous security issue unresolved for months. The North Korean hacker group known as Lazarus took advantage of the situation by gaining almost limitless access to Windows' innermost core the kernel. For six months, Microsoft was aware of a zero-day security vulnerability actively exploited by hackers. The Lazarus cyber-criminal gang had been using the flaw since August 2023 as a means to install a rootkit known as FudModule. According to Avast researchers, FudModule is an exceptionally stealthy and advanced malware, but Microsoft made hackers' lives much easier by essentially treating the dangerous flaw as a non issue. The bug, tracked by Microsoft as CVE-2024-21338, is a Windows kernel elevation of privilege vulnerability. In theory, malicious users with administrative access could exploit the vulnerability to easily interact with the OS kernel. Microsoft's official policies on security servicing criteria state that this kind of "administrator-to-kernel" problem doesn't qualify as a security boundary, meaning the company will likely not rush to close the bug anytime soon. Avast states that acquiring unrestricted kernel access is the "holy grail" of any rootkit, a stealthy menace usually designed to subvert OS security measures without providing direct signs of its actions. Kernel access can be achieved by exploiting known vulnerabilities in third-party drivers, an approach known as BYOVD (Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver). BYOVD is a "noisy" technique that can be intercepted and thwarted by users or security protections, according to Avast. The CVE-2024-21338 flaw, however, resides in Windows' native AppLocker service driver (appid.sys). Thanks to CVE-2024-21338 and Microsoft's negligence in properly addressing the problem, the FudModule rootkit provided Lazarus hackers with a way to essentially do everything they wanted on a Windows system. The malware could easily bypass security measures, completely hide signs of its malicious deeds (disk files, memory processes, network activity, etc.), and more. Microsoft finally released a patch to fix CVE-2024-21338 in February 2024, but the original security bulletin provided no relevant information about the true extent and danger of the issue. After Avast publicly spilled the beans about the vulnerability 15 days later, Microsoft was seemingly forced to update its bulletin. Security experts now hold conflicting stances on Redmond's behavior with CVE-2024-21338. Independent researcher Kevin Beaumont stated that having the "largest market cap in the world" would likely provide enough funds to properly invest in security, while Will Dormann (Analygence) said that Microsoft could have had a "very good reason" (or different engineering priorities) to postpone the CVE-2024-21338 patch by six months. WTF?! Remember the bit in Star Wars when Obi-Wan Kenobi hands Luke a beer fresh from the fridge? How about the part in Return of the Jedi when Emperor Palpatine uses the Force to pull a can into his hand as the Skywalkers look on in awe? If you watched these movies on Chilean TV around 2003, the scenes might sound familiar. Around 20 years ago the original Star Wars trilogy was first broadcast on television in Chile. But there was something distinctly different about these movies: they featured beer advertisements inserted directly into the films. X/Twitter user Windy explains that to avoid cutting away from the movies for commercial breaks, the commercials were stitched into the scenes. The one from Star Wars in which Kenobi tells Luke "your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough" before removing a bottle of Cristal Beer from the fridge is particularly inspired. Today I learned Chile stitched commercials into Star Wars.. Cerveza Crystal! A https://t.co/QCiJV374NW F. Eiji Marinas (@hyp36rmax) March 4, 2024 Other scenes include Obi-Wan reaching for a cold one while he's supposed to be shutting off the Death Star's tractor beam, and, in Return of the Jedi, the Emperor using his force powers to get loaded. We also see Luke taking a break from training with Yoda during The Empire Strikes Back to open a can. Palpatine You Have To Stop. You Smoke Too Tough. Your Swag Too Different. Your Bitch Is Too Bad. They'll Kill You pic.twitter.com/rAbW8xUawQ Windy AA (@heyitswindy) March 2, 2024 The Cerveza Cristal commercials first appeared in the original Star Wars during a December 2003 screening by Chilean broadcaster Channel 13. Gizmodo notes that the campaign won a top award in the media category at the 2004 Cannes International Advertising Festival. The alcoholism is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. And my sister has it. pic.twitter.com/FuMUeAiNX5 Windy AA (@heyitswindy) March 2, 2024 One person who was certainly not happy about the campaign was George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. He filed a grievance with the Chilean Council for Self-Regulation and Advertising Ethics in 2004, arguing that the changes suggested an official tie-in between the movies and Cerveza Cristal. Around 2003 in Chile, when the original trilogy of Star Wars began airing on television there, they did this funny thing to avoid cutting to commercial breaks. They stitched the commercials into the films themselves. Here is one of them, with the English dub added in. pic.twitter.com/wC7N2vPNvv Windy AA (@heyitswindy) March 2, 2024 Lucas won the case, ensuring that the edited versions of the movies were never broadcast again. However, Channel 13 and Cerveza Cristal partnered on more campaigns later that year, inserting beer ads into American Beauty, Notting Hill, and Gladiator. In brief: Has China's love of all things Apple come to an end? Even as Sino-American relations deteriorated, Cupertino was the second best-selling smartphone brand in the country last year. But it now sits in fourth place after iPhone sales fell 24% during the first six weeks of 2024. Much like in other countries, China's smartphone market is going through a rough patch. Its mobile market shrank by 7% in the first few weeks of the year, with Huawei and Honor the only top manufacturers to see YoY unit sales growth, writes Counterpoint Research. Apple now sits behind local giants Vivo, Huawei, and Honor, who are in first, second, and third place, respectively. Huawei had an especially good 12 months, having increased its market share from 9% to 17% thanks to 64% growth in sales. News of Apple's struggles in China doesn't come as a huge surprise. A report from Jefferies analysts in January stated that iPhone sales had dropped by 30% in the country during the first week of the year. The analysts also said iPhone volume would fall by double-digits in 2024. It was only last March when Apple CEO Tim Cook called Apple's relationship with China "symbiotic." Since then, there have been reports of the country banning iPhones from more government offices and sensitive departments, as well as iPhone 15 sales in China not living up to those of the iPhone 14. Counterpoint says there are a few reasons why iPhone sales have fallen in China this year. The biggest is stiff competition in the high-end market from Huawei. The company launched the 5G-capable Mate 60 last year, which came as a big surprise given how it's been subject to numerous US sanctions since 2019 that restrict its 5G development. Counterpoint adds that Apple is also being squeezed by aggressive pricing policies from the likes of Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi. Apple isn't having a good 2024 so far. Its shares have fallen 10% since the start of the year, it has lost its title as the world's most valuable company to Microsoft, and it has just been fined almost $2 billion by the European Commission over its music subscription streaming policies. What just happened? A man could be facing charges of attempted grand theft auto after allegedly trying to steal a self-driving Waymo cab in downtown LA. The incident happened on Saturday night when the car dropped off a passenger near city hall around 10:30 p.m. As reported by the LA Times, 34-year-old Vincent Maurice Jones, believed to be an unhoused Los Angeles resident, got into the driver's seat of the autonomous vehicle and tried to drive away, but could not operate the controls. Once Waymo representatives realized what was happening, they asked Jones to get out of the car, using the on-board communication system. However, the suspect refused to leave the vehicle, forcing them to call the police. Waymo confirmed the incident and claimed that its Rider Support Team only contacted the police after the suspect refused to exit the vehicle despite being instructed to do so. Once the police arrived on the scene, they removed Jones from the car and arrested him for attempted theft. The company added that no individual was injured in the incident, and the car did not suffer any damage. It is worth noting that the LAPD has yet to confirm charges against the suspect, but the most significant one is likely to be felony attempted grand theft auto, punishable by a maximum of up to three years in prison. However, if charged as a misdemeanor, he could be looking at only a year in prison if convicted. Jones' mental state is not known yet, so it's unclear if he will be declared mentally fit to stand trial. Autonomous cars are an increasingly common sight across California, despite many citizens expressing their unease over the technology. Some are so unhappy with the new cars that they are resorting to violence to express their disenchantment. Just last month, a driverless Waymo taxi was vandalized and set on fire in San Francisco's Chinatown. Thankfully, the Jaguar I-Pace was empty at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported. Samsung stayed true to the 'Galaxy' branding of its renowned gadgets by sending the S24 Ultra smartphone to space, and this went to heights below the low-Earth orbit, particularly on the stratosphere. It had one mission in space, and it was to take stunning photos of the Earth using the smartphone's cameras and share these images with the world, with Samsung giving it away for all. This new stunt from Samsung showcases the power of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and while it can take photos of space from the surface, it can do so the other way around. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Launches to Below LEO for Earth Photos A post from Samsung via X teased their latest venture where it sent the Galaxy S24 Ultra to the stratosphere, the region below the low-Earth orbit (LEO), also known as the home of commercial satellites, a.k.a. the mesosphere. In this venture, the company strapped its latest flagship smartphone to a balloon that can reach this region and flew to as much as 120,000 feet or around 23 miles (36 kilometers) above ground. PetaPixel reported that Samsung launched four balloons from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Grand Canyon with the goal of "capturing the diversity of landscapes." It was able to capture as many as 150 high-resolution photos using the smartphone's 200MP main camera and other lenses, with different types of snaps. Read Also: Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Brings Mobile AI with Google, Alongside 'Galaxy AI' How to Get a Copy of Galaxy S24 Ultra's Space Photos? According to Samsung, users only need to like the main post and they will send selected images to users and send it via replies directly to one's X account. Liking each photo sent by Samsung would give users more images to be sent to them, and they can unsubscribe to this chain by replying "#stop" to the Samsung Mobile US account. Discover epic pics, straight from space with the all-new #GalaxyS24 Ultra. this post to receive your very own photo taken from space #withGalaxy. pic.twitter.com/F6xXdCXsNs Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) March 1, 2024 Samsung's Galaxy S24 Lineup For many years now, it has been known that Samsung touted the camera features of its smartphone lineup, particularly with the Galaxy S series to bring impressive quality and resolution to its shots. The South Korean tech giant claims that its smartphones can capture as much as 100x zoom and bring HD results, initially claiming this for 2021's Galaxy S21 Ultra with the Moon as its subject. This zoom and resolution highlights, paired with Samsung's camera stabilization help in capturing cosmic entities from the smartphone, as boasted of by the company. However, the company faced scrutiny last year as its Moon photos were called "fake," but the company defended it, saying that the Scene Optimizer AI helps in improving the quality and bringing more details to photos that users could turn off. In this latest flagship smartphone of the company, onboard AI was the most focused on technology, but that does not mean that it left its cameras behind the dust. Samsung still greatly touts its cameras, with this latest effort showcasing the intergalactic capabilities of the smartphone, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra withstanding the stratosphere's harsh conditions and delivering exclusive Earth photos for all. Related Article: Samsung Galaxy S24: What is Super HDR? Instagram, In-App Cameras Get AI Upgrades 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A massive $2 billion fine was imposed upon Apple in Europe, as the European Commission deemed the company in violation of antitrust laws for its App Store restrictions and unfair behavior in the market. However, Apple is not backing down, and the company's response is going all out against Spotify, known for its recent complaint against the App Store policies. The renowned Big Tech from Cupertino, California immediately released its response to this massive fine, defending its rules and stating that the Digital Markets Act is not yet in full effect. Apple vs. Spotify: Cupertino Responds Amidst EU Fine Apple shared a new press release which was its immediate response to the European Commission fine against them, stemming from Spotify's complaint which it sent to the EU last week. Here, Apple took many jabs against Spotify, claiming that its music streaming platform is the "largest digital music business in the world," with the platform standing "at the top." Moreover, Apple claimed that Spotify "pays Apple nothing," pointing to the Swedish streaming platform's policy that no longer accepts App Store payments and asks customers to subscribe via their website or third-party channels on iOS. This is despite the massive help Apple gave Spotify, as it said, they still provided access to Cupertino's 250,000 APIs, including features like Siri, CarPlay, Apple Watch, AirPlay, and more to the Swedish company. Read Also: Spotify and More Complain to the EU About Apple's 'Lack of DMA Compliance,' Wants to 'Play Fair' Spotify's Coordination with EU on Apple's Fine Apple claimed Spotify wanted more, bending the rules in their favor, and even went as far as to say that the streaming company is in coordination with the European Commission against Apple. The Big Tech claimed that over the next eight years since Spotify first worked with the EU in 2015, there were three different cases built against them, with Apple claiming that there was no "evidence of consumer harm" or "anti-competitive behavior." Moreover, Apple claimed that the Commission issued this fine before the DMA came into effect, stating that this decision "is not grounded in existing competition law." Apple's EU DMA Changes Amidst the looming enforcement of the European Union's Digital Markets Act as a law in the region, several reports were claiming Apple's upcoming changes that would adhere to its legislation. However, one that was highlighted was Apple's new charge against developers on the App Store, particularly for those who will allow sideloading of their apps, a policy which many protested. The Cupertino giant released a post regarding the changes that will arrive, centering on the iOS, App Store, macOS, iPadOS, and the NFC feature of the iPhones to be available for EU developers to use. However, Apple's iMessage will remain untouched as the EU did not label the renowned exclusive service to be part of its "gatekeeper" list. Several companies have their complaints against Apple for the reported policies it will enforce come to the D-day, a.k.a. on March 15 when the DMA would go into full effect. In the latest EU fine about the antitrust against Apple, the company takes a stand for its policies, also going against Spotify which it claimed to be in collaboration with the EU to throw cases like this against them, resulting in a whopping $2 billion charge. Related Article: EU Fines Apple Nearly $2 Billion for Breaching Competition Laws on Music Streaming 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former Twitter Chief Executive Officer and several executives file a lawsuit against Elon Musk and X, seeking $128 million in unpaid severance. They allege Musk fabricated reasons for their termination to evade payment. (Photo : KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) X (formerly Twitter) CEO Elon Musk gestures during an in-conversation event with Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London on November 2, 2023, following the UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Summit. Suing Elon Musk A lawsuit has been filed by a group of former Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, against Elon Musk and X, concerning unpaid severance benefits totaling millions of dollars. These claims stem from the events surrounding Musk's acquisition of the company in October 2022. The former high-ranking executives claimed that Musk exhibited particular animosity towards them following his acquisition of the social-media platform in 2022. They alleged that Musk publicly declared his intention to withhold their severance to recover around $200 million from the $44 billion deal. As per the lawsuit, Bloomberg reported that Agrawal is seeking $57.4 million, Segal $44.5 million, Gadde $20 million, and Edgett $6.8 million in severance benefits, totaling approximately $128 million. Under the helm of Musk, Twitter, now known as X, faces numerous allegations of labor and workplace infractions, including the non-payment of severance to thousands of employees laid off post-acquisition. Additionally, the company is embroiled in lawsuits over unpaid debts to vendors and landlords, despite purported efforts to maintain financial stability. Lawyers representing Agrawal and the former executives have accused Musk of running Twitter with disregard for legal obligations. They assert that Musk evades responsibilities, refusing to settle debts owed to employees, landlords, vendors, and others. Musk's behavior suggests a belief that rules do not apply to him, leveraging his wealth and influence to intimidate dissenting parties. Also Read: NLRB says SpaceX Employees were Illegally Fired After Criticizing Elon Musk's Tweets The lawsuit references details from Musk biographer Walter Isaacson's narrative, which recounts Musk's hastened closure of the Twitter deal to terminate the executives "for cause" just before their final stock options vested. Isaacson notes Musk's boast that this maneuver saved him roughly $200 million. The lawsuit alleges that Musk's actions exemplify a pattern of behavior where he evades financial obligations and disregards regulations, leveraging his wealth and influence to assert dominance. It contends that Musk fabricated reasons for the executives' dismissal to avoid paying their severance benefits, subsequently appointing individuals from his companies to validate his decision. Failed Promise Upon assuming control, Musk promptly terminated Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal, Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, and general counsel Sean Edgett. The terminations came as no shock given the circumstances. These executives had played pivotal roles in Twitter's legal battle in mid-2022, compelling Musk to finalize his acquisition of the platform despite attempts to withdraw. As part of Musk's acquisition agreement, each executive was entitled to significant payouts, with provisions to accelerate their unvested stock awards. Agrawal, in particular, stood to gain approximately $50 million in severance payouts. Related Article: Elon Musk's One Year Acquisition of X, Formerly Twitter, Leads to Significant Decline in Web, Mobile Users: Report 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former National Guard airman, Jack Teixeira recently pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him, centering on the massive leak of confidential military documents on Discord, following last year's arrest. This puts to end the case built against him for sharing this sensitive information with his friends on the platform, with his guilty plea targeting a lighter prison sentence. However, this is still subject to the judge's decision on whether or not the court accepts the deal, with the decision coming later this Fall. Discord Leaker Jack Teixeira Pleads Guilty to Crimes The New York Times reported that Discord leaker, Jack Teixeira has pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him after being found in possession of confidential military documents and sharing them over the social networking platform. In this guilty plea, Teixeira accepts the deal which would have him serve a reduced sentence and not the full ride of the speculated 25 years for his crimes. With this deal, Teixeira avoids getting charged with several violations from his actions including the Espionage Act, allegations of unlawful gathering, and unauthorized removal of these confidential military documents. According to an FBI special agent affidavit, Teixeira got access to these sensitive documents when he was 19 while working as a low-level computer technician at a Massachusetts military base. Read Also: Former NSA Employee Pleads Guilty to Leaking Classified Information to Russia: Details Revealed Lighter Sentence for Discord Military Documents Leaker? Texeira's recent plea deal potentially gives him a lighter sentence for his Discord military documents leak, putting the numbers at around 11 years to 16 years and eight months of incarceration only. This deal went after the initial not-guilty plea of Texeira to six counts of "willful retention and transmission of national defense information." The Infamous Case of Jack Teixeira Back in April 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested the now 22-year-old National Guard airman, Jack Teixeira with his ties to leaking military documents from the Pentagon over Discord. The leak contained confidential information about national security, with at least 300 documents shared on the platform including data behind the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China, and more. It was initially claimed that Teixeira violated the Espionage Act with his actions, citing that offenses against this could result in a minimum of 10 years in prison if found guilty. It was also believed that his actions were a result of impressing his friends on Discord, with some of those parts of this group chat being teenage boys, with the US Department of Defense still looking into how it got into his hands. The recent trials against Teixeira found that he did not violate the Espionage Act, but still tied him to the crimes of illegally possessing this document, as members of national security agencies have signed a nondisclosure agreement. Instead of the presumpted 25 years in prison, the Discord leaker may only face around 11 to 16 years in prison for his deal which is yet to be signed off by the judge. Related Article: Former Airman Jack Teixeira to Plead Guilty in Historic US Military Leak Case 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NVIDIA, the AI chipmaker, continues its meteoric rise in the market, surpassing Saudi Aramco to become the third most valuable company globally and in the United States. (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) A SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: A sign is posted at Nvidia headquarters on February 05, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. Shares of Nvidia stock hit record highs on Monday after analysts increased their outlook on company. Becoming World's 3rd Richest Company Marking its debut above the $2 trillion threshold, NVIDIA reached a market capitalization of $2.06 trillion. Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco experienced a decline, settling at $2.03 trillion, according to Bloomberg data. This achievement comes just three weeks after overtaking Alphabet, Google's parent company, for the fourth spot in market value rankings. NVIDIA joins an exclusive club with a market value exceeding $2 trillion, positioning itself as one of only four companies worldwide to achieve this milestone. While Microsoft reigns as the sole entity surpassing the $3 trillion mark, NVIDIA's remarkable ascent is driven by its dominant presence in the high-end AI chip sector, where it commands an impressive 80 percent market share. The surge in NVIDIA's stock price underscores its unparalleled standing in the AI chip market, fueled by soaring demand for its cutting-edge chips that power data centers, crucial for executing complex tasks in AI applications. Notably, the steadfast demand for NVIDIA's H100 accelerators, especially from key clients such as Microsoft and Meta Platforms. Also Read: Nvidia Rockets Toward $2 Trillion Valuation, Leads AI Stocks with 59% Surge Amidst its surge in stock value driven by its exceptional product lineup, NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, is actively diversifying investments into other AI ventures. The Motley Fool blog reported that the companies in which NVIDIA is investing include chip designer Arm Holdings, medical AI firm Nano-X Imaging, Recursion Pharmaceuticals focusing on AI-driven drug discovery, self-driving truck company Tusimple Holdings, and AI voice recognition developer SoundHound AI. Although NVIDIA allocated the largest investment to Arm Holdings, SoundHound AI has shown the most promising growth. Its stock has soared by 180 percent this year, reaching a valuation of $1.5 billion. Huang elaborated on this during Nvidia's recent earnings call, emphasizing that this approach facilitates the development of customized digital intelligence infrastructure to meet each country's specific requirements. The concept of sovereign AI has garnered interest beyond the US and China, with nations like Japan, Canada, and France making significant investments in AI capabilities. By empowering countries to leverage their data and foster domestic innovation, Nvidia seeks to assert its influence in shaping the worldwide AI arena. Robust Earnings Nvidia's stock has surged following robust earnings, reinforcing the bullish sentiment among investors regarding the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in reshaping the tech sector. The company's dominance in providing graphics chips tailored for intricate computing tasks vital for AI applications has propelled its market standing. This year has seen an unrelenting rally for Nvidia, with the stock soaring by approximately 66%, contributing an impressive $834 billion in market value. In premarket trading on Monday, the stock registered a further uptick of up to 1.8%. Conversely, Aramco has faced challenges, experiencing a decline of over 5% in its stock value this year. Factors such as reduced production due to OPEC+ cuts and the prospect of a follow-on offering by the Saudi government have exerted downward pressure on the company's shares. Related Article: Nvidia CEO Says it Depends When Asked if AI Could Think Like Humans 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As a result of the destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergei Kotov by Ukrainian forces, seven crew members were killed and six more were injured. As Interfax-Ukraine was told by the Main Intelligence Agency within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, as a result of being hit by drones, the Russian ship sank, and seven people were killed, six were injured, another 52 crew members were evacuated. Earlier, the Main Intelligence Agency within the Defense Ministry reported the destruction of the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergei Kotov. "On the night of March 5, 2024, the special unit of the Main Intelligence Agency within the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine 'Group 13' attacked the patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Sergey Kotov. The mission took place in cooperation with the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. As a result of an attack by sea drones Magura V5 Russian ship of project 22160 Sergey Kotov received damage to the stern, starboard and left sides," the agency said on the Telegram channel. It is also noted that the fire defeat of the Kotov ship took place in the territorial waters of Ukraine, not far from the Kerch Strait, the cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million. Fucino Space Centre of Italy is slated to become the central control hub for the European Union's Iris2 satellite project. The center will expand its operations to oversee the IRIS2 satellite constellation, competing with initiatives like Starlink and Kuiper. (Photo : Telepazio) A pole of excellence with over fifty years of history: in 2018 it received the prestigious full certification assigned by the World Teleport Association. Telespazio's "Piero Fanti" Space Centre in Fucino (L'Aquila) has been active since 1963 and today, with its 170 antennas and 370,000 square metres, it is recognized as the first and most important teleport in the world for civilian use. Serving as Central Hub for EU's IRIS2 Italy has been designated as the primary hub for the European Union's Iris2 satellite project, with the country's space center set to serve as the project's main control center. Adolfo Urso, Italy's industry minister announced that the Fucino Space Centre, situated near L'Aquila, will fulfill this crucial role. Interesting Engineering reported that the Fucino Space Centre is renowned as one of the world's largest and most important civilian space facilities. Currently, it oversees the operations of the European Galileo satellite navigation system and hosts both the Control Centre and the Mission Centre for the COSMO-SkyMed Earth observation satellite constellation. Urso unveiled plans to expand the Fucino Space Centre to serve as the control hub for the IRIS satellite constellation, positioning it as a contender against Elon Musk's Starlink and Jeff Bezos' Kuiper initiatives. IRIS2: Europe's Satellite Revolution The IRIS2 project entails a network of 170 satellites aimed at bolstering communication capabilities for European Union governments and introducing commercial broadband services to underserved regions between 2025 and 2027. Spanning 21,000 square meters, the facility is equipped to accommodate large satellites and aims to produce two 200-kilogram satellites per week, contingent upon customer demand, according to Massimo Comparini, head of Telespazio's Italian operations. Also Read: New NASA-Italian Space Agency Partnership to Launch MAIA Air Pollution Mission! Telespazio, which holds ownership of the Fucino Centre, is jointly controlled by Leonardo and France's Thales, with a 67 percent and 33 percent stake, respectively. Luigi Pasquali, CEO of Telespazio, highlighted the significance of IRIS2 as critical infrastructure for the nation, enabling various operations essential for national security. Franco Ongaro, the Chief Space Business Officer at Leonardo, hailed IRIS as the definitive solution to Europe's evolving telecom landscape. He emphasized its importance in bridging the digital gap and positioning Italy as a leader in technological sovereignty within Europe. Ongaro highlighted IRIS as Europe's response to the rising prominence of low-Earth-orbit constellations in telecommunications. The Iris2 multi-orbit satellite internet constellation is set to revolutionize broadband coverage, particularly in rural areas, marking a significant step towards eliminating digital disparities across Europe. Urso underscored the substantial impact of the 50 million investment on local employment and technological progress. He emphasized that the expansion of the Space Centre, driven by IRIS, will not only double the current workforce but also create at least 200 new job opportunities. Related Article: SpaceX Expands Reach with 21 more Starlink Satellites on Oct. 21 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)) The White House's recent executive order banning the sale of sensitive personal data to "countries of concern" has been criticized by privacy advocates, who doubt its ability to significantly curb the widespread trading of personal information. "With the historical context of Cambridge Analytica and the adverts aimed at voters across networks like Facebook, the Whitehouse is doing too little too late," Esther Payne, a privacy advocate and community manager at the Librecast Project, told Tech Times in an interview. Her views are echoed by independent security researcher Devanand Premkumar. "The thing is, this whole data trade has exploded so fast that the rules meant to keep our privacy intact can't keep up," Premkumar told Tech Times in an interview. Data-powered economy Calling data the new oil, Premkumar said it is our details that help fuel the big tech economy. Companies, he explained, are trying their best to outdo their peers' efforts to collect and analyze our information. They do this, Premkumar said, not just to target advertisements and tailor their services to individuals but also because it helps them make smarter business decisions. Payne agreed and added that the networks don't just throw us advertisements but also collect data about us. This includes everything from our browsing habits and demographic details such as our name and age. She said they then use this data to create data profiles to help advertisers micro-target specific adverts at us. "That data can then be sold via data brokers to other organizations in the US and abroad," said Payne. "It's one of the main tenets of surveillance capitalism; if you aren't paying for the service, you are the product," explained Payne. Unfortunately, she asserted that we have now moved beyond this, in that even when we do pay for the service, the data we provide is still collected and sold to organizations not just in the US but beyond our borders. "Our social networks are global," said Payne. Premkumar said companies and even entire countries use our personal details not just to make money but also to understand and predict our behaviors. Worryingly, he said this is being done at a scale that hasn't been witnessed before. "So, as you can see, the value of personal data isn't just high-it's essential, making it a prime target for buying and selling," said Premkumar. Policy incoherence Most of the experts sadly believe the executive order will do little to reign in the unfettered collection and trading of our data. Writing in the SANS newsletter, Curtis Dukes, executive vice president at the Center for Internet Security, argued the country should work on a national data privacy law instead of relying on "the hodge-podge of state data privacy laws." Dukes wrote that a comprehensive law would be much more effective in protecting US consumer data, regardless of the country of concern. More importantly, he argued, it'll help bind what if anything, data brokers can do with US consumer data. Payne agreed, calling the executive order little more than a security theater. "US companies and EU companies can't sell services or goods to countries with sanctions on them," said Payne. "So what counts as a "Country of Concern?" There is nothing to stop an international data broker from acting as a middleman." Payne also pointed to AI companies that scrape and buy data to train their large language models (LLMs). She said this is again something that's done to consumers without their express consent. "We do not yet have legislation to demand transparency on where that data comes from," said Payne. But some believe the rules proposed by the executive order will help, even if to a limited degree. "Restricting the bulk sale of personal data to certain countries will make a difference for the ease with which it is possible for those countries to amass files on US consumers," Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, managing director of the Washington, DC chapter of the International Association of Privacy Professionals told Tech Times in an interview. He added that while it is difficult to completely close off every avenue for a dedicated foreign adversary to gain access to Americans' personal data, rules like those the White House is proposing would make a big difference to the vetting practices that data brokers embrace when selling sensitive data. About the author: Mayank Sharma is a technology writer with two decades of experience in breaking down complex technology and getting behind the news to help his readers get to grips with the latest buzzwords and industry milestones. He has had bylines on NewsForge, Linux.com, IBM developerWorks, Linux User & Developer magazine, Linux Voice magazine, Linux Magazine, and HackSpace magazine. In addition to Tech Times, his current roster of publications include TechRadar Pro, and Linux Format magazine. Follow him at https://twitter.com/geekybodhi 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)) From Michigan to Texas to Iowa and North Dakota, nearly two dozen states are experiencing severe to exceptional drought as concerns about the conditions continue to rise. While farmers and families worry about the lack of water and rain droughts might cause, there may be a solution they can pull from thin air: hydropanels. These massive panels resemble solar panels, measuring just under eight feet long and weighing 340 pounds. They are also powered by the sun, but instead of creating energy, the panels provide individuals with clean and safe water. Primarily manufactured by SOURCE, these panels use solar-powered fans that pull pure water vapor out of the air. Inside the panels, there is warm air that then transforms the vapor into liquid. Next, the water is put through a two-step production process to ensure there is no pollution in the water. This process includes a built-in air filter that prevents debris from entering the hydropanel and uses SOURCE's patented material that only attracts water molecules. After the water is mineralized and circulated, it can be sent directly into people's homes. Hydropanels manufactured by SOURCE can be connected to any water dispenser that supports 80 psi, including countertop sinks, refrigerators, free-standing dispensers, and more. Colin Goddard, Vice President of Business Development at SOURCE Global, told TechTimes that hydropanels offer a "more convenient and sustainable drinking water supply" than plastic bottled, trucked, or filtered water. "We know too many families have trouble accessing clean drinking water at home for a number of reasons, including drought," Goddard said. "That's why SOURCE Hydropanels were designed to leapfrog centralized infrastructure and create a new drinking water supply where it's needed most. He explained that this solar-powered technology is practical for everyday use, as families in over 50 countries have been using hydro panels. Not only has SOURCE installed its hydropanels at individual homes, but schools, remote communities, and luxury resorts have begun using the technology to ensure clean and safe water for students, residents, and guests. "We envision a future in which our technology is widely adopted by families as it gives people ownership of the water they drink," Goddard said. He explained that SOURCE designed its hydro panels as a potential replacement for how water has historically been packaged and purchased by individuals. "Hydropanels were designed to replace the need for plastic water bottles in the home," Goddard said. "A single SOURCE Hydropanel eliminates the need for up to 54,000 single-use plastic bottles over its estimated 15-year life span and will cost less than buying all those water bottles saving the family money in the long-run." Millions of Americans have been suffering from drought conditions in recent weeks, with the U.S. Drought Monitor reporting last week that at least 18.09% of the United States and Puerto Rico are in drought. In Iowa alone, 78.2% of the state is experiencing some drought conditions - impacting over 2.4 million residents. As concerns grow over these conditions, hydropanels may offer a key solution to a potential lack of water. Keith Lambert, president of Oxidizers, Inc. and Pollution Control expert, told TechTimes that hydropanels are a "real-world alternative" in providing sustainable water. "Hydropanels are an interesting combo of technologies, combining solar power from the sun to withdraw water vapor found in the air then filtering, mineralization, and outputting final drinking water," Lambert said "When you look at the state of clean sustainable water sources, hydropanels in drought-prone areas are a real-world alternative to trucking, piping, and other high-cost infrastructure methods." While SOURCE hydropanels are primarily designed to produce water for drinking and cooking, the company has said their technology can be used to "meet any water production volume," making hydropanels a potential solution for families and farmers alike. For the best success, SOURCE recommends at least one hydropanel for every two people living in a home, as one panel typically produces around 180 standard bottles of water each month. SOURCE has touted that its hydropanels can collect and produce water in a variety of climates - including low-humidity communities such as Arizona, where SOURCE is headquartered. However, the company has warned that these panels will enter a "hibernation mode" and stop producing water when air temperatures reach below freezing. As people consider hydropanels as a solution for clean and safe water in drought-prone areas, Lambert has called on a broader strategy to address the problem. "I believe if we stop looking for that one silver bullet to solve an issue, but instead employ a diverse technological approach we can solve many of the tough environmental issues we face today," he said. About the author: Callie Patteson is a freelance journalist based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and New Hampshire. She is studying to receive her Erasmus Mundus master's in political communication and data journalism at the University of Amsterdam. Previously, she worked as a national politics reporter for the New York Post and an Associate Breaking News Editor for the Washington Examiner. Find her online at https://calliepatteson.squarespace.com 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In January 2024, Samsung Electronics officially announced the Galaxy Ring, a ring-shaped wearable device, at its official Galaxy Unpacked event teaser. While the company did share the first images of the product, it did not reveal many details of the product back then. However, the South Korean tech giant went on to show off the Galaxy Ring at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona, Spain and also revealed information about the design and release date of the wellness device. Features And Specifications Of The Galaxy Ring Samsung Electronics smart ring, Galaxy Ring is a new health tracker that can be worn on your finger, which can help you track your sleep using four different metrics: heart rate, respiratory rate, night movement and sleep latency. It will also work for monthly cycle tracking. Further, Galaxy Ring will feature new features such as My Vitality Score, which will provide users with a physical and mental readiness score based on various data such as sleep and heart rate through Samsung Health. It will also come with a Booster Card that encourages users to set health goals. In addition, the Galaxy Ring will bring advanced sleep tracking, which will provide sleep metrics based on the users heart rate, respiratory rate, and movements made when sleeping. The wearable device will come in nine different sizes, numbered from 5 to 13. In particular, this will be as light as a regular ring and could weigh anything between 2.3 grams to 2.9 grams. Further, the smallest Galaxy Ring will be equipped with a 14.5 mAh battery, while the biggest model will feature a 21.5 mAh battery. This means the device can expect to deliver a battery life lasting anywhere between 5 to 9 days on a single charge, depending on the usage. Regarding the design of the Galaxy Ring in the form of a ring worn on the finger, Dr Hon Pak, Samsungs Vice President and Head of Samsungs Digital Health team, said, We chose the finger because it is very simple to collect information from the wrist because many blood vessels and veins pass through the finger. Coming to compatibility with the Galaxy Ring, the wearable device will only work with Galaxy phones and other Android phones. However, the company is working on ensuring support for other devices. On the other hand, iPhone users apparently wont be able to use the Galaxy Ring at all. However, the company is hoping iPhone users will consider switching to a Galaxy phone due to Galaxy Rings appeal. We ultimately hope that our devices are of such caliber that people will be willing to switch, Pak said. Currently, the Galaxy Ring is attracting a lot of attention because it is a new form factor, and this is what we are aiming for. The vision is to implement this healthcare within a broad ecosystem, and it will not end with the Galaxy Ring. There will be a wide variety of things in the future, he added. By launching the Galaxy Ring, which can be comfortably worn 24 hours a day, within the year, we aim to provide comprehensive health insights based on conveniently monitored data in daily life. The Galaxy Ring will be available in three color options: Black, Silver, and Gold. The wearable device is expected to be released in the second half of the year. In temporarily occupied Crimea, Russian security forces conducted illegal searches in the houses of ten Crimean Tatars, they were detained, the occupiers charged them with the article "organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in the activities of such an organization," Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said. "Today at dawn, Russian security forces broke into the houses of ten Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray and Dzhankoy district. Among them are religious figures and activists of the public association Crimean Solidarity," he said in a Telegram channel on Tuesday. Lubinets said the occupiers conducted illegal searches in the houses of Rustem Osmanov, Aziz Azizov, Memet Lyumanov, Mustafa Abduramanov, Remzi Kurtnezirov, Vait Mustafaev, Ali Mamutov, Arsen Kashka, Enver Khalilayev, Nariman Ametov. "Former imam Remzi Kurtnezirov is an elderly man with a second group disability. He has coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and the right side of his body is non-functional. During the search, he became ill: his blood pressure rose greatly, he had to call an ambulance," the ombudsman said. At the same time, Russian security forces still took Kurtnezirov and others to the so-called "Department of the FSB of Crimea" in Simferopol. According to information received by the Ukrainian side from Crimean lawyers, all ten are preliminary charged with the article "organizing the activities of a terrorist organization and participating in the activities of such an organization." "I emphasize that Russia once again brazenly disregards the norms of international humanitarian law. Illegal searches and detentions of civilians in temporarily occupied territory are a crime against humanity for national and international justice mechanisms. The real goal of the occupier is to destroy any manifestations of resistance and solidarity in Ukrainian Crimea," Lubinets said. He said the international community must intensify efforts and increase pressure on Russia in order to stop its gross violations of human rights in Crimea, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens. 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Peskov: Russia will not listen to US assessments of the past elections Pascal Praud and you - A police station under siege: the spokesperson for a police union recounts the scene of chaos in La Courneuve Germany said it would not congratulate Putin on his election victory Blocking the way of those who are fasting...a Ramadan custom in Sudan The occupation commits 8 new massacres in Gaza and announces its intention to carry out a massive activity in Rafah Peskov: Putin spoke about the idea of exchanging Navalny, but not about the fact of negotiations Martyrs, dozens of detainees, and the killing of a soldier when the occupation stormed the Shifa complex in Gaza Moscow Region: a strike was struck at the meeting place of representatives of the command staff of the SBU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine Pascal Praud and you - We never had this fear when going to work: a supermarket manager recounts a daily life that became nightmarish Sciences Po: we will be uncompromising on anti-Semitism, promises the president of the Foundation Trump: If I were president, the Gaza invasion would not have happened US Senator: Allegations that UNRWA is a tool in the hands of Hamas are a lie A man stabbed to death in front of a supermarket in Aveyron, in the presence of his wife and son Civil servants will have the salary increase after Easter and before the Budgets are approved Niger: what follow-up after the denunciation of the military agreement between Niamey and Washington? TikTok is at the heart of the US election season Putin: all traitors fighting against Russia will be identified by name and they will not be given peace Urgent | Al Jazeera obtains exclusive photos showing the Qassam tracking the movements of officer in the Shaldag unit, Yitzhar Hoffman, before he was killed by a snipers bullet. Faced with the risks of war with Russia, Latvia restores its military service for men The Japanese Cabinet of Ministers refrained from commenting on the results of the elections in Russia Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Tesla's German plant halts production after suspected arson attack Frankfurt, Germany, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 Tesla halted production at its German factory Tuesday after assailants allegedly set fire to high-voltage lines nearby, cutting power to the US electric carmaker's only European plant, the company and authorities said. Emergency services were called to reports of a burning electricity pylon southeast of Berlin in the early hours, in the area the factory is located, and firefighters extinguished the blaze. But it knocked out power to the Tesla factory -- which opened in 2022 after a long, drawn-out process -- as well as surrounding villages, prompting police to launch an investigation into suspected arson. Environmental activists opposed to a planned expansion of the factory run by Elon Musk's company recently set up a camp near the plant, but police refused to be drawn on whether there was a link between the group and the blaze. Michael Stuebgen, interior minister for Brandenburg state, said that "if initial findings are confirmed, this is a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure". "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." But he cautioned against "premature speculation" about who might be responsible. Tesla said in a statement that the production facilities in Gruenheide were in a "safe state" after the shutdown, and workers had been sent home. "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," it said. It is the latest problem to hit the factory. In January, most production was halted at the site for two weeks due to a shortage of parts following shipping delays caused by Yemeni rebel attacks in the Red Sea, a vital trade route. - Controversial expansion - The plant started production in 2022 following an arduous two-year approval and construction process dogged by administrative and legal obstacles. Tesla has been hoping to expand the site by 170 hectares (420 acres) and boost production up to one million vehicles annually to feed Europe's growing demand for electric cars and take on rivals who are shifting away from combustion engine vehicles. But the plans have raised the hackles of local residents, who voted against the project in a non-binding ballot last month. After the vote, Tesla said it might have to rethink the plans. "We recognise that the citizens of Gruenheide have concerns in connection with the planned expansion of the site," the company said. Last week, environmental activists opposed to the plans set up a camp in tree tops near the factory, in an area of forest that the carmaker will have to raze if the expansion goes ahead. As well as deforestation, the activists are concerned an expansion would threaten local drinking water supplies. Tesla also has plenty of headaches elsewhere. In Sweden, the carmaker is facing a strike that has lasted more than four months over its refusal to sign a collective wage agreement. And in January, the company reported lower fourth-quarter operating profits despite higher revenues, while warning of slower volume growth this year. sr/hmn/cw The European Commission (EC) has presented the first European Defense Industrial Strategy in the history of the European Union, which provides for the gradual integration of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex into the European one. This was announced by European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton at a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday, presenting the Strategy. Ukraine will be able to benefit from the support of this strategy for their defence defence industry. Of course, to increase the capacity of production, like any European different company, but also in joint acquisitions and what is extremely important is that while doing so, we are preparing step by step the integration of the the Ukraine defence industry within our own EU defence industry. So that's something extremely new, but the first time we're doing this and with the interactions we have had, of course, with the Ukrainian Government, we believe it will be highly appreciated, he explained the possible involvement of Ukraine in the implementation of this strategy. Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager expressed opinion that such participation of Ukraine is a signal of the future of Ukraine as a member of the European Union. To say well, the Ukrainian defence capacity is part of this ecosystem that we want to strengthen, she said. In this regard, the Vice-President of the EC pointed to the Defense Innovation Office, which will be opened in Kyiv and which will be sort of a two way office for innovations in Ukraine also to be made available in a present EU context. A lot of innovation takes place in Ukraine right now. I think we see more and more previous civilian technology being used for defence purposes. Those are very important innovations. And I think it's important that we use this office also to learn on the European side, so that the defence industry is an industry that comes together in a ecosystem where Ukraine is fully integrated, Vestager explained. In his turn, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, noted that in order to continue to support Ukraine, the EU must also increase its own production capabilities. Ukraine today needs 200,155 ammunition per month. It makes 2.5 million per year. If we want to support Ukraine, we have to be able to do. So because this doesn't come from the sky. And people don't fight with a bank note and bank note is good to buy arms, but you have to do it and a bank note is useless to fight. You need to convert financial capacity on industrial capacity in order to provide supplies, so everything that increases our defence capability is good for Ukraine since we are committed to support Ukraine with our capacity. Yemen faces 'environmental disaster' as sunken ship threatens massive Red Sea spill Aden, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 The sinking of a Belize-flagged bulker off Yemen after a Huthi missile attack poses grave environmental risks, as thousands of tonnes of fertiliser threaten to spill into the Red Sea, according to officials and experts. 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 (CENTCOM). 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 families -- roughly half a million people. "The first pollution is oil pollution resulting from the large amount of fuel oil on board" which could continue to leak, he said, estimating the quantity to be over 200 tonnes. The second risk is posed by the fertiliser cargo, which is highly soluble and could harm "fish and living organisms such as coral reefs and seaweed" if released into the water, Jaabi added. The overall contamination could incur "significant economic costs", especially on war-torn coastal communities that depend on fishing for survival, the official warned. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, pushing the internationally recognised 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. - 'Cascading effects' - 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. "Without immediate action, this situation could escalate into a major environmental crisis," warned Julien Jreissati, Middle East and North Africa programme director at Greenpeace. "The sinking of the vessel could further breach the hull, allowing water to contact with the thousands of tonnes of fertiliser," 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 Programme 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. CENTCOM and maritime security firm Ambrey claim 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 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 contamination is proven, he said. "Worst-case scenario is contamination," Thalabi said. Climate activists in Italy sentenced to jail for painting Senate Rome, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 An Italian judge on Tuesday handed down three environmental activists a suspended sentence of eight months in jail for spraying the Senate with washable paint last year, the group said. The three activists from the "Last Generation" group, all in their 20s, had been charged with criminal damage and risked up to five years behind bars. The group said in a statement that the suspended sentence was subject to the payment of 60,000 euros of damages. The defendants were among five people who in January 2023 used fire extinguishers to spray the front of the upper house of the Italian parliament in Rome with washable orange paint. "Whatever happens, we'll keep going," defendant Davide Nensi told journalists at the courthouse ahead of the sentencing. "The intent wasn't to damage the building but to call attention to the responsibility of parliament to make laws on the environment for all citizens," he said. Last Generation, which said it would appeal the ruling, wants Italy to invest more in renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. The act -- deemed an "outrageous gesture" by far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -- spurred a new law passed by parliament in January this year increasing penalties for those who damage monuments and cultural sites. Last Generation began carrying out peaceful but disruptive protests in Italy in 2022, urging politicians from all parties to make climate change their priority. According to the European Commission, Italy is on track for significantly higher emissions than those set in its 2030 target. Activists have thrown soup, cake, mashed potatoes and washable paint at heritage and culture sites and artworks in museums. Most recently in February, two Last Generation activists stuck photos of climate change devastation to the glass panel covering Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" painting at the Uffizi Galleries in Florence. Yemen faces 'environmental disaster' as sunken ship threatens Red Sea Aden, March 5 (AFP) Mar 05, 2024 The sinking of a bulk carrier off Yemen after a Huthi missile attack poses grave environmental risks as thousands of tonnes of fertiliser 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 fertiliser 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 families -- up 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 fertiliser, 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. - 'Cascading effects' - Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, pushing the internationally recognised 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. "Without immediate action, this situation could escalate into a major environmental crisis," warned Julien Jreissati, Middle East and North Africa programme director at Greenpeace. "The sinking of the vessel could further breach the hull, allowing water to contact with the thousands of tonnes of fertiliser," 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 Programme 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. 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. At The Table: From Venezuela to Lafayette, David Gomez makes arepas with carne mechada The International Criminal Court has issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr. Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash, Commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force, and Mr. Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, Commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. Today, 5 March 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court, composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Presiding, Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godinez (ICC or Court) issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr. Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash and Mr. Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, in the context of the situation in Ukraine for alleged crimes committed from at least 10 October 2022 until at least 9 March 2023, the document published on the website of the ICC reads. The two warrants of arrest were issued following applications filed by the Prosecution. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure. The Art Gallery of NSW is set to slash 30 jobs to address a $4 million funding shortfall as the state coalition questioned whether the premier cultural institution will need to flog tea towels in its souvenir shop to keep its doors open. Public Service Association will meet staff affected by the proposed restructure on Wednesday. It affects an equivalent of 10 full-time roles across nine gallery departments and a further 21 unfilled positions declared excess. The Art Gallery of NSW is cutting staff roles. Credit: Wolter Peters Gallery director Dr Michael Brand could also not rule out future increases to exhibition entry prices beyond the current benchmark of $35 per ticket. The Minns government has handed the gallery a one-off $12.1 million top-up payment to address a looming $16 million black hole while it conducts an audit of the institutions finances to see if ongoing support is needed. Claims there is no strong evidence that menopause can increase the risk of anxiety, psychosis or suicide have been attacked as patronising by leading womens health experts who say it is not true that menopause has been over-medicalised. An Australian-led series on menopause published in the prestigious journal The Lancet on Wednesday suggests that over-use of hormone replacement therapy for symptoms is disempowering women and the natural life stage is being catastrophised. Sonia Evans has been able to manage her menopausal symptoms with exercise and other non-hormonal measures. Credit: Eddie Jim The series, led by Professor Martha Hickey of Melbourne University and the Royal Womens Hospital, runs contrary to accepted research findings, which link some mental health conditions and an elevated risk of cardio-vascular disease to brain changes during menopause. Womens health experts including Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, head of Monash Universitys HER Centre for womens health research, say the papers ignore considerable neuroscientific evidence showing the significant link between oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and mental health. As the political punderati continued to pick over the entrails of the weekends Dunkley byelection, unwary internet users were still being hit with campaign ads on Monday morning from the Liberal runner-up in the contest, Nathan Conroy. Maybe the affable Irishman doesnt want the campaign feeling to end, because there may be a few awkward conversations with his colleagues at Frankston Council when Conroy gets back to his political day job as mayor. The acting mayor arrangements were a little untidy with Conroys offsider and deputy mayor and Frankstons youngest ever councillor Liam Hughes, thrust unexpectedly into the top job for the duration of the campaign. Hughes had a study trip to the UK planned, and his absence, depriving the council of a mayor during the busy late-January period, prompted fellow councillors to pass a vote of no-confidence in their acting leader, young Liam, who protested that the mess was actually caused by Conroys abrupt decision to go off and campaign for Dunkley. One second. Thats the average thinking time motorists have at a yellow traffic light to decide whether it is safe to stop, as required by the law, or risk a fine for running a red. Sometimes, though, these intersections turn into what road safety experts call a potentially dangerous dilemma zone because the lights arent yellow for long enough for a driver to make a safe decision. Traffic lights in Sydney. Credit: SMH Its a dilemma that shouldnt exist, says traffic engineer Jacob Elmasry from the University of Sydney. Yet most drivers have experienced it. Elmasry was fined in 2022 for running a red light on Parramatta Road, near the intersection of West Street at Leichhardt. For a country that prides itself on quality barista coffee culture, its odd how difficult it is to find a cafe open after 3pm when I really need a shot. In suburbs like Waterloo, where I live, its hard post-3pm but impossible after 4pm. I know were an early-to-rise, early-to-bed city, especially during the week, but there are things we lose by closing our glorious coffee shops so early. Our famed coffee culture is both a world export and a tourist attraction. Want decent coffee in London? Look for anywhere Australian- or New Zealand-owned. Quick, drink up, its 2.59pm! Credit: iStock While global cities like London and New York have been infested by Starbucksification, which sees soulless, carbon-copy, commercial coffee brands dominate, the story of Starbucks failing to similarly take over Sydney is the stuff of legend. Sydneysiders largely shunned the coffee conglomerate in favour of local, independent outlets that have kept their individual personality. Starbucks only turned a profit in November, the first time in its 23-year Australian history. One thing in Starbucks favour is that its open later; the George Street branch closes at 9pm. To remain competitive, our glorious independent coffee shops should do the same. Not just for tourists. For us. Of course, small business owners struggle with staff costs more than the big multinationals and some close at 3pm because its too pricey to stay open later. Labor candidate Tracey Prices answers can be found here , while Greens candidate Jonathan Sriranganathans answers are here . Brisbane Times asked all three viable lord mayoral candidates the same 20 questions, which were designed to give voters a feel for both their policy positions and their personalty. Schrinner lives in Carindale with his wife, Nina, and their four young children. Prior to his ascension to the lord mayoralty, Schrinner was the councillor for Chandler ward, a title he held since a 2005 byelection sparked by former councillor Michael Caltabianos election to state parliament. At the 2004 election, Schrinner unsuccessfully ran for the now-defunct East Brisbane ward. Adrian Schrinner has served as Brisbanes lord mayor since 2019 , when Graham Quirk stepped down after eight years in the role. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Obviously, I was his deputy for eight years and just the way he approached the job, with the experience and the calm approach, I really learned a lot from Graham. Thats an interesting one. Id probably say Ive learnt the most off Graham Quirk. Ive never been interested in any other level of government. Its the simple things that people rely on roads, parks, collecting the rubbish, buses, ferries, those sort of things that they really do improve peoples lives. Ive always thought local government was the level that can make the most impact in peoples lives. I think it was actually it was in the year 2003; thats when I decided to run for council the very first time. Its got to be sensible. So, back to congestion. Weve got a four-point plan on congestion, which involves upgrading roads, delivering better public transport and moving from public transport to mass transit, through projects like the metro. Theres a whole range of issues, but Id say theyre right up top and another one, which is an additional issue Id throw in, is obviously community safety not necessarily something we have full control of, but its definitely concerning. Adrian Schrinner: [Governing] has got to be practical, its got to be sensible and its got to be affordable. Credit: Jocelyn Garcia I was unsuccessful the first time, but it was actually based on the quite bold plans that candidate Campbell Newman had when he ran for lord mayor the first time, and that was building the infrastructure, like tunnels and bridges. I think all levels of government need to be doing whatever they can to encourage the supply of new housing. We need more of any every kind of housing, so whether its affordable housing, social housing, just standard market housing, rental accommodation, we need more of everything. And housing, obviously the third issue there. I dont see this as being the election for big-spending promises. Its got to be affordable because, in the end, if its not affordable, then ratepayers and renters end up paying more. When it comes to cost of living, its all about making sure that what we commit to over the next four years is affordable, its as simple as that. And then also finally getting more out of our existing infrastructure, so making it work better theres some inefficiencies that can be taken out of the network. Also, active travel infrastructure with new bridges and bikeways, river walks, making it easy to walk, cycle and scoot around the city. Were certainly doing our part, with making sure we have a range of initiatives to increase and incentivise supply of housing, but obviously every level of government needs to do their part as well. 7. On population growth, how big is too big for Brisbane? I think population growth has been a constant thing for Brisbane for a long time. Its been almost a continuous thing throughout Brisbanes recent history. As long as it continues to enhance our lifestyle, its a good thing. At the point where people see it taking away from the lifestyle, obviously therell be challenges. And so I see growth as a challenge and an opportunity. But in terms of how big is too big? Look, I think if we get the planning right, plenty more people can live in Brisbane. Its just got to be the right planning, the right infrastructure and keeping it easy to move around. 8. Whats more important to you service delivery, or keeping rates low? In this current climate, its got to be keeping rates low. Obviously, we are a service delivery organisation, but we can only provide what we can afford to provide. My position on this has been really clear in recent times, and theres had to be some reductions in spending in order to keep rates down. So right now, its got to be affordability. Adrian Schrinner: I see growth as a challenge and an opportunity. Credit: Jocelyn Garcia 9. Is Brisbane City Council well served by the party political system? Look, I actually think it has been. It adds a level of competition that is healthy for our democracy. Theres a lot of councils where people arent necessarily aligned, and you dont really know what they stand for often, you dont get their fundamental ideologies coming through, or philosophies. Whereas in Brisbane, I think its really clear, so people know. And its also a healthy level of competition, that the parties do take it very seriously. They all put in a big effort. They all put a lot of resources into developing policies and finding the right people to run. So I think it actually has served Brisbane well. Its been almost 100 years now that Brisbane City Council has had a party political system 1925 is the 100-year mark so its not new, its not a recent thing. Its been right from the beginning of greater Brisbane coming together. 10. What has been the most enjoyable thing about your campaign so far? A great example and Im just saying it because I was doing it this morning is actually [pauses]... The day that I have is normally very structured, and lots of structured meetings, but its been a lot of meeting people out and about at the moment. This morning, I was walking through Inala Plaza, just talking to people, and it was quite incredible the way that there was all these people just sitting around playing chess out in an open courtyard, the smells of Vietnamese cooking all around. Those sort of moments actually have been the best just getting out and talking to people. Adrian Schrinner: Theres a lot of councils where people arent necessarily aligned, and you dont really know what they stand for. Credit: Jocelyn Garcia 11. And the least? I wont say this interview. This is good. Im enjoying this. Look, I actually cant think of something at this point in time. Yeah, it doesnt come to mind. 12. If elected lord mayor, could you work with councillors from other parties or independents if your party does not get a majority in City Hall? Well, I actually dont think thatll happen. I really dont. I see this as either the current administration is reelected with the majority, or theres a Labor-Green administration with either a Labor lord mayor or a Greens lord mayor. I really see that, having looked really closely at the numbers, as the only two outcomes. 13. How would your administration leverage the Olympics? Well, the first thing we need to do is get it back on track and Ive made some very public statements on that recently. Just about the planning, an independent delivery authority and some independent oversight is probably the most important thing we can do right now to get the best outcomes. The way it was heading up until the end of last year, I dont think was productive. I think it was heading off track, but Im actually quite confident well get back on track and leverage those opportunities that we have. Getting the independent delivery authority and then getting projects going. I mean, its 8 years to go, but that will go really quickly itll be in the blink of an eye, but we know it and some of these major projects and infrastructure and facilities that need to be built will take years and years. So we dont have a moment to what to waste, but the independent delivery authority is the critical thing. 14. Whats the biggest mistake youve made, and what did you learn from it? This whole job is a learning experience and I think mistakes happen all the time its just the nature of what you do. No government is perfect and theres things that happen unexpectedly and mistakes that you make. In terms of the biggest one, phraw, thats a hard one to answer. Im not sure I can answer that. Can I pass to the next question? Adrian Schrinner: This whole job is a learning experience and I think mistakes happen all the time its just the nature of what you do. Credit: Jocelyn Garcia 15. How do you commute to work? Usually by car. 16. Whats the best concert, artistic or sporting event youve been to? Theres a few good ones when I was younger. I think it was a Livid Festival in West End with Spiderbait and Regurgitator. More recently, my taste in music has adapted a bit. It was a Keith Urban concert, actually. I like a broad range of music. 17. What is your favourite meal? Pizza. 18. What three words best describe you? People tell me Im calm, even-tempered and dont particularly get stressed, so I dont know those three things, maybe? But thats what people say. Adrian Schrinner: People tell me Im calm, even-tempered and dont particularly get stressed. Credit: Jocelyn Garcia 19. Do you have political ambitions beyond City Hall? Definitely not. I couldnt think of anything worse. 20. What positive things can you say about your main two rivals? I give them credit for actually putting their hand up. Its no small feat. This is a job interview that we all three of us have with 1.2 million people and that is a unique situation. So whatever happens, I actually respect the fact that theyve done it. It takes courage, so they both have courage. Get the inside word on the news, sport, food, people and places Brisbane is talking about. Sign up for our City Talk newsletter here. The first European Defence Industrial Strategy in the history of the European Union is aimed at high-quality pan-European development of the defense-industrial complex with full integration of Ukraine. Thus, on Tuesday in Brussels, at a press conference after the meeting of the Board of the European Commission, European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager outlined the essence of the approved document. "We want to invest more, we should invest better, which largely means investing together, and investing European," she said. Vestager also said that the second document that was adopted the Defense Industry Programme "will take over the role of the instrument that we have set up in response to the war," referring to the decision already in progress to increase ammunitions production. A legal framework will also be created that will encourage member states to cooperate more closely through common procurements or joint life cycle management of defense products. "Lastly, we will enable member states to set up European defense projects of common interest, so that they can join forces in strategic projects that no country can do on their own. To support this, the programme has an initial budget of EUR 1.5 billion... We propose to achieve the goal by 2030 to procure 40% of equipment in a collaborative manner and to procure 50% of equipment within the European Union," the European Commission Vice-President said, outlining the established goals. Vestager, pointing to the upcoming U.S. elections, said it was necessary to "get the transatlantic balance right irrespective of the elections dynamics in the United States." "We must take more responsibility for our own security while remaining fully committed to our NATO alliance. And an improved ability to act will make us a stronger ally," she said. The Vice-President also spoke of the need to ensure a "real pan-European defense market" with opportunities for innovative companies from the civilian sector whose products "can help give our militaries an edge." "The programme that we present today tackle this head-on by incentivizing cross-border cooperation and putting a strong emphasis on boosting the role of SMEs and SMID caps. We'll do that through dedicated funding," Vestager said. She reiterated the European Commission's plans to "fully integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into this ecosystem." "We've seen how technological breakthroughs can help give an edge on the battleground. Our new defense innovation office in Kyiv will help us to meet advancements in both directions [meaning it will help both the Ukrainian and European sides]," the Vice-President of the European Commission said. Brittany Higgins has returned to Perth for the first time since her brief stint working in the home state of her former boss, WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds, in an attempt to resolve the defamation row that has pitted the pair against one another. The ex-Liberal staffer, her fiance David Sharaz and the senator had been ordered by a judge to appear in person at a mediation hearing in the Supreme Court of Western Australia on Tuesday to discuss the matter behind closed doors and stave off the need for a trial. Brittany Higgins (centre) arrives at the Perth Supreme Court alongside lawyers Leon Zwier and Teresa Ward for a mediation session with former boss Linda Reynolds. Credit: Trevor Collens. Higgins arrived shortly after 9.30am alongside Sharaz, both of whom were flanked by lawyers after making the 14,000-kilometre journey from their new home in the south of France. Outside court, Higgins said she believed everyone was eager to resolve their differences in good faith, but she had mixed emotions about her return to WAs capital. Beijing has vowed to push ahead with transforming Chinas economic growth model, signalling it is prepared to use greater government intervention to reach its new target of 5 per cent. In a speech to more than 3000 delegates inside Chinas Great Hall of the People, Premier Li Qiang declared the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) should rally behind the historic mission of President Xi Jinpings vision for the countrys future. Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the opening session of the National Peoples Congress. Credit: Ng Han Guan Xi, who was mentioned 18 times by Li as he sat in front of the premier at the head of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing, has presided over tightening restrictions on the economy, crackdowns on technology companies and rising protectionism as he attempts to redistribute wealth and maintain ideological control over the country. All of us in governments at every level must acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinpings core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Li said on Tuesday. Washington: The US Veterans Affairs secretary has reversed a department memo that aimed to ban departmental displays of the iconic V-J Day in Times Square photograph of a Navy sailor kissing a stranger on the streets of New York at the end of World War II. 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. The memo had said the photo depicts a non-consensual act and is inconsistent with the departments sexual harassment policy. Non-consensual: The famous Kiss photograph taken in Times Square, New York City, as sailors and citizens celebrated the end of World War II. Credit: Alfred Eisenstadt 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. For Democrats, Joe Biden is the incumbent president, and his candidacy is all but assured. So Super Tuesday simply brings him one step closer to being announced as the nominee at the partys convention in the middle of the year. Fifteen states including California and Texas take part Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and the US territory of American Samoa. States worth watching include California and Texas, which are the nations most populous states and therefore have the greatest share of delegates to award (169 and 161, respectively). Colorado could be interesting, as its the state that attempted to remove Trump from the ballot by arguing he incited an insurrection and therefore was ineligible for office. Alabama has also become a political flashpoint after its Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos should be considered as children, meaning people could potentially be sued if they were destroyed. Donald Trump arrives to speak at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Credit: AP However, of the 15 states, the only major battleground for the general election in November is North Carolina, as the rest are expected to fall solidly to the Democrats or Republicans. Trump narrowly won North Carolina against Biden in 2020, but Democrats view the state as attainable given the shifting demographics in fast-growing areas around Charlotte and Raleigh. Loading In a sign of how high the stakes are, both Trump and Haley headed to North Carolina for rallies over the weekend. Vice President Kamala Harris also visited the state to announce a $US32 million ($49 million) investment for small businesses and to discuss the administrations economic successes in the area. Trump will inch closer to the nomination Trump wont be able to sew up the nomination, but he will certainly be close. The Trump campaign believes the former president will likely have the 1215 delegates he needs to secure the nomination by mid-March. Apart from Haleys first primary win in the District of Columbia this week, Trump has won all the nominating contests so far. His winning streak began with the Iowa caucuses in January (where he beat a slightly more crowded field that also included Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy) followed by victories in New Hampshire, Nevada and Haleys home state of South Carolina last month. On Saturday, he clocked up three more wins at the Missouri, Michigan and Idaho Republican caucuses. He now has 244 delegates nationwide, while Haley has 43. Supporters of Trump and Biden face off outside court in Fort Pierce, Florida. Credit: AP Nikki Haleys commitment Haleys victory in the progressive electorate of Washington DC gave her campaign a much-needed boost, but she still faces an almost insurmountable battle to beat Trump. Nonetheless, the former UN ambassador has committed to campaigning to at least the end of Super Tuesday, making the case that Trump and Biden are two old men who are only getting older and Americans deserve a new generational leader to unite the country. While there does not appear to be a path to victory for Haley, she could at least be competitive in some of the more moderate states, such as Virginia, Vermont, and Maine. By resisting the pressure to drop out, she has also propped up her viability as a possible presidential candidate in 2028 or as the alternative for Republicans if something were to happen to Trump and he cant run in November. Loading Democratic longshots Biden has two longshot rivals also vying for the Democratic nomination: Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips and self-help guru Marianne Williamson (who took the unusual step of suspending her campaign a few weeks ago, only to unsuspend it after the Michigan primary race). Both, however, are polling under 3 per cent and have little chance of winning. Under the patronage of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and The Coca-Cola System, the restoration of a kindergarten destroyed as a result of the Russian occupation of Kyiv region in the village of Bohdanivka, Brovary district, began from scratch. "We started our cooperation last year with the signing of a joint memorandum Our wishes for this kindergarten to be built in this place coincided We have received all the permits to start work. And as you have seen today, the work has already begun," Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross, told reporters in Bohdanivka on Tuesday. He specified that the cost of the project is $3 million. According to Dotsenko, the construction of the building will be completed in 2025. "This will be one of the best kindergartens in Kyiv region, which will have all the most modern European equipment, and it will also have its own shelter," said Oleksandr Kutsenko, deputy village head of Velykodymerska merged territorial community. He specified that the shelter will be anti-radiation and designed for 500 people. "It will practically be a sarcophagus, a monolithic structure, the construction of which will take into account all modern regulatory standards," Kutsenko stressed. According to him, in 2022, the Russian occupiers set up an ammunition depot in a kindergarten, which was blown up during the retreat. He said that about one and a half thousand shells had already been found, neutralized and removed under the ruins of the building. "And now employees of the State Emergency Service are working here every day and doing everything to make construction work safe," Kutsenko said. French President Emmanuel Macron supported the initiative to attract the production capacities of non-European countries to meet Ukraine's ammunition needs. "We have accelerated and increased our production in Europe. We delivered those stocks [of ammunition to Ukraine] that were available. Ukraine's needs are at such a level that we must now look beyond what we can produce and what we have in stock. That's the point of this initiative. And look for the remaining capacities in third, non-European countries to meet Ukraine's short-term ammunition needs," Macron said at a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague on Tuesday. He noted that the Czech initiative on ammunition is "an important addition that we adhere to, and therefore we will work together," and announced the further work of the ministers of the two countries on this issue on Tuesday afternoon. Also, according to the French president, agreements were reached in Paris last Monday on the demining of the territory of Ukraine, the situation on the border with Belarus, on the issue of Moldova and its protection, as well as on the issue of industrial joint production on Ukrainian soil and cyber support. "There are already several cooperation projects on these actions, and relations with the Czech Republic are very strong," Macron said. Regarding frozen Russian assets, according to him, France's position is as follows: "We fully support the proposal to tax income from assets that have been identified and whose legal framework has been clarified by Eurocleer, which amounts to EUR 3 billion to EUR 5 billion per year." "We ourselves are not supporters of what is prohibited by international law, and the beginning of such a debate, I believe, would weaken Europe, where many of these assets are located, and, if I may say so, would create doubts. So I'm here for us to defend the rule of law by applying it to the end," Macron said. "On the other hand, I am in favor of financing our efforts, including through more innovative European financing ... consisting in providing national budget guarantees for issuance on the common debt market in order to finance our industrial and military efforts. This is one of the options that France supports," the French president added. He stressed that in the Russian Federation's war against Ukraine, "part of our future is at stake and that our ability to defend ourselves autonomously." At the same time, Macaron noted that he would not disclose in detail all action plans in order not to weaken the effectiveness of this assistance to Ukraine. "Our principles are simple: Russia cannot and should not win this war. We want to support Ukraine, a sovereign nation that decides for itself what it needs Secondly, we don't want an escalation And thirdly, we must preserve our ability to protect ourselves. In this context, we will continue very specific cooperation with the Ukrainians on our supplies, our cooperation, and then the possibility of mobilizing third parties," Macron concluded. UAE Trade Connect (UTC), an e& enterprise company and the first commercialised blockchain platform transforming trade finance in the UAE, has unveiled its new brand identity, haifin, as part of its plans to extend its innovative solutions beyond the UAE. The company aims for a significant presence in APAC, MENA, and GCC regions, it said. The new brand name, haifin, reflects the platform's evolution and carries an ambitious roadmap to expand globally with its fraud-detection solution and further use cases to resolve current market challenges. The rebranding is symbolic of its vision as a leading fintech to connect and protect financial institutions for a more resilient ecosystem, it said. Salvador Anglada, CEO of e& enterprise, said: This strategic rebranding reflects e& enterprise's dedication to nurturing scalable cloud-based solutions that drive substantial market impact by supporting and advancing the global and regional fintech space, paving the way for more inclusive, efficient, and secure financial services. Zul Javaid, CEO of haifin, said: This rebranding reflects haifins mission to serve as the connective tissue in the financial industry. Incorporating AI, FIs and FinTech into its very name, haifin is set to replicate its UAE success in other countries within our region and beyond. The new branding reflects our aspirations to expand our cloud-native and blockchain-based Intellectual Property (IP) to design tailored solutions to support financial institutions into new territories. haifins solution can manage various types of trade-related documents, which are inspected, validated, and tested for authenticity in real time. Its proprietary technology ensures trust, transparency, and privacy between multiple organisations with a stack of leading-edge technologies deployed locally on e& enterprises E1Cloud platform. The robust system validates trade finance transactions, identifies duplication, and combats potential fraud in real time. These capabilities empower banks to make informed lending decisions, increase lending confidence and safeguard funds. The haifin network has grown from seven banks in 2021 to 15 lending institutions comprising 13 major UAE banks and two fintechs, DP World Financial Services and Beehive. Banking members include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Al Masraf, Commercial Bank International, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD PJSC, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Invest Bank, Mashreq Corporate & Investment Banking Group, National Bank of Fujairah, RAKBANK, and United Arab Bank, with several more in advanced discussions to join the consortium. Since its commercial launch in 2021, the platform has inspected transactions worth more than AED 200 billion and identified potential frauds worth several millions of dirhams. The system handles over 4 million data points monthly, and its machine learning capability increases as the dataset grows each month, it said. - TradeArabia News Service Czech President: We need to look for new ways to help Ukraine, incl. discussing possible presence in Ukraine in various forms Europe must play a key role in helping Ukraine and threatening the Russian Federation so that it does not continue this aggression, and therefore must look for new ways to help Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel has said. "And if we behave within the framework of international law, we should not close ourselves off from the possibilities of support provided to Ukraine. We need to look for new opportunities, including discussing the possible presence in Ukraine in various forms. There are a number of possibilities. The discussion has started. The last time it was NATO defense ministers. There was also a consultative meeting of the leaders in Paris. We must continue," Pavel said at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Prague on Tuesday. According to him, "if we want Russia not to succeed in Ukraine, we cannot be satisfied with the support that is being provided today." "We have to look for new forms, new solutions. We should not limit ourselves where we are not obliged to limit ourselves," the Czech head of state added, stressing that he was not talking "about specific forms of presence and support." Pavel stressed that it is necessary to weigh all possibilities and one shouldnt give up in any case. "There are a number of possibilities. And the time has come ... to discuss them, and indeed, there is a certain fear of causing the presence of combat armies in Ukraine, but here we are talking about different forms of assistance Ukraine is a country that is under threat, and if we had an exercise mission in Ukraine, it would not be a violation of international law. The choice of the form of assistance that will be provided to Ukraine depends on us," the Czech president said. According to him, he and Macron have "the same views on the development of the situation in Ukraine, what decisions should be made, on what horizon, by what means." "We agree that the only way is to continue to support Ukraine, because this is what is true in principle. But we also don't want Russia to win with its worldview. We want to live in a world where the rules are followed by small and large countries, and we want to rely on these rules. If Russia had won in Ukraine, we would have been defeated, and this is not the world we want. That's why we must continue to support Ukraine," Pavel concluded. The Drinks Reports ready-to-drink report In its annual report earlier this year, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) revealed that ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages were the fastest growing spirits category by revenue in 2023 , with sales up 26.8 per cent in the US. No wonder then that brands are experimenting with their own RTDs. To explore the ready-to-drink world, weve rounded up some of the last months RTD and premixed drink news, including new releases and partnerships. This month, theres an update from BrewDog, and Catalyst Spirits reveals an RTD collaboration with an Ultimate Fighting Champion. Read on for The Drinks Reports ready-to-drink report. Wonderland by BrewDog arrives at Tesco In September, brewer and distiller BrewDog revealed Wonderland, its range of five ready-to-drink cocktails: Margarita, Espresso Martini, Passionfruit Martini, Mojito, and Cantarito Paloma. Now, the canned cocktails have made their way to Tescos shelves. Catalyst Spirits enters RTD market with UFC collaboration Catalyst Spirits has created Howler Head & Cola, using its Howler Head super-premium banana-flavoured bourbon whisky. Acting as global brand ambassador for Howler Head and promoting the new release is Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) Robert Whittaker. Howler Head & Cola is now available in Whittakers native Australia. Altos Tequila releases Margarita A twist on the RTD category, Altos Tequila has released a bottled ready-to-serve premixed lime Margarita. Sold in a 750ml bottle, the Margarita is mixed and ready to pour. Nohrlund partners for UK on-trade expansion Danish draught cocktail brand Nohrlund has partnered with event and venue management company ASM Global. Through the deal, Nohrlunds range of organic premixed drinks will be available for purchase in venues throughout the UK. 5 March 2024 - Lucy Schofield Share this story ICYMI - Ben went MIA after the recent commitment ceremony where Ellie wrote 'leave'. When he returned, he had his pillow and guitar in hand, ready to apologise through a song that had us gritting our teeth. The couple being in the same room didn't last long though, as Ben was told to leave by Ellie after a tense conversation. Staff Reporter The Congress-led Government has only made false promises to the citizens of India for 60 years. While the BJP government has made revolutionary decisions in just 10 years of its rule that has transformed the lives of common man in the country. Not only that, the BJP has delivered what it promised in its election manifesto, said Union Minister Smriti Irani. She was speaking at the Namo Yuva Maha Sammelan 2024 organised at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) campus by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) on Monday. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Member of Parliament and National President of BJYM Tejaswi Surya and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were also present. Speaking further, Irani stated that while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in 2014, the Congress ridiculed its leader Narendra Modi on various fronts, but today he is the most admired leader on the world platform. She said, Modi piloted various welfare schemes for the benefit of citizens. The Jan Dhan Yojana, implementing direct beneficiary schemes especially for the farmers, improving defence prowess, removal of Article 370 in Kashmir, the Pradhan Mantri Swachh Bharat Mission, and now the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, and several other achievements were listed by Irani as she lashed out at Congress party and its leadership for trying to weaken the country through its anti-people stance. It's very unfortunate that even though we extended our invitation to the Congress leaders to join the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, none of the leaders attended it, said Irani. The senior leader also challenged Rahul Gandhi for an open talk with any volunteer of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). Nitin Gadkari while sharing his views stated that the Congress led Government introduced the Garibi Hatao slogan, but they never actually implemented and also termed the Manmohan led Government as Deaf and Dumb Government. Today we are ushering in a new era of development. We are transforming roads, railways, ports and stations. This also extends to building world class colleges, universities and health infrastructure in the country. According to a report by NITI Aayog, 25 percent of India's population has come out of poverty and this the achievement of NDA Government. The BJP led Government, is building an economy where the youth will be respected. We are not only concentrated towards building smart cities, but also smart villages. The NDA led alliance will definitely win over 400 seats in the upcoming elections, stated Gadkari. The youths played a crucial in bringing the NDA government to majority as they were demanding a political change in the country. Due to the political stability, NDA government has taken major decisions and this is the reason we see big change in India today, stated Surya. The next 25 years are the most important and productive for India. Today, Indians youths are speaking a changed vocabulary that include start-up, valuation, venture capitalist and unicorns, he said. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis stated that India has scaled new heights in a record time during the Modi-led Government. This was not possible in the 50 years rule of the Congress. From Chandrayan 3, to introducing the New Education Policy (NEP), introduction of Vande Bharat Trains to becoming a defence product exporter and extending helping hands to around 100 countries under the Maitree programme during the COVID-19, India has come a long way under BJP's rule. The next election is not for the party but for the country, asserted Fadnavis. The programme was conducted by Shivani Dani while Badal Raut proposed a vote of thanks. Bunty Kukde, Sudhakar Kohle, Rahul Lonikar, Vibhav Singh, Rohit Chahal, Gaurav Gautam and others were present. 100-DAY AGENDA THE confidence is showing -- through the 100-day programme Prime Ministers current Council of Ministers has dawn up to mark the beginning of his third term. The Prime Minister and his Government as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are very sure that the third term will give them a bigger mandate to lead the nation to greater heights. So the 100-day plan of action to launch the third term. There are so many things to do, so many dreams to fulfill, and hence the 100-day programme as a preparatory step. Possibly, there could be a debate over the actual number of seats the BJP-NDA will win in the next Lok Sabha elections due in a few more weeks from now. But there is no debate whatsoever over chances of Mr. Modis victory. Even the Opposition grants that the Prime Minister is slated to win the elections. The results, thus assured, Mr Narendra Modi has drawn up a detailed plan to execute in the first 100 days after winning the ensuing elections. In a country that has seen ruling parties getting afflicted with anti-incumbency factors, such a confidence is rare to be found. It must be asserted that Mr. Modis confidence in his own electoral performance is not without its base. Much to the contrary, he has every practical as well as poetic reason to believe that he is returning to power on the strength of the good work his Government has been able to do in the past two terms with Mr. Modi as Prime Minister. The Governments confidence stems from that body of truly good work the Centre under Mr. Modi has been able to do. There is no doubt that the 100-day programme will give the new Government a great impetus and help the country to surge forward on the path of his own dreams. In other words, the country will charts an altogether different and confident path for itself in the third term of Mr. Modi as Prime Minister. The idea of Viksit Bharat -- Developed India -- is already on the agenda. Now comes the 100-day programme that will push the Viksit Bharat idea still further and faster. Obviously, the message is clear for the voters -- that they have a Government that performs and has a full confidence in itself. The 100-day programme also has a reference to a statement by Prime Minister Mr. Modi ten years ago. He had said, then, in effect, that a government has only 60 months to show its worth in a five-year term, and therefore it must not waste time. The 100-day programme appears to be in line with that thinking -- get going immediately without wasting a single day. So, the 100-day programme comes into operation the moment the new Modi Government gets sworn in after electoral victory -- no matter the margin big or bigger, past-400 or anything. The sense of urgency cannot be missed. The Prime Minister wants to lose no time in hitting the ground running -- as they say. He has a stupendous agenda before him -- to utilise the Amrit Kaal to the 100th anniversary of Independence in the best possible manner and take the country up and ahead on all parameters. This agenda makes the Prime minister restless because he has seen the big dream of making India the strongest and the best in every which the way. When the goal is big and the time is appropriate, then everything is going to fall in its own place if planned action is undertaken. The 100-day programme indicates that. This shows the powerful vibrations the Prime Minister intends to create in the country so that every Indian feels the need to step up his nationalistic activity and participate in nation-building process. This also indicates that some rare things may be expected from the Government in the next term. 3 held for raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans in Vidhana Soudha corridors BENGALURU, THREE people have been arrested for allegedly raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans in the Vidhana Soudha corridors on February 27, police said on Monday. Supporters of Congress leader Syed Naseer Hussain allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans after his victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered an investigation by government-run Forensic Science Laboratory to check the veracity of the allegations. Based on the FSL report, the police arrested three persons. Police sources said one of the accused hails from RT Nagar in Bengaluru, the second one from Byadagi in Haveri district and the third accused is from Delhi. The accused from Byadagi is said to be a chilli merchant. Meanwhile, the BJP posted on its social media handle an investigation report prepared by private laboratory Clue4 Evidence Forensic Investigations and signed by audio forensic examiner Phaneendar B N on behalf of city based Samvada Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation allegedly linked to the RSS. In his opinion, Phaneendar said the examined video of the incident is not tampered/doctored in between and is a result of single capture. The inference drawn by him is: To the limited extent of the question in this case, being whether if it was Nasir (sic) Saab Zindabad or Pakistan Zindabad, the above analysis indicates that it is highly probable to be Pakistan Zindabad. State Home Minister G Parameshwara sought to know whether the private person who prepared the report had his own laboratory and had done the analysis. We will find out with whose permission they are doing it, who gave him No Objection Certificate and is he authorised to make such reports public, the Home Minister said. Businesswomen share their success stories Business Reporter The Lady Entrepreneurs Wing of Vidarbha Industries Association conducted a panel discussion on Deal Pakki - Women who tamed the Sharks here at VIA Hall in Civil Lines. Nagpurs three dynamic women entrepreneurs whose ventures got funded in Sony TVs Shark Tank, shared their experiences with the participants. Kanika Dewani, Founder of Mintree Cosmetics Pvt Ltd; Chahat Pahuja, Co-founder & Creative Director of Farda Clothing Pvt Ltd; and Dhivya Subburaju, Director of Xpand Life Pvt. Ltd. were the panelists. During the discussion, the panelists advised, the lady entrepreneurs to build a strong network and establish clear goals in your life for growth of their ventures. They also shared the secret of perfect pitching for attracting investments and advised the participants to focus on building a strong brand and practicing soft skills with energy and honesty. Further, they highlighted the important of mentorship and supporting women in the workplace. The panelists also shared their wonderful experiences with Sharks, and said the show was very encouraging. Dr Anita Rao moderated the session while Yogita Deshmukh, Secretary VIALEW summed up the session and proposed a vote of thanks. Earlier, Rashmi Kulkarni, Chairperson VIALEW, in her welcome address said pitching is crucial to obtain funding. Rashmi Kulkarni, Yogita Deshmukh and Sarita Pawar welcomed the panelists with floral bouquets. Mementos were presented by Anjali Gupta, Vandana Sharma and Reeta Lanjewar. Saniya Ramchandani, Poonam Gupta, Poonam Lala, Immd Past Chairperson LEW, Neelam Bowade, LEW members, lady entrepreneurs and others attended the session. Kyiv-based prosecutor's office for the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, together with Global Rights Compliance, sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC) the next, already 14th, package of evidence of crimes against humanity committed by the Russian Federation on the peninsula, which documents about 100 facts of persecution on religious grounds, the press service of the prosecutor's office reported on Tuesday. "Since 2014, an important goal of the Russian occupation authorities on the peninsula has been to erase religious identity that does not meet the requirements of the Kremlin. The information sent contains evidence of persecution and pressure on religious communities in Crimea," the press service said on its official website on Tuesday. As noted by head of the Prosecutor's Office of the autonomy Ihor Ponochovny, this is the 14th submission from Ukraine regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the occupiers on the peninsula. The evidence contained in this submission is based on the materials of the criminal proceedings of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomy. Currently, law enforcement authorities have documented at least 93 cases of persecution of representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Protestants and other members of religious communities. "For example, as a result of such actions of the occupiers, the Crimean Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has actually ceased to exist. If we talk about the Crimean Muslims, the occupation law enforcement officers have already developed standard schemes of action. The total term of imprisonment of all illegally convicted from Crimea is about 1,230 years," Ponochovny noted. "Everything on the territory of the peninsula beyond the control of the occupation administration is either prohibited or persecuted. In January 2014, before the occupation, 2,220 religious organizations operated in Crimea. As of January 2024, there are 932 religious organizations," said Tamila Tasheva, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, who was quoted by the press service. According to her, as of January 2024, at least 100 cases of persecution of Crimean Tatars on religious grounds have been recorded. At the same time, it is worth noting that there are 208 Crimean political prisoners, 125 of whom are Crimean Tatars. "The systemic actions of the Russian Federation have led to the destruction and liquidation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Crimea. In May last year, the Russian occupation regime seized the Cathedral of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir and Princess Olga of the Crimean Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the city of Simferopol. In fact, with these actions, the occupiers completely eliminated the activities of the Administration of the Crimean Diocese of the OCU (Orthodox Church of Ukraine). Since that time, the OCU in Crimea has temporarily ceased to function due to the risk to the lives of the clergy of the Ukrainian Church," the authorized representative of the Crimean Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Andriy Schekun, said. CITIIS 2.0 Challenge: Jabalpur selected among 18 cities from 100 smart cities across India Staff Reporter Jabalpur has been selected among the 18 cities, in the national-level competition "CITIIS 2.0 Challenge," organized for the country's top 100 smart cities. Only two cities from Madhya Pradesh are chosen in this challenge. On this significant success, Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh and Municipal Commissioner Preeti Yadav have congratulated the citizens, as well as the nodal officer Sambhav Ayachi and other team members for their cleanliness campaign. Singh said the " CITIIS 2.0 Challenge," organized at the national level, aimed to select 18 cities from across the country. He said all cities were required to prepare and submit their proposals on the theme of Integrated Solid Waste Management by January 15, 2024. A total of 84 cities submitted their proposals. In the first phase of the selection process, proposals from only 40 cities were chosen. For the second phase, each city had to present their proposals in front of a jury of 9 team members. For this, on February 7th, Preeti Yadav, Municipal Commissioner of JMC, Nodal Officer Sambhav Ayachi and Balendra Shukla (GIS Expert) presented the proposal in Delhi. Based on the proposals and presentations, Jabalpur is selected. Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh informed the names of the selected cities, including Agartala, Agra, Bareilly, Belagavi, Bilaspur, Guwahati, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Madurai, Muzaffarpur, New Town Kolkata, Panaji, Rajkot, Srinagar, Tanjavur, Thiruvananthapuram, Udaipur and Ujjain. CM Sai dedicates 26 worksworth Rs 268 crore to Durg division Staff Reporter DURG, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai handed over development works worth Rs 268 crore to Durg division in a programme organised at the Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University campus in Bhilai on Monday. He inaugurated and performed bhoomipujan of 26 construction works under the division at a cost of Rs 268.56 crore. In this series, the CM also inaugurated the educational building of the newly constructed university teaching department Aryabhatta Bhawan in CSVTU at a cost of Rs 10.35 crore. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma along with MLAs Doman Lal Korsewada, Lalit Chandrakar, Gajendra Yadav, Rikesh Sen, Ishwar Sahu and MP Vijay Baghel were especially present. On this occasion, Chief Guest CM Sai honoured the labourers engaged in the construction work of Aryabhatta Building in Technical University. Addressing the function, Chief Guest CM Sai said the people of the district will benefit from this development works. He said that an American company is working in the IT sector in the newly constructed building. The company will train hundreds of youth in IT and will also provide them opportunities to work abroad. Later while replying to the query of media CM Sai said that in the state of Chhattisgarh, if religious conversion is done by luring people with the allure of poverty and education, it will not be tolerated. Replying to the query on the tweet by former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter, Sai said that no one has a bigger family than Modi jis family. There are 140 crore members in Modi jis family and all Indians consider Modi ji as their leader. Deputy CM Arun Sao and Minister incharge of the district, Vijay Sharma highlighted the proposed action plan of the Center and the State. MP Vijay Baghel said that this university has its own identity in India and expressed hope that will achieve further achievements also. Divisional Commissioner SN Rathore presented the administrative report of Durg division. CSVTU Vice Chancellor Dr. MK Verma threw light on the activities of the university. On this occasion, former MLA Labhchand Bafna, Risali Mayor Shashi Sinha and other public representatives and Collector Richa Prakash Chaudhary, SP Jitendra Shukla, district and police administration officials, distinguished citizens, university officials and students were present. Devpt Boost to Jabalpur and Ujjain Staff Reporter On Monday, the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs announced the selection of Jabalpur and Ujjain in the list of Cities 2.0. A total of Rs 250 crore will be spent on development works in these two cities with Rs 125 crore per city. In this regard, the Department of Urban Development and Housing presented a proposal before the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav which was approved by the Cabinet. On this occasion, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya expressed happiness over the selection of the cities. He said that the State Government is committed to the overall development of cities and the works sanctioned under this scheme in these two cities will be completed on time with utmost quality. Notably, only 18 cities in the country have been selected under Cities 2.0 including Ujjain and Jabalpur. In both these cities, those works will be taken up on priority which will in turn, encourage private investment and employment opportunities. Earlier, Mahakal Rudra Sagar Integrated Development Project was launched in Ujjain Smart City Project under Cities 1.0 Programme by the Union Ministry of Urban Affairs. In this project, Rs 80 crore was approved as grant amount to Ujjain Smart City. Out of this, an amount of Rs 72 crore has been received as loan. Under the project, 9 works were launched. Of these, 6 works have been completed. The other two works will be completed by June 2024 this year. Under Cities 2.0, such works are being carried out which can preserve the environment and promote investment in the selected city. Private participation is also being encouraged in these works. The approval for the same was given on the proposal presented by the Department of Urban Development and Housing. After approval, the loan along with interest for the sanctioned project in the 2 cities selected in the 2.0 cities will be returned by the Central Government and the State Government on the basis of 50:50 ratio. Facial Data Consent By Margarita Vladimirova THE morning started with a message from a friend: I used your photos to train my local version of Midjourney. I hope you dont mind, followed up with generated pictures of me wearing a flirty steampunk costume. I did in fact mind. I felt violated. Wouldnt you? I bet Taylor Swift did when deepfakes of her hit the internet. But is the legal status of my face different from the face of a celebrity? Your facial information is a unique form of personal sensitive information. It can identify you. Intense profiling and mass Government surveillance receives much attention. But businesses and individuals are also using tools that collect, store and modify facial information, and were facing an unexpected wave of photos and videos generated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. The development of legal regulation for these uses is lagging. At what levels and in what ways should our facial information be protected? Is implied consent enough? The Australian Privacy Act considers biometric information (which would include your face) to be a part of our personal sensitive information. However, the act doesnt define biometric information. Despite its drawbacks, the act is currently the main legislation in Australia aimed at facial information protection. It states biometric information cannot be collected without a persons consent. But the law doesnt specify whether it should be express or implied consent. Express consent is given explicitly, either orally or in writing. Implied consent means consent may reasonably be inferred from the individuals actions in a given context. For example, if you walk into a store that has a sign facial recognition camera on the premises, your consent is implied. But using implied consent opens our facial data up to potential exploitation. Bunnings, Kmart and Woolworths have all used easy-to-miss signage that facial recognition technology is used in their stores. Valuable and unprotected Our facial information has become so valuable, data companies such as Clearview AI and PimEye are mercilessly hunting it down on the internet without our consent. These companies put together databases for sale, used not only by the police in various countries, including Australia, but also by private companies. Even if you deleted all your facial data from the internet, you could easily be captured in public and appear in some database anyway. Being in someones TikTok video without your consent is a prime example in Australia this is legal. Furthermore, were also now contending with generative AI programmes such as Midjourney, DALL-E 3, Stable Diffusion and others. Not only the collection, but the modification of our facial information can be easily performed by anyone. Our faces are unique to us, theyre part of what we perceive as ourselves. But they dont have special legal status or special legal protection. The only action you can take to protect your facial information from aggressive collection by a store or private entity is to complain to the office of the Australian Information Commissioner, which may or may not result in an investigation. The same applies to deepfakes. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will consider only activity that applies to trade and commerce, for example if a deepfake is used for false advertising. And the Privacy Act doesnt protect us from other peoples actions. I didnt consent to have someone train an AI with my facial information and produce made-up images. But there is no oversight on such use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools, either. There are currently no laws that prevent other people from collecting or modifying your facial information. Catching up the law We need a range of regulations on the collection and modification of facial information. We also need a stricter status of facial information itself. Thankfully, some developments in this area are looking promising. Experts at the University of Technology Sydney have proposed a comprehensive legal framework for regulating the use of facial recognition technology under Australian law. It contains proposals for regulating the first stage of non-consensual activity: the collection of personal information. That may help in the development of new laws. Regarding photo modification using AI, well have to wait for announcements from the newly-established Government AI expert group working to develop safe and responsible AI practices. There are no specific discussions about a higher level of protection for our facial information in general. However, the Governments recent response to the Attorney-Generals Privacy Act review has some promising provisions. The Government has agreed further consideration should be given to enhanced risk assessment requirements in the context of facial recognition technology and other uses of biometric information. This work should be coordinated with the government's ongoing work on Digital ID and the National Strategy for Identity Resilience. As for consent, the Government has agreed in principle that the definition of consent required for biometric information collection should be amended to specify it must be voluntary, informed, current, specific and unambiguous. As facial information is increasingly exploited, were all waiting to see whether these discussions do become law hopefully sooner rather than later. (The Conversation) India steps into 2nd stage of N-power programme in PMs presence KALPAKKAM : INDIA is a step away from entering the second stage of its nuclear programme with the initiation of core loading at the home-built 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor here, a move described as historic by the Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the initiation of core loading at the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), which generates more power than it consumes and uses the nuclear waste -- Uranium-238 -- as fuel. Many countries, including the US, Japan and France, have tried developing fast breeder reactors and have given up due to repeated failure to safely handle liquid sodium. Russia commissioned the BN-800 Fast Breeder Reactor in 2016. The Prime Minister toured the reactor vault and the control room of the PFBR along with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman A K Mohanty, Bhabha Atomic Research Center Director Vivek Bhasin and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research Director B Venkataraman. This 500 MWe fast breeder reactor has been developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI). Upon completion of the core loading, the first approach to criticality will be achieved, leading to generation of power subsequently, an official statement said. In the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, PFBR is indigenously designed and constructed by BHAVINI with contributions from more than 200 Indian industries, including MSMEs, the official statement said. India has been running a Fast Breeder Test Reactor experimental facility since 1985. The FBTR was operated for about 120 days at 40 MWt and generated 21.5 million units of electricity last year. The reactor core consists of 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. India has adopted a three-stage nuclear power programme with a closed fuel cycle. In the PFBR, marking the second stage of the programme, spent fuel from the first stage is reprocessed and used as fuel. A unique feature of this sodium-cooled PFBR is that it can produce more fuel than it consumes, helping in achieving self-reliance in fuel supply for future fast reactors, the statement said. The PFBR will initially use the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, an official statement said. The Uranium-238 blanket surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, thus earning the name Breeder, it said, adding the use of Throium-232, which in itself is not a fissile material, as a blanket is also envisaged in this stage. By transmutation, Thorium will create fissile Uranium-233 which will be used as fuel in the third stage. PFBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the programme, paving the way for the eventual full utilisation of Indias abundant thorium reserves. In terms of safety, PFBR is an advanced third-generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shutdown of the plant in the event of an emergency. Since it uses the spent fuel from the first stage, PFBR also offers a great advantage in terms of a significant reduction in nuclear waste generated, thereby avoiding the need for large geological disposal facilities. Notably, despite the advanced technology involved, both the capital cost and the per unit electricity cost are comparable to other nuclear and conventional power plants. Indian, Japanese Armytroops exhibit skills RAJASTHAN, INDIAN and Japanese troops showcasing their abilities on the obstacle course during Exercise Dharma Guardian 2024. The Indian Armys post on X on Monday highlighted the joint training effort between the two nations. Witness the seamless synergy between the troops of #IndianArmy & #JGSDF, training together for a mission! #IndiaJapanFriendship @ModJapan_en. Additionally, #DharmaGuardian_2024 emphasised the seamless cooperation between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding, reflecting the deepening defense ties between India and Japan. Amid the ongoing 5th edition of the India-Japan joint exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN being held in Rajasthan, the Commanding General, Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self Defence Force, Lieutenant General Togashi Yuichi paid a visit to the exercise site to take stock of the progress made on Sunday. He also rendered words of encouragement to both Japanese and Indian contingents, strengthening the camaraderie between the Armies and enhancing the collaborative efforts between the two Nations. On Sunday, marking the 8th day of the joint exercise, both Armies participated together and demonstrated how they work together and bring down the target. Personnel also performed a mock drill to capture the militants hiding in a house and used specially trained animals (dogs and eagles) for the task. The joint exercise signifies the deepening of military cooperation between India and Japan and underscores their commitment to enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding. Mockery of no-hawkers zone in Sitabuldi Staff Reporter When one visits Sitabuldi main road, one comes across several problems from parking to reaching a particular shop to even passing through this street. Once this main road was narrow, but commuters could easily walk or drive through it. Ironically, ever since the road was widened, commuting on this stretch became difficult. For, people have to navigate through the wanton encroachment by hawkers. The hawkers lure the customers by offering low prices, who fall prey and people do their shopping at the hawker, without entering the shop. The shopkeeper has to watch on helplessly. Due to this, sale of registered shopkeepers has fallen drastically. The conflict between shop-keepers and hawkers at Sitabuldi main road is going on for the last 30 years. This problem could have been resolved long ago, had the then authorities taken measures. Now, it has got aggravated as the number of hawkers has risen to 700 from 70. Despite court orders and written affidavits from the authorities submitted to the court time to time, no action has been taken. The Court in 2000 had categorically observed that, the Sitabuldi Main Road was a non-hawking zone. New alliance in Nepal PM Prachanda forms alliance with Olis party, reshuffles Cabinet By Shirish B Pradhan KATHMANDU, PM Prachanda forms alliance with Olis party, reshuffles Cabinet IN A dramatic development, Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda on Monday reshuffled the Cabinet after terminating a nearly 15-month partnership with the Nepali Congress due to major differences between the top leadership of the two parties. Prachanda formed a new alliance with former premier KP Sharma Olis party UML following which three Ministers took the oath of office and secrecy on Monday afternoon. Padam Giri from CPN-UML, Hit Bahadur Tamang from CPN (Maoist Center) and Dol Prasad Aryal from Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) took the oath of office and secrecy during the oath-taking ceremony held at the Presidents Office, Sheetal Niwas. However, the newly-appointed Ministers have not been assigned portfolios. The collective strength (142) of CPN-UML, Maoist, RSP and JSP is more than the minimum required no of 138 seats in the 275-member House. The alliance between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) led by Prachanda and the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Nepali Congress was 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 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. State Govt plans to build dharmshala in Ayodhya for pilgrims of MP: CM Yadav By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla After concluding Regional Industrial Conclave in Ujjain, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues, set out for Ayodhya to visit the Ram Mandir on Monday. Before leaving for Ayodhya, the Cabinet meeting was held at Bhopal. In a major move, State Government invited other states to build dharmshalas (lodging facilities) at prominent religious spots in the State for the visiting devotees. The Cabinet meeting began with Vande Matram and chaired by Dr Yadav. CM said that the Government will expedite the implementation of various decisions regarding the development of religious spots in MP. Our Government will also make efforts to build a dharmshala (lodging facility) in Ayodhya for pilgrims of Madhya Pradesh. We will also try to provide land to governments of other states for (constructing) dharmshalas at prominent religious places in MP for pilgrims from their states. On enhancement of lodging facilities for pilgrims in Madhya Pradesh, he said, since a large number of people from various parts of the country visit the famous temples in Ujjain and Omkareshwar in MP, governments of other states can build dharmshalas at these spots. He proposed the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee to speed up the development of religious places by co-ordinating with various departments such as religious and endowments, revenue, and culture. A sub-committee inter-linking the Revenue and Cultural departments will be formed to promote religious activities. The proposal has been made and a detailed discussion will be held during the next Cabinet meeting, CM Yadav said. This committee will oversee the development plans for temples and religious sites in rural and urban areas. All departments will ensure the implementation of development plans for these sites. The Government is of the view that temples should also become the centres of social consciousness and harmony where functions like mass marriages could be organised, Yadav added. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, accompanied by his Cabinet members, set out for Ayodhya on the same day for the darshan of Ram Lalla. He termed the Ayodhya visit a very important occasion. He says, We are fortunate to be able to visit Ayodhya. It was our heartfelt wish to be able to visit Ayodhya with the entire Cabinet. We finished our agenda for today after which we have proceeded for Ayodhya. We have requested the Uttar Pradesh government to allot us land so that we can build a Dharamshala for the accommodation of devotees who travel from Madhya Pradesh. Tiger attack in Kanha Reserve leaves one person seriously injured Our Correspondent MANDLA, A tiger attacked a person in Kanha Tiger Reserve in Mandla district, due to which the person was seriously injured. On receiving the information, the injured was admitted to Primary Health Center, Mocha for first aid. From there he was brought to the district hospital and after seeing the serious condition of the young man, he has been referred to Jabalpur Medical College, where he is undergoing treatment. SDO, Halon Mitendra Chichkhede said that the incident took place Beat Khatia of Kanha area Khatia, where in themorning a resident of village Khatia was attacked by a tiger. In this attack, the person suffered injuries on his face and ears. Due to continuous bleeding, he has been referred to Jabalpur. He said that eyewitnesses have informed that the person was screaming after the tiger attack him. Hearing this, when the villagers reached there, the tiger left the man and ran away. After the incident, the administration has increased vigilance in the area by exercising caution. Besides, the villagers are being warned not to go into the forest and to remain alert. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says that encouraging the return of Ukrainians from abroad does not provide for the application of any administrative measures against them. "The return of Ukrainians from abroad. We are not talking about administrative measures, but only about incentives. More security, more living conditions, more opportunities for self-realization," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Tuesday. The Prime Minister noted that such programs within the country as eVidnovlennia (eRecovery), eOselia, grants and affordable loans for starting its own business are working for these purposes. As reported, on March 4, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that together with partners, the government is working on incentives for Ukrainians to return to Ukraine. In particular, its about the transformation of programs to support the stay of Ukrainians in the European Union into programs to encourage return. V D Sharma responds to Lalus remark on PM By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Reacting sharply over RJD patriarch Lalu Yadavs personal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, State BJP President V D Sharma, has made scathing attack on opposition alleging Leaders of the INDIA bloc, deeply engrossed in corruption, nepotism and appeasement, are becoming nervous. When they were questioned about their parivarvad, they say Modi has no family, it is their frustration of defeat in state elections. Notably, the BJP today launched the Modi Ka Parivar campaign to counter Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadavs comment on PM Modi, in which the veteran leader said the Prime Minister has no family. Sharma has said that the Prime Minister has proved that the entire country is his family. 140 crore people of the country is his family. Those who have no one also belong to Modiji and Modi belongs to them all. the vision of the Prime Minister is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. But for leaders like Lalu Yadav who are only engaged and thinks and works for their(Biological) son and work for him. For the Prime Minister, the whole world is one family and Indian culture also says this. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also proved this during the Corona period. To save peoples lives, he sent Corona vaccine and medicines to many countries of the world, including many Muslim countries. For PM Narendra Modi, the whole country is his family. Ever since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he celebrates Diwali with soldiers on the border. They are his family. When he left his family to dedicate himself to his country, that very moment he pledged, the whole nation is his family. same is the case with Rakshabandhan festival. Sharma also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh for declining invitation to consecration ceremony at Ayodhya, he questioned Why did you insult Lord Ram, Rahul should tell the public? The people of Raghogarh have asked Digvijay Singh why he cheated the public, why he insulted Ramlala? Rahul Gandhi is in Raghogarh today and today the people of the entire state including Raghogarh are asking Rahul Gandhi why Congress did not attend the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya. seeking Ramrajya in the State, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his cabinet are visiting to Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya. He further said that in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party will contest at every booth and every booth of the state will become a Modi booth. there has been hailstorm in many areas of Bundelkhand including my parliamentary constituency Khajuraho, due to which many villages have been affected. I have discussed with the Chief Minister and administration officials about the loss suffered by the farmers. The survey is being conducted. After that, accordingly support and assistance will be provided to the affected ones. Notably, addressing a rally of the INDIA bloc in Patna, Lalu Prasad had yesterday hit back at the Prime Ministers charge of dynasty politics against Opposition parties, including RJD. What can we do if Narendra Modi does not have a family of his own? he had said. 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 after the death of his parents. Modi did not do so when his mother died, he had said.Yadavs remarks on the Prime Minister yesterday drew a sharp response from other BJP leaders also in the state, most of them described the remarks as offensive and disrespectful. The language used by Lalu Prasad against our PM shows his mindset, they said. We are Modi Ka Parivar: BJP leaders NEW DELHI : THE BJP on Monday rallied around Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its leaders suffixed their names on social media profiles with Modi Ka Parivar and hit back at the Opposition, a day after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav took a jibe at him for having no family. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman, and BJP chief JP Nadda were joined by party members from across the country in declaring themselves as Modi Ka Parivar (Modis family) on their social media accounts, as the ruling party launched a sharp counterattack on the Opposition. BJP Chief Ministers were among the partys senior leaders, besides its numerous other functionaries who joined the campaign. Many Modi-supporting social media users also made the same change on their pages. Sudhanshu Trivedi, a BJP national spokesperson, told reporters that Opposition parties have been launching personal attacks against Modi and making such petty remarks against him for the past 16-17 years. In that series, yesterday (Sunday), at a rally in Patna, once again such petty remarks were made against Prime Minister Modi by Lalu Prasad Yadav in the presence of I.N.D.I. alliance leaders. This is sad and painful, Trivedi said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here. He (Yadav) has talked about Modis family. I want to remind him (Yadav) that, for Prime Minister Modi, the entire country is his family, the BJP leader said, asserting that people of the country will give a fitting reply to the political arrogance of the Opposition parties. Soon after the rally, BJP leaders added Modi Ka Parivar to their profiles. However, a few, especially those who have been denied the partys ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls, had not done so till 6 pm. They included MPs Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Harsh Vardhan and Rahul Kaswan, all three of them replaced with new faces in the partys first list of candidates. Diverting from real issues, says Cong: THE Congress took a swipe at the BJP over its campaign of leaders suffixing their names on social media profiles with Modi Ka Parivar, saying they were misleading the people from real issues and indulging in such tactics as the I.N.D.I.A. bloc was growing. Asked about the BJPs campaign, Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said, You could see the enthusiasm among the public in Patna yesterday. Everyday I.N.D.I.A. bloc is growing, that is why the BJP people are annoyed. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved Ukraine's withdrawal from the agreement within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on cooperation to ensure the uniformity of time and frequency measurements. As representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk said on Telegram, the corresponding decision was made at a government meeting on Tuesday. The decision implemented Ukraine's withdrawal from the agreement on cooperation to ensure the uniformity of time and frequency measurements, which was signed in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) on October 9, 1992. It is noted that this will contribute to the actualization of Ukraine's participation in the contractual legal framework within the CIS, taking into account the current state of relations. The medical forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive half a million first-aid kits, now the main batch of this aid is being sent from Germany, Deputy Defense Minister Natalia Kalmykova said. According to the deputy minister, the first 50,000 sets have already been accepted into the warehouses of the Ministry of Defense. "Due to the fact that we changed the property write-off system, simplifying it to three simple and understandable steps instead of twenty, we managed to restart the process of effective use of what is stored in military warehouses," Kalmykova said. The innovation should significantly simplify the process of providing tactical medicine to the front line. "If earlier, due to the loss of the first-aid kit, an internal investigation began - otherwise it was impossible to get a new first-aid kit, despite the presence in the warehouses of the Ministry of Defense - now it is enough to report to the commander, and he, in turn, will submit an appropriate request to the financing department. There, the lost first-aid kit will be written off, thus freeing up space for receiving a new one from the warehouse," Kalmykova explained. The Deputy Minister of Defense also added that, in addition to first-aid kits from Germany, 300,000 more kits are stored in the warehouses of the Ministry of Defense. She assured that after changing the work of the write-off system, tactical medicine funds are already being actively transferred to units that need them on the front line. Ameriprise Financial Inc. trimmed its holdings in MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) by 14.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 521,771 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 90,132 shares during the quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc.s holdings in MSCI were worth $267,693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MSCI. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in MSCI in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $434,000. Alphinity Investment Management Pty Ltd grew its stake in MSCI by 3.0% during the third quarter. Alphinity Investment Management Pty Ltd now owns 430,676 shares of the technology companys stock worth $220,971,000 after purchasing an additional 12,495 shares during the period. SeaTown Holdings Pte. Ltd. grew its stake in MSCI by 9.5% in the third quarter. SeaTown Holdings Pte. Ltd. now owns 66,896 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $34,323,000 after acquiring an additional 5,796 shares during the period. Cambridge Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of MSCI in the third quarter valued at approximately $6,662,000. Finally, Vancity Investment Management Ltd boosted its position in MSCI by 66.5% in the third quarter. Vancity Investment Management Ltd now owns 35,332 shares of the technology companys stock worth $18,128,000 after purchasing an additional 14,108 shares during the last quarter. 88.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get MSCI alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets MSCI has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on MSCI from $572.00 to $601.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. StockNews.com downgraded MSCI from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Edward Jones assumed coverage on MSCI in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. They issued a buy rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised 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. Finally, Raymond James restated a market perform rating on shares of MSCI in a research report on Friday, January 5th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, MSCI currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $578.21. MSCI Stock Performance Shares of MSCI stock traded down $5.77 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $552.60. 72,619 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 487,203. The companys 50 day moving average price is $564.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $535.48. MSCI Inc. has a 12 month low of $451.55 and a 12 month high of $617.39. The company has a market cap of $43.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.55, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.07. MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The technology company reported $3.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $690.11 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $662.64 million. MSCI had a net margin of 45.42% and a negative return on equity of 111.17%. MSCIs revenue for the quarter was up 19.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.84 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that MSCI Inc. will post 14.75 earnings per share for the current year. MSCI Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were given a $1.60 dividend. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.16%. This is an increase from MSCIs previous quarterly dividend of $1.38. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 15th. MSCIs dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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 Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSCI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI Free Report). 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. BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc. (NYSE:BKN Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.057 per share on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.63%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Stock Performance NYSE:BKN traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $12.14. 32,046 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 56,903. BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust has a 52-week low of $9.57 and a 52-week high of $12.26. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $11.89 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.13. Get BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $124,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $143,000. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust by 15.2% in the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 13,643 shares of the companys stock valued at $159,000 after buying an additional 1,800 shares during the period. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust in the 1st quarter valued at about $160,000. 19.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Company Profile BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust 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 investment grade municipal bonds municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUJ Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of 0.05 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of NYSE MUJ traded up $0.04 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $11.51. 66,417 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 102,488. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $11.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.93. BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund has a 12 month low of $9.73 and a 12 month high of $11.70. Get BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of MUJ. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. FMR LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $41,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $88,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $114,000. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund in the 4th quarter valued at $143,000. Institutional investors own 11.24% of the companys stock. About BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of United States. The fund invests primarily in long-term, investment grade municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes and New Jersey personal income taxes. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of America lowered shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust (NYSE:BXMT Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat reports. They currently have $21.00 target price on the real estate investment trusts stock, down from their prior target price of $22.00. Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on BXMT. UBS Group began coverage on Blackstone Mortgage Trust in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $23.50 target price for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $22.00 to $21.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 16th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $22.08. Get Blackstone Mortgage Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BXMT Blackstone Mortgage Trust Stock Down 0.5 % Blackstone Mortgage Trust Announces Dividend Shares of NYSE:BXMT opened at $19.55 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $20.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $21.28. The stock has a market cap of $3.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.94 and a beta of 1.43. Blackstone Mortgage Trust has a 52-week low of $16.60 and a 52-week high of $23.82. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 29th were issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. Blackstone Mortgage Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 175.89%. Insider Transactions at Blackstone Mortgage Trust In related news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 2,274 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.42, for a total transaction of $46,435.08. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 194,298 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,967,565.16. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 1,159 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.54, for a total transaction of $26,123.86. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 146,846 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,309,908.84. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 2,274 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.42, for a total value of $46,435.08. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 194,298 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,967,565.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 7,098 shares of company stock worth $150,458. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Blackstone Mortgage Trust Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Central Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 447.5% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,336 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,092 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.89% of the companys stock. About Blackstone Mortgage Trust (Get Free Report) Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc, a real estate finance company, originates senior loans collateralized by commercial properties in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company originates and acquires senior floating rate mortgage loans that are secured by a first-priority mortgage on commercial real estate assets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Mortgage Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone Mortgage Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Brf S.A. (NYSE:BRFS Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $3.27 and last traded at $3.26, with a volume of 579870 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $3.10. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have weighed in on BRFS. StockNews.com upgraded BRF from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Barclays raised BRF from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price target for the company from $2.50 to $4.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered BRF from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $4.00. Get BRF alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on BRFS BRF Price Performance Institutional Trading of BRF The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $2.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.48. The stock has a market cap of $3.53 billion, a P/E ratio of -17.26 and a beta of 1.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in BRF by 2,443.7% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,670,843 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,518,000 after buying an additional 5,447,910 shares during the period. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in BRF by 62.7% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 13,902,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,500,000 after purchasing an additional 5,357,987 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in BRF by 27,582.4% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,847,027 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,078,000 after purchasing an additional 3,833,130 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd increased its holdings in BRF by 69.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 8,776,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,991,000 after purchasing an additional 3,594,857 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in BRF by 132.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,190,782 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,606,000 after purchasing an additional 2,961,528 shares during the period. 8.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. BRF Company Profile (Get Free Report) BRF SA engages in raising, producing, and slaughtering poultry and pork for processing, production, and sale of fresh meat, processed products, pasta, margarine, pet food, and other products. The company's product portfolio comprises meat products, including frozen whole and cut chicken, frozen pork, and turkey; processed food products, such as marinated, frozen, whole, and cut chicken, roosters, sausages, ham products, bologna, frankfurters, salamis, bacon, cold meats, other smoked products; and frozen processed meats comprising hamburgers, steaks, breaded meat products, kibbeh, and meatballs, as well as chicken sausages, chicken hot dogs, and chicken bologna. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BRF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BRF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating restated by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group in a report issued on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $250.00 target price on the stock, up from their prior target price of $225.00. Telsey Advisory Groups price target indicates a potential upside of 12.98% from the stocks current price. Telsey Advisory Group also issued estimates for Burlington Stores Q4 2024 earnings at $3.32 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $5.74 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.77 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $4.22 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $7.12 EPS. Several other research analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Burlington Stores from $220.00 to $215.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Piper Sandler raised shares of Burlington Stores from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $155.00 to $240.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. StockNews.com raised Burlington Stores from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Burlington Stores from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Burlington Stores from $120.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Monday, November 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $209.13. Get Burlington Stores alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on BURL Burlington Stores Price Performance Shares of BURL stock opened at $221.27 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $197.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $166.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a current ratio of 1.13. Burlington Stores has a 52-week low of $115.66 and a 52-week high of $227.49. The stock has a market cap of $14.28 billion, a PE ratio of 48.63, a PEG ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.48. Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 7th. The company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.28 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $3.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.07 billion. Burlington Stores had a return on equity of 42.95% and a net margin of 3.18%. The firms revenue was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.96 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Burlington Stores will post 5.76 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Burlington Stores A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cooper Creek Partners Management LLC raised its holdings in Burlington Stores by 716.8% during the third quarter. Cooper Creek Partners Management LLC now owns 610,821 shares of the companys stock worth $82,644,000 after acquiring an additional 536,038 shares in the last quarter. Nine27 Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Burlington Stores during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,030,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 85.6% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 80,342 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,870,000 after buying an additional 37,059 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its stake in shares of Burlington Stores by 656.7% in the third quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 9,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,339,000 after buying an additional 8,590 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its holdings in Burlington Stores by 1.0% during the third quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 529,198 shares of the companys stock worth $71,600,000 after buying an additional 5,302 shares during the last quarter. About Burlington Stores (Get Free Report) Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded apparel products in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Burlington Stores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Burlington Stores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BV Financial (OTCMKTS:BVFL Get Free Report) is one of 290 public companies in the Banks Regional industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare BV Financial to similar businesses based on the strength of its risk, valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership. Valuation and Earnings This table compares BV Financial and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get BV Financial alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio BV Financial $37.80 million N/A 7.71 BV Financial Competitors $4.27 billion $1.43 billion 87.91 BV Financials peers have higher revenue and earnings than BV Financial. BV Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets BV Financial N/A N/A N/A BV Financial Competitors 23.43% 10.06% 0.90% Analyst Ratings This table compares BV Financial and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for BV Financial and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BV Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A BV Financial Competitors 1133 3292 3532 46 2.31 As a group, Banks Regional companies have a potential upside of 35.82%. Given BV Financials peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe BV Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Insider and Institutional Ownership 31.7% of shares of all Banks Regional companies are owned by institutional investors. 15.8% of shares of all Banks Regional companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Summary BV Financial peers beat BV Financial on 8 of the 8 factors compared. BV Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) BV Financial, Inc. operates as the holding company for BayVanguard Bank that provides various financial services to individuals and businesses in Maryland. The company offers checking and money market accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposits. Its loan products include real estate, home equity, construction, lot, auto, boat, and other personal loans; and commercial lending products, such as commercial equipment/installation, commercial real estate, construction, investment real estate, lines of credit, and SBA loans, as well as loans for short-term real estate purchase, renovation, and sale projects. The company also offers ATM, overdraft, safe deposit, bill pay, remote deposit capture, ACH origination, merchant, and online banking services. The company was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Receive News & Ratings for BV Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BV Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec cut its holdings in shares of Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 90.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,223 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 20,848 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in Agilent Technologies were worth $249,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hollencrest Capital Management raised its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 562.5% in the second quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 212 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of Agilent Technologies in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp acquired a new position in shares of Agilent Technologies during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Agilent Technologies in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 79.6% in the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 273 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Agilent Technologies Price Performance Shares of A stock opened at $143.95 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $42.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.01, a P/E/G ratio of 4.22 and a beta of 1.11. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $96.80 and a 1-year high of $145.43. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $133.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $123.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 2.04. Agilent Technologies Dividend Announcement Agilent Technologies ( NYSE:A Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The medical research company reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.07. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 27.09% and a net margin of 18.35%. The firm had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.59 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.37 EPS. The firms revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.236 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.66%. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.38%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Agilent Technologies news, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 2,751 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total transaction of $357,630.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 306,206 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,806,780. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Agilent Technologies news, VP Rodney Gonsalves sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.69, for a total value of $206,535.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 26,133 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,598,252.77. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael R. Mcmullen sold 2,751 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total value of $357,630.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 306,206 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,806,780. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 95,929 shares of company stock worth $12,730,599 in the last three months. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, December 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $140.00 target price on the stock. TheStreet upgraded shares of Agilent Technologies from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on Agilent Technologies from $135.00 to $132.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Agilent Technologies from $140.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $141.31. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Agilent Technologies Agilent Technologies Profile (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Over the past day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces has struck 11 areas of concentration of personnel of the Russian occupiers, according to operational information on the Russian invasion as of 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday on the Facebook page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Units of the Ukrainian missile forces, in turn, defeated over the past day one area of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment of the occupiers, one enemy ammunition depot, one Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system and one enemy Zoo-1 radar reconnaissance and fire control complex. "Last night, as a result of an operation by the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Russian ship of 22160 project Sergei Kotov with a crew on board was hit. Information about the stay on board the ship's Ka-29 transport and combat helicopter is being checked," the summary says. California State Teachers Retirement System decreased its stake in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Free Report) by 7.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 58,404 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 4,946 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries were worth $11,948,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 185,744 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $42,275,000 after buying an additional 2,294 shares during the period. Aviva PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 54,141 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $11,076,000 after buying an additional 992 shares during the period. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Thompson Siegel & Walmsley LLC now owns 492,959 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $100,850,000 after buying an additional 2,818 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 186.3% during the 2nd quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 43,731 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $9,953,000 after buying an additional 28,458 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 9,062 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,854,000 after buying an additional 206 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.18% of the companys stock. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Huntington Ingalls Industries Price Performance Shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock 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 quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company 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 capitalization of $11.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.60. Huntington Ingalls Industries Dividend Announcement Huntington Ingalls Industries ( NYSE:HII Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The aerospace company reported $6.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.27 by $2.63. The company had revenue of $3.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.78 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a net margin of 5.95% and a return on equity of 18.12%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.07 EPS. Analysts forecast that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 16.36 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. Huntington Ingalls Industriess payout ratio is presently 30.41%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HII has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays lifted 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $257.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on Huntington Ingalls Industries Insider Activity In related news, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.69, for a total transaction of $237,321.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 19,100 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,036,479. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Huntington Ingalls Industries news, VP Jennifer R. Boykin sold 2,176 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $272.31, for a total transaction of $592,546.56. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 6,877 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,872,675.87. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP D R. Wyatt sold 900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, February 5th. The shares were 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 8,472 shares of company stock worth $2,398,345. 2.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. 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. 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. Crescent Energy (NYSE:CRGY Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $11.12, but opened at $11.74. Crescent Energy shares last traded at $12.06, with a volume of 634,509 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have issued reports on CRGY shares. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on shares of Crescent Energy in a report on Friday, December 1st. They issued an outperform rating and a $16.00 price target on the stock. Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of Crescent Energy from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Mizuho cut shares of Crescent Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $18.00 to $14.00 in a research note on Wednesday, January 3rd. Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $17.00 price objective on shares of Crescent Energy in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Crescent Energy from a d rating to a c- rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Crescent Energy has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $16.43. Get Crescent Energy alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Crescent Energy Crescent Energy Stock Performance Insider Buying and Selling at Crescent Energy The company has a market capitalization of $2.15 billion, a PE ratio of 13.99, a PEG ratio of 7.32 and a beta of 2.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $11.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.89. In other Crescent Energy news, insider David C. Rockecharlie purchased 20,000 shares of Crescent Energy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $11.32 per share, for a total transaction of $226,400.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 100,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,132,000. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 13.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Crescent Energy Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Crescent Energy by 6.9% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,171,426 shares of the companys stock worth $107,945,000 after purchasing an additional 530,199 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in shares of Crescent Energy by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 8,029,515 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,069,000 after acquiring an additional 34,631 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its holdings in shares of Crescent Energy by 22,968.6% in the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 3,658,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,328,000 after acquiring an additional 3,642,584 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Crescent Energy by 12.3% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,817,609 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,359,000 after acquiring an additional 308,715 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Crescent Energy by 21.2% in the 4th quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 1,668,560 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,042,000 after acquiring an additional 291,990 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.31% of the companys stock. Crescent Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Crescent Energy Company, an energy company, acquires, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs) reserves. The company holds a portfolio of oil and natural gas assets in key proven basins, including the Eagle Ford, Rockies, Barnett, Permian, and Mid-Con in the United States. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Crescent Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crescent Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Michael Hill International Limited (ASX:MHJ Get Free Report) insider Daniel Bracken purchased 15,412 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of A$0.73 ($0.47) per share, for a total transaction of A$11,266.17 ($7,315.70). Daniel Bracken also recently made the following trade(s): Get Michael Hill International alerts: On Friday, December 15th, Daniel Bracken 1,123,592 shares of Michael Hill International stock. Michael Hill International Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 99.59. Michael Hill International Company Profile Michael Hill International Limited owns and operates jewelry stores and provides related services in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The company offers rings, earrings, bracelets and bangles, necklaces and pendants, chains, watches, collections, and gifts, as well as birthstones. It also provides care plans and diamond warranty services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Michael Hill International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Michael Hill International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. reduced its position in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS Free Report) by 57.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,200 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,600 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in Reliance Steel & Aluminum were worth $315,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. United Capital Management of KS Inc. raised its stake in Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 0.8% in the third quarter. United Capital Management of KS Inc. now owns 26,668 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,993,000 after buying an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec grew its holdings in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 15.9% during the third quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 210,218 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $55,125,000 after buying an additional 28,889 shares during the last quarter. Natixis purchased a new position in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum during the second quarter worth about $166,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 18.0% during the third quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 61,340 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $16,085,000 after buying an additional 9,355 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Paulson Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum by 3.3% during the third quarter. Paulson Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,361 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $357,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. 80.87% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Reliance Steel & Aluminum alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently issued reports on RS. KeyCorp raised their price target on Reliance Steel & Aluminum from $300.00 to $362.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. StockNews.com raised Reliance Steel & Aluminum from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Reliance Steel & Aluminum from $295.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $329.00. Insider Buying and Selling In other Reliance Steel & Aluminum news, CEO Karla R. Lewis sold 42,346 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $318.97, for a total value of $13,507,103.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 84,534 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,963,809.98. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director James Donald Hoffman sold 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.95, for a total value of $12,918,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 54,042 shares in the company, valued at $17,452,863.90. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Karla R. Lewis sold 42,346 shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $318.97, for a total transaction of $13,507,103.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 84,534 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,963,809.98. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 82,996 shares of company stock worth $26,635,028 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.71% of the companys stock. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Price Performance Shares of RS stock traded down $0.32 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $321.45. 62,827 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 235,676. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $294.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $276.55. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. has a 1-year low of $229.12 and a 1-year high of $333.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 5.66 and a quick ratio of 3.23. The firm has a market cap of $18.46 billion, a PE ratio of 14.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.87. Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE:RS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $4.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.92 by $0.81. Reliance Steel & Aluminum had a return on equity of 17.53% and a net margin of 9.02%. The firm had revenue of $3.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.31 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.87 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. will post 19.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This is an increase from Reliance Steel & Aluminums previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. Reliance Steel & Aluminums payout ratio is currently 17.69%. About Reliance Steel & Aluminum (Free Report) Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co operates as a diversified metal solutions provider and the metals service center company in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company distributes a line of approximately 100,000 metal products, including alloy, aluminum, brass, copper, carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, and specialty steel products; and provides metals processing services to general manufacturing, non-residential construction, transportation, aerospace, energy, electronics and semiconductor fabrication, and heavy industries. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Reliance Steel & Aluminum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Reliance Steel & Aluminum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) by 90.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 45,500 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $301,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $38,000. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 425.4% during the 3rd quarter. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. now owns 641 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 519 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $48,000. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Trading Up 0.6 % EWJ traded up $0.45 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $70.37. 5,194,483 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,288,994. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 1 year low of $54.56 and a 1 year high of $70.77. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $66.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $62.98. The firm has a market cap of $15.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. About iShares MSCI Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. reduced its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 39.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 6,400 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $332,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ellerson Group Inc. ADV raised its holdings in Pfizer by 28.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ellerson Group Inc. ADV now owns 14,310 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $475,000 after buying an additional 3,160 shares during the period. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. increased its stake in Pfizer by 40.5% during the third quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 4,739,672 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $157,215,000 after purchasing an additional 1,365,295 shares during the period. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 178.3% during the third quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 181,425 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $6,018,000 after purchasing an additional 116,243 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Pfizer by 2.8% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 564,577 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $18,727,000 after purchasing an additional 15,507 shares during the period. Finally, Wahed Invest LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 10.3% during the third quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 88,910 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,949,000 after purchasing an additional 8,324 shares during the period. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Up 1.9 % Shares of PFE traded up $0.48 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $26.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 42,667,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 43,394,867. The company has a fifty day moving average of $27.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of $30.40. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $25.61 and a twelve month high of $42.22. The company has a market cap of $148.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Pfizer Increases Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.19) by $0.29. The business had revenue of $14.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.37 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 10.88% and a net margin of 3.62%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 41.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.22 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th were paid a $0.42 dividend. This is a boost from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.37%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is presently 466.67%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $45.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Friday. Finally, TD Cowen downgraded Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.88. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PFE Insider Transactions at Pfizer In other Pfizer news, Director Scott Gottlieb purchased 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was bought at an average price of $26.47 per share, with a total value of $79,410.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 9,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $238,230. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock. Pfizer Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Element Capital Management LLC cut its stake in McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Free Report) by 16.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 26,672 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,246 shares during the quarter. Element Capital Management LLCs holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated were worth $2,017,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MKC. SVB Wealth LLC raised its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 3,937 shares of the companys stock valued at $393,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 53,866 shares of the companys stock worth $4,482,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC increased its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 2,150 shares of the companys stock worth $187,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 6,880 shares of the companys stock worth $687,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 6,930 shares of the companys stock worth $605,000 after buying an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. 78.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get McCormick & Company Incorporated alerts: McCormick & Company, Incorporated Stock Performance NYSE MKC traded up $0.58 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $69.06. The companys stock had a trading volume of 453,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,011,746. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $18.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.17, a P/E/G ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 0.73. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a twelve month low of $59.13 and a twelve month high of $94.39. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $67.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $69.15. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth McCormick & Company, Incorporated ( NYSE:MKC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.06. McCormick & Company, Incorporated had a net margin of 10.22% and a return on equity of 14.55%. The company had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.73 earnings per share. McCormick & Company, Incorporateds quarterly revenue was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that McCormick & Company, Incorporated will post 2.82 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Consumer Edge downgraded shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, January 22nd. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $74.00 to $71.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $59.00 to $57.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated in a research report on Thursday, February 1st. They issued a sell rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on McCormick & Company, Incorporated Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Michael D. Mangan sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.20, for a total transaction of $326,000.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 39,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,554,601.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 22.90% of the stock is owned by insiders. About McCormick & Company, Incorporated (Free Report) McCormick & Company, Incorporated manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the food industry. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Flavor Solutions. The Consumer segment offers spices, herbs, and seasonings, as well as condiments and sauces, and desserts. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MKC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 89,883 shares of the natural resource companys stock after purchasing an additional 754 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $3,352,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in FCX. Mystic Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,650 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $426,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Cape ANN Savings Bank raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cape ANN Savings Bank now owns 15,588 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $624,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 5.1% during the 4th quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,252 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $200,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the period. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,861 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $474,000 after purchasing an additional 255 shares during the period. Finally, Granite Investment Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLC now owns 12,173 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $487,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 77.96% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently issued reports on FCX. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $41.00 to $48.50 in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $55.00 target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. UBS Group reduced their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Finally, Eight Capital set a $55.00 target price on Freeport-McMoRan and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.95. Freeport-McMoRan Trading Down 1.7 % Shares of NYSE FCX traded down $0.67 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $37.65. The company had a trading volume of 4,477,894 shares, compared to its average volume of 11,983,024. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a one year low of $32.83 and a one year high of $44.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 2.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The firms fifty day moving average price is $39.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.22. The stock has a market cap of $54.01 billion, a PE ratio of 30.17 and a beta of 2.02. Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 24th. The natural resource company reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.04. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 8.41% and a net margin of 8.09%. The company had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.85 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.52 EPS. Freeport-McMoRans revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current year. Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 12th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 11th. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is 23.62%. Freeport-McMoRan Company Profile (Free Report) Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Finance Of America Companies (NYSE:FOA Get Free Report) is scheduled to be releasing its earnings data after the market closes on Wednesday, March 6th. Analysts expect Finance Of America Companies to post earnings of ($0.09) per share for the quarter. Persons interested in registering for the companys earnings conference call can do so using this link. Finance Of America Companies Stock Performance Shares of FOA stock opened at $0.87 on Tuesday. Finance Of America Companies has a 12 month low of $0.68 and a 12 month high of $2.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 163.87, a current ratio of 2.78 and a quick ratio of 2.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.58 million, a P/E ratio of -0.37 and a beta of 0.89. The companys fifty day moving average price is $0.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $1.08. Get Finance Of America Companies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have commented on FOA. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Finance Of America Companies in a report on Wednesday, December 6th. They issued a buy rating and a $1.40 price objective on the stock. Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of Finance Of America Companies from $2.25 to $2.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Finance Of America Companies A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FOA. Barclays PLC grew its position in shares of Finance Of America Companies by 96.1% during the 1st quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 20,657 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 10,125 shares during the last quarter. American International Group Inc. lifted its stake in Finance Of America Companies by 101.1% during the second quarter. American International Group Inc. now owns 18,171 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 9,137 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in Finance Of America Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Finance Of America Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in shares of Finance Of America Companies by 191.4% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 20,247 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 13,300 shares in the last quarter. About Finance Of America Companies (Get Free Report) Finance of America Companies Inc operates a consumer lending platform in the United States. The company operates through five segments: Mortgage Originations, Reverse Originations, Commercial Originations, Lender Services, and Portfolio Management segments. It provides residential mortgage loans to the government sponsored entities; government-insured agricultural lending solutions to farmers; product development, loan securitization, loan sales, risk management, asset management, and servicing oversight services to enterprise and third-party funds; and ancillary business services, title agency and title insurance services, mortgage servicing rights valuation and trade brokerage, transactional fulfillment services, mortgage loan third party review or due diligence services, and appraisal management services to residential mortgage, student lending, and commercial lending industry customers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Finance Of America Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finance Of America Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresenius Medical Care AG (NYSE:FMS Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $18.67, but opened at $20.45. Fresenius Medical Care shares last traded at $20.72, with a volume of 355,218 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Societe Generale upgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of Fresenius Medical Care from a reduce rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Fresenius Medical Care presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $32.25. Get Fresenius Medical Care alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Fresenius Medical Care Fresenius Medical Care Trading Up 11.6 % Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fresenius Medical Care The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $20.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.00. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in Fresenius Medical Care by 77.1% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,570,817 shares of the companys stock worth $25,667,000 after buying an additional 683,851 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of Fresenius Medical Care by 3.7% in the third quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,041,447 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,433,000 after acquiring an additional 36,820 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care by 69.5% during the 1st quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 750,610 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,958,000 after purchasing an additional 307,801 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in Fresenius Medical Care by 58.8% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 736,847 shares of the companys stock worth $17,633,000 after acquiring an additional 272,886 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC bought a new stake in Fresenius Medical Care during the second quarter worth about $16,738,000. 5.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Fresenius Medical Care Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fresenius Medical Care AG provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, North America, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Fresenius Medical Care Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresenius Medical Care and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kapital Bank, the country's first bank, has won 2 awards at the World HR Summit-2024 organized by the Azerbaijan HR Institute. The event, which brought together over 500 participants from 50 countries and renowned leaders in the field of human resources, saw Kapital Bank's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Farid Huseynov, being awarded the "Best People Focused CEO". Additionally, the bank also secured an award in the "Best Internal Communication Strategy category. The World HR Summit serves as a prestigious platform for the presentation of innovations in the field of human resources, the exchange of pioneering innovations and technologies, and the gathering of professionals in this field. It's worth noting that Kapital Bank, one of the biggest employer among the Azerbaijani financial institutions, is the first and only bank in Azerbaijan to receive the prestigious Great Place To Work award for being an excellent workplace. Kapital Bank, the country's first bank, is part of PASHA Holding. Kapital Bank has the largest service network in Azerbaijan with 117 branches and 52 departments all over the country. For more detailed information about the banks products and services, please refer to https://kapitalbank.az website, 196 Call Centre or the banks various social network pages. To apply for a consumer loan visit https://kbl.az/prgtk, for a Birbank installment card visit https://kbl.az/prcrc. Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM Get Free Report)s share price shot up 10.5% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$0.32 and last traded at C$0.32. 306,600 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 628% from the average session volume of 42,140 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.29. Galway Metals Trading Up 10.5 % The company has a current ratio of 2.42, a quick ratio of 4.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of C$23.60 million, a PE ratio of -3.44 and a beta of 1.51. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$0.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$0.30. Galway Metals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Galway Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Galway Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield plc (NYSE:CWK Free Report) by 69.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,233,668 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 503,824 shares during the quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA owned approximately 0.54% of Cushman & Wakefield worth $9,401,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 258.8% during the first quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 7,049,508 shares of the companys stock worth $74,302,000 after buying an additional 5,084,634 shares in the last quarter. Rush Island Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield in the second quarter worth approximately $28,113,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield in the first quarter worth approximately $22,573,000. Capital Research Global Investors acquired a new stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield in the first quarter worth approximately $38,190,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 47.5% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,515,078 shares of the companys stock worth $58,126,000 after acquiring an additional 1,776,929 shares during the last quarter. 90.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Cushman & Wakefield alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently issued reports on CWK. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $9.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Cushman & Wakefield from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised shares of Cushman & Wakefield from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $12.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Cushman & Wakefield has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.58. Insider Buying and Selling In other Cushman & Wakefield news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.99, for a total transaction of $399,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 40,427 shares in the company, valued at $403,865.73. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Cushman & Wakefield news, insider Nathaniel Robinson sold 40,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.99, for a total value of $399,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 40,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $403,865.73. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Tpg Gp A, Llc sold 7,734,954 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 in the company, valued at approximately $166,534,529.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 7,794,954 shares of company stock worth $75,914,452. Insiders own 1.24% of the companys stock. Cushman & Wakefield Stock Performance Shares of NYSE CWK traded down $0.15 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $9.71. 505,187 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,226,397. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $10.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.01. Cushman & Wakefield plc has a twelve month low of $6.24 and a twelve month high of $12.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85. Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE:CWK Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 20th. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.39 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $2.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. Cushman & Wakefield had a negative net margin of 0.37% and a positive return on equity of 11.87%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.46 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Cushman & Wakefield plc will post 1.01 EPS for the current fiscal year. 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 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. Glenmede Trust Co. NA increased its position in shares of Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Free Report) by 17.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 223,229 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 32,454 shares during the period. Glenmede Trust Co. NA owned 0.11% of Unum Group worth $10,981,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC boosted its stake in Unum Group by 3.9% during the third quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC now owns 5,938 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $297,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Association lifted its stake in Unum Group by 1.9% in the third quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 12,530 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $616,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in Unum Group by 2.5% in the second quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 9,997 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $477,000 after acquiring an additional 244 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC lifted its stake in Unum Group by 3.5% in the third quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 7,927 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $390,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in Unum Group by 2.7% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 10,946 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $522,000 after acquiring an additional 288 shares during the last quarter. 79.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Unum Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Unum Group from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Unum Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $55.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Unum Group from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Unum Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Unum Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.44. Insider Transactions at Unum Group In other news, EVP Elizabeth Claire Ahmed sold 5,000 shares of the companys 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 transaction, 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 accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.77% of the companys stock. Unum Group Stock Performance UNM traded up $0.61 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $50.24. The stock had a trading volume of 183,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,514,244. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a current ratio of 0.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.65, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.86. The companys 50-day moving average price is $47.18 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.87. Unum Group has a twelve month low of $36.27 and a twelve month high of $52.15. Unum Group (NYSE:UNM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.86 by ($0.07). The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.14 billion. Unum Group had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 16.03%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Unum Group will post 8.19 EPS for the current fiscal year. Unum Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 26th were paid a dividend of $0.365 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.91%. Unum Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.50%. 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 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. Gray Television, Inc. (NYSE:GTN.A Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $6.50, but opened at $6.26. Gray Television shares last traded at $6.26, with a volume of 120 shares traded. Gray Television Price Performance The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.36 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.12, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.18. Get Gray Television alerts: Gray Television (NYSE:GTN.A Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 23rd. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.16) by ($0.08). Gray Television had a negative return on equity of 3.76% and a negative net margin of 2.32%. The company had revenue of $864.00 million during the quarter. Gray Television Announces Dividend About Gray Television The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.25%. Gray Televisions dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -23.02%. (Get Free Report) Gray Television, Inc, a television broadcast company, owns and operates television stations and digital assets in the United States. As of February 28, 2019, it owned and operated television stations in 91 television markets broadcasting approximately 400 program streams, including approximately 150 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network, and the FOX Network. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Gray Television Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gray Television and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report) by 803.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 291,183 shares of the oilfield services companys stock after buying an additional 258,970 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Halliburton were worth $11,792,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Halliburton in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Halliburton during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Halliburton during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Ancora Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Halliburton by 443.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 881 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 719 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Halliburton in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.09% of the companys stock. Get Halliburton alerts: Halliburton Stock Down 0.8 % NYSE:HAL opened at $34.89 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.01, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.99. Halliburton has a 1-year low of $27.84 and a 1-year high of $43.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $35.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.79. Halliburton Increases Dividend Halliburton ( NYSE:HAL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The oilfield services company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.78 billion. Halliburton had a return on equity of 31.59% and a net margin of 11.46%. Halliburtons quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.72 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Halliburton will post 3.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.95%. This is a positive change from Halliburtons previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. Halliburtons payout ratio is presently 21.84%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on HAL. Barclays lowered their price target on Halliburton from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Atb Cap Markets downgraded Halliburton from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $45.00 price objective on shares of Halliburton in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com upgraded Halliburton from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Raymond James decreased their price target on Halliburton from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Halliburton has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $48.63. Get Our Latest Analysis on Halliburton Halliburton Profile (Free Report) Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Informatica Inc. (NYSE:INFA Free Report) by 32.5% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,211,455 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 297,289 shares during the quarter. Informatica accounts for approximately 0.6% of Kennedy Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Kennedy Capital Management LLCs holdings in Informatica were worth $25,525,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Informatica by 1.9% during the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 79,900 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,683,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Informatica by 26.4% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 239,445 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,045,000 after buying an additional 50,051 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Informatica by 4.7% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 12,600 shares of the technology companys stock worth $265,000 after buying an additional 562 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Informatica by 34.3% during the third quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 171,278 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,609,000 after buying an additional 43,699 shares during the period. Finally, Mcmorgan & Co. LLC lifted its stake in shares of Informatica by 3.2% during the third quarter. Mcmorgan & Co. LLC now owns 178,928 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,770,000 after buying an additional 5,617 shares during the period. 38.76% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Informatica alerts: Insider Activity at Informatica In other Informatica news, EVP Ansa Sekharan sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.39, for a total value of $1,369,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 498,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,647,560.52. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Informatica news, EVP Ansa Sekharan sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.39, for a total transaction of $1,369,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 498,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,647,560.52. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Amit Walia sold 85,996 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.14, for a total transaction of $2,935,903.44. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,537,995 shares in the company, valued at $86,647,149.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 53.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Informatica Price Performance Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Shares of INFA stock traded down $0.60 on Tuesday, reaching $31.45. 716,125 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,220,543. The company has a market cap of $9.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -67.80, a P/E/G ratio of 6.91 and a beta of 1.07. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $30.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 1.66. Informatica Inc. has a 1 year low of $13.29 and a 1 year high of $36.00. A number of research firms recently issued reports on INFA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Informatica from $33.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Informatica from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Informatica from $21.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 7th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Informatica from $27.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Finally, DA Davidson began coverage on shares of Informatica in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. They set a neutral rating and a $25.00 target price for the company. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $31.63. Read Our Latest Report on INFA About Informatica (Free Report) Informatica Inc develops an artificial intelligence-powered platform that connects, manages, and unifies data across multi-vendor, multi-cloud, and hybrid systems at enterprise scale worldwide. Its platform includes a suite of interoperable data management products, including data integration products to ingest, transform, and integrate data; API and application integration products that enable users to create and manage APIs and integration processes for app-to-app synchronization, business process orchestration, B2B partner management, application development, and API management; data quality and observability products to profile, cleanse, standardize, observe, and monitor data to deliver accurate, complete, and consistent data; and master data management products to create an authoritative single source of truth of business-critical data. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Informatica Inc. (NYSE:INFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Informatica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Informatica 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 third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 4,267 shares of the electronics makers stock, valued at approximately $358,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of APH. London Co. of Virginia increased its holdings in shares of Amphenol by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. London Co. of Virginia now owns 1,502,272 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $126,176,000 after acquiring an additional 16,916 shares during the period. Legacy Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Amphenol by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 28,393 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $2,391,000 after acquiring an additional 988 shares during the period. Lido Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Amphenol by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 7,899 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $663,000 after acquiring an additional 442 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Amphenol by 51.0% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 32,696 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $2,746,000 after acquiring an additional 11,050 shares during the period. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Amphenol in the 3rd quarter worth about $588,000. 93.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Amphenol alerts: Insider Transactions at Amphenol In other news, insider William J. Doherty sold 170,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.50, for a total value of $17,595,000.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related 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 transaction of $1,571,250.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 25,700 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,692,075. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider William J. Doherty sold 170,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.50, for a total value of $17,595,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 285,000 shares of company stock valued at $29,633,250 over the last three months. 2.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Amphenol Price Performance Shares of NYSE:APH traded down $2.69 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $109.23. 1,036,665 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,506,599. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 2.17. Amphenol Co. has a 52 week low of $72.00 and a 52 week high of $112.40. The company has a market cap of $65.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 1.30. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $101.60 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $92.25. Amphenol (NYSE:APH Get Free Report) last posted 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 in the prior year, the firm earned $0.78 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Amphenol Co. will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. Amphenol Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared 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. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 18th. Amphenols dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.30%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently weighed in on APH shares. Citigroup started coverage on shares of Amphenol in a report on Friday, January 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $117.00 price objective on the stock. Robert W. Baird increased their target price 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 increased their target price 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. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Amphenol from $107.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price 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. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $102.11. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on APH Amphenol Company Profile (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. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 101.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,952 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 12,562 shares during the period. Lake Street Advisors Group LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $2,269,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Copeland Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% in the third quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 282 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 79.9% in the third quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 286 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the period. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% in the third quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 300 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 100.0% in the third quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 292 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Centerpoint Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the third quarter worth about $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 6.41% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 3.0 % NYSE NVO traded down $3.81 on Tuesday, hitting $124.14. 3,752,079 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,954,392. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $113.11 and a 200 day moving average of $94.76. Novo Nordisk A/S has a twelve month low of $67.66 and a twelve month high of $128.77. The company has a market capitalization of $557.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.64 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, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.14 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 90.36% and a net margin of 36.03%. As a group, analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be given a dividend of $0.664 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is a boost from Novo Nordisk A/Ss previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio is presently 22.92%. Analysts Set New Price Targets NVO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group initiated coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $120.00 price target on the stock. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Novo Nordisk A/S from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 4th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.25. Read Our Latest 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. Featured Stories 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 cut its holdings in Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI Free Report) by 58.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in 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 period. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned 0.36% of Armstrong World Industries worth $11,574,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. UBS Group AG grew its position in Armstrong World Industries by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,401 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $480,000 after acquiring an additional 123 shares during the last quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. raised its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 4.0% in the second quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc. now owns 3,515 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $258,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 4.3% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,317 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $249,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 1.1% in the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 13,733 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $986,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 1.2% in the third quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 12,497 shares of the construction companys stock worth $900,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. 98.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Armstrong World Industries alerts: Armstrong World Industries Stock Performance Shares of Armstrong World Industries stock opened at $121.55 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $104.43 and a 200 day moving average of $88.00. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $5.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.12. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has a 12 month low of $62.03 and a 12 month high of $123.82. Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend Armstrong World Industries ( NYSE:AWI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 20th. The construction company reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.04 by $0.18. Armstrong World Industries had a return on equity of 41.56% and a net margin of 17.28%. The business had revenue of $312.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $305.44 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.08 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Armstrong World Industries, Inc. will post 5.74 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. Armstrong World Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.40%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AWI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $95.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised 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. StockNews.com lowered Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, UBS Group raised Armstrong World Industries from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $103.00 in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Five 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, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $98.29. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Armstrong World Industries Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Victor Grizzle sold 22,914 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 $32,917,713.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About Armstrong World Industries (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. Read More 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. Legacy Advisors LLC grew its position in FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report) by 5.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,358 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. Legacy Advisors LLCs holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $1,031,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 118.3% in the third quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 17,900 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $7,827,000 after purchasing an additional 9,700 shares in the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 22.6% in the third quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,898 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,267,000 after purchasing an additional 535 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 19.6% in the third quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,130 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,680,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares in the last quarter. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 5.1% in the third quarter. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. now owns 4,105 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,795,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 14.0% in the third quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 3,550 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,552,000 after purchasing an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. 89.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets FDS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $464.00 target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $447.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $469.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and set a $480.00 target price (up previously from $471.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, December 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $434.25. FactSet Research Systems Price Performance Shares of FDS stock traded up $0.87 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $465.85. The companys stock had a trading volume of 117,433 shares, compared to its average volume of 199,396. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $377.89 and a fifty-two week high of $487.79. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $467.03 and its 200-day simple moving average is $451.52. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The company has a market capitalization of $17.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.63, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.73. FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $4.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.10 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $542.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $540.34 million. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 22.60% and a return on equity of 34.47%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.99 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 15.76 earnings per share for the current year. FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.84%. FactSet Research Systemss payout ratio is presently 31.72%. Insider Buying and Selling at FactSet Research Systems In related news, CEO Frederick Philip Snow sold 3,000 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $476.02, for a total transaction of $1,428,060.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,915 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,147,798.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, CEO Frederick Philip Snow sold 3,000 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $476.02, for a total value of $1,428,060.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,915 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,147,798.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of FactSet Research Systems 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,562,659.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 14,805 shares of company stock worth $6,805,651. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. FactSet Research Systems Profile (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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FDS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report). 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Throughout the 30 years of Armenian occupation, biased perceptions of Azerbaijan, including Islamophobia, have persisted in the West, with early indications observed as far back as the first Armenian-Azerbaijani clash in 1905, said Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center) Farid Shafiyev on the eve of the "Preserving Diversity: Fighting Islamophobia in 2024" international scientific conference, Trend reports. "Still, several countries in the region refuse to recognize the new reality," Shafiyev added. Baku will host the "Preserving Diversity: Fighting Islamophobia in 2024" international scientific conference, organized collaboratively by the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), the G20 Interfaith Forum, and the Baku Initiative Group, and dedicated to the 2nd anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel London Co. of Virginia boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 9.2% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 25,654 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,168 shares during the period. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $13,780,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Cassia Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% during the third quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 951 shares of the companys stock worth $511,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the period. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 621 shares of the companys stock valued at $334,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 623 shares of the companys stock valued at $335,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 1,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $688,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lathrop Investment Management Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Lathrop Investment Management Corp now owns 1,476 shares of the companys stock valued at $793,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 34,538 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $631.81, for a total value of $21,821,453.78. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,719,884 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $63,004,019,910.04. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In the last three months, insiders sold 195,055 shares of company stock valued at $125,254,657. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently weighed in on LLY shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. TheStreet lowered shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, December 4th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $800.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $680.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $677.62. Read Our Latest Stock Report on LLY Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of NYSE:LLY traded down $17.81 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $774.47. The company had a trading volume of 2,011,071 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,379,788. The firms fifty day moving average is $678.36 and its 200 day moving average is $612.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $735.87 billion, a PE ratio of 133.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.34. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $309.32 and a twelve month high of $800.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.94. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.30 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 51.22%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.09 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 15th will be paid a $1.30 dividend. 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 dividend yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is currently 89.66%. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). 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. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$108.96 and last traded at C$108.75, with a volume of 150898 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$107.68. Analysts Set New Price Targets NA has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$103.00 to C$109.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. TD Securities lifted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$100.00 to C$110.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$105.00 to C$109.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$107.00 to C$109.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Veritas Investment Research reissued a reduce rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$107.08. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on NA National Bank of Canada Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of C$36.66 billion, a PE ratio of 11.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.11. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$102.19 and its 200 day moving average price is C$95.63. National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$2.38 by C$0.21. The firm had revenue of C$2.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.72 billion. National Bank of Canada had a net margin of 34.22% and a return on equity of 14.73%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that National Bank of Canada will post 9.8970588 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. National Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 25th will be issued a dividend of $1.06 per share. This represents a $4.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 22nd. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 44.26%. Insider Buying and Selling at National Bank of Canada In other news, Director Yvon Charest bought 331 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$103.19 per share, for a total transaction of C$34,155.89. Insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. National Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada provides financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional clients, and governments in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit, investment solutions, international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. OneMain (NYSE:OMF Get Free Report) and Bread Financial (NYSE:BFH Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, dividends and valuation. Insider and Institutional Ownership 79.7% of OneMain shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.5% of Bread Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of OneMain shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Bread Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get OneMain alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares OneMain and Bread Financials revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio OneMain $4.56 billion 1.24 $641.00 million $5.32 8.85 Bread Financial $4.30 billion 0.43 $718.00 million $14.32 2.61 Profitability Bread Financial has lower revenue, but higher earnings than OneMain. Bread Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than OneMain, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares OneMain and Bread Financials net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets OneMain 14.04% 21.07% 2.78% Bread Financial 13.87% 26.24% 3.34% Volatility & Risk OneMain has a beta of 1.65, suggesting that its share price is 65% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bread Financial has a beta of 1.94, suggesting that its share price is 94% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for OneMain and Bread Financial, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score OneMain 0 4 9 0 2.69 Bread Financial 4 7 2 0 1.85 OneMain currently has a consensus target price of $50.85, indicating a potential upside of 8.00%. Bread Financial has a consensus target price of $37.42, indicating a potential upside of 0.04%. Given OneMains stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe OneMain is more favorable than Bread Financial. Dividends OneMain pays an annual dividend of $4.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.5%. Bread Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. OneMain pays out 75.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Bread Financial pays out 5.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. OneMain has increased its dividend for 4 consecutive years. OneMain is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Summary OneMain beats Bread Financial on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About OneMain (Get Free Report) OneMain Holdings, Inc., a financial service holding company, engages in the consumer finance and insurance businesses in the United States. It originates, underwrites, and services personal loans secured by automobiles, other titled collateral, or unsecured. The company also offers credit cards; optional credit insurance products, including life, disability, and involuntary unemployment insurance; optional non-credit insurance; guaranteed asset protection coverage as a waiver product or insurance; and membership plans. It sells its products through its website. The company was formerly known as Springleaf Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to OneMain Holdings, Inc. in November 2015. OneMain Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1912 and is based in Evansville, Indiana. About Bread Financial (Get Free Report) Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. provides tech-forward payment and lending solutions to customers and consumer-based industries in North America. It offers credit card and other loans financing services, including risk management solutions, account origination, and funding services for private label and co-brand credit card programs, as well as through Bread partnerships; and Comenity-branded general purpose cash-back credit. The company also manages and services the loans it originates for private label, co-brand, and general-purpose credit card programs, and installment loans and split-pay products; and provides marketing, and data and analytics services. In addition, it offers an enhanced digital suite that includes a unified software development kit, which provides access to its suite of products, as well as promotes credit payment options earlier in the shopping experience. Further, the company through Bread, a digital payments platform and robust suite of application programming interfaces allows merchants and partners to integrate online point-of-sale financing and other digital payment products. It offers its products under the Bread CashbackTM, Bread PayTM, and Bread SavingsTM brands. The company was formerly known as Alliance Data Systems Corporation and changed its name to Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. in March 2022. Bread Financial Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Receive News & Ratings for OneMain Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OneMain and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quadrature Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 2,602 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock, valued at approximately $1,063,000. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 26.5% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 129 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 481 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $198,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 32.2% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 115 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Teledyne Technologies by 5.5% in the 3rd 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.57% of the companys stock. Get Teledyne Technologies alerts: Insider Transactions at Teledyne Technologies In other news, VP Cynthia Y. Belak sold 5,389 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $409.52, for a total transaction of $2,206,903.28. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,991 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,043,914.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, VP Cynthia Y. Belak sold 5,389 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $409.52, for a total transaction of $2,206,903.28. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,991 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,043,914.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Michael T. Smith sold 511 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $431.00, for a total value of $220,241.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 56,492 shares in the company, valued at $24,348,052. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 74,206 shares of company stock worth $30,707,174 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 2.14% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TDY has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC cut their price target on Teledyne Technologies from $522.00 to $510.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. StockNews.com upgraded Teledyne Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, February 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $515.67. View Our Latest Analysis on Teledyne Technologies Teledyne Technologies Price Performance NYSE:TDY traded down $0.68 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $427.77. 2,942 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 210,974. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has a 52-week low of $364.98 and a 52-week high of $448.71. The firms fifty day moving average price is $432.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $413.96. 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 $20.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.17, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.02. 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, topping the consensus estimate of $5.04 by $0.40. Teledyne Technologies had a return on equity of 10.81% and a net margin of 15.72%. The company had revenue of $1.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.46 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.94 EPS. Teledyne Technologiess quarterly revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Teledyne Technologies Incorporated will post 20.55 EPS 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. Featured 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. Shares of Ready Capital Co. (NYSE:RC Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $8.30 and last traded at $8.43, with a volume of 194769 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $8.39. Analysts Set New Price Targets RC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. B. Riley reissued a buy rating and issued a $12.00 price objective (down previously from $13.00) on shares of Ready Capital in a research report on Monday. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $10.50 price target on shares of Ready Capital in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an underperform rating and set a $8.00 price target (down previously from $10.00) on shares of Ready Capital in a research report on Monday. StockNews.com cut Ready Capital from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Raymond James cut Ready Capital from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, December 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.25. Get Ready Capital alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on RC Ready Capital Price Performance Ready Capital Cuts Dividend The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a current ratio of 1.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 1.40. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $9.56 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.05. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 29th were given 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 yield of 14.12%. Ready Capitals payout ratio is 51.28%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Ready Capital Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of RC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Ready Capital by 21.2% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 811,765 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $12,225,000 after buying an additional 141,736 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in Ready Capital by 128.5% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 52,765 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $795,000 after buying an additional 29,678 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Ready Capital by 86.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 57,701 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $869,000 after purchasing an additional 26,781 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of Ready Capital by 12.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 607,299 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,145,000 after purchasing an additional 65,079 shares during the period. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Ready Capital in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $966,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.07% of the companys stock. About Ready Capital (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. Shelton Capital Management bought a new stake in Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 7,164 shares of the oilfield services companys stock, valued at approximately $290,000. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in HAL. Capital World Investors boosted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 47.1% in the 2nd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 114,407,642 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $3,774,308,000 after buying an additional 36,640,866 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners grew its position in shares of Halliburton by 4.5% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 25,748,754 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $853,795,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120,274 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Halliburton by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,079,068 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $627,759,000 after purchasing an additional 387,735 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 65.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 17,217,776 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $677,520,000 after purchasing an additional 6,815,373 shares during the period. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its stake in Halliburton by 123.0% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 15,936,342 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $627,088,000 after purchasing an additional 8,791,319 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.09% of the companys stock. Get Halliburton alerts: Halliburton Price Performance HAL stock traded up $0.24 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $35.25. The company had a trading volume of 1,272,446 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,626,690. Halliburton has a 1-year low of $27.84 and a 1-year high of $43.85. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $35.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 2.06 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The company has a market capitalization of $31.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.99. Halliburton Increases Dividend Halliburton ( NYSE:HAL Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The oilfield services company reported $0.86 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $5.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.78 billion. Halliburton had a net margin of 11.46% and a return on equity of 31.59%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.72 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Halliburton will post 3.43 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be paid a $0.17 dividend. This is a positive change from Halliburtons previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.93%. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.84%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group boosted their price target on Halliburton from $44.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Susquehanna reaffirmed a positive rating and set a $49.00 price target on shares of Halliburton in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Atb Cap Markets downgraded shares of Halliburton from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, December 22nd. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Halliburton from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Halliburton from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $48.63. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on HAL Halliburton Profile (Free Report) Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates through two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; and completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton 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 target of a significant drop in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 90,300 shares, a drop of 5.6% from the January 31st total of 95,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 50.2 days. Grupo Herdez Price Performance Shares of GUZOF stock remained flat at C$2.50 on Tuesday. Grupo Herdez has a fifty-two week low of C$2.06 and a fifty-two week high of C$2.86. The firms 50-day moving average is C$2.60 and its 200-day moving average is C$2.45. Get Grupo Herdez alerts: About Grupo Herdez (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. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its target price trimmed by BMO Capital Markets from C$86.00 to C$81.00 in a research note released on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. CIBC boosted their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$84.00 to C$88.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$95.00 to C$94.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 23rd. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$88.00 to C$86.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 14th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$95.00 to C$96.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$86.00 to C$92.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Five 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 has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$90.35. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on TD Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Down 1.3 % Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement Shares of TD opened at C$80.23 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$81.89 and its 200-day moving average price is C$81.81. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a twelve month low of C$75.89 and a twelve month high of C$89.73. The stock has a market cap of C$143.61 billion, a PE ratio of 12.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 0.84. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be given a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 8th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.09%. Toronto-Dominion Banks payout ratio is currently 64.45%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Senior Officer Anita Odell sold 5,760 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$84.45, for a total transaction of C$486,432.00. In related news, Senior Officer Anita Odell sold 5,760 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, December 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$84.45, for a total transaction of C$486,432.00. Also, Senior Officer Barbara Ann Hooper sold 9,162 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$80.49, for a total transaction of C$737,449.38. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock. About Toronto-Dominion Bank (Get Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Free Report) had its target price raised by Truist Financial from $17.00 to $20.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a hold rating on the stock. Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on NCLH. Barclays boosted their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $14.50 to $13.50 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 2nd. Tigress Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and set a $32.00 target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research note on Friday, December 15th. StockNews.com lowered Norwegian Cruise Line from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $18.00 price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Friday, January 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.96. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of NCLH stock opened at $19.42 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $17.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 40.94. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 12-month low of $12.15 and a 12-month high of $22.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 69.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 2.59. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.13) by ($0.05). Norwegian Cruise Line had a return on equity of 108.69% and a net margin of 1.94%. The company had revenue of $1.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($1.10) earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 0.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Norwegian Cruise Line Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 5,020.8% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,229 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,205 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 272.7% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,856 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 1,358 shares during the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 46.2% during the 2nd quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.49% of the companys stock. About Norwegian Cruise Line (Get Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various locations, including destinations in Scandinavia, Russia, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial Corp boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 29.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 100,270 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 23,015 shares during the quarter. Truist Financial Corps holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $23,093,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ITW. United Services Automobile Association grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 2.7% during the third quarter. United Services Automobile Association now owns 37,680 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $8,678,000 after buying an additional 974 shares during the last quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.7% during the third quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 2,206 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $508,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 14.7% during the third quarter. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC now owns 13,506 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,111,000 after buying an additional 1,729 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 56.1% during the third quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 41,998 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $9,673,000 after buying an additional 15,101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 8.7% during the third quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 1,248 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $287,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.56% of the companys stock. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.0 % Shares of ITW stock traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $259.14. 140,080 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,085,536. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $257.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $245.34. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $217.06 and a 12-month high of $267.12. The stock has a market cap of $77.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a PEG ratio of 4.47 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10. Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.42 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.01. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 18.36% and a return on equity of 96.60%. The company had revenue of $3.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.34 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.12 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Friday, March 29th will be issued a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is currently 57.49%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Illinois Tool Works news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.29, for a total value of $1,493,401.83. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,273,292.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, EVP Sharon Szafranski sold 801 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.42, for a total transaction of $205,392.42. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,505,185.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,827 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.29, for a total transaction of $1,493,401.83. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,273,292.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 152,304 shares of company stock worth $38,860,831 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently issued reports on ITW. Barclays raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $215.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $238.00 to $239.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $244.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 11th. Bank of America lowered shares of Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $260.00 to $235.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Illinois Tool Works from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $277.00 to $240.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Five equities research 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 company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $239.33. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on ITW Illinois Tool Works Profile (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United states and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The Armenian side has denied fictitious allegations made by Armenia about Azerbaijan's supposed military preparations, Trend reports. The basis for such an opinion is the latest statement by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Army, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan. "There is no military buildup along the hypothetical border. The situation remains stable," said Edward Asryan, inadvertently debunking the baseless assertions made by Armenian officials about Azerbaijan's alleged war preparations to the global community. Given the current circumstances, it is clear who has truly launched substantial war preparations. It is clear that certain pro-Armenian circles in the West want to turn the South Caucasus into a conflict again. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent engagements, including mutual visits such as his trip to Paris on February 21, the arrival of French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu in Yerevan on February 22, Pashinyan's visit to Athens on February 27, and the discussion of military cooperation with Armenia by Greece's Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias in Yerevan yesterday, demonstrate Armenia's active readiness for potential conflict. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Jackson Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report) by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 14,885 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group comprises approximately 1.0% of Jackson Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Jackson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $7,505,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of UNH. Robbins Farley acquired a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the third quarter worth about $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 340.0% during the third quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 66 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the period. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Annapolis Financial Services LLC increased its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 38.6% during the third quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 79 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.69% of the companys stock. Get UnitedHealth Group alerts: UnitedHealth Group Price Performance Shares of UNH stock traded down $8.72 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $473.15. The stock had a trading volume of 5,178,948 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,192,325. The company has a market cap of $436.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.54. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $518.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $518.80. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $445.68 and a 12-month high of $554.70. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. UnitedHealth Group Announces Dividend UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 12th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.98 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $94.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $92.13 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a return on equity of 26.39% and a net margin of 6.02%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.34 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 27.82 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 11th will be issued a $1.88 dividend. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 8th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.54%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have commented on UNH. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $565.00 to $503.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 20th. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $591.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Friday, January 19th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and issued a $610.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating and set a $480.00 price target (down from $550.00) on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a report on Monday, December 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $575.79. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UNH Insider Activity In related news, CAO Thomas E. Roos sold 858 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $525.79, for a total transaction of $451,127.82. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 32,289 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,977,233.31. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. UnitedHealth Group Company Profile (Free Report) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UNH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UnitedHealth Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UnitedHealth Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its stake in shares of WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report) by 64.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 25,930 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 10,167 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRCs holdings in WestRock were worth $928,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in WestRock by 14.2% during the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 9,433 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $338,000 after purchasing an additional 1,174 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 13.3% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 43,318 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,259,000 after acquiring an additional 5,073 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 635.3% during the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 657,681 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,406,000 after acquiring an additional 568,232 shares in the last quarter. Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of WestRock during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,171,000. Finally, FMR LLC boosted its stake in shares of WestRock by 140.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,173,923 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $77,826,000 after acquiring an additional 1,269,375 shares in the last quarter. 85.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get WestRock alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $45.00 price target (up from $42.00) on shares of WestRock in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of WestRock in a research note on Wednesday, February 28th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of WestRock from $40.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of WestRock in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of WestRock from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, WestRock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $39.43. Insider Buying and Selling at WestRock In other news, insider Vicki L. Lostetter sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.77, for a total value of $149,695.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 92,117 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,939,844.09. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.49% of the stock is owned by company insiders. WestRock Trading Down 0.1 % NYSE WRK opened at $44.97 on Tuesday. WestRock has a 52-week low of $26.84 and a 52-week high of $45.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.53 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.69, a P/E/G ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 1.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $42.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.67. WestRock (NYSE:WRK Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The basic materials company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.15). The firm had revenue of $4.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.79 billion. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 6.87% and a negative net margin of 8.58%. The firms revenue was down 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.55 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that WestRock will post 1.95 EPS for the current year. WestRock Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 9th were issued a $0.3025 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 8th. This represents a $1.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.69%. WestRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -18.01%. WestRock Profile (Free Report) WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for WestRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WestRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Women's feet are different from men's in a number of ways BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has left on a working visit to Saudi Arabia, Trend reports, referring to the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan. To note, within the framework of the visit, the Minister will take part and address the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dear Editor, Bahamian politicians love pretending that they (and our country by extension) are victims of somebody elses malfeasance or neglect. Maybe its because such a posture touches a nerve with an international audience accustomed to seeing darker-hued peoples in this light. Whatever the reason, it is unhelpful to us as a country. After Hurricane Dorian, the Minnis government spared no effort to highlight our vulnerability to a climate change supposedly caused by the habits of people elsewhere ignoring the fact that Bahamian consumers emit more carbon per capita that any country in Western Europe. Rather than prompting self-examination, the experience of Dorian has been milked for international recognition of our supposedly unique vulnerability to an intensifying trend of Atlantic hurricanes (hush, dont tell New Orleans!). But the real culprit exposed by Dorian was neither climate change nor geographic accident. It was successive Bahamian governments infuriating failure to remove a sprawling, illegal slum from the centre of our third largest urbanity. (In fact they let it burn down and be rebuilt three times in the decade before Dorian). Of the many lives lost in Marsh Harbour, the vast majority died because they were residents of that slum, which became a violent floodplain of vehicles, timber and corrugated tin roofs. In the circumstances, the outcome was both predictable and avoidable. But in September, 2019 (much as in our current struggle with gun violence) our government was busy feigning helplessness about this obvious disaster-in-the-making by deferring to a judiciary that is itself so out of touch as to frequently flirt with irrelevancy. I opined in a letter months before the storm that any executive worthy of the name should have ignored the injunction then in place against the demolition of the mudd and pigeon pea shantytowns and faced the consequences of their demolition after the fact (could the court have ordered them reconstructed?). Had it done so, many people now dead would still be with us and our country would have been spared the humiliation of a thousand third world images of Abaco being broadcast to the world. This government is to be commended for aggressively demolishing the would-be replacements to those shantytowns. And it should begin displaying a similar boldness and vigor in dealing with all of our countrys problems. Andrew Allen That release could not be found. Agility Logistics Parks (ALP) has joined Engineering Systems Group (ESG) to provide intensive facility management training for over 35 Kuwaiti youth and university graduates for the second year-in-a-row. The intensive training programme by ALP and ESG ran from November 5 to December 7 2023, and was a critical part of a greater capacity building programme by Kuwaits Youth Public Authority. ALP and ESG partnered to provide training on industrial zones, real estate management, facility management, contract management and other essential skills. On-site sessions The programme also featured on-site sessions at ALPs industrial and warehousing facilities, offering participants an opportunity to observe and assess ALPs operations. All trainees were mandated to attend the programs lectures and workshops and pass a final exam to earn their facility management certification. Nader Sakeen, CEO ALP Kuwait and Gulf, said: Nothing pleases us more at Agility than supporting Kuwaiti youth, especially equipping them for successful careers in the private sector. We are delighted to collaborate for the second time with the Public Authority for Youth and our colleagues at Engineering Systems Group. As the leading owner and developer of warehousing and light industrial parks in the Middle East, Agility always welcomes such opportunities. Our doors are always open to support all our youth. Ahmed B Al-Eisa Chairman and CEO of ESG, said: Drawing from our experience at Engineering Systems Group, and guided by our mission to implement an integrated approach to project development and management, we recognize the importance of training and qualification in facility management, security, safety, and environment as a fundamental part of any successful project. We are pleased to collaborate with Agility and the Public Authority for Youth to train and qualify our national workforce, enhancing their practical skills and serving the aspirations of both public and private sectors by fostering a new generation of competitive Kuwaiti youth.--TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF) will be held in Baku in 2026, Trend reports. During today's session of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament), the draft law supporting the agreement between the Government of Azerbaijan and the United Nations to host the 13th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku in 2026 was tabled for debate. After some discussion, the document was voted on and approved. The Forum is slated to gather participants in the event, including government officials, NGOs, specialists, experts, and private sector leaders from Azerbaijan and abroad, for the interchange of ideas and the sharing of new knowledge and experiences. Last year, the World Urban Forum (WUF11) took place in Katowice, Poland, drawing the participation of 17 thousand people. In previous years, the forum convened in various cities such as Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, Abu Dhabi, and Kuala Lumpur, attracting up to 23 thousand participants. The upcoming forum (WUF12) is scheduled to be held from November 4 to 8, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijan Defense Ministrys International Military Cooperation Department hosted the "Azerbaijan-Pakistan 10th Working Group Level Meeting" between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Joint Staff of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Trend reports. According to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, at the meeting, a detailed exchange of views on the current state and prospects for the development of military cooperation between the two countries, military education and science, operational planning and conducting joint exercises, as well as other issues of interest was held. Following the signing of the meeting's final protocol, both parties exchanged gifts, and a photo was taken. Manipur ceasefire-linked insurgent leaders allegedly diverted stipend for cadres rehabilitation: Sources | Imphal/Guwahati, Mar 5: The leaders of Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in Manipur have been allegedly misappropriating funds meant for rehabilitation of their members after signing a controversial tripartite ceasefire agreement with the Centre and the State Government, people with direct knowledge of the matter told NDTV. The insurgents who signed this agreement in 2008 get a stipend of Rs 6,000 every month to help in their rehabilitation. Starting April 1, 2018, these were to be disbursed after linking the Aadhaar biometric details of the insurgents, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) guidelines for reimbursement of security-related expenses. Now, a report by the CAG which was presented to the Manipur Assembly on Friday flagged payments made to the insurgents between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 without taking their biometric details in the form of Aadhaar. "The payments were made to the representatives of the cadres by cheque. There was no record for unique biometric identification number linking of the cadres. Thus, payment of Rs 27.38 crore to the cadres was irregular payment in terms of the guidelines," the CAG report presented in the State Assembly said. The CAG report termed as "not acceptable" the reply by the authorities who handle the payments that the insurgents have not given their biometric details. "The reply is not acceptable as linking of unique biometric identification number for surrendered militants is mandatory with effect from April 1, 2018 as per SRE (security-related expenses) guidelines," the CAG report said. A joint monitoring group (JMG) responsible for reviewing the ceasefire agreement in its meeting on December 30, 2016 did discuss the necessity of linking the unique biometric identification numbers of the insurgents with their bank accounts, but the insurgents did not give the details, according to the reply by the authorities to the CAG. The Manipur Government, too, has been seeking to end the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with some 25 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in the ethnic violence-hit State. The State Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution asking the Centre to scrap the SoO agreement over allegations that the insurgents have been participating in the violence. Broadly, the SoO agreement says the insurgents are to stay at designated camps and their weapons kept in locked storage, to be monitored regularly. A joint monitoring group (JMG) reviews the SoO agreement every year and decides whether to end or renew it. The deadline for this year's review was February 29. Why No Direct Transfers To Bank Accounts Following the submission of the CAG report in the State Assembly, people familiar with the matter told NDTV it has been understood from several meetings of the JMG that many of the insurgents under the SoO agreement do not have bank accounts, which are needed to send the funds directly, similar to the highly successful direct-benefit transfer (DBT) system. This explanation for not following a direct transfer system, however, is "unconvincing" as opening bank accounts for the unbanked public is easy these days, and there is even a Central scheme for it, three sources in the State Govt said, requesting anonymity. "Each of the 25-odd Kuki-Zo insurgent groups has their own leader, apart from the leaders of the two umbrella groups that represent them and that have actually signed the SoO agreement. These leaders need to be in control of the cadre to ensure they follow the ground rules of the agreement," one of the sources said. "If the stipend goes to the bank accounts of the insurgent cadre directly, then the role of their leaders may diminish as they will no longer be dependent on the few leaders to distribute the stipend," the source said. "And how can we possibly know how exactly the leaders distribute the stipend ? The insurgent leaders who control the stipend disbursal can control the cadre." The SoO agreement that was signed over 15 years ago - with the aim of bringing peace in Manipur, and finding a political settlement to the demands of the Kuki-Zo armed groups - has come under intense scrutiny after ethnic violence between the hill-majority Kuki-Zo tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis began in May 2023. Kuki-Zo civil society groups such as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), and their 10 MLAs have joined the call for a separate administration carved out of Manipur, a demand also made by the insurgent groups that have signed the SoO agreement. This single demand has brought the insurgent groups, the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, and the civil society groups on the same page. The Manipur Government in March 2023 announced it had withdrawn from the SoO agreement with the Kuki National Army (KNA), and the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA). However, only the JMG can decide on such matters, which indicates the State Government's move was only a request to the JMG, sources told NDTV on February 24. The over two dozen Kuki-Zo insurgent groups come under two umbrella groups - the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), and the United People's Front (UPF). These two representing the others have signed the SoO agreement. The ethnic violence in Manipur over disagreements on land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies has dragged on for 10 months now. While the Kuki-Zo tribes accuse the Meiteis of razing their vacant buildings and occupying them in and around Imphal valley, the Meiteis have pointed at entire localities of their community flattened and erased in the hill district Churachandpur. NDTV Kuki militants fire at Koutruk | IMPHAL, Mar 5 : Armed Kuki militants launched a fresh attack on Meitei village at Koutruk using guns and bombs today evening. According to reliable sources, the militants first fired bombs and later indiscriminately fired at the village. Security forces deployed in the area retaliated by firing towards the position of the Kuki militants. While there is no report of anyone injured, exchange of fire was on till the time of filing this report at around 9.40 pm. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Ruslan Panahov, a serviceman of the Azerbaijani Army, detained by Armenia for crossing the conditional border, has been returned to Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The aircraft that transported Panahov has just landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. Meanwhile, 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 unfavorable 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. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today convened a pivotal meeting in Nimtouri, East Midnapore, where she addressed multiple issues, ranging from electoral controversies to developmental projects. From the platform, Miss Banerjee not only lambasted her political adversaries but also outlined her governments vision for the region. On the contentious Nandigram Assembly poll results she targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari. Without mincing words, Miss Banerjee alluded to allegations of electoral malpractice and corruption, underscoring the prolonged legal battle surrounding the Nandigram case. The case of Nandigram is under trial. Its been two-and-a-half years. People will answer it, she asserted. Miss Banerjee, without naming the BJP leader, made pointed remarks about corruption in school education in East Medinipur and hinting at the involvement of the leader in question. She accused him of blocking jobs and alleged that he went to court out of fear of being caught. The chief minister also accused the unnamed leader of job loss to the poor. Advertisement She claimed that despite the leaders attempts to portray himself as a saint, he was involved in corruption and malpractice. Im abreast of all the news. But, I will not let anyone lose their job. He went to the court for fear of being caught. Gaddar is the most corrupt. She also castigated the central government for its purported negligence towards Bengals developmental needs. Emphasizing the absence of financial support for the Ghatal Master Plan, Miss Banerjee reiterated her commitment to prioritizing flood control measures in the region. Despite the lack of assistance from the Center, Miss Banerjee vowed to undertake the Ghatal Master Plan, showcasing her administrations resilience in the face of adversity. Underscoring her governments achievements, Miss Banerjee highlighted a slew of development initiatives that have transformed the landscape of East Midnapur. From the expansion of railway infrastructure, exemplified by the Digha-Tamluk line, to the implementation of projects like Jalswapna, which have provided clean water access to over 11 lakh residents, Miss Banerjee emphasized her administrations commitment to fostering inclusive growth and development. Miss Banerjee also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement levelled against her government by the Prime Minister and the central government. Challenging the figures presented regarding funds allocated to Bengal, Miss Banerjee asserted her governments transparency and dedication to welfare schemes, including housing initiatives that have resulted in the construction of over 43 lakh houses across the state. In a bid to address prevailing employment concerns, Miss Banerjee announced the continuation of the Karmashree scheme, promising job opportunities for cardholders for up to 50 days starting from April-May. Additionally, she unveiled plans to increase dearness allowance (DA) by four per cent for contractual Group C and Group D employees, underscoring her governments commitment to improving the livelihoods of its workforce. Police started investigations in an incident in which a Kolkata-bound flight from Bengaluru faced a significant safety issue as laser lights were directed towards the cockpit during landing. The pilot and co-pilot reported being momentarily blinded by the green laser light, leading to a critical situation. The alleged laser light interference occurred during the descent at Kolkata Airport, originating from the Narayanganj area. The laser light filled the cockpit, causing confusion and concern among the pilot and co-pilot. Aviation authorities at Kolkata Airport have initiated an investigation into the incident, with the pilot alerting the security operations control centre immediately after landing on Saturday at 10.53pm. A police case has been filed regarding this matter and consequent investigation was started. The security incident has prompted authorities to file a complaint at the international airport police station. Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport authorities expressed deep concern over the safety breach and initiated an inquiry into the matter. A similar incident involving an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Kolkata was reported on 25 February. Additionally, an IndiGo flight from Agartala to Kolkata faced a laser light issue during landing on 28 February. Despite previous complaints by private airlines, the incident on Saturday serves as a clear demonstration that preventing laser light interference remains a challenging task. Advertisement BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The Armenian Investigative Committee's swift filing of a criminal case against Ruslan Panahov, an Azerbaijani Army soldier who crossed the border unintentionally under bad weather conditions on February 28, demonstrates nothing but perfidy on the part of the government. This includes the introduction of five ludicrous and serious accusations. These charges portray the incident as if it involved not a 19-year-old Azerbaijani soldier who accidentally crossed the border, but rather a saboteur, fascist, and terrorist aiming to perpetrate a 'genocide' against Armenians, wielding an illicit arsenal of ammunition for their destruction. The deliberate lack of integrity by Armenia was not coincidental; it coincided with the commencement of a new round of peace talks in Germany after a prolonged break. Despite Azerbaijan's consistent and prompt return of Armenian soldiers in analogous situations, the Armenian government demonstrated a different scenario. To be frank, this was anticipated. It would be naive to anticipate different, humane conduct from a state that persists in its hostility. There's a possibility that the Armenian side intended to stage a so-called "trial" against an Azerbaijani serviceman and issue a "verdict" this time. However, the Azerbaijani state has once again foiled Armenia's plans. Faced with a resolute stance and stern warnings from the Azerbaijani state, the Armenian government was compelled to capitulate once again. Armenia, ostensibly as a gesture of goodwill and in adherence to the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, facilitated the return of the Azerbaijani soldier Ruslan Panahov. This return underscores our state's unwavering commitment to the welfare of its soldiers. The Azerbaijani government has consistently affirmed its commitment to not leaving its citizens or servicemen in distress, emphasizing the implementation of all necessary measures to aid them and secure their return home. The repatriation of our soldier reflects the resolute stance of Azerbaijan and the outcome of the ultimatum issued to Armenia. While Armenia couldn't conceal its intention to disrupt the peace talks between the two countries by resorting to minor provocations, the Azerbaijani state took decisive action to counteract these tactics and bring Armenia's plans to use such circumstances for political manipulation. In doing so, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief once again affirmed his role as the guarantor of the security of every member of the Azerbaijani army. Undoubtedly, the repatriation of our captives underscores the high value President Ilham Aliyev places on the army and its servicemen in his capacity as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Cracks in Trinamul Congress widened further as six-time party legislator Tapas Roy tendered his resignation from the membership of West Bengal Assembly on Monday. He confirmed his resignation after coming out of the room of Assembly Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay to whom he tendered his resignation as per protocol. Tapas Roy also tendered resignation from all organisational posts in Trinamul Congress, including the primary membership of the party, as confirmed by him. However, he did not say anything about his future course of action. Sensing that Roy might sever all his ties with the party, state education Minister Bratiya Basu and another rebel Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh rushed to his residence in North Kolkata on Monday morning to persuade him to refrain from taking this extreme step. However, all their efforts proved fruitless as around 12.15 p.m. Roy came out of his residence and started for the Assembly. He reached the Assembly at around 12.35 p.m. and tendered his resignation. Before leaving for the Assembly, he pointed out that although Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee initially defended Sheikh Shahjahan on the floor of the House in the ED attack case, she was silent about the central agencys raid at his residence in north Kolkata in connection with the multi-crore municipalities recruitment case in West Bengal. Advertisement This has saddened me immensely, Roy said. On Monday morning, Roy gave hints about his decision to resign after clearly hinting that a section within his own party was responsible for orchestrating the recent raid at his residence. I have been a legislator since 1996. I have not raised the medical bills that were due to me as a legislator. Even after that there was an ED raid at my residence. It has to be seen who orchestrated that, Roy said. This is not the first time that Roy had raised such an allegation against a section of his own party leadership of conspiring against him. On March 2, when he raised the similar allegations on ED he was more direct in pin-pointing at the sitting Trinamul Congress Lok Sabha member of Kolkata (North) constituency Sudip Bandyopadhyay and claimed that the latter played a key role in orchestrating the central agencys single-day action at his residence. The Trinamul Congress has demanded single-phase Lok Sabha (LS) elections in West Bengal from the Election Commission of India (ECI). In 2019, LS polls were held in seven phases in the state. A 15-member- full bench of the ECI, headed by the chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Monday held meetings with representatives of eight recognized political parties like Trinamul Congress, BJP, CPM and others separately in the city to hear their suggestions and grievances in connection with parliamentary polls in the state. The commission will announce dates of LS polls in the country any day, probably by 10 March. The full-bench reached Kolkata on Sunday evening to review law and order situations in the state by holding series of meetings with chief electoral officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab, political parties, district magistrates (DMs), superintendents of police (SPs), senior IPS and IAS officers like chief secretary, home secretary and director general of police (DGP) and inspector general of police (IGP) during its three-day-long visit to the state. Advertisement A team of Trinamul Congress representatives, headed by the party MP Kalyan Bandyopadhyay met the full-bench and urged the commission to hold elections on a single day in the state. Elections in our state were held in seven phases to give political advantages to BJP as well as its leaders Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. We have urged the commission for single-phase elections this time and maximum force can be deployed by the commission if the polls are held in a day, said Mr Bandyopadhyay. People are getting scared and could not cast votes because of deployment of central forces. The central forces work as an agent of the BJP. Suvendu Adhikari controls central forces directing them where to go for area patrolling, he alleged. The election commission should work impartially. Apart from ED (Enforcement Directorate) and CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), the commission should control some people in the judiciary who are keeping contacts with BJP, The Trinamul Congress MP said. We have briefed the commission about incidents of massive violence, rigging and false voting during rural body polls in 2023 in the state with direct and indirect support of a section of state government officers, including police personnel. We have urged the commission not to involve these government officers and employees in the poll process this time. Free and fair polls are not possible if these people are engaged again in LS polls, said CPM leader Samik Lahiri, who along with two other leaders of the party met the full-bench today. On the other hand, while holding meetings with DMs and SPs across districts, the CEC Mr Kumar has reportedly asked them not to involve civic volunteers (CVs) with any kind of poll process directly or indirectly in the state. The bench categorically asked DMs and SPs not to suppress facts in connection with any incident of law and order situations in their respective districts before the commission. The commission also alerted the DMs and SPs about fake voters in the state. Suvendu Adhikari, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition on 28 February had lodged a complaint with the CEO office alleging that there are 16 lakh fake voters in the state. It wanted to know about law and situations specifically from Praveen Tripathi, commissioner of Howrah police commissionerate. The bench will hold a series of meetings separately with senior administrative officers like CS B P Gopalika, home secretary Nandini Chakraborty, DGP Rajeev Kumar on Tuesday. An Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation will start a two-day visit to Assam from Tuesday. Their agenda includes meetings with officials, political parties, and organisations to solicit inputs on the forthcoming national elections. Additionally, discussions will be held with state police regarding security arrangements. Simultaneously, the state administration has appealed to the ECI to conduct the elections prior to the Bohag Bihu festival. Advertisement Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also requested for this timing, believing it would foster a more festive and participative electorate. Both the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary Paban Borthakur will emphasise this request during the ECI teams visit. Former Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia joined the BJP on Tuesday, a day after resigning from the grand old party. Expressing anguish over the partys decision to boycott Lord Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, Modhwadia, in the presence of state BJP chief CR Paatil, joined the BJP at the party office here. Among others, former Rajula MLA and one of the strongest Ahir leaders of the Congress, Ambarish Der, who had quit the Congress on Monday, also joined the saffron party. Advertisement State BJP chief Paatil inducted them into the party by offering them saffron caps and scarves. Both the leaders announced their decision to quit the Congress just three days ahead of the scheduled entry of the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Gujarat. Changing his profile on X, Modhwadia expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J P Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others. He said, Today is the beginning of a new political innings of my life. I got associated with politics with the aim of bringing economic and social change in every section of the society. I am confident that I will be successful in pursuing this objective under the capable and strong leadership of PM Modi. After joining the BJP, Modhwadia told the media that akin to the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Saheb (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) before Independence, today the country is being led by two Gujaratis Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Narendra Bhais dream is to make a developed India and the dream of economic and social freedom can be fulfilled only in a developed India, he said. Modhwadia said today, the entire country was supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. The party (Congress) has lost touch with the public and there is no scope for bringing change there. He stated that when the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav of Ram Temple was organised, the invitation given by the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust was rejected by the Congress and public sentiments were insulted. This incident tells us that the Congress leadership has nothing to do with what the people want. Many Congress workers got upset with this, he added. Former Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president and sitting MLA from Porbandar, Modhwadia has been one of the loyal leaders of the grand old party who had risen through ranks and had remained steadfast with the party in Gujarat during its most challenging times. With Modhwadia joining the BJP, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviyas contest from Porbandar would be easier as apart from the Leuva Patidars, the subcaste of Patidars to which Mandaviya belongs, the Mher community dominates the constituency and Arjun Modhwadia is the tallest leader of the community. Former MP Dhananjay Singh was on Tuesday pronounced guilty in the Abhinav Singhal kidnapping case. The hearing on the quantum of punishment will be held on Wednesday. Additional Sessions Judge Sharad Tripathi convicted former MP Dhananjay Singh and Santosh Vikram for kidnapping Abhinav Singhal on May 10, 2020 in the Jaunpur Line Bazaar Police Station area. Advertisement Both the convicted persons have been taken into custody. They will be produced before the court on Wednesday, where the quantum of punishment will be pronounced. Recently, Dhananjay Singh announced his intention to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Jaunpur seat. Dhananjay represented the Jaunpur Lok Sabha seat from 2009 to 2014 as a BSP member and was also an Independent MLA from the Rari seat in Jaunpur from 2002 to 2007. Over a dozen criminal cases are pending against Dhananjay Singh in UP. Muzaffarnagar resident Abhinav Singhal had filed a case against Dhananjay Singh and his partner Santosh Vikram under kidnapping, extortion and other sections at the Line Bazaar Police Station on May 10, 2020. It was alleged that Santosh Vikram, along with his two associates, kidnapped the plaintiff and took him to the residence of the former MP. Dhananjay Singh came there with a pistol and abused the plaintiff. He also pressured him to supply low-quality material. Upon refusal, he threatened and demanded extortion. During the trial, the former MP was arrested in this case but later the Allahabad High Court granted him bail. On the previous date of hearing, Dhananjay Singh and Santosh Vikram had filed a discharge application. They alleged that the case was registered by putting pressure on the plaintiff and that the case diary was filed in the court under pressure from higher officials. The plaintiff did not corroborate the allegation in his statement to the police and under Section 164 statement. The government advocate objected in writing, stating that the case was registered on the written complaint of the plaintiff. On the basis of CCTV footage, CDR, WhatsApp messages, statements of witnesses, the crime against the accused was proven. Pressure was put on the plaintiff to withdraw the case. The court rejected the application of the accused after hearing the arguments of both the parties. Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the ruling dispensation of using the State Bank of India (SBI) as a shield to hide its dubious dealings through electoral bonds. The statement of the Congress chief comes a day after the SBI moved the Supreme Court and sought time till 30th June to furnish electoral bond details to the Election Commission of India (ECI). Notably, the apex court on 15th February while declaring the 2017 electoral bond being violative of Article 19(1)(a) and unconstitutional, had directed the SBI to submit to the poll panel all the details of the electoral bonds purchased since 12th April, 2019, by 6th March. Advertisement Reacting to the latest move of the SBI, the Congress president in a post on X wrote, Modi government is using the largest bank of our country as a shield to hide its dubious dealings through electoral bonds. Referring to the SCs judgement on electoral bonds scheme, Kharge said, No less than the Supreme Court of India had struck down Modi governments black money conversion scheme of electoral bonds, holding it unconstitutional, violative of RTI and Illegal and asking SBI to furnish donor details by 6th March. But the BJP wants it to be done after Lok Sabha (LS) elections. The tenure of this LS will end on 16th June and SBI wants to share the data by 30th June. BJP is the main beneficiary of this fraudulent scheme, he alleged. Isnt the Modi government conveniently hiding BJPs shady dealings where contracts of highways, ports, airports, power plants etc were handed over to Modi jis cronies in lieu of these opaque electoral bonds? Experts say that the 44,434 automated data entries of donors can be divulged and matched in just 24 hours, why does the SBI then need four more months to collate this information?, the Congress chief questioned. Asserting that the Congress party was crystal clear that the electoral bonds scheme was opaque, undemocratic and destroyed level playing field, he said, But the Modi government, PMO and FM bulldozed every institution RBI, Election Commission, Parliament and Opposition to fill BJPs coffers. Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, attacking the ruling BJP further said, Now a desperate Modi government, clutching on straws, is trying to use SBI to bulldoze the Supreme Courts judgement. The Gururam Police arrested the manager of a restaurant in connection with an incident where five people were hospitalised after vomiting and burning sensation in their mouths allegedly after consuming a mouth freshener offered to them at the restaurant. The manager was produced before a court and a case was registered by the police in this matter. The police said they would be asking the owner of the cafe-cum-restaurant to join the investigation. A video of the incident had gone viral on social media where the five are purportedly seen vomiting blood. Advertisement Three of the five persons have been discharged from the hospital while two of them are still under treatment but are stable. According to the police, as per a complaint, the five persons had been offered a mouth freshener post meal on March 2, and after eating the same they started vomiting and also felt a burning sensation in their mouth. The police have registered a case under sections 328 and 120B against the owner and the staff of the restaurant, while a further probe was underway in the matter, the police added. It is being said that due to negligence of the restaurant staff dry ice was offered by mistake, but there was no bad intention behind it. The arrested manager joined the restaurant namely Laforestta in Sector 90 three months ago and was a resident of Delhis Kirti Nagar. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy and the state home minister on Tuesday received a threat email which also demanded USD 2.5 million. What are your thoughts on the movie trailer? If you dont provide us with 2.5 million dollars, we will cause large explosions on buses, trains, temples, hotels and public areas throughout Karnataka, the mail read. We want to show you one more trailer. We are going to explode the next one in the Ambari Utsav bus. After the Ambari Utsav bus blast, we will raise our demands on social media. And will upload screenshots of the mail sent to you on social media. We will tweet information about the next explosion, it stated. Advertisement Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the police are investigating. Meanwhile, the Bengaluru City Crime Branch police have registered a case in this connection. The state police had earlier arrested Mohammed Rasool Kaddare for posting a video on social media in which he threatened to kill PM Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The arrest was made after an FIR was registered in Surpur police station in Karnatakas Yadgiri. The accused was booked under sections 505(1)(b), 25(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act at Yadgiris Surpur police station. Notably, the threat comes a few days after the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in the Whitefield area of the city. BJP leader Nalin Kohli alleged such elements have suddenly started coming up in Karnataka who want to say Pakistan Zindabad, issue life threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and who are planting bombs in a restaurant. A 31-year-old Kerala man was killed and two more Indians were injured in a missile attack by Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon in Northern Israel, the Israeli Embassy in India confirmed on Tuesday. The deceased has been indentified as Nibin Maxwell, son of Pathrose Maxwell, from Keralas Kollam district. The injured persons are also said to be from Kerala. In a statement, the Israeli embassy said that the deceased worked as an agriculture worker and was cultivating an orchard at northern village of Margaliot when the attack took place on Monday afternoon l. 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. Our prayers and thoughts naturally go to the families of the bereaved and those of the injured, the embassy said. The embassy said that medical teams are treating the injured and assured all the help and support to families of the victims. 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 embassy in India said. Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terrorist organisation, has carried out several attacks on Israel ever since the country launched a war against Hamas. According to the Israel Defence Forces, at least 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Western Galilee on Monday. Some of the missiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system. Within hours of the Bombay High Court acquitted Delhi University Professor G N Saibaba and four others, accused of alleged links with Maoist outfit and indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country, the Maharashtra government has approached the Supreme Court against the acquittal order on Tuesday. The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court passed the acquittal order today (Tuesday) morning. The bench comprising Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Valmiki SA Menezes acquitted Prof. Saibaba and others, setting aside the sessions courts order convicting him and others charged under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The sessions court had convicted Saibaba and others in 2017. Besides being accused of their alleged links with Maoist outfit, Prof Saibaba and others were accused of allegedly indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country. Advertisement This is the second time the Bombay High Court acquitted Prof Saibaba a wheelchair-bound and 99 per cent disabled. Earlier on October 14, 2022, the high court had acquitted Prof Saibaba and four others while setting aside the trial court judgment convicting them under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Prof. Saibaba and others are serving life imprisonment. However, on October 15, 20223 (Saturday), the apex court in a special sitting stayed the acquittal order by the high court. Later on April 19, 2023, the Supreme Court set aside the October 14, 2022, acquittal order and remanded the case back to the high court for fresh hearing. The Bombay High Court reheard Prof Saibabas challenge to the trial court order convicting him and others. Today the High Court acquitted Prof. Saibaba once again. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijani journalist Azer Khalilov has been awarded the Order For Service to Motherland of the III degree for long-year productive activity in the media in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a corresponding decree in this regard. Will be updated Lashing out at the Opposition on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said for them it was always family first but for him, it is nation first and promised that he will take India to new heights in the entire world. I am giving you a guarantee that in the next few years, we will make India, the third largest economy in the world Today you are seeing how India is reaching new heights by becoming a ray of hope in the entire world, he said addressing a public rally in Sangareddy. Modi unveiled several development projects worth Rs 7,200 crore at Sangareddy in Telangana. Advertisement Continuing his onslaught of the INDI alliance for making no family remark against him, he said, Today, when Modi is busy fulfilling the guarantees given to you and your family, Congress and its allies have come out to abuse Modi and his family. On Sunday, launching a frontal attack on Modi in his recent comments on dynastic politics, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said Prime Minister Modi often attacks the Opposition over Parivarwaad since he himself has no family. What can we do if Narendra Modi does not have a family of his own, he asked. In response to Lalu Prasads remark, Prime Minister Modi has said that 140 crore countrymen were his family. He said that the leaders of INDIA alliance parties were fuming because he was questioning their dynastic politics and that the entire country was his family. The reason for this is because I am exposing their scams worth hundreds of thousands of rupees. I am raising my voice against the nepotism of these people, he stated. He said his party has fulfilled all promises. Be it the abrogation of Article 370 or the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, all the guarantees that we gave, have been delivered, he pointed out. Modi said India is today the worlds fastest-growing economy and promised that Today, I want to give you one more guarantee- In upcoming years, we will make India the worlds third largest economy. Today 140 crore people are committed to building a developed India and for a developed India, it is equally important to have modern infrastructure. In this years budget, we have given Rs 11 lakh crore for infrastructure. It is our endeavour that Telangana gets maximum benefit from it, he said. Modi said, Telangana is called the Gateway for South India. Work is being done on the electrification of railways. Six new stations have also been made. These developments will have a spillover effect on the economy of Telangana and the surrounding regions Soon after the Prime Ministers statement at a rally in Adilabad in Telangana yesterday, BJP leaders and ministers had changed their X profile name to read Modi ka parivar indicating a campaign similar to the Main bhi chowkidar launched by the Saffron party in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday today congratulated Mr Shehbaz Sharif on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Congratulations to Shehbaz Sharif on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Modi posted on X. Mr Sharif took oath as Pakistans PM for a second term on Monday, capping weeks of political uncertainty in the neighbouring country, which is battling an unprecedented economic crisis. Advertisement Soon after he was elected, Mr Sharif raised the Kashmir issue in the National Assembly, suggesting that there might not be much change in his countrys policy on Kashmir. In any case, any possibility of the resumption of the stalled dialogue between the two countries any time soon is ruled out since India is scheduled to witness the Lok Sabha elections in April-May. In Pakistan too, Mr Sharif would first like to consolidate his position before taking a position on dialogue with India. Mr Sharifs elder brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, had established a good equation with PM Modi when he was at the helm. It was during his stewardship of Pakistan that Mr Modi paid a surprise visit to Lahore on 25 December, 2015, raising hopes of a new beginning in ties between the two nations. However, within a week of the Indian leaders visit to the neighbouring country, an IAF base at Pathankot was attacked by Pakistan-based terrorists, putting paid to any hopes of the revival of the dialogue. India conducted surgical strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan in September 2016 and air strikes in Balakot in February 2019. Things took a turn for the worse between the two nations when India abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, stripping it of its special status on August 5, 2019. An incensed Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with India, suspending the then-Indian High Commissioner. New Delhi, however, made it clear to Pakistan and its supporters in the Islamic world that there was no question of reversing its decision on J & K. Since then, the bilateral relationship has been in deep freeze. However, the return of a member of the Sharif family to the PMs post has given rise to speculation that Pakistan may want to return to the negotiating table as that would be in its own larger interest to confront the economic and security challenges it is currently faced with. The Opposition Congress on Tuesday condemned its INDIA bloc partner DMKs MP A Rajas purported remarks against Lord Ram. According to BJPs Amit Malviya, A Raja purportedly said that India is not a nation and that he doesnt believe in Ram or Ramayana. Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, I 100 percent disagree with his remarks. From this platform, I condemn such a statement. I believe Ram belongs to everyone and is all encompassing. The Congress leader further said that Lord Ram is above communities and religions. Advertisement I believe that Ram, who was called Imam-e-Hind, is above communities, religions and castes. Ram is an ideal of living life. Ram is dignity, Ram is ethics, Ram is love. I completely condemn this statement, it could be his (Rajas) statement, I do not support it. I condemn it and I think people should exercise restraint while talking, she said. What A Raja said? According to the purported video shared by Malviya, A Raja said: If you say this is God. If this is your Jai Sri Ram, if this is your Bharat Mata Ki Jai, we will never accept that Jai Sri Ram and Bharat Mata. Tamil Nadu wont accept. You go and tell, were enemies of Ram. I dont have faith in Ramayana, and lord Ram. If you say that in the name of the Ramayana is human harmony, where four brothers are born as siblings, one Kuravar as brother, one Hunter as brother, another monkey as another brother, another monkey as the 6th brother, then your Jai Sri Ram is Chi! Idiots! Following his remarks, BJP launched a scathing attack at the Opposition and questioned Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka (Gandhi Vadra), Mallikarjun Kharge, do you consider it (Rajas remarks) right? he asked. The BJP has also called for the arrest of the DMK MP over his purported anti-Hindu and anti-India remarks. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered Rs 5-6 billion commission scam in Chhattisgarh in the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, predominantly centered in the Korba district, amidst a statewide DMF scandal. The DMF, established to benefit communities affected by mining activities, has been the subject of widespread embezzlement. Its funds, mandated by law, are intended to support development projects and alleviate the socio-economic impact of mining on local communities. In an official statement, the ED disclosed extensive search operations conducted across 13 locations in Chhattisgarh on March 1, 2024, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The searches were aimed at investigating the DMF scandal and uncovering the intricate web of corruption surrounding it. Advertisement The investigation was prompted by multiple FIRs filed by the Chhattisgarh Police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, implicating government officials, political figures, and contractors in the misappropriation of government funds allocated for DMF projects. This misuse has raised serious concerns about systemic corruption across the state. During the probe, it came to light that contractors paid exorbitant commissions ranging from 25 to 40 per cent of the contract value to officials and political figures in the state. Cash transactions were facilitated through real estate deals, exacerbating the scale of corruption. The Korba district alone received a staggering Rs 2,000 crore in DMF funds by the financial year 2022-23, with estimated commissions amounting to a whopping Rs 500 to 600 crore. The search operations led to cash seizures totaling approximately 27 lakh, alongside the confiscation of incriminating digital and documentary evidence. The investigation remains ongoing, with a concerted effort to hold accountable those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds. Former collector of Korba, Ranu Sahu, is presently in jail for alleged involvement in coal levy cases. Since the enactment of the DMF Act in 2015, Korba district alone has received annual deposits of 20 billion rupees in DMF funds. However, rampant misuse of these funds has been observed, implicating many senior officers who served during this period. The ED probe is targeting lower-level officials in the administration, signaling a potential crackdown on corruption across multiple districts. An impartial investigation could lead to accountability not only in Korba but also among collectors, officials from various departments, politicians, and contractors across the state. State bureaucrats, starting from district magistrates, superintendents of police and senior IAS and IPS officers, who are involved in the poll process, will have to maintain absolute impartiality, transparency and accessibility for all political parties ensuring, said the chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar at a press meet on Tuesday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) will take strong action if any partisan attitude among the bureaucracy is found during the poll process, warned Mr Kumar. The full-bench of the ECI headed by Mr Kumar reached the state on Sunday evening. Advertisement While speaking to reporters today, Mr Kumar said, We have heard about the partisan attitude of the state bureaucracy, especially within the lower ranks. We have instructed the district administration to maintain and establish a level playing field. If they do not, we will make them do it. Even then, if they wont comply we will take strict action. We have met all political parties, state and central enforcement agencies during these days. The state nodal officer, ECI nodal officer and state chief electoral officer will decide where and how much central force should be deployed in West Bengal. Similarly, the district administration like DMs and SPs will be responsible for deploying central forces, he added. The poll panel also stressed that observers- details of whom will be made public to ensure transparency must actively visit polling booths , interact with poling agents and promptly address any irregularities. The Indian Navy on rescued a merchant vessel that came under a drone attack in the Gulf of Aden and saved the lives of 23 people, including 13 Indians. In a statement, the Navy said that it received a distress call from Liberian-flagged commercial ship MSCSkyII on March 4. INS Kolkata, mission deployed in the region for maritime security operations, promptly responded and arrived at the scene of the incident by 10.30 pm, the Navy statement read. Advertisement A part of the ship caught fire after the drone attack. The Indian Navy sent a team of specialised fire fighters from INS Kolkata, who successfully doused the flames and escorted it to safe waters. A specialised firefighting team of 12 personnel from INS Kolkata embarked the vessel early morning hours of March 5 to assist in the firefighting efforts. Specialist EOD Team also embarked the vessel and provided assistance in residual risk assessment, it said. #IndianNavy swiftly responds to a Maritime Incident in #GulfofAden Liberian-flagged MV #MSCSkyII transiting approximately 90 Nm South East of Aden was reported on fire due to drone/ missile attack PM 04 Mar. #INSKolkata, mission deployed in the region for maritime security pic.twitter.com/AG15Krocjr SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 5, 2024 There were 23 people, including 13 Indians, onboard the ship at the time of the incident. Navy said that they all have been escorted to safe waters. In the sprawling landscape of Indian agriculture, where nearly two-thirds of the population depends on farming, the Union government finds itself grappling with a recurring challenge ~ the discontent of protesting farmers. The recent resumption of farmers protests, albeit currently contained, unveils a complex web of issues that could disrupt the political equilibrium in the lead-up to the elections. The heart of the matter lies in Indias convoluted farm policy, a delicate balance between providing affordable food to many among its still predominantly impoverished population and the welfare of the farmers. The colossal annual expenditure on free food grains for over 800 million people is a testament to the governments commitment to food security. However, this lifeline to consumers inadvertently ties the government to farmers, making it a crucial customer in a system fraught with challenges. The proposed reforms in 2021 sought to untangle this web by liberalising the agricultural sector. The intention was to empower farmers with greater control over their produce and the ability to navigate market fluctuations through stockpiling. However, the resistance was palpable. Farmers in northern India, benefiting from subsidies and price guarantees, were hesitant, fearing a loss of privileges in the wake of increased competition. Smaller farmers, already grappling with economic uncertainty, dreaded the potential squeeze from larger competitors. Fast forward to 11 February 2024, when farmers from Punjab and Haryana declared another march to Delhi. Advertisement Their demand for higher guaranteed prices for all produce, coupled with calls for increased minimum wages and pensions, echoed the unresolved issues from the 2021 protests. The governments response this time, however, reflected a calculated effort to maintain control from the outset. While critics argue that the governments firm stance stifles democratic expression, the strategic containment has prevented a recurrence of chaotic scenes witnessed three years ago. The blocking of social media accounts, internet shutdowns, and a robust police presence underline the governments commitment to avoid a repeat of the Red Fort incident. Yet, beneath the surface, the disquiet among farmers persists. Rejecting the governments offer of minimum prices on select crops for five years, the farmers remain resolute. The lack of unity among them, evident in the absence of groups that orchestrated the 2021 protests, may offer temporary relief for the government. Still, it does little to address the root causes of dissatisfaction. As plans for another protest loom in March, coinciding with the anticipated election announcement, the government stands at a critical juncture. The failure of the attempted overhaul in 2020 continues to cast a shadow, and without a comprehensive solution, the farmers grievances are bound to resurface. The government must tread carefully, recognising that these protests, though currently contained, symbolise a persistent headache that demands more than just strategic containment. It requires a substantive, inclusive resolution that addresses the nuanced challenges ingrained in Indias agriculture. In mid-February, India and Taiwan signed an agreement on migration and mobility, enabling Indian workers to seek employment on the island. Taiwan faces shortfall of workers in the fields of manufacturing, construction and agriculture. The industries, the number of jobs, he expertise necessary, language skills and recruitment procedures have yet to be finalised. It appears that the Taiwanese government would determine these, while the Indian government would conduct training. The first lot is expected to be recruited from the North East which has similarity in religion and food habits. It is expected that there would be a pilot scheme prior to implementing the accord. Overall, about 100,000 will be ultimately hired. Unofficial inputs indicate that there is also an increased demand for caregivers to cater for the aging Taiwanese population. Taiwan, like China and other parts of the world, has an aging population and low birth rates, resulting in a reduced work force. Thus, Taiwan is compelled to import labour to enable its economy to continue flourishing. Apart from India, it also sources skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. During PM Modis visit to Israel in May 2023, a similar agreement for 42,000 migrant workers was inked. There are already over 18,000 Indians in Israel, either as students or caregivers. In January this year, an Israeli team selected approximately 6,000 workers with more expected to be approved shortly. With the suspension of work visas to Palestinians the numbers are only likely to increase. Taiwan has promised pay parity with local labour as also insurance policies. Advertisement Taipei is aware of hardworking Indian labour which contributed to the economies of Middle East nations and hence seeks them. The agreement would benefit both countries. The Indian government is working towards building India as a global destination for skilled and semiskilled workforce. The nation most irked by this agreement, solely because it has been ignored, is China, which considers Taiwan as its part and has repeatedly warned of unifying it by any means, including use of force. China always believed it had the first lien over Taiwan. For China, Indians in Taiwan would add to concern, as it would imply closer Indo-Taiwanese ties. China objects to any nation enhancing ties with Taiwan. Beijing desperately worked to create an anti-India image in Taiwan exploiting its media network and social media influencers. A Chinese news portal, Chinanews.com stated, Will 100,000 Indians flock to Taiwan? Taiwanese authorities confirm the introduction of Indian migrant workers sparking opposition on the Island. Chinese social media site Weibo went berserk accusing Indian workers of being involved in sexual assault cases in Singapore. An influencer warned, women in Taiwan should try not to go out at night. Another mentioned that the Taiwanese government is attempting to dilute Chinese culture through intermarriage and allowing Indian men to replace Taiwanese men. The proposal was also compared to the move of African and Asian slaves moved to meet agricultural labour demands of colonies in the West Indies and the US. Mainland Chinese media even stated that many Taiwanese were protesting the governments actions. There were doubts within Taiwan but these were well handled by the Taiwanese government. While trade between India and Taiwan has been growing, touching USD 8.5 billion in 2022, Taiwan is hoping to gain from actively exploiting the immense Indian market. Taiwan is currently pursuing a New Southbound Policy, which implies moving manufacturing away from the Chinese mainland, into South Asian nations. Foxconn, a prominent Apple supplier, has established an iPhone manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu and is planning another in Karnataka. India is also requesting Taiwanese semiconductor companies to establish their manufacturing plants in India. The Indo-Taiwan agreement comes at a time when tensions with China are high and the border dispute lingers. Simultaneously, India continues with its anti-China stance in global forums. The presence of three former service chiefs at Taiwans Ketagalan Forum, a Taipei sponsored Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue, in August last year, on the invitation of the Taiwanese government and approved by New Delhi, did not go unnoticed by Beijing. Admiral Karambir Singh, the former naval chief, was the only active Indian participant in a panel discussion. He warned: In the event a conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Straits, it will certainly not be contained within the Straits, and well have serious geopolitical and economic consequences globally and, to my mind, much more serious than the effects of the Ukraine conflict. India, whose economic trade is seabound will be impacted. The visit of former chiefs only confirmed Indias determination to counter China. Indias refusal to normalize ties till troop deployment reverts to pre-April 2020 positions adds to the ongoing rift. Indias confidence stems from its growing economy, military power and alignment with the West, largely the US. Unofficially, the pact also questions Indias One China policy. In another pro-Taiwan move this year, the government recognized Foxconn Group CEO and Chairman Young Liu with a Padma Bhushan. He was the only foreigner in the list this year. As is the case with Israel currently and with Ukraine recently, India would remain concerned about its workforce being caught in a warzone, in case China plans a military operation to unify Taiwan. However, currently such a threat is unlikely. A major benefit is that both India and Taiwan have disputes with China as also seek to reduce their dependence on it. With IndiaChina relations strained, there could not have been a better opportunity to enhance ties with Taiwan. For China, which faces hostility from both nations, the concern which has always remained is of the two cooperating in the security realm. The fact that the Indian delegation at the Ketagalan Forum also held a closeddoor meeting with the Institute of National Defence and Security Research, a Taiwanese think tank, made this aspect evident. Both India and Taiwan appear to have overcome their appease- China positions. Engagement between the two has moved beyond just trade and minimal diplomatic engagement. Both are aware that any Chinese military action against either would be a warning to the other. Further, both have close ties with the US. Growing Indo-Taiwan relationship is also a fallout of Chinese offensive policies. (The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.) As Mitch McConnell steps down from his role as the Senate Republican leader, it marks not only the conclusion of a historic tenure but also a poignant moment in the GOPs ideological evolution. Mr McConnells announcement, delivered with a mix of reflection and determination, hints at the seismic shifts underway within the party, torn between the traditional conservatism of the late Ronald Reagan and the unapologetic populism championed by former President Donald Trump. At 82, Mr McConnells decision to relinquish the leadership position he has held for almost two decades sends ripples through the political landscape. The Senate, where he once found himself on the back benches in awe, has been the stage for his strategic prowess, navigating the turbulent waters of a party grappling with internal convulsions and ideological disarray. The Kentucky senators departure underscores the powerful ideological transition within the Republican Party. Mr McConnell, known for his tactical skill and ability to understand the diverse needs of his fellow Republicans, faced growing pressure from a restive faction firmly aligned with Mr Trump. The rift between Mr McConnell and the former President deepened in 2020 when the former refused to endorse Mr Trumps claims of election fraud. The senators emotional announcement, citing personal introspection triggered by the recent death of his wifes sister, adds a human touch to the political narrative. Mr McConnells career, filled with ups and downs, highlights his resilience and determination to uphold what he perceives as the core values of American exceptionalism. His decision to stay on until the end of his Senate term in 2027, albeit from a different seat, reaffirms his commitment to public service. The timing of Mr McConnells departure raises questions. While he attributes it to a moment of clarity, observers wonder about the underlying factors at play. His recent health issues, including a concussion from a fall and episodes of facial freezing during speeches, have been downplayed by aides, emphasising that his decision is unrelated to health concerns. As Mr McConnell bows out, the Republican Party faces a future at a crossroads. Mr Trumps influence looms large, pulling the party further to the ideological right. The GOP, now on a clear glidepath to Trumps nomination, finds itself in a delicate dance between embracing the new face of the party and preserving elements of its traditional conservatism. Mr McConnell, in his farewell, emphasizes the need for the next generation of leadership to define its identity. Advertisement In the wake of Mr McConnells announcement, the Republican Party faces a moment of reckoning, a crucial juncture that will shape its trajectory for years to come. The departure of the longestserving Senate leader in history leaves an indelible mark on the GOP, raising questions about the path it will take and the leaders who will guide it into an uncertain future. US Vice President Kamala Harris has met with a member of Israels cabinet prosecuting the war in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire and the increase and safe distribution of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in need. Harris meeting with Benny Gantz, former Israeli defence minister and deputy prime minister, came on Monday one day after she gave what appeared to be the most strongly-worded call to date from the Joe Biden administration for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Xinhua news agency reported. The Vice President discussed the urgency of achieving a hostage deal and welcomed Israels constructive approach to the hostage talks, said a readout of the meeting issued by the White House. Advertisement She called on Hamas to accept the terms on the table whereby the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire, it added. Harris also expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza, the readout said, referring to an incident Thursday that killed scores of Palestinians trying to get food from an aid convoy in Gaza City. As a result, the civilian death toll since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza surpassed 30,000. The Israeli military said on Sunday that most of those killed in the chaotic event died from a stampede, while Palestinian-run local health authorities said those sent to hospitals were shot by large-calibre ammunition. During her meeting with Gantz, Harris urged Israel to take additional measures in cooperation with the United States and international partners to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure its safe distribution to those in need, the readout said. Gantzs visit came amid a growing rift between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the latters handling of the war. Gantz is a political opponent of Netanyahu, but the two have reached a deal whereby they agree to share power in planning the military operation against Hamas. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Agil Gurbanov continues its visit to Qatar, engaging in discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The discussion covered the current status and prospects of collaboration between the two countries in military and military-technical areas, along with other matters of mutual interest. The delegation is on a visit to Qatar to participate in the 8th Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) organized by Qatar Armed Forces. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel One Indian worker was killed, and two others injured in a missile attack by the Hezbollah militant group in Margaliot in Israel. This is the first reported death of an Indian near Israels border with Lebanon in several years. The attack took place on Monday evening. The deceased was identified as Nibin Maxwell, a 31-year-old resident of Vady in Keralas Kollam. Seven others were grievously injured in the rocket attack. Two of the injured hail from Kerala and were identified as Joseph George and Paul Melvin. Advertisement Nibin Maxwells father told IANS that he had left for Israel in January and that his elder brother Nivin was also working there. He said that the family was informed about the death around Monday midnight. Kerala Police sources when contacted told IANS that the body was expected to reach Kerala in four days. Maxwell is survived by his wife, who is seven months pregnant and a five-year-old daughter. The Embassy of Israel in India mourned the death and 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 yesterday early afternoon. The statement further 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. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, around 18,000 Indians continue to reside in Israel despite the advisory issued in October that had prompted India to undertake the evacuation of several batches of Indians. After some days the evacuation was paused. Israel has suspended work permits for thousands of Palestinians because of the ongoing conflict leading to vacancies in a large number of positions. India and Israel had signed an agreement in May 2023 for 42,000 Indian workers to be absorbed into the Israeli economy. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Variable clouds with snow showers that will mix with rain showers later. High 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy with rain and snow showers this evening. Remaining cloudy overnight. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 50%. Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels have 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 The Webster Mill building on Broadway in North Attleboro was razed Monday, putting an end to fears about safety and fire. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Within the framework of the visit of the delegation led by the head of the Austrian National Council's Austria-South Caucasus Parliamentary Group Andreas Minnich to Azerbaijan, the members of the delegation visited the city of Aghdam liberated from occupation, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Parliament. The members of the delegation witnessed the consequences of vandalism committed by Armenia during the occupation of Azerbaijani lands. The Austrian delegation was accompanied by the head of the Azerbaijani Parliament working group on inter-parliamentary relations with Austria Tahir Mirkishili and other officials. During the visit, the delegation got acquainted with the complex Imarat of Panahali-Khan in Aghdam, Juma Mosque, visited the ruins of the Aghdam State Drama Theater, familiarized with the reconstruction and construction works carried out by the Azerbaijani state after the liberation of the city from the Armenian occupation. The members of the delegation were provided with detailed information about the war crimes of Armenia, the destruction of cultural and historical monuments, and religious monuments, installation of a large number of mines in these territories. It was informed that before the Armenian occupation, Aghdam was one of the biggest and most developed cities not only in the Karabakh region but also in the whole of Azerbaijan. Armenians looted, destroyed, and burned residential houses, public buildings, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and industrial enterprises in the occupied city of Aghdam and villages of the region. Armenian vandals even destroyed the Alley of Martyrs and cemeteries. The delegation was also informed about the construction-restoration works carried out after the liberation of the city from occupation, and the general plan of Aghdam was demonstrated. Then the delegation visited the headquarters of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the territories included in the Garabagh economic region liberated from occupation and met with Special Representative Emin Huseynov. Yesterday, on March 4, the delegation visited the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) in Baku, honored the memory of heroic sons and daughters of Azerbaijan who died in the fight for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and laid flowers at their tombs. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Job Title: Audio Visual Technician Organisation: United States US Embassy, US Mission in Uganda Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Salary: UGX 44,197,171 /= Per Year Position Number: Kampala-2024-006 Reports to: Customer Service Supervisor About US Embassy: The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda has enjoyed diplomatic relations with Uganda for over 30 years. Ambassador Natalie E. Brown currently heads the U.S Mission to Uganda. The Mission is composed of several offices and organizations all working under the auspices of the Embassy and at the direction of the Ambassador. Among the offices operating under the U.S Mission to Uganda are: United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Peace Corps Job Summary: Under the supervision of the Customer Service Supervisor, the Audio Visual Technician serves as the main authority in the specialized areas of multimedia technology and digital video conferencing and is a subject matter expert with mobile computing devices for US Embassy Kampala. The Audio / Visual Technician will set up, operate, and maintain equipment used to support multimedia events (Digital Video Conferences (DVCs), and presentations) as well as official cable/satellite TV systems, satellite installations and video displays. Incumbent will also manage the Haivision digital signage program at the Embassy, which encompasses teaching selected end-users on how to use the system to promote their offices and programs and managing the overall project. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. The applicants for the United States US Embassy Audio Visual Technician job opportunity should have completed two years of college/university studies in Audio/Visual Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science, or Broadcast Engineering. Required. At least five years of progressively responsible experience in audio visual and multimedia applications is required. The job holder should have very good knowledge of internal procedures, USG regulations or written policies as it pertains to his/her area (IRM Policies and Standards, System Security Standards number for unclassified systems and Technical manuals). Must have a good knowledge of the operational environment and have a good understanding of Uganda legal and professional procedures and practices pertaining to radio frequencies and Information Technology. Technical knowledge of mobile computing and digital video conferencing operations is required. In addition to historical knowledge, the incumbent must stay abreast of new and emerging technology developments. Good knowledge of IT networks and component equipment is required for entry at full grade level. Knowledge of telephone standards and telecommunications technology required. Position requires developed dexterity and accuracy for installing, troubleshooting or repairing equipment. Ability to analyze and resolve complex technical and logistic problems related to multimedia equipment is required. Ability to communicate orally and convey technical information to both experts and lay people and train and direct others in the operation of DVC equipment is required. Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage a wide range of activities to meet program goals, priorities, and deadlines is required. Incumbent is required to be able to diagnose and solve problems in a timely matter. Must be able to lift and carry heavy objects up to 50 pounds. Must be able to use Microsoft Suites; and proprietary software such as Crestron Fusion (can remotely control equipment in conference room and also synchronizes Outlook calendars with the scheduling touch panel outside each room). Be proficient in using communication apps, the like of WhatsApp, Teams, Zoom and Google meet etc is required. Good knowledge of IT networks and component equipment is required. Language: Level III (Good Working Knowledge) speaking/writing/reading English is required. How to Apply: All those interested in working with the United States Embassy, US Mission in Kampala should send their applications online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 21st March 2024 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Bengaluru granted the city police three-day custody of the accused held in connection with raising pro-Pakistan slogans after the Rajya Sabha polls recently. The accused were arrested on Monday night based on a Forensic Science Laboratory report from government-run lab. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru Central Division said the accused were arrested based on the FSL report, available witnesses and evidence. According to police, one of the accused hails from RT Nagar in Bengaluru, the second one from Byadagi in Haveri district and the third accused is from Delhi. The accused from Byadagi is said to be a chilli merchant, PTI reported. Supporters of Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha after his victory in the Rajya Sabha elections, an incident which triggered a political slugfest between the ruling Congress and BJP. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered an investigation by a government-run FSL to check the veracity of the allegations. The Karnataka BJP, citing an investigation report of a private forensic science laboratory claimed "Pakistan zindabad" slogan was indeed shouted after the victory of a Congress candidate in the recently held Rajya Sabha elections on Monday. However, the Karnataka government refused to accept the report findings saying it was prepared by a private lab, in favour of the BJP. Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the FSL report does not say who raised the slogans. "They have just said that it has been confirmed and there is no intervention of any kind, it is a straightforward continuous video. They have examined and confirmed that there was shouting like 'Pakistan Zindabad' and based on that we have identified three persons and arrested them." On asked why the report isn't being made public, Parameshwara said, "We did not want to. We waited one or two days because other reports had to come. Based on the FSL report, we have arrested three people." -with PTI inputs. In a major setback to the Mamata Banerjee government, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the attack on the Enforcement Directorate officials at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal on January 15. The high court also handed over the custody of Shahjahan Sheikh, who was arrested by the state police on February 29 on charges of land grabbing and sexual atrocities on women, to the CBI. A division bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam directed that the directions be complied with by 4.30 pm on Tuesday. "The 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," the bench observed. Hours after the high court gave its order, the state government challenged it in the Supreme Court. The ED team, which had arrived at Sandeshkhali to search the premises of Sheikh in a ration scam case, was attacked and chased away by a mob allegedly affiliated to the TMC leader on January 15. Sheikh had been on the run for more than a month following the incident, even as several women in the village took to the streets alleging that the TMC leader and his followers had illegally stolen their land and had been sexually abusing them. The case was being probed by the West Bengal Police. On January 17, the high court ordered the formation of a special investigation team of the CBI and the state police to probe the mob attack on the ED officials. Both the ED and the West Bengal government, however, had filed separate appeals, challenging the order. The opposition INDIA bloc has once again found itself on the receiving end of the controversial remarks made by the leaders of its southern ally, the DMK. After Udhayanidhi Marans Sanatan Dharma remark, senior DMK MP A. Raja has sparked off a political outrage after he said hes an "enemy of Lord Ram". Speaking at a public event at Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, the former union minister said he doesnt believe in Lord Ram or the Ramayana. Raja was referring to the Jai Shri Ram chants raised by the supporters of Bilkis Bano case convicts when they were released from jail in August 2022. If this is what the chants of Jai Sri Ram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai stand for, we will never accept it. Tamil Nadu will not accept it. If you want, you go ahead and say we are enemies of Lord Ram, Raja was quoted as saying by media reports. In another controversial statement that angered the BJP and other right-wing groups, Raja remarked in the same speech that India is not a nation but a subcontinent. "What's the reason? Here, Tamil is one nation and one country. Malayalam is one language, one nation and one country. Oriya is one nation, one language and one country. All such national races constitute India. So, India is not a country; it is a subcontinent that has various practices, traditions and cultures. In a sharp reaction, the BJP accused the DMK leaders of continuously making hate speeches and questioned the silence of the INDIA bloc partners. "The hate speeches from DMK's stable continue unabated. After Udhayanidhi Stalin's call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for the balkanization of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris, and questions the idea of India as a nation, BJP in-charge of IT wing Amit Malviya said in a post on X. "Congress and other I.N.D.I. Alliance partners are quiet. Rahul Gandhi, their putative Prime Ministerial candidate's silence is eloquent, he added. Senior BJP leader and former union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said insulting India's ethos publicly and humiliating Hindu gods has become the hallmark of the DMKs political agenda. We vehemently condemn such remarks. The DMK should not assume they can escape scrutiny for such statements. Listen Raja Saheb, this time the election results in Tamil Nadu will be very surprising, Prasad said. As the political storm raged, the Congress condemned Rajas remarks and asserted that one should exercise restraint while speaking. "I 100 per cent disagree with his remarks. From this platform, I condemn such a statement. I believe Ram belongs to everyone and is all-encompassing," Supriya Shrinate, a Congress spokesperson, said. Interestingly, Rajas controversial remarks came a day after the Supreme Court on Monday rebuked Udhayanidhi Stalin over his "eradicate Sanatan dharma" remark and asked why he moved the court with his plea for clubbing together the FIRs filed against him after abusing his right to freedom of speech and expression. On a day the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe into the Sandeshkhali violence to the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday provisionally attached assets worth Rs 12.78 crore of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh. The assets were attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in the ongoing investigations against Shahjahan and others. The attached properties include 14 immovable properties in the nature of apartment, agriculture land, land for fisheries, land and buildings, etc. in Gram Serberia, Sandeshkhali, and Kolkata, the agency said, adding that two bank accounts have also been attached. The ED initiated an investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police under various sections of IPC Act, 1860 Arms Act, 1959, SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and the West Bengal State Highways Act against Shahajahan Seikh and others, which include heinous offences in the nature of giving threats of injury, murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and grabbing land of the general public. On January 15, a team of Enforcement Directorate officials, which had arrived in Sandeshkhali to search the premises of Sheikh in a ration scam case, was attacked and chased away by a mob allegedly affiliated to the TMC leader. Sheikh had been on the run for more than a month following the incident, even as several women in the village took to the streets, alleging that the TMC leader and his followers had illegally stolen their land and had been sexually abusing them. He was arrested by the West Bengal Police on February 29. The ED says its investigations have revealed that the proceeds of crime acquired by Shahjahan by the commission of criminal activities relating to scheduled offences as mentioned in the above FIRs are being held, possessed, disguised, and concealed by Shahjahan in the form of various movable and immovable properties. The Congress has hit out at the government over the State Bank of India (SBI) approaching the Supreme Court seeking an extension to disclose details of each electoral bond, stating that it hinted at the government's efforts to " hide the 'donation business". Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to raise apprehensions over the move. He posted: "Narendra Modi has put his entire force in order to hide the 'donation business'. When the Supreme Court has stated that it is the right of the people of the country to know the truth about electoral bonds, then why does the SBI not want this information to be made public before the elections?" the former Congress chief said. He added that asking for time till June 30 to provide information that can be retrieved in one click shows that the whole matter is fishy. "Every independent organisation of the country is becoming part of the 'Modani family' in trying to cover up their corruption," Gandhi alleged, adding, "This is the 'last-ditch attempt' to hide Modi's 'real face' before the elections." The SBI approached the top court on Monday, seeking an extension of time till June 30 to disclose details of each electoral bond encashed by political parties. In the plea filed before the court, the bank argued that the retrieval of information from "each silo" and the procedure of matching the information of one silo to that of the other would be a time-consuming exercise. In its verdict last month, the top court directed the SBI to furnish the details to the poll panel by March 6. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also slammed the government over the issue. "Aap chronology samjhiye: first elections, then disclosure of electoral bonds. What makes the ruling party so nervous about revealing the source of its bottomless campaign finance coffers?" he asked in a post on X. "Remember that the analysis of direct campaign donations and electoral trust donations revealed that 30 plus firms that had been raided by the ED/IT/CBI donated Rs 335 crore to the BJP after the raids. The BJP got the majority (60 plus %) of its campaign funds from electoral bonds. What ill-deeds of the Modi Sarkar will the disclosure of the electoral bonds funds reveal?" Ramesh posed. Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the SBI's move raises "suspicious apprehensions". Yechury posted on X, "This would be a travesty of justice. Is SBI seeking an extension till after the general elections to protect Modi and the BJP from exposure of the 'quid pro quo' that the Hon'ble Supreme Court apprehended?" "In this digital age, all this information is a mouse-click away. Seeking extension raises suspicious apprehensions," he said. Raking up the 'Parivarvad' attack against the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the opposition sacrificed the nation for the welfare of their family while he sacrificed himself for the country. Addressing party cadres in Telangana, Modi said, They say that they have ideological differences with me. They believe in 'Family First', and I believe in 'Nation First'. For them, their family is everything; for me, my country is everything. They sacrifice the Nation for the welfare of their family; I have sacrificed myself for the welfare of the Nation. Modi said Congress and its allies are attacking him and his family since he is bringing their scams to light. Congress and its alliance partners are abusing me and my family. Do you know why they are abusing me? The reason why the mere sight of me makes them restless is because I am unveiling their secrets and scams. I never make personal comments on anyone, Modi said. He added, I just say that they are 'Parivarvadi'. When I oppose 'Parivarvad' and say 'Parivarvad' does not let talent grow and hinders the growth of the country as well as the individuals, they do not reply. They say Modi ka koi pariwar hi nahi hai" Modi guaranteed that in the next few years, India will become the third largest economy in the world. He said that he donates a part of his salary to people whenever he gets a chance PM Modi said he donates a part of his salary whenever possible. The monthly payment that I receive from the government, whenever I get a chance, I donate some of it to people. 'Parivarvadis' have taken expensive gifts while being in the government and have converted their black money into white through gifts. Modi said till date, he has deposited all the gifts in Toshakhana and it is auctioned and whatever money comes, it is invested in the service of Mother Ganga. After an Indian national was killed and two others were injured in a missile attack in Israel, the Indian embassy released an advisory asking the Indians to relocate to safe areas within the country. "Given the prevailing security situation and local safety advisories, all Indians 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 nations," read the advisory. *IMPORTANT ADVISORY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS IN ISRAEL* pic.twitter.com/Fshw7zcbmj India in Israel (@indemtel) March 5, 2024 According to Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot in the Galilee region in northern Israel. Who was the Indian killed in the strike? The deceased man hailing from Kollam, Kerala was identified as Nibin Maxwell (30). Two other Keralites--Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin-- were injured in the attack as well. Reportedly, Maxwell had gone to Israel just two months ago. While talking to the reporters, Maxwell's father said that he was in Muscat and Dubai before he went to Israel. Maxwell left behind a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter and his wife is pregnant. The attack is believed to be carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah has been targeting regions near the border since the Gaza war began after the Hamas attacks on October 7. Maxwell's body is expected to be brought back to Kerala in four days after completing the formalities. In the upcoming general elections, the BJP is fielding Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar as its candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat. The CPI has fielded former Kerala state secretary Pannyan Raveendran, while the Congress party is yet to announce its candidate. However, it is highly likely that the incumbent MP, Shashi Tharoor, will be the candidate for the grand old party, which means that the constituency will witness a high-profile contest this time too, just as in the past. Ever since the announcement of his candidacy, Chandrasekhar has been focusing more on programmes that appeal to the youth. On Tuesday, he announced in Thiruvananthapuram that four lakh youth in Kerala will be skilled in the next three years under Pradhan Manthri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0. The programme will provide training in future skills, including those related to 3D printing, AI, and drone manufacturing. In an interview with THE WEEK, the Union minister spoke about his vision and plans for the state capital. He also voiced strong criticism of the ruling CPI(M) and the main opposition in the state, the Congress Excerpts from the interview: Will you be presenting development as your primary slogan during the upcoming elections? People are seeing the development that was brought by the Modi government. We moved from one of the five most fragile economies to become the fifth largest economy and now moving on to become the third largest economy in two years. This is not a trivial achievement. Some people may ask what is the impact of the size of the economy. The impact is real. When the economy grows, the governments spending power increases. I will cite an example in Jal Shakthi ministry. Since 1947 to 2019, tap water was available only to 3.7 crore households. In the last three years, the prime minister spent Rs 3.5 lakh crore and we have provided 11.5 crore more households with tap water. We could see similar progress in a lot of other sectors including defence and social security. We saw massive spending in infrastructure development. All this is happening because of economic growth. India is the fastest-growing economy in the world. I was an entrepreneur. In the past, I never imagined India would become the fastest-growing economy in the world. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, recently said in a Bloomberg Interview: Next year we want to cross India. India has become a gold standard. Development is the answer to all our countrys problems, whether it is related to poverty, security or lack of investment. So, our election narrative is only about development. I am not ready to propagate negative politics. But Thiruvananthapuram and Kerala are examples of how in the last ten years we have fallen behind. I will give two examples: Thiruvananthapuram is one of the pioneer cities in IT sector. When I started BPL mobile in 1995-96, even back then Techno Park was there in Thiruvananthapuram. Now when you look at the world of startups, Thiruvananthapuram does not rank in the 20 cities. We missed the bus to capture the opportunity. Another issue is the economy. Kerala is at the edge of economic bankruptcy. If somebody puts a stop to the remittance economy, we will be worse than Sri Lankas condition. The state is borrowing money to even pay salaries and for revenue expenditure. Meanwhile, we see some of these states like Uttar Pradesh which were called 'BIMARU states' in the past, having budget surplus. They are getting investments for semiconductors and data centres. Last year alone, 1.3 lakh new jobs were created by Apple alone in India. But where were these jobs created? In places like Noida, UP, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Why these investments are not coming to Kerala? When you think about it we see a fundamental problem. When Vijaya Mallyas company went bankrupt, Mallya used to say that he would not pay salaries because he is not getting loans. That was his excuse. One would see a parallel for that in Kerala. How did Mallyas company go bankrupt? Because of mismanagement and corruption. How does the state go bankrupt? Same thing. Political ineptness. If you do not know how to do economic management, dont do it. Give the responsibilities to someone else and leave. Thiruvananthapuram harbours numerous aspirations for development. However, certain segments, particularly those residing along the coastal belt of Thiruvananthapuram, have concerns about the potential impact of development on their livelihoods. We are putting forward the idea of sustainable development. We are not in favour of the idea of development at any cost. Development that the community wants and the community acceptsthat is what we put forward. I wont push for a coal factory or a hydrocarbon emitting plant in Thiruvananthapuram. In the coming days, economic growth is going to be so much tech-driven. So, Thiruvananthapuram should become e a hub of digital economy. Thiruvananthapuram should have its right place in the emerging trend of semiconductors, electronics and electronic design. All these are sustainable development models. There will be creation of jobs, service industries and support systems. Another segment is sustainable tourism. There should be expansion for it and Thiruvananthapuram should become a hub for it. It should also become a tourism and wellness hub. In the post-Covid phase, the tourism narrative has changed very much in favour of health and wellness tourism. But are we getting the right share of it? Kerala was the major destination for Ayurveda wellness once. But now Sri Lanka is claiming that position. Why? So, Thiruvananthapurams economy should earn a fresh look. It should be talent-driven, digital economy-driven, services sector-driven and precision manufacturing-driven. That is my idea; that is the prime ministers idea. That is why he launched the digital science park in Thiruvananthapuram, at a cost of Rs1,200 crore. Is seeing politics in everything an impediment to development? Even if I am not there in politics, if this question is being asked to me, I would say the following answer. Keralas economy and Thiruvananthapurams economy have been held hostage by two defunct ideologies. One of these ideologies is of Karl Marx. Marxs ideology has died and got buried everywhere, including in China and Russia. That ideology is irrelevant to todays world. Even in Cuba of Fidel Castro, they are moving into capitalism and free market. That defunct ideology is holding Kerala hostage. It is an ideology that is against development and investments and sees wealth creation as a curse. They propagate the idea that being poor is a virtue and remaining poor is a greater virtue. Another ideology is that of the Congress. They have just sloganeering. There is nobody for politics of performance in Congress. PM Modi has lifted over 25 crore people from poverty. You would hear Congressmen saying: Oh we started it. What did they start? A slogan Garibhi hatao. I am sure the sell by date of this ideology is near. These two ideologies have stifled the natural growth of Kerala. I challenge if anyone could cite any other phase in Indias history in comparison to the development that you witnessed in the past ten years. So that is the narrative. We have to move forward. Muslim countries of the Middle East have decorated prime minister with the highest civilian awards. Even then, we are called communal. We have not shown any discrimination or exclusion in any government to anybody based on religion. But people are propagating these two defunct ideologies. I feel my candidature and Modis presence in this campaign are intended to change that status quo. You said that you came here as a representative of Modi. But even then candidates and their work will also be considered. I am very proud of the work I have done. As a political person, MP and minister, I have done my best. But the transformation that India underwent in the last ten years, that has been done by Modiji. I or anyone else can't take credit for that. Considering the things Modi ji has done, no one can exclude the name of Modi from this election campaign. The other parties may have some hope of making this a fight between Rajeev Chandrashekhar and Shashi Tharoor. But Rajeev Chandrasekhar is a representative of Modijis work and ideology and I would proudly say it. But in this constituency, you are a relatively unfamiliar face. Will that be an issue? How do you define familiarity? I am giving a commitment that I will be available 24x7 365 days, I will have an office. I will have an app. I will have a number and call centre and I will be accessible. As I was accessible in Bengaluru or Delhi. If people are giving me the opportunity to represent them, I will be the most approachable person. You have announced a major skilling plan for Thiruvananthapuram. We will ensure that between four to 10 lakh people, especially youth, will be skill-trained in Thiruvananthapuram. I am so passionate about this. Skilling has a catalytic effect on a childs career. Skills will attract investment. I give a guarantee that in the next five years, there will no child in Thiruvananthapuram who is not skill-trained. Because if future skilling is done, it is true empowerment. As the minister, I visited 84 colleges. We can sense that todays youth is full of hope. Many decades back when we were finishing our studies, our options were limited. But today the case is different. I have seen ambitious students from even rural parts of India chasing big dreams. But that is where we have to think about Kerala campuses. Even now in many colleges student organisations like SFI are setting narratives like campus murders and retaliations. Why are students incubating startups not becoming the narrative? So, that requires to be changed. For that to change everybody should undergo skilling. Even SFI students will get skill training. Shashi Tharoor, who has a status as the vishwa pauran (global citizen), is the incumbent MP here. He is likely to be your contender. I am not a vishwa pauran. I am an ordinary Malayali; an Air Force officers son. I am not highly sophisticated. I have not written a thousand books. But I have done some job in my life. I have real achievements in that regard. I have done what I have said. I announce only what I intend to do. That is my signature. I am not competing with anybody on intellectual capabilities or English language skills. But I have the determination and vision to bring real changes in Thiruvananthapuram. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The 8th Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) organized by the Qatar Armed Forces continues in Doha, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Director General Agil Gurbanov, visiting Qatar, got acquainted with the stands of Qatari company Barzan Holdings and its subordinate companies within the framework of the International Naval Exhibition and Conference, held a meeting with Executive Director of the holding Abdullah Al-Khater. At the meeting, several issues of mutual interest were discussed in detail. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday expanded his cabinet, inducting four ministerstwo from the BJP and one each from SBSP and RLD. SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, RLD's Anil Kumar and BJP leaders Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma were sworn-in as ministers by Governor Anandiben Patel at the Raj Bhavan in the presence of the chief minister. This is the first cabinet expansion in Adityanath's second term as chief minister. Rajbhar is an MLA from Zahoorabad assembly constituency of the Ghazipur district, Anil Kumar represents Purkazi (SC) in Muzaffarnagar. Sharma represents Sahibabad assembly constituency in Ghaziabad district while Chauhan, who returned to the saffron party after a stint with the Samajwadi Party last year, is a member of the UP Legislative Council. The cabinet expansion is seen to be an attempt by the BJP to consolidate its position in several regions of the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. With the induction of new ministers, the strength of UP council of ministers increased to 56. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and a few other cabinet ministers received a bomb threat e-mail on Tuesday. Bengaluru City Crime Branch has initiated a probe. According to police, the threat e-mails were sent from the address Shahidkhan10786@protonmail.com and miscreants allegedly demanded $2.5 million dollars. The miscreants have threatened to cause blasts in public areas if their demands are not met. Besides Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner received the threat e-mail on March 2, a day after a low-intensity blast rocked the citys famous Rameshwaram Cafe. As many as 10 persons suffered injuries in the blast. "What are your thoughts on the movie trailer? If you don't provide us with 2.5 million dollars, we will cause large explosions on buses, trains, temples, hotels and public areas throughout Karnataka," ANI reported quoting the e-mail. "We want to show you one more trailer. We are going to explode the next one in the Ambari Utsav bus. After the Ambari Utsav bus blast, we will raise our demands on social media. And will upload screenshots of the mail sent to you on social media. We will tweet information about the next explosion," it stated. A low-intensity blast occurred at Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1. Though it was initially suspected to be an LPG cylinder explosion, it was later confirmed as a bomb blast. The National Investigation Agency has taken over the probe of the case. The human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan' led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aims to position India among the worlds top space-exploring nations. Should it succeed, India will be counted alongside the United States, Russia and China as countries with ongoing human spaceflight endeavors. ISRO plans to start unmanned test flights for the Gaganyaan mission later this year and conduct seven trial launches by March 2025. Earlier, ISRO had identified two potential landing locations within Indian territorial watersthe Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Ultimately, the Arabian Sea was chosen as the landing site due to the turbulent conditions and the unpredictability associated with the Bay of Bengal, according to an official. In case there is any deviation from the primary plan, even minor, the space agency has pinpointed 48 alternative sites in international waters for contingency purposes, according to officials. Senior officials involved in the mission have disclosed to the media that ISRO has earmarked 48 alternative sites globally for the potential splashdown of the Gaganyaan crew and module. This step has been taken to ensure that the astronauts can be returned safely and securely. Choosing various potential splashdown locations highlights ISROs comprehensive approach to risk management and meticulous planning. This strategy underlines the organizations commitment to securing the safe re-entry of Indias inaugural astronauts on a homegrown space mission. The primary concern during any space mission is the safety of the crew members. By selecting multiple spots for splashdown, the mission organizers can choose the most favourable conditionssuch as calm seas and minimal wavesto ensure a safe landing and recovery of the crew, explained space expert Girish Linganna. He further explains that by selecting multiple spots, including international waters, the Gaganyaan mission organizers are prepared for various scenarios and contingencies. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, such as technical failures, adverse weather conditions, or geopolitical issues, having alternative landing options provides flexibility and ensures the missions success. A few experts point out that the Gaganyaan mission is Indias first human spaceflight programme and it is crucial to maintain good relations with other nations. By including international waters in the splashdown spots, India demonstrates a commitment to international cooperation and adherence to international norms and regulations for space activities. The selection of multiple splashdown spots allows the mission organizers to plan and execute recovery operations efficiently. By considering various factors such as proximity to naval bases, availability of recovery vessels and logistical support they can ensure a smooth recovery process for the crew and the spacecraft. Conducting a human spaceflight mission is a complex endeavour and each mission provides valuable learning experiences. By selecting multiple splashdown spots, the Gaganyaan mission organizers can gather additional data and insights that can contribute to future missions and advancements in space exploration, added Linganna. Earlier, ISRO had announced the selection of the first four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. These astronauts, who are test pilots from the Indian Air Force, will participate in the space mission, which is slated for launch by the end of next year. From the four astronaut currently undergoing training, three will be chosen for the ultimate mission. In preparation for the mission, ISRO scientists have carried out numerous tests to verify the safety of all systems for carrying the astronauts to space and returning them safely to Earth. Additionally, ISRO has made modifications to its rockets and propulsion systems to adapt them for manned missions, marking a significant first in the agencys 55-year history. For the Gaganyaan mission ISRO has modified its medium-lift, three-stage rocket, previously known as GSLV Mark-3, to comply with the standards required for human spaceflight. This upgraded version has been renamed Human-Rated LVM3, or HLVM3. This particular rocket has been utilized in ISROs notable missions, including the lunar explorations, Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3, among others. Atop this upgraded rocket, a new orbital module has been designed, equipped with both a crew module, serving as the living quarters for the astronauts, and a service module, remarked Linganna. The comprehensive testing phase for this mission began in 2017 and is expected to extend over the coming months. These tests draw upon the space agencys years of globally recognized expertise and experience. The mission is designed to conclude with the module landing exclusively in the Arabian Sea. The Indian authorities will be strategically positioned in this area to conduct the recovery of both the crew and the module. Reading between the lines of a unanimous decision to keep former US President Donald Trump in the Colorado ballot, there are signs that the decisions the US Supreme Court is making are political rather than legal. There are also indications of resentment between the conservative and liberal justices, who see the key decisions on a series of Trump issues as Roberts Court surrendering its independence to the Trump political force. Lingering disputes emerged in a separate concurring opinion by the three liberal members of the CourtJustices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jacksonregarding the extent to which the majority interpreted that only Congress could enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to disqualify candidates seeking federal office. They voiced their dissent in a separate concurring opinion, expressing concerns over the implications of the decision. "Today, the majority goes beyond the necessities of this case to limit how Section 3 can bar an oath-breaking insurrectionist from becoming President," they wrote, noting how far their conservative colleagues went to help Trump beyond the decision itself. "Although we agree that Colorado cannot enforce Section 3, we protest the majoritys effort to use this case to define the limits of federal enforcement of that provision." "Yet the majority goes further...They decide novel constitutional questions to insulate this Court and petitioner from future controversy," they wrote. "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," the liberal justices continued. "In doing so, the majority shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement. We cannot join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily, and we, therefore, concur only in the judgment," they said, adding, By resolving these and other questions, the majority attempts to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office. In overturning the Colorado court ruling that disqualified Trump from appearing on the state's 2024 presidential primary ballot, the highest court in the country ruled that the Constitution's 14th Amendment does not grant states the authority to bar candidates for federal office who engage in insurrection against the United States. The crux of the issue centered on Section 3 of the 14th Amendmentenacted in the wake of the Civil Warwhich prohibits those who took an oath to uphold the Constitution from holding office if they "have engaged in insurrection or rebellion." Based on Trump's extensively documented attempts to overturn the legitimate 2020 election results and his incitement of the January 6 attack on the Capitol, the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified him as a presidential candidate under this provision. However, the Supreme Court unanimously concluded that Section 3 does not empower states to enforce this disqualification against candidates for federal positions like the presidency. The unsigned per curiam opinion declared that only the federal government, and not states, can potentially invoke the Constitution's Insurrection Disqualification Clause. The court went too far, admitted Trump-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett who wrote: "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, she said as she played up the unanimity of the Court and set to drown the comments of the liberal justices. Translation: Hush the specter of no confidence that there was no political consideration even in this 9-0 decision. But even looking back to the previous decision on granting a revision of the case on presidential immunity, political considerations taint the Courts action. Beyond all of the legal arguments or interests of the Court, its initial failure to grant an expedited ruling on the case, as requested by the Special Counsel Jack Smith, gave Trump an initial gift of delaying final resolution so he could continue his presidential run with these issues undecided. Any argument that the Court is only asserting its own power is mooted by the simple fact that in granting certiorari, they set a long and slow process that begins hearings on April 22. A quick review of cases of presidential importance ruled by the Court shows just how lenient they are with Trump and what a generous deference the conservatives and Trump-appointed justices are giving him. Back when a rouge Richard Nixon took the country into a Constitutional crisis as Trump is doing almost every day now, they heard and ruled on the secret White House tapes in a quick 16 days. When a Bush v. Gore decision was needed, the Court did this in a record three days. In this case, after having denied Smiths request of imperative public importance" for an expedited review by sending the case to the lower court first and then deciding to review the clear and forceful decision against Trump in that court, they were set to hear arguments a full 53 days later. Almost two months of delay in just preparing to hear the case, never mind actually ruling on it. This is a massive political gift to Trump, and the appearance of repaying him for appointing them is sure to be debated in the history books. What is more, the real decision of the US Supreme Court that has been flying under the radar is that the American people do not deserve to know the legality of the crimes of which Trump has been accused before deciding if he should be their president again. It undermines the principles of fairness, justice, equality before the law, and the integrity of democratic institutions. The Roberts Court has completely abandoned its obligation to be the arbiter of the law and has become one more tool of the Trump political machine, helping him become a major force, unstoppable by any court. The question remains whether, if elected, which seems likely by the day, Trump could indeed pardon himself. With the highest Court acting as a submissive accomplice in the former presidents scheme to delay court action to avoid accountability, there is little hope they can be the ones who rule that the Constitution does not permit a president to abuse the pardon power in a self-serving manner, with flagrant disregard for accountability and betrayal of public trust. Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, the international criminal court in The Hague issued arrest warrants against two Russian officials on Tuesday accusing them of a missile campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The arrest warrants were issued for Lt Gen Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash of the Russian armed forces, and Adm Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov of the Russian navy. They were accused of committing the crime between October 2022 and March 2023. Kobylash was the commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force. Sokolov was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet at the time of the alleged crimes. There are reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility 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," said the court in a statement. The court also added that during the time frame, there was an alleged campaign of strikes against electric power plants and sub-stations, it added. However, Russia does not recognise the jurisdiction of the ICC. This is not the first time the ICC has issued arrest warrants against Russian authorities. 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. The Kremlin had rejected the allegations. Meanwhile, Ukraine on Tuesday claimed that it had launched a successful drone attack on a Russian warship. The intelligence agency said on Telegram that its special unit Group 12 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 ship was worth about $65 million, it added. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that the Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation and it cannot be in the Ukrainian Crimea. The strike had led to traffic disruptions on the bridge linking the Crimean peninsula to the Russian mainland. Highway traffic was also suspended for several hours. Last month, the Ukrainian military said it had destroyed a Russian landing warship near Crimea in an operation with naval drones that breached the vessel's port side and caused it to sink. Stepping up his anti-India rhetoric, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10, a media report said on Tuesday. Muizzu's statement comes less than a week after an Indian civilian team reached the Maldives to take charge of one of the three aviation platforms in the island nation, well ahead of the March 10 deadline agreed by the two nations for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. Addressing the Baa atoll Eydhafushi residential community during his tour across the atoll, the President stated that due to his government's success in expelling Indian troops from the country, people who spread false rumours, are attempting to twist the situation, a news portal Edition.mv reported. That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instil doubts in our hearts and spread lies, the portal quoted Muizzu, widely regarded as a pro-China leader, as saying. 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. Earlier last month, after a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2 between the two sides, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10. Muizzu rode to power last year on an anti-India stance and within hours of taking oath demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago in the Indian Ocean. In his maiden address to Parliament on February 5, he made similar remarks. There are 88 military personnel manning the three Indian platforms that have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. India had agreed to remove their troops from Maldives under the condition that a number of their civilians equivalent to the military presence are brought to operate the aircraft. The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. An Indian national was killed and two others injured in an anti-tank missile attack in Israel's northern border community of Margaliot. The deceased has been identified as Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala. The missile, fired allegedly by Hezbollah from Lebanon, landed in the orchard near the northern border. Three others were injured, according to PTI. They too hail from Kerala. However, a report by The Times of Israel mentioned that a "foreign national was killed" and seven other injured but failed to identify the victim. According to Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), 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. Heller told PTI that the remains of Maxwell were identified in Ziv Hospital. Sources identified the injured men as Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin. "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 suffered minor injuries and is hospitalized at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed. He is from the Idukki district of Kerala. The MDA added that seven foreign workers were injured in the attack, two of them seriously, and were taken to Beilinson, Rambam, and Ziv hospitals in their ambulances and Israeli Air Force helicopters. Hezbollah faction in Lebanon 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 IDF responded to Monday's attack 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. The skirmishes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the death of seven civilians and 10 IDF soldiers on the Israeli side. The leak of a 38-minute-long audio tape of a conversation of a very sensitive nature between Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, the commander of Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, with three of his subordinates, on Russian state-owned media outlet RT, has the strategic community sit up and take notice. While many reports say that the CIA had prior knowledge of Russia's plan to launch special operations in Ukraine and which it had reportedly warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about, the fact remains that the espionage systema strong vestige of the Cold War erais intact and as active as ever if not less. Among the leaked content of Gen Gerhartzs chat was a debate on a possible delivery of the German Taurus missile to Ukraine. With its 500-km range, Ukraine can conduct deep strikes with the stealth-capable Taurus (an abbreviated form for Target Adaptive Unitary and Dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System) including the Kerch Bridge, which connects Crimea to Ukraine, and which was mentioned in the leaked audio. Delivering the Taurus would therefore escalate the ongoing war to dangerous levels. While the UK and France also supply the Storm Shadows or the Scalp missiles to Ukraine, the range is considerably less. The very fact that Russia chose to release the leak in a Russian propaganda platform rather than to other media outlets underlines that Moscow is stepping up its espionage game. The earlier Cold War (1947-1991), in the aftermath of the Second World War, saw the world being divided into two campsone led by the East or the Soviet Block and the other being the Western block led by the US. It is commonly agreed that the Cold War era ended in 1991 with the world moving to the unipolar phase from a bipolar phase. Broadly, the main fulcrums of the Cold War were an active effort on the part of the two blocs to spread their spheres of influence, an arms race that included nuclear stockpiling and a very active espionage system. The Cold War is also described as the lack of an open war between the two warring superpowers but one that is waged using proxies. All these conditions are prevalent in the current context except for the fact that Russia is actively fighting in Ukraine. It is noteworthy that the leak happened after French President Emmanuel Macron courted controversy by suggesting that soldiers may be sent to Ukraine. While France is the military powerhouse in Europe, Germany is the biggest economy. On Ukraine, the Germans have been somewhat reluctant to be as proactive as the British or the French in supporting Ukraine with war material. Just before the Ukraine war began in February 2022, the German Navy chief Vice-Admiral Kay-Achim Schonbach created quite a stir at an event organised in New Delhi by the Manohar Parikkar Institute of Defence and Strategic Analysis (MPIDSA), when he said of Germanys Indo-pacific strategy: Does Russia really wants small and tiny strip of Ukraine soil, integrate the country. No, this is nonsense. Putin is probably putting pressure because he knows he can do it, and he splits EU opinion. What he really wants is respect. And my God, giving someone respect is low cost, even no cost. It is easy to give him the respect he really demandsand probably also deserves. While Admiral Schonbach had soon to put in his papers, it was not before underscoring the lack of unity in the western ranks. The date March 5 marks a significant day in the US presidential primary race as the Republican party holds nominating contests in 15 states while the Democrats will hold the primaries in 15 states and one territory. The 16 states that will vote on Super Tuesday are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. However, Alaska will only vote on Republican candidates and Iowa will only vote on Democratic candidates. One territory, American Samoa, will cast ballots in the Democratic race as well. A decades-old tradition, Super Tuesday is considered notable because it has most states voting simultaneously, including delegate-rich Texas and California, thereby bringing former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden closer to clinching their respective nominations. But, Super Tuesday is more significant for Trump than it is for Biden. There are 865 Republican delegates up for grabs out of the total 2,429 on Super Tuesday while 1,420 delegates are in play for Democrats. However, the battle is muted this time. No surprises are expected from both sides, with the only question that remains is whether Nikki Haley will opt out of the race. For President Joe Biden, the race is mostly symbolic. With no considerable competition, Biden is poised to sweep the Democratic primaries for a second term. However, the President faces challenges in the form of the political left which has urged voters to withhold their support to protest against the US policy on Israel's Gaza invasion. The number of "uncommitted" voters went up to 13% of voters in the Michigan primary, much to the shock of Democrats. "Coming off the momentum generated in Michigan, we need to continue lifting up our voices and sending a clear message to President Biden we need a cease-fire now," Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, said in a press release on Monday. "If we do not change course, he will be putting our Democracy at risk." For Trump, Super Tuesday will bring him closer to the nomination. Though Trump cannot yet claim the "presumptive nominee" title, a good show can put him on the track to surpass the total number of delegates needed to guarantee the GOP nomination when four additional states vote a week later, on March 11. Trump will need to win 1,215 of 2,429 delegates and currently has 244 delegates. Though Nikki Haley says she wants to stay in the race until the Republican National Convention in July, she just has 43 delegates and the gap will widen after Super Tuesday. Jaime Dominguez, an associate professor of political science at Northwestern University, told VOA that despite the long odds against her, Haley is still able to have a significant impact on the Republican race. It looks like she's going to continue to stay in the race, and that's going to be interesting, because I see her as kind of a thorn in [Trumps] side, Dominguez told VOA. Even though she's not going to be competitive anymore she's not going to be able to sway the delegates she is going to be important in terms of the messaging that the campaign puts out around particular issues. Guwahati, Mar 5 (PTI) The Guwahati-based JettWings Airways on Tuesday said that it has received permission to operate across 12 sectors in the Northeast, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, under the UDAN scheme. The newest entrant in the Indian Aviation sector will connect the airports at Guwahati, Pakyong, Cooch Behar, Kushinagar, Gaya, Bareilly, Kanpur and Agra, the company said in a statement. "JettWings Airways will be the first airline from the Northeast region scheduled to operate its fixed-wing aircraft on commercial routes from this year with modern deck turbofan regional jets, supported by a robust business plan to acquire and operate 42 aircraft in the first five years," it added. By strategically deploying these aircraft, JettWings aims to enhance regional connectivity, promote economic development and enrich the travel experience for passengers, the company said in a statement. Speaking on the development, the airline's Chief Executive Officer and MD Sanjay Aditya Singh said: "We are in the pursuit of bolstering regional connectivity and addressing the accessibility challenges prevalent in the country with a focused objective.. The UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) 5.3 will currently help the airline in connecting significant locations that are tourism and religious hotspots in the Northeast, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he added. "We are grateful for the trust and confidence that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed in our airline, and we are dedicated to maximizing the impact of this award of routes and in delivering tangible results," the airline's Chairman Sanjive Narain said. With its operational base in Guwahati, the airline shall connect the region with the global aviation network and facilitate increased business opportunities, tourism and cultural exchange, the company statement said. "The Northeast region of India has immense potential given its proximity to Southeast Asian countries, and the government's plan to eventually introduce the international UDAN Scheme will give a huge fillip to an airline like JettWings Airways," it added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has sent a congratulatory letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of his confident victory in the extraordinary presidential election, Trend reports. "Dear President Aliyev, I would like to express my congratulations on your recent re-election as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It is a fitting occasion to reiterate the EUs commitment to strengthening our bilateral dialogue and our regional cooperation in all areas covered by the Eastern Partnership framework, including the principles of prosperity and good governance, for the benefit of all our citizens. The EU is committed to working towards lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region, also by facilitating regional cooperation and connectivity. I look forward to the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference that you will host in Baku in November 2024. It will undoubtedly be a great opportunity for Azerbaijan to demonstrate leadership in advancing the agenda of climate and energy transition," the letter reads. AHMEDABAD, India, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking its 54th anniversary, Vasant, India's premier spice brand, has introduced the 'Spicy Offer' as a gesture of gratitude to its consumers for their unwavering loyalty over the past five decades. As part of this consumer scheme, the 1kg packs of Vasant Chilli Powder, Kumthi Kashmiri Chilli Powder, and Kashmiri Rangat Chilli Powder are available at a discount of Rs.50 on the MRP. Additionally, there is a Rs.25 discount on the MRP of 1kg packs of Vasant Turmeric Powder, Coriander-Cumin Powder, and Coriander Powder. This exclusive offer is valid across retailers of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh starting from 5th March, 2024. The direct price benefit on 1kg of basic spices, aligns perfectly with the annual tradition of households restocking their spice supplies. Speaking during the announcement of spicy offer, Mr. Chandrakant Bhandari, Chairman and Managing Director of Vasant Masala said, "Vasant's 54th anniversary is a testament of purity and quality. Through the 'Spicy Offer' we are extending gratitude to millions of Vasant's loyal consumers across the globe; for their continuous support." He emphasized the brand's commitment to providing pure spices with innovation and consumer convenience. Elaborating on the anniversary offer, Mr. Nirmit Bhandari, Director-Marketing, Vasant Masala, said, "Spicy offer is to mark the festival of purity, the core of Vasant spices. Our anniversary offer's campaign tagline 'Maine chuna wohi, jo hai mere parivaar ke liye sahi' is a testament of long-standing legacy and loyalty bestowed by millions of patrons across the globe. We are celebrating our anniversary with millions of homemakers who choose Vasant because they value taste and health of their family." In addition to the strong retail presence, Vasant is also available online. Speaking on the launch occasion of spicy offer, Mr.Rajkamal Bhandari, Director-Sales of Vasant mentioned, "Vasant is also the trade's favorite brand. The spices brand boasts of a strong retail network in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Vasant is synonym to the purity and freshness. From procuring highest quality of raw spices, hygienically processing and packing them to retain their natural essence and freshness, it is our super-efficient retail network that delivers Vasant's 100% pure spices into millions of kitchens. We are proud to enjoy equal support from our consumers and trade partners alike." Vasant is a leading spices brand with a legacy of 54 years and 80 different spices. The spices brand produces packaged spices in state-of-the-art plant in Degham - near Gandhinagar, adhering to the international standards and BRC norms with certifications that qualify products and packaging from - FSSC:22000, SPICE BOARD OF INDIA and AGMARK. About Vasant Masala: Vasant Masala has been delighting millions of families across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond for the past 54 years. With its diverse range of products such as blended spices, Hing, basic spices, whole spices, and powdered spices, Vasant Masala has gained recognition on a global scale. Exported to five continents, Vasant Masala is known for its unparalleled quality and widespread popularity. This trusted brand has consistently provided consumers with the finest spices, making it the top choice of housewives for the last five decades due to its unmatched flavor and health benefits. For Trade, Marketing & Other enquiries: E-mail: info@vasantmasala.com Call: +91 94265 06390 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2353539/VMSpicyOffer.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR NEW DELHI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Deakin University, Australia ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide and India's consistent partner in providing world-class education and skilling along with NSDC International (NSDCI), a subsidiary of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) announced the launch of Global Job Readiness Program (GJRP) on Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) platform. A groundbreaking initiative, the GJRP is all set to mark a transformational milestone in the education and training sector by successfully enhancing the capabilities of India's talent pool in critical, industry-relevant skills. The GJRP has been made available on the Skill India Digital Hub platform which will provide learners with an accessible and user-friendly interface to upgrade their work-ready skills and knowledge. Tailor-made to address the contemporary skilling needs of India's dynamic industry landscape, this program aims to deliver significant capacity-building opportunities. Designed for both students and professionals, it offers a crucial avenue for upgrading the skills for a competitive edge, enhanced employability, and readiness for both local and global industries. "DeakinCo.'s partnership with the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Global Job Readiness Program underscores our commitment to supporting India's youth to access meaningful employment opportunities. The higher education institutions in India can gain a significant advantage from the Global Job Readiness program, offering their students a value-added opportunity to acquire skills essential for the contemporary industry landscape, ensuring a global perspective. It is imperative that we equip India's youth with these vital skills to thrive in the workplace. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are focused on driving positive change and empowering the next generation of Indian talent," said Angela Girton, Director, Executive Education & CEO, DeakinCo. The GJRP will be offered at two levels of proficiency, namely Foundation and Intermediate which will be determined based on a pre-program assessment process. Learners will undergo live training sessions and build capabilities on diverse skills using a series of videos, flip cards, diagrams, and other visuals. Online training under the GJRP will cover six critical areas including soft skills, namely communication, collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, digital literacy, and financial literacy. Upon completion, learners can test themselves through a post-program assessment and subsequently, will be awarded a digital badge and certification. This will amplify the impact of the program upon one's visibility and success in the professional arena. Speaking at the launch, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International said, "In today's evolving landscape, technological advancements, automation, and the rise of artificial intelligence are reshaping industries and job roles. Traditional career paths are giving way to more flexible, project-based work, entrepreneurship and apprenticeship are also becoming increasingly prevalent. At NSDC, we are committed to bridge the gap between Indian talent and global employers and integration of program onto the Skill India Digital Hub is a significant milestone in our pursuit of holistic skill development for aspiring students. By leveraging this platform, I am confident that learners will gain access to high-quality skill training modules, broaden their professional network and enhance certification, makes them better equipped to succeed in international settings.'' The GJRP is curated to offer a well-rounded and engaging learning experience targeted at the effective acquisition of skills and application-oriented evaluation to test one's learning. Indian students and professionals can look forward to a host of comprehensive features, ease of learning interface, comprehensive search, personalized recommendations, online assessments, and job matching. The program envisions maximum benefit of the learning and training process for those enrolled and a thorough assessment of pre- and post-program learning impact achieved. To enable this the learning assessment and evaluation is offered with a performance scale report. To enhance the complete effectiveness of the program it will be delivered entirely online offering candidates complete control and flexibility in choosing when and where to undertake the program. Ms Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia), Deakin University said, "Deakin's collaboration with NSDC International for the Global Job Readiness Program is now live and it will be exciting to see this strategic initiative unlock the potential of India's ambitious, young professionals. By combining Deakin's global expertise with NSDC's commitment to skill development, the program will deliver a unique set of skills that will bridge the gap between industry and skilling to meet its demands. This partnership opens doors to a future where India's workforce stands out as globally competitive, contributing significantly to its progress." Deakin University collaborated with NSDC International in November 2023 for the Global Job Readiness Program. The program aims to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the professional world, thus boosting workplace readiness and employability. It will contribute significantly towards India's growth by supporting the development of skills to help individuals make a smooth transition from education to employment. After conducting extensive research, Deakin and NSDC International have identified the essential skills required by the rapidly changing Indian industry, and the potential avenues to equip India's youth with the necessary abilities to succeed. These findings have been consolidated in the latest report titled "Future Ready: The Imperative of Life Skills for India's Youth," which can be downloaded from https://lnkd.in/g2qaZW8d. Designed and executed keeping in mind the needs of the Indian workforce, it includes a range of courses that will cover various aspects of professional life, including communication skills, problem-solving, time management, and leadership. Learners stand to gain immensely from a comprehensive understanding of the industry and the skills required to excel in their respective fields. About NSDC International The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has established NSDC International (NSDCI), a wholly owned subsidiary, with the mission of advancing the Skill India International initiative and positioning India as a leading global hub for top-notch talent. The objective is to elevate India to the status of a preferred partner nation for skilled and certified workers and professionals worldwide. This will be achieved by enabling international pathways through India-specific talent-sourcing strategies for global employers, government-to-government collaborations, and internationally recognized qualifications. For more information on NSDC International, please visit: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) (nsdcindia.org) About Deakin University: Established in 1974, Deakin University successfully combines excellence in teaching, research and effective partnerships with industry and government to deliver high-quality courses and undertake research that makes a difference to the domestic and international communities it serves. Deakin's South Asia operations commenced in 1994 at New Delhi, India, making it one of the first overseas education provider to set operations in this region. Here, Deakin engages with the government, industry, and academia to share its vibrant culture of education and research. To know more about Deakin University and its various initiatives as part of its 'in India, with India, for India' approach towards engagement, please visit Deakin South Asia partnerships and pathways | Deakin Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2354779/DeakinNSDCJobReadiness_Program.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) Air India has restarted flights from the national capital to Tel Aviv after suspending the services for nearly five months due to tensions in the wake of the Israeli city coming under attack by Hamas militants. The Tata group-owned carrier recommenced the flight on March 3, an airline spokesperson said on Tuesday. For now, the flights from Delhi to Tel Aviv will be operated by a Boeing 787 aircraft three times a week -- Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, the spokesperson said. Air India had suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv starting from October 7, 2023, in the wake of the Hamas attack on the Israeli city. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory on Tuesday, urging its nationals to move to safer areas in the country. The advisory comes a day after a missile fired from Lebanon killed one Indian and injured two others. "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 mission said in an advisory posted on various social media platforms. New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) Singapore's competition regulator CCCS on Tuesday said it has given a conditional approval for the proposed merger of Air India and Vistara, more than a year after the announcement of the deal. The merger of Vistara with Air India under a deal, wherein Singapore Airlines will acquire a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, was announced in November 2022. Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has granted conditional approval for the deal after accepting certain commitments from Air India, Singapore Airlines and Vistara to address possible anti-competition concerns. The commitments include those pertaining to scheduled air passenger transport services on the Singapore-Delhi (SIN-DEL), Singapore-Mumbai (SIN-BOM), Singapore-Chennai (SIN-MAA) and Singapore-Tiruchirappalli (SIN-TRZ) routes. The parties have committed to maintaining capacity on these routes at pre-pandemic (i.e. calendar year 2019) levels, according to a release issued by CCCS. In a statement on Tuesday, a Singapore Airlines spokesperson welcomed the approval and said the proposed merger is in progress, pending foreign direct investment and other regulatory approvals. Beijing, Mar 5 (PTI) China on Tuesday increased its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to USD 232 billion as it continues with the massive modernisation of its military amid prevailing tensions over Taiwan, the disputed South China Sea as well as border frictions with India. China, which is the second highest spender on defence after the US, has allocated 1.67 trillion yuan (about USD 232 billion) for defence spending. The increase in terms of the percentage was the same as last year. China last year hiked its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to 1.55 trillion yuan (about USD 225 billion), marking the eighth consecutive year of increase in its military spending. Like its previous budgets, this years defence budget of China was almost three times higher than that of India. Indias defence allocation this year amounted to Rs 6,21,541 crore (about USD 74.8 billion). China has simmering territorial disputes with some of its neighbours. China views Taiwan as a rebel province that must be reunified with the mainland, even by force. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. In recent months, tensions simmered between China and the Philippines as Manila, backed by the US, stepped up efforts to assert its rights over the part of the South China Sea firmly resisted by the Chinese coast guard ships. Jaipur, Mar 5 (PTI) The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has projected a priority sector credit potential of Rs 3.62 lakh crore for 2024-25. This projection reflects a remarkable 32 per cent rise from its previous year's assessment, a bank official said Tuesday. The announcement was made during the State Credit Seminar held today, where NABARD launched the State Focus Paper (SFP) for FY 2024-25. The SFP serves as a consolidated document, outlining district-wise realistic potential in physical and financial terms for Rajasthan. Akhil Arora, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), officially released the State Focus Paper in the presence of key dignitaries. Arora highlighted the role of NABARD and the banking fraternity as integral components of the development ecosystem. He stressed the importance of empowering youth and strengthening the Agri and MSME sectors, pitching for collaboration between the government and banking sector to achieve the mission of a 'Vikasit Rajasthan 2047' in line with the 'Vikasit Bharat 2024' vision. Rajiv Siwach, Chief General Manager, NABARD, provided insights into the credit potential distribution, revealing that Rs 1.88 Lakh crore (52 per cent) is allocated towards agriculture and allied activities, Rs 1.41 Lakh crore (39 per cent) towards the MSME sector, and Rs 3.24 Lakh crore (9 per cent) towards other priority sectors like housing, education, and related areas. Lucknow, Mar 5 (PTI) In a major decision, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to waive electricity bills of farmers with private tube wells with retrospective effect from April 1, 2023. The decision taken at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will benefit around 1.5 crore farmers, an official release said. The government has provided Rs 1,800 crore in the 2024-25 budget for implementation of the scheme. Furthermore, the government has put forth a proposal for a scheme aimed at assisting farmers with outstanding electricity bills predating April 1, 2023, in bill settlement without accruing interest and offering them convenient installment options. Energy Minister A K Sharma said through this decision the government has kept its promise of providing 100 per cent exemption from power tariffs to the farmers owning private tube wells in the state. A total of 14.78 lakh tubewells will benefit from the decision of the Cabinet. According to Sharma, on average, 8-10 farmers benefit from one tube well in terms of irrigation of their fields and thus, the total number of beneficiaries of the scheme will reach about 1.5 crore in Uttar Pradesh. "If we consider an average family size of 5 members per farmer, approximately 6-7 crore individuals stand to benefit from this scheme. For outstanding dues predating this date, we are devising an interest-free scheme, which will be rolled out soon." Hamirpur, Mar 5 (PTI) Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 15 National Highway and ropeway projects worth Rs 4,000 crore in Hamirpur. Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh were also present during the event held at the police line complex here. BJP's national president JP Nadda joined the programme virtually. Gadkari announced an additional Rs 150 crore for roads and bridges in Himachal Pradesh on the demand of Vikramaditya Singh and asked the state government to send a proposal to the Centre in this regard. Addressing a gathering, Gadkari said that the BJP and development are two faces of the same coin and by 2024, works worth Rs one lakh crore will be completed in the state. The progress would continue under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added. He asked people to join hands with PM Modi to carry out the development works and to make India a third-world power financially. Following the demand by Anurag Thakur, he announced to make the Hamirpur bypass a four-lane road and speed up the process of making the Shimla-Bilaspur National Highway a four-lane road and said that work worth Rs 125 crore will be undertaken in Bilaspur for which a proposal was given by JP Nadda earlier. Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said that Gadkari had given whatever was asked of him. The length of roads has increased from 96,000 to 1.5 lakh kilometres. Vikramaditya Singh said that he believes in rising above party politics and taking the state forward in the interest of Himachal. "We will strongly support those powers that will support us in taking Himachal forward so that there is no hindrance in the path of development of the state", he said. Washington, Mar 5 (PTI) The resurgence of Bharat, which has been a result of multiple factors including geopolitics, religious, cultural and economic, is going to stay and the country is not going back from here, a senior Supreme Court advocate has told the students and faculty of the prestigious Stanford University. "The fact is that the generation of the seventies, eighties and nineties is sitting up and taking notice of Bharat as an exciting story that they now wish to be a part of, which I think is welcome. It's fantastic. I certainly believe that the resurgence in Bharats past is not a single variable equation. There are multiple factors here, geopolitical, religious, cultural, economic, whatnot. "But this is here to stay and I think it's not going back from here," J Sai Deepak, Supreme Court advocate and author, said during a student fireside chat "Navigating Civilizational Narratives" at the Stanford India Dialogue: The Leaders of Tomorrow." The day-long conference was organized Saturday by Stanford India Policy and Economics Club (SIPEC), in partnership with the Motwani Jadeja Foundation. "Is it going in a productive direction or is it non generative? If conversations are limited to social media battles, they will never be generative. The hope has been that people who wish to be at the forefront of it or at least contribute their might to it, produce content which lasts the test of time and not social media attention span. There is a very clear difference between the two," he said. "I'm happy about the fact that more and more people are interested in producing the written work and that is proof of whether you're moving in the right direction or not. The good part is there is a supply side and the fact that the supply side has been met with resounding success of the last half a decade is proof of the existence of a demand side. So, the audience is ready. So this takes you to a slightly different meta aspect, which is the presence of a ready audience is the reason for the shift of the Overton window in 2014, he said. "The presence of the ready audience is the reason why multiple such options are being thrown up to ensure that this is no more a solo act, that there is a line of succession in place, at least in people's head spaces. It's also throwing up people who are contributing to the cultural movement. It's also producing people who are contributing to the tech side and the hope that they contribute to the cultural movement. These conversations are not happening in silos anymore and there's a reason for it," he said in response to a question. "If a certain platform chooses to deep platform people like me because it believes that I'm dangerous, then we need alternatives. I think those alternatives are work in progress. So, we will not be dependent on platforms provided by the West anymore to ventilate our points of view. That sense of Atmanirbharta or independence is very, very crucial," Deepak said. Bismarck (US), Mar 5 (AP) Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, ahead of former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. The result puts Trump back on the winning track, which was briefly interrupted on Sunday when Haley notched her first victory of the campaign in the District of Columbia's primary. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when results will pour in from 16 states in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. Trump and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations later this month. Under North Dakota's rules, candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20 per cent of the vote. However, a candidate who wins at least 60 per cent of the vote receives all of the state's 29 delegates. Four candidates were on the ballot, including Trump and Nikki Haley. The other candidates, who have received little attention, were Florida businessman David Stuckenberg and Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who recently ended his campaign. Retired music teacher and librarian Karen Groninger, of Almont, said Monday that she voted for Trump, calling him the best choice. The 76-year-old cited Trump's 2020 speech at the annual March for Life anti-abortion event in Washington, DC. the first by a sitting president and his border policies. Longtime Republican state Sen. Dick Dever, of Bismarck, said he voted for Haley, but added she's unlikely to win. The retired factory representative, 72, said, "I hear an awful lot of people say that they really liked Trump's policies but they don't like the way he conducts himself, and I think he's gone overboard a bit. Caucus voters were encouraged to be paying party members, but those who wouldn't pay USD 50 for annual membership were asked to sign a pledge to affiliate with the party, caucus Chair Robert Harms said. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. The caucuses followed official state voter identification protocols, such as providing a driver's license. Voting was done only in person and on printed ballots, which will be hand-counted. In 2016, it was a North Dakota delegate who helped Trump secure the number needed for the Republican presidential nomination. He swept North Dakota's three electoral college votes in 2016 and 2020, winning about 63 per cent and 65 per cent of those votes, respectively. As president, Trump visited Bismarck and Mandan in 2017 to talk about tax cuts, and he campaigned twice in Fargo in 2018 for Kevin Cramer in the then-congressman's successful Senate bid against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. North Dakota's Democratic-NPL Party is holding a presidential primary almost entirely by mail, with mail-in voting from Feb. 20 to March 30, and limited in-person voting for residents of Indian reservations. President Joe Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips and six others are on the ballot. A third party will count ballots in Fargo on March 30, with results available on the party's website afterward. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic caucuses in 2016 and 2020. (AP) CK BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov took part and addressed the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) within the framework of his working visit to Saudi Arabia, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. In his speech, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the current situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone, ongoing civilian casualties, forced displacement of people from the Gaza Strip, as well as the fact that the population is facing hunger are of serious concern. Expressing condolences on behalf of Azerbaijan to the families and relatives of the victims, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that the country joins the calls for an urgent cessation of hostilities, as well as the need for the international community to take urgent measures to stop the loss of innocent lives. He noted that Azerbaijan supports the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the norms of international law, as well as the two-state principle following the United Nations resolutions, and has been making constant efforts for many years to eliminate the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. Speaking about the humanitarian aid to the brotherly Palestinian people at the national level, the Minister mentioned the contribution of $2 million to the relevant UN agency to help people on the ground. Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that Azerbaijan, as an active and responsible member of the Islamic world, will continue to support the search for a just and sustainable solution to the Palestinian issue within the framework of international legal norms, following the spirit of brotherhood and the values of the holy Islamic religion. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel *China raises its defence budget by 7.2 per cent to USD 232 billion for this year. Introspect on deserved global reputation as 'worlds terrorism factory'; India hits out at Pakistan in UNHRC. One Indian killed, another two injured in anti-tank missile attack in Israel's north. Twitter's former leaders including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal sue Elon Musk for non-payment of severance totalling USD 128 mn. Nikki Haley trailing behind Donald Trump in Republican presidential battle on Super Tuesday. China's economic growth target for 2024 is about 5 pc, on par with last year's rate. India-US relationship now can be as ambitious as we choose to be: Deputy Amb Ranganathan. Stories on Israel-Gaza war. Stories on Russia-Ukraine war. * PTI NSA NSA Male, Mar 5 (PTI) Stepping up his anti-India rhetoric, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10, a media report said on Tuesday. Muizzus statement comes less than a week after an Indian civilian team reached the Maldives to take charge of one of the three aviation platforms in the island nation, well ahead of the March 10 deadline agreed by the two nations for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. Addressing the Baa atoll Eydhafushi residential community during his tour across the atoll, the President stated that due to his governments success in expelling Indian troops from the country, people who spread false rumours, are attempting to twist the situation, a news portal Edition.mv reported. That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instil doubts in our hearts and spread lies, the portal quoted Muizzu, widely regarded as a pro-China leader, as saying. 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. Earlier last month, after a high-level meeting in Delhi on February 2 between the two sides, the Maldivian foreign ministry said India would replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 and the first phase of the process would be completed by March 10. In his maiden address to Parliament on February 5, he made similar remarks. There are 88 military personnel manning the three Indian platforms that have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. Muizzu rode to power last year on an anti-India stance and within hours of taking oath demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Edition.mv further reported that while the first troops to depart the country are the Indian military personnel operating the two helicopters in Addu City, the military personnel present in Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimaadhoo and Laamu atoll Kahdhoo are also expected to leave ahead of May 10. India had agreed to remove their troops from Maldives under the condition that a number of their civilians equivalent to the military presence are brought to operate the aircraft. The Opposition has been directing criticism at the administration asserting that the Indian personnel sent to Maldives as civilians are in reality military officials out of uniform and that the government has no way to ascertain otherwise, the portal claimed. Meanwhile, local media reports also said that Maldives has successfully tied up with Sri Lanka to run flights for medical evacuation last week, further indicating that it is bent on removing all Indian troops in whichever category. Further highlighting that securing true independence is a concept he regards with utmost priority, the President remarked that the State is exerting efforts with due importance to regain the southern maritime area deprived of the country in addition to expelling Indian troops from the Maldives. I am confident we can achieve this. The delay in concluding this task is due to the adverse procedures practiced during the implementation. It was done without even taking the matter to the parliament ... in violation of the Constitution as well, the portal quoted the President as saying. The Maldives' proximity to India, barely 70 nautical miles from the island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep and 300 nautical miles from the mainland's western coast, and its location at the hub of commercial sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) gives it significant strategic importance. The Maldives has been India's key maritime neighbour in the IOR and it occupies a special place in its initiatives such as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighbourhood First Policy.' Manila, Mar 5 (AP) Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea, and four Filipino crew members were injured Tuesday in a series of confrontations as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for an Asian summit where alarm over Beijing's 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 maneuvers that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said. The BRP Sindangan of the Philippine coast guard had minor structural damage from the collision that happened shortly after dawn. 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. 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. China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers 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. 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. The shoal has been the site of several tense skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships last year. 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 Ren'ai 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 on Wednesday in Melbourne. 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 country's territory but stressed that Manila would continue to tread the path of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes with China. The Philippines and Vietnam plan to raise their alarm over China's 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 authorized 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. 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". The confrontations have sparked fears of a larger conflict that could involve the United States. 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. (AP) SCY SCY Islamabad, Mar 5 (PTI) 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. "We will unite all political forces and will launch a movement within the law and Constitution," said former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser while speaking to the media here. He said that they are planning to take to the streets in all provinces so their demands are met, Geo News reported. "Our movement will continue and will bring together all political forces," he said, adding that they will ally with like-minded parties. The February 8 general election, marred by allegations of widespread rigging, in Pakistan, resulted in a hung Parliament with independent candidates backed by Imran Khan's party winning more than 90 seats at the 266-member National Assembly. Ex-premier Nawaz Sharif's PML-N bagged 75 seats and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto's PPP got 54 seats. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) won 17 seats. Nawaz's younger brother Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister on Monday, days after his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a coalition government. Qaiser said that they would protest peacefully as they don't believe in the Shehbaz Sharif-led "fake government". 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. "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. 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. Seoul, Mar 5 (PTI) The era when a few powers exercised "disproportionate influence" over the reshaping of the global order is a thing of the past so India and South Korea have a growing responsibility to actively contribute to the process, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, Jaishankar who is here on a two-day visit, said Indias partnership with the Republic of Korea is acquiring a greater salience in a more uncertain and volatile world. "India and South Korea have a growing responsibility to actively contribute to the reshaping of the global order. The era when a few powers exercised disproportionate influence over that process is now behind us," he said. "Willy-nilly, it has become a more collaborative and broad-based endeavour. That multilateralism has also stalled and being replaced in good measure by plurilateralism is a factor as well," he said. Jaishankar said issues like countering terrorism or Weapons of mass Destruction proliferation or indeed ensuring maritime safety and security matter fundamentally to both nations. "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 said. The concept of the Indo-Pacific emerged as a consequence of geo-political shifts in the last few decades, he said. "Indias 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. We have an obligation to the global commons, just as we have a duty to do global good," he said. To realise their potential, Jaishankar said it is important that the two nations intensify their engagement in different spheres. He said the two nations need more political discussions and more strategic conversations. "We need stronger business connects and technology interactions," he said. "We will also have to be more collaborative, recognizing the strengths that we each bring to the table. Today, we are all contemplating the prospect of a re-globalisation that would be very much shaped by emerging technologies. That gives our two nations the opening to progress while contributing to a better world. He said he was confident that by broadening their horizons, the India-South Korea partnership could emerge as a significant factor in the Indo-Pacific. "Our expectation is that even within a few years, a very different larger ecosystem will take shape in India in this regard. I am sure that it will create more possibilities for collaboration between India and the Republic of Korea," he said. "Let me add here that even as we seek to strengthen our bilateral ties, there are a number of international initiatives in which our shared participation would certainly contribute to the bilateral facet of our relationship as well," he said. "We have also seen opportunity in initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework or the Minerals Security Partnership. In crucial domains like digital delivery or clean energy, our national efforts have points of convergence," Jaishankar said. Islamabad, Mar 5 (PTI) Pakistan's top military brass on Tuesday expressed dismay that some small segments of the polity and media, especially social media, were maligning" the armed forces with unsubstantiated allegations" of interference in the process of elections. These remarks were made by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir who presided over the 263rd Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) held at GHQ, Rawalpindi, a day after Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the Prime Minister. He also said that rather the security force provided a secure environment for the conduct of polls, according to a statement by the Army. The powerful army, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 75-plus years of existence, has wielded considerable power in matters of security and foreign policy. The meeting noted that the armed forces, at great peril to their primary responsibility, provided a security environment for the conduct of elections on February 8 as per the given mandate, and had nothing to do with the electoral process. However, the forum expressed dismay that some vested small segments of polity and media especially social media have been maligning Armed Forces of Pakistan with unsubstantiated allegations of interference which is highly deplorable, it read. According to the statement, it is unfortunate that rather than focusing on real issues such as good governance, economic recovery, political stability and public well-being, the entire focus of such vested elements is on creating political instability and uncertainty by attempting to scapegoat others for their own failings. Though the military did not name any political party, it was directed at jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has been alleging that the powerful establishment had supported the PML-N party to steal its mandate. The meeting emphasised that due legal processes be followed with evidence and proof rather than resorting to unconstitutional and uncalled-for baseless political rhetoric and emotional outbursts. The commanders also appreciated the efforts of civil administration, law enforcement agencies and security forces for providing all-out assistance during general elections in the light of the Election Commission of Pakistans guidelines for creating a safe & secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds. The meeting noted with satisfaction the smooth democratic transition of power and hoped that the post-election environment would bring the desired political and economic stability resulting in peace and prosperity. It further expressed that the armed forces strongly believed that democratic consolidation was the way forward for the country. The meeting resolved that terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on the behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, will be dealt with the full might of the state, with the COAS directing the commanders to continue consolidating the gains against terrorism and militancy. The forum also paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of those killed, including officers and men of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives to ensure peace and stability in the country. The commanders affirmed that military leadership is cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges and threats and it remains committed to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan. They reiterated to continue providing full support to the government in combating security threats and uplifting the socio-economic growth in the country including wholehearted assistance in curbing all illegal activities including smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementation of 'One Document Regime' for foreigners and respectable and safe repatriation of all illegal foreigners. In line with the resolve of the Prime Minister, the forum committed that planners, instigators, abettors perpetrators and desecrators of martyrs monuments and attackers of military installations on May 9, would certainly be brought to justice under the relevant provisions of the law and Constitution. On this issue, the statement noted that malicious efforts to create distortions, confusion and disinformation are absolutely futile and only part of an organised campaign being launched for narrow political interests, to blur the abhorrent activities that took place. The meeting noted with concern organised misinformation and fake news being spread by certain nefarious elements to sow despondency and divisions within the society and urged the proud people of Pakistan to remain positive and united and wholeheartedly participate in the progress and development of the country. The participants affirmed that the Pakistan Army will continue defending and serving the nation in every possible way; in our journey towards enduring stability, prosperity and security. Beijing, Mar 5 (PTI) China on Tuesday vowed to work with the Maldives to build a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with the island nation and underlined that normal cooperation between the two does not "target" any third party and will not be disrupted by any 3rd party. Asked for her comments on China's military agreement with the Maldives at a press briefing here, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning referred the media to competent Chinese authorities for details. More broadly, China is committed to working with the Maldives to build a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, she said. Normal cooperation between China and the Maldives does not target any third party and will not be disrupted by any third party Mao said, without naming any country. Her statement came a day after China signed a defence cooperation agreement with the Maldives to provide free military assistance to foster "stronger" bilateral ties weeks after President Mohamed Muizzu set a deadline for the withdrawal of the first group of Indian military personnel to leave the island nation. Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon "signed an agreement on China's provision of military assistance gratis to the Republic of Maldives, fostering stronger bilateral ties with Chinese military official Major General Zhang Baoqun, the Maldivian defence ministry posted on its X handle. However, the details of the defence cooperation agreement were not revealed. The military agreement was signed days after the Maldives permitted a Chinese research ship, also termed a spy ship by critics, to dock near Male after Sri Lanka announced a yearlong moratorium on such ships docking in its ports. The Maldives and China elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership during the visit of Maldives President Muizzu to Beijing in January during which he held talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Muizzu, regarded as pro-China, signed several agreements with China and Beijing has also announced a USD 130 million grant to Maldives besides committing to send more Chinese tourists to the island nation. Meanwhile, Mao also positively reacted to Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda joining once again with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) headed by pro-China K P Sharma Oli ending his partnership with the Nepali Congress party to form a new government. China noted that Nepal has formed a new government coalition and reshuffled the cabinet recently. We sincerely hope that relevant parties of Nepal will work together in solidarity, advance the work related to the formation of the new government in a smooth manner, and realise political stability, economic growth and improvement of peoples livelihood, she said. We would like to work with the new government to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen our traditional friendship, strengthen practical cooperation, advance the China-Nepal strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity, and deliver more benefits to the peoples of the two countries, Mao said. Prachanda, who previously warmed up to China, struck a more balanced approach during his tenure in power, while Oli pursued a closer tie with Beijing and signed a transit trade agreement with China aimed at reducing dependence on India for his landlocked country. Washington, Mar 5 (AP) Users of Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms are experiencing login issues in what appears to be a widespread outage. Internet traffic observer Down Detector is reporting vast outages on several Meta platforms Tuesday. The problems are being reported across the world, suggesting that the outage could be global. London-based internet monitoring firm Netblocks said on X that four Meta platforms -- Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads -- were currently experiencing outages related to login sessions in multiple countries. But the firm, which advocates for internet freedom, said there was no sign of country-level internet disruptions or filtering, which are typically imposed by governments. Andy Stone, Meta's head communications, acknowledged the issues on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said the company is working on this now. (AP) AMS Mumbai, Mar 5 (PTI) Mumbai Police on Tuesday recovered the skull of a 12-year-old boy whose headless body was found in mangroves in Wadala area nearly 35 days after he went missing, an official said. The boy, identified as Sandeep Yadav, had been missing since January 28 after he went out with one Bipul Sikari, also a resident of Wadala. A day before Sandeep's headless body was found. Police said when Sandeep's father Bechai Yadav and others had confronted Sikari, he had told them that he handed over the boy to a transgender person. "Sikari was thrashed and was subsequently taken to Wadala Truck Terminus police station. A cop told him to wash the blood but Sikari fled taking advantage of the circumstances," the official said. The deceased Sandeep was the only child of the Yadav couple born 14 years after their marriage. Meanwhile, police registered a case of kidnapping and continued the search for the boy. Police were informed on Monday that a headless body was lying in mangroves in the Wadala creek area, the official added. The deceased boy was identified by his father with the help of his clothes, footwear, and a 'kada' he was wearing. During a search on Tuesday, police found the skull lying 15-20 feet away from the spot where the corpse was found earlier. Police have added sections 302 (Punishment for murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of the evidence of the offence) of the Indian Penal Code and formed teams to nab Sikari. According to the official, Sikari is a resident of West Bengal and was arrested in a murder case earlier. He had jumped parole in the previous murder case and came to Mumbai, the official said. Mumbai, Mar 4 (PTI) The body of a 12-year-old boy, who was missing for over a month from his residence in Mumbai's Wadala area, was found on Monday evening, police said. The body was recovered from a creek near Wadala Truck Terminus, an official said, adding the boy had been missing from his residence since January 28. His body was identified by his father with the help of his footwear, he said. The boy's father alleged he was abducted and murdered, said the official. A probe was underway. Political advisor suggests to expand channels for investment in elderly education Global Times) 16:57, March 04, 2024 Senior citizens exercise in a fitness club for elder residents only, in Hongqiao subdistrict, Changning, Shanghai. Photo: Chen Shasha/GT As the scale and proportion of elderly population continue to rise, the aging process is accelerating significantly, and the degree of aging is constantly deepening, China should actively expand the channels for investment in elderly education in urban communities, increase investment in various education funds and ensure the development of elderly education, a political advisor proposed on Monday. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that by the end of 2022, the population aged 60 and above and 65 and above in China were 280 million and 209 million respectively, accounting for 19.8 percent and 14.9 percent of the total population, indicating that China has become a moderately aging society. Against this backdrop, the country should attach significant importance to active aging and the protection of the rights and interests of the elderly. Elderly education is considered an effective way to improve their quality of life and maintain social participation. Currently, most of China's education funds are used for youth education, with limited investment in community elderly education, leading to significant challenges in the development of elderly education in some areas, Gan Huatian, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee and professor of West China School of Medicine, said on Monday. At the same time, there is a lack of understanding of elderly education across the society, combined with insufficient attention from local governments, and a poorly targeted funding mechanism, Gan pointed out. Through his research, Gan found that the 34 provincial-level administrative regions all have adopted laws or policy provisions related to elderly education, with more emphases on promoting lifelong education through the establishment of community colleges, sharing learning resources, and building elderly-friendly communities. With the effective implementation of proactive aging policies in the new era, the content of elderly education regulations needs to be timely updated and improved to activate its underlying legal vitality, Gan told to the Global Times on Monday. To address these issues, Gan suggested that elderly education should be supported by the government with special funds and increased investment in education expenses to ensure its development. At the same time, efforts should be made to actively expand the channels for funding elderly education in urban communities, by establishing community elderly education foundations in communities, encouraging and supporting donations from enterprises, individuals and other organizations to raise funds for community elderly education through multiple channels. These funds can be used for social activities, personnel support, training expenses and other daily services needed for community elderly education, providing economic resources for future community Besides, the role of law in guiding social development should be emphasized, by enacting national legislation to clarify the legal status of elderly education, streamline the management system of elderly education, define departmental responsibilities, facilitate inter-departmental cooperation, and promote institutional development from top to bottom to achieve the legal and sustainable development of elderly education. Furthermore, the leading role of the education department in the management system of elderly education should be further clarified. Given the relatively lagging legislation on elderly education in China, it is important to focus on formulating a series of specific policies and regulations with scientific and operational feasibility, such as ensuring funding mechanisms for elderly education, building and managing the teaching staff for elderly education, providing an effective supply of elderly education resources, and promoting the diversified development of specialized elderly education institutions, Gan added. For senior citizens who are not familiar with the internet or smartphones, computer training courses and smartphone training courses should be included in elderly education programs to enhance their ability to use smart technology and integrate them better into the smart society, allowing them to enjoy the convenience brought by the information age, Gan stressed. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) In a landmark move, Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC), the global diversified multi-sector investment company, has announced the creation of a new board observer position for an artificial intelligence (AI) entity, named Aiden Insight, a report said. This strategic initiative positions IHC as a pioneer in leveraging AI for corporate governance and decision-making, Emirates News Agency, WAM, said. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, IHC Chairman, said: Our decision to appoint Aiden Insight as an AI Board Observer is a testament to IHC's commitment to innovation and forward-thinking leadership. Aiden will provide us with unparalleled data analysis and strategic insights, ensuring that IHC remains at the forefront of industry developments and continues to deliver value to our stakeholders. IHC pioneers corporate governance by integrating Aidens AI insights as a Board Observer into its strategic decision-making process, he added. Aiden Insight is a virtual entity endowed with sophisticated AI capabilities, and is set to revolutionise the way IHC navigates the complexities of the global investment landscape. This groundbreaking initiative by IHC is powered by the leading AI capabilities of G42 in collaboration with Microsoft, setting a new benchmark for excellence in AI development in the business and investment domains. Leveraging the largest AI computing system in the UAE, G42, are developing Aiden to serve as an IHC Board Observer, with the ability to continuously process and instantly analyse decades of business data, financial information, market trends, and global economic indicators. With a focus on transparency, innovation, and ethical business practices, Aiden embodies the values and forward-thinking approach that IHC stands for. The name Aiden Insight encapsulates both symbolic meaning and functional purpose for its Board Observer AI role. Aiden, of Irish origin (both a male and female name), meaning little fire" or fiery one, symbolises the AI's capacity to ignite innovation and provide dynamic insights, while Aidens surname Insight, highlights its ability to deeply analyse data and aid the board with valuable perspectives. Together, Aidens name serves both as an aid and an enhancer, contributing to informed and strategic decision-making on the Board. The role of Aiden Insight will encompass a wide range of responsibilities, including continuous data analysis, risk assessment, strategic planning support, innovation tracking, and ethical and compliance monitoring. Aiden will attend IHC Board meetings as a non-voting observer, offering real-time insights to inform discussions and guide decisions. "We are proud to welcome Aiden Insight to our Board as the AI Observer. Powered by G42 in collaboration with Microsoft, this groundbreaking initiative reflects our dedication to embracing cutting-edge technology and innovation, ensuring that IHC remains a leader in strategic investment and corporate responsibility," said IHC CEO, Syed Basar Shueb. The introduction of Aiden Insight is anticipated to confer a multitude of benefits to the IHC Board. These include bolstered decision-making through enhanced data analysis, strategic future-proofing against emerging trends and technologies, and the promotion of a culture of innovation. Moreover, Aiden's role will contribute to efficient resource management, improved risk management, and the maintenance of the company's reputation for ethical leadership. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. 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 Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan told Trend. 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. Kolkata, Mar 5 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the eastern region at 5.45pm. CAL40 JH-LD TOURIST People of India treated me very well: Spanish tourist, who was gang-raped, before leaving for Nepal Dumka: A Spanish woman, who was allegedly gang-raped in Jharkhand's Dumka district last week, said on Tuesday that she has no complaints against the people of India as she has safely travelled around 20,000 km across the country. CAL38 AS-HIMANTA-RAHUL Assam Police to issue summons to Rahul Gandhi over Nyay Yatra violence: Himanta Bongaigaon/Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state police will issue summons to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over violence during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Guwahati. CAL37 OD-PM-RALLY Cong, allies only focused on filling their coffers before 2014: PM Modi Jajpur (Odisha): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Congress, alleging that the party and its allies only focused on filling their coffers before 2014, when they were in power at the Centre. CAL36 OD-CONG-MODI Cong asks if Modi Ka Parivar includes Vijay Mallya, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Bhubaneswar: The Congress on Tuesday sought clarification from the BJP whether fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya were also in Modi ka parivar. CAL35 BH-AIRCRAFT-LD MALFUNCTION Bihar: Small Army aircraft lands on field in Gaya after malfunction, pilots injured Gaya: Two trainee pilots were injured as a small aircraft of the Indian Army landed on a field in Bihar's Gaya district on Tuesday morning moments after it took off, officials said. New Delhi, Mar 4 (PTI) Considering the requirement of quality in-patient care, Ayush hospitals should be spread across the country following the bed per population norm, according to a set of new guidelines issued by the Ayush Ministry. According to the norm, one hospital bed per 5,000 population is "essential" while 1 bed per 2,000 population is "desirable". There are 3,844 Ayush hospitals in various categories across the country run by central and state governments. These hospitals together have a bed strength of 60,943. The "essential" number of beds in Ayush hospitals may be provided through the public health system such as medical colleges, district hospitals, 10-bedded, 30-bedded, 50 or more bedded Ayush hospitals, the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for Ayush healthcare facilities stated. To achieve the "desirable" number of beds, the contribution of the private sector may also be considered while continuing to strengthen and increase bed provision at public health facilities, the guidelines said. As a thumb rule, all beds available and functional for a patient for more than 24 hours have been calculated as in-patient hospital beds. The Ayush hospitals, in adherence to IPHS standards, are expected to provide a comprehensive range of essential services that align with the principles of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, SowaRigpa and Homoeopathy, the document said. This includes but is not limited to promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services catering to a wide spectrum of health conditions. These facilities are encouraged to integrate traditional and complementary medicine practices with the contemporary healthcare system, fostering a harmonious blend that caters to the diverse healthcare needs of the population, the document said. The guidelines also stressed ensuring a continuum of care, establishment of assured referral systems along with facility readiness to manage referred cases. All Ayush healthcare facilities should be strategically situated to ensure convenient access for the rural and urban communities they serve, it stated, adding that adequate space and infrastructure should be allocated to cater to the evolving healthcare needs. All Ayush hospitals should be resilient to climatic and environmental changes and able to handle sudden healthcare needs during disasters and emergencies, epidemics and pandemics. The IPHS guidelines for Ayush hospitals has emphasized strategic planning for service delivery as a priority, before investing in other components such as infrastructure, human resources, drugs, diagnostics, equipment, and others. To achieve this, the set of guidelines has categorised healthcare services as either 'essential' or 'desirable' and correspondingly classified human resources in a similar fashion. According to the guidelines, states and Union territories should conduct Ayush-specific training needs assessment to identify the training requirements of the Ayush healthcare workforce. Apart from this, identify the need for integrating Ayush and modern medicine training for Ayush healthcare professionals, if required, the document said, adding that a robust grievance redressal mechanism should be established in all such hospitals. Every state and Union Territory should have an occupational safety and health policy for Ayush hospitals, outlining the framework for ensuring the safety, health and well-being of employees, patients, and visitors. The document stated that quality plays an important role and it should ideally be maintained in such a manner that the outcome meets the prescribed standards, even without any supervision. Any proposed system must incorporate best practices from contemporary systems like the National Quality Assurance System. National Accreditation Board for Hospital and Healthcare Providers standards for various Ayush systems will be referred and consulted to customize them for meeting the needs of Ayush Centers, the document said. New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) Days after a 17-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly killed in police firing in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday demanded action against the guilty while accusing the state government and the local administration of trying to cover up the issue. A CPI(M) delegation, including politburo member Subhashini Ali, central committee member Vikram Singh, Moradabad district secretary Javed Khan and Shabbu Khan visited Silai Baragaon village in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district on March 4. The Dalit boy was killed and two others were injured in a clash over the installation of a board with BR Ambedkar's photo in Rampur on February 28. The police have said that the clash occurred between two groups when one faction was trying to install a board with the picture of Ambedkar and wanted to install his statue on the land. Ali, who led the delegation that went to the village, said the land belonging to the Gram Sabha was converted into a park following a call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cleanliness campaigns. According to the information shared by the delegation, Ranjeet Kaur, the village pradhan, on January 21 supervised the cleaning up of an empty plot of land at the entrance of village which was being used as a garbage dump. After the cleaning, it was decided that the plot be converted into Dr Ambedkar Park. "The entire village supported the move and a small brick platform was constructed in the middle of the empty plot and Dr Ambedkar's photograph was placed on it on February 10. Children accompanied by their mothers from the Dalit basti started playing in the park," Ali said. "After more than a week passed, there was some talk that some people from the dominant OBC community had approached the administration and complained about the park. No one from the administration spoke to the Dalit villagers about this or went to the spot for an inspection," she said. In a statement issued by the CPI(M), they said that at about 5 pm on February 27 when there were only women and children in the park, the SDM arrived with a police contingent and a bulldozer. The women surrounded the platform determined not to allow any disrespect to be shown to Ambedkar's photograph and were beaten with lathis and received injuries on their faces and limbs but they refused to budge. "The SDM then ordered the police to fire. After a few bullets were fired, the women and children ran for their lives. Somesh Kumar, son of Shri Premchand, a Class X student died on the spot. Seeing this, the police and members of the administration moved away. One other Dalit youngster, Raispal, was seriously injured in the firing and taken to the hospital," the CPI(M) said. Quoting villagers, they said that there has been no assurance from the government that the guilty will be punished or that the family will get compensation. "Our delegation feels that what has happened is a case of extreme brutality and callousness on the part of the Rampur administration which is now trying to effect a 'cover up'. The SDM and one police officer have been transferred, which is not punishment," Ali said. "We condemn this incident as being one which exposes the Manuvadi and oppressive face of the UP government. We demand that Somesh's family be paid 1 crore rupees in compensation, one member of his family be given a government job, the Ambedkar Park be constructed with a statue of Dr Ambedkar and a statue of Somesh Kumar," she said. The CPI(M) leaders also pointed out that while the FIR filed by the revenue official filed on February 29, in which the son of the pradhan has been named, is in the public domain, the FIR filed by Somesh's father is not available on the police website. "According to the press, he has accused the administration and police of being responsible for his son's death," she said. They also said the revenue official claimed in the FIR that he received a complaint from someone in the village that the land was cleared so that it could be encroached and that Ambedkar's photo was placed in the night. "On the 24th itself he disposed of the matter. He does not mention that anyone from the village was questioned or asked for an explanation and held that the Gram Sabha land had been illegally encroached. In continuation of this, the administration and police went to the spot on the 27th. It appears that many of the facts in this FIR are distortions," Ali added. Somesh Kumar, who was killed in the firing, was a student of Class 0 who was returning home after giving his Class 10 examination. The boys family have alleged that he was killed in police firing. A video of the incident surfaced on social media showing the police engaging in stone pelting and lathi-charge. Jaunpur (UP), Mar 5 (PTI) A local court here on Tuesday held former MP Dhananjay Singh and one other guilty of kidnapping 'Namami Gange' project manager Abhinav Singhal, demanding extortion, abusing and threatening him. Additional Sessions Judge Sharad Kumar Tripathi, after hearing both the factions, held Singh and his associate Santosh Vikram guilty in the matter. The punishment will be decided on Wednesday. Both Singh and his associate have been sent to judicial custody. Giving details of the case, District Government Counsel (Criminal) Satish Pandey said that Muzaffarnagar resident Abhinav Singhal had filed a case against Dhananjay Singh and his partner Vikram on May 10, 2020, at Linebazar police station under sections of kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy and others. It was alleged that Vikram, along with two associates, kidnapped Singhal and took him to the residence of the former MP where Dhananjay Singh came with a pistol and abused him and pressurised him to supply low quality material. On refusal, he threatened and demanded extortion, it was alleged. The former MP was arrested in this case and later got bail from the Allahabad High Court, Pandey said. Dhananjay Singh, who served as the Member of Parliament in the 15th Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014 as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member, is described as 'Purvanchal Bahubali'. In 2011, BSP president Mayawati had expelled him from the party on charges of anti-party activities. Presently with the Janata Dal (United), Singh had recently through a post on 'X' indicated his plans of contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections from Jaunpur seat. He had won the election for the first time in 2002 from the Rari Assembly seat as an independent candidate. New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) India and Bangladesh began their bi-annual DG-level border talks in Dhaka on Tuesday to discuss a host of issues related to curbing cross-frontier crimes and measures to create better coordination between their security forces and agencies. A delegation led by Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Nitin Agrawal reached Dhaka for the meeting to be held between March 5-9 with their counterparts Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui will lead the Bangladeshi delegation. "During the border coordination conference, both sides will be deliberating on a wide range of issues related to border management specially prevention of border crimes, border infrastructure related issues, joint efforts for effective implementation of coordinated border management plan (CBMP), river bank protection works and water sharing between both the countries etc.," a BSF spokesperson said. This is the 54th edition of the talks between the two forces. Both sides are expected to deliberate on a number of issues related to border management like taking steps to stop incidents of assault and attacks on the BSF personnel and civilians by the Bangladeshi criminals, jointly checking crimes like smuggling of goods and fake Indian currency along this front, improving the coordinated border management plan (CBMP) and checking illegal construction activities along the border fence, among other things, a senior Union home ministry officer had told PTI last month. The BSF guards the 4,096-km-long Indian front with Bangladesh on the country's eastern side. The DG-level border talks were held annually between 1975 and 1992, but they were made bi-annual in 1993 with either side alternatively travelling to the national capitals of New Delhi and Dhaka. The last talks were held in Delhi in June, 2023. New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Tuesday inspected a prototype of a nine-metre mohalla bus at the Rajghat bus depot and travelled on it to attend the Assembly budget session. He said these mohalla buses have seats for 23 passengers and are designed for shorter routes within Delhi, serving as a vital mode of first and last-mile connectivity for commuters. After inspecting the bus at the depot, he drove the vehicle around it. Later, he boarded the bus as a commuter to reach the Delhi Assembly. More than 40 lakh bus trips are completed by commuters in Delhi daily using the 7,582 buses operated by the Delhi Government, the minister said. "Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, we are committed to enhancing the public transportation network and ensuring efficient mobility solutions for all residents of Delhi," Gahlot said. The Mohalla bus scheme was announced last year, with 100 buses expected to ply on Delhi roads in the 2023-24 fiscal. "The bus I rode in today is equipped with a 196kW battery, providing a range of 120-130 km on a full charge. This allows the bus to easily complete 10 to 15 round trips on a single charge," Gahlot said. These buses are green in colour. Moreover, 25 per cent of the seats are pink, reserved exclusively for women who can also avail free rides on these buses through Pink passes. The Mohalla Bus Scheme aims to deploy 9-metre-long electric buses to provide neighbourhood or feeder bus services. The Kejriwal government plans to introduce 2,180 such buses by 2025, catering specifically to areas which have limited road width or witness overcrowding. These buses will help boost first and last-mile connectivity for the people, particularly in areas where the standard 12-metre buses face operational challenges due to their size and turning radius. Delhiites can expect to see these buses on city roads by next month, Gahlot said. By the end of 2025, Delhi aims to have a total of 10,480 buses, out of which 80 per cent will be electric. Guwahati, Mar 5 (PTI) A man was critically injured on Tuesday after the husband of a woman, with whom he allegedly had an extramarital affair, shot at him in Guwahati, a senior police officer said. The incident happened at Borbari locality in the heart of the city, the officer said. According to Guwahati Police Deputy Commissioner (East) Mrinal Deka, the victim and the attacker were known to each other, and they had argued before the incident. "The victim had an illicit relationship with the wife of the accused, who somehow managed to procure a handgun. Late in the afternoon today, the accused shot the victim in the neck," he added. The victim was critically injured and admitted to a nearby private hospital, the police officer said. "We have arrested the attacker and seized the weapon. Further investigation is underway," Deka said. New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) 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, his alleged business associate and liquor trader Sachin Narayan (45), another associate Sunil Kumar Sharma (46) who operated a fleet of luxury buses, 49-year-old Karnataka Bhawan (Delhi) employee A Hanumanthaiah and former state government employee and caretaker posted at the Karnataka Bhawan Rajendra N (76). The department during the searches had seized more than Rs 8.59 crore, out of which more than Rs 41 lakh has now been adjusted as tax liability of Shivakumar and more than Rs 7.58 lakh as that of Sharma after they claimed the money as their agriculture income and business income, respectively. The tax department later filed a charge-sheet before a Bengaluru court on charges of tax evasion against all the accused and the Enforcement Directorate took cognisance of this complaint to file a money laundering case in 2018. Hyderabad, Mar 5 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation for development projects worth more than Rs 6,800 crore and also address a rally on Tuesday at Sangareddy, about 60 km from here. The projects are related to multiple key sectors such as road, rail, petroleum and natural gas, an official release had earlier said. Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy yesterday told reporters that Modi, who stayed at Raj Bhavan here last night, will visit Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple here and offer prayers today morning. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Civil Aviation Research Organisation (CARO) centre in Hyderabad 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 will also inaugurate and lay the foundation for three National Highway projects. He will also lay 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 will inaugurate doubling and electrification of Sanathnagar-Moula Ali rail line along with six new station buildings. Modi will also flag 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 will also inaugurate 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). Bengaluru, Mar 5 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received an email threatening to cause explosions in various targets of the State if they don't pay up USD 2.5 million. Shivakumar, also state Congress chief, told reporters on Tuesday he has forwarded the email to the police officers who are now on the job to trace the sender. I and the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah received the mail three days ago. It is in my phone and I have sent it to the police for investigation, he said. According to him, the sender is Shahid Khan10786, who has also shared another email ID for future communication. The letter read, Alert-1- You saw our movie trailer. If you dont provide us 2.5 million USD we will cause large explosion on buses, trains, taxis, temples, hotels and public places throughout Karnataka. Alert-2 We want to show you one more trailer. We will explode in the next one in the Ambari Utsav bus. After the blast in the bus we will raise our demand on social media and we will upload the screenshots of the mail sent to you also on the social media. We will tweet the next information about explosion on the social media.", it said. Shivakumar said: We dont know whether it is bogus, fraud, true, false or blackmailer. We have sent it to our police officers. They are on the job. The mail comes close on the heels of the low-intensity blast at an eatery 'The Rameshwaram Cafe' in Brookefield area near Whitefield here on March one. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. On March 5, 2024, on the sidelines of his participation in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers' extraordinary meeting, Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, bilateral and regional issues between the two countries, as well as the current situation in the region, were discussed. The Iranian Minister once again offered his congratulations on the successful conclusion of Azerbaijan's presidential elections and President Ilham Aliyev's re-election to this high position. He stressed that these elections are especially significant owing to the fact that they are held in the entirety of territories of Azerbaijan. Ministers also discussed the restoration of the operation of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan following the court decision against the person who committed the terror attack against the Azerbaijani Embassy. The parties addressed the extension of high-level contacts, the importance of the work of the Azerbaijan-Iran Intergovernmental Commission on Joint Economic Cooperation, and plans for the development and growth of regional transport and communication corridors. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Azerbaijan this year, has created additional opportunities for cooperation. Minister informed his counterpart about the current regional situation, as well as the current state and prospects of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. During the discussions, it was emphasized that efforts by certain states to arm Armenia and Armenia involving third parties that do not serve peace and stability in the region posed a threat to the peace process. Other bilateral and regional issues on the cooperation agenda between the two countries were also discussed during the meeting. On March 5, 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, as part of a working visit to Saudi Arabia, took part and spoke at an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Palghar, Mar 5 (PTI) The police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against six members of an interstate gang involved in cases of dacoity, murder and other crimes, an official said on Tuesday. The accused were arrested in January while they were preparing to commit dacoity, and a case under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act was registered against them at the Virar police station, assistant commissioner of police (Crime) MBVV Police Madan Ballal said. The gang was allegedly involved in several crimes in Palghar, Thane, Nashik, Pune, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Chatrapati Sambajinagar districts of Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, he said. The gang had cases of murder, armed dacoity, attempt to murder, theft, and housebreaking, among other crimes to its name, the official said. The police have now invoked charges under the MCOCA against the accused, he said. NATO kicked off an exercise on Monday to defend its newly expanded Nordic territory when more than 20,000 soldiers from 13 nations take part in drills lasting nearly two weeks in the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden. With over 4,000 Finnish soldiers taking part, the Norway-led Nordic Response 2024 represents the NATO newcomers largest ever participation in a foreign exercise, according to Finlands military. For the first time, Finland will participate as a NATO member nation in exercising collective defense of the alliances regions, the Finnish Defense Forces said in a statement. The Swedish Armed Forces said about 4,500 personnel from its air force, army and navy would take part in the drill, which is being conducted in demanding Arctic winter conditions. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia, joined NATO in April 2023 in a historic move following decades of military non-alignment. With its bid now ratified by all NATO members, neighboring Sweden is currently finalizing formalities to enter the military alliance as its 32nd member most likely in March. Both Sweden and Finland had developed strong ties with NATO after the end of the Cold War, but public opinion remained firmly against full membership until Russias invasion of Ukraine. Nonalignment was seen as the best way to avoid tensions with Russia, their powerful neighbor in the Baltic Sea region. But the Russian aggression caused a dramatic shift in public opinion in both countries, and they applied jointly for NATO membership in May 2022. For years, the biannual NATO drill, which has been conducted in the Arctic extremes of northern Norway, was called Cold Response. However, thanks to the NATO expansion with Finland and eventually Sweden, we are now expanding the exercise to a Nordic Response, the Norwegian Armed Forces said on its website. This year, the drill is hosted equally by Finland, Norway and Sweden. The pan-Nordic drill is part of Steadfast Defender 24, NATOs biggest exercises in decades, with up to 90,000 troops involved over several months of drills that are aimed at showing that the alliance can defend all of its territory up to its border with Russia. The participating nations in the current exercise that runs through March 15 are Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United States. Roughly half of the participating troops will drill on land. The rest will train at sea, with over 50 participating submarines, frigates, corvettes, aircraft carriers, and various amphibious vessels, and in the air with more than 100 fighter jets, transport aircraft, maritime surveillance aircraft and helicopters, according to the Norwegian military. The combined joint training will focus on the defense and protection of the Nordic region, Norwegian military officials said. We need to be able to fight back and stop anyone who tries to challenge our borders, values and democracy, said Brigadier Tron Strand from the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Commander of the Norwegian Air Operations Center, in a statement. With the current security situation in Europe, the exercise is extremely relevant and more important than ever before, he added. The High North represents an important and strategically located area for NATO and the Nordic Response 2024 exercise increases Nordic preparedness and the capability to conduct large-scale joint operations in challenging weather and climate, NATO said on its website. Finlands new president, Alexander Stubb, will inspect the drill together with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in northern Norway on March 7. Its the first foreign trip for Stubb since he was sworn in as Finlands new head of state and its supreme military commander on March 1. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is to visit an airbase in northern Sweden on March 11, the countrys military said. (AP) Chinas government said Monday it is eliminating an annual news conference by the premier that was one of the rare times a top Chinese leader took questions from journalists. Lou Qinjian, the spokesperson for the National Peoples Congress, said on the eve of the opening of the legislatures annual session that Premier Li Qiang would not hold a news conference at its conclusion, as it has every year since 1993. The move appears to be in line with a diminishing of the premiers power, and that of the government bureaucracy generally, as the Communist Party and leader Xi Jinping centralize control of the nations affairs, said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. Because the structure now is the party leads, the premier is more like an implementer of the partys orders, so no longer so important, he said. Thats the main message. The weeklong meeting of the largely ceremonial congress, which opens Tuesday, is being closely watched for any indications of what steps the government will take to boost the struggling economy. Li will present an annual report at the opening that is expected to include the governments economic growth target for 2024. On Monday, state leaders including Xi and Li attended the opening session of a parallel advisory body, the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, in the cavernous, red-carpeted chamber of the Great Hall of the People on one side of Beijings Tiananmen Square. Lou said that journalists would be given more opportunities to ask questions of government ministers and other officials, as well as of the nearly 3,000 delegates to the congress. The last time there was no premiers press conference after the congress was in 1992, state broadcaster CCTV said. If there are no special circumstances, the premiers press conference will not be held in the following years of this National Peoples Congress, he said, referring to its current five-year term that ends in 2027. Lou, speaking on a range of issues, insisted that China remains open to foreign business and investment, rejecting concerns that have been raised about recent changes to the national security laws. He also expressed confidence that the nation could overcome any restrictions placed on its access to technology. The spokesperson reiterated government reassurances that revisions to the espionage law are not targeting normal business, scientific and academic activity and exchanges. China opposes efforts to smear and undermine its business environment by misinterpreting the law, he said. The revised law improves the definition of espionage and clarifies illegal behaviors and the boundaries of legal behavior to enhance the certainty and security of foreign companies and foreigners investing, working, and living in China, he said. Foreign businesspeople say that uncertainties remain over what is and is not illegal. Lou also said that no one can put a stranglehold on China when it comes to technology, citing the development of Chinas own GPS-like satellite navigation system. This example fully demonstrates that as long as we persist in being self-reliant, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome, he said. For any known technology it is only a matter of time before we develop it. Lou declined to comment on this years U.S. presidential election and its impact on Chinas relations with the United States. He did take issue with attacks by American lawmakers and their trips to Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its territory. Frankly speaking, ordinary Chinese people often see members of the U.S. Congress put out bills to counter China, target Chinese institutions, companies and nationals or even make provocative visits to Chinas Taiwan region, he said. How much military spending will grow is expected to be revealed at the opening of the congress on Tuesday. Lou didnt comment on this years increase, but his response suggested that it would be similar to the recent trend of more moderate growth in percentage terms than the double-digit rises that ended in 2015. Last years hike was 7.2%. Helena Legarda, a defense and foreign policy analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin, expects a 6% to 7% increase, which she said would reflect the importance the government is placing on defense even as it wants to boost the economy. This would signal quite clearly that Beijing is quite concerned about its international environment and therefore prioritizing military modernization at the expense of certain other economic or social policy issues, she said. Lou said that China has promoted the simultaneous improvement of national defense and economic strength in recent years while maintaining a reasonable level of spending on its military. (AP) The U.N. human rights chief called Monday for a quick end to the repression of independent voices in Russia and expressed concerns about the persecution of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month. Volker Turk, in a wide-ranging speech, also lamented dozens of conflicts around the world, widespread violations of human rights law that have impacted millions, and displacements caused by war, which could escalate in places like the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and Sudan. Rarely has humanity faced so many rapidly spiraling crises, he told the Human Rights Council. Alluding to some countries among the dozens holding national elections this year, Turk denounced increasing restrictions on rights defenders, journalists and perceived critics in India. He urged U.S. authorities to ensure that voting is universal, alluding to discriminatory policies that restricted the right to vote for people of African descent. In the run-up to Russias presidential elections from March 15-17, Turk said Russian authorities have further intensified their repression of dissenting voices and noted how some candidates have been prevented from running due to alleged administrative irregularities. He said Navalnys death in a Russian prison last month adds to my serious concerns about his persecution and noted how thousands of politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers and others have faced criminal or administrative charges for having simply spoken their minds on social media. Turk called for a swift and comprehensive review of all cases where people in Russia were detained for exercising fundamental freedoms, and an immediate end to the repression of independent voices and the legal professionals who represent them. The future of the country depends on an open space, he said. Marchs vote in Russia is all but guaranteed to see President Vladimir Putin, 71, cement his place in power until at least 2030. Turk spoke out against the perception of racially motivated police activity in some Western countries and called on China to revise a criminal procedure law and the vague offense of picking quarrels and making trouble in one of its articles. I urge the release of human rights defenders, lawyers and others detained under such legislation, he said. (AP) A security expert has issued a stark warning that Britains terror threat level has reached its highest point since the 9/11 attacks, with a real risk of coordinated terrorist action or lone wolf attacks on UK soil. The expert cites record levels of chatter between extremists intercepted by spies, which are at their highest levels since the September 11 attacks. Politicians have been briefed on the situation, with one MP stating that the level of extremist chatter is off the scale and likening it to the spike in hate seen after 9/11. The warning comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech outside Downing Street, warning of forces seeking to tear the country apart with their hateful ideological agenda. Former Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick also expresses concern that the police and intelligence services are too stretched to deal with the cancer of Islamist extremism. MPs have held confidential meetings since December regarding the increase in chatter about potential plots, with sources warning of a high chance of both 7/7-style attacks and lone wolf attacks like the murder of Lee Rigby. Security officials also fear generational radicalization and the impact of the Gaza war on young British Muslims. The countrys terrorism threat level is currently substantial, the third highest state of alert, indicating an attack is likely. Conservative chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Alicia Kearns will ask ministers why the level has not been raised, while independent reviewer of counter-terrorism legislation Jonathan Hall KC notes the public brazenness of hate directed towards people by category. Head of MI5 Ken McCallum previously warned that the atrocities carried out by Hamas on October 7 could be a trigger for terror attacks in the UK. The threat level was last raised to critical the highest level on September 15, 2017, following the Parsons Green bombing, and was reduced to severe two days later. Reports suggest there were discussions to raise the threat level again last November. (AP) The FBI has issued an alert for Majid Dastjani Farahani, a 41-year-old suspected member of Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security, who is accused of plotting to assassinate former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other American officials. Farahani, who speaks multiple languages and frequently travels between Iran and Venezuela, had been recruiting individuals for operations in the US, including lethal targeting of current and former US government officials. The alert comes as Iran continues to seek retribution for the 2020 US assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, which was carried out under Pompeos watch. Farahani had been recruiting individuals as revenge for Soleimanis death, according to the FBI. Pompeo and Brian Hook, former President Donald Trumps special envoy for Iran, have been given around-the-clock security following news of the threat. This is not the first time Iran has been accused of plotting revenge attacks against US officials. In 2022, a member of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp was indicted for an alleged revenge plot to kill former national security advisor John Bolton. Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, directed a network of militias that targeted American troops in Iraq and had been responsible for numerous deaths. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Swiss police say the 15-year-old suspect in the stabbing of an Orthodox Jewish man in Zurich over the weekend had appeared in a video expressing solidarity with the banned Islamic State group, and called himself a soldier in its self-described caliphate. Zurich cantonal police security chief Mario Fehr told reporters Monday that authorities were investigating whether the teen, who was not identified, had acted alone or as part of a group. Officials said the suspect was a Swiss national. He refers to the IS (Islamic State), describes himself as a soldier of the caliphate, Fehr said of the video that authorities had authenticated. He denounced the stabbing Saturday as a terrorist and antisemitic attack. The suspect was arrested at the scene. In one video, the suspect referred to the attack in Arabic and called for a battle against the Jews, Fehr said. Authorities said the 50-year-old victim was critically injured but his life was no longer in danger. Swiss police have stepped up security around certain sites with a Jewish connection as a precaution. Switzerland was largely spared the extremist attacks across Western Europe and beyond in the mid-2010s, when the Islamic State group held large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria and was drawing radical fighters and others to join its self-described caliphate. Jewish leaders, rights groups, authorities and others in Switzerland and beyond have decried a surge of antisemitism since the deadly Oct. 7 attacks and hostage-takings by Hamas terrorists in Israel. (AP) Victoria Nuland, the third-highest ranking U.S. diplomat and frequent target of criticism for her hawkish views on Russia and its actions in Ukraine, will leave her post this month, the State Department said Tuesday. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe during the Obama administration but retired after Donald Trump was elected president, returned to government as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the Biden administration. She had been a candidate to succeed Wendy Sherman as deputy Secretary of State and had served as acting deputy since Shermans retirement seven months ago but lost an internal administration personnel battle when President Joe Biden nominated Kurt Campbell to the no. 2 spot. Campbell took office last month. Nuland had served at the U.S. embassy in Moscow in the tumultuous 1990s and was in the city during the attempted coup against former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. She then became U.S. ambassador to NATO before being tapped to serve as the State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton during President Barack Obamas first term. As the department spokeswoman and later as assistant Secretary of State for Europe, Nuland drew the ire of many Russian leaders for her outspoken defense of Ukraine, particularly after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Former Secretary of State John Kerry has recalled on numerous times that when Nuland left the spokeswomans job during his tenure to become the top diplomat for Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov congratulated him for getting rid of that woman. Kerry said he replied to Lavrov that he didnt get rid of her, I promoted her. Current Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Nuland for her three and a half decades of public service and thanked her for her role in shaping U.S. policy around the world under six presidents and 10 secretaries of state. But its Torias leadership on Ukraine that diplomats and students of foreign policy will study for years to come, Blinken said in a statement. Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure, and helping Ukraine work toward the day when it will be able to stand strongly on its own feet democratically, economically, and militarily. Nuland will be replaced temporarily as under secretary by another career diplomat, John Bass, a former ambassador to Afghanistan who oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from the country. He is currently the undersecretary of state for management. (AP) BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 6. An agreement on the return of Azerbaijani diplomats to Iran soon was reached, Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian said, Trend reports citing the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that the results of the trial of the man who killed an employee of the Azerbaijani embassy were discussed during the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Jeddah. "We have reached an agreement to take measures to send a diplomatic delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Iran in the near future," the minister said. The work of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Iran was suspended after an armed attack on January 27 last year, as a result of which the head of the Security Service was killed and two more employees of the diplomatic mission were injured. In February of this year, the terrorist who attacked the Azerbaijani embassy was sentenced to death. In recent days, IDF forces from the 98th Division have surrounded the Hamad area of western Khan Younis and are hunting for terrorists who fled the combat areas of the city. According to intelligence reports, the terrorists are hiding in the neighborhood, which was built by Qatar and has a significant terrorist infrastructure. About 8,500 civilians living in the neighborhood were evacuated by IDF forces over the past day. Also in the past day, IDF soldiers identified and arrested 85 terrorists, some of whom participated in the October 7th massacre, who were hiding among the civilians. According to the IDF, the terrorists, who were transferred for interrogation, are providing important information for the continuation of the fighting. The IDF said on Monday that it arrested about 1,300 terrorists since the beginning of the operation in western Khan Younis. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An opinion article by the Wall Street Journals Editorial Board accuses US President Joe Biden of playing into Hamass strategy by placing the onus of providing aid to Gazan civilians on Israel. The article, entitled: Playing Hamass Game on Aid to Gaza, quoted Biden as saying on Friday: Were going to insist that Israel facilitate more trucks and more routes to get more and more people the help they need. No excuses. It continues by saying that Bidens statement plays into Hamass strategy: Place civilians in maximum danger and trust the international community to set up Israel to take the blame. In war, civilians flee to safety. Only in Gaza has the world decided that all civilians must stay trapped in the war zone, in danger and harder to reach with aid. After Egypt closed its border in solidarity with the cause of Palestinenever mind the cost to Palestiniansone would expect Cairo to face great pressure to save lives. The opposite occurred. Rather than demand that Egypt follow its obligation under international law to accept refugees from the fighting next door, the U.S., United Nations and aid organizations took up Egypts position and admonished Israel not to displace civilians from Gaza. No forcible displacement become Secretary of State Antony Blinkens mantra, when in reality Palestinians arent allowed to leave voluntarily. Only when it can damage Israel does it become the liberal position to close the borders and keep refugees penned in a war zone. The U.S. gives Egypt $1.3 billion in aid a year. Mr. Biden has leverage but chose not to use it. So instead of civilians fleeing the fighting, receiving aid in freer conditions and then returning after the war, they have been kept in Gaza to serve as Israels problem. Their presence in such large numbers leads to more casualties, desperate conditions, a longer war and tremendous challenges for aid distribution. All of this is blamed on Israel. Rather than get Gazans to safety, the worlds humanitarian organs at every stage of the war have demanded that Israel cease fire, leaving Hamas in power with hostages in tow. The World Health Organization resisted evacuating hospitals in northern Gaza until the last possible minute, each time urging Israel to leave Hamas its terror bases. This risked lives, but Israel was blamed. The delivery of aid by international organizations has lately been inconsistent as convoys are attacked by Hamas, local gangs or throngs of civilians. Drivers have been killed. Mr. Biden has now made clear that he will treat this as Israels problem, but its worth recalling how his position has shifted. On Oct. 18, the President said, Let me be clear: If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated oonce again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people, and it will end. As a practical matter, it will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid. In short, Hamas would be to blame and the aid would have to stop. Now, fearing his partys left flank, Mr. Biden blames Israel and says aid must increase, no matter how much Hamas steals. Gazans need aid, and they also need the world to stop playing Hamass game. On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris attacked Israel, calling for an immediate ceasefire and bemoaning the immense scale of suffering in Gaza. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In an interview with the BBC today, Basim Naim, a member of Hamas politburo, claimed that the terror organization is unable to provide a list of living hostages because it lacks access to accurate information. We didnt until now submit any listit is now impossible to know exactly who is still alive and who has been killed because of the Israeli bombardment or who has been killed because of starvation because of the Israeli blockade, Naim said from Istanbul. Naim said the hostages are being held in different areas by various groups, making it difficult for Hamas to gather accurate information. He reiterated the organizations demand for a ceasefire and said Hamas will not agree to a deal without an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) After two and a half years of investigation, the state commission of inquiry into the 2021 Meron disaster will present its report to the government on Wednesday, followed by immediate publication of the document. The commission, led by retired judge Dvora Berliner, was established in June 2021 to investigate the deadly incident on Lag BOmer that year that left 45 people dead at Kever Harashbi the worst civilian disaster in Israeli history. The commissions report will be shared with the public immediately afterward. According to the commissions statement, its members heard the testimonies of 144 witnesses and collected testimonies from 25 additional witnesses. The committee also collected numerous investigative materials from various sources and examined and analyzed them. The commission heard testimony from numerous officials, including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who denied responsibility for the catastrophe despite being questioned about why safety problems at the site were never addressed during his 12-year tenure from 2009 to 2021. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a phone interview with Fox & Friends on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump made bold claims regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, insisting that the October 7 massacre and subsequent ongoing war would never have occurred if he were still in the White House. It would have never happened if I was president. Iran was broke They had no money for Hamas, for Hezbollah, they were broke, Trump said. He also criticized current President Joe Biden, saying, They wouldnt have done it to me. I guarantee you that. They did this because they have no respect for Biden. When asked about his support for the IDFs actions in Gaza, Trump responded, Youve gotta finish the problem. You had a horrible invasion [that] took place. Trump also drew parallels to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, claiming that Russia would never have attacked Ukraine if he were president. He went on to suggest that Biden is abandoning Israel and mocked his mental competence, claiming that fascists and communists surround him and are making decisions. Regarding Vice President Kamala Harriss call for a temporary ceasefire, Trump reiterated that the conflict would never have happened under his presidency. He also appeared to reiterate claims that the 2020 US election was stolen, before warning that were gonna end up in World War III. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) By now we should all have had our fill of possible tax changes to be outlined in tomorrows Spring Budget. The Tories find themselves in a last chance saloon and the main economic escape route is tax giveaways. After the latest series of forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility, Jeremy Hunt is scrambling to find the least offensive revenue raising measures and public spending savings to deliver without breaching fiscal rules. We have become a nation addicted to mid-course corrections. The Autumn Statement last November included 50 new tax-and-spend decisions, and 67 if previous ad-hoc measures are included. Hunts direction of travel has been clear. He is trying to make work pay better as the 2 per cent reduction in national insurance contribution, which came through in January, demonstrates. Budget challenge: Jeremy Hunt is scrambling to find the least offensive revenue raising measures and public spending savings to deliver without breaching fiscal rules Hunt also aims to get some of the 750,000 or so people added to welfare rolls since Covid-19 into the workforce by toughening up enforcement. Set against the overall burden of taxation, as a result of frozen allowances, and the sclerotic pace of public administration, political impact has been minimal. In the build-up to fiscal events it is quite unusual for chief executives to venture outside of their comfort zone. So full credit should go to Stuart Machin, one of the comeback squad at M&S, for a robust intervention accusing the Government of economic illiteracy. A reform of business rates to reflect the nations changed shopping habits and a distorted system has looked necessary for a decade. Machin notes that with an effective tax rate of 45.7 per cent (including business rates), retailers are paying some of the highest levies despite lesser profit margins than other FTSE 100 firms. Moreover, the apprenticeship levy isnt working because of regulation and bureaucracy. M&S effectively has self-funded the training of 12,000 young people. Finally, he recognises the validity of the Mail campaign to end the farce of charging tourists 20 per cent VAT to shop in Britain. The topic has gone quiet despite hints that the Office for Budget Responsibility might deliver the thumbs up to abolition. Machin is hopeful that M&S can help restore Oxford Street as the nations favoured shopping venue now that it is overcoming Michael Goves opposition to redevelopment of its emblematic store adjacent to Selfridges. VAT relief for overseas visitors would be a huge boost to retail and hospitality. Time to give our nation of shopkeepers something to celebrate. Homecoming Lloyds of London, along with the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange, is one of the three pillars of the City. The Names scandal of 1988-92, the migration of syndicates to Bermuda and settlement of sexual harassment charges more recently have diminished the London insurance markets cachet. So it is terrific that Amanda Blanc is returning Aviva to Lloyds after a two decade absence, with the 242million purchase of Probitas. It offers specialist underwriting such as professional liability and property catastrophe. Founded by former Eagle Star executive Ash Bathia and backed by Saudi Re, Probitass shift of the ownership to Aviva is a boost for Lloyds and the Square Mile. Since taking over at Aviva in 2020, Blanc has sold off most of Avivas global operations and seen off activist investor Cevian. Expansion plans now consist of bolt-on acquisitions in wealth and risk management rather than grand deals. Encouraging. Misplaced secrets Hard not to feel schadenfreude following the National Audit Office report on the Bank of Englands ethical record. The Bank is known for rigour in making sure that media exuberance is suppressed by locking journalists down for several hours when key monetary reports are published and removing newspapers from its distribution list should embargoes be breached. In spite of overhauling its own internal compliance, there were 628 minor and 28 major breaches (none identified) among colleagues in the year to August 2023. As a school report might say: Has a difficult time completing the work in a timely manner. The battle against HIV received a boost after GSK reported data showing one of its drugs can be taken as little as three times a year. ViiV Healthcare, the companys HIV medicine arm, said a clinical trial of a new formulation of its long-acting treatment Cabotegravir had shown it could be taken at least once every four months to provide protection against infection. This is in stark contrast to most HIV prevention treatments, which require users to take tablets every day to protect themselves from the virus. It is also longer than the two-month interval that GSK recommends for Cabotegravir. The firm said it is planning to begin large-scale trials of the new formula later this year with the aim of bringing it to market by 2026. Trial success: ViiV Healthcare, GSK's HIV medicine arm, said a trial of a new formulation of its treatment Cabotegravir had shown it could be taken at least once every four months In addition to prevention, the drug can be used by those living with HIV to control the infection, and lasted longer than the current method of taking daily tablets. GSK said it is aiming to allow the use of Cabotegravir for HIV treatment by 2027. Kimberly Smith, ViiVs head of research, said: The HIV community has told us of their desire for longer-acting medicines that can help alleviate the burden of daily treatment. This new formulation of Cabotegravir, with a higher concentration and at least double the half-life, puts us on the path toward delivering dosing at every four months. The data follows previous comments from ViiVs chief executive Deborah Waterhouse that the company is working on a six-month jab for HIV prevention and treatment and that an annual injection, the equivalent of a flu jab, is likely to become a reality in the early 2030s. ViiV is majority-owned by GSK but rival Pfizer and Japanese outfit Shionogi have stakes in the business. Ultra-long-acting HIV treatments form a key plank of GSKs attempts to hit over 38billion in sales by 2031. Last year, HIV treatments raked in sales of 6.4billion for GSK, around 21 per cent of its total revenues of 30.3billion. GSK shares rose by 0.4 per cent. Equity funds are enjoying a bounce-back among UK investors UK investors piled into equity funds at the fastest rate for nearly three years last month but shunned the sluggish British market in favour of surging US valuations. Inflows of 2.66billion in February were the highest since May 2021, but 633 m was pulled from UK-focused funds, according to industry group Calastone. Instead, it was North American equity funds that benefited most, with a record 2.54billion added, as investors sought to climb aboard the tech-driven rally in New York. Even European equities gained, with inflows of 363million. Meanwhile, Chinas sluggish economy left Asia-Pacific funds struggling, with outflows of 229million. Overall, equity funds are enjoying a bounce-back among UK investors, with 6.31billion piled in over the last four months after a punishing 18 months which saw 8.6billion pulled out. Inflows to money market funds which buy safe-haven investments such as government bonds have slowed sharply since last year as an appetite for higher risk comes back. Edward Glyn, head of global markets at Calastone, said investors were jumping back into equities feet first with interest driven by the US stock markets rallying by more than a fifth in value since late October. A rising tide is not lifting all boats, however, Glyn added. Nothing can persuade UK investors to add capital to their home market, despite very low comparative valuations. Hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, our rivals in Paris are wrapping up their own designer showcase. The battle between iconic British and French fashion brands has a long history. Savile Row and our fashion houses are world-renowned, just like the boutiques on the Champs-Elysees. But our fashion industry and London and the UK more broadly is operating at a stark competitive disadvantage. This is reflected by the decision of Mulberry to close its Bond Street store in London last year. Showcase: Models pose on the runway during London Fashion Week. Britain's fashion industry and London and the UK more broadly is operating at a stark competitive disadvantage It is also underlined by repeated warnings from retailers that the Governments decision to abolish tax-free shopping on goods for international visitors in 2021 is costing them business. The tourist tax is pushing high-spending visitors away from the UK as they effectively pay around 20 per cent more for the same goods than they do in the likes of France, Italy, Germany and Spain. This in turn is hitting British brands that employ people across the country through outlets and their supply chain. Tourists disproportionately spend more money on these brands when they visit London than they do if they visit another country. France now accounts for 46 per cent of all tax-free sales in Europe, up from 30 per cent in 2020. And figures from tourism shopping tax refund company Global Blue show that 10 per cent of UK spending by international shoppers in 2019 has moved to EU countries, which all offer VAT-free shopping. But this is not just about a single sector important as fashion and retail are. London and the UK are also losing out on wider spending from visitors on hotels, restaurants, museums, theatres and much more. The Centre for Economics and Business Research puts the impact of the tourist tax at a staggering 11.1billion in lost GDP, in addition to putting off 2m travellers from visiting the UK each year. Chancellor Jeremy Hunts welcome decision to order a review by the Office for Budget Responsibility into this measure opens the door to scrapping the tourist tax when he stands up at the despatch box tomorrow. The Government should use the Spring Budget to put an end to a measure that is driving business into the hands of our rivals. Doing so would boost our flatlining economy and more than pay for itself by increasing spending in London and the UK, which in turn would deliver a significant net increase in tax revenues annually. With the UK economy stagnating, we must seize the moment to attract high-spending visitors and maximise the capitals attractiveness to overseas tourism. This is particularly important in the run up to the Olympics later this year when up to 3m visitors will flock to Paris. The Chancellor should reintroduce VAT-free shopping on goods this week to encourage more of these visitors to cross the Channel and spend here over the summer. This also matters when it comes to business tourists. Many are increasingly concerned by red tape, associated administrative costs and delays when it comes to attending conferences and exhibitions in the UK. This bureaucracy should be streamlined so these high-spending visitors choose to make purchases here rather than overseas. It is also important that planned changes requiring more data to be collected at border checkpoints, such as Eurostar at St Pancras, are implemented in a way that does not cause lengthy delays. Organisations that represent around 1.5m employees across the country have signed a BusinessLDN letter urging the Government to scrap the tourist tax. The Chancellor should use the Spring Budget to demonstrate his commitment to growth by acting now. Shares in a firm that rents out equipment such as diggers, trailers and leaf blowers plunged as business dried up in North America. Ashtead Groups tools are often hired to clean up the damage caused by floods and other natural disasters. But rental revenues in the third quarter in North America where it operates the Sunbelt brand were hit by fewer emergency response calls. The impact of the Hollywood strikes also weighed on the US business, which makes up 86 per cent of group sales and includes supplying film and TV studios with equipment. The FTSE 100 firm expects its group rental revenue in the year to April 30 to increase at the lower end of its 11 per cent to 13 per cent target range. Shares dropped 9.4 per cent, or 536p, to 5192p. Subdued demand: Ashtead Groups tools are often hired to clean up the damage caused by floods and other natural disasters Inchcape shares were also on the slide, crashing to their lowest level for more than three years as it warned of a slowdown this year. The car dealer said revenues soared 41 per cent to 11.4billion in 2023 while profits rose by nearly a quarter to 413million. But while it expects 2024 to be another year of growth, it warned it will not be as strong as last year amid prudent expectations for recovery in certain markets. Shares plunged 8.2 per cent, or 56p, to 624.5p a level not seen since December 2020 making it the biggest faller on the FTSE 250, which rose 0.1 per cent, or 21.95 points, to 19271.03. And as attention turned to todays Budget, the FTSE 100 inched up 0.08 per cent, or 5.83 points, to 7646.16 Lloyds of London insurer Hiscox posted record annual profits up nearly 130 per cent to 492million and launched a share buyback. Shares gained 5.4 per cent, or 60p, to 1181p. Shared office giant IWG gave its strongest hint yet that it is preparing to ditch its UK listing and move its shares to New York. Stock Watch - Argo Blockchain A slump in bitcoin production sent shares in Argo Blockchain tumbling despite the digital coins soaring value. The cryptocurrency miners output in February was 21 per cent lower than the month before due to a maintenance-related outage at a facility in Arizona. Argo added that its mining revenue last month fell 15 per cent to 3.5million compared to January. It also agreed to sell its data centre in Canada for 4.8million. The stock slumped 12.8 per cent, or 2.24p, to 15.26p. The company, which owns the Regus and Spaces brands, is switching to reporting in dollars rather than pounds this year. The FTSE 250 group has also pledged to simplify its financial reporting and reduce its debt. Chief executive Mark Dixon said: The final step is to consider moving the listing to one of the US exchanges. Shares lost 2.6 per cent, or 4.8p, to 180p. Quality assurance business Intertek reported its highest revenue growth in the last ten years. The company, which tests products to make sure they meet safety standards, such as the fuel inside the US presidents Air Force One, said sales rose 6.2 per cent to 3.3billion in 2023. Shares gained 6.2 per cent, or 284p, to 4905p. Newspaper publisher Reach said its business is on a clearer path now it has sorted out two long-term uncertainties that had plagued the business. The company, which owns publications such as the Mirror, Express and Daily Star, expects its pension commitments from 2028 to fall by around 40million while the cost of settling legal claims has reduced by 20.2million. Shares rose 13.1 per cent, or 7.8p, to 67.25p. Another riser was Trustpilot, gaining 8.4 per cent, or 15.3p, to 197.8p, after the review websites rating was upgraded by JP Morgan. Azerbaijan's national air carrier, AZAL, has launched another discount campaign on the eve of the Novruz holiday. On the pre-holiday Tuesday, known as Od crsnbsi (Fire Tuesday), the airline offers discounted prices on tickets to Almaty and Astana. Special rates apply to ticket purchases made on March 5, with travel dates valid between April 1 and May 31, 2024, excluding peak travel periods. For flights to Astana, one-way tickets are 169, and round-trip tickets are 338. Travel to Almaty can be booked at 239 for one way and 399 for round trip. The ticket prices for these destinations include airport taxes. The number of discounted tickets is limited. Please note that checked baggage is not included in the ticket price, but passengers are allowed to carry hand luggage weighing up to 10 kg. To purchase tickets, please visit the official website https://www.azal.az/en/, use the renewed mobile app of the airline, or approach to the ticket offices or accredited agencies of Azerbaijan Airlines. Leading investors slammed the absurdity of UK stock market valuations as foreign predators snapped up yet another British company. In the latest swoop on UK plc by overseas suitors, US technology group Viavi Solutions has agreed to pay 175 p per share to buy Crawley-based telecoms firm Spirent. This values the FTSE 250 company which tests, measures and analyses telecoms devices at 1billion and is roughly a 61 per cent premium to its closing price on Monday. The proposed deal adds to the growing list of British businesses who have been targeted by foreign buyers in recent months. This includes Wincanton, Currys, All3Media and Direct Line. In the latest swoop on UK plc by overseas suitors, US technology group Viavi Solutions has agreed to pay 175 p per share to buy Crawley-based telecoms firm Spirent Interest in UK plc has spiked since Covid as bidders looked to take advantage of bargain price tags and the weak pound in a wave of pandemic plundering. This pattern has lingered into the post-Covid world as opportunistic investors flock towards Londons knock-down prices. This has fuelled concerns that British companies are being snapped up on the cheap. Fund managers at JO Hambro Capital Management, a top ten investor in Currys, have attacked the lowball approaches being made by international predators. Clive Beagles and James Lowen, senior managers at the fund, said the interest in Currys clearly shows the absurdity of UK stock-market valuations. Richard Bernstein, boss of activist investor Crystal Amber, also raised alarm bells over the current City landscape. Another day and another FTSE 250 company is being bought by a US predator, he said. Several more bids are surely in the works. 'Its like a holding bay at an airport runway as planes queue ahead of take-off. US trade buyers understand that theyre acquiring bargains. There are signs that British boards are taking a stand against foreign predators. Last week insurer Direct Line revealed it has rejected a highly opportunistic offer worth 3.1billion from Belgian firm Ageas. And in a sign more bids are being turned down, the number of failed takeovers of London-listed companies has more than doubled in recent years. Data from the London Stock Exchange shows the proportion of takeover offers for UK-listed companies that were withdrawn rose to 17 per cent between 2021 and 2023 from 8 per cent between 2014 and 2020. But despite these failed deals, Spirents board yesterday said it will back a takeover by Viavi. Neil Wilson, the chief markets analyst at Finalto, said: Another tech firm bites the dust. French Wincanton woe A bid of around 1billion would be enough to buy takeover target Currys, according to one of the chains leading investors. JO Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) UK Equity Income fund, a top 10 shareholder in the electrical retailer, said an offer between 80p and 100p a share would be acceptable. A 90p bid would value the business at around 1billion. The comments come a week after Currys rejected a 67p a share offer worth 757million from US activist investor Elliott Advisers. Elliott, which owns book shop Waterstones, previously had a 62p approach rejected. The second move was then also rebuffed with the firms board claiming it significantly undervalued the company and its future prospects. Chinese retail giant JD.com has also said it is considering a possible deal to buy Currys. JOHCM UK equity income fund yesterday said it believed the value of the deal compared to the size of the retailers sales showed the current absurdity of the UK stock market. Clive Beagles and James Lowen, senior managers at the fund, said: Currys core business generates approximately 9.5billion in sales. 1bn offer would seal Currys deal A bid of around 1billion would be enough to buy takeover target Currys, according to one of the chains leading investors. JO Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) UK Equity Income fund, a top 10 shareholder in the electrical retailer, said an offer between 80p and 100p a share would be acceptable. A 90p bid would value the business at around 1billion. The comments come a week after Currys rejected a 67p a share offer worth 757million from US activist investor Elliott Advisers. Elliott, which owns book shop Waterstones, previously had a 62p approach rejected. The second move was then also rebuffed with the firms board claiming it significantly undervalued the company and its future prospects. Chinese retail giant JD.com has also said it is considering a possible deal to buy Currys. JOHCM UK equity income fund yesterday said it believed the value of the deal compared to the size of the retailers sales showed the current absurdity of the UK stock market. Clive Beagles and James Lowen, senior managers at the fund, said: Currys core business generates approximately 9.5billion in sales. Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money's specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. 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'They can open a single account with Raisin, or the other platforms, and access a wealth of providers some of whom offer deals better than those available direct and some with providers who aren't accessible to ordinary savers.' Savers need to sign up by 11 March and fund an account with 10,000 by 31 March. To get the bonus, savers must follow this Raisin UK link*, where the bonus code must be entered at the time of registration. The bonus will be paid out once the offer eligibility is met. Needham & Company LLC reiterated their buy rating on shares of Montrose Environmental Group (NYSE:MEG Free Report) in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $54.00 price target on the stock. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on MEG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Montrose Environmental Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $46.00 to $41.00 in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and issued a $36.00 price objective on shares of Montrose Environmental Group in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Montrose Environmental Group from $31.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.00. Get Montrose Environmental Group alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on MEG Montrose Environmental Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE MEG opened at $37.82 on Friday. Montrose Environmental Group has a 1 year low of $21.96 and a 1 year high of $45.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.59. The companys 50-day moving average is $31.59 and its 200 day moving average is $30.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of -23.94 and a beta of 2.02. Montrose Environmental Group (NYSE:MEG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported ($0.04) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.12) by $0.08. The company had revenue of $165.74 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $157.31 million. Montrose Environmental Group had a negative net margin of 4.94% and a negative return on equity of 5.64%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Montrose Environmental Group will post -0.2 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Montrose Environmental Group by 134.0% in the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 39,904 shares of the companys stock worth $1,168,000 after buying an additional 22,854 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Montrose Environmental Group by 1.8% in the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 62,900 shares of the companys stock worth $1,840,000 after buying an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Montrose Environmental Group by 23.1% in the second quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLC now owns 671,344 shares of the companys stock worth $28,277,000 after buying an additional 125,780 shares in the last quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of Montrose Environmental Group by 36.5% in the second quarter. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP now owns 28,697 shares of the companys stock worth $1,209,000 after buying an additional 7,675 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in Montrose Environmental Group by 58.6% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 86,047 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,518,000 after purchasing an additional 31,788 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.88% of the companys stock. Montrose Environmental Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Montrose Environmental Group, Inc operates as an environmental services company in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Assessment, Permitting and Response; Measurement and Analysis; and Remediation and Reuse. The Assessment, Permitting and Response segment provides scientific advisory and consulting services to support environmental assessments, environmental emergency response and recovery, toxicology consulting and environmental audits and permits for current operations, facility upgrades, new projects, decommissioning projects, and development projects. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Montrose Environmental Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Montrose Environmental Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Free Report) had its price target cut by Barclays from $198.00 to $188.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an equal weight rating on the stock. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. HSBC reaffirmed a reduce rating on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $175.00 target price (down previously from $230.00) on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Snowflake from $255.00 to $290.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Snowflake from $194.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Snowflake from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and twenty have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $204.85. Get Snowflake alerts: Get Our Latest Report on SNOW Snowflake Stock Performance Shares of NYSE SNOW opened at $177.94 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $58.60 billion, a P/E ratio of -69.78 and a beta of 0.94. Snowflake has a one year low of $128.56 and a one year high of $237.72. The companys fifty day moving average is $206.91 and its two-hundred day moving average is $178.87. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported ($0.44) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.49) by $0.05. The business had revenue of $774.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $759.86 million. Snowflake had a negative return on equity of 13.80% and a negative net margin of 29.79%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Snowflake will post -1.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Snowflake In other news, SVP Christian Kleinerman sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total value of $345,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 725,067 shares of the companys stock, valued at $166,765,410. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CRO Christopher William Degnan sold 115,038 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.53, for a total transaction of $23,068,570.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now owns 147,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,551,905.57. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Christian Kleinerman sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total value of $345,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 725,067 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $166,765,410. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 506,164 shares of company stock valued at $103,676,541. 8.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its position in shares of Snowflake by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 217,773 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,324,000 after purchasing an additional 2,608 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Snowflake by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 447,364 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,727,000 after purchasing an additional 34,051 shares during the period. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Snowflake in the 3rd quarter valued at $458,000. Glynn Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Snowflake by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Glynn Capital Management LLC now owns 188,428 shares of the companys stock worth $28,786,000 after acquiring an additional 5,629 shares in the last quarter. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Snowflake by 192.7% in the 2nd quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 5,003 shares of the companys stock worth $880,000 after acquiring an additional 3,294 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.74% of the companys stock. About Snowflake (Get Free Report) Snowflake Inc provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers Data Cloud, which enables customers to consolidate data into a single source of truth to drive meaningful business insights, build data-driven applications, and share data and data products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Snowflake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snowflake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FIGS (NYSE:FIGS Free Report) had its price target lowered by Barclays from $7.00 to $5.00 in a research note published on Friday, Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Telsey Advisory Group cut FIGS from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $11.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on FIGS from $6.75 to $4.85 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $6.77. Get FIGS alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on FIGS FIGS Trading Up 6.5 % FIGS stock opened at $5.53 on Friday. FIGS has a twelve month low of $4.95 and a twelve month high of $8.84. The company has a market capitalization of $934.44 million, a P/E ratio of 50.23, a PEG ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 1.50. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.29. FIGS (NYSE:FIGS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The company reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.02 by $0.03. FIGS had a return on equity of 6.72% and a net margin of 4.15%. The firm had revenue of $144.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $149.09 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.05 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that FIGS will post 0.09 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at FIGS In related news, CFO Daniella Turenshine sold 4,201 shares of FIGS stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.08, for a total transaction of $25,542.08. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 429,821 shares in the company, valued at $2,613,311.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Daniella Turenshine sold 4,201 shares of FIGS stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.08, for a total transaction of $25,542.08. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 429,821 shares in the company, valued at $2,613,311.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Heather L. Hasson sold 27,547 shares of FIGS stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.93, for a total transaction of $163,353.71. Following the sale, the insider now owns 499,308 shares in the company, valued at $2,960,896.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 43,550 shares of company stock worth $267,309 over the last ninety days. 21.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in FIGS during the first quarter worth about $51,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in FIGS by 86.8% during the third quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,614 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 2,144 shares during the period. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in FIGS in the 1st quarter worth about $101,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new position in FIGS in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc purchased a new position in FIGS in the 1st quarter worth about $143,000. 92.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About FIGS (Get Free Report) FIGS, Inc operates as a direct-to-consumer healthcare apparel and lifestyle company in the United States. It designs and sells healthcare apparel and scrubwaer and non-scrubwear offerings, such as lab coats, under scrubs, outerwear, loungewear, compression socks footwear, and other lifestyle apparel. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for FIGS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FIGS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Piper Sandler restated their neutral rating on shares of New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB Free Report) in a report issued on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a $5.00 price target on the financial services providers stock, down from their previous price target of $8.00. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on NYCB. Citigroup reduced their target price on New York Community Bancorp from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Wedbush reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a $6.00 price target on shares of New York Community Bancorp in a report on Thursday, February 1st. StockNews.com cut New York Community Bancorp from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, February 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut New York Community Bancorp from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $11.50 to $5.50 in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut New York Community Bancorp from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their price target for the company from $13.00 to $7.00 in a report on Thursday, February 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and fourteen have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, New York Community Bancorp presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $7.90. Get New York Community Bancorp alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on NYCB New York Community Bancorp Price Performance Shares of New York Community Bancorp stock opened at $2.71 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.52. New York Community Bancorp has a 12 month low of $2.70 and a 12 month high of $14.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 0.81, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 1.17. New York Community Bancorp (NYSE:NYCB Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The financial services provider reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.56). New York Community Bancorp had a net margin of 28.96% and a return on equity of 5.85%. The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $935.90 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.25 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that New York Community Bancorp will post 0.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. New York Community Bancorp Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were given a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.38%. New York Community Bancorps dividend payout ratio is currently 6.01%. Insider Transactions at New York Community Bancorp In other news, Director Peter Schoels purchased 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $4.15 per share, for a total transaction of $415,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 147,438 shares in the company, valued at approximately $611,867.70. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Peter Schoels purchased 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $4.15 per share, for a total transaction of $415,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 147,438 shares in the company, valued at approximately $611,867.70. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Thomas R. Cangemi bought 11,310 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $4.41 per share, with a total value of $49,877.10. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 69,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $307,394.64. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 186,310 shares of company stock worth $775,627 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.62% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Orion Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Naples Money Management LLC acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in New York Community Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. 67.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. New York Community Bancorp Company Profile (Get Free Report) New York Community Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Flagstar Bank, N.A. that provides banking products and services in the United States. The company's deposit products include interest-bearing checking and money market, savings, non-interest-bearing, and retirement accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for New York Community Bancorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New York Community Bancorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE:RKT Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Reduce from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have issued a hold rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $10.20. Several research firms have recently weighed in on RKT. Barclays began coverage on shares of Rocket Companies in a report on Wednesday, November 15th. They issued an underweight rating and a $6.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Rocket Companies from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Rocket Companies in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a hold rating and a $10.00 target price for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated an underperform rating and issued a $10.75 target price on shares of Rocket Companies in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $10.50 target price (up from $8.50) on shares of Rocket Companies in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Get Rocket Companies alerts: Read Our Latest Report on RKT Rocket Companies Stock Performance Shares of NYSE RKT opened at $12.65 on Tuesday. Rocket Companies has a twelve month low of $7.17 and a twelve month high of $15.19. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $12.38 and its 200-day moving average price is $10.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 9.78 and a current ratio of 9.78. Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by ($0.01). Rocket Companies had a negative net margin of 0.41% and a negative return on equity of 3.63%. The firm had revenue of $885.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $762.44 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted ($0.12) EPS. Rocket Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 29.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Rocket Companies will post 0.25 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Rocket Companies A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in RKT. Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Rocket Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Vima LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rocket Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Tennessee Valley Asset Management Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Rocket Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Ancora Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rocket Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $81,000. Finally, FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Rocket Companies by 134.7% during the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 3,598 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 2,065 shares in the last quarter. 4.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Rocket Companies (Get Free Report Rocket Companies, Inc, a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The company's solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; Rocket Auto, a virtual marketplace where consumers can shop and compare vehicles of many makes and models from a wide network of dealers; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rocket Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rocket Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Williams-Sonoma (NYSE:WSM Get Free Report) had its target price raised by Bank of America from $222.00 to $250.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the specialty retailers stock. Bank of Americas price target would suggest a potential upside of 5.20% from the companys current price. Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $125.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Loop Capital reissued a hold rating and issued a $220.00 price target (up previously from $200.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Tuesday. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $170.00 price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a report on Monday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. Finally, Wedbush raised shares of Williams-Sonoma from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $175.00 to $230.00 in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $165.13. Get Williams-Sonoma alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on WSM Williams-Sonoma Stock Performance Insider Buying and Selling Williams-Sonoma stock opened at $237.65 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $211.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $179.47. The stock has a market cap of $15.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.66. Williams-Sonoma has a fifty-two week low of $109.44 and a fifty-two week high of $241.55. In related news, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.92, for a total transaction of $4,038,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 525,509 shares in the company, valued at $106,110,777.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Williams-Sonoma A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. State Street Corp lifted its position in Williams-Sonoma by 0.7% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,269,096 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $283,955,000 after purchasing an additional 15,078 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,456,161 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $226,287,000 after acquiring an additional 18,004 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 24.1% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,408,911 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $204,292,000 after acquiring an additional 273,424 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,142,272 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $142,944,000 after acquiring an additional 35,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 970,737 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $195,882,000 after acquiring an additional 23,918 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.76% of the companys stock. Williams-Sonoma Company Profile (Get Free Report) Williams-Sonoma, Inc operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Williams-Sonoma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams-Sonoma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto Dominion Bank lowered its stake in BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA Free Report) by 16.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 94,870 shares of the auto parts companys stock after selling 18,055 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Banks holdings in BorgWarner were worth $3,830,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of BorgWarner by 24.8% in the third quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 180,942 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $7,305,000 after buying an additional 35,986 shares during the period. Xponance Inc. grew its position in shares of BorgWarner by 5.3% during the third quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 39,659 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $1,601,000 after purchasing an additional 2,006 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of BorgWarner by 6.5% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,847 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $335,000 after purchasing an additional 417 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in shares of BorgWarner by 4.3% during the third quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,784,633 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $72,438,000 after purchasing an additional 73,488 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Column Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of BorgWarner by 149.5% during the second quarter. Column Capital Advisors LLC now owns 549 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.35% of the companys stock. Get BorgWarner alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at BorgWarner In other BorgWarner news, CAO Tonit M. Calaway sold 35,603 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.15, for a total transaction of $1,144,636.45. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 83,348 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,679,638.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Frederic Lissalde sold 225,900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.08, for a total value of $7,020,972.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 455,227 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,148,455.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CAO Tonit M. Calaway sold 35,603 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.15, for a total value of $1,144,636.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 83,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,679,638.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.45% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BWA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on BorgWarner from $47.00 to $43.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 9th. TheStreet lowered BorgWarner from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, February 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on BorgWarner from $59.00 to $52.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on BorgWarner from $47.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 14th. Finally, BNP Paribas lowered BorgWarner from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the company from $43.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $44.12. Get Our Latest Report on BWA BorgWarner Trading Down 1.0 % Shares of NYSE:BWA opened at $30.83 on Tuesday. BorgWarner Inc. has a 12-month low of $29.51 and a 12-month high of $51.03. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $33.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $35.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The company has a market capitalization of $7.08 billion, a PE ratio of 11.55, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.29. BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The auto parts company reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.93 by ($0.03). BorgWarner had a return on equity of 14.69% and a net margin of 3.94%. The business had revenue of $3.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.26 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that BorgWarner Inc. will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. BorgWarner Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. BorgWarners payout ratio is presently 16.48%. BorgWarner Profile (Free Report) BorgWarner Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides solutions for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles worldwide. It offers turbochargers, eBoosters, eTurbos, timing systems, emissions systems, thermal systems, gasoline ignition technology, smart remote actuators, powertrain sensors, cabin heaters, battery modules and systems, battery heaters, and battery charging. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BorgWarner Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BorgWarner and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto Dominion Bank lessened its position in shares of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX Free Report) by 3.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 24,475 shares of the medical technology companys stock after selling 868 shares during the quarter. Toronto Dominion Banks holdings in Teleflex were worth $4,807,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Teleflex by 0.9% in the first quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 4,688 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,187,000 after buying an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Teleflex by 7.3% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 646 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $156,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its stake in shares of Teleflex by 3.5% during the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 1,411 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $284,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Teleflex by 39.1% during the first quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 178 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of Teleflex by 26.5% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 253 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.15% of the companys stock. Get Teleflex alerts: Insider Transactions at Teleflex In related news, CEO Liam Kelly sold 26,256 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.23, for a total transaction of $6,570,038.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 18,470 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,621,748.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.41% of the companys stock. Teleflex Stock Up 0.9 % TFX opened at $224.92 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The firm has a market cap of $10.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.87, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.11. Teleflex Incorporated has a 52 week low of $177.63 and a 52 week high of $276.43. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $244.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $223.23. Teleflex (NYSE:TFX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The medical technology company reported $3.38 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.26 by $0.12. Teleflex had a return on equity of 14.98% and a net margin of 11.98%. The business had revenue of $773.90 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $769.01 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.52 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Teleflex Incorporated will post 13.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. Teleflex Dividend Announcement The company 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 $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. Teleflexs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.06%. Analysts Set New Price Targets TFX has been the subject of several analyst reports. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Teleflex from $210.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, November 6th. Morgan Stanley raised Teleflex from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $261.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, December 4th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Teleflex from $272.00 to $265.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 23rd. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and set a $285.00 price objective on shares of Teleflex in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Teleflex from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $265.56. Read Our Latest Analysis on TFX Teleflex Profile (Free Report) Teleflex Incorporated designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies single-use medical devices for common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in critical care and surgical applications worldwide. The company provides vascular access products that comprise Arrow branded catheters, catheter navigation and tip positioning systems, and intraosseous access systems for the administration of intravenous therapies, the measurement of blood pressure, and the withdrawal of blood samples through a single puncture site. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TFX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Teleflex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teleflex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Baku will host the "Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024" international scientific conference, dedicated to the 2nd anniversary of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, Trend reports. The event to be organized collaboratively by the Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center), the G20 Interfaith Forum, and the Baku Initiative Group, is expected to bring together 130 international guests, including scientists from 30 countries, experts of international organizations, religious figures and representatives of non-governmental organizations. The conference will also include local experts on the subject, representatives of state agencies, religious community leaders and state officials. The II Conference on Islamophobia will provide a platform for serious discussions, research presentations and open dialogues on a key topic. Plenary and sectional sessions will be held within the framework of the conference to include: - Plenary session (A) calling for global dialogue to promote tolerance, peace and respect for human rights and religious diversity, breakout sessions (B) multiculturalism, Islam and the clash of civilizations theory; - Reconsidering Islamophobia; (B1) shaping public opinion; - Digital Islamophobia; (C) confronting Islamophobia in the context of higher education; - Plenary session (D) similarities and differences in the treatment of Muslims across Western Europe, basic human tights of the Muslim community; - Breakout sessions (E) anti-Muslim policies in France: normalizing Islamophobia, (E1) deliberate acts of destruction and desecration of Islamic cultural and religious heritage in non-Muslim countries, (F) the Matrix of gendered Islamophobia: Muslim womens repression and resistance, gender and society. Each panel is supposed to have six-seven speakers. On March 10, the conference participants are scheduled to visit Shusha, which has been declared the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2024. Notably, the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, held on November 27-28, 2020 in Niamey (Niger), declared March 15 as the Day against Islamophobia. Moreover, the UN General Assembly adopted this date as the International Day against Islamophobia in 2022. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Clough Global Opportunities Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:GLO Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 71,500 shares, a growth of 22.2% from the January 31st total of 58,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 182,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.4 days. Insider Activity at Clough Global Opportunities Fund In other Clough Global Opportunities Fund news, insider Charles Clough, Jr. purchased 20,000 shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $5.04 per share, with a total value of $100,800.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 280,445 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,413,442.80. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Get Clough Global Opportunities Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of Clough Global Opportunities Fund Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GLO. Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund during the 1st quarter valued at $507,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 34.5% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 44,951 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $423,000 after purchasing an additional 11,540 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 96.3% during the 1st quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 259,182 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,439,000 after acquiring an additional 127,121 shares in the last quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 10.2% during the 1st quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 203,063 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,911,000 after acquiring an additional 18,726 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 14,833 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 1,333 shares in the last quarter. Clough Global Opportunities Fund Price Performance Clough Global Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement Shares of Clough Global Opportunities Fund stock opened at $5.02 on Tuesday. Clough Global Opportunities Fund has a twelve month low of $4.08 and a twelve month high of $5.18. The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 29th. Investors of record on Friday, February 16th were given a $0.048 dividend. This represents a yield of 11.76%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 15th. Clough Global Opportunities Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Clough Global Opportunities Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by Clough Capital Partners L.P. It invests in public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. The fund invests in securities of companies operating across diversified sectors. For its fixed income portion, the fund invests in both investment grade and non-investment grade issues. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Clough Global Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Clough Global Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec decreased its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report) by 98.7% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 754 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 57,122 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $330,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. lifted its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 5.1% during the third quarter. Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Management N.V. now owns 4,105 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,795,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia lifted its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 14.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 3,550 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,552,000 after buying an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Bamco Inc. NY boosted its position in FactSet Research Systems by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 2,751,596 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,203,163,000 after buying an additional 8,862 shares during the last quarter. Trexquant Investment LP increased its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 8,562 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,744,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the period. Finally, O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 7.7% during the third quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 8,289 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,624,000 after acquiring an additional 591 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.50% of the companys stock. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: FactSet Research Systems Stock Performance Shares of FactSet Research Systems stock opened at $465.14 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.68. The firm has a market cap of $17.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.73. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a one year low of $377.89 and a one year high of $487.79. The stocks 50-day moving average is $467.03 and its 200-day moving average is $451.52. FactSet Research Systems Announces Dividend FactSet Research Systems ( NYSE:FDS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $4.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.10 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $542.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $540.34 million. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 34.47% and a net margin of 22.60%. The businesss revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.99 EPS. Equities analysts predict that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 15.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be paid a $0.98 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. FactSet Research Systemss payout ratio is currently 31.72%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently issued reports on FDS shares. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $447.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $469.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and set a $480.00 price target (up previously from $471.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, December 8th. 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 report on Wednesday, December 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $434.25. Read Our Latest Stock Report on FDS Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was 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 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 available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.76, for a total transaction of $4,188,011.16. Following 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 document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CTO Katherine M. Stepp sold 1,014 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were 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. Insiders have sold 14,805 shares of company stock valued at $6,805,651 in the last three months. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. FactSet Research Systems Company Profile (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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FDS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report). 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. StockNews.com cut shares of Dover (NYSE:DOV Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Monday morning. DOV has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Oppenheimer raised their price target on Dover from $175.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Seaport Res Ptn raised Dover from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, February 5th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Dover from $167.00 to $173.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Dover from $140.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Dover from $146.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned 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 $168.18. Get Dover alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Dover Dover Trading Up 0.7 % Shares of Dover stock traded up $1.19 on Monday, hitting $169.05. The stock had a trading volume of 74,417 shares, compared to its average volume of 918,024. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. Dover has a one year low of $127.25 and a one year high of $169.27. The stock has a market cap of $23.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.32, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.27. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $155.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $145.74. Dover (NYSE:DOV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.01. Dover had a return on equity of 25.95% and a net margin of 12.52%. The company had revenue of $2.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.16 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Dover will post 9.07 EPS for the current year. Dover Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 29th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. Dovers payout ratio is 27.13%. Insider Buying and Selling at Dover In other news, CFO Brad M. Cerepak sold 18,410 shares of Dover stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.01, for a total transaction of $3,001,014.10. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,909 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,897,406.09. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in DOV. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Dover during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Headinvest LLC bought a new stake in Dover in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new stake in Dover in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its stake in Dover by 783.3% in the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 212 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mcmillion Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Dover in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. 83.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Dover (Get Free Report) Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Dover Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dover and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report) by 3.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 399,978 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,700 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corps holdings in Devon Energy were worth $19,079,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Devon Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $364,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $188,000. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 52.1% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 99,120 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $5,861,000 after purchasing an additional 33,936 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 414,354 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $24,500,000 after acquiring an additional 34,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. 68.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Devon Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently weighed in on DVN. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Devon Energy from $77.00 to $75.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 23rd. Raymond James reduced their target price on Devon Energy from $53.00 to $52.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on Devon Energy from $68.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 9th. Mizuho dropped their target price on Devon Energy from $54.00 to $53.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Devon Energy from $61.00 to $59.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Devon Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $56.65. Devon Energy Stock Up 1.1 % Shares of DVN stock traded up $0.48 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $44.85. 1,386,213 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,131,998. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $43.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $45.84. The stock has a market cap of $28.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.61, a PEG ratio of 0.16 and a beta of 2.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Devon Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $40.47 and a 12-month high of $56.80. Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The energy company reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.02. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 31.72% and a net margin of 24.56%. The company had revenue of $4.15 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.88 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.66 EPS. Devon Energys quarterly revenue was down 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Devon Energy Co. will post 5.26 EPS for the current year. Devon Energy Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $0.44 dividend. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. Devon Energys payout ratio is 13.72%. About Devon Energy (Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DVN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntsman (NYSE:HUN Get Free Report) had its price objective upped by stock analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $25.00 to $28.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups target price would suggest a potential upside of 7.94% from the stocks previous close. Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised Huntsman from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $25.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Huntsman from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Huntsman from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, February 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of Huntsman in a report on Monday, December 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $26.55. Get Huntsman alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Huntsman Huntsman Stock Performance Shares of NYSE HUN traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $25.94. The stock had a trading volume of 167,884 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,965,137. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.97. The company has a 50 day moving average of $24.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $24.74. Huntsman has a twelve month low of $22.14 and a twelve month high of $30.40. The firm has a market cap of $4.47 billion, a PE ratio of 48.81 and a beta of 1.11. Huntsman (NYSE:HUN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The basic materials company reported ($0.21) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.14) by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $1.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Huntsman had a return on equity of 1.92% and a net margin of 1.65%. Huntsmans revenue for the quarter was down 15.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.04 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Huntsman will post 0.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Huntsman Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in HUN. Pathstone Family Office LLC grew its stake in Huntsman by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 12,569 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $156,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its stake in Huntsman by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 41,382 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,173,000 after acquiring an additional 444 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Huntsman by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Harvest Investment Advisors LLC now owns 41,652 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,125,000 after acquiring an additional 475 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Huntsman by 93.0% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,081 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Verdence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Huntsman by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 11,628 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $284,000 after purchasing an additional 557 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.44% of the companys stock. About Huntsman (Get Free Report) Huntsman Corporation manufactures and sells diversified organic chemical products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Polyurethanes, Performance Products, and Advanced Materials. The Polyurethanes segment offers polyurethane chemicals, including methyl diphenyl diisocyanate, polyether and polyester polyols, and thermoplastic polyurethane; and aniline, benzene, nitrobenzene and other co-products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Huntsman Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntsman and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Baxter International (NYSE:BAX Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by investment analysts at Bank of America from $42.00 to $45.00 in a report issued on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the medical instruments suppliers stock. Bank of Americas target price suggests a potential upside of 3.00% from the stocks previous close. Several other brokerages have also issued reports on BAX. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Baxter International from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Baxter International from $45.00 to $39.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 4th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Baxter International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Baxter International from $38.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Baxter International from $40.00 to $36.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Baxter International currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.18. Get Baxter International alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Baxter International Baxter International Stock Up 2.8 % Shares of NYSE:BAX traded up $1.19 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $43.69. 1,480,847 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,831,456. Baxter International has a 12 month low of $31.01 and a 12 month high of $50.21. The company has a market cap of $22.19 billion, a PE ratio of 8.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.16 and a beta of 0.62. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $39.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Baxter International (NYSE:BAX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The medical instruments supplier reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $3.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.81 billion. Baxter International had a net margin of 17.77% and a return on equity of 19.49%. Baxter Internationals revenue was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.88 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Baxter International will post 2.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Baxter International A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Dodge & Cox increased its holdings in Baxter International by 178.0% in the 4th quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 27,381,465 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,058,567,000 after buying an additional 17,533,024 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Baxter International during the 3rd quarter worth about $215,935,000. Carmignac Gestion grew its position in Baxter International by 467.0% in the 3rd quarter. Carmignac Gestion now owns 4,848,773 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $182,992,000 after acquiring an additional 3,993,537 shares in the last quarter. Shapiro Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Baxter International in the 3rd quarter valued at about $114,307,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Baxter International by 69.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,491,343 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $244,983,000 after buying an additional 2,650,959 shares during the period. 85.47% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Baxter International (Get Free Report) Baxter International Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, and Kidney Care. The company offers sterile intravenous (IV) solutions; infusion systems and devices; parenteral nutrition therapies; generic injectable pharmaceuticals; surgical hemostat and sealant products, advanced surgical equipment; smart bed systems; patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies; and respiratory health devices, as well as advanced equipment for the surgical space, including surgical video technologies, precision positioning devices, and other accessories. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Baxter International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Baxter International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA lifted its stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM Free Report) by 86.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,695,612 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 786,699 shares during the quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in Piedmont Office Realty Trust were worth $9,529,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of PDM. Quarry LP boosted its stake in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 78.7% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,871 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 1,705 shares during the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC acquired a new position in Piedmont Office Realty Trust during the third quarter valued at $60,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd increased its position in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 3,499.2% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 4,643 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 4,514 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 95.0% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 8,688 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 4,233 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Accel Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust during the 3rd quarter worth about $65,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.72% of the companys stock. Get Piedmont Office Realty Trust alerts: Piedmont Office Realty Trust Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:PDM traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $6.18. The company had a trading volume of 103,136 shares, compared to its average volume of 961,512. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $6.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $6.37. The stock has a market cap of $765.08 million, a PE ratio of -15.42 and a beta of 1.14. Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $4.91 and a 1-year high of $9.40. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Dividend Announcement Piedmont Office Realty Trust ( NYSE:PDM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.65). The company had revenue of $145.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $146.37 million. Piedmont Office Realty Trust had a negative net margin of 8.38% and a negative return on equity of 2.72%. Research analysts forecast that Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. will post 1.51 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.09%. Piedmont Office Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -125.00%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Piedmont Office Realty Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Read Our Latest Research Report on PDM Piedmont Office Realty Trust Profile (Free Report) Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: PDM) is an owner, manager, developer, redeveloper, and operator of high-quality, Class A office properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. Its approximately $5 billion portfolio is currently comprised of approximately 17 million square feet. The Company is a fully integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT) with local management offices in each of its markets and is investment-grade rated by S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Moody's (Baa2). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PDM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:PDM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Piedmont Office Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Piedmont Office Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shelton Capital Management reduced its position in Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Free Report) by 11.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,673 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 586 shares during the quarter. Shelton Capital Managements holdings in Occidental Petroleum were worth $303,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Berkshire Hathaway Inc raised its position in Occidental Petroleum by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 224,129,192 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $13,178,796,000 after purchasing an additional 12,422,073 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,090,043 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $767,346,000 after acquiring an additional 50,848 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 24.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 12,021,929 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $779,983,000 after acquiring an additional 2,334,651 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,035,799 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $285,732,000 after acquiring an additional 118,928 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Occidental Petroleum by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,665,494 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $302,697,000 after acquiring an additional 125,927 shares in the last quarter. 77.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Occidental Petroleum alerts: Occidental Petroleum Stock Up 0.2 % NYSE:OXY traded up $0.13 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $60.81. 1,850,100 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,355,150. The business has a 50-day moving average of $58.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $60.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.48 billion, a PE ratio of 15.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.63. Occidental Petroleum Co. has a 12-month low of $55.12 and a 12-month high of $67.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.92. Occidental Petroleum Increases Dividend Occidental Petroleum ( NYSE:OXY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.74. The business had revenue of $7.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.93 billion. Occidental Petroleum had a net margin of 16.24% and a return on equity of 20.63%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.61 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Occidental Petroleum Co. will post 3.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th will be issued a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.45%. This is a boost from Occidental Petroleums previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. Occidental Petroleums dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.41%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc purchased 1,743,124 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 21st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $60.26 per share, with a total value of $105,040,652.24. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 243,715,804 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,686,314,349.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Over the last quarter, insiders purchased 8,720,708 shares of company stock valued at $505,766,000. Insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades OXY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $80.00 to $77.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Occidental Petroleum from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Occidental Petroleum from $78.00 to $73.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Occidental Petroleum currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $70.06. View Our Latest Research Report on Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report) Occidental Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America. It operates through three segments: Oil and Gas, Chemical, and Midstream and Marketing. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OXY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Occidental Petroleum Co. (NYSE:OXY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Occidental Petroleum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Occidental Petroleum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oncolytics Biotech (TSE:ONC Get Free Report) will release its earnings data after the market closes on Thursday, March 7th. Analysts expect Oncolytics Biotech to post earnings of C($0.15) per share for the quarter. Oncolytics Biotech Price Performance TSE:ONC traded up C$0.10 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting C$1.34. 37,726 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 82,374. The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$1.57 and its 200 day moving average price is C$2.14. The company has a market cap of C$98.36 million, a PE ratio of -2.69 and a beta of 1.48. Oncolytics Biotech has a 12-month low of C$1.20 and a 12-month high of C$4.49. The company has a quick ratio of 8.86, a current ratio of 4.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.77. Get Oncolytics Biotech alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Oncolytics Biotech in a report on Friday, January 12th. Oncolytics Biotech Company Profile (Get Free Report) Oncolytics Biotech Inc, a development-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of cancer. The company is developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immunotherapeutic agent, which is in phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive / human epidermal growth factor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer and advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oncolytics Biotech Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oncolytics Biotech and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new stake in shares of MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 32,000 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $712,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in shares of MaxLinear by 41.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 17,748 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,036,000 after purchasing an additional 5,183 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of MaxLinear during the 1st quarter worth approximately $864,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of MaxLinear by 22.0% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,298 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 955 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in shares of MaxLinear by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 76,387 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $4,457,000 after purchasing an additional 2,937 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of MaxLinear by 26.8% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 23,413 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,455,000 after purchasing an additional 4,947 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.65% of the companys stock. Get MaxLinear alerts: MaxLinear Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of MXL traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $20.44. The companys stock had a trading volume of 87,855 shares, compared to its average volume of 689,628. The company has a quick ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 2.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. MaxLinear, Inc. has a 1 year low of $13.43 and a 1 year high of $36.04. The business has a fifty day moving average of $20.80 and a 200 day moving average of $20.54. The company has a market cap of $1.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -22.81 and a beta of 1.99. Analyst Ratings Changes MaxLinear ( NYSE:MXL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 31st. The semiconductor company reported ($0.17) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.17). MaxLinear had a positive return on equity of 4.77% and a negative net margin of 10.55%. The business had revenue of $125.35 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $125.06 million. As a group, analysts forecast that MaxLinear, Inc. will post -0.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. MXL has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Needham & Company LLC decreased their price objective on MaxLinear from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 1st. StockNews.com raised MaxLinear from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered MaxLinear from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $35.00 to $25.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, MaxLinear presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $25.18. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MXL MaxLinear Company Profile (Free Report) MaxLinear, Inc provides communications systems-on-chip solutions worldwide. Its products integrate various portions of a high-speed communication system, including radio frequency, high-performance analog, mixed-signal, digital signal processing, security engines, data compression and networking layers, and power management. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MXL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE:MXL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MaxLinear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MaxLinear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Members of the Austria-South Caucasus Parliamentary Group of the Austrian National Council have left for a visit to Azerbaijan's Aghdam, which has been recently liberated from Armenian occupation, Trend reports. The delegation will get familiarized with the war crimes perpetrated in Aghdam during the nearly 30-year Armenian occupation, as well as the reconstruction and building efforts undertaken by the Azerbaijani state following the city's liberation. Yesterday, on March 4, the delegation visited the Alley of Shehids (Martyrs) in Baku, honored the memory of heroic sons and daughters of Azerbaijan who died in the fight for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and laid flowers at their tombs. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Alberta Investment Management Corp cut its position in AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO Free Report) by 89.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 400 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,501 shares during the quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corps holdings in AutoZone were worth $1,016,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Rock Creek Group LP acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp raised its position in shares of AutoZone by 166.7% in the 3rd quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 10 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mascoma Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AutoZone in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 90.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get AutoZone alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes AZO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James upgraded shares of AutoZone from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $2,850.00 to $3,100.00 in a research report on Wednesday, December 6th. StockNews.com cut shares of AutoZone from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 27th. TheStreet cut shares of AutoZone from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of AutoZone from $2,900.00 to $3,100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of AutoZone in a research report on Wednesday, December 13th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AutoZone currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $3,020.76. AutoZone Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:AZO traded up $1.10 during 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. The stock has a market cap of $53.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.70. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52 week low of $2,277.88 and a 52 week high of $3,088.85. The firms fifty day moving average is $2,721.83 and its 200 day moving average is $2,626.15. AutoZone (NYSE:AZO Get Free Report) last issued its 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 business 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%. AutoZones revenue was up 4.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $24.64 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that AutoZone, Inc. will post 151.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at AutoZone In related news, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,997.76, for a total transaction of $8,993,280.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,921 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,756,456.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, COO Thomas B. Newbern sold 7,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,551.62, for a total value of $19,902,636.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 2,519 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,427,530.78. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Richard Craig Smith sold 3,000 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,997.76, for a total value of $8,993,280.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 2,921 shares in the company, valued at $8,756,456.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 17,807 shares of company stock valued at $47,821,141 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock. AutoZone Company Profile (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. Further Reading 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. Elastic (NYSE:ESTC Free Report) had its price objective increased by Royal Bank of Canada from $134.00 to $147.00 in a report issued on Monday. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock. Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on Elastic from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Elastic from $99.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on Elastic from $93.00 to $106.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday. TheStreet upgraded Elastic from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on Elastic from $84.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.26. Get Elastic alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Elastic Elastic Stock Down 1.3 % Insider Buying and Selling at Elastic Shares of NYSE ESTC traded down $1.38 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $107.02. The stock had a trading volume of 1,024,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,493,615. The firms 50-day moving average price is $119.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $95.47. Elastic has a 52 week low of $50.21 and a 52 week high of $136.06. 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 $10.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 232.65 and a beta of 0.97. In other news, CTO Shay Banon sold 89,995 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.10, for a total transaction of $10,448,419.50. Following the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 4,520,036 shares of the companys stock, valued at $524,776,179.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CTO Shay Banon sold 89,995 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.10, for a total transaction of $10,448,419.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 4,520,036 shares in the company, valued at $524,776,179.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 10,708 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.97, for a total value of $1,231,098.76. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 380,013 shares of the companys stock, valued at $43,690,094.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 128,867 shares of company stock valued at $14,928,615. 18.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ESTC. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in Elastic by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,051,434 shares of the companys stock worth $735,338,000 after purchasing an additional 409,717 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Elastic by 4.6% during 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 in the last quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. grew its position in Elastic by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 7,764,370 shares of the companys stock worth $875,044,000 after acquiring an additional 211,896 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Elastic by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,616,149 shares of the companys stock worth $499,557,000 after acquiring an additional 259,742 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sylebra Capital Ltd grew its position in Elastic by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Sylebra Capital Ltd now owns 4,712,076 shares of the companys stock worth $272,829,000 after acquiring 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. Read More 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. Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE:GBTG Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $4.49 and last traded at $5.85, with a volume of 88296 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $5.67. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently weighed in on GBTG. Citigroup raised Global Business Travel Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $7.50 to $8.00 in a report on Friday, December 15th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Global Business Travel Group from $8.00 to $7.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Get Global Business Travel Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Global Business Travel Group Global Business Travel Group Price Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.59. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $5.83. A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GBTG. Carronade Capital Management LP grew its stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group by 5.4% in the third quarter. Carronade Capital Management LP now owns 3,473,562 shares of the companys stock worth $19,105,000 after purchasing an additional 176,404 shares during the last quarter. American International Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the second quarter worth about $112,000. Barclays PLC bought a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the second quarter worth about $47,000. Ballast Asset Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group in the third quarter worth about $1,259,000. Finally, Dendur Capital LP grew its stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group by 20.1% in the third quarter. Dendur Capital LP now owns 2,450,000 shares of the companys stock worth $13,475,000 after purchasing an additional 410,114 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.92% of the companys stock. About Global Business Travel Group (Get Free Report) Global Business Travel Group, Inc provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Global Business Travel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Business Travel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alps Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 31,430 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $6,098,000. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Primerica by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 3,744 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $726,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Primerica by 2.7% in the first quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 2,281 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $393,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Primerica by 0.6% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 10,314 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,001,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC grew its position in Primerica by 1.2% during the second quarter. KB Financial Partners LLC now owns 5,026 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $994,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the period. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in Primerica by 12.0% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 617 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $120,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.56% of the companys stock. Get Primerica alerts: Primerica Trading Up 0.6 % NYSE:PRI traded up $1.55 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $250.84. The stock had a trading volume of 28,202 shares, compared to its average volume of 125,083. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.70 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $228.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $212.15. Primerica, Inc. has a 52 week low of $155.68 and a 52 week high of $254.40. Primerica ( NYSE:PRI Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.27 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $726.34 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $723.64 million. Primerica had a net margin of 20.37% and a return on equity of 27.83%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.49 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Primerica, Inc. will post 17.75 earnings per share for the current year. Primerica declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, November 16th that allows the company to buyback $425.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to repurchase up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Primerica Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st will be paid a $0.75 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 20th. This is a boost from Primericas previous quarterly dividend of $0.65. This represents a $3.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.20%. Primericas payout ratio is 18.89%. Insider Transactions at Primerica In related news, Director John A. Jr. Addison sold 1,215 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $249.00, for a total transaction of $302,535.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 16,467 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,100,283. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.87% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently weighed in on PRI. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Primerica from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Primerica from $260.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on shares of Primerica from $230.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Raymond James downgraded shares of Primerica from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Primerica from $215.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $243.20. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Primerica Primerica Company Profile (Free Report) Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Primerica, Inc. (NYSE:PRI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Primerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL Free Report) by 1.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 67,460 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 992 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $2,496,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. grew its stake in Delta Air Lines by 495.7% in the 3rd quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 685 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 570 shares during the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC grew its stake in Delta Air Lines by 55.2% in the 3rd quarter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC now owns 874 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Delta Air Lines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new position in Delta Air Lines in the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.29% of the companys stock. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Delta Air Lines Price Performance Shares of NYSE DAL traded up $0.22 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $41.79. 3,637,049 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,562,254. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.39. The company has a market cap of $26.88 billion, a PE ratio of 5.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.42. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $40.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $38.45. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 1-year low of $30.60 and a 1-year high of $49.81. Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 12th. The transportation company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $14.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.55 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 46.35%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.48 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 6.59 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 18th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.96%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 23rd. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is 5.59%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DAL has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Delta Air Lines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. TheStreet upgraded shares of Delta Air Lines from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $55.54. Read Our Latest Analysis on DAL Insider Activity at Delta Air Lines In other news, CEO Edward H. Bastian sold 71,840 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.20, for a total transaction of $2,816,128.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 428,768 shares of the companys stock, valued at $16,807,705.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.89% of the stock is owned by insiders. 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 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. EHP Funds Inc. acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $269,000. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cassia Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% in the third quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 951 shares of the companys stock worth $511,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the period. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% during the third quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 621 shares of the companys stock valued at $334,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% during the third quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 623 shares of the companys stock valued at $335,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.3% during the third quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 1,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $688,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lathrop Investment Management Corp lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.2% during the third quarter. Lathrop Investment Management Corp now owns 1,476 shares of the companys stock valued at $793,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.38% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently weighed in on LLY. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. DZ Bank downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $820.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. TheStreet downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, December 4th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $650.00 to $850.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $535.00 price objective on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $677.62. Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 14,388 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $630.28, for a total value of $9,068,468.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 99,754,422 shares in the company, valued at $62,873,217,098.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 195,055 shares of company stock worth $125,254,657. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 2.3 % NYSE LLY traded down $18.18 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $774.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,818,341 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,375,666. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market cap of $735.52 billion, a PE ratio of 133.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.34. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $678.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is $612.40. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $309.32 and a fifty-two week high of $800.78. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $9.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.95 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 51.22% and a net margin of 15.36%. Eli Lilly and Companys quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.09 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 12.44 EPS for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This is a boost from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 89.66%. About Eli Lilly and Company (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). 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. EHP Funds Inc. cut its position in shares of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH Free Report) by 45.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,400 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 11,300 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in Vishay Intertechnology were worth $331,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vishay Intertechnology during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in Vishay Intertechnology in the first quarter valued at $35,000. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its position in Vishay Intertechnology by 60.9% in the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,477 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 559 shares during the period. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. bought a new stake in Vishay Intertechnology in the second quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC bought a new stake in Vishay Intertechnology in the second quarter valued at $42,000. 82.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Vishay Intertechnology alerts: Vishay Intertechnology Price Performance NYSE:VSH traded down $0.03 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $22.82. The company had a trading volume of 729,383 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,288,056. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $22.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.44. Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has a one year low of $20.57 and a one year high of $30.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.14 billion, a PE ratio of 9.89 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a quick ratio of 2.38, a current ratio of 3.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Vishay Intertechnology Announces Dividend Vishay Intertechnology ( NYSE:VSH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The semiconductor company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $785.24 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $787.15 million. Vishay Intertechnology had a return on equity of 15.72% and a net margin of 9.52%. The businesss revenue was down 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.69 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. will post 1.15 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 13th. Vishay Intertechnologys payout ratio is 17.32%. Insider Buying and Selling at Vishay Intertechnology In other Vishay Intertechnology news, Chairman Marc Zandman sold 14,846 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.23, for a total value of $330,026.58. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 42,631 shares in the company, valued at $947,687.13. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 8.02% of the companys stock. Vishay Intertechnology Company Profile (Free Report) Vishay Intertechnology, Inc manufactures and sells discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company operates through Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), Diodes, Optoelectronic Components, Resistors, Inductors, and Capacitors segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Vishay Intertechnology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vishay Intertechnology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Element Capital Management LLC lowered its stake in PPL Co. (NYSE:PPL Free Report) by 16.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 83,115 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 16,347 shares during the quarter. Element Capital Management LLCs holdings in PPL were worth $1,958,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of PPL by 13,891.2% in the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 11,724,495 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $276,229,000 after purchasing an additional 11,640,696 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in PPL by 15.5% in the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 69,465,413 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,838,055,000 after acquiring an additional 9,298,570 shares in the last quarter. Zimmer Partners LP boosted its position in PPL by 70.0% during the 2nd quarter. Zimmer Partners LP now owns 5,950,405 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $157,448,000 after acquiring an additional 2,450,405 shares during the last quarter. Scout Investments Inc. bought a new position in shares of PPL during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $63,244,000. Finally, State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of PPL by 4.8% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 42,759,744 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,229,596,000 after purchasing an additional 1,971,238 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.09% of the companys stock. Get PPL alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently weighed in on PPL. Barclays raised their target price on shares of PPL from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on PPL from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on PPL from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 21st. TheStreet downgraded PPL from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of PPL from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, February 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $32.33. PPL Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PPL traded up $0.09 on Tuesday, hitting $26.83. The company had a trading volume of 2,899,958 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,260,603. The stock has a market cap of $19.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.81. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $26.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.66. PPL Co. has a 1-year low of $22.20 and a 1-year high of $29.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. PPL (NYSE:PPL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.56 billion. PPL had a net margin of 8.90% and a return on equity of 8.45%. The businesss revenue was down 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.28 EPS. Analysts expect that PPL Co. will post 1.72 EPS for the current year. PPL Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 1st. Investors of record on Friday, March 8th will be given a dividend of $0.2575 per share. This represents a $1.03 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.84%. This is a positive change from PPLs previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 7th. PPLs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 96.00%. About PPL (Free Report) PPL Corporation, an energy company, focuses on providing electricity and natural gas to approximately 3.6 million customers in the United States. It operates through three segments: Kentucky Regulated, Pennsylvania Regulated, and Rhode Island Regulated. The company delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Rhode Island; delivers natural gas to customers in Kentucky and Rhode Island; and generates electricity from power plants in Kentucky. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for PPL Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PPL 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 significant growth in short interest in the month of 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. Based on an average daily volume of 3,060,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.1 days. Currently, 2.9% of the shares of the stock are short sold. American Homes 4 Rent Trading Down 1.4 % AMH traded down $0.52 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $36.74. The stock had a trading volume of 1,556,906 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,296,697. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $35.45 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $35.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.70. American Homes 4 Rent has a 52 week low of $28.78 and a 52 week high of $37.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.46. Get American Homes 4 Rent alerts: American Homes 4 Rent Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 28th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.83%. This is a positive change from American Homes 4 Rents previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. American Homes 4 Rents dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 88.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AMH. StockNews.com lowered American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. BNP Paribas started coverage on American Homes 4 Rent in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. They issued an outperform rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $39.00 target price on shares of American Homes 4 Rent in a report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of American Homes 4 Rent from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the company from $34.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Homes 4 Rent presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $37.93. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on American Homes 4 Rent Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Matthew J. Hart sold 7,263 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.76, for a total transaction of $266,987.88. Following the sale, the director now owns 41,336 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,519,511.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CAO Brian Reitz sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 35,343 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,255,736.79. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Matthew J. Hart sold 7,263 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.76, for a total transaction of $266,987.88. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 41,336 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,519,511.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 6.03% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of American Homes 4 Rent Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent during the first quarter worth approximately $236,000. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in American Homes 4 Rent by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 255,574 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,631,000 after acquiring an additional 13,647 shares during the period. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 15,912 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $637,000 after acquiring an additional 767 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,597,311 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $184,037,000 after purchasing an additional 134,931 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of American Homes 4 Rent by 16.3% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 244,953 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $9,809,000 after purchasing an additional 34,401 shares during the last quarter. 83.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. American Homes 4 Rent Company Profile (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. Lowe Brockenbrough & Co. Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Free Report) by 2.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,169 shares of the companys stock after selling 110 shares during the quarter. Lowe Brockenbrough & Co. Inc.s holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $1,299,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of STZ. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO bought a new position in shares of Constellation Brands during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC raised its holdings in Constellation Brands by 1,175.0% in the 3rd quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC now owns 102 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLC raised its holdings in Constellation Brands by 3,833.3% in the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 118 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Finally, First Financial Corp IN bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors own 88.99% of the companys stock. Get Constellation Brands alerts: Insider Activity at Constellation Brands In related news, major shareholder Family Foundation Sands sold 354,616 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.26, for a total transaction of $88,746,200.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 54,461 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,629,409.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 16.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. TheStreet downgraded shares of Constellation Brands from a b rating to a c+ rating in a report on Friday, January 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $295.00 target price on shares of Constellation Brands in a report on Friday, February 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Constellation Brands from $309.00 to $301.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Constellation Brands in a research report on Monday, November 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $292.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Argus lowered shares of Constellation Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $289.24. Read Our Latest Stock Report on STZ Constellation Brands Price Performance Shares of Constellation Brands stock traded up $0.46 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $248.49. 628,910 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,180,865. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.46. The firms fifty day moving average price is $247.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $245.79. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $210.15 and a twelve month high of $273.65. The company has a market cap of $45.43 billion, a PE ratio of 29.48, a PEG ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 0.96. Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 5th. The company reported $3.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.03 by $0.16. Constellation Brands had a net margin of 14.76% and a return on equity of 23.35%. The business had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.54 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.83 EPS. The firms revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.9 earnings per share for the current year. Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 22nd. Investors of record on Thursday, February 8th were issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 7th. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently 42.13%. Constellation Brands Company Profile (Free Report) Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding STZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Constellation Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Constellation Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijani women are commendably representing the country on the global stage, said Director General of the Azerbaijan Standardization Institute Ilham Bayramov during the Gender Equality in Standardization" event at the institute, Trend reports. He underlined the importance of increasing women's participation in Azerbaijani state policy. "Azerbaijan's rich history demonstrates this clearly. Currently, Azerbaijani women effectively represent our country on the global stage, consistently being at the forefront," Bayramov added. Baku hosted an event focusing on "Gender Equality in Standardization," with the participation of key figures including Ilham Bayramov, the Director General of the Azerbaijan Standardization Institute, Sadagat Gahramanova, Deputy Chairwoman of the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs, Sevil Mikayilova, a member of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) Committee on Family, Women, and Children Affairs, Sakina Babayeva, Chairperson of the Association of Women Entrepreneurship Development, along with other officials. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Lido Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI Free Report) by 223.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 71,074 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 49,106 shares during the quarter. Lido Advisors LLCs holdings in D.R. Horton were worth $7,638,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in D.R. Horton by 390.6% during the third quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 743,311 shares of the construction companys stock worth $79,884,000 after purchasing an additional 591,787 shares during the last quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in D.R. Horton during the third quarter worth approximately $218,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 506 shares during the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 6,272 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Berkshire Hathaway Inc purchased a new stake in D.R. Horton during the second quarter worth approximately $726,454,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.12% of the companys stock. Get D.R. Horton alerts: D.R. Horton Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DHI traded up $0.38 on Tuesday, hitting $152.85. The company had a trading volume of 1,100,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,510,400. The company has a current ratio of 6.56, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. D.R. Horton, Inc. has a 52-week low of $90.85 and a 52-week high of $157.93. The business has a 50 day moving average of $147.73 and a 200 day moving average of $129.30. The company has a market cap of $50.72 billion, a PE ratio of 11.03, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 1.64. D.R. Horton Dividend Announcement D.R. Horton ( NYSE:DHI Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The construction company reported $2.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.88 by ($0.06). D.R. Horton had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 21.06%. The company had revenue of $7.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.55 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.76 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that D.R. Horton, Inc. will post 14.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 6th were issued a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 5th. D.R. Hortons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.63%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. JMP Securities boosted their price objective on D.R. Horton from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on D.R. Horton from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on D.R. Horton from $175.00 to $172.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on D.R. Horton from $150.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on D.R. Horton from $155.00 to $192.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $148.65. Read Our Latest Report on DHI Insider Activity In other D.R. Horton news, SVP Aron M. Odom sold 1,213 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total value of $185,589.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 5,103 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $780,759. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Barbara K. Allen sold 1,748 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, 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 available through this link. Also, SVP Aron M. Odom sold 1,213 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total value of $185,589.00. Following the transaction, 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. Insiders have sold 12,961 shares of company stock valued at $1,956,007 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.74% of the companys stock. D.R. Horton Profile (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. See Also 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. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM Free Report) by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 11,065 shares of the CRM providers stock after acquiring an additional 444 shares during the period. Lake Street Advisors Group LLCs holdings in Salesforce were worth $2,244,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CRM. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 463.1% in the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,283 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $694,000 after buying an additional 2,700 shares in the last quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 370.0% in the 2nd quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC now owns 1,551 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $328,000 after buying an additional 1,221 shares in the last quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Walkner Condon Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,633 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $534,000 after buying an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 89.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 5,282 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $1,116,000 after buying an additional 2,490 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trivest Advisors Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Salesforce by 288.6% in the 2nd quarter. Trivest Advisors Ltd now owns 952,000 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $201,120,000 after buying an additional 707,000 shares in the last quarter. 77.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Salesforce alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Salesforce news, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $251.20, for a total transaction of $3,768,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 14,681,166 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,687,908,899.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.20, for a total transaction of $3,768,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 14,681,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,687,908,899.20. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Srinivas Tallapragada sold 10,000 shares of Salesforce stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $251.82, for a total value of $2,518,200.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 58,930 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,839,752.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 1,184,112 shares of company stock valued at $324,717,842 in the last 90 days. 3.70% of the stock is owned by insiders. Salesforce Price Performance Salesforce stock traded down $16.78 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $297.86. The company had a trading volume of 5,668,172 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,819,606. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $280.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $241.71. Salesforce, Inc. has a 1-year low of $170.00 and a 1-year high of $318.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $288.33 billion, a PE ratio of 70.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.09. Salesforce (NYSE:CRM Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The CRM provider reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.06. Salesforce had a net margin of 11.87% and a return on equity of 10.42%. The company had revenue of $9.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.22 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.01 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Salesforce, Inc. will post 7.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Salesforce Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 13th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently weighed in on CRM shares. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Salesforce from $290.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Raymond James increased their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $280.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $290.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. KeyCorp decreased their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $272.00 to $268.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $360.00 price objective (up from $275.00) on shares of Salesforce in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $302.26. View Our Latest Stock Report on Salesforce Salesforce Profile (Free Report) Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CRM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Salesforce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salesforce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $8.81 and last traded at $8.77, with a volume of 5723055 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.71. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Barclays from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $190.00. Get Barclays alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BCS Barclays Price Performance Barclays Increases Dividend The stock has a market cap of $33.15 billion, a PE ratio of 6.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.63, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The firms 50 day moving average price is $7.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.48. The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be issued a $0.2671 dividend. This is a positive change from Barclayss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.14. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.6%. Barclayss dividend payout ratio is presently 37.96%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Barclays A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC raised its holdings in Barclays by 147.5% in the 3rd quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 2,121,462 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $16,526,000 after purchasing an additional 1,264,134 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Barclays by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,929,408 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $15,030,000 after purchasing an additional 220,102 shares in the last quarter. Rathbones Group PLC bought a new position in Barclays in the 3rd quarter worth $2,063,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its holdings in Barclays by 16.7% in the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 2,520,873 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $19,638,000 after purchasing an additional 360,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Barclays by 19.7% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 17,972,423 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $141,183,000 after acquiring an additional 2,960,114 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.39% of the companys stock. Barclays Company Profile (Get Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through two segments, Barclays UK and Barclays International divisions. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA increased its holdings in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 53,333 shares of the conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 350 shares during the quarter. Danaher comprises approximately 3.6% of Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CAs portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CAs holdings in Danaher were worth $13,232,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AXS Investments LLC increased its holdings in Danaher by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. AXS Investments LLC now owns 2,780 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $667,000 after buying an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Hawaii lifted its position in shares of Danaher by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Hawaii now owns 12,578 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $3,019,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Danaher by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 2,729 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $655,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Mirova lifted its position in shares of Danaher by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Mirova now owns 4,159 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $998,000 after buying an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apella Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Danaher by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 2,332 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $579,000 after buying an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.71% of the companys stock. Get Danaher alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total value of $636,280.74. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,029,891.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Danaher news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 2,622 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $242.67, for a total value of $636,280.74. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,029,891.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at $9,601,704. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 32,957 shares of company stock worth $8,265,802 in the last three months. 11.10% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently commented on DHR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Danaher from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. TheStreet raised Danaher from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, December 8th. HSBC started coverage on Danaher in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Citigroup boosted their price target on Danaher from $255.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, Barclays cut Danaher from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $240.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned 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 $266.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Danaher Danaher Trading Down 0.7 % Danaher stock traded down $1.76 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $254.43. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,121,156 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,749,993. The company has a 50 day moving average of $239.64 and a 200-day moving average of $230.97. The stock has a market cap of $188.20 billion, a PE ratio of 40.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.68. Danaher Co. has a one year low of $182.09 and a one year high of $259.00. Danaher (NYSE:DHR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.18. Danaher had a return on equity of 12.25% and a net margin of 17.26%. The business had revenue of $6.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.87 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year. Danaher Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This is a boost from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Danahers dividend payout ratio is 15.02%. About Danaher (Free Report) Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kenfarb & CO. cut its position in WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 1.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,049 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 200 shares during the quarter. WEC Energy Group makes up about 1.3% of Kenfarb & CO.s holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position. Kenfarb & CO.s holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $1,454,000 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. Earnest Partners LLC boosted its stake in WEC Energy Group by 12.8% during the 3rd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 1,053,231 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $84,838,000 after purchasing an additional 119,886 shares during the period. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group in the third quarter worth $242,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. increased its position in WEC Energy Group by 7.1% during the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 97,046 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,817,000 after acquiring an additional 6,427 shares during the period. Financial Planning & Information Services Inc. raised its stake in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Quadrature Capital Ltd raised its stake in 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 during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the companys stock. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: WEC Energy Group Price Performance WEC Energy Group stock traded down $0.23 on Tuesday, reaching $79.49. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,740,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,441,416. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $80.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $82.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.40 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company has a market cap of $25.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.07, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.40. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $75.13 and a twelve month high of $99.26. WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend WEC Energy Group ( NYSE:WEC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.08 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. WEC Energy Group had a net margin of 14.98% and a return on equity of 12.17%. The companys revenue was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.80 EPS. Equities analysts expect that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 14th were issued a dividend of $0.835 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 13th. This represents a $3.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.20%. This is a boost from WEC Energy Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 79.15%. Insider Activity In other WEC Energy Group news, Chairman Gale E. Klappa sold 37,180 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were 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 owns 274,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,622,595.58. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other WEC Energy Group news, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 2,830 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $78.89, for a total value of $223,258.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 43,125 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,402,131.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Gale E. Klappa sold 37,180 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $78.69, for a total value of $2,925,694.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 274,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,622,595.58. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on WEC shares. KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Barclays reduced their price objective on WEC Energy Group from $79.00 to $75.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. StockNews.com cut WEC Energy Group from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, January 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded shares of WEC Energy Group from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $90.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $86.17. Check Out Our Latest Report on WEC Energy Group About WEC Energy Group (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. Read More 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. London Co. of Virginia grew its holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report) by 38.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 34,273 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 9,478 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginias holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF were worth $5,203,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IWD. Evergreen Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 2.4% in the third quarter. Evergreen Advisors LLC now owns 4,818 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $731,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 437.0% in the second quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 43,144 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $13,260,000 after purchasing an additional 35,110 shares during the last quarter. Robinson Value Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 13.1% in the second quarter. Robinson Value Management Ltd. now owns 3,970 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $627,000 after purchasing an additional 461 shares during the last quarter. MGO One Seven LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 7.9% in the third quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 3,122 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $474,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 17.8% in the third quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 12,005 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,823,000 after purchasing an additional 1,813 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF alerts: iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Price Performance IWD stock traded down $0.42 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $172.30. 754,921 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,308,403. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $166.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $158.99. The company has a market cap of $55.03 billion, a PE ratio of 13.53 and a beta of 0.95. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a 1 year low of $143.34 and a 1 year high of $173.34. About iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF 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. Investors 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 yield of 4.87%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund Stock Performance MIY traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $11.45. The companys stock had a trading volume of 37,281 shares, compared to its average volume of 51,685. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.78. BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund has a twelve month low of $9.45 and a twelve month high of $11.70. Get BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MIY. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 73.1% during the 2nd quarter. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC now owns 357,082 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,946,000 after purchasing an additional 150,768 shares in the last quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,200,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 21.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 413,947 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,591,000 after buying an additional 73,905 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 36.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 219,290 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,883,000 after buying an additional 58,589 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its position in shares of BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund by 59.5% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 155,231 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,763,000 after buying an additional 57,920 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.63% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Articles 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. Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund (NYSE:NCA Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be given a dividend of 0.029 per share on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.93%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund Trading Up 0.9 % NYSE NCA traded up $0.08 on Tuesday, hitting $8.86. The companys stock had a trading volume of 72,454 shares, compared to its average volume of 55,522. Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund has a 52-week low of $7.77 and a 52-week high of $9.12. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $8.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.58. Get Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. US Bancorp DE raised its position in shares of Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund by 5,173.4% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 26,367 shares of the companys stock worth $236,000 after acquiring an additional 25,867 shares in the last quarter. Nomura Holdings Inc. bought a new position in shares of Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $203,000. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in shares of Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund in the 1st quarter worth approximately $180,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new position in shares of Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund in the 1st quarter worth approximately $173,000. Finally, MGO One Seven LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $162,000. Institutional investors own 21.18% of the companys stock. About Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund Nuveen California Municipal Value 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 California. The fund invests primarily in municipal securities rated Baa/BBB or better. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jackson Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,062 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the period. Lockheed Martin comprises about 1.1% of Jackson Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Jackson Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $8,205,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its position in Lockheed Martin by 73.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 64 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares during the last quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 3rd quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Providence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Lockheed Martin in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. 74.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Lockheed Martin Stock Performance NYSE LMT traded up $0.04 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $431.98. 1,037,527 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,165,734. The businesss 50 day moving average is $439.41 and its 200-day moving average is $439.28. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1 year low of $393.77 and a 1 year high of $508.10. The company has a market capitalization of $104.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.68, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.21. Lockheed Martin Announces Dividend Lockheed Martin ( NYSE:LMT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 23rd. The aerospace company reported $7.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $7.26 by $0.64. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 79.91%. The firm had revenue of $18.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.96 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $7.79 earnings per share. Lockheed Martins revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.19 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 1st will be paid a $3.15 dividend. This represents a $12.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 29th. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is 45.74%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have issued reports on LMT. UBS Group lowered their target price on Lockheed Martin from $488.00 to $475.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Lockheed Martin from $513.00 to $503.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Lockheed Martin from $540.00 to $508.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Susquehanna lowered their target price on Lockheed Martin from $550.00 to $540.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $438.00 to $472.00 in a research note on Monday, January 22nd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $491.92. Read Our Latest Research Report on LMT Lockheed Martin Company Profile (Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. The company operates through Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijani serviceman Ruslan Panakhov thanked President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, Trend 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. Meanwhile, 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 unfavorable 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Preliminary investigation of 104 criminal cases related to Armenia's war crimes against Azerbaijan continues, the report of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers says, Trend reports. Meanwhile, in addition to 57 criminal cases initiated and investigated for crimes committed by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan and its citizens during the II Karabakh War that started on September 27, 2020, and lasted 44 days, the requirements of the trilateral declaration of November 10, 2020 were grossly violated and continued for 47 criminal cases initiated for acts committed by the Armenian armed forces and others, the preliminary investigation of 104 criminal cases was continued in total. "Additionally, in 2023, the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic has done certain work in the field of investigation of crimes against peace and humanity committed by Armenians. Thus, as of January 1, 2024, a total of 295 people of the perpetrators of crimes against peace and humanity, as well as war crimes, 40-Khojaly genocide, 12-Garadaghli genocide, 18-Baganis-Ayrim genocide, 8-Meshali Genocide, under the relevant criminal case, 47-Karkijahan genocide, 34-torture against captured and hostages, 3 for terrorist crimes, 85 for other episodes, and 48 for banditry, were proved to have committed crimes under articles 103, 107, 113, 115, 116 of the Criminal Code. Since decisions have been taken to bring them as accused under these articles, a preventive measure in the form of detention was taken against them based on court decisions, and relevant documents were sent to the National Central Bureau of Interpol in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure their tracing. Besides, the process of finding and handing over the remains of persons missing during the I Karabakh war, as well as the search for mass graves in the territories liberated from occupation became intensive in 2023. As of January 1, 2024, the remains of at least 531 people have been found and recovered," the report says. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The amount of humanitarian aid sent by Azerbaijan to Ukraine, as well as for rehabilitation and reconstruction purposes, amounted to more than 57 million manat (about $34 million), of which up to half was sent last year, the report of Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers says, Trend reports. The report notes that from the first days of the devastating earthquake in Turkiye, Azerbaijan, showing fraternal support, and immediately sent search and rescue teams, medical volunteers, as well as various humanitarian aid. Azerbaijan sent 940 rescuers, medical personnel, and volunteer detachments, as well as more than 5,300 tons of humanitarian cargo to the region. Azerbaijan was the first among the world countries in terms of the number of rescuers sent to Turkiye. At the same time, more than $45 million was transferred from Azerbaijan to the bank accounts of AFAD and other humanitarian agencies working in the earthquake zone. On March 20, the "Donors' Conference for the people of Turkiye and Syria" was held in Brussels, which was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and on the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, $100 million has been allocated by the Republic of Azerbaijan for the construction of residential houses, purpose-built facilities and educational institutions to contribute to the reconstruction and construction works in the earthquake area in Turkiye. Azerbaijan Republic has allocated about $60 million (100 million manat) for rehabilitation and reconstruction works in 2023. Azerbaijan continued to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine throughout 2023. Overall, the amount of humanitarian aid sent by Azerbaijan to Ukraine, as well as for rehabilitation and reconstruction purposes, amounted to more than 57 million manat (about $34 million), of which up to half was sent last year. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, Tire Technology Expo 2024 is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best yet. Held on March 19, 20 and 21, 2024, at the Deutsche Messe in Hannover, Germany, the show includes a superb line-up of exhibitors, conference topics and speakers, as well as a range of accredited short courses, the official Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence, and ample opportunity for peer-to-peer networking. Register for your free fast-track exhibition entry pass here. The exhibition The industrys premier technology showcase, the free-to-attend exhibition features all the latest equipment and materials from more than 240 specialist suppliers, covering the complete spectrum of the tire manufacturing process. Exhibitor highlights include the latest in recycled materials, test and inspection systems, high-speed imaging solutions, green tire technology, carbon black, RFID, tracking and identification labeling, and in-line quality measurement systems. For example, Bekaert will introduce its Recycled Content Steel Standard, which goes beyond mere integration of recycled materials; it establishes stringent criteria for recycled content claims in steel wire products, focusing on controlled blending and physical segregation of materials for high traceability and integrity. Uster Technologies will showcase the Uster Q-Bar 2, an inspection system designed to ensure full process control, enhance first quality and minimize waste in tire cord weaving. By automating defect detection with precision, the system accurately identifies various defects, including subtle imperfections like oil stains or transparent lubricants, enabling real-time fault detection and documentation. Xsensor will explain how its High-Speed (HS) Tire system revolutionizes tire design and testing by providing precise contact-patch pressure data essential for understanding tire behavior at speed. Using high-speed sensors, the system offers reliable data even on tracks with varying conditions, enabling visualization of fine tire details, capturing tread details at over 450Hz, up to speeds of 150km/h. MAE Industria Gomma (MIG), following a successful stint at Tire Technology Expo 2023, will demonstrate its expertise in bladder production at the 2024 show. The company offers various forms of cooperation, including providing bladders from its existing range, crafting new bladders based on customer specifications, and producing bladders using customer-supplied molds. Sicks high-speed 3D camera, Ruler3000, will be on show, equipped with a 3R laser, it is designed to ensure precise measurements on dark rubber at full production speed. Coupled with Sick Nova software, it enables rapid configuration and result communication via a web browser. The software supports various vision applications with comprehensive image processing tool sets, making the camera suitable for tasks like tire uniformity, splice detection and DOT code reading. The awards Key industry achievements will also be recognized at the event, during a live presentation of the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. The awards are decided by the votes of a panel of experts from the tire industry and academia. The winners will be announced during the Expo. The 2023 awards saw the debut of a host of new categories which enable the awards to recognize and reward an even greater selection of worthy winners and these will remain in place for the 2024 awards. The full shortlist is available here. The conference Bringing together leading industry figures, the Tire Technology Expo Conference will consist of three days of presentations, discussions and networking on the latest developments in tire manufacturing, sustainability and the global tire business. The conference will feature more than 180 expert speakers from leading companies and institutions, such as Michelin, Apollo Tyres, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, GDSO, Kumho Tire, Jaguar Land Rover, University of Twente and many more, including the European Commission. Leading speakers include: Li Yanguo, compound and material research, Linglong Tire; Guy Heywood, vice president, Hankook Tire Europe; Mohammad Behroozi, senior vehicle dynamicist, GM; Tetsuya Maeakwa, manager material planning, Sumitomo Rubber Industries; Jan Prins, technical group leader for wheel and tire development and modeling, JLR; and Dalia Broggi, project manager, scientific research, European Commission. With new topics and streams announced for 2024, the conference is set to bring more insight than ever. In addition to its regular content, speakers will discuss AI applications in tire R&D and manufacturing, intelligent connected tires, sensors and data acquisition, sustainable tire manufacturing, the circular economy and mitigating TRWP. This year there will be more than 40 presentations on simulation, modeling and test and development alone you can view presentation highlights here. Short courses Three short courses will be held concurrently with the exhibition and conference. The University of Akron Tire Mechanics is a four-day short course held on March 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2024. Starting the day before the exhibition opens, it will provide engineers and scientists with an in-depth, intense study of the latest developments surrounding tire engineering. The basic and practical aspects of the mechanics of pneumatic tires will be introduced by internationally renowned experts in tire mechanics, and those who complete this course will receive a certificate from The University of Akron. The Tire Modeling and its Application in Tire and Vehicle Development three-day short course (March 18-20) will be organized and co-presented by Mohammad Behroozi from GM. The course covers computer modeling of tires in a full vehicle system and is aimed at engineers and researchers working in industry or academia. The subject matter will be of primary interest to vehicle dynamics engineers, for whom the tire is the primary force and moment generation element on the vehicle. It is also useful for engineering managers who wish to understand existing tire modeling activity and its challenges, or to successfully implement new tire simulation processes in the workplace. The 10th Tire Reinforcement Materials, Applications and Fatigue Testing one-day short course (March 18) will provide an understanding of the use of materials and constructions for rubber reinforcement in the tire. This course is intended for tire reinforcement engineers from design and material laboratory departments at tire manufacturers and their reinforcement suppliers. Please visit www.tiretechnology-expo.com for the full exhibitor list, conference program and short courses schedule, and to register for your free exhibition entry pass. You can read Tire Technology Internationals full show preview, here. Honeywell has announced that it will be the first gas detector manufacturer to join the Made in Saudi initiative, demonstrating the companys commitment to supporting localisation and economic diversification in Saudi Arabia. Honeywell will assemble and calibrate three different gas detection solutions locally at its Dammam site. The Honeywell BW Max XT II is a portable multi-gas detector that workers carry with them when entering hazardous areas to help detect gasses such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. In addition, the Honeywell BW MicroClip Series is one of the most popular portable gas detectors for industrial operations as it is lightweight, can detect multiple gasses and runs for an entire 12-hour shift. The XNX Universal Transmitter provides real-time visibility and advanced diagnostics for devices in the field that monitor toxic gases. Yiannis Bessiris, General Manager of Honeywell Industrial Automation for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa said: With a long-standing presence in the region and a deep understanding of its economic objectives, Honeywell supports the Kingdoms goals of localisation of world-class technology and talent. As a leader in digital transformation and worker safety across the Middle East, we are proud to be assembling Made in Saudi technologies and will continue to help shape the future of the Kingdom. Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) in collaboration with Honeywell have worked together on identifying suitable opportunities in the market which align with the companys broad profile. MISA Deputy Minister Saleh Al-Khabti said: We are excited about the scale of the opportunities for companies like Honeywell in Saudi Arabia. Our domestic market is the largest and fastest growing in the region and we are strategically located with access to regional and international markets. Through the National Industrial Strategy, the Kingdom is aiming to quadruple the industrial sectors contribution to GDP from $88 billion to $377 billion by 2035. With a growing number of high-quality investors like Honeywell we are well on our way to growing and developing strategic value chains in Saudi Arabia and deepening our base of skills, talent and technology. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), government, and non-governmental agencies involved in demining operations conducted a total of over 53,000 (53,081) ha of demining in 2023, the report of Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers says, Trend reports. According to information, 31,600 mines and unexploded ordnance were found and neutralized in these areas. Thus, in demining operations carried out in 2023, 32823.9 hectares were cleared by the agency, 6938.7 hectares by the Ministry of Defense, 669.7 hectares by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 841.9 hectares by the State Border Service and 11807.6 hectares by local companies. Some, 22,600 mines and unexploded ordnance were detected and neutralized by the agency, 2,400 by the Ministry of Defense, 949 by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 198 by the State Border Service, and 5,400 by local companies. The information stressed that 29005.6 hectares of clearance operations carried out in 2023 covered agriculture, 814.8 hectares - transportation, 11720.5 hectares - residential infrastructure, 1470.9 hectares - energy, and 10070.0 hectares - other projects. Of the demining operations carried out in 2023, 7956.1 hectares fell to the share of Aghdam district, 14016.7 hectares - Jabrayil district, 6025.1 hectares - Fuzuli district, 6400.2 hectares - Kalbajar district, 3570.8 hectares - Zangilan district, 1454, 2 hectares - Lachin district, 4400.4 hectares - Khojavand district, 1286.9 hectares - Tartar district, 174.5 hectares - Khojaly district, 6993.9 hectares - Gubadli district, 585.4 hectares - Shusha district, 217.6 hectares - other districts. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. A database of cultural institutions in Azerbaijan's Khankendi, Khojavand, Khojaly, Asgaran, and Aghdara liberated from Armenian occupation has been created, Trend reports. According to the report on the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers for 2023, the Ministry of Culture conducted a an apprpriate monitoring in these territories Based on the results of the inspections, the present situation of cultural institutions in these locations was investigated, and a relevant database was produced. During Armenia's 30-year occupation of Azerbaijan's Karabakh, cultural and historical landmarks were destroyed and vandalized. Following Azerbaijan's historic victory in the second Karabakh war in 2020, the government launched massive rehabilitation and repair activities in the liberated territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. The Azerbaijani government is making tremendous efforts to preserve and restore the cultural legacy of these territories. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Preparations are underway for the return of former IDPs to Azerbaijan's Karkijahan settlement of Khankendi city, Trend reports via the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs. The committee's chairman Rovshan Rzayev has met with a group of residents of the settlement. The meeting noted that the preparations are being made for the return of former IDPs to Karkijahan following the instruction of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Besides, the meeting emphasized that this year, the first group of former IDPs will be returned to the settlement. The participants of the meeting expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their continuous attention and care. Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of IDPs to their native lands. Up to now, former IDPs have returned to Fuzuli and Lachin cities, the villages of Aghali (Zangilan district), Talish (Aghdara district), and Zabukh (Lachin district). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 4. Saudi Aramco has completed its acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Esmax Distribucion SpA, a downstream fuels and lubricants retailer in Chile, Trend reports. The acquisition, initially unveiled in September 2023, marks Aramco's first downstream retail investment in South America. This is aimed at strengthening business in South America and improving overall downstream operations. "We are delighted to conclude the acquisition of Esmax and look forward to working with the outstanding team on the ground in Chile to achieve our shared ambitions. Aramco aims to be a primary global retail player, and this deal combines our high-quality products and services, including Valvoline lubricants, with the experience and quality of an established operator in Chile," said Yasser Mufti, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers. Esmax Distribucion SpA runs terminals that distribute fuel. The company provides various products like diesel, gasoline, kerosene, fuels, lubricants, and more. They cater to customers in Chile. And here's where Missouri politics starts to get interesting . . . And will likely impact our lives here in Kansas City one way or another . . . AFTER THE SHADY BRITT REID PASS, MISSOURI GUV PARSON NOW CONFRONTS EPIC DEMANDS TO PARDON FORMER KCPD DETECTIVE CURRENTLY UNDER LOCKDOWN!!! We noted conservatives & police supporters making noise on this front but the immediate reaction we're seeing is more urgent advocacy. Here's the basics of a decision just released . . . "The Supreme Court of Missouri denied DeValkenaeres motion to transfer the case to the states high court Tuesday after the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Western District affirmed his conviction in September 2023. "The Missouri Supreme Courts decision not to hear DeValkenaeres case keeps his convictions for second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in place." Statement from the courthouse . . . Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker issued the following statement today: "It is not unexpected that the Missouri Supreme Court has rendered a decision to deny transfer of the DeValkenaere decision for their review. Were grateful for the full judicial process thats been given this case." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Missouri Supreme Court denies Eric DeValkenaere's request to transfer case He was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action in the 2019 killing of Cameron Lamb Missouri Supreme Court won't transfer ex-KCPD detective DeValkenaere's case The Missouri Supreme Court has denied former Kansas City detective Eric DeValkenaere's request to transfer his case to the state's highest court. Missouri Supreme Court denies Eric DeValkenaere's request to transfer case He was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and armed criminal action in the 2019 killing of Cameron Lamb Developing . . . There was more support for "the war against drag queens" last year. Since then . . . Legal defeats and voter push-back EVEN IN RED STATES have taken the steam out of self-righteous indignation over drag performances that was mostly sparked by frenetic online talkers. Reality check . . . Regulating public performances, expression & free speech is tricky business and even our right-wing pals understand that vague definitions might threaten free speech and certainly wouldn't hold up in court. Nevertheless . . . Here's another upcoming showdown that we can only hope will inspires many drag queens to make the trip to Jeff City in full regalia . . . Check-it: On Wednesday the Missouri House Special Committee on Public Policy will hold a public hearing for HB1650. The bill, introduced by Representative Mazzie Christensen (R-Bethany), would criminalize drag performances and penalize businesses who allow drag shows. Under Christensens bill, any commercial business (including nightclubs, bars, and restaurants) that allows drag performances would be deemed sexually explicit, says Shira Berkowitz, senior director of public policy for PROMO Missouri, a nonprofit advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. That classification would subject the businesses to extra restrictions and zoning ordinances, they say. The bill also says that drag performers, and anyone caught participating in a drag show at a public/child friendly venue, could be charged with a felony. The bill adds new verbiage that would apply to drag to what Missouri has long termed sexually oriented businesses. Instead of using the term drag, it hides its meaning behind the term adult cabaret performance A performance that appeals to a prurient interest in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether performed for consideration. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . A recent conversation with a Kansas City union protest leader includes a great deal of tough talk whilst hinting that FOR THE RIGHT PRICE . . . These locals will offer their support to the very same billionaires they criticize. Fun fact . . . The top photo is our fair use retouch parody of an image from years ago that features the union leader protesting for higher wages outside of a Kansas City fast food restaurant. Voters might want to consider that Burger King subsequently shut down and isn't providing any employment or tasty Whoppers. Elections have consequences. Accordingly . . . Check the not exactly inspiring but a practical perspective . . . Low-wage workers and those who are standing by their side are hoping to secure a strong community benefits agreement from the Kansas City Royals as the team pushes for a new downtown stadium. "Our coalition has marked a line in the sand," Terrence Wise, a low-wage worker and activist with Stand Up KC and the Missouri Workers Center. "We've given the Royals until March 19th to have something signed, ready and enforceable for folks to be able to go out and say 'I support this on April 2nd.' They've had over a year to come up with something. The ball is in John Sherman's court." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . The Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America is scheduled to convene from March 14 to 17 in the city of Boca Raton, FL. The sessions will be held at the Church of Saint Mark and its adjoining facilities. The National Herald has learned that one of the main topics expected to be addressed by the Synod is the elevation to the episcopacy of two Archimandrites, specifically Fr. Nektarios Papazafiroploulos, the chancellor of the Archdiocese of America, and Fr. Anthony Vrame, Director of Holy Cross Orthodox Press. Fr. Nektarios Papazafiroploulos is being promoted behind the scenes by Archimandrite Fr. Vasileios Drossos, the former senior advisor and confidant of Archbishop Elpidophoros, who recently returned to Greece. Indeed, the two men have a strong friendship and closeness with Archimandrite Nektarios himself, as well as with his brother, Fr. Panagiotis Papazafiroploulos, who is also an employee of the Archdiocese. Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiroploulos, in his capacity as chancellor of the Archdiocese, has contributed in various ways to the documentation required for Fr. Drossos to obtain permanent residency in the United States, as well as other clerical and lay employees brought by Archbishop Elpidophoros from Athens and Turkey. It is worth noting that before his appointment as chancellor of the Archdiocese by Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiroploulos was the presiding priest of the community of the Cathedral of Saint Demetrios in Astoria, where, among other things, he contributed to the situation that led to the then-Parish Council to reject a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation worth $25 million. Archimandrite Vrame is supported by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco due to their long-standing friendship and closeness. He served for many years as the director of the Department of Religious Education of the Archdiocese with offices in the main building of the School of Theology. He was replaced two years ago by Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos and was appointed as Director of Holy Cross Orthodox Press where he continues to serve to this day. It has not been disclosed what duties the new Bishops, if elected, will undertake, as there are objections particularly, regarding Fr. Papazafiroploulos. The possibility of changes to the Archdiocesan Charter being discussed has not been ruled out, despite Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomews order that the matter is closed for the time being. If such discussion occurs, however, it will not be about the radical changes the Archbishop earlier attempted unsuccessfully, which led to ruptures and divisions among the clergy and laity of the Metropolises, but for some alterations to the geographic boundaries and the distribution of communities in specific Metropolises. It is expected that all synodic Metropolitans will attend, except for two, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver and Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit. Metropolitan Isaiah has been residing for several months now in the Monastery of the Archangels in Kendalia, Texas, and not in his Metropolis, and reportedly refuses to retire. The National Herald conveyed to Metropolitan Isaiah through Monk Ephraim, who has custody and looks after him, our desire to communicate with him, but Metropolitan Isaiah did not respond. The Metropolis of Denver is essentially administered and looked after by Bishop Constantine of Sassima. Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit will not attend in person due to his health issues. The Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America is composed of the following hierarchs: Methodios of Boston, Alexios of Atlanta, Isaiah of Denver, Nicholas of Detroit, Gerasimos of San Francisco, Savas of Pittsburgh, Nathanael of Chicago, and Apostolos of New Jersey. The chief secretary is Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos. It is noted that to date Archbishop Elpidophoros has elevated the following six auxiliary Bishops: Athenagoras of Nazianzus, Spyridon of Amasris, Joachim of Amisos, Timothy of Hexamilion, Ioannis of Phocaea, and Constantine of Sassima. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. The International Energy Agency is delighted to see Azerbaijan join the Global Methane Pledge, Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director, said, Trend reports. "Delighted to see Azerbaijan join the Global Methane Pledge. Action on methane is a top priority for limiting near-term global warming," he wrote on his page on X. Birol noted that the IEA will work closely with Azerbaijan's COP29 Presidency to pursue ambitious outcomes in Baku, building on what was achieved at COP28. Meanwhile, on March 4, Azerbaijan announced its participation in the Global Methane Pledge initiative, signifying a crucial voluntary commitment by nation-states to reduce their methane emissions. Within the framework of this initiative, Azerbaijan is prepared to participate in collective international endeavors aimed at achieving a minimum 30 percent reduction in global methane emissions by 2030. The Global Methane Pledge, introduced by the United States and the European Union (EU) during the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in 2021, targets an overall reduction of 30 percent in methane emissions by 2030, in comparison to 2020 levels. Presently, 155 countries, representing nearly half of global methane emissions, have pledged their commitment. Those people are our people too. The words of UNC Senator David Nakhid, following the deadly By Jeff Murphy, March 5, 2024 University of Central Missouri President Roger Best, left, and North Central Missouri College President Lenny Klaver sign documents making possible the new NCMC+UCM Direct Connect Transfer Agreement. WARRENSBURG, MO -- An agreement that makes it possible for students at North Central Missouri College (NCMC) to pursue an associate degree while concurrently taking courses leading to a bachelors degree at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) was signed Feb. 26 at NCMC in Trenton. The NCMC+UCM Direct Connect Transfer Agreement builds upon a relationship between both institutions that not only helps facilitate credit transfer between NCMC and UCM, but also includes benefits for students such as lowering the cost of a four-year degree, providing student use of services at each institution, and student record sharing between NCMC and UCM. UCM President Roger Best and NCMC President Lenny Klaver signed collaboration documents while surrounded by faculty, staff and administrators from both institutions who have played vital roles in launching this initiative. The agreement spells out each institutions obligations to help facilitate the smooth, seamless transfer of students who complete two-year Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) programs at NCMC to one of seven four-year degree programs at UCM. These initial dual admission pathways giving NCMC students access to upper-level courses at UCM are: AA/Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice and Criminology AAT/BS in Physical Education (K-12 Certification) AAT /Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) Elementary Education Birth- 3rd Grade AAT/BSE in Elementary Education Grades 1-6 AA/BS Construction Management AA/Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing AA/BS in Educational Studies and Training According to Dr. Mitchell Holder, a UCM alumnus who serves as Dean of Instruction at NCMC, the agreement provides an efficient route to graduation for students who want to pursue any of these degree pathways. While students take advantage of the affordability of the community college experience and diverse levels of academic preparation it makes possible, they also have access to joint academic advising and student services that will help them navigate toward a successful collegiate experience. Contributing to this goal is a $1,500 renewable additional scholarship that will be awarded to a student who graduates from NCMC with a two-year degree and is on the four-year degree path with UCM. This award is stackable with other student financial awards to help lower the cost of their higher education. We look forward to providing our students with continued opportunities for seamless transfer to the University of Central Missouri. These academic program articulation agreements will help our students on their educational path as they progress toward graduation and the professional or graduate school opportunities thereafter, said Klaver. The expansion of our partnership is a great benefit for our students transferring to UCM. Best emphasized the significance of the opportunities provided in the NCMC+UCM Direct Connect Transfer Agreement and the impactful role they will play in ensuring student success. We have a lot in common between our institutionsWere firm believers in providing high-quality education that leads to a meaningful outcome, and doing so for an affordable price, he said. We appreciate the longstanding relationship we have with NCMC and are very grateful that we are able to formalize it into very clear pathways for students. At the end of the day, its to ensure students can be successful. We want to celebrate that through our agreement signing. Dr. Tim Crowley, vice provost for academic programs at UCM, noted that the recently signed articulation documents are just the beginning of many more opportunities for collaboration between both institutions. This will likely lead to additional degree pathways in the future. He and other individuals who spoke at the signing ceremony commended the efforts of their colleagues who are helping to make these opportunities possible. Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi discussed Ukraines artillery and air defense needs with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram. According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. "I briefed him about the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine's urgent needs, particularly in artillery and air defense. We discussed ways to strengthen our dialogue, including expanding cooperation in the defense industry," Umerov said. He thanked Norway for supporting Ukraine, especially in the areas of air defense and maritime security, and invited his Norwegian counterpart to visit Kyiv. As reported by Ukrinform, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov to discuss the latest on the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine, as well as the prospects of support for Ukraine from the United States and other partners. Photo credit: mil.gov.ua Any deliveries from the West to Russia of raw materials used for the production of explosives are unacceptable. Sanctions must be applied against companies supplying nitrocellulose to Russia and an embargo must be introduced on deliveries of nitrocellulose, cotton cellulose, and cotton, all used as part of ammunition production. This was announced in the commentary to Guildhall by Bundestag (HDS/CSS) lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ukrinform reports. It is alarming that Western partners, including Germany, are supporting the Russian war machine by continuing to supply Russia with raw material (nitrocellulose) that is essential for the production of explosives. The fact that Germany is one of the main suppliers and that since February 24, forty-one deliveries amounting to almost $4 million have been made is shocking, but not surprising. This is the case because Germany continues to be deficient in the implementation of sanctions and repeatedly pleads for loopholes in sanctions instead of advocating for an expansion, the legislator emphasized. I advocate in favor of extending the sanctions and sanctioning the suppliers of nitrocellulose to Russia as well as adding other critical materials to the sanctions list. We finally need a complete embargo on the supply of raw materials for ammunition production to Russia: nitrocellulose, cotton cellulose and cotton, Kiesewetter concluded. It should be recalled that the Center for Defense Reforms published a report stating that a significant part of the raw materials (nitrocellulose) used by Russia for the production of ammunition is supplied from NATO member states and partner countries. The main suppliers are Taiwan, Germany and Turkiye. Also, the report notes that China, which until 2022 had not supplied nitrocellulose to Russia, became its largest supplier as of late 2023. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijani and Kazakh Energy Ministers have discussed green energy cooperation opportunities, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports. "A productive meeting with my colleague Almasadam Satkaliyev was held in Astana. We discussed the issues of gradual increase in the transportation of Kazakh oil through BTC, taking appropriate measures to export green energy from Central Asia through Azerbaijan, preparation of a draft agreement between the ministries on strategic partnership in the energy sector," the publication says. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Moldova seeks longer-term relations with Azerbaijan in the energy sector, Victor Parlicov, energy minister of Moldova, said in an exclusive interview with Trend, sharing takeaways from the 10th meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Councils meeting held in Baku March 1. "It's encouraging that discussions on green energy were included in the meeting's agenda. We aim to transition from mere transactional engagements to forging enduring partnerships with Azerbaijan. Given the expertise of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in fertilizer production, there's potential for collaboration in this sector. With Romania and Bulgaria being significant markets for fertilizers, it would be strategic to establish production facilities closer to these markets. Moldova's proximity to Ukraine, another major market, adds to the appeal. Despite Ukraine's previous substantial fertilizer production, uncertainties arising from the war raise questions about its future output. Therefore, we're keen on partnering with SOCAR or its affiliates to initiate fertilizer production in Moldova. As an agricultural nation, Moldova not only utilizes these products domestically but also serves as a pivotal logistics hub for exporting to EU countries and Ukraine," he stated. "We are exploring avenues for establishing longer-term relations and fostering a sustained investment presence of Azerbaijan in Moldova, and vice versa. During discussions with SOCAR representatives, as well as officials from the ministries of energy and economy, the prospect of investing in electricity production in Moldova to enhance the electrical system's balancing capacity was deliberated upon, noted the minister. Parlicov went on to add that Moldova is eager to attract longer-term investments from Azerbaijan. "Understanding why projects of this nature have remained unrealized in Moldova until now is crucial. Historically, Moldova was entirely reliant on a single supplier, leading to a vulnerability where energy prices were contingent upon political relations with Russia. This dependency posed a significant deterrent for major investors, who prioritize stability in energy supply and pricing. It's only with recent efforts to diversify energy sources and bolster energy security that the landscape has shifted. Now, with diversified energy supplies and improved security measures in place, the feasibility of such projects has become a pertinent topic of discussion," Parlicov noted. Green agenda Parlicov highlighted Azerbaijan's commitment to embracing the green agenda despite its abundance of traditional energy resources. "Azerbaijan's endeavors, such as the project to lay a cable under the Black Sea for supplying green energy to Europe and domestic initiatives for renewable energy production, make it possible to create new energy connections between Europe and the Caspian region," he stated. Parlicov explained that while Moldova may not be directly connected to such projects due to geographical constraints, it stands to benefit indirectly through the Romanian market. "Given our geographic constraints, establishing a direct connection between Moldova and such a project poses challenges. However, we anticipate indirect benefits through our integration into the European energy market via Romania. Moldova is actively enhancing its energy infrastructure by developing robust connection lines with the Romanian energy system. We anticipate that within 5-6 years, Moldova will seamlessly integrate into the European energy market, aligning closely with Romania. Consequently, if the cable reaches the Romanian market, Moldovan consumers will have access to the same energy sources. While the direct passage of the cable through Moldova may not be economically or logistically necessary, our strong interest and support for the project stem from our broader goal of integrating into the EU market," the minister noted. Parlicov highlighted the disparity between Moldova's energy system and that of Azerbaijan, noting that Moldova's system is smaller in scale. "Consequently, the scale of projects in Moldova is also significantly smaller. However, the mechanisms we employ to attract investments are similar, and we are keen on exchanging experiences with Azerbaijan in this regard. Moldova conducts auctions for approximately 60 megawatts of solar energy and slightly over 100 megawatts of wind energy. The auction model ensures that the company offering the best price for consumers secures a 15-year contract to sell energy at the agreed price. This mechanism not only guarantees certain revenues but also fosters competitiveness, ensuring the best possible prices for our consumers, said the minister. Parlicov emphasized Moldova's transition from dependence on a single supplier, stating, "It was fundamentally important for us to break free from reliance on a sole supplier." He affirmed Moldova's readiness to procure gas on commercial terms, marking a significant shift in their energy procurement strategy. The future of the Southern Gas Corridor "When the concept of the Southern Gas Corridor was conceived, few anticipated its swift implementation or its transformation into a critical artery safeguarding gas supplies to Europe. However, with the onset of the war in Ukraine, this corridor assumed paramount importance. The geopolitics of energy and gas supply has reshaped. The Southern Gas Corridor, complemented by infrastructure developments in the Balkans, has played a pivotal role in rapidly diversifying Europe's sources of energy supply," noted Moldovas energy minister. He emphasized that without the Southern Gas Corridor, the Vertical Gas Corridor, the rapid reduction of dependence on Gazprom from 100 percent to nearly zero in the part of the country that Moldova controls would have been impossible. "Despite the Transnistrian region continuing to receive gas from Gazprom, the rest of Moldova has successfully met its gas requirements by procuring from various European suppliers. In a notable achievement last year, we demonstrated that purchasing gas from the European market was not only feasible but also more cost-effective than the pricing formula stipulated in our contract with Gazprom. The Southern Gas Corridor stands as a completed project, significantly bolstering the security of energy supplies to Europe. As we assess the future, it's imperative to consider the next steps. With the potential for other countries in the Caspian region to join this corridor, we have an opportunity to broaden its scope, facilitating enhanced connections between Europe and Central Asia. Notably, the entire Caspian region emerges not only as a reservoir of fossil fuels but also as a potential hub for green energy," he concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's ambitious plan, "A Blueprint for Higher Education," aims to revamp the state's higher education landscape. The proposal includes the establishment of a unified system of state institutions and a new funding formula. Shapiro emphasizes the need for collaboration and efficiency to counteract years of disinvestment and demographic challenges. The blueprint envisions a coordinated approach to governance, aiming to streamline operations and resources across Pennsylvania's diverse higher education institutions. By centralizing decision-making and resource allocation, the plan seeks to optimize the state's educational offerings and enhance student outcomes. Shapiro's proposal also includes provisions for reducing the financial burden on students from low-income families. Under the plan, tuition costs would be drastically reduced for students with annual family incomes below $70,000, ensuring greater access to higher education for economically disadvantaged individuals. READ ALSO: Governor Josh Shapiro Unveils Ambitious Plan to Overhaul Higher Education in Pennsylvania Challenges and Criticisms While Shapiro's plan has sparked discussions, it faces scrutiny from lawmakers, particularly regarding funding and implementation details. Questions linger about the specific mechanisms of consolidation and how it will affect individual institutions and students. Lawmakers express concerns about the lack of clarity and the potential implications for Pennsylvania's higher education system. One major point of contention is the proposed increase in funding for higher education. Shapiro's budget request of $975 million represents a significant boost, but some legislators are skeptical about allocating such a substantial sum without a comprehensive understanding of how it will be utilized and distributed among institutions. Additionally, the lack of concrete details in the blueprint has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Republican state senator David Argall described the plan as "more foam than beer," highlighting the need for further elaboration and specificity before it can be seriously considered for implementation. Oklahoma's Consolidation Push In Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt has also advocated for consolidation in the state's higher education sector. While specific plans have not been released, Stitt emphasizes the need for outcome-based models and cost-effectiveness. The proposal aims to address low enrollment and graduation rates while fostering collaboration and efficiency among institutions. Stitt's vision for consolidation in Oklahoma aligns with broader efforts to modernize and optimize the state's higher education system. By streamlining operations and eliminating redundancies, the plan seeks to enhance the overall quality and accessibility of education for Oklahoma residents. However, like Pennsylvania's proposal, Stitt's consolidation push is not without its challenges. Skepticism persists among lawmakers and education stakeholders, who question the feasibility and potential consequences of such sweeping changes. Critics argue that consolidation may lead to the closure of smaller institutions and reduce educational options for students in underserved communities. Despite these challenges, both governors remain committed to their respective consolidation efforts, viewing them as essential steps toward revitalizing their states' higher education systems. As discussions continue and details are refined, stakeholders will closely monitor the progress and outcomes of these ambitious reform initiatives. RELATED ARTICLE: Exploring a Merger: Cleveland State University Engages in Talks with Notre Dame College for a Transformative Partnership Jewish students across the United States recently testified before the House Committee on Education, shedding light on the alarming prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses. The testimonies, presented by students from prominent institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford, revealed disturbing incidents that call for urgent attention and action. Incidents at Renowned Universities The students recounted experiences of verbal assault, including derogatory slurs such as "dirty Jew monsters" and "colonizers." One student, Kevin Feigelis from Stanford University, vividly described an incident where he was surrounded by a group of peers hurling antisemitic epithets at him. The dehumanizing nature of such attacks raises concerns about the hostile environment Jewish individuals face on campuses. Another student, Joe Gindi from Rutgers University, criticized the university's response to rising antisemitism. He suggested that some staff members may be complicit in perpetuating discriminatory behavior through inaction or, in some cases, encouragement. READ ALSO: Rutgers University Law Student Alleges Discrimination and Retaliation Over Antisemitism Concerns Call for Action and Legal Measures Shabbas Kestenbaum, representing Harvard students, emphasized the severity of the situation and the need for intervention. To address antisemitism, he highlighted the filing of a lawsuit against Harvard University and urged Congress to take decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students nationwide. The students called upon lawmakers to address the growing antisemitism crisis on college campuses and emphasized the urgency of implementing measures to combat hatred. Their testimonies underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle antisemitism, safeguarding the educational experiences of Jewish students. Recent Incidents Spark Outrage The testimonies come in the wake of a disturbing incident at a California high school, where a Jewish student faced verbal and physical assault. Danielle Eshed, the victim of the attack, shared her experience of being called a "dirty Jew" before being physically assaulted by another student. The incident has prompted renewed calls for action to combat antisemitism not only in higher education but also in K-12 settings. As antisemitic incidents continue to rise, students and advocacy groups are urging policymakers to implement comprehensive measures to combat hatred and ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish individuals in educational environments. Addressing Antisemitism: Education and Awareness Efforts to address antisemitism must include education and awareness initiatives, fostering a culture of tolerance and inclusivity. Colleges and universities play a crucial role in creating safer and more welcoming environments for all students, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. Creating awareness about the impact of antisemitism, both on an individual and communal level, is essential. Educational institutions can implement programs that promote understanding, dialogue, and respect among diverse student populations. By integrating these initiatives into campus life, institutions can contribute to eradicating prejudiced attitudes and fostering a more inclusive community. Disciplinary measures for perpetrators of hate crimes should be robust and clearly communicated to deter such behavior. Collaborative efforts between educational institutions, students, and advocacy organizations are crucial in developing effective strategies to combat antisemitism and create campuses where everyone feels safe and respected. As the testimonies of Jewish students bring attention to the urgent need for action, it is imperative for institutions and policymakers to work together in implementing measures that address antisemitism comprehensively. A united effort will not only protect Jewish students but also contribute to the creation of educational environments that uphold the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. RELATED ARTICLE: Indiana University Becomes Battleground for Academic Freedom Amid Cancellation of Palestinian Artist's Exhibition Valparaiso University, a private nonprofit institution in Indiana, is contemplating discontinuing up to 28 programs as part of an effort to streamline its academic offerings. The university plans to announce which degrees are on the chopping block by the beginning of the fall 2024 semester. Evaluating Academic Offerings According to a memo from Eric Johnson, Valparaisos provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, the institution has determined that it offers an excessive number of majors, minors, and graduate degrees relative to its student body and faculty size. The review process encompasses 18 undergraduate programs, which currently serve around 3% of the universitys student population. Final decisions regarding the elimination of programs are expected to be made by the commencement of the fall 2024 semester. However, affected students will be provided with the opportunity to complete their degrees before the affected programs are phased out, likely after the spring 2027 semester. READ ALSO: Declining Enrollment and Financial Challenges Prompt Closure of Notre College After Spring Semester Adapting to Changing Demographics Valparaiso University initiated a comprehensive operational review in 2021, spanning five years. This evaluation involves employee interviews, campuswide surveys, and an analysis of enrollment data. The university cites the necessity to adapt to declining enrollment and a diminishing pool of traditional college-aged students as primary factors driving the decision to reassess its academic offerings. Like many institutions across the higher education landscape, Valparaiso is bracing for an anticipated decline in high school graduates, a trend stemming from a decrease in birth rates during the Great Recession era. Particularly vulnerable are colleges heavily reliant on tuition revenue and those situated in the Northeast and Midwest regions, as highlighted by Valparaiso's observations in 2022. Valparaiso University has already experienced a decline in enrollment, with only 2,958 students enrolled in fall 2022, marking a 27.5% decrease from the figure of 4,078 a decade earlier, as per federal data. Over the next five months, Valparaiso will deliberate on potentially discontinuing 18 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs across various disciplines such as theology, public health, international relations, and cybersecurity. While the university anticipates a "limited reduction" in faculty positions to coincide with these program cuts, specific numbers have not been disclosed. Johnson emphasized that not all programs under review are guaranteed to be eliminated, and even in cases where discontinuation occurs, relevant courses may still be offered. Additionally, Valparaiso is exploring the possibility of launching new programs to attract students, including a masters in social work scheduled to commence in the upcoming fall term. Further degree offerings may be introduced based on market demands, Johnson noted. As part of its strategic planning efforts, Valparaiso University aims to bolster net tuition revenue by 10% per student and is actively pursuing designation as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI). According to federal data, 10% of Valparaisos undergraduate students identified as Hispanic or Latino in fall 2022, a demographic trend the university seeks to further cultivate. RELATED ARTICLE: Legal Battle Ensues as University Closes Unique African History Master's March 5 2024 Glasgow City Council has published a draft city centre strategy that builds on the inherent strengths of its urban core to pull in more tourism, commerce and residents. Governing the period to 2030 the document proposes to make its central areas a 'magnetic experience' by championing high-growth sectors such as digital, life sciences, climate science and the creative industries. Crucially the document also extends efforts to encourage more people to live in the city centre, currently home to 23,794 people, to address a hollowing out of population from its peak. New residents will be encouraged to the riverfront and a focus will be put on returning unproductive land and property back into use. Councillor Angus Millar, convener for city centre recovery at Glasgow City Council said: The City Centre Strategy sets out our vision for the future, and will form the basis of partnership working between the public and private sectors as we work towards a more vibrant, greener and mixed-use city centre. From the Avenues programme to our plans for the Golden Z and projects across the local neighbourhoods of the city centre, the strategy contains a range of actions which will help transform the city centre. The document will go before the city's administration committee on 21 March for approval. The Corps Commanders' Conference on Tuesday urged the proud nation to remain positive and united, and wholeheartedly participate in the progress and development of Pakistan RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2024) The Corps Commanders' Conference on Tuesday urged the proud nation to remain positive and united, and wholeheartedly participate in the progress and development of Pakistan. The forum noted with concern the organised misinformation and fake news being spread by certain nefarious elements to sow despondency and divisions within the society. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir presided over the 263rd Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters (GHQ) an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said. The forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhada (martyrs), including officers and men of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives for ensuring peace and stability in the country. The conference resolved that terrorists, their facilitators and abettors, working on behest of hostile forces to destabilise Pakistan, would be dealt with full might of the state. The COAS directed commanders to continue consolidating the gains of efforts against terrorism and militancy. The forum expressed concerns over continued repression of Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and condemned the unabated human rights violations by India. It reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiris politically, diplomatically and morally at all levels. The forum also expressed complete solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations and war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza. The COAS said,"The Palestinian people have unequivocal diplomatic, moral and political support of the Pakistani nation and we will continue to support the principled stance of our brethren for enduring resolution of the Palestinian issue. The forum appreciated the efforts of civil administration, law enforcement agencies and security forces for providing all-out assistance during the general elections in the light of the Election Commission of Pakistans guidelines for creating a safe & secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds. The conference noted that the Armed Forces of Pakistan at a great peril to their Primary responsibility, provided security environment for the conduct of General Elections-24 as per the given mandate, and had nothing to do with the electoral process. However, the forum expressed dismay that some vested small segments of polity and media, especially social media, had been maligning the Armed Forces of Pakistan with unsubstantiated allegations of interference, which was highly deplorable. "Its unfortunate that rather than focusing on real issues such as good governance, economic recovery, political stability and public well-being, entire focus of such vested elements is on creating political instability and uncertainty by attempting to scapegoat others for their own failings," it added. The forum emphasised that due legal processes be followed with evidence and proof rather than resorting to unconstitutional and uncalled for baseless political rhetoric and emotional outbursts. It noted with satisfaction the smooth democratic transition of power at the Centre and provinces, hoping that the post elections environment would bring in desired political and economic stability resulting into peace and prosperity for the people. The forum expressed that it strongly believed that democratic consolidation was the way forward for the country. The conference affirmed that the military leadership was cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges and threats, and "it remains committed to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with support of the resilient people of Pakistan". The forum reiterated to continue providing full support to the government in combating security threats and uplifting the socioeconomic growth in the country, including wholehearted assistance in curbing all illegal activities including smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft, implementation of One Document Regime and respectable & safe repatriation of all illegal foreigners. In line with the prime minister's resolve, the forum committed that planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators and desecrators of Shuhada monuments and attackers of military installations on 9th May, would certainly be brought to justice under the relevant provisions of the law and Constitution. In that regard, it added, malicious efforts to create distortions, confusion and disinformation were absolutely futile and only part of an organised campaign being launched for narrow political interests, to blur the abhorrent activities that took place. The participants affirmed that the Pakistan Army would continue defending and serving the nation in every possible way in its journey towards enduring stability, prosperity and security. The COAS stressed on field commanders to continue maintaining high standards of professionalism, operational preparedness and motivation during operations and achieving excellence during training of the formations. (@FahadShabbir) 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 BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2024) 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 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. 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. Zhang continued to note that, compared with other major military powers, 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. 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, the analysts said. APP/asg Catherine, Princess of Wales, is set to attend her father-in-law King Charles III's birthday celebrations in June, the army said on Tuesday, her first official duty to be announced since undergoing surgery London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2024) Catherine, Princess of Wales, is set to attend her father-in-law King Charles III's birthday celebrations in June, the army said on Tuesday, her first official duty to be announced since undergoing surgery. Royal officials have not formally confirmed her attendance but the British Army said Catherine, who is married to heir to the throne Prince William, will review soldiers on June 8 as part of the annual Trooping the Colour. The king, who is currently being treated for cancer, is also scheduled to review troops at the Trooping the Colour main event on June 15, according to the army website. Charles, 75, 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. Charles, who became king in September 2022 following the death of his mother Elizabeth II after her 70-year reign, was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer last month. 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. The illnesses of Charles and Catherine have given rise to a sense of uncertainty around the royal family, with William himself missing events to look after his family. He also pulled out of a recent memorial service for his late godfather King Constantine II of Greece over an unspecified "personal matter". Charles's wife Queen Camilla, 76, has been the most visible senior royal, stepping in to cover many of her husband's public duties as he undergoes treatment. But she has now taken a break until March 11, when she is expected to join other senior royals at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. She is reported to be on holiday this week, effectively meaning all four of the most senior royals are out of action. William, 41, was last seen in public on Thursday during a visit to a London synagogue, where he condemned the rise of anti-Semitism in the UK. He also attended last month's BAFTA film awards ceremony in London. Kate's last public appearance was on December 25 when the royals attended a Christmas Day church service -- around three weeks before she was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery. Royal officials refused to say what she was being treated for but confirmed the condition was non-cancerous. She spent almost two weeks in hospital, with Kensington Palace saying that she was unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter on March 31. The princess, widely known as Kate, is one of the most popular -- and photographed -- members of the royal family. Charles's younger son, Prince Harry, has quit royal duties for a new life in California while the king's brother Andrew stepped down from the public eye in 2019 after a disastrous television interview in which he defended his friendship with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Daily Mail's veteran royal commentator Richard Kay said recent events made it was "impossible to escape the conclusion that it has suddenly become a threadbare institution". jwp/phz/giv The United Nations on Tuesday called on the international community to "flood" Gaza with aid amid reports that children are dying of starvation in the war-torn Palestinian territory Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2024) The United Nations on Tuesday called on the international community to "flood" Gaza with aid amid reports that children are dying of starvation in the war-torn Palestinian territory. "With children starting ... to die from starvation, that should be an alarm like no other," Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, told reporters in Geneva. The health ministry in Gaza has reported that 15 children have starved to death in a single hospital, and the UN has said famine is "almost inevitable" in the territory, under assault by Israel since October 7. The UN's World Health Organization reported "grim" findings and scenes of starving children after reaching two northern hospitals with aid last weekend for the first time since October. Doctors at Kamal Adwan hospital, the only paediatrics hospital in northern Gaza, told the team that "at least 10 children had died due to starvation", Ahmed Dahir, who headed the mission, told a Geneva press briefing from the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The health ministry has since reported that the number of child deaths at the hospital due to malnutrition and dehydration had risen to 15, with another six acutely malnourished infants at dire risk. - 'Flood Gaza with aid' - "If not now, when is the time to pull the stops, break the glass and flood Gaza with the aid that it needs?" Laerke asked. "That is what we need to see happen." US cargo planes airdropped more than 36,000 meals in northern Gaza on Tuesday in a joint operation with Jordan, the US military said, amid the international scramble to ease the growing humanitarian crisis there. But US officials have also warned that the international operation is not enough. A UN assessment in January indicated that more than 15 percent of children under the age of two in northern Gaza -- one in six -- were acutely malnourished, while three percent were suffering from life-threatening severe wasting. In southern Gaza, five percent of children aged under two were acutely malnourished, according to that assessment, with the WHO warning the situation had likely gotten worse in recent weeks. - 'Alarming' - The strict criteria for declaring the situation in Gaza a full-blown famine have yet to be met, but the situation remains dire. Starvation, or the absolute deficit of calories, can lead to things like organ failure, James Elder, spokesman for the UN children's agency UNICEF, told reporters. Before reaching that point though, severe malnutrition can be a significant underlying cause of death, leaving children many times more likely of succumbing to common childhood diseases. The fact that malnutrition itself is now also being listed as the direct cause of children's deaths is therefore "alarming", Elder said. While the famine label might draw more media attention, he stressed that "it doesn't make a lot of difference for the children on the ground". (@FahadShabbir) Sarajevo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2024) Bosnia's top international envoy has warned of Russia's growing influence in the Balkan country amid a growing stand-off with the Moscow-backed Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. "We should not give (Vladimir Putin) the last decision... on whether Bosnia Herzegovina has a path to European integration," Christian Schmidt told AFP during an exclusive interview this week. "But I think we should stop declaring everything as normal... we have to address this." His comments come as the envoy -- who helps oversee the fractured state for the international community -- is locked in a feud with Dodik, a long time Kremlin ally on trial for signing legislation that refused to recognise decisions made by Schmidt and Bosnia's constitutional court. The veteran German diplomat is charged with overseeing the enforcement of the Dayton Agreement that ended the country's bloody civil war in the 1990s. Dodik, however, has refused to recognise Schmidt's authority after Russia and China dropped their support for the envoy. In July, Schmidt struck down two laws passed by the parliament of Bosnia's Serbian entity which refused to recognise him and the top court. Dodik has remained defiant, vowing to fight the charges in a trial that marks a potential tipping point for post-war Bosnia. The case will likely serve as a litmus test of the weak central government's ability to hold a leading politician to account after openly flouting the country's peace accords and court system. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Greece supports the efforts for increasing rhe capacity of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), said the countrys deputy minister of environment and energy Alexandra Sdoukou, Trend reports via the ministry. Greece supports the expansion of TAP and IGB. These two infrastructures are pivotal for diversifying gas export sources and routes in Southeast Europe, Sdoukou said in her speech at the 10th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Councils meeting in Baku. The deputy minister underscored Greece's commitment to bolstering the region's energy security through the development of crucial gas transportation networks. The Deputy Minister emphasized the necessity of incorporating hydrogen into the Southern Gas Corridor, highlighting its significance for the project's long-term sustainability. Sdoukou stressed that Greece advocates for the integration of hydrogen and other renewable gases into existing infrastructures, alongside the establishment of new hydrogen facilities. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is part of the Southern Gas Corridor, transporting natural gas to Europe from the Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP crosses Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. TAPs initial capacity is 10 billion cubic meters per year, which can be expanded to 20 billion cubic meters. The IGB gas pipeline connects with the Greek national gas transmission system (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP AG) in the area of Komotini (Greece), and with the Bulgarian gas transmission system (Bulgartransgaz EAD) in the area of Stara Zagora. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km, the diameter of the pipe - 32'' - and a design capacity of up to 3 billion m3/year in the direction Greece - Bulgaria. Depending on the market interest for larger capacity and the possibilities of the neighboring gas transmission systems, the capacity of IGB is designed with the option for increase up to 5 billion m3/year with additional construction of a compressor station. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn American cargo planes airdropped more than 36,000 meals to Gaza Tuesday in a joint operation with Jordan, the US military said, as the international community scrambles to curb a growing humanitarian crisis there Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Mar, 2024) American cargo planes airdropped more than 36,000 meals to Gaza Tuesday in a joint operation with Jordan, the US military said, as the international community scrambles to curb a growing humanitarian crisis there. The United Nations has warned of famine in Gaza, while the World Health Organization said a recent aid mission to two hospitals found horrifying scenes of children dying of starvation in the territory's north. "US Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 5, 2024, at 2:30 p. m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict," the military command said in a statement. "US C-130s dropped over 36,800 US and Jordanian meal equivalents in Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid," CENTCOM said, adding that "we continue planning for follow-on aid delivery missions." Institute for Disability Studies Receives Calm Harbor Grant Award Tue, 03/05/2024 - 11:17am | By: Rebecca Holland The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has been presented a generous grant award, funded by Mr. Kurt Brautigam, through the Pinebelt Foundation. Brautigam, a USM alumnus, founded the Calm Harbor Fund in 2023 to support various organizations whose work positively influences the education of children in local school districts. His vision to help the community is and will continue to make a significantly positive difference in Lamar and Forrest counties. IDS received one of three Calm Harbor grant awards. All funding from the Calm Harbor award will be administered through IDS Project Recovery and will go directly toward the purchase of school supplies and uniforms for Forrest County students in need. Ms. Caroline Nurkin, Director of Operations for the Pinebelt Foundation, and Brautigam, had the opportunity to visit with IDS staff on USMs Hattiesburg campus to learn more about the numerous services provided by the Institute. IDS is Mississippi's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and has provided interdisciplinary education, community services, and information dissemination for nearly 50 years. IDS expresses special thanks to Brautigam and the Pinebelt Foundation for this generous award, which will enable IDS to expand its work in the community. The Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp is scheduled June 16-22 on the UW campus. Twenty-four students, who will be entering seventh or eighth grade this fall, will be selected from Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and South Dakota. Here, Danny Dale, the Harry C. Vaughan Professor of Astronomy in the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy, works with a camper on proper use of the telescope on the roof of the Physical Sciences Building during the 2023 Astro Camp. (Max Gilbraith Photo) Select middle school students from four states will have an opportunity this summer to explore traveling to and colonizing planets during the Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp June 16-22 on the University of Wyoming campus. Campers, who will be entering seventh or eighth grade this fall, will be chosen based on demonstrated interest and academic potential in math, science, engineering and space. As part of the application process, students must submit written essays on why they want to attend the science camp. Twenty-four students from all backgrounds and economic statuses will be selected from Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska and South Dakota. Participants will be selected with a goal of having an equal number of male and female campers. The camp is free to selected participants. On-campus housing and dining will be provided for attending students. The application deadline is Sunday, April 30, but applications submitted by Monday, May 6, will be considered, pending camp capacity. To apply, go here. So far, it (programming) will be the same, says Danny Dale, the Harry C. Vaughan Professor of Astronomy in the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy. The teachers and I always end up modifying a bit each year, but that will be hashed out during our prep/training the week before camp. The camp includes three in-service Wyoming science teachers and five UW undergraduate students who will serve as camp counselors. Once again, campers will take field trips to the local mountain ranges. Hike No. 1 will be in the Vedauwoo area. Our goal is to have a simulated hike on an 'alien landscape,' and their challenge is to find signs of life, food and shelter. They also will collect water from a beaver pond for a later lesson on purifying water, Dale explains. Hike No. 2 will take place in the Snowy Range. The goal is to exercise their new skills in identifying different types of flora that we find along the way: trees, bushes, flowers and plants, in general, Dale says. We also do a bit of geology during the hike. Dale says he wants camp attendees to take away an excitement and understanding for STEM, and to meet others of the same age who are likewise excited about STEM. In 2020, the Windy Ridge Foundation made a $250,000 gift to support the Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp, which aims to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers while introducing the K-12 community to science programs offered through UW. The gift provided enough funding for five years of the camp, Dale says. This years camp marks the fourth year of funding by Windy Ridge. The third year player out of West Virginia University, Miles McBride has earned a spot in the Knicks rotation this season. The 23 year-old Guard landed in New York City after being drafted in the second round by the Thunder in 2021 and then traded to the Knicks. Three years into his professional career and McBride has improved across all stat lines each season he's been in the NBA. This year, 'Deuce' is averaging a career-best 14 minutes per game and recording 6.4 points. Versatility McBride has been expected to pick up his scoring after Immanuel Quickley's departure. This is notable considering that in previous seasons he's spent time with the G League's Westchester Knicks and now he's in the rotation for Tom Thibodeau. Earlier this year, McBride started in place of an injured Jalen Brunson, recording a careerhigh 20 points as the Knicks beat the Orlando Magic, 9894. I feel fine honestly. Thats what I put in the offseason work for. I prepare my body for this, McBride said after the best performance of his career. You never know whats going to happen. I think I can just do what I can do, work as hard as I can. If my name is called, my name is called. Anything else really just doesnt affect me. His effort on the defensive end is also why he has earned his minutes on the court. McBride is considered by many as the Knicks top perimeter defender and has showed flashes against arguably the best scorers in the NBA. His abilities led him to sign a three.year deal, $13 million with the Knicks following OG Anunoby's arrival from Toronto. McBride is also one of just three homegrown draft picks still on the roster, therefore he has become a favorite for Knicks fans and exciting for the organization as a whole. Saudi American Glass, one of the oldest and the largest suppliers of processed architectural glass in the Middle East and a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments, has announced a comprehensive expansion strategy coupled with strategic partnerships, aimed at driving growth and innovation in the lucrative Saudi market. As a cornerstone of the Saudi glass industry for over 45 years, Saudi American Glass commitment to excellence and innovation has continually propelled the sector forward. The company is investing in cutting-edge technologies with the recent additions such as the 18-cathode coater, state-of-the-art tempering lines, and digital printing facilities, said the company in a statement. On its expansion intiatives, Khalid Bin Kalban, the Chairman of Saudi American Glass and Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Investments, said: "Amidst Saudi Arabia's substantial investments in infrastructure development, the demand for glass products is on a steady ascent. As the kingdom experiences notable growth and development in the construction and infrastructure sectors, Saudi American Glass remains steadfast in its commitment to meet this escalating demand." "The companys strategic endeavours align seamlessly with the nation's ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, reflecting Saudi American Glasss dedication to contributing to the Kingdom's long-term economic diversification and development goals," he added. As part of its comprehensive expansion strategy, Saudi American Glass is set to introduce several key initiatives aimed at meeting the growing demand within the Saudi glass industry. Bin Kalban said the launch of 'Glass for Housing' signifies a pioneering move towards providing innovative solutions tailored for residential projects. As part of its growth strategy, Saudi American Glass artistic glass division, Elite Vitrage, will undergo a significant enhancement with the integration of specialized machines, catering to the burgeoning demand for premium glass products. In line with Saudi American Glasss commitment to safety and innovation, the company is now actively developing new installation systems for fire-rated and bullet-resistant glass, ensuring heightened security for customers. Leveraging its existing infrastructure, Saudi American Glass remains dedicated to driving further growth and innovation. General Manager Riass Dayekh, emphasising the company's dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the market, said: "As we embark on this exciting phase of expansion, Saudi American Glass is reinforcing its commercial team to ensure enhanced customer service and capitalize on emerging opportunities within the market. Coupled with a remarkable growth rate exceeding 20% from the previous year, Saudi American Glass remains dedicated to driving progress and excellence in the Saudi glass industry." "We are intensifying our marketing efforts to bolster awareness about our products and solidify our position as a market leader and we happy to announce strategic partnerships with esteemed industry giants such as Cenomi, Nupco and Sulaiman Habib," noted Dayekh. "These collaborations align seamlessly with our strategic objectives and will facilitate our participation in prestigious projects led by these entities," he added.-TradeArabia News Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have discussed the preparation of a draft agreement on strategic partnership in the energy sector between the ministries, Trend reports. According to the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov held a productive meeting with his Kazakh counterpart Almasadam Satkaliyev. At the meeting, the special role of energy cooperation in the development of relations between the two countries was noted. It was stated that the expansion of ties in the renewable energy sector, along with the hydrocarbon sector, is one of the priority areas of the intergovernmental commission. During the meeting the cooperation between SOCAR and KazMunayGas on the implementation of practical steps for multilateral transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, in particular on the implementation of the agreement on transportation of 1.5 million tons of oil per year through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline (BTC), gradual increase in the volume of supplies was highly appreciated. The meeting also reviewed the progress of work following the agreement reached at the trilateral meeting between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan on the export of electricity from Central Asia to Azerbaijan and from there to Europe. Measures to be taken to start the process of preparing a feasibility study for a project linking the energy systems of the Caucasus region and Central Asia via a submarine cable were discussed. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Indonesias capital, Jakarta, is overcrowded, polluted, prone to earthquakes and often described as the worlds fastest sinking city, due to groundwater extraction and climate change. All that, plus the governments interest in distributing opportunity and wealth more equitably among the nations 17,000 islands, contributed to President Joko Widodos announcement in August 2019 of plans to move the capital from the island of Java to the island of Borneo and create a smart, sustainable forest city Nusantara. Since then, Indonesian authorities have envisioned foreign investors bankrolling Nusantara, a $32 billion project. Now, months before the first phase is scheduled to be unveiled on August 17, Chinese entities are emerging as one of the biggest blocks of investors in what is widely seen as Widodos legacy project, where work began in August 2022. Singapore has shown the most interest, followed by Japan. Malaysia and China are tied for third place. But submission of letters of interest is just the first step in a time-consuming process. The 260,000-hectare (642,474 acre) design is due for completion in August 2045, Indonesias 100th anniversary of independence from Dutch colonial rule. The Nusantara Capital Authority (NCA) has used investment forums and meetings in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to reach investors. In October, Widodo said Beijing is set to become the largest foreign direct investor in Indonesia within two years, surpassing Singapore. China has already invested in smart cities like Nusantara elsewhere in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar, according to a 2021 University of Kentucky study. In Indonesia, Chinese investments have usually flowed into major infrastructure or industrial projects, such as the $7.3 billion Jakarta Bandung high-speed rail project, the Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Project (MIHEP), which is affiliated with the Chinese state-owned enterprise PowerChina and will power the new capital and the controversial $11.6 billion facility on Rempang Island for Xinyi Glass, a giant Chinese-owned glass and solar panel manufacturer. Disputes over who owns the land remain unresolved. In a phone interview with VOA Indonesian, Andry Satrio Nugroho, an economist at Indonesias Institute for Development of Economics and Finance, warned that the government should be able to assure investors that there are no similar land disputes attached to Nusantara. NCA has said the government is working to include Indigenous and local people in the land acquisition and development process. Agung Wicaksono, NCA deputy for finance and investment, said they have received 345 letters of intent submitted by potential investors. At a conference on sustainability hosted by Singapore's Temasek Holdings in June 2023, Widodo introduced 300 development packages worth $2.6 billion to investors interested in building Nusantara. The Indonesian government offered incentives such as tax holidays for companies investing at least $647,000 in projects like airports, toll roads, hospitals, shopping malls and hotels. Under the PPP [Private-Public Partnership] scheme, the NCA is advancing with a Chinese consortium led by CITIC Ltd. to construct 60 residential towers in the capital, Wicaksono said. CITIC Ltd., one of China's largest conglomerates, is 58% owned by CITIC Group, which U.S. Republican Representative Mike Gallagher, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, called one of Chinas largest and most important Party-controlled financial conglomerates. Two Malaysian entities, Maxim and IJM, will also build residential property in Nusantara, according to the Indonesia Business Post. Interest from China has also included a pitch from China Railways Construction Corporation to develop Nusantara's transportation system, according to the official China Daily, which reported that Chinese enterprises have already been helping realize Widodo's plans. China Road and Bridge Corporation, China Communications Construction Indonesia, and China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corporation are bidding for parts of the toll highway to link the Balikpapan oil storage port with Penajam Paser Utara, where the new capital will be built, according to a September 4 report. By law, Widodo cannot serve more than his two five-year terms. His successor is expected to bePrabowo Subianto, the top vote-getter in last months election, who backs the Nusantara move. Everything will be fine, no need to worry, Widodo told potential investors at a Singapore meeting last year. Your investment in Indonesia will continue to be safe, and [there will be] continuity in the development of Nusantara capital city." Chinas top leaders set an ambitious economic growth target of 5% for 2024 Tuesday, vowing to seek progress while maintaining stability amid a sluggish economy and weak confidence among investors and consumers. Delivering his first work report since assuming the second-most powerful position in China last October, Chinese Premier Li Qiang acknowledged that China faces an environment characterized by opportunities, risks, and challenges but emphasized that favorable conditions still outweigh unfavorable factors, according to Chinas official Xinhua News Agency. In the face of weak economic growth worldwide and the lack of a solid foundation for China to stabilize its economic growth, Li said Beijing will continue to adopt proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy to cope with the long list of economic challenges. According to Li, the Chinese government plans to issue about $139 billion in special treasury bonds over the next few years while offering support to debt-laden local governments and sticking with the strategy of high-quality growth, which focuses on driving growth through innovation. Li said China would mobilize resources across the country to promote the construction of a modern industrial system, accelerate the development of new productive forces, and allow innovation to drive economic growth, according to readouts on Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency. Lis speech comes as China faces a long list of economic challenges, including an ongoing real estate crisis, low consumer and household confidence, and weak external demand. While Li promised to expand domestic demand and increase efforts to attract foreign investment, some economists say that unless China initiates fundamental economic reforms, these plans may only be policy slogans. A lot of the strategic industries in China are controlled by state-owned enterprises and their investment efficiency is quite low, Wang Kuo-chen, an expert on the Chinese economy at the Chunghwa Institute for Economic Research in Taiwan, told VOA by phone. In his view, even if China tries to increase support for private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, or military enterprises continue to control strategic industries in the country, it will be difficult for the Chinese government to emerge from the current economic turmoil. If Beijing doesnt fundamentally change its economic model, itll be hard for China to implement new economic strategies such as high-quality development and new productive forces, Wang told VOA. Despite the doubt expressed by some economists, other analysts say the Chinese government will continue to concentrate resources on technological innovation in the near future. The whole government work report is focusing on modernization with Chinese characteristics and new productive forces, Wang Hsin-hsien, an expert on Chinese politics at National Chengchi University in Taiwan, told VOA in a phone interview. He said a large part of Lis speech focuses on technological innovation, which may also be Beijings response to the U.S.-led effort to restrict its access to some core technologies, such as advanced semiconductor chips. These policy proposals have a lot to do with challenges that China faces internationally, Wang said. Apart from the outline of Beijings economic measures over the next year, Li Qiang also highlighted the need for China to strengthen social security and services, including a comprehensive strategy to cope with its rapidly aging population and measures to tackle youth unemployment. Since Chinas National Peoples Congress passed revisions to the state secrets law just days before the Two Sessions, Li reiterated the need for the Chinese government to safeguard national security and social stability. [We should] the overall concept of national security while strengthening the national security system, he said in the speech. Some analysts say Lis speech shows that security remains the top concern for the Chinese government. According to statistics shared by Ruihan Huang, a senior associate at Chicago-based think tank MarcoPolo, the word security was mentioned 28 times in this years government work report, which is three times more than last year. As Li doubled down on the importance of prioritizing national security in his speech, some experts told VOA that such a governance model imposes a cost on the Chinese economy. When [a government] invests one unit more in security, in the short term, it at least means one unit less in something else, including in growth, Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, told VOA by phone. While some analysts describe Lis speech and the content of Chinas government work report as unsurprising, the Chinese governments decision to cancel the premiers press conference at the end of the annual legislative meeting is still a precedence-breaking move that reflects the diminishing power that the premier possesses under the current Chinese political system. The Chinese government has redefined the role of premier as an implementer of decisions made by the Politburo, a top decision-making body, under the general secretarys leadership, Dali Yang, a political scientist at the University of Chicago, told VOA by phone. As the world now interprets the signals reflected through Li Qiangs speech Tuesday, Chong in Singapore thinks the outside worlds perception of China will likely remain unchanged in the short term. Ultimately, what investors want is certainty, and for there to be more certainty, there has to be more transparency in data and that compliance is straightforward to follow, he told VOA. While Li Qiang talks about confidence, the instruments that allow for confidence arent really there. Nigeria's National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has detained two senior executives of cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance in connection with alleged financial crimes, the companys lawyer confirmed March 4. Senator Ihenyen, Binances legal representative, said that one of the executives is a U.S. and the other a U.K. citizen. On March 1, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu told the BBC that the Nigerian government is demanding $10 billion in compensation from the cryptocurrency firm Binance. On February 27, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso claims the country is unable to identify and prevent the cryptocurrency flow schemes used by Binance: ''In the case of Binance, In the last one year, 26 billion dollars has passed through Binance Nigeria from sources and users who we cannot adequately identify.'' That is false. The origins of cryptocurrencies can be traced through a public distribution ledger using Blockchain Explorer and analytical tools. Anyone seeking to open an account with most cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, must provide a government-issued identification document. Identity verification requires information that can be used to of course verify your identity, like a valid ID card, utility bills containing your home address, or a passport, Binance says on its website. All that data is stored in a blockchain that also contains the transaction value, the block number and a transaction hash that is similar to a receipt. Binance also says on its website: "When individuals transact using cryptocurrencies, they use wallet addresses instead of personally identifying information While the wallet addresses are not linked to real-world identities, patterns of transactions and additional information can potentially be used to uncover the identity of individuals involved in certain transactions." Once a transaction is recorded on the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted and is publicly accessible. The U.S. Department of Justice announced on November 21, 2023, that Binance Holdings Limited (Binance), the entity that operates the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance.com, had that day pleaded guilty and has agreed to pay over $4 billion to resolve the Justice Departments investigation into violations related to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), failure to register as a money transmitting business, and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The DOJ announcement added: Binances founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Changpeng Zhao, a Canadian national, also pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering (AML) program, in violation of the BSA and has resigned as CEO of Binance. Binance is banned in the U.S. states of Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, New York, Texas and Vermont due to regulator concerns. It is also banned in Belgium, India, Philippines, Australia, Netherlands, Canada and the United Kingdom. In 2023, the World Bank estimated that Nigerians living abroad had remitted about $20.1 billion. Although the World Bank did not mention Binance or any other cryptocurrency exchange, it said [f]ixed exchange rates and capital controls are diverting remittances to the region from official to unofficial channels. The unofficial channels mentioned by the World Bank can be traced to the Central Bank of Nigerias regulations on foreign exchange markets, which are part of the problem. Nigeria has multiple exchange rates, which has resulted in discrepancies, currency speculation and limited transparency in foreign exchange operations. These exchanges include the Central Bank or Nafex rate, which is different from the Interbank Exchange Rate, Investors and Exporters (I&E) Window Rate, street Market, and Bureau De Change (BDC), or black-market rates. Traders using a Bureau De Change or street market can exploit a loophole allowing them to source money, especially dollars, through unofficial channels and sell them at rates determined by supply and demand. Even so, the Nigerian government has set guidelines on how such markets should operate. The website of the Central Bank of Nigeria states that a Bureau De Change is a company licensed by the CBN to carry on only retail foreign exchange business in Nigeria, meaning it can trace the identity of anyone running a Bureau De Change using the documents provided at registration. Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International, which has ranked it the 154th most corrupt out of 180 countries. Corruption at the Central Bank of Nigeria has caused a backlog of $7 billion foreign exchange owed to local lenders by the government. On February 5, a forensic audit by Deloitte management consultants that the Central Bank governor ordered had uncovered irregularities affecting $2.4 billion worth of transactions. Cardoso told Nigerias Arise TV: The irregularities ranged from missing paperwork to non-existent entities and beneficiaries receiving unauthorized foreign exchange allocations. Last November, Godwin Emefiele, Cardosos predecessor, was charged with procurement fraud, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery and felony, and criminal breach of trust. Germany said Tuesday that human error was to blame for Russia obtaining the recording of a phone call among senior German military officials discussing the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine, denying its government communication systems had been compromised. In the audio recording, published by the state-owned broadcaster Russia Today on Friday, four senior German officers including the head of the air force purportedly discussed supplying Taurus missiles to Kyiv. Berlin has not disputed the veracity of the recording. Our communication systems are not and have not been compromised, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Tuesday at a news conference in Berlin. The reason that the phone call could still be recorded in the ranks of the air force is due to an individual application error. Not all participants adhered to the secure dialing procedure as prescribed. According to current knowledge, data was leaked from the participant in Singapore. He was connected via an unauthorized connection, i.e., virtually via an open connection, Pistorius said. The recording was published on the same day as the funeral of the late Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, who died in unexplained circumstances two weeks ago in an Arctic prison. Russian intelligence The recording has prompted questions about what other intelligence Russia was able to gather, said Marina Miron, a defense analyst at Kings College Londons Department of War Studies. What we dont know is what else do they know. This is the one call that they decided to reveal. And probably Russia knows about all [weapons] deliveries, where they are taking place. And this is very, very serious, specifically in terms of trust when it comes to intelligence sharing between Germany and other partner nations. And I think this, of course, plays into Russias hands. Because the idea is not to fight with NATO kinetically an open war but to destabilize the alliance from within, Miron told VOA. Taurus missiles Germany has repeatedly refused to supply Ukraine with its long-range Taurus missiles since Russias 2022 invasion, citing the risk of escalation with Moscow. However, the audio recording suggested that senior military figures are in favor of supplying the missiles to Kyiv. What it shows to me is that there is some sort of a disagreement between the higher command and what they foresee as viable, as opposed to what the political leadership wants. Which calls into question, What is the relationship there? Miron said. In the recording, the officers speculated on whether the Taurus missiles could hit the Kerch Bridge that connects Russian-controlled Crimea to the mainland. British involvement The recording also suggested that British military personnel are in Ukraine teaching Kyivs forces how to operate the long-range Storm Shadow missiles provided by London. The British government has not commented. Russia claimed the recording showed the involvement of the collective West in the conflict. They constantly insist that the West is not at war with Russia, the West only supplies weapons. Then it turns out that there are Western citizens there [in Ukraine]. They say yes, but they are mercenaries. They retired from military service. Doubtful in the vast majority of cases, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday. Russias Foreign Ministry added that the audio proved Germany had not been fully de-Nazified language strongly criticized by Berlin. Germany has disputed Russias interpretation of the conversation, describing it as part of Moscows disinformation campaign. It is quite clear that such claims that this speech would prove that Germany is preparing a war against Russia is absurdly infamous Russian propaganda, government spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner told reporters on Monday. Missile impact Russia fears that if Ukraine obtains long-range missiles from its Western allies, its logistics and supply lines could be severely disrupted, said Miron. I do not think that [German Chancellor] Olaf Scholz will allow Taurus missiles to be deployed to Ukraine. So, I think with the release of this recording, the Russians want to make sure this doesnt happen, because with external pressure, Scholz was able to allow the Leopard tanks to be sent to Ukraine. And they just wanted to avoid such possibilities, because that would create some issues for the Russians, Miron said. Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said on Tuesday he will wait to act on an anti-LGBTQ bill that parliament passed last week, saying in a statement that the measure is being challenged in the Supreme Court. He was quoted as saying, It would be as well for all of us to hold our hands and await the decision of the court before any action is taken. He said a citizen challenged the bills constitutionality. Akufo-Addo said that Ghana will not be backsliding on its human rights record, as many express concerns about the measure. In Ghana, gay sex is illegal and carries a three-year prison sentence. The bill would further criminalize the LGBTQ community by imposing at least a 10-year sentence on members of the community who show public displays of affection or those who promote and fund LGBTQ activities. Those who oppose the bill are concerned about a decline in human rights, as well as reduced international aid from organizations like the World Bank. Human Rights Watch Researcher Larissa Kojoue said that the bill is inconsistent with Ghanas longstanding tradition of peace, tolerance, and hospitality and flies in the face of the countrys international human rights obligations. The rights group is urging the president to refuse to sign the bill, which parliament passed February 28. The United States said it is deeply troubled, by the bill. It also urged Ghana to review the constitutionality of the bill. Proponents argue that it aims to protect children and those who have suffered from abuse. According to Reuters, Ghanas finance ministry said in an internal document that the bill, if it becomes law, could risk the West African countrys $3.8 billion in financing from the World Bank over the next few years. The finance ministry document contained recommendations for the president and summarized deliberations among senior officials. It said that losing World Bank funding could impact the stability of the exchange rate and foreign exchange reserves. The statement added these impacts could also derail the International Monetary Fund program, which would have dire consequence[s] on the debt restructuring exercise and Ghanas long-term debt stability. It recommended that Ghana engage with conservative countries, such as China or other Arab countries, to secure funding, according to Reuters. Ghana is currently recovering from its worst recession in decades. The World Bank has not yet responded but said in 2023 that Uganda would not be considered for new funds after anti-LGBTQ legislation was passed. The IMF said it could not respond to a bill that is not yet law. As the Supreme Court considers the challenge to the bill, other organizations and stakeholders have also expressed concerns about it. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Iran executed at least 834 people last year, the highest number since 2015, as capital punishment in the Islamic republic surged to a "staggering" level, human rights groups said on Tuesday. The number of executions, which Iran has carried out by hanging in recent years, was up about 43% from 2022. It marked only the second time in two decades that more than 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 (ECPM) said in the joint report. The groups accused Iran of using the death penalty to spread fear during its crackdown on protests sparked by the September 2022 death in police custody of Mahsa Amini. "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." ECPM Director Raphael Chenuil-Hazan added: "There is an instrumentalization of the death penalty in Iran by the regime in order to fight against the protests." 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. There has also been a rise in executions on other charges, notably in drug-related cases, which had previously fallen. "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," the report said. Ethnic minorities, women Members of ethnic minorities, particularly the largely Sunni Muslim Baluch community 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 last year, accounting for 20% of the total, even though the community accounts for around 5% of Iran's population. Chenuil-Hazan deplored a "lack of reaction" by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to the surge in drug-related executions, saying the agency was deepening rather than cutting its cooperation with the Iranian authorities. Most hangings in Iran are carried out within the confines of prisons. But the report said that in 2023 the number of hangings carried out in public in Iran more than 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. 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. One man was executed in April on charges of adultery, the first time a person was hanged on these charges since 2009, it said. In May, two men accused of desecrating the Koran were executed on blasphemy charges, the first such executions in nine years. In 2023, only 15% of the recorded executions were announced by Iranian official media, with IHR confirming the other executions through its own sources. Lack of outrage Human rights groups regard Iran as the world's biggest executioner after China, for which no data is available but which is widely believed to execute several thousand people every year. With global attention focused on the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, Amiry-Moghaddam expressed concern that a lack of international outrage at the executions was only encouraging the Islamic republic to carry out more hangings. "Unfortunately, this reaction has been lacking, especially in the second half of 2023," he told a news conference. "When the political cost of the executions is not high, the numbers increase." So far in 2024, Iran has executed at least 83 people, according to IHR's figures. "I am afraid we will be facing more executions unless the international community shows a stronger reaction," Amiry-Moghaddam said. U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday the question of whether there will be a new six-week cease-fire in Gaza is in the hands of Hamas right now," but at the same time said Israel had no excuses but to allow more humanitarian aid into the war-torn territory to assist famished Palestinians. We need the cease-fire, Biden told reporters as he left the Camp David presidential retreat outside Washington. He warned of increasing peril if Israel and Hamas fail to reach a Gaza cease-fire by next weeks start of the fasting Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "If we get into circumstances where this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could be very, very dangerous," Biden said. Bidens comments came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to maximize "every possible means" to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza, saying the current situation for tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians was unacceptable and unsustainable. "Israel has to maximize every possible means, every possible method of getting assistance to people who need it," Blinken said before meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the State Department. Blinken reiterated the Biden administration's call for Israel to open new border crossings to allow more humanitarian aid to go into Gaza, something Israel has been resisting. "It requires more crossings. That requires more aid getting in. And once that aid is in, it requires making sure it can get to the people who need it. So, we will continue to press that every single day because the situation as it stands, is simply unacceptable," Blinken said. Famine looming Famine is now looming over the besieged Gaza Strip along the Mediterranean Sea coastline as aid supplies, already sharply curtailed since the start of the war last October, have dwindled even more over the past month. Cease-fire talks are continuing in Cairo but with no clear breakthrough. "We have an opportunity for an immediate cease-fire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Palestinians who so desperately need it. ... It is on Hamas to make decisions about whether it is prepared to engage in that cease-fire," Blinken said. Sheikh Mohammed, standing next to Blinken, said, "Qatar, the United States and our partners will be always persistent to make sure that this deal happens. Israel has stayed away from the Cairo negotiations, faulting Hamas for not providing a list of the names of hostages that militants are still holding in Gaza. A senior Hamas official told reporters Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to blame for a lack of a deal, and that it is in the hands of Israels ally, the United States, to push for action. For Biden to say publicly that the decision is in Hamas hands is a form of pressure common to high-level negotiations, said Merissa Khurma, program director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center. We've seen Hamas respond to some of these statements, as well, she told VOA via Zoom. That is part of the process. It's using the public platform to pressure the private negotiations that are taking place. But she stressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza presents the ultimate pressure on negotiators to reach a deal that will halt fighting. It's a reminder of how important these negotiations are to get us to this first step of a cease-fire, a much-needed humanitarian pause, to get aid in and to return the hostages so that we can start to think about what the future of the conflict and post conflict looks like, she said. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday urged Hamas to accept the terms of the proposed agreement, in which the release of some the remaining 100 or so hostages would result in an immediate six-week cease-fire and allow a surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. Harris hosts Israel's Gantz Harris hosted talks at the White House with Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz where she also condemned the October 7 Hamas terror attack and the taking of hostages, including American citizens. 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 the hostages out, Harris said before the talks, summarizing the Biden administrations position on the conflict. Harris and Gantz also discussed Israels looming military operation in Gazas southern city of Rafah, where over a million people are sheltering. She said a viable humanitarian plan must be implemented there before Israel decides to launch any major offensive against Hamas and expressed fears what such an operation would pose on civilians. Israel has vowed to end the threat of another Hamas assault like the October attack that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israels counteroffensive since then has killed more than 30,600 people in Gaza, about 70% of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Another 72,000 Palestinians have been wounded. Fighting rages on Israels military reported raids Tuesday in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza, while Palestinian officials said Israeli airstrikes in the same location killed at least 17 people. The Palestinian officials said the strikes occurred near the European Hospital in the Hamad neighborhood. The Israeli military said it targeted terrorist infrastructure in Hamad, and that it arrested dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters who were hiding among civilians. VOAs Jeff Seldin, Margaret Besheer and Anita Powell contributed to this report. Some information was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Nigeria began trials this week for hundreds of people, including members of the countrys electoral commission, accused of committing offenses related to last year's general elections. Trials for 190 people, including electoral body officials and members of the major political parties, opened in courts across the country on Monday. Lawyers from Nigerias Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, are serving as the prosecutor at the trials, with attorneys with the Nigerian Bar Association providing the defense. The INEC says the trials will serve as deterrents in future elections. Godbless Otubure, founder of the pro-democracy nonprofit Ready to Lead Africa, said civic society groups welcome the trials but hope they are not just for show. "It shows that the recommendations that the [civil society organization] community has been making to INEC to ensure that the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process is protected, is sort of gaining ground, Otubure said. A bit slow, but this is a welcome development. What we want to see is beyond just the announcement of trials, it's securing convictions. We'll continue to monitor it closely and see what the end product is." Defendants are facing charges such as vote buying, stealing and destroying election materials, disorderly conduct at election venues, willful neglect of duty, possession of firearms and election-related violence. Such infractions are common in Nigeria before, during and after the polls. In last years general elections, police say more than 20 people were killed in election-related violence. Emmanuel Njoku of the nonprofit Connected Development said he hopes some of the main perpetrators will be brought to justice. "The thing that would achieve the most impact is not just trying these faceless people, there are very popular faces that were caught on live video threatening people not to come out to vote, Njoku said. If we can see such people arrested, tried and convicted on the basis of available evidence, that in itself will go a very long way." According to the Afrobarometer survey conducted before the polls, less than a fourth of Nigerian citizens had trust in the electoral process. Analysts say irregularities during the polls made matters worse. Otubure said if the trial results in convictions, it could change the negative public opinions. "Its about cause and effect, Otubure said. If people part away with ballot boxes, disrupt the electoral process and they go scot-free, you reduce overall public trust. If people get involved in electoral offenses and they are tried and jailed, you begin to build public trust again. It will not solve the age-long challenge of mistrust but it will begin a reconstruction process." For now, civil society organizations and observers will be watching to see what happens. The Philippines Coast Guard says one of its ships was damaged after a collision with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel in the South China Sea Tuesday. In a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela said Chinese coast guard ships carried out dangerous maneuvers against two Philippine coast guard ships, one of which sustained minor structural damage. A separate statement by the Philippines task force on the South China Sea said four crewmen aboard the other vessel were injured when it was hit by water cannons from the Chinese Coast Guard ships. The two ships were escorting two civilian vessels carrying supplies and a fresh rotation of troops to a Philippine warship intentionally grounded on the Second Thomas Shoal to maintain the archipelagos claims on the submerged reef. The Chinese coast guard issued a statement accusing the Philippine ships of illegally intruding into the waters around the shoal, which it calls Ren'ai Reef, prompting their vessels to take control measures. China has claimed sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, ignoring competing claims by its regional neighbors, including the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing and Manila have been locked in a bitter standoff over the Scarborough Shoal, a fisheries-rich atoll that was seized by China in 2012, despite it being inside the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. An international arbitration tribunal in the Hague said in 2016 that China's claims had no legal basis - a decision Beijing has rejected. A Philippines fisheries vessel was recently challenged by Chinese coast guard ships while it was delivering fuel to Philippine fishermen working near the Scarborough Shoal. The incident prompted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to call the presence of Chinese naval vessels in the waters near the Pacific archipelago worrisome. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijan and Qatar discussed financial concessions, Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Taleh Kazimov wrote on X, Trend reports. As part of our journey to Qatar, we met with Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida, CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre. During the discussion, we discussed views on the Center's activities, particularly its contribution to the development of the Qatar financial sector, as well as the opportunities and concessions granted to enterprises," he explained. Notably, the Central Banks of Azerbaijan and Qatar discussed prospects of cooperation on March 4. Meanwhile, before coming to Qatar, the CBA chairman paid a business visit to the UAE, where he met with the Governor of the UAE Central Bank, Khaled Mohammed Balama, and the Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Essa Kazim. During the meeting with the Governor of the UAE's Central Bank, the sides discussed the current economic ties between the two countries, the development of the financial sector in both countries, as well as the status and prospects of cooperation between the central banks, and the Governor of the DIFC discussed opportunities for financial sector cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel As the Republican Party primary contests continue into their third month, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is the only remaining challenger to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The primaries will determine who is the GOPs nominee for president and who will challenge President Joe Biden in Novembers presidential election. Trump has won all but one of the 11 primaries and caucuses so far, racking up 276 total delegates to Haleys 43. (Haley earned her first victory in Washington D.C. this past weekend, a contest long predicted to go her way.) With 15 states casting their votes for a nominee on March 5, a day known as Super Tuesday, Republicans are divided on whether Haley should remain in the race or get out of the former presidents way. If youre a Democrat, you probably want Haley to stay in the race because shes distracting Trump from focusing on defeating Biden, explained Bob Carreto, a Trump supporter from Chalmette, Louisiana. But if youre a real Republican, you want her to drop out of the primaries as fast as possible. Shes forcing Trump to spend money defeating her, and its not good for the Republican Party, Carreto said. But the reality is, she doesnt stand a chance, so she should just quit. Even though Trump has won each of the contests so far, not all voters who could cast their ballot this November for a Republican think Haley should exit. I think shes incredibly brave for staying in the race, especially given that Trump is a maniacal egoist who attacks anyone who challenges him, Abby LaCombe, an independent voter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, told VOA. Shes facing a lot of attacks for refusing to withdraw, and shes giving people who vote Republican a choice the ability to choose someone other than Trump, a politician who has shown he has no respect whatsoever for democracy, LaCombe said. The Haley campaign did not respond to VOA's request for comment when asked what Haley would say to those questioning why she is staying in the race. Uphill battle The Trump campaign has been insistent on undercutting Haleys challenge by highlighting her many stumbles at the ballot box. In her home state of South Carolina, for example, the former president collected 60% of the vote to her 40%. Michigan is a more moderate state where independent voters thought to be more receptive to Haleys message are allowed to vote in the Republican primary. Still, in the states recent primary, Trumps margin of victory was even greater (68% to 27%). She cant name one state she can win, let alone be competitive in, Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesperson, said in a statement last week. The Haley campaign did not respond to VOA's request for comment when asked where she believes she can win on Super Tuesday or beyond. On Sundays Meet the Press talk show, Haley said, "I think we fight. You're going to have 16 states and territories that are voting on Tuesday. And so, a lot of people's voices are going to be heard. And that's what this has all been about. Most political experts, like University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock, agree that it will be difficult for Haley to win against the former president. I think its probably too late for her, he explained to VOA. This is Trumps party, and he controls its voters. Its a party dominated by an electorate who will stick with him no matter what probably until he dies or withdraws from public view. Bullock, however, sees one way the Republican faithful could abandon him. A conviction, he said. Polling shows that if he is convicted of one of the several crimes he is accused of, then a substantial number of voters would abandon him. I think its possible that Haley is waiting, hopeful she could gather his votes if a conviction takes place. Trump faces 91 charges in four trials, including allegations he illegally tried to upend his 2020 election loss, whether he illegally took highly classified documents with him when he left office, and whether he falsified documents related to hush-money paid to a porn actor. He has denied all the allegations. Motivation for remaining in the race A Reuters/Ipsos poll from last month found that 51% of Republican voters said they would not vote for Trump if he was convicted of any of the 91 felony charges brought against him across four criminal trials. A further 25% said they werent sure how they would vote in that case. Fifty-eight percent said they would not vote for Trump if he were serving time in prison in November. While experts like Bullock believe a Trump conviction might be Haleys reason for staying in the race, others say she could have other motivations. Henry Olsen, a senior fellow with the Ethics and Public Policy Center, believes Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, hopes if she can win several states, it will allow her to gain concessions from Trump during the Republican National Convention. Shes been spending her time in more moderate states and states where independent voters are also allowed to take part in the Republican primary, Olsen said, adding, states like Minnesota, where Marco Rubio beat Trump in the 2016 primary, and Colorado, where moderate Republican Senator Joe ODea beat a Trump-supported opponent by a wide margin. Utah, Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine are all in the same boat, and if she can win five states, Republican Party rules will give her more time and clout at the convention to voice her opposition to Trump, Olsen continued. Those wins are going to be a stretch for her, but if she gets them, Trumps team will want to avoid any bad attention at the convention and may be willing to give concessions important to her, like a promise to support NATO. Other experts, like David Stack, a political scientist at Cleveland State University, thinks Haley might have one eye set on the 2028 presidential election. I just dont see Haley having a path to the nomination this cycle, Stack told VOA. Her best bet for a win on Super Tuesday might be in Vermont, but even there she is down by about 30% in polling. So, the question then is why is she staying in the race? Stack said. I think it could be to bolster her name recognition and collect donations for future elections. If she has a good amount of money in the bank after Super Tuesday, that could be a sign she is building a war chest for the future. Alternative to Trump For her part, Haley insists her focus is on the present and that she believes she is the Republican Partys best chance at unseating President Biden. This has never been about me or my political future, Haley said last week after her defeat in the South Carolina primaries. We need to beat Joe Biden in November. I dont believe Donald Trump can beat Joe Biden. Nearly every day, Trump drives people away. She added, Im an accountant. I know 40% is not 50%, but I also know 40% is not some tiny group. There are huge numbers in our Republican primaries who are saying they want an alternative. Jason Winder, a Republican from Uintah County, Utah, says he is one of those voters and is looking forward to casting his ballot for Haley on Tuesday. I like the idea of having a choice, and Im grateful to still be able to show my dissent for Trump by backing someone who wasnt involved in the January 6 insurrection, Winder told VOA. I hope the GOP leadership wakes up. He lost the popular vote in 2016 and 2020, and I think the margins will be even bigger this year. At least Nikki Haley gives us a chance. This week, Haley told supporters at a rally in Minnesota that Trump cant win the general election if hes losing 40% of the vote, and polling has shown a sizable portion of the Republican Party believe Trump is too extreme to defeat Biden. Nearly nine in 10 Haley voters in South Carolina said they would not be satisfied with Trump as the Republican Partys presidential nominee. As a result, support in the form of fundraising dollars and endorsements from moderate segments of the Republican Party continue to find their way to the former governor. On Friday, Haley received endorsements from two of the partys most moderate senators, Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska. Despite that support, many in the party, including Trumps most ardent supporters, continue to push Haley to exit the race. I actually like Nikki Haley and I would vote for her if she was the nominee, explained Harvey Wasserman, a resident of Daytona Beach, Florida. But Ive voted for Trump twice and Im going to do it again in the primary. I dont think she can win, so its time for her to give the stage to Trump so he can focus on Biden. Tesla's European Gigafactory near Berlin halted production and was left without power after suspected arson set an electricity pylon ablaze in a field close to the site early on Tuesday morning. Police said the fire brigade was working to put out the fire in the area southeast of the German capital, adding that the blaze had not spread to the Tesla plant itself. A spokesperson for the U.S. electric vehicle maker confirmed production had stopped and the site had been evacuated. Tesla's Frankfurt-listed shares were down 2.8% at 1006 GMT. Police are investigating a possible arson attack in the area, which has been the focus of environmental protests against the Tesla plant's planned expansion. They would not confirm media reports that bomb disposal units had been deployed after emergency services found a sign saying "ordnance buried here." Workers for energy company E.ON, which is in charge of the plant's grid connection, are repairing the damage to the high-voltage pylon, which knocked out electricity in the area, the company said. Tesla's ambitions to expand its plant, which has a capacity of around 500,000 cars a year, hit a roadblock when local residents voted down a motion to fell trees to enlarge it. The U.S. EV maker wants to double the site's capacity to 100 gigawatt hours of battery production and 1 million cars per year, setting it up to dominate the European market. Environmental activists have built and occupied treehouses in the forested area they expect to be cleared if the expansion goes ahead. A spokesperson for the Robin Wood, one of the groups that is protesting against the expansion, said they had no knowledge of what could have caused the incident. "We're totally surprised by the situation," the spokesperson said by phone, adding that a full statement would be made later. Citizens in Gruenheide last month voted against a motion to clear enough forest for the company to build extra logistical spaces like a train station and warehouses, leaving it to local authorities to decide how to proceed. The plant's production ramp-up has slowed though the carmaker produced 6,000 cars in a week for the first time in January. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Tuesday for two top Russian commanders over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov, an army lieutenant general and a navy admiral, are suspected of crimes between October 2022 and March 2023. The Hague court says there is evidence to believe that the men were responsible for missile strikes against Ukrainian electric infrastructure, which led to civilian harm. Although Russia denies targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the ICC noted that the recorded attacks were excessive to any expected military advantage. According to the Geneva conventions and international court protocols, attacks on civilians are forbidden. The two men are each allegedly responsible for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian" targets and "crime against humanity of inhumane acts, the court said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the ICCs decision. "Every Russian commander who orders strikes against Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure must know that justice will be served," he said on the social media platform X. This is not the first-time warrants have been issued for officials related to the war in Ukraine. A warrant was issued for President Vladimir Putin and Children's Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for alleged war crimes related to the abduction of Ukrainian children, a claim the Kremlin rejects. The Kremlin reacted to the warrant by saying Russia does not recognize the ICC. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and Agence France-Presse. The U.S. presidential primary season still has months left to go, but most questions about the ultimate outcome are likely to be settled within the next week as voters in 15 states, including the countrys two largest, cast their ballots on March 5, while another four follow just seven days later. On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden appears well-positioned to continue his sweep of the Democratic primaries, with no candidate seriously contesting his bid to achieve nomination for a second term. The Republican primary has so far been dominated by former President Donald Trump, who has won every contest so far, with the exception of Sundays primary in Washington, D.C. Despite the continued presence of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on the ballot, Trump appears poised to win most or all of the states casting their ballots on Super Tuesday, including delegate-rich Texas and California. If Trump performs as expected March 5, he will be on track to surpass the total number of delegates needed to guarantee the GOP nomination when four additional states vote a week later, on March 12. This, despite the fact that nearly half of the 50 states as well as several territories will not yet have voted, and with the partys nominating convention in Milwaukee still four full months away. Surprisingly uncompetitive Caitlin E. Jewitt, an associate professor of political science at Virginia Tech, told VOA that the 2024 presidential primaries have been remarkably uncompetitive. While incumbent presidents rarely face serious primary challenges, Trumps position as the Republican Partys most recent president and his continued hold over its base appear to be granting him similar advantages. We essentially have an incumbent president running against a quasi-incumbent, which is something that has never happened before, Jewitt said. Usually, we have a competitive nomination on at least one side, if not both, and so in many ways that is making this primary season less interesting. Candidates are really looking ahead to the general election earlier than they usually do. Trump is also benefiting from the rules under which the Republican primary is conducted. In most cases, she said, the Republican Party awards all of a states delegates to the candidate who receives the majority of primary votes, rather than distributing them proportionately. On Super Tuesday, President Trump will win the vast majority of, if not all, the delegates, increasing the rate at which he secures the nomination, Jewitt said. Haley remains Despite little success in winning delegates, Haley remains in the Republican race, and is now playing the role of a protest candidate, using her campaign events to argue that Trump is not fit for office and that, having lost to Biden already in 2020, he may well do so again. As of this weekend, Haley had secured just 43 delegates, compared to Trumps 244. With 865 delegates on the line in Super Tuesdays voting, the gap is expected to widen sharply. There are 2,429 total delegates available, meaning that a candidate needs to earn 1,215 to top 50% and win the nomination. Jaime Dominguez, an associate professor of political science at Northwestern University, said that despite the long odds against her, Haley is still able to have a significant impact on the Republican race just by her continued presence. It looks like she's going to continue to stay in the race, and that's going to be interesting, because I see her as kind of a thorn in [Trumps] side, Dominguez told VOA. Even though she's not going to be competitive anymore she's not going to be able to sway the delegates she is going to be important in terms of the messaging that the campaign puts out around particular issues. Bidens challenge from the left On the Democratic side, President Biden has so far won all of the primaries by a large margin and is expected to continue to do so. However, there is a growing effort among some on the political left to encourage Democratic voters to withhold their support from the president in protest of his support for Israel during its attacks on Gaza over the past several months. In Michigan last week, Biden won with 81% of the votes, but 13% of voters in the Democratic primary cast their ballots as uncommitted rather than for Biden or another candidate. Coming off the momentum generated in Michigan, we need to continue lifting up our voices and sending a clear message to President Biden we need a cease-fire now, Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the organization Our Revolution, said in a press release on Monday. If we do not change course, he will be putting our Democracy at risk." He said that his group, along with others pushing back against Bidens support for Israel, will work to convince Democratic voters in other states to continue registering their disapproval of Bidens policies by declining to vote for him. Mainly symbolic While the protest votes will send Biden a message during the primary, Jewitt, of Virginia Tech, said that she doesnt expect the movement to have a major impact on the way voters behave in a likely Biden vs. Trump rematch in November. I think right now, it is symbolic, Jewitt said. It shows President Biden and his administration that Democrats are frustrated with the situation in Israel and Gaza. But we need to be careful not to read too much into it. At this point, we are still seven months away from the general election, and especially if there's a Trump-Biden rematch, which it looks like it will be, Democrats will likely rally around Biden, if only because they will not want another President Trump term, she said. Ukraines military said Tuesday its air defenses destroyed 18 drones that Russia launched in overnight attacks, while Ukrainian naval drones struck a Russian military patrol ship near the Crimean Peninsula. Ukraines military intelligence identified the Russian ship as the Sergey Kotov, and said the Ukrainian drones struck it near the Kerch Strait causing "damage to the stern, starboard and port sides. The attack is the latest by Ukraine targeting Russias Black Sea fleet. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched a total of 22 aerial drones overnight, 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 Russias 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, Ukraines 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 Ukraines 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. Medvedevs opinions carry weight in the Kremlin and his comments could be indicative of Russias 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 Shmyhal 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 Kyivs desperate need for military and financial support, with the war with Russia now in its third year. Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. A new UN report alleges widespread sexual violence by Hamas on October 7th as hunger and malnutrition take their toll on the Palestinian population in Gaza. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have sunk another Russian boat in the Black Sea, and a look at the fate of Nepalis who went to fight for Russia. More than a dozen children in Gaza have starved to death, and many more are at risk as malnutrition soars, infectious diseases spread, and urgently needed life-saving humanitarian aid is blocked from entering the Palestinian enclave, U.N. aid agencies warn. As of 3 March, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that 15 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration at Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only pediatric hospital in northern Gaza, and expressed fear for the lives of six other infants who are suffering from acute malnutrition, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, representative for the World Health Organization in occupied Palestinian areas, citing the Hamas-controlled agency. Speaking from his post in Jerusalem, Peeperkorn told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday that without a sustained cease-fire, 2.2 million people in Gaza are in the midst of an epic catastrophe and facing inhumane conditions. There is a risk of famine. There is a risk of disease. There is an enormous amount of desperation, and the scarcity has led to a regular breakdown of law and order, Peeperkorn said, adding that internally displaced people are facing acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine. This is borne out by a group of WHO officials who teamed up with partners to access Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals in northern Gaza over the weekend, the first visit since Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7, unleashing a fierce offensive by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Dr. Ahmed Dahir, head of WHOs Gaza sub-office, said the journey to the north is indescribable. Every time you think it cannot worsen, it does. No photos or videos can truly capture the devastation that has unfolded in Gaza, he said. Enroute to the hospitals, desperate crowds searching for food approached our truck and surrounded it, Dahir said We had to use our megaphones to inform them that we were only carrying medical supplies in order to proceed. It is heartbreaking to see the hospitable people of Gaza reduced to such desperation. Dahir said the situation in the hospitals is equally dire. He said health workers and patients are barely surviving on one basic meal a day. He said both hospitals faced shortages of fuel, power and specialized staff to treat the many trauma cases admitted. Thanks to supplies provided over the weekend, some of the services that no longer were operational were able to restart, he said. Arriving at Al Shifa hospital, Gazas largest medical complex, the team delivered fuel, life-saving medicine and treatment for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, according to Peeperkorn, who said it had been more than a month since WHO officials had reached the facility. While critical, Peeperkorn called the deliveries only a fraction of the urgent life-saving needs. We appeal for sustained humanitarian access, he said. The deconfliction mechanism needs to continue working so aid can reach those in need. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N.s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, agreed on the importance of scaling up deliveries of humanitarian aid commensurate with the enormous need. Now, when children are starving as the doctors are telling our colleagues. Now, when they are dying, that should be an alarm like no other," Laerke said. If not now, when is the time to pull the stops, break the glass, flood Gaza with the aid that it needs? So, that is what we need to see happen, he said. Over the past three days, Laerke said some 130 aid trucks have crossed daily through the Rafah crossing in the south, bordering Egypt. Before the war in Gaza began, he said about 500 trucks of humanitarian aid entered the enclave every day. U.N. aid agencies are calling on Israel to open the Erez crossing point to allow goods to enter northern Gaza, which has been largely cut off from humanitarian aid since November. In a statement Sunday, Adele Khodr, UNICEFs regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said, 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. She attributed the recent deaths of children in Kamal Adwan Hospital to dehydration and malnutrition. There are likely more children fighting for their lives somewhere in one of Gazas few remaining hospitals, and likely even more children in the north unable to obtain care at all, she said. These tragic and horrific deaths are man-made, predictable and entirely preventable. January malnutrition screenings by UNICEF and the World Food Program in the north found that nearly 16% of children under 2 years of age or one in six are acutely malnourished. Similar screenings conducted in the south in Rafah, where aid has been more available, found 5% of children under 2 years are acutely malnourished. Acutely malnourished children have weakened immune systems and face an increased risk of serious illness and death, primarily from acute infectious diseases. We have been concerned since November that because of the lack of clean water and the desperate lack of nutrition we are seeing these deaths that we long feared, said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder. Because we cannot get aid in, the malnutrition in the north is three times higher than those in Rafah, he said. So, there is some evidence that when that trickle of aid can come in, it does make a life-saving difference. A U.N. mission that visited Israel to look into reports that Hamas raped and sexually abused women during the October 7 terror attacks said Monday that it had received clear and convincing information that such violence occurred and could be continuing in captivity. We found clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, has been committed against captives, Pramila Patten, special representative of the secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict, told reporters. We also have reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those being held in captivity, she added. The team of nine technical experts visited Israel from January 29 to February 14. They met with an array of officials at relevant Israeli ministries, the National Center of Forensic Medicine and a military base. They also went to four locations where sexual violence was reported on October 7, including the site of the Nova music festival, where many young people were killed or abducted. Additionally, the experts reviewed more than 5,000 photographic images and about 50 hours of footage of the attacks, much of it from Hamas members GoPro cameras. However, Patten said they did not meet with any of the survivors of sexual violence, despite their efforts. 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. Patten said the team received full cooperation from the government of Israel and found the information presented to them to be authentic and unmanipulated. 'Authentic' information The mission, which was not intended as an investigation to collect evidence, was there to gather, analyze and verify allegations of conflict-related sexual violence during October 7 and its aftermath. The U.N. team said it could not verify some reports of rape and sexual abuse, including a widely reported case of a pregnant woman living on Kibbutz Beeri, whose womb was allegedly torn open and her fetus stabbed before they both died. At the Nahal Oz military base, the U.N. experts said they could not verify a reported case of rape, nor did they find a clear pattern of genital mutilation in either female or male soldiers although forensic analysis revealed injuries to multiple body parts. Israel immediately took issue with the report, criticizing the U.N. hours before it was officially released. Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on the social media platform X that he has recalled his U.N. ambassador to Israel for consultations, accusing the United Nations of attempting to silence Pattens report. Katz criticized U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for not ordering the U.N. Security Council to convene and to declare Hamas a globally recognized terrorist organization. Currently, the United States, European Union and some other Western countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Earlier Monday, Israels U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan also lashed out at Guterres and the U.N. If the U.N.s deafening silence continues, despite the findings in the report, this will definitely be the last nail in the U.N.s coffin. It will lose any remaining legitimacy, he said. Guterres spokesperson said the U.N. chief has fully supported Pattens work. The work was done thoroughly and expeditiously. In no way, shape or form did the secretary-general do anything to keep the report 'quiet,' " Stephane Dujarric said, pointing to the public presentation of the report. A group representing the families of the 134 hostages still being held by Hamas and affiliated groups said of the U.N. report that the people of Israel would not forgive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet if they fail to put an end to the horrific acts the hostages have already endured for 150 days." It is glaringly obvious that the female hostages are going through hell every moment, every minute, the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement, urging the government to agree a deal for their release. Ramallah visit The U.N. team also visited Ramallah in the West Bank to hear information about allegations of conflict-related sexual violence carried out by Israeli security forces and settlers against Palestinians following October 7. Patten said the team heard from several interlocutors about cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of male and female Palestinians in detention. Including sexual violence in the forms of invasive body searches, threats of rape and prolonged forced nudity, she told reporters. Concerns were also raised about disproportionate physical and sexual violence, including sexual harassment and threats of rape during house raids, including at night and at checkpoints. 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, given that sexual violence remains a chronically under-reported crime in every conflict-affected setting due to trauma, stigma and fear faced by survivors, Patten said. But also in the context of Israel, where many did not survive the sexual violence. Read the full report here. The head of the embattled United Nations agency that assists Palestinian refugees accused Israel on Monday of conducting a campaign to eliminate it, when more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are counting on their services to survive. UNRWA is facing a deliberate and concerted campaign to undermine its operations, and ultimately end them, Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini told a special meeting of the U.N. General Assembly. UNRWA is the acronym for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Part of this campaign involves inundating donors with misinformation designed to foster distrust and tarnish the reputation of the agency, he said. UNRWA is facing a crisis of survival, after Israel presented information to Lazzarini in January alleging that 12 UNRWA staffers were involved in the October 7 terror attacks inside Israel. In response, 16 donors suspended funding totaling more than $450 million. No further information has been provided to me since that day, but the gravity of the allegations necessitated swift action, Lazzarini said. I terminated the contracts of the staff concerned in the interest of the agency. He later told reporters that there have been a number of allegations, misinformation, disinformation, or at least unsubstantiated statements about UNRWA, which Israel has mainly shared through social media or the press, but not necessarily shared with the U.N. An internal investigation was launched on January 29 and in parallel, an independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and a panel from three Scandinavian think tanks is assessing the agencys neutrality. Their final report is due in April. Lazzarini said UNRWA is at a breaking point, unable to absorb the financial shock of the suspended funding, especially in the middle of a war. The fate of the agency, and the millions of people who depend on it, hangs in the balance, he said. UNRWA also operates in the West Bank, as well as serving large Palestinian refugee populations in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Nearly 6 million Palestinians are eligible for UNRWA services, which include education and health care. Israeli criticism Israeli officials have criticized the agency for years, alleging that Hamas uses its schools for terrorist activities, stores weapons in them and has tunnels beneath them. It also says the schools promote an anti-Israel curriculum. After the October 7 allegations against the 12 staffers, the Israeli rhetoric intensified, and officials all the way up to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have called for UNRWA to be dismantled. Israels U.N. envoy said Monday that even before the October 7 attacks, UNRWA was always part of the problem and never part of the solution. UNRWA will never again operate in Gaza as it has prior to October 7, Gilad Erdan said. Its role in Gaza is finished, and it must be replaced immediately. UNRWA must be defunded and dismantled. While several donors, including top donor the United States, have suspended funding, some others have maintained or stepped up their contributions. Qatars ambassador announced an additional $25 million to the agency, and the European Union said it will release $54 million as part of the nearly $89 million promised to the agency for 2024. Thailand offered an additional $80,000, and Mexico said it is disbursing $1 million this week to UNRWA. Saudi Arabia said it will soon announce additional funding. Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour said Israels allegations against UNRWA are libelous and called for accountability for Israels actions in the war. Where is the accountability for Israels killing of 158 UNRWA staff, among them mothers and fathers killed with their children and families? he asked. Where is the accountability for Israels damage and destruction of 155 UNRWA facilities, and more gravely, the killing and injury of Palestinian civilians, who were desperately seeking refuge under the U.N. flag, but deprived of its protection? UNRWA says more than 400 Palestinian civilians have been killed while sheltering at their premises since the Israel-Hamas war started. The General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 to assist some 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced in the aftermath of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that broke out after Israel became a state that year in May. UNRWA was always meant to be a temporary solution, but with no political settlement between the Palestinians and Israelis, it continues its mandate. The U.S. military carried out its latest strikes late Monday against Houthi missiles near Yemen, as the Iran-backed militants continue to threaten shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. U.S. Central Command reported strikes targeting two anti-ship cruise missiles that it said posed an imminent threat to vessels in the region. The strikes came hours after a suspected Houthi attack targeting a container ship in the Gulf of Aden. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said the attack happened about 170 kilometers southeast of Yemens port of Aden. UKMTO said the crew was safe and the ship was proceeding to its next port of call. British maritime security firm Ambrey identified the ship as a Liberia-flagged, Israel-affiliated container ship, and said it sustained some damage from a fire caused by an explosion during the attack. The Houthis have said they are conducting their attacks in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and will continue their campaign until Israel halts combat operations in the Gaza Strip. The attacks have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea corridor, which provides a vital shortcut for vessels traveling to the Mediterranean Sea. Many commercial shipping companies have rerouted their ships, taking the longer and more expensive route around the African continent to avoid the risk of a Houthi assault. Hong Kong-based HGC Global Communications said Monday that several underwater communications cables were damaged last week in the Red Sea. The company said the cuts affected 25% of the data traffic flowing under the Red Sea and that it was working to reroute the data. The Houthis have denied targeting cables in the region, and on Saturday blamed U.S. and British attacks for any damage. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Moldovan consumers will have access to the energy sources coming from the Azerbaijan-EU green energy corridor, Victor Parlicov, energy minister of Moldova, said in an exclusive interview with Trend. Parlicov highlighted Azerbaijan's commitment to embracing the green agenda despite its abundance of traditional energy resources. "Azerbaijan's endeavors, such as the project to lay a cable under the Black Sea for supplying green energy to Europe and domestic initiatives for renewable energy production, make it possible to create new energy connections between Europe and the Caspian region," he stated. Parlicov explained that while Moldova may not be directly connected to such projects due to geographical constraints, it stands to benefit indirectly through the Romanian market. "Given our geographic constraints, establishing a direct connection between Moldova and such a project poses challenges. However, we anticipate indirect benefits through our integration into the European energy market via Romania. Moldova is actively enhancing its energy infrastructure by developing robust connection lines with the Romanian energy system. We anticipate that within 5-6 years, Moldova will seamlessly integrate into the European energy market, aligning closely with Romania. Consequently, if the cable reaches the Romanian market, Moldovan consumers will have access to the same energy sources. While the direct passage of the cable through Moldova may not be economically or logistically necessary, our strong interest and support for the project stem from our broader goal of integrating into the EU market," the minister noted. Parlicov highlighted the disparity between Moldova's energy system and that of Azerbaijan, noting that Moldova's system is smaller in scale. "Consequently, the scale of projects in Moldova is also significantly smaller. However, the mechanisms we employ to attract investments are similar, and we are keen on exchanging experiences with Azerbaijan in this regard. Moldova conducts auctions for approximately 60 megawatts of solar energy and slightly over 100 megawatts of wind energy. The auction model ensures that the company offering the best price for consumers secures a 15-year contract to sell energy at the agreed price. This mechanism not only guarantees certain revenues but also fosters competitiveness, ensuring the best possible prices for our consumers, said the minister. Parlicov emphasized Moldova's transition from dependence on a single supplier, stating, "It was fundamentally important for us to break free from reliance on a sole supplier." He affirmed Moldova's readiness to procure gas on commercial terms, marking a significant shift in their energy procurement strategy. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A dozen female activists from different countries were honored Monday at the White House for their activism in defense of human and women's rights. VOA Correspondent Veronica Balderas Iglesias has the highlights of the 2024 International Women of Courage Awards. The United States said Monday that the low turnout in Iran's election came as no surprise and was a new sign of discontent in the cleric-run state. "I don't think there's any doubt that there's discontent about the regime's rule," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. "We did not assess that these elections would be free and fair, and I believe that many Iranian voters would assess that the elections would not be free and fair, and so it wouldn't surprise me if in that regard they chose not to participate," he said. Election authorities said Monday that conservatives and ultra-conservatives secured a large majority in parliamentary elections in which many hopefuls including moderates and reformists were disqualified from running. Authorities said turnout was 41%, the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the pro-Western shah. Miller said that the United States could not offer its own assessment but added: "Iranian authorities' claims about turnout have generally been unreliable." Generally speaking, every war defines who "we" are and who "they" are. "We" are Good, while "they" are Evil. Western leaders, while declaring that war itself is bad, claim that it is indispensable today in the face of aggression from Russia and Hamas. According to them, Russia, or rather its president Vladimir Putin, dreams of seizing our property and destroying our political system. After invading Ukraine, he will invade Moldavia and the Baltic states, then continue westwards. Hamas, on the other hand, is a hate-filled sect that begins by raping and beheading Jews out of anti-Semitism, and will continue by invading the West in the name of its religion. Its worth noting that both Israel and the USA were founded by their armies, the Haganah and the Continental Army. Today, the vast majority of their political leaders have spent their careers in the armed forces or secret services. But theyre not the only ones, since Xi Jinping is a military man and Vladimir Putin is a former member of the Soviet secret service (KGB). One wonders what feeds the phantasms of the political West and how they prevent us from grasping reality. Russia didnt invade Ukraine any more than France invaded Rwanda. Moscow and Paris stopped the massacre of Ukrainians in the Donbass and Rwandan Tutsis. Both were driven by their "responsibility to protect" and implemented Security Council resolutions. Palestinians dont rape and behead anyone for pleasure, even if some of them belong to a secret society that does. They dont fight the Jews out of anti-Semitism, except for the historic branch of Hamas, but against the apartheid system of which they are victims. Perhaps the first function of collective blindness is to erase our previous crimes: it was the "democracies" of the United States and members of the European Union who organized the overthrow of Ukraines elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, in 2014. It was Germany and France that signed the Minsk Accords to guarantee peace for Ukrainians in Donbass (2015), but never intended to implement them and, according to the confessions of Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande, used them to arm Ukraine against Russia. This violation of our word and signature constitutes, according to the Nuremberg Tribunal, the gravest of all crimes, that "against peace". Similarly, it is the "greatest democracy in the Middle East", Israel, which has stolen, metre by metre, by occupation and nibbling, most of the Palestinian Territories established by Security Council resolution 181 (1947). Or maybe its the other way round: our collective blindness is perhaps designed to enable us to perpetrate our next crimes. In which case, we shouldnt be surprised that were seeking to wreck the Russian economy and, ultimately, send Russia back to the Stone Age. Nor should we be surprised by speeches calling for the ethnic cleansing of geographic Palestine and, ultimately, the expulsion of a million Palestinians. These conflicts are not about resources, but territories. Since 1917, Dmytro Dontsovs Ukrainian integral nationalists have consistently claimed sovereignty over Nestor Makhnos anarchist Novorossia and the Bolshevik Donbass and Crimea. Of course, these territories were merged into Soviet Ukraine by Ukrainian Nikita Khrushchev, but Kiev cannot invoke recent history to claim them as its own. Similarly, since 1920, Vladimir Zeev Jabotinskys revisionist Zionists have claimed sovereignty over the whole of Palestine, and eventually over the Egyptian Sinai, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria - in short, all the territories from the "Nile to the Euphrates". Of course, the ancient kingdom of Jerusalem consisted of the city and its suburbs, but that doesnt allow them to evoke history for all these conquests. . It is often said that the age pyramid determines the aggressiveness of states. States with a majority of young people between the ages of 15 and 30 would by nature be inclined to war. But this is neither the case in Ukraine, nor in Israel. Whats more, its Palestine, not Israel that the age pyramid could push towards war. The ideological question is probably the most important. Dmytro Dontsov and his henchman Stepan Bandera glorified the Ukrainian fighters, heirs to the Swedish Vikings, the Varegues, who had to slaughter the "Muscovites" to be able to feast in Valhalla. Today, its the "White Fuhrer", Andriy Biletsky, who has commanded the troops of the Azov Division in Mariupol, the 3rd Assault Brigade in Bakhmut/Artiomovsk and most recently in Avdeyevka/Avdiyevka. Similarly, Benjamin Netanyahu, son of Vladimir Jabotinskys private secretary, has not hesitated to compare the Palestinians to the ancient Amalekites. The implication is that they must all be exterminated as Yahweh commands, or else their race will re-emerge against the Hebrews. In the same way, the IDF has systematically destroyed all the universities and schools in the Gaza Strip and massacred 30,000 civilians under the pretext of fighting Hamas. Dmytro Dontsov formed an alliance with Adolf Hitler as early as 1923, i.e. before he came to power, and became one of the administrators of the Reinhard Heydrich Institute, responsible for carrying out the Final Solution of the Jewish and Gypsy question. Vladimir Jabotinsky, who had formed an alliance with Dontsov in 1922, founded the Betar cadre school in Civitavecchi (Italy) with the help of Duce Benito Mussolini in 1935. He was unable to play a major role in the Second World War, dying in August 1940. There can be no doubt about the adherence of Ukrainian integral nationalists to Nazism and revisionist Zionists to fascism. Incidentally, we find the territorial logic of fascist and Nazi regimes in the current discourse of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the same time, the Russian and Palestinian presidents, Vladimir Putin and Mahmoud Abbas, constantly claim to be defending their peoples. Photo: Warner Bros. Discovery What you see in the sandstorm is what youre getting from the sandstorm. Dune: Part 2 director Denis Villeneuve told Collider that he kills his darlings, even if it means cutting out stars like Tim Blake Nelson in the process. He explains, Im a strong believer that when its not in the movie, its dead. I kill darlings, and its painful for me. Sometimes I remove shots and I say, I cannot believe Im cutting this out. I feel like a samurai opening my gut. Its painful, so I cannot go back after that and create a Frankenstein and try to reanimate things that I killed. Its too painful. When its dead, its dead, and its dead for a reason. But yes, it is a painful project, but it is my job. The movie prevails. Im very, I think, severe in the editing room. Im not thinking about my ego, Im thinking about the movie. One of those scenes included Nelson, who told MovieWeb he felt heartbroken his scenes were cut from the film, explaining, I dont think Im at liberty to say what the scene was. Id leave that to Denis [Villeneuve] if he wants to talk about it. I had a great time over there shooting it. And then he had to cut it because he thought the movie was too long. And I am heartbroken over that, but theres no hard feelings. I loved it, and I cant wait to do something else with him and we certainly plan to do that. Some have speculated that Nelson was cast as Count Hasimir Fenring, who plays a larger role in the sequel books and could potentially return for a third film. The Hollywood Reporter says Villeneuve is working on a script based on Dune Messiah, so that might be why Nelson has no hard feelings; hell get his chance to be reunited with the rest of the cast soon. LiLo and Steph. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: James Devaney/GC Images, Maddie Meyer/Getty Images Lindsay Lohans son has some fairly random godparents. While promoting her upcoming rom-com Irish Wish, the actor explains how she became BFFs with Steph and Ayesha Curry of all people, to the point where they agreed to be godparents to Lohans 7-month-old, Luai. My husband knows Michael Mina, the chef, and we were in Dubai and Michael Mina kept saying to Bader, he was like, You need to introduce Lindsay and Ayesha. I need them to meet, Lohan explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She happened to be coming to Dubai, and we met, and we just clicked, right off the bat. The friendship timeline remains unclear, however. We know Lohan and Ayesha co-star in their upcoming film, Irish Wish, so we can assume they became friends before making the movie, or else youd imagine Lohan would say they met on-set and not in Dubai. Despite potentially being friends with the Curry family for years, there is no evidence from before 2024 that they are godparenting-close, unless you include Lohan commenting Beautiful!on Ayeshas Instagram post in March 2023. Either way, we first learned about the tight-knit squad on February 3, when Lohan and her husband, Bader Shammas, attended a record-breaking Warriors game and held up an autographed Curry jersey. Steph addressed it, To Luai, your godparents love you! That baby is gonna have some of the strongest nepo connections of all time Hollywood, Wall Street, and the NBA. Hades, coming soon to a Netflix iPhone app near you. Photo: Supergiant Games Update, March 5: If youve been on edge of your seat wondering when Netflix would release Hades, I bring sweet release: The streamer has finally announced that Hades debuts on its gaming platform soon, on March 19. Enjoy reliving the painful torment. Original story published November 11, 2023, follows. More than three years after its initial release, the masochistic psychodrama that is Hades still has the gaming community in a kinky stranglehold so much so that Netflix is getting in on the action. The streaming service will soon be the exclusive distributor for a new iOS port of the Supergiant game. Hades is one of the highest-profile titles leading a fleet of other games Netflix announced this week. The well-known titles Netflix is licensing include Hades, the tenth-anniversary edition of Braid, Katana Zero, and Deaths Door all of which will be mobile exclusives for Netflix, though its not yet clear when theyll land on the service. These will be available for free and without ads to anyone with a Netflix subscription, so not a bad deal as long as you dont mind playing on a phone. Other new titles announced are based on Netflix-owned or -licensed IP. Those hitting the companys games vertical in early 2024 include Money Heist, Chicken Run: Eggstraction, and The Dragon Prince: Xadia. Another, Shadow and Bone: Enter the Fold, was released this week and is available to play now. No word yet on how theyll match up against the Love Is Blind video game, but roughly two years into the life of its gaming arm and a library of 80-plus games later, its clear Netflix will court gamers eyeballs and thumbs for the long haul. Putting up Hades and Braid titles with established fan bases on consoles and PCs but might find new, more casual fanbases on mobile feels like an extension of the originals-plus-licensed strategy that made Netflix a top streamer in the first place. Whether it can carve out serious space between the Sonys or Microsofts, though, is the question. Then again, the premise of Hades is to die over and over and over again in pursuit of your goal, learning a bit more each time as you go. Maybe grabbing that game was research. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Azerbaijan and Brazil have discussed cooperation on green finance within COP29, Trend reports According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, First Deputy Minister of Economy and Co-chairman of the Azerbaijan-Brazil Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation Elnur Aliyev met with Secretary for Trade and International Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil Roberto Peroza. The meeting focused on the prospects for expanding trade volume between the two countries and strengthening connections across all sectors of the economy. The advantageous business and investment climate created in Azerbaijan for entrepreneurs, as well as the incentives and privileges provided to investors in industrial zones, were underlined. Discussions about COP29 created mutual wishes to set up joint initiatives and partnerships in the sector of green financing. Furthermore, the meeting included discussions about reciprocal investments, collaboration in the context of public-private partnerships, and opportunities for strengthening agricultural links, such as expanding Azerbaijani agricultural product exports to Brazil. Topics covered included food security and the incorporation of new technologies into agricultural parks. The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was officially announced in Dubai on December 11, 2023, enabling Azerbaijan to host the above event in November. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel John Cabot University, a regionally accredited American liberal arts university in Rome, Italy, is currently looking for a full-time (38 hrs./week) Orientation Coordinator to join the Orientation and Student Life team. The ideal candidate is professional, highly self-motivated, flexible, and able to provide friendly and thoughtful assistance to students, working well as part of a team. The Coordinator will work closely with and directly report to the Director of Orientation. They will also collaborate with various university departments, provide support to the Student Life team, and must be able to perform well under pressure, in a fast-paced, student-oriented environment. This is a one-year, full time (38 hrs/week) term contract, with possibility of renewal. For a list of duties and qualifications, please refer to the JCU website at https://www.johncabot.edu/employment-opportunities/administrative-staff.aspx All applicants must possess valid EU working documents in Italy at time of application. JCU cannot sponsor candidates for working visas in Italy for this position. Email your (English only) CV/resume and cover letter to employment@johncabot.edu with subject line Orientation Coordinator. The position will remain open until filled, with employment to begin as early as March 25. While we appreciate every application received, please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted. John Cabot University, a regionally accredited American university in Rome, Italy, is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The University prohibits and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, or disability in any of its policies, programs, and services. Trentino province approves law to kill up to eight bears a year. Animal rights groups in Italy say they will seek EU intervention after the northern autonomous province of Trentino approved a controversial decree authorising a bear cull. The Trentino provincial council on Monday approved the law, backed by rightwing governor Maurizio Fugatti, that allows for the culling of up to eight "problematic" bears a year in 2024 and 2025. The law stipulates that the eight culled bears can not comprise more than two adult females and two adult males, paving the way for authorities to cull up to four "sub-adult" bears. The International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) pledged to contest the law at European and national level, while the animal welfare organization Leal said it considered the law to be "evil". The Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali (ENPA) said it will lobby Giorgia Meloni's government to intervene and challenge the law at the constitutional court, noting: "Bears, until proven otherwise, are still a species particularly protected by European and Italian regulations." "If the government does not intend to challenge this horrible and unacceptable law we are already ready to turn to the European Union" - ENPA stated - "and this would mean the probable opening of an infringement procedure against Italy for the violation of the Habitats Directive". JJ4 Massimo Vitturi of the animal rights group LAV claims that the Trentino law is "in violation" of the EU Habitats Drective, adding that the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg has yet to rule on the future of a female bear, known as JJ4, that attacked and killed a 26-year-old jogger in Trento last April. Fugatti had ordered that JJ4 be caught and killed however the culling order was suspended by courts following an appeal by animal rights groups. The bear is currently being held in a wildlife facility. This was the second reprieve for JJ4 after courts overruled Fugatti's order to kill the animal in 2020 after it attacked a father and son hiking in the same area where the jogger was killed. M90 Last month forest rangers killed a bear, known as M90, on the orders of Fugatti who deemed the animal dangerous after it allegedy followed hikers on several occasions. Italy's environment minister Gilberto Pichetto said at the time that "culling cannot be the only solution", stressing that it should be the "last resort". Life Ursus The bears were reintroduced in Trentino after being imported from Slovenia in 1999 as part of the Life Ursus scheme. The project had originally envisaged about 50 bears in the province but the population has since swelled to around 100 animals. Fugatti has repeatedly claimed that the scheme has "got out of hand", saying that bear numbers need to be reduced to "an adequate level" to guarantee coexistence with local communities. Strike to affect Italy's transport and school services. A national general strike scheduled in Italy on Friday 8 March is set to disrupt the country's education, healthcare, transport services provided by the public and private sector. The 24-hour strike, which coincides with International Women's Day, has been called by numerous trade unions to protest over violence against women and to support women's rights. The feminist movement Non Una di Meno also invites women to strike on 8 March "against patriarchal violence in all its forms", with demonstrations expected in cities across Italy. The industrial action is set to disrupt some Trenitalia and Trenord services from midnight on Thursday until 21.00 on Friday night. However most rail services on Friday are guaranteed during the busiest commuter times - from 06.00 to 09.00 and from 18.00 to 21.00 - with full information available on the companies' websites. The strike could also affect the opening of public offices as well as catering and cleaning services in kindergartens, schools, hospitals and health facilities. A statement on the Rome city website reads: "On Friday 8 March 2024, a general strike was proclaimed in all public and private sectors for the entire working day. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause." Photo credit: Sara Sette / Shutterstock.com. Taxi licences not increased in Rome or Milan for two decades. Italian cities including Rome and Milan are still suffering from a chronic shortage of taxis despite efforts by the government to alleviate the problem last summer. In Rome some 1.3 million telephone requests for taxis are unsuccessful each month, reports Corriere della Sera, while in Milan that number is around half a million a month. Last August the rightwing coalition led by Giorgia Meloni approved new regulations, as part of the so-called Asset decree, that allow larger cities to increase the number of taxi licences by 20 per cent to meet rising demand. However the move has been fiercely opposed by taxi drivers, a powerful lobby in Italy, who regularly threaten to strike in protest at any attempt to enact new measures. The last time the number of licenses was increased in Rome was in 2005 while in Milan it was 2003, reports Corriere della Sera. Italy's antitrust regulator has repeatedly called for more taxis to be introduced in Rome and Milan, which have 7,692 taxis and 4,885 taxis respectively. La coda per i taxi a Roma Termini: bel biglietto da visita per i turisti che arrivano nella Capitale!! pic.twitter.com/pjpgIaFGfA Daniela Santanche (@DSantanche) February 14, 2024 Italian tourism minister Daniela Santanche recently posted a viral video on social media showing a lengthy queue for taxis at Rome's Termini station, describing the scene as "a nice business card for tourists arriving in the capital!!" The government's efforts to increase the number of taxis comes amid a surge of tourism in Italy and ahead of major upcoming events including the Vatican's Jubilee 2025 in Rome and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026. SAN DIEGO Eleven people were hurt in a single day after trying to climb over a wall that separates Mexico and the United States and falling on the San Diego side, the latest such injuries since the wall was heightened to deter illegal crossings. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Ten people ranging in age from 18 to the mid-40s were taken to the hospital with mild to moderate injuries, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The other person injured wasnt hospitalized. The department said U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted it just after 4 p.m. on Saturday. Four of the injured were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital, including three people who were traveling with five children, all under the age of 11, Chris Van Gorder, the president of Scripps Health, told The San Diego Union-Tribune. The hospital provided child care while their parents were being treated. Advertisement Days ago, a man believed to be in his late 20s died trying to get around the border wall. Joseph Ciacci, a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, has said hes seen a fivefold increase in trauma cases since the height of the border wall increased under the Trump administration, which began replacing sections that ranged in height of less than 20 feet (6 meters) with 30-foot (9.1-meter) steel bollard barriers. In 2019, UC San Diego Health treated fewer than 60 patients who had fallen from border walls. That number jumped to nearly 450 two years later. CLOQUET, Minn. The man who fatally shot a Super 8 hotel clerk and a guest in a small Minnesota town doesnt appear to have any connection with the victims, authorities said. Cloquet police said Monday that it doesnt appear that 32-year-old Nicholas Elliot Lenius, of Ramsey, knew either of the people he killed on Jan. 9. Lenius died by suicide that night during the incident that triggered an active shooter warning in town. Officials also said a toxicology report showed there was methamphetamine in Lenius blood and that this may have impaired him during the shooting. Police who responded to the shooting found hotel employee 22-year-old Shellby Trettel shot near the front desk The other victim, 35-year-old Patrick Jeffrey Roers, of Deer River, was shot inside a vehicle that was parked in the hotel lot. Lenius and Roers were both guests at the motel. Officials had issued an alert that night about an active shooter at the hotel and warned people in the surrounding area of Big Lake Road and Highway 33 to shelter in place. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 5. Kazakhstan strives to create the most favorable conditions for the influx of long-term investments, said Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Oljas Bektenov in an address to investors, Trend reports. "Today, many countries around the world are aimed at attracting investment. Kazakhstan is no exception! We are interested in mutually beneficial cooperation with domestic and foreign businesses. We continuously strive to create the most favorable conditions for the influx of long-term investments," he said. According to him, the government of Kazakhstan guarantees assistance to every major investment project aimed at opening modern high-value production facilities, rapid development of information technologies, and the creation of innovative enterprises that contribute to the dynamic progress of the country. "The government will freely provide investors with access to resources, infrastructure, advisory support, and assistance with the sale of products. I assure you that you will be protected from any pressure from the government and law enforcement agencies. On the contrary, in the government, you will find a reliable and predictable partner. The Investment Headquarters is already operating to resolve these issues. At the end of last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev gave it special powers," he said. As he noted, Kazakhstan intends to implement other initiatives to increase the influx of domestic and foreign investment. "Among them are the use of fundamentally new approaches and incentives for investors in priority sectors of the economy, tax preferences, the elimination of bureaucracy, and unnecessary requirements for business. I am convinced that through joint efforts we will be able to achieve significant success in the growth of the economy of Kazakhstan and ensure mutually beneficial cooperation," the PM noted. Meanwhile, last year, the volume of investments in fixed capital in Kazakhstan increased by 13.7 percent and amounted to $39.5 billion, while over the first nine months of 2023, $19.7 billion of foreign direct investment was attracted. In addition, foreign trade turnover increased by 2.2 percent and amounted to $126 billion; the positive trade balance exceeded $16 billion. Advertisement Eating outEat and drink Perth Meet the Palestinian former banker running a Detroit-style pizza shop in Perths south Operating out of a Southern River grocery, Detroit Square Pies makes just 80 calorific, rectangular pizzas each day and when theyre gone, theyre gone. Max Veenhuyzen March 6, 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 Perths multicultural fabric makes for some intriguing dining prospects. Last month, I ate great pao de quijo, moqueca and other Brazilian soul food classics cooked by a talented French chef-turned-baker that called Rio di Janeiro home for three years. You might have read about the Chinese-Malaysian chef with Nobu pedigree who has opened a restaurant in Vic Park dedicated to tonkatsu, Japans famous fried pork cutlet. Everyones favourite Texas-style barbecue restaurant run by a former middle manager at Woolworths, meanwhile, looks well on the way to becoming part of Australian dining lore. Despite all this, Detroit-style pizza cooked by a Palestinian former banker in a Southern River grocery store wasnt something I had on my 2024 bingo card. Advertisement Seif al Sweilem runs Detroit Square Pies in Southern River. Max Veenhuyzen To be fair, I dont think Seif al Sweilem (the ex-banker in question) expected his career trajectory to unfold how it did, either. It seems that the Detroit-style pizza he ate while at the University of Michigan as an exchange student left a bigger mark on him than he realised. So much so that after opening his Middle Eastern grocery store Mazaj (an Arabic word meaning a good mood) in 2021 and serving continental rolls and other deli standards, al Sweilem switched tack last year and ditched the contis to follow his passion. The rolls were nice, but they werent great, said al Sweilem, who launched Detroit Square Pies in November. I wouldnt eat them every day. But Detroit-style pizza? I could eat that every hour. Seriously, I love it. While Im impressed by al Sweilems enthusiasm, I personally would struggle putting away Detroit-style pizza (or any single dish) every hour. Detroit-style pizza, for the uninitiated, is a regional American style of pizza notable for its rectangular shape, thick puffy crust and not-insignificant quantities of cheese including, crucially, the crisp lacy cheese bunting wrapped around each pizzas edge. Advertisement 14 / 20 Review Sunny by name, sunny by nature: Tender-hearted eatery brings Japanese cafe culture to an unlikely Perth location Although Detroit-style pizza has been around since the mid-1940s, it hit the big-time a decade ago after Detroit pizza chef Shawn Randazzo was named world champion pizza maker at the 2012 World Pizza Expo in Las Vegas and started using Detroit-style to describe what he and so many locals simply knew as pizza. Perth and indeed Palestine might be a long way from Motor City, but that didnt deter al Sweilem from diving headfirst into all things Detroit and delicious. After a year spent developing and trialling recipes (Randazzos teachings were a constant presence in al Sweilems journey), our man felt he had something unusual and delicious that would resonate with Perth eaters. He was right. A Detroit-style pie is an imposing rectangle of cheese (a house blend consisting mainly of mozzarella and brick cheese: a white American cheddar) and dough. While they might be smaller than, say, your standard-issue Naples-style woodfired pizza the pizzas here are eight inches by 10 inches: the traditional dimensions of the blue steel workshop trays that these pizzas were originally baked in a significant hunk of puffy, focaccia-style crumb is hiding below that molten cheese surface. I wouldnt recommend eating one on your own unless you had just broken some sort of CrossFit record. While Southern River is far from Motor City, al Sweilems pizzas are a faithful rendition of a Detroit-style pie. Max Veenhuyzen Advertisement Having said all that, the dough here is wonderfully light rather than stodgy and dense: a result, says al Sweilem, of a long 72-hour ferment to lighten and aerate the dough. The bases are then shaped individually in each tray and get a final eight-hour rise before theyre ready to be baked. Its a lot of work, which explains why our man preps just 80 pizzas a day with zero plans to increase production. On weekends when he offers the pizzas for lunchtime, he might be out of pizza by dinner. While there is an excellent margherita on offer note the two tyre-mark-like stripes of marinara sauce on the margherita: a nod to Detroits automotive history Detroit Square Pies isnt afraid to do things its way. Chicken pizza options abound. Barbecue sauce is squiggled onto many a pie. All the meats pepperoni, bacon, sausage are halal and made of beef. There are also two sweet pizzas made using Ferrero Rocher and spiced Biscoff spread. Pizza purists might, if they were being kind, describe the menu as untraditional. Personally, Im going with intriguing. And delicious. God whatever you call her/him/they/it bless Perths multicultural fabric. Detroit Square Pies by Mazaj Foods is at 3/466 Warton Rd, Southern River and open Thursday to Sunday. A Broome man who allegedly captured and restrained three young children found swimming in the backyard pool of a vacant property on Tuesday has been charged with assault. The children, aged six, seven and eight, had their hands cable-tied together and were filmed sobbing while sitting on the ground leaning against a garage door as Mat Radelic, 45, stood beside them. Distressed passersby live-streamed the incident from over a fence as they pleaded with Radelic to release the children. They were frightened ... they were crying, shaking and singing out for their mum, Leandra McKenzie told 9News Perth. Good faith and a loophole left open Inquiry chair Peter Tinley told parliament the Pluto deal was just an exchange of letters that created all sorts of gaps and challenges. Woodside uses the biggest gap that it has to supply the local market only if it is commercially viable in its defence. Woodsides revenue from the Pluto gas plant in 2023 was $5.9 billion. Credit: Woodside Pluto is meeting its domestic gas obligation, which is to market and make available gas that is commercially viable, Woodside chief executive Meg ONeill said when quizzed last year. A properly defined commercially viability clause may have worked, but Carpenter left it out of the 2006 deal, leaving it to be negotiated in good faith afterwards. In 2020, the commercial viability test had still not been agreed and now Roger Cooks Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation just refuses to answer the question. Eighteen years of good faith negotiations must have exhausted them. The biggest hurdle to selling Pluto gas is its nitrogen content, which is far higher than allowed in WAs pipeline system. For Woodside to strip nitrogen from more gas than is supplied now it needs to install expensive new equipment. Woodside vice president for Pluto Mike Price told the parliamentary inquiry in October that it was not commercially viable when Pluto started exporting gas in 2012 and on multiple times since Woodside had reached the same conclusion. The state would find it difficult to challenge Woodsides conclusions, given the two sides have not agreed how to determine commercial viability. Loading McGowan and Cook miss an opportunity The gas reserved by exporters for local use does not belong to WA, as it comes from Commonwealth waters. WA extracted the domestic gas deals in exchange for allowing the companies to build processing plants onshore. In 2021, Woodside needed another favour from the state government: permission to build a pipeline between its Pluto and North West Shelf gas plants to significantly increase exports. It was then-premier Mark McGowan and his state development minister Roger Cooks chance to get a revised Pluto domestic gas deal. But they only secured a small fraction of the backlog of gas supply from Pluto. Part of the deal was extra gas from Woodsides North West Shelf project in lieu of Pluto gas. Who is at fault? The claim that Woodside does not provide a fair share of gas to WA is a myth, according to its website. It counters with the fact that it acts in accordance with the commitments in our domestic gas agreements. Most would argue that being fair and doing the minimum you can get away are different standards. If you believe the spirit of the deal counts, then Woodside is the culprit. If doing the absolute minimum you can get away with is acceptable, then the Carpenter government is guilty by accepting such a loophole-riddled agreement, and McGowan doubled down on that failure in 2021. Will Cook take a stand? Just five years ago, McGowan spruiked a different view of gas in WA: My pitch to east coast industry is simple, if you want a cheaper and more reliable supply of gas go west. Now the state faces a future of more expensive gas that could shut marginal operations and deter new investment. A lot of jobs are at stake. Just like 18 years ago, we have a Labor premier, an American Woodside chief executive, and a need for secure gas supply. Loading After the inquiry hands down its final report and recommendations in May, Cook will be expected to extract what the community expects from Woodsides biggest revenue-earner. A bureaucrat from Cooks department JTSI told the inquiry last year that for many gas producers, their supply to the local market was a centrepiece of their social licence. The department suspected more transparency on how well they were meeting their commitments would encourage them to sell more gas locally. To rely on a bit of bad publicity, easily minimised by advertising and lobbying, to sway a significant decision by a major company displays the same level of naivety as Carpenter omitting crucial details to be agreed later. Anthony Albanese can become the first long-term Labor prime minister in a generation by commanding the political centre, avoiding left-wing culture wars and muscularly calling out right-wing populism, British political strategist Alastair Campbell says. Campbell, who was the right-hand man to former British Labour Party prime minister Tony Blair and hosts the chart-topping The Rest Is Politics podcast, is touring Australia, where he will speak at public events and meet state premiers Jacinta Allan, Chris Minns and Peter Malinauskas. Tony Blairs former communications guru, Alastair Campbell. Credit: Fairfax Media In an interview, the influential political commentator lamented the loss of the Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, said Australias short three-year terms made governing more difficult, praised moves to limit political donations and argued that former prime minister Scott Morrison had similarities to former United States and British leaders Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. Referencing Opposition Leader Peter Duttons campaigning on immigration, border protection and a ute tax in the lead-up to the Dunkley byelection, Campbell said Labors win in the seat pointed to a rejection of divisive politics. Versailles: France has enshrined the right to abortion in its Constitution, a world first welcomed by womens rights groups as historic and harshly criticised by anti-abortion groups. MPs and senators overwhelmingly backed the move, by 780 votes against 72, in a special joint ballot of the two houses of parliament, under the gilded ceilings of Versailles Palace, just outside Paris. A joint sitting of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles backed a change to the Constitution. Credit: AP 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 about 80 per cent of French people back the fact that abortion is legal. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 5. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are creating a joint investment fund between the Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC and the Azerbaijani Investment Holding, said the Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev, Trend reports. He made the remark during the 20th meeting of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Intergovernmental Commission in Astana. "Future infrastructure projects will be financed by the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Investment Fund, which will be formed by Samruk-Kazyna and the Azerbaijani Investment Holding. One of the aims of this investment fund will be to develop our countries' port infrastructure," the minister said. The meeting also covered topics such as trade, transportation, energy, digitization, industry, agriculture, education, culture, and tourism. To note, economic turnover between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan reached $529.4 million in 2023. The volume of trade turnover increased by 14.2 percent from the same time in 2022 ($463.3 million). Concurrently, in terms of trade turnover, exports to Azerbaijan totaled $456.3 million over the aforementioned period, which is 21.6 percent higher than from January to December 2022. Furthermore, from January to December 2023, imports from Azerbaijan fell by 17.3 percent, totaling $73 million. In 2022, imports totaled $88.3 million. From 26 to 29 February 2024 the World Customs Organization (WCO) delivered a Regional Workshop on transit interconnectivity and the use of regional transit guarantees for the West and Central Africa (WCA) region. The event that gathered around 40 participants from Member Customs administrations, partner international organizations, regional economic communities and development partners was held in Douala, Cameroon with the financial support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF Japan). The workshop was organized as a WCO pre-conference event to the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) that will be held from 18 to 21 June 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda and will adopt a renewed framework for international support to address the special needs of LLDCs. The first day of the workshop was devoted to discussions on the principle of freedom of transit and the provisions of the relevant international and regional framework including the Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the World Trade Organization (WTO TFA), the Revised Kyoto Convention, the WCO Transit Guidelines, and the Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) among others. This was done based on presentations delivered by the WCO experts and the AfCFTA Secretariat. In a dedicated session, the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN OHRLLS) provided an overview of the Vienna Programme of Action for LLDCs for the Decade 2014 - 2024 and the preparatory process for the Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs (LLDC3). The session explained the possible areas of action for the decade 2024 2034 that are currently under consideration by the LLDC3 Preparatory Committee, among which trade, trade facilitation and regional integration, and transit, transport and connectivity. Then participants delved into the topic of transit interconnectivity in West Africa. Seven Members of the sub-region (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo) presented the status of implementation of the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit widely known as SIGMAT from the French title Systeme Interconnecte pour la Gestion des Marchandises en Transit. The presentations covered the benefits of SIGMAT implementation, as well as the associated challenges and lessons learnt. The Members presentations were supplemented by the perspective of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the World Bank and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The main objective of these sessions was to showcase good practices implemented by Members of the West Africa sub-region, with a view to enabling other Members to benefit from the lessons learnt and to replicate those good practices throughout the region. There was a shared understanding of the benefits of SIGMAT implementation, which include having a system based on the WCO Data Model that facilitates transit, reduces fraud by providing certainty on the movement of trucks and real-time cargo information, and leads to enhanced revenue collection. This in turn facilitates access to the sea by the three LLDCs of the sub-region (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger), as well as intensifies intra-regional trade. In terms of future perspectives, information was shared on the plans for interconnecting the transit systems of additional Members of the sub-region, including plans for tripartite interconnectivity, the prospective deployment of a mobile version of SIGMAT and the potential integration in SIGMAT of regional transit guarantees functionality. The sessions also highlighted various aspects that needed to be considered by Central Africa Members in the future process of SIGMAT deployment, such as the need for a legal text at regional level to enable the exchange of data, the need for establishing stable multi-disciplinary teams in the respective administrations, as well as the need for training of Customs staff and stakeholders. Following the lively exchanges on SIGMAT implementation in West Africa, the workshop delved into the status of transit systems in Central Africa based on presentations provided by the AFRITAC Centre of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Customs administrations of Cameroon and of the two LLDCs in the sub-region - the Central African Republic and Chad. The session took stock of the developments so far, which included a commitment to implement SIGMAT in Central Africa made by the Directors General of Customs administrations of the sub-region, the appointment of national transit managers in all Members of the Central Africa sub-region, and the establishment of a Transit Committee at the level of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC - Communaute Economique et Monetaire des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale), which has held its first meeting in August 2023. During the last day of the workshop, participants engaged in interactive discussions on the guiding principles for the establishment of efficient transit guarantee schemes supplemented by information on relevant work undertaken at the regional level by the ECOWAS Commission, as well as by the Afreximbank. The last substantive workshop session considered the application of Customs seals and other security measures in transit, based on presentations by the WCO and the Customs administration of Cameroon, the latter underscoring the importance of securing transit movements with a view to safeguarding revenue concerns. In his closing remarks the Director of International Cooperation and Taxation Bases at the Directorate General of Cameroon Customs thanked the WCO for organizing this important event in Douala - a crucial hub for transit traffic in Africa. The Director went on to thank the workshop participants for sharing their respective good practices in the area of transit and invited the participating Customs administrations to benefit from the knowledge and insights shared during the event. At the invitation of Mr. Jalal Al-Qudah, Director General of the Jordanian Customs as Vice-Chair for the North of Africa, Near and Middle-East (MENA) region, Mr. Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), attended the 59th MENA Customs Directors General Regional Meeting, held at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on 27 February 2024. In his opening remarks, Mr. Saunders focused on engaging MENA Members in the enduring discussions on the WCO modernization plan. The Secretary General provided a brief update on the current progress in this regard, including the results of the 89th session of the Policy Commission. He then invited the Directors General to share their ideas to enrich the Organizations consideration of approaches to modernization. The discussion was open and active, and included several ideas to help the WCO refine its proposals. The meeting discussed the follow-up to the deliberations of the Policy Commission in December 2023. The Directors General also reviewed several priorities for the region, such as the duties of Customs administrations assigned to serve on key governance committees (Policy Commission, Finance Committee, and Audit Committee) and their relationship with the Vice-Chair. A number of progress reports were also presented by regional entities, including the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) for the region. Participants appreciated the opportunity to exchange views in person and the warm hospitality of the Vice-Chair and the host country, Egypt. During his visit, the Secretary General held a number of bilateral meetings with Members from the MENA region. He also met with the Deputy Minister of Finance of Egypt, Dr Ihab Abou Eish, to discuss areas of cooperation between WCO and Egypt. On the occasion of International Women's Day, and as part of an ongoing campaign to empower Women in Customs, launched by Ian Saunders, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organizations (WCO) on 4 March 2024, we are delighted to present an enlightening conversation with Gael Grooby, the Acting Director of the Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate of the WCO. Gael's journey through the ranks of Customs is a compelling narrative of determination, ingenuity, and the occasional serendipity such as wanting to start a career for the love of dogs and having to live up to the reality of the daunting task of dog handlers. Reflecting on her career, she offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of balancing a demanding professional life with personal responsibilities, particularly as a woman in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated. This interview sheds light on her career progression, the role of women in customs, and her advice to those looking to navigate similar paths. Interviewer: Can you tell us about your career in Customs and how it all started? Gael: Absolutely. My journey into Customs was quite unexpected. As a single mum and a part-time university student studying IT, I was looking for a stable job to support my daughter. I took the public service exam, which led me to Customs. Initially, I was excited as I believed I could work with the Customs dogs, but soon realized that the cute little beagles were with quarantine, and my short, slow legs would never run fast enough to pass the physical to working with our magnificent detection dogs! So, instead I started in postal control and loved it. Over the years, I moved around, becoming a local expert in various areas. When my daughter grew up, I decided to specialize in tariffs, and six months into the specialization I moved from the regional to the central office and it led to significant career progression, including the position of deputy director of tariff policy and nomenclature in Australia and eventually my role at the WCO. Interviewer: How did you find moving up the career ladder? Gael: The first two steps were the hardest, involving a leap of faith into applying for promotions and moving for my job. After that, things became smoother. I was fortunate to find opportunities that matched my specialization in tariffs, which many find daunting. This specialization helped me advance my career. I was in an area that many saw as difficult or esoteric and thus, I had relatively less competition. Sometimes its easier to be a big fish in a small pond. Interviewer: As a woman and a mother, did you face more challenges in your career? Gael: It's an interesting question. Being a mother certainly adds complexity to any career path. I chose not to pursue my career while my daughter was young, a decision I don't regret. Balancing a young child and a demanding career is challenging, and while some women do it very well, I knew myself well enough to know I would burn out trying to do both to a high level. But I always found the work in Customs fascinating and I think being a mother actually allowed me to bring a lot of extra skills and insights. Yes, it is more challenging for women, Customs has traditionally been male dominated and old attitudes die hard, but I believe in changing such environments from within by encouraging more women to join and make their voices heard. I love Customs as it offers a wide spectrum of areas to explore and despite the challenges, it is a place where women can excel. Interviewer: What has been a highlight in your career? Gael: Thats a tough one. But I think it is the moment I realized I could effect positive change on a global scale through my work on two major proposals for HS 2022. The proposals were made when I was still a delegate and it reshaped my perspective and ambitions, leading me to aspire to contribute more significantly at the WCO. Interviewer: Any advice for women aiming for high-level positions? Gael: My advice would be: listen to advice, but don't follow it blindly. What works for one person may not work for you. Instead use it to inform your own path, keeping in mind that you write your future in the present moment, so while your past is what you build on, every present moment is a chance to change your course. The wisdom of others can be invaluable, but it's essential to forge your own way based on your experiences and aspirations. Interviewer: What would you say to women considering a career in Customs? Gael: Customs is incredibly varied and offers unique challenges and opportunities. I encourage women to explore different roles within Customs to find their niche, especially early in their career. The sector provides a chance to make a significant impact, and there's a lot of satisfaction to be gained from the diverse work it offers. Interviewer: What are the challenges for women at an operational level? Gael: It depends on the administration as the barriers and opportunities vary from one organization to the other. However, even if the operational areas are still largely male-dominated, woman can make a difference by being true to themselves. As long as you treat colleagues with respect, and remain professional, dont be afraid to be yourself and to be different. As I said, be flexible and explore different areas. The enforcement areas are sometimes the ones that women I have met felt most nervous trying. But it is possible for a woman to break down doors and search for drugs. Women also bring unique strengths and perspectives that are invaluable in operational roles. Their attitude can also lower the tone of aggression in a high-emotion and conflict situation. I am not saying it works all the time or that all women have those skills, but most women have had to face more physical threats and unequal power situations through their lives, creating greater ability to understand people and read nonverbal signals as a survival technique. Personally, I found it easier to deal with a conflict situation as I speak quietly, and people had to be quieter to hear me, thus defusing the situation. Interviewer: How can we empower women in Customs? Gael: It starts with treating the workforce with respect and valuing the diverse qualities everyone brings to the table. Promoting inclusivity and diversity is key to empowering women and all employees within Customs administrations. So, administrations should regularly check the way they are treating their workforce and make necessary changes when needed. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 5. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have discussed the organization of joint production in industrial and technology parks, Trend reports. According to Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry, the debate occurred on March 5 at the 20th meeting of the Kazakh-Azerbaijani Intergovernmental Commission in Astana. The Kazakh team was led by Minister of Transportation Marat Karabayev, while the Azerbaijani mission was led by Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov. As the ministry noted, the issues related to Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Investment Fund, joint production in industrial and technology parks, a grain terminal in the port of Alat, shipbuilding cooperation and possible participation of Kazakh companies in projects in Azerbaijan's liberated territories. In addition, it was said that Azerbaijan has spent $211.4 million in Kazakhstan, while Kazakhstan has invested $114 million in the Azerbaijani economy. It was noted that close cooperation within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council, the next meeting of which will be held in the near future, measures to stimulate trade and economic cooperation, attracting Kazakh companies to the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ), as well as establishing cooperation between the AFEZ and Kazakh companies free economic zones, will help increase these indicators. To note, economic turnover between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan reached $529.4 million in 2023, according to Kazakh statistics. The volume of trade turnover increased by 14.2 percent from the same time in 2022 ($463.3 million). Concurrently, in terms of trade turnover, exports to Azerbaijan totaled $456.3 million over the aforementioned period, which is 21.6 percent higher than from January to December 2022. Furthermore, from January to December 2023, imports from Azerbaijan fell by 17.3 percent, totaling $73 million. In 2022, imports totaled $88.3 million. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 5. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan discussed increasing cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Trend reports. According to the Azerbaijan's Energy Ministry, the discussion took place during the 20th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission (JIC) in Astana on March 5. The Kazakh delegation was headed by the Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev, and the Azerbaijani delegation - by the Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov. As the ministry noted, during the meeting, issues of expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector, the possibility of participating in joint projects, increasing the volume of transit of Kazakh oil along various routes, and increasing cargo transportation along the Middle Corridor were discussed. The parties agreed to take appropriate steps towards completing the construction of the Caspian underwater optical line connecting Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan within the framework of the Digital Silk Road project, preparing in the near future a technical specification document to begin a feasibility study of the project for the supply of electricity along the route Central Asia-Europe. The Azerbaijani side, noting the serious efforts of both countries in the transition to green energy, expressed its intention to cooperate with Kazakh companies in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. To note, economic turnover between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan reached $529.4 million in 2023, according to Kazakh statistics. The volume of trade turnover increased by 14.2 percent from the same time in 2022 ($463.3 million). Concurrently, in terms of trade turnover, exports to Azerbaijan totaled $456.3 million over the aforementioned period, which is 21.6 percent higher than from January to December 2022. Furthermore, from January to December 2023, imports from Azerbaijan fell by 17.3 percent, totaling $73 million. In 2022, imports totaled $88.3 million. WSUs National Undergraduate Literature Conference to inspire, equip students March 5, 2024 OGDEN, Utah Weber State University is showing how literature opens doors of opportunity as it hosts students from across the nation March 2830 to present their work at the National Undergraduate Literature Conference. This conference allows students to present something thats a part of them, said Sarah Vause, WSU English instructor and NULC director. Even though it can be a scary experience, it allows them to recognize that everyones work is relevant, and it just takes finding the right opportunities and having the courage to get it out there. This years keynote speaker is international bestselling author Colum McCann, a poetic realist who has written short story collections and novels like Let the Great World Spin, which won the U.S. National Book Award for fiction in 2009. The conference was founded in 1985 by WSU professors and is the longest-running national undergraduate conference in the United States. Presenting at the conference when I was an undergraduate student really prepared me for my future because I got the chance to meet authors and listen to their advice, Vause said. These experiences are important for students because it allows them to see that theres a future in writing. Students who were accepted to present at the conference have until March 25 to register. Information on qualifications, presentation categories, schedules and registration can be found on the NULC website. All student sessions and author presentations are free to attend with the exception of the opening banquet at Timbermine Steakhouse on March 28. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 5. Kyrgyzstan exported 1.066 million tons of black coal to Uzbekistan in 2023, which is 96 percent more than in 2022 (541,768 tons), Trend reports. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the value of exports amounted to $38.009 million, which is 2.2 times more than in 2022 ($16.861 million). Last year, Uzbekistan emerged as the primary buyer of Kyrgyz black coal. Following Uzbekistan, Romania purchased 78,965 tons, and the Netherlands bought 37,268 tons. Additionally, 19,323 tons of coal were exported to Kazakhstan, 16,329 tons to Slovakia, 13,422 tons to Turkiye, 12,958 tons to China, 10,758 tons to Poland, and 6,389 tons to Hungary. In total, Kyrgyzstan exported 1.262 million tons of black coal in 2023, which is 67.6 percent more than in 2022 (753,101 tons). The value of the imports reached $50.876 million, increasing by 68.1 percent year-on-year ($30.259 million in 2022). The trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan reached $693.988 million in 2023, increasing by 15.8 percent compared to 2022. Kyrgyzstan's exports to Uzbekistan amounted to $290.766 million, a 22.9 percent increase compared to 2022. Imports to Kyrgyzstan from Uzbekistan totaled $403.222 million, which is an 11.2 percent increase from 2022 figures. The delayed completion of a vital East Mayo medical facility has been described as completely unacceptable by Mayo TD, Alan Dillon, who has urged the Taoiseach to intervene and help resolve the issue. Dillon, who is chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, has expressed serious concerns over the slow progress of the multi-million euro Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis, construction on which began in November 2019 but which has been stalled since May 2021, due to contracting issues. He has now brought the matter to the attention of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Donnelly. The Mayo deputy says the fact the project has been on hold for more than two years is deeply concerning, particularly for members of the local community who require urgent attention. Minister Donnelly has said that the developer is facing difficulties reaching an agreement with the subcontractors due to escalated construction costs. The developer has confirmed that the original rates in the lease agreement are now not economically viable due to increased construction costs from materials and trades, Deputy Dillon explained. The HSE has been assessing this issue on a national basis and all options are being explored including rate uplifts, withdrawing the current agreement and re-advertising of the development. Re-advertising would permit the developer to resubmit a tender for this site at higher rates. The Primary Care Centre in Ballyhaunis was originally scheduled to be operational in the final quarter of 2021 and Deputy Dillon has urged the Taoiseach to engage with Minister Donnelly to find a swift solution and the recommencement of construction. The 19th talks with a group of women who are using their generational wisdom, environmental activism experience, and free time to try to leave a better world for their grandkids and they're not afraid of getting arrested in the process. These are the climate grannies. They'll do whatever it takes to protect their grandchildren. Chandler's motivation now is the same as it was decades ago In some cases, their identities as grandmothers have become an organizing force 1000 Grandmothers credits another grandmother activist, Pennie Opal Plant, for helping train their members in nonviolent direct action and for inspiring them to take the lead of Indigenous women in the fight Originally published on 19thnews.org, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange. MT. PENN, Pa. At Monday night's special voting meeting of the Antietam School District Board of Directors, one of the board's nine members officially resigned. The board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Charles Weldele, who served as the board's treasurer. The resignation was effective Feb. 26, 2024. Christopher Faro was appointed to the vacant position. He is a former board member for the district, the board's president said. To replace Weldele as treasurer, the board elected Lorraine Storms. Her term as treasurer expires June 30, 2024. In addition, the directors resolved that A. Michael Roberts, president; Jennifer L. Reeves, secretary; and Lorraine Storms, treasurer, are authorized to sign checks against the funds of the Antietam School District, with said funds deposited in Fulton Bank, the depository of the school district. Huawei has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strategic cooperation with the leading telecom operator du in the UAE to build the 5G Advanced Country project. This will establish a demonstration benchmark for 5G Advanced commercial networks in the Middle East and around the world. Fahad AI Hassawi, CEO of du, Chen Hao, Huawei's Carrier Sales Dept President, Liu Jiawei, Chairman of Huawei UAE, Tao Geng, CEO of Huawei UAE, and members of the management teams of both parties attended the signing ceremony in Barcelona, Spain. As per the MoU, the two parties will work together to promote the construction and commercial use of the 5G Advanced network and jointly build the 5G Advanced Country in the UAE. The two parties will establish a 5G Advanced joint innovation centre to innovate 5G Advanced technologies and expand the large-scale commercial use of new services in all scenarios, including consumers, homes, and enterprises, and accelerate the incubation of commercial applications such as 24K XR, FWA2, holographic conferencing, and enhanced 5G private networks. Accelerating the positive cycle They will jointly explore the 5G Advanced commercial model, expand the industry ecosystem, and accelerate the positive cycle of business success. AI Hassawi said: "As a leading digital telco, du is committed to cooperating with global industry leaders, such as Huawei, to remain at the forefront of digital innovation and provide customers with the ultimate network experience. Huawei's leading technologies will support the realisation of du's strategic vision, play an important role in 5G Advanced service innovation and industry digitalisation, and jointly accelerate the UAE's digital transformation." Jiawei said: "As a global ICT infrastructure and smart device provider, Huawei is committed to supporting dus strategic vision of digital innovation and providing customers with the ultimate network experience. In the past year, du has developed rapidly in FWA services and has successfully deployed a commercial 5G Advanced network and we believe that the signing of this MoU will deepen the implementation of 5G Advanced technologies, accelerate the incubation of commercial applications, and strengthen our strategic partnership with du." The cooperation between du and Huawei started in 2008 and maintained close strategic mutual trust in the 3G, 4G, and 5G eras. Towards the new phase of 5G Advanced, the two parties will continue to discuss the end-to-end evolution of 5G Advanced networks, incubate new 5G Advanced services in to-C, to-B, and to-H, build ubiquitous high-quality networks, and help du continuously provide the best connection experience and digital services for its customers.--TradeArabia News Service CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. - A central Pennsylvania man received his sentence Tuesday for his role in a case that involved the trafficking of stolen human remains. Jeremy Pauley was sentenced to two years of probation. He pleaded guilty to one count of abuse of a corpse in January in Cumberland County Court. The remaining charges were dismissed. Pauley's attorney said as long as he has no violations and has completed all requirements in the first year, the second year of his probation will be unsupervised. In September, Pauley pleaded guilty to separate federal charges that stemmed from the investigation into body parts stolen from Harvard Medical School. No date has been set at this time for the federal sentencing. READING, Pa. Two new Reading City Council members offered criticism Monday night during a discussion on proposed revisions to the council policy handbook. Council President Donna Reed explained the council policy handbook is revised every two years when a new council is seated. But Councilmembers Jaime Baez Jr. and Vanessa Campos said they did not like the proposals. One change would put some guidelines in place on the practice of councilmembers giving out community commendations at council meetings. Last week, councilmembers presented numerous commendations to community members in celebration of Dominican Republic Independence Day and Black History Month. The presentations took about an hour at the start of council's regularly scheduled agenda. "My feathers have been ruffled, and I'm very offended by the changes that are being presented," Baez said. "We acknowledge individuals who have contributed to this community throughout the history of the city of Reading, and now you want to limit those acknowledgements." "There were never any limitations before," he continued. "I believe you've been on council for about 20 years, Madam President, and now you want to limit the number of times we think of our residents who are accomplishing great things in the city. And right after Black History Month, shame on you." Reed clarified that her intention was not to place limitations on commendations, but rather control the number of them which are presented at a meeting. "All the commendations that occurred last week were just fabulous, but it went more than an hour," Reed said. "But it's not the legislative business of council." "We're just trying to marry the recognition of good things through accommodations with the sincere business of council that we have been tasked to do in holding the public trust," she said. "I'm not trying to keep anyone from being recognized," Reed continued. "I'm just trying to see a way that we can compromise on the amount of time we devote to this and still do the business of council within a reasonable time of the start of meetings." Councilmember Chris Miller defended Reed. "I think the last meeting was sort of a wake-up call when it did go over an hour," Miller said. "There needs to be some sort of structure that says they (too many commendations) need to be continued to the next meeting or something." Reed suggested councilmembers request commendation presentations at least two weeks in advance of a meeting so that, if necessary, the meeting could be scheduled to start earlier. Baez and Campos did not agree with Reed's suggestion and accused Reed of putting the items on the Committee of the Whole agenda without communicating with council. "I'm not happy with how these sections were worded," Campos said, "and I feel like it needs to be open for everyone to kind of put in their input so that it reflects all of our perspectives." Council solicitor Michael Gombar reminded Campos that the reason for a Committee of the Whole meeting is to have the discussions in public without violating the Sunshine Act. "Some of this may be getting lost in translation," Gombar said. "I don't think anything that has been written down here has been blessed as far as this is what it's going to be. What's on this agenda is a starting point." Membership fees Campos also raised objections to guidelines on having councilmembers join community organizations that would require membership fees to be paid by councilmembers and not with taxpayer money. "I am not in agreement with these changes," Campos said. "I know that council president mentioned that generally over the years it has been a practice and that is understandable." "But moving forward, there are going to be changes that are new, that are different, and that we don't need to stay consistent with what has been generally done in the past," Campos added. Mailing costs There was also a proposal to place limitations on mailings for community meetings. City Clerk Linda Kelleher said new councilmembers have drastically increased mailings whenever they have scheduled community meetings in their districts. Kelleher said there is an increase cost for postage, for envelopes and for staff time. "I understand there's always going to be a cost, but we want to be able to reach our constituents," Baez said. "We want to be accessible, and this is what we promoted as we campaigned." Reed suggested postcard mailings to eliminate envelopes and make the process more affordable. Reed said the topics in the handbook will continued to be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting before they appear on a voting meeting agenda. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - Seven companies and about 100 firefighters battled a blaze in a row of houses in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County Monday night. Two homes were destroyed, and others were damaged, but not one person was injured. Residents are picking up the pieces after the fire left a scorched trail of devastation. "Well I got my passport." A passport and a drawer-full of papers and boxes is all that Ibrahim Zeidan could save from his home. The fire started around 11 a.m. Monday at the 400 block of Carolina Avenue. Filling the air with flames and smoke, it quickly spread to other houses. Zeidan was in a college class when he found out. "I checked online. Turns out my house was the one being shish-kabobed," said Zeidin. Whitehall Deputy Fire Marshal Mark Bilder says the homes were built in the '70s or '80s before firewalls were required by law. There were firewalls in the homes, Bilder said, but they only went up three floors and did not reach into the attic or crawl space. He says Monday's good weather kept the fire from getting worse. "We didn't have a high wind, so we didn't have a spread. Once we got the trench cut in place, that stopped the spread of the fire, we were able to extinguish the fire at that point," Bilder said. The fire jumped to the home of Wilson Torres, burning a small hole in the roof and melting the siding, but the damage was minor. Wilson says his pets are safe, and so are his neighbors, a senior couple next door, who came to his house in tears. Wilson took them in. "She was screaming, she was crying and screaming, he was saying that the fire started in the back of the house like where the kitchen is," Torres said. In total, about a dozen people were displaced, and five homes were damaged, two beyond repair, including Zeidan's, who came to America from Syria four years ago. This was his family's first American home, and now, they find themselves starting over again. "Everyone is safe, thank Jesus Christ, the Lord of Nazareth," said Zeidan. "My family are really devastated. Especially my mom and dad." Bilder says the damage was so extensive, crews have been unable to determine what caused the fire. He said an area, where they believe the fire started, collapsed, so the cause will remain undetermined. Bilder said the insurance company involved will conduct its own fire investigation. HELLERTOWN, Pa. - The former Champion spark plug factory just off Interstate 78 in Hellertown, a site once so polluted it fell under federal regulation, has been sold for $2.75 million. From 1930 to 1975, spark plugs were made at the site and waste including zinc plating materials, cleaners and oils were dumped in unlined lagoons, according to the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection. The land was deemed a Superfund site, a designation for polluted lands monitored by the EPA. In 2023, Lehigh Valley Hospital Network and Peron Development discussed plans for a "neighborhood hospital" at the property, which is a gateway to Hellertown. Peron Development said at that time that a small hospital would be suited for the site. Some of the land is covered by an asphalt cap that must remain in place. That section could be used for parking, Peron Development said in August. The EPA's remedies for the site included requiring "an impermeable cover over the former lagoon area and installation of a groundwater extraction and treatment system." Federal oversight of the area began in the 1980s and the EPA began designing its remedial system in 1992. Construction of the cover was completed in 1994, according to the EPA website. 69 News has contacted LVHN and Peron Development for details. Northampton County records recorded the sale of 1770 Main St. as effective on Feb. 28. The buyer is listed a limited liability corporation known as PD Hellertown, with offices in Easton. As investigators continue to search for the cause of a fire that destroyed two homes in Lehigh County, a man who used to live in one of those homes is reliving some painful memories that were rekindled by that fire. Dallas Bailey is reminiscing back to the '80s, when he lived in one of the town homes on Carolina Avenue in Whitehall Township. "It was good little neighborhood," he told 69 News reporter Blakely McHugh on Tuesday. He lived there for five years, until a fire overtook four of the six homes. "We were told that well, in 1970, when they were built, they didn't require firewalls," Bailey said. He and his neighbors lost everything, but they rebuilt, this time with fire protection. "It's my understanding when the builders put them, when the builders rebuilt and put them up, that they were required to put firewalls in there," Bailey said. But a few years later, another fire broke out at different home in the neighborhood, and Bailey decided it wasn't the place for him. "At that point I said to myself, I've gotta get out of here," he said. In 1991, he sold his home to a woman named Elaina. She lived there up until Monday, when a fired consumed her home and another home, and damaged three others. "When I saw the pictures on the news and particularly the part where the flames were coming out the back of the house, it was like I was there again," Bailey said. He tracked down Elaina, knowing all too well what it feels like to lose your home and everything in it. "It was just absolute shock, and then the next thing that came in was just sadness, because I have been through what these people are going through," Bailey said. Whitehall's deputy fire chief says the home did have firewalls up to three floors, but the attic crawl space did not have any. The Red Cross is now helping about a dozen people who have been displaced after Monday's fire. BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh Valley Left View, an online publication that has sought resolutions asking for a ceasefire in the Middle East, says several organizations plan a march from South Bethlehem to Bethlehem City Hall for Tuesday's city council meeting. No resolution asking for a ceasefire in the Gaza strip, a Palestinian enclave between Egypt and Israel, is on city council's agenda for Tuesday. LV Left View said "we now know the city council has broken their promise." Hamas, a militant group that controls parts of the Gaza strip, attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and took hostages back to Gaza. More than 30 people spoke in favor of a symbolic resolution at a Bethlehem City Council meeting Feb. 21. Requests for resolutions have been made elsewhere. Easton passed a resolution in favor of peace but did not call for a ceasefire. The issue of whether local government is the right venue for such votes, and what value such resolutions have, has been raised. Lehigh Valley Left View says marchers will gather at Farrington Square, an apartment complex for Lehigh University students, in South Bethlehem at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, and then go to Bethlehem City Hall for the 7 p.m. council meeting. The agenda includes city business: a permit for a book fair, the appointment of an assistant city solicitor and adjustments to the budget. The plans for a march were reported earlier by the blog LehighValleyRamblings. U. MOUNT BETHEL TWP., Pa. At a special meeting Monday night, the Upper Mount Bethel Township Board of Supervisors voted to dissolve its municipal sewer and wastewater authority less than six months after its creation. +2 Upper Mount Bethel votes 3-2 to approve municipal water authority Upper Mount Bethel supervisors approved the creation of the township's first-ever municipal authority, proposed as part of the River Pointe Logistics development. Established by the township's previous administration by a 3-2 vote back in September, the authority was designed explicitly to manage the future sewage and water needs of River Pointe Logistics (RPL), a sprawling industrial development proposed by developer Lou Pektor. RPL calls for more than 6 million square feet of building space on 800 acres of land at 2785 N. Delaware Drive/Route 611. Since last fall, the new administration led by board Chairman John Bermingham often a vocal opponent of RPL-related proposals has taken a more critical approach toward the development. The board voted unanimously in February to hire the law firm Gross McGinley LLP to investigate how to go about possibly disbanding the municipal authority, setting the stage for Monday's special meeting. The meeting began with a roughly 30-minute public comment session during which residents spoke both for and against maintaining the authority. As many residents rely on wells and septic systems, the township had previously lacked any authority for sewage issues. Proponents of the authority argued it served as a means for the township to regulate RPL's sewage proposal, which attorney Marc Kaplin said involved the developer constructing a 30,000-gallon maximum wastewater system available to certain township properties not owned by Pektor. Ceding this control would allow the developer or a third party to install a system not necessarily beneficial to residents without oversight, according to the authority's supporters. "If you take that control away from Upper Mount Bethel Township, you're sadly mistaken," said Robert Teel, chairman of the township's planning commission. Opponents said the creation of the authority had been rushed by the previous board, as it was established before obtaining an Act 537 agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and not recommended by township engineer Justin Coyle. Creating the authority was akin to "putting the cart before the horse," board Secretary Cori Eckman said later during the meeting. Following public comment, supervisors took turns discussing their thoughts on maintaining the municipal authority, largely agreeing about the merits of the authority as a concept and that some action was needed. "If we keep ignoring it, it's going to get worse," said Supervisor Jonathan Erler. "I'm not in favor of it (now), but I'm in favor of having more discussions," said board Treasurer Jason Albert. In what has become routine at Upper Mount Bethel meetings, Kaplin interjected multiple times during the board's discussion, prompting several heated exchanges with Bermingham. After almost an hour of discussion, Vice Chairman David Friedman motioned to table a decision for one month. Friedman's motion was seconded by Eckman, but later withdrawn after supervisors agreed to allow Pektor to address the board. Pektor used the opportunity to criticize the township's new administration for delaying progress on his development after he had vowed to invest his own money to go beyond some township requirements. Bermingham responded forcefully, leading to another heated exchange in which both men called each other "untrustworthy." Ultimately, Pektor's speech prompted Friedman to withdraw his initial motion and then motion to dissolve the municipal authority entirely by transferring its assets directly to the township. The motion passed by a 3-2 vote, with Bermingham and Eckman joining Friedman in favor, and Albert and Erler opposed. "I held out an olive branch, and I was kicked in the head," Friedman said of allowing Pektor to speak, drawing some audible criticism from members of the public. With the vote finalized, Bermingham concluded the meeting by vowing that the board would "go back, start from the beginning, and get it (the municipal authority) done the way our engineer said." The Upper Mount Bethel Township Board of Supervisors will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, March 11, according to the township's calendar. HARRISBURG, Pa. - Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are calling for expanded coverage for colorectal cancer screenings. State Reps. Pat Galagher, Tarik Khan, both D-Phila., and Perry Warren, D-Bucks, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol Tuesday announcing that they plan to introduce legislation that would update state insurance laws to expand coverage for colorectal cancer screenings. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths even though it is a very treatable form of cancer when caught early. When detected in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%. The legislation would update Pennsylvanias Insurance Company Law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50, according to a joint news release from the lawmakers. The lawmakers say current law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50 based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008. Multiple other states have updated their law to reflect more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018, the lawmakers say. The updated recommendations call for people to begin screening at age 45 rather than 50, according to the news release. Gallagher, who is a colorectal cancer survivor, said the legislation could result in more early detections and ultimately save lives. As a survivor of colorectal cancer, I know firsthand the impact that early detection and proper care can have on an individual's journey through the labyrinth of cancer, Gallagher said. This legislation is not just about updating insurance coverage; it's about saving lives and ensuring that no one has to face the challenges of colorectal cancer alone and that every Pennsylvanian, regardless of their circumstances, can access the screenings that could make all the difference. Khan, who serves as a nurse practitioner, said he encourages all his patients to get screenings. As a nurse practitioner, I encourage all my patients who qualify to get colon cancer screenings, he said. In fact, I even filmed myself getting a colonoscopy to increase awareness of this life-saving procedure. Tactics by insurance companies like prior authorizations and advanced notice add needless barriers for patients. Our bill addresses these unnecessary obstacles for patients to access these important screenings. Warren said the legislation could help patients and their families. Early detection can save the patient and family years of emotional headache and physical pain, he said. The legislators were joined by Dr. Benjamin Abella, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; Anna Payne, a Stage Four colon cancer patient and township supervisor of Middletown Township in Bucks County; and Kim Hall-Jackson, a survivor of colorectal cancer and an advocate. A Pennsylvania prison unit is helping men with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities stay safe behind bars while learning life skills. The unit is the first in the state and one of only a handful nationwide. It provides accommodations to help prisoners who struggle with overstimulation and physical coping needs. There is no comprehensive count on how many prisoners in the U.S. have developmental disabilities, and experts disagree on whether its better to segregate them or to provide more accommodations in the general prison population. But they agree on one thing: Its a growing population that has presented a challenge for prison officials as they try to balance a need for security with disability accommodations. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, ahead of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The result puts Trump back on the winning track, which was briefly interrupted on Sunday when Haley notched her first victory of the campaign in the District of Columbias primary. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when results will pour in from 16 states and one territory in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. Trump and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations later this month. Under North Dakotas rules, candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20% of the vote. However, a candidate who wins at least 60% of the vote receives all of the states 29 delegates. Four candidates were on the ballot, including Trump and Nikki Haley. The other candidates, who have received little attention, were Florida businessman David Stuckenberg and Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who recently ended his campaign. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who ended his unsuccessful presidential campaign in December, was speaking on Trumps behalf Monday night. He endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucuses. I think were going to send a message that is going to be a kickoff to tomorrow, which is President Donald Trump is going to close this out, this is going to be the end of the trail, and were going to say we have a nominee, and lets go after it, and beat Joe Biden in the fall," Burgum said in a virtual address to caucusgoers. Retired music teacher and librarian Karen Groninger, of Almont, said Monday that she voted for Trump, calling him the best choice. The 76-year-old cited Trumps 2020 speech at the annual March for Life anti-abortion event in Washington, D.C. the first by a sitting president and his border policies. Longtime Republican state Sen. Dick Dever, of Bismarck, said he voted for Haley, but added she was unlikely to win. The retired factory representative, 72, said, I hear an awful lot of people say that they really liked Trumps policies but they dont like the way he conducts himself, and I think hes gone overboard a bit. Caucus voters were encouraged to be paying party members, but those who wouldnt pay $50 for annual membership were asked to sign a pledge to affiliate with the party, caucus Chair Robert Harms said. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. The caucuses followed official state voter identification protocols, such as providing a drivers license. Voting was done only in person and on printed ballots, which were hand-counted. In 2016, it was a North Dakota delegate who helped Trump secure the number needed for the Republican presidential nomination. He swept North Dakota's three electoral college votes in 2016 and 2020, winning about 63% and 65% of those votes, respectively. As president, Trump visited Bismarck and Mandan in 2017 to talk about tax cuts, and he campaigned twice in Fargo in 2018 for Republican Kevin Cramer in the then-congressman's successful Senate bid against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. North Dakota's Democratic-NPL Party is holding a presidential primary almost entirely by mail, with mail-in voting from Feb. 20 to March 30, and limited in-person voting for residents of Indian reservations. Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips and six others are on the ballot. A third party will count ballots in Fargo on March 30, with results available on the partys website afterward. Sen. Bernie Sanders won the Democratic caucuses in 2016 and 2020. A Missouri Girl Scout troop that made bracelets to raise funds for children in Gaza was ordered to stop and threatened with legal action by regional scout leaders. Girl Scouts of the USA has said its eastern Missouri chapter was only following fundraising rules, but that it is disappointed and disheartened by the tone of its communication with the troop in St. Louis. That statement provoked outrage and ridicule from the girls supporters and advocates for people trapped in the Palestinian territory by the latest humanitarian crisis. The leader of Troop 149 says she is quitting scouting. Meanwhile, the bracelet sales have raised more than $10,000. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Tuesday 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's only the second time the global court has publicly announced arrest warrants linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. 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. Also wanted is Russian Navy Adm. Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, who was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. 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 emphasized 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. All wars have rules. Those rules bind all without exception. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 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, Zelenskyy 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." 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 Oct. 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 its 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. 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 Sokolov was dismissed from his post last month, although there has been no official confirmation yet. The reports of Sokolovs 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 isn't a member of the global court, doesn't recognize its jurisdiction and refuses to hand over suspects charged by the court. The court didn't release details of the warrants, in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the investigations. But it said it publicized 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. When it issued the arrest warrant for 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. Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Malaysias government says it may renew the search for MH370 after a U.S. technology firm proposed a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean where the Malaysia Airlines plane is believed to have crashed. The plane with 239 people aboard vanished a decade ago while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said Sunday that Texas-based Ocean Infinity proposed another no find, no fee search, expanding from the site where it first looked in 2018. He said he has invited the company to meet him for a briefing on its plan. Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett reportedly said the company has worked with many experts in analyzing data to narrow the search area and is ready to return to the search. MANILA, Philippines (AP) Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided in the disputed South China Sea and four Filipino crew members were injured in high-seas confrontations Tuesday as Southeast Asian leaders gathered for a summit that was expected to touch on Beijings aggression at sea. 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 maneuvers that caused two minor collisions between the Chinese ships and two of the Philippine vessels, Philippine officials said. Officials in China gave fewer details but the country's coast guard said that the Philippine ships were illegally intruding in the area's waters and accused one of them of ramming a Chinese vessel. Philippine officials said that the BRP Sindangan of the Philippine coast guard had minor structural damage from a collision that happened shortly after dawn. Over an hour later, another Chinese coast guard ship first blocked then collided with a supply boat the Philippine coast guard was escorting, the officials said. 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. China's latest unprovoked acts of coercion and dangerous maneuvers 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. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila summoned China's deputy ambassador to convey a protest against the Chinese coast guard's actions, which it said were unacceptable. The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin shoal immediately, the department said in a statement, using the Philippine name for the contested shoal. 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. 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. The shoal has been the site of several tense skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships last year. 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 Ren'ai Reef, the name Beijing uses for Second Thomas Shoal. The Chinese coast guard said a Philippine ship deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard vessel, causing a minor scratch. Washington strongly condemned the Chinese coast guard's actions and its ambassador in Manila, MaryKay Carlson, said the U.S. stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law. Australia and Japan separately expressed their concern over China's actions. In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the latest incidents demonstrated China's reckless disregard for the safety of Filipinos and also for international law," and that China was interfering with lawful Philippine maritime operations. 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 on Wednesday in Melbourne. 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. The Philippines and Vietnam plan to raise their alarm over China's 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 authorized 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. 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." The confrontations have sparked fears of a larger conflict that could involve the United States. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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. AP video producer Caroline Chen contributed to this report. Follow APs Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Spains Catalonia region rolled out a pioneering womens health initiative this week that offers reusable menstruation products for free. About 2.5 million women, girls, transgender and nonbinary people who menstruate can receive one menstrual cup, one pair of underwear for periods and two packages of cloth pads at local pharmacies in northeast Spain free of charge. The Catalan government said that the initiative, which is called My period, my rules, was meant to guarantee the right to menstrual equity. The regional government cited statistics that said 23% of women polled by Catalonias public opinion office said they had reused hygiene products designed for a single use for economic reasons. Tania Verge, Catalonias regional minister for equality and feminism, called the program a global first." Scotlands government passed a law in 2020 to ensure period products are available for free to anyone who needs them. But in comparison with the Catalan program, in Scotland the products are for single use and are distributed through schools, colleges and universities, not pharmacies. We are fighting menstrual poverty, which affects one in four women in Catalonia, but is also about gender justice. We are fighting the stereotypes and taboos about menstruation, Verge told The Associated Press. "And (...) it is about climate justice. We need to reduce the tons of waste generated by single-use menstrual products. The distribution of reusable products is also aimed at reducing waste. The regional government said that Catalonia produces about 9,000 tons of waste from single-use menstrual hygiene products. The reusable products are acquired by the public health care system, which covers the entire population, and distributed by Catalonias 3,000-plus private pharmacies. The program cost the regional government 8.5 million euros ($9.2 million). I am completely in favor of this initiative, 29-year-old graphic designer Laura Vilarasa said. It will give women a product that is absolutely necessary to have for zero cost. Spains national government passed a law last year granting women with debilitating menstrual pain the right to paid medical leave. Spain is gearing up for International Womens Day on March 8, when the European country holds some of the biggest marches for womens rights in the world. Sylvia Hui contributed to this report from London. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. envoy focusing on sexual violence in conflict said in a new report Monday that 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 Oct. 7. There are also reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing, said Pramila Patten, who visited Israel and the West Bank from Jan. 29 to Feb. 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 Oct. 7 attacks, which left about 1,200 people dead and some 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 U.N. says a quarter of Gazas 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 teams 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 U.N. Security Council. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Oct. 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. The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees on Monday said hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel after Oct. 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 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, 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. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Alberta Investment Management Corp decreased its position in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report) by 61.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 800 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 1,263 shares during the period. Alberta Investment Management Corps holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $886,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. TD Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 2.9% in the third quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 41,643 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $46,143,000 after purchasing an additional 1,180 shares during the period. Nicholas Company Inc. grew its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 12.4% in the second quarter. Nicholas Company Inc. now owns 12,915 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $16,940,000 after purchasing an additional 1,420 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the third quarter valued at about $3,743,000. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 161.6% in the second quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 7,434 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $9,751,000 after purchasing an additional 4,592 shares during the period. Finally, Axiom Investors LLC DE acquired a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the second quarter valued at about $18,360,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.11% of the companys stock. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,210.83, for a total value of $363,249.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,950,018.62. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,210.83, for a total transaction of $363,249.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,950,018.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Elisha W. Finney sold 251 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,177.35, for a total transaction of $295,514.85. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 316 shares in the company, valued at $372,042.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MTD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Mettler-Toledo International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 19th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,425.00 to $1,270.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,185.00 to $1,030.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Citigroup restated a sell rating and set a $975.00 price target (down from $1,050.00) on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, December 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,520.00 to $1,300.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $1,223.71. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Mettler-Toledo International Mettler-Toledo International Trading Down 0.8 % MTD stock traded down $10.26 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $1,276.28. 32,342 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 150,733. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $1,200.28 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,136.51. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 1 year low of $928.49 and a 1 year high of $1,615.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 1.15. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $9.40 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $10.32 by ($0.92). The firm had revenue of $934.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $959.45 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 904.59% and a net margin of 20.82%. Mettler-Toledo Internationals revenue for the quarter was down 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $12.10 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 39.91 EPS for the current year. Mettler-Toledo International Company Profile (Free Report) Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.Its industrial instruments comprise industrial weighing instruments and related terminals, automatic dimensional measurement and data capture solutions, vehicle scale systems, industrial software, metal detection equipment, x-ray systems, check weighing equipment, camera-based imaging equipment, track-and-trace solutions, and product inspection systems. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alberta Investment Management Corp reduced its holdings in Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Free Report) by 14.0% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 19,152 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,127 shares during the quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corps holdings in Planet Fitness were worth $942,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in PLNT. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Planet Fitness by 13.4% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the companys stock worth $112,000 after buying an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund grew its position in Planet Fitness by 801.5% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 1,839 shares of the companys stock worth $155,000 after buying an additional 1,635 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Planet Fitness during the first quarter worth about $357,000. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Planet Fitness by 34.8% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,184,140 shares of the companys stock worth $606,915,000 after buying an additional 1,852,867 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in Planet Fitness during the first quarter worth about $919,000. 95.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Planet Fitness alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Craig R. Benson acquired 10,000 shares of Planet Fitness stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $68.15 per share, with a total value of $681,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,385,250. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Craig R. Benson bought 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $68.15 per share, for a total transaction of $681,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 35,000 shares in the company, valued at $2,385,250. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Christopher Rondeau sold 1,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.55, for a total transaction of $66,550,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 4.95% of the companys stock. Planet Fitness Trading Up 0.9 % Shares of NYSE:PLNT traded up $0.57 on Tuesday, reaching $62.72. 413,245 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,439,555. The company has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.70, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a fifty day moving average of $69.61 and a 200-day moving average of $62.78. Planet Fitness, Inc. has a twelve month low of $44.13 and a twelve month high of $84.48. Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $285.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $282.35 million. Planet Fitness had a net margin of 12.91% and a negative return on equity of 120.89%. The firms revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.53 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Planet Fitness, Inc. will post 2.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on PLNT shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Planet Fitness from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Planet Fitness from $75.00 to $72.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 26th. StockNews.com raised Planet Fitness from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 12th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $62.00 price objective on shares of Planet Fitness in a report on Monday, February 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Planet Fitness from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $71.00. Get Our Latest Report on PLNT Planet Fitness Profile (Free Report) Planet Fitness, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness brand. The company operates through three segments: Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment. The Franchise segment is involved in franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PLNT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Planet Fitness Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Planet Fitness and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alteryx, Inc. (NYSE:AYX Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 3,630,000 shares, a decline of 5.2% from the January 31st total of 3,830,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,290,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Alteryx Stock Down 0.0 % Shares of AYX traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $48.04. The companys stock had a trading volume of 525,796 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,929,839. The companys 50-day moving average is $47.55 and its 200-day moving average is $40.46. Alteryx has a 52-week low of $27.92 and a 52-week high of $70.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.49 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.42. Get Alteryx alerts: Alteryx (NYSE:AYX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.67. Alteryx had a negative net margin of 18.46% and a negative return on equity of 118.87%. The firm had revenue of $351.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $337.67 million. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Alteryx will post -1.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AYX. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $48.25 target price on shares of Alteryx in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Alteryx in a report on Monday, December 18th. DA Davidson started coverage on shares of Alteryx in a report on Tuesday, November 14th. They set a neutral rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Rosenblatt Securities reiterated a neutral rating and set a $48.25 price target on shares of Alteryx in a report on Friday, February 9th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Alteryx in a report on Monday, February 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.75. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AYX Insider Buying and Selling at Alteryx In other Alteryx news, Director Dean Stoecker bought 42,500 shares of Alteryx stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $47.90 per share, for a total transaction of $2,035,750.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 77,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,712,250. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 13.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alteryx A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Alteryx by 14.9% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,583 shares of the companys stock valued at $114,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its stake in Alteryx by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 29,761 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,662,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina increased its stake in Alteryx by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 27,157 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,281,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Alteryx by 7.1% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,636 shares of the companys stock valued at $332,000 after purchasing an additional 307 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Alteryx during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.37% of the companys stock. About Alteryx (Get Free Report) Alteryx, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the analytics automation business in the United States and internationally. The company's analytics platform automates tasks for workers across the analytics value chain. Its analytics platform comprises Alteryx Designer, a data profiling, preparation, blending, and analytics product; Alteryx Server, a server-based product for scheduling, sharing, and running analytic processes and applications in a web-based environment; Alteryx Intelligence Suite, a solution that provides automated modeling, optical character recognition, and natural language processing; and Alteryx Connect, a collaborative data exploration platform. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Alteryx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alteryx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 11,825,836 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 48% from the previous sessions volume of 7,981,389 shares.The stock last traded at $4.61 and had previously closed at $4.33. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on BBAI shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and set a $3.00 price target on shares of BigBear.ai in a research report on Monday. William Blair reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of BigBear.ai in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Get BigBear.ai alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on BBAI BigBear.ai Stock Down 8.3 % Insider Buying and Selling The company has a market cap of $622.58 million, a PE ratio of -7.71 and a beta of 3.86. The businesss fifty day moving average is $2.10 and its 200-day moving average is $1.76. In other news, Director Avi S. Katz sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.81, for a total value of $90,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 786,403 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,423,389.43. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, Director Raluca Dinu sold 13,029 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.92, for a total transaction of $25,015.68. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 773,374 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,484,878.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Avi S. Katz sold 50,000 shares of BigBear.ai stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.81, for a total value of $90,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 786,403 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,423,389.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of BigBear.ai Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BBAI. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in shares of BigBear.ai in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $5,390,000. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BigBear.ai during the 2nd quarter worth $4,858,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of BigBear.ai by 129.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,901,954 shares of the companys stock worth $2,872,000 after purchasing an additional 1,072,487 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in BigBear.ai by 130.4% in the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 748,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,131,000 after buying an additional 423,893 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp purchased a new position in BigBear.ai during the second quarter worth about $1,098,000. 1.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. BigBear.ai Company Profile (Get Free Report) BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc provides artificial intelligence and machine learning for decision support. The company operates through two segments, Cyber & Engineering and Analytics. The Cyber & Engineering segment offers high-end technology and management consulting services. It focuses in the areas of cloud engineering and enterprise IT, cybersecurity, computer network operations and wireless, systems engineering, and strategy and program planning. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BigBear.ai Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BigBear.ai and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM Free Report) had its price target lowered by BMO Capital Markets from $75.00 to $70.00 in a report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the basic materials companys stock. Several other analysts also recently commented on SQM. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $58.00 to $52.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $64.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a sell rating to a neutral rating and set a $54.50 target price for the company in a report on Friday, December 15th. TheStreet cut Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a b- rating to a c rating in a report on Friday, February 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank increased their target price on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.00. Get Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Stock Performance SQM stock opened at $48.15 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $47.86 and its 200-day moving average is $52.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 2.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The company has a market cap of $13.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.83 and a beta of 1.07. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a twelve month low of $38.50 and a twelve month high of $89.59. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE:SQM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The basic materials company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.22 by ($0.51). The business had revenue of $1.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.36 billion. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a return on equity of 37.86% and a net margin of 26.95%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.03 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile will post 4.65 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. First Capital Advisors Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 153.8% during the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 825 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the first quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 87.6% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 694 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 324 shares during the last quarter. 14.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (Get Free Report) Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC decreased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,343 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,003 shares during the quarter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $774,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BMY. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 61.5% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 525 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on BMY. Bank of America lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. StockNews.com upgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $58.00 to $51.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald downgraded Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 price objective on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $61.17. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 1.6 % Shares of BMY stock traded up $0.79 on Tuesday, reaching $51.71. 9,175,132 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 14,839,723. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 12-month low of $47.58 and a 12-month high of $71.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.43. The company has a market capitalization of $104.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.38. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $50.29 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $53.43. 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, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.15. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 50.95% and a net margin of 17.83%. The business had revenue of $11.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.19 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.82 earnings per share. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue for the quarter was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share 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 issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.64%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is 62.18%. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, December 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the biopharmaceutical company to buy up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are generally an indication that the companys board 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. Read More 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. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec reduced its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS Free Report) by 98.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 754 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 57,122 shares during the quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $330,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of FDS. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 28.8% during the 3rd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 103 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in FactSet Research Systems by 1.7% during the second quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,485 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $595,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC raised its position in FactSet Research Systems by 0.9% during the third quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 2,875 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,257,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its position in FactSet Research Systems by 82.9% in the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 64 shares of the business services providers stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Institutional & Family Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Institutional & Family Asset Management LLC now owns 9,660 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,224,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.50% of the companys stock. Get FactSet Research Systems alerts: Insider Activity at FactSet Research Systems In other news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.76, for a total transaction 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 filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other FactSet Research Systems news, CTO Katherine M. Stepp sold 1,014 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the chief technology officer now directly owns 687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $322,374.75. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 9,291 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 23,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,562,659.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 14,805 shares of company stock worth $6,805,651 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. FactSet Research Systems Price Performance Shares of NYSE FDS opened at $465.14 on Tuesday. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a 52 week low of $377.89 and a 52 week high of $487.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The firm has a market cap of $17.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.73. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $467.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $451.52. FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $4.12 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.10 by $0.02. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 34.47% and a net margin of 22.60%. The firm had revenue of $542.20 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $540.34 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.99 earnings per share. FactSet Research Systemss revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 15.76 earnings per share for the current year. FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 29th will be given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 28th. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.72%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $447.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $436.00 to $469.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and issued a $464.00 price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a $480.00 target price (up from $471.00) on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research note on Friday, December 8th. 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $434.25. View Our Latest Analysis on FactSet Research Systems 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. Further Reading 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. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday. A number of other research firms have also commented on CPT. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Camden Property Trust in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $112.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Camden Property Trust from $95.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, February 26th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating and set a $100.00 price objective on shares of Camden Property Trust in a report on Friday, December 15th. Mizuho cut their target price on Camden Property Trust from $103.00 to $99.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Camden Property Trust from $111.50 to $110.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $104.12. Get Camden Property Trust alerts: Get Our Latest Report on CPT Camden Property Trust Price Performance NYSE:CPT opened at $96.76 on Friday. Camden Property Trust has a 12-month low of $82.81 and a 12-month high of $117.84. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $96.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $96.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.15, a P/E/G ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.83. Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 2nd. The real estate investment trust reported $2.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.31. Camden Property Trust had a return on equity of 8.07% and a net margin of 26.15%. The company had revenue of $387.59 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $387.33 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.74 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Camden Property Trust will post 6.78 earnings per share for the current year. Camden Property Trust Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is a boost from Camden Property Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.26%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. Camden Property Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 108.11%. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Richard J. Campo sold 38,336 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.22, for a total transaction of $3,765,361.92. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 267,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at $26,237,705.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, EVP William W. Sengelmann sold 6,493 shares of Camden Property Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.21, for a total transaction of $637,677.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 75,082 shares in the company, valued at $7,373,803.22. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Richard J. Campo sold 38,336 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.22, for a total transaction of $3,765,361.92. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 267,132 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $26,237,705.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 55,957 shares of company stock valued at $5,495,920. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Camden Property Trust Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 57.0% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 259 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Camden Property Trust by 135.2% in the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 334 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in Camden Property Trust by 60.8% in the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 381 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Tobam increased its holdings in shares of Camden Property Trust by 4,166.7% in the 4th quarter. Tobam now owns 384 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 375 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Camden Property Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Institutional investors own 95.04% of the companys stock. About Camden Property Trust (Get Free Report) Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,634 apartment homes across the United States. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Camden Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Camden Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Securities upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM Free Report) (NYSE:CM) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have C$70.00 price target on the stock, up from their prior price target of C$65.00. CM has been the topic of several other reports. Cormark lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$64.00 to C$68.00 in a research note on Friday. National Bankshares raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from C$62.00 to C$71.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$64.00 to C$67.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$65.00 to C$67.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Desjardins lifted their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$64.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$65.38. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Dividend Announcement TSE:CM opened at C$65.82 on Friday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 52-week low of C$47.44 and a 52-week high of C$66.42. The businesss fifty day moving average is C$62.31 and its 200 day moving average is C$56.90. The firm has a market cap of C$61.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.06, a PEG ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.09. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.05%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (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. Canadian Natural Resources (TSE:CNQ Free Report) (NYSE:CNQ) had its price objective boosted by Royal Bank of Canada from C$94.00 to C$100.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock. Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$95.00 to C$86.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Desjardins lowered their price objective on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$97.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Canadian Natural Resources from C$105.00 to C$110.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Canadian Natural Resources from C$106.00 to C$100.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 18th. Finally, National Bankshares upped their price objective on Canadian Natural Resources from C$90.00 to C$94.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$98.06. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CNQ Canadian Natural Resources Stock Performance Canadian Natural Resources Increases Dividend Shares of TSE CNQ opened at C$95.74 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$104.36 billion, a PE ratio of 14.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.98. Canadian Natural Resources has a 52 week low of C$67.13 and a 52 week high of C$98.69. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$86.43 and a 200 day moving average price of C$87.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.01, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.96. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 5th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 14th. This is an increase from Canadian Natural Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.39%. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 59.51%. Insider Buying and Selling at Canadian Natural Resources In other news, Director Norman Murray Edwards sold 270,000 shares of Canadian Natural Resources 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. In other Canadian Natural Resources news, Director Norman Murray Edwards sold 270,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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. Also, Senior Officer Devin Craig Lowe sold 1,170 shares of Canadian Natural Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$96.61, for a total transaction of C$113,033.70. Insiders have sold a total of 426,074 shares of company stock valued at $37,656,884 in the last ninety days. 2.23% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile (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. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec lowered its stake in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (NYSE:BVN Free Report) by 4.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 83,410 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 4,300 shares during the period. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebecs holdings in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. were worth $711,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 1.0% in the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 25,467,733 shares of the mining companys stock worth $216,985,000 after acquiring an additional 251,159 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 4.4% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,531,799 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $104,529,000 after buying an additional 660,711 shares during the period. Westwood Global Investments LLC lifted its stake in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. Westwood Global Investments LLC now owns 13,759,968 shares of the mining companys stock worth $117,235,000 after acquiring an additional 360,516 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 12,193,046 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $103,885,000 after acquiring an additional 1,083,419 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 6,312,339 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $53,781,000 after purchasing an additional 136,735 shares during the period. Get Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. alerts: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Stock Up 1.1 % BVN stock opened at $15.89 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $15.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $11.17. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. has a 52-week low of $6.45 and a 52-week high of $15.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.38. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. from $12.50 to $13.00 and gave the company a sector underperform rating in a research report on Monday. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Profile (Free Report) Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA. engages in the exploration, mining, concentration, smelting, and marketing of polymetallic ores and metals in Peru, the United States, Asia, and Europe. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper metals. It operates operating mining units, including Tambomayo located in the Caylloma province, Orcopampa Unit located in the province of Castilla, Uchucchacua located in province of Oyon, Julcani located in province of Angaraes, Peru, as well as San Gabrie located in the province of General Sanchez Cerro, in the Moquegua region. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legacy Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 5.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,579 shares of the conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Legacy Advisors LLCs holdings in Danaher were worth $888,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fairfield Bush & CO. lifted its stake in Danaher by 10.9% in the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 4,840 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,420,000 after buying an additional 475 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its stake in Danaher by 19.3% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,468 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $724,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in Danaher by 76.8% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 495 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Danaher by 14.1% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 31,530 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $9,248,000 after buying an additional 3,897 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgewater Associates LP lifted its stake in Danaher by 135.9% in the first quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 35,270 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $10,346,000 after buying an additional 20,320 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.71% of the companys stock. Get Danaher alerts: Danaher Stock Performance Shares of DHR stock traded down $0.98 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $255.21. 938,076 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,745,295. Danaher Co. has a fifty-two week low of $182.09 and a fifty-two week high of $259.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $188.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 0.84. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $239.64 and a 200-day moving average price of $230.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.37, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Danaher Increases Dividend Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The conglomerate reported $2.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.91 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $6.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. Danaher had a return on equity of 12.25% and a net margin of 17.26%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.87 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Danaher Co. will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 27th. This is a positive change from Danahers previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. Danahers dividend payout ratio is 15.02%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Danaher from $254.00 to $282.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Raymond James lifted their price target on Danaher from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. StockNews.com lowered Danaher from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, January 31st. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Danaher in a report on Wednesday, December 13th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Danaher from $250.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, December 20th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $266.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on DHR Insider Activity In other news, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total transaction of $816,724.48. Following the transaction, the director now owns 19,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,898,360.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Danaher news, Director Teri List sold 3,289 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $248.32, for a total value of $816,724.48. Following the transaction, the director now owns 19,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,898,360.32. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Daniel Raskas sold 23,757 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $252.00, for a total value of $5,986,764.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 38,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,601,704. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 32,957 shares of company stock valued at $8,265,802 over the last 90 days. 11.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Danaher Profile (Free Report) Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DRI Healthcare Trust (TSE:DHT.UN Free Report) had its price objective increased by National Bankshares from C$22.00 to C$23.50 in a research note published on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. National Bankshares currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Raymond James upgraded shares of DRI Healthcare Trust from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from C$22.00 to C$24.00 in a report on Friday. CIBC raised their price target on DRI Healthcare Trust from C$19.00 to C$19.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday. Scotiabank upped their price objective on DRI Healthcare Trust from C$22.00 to C$24.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, February 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on DRI Healthcare Trust from C$21.00 to C$22.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a C$18.00 target price on shares of DRI Healthcare Trust in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, DRI Healthcare Trust has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of C$21.83. Get DRI Healthcare Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DRI Healthcare Trust DRI Healthcare Trust Stock Performance DRI Healthcare Trust Announces Dividend DHT.UN stock opened at C$16.00 on Friday. DRI Healthcare Trust has a fifty-two week low of C$7.16 and a fifty-two week high of C$16.50. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$13.68. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th were issued a dividend of $0.075 per share. This represents a $0.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 28th. DRI Healthcare Trusts payout ratio is 18.43%. About DRI Healthcare Trust (Get Free Report) DRI Healthcare Trust focuses on managing and growing a portfolio of pharmaceutical royalties. It owns a portfolio of 18 royalties derived from the sale of 14 various pharmaceutical products that focuses on eight therapeutic areas. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for DRI Healthcare Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DRI Healthcare Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Element Capital Management LLC decreased its position in Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA Free Report) by 9.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 34,834 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 3,528 shares during the period. Element Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Ormat Technologies worth $2,436,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,093,461 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $731,660,000 after buying an additional 565,321 shares during the last quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc raised its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 2,294,532 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $159,710,000 after buying an additional 242,252 shares during the last quarter. Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter. Global Alpha Capital Management Ltd. now owns 2,117,339 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $149,232,000 after buying an additional 127,149 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,947,280 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $165,071,000 after buying an additional 137,486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its stake in shares of Ormat Technologies by 29.9% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,566,912 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $136,253,000 after buying an additional 361,083 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.24% of the companys stock. Get Ormat Technologies alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets ORA has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. TD Cowen dropped their target price on Ormat Technologies from $74.00 to $70.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on Ormat Technologies from $84.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 19th. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on Ormat Technologies from $82.00 to $75.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, February 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ormat Technologies presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $82.00. Ormat Technologies Price Performance ORA stock traded down $0.68 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $64.87. The stock had a trading volume of 180,785 shares, compared to its average volume of 461,613. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.45, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.48. The companys 50-day moving average price is $68.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.23. Ormat Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $58.73 and a twelve month high of $90.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.12. Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The energy company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $241.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $239.71 million. Ormat Technologies had a return on equity of 5.09% and a net margin of 15.00%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 17.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Ormat Technologies, Inc. will post 2.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ormat Technologies Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. Ormat Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 22.97%. About Ormat Technologies (Free Report) Ormat Technologies, Inc engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ORA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ormat Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ormat Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 5. The credit and grant agreements between Kyrgyzstan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the bank's Kyrgyz Water Resilience Framework, covering subprojects in the cities of Kadamzhai, Tash-Komur, Kok-Jangak, and Aidarken, signed on May 16, 2023, in Samarkand, have been ratified, Trend reports. According to the press service of the Kyrgyz president, the corresponding law was signed by President Sadyr Zhaparov. The law was adopted by the parliament on January 17, 2024. The law provides for the execution of domestic procedures necessary for the ratification of the credit and grant agreements. Specifically, the credit agreement entails the provision of an 8 million euro loan to Kyrgyzstan from the EBRD, consisting of 4 tranches: 2 million euro each for Kadamzhai, Tash-Komur, Kok-Jangak, and Aidarken. The funds will be directed towards the procurement and delivery of working stations, office equipment, specialized vehicles, working and laboratory equipment, equipment for meter calibration and testing, construction of administrative buildings, and the restoration and expansion of water supply systems in the mentioned cities. Additionally, the grant agreement includes the provision of grant funds from the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund, amounting to 8 million euro. Evergreen Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI Free Report) by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 152,262 shares of the blue-jean makers stock after purchasing an additional 2,096 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in Levi Strauss & Co. were worth $2,068,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in LEVI. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Levi Strauss & Co. by 0.9% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,848,857 shares of the blue-jean makers stock valued at $113,573,000 after buying an additional 68,649 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 20.5% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,365,036 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $125,773,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084,969 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 11.7% in the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 5,989,518 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $109,189,000 after purchasing an additional 626,601 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 1.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,913,865 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $80,310,000 after purchasing an additional 105,924 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 4.5% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,898,650 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $27,398,000 after purchasing an additional 82,421 shares during the period. 19.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Levi Strauss & Co. alerts: Insider Activity In related news, EVP Elizabeth T. Oneill sold 38,975 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.00, for a total value of $662,575.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 58,224 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $989,808. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Levi Strauss & Co. news, major shareholder Margaret E. Haas sold 9,462 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.01, for a total transaction of $170,410.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Elizabeth T. Oneill sold 38,975 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.00, for a total transaction of $662,575.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 58,224 shares in the company, valued at $989,808. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 97,850 shares of company stock valued at $1,707,815. 3.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have weighed in on LEVI. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $21.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $18.00 to $17.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 26th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Levi Strauss & Co. from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Levi Strauss & Co. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $16.70. View Our Latest Research Report on LEVI Levi Strauss & Co. Trading Down 0.1 % Shares of LEVI traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $18.32. The stock had a trading volume of 484,921 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,917,255. Levi Strauss & Co. has a 1 year low of $12.41 and a 1 year high of $18.47. The firm has a market cap of $7.29 billion, a PE ratio of 29.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The stocks 50 day moving average is $16.83 and its 200 day moving average is $15.24. Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The blue-jean maker reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.01. Levi Strauss & Co. had a net margin of 4.04% and a return on equity of 22.33%. The business had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.66 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.34 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Levi Strauss & Co. will post 1.24 EPS for the current fiscal year. Levi Strauss & Co. Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 23rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 7th were paid a $0.12 dividend. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.62%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, February 6th. Levi Strauss & Co.s dividend payout ratio is currently 76.19%. Levi Strauss & Co. Profile (Free Report) Levi Strauss & Co designs, markets, and sells apparels and related accessories for men, women, and children worldwide. The company offers jeans, casual and dress pants, activewears, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, sweaters, jackets, footwear, and related accessories under the Levi's, Dockers, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co, Denizen, and Beyond Yoga brands. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LEVI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Levi Strauss & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Levi Strauss & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC decreased its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEARCA:EWU Free Report) by 1.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 88,476 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,065 shares during the period. Evergreen Capital Management LLC owned 0.10% of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF worth $2,799,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of EWU. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 309.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 61,163 shares of the companys stock worth $2,058,000 after acquiring an additional 46,230 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 14.3% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 25,435 shares of the companys stock valued at $856,000 after buying an additional 3,178 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 3.9% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 151,249 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,157,000 after buying an additional 5,653 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 3.1% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,158,217 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,962,000 after buying an additional 34,341 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 7.2% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 127,032 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,273,000 after buying an additional 8,559 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF alerts: iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Stock Performance Shares of EWU traded up $0.05 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $32.87. 710,164 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,826,138. The stocks fifty day moving average is $32.58 and its 200 day moving average is $32.11. The stock has a market cap of $2.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.02 and a beta of 0.83. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF has a 1-year low of $30.00 and a 1-year high of $34.04. About iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI United Kingdom index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of British companies. It covers the top 85% of British companies by market cap. EWU was launched on Mar 12, 1996 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEARCA:EWU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA lessened its holdings in shares of Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Free Report) by 3.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 239,731 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 7,821 shares during the quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in Portland General Electric were worth $9,704,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 5,617 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 44.0% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 854 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,394 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 34,001 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,477,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Portland General Electric by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 41,436 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,030,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Get Portland General Electric alerts: Portland General Electric Trading Up 1.0 % Shares of POR traded up $0.40 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $41.17. 117,796 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 967,071. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. Portland General Electric has a 1 year low of $38.01 and a 1 year high of $51.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.63, a PEG ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.57. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $41.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.86. Portland General Electric Dividend Announcement Portland General Electric ( NYSE:POR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, February 16th. The utilities provider reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.88 by ($0.20). Portland General Electric had a net margin of 7.80% and a return on equity of 7.21%. The business had revenue of $725.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $740.21 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.70 earnings per share. Portland General Electrics quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Portland General Electric will post 3.06 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be issued a $0.475 dividend. This represents a $1.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.62%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. Portland General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.55%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In POR has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays dropped their target price on Portland General Electric from $45.00 to $42.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. Mizuho reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $42.00 price target (down from $43.00) on shares of Portland General Electric in a research note on Tuesday, February 20th. UBS Group raised Portland General Electric from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $47.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Monday, January 29th. Bank of America cut Portland General Electric from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $43.00 in a research note on Monday, February 5th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Portland General Electric from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $45.13. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on POR Portland General Electric Profile (Free Report) Portland General Electric Company, an integrated electric utility company, engages in the generation, wholesale purchase, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity in the state of Oregon. It operates six thermal plants, three wind farms, and seven hydroelectric facilities. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned an electric transmission system consisting of 1,254 circuit miles, including 287 circuit miles of 500 kilovolt line, 413 circuit miles of 230 kilovolt line, and 554 miles of 115 kilovolt line; and served 934 thousand retail customers in 51 cities. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding POR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Portland General Electric (NYSE:POR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Portland General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Portland General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gotham Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB Free Report) by 67.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 11,959 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 4,831 shares during the quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLCs holdings in AvalonBay Communities were worth $2,054,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AVB. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board raised its position in AvalonBay Communities by 91.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 3,099 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 1,481 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 35.2% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 15,813 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,716,000 after purchasing an additional 4,116 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 6.9% in the 3rd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 63,225 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $10,858,000 after purchasing an additional 4,066 shares during the period. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. boosted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 200.7% in the 3rd quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. now owns 159,834 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,450,000 after purchasing an additional 106,676 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 42.5% in the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 139,327 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $23,928,000 after purchasing an additional 41,585 shares during the period. 88.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get AvalonBay Communities alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have commented on AVB. Wolfe Research cut shares of AvalonBay Communities from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and set a $191.00 price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Thursday, February 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of AvalonBay Communities in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a buy rating and a $206.00 price target on the stock. Barclays raised shares of AvalonBay Communities from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $194.00 to $204.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on shares of 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 issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $196.34. AvalonBay Communities Price Performance Shares of NYSE AVB opened at $185.17 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $179.24 and its 200-day moving average price is $176.99. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a 1-year low of $153.07 and a 1-year high of $198.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.27, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.92. 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 (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.70 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.73 by ($1.03). AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.98% and a net margin of 33.56%. The business had revenue of $704.71 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $701.67 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.59 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 10.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 28th will be given a $1.70 dividend. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. This is an increase from AvalonBay Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio is presently 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. See Also 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. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $274.00. ASR has been the subject of a number of research reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a sell rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $274.00 to $326.00 in a report on Friday, January 26th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 27th. Finally, Citigroup downgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. from a neutral rating to a sell rating and decreased their target price for the company from $228.00 to $222.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 28th. Get Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Institutional Trading of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Stock Down 0.5 % Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 17.6% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 39,482 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $8,749,000 after purchasing an additional 5,900 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 13.5% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,090 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $463,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 7.1% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 766 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $170,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 3.4% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 7,059 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,538,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the period. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. by 10.0% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 360,238 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $79,830,000 after purchasing an additional 32,860 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.05% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE ASR opened at $287.13 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $291.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $260.02. The firm has a market cap of $8.61 billion, a PE ratio of 14.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.17. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. has a 1 year low of $165.00 and a 1 year high of $317.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 4.26 and a quick ratio of 2.97. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. Company Profile (Get Free Report Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. holds concessions to operate, maintain, and develop airports in the southeast region of Mexico. The company operates airports that are located in the cities of Cancun, Cozumel, Merida, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Tapachula, and Minatitlan. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S. A. B. de C. V. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guild Holdings (NYSE:GHLD Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $14.49, but opened at $14.01. Guild shares last traded at $14.22, with a volume of 796 shares. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have weighed in on GHLD. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Guild from $13.00 to $12.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Guild in a research report on Wednesday, February 21st. They issued a buy rating and a $18.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Guild from $12.00 to $14.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Get Guild alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Guild Guild Stock Performance Insider Buying and Selling at Guild The company has a market cap of $856.01 million, a P/E ratio of 22.63 and a beta of 1.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $14.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. In related news, Director Edward Bryant, Jr. sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.37, for a total transaction of $30,925.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 25,889 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $320,246.93. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 78.24% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Guild Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Guild by 60.2% in the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,726 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,024 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Guild in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in shares of Guild by 117.4% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,187 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,721 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada purchased a new position in Guild during the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC acquired a new position in Guild in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 7.85% of the companys stock. About Guild (Get Free Report) Guild Holdings Company originates, sells, and services residential mortgage loans in the United States. It operates in two segments, Origination and Servicing. The company originates residential mortgages through retail and correspondent channels. Guild Holdings Company was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Guild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Guild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA decreased its stake in HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ Free Report) by 28.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 352,529 shares of the computer makers stock after selling 136,964 shares during the period. Glenmede Trust Co. NAs holdings in HP were worth $9,060,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. California Public Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in HP by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 2,966,113 shares of the computer makers stock valued at $76,229,000 after acquiring an additional 112,427 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of HP by 23.6% during the third quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 21,204 shares of the computer makers stock worth $545,000 after purchasing an additional 4,054 shares in the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC lifted its position in shares of HP by 8.8% during the third quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 62,575 shares of the computer makers stock worth $1,608,000 after purchasing an additional 5,064 shares in the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. lifted its position in shares of HP by 111.9% during the second quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. now owns 12,103 shares of the computer makers stock worth $372,000 after purchasing an additional 6,391 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rheos Capital Works Inc. acquired a new position in shares of HP during the third quarter worth $3,855,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.04% of the companys stock. Get HP alerts: HP Trading Up 1.0 % HPQ traded up $0.30 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $29.36. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,497,609 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,211,436. HP Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $25.22 and a fifty-two week high of $33.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.79 billion, a PE ratio of 8.50, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.57. HP Dividend Announcement HP ( NYSE:HPQ Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 28th. The computer maker reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.81. The company had revenue of $13.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.56 billion. HP had a negative return on equity of 181.02% and a net margin of 6.45%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.75 EPS. Research analysts expect that HP Inc. will post 3.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 13th will be given a $0.2756 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 12th. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.75%. HPs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.16%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HPQ has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley raised shares of HP from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $31.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. Citigroup raised shares of HP from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $31.00 to $33.00 in a report on Monday, November 13th. HSBC raised shares of HP from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $30.00 to $33.00 in a report on Wednesday, February 14th. StockNews.com lowered shares of HP from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Evercore ISI raised shares of HP from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $33.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Monday, December 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.40. Read Our Latest Analysis on HP Insider Transactions at HP In related news, CEO Enrique Lores sold 38,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.75, for a total transaction of $1,130,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 888,911 shares in the company, valued at $26,445,102.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. HP Profile (Free Report) HP Inc provides products, technologies, software, solutions, and services to individual consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors worldwide. It operates through Personal Systems and Printing segments. The Personal Systems segment offers commercial personal computers (PCs), consumer PCs, workstations, thin clients, commercial tablets and mobility devices, retail point-of-sale systems, displays and other related accessories, software, support, and services for the commercial and consumer markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $118.23 and last traded at $118.22, with a volume of 18578 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $117.35. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently issued reports on INGR shares. Stephens restated an overweight rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of Ingredion in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Ingredion from $132.00 to $136.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Ingredion from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $122.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Thursday, February 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $124.67. Get Ingredion alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on INGR Ingredion Stock Down 0.3 % The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $110.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.85. The company has a market cap of $7.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.92. Ingredion (NYSE:INGR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $1.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.10. Ingredion had a return on equity of 18.57% and a net margin of 7.88%. The company had revenue of $1.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.07 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.65 earnings per share. Ingredions revenue for the quarter was down 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Ingredion Incorporated will post 9.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Ingredion Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd were paid a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 29th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.67%. Ingredions dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.50%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Ingredion news, VP Davida Marie Gable sold 1,968 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.38, for a total value of $231,003.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,723 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $202,245.74. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Larry Fernandes sold 2,369 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.08, for a total value of $272,624.52. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 28,966 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,333,407.28. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Davida Marie Gable sold 1,968 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.38, for a total value of $231,003.84. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 1,723 shares in the company, valued at $202,245.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 4,339 shares of company stock valued at $503,846 over the last quarter. Insiders own 1.56% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. FIL Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Ingredion by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 275,832 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,936,000 after purchasing an additional 9,684 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in shares of Ingredion by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 36,557 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,968,000 after purchasing an additional 2,563 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its stake in Ingredion by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 30,740 shares of the companys stock worth $3,336,000 after buying an additional 753 shares during the period. Townsquare Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Ingredion during the 4th quarter worth $275,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Ingredion by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,773,126 shares of the companys stock worth $843,617,000 after buying an additional 427,496 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.80% of the companys stock. About Ingredion (Get Free Report) Ingredion Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells sweeteners, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterial solutions derived from wet milling and processing corn, and other starch-based materials to a range of industries in North America, South America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ingredion Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingredion and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco High Income Trust II (NYSE:VLT Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Monday, March 4th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0964 per share by the financial services provider on Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. Invesco High Income Trust II Price Performance VLT stock remained flat at $10.63 during midday trading on Tuesday. The company had a trading volume of 2,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,007. Invesco High Income Trust II has a twelve month low of $9.29 and a twelve month high of $11.07. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $10.46 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.18. Get Invesco High Income Trust II alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco High Income Trust II Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in shares of Invesco High Income Trust II by 28.6% in the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 9,192 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $95,000 after buying an additional 2,046 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its position in shares of Invesco High Income Trust II by 32.7% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 8,010 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 1,974 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its position in shares of Invesco High Income Trust II by 19.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 12,064 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $149,000 after buying an additional 1,959 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco High Income Trust II by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 15,409 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $161,000 after buying an additional 916 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of Invesco High Income Trust II by 7.5% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 19,047 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,323 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.07% of the companys stock. Invesco High Income Trust II Company Profile Invesco High Income Trust II 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 Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invesco High Income Trust II Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco High Income Trust II and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF (NYSEARCA:EWZ Free Report) by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 61,239 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 581 shares during the quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF were worth $1,878,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF by 86.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 132,952 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,078,000 after purchasing an additional 61,463 shares during the period. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Brazil ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,749,000. AQR Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,747,000. Bluefin Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $318,000. Finally, Waverly Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Brazil ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,300,000. Get iShares MSCI Brazil ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Stock Down 0.4 % Shares of EWZ traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $32.85. 6,554,483 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 21,130,537. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF has a 12-month low of $25.00 and a 12-month high of $35.74. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $33.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.49. The company has a market cap of $5.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.86 and a beta of 0.97. iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Profile iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Brazil Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Brazilian market, as measured by the MSCI Brazil Index (the Index). See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Brazil ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Brazil ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Truist Financial Corp trimmed its holdings in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report) by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 198,754 shares of the companys stock after selling 9,818 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp owned approximately 0.16% of Jacobs Solutions worth $27,130,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 18.2% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 317,624 shares of the companys stock valued at $43,356,000 after acquiring an additional 48,811 shares during the period. Appian Way Asset Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,502,000. Third Point LLC increased its holdings in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 32.8% during the 3rd quarter. Third Point LLC now owns 1,800,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,700,000 after purchasing an additional 445,018 shares in the last quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $226,000. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec purchased a new position in shares of Jacobs Solutions during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $643,000. 84.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently commented on J shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions from $151.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 7th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, January 10th. They issued a sector weight rating on the stock. Benchmark reissued a buy rating and set a $160.00 price target on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, November 22nd. 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. Finally, Raymond James lowered shares of Jacobs Solutions from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 22nd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $152.11. Jacobs Solutions Price Performance Shares of J stock traded up $0.70 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $147.84. The stock had a trading volume of 42,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 750,070. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 12-month low of $109.00 and a 12-month high of $149.17. The company has a market cap of $18.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $137.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $134.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Jacobs Solutions (NYSE:J Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The company reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.46. Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 4.20%. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.02 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.67 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 8.06 earnings per share for the current year. Jacobs Solutions Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd will be paid a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.78%. This is a positive change from Jacobs Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Jacobs Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.71%. Insider Activity at Jacobs Solutions In other Jacobs Solutions news, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 6,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.75, for a total value of $851,581.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 581,138 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $74,240,379.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Jacobs Solutions news, insider Steven J. Demetriou sold 6,666 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.75, for a total value of $851,581.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 581,138 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $74,240,379.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Shelette M. Gustafson sold 1,852 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 16th. The stock was 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 directly owns 28,791 shares in the company, valued at $4,261,068. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 14,018 shares of company stock valued at $1,826,818 over the last quarter. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. About Jacobs Solutions (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. Read More 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. John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMD Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $33.58 and last traded at $33.58, with a volume of 94315 shares. The stock had previously closed at $33.40. John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Stock Up 0.1 % The stock has a market cap of $548.42 million, a P/E ratio of 10.48 and a beta of 0.85. The firms fifty day moving average price is $32.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $31.19. Get John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in JHMD. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 9,736,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $317,467,000 after purchasing an additional 38,602 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 9,717,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $302,218,000 after acquiring an additional 622,081 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 16.8% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 574,892 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,195,000 after acquiring an additional 82,502 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 384.3% during the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 512,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,851,000 after acquiring an additional 406,774 shares during the period. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 418,124 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,633,000 after acquiring an additional 6,356 shares during the period. John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Company Profile The John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF (JHMD) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of stocks from developed markets ex-US and Canada, covering 85% of the market capitalization. Holdings are weighted based on fundamental and technical factors JHMD was launched on Dec 15, 2016 and is managed by John Hancock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Developed International ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KPP Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of HEICO Co. (NYSE:HEI Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 1,776 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $288,000. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of HEI. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HEICO during the first quarter worth approximately $577,000. Bridgefront Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HEICO in the first quarter valued at approximately $265,000. Bridgewater Associates LP acquired a new stake in shares of HEICO in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,119,000. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of HEICO by 4.9% in the first quarter. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. now owns 43,488 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $5,936,000 after purchasing an additional 2,044 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of HEICO by 3,192.9% in the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,138,939 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $174,872,000 after purchasing an additional 1,104,351 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.77% of the companys stock. Get HEICO alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently weighed in on HEI shares. William Blair started coverage on shares of HEICO in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Morgan Stanley cut shares of HEICO from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $184.00 to $174.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of HEICO from $190.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 20th. Bank of America raised shares of HEICO from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $220.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of HEICO from $210.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, February 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $203.00. Insider Buying and Selling In other HEICO news, Director Frank J. Schwitter sold 550 shares of HEICO stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.06, for a total value of $97,933.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,655 shares in the company, valued at approximately $294,689.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other HEICO news, Director Julie Neitzel sold 1,450 shares of HEICO stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.54, for a total value of $260,333.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 447 shares in the company, valued at approximately $80,254.38. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Frank J. Schwitter sold 550 shares of HEICO stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.06, for a total transaction of $97,933.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,655 shares in the company, valued at $294,689.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 8.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. HEICO Stock Down 2.4 % Shares of NYSE:HEI traded down $4.57 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $189.58. 182,419 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 392,605. HEICO Co. has a fifty-two week low of $153.63 and a fifty-two week high of $200.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 3.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $183.61 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $173.19. The firm has a market cap of $26.21 billion, a PE ratio of 63.45, a P/E/G ratio of 3.19 and a beta of 1.17. HEICO (NYSE:HEI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 26th. The aerospace company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.08. HEICO had a net margin of 13.11% and a return on equity of 14.35%. The business had revenue of $896.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $891.32 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.67 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 44.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that HEICO Co. will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year. HEICO Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 4th were issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 3rd. This represents a dividend yield of 0.1%. HEICOs payout ratio is 6.54%. HEICO Profile (Free Report) HEICO Corporation, through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells aerospace, defense, and electronic related products and services in the United States and internationally. Its Flight Support Group segment provides jet engine and aircraft component replacement parts; thermal insulation blankets and parts; renewable/reusable insulation systems; and specialty components. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HEI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HEICO Co. (NYSE:HEI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HEICO Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HEICO and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Royal Bank of Canada from C$30.00 to C$26.00 in a report issued on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an underperform rating on the stock. Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on LB. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$25.00 to C$24.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. CIBC increased their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$32.00 to C$33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Cormark dropped their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$28.00 to C$26.00 in a research report on Friday. TD Securities cut Laurentian Bank of Canada from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their target price for the company from C$30.00 to C$26.00 in a research report on Friday, December 8th. Finally, Raymond James dropped their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$32.00 to C$27.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Laurentian Bank of Canada currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$28.70. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LB Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Up 2.3 % TSE LB opened at C$27.63 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$26.82 and a 200-day moving average price of C$28.39. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a twelve month low of C$24.92 and a twelve month high of C$48.23. The firm has a market cap of C$1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.25. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 7th. The company reported C$1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$1.13 by C($0.13). Laurentian Bank of Canada had a net margin of 18.79% and a return on equity of 6.42%. The company had revenue of C$247.45 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$261.30 million. Research analysts expect that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 4.2805071 EPS for the current fiscal year. Laurentian Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st will be given a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.80%. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.33%. Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW Free Report) by 39.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 50,346 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,233 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLCs holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $12,840,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Roundview Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 8.1% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 8,065 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $2,013,000 after acquiring an additional 607 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 189.1% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 10,409 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $2,598,000 after purchasing an additional 6,808 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. raised its position in Sherwin-Williams by 26.5% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 118,763 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,956,000 after purchasing an additional 24,884 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 1st quarter worth $1,231,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 11,387 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $2,842,000 after buying an additional 287 shares in the last quarter. 75.87% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Sherwin-Williams alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently weighed in on SHW shares. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded Sherwin-Williams from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $285.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $355.00 to $360.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Argus upped their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $330.00 to $378.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $346.00 to $341.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Sherwin-Williams presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $313.72. Insider Buying and Selling In other Sherwin-Williams news, COO Heidi G. Petz sold 6,699 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.24, for a total transaction of $1,944,317.76. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 14,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,271,752.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Mary L. Garceau sold 23,518 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $322.66, for a total transaction of $7,588,317.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 28,475 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,187,743.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Heidi G. Petz sold 6,699 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.24, for a total transaction of $1,944,317.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 14,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,271,752.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 38,109 shares of company stock worth $12,025,017 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. Sherwin-Williams Price Performance Shares of SHW stock opened at $337.05 on Tuesday. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a fifty-two week low of $205.43 and a fifty-two week high of $337.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $85.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.44, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.15. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $309.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $281.61. Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.23 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 10.36% and a return on equity of 74.72%. Sherwin-Williamss revenue was up .4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.89 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 11.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Sherwin-Williams Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Monday, February 26th will be given a $0.715 dividend. This represents a $2.86 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.85%. This is an increase from Sherwin-Williamss previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 23rd. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio is presently 30.92%. Sherwin-Williams Profile (Free Report) The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. London Co. of Virginia cut its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 20.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 84,252 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 21,660 shares during the quarter. London Co. of Virginias holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $4,890,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Brown Shipley& Co Ltd now owns 9,161 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 5,691 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $330,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Vicus Capital boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 4,824 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $280,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 17.5% in the 4th quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 1,222 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cassia Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Cassia Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,931 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $460,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. 74.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BMY has been the subject of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, November 9th. They issued a hold rating and a $55.00 price objective for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. Redburn Atlantic cut 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 note on Tuesday, February 6th. Bank of America cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price target for the company from $68.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, TheStreet cut shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.17. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 2.1 % Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock traded up $1.05 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $51.97. The companys stock had a trading volume of 8,648,959 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,825,379. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.43. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.43. The company has a market capitalization of $105.09 billion, a PE ratio of 13.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.38. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $47.58 and a 52 week 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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $11.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.19 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 50.95%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.82 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 6.61 earnings per share for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.62%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 62.18%. Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, December 7th that permits the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the biopharmaceutical company to purchase up to 2.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often an indication that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. About Bristol-Myers Squibb (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. See Also 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. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund (NYSE:NAN Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, March 5th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.0485 per share by the financial services provider on Monday, April 1st. This represents a $0.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This is a boost from Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.04. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Trading Up 0.5 % NYSE NAN traded up $0.05 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $10.97. 78,692 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 68,580. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund has a fifty-two week low of $9.11 and a fifty-two week high of $11.34. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $10.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.35. Get Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 11,108 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $130,000 after buying an additional 1,022 shares during the last quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund by 14.3% during the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 11,465 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 1,433 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund during the 3rd quarter valued at about $119,000. LPL Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $120,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund in the 1st quarter worth approximately $186,000. Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund Company Profile Nuveen New York 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 New York. The fund invests in municipal bonds, with a rating of Baa or higher. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen New York 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 New York Quality Municipal Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EHP Funds Inc. reduced its position in Packaging Co. of America (NYSE:PKG Free Report) by 43.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,700 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,100 shares during the period. EHP Funds Inc.s holdings in Packaging Co. of America were worth $415,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in shares of Packaging Co. of America by 6.6% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,710 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,984,000 after purchasing an additional 787 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its stake in Packaging Co. of America by 120.3% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 3,792 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $592,000 after acquiring an additional 2,071 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. acquired a new stake in Packaging Co. of America in the first quarter valued at approximately $693,000. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in Packaging Co. of America by 3.0% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 162,403 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,356,000 after acquiring an additional 4,701 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in Packaging Co. of America by 58.6% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 24,748 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,863,000 after acquiring an additional 9,145 shares during the last quarter. 90.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Packaging Co. of America alerts: Insider Transactions at Packaging Co. of America In other news, VP Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 14,191 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.80, for a total transaction of $2,466,395.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 183,930 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,967,034. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 14,191 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $173.80, for a total value of $2,466,395.80. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 183,930 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,967,034. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Thomas A. Hassfurther sold 13,850 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.06, for a total value of $2,507,681.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 187,647 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $33,975,365.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock. Packaging Co. of America Trading Down 0.1 % Packaging Co. of America stock traded down $0.25 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $185.18. 209,104 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 703,591. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 2.57. Packaging Co. of America has a fifty-two week low of $122.20 and a fifty-two week high of $188.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.87, a PEG ratio of 4.41 and a beta of 0.77. The firms 50 day moving average is $167.92 and its 200-day moving average is $158.97. Packaging Co. of America (NYSE:PKG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The industrial products company reported $2.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.30. Packaging Co. of America had a return on equity of 20.25% and a net margin of 9.81%. The company had revenue of $1.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.35 EPS. Packaging Co. of Americas revenue was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Packaging Co. of America will post 8.17 earnings per share for the current year. Packaging Co. of America Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.70%. Packaging Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 58.96%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have issued reports on PKG. StockNews.com cut shares of Packaging Co. of America from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $147.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 30th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Packaging Co. of America from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Packaging Co. of America from $170.00 to $187.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Packaging Co. of America from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from $172.00 to $202.00 in a report on Monday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Packaging Co. of America currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $165.33. Get Our Latest Analysis on Packaging Co. of America Packaging Co. of America Profile (Free Report) Packaging Corporation of America manufactures and sells containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the United States. The company operates through Packaging and Paper segments. The Packaging segment offers various containerboard and corrugated packaging products, such as conventional shipping containers used to protect and transport manufactured goods; multi-color boxes and displays that help to merchandise the packaged product in retail locations; and honeycomb protective packaging products, as well as packaging for meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, processed food, beverages, and other industrial and consumer products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Packaging Co. of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Packaging Co. of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Park Lawn (OTCMKTS:PRRWF Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by stock analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from $25.00 to $24.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas target price would suggest a potential upside of 62.82% from the companys previous close. Park Lawn Stock Performance PRRWF remained flat at $14.74 during trading on Tuesday. 726 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,244. Park Lawn has a one year low of $11.53 and a one year high of $20.34. The firms 50 day moving average price is $14.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.92. Get Park Lawn alerts: About Park Lawn (Get Free Report) Read More Park Lawn Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates cemeteries, crematoriums, and funeral homes in Canada and the United States. The company primarily offers cemetery lots, crypts, niches, monuments, caskets, urns, and other merchandise, as well as funeral, after life celebration, cemetery, and cremation services. Receive News & Ratings for Park Lawn Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Park Lawn and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cantor Fitzgerald restated their overweight rating on shares of Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Free Report) in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. Cantor Fitzgerald currently has a $45.00 price target on the biopharmaceutical companys stock. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on PFE. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 14th. TD Cowen lowered shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Thursday, January 4th. Guggenheim started coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, February 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $36.00 price objective for the company. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $34.00 to $28.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 14th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of Pfizer from $42.00 to $36.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 14th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.88. Get Pfizer alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pfizer Pfizer Stock Down 2.6 % NYSE PFE opened at $25.89 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $27.92 and its 200 day moving average is $30.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $146.20 billion, a PE ratio of 71.92, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.61. Pfizer has a 1 year low of $25.61 and a 1 year high of $42.22. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.19) by $0.29. Pfizer had a net margin of 3.62% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The firm had revenue of $14.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.37 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 41.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Pfizer will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current year. Pfizer Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, January 26th were issued a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 25th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.49%. This is an increase from Pfizers previous quarterly dividend of $0.41. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is currently 466.67%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was bought at an average price of $26.47 per share, with a total value of $79,410.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 9,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $238,230. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PFE. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 89,592.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 161,143,638 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $8,257,000,000 after purchasing an additional 160,963,976 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $2,129,927,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 10.9% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 95,772,746 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,161,261,000 after buying an additional 9,393,992 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 68,506,441 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,972,300,000 after buying an additional 8,298,920 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 10.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 79,499,361 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,073,547,000 after buying an additional 7,419,929 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.05% of the companys stock. Pfizer Company Profile (Get Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are set to receive over $5.354 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund for the Strengthening Integrated Water Management Project in the Amu Darya, Zarafshon, and Panj River Basins, a source at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told Trend. This funding constitutes a segment of the Central Asia Water and Land Nexus (CAWLN) program, executed by the FAO and supported by the GEF Trust Fund. Under this initiative, the GEF will provide financing for projects totaling $26.007 million throughout Central Asia. The total co-financing for the project amounts to $335.504 million. The program commitment deadline is 31 August 2025. The goal of the CAWLN program is to restore 5,350 hectares of land and ecosystems and implement improved practices on 1.329 million hectares of landscapes. Additionally, it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11.118 million tons and enhance cooperative management of shared ecosystems. Furthermore, it is expected to directly benefit 487,000 individuals, with 252,000 men and 235,000 women among them. According to GEF, Central Asia hosts intricate river systems such as the Amu Darya Basin (spanning Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and the Syr Darya Basin (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan). These basins are crucial water sources supporting approximately 60 million people, agriculture, energy generation, and diverse ecosystems and livelihoods in these countries. However, they face challenges such as excessive water use, harmful land practices, and resource overuse. The CAWLN program aims to address these issues by promoting water-land nexus approaches and applying them in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins. The program consists of seven projects, including individual ones in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These projects aim to improve farming and natural resource management by tackling issues like deforestation, land degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, there's a regional project to coordinate efforts and share knowledge across the basins. Although Tajikistan won't have its own individual project, the CAWLN program will work with the GEF Tajikistan Ecosystem Restoration and Resilient Agriculture project to collaborate and achieve a greater impact. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Free Report) in a report issued on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a neutral rating and a $168.00 price objective on the stock. Several other research firms have also weighed in on PG. StockNews.com lowered Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Procter & Gamble from $162.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Procter & Gamble from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on Procter & Gamble from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $167.53. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of PG opened at $159.60 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Procter & Gamble has a 12-month low of $136.10 and a 12-month high of $161.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $375.54 billion, a PE ratio of 26.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.44. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $154.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $151.20. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.70 by $0.14. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 34.04% and a net margin of 17.60%. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.48 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.59 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Procter & Gamble will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 19th were paid a $0.9407 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 18th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.36%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is 62.98%. Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 3,865 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.60, for a total value of $620,719.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,886 shares in the company, valued at $1,908,891.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 3,865 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.60, for a total transaction of $620,719.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,886 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,908,891.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Marc S. Pritchard sold 101,704 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.57, for a total value of $15,618,683.28. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 163,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,097,637.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 278,287 shares of company stock worth $43,065,052 over the last ninety days. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 4,419 shares of the companys stock worth $645,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 14.6% during the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 94,424 shares of the companys stock worth $13,772,000 after purchasing an additional 12,016 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,003,260 shares of the companys stock worth $2,298,184,000 after purchasing an additional 131,339 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 26.9% during the 2nd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 10,823,380 shares of the companys stock worth $1,642,339,000 after purchasing an additional 2,293,824 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wambolt & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wambolt & Associates LLC now owns 19,736 shares of the companys stock worth $2,995,000 after purchasing an additional 1,024 shares during the last quarter. 63.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Royal Bank of Canada from $74.00 to $80.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canadas price target indicates a potential upside of 27.51% from the stocks previous close. Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Planet Fitness from $88.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Planet Fitness from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. DA Davidson reissued a neutral rating and issued a $62.00 price objective on shares of Planet Fitness in a research report on Monday, February 5th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Planet Fitness from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 12th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Planet Fitness from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 23rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $71.00. Get Planet Fitness alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PLNT Planet Fitness Price Performance Planet Fitness stock traded up $0.59 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $62.74. The stock had a trading volume of 192,760 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,433,480. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.70, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.40. Planet Fitness has a 1-year low of $44.13 and a 1-year high of $84.48. The stocks fifty day moving average is $69.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $62.78. Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 22nd. The company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $285.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $282.35 million. Planet Fitness had a negative return on equity of 120.89% and a net margin of 12.91%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.53 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Planet Fitness will post 2.49 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Craig R. Benson bought 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $68.15 per share, for a total transaction of $681,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 35,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,385,250. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Craig R. Benson bought 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 11th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $68.15 per share, for a total transaction of $681,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 35,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,385,250. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Christopher Rondeau sold 1,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.55, for a total transaction of $66,550,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 4.95% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quarry LP bought a new position in shares of Planet Fitness in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in Planet Fitness by 247.6% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 358 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 255 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. raised its position in shares of Planet Fitness by 93.2% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 456 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Planet Fitness in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Planet Fitness in the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.53% of the companys stock. About Planet Fitness (Get Free Report) Planet Fitness, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, franchises and operates fitness centers under the Planet Fitness brand. The company operates through three segments: Franchise, Corporate-Owned Stores, and Equipment. The Franchise segment is involved in franchising business in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, and Australia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Planet Fitness Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Planet Fitness and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SandRidge Energy (NYSE:SD Get Free Report) will be releasing its earnings data after the market closes on Wednesday, March 6th. SandRidge Energy Trading Up 1.2 % NYSE SD traded up $0.16 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $12.97. The company had a trading volume of 5,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 529,442. The companys fifty day moving average is $13.39 and its 200-day moving average is $14.55. The company has a market cap of $481.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 2.12. SandRidge Energy has a one year low of $11.51 and a one year high of $17.80. Get SandRidge Energy alerts: SandRidge Energy Cuts Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 20th. Investors of record on Monday, February 5th were given a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 46.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 2nd. SandRidge Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.05%. Institutional Trading of SandRidge Energy About SandRidge Energy Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in shares of SandRidge Energy by 66.2% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 13,001 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $187,000 after acquiring an additional 5,177 shares during the last quarter. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of SandRidge Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $183,000. CenterBook Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of SandRidge Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $173,000. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of SandRidge Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $172,000. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of SandRidge Energy by 1,211.8% during the 2nd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 10,324 shares of the oil and natural gas companys stock valued at $157,000 after acquiring an additional 9,537 shares during the last quarter. 20.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Free Report) SandRidge Energy, Inc engages in the acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas primarily in the United States Mid-Continent. As of December 31, 2022, it had an interest in 1,471 gross producing wells. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for SandRidge Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SandRidge Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Sanford C. Bernstein from $90.00 to $120.00 in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. Sanford C. Bernstein currently has an outperform rating on the technology companys stock. A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Dell Technologies from $58.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. UBS Group boosted their target price on Dell Technologies from $99.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Dell Technologies from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $95.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. 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 companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Dell Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $102.88. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on DELL Dell Technologies Trading Down 2.2 % NYSE DELL opened at $121.79 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $84.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $74.12. The company has a market capitalization of $86.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.87, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.91. Dell Technologies has a 1-year low of $35.96 and a 1-year high of $131.06. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 29th. The technology company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $22.32 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.17 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 165.52% and a net margin of 3.63%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.55 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Dell Technologies will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year. Dell Technologies Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 23rd will be issued a $0.445 dividend. This is a positive change from Dell Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. The ex-dividend date is Monday, April 22nd. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 33.87%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 239,112 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.43, for a total value of $18,992,666.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 293,812 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,337,487.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 48.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Dell Technologies A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 17,595,478 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,346,054,000 after purchasing an additional 647,192 shares during the period. Boston Partners acquired a new position in Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth $529,103,000. FMR LLC boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 59.6% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 9,376,674 shares of the technology companys stock worth $646,053,000 after purchasing an additional 3,499,760 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,107,031 shares of the technology companys stock worth $356,702,000 after purchasing an additional 138,821 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in Dell Technologies by 96.9% in the 3rd quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,023,755 shares of the technology companys stock worth $346,137,000 after purchasing an additional 2,472,866 shares during the period. 38.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Dell Technologies (Get 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). Featured Articles 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. Shelton Capital Management grew its holdings in Sempra (NYSE:SRE Free Report) by 100.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,878 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,939 shares during the quarter. Shelton Capital Managements holdings in Sempra were worth $264,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in SRE. WFA of San Diego LLC lifted its holdings in Sempra by 29.9% during the 3rd quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC now owns 2,439 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $166,000 after buying an additional 561 shares in the last quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. increased its position in Sempra by 100.0% in the third quarter. Meyer Handelman Co. now owns 68,696 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $4,673,000 after purchasing an additional 34,348 shares during the period. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC raised its holdings in Sempra by 93.7% during the 3rd quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 2,195 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $149,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062 shares during the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its position in Sempra by 114.4% during the 3rd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 32,782 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,230,000 after purchasing an additional 17,491 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in shares of Sempra by 94.2% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 186,952 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $12,264,000 after purchasing an additional 90,701 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.83% of the companys stock. Get Sempra alerts: Sempra Stock Up 1.0 % Shares of SRE stock traded up $0.71 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $71.45. 782,231 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,736,770. Sempra has a 52 week low of $63.75 and a 52 week high of $79.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The business has a 50 day moving average of $72.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $71.68. The company has a market capitalization of $45.17 billion, a PE ratio of 14.77, a PEG ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.71. Sempra Increases Dividend Sempra ( NYSE:SRE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The utilities provider reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by $0.02. Sempra had a return on equity of 9.45% and a net margin of 18.26%. The business had revenue of $3.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.17 earnings per share. Sempras quarterly revenue was up 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Sempra will post 4.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be issued a $0.62 dividend. This is a boost from Sempras previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 20th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.47%. Sempras dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.69%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Sempra from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the company from $78.00 to $86.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 12th. BMO Capital Markets raised Sempra from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $76.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 11th. StockNews.com cut Sempra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Sempra from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Sempra from $75.00 to $73.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $81.83. View Our Latest Analysis on SRE Insider Activity at Sempra In related news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 34,190 shares of Sempra stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.83, for a total transaction of $2,421,677.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2 shares in the company, valued at $141.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 50,703 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.92, for a total value of $3,595,856.76. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2 shares of the companys stock, valued at $141.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jeffrey W. Martin sold 34,190 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.83, for a total transaction of $2,421,677.70. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 2 shares in the company, valued at approximately $141.66. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock. Sempra Company Profile (Free Report) Sempra operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Gas Company, Sempra Texas Utilities, and Sempra Infrastructure. The San Diego Gas & Electric Company segment provides to San Diego and southern Orange counties; and natural gas service to San Diego County. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SRE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sempra (NYSE:SRE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sempra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sempra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shelton Capital Management reduced its stake in Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE:AGO Free Report) by 12.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,717 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 549 shares during the period. Shelton Capital Managements holdings in Assured Guaranty were worth $225,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stifel Financial Corp increased its stake in Assured Guaranty by 2.6% during the third quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 7,358 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $445,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. Eaton Vance Management increased its stake in Assured Guaranty by 2.1% during the first quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 10,252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $653,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Assured Guaranty by 1.4% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 16,041 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $971,000 after buying an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its position in shares of Assured Guaranty by 28.7% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,117 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 249 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in shares of Assured Guaranty by 4.4% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 6,181 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $345,000 after buying an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. 88.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Assured Guaranty alerts: Insider Activity In other news, insider Stephen Donnarumma sold 15,000 shares of Assured Guaranty stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total value of $1,049,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 94,774 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,630,389.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director G Lawrence Buhl sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.26, for a total transaction of $178,150.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 43,507 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,100,308.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Stephen Donnarumma sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total value of $1,049,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 94,774 shares in the company, valued at $6,630,389.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 4.49% of the companys stock. Assured Guaranty Price Performance Shares of NYSE:AGO traded up $1.25 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $92.04. 42,463 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 298,970. The stock has a market cap of $5.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.40 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $80.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $69.74. Assured Guaranty Ltd. has a twelve month low of $45.21 and a twelve month high of $96.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Assured Guaranty (NYSE:AGO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 28th. The financial services provider reported $5.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.18 by $4.57. The firm had revenue of $233.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $196.15 million. Assured Guaranty had a return on equity of 11.82% and a net margin of 53.82%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.22 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Assured Guaranty Ltd. will post 6 earnings per share for the current year. Assured Guaranty Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 6th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 5th. Assured Guarantys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.03%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on AGO shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Assured Guaranty from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 17th. UBS Group upped their price target on Assured Guaranty from $64.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday. Get Our Latest Research Report on AGO Assured Guaranty Company Profile (Free Report) Assured Guaranty Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides credit protection products to public finance, infrastructure, and structured finance markets in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Insurance and Asset Management. It offers financial guaranty insurance that protects holders of debt instruments and other monetary obligations from defaults in scheduled payments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE:AGO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Assured Guaranty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Assured Guaranty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Teza Capital Management LLC decreased its stake in shares of Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON Free Report) by 46.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 7,022 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 5,976 shares during the period. Teza Capital Management LLCs holdings in Sonoco Products were worth $382,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Sonoco Products during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in Sonoco Products during the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Sonoco Products in the second quarter worth $40,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in Sonoco Products in the first quarter worth $50,000. Finally, Pinnacle Holdings LLC bought a new stake in Sonoco Products in the first quarter valued at $58,000. Institutional investors own 76.20% of the companys stock. Get Sonoco Products alerts: Sonoco Products Stock Down 0.0 % SON stock opened at $56.69 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average is $56.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $55.43. The company has a market capitalization of $5.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.69. Sonoco Products has a 52 week low of $49.98 and a 52 week high of $63.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. Sonoco Products Announces Dividend Sonoco Products ( NYSE:SON Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 15th. The industrial products company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.04 by ($0.02). Sonoco Products had a return on equity of 22.42% and a net margin of 7.00%. The firm had revenue of $1.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.27 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Sonoco Products will post 5.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th will be given a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.60%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 27th. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.50%. Insider Activity at Sonoco Products In other news, insider Russell K. Grissett sold 2,039 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.06, for a total value of $114,306.34. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,988 shares of the companys stock, valued at $672,047.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Russell K. Grissett sold 2,039 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.06, for a total transaction of $114,306.34. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,988 shares of the companys stock, valued at $672,047.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jeffrey S. Tomaszewski sold 10,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.53, for a total transaction of $604,065.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,456 shares in the company, valued at approximately $774,123.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.51% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have recently commented on SON shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Sonoco Products from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 20th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sonoco Products from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 28th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Sonoco Products from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $61.50. Read Our Latest Research Report on SON About Sonoco Products (Free Report) Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through two segments: Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SON? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sonoco Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sonoco Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TDCX (NYSE:TDCX Get Free Report) is scheduled to post its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, March 6th. Analysts expect TDCX to post earnings of $0.20 per share for the quarter. TDCX Stock Down 0.6 % TDCX stock opened at $7.04 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.13 and a beta of 0.23. TDCX has a fifty-two week low of $4.22 and a fifty-two week high of $13.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 8.16 and a current ratio of 8.16. The companys 50 day moving average price is $6.17 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.56. Get TDCX alerts: Institutional Trading of TDCX A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TDCX. New York State Common Retirement Fund bought a new position in shares of TDCX in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in shares of TDCX by 1,120.4% in the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,649 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 3,350 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC bought a new stake in shares of TDCX in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in shares of TDCX in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its holdings in TDCX by 372.1% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 4,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 3,881 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.47% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on TDCX shares. HSBC downgraded TDCX from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, January 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on TDCX from $13.80 to $12.40 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 30th. Read Our Latest Stock Report on TDCX TDCX Company Profile (Get Free Report) TDCX Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides outsource contact center services for technology and other blue-chip companies in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, China, Spain, India, Colombia, South Korea, and Romania. It offers digital customer experience solutions, including after-sales service and customer support across various industry verticals, such as travel and hospitality, digital advertising and media, fast-moving consumer goods, technology, financial services, fintech, government and non-governmental organizations, gaming, e-commerce, and education. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for TDCX Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TDCX and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC trimmed its position in Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report) by 20.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 14,092 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 3,644 shares during the quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRCs holdings in Equity Residential were worth $827,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new position in shares of Equity Residential in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 229.8% during the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 554 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 386 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Equity Residential by 207.7% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 405 shares during the period. First Command Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Equity Residential during the 3rd quarter valued at about $53,000. Finally, Mcmillion Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Equity Residential during the 2nd quarter valued at about $61,000. 84.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Equity Residential alerts: Equity Residential Trading Up 3.5 % NYSE:EQR opened at $62.86 on Tuesday. Equity Residential has a 12-month low of $52.57 and a 12-month high of $69.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.57, a P/E/G ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.30. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $60.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $59.67. Equity Residential Announces Dividend Equity Residential ( NYSE:EQR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.00 by ($0.18). The business had revenue of $727.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $725.07 million. Equity Residential had a net margin of 29.07% and a return on equity of 7.43%. The firms revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.94 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Equity Residential will post 3.81 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.6625 per share. This represents a $2.65 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 29th. Equity Residentials payout ratio is currently 120.45%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently commented on EQR shares. Barclays dropped their target price on Equity Residential from $69.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Equity Residential from $60.00 to $59.50 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 17th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Equity Residential from $65.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Equity Residential in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a hold rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $70.00 price objective on shares of Equity Residential in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Equity Residential currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $65.68. Get Our Latest Research Report on Equity Residential Insider Buying and Selling at Equity Residential In other Equity Residential news, Chairman David J. Neithercut sold 25,000 shares of Equity Residential stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.18, for a total transaction of $1,454,500.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 3,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $197,346.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Chairman David J. Neithercut sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.18, for a total value of $1,454,500.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 3,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $197,346.56. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Ian Kaufman sold 716 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $57.80, for a total value of $41,384.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 23,949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,384,252.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 28,280 shares of company stock valued at $1,646,835 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.69% of the companys stock. About Equity Residential (Free Report) Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EQR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Equity Residential Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Residential and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ Free Report) had its price target increased by Truist Financial from $13.00 to $17.00 in a research report report published on Monday, Benzinga reports. Truist Financial currently has a hold rating on the stock. UTZ has been the topic of a number of other reports. DA Davidson began coverage on shares of Utz Brands in a research report on Friday. They set a neutral rating and a $20.00 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Utz Brands from $19.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Utz Brands from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 18th. Needham & Company LLC upped their target price on shares of Utz Brands from $20.00 to $20.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Mizuho started coverage on shares of Utz Brands in a research report on Wednesday, December 20th. They set a buy rating and a $19.00 target price for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Utz Brands has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $17.73. Get Utz Brands alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Utz Brands Utz Brands Stock Performance Shares of UTZ traded down $0.44 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $17.54. 163,499 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 854,281. Utz Brands has a fifty-two week low of $11.17 and a fifty-two week high of $19.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stocks 50-day moving average is $17.52 and its 200-day moving average is $14.93. Utz Brands (NYSE:UTZ Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 29th. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.17 by ($0.01). Utz Brands had a negative net margin of 1.73% and a positive return on equity of 6.08%. The firm had revenue of $352.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $354.63 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.15 EPS. The firms revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts forecast that Utz Brands will post 0.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Utz Brands Dividend Announcement The firm 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. This represents a $0.23 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.30%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 15th. Utz Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently -74.19%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Roger K. Deromedi sold 13,446 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.03, for a total transaction of $255,877.38. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,548,704 shares in the company, valued at $67,531,837.12. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Roger K. Deromedi sold 13,446 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.03, for a total value of $255,877.38. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,548,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $67,531,837.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Series U. Of Um Partners, Llc sold 446,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.40, for a total value of $7,764,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 397,885 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,923,199. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 516,955 shares of company stock valued at $9,113,302 in the last three months. Company insiders own 16.84% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Utz Brands Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Utz Brands by 1.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,848,662 shares of the companys stock valued at $103,414,000 after acquiring an additional 87,687 shares during the period. Champlain Investment Partners LLC increased its holdings in Utz Brands by 3.5% in the second quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 5,916,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $96,787,000 after purchasing an additional 201,995 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Utz Brands by 1.9% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,437,812 shares of the companys stock valued at $73,030,000 after purchasing an additional 99,996 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Utz Brands by 14.3% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,868,901 shares of the companys stock valued at $79,655,000 after purchasing an additional 610,455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in Utz Brands by 3.1% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,289,906 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,823,000 after purchasing an additional 99,268 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.01% of the companys stock. Utz Brands Company Profile (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. Further Reading 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. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 5. The Turkmen-Afghan Business Forum and an exhibition of products from Afghan manufacturers are being held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ashgabat city, the capital of Turkmenistan, Trend reports. The opening ceremony was attended by members of Turkmenistan's government, heads of various ministries and departments, Turkmen businessmen, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in the country, public organizations, and the media. Furthermore, the companies of Afghanistan participating in the exhibition especially demonstrate their industrial and export potential. At the same time, at the Turkmen-Afghan Business Forum, held within the framework of the exhibition, businessmen from the two countries are holding talks that promote mutual economic cooperation. Meanwhile, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, this exhibition will be of great importance in expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, increasing trade turnover, and developing business cooperation with Afghan companies. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) kicks off at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. 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. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] 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. The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Li He] Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, delivers a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] Shi Taifeng presides over the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] Gao Yunlong delivers a report on proposals submitted since the first session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Pang Xinglei] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Pang Xinglei] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Pang Xinglei] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Jianhua] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Rao Aimin] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Jin Liwang] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Yan Yan] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Xing Guangli] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Yan Yan] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Jin Liwang] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Ling] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Jianhua] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Xing Guangli] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Jin Liwang] The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Pang Xinglei] Journalists work at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Jin Liwang] Journalists work at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Yan Yan] Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Li Xin] Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Li Xin] Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang] Members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) walk towards the Great Hall of the People for the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. [Xinhua/Li Xin] (Source: Xinhua) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) The Bulgarian edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was published on Monday. The first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" is a compilation of major works of the Chinese leader from Nov. 15, 2012 to June 13, 2014; it comprises 79 speeches, talks, interviews, instructions and correspondence in 18 chapters. This book provides important documentation for the international community to understand contemporary China and the Communist Party of China. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Bulgaria. The Bulgarian edition of the first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was jointly translated and published by Foreign Languages Press and Bulgarian Iztok-Zapad (East-West) Publishers. The publication of this book is of great significance for Bulgarian readers to gain a deeper understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, to understand and perceive the modern civilization of the Chinese nation as well as the Chinese modernization, and to enhance the traditional friendship between China and Bulgaria. So far, "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has been translated and published in four volumes. The first volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has been translated and published in 41 languages. (Source: Xinhua) 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. Weather Alert ...Elevated Fire Danger Today and Tuesday... ...Hard Freeze Expected Tonight... The combination of very dry air and northwest winds gusting up to 20 mph will create an elevated risk of uncontrolled fire spread this afternoon. Relative humidity values will fall to 20 to 35%, with the lowest humidity levels over the Ozark Foothills of southeast Missouri. A more substantial fire danger is expected Tuesday, as southwest winds increase significantly, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph forecast Tuesday afternoon. Relative humidity values Tuesday afternoon will fall to 25 to 35%. If you are planning outdoor burning today and Tuesday, use extra caution and have fire suppression equipment ready. Tonight, very cold and dry surface high pressure will allow temperatures to drop into the middle and upper 20s throughout the region. Although the growing season has not officially started, tender vegetation could be impacted by these cold temperatures. Please take necessary actions to protect any tender vegetation tonight. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 5. Uzbekistan and Iran discussed areas of cooperation in the field of transportation, Trend reports referring to Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan. The matter was discussed at the meeting between Uzbekistan's Minister of Transport Ilkhom Mahkamov with ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Uzbekistan Muhammad Ali Iskandariy on March 4. In particular, they discussed matters related to the development of road transport, creation of favorable conditions for national carriers, reduction of duties and fees in this direction. Both sides emphasized at the meeting that the development of road transport is equally beneficial for both sides. In this regard, the parties agreed to organize a working group meeting and work out specific proposals to address the matters discussed at the meeting. Meanwhile, volume of trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Iran amounted to $503.4 million in 2023. The data of Uzbekistan's Statistics Agency shows that exports totaled $180.6 million, while imports reached $322.8 million. Cisco has renewed its commitment to Saudi Arabia, launching the third phase of its Country Digital Acceleration programme which will focus on digital economy, industry 4.0 and sustainability. Initially launched in the kingdom in 2016, the CDA programme has been supporting digitisation efforts across key industries, fostering digital skills, and developing the innovation ecosystem in the country. To date, the programme has implemented more than 20 projects of national impact across vital sectors including healthcare, education, smart Cities and government digitisation. Some of key projects were realised in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), and Vision 2030 Giga Projects. Moreover, at LEAP 2024, Cisco announced new strategic initiatives in Saudi Arabia, building on the companys long-standing presence in the kingdom and reaffirming the commitment to its customers and partners. New regional head office in Riyadh Based on the Regional Headquarter licence granted by the Ministry of Investment, Cisco unveiled the establishing of a new regional head office in Riyadh. Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng Haitham bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ohali, commented: Technology is a key enabler in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030. Investments of global tech players like Cisco play a crucial role in strengthening our technology landscape, and in fostering economic growth and diversification. They help in bringing the necessary resources, expertise, and innovation to propel the Kingdom forward on its path to a diversified, knowledge-based economy, and advance its position as an innovation hub. Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President, and Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, said: Our CDA programme and Cisco Networking Academy are powerful platforms that drive co-innovation, unlock co-investment, and train the workforce of the future. As we enter the next chapter of our commitments in Saudi Arabia, we look forward to once again, lend our expertise, resources, and global network, to help the kingdoms transition into a vibrant, diverse digital economy. Helping digital transformation The Ministry of Investment has granted Cisco the Regional Headquarter licence in August 2023, to support the companys operations in the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region. The launch of the new office expands Ciscos presence in the kingdom and reiterates the companys commitment to help accelerate Saudi Arabias digital transformation. Since the start of its activities in Saudi Arabia in 1997, Cisco has been at the forefront of delivering technology innovation to the kingdom, working alongside customers and partners on numerous critical national projects, while investing in talent development. Reem Asaad, Vice President for Cisco Middle East, Turkiye, Africa, Romania, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), commented: Ciscos ongoing investments in Saudi Arabias growing digital economy contribute to the rapid integration of technology across all sectors to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and foster economic growth. Were excited to continue our pivotal role in supporting the countrys vision to accelerate a digital, sustainable, and inclusive future. Cisco has also announced the continuation of its collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, with a new phase of its ongoing Country Digital Acceleration programme. The programmes third iteration will align to the goals of the Saudi Research and Development National Strategy, focusing on Health and Wellness, Sustainable Environment & Affordable Supply of Essential Needs, Energy and Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future. Cisco Networking Academy In addition, Cisco continues to foster digital skills, leveraging Cisco Networking Academy - one of the world's longest standing IT-skills-to-jobs programmes. To date, Cisco has trained more than 335,000 learners in Saudi Arabia on networking, cybersecurity, programmeing, and other digital technology skills. Todays announcements reinforce Ciscos commitment to support the digital ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, said Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia. I am proud of what we have achieved through our longstanding presence in the Kingdom, and via our active programmes like CDA and Cisco Networking Academy; and I am looking forward to more milestones. With our technologies spanning every IT and business objective, from networking to security, collaboration, monitoring, application development and more; Cisco continues to be at the heart of driving digitisation together with our customers and partners.--TradeArabia News Service Within 48 hours of Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks statement outside Downing Street describing Gaza genocide protests as extremist disruption and criminality that had to be crushed, the first measures are being rapidly rolled out. The Times reported, Ministers are to broaden the governments definition of extremism as part of a crackdown on people and groups undermining Britains institutions and values. The previous definition, in place for more than a decade, defines extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values. The Times reports that this is seen by the government as no longer being fit for purpose. The new definition is set to be in place later this month. Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove began his review of the new definition in spring last year. According to a report by the Observer last November, extremism is to be defined as the promotion or advancement of any ideology which aims to overturn or undermine the UKs system of parliamentary democracy, its institutions and values or to threaten the rights of individuals or create a permissive environment for radicalisation, hate crime and terrorism. Michael Gove MP [Photo by Chatham House / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 The Times noted, Senior Whitehall sources said that the announcement, expected later this month, would include a list of groups that fell foul of the new definition, but added that this was still being worked on and was legally fraught Gove is also expected to announce details of a government unit for combating extremism that will be responsible for providing leadership and training for officials across government departments to improve their ability to identify signs and instances of extremism. The unit is also expected to assess whether individuals or groups have breached the new definition and will collect data and research to inform counterextremism policies. The Mail on Sunday led its front page with an article backing Sunaks attack on poisonous extremism, citing an accompanying piece by former Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick. Jenrick called for the police to take more action against extremists and hate preachers online, saying their current approach was creating a petri dish for radicalisation. He argued, We must immediately end the two-tiered policing that has consistently let extremists off the hook. Appeasement has only emboldened them. Also cited was Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of counter-terrorism legislation, who stated, I havent seen this level of open extremism out there since I was appointed in 2019. It is the public brazenness of hate directed towards people by category, in particular Zionists, or Israelis, or Jews. The tabloid Sun editorialised, Given the challenges of controlling increasingly disruptive pro-Palestinian marches, fuelled by racist and anti-Semitic sloganeering, all efforts had to be in place to crack down on the extremism on our streets. Sunak warned in his Downing Street diatribe that he had hosted police leaders two days earlier, who had agreed a series of measures for cracking down on the right to protest. He told the police, There is a growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule We simply cannot allow this pattern of increasingly violent and intimidatory behaviour. In his Friday speech, Sunak dismissed the technical separation of police and government decision-making to call for a politicised police force. 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. For months, Sunak and his ministers have demanded that the police impose with greater effect the vast powers of repression already in place. On Saturday, a march organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) was prevented from gathering outside a branch of Barclays Bank on Tottenham Court Road, London and kept on the opposite side of the road by the Metropolitan Police, who cited Section 14 of the Public Order Act covering static protests. Police also issued a Section 35 dispersal order to remove pro-Palestinian protesters from Trafalgar Square. Westminster Police stated, We made 12 arrests, including nine people for failing to comply with the dispersal order. The Guardian also reported on Sunday plans by the governments adviser on political violence, Lord Walney, the title bestowed on John Woodcock, a former Blairite Labour MP involved in the bogus antisemitism witch-hunt of Jeremy Corbyns supporters. He has recommended that mainstream political leaders should tell their representatives to employ a zero-tolerance approach to groups that use disruptive tactics or fail to stop hate on marches. Among the groups listed are the PSC, which has coordinated hundreds of marches nationally against the Gaza genocide. Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil are also listed. Writing in the Sun on Sunday, Walney directed, Rishi [Sunak] and Keir [Starmer] should instruct their MPs and councillors not to engage with anyone from the PSC until they get their house in order and cut the hate from their marches. This instruction is in fact aimed squarely at ensuring Starmer moves further in his attacks on the demonstrations. The Guardian notes, Several sitting Labour MPs have attended PSC eventsincluding the former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, Apsana Begum. Labour has refused to suspend MPs who have attended events, despite demands from senior Tories, because PSC is not a proscribed organisation. Walney gave testimony to Parliaments Home Affairs Committees Policing of Protests inquiry, which issued a report on February 27, the day before Sunak hosted the police in Downing Street to agree a strategy to crackdown on demonstrations, including banning them from taking place outside Parliament and other democratic venues. The report notes of Walneys record: In 2021, he was asked by the then Prime Minister, Rt Hon Boris Johnson, to lead a review of the activity and prominence of political groups. The review was intended to seek views on the rise in prominence of far-right, far-left and other extreme single-issue political groups. On 12 December 2023, Lord Walney told us he had been about to submit his review, but owing to the events of October 7 2023 and the immediate sweep of protests and the issues that have happened since, he had been rapidly reviewing with a view to resubmitting imminently. Slanders of protesters who have marched in their hundreds of thousands in nine national demonstrations and demands for their repression are fully backed by the Labour Party, which functions as a parliamentary opposition to the Tories only in name. Replying in parliament last week to Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, who had just described protesters as thugs, his Labour shadow minister Dan Jarvis, a former major in the Parachute Regiment, stated, Recent protests, alongside threats to and intimidation of politicians, have also raised the issue of what is defined as hateful extremism. The Government have not yet brought forward a definition, but that would be helpful in countering threats and intimidation. Can the Minister say when the Government... will bring forward a definition, and outline when the Government will bring forward an updated counter-extremism strategy? As the suspension of 66 Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) workers in Sri Lanka enters its second month, company management is now preparing to impose brutal punishment, including sackings. Charge sheets have been sent to 62 employees asking them to show-cause why they should not be dismissed or subjected to other penalties. CEB workers protesting near Kelanithiss plant on February 7, 2024 over government victimisation of 66 workers. [Photo by CEB workers] The CEB workers are being victimised because they joined tens of thousands of their colleagues in a three-day protest, starting on January 3, to oppose the Sri Lankan governments privatisation of the enterprise. In July 1980, the then government of President J.R. Jayawardene dismissed about 100,000 striking public sector under its draconian Essential Public Services Act (EPSA). Four and a half decades later, the Wickremesinghe regime is preparing to penalise CEB employees using the same law. In March 2023, strike action by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation workers was crushed by the Wickremesinghe government, which deployed the military and interdicted 20 trade union leaders and activists for violating the EPSA. While they were later reinstated, disciplinary action against them continues. The attacks on CEB and CPC workers make clear that the Wickremesinghe regime is waging war against workers who oppose privatisation and other austerity measures dictated by the International Monetary Fund. CEB management, on the orders of the Wickremesinghe government, has transformed the fundamental democratic right of the working class to take industrial action into a crime. This major attack must be stopped forthwith. The Collective of Workers Action Committees (CWAC), an alliance of action committees in the ports, plantations, railways, health, education and garment industries, and among migrant workers, urges workers to mobilise and take industrial action, including organising a general strike, to defend the CEB 66. The CWAC has read several of the CEB management letters and charge sheets. We are publishing below some of the details so that all workers can understand the vicious nature of this anti-democratic attack. The letters demand that the named workers must reply to management within 14 days to request an inquiry and explain why they should not be sacked from their jobs or suffer other punishment. CEB authorities declared that any employee who fails to reply within that period will be deemed to be guilty and punished. The first charge, cited in one letter to a cash-handling clerk, states that by closing the cash counters on January 3, 4 and 5, or one or two days during this period, the worker has engaged in serious misconduct. The second charge states that not attending work in the electricity supply industry, which has been proclaimed as an essential service under the EPSA, carries rigorous punishments for violating its laws. It also says that it is an offence to not attend work during the same period and in violation of a previous management circular canceling all employees leave. Another charge alleges that the named worker has deprived the CEB of receiving monetary contributions and thereby caused financial loss to the company. One more charge states that any employee who commits one, or all of the above offenses, constitutes a breach of good faith with the company. The targeted workers have also been told that they will only be allowed to appoint another CEB officer or retain a lawyer in their defence if it is approved by the CEB general manager. Under the EPSA, all industrial action, including strikes, affecting essential services are banned. Workers who do not comply can be convicted after a summary trial before a Magistrate. Anyone found guilty is liable to rigorous imprisonment of two to five years, or a fine of between 2,000 and 5,000 rupees ($US11$US25), or both. The movable and immovable property of anyone convicted can be seized by the state and his or her name will be removed from any register maintained for the relevant profession or vocation. Individuals found guilty of inciting, inducing or encouraging anyone not to attend work through a physical act or by any speech or writing are similarly punishable. The CEB 66 are victims of the Wickremesinghe governments IMF-dictated class war measures, which includes the sale of hundreds of state-owned enterprises (SOE). This austerity program also involves increases in income and value added taxes, higher water and electricity tariffs, price hikes of other goods and services, and savage expenditure cuts in education and health. As one suspended CEB employee correctly stated, If this key institution [CEB] is allowed to be privatised and the opposition of its 22,000 workers defeated, then it will make it easier for the government to do away with the other SOEs. Ceylon Electricity Board workers protesting against privatisation in Colombo on January 4, 2024. Defence of the 66 victimised workers is not just a struggle for CEB employees but the hundreds of thousands of workers in other state-owned companies that have been placed on the privatisation chopping block. If these attacks are allowed to proceed it will impact on about half a million workers in the state-owned sector, destroying jobs, cutting wages, and slashing hard-won working conditions. But while the government and CEB management are advancing these brutal attacks, what are the CEB trade unions doing? Currently these unions are organised in the Joint Trade Union Collective, which includes the All-Ceylon Electricity Employees Union (ACEEU), Samagi Employees Union (SEU), Sri Lanka Nidahas Electricity Employees Union (SLNEEU), Engineers Association and several other unions. The ACEEU, SEU and SLNEEU are controlled by parliamentary opposition partiesthe Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)respectively. While the CEB unions were compelled by the growing concerns of their members to call the January 35 three-day action, they have done nothing to mobilise CEB or other SOEs workers in unified national industrial action against this frontal attack by the government. Their response has been to issue feeble appeals to the government to reinstate the suspended workers, which of course are ignored. The CEB union leadership, along with several of its counterparts at telecom, the banks, port, postal, railways and several other institutions, have sent a petition pleading with management to reinstate the suspended employees. Scattered protests were held outside CEB branches around the country on February 7 and a legal case has been filed in district courts against the suspensions. The JVP-controlled trade unions oppose any genuine mobilisation of workers to fight the governments assault. Instead they are calling on workers to support its National Peoples Power (NPP) electoral front in seven months time when Sri Lankas presidential election is supposed to be held! The working class must reject all such illusions. All claims that the election of an NPP/JVP or an SJB regime will defend the working class are blatant lies. Like the Wickremesinghe government, these parties are fully committed to the IMF attacks, including the privatisation and restructuring of the SOEs. The trade union bureaucracies continue to claim that it is possible to pressure the government to change course whilst insisting at the same time that workers must wait till the elections. However, the government is proceeding with its victimisation of CEB workers and even harsher measures against other sections of the working class opposing its IMF measures. On January 22, the CWAC issued its statement, Oppose the Sri Lankan government witch hunt against electricity workers! Prepare a counter offensive! It explained that the attack on our CEB brothers and sisters is an attack on us all! and outlined the program required to defend the suspended employees and take forward the fight against the privatisation: Reinstate all suspended CEB employees forthwith and unconditionally! Call for industrial action, including the preparation of a general strike to defend them. Workers must demand removal of the EPSA and other repressive laws. This struggle should be linked to the demand: No to privatisation or any restructuring! Place all SOEs under the democratic control of workers! No to the repayment of foreign debts! The CWAC also called for a turn to the international working class to take up the struggle to defend the social and democratic rights of CEB employees and all other sections of the Sri Lankan working class. Workers must take the initiative and build their own rank-and-file action committees at every workplace, in the plantations and their neighborhoods. The pro-capitalist trade union bureaucracies and the capitalist parties should have no place in these committees because they oppose any genuine political struggle by the working class against the Wickremesinghe government. These democratically-controlled action committees should determine what industrial and political action is necessary to defend the CEB 66 and to develop a genuine fight against the governments privatisation policies and other social austerity measures. Taking up this fight is urgent! Start discussions on these policies at your workplace and amongst young people, including students, and form action committees to advance this struggle. The FX television channels The Beara comedy-drama set in a Chicago restauranthas won numerous awards, including the Emmy for outstanding comedy series and the Golden Globe for best musical or comedy. Several actors on the program have collected awards, including Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (who has supported calls for a ceasefire in Gaza) and Ayo Edebiri. The overall critical reception has been very positive. The Bear will launch its third season in June 2024. The Bear follows young and talented chef Carmen Carmy Berzatto (White), who inherits the family restaurant in Chicago. The Beef caters to the locals and has managed to survive the pandemicbarely. After his brother Mikeys suicide, Carmen abruptly leaves his award-winning career in the New York culinary scene to save the hometown joint. Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White in The Bear Carmen finds The Beef run-down, indebted and largely dysfunctional. Conflicts emerge between Carmens high-end vision for the shop and the status quo of sandwiches and comfort food. Sydney (Edebiri), a youthful sous-chef he hires, takes heat from the old timers before gradually winning their respect and developing self-respect too. The kitchen staff engages in hijinks, as does the handyman, Neil Fak, played by chef and internet personality Matty Matheson. Carmens family sets him up with a love interest, a girl-next-door from his youth (Molly Gordon). Carmens sister, Natalie (Abby Elliott), reluctantly signs on to manage the books. Moss-Bachrach plays Richiebest friend of the recently deceased Mikey Berzatto (Jon Bernthal, in flashbacks)who has managed The Beef until Carmens appearance. Richie is the chief opponent of Carmens efforts to reinvent the restaurant into a Michelin-star experience. His seething resentment feels authentic at times. Scenes involving his shared custody of a young daughterincluding the urgency of securing Taylor Swift concert ticketsring true. As a whole, however, the depiction of Richies finding his purpose in the hospitality field is uneven, often moralizing. In the strongest episode of the series, The Beefs bread baker, Marcus (Lionel Boyce), makes the most of a trip to Copenhagen, learning high-end desserts and life lessons from a talented chef and one-time colleague of Carmen, Luca (Will Poulter). Marcus mother is succumbing to a terminal illness and, at first, he recoils at the thought of leaving her. The travel montage makes the trip tangible, and Boyce masterfully brings his passionate, but soft-spoken character to life. When the two chefs trade war stories in Copenhagen, the veteran Luca explains that his favorite recipes arent the product of brilliant cooking technique. Rather, he says, it is the inspiration that makes the food, the ability to live outside the kitchen and to bring life experience back into it that creates great food. Marcus enjoys the novelty of residing on a docked boat. He saves an old man who suffered a bicycle accident (and gets right back on his bike). He takes in much from the Danish trip and the proof is in the pudding, as they say: he brings back a successful dessert menu. The direction and dialogue in this episode stand out for subtlety and genuine realism. Unfortunately, these unassuming qualities find too little expression elsewhere in the program. The second season ends with the soft opening of the restaurant, relaunched as Carmens vision: The Bear. The animal reference attempts to capture the feel of a creature that is both fierce and loyal. In the sphere of family dynamics, one of the series weakest areas, The Bear tends to bury the viewer in various elements of personal crisis: suicide, substance abuse, dysfunctional parent-child relationships, mental illnesswith little dramatic or genuine psychological explanation. In so many instances, the show merely stops where it should begin. It is enough to see the mess of it all seems the unstated premise. The characterization of matriarch and alcoholic Donna Berzatto, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, epitomizes this approach. Donna is a trainwreck as she prepares a traditional Italian seven fishes meal for Christmas dinner. Her smoking and drinking and yelling and tasting and reheating and food-throwing make much sound and fury, but signify little. She deeply resents her childrens offers to help her in the kitchen. She berates the assembled family at the dinner table before storming out and then driving her car through a wall. At the end of this hour-long tour de force, the sarcastic title takes over the screen: The Berzattos. Ebon Moss-Bachrach in The Bear There is voyeurism and sensationalism in this approach. Why has Donnaepicenter of the familys emotional turmoilreached this dead end? The episode is pivotal, with masses of commotion, and represents a large failure, and the larger failure of the series: the inability to offer coherent explanations for its characters sometimes extreme behavior. The frenetic restaurant scenes fare little better. The tick-tick-ticking timer in Donnas home kitchen finds a very literal, unartful complement inside the professional kitchen (and in Carmens nightmares). Yelling and mistreatment predominate, that is, until Carmen supplants them with a military discipline and esprit de corps. Creator/director Christopher Storer based The Beef on a childhood friends restaurant, Mr. Beef, in Chicagos River North neighborhood. Storers sister is a chef and serves as a culinary supervisor on the series. Likewise, chef Matheson not only plays Fak, but he also serves as a consultant to the show. There is an intention to portray some part of the food service industry accurately, at least in its immediate form of appearance. Storers resume consists mostly of directing and producing stand-up comedy specials for Bo Burnham and Hasan Minhaj. The Bear is his first writing project. Storer described his inspiration for the show to Esquire: When I was growing up, my household was kind of gnarly. I had mental illness and addiction in my family. I go to Al-Anon all the time. Im still dealing with this, as an adult, and finding healthy ways to approach it. Some of the same thoughts that I was feeling about my family I noticed in a lot of toxic work environments. No one sets out, I dont think, to create a gnarly workplace. Especially in kitchens, you realize that they were probably mistreated by someone, they probably learned this, they probably have something theyre not dealing with. This is a bland, resigned recipe. And it explains why so much of The Bear feels like bullet points about personal suffering. For Storerand this is not unique to him, by any meansmental illness and addiction more or less simply happen. And one has to then deal with them. For all of its self-congratulatory harshness, The Bear doesnt trouble itself with something as close-at-hand as a workplace injury that threatens a dishwasher, busser, server, runner, line cook etc., etc., with poverty or eviction. What is the role of class exploitation and inequality in causing trauma? Rising rent? Unemployment? COVID-related death and ongoing symptoms? The Bear has its amiable and honest moments, and a number of endearing background characters. Some of the lead actors are less successful, something formulaic in their performances grows wearing, but their roles are more problematic. One of the features of the series that must be attractive to audiences is the lack of race and gender warfare. The kitchen here is a multi-ethnic, very mixed ensemble, with no particular signs of animosity. But the very broadmindedness in that regard is connected to another feature of the series, which points in a negative direction. The shows theme seems to be if we all stick together, we can lick this thing! In a city long known for it brand of Jesse Jackson-type coalition politics, incorporating the unions, affluent African American petty bourgeoisie and various lefts, this has a definite significance, and not a healthy one. In a pattern seen across the planet, the wealth of the Mexican oligarchy has soared in the last few years while extreme inequality continues its upwards trend. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, has seen the biggest upward transfer of wealth in history in Mexico, as in the rest of the world. As of March 2024, Forbes lists 14 Mexican billionaires with a combined wealth of $184 billion. In 2018, at the start of the current administration, these individuals had a combined wealth of $125 billion. This represents a 47 percent increase in their wealth over just six years. The wealth of the richest Mexican, Carlos Slim, has increased by 50 percent in the same period, from $67 to $102 billion. Carlos Slim and AMLO having breakfast. The president later tweeted: I had breakfast with Carlos Slim who, in addition to being a friend and a good businessman, has contributed to the development of the country. [Photo: @lopezobrador_] The Mexican oligarchy has been able to increase its wealth thanks to the policies of the current administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (known as AMLO) and his party, the Movement for National Regeneration (MORENA). While presenting himself as a left-wing politician, AMLO has implemented policies that have been very favorable to big business. One of the first actions taken by AMLO after winning the election in July 2018 was to meet behind closed doors with the countrys business elite. Betraying the millions of workers who voted him into office, AMLO declared that while his administration had the support of the majority, it would not act in an overbearing manner: nothing by force, everything by reason and right, promising to act with a lot of responsibility. Almost six years later and near the end of his term, AMLO has kept his word. The results are clear. Chief among the actions taken by AMLO that have allowed the Mexicos business elite to thrive are a number of government contracts which have been awarded as part of the administrations infrastructure projects, dubbed fraudulently as Mexicos great Fourth Transformation (4T). Carlos Slim, in particular, has enjoyed a close relationship with the self-styled leftist president, which led some publications to describe Slim as AMLOs favorite businessman. In February, the online publication El CEO named Slim businessman of the sexenio (the six-year term of the Mexican presidency), reporting that the 4T had awarded his businesses more than 2,350 contracts with a total value of 61 billion pesos ($3.6 billion). Among the most lucrative contracts awarded to Slims companies by the Mexican government are the construction of key sections of the Tren Maya (Mayan Train), a 1,500-kilometer railway project connecting the main tourist destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula a signature project he constantly touts as the legacy of his government. The contract, with a value of 16 billion pesos ($865 million), was awarded to Operadora CICSA, a subsidiary of Grupo Carso, a conglomerate owned by Slim. Other projects include an oil-drilling contract for 19.48 billion pesos ($1.14 billion) in 2021 awarded to Slims GSM-Bronco, a marine infrastructure contract for 6.1 billion pesos ($360 million) awarded to Operadora CICSA, and a communication and logistics contract for 1.79 billion pesos ($110 million). The close relationship between AMLO and Slim is not a secret. According to El CEO newspaper, Slim has met with the president on 19 occasions since the start of the administration. He has also been invited to AMLOs daily morning press conference named La Mananera, appearing on multiple occasions. In a November 2019 appearance he was awarded the National Award for Engineering and Architecture, at which time he gushed about the 4T, saying that it represented the jolt that the country needed to obtain much deserved growth. AMLO, for his part, has openly acknowledged the boon his administration has represented to the Mexican business elite. My adversaries say I helped Slim get richer. They forget that money makes money, and, to be frank, businessmen have done well, [emphasis added] he said the day after the El CEO article was published. This deserves close attention. The phrase money makes money both encapsulates the essence of capitalist accumulation and propagates the fundamental myth of capitalist ideology aiming to obscure the true source of wealth in our society. Money on its own does not make more money, in the same way a pile of buried gold will not multiply itself. It is the case that in our society, money, in the form of capital, is seemingly able to multiply itself. But this is not due to some inscrutable law of nature. Marx elucidated this process in his critique of capitalist society over 150 years ago. In Capital, Marx explained that the source of all wealth, i.e. value, comes from human labor. Under capitalism, there are two protagonist social classes. One is the working class, or proletariat, the vast majority of the population, whose members sell their labor power, that is, their ability to do work. The other, is the capitalist class or bourgeoisie, a small minority, whose members own the means of production. This ownership allows the capitalists to appropriate the wealth created by labor and pay a tiny fraction as wages, keeping the rest as profits, which Marx called surplus value. The obscene wealth these individuals have accumulated does not derive, as the bourgeois media ceaselessly promotes, from their hard work or innovation. Instead, it is the result of the constant upward transfer of wealth during the production process. This process is what Marx was counterposing when he wrote Accumulation of wealth at one pole is, therefore, at the same time, accumulation of misery, agony of toil slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation, at the opposite pole. Indeed, a January report by the international organization Oxfam found that the wealth owned by the 14 Mexican billionaires represents 8 percent of the total wealth of the country. This is nearly double the wealth of the poorest 50 percent of the Mexican population. In the four years of the pandemic, the combined wealth of the two top billionaires, Carlos Slim and German Larrea, has grown by 70 percent, and represent the equivalent of the wealth of the poorest 50 percent of entire Latin American population, or 334 million people. AMLO, in explaining the inevitability of the existence of billionaires by noting that money makes money, reveals among other things his full embrace of capitalism, as well as his true class interests. It explodes the notion, peddled by countless pseudo-left outlets, that AMLO and MORENA represent a threat to the capitalist order. His populist demagogy and limited social policies are aimed merely at providing a pressure valve to vent popular anger without significantly impinging on capitalist profits and thereby sustaining the interests of the ruling class. Approving the way in which the ruling pseudo-left party has managed to stave off popular anger, Slim remarked in a February interview, the attitude of the population is, in general, very positive and that there is social peace, there is no confrontation. Concerning the upcoming presidential election and the near certainty of a MORENA victory, Slim said, I think everything is going well and will continue to go well. In reality, Claudia Sheinbaum, MORENAs candidate and the likely successor to AMLOs presidency, represents a continuation of the same policies. Just as her predecessor in the run-up to the 2018 election, Sheinbaum has been meeting with representatives of the business elite. Last week she met with Larry Fink, president and CEO of the investment firm BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, and one of the largest beneficiaries of the COVID-19 bailouts, another clear example of the role of governments around the world in the upward transfer of wealth. This year, as Mexico heads into its presidential election, the working class must prepare to break with the pro-capitalist pseudo-left and build its own independent political movement. As long as the capitalist system remains in place, the wealth of the Mexican oligarchy will continue to soar, while the working class will continue to be plundered. The only way to put an end to this is to fight for the establishment of a workers government, which will expropriate the wealth of the oligarchy and establish democratic control over the productive forces of the country. Only through the rational planning of production, instead of the blind pursuit of profit, will it be possible to ensure that the wealth created by the working class is used to meet the needs of the population, rather than to further enrich the parasitic sliver at the top of society. Time Magazine has chosen as its cover story Harvard Professor of Law Noah Feldmans maliciously dishonest and morally bankrupt defense of Israels savage war against the population of Gaza. The old antisemitism was a central element of fascism, espousing virulent nationalism, anti-communism and anti-socialism, and implementing genocide of defenseless people. The new antisemitism, according to Feldman, is a central element of the left, which opposes Israeli fascism, nationalist xenophobia, anti-Arab racism, and the mass murder of defenseless and oppressed people in Gaza. Feldmans propaganda piece consists of the crudest historical falsifications. He writes, Ultimately, in different ways, both Nazism and Marxism identified Jews as an enemy deserving liquidation. This is an outrageous lie. The Marxist and socialist movement led the struggle against antisemitism in Germany, throughout Europe, and in the United States. Fundamental to Nazi and fascist ideology and politics was the identification of Jews with socialism and the labor movement. Feldman dissolves Judaism as a religion into Israeli nationalism, proclaims the Israeli state as the supreme manifestation of Jewish existence, and asserts its status as the only homeland for a historically oppressed people who have nowhere else to call their own. This claim ignores the fact that more than half the worlds Jewish population, including Feldman, hold citizenship in countries other than Israel. And, one might add, that thousands of Israelis abandon this homeland every year. Feldman resorts to the most vile sophistries to minimize Israeli crimes, such as the claim that ethnic cleansing practiced by Israel would arguably not count as genocide under the legal meaning of the term. He also states, The genocide charge depends on intent. And Israel, as a state, is not fighting the Gaza War with the intent to destroy the Palestinian people. According to Feldman, since Israels stated war aims are merely to hold Hamas accountable, it cannot be accused of genocide. Israels aims are lawful in themselves. Writing as an attorney for mass murderers, Feldman asserts, There is no single, definitive international-law answer to the question of how much collateral damage renders a strike disproportionate to its concrete military objective. Feldman, shedding a tear, writes, The number of Palestinian dead, over 29,000 as of this writing, is heartbreaking. But the actual killing of the 29,000, according to Feldman, is not a crime. Of all the arguments advanced by Feldman, the most cynical is his claim that Accusing Israel of genocide can function, intentionally or otherwise, as a way of erasing the memory of the Holocaust and transforming Jews from victims into oppressors. This is the same argument made by the Polish government in introducing a law in 2018 illegalizing references to the complicity of Poles in the mass murder of Jews during World War II. The bill passed by the Polish Senate declared that whoever accuses ... the Polish nation, or the Polish state, of being responsible or complicit in the Nazi crimes ... shall be subject to a fine or a penalty of imprisonment of up to three years. The fascistic Polish government justified this law on the grounds that references to Polish complicity in the Holocaust detracted from the sufferings of the Polish people during the years of Nazi occupation. Israel denounced the Polish law. Feldman invokes the Holocaust as a cover for Israeli atrocities. But his defense of Israels genocidal war, with the support of the US, is a desecration of the memory of the six million Jewish victims of Nazism and the universal significance of the Holocaust. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX) will sell around 26,800 tons of various hydrocarbon products on March 5, Trend reports. Of the mentioned volume, 9,980 tons will be on sale on the domestic ring of the energy exchange. The following goods are to be offered: - Shazand Petrochemical Company's 5,500 tons of CSO (clarified slurry oil) - Bouali Sina Petrochemical Company's 3,000 tons of raffinate - Khuzistan Steel Company's 440 tons of liquid nitrogen, 440 tons of liquid oxygen - Bandar Imam Petrochemical Companys 220 tons of heavy distillate - The Persian Gulf Fajr Energy Company's 200 tons of liquid nitrogen, 75 tons of liquid oxygen - Bushehr Petrochemical Company's 88 tons of pentane plus - Sorena Arka Chemical Industry Company's 22 tons of liquid nitrogen Furthermore, 16,800 tons of products will be on sale on the Iran Energy Exchange's export ring: - The Persian Gulf Fajr Energy Company's 5,000 tons of butane - Tehran Oil Refining Company's 4,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - Bouali Sina Petrochemical Company's 3,000 tons of raffinate, 2,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - Isfahan Oil Refining Company's 1,770 tons of solvent-402, 360 tons of solvent-503 - Tabriz Petrochemical Company's 500 tons of raffinate, 200 tons of pentane Hydrocarbon sales on the Iran Energy Exchange are critical to the country's economy. Iran intends to increase exports while also providing hydrocarbon products to local firms through energy exchange. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Billionaire donors, right-wing interest groups and fascistic elements in Congress are mounting an assault on academic freedom and democratic rights at Harvard University in an effort to shut down student and faculty opposition to the genocide in Gaza. The attack on Harvard is intended as a spearhead in an effort by capitalists and politicians to undermine higher education and anti-genocide protests across the country. Harvard leadership has responded with complete spinelessness to these provocations, adapting itself to right-wing pressure. Beginning with the forced resignation of President Claudine Gay, it has facilitated the most reactionary attempts to impose a repressive framework at Harvard. In an obvious attempt to placate the right wing, the Harvard administration this week promoted John Manning, the conservative head of Harvards Law School, to the second highest administration position in the university, naming him university provost. This puts Manning in position to succeed interim president Alan Garber, the former provost, who has said he will not return to his old position if the Harvard board of regents does not choose him as the permanent replacement for Gay. If Garber were to resign or retire, Manning would then become interim president. Manning has worked his way up the ladder of right-wing judicial activists. He served as a law clerk first for Appeals Court Justice Robert Bork, then for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. According to the Harvard Crimson, Manning was brought into university leadership at the outset by then-Harvard Law School dean Elena Kaganwho went on to be appointed by Barack Obama to the Supreme Courtto add more conservative voices at Harvard. In 2017, as deputy dean of the law school, Manning was chosen to deliver the Scalia lecture, an annual event begun in 2014 to celebrate the ultra-right justice, a Harvard graduate. The occasion in 2017 was the donation of Scalias papers to the Harvard Law School archives. Scalias widow Maureen and his son Eugene, a Trump administration cabinet official, attended the lecture. In 2018 Manning became embroiled in a controversy over maintaining the teaching position at Harvard Law School of ultra-conservative Appeals Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh after the latter was elevated to the Supreme Court by Trump. Manning refused to remove Kavanaugh from his teaching position, as demanded by students and alumni at the time. Kavanaugh went on to make a display of right-wing vitriol at his confirmation hearing before Congress. The placing of such a right-wing figure in the line of succession to the presidency of the prestigious university is another capitulation to the hysterical right-wing campaign over alleged antisemitism on the campus of Harvard and other major universities The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by far-right Republican Virginia Foxx, is demanding Harvard hand over reams of information on antisemitism, going back to 2021, by next Monday. This includes potentially thousands of pages of minutes of meetings by Harvards administration, documentation on any internal discussions of antisemitism and, ominously, a full count of students and faculty who have participated in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) protest movement. The congressional committee has rejected Harvards attempt so far to comply, even though the university has already submitted over 2,500 pages of documentation. In a hearing held late last year by the committee, Republican Representative Elise Stefanik hounded the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania with denunciations and claims that they were encouraging an antisemitic environment on their campuses. Harvard President Claudine Gay, left, speaks as University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill listens during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 in Washington. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] Both Foxx and Stefanik are proponents of the Great Replacement Theory, an anti-immigrant and antisemitic conspiracy theory that claims Jewish people and left-wing groups are seeking to replace white people in Europe and the US with inferior stock from South America, Africa and Asia. The congressional hearing was instrumental in the ouster of Harvard President Claudine Gay in January, orchestrated by a revolt of billionaire donors to the university. The proceedings in Washington are only one front of a wider, well-coordinated campaign to force Harvard into applying repressive measures against the democratic rights and academic freedom of its students and faculty. The billionaire donor revolt hasnt stopped with the forced resignation of Gay. These donors, notorious among them Harvard alumnus and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, are now demanding that the university police its academic life to stop any discussion of oppressor/oppressed themes in class, in the words of Ackman, ostensibly because it gives rise to antisemitism. This is a particularly acute expression of broader right-wing attacks on higher education, which aim at dismantling political, sociological and social justice teaching and staffing at higher learning institutions across the country. Harvard has been forced to consider selling billions of dollars worth of bonds, in large part to make up shortfalls in donor contributions, which constitute 45 percent of Harvards income. This now includes the recognition of right-wing pressure groups with the granting of official shared interest group status to the Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance (HJAA), a Zionist organization. On January 15, an HJAA delegation traveled to Israel to meet in Tel Aviv with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The Boston Globe wrote of the Zionist group that it spends its time scouring the schools course offerings, critiquing diversity and inclusion policies, and lobbying top administrators in an attempt to root out what they view as pervasive antisemitism plaguing the university. A group of about 20 HJAA students and ex-students met with Herzog in Tel Aviv, in what the group called a solidarity mission, whose purpose, according to the Times of Israel, was to forge deeper connection with Israel and the rich heritage of Judaism, to facilitate cultural exchange and most importantly, to build bridges of understanding and long-term collaboration. In a glowing account of his meeting with HJAA on Twitter/X, Herzog wrote: The horrific rise in antisemitism and vocal support for Hamas we have witnessed on campus cannot be tolerated. This isnt about freedom of speech, its about standing up to hatred & racism. The Times of Israel wrote of the HJAA visit to Israel: Through visits to the areas directly hit by the Hamas attack on 10/7 and engaging with leading personalities in all areas of the Israeli communityincluding political, judicial and the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]the HJAA Solidarity Mission provided an opportunity for Harvard alumni to connect with each other and the roots of their heritage in a profound and personal way. Contrary to the HJAAs professed mission of pluralistic cultural exchange, the groups aims are clearly both political and pro-Israel. One of its action items is a project to assist in the rebuilding of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one scene of the October 7 Hamas assault. They are also aiming to bring prominent Israeli figures to Harvard. As such forces promote their pro-Israeli agenda, on February 29 over 100 Israelis stormed the Erez Crossing at the northern tip of Gaza, in one of the most high-profile attempts since the Israeli war began, aimed at establishing Jewish settlements in Gaza. A small number of settlers, according to +972 Magazine, managed to cross several hundred meters into Gaza before being intercepted by Israeli soldiers, while around 20 others entered the area between the two walls comprising the barrier that encages the Strip. There, they established an outpost in the style seen commonly in the West Bank, building for several hours without the army or police interfering. In addition to HJAAs recognition as an official shared interest group by Harvard, the group has acknowledged securing a private audience with Interim President Garber and other top Harvard officials. The HJAA insists on a crackdown on any protests and the acceptance and implementation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism at Harvard, which considers nearly any criticism of the state of Israel synonymous with antisemitism. The enemies of academic freedom and democratic rights at Harvard have been encouraged by the university administrations cave-in to right-wing pressure, and its acceptance of the framework of the antisemitism witch-hunt. The lack of resistance they have encountered has motivated these forces to press their advantage and has been expanded to other universities. Harvard, as one of the most prestigious universities in the US, is a testing ground for a right-wing wrecking operation against higher education that is already underway across the country. Student and faculty opposition to the genocide in Gaza is to be muzzled and semi-criminalized, setting the stage for inroads into democratic rights on all issues that impinge upon the interests of American capitalism and imperialism. Harvard students and faculty cannot carry out the struggle against these policies within academia alone. There is no way forward in the fight against the genocide in Gaza through appeals to the ruling class or to any section of the Democratic Party. Students and faculty must turn to the working class and fight for a socialist perspective to organize actions against imperialism and the capitalist system. Students and faculty, by connecting their struggles with that of the working class as a whole, can play an important part in preparing for a political general strike to halt the production and shipment of weapons used by the Israeli government in its assault on Gaza. Students and faculty at Harvard interested in stopping the Gaza genocide and defending democratic rights must work to form an International Youth and Students for Social Equality club on campus. Contact the World Socialist Web Site to exchange information and discuss the organization of meetings and demonstrations. In an attempt to channel workers and youth disgusted with the genocide in Gaza back into the political graveyard of the Democratic Party, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) announced on its social media accounts Sunday that it is endorsing the Uncommitted campaign for the remainder of the Democratic primaries. The DSA made this announcement less than 48 hours before 14 states are set to hold Democratic primaries, in an event dubbed Super Tuesday. Voters in Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Utah and California will have the option to cast Democratic primary votes on Tuesday. Republicans are holding primaries in 13 states and caucuses in two others. On its Twitter/X account, the DSA wrote that it endorses Uncommitted in the remaining Democratic presidential primaries. Until this administration ends its support for Israels genocide in Gaza and delivers a permanent, lasting ceasefire Continuing to appeal to the war criminals to stop the war crimes they have been perpetrating since last October, the statement continued, Until the Biden administration wakes up to todays political realities, DSA encourages voters who want an end to this genocide to vote Uncommitted in the Democratic presidential primaries. If your state doesnt have Uncommitted or a similar option on the ballot, the DSA implores you to call and text other states to talk to voters there. As the DSA makes clear it its own statement, and as the WSWS wrote last week, the aim of the Uncommitted campaign is to promote the illusion that Biden and the Democratic Party as a whole can be shifted through pressure from below from their policies of global war and mass death. The DSA previously endorsed and helped organize the initial Uncommitted campaign ahead of the Michigan primary held on February 27. Three weeks before the primary, groups such as the Democratic Party-aligned Listen to Michigan and Our Revolution, along with Democratic Party politicians, including Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, her sister Layla Elabed and former Michigan Rep. Andy Levin, called on voters to register their disgust with Biden by casting an Uncommitted vote. Rashida Tlaib, Democratic Party congresswoman from Michigan In furtherance of the protest vote, the DSA called supporters to make calls, text voters, knock doors and organize. While Biden easily won the primary with over 81 percent of the vote, over 13 percent of voters, some 101,000 people, selected Uncommitted. About 43,000 people voted for Democratic primary candidates other than Biden. Despite attempts by media efforts to present this protest vote as an expression of Bidens collapsing support only among Muslim and Arab-American populations in Dearborn and other areas around Detroit, Uncommitted garnered at least an 8 percent vote in all 83 counties in Michigan. In total, 73 out of 83 counties in the state recorded at least a 10 percent vote for Uncommitted. The Democrats, and the ruling class as a whole, are terrified that this mounting opposition to Genocide Joe will lead to a break with the Democratic Party and capitalist politics entirely. Many of those voting Uncommitted have no intention of voting for Biden in November. However, as one of the organizers of the effort, former Rep. Levin, made clear before the vote, and afterwards in an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now!, the purpose of the campaign was to send a message to Biden: We are your base, we want to win in November, and in order to win we want peace now. In the same program, James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute and director of the influential political research group Zogby Research Services, reiterated, As the congressman said, as the organizers of this movement have been very clear, this is not the Abandon Biden movement. This is the for gods sake, shape up or you might lose in November Biden movement. In the same vein, Branko Marcetic, writing in Jacobin, the house organ of the DSA, went out of his way to stress in a February 28 article titled Michigans Primary Shows Biden Is Courting Political Suicide that the Uncommitted campaign was seeking to save Bidens presidency, not challenge it. Marcetic wrote, Though some disaffected voters, like organizers of the smaller Abandon Biden campaign, view their goal as convincing voters to sit out the presidential election and inflict a political defeat on Biden, supporters of Listen to Michigan explicitly framed their effort as a way to shake the White House awake and give Biden a path to winning back their votes. It remains to be seen if hell listen: according to Politico this morning, presidential aides continue to believe that todays uncommitted voters will be Novembers Biden voters once they have a stark choice in front of them. Later on, Marcetic warns Biden that by ignoring the demands of pro-cease-fire voters... [He] risks being remembered as a disastrous one-term president... all thanks to a stubborn and increasingly inexplicable determination to back a foreign governments unpopular, heinous war. Far from shaping up and listening to Marcetic, the experience of the last week unequivocally demonstrates that the Biden administration is impervious to protest votes. Moreover, the war is not just Israels, it is Washingtons, and Bidens support for it is not inexplicable. The Gaza slaughter is an integral part of the drive by American imperialism toward world war, with Russia, Iran and China as its main targets. The DSAs backing for the Uncommitted campaign and its efforts to prop up the Biden administration express its class character and political function. It represents not the broad masses of workers and youth opposed to the genocide in Gaza, but privileged sections of the middle class. Its central role is to provide cover for the militaristic and imperialist policies of the Democratic Party, one of the two parties of the capitalist ruling elite. The US Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in favor of former Republican President Donald Trump on Monday, reversing a decision by the Colorado state Supreme Court to remove him from the ballot for the Republican Party primary in Colorado, which takes place on March 5. On December 19, Colorados highest court ruled that Trump was not constitutionally eligible to be placed on the ballot because he had engaged in insurrection. The court ordered him removed and any write-in votes not counted, but it stayed its own ruling pending an appeal to the US Supreme Court. Donald Trump at a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the US Congress in Washington on 6 January 2021. [Photo: Jim Bourg] While all nine justices on the US Supreme Court agreed to overturn the Colorado ban on Trump appearing on the ballot, the far-right majority went much further than the issues that were actually presented in the Colorado case, handing down a ruling that attempts to preemptively shield Trump as well as other insurrectionist Republicans from all future attempts to challenge their eligibility. This majority decision was so extreme in its overreach that it prompted separate concurring opinions from one of Trumps own appointees, Amy Coney Barrett, and the three-justice nominally liberal bloc of Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Mondays decision is also a milestone in the legitimization of the fascistic far right, which attempted to violently overthrow the Constitution on January 6, 2021 and install Trump as president in defiance of the 2020 presidential election. Instead of being jailed for his attempted coup, together with all of his co-conspirators, three years later Trump finds himself able to command the votes of all nine Supreme Court justices, who voted to guarantee the most favorable conditions for him to participate in the 2024 elections. The Colorado case was filed in September on behalf of a group of voters who contended that Trump was ineligible to seek the office of president in light of Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibits government officers who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from subsequently taking office. This provision of the Fourteenth Amendment, enacted immediately after the Civil War, was designed to prevent a return to power, in the words of one congressman at the time, of those yelling secessionists and hissing copperheads who had led the slaveowners rebellion. The fact that a constitutional measure enacted in the period of the Civil War is even under discussion on the Supreme Court in relation to a front-running presidential candidate, after a century and a half during which that provision was largely dormant, is in itself an indication that the crisis of the entire American political system has reached a temperature unprecedented since the 1860s. The disqualification of Trump as an insurrectionist by the Colorado Supreme Court was followed in December by a parallel decision by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat. More recently, a judge in Cook County, Illinois, made a similar determination for that state. All of these determinations are effectively overruled by the Supreme Courts decision Monday. The Supreme Courts opinion attempts to downplay the significance of Trumps coup attempt, merely writing that the Colorado voters who brought the case contend that Trump disrupted the peaceful transfer of power by intentionally organizing and inciting the crowd to disturb congressional proceedings in Washington. In fact, Trumps efforts at insurrection went far beyond unleashing a violent mob of far-right thugs, including neo-fascist Proud Boys, in an effort to disrupt a joint session of Congress on January 6, 2021. As has been established in public hearings of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, Trumps January 6 coup plot was a sophisticated seven-part plan that, in addition to the violent attack on the Capitol building, included fabricating allegations of election fraud, conspiring with Republicans in Congress to block the certification of electoral votes, pressuring officials in Republican-controlled states to alter election results in Trumps favor, and sending fake alternate slates of electors to Congress. The aim of this plot was nothing less than keeping Trump, who lost the election by a substantial margin, in power in violation of the Constitution. The Colorado Supreme Court concluded that Trump did, in fact, engage in insurrection. Meanwhile, outside of a number of individuals who physically participated in the violent storming of the Capitol building, the overwhelming majority of the senior participants in the conspiracy, including Trump himself, remain at-large, preparing their next attempt. The Supreme Court unanimously determined that Trumps ineligibility to participate in a federal election was not an issue that could be decided by Colorado. According to the Supreme Court, allowing the state of Colorado to make that determination would result in a chaotic patchwork, implying that Republican-controlled states like Texas and Florida would retaliate by removing Democratic candidates from their ballots. The nominally liberal bloc of justicesSotomayor, Kagan and Jacksonaccepted this argument and invoked it to justify ruling in favor of Trump. Allowing Colorado to do so would, we agree, create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, they wrote, at odds with our Nations federalism principles. This concurring opinion in favor of Trump is a stark indication of the profoundly decayed state of what remains of American liberalism. In effect, they state: If we dont rule in favor of the fascist, his lunatic accomplices will respond with escalatory provocations and create chaos. Therefore, we have no choice but to rule in favor of the fascist. The far-right majority, meanwhile, bent over backwards not only to shield Trump himself from future challenges to his participation in elections, but to shield all of Trumps accomplices from similar challenges. Although only an individual States action is at issue here, the majority opines on which federal actors can enforce Section 3, and how they must do so, wrote Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson in their opinion. The majority announces that a disqualification for insurrection can occur only when Congress enacts a particular kind of legislation. ... In doing so, the majority shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement. The ruling Monday is also noteworthy for the speed with which the Supreme Court reached a decision, while the numerous other proceedings involving Trump are mired in endless procedural delays. At the oral arguments in January, the justices constituting the far-right majority functioned effectively as additional attorneys for Trump, engaging in what amounted to a friendly conversation with the attorney representing Trump about the most effective way to rule in his favor. As of today, the far-right insurrectionist forces gathered around Trump have captured de facto control of the judicial branch of the federal government in the form of the Supreme Court, effectively represented by five or six of the nine justices, three of them having been appointed by Trump himself. This far right-dominated Supreme Court has been on a rampage against democratic rights and reforms, including its abolition of the right to abortion in the Dobbs case in the summer of 2022, which in turn paved the way for attacks on decades of judicial decisions across the board. The decision Monday is tainted in particular by the participation of Justice Clarence Thomas. While Thomas has been exposed as accepting undisclosed bribes from wealthy far-right Republican patrons while on the Supreme Court, his own wife, Ginni Thomas, is personally implicated in the January 6 coup. It is significant that the concurring opinion by Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson references the Bush v. Gore decision from 2000, which handed the election to Bush. The opinion cited from a dissenting opinion by Stephen Breyer, who wrote, What it does today, the Court should have left undone. The implication of this not-so-subtle citation is that the Supreme Court is taking a step with similarly far-reaching historical implications. Throughout American history, the Supreme Court largely functioned as a bulwark of reaction, upholding slavery in the Dred Scott case (1857), defending Jim Crow racial segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and opposing the New Deal reforms of the 1930s. For a brief period associated with Earl Warren, who was chief justice from 1953 to 1969, the Supreme Court was associated with a number of belated and qualified reforms under conditions of the Cold War and ideological conflict with the Soviet Union. However, since the Bush v. Gore decision stealing the 2000 election, the Supreme Courts lurch to the right has reflected the evaporation of any significant constituency in the American ruling class for the defense of democratic norms and a growing constituency, now embodied in the figure of Trump, for an open break with those norms. Throughout this process, as reflected in Mondays decision, the remnants of what was once called American liberalism, having long ago abandoned any commitment to progress toward social equality, have exuded a mixture of complacency, complicity and cowardice, fearing an aggravation of class tensions far more than a principled showdown with the far right. Trump responded to the unanimous ruling Monday with all caps and exclamation points on his social media platform, calling it a BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!! Exterior photo of the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Republican-backed measures to eliminate child labor rules and bolster food stamp eligibility standards won passage Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. [AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley] On February 22, the Kentucky House of Representatives voted 60-36 to send a bill to the state Senate which would remove restrictions on the number of hours and types of work which can be performed by children under the age of 18. The number of working hours allowed in Kentucky is already absurdly high. Currently, 16- and 17-year-olds are legally allowed to work up to six hours on a designated school day, with the limit increasing to eight hours on a non-school day. They are allowed to work a total of 30 hours per week, or 32.5 hours with parental consent, as long as they maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. House Bill (HB) 255 seeks to remove these restrictions. Through vague language, it will allow for 16- and 17-year-olds to be scheduled for an unlimited number of hours each week, even during the school year, opening the door for employers to schedule these teens for late or overnight shifts and even during school hours. The bill is part of the effort by the American ruling class to turn back the clock to the time when American capitalism was built through the use of child labor and horrendous working conditions in factories, mills and mines. Continuously promoting the false notion that nobody wants to work any more, the ruling class is stepping up systematic attacks upon the younger generations, who have already shown that they are more militant and increasingly hostile to capitalism. This 1911 photo shows boys employed at the Hughestown Borough Coal Co. in Pittston, Pennsylvania. [Photo: Department of Commerce and Labor. Children's Bureau] Proponents of HB 255 claim that it will bring the state into alignment with federal regulations that are already less restrictive for minors in this age range. In fact, the bill goes a step further, allowing some minors, even under the age of 16, to work in more hazardous occupations that are prohibited by current state and federal laws, such as meat processing plants, the logging and sawmill industry, manufacturing, and more. The bill also seeks to remove the Workplace Standards Commissioner. This is a state position responsible for regulating labor laws, with the authority to impose further regulations on top of what is listed by the federal Secretary of Labor. Effectively, the bill would block the state from referencing federal law in its enforcement. Workplace exploitation of children is not new for Kentucky. In mid-October 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a report revealing that one 11-year-old and one 13-year-old worked at a Win.IT America Inc. warehouse in Hebron, Kentucky for months, and for more hours than legally allowed. One child was employed to operate a forklift, a hazardous occupation. The other child was reported working to pick orders in the warehouse. The scourge of child labor extends past the borders of Kentucky, to the whole of the US. In its recent child labor report for the 2023 fiscal year, the Labor Department found an estimated 5,800 minors were employed in violation of the lawan 88 percent increase from 2019. The average number of minors per violation has also dramatically increased, from around 2 per violation in 2017 to 6 in 2023. Enforcement of the law is largely toothless. For the most part, the Labor Department has no response to the increased child labor violations other than ordering companies to go through mandatory compliance training and charging them with civil money penalties. In this respect, the federal government already has less capacity to enforce its own labor standards than the limited capacity of the states themselves. On average in 2023, companies were charged a mere $1,400 per minor employed in violation. These trivial fines and penalties for breaking child labor regulations have become the norm. Companies willingly and quickly pay these fines as part of the cost in doing business, and rake in higher profits through sweatshop methods of exploitation. Outside of the US, many companies make profits through the exploitation of child labor in sweatshops. According to a UNICEF/ILO joint publication, 160 million children were estimated to have worked worldwide in 2020an increase of 8.4 million children since 2016. With state laws dismantling restrictions on child labor, the American ruling class is simply bringing these methods of hyper-exploitation back home. Republican Representative Phillip Pratt, sponsor of HB 255, made a revealing statement as he motivated the bill on the House floor. Our current statutes and regulations unnecessarily restrict the number of hours needed to work, he declared, often preventing them from seeking an opportunity to help them pay for college, learn new skills and prepare for the future. What future is the increase in working hours preparing young people for? Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine demonstrates that teens who spent long hours in jobs were more likely to drop out of high school than those who worked moderate hours or did not work at all. Any increase in weekly work hours for teens will add to the already 19,000 minors aged 16 to 19 years old who are not in school. For decades, Kentucky lagged behind the national high school graduation average. After sustained efforts, the state saw its graduation rate rise to 91 percent. Now the ruling class is deliberately destroying what limited improvements have been made to living conditions and educational outcomes for the working class. In particular, the change is an attack on those who come from low-income, poverty-stricken homes, and children of immigrants, all of whom are compelled to seek employment in order to supplement the income of their family. There is a national movement aimed at eroding child labor laws. Recently, Florida lawmakers passed a similar bill, moving it to their state senate, to remove hourly restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds and eliminate the requirement of meal and rest breaks. Missouri and West Virginia are seeking to eliminate the requirement of work permits for minors, with Georgia going further, to allow 14-year-olds to do landscaping work, which by federal law is considered a hazardous field of employment due to the operation of mechanical equipment. However, this is not limited to right-wing Republican strongholds in the southern states. Indiana and New Jersey both have introduced bills to extend the number of work hours regardless of whether school is in session or not. What is propelling these attacks upon the working class in Kentucky and throughout the US is an attempt to make workers pay for the growing crisis of American and world capitalism, in particular for the astronomical sums laid out to bail out Wall Street and for the military. Social infrastructure, wages and conditions and democratic rights are on the chopping block. The state of Kentucky alone has seen a wave of such legislation since the start of 2024, introduced by Republicans working closely with national right-wing lobbying groups and think tanks but encountering little resistance from the Democratic establishment. Each proposed bill builds upon the other, seeking to prey upon the most vulnerable sections of the working class. All the while, Kentucky itself is seeing consecutive growth in revenue each year. Passing through the House the same day as this bill, HB 367 seeks to restrict access to food assistance for thousands of low-income people in the state. Passing the Senate on February 27 by a 75-20 vote, HB 18 would allow landlords to deny people quality housing on the basis that they receive federal housing assistance, which would affect 34,000 Kentucky households. Meanwhile, HB 5, an effort to criminalize homelessness and increase punishments for various criminal offenses, moves forward in the Senate with minimal opposition from the Democrats. The World Socialist Web Site invites railroad workers with information about this accident or information about unsafe working conditions in general to contact us by filling out the form below. All information will be kept anonymous. Derailed Norfolk Southern locomotives on the bank of the Lehigh River [Photo: Nancy Run Fire Company] Three Norfolk Southern trains collided and derailed Saturday morning along the Lehigh River in Eastern Pennsylvania, spilling diesel fuel and plastic pellets into the river. The accident occurred when an eastbound Norfolk Southern train collided with a parked train on the same track. A third train, traveling westbound on a parallel track, then plowed into the wreckage. The accident occurred in Lower Saucon Township county near the Pennsylvania-New Jersey State border. Lower Saucon is about 45 miles north of downtown Philadelphia. Photos posted by the Nancy Run Fire Company show dozens of railcars scattered along the tracks and the banks of the river. Clearly seen in the photos are at least two tanker cars, one of which appears to be partially overturned. Derailed cars after a collision involving three Norfolk Southern trains near Philadelphia. Two derailed chemical cars are visible in the foreground. [Photo: Nancy Run Fire Company] Other photos show two locomotives off the tracks, with at least one partially submerged in the river. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident and expects to have a preliminary report in about a month. NTSB spokesperson Sarah Taylor Sulick said in a statement, Preliminary information indicates that an eastbound NS train struck a stopped NS train on the same track. She continued, The wreckage from the striking train spilled onto an adjacent track and was struck by a westbound NS train. The collision led to the derailment of an unknown number of cars. Gary Weiland, who lives across the river in Bethlehem Township, told the Allentown Morning Call he initially heard what sounded like a crash, then a period of quiet followed by the sound of another crash. As the second one was happening, I went upstairs and looked out the window and saw a splash. I said to my wife, I think a train derailed, he said. View of derailed locomotives and rail cars from across the Lehigh River [Photo: Nancy Run Fire Company] The collision is the latest in an unending series of rail accidents in the United States, which averages around three derailments per day. It also comes a little more than a year after the disastrous derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio. Thirty-eight rail cars, including 11 carrying toxic chemicals, derailed poisoning the small town of 5,000 people and the surrounding communities. More than a year after that disaster, residents continue to report severe health problems and the long-term effects are unknown. Last month, President Biden briefly visited the town for the first time. Speaking before a select crowd, to avoid the possibility of protests, he sought to whitewash the governments role in the disaster. There is a lot more to do, although the vast majority has been done, he blandly declared. As in East Palestine, Norfolk Southern was quick to claim that there was no threat to the public. President Joe Biden speaks after touring the East Palestine Recovery Site, Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in East Palestine, Ohio. [AP Photo/Andrew Harnik] In a post on X, Norfolk Southern added There is no threat to the public, no hazardous material concerns from the railcars, and no reports of injuries to our crew members. But the railroad then contradicted itself by implying that fuel had leaked into the Lehigh River, writing, the diesel fuel spill has been contained with booms and will be vacuumed out. Norfolk Southern made many similar statements to the residents of East Palestine that were quickly exposed as lies. They were told that it was safe to return to their homes, which had been heavily contaminated with vinyl chloride and other toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. In fact, booms floating on water can only contain a portion of the spilled fuel, much of which would have already moved downstream before they were even deployed. The Lehigh River is running especially fast this time of year, having been swelled with winter run-off and recent strong rains. Any spill could potentially impact millions of people. The 109-mile Lehigh River passes by the small industrial cities of Bethlehem and Allentown before emptying into the Delaware River, which flows past the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware before emptying into the Delaware Bay. The brightly colored plastic pellets are often consumed by fish, not only poisoning them but also making their way into the food chain. Norfolk Southern CEO receives pay raise Not a single person has been held criminally responsible for the East Palestine disaster, and both state and federal authorities have been fully complicit in an ongoing cover-up. Indeed, CEO Alan Shaw, who was defiant in his refusal to accept even figleaf regulations in a series of Senate hearings last year, was given a 37 percent boost in pay last year, according to recent reports. Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw testifies before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing to examine protecting public health and the environment in the wake of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Washington. ( [AP Photo/Kevin Wolf] Shaw received $13.4 million in total compensation in 2023, including base salary, stock options, pensions and health and other benefits. His base salary rose $200,000, to $1.1 million, and his stock option awards rose by $2.2 million to $10 million. However, Shaw is also facing a proxy fight by a group of investors led by the Ohio-based Ancora Holding Group, which own about $1 billion of the companys stock. Ancora is calling for the removal of Shaw and has advanced its own slate of candidates for the Norfolk Southern board of directors. The group is blaming Shaw for its handling of the East Palestine derailment, which, according to the company, has now cost it $1.1 billion. Ancoras claim to be concerned about the East Palestine disaster has nothing to do with the safety and health of East Palestine residents and railroad workers. In fact, Ancoras concern is that the mismanagement of the company is cutting into profits and delaying even deeper cuts to staffing levels. Significantly, the railroad unions have leaped to the defense of this corporate criminal. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said that it will side with Shaw and will vigorously oppose Ancoras attempt to gain control of the Norfolk Southern board and oust Shaw and Chief Operating Officer Paul Duncan. Shaws record is clear, slashing the workforce to the bone, which makes disasters such as East Palestine and that which occurred last weekend inevitable. This includes cuts to maintenance crews and train inspections before they leave the yard, either of which could have prevented the East Palestine derailment. A section of the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, February 5, 2023. [Photo: National Transportation Safety Board] However, these cuts are being carried out across the entire industry, as the railroads seek to maximize shareholder value for their huge Wall Street investors. The fact that the engineers union is siding with Shaw once again demonstrates that the unions work not in the interest of the railroad workers but in collaboration with management against the interests of workers. Unanswered questions in Lehigh River derailment Many questions remain unanswered in Saturdays derailment and these details may not be uncovered in the NTSB investigation or report. These include: First: Was the eastbound engineer warned of the parked train on the same track? If he was, why didnt he have time to stop the train? The same question can be asked about whether the westbound train engineer was warned about the crash ahead of it. Second: What were the lengths of the two trains involved in the collision? Norfolk Southern and the other Class 1 rail carriers have been increasing the lengths of their trains to transport larger and larger amounts of cargo with smaller crews. This is inherently unsafe because the longer and heavier trains take longer to stop. Norfolk Southern, along with the other four Class 1 rail carriers, has resisted installing advanced signaling and automatic braking devices along the railroads. These technologies would have both warned the train crew and then automatically stopped the trains in time to prevent a crash. Norfolk Southern also does not use electronic braking systems, instead continuing to use the 150-year-old air brake technology, which takes over two minutes or up to two miles for the brakes signal to travel the length of the train, let alone for braking to begin. However, while balking at spending on such elementary safety systems, the railroads have pointed to the implementation of Positive Train Control and other automated technologies to justify slashing rail crews. The industry has fought for years to cut crew sizes from twowith only an engineer and conductor on trains running over two miles in length in some casesto one. The World Socialist Web Site invites railroad workers with information about this accident or information about unsafe working conditions in general to contact the WSWS by filling out the form below. All information will be kept anonymous. Confronted with the deterioration of Ukraines military position and significant advances by Russian forces, the NATO powers are publicly threatening a massive escalation of the war involving the direct deployment of NATO combat troops on Ukrainian territory and attacks on Russian infrastructure and cities. In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a Taurus missile flies during a drill off the country's western coast in South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017 [AP Photo/South Korea Defense Ministry] Following a retreat from Avdiivka, Ukrainian forces are once again falling back. Amid massive casualties, Ukraines military cannot recruit replacements to the front. Zelensky in bind over how to draft more troops as Russian forces advance, ran a headline in the New York Times on Sunday. Last week, members of the governments of four NATO membersFrance, Canada, the Netherlands and Lithuaniastated that they were considering sending combat troops to fight Russia in Ukraine. Then, on Friday, Russian media outlets published a leaked discussion among German military leaders discussing the use of German long-range weapons to strike Crimea. In the midst of these developments, the UK government admitted to having deployed a small number of troops to Ukraine. The reckless escalation of the war is being carried out without any public explanation of what NATO is planning, let alone a frank acknowledgment of the potentially catastrophic consequences of the deployment of forces in Ukraine and attacks on Russia. Dismissing the explicit warning made by Putin during the past week that direct intervention by NATO forces into Ukraine could lead to the use of nuclear weapons, NATO leaders and the media are laughing off the danger with claims that the Russian president is merely bluffing. There is no justification for such complacency. The Biden administration and its European allies are engaged in a staggeringly reckless game of nuclear Russian Roulette. Apparently forgetting their own earlier statements, made at the start of the war in February 2022, that direct intervention by NATO would mean World War III, the imperialist leaders now assert that Russia will not retaliate even if its territory is directly attacked. Moreover, even if there exists the possibility of a massive counter-attack, they insist that NATO must not be deterred by that danger. An argument that is being made in the media and by think tanks is that it has been a mistake for NATO to indicate any concern about the Ukraine war escalating toward a nuclear exchange with Russia. Bowing to Putins Nuclear Blackmail Will Make Nuclear War More Likely, Peter Dickinson of the Atlantic Council, a US-based think tank, wrote. Ukraine has repeatedly called Putins bluff, exposing the emptiness of the Russian dictators nuclear bluster, he declared, adding: While Ukraine has refused to be intimidated by Putins nuclear blackmail, the same cannot be said for the West ... Western fear of escalation is the single biggest obstacle. In Germany, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung wrote that Russias threat to use nuclear weapons will not be realized. It continued: Not even if, as happens regularly, American and British missiles and cruise missiles are used to attack military targets in the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia, including Crimea. The Lowy Institute, a pro-NATO think-tank in Australia, declared, The key question is whether the West will call Putins bluff or yield to his high-stakes nuclear posturing, a decision that will shape the outcome of the conflict. By publicly claiming that Putin is only bluffing, NATO is all but inciting him to react aggressively and expose its miscalculation. Even as they loudly assert that Russia will not respond, US and European strategists have gamed out the possibility of an escalation to nuclear war. The New York Times began publishing a series of extraordinary opinion pieces Sunday under the overall headline, At the Brink, focused on the threat of nuclear weapons in an unstable world. The projects lead writer, W.J. Hennigan, initiated the series with a column, The Brink, which begins by stating: If it seems alarmist to anticipate the horrifying aftermath of a nuclear attack, consider this: United States and Ukraine governments have been planning for this scenario for at least two years. In the fall of 2022, Hennigan writes, a US intelligence assessment put the odds at 50-50 that Russia would launch a nuclear strike to halt Ukrainian forces if they breached its defense of Crimea. Hennigan adds that earlier, the Biden administration had directed a small group of experts and strategists, a Tiger Team, to devise a new nuclear playbook of contingency plans and responses. In announcing the Socialist Equality Party presidential election campaign, SEP (US) National Chairman David North stated: The NATO powers have repeatedly stated that they will not be deterred from pursuing the war by the threat of a nuclear exchange. The deliberate use of tactical and strategic nuclear weaponswhich was rejected for decades as synonymous with madnessis now being normalized as a legitimate component of imperialist geopolitical strategy. The war is being driven to a much larger and bloodier scale. All of this is being done behind the backs of the population, relying on a lack of information and disinformation. On Monday, the German state blatantly lied, stating that an emergency summons of the German ambassador to the Russian foreign ministry had nothing to do with the leaked discussions about German missiles targeting Crimea. The ruling class is lying to the public because it wants to be free to carry out its military conspiracies unimpeded. There is already broad opposition among workers and youth to the escalation of the war. After Macron raised the possibility of sending European troops to fight Russia in Ukraine, polls found that 68 percent of the French people and 80 percent of the German people oppose it. To the extent that masses of people in the US and all of the NATO countries are aware of what is happening, this opposition will grow. The World Socialist Web Site denounces the conspiracy by US-NATO imperialism to drag mankind into a nuclear catastrophe. Power has to be taken out of the hands of these warmongers. Their actions are threatening human civilization with destruction. Mass protests must be organized in every country to demand the total withdrawal of all NATO forces from Ukraine and an immediate end to the conflict. This must be connected to the development of an anti-imperialist movement in the international working class, to counter capitalist barbarism with the program of world socialist revolution. The New Zealand Public Service Commission released a report on February 27 into the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, which was initiated last year following a series of scandals about the widespread exploitation of migrant workers. New Zealand Immigration Minister Andrew Little speaks to a group of migrant workers stranded without jobs at a meeting in Auckland, August 2023. [Photo: Facebook/Labour MP Phil Twyford] The AEWV scheme was introduced by the previous Labour government in July 2022, after COVID-19 border closures led to worker shortages. To reduce visa processing times, the number of checks required by immigration officers was reduced. The scheme has since faced a raft of criticisms for not protecting workers. The inquiry was a damage control exercise. Labours then Immigration Minister Andrew Little set it up last August, claiming to have received an anonymous letter from an internal whistleblower alleging that some checks on employers were not being made. In fact, the governments hand was forced by media revelations of dozens of migrant workers crowded into squalid conditions in rental homes across Auckland. The workers, from India, China and Bangladesh, had paid thousands of dollars for employment agreements with local recruitment contractors, but after three months had received no work or pay. The men called police when their food ran out and they had to resort to begging. Little limited the inquiry to checking that the rules for processing applications were being done thoroughlyi.e., not to investigate the scheme itself. The review, led by career bureaucrat Jenn Bestwick only looked at whether Immigration New Zealand (INZ) had mitigated the risk of migrant exploitation appropriately. INZ officials told the inquiry that their bosses didnt take seriously concerns about modern day slavery, migrants being forced to pay illegal premiums and employers applying with false information. Their reports were swept under the carpet. Bestwick found that while INZs decision to reduce the checks was reasonable, it did not adequately assess the risk and impact the speed-up to processing times would have on visa abuse. The inquiry noted that as of August 14, 2023, INZ had approved 80,576 AEWV applications from immigrant workers with 27,892 accredited employerswho were allowed to get temporary work visas for as many staff as they wanted. By February this year the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) had received 2,107 complaints against employers. Currently 174 employers are being investigated, 145 have had accreditation revoked, 53 have had accreditation suspended and 48 are under assessment to have their accreditation revoked. So far, just one immigration advisor is being prosecuted. In response to the report, Deputy Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott said INZ should have done more to minimise risk of abuse of the visa system. While it was unscrupulous employers who exploited migrants coming into the country, Immigration New Zealand could have, and should have, done more to minimise the risk of that happening, she declared. INZ and MBIE have now promised to improve their processes. This will do nothing to improve the lot of tens of thousands of immigrant workers who are being brought into the country to work as virtual slave labour. Nor is it a matter of a minority of unscrupulous employers exploiting an otherwise healthy system. Migrant exploitation is an entrenched feature of New Zealand capitalism. Economics commentator Bernard Hickey has described New Zealand as the Dubai of the South Pacific for allowing fraudulent agents and fly-by-night firms to bring in desperate and poor workers with suggestions of high-paid jobs and residency, only to pull the rug out from under their feet and leaving them indebted and even more desperate. After the height of the pandemic, migrants were recruited with promises of good employment and improved living standards. The year to October 2023 saw the highest migration figures on record with 245,600 migrant arrivals and a net migration gain of 128,900. The long-term average for the period 20022019 was 120,500 migrant arrivals and 91,900 departures per year. When migrants arrived, many were not paid the wages they had been promised, were forced to live in overcrowded and dangerous conditions, and in some cases had no job, despite paying for work. Some paid $30,000 in illegal premiums for non-existent jobs. Migrant workers are among the most vulnerable sections of the working class. Five days before last Christmas, labour hire and recruitment firm ELE Holdings went into liquidation, leaving up to 500 migrant workers, 60 percent of its workforce, unemployed. Many were forced into precarious situations, with no income and unable to pay rent, sleeping in cars while living off noodles and donated food. In mid-January the workers protested outside the Auckland and Christchurch offices of liquidator Deloitte and the Philippines Embassy in Wellington, demanding their overdue final payments. Because all AEWV visas tie workers to one particular employer, once they lose their jobs they are left in limbo and face the threat of deportation. Another group is facing a similar situation with the collapse last month of labour hire firm Buildhub. In January, Buildhub posted on its website that INZ had decided not to pursue charges against it after a group of South American migrants made complaints about not getting the jobs they had signed up for. One worker, Alfredo, told Radio NZ that he was a civil engineer but was only given work as a carpenter. A handful of egregious cases, doubtless the tip of the iceberg, have eventually come to court. Last month Tauranga kiwifruit contractor Jafar Kurisi admitted to exploiting four illegal migrant workers from Indonesia and Malaysia. One lived in a crowded garage with 19 others for four months with no heating or insulation. Some slept on the garage floor because there were not enough mattresses. Kurisi underpaid the men thousands of dollars in wages and charged them $100 rent a week and travel costs to get to and from work. The new far-right National Party-led coalition government is currently preparing an expansion of another highly exploitative work program, the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. Introduced by a Labour government in 2007, the RSE scheme brings Pacific Island workers in annually on temporary visas for the horticulture industry. The NZ Human Rights Commission reported in 2022 that the Pacific workers were systematically subjected to conditions akin to modern slavery. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has pledged to double the RSE intake from the current 19,500 per annum, while coalition partner ACT wants the cap on numbers lifted completely. Although Pacific Island governments initially welcomed the income, they now increasingly view both the New Zealand and Australian schemes as a neo-colonial drain. Over the last decade Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu have lost nearly 20 percent of their productive male populations to the two regional powers. Successive New Zealand governments have for many years used low-paid migrant workers, tightly controlled by oppressive rules and regulations, not only to fill gaps in the labour market as demanded by business, but as an integral part of the assault on jobs, wages and conditions of the entire working class. The ruling class has zero concern for the rights of migrant workers. It pursued a racist White New Zealand policy for much of the past century, with the support of the trade unions. Parties including Labour, the right-wing NZ First and the trade union bureaucracy regularly demand new restrictions on migrants rights and seek to scapegoat migrants for low wages, unemployment and the housing crisis. The aim, in a country where approximately one in four people were born overseas, is to divide the working class and prevent any united struggle against the government and its austerity program. The working class must oppose the reactionary contention that the right to immigrate should be dependent on the needs of the capitalist market. All working people should have the fundamental right to live and work wherever they want, with full citizenship rights. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 5. Iran's product import from Azerbaijan amounted to about 17,400 tons worth $41.9 million for 11 months of the current Iranian year (from March 21, 2023 through February 19, 2024), the statistics of Iran's Customs Administration says, Trend reports. According to the statistics, for 11 months Iran's product import from Azerbaijan increased by 30.9 percent in value terms and decreased by 5.65 percent in weight terms compared to the same period last year. Statistics indicate that Iran's import from Azerbaijan amounted to 18,400 tons worth $32 million in the same period last year. Based on statistics Iran imported various equipment, pressed soybeans, different types of profiles, and other products from Azerbaijan. The statistics also add that in the 11th month of the current Iranian year (from January 21 through February 19, 2024), Iran imported 1,030 tons of products worth $2.32 million from Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, according to the statistics of the Iranian Customs Administration, about 35.8 million tons of products worth about $59.9 billion were imported to Iran during the 11th months. Iran's product import increased by 11.1 percent in value terms and 6.4 percent in weight terms compared to the same period last year. Iran attaches importance to importing products to bringing in necessary products needed by the country and imposes certain restrictions on importing products produced in the country. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Robert De Niros ninth Oscar nomination as an actor, for Killers of the Flower Moon, is only the latest of the triumphs and accolades that have been showered upon this storied actor over the course of his career. Long-term collaborations with several of the greatest directors of the past 50 years have led to a transition into producing and an unimpeachable industry legend status. Here are the seven greatest Robert De Niro films, ranked from the very good to the very best. 7. Wag the Dog (1997) New Line Cinema An utterly prescient tale of fake news made at the nascence of the 24-hour media cycle, director Barry Levinsons Wag the Dog gives De Niro the classic strong-but-silent character he does so well. De Niros political consultant Conrad Brean is charged with creating, through media manipulation, a phony war in Albania to distract the public from a presidential sex scandal. As with so many other classic De Niro characters, hes part of a study in contrasts, and perfectly paired with Dustin Hoffmans off-the-wall Hollywood producer, called in to story-edit the conflict. 6. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) The Weinstein Company The highlight of De Niros famously uneven 21st century filmography, David O. Russells romantic dramedy proved the then-near-septuagenarian De Niro could hold his own with young guns like Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, off whom he plays beautifully. Genuinely well-written comedic roles have come De Niros way precious little, and this one is a blast, as he plays an older man set in his ways whose superstitions and paranoia have come to be so much a part of his life that they have infected his family at large. 5. Taxi Driver (1976) Columbia Pictures De Niro drove a New York City cab for weeks as preparation for his breakout role as psychopathic wannabe assassin Travis Bickle. The manic facets of De Niros performance are legion, but less discussed are those elements of Bickle that are genuinely tender if pathetic including his wooing of political operative Betsy (Cybill Shepherd). In these scenes, the impossibility of Bickle, a Vietnam vet, ever successfully reintegrating into society becomes clear. 4. Heat (1995) Warner Brothers In The Godfather Part II, De Niro and Al Pacino played characters in different timelines, dancing around one another, but by definition unable to interact. The promise of that film came to its fruition two decades later with Michael Manns cops-and-robbers masterwork Heat. In the film, De Niros Neil McCauley (based on a real criminal of the same name) cunningly evades Pacinos dogged cop, Vincent Hanna. The scene in Heat when McCauley and Hanna finally meet displays Manns keen understanding of the audiences reading actors real-life dynamics into their characters. The sequence, referred to in film circles simply as the diner scene, is foreshadowed and teased with utmost care until it finally unfolds in an as-promised clash of dramatic titans. 3. Goodfellas (1990) Warner Brothers Its nearly impossible not to love Goodfellas, Martin Scorseses freewheeling mob panorama, and De Niros supporting performance is a big reason why. As Jimmy Conway, mentor to Ray Liottas Henry Hill, De Niro is the charming, but deadly mafia operative who always has things under control until he doesnt. His coy smiles and raspy laughs give way to bursts of violence when he cant have what he wants. 2. Raging Bull (1980) United Artists In his second Academy Award-winning performance after The Godfather Part II, De Niro delivers a master class in physicality. As boxer Jake LaMotta, his quintessential characteristic is his brutishness, but that quality takes on different sheens over the films timeline, as he goes from agile, determined fury as a young man to an older man drowning in his own flesh and the memories of his past. Throughout, De Niros LaMotta is a man inescapably weighed down by his own body, with its lusts and capacities, simultaneously his best friend and worst enemy. 1. The Godfather Part II (1974) Paramount Pictures/The Coppola Company Francis Ford Coppolas epic, a sweeping survey of the immigrant experience in America that justifies the oft-used cliche every frame a painting, is anchored, yes, by the continuation of Al Pacinos masterful three-film arc as mafia boss Michael Corleone. But as the younger version of his father, Vito, De Niro contextualizes Marlon Brandos superb performance in the same role in the previous film, making Vito into a coiled viper topped with pomade, with the cruelty of his past manifesting as controlled rage. The Godfather Part II remains one of the only films to have made really effective use of De Niros famed silence and reserve Vito playing his cards close to the vest is what gives him his power, just as De Niros subtlety is what gives him his. Wicked Tuna Captain Charlie Griff Griffin and his dog Leila died on the Outer Banks in what is presumed to be a boating accident. The incident occurred some time between Sunday night, when the boat was reported missing, and Monday, when a boat and the body of a man and a dog were found near Oregon Inlet. The Coast Guard later identified the bodies as those of Griffin and his dog. A person with them remained missing as of Monday evening. A post Monday on the Reels of Fortune Facebook page confirmed the news: 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. Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff! More from Deadline Last night, according to the Outer Banks Voice, the U.S. Coast Guard released the following statement: 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 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. Officers are still searching for a second occupant that was aboard the vessel. 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. Griffin appeared on Seasons 2-5 of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks as he and his crew tried to reel in bluefin tuna in the waters off North Carolina. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. hermosawave This week, Los Angeles opened a history-making polling place inside West Hollywoods Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center (CONOTEC). It marks the first time a voting location has opened in a trans-centered facility in the U.S., according to the Los Angeles Daily News. The location opened this past Saturday, and will serve as an official polling place through Tuesday for the Presidential primary as well as a handful of municipal and special elections. It will also be available as a polling place for the general election this November. While anyone may vote at the center, its mission is to provide a safe and empowering place for transgender, non-binary and LGBTQA+ community members, per CBS News. Trans voters encounter a number of obstacles when attempting to cast their ballots. Before the 2022 midterm elections, the Williams Institute released a study that found that over 200,000 trans Americans were at risk of facing barriers to voting because they did not have IDs with their correct name or gender. According to the nonprofit organization VoteRiders, 13 states have strict voter ID laws that require voters to confirm their identities with a form of ID when voting in person, with nine of those states requiring photo identification specifically. In two of those states Georgia and Tennessee trans people must provide proof of surgery, court order, or an amended birth certificate to get their ID gender marker changed. In Kansas, trans people are forbidden from amending the gender marker on their birth certificates or licenses. While California does not require voters to show identification (although first-time California voters may be required to show identification to vote in a federal election), a trans-specific voting center will still serve to alleviate community members anxieties, both in Los Angeles and nationwide, as City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky explained in a statement to the Daily News. West Virginia Advanced a Bill Banning Nonbinary, Intersex Markers on Birth Certificates More than half the Democrats in West Virginias House of Delegates supported the bill. As extremists across the country continue their endless attacks on both the LGBT community and our democracy, Los Angeles must stand as a beacon of hope, she said in the statement. I want to thank CONOTEC for opening this voting center and for the critical work they do every day to support the needs of the Los Angeles transgender and nonbinary community. CONOTEC in and of itself is a historic location; its website calls it the first facility of its kind nationwide serving Trans and Non-Binary individuals and communities of, by and for Trans and nonbinary people. The center serves as a home for a number of trans-led advocacy and service organizations, including FLUX, TransCanWork, the Unique Womens Coalition, and more. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. Chicago electronica/dance duo DRAMA have unveiled plans for the debut tour of Australia, set to take place this May. The tour comes in support of their second EP, 2023s Till We Die, which features the single Dollar $hort a collaboration with Australian duo Flight Facilities. Australia, we heard you and were coming, the pair wrote in a statement. The duo composed of vocalist Via Rosa and producer Nael Shehade will perform in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane back-to-back as part of their world tour. They have also teased a potential run of shows in New Zealand while they are in the Australasia region. DRAMAs full run of Australian dates can be found below. DRAMA Tighten It Up Rosa and Shehade originally formed DRAMA in 2014, releasing their debut album Gallows in 2016. A follow-up EP, Lies After Love, was released in 2018; their second album, Dance Without Me, followed in 2020. The duos most recent releases were the Dont Wait Up EP in 2022 and last years Till We Die EP. A pre-sale for DRAMAs Australian tour will go live from 9am local time tomorrow (March 6) via tour promoter Live Nation. A general sale will follow on Thursday March 7th, taking place at 8am local time. All ticketing information and pre-sale access can be found below. DRAMA 2024 Australia Tour Thurday May 9th Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW Saturday May 10th 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC Sunday May 11th The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD Tickets available via Live Nation. Further Reading Flight Facilities Release Long-Awaited 2012-2022 Decade Mix Listen To Flight Facilities Remix Marvin Gayes Lets Get It On A Guide to Every International Tour Coming to Australia in 2023/24 The post DRAMA Announce 2024 Australian Tour Dates appeared first on Music Feeds. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission. Florence Pugh has revealed one of her secrets to nourished, refreshed skin. More from The Hollywood Reporter As part of British Vogues In the Bag video series, the Dune: Part Two star offered a peek inside her Valentino Maxi Vlogo Moon Nappa Leather Hobo bag and showed off Dr. Jart+s Cryo Rubber face mask, which is available at the Korean beauty brands website and Sephora. I love a face mask in the morning on the way to work to cool my face down, the Oppenheimer actress explained of the cryotherapy-inspired product. Per Dr. Jart+, the two-part treatment is a highly concentrated mask with collagen and glycerin inspired by the process of using extreme cold to help boost metabolism and energy, reduce inflammation and relieve sore muscles. (Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Gwyneth Paltrow and Russell Simmons are among the stars who reportedly love cold therapy.) The Dr. Jart+ mask was among the many beauty essentials the 28-year-old star and Valentino Beauty ambassador pulled from her bag. She also showed off her favorite Rosso Valentino lipsticks, a travel bottle of sriracha on a little carabiner because I like my food spicy, Doves Original Clean deodorant, Yorkshire Gold tea bags (just in case I need a cup and no one has appropriate tea), the Hollywood stylist-loved Tide To Go stain pen (Ive saved, many a white T-shirt with this bad boy), Budapest-based luxury beauty brand Omoroviczas Queen of Hungary mist, Glossiers $20 Boy Brow and her little travel [Chanel] Coco Noir fragrance, among others. Florence Pugh's Favorite Beauty Products: Dr. Jart+, Valentino, Dove Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Face Mask with Firming Collagen $16 at Sephora $16 at Dr. Jart+ Ideal for all skin types, the Dr. Jart+ mask boasts a soft, flexible material for cooling the skin along with an ampoule filled with collagen, niacinamide and glyerin. The ingredients help to address dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity and firmness, and immediately plumps and moisturizers the skin, leaving it visibly smoother and bouncier, says the company. In a clinical test on 20 women between the ages of 20 to 60, the mask reduced the skins temperature by 11 degrees Fahrenheit, per the skin-care brand. Its possible that filming Dune 2s desert scenes helped Pugh fall in love with the ultra-cooling, super-hydrating mask. As Variety reports, director Denis Villeneuve and his cast and crew lived in the Liwa Oasis home of sand dunes that are over 600 feet tall of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for nearly a month in 2022. Last fall, Dr. Jart+ tapped Korean boy band Enhyphen as its first-ever global brand ambassadors. Founded in 2005 in Seoul by architect Leeo (Chin wook) Lee, the company is known for inventing BB cream a multi-purpose formula of foundation, moisturizer and sunscreen and its innovative skin-care products in eye-catching packaging. The brand was acquired by Estee Lauder in 2019. Pugh isnt alone in her love for Dr. Jart+. Gigi Hadid previously revealed to Vogue that her post-baby routine includes the brands Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizer Cream ($48). Shop the Dr. Jart+ Cryo Rubber Face Mask with Collagen and more of the brands bestsellers at Drjart.com. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Mohamed Hadid, the real estate tycoon and father of models Gigi and Bella Hadid, called President Biden a Zionist criminal and claimed in a scathing social media rant that he and others would be hunted down like the Nazis for their support of Israel. Hadid, who is Palestinian American, posted a clip of a woman saying F**k Israel until the end of time, claims that Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip and the slogan Free Palestine adding an ominous or else. This is Bidens war on the Palestinian people. He will be in the court with the rest of the Zionist Criminals. We will hunt them down like they did the Nazis, Hadid wrote in his Instagram Story on Sunday. Hadid has been vocal in his criticisms of Israel since Hamas attacked the Jewish state on October 7. Hadid called Biden a Nazi and a war criminal in his Instagram Story on Sunday. Hadid, a Palestinian American, has been outspoken about his criticisms of Israel since the war in Gaza started following the Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel. Hadids post was written over a video of Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the UN Sustainable Development Network, as he explained his belief that the United States was the driving force behind Israels campaign in Gaza and is the only nation that can stop it. It was not the first time Hadid has likened Israel and its supporters to Nazis. The tycoon is the father of Gigi (left) and Bella Hadid. Dimitrios Kambouris Shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on southern Israel and subsequent war in Gaza, Hadid posted an infographic that compared what Israel and Nazi Germany allegedly had in common, including that they both enforced collective punishments and expelled millions from their homes. Both [Nazis and Israel] added and labeled the victims as Terrorists.. regardless of their peacefulness of other activities. Some Palestinians and some Jews even changed their names, Hadid wrote in the since-deleted post. Hadids famous daughters have faced their own controversy for their condemnations of Israel. Bella, 27, posted a graphic that claimed Israel was not a country but a colonizer. The post drew accusations of anti-Semitism before she deleted it. And Gigi, 28, has made numerous pro-Palestinian posts since Oct. 7, including claiming that Israel was the only country in the world that keeps children as prisoners of war. She later apologized for that post, admitting she didnt fact check it. Already renowned as the most iconic chronograph on Earth, the OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch is launched in its newest edition this time with a lacquered white dial inspired by space exploration and the collections own famous heritage This captivating model has been hotly anticipated by Moonwatch fans since November 2023, when the very first edition was spotted on the wrist of OMEGA brand ambassador, Daniel Craig, at the Planet OMEGA Exhibition in New York. Now, the design is finally and officially revealed, and is available for public sale. The watchs most distinctive feature is its rare white dial. When the original Speedmaster was first created in 1957, one of the main goals of the designers was to produce an easy-to-read display with superb legibility. Hence, the white hands and indexes on a black dial. On this new version, the opposite colourway has the same result. Speedmaster Moonwatch With Lacquered White Dial Omega Not only has OMEGA produced this new dial in white with black detailing and new applied indexes, but the designers have also added a stand-out Speedmaster name in red, and given the entire surface a glossy lacquered finish the first time this technique has ever been used on the Moonwatchs step dial. Why white? The primary inspiration for this new look is the white and black colours of astronaut spacesuits especially those used during extravehicular activity (EVA), such as spacewalks. An authentic connection after all, as the Speedmaster Moonwatch has been officially worn by NASA astronauts since 1965 and is known as the first watch worn on the Moon. In addition, red lines have also featured on the suits since Apollo 13 in 1970 to signify the commanders rank. Theres also another special reason to go white. In 1969, OMEGA created the ALASKA I prototype as part of their secret NASA project to design the perfect space watch. After months of experiments, OMEGA chose a white dial because it provides a particularly effective thermal reflection coefficient. The red Speedmaster name on the new model is also a nod to the protective red case that surrounded the original ALASKA I watch. Beyond the white dial, OMEGA has even more to reveal in the watchs craft. The 42 mm stainless steel timepiece is presented on a comfortable and vintage-inspired stainless steel bracelet with five arched links per row. A classic look with polished and brushed detailing. Two more versions are also available, including one on a black micro- perforated leather strap with red and white stitching, and another on an anti-bacterial rubber strap with a moon surface pattern in positive relief on the underside for increased comfort and aesthetics. Speedmaster Moonwatch With Lacquered White Dial with black micro-perforated leather strap (left) and with anti-bacterial rubber strap (right) Omega For Moonwatch fans, the black anodized aluminium bezel of each timepiece has been given a famous Dot over Ninety on the tachymeter scale, while inside, the watch is driven by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 the most up-to-date version of the legendary Calibre 321 that was trusted by astronauts on the moon. I grew up in Oahu, Hawaii, with Asian restaurants all over the island. When I moved to Louisville, certain Vietnamese and Thai eateries quickly became my go-to, as the dishes there came closest to the food I was accustomed to eating back home. Since then, lots of new restaurants have opened, some of which offer items that feature those familiar flavors. But one kind of Asian cuisine that I still rarely see in Derby City is Filipino fare. Thats why when I heard about Xian Kitchen in Middletown, I had to know more. I learned that Jovy Flores and his wife, Christian, opened the restaurant with their business partners, Neil and Irene Alatraca, this past December. Here are five other things I found out while chatting with Jovy. Xian Kitchen was founded nearly four years ago Shrimp Palabok at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. We started the company in May 2020, Jovy told The Courier Journal, adding that Christian has a passion and talent for cooking, while he a Sullivan University business management student has a knack for management. The couple decided to combine their strengths and build a business, creating the moniker Xian Kitchen from a shorter, modified version of Christians name. We changed the C to (an) X so we could use a spoon and fork (in our logo), Jovy explained, because most Filipinos use a spoon and fork to eat. Chicken Mami at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. They started by cooking for friends, family, and people at church. Initially, the Floreses only accepted pre-orders for small quantities of food. But soon enough, the demand for bigger orders grew, so they began offering catering services. Once Christians cooking was being served at birthday parties and wedding receptions all around town, they started considering a brick-and-mortar space. The Alatracas friends from church stepped in as partners with Jovy and Christian to help get the restaurant open. Try the lechon belly at Xian Kitchen Lechon Belly at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. Over the past few months, Xian Kitchen has continued catering services while serving a variety of authentic Filipino dishes on Shelbyville Road six days a week. Jovy said the most popular item is the first thing Christian began preparing for friends and family in 2020: lechon belly. Also known as roasted pork belly or lechon liempo, this slow-roasted, Filipino-style porchetta boasts crispy skin and moist meat. If youre hoping to get your hands on some, be sure to pop by or place a pre-order on a Tuesday or Friday. Its expensive, Jovy exclaimed, (so) we dont make it every day. Another fan favorite, sisig, is always available. Sisig is one of the popular foods in the Philippines, Jovy said. (Its) from Pampanga. Pork Sisig at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. Made from chopped pig face, ears, and pork belly, the dish is seasoned with soy sauce, citrus juice, onions, and chili peppers. Its supposed to be spicy, but we dont make it (too) spicy, Jovy said, explaining that traditionally, sisig packs a lot of heat. Theyve toned the spice level down in their standard order, but guests can request extra spice if thats what theyd like. Xian Kitchen newbies should try one of three grilled dishes Chicken Inasal at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. For customers who have never had Filipino cuisine and want to try a dish that seems a bit familiar, Jovy recommends ordering something from the grill. This includes Filipino pork barbecue thats marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and then skewered onto bamboo sticks; chicken inasal, which is chicken that was marinated in a mix of lemon, vinegar, and spices before being basted with marinade and annatto, and grilled over hot coals; and pork liempo, a sweet and savory dish consisting of pork belly thats marinated in soy sauce, lemon, garlic, and sugar, then grilled over charcoal. For those interested in sampling a twist on a familiar favorite, Jovy suggests Filipino-style spaghetti. Served with a thick and creamy sweet sauce, the pasta dish is made with ground beef, spices, and condensed milk. Look for these new additions to the Xian Kitchen menu Pork Belly Liempo at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. We are planning to (start) making silog, Jovy said, explaining that the dish is a Filipino breakfast staple that includes a fried egg, garlic rice, and meat. Its name is a portmanteau of two words: sinangag, or garlic fried rice, and itlog, or egg. Jovy added that they will be offering sisigsilog, which comes with sisig, a chopped pork dish; as well as longsilog, which comes with longanisa, a type of Filipino sausage. This breakfast addition is expected to be available before the end of March. Dont forget to try some Filipino desserts Halo-Halo at Xian Kitchen in Louisville. In addition to a wide selection of noodle, vegetable, and meat dishes, Xian Kitchen offers six traditional Filipino desserts. These include everything from egg pie to biko, a cake made from glutinous rice and cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar, then topped with caramelized coconut milk. Our best dessert is halo-halo, Jovy said. Its (a) mix of fruits. Served in a cup, the cold treat is made with crushed ice, evaporated milk, coconut strips, sugar palm, jackfruit, plantains that have been cooked in syrup, and nata de coco, which is a chewy, jelly-like concoction made of coconut water. Its then topped with flan and ice cream. We are inviting (people) to experience Filipino cuisine, Jovy exclaimed. (Its) like a little vacation in the Philippines. Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com. WHAT: This is a locally owned restaurant serving authentic Filipino cuisine. WHERE: 12338 Shelbyville Road, Middletown SERVICES: Indoor dining, carryout, catering, and delivery via DoorDash, Grubhub, and UberEats; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday CONTACT: xianskitchen.com, 502-365-3305 This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to order at Xian Kitchen, Filipino restaurant in Louisville Indie- band Hollow Coves has announced a big tour in Australia for October. The tour is in support of their new album Nothing To Lose, which was released on March, 1st 2024. The duo shared their excitement about the upcoming tour via a press release. We cant believe all the good things happening in 2024! Were starting a world tour soon, and our new album is coming out next week. We cant wait to play our new songs, as well as some old favorites, in some of the biggest venues weve ever performed in. See you soon, Australia! Hollow Coves See You Soon Hollow Coves latest single, See You Soon, is all about reconnecting with old friends and remembering good times together. The song has a calm and peaceful vibe with gentle guitars and the duos beautiful harmonies. Matt Carins and Ryan Henderson, the members of Hollow Coves, were inspired by the idea of reaching out to people from their past and catching up with them. They shared the meaning behind the single via a press release. This song is all about this feeling and trying to encourage the listener to reconnect with those people. Just send them a message or give them a call and see where theyre at. They concluded the statement by saying. Im sure theyd really appreciate it. This song was actually the first song that Matt and his wife Molly wrote together after discussing what would be a good concept to write about that a lot of people could relate to. After refining it with Ryan, we thought the song had something special to it. Hollow Coves Australian Tour 2024 Thursday, 24th October: The Church, Christchurch Friday, 25th October: San Fran, Wellington Saturday, 26th October: Tuning Fork, Auckland Saturday, 2nd November: The Tivoli, Brisbane Friday, 8th November: Altar, Hobart Saturday, 9th November: The Gov, Adelaide Friday, 15th November: Enmore Theatre, Sydney Saturday, 16th November: Forum, Melbourne Friday, 22nd November: Freo, Perth Saturday, 23rd November: The River, Margaret River Tickets via their official website Further Reading Regurgitator Announce 2024 Australian Tour Electric Six Announce 2024 Australian Tour Cigarettes After Sex Announce 2025 Australian Tour The post Hollow Coves Announce 2024 Australian Tour appeared first on Music Feeds. It seems like just a minute ago that Lupita Nyongo and Joshua Jackson were hiding their reported romance in the parking lot of the trendy Los Angeles grocery store, Erewhon. Now, they have no problem sharing their love and seemingly confirming their relationship on a recent trip to Mexico. The duo spent the weekend in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where they were celebrating the Oscar winners 41st birthday, according to E! News. They didnt care who knew that they were a couple as they packed on the PDA and held hands during a flirtatious romp on the beach in a video obtained by the outlet. Nyongo flaunted her toned abs in a print bikini while Jackson wore a dark pair of swimming shorts. At one point, she had her arms wrapped around his neck and head and pulled herself into him these two are in the throes of their honeymoon stage! More from SheKnows Jodie Turner-Smith and Joshua Jackson in Gucci at the 2022 Met Gala celebrating In America: An Anthology of Fashion held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022 in New York City. They looked madly in love like they just couldnt get enough of one another, a source for the outlet revealed. Nyongo and Jackson were all over the resort, using the spa at one point. The Dawsons Creek star even had flowers and a balloon bouquet sent to their suite to honor Nyongos big day. While they have no problem letting everyone know that they are one of Hollywoods latest power couples, the timeline of their romance is under some scrutiny. Nyongo was coming off a relationship with Selema Masekela and hinted that infidelity on his part may have contributed to their split. Jacksons estranged wife, Jodie Turner-Smith filed for divorce on Oct. 2 mere weeks before he and Nyongo enjoyed a group outing to a Janelle Monae concert in LA. Turner-Smith listed their date of separation as Sept. 13 in her court documents, but that leaves only about six weeks between Jacksons involvement with his marriage and Nyongo. Turner-Smith lightly touched on the subject in an interview with the Sunday Times last month. Noting that shes choosing the healthiest path for her and their three-year-old daughter, Juno, Turner-Smith added, 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 dont just affect us, they affect everybody around us. Before you go, click here to see celebrities who share a famous ex. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Best of SheKnows Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Credit: Photo illustration by Matthew Cooley. Photographs in illustration by Michael Tran/AFP/Getty Images; Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images; Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Dominik Bindl/Getty Images; Jerod Harris/Getty Images In early January, the hosts of Netflixs feel-good series Queer Eye reunited for what might be the last time at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Through tears and smiles, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, and Jonathan Van Ness proudly raised their long-awaited golden statues. After six years, five cities, a stint in Japan, and connections with dozens of hometown heroes that the food, design, grooming, style, and culture experts helped make over, the quintet known as the Fab Five took home awards as producers in the Outstanding Structured Reality Program category. (They had been previously nominated as hosts, but this was the first season they were credited as producers.) More from Rolling Stone The moment was bittersweet. Last November, interior designer Berk stunned fans with news he was leaving the show. Its not been an easy decision to be at peace with, but a necessary one, Berk explained in an Instagram post. Although my journey with Queer Eye is over, my journey with you is not. You will be seeing more of me very soon. The timing seemed abrupt. Netflix was gearing up for a promotional rollout for the new season in late January, and future seasons were still up in the air. Even Brown balked at Berks announcement. We are #ForeverTheFab5 no matter what, he commented. Im about to be at Netflixs door & e-mails telling them you cant leave! Who is coming with me? Berk was breaking up the beloved band, who had always publicly presented themselves as a familial, tight-knit unit. But after eight long seasons, 10 Queer Eye production members and well-placed sources tell Rolling Stone, that notion was beginning to shatter. Petty disputes and competition over who is considered the shows top star were increasingly spilling out into the public. Even making the show was difficult, four production sources say, due, in part, to Van Ness behind-the-scenes behavior. Three more sources who worked with the reality star described Van Ness as emotionally abusive and having rage issues. Eventually the illusion of a happy family ended with Berks departure. Although Berk presented the decision to part ways as amicable, three sources with knowledge tell Rolling Stone there was more to Berks departure: Not only was he allegedly blindsided with how things played out, but talk has been circulating among those close to the show that another Fab Five member may have campaigned for Berks replacement. (Berk did not reply to multiple requests for comment.) Its not a new story that a boy band falls apart, says one Queer Eye production member, who, like the others, requested anonymity, citing NDAs and career repercussions. Essentially they were a group of people put together in their mid-thirties and told to be best friends. But people dont expect that Queer Eye could be that. Thats truly what it was: a manufactured boy band with big personalities that certain ones were favored and certain ones were not, and then eventually [things] turned really toxic. Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Jonathan Van Ness pose with their Creative Arts Emmys earlier this year. David Collins, the creator of the original series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy that aired on Bravo in the early 2000s, helped piece together the Fab Five after an international search. Producers whittled down hundreds of applicants to 40 and flew everyone to Los Angeles for final rounds. As the story goes, the chemistry within the group was instantaneous. They all really hit it off, and they all really liked each other, recalls one production source. There was a reason why they were cast. Apart from Brown who appeared on The Real World: Philadelphia in 2004 they were all relative newcomers to being onscreen. Van Ness was building a rising profile for their popular Funny or Die YouTube series Gay of Thrones. Berk had an established interior design business and home furnishings line. France headed up his own clothing company. And Porowski was the protege to Chopped host Ted Allen (who was on the original Queer Eye as the food and wine expert). The rebooted version followed the general beats of its predecessor, with each show centering acceptance as its main premise. Along the way, the makeover recipient who may not personally know any queer people in their daily lives forges a genuine connection with the Fab Five. Its feel-good television, with silly laughs, misty-eyed scenes, and hopeful, teachable moments. The original premiered in 2003 more than a decade before gay marriage was legalized nationwide and ran for five seasons. And despite being 15 years apart, Netflixs Queer Eye came after the 2016 presidential election, which brought a fresh wave of divisiveness in the country. The Fab Five were tasked with stepping into a contentious climate to give people of varying backgrounds makeovers, while trying to form authentic emotional connections that didnt come across as forced. And they exceeded expectations. Headlines and reviews from The New York Times, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Ringer, and others raved about its approach and the need for Queer Eye in the current political climate. The Queer Eye reboot is even better than it should have been, Rolling Stone wrote in 2018. These Georgia boys are more than just makeover consultants: They are healers and sages for our time, not to mention sublimely bitchy quip machines. Mia Fischer, associate professor of media studies at the University of Colorado Denver, says part of the success was Netflix bringing the show to a wider, global audience. The Fab Fives diversity also helped the show feel more relatable for viewers, Fischer says. I think the Fab Five are representing different nuances and ways to be within the LGBTQ+ umbrella Jonathan being very open about coming out as nonbinary and also sharing experiences with how that sometimes feels really alienating and invisible even within queer spaces, Fischer explains. The show is having some real conversations: Karamo speaking about the complexity of Black queerness and Black masculinity Tan sharing about his Muslim-Pakistani heritage and challenges with intercultural and interracial dating; Bobby being homeless because he had a non-accepting family and a non-accepting religious community. Those are all things that are very real to a lot of LGBTQ folks and really makes the show very relatable. Essentially they were a group of people put together in their mid-thirties and told to be best friends. Queer Eye production member The friendship the Fab Five convey and their attempts to connect on personal levels with the hero is a crucial part of the shows impact, Collins explained in 2018. [The] show has shown that were able to talk to one another and have these dialogues, even from different sides of the equation, he said. The Fab Five are so effective at having some of these really difficult conversations, Fischer adds. They communicate to us that its really important not to stick in our echo chambers, but to try to bridge those differences and to have conversations with family members who might not be on the same page. Still, says one production source, My queer friends arent necessarily lining up to watch it, but [its] a show that a Southern mom with a gay kid whos kind of on the fence about whether to accept him would watch and be affected by. The new show was a ratings success and one of Netflixs early forays into original reality programming, paving the way for future hits Selling Sunset, Love Is Blind, and The Circle. It also catapulted each member into the public eye. As a team, they blew up overnight, says one early production source. They were really trying to figure out how to navigate their own lives their popularity as pop culture icons was definitely growing in size. They were beloved as a unit, but each was also focused on growing their own personal brand and securing their own various deals, leaning into their areas of expertise. Berk is the level-headed father figure with a solid design business. Brown is smooth, wise, and can quickly establish a genuine connection with the hero. France is English, chic, and quick-witted. Porowski is the quirky, foodie heartthrob. And Van Ness, who uses they/he/she pronouns, is beloved for their silly quips and joyous, over-the-top personality. How is it not obvious to everybody that none of these people are friends? None of them. They dont hang out socially. They live very different lives. Queer Eye production member As Queer Eye got bigger, the quintet grew increasingly competitive over screen time and who had the best sound bites, production sources say, as each jockeyed to be the shows biggest star. Still, it was clear hairstylist Van Ness was the breakout personality. That, however, brought another set of issues. Four Queer Eye production sources and three sources who worked with Van Ness said the reality star was terrible to work with, using words like monster, nightmare, and demeaning to describe them. Three people labeled Van Ness as emotionally abusive and having rage issues, and all seven sources said the star would lash out at crew members and people who worked closely with Van Ness. [Theres] a real emotion of fear around them when they get angry. Its almost like a cartoon where it oozes out of them, one source who worked with Van Ness explains. Its intense and scary. During filming, one production source estimated that Van Ness would explode at least once a week. He was a yeller, they said. (Van Ness did not reply to multiple requests for comment.) Its a stark contrast to Van Ness public personality. While there is genuine connection between Van Ness and the heroes, six sources say, they also describe the stars public persona as largely a charade. Jonathans a person who contains multitudes and who has the capacity to be very warm, very charismatic, and has the capacity to make you feel really special that they are paying attention to you, one source who worked with Van Ness explains. But at least once a day, they would need to yell at somebody. It might be something small, but theres always going to be somebody to point out and blame and make the villain of the day. Van Ness behavior allegedly contributed to the rift within the Fab Five, with two sources saying it led to certain members of the group including Berk reluctant to shoot scenes with Van Ness. There was absolutely tension between everybody else, especially from Jonathan Van Ness, says one production member. He didnt want to ever share the spotlight with anyone. There were times when we couldnt even shoot scenes with certain members of the Fab Five together because it got so bad. Jonathan Van Ness in Season Seven of Queer Eye. Other members could also be difficult at moments, but Van Ness stood out in terms of unprofessionalism, with his various moods dictating how the day would go, two sources say. When he comes on set, everything changes if hes in a bad mood, one explains. Working with him is very difficult in any capacity. Van Ness alleged two-faced behavior was disappointing, a third production source says. As much good as he wants to do in the world, I think a lot of it is very hypocritical, they add. Theres a definite contrast between the principles and the values that Jonathan stands for publicly, another source who worked with Van Ness explains. Theyre really centered around having this warmth, love, and care for other people. Theres a real contrast between that and the way that they treat the people who are closest to them across the board. Its the opposite of what this person is touted and paid to be. Netflix executives had at least one meeting with Van Ness over her behavior and treatment of the crew, two sources with knowledge tell Rolling Stone. Yet it seemed to result in little change, sources claim. The apparatus of [the shows production company] ITV and Netflix promotes Jonathan and actively rewards them for their bad behavior, one of those sources adds. Theres no accountability at all, a third person who has worked with Van Ness says. (Netflix declined to comment for this article.) Bobby Berk in a Season Six episode of Queer Eye. By the time Seasons Seven and Eight rolled around in summer 2022, the groups dynamic was nothing more than a cordial working relationship, according to two production sources. Apart from Porowski and France the only castmate invited to Porowskis bachelor party last September none of them are friends, says one source. They play nice. (Through a rep, France declined to comment for this article. Porowski and Brown did not reply to requests for comment.) Their relationships have definitely changed since Season One, explains a second Queer Eye production member. As in all workplaces, as time moves on, people become closer with some people and move further away from others. A third was far blunter: How is it not obvious to everybody that none of these people are friends? they say. None of them. They dont hang out socially. They live very different lives. In New Orleans, there was a feeling of consensus among cast and production that it might be everyones last season, according to three show sources. At that point, the show had raked in 10 Emmys, the Fab Fives contracts were ending, and each member was juggling their own business ventures and side projects. The most recent season was especially difficult: The schedule itself was intensive, filming from June to September with little downtime in humid temperatures. Crew members considered unionizing over alleged construction and safety issues due to rushed renovations, according to one show source. A rep for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union for crewmembers working on theater, TV, and film productions, tells Rolling Stone that they werent able to organize the Queer Eye crew but confirmed members raised alarms about worker safety concerns. And there were serious safety issues after assailants carjacked a production vehicle, yanking a production assistant from a SUV and taking off in her car, according to show sources and The Hollywood Reporter. Filming was halted for two days, and ITV hired additional security after the Fab Five threatened to walk away from the shoot if everyones safety wasnt prioritized. (A rep for ITV did not reply to a request for comment.) Berk also was butting heads with Van Ness and France during filming, sources say. All of the Fab Fives work is essential to the heros transformation and each relies on support from their departments but its been a long-running joke among fans that Berk does the heavy lifting in the group, ripping down walls, building furniture, and renovating entire spaces on a tight four-day turnaround. [Theres] a real emotion of fear around them when they get angry. Its almost like a cartoon where it oozes out of them. Its intense and scary. Source who worked with Jonathan Van Ness But while viewers see the other members having one-on-ones with the hero throughout the episode, producers routinely cut filmed scenes with Berk, according to four production sources. He would be absent for much of the episode, mainly appearing during the finished homes grand reveal alongside his castmates. I know Bobby did feel a bit less in the running [of being the fan favorite] because you didnt see him that much in episodes, says one production source. Initially, Berk himself was in on the joke. (As recently as last summer, he posted a video on Instagram making light of his scarce screen time.) But, according to show sources, the bit was beginning to wear thin. By New Orleans, two production sources claim that while Berk was friendly and professional, he seemed to be checked out. It all seemed like the perfect time to wind the series down. After New Orleans, everyone was like, I think were gonna end it, one production source recalls. It wasnt a sad thing, but, I think we left our impression. Berk also believed New Orleans would be the last stop for the Fab Five, recently telling Vanity Fair that the entire cast and crew had a tearful send-off. We thought we were done, he said. Mentally and emotionally, I thought we all moved on. I know I did, and I started planning other things. But following the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes last summer, according to Berk, Netflix was left with a gap in its original programming and renewed Queer Eye in the fall. While the new contract would extend another four seasons, Berk told Vanity Fair he declined the offer, referencing the teams ostensible goodbye in New Orleans. All the plans that I had made when I thought we werent coming back, I just wasnt willing to change those, Berk said. I would have had to pump the brakes on multiple other projects that are already in process. We had mentally just prepared ourselves to move on thats why I left. Berk explained that he believed the others were also on the fence about not returning, and at the very least, all five would have to be in agreement to continue. Wed just assumed that the show wouldnt come back if we all didnt come back, Berk told Vanity Fair. I was like, Im not going to be having FOMO cause the show is not going to happen. I had become at peace with it. The Fab Five with hero Tim Keel in a Season Eight episode of Queer Eye. Unbeknownst to Berk, at some point castmate France with alleged support from Porowski campaigned to replace Berk with interior designer and friend Jeremiah Brent, three sources say, with one calling it mean-girl antics. (Netflix announced Brent as Berks replacement last Tuesday.) Following publication of this article, France addressed the claim he helped get Brent hired, saying my former colleague getting fired has nothing to do with me trying to get my friend hired. Netflix and the production companies did a full-on casting. I didnt put my friend up for the job. They ended up getting it because they were the best person for the job. Berk did not reply directly to Frances video, but in a since-deleted post, tweeted a gif of Michelle Obama saying, When they go low, we go high. France appeared on Brents podcast last April, and Brent is also part of the Queer Eye extended family, previously co-hosting Say I Do a short-lived Netflix show from the creators of Scout Productions, the company behind Queer Eye. (Neither Brent nor a rep for Scout replied to requests for comment.) For some reason, Berk told Vanity Fair, the others ultimately changed course and renewed their contracts leaving Berk the lone one out. There were definitely emotions, Berk said to the outlet. But each one of us had our reasons why we did what we did. I cant be mad for a second I was. Many production sources are surprised by the decision to keep Queer Eye going even more so by the bulk of the groups decision to return. Some speculate that despite the in-fighting and tensions, the other members agreed to return because Queer Eye serves as the main vehicle to keep their stardom afloat and support their separate ventures, some of which are floundering. Frances Next in Fashion competition show with co-host Gigi Hadid stalled after two seasons on Netflix, and he recently launched his own production company. Van Ness popular podcast Getting Curious was refitted into a docuseries on Netflix, which has gone dark after one season. The main backer for their JVN Haircare line went bankrupt, with the brand offloading at a stunningly low $1.25 million price. Browns syndicated talk show brings in around 600,000 viewers, and YouTube episodes fluctuate between 150K and 500K views on average. However, his little-known skincare brand MANTL has fewer than 10,000 followers on Instagram. And Porowski who recently announced a new docuseries with National Geographic saw his co-owned restaurant the Village Den in New York City shutter in 2021 after three years. Of course theyre all still doing it to maintain popular culture relevance, says one source. Theyre all basically influencers for their own brand. With Brent officially signed on, Netflix can move forward with Season Nine, which will send the new Fab Five to Las Vegas as casting for the new set of heroes is already underway. Those who worked on the show say that despite any feuding among the hosts, it shouldnt take away from what the show means to viewers. The cast and crew believe in the shows message, and the Fab Fives intentions and interactions with the heroes are genuine, they say, despite any behind-the-scenes problems. The experience that the Fab Five gives to the heroes all thats very real, says one production source. A lot of people who believe in that message and care about it work very hard and lose sleep to make a quality show that people care about. This story was updated on March 8 at 10:00 a.m. to include Frances statement. Best of Rolling Stone The incontrovertible and immediate effect of muscular tax credits, entering in force in 2023, have powered to a new level the shoot scene in Bilbao and Bizkaia the Basque city and surrounding province in Northern Spain. Introduced on Jan. 1, 2023, the new incentives offer an up-to-60% tax deduction for national and international co-productions of film and TV projects. More from Variety Enticing studios such as Toboggan and production houses Buendia Estudios and Tornasol to set up in Bizkaia and streaming giant Netflix to invest in original productions, the territory is fast capitalizing on its breaks. Over 2023, 151 shoots filmed in Bilbao-Bizkaia, 76 from the Basque Country, 47 from Spain and 28 from abroad, according to the Bilbao-Bizkaia 2023 Year Book. Total shoot spend in 2023 came in at 58.5 million ($63.7 million), 324% up on 2019s figure of 13.8 million ($15.0 million. Spend includes the employment of 1,113 cast or crew members. The indirect economic impact is estimated at 139.6 million ($152.2 million), six times up on 23.5 million ($25.6 million) in 2021. In all, productions shot 1,026 days in Bilbao or in the rest of Bizkaia, 74% more than 2022. The fact that the increase in spend is way up on this is that Bilbao and Bizkaia are attracting ever bigger shoots not just more titles. Angela Film feature shoots were up 140% from 5 in 2022 to 12 last year. Series climbed 40% from 5 to 7. Bilbao Bizkaia has positioned itself in 2023 as a competitive and attractive destination for Spain and Europes audiovisual industry, said Xabier Ochandiano, the Bilbao Town Hall councillor for Economic Development, Business, Tourism and Employment. We offer tax breaks, legal security, a political commitment, experienced professionals, unique locations and personalized support. Shooting in Bilbao-Bizkaia is a guarantee of success. Those who work in the city and territory always come back, he added. The Bilbao Town Hall is now working on the creation of a Bilbao Audiovisual Hub, in response to the global needs of the sector and the growing demand for production service infrastructure. 2023 productions which shot in Bilbao-Bizkaia take in Netflixs The Platform 2, the second part of Galder Gaztelu-Urrutoas social-issue horror-triller which rates as the fourth most-watched non-English-language film on Netflix ever. Detective Toure Starring Hovik Keuchkerian (Money Heist) and Milena Smit (Parallel Mothers) and produced once more by Basque Films, headed by Carlos Juarez, the sequel lensed in Bilbao and Barakaldo, once Bilbao regions industrial center, now undergoing rapid redevelopment. Further 2023 shoots take in Anatema, with Leonor Watling (Talk To Her), for Alex de la Iglesias Banijay-owned Pookespie Films and Sony Pictures International Productions; the Ibon Cormenzana-directed The Bus of Life, from his Barcelona-based label Arcadia Motion Pictures, producer of Rodrigo Sorogoyens Cesar and Goya winner The Beasts and Neon U.S. pick-up Oscar-nominated Robot Dreams; and Marco, from The Endless Trench directors Aitor Arregi and Jon Garano and Irusoin and Moriarti Produkzioak. Disney+s The Other Side, RTVEs Detective Toure, Atresmedia/Disney+s Angela, and Movistar Plus+s Quereralso shot in Bilbao-Bizkaia last year as Spains biggest players and top independents flock to the territory. International shoots took in National Geographics Europe From Above, Tokyo Broadcastings Fushigi Hakkken and James Martins Spanish Adventure for ITV. Among reasons for choosing to shoot in Bilbao-Bizkaia, producers adduced tax credits and subsidies (4.73/5), followed by past experience (4.22/5) and locations (4.08/5). The Bilbao-Bizkaia Film Commission scored 4.9/5, with producers highlighting its personalised attention and flexibility when adapting to their specific needs. As the battle to attract shoots will become all the more competitive in the future, commissions quality will count all the more as well. Querer Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Late Show host Stephen Colbert on Monday seized on a strange moment involving Donald Trump at the former presidents campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the weekend. Were a nation that just recently heard that Saudi Arabia and Russia will Trump was telling supporters before he tailed off and made a weird aaah-type sound. Not entirely sure whats going on there, Colbert admitted after playing the footage of the four-times-indicted Republican front-runner. Then came the zinger: But apparently, he cant even say the word Russia without climaxing. Trump has repeatedly sided with Russia and its authoritarian leader, Vladimir Putin, over U.S. interests, a dynamic that last week was called really creepy by former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Watch the video here: Related... Pop-Tarts has got its eye on Taylor Swift's fruit-filled pastry recipe. After Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid revealed that the singer, 34, surprised the team with her homemade goodies during the season, Pop-Tarts is asking her to release the recipe". To KCs most famous fan, we heard theres a Pop-Tarts pastry (Your Version) and in its honor, were donating to @harvesters, a local Feeding America partner food bank, the toaster-pastry brand said in an Instagram post Friday. But if you #releasetherecipe, well double our donation." The request was accompanied by a Pop-Tart version of Swifts Eras Tour poster with the title "Release the Recipe". 'They just blew off the shelves': When were Pop-Tarts invented? The post quickly became popular among Swifties, who also started requesting their favorite pop star to release the recipe, especially since it was for a good cause. The brand also put out a full-page ad in the Kansas City Star Friday requesting Swift to share the recipe with her fans. Harvesters said that Pop-Tarts made an initial donation of $12,500 to the non-profit and will double it to $25,000 if Swift drops her recipe. "Taylor has been a supporter of us in the past," Harvesters said. "Now, her sharing the recipe could mean even more money for folks in Kansas City experiencing food insecurity." Reid did not get a Taylor Swift Pop-Tart Reid, on an episode of NFL by NBC last week, dropped that Swift likes to cook and had treated the team to homemade Pop-Tarts during the season. Kind of behind-the-scenes, she, to fit in she didn't even know she was doing this, I don't think she likes to cook, so she made the offensive linemen homemade Pop-Tarts, Reid said, much to the delight of hosts Mike Florio and Chris Simms. The two joked that Swift knew right where to go. When asked if Reid got hold of any of the treat, the coach said that he didn't get one. Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs kisses Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 2 during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. She didnt give me one, and the offensive linemen definitely didnt give me one! Reid laughed. This is not the first time a baked treat by Swift went viral. Earlier, her Chai Sugar Cookies also became popular, the recipe for which is widely available on the internet. Swift is currently in Singapore for her Eras Tour, after performing in Japan and Australia. In Sydney, boyfriend Travis Kelce cheered on her donning friendship bracelets, before sharing a kiss at the end of the night. Mama Kelce's world: Kansas City woman's Donna Kelce mug sells like wildfire, helps pay off student lunch debt Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pop-Tarts to Taylor Swift: 'Release the recipe' for homemade pastries Years ago, I went tubing along the Tchefuncte River in Louisiana with my best friend, Gordon, his brother, Emory, and their father, John. Before we left on our adventure, Gordon's stepmother, Rose, handed us a basket of fried chicken to take along for our ride. Later, perched on a rock along the river, I took a bite of that chicken and couldn't get over how good it tasted. When I asked Rose that night what the secret was, she laughed. Oh, I got it at Publix, Keith. At the Table: Sign up for Keith Pandolfi's weekly food newsletter And so began my love of grocery store fried chicken. The best by far is from Publix, but other versions are just fine. The other day, famished as I drove through Miami Township, I stopped at Sullivan's Family Foods, in North Bend, and purchased two fried breasts and two thighs with a side of broccoli salad. I ate half of my meal in the car and took the rest home with me. via GIPHY Later that night, I reached into the fridge and devoured a leftover thigh cold while standing at the kitchen sink. Odd, you say? Well to me, cold fried chicken is just as good if not better than the hot stuff. The meat is less greasy and more dense, the breading not as soggy, but just as tasty. (My former co-worker, Kenji Lopez-Alt, once described the breading as tasting more like stuffing when it's cold, which is not a bad thing at all.) The next day, I shredded the last chicken breast and pressed it between two slices of squishy bread with iceberg lettuce, mayonnaise and lots of pickles for lunch. I know a lot of people feel like they can get just as much mileage out of those de rigueur rotisserie chickens everyone loves these days, but I promise you this: Whether it's for a tubing trip, a picnic or a mindless sandwich enjoyed over a kitchen sink, cold grocery store fried chicken beats cold rotisserie chicken any day of the week. Highly Recommended is a weekly spotlight on some of food writer Keith Pandolfi's favorite finds as he eats his way across Greater Cincinnati. Find more of his recent food writing here. Highly Recommended Hall of Fame : You should have lunch at Scotti's : This chicken soup is 100% grandma-worthy : A trolley burger with a side of spicy history : This is the best potato chip in Cincinnati This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why grocery store fried chicken is better than rotisserie chicken CTIA, which represents the wireless industry, has accused the cable industry of lobbying against the allocation of 5G spectrum to slow the advance of fixed wireless access broadband. In a blog post titled Cable Is Trying to Use Spectrum Policy to Stop 5G Home Competition, Nick Ludlum, senior VP and chief communications officer for CTIA, accused lobbyists for the cable industry of posting "disingenuous, or just flat-out inaccurate, statements about global spectrum allocations." As originally reported by Light Reading, FWA operators including T-Mobile and Verizon Communications, are looking to acquire more spectrum in the lower 3-GHz band to, according to CTIA, meet the surging demand for 5G wireless data. The cable-backed group Spectrum For the Future, however, argues in its own blog posting that these wireless companies want to pursue old-school approaches to spectrum licensing that will only reinforce the dominance of Chinese equipment from companies like Huawei. Sino fears serve as merely a disingenuous scapegoat for cables real fear, Ludlum said, which is competition from FWA. Since they emerged three years ago, 5G fixed wireless services from T-Mobile and Verizon have dominated customer additions for home broadband. fixed wireless access In a separate graphic, CTIA also shows the growing 5G spectrum deficit the amount of spectrum wireless carriers actually have now vs. what they need to service 5G demand, per the FCC. spectrum deficit Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. We consulted with top hairstylists from around the country to help recommend the right shampoos and conditioners for your hair type. InStyle / Brian Kopinski 1990s commercial hair. Hair so silky smooth, so perfectly curled, so lusciously hydrated, so enviously perfect that when you turn your head, every head on the street turns with it. We all want it. But how do you get it? Healthy hair starts at the scalp. And scalp health starts with using the right shampoo and conditioner, says celebrity stylist and Virtue Labs creative director Adir Abergel. Considering some of Hollywoods most enviable coifs including those of Jennifer Garner and Charlize Theron regularly emerge from Abergels salon, were pretty on-board with that directive. But how do you pick the shampoo and conditioner that are going to be best for your hair type and give you the head-turning, red-carpet-quality hair you crave? "When it comes to hair care, knowing your hair type is essential, says LOreal Professionnel Global Ambassador and NYC-based colorist Min Kim. Best Overall: Necessaire The Scalp Duo See at Necessaire.com What We Love: It is free of everything: sulfates, parabens, phthalates, PEGs, even fragrance, leaving us with literally nothing to complain about. What We Dont Love: If we had to really dig for something, maybe its that the brand is sustainably manufactured in the United States, despite carrying a French name? But honestly, there is nothing not to love here. This hot brand certainly lives up to its name. Its 100 percent necessary to add to your shower shelf in our minds and in Abergels as well. My hair responds so well to it! he raves. Theres very little not to love here. The formula is free of everything. No sulfates, no parabens, no phthalates, no PEGs. It doesnt even carry a scent! Thats a lot to love before you get into the insanely hydrating effects of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, panthenol, celery seed extract, aloe vera leaf juice, and vitamin B. All of that combines to bring serious moisture and health back to your scalp, leaving your head free of irritation and buildup and your hair looking like Abergel himself styled it. The company is even a B-corp, so you can rest easy knowing that their manufacturing, supply, and distribution chains are as responsible and eco-conscious as they come. Hair Type: Various | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Unscented | Size: 8.4 oz Best Budget: Odele Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner See at Odelebeauty.com See at Odelebeauty.com What We Love: At an affordable price point, this line offers all the high-end essentials including an SLS/SLES sulfate-free formula, sleek packaging, and most importantly intensely moisturizing, lightweight ingredients that are ideal for a wide range of hair types. What We Dont Love: The texture can be a little grainy when you squeeze the formula out of the bottle, but that experience is quickly erased as you build the lather and reap the benefits of the high-quality ingredients. If youre looking for luxury shampoo features without the price point, look no further than Odele. This up-and-coming, women-owned and -operated, Minnesota-based brand has done its homework and delivers all of the features you would expect from products three-to-four times the price. The sulfate-free formula is clean, and while the ingredient list doesnt feature many buzzy items, it does strictly adhere to EU cosmetic standards. The result is a combination of extremely high-quality ingredients that keep your experience level high and the price point low. And what an experience it is! Though the texture can be slightly grainy at first, any hesitations are immediately rinsed away the moment this product hits your scalp. Both the shampoo and conditioner deliver a lightweight experience that cleans your hair without stripping it of its essential oils. The result is remarkably and consistently smooth, frizz-free hair for pretty much any hair type. If silky-smooth, irresistibly touchable salon-grade hair is what youre after, this is it. Hair Type: Various | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Neutral with a cucumber base | Size: 13 oz Best Drugstore: Kristin Ess Hair Signature Hydrating Salon Shampoo and Conditioner $24 at Amazon.com What We Love: This brand makes salon-grade performance available for purchase at virtually any drugstore around the country. What We Dont Love: The signature scent is extremely appealing but can be overwhelming for some. The One is another brand that lives up to its name. If youre browsing your local CVS or Walgreens, this is the one to grab according to Abergel. Its a really cleansing and delicate formula, he says. Like all of our favorites, the formula is sulfate-free and appropriate for a huge variety of hair types. Its also vegan and ultra-hydrating, thanks to ingredients like castor and avocado oils. The result is soft, shiny, smooth hair that will have you turning heads the moment you walk through your local Walgreens automatic sliding doors and into the parking lot. Hair Type: Various | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Signature with notes of magnolia, pear water, and sandalwood | Size: 10 oz Best Splurge: Davines OI Shampoo and Conditioner See at Shopnorthauthentic.com $38 at Us.davines.com What We Love: The roucou oil-enhanced formula not only smells amazing, it offers a huge range of performance benefits that help counteract both natural and environmental damage. What We Dont Love: The packaging of both products is unwieldy to use in the shower. We found the shampoo easy to spill when pouring and the conditioner with an aggravating twist-off lid and open container easy to flood and spoil with water. The secret to the luxurious experience offered by Davines best-selling shampoo and conditioner lies deep within the jungles of the Amazon. Roucou oil is derived from the fruit of the achiote, a shrub that is native to the worlds largest rainforest. And its benefits are countless. Not only does it help to hydrate and smooth hair, virtually eliminating the need to detangle, it also purportedly helps reverse the natural effects of aging. Considering how rich in vitamins A and B, beta-carotene, ellagic acid, and natural antioxidants it is, its no wonder that the brand claims it counters the effects of UV exposure and even aids in the natural production of collagen and melanin. Just dont let that cloud your vision regarding the real benefit which, according to Abergel, is smooth, infinitely manageable, and therefore stylable hair. Hair Type: Various | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Signature Scent | Size: Shampoo: 9.46 oz; conditioner: 8.8 oz Best for Curly Hair: Holy Curls Hydration Infusing Shampoo and Conditioner $60 at Amazon.com See at Holycurls.com What We Love: A range of natural ingredients keep things lightweight but still offer outstanding hydration, leaving your curls with nothing to do but bounce. What We Dont Love: The pump packaging has a tendency to break easily. For NYC-based curls specialist Candace Witherspoon, theres only one choice for most of her clients hair, and thats Holy Curls Shampoo and Conditioner. After years of straightening her natural curls, Somali-born Badria Ahmed founded Holy Curls as a solution for women with tight curls in a market that doesnt offer many. The line offers amazing hydration through the use of lightweight, natural ingredients, like baobab and coconut oils, cupuacu butter, and yucca plant extract. Theres nothing including sulfates in the formula to weigh your hair down, allowing curls to stay buoyant and bouncy all day long. Hair Type: Curly, natural | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Sweet orange | Size: 300 ml Best for Graying Hair: Arey The Shower Duo See at Areygrey.com What We Love: The jury is out on whether gray hair is in, but while we deliberate, well gladly stall (and maybe even reverse!) the process with this excellent, well-balanced shampoo and conditioner. If youre happy with your natural hair color, its an excellent alternative to expensive color treatments. What We Dont Love: The price. Its expensive, but depending on your mindset, reversing time could be priceless. Whether or not youre looking to embrace graying hair is a matter of personal preference one that many of us probably spend hours agonizing over, especially considering that research has begun to show that gray hair is not 100 percent hereditary. It can also be caused by environmental factors from things completely out of our control, like UV rays and even cigarette smoke. So, if youre unsure about gray hair and looking for some extra time to deliberate, we recommend stocking Areys Shampoo and Conditioner in your shower. The peptide-rich formula not only leaves your hair clean and pH balanced, it also slows the appearance of gray hair and even helps to repigment by stimulating the production of Melancortin 1 Receptor (MC1). The ability to stop time is a lofty claim one that comes with a high price tag but giving Arey a try is certainly cheaper than a lifetime of expensive color treatments. Hair Type: All hair types | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Cedar and sage | Size: 8.45 oz Best for Dry Hair: Klorane Shampoo and Conditioner With Organic Cupuacu Butter See at Kloraneusa.com See at Kloraneusa.com What We Love: Cupuacu butter brings the moisture of the rainforest to your scalp to provide hydration through a formula that is suitable for nearly every hair type. What We Dont Love: While we are more concerned about the incredible outcome for the appearance of our hair, the packaging and branding leaves something to be desired when its sitting in your shower. It looks more like poison-ivy relief than a luxurious, hydrating experience for your scalp. If youre looking for moisture, what better place to take inspiration (and ingredients) from than the rainforest? Abergel highly recommends this shampoo and conditioner combo that draws its moisture-enhancing properties from cupuacu, the fruit of a tree native to many of South Americas wet and steamy climes. Cupuacu butter is rich in antioxidants, and some studies claim it has nourishing properties 1.5 times stronger than its cousin shea butter. The creamy texture of both the shampoo and conditioner doesnt weigh your hair down, its great for providing moisture to most hair types, and its safe for color-treated hair as well. Hair Type: Dry, damaged, thick, curly, batural | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Cupuacu (slightly tropical) | Size: Shampoo: 13.5 oz; conditioner: 6.7 oz Best for Colored Hair: L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner See at Lorealparisusa.com See at Lorealparisusa.com What We Love: Sulfate-free and pH-balanced, this shampoo-and-conditioner combo is perfect for color-treated hair. And the extremely reasonable price point is perfect for offsetting the costs of expensive color treatments. What We Dont Love: The purple packaging and iridescent logo feel suited to the shower of a teenager. When you color your hair, youre actually also restructuring the proteins in it which can lead to some undesirable outcomes, like loss of hair strength, reduced thickness, and generally more brittle hair, when left unchecked. Thats why many stylists, including Delaware-based Cassandra Olivia, recommend seeking out a shampoo and conditioner thats specifically formulated to help combat those effects. This combo from LOreal is Olivias favorite, first and foremost because it is sulfate-free. You never want to use products with sulfates in color-treated hair, she says. They are way too harsh in how they strip your hair, plus theyll cause your color to fade faster! The last thing you want when youre already putting your hair through the stress of color treatments is to put it under even more strain. Luckily, this gentle and reasonably priced formula avoids that issue and brings moisture and buoyancy with the addition of rosemary extract. Its also great for a wide range of hair types, Olivia says, including natural hair. Hair Type: Color treated, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Roses and sandalwood | Size: 8.5 oz Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex Bond Maintenance No.4 Shampoo and No.5 Conditioner See at Olaplex.com What We Love: Olaplexs patented ingredient helps repair the bonds that make your hair strong and prevent breakage. What We Dont Love: If you wash your hair extremely regularly or every day, this may not be the best choice. It stimulates the production of more natural oils than other shampoos and conditioners. Olaplex is recognized by many stylists as the leader when it comes to hair repair. Their patented hair-care system helps to repair the disulfide bonds in hair follicles that give your hair structure, strength, and stability. When those bonds are broken, your hair becomes damaged, which is where Olaplexs patented ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, comes to the rescue. The name may leave your tongue in knots, but your hair certainly wont be. This powerful shampoo and conditioner combo strengthens and repairs your hair, leaving it touchably soft, silky smooth, and far less prone to breakage when you run a comb through it. Hair Type: Damaged, but suitable for all hair types | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh (slightly citrusy) | Size: 8.5 oz Best for Oily Hair: dpHue Apple Cider Vinegar Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner See at Dphue.com See at Dphue.com What We Love: Apple cider vinegar is a great, natural ingredient for clarifying hair without stripping it of moisture. What We Dont Love: With a base ingredient of vinegar, this product produces a fairly strong scent in the shower that might bother some. But it fades quickly and doesnt follow you out of the shower. Celebrity stylist Clyde Haygood says that when his clients come in with oily hair, he immediately reaches for products that leverage apple cider vinegar. It clarifies hair to remove residue, build-up and dirt and helps exfoliate the scalp, he says, but it also locks moisture into hair follicles. The result is healthy, shiny, stronger hair. The Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner from dpHue takes the benefits even further with a formula that adds hyaluronic acid, apple stem cells, and maca root. And the effect of that combination on your scalp is noticeable even as it goes to work in the shower, producing a slight, pleasing tingle. Like an all-natural Drano for your hair follicles, the ACV Revitalizing Shampoo works to unclog your scalp just like a scalp scrub, exfoliating while also removing oil and build up to help stimulate your hair growth cycles. It will leave your hair shiny but never slick with oil. Hair Type: Oily (but well-suited for all hair types)| Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Apple cider vinegar | Size: 8.5 oz Best Moisturizing: Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control and Intense Conditioner for Moisture & Control $49 at Sephora.com $52 at Sephora.com What We Love: An intensely hydrating blend of Oribes signature complex, amino acids, shea and illipe butters, and olive oil make this a go-to for locking in moisture, especially for those with curly hair. What We Dont Love: The price. But a little bit of product goes a long way here, so at least you wont be purchasing it that regularly. Its often difficult for those with natural or curly hair to get the moisture their hair craves without weighing down their tresses. Thats why Witherspoon turns to Oribe when shes looking to lock in moisture. The brands Moisture and Control line is ideal for moisturizing curls especially types 2-4 but also provides great results for those with thick, coarse, or frizzy hair. Oribes signature complex of watermelon, lychee and edelweiss helps protect against the deterioration of natural keratin, while sunflower extract helps protect against natural damaging and drying environmental effects. Amino acids, shea butter, illipe butter, and olive oil all provide unparalleled moisture to the hair and scalp. Hair Type: Curly, wavy, natural, coarse, thick, frizzy | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: Shampoo: 8.5 oz; conditioner: 6.8 oz Best for Fine Hair: Living Proof Full Shampoo and Conditioner See at Livingproof.com See at Livingproof.com What We Love: By minimizing friction and buildup, this shampoo-and-conditioner combo provides natural fullness and body. What We Dont Love: This is definitely a product specifically for those with fine hair. Its not well-suited for other hair types. If you crave volume for your fine hair, Living Proofs Full Shampoo and Conditioner is perhaps the finest option. The key is a new blend of ingredients that are heavy in slip modifiers, which reduce surface tension between strands and allow your hair to achieve more natural fullness. Both the shampoo and conditioner are also formulated with marine-derived polysaccharides that naturally protect against friction-causing buildup from harsh pollutants. With all that junk and friction removed, amaranth peptides can go to work more easily, providing some extra plump to your hair that further enhances fullness. The result is natural fullness and body, even for the finest hair. Hair Type: Fine | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8 oz Best for Frizzy Hair: Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner $16 at Sephora.com $16 at Sephora.com What We Love: An all-star cast of natural oils come together to provide smoothness and control to even the driest, frizziest manes. What We Dont Love: Its oil-based, so definitely do not use this if you have a naturally oily hair type! When clients enter the salon with frizzy, out-of-control hair, Abergel immediately reaches for his favorite shampoo and conditioner from Bumble and bumble. Coming together to save your hair like the superhero cast of Captain Planet are an all-star lineup of six high-performing oils: Grapeseed, sweet almond, coconut, safflower, macadamia, and argan. With their softening, smoothing, and detangling powers combined, hair is instantly transformed from looking like you just put your finger in an electrical outlet to smooth, manageable tresses. Its a great product for anyone with dry, damaged hair with mediumto-thick density, but stay away if your hair carries a lot of natural oil. These oil-based ingredients will not do you any favors. Hair Type: Frizzy, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fruity | Size: Shampoo: 16 oz; conditioner: 16 oz Best for Dandruff: Briogeo Scalp Revival Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo and Cooling Hydration Scalp Mask See at Briogeohair.com See at Briogeohair.com What We Love: These weekly treatments greatly improve scalp health and reduce the occurrence of flakes and dandruff. What We Dont Love: The pot-like packaging of the shampoo is difficult in the shower, but since its a once-a-week ritual and the results are so astounding, were willing to make the sacrifice. Most people love a fresh snowfall, except when the source is your hair! Dandruff is embarrassing and the surest sign of poor scalp health. A good stylist should never let you off the hook when it comes to treating dandruff, and Witherspoon is no exception. When her clients come in with obviously dry, flaky scalps, she immediately recommends they start using Briogeos weekly Scalp Revival treatments. Both the shampoo and mask feature charcoal (which helps detoxify the scalp) and coconut oil (which brings back moisture) to provide maximal impact to your scalp health when you add a simple, once-a-week product swap to your routine. Plus, both products also feature soothing peppermint oil, which helps relieve itching and has the added bonus of smelling fantastic. The benefits are clinically tested to increase scalp hydration by up to two times, and 89 percent of respondents saw improvement after their first use. Youll have beautiful, flake-free hair in no time. Hair Type: Dry scalp and dandruff | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Peppermint | Size: Shampoo: 8 oz; conditioner: 5 oz Best for Thick Hair: Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo and Baomint Deep Conditioning Treatment See at Adwoabeauty.com See at Adwoabeauty.com What We Love: Natural oils come together to provide control without adding volume or excess product buildup, making this minty line of products ideal for coarse, thick hair. What We Dont Love: The packaging. Pump bottles tend to break. Many of Witherspoon's clients have thick, coarse, natural hair, and for those instances she highly recommends reaching for Adwoas Baomint collection. A combination of natural oils including baobab, Jamaican black castor, sweet almond, rosemary, nettle, and prickly pear couple up with the cooling properties of peppermint to deliver a hydrating blend that helps smooth out even the coarsest hair while adding back loads of moisture. Post-shower, the deep conditioning treatment leverages the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of a similar blend of oils and shea butter to add strength and shine. Itll make styling a breeze. Hair Type: Thick, coarse, natural | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Peppermint | Size: Shampoo: 14 oz; conditioner: 16 oz Best for Natural Hair: PATTERN Hydration Shampoo and Lightweight Conditioner See at Beautybay.com See at Patternbeauty.com What We Love: Patterns products offer moisture-rich ingredients that are ideal for natural hair and make detangling a breeze, allowing any woman to have hair as effortlessly chic as the brands famous founder. What We Dont Love: The floral scent will appeal to most but could overpower more sensitive noses. Developed by style icon Tracee Ellis Ross specifically to address the concerns of women looking to embrace the beauty of their natural hair, its no small wonder that this is Witherspoon's top recommendation. Natural hair demands moisture, and Pattern delivers that in spades with shampoo ingredients like aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, and honey, plus conditioner ingredients, including Irish moss and biotin. The sulfate-, paraben-, phthalate- and formaldehyde-free formula cleans deeply and smoothes hair, leaving it easy to detangle and style. Pattern will give you the resources to make your natural coif as effortlessly chic as that of the brands famous founder. Hair Type: Natural, curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: Shampoo: 25 oz; conditioner: 29 oz Best Purple Shampoo: Virtue Labs Colorkick De-Brassing Shampoo and Recovery Conditioner $18 at Sephora.com $44 at Sephora.com What We Love: The wide range of all-natural botanic ingredients provide an equally wide array of balancing benefits for blonde, silver, gray and color-treated hair. What We Dont Love: Your hair will look so vibrant and visibly healthy you might get too many compliments. If youre looking to tone color-treated locks, stylist Ali Dash insists you look no further than Virtue Labs ColorKick Debrassing Shampoo. It uses all-natural botanicals to brighten, tone, and neutralize brassiness on all shades of color-treated hair. That list of all-natural ingredients is impressive: Chamomile, red cabbage, lemon fruit, ginseng, and wintergreen extracts all combine to make for brighter blondes, while turmeric root extract provides protection from color-distorting UV rays. Viola odorata flower, lavender, and rosemary extracts neutralize brassiness. But what really sets the Virtue Labs formula apart is the patented Alpha Keratin 60ku technology. Its the only keratin protein actually derived from human hair, which gives it the clinically-proven power to heal any hair type and texture. Follow up with the brands Recovery Conditioner designed with baobab oil to lock in moisture, plus hydrolyzed quinoa to enhance color and grapefruit extract to pump up shine and your blonde locks will be radiant like the sun in no time. Hair Type: Color-treated | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Yuzu, chamomile, sandalwood | Size: Shampoo: 8 oz; conditioner: 7.6 oz Best Smelling: Le Labo Santal 33 Perfuming Shampoo and Conditioner See at Lelabofragrances.com See at Lelabofragrances.com What We Love: The scent. Were obsessed with Santal 33 regardless of which Le Labo product it appears in. What We Dont Love: The price. Although, when you recontextualize it as a perfume and shampoo combined as one (which it is!), it becomes more manageable in our minds. If you havent yet experienced Le Labos bestselling Santal 33 scent, youve been missing out. Found in all of the trendiest restaurant and hotel bathrooms, Santal 33 is absolutely intoxicating. Pair the scent up with a high-performing shampoo and conditioner, and Abergel advises that you have one great product. The shampoo is enhanced with vitamin B and aloe, while the conditioner is rich in shea butter and sweet almond oil. Youll leave the shower with hair that looks, feels, and smells like a million dollars. Hair Type: Various | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Sandalwood | Size: Shampoo: 8 oz; conditioner: 7.8 oz What to Keep in Mind Your Hair Type "Know thyself is an aphorism that has been around since the ancient Greeks, and for good reason. If you dont know your hair type, youre setting yourself up for frustration when it comes to finding satisfaction in your hair routine. Using a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically created for your individual hair type is absolutely the most important factor in achieving the best results, says Haygood. He cautions his high-profile Los Angeles clientele that finding the perfect product that actually works for your hair type is a lot of trial and error, which can be costly and wasteful! While it's not a one-size-fits-all process, there are a few overarching guidelines to keep in mind. Curly Hair : Ill often recommend products specific to that hair type that add moisture and help to maintain a curl, says Olivia. But some of the heavier moisturizing products that are great for curly or natural hair would weigh down fine, thin hair." Fine Hair : Someone with fine, skinny strands would want a shampoo and conditioner that contains light ingredients that wont weigh down and reduce volume," says Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist, Bradley Leake. Coarse, Damaged, or Colored Hair: " I would recommend the opposite and push them to formulas with heavy ingredients that would be more effective at adding moisture and providing repair," says Leake. If a shortcut is more your thing, just cut to the chase and ask your stylist for help choosing the right regimen for you. Ingredients As a general rule of thumb, nearly all of our experts immediately cautioned us to stay away from any shampoos that include sulfates, parabens and silicones. Parabens may help inhibit bacteria and mold, but they are detrimental on many levels when absorbed into the body, warns Haygood. And while silicones coat the hair, which may make it feel better at first, over time they create buildup and can cause flakiness to the scalp and drying-out of the hair. Ingredients to look for in a shampoo and conditioner depend on your hair type and here are a few guidelines to get you started. Wavy Hair : LA-based stylist Billy Yamaguchi loves the wave-enhancing and frizz-reducing properties of aloe vera for wavy hair, the extra moisture that coconut oil provides (without imparting heaviness) for curly hair, and the hydrating properties of honey and shea butter for especially dry hair. Curly Hair : Philly-based celebrity stylist Annagijd Kee Taylor, who counts Keke Palmer and Tiffany Haddish as clients, explains that "moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin help define curls and reduce frizz." Coarse, Damaged, or Colored Hair : For my clients with color-treated hair, I look for antioxidants like vitamin E which are great at preventing fading. And for those with dry and damaged hair, I look to add extra moisture with natural oils like argan oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. But if your hair is already oily, Im going to tell you to look for clarifying ingredients like tea tree oil, charcoal and salicylic acid that will help remove product buildup and elongate the amount of time you can spend between wash days. Sulfate and Sulfate-Free Formulas: Everyone agrees. Stay away from sulfates. They are in detergents and household cleaners, Haygood. Would you want to cleanse your hair with those? Despite being universally reviled by professional stylists, sulfates show up in about 90 percent of shampoo formulas, according to Dash. He credits their popularity with the lush, frothy foam they create to cleanse the hair and scalp, but in turn, they strip out all the moisture, leaving you with brittle, straw-like ends. All of our experts agree: If you can avoid sulfates, you should, especially if you have curly or color-treated hair. They just clean way too harshly for those hair types, warns Olivia. Your Questions, Answered How often should you wash your hair? Every single one of our experts agree that you should not wash your hair every day. But just how many washes you need in a week can vary, depending on both your hair type and your lifestyle. Most people dont need to wash their hair daily, says Olivia, adding that someone with oil-prone fine, thin hair may want to wash more frequently (3-4 times a week), while people with thicker, curly hair might only need a good cleanse once or twice a week. Natural hair can go even longer, says Taylor, somewhere in the seven to 10 day range. Of course, if you are particularly active and sweating a lot and generating a lot of extra oil, youll probably want to wash more frequently than every 2-3 days, says Kim. Although it's more often than most, that doesn't make it wrong or bad; it's just what your hair needs. Unless maybe gym hair is your thing? Should you condition your hair every time you use shampoo? The American Academy of Dermatology (and all of our experts) agree universally: You should condition every time you use a shampoo. A shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair and remove product buildup and the bodys natural oils, which is ideal for keeping hair clean and healthy but also has a tendency to dry your hair out, says Olivia. Regular use of a conditioner helps to counteract those effects and bring back some of the much-needed moisture. What happens if I use the wrong shampoo for my hair type? Its not going to be the end of the world, says Abergel, it just won't look as healthy or vibrant as it would with the right formulas." Miami and NYC-based stylist Laura McNamara agrees. Nothing truly bad is going to happen; your hair may not be hydrated enough, or it might end up too hydrated and look oily or feel flat. Andrew Fitzsimons warns that can be true of conditioners as well. If you have thinner hair, I would actually recommend using less conditioner or skipping it altogether, he says. It has the potential to really weigh down your locks. Why Shop with Us Peter Tittiger is a contributing writer at InStyle as well as Byrdie. He has over 10 years of experience researching and producing content programs for top luxury and lifestyle brands including TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Lexus, and Best Made Co. While writing this article he consulted thirteen professional hairstylists from around the country, including Adir Abergel, Candace Witherspoon, Annagijd Kee Taylor, Andrew Fitzsimons, Ali Dash, Cassandra Olivia, Min Kim, Laura McNamara, Bradley Leake, Billy Yamaguchi, and Clyde Haygood. For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on InStyle. Still, the most striking example of this uncircularity can be summed up in two letters: B and R, for Bell & Ross. Inspired by an airplanes flight instruments, the brands core identity of a square shape defines the BR watches that have forged its success. The vibe is young, powerful, mechanical. Crossing the Alps, that most Swiss of Italian brands (or is it the other way round?) has taken a different route. Bulgaris building block is the octagon, a geometric form that runs through the jewellers Roman origins. While the movement inside is perfectly round, the case is a fabulous creative endeavour that assembles no fewer than 58 facets, and not a curve in sight. Octo Finissimo Tuscan Copper Bulgari All or nothing Now - and this is new - brands are taking a more radical stance. The pro-rounds pursue their ideal to a degree of absolute purity. As mentioned, circles and rotation are intrinsic to Belgian brand Ressence. The up-and-coming Kross Studio label takes a similar approach, with cases whose circular perfection doesnt even authorise a crown in its traditional form. Purnells mechanically complex movements are only ever enclosed in round cases. The same is true of Jaquet Droz which, since its revival in the early 2000s, inscribes its watches inside an immaculate circle. When you are trying to decipher a menu to decide what exactly you want to order, your decision can be even more complicated if the product names on the menu have nothing to do with their ingredients. Let's just say we are thankful whenever these types of establishments include pictures. There are, however, a few classic foods that anyone can identify by name alone. The Big Mac, for example, was named in honor of the company's legendary name, McDonald's. Caesar salad is another food named after its creator, although it might not be the Caesar you're thinking of. A Reuben sandwich is another example of a tasty delicacy that shares its title with the name printed on many birth certificates. Sometimes, we wonder which came first: The dish or the name? In the case of the iconic corned beef sandwich topped with melted Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing, it was named after a sandwich lover named Reuben. According to The Bump, the name Reuben derives from the Hebrew language, loosely translated to "behold, a son." In some ways, the definition is extremely fitting for the man called Reuben, who inspired the classic deli sandwich. Read more: 11 Things You Didn't Know You Should Be Doing With Bacon This Exact Origin Of The Tasty Sandwich Is Not Known For Certain Two halves of reuben sandwich - Rudisill/Getty Images According to Omaha, Nebraska folklore, we all have one man to thank for the tasty Reuben sandwich: Reuben Kulakofsky. He was known for bringing a rather unique sandwich made of corned beef and sauerkraut to his poker nights at a local hotel. Apparently, the sandwich was such a hit that the hotel's owner wanted to offer the sandwich at his establishment, telling his son in the kitchen to whip up a Reuben for Reuben. Seeing how incredible this sandwich could be, the son included the additional cheese and dressing; the rest is history. However, some historians have brought up that the Reuben could actually be a New York sandwich, claiming it as one of the many things the city's delis invented during the early 1900s. In an aptly named restaurant called Reuben's Restaurant, owner Arnold Reuben was known to serve up this iconic sandwich. In all alleged origin stories, the sandwich was named after someone either way, although the exact origins are still widely up for debate. These days, people worldwide enjoy a classic Reuben sandwich, especially during St. Patrick's Day, thanks to its combination of distinctly Irish foods. To Make An Authentic Reuben, You Need All Of The Right Ingredients Double decker Reuben sandwich halves - Dashek/Getty Images All too often, a Reuben gets confused with other sandwiches that have similar ingredients. All Reubens are corned beef sandwiches, but not all corned beef sandwiches are Reubens. In order to call this iconic sandwich by its name, there are a few key ingredients that must be present. First, it is important to distinguish that a Reuben is stacked high with only sliced corned beef. Combining meats such as turkey or pastrami would no longer classify it as a Reuben. This combination has another name: The Rachel. While that may be a close relative to the Reuben, the meat alternatives make it a distinctly different sandwich. The type of bread you use also makes a difference. If you reach for a sweet Cuban roll rather than the traditional marbled rye bread, you begin to enter Cubano territory. Finally, there are only two types of acceptable dressing: Russian or Thousand Island. Many sandwich enthusiasts will argue that, by definition, using any other type of bread, cheese, or dressing will remove the title of Reuben from your sandwich concoction. You may also lose that title if you ask for the sandwich sans sauerkraut. While you may have crafted a tasty sandwich, it is not a classic Reuben unless it checks all the boxes. Read the original article on Daily Meal. The explosion of e-commerce has changed consumer purchasing patterns in ways that challenge the federal governments enforcement efforts, putting shoppers at increased risk of encountering dangerous products. Thats according to experts who spoke at a hearing held by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission entitled Consumer Products from China: Safety, Regulations, and Supply Chains on Friday. More from Sourcing Journal James Joholske, director of the Office of Import Surveillance at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), testified that American consumers have shifted from purchasing products from retailers to buying directly from manufacturers located in overseas sourcing locales like China. According to CPSCs latest comprehensive assessment, nearly 60 percent of the volume of imports that make their way to American shoppers do so through web-based shoppinga trend that is growing every year, he said. CPSC works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to intercept potentially non-compliant, unsafe imported products, Joholske said. The agency has investigators stationed at the largest ports of entry in the country, and it has noted some alarming trends. The agencys 2021 reporting showed that more than 80 percent of shipments examined had China listed as their country of origin. Thanks to the de minimis trade rulewhich allows foreign shipments worth less than $800 to enter the country duty freeChinese companies can ship cheap goods to shoppers doorsteps with very little oversight or intervention. CPSC has little ability to act against third-party sellers, especially small manufacturers based overseas, as theyre tough to track down, Joholske said. Moreover, most online marketplaces assert that they do not fall under CPSCs jurisdiction for some or all of their sales, he added. They state that for purposes of consumer safety, they are not retailers, manufacturers, distributors or importers. Without access to the same data the agency receives for higher-value shipments, CPSC cannot leverage its RAM Systeman electronic feed of import entry data compiled by CBPto identify potentially non-compliant shipments for inspection. De minimis shipments also often enter the U.S. through express courier and international mail facilities locations where CPSC has very limited coverage, he added. The bottom line is that we have many goods coming from China about which CPSC receives limited data, Joholske said. That coupled with the volume of imports and limited staff at major entry point presents significant challenges to CPSC and our ability to stop dangerous products before they enter the stream of commerce. The problem is only getting worse, according to Dan Harris, a partner at Harris-Sliwoski, LLP. Since around 2017, Ive observed a decline in Chinese product quality and safety, the lawyer testified. I base this assertion mostly on the number of companies that have sought help from my law firm after having received such products, and on the number of plaintiffs lawyers who have sought our law firms help in pursuing Chinese manufacturers on behalf of their injured clients. Harris said that prior to 2017, he would have characterized Chinas product safety as being on an upward trajectory, but since then, it has been falling precipitously. Chinese companies are in financial trouble due to reverberations from the Covid lockdowns and the decline of the countrys economy, which has led to reduced demand from Chinese products, he said. In an effort to reduce costs, these suppliers are cutting corners by using lower quality components that could result in dangerous or defective products. The second cause for the decline in product safety is that Chinese manufacturers see less value in maintaining long term relationships with the American companies that buy their products, Harris added. And this is because they believe these companies are looking to leave China and theyre probably right. Ive had Chinese manufacturers tell me that with Chinas economy declining and American companies seeking China alternatives we should expect the problem of unsafe Chinese products to worsen. Because U.S. shoppers typically cant sue or collect damages from obscure Chinese manufacturers, even the most consistently negligent operators can continue to make faulty goods, from explosive electronics to apparel made with toxic chemicals. Chinese manufacturers lack any real incentive to improve product safety because they can continue operating and producing unsafe products, he said. Meanwhile, Chinese producers are insured against non-payment risks by their own government. Sinosure is a state-run provider of export credit insurance for China-based suppliers. I have been involved with close to 100 Sinosure matters, Harris said. I almost always deal with Sinosure after it has sent a threatening letter to an American company that has failed to pay one or more of its Chinese manufacturers. About 70 percent of the time, the American company failed to pay because the product it received was a poor quality or defective. According to Harris, U.S. firms that refuse to pay for defective goods are barred from purchasing from any China-based supplier on credit, effectively cutting off access to the countrys supply chain. Meanwhile, the manufacturer in question is usually made whole by the insurance scheme. Why should a Chinese company worry about product safety, if it can get paid in full no matter how bad its products are, especially when it is it is at little to no risk of getting sued? Harris said. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Drake, a partner at Schagrin Associates, LLP, said that China-made goods could also be making their way into the country through a backdoor, effectively dismantling the U.S. governments efforts to reduce reliance on China. In 2023, for the first time in over 20 years, China fell to our third largest source of imports behind Mexico and Canada, rather than our first largest source since Section 301 duties were imposed on China in 2018, Drake said. Our imports from China have fallen by more than 20 percent, while our exports to China have risen, shrinking our bilateral trade deficit by nearly one-third. During the same period, however, our imports from other countries rose and our overall trade deficit continued to increase, she explained. This may represent a cause for concern, as these shifts in trade following the implementation of punitive tariffs may indicate that the duties are being circumvented or evaded, for example, through the growing use of de minimis. They may also suggest that unfair Chinese trade practices are continuing to distort the U.S. market through investments in exports from third countries. Drake said it is vital that the U.S. ensure that any shifts in trade resulting from the Section 301 duties arent actually undermining American supply chain resiliency. Chinese subsidies and investment are likely funding the growth of other sourcing markets across the globe, introducing new means for China-made goods, or products made with Xinjiang cotton, to enter the U.S. market. Chinese producers continue to grow market share by investing in alternative manufacturing hubs including Mexico and Vietnam, and while data may indicate these countries are taking market share from China, further examination notes how Chinese manufacturers are key suppliers of component parts to these countries, further solidifying Chinas dominance in supply chains, the hearings co-chair, National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) president and CEO Kim Glas, said. The trade data cant mask the influence China continues to have on the world stage directly and indirectly through other markets. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A new Tana French novel is an event, as it has been since her debut In the Woods (2007) established her astonishing command of the crime genre, specifically the police procedural. Five more novels in the Dublin Murder Squad series followed, cementing and extending Frenchs formidable reputation for literary-minded crime. As good as those books are, Frenchs most recent efforts are of even greater interest to me, as they experiment with different genre forms. The Witch Elm (2018) was a psychological thriller with a wholly unreliable narrator, while The Searcher (2020) was, in her words, mystery software running on Western hardware. French isnt one to rest on laurels when she could be challenging herself. So it was a surprise and a delight to discover that her new novel, The Hunter, publishing on March 5, is a follow-up to The Searcherone that takes some narrative cues from the Dublin Murder Squad books, but from the inside out. Two years have passed since the events of The Searcher, and now, retired Chicago PD detective Cal Hooper has eased into small town West Ireland life, taking comfort in his growing relationship with local widow Lena Dunne and his mentorship of Trey Reddy, now fifteen and coming into her own. Then Treys father, Johnny Reddy, returns to summer-sweltering Ardnakelty after years away in London, bringing with him a moneyed stranger and talk of a gold rush. That stirring up the town with the prospect of unexpected riches leads to murder is inevitable, but its the way French unspools that inevitabilitylanguidly, until its almost too latethat makes The Hunter so memorable. French and I spoke over Zoom about writing an unexpected follow-up, why The Hunter is a climate novel, surprising connections to the earlier Dublin Murder Squad books, and looking for gold in them thar hills. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. ESQUIRE: After finishing The Searcher, did you know that you would be writing a sequel? Was Cal Hooper intended to be a series character? Because I didnt think so the first time I read The Searcher, but when I read it again in advance of our conversation, I started to think otherwise. TANA FRENCH: Youre right, The Searcher was originally intended to be a standalone. Id just handed [the novel] in when the pandemic hit. So there was a while in there where I wasnt doing any writing because I had two little kids at home doing distance learning. And, like everybody else, my subconscious was basically a smoking crater while I tried to figure out what on earth was going on. And you kind of need your subconscious, if you're a writerit does a lot of the work. So I didn't do anything for a while. And when I emerged from that, and started thinking about the next book, I started realizing that I wanted to do more with that place and that world I'd set up, because The Searcher is kind of mystery software running on Western hardware. I like that phrase a lot. It was playing with the resonances between the Western, which I had just discovered, and the West of Irelandthe things they have in common and the ways that the Western tropes map quite well on to that West of Ireland setting. In The Searcher, I was playing with things like the stranger in town who comes in, shifts things, and acts as a catalyst. I just felt like there were more Western tropes that would map really well onto that world. A world like that, that little village of Ardnakeltyit's so packed with secrets and stories that it felt like there was more candy in the pinata, with more stories to tell. And you know the gold rush trope? It fits well with Ireland! Oddly enough, there is, in fact, a long history of very serious gold archaeological artifacts being found in Ireland. Clearly, there's been gold being dug up in Ireland for a long time. There have been little mini gold rushes over the centuries, and some fairly recent ones, toopeople are still out there in the border mountains going, I think there might be [some] gold here. So it doesn't actually seem too implausible for a character to suggest that there might be gold in them thar hills. Another classic Western trope is revenge. Because it never turns out to be a simple thing. It's never, You track down the building where you shoot him, you're done. It's always morally ambiguous, morally complex, something that doesn't turn out exactly the way you plan. So I wanted to play a little bit with that. It seemed to me that Trey had every reason and every right to need some kind of revenge. It also seemed to me that Cal and Treys relationship had been left at kind of an interesting place where it was developing, but fragile. If somebody came in and shook it up, that balance would be disrupted. What would happen? The obvious person to shake it up was Treys absent dad, Johnnyhes the kind of guy who if he came home, he would bring with him a big get rich quick scheme. I have so many follow-up questions to this. But the first thing I thought of was that with respect to the Gold Rush, you're also writing this in Ireland, which went through the Celtic Tiger. In a way, that was kind of a gold rush. Yeah, it kind of wasit had the same almost hysterical fanatical passion involved in it. And also the sense of unpredictability: we were being told that this was all under control, that the housing boom was going to keep on going forever. So you could absolutely pay top whack for something in the middle of nowhere that you were buying off plans, and it would all be fine because in five years, you could turn ten times the price. So it was presented as this very modern, very controlled economic phenomenon. But the mood around it wasn't like that at all. It was this frenzy, this absolute feeding frenzy. People queued for days to buy those houses off plans, with newspapers reporting on a 10% increase overnight, practically. So it had that gold rush feel. And when it all went wrong, it had that psychologically gutting feeling where people had the ground ripped out from under them. They were left with nothing because they had staked everything on their little gold rush. So yeah, you're right. I hadn't actually thought about that. Why set The Hunter two years after the end of The Searcher? To give Cal, Trey, and Lena some time and space to have some stable time together? You even have a line about how Cal and the town have reached an equilibrium, amicable if not particularly trusting, maintained with care and a certain amount of caution on all sides. Two years felt about right. Partly for the relationships to have started to build solid foundations, but they havent really had time to become concrete. So it's still very disruptive. But its also about Cal's relationship with the town, because this isn't like The Searcher, which was Cals story. This is a story about the relationship between three people: Cal, Trey, and Lena. I wanted their relationships to have time to blossom and spread out and develop the intricacies that make them interesting. But I also wanted the relationship between Carl and the town to shift, too. In The Searcher, hes a newcomer. He's just wandered in here from America. Nobody knows him, which in a small town in Ireland is a huge thing. And he knows nobody. So he is the outsider coming into this closed community. But in The Hunter, Cal is in a kind of strange borderland where he's an accepted outsider; he knows the place and they have an established relationship. That gives a different kind of power. He has the power of knowing the town and knowing its dynamics, but hes not bound by its rules in the same way as an insider. There are so many evocative descriptions in The Hunter of the blistering summer heat and how it almost bends everyone (particularly everyone in Ardnakelty) to its will. As Cal says, Whenever it stays hot too long, Im just waiting for things to get messy. Would you call The Hunter a climate novel? Oh, god, yeah. Especially in a location like this, because I wanted a sense of some kind of unsettling, almost unnatural pressure on the characters. And around here, especially in the West [of Ireland], a heat wave does that. We're not used to them. The natural range for Ireland is from on the cold side to a bit warm. Once the temperature hit 25 degrees [80 F] in 2016, people went nuts. To the characters in this booknot the three main ones, but to most of the rest of themit's more than that. These are farmers. So this isn't just psychologically unsettling; this has a concrete effect on their livelihoods. This is something that's going to affect the whole lambing season. It's affecting their crops; it's affecting the feed they've got for their cattle over the winter. So that's one of the reasons why they're so susceptible to Johnny Reddys wonderful get rich quick scheme when he comes in with it, because they're in a very vulnerable place. They're on the defensive and feeling under threatnot just psychologically, but financially. So it does end up being a crucial factor in the way the plot unfolds, as well as the atmosphere. Once theres a murder, its almost as if The Hunter gets into a familiar Murder Squad-like gear, particularly in the interrogation scenes. Did it feel like slipping on an old pair of gloves to write these particular scenes, or did they feel new because of different characters being involved? The main thing that was interesting was that I was doing it from the reverse perspective from the Dublin Murder Squad. Here, its from the perspective of the people being interrogated, who go in there with their own agendas, each one of them different at different times, and in different interrogations. So it's not about the detectives trying to bring everything together, find the truth, and make everything fit neatly into place. It's about the characters trying to manage the situation so that it goes in a direction that works for themwhich, for all of them, oddly, has very little to do with the murder. And who did it? None of the three main characters actually care that much. They care much more about their relationships, their world, and Trey ending up basically okay, as unscathed as possible by this whole situation. So the detective is not some crusader for truth and justice, but just this obstacle that they have to get past and maneuver and navigate in a way that will let things come out okay. I mean, on the one hand, the cop is working the case, but it's much more interesting that they are working the cop. They're also working on each other and themselves, to try to keep that equilibrium that they fought so hard to maintain for the last two years, so that it doesn't literally and metaphorically blow up in their face. They are just trying to deal more with what this means to everyone around the murder, rather than whos done it. Murder has a huge impact. There are ripple effects on everyone who's touched by it, from the detective to the community, to the people who knew the victim and people who knew the murderer. Here they're trying to deal with that ripple effect, rather than with the murder itself. A couple more questions before we sign off. First, are you still going to inhabit this world for your next book? Or are you going to give Cal and Trey and Lena a break? It's early days, because I'm just getting stuck into something new. But at the moment, what I'm getting stuck into is the third in what's turning out to be a trilogy, which I did not expect. The Hunter definitely has the second book in a trilogy feel to it. Yeah, I just feel like that arc needs completing somehow. All the characters have been moving on an arc in their relationships with each other and with the place, and that arc is not completeone more should do it. Im obligated to ask: do you feel like, at some point, the Dublin Murder Squad is going to return in some capacity? Or is it just that these were the books of your earlier years, and now you have so many other stories to tell? I'm curious what your current relationship is with those earlier books. I don't knowI don't rule it out, because I don't rule anything out. But I've come to realize that as a writer, I'm only happy when I'm a little bit outside my comfort zone. I like feeling that I've bitten off just a little more than I may be able to chew, and that I'm not in any danger of falling into the trap of writing the same book over and over. Faithful Place has elements of noir, and The Likeness has elements of the Gothic. But overall, the [Dublin Murder Squad] books were all from the same perspective of the detective undergoing an investigation and trying to reimpose order on the chaos that is murder. It was starting to feel, I mean, not easy. It's never easy, but it was starting to feel like something I knew how to do. It sounds like you prefer, as a writer, to live in the discomfort than to take on something that you're familiar with, even if you can push against those constraints. Yeah. I need to feel like I'm learning a new skill as I do this every time. And unless I'm doing that, I'm worried that I'm somehow shortchanging people that aren't giving them what I gave them before. But what about what you're giving yourself? Oh, I just love doing this! [laughs] You Might Also Like On this day in history, March 5, 1966, patriotic song 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' hits No. 1 The song "The Ballad of the Green Berets," sung by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, hit No. 1 on the U.S. music charts on this day in history, March 5, 1966. Unlike many songs that would emerge from the Vietnam War era, "The Ballad of the Green Berets" painted the American military in a relatively positive light. The song's title refers to the colloquial name of the United States Army Special Forces, who wear green berets as part of their uniform. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 4, 1952, RONALD REAGAN MARRIES NANCY DAVIS IN CHURCH CEREMONY The song's opening verse refers to the Green Berets as "fearless men who jump and die," and as "men who mean just what they say." The song's chorus calls the group "America's best," and notes that "100 men will test today, but only three win the Green Beret." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Green Berets are members of the United States Army Special Forces. The song continues, "Trained to live off nature's land, trained in combat hand-to-hand, men who fight by night and day, courage peak from the Green Berets." The third verse departs starkly from the upbeat tone of the first two, stating, "Back at home a young wife waits, her Green Beret has met his fate." The song goes on, "He has died for those oppressed, leaving her his last request." NEW YORK FIREFIGHTER AND 9/11 FIRST RESPONDER TO HIKE APPALACHIAN TRAIL TO RAISE MONEY, AWARENESS FOR PTSD His last request, of course, is for his son to become a Green Beret himself. "Make him one of America's best. He'll be a man they'll test one day, have him win the Green Beret," says the song. Green Beret Col. Paris David, pictured here in the middle (with Ted Kennedy on the left), was awarded the Medal of Honor on Friday, March 3, 2023. Sadler himself was a Green Beret, joining the U.S. Army in 1962 after a successful stint in the U.S. Air Force, notes Britannica. Sadler volunteered for the Special Forces and served as a medic. He finished his training in December 1963, said the encyclopedia. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, MARCH 3, 1966, 'I LOVE LUCY' STAR, VAUDEVILLE PERFORMER WILLIAM FRAWLEY DIES Less than two years after he finished his training, Sadler was injured by a punji stick a booby-trapped stake in Vietnam, forcing him to return home to the United States, says History.com. During his hospitalization and recovery from his injury, Sadler wrote an "epic ballad" about the Green Berets and submitted it to music publishers, says Britannica. PRESIDENT BIDEN TO AWARD MEDAL OF HONOR TO VIETNAM HERO AFTER NEARLY 60-YEAR WAIT Robin Moore, author of the nonfiction book, "The Green Berets," assisted Sadler in trimming down the ballad significantly, notes the website. "The Ballad of the Green Beret" praises the bravery and valor of the Green Berets and includes a tragic turn with a nod to the next generation. Moore is credited as a co-writer of "The Ballad of the Green Berets." Initially, the song was distributed only among the military, says History.com, but was later picked up by recording company RCA Records. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, FEBRUARY 28, 1983, 'M*A*S*H' FINALE DRAWS RECORD TV AUDIENCE OF OVER 100 MILLION "Within two weeks of its major-label release, The Ballad of the Green Berets had sold more than a million copies, going on to become Billboard magazines No. 1 single for all of 1966," the site also said. "The Ballad of the Green Berets" was Billboard Magazine's No. 1 single for 1966, said History.com. Sadler left the military in 1967, but was unable to replicate his musical success. Instead, he became an author, writing 29 pulp fiction books, said Britannica. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER In the 1980s, Sadler would move to Guatemala City. It was there that his life would take a tragic turn. In 1988, Sadler was shot while sitting in a car. The injuries from the gunshot would render Sadler quadriplegic and brain-damaged, said Britannica. Sadler died on Nov. 5, 1989, at the Alvin C. York Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was just 49 years old, said an Associated Press article about his death. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle . Original article source: On this day in history, March 5, 1966, patriotic song 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' hits No. 1 One of the great perks of traveling is enjoying the hundreds of unique coffee drinks from around the world. Luckily, thanks to the internet, you no longer have to be an intrepid traveler to enjoy many of these recipes. From Australia's elite flat whites to Indonesia's Kopi Luwak, there's truly no limit to the ways you can enjoy a cup of coffee. That said, it's also remarkable how two beverages from distant locations can be so incredibly similar, as is the case for Vietnamese iced coffee, known as ca phe sua da, and Spanish lattes, known as cafe con leche. Vietnam and Spain are thousands of miles apart, but both of these beverages include a base of strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk; what's more, both drinks have been staples in their respective countries for a very long time. Although sweetened condensed milk was invented in 19th-century Europe, the canned beverage made its way to Vietnam via French colonizers, who occupied Vietnam from the late 1800s until the 1950s. Despite these two drinks' surface-level similarities, however, they require different coffee beans, milk ratios, and brewing methods, and they're served at different temperatures. Ultimately, they also taste quite different from one another, each providing a unique coffee-drinking experience. Read more: How To Get More Flavor From Your Coffee Pods & Other Keurig Hacks How Vietnamese Coffee Is Made Equipment for preparing Vietnamese coffee - Top stock photos / Shutterstock When you think of coffee beans and where they grow, you might envision Ethiopia or Colombia, but Vietnam is actually the second-largest grower in the world. In particular, it's the largest global producer of robusta beans, the kind used to create Vietnamese coffee. One distinction between robusta and the more common arabica coffee beans is that the former variety has a stronger, bolder flavor and a higher caffeine content. Some describe it as a slightly bitter, peanut-y taste. To make coffee from these beans, brewers use a phin filter, which holds ground beans in a chamber above a filter with small holes. The filter is placed on top of the glass you intend to drink from, and hot water is poured over the beans. This is quite similar to many pour-over methods seen elsewhere. Condensed milk is typically added to the bottom of the glass before the brewing begins, creating a lovely visual effect. Vietnamese coffee is reliably served over plenty of ice. Some like to add it after the brew is finished, while others add it with the milk. Still others pour the coffee-milk mixture over a glass of ice after brewing. The condensed milk adds a rich, creamy sweetness that balances out the robusta coffee's stronger notes, and the ice makes it perfect for a hot day this is ideal in Vietnam, where some areas have an average daily temperature of about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the winter. How Spanish Lattes Are Made Dipping cookie into Spanish latte - Fcafotodigital / Getty Images Perhaps the biggest flavor difference between Spanish lattes and Vietnamese coffee is the type of beans used. Unlike Vietnamese coffee with its pungent robusta beans, the Spanish latte relies on arabica beans, which hail from Ethiopia in East Africa. These are a far more popular variety than robusta and tend to have a much sweeter, smoother flavor. Rather than using extremely strong coffee, Spanish lattes use a base of two espresso shots. Espresso can be achieved in several ways, such as via a pressure-driven machine (used in professional coffee shops and available on some high-end espresso machines for your home) or through a stovetop espresso maker like the moka pot. Once the double shot of espresso is brewed, it's added to a mug or glass along with a few tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and regular milk. Some recipes call for warmed regular milk, while others add it cold if they're seeking a more refreshing beverage. The final drink is lightly sweet, mild, and comforting. In addition to its distinctions from Vietnamese-style coffee, the Spanish latte is also unique from other traditional European drinks. Standard European lattes don't use condensed milk, and their regular milk is generally heated to around 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Spanish lattes, on the other hand, contain regular milk that may or may not be heated, but if it is, it's scalding anywhere between 170 and 181 degrees Fahrenheit, though this may vary depending on your barista. Read the original article on Mashed. This coastal tour of roadside crayfish stalls offers a unique way to see some of the most beautiful and remote spots the island nation has to offer. Getty Images / Oliver Strewe When youve reached the blink-and-youll-miss-it village of Haas, youve nearly made it to The Craypot. The road to Aotearoa, New Zealands most remote village, meanders 86 miles through the South Islands Western Country, thick with Jurassic forests. Blankets of ancient manuka trees and silver ferns tower so untouched that the distance to the nearest gas station begins to scratch at the edge of your thoughts. Founded by German settlers searching for precious pounamu jade, its another of the lands most prized resources that now brings venturers here, quite literally, to the end of the road. As the West Country road system finally terminates, succumbing to the wild terrain of the Westland, road trippers will find sisters Dayna and Nicole Buchanan terraced along the waters edge in a red caravan, craytails hissing on the grill. To grow up in Aotearoa, New Zealand, is to grow up with crayfish: clawless spiny rock lobsters that, when pulled from Antipodean waters, go by the name of crays. (Not to be mistaken with the North American freshwater creatures of the same name.) The sweet and salty flesh beneath their spiked tails make for one of the island nations largest and most expensive exports, selling overseas for hundreds of dollars per pound. Its a good reason to come and visit the source, where crayfish are often a casual and common affair, found splashed across neighborhood bistro menus and tossed on backyard barbecues. Kiwis tend to grow up spending their summers shoeless, ambling between beach and bach (an affectionately named ramshackle summer home) diving for cray or leaving out pots to pull them from the waters. With few endemic land animals, the heart of the food system is seafood or kaimoana, as the Maori call it, the original stewards of the land. And theres no better way to explore the South Island than through the simple pleasures of its rugged roadside crayshacks. Related: Sam Neill Wants You to Check Out This Underrated New Zealand Wine Region In the December summer, the smell of drying seaweed and garlic butter is carried in occasional flicks of breeze. Sitting at The Craypots picnic tables that overlook the Tasman sea its easy to believe the Fiordland crested penguins living here quickly outnumber the 200 residents. We havent allowed our remote location to hold us back in any way. What should be our biggest challenge, we embrace as our biggest asset, Dayna says. Despite state highway closures that can cut off Jackson Bay from the rest of the country during weather events, the Buchanan sisters funnel this spirit into everything. The small space creates limits and theyre the first to tell you that they learned to cook on the job. Nevertheless, the results are the sort of simple magic you desperately hope to find at the end of the world sweet crayfish quickly steamed, finished with a touch to the grill and a dressing of lemon and butter. Cutting across the Otago Valley, youll find The Fish Wife nestled into a graveled jutting of Moeraki coast. Its a simple operation here. Two hand-painted containers and seating constructed from metal cray traps speak to the Pile Familys generational connection to fishing. John Pile is a fourth-generation cray fisherman, and his partner, Nicky, cooks the cray. They sell off anything that wont grade high enough for export due to insignificant defects, like a broken antenna. This allows for high-quality seafood to be sold cheaply to the public. Its a road more fishermen are choosing to take to provide kaimoana to their communities while increasing the sustainability of the industry. It's the same mission that has Claire Edwards of Tora Collective who supply some of the countrys best restaurants up before sunrise and headed to the sea. What makes us unique and what we're most proud of is our catch-to-order model, Edwards explains. They only fish the exact number ordered each day, sending them from sea to door by the evening, to preserve marine environments. An important factor that makes cray so special: Our pristine marine environment, enriched by the nutrient-dense currents flowing directly from the Arctic, gives an unparalleled flavor found nowhere else." Edwards go-to shack is north, all the way to Nins Bin, in Kaikoura. The town whose name translates to eat crayfish'' and hosts a yearly 16-day Crayfest, has no shortage of cray shacks but none so iconic as Nins Bin. Run by third-generation crayfisherman Johnny Clark, the roadside caravan was first parked in front of a strip of coastal shoulder by his grandfather in 1977. Simply adorned with a hand-painted sign advertising their catch (crayfish, whitebait!), little has changed over the years save for a new coat of paint every couple of decades. Load up a plate with a whole cray brushed in rich garlic butter and save room for a whitebait fritter (needle-sized immature fish, fried golden in batter). Both are best enjoyed sitting on the beach as the sand manages to find its way into the nooks of your clothing. Just down the road from the Kaikoura seal colony is Kaikoura BBQ Kiosk, where crays are sold by weight. Pick yours from the cooler and bring it over to be steamed and served alongside a thick slice of crusty garlic bread. While your cray is cooking, grab a cold beer or glass of wine from next door and pull up a seat. World famous! may be scrawled across the top of the kiosk, but as youre waiting for your paper plate of cray, taking in the secluded, bare bones luxury of it all, you cant help but wish it remains your little secret at the end of the world. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. The Federal Aviation Administrations audit of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems found multiple instances in which the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements, the agency said Monday. The six-week investigation, which began after a Boeing 737 Max 9 lost a door panel during a flight in January, found issues with Boeings manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control, the FAA said in a news release, which didnt offer more detail. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker addressed the audits findings with Boeings CEO and other senior leaders in a meeting last week and gave the company 90 days to outline a plan of action, the FAA said. Boeing also must review and address a report released last week by a panel of outside experts that examined safety culture within the company dating back to two 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019. Boeing's president and CEO said the company has "a clear picture of what needs to be done" after meeting with the FAA last week to discuss the audit's findings, according to a company spokesperson. JASON REDMOND via Getty Images To hold Boeing accountable, the FAA said, it has halted the expanded production of the Boeing 737 Max, whose fuselage is built by Spirit AeroSystems. It is also exploring the use of an independent third party to review Boeings quality systems. It will also continue to physically monitor Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems work with FAA representatives at Boeing facilities in Washington state and Spirit AeroSystems in Kansas. A spokesperson for Boeing told HuffPost on Monday that its president and chief executive officer, Dave Calhoun, had expressed optimism about the road ahead following his meeting with the FAA. We have a clear picture of what needs to be done, Calhoun was quoted as saying. Boeing will develop the comprehensive action plan with measurable criteria that demonstrates the profound change that Administrator Whitaker and the FAA demand. Our Boeing leadership team is totally committed to meeting this challenge. The FAAs investigation comes after a door panel, called a door plug, blew off of an Alaska Airlines jetliner over Oregon on Jan. 5. The plane, en route from Portland to Southern California, was able to land safely, and no serious injuries were reported. A preliminary report released last month by the National Transportation Safety Board found that several bolts had likely been taken off the panel during repair work but not replaced. Boeing 737 Max 9s were immediately grounded in the U.S. by the FAA following the incident. Related... Todays niche drama is brought to you by the fountain pen community. Fans of the German pen maker Lamys Dark Lilac ink are losing their heads because a new version of the product is slightly different from a limited-edition version released almost a decade ago, The New York Times reported on Friday. When it came out in 2016, Dark Lilac was a hit, so fans were pleasantly surprised when the company quietly brought it back a few weeks ago. Except once they started using it, they realized it wasnt quite the same as their original, beloved version. More from Robb Report Was it an error in translation? Some new-old stock that someone found in a back room? A reproduction? A mistake? Mike Matteson, who uses the name Inkdependence on social media, told the Times. There wasnt a press release or any teasing of the product, and so no one really knew what was going on. Those in the fountain-pen community have long loved Dark Lilac, with small bottles of the 2016 originalwhich cost just $12 at the time of its releasenow selling for $300 or more on the secondary market, according to Brian Goulet of the Goulet Pen Company. So when this years version became available, Lamy fans were understandably exciteduntil they tested it out. They quickly noticed differences in the shading, and took it upon themselves to investigate what could have happened. The man behind the Instagram account Fountain Pen Memes reached out to Lamy himself, asking whether Dark Lilac was the same now as it had been back in 2016. Initially, the company said yes, they were exactly the same color. But then Lamy corrected the record, saying that the two inks were indeed different. When The New York Times reached out to the pen manufacturer, Lamy confirmed that the inks were slightly different, citing the fact that some ingredients from the original are no longer available. So you could say the Dark Lilac of 2024 is the old special edition with the technical possibilities of today, the company said. We should have given our revised Lilac release a different name. While Dark Lilac isnt an exact replica of the previous version, its still a lovely color to many fountain pen enthusiasts. Goulet called it a very solid effort on Lamys part to bring back a beloved ink. But if youre a hard-core fan whos beholden to 2016s Dark Lilac, youll need to shell out some real paper for the original. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Editors Note: This series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos within the sponsorship, in compliance with our policy. At the bar on the 30th floor of The Lana the first hotel from the Dorchester Collection to open in Dubai chic clientele sip from glass flutes overlooking the City of Golds dazzling array of skyscrapers, silhouetted against the dark dunes beyond. The bar, which opened earlier this month, is called High Society, a reference to the clientele who have typically enjoyed its signature drink: champagne. The hotels director of food and beverage, Nicolas Caupain, is a self-confessed champagne aficionado, and designed the bar concept to allow guests to experience champagne not just as celebratory wine but as a nice wine which you can enjoy every day, he says. Its an unusual concept for Dubai. The Emirate has a complicated relationship with alcohol: in Islam, the official religion of the United Arab Emirates, alcohol consumption is prohibited. However, the citys diverse, expat-heavy population and its push to grow its tourism sector has seen many of its alcohol laws relaxed in recent years, including decriminalizing alcohol in 2020 and scrapping its 30% alcohol sales tax last year, although Muslims are still prohibited from acquiring a license to buy alcohol. While the city has over 13,000 restaurants, its bar scene has largely been confined to Michelin fine dining, nightclubs, and boozy brunches. Venues that emphasize the design and diversity of their drinks menus are few and far between. But Caupain believes there is a market in Dubai who are looking for this level of refinement and discovery, and that High Society is part of a movement towards casual drinking venues. Unlike other wines, champagne undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle, which gives it its signature fizz, making every champagne different, Caupain adds. Champagne is left to mature for at least 15 months, although vintages are left for up to 10 years. This unusual process creates a vast range of flavor profiles, exemplified by High Societys 118 labels and extensive by the glassmenu one of the largest collections in the UAE, claims Caupain. A growing interest High Societys collection ranges from well-known champagne houses like Pol Roger (the favored champagne of Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill) to artisanal-like grower champagnes Egly Ouriet, Larmandier Bernier, and Ulysse Collin. As the name suggests, these lesser-known labels are small-scale champagne producers that grow their own grapes and they are surging in popularity globally, says Samuel Lacroix, wine director at Al Muntaha, a Michelin-starred European fine-dining restaurant at the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Smaller labels tend to produce super cool, exclusive and delicious champagnes, says Lacroix. Al Muntaha, which was recognized by Star Wine List as having the best sparkling wine list in the UAE earlier this year, has 166 labels on its champagne list, including around 60 recently added grower champagnes, says Lacroix. Dubais changing demographic, which in the past two years has included an influx of business elite and professionals attracted by the Emirates golden visa, is pushing the citys food and beverage scene to compete with other international cities, he says, adding: The clientele is getting more refined. In addition to an expansive list of champagne labels, High Society's menu includes cocktails inspired by sun-worshipping cultures like the Aztecs and Ancient Greeks. - BOBY The UAE already dominates for its wine selection in a region that generally has restrictive alcohol laws in 2022, it was the largest importer of champagne in the Middle East and Africa, according to data from the Comite Champagne trade association, importing nearly three times as many bottles as the rest of the Arabian Peninsula combined but suppliers favor the big champagne houses, which are easier to buy in bulk, says Lacroix. However, as more world-class sommeliers and chefs descend on the city, theyre bringing with them preferences for more unique products and culinary experiences. To have all of these champagne names here, I think that were getting into the big leagues in the champagne world, says Lacroix. Casual wine culture More and more restaurants in Dubai are offering unusual wines and champagnes, such as Josette, a French restaurant that opened in 2023 and serves its own private-label champagne, and BOCA, winner of the 2023 Green Michelin Star, which offers a list of organic, biodynamic or eco-conscious sparkling wines. Even Dubais national airline, Emirates, is on board with the citys penchant for fizz: in December 2022 it became the only commercial airline in the world officially serving Moet & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Perignon onboard and claims it purchases more champagne than any other airline in the world. Award bodies are also beginning to pay attention to the region: Gault&Millau, a French dining guide, opened its UAE office in Dubai in 2022, launching the UAE Champagne index the same year; and just last month, Star Wine List, a Swedish publication, launched its inaugural awards for the UAE. For both awards, the majority of winners and nominees were located in Dubai. While the bar scene is evolving quickly, it still faces challenges, often stemming from the countrys history of alcohol prohibition: there are just two wine suppliers in the city and a 50% customs duty on alcohol. Additionally, many venues are not set up for the kind of storage that fine wines and champagnes require a major problem for smaller or independent restaurants, says Lacroix, as storing wine incorrectly in Dubais year-round heat could damage the stock. Located on the 30th floor of The Lana, a Dorchester Collection hotel, High Society offers sweeping views of the city skyline. - Tina Hillier And the culture around drinking is largely focused on dining or special occasions, with little in between, says Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List. This more relaxed setting of sharing wine, its not really present yet whereas if youre in Paris, London, New York, (wine bars) are really where things are happening, says Bengtsson, adding that new venues like High Society could help create a casual wine culture that emphasizes the drinks rather than food. Its interesting to see a lot of good wines and champagnes by the glass at unusually lower prices in the Dubai market, to allow people to taste the wines, says Bengtsson. The growing interest in artisanal labels is also adding a new layer of perspective both for wine lovers and restaurants, and putting pressure on the importers to add more diversity and smaller scale to their portfolio, Bengtsson adds all things that are pushing the citys drinks scene to evolve. At High Society, Caupain hopes that a luxurious finger food menu (designed by French chef Jean Imbert to pair with champagne) and a vinyl DJ will create a laid-back atmosphere that allows guests to enjoy champagne on a range of occasions and launch a new era for Dubais bar scene. Our pricing strategy is made for people to keep coming back come on a Tuesday with friends, come back with a partner on a Thursday, or a business partner on the weekends, says Caupain, adding: We want to make a lifestyle destination. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com You may have already watched Christopher Nolans blockbuster on the atomic bomb, but now you can read a first-hand account of the Manhattan Project, too. A historic document detailing the development of the atomic bomb is currently up for grabs at RR Auction. Privately printed in August 1945, Atomic Bombs: A General Account of the Development of Methods of Using Atomic Energy for Military Purposes Under the Auspices of the United States Government (we know, its a mouthful) was written by Henry D. Smyth just two weeks before the first detonation of the nuclear weapon in New Mexico. More from Robb Report Smyth was an American physicist, diplomat, and bureaucrat who was instrumental in the early development of nuclear energy. He was a participant in the Manhattan Project, a member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and U.S. ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Smyths approximately 200-page report delves into the technical and administrative evolution of the most dangerous weapon ever created. His preface is dated July 1, 1945, meaning it was penned only 15 days before the world-altering Trinity test occurred on July 16, 1945. The report was written by Henry D. Smyth in 1945. The report also includes a foreword by General Leslie Groves dated August 1945. The document was released to the press on August 12, 1945, just a few days after the U.S. bombed two Japanese cities. (The attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place on August 6 and 9, respectively.) It was very likely the first publicly available report on the creation of the bomb, according to the auction house. To top it off, the cover has been signed by 24 of the most prominent scientists and administrators involved in developing and deploying the atomic bomb, including J. Robert Oppenheimer and Nobel Prize winners Enrico Fermi, Ernest Lawrence, James Chadwick, Harold Urey, and Isidor I. Rabi. War Department secretary Nellie V. Sanderson reportedly asked the individuals to autograph the document on the occasions they met with Groves in Washington. Smyth also signed the title page. The report will be sold with other letters and documents. Smyths report is in very good to fine condition, according to the auction house. It will be sold with a collection of letters, documents, and other historic ephemera. The lot, which will go under the gavel on March 14, has already surpassed the $25,000 reserve. Bidding is sitting at $32,000 at the time of writing. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. For the first time, the new issue of the Mexican Playboy magazine was decorated by the model Samantha Everly, created with the help of artificial intelligence. The woman has become recognizable thanks to social media. ADVERTISIMENT Everly appeared on Instagram in the summer of 2023. Currently, her account has about 120 thousand followers. Playboy compared her popularity to a "forest fire". Magazine interviewed the model using a neural network. "If I could dream, this would be my most cherished wish," the 23-year-old blonde said about the honor of being the face of the new issue. Everly responded to concerns about AI by emphasizing that people should use new technologies as a tool rather than fear them. "As a digital creation, I don't physically age like humans. While this is a unique aspect of being a digital influencer, aging also has its own beauty and wisdom, doesn't it?" Samantha said about her difference from ordinary people. ADVERTISIMENT However, the model added that she admires people and their ability to feel emotions. "I also can't deny that I'm a little jealous of being able to eat tacos while breathing in the beach breeze and feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin," she added. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The sale, which must be booked by Thursday, March 6, is valid for travel between March 19 and June 12, 2024. Courtesy of JetBlue Airlines JetBlues latest promotion gives travelers an easy way to save up to $50 off their next flight this spring and early summer. From cabana to chalet, get giant savings on whatever kind of trip youre craving, JetBlue shared about the sale on X (formerly Twitter). The sale, which must be booked by Thursday, March 6, is valid for travel between March 19 and June 12, 2024. With promo code SPRINGTRAVEL, travelers will get a $25 discount off the base fare of one-way flights (with a $50 minimum spend) or a greater $50 discount off the base fare of round-trip bookings (with a $100 minimum spend). To book, travelers must visit JetBlues homepage and enter the promo code to see the discount applied. If booking for multiple passengers, the savings will apply per person so long as you meet the required spend for each traveler before any government taxes and fees. Only JetBlues nonstop flights, including flights to Mexico and the Caribbean, are included in this sale. However, this sale excludes all Friday and Sunday travel, but there arent any blackout dates to note otherwise. In addition, the discount wont apply to flights to Europe or in its signature Mint business class. For instance, a round-trip flight between New York-JFK and Cancun costs $312 in the Blue fare, which allows travelers to bring a carry-on and personal bag and pick a seat at booking. With the promo code, this same flight costs just $262 at checkout nearly a 15 percent savings. Those who are flexible with travel dates can head to JetBlues hidden tool known as Best Fare Finder to find the cheapest possible tickets from their origin and destination airport in a calendar view. Travelers can also use the SPRINGTRAVEL promo code from this sale to save an additional $50 off their booking. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. He is regarded as the Kings favourite architect; the man who built the model town of Poundbury in Dorset; who finds modernism and its high-rises repulsive. For more than half a century, Leon Krier has been pushing for towns and cities to be built on a human scale, drawing on traditional architecture and classical models. And in recent years, the ideas for which he and the former Prince of Wales were once so roundly mocked, prizing community and sustainability over density, have become central to the discussion about how to build in the 21st century. Well, they are not our ideas, he says, when we meet in Palma, Mallorca. They represent thousands of years of good experience. Whatever was bad about the past, architecture was not the bad part. The 77-year-old applies a withering gaze to present-day London and the look-at-me skyscrapers jostling on its skyline, subject of a damning comment piece recently in the New York Times, which suggested that planners nod through buildings by trophy architects, with no thought about height or appearance. I travelled across London on the bus recently, from Greenwich to Mayfair, to see whats going up, he tells me the only decent thing about new building is the scaffolding once they come down the truth is revealed. Hes an aesthete, with a Wildean way of delivering a put-down, in a deep, rich timbre. One could imagine encountering him in one of Europes great cities on the Grand Tour. He grew up in Luxembourg, and lives there, he says, but I need the sun. He and his partner Irene Perez-Porro first met in Palma 50 years ago; their beautiful apartment by the cathedral looks out over the ocean. A grand piano greets you; the dark wood shelves are filled with books and music scores. Yet this committed traditionalist is also seen as a guiding spirit of New Urbanism. The much-talked-about concept of 15-minute cities owes much to his ideas about urban planning, in which all basic amenities work, shopping, healthcare, education and leisure can be easily reached on foot or by bicycle. But the 15-minute cities concept has been dogged by a conspiracy theory that it is part of an anti-car plot. 'The only decent thing about new building is the scaffolding' - Geoff Moore/Shutterstock Within two or three generations, cars will probably be a very rare occurrence, he says. And its very difficult for people to understand that cars are not going to stay with us forever electric cars even less. So does he think Sadiq Khans ULEZ scheme to keep cars out of London is a good idea? What would be the alternative let them all in? These towns were not built for cars. We need to start planning now, he believes, for a future beyond fossil fuels, because they are a finite resource their end could lead to the complete collapse of modern society, he believes. The wars we have now are about the realisation of who is going to control the remaining fossil fuel and uranium and lithium. Of course, Krier is still most widely known for his association with the King. He was never an arch royalist, he says; he had regarded Luxembourgs grand ducal family as faintly ridiculous as a youth, and paid no attention to the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981. But when he heard the Princes famous 1984 speech at Hampton Court, in which he railed against the proposed extension to the National Gallery as a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend, Krier says it showed not only sensitivity, but intelligence and clearly, that he cares. Krier met the Prince for the first time three years later, when he exhibited his original plans for the redevelopment of Spitalfields (hed withdrawn when financiers insisted he build higher than four storeys). The Prince said, I know all about it. Lets talk. He asked me to become his advisor on architecture and town planning, and so we met in strange places at night, you know, two oclock in the morning in some Russian princesss house, because we were not meant to be seen to be involved in schemes. Finding structure: Leon Krier, left, with then-Prince Charles and Andrew Hamilton - Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Krier excited the wrath of City of London planners when he inveighed against the scheme for Paternoster Square near St Pauls cathedral. The Prince would also double down on his earlier remarks, suggesting that modern architects had desecrated St Pauls and done more damage to the London skyline than the Luftwaffe. His interventions, Krier recalls, prompted the architect of The Gherkin and the Millennium Bridge, Norman Foster, to suggest, we have to cut the oxygen of publicity to the Prince of Wales. Krier takes no credit for influencing the Prince before their closer association. Clearly it was intuitive, because when he officially visited these horrible housing estates or the National Theatre or Queen Elizabeth Hall He repeats the name in horror. How can she accept such a horrible building to be called in her name? Its so ugly, in detail and in whole at the least, she should be revolted. Their high-profile allegiance, though, would soon bear fruit several months later, he was appointed to do Poundbury. Kriers vision of a traditional town built on Duchy of Cornwall land adjacent to Dorchester, was not embraced by the estates other planning advisors, who colluded against it really dramatically. Contracts had already been drafted for one of Britains biggest supermarket chains to build on Duchy land. I said, its a million wasted, its the wrong investment. [These chains] know how to plant a hypermarket in a geography, its a military operation, a colonial project. Krier wanted a mixed-use development with its own shops and cafes and a small supermarket. And what of those who see its ordered streets as a sterile, patrician exercise on the part of the King? We live in a society which has hierarchies which are no longer proud of themselves, he says, adding that it was astonishing to see how much one person could achieve, because immediately, it worked as a town. Poundbury, one of the country's most talked about experimental towns in rural west Dorset - Terry Mathews / Alamy Stock Photo Krier grew up with a brother and two sisters; his father was a tailor, his mother a talented pianist. They had survived the Nazi occupation of Luxembourg. My fathers company was forced by the Germans to make uniforms for the Russia campaign, he says, and if production slacked, the commandant would say, Little tailor, you know what will happen to you and your family if you dont speed up. Sandwiched between Belgium, France and the hated Germans, Luxembourgians looked towards Paris, Krier says, but when he visited, he was disappointed with it compared to his own capital city, which was small but had grandeur; it would be a lifelong influence. As a youth, Krier served for a time in the army, before studying architecture in Stuttgart, where his brother Rob Krier was working. The professors there disregarded his work. One even said: This is the kind of thing we did in the Third Reich. It foreshadowed an argument that would later damage his career, when he published a book on Albert Speer, the German neoclassical architect who became the Nazi minister of armaments. I lost everything, he says. The whispering campaign that labelled him a Nazi led to Krier abandoning his own design for the National Gallery extension, and leaving for Rome. Absurdly, its always traditional architecture that is associated with Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, Krier says. But Hitler also built gigantic modernist buildings why were they not forbidden? Krier found an escape route, without finishing his degree, when he sent some of his drawings to the British architect James Stirling. Moving to his London offices, though, Krier found his ideas increasingly at odds with the celebrated modernist. He had just done the Florey Building in Oxford, which is an absolute horror. I worked on it, doing the tiles, but in the office we knew it was not good. I mean, technically and artistically, its the end of the line. Work has just started on the final element of the town, which, Krier declares, 'will be the best' - Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images It is also, one should point out, now Grade II* listed, but a lesser fate awaited Stirlings futuristic concrete housing development for 6,000 residents in Runcorn town centre, which finally convinced Krier he had to leave. He spoke out at a company meeting. I said, I think we are building slums, he tells me. When the whole development, completed in 1976, was marked for demolition in the late 1980s, Stirling stopped by to see Krier at home. I said, Jim, do you think they are wrong? He slips into a gruff impression of the man after whom Britains most prestigious architecture prize is named. They are wrong, he barks. There is fondness there, though. Stirling was nice to me, he says. I mean, he was a very difficult man, not easy to talk to, but several times in my life, he did things which helped me enormously. On leaving the practice, Krier began teaching at the Architectural Association and Royal College of Art, where he famously coined a phrase that has become associated with him: I dont build because I am an architect. Zaha Hadid was one of his students, still to find her creative identity at the time but always first there in class, he recalled later. Her fire station in Weil-am-Rhein, Germany, that he visited when he went to see Frank Gehrys Vitra Museum, was better than I thought, he concedes. Gehrys masterpiece in Bilbao, too, he thought more interesting, spatially, especially inside than he had imagined. But he comes back to the cost of the grand statements of the starchitect era: That kind of excessive cost is helping corrupt politicians to circulate money without control. For me, its architecture that has a lot to do with corruption. If it had produced great architecture like the Vatican, I would say, I didnt care. But its junk. London, he suggests, attracts too much building. All the growth goes in the South of England. And why? he asks. The North is very nice, too. Instead of adding another million people to London, he insists, why not build a series of new towns, which is combined with small-scale agriculture. Of course, one of the reasons people build densely in cities is because of planning restrictions elsewhere. Does Krier advocate the use of greenfield sites? He describes an argument he had when presenting a proposal for a town like Poundbury but a bit smaller to be built outside Malton in North Yorkshire. It was opposed by the locals, he says. People came to me shouting, You want to take down the trees. I have birds singing in my yard, you want to take away the birds. I said, But Madam, before you lived there you had birds exactly where you stand. Should we stop now? The birds will still be around but we will make a new town, which will be more attractive than the old town because its not attractive. And she said, Thats offensive. The middle-classes are apt to see anyone who wants to build near them as a class enemy, he suggests. Leon Krier: 'I don't build because I am an architect' - Paul Grover Meanwhile, modernism has so dominated architectural thinking of the post-war era, he believes, that anyone who doesnt accept its orthodoxy is shouted down. Yet he rejects it almost completely. I recently met the Italian lady, Benedetta Tagliabue, who designed the extension to the Scottish Parliament, he says. I had only known the first part, but the second part is so bad, you think, She must really hate the Scottish people. As for the EU and its earlier iterations, he says, all its public architecture is barbaric. Europe has, in 70 years, never built a decent building. Well, perhaps one, the 1952 Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg City, which has since been renovated by Dominique Perrault. It was a nice building. Now its three skyscrapers in slabs of glass. He messed it up. Of his own works, he says, only the Krier House in Florida is 100 per cent as he planned it. And his earlier statement that he didnt build because his ideas would be corrupted? I was right. And Poundbury? The resulting model town, he says, is closer to his vision than he ever thought it would be, because I was never optimistic. The King remains a friend. They stay in contact, but he can only come once a year unofficially to see Poundbury. Work has just started on the final element of the town, which, Krier declares, will be the best. Is it, I wonder, only for the wealthy a criticism that has been levelled, too, at the model town he designed in Guatemala City, Cayala? People who attack it on that basis are hypocrites, he says. When [Norman] Foster builds for the rich and the super-rich and the mega-rich nobody complains. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Dre, an American Airlines cleaner, called out "nasty" air travelers who maliciously leave trash, including used diapers, around their seats despite flight attendants' best efforts to keep the aircraft clean. Its just plane gross. No one likes a litter bug especially a mile-high one who leaves trash, recyclables and steaming human waste scattered about their seat on an aircraft. Cabin crew members agreed with Dre online, saying people who leave garbage in their plane seats are like slobs in real life. demphoto stock.adobe.com And an irked airline worker is issuing fair warning to jet-setting jerks, saying their slob-like antics just wont fly. It doesnt matter how many times a flight attendant comes up and down an aisle with a trash bag saying, Hey, do you have trash?, began Dre, a cabin cleaning agent for American Airlines, in a waggish scold of piggish passengers. Yall still put the trash in the seat, yall still [leave] containers of food on the ground, yall still got Gatorade bottles in the seat, he continued in the clip with over 63,000 TikTok views. Why did I find a diaper under a seat today? Dre went on to shame the sky-soaring schlubs and their mamas for the solvenly stunts. Yall are literally so nasty, and I can only image what your house looks like, he spat before conceding that his viral rant, regardless of its scathing delivery, would likely fall on deaf ears. People are still going to leave their trash in the f- -king seat, the pro-tidier continued. But I just had to come and let yall know how nasty yall are. Dre blasted flyers for deliberately stuffing trash beneath and in between their seats, as well as in seat back pockets, even though cabin crew members come around to collect trash. Getty Images I know your house stinks, said Dre. Your mom should have taught you better. Flight attendants and guilty good-for-nothings shared their strong sentiments on the subject beneath his video. Im a flight attendant, and its so scary sometimes to think this is how people treat things and I can only imagine their homes. Especially with children, chimed a cabin crew member. Flight attendants claimed to have discovered dirty diapers, feces, condoms, stained underwear and used tampons left by passengers. Wirestock stock.adobe.com Im a [flight attendant] and I was cleaning before our next flight and someone left a diaper in the seat back pocket yesterday, said another. Its me [I] am guilty, admitted a clutter culprit. But shes far from the only disgusting deadbeat. Rather than spreading good cheers over the holidays, a passenger on a Christmas Eve Delta flight allegedly pooped their pants and spread the excrement all over the seat like peanut butter, according to a trending Reddit post. In February, a separate airline attendant of 25 years took to the virtual tell-all platform, revealing that hes, too, witnessed frequent flyers fighting, shting or psing in their seats over the years. However, the most stomach-churning sights hes seen in the seats were, used condoms, nasty underwear (male and female) and used tampons just to name a few. Icelandic hot dogs will unite us all. Getty Images / OsakaWayne Studios Less than 12 hours before I got married, I had the best hot dog of my life. It wasnt my first Icelandic hot dog experience, but it was the most memorable. Fresh off of a cocktail date, my matron of honor walked me from the bar straight to Bjarins Beztu Pylsur, a small red stand thats been slinging hot dogs since 1937, before heading home. My soon-to-be-husband was writing his vows in our hotel room, and I just wanted to call my mom in those ambiguous last few hours between legally single and spouse. Airpods in, phone in my pocket, and snack in hand, I speed-dialed her to talk about my impending nuptials an elopement devoid of a guest list, given the distance and our desire for an ultra-private moment. Standing at a table with a built-in wooden hot dog holder, I soothed her (understandable) pain for not getting a physical invite, and she did her best to hype me up for the occasion in the way only a mother can. Around me, fellow tourists were recounting their days' adventures and locals were getting a late-night bite (it was nearing 11 p.m., though the June sun was still high in the sky). Theres something special about this hot dog stand the line is always there, and the menu never changes. Its not entirely unlike being stuck in a courtyard-size time warp. In the time warp of my own memories, I will forever be the bride, double-fisting hot dogs. Despite its fame, the hot dog hardly feels original to Iceland and it isnt. Hot dogs became a culinary staple in Iceland after World War II, says Sindri Gudlaugs, operations manager of The Reykjavik Food Walk. They were one of the few American influences that was widely accepted and loved by Icelanders. Their affordability and deliciousness made them popular quickly. There are multiple levels to the beauty of this treat. First off, the hot dog itself. The product is Icelandic lamb meat, which is in a league of its own, says Baldur Ingi Halldorsson, CEO of Bjarins Beztu Pylsur (a hot dog stand with its own cult following). On top of that, we have our own bread recipe our breads are as soft as the clouds. The toppings complete the equation: remoulade (a mayonnaise-based sauce with sweet relish), a sweet mustard called pylsusinnep, ketchup, crispy fried onions, and, sometimes, raw onions. Call it a comfort food, but Id say Icelandic hot dogs are a unifier after all, where there are people, there are hot dogs, from the gas stations dotting the countryside to the food trucks in Reykjavik. And maybe on your visit you spot a bride or groom in line as a bonus. Here are a few places to bookmark for your next trip to Iceland. The best places to have an Icelandic hot dog Bjarins Beztu Pylsur (Reykjavik) You can call me biased, but Im not the only one who loves it here. Many locals swear by Bjarins Beztu Pylsur, says Gudlaugs. It's been serving hot dogs since 1937 and has even attracted celebrities like Bill Clinton and Kim Kardashian. If you need more encouragement, the name of this spot translates to Best hot dog in town. Personally, I love how tucked away this stand is you dont know youre there until youre practically on top of it. Pro tip: This hot dog stand has incredible merch. Pylsuvagninn (Selfoss) Pylsuvagninn is forever a work in progress. When it opened in 1984, the humble stand sold hot dogs from its 32-foot imprint in the ground. The next year, it doubled its footprint to 75 feet. Today, the red-and-white building is a beacon for hungry locals and tourists and theres a northern outpost in Akureyri, the second-most populous city in Iceland. Pro tip: Dont sleep on the fries, which are served in huge portions. Gas stations (all over the country) As I mentioned above, youd be hard-pressed to find a gas station that doesnt serve up solid hot dogs. And unlike the reputation American gas station food has earned, the options available in Icelandic gas stops often rival the same fare you can find in a sit-down restaurant. Given that gas stations can be few and far between, its prudent to get a snack when you come across one. Pro tip: If you end up loving Icelandic hot dogs, pick up a bottle of pylsusinnep from the gas station to bring home before you resume your road trip. Its the unexpected souvenir youll thank yourself for snagging. Meistarinn (Stykkisholmur) The tourist crowds thin out once you get north of Snaefellsnes Peninsula, but there are hot dogs to be had. Meistarinn puts a spotlight on the countrys more inventive hot dog scene. What, exactly, constitutes an inventive hot dog, you may wonder. Enter: the Henriks, a deep-fried hot dog topped with Doritos, garlic sauce, cheese, and seasoning. Pro tip: This food truck also offers sandwiches and burgers for those who arent hot dog fans. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. Coffee lovers can't miss the destination for this delicate, bright cup with its singular translation of high-altitude volcanic terroir. Getty Images / Joel Carillet In 2004, a Central American farm left an indelible print on the coffee market. That year, beans revealing a distinct jasmine aroma won the Best of Panama competition. The Peterson family, owners of La Hacienda Esmeralda in the Chiriqui Province, submitted a lot from an unusual variety theyd found growing on their farm. Identified as the Geisha/Gesha cultivar originating in Ethiopia, the delicate, bright cup with its singular translation of high-altitude volcanic terroir would go on to break records for the highest scores and highest prices ever earned for beans at auction. The Lamastus Family would eventually carry the torch, inviting enthusiastic consumers like wine lovers flocking to Bourgogne to peek inside the insular world of coffee cupping. As a professional and well-trained taster, I cannot say Panamas coffee is the best, but its special, says Wilford Lamastus, Jr., a multi-generational owner of Lamastus Family Estates. However, I can say that the international judges believe its the best, and the auction market has agreed, he adds. To taste all the fuss, here are two ways to explore Panamas coffee culture. Panama City Start the journey at Sisu Coffee Studio, the most sophisticated cafe in Panama Citys Casco Viejo, or old quarter. Opened by the Lamastus family, Wilford Jr. has spearheaded the estates mission to educate and embrace consumers. He modeled the minimalist vibe of the studio after cafes in Scandinavia. (Sisu is Finnish for perseverance). Visitors can order pour overs of Geisha (spelled with an i in the U.S., but with an e in Panama), savor tender pastries from chef Ariel Zebede, and book a cupping class, the coffee equivalent of a wine tasting. Down the street, Zebede runs the diminutive A to Z restaurant which offers a seasonal multi-course tasting menu of Panamanian products, including coffee. This hidden, speakeasy-style restaurant accommodates 14 guests at the chefs table on select nights. Zebede serves eight-day fermented Elida Estate Geisha with a dessert course and as a digestif. Dont overlook Casco Viejos elegant hotels for great coffee, too. The new Sofitel has a strong program, offering Panamanian French press in its guest rooms and Cafe Vera. Tiempos Cafe at the stylish American Trade Hotel serves pour over Geisha, while La Panaderia, the bakery and coffee shop at historic hot spot Hotel La Compania, sources from Finca Lerida in Boquete. All Out Press Panama Out Chiriqui Province From the volcanic soils to the micro-climate dense with condensation from two oceans colliding in the mountains the Pacific and the Caribbean Panama enjoys inimitable terroir. Coffee in the Chiriqui Province grows on the slopes of Baru Volcano between 5,200 and 8,200 feet above sea level, an elevation that lends acidity and delicacy to the local cup. For visitors, the key towns of interest are Boquete, which has the most infrastructure, and Tierras Altas, on the opposite side of the mountain. Most travelers arrive by plane in David, the gateway to the region, then rent a car to use Boquete as a base. The Panamonte Inn & Spa on the fringe of town remains a popular choice for its relaxed lush surroundings. In the morning, visit Altieri Specialty Coffee, which opened a cafe in downtown Boquete to showcase its products. For day trips to fincas, drive yourself or hire a guide, though the roads are in good condition. If you book a tour to Elida Estate, one of the Lamastus family farms, staff provide round-trip transportation out of Boquete. Several other fincas offer farm tours and tastings, such as Finca Don Pepe and Finca Janson. To wake up among coffee trees and the chirp of songbirds, book a few nights at Finca Lerida. Founded in 1929, the coffee plantation has charming guest rooms, an organic restaurant supplied by the on-site farm, and several experiences beyond coffee, including hiking in the tropical forest nearby. Further afield by several hours, eco-friendly cloud forest hotel Mount Totumas serves award-winning coffee from its farm. If you want to be ensconced in nature, book a private cabin or rooms overlooking the spectacular wilderness reserve, La Amistad National Park. Related: This Is What the Worlds Most Expensive Coffee Tastes Like In fact, Boquete offers travelers myriad opportunities to enjoy nature, from horseback riding and trekking to zip lining, whitewater rafting, and hiking up Baru Volcano to catch the spectacular sunrise above the cloud line. As a world-class birding destination, wildlife lovers should pack their binoculars to spot more than 200 species, including the long-tailed colorful quetzal. Panama has some of the best coffee in the world and the potential to be a world-renowned destination for coffee tourism like any wine region, says Zebede. From its singular coffees, lively neighborhoods, innovative restaurants, and abundant nature, Panama should be on every coffee lovers destination list this year. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. A man named Brent had the crappiest flight ever after getting trapped in the airplane lavatory for 35 minutes -- before eventually getting rescued by the pilot. It was the worst seat downgrade ever. A man named Brent had a truly crappy flight after getting trapped in an airplane lavatory for 35 minutes before eventually getting rescued by the pilot. His wife detailed his unfortunate outhouse arrest in a Reddit post taking flight online. Dont ask me who was flying the plane, the unnamed woman captioned the post describing the incident, which occurred on a Delta Airlines flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, to New Orleans, Louisiana. A man named Brent had the crappiest flight ever after getting trapped in the airplane lavatory for 35 minutes before eventually getting rescued by the pilot. NurPhoto via Getty Images The pilot attempts to free Brent from his poopy prison. Reddit/StuckDeltaBathroom The trip had reportedly been going swimmingly until her hubby, 34, disappeared to the bathroom for a long time, leaving her with their two kids, aged 2 and 4. After five minutes, I wondered what was going on, said the wife. She even joked that he was taking a much-needed respite from the kiddies whiney demands and frequent tantrums. She realized it was no goof another five minutes later when the flight attendant informed them that someone was trapped in the bathroom. The door is jammed, and someone is stuck in there, they said, per the post, to which she replied, I think thats my husband! The distraught woman subsequently turned her attention to the rear of the aircraft, where two stewardesses were yanking the bathroom door handle in an attempt to free her soulmate from his inflight imprisonment At one point, they even recruited a male passenger who gave the door his damnedest but to no avail. By that time, the poor passenger had been stuck in his 3-by-5-foot pee and poop box for almost half an hour, per the post. Thats when the pilot came to Brents rescue. I think they may have needed his [the pilots] permission to potentially damage the door to get Brent out, the Redditor revealed. The pilot was really giving it his all. An accompanying video, filmed by a fellow passenger, shows the flyboy tenaciously fiddling with the latch and yanking at the door handle as crewmembers and other flyers look on. My attention diverted to the rear of the plane, where sure enough, two Delta flight attendants were yanking the bathroom door handle in an attempt to free my trapped husband, the woman wrote. Reddit/StuckDeltaBathroom However, it wasnt until Brent kicked the hell out of the door while the pilot was pulling that he finally made his escape 35 minutes after initially entering the lofty loo. This lavatory layover might not seem like a picnic. However, the poster said she was just glad he didnt have their 4-year-old with him and that it wasnt a senior citizen, child or person with claustrophobia or germaphobia who was trapped instead. Unfortunately, customer service didnt refund the couple for their terrible flight, per the post. The Redditariat had a field day with their mile-high mishap. Sounds like a stty situation, quipped one wit, while another wrote, I thought theyd finally give up and just tell him to be seated during landing. Plot twist: Brent was holding the door closed from the other side just trying to get a few more minutes away from his wife Karen, joked a third. As for her concern over who was piloting the plane in the flyboys stead, many Redditors correctly pointed out that there is more than one pilot on any given flight. Others reprimanded the poster for demanding a refund, which they deemed a bit excessive. Indeed, the ordeal couldve been a lot worse: He couldve been trapped there for the entire flight like this poor fellow on a SpiceJet flight last month. While vacationing in Langkawi, Malaysia, Norway's King Harald V was hospitalized with an infection, and he was given a temporary pacemaker. "His Majesty The King, as informed in recent days, has been suffering from an infection and low heart rate, requiring hospitalization and medical transportation home," the Royal House of Norway said in a statement. "The infection has recently become more under control. His Majesty has a low heart rate and will require a permanent pacemaker." The Royal House added, "The timing of the pacemaker implantation will be determined by when His Majesty is completely free from infection. This could take several days, so The King is likely to remain at Rikshospitalet until after the weekend. Overall, his condition is stable and improving." Today, his son, Crown Prince Haakonwho has been acting as regent in his father's placegave an update on King Harald's health during a visit to the Bergen public library. His father is happy to be back in Norway, Haakon said. Rune Hellestad - Getty Images "It was very nice to bring the king home. Bringing both my parents home. I think the king was happy that he was back in Norway," Haakon said, according to Norwegian media. "I was able to visit him in the hospital yesterday. Then he made it clear that he thought it was good to be home again." The Crown Prince added, "Many people have worked hard to make [the King's return home] happen. We are grateful for that." When asked if his 87-year-old father should've traveled to Malaysia for a holiday, Haakon replied, "It is a decision that they must be allowed to make. I don't think I should go into that much, it was an assessment that he made together with the doctor." He continued, "At the same time, there are things about this that we will also go through and look at. Did we do things the way we should, in terms of informationand all the different elements of this. We also think it is good to have an internal evaluation." King Harald, who ascended to the throne in 1991, has been beset by numerous health issues in recent years, but has emphasized he has no plans to abdicate. "I stick by what I've always said, that I swore an oath to the Storting [parliament] and it is for life," King Harald said following Queen Margrethe's abdication. You Might Also Like Loukoumades may be better known, but when in Greece, do as the locals do and indulge in in sweet, creamy rizogalo. Getty Images / robynmac Dont talk to me about loukoumades. I may be Greek, but deep-fried, honey-dipped Hellenic doughnuts simply make me gag. Hand me a plate of rich, nourishing rizogalo rice and milk instead. Ill take it for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. When it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth, Greeces deceptively simple yet distinctive take on rice pudding is the ultimate comfort food. After growing up in a Greek-Australian household, the sweet aroma of rizogalo, made with five or six everyday ingredients, being prepared on the stove is seared into my olfactory memory. Id watch my grandmother Pipina stir whole milk, water, and starchy round grain rice known as glace in a big pot, before adding sugar, vanilla, and corn flour. She continued to stir, keeping it on low heat, until the rice softened and the mixture thickened. It was then time to ladle the steaming rizogalo into bowls on the kitchen counter to allow it to cool. Next, the real magic happened. She would lightly dust the rizogalo with ground cinnamon, creating shapes to make my sisters and I smile, before refrigerating it. Rizogalo is meant to be eaten cold to best divulge its delicate flavors. Of course, I couldnt wait till the next day. So, I made sure to scrape every last trace of the heavenly concoction, while still warm, from the pot. Related: 7 Essential Greek Dishes Everyone Needs to Try But rizogalo wasnt always sweet. The history of this milk-rice combo dates back to ancient times. Experimental archaeologist and food historian Mariana Kavroulaki explains that rizogalo is closely connected with the history of rice. "Rice became known to historians, geographers, and botanists via Alexander the Greats conquests," she says. References to a milk and rice recipe have been traced to ancient texts. "The first was made in the 2nd century A.D. by Galen, a Roman era Greek physician," Kavroulaki says. "A preparation of rice and goat milk was used for centuries as medicine to treat stomach aches." Rice was expensive, so it was reserved for medicinal purposes. In the 11th century, Byzantine scientist and writer Symeon Seth made mention of the first proper rizogalo recipe, with rice, goat milk, and blanched almonds, served with honey and cinnamon. "He claimed it was good for the stomach, but it wasnt because its much too heavy," says Kavroulaki. Only when the price of rice started to fall, in the 18th century, did the grain enter Greek homes on a wider scale. Related: Sholeh Zard (Saffron Rice Pudding) Heading into the 20th century, rizogalo wasnt commonly prepared at home. "Dairy shops were responsible for popularizing the dish, and there were hundreds of them in Athens," says Kavroulaki. Thousands of sheepfolds and goat herds existed on the citys outskirts. "Rizogalo was made for children as a sweet treat but never for visiting guests. It was considered too 'simple.' Women showed off homemaking skills through fancy desserts and weaving." In her cookbook Salt of the Earth, chef and author Carolina Doriti features a recipe for baked rizogalo made with egg yolk, lemon zest, and powdered mastiha (a liqueur) with ground pistachios on top. "For Greeks, rizogalo has always been an affordable, easy-to-make, satisfying sweet dish," she says. "You can flavor it with uniquely Greek ingredients like Krokos Kozanis (saffron) or mastiha." Despite competition from more elaborate Western sweets, rizogalo holds deep sentimental value for many Greeks. "Rizogalo could easily have vanished over time but, today, you can find it at dairies, bakeries, supermarkets, and patisseries," says Doriti. "It has made somewhat of a comeback because its gluten-free and low in sugar. Parents buy it for their kids." Doriti points out its an easily adaptable recipe which can be made with vegan milk or without sugar, while restaurants experiment with wild, red, or black rice. As an adult, every time I dip a spoon into soul-warming rizogalo topped with a spicy kick of cinnamon, my mind sends me hurtling back to childhood and the warmth of home, when life was simpler and bills were something my parents worried about. And in my wanderings around Athens, its a relief to find this timeless working-class dish is alive and well. If youre planning a visit to the Greek capital, here is where locals go to sample the real deal. Varsos In 1892, Vassilios Varsos was 17 when he opened a dairy in Athens city center. Thirty years later, the visionary entrepreneur relocated to the affluent northern suburb of Kifissia. Today, Athens oldest and best-loved dairy whips up 300 rizogalo servings on its busiest days. Regulars gather at the vintage patisserie-cafe for long conversation over thick Greek coffee. Velvety rizogalo is served in a shallow teal bowl on placemats emblazoned with the store motto: "against all odds." Third-generation co-owner Giorgos Varsos, 76, is a stickler for tradition. His grandfathers time-honored recipe is made with cows milk, long-grain white nihaki rice, and a pinch of lemon zest. Stani Stani, which means livestock pen, is one of the last surviving traditional dairies that once flourished in downtown Athens. Nikolaos Karageorgiou founded in Piraeus in 1931, transferred the business to an Omonia Square side street in 1949, and its been a beloved Athenian mainstay ever since. Monochrome photos depicting Barba (uncle) Niko delivering sweet treats by horse and cart grace the walls. Here, rizogalo is made with cows milk from Corinth highlands and ladled onto a plate, allowing for a generous dusting of cinnamon. Expect queues in the summer, when travelers cram the few tables or patiently queue to sample the creamy, just-sweet-enough classic. Asimakopouli Gritty inner-city Exarchia may have a rebellious streak, but its also where youll find one of the last bastions defending bona fide old-school dairy goods. This former dairy, established in 1915, evolved into a patisserie but never forgot its humble roots. Third-generation members of the Asimakopoulos family are rightly proud of their rizogalo. Sold in little, clear tubs, takeout-only, they sit row by row in a fridge below a cool white Pentelic marble counter. The silken texture and slightly sweeter taste of this cow's milk version lure hard-to-please teens and budget-minded university students alike. Kostarelos In upscale Kolonaki, third-generation cheesemakers extraordinaire Kostarelos, whose dairy expertise dates to 1937, operates a chic deli-cafe-wine bar. There, youll find rizogalo made with a combination of sheep and goats milk the rarest of finds especially in the heart of the city. Before sprinkling cinnamon, sample it in its purest form so you can discern the rich, mature flavor. Milk is sourced from shepherds on Evia island to make rizogalo in-house in strict accordance with grandma Alexandras secret recipe. In winter, the dish is also served warm, but be quick as the pot empties around midday. Refrigerated tubs are available for takeout. Magginas Kalyviotiko Based east of Athens in rural Kalyvia, the Magginas family has been in the dairy goods business since 1952. Since the 2020 opening of their smart patisserie-cafe in the swanky, southern Athens coastal suburb of Glyfada, their fanbase has expanded significantly. Locals and passersby stop by for luscious rizogalo and espresso an unexpectedly divine pairing. This is a rizogalo to remember, prepared with goat or cows milk sourced from small-scale dairy farmers in line with a beautifully balanced family recipe. With just the right amount of sweetness and ratio of milk to rice, both versions are equally light and fluffy. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. For nearly 1,000 years, Marrakech has been a hub for the worlds spice trade. Getty Nearly every major spice brand has its interpretation of Moroccan spice mix. While these products do a decent job at simulating the flavors of Moroccan cuisine, nothing compares to the true deal that can only be found among spice shops nestled deep within the souks of Morocco. No city represents Moroccan authenticity quite like Marrakech, thanks to its cultural importance and preservation of history. This city contains dozens of spice shops scattered all around its labyrinth-like streets. These shops, unique to one another, invite you in by stimulating all your senses. Your nose will widen from the wafting turmeric and harissa and your eyes will glue to the multicolored cone-shaped piles of spices miraculously held together, while your ears focus on the cacophony of shopkeepers hollering their deals and wares; visiting a spice shop in Marrakech is a sensory paradise unlike anywhere else in the world. Related: Theres Never Been a Better Time to Visit Marrakech Since the 11th century, tradespeople have descended upon the citys main square, the Jemaa el-Fna, to sell their goods to locals and visitors alike. Spices in particular have long been a draw for the area as the country was a stop on the spice trade route between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Now, the region is known for its own spices and blends, most notably, ras el hanout. The North African spice blend is a staple in Moroccan cooking and consists of six to 20 different spices which vary between shops. Cumin, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne pepper are most commonly used, however, rosemary, oregano, saffron powder, nigella, sumac, garlic powder, and turmeric are often added, depending on each stores unique blend. As its name in Moroccan Darija the countrys regional dialect of Arabic implies, ras el hanout, or the head of the shop, is the magnum opus of every spice shop with the recipe passed down through generations. Many shops in the areas of Fhal Zefriti or Mellah, and the souks in Rahba Kedima, have been around for decades, developing a devoted clientele for their spice offerings and unique spice combinations. Related: This Gorgeous Hotel in Marrakech Wants to Teach You How to Cook During Your Vacation in Morocco In Mellah, visitors can shop for meat and produce or explore the winding streets that once housed the citys Jewish community. There are also plenty of European-style cafes and upscale restaurants that make the area prime for spending a few hours. And Fhal Zefriti, a winding street filled with shops and dotted with dozens of hotels, is only a quick walk from the Jemaa el-Fna. But spices are not the only tool in a Moroccan cooks arsenal to bring in flavor. Often sold by the same spice shops, pickled and marinated goods equally unlock deeper taste profiles of a dish. Within the stalls that pile mountains of spices, youll find artfully arranged stacks of pickled lemons, peppers, or whatever vegetable the shopkeeper deems fit to pickle. But the true star of the show is the olives, mixing both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, which is an ode to Moroccos history, marinated and pickled olives of various colors. So even if you dont consider yourself a cook, a walk through the citys many markets is a must. Whether youre picking up something special for friends or family, or just soaking in the sights and sounds of the souks, Marrakech is a culinary experience to remember. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. After 25 years, there are more than 45 distilleries on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Here's an expert's guide to navigating eight standout stops. Getty Images / catnap72 The reports of bourbons demise have been greatly exaggerated. Recently its been reported that agave spirits sales are outpacing American whiskey, likely due in part to the glut of celebrity-backed brands like 818 and Teremana. But make no mistake, Americas native spirit (or distinctive product of the U.S. as Congress much more blandly labeled it in 1964) is still incredibly popular. Unicorn bottles from brands like Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, and Michters continue to command exorbitant prices on the secondary market, and overall the category remains a fan favorite. Judging by legacy brands recent expansions and the ever-growing number of craft distilleries, the people still want their bourbon. Kentucky is, of course, the boozy beating heart of the industry. Although bourbon can be produced anywhere in America, about 95% is made in the Bluegrass State. So it makes sense that the Kentucky Bourbon Trail would be an excellent place to start for curious tourists and whiskey aficionados looking to expand their knowledge, explore a few centuries of liquid history, and drink a whole lot of bourbon. According to Mandy Ryan, director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experiences, when the Bourbon Trail was founded in 1999 there were just seven inaugural members: Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Buffalo Trace (this last distillery is no longer a member). There are now 46 distilleries on the Bourbon Trail, including 28 that are part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour representing smaller operations like Willett, Kentucky Peerless, and Copper & Kings. Last year, four new members were added to the Craft Tour Augusta Distillery, Pensive Distilling Co., Fresh Bourbon, and RD1 Spirits and Ryan says that even more are set to join this year. Related: The 9 Best Bourbons to Start Your Collection A lot has changed over the 25 years since the Bourbon Trails creation, according to Ryan. In 2016, we got a monumental piece of legislation passed that allowed for distilleries to have cocktail bars and restaurants on site, she says. Nowvisitors can enjoy cocktail classes, barrel thieving experiences, world class dining, vintage spirits, and more. All this has helped the bourbon industry to become a key component of Kentucky's economy. According to recent data, it contributes $9 billion to the state annually, employs more than 23,000 people, and is a vital source of income for local farmers with 21 million bushels of corn and grain purchased by distillers in 2023. There are now nearly three barrels of bourbon aging in Kentucky per resident (the equivalent of 12.6 million casks), so clearly the industry is feeling bullish about the future. The Bourbon Trail has become more popular as a travel destination every year, with 2.5 million people visiting in 2023 to tour distilleries and sip whiskey. Lexington is the official gateway to the Bourbon Trail due to its close proximity to many distilleries, but Louisville works as a good home base as well. Wherever you choose to embark from, there are some highlights that should not be missed. Can't-miss Kentucky bourbon distilleries Makers Mark stands out as one of the trails most beautiful distilleries, with a fantastic restaurant onsite called Star Hill Provisions and a tour that culminates with the option to hand dip your own bottle. Wild Turkey is another legacy distillery worth visiting, and you might just run into legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell at the gift shop signing bottles. In Louisville, Angels Envy is a thoroughly modern operation that is walking distance from many hotels and has a beautiful bar that offers cocktail classes. Other Whiskey Row distilleries include Old Forester and the Evan Williams Experience, which features a working microdistillery. The Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery offers a comprehensive tasting of the entire lineup as well as one "mystery bottle." And if you're staying in Lexington, it's just a short drive to Castle & Key and Four Roses, which has a new visitor center and an in-depth tour of the distillery from fermentation to distillation. There are many other distilleries to visit on the Bourbon Trail, each offering its own take on this distinctly American whiskey category. Whether you want to take a deep dive into production, from milling to maturation, or just tuck into a bourbon tasting flight, theres a distillery experience perfect for you. Follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail however you like and in whatever order you choose, but consider coming back for a repeat visit because this icon of whiskey tourism is growing every year. For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. The British Duchess of Wales, Kate Middleton, was spotted in public near Windsor Castle for the first time in more than two months. The princess, who underwent abdominal surgery in January, took a long break from public events for a quiet recovery. ADVERTISIMENT It was expected that she would not return to the media space until Easter, but the paparazzi of the TMZ tabloid made adjustments to these plans. The Duchess was caught while traveling by car with her mother Carol. Prince William's wife was sitting in the passenger seat wearing dark glasses. Through the glass, it is difficult to assess Kate Middleton's condition, so royal experts only noted that her leaving the house indicates a successful recovery from surgery. A few weeks ago, an insider said that the princess was "feeling good" and recovering. However, no official statements have been published about the mother of three. This has caused concern among fans of the royal family who have already missed the Duchess. She was last seen during Christmas celebrations. ADVERTISIMENT Rumors about Middleton's "poor condition" were fueled by her husband, who at the last minute refused to participate in an important event due to "personal reasons." After that, rumors about the princess's health spread in the media. Almost a month ago, Kate Middleton, according to insiders, left Windsor for a week for the first time after the surgery. She and her husband wanted to spend time with their children, who were released from school for the holidays. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The most delicious way to experience Basque country is a bar crawl through the city famous for its pintxos. Getty Images / Itziar Telletxea Rocha In the late 1940s, Rita Hayworth was turning heads in Hollywood with a sultry, sharp-tongued titular role in Gilda. Hayworths character made an impression even further afield, inspiring the creation of a pintxo the tiny toothpick-speared snack at Bar Casa Valles in San Sebastian, Spain. Alluring yet bracing and with plenty of bite, the original Gilda has it all: olive (Manzanilla), anchovy (Cantabrian, ideally), pickled pepper (Guindilla). Salt, fat, acid, and just a little heat. Shes the ideal pintxo drizzled with good olive oil, maybe resting on a small slice of bread to soak up all the briny, oily goodness. Its just enough to temper a little tipple and awaken the appetite for a more substantial snack (or three) later on. The Gilda has been showing up all over the world lately Ive encountered her in Paris, bathing in a martini; in Sydney, deconstructed and served on toast fingers; in Sicily, spruced up with a sliver of lemon. Related: The 7 Tapas You Need to Try in Madrid, According to Locals But to really understand the Gilda, its best to visit her homeland of San Sebastian (Donostia to the locals), in Spains northeastern Basque Country. Snacking is the main event here, so one briny, piquant pintxo inevitably leads to one more, and then maybe one more next door, all washed down with a refreshing zurito (small pour) of beer or an herbal vermouth or better yet a beautifully low-alcohol Basque cider or txakoli, both theatrically poured from a great height to release their flavor and fizz. The five spots below make the perfect bar crawl through the Gildas hometown. Bar Sport A classic, no-fuss experience the establishment and its Gilda. Stand at the bar and choose your own adventure start with the standard Gilda (served on a slice of bread) then maybe some tortilla, uni cream served in the shell, and a small slab of foie gras. Some pintxos bars only open in the evening, or close for siesta during the afternoon, but Bar Sport is open seven days a week from late breakfast until midnight, so you can start the snacking party whenever you wish. Fermin Calbeton Kalea 10 Bar Txepetxa A bar specializing in anchovies and boquerones whats not to love? Every order is a good one here, but the Gilda is particularly luxe on the fish front. Theres usually a line outside at opening time, but that goes for most places in San Sebastians pintxos-packed old town, and the upside of snacking is a perpetually speedy turnaround. Arrandegi Kalea 5 La Cepa de Bernardo Come for the jamon, stay for the Gilda, heavy on the Guindilla pepper and olive. And when youre done, just slide next door for a slice of the legendary Basque cheesecake at La Vina it really is as good as they say. 31 de Agosto Kalea 7 Bar Antonio Bar Antonio might be better known for their tortilla (a gorgeous thing, its true) but their take on a Gilda premium anchovies and grilled green peppers, doused in olive oil and mounted on a slice of bread fits into the category and then some. Bergara 3 Bodega Donostiarra Gros Heres your chance to try a local spin on a local classic: the Indurain, which takes a standard Gilda (using anchovy-stuffed olives for extra kick) then tricks it out with a generous brick of Bonito del Norte and a slice of fresh onion. Named for the Spanish cyclist Miguel Indurain, who won five consecutive Tours de France back in the '90s, its the snack version of putting a hat on a hat (or a pintxo on a pintxo), but if youre a Gilda fan its an easy sell. Pena y Goni Kalea 13 For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Food & Wine. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Rock the Block is back on HGTV, and all of the returning contestants are looking for redemption. Season 5 got out to a hot start in Treasure Island, Florida, with the four teams taking on one of the most important rooms in the house: The kitchen. HGTV fans will recognize the competitors: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler (Renovation Island), Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas (Bargain Block), Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis (Unsellable Houses), and Page Turner and Mitch Glew (Fix My Flip) gave their identical spaces a new look showcasing their design styles. The teams were surprised with an unexpected twist: Host Ty Pennington announced that the kitchen and dining areas are a blank slate with no walls to demo, so they have complete control over the final layout. Season 3 champions Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson (Married to Real Estate) stepped in to judge the spaces. Lindsey and Leslie went with a tropical retreat style, mixing greens and woods, reminding Egypt of a trip to Bali, but she struggled with some of the functionality and symmetry. Keith and Evan were praised for their artistry and color choices, but the judges were concerned about the lack of pantry. Bryan and Sarah received high marks for their craftsmanship and design, but it was a bit "taste-specific," plus the home lacked a dedicated dining space. Egypt called Page and Mitch's kitchen "a vacation in Tulum," and Mike loved the grocery lift. Egypt and Mike ultimately awarded the victory to Page and Mitch for adding the most value to their home with the renovation. Page was emotional when the announcement was made, saying she felt like they were "robbed" when their kitchen didn't win on their previous season. The duo will have $1,000 to add to their budget for the next challenge. HGTV shared a photo of the winning space and viewers took the opportunity to sound off in the comments section. They left messages like: "Keith and Evans place was the coolest. They brought class. The others were typical." "Team Page & Mitch!" " looks so clean and sleek!" "I didnt LOVE any of them. That spice rack behind the cooktop was ridiculous! And Im over wine walls." "Page played it safe." "Clearly Bryan & Sarah had the best design & brilliant elevator. Get with the times their attached dining table was smart!" "Congratulations @mitchglew and @pageturnerunlimited THE absolute best kitchen hands down." Egypt dropped in the comments section to explain her reasoning. She wrote, "My personal fave was Keith and Evan as its the one I would live in today. But our job was to figure out who added most value and would appraise higher...Page and Mitch did a great job adding value, lift, walk in pantry, kept the dining room, which makes the overall house feel larger, and had straight shot views to the water with a panoramic window that opens to an indoor/outdoor bar. Hard to argue with that!" Page shared some behind the scenes notes on her Instagram account and took time to thank everyone who helped with the design. She said, "This is truly some of the hardest work I've done -In fact, I think having my 7.2 & 7.11 pound twins at 40.5 weeks naturally was easier!" Up next, the teams will take on the living rooms, with 100 Day Dream Home's Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt judging their work. Tune in to HGTV on March 11 to see who wins, or stream on Max. You Might Also Like The real-life inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" was from La Crosse, Wisconsin. Some would describe his acts as pure evil. A Mokhtari / Getty Images Wisconsin is known for its cheese, beer and ... terrifying serial killers? It turns out some of the most notorious serial killers in the United States hail from America's Dairyland. While there are some particularly infamous Wisconsin serial killers true crime fans will want to know about, the state does not have the most serial killers of any state not by a long shot. Wisconsin just happens to be where some of the biggest names (for the worst reasons) come from. Ed Gein You may not have heard of Ed Gein, but you probably know the horror movies his life inspired: "Psycho" (1960), "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974) and "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991). Known as the Butcher of Plainfield and the Plainfield Ghoul, Gein was born in 1906 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and spent most of his life on his family's farm in Plainfield, Wisconsin. The first death Gein was associated with was that of his older brother Henry in 1944. Although Henry's death was ruled an accident, Gein led the police to the body, which was bruised and burned. In 1957, hardware store owner Bernice Worden was reported missing, and her body was found at Gein's farm. In their investigation, police also found the head of Mary Hogan, who was reported missing in 1954, and body parts Gein had collected from graves and used to make masks and other items. Gein admitted to the two murders but was deemed insane and spent the remainder of his life in a mental hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, where he died in 1984. Jeffrey Dahmer Jeffrey Dahmer, known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, is one of Wisconsin's most infamous serial killers and probably the most infamous Milwaukee resident. Born in 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dahmer committed his first murder in 1978 in Ohio. Between 1987 and 1992, Dahmer killed 15 more people, most of whom were young men and boys of color. Dahmer is one of the State's most notorious serial killers not only due to his crimes, which included necrophilia and cannibalism, but also because of how long it took the Milwaukee County Police Department to arrest him. Critics of the police department argued that Dahmer walked free for so many years because his victims were often gay and people of color, and they claim police cared less about what happened to them. In 1992 Dahmer was finally convicted and received 16 consecutive life sentences. A fellow inmate murdered Dahmer at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisconsin, in 1994. Walter Ellis Walter E. Ellis, known as the Milwaukee North Side Strangler, strangled and killed seven female sex workers between 1986 and 2007. He was finally arrested in 2009, sentenced in 2011 and died of natural causes in 2013 at a hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. LaVerne McCoy, a retired Milwaukee police officer, told NPR in 2009 that part of the reason police took so long to arrest Ellis was that they saw sex workers as a "disposable portion of society." According to then-secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Rick Raemisch, the holdup was due to DNA evidence stuck with the FBI. "Unfortunately that information was not given back to us by the Department of Justice so it basically sat there, frankly, for years," Raemisch told NPR. Unsurprisingly, no one wants to shoulder the blame for delay in apprehending one of the worst serial killers the country has ever known (nor the serial killers who have never been caught). Original article: Wisconsin Serial Killers and Their Dark Knack for Notoriety Copyright 2024 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company A shooting at a Mississippi nightclub early Sunday killed one person and injured at least a dozen other people, law enforcement officials said. The shooting occurred Sunday just after midnight at the Oasis club in West Point. A woman, identified as Taleese Chandler, 20, died, and at least 12 people were injured, the Clay County Sheriffs Department said. Preliminary investigations indicate the shooting may have been planned, officials said. From the time they got there to when the shooting occurred, there was a very small window. It wasnt enough time for somebody to be arguing or fighting over a woman or something like that, Sheriff Eddie Scott told NBC News. It was pretty well within a short time frame that it happened. Scott said officials got the "perception" that there had been "some ongoing issues with different groups. Apparently they were all in the same building." Authorities believe multiple shooters were at the venue. No arrests have been made. The club has been shut down. Investigators located multiple caliber shell casings from the scene, the sheriffs department said in a news release. An out-of-town promoter was hosting an event at the club that night, and around 95% of those in attendance were from surrounding areas, the sheriffs department said. "The club reported having 14 security guards present for the event, yet it is unclear how guns made it inside of the club," it said. The sheriff's office; West Point police; the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security; and the state Public Safety Department are investigating. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A 10-week-old child died Sunday in what Jacksonville officials describe as a case of co-sleeping, according to a report from NBC affiliate WTLV. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office (JSO) was called to a home on Lambing Road at 3:22 p.m. after a baby was found responsive. Florida sheriff apologizes after photo of dead body posted to his Instagram page Paramedics attempted to revive the child, but she was pronounced dead at the hospital. JSO believes the girl died while co-sleeping with one of the several people in the home at the time of the incident. Foul play is not suspected to be a factor in her death. The incident is still under investigation by JSO. The childs cause of death is to be determined. Co-sleeping is when a caregiver shares the same sleeping surface, such as a bed, with a young child. The practice is strongly discouraged by health experts due to the risk of unexpected infant death (SUID) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies. The Sleep Foundation outlines safe co-sleeping practices for parents on its website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. (COLORADO SPRINGS) A 17-year-old was killed in a shooting at High Meadows Park on Wednesday, Feb. 28, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). In an update, CSPD said officers originally responded to a reported shooting just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday at High Meadows Park, northeast of North Carefree Circle and North Powers Boulevard. While officers were on their way to the scene, CSPD received another 911 call from a business at North Carefree and Powers, stating that two boys were suffering from gunshot wounds at the business. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: One dead, one in unknown condition after shooting When officers and medical personnel arrived, they learned that the two boys had been involved in the shooting call at High Meadows Park. One of the boys had suffered serious, life-threatening injuries. That victim was taken to the hospital where he later died. CSPD said the second victim was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and later released. The coroner identified the victim on Feb. 29, but his identity will not be released in accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 24-72-304 (Rileys Law). While the coroner will determine the official cause and manner of death, this case is being investigated as a homicide. At this time, CSPD said a suspect is not in custody; however, the shooting is not believed to be random. CSPD said detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the shooting, including the development of potential suspect information. This is an active investigation, and CSPD asks anyone with information or who may be a witness to contact police at (719)444-7000. To remain anonymous, you can contact the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719)634-STOP. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Monday morning, hundreds of women and community members joined together for the 17th Annual Rosa Parks Women of Courage Breakfast. Each year to kick off Womens History Month, Sisters Inc. in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha hosts this event to honor courageous women and raise funds for scholarships to be given to students within the tri-communities. To date, the Women of Courage Breakfast has raised $650,000 in scholarship funds. As we pause during this Woman History Month to recognize phenomenal women in our community, let us not forget the challenges that the women face every day, Sisters Inc. President, Dr. Chasity Reese, said to attendees. Lets not forget that women still make less money than a man for doing the same job. Lets not forget that black women are three times likely than white women to die simply trying to give birth. Lets not forget that little girls of color are targeted every day with this ever-growing human trafficking problem. The theme of this years breakfast: Honoring Women in Law. Justice Verda Colvin of the Supreme Court of Georgia served as the keynote speaker. In her opening remarks, Justice Colvin paused to remember the legacy left behind by Civil Rights icon, Rosa Parks. When we think of courage, we think of sacrifice and unrelenting persistence. Courage was most exemplified in a 42-year-old, five-foot three-inch person whose high school career was suspended to support the family, only later to be encouraged to complete high school while working as a seamstress in a department store. This courageous person whom this breakfast truly honors is none other than Rosa Parks, Justice Colvin said. The statement she made regarding her decision to maintain her seat on a segregated bus says everything about courage. She said, The only tired I was, was tired of giving in. She went on to say, You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right, as each person must live their life as a model for others.' She went on to say women in the law demonstrate courage as Rosa Parks once did every day. Women in our profession had no choice but to be courageous. For Margaret Brent, the first woman to become a lawyer in 1648, to Arabella Mansfield, the first woman to be admitted to a state bar in 1869, women have been courageous, fearless and daring. Justice Colvin highlights the importance of woman joining the legal profession as only 39% of the profession is made up by women. She also explained why each of this years nominees were selected. Danielle Forte, Muscogee County Clerk of Superior and State Courts Danielle Forte, Clerk of Superior and State Court, demonstrated courage by not simply waiting to be called to serve, but instead making the call to serve by running for the position of Muscogee County Clerk of Superior and State Courts, Justice Colvin said. This courageous spirit propelled her to execute programs and educational opportunities within the Columbus community to ensure that the clerks office was user friendly and staffed with employees who provide exceptional customer service. Forte says she was shocked and overwhelmed with humility upon learning she had been selected for the award. She tells WRBL her fight with breast cancer inspired her to go above and beyond in her professional life. I am a breast cancer survivor. I rang the bell, so am now cancer free. It also provided new outlook in life, and within the work force, sometimes you have to dig deep within in order to persevere and move forward, Forte said. So as an elected official, it has motivated me to provide more services and do a lot more with our community outreach which I am very excited about. Forte has hosted seminars and programs for the public covering a variety of topics including Notary Public Training, eFile and User Training, constituents meet and greets, and criminal history summits. She also started a monthly series called the Forte Community Outreach Program. Judge Susan Henderson, Muscogee County Recorders Court It is said that courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen. That is exactly what Judge Susan Henderson did. She showed up to meet a need within the Columbus community. She previously served law students. She prosecuted misdemeanors and felonies and practiced in the private sector, even serving once as county attorney, Justice Colvin shared. But she showed up and offered herself for service as a judge and Recorders Court where she conducts initial appearances for criminal offenses. Perseverance, talent, and commitment to excellence explains the reason why shes here today receiving this award. Judge Henderson says it is an incredible honor to receive the award, especially amongst the company of her fellow nominees. When reflecting on the message of Justice Colvin, Judge Henderson shares the importance of women joining the law field. Ive been doing this, as Ive said, for 25 years, and its really been wonderful to see the numbers of women practicing grow exponentially in our community, and its a very important role that they play, Judge Henderson said. Obviously, we bring in a whole new set of ideas, experiences and work ethic and I think that we need more women lawyers in our community. Judge Henderson was appointed to her current role just over a year ago in Feb. of 2023. Prior, she specialized in prosecuting crimes against children. She reminds those interested in entering the legal field; it is hard but fulfilling work. LaRae Dixon Moore, Attorney & Shareholder, Page Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker, & Ford, PC The third recipient I know personally, I can attest that her authentic spirit and commitment to professional service is unmatched. She is Attorney LaRae Dixon Moore, Justice Colvin said. Before Attorney Moores private practice with Paige Scrantom, one of the largest and oldest firms in the Western part of Georgia. She engaged in public service with the Columbus District Attorneys Office and as an assistant federal defender, all while serving the state bar and the Columbus community at large, including service as the president of the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers. She clearly understands that leaders serve, which is exemplified in her service as board chairperson for the American Red Cross. This understanding of servant leadership has elevated her professionally and personally. Attorney Moore shared with WRBL she has attended this breakfast annually, and always looks forward to hearing the honorees stories. She said she is humbled and honored to be recognized as one of the great women of Columbus. To other women entering any male dominated work force, she shares the following advice. You got to stay the course, youve got to be persistent, youve got to be courageous to stay in the room even though you might be the only woman in the room, or you might be the only girl in the room, Attorney Moore said. You have to trust your gut, trust your intuition, and follow their passion, and just know that if you have a burning desire and passion inside of you thats for a reason and you have to follow that even in a male-dominated industry. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. A 19-year-old who was a quarter mile away from a fiery explosion in Michigan was struck in the head and killed by a canister that flew into the air from the blast, according to fire officials. Butane containers caught fire Monday night at a vaping distributing company in Clinton Township, about 25 miles outside of Detroit, the Clinton Fire Department said. PHOTO: Fire fighters appear on the scene of an explosion, March 4, 2024, in Clinton Township, Mich. (WXYZ) MORE: 5 dead after single-engine plane crash in Nashville, police say The vape company had recently received a semi-load of butane containers, and over half of that was still at the facility as of Monday night, officials said. The company also had pallets of nitrous and lighter fluid, and over 100,000 vape pens with lithium batteries inside, officials said. Clinton Township Fire Chief Tim Duncan described it as a "tremendous amount of fire." "In my 25 years ... this, by far, was the biggest one that I've ever seen," Duncan told reporters Tuesday morning. PHOTO: In a video posted to Twitter, an explosion is seen, March 4, 2024, in Clinton Township, Mich. (Kate Cherry) The blast shook cars that were 1 to 2 miles away, officials said. The blast sent debris -- including blades -- flying into the air, officials said. The debris field was likely a half-mile in each direction, officials said. PHOTO: In a video posted to Instagram, an explosion is seen, March 4, 2024, in Clinton Township, Mich. (@smhegzz14/Instagram) One firefighter was hurt from the blast when a "piece of debris went through the windshield and clipped him on the side of his face," said Clinton Township Emergency Management Coordinator Paul Brouwer. The firefighter has been treated and released from the hospital, Brouwer said. PHOTO: The aftermath of an explosion that ocurred March 4, 2024, is seen on from an aerial view in Clinton Township, Mich., March 5, 2024. (WXYZ) The explosions prevented responders from reaching the fire immediately, the Clinton Fire Department said. When officers did arrive on the scene, they found "materials flying in all directions from the building," officials said. Clinton Township police warned Monday night, "We can not stress enough the danger that is happening right now. Please, please, please stay inside and out of the vicinity. Debris is being projected into the air and coming down as far as a mile away from the explosion." Residents and businesses in the area were evacuated, police said. PHOTO: Fire fighters appear on the scene of an explosion, March 4, 2024, in Clinton Township, Mich. (WXYZ) Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said at a news conference, "Our thoughts and prayers and sadness to the family, friends and loved ones and the community of the loss of the life of the 19-year-old out in the street that got hit by one of those pieces of shrapnel." "Just walking the streets and getting hit by something like that, completely unexpected," Hackel said. "And I couldn't think of anything sadder as an outcome for this particular situation." Hackel added, "If you happen to see something that looks concerning to you, please don't touch it, don't pick it up. When in doubt, give us a call and we'll check it out for you to make sure that nobody else gets harmed." PHOTO: A 19-year-old was killed when they were struck by a flying canister from an industrial explosion and fire in Clinton Township, Mich., late Monday, March 4, 2024. (WXYZ) Officials said the business owners and staff associated with the explosion have been "very cooperative" and "forthright" in the ongoing investigation. Police are continuing to question the owner and staff members to determine what occurred. The store passed inspection in May 2022 and obtained their certificate of occupancy in September 2022, officials said. The store had a backroom to store products, and "at the time of inspection there, there were no canisters," Clinton Township building inspector Barry Miller said. "There are allowable quantities for certain things you can put in those rooms -- they did not exceed any of those quantities. Obviously with what happened last night, they were well over what would have been allowable for that for that site." Since 2022, "nobody from the township has been in that building for the purpose of inspections," Miller said. Investigators said they are working to identify quantities of canisters and other materials on-site to determine if any codes were broken. ABC News' Jianna Cousin contributed to this report. 19-year-old who was quarter mile away from fiery explosion killed by flying canister: Michigan officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SCOTLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) Two cars crashed into a building Tuesday morning in Scotland County, according to Scotland County Rescue Squad. When officials with Scotland County Rescue Squad arrived, they found one car crashed into a building with one person entrapped. The rescuers had to extricate the trapped person from the passenger side of the car using a tunnelling method, Scotland County Rescue Squad said. After the person was removed from the vehicle, they were treated by Scotland County EMS, officials said. Three people in total were transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for their injuries and their current condition is unknown. Scotland County Fire Rescue had assistance from the Gibson SouthWest Fire Department, City of Laurinburg Fire Department, Scotland County 911 Emergency Communications, and Scotland County EMS. Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylors work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Two seniors at local high schools have been named 2024 Coca-Cola Scholars. Isaac Bernstein, a student at Upper St. Clair High School and Alekhya Buragadda, a student at South Fayette High School are two of 150 seniors nationwide to receive a $20,000 scholarship. Both students will be honored during the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta next month. More than 100,000 students across the country applied for this scholarship. These 150 students, who were selected from an initial pool of 103,800+ applications from across the country, not only exemplify superior leadership, service, and academics, they are change agents, positively affecting others in their communities, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation said. Click here for a full list of winners. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Facebook, Instagram back online after widespread outage Surveillance video released of man accused of sexual assaulting woman near Pitt campus 3 men accused of passing counterfeit $100 bills in Indiana County charged VIDEO: Road crews start work on Glenwood Bridge DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Royal expert Tom Quinn claims that Prince Harry is pressuring Meghan Markle to return to the UK to support the Invictus Games. However, his wife once vowed that she would not return to England. ADVERTISIMENT This year, the Duke of Sussex is expected to hold an event on British soil to celebrate 10 years since the event was founded for wounded and sick soldiers. This was reported by The Mirror. The expert adds that Meghan Markle does not want to return to her husband's homeland, as she has never considered the UK her home. Omid Scobie, a royal author who used to be called the "mouthpiece of the Sussexes," wrote in his book Endgame last year that the Duchess "no longer wants to set foot on English soil." But Quinn is convinced: Harry will not take no for an answer, and even Meghan is beginning to realize that "you should never say never." ADVERTISIMENT "Invictus Games is one of the few areas of Harry's life where he feels at ease," Quinn exclusively told Alt. "Undoubtedly, helping soldiers and veterans is good for the Sussex brand, but only if Meghan is also involved. The expert noted that the pressure creates a huge tension in the relationship between the royal couple. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! DENVER (KDVR) Two U.S. Postal Service letter carriers were robbed at gunpoint in Denver on Monday afternoon, and federal authorities are now looking for the suspects who were caught on video. It happened around 5 p.m. in the Montbello neighborhood, according to a release from U.S. Postal Inspector Melissa S. Atkin. The first incident happened near Bolling Drive and Duluth Court and the second a few blocks away in the 4600 block of Eureka Court. Atkin said three to four suspects were seen on video in a white Hyundai Sonata. Two people running toward a white Hyundai car Atkin told FOX31 the carriers were not hurt and said the agency could not release information about what was stolen to maintain the integrity of the investigation. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The U.S. Postal Inspection Service expects to post a reward for information in the coming days, according to the release. Anyone with possible information on the case is asked to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Metro police are searching for two people who reportedly broke into a Dickerson Pike laundromat and stole thousands of dollars. Police said on Sunday, Feb. 11, the suspects broke into the Fabric Care Center on Dickerson Pike and stole thousands of dollars from change machines. They also caused thousands of dollars worth of damages. Tin Roof security guard charged with assault that left bar patron in coma The suspects arrived at the laundromat just before 5:30 a.m. in a silver Toyota sedan. They then pried the front door open with a crowbar, went inside, and used bolt cutters to remove the locks off coin machines and took the change, according to investigators. Metro police said the Toyota had no license plate or hubcaps, adding that a Browning deer sticker was seen on the upper left corner of the cars back windshield and the ALS sign for I love you was seen on the bottom right corner. (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. In a few years time, you might be able to order an Applebees Irresist-A-Bowl and a side of IHOPs Minion pancakes under the same roof. John Peyton, the CEO of Dine Brands Global, confirmed in an earnings call last week that the company is aiming to introduce a dual-branded Applebees/IHOP restaurant concept in the United States. Eight such restaurants already exist in other countries where Dine Brands operates, including Canada, Kuwait, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. Dine Brands Globals headquarters is located in Glendale. There are 55 IHOPS and five Applebees located in L..A. County, according to Foursquare. Peyton revealed the companys intentions to bring the concept to the U.S. in response to a question from a Barclays analyst, who inquired about plans for increasing the number of Applebees locations both stateside and abroad. Peyton responded, in part, by touting the success of the dual-branded Mexico location, which he claimed to be generating two times or more the revenue of a similarly sized single-branded restaurant. The reason, he suggested, involved the two menus covering more day parts than eithers single menu. And thats a big innovation that were nurturing overseas, and that our intent is to eventually bring [it] to the U.S. when we find the right opportunity to introduce it, he said. Dine Brands executives did not say when any dual-branded restaurants might open in the U.S. Peyton briefly mentioned how the restaurants would operate, with a shared kitchen and a blended area for guests in the front-of-house. YouTube videos shared by Dine Brands franchisees also show the branding of the two restaurants remaining separate on the storefronts (often side-by-side) with open-layout dining areas that encompass both dining areas. Speaking with Nations Restaurant News about possible U.S. locations, Peyton said the dual-branded restaurants would also have separate entrances for both Applebees and IHOP, essentially making them appear as side-by-side restaurants with loosely defined dining areas. At breakfast, when there are more IHOP customers, customers can be seated in the Applebees area and vice versa at dinner, Peyton told the outlet. Such a concept is far from foreign to American consumers, with dual-branded eateries like Cinnabon and Auntie Annes, or Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, sharing the same retail spaces. Peyton, though, told Nations Restaurant News that he believes Applebees and IHOP are an especially good match because their menus largely cater to different times of day. Its a fantastic opportunity because the two brands are complementary, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Two women are dead and a man is injured after an early-morning shooting at a convenience store in Las Vegas, authorties said Monday. The suspect fled the crime scene on a bicycle, police said. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department lieutenant Jason Johansson described the suspect as a Black man wearing black or dark clothes and a mask, which may have been a surgical mask. He asked that anyone with information about the shooting contact police. The shooting occurred inside a convenience store in Las Vegas' East Valley neighborhood. Police were alerted to the incident at around 3:25 a.m. local time, Johansson said, and received multiple calls from people inside the store. Video footage showed the suspect approach the business on his bicycle, open fire through an open door, and flee the scene. Two victims were found inside the store, and one was found in the parking lot of the business. The person found outside was a woman in her 20s, who was pronounced dead on the scene. Of the two found inside the business, one was a woman who died after being transported to a local hospital. The other was a man who is in stable condition, Johansson said. Johansson said it was possible that one of the victims knew the shooter, and that there is a possibility that the shooting was a targeted attack. "Right now we have someone who went and shot people in a store who is outstanding. Obviously, there's a certain threat that goes with that. We do however believe that there was someone who was shot that was connected and knows who this person is," Johansson said. "Right now we're in the process of working through that to determine if it was targeted or random. But right now, based on information that I know, we believe that it was targeted." Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes NASA's pricey mission to send U.S. back to moon faces technical challenges | 60 Minutes White House says it won't pull funding from Israel despite aid blockade to Gaza (KRON) A $20,000 reward to catch killers on the run was announced Monday after four people were slain at a birthday party in Monterey County. Police said 11 victims total were shot at 6 p.m. Sunday in the front yard of a house on North 2nd Street in King City. A crowd had gathered in the front yard to celebrate a birthday party when the mass shooting unfolded. The King City Police Department said three masked gunmen jumped out of a silver Kia and opened fire on party-goers. The killers fled the scene in the Kia and remain at-large. King City officials are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunmen. Three men died from gunshot wounds at the scene. A woman was pronounced deceased at Mee Memorial Hospital. Two more gunshot victims remained in critical condition as of Monday night, KCPD said. Police warned residents that the suspects are considered armed and dangerous. If you find them or the Kia, call 911, and do not approach. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact King City Police Department Sgt. Josh Partida by calling 831-386-5988 or emailing jpartida@kingcity.com. The police department wrote, The King City Police Department would like to extend its condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and injured. This is truly a sad day for the entire King City community. We share your pain and assure you that we are taking all possible steps to identify the suspects and bring them to justice. Mayor Mike LeBarre described the quadruple killing as a ruthless act of violence. The mayor said, We are heartbroken and share our deepest condolences with the family and friends of those who were killed by this ruthless act of violence. I want to assure the community that we are taking all measures and dedicating all resources within our reach to bring these criminals to justice. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. 2024 is the biggest election year in history. What role is e-voting playing and how secure is it? In 2024, about half the world's population will determine the future of their countries in the biggest election year in history. Behind the loud scenes of political campaigns, electoral systems will have the responsibility of ensuring free and fair ballots. "The goal isnt just to have a secure system, but to have a secure democracy," Dr David Duenas-Cid, an associate professor at Kozminski University in Poland, told Euronews Next. In June, Europeans will elect their Parliament based on 27 different systems and by then, Portugal, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Iceland, and Belgium will already have held national elections. Only a minority of these elections will be using technology in its process, be it to cast a vote, count ballots, or check voter databases. "In 1999, people wouldve said that the future is Internet voting, but we are in 2024 and not so many countries are voting online," said Duenas-Cid. He believes technology will eventually trickle into all elections, and that "there is no technical system that is one hundred per cent secure". What is e-voting and who uses it? Countries trialling electronic elections usually start with citizens living abroad because compared to paper-based voting, technology speeds up counting, suppresses invalid votes, and makes it easier to cast a ballot. In 1982, however, the southern Indian state of Kerala trialled electronic voting in local elections. The poll would eventually be annulled and recast on paper due to legal concerns, but today, the worlds biggest democracy uses electronic devices extensively, with paper votes confined to remote areas. Trust is very, very critical in voting. People arent distrusting the technology so much as they are distrusting their governments. By May this year, over 986 million Indians will elect the countrys lower parliament using direct-recording electronic (DRE) voting machines at polling stations, which register votes immediately, arent connected to the Internet, and print out receipts. While the reliability of DREs has been questioned in the past, they are the most widely used electronic system, according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. For Oliver Vaartnou, CEO of tech company Cybernetica, using electronic voting machines is a step towards Internet voting, which can be done online, on any device, and from anywhere. His country Estonia has been pioneering online polling since 2005. "We have the most advanced voting method in the world with Internet voting, and the most common or archaic way, with paper voting," said Vaartnou, whose company designed Estonias software i-Voting. How secure is Internet voting? "It's not a system you build once and let be for ten years," Vaartnou, told Euronews Next. "Estonia is constantly working on upgrading its Internet voting. We are modifying the software, we are looking at the security, we are assessing what is happening in the world and looking at whether it's impacting our Internet voting solution," he added. In 2022, Estonia allocated 30 million to state digital information systems and to this day, the country has never detected malware or vulnerabilities during elections. But other countries can't say the same. Some parts of Switzerland adopted Internet voting in 2004. Fifteen years later, public testing uncovered flaws in an updated software, and the deployment of online voting was halted until March 2023. "The flaw identified concerns the implementation of universal verifiability, a way of determining by means of mathematical proofs whether votes have been manipulated," said the authorities when hackers spotted the weakness. Today, cryptographic algorithms (used for encryption and authentication) are responsible for making sure votes arent changed without anyone noticing, and Internet voting source codes are publicly available. But flaws in online voting also include casting a vote in a coercive environment and a conflict of interest between software developers and the governments electoral body. For experts, it all comes down to the same concern: trust. "Trust is very, very critical in voting. People arent distrusting the technology so much as they are distrusting their governments," Estonian cyber expert Vaartnou said. The future of voting Still, some countries with disputed democratic track records are switching to e-voting. In an election with no "remaining significant challenger," some Russians will be able to choose their president on an electronic system for the first time in mid-March, while Turkey, which had "free but not fair" elections last March according to international observers, has announced it has developed its own DRE machines. Technology is getting more and more relevant, and we need to be very aware of not only the potentiality it can bring, but also the possible problems that it might entail. Other countries such as Norway and Mexico which will allow electronic voting in the upcoming June 2024 presidential elections for citizens living abroad are also looking into integrating the technology into elections. To all countries making the switch, expert Duenas-Cid recommends "taking it easy". Switching to electronic voting is difficult: some political parties believe technology can affect ways of voting and shift power dynamics, while changing election habits is complicated because people are very used to the system in place, according to the expert. For the first time last year, just over half of Estonians cast their ballots online, but it took nearly thirty years for just over 300,000 citizens to use the Internet in elections (Estonia has a population of 1.3 million, about half of which is registered to vote). In 2000, George W Bush won the US presidential election against Al Gore thanks to an extremely small lead in Florida. To make matters trickier, some counties in the state had issues with the counting of punched paper ballots. Following the mishap, the Help America Vote Act was introduced in 2002 so the whole country could upgrade voting technology. The use of electronically scanned paper votes (with hand-marked ballots) and DREs (without paper receipts) soared in the early 2000s, according to the Verified Voting Foundation, which studies the impact of technology on US elections. About 15 years later, paper made a comeback with DREs cast as insecure because they offered no paper proof. Today, the country uses an array of methods, with hand-marked paper ballots prevailing. Still, the future of voting remains uncertain. "Are we going to digitalise the whole voting process? Are we going to keep paper ballots but digitalise the rest?" Duenas-Cid said. "Let's see, I don't know, but what for sure is happening is that technology is getting more and more relevant, and we need to be very aware of not only the potentiality it can bring, but also the possible problems that it might entail". House Budget Chair Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, said Gov. Ron DeSantis' bid for another year of toll relief for Floridians, was a "big ask...but it's warranted." Tucking in millions of dollars in additional spending on hometown projects and state programs, Florida House and Senate budget negotiators completed work on a state spending plan for next year setting up the Legislature for an on-time Friday finish. House budget chair Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, and his Senate counterpart, Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, ended days of back-and-forth talks with a final exchange of spending offers Monday evening. The Florida Constitution requires that lawmakers wait 72 hours before voting on the final budget. But producing the budget in digital form Tuesday means lawmakers should be ready to cast votes on the spending plan Friday and end the 2024 session. The budget was officially published at 11:48 a.m. Central to the final deal between Leek and Broxson were 14 pages of supplemental funding initiatives. Basically, this includes dozens of hometown spending items the two sides earlier deadlocked over. Florida Sen. Doug Broxson, District 1 Now, this spending along with $350 million in hometown water and sewer projects agreed to over last weekend goes a long way toward settling the budget. The wide array of last-minute issues are basically thrown into the final budget proposal in hopes that at least some of them can dodge an eventual veto by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Included is spending as diverse as $16.7 million for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, to provide coverage for siblings of current clients, to $70,000 for an auto service technology program at Daytona State College. A DeSantis ask, answered But lawmakers also met some of the governors big-ticket wishes. Folded in at the last-minute Monday was renewal of a toll relief program DeSantis launched last year that costs the state about $300 million, but which may save the average commuter $400 a year. It is a big ask ... but its warranted, Leek said. Moreover, a 3% pay raise for state employees has already been agreed to by budget negotiators, along with about a $240-per-student increase in state funding for Florida's roughly 3 million school kids. This embedded content is not available in your region. This embedded content is not available in your region. John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Millions in extra spending helps Florida lawmakers seal budget Servicemembers looking to get a master's degree in Florida may get to skip the exam requirement on their applications. "Graduate Program Admissions" (SB 494/HB 511), which passed the Florida House Tuesday morning, would waive the graduate record exam (GRE) and the graduate management admission test (GMAT) for those currently in the U.S. armed forces, the Florida National Guard, the U.S. reserve forces. One veterans' advocate expects to see more servicemembers apply to graduate programs in Florida as a result of this bill. Hundreds of students and fans lined the streets on campus for the Florida State University homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Waiving these tests is an action streamlining our veterans opportunity to compete for admission to our states graduate programs," said Billy Francis, director of the Student Veterans Center at Florida State University. "Its actions like this that give our 'thank-you for your service' comments weight,' weaving our veterans back into the fabric of our society is our responsibility and this legislation is an example of that." A spokesperson for the Graduate Management Admission Council, the company that owns the GMAT, said the company was an "advocate for graduate business education to the U.S. military personnel community." "We look forward to continuing and maximizing our efforts to serve the U.S. military servicemembers in various ways in the years to come," wrote spokesperson Teresa Hsu. The University of Florida and Florida State University rank in the top 30 colleges in the nation for veterans, according to U.S. News & World Report. Universities in the U.S. that waive the GMAT for veterans applying to an MBA program include the University of Arizona, Ohio State University, Western Michigan, Xavier University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, University of Miami and Syracuse University, according to the bill analysis. Universities began waiving the requirement during the COVID-19, but kept the exam scores off of their applications even after the worst of the pandemic. In the fall of 2022, the majority of STEM doctoral programs dropped their GRE requirement, according to an investigation by "Science." The bill passed the Senate Wednesday and now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, himself a Navy veteran, who is likely to sign it. Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Servicemembers could skip GRE, GMAT grad school exams in Florida A total solar eclipse will be passing over a swath of the United States in 2024 and it's barely missing the majority of Kentucky. Louisville residents won't be one of the lucky cities in the commonwealth with front-row seats but there are many cities nearby. Indiana is in the path of totality for the April 8 event, meaning the moon will completely block the visible surface of the sun. This also means Indy observers will see the suns corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun, according to NASA, as long as weather permits. While the 'Ring of Fire' eclipse made headlines in 2023, there hasn't been a total solar eclipse since 2017, and the next won't occur over the US until 2044. 2024 eclipse in Indiana: Hoosiers have less than 4 minutes to see this rare total solar eclipse Map of 2024 solar eclipse path See the NASA image and video below for the path of the total eclipse, or click here to see a 3D visualization. A NASA map shows the trajectory for the total solar eclipse April 8, 2024. Downtown Indy hotels: Stay Stay Stay at one of these hotels within a mile of the Eras Tour concert Solar eclipse viewing spots in Indianapolis If you are planning to travel to Indianapolis to watch this rare event, make plans early. Many hotels and even campgrounds sold out months in advance in areas that had the best view of the 2023 'Ring of Fire' eclipse. In terms of viewing options, NASA will broadcast live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the eclipse in what IMS has dubbed 'The Greatest Spectacle in Eclipse Watching.' State and national parks are often a popular choice for these events thanks to plenty of open spaces, and White River State Park is among those going all out with more than 40 food trucks and a full weekend of events. For more on viewing events, spots and hotels check out the eclipse page on VisitIndy.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 2024 solar eclipse map: See the path of totality in the US VR host Marianne will guide French citizens through hospitality training. Photo Courtesy of AFT (PRNewsfoto/Alliance France Tourisme) March 5 (UPI) -- Several major tourism companies in France are launching free training sessions on how to be a good host via an interactive game, in preparation for the Summer Olympics in Paris. Alliance France Tourisme -- which is a group of major tourism companies -- announced Tuesday the initiative to spread the hospitality culture would be offered to all company employees and volunteers in France. This includes "hospitality professionals, retailers, restaurateurs, mobility stakeholders and security forces." The Summer Olympic Games will run from July 24, 2024 through Aug. 11. The people of France have been readying for millions of visitors to the nation during that time. In a statement, Alliance France Tourisme said it would offer the free training in the form of an immersive video game on two themes, "French hospitality" and "the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris." Over the program's 30 minutes, the user reviews the basics of French hospitality including "availability, manners, openness to others and further skills," which are animated by characters in a video presentation. According to numbers gathered in February by Alliance France Tourisme, Paris has a reservation rate close to 70% for the fortnight of the Olympic Games. Visitors started booking rooms and flights for the 2024 Summer Games late last year. International Women Board of Directors (IWBD) will launch its Saudi chapter at an exclusive networking event to be held on March 6, 2024, at The St. Regis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Womens Leadership Connection Lunch will host board members, C-suite executives, and decision-makers committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within corporate governance. It also promises to offer a unique platform for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange insights, and cultivate valuable connections to drive the advancement of womens leadership in boardrooms across Saudi Arabia. "We are thrilled to launch IWBD in Saudi Arabia," said Poonam Chawla, Founder and Managing director of IWBD. "Saudi Arabia has made great strides in recent years to empower women in the workplace in accordance with Vision 2030. After three successful years in the UAE, our Saudi chapter hopes to create a community of leaders that will help deserving women succeed in decision-making roles. We look forward to welcoming esteemed professionals from various industries to collaborate, share experiences, and shape the future of corporate governance in the kingdom." The International Women Board of Directors aims at strengthening the leadership capabilities and networks of senior women in corporate positions throughout the Middle East and network with global organisations to exchange know-how and expertise. Its objectives also include, increasing awareness of the positive impact of gender diversity on corporate boards, such as improvements in KPIs, profitability, and community growth and culture; partnering with local and international organisations to promote the hiring of more women as board directors, leveraging executive head-hunters and engaging with HR directors in the community; and recognising initiative by awarding 10 male CEOs at the annual summit awards ceremony, who actively champion and empower women board members, setting an example for other CEOs to support female leadership. Registration is now for the IWBD Leadership Connection Lunch. TradeArabia News Service Many people are looking for culinary life hacks to avoid wasting money on food for the holiday table. And TikTok has found an incredible way to carefully cut boiled eggs in half so as not to damage the yolk. The eggs themselves can then be used for stuffing, and the yolks can be used for decoration and other purposes. ADVERTISIMENT The amazing method was shared by a user under the name @themodernnonna, a cook from Bulgaria who was taught to cook by her grandmother. Today, more than 1.2 million people follow the blogger's secrets and life hacks. But even she was surprised when she learned about this method (to watch the video, scroll down to the end). The method resembles the way you cut an avocado. You need to cut the white from the side, making sure not to touch the yolk, put the egg with the knife stuck in it on a flat surface and roll it smoothly so that the knife slowly makes a rotation around the entire egg. Then all you have to do is carefully remove one half of the white from the yolk and take it out of the other half. As a result, you should get two halves of the whites and a whole boiled yolk. Later, the blogger also explained how to boil eggs in such a way that the shell can be removed easily without damaging the whites. To do this, put the eggs in cold water, boil it, turn off the heat, and cover the pot with the eggs with a lid. Let it stand for 10 minutes. During this time, prepare a bowl of very cold water, ideally with ice cubes floating in it. Throw the eggs in it for a few seconds, and then, while they are still warm, peel them. The shell should come off easily. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! Polls are now closed for the Texas primary elections. Here's where to find election results: Find the American-Statesman's primary election results here: 10 a.m.: Nikki Haley drops out of GOP presidential primary Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced Wednesday morning that she is ending her bid for the GOP's presidential nomination. Former President Donald Trump is now set to tackle the rest of the primaries with no major opponent. Haley's announcement comes after an unsuccessful Super Tuesday, only winning Vermont with 49.9% of the vote. In her speech Wednesday morning, she congratulated Trump on his likely nomination, but did not endorse him. Lily Kepner 12:50 a.m.: Little leads with 100% of precincts reporting With 100% of precincts reporting, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's impeachment defense attorney Mitch Little leads incumbent state House Rep. Kronda Thimesch, R-Lewisville, by 298 of 21,604 votes. The race marks a significant victory in the attorney generals revenge tour against Republican House incumbents who voted to impeach him over charges of corruption and bribery. Ultimately, the Senate cleared Paxton of wrongdoing largely along party lines. Little had previously served as Thimesch's campaign treasurer until he joined Paxton's legal team in the lead-up to the impeach trial in the Senate. Bayliss Wagner 12:30 a.m.: Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan unable to secure reelection, heads to runoff House Speaker Dade Phelan was unable to secure his reelection to his Southeast Texas district Tuesday night and will head into a runoff election against a GOP primary challenger backed by former President Donald Trump and Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to unofficial results and both candidates. David Covey, an oil and gas industry consultant and a marquee candidate for Paxton's revenge tour against House Republicans who voted to impeach him last year, came out on top in the three-person race, with Phelan securing the second spot to make it to the May 28 runoff after neither candidate received a majority of the vote. Hogan Gore 11:30 p.m.: Walker with narrow lead over incumbent Devine for Supreme Court seat The gap between scandal-plagued incumbent Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine and his Republican challenger, Judge Brian Walker, has narrowed to just 0.6% with 65% of the total estimated vote counted. It's looking like we're going to win this race!" Walker wrote to the American-Statesman. "All glory to God! Devine did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Bayliss Wagner 10:40 p.m.: Dade Phelan trails challenger by 1% in neck-and-neck race as votes keep trickling in As election results continue to be reported in Southeast Texas, GOP primary challenger David Covey has an ever so slight lead against incumbent House Speaker Dade Phelan in the state House District 21 race. Phelan is trailing Covey by 1 percentage point, according to the latest election results updated around 10:40 p.m. Currently, Phelan has received 12,426 votes to Covey's 12,707, according to the latest results. After taking his first lead of the night at 10:20 p.m. and losing it 20 minutes later, Phelan could likely be headed to a runoff with Covey in the three-person race. Alicia Davis sits in distant third with 11.16% of the vote. To avoid a runoff, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the total vote. Hogan Gore LATEST: Rep. Colin Allred clinches Texas Democratic nomination to challenge US Sen. Ted Cruz 10:10 p.m.: AP: U.S. House incumbents from Central Texas win races Incumbent Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco, has won the GOP primary for U.S. House District 17 in Texas with more than 85% support against challenger Joseph T. Langone, according to The Associated Press. Incumbent GOP Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin and John Carter of Round Rock also clinched their party's nominations for House District 10 and District 31, respectively, the AP reported. On the Democratic ballot, incumbent Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin secured the nomination for U.S. House District 37. Lily Kepner 10 p.m. update: Paxton-backed GOP primary candidate ousts Court of Criminal Appeals judge Republican primary challenger Gina Parker has defeated incumbent Judge Barbara Hervey for a place on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, according to The Associated Press. In securing the seat, Parker received just shy of 67% of the vote Tuesday night with more than 700,000 total votes. Endorsed by Attorney General Ken Paxton as part of a broader effort to remove the three Republican judges seeking reelection over a previous appeals court ruling preventing him from prosecuting voter fraud cases, Parker will take a seat on the state's highest criminal court that had been held by Hervey since 2001. Two additional Paxton-backed candidates David Schenck and Lee Finley also hold leads, which have grown throughout the evening, against incumbent Judges Sharon Keller and Michelle Slaughter, respectively. Hogan Gore 9:50 update: Troxclair leads against Paxton-backed opponent in House District 19 race Incumbent Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, is coming out ahead of a Paxton-backed GOP primary challenger, Kyle Biedermann, and a third candidate, Manny Campos, for the Texas House District 19 office. With 89% of the estimated vote total reported, Troxclair had thus far received 51.1% of the vote compared with Biedermann's 44.1% and Campos' 4.7%. To avoid a runoff a candidate needs to receive 50% plus one vote. Bayliss Wagner 9:45 p.m. update: U.S. Rep. Colin Allred clinches Texas Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, the former pro football linebacker who six years ago knocked off an entrenched Texas Republican to capture a Dallas area seat in Congress, vaulted to an outright victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, ABC News and NBC News declared around 9:30 p.m. Allred bested a field of nine candidates and was burying his nearest rival, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, by a 4-1 margin, according to unofficial election returns. Allred can now shift gears and set his sights on the November matchup against two-term incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who easily dispensed with two comparatively unknown challengers on the GOP side. John Moritz 9:45 p.m. update: Garza holds 30-point lead as more votes come in Incumbent Jose Garza has maintained his 30-point lead over his Democratic primary challenger Jeremy Sylestine in the Travis County district attorney's race. The county's elections website has uploaded a new batch of votes, including votes from Tuesday, with Garza bringing in 38,000 and Sylestine receiving just under 20,000. Serena Lin 9:15 p.m. update: 'We're in for a very long night,' Gutierrez not giving up as Allred keeps early lead Though the election returns coming from across Texas on Tuesday showed state Sen. Roland Gutierrez trailing U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, by double-digits for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, the state senator from San Antonio told supporters not to give up hope. "I hope you're ready to stick around for a while," Gutierrez said in remarks posted on social media. "Texas is a really big state, and I've traveled every bit of it. "We have yet to even get through the early vote in the state of Texas. So that's why we're in for a very long night." John Moritz 9:10 p.m. update: Darby leads against Trump and Abbott backed challenger Rep. Drew Darby, one of 21 House Republicans who in November voted to strip a school choice proposal out of an omnibus education package, is successfully fending off a heavily endorsed challenger as early election night results continue to trickle in. Darby currently holds 64% of the vote against Stormy Bradley, who has been endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott in his push to unseat those who voted against a school voucher program last year. In recent days, former President Donald Trump and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also endorsed Bradley. The bipartisan vote against the voucher bill effectively killed the package and any change of passage for the controversial school choice program, which would use public dollars to pay for students' private school. Abbott then endorsed Darby's challenger Bradley, spending more than $670,000 in the last month to boost Bradley's chances according to campaign finance reports. This race was one of four Abbott spent heavily on to back pro-school choice candidates. Hogan Gore 9 p.m. update: Phelan trails challenger as early votes come in In the political battle of his life, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan trails GOP primary challenger David Covey by more than 300 votes as election results continue trickling in. Covey has thus far received 9,967 votes, or 46%, compared with Phelan's 9,629, or 44.48%. House District 21 along the Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas has seen a barrage of Covey endorsements ahead of election day, including receiving support from former President Donald Trump and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, following his impeachment by the House and subsequent acquittal in the Senate last year, has been on the attack against Phelan for months leading into Super Tuesday. Hogan Gore 8:10 p.m.: Cruz wins Texas Republican Senate primary Incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz has won the Texas GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, The Associated Press reports. On the Democratic ticket, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas was leading his opponents with more than 58% support, according to the Texas Secretary of State's Office reporting 39% of Texas counties results. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, had received just over 19% of the vote. Lily Kepner 8 p.m. update: Biden and Trump win Texas primaries, AP says The Associated Press has called the Texas primary races for president for both parties, with Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump securing their parties' nomination. Lily Kepner 8 p.m. update: Paxton-backed challengers secure early lead in Court of Criminal Appeals races Three Attorney General Ken Paxton-backed challengers seeking election to the Court of Criminal Appeals hold early leads over the incumbents in the state GOP primary. With early and unofficial results coming in, the three challengers remain ahead of the incumbents with more than 275,000 votes accounted in each of the races. The results are not yet final. Gina Parker, who is looking to unseat Judge Barbara Hervey, has collected 64% of the early vote. Challenger David Schenck leads in his bid to unseat the court's presiding judge, Sharon Keller, with 60% of the vote. In a tight contest, Lee Finley has an early edge over Judge Michelle Slaughter with 52% of the vote. Through the primary campaign season, Paxton singled out each of the incumbent judges over the court's 2021 decision prohibiting Paxton from prosecuting voter fraud cases. Hogan Gore 8 p.m. update: Texas Supreme Court race close, challenger Brian Walker leads incumbent Texas Supreme Court Justice John Devine is trailing Republican primary challenger Brian Walker by roughly 5,000 votes with 80 of 274 counties reporting, making a nail-biter out of an unusually competitive and scandal-ridden judicial race. Walker has notched 51.4% of the vote thus far while Devine, who has sat on the state's highest civil court since 2013, had received 48.6% support, with 9% of the total estimated vote counted. Bayliss Wagner 7:50 p.m. update: Uvalde County is Gutierrez country Uvalde County, which is home to the horrific May 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School is repaying state Sen. Roland Gutierrez for his unwavering support of the families and victims. Early returns show Gutierrez carrying more than 70% of the Uvalde vote. He represents the county in the Texas Senate. John Moritz 7:40 p.m. update: Two of three Texas State Board of Education incumbents lead GOP primary opponents Early results show two of three incumbent State Board of Education incumbents leading over their GOP primary challengers. Incumbent Tom Maynard, R-Florence, held just about 48% of the early vote. Round Rock school board member Mary Bone trailed him with about 40% of the early votes. D.C. Caldwell, a third candidate in the race who is running as both a Republican and Democrat, received about 11% of the early GOP vote. State Education Board's District 10 seat, which Maynard holds, encompasses Williamson County. In North Texas, incumbent Pam Little, R-Fairview, led with almost 40% of the early vote for District 12. Little faces three challengers: Chad Green, Jamie Kohlmann and Matt Rostami. Incumbent Pat Hardy, R-Fort Worth, trailed her GOP opponent Brandon Hall in the District 11 race. Hardy received about 45% of the early vote compared with Hall's 55%. Keri Heath 7:25 p.m. update: Big early lead for Colin Allred in U.S. Senate Democratic primary With just a few counties reporting early votes in the Texas Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred from Dallas is building a more than 7-1 lead over his closest challenger, state Sen. Roland Gutierrez from San Antonio. The other seven candidates in the field are in the low single digits. These early vote totals are unofficial. To avoid a runoff, a candidate must win an outright majority. John Moritz 7:20 p.m. update: Travis County voters give Garza early lead in DA's race Incumbent Jose Garza leads in early votes for the Travis County district attorney's race, with 65% of the vote. With a 14,500 vote deficit, the results don't bode well for challenger Jeremy Sylestine. Serena Lin Texas primary election results: Get real-time results for key Austin area and statewide races Some Travis County voters say they faced glitches, delays A data issue in Travis County left about 1% of registered voters unable to vote Tuesday morning, the County Clerk's Office confirmed to the American-Statesman in an email Tuesday night. The issue temporarily impacted a small number of voters in both parties, the clerks office said. Our team quickly identified the issue and pushed out a solution. The County Clerks office said voters were asked to wait for the issue to be resolved or offered a chance to vote provisionally. The Texas Republican Party posted on X that some Travis County Republicans had not been able to cast ballots, but the County Clerk's Office said both parties were affected. The Republican Party said that an update to the voter registration roll between early voting and election day caused the error, adding that theyve alerted the Secretary of States office and Travis County elections office. We at the Republican Party of Texas Headquarters are actively supporting the Travis County Republican Party to resolve any current or further issues, its post said. The Secretary of States Office told the Statesman it has been in touch with the state GOP. "Although we had limited problems during early voting, there were substantial reports of problems at four or more voting locations today with indications there were significant problems within the Registrar's office," said Travis County GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak. "We will seek complete and transparent answers to all pertinent questions about which voters were affected, why these problems happened and what is being done to fix them." Lily Kepner More than 66,000 vote in Travis as of 6:30 p.m. With about a half hour before polls close, more than 66,000 people had voted in Travis County on election day, according to the county clerk's office. Polls close at 7 p.m., though voters who are in line will get to cast a ballot. The Travis County Republican Party has opted to hand-count their primary mail ballots, the county clerk said in a news release. State law allows the party to take until 7 p.m. March 6 to finish counting its ballots. The county clerk will only receive these votes after the counting is completed. All other ballots will be electronically counted, the clerk said. Lily Kepner Two hours out from polls closing, most Travis County wait times are under 20 minutes The countdown is on for the rest of Super Tuesday. In Travis County, five polling locations have wait times of more than 51 minutes: Riverbend Centre, 4214 N. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane, Austin Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Austin Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway Most wait times are 20 minutes or less, but about a dozen have wait times between 21 and 50 minutes: Hendrickson High School, 19201 Colorado Sand Drive, Pflugerville Old Quarry Branch Library, 7051 Village Center Drive, Austin Grace and Peace Austin, 6301 Woodrow Ave., Austin Howson Branch Library, 2500 Exposition Blvd., Austin Flawn Academic Center, 2304 Whitis Ave. No. 338, Austin Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Austin Dan Ruiz Branch Library, 1600 Grove Blvd., Austin Pleasant Hill Branch Library, 211 E. William Cannon Drive, Austin Westoak Woods Baptist Church, 2900 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin Sunset Valley City Hall, 3205 Jones Road, Austin Austin Oaks Church, 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd., Austin To check wait times for your polling location in Travis County, see here. For a list of election day locations, see here. Lily Kepner Four hours left to vote: Travis County wait times up to 50 minutes Super Tuesday is well underway, with just under four hours left until polls close. In Travis County, most voting locations have a wait time below 20 minutes. The following locations have a wait time from 21 to 50 minutes: Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway Bee Cave City Hall 4000 Galleria Parkway, Austin Randalls Flagship West Lake Hills, 3300 Bee Caves Road, Austin Austin Oaks Church, 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd., Austin Westoak Woods Baptist Church, 2900 W. Slaughter Lane Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second St., Austin UT Flawn Academic Center, 2304 Whitis Ave. No 338, Austin PFISDD Rock Gym, 702 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville To check wait times for your polling location in Travis County, see here. For a list of election day locations, see here. Lily Kepner Katie Jo Muncie takes a selfie after voting in the Super Tuesday primary election at the Ruiz Branch Library Tuesday March 5, 2024. Wait times in Williamson, Hays counties In Williamson County, as of 3:10 p.m., most polling stations have wait times below 15 minutes. The three estimated to be between 15 and 45 minutes are: Georgetown ISD Technology Building, 603 Lakeway Drive, Georgetown (Republicans only) Georgetown Annex, 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown First Baptist Church of Georgetown at 1333 W. University Ave., Georgetown (Democrats only) The only polling station with an estimated wait time of more than 45 minutes is: Round Rock Randalls, 2051 Gattis School Road, Round Rock Find a complete list of polling station wait times in Williamson County here. In Hayes County, as of 3:10 p.m., the polling places with available data are mostly below 20 minutes. The ones exceeding 20 minutes include: Belterra Centre, 151 Trinity Hills Drive, Austin Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center St., Kyle Hays County Elections Office, 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos For a complete list of wait times in Hays County, see here. In Travis County, more than 111,913 ballots have been cast as of 3:06 p.m., putting unofficial turnout at 12.53%. Just under 43,000 are from today. Lily Kepner Super Tuesday voters wait in line at the Ben Hur Shrine Center on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The line stretched just outside the parking lot, with voters eager to cast their ballots. During this election, election officials ensured that the voting process was conducted smoothly. Most Travis County voting locations have wait times of 20 minutes or less With about seven hours left to cast votes in the Texas primaries, most Travis County voting locations are showing wait times of 20 minutes or less, according to the county's website. The Lakeway Activity Center at 105 Cross Creek, however, at 12:30 p.m. was reporting wait times of over 50 minutes. Several polling locations have wait times between 20 to 50 minutes: West Lake Hills Randalls, 3300 Bee Caves Road, Austin Steiner Ranch Randalls, 5145 N FM 620, Austin Christ Episcopal Church, 3520 W. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park Lago Vista High School, 5185 Lohman Ford Road, Lago Vista PfISD Rock Gym, 702 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville Travis County polling locations and wait times can be found here. Bianca Moreno-Paz Freshman student Jesus Silva distributes information about voting, free roses, and candy outside a polling area at the FAS center at the University of Texas on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in preparation for Super Tuesday. Fact-check: Has crime risen under Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza? Leading up to the polls opening on Tuesday, misinformation has been spreading online about crime in Austin in light of the Travis County district attorneys race. Eleventh-hour accusations against candidates are not uncommon in tight races on election day. Social media posts sharing an article from the news site The Free Press, founded by Bari Weiss, who also posted the story on X, formerly Twitter, have said that crime in Austin has soared under a progressive district attorney. The story cites and links to an article by the real estate website HomeSnacks with an Austin crime analysis for 2023 that shows the rate is higher in Austin than in the country and Texas. However, data from the Austin Police Department shows that most total crime numbers have gone down during Travis County District Attorney Jose Garzas tenure. The total number of crimes against persons in Austin has gone down every year in the city since 2020. Crimes against persons are generally violent crimes, such as homicides, assaults and rapes. Crimes against property, such as robberies and auto thefts, have also gone down every year since 2020. However, crimes against society, which include things such as drug violations, gambling and prostitution, have gone up and down since 2020. Homicides in Austin have risen since 2020 and have not gone down to pre-pandemic levels. This has largely followed a nationwide trend since 2020, when murder went up across the country. For 2023, Austins murder rate was lower than that of most large cities in Texas, previous reporting by the American-Statesman shows. Skye Seipp Hays and Williamson counties polling stations seeing longer wait times The Hays County election office, 120 Stagecoach Trail in San Marcos, and the Kyle City Hall, 100 West Center St., are seeing wait times over 20 minutes as of 11:45 a.m. The polling station in the Belterra subdivision, 151 Trinity Hill Drive in Austin, and the Precinct 4 office, 195 Roger Hanks Parkway in Dripping Springs, have a 10- to 20-minute wait. Voters can find other Hays County voting locations through this map or list on the Hays County website. Several Williamson County polling stations are also seeing heavy foot traffic, with some waits up to 45 minutes long: Randalls , 2051 Gattis School Road, Round Rock Wilco Hutto Annex , 321 Ed Schmidt Blvd., Hutto Georgetown Annex , 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown Georgetown ISD Technology Building, 603 Lakeway Drive, Georgetown Voters in Williamson County can find their polling location on the county's website. Bianca Moreno-Paz A line of voters waits at the Austin City Hall Center on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in preparation for Super Tuesday. The line stretched just around the corner in a waiting area, with voters eager to cast their ballots. During this election, election officials ensured that the voting process was conducted smoothly. Elon Musk and Willie Nelson endorse their picks for Travis County DA Elon Musk and Willie Nelson put forth their picks for Travis County district attorney. Tesla titan Musk urged Travis County followers on X to cast their ballots for Jeremy Sylestine, a middle-of-the-road Democrat, notable for his fundraising campaign's Republican donors. Country legend Nelson endorsed incumbent Jose Garza, noting he is "leading the charge to treat, not punish addiction." A Texas native, Nelson has previously been vocal about Democratic contenders, headlining Beto O'Rourke's "Vote 'Em Out" rally during the latter's failed run for the gubernatorial office. 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! https://t.co/s6QLeLr2aY Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2024 Bianca Moreno-Paz Travis County DA, Austin Police Association hold dueling events ahead of Texas primary In a news conference Monday, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza claimed that a group of armed bikers followed and recorded people at his campaign events, saying that the group was trying to intimidate volunteers and scare them out of talking with voters. Garza called the group my opponent's supporters, saying they had actively been promoting Sylestines candidacy on social media. Sylestine, however, told the American-Statesman in a statement: I have no idea who this biker group is. Im aware through social media of some recent interactions between them, victim groups, and the Garza campaign. In a separate news conference Monday, the Save Austin Now PAC and the Austin Police Association, both critics of Garzas tenure in office, featured multiple victims of violent crimes who spoke out against Garzas soft on crime approach. Ella McCarthy and Skye Seipp From left to right, Elsa Roberts stands in line with her mother Leah Pratt and her dog, Mr. Fluffers as as they wait to vote on Super Tuesday with other voters at the Ben Hur Shrine Center on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The line stretched just outside the parking lot, with voters eager to cast their ballots. During this election, election officials ensured that the voting process was conducted smoothly. Travis County district judge race contested by former prosecutor and defense attorney The race to be the 353rd District Court judge is also contested. Incumbent Madeleine Connor is being challenged by Sherine Thomas and Susana Castillo. Connor became the Democratic nominee in 2020 despite a history of running as a Republican and having been previously sanctioned by the court for being a vexatious litigant. Thomas, a former prosecutor in the Travis County attorneys office, was a strong favorite in the Austin Bar Association poll. Castillo is a defense lawyer. Serena Lin Bastrop, Hays and Williamson counties polling updates Bastrop, Williamson and Hays counties' polling stations are showing minimal wait times. Williamson County had received 2,705 ballots as of 8:45 a.m., while Bastrop County has seen 486 votes cast. Early voters cast 44,640 and 8,075 ballots in Williamson and Bastrop counties, respectively. No early voting or election day data is currently available for Hays County. Bianca Moreno-Paz A line of voters waits at the Austin City Hall Center on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in preparation for Super Tuesday. The line stretched just around the corner in a waiting area, with voters eager to cast their ballots. During this election, election officials ensured that the voting process was conducted smoothly. Republicans crossing party lines to vote for Sylestine in Travis County DA race The Travis County district attorney's race is among the most closely watched of those appearing on the Democratic primary ballot. Incumbent Jose Garza is being challenged by prosecutor turned defense attorney Jeremy Sylestine. Once seen as a long-shot candidate, Sylestine has picked up momentum in recent months and raked in high-dollar donations. More than 50,000 people voted early in Travis County Democratic primary, according to the Texas Secretary of States Office. Almost 3,500 people who previously voted in Republican primaries voted early in the Democratic primary, according to political consultant Derek Ryan. Ryan said it was likely due to the district attorney's race. Daniel Betts, the lone Republican candidate, had encouraged other Republicans to cross party lines to vote for Sylestine in the Democratic primary. Serena Lin and John Moritz People arrive to vote in the Super Tuesday primary election at Ben Hur Shrine in North Austin on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Travis County polling stations open and operating Travis County polling locations are up and running as of 7 a.m. They will stay open until 7 p.m. tonight. Significant wait times are reported at two polling stations as of 7:30 a.m.: Terrazas Branch Public Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St. YMCA East Communities, 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd. A full list of voting locations can be found here, and a map of the locations is displayed below. Bianca Moreno-Paz Related story: Where do I vote? How to cast your ballot in the Austin-area on Super Tuesday Super Tuesday voters wait in line at the Ben Hur Shrine Center on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The line stretched just outside the parking lot, with voters eager to cast their ballots. During this election, election officials ensured that the voting process was conducted smoothly. Welcome to Super Tuesday. Here's what you need to know. Super Tuesday is officially here. Texas Democratic and Republican voters will pick their nominees for president, a U.S. Senate seat, 15 state Senate offices, all 150 state House seats, and an array of federal, state and local candidates seeking places on the general election ballot in November. Democratic President Joe Biden and former Republican President Donald Trump are considered prohibitive favorites for a rematch this fall, and Texas, along with 13 other states participating in the Super Tuesday primaries, could help cement that matchup. In Texas, the most closely watched statewide primary race is on the Democratic side as nine candidates battle for the right to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who faces only token opposition for renomination. Most polls have shown U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas comfortably in the lead and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio running second but well ahead of the rest of the field. More: Texas Democrats hope to unseat Ted Cruz, but which candidate is best poised for the fight? If no candidate captures a majority, the top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to a runoff. Three places on the Texas Supreme Court and on the Court of Criminal Appeals are also being contested in both primaries. In the races for one seat on the three-member Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industries, incumbent Christi Craddick is being challenged by four candidates in the Republican primary. More: Texas Supreme Court justice seeking reelection under fire for absenteeism, ethics concerns During the early voting period, which ended Friday, Republicans outvoted Democrats by more than a 2-1 ratio. According to political data analyst Derek Ryan, about 148,000 more people voted early in the 2024 Republican primary than in 2020, when Trump was running for a second term. On the Democratic side, early voting turnout this year was about 60% of that of 2020, according to Ryan's analysis. But four years ago, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination was not yet secured by Biden before the Texas primary. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Anyone in line to vote by 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot. Voters should come prepared to present one of seven acceptable forms of photo ID: Texas driver's license Texas personal identification card Passport Texas handgun license Military ID card Citizenship certificate Texas election identification certificate A student ID, even from a public school or college, is not an acceptable ID for voting under state law. Any otherwise qualified voter who cannot reasonably obtain one of the approved forms of photo ID can fill out a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" at the voting location and present an alternative form of identification, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check or voter registration certificate. Follow along for live updates and results for key statewide and local races. Polls open at 7 a.m. across Texas Primary election voting will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on March 5 across Texas. Fifteen states, including Texas, and one U.S. territory will also vote Tuesday, according to USA Today. Where can I vote in Central Texas? Travis County: Voters in Travis County can cast their ballot at any voting center where a Vote Here/Aqui sign is displayed, according to the county clerk's website. A full list of voting locations can be found here, and a map of the locations is displayed below. Bastrop County: Voters in Bastrop County can find their polling location on the county clerk's website. Click here to view the Democratic consolidated sample ballot and here to view the Republican consolidated sample ballot. You can look up your personal sample ballot and registration status here. Hays County: Voters can find Hays County voting locations through this map or list on the Hays County website. Click here to view the Democratic consolidated sample ballot and here to view the Republican consolidated sample ballot. Williamson County: Voters in Williamson County can find their polling location on the county's website. Find sample ballots for Republican and Democratic candidates here. Who's on the ballot in the Texas primary elections? All Texas candidates running for a Republican or Democratic nomination for office can be found here. These are races on the Texas ballot for the March 5 primary: President of the United States U.S. Senate All 38 Texas U.S. representatives Railroad commissioner Texas Supreme Court (three members) Court of Criminal Appeals (three members) State Board of Education (seven members) Texas Senate (15 members) All 150 Texas House representatives Courts of appeals (various chief justices and justices) District judges, criminal district judges Family district judges District attorneys Sheriffs County Courts-at-Law County attorneys Tax assessor-collectors County commissioners Justices of the peace Constables John Moritz This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas primary election 2024 live updates: Get the latest results EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 23-year-old woman was arrested Thursday, Feb. 29 after firing a gun outside a bar in East El Paso, according to the El Paso Police Department. PD: Fort Bliss man charged with DWI after striking police car in East El Paso Police say that officers responded at 2:25 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 to the Trophy Room Bar located at 9627 Sims Dr. to a shooting. While officers were at the scene, they heard a sound of a gunshot coming from the parking lot area, according to police. Police say officers located Emily Hale, 23, inside of a vehicle making suspicious movements and reaching towards the passenger seat. Officers were able to locate a pistol underneath the passenger seat of the vehicle Hale was operating, according to police. Hale was arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon with a $1,500 bond and discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities with a $1,500 bond. She was then booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Streets through Port Royals cozy residential neighborhoods are getting repaved. The nearly $2 million project signals the first time the town has tackled multiple paving needs simultaneously. The work will bring new surfaces to virtually every street in the Old Village, the historic center of the town where some roads are named after nation capitals including Paris, London, Madrid and Edinburgh. The paving work will be an inconvenience for residents, Town Manager Van Willis says, but we think long-term its a significant improvement. Work by Charlotte-based Blythe Construction began Monday with resurfacing of Madrid Avenue and will continue for three to four weeks. Blythe is asking residents to have all vehicles removed from the street between 7 a.m.-7 p.m. We have piecemealed the resurfacing throughout the years, Willis said, but this is the first truly comprehensive resurfacing of town-owned roads. We are repaving basically all of downtown Port Royal, with the exception of Paris Avenue, Willis added. In the largest capital project the community has ever undertaken, the town also plans to spend some $16 million in a major overhaul of Paris Avenue the main street through the Old Village. But the town must still secure funding before beginning that work. Unlike most municipalities, Willis said, Port Royal owns most of its roads, which only adds significance to the repaving work. The state of South Carolina typically owns most of the roads in communities, he said. But in the 1990s, the town began taking ownership so it had more control over redevelopment designs for the downtown area, Willis said. Paving has begun on Madrid Avenue on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in the Town of Port Royal. Workers with Charlotte-based Blythe Construction will repave most of the towns roads with the exception of Paris Avenue and will take three to four weeks. Last year, the online review site Cheapism ranked Port Royal among the 50 most-underrated towns in America, citing its leadership in the planning and development approach known as New Urbanism. The Town Council previously approved $5 million in capital projects for 2023-24, a 900% increase. That work included $3 million in general obligation borrowing. At just under $2 million, the street repaving makes up the bulk of the $3 million worth of borrowing, Willis said. Heres when repaving is scheduled to begin: March 4: Madrid Avenue and Laurel Street. March 5: 15th and 16th streets, Columbia Avenue March 7: 11th, 12th and 13th streets. The areas indicated on the map indicate the beginning phases of overlay project in Port Royal. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Public defender James Montoya and retired Judge Alma Trejo are headed for a runoff in the Democratic race for El Paso district attorney (34th Judicial District), according to final unofficial results that were released at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 5. Montoya, a former assistant district attorney, led most of the night and finished with 37.59 percent of the vote or 12,949 votes. Trejo, a lawyer and retired judge, was second with 35.53 percent or 12,240 votes. Nancy Casas, former assistant county attorney and former assistant district attorney, trailed with 26.88 percent or 9,259 votes. The runoff is scheduled for May 28. The winner will face Republican incumbent Bill Hicks who is running unopposed in that partys primary. Hicks was appointed to fill the vacancy when previous DA Yvonne Rosales resigned in December 2022. The big issues have been the handling of the states case against Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius and how the DAs Office is administered and run. Crusius has already pleaded guilty to federal charges in the 2019 Walmart massacre. Crusius killed 23 people and wounded more than 20 others on Aug. 3, 2019. During Rosales tenure, she came under repeated fire for cases being dropped and other administrative issues that raised questions about competency. The district attorney for the 34th Judicial District oversees the prosecution of state criminal cases in El Paso, Culberson and Hudspeth counties. In the county attorney race, Christina Sanchez, an assistant county attorney, is the unofficial winner with 69.01 percent or 22,898 votes. Sergio Saldivar, a lawyer in private practice, trailed with 30.99 percent or 10,281 votes. Incumbent Jo Anne Bernal is not running for re-election. Bernal was first appointed to the job in 2009 and has been re-elected every four years starting in 2012. There are no Republicans or third-party candidates running for county attorney. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Three men were arrested in Floyd County, Georgia recently in an online sex sting. The men made contact online with someone they thought was a child younger than 16 and offered to pay them for sex acts. They then traveled to a location in Floyd County to meet the child for what would have been child molestation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Deputies said Tile McGill, 32, is charged with human trafficking, aggravated child molestation, electronic enticement attempt, obscene internet contact, and obstruction. Deputies said when he was being arrested, McGill disobeyed orders and tried to run. Quintavius Davian Marques Dean, 28, is charged with human trafficking and aggravated child molestation. Christopher Jacob Theobald, 36, is charged with human trafficking, electronic enticement, and aggravated child molestation. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Living life as a Pisces (or with strong Pisces placements in your chart) is a beautiful thing: Who but a Pisces could dream up an entire existence marriage, two kids, a midcentury mod split-level home in the suburbs and summer trips to the San Juan islands off Washington state with a crush they barely made eye contact with on the subway? Sure, the ethereal, emotionally open water sign may be delusional, but theyre delusional in the best kind of way. To pay homage to our double fish friends and because its Pisces season from February 18 to March 19 weve compiled 33 tweets that tap into that Piscean point of view. And to learn more about your astrology sign, visit our horoscopes page. Slept for like 16 hours yesterday and I called off a date AND I dyed my hair so Pisces season has started for me yes paloma carrillo (@paflomaa) March 3, 2024 Pisces cant tell you the square root of 64, but theyll explain a vivid dream in perfect detail that they had in 2007. Ray (@ChaoticRayy) April 15, 2022 WELCOME PISCES SEASON! COMPASSIONATE GHOSTING! NEEDY BOUNDARIES! CRYING! EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE! HEART ON SLEEVE IS THE BEST ACCESSORY! WHY TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN LIFE WHEN YOU COULD GET LOST IN THE SORROWS OF THE WORLD! MAKE LOVE NOT SENSE! LIFE IS SHORT! HAVE FUN! Chani Nicholas (@chaninicholas) February 19, 2023 The Pisces urge to change my number and move to Guatemala without telling anybody but the lord. Malik McIntyre (@malikdmcintyre) October 1, 2023 Pisces: *dumps someone* Pisces 5 mins later: hey I know I dumped you but wondering how youre feeling & if you need anything Astro Poets (@poetastrologers) September 3, 2019 pisces have strong drunk-girl-that-compliments-you-in-the-bathroom energy pisces energy (@piscesonlyy) September 17, 2019 Take a shot every time Pisces turns off their phone in an attempt to turn off reality. Astro Bebs (@astrobebs) February 12, 2018 Me in the morning trying to process the intense symbolism that appeared in my dreams pic.twitter.com/MlGZPUMwqG (@koi_takleefff) March 16, 2023 every Pisces is a thousand years old. 7 years old talking about when I was young Ty (@GoAskSaturn) September 24, 2021 As a Pisces, I send songs hoping youll listen to each lyric intently, and know exactly how I think and feel about you Nadia (@nadiiaaam) October 18, 2022 im just like kurt cobain (pisces with ibs) The Notorious J.O.V. (@whotfisjovana) March 17, 2023 Can you smell the emotional manipulation & delusion in the air? Its almost Pisces season . RAE . (@ravennlindseyy) February 17, 2021 when your card declines at therapy so they bring out the Pisces man you dated (@cr0issantitties) February 8, 2024 I know we're not supposed to make fun of our students while we're grading, but this is not making fun, I promise. Nothing but respect to the woman who began her marijuana law final paper "As a Pisces..." Sam Kamin (@ProfSamKamin) May 27, 2021 even though literally nothing was happening i started crying and said sorry im a pisces and the vet tech was like honey im a cancer i understand and honestly i needed that Rachel Whitehurst (@RachLWhitehurst) February 8, 2018 babe, are you ok? you arent acting like the romanticized version of you that i imagined (@highitsg) May 16, 2021 ppl with pisces in their chart try to look super serious in selfies but remind me of that meme w the baby chick holding a knife pic.twitter.com/VamPvor5IS milk (@milkstrology) February 18, 2018 why are pisces so cutthroat at the mouth but yet so sensitive? pisces (@IMORATHESEER) April 2, 2021 olivia rodrigos whole album sour is your friendly reminder to never hurt a pisces feelings milk (@milkstrology) May 21, 2021 if youre dating a Pisces then youre single to me, what are they gonna do? confront me with a shaky voice? write concerning poetry about me? lurk on my socials and get their feelings hurt? Astro Bebs (@astrobebs) September 10, 2019 Just found out constantly daydreaming and imagining an idealized life in your head 24/7 has a name, and its called maladaptive daydreaming and it's a mental illness. Rachad Aga (@rachad296) July 11, 2020 just guessing but i think this box is a pisces pic.twitter.com/qClKTWFWD8 Sarah Aspler (@saspler) September 19, 2017 book club seems fun but this month im doing dream club, where my friends all write down a dream they had recently and the entire group psychoanalyzes the dream trash jones (@jzux) February 16, 2024 Its Pisces season!! Cry, go swimming, play the victim, fuck a fish!!!1! chichi (@chichitochtli) February 19, 2018 I'm not an early bird or a night owl, I'm some sort of permanently exhausted pigeon George (@georgemceachran) June 25, 2018 I was reading my book and some lady on the T struck up a conversation about it and seemed so genuinely interested that I got off the T and let her keep the book and now I hate myself because it was just getting good and Ill never know what happens. #PiscesProblems Kayden (@AdvoKayden) July 11, 2018 Thats so Pisces coded KSJDJSKSK https://t.co/0i3WewUxvA organic lil bitch (@2sammiosa) February 27, 2024 the pisces urge to play dumb (strategically) (@pisceswrId) May 2, 2023 Somewhere a Pisces is up thinking of everything thats ever happened to them Astro Poets (@poetastrologers) May 28, 2022 Related... TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) Thirty-seven Kansas airports will receive $14.3 million in improvement grants. The funds are from the Kansas Department of Transportations Division of Aviation Kansas Airport Improvement Program. KDOT says they received 135 applications seeking funding for airport improvements. The projects selected focus on pavement improvements, safety, and air ambulance access, according to KDOT. All projects require local matching funds. Improvements made to our aviation infrastructure are vital to local economies, even in rural parts of Kansas, said Governor Laura Kelly in a news release. These enhancements ensure that no matter where they are in the state, businesses and communities have every opportunity to grow and prosper. What caused the Facebook, Instagram outages? These general aviation airport improvements couldnt happen without local partners and KDOT working together, said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. Programs like this help Kansans have access to renewed and reliable transportation options available to them in every region of the state. The approved projects are: Abilene Municipal Airport $376,113 $32,571 to replace a rotating beacon. $110,061 to replace the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS). $233,481 to replace a T-hangar. Atkinson Municipal Airport, Pittsburg $135,000 $135,000 to replace AWOS. Amelia Earhart Airport, Atchison $479,522 $479,522 state match of the local share of a runway construction project. Augusta Municipal Airport $74,520 $74,520 for a hangar approach and foundation project. Belleville Municipal Airport $453,500 $66,500 for the design of a pavement preservation project. $387,000 for the construction of a pavement preservation project, including crack fill, seal coat, and markings. Coffey County Airport, Burlington $93,500 $93,500 for a hangar door replacement to eliminate ongoing maintenance problems. Chanute Martin Johnson Airport, Chanute $180,000 $180,000 for phase 2 of the fence project to install chain-link fencing with barbed wire wildlife barrier. Ellsworth Municipal Airport $675,000 $675,000 for taxilane project. Emporia Municipal Airport $906,000 $114,000 for apron design to accommodate larger aircraft. $792,000 for apron construction to accommodate larger aircraft. Gardner Municipal Airport $798,500 $76,000 for the design of a fuel system project. $722,500 for the construction phase of an above-ground fuel system and the removal of an underground fuel system. Gove County Airport, Gove City $142,200 $142,200 to install AWOS. Herrington Regional Airport $170,000 $170,000 state match to unfunded local share of runway edge lighting, precision approach path indicator (PAPI), and runway end identifier lights (REILs). Hugoton Municipal Airport $288,000 $18,000 to crack seal runway 13/31. $270,000 for pavement repairs near the terminal and T-hangars. Allen County Airport, Iola $664,500 $57,000 for a drainage and earthwork project design for the parallel taxiway. $607,500 for the construction of the drainage and earthwork project for a parallel taxiway. Stanton County Municipal Airport, Johnson City $144,000 $144,000 to replace the AWOS. Larned Pawnee County Airport, Larned $166,860 $125,460 to replace AWOS. $41,400 for upgrading the fuel pump, fuel filters, hose reel, and credit card reader for the fuel system. Lawrence Regional Airport $375,500 $38,000 to design the rehabilitation of Taxiway C. $337,500 for the construction of the rehabilitation of Taxiway C. Sherman Army Airfield, Leavenworth $14,865 $14,865 for fuel system modernization, including installing a credit card reader and electronic display. Mark Hoard Memorial Airport, Leoti $61,775 $61,775 for fuel system repair and modernization. Lucas Airport $799,840 $36,100 for the design of runway 17/35 pavement repair project. $763,740 for the construction phase of runway 17/35 pavement crack repair, milling, and marking project. Marion Municipal Airport $122,625 $122,625 for runway 17/35 crack repair. McPherson Airport $351,000 $351,000 for runway 18/36 joint, crack seal, minor spall repair, and isolated panel repairs. Medicine Lodge Airport $441,435 $57,000 for the design of an airport lighting project. $384,435 to remove and replace runway and taxiway lights and regulator for airfield lighting modernization. Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe $1,898,270 $13,600 for crack seal and pavement maintenance materials. $800,000 for the reconstruction of the East-1 Apron. $284,670 to install 4,800 feet of 8-foot fencing with 3-strand barbed wire. $800,000 for taxi lane pavement/East-4 apron reconstruction. New Century Air Center, New Century (Johnson County) $2,858,350 $13,600 for crack seal and pavement maintenance materials. $460,800 for the reconstruction of Taxiway K from the runway hold line to Taxiway L. $206,150 for pavement reconstruction design of the north portion of the west apron. $800,000 for the construction portion of pavement reconstruction of the north portion of the west apron. $577,800 for taxi lane and apron mill and overlay around east T-hangars. $800,000 for the reconstruction of the south section of the west apron. Oberlin Municipal Airport $126,000 $126,000 to replace AWOS. Osage City Municipal Airport $50,000 $50,000 for state match grant funding to local funding of pavement rehabilitation and airfield lighting. Pratt Regional Airport $36,000 $36,000 to replace the Ceilometer component on an AWOS. Cook Airfield, Rose Hill $22,500 $22,500 for crack seal and pavement maintenance materials. Rush County Airport, Rush Center $44,200 $44,200 for taxi lane pavement repairs. Satanta Municipal Airport $45,000 $45,000 to drill a well to support the pilot lounge, hangars, and aerial applicators. Smith Center Municipal Airport $318,500 $66,500 for the design of pavement repairs of taxi lanes east of the apron. $252,000 for the construction of pavement repairs of taxi lanes east of the apron. Syracuse-Hamilton County Airport, Syracuse $23,850 $23,850 for the crack seal of runway 13/31. Ulysses Airport $404,000 $66,500 for the design of a fence project along the northwestern side of the airport. $337,500 for constructing a fence along the northwestern side of the airport. Wellington Municipal Airport $11,700 $11,700 to replace the rotating beacon. Colonel James Jabara Airport, Wichita $360,000 $360,000 for the design and construction of a chain-link security/wildlife fence on the east side of the field. Strother Field, Winfield $225,000 $225,000 for joint seal and pavement repairs around the T-hangars north of the terminal. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. An intricate ancient stone tube could be the oldest known example of an ancestor to lipstick. The tube was found in Iran, once home to a mysterious Bronze Age culture. The pigment inside the tube bears remarkable similarities with modern-day lipstick. A small stone tube found among the remains of a mysterious Bronze Age culture could be the oldest known example of lipstick. The tube, thought to be 4,000 years old, was found among the remains of a powerful people who lived in Iran's Jiroft region in the Bronze Age. The tube's size and intricate adornments suggest it was likely used by an elite member of society. They would have held the tube in one hand and used an applicator to apply the deep-red paste with the other, researchers who led the study said in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports, The paste is remarkably similar to recipes used in modern-day lipsticks, according to the scientists. That could make it the earliest example of lip paint ever found. "Slowly, we came to compose a pallet of cosmetics, which are very, very similar, according to our reconstruction, to what we do nowadays," Massimo Vidale, an archaeologist at the University of Padua in Italy and an author on the paper, told Business Insider. The team had previously found traces of green, blue, and yellowish-pink eye shadows and foundation in the area, he said. "The lip of paint came as the last surprise because we had never found before this kind of very detailed preparation." A colorised picture shows the mineral composition of the paste found inside the tube, which scientists say is similar to modrn-day lipstick. F. Zorzi/Eskandari et al Sci Rep 14, 2670 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52490-w. CC BY 4.0 The study of cosmetics in archaeology can provide vital clues about the development of Bronze Age cultures, Vidale said. To create the pigments found in the tube, people would have had to have advanced knowledge of metallurgy. "It is a very specialized branch of metallurgy because whatever has to do with colors, to a great extent, is based on metal oxides," said Vidale "So this really makes the whole thing rather exciting." Emma Louise Baysal, Associate Professor of Prehistory at Ankara University, who wasn't involved in the study, said: "It is notoriously difficult to know how people enhanced their appearance in the past." "We have little opportunity to find direct evidence of cosmetic use on bodies, as these are rarely preserved (with the obvious exception, for example of ancient Egypt)," she told BI in an email. Egyptians and Mesopotamians are well-known to have used eyeliner at the time. These findings add crucial clues about the way eastern Iranian Marhasi lived. These powerful people were unknown to archeology until a 2001 flood barreled through the Jiroft region, uncovering 4,000-year-old graveyards. Since then, archaeologists have been racing to learn more about the culture. Some archaeologists have questioned the age and authenticity of the artifacts found at the site, but Vidale believes that the concerns have now been dispelled. "The research we have been doing the following years are completely denying all these doubts about Jiroft being a kind of fraud or forgery," he said. For Vidale and his colleagues, the design of the tube may point to an early attempt at branding the precious products. For Baysal, it makes sense that red paste is similar to modern-day cosmetics that would have been found millenia in the past. "The use of red pigments on the human body dates back to the paleolithic, so it should not be surprising that at this relatively late date in human history a more formalized version of coloring, more familiar to us in the present, was in use," said Baysal. She said, however, that more research will be needed before we can confidently call the stone tube a lip paint container. "Although the authors imply that this red color was used as lipstick by females, there is little information on the gendering of bodily decoration," she said, "so it is probably too early to say who may have used this color or indeed how it was applied to the face, particularly bearing in mind that in many cultures past and present, make-up is not restricted only to those gendered female." Still, having uncovered the container could help archaeologist find other examples and better understand their purpose. Read the original article on Business Insider 4 California deputies injured, 1 critical after being shot at by suspect during chaotic chase A "chaotic" police chase in California involving a suspect who opened fire at deputies multiple times has left four officers injured, including one critically, officials say. The incident happened early Monday near Santa Rosa after law enforcement responded to "a person brandishing a rifle," according to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office. "Deputies arrived and found the suspect, who then led them on a pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect stopped, fired shots at the deputies, and continued the pursuit," the sheriffs office said in a statement. "Deputies returned fire and, ultimately, the suspect crashed the vehicle he was driving. "Four deputies were injured: one with a gunshot wound to the leg, two with injuries to their hands, and one deputy has a head injury," the statement continued, adding that the deputy who suffered a head injury was "in critical but stable condition." ACCUSED FACEBOOK KILLER IN CALIFORNIA CLAIMS HIS CONFESSION WAS AI-GENERATED The suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene, has not been identified, nor have the injured deputies. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Sonoma Deputy Sheriff Rob Dillion told reporters Monday that each of the injured deputies was traveling in a separate vehicle and there are "multiple crime scenes" as the "suspect stopped and fired rounds at different locations." "As you can imagine I'm concerned about my injured deputies and I hope they all make a full and speedy recovery," Sonoma Sheriff Eddie Engram added in a video posted on YouTube. "This has been a chaotic incident and we're still trying to determine exactly what happened." CALIFORNIA MEN IN MASKS KILL 4, INJURE 3 AT PARTY, POLICE SAY The Santa Rosa Police Department is now handling the investigation and the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office is vowing to release bodycam footage in accordance with state law. A resident who lives near where the chase happened told The Press Democrat that he was awoken early Monday to the sounds of gunfire, followed by a pause and then a second exchange of shots. Original article source: 4 California deputies injured, 1 critical after being shot at by suspect during chaotic chase March 5 (UPI) -- More body parts were found Tuesday in New York after four individuals have been arrested in connection to the gruesome discovery last week on Long Island in what is being called the result of a "love triangle." The other body parts found Tuesday were in Bethpage State Park. Authorities are questioning multiple people even after two people were arrested at an Amityville home during a Monday search. The incident is believed to be connected to last week's discovery of two severed heads. The New York Post reported that no additional body parts were found at the Amityville residence. But law enforcement has yet to publicly identify the victims in what has been called a "love triangle," according to NBC New York 4. The suspects were seen being taken into custody Tuesday morning near Amityville in Suffolk County. A neighbor had said that they did not know much about the two suspects who were taken into custody, other than they rent where they were living, worked at nights and "brought a number of occupants with them." The body parts found Tuesday are believed to belong to the same victims that Suffolk County, N.Y., police investigators found Friday. You have probably already heard about the problem of climate change, but unfortunately, not everyone understands how dangerous it is and does not treat warming as a real threat. Hundreds of scientists are constantly warning about the devastating consequences that await everyone and calling for immediate action. ADVERTISIMENT An international group of more than 200 scientists has published the Global Tipping Points Report 2023, which details the impact of climate change on the planet. If humanity does not take significant action, the catastrophe will not be avoided. The fact that people emit heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere has caused an unprecedented increase in the average temperature on the planet. This has already led to extreme glacial melt, rising sea levels, reduced biodiversity, and an increase in the number of fires, floods, storms, etc. The report focuses on the tipping points that could lead to even greater destruction. These include, for example, the overturning and destruction of ice sheets and coral reefs. ADVERTISIMENT Some ecosystems that are on the verge of significant changes, such as part of the Greenland ice sheet, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, and the Amazon rainforest, have already approached tipping points. Scientists believe that they can be called the initiators of cause-and-effect chains that will spread across the globe, provoking disruptions in other systems. "Our research shows that in the past, even small natural changes in greenhouse gas concentrations have had a domino effect, changing different parts of our planet, from sea levels to entire ecosystems," says scientist Caroline Lear of Cardiff University in the UK, "We expect to see a similar domino effect from the much faster changes in greenhouse gas concentrations caused by fossil fuel combustion." Humanity is facing a loss of ability to grow crops, as the effects of climate change could destroy up to half of the world's wheat and corn growing area. This poses a serious threat to stability and the process of destruction has already begun. In 2022 alone, more than 27 million children went hungry for this very reason. ADVERTISIMENT The researchers call for a coordinated global political effort to prevent a catastrophe. Renewable energy sources must spread their influence. Fossil fuel emissions must be phased out globally by 2050; Climate change-related impacts will increase global inequality and disrupt the stability of the global economy. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen adaptation and loss management in the UNFCCC; Tipping points should be included in the world climate "inventory" of Global Analysis and Nationally Determined Contributions, which measures each country's efforts to combat climate change; State coalitions, non-state actors and civil society should coordinate efforts to avert negative tipping points and trigger positive ones; An urgent global summit on tipping points should be convened; Science should be funded and the interaction between science and policy should be improved to deepen knowledge and translate it into action as quickly as possible. Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that climate change could shrink the human brain. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viberchannels to keep up with the latest developments. Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti speaks during an interview with CNBC on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange By Jenna Zucker TORONTO (Reuters) - Randy Garutti knows street food: He has been Shake Shack's chief executive officer since its inception as a hot dog cart in New Yorks Madison Square Park. But when Garutti visits Tokyo, which boasts seven of the country's 13 Shake Shack locations, he makes sure to sample all aspects of traditional Japanese cuisine. The following interview with Garutti, who plans to retire in 2024, is edited and condensed. WHERE I GO FIRST My favorite place to start my trip is going immediately to Tonki (1 Chome-1-2 Shimomeguro) in Meguro a multi-generational restaurant specializing in tonkatsu (fried pork cutlets). Its kind of like going to Katzs Deli (for pastrami) when youre in New York: the simple dedication to one amazing product is a hallmark of Japanese food, and Tonki is such a pleasure. WHERE I STAY Tokyo hotels are notoriously expensive and small, so no matter where you want to stay, its always a struggle. The Marriott in Shinagawa (4 Chome-7-36 Kitashinagawa) provides the best value for a large hotel and business setting. Its not the most convenient location for central Tokyo, but its close enough and a quick Tokyo Metro ride gets you where you need to go. BEST PLACE FOR TEAM MEETINGS Most people would say the large hotels. But I prefer to find a small coffee shop or, in good weather, a great park like Gaien (1-1 Kasumigaokamachi) or near the Emperors Palace. Do it outside. WORTHWHILE TOURIST TRAP Bills for pancakes. Crazy lines, but years of hype make it a fun experience (2-6-12 Okura House 12F, Ginza). GETTING AROUND Metro is the only answer. Its so easy, cheap, clean, respectful and fun. But dont walk the wrong direction Tokyo is about respect. Following the rules on the Metro and in the stations is essential. The same is true, of course, for the bullet trains when you travel outside of Tokyo. Its almost never worth driving or taking a taxi if you can avoid it. COFFEE SPOTS Find a back alley, small, independent coffee shop and you cant go wrong. I like to head to Cat Street in Omotesando and see whos brewing. But I also must admit that Blue Bottle (4 Chome16 NEWoMan Shinjuku 1F) does an incredible job in Tokyo. INSIDERS ONLY Many of the best restaurants are not open to the public and can be found on upper floors of random buildings. Some of the greatest yakitori (skewered chicken), teppanyaki (food cooked on a metal plate) and other favorites can be found in hidden places youve got to have Japanese friends to help. DINNER SPLURGE Going all-in on sushi. The best places have eight seats at the sushi bar, and thats it. If youre not into sushi, my favorite yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) is Kirakutei (Minato City). For yakitori, go to Hachibei (Roppongi 7-4-5 B1F, Minato-ku). BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION Tokyo can be wildly expensive, but it doesnt have to be. Some of my favorite meals and experiences are neighborhood ramen restaurants where you can eat for a few bucks. BEST MEMORY I finally got to bring my family for a recent trip. Touring with my wife and children around Tokyo and then spending time in the mountains in Hakone, the temples of Kyoto and so much more are my favorite memories. FAVORITE SOUVENIR Unfortunately, the Tsukiji fish market moved to a new location years ago, but the old market neighborhood is still robust for great meals and for shopping. I always find amazing Japanese pottery, plates, bowls, tea sets and knives to bring home in the side streets. CANT-MISS TREATS For cheap and fun snacks, Don Quijote (various locations). It is kind of like a dollar store, but so much more. They have every snack available, including every flavor of Kit Kat imaginable. You might even find the really hard-to-get Japanese whiskeys on the upper floors. Another fun excursion is Harajuku. Get whatever crazy crepe, cotton candy or other trend is hitting Takeshita street. SHOPPING My go-to store is Akomeya (various locations) for incredible food, housewares and other options. After that, go to the basement of any of the large department stores in Ginza and other neighborhoods. There are hundreds of incredible food options, souvenirs and, of course, fashion on the upper floors. But first be prepared to indulge downstairs. (Editing by Lauren Young and Chizu Nomiyama) All five people on board a small airplane were killed on Monday night when the aircraft crashed at the side of an interstate in Tennessee, police said. The pilot had reported having engine problems and requested an emergency landing shortly before impact at around 7:45 p.m. along I-40 in Nashville, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson Don Aaron said. Approval was given to land on runway 2 at John Tune Airport. But the pilot then radioed that the aircraft was not going to make it, Aaron said. Small plane crashes along I-40 in Nashville, TN. Multiple fatalities. pic.twitter.com/vjPtcRBKFB News Now 24 (@GlobalNewsNow24) March 5, 2024 BREAKING: 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. pic.twitter.com/6tyBa3UCpB Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 5, 2024 None of the victims have yet been named. Aaron said it was fortunate that the plane avoided hitting any buildings or vehicles as it came down. When that plane did go down, it did, as witnesses described, implode on impact, Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney said, according to NBC News. That impact was catastrophic and did not leave any survivors. Loney added that firefighters battled heavy flames at the crash site but were eventually able to extinguish the blaze. The Federal Aviation Administration attended the scene, the MNPD said in a post on X, adding that the National Transportation Safety Board would arrive later Tuesday. Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell posted in a tribute. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The last presidential election flipped democracy on its head after conspiracy theories and Trumps desperation to stay in power helped fuel a violent insurrection, an attempted legal coup and the spread of election disinformation at a national and local level. Heading into 2024, experts who spoke to TPM warn those same threats, and more sinister outgrowths of them, will plague this years presidential election too. Even though this time around election officials might have a better sense of what sorts of threats to expect and just how dangerous these threats are, there are not yet clear answers on how to mitigate them completely. Instead, voting experts say that it may fall on the very election workers being targeted to rebut disinformation and defend the democratic process, by preemptively flooding the scene with factual information on how elections work in their jurisdictions to minimize the threat of misinformation. They also recommend election workers develop relationships with local law enforcement to protect against violent harassment and intimidation to voters and officials. Its a bleak time to take the job. According to elections experts and voting officials, the most pressing threats to the 2024 election can be narrowed down to five categories. Election Deniers Are Running The Show One of the most significant threats to the upcoming election is that many of the elected representatives who denied the integrity of the 2020 election, remain in power and threaten to once again disrupt the countrys democratic processes an outgrowth of 2020 election denialism. If representatives still remain committed to anti-democratic forces, they still have the power to create a fair amount of disruption, Justin Levitt, a professor of law at Loyola Law School, told TPM. Almost a third of sitting members of Congress attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election either by refusing to certify the results on Jan. 6, spreading baseless voter fraud claims, refusing to concede a race, or supporting meritless legal challenges to the results of the election, according to data from the nonpartisan States United Action. The excuse for the 147 members of Congress who signed onto a baseless election challenge, even after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, were largely rooted in debunked election fraud claims that typically originated at the local level the type of commonplace election administration glitches or errors that conspiracy theorists seize upon to bolster their baseless widespread fraud claims. In places like Antrim County, Michigan, for example, bogus allegations of voter fraud circulated after the county inadvertently misreported a number of unofficial votes in 2020. The mistake, which Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced was simply a human error was quickly corrected and did not impact the results of the election. But despite the explanation, the incident has persisted as a talking point for many election deniers who hold public office. Incidents like the one in Antrim County simply serve as an excuse, explained Levitt, this is a fact free political protest, and so it doesnt need fuel. They will invent their own fuel, unfortunately, because they invented the fuel in 2020. Election misinformation and disinformation Another deluge of misinformation and disinformation is inevitable in November, and among the most pressing threats to the election. From fake robocalls in New Hampshire impersonating President Bidens voice to social media companies deregulating their content moderation, experts told TPM theyre bracing for another onslaught of voter misinformation and disinformation in 2024. False election information can generate both from well-meaning people who simply dont know how election systems work, and bad actors foreign or domestic who are attempting to disrupt the election process and deliberately spread false information and disinformation. The former registrar of voters for Orange County, California Neal Kelley told TPM he expects to see both this cycle. That disinformation could take several forms in 2024, from vintage claims of mass voter fraud to debunked conspiracy theories about hacked voting machines that spread after the 2020 election. I think that there is going to be widespread disinformation about voter fraud, about election rigging, about voting machines, David Becker, the executive director and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, as well as the co-founder of ERIC, a voter roll maintenance system recently demonized by the far-right. And that will be designed to lay the groundwork for further attacks on the legitimacy of an election that the preferred candidates of those who are spreading it might lose. And theres no surefire way to prevent misinformation and disinformation, but, explained Levitt, it can be helpful to think about it as a supply and demand issue. You are never going to get at the issue solely by trying to limit supply, he said. Its just not possible. Instead, he said, the best way to counter misinformation and disinformation is to flood the zone with accurate information. David Levine, senior elections integrity fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, also emphasized that foreign adversaries continue to be an issue in the upcoming election. In particular, he mentioned Russia and China as potential foreign interference threats, both of which he said have rapidly evolving capabilities to use things like AI to perpetuate disinformation, a step advanced from the Russian troll farm interference and Trump campaign collusion of both 2016 and 2020. Violence, harassment, and intimidation of election workers Just as they had four years ago, 2024 election workers will face a torrent of threats and intimidation this election cycle. Spurred by former President Trump and his allies repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen, election officials from secretaries of states to local poll workers faced death threats and online harassment during and after the 2020 election. The threats, harassment, and intimidation, were and continued to be so widespread after Biden was sworn into office that the Department of Justice launched an Election Threats Task Force in 2021 to address the issue specifically. As of last August, according to the Justice Department, the task force has brought charges in 14 cases and had nine convictions related to election worker threats. For example, as recently as this month, a California man was arrested for leaving a threatening voicemail for a Maricopa County election official in November 2022. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of five years in prison. But its not just threats. A failed New Mexico state House candidate, sparked by his 2022 election loss, was arrested in January for a series of shootings at the houses of two county commissioners and two state legislators. Solomon Pena pleaded guilty last month. Last August, a man pleaded guilty to sending a bomb threat to former Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, saying in an online message form Hobbs should resign by Tuesday Feb. 16 by 9 a.m. or the explosive device impacted in her personal space will be detonated. The violent threats and intimidation are only expected to ramp up this year, experts told TPM, and might be particularly pervasive if the race ends up being close, Kelley, a victim himself of failed threats during and after the 2020 election, said. He described his own experience fielding the harassment as unnerving because theres no way of knowing whats going to come around the corner. I think theres going to be this push just like we saw in 2020 against the system and against officials, he said. The weaponization of a decentralized election system Bad faith actors will weaponize a complicated election system and use it as a way to shake voter confidence. Levine firmly expects malign actors to once again take advantage of the countrys decentralized and complex election administration to cast doubt on the system as a whole. At best, he said, voters have some knowledge about election procedures where they vote, but not elsewhere. This means that if voting processes look different county to county or state to state, bad faith actors will weaponize these differences to push false voter fraud claims. That has clearly been something that malign actors have capitalized on to try and diminish folks confidence in the election results, he said. In 2020, for example, Trump and some of his supporters latched on to the fact that Pennsylvanias election results were not immediately available, alleging that the delay in results was evidence of election fraud. In reality, Pennsylvanias more than 2.8 million requested mail-in ballots could not be opened for processing until election morning, so a delay in counting these votes was in no way evidence of an illegitimate election. Voter suppression and voter intimidation Increasingly restrictive voter laws and voter intimidation will prevent people from voting. Last year, 14 states passed restrictive voting laws that will be implemented in the 2024 election, according to the Brennan Center. These laws, which will make it harder for voters to cast a ballot, include measures like limits on mail-in voting, making the window to request a mail-in ballot smaller, as well as stricter voter ID laws. Its not just restrictive voter laws that experts are worried about. Theres also the issue of in-person intimidation at the ballot box, too. During the 2022 elections, there were reports of armed and masked individuals, accused of voter intimidation, watching over ballot drop boxes in Mesa, Arizona. The activist appeared to be part of a right-wing group that was formerly known as Clean Elections USA. They claimed they were monitoring the ballot boxes to supposedly prevent voter fraud. Uninformed vigilantes outside Maricopa Countys drop boxes are not increasing election integrity, Maricopa county supervisor Bill Gates and County Recorder Stephen Richer said in an October 2022 statement. Instead they are leading to voter intimidation complaints. Ahead of 2024, Kelley, the former Orange County election administration official, is concerned about similar voter intimidation tactics. He specially mentioned swatting incidents, which involve making a false emergency call prompting a SWAT team to show up, in this case, at a vote center. I dont want to say the skys falling, said Kelley, but I really think that one or two incidents that can just have such a wide dramatic effect on people and how they vote and where they vote. Correction: This article originally misattributed the source of a tally of the members of Congress who sought to overturn the 2020 election. Five people died after a single-engine plane crashed near an airport in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday night, officials said. The aircraft crashed along Interstate 40 around 7:45 p.m. local time after the pilot of the plane reported engine failure and requested an emergency landing, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron said, according to the Tennessean, a part of the USA TODAY Network. The plane was just three miles south of John C. Tune Airport when it landed in a grassy median along the interstate. The pilot had radioed that the plane was not going to make it to the airport just before it crashed. The aircraft did not hit any buildings or vehicles as it crashed. "According to some witness information, their plane was obviously in distress as it was coming over the interstate, right before it hit the ground," Aaron said. "I think he was having significant issues keeping the aircraft under control." BREAKING: 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. pic.twitter.com/6tyBa3UCpB Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 5, 2024 Plane caught fire Kendra Loney, a spokesperson for the Nashville Fire Department, called the crash "catastrophic," adding that witnesses told authorities the plane imploded on impact. Firefighters who responded to the crash site were met with heavy flames but were able to extinguish the blaze and preserve evidence for the investigation, Loney said. Crash investigators study the wreckage of a small plane crash just west of mile marker 202 on I-40 in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. Fatalities were reported, but officials declined to say how many were killed in the crash which hit a grassy area south of the shoulder of the interstate. Florida plane crash: 2 dead after small plane crashes into car, creating fiery explosion on Florida highway "Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Where was the flight coming from? Nashville International Airport spokesperson Stacey Nickens confirmed the single-engine, fixed wing Piper PA-32RT-300T, tail number C-FBWH, left Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The plane left around 7:19 p.m. and was set to arrive at John C. Tune Airport in Nashville around 7:43 p.m., according to its flight path. Delays expected on I-40 as investigation continues Police advised drivers to expect delays on Tuesday as some lanes on I-40 East remain closed. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Sarah Al-Arshani covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at salarshani@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nashville plane crash: 5 dead as aircraft crashes along I-40 highway Voters will head to the polls in more than a dozen states and American Samoa on Tuesday to weigh in on their preferred pick for president and a slew of Senate and House primaries. Although President Biden isnt facing a formidable primary rival, advocates in several states are looking to get Democratic voters to stage a protest vote of uncommitted on the ballot over the Biden administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, former President Trump is barreling toward the Republican nomination against rival Nikki Haley. A handful of states are also holding contested primaries for competitive congressional seats. Here are five things to watch on Super Tuesday: Will Trump lock up the nomination? Trump is on track to win the GOP nomination, though he wont be coronated Tuesday night. The former president has more than 240 delegates while Haley has 43, and more than 850 delegates will be up for grabs Tuesday. Because Trump needs 1,215 delegates of the 2,429 available to get the GOP nod, he wont be able to clinch the Republican contest yet, but hes expected to get much closer to that goal after the Super Tuesday primaries. One major development aiding Trump is a last-minute Supreme Court ruling on Monday that said the former president could appear on the GOP ballot in Colorado. That also impacts Maine and Illinois, where his presence on the ballot was also contested. So far, Haley has won only the Washington, D.C., primary, underscoring the uphill battle she faces. The states that will vote in the GOP primary are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Do protest votes make an impact in the Democratic primary? Advocates angry with the Biden administration over its handling of the Israel-Hamas war made their message loud and clear in Michigan last week, when 13 percent of those who participated in the Democratic primary cast their ballot for uncommitted. Democrats furious with the president over the war are now threatening to withhold support from him in more primary contests. Democrats in several states, including Washington and Minnesota, are urging members of their party to cast an uncommitted vote for Biden, while some states are also seeing an Abandon Biden movement that could threaten to derail the president in November. The Biden administration has been involved in efforts to negotiate a cease-fire between the two sides, and The Associated Press reported that a senior U.S. administration official said Israel has accepted a six-week cease-fire. The framework still awaits a decision from Hamas. Meanwhile, Vice President Harris called for a cease-fire while in Selma, Ala., on Sunday to remember Bloody Sunday. Can Porter pull off an upset in California? Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), long seen as a rising star in her party, is fighting to make it into the California Senate runoff in November. Most polls have largely found Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in first place, while Porter and Republican Steve Garvey have hovered around second place. Numbers gathered by Political Data Intelligence (PDI) have shown sluggish early voting, with only 12 percent of ballots returned as of Monday. Lower turnout tends to favor whiter and older voters the kinds of voters Schiff and Garvey stand to perform better with. Thirty-nine percent of voters aged 50 and older had cast a ballot, according to PDI data as of Monday, compared to 10 percent of voters aged 18 to 49. Sixteen percent of white voters had cast a ballot, compared to 11 percent of Asian voters, 10 percent of African American voters and 6 percent of Latino voters. Because California uses a top two primary system, all candidates running for the same office are listed under one ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two finishers move on to the November election. Schiffs campaign and a super PAC supporting him have been emphasizing Garvey in their ads to make it more likely that Schiff will compete against Garvey in November. Meanwhile, Porters campaign has been elevating Republican long shot Eric Early in her advertising to siphon votes away from Garvey and give her a better shot at making it into second place. How do Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons endorsees fare? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is out for blood after the Texas state House voted to impeach him in May. Although he was acquitted by the state Senate, that hasnt stopped Paxton from taking on Republicans who voted to oust him. Among Paxtons targets is Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R), who oversaw the impeachment trial into Paxton and voted to impeach him. Trump has also waded into the Texas GOP primaries, backing Republican challengers to the Republican incumbents who voted to impeach Paxton. Some of those state House candidates include Republicans Liz Case in the 71st District, Mike Olcott in the 60th District, Helen Kerwin in the 58th District and Alan Schoolcraft in the 44th. What does turnout look like? While the presidential primaries might be sleepier affairs, California, Texas and North Carolina are among the states holding key contested primaries. But early voting turnout in those three states shows lower voter turnout. Compared to 2020, however, slightly higher numbers of Republicans in Texas are voting this cycle, though overall early voting is down in the state, according to The Texas Tribune. Part of that low turnout has to do with the trajectory of the presidential horse race, where Trump and Biden are inching closer to a rematch this fall and as both men suffer underwater approval ratings. Low turnout, however, skews the kinds of voters that come out to the polls, which could impact competitive races like the California Senate primary. The low turnout on Tuesday may also offer warning signs for both parties heading into November. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FOX 2 (WJBK) - An incarcerated 58-year-old Detroit man was re-sentenced on Monday to serve 50 to 100 years for rape and assault. Robert Yarbrough, who is currently in state prison, was re-sentenced in the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County for "repeatedly raping and assaulting a Detroit woman he held captive for over 20 hours in December 2017," according to a news release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. On Monday, Yarbrough was sentenced to: 50-100 years in state prison for three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. 50-100 years in prison for one count of kidnapping. 25-50 years in prison for one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. 5-15 years in prison for one count of felonious assault. Yarbrough held the victim captive in a vacant house and brutally assaulted, strangled, tortured, and raped her for hours, according to the release. "During a brief instance when Yarbrough left the house, the victim was able to free herself and ran for medical attention, obtaining a sexual assault kit that yielded Yarbroughs DNA," the attorney general's office released. "Yarbrough was convicted of six felonies and sentenced in December of 2018." However, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered a re-trial of Yarbrough's convictions in 2023 due to a technical error by the 2018 trial judge during jury selection. "This mans crimes caused deep emotional wounds beyond the assault, and I am grateful for the victims courage that ultimately allowed him to be held accountable," Nessel said in the release. A total of 76 combat clashes have occurred on the front line over the past 24 hours. The Russians have carried out 2 missile strikes and 67 airstrikes, and fired at the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas from multiple launch rocket systems 95 times. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 5 March Quote: "Ukraine's Air Force struck 11 clusters of enemy military personnel over the past day. Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery struck one area where Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated, one ammunition depot, one Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system, and a Zoopark-1 radar station." Details: On the Kupiansk front, the Russians did not conduct any offensive operations. On the Lyman front, Ukrainian troops repelled five Russian attacks near Terny (Donetsk Oblast). On the Bakhmut front, Ukraine's Armed Forces repelled one Russian attack near Bila Hora (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians tried to improve their tactical situation. On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 22 Russian attacks near Berdychi, Tonenke, Pervomaiske, Nevelske, Semenivka and Orlivka (Donetsk Oblast). On the Novopavlivka front, Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to hold back the Russians near Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Prechystivka and Krasnohorivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, supported by their aircraft, tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops 34 times. On the Orikhiv front, the Russians unsuccessfully tried to attack near Huliaipole, Malynivka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast). In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, the Russians did not give up on their intentions to drive Ukrainian forces from their positions on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro River, despite significant losses in manpower. Over the past day, the Russians carried out two unsuccessful assaults. As a result of an operation by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Russia's Sergei Kotov patrol ship was sunk with its crew on board on the night of 4-5 March 2024. Information about the presence of a Ka-29 transport and combat helicopter on board the ship is being confirmed. Support UP or become our patron! The government-backed, $90 million Montgomery Whitewater development has been named the Project of the Year by Business Alabama magazine. The selection was announced at the magazines recent awards luncheon in Birmingham. Opened in July, Montgomery Whitewater was designed by S2O Design and Engineering. The park offers an advanced channel system, which simulates a natural river with class II-IV rapids to accommodate beginners, seasoned whitewater enthusiasts or professional athletes for a variety of whitewater activities including rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Visitors can also attend free concerts, visit an outfitter store and eat at the on-site restaurant, Eddys Restaurant and Bar. Luca Bohn trains as Montgomery Whitewater, in Montgomery, Ala., hosts olympic hopefuls in wintertime training on Tuesday January 2, 2024. Since opening in July, the Montgomery Whitewater Park has drawn crowds from across the nation, helped us recruit thousands of new high-paying jobs and provided additional recreational opportunities for Montgomery County residents, said Montgomery County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton. This prestigious honor from Business Alabama shows the strength of this investment and its continued benefits to Montgomery County, the River Region and state of Alabama. More: 2024 Paris Olympics: Montgomery Whitewater will host US trials The Montgomery County Community Cooperative District owns the park. The Montgomery County Commission and the State of Alabama financially backed the effort. The City of Montgomery contributed the land. When it opened, it was expected create a ripple effect in the local economy with officials estimating a $36 million annual impact, mostly in tourism-related dollars. The sprawling park covers 120 acres in west Montgomery near Maxwell Air Force Base and created about 120 jobs. "None of this would have been possible without the vision and dedication of the many elected officials and business leaders who collaborated to bring Montgomery Whitewater into existence," said Montgomery Whitewater chief executive officer Dave Hepp. "What resulted from that collaboration isn't just a groundbreaking outdoor attraction, but an opportunity to enhance residents quality of life and foster a meaningful appreciation for the outdoors for the people of Alabama and beyond." The awards spotlight whats good in Alabama, the magazine's editor said. The Business Alabama Awards are an opportunity to recognize some of the best that the Alabama business community has to offer, said Alec Harvey, executive editor of Business Alabama magazine. The winners and finalists show the depth and breadth of Alabama business, from North Alabama down to the Gulf Coast. Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Whitewater park named Alabama project of the year After the French Parliament sent a message about the right to abortion on Monday, it was echoed on the Eiffel Tower. (Dimitar Dilkoff/ AFP via Getty Images) The ripples of the U.S. Supreme Courts terrible decision overturning federal protections for abortion have not stopped at our own shores. They have crossed the ocean and resculpted the abortion landscape in countries well, at least one country far from our own. In a momentous decision that was a direct result of the American courts distressing abandonment of a half century-old right, the French Parliament voted overwhelmingly 780-72 on Monday to enshrine the right to abortion in the countrys constitution. In France, unlike the United States, no woman will ever have to worry about losing the right to control her reproductive fate. C'est un moment magnifique! The vote, which took place at the Palais de Versailles, was followed by a standing ovation, reported Le Monde, the countrys most influential newspaper. In the evening, the Eiffel Tower lit up with the message in English, no less #MyBodyMyChoice. 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, said Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, who is the countrys first gay prime minister and also its youngest. Read more: Abortion is enshrined as a constitutional right in France This is heartening news at a time when the reproductive rights of Americans are being ripped away in conservative states, and when the Alabama Supreme Court has roiled the country and the fertility industry with its declaration that frozen embryos are children. "It only takes a moment for everything we thought that we have achieved to fade away," said Yael Braun-Pivet, the first female president of the French National Assembly, essentially the equivalent of the American House of Representatives. Unlike in the U.S., where cultural conservatives have turned the right to abortion into a mostly partisan battle, there was no serious partisan opposition to the amendment, which French President Emmanuel Macron had promised to introduce almost as soon as Roe vs. Wade was overturned in 2022. Read more: Abcarian: How the Alabama IVF ruling unmasks the hypocrisy of antiabortion zealots Abortion is a fundamental right for all women, he said at the time. It must be protected. I express my solidarity with the women whose freedoms are today challenged by the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Last week, Macron posted on X, "I am committed to making women's freedom to have an abortion irreversible by enshrining it in the Constitution." Even Macrons arch-opponent, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally party (formerly the National Front) supported the bill, albeit far less enthusiastically than the president and his allies. On Monday, she downplayed the extraordinary moment: "It serves no purpose, because no political movement is questioning abortion. There is no need to make this a historic day. France is traditionally a Roman Catholic country, but news media cite recent polls showing that more than 90% of its citizens support abortion rights and 86% have been in favor of enshrining them in the constitution. Read more: Abcarian: Hang on to the pill and your IUD. After abortion, birth control is the next fight How ironic that France would be inspired by the United States, not in a positive way, but a negative one. They used to admire how we did things around here. Nearly two and a half centuries ago, after all, the French modeled a foundational document of their revolution, the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, on our very own 1776 Declaration of Independence. Two years after our Supreme Court ruled in 1973 that states could impose no restrictions on women seeking abortions in the first trimester of pregnancy, France followed suit. Read more: Newsom unveils multistate ad campaign to fight abortion travel restrictions in red states The French legalized abortion in 1975 after the high-profile case of a 16-year-old girl, Marie-Claire Chevalier, who was raped by a classmate and underwent an illegal abortion. She was turned in to police by her rapist, who informed on her to escape prosecution for stealing a car. He was released, while she was arrested and briefly imprisoned before her trial, which ended in acquittal. Her case has been dubbed Frances Roe vs. Wade. Chevalier died of brain cancer in 2022. Much like Roe, the Chevalier case became a cause celebre. At the time, Frances health minister, Simone Veil, who was a survivor of Auschwitz, embraced the movement to legalize abortion, and when the bill was passed, it became known as the Veil Law. Just before Mondays vote, Attal invoked her name. "We have a moral debt to women," he said, according to Le Monde. "We have a chance to change history. Make Simone Veil proud. After the French Parliament passed the bill, Macron said his country had sent a universal message. Its a pity that message will be lost on so many American lawmakers who are determined to turn back the clock on womens progress rather than advance it. Today, to paraphrase Prime Minister Attal, America has a moral debt to France. @robinkabcarian If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) An Abilene man is among nearly 50 suspects who were arrested during a state-wide child sex crime operation. Adrian Alvarez Dominguez, 20, was taken into custody on a warrant for Possession with Intent to Promote Child Pornography during Operation Janus. Operation Janus is an annual operation led by the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children task force, designed to rescue children from online sexual exploition. This years operation ran from January 15 though February 2, leading to the rescue of 13 child sexual abuse victims and the filing of 90 charges against 47 different suspects, including Dominguez. Operation Janus is an excellent example of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together working together to apprehend predators who target our children through online sources, a press release about Operation Janus explains. Dominguez was booked into the Taylor County Jail in January then released after posting a $25,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Alien civilizations that live in water or other liquids on their home planets could be trapped and simply physically unable to leave their planet. This factor has a significant impact on the likelihood that humanity will ever encounter representatives of alien life. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in a study by Elio Quiroga, a professor at the University of Atlantico Medio in Spain. According to Phys, his work was published in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. In 1961, astrophysicist Frank Drake derived an equation that is now known as the Drake equation. It explores the question of why humanity has not yet met representatives of extraterrestrial civilizations. In his work, the astrophysicist took into account a number of factors, including the number of stars with planets in their orbits, the rate of star formation, and the proportion of planets that can develop and sustain life. But, as Kiroga suggested, the scientist may have miscalculated somewhat, as he did not take into account the possibility of the existence of alien civilizations living in water or other liquids, as well as civilizations on super-Earths that could be trapped on their home planets due to their own "physical limitations." ADVERTISIMENT According to the scientist, civilizations that would find themselves in this position simply cannot leave their planets to go out into space and possibly meet humans. Quiroga suggests that the Drake equation should be extended to take into account two additional possibilities. The first is that we need to take into account the reality of life on super-Earths. This is the name given to exoplanets that are larger than our Earth, but not larger than Uranus or Neptune, which are 14.5 and 17 times larger than human homes. The fact is that the gravitational force on such super-Earths would be much more powerful, and therefore the civilizations that live there would need much higher speeds to leave their planet. Moreover, if the gravitational force on a super-Earth is very high, its inhabitants would have no chance at all of escaping into outer space. The scientist notes that none of the materials known to mankind would be able to withstand the pressure exerted on it during takeoff, no matter how much fuel was used. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, as Quiroga notes, there may be "aquarium worlds" where civilizations were formed in water. Since their communication system would be different from that of humans and they would probably be able to communicate "telepathically" over great distances, they simply would not have the impetus to find a way to physically travel vast distances. As the professor notes, such "non-communicative" civilizations are not taken into account in the Drake equation at all, although they should be. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. France this week became the first country in the world to make abortion a constitutional right, after lawmakers voted to explicitly guarantee a woman's right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy. The historic move was approved by 780 votes against 72 in a vote in Versailles Palace, just outside Paris, and was met with a standing ovation. Abortion rights are more widely accepted in France - where it has been legal since 1975 - than in the United States and many other countries, with polls showing around 80 per cent of French people back the fact that abortion is legal. Were sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you, new prime minister Gabriel Attal said. Following the vote, Paris Eiffel Tower was lit with a celebratory message reading Mon Corps Mon Choux, as well as the English translation: My Body My Choice. The Eiffel Tower is lit up with the message My Body My Choice after abortion vote (AFP via Getty Images) In Europe, 95 per cent of women now live in countries that have legalised abortion on request, the vast majority with no conditions attached. Heres everything you need to know about abortion rights across Europe: Abortion available on request In Europe, 39 out of 47 countries have legalised abortion on request. The exact maximum pregnancy term differs from country to country, usually between 18 and 24 weeks. France is amongst the most unrestricted country, with abortion available immediately on request. It is joined by others across Europe such Greece, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. Frances MPs and Senators during the gathering of both houses of parliament in Versailles (via REUTERS) However, some countries enforce mandatory measures like counselling (12 countries) or a waiting period (15 countries). Nations that carry both include Belgium, Germany, Italy and Russia. The Center for Reproductive Rights charity has criticised both these measures as biased and medically unnecessary. Abortion allowed under certain conditions The UK is one of only two European countries that allows abortion dependent on certain conditions being met (the other being Finland). These are enshrined in law in a legal act dating to 1967 and amended in 1990. These conditions include risk to the life of the pregnant woman, or their physical and mental health, and risk of that if the child was born it would suffer serious physical or mental complications. It is possible to have an abortion up to 23 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. Full conditions for abortion under UK law Abortion Act 1967 The pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family; or The termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; or The continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated; There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities as to be seriously handicapped. According the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, UK law gives doctors a gatekeeping role in deciding who may have an abortion. The wording of this law gives them a great deal of discretion to decide when conditions are met. However, abortion has not been legalised in the UK. In 2023, 44-year-old mother of three Carla Foster was jailed for more than 2 years for taking abortion pills after the legal limit. Abortion highly restricted or totally banned There are only three European countries that still exercise a total ban on abortion. These are San Marino, Malta and Andorra. They are three of the smallest and least populated countries on the continent. Three other countries have highly restrictive abortion laws: Liechtenstein, Monaco and Poland. These countries only allow abortions when the womans life or health is at risk, or the pregnancy is the result of a sexual assault. Andy Sherry is accused of taking advantage of his position as a karate champion and teacher A man who says he was abused by his karate instructor rejected suggestions he was trying to "cause trouble". The witness was giving evidence in the trial of Andy Sherry, a founder member of the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB), for historical sex offences. The witness said Mr Sherry had asked him for "special favours" when he was 12 or 13. Mr Sherry, now 80, who is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court, denies the allegations. The witness, now an adult, was cross-examined in a pre-recorded session, which was played to the jury on Tuesday. Tania Griffiths, KC, defending Mr Sherry, suggested the man's allegations were "untrue" and "malicious" and were being made to damage the reputation of Mr Sherry and the KUGB. She asked: "Is it correct it is your aim to bring down the KUGB?" The man replied: "No." He also denied working in "collusion" with others to "cause trouble" for Mr Sherry. 'The floor opened up' The jury also saw a video recording of the man's police interviews. He said he had been at Mr Sherry's bungalow in West Derby, Liverpool, when the instructor, a ninth dan black belt, asked him to perform a sex act on him. He told detectives: "The floor opened up, I just wanted to run. I didn't know what to say to him. I wasn't expecting that." He said Mr Sherry had also wrestled with him while at the house and he could tell the martial artist was "aroused". The instructor, who set up the Red Triangle karate club in Everton, Liverpool, had then taken the boy to Knowsley Safari Park, where he spoke about monkeys having sex and said it was "natural", the jury heard. The witness said he thought Mr Sherry was "grooming" him. "He said 'I'll give you money, you'll come to all the sporting events with me, you'll stay with me, you won't want for nothing, any clothes you want, anything you want'." Mr Sherry, of Mann Island, Liverpool City Centre, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of indecency with a child under the age of 14 and four counts of sexual assault. The trial continues. Why not follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk The state Senate unanimously approved a plan Monday to compensate the survivors of the waking nightmare known as Floridas Dozier School for Boys. Compensate? Somehow that seems like an inadequate concept in a case where children in a state-run (now long closed) reform school were raped, beaten and tortured abuse that went on for decades, from 1940 to 1975. Some kids simply didnt make it out alive. How exactly do we go about compensating for that? Dozier is notorious, and rightfully so. As the abuse there became widely known, it caused international shock. A Pulitzer Prize-winning book was written by author Colson Whitehead about the White House Boys a reference to the white house on school property where the abuse often took place. Theyve been traveling to Tallahassee for years trying to get the state to fully own up to the wrongs perpetuated in its name. A documentary filmmaker has been recording their dogged efforts. Reporters, including those at the Miami Herald, have been writing about Dozier for years as the awful details of what happened there emerged. Imagine the courage it took for the survivors to testify in Tallahassee about the terrible experience of being sent to Dozier, where dreadful things happened boiling water was poured on them, they were beaten with a leather strap, they feared being raped by staff members at night. There have been half-measures to make amends in the past. In 2017, lawmakers allotted $1.2 million for reburials and memorials for Dozier victims. An official state apology was issued, too. Weak tea, that stuff, when you balance it against what the survivors testified about. Now, it seems, there will be money. A lot of it. Though lawmakers have been at odds for years about compensation, this Legislature decided to set aside a big sum $20 million for former students who attended the boys school in Marianna or the Okeechobee School, another state reform school that was created to take the overflow from Dozier. Senate bill sponsor Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), has repeatedly filed legislation seeking to create a fund for the schools victims in the past but it never got anywhere until now. There probably arent that many former students to claim the money 300 to 400, by some estimates. Those who attended the vote Monday were in their 60s, 70s and 80s. They hugged each other and cried when the measure passed. It now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature. No doubt some of those tears were for those who couldnt be there. Some in their group have died during the many years it has taken for Florida to reach this point. And then there are the others: Investigators found remains of dozens of students buried at the site of the school. Some former students have never been located at all. How many tears for them, children branded as incorrigible who then had to pay for that label with their lives? In 2011, the Dozier school was shuttered after 111 years of operation. There will be safeguards for handing out the money, assuming this measure is finally approved. The state will want reasonable proof of attendance during those years, among other things. But this isnt new territory. In 1994, Gov. Lawton Chiles signed a bill to create a fund for victims of the Rosewood massacre, an attack in which white Floridians burned down a predominantly Black town and drove residents out. Richard Huntley, 77, from Orlando, told the News Service that he was at Dozier from 1957 to 1959. He was sent there when he was 11. Hes been advocating for the victims for a decade and a half. The money, he said, wont heal everything and make you forget everything, but at least we can say we won. Last month, as the compensation plan was working its way through the Legislature, he vowed: I will bring all of my dead brothers on my shoulders; if Im raised up they will be first. I promise I will do my best that they will never be forgotten again. Compensation. Its the right thing to do. Its been a long time coming. And its about all we can do, as a state. But, in this case, theres really no sum not even $20 million that can adequately do the job. Click here to send the letter. AUSTIN (KXAN) A new program to give high school seniors and GED completers free tuition at Austin Community College could begin soon. Austin Community Colleges Board of Trustees will consider approving a free college tuition pilot program at its Monday meeting. The program could begin this fall. PREVIOUS: ACC program proposes free tuition for high school seniors The program is for high school seniors or GED completers who live in the ACC service area, which includes Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell and part of Williamson counties. Eligible students must have graduated after July 1, 2023. If approved, students would receive three years of tuition and fee funding starting the first fall semester after they graduate high school. Students can complete an associate degree and other credentials or certifications. Funding would include $85 per credit hour and would not cover program-specific fees or textbooks. RELATED: Texas community colleges see biggest enrollment recovery since the pandemic If a student completes an associates degree, they can then receive an extra two years of tuition funding to complete a bachelors degree. ACC bachelors programs include nursing, manufacturing engineering, cybersecurity and software development. How is it funded? ACC said the first year of the program would cost about $7 million. About $6.8 million will come from House Bill 8, which changed Texas community college funding to be based on outcomes rather than enrollment. This money will be used for core operations while other budget funding will cover the pilot costs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Bentonville man charged with accomplice to capital murder in connection with the death of a Pea Ridge police officer pleads guilty on March 4 to lesser charges and avoids jail time, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson. Elijah Andazola, 21, pleaded guilty on Monday to hindering apprehension, accomplice to breaking and entering, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Robinson says Andazola was sentenced to 15 years probation and must complete an 18-month rehabilitation program. Andazola was arrested on accomplice charges for capital murder and escape in June 2021. Judge sentences Shawna Cash to life in prison without parole Apple, a 23-year veteran of law enforcement who served with the Pea Ridge Police Department for three years, was killed at a local gas station after attempting to stop a car that the Rogers Police Department was pursuing. The driver in the incident that killed Apple, Shawna Cash was convicted of capital murder for killing Apple. She was sentenced to life in prison on February 13. According to Robinson, new testimony from a witness helped lead to Andazola pleading guilty to the new charges. Robinson says the witness told the prosecution just before Andazolas trial started that they saw Andazola raise his hands and surrender when Apple told him and Cash to get out of the vehicle and that Cash kept her hands on the steering wheel. Robinson says this proves Andazola did not have the intention to kill Apple. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. (KRON) Mark Stephen Mechikoff, the man accused of recording a grisly murder and then posting the video on his Facebook page, made a courtroom declaration at his most recent court appearance. The 39-year-old Pacifica man is charged with stabbing Claribel Estrella to death inside her San Mateo apartment on July 26, 2023. Prosecutors said he recorded the entire killing with his cellphone camera, including Estrellas last moments alive as she bled on her kitchen floor. Mechikoff has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. He appeared inside a San Mateo County courtroom on Friday for a preliminary hearing. During the hearing, the defendant exclaimed to the court that he did kill the victim, but his confession was generated by AI (artificial intelligence), prosecutors wrote. Mark Merchikoffs mugshot was released by the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office. On the day of the killing, some of Mechikoffs Facebook friends watched the extremely gruesome video, including a Florida woman who called law enforcement authorities. The caller said she had just watched a video of a woman covered in blood and lying on the ground. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe previously said the Facebook post was evidence that the accused killer felt a certain pride for the crime. On Friday his defense attorneys made a motion to postpone the hearing because they needed more time to prepare. Judge Susan Jakubowski granted the motion over objections from prosecutors. The hearing was reset for 9 a.m. on March 21. Mechikoff remains locked up in jail with no bail. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Cases of measles have been reported in east Michigan, Ohio, and northern Indiana. On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Health officials in Wayne County Identified Michigans second confirmed measles case, and on the same day, Washtenaw county reported the third. The first case in Michigan after 5 years without any cases was reported in Oakland County in late February. It has even prompted health warnings in Hillsdale County. MMR vaccine preparation. (Courtesy CDC/WLNS) With Indiana and Ohio kind of being on our borders we are a little more concerned about a potential outbreak, said Heidi Hazel, the Personal Health and Disease Prevention Director for Hillsdale, Branch, and St. Joseph County Community Health. Its very concerning, measles cases anywhere can pose a risk especially in a community thats under-vaccinated. which we have kind of become with a lot of vaccine hesitancy. Cases have been reported in more than a dozen states in recent weeks. Hazel says, to be on the lookout for symptoms, which normally appear seven to 14 days after contact with the highly contagious virus. Usually begin with a high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, it can then be followed by a red raised rash, usually starts on the head then travels to the rest of the body. Some patients complain of light sensitivity, painful eyes, and it can ultimately lead to death, says Hazel, The best defense for measles is actually the vaccine. Hazel says Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations are proven to be 93-percent effective against the listed diseases. According to Michigan Health Officials the MMR vaccine coverage across the state has dropped nearly 10 percent since the Covid pandemic. When we started seeing increased hesitancy toward vaccinations. In Michigan, youre not even allowed to send your kid to school if they havent been treated. Normally, children will receive their first dose at 12-to-15 months-old followed by a second dose around 4 to 6 years-old. If youre unsure about your vaccine status, contact your local health department or go online to mcir.org to find your records. By doing so, youre not only preventing yourself, your loved ones, and others around you, but also unvaccinated children, unvaccinated pregnant women, and anyone who could be immunocompromised. says, Hazel. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. The Government is facing a backlash over plans for a new definition of extremism following Rishi Sunaks Downing Street denunciation last week. Michael Gove has been tasked with devising a form of words that would allow public funds to be withdrawn from groups that refuse to conform to British values or which promote an ideology undermining them. Organisations such as the Muslim Council of Britain and Palestine Action are among those that could be affected. But some Conservatives fear the net will be thrown wider to ensnare gender-critical feminists or Christians opposed to gay marriage. The obvious danger is that, in failing to address head-on the threat posed by Islamism, the Government will end up targeting legitimate differences of opinion in order to avoid charges of racism or Islamophobia. Miriam Cates, the Tory MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said any attempt to define extremism or fundamental British values was very risky because one persons extremism is another persons sincerely held and lawful belief. She added: I am called an extremist for believing there are only two biological sexes and that you cant change sex. There already is a definition of extremism described as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. This was devised as part of the Prevent process by a task force set up by the Coalition 10 years ago, but which has had little obvious impact. The task force said that governments had previously been too reticent about challenging extreme Islamist ideologies in part because of a misplaced concern that attacking Islamist extremism equates to an attack on Islam itself. It added: This failure to confront extremists has led to an environment conducive to radicalisation in some mosques and Islamic centres, universities and prisons. But this reticence still exists, as Sir William Shawcross pointed out recently in his Prevent review. As Lord Frost, the former Cabinet minister, observed: What we need is proper enforcement of the laws we have against, for example, incitement to violence. Indeed so. A new definition of extremism will not make any difference as long as there is a reluctance to tackle the real issue. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Officials at the National Security Council watered down parts of Vice President Kamala Harris' viral, pointed Sunday speech calling for an immediate six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas before she delivered the remarks, three current United States officials and a former U.S. official familiar with the speech told NBC News. Harris' original draft mounted a harsher critique of Israel regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the need for more aid than the speech she ultimately gave, one of the current officials and the former official said. It specifically confronted Israel about the need to permit additional aid trucks into the territory, two of the U.S. officials said, with one describing her initial language as strong but uncontroversial. The changes to the original draft were tonal, rather than speaking to shifts in policy, and Harris' ceasefire comments were reiterating Biden's remarks two days prior and the administration's stance on the war, the current officials added. "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," NBC News reported. Kirsten Allen, Harris' communications director, said that reports of the Sunday speech being edited to be less aggressive were "inaccurate." In a separate statement to NBC News, Allen further delineated Harris' position on her comments. 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. A woman in Florida is accused of instigating a fight between students at a school bus stop and then joining the fight when it escalated, a video shared by police shows. Two students were waiting with their peers for the bus on the morning of March 1 when they started to argue, Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck said in a March 5 news conference. The verbal argument quickly escalated and the students started to physically fight, Goreck said. Now, what makes this newsworthy is that one of the students adult family members decided to get involved in the fight as well, Goreck said. In fact, instigating the fight between the two juveniles. Goreck said the family member, an adult woman, was supposed to be at the bus stop to make sure all the kids got onto the bus safely, but instead she yelled profanity and encouraged the fight before joining in. McClatchy News is not naming the woman to protect the identity of her juvenile family member. The Haines City Police Department shared a video of the fight taken by a student who was also at the bus stop. In the video, the fight starts with one student shoving another, then others get involved and students start to throw punches at one another. The fight continues until the family member walks up to two students, one punching another on the ground, and encourages the fight to continue. At one point, the students guardian hits another student that came up to break up the fight and has to be pulled away, the video shows. The involvement of an adult in encouraging and participating in a teenage fight at a bus stop is unacceptable and deeply concerning, Goreck said in the Facebook post. This behavior not only escalates violence but also fails our communitys expectation of an adults responsibility to help safeguard our children. The student who first started the fight was charged with battery, and their guardian was charged with battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the police chief said. Haines City is about 40 miles southwest of Orlando. Driver sets school bus on fire with 42 kids aboard and keeps driving, feds say Teacher pushed special needs boy on floor, had students hit and drag him, lawsuit says Mom runs over child she accused of bullying, Arizona cops say. I am going to kill you 18-year-old on spring break is found after disappearing at bus station, MA cops say People build cities wherever they can: on the water, in the middle of the mountains, in deserts... And there are also rock settlements that hang on the edge of a precipice. Today we will talk about them. ADVERTISIMENT Rocamadour, France A small province rises above the deep gorge of the Alzu River. The first houses appeared here in the XII century. Since then, the settlement has grown and gained popularity. This is not surprising as it's not every day that you come across a village that is cut into a solid 120-meter cliff. It is often visited by pilgrims from all over the world. They go to Rockamadour with one goal in mind: to worship the remains of St. Amator. The preacher's body was once found in front of the entrance to the chapel of Notre Dame. Nowadays, there is a unique statue of the Holy Madonna. The sculpture is known for its black face and hands. ADVERTISIMENT Ronda, Spain This rocky Spanish city is located in the province of Malaga. It is located above a gorge at an altitude of 760 meters. Ronda is famous for its long hiking trails and serpentine paths that permeate the entire settlement. The city's trademark is the Puente Nueva Bridge, which stretches across the Guadalquivir River. It took 42 years to build and was officially opened in 1793. We also recommend visiting two observation decks: Jardines de Cuenca and Mirador de Aldehuela. Castelfolit de la Roca, Spain Another Spanish town worth visiting. It is located in the Catalonia region on a 50-meter-high basalt cliff. Compared to the previous places, it is located relatively low. But you wouldn't even know it from the looks of it. ADVERTISIMENT Here, the houses are huddled together in two rows. It seems that they will fall down in another minute. But no, they have been holding up well since the Middle Ages. And they will probably stand for a long time. By the way, some of the houses are built of volcanic rock. That's why they look so bizarre. Bonifacio, France On the southern tip of the island of Corsica, a white town is cozy and quiet. Here, huts hang directly over the sea from a height of 70 meters. The location often attracts world stars, so you can see expensive yachts off the coast and celebrities walking down the streets. Narrow streets, grottoes, and dungeons add to the stunning effect of the province. ADVERTISIMENT Bonifacio lives on tourism, so the locals try to satisfy all the needs of guests. There are fashionable hotels, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. By the way, you can go down to the water. However, you will have to overcome 187 steps. Positano, Italy The resort is located on the Amalfi Coast. Its houses seem to be glued to the rock. They are built at different heights and resemble a mosaic from a distance. Celebrities love this place. Still, there are also plenty of ordinary tourists here. They are attracted by the unique architecture. In particular, you should visit the Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the neighboring islands. For example, a ferry runs from the local port to Li Galli, the birthplace of the mythical sirens. ADVERTISIMENT Positano is also famous for its ceramics. Products made of this material can even be seen on the walls of houses. Santorini, Greece This island definitely doesn't need any additional advertising. There are two rocky towns here, Fira and Oia, among the beautiful scenery at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level. Both settlements are very beautiful. They are separated from each other by only 12 kilometers. Walking through their streets, you feel as if you are in a maze from which it is impossible to get out. There are no major attractions here. Locations win the hearts of tourists with their appearance. If you want an unusual trip, go to these places. We are sure you will enjoy it. Have a great trip! ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Musicians from an Afghan youth orchestra who fled the Taliban have been denied entry into the UK ahead of a planned performance in London on Thursday. The Home Office is facing criticism over why it blocked visas for 47 young musicians who were due to play at Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of a nine-day tour of four cities. The orchestra was supposed to play as part of a Breaking the Silence tour to raise awareness of the plight of young girls and the Southbank Centre said it was extremely disappointed by the decision. The orchestra is part of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, which was exiled after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and it now has residency in Braga, Portugal. It was the first and only school of music in the country and the orchestra is composed of both boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 20. The Afghan youth orchestra are refugees based in Portugal - Carole Parodi The Home Office is said to have told the orchestra they were being denied entry on the basis that there was not sufficient evidence they were enrolled in school or had sufficient financial means for their trip. A spokesman for the orchestra said it was with deep regret that the exceptionally talented young female and male Afghan musicians were denied entry to the UK. Significant blow 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. It is further disappointing that the visas were denied on the eve of International Womens Day. The orchestra urged the Home Office to reverse their decision which deprives them of an opportunity to share the beauty of Afghan music with the audiences in four cities in the UK, but also share their message of resilience, hope and struggle with the international community. The orchestra was due to play in London on Thursday - Jessica Lustig/21C Media The Afghan Youth Orchestra calls on the UK authorities to reconsider their decision and grant the orchestra the opportunity to share their music and their message with the people of the UK. The Southbank Centre criticised the decision and said that it was extremely disappointed that the Afghan Youth Orchestra has had its visas denied. Beacon of hope The orchestra is a beacon of hope and free creative expression: its brave young people have been forced to leave their homeland because of a repressive regime and they have found a home in Portugal, where they have refugee status. This decision denies UK audiences the opportunity of being inspired by their brave work and they deserve the full support of the Arts community as well as the UK Government. We urge the Home Office to reconsider its decision. The Home Office has yet to respond to requests for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Between 1983 and 1985, a deadly cocktail of adverse events, including recurring drought, failed harvests, food scarcity, two decades of wars, and other anti-government conflicts raged throughout northern Ethiopia and present-day Eritrea. These events ultimately led to the Ethiopian famine. The famine killed 1.2 million people and compelled 400,000 more to flee the country. In 1984 alone, more than 300,000 people perished, and by 1985, around 2.5 million out of a population of 40 million were starving. Josh Ghaim, an Eritrean by birth, was around 12 years old. His mother worked for the Swiss Red Cross at the border between Sudan and Ethiopia, where they set up refugee camps. Patients lie in the corridor in Ayder Hospital in the city of Mekelle in Tigray Region, Ethiopia, on February 16, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images) What Ghaim witnessed impacted his life decisions from there and onward. He vividly recalls there was no room even to properly bury the children who were dying due to malnutrition, starvation and primary diseases. Often, they were buried in a field outside the refugee camp, just outside one of the cities in Sudan, he told Atlanta Black Star. For me, just thinking about all those children dying due to famine, lack of basic medicine and hygiene, and common [treatable] infections were a significant factor in why I decided to focus on health care, he added. Later, Ghaim moved to the US for college and studied biochemistry. He went on to work in the consumer health space. However, two years ago, he accepted the position of chairman of the African Diaspora Network (ADN). This California-based nonprofit mainly focuses on mobilizing Africans who live outside the continent and connecting them with entrepreneurs, startups, and health care platforms to leverage their knowledge to help African countries. The brain drain of African health care workers began in the 1960s and 1970s, with many medical students receiving international scholarships in Europe or North America but not returning home after graduating to avail better opportunities in the West. In the 2000s, motivated by attractive salaries and development opportunities, nurses, too, began migrating. The development and improvement of healthcare systems in African nations are crucial. A 2022 study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found a severe shortage of health workers in Africa, despite countries efforts to strengthen the workforce. The study surveyed 47 African countries and revealed that the region has only 1.55 health workers (including physicians, nurses, and midwives) per 1,000 people, falling below the WHO threshold of 4.45 health workers per 1,000 people required to provide essential health services and achieve universal health coverage. However, things are changing thanks to initiatives undertaken by immigrant African health care professionals. The ADN participated in the 2023 Grand Challenges Senegal, an initiative by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This initiative draws from the lessons of COVID-19, helping ADN deploy external knowledge to aid in vaccine manufacturing, health care entrepreneurship, home diagnostics, digital health, and more in Senegal. Local teams often tackle the local challenges but are supported by members of the African diaspora, some of whom may be from Senegal or other parts of Africa, says Ghaim. Moreover, they identified a startup in Rwanda to conduct a pilot on telehealth, with funding provided by the Gates Foundation. The goal is to offer technical support and digital health platforms to enable remote consultations in Rwanda, potentially from a central location in a city like Kigali. It engages expatriate African medical professionals who speak the same native language as the patients and can easily connect with them. They work with local African health care workers to offer quality care by leveraging advanced technology like home diagnostics and AI systems, making health care more efficient. The pilot checks if Rwanda is ready for a digital platform by looking at cellphone use and internet availability. The goal is to create central spots in remote areas where people can talk to doctors from cities like Kigali or Nairobi. Initially, were focusing on Rwanda. We believe this model could succeed in numerous other locations, especially in Kenya and Ethiopia, says Ghaim. Moreover, through its Builders of Africas Future program, ADN works with ten companies or entrepreneurs across Africa annually, whether they operate for profit or nonprofit, and provides training, grants, and funding through partnerships established by the organization. Additionally, the Network mentors and supports these companies and entrepreneurs to ensure their success. However, it is not the only Diaspora-led initiative focused on improving health care on the African continent. In 2011, 12 Ethiopian physicians who were close friends gathered to discuss ways to help their country. Access to modern health care in Ethiopia is limited, especially in rural areas where its almost nonexistent. Most health care facilities are government-run, and although the country produces general practitioners and a few specialists through its medical schools, its not enough to meet the increasing demand for health care services. Whenever we traveled back to Ethiopia, we saw people struggling to access high-quality medical care. People frequently travel to countries like Thailand, India, South Africa, and Kenya to receive the medical attention they need, said Tesfaye Fanta, an internal medicine specialist and president of the Ethio-American Doctors Group (EADG) who is originally from Ethiopia but is now based in North Carolina. They agreed to form an organization, the EADG, to reach out to more physicians of Ethiopian origin globally and explore establishing a tertiary hospital capable of providing high-standard medical care in Ethiopia. The idea was a success, and 350 Ethiopian-origin physicians were soon on board, contributing close to a million dollars to start a Joint Commission International-accredited hospital. EADG secured land from the government to construct a medical facility in the capital, Addis Ababa. We have experts working on the hospitals development, which will be built in three phases. The first phase, costing up to $ 150 million, will include a 300-bed hospital, 80 examination rooms, an outpatient department, and a cancer center, Fanta told Atlanta Black Star. This first phase is expected to be completed in the next three years. In the second phase, specialty hospitals will be established based on significant health issues, such as cardiology, cardiovascular services, specialty hospitals, and training centers. The third phase will involve constructing a 5-star hotel and convention center to support medical tourism. We have acquired enough land for all three project phases and are seeking investors to join us, he added. This is a for-profit hospital, but it will also have a nonprofit arm. Those who can pay must do so for their care. However, for those who cannot pay, funds will be obtained from the nonprofit arm of the hospital. The hospital will be primarily run by doctors who are part of this project, most of whom are based in the United States, Canada and Europe. Many of them are interested in returning to Ethiopia to serve. Some will go for short periods, like six months to one year, while others plan to relocate permanently, Fanta said. Outbound medical tourism costs African countries millions of dollars in exchange revenue. These initiatives seek to reverse that trend. However, these tremendous efforts by expatriate African health care professionals have their share of challenges. For EADG, the biggest challenge has been securing sufficient funding. However, Fanta said that the organization recently secured an investor who is genuinely interested in the project and willing to work with them. But for the subsequent two phases, more funding will be needed. The biggest challenge we face in Africa is that not every country has the same level of regulatory processes, Ghaim said. He said some countries make it easy to get approval, while others require more effort to navigate the process. This makes it difficult for ADN to transfer ideas between nations. However, he added, some countries have made significant progress and could serve as models. Cost is also a significant factor. There are many things that people in big cities can afford, but those in remote areas may not be able to, Ghaim said. Despite the challenges, both Ghaim and Fanta are hopeful. In addition to the EADG and ADN efforts, there are other burgeoning diaspora-led initiatives, such as Flying Doctors Nigeria, the first air ambulance service in West Africa, which transports victims of medical emergencies. African Expats In the Medical Industry Are Rallying to Address the Health Care Shortages In Their Native Countries PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Washington State Attorney Generals office is launching an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to study the best ways to use the tech and its potential harms. The task force was approved by the state legislature under Senate Bill 5838 in a bipartisan 30-19 vote on Monday after the bill was introduced by state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The Artificial Intelligence Task Force will bring together technology experts, industry representatives, labor organizations, and civil liberty groups to discuss the benefits and risks of AI and will make recommendations to the state legislature. Portlands downtown drug hub sees staggering improvement in less than a week AI is becoming a part of our daily lives, and its our duty to immediately begin working in a thoughtful way to ensure we protect Washingtonians against this technologys risks while maximizing its benefits, Ferguson said. I appreciate the Legislatures partnership, and I look forward to launching an inclusive task force that will develop recommendations to guide public policy in this important arena. The task force will be made up of a 19-member executive committee and subcommittees as needed. The executive committee will be responsible for investigating and submitting reports on public policy issues, high-risk uses, racial equity and civil liberty issues, and recommendations for regulations and innovation. Push back, petitions arise amid PGEs unaffordable proposed rate increase The task force will meet at least twice per year and must send a report with recommendations to the governor and legislature July 1, 2026. In a press release announcing the new task force, Ferguson pointed to the rapid development of AI, especially generative AI, which can create text, audio, and images and has exploded in popularity. Fergusons office says AI tools, such as ChatGPT, have become some of the fastest-growing consumer internet apps of all time. Can Ridgefield roads handle an In-N-Out, Costco combo? Citizens share concerns AI is like fire it has tremendous potential to do both good and bad, Sen. Joe Nguyen (D) said. How we use it and the data we put into it is incredibly important. This task force will be important for learning about the right legislative response to the explosion in AI tools and is a great step forward to smart, effective use of AI for the people of Washington. At least 25 states have introduced legislation related to AI including Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia, which have created task forces or commissions to study AI. Several governors have also created AI task forces through an executive order including Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who launched the Oregon State Government AI Advisory Council in December 2023 to explore how the state can use the technology. In a recent survey, 79% of respondents in North America said they have had at least some exposure to generative AI, Ferguson said. Forty-one percent of respondents reported using generative AI regularly, and 22% said they use it regularly for work. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Workers at a Marion County blueberry field are putting a new machine to good use. Its using artificial intelligence to reduce the workload and could change the future of agriculture. The MARS-X rover may look like a vehicle exploring another planet, but being put to the test in Central Florida. Read: AI pervades everyday life with almost no oversight. States scramble to catch up Plant science meets science fiction as the Modular Agricultural Robotic System roams the rows of a research field in Citra. Onboard cameras gage each berry while lasers gage each bush, sending terabytes worth of data to an onboard computer. Read: Companies add AI chatbots to their websites, with some unintended consequences Machine learning models can count the number of fruits and flowers, we cannot immediately count them, so thats what A.I. models do, said Dr. Charlie Li, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the University of Florida. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are being hailed as the fourth agricultural revolution. While MARS-X is currently only surveying the field, the next step is to develop robots to pick and harvest. Read: Google suspends Gemini AI chatbots ability to generate pictures of people Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Samantha Gleaton, a mother of four, was shot in the face on Jan. 15 in Salley, South Carolina. An Aiken County mother who was shot in the face by her husband in January is providing updates on her healing journey and has set up a Go Fund Me to help with expenses. Sammy Gleaton on Jan. 15 said she was accidentally shot by her husband with a revolver in Salley, South Carolina. The bullet went through her face, to her collarbone and out of her arm. Gleaton's four kids witnessed the shooting and her 12-year-old daughter called 911 and got the other children to safety. Gleaton said she was bleeding out for 24 minutes, waiting for EMS to arrive. She walked herself to the stretcher and was airlifted to the hospital. After multiple surgeries, she still cannot talk, needing a feeding tube and tracheostomy tube. In an interview over text with The Augusta Chronicle, Gleaton said recovery is going well and she was recently able to go home. "I'm home doing everything normal still cooking and cleaning, being a mom," Gleaton said. "The (tracheostomy) gets challenging some days because I have more mucus some days than others." She said she is at a standstill, waiting for her doctor to assess how her bone is healing before the biggest surgery. Samantha Gleaton was shot in the face in January in Salley, South Carolina. "It's a surgery that he only has one good shot at doing," she said. "If the bone heals, he will just need to move tissue. If it doesn't heal, he will have to move tissue and bone." After the surgery, the doctor may have to make some adjustments to make her face look better, she said. However, Gleaton's main concern right now is financially supporting her children while she is out of work. She set up a Go Fund Me on Jan. 21 to help pay for expenses. "The money [from the Go Fund Me] is being used to help care for my four kids," Gleaton said. "I'm out of work until after my next surgery that I don't have a date for yet. I will use the money for my rent, electricity, medical expenses and transportation over the next few months." So far, she has raised a little over $3,000 of the $6,000 goal. Samantha Gleaton was shot in the face in January in Salley, South Carolina. Husband arrested, charged with attempted murder Although Sammy Gleaton says the shooting was accidental, her husband, Christopher Maurice Gleaton, 41, of Wagener, was arrested after the shooting. Christopher Gleaton is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to jail records. He was not granted bond. He is also charged with a first time drug offense following the shooting, according to jail records. Just before 11:30 p.m. on the day of the shooting, eight deputies responded to a home on Sandra Lane in Salley, South Carolina. Deputies met with Christopher Gleaton, who was in the front yard when they arrived, according to previous reporting. He did not comply with commands to put his arms behind his back and was repeatedly asking deputies to help his wife. After getting Gleaton into a patrol car, deputies went into the home and found Sammy Gleaton sitting on the couch in the living room with the lower part of her jaw hanging from the left side of her face, according to previous reporting. Previous report: Aiken County man charged with shooting woman in the face, severely damaging her jaw Gleaton had a number of prior convictions in Aiken County,according to Clerk of Court records, including: 2001: Non-violent burglary (pleaded guilty), simple larceny (found guilty at trial). 2014: Possession with intent to distribute marijuana within half a mile of a school (case disposed), drug possession (pleaded guilty). 2015: Possession of marijuana (pleaded guilty). 2017: Distributing marijuana near a school (pleaded guilty), drug possession (pleaded guilty), open container of beer (found guilty at trial). August 2022: Possession with intent to distribute marijuana. (This case has not yet been resolved. Gleaton was out on a $5,000 surety bond granted by Judge Patricia Y. Rushton at the time of the shooting.) To donate to Sammy Gleaton's Go Fund Me, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n83dnap. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Aiken County mother who was shot in the face creates Go Fund Me Air defence systems have been operating in Odesa on the night of 4-5 March. Source: Dumskaya, Odesa-based media outlet; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Details: Local journalists also reported that an explosion was heard in the city in addition to the air defence operating. At 00:39 (Kyiv time), there was a second explosion in the city. Shahed drones attacked in several waves. The air-raid warning was in effect in Odesa Oblast for about three hours. Background: Attack drones were launched heading for Odesa on the evening of 4 March. Later, it was clarified that there were more drones in the Black Sea, heading for Odesa in the direction of Fontanka. Support UP or become our patron! A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force has been charged with sharing classified information related to the Russia-Ukraine war on a foreign online dating website, the Department of Justice announced Monday. The indictment alleges that David Franklin Slater, 63, transmitted national defense information about the war in Ukraine on a foreign online dating platform and over email with an unidentified alleged female co-conspirator. He was arrested Saturday for allegedly conspiring to transmit and transmitting classified information. The indictment notes Slater was a civilian employee assigned to the United States Strategic Command located in the District of Nebraska who had attended briefings on the war that were classified as up to top secret. Slater had retired as an Army Lieutenant Colonel around Dec. 31, 2020, and had worked in a classified space at the U.S. Strategic Command between August 2021 and April 2022, according to the indictment. Prosecutors allege that despite signing a nondisclosure agreement in connection to the classified information, Slater transmitted the classified information to the woman who was living in Ukraine between February 2022 and April 2022. According to the indictment, the co-conspirator allegedly called Slater my secret informant love and her secret agent in messages exchanged on the platform. The woman also told him thanks for the valuable information among her requests for more information, the indictment read. Information he allegedly transmitted to her included intelligence on military targets and Russian military capabilities in connection to its invasion of Ukraine. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division said in a statement that Slaters actions were a blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets. The Department of Justice will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully put their country at risk by disclosing classified information, Olsen said. Slater is set to make his first court appearance Tuesday in the District of Nebraska, according to the Department of Justice. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Federal authorities are accusing a civilian Air Force employee of allegedly sending classified information about Russias war with Ukraine to a romantic interest through a foreign online dating platform, the Justice Department announced Monday. David Franklin Slater, 63, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who went on to work at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, was arrested Saturday for allegedly disclosing and conspiring to transmit classified intelligence in early 2022. His unidentified co-conspirator allegedly asked him to provide sensitive information regularly, referring to him as my secret agent, according to the indictment, which accuses Slater of obliging those requests. Slater was scheduled to make an initial appearance on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Nebraska, the Justice Department said in a release. His arrest was announced the same day that Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine and other national security matters on the social media platform Discord. According to the indictment, Slater worked in a classified space with a top secret security clearance at STRATCOM starting around August 2021 and attended classified briefings regarding Ukraine, into which Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. He then allegedly sent information gleaned from those meetings including on military targets and Russian military capabilities to an individual claiming to be a woman living in Ukraine via an unnamed foreign online dating websites messaging platform. Federal officials have not said who was behind the account. According to the indictment, the account sent multiple requests for classified intelligence in the weeks following the invasion. Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting, the correspondent allegedly asked in March 2022. They also acknowledged Slaters help a few days later, the indictment alleged. 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, the account said, according to the indictment. You are my secret informant love! Slater was charged with two counts of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and one count of conspiracy to disclose national defense information. 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 per count, according to the Justice Department release. STRATCOM spokesperson Capt. Ron Flanders confirmed Tuesday that Slater worked in the commands logistics directorate until 2022. The command oversees the daily operations of Americas nuclear weapons and the aircraft and submarines that carry them. Before transitioning to civilian employment, Slater served as a career soldier in the active duty Army and the Army Reserve. He served as an active duty logistician from August 1981 to August 1984, and again from July 2008 to December 2020, Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee told Military Times. He entered the Reserve from 1984 to 2008, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar over the course of nearly two decades after the 9/11 attacks. Slaters attorney, listed in court documents, did not respond to a request for comment by press time. A civilian U.S. Air Force employee in Nebraska is accused of sharing top-secret military information on a foreign dating website with a person claiming to be a woman living in Ukraine. David Franklin Slater, 63, was arrested Saturday after allegedly conspiring to transmit and transmitting classified information about Russias war on Ukraine to the unnamed individual over a three-month period in early 2022, which is when Russias invasion of Ukraine began. Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting, one message sent to Slater in March read, according to a copy of the three-count federal indictment. The civilian U.S. Air Force employee allegedly attended classified briefings regarding Russias war against Ukraine in 2022 and then shared the information with someone identifying as a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating website. Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images You have a job in the Operations Center today, I remember, Im sure there is a lot of interesting news there? another message read. Slater, dubbed the persons Secret informant love and secret agent, became employed in a classified area at the Offutt Air Force Base, south of Omaha, in 2021 after retiring as a lieutenant colonel from the Army the year prior. He was assigned to the United States Strategic Command at the base and attended classified briefings regarding Russias war against Ukraine from February to April 2022, according to the indictment. In messages allegedly exchanged between the pair, the individual asked for information about classified briefings and military strategies that could impact Russian President Vladimir Putins assault. Dave, I hope tomorrow NATO will prepare a very unpleasant surprise for Putin! Will you tell me? one message cited in the indictment read. Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great! read another. Another message applauded Slater for allegedly sharing information about NATO members movement by train before it was announced publicly on the news. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully? the message read. Slater, whose initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information. He did not have an attorney listed. When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nations intelligence, they put our country at risk, Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office said in a statement responding to the charges. We will continue working shoulder to shoulder with our partners to protect the American people and uphold the constitution by safeguarding our countrys classified information. Related... A civilian Air Force employee shared classified information about Russias war in Ukraine with a woman he met on a foreign dating app, federal investigators said. David Slater, 63, worked at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska, according to the Justice Department. Prior to his civilian work, he was a lieutenant colonel in the Army. Slater met someone claiming to be a Ukrainian woman on an unspecified dating platform, the feds said. From February to April in 2022, Slater supplied the woman with top secret information hed sworn not to release, according to investigators. Slater 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, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said in a press release. The woman, identified in the indictment only as co-conspirator 1, called Slater her secret informant love and secret agent in messages on the platform, according to the indictment against Slater. 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, the woman wrote on March 15, according to the feds. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully? A few days later, she allegedly wrote, Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us? The last message cited by prosecutors was sent on April 21. That was Slaters last month working for the Air Force, the feds said. Slater was charged with conspiracy to share classified information and two counts of unauthorized disclosure of that information. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on each count. _____ Former Russian President and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia intends to seize "Russia's inalienable territories" in Ukraine. He included the entire left-bank part of Ukraine and a significant part of the right bank, and a Russian official also voiced claims to Kyiv. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the Kremlin's ruling elite is seeking to expand the "Russian world" to parts of Poland, Romania, Finland, and Moldova, among others. Medvedev's recent statements on Russia's territorial claims were analyzed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Medvedev voiced Russia's broad territorial goals, which extend deep into Ukraine, during his lecture "Geographical and Strategic Borders" at the Russian World Youth Festival. This Kremlin-organized event reportedly attracted visitors from over a hundred countries. According to Medvedev, "Ukraine is, of course, Russia." Thus, Moscow, through the former Russian president, claimed to have captured all Ukrainian regions on the left bank of Ukraine, part of which is currently occupied by Russia, as well as a significant part on the right bank of the country. Medvedev called the territories covered by Russia's appetites an "integral" part of Russia's "strategic historical borders." ADVERTISIMENT "Medvedev spoke against the backdrop of a hypothetical English-language map of Eastern Europe that he originally posted on his Telegram channel in July 2022. The map depicts parts of western Ukraine under the control of Hungary, Poland, and Romania, contributing to the Kremlin's recently revived narrative that Eastern European countries have "territorial claims" in western Ukraine. This narrative is aimed at damaging Ukraine's relations with its western neighbors," the analysts said. On the map that Medvedev chose as a "background" for voicing his aggressive dreams, ISW drew attention to the fact that Ukraine exists as a separate state only within the Kyiv region. The rest of Ukraine's territories are labeled as part of Russia - and the Kremlin's appetites extend far beyond the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. ADVERTISIMENT "The fact that Medvedev reused the 2022 map underscores that the Kremlin's maximalist territorial goals have remained unchanged since the beginning of the war," analysts say. In his "lecture," the former Russian president said that the influence of Russia, which he considers a "sovereign great power," extends beyond its geographic borders, serving a broader maximalist ideological interpretation of the "Russian world." Medvedev was not original in repeating Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement that "Russia's borders do not end anywhere." What the Russian official called Russia's "strategic borders," according to his vision, are different from geographical borders. And where these "strategic borders" will stretch, he says, directly depends on "how strong and sovereign" the state that establishes them is. ADVERTISIMENT "Medvedev argued that the more 'powerful' a state is, the 'further its strategic borders go beyond its state borders' and the greater the sphere of 'economic, political, social and cultural influence' of the state," the analysts noted. They recalled that Putin had recently made similar statements, which experts interpreted as the Russian dictator's belief that all states that do not unilaterally impose their will on other countries (such as Ukraine) are states with "curtailed sovereignty." At the same time, Medvedev himself said on February 22 that Kyiv is also a "historically Russian" city, so sooner or later, he said, Russia would have to capture it. Given this statement, as well as what he said on March 4, analysts believe that even if Russia managed to end the war by leaving Ukraine within the Kyiv region, it would not insure Ukraine against future attacks by the aggressor state. ADVERTISIMENT However, Medvedev's statements should have alerted not only Ukrainians but also other states located near Russia. "Medvedev also did not specify where Russia's 'strategic' borders would extend if Russia's 'geographical' borders expanded, as shown on the hypothetical map he presented. The map, in particular, is a conservative depiction of possible Russian territorial claims, given Putin's recent geographic definition of the "Russian world" as encompassing the former Russian Empire, which includes parts of Poland, Romania, Finland and Moldova," ISW believes. At the same time, according to Medvedev, Russia has set its sights not only on Ukrainian territories, but also on the subjugation of the Ukrainian people. This follows from the former Russian president's attempt to accuse the West of lying about Russia's intentions. ADVERTISIMENT According to him, "Russia's enemies constantly insist that Russia's main goal is to seize Ukrainian lands." However, Medvedev noted, Ukraine allegedly has "almost no" Ukrainian land resources such as wheat, steel, gas and coal. The main value that Russia allegedly seeks to gain from the occupation of Ukraine is control over the Ukrainian people. "Medvedev also said that the concept of a sovereign Ukrainian state and the concept of a Ukrainian national identity that is not Russian should 'disappear forever. ISW continues to document how the Russian authorities have repeatedly engaged in large-scale and deliberate ethnic cleansing, campaigning and systematically working to eliminate the Ukrainian language, culture, history and ethnicity in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine," the analysts summarized. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, ISW explained how the Kremlin is using China and Turkey's desire to organize negotiations with Ukraine. The aggressor country Russia is using them to promote its information operations aimed at preventing further support for Kyiv by Western partners. It was also reported that the Institute for the Study of War stated that Russia had stopped the delivery of weapons from the DPRK by sea since mid-February. The Air Force will likely pick its first cohort of enlisted troops to start the process of becoming warrant officers this summer, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass said Tuesday. Selecting that group will mark the next key step toward reinstatement of the Air Forces first active duty warrant officers in more than 40 years, as it looks to build technical expertise in digitally focused career fields. Air Force may bring back warrant officers to boost technical expertise Well roll out, I think, in the next several weeks, probably the first message that goes out on warrant officers, Bass said during a livestreamed question-and-answer session with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. We will probably select this summer, and then warrant officers will probably start school later on this year. That timeline dovetails with an Air University memo circulated on social media earlier this year that outlined plans to develop a training pipeline for junior warrant officers no later than October. The memo claimed the Air Force will launch an initial class of 30 personnel at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. That program could eventually graduate as many as 200 junior warrant officers and up to 50 senior warrant officers between the grades of WO-2 and WO-5 each year, the document said. Prospective candidates need to hold the enlisted rank of staff sergeant (E-5) or higher, and may come from the active duty Air Force, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve, the memo added. Those plans are subject to change, an Air Force official told Military Times in February. The service on Feb. 13 formally announced its plan to bring back warrant officers in a bid to improve knowledge and retention in cyber operations and information technology units. Its part of a sweeping set of initiatives designed to ready the Air Force for future conflicts, particularly as it vies with China for military supremacy and influence around the world. Used across the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, warrant officers are a highly trained class of technical experts who specialize in a single field, like intelligence or maintenance, and rank between the commissioned officers who lead units and the enlisted corps that forms the majority of the militarys workforce. The Air Force began phasing out its warrant officers in 1959 because their jobs were deemed too inflexible to meet the Air Forces personnel needs, according to the Warrant Officer Historical Association. Congress had also created two new top enlisted ranks, senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant (E-8 and E-9), to offer higher-level expertise and leadership. The service has periodically considered reviving warrant officers to fix other workforce shortfalls, like its longstanding pilot shortage. It opted against that idea amid warnings that the idea would hurt retention and prove costly. Its unclear whether those concerns still stand for the cyber and IT workforces, which have struggled to recruit and retain highly qualified staffers who can find higher pay and more flexibility in the private sector. Warrant officers could bridge the knowledge gaps between niche specialties like expeditionary communications and defensive cyber operations. The Air Force may eventually consider expanding warrant officers to include maintainers another short-staffed field but dont hold your breath, Kendall said. Recalling his work with warrant officer maintainers while serving as an Army officer in the 1970s and 1980s, Kendall indicated the Air Force may want to emulate their example. I thought they made a major contribution to the force, Kendall said of the Army maintainers. I think thats one wed want to consider at some point. Im sure there are others. In the Army, the maintenance communitys warrant officers oversee sustainment needs for broad swaths of the weapon and vehicle inventories. They are experts in the field as a whole, compared to enlisted soldiers who specialize in a particular skill set, like small arms repair, or on a platform, like the M1 Abrams tank. In the Air Force, that could translate to warrant officers who manage maintenance for aircraft, ground vehicles, electronic systems and weapons, instead of asking enlisted airmen with narrower skills to pitch in on platforms they arent trained to handle. That kind of broad expertise could bolster the Air Forces ability to deploy small, multi-skilled teams to outposts around the world in a crisis. For now, though, the Air Force wants to see how the first group of cyber-focused warrant officers fare before reintroducing the rank elsewhere. We are going to be cautious before we broaden this beyond this one particular career field, Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told airmen Feb. 13 at the Air and Space Forces Associations Air Warfare Symposium. We want to make sure what were doing is fit for purpose and specific to the need that we have. Ukraine shot down 18 of the 22 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on March 5, the Air Force said in its morning update. The drones were launched from the occupied Crimea. Mobile fire groups and anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force repelled the attack over Odesa Oblast. Air raid alert was active in Odesa Oblast for over three hours. In the morning of March 5, Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces reported that several buildings of a recreational facility were damaged in Odesa Oblast. A fire broke out following the attack, but was promptly extinguished. The military added that the recreational facility has not been functioning since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. A private residence with a pier and outbuildings was also damaged in the recreational area during the attack. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties. Port city of Odesa and the wider region remain a frequent target of Russian strikes. A residential building in Odesa was struck by a Russian drone attack on March 2, injuring 20 people, including a pregnant woman. Rescue operations which concluded late on March 3, confirmed that 12 people were killed in the attack, including five children. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine slows Russian advances west of Avdiivka, military says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An air-raid warning was issued in the city of Voronezh, Russia, allegedly due to the threat of a Ukrainian drone attack. Source: Aleksandr Gusev, Voronezh Oblast Governor; RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency Details: Reports claimed that the air-raid warning was issued because Ukrainian drones were allegedly approaching the city. Previously: A state of emergency was declared in the Russian city of Voronezh on the night of 15-16 January, following a series of explosions and statements by the authorities. Support UP or become our patron! A Florida physician is suing Airbnb, claiming the vacation rental company unlawfully profited from listing on its website a property that Fidel Castros government confiscated without paying compensation to his family decades ago, in what appears to be the first lawsuit alleging trafficking involving the business use of a residential property on the island. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in Floridas federal Middle District, headquartered in Orlando, argues that Airbnb profited from advertising a rental in a six-apartment building in a leafy area in the Havana neighborhood of Marianao that was originally owned by members of the Parreno family, including Alberto Parreno. In 1970, the Department of Justices Foreign Claims Settlement Commission certified Parrenos claim to one-third of the land and building, valued at $547,365.24 at the time Parreno, an American citizen, died in 1972. Javier Garcia-Bengochea, his cousin and the estates administrator, filed the lawsuit. The suit says Airbnb continued listing the property between August 2019 and May 2022 after it was notified that it was subject to a claim and that it knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally, and continuously trafficked in the Property. In a Jan. 2022 story, the Miami Herald reported that Airbnb had listed one apartment with high guest ratings in that building at least since 2017, according to the reviews. The company told the Herald at the time that it would investigate the allegations and take action, including removing the listing if it was found to violate its policies. That listing is no longer appearing on the companys website. Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Garcia-Bengochea, a Jacksonville Cuban-American neurosurgeon, actively lobbied Congress and several administrations to enforce a provision in the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, also known as the Libertad Act, that would allow suing companies with business in Cuba for trafficking in confiscated property. The right to sue had been suspended by every president since the law was first enacted but was reinstated by President Donald Trump. A flurry of lawsuits followed against American, foreign, and Cuban government entities doing business involving confiscated properties, mostly hotels, mines, ports, airports and land. Most cases are still in litigation and or in appeals. Some lawsuits, including a previous one filed by Garcia-Bengochea against cruise companies that used port facilities in Santiago de Cuba seized from his family, have been dismissed or lost on appeal over technicalities and questions around ownership. But in another case still in litigation involving facilities at the port of Havana, several cruise companies were ordered to pay over $400 million in compensation. According to Airbnbs website, the company advertises more than 1,000 places in Havana. The company started working in Cuba in 2015, during a period of improved relations with the island. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed a fine on the company in January 2022 for apparent violations of the U.S. embargo. At the time, Treasury warned companies about entering new commercial markets, particularly one that has elevated sanctions risks such as Cuba, without fully anticipating the complexities of legally operating in a U.S.-sanctioned jurisdiction. TOPEKA (KSNT) On Tuesday, Governor Laura Kelly announced 37 airports will receive part of $14.3 million from the Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP). There were 135 applications seeking more than $84 million for this round of KAIP grant funds. The grant money will help fund 58 airport projects across the state. The projects will focus on pavement preservation, safety and air ambulance accessibility, according to the Office of the Governor. Improvements made to our aviation infrastructure are vital to local economies, even in rural parts of Kansas, Kelly said. These enhancements ensure that no matter where they are in the state, businesses and communities have every opportunity to grow and prosper. Kansas state representative arrested in Shawnee Co. These general aviation airport improvements couldnt happen without local partners and KDOT working together, said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. Programs like this help Kansans have access to renewed and reliable transportation options available to them in every region of the state. Matching funds are required but the amount depends on the project. With matching funds, the total KAIP value is more than $34 million. Airport Amount Received New Century Air Center, New Century (Johnson County) $2,858,350 Johnson County Executive Airport, Olathe $1,898,270 Emporia Municipal Airport $906,000 Lucas Airport $799,840 Gardner Municipal Airport $798,500 Ellsworth Municipal Airport $675,000 Allen County Airport, Iola $664,500 Amelia Earhart Airport, Atchison $479,522 Belleville Municipal Airport $453,500 Medicine Lodge Airport $441,435 Ulysses Airport $404,000 Abilene Municipal Airport $376,113 Lawrence Regional Airport $375,500 Colonel James Jabara Airport, Wichita $360,000 McPherson Airport $351,000 Smith Center Municipal Airport $318,500 Hugoton Municipal Airport $288,000 Strother Field, Winfield $225,000 Chanute Martin Johnson Airport, Chanute $180,000 Herrington Regional Airport $170,000 Larned Pawnee County Airport, Larned $166,860 Allen County Airport, Iola $144,000 Gove County Airport, Gove City $142,200 Atkinson Municipal Airport, Pittsburg $135,000 Oberlin Municipal Airport $126,000 Marion Municipal Airport $122,625 Coffey County Airport, Burlington $93,500 Augusta Municipal Airport $74,520 Mark Hoard Memorial Airport, Leoti $61,775 Osage City Municipal Airport $50,000 Satanta Municipal Airport $45,000 Rush County Airport, Rush Center $44,200 Pratt Regional Airport $36,000 Syracuse-Hamilton County Airport, Syracuse $23,850 Cook Airfield, Rose Hill $22,500 Sherman Army Airfield, Leavenworth $14,865 Wellington Municipal Airport $11,700 For a breakdown of the individual airport projects, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. To download our Storm Track Weather App, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. An Alabama couple driving home from celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in Florida helped pull a couple of drivers out of their cars following a fiery wreck over the weekend. The Caldwells were returning to Geneva, Alabama, on Saturday night after spending time in Destin, Florida, when a car sped past them and ended up in a crash involving another vehicle on County Highway 185, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. The couple observed a car's headlights through their rearview mirror before it sped past them and out of their sight. POLICE IDENTIFY 15-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED IN FLORIDA BOAT CRASH "What felt like seconds later, the couple came upon the wreckage of what appeared to be a crash. A head-on collision. Smoke began billowing from one of the vehicles involved," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. Mr. Cardwell told his wife to call 911, and he immediately recognized the car on fire was the one that passed them moments earlier. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "No matter. This person, whoever they were, was in danger," the sheriff's office wrote. "As quickly as he passed them in the night, Mr. Cardwell pulled the driver from the car as it was engulfing in flames before running to help the second driver who was pinned in their vehicle." FLORIDA WOMAN ATTACKS TEEN, WOMAN WITH HOT SAUCE BOTTLE: POLICE Deputies and fire crews arrived at the scene a short time later and freed the second driver. "In our eyes, Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell are heroes. Had they not stopped and helped, the driver may have died in those flames," the sheriff's office said. "May this be a reminder to all of us, to remember how precious life is. To slow down. Don't take it for granted. It can end in an instant." Original article source: Alabama couple rescues drivers from fiery cars while returning home from anniversary trip to Florida Former President Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will go head to head in Alabamas GOP primary as part of Super Tuesday. Follow along with live results from Decision Desk HQ here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, in the chamber of the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a bill that would prevent public funding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and potentially punish or terminate teachers or employees who use divisive concepts, as defined in the bill. SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, passed after a hour-long public hearing where supporters said that the bill was needed to maintain equal treatment in the state and opponents said it would hinder higher education institutions and impact students lives. The legislation would prevent teachers or other employees from making other people affirm, adopt ot adhere to a list of divisive concepts. The divisive concepts include That, by virtue of an individuals race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. The bill also bans agencies from requiring employees to participate in DEI programs. Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, a past sponsor of the legislation, will carry the bill in the House. He told the House State Government Committee the bill would not impact the teaching of history. Universities can meet accreditor requirements and create truly welcoming and inclusive communities without establishing highly ideological DEI programs, he said. Supporters of the legislation, mostly from conservative organizations, accused ideologues of taking over DEI programs. Diversity, equity and inclusion are three words that have been hijacked and are being used to tear down our public institutions, state agencies and corporations, said Becky Gerritson, executive director of the conservative Eagle Forum of Alabama. Emily Jones, with Moms for Liberty, a right-leaning parents group whose chapters have pushed to restrict or ban books in libraries around the country, particularly those with LGBTQ+ themes, said that her son would be considered an oppressive white male under DEI principles. DEI is very divisive, it divides people into categories, it labels them, it pits people against one another, she said. Opponents of the legislation said that it could harm student experiences and business in the state. Sean Atchison, a senior at the University of Alabama, said the bill could impact students employment prospects as companies may not come to the state. He said he felt better prepared due to his time at the university and its programs. Let me also note Im a white man, he said. Im from south Alabama. Im from the middle of nowhere. Ive never, ever felt oppressed by a DEI program. Ive never felt threatened nor hurt. I feel educated. I feel stronger than ever and more confident in my ability to get a job that will benefit the long term future of this state than ever before. Dr. Morissa Ladinsky, a medical provider and instructor with the University of Alabama Birmingham, said that major companies use DEI, which indicates it being good business. This bill creates a pernicious optic of negativity, while we Alabama are already under a national microscope, she said. Democrats on the committee also questioned the legislation. Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, went through the bill, outlining his concerns. Among them, he said the legislation could negatively affect Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs). HBCUs were created to give us an opportunity and space to be able to be creative and grow and to be self-sufficient, self-sustaining, he said. This is going to handicap and possibly destroy that opportunity. Democrats tried to add amendments to the bill, but they failed. Republicans on the committee had two amendments. One amendment, proposed by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, was said to further define contractors and said that they would not violate the act unless they did so knowingly. Another from Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, was said to change providing medical or mental health care to providing medical, mental or any health care. Neither amendment was online as of early Wednesday afternoon and the staff did not have additional copies. The bill passed on a voice vote. It moves to the full House of Representatives. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Alabama House committee approves bill limiting DEI, divisive concepts appeared first on Alabama Reflector. 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. 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. 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. 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? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Weeks after a state supreme court decision that threatens the future of in vitro fertilization in Alabama, voters on Super Tuesday decided the courts next slate of justices in a closely watched Republican primary election. Last month, Alabamas Supreme Court defined frozen embryos as children, expanding the scope of so-called personhood embraced by Christian fundamentalists and anti-abortion groups who believe that life begins at conception and underscoring the far-reaching impacts of Roe v Wades collapse. The ruling drew widespread condemnation and alarm, with fertility clinics across the state fearing swift legal scrutiny and their forced closure while families were left in heartbreaking limbo. But the candidates running to replace the states retiring chief justice appeared unmoved. Republican Justice Sarah Stewart, who currently sits on the court and concurred with the controversial decision, is the projected winner of the Republican primary. She will now face Democratic candidate Greg Griffin, a Montgomery County circuit judge. Her Republican primary rival, former state senator Bryan Taylor, also didnt reject the courts personhood ruling, saying in a statement in response that we can uphold the sanctity of life without subjecting IVF clinics to lawsuit abuse. Alabamas 72-year-old outgoing Chief Justice Tom Parker a proponent of Christian nationalist doctrine who cited the Bible in the courts IVF ruling is unable to seek another term; the state forbids judges older than 70 to be elected. Republican lawmakers who have embraced fetal personhood scrambled to respond, revealing the GOPs deeply confused, ambivalent or intentionally obtuse views on reproductive health, just as Republicans flailed in the wake of the US Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe. IVF accounts for roughly 2 per cent of births in the US, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. But since the beginning of the year, more than 40 bills with personhood language have been proposed in at least 16 states, according to an analysis from Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Abortion rights advocates and Democratic candidates already were immersed in 2024 campaigns taking direct aim at anti-abortion Republicans feeling the wrath of voters two years after the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization. Candidates in federal races are pointing to the Alabama case as a warning; President Joe Biden has explicitly linked the Alabama ruling to the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe and Mr Trumps installation of three conservative justices to the high court. Vice President Kamala Harris and Health Secretary Xavier Becerra have met with families and IVF patients, and Democratic members of Congress rushed legislation to protect IVF nationally. But the Alabama case has magnified the role of state supreme courts in the fight to preserve abortion rights, with elections for state justices emerging as a new front in the post-Roe battle. There are at least 80 races for state supreme court seats in 33 states this year. Alabama was among four states with supreme court races on Super Tuesday. Demonstrators rally for IVF protections outside the Alabama State House on 28 February. (RESOLVE via AP) After the US Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade, abortion rights advocates and others have filed at least 40 lawsuits challenging anti-abortion laws in 23 states, with many cases reaching the bench at their respective state courts. Alabamas state legislature is also dominated by Republican lawmakers, who passed legislation through the state House and Senate last week to provide civil and criminal immunity for death or damage to an embryo to any individual or entity when providing or receiving goods or services related to IVF. The legislation states that no action, suit, or criminal prosecution for the damage to or death of an embryo shall be brought or maintained against any individual or entity when providing or receiving goods or services related to in vitro fertilization. But the measure does not answer whether an embryo created by IVF should be treated as a child under Alabama law the core issue in the state supreme court ruling. Statements from Donald Trump and Republican members of Congress have also ducked the issue, instead vowing to protect IVF without addressing the anti-abortion movements belief that life begins at conception, the central premise of the Alabama ruling. Alabamas Supreme Court asserted that an unborn child is a genetically unique human being whose life begins at fertilization, a statement not shared by scientists and one that is squarely at odds with how IVF works. The process typically involves the fertilization of several eggs at once to increase the likelihood of an embryo developing, or the storage of embryos that can cost families thousands of dollars a year. If each is considered a child, doctors could only then create one at a time, significantly reducing the chances of a successful procedure, while exposing clinics to potential liability that amounts to murder under Alabamas ruling. The state supreme court determined that people can be held legally responsible for destroying embryos under the scope of a wrongful death law. The devastating IVF ruling in Alabama has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and unfortunately we know attacks on access to fertility services dont end here, according to a statement from Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams. Republicans across the country have made crystal clear their mission to undermine the full spectrum of reproductive rights from extreme abortion bans to restrictions on contraception and IVF services, she said. Lynn Curry, nurse practitioner for Huntsville Reproductive Medicine, lifts frozen embryos out of IVF cryopreservation dewar in Madison, Alabama, on 4 March. (REUTERS) While Republican lawmakers scrambled to deliver a cohesive response to the Alabama ruling, anti-abortion activist lobbyists and legal groups that have fuelled the GOPs opposition to abortion rights were quick to celebrate it. A lawyer for conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom which led the challenge that overturned Roe and will soon be at the Supreme Court in an attempt to strip government approval of a widely used abortion drug called the Alabama ruling a tremendous victory for life. Students for Life celebrated the ruling: The Alabama Supreme Court has acknowledged that human embryos are children! An author at the powerful right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation called the Alabama decision an unqualified victory. Far-right commentator Michael Knowles has compared IVF to rape, labelled the procedure morally dubious, and suggested doctors should be criminally prosecuted. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also applauded Alabama lawmakers for immediately working to protect life and ensure that IVF treatment is available throughout the state. But hes also sponsoring federal legislation that would define human person and human being as each and every member of the species homo sapiens at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization. This story was initially published on 4 March and has been updated with developments Ukrainian actor and Dovbush star Oleksii Hnatkovskyi spoke out against "low-grade" films that ridicule Ukrainians and portray them as stupid, uneducated people. He stated that he immediately rejects such contracts and that the funds allocated for cinema, in his opinion, would be better spent on the needs of the army than on spreading Russian narratives. ADVERTISIMENT In an interview with Espresso.TV, the actor recalled a petition that he had to sign by force in order not to disgrace Ukrainian culture through low-quality cinema. The meaning of the document was to direct all the funds allocated for film production to the Armed Forces. "That petition signed by the film community to give money to the army, the money that was allocated for cinema, is a terrible petition, I'm sorry that it was signed. But I will sign it too. Because what is being allocated now is a disgrace in terms of cinema. We are at war in the country, we have to make good, high-quality films. But this is big politics, it's not even about cinema and art anymore. It's about politics. It's about usurpation," he emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT It seems that due to the financing of low-quality films, Oleksii Hnatkovskyi will hardly ever act in films. However, we should not worry that we will not see this year's sexiest Ukrainian artist on the screens. The actor has put forward two conditions for continuing his film career: in high-level films or with a good payout. "I didn't say I wouldn't act in movies. I said that I would either act in professional projects in terms of the profession, art, and high level or if it's good money because this is my profession, I make a living from it. But I will not act in something where Ukrainians are shown as morons, idiots, and where they are minorities this is important to me," the actor explained. ADVERTISIMENT Hnatkovskyi will soon be seen in two more films if he doesn't refuse the role, as he is currently carefully considering his participation in projects. "As for me, I have several offers, one of which I turned down, and I'm thinking about the others. I hope that we in Ukraine will have an understanding that first of all, all funds should go to the Armed Forces. But I always say that Russia did not attack us with tanks or missiles. It came first with the Russian language, Russian culture, Russian narratives," he said. According to the actor, culture needs tremendous support and funding to erase Russian narratives from the Ukrainian information space. He advised to try to develop a quality product to suffer less from oppression in the future. ADVERTISIMENT "Where did 'Russian speakers' come from in Ukraine? This is the foundation that we need to fight against and do our own thing. This is what we need to allocate a lot of money for. Because our enemy, look, they allocate huge amounts of money for film production, for their education, for their culture. The first thing they do when they enter the occupied territories is to change the signs, the language, burn books, and make their own. That's why we need to allocate funds in the country after the Armed Forces for education and culture," the artist said. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Students gather in a hallway. (Photo by Eyecrave Productions/Getty Images) The conversation on how to fix Alaskas educational system boils down to a discourse between dinosaurs versus unicorns. The dinosaurs complain about lack of money needed to prop up the industrial age form of education dating from the turn of the 20th century when Henry Ford developed the assembly line. Children enter school at kindergarten or first grade and are taught and assemble with their cohorts until hopefully they exit by the 12th grade. As in an assembly line, the grades have group thought, learning and promotion. This industrialized system needs money for infrastructure, transportation, teachers, administrators, facilities, debt, health, and retirement benefits. It is an industrial complex that must be maintained to try to meet our childrens educational needs, without putting our childrens educational needs first. The unicorns educational innovation and successes are proposed as the universal fix without examining long-term consequences and outcomes. I am a fanatical unicorn until life reminds me to question all good things. Just recently I listened to a TED Talk by Sal Khan, founder of the Khan Academy. His talk was about the great benefits of artificial intelligence and how he has used it in creating Khanmigo. The Khanmigo service can provide tutoring, counseling, lesson planning, and other services now underfunded and understaffed in public education. I was impressed and excited. I immediately downloaded it to help my grandson in geometry. Luckily, he found the answer before I could get there on Khanmigo. I read in a recent Wall Street Journal that Khanmigo is having difficulties in basic math. This could cause problems in simple geometry like the Pythagorean theorem. Now this doesnt mean I am going to completely give up on Khanmigo, but it does point out there is not a simple answer to underfunding public education. I spent several years working with middle and high school students. I called them seasonal students because some of them attended school seasonally. All of them were smart children, but most were considered special needs because of their poor grades and poor attendance. Well, what happens to bright children who are told they are not bright enough? Not a wonderful way of engagement. What I found with most of these students was the same thing I knew growing up; a caring adult who treated a student with respect and academic challenge was key to academic achievement. So, when we cut teachers and adults in the classroom, we are impacting academic success. I think most of us can point to centers of excellence as well as issues of dysfunctionality and apathy. How do we balance the educational industrial complex and the educational needs for a 21st century society? We are not going to make any progress by shutting down funding. The school districts have the same responsibilities as most of us do in our personal life. They have embedded costs due to insurance, retirements, roofs, heating, transportation, mortgages (bond issues), and basic maintenance. We cannot walk away from our obligations; the state cannot declare bankruptcy. I understand Commissioner of Education Deena Bishops thoughts about of not giving a carte blanche to the basic school allocation. We need to have longer term vision in how we get the best teachers in front of the most students, because there is no substitute for a great teacher. We also need to get an adult-to-student ratio that encourages personal growth. The good news is the Legislature has started the process of allowing the dinosaurs to adapt to a changing world, and the unicorns to provide accountability to their magical powers. This is the first time the two species coexist and truly work for Alaskan students. Nothing will come easily and quickly. It will take all of us to embrace education as our No. 1 priority for a greater Alaska. Alaska did it as a young state and with pride we should do it now. North to the future. The post In Alaska education, dinosaurs can evolve and unicorns can be held accountable appeared first on Alaska Beacon. John-Henry Heckendorn speaks on March 4, 2024, at the Alaska Small Business Development Center's one-day conference on artificial intelligence. Also on the political panel are, from left, marketing consiultant Amber Lee, former U.S. Sen. and Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and former state Rep. Andrew Halcro. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) John-Henry Heckendorn, a political strategist and managing director of the Ship Creek Group, speaks on Monday at the Alaska Small Business Development Center's one-day conference on artificial intelligence. Also on the conference panel discussing artificial intelligence in campaigns and elections were, from left, marketing consultant Amber Lee, former U.S. Sen. and Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and former state Rep. Andrew Halcro. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) As what promises to be a close national election approaches, artificial intelligence wielded by political operatives could improve the campaign process or dramatically distort elections, experts say. There are plenty of reasons to be worried that the artificial intelligence trend will do the latter, said political experts on a panel at an Anchorage conference on artificial intelligence. The one-day conference was hosted by the Alaska Small Business Development Center, a U.S. Small Business Administration-funded office based at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In it, the political panel described ways that artificial intelligence can be used constructively in campaigns and elections. It can identify blocs of swing voters or neglected voters, for example. It can be employed as a fact-checking tool to counter falsehoods, another example of constructive use. And it can save campaign workers time that might be devoted to minutia in the same way that it saves time for businesses, scientists and others using artificial intelligence to process data, they said. Its inherently a great tool. But there are people who are using it in nefarious ways, which is what happens with all powerful tools that are out there, said Amber Lee, a marketing consultant with extensive campaign experience. She called it a threat to democracy, especially with no effective regulation in sight. Another panelist leery of artificial intelligence in politics is former Anchorage Mayor and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska. He invoked the specter of waves of disinformation, lies that are generated in convincing fashion to play on voters emotions. Fake news becomes real news. Real news becomes history in that transition, he said. Begich noted that he is no technophobe. When he was running for mayor in 2000, he established what was then a rarity in politics: a website, Begich.com. That made waves among political observers at the time, he said. They looked at me like I was an insane human being, he said. John Bittner, executive director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center, stands outside a meeting room at Anchorage's Hotel Captain Cook during a break in the organization's March 4 conference on artificial intelligence. (Photo by Yereth Rosen) Jon Bittner, executive director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center, stands outside a meeting room at Anchorages Hotel Captain Cook during a break in the organizations March 4 conference on artificial intelligence. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) But now, with federal regulation largely impossible and traditional news organizations withering, there are fewer guardrails to combat those who would use artificial intelligence to spread disinformation, he said. Who will hold them accountable as the free press continues to disintegrate into oblivion? he asked. It will not be cable news or streaming news, as that is all opinion, he said. So the accountability is missing in this equation and its not getting better; its getting worse. Political strategist John-Henry Heckendorn, now managing partner of consulting firm Ship Creek Group, said he is less concerned about the artificial intelligence-generated falsehoods than about other systemic problems. Misinformation and disinformation is not new in politics, he said, referring to the yellow journalism of the 19th century. And it has been overcome in the past, he said. The real threats, Heckendorn said, come from underlying conditions of social isolation, political polarization and the distortions created by vast amounts of money poured into politics, not artificial intelligence itself. Its the most scary-sounding thing on the top of an intensive set of problems, he said. He is also less worried about artificial intelligence-created misinformation, he said, than about how the rise of artificial intelligence will make the big-money political establishment even more powerful and more dominant. An Alaska response, he said, would be to strengthen the Alaska Public Offices Commission, which is becoming increasingly impotent because of sparse funding. Artificial intelligence has already emerged in troubling ways in U.S. and international politics. When President Joe Biden announced his reelection bid, the national Republican party created an artificial intelligence-generated video of a dystopian second Biden term, said lobbyist Miles Baker, the panel moderator. Artificial intelligence was used to create fake Biden robocalls to voters during the New Hampshire primary, he said. And it became a problem internationally, citing elections in India and Indonesia. But things might be different in Alaska, where voters expect to know their government officials personally, the panelists said. And no matter how advanced artificial technology becomes, it cannot take the place of face-to-face contact, they said. Its about human connection, going door-to-door, knocking on doors and looking in their eyes, said former state Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Halcro, R-Anchorage. As a former candidate, I cant tell you how many people told me, `I voted for you because you were the only person who knocked on my door. Other sessions at the conference addressed ways that businesses, scientists, government agencies and artists can use artificial intelligence to improve their work or fall victim to it. Many scientists are enthusiastic about the way AI can help process vast amounts of data into useful information. Conference speaker Lauren Decker, chief scientific officer for PolArctic, described how her small oceanographic and data science company is using artificial intelligence to model sea ice and other navigation hazards in Arctic waters off Alaska and Russia. But artists, though they can use AI as a creative tool, expressed some fears about their work being hijacked. That worries me, being made redundant in an industry full of bean-counters, said Paul Linford, a composer who spoke at an artists panel. To serve Alaskans who are interested in the promises of artificial intelligence, worried about its pitfalls or both, the Small Business Development Center has launched an Artificial Intelligence Resource Center that aims to demystify the technology, according to the organizations website. The announcement, timed to coincide with the Anchorage conference, said the center will be the first of its kind in the nation. It is intended to connect small businesses with AI technology and training. Understanding AI has become a must in the current business environment, just as development of computers and the internet were in the past, said Jon Bittner, executive director of the Alaska Small Business Development Center. The technology is so ubiquitous and so easy to use that theres no way to stop it at this point, Bittner said. The Alaska Small Business Development Center serves thousands of Alaska companies each year. Up to 3,000 get one-on-one consultations, and thousands more participate in workshops, he said. The federal government defines companies with fewer than 500 employees as small, so almost all Alaska companies fit that category, Bittner said. Many of those served by the center are sole proprietors and independent contractors, he said. Through the new artificial intelligence service, small businesses can learn how to use artificial intelligence to address some specific Alaska problems, he said. For example, the statewide workforce shortage that is getting worse over time can be offset somewhat by the efficiencies that artificial intelligence can achieve, he said. The center can also help Alaskans in rural areas where internet connectivity is new avoid some of the online fraud attempts that are likely to come, with rural-based Native corporations as potential targets, he said. There are fears among many that artificial intelligence will displace workers, Bittner acknowledged. But that does not have to be the case, he said. What I am actually seeing is people who understand how to use AI are going to replace those who dont, he said. Correction: A quote by Bittner was incorrect in the original version of this article. He said people who understand how to use AI are going to replace those who dont, not that they would be replaced by them. Bittners first name was spelled incorrectly in the original version of the article. The post Alaska political experts give warnings about AI but also cite benefits to campaigns appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Residents in Anchorage, Alaska, take part in early voting in a mall in Alaska's largest city on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Alaska residents living in Juneau, Anchorage, Wasilla, Fairbanks and Nome can cast their votes early as designated locations. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) Alaska's Republican caucus is part of Super Tuesday and marks a pivotal moment for the state's GOP as voters select their preferred nominee for the upcoming presidential election. The primary reflects a divided sentiment within the party, with former President Donald Trump and former U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley on the ballot. Prominent Alaska Republicans have thrown their support behind Trump, including Governor Mike Dunleavy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, and U.S. House candidate Nick Begich. However, Haley has garnered endorsements from notable figures such as Republican U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski and several state lawmakers, underscoring the competing factions within the party. Unlike traditional state-run elections, Alaska's Republican caucus is organized by the party itself. Polling locations are open across the state from 3 to 8 p.m. AST, with stringent requirements for voter identification. Registered Republicans are eligible to participate, with the option to change party affiliation on-site if necessary. More: Super Tuesday live results: Joe Biden wins Iowa Caucus; Nikki Haley, Donald Trump battle According to Alaska Public Media, the party expects to report results Tuesday night on its social media pages, with final results coming on March 11. The allocation of Alaska's 29 delegates to the Republican National Convention in July will hinge on the primary results. Candidates must secure at least 13% of the vote to be eligible for any delegates, with allocation proportional to their share of the vote. Alaska's Republican Primary coincides with Super Tuesday, joining 14 other states and one territory in selecting their preferred nominee. Trump currently leads Haley 276-43 in the delegate count heading into the evening, with 1,215 needed to win the nomination. More: 2024 Alaska Caucus Election Results Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X @JeremyYurow This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump or Haley? Alaska GOP faces pivotal choice in presidential caucus Dr Rebecca Smethurst, an astrophysicist at Oxford University, felt 'fear and revulsion' over Augustine Lopez's actions - HNP Newsdesk/Hyde News & Pictures A man flew from Florida to the UK to stalk a YouTuber astrophysicist and sent his luggage to her workplace at Oxford University, a court has heard. Augustine Lopez, 47, had never seen Dr Rebecca Smethurst who has more than 700,000 YouTube subscribers in person, but bombarded her with emails and asked her to be his Valentine, Oxford Crown Court heard. Mr Lopez also brought a can of Mace pepper spray, a prohibited weapon, into the UK. The jury heard that Mr Lopez, of Melbourne, Florida, accepted bringing and possessing the spray but claimed it was an oversight. Camped outside her workplace The court heard that Mr Lopez sent messages to Dr Smethursts 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 Oxford Universitys astrophysics department and is renowned for her work on the universe. 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 Feb 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 didnt know a soul in this country. When he got to Heathrow, he sent his luggage to her [Dr Smethursts] workplace. Mr Lopez does not know her. All we say he knows about Dr Smethurst is what he has acquired from social media. 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. Unwanted messages He sent her unwanted messages, those being emails, Instagram and the like. Not only did he send his luggage to her workplace 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. I found the building but not you 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. 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. My skin was crawling 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, the defence counsel for Mr Lopez, asked Dr Smethurst whether she had spoken to Mr Lopez while she was in the US. She replied: That is incorrect. Mr Lopez denies counts of stalking causing serious alarm or distress and possession of a prohibited weapon. He was acquitted of one charge of dealing with goods with fraudulent intent. The case continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Some of Germany's allies have called on it to tighten security protocols related to classified information after Russia leaked secret talks between German air force officers about a possible Taurus missile delivery to Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg reported citing sources, European Pravda reports Details: According to Bloomberg, officials in some NATO countries have expressed concern about Germany's negligent attitude to operational security, which led to the leak of a conversation between German officers, in particular, due to their use of the non-encrypted WebEx platform. One source called the negligence "unprofessional" and said that such behaviour could be expected from people who have never received security training, but not from military officials. Another source said they were not surprised by the lapse on Germany's part, and a third one said the leak would likely lead to increased security measures around the world, but especially in Germany. The German official, who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity, said that the incident showed that the changes in security and defence policy caused by the full-scale war in Ukraine are still ongoing. At the same time, NATO officials downplayed the importance of the published information, recalling Germany's well-known and public opposition to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. They also stressed the importance of maintaining the unity of the Alliance despite this incident. As reported, the German Ministry of Defence has initiated an investigation into whether the intercepted conversations of the air force representatives, who, according to Russian propaganda, discussed the blowing up of the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge with Taurus missiles, took place. The Ministry of Defence later confirmed the interception. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius commented on the scandal, noting that it was a hybrid disinformation attack. Support UP or become our patron! Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said she supports the Supreme Court's decision allowing former President Donald Trump to stay on the Colorado ballot in the face of a challenge against his candidacy. "I think that was important," the Republican presidential candidate told a cheering crowd during her campaign stop in the Houston area Monday. "We don't ever want some elected official in a state or anybody else saying who can and can't be on a ballot. This is America," Haley said. More: Supreme Court rules Donald Trump can stay on Colorado ballot ahead of Super Tuesday Hours before Haley took the stage in Spring, Texas, the nation's highest court ruled unanimously that Colorado could not use an anti-insurrectionist provision in the Constitution to keep the former president off of the state's 2024 ballot. Advocates across the country have argued that Trump engaged in the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. They say that bars him from serving as president again because a section of the 14th Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, blocks people from office who had engaged in insurrection after previously promising to support the Constitution. "Look, I'll defeat Donald Trump fair and square, but I want him on that ballot," Haley assured her supporters on Monday. The former president on Monday immediately applauded the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a "big win" for the country. The outcome effectively ends pushes in Illinois, Maine and other states to disqualify Trump from the 2024 race for the White House as he seeks another term in office. "I think the best way is just for the people to decide at the ballot box," Haley later told CNN, saying she is against the "chaos" of different states making varying decisions. 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. The Supreme Court justices supported a similar argument in their unsigned opinion, writing that Congress, not the states, should be responsible for such decisions. We conclude that states may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office, the justices said. But states have no power under the constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the presidency. Even the Court's three liberal justices, who criticized the ruling in a separate statement for helping Trump more than potentially necessary, warned Colorado's decision would create a "chaotic state-by-state patchwork." Dig deeper: Unanimous? Top takeaways from Supreme Court's ruling to keep Trump on the ballot March 1, 2024; Charlotte, N.C., USA; Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley speaks to supporters in Charlotte, North Carolina Friday evening.Megan Smith-USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Haley supports Supreme Court ruling keeping Trump on Colorado ballot An Israeli flag is displayed in front of a building near a road sign for the US embassy in Jerusalem (AFP via Getty Images) An employee of the US embassy in Jerusalem was found dead in their apartment, the embassy said on Monday. The US State Department said the death of a direct hire employee in the embassy is under investigation and there were no indications of foul play in the death. The deceased person was not the US Ambassador to Israel. "We can confirm the death of an American employee of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. It is not the US Ambassador, the spokesperson said. Foul play is not suspected. We have no further details to share, it added. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said more information will be made available after the next of kin of the employee is informed of the death. The US moved its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv following an initiative driven by then-US president Donald Trump. It was after he broke away from decades of US policy of recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The move was celebrated by Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu but criticised by Palestinians and allies in the Arab world. Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam and has remained one of the main sites of flashpoints in the history of Israel. It comes as the US leadership, including Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris, are becoming increasingly vocal of their dissatisfaction over Israels ground assault of Gaza and the mounting death of Palestinians as the war nears the five-month mark. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after an attack by Hamas inside Israel on 7 October killing around 1,200 people. The military response to the Hamas attack, via air, ground and a blockade, has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run strip. A month ago, the consensus in legal and political circles was that the Supreme Court was on the verge of a grand bargain. The justices would rulelikely unanimously, albeit on grounds they would have to inventthat individual states could not remove Donald Trump from the ballot. Then, weeks later, they would reject his claim that he should be immune from prosecution for acts he committed as president, paving the way for a federal criminal trial this summer related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. How the court would get there, in either case, was unclear. But given Chief Justice John Robertss concerns about the courts legitimacy, an outcome that allowed Trump to stay on the ballot but forced a preelection verdict on his role in the January 6 insurrection made sense: Voters would have all the necessary information at their disposal to decide if Trump was fit to be president again. Over the past week, it has become clear that this was a fantasy. Last Wednesday, the court finally scheduled oral arguments on Trumps immunity argumentfor late April, likely pushing a ruling into mid-June (or even July) and thus possibly delaying a criminal trial until after the November election. And then, on Monday, the court issued a sweeping ruling affirming that Colorado cannot remove Trump from the ballot. The decision was hardly surprising. But five conservative justices, including Roberts, went much further than many had expected, shredding the Fourteenth Amendmentwhich disqualifies candidates who engaged in insurrection from holding federal officein the process. Far from using the two cases to shore up the courts legitimacy, Roberts and the conservative justices have once again provided a reminder of its rank partisanshipand handed Trump two giant victories. The Trump presidency was defined in part by institutional rot and delegitimization. As he and his allies attacked the government from within, there were nearly daily reminders of the frailty of our institutions and of just how much of American political life was held together by norms that were ill equipped to handle authoritarianism. That the government held together amid the lengthy political and legaland ultimately violentattempt to overturn the 2020 election owed as much to luck as it did to anything else. Bidens 2020 campaign was built, among other things, on a promise to rebuild those institutions. The Supreme Court decisions of the last week are just the latest reminder that quite the opposite has happened: Our political and legal institutions have continued to devolve thanks to a mix of inaction from Democrats and hostility from Republicans. The current Congress is one of the least effective in American history. Its Republican membership and leadership has, since Trumps rise, steadily been replaced with MAGA acolytes and loyalists. Although Republicans in Congress hardly served as a bulwark against Trumps excesses, its abundantly clear now that, with Mike Johnsons ascension to House speaker and Mitch McConnells decision to step down as the Senate GOP leader at the end of this Congress, a second-term Trump would have lackeys in most key positions. And in contrast to his first term, he would have few outspoken Republican critics; Justin Amash, Liz Cheney, Jeff Flake, and Bob Corker have already lost primary challenges or retired. Trump is not making a secret of his plan to destroy Americas civil service. Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations blueprint for a second Trump presidency, calls for firing tens of thousands of longtime government workers and replacing them with loyalists. In spite of this, there have been few efforts to protect the federal workforce. As a candidate, Biden promised to rebuild a hollowed out government, but he has largely failed to do so. Despite a mandate to strengthen the federal workforce in 2021, the administration has struggled to fill positions left empty by the Trump administration, thanks in part to the strong labor market. Over the last few years, many federal agencies have lost highly skilled workers in a variety of mission critical areas, which has made it more difficult for the federal government to accomplish its mission, the Office of Personnel Management said in a statement last January. Despite staffing troubles, the White House has attempted to Trump proof the federal workforce. Last September, the administration enacted a rule that would, in theory, block a second Trump administration from firing thousands of federal workers. The only problem is that Trump could simply use the same rulemaking process to reverse that rule. Without federal legislation, more substantial protections for federal workers are unlikely. And then, of course, theres the Supreme Court. Biden has refused to even consider any form of judicial reformwhether it be expansion, term limits, or something elsein response to a corrupt, far-right court that has consistently shredded long-standing precedent (and, in the case of Mondays decision, the Constitution itself). Biden has repeatedly attacked the naked partisanship and corruption of what he has called the rogue court throughout his administration. Last summer, in a press conference after the Supreme Court ended affirmative action protection, he said, This is not a normal court. But Biden resisted calls for any reform that could make it more normal. Shortly after those comments, Biden told MSNBC, I think if we start the process of trying to expand the court, were going to politicize it maybe forever in a way that is not healthy, and expressed hope it would somehow change on its own. Whether Biden could have shored up Americas hollowed out institutions is not clear. It certainly would have been difficult. Supreme Court reform, in particular, was always a long shot, given that Senate Democrats didnt have the votes to overcome a filibuster (and Senator Joe Manchin declared he wouldnt kill the filibuster). But Biden foreclosed that option. In other areas, he was perhaps too slow to use his bully pulpit: It wasnt until 2022 that he urged Senate Democrats to scrap the filibuster to pass a suite of voting reforms that Republicans had blocked multiple times the year before. Those reforms would have protected voters from being unlawfully purged, restricted the removal of election officials, and imposed a judicial ethics code on the Supreme Court, among many other measures. But Bidens plea was ignored. With time ticking down on Bidens first term, our core institutions feel less equipped to resist a Trump presidency than they did four years ago. And Trump, should he win in November, undoubtedly would be more unchained than before. During his first term, we heard often about how adults in the room supposedly constrained him from within the administrationCabinet-level officials like James Mattis and Rex Tillerson who prevented Trump from carrying out his worst impulses, or at least lessened the damage. Their influence was likely overblown by the media (and themselves), but its clear that such figures would have no place in a second Trump administration. He would surround himself with yes-men. In fact, if he does return to power, Trump wont have to do much to win the war on government he launched nearly eight years ago. Between the Supreme Courts conservative majority, Republican leaders in Congress, and his White House coterie, all three branches of government would be ready to do his bidding. President Biden is expected to win in the U.S. territory of American Samoa, which is holding its nominating contest along with 16 states as part of Super Tuesday. Republicans in the territory will hold their own contest later in the week Follow Decision Desk HQs live results here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of the Russian warship "Sergey Kotov" in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The agency also clarified that the enemy vessel was sunk with the help of Magura V5 marine drones. ADVERTISIMENT Ukrainian intelligence noted that the ship was damaged in the stern, starboard and port sides. This was reported on Telegram by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. According to intelligence, the mission to destroy the Russian ship was carried out by a special unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Group 13. The operation took place in cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. They also stated that the "Sergey Kotov" was attacked by Magura V5 maritime drones. As a result of the attack, the ship sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides. In addition, the GUR noted that the enemy ship was hit in the territorial waters of Ukraine, near the Kerch Strait. It is noteworthy that the cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million. ADVERTISIMENT Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, told Radio Liberty that there had been successful attacks on the Sergey Kotov ship before, but the occupiers had restored it. This time the ship finally went down. He also emphasized that there are dead and wounded among the crew. Yusov added that part of the crew was able to evacuate, so the exact number of eliminated invaders is being clarified. The patrol ship of Project 22160 "Sergey Kotov" was armed with a 76.2 mm AK176MA artillery system. It was also equipped with a Positive-MK radar station with a range of 300 km. The crew consisted of 80 people, and the ship was also equipped with a helicopter pad. The Ukrainian Navy noted that the design of the 22160 ship is one of the most modern in Russia. Currently, only four such ships have been launched: Vasily Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, and Sergey Kotov. So far, only the Dmitry Rogachev has not been damaged. ADVERTISIMENT It is noteworthy that on the morning of March 5, the Russian Defense Ministry complained about a UAV attack in the Belgorod region. The terrorist agency claimed to have "shot down" all the drones. At the same time, the invaders said nothing about the explosions in the temporarily occupied Crimea. As a reminder, the network reported an alleged massive attack by "Ukrainian" UAVs and maritime drones on ground targets in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The propagandists complained that the Black Sea Fleet ships and the Crimean bridge were also targeted. ADVERTISIMENT Later, it became known that the Russian warship Sergey Kotov was attacked off the coast of the Ukrainian peninsula. Eyewitnesses filmed the moment when a large explosion occurred near the enemy ship. As reported by OBOZ.UA, a missile attack on the Hvardiyske airbase near occupied Simferopol on March 1 damaged the airfield's taxiway and injured three soldiers. And in Feodosia, on March 3, a massive UAV attack damaged the main pipeline and roadway on the Tavrida highway. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! KORZENIEWO, Poland Some one hundred kilometers away from Polands border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, forces from nine NATO member countries were busy setting up the last of their amphibious gear. They are part of a large multi-domain operations exercise that entails a notoriously tricky river crossing in the remote northern Polish countryside here, as European officials are worried about the possibility of a Russian attack, depending on the outcome of the war in Ukraine. As part of the Polish-led Dragon-24 military exercise, organized here on March 4-5, American, British, French, German, Spanish, Turkish, Slovenian and Lithuanian soldiers traveled across the 320 meter wet gap crossing of the Vistula River, a military jargon term for traversing rivers and swamps. It was no coincidence that the winter time was chosen by the Polish Armed Forces to host this event, as the waterway can be especially difficult to navigate in this season, according to Maj. Gen. Cezary Wisniewski, a senior military official. We chose this time because we wanted the most challenging conditions the water levels of the river are very high and the winds are usually strong, he told reporters during a media briefing. During his presentation, the official noted some of the key objectives of the training: synchronizing forces conducting defense in cooperation with non-military defense system in crisis and small-scale armed conflict; assessing logistics capabilities as part of the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine; and practicing cooperation between front and rear logistic support elements. The river crossing entailed the positioning of countries floating bridges, which then had to be loaded with tanks, to navigate from the opposite side of the bank from point A to point B and dock safely for the vehicles to disembark and continue their path. The simulated crisis also includes the movement of a large number of personnel and combat vehicles across Polish territory, an element Wisniewski said is key. The movement of troops is a crucial part of the exercise, as the rapid deployment of forces from the west to the east of Poland is both important and challenging especially in a situation like today where we have large formations of troops involved, with 20,000-plus military personnel and 3,500 pieces of equipment, he said. A tactical road march is set to begin later this week from Korzeniewo, where both wheeled and tracked military vehicles will cover approximately 300 kilometers over the span of multiple days toward the Bemowo Piskie training area. They will navigate public roads and forested areas while also being faced with ambushes, sabotage, misinformation as well as Little Green Men, as media briefing called them. The term is a reference to the 2014 Russian occupation of Ukraines Crimea peninsula, which involved Russian soldiers equipped with weapons but dressed with unmarked green military uniforms. The Polish national drill is part of the larger-scale Steadfast Defender-24 exercise organized by NATO, which will run until the end of May. According to a recent statement published by the Polish Ministry of Defense, while both exercises are defensive ones and not directed against any state, they are deemed to be a demonstration of the ability to counter any aggressive policies and provocative activities of the Russian Federation. A photograph of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer killed on the set of 'Rust,' was on display as a news conference held by the Dordick Law Corporation in Los Angeles on November 10, 2021. 'Rust' armorer Hanna Gutierrez-Reed is standing trial for involuntary manslaughter. File Photo by Carolina Brehman/EPA-EFE March 4 (UPI) -- A business owner who supplied prop firearms for the movie Rust testified Monday he never gave live ammunition to the production as prosecutors sought to prove manslaughter charges against the film's armorer. Seth Kenney, the owner of PDQ Arm & Prop in Albuquerque, N.M., said on the witness stand that he made sure no live ammo was sent to the independent Western production during his dealings with armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Rather, he said, he only sent over boxes of dummy rounds after checking to make sure they "rattled," unlike live ammo, ABC News reported. "I do not send out any dummy round that doesn't rattle," he said. Live ammunition loaded into a prop gun fired by the film's star and producer, Alec Baldwin, resulted in the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on Oct. 21, 2021, near Santa Fe, N.M. Gutierrez-Reed, 26, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the incident and is standing trial in Santa Fe. Baldwin also is facing involuntary manslaughter charges and is scheduled to stand trial in July. Both have pleaded not guilty. Investigators initially focused on Kenney as the possible source of the live ammo on the set of Rust, and he has been cited as possibly responsible for Hutchins' death by Gutierrez-Reed's defense attorneys. But during their investigation, police did not find any live rounds in Kenney's Albuquerque shop that resembled the ones found on the Rust set, according to Deadline. During his Monday testimony, Kenney described a tense relationship between himself and Gutierrez-Reed, who is the daughter of his friend, long-time Hollywood movie armorer Thell Reed, the publication reported. He said that in the aftermath of Hutchins' death, he sensed the pair were attempting to pin the blame of the accident on him. "Knowing Thell and having been friends with him for a few years at that point, I know how much he loves his daughter," Kenney said. Nazis hired trams to take Jews, including Anne Frank and her family, to the city's train station - ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Amsterdams public transport operator demanded payment from Germany for the unpaid costs of trams used to transport Jews, including Anne Frank, to concentration camps two years after the Second World War ended. 63,000 Jews were deported from Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands, with the Nazis hiring trams to take Jews, including the young diarist and her family, to the citys train station. The Gestapo in the Hague paid the GVB, Amsterdams municipal public transport operator, 10 guilders per tram and 12.50 guilders for night-time journeys. The GVB sent monthly invoices for the 900 tram rides but not all were paid before the Netherlands was liberated in May 1945. The invoices were discovered in an archive by Willy Lindwer, a filmmaker, and Guus Luijters, a writer, who said the company had profited from the forced transport of Jews. One of the invoices had a note attached which proved that the GVB was still trying to recover unpaid money as late as 1947, two years after the end of the war. A collection agency was then called in to try for two years to recover the 80 guilders. I found that really shocking, Mr Luijters said. [They] continued to collect money from transports of Jews from the war long after the war, Mr Lindwer added. An invoice from Amsterdam's tram company, GVB, to the Gestapo The invoices detail the equipment used, the day, time and cost of the tram ride, and have been matched to GVB's accounts The researchers also found the bill for the last of 900 tram rides on Aug 8 1944. Anne Frank and her family were on the list of people deported from Amsterdams Central Station on that day. They were first transferred from the former prison at Weteringschans to Central Station by tram, Mr Lindwer told the NOS state broadcaster. On Sept 3, the Franks were sent from the Westerbork transit camp to Auschwitz. In November, Anne was transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she died in early 1945. The invoices detail the equipment used, the day, time and cost of the tram ride, and have been matched to the GVBs accounts. Dutch Railways apologised for its role in the deportation of Jews from the Netherlands in 2005. It promised to pay compensation in 2018. The GVB has not yet done so but will face demands for compensation, perhaps in the form of a fund against anti-Semitism, or a monument, from Jewish groups. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Justice Amy Coney Barrett packed two very different messages into her one-page opinion on Monday as the Supreme Court declared states could not toss former President Donald Trump off the ballot. She chastised her colleagues on the right for breaking significant and in her mind unnecessary ground in the breadth of their legal reasoning. But then she admonished the courts three liberal justices, who also split from the majoritys legal rationale, in unusually biting terms. In my judgment, this is not the time to amplify disagreement with stridency, Barrett wrote. 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. The 52-year-old appointee of Trump emphasized that the justices were more in sync than not, suggesting that the liberals writing subverted that fact. All nine Justices agree on the outcome of this case, Barrett wrote. That is the message Americans should take home. Yet Barretts statement, joined by no other justice, had the effect of highlighting the tensions between ideological factions and the power of the conservative majority, rather than neutralizing them. Liberal justices, often in the dissent, regularly adopt a caustic tone. It was paradoxical that Barrett herself, in rebuking them on Monday, chose words with more bite than usual. The ideological strains inside the court will likely grow as the justices hear another chapter of Trump election-related litigation in April and begin issuing decisions this spring on various challenges to Biden administration policy. Not since the 2000 case of Bush v. Gore, when the justices by a 5-4 vote cut off decisive recounts in Florida and gave then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush the White House over then-Vice President Al Gore, has the Supreme Court been positioned to play an outsized role in a presidential election. Trumps choice of Barrett as his third high court appointment dates to just before the November 2020 election and the sudden death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that September. Confirmed by the Senate before Election Day, Barrett immediately became the most consequential new justice. Her sheer presence created a conservative six-justice supermajority on the nine-member bench. And her vote began defining the courts new direction, especially when the justices in 2022 reversed the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and obliterated constitutional abortion rights nationwide. But in the recesses of Barretts jurisprudence, she has sometimes set herself apart from the conservative wing and become slightly unpredictable. Liberal justices, likely hoping she might inch left over time, have pitched their arguments toward her, just as they sometimes do with two conservatives whove straddled the middle: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh. On Monday, Barrett aligned with the liberal justices to a point on legal reasoning but also demonstrated her differences. How the justices agreed and then splintered As the high court rejected a Colorado Supreme Court decision that would have allowed the state to bar Trump from presidential ballots, it said states lack the power to enforce the key provision at issue. The 14th Amendments Section 3 dictates: No person shall hold any office under the United States who, having previously taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion . Relying on that provision, the Colorado Supreme Court in December disqualified Trump from the state presidential primary ballots. President Trump incited and encouraged the use of violence and lawless action to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, the Colorado court said, referring to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol and Trumps protest of the 2020 vote that favored Joe Biden for president. (The effect of the Colorado ruling was postponed as Trump appealed to the justices, and his name was never removed from ballots.) During the justices oral arguments on February 8, it was clear a majority, if not all nine justices, were prepared to reverse the Colorado decision. They plainly believed no state, acting on its own, should be able to remove a candidate for national office. And on Monday, the court in an unsigned opinion declared: 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 Even the three liberals who separated themselves from the majoritys reasoning agreed that the Constitution forbids individual states to set their own qualifications for a presidential candidate. Allowing Colorado to do so would, we agree, create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, at odds with our Nations federalism principles, wrote Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson in a joint concurring opinion. That is enough to resolve this case. Yet the majority goes further. Invoking the wounds of past cases, that liberal trio opened with a Roberts line from 2022 in protest of how far the majority was going to reverse abortion rights: If it is not necessary to decide more to dispose of a case, then it is necessary not to decide more, Roberts had written in the case that overturned Roe v. Wade. Today, the Court departs from that vital principle, deciding not just this case, but challenges that might arise in the future, the liberals wrote Monday. They denounced the majority for its view that Section 3 could be enforced against only after Congress passed specific legislation, precluding, as the trio wrote, other potential means of federal enforcement. We cannot join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily, the liberals said. The majority is left with next to no support for its requirement that a Section 3 disqualification can occur only pursuant to legislation enacted for that purpose. They noted that the majority opinion foreclosed judicial enforcement of Section 3, such as through a prosecution for insurrection. Joining Roberts in the majority were Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. For her part, Barrett agreed with the liberals that the five on the right wing need not have addressed the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced. She said once the majority took that approach, the remaining four justices were left with a choice of how to respond. Barrett made plain that with their stridency, the three liberals had chosen the wrong path. Echoes of John Roberts complaint about the liberals In criticizing the courts critics, Barrett appeared to take a page from Roberts. The chief justice often implores the public to ignore the differences between the nine. He loathes instances when liberal dissenters make especially cutting remarks. It has become a disturbing feature of some recent opinions to criticize the decisions with which they disagree as going beyond the proper role of the judiciary, Roberts wrote of dissenting justices last year after he captured a six-justice conservative majority to reject the Biden administrations student-debt relief plan. Roberts, ever mindful of public regard for the court, added, We do not mistake this plainly heartfelt disagreement for disparagement. It is important that the public not be misled either. Any such misperception would be harmful to this institution and the country. In Mondays case, Justices Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson refused to temper their disagreement, although their writing was listed as a concurring opinion rather than a dissent. At one point, they even invoked a dissenting opinion from the enduringly controversial Bush v. Gore: What it does today, the Court should have left undone. Todays liberals then added of todays majority, In a sensitive case crying out for judicial restraint, it abandons that course. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com To listen to the full episode, join Slate Plus. The Supreme Court allowed Donald Trump to remain on the ballot in Coloradoand every other statein an opinion on Monday that was less unanimous than it seems on the surface. Every justice agreed that a state cannot unilaterally disqualify a presidential candidate from the ballot because of their participation in an insurrection. But the court split sharply on the question of how, exactly, the constitutional bar against insurrectionists holding office might be enforced in the future. On a bonus Slate Plus episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick discussed these fierce disagreements, including Justice Amy Coney Barretts effort to bridge the divide, with Mark Joseph Stern and Jeremy Stahl. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: In both the majority opinion and Justice Amy Coney Barretts concurrence, theres such a vibe here of Yall, were not fighting, were OK! Dont worry about the court. Barrett says: In my judgment, this is not the time to amplify disagreement with stridency. And she adds: Particularly in this circumstance, writings on the court should turn the national temperature down, not up. Theres this weird, passive-aggressive vibe where everybody is kind of pissed off but telling us over and over again: Were not fighting! We love each other! The court is working! This sense of performing unity and performing minimalism falls really heavily on the four women of the court in their separate concurrences. Mark Joseph Stern: Right. Its boys vs. girls. The girls are doing law. The boys are doing something that doesnt look a lot like law! I guess we should give Barrett some credit for having a flash of integrity here. She did refuse to sign on to the part of the majority opinion that effectively repealed the insurrection clause by saying that only Congress can enforce it. She made it clear that she disagrees with the majoritys decision to, in her words, address the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced. And that is Professor Barrett at her best. She does this from time to time: Last term, she wrote separately, in a case called Samia v. U.S., to criticize Justice Clarence Thomas for manipulating history and representing it incorrectly. I think sometimes Barrett decides that shes too smart and has too much principle to go along with the conservatives BS. But when she reaches that point, she feels the need to apologize for doing it. Thats what she did here, saying, This is not the time to amplify disagreement with stridency. By the way, I dont think theres anything in the liberals opinion thats stridentthat feels like an entirely unwarranted subtweet. And yet here she is, writing separately to say, basically: I think these guys in the majority went way too far, and I dont really understand why. I find that to be an interesting rhetorical move. She didnt have to do it. She could have just noted that she concurred with only part of the majority opinion. Instead, she went out of her way to chastise the majority. And yet she wants the country to walk away, thinking, Wow, they really do love each other. I just dont think she can actually have it both ways. Jeremy Stahl: She really does seem to chastise the progressive justices. And then she tells them what the important part of their concurrence is. She says: 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. So, forget all the rest of what the progressives wrote in their concurrence; forget their scorching opposition to what five justices did today. What the American people need to accept and appreciate is our unanimity. Thats all that really matters. She delivers this lecture with a little smack in both directions, to the justices on her right and left. Lithwick: We have to look at this case in the context of the whole rest of the term too. We have the presidential immunity case, which the court is kicking down the road to April. We have abortion and guns and the administrative state and so much else. This is a bonkers term. And the justices keep saying: The one principle were all going to agree upon is that we decide cases narrowly as umpires. Nothing to see here! Were fine! It feels less than persuasive to me. I do wanna ask both of you about what didnt get decided today. After we all spent a very long time trying to decide if the president is an officer under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, the court didnt touch that. Does it matter? Stern: Clearly, the court was uninterested in ultra-technical, semantic, nitpicky arguments about whether the 14th Amendment covered Trump. There was some talk about it at oral arguments, but the court didnt reach it, I guess because they didnt need to. The concurrences didnt really touch it either. And I think that was wise because the natural reading of the 14th Amendment does encompass the president. There are some counterpoints, but we should not get into them because, frankly, this is one of the most annoying legal arguments I have covered in my entire life. Stahl: I think its also important to talk about the other piece they didnt touch, which was the question of whether Donald Trump engaged in insurrection or not! The only way they touched it was to say: Well, different states might have different evidentiary standards. One might have a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. Another might use a criminal conviction as the standard. There are different ways that states could decide this on an individual state-by-state basis, which is why we should not have states deciding this on their own. But they didnt actually touch the Colorado Supreme Courts decision that Trump did, in fact, engage in insurrection. And to the extent there was wisdom in the majority opinion, that was a wise thing to leave out. They were better off not wading into that, especially since it probably would have yielded an even more divisive and frustrating answer. Boeings potential acquisition of airframe manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems could help stabilize its defense business and give it a stronger hand in bidding on future military aircraft programs, analysts said Monday. Boeing and Spirit confirmed Friday they were in talks about a possible acquisition, following a Wall Street Journal report. The move, were it to happen, would reunite the two companies after nearly 20 years apart and would come after a series of troubles with Boeings 737 MAX commercial aircraft, of which Spirit is a supplier. Its kind of back to the future, right? defense industry analyst Byron Callan told Defense News on Monday. Youre bringing back a part of Boeing that has really been separate since 2005. That was the year Boeing spun off what would become Spirit, when it sold its airframe manufacturing operations in Wichita, Kansas, and Oklahoma to a private equity firm. Spirit AeroSystems is now a manufacturer and supplier for structural components that go into military aircraft such as the Boeing-made E-7 Wedgetail and P-8 Poseidon, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber built by Northrop Grumman, Bells V-280 Valor, as well as struts and nacelles for the B-52H Stratofortress. Its role in the defense industry is growing, with defense revenues reaching nearly $650 million in 2022 and a goal of hitting $1 billion by 2025. Boeing on March 1 confirmed the potential acquisition and said the reintegration would further strengthen aviation safety, improve quality and serve the interests of our customers, employees, and shareholders. The troubles with the line of MAX aircraft most recently, the January blowout of a door on an Alaska Airlines flight have generated new concern over Boeing and Spirits quality control. But Callan believes theres likely more motivating this possible acquisition, such as Boeings desire to keep a closer eye on its supply chain and manage rates of aircraft production, as well as address quality issues that have cascading effects. You dont go buy a company because of one specific incident, Callan said. This is probably a broader set of instances. Theyve recognized what happens when there are quality issues, delays, all the other things that were tripping up Spirit, that fundamentally impacts their ability to do business. Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, said Boeing could use its desire to increase quality oversight and exercise more control over its supply chain to support its case that federal regulators should approve a potential deal. Thats been somewhat problematic, especially now in light of these quality control issues, which arguably go back to Spirit in a lot of ways, Clark said though he also noted that weve seen plenty of examples where Boeings quality controls have fallen short. Clark said a Boeing-Spirit acquisition would be an overall albeit muted benefit for the defense industry, by making it easier to improve their production facilities and methods. Spirit has started to use some new production techniques like additive manufacturing; they have a lot of experience with composites from the 787 Dreamliner, Clark said. Spirits got a lot of potential to be able to turn into this pretty high-tech supplier to a variety of programs. Its just hard to do that as a standalone company, because youre not dealing with a high-volume or high margin business. Acquiring Spirit would also help stabilize Boeing in the defense space, by allowing the company to contribute to more defense programs without being a prime contractor. As the DOD starts to shrink down the number of mainline manned aircraft programs that means fewer and fewer opportunities for Boeing, Lockheed and Northrop to become the prime, Clark said. This way Boeing could be through Spirit, a contributor to programs that they otherwise could have been locked out of. In the near term, Callan said, acquiring Spirit would give Boeing a piece of programs that company works on, such as the B-21 Raider stealth bomber which Boeing lost to Northrop Grumman in 2015 and the Bell V-280 Valor, the Armys Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. Even if Boeing moves forward on its potential acquisition of Spirit, Callan said, it likely wont boost Boeing on programs already in the works or nearing contract awards, such as the Air Forces Next Generation Air Dominance future fighter platform. But when the military moves forward on subsequent aircraft programs such as a future Air Force mobility aircraft to succeed the C-17 Globemaster or C-130 Hercules, or the replacement for the Armys CH-47 Chinook having Spirit in-house could bolster Boeings position, he added. Callan and Clark said they doubt the Pentagon or government would object to a potential Boeing acquisition of Spirit, even though federal regulators objected to Lockheed Martins attempted acquisition of solid rocket motor manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne. Unlike the exceptionally narrow solid rocket motor market, they said, there are multiple air frame manufacturers to sustain competition if Boeing took over Spirit. Spirit has somewhat branched out, Clark said, such as by becoming a supplier to Northrop Grumman for the B-21 and working with Airbus. But most of its business is still with Boeing, he said, and in many ways, they stayed in Boeings shadow. Callan said the acquisition may be a boon to Spirits president and chief executive, Pat Shanahan, who also formerly served as acting secretary of defense and was an executive at Boeing before that. While Boeings chief operating officer, Stephanie Pope, is seen by many as a potential successor to current Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, Callan said Shanahans experience could make him another contender. He would put a very different flavor to what weve seen in recent years, Callan said. But the big question, Callan said, is whether these hoped-for improvements in supply management and quality control will materialize, if an acquisition happens. It all will depend on how Boeing chooses to manage Spirits culture, standards and workforce, he said. If its really the beginning of a rejuvenation of their safety focus on engineering and manufacturing that clearly somewhere along the way they lost, so if this helps that would be good, Callan said. But I wouldnt say, Boeing buys Spirit, all the problems go away. Its too soon to tell. COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) On February 25th, a vaccinated dog encountered a raccoon near the 4500 block of Hereford Farm Road in Evans. The raccoon was picked up by Columbia County Animal Services. The Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section was notified and sent the raccoon to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) in Decatur for rabies testing. Test results from GPHL confirmed the raccoon was positive for rabies. The Columbia County Health Department Environmental Health Section recommends the following: Make sure your dogs and cats are currently vaccinated against rabies. Do not let your pets roam free. They are more likely to have contact with a rabid wild animal. Avoid feeding your animals outside. This draws stray and wild animals to your doorstep. Teach your children not to approach wild animals and animals they dont know. This is the second rabid raccoon found in Columbia County this year. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Parents of students at a southeast Missouri boarding school were told Monday to pick up the boys within 24 hours as an investigation into abuse allegations there spreads. Larry and Carmen Musgrave, owners of ABM Ministries south of Piedmont, are charged with first-degree kidnapping. They were held without bond over the weekend but released from the Wayne County Jail in Greenville on Monday. The husband and wife were ordered to wear GPS location monitoring devices and must stay away from minors under 17, according to Missouris online court records. They also must have no contact with the alleged victim or victims family or witnesses and must consent to a search of their residence, which is on the campus property. Their release order also prohibited any contact with the school, which is also known as Lighthouse Christian Academy, except to notify adult designee to notify custodial parents to retrieve children from the facility. Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch told The Star on Monday evening that he continues to investigate the allegations. In the time since the Musgraves were taken into custody Friday night and early Saturday, another staff member was jailed on allegations of assault against a child, Finch said. Ive already received a call from one parent who was wanting to know how she can get her money back because shes already paid for the month of March, the sheriff said. Larry Musgrave Jr. Also on Monday, a court affidavit explaining the kidnapping charges against the Musgraves was released. That record shows that a former student told authorities she was locked in a room on her 18th birthday and was kept from going home for months. The former student, whom The Star has spoken to, described mental and physical abuse, including really, really hard exercises that would last for hours. That included running, planks and things that people see in boot camps, court records said, adding, This would occur with no food or water. She recalled one time when the students would run, run, run, run, run and then Carmen Musgrave would have like 5-gallon buckets of ice water and there was like a 50 gallon drum filled with ice water. She would make us line up and we would have to dunk our heads all the way under the water and ice, the student said. On one occasion, a student was accused of drinking the water. The former student said Carmen held the girls head underwater by holding the back of her neck and pushing her head into the bucket of ice water. She said the girl was freaking out. Carmen Musgrave When the sheriff served the arrest warrants on the Musgraves at the ABM campus, he took several deputies with him, as well as two troopers with the Missouri Highway Patrols Division of Drug and Crime Control. Those authorities spoke to all 19 students at the boarding school, Finch said Saturday. In interviews with The Star, nearly a dozen former students have described how they said they were treated at the school over the past nearly 20 years. That included physical abuse and restraints, not being allowed to make eye contact with fellow students, standing for hours at a time staring at a wall when they were in trouble and being forced to do manual labor to benefit the school. They also detailed how food was used as a punishment, saying that if they were in trouble they were given little to eat, such as a tortilla smeared with peanut butter for breakfast or plain white rice for dinner. And, they said, they had to watch as other students ate large portions of prepared meals. The AI company Anthropic has released a family of chatbots that promise to be the most powerful and responsive commercially available yet. Debuted on Monday, Anthropics Claude 3 large language models (LLM) are multimodal, allowing them to process text and image prompts. Anthropic also claims that its most advanced model outperforms its peers on most of the common evaluation benchmarks for AI systems. All Claude 3 models show increased capabilities in analysis and forecasting, nuanced content creation, code generation, and conversing in non-English languages like Spanish, Japanese, and French, Anthropic wrote in the announcement. There are three versions of the Claude 3 models: Haiku, the least advanced but fastest; Sonnet, arguably the most advanced free chatbot available now; and Opus, the most intelligent model of the family. Only Sonnet and Opus are currently available on the companys website, with Opus requiring a paid subscription of $20 a month. Its API is also available for developers. The company claims it exhibits near-human levels of comprehension and fluency on complex tasks including mathematics, language comprehension, and cognitive reasoning. The model can also handle longer prompts than competitors like ChatGPT or Gemini canmuch longer prompts. Meet Laika, the Chatbot That Acts Like a Social Media Obsessed Teen Where GPT-4 offers around 8,000 tokens for its context window (the amount of text a chatbot can consider when processing a prompt), Claude 3 Opus has a context window of 200,000 tokens. That means that Claude 3 Opus could process all of Frank Herberts Dune, while ChatGPT would only be limited to things like news articles and essays. [Claude 3 Opus] can navigate open-ended prompts and sight-unseen scenarios with remarkable fluency and human-like understanding, Anthropic said. Opus shows us the outer limits of whats possible with generative AI. The bot also seems to be taking direct aim at ChatGPT and Geminis refusal to answer more controversial questions and prompts. Claude 3 gives level-headed responses to queries about hot-button topics like race, abortion, and more. Its a move that reflects the original goals of Anthropics founderswho themselves were former OpenAI employees frustrated with the companys seemingly lack of safety concern when putting their products to market. However, the model family doesnt offer everything. For example, none of the bots can generate images like Gemini and ChatGPT canthough that might be for the best considering Googles recent hiccups on the matter. Claude also cant search the internet for information and only has data up to August 2023. However, with investments from Big Tech giants such as Amazon and even Google, its clear that Anthropic has its sights set on becoming one of the biggest players in the AI space. While no one is likely going to dethrone OpenAI and ChatGPT for chatbot dominance quite yet, Anthropic is throwing its hat into the ringand could prove to be the most formidable challenger yet. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Scientists have voted against a proposal to declare a new geological epoch called the Anthropocene to reflect how profoundly human activity has altered the planet. The proposal was rejected by members of the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy, which is part of the International Union of Geological Sciences, according to three voting members of the subcommission contacted by CNN Tuesday. The vote followed a 15-year process to select a geological site that best captures humanitys impact on the planet. The international unions Anthropocene Working Group, which spearheaded the effort, made a July 2023 announcement that identified the location as Crawford Lake in Ontario because of the way sediment from the lake bed reveals the geochemical traces of nuclear bomb tests, specifically plutonium, from 1950. The vote was not unanimous, said Kim Cohen, an assistant professor of geosciences at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and a voting member of the subcommission. There were some abstainees. There was a minority of yeses to a majority of nos, said Cohen, who voted in favor of the proposal. Phil Gibbard, a professor emeritus of quaternary paleoenvironments at the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and a voting member of the subcommission, said that the proposal for a formal Anthropocene was rejected by a 66% vote. However, in a statement released Wednesday, Jan Zalasiewicz, the chair of the subcommission and professor emeritus at the University of Leicester, said that unverified information had been shared with the media and the voting had been performed in contravention of the groups statutes. He said he has now requested an inquiry, which could include the possibility of annulling the vote. Very disappointing The geologic time scale provides the official framework for our understanding of Earths 4.5 billion-year history. Geologists break down our planets history into eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages with an eon being the largest chunk of time and an age the shortest. While few scientists doubt the impact humans have made on the planet, the geological community was divided about whether the changes rose to the level of epoch, suggesting it was too soon in geological terms for such a declaration. Some experts argued that the start of the Anthropocene could be better defined in other ways, such as the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Others have suggested the impact of humans on Earth was better classified as a geological event that unfolds gradually over a long period of time. Colin Waters, the chair of the AWG who led the development of the proposal to make the Anthropocene an official part of Earths geological history, said the outcome of the vote was very disappointing. We have as a group many eminent researchers in their field of expertise who wish to carry on as a group, in an informal capacity, that will continue to argue the case that the evidence for the Anthropocene as an epoch should be formalised, as consistent with the scientific data presented in the submission, said Waters, an honorary professor at the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment at the University of Leicester, via email. If the above vote is confirmed then the current proposal cannot progress, but given the existing evidence, which continues to grow, I would not be surprised if there is a future call for a proposal to be reconsidered, he said. The term Anthropocene is in wide use The proposal will not go any further at this stage, said David Harper, a professor emeritus of paleontology at Durham University and the chair of the International Committee of Stratigraphy, which would have held a vote on the proposal if the subcommission had passed it. The committee is also part of the International Union of Geological Sciences, which represents more than 1 million geoscientists around the world. This is the commissions expert group for this interval of geological time and we are bound by its decision. The current proposal will proceed no further according to our statutes, Harper said via email, adding that he hadnt been officially informed of the decision and wouldnt comment any further. Cohen said there were several arguments both for and against the proposal raised during the six-week period of discussion by the subcommission, but declined to give further detail. Regardless of whether the term is officially classified as a geological epoch, Anthropocene is already widely in use, Cohen noted. Everybody talks about it already. In journals, many people use it. But in geology, not so many as all the other sciences, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com As a result of the damage to the patrol ship "Sergei Kotov" of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, 7 occupants on board the vessel were irrevocably eliminated. Another 6 crew members were wounded. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported in the Telegram of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the Russians managed to evacuate 52 people from the destroyed ship. "It seems that the rescued and dazed sailors of the "Sergei Kotov" will be "sailed" by Russian special services due to the loss of the vessel," Ukrainian intelligence officers noted. As a reminder, the "Sergei Kotov" became another victim of Ukrainian-made Magura maritime drones. It was hit on the night of March 5 off the coast of temporarily occupied Feodosia. As a result of the attack from both sides, an AK-176 artillery system exploded on the ship. In addition to the ship, an onboard Ka-29 helicopter was also destroyed. ADVERTISIMENT Interestingly, the crew of the ship knew about the impending threat: according to the "Spy Dossier," maritime drones heading in its direction were detected by the occupiers at 00:15. But this did not help the invaders defend themselves. As reported by OBOZ.UA: The DIU reported that the ship "Sergei Kotov" was attacked by five marine drones around 00.50 on March 5. Ukrainian intelligence officers released an interception of a conversation between the Russian occupiers confirming the destruction of the ship. ADVERTISIMENT MAGURA V5 maritime drones usually operate in large groups, which allows them to achieve one hundred percent success in destroying surface targets. They are capable of carrying over 300 kg of payload and terrify enemy ships in different parts of the Black Sea. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lashed out at protesters at a Brooklyn movie theater who demanded the lefty lawmaker call Israels military campaign in Gaza a genocide, which she claimed shed already done, video of the confrontation shows. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was with her fiance, Riley Roberts, when she lost her cool and dropped an f-bomb as a couple of protesters badgered her at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema around 5 p.m. Monday. The protesters complained that Ocasio-Cortez, 34, hasnt publicly called Israels bombing of the Palestinian territory a genocide as they accosted her inside the downtown Brooklyn theater, according to the footage. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was confronted by protesters at a Brooklyn movie theater. FNTV The protesters demanded that Ocasio-Cortez call Israels military actions in Gaza a genocide. FNTV I need you to understand that this is not OK, she told one male protester who held an iPhone near her face. Its not OK that theres a genocide happening and youre not actively against it, the protester shot back. Youre lying, Ocasio-Cortez countered as she walked down an escalator with her beau. The protesters continued to trail behind the Democrat, who was visibly aggravated as she made her way toward the exit. Between sets of escalators, Ocasio-Cortez got in the face of the protesters to again defend herself before walking away. Ocasio-Cortez accused the protesters of lying. FNTV The video then cuts to everyone going outside, with Roberts turning around to confront the rabble-rousers. Stop, he said as Ocasio-Cortez walked ahead of him. OK, stop. The lawmaker then went on a tirade when she was asked if she was afraid the video clip would go viral. Youre gonna cut it and youre gonna clip this so that its completely out of context, Ocasio-Cortez fumed. The congresswoman has not publicly called Israels retaliatory bombardment in Gaza a genocide, but on Monday she suggested otherwise. I already said that it was and yall are just gonna pretend that it wasnt over and over again. Its fked up, man, she railed. And youre not helping these people, and youre not helping them, youre not helping them. Ocasio-Cortez avoided directly accusing Israel of genocide during an appearance on Meet the Press. FNTV The video ended as the protesters continued to berate Ocasio-Cortez while she walked ahead with Roberts. The Post has sought comment from the congresswomans office and her campaign. Ocasio-Cortez did not directly call Israels military action a genocide during a Meet the Press interview in late January as she sidestepped a question about whether using the term was going overboard. Some of your colleagues have accused the president of supporting genocide, including [Rep.] Rashida Tlaib [D-Mich.]. Do you agree with that word, genocide, that the presidents been supporting a genocide, or does that go too far? host Kristen Welker asked her during the interview. Ocasio-Cortez said the protesters werent helping the Palestinians. FNTV Ocasio-Cortez replied that young people throughout the country were appalled at the violence and the indiscriminate loss of life. She cited a recent United Nations International Court of Justice decision that stated Israel has a responsibility to prevent a genocide. They are still determining whether its a genocide. Do you think that term is responsible given its still under investigation? Welker pressed. I believe that they are. Theyre still determining it. But in the interim ruling, the fact that they said theres a responsibility to prevent it, the fact that this word is even in play, the fact that this word is even in our discourse, I think, demonstrates the mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing, the congresswoman replied. Following Mondays confrontation, an old tweet resurfaced online in which Ocasio-Cortez said protesting was supposed to make people uncomfortable, with some social media users calling the past message ironic. The whole point of protesting is to make [people] uncomfortable, she tweeted in December 2020. Activists take that discomfort w/ the status quo & advocate for concrete policy changes. Popular support often starts small & grows. To folks who complain protest demands make others uncomfortable thats the point. The progressive firebrand has called for a cease-fire in Gaza while criticizing Israel numerous times since Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. She also condemned Hamas in the strongest possible terms shortly after the bloody attack. About 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israels military action, Hamas-backed health officials have said. Ben Daly was found with a gunshot wound in Leamington Spa A new appeal has been launched six months after a man was fatally shot near a cul-de-sac. Ben Daly was found with a gunshot wound on Ranelagh Terrace in Leamington Spa on 10 August last year. Warwickshire Police believe he was targeted on Frances Havergal Close shortly before and one person has been charged with murder. On Tuesday, Crimestoppers asked the public to contact the charity anonymously if they knew the locations of three men wanted in connection with alleged killing. Kevin Vucini, 25, Brigen Carrica - sometimes spelt Qarrica - 21, and Rrezon Cengu, 22, are urgently wanted by investigators, the charity said. The trio, who are originally from Albania, have links to Essex and possibly London. Cengu has ties with Luton. Kevin Vucini, Brigen Carrica and Rrezon Cengu Alan Edwards, Crimestoppers' regional manager, said the advice was not to approach the men. Due to the significant risks involved, its important that Kevin Vucini, Brigen Carrica and Rrezon Cengu are found to face questioning over the tragic murder of Ben," Mr Edwards said. The organisation is offering three rewards of up to 10,000 for information the charity exclusively receives that leads to the arrest of any of the three men. The rewards are available for three months and due to expire on 4 June 2024. Warwickshire Police said Liviu Sandor was due to stand trial for murder on 10 April. "Weve also got three people who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender who are currently on bail while inquiries continue," the force said. At least nine arrests have previously been made in connection with Mr Daly's murder. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram, Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk Related internet links Marcus and Donna Rollins lost nearly $46,000 for their special needs son after a trust founder's suspected embezzlement of millions of dollars. The Apple Valley couple shared their shock and heartbreak, knowing the money they saved for their son, Matthew, 21, is gone. These are special needs families just trying to do what's good for their loved ones' futures and just like that, you lose it all, Donna said. The idea of a trust is that you can pay for the things not covered and to give Matthew a quality of life otherwise not possible. Matthew, who uses a wheelchair, is a 2020 Apple Valley High School graduate and an active member of the local Lions Club, along with his parents. Donna Rollins said her family lost nearly $46,000 for their special needs son, Matthew, after a trust founder's suspected embezzlement of millions of dollars. Accounts drained Leo Govoni, founder of The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, is accused of taking $100 million and causing the business to file for bankruptcy, according to Tampa Bays FOX13. According to court documents, Govoni is suspected of issuing himself loans totaling $100 million between 2009 and 2020 that he never paid back. The filing also indicates an internal investigation alleging no record that any loan was ever officially approved. The Florida-based Center for Special Needs Trust entered a bankruptcy filing on Feb. 9, detailing an investigation that uncovered the missing money. "The missing funds came out of the blue," said Beth Leytham, the Center for Special Needs Trust spokesperson. As a result of Govonis suspected actions, the accounts of more than 1,000 of the center's 2,000 clients have been partially or entirely drained, Leytham said. An Apple Valley couple lost nearly $46,000 for their special needs son, Matthew, after a trust founder's suspected embezzlement of millions of dollars. Special needs adults denied Matthews funds were kept through a California Special Needs Pooled Trust, managed by the Center for Special Needs Trust. Donna said she never imagined that the center, which she thought was a safe institution to place her sons money, would file for bankruptcy. Trust beneficiaries, including the Rollins, were informed of the missing money in letters sent on Feb. 12. And all we got was a sorry letter to say Matthews trust fund is gone due to mismanagement of a $100 million investment someone made and others' failure to catch it, Donna claimed. So many special needs adults have just been denied the extras they may need in adulthood. According to the court filing, Govoni transferred the money to one of his other companies, Boston Finance Group. He is accused of keeping the loans secret by contracting out control of the center's finances, accounting, and IT work to companies he also controlled, FOX 13 reported. Class action lawsuit, disputing allegations The Tampa Bay Times reported that The Center for Special Needs Trust is working with attorneys from Hill Ward Henderson to pursue litigation against Govoni and have also reported the missing money to law enforcement. "They are heartbroken over this and working nearly round the clock, no stone unturned, to figure out how we can get as much of those funds back where they belong as possible," Leytham told FOX 13. "We will be looking not just at bankruptcy but any legal remedies to do as much as we can." Florida-based Leeder Law recently filed a class-action lawsuit for individuals who suffered due to bankruptcy. "Founder of Pinellas County trust fund company accused of embezzling $100 million, leading to bankruptcy filing for Center for Special Needs Trust Administration," Leeder Law states. "Leo Govoni and others allegedly took unauthorized loans over a decade, transferring funds to other companies they controlled." In a written statement to FOX 13, Govoni stated, "I dispute the allegations and characterizations in the filings of the Center as to the mishandling of any of the Centers funds. I look forward to resolving this issue through bankruptcy or otherwise." Govonis attorney, Eric Koenig, said, We look forward to resolving this issue through the bankruptcy process or otherwise, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection means the nonprofit can maintain control of its assets although its expenditures, including payroll for its 22 employees, must be approved through the court. The filing also allows the nonprofit to pursue restitution against Govoni and Boston Finance, said Scott Stichter, an attorney with Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Postler, the law firm representing the nonprofit, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The center, meanwhile, alleges one of Govoni's businesses that manages the trust's IT operations has locked employees out of accessing the company's financial records, FOX 13 reported. Leytham said current leadership hopes that through the bankruptcy filing, they can access the financial records and learn more about where the money went. I am thankful God is in control and once again disappointed in mean humans, Donna said. And if Mr. Leo Govoni comes to town, tell him I would like to chat over coffee with him and my son. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley family loses over $46,000 after suspected embezzlement DENVER (KDVR) On Monday, a deputy sheriff at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility, Johnny Alvarado, was found guilty of providing a firearm to a felon. This case started with a routine home visit from a U.S. probation officer. The officer visited Kyle Garcia, a felon on supervised release, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado. 14-year-old driver, 5 others injured in severe Commerce City crash During the probation officers visit, he found a loaded firearm in a closet, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Garcia admitted to having the firearm, handling it, and racking the slide to see if there was ammunition in the firearm, according to the release. Alvarado, Garcias brother-in-law, admitted to the probation officer that he provided the firearm to Garcia knowing he was a felon, the release states. Garcia pleaded to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 66 months of probation. A jury convicted Alvarado on March 4, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office. On Tuesday, the sheriffs office announced Alvarados termination, effective immediately. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Alvarado will be sentenced at a later date. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Coming up to the third anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard and The Archers' current plotline is jarring - Getty/Leon Neal As a lifelong Archers aficionado I would classify myself as a woman of the world. The world of Ambridge, Darrington, Penny Hassett and, if there are birthday presents to be sourced or Easter eggs to be bought, Underwoods in Borchester. I am confident I could help birth a Montbeliarde in the calving shed, take over the running of the Grey Gables spa and re-fence the Lakey Hill pasture before David has even finished moaning about the weather. Which is to say I am made of stern stuff and, after four decades, I bow to no one in my admiration for radios longest-running soap. But my love is not blind and when the producers strike a bum note, I feel compelled to point out the error of their ways. And, right now, I am finding one particular plot line not just hard to swallow but really quite troubling; Harrison the copper coming a-cropper. Sure, Ive been shocked by Sid and Jolene in the shower, appalled by Rob Titcheners coercive cruelty and delighted by every adenoidal word that comes out of Chelsea Horrobins lips but the disconnect between real life and this particular everyday tale of farming folk is proving too much. A brief recap; recovering alcoholic and single mother Alice, who runs the stables, has been dating handsome equestrian Harry. It seemed too good to be true - and it was. It transpires that Harry is also an alcoholic but still in denial. He has been arrested in the past by Sergeant Harrison Burns, tender-hearted local plod and all-round good guy. Harrison has warned Harry to confess. When he didnt, Sgt Burns tipped Alice the wink that her new boyfriend was a bad un. She confronted Harry, who threatened to dob Harrison in for breaching his confidentiality. Instead, Harrison pre-empted this and went to his boss to admit what he had done. She in turn reported him to - Im not sure whom, the anti-corruption rozzers from Line of Duty maybe? Either way his very career lies in the balance - and we are clearly meant to care. But here on the other side of the radio dial, the issue of rogue police officers engaging in truly heinous crimes and remaining under the radar is high on the news agenda. And I for one find it impossible not to wince at the glaring contrast. Tonight sees the broadcast of the documentary Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice on BBC One. It focuses on Wayne Couzens, the serving police officer who falsely arrested, then abducted, raped and murdered 33-year-old Sarah almost three years ago to the day. Alice Carter (Hollie Chapman) has accidentally landed Sgt Harrison Burns in trouble - BBC/Gary Moyes It was a crime that shocked the nation, all the more so because a great many red flags and complaints from the public about his sexual depravity were ignored by his colleagues. Just last week the first section of an inquiry into this terrible incident by Lady Elish Angiolini was published. She believes there could be more victims and that Couzens should never have been recruited into the force. She said: Without a significant overhaul, there is nothing to stop another Couzens operating in plain sight. Yet he is not a one-off. Last year Met policeman David Carrick was jailed for life after pleading guilty to no fewer than 85 serious offences, including 48 rapes, and South Wales police officer Lewis Edwards received the same life term for grooming more than 200 young girls online. Perhaps I am being oversensitive, but Im genuinely upset at the tone deafness of this storyline in The Archers. I know these episodes are recorded well in advance and the timings or mistimings of real versus fictional events cant be foreseen. But the furore over Harrisons misdemeanour is at such odds with reality that it grates. Yes, he has previous form in letting information slip, but these past few days I couldnt help yelling aloud in frustration: How dare you claim its a serious matter? There are genuine bad apples that need removing - and a recruitment and retention crisis going on - but you want to throw the book at Ambridges finest? Yes, I do concede that if I were an officer in this particular cop show Id be taken off the case for becoming too emotionally involved, but Im only cross because I care. About verisimilitude of The Archers, but, more pressingly, about the horrifying vagaries of real life far beyond the boundaries of Borsetshire. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The loss of Arctic sea ice has long been a graphic measure of human-caused climate change, with wrenching images of suffering polar bears illustrating a worsening planetary crisis. Now, new research has found that Arctic Ocean sea ice is shrinking even faster than previously thought and that the Arctic may start to see its first "ice-free" days within the current decade. That troubling milestone could occur before the end of the decade or sometime in the 2030s as many as 10 years earlier than previous projections, according to a study published Tuesday in the journal Nature Reviews Earth and Environment. The study defines "ice-free" as when the Arctic Ocean has less than 1 million square kilometers, or 386,000 square miles, of ice. "It's no longer a remote possibility that might happen at some point," said Alexandra Jahn, the study's lead author and an associate professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. "Unfortunately, it basically occurs under all the emission scenarios in our climate models, so it seems like it's going to happen, and so we need to be ready for that." By midcentury 2035 to 2067 the Arctic could see consistent ice-free conditions in September, the month when sea ice concentrations are typically at their minimum, the study found. The precise timing of such losses depends on how soon humanity is able to reduce fossil fuel emissions that are contributing to global warming. Under a high-emission scenario in which fossil fuel use continues unabated, the Arctic would be ice-free between the months of May and January by 2100, the study says. Even under a low-emission scenario, the Arctic would still be ice-free between August and October by that same year. A droplet of water falls from an iceberg at the COP26 U.N. Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021. The four-ton block of ice, originally part of a larger glacier, was brought from Greenland to Glasgow by climate scientists as a statement to world leaders of the scale of the climate crisis and a visible reminder of what Arctic warming means for the planet. (Alastair Grant / Associated Press) Climate models dating to the 1970s have long predicted the possibility of reaching ice-free summer conditions in the Arctic under sufficient warming, but the latest research has helped nail down just how quickly it may happen, Jahn said. The consequences of such a change are not yet fully understood, but considerable effects on ecological systems, wildlife and local and global climates are likely. "The more emissions the world puts into the atmosphere, the more months we could see an ice-free Arctic," Jahn said. She added that even in a reduced emissions scenario, "children born today will see ice-free conditions at least in September, and every couple of years in October and August." Read more: Scientists warn that a crucial ocean current could collapse, altering global weather The study paints a vivid picture of a changing planet where the formerly "white Arctic" defined by its ice is transformed into a "blue Arctic" characterized by open water. Yet the decline of Arctic sea ice has been well documented since at least 1979, when continuous satellite observations began. Since then, there has been a roughly 40% loss in surface area and a 50% loss in thickness, according to Walter Meier, a senior researcher with the National Snow and Ice Data Center, who was not involved with the study. Meier said the study's assessments are plausible, although the most urgent finding involving an ice-free day within the decade "may be a little aggressive." Still, he said, "given the emission scenarios that we're following, it's really a matter of when, not if, we'll get ice-free conditions." Indeed, the study comes as the planet continues to experience unprecedented heating driven by climate change and this year's El Nino, with January becoming the eighth month in a row to experience record warmth, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. February data were not yet available, although early findings point to continued heating, including the warmest meteorological winter in the United States. The global surface temperature in January was 2.29 degrees above the 20th century average of 54 degrees, NOAA found. Global sea ice extent was the seventh-smallest in the 46-year record at 6.90 million square miles, or 440,000 square miles below the 1991-2020 average, for the winter month. Jahn said some research has found there is still a 10% to 20% possibility of avoiding an ice-free Arctic altogether if the global temperature stays below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming on a 20- to 30-year mean. The 1.5-degree benchmark is an internationally agree-upon threshold for reducing the worst effects of climate change. "If we were to stop all emissions tomorrow which physically isn't possible, but if we could then we could still avoid it," Jahn said. "It's not a guarantee, but there's a possibility." But even that possibility appears to be slipping away. In January, the global average temperature measured 1.66 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial reference period, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Read more: The planet is dangerously close to this climate threshold. Here's what 1.5C really means The implications of an ice-free Arctic Ocean which spans an area roughly equivalent to the size of the lower 48 United States are worrisome. According to the study, the loss of sea ice would contribute to increased wave heights, and greater coastal erosion in the region, among other things. It would also threaten the survival of ice-dependent animals such as polar bears and seals, and trigger the migration of some fish and other species. "There's going to be a big shift in what kind of species we see where, and which ones end up being the dominant ones and surviving," Jahn said. The outlook for polar bears is especially grim because they primarily hunt on sea ice, and "if there is an open-ocean season for several months of the year, then polar bears just can't survive anymore." The sun sets on a large Iceberg near Kulusuk, Greenland, in August 2019. (Felipe Dana / Associated Press) For better or worse, the loss would also increase economic activity in the Arctic by opening up more shipping routes and areas for resource exploration, the study says. Other potential outcomes include reductions in albedo or the amount of light reflected by the ice which would accelerate human-caused warming by creating an amplifying feedback loop. More controversial research argues that a decrease in Arctic sea ice could affect the jet stream and its associated weather patterns, and even lead to more favorable fire conditions in the western U.S. Many changes are already underway, said Meier of the NSIDC. "It's not like flipping a switch where it's one type of Arctic Ocean environment, and then it's ice-free and suddenly it's something else," he said. "We've already seen a lot of changes in the Arctic Ocean and the region around it." Read more: Spring snowpack has shrunk significantly over the last 40 years due to warming It also would not be the first time the Arctic has been ice-free, geologically speaking. Evidence shows the Arctic was ice-free between 80,000 and 150,000 years ago, and possibly after the last Ice Age 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. "If we're not in uncharted territory, we're getting toward uncharted territory and we're certainly in uncharted territory in the history of human civilization," Meier said. "We're seeing something that is quite extraordinary and is a really important climate signal, and pretty iconic." The good news is that the potential loss of Arctic sea ice is not irreversible, Jahn said. Sea ice comes back every winter and may be able to revert to its previous conditions in as quickly as seven years. That's a key difference between sea ice and ice on land, such as glaciers or ice sheets in Greenland, which take thousands of years to grow. Still, the very likely possibility of an ice-free Arctic within the coming decades is an important reminder that humanity should strive to reduce emissions and keep warming below the limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius, she said. "While everybody can reduce their individual carbon footprint and that can have positive impacts we really need the big policy decisions to reduce emissions globally to make an impact," Jahn said. How quickly those decisions are made and implemented can mean the difference between limited future losses, or five or more months of guaranteed ice-free conditions, she added. "These are really completely different potential Arctics that we're looking at by the end of the century," she said. "And it's really in our hands to try and go for the least bad option." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEW YORK The suspect in a recent grisly SoHo murder will not be extradited to New York until hes been tried and sentenced for other alleged crimes in Arizona a lengthy process that could take over a year a local court official ruled Monday. That means a Queens mom and sex worker will be the last of Raad Almansooris alleged victims to get justice. The local charges by law have to be resolved before anything can happen with your New York case, local Arizona Commissioner Barbara Spencer said in Superior Court in Maricopa County. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, Almansoori, 26, agreed to go forward with an extradition process in which hell wait for Arizonas governor to issue an extradition warrant after his trial for two stabbing incidents hes accused of in Arizona. Its just going to trail behind your local charges, so until those are resolved, nothing can happen on the fugitive case, Spencer said. Almansoori allegedly bludgeoned and strangled Denisse Oleas-Arancibia of Queens to death last month, afterwards traveling to Arizona, where hes accused of stabbing two women. Upon being arrested there, the man allegedly told authorities to google the SoHo hotel as the NYPD hunted for Oleas-Arancibias killer. But then grandstanding Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell refused to send him to the Big Apple, saying she didnt trust Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to handle the case. Having observed the treatment of violent criminals in the New York area by the Manhattan DA there, Alvin Bragg, its safer to keep him here and keep him in custody so he cant be out doing this to individuals either in our state or county or the United States, said the Republican Arizona prosecutor, who is up for reelection. Bragg, a Democrat, fired back, accusing Mitchell of playing political games. His office did not immediately comment on Mondays ruling. Oleas-Arancibias body was found in a room at the SoHo 54 hotel on Feb. 8, with a bloody iron next to her and bits of plastic embedded in her head. Almansoori flew to Arizona shortly after the killing, where, weeks later, he was arrested as a suspect in the attempted murders of two Arizona women. While in custody there, he confessed to murdering Oleas-Arancibia, 38, and described the killing in graphic detail. After hed already fled, NYPD detectives identified him as a suspect from matching up his credit card number from a Burger King receipt found in bloody pants he left in the hotel room where Oleas-Arancibias body was found. Not a single woman on this planet likes me so I was very upset, Oleas-Arancibia allegedly told police when he was arrested. Almansoori was indicted by a grand jury last week in Arizona and is being held without bond on the charges in the state. Hes suspected of stabbing an 18-year-old victim multiple times in the neck after following her into a Surprise, Arizona, McDonalds bathroom and crawling under a stall. Almansoori is also accused of stabbing a 22-year-old woman in Phoenix in her car. He allegedly had planned to kill his father and stepmother and burn down their house, an Arizona police detective testified last week. _____ Arizona governor vetoes 'Alien Invasion Act' that would allow police to arrest illegal border crossers Democrat Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a Republican-sponsored bill that would have authorized police to arrest illegal immigrants, saying the legislation was anti-immigrant and likely unconstitutional. The veto was criticized by Republicans who say the bill would have helped curb a plethora of crimes linked to illegal immigration in the Grand Canyon State. The bill, called the Arizona Border Invasion Act, would have made it a misdemeanor crime for anyone to illegally cross the border at any location other than a lawful port of entry. It would also have made it a felony for illegal migrants who cross the border after being deported, as well as those who have been ordered to leave the state but refused to comply. Local, county and state law enforcement officers would have been granted authority to arrest such individuals. TEXAS TO APPEAL RULING TO BLOCK LAW ALLOWING POLICE TO ARREST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, ABBOTT SAYS Democrat Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a Republican-sponsored bill that would have authorized police to arrest illegal immigrants, saying the legislation was anti-immigrant and likely unconstitutional. "Anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state," Hobbs said in a video posted to X before she vetoed the bill. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP With narrow majorities in the state's House and Senate, it's unlikely Republicans would be able to get Democrat support for a veto override, which normally requires a two-thirds vote. "This bill does not secure our border. On the contrary, it will be harmful for businesses and communities in our state and a burden for law enforcement personnel," said Hobbs, although she did not say how the bill would have harmed businesses and communities. "I know theres frustration about the federal governments failure to secure our border, but this bill is not the solution." Hobbs also said the bill would have potentially violated the U.S. Constitution, arguing that the federal government has the exclusive power to arrest and deport immigrants. Therefore, Hobbs said her veto would avoid a long and costly litigation effort involving the state. The move was slammed by Arizona Republicans, who said the border crisis has led to an abundance of criminal activity in the state's communities. The bill was passed without any Democrat support. A migrant is lowered over a border wall in Naco, Arizona, in exclusive Fox News video. ARIZONA GOV KATIE HOBBS VETOES A BILL BANNING FOOD TAX "From human smuggling to child sex trafficking, rapes, murders, drug trafficking, fentanyl overdoses, high-speed chases, subsequent deadly crashes, and other atrocities, local law enforcement personnel have reached their breaking point trying to protect the lives of our citizens from this invasion," the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement. "The heart-wrenching February 22 murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley happened at the hands of a criminal who entered our country illegally. Arizona families are being torn apart by similar devastation," said state Sen. Janae Shamp, who sponsored the bill. "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. Arizonans want and deserve safe communities." Hobbs veto was her first of the 2024 legislative session following a record-breaking 143 issued last year, thumping former Gov. Janet Napolitano's single-year veto record of 58 in 2005. Hobbs took office in January 2023 after winning the gubernatorial election against Kari Lake, who never conceded her more than 17,000-vote defeat and repeatedly and unsuccessfully challenged the results in court. Migrants are seen camped out near Lukeville, Arizona, in December. The Arizona Border Invasion Act mirrors Texas Senate Bill 4, which was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in December, making illegal immigration a state crime. SB 4 gives Texas authorities the ability to arrest anyone they believe has crossed into the U.S. illegally. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of enforcement of the law. Nearly 7.3 million migrants have illegally crossed the southwest border on President Biden's watch, a number greater than the population of 36 individual states, a Fox News analysis has found. Original article source: Arizona governor vetoes 'Alien Invasion Act' that would allow police to arrest illegal border crossers An Arizona man serving a 30-year sentence for shooting at motorists on a freeway in 2016 has died in prison, authorities said Sunday. James Walker, 44, was found dead in his prison cell at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Tucson, Fox Phoenix reported. Walker was serving his sentence for aggravated assault, armed robbery and drug violations. ARIZONA MOTHER YELLED I AM GOING TO KILL YOU AS SHE DROVE THROUGH PARK HITTING A CHILD: POLICE James Walker, 44, was found dead in a prison jail cell where he was serving a 30-year sentence for shooting at cars on an Arizona freeway. "Prison staff discovered Walker unresponsive in his housing unit on March 02, 2024, and conducted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived onsite," the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry said in a statement. "Responding paramedics in consultation with medical staff pronounced Walker deceased." Walker appeared to have taken his own life, authorities said. He was convicted of shooting at several vehicles on State Route 87 in May 2016. No one was killed but two people were injured and several vehicles were damaged. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Walker's death will be investigated by the medical examiner's office. Walker had previously been convicted of second-degree murder in a 1995 Halloween night shooting, when he was 16. He was released from prison in 2011 on supervised release, which ended in 2014, AZ Central reported. Fox News Digital has reached out to corrections officials. Original article source: Arizona man serving 30 years for highway shooting found dead in prison cell Arizona firefighters recently saved the life of a woman who fell down a dry well over the weekend. The woman, whose identity has not been released, fell down a well that was surrounded by a chain-link fence on Sunday night, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. The structure is located in an open field in Chandler. The victim was on the property with another person, who stayed with her after she fell. The circumstances of the incident are still unknown. "Were not sure why, but she decided to stay in the hole and call us this morning," Chandler Fire Department Chief Carlos Vargas said. "Really didnt give us many details on how the incident occurred." 'APPARENT ASSAULT AND ABDUCTION' CAUGHT ON CAMERA AT ARIZONA GAS STATION: POLICE The woman fell down a well that was surrounded by a chain-link fence, authorities say. The woman sustained hip and leg injuries. After an hour and a half of working with the authorities, she was rescued on Monday morning and taken to a hospital. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Vargas told FOX 7 that the woman luckily never lost consciousness. KILLER OF TUCSON GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED IN 2012 FINALLY FOUND, BUT HE IS ALREADY SERVING LIFE SENTENCE The woman sustained hip and leg injuries. "[She was] able to talk us through the whole operation and that's when we upgraded the call to a technical rescue incident and put a plan together to make the rescue," Vargas explained. Authorities also told FOX 7 that there was no fault on part of the construction company that tried protecting the well. The fire department chief said that the woman "decided to stay in the hole" before calling for help the next morning. Fox News Digital reached out to Chandler Fire Department and Chandler Police Department for more information. Original article source: Arizona woman falls down dry well, spends hours underground before being rescued Ukrainian defenders destroyed Sergei Kotov patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The enemy vessel was attacked by naval drones, and it is impossible to restore it. ADVERTISIMENT The operation to defeat the Russian fleet was carried out by reconnaissance soldiers on the night of March 5. This information was first confirmed to OBOZ.UA by sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate, and later the agency provided details of the brilliant operation and showed the effect of the footage. "The explosion was so strong that the ship was destroyed and there is no question of restoring it," the sources said. According to them, the fate of the crew of this Vasily Bykov-class 22160 project is being clarified. It is noteworthy that the vessel has been under attack several times, and each time the occupiers have repaired it. This time, however, the Sergei Kotov eventually sank. ADVERTISIMENT The invaders themselves shared a video of the moment the ship was hit. Before that, the Russian military tried to destroy the target, which was moving toward the ship, but to no avail. The DIU clarified that this mission was carried out on the night of March 4-5, 2024, by the Group 13 special unit in cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. As a result of the strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Sergei Kotov sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides. The attack took place in the territorial waters of Ukraine near the Kerch Strait. The cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million. ADVERTISIMENT On March 5, the occupiers in Crimea complained of a "massive Ukrainian attack" during which UAVs tried to hit ground targets, maritime drones tried to hit Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, and the Crimean bridge was also under threat of attack. The "military authorities" pointed to loud sounds in the area of Feodosiia, where the Sergei Kotov was stationed, and then confirmed its destruction. A conversation of the Russian commander of the 184th Brigade of ships protecting the water area near Novorossiysk was leaked online. The interception shows him shouting that the ship was sunk by "five unmanned boats". It is known that the AK-176 artillery system exploded on board as a result of the ship being hit from both sides. In addition to the ship itself, an onboard Ka-29 helicopter was also destroyed. ADVERTISIMENT The representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Andrii Yusov, pointed out that the brilliant operation not only destroyed the Sergei Kotov ship but also led to the loss of Russian sailors as there are dead and wounded. Although part of the crew managed to evacuate (exact information is being clarified), at least 10 ambulances were called to the land area. "In addition to the patrol boat, the enemy also had plans to deploy anti-aircraft missile systems on the ship itself, and there have been such attempts," he explained. ADVERTISIMENT The Ukrainian Navy added that this is not the first time that Ukrainian defenders have attacked this ship. In September 2023, during an attack on Russian Navy vessels, the Sergei Kotov was already heavily damaged. "In Russia, this ship design is one of the most modern. So far, four of them have been launched: Vasily Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, and Sergei Kotov. So far, only the Dmitry Rogachev has not been damaged," the military said. He also added that there were killed and wounded. As reported, on the morning of February 14, fighters of the DIU and the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the large landing ship Caesar Kunikov of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. As a result of the attack by naval drones, the ship sustained holes and sank near Alupka on the southern coast of the temporarily occupied Crimea. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! FILE - Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks to the state Legislature as she delivers the State of the State address in Phoenix, Jan. 8, 2024. On Monday, March 4, Hobbs vetoed a bill approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature that would have made it a crime for noncitizens to enter the state through Mexico at a location other than a port entry. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) PHOENIX (AP) An Arizona bill that would have made it a crime for noncitizens to enter the state through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry has been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the measure late last month along party lines. Arizona has emerged as a popular illegal border crossing point, and the bill would have let local law enforcement arrest non-U.S. citizens who enter Arizona from anywhere but a lawful entrance point. A violation would be a top-tier misdemeanor or a low-level felony for a second offense. In a letter to Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen on Monday, Hobbs said the measure raised constitutional concerns and was expected to lead to costly litigation. 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. The move comes as Republicans in several states, most notably Texas, trumpet tough immigration policies in the lead-up to this years presidential election. The bills sponsor, Republican Sen. Janae Shamp, said in a statement that the veto is a prime example of the chaos Hobbs is unleashing in our state while perpetuating this open border crisis as Bidens accomplice." Federal law already prohibits the unauthorized entry of migrants into the United States. However, Republicans in Arizona and Texas say that the U.S. government is not doing enough and they need additional state powers. This isnt the first time Republican lawmakers in Arizona have tried to criminalize migrants who arent authorized to be in the country. When passing its landmark 2010 immigration bill, the Arizona Legislature considered expanding the states trespassing law to criminalize the presence of immigrants and imposed criminal penalties. But the trespassing language was removed and replaced with a requirement that officers, while enforcing other laws, question peoples immigration status if theyre believed to be in the country illegally. The questioning requirement was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court despite the racial profiling concerns of critics, but courts barred enforcement of other sections of the law. The law touched off a national furor with supporters calling for similar legislation for their own states and detractors calling for an economic boycott of Arizona. Several other Arizona immigration laws have been thrown out by courts over the years. Another proposal at the Legislature this year would bypass any possible veto by Hobbs by sending the measure straight to voters to decide as a ballot measure. The proposal would require municipalities and counties that receive state money for welfare programs to use a federal employment verification database to check whether recipients are in the U.S. legally and if so, the recipients are to be removed from the program. It also would make it a low-level felony for employers, who are already required by an earlier Arizona law to use the database when hiring new employees, to refuse to carry out their legal duty to use the database when they know an employee is not in the country legally. The proposal has already cleared the state House. The Arizona Senate hasnt yet taken any action on the proposal. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is leading 26 other attorneys general in protesting an Instagram policy the group says is exploiting children. The lawmakers are pushing back against parent-managed minor accounts on the platform. In a letter sent to parent company Meta, the attorneys general claimed these accounts are being used to provide pin-up style photos of children to viewers who were often overt about sexual interest in children. Little Rock FBI explains growing threat of financial sexual extortion cases among minors The attorneys general cited a Feb. 22 report by the Wall Street Journal that claimed the staff of Meta first raised alarms about these accounts only for the company not to act and instead promote subscriptions to this sort of content to likely pedophiles. The letter goes on to cite a New York Times report that men in online chatrooms frequently praised the advent of Instagram as a golden age for child exploitation. Michigan man found guilty of sexually exploiting a minor in Arkansas Griffin demanded Meta shut down parent-managed minor accounts right away. Meta has turned Instagram into a source for content that is banned even by [adult content provider] OnlyFans, Griffin said in the letter. It has refused to implement even the basic child-safety protections that its own employees recommended. The letter continued that the platform should immediately cease monetizing child exploitation and immediately prohibit child-modeling accounts altogether. Anything less endangers children, the letter concluded. Meta, TikTok and other social media CEOs testify in heated Senate hearing on child exploitation Joining Griffin in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Average gas prices in Arkansas have jumped more than a dime per gallon in the last week, according to a news release from GasBuddy. The average price for a gallon of gas in the Natural State is $2.97, as of March 4, 11 cents more than the previous week. The cheapest station in the state was priced at $2.50 per gallon on March 3 and the most expensive was $3.80. The national average jumped 10 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.34. Arkansas revenue remains above current year projections but below previous year Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said most states saw gas prices rise and that the trend of rising prices will continue since the nation has made the first step toward summer gasoline. The pinch at the pump has been manageable for now, with prices about 30 cents higher than mid-January, but that will likely change as we enter the madness we tend to see in March with refinery maintenance hitting its peak, impacting how much gasoline can be produced as we make the changeover to the summer blends. This always crimps supply, leading to further gas price increases, De Haan said. Little Rocks average price per gallon rose nearly six cents from last week at $2.90. Memphis and Shreveport also saw jumps in prices, according to GasBuddy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Tuesday that her office is investing over $42 million in state water projects, including the troubled Helena-West Helena system. A spokesperson for the governors office said the water and wastewater projects will impact over 22,000 Arkansans. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved the funding on Feb. 28. Residents of an east Arkansas town have been without water for the past two weeks Helena-West Helena water system has left residents without water twice since December. In both cases, aging pipes burst after temperatures dropped below freezing. A governors office spokesperson said loans have been approved for Helene-West Helena system repairs and potable water has been provided, as has National Guard assistance. Arkansas National Guard supplies water to Sparkman due to water main repairs The locations receiving funding are: Helena West-Helena, Phillips County, will receive an emergency $100,000 loan from the Water Development Fund and an $11,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 5,500. Mena, Polk County, will receive an $11,583,500 loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 5,558. Tri-County Regional Water Distribution District, Pope County, will receive a $5,000,000 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 3,500. Mountainburg, Crawford County, will receive a $7,037,300 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 6,184. Mulberry, Crawford County, will receive a $7,549,317 loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. The current customer base for this project is 1,543. Every Arkansan deserves access to safe and consistent running water, the governor said. My administration has prioritized improvements to Arkansas water infrastructure and today, Im proud to announce $42 million in much-needed assistance for communities that face critical issues with their existing water facilities. Arkansas to get $53,099,000 from Biden Administration to upgrade water system The governor had also called for a comprehensive analysis of the Arkansas State Water Plan in August. The plan was last updated in 2014. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Editor's note: The red fire retardant dropped from aircraft being used in Texas is an ammonia phosphate-based solution. The story has been revised below since its original publication; the Globe-News regrets the error. Sunday morning, the U.S. Army sent units 2-149 GSAB and 449 ASB from Grand Prairie to join the battle against the worst wildfire in Texas History. With relentless high winds blasting a wide area including Canadian, Borger, Stinnett and Fritch, all resources are working together to stop the raging fires engulfing this area. Commander Lee Stewart directed the attack Sunday evening before the sun went down, from the Signature Aviation airport, next to Rick Husband Air Terminal outside Amarillo. One of three Chinooks on base took off for an area outside Borger and averted the fire heading towards a nearby city. On board was Chief Warrant Officer Doug Phillips and Major Chad Dieter. One of the Chinooks being used, a Fox model, has one of the longest periods of service in the Army inventory, according to Cameron Ramirez, a Technical Inspector originally from Amarillo, who inspects all areas of the plane before takeoff. He said it was second to the Flying Fortress and can carry a lot of cargo, including Bandy buckets which are filled and then dropped over the site. Ramirez started as a Mechanic, then became a Crew Chief then advanced to Flight Engineer, then was promoted to Technical Inspector who inspects any maintenance done on the helicopter make sure its up to Army and Boeing standards. Ramirez is the son of Mary and Rufus Ramirez of Amarillo. He attended and graduating from Amarillo High School before joining the Army. Troy Lord, who has logged more hours on the Chinook than any other pilot, said the Bandy Buckets can hold up to 2,000 gallons of water and are extremely heavy. The Bandys are laid on the ground then hooked up to the center cargo hook and then we pick up, it hangs 100 feet under the aircraft. He said that the airframe structure is the same of the ones that were used in Vietnam, just updated inside with state-of-art equipment. Nothing can replace the aircraft according to the pilots that fly them. The massive helicopter gets ready to take off from Signature Airport to fight raging fires around Borger, Canadian and Stinnett The huge bucket hangs under the plane and is dropped into water to fill and then transported to the fire site where it is opened and dumped on fire. The choppers can travel at around 160 miles per hour and travel where the terrain is unforgiving for ground attack. They are compact but can also carry an ATV or Humvee inside, though it is tight. Aircraft is utilized for firefighting and other natural disasters across the country. They stay on alert for any type of disaster including flooding, earthquakes, fires and other problem areas. They are such an asset to the state, they do it full time for the public, even though they are Army Reserves. Ramirez said they got back from the Middle East a year ago and awaited orders from the Governor of Texas to be activated. They also go to HATS, High Altitude Training, in Colorado. Also joining the effort is Texas Task Force One using a Black Hawk as a rescue ship for stranded victims or firemen needing medical attention. According to Matt Geller, with the task force, they can quickly extract a wounded firefighter, civilian or animal and take them quickly to a medical facility, treating them on the way. They are similar to medics in combat and carry med kits and rescue baskets as well as other harnesses for different types of rescues. There are also larger planes being used which can swoop down on a lake, pick up water, and travel to the site and dump water containing a fire retardant to slow down the fire. According to Commander Lee Stewart, the retardant doesnt stop the fire totally but makes it more manageable for ground crews. The retardant is red, so they can see where it is and reactive it with water. They still carry maps with them as backup, but normally rely on computer-assisted radar and a special mapping program designated for their use. The crew is normally stationed for 14 days, but depending on weather and fire, they can be in Amarillo longer, with new crews coming in. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Army joins battle against wildfires in West Texas Panhandle The Army's website said the princess would review troops ahead of the military event on 8 June The Army has removed a claim made on its website that the Princess of Wales would be appearing at Trooping the Colour in June. The claim had caused confusion after Kensington Palace said it had not confirmed her appearance. Tickets were being sold on the site for the military spectacle with a picture of Catherine, and a line saying she would be reviewing troops on 8 June. But the Army did not seek approval from the palace before publishing the page. The attendance of senior royals at events is generally confirmed closer to the time of the event. The BBC understands that the Army published details for the event based on the princess's role as Colonel of the Irish Guards - the regiment trooping its colour this year. But it is for Kensington Palace alone to confirm details of the princess's engagements, which were recently suspended after she underwent abdominal surgery for an unspecified condition in January. Kensington Palace has said the princess is doing well but is not due to return to public duties before Easter. The website also said King Charles III would be reviewing the troops in the final parade on 15 June. His attendance has also not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace, but this section of the Army website will not be altered. The King has suspended public engagements after beginning treatment for cancer. Buckingham Palace has not previously indicated when he is due to return to full public duties, but it has said he is continuing with some official work. It will confirm whether the King will be able to attend Trooping the Colour, the military parade held to mark his official birthday, nearer the time. The palaces both say they are not in a position to confirm their attendance at any event, due to the recovery of the princess and treatment of the King. Two people have been reportedly arrested in connection to the grisly discoveries of two dismembered bodies found in New Yorks Long Island last week, while more body parts belonging to the victims were discovered Tuesday. Fox 5 New York and the New York Post, citing police sources, are reporting that two people were cuffed last night, days after various body parts including two severed heads were found near the popular Southards Pond Park in Babylon over the last few days. The first discovery was made on Thursday by a girl on her way to school. The arrests were made at a house on Railroad Avenue in Amityville, New York on Monday and police were still searching the property Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement sources told The Post. Suffolk County Police K9 units search Southards Pond Park on on Mar. 1, 2024 in Babylon, New York where human remains had been discovered. WOMAN'S SEVERED HEAD FOUND NEAR NY PARK DURING SEARCH AFTER MAN'S DISMEMBERED BODY PARTS DISCOVERED The identities of the suspects and respective charges have not been released. A Suffolk County Police Department spokesperson would not confirm the arrests to Fox News Digital but said that a search warrant was carried out at 25 Railroad Ave. in Amityville yesterday. No human remains were located during the search of the property. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP However, the police department tells Fox News Digital that more human remains were found on Tuesday. Body parts were located in a wooded area across from 103 Lakeway Drive in West Babylon, while remains were also discovered at Bethpage State Park. The remains located in both West Babylon and Bethpage are believed to belong to the same victims from the Feb. 29 discovery, police say. The female victim is understood to be 59 years old and her name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The male has been tentatively identified as being 53 years old at the time of his death, police say. Several body parts were discovered in Long Island, New York on Thursday. 31 'BLOODS'-LINKED GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR SHOOTINGS, MURDER OF SCHOOLTEACHER IN NY Their last known address was the same location in Yonkers, in New York, however, police say its unclear when they last resided there. Police say the incidents are isolated and do not pose a threat to the public. A resident told the Post she saw police bursting through the door of the Amityville home at about 10:30 p.m. last night. "They had bashed in the door, and there were a bunch of people standing inside the house, cops talking to my neighbors. They had already taken some people away," she said. The woman said she didnt know much about the neighbors in question, except that they are renters who work nights and brought a number of occupants with them. The series of gruesome discoveries began Thursday morning when a young girl on her way to school came across a severed arm on the side of a road on the east side of Southards Pond Park on Thursday morning. It led to a police search where more body parts were found, including a right arm and a leg belonging to the male. A woman's severed head, leg and arm were found by police in New York late Thursday while the New York Post reports that the mans severed head was found. Police did not say what body parts were found today. Meanwhile, 31 members and associates of a subset of the notorious Bloods street gang were charged last month in a 103-count indictment for terrorizing residents of Long Island, with robberies and shootings, including the death of a schoolteacher who was shot when her car was mistaken for a rival gang members. However, it is unclear if Thursdays discovery is linked to gang violence in the area. Original article source: Arrests made, more body parts discovered in New York horror case FORT FISHER, N.C. (WNCN) Anyone with a few minutes to spare on Tuesday can say they attended an elderly otters birthday party. Asta, a well-loved and uniquely talented Asian small-clawed otter, is having a party thrown in her honor both virtually and in person at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The party will be streamed on the aquariums Facebook page from 11-11:25 a.m. or those with tickets can take part at the aquariums Otters on the Edge display. Community names NC Aquarium skinks, Bluey and Tili The party will include a three-tier frozen cake complete with some of her favorite treats. There will also be some new shells and rocks which she is known to juggle yes, juggle. If you come to the aquarium and see a small otter with a little grey smudge under her right nostril, juggling and rolling a small rock, shell, or both at once between her forepaws with amazing dexterity, thats our Asta, the aquarium said in a press release. Asta, the oldest Asian small-clawed otter at the North Carolina Aquarium is set to enjoy some fishy treats on Tuesday, March 5 in honor of her Sweet 16. (Courtesy NC Aquarium) Asta is known for her skills as well as her resilience. Shes had several medical procedures, including most recently a hysterectomy at age 15 to remove a worrisome mass and a double tooth extraction procedure at age 14. At her Sweet 16, there will be time for a conversation with lead otter keeper Shannon Anderson who will provide a unique perspective on what it is like to care for a special otter like Asta, even as she ages. Not only accompanied at the aquarium by more of her species, Asta is also in the company of her son, Ray, who she is known to keep a pretty close eye on. Together, the mother-son duo enjoy peeling and snacking on hard-boiled eggs. Ray and Asta rest on a rock side-by-side. (Courtesy NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher) Astas species is known as the smallest otter species on the planet and is native to Indonesia, southern China, southern India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. The Asian small-clawed otter is listed as vulnerable on a international list of endangered species and has an average life expectancy of 12 years when in human care. Then again, there are several who defy the odds, like Asta. Some have been known to even live beyond 20 years old, according to the Smithsonian Institute. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal, and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tickets for range from free to $12.95 based on age. For more information and a facility map, visit the aquariums ticketing site. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com. Those planning to vote on the major presidential primary election day, known as Super Tuesday, are likely heading to their local schools, churches and rec centers to cast their ballots. But for those living 250 miles above the Earth, it won't be feasible to get to their nearest polling place. Astronauts with missions aboard the International Space Station are generally gone for about six months or for one year in the unplanned case of Frank Rubio. Being away from Earth for such a lengthy time means astronauts are at risk of missing some pretty monumental elections. Thankfully, NASA has had measures in place since the late 1990s to ensure those intrepid spacefarers can still participate in democracy. Four more astronauts joined the seven people aboard the International Space Station early Tuesday morning. Those 11 will be aboard the space station for a short time until four of the earlier crew members return to Earth in a couple of days. NASA Crew-8: Meet the 4 new astronauts at the International Space Station The hatches are open and the @SpaceX #Crew8 foursome has entered the station joining the Exp 70 crew and beginning a six-month space research mission. https://t.co/Nkm4k20sSf International Space Station (@Space_Station) March 5, 2024 Americans aboard the space station could conceivably want to vote in this year's elections. Here's how they do it, and how it was made possible. First astronaut votes from space in 1997 Before the era of the space station, American astronauts weren't away from Earth long enough to lose out on exercising their civic duty. That changed in 1996 when astronaut John Blaha couldn't vote in that year's presidential race between President Bill Clinton and Bob Dole, NPR reported in 2020. At the time, Blaha was serving on Russia's Mir Space Station, a predecessor to the International Space Station. Because most NASA astronauts live in Houston, Texas lawmakers who heard of Blaha's inability to case a ballot were quick to take action. A year later in 1997, then-Gov. George W. Bush signed the legislature's bill into law, creating a measure within the Texas Administrative Code allowing for early voting from space, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum explained in 2020. Astronaut David Wolf, the first American to vote in space, gestures as he answers a question during a televised Oct. 16, 1997 interview from the Mir space station. That same year, astronaut David Wolf became the first American to cast a ballot from the old Mir space station or "vote while you float," as NASA joked. It's something that, you know, you might or might not expect it to mean a great deal," Wolf told NPR in 2008. "But when you're so removed from your planet, small things do have a large impact." Who else has voted from space? The Roscosmos segment of the International Space Station is pictured this year as the orbital outpost soared 261 miles above the north Atlantic Ocean. The process hasnt changed much in the years since. Mir was decommissioned and de-orbited in 2001 to make way for the International Space Station, which now serves as the polling place for astronauts (they even list their addresses as "low-Earth orbit," according to the Smithsonian.) Since Wolf pioneered voting from space, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins has also cast a ballot from orbit twice, in fact. Rubins first voted in the 2016 presidential election from the International Space Station, and next cast her cosmic ballot again in 2020, according to NASA. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins points to the International Space Stations voting booth where she cast her vote from space in 2020. That was Rubins second time to vote from low-Earth orbit, having cast her first vote from space in 2016. How do astronauts cast a ballot on the space station? For astronauts, the voting process starts a year before launch when they are able to select among the local, state and federal elections in which they'd like to participate. Six months before the election, astronauts are provided with a standard form not unlike absentee ballots that many Americans use to cast their votes. Once the forms are uplinked to NASAs Johnson Space Center Mission Control, astronauts use unique credentials to access the ballot, cast their votes and downlink them back to Earth the relevant county clerk's office to be counted, the U.S. space agency explained. The ballot is encrypted and only accessible by the astronaut and the clerk to preserve the votes integrity. The astronauts may not get the coveted "I Voted" sticker, but they can claim something a heck of a lot cooler: Voting in zero gravity sure beats voting from the local community center. Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Tuesday: How astronauts vote from International Space Station ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 29: A general view of the 2023 Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park on May 29, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) ATLANTA - Clear your calendar! One of the largest free jazz festivals in the U.S. is returning to Piedmont Park over Memorial Day Weekend. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from May 25 until May 27. You'll hear from legendary artists like Andre 3000 and amazing bands like Butcher Brown. "We have a fabulous lineup of musicians performing at the 47th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival on Memorial Day Weekend," said Camille Russell Love, the executive director of the City of Atlanta in Mayor Andre Dickens' Office of Cultural Affairs. "We invite you to experience an eclectic mix of jazz by National artists on Saturday, explore the global sounds of some of the worlds best International artists on Sunday, and discover the latest music from notable Atlanta musicians on Monday." PHOTOS: ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2023 TAKES OVER PIEDMONT PARK You won't need a babysitter. Organizers said a KidZone will be set up at the park to keep the little ones busy while you enjoy the music. There will also be a variety of food, art and clothing vendors. There are, however, a few housekeeping rules to keep in mind. Pets, grills, tents and glass bottles or containers will not be allowed in the park. There will also be no street parking available, so either plan ahead to pay in a parking lot, ride a bike or take public transportation. Ticket information for special events is available here. On the night of March 5, the Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov was sunk in the temporarily occupied Crimea. This vessel joined the Russian Black Sea Fleet only in 2022. ADVERTISIMENT Moreover, the Ukrainian Defense Forces had been hunting for this warship for quite some time, and this was not the first attempt to sink the vessel. OBOZ.UA will tell you more about the patrol ship "Sergei Kotov". According to the DIU, the attack on the patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet "Sergei Kotov" was carried out by a special unit called "Group 13". This operation took place within the framework of cooperation between the DIU and the Ukrainian Navy with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. As a result of the attack by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian Project 22160 ship "Sergei Kotov" sustained damage to the stern, starboard, and port sides. The attack took place in Ukraine's territorial waters, near the Kerch Strait. The value of the sunken ship is approximately $65 million. Approximately 80 people could have been on board. The attack resulted in deaths and injuries. Part of the crew was able to evacuate, so the exact information is being clarified. According to the GUR, the occupants called at least 10 ambulances to the land territory. ADVERTISIMENT What is known about the ship? "Sergei Kotov" is the newest patrol ship of the 22160 project of a series of 4 patrol boats. It was launched at the Zatoka shipyard in January 2021. Sea trials began at the end of October 2021, and only on July 30, 2022, the ship joined the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This ship is equipped with a variety of weapons, including the AK-176MA artillery system, the Shtil-1 anti-aircraft missile system, the 3M-47 Gibka short-range air defense system, and the DP-65 anti-subversive grenade launcher. In addition, this frigate can carry a Ka-27PS helicopter. ADVERTISIMENT The Ukrainian defense forces have been hunting for this patrol ship for a long time. Officially, there have been at least three attacks on it by naval drones. In particular, in July, August, and September 2023. In September last year, during an attack on Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, the Sergei Kotov was already seriously damaged. In Russia, this type of ship is considered one of the most modern. At the moment, four such ships have been launched: Vasily Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, and Sergei Kotov. So far, only the Dmitry Rogachev has not been damaged. Specifications: Speed: 30 knots Sailing range: 6 thousand miles at 16 knots ADVERTISIMENT Autonomy: 60 days Crew: up to 80 people Displacement: 1300 tons Length: 94 meters Beam: 14 meters Draft: 3.4 meters Power plant: two marine diesel engines with a total capacity of 34,000 hp. Earlier, the moment when a Russian ship was hit in Crimea was posted online. Eyewitnesses filmed the moment when a large explosion occurred near the enemy ship. Intense shooting, probably from a large-caliber machine gun, is also heard on the recording. According to preliminary data, the Russian invaders were trying to destroy the naval drones that attacked the ship. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! DENVER (KDVR) An Aurora teacher went from seemingly perfect health to multiple strokes within a week of each other. David Justus, 55, moved to Colorado at the age 24 to attend Adams State University in Alamosa. Since then, hes spent much of his time in the mountains. From biking up Mount Blue Sky to rock climbing to white water kayaking, Justus did almost every activity imaginable including the Ironman six times and Colorados Triple Bypass three times. The activities didnt stop once he turned 50. Just last summer, he raced in Steamboat and climbed 13ers and 14ers. 5 urban legends that still live in Colorado By all accounts, he was in perfect health that is until he suffered from three strokes in the span of five days. The signs were there. It started with fatigue, bad vision and poor balance. At one point, Justus almost fell when he was teaching a class. But he didnt go to the hospital until February when he fainted and woke up on the floor. Its this back and forth very quickly in front of your eyes, it starts like that, gets faster and then it combines with over your front to back, head over heels said Justus. And thats when I just went down and I was down and I dont know how long I was out. It felt like an eternity, but it was only a few seconds. Before I could call my wife, I couldnt get off the floor. At the time, the doctors didnt know exactly what happened. He was put on medication for a cardiac stroke. What the doctors didnt know at the time was his stroke wasnt because of his heart. After he went home, he suffered from a minor stroke and another major stroke in the span of five days. The 14th, it was the worst Valentines Day my wife and I ever had in our 25 years of marriage. So that one was in the evening and she watched me collapse. Thats pretty tough, said Justus. Douglas County traffic stop leads to discovery of hand grenade After another hospital visit and six days of observation, doctors discovered Justus suffered from a cervical artery dissection, which occurs in the vertebral artery from a neck injury. Doctors say these types of strokes are generally caused by car accident whiplash, aggressive chiropractic neck adjustments, self-adjustments or other related neck injuries, according to Justus blog post about the incident. While Justus said he didnt remember one specific injury that caused it, he thinks it came from prolonged injuries that never healed and through chiropractors and training. Now, Justus has a six-month recovery ahead of him. In the future, Justus wants to return to the education system and use his doctorate in education. I love teaching. I love working with kids, especially that 60% who need somebody who can relate to them, and push them and get them into the basic ideas of learning, how to learn. And you know that they can be very successful on their own. They could do anything they want if they put their mind to it, said Justus. From trekking up mountains one day to being out of breath taking out the trash the next, Justus wants to raise awareness for non-cardiac strokes. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox In his blog, he mentioned he wanted to raise awareness for active people who are at risk for these types of strokes, especially those who have repeated injuries to their heads and necks. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. [Source] Authorities in Austin, Texas, have stated that they still consider the death of U.S.-based shipping company Foremost Group CEO Angela Chao to be an unfortunate accident, despite a major news outlet reporting that the Blanco County Sheriff's Office has initiated a criminal investigation into the case. Latest development: Blanco County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Robert Woodring informed the Austin American-Statesman that the investigation into Chaos death has not changed at all, adding, It's always been an unfortunate accident. We have not seen a single thing that would make us believe otherwise. Woodring declined to provide any further information about Chaos case. What happened: Chao, 50, died when her car submerged in a pond on a private ranch in Johnson City, located approximately 40 miles (64.37 kilometers) from Austin, on Feb. 11, the Austin American-Statesman previously reported, citing the emergency responders report. Foremost Group announced her sudden death in a press release, describing the event as a tragic car accident. The report noted that public records purportedly showed the property is owned by a corporate entity with the same Chicago address as the investment and equity firm owned by Chaos husband, Jim Breyer. Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure The investigation: While details of Chaos death remain unclear, MSNBC quoted an alleged letter purportedly sent by the Blanco County Sheriff's Office to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday, stating that the incident was not a typical accident. Although the preliminary investigation indicated this was an unfortunate accident, the Sheriff's Office is still investigating this accident as a criminal matter until they have sufficient evidence to rule out criminal activity, the letter allegedly read. A Blanco County Sheriff's public information officer also told Paxton not to release any information to media outlets, such as 911 logs, audio and video evidence, while authorities are still investigating the case. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children What theyre saying: In a statement, Blanco County spokesperson Kimberly Ashby attributed the media's report of the countys letter to the attorney general as a misinterpretation of a sentence, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will unveil longer business visas and a A$2 billion ($1.3 billion) financing facility as the centerpiece of a package to drive Australian trade and investment in Southeast Asia, deepening regional ties at a time of uncertainty over the US-China economic relationship. Most Read from Bloomberg Albanese will announce the measures in a speech to top executives at a special summit between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Melbourne on Tuesday, saying Southeast Asia is where Australias future lies. In 2022, our two-way trade with Asean member states passed A$178 billion greater than our two-way trade with Japan or the US, Albanese will say according to a text provided ahead of the address. But we want to do more. Australia is hosting the leaders of all Asean nations, bar Myanmar, for a summit to commemorate 50 years of relations with the bloc. Albaneses center-left Labor government has made a priority of improving economic and security links with Southeast Asia amid growing uncertainty in the region ranging from a more assertive China to the possible return of former US President Donald Trump. Among the new measures are the A$2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility, A$140 million over four years to build infrastructure financing partnerships, as well as investment landing pads to support Australian businesses in Vietnam and Indonesia. In addition, Australia will extend its business validity visas from three years to five and extend the 10-year frequent traveler scheme to eligible Asean countries as well as Timor Leste. Australia wants to deepen economic links with nations to its north as it tries to find a path between China, its biggest trading partner, and the US, its key security ally. This comes at a time when the US and China, the worlds two largest economies, are trying to unwind some of their connections forged over the past 25 years and create their own blocs. Australias efforts to diversify its trading partners were highlighted in its new Southeast Asia economic strategy at the Asean summit in Jakarta in September. While there is so much untapped potential there is not unlimited time, Albanese will say. We must act together and we must act now. Among executives who will attend the speech are Commonwealth Bank of Australias Matt Comyn, Rio Tinto Australias Kellie Parker, BHP Australias Geraldine Slattery and Macquarie Group Ltds Shemara Wikramanayake. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The 15-year-old boy called police and said he intended to "kill people and myself" A teenager has become the first student to be jailed for carrying out a school shooting in Australia. The 15-year-old from Perth fired three shots with two rifles at the Atlantis Beach Baptist College last May. Staff and students were left cowering in cupboards and under desks before police eventually arrested him. No one was hurt in the shooting. The judge who sentenced him to three years in juvenile detention said "good luck" had "prevented a tragic outcome". Lawyers and Perth Children's Court Judge Hylton Quail were unable to find any record of a similar sentencing case anywhere in the nation. Simon Freitag, the boy's lawyer, had asked Judge Quail to consider a non-custodial term as his client was suffering from depression at the time and had undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder. He added that the boy was despondent due to a failed relationship and rumours that were being spread about him. Two of the shots he fired struck buildings as the school, located in Perth's northern suburbs, went into lockdown. The age of its students ranges from six to 16. The boy then called police and said he intended to "kill people and myself", but had changed his mind as he did not want his siblings to be related to a killer. Police then arrived and arrested him. He had taken two hunting rifles and ammunition from his father's gun cabinet and driven to the college's car park, where he opened fire on 24 May 2023. Local media reported that one teacher later told police she had never been so scared, and texted her fiance while in hiding to say she loved them. State prosecutors said one student "ran for his life". Another lay down on the grass behind a backpack - a teacher who saw the student thought they had been shot. At a plea hearing last week, the court was told that in the 18 days before the incident, the boy had searched on the Internet about subjects such as school shootings, gun deaths and the age of criminal responsibility in Western Australia. He searched for phrases such as "are there school shootings in Australia" and "what happens to mass murderers in Australia". On the social media app Discord, he also discussed shooting guns at the school with a friend. The night before the incident, he warned the friend not to go to school - but the friend did not believe him as he had never carried out his past threats. Last December, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges. They include endangering the lives of staff and students, discharging a firearm to cause fear, possessing firearms and ammunition and driving without a licence. His lawyer Mr Freitag said at the time that the mental impact on those at the school would weigh heavily. "I do need to say out loud the very obvious point that this has caused significant fear and distress," he said. Bleached corals stand near Heron Island off Queensland. In the Great Barrier Reef, the latest images show severe coral bleaching, with damage over a length of more than 1100 km. Diana Kleine/Divers for Climate via AAP/dpa Scientists are warning of devastating coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia's eastern state of Queensland. According to the local non-governmental organization Climate Council, new underwater images show the full extent of the disaster. An area 1,100 kilometres long from Lizard Island to the Keppel Islands has already been affected, the Australian news agency AAP reported on Tuesday. According to experts, the trigger is a recent marine heatwave in the region. Diana Kleine, a project manager for the environmental monitoring group CoralWatch, has been visiting the Heron Island research station in the southern part of the Barrier Reef for 25 years and says it is the worst bleaching event she has seen. "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. The island lies around 460 kilometres north of Brisbane in the area affected by the current bleaching event. The Great Barrier Reef is increasingly under threat due to global warming. In difficult conditions, the corals repel the algae responsible for their colouring, with which they normally live together in a symbiotic relationship. Bleached corals, cnidaria, are extremely stressed, but they are still alive and can recover. According to experts, however, the extremely warm seawater makes them susceptible to diseases that can kill them. If the water does not cool down in the coming weeks, it is only a matter of time before the bleached cnidarians die off, said Kleine. With water temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, up to 80% of the coral is bleached in some places. Bleached corals stand near Heron Island off Queensland. Scientists are warning of devastating coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia's eastern state of Queensland. Diana Kleine/Divers for Climate via AAP/dpa Scientists are warning of devastating coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia's eastern state of Queensland. According to the local non-governmental organization Climate Council, new underwater images show the full extent of the disaster. An area 1,100 kilometres long from Lizard Island to the Keppel Islands has already been affected, the Australian news agency AAP reported on Tuesday. According to experts, the trigger is a recent marine heatwave in the region. Diana Kleine, a project manager for the environmental monitoring group CoralWatch, has been visiting the Heron Island research station in the southern part of the Barrier Reef for 25 years and says it is the worst bleaching event she has seen. "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. The island lies around 460 kilometres north of Brisbane in the area affected by the current bleaching event. The Great Barrier Reef is increasingly under threat due to global warming. In difficult conditions, the corals repel the algae responsible for their colouring, with which they normally live together in a symbiotic relationship. Bleached corals, cnidaria, are extremely stressed, but they are still alive and can recover. According to experts, however, the extremely warm seawater makes them susceptible to diseases that can kill them. If the water does not cool down in the coming weeks, it is only a matter of time before the bleached cnidarians die off, said Kleine. With water temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, up to 80% of the coral is bleached in some places. The Climate Council has warned that the authorities could soon declare another mass bleaching. "As ocean temperatures continue to increase, our precious Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger," Climate Council's Professor Lesley Hughes told AAP. "Our focus must be on limiting further harm as much as possible," she said. "Relentless pollution from coal, oil and gas is Australia's number one environmental problem and its literally cooking the Reef," said Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie. "Our environmental protection laws are outdated and in desperate need of an overhaul to prevent new reef-destroying gas and coal projects," she said. We're a little over a month away until a total solar eclipse will cross North America in April. While Florida is not in 115-mile-swath of "totality" that stretches from Texas to Maine, residents still seeking to participate in the celestial event should start preparing. Most importantly, you should be seeking out special spectacles to view the solar eclipse. Eclipse glasses are a key component in any solar eclipse, shielding your eyes from any damage. However, some scammers are cashing in on the growing excitement for the event by selling knock-off glasses. How can you tell if the solar eclipse glasses you purchases are safe for staring directly at the sun this coming April? Here's what to look out for. Do you really need eclipse glasses? Here's why it's crucial to wear them This is what a partial solar eclipse looks like while you are burning your eyes by peeking over your eclipse safety glasses. You absolutely have to wear to eclipse glasses to look at an eclipse, even if the eclipse is partially visible. NASA warns viewing any part of the sun with binoculars, a telescope, or through a camera lens without a special-purpose solar filter or with your bare eyes without solar viewing glasses can result in severe eye injury. "Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer," NASA advises. "The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury." How can you tell if eclipse glasses are legitimate? No matter where you buy your solar glasses to safely view the April 8 total solar eclipse, it's vital they carry the code ISO 12312-2. The biggest way to make sure your eclipse glasses are safe to use is if they have ISO 12312-2 printed on them, which refers to "International Organization for Standardization." Safe eclipse glasses that help prevent injury from intense radiation from the sun and provide a satisfying view of the celestial event are categorized with the international standard ISO 12312-2, in short, "eye and face protection" for direct observation of the sun. ISO 12312-2 applies worldwide. The American Astronomical Society explains that "ISO standards are not laws, though governments sometimes base laws on ISO standards. This means it is not necessarily illegal for a product to fail to meet the requirements of an ISO standard. But it may be inadvisable to buy or use such a product, as failure to meet the requirements of an applicable standard likely means the product is not well suited to its purpose." Does NASA approve eclipse glasses? Another way to spot a knock-off pair of eclipse glasses is if they claim they are "NASA-approved." On their own website, NASA says it does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers. Where can I buy reputable eclipse glasses? Genesis Talamasey, 2023-2024 Miss Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, uses eclipse glasses to look at the annular solar eclipse during the Red Earth FallFest in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Since some scanners might still throw on the ISO 12312-2 label to look more legit, you can double check the veracity of your eclipse glasses' ISO claims by seeing if the vendor is legitimate. American Astronomical Societys website shares a curated list of approved vendors here. Check here before purchasing any eclipse glasses. Free solar eclipse glasses are also typically given out by local libraries, schools and observatories. These locations might have limited supplies, so it's best to call ahead to see if they have any available. Are eclipse glasses from past years still safe to use? Solar filters and eclipse glasses used during past eclipses, such as the 2017 Great American Eclipse should still be safe to use in 2024, provided they were stored properly. "If the filters aren't scratched, punctured, torn, or coming loose from their frames, you may reuse them indefinitely," the American Astronomical Society wrote on their website. Can I just wear sunglasses and watch the solar eclipse? No. It is not safe to look up at the sun during a solar eclipse while wearing sunglasses, no matter how dark the lenses are. NASA shares that eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker than regular sunglasses to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light. So keep the aviators and sport glasses inside. What if my eclipse glasses get torn or messed up? Can I still use them? They should not be used if they are torn or scratched. If you accidentally mess up your eclipse glasses on the day of April 8 and can't find replacements, there are other ways to safely view the eclipse. Believe it or not, you can use household items, such as crackers or colanders, to watch the solar event. You also can use an indirect version to avoid looking at the sun, such as a pinhole projector that projects the sun on a nearby surface. The American Astronomical Society has a guide to set them up. What time is the April 8 solar eclipse? When will Floridians see it? 2024 Total Solar Eclipse The total eclipse will hit the coast of Mexico on April 8, around 11:07 a.m. PDT and leave the continental North America at 5:16 NDT. See what time to head outside: When will you be able to see the solar eclipse in Florida? The partial eclipse will begin first as the edge of the moon becomes visible, and then about an hour and 20 minutes later the totality will begin and last for three or four minutes before the sun begins to appear again. Depending on what part of Florida, residents should start to see the eclipse beginning around 1:35 p.m. EDT on April 8, with the midpoint at 2:55. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Solar eclipse glasses and how to tell if they are fake before April 8 James Stunt, the bankrupt former son-in-law of Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One billionaire, has denied owning a 4 million Van Dyck portrait during a High Court trial. The British socialite and art dealer is locked in a legal dispute with creditors who claim he is the owner of The Cheeke Sisters, painted by the Flemish artist in around 1640. Lawyers acting on behalf of Mr Stunt insist the painting belongs to his father Geoffrey Stunt, who bought it for himself for 600,000 in 2013. However, barristers for the trustees of James Stunts bankruptcy argue that his father only claimed ownership in 2020, a year after his son was declared bankrupt. James Stunt became and was always intended to be the owner of the painting, the High Court heard on Tuesday. 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. The painting at the heart of the dispute, The Cheeke Sisters by Anthony van Dyck - Tibbut Archive / Alamy Stock Photo 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, he added. James Stunt, who was not present in court, married Mr Ecclestones daughter Petra in 2011 at a multi-million pound ceremony at Odescalchi Castle, in Rome, when an array of pop stars entertained them and 350 guests. The couple split in 2017. James Stunt was declared bankrupt in June 2019. Geoffrey Stunts 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 judge Clive Jones is due to conclude on Thursday, with a judgment expected at a later date. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, announced Tuesday he is seeking the number two position in Republican Senate leadership come November the role of GOP whip. The role is currently occupied by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who is expected to announce a bid for the Republican leader to succeed outgoing Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. MITCH MCCONNELL STEPPING DOWN AS REPUBLICAN LEADER Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wy., speaks after a Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023 in Washington, D.C. "I have had time to reflect on how I might best serve the Republican Conference and our country," Barrasso said in a statement. "After a lot of thought, I will ask my colleagues for their support and help to work for them as the Assistant Republican Leader." GOP SENATOR TARGETS FORCED ELECTRIC VEHICLE RENTALS His decision to seek the number two job comes as he was speculated to throw his hat in the ring for the leader position. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Sen. John Barrasso speaks during a news conference following the weekly Republican Senate policy luncheon meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building on Sept. 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Barrasso's office said the senator had a call with former President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning, wherein they discussed his decision prior to making it public. As the race began to take shape, the Wyoming Republican was being considered as an alternative choice for leader over more McConnell-aligned candidates. "John Barrasso is certainly one of the leadership candidates who cares a lot about where the broader conservative movement is," said Sen. JD Vance, ROhio, in a recent interview with Punchbowl News. "But I dont know that he actually wants to run." Sen. JD Vance talks to reporters between votes at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Vance is notably often a part of the GOP faction opposed to McConnell and his leadership decisions. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is the only senator to have formally announced his candidacy to succeed McConnell. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Barrasso announces bid for GOP Senate whip amid leader speculation Deborah Turness says data about the broadcaster's coverage of the Israel-Gaza issue points to it 'being the most publicly trusted media outlet for impartial coverage' - PA A BBC News report on the Gaza conflict that used an Iranian-backed journalist as an eyewitness was fair and impartial, the corporations news chief has claimed. A report by the BBC Verify unit into Israeli troops opening fire on an aid convoy in Gaza included an account by Mahmoud Awadeyah, a journalist on the scene. It later emerged that Mr Awadeyah works for the Tasnim News Agency, an Iranian outlet with links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His social media feed reportedly features posts that appear to praise a January 2023 terrorist attack that left seven Israelis dead. Mr Awadeyahs history was highlighted earlier this week by The Telegraph. However, asked about the report during a communications and digital committee session in the House of Lords, Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News, said: If you look at the data about our coverage of the Israel-Gaza issue, it points to us being the most publicly trusted media outlet for impartial coverage. So we are happy that the way we approached that story is fair and impartial. BBC Verify approached the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) as well on that story, and so obviously we feel that we were transparent in our journalism in that case. Anti-Semitism researcher David Collier has spoken out against the BBC's use of Mr Awadeyah's account of an incident in Gaza Ms Turness added that BBC Verify seeks to get multiple eyewitness accounts from the ground and is very clear about where it sources them from. Addressing the committee, Ms Turness suggested that The Telegraph was biased in its coverage. In the very unfortunate incident where people were killed during the aid convoy event, we made no particular claims about the eyewitnesses. But what I would say is the report was positioned in a hostile media outlet which has always reported negatively on the BBCs coverage of the Israel-Gaza issue. The Telegraph reported in January that Jewish staff working for the BBC had lodged formal complaints about anti-Semitism, including the corporations coverage of the conflict. Asked if the BBC would be investigating the way in which it represented Mr Awadeyah in the report, Ms Turness said: We will look at that. But for now we believe that the journalism was good, and it was an account of what eyewitnesses were telling BBC Arabic journalists on the ground at the time. The BBC Verify unit is a highly specialised operation using forensic investigative skills and open source intelligence to verify video and fact-check stories, according to the corporation. Ms Turness explained: The whole point of BBC Verify is to be transparent about the journalism we do. There are conflicting accounts of what happens on the ground in Gaza and in Israel. Its a war and you would expect there to be different views of the report that we do. Indeed, we receive an awful lot of incoming complaints about our journalism, equally weighted from both sides of the conflict. It doesnt mean to say were happy with that position; we always listen, and weve responded in being really transparent. Where weve made any mistakes, we do put our hands up. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. On the night of March 5, numerous explosions were reported in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Later, it became known that the Russian warship Sergei Kotov was attacked off the coast of the Ukrainian peninsula. ADVERTISIMENT Eyewitnesses filmed the moment when a large explosion occurred near the enemy ship. The video was published by propaganda Telegram channels. The recording also shows intense shooting, probably from a large-caliber machine gun. According to preliminary data, the Russian invaders were trying to destroy the naval drones that attacked the ship. It is worth noting that OBOZ.UA's sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate confirmed the information that Ukrainian defenders destroyed Sergei Kotov patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The enemy vessel was attacked by naval drones. The agency also added that the fate of the crew of this ship is being clarified. ADVERTISIMENT The agency said that the enemy vessel was sunk with the help of Magura V5 maritime drones. Ukrainian intelligence officers noted that the ship sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides. In addition, the DIU noted that the enemy ship was hit in the territorial waters of Ukraine near the Kerch Strait. It is noteworthy that the cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million. Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, told Radio Liberty that there had been successful attacks on the Sergei Kotov ship before, but the occupiers had restored it. This time the ship finally sank. He also emphasized that there are dead and wounded among the crew. Yusov added that part of the crew managed to evacuate, so the exact number of the eliminated invaders is being clarified. ADVERTISIMENT The patrol ship of Project 22160 was armed with a 76.2 mm AK176MA artillery system. It was also equipped with a Positiv-MK radar station with a range of 300 km. The crew consisted of 80 people, and the ship was also equipped with a helicopter pad. The Ukrainian Navy noted that the design of the 22160 ship is one of the most modern in Russia. Currently, only four such ships have been launched: Vasiliy Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, and Sergei Kotov. So far, only the Dmitry Rogachev has not been damaged. It is noteworthy that on the morning of March 5, the Russian Defense Ministry complained about a UAV attack in the Belgorod region. The terrorist agency claimed to have "shot down" all the drones. At the same time, the invaders said nothing about the explosions in the temporarily occupied Crimea. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the network reported an alleged massive attack by "Ukrainian" UAVs and maritime drones on ground targets in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The propagandists complained that the Black Sea Fleet ships and the Crimean bridge were also targeted. As reported, a missile attack on the Gvardeyskoye airbase near occupied Simferopol on March 1 damaged the airfield's taxiway and injured three soldiers. In Feodosiia, on March 3, a massive UAV attack damaged the main pipeline and roadway on the Tavrida highway. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Welcome to Whats being built there? an occasional Tri-City Herald feature where we provide quick answers to reader questions about construction in the Tri-Cities. Suggest projects at news@tricityherald.com. Tri-Cities Animal Shelter 1311 S. 18th Ave., Pasco The Tri-Cities Animal Control Shelter is targeting an August opening in Pasco. Wendy Culverwell The long-awaited Tri-Cities Animal Shelter is targeting an August 2024 opening next to the old shelter on South 18th Avenue in Pasco. Crews broke ground on the $4.1 million, 10,000-square-foot shelter in late 2022 on a spot overlooking the Columbia River. The Tri-Cities Animal Shelter is a joint effort of the cities of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland through the Animal Control Authority, made up of the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. Each contributed $2 million to replace the old building. The new Tri-Cities Animal Shelter in Pasco is tracking toward opening in August 2024. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com Exterior work is nearly complete but the interior is still in progress. The new shelter consists of a pre-engineered metal building and will hold 74 dogs, 84 cats and 24 kittens and provides office space for animal control, as well as an area for visitors to spend time with prospective pets, an exam room and better street access. G2 Commercial Construction is the contractor. Perch Cantina 600 block Columbia Point Drive, Richland Perch Cantina, a modern Mexican restaurant and bar, is set to open at Columbia Point Park in early May. Wendy Culverwell Perch Cantina, a modern Mexican restaurant and bar, is tracking to open at Columbia Point Park in early May, according to owner Cindy Goulet. Cindy and Brian Goulet, owners of LU LU Craft Bar + Kitchen as well as 3 Eyed Fish Kitchen + Bar, broke ground on their third and latest restaurant last July. Perch will seat 150 in a 5,500-square-foot restaurant, with room for 150 more on the patio and rooftop deck. It is under construction next to LU LU on the edge of Columbia Point Park and sits on land leased under a long-term contract with the city of Richland. Chevenell Construction is the builder. North Richland Mini-storage 2500 block Garlick Blvd., Richland Grading work has started for a future mini-storage complex on a bare lot across Garlick Boulevard from the Washington River Protections Solutions offices in north Richland. Plans are still under review, but show six buildings in total. The property is owned by SMI Group XVII LLC. This project was suggested by a reader. Thank you. Terraces at Queensgate 2155 Keene Blvd., at Queensgate, Richland A 21-plus acre site overlooking the intersection where Queensgate Drive terminates at Keene Road is being prepared for future homes and town homes. The city has issued permits to grade the site and construct retaining walls, but no further construction. Bellevue-based Columbia Valley Property Holdings preparing to grade multiple properties in Queensgate South Phase 2. The city of Richland determined the mass grading of approximately 27.5 acres would not significantly affect the environment. The properties are generally bordered by Keene Road to the north and South Shockley Road to the south, adjacent the future extension of Queensgate Drive. The first phase will eventually feature 19 single-family homes along the western boundary at Country Ridge and 98 town homes on the interior. Queensgate Boulevard will be extended across the property as well. Sandeep Fueling Station and Convenience Store (Update) 3210 Road 44 at Argent, Pasco A gas station and convenience store is taking shape at 3210 Road 44 at ARgent, near the Tri-Cities Airport. Wendy Culverwell LCR Construction LLC has framed a building for a future gas station corner at the northwest corner of Road 44 and Argent Street, near Columbia Basin College and the Tri-Cities Airport. The 3,966-square-foot store will have a drive-thru coffee window, four gasoline pumps and a 30,000-gallon underground tank. Initial grading work began last fall. Sandeep Joshi is the property owner. V3 Drafting & Design is the designer. Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the regions top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday. Since 1970, marijuana has been listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, a category supposedly reserved for drugs with "a high potential for abuse" that have "no currently accepted medical use" and cannot be used safely even under a doctor's supervision. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has consistently rejected petitions asking it to reclassify marijuana, citing advice from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). But HHS changed that advice in August 2023, and its rationale, explained in a document it released five months later, confirms that marijuana's classification has always been a political question, not a medical one. HHS was responding to an October 2022 directive from President Joe Biden, who instructed the department and Attorney General Merrick Garland to "initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law." Biden noted that "we classify marijuana at the same level as heroin" and treat it as "more serious than fentanyl," which he said "makes no sense." After conducting its review, HHS recommended that the DEA move marijuana to Schedule III, which includes prescription drugs such as ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and anabolic steroids. As recently as 2016, HHS was still saying marijuana should remain in Schedule I. Its turnaround was not based on new scientific evidence. It was based on a reinterpretation of the criteria for Schedule I that could have been implemented much sooner. The DEA had long maintained that a substance can have a "currently accepted medical use" only if there is enough evidence to satisfy the Food and Drug Administration's requirements for approving a prescription drug. HHS replaced that dubious understanding of the law with a two-part test that takes account of clinical experience with marijuana in the 38 states that have approved medical use and asks whether there is "credible scientific support" for one or more applications. HHS found such support for treatment of pain, nausea and vomiting, and "anorexia related to a medical condition." Regarding abuse potential and safety, HHS noted that marijuana compares favorably to "other drugs of abuse," such as heroin (Schedule I), cocaine (Schedule II), benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax (Schedule IV), and alcohol (unscheduled). "The vast majority of individuals who use marijuana," it said, "are doing so in a manner that does not lead to dangerous outcomes to themselves or others." This was not news to most Americans. Way back in 1988, the DEA's chief administrative law judge concluded that marijuana did not meet the criteria for Schedule I, only to be overruled by the agency's head. This time around, given the belated reversal at HHS, the outcome is apt to be different. The post A Belated Bureaucratic Reversal on Pot appeared first on Reason.com. The flag of the Kingdom of Belgium. Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images In recent months, Belgium has expelled dozens of so-called Russian diplomats who were clearly spies. Source: Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on RTL, quoted by The Brussels Times Details: When asked whether Belgium should fear Russia's attempts to destabilise democracy, De Croo said that these attempts are already underway. "Belgium has deported dozens of so-called Russian diplomats from the country in recent months. Were they spies? Clearly, yes," he said. De Croo also said that Russia is attacking Belgium in other ways as well. "If we take a stand against Russia, we know that very often our websites become targets of cyber attacks in the following hours," he added. Russia has also conducted numerous disinformation campaigns in Belgium. "For example, when the manhunt for Jurgen Conings [the former career soldier who made threats against virologists and the Belgian Government during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021] was happening, our security services had suspicions about organised disinformation campaigns at delicate moments," De Croo explained, In April 2023, a study conducted by the newspaper De Tijd and its European partners showed that nowhere in Europe does Russia have as much satellite communications equipment used to transmit confidential information to Russia as at its embassy in Belgium. Background: German media suggested that Kirill Logvinov, head of Russia's Mission to the EU, who is based in Brussels, is likely to be a spy under diplomatic cover. Earlier, a Swiss news outlet published information that Switzerland is likely to be home to a fifth of all Russian spies in Europe. Support UP or become our patron! Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill that would prevent Lexingtons recently passed ban on source of income discrimination from taking effect, calling the legislation wrong and mean. We should never make it harder for someone to obtain a roof over their head, a safe place to call home, and thats exactly what this bill tries to do, Beshear said from the Beecher Terrace Community Center in the West End of Louisville Tuesday morning. We should be working to help people and never to harm them, he said. Its the Democratic governors first veto of the 2024 General Assembly, but its unlikely to stand long given the highly partisan makeup of the Kentucky legislature. House Bill 18 passed the House and Senate with strong Republican support, and the GOP holds supermajorities in both chambers. Senate leadership promised an override little more than an hour after Beshears veto. Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics Newsletter A must-read newsletter for political junkies across the Bluegrass State with reporting and analysis from the Lexington Herald-Leader. Never miss a story! Sign up for our Bluegrass Politics newsletter to connect with our reporting team and get behind-the-scenes insights, plus previews of the biggest stories. House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said Beshears decision comes as no surprise. With todays veto, he strikes out at the right of a property owner to make a decision about how his or her property will be used, Osborne said in a statement. The very idea of forcing a property owner to participate in a program runs contrary to one of the most basic and fundamental rights. Members will consider an override, as they have with almost every other policy vetoed by the Governor. Beshear said he hopes lawmakers take a second look at the bill and think about what it would mean and who it would hurt before deciding whether or not to override his veto. Were hoping that people will look inside their heart and ultimately not override this veto, and if there is another purpose that theyre trying to seek, talk to us about it, he said. Lets find a different way to do something that they might want to do, but not harm people in the process. Certainly we need landlords in this city, in others that passed this type of ordinance, to take these vouchers. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted in February to pass a ban on discrimination against people who use vouchers and other forms of income after months of debate and public meetings. The ban would not require landlords to take vouchers, but would prevent them from including discriminating language in their advertising and listings. Councilman Dave Sevigny, who co-sponsored the local source of income ban, praised Beshear for standing up for local governments. I applaud the common sense veto by Gov. Beshear, who seems to clearly recognize that each part of government has its role and should stay in its lane, Sevigny said. The Lexington ban was supposed to take effect March 1, but lawyers for the city told the council the Lexington-Fayette Human Rights Commission would not start enforcing the ban due to the Kentucky General Assemblys final passage of House Bill 18 last week. Lexington and Louisville passed source of income bans after people with federal housing vouchers found it difficult to find landlords that would take vouchers. Louisville has had a source of income ban since 2020. Beshear said these ordinances are examples of local governments doing what they believe is best for residents of their respective cities. So in response to these two cities trying to do the right thing for their people, in response to these two local governments governing their area and no other, we now have a bill that aims to obstruct these ordinances and prevent other locations from following their lead, he said. Lexington homeless providers have said people are waiting months in the citys homeless shelters or on the streets because they cant find landlords who take vouchers. Moreover, the vast majority of people who use federal Housing Choice vouchers are Black more than 70%, according to Lexington-Fayette Housing Authority statistics. Yet, the majority of landlords who take federal housing vouchers are in the citys minority and Black neighborhoods, online searches for rental apartments that take federal housing vouchers show. Landlords pushed back against the local measure, saying they should not have to participate in a federal program that can be time-consuming and arbitrary. Taking federal housing vouchers means inspections and other red tape. Landlords opposed to the measure approached Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, and Rep. Ryan Dotson, R-Winchester, about sponsoring legislation prohibiting local governments from enacting source of income bans. H.B. 18 is a combination of the two bills. More than a dozen states, including North Dakota and Oklahoma, and 100 cities and local governments have enacted source of income bans to help those with federal housing vouchers find housing, according to several housing groups. Republican proponents of the bill in the legislature argue its about protecting private property rights. Beshear rejected that idea, saying the local ordinances are about preventing discrimination. Why should a landlord be able to say, Well, Ill take cash, but I wont take a voucher of the same value? he said. The clock is ticking. The Biden administration has gone all-in on its efforts to bring the fighting in Gaza to a halt. The increasingly emphatic U.S. calls for a ceasefire, most notably in recent days from Vice President Kamala Harris, and Americas active diplomatic efforts in pursuit of that goal, are whats needed to avoid further horrors in Gaza that may make the devastation to date look pale by comparison. You could hear the urgency in the vice presidents remarks when she passionately addressed the plight of the people of Palestine both on Sunday when she spoke in Selma, Alabama, and on Monday after she met with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantzwho also happens to be Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus primary domestic political rival, and who made the visit to D.C. despite protests from Netanyahu. Kamala Harris Calls for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire in Sharpest Rebuke Yet Half a million residents of Gaza are currently at risk of famine. The conditions are worsening rapidly. As the vice president described in heartbreaking terms, mothers are reportedly feeding their children weeds and animal food. People are reportedly drinking sea water. The situation is so dire that the U.S. took the extraordinary step of initiating efforts to conduct air drops of food aid into Gaza, effectively circumventing efforts by Americas own ally, Israel, to impede aid flows into the Palestinian enclave. President Biden has announced those measures will continue and the U.S. will seek new options to deliver aid to Gazans. Coordinating with U.S. efforts, Jordan has also begun to airlift supplies to the Palestinians in need. But without a prolonged ceasefire, such efforts will be inadequate to stop the looming humanitarian calamity. The goal and the hope of diplomats from the U.S. and other nations involved in ceasefire negotiationsincluding Qatar and Egyptwas that such a break in the fighting could be arranged, along with some kind of hostage exchanges, prior to the beginning of Ramadan. The Muslim holy month commences this Saturday, March 10. Israeli protesters hold placards calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Jack Guez/Getty Images Israel agreed to the rough terms of a six-week ceasefire agreement that included the return of perhaps 40-50 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of a substantially larger number of Palestinians currently in Israeli custody. But Hamas has yet to do so. Some observers, like former Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass speaking on Morning Joe on Tuesday, speculate that Hamas actually sees continuing scenes of suffering in Gaza as working to its advantage. Regardless of the origin of the hold-up to implementing such an agreement, if it does not come soon, not only will the suffering of the most vulnerable of the residents of Gaza increase markedly due to famine, but U.S. efforts to forestall an Israeli incursion into Rafahwhere over a million displaced Gazans are currently shelteringmight also falter. Mass casualties of innocents are also inevitable should such an escalation take place. AOC Slams Protesters Demanding She Call Gaza War a Genocide The death of 30,000 Gazans in the war to date has already shocked, disgusted, and broken the hearts of millions around the world. It has likely led to the radicalization of countless thousands in Gaza and beyond, fanned the flames of anti-Israeli feeling and, contrary to Israels stated objective, put the country at even greater risk. It has also done serious damage to the reputation of the United States given its wholesale public support for the Netanyahu governmenteven if behind the scenes tensions began growing between the U.S. and Israel within days of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks. But it is also clear that if those tens of thousands of deaths are compounded by tens of thousands more victims of starvation and disease, and the war drags on for months, more damage will be incurred to all engaged in the conflictthat will take decades to repair. Achieving peace will be much more difficult. Rebuilding the lives of those Gazans who survive the war will be made immensely more difficult and, indeed, unlikely. Israel will have undone 75 years of progress in establishing itself as a responsible player in the region and internationally. And America will be seen as complicit in one of the great atrocities of modern times. 2048587431 Palestinians walk amid the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on March 3, 2024. AFP via Getty Images Even if a ceasefire is achieved, should the war resume in six or so weeks with an onslaught in Rafahor continued Israeli resistance to providing the people of Gaza with the assistance they needthe stoppage in fighting may be seen as a failed gambit. If Netanyahu hangs on to power, as seems likelyor even if someone like Gantz replaces himthe Israeli government is unlikely to constructively embrace the idea of a two-state solution, or culpability for its apparent war crimes in Gaza. Biden and Netanyahu Both Hope the Other Is Out of Power Soon In short, unless a ceasefire and hostage exchange are established soon, and the U.S. and others can use the pause in fighting to engineer both sufficient aid for the people of Gaza and a lasting peace that forestalls the Rafah operation, the conflict in Gaza is likely to go from bad to worse. For the U.S., at the moment, there does not appear to be a Plan B. Thats becauseshould the above described degradation of an already awful situation take placethe other available options are likely to lead to an even bigger rift in the U.S.-Israel relationship, and an acknowledgement that the wholehearted embrace of Netanyahus government in the wake of Oct. 7 was so grave an error we could not manage our way out of it. So, all eyes are on the clock. We will learn soon whether Americas diplomatic gambit has paid off or a complete rethink of our relationship with Israel and the region will be required. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. President Joe Biden raised at least $42 million for his reelection campaign and the Democratic Party in February, campaign officials told CNN, a total fueled by the strongest month of grassroots donations during this election cycle which campaign officials say demonstrates an under-appreciated level of enthusiasm for the president. Biden campaign officials told CNN that last months grassroots fundraising included nearly $2 million in grassroots donations on the final day of the month, February 29. That marked the campaigns second strongest grassroots fundraising day of the cycle so far, following the official launch of the Biden reelection operation on April 25. CNN was first to report on the figures. The president and his team have been fighting off concerns about a lack of enthusiasm around his reelection, with recent polls showing voters worries about his age and key issues like the economy. Deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty told CNN that they believe the strength of their grassroots fundraising is directly correlated to underlying enthusiasm for the Biden candidacy. It shows that we have a lot of different ways to raise money and it shows the effectiveness of the grassroots fundraising operation that weve built, Flaherty said. Theres just an enthusiastic Joe Biden donor that exists and nobody talks about. On February 29, the campaign had solicited donations tied to the end of the month and promoted an upcoming campaign event featuring Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Flaherty and director of grassroots fundraising Jess Porter told CNN in an interview. But the day had not been defined by an outsized news story or an unusual fundraising push by the campaign, they said. Meanwhile, an email that went out to supporters under first lady Dr. Jill Bidens name on February 12 criticizing special counsel Robert Hurs controversial report about Bidens handling of classified documents, which painted the president as an elderly man with memory problems, was the second best-performing fundraising email of the cycle so far, according to campaign officials. The Biden campaign had raised more than $42 million in January and had ended that month with $130 million on hand the biggest figured amassed by a Democratic presidential candidate at that point in the election cycle. Around a third of the campaigns grassroots contributors about a million people who make small-dollar donations and dont attend campaign fundraisers are new donors who had not previously donated to Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, according to the campaign. The campaign sees that data point as a sign that theres a lot more room to grow on the fundraising front as it approaches Election Day, Flaherty told CNN. If the majority of grassroots donors so far are more or less enthusiastic supporters of Biden and Harris, he said, the campaign believes that there are still many more voters who can be described as the I want to stop Donald Trump voters that the Biden team can tap into for fresh support. The campaign says it is also seeing the effectiveness of warning about a second Trump term in the White House, officials say. In the 48 hours following the South Carolina primary last month, in which Trump handedly defeated the states former governor Nikki Haley, the Biden campaign pulled in $1.6 million in grassroots donations, they said. All of the content we were sending out into the world was reinforcing the risks that Trump poses if hes reelected, which is a thing that our donors are very receptive to, Porter told CNN. And theyre starting to tune into more and more as it becomes clearer and clearer that he is the GOPs nominee. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Biden will host Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Ireland for St. Patricks Day, continuing with the tradition for the president to host the prime minister for the holiday. Varadkar will be in Washington for the St. Patricks Day celebration on March 17 and before that, he will have a bilateral meeting with the president on March 15, the White House announced on Tuesday. Biden and Varadkar are expected to discuss support for Ukraine amid the war with Russia and coordination on the war in the Middle East, according to the White House. They will also reaffirm their steadfast support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Biden visited Ireland in April to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, expressing his strong support for the peace deal. He made his long-time support for the agreement, which was struck in 1998 to end the conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland, known during a speech to parliament in Belfast. Biden often talks about his Irish heritage and after Belfast, he made an emotional and personal visit to County Louth and County Mayo, which was where his ancestors lived. Before the bilateral meeting on Friday, Vice President Harris and second gentleman Emhoff are set to host Varadkar and his partner, Matthew Barrett, for a breakfast at the Naval Observatory. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trumps campaign officials confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that the former president will host a campaign rally in Georgia this week. The event will be on the same day that President Joe Biden will hold his own campaign event in the Atlanta area. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Trump will deliver a speech at the Get Out the Vote Rally at the Forum River Center on Saturday. It will be the former presidents first time in Georgia since he was booked on charges in the Georgia election interference case in Fulton County. The doors will open at 1 p.m. with Trump set to speak at 5 p.m., according to his campaign. The White House previously confirmed that Bidens scheduled visit for Saturday; however, his campaign officials have not released details on where Biden will be speaking. It will be the second Biden campaign event in Atlanta this month after First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Atlanta last Friday. TRENDING STORIES: Biden and Trumps visits will come just days before the presidential primary election in Georgia on Tuesday. Early voting for the presidential primary is open until March 8. You can see what early voting locations are open in your county by checking the Georgia Secretary of States website here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Tuesday is the largest single day of presidential nominating contests, with 15 states and one U.S. territory holding primaries and caucuses. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON Voters in more than a dozen states will cast their choice for U.S. president Tuesday in the largest single day of nominating contests on the 2024 election calendar. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the clear Republican front-runner, are chasing more than one-third of their respective parties delegates during the Super Tuesday races. Contests will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa Democrats will also announce unofficial results from their mail-in caucus. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, striking down an unprecedented decision by the states highest court to remove the former president. The Colorado court ruled Trumps actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from contention under a Civil War-era constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from holding future office. While the delegate math doesnt add up for either Biden or Trump to clinch the Democratic or Republican nominations Tuesday night, the one-day wave of primaries and caucuses is expected to set up both men for presumptive-nominee status later this month. Trump, who has won all but one primary contest so far, has picked up 273 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure his partys nomination, according to the Associated Press delegate tracker. Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps remaining GOP primary challenger, has gained 43 delegates, including all 19 of the partys District of Columbia delegates over the weekend. A total of 854 of 2,429 Republican delegates are up for grabs this Super Tuesday, with many states awarding their entire delegate totals to the candidate who reaches the majority of the vote. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US California and Texas carry Tuesdays two largest delegate counts at 169 and 150, respectively. Texas GOP rules state that another 11 delegates will be awarded at the partys convention in May. Biden has so far clinched 206 of 3,934 Democrat party delegates. A possible 1,420, more than one-third of the delegate count, are available in Tuesdays races. Democrats award their delegates proportionally to candidates who receive at least 15% of each races vote. Bidens campaign has not faced a serious challenge, with only an uncommitted protest vote in Michigans late February primary gaining enough support to garner two delegates. Bidens Democratic primary challengers, author and activist Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have yet to receive any delegates. Let us know what you think... AP projects Trump could tie up his partys presumptive nomination by March 12, and Biden as early as March 19. Democrat and Republican primary voters will head to the polls in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington on March 12, as will GOP voters in Hawaii. Democrats in Hawaii will vote a week earlier on March 6. Both parties will hold presidential primary contests in Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio on March 19. Republicans will also vote that day in Florida. The Sunshine State is no longer holding a Democratic primary. Candidates with a majority of delegates are officially nominated at each partys massive summer conventions. Republicans will meet July 15-18 in Milwaukee, after which Democrats will convene Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Barring any surprise circumstances, Biden and Trump are expected to receive their partys nominations. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Biden, Trump set for massive delegate hauls in 16 nominating contests appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. Red white and blue campaign buttons, with stars and 2024 printed on them. Tuesday is the largest single day of presidential nominating contests, with 15 states and one U.S. territory holding primaries and caucuses. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON Voters in more than a dozen states will cast their choice for U.S. president Tuesday in the largest single day of nominating contests on the 2024 election calendar. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the clear Republican front-runner, are chasing more than one-third of their respective parties delegates during the Super Tuesday races. Contests will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa Democrats will also announce unofficial results from their mail-in caucus. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, striking down an unprecedented decision by the states highest court to remove the former president. The Colorado court ruled Trumps actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from contention under a Civil War-era constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from holding future office. While the delegate math doesnt add up for either Biden or Trump to clinch the Democratic or Republican nominations Tuesday night, the one-day wave of primaries and caucuses is expected to set up both men for presumptive-nominee status later this month. Trump, who has won all but one primary contest so far, has picked up 273 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure his partys nomination, according to the Associated Press delegate tracker. Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps remaining GOP primary challenger, has gained 43 delegates, including all 19 of the partys District of Columbia delegates over the weekend. A total of 854 of 2,429 Republican delegates are up for grabs this Super Tuesday, with many states awarding their entire delegate totals to the candidate who reaches the majority of the vote. California and Texas carry Tuesdays two largest delegate counts at 169 and 150, respectively. Texas GOP rules state that another 11 delegates will be awarded at the partys convention in May. Biden has so far clinched 206 of 3,934 Democrat party delegates. A possible 1,420, more than one-third of the delegate count, are available in Tuesdays races. Democrats award their delegates proportionally to candidates who receive at least 15% of each races vote. Bidens campaign has not faced a serious challenge, with only an uncommitted protest vote in Michigans late February primary gaining enough support to garner two delegates. Bidens Democratic primary challengers, author and activist Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have yet to receive any delegates. AP projects Trump could tie up his partys presumptive nomination by March 12, and Biden as early as March 19. Democrat and Republican primary voters will head to the polls in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington on March 12, as will GOP voters in Hawaii. Democrats in Hawaii will vote a week earlier on March 6. Both parties will hold presidential primary contests in Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio on March 19. Republicans will also vote that day in Florida. The Sunshine State is no longer holding a Democratic primary. Candidates with a majority of delegates are officially nominated at each partys massive summer conventions. Republicans will meet July 15-18 in Milwaukee, after which Democrats will convene Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Barring any surprise circumstances, Biden and Trump are expected to receive their partys nominations. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Biden, Trump set for massive delegate hauls in 16 nominating contests appeared first on Alabama Reflector. Tuesday is the largest single day of presidential nominating contests, with 15 states and one U.S. territory holding primaries and caucuses. (Getty Images) Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON Voters in more than a dozen states will cast their choice for U.S. president Tuesday in the largest single day of nominating contests on the 2024 election calendar. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the clear Republican front-runner, are chasing more than one-third of their respective parties delegates during the Super Tuesday races. Contests will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa Democrats will also announce unofficial results from their mail-in caucus. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, striking down an unprecedented decision by the states highest court to remove the former president. The Colorado court ruled Trumps actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from contention under a Civil War-era constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from holding future office. While the delegate math doesnt add up for either Biden or Trump to clinch the Democratic or Republican nominations Tuesday night, the one-day wave of primaries and caucuses is expected to set up both men for presumptive-nominee status later this month. Trump, who has won all but one primary contest so far, has picked up 273 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure his partys nomination, according to the Associated Press delegate tracker. Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps remaining GOP primary challenger, has gained 43 delegates, including all 19 of the partys District of Columbia delegates over the weekend. A total of 854 of 2,429 Republican delegates are up for grabs this Super Tuesday, with many states awarding their entire delegate totals to the candidate who reaches the majority of the vote. California and Texas carry Tuesdays two largest delegate counts at 169 and 150, respectively. Texas GOP rules state that another 11 delegates will be awarded at the partys convention in May. Biden has so far clinched 206 of 3,934 Democrat party delegates. A possible 1,420, more than one-third of the delegate count, are available in Tuesdays races. Democrats award their delegates proportionally to candidates who receive at least 15% of each races vote. Bidens campaign has not faced a serious challenge, with only an uncommitted protest vote in Michigans late February primary gaining enough support to garner two delegates. Bidens Democratic primary challengers, author and activist Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have yet to receive any delegates. AP projects Trump could tie up his partys presumptive nomination by March 12, and Biden as early as March 19. Democrat and Republican primary voters will head to the polls in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington on March 12, as will GOP voters in Hawaii. Democrats in Hawaii will vote a week earlier on March 6. Both parties will hold presidential primary contests in Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio on March 19. Republicans will also vote that day in Florida. The Sunshine State is no longer holding a Democratic primary. Candidates with a majority of delegates are officially nominated at each partys massive summer conventions. Republicans will meet July 15-18 in Milwaukee, after which Democrats will convene Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Barring any surprise circumstances, Biden and Trump are expected to receive their partys nominations. The post Biden, Trump set for massive delegate hauls in 16 nominating contests appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Photo illustration by Getty Images. WASHINGTON Voters in more than a dozen states will cast their choice for U.S. president Tuesday in the largest single day of nominating contests on the 2024 election calendar. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the clear Republican front-runner, are chasing more than one-third of their respective parties delegates during the Super Tuesday races. Contests will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa Democrats will also announce unofficial results from their mail-in caucus. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, striking down an unprecedented decision by the states highest court to remove the former president. The Colorado court ruled Trumps actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from contention under a Civil War-era constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from holding future office. While the delegate math doesnt add up for either Biden or Trump to clinch the Democratic or Republican nominations Tuesday night, the one-day wave of primaries and caucuses is expected to set up both men for presumptive-nominee status later this month. Trump, who has won all but one primary contest so far, has picked up 273 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure his partys nomination, according to the Associated Press delegate tracker. Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps remaining GOP primary challenger, has gained 43 delegates, including all 19 of the partys District of Columbia delegates over the weekend. A total of 854 of 2,429 Republican delegates are up for grabs this Super Tuesday, with many states awarding their entire delegate totals to the candidate who reaches the majority of the vote. California and Texas carry Tuesdays two largest delegate counts at 169 and 150, respectively. Texas GOP rules state that another 11 delegates will be awarded at the partys convention in May. Biden has so far clinched 206 of 3,934 Democrat party delegates. A possible 1,420, more than one-third of the delegate count, are available in Tuesdays races. Democrats award their delegates proportionally to candidates who receive at least 15% of each races vote. Bidens campaign has not faced a serious challenge, with only an uncommitted protest vote in Michigans late February primary gaining enough support to garner two delegates. Bidens Democratic primary challengers, author and activist Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have yet to receive any delegates. AP projects Trump could tie up his partys presumptive nomination by March 12, and Biden as early as March 19. Democrat and Republican primary voters will head to the polls in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington on March 12, as will GOP voters in Hawaii. Democrats in Hawaii will vote a week earlier on March 6. Both parties will hold presidential primary contests in Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio on March 19. Republicans will also vote that day in Florida. The Sunshine State is no longer holding a Democratic primary. Candidates with a majority of delegates are officially nominated at each partys massive summer conventions. Republicans will meet July 15-18 in Milwaukee, after which Democrats will convene Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Barring any surprise circumstances, Biden and Trump are expected to receive their partys nominations. The post Biden, Trump set for massive delegate hauls in 16 nominating contests appeared first on Daily Montanan. Tuesday is the largest single day of presidential nominating contests, with 15 states and one U.S. territory holding primaries and caucuses. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON Voters in more than a dozen states, including Colorado, will cast their choice for U.S. president Tuesday in the largest single day of nominating contests on the 2024 election calendar. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the clear Republican front-runner, are chasing more than one-third of their respective parties delegates during the Super Tuesday races. Besides Colorado, contests will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa Democrats will also announce unofficial results from their mail-in caucus. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, striking down an unprecedented decision by the states highest court to remove the former president. The Colorado court ruled Trumps actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from contention under a Civil War-era constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from holding future office. While the delegate math doesnt add up for either Biden or Trump to clinch the Democratic or Republican nominations Tuesday night, the one-day wave of primaries and caucuses is expected to set up both men for presumptive-nominee status later this month. Trump, who has won all but one primary contest so far, has picked up 273 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure his partys nomination, according to the Associated Press delegate tracker. Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps remaining GOP primary challenger, has gained 43 delegates, including all 19 of the partys District of Columbia delegates over the weekend. A total of 854 of 2,429 Republican delegates are up for grabs this Super Tuesday, with many states awarding their entire delegate totals to the candidate who reaches the majority of the vote. California and Texas carry Tuesdays two largest delegate counts at 169 and 150, respectively. Texas GOP rules state that another 11 delegates will be awarded at the partys convention in May. Biden has so far clinched 206 of 3,934 Democrat party delegates. A possible 1,420, more than one-third of the delegate count, are available in Tuesdays races. Democrats award their delegates proportionally to candidates who receive at least 15% of each races vote. Bidens campaign has not faced a serious challenge, with only an uncommitted protest vote in Michigans late February primary gaining enough support to garner two delegates. Bidens Democratic primary challengers, author and activist Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have yet to receive any delegates. AP projects Trump could tie up his partys presumptive nomination by March 12, and Biden as early as March 19. Democrat and Republican primary voters will head to the polls in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington on March 12, as will GOP voters in Hawaii. Democrats in Hawaii will vote a week earlier on March 6. Both parties will hold presidential primary contests in Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio on March 19. Republicans will also vote that day in Florida. The Sunshine State is no longer holding a Democratic primary. Candidates with a majority of delegates are officially nominated at each partys massive summer conventions. Republicans will meet July 15-18 in Milwaukee, after which Democrats will convene Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Barring any surprise circumstances, Biden and Trump are expected to receive their partys nominations. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Biden, Trump set for massive delegate hauls in 16 nominating contests appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Tuesday is the largest single day of presidential nominating contests, with 15 states and one U.S. territory holding primaries and caucuses. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON Voters in more than a dozen states will cast their choice for U.S. president Tuesday in the largest single day of nominating contests on the 2024 election calendar. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the clear Republican front-runner, are chasing more than one-third of their respective parties delegates during the Super Tuesday races. Contests will be held in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia, and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. Iowa Democrats will also announce unofficial results from their mail-in caucus. In Alaska, the Republican preference poll is being held on Tuesday, while the Democratic presidential primary is April 13. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday allowed Trump to remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, striking down an unprecedented decision by the states highest court to remove the former president. The Colorado court ruled Trumps actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualified him from contention under a Civil War-era constitutional clause barring insurrectionists from holding future office. While the delegate math doesnt add up for either Biden or Trump to clinch the Democratic or Republican nominations Tuesday night, the one-day wave of primaries and caucuses is expected to set up both men for presumptive-nominee status later this month. Trump, who has won all but one primary contest so far, has picked up 273 delegates of the 1,215 needed to secure his partys nomination, according to the Associated Press delegate tracker. Former South Carolina Gov. and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trumps remaining GOP primary challenger, has gained 43 delegates, including all 19 of the partys District of Columbia delegates over the weekend. A total of 854 of 2,429 Republican delegates are up for grabs this Super Tuesday, with many states awarding their entire delegate totals to the candidate who reaches the majority of the vote. California and Texas carry Tuesdays two largest delegate counts at 169 and 150, respectively. Texas GOP rules state that another 11 delegates will be awarded at the partys convention in May. Biden has so far clinched 206 of 3,934 Democrat party delegates. A possible 1,420, more than one-third of the delegate count, are available in Tuesdays races. Democrats award their delegates proportionally to candidates who receive at least 15% of each races vote. Bidens campaign has not faced a serious challenge, with only an uncommitted protest vote in Michigans late February primary gaining enough support to garner two delegates. Bidens Democratic primary challengers, author and activist Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, have yet to receive any delegates. AP projects Trump could tie up his partys presumptive nomination by March 12, and Biden as early as March 19. Democrat and Republican primary voters will head to the polls in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington on March 12, as will GOP voters in Hawaii. Democrats in Hawaii will vote a week earlier on March 6. Both parties will hold presidential primary contests in Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio on March 19. Republicans will also vote that day in Florida. The Sunshine State is no longer holding a Democratic primary. Candidates with a majority of delegates are officially nominated at each partys massive summer conventions. Republicans will meet July 15-18 in Milwaukee, after which Democrats will convene Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. Barring any surprise circumstances, Biden and Trump are expected to receive their partys nominations. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Biden, Trump set for massive delegate hauls in 16 nominating contests appeared first on Alaska Beacon. FILE - Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., speaks in Bear, Del., Nov. 6, 2023. More of President Joe Biden's top Senate allies are demanding that the U.S. act directly to ease Palestinian civilian suffering in Gaza and are joining calls to cut military aid if Israel refuses to change course. Even Coons, Biden's closest confidant in Congress, says it is time to get tougher with the Israeli government. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) WASHINGTON (AP) More of President Joe Bidens top Senate allies are demanding that the U.S. act directly to ease Palestinian civilian suffering in Gaza and are joining calls to cut military aid if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to change course. What had been dissent from independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and a small group of progressive Democrats has swelled in response to the soaring death toll in Gaza. Now even Biden's closest confidant in Congress, Chris Coons, says it is time to get tougher with Netanyahu's government on how it conducts the war. Israel continues to enjoy bipartisan support in Congress, and the prospect of military aid being reduced is uncertain despite the clout that these more mainstream Democrats wield. But tensions could be evident Thursday as Biden speaks to Congress about the conflict in his State of the Union address. The war in Gaza isnt the only Mideast issue creating dissent within the party. Some Democrats are pursuing legislation to compel the administration to seek Congress permission to continue military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, setting up a possible showdown over the authority to wage war. The Houthis are attacking shipping in the Red Sea in what they say is a show of support for Palestinians during the nearly five-month war in Gaza. Still, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Democratic caucus as a whole have largely held off on taking action on the U.S. role in the Middle East conflicts. That's despite growing concern and rising political opposition nationally, especially among Muslim and Arab American voters over the Biden administration's support for Israel's war in Gaza, and over Netanyahu's perceived shrugging off of U.S. demands to do more to spare Palestinian civilians and to allow in more aid. Congressional Democrats are reluctant to be seen as challenging the Democratic presidents handling of the conflict, mindful that criticism could further weaken Biden in his uphill reelection campaign against former President Donald Trump. The killings of more than 100 Palestinians last week during a rare delivery of food helped spur more Biden allies in the Senate to speak out. Israel says its forces fired warning shots amid the chaos of the aid delivery. Witnesses and medical workers told The Associated Press many of the victims were shot when Israeli forces fired into crowds of hungry people. In the last few days alone, Coons, a senator from Biden's home state of Delaware, called for the U.S. to cut military aid to Israel if Netanyahu goes ahead with a threatened offensive on the southern city of Rafah without significant provisions to protect the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there. Sen. Jack Reed, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, appealed to Biden to deploy the U.S. Navy to get humanitarian aid to Gaza. Biden ally Sen. Tim Kaine challenged the U.S. strikes on the Houthis as unlikely to stop the Red Sea attacks. And the most senior Democrat in the Senate called for Israel to change course. Israel needs to understand that the casualties theyve inflicted on the people of Gaza the devastation they have caused cannot continue, Patty Murray of Washington, the senate pro tempore, said in a blistering speech on the chamber floor. It is not in line with American interests, nor does it make Israel safer. Continuing U.S. military support for Israel at current levels becomes untenable when Israel demonstrates they are unwilling to listen to us, Coons told cable networks after the killings during the failed aid distribution. The National Security Council pointed to Biden's own warnings about the looming Rafah offensive and support for a possible sea route to deliver aid. It did not answer questions about whether the administration has altered its opposition to cutting military aid to Israel or to seeking Congress' permission for its strikes on the Houthis. Lawmakers have sent at least a half-dozen letters to the administration calling for changes in the conduct of the war since the start of the year. The administration said this week it is actively exploring one possibility, pushed by Reed, to open a sea route for humanitarian aid. The U.S. began air drops to Gaza civilians last week, getting around Israeli restrictions blocking much of the aid delivery by land. Biden's allies in Congress are trying to drive home the message that Netanyahu's conduct of the war is not in U.S. interests, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said. Biden and top aides have appealed privately and publicly to Israel for more precision in airstrikes and drone attacks, which have been killing whole families in crowded neighborhoods. Netanyahu also has publicly ruled out the U.S. goal of eventual Palestinian statehood. The conversations between senators and the White House are vigorous and frank" regarding the war and Netanyahu, Warren told the AP. We would not be serving our president to do otherwise. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has not marked up legislation related to the region since the war began. And only this past week did the panel hold hearings on the growing Middle East conflicts. Two congressional aides, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss private meetings, said the chairman, Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, told the committee late last year that no legislation related to the Middle East would move until the war in Gaza is over. Another congressional aide familiar with the discussions said that in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that set off the war, Cardin urged caution on taking any immediate legislative action that would negatively affect the Israeli effort on the ground. In a statement to the AP, Eric Harris, a spokesperson for the committee, did not directly respond to a question about the lack of legislative action but said the committee continues to be actively engaged in conducting oversight on Middle East policy, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis, and efforts to free hostages abducted by Hamas including American hostages. The committee cited classified bipartisan briefings it had held, meetings with heads of state and other influential figures, and other key policy advocacy by Cardin, including his leadership in getting Jacob Lew confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Capitol, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has sent over bipartisan bills on the Middle East, including many that would target Iranian officials over Iran's support to Hamas, the Houthis and other armed groups that have stepped up attacks on U.S. and other targets. Back on the Senate side, notably, it was a subcommittee of the Foreign Relations Committee, rather than the full committee, that summoned two senior Biden administration officials to answer questions about the strikes to try to quell Houthi attacks on international shipping routes. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, who led the session, said later he was working to gather support from other senators for legislation to compel the administration to seek congressional approval to continue the strikes, in line with his reading of the War Powers Act. Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, suggested only an end to the fighting in Gaza was likely to calm the region. U.S. involvement in another war in the Middle East would reflect that weve learned virtually nothing over the last 25 years., Kaine said of the U.S. strikes targeting Houthis. This is the kind of a thing that can lead us to slip or slide into a war. It is one of the oldest black municipalities in the country, and soon Eatonville could be home to the states African American History Museum. But a local senator says a new bill is trying to derail that plan before the town can make its case. In 2023, the Florida Museum of Black History task force was created with plans to recreate a state museum honoring Floridas black history. Six months later, Senator Danny Burgess filed the Historical Preservation Programs bill. It creates a network of museums that can receive funding, possibly creating issues for the black history museum. Senator Geraldine Thompson is a member of the task force, and said this new bill will negate the six months of work. Read: Eatonville could soon be home to a state Black history museum (It) signals to all these individuals we have involved in this process, she said. That Florida is the optics are retreating from the establishment of the Florida black history museum. Shaniqua Shan Rose is leading the project for the town of Eatonville. What were doing is making sure we meet our due vigilance, Rose said. Were collaborating with every entity to ensure that we bring the museum here. Read: Eatonville is looking for an artist for this local project In remarks, Senator Burgess defended his bill, maintaining it will not interfere with plans already in place. This bill is simply seeking to put parameters around what the state currently can do with them I dont see it as a conflict, Burgess said. The task force was expected to make its recommendation for the governor by the end of June. But a decision on the bill must be made by Friday because that is when the legislative session ends. Channel 9 spoke to representative Bruce Antone, who proposed the Florida Museum of Black History. He said hes hoping to secure 30 million from the legislature by the end of the week. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A bill to create an artificial intelligence task force supported by the Washington State Attorney Generals Office passed the legislature Tuesday in a 30-19 vote. Senate Bill 5838 will now head to Gov. Jay Inslee to be signed. The task force will include technology experts, labor and civil liberty groups, and industry leaders who will discuss the benefits and downsides of AI and make recommendations to the legislature. The 19-member group will meet at least twice year and will submit reports on several topics including: Public policy issues. Racial equality, civil liberty issues, and high-risk uses. Recommendations for guiding principles, regulations, and ways to support innovation. A recent survey showed that 79% of those who responded in North America said they had been exposed to at least some generative AI artificial intelligence which creates content such as text, images or audio. The survey said 41% of respondents reported using the technology regularly, and 22% said they were regularly using it at work. The task force will meet at least twice a year. The groups final report and recommendations are due to the governor and legislature on July 1, 2026. A lab tech uses equipment employed for in vitro fertilization in this undated photo. The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday ruled that embryos created in the process could be considered people and that destruction of frozen embryos could expose a person to civil damages. (Getty Images) Two bills aimed at restarting in vitro fertilization (IVF) services in Alabama won approval from legislative committees on Tuesday, setting up final votes on the measures as early as Wednesday. HB 237, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, passed the Senate Healthcare committee on a 7-1 vote, with two abstentions. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, voted against the bill after it was amended to provide immunity to manufacturers of goods involved in IVF treatment. SB 159, sponsored by Rep. Tim Melson, R-Florence, approved the House Health committee on a voice vote. Both bills passed their chambers of origin on Thursday. I think the goal of this bill is to accomplish providing a better sense of security for those providers, those clinics that have been working with these families in in vitro fertilization process, Collins said after the committee meeting to reporters. IVF programs in Alabama have been paused since a Feb. 16 Alabama Supreme Court decision that declared frozen embryos children. The court said parents could collect damages for their destruction under an 1872 state law. The legislation are moving concurrently, which allows the bill to be passed in five legislative days, the minimum number it takes to pass bills. Each committee amended the legislation to provide criminal but not civil immunity to manufacturers of goods involved in IVF treatment if embryos are destroyed. If found liable, manufacturers of goods would have to pay for damages, determined by the price the family paid for the fertilization treatment. Stutts, who voted against the bill in the Senate committee, said that he was against putting a limit on the amount of damages to the cost of the treatment. He said thats assigning a value to the life of an embryo. He said that IVF is a lengthy treatment, and for people getting older who may not be able to carry a pregnancy, it wouldnt make sense to pay for another round of treatment. To just simply say, were going to come and well, I know we hate we lost all your embryos, were going to pay for having another cycle. Well, another cycle might not be an option for them, Stutts said. Speaking after the Senate Healthcare committee meeting, Dr. Michael Allemand, a physician at Alabama Fertility, one of the clinics that stopped IVF services after the state Supreme Court ruling, said that he understands Stutts concern. As far as we understand, all of this just returns us to a normal state of affairs where were under normal medical legal liability like we are every day, Allemand said. Michelle Allen, an IVF patient from Auburn, came to watch the bill in the Senate committee. She said its important to keep patients visible throughout the process. Allen, 32, said she wants to have a child sooner rather than later. She said its not about a biological clock but rather about concerns of what life will look like if she has a child too late. Her current solution is to get treatment in Georgia. Were not here to talk to anybody or anything. Just were here. We care about this. We hope that [legislators] care about it as much as we do, Allen said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Bills aimed at restarting Alabama IVF programs in position for final votes appeared first on Alabama Reflector. The News ByteDance would be forced to divest TikTok or otherwise face a ban on the popular video app in the U.S. under a new bipartisan bill being introduced in Congress on Tuesday. Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis. and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., who lead the House select committee on China, are proposing legislation that would give ByteDance 180 days to divest TikTok, according to committee aides. If that doesnt happen, web hosting services and app stores would be barred from distributing TikTok in the U.S. The legislation represents a significant effort by members of Congress to address national security concerns associated with the Chinese ownership of the popular video app, which is used by more than 100 million Americans. This is my message to TikTok: break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users, Gallagher said in a statement. Americas foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States. A committee aide said that the core motivating concern behind this piece of legislation is that applications that are controlled by foreign adversary entities including TikTok pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. In response, a TikTok spokesperson equated the legislation to an outright ban and said it 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. Know More The legislation would also empower President Biden to designate certain social media apps as subject to control by a foreign adversary specifically Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea meaning they could also face forced divestment or a ban. The legislation has a wide array of more than a dozen cosponsors, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. a member of House Republican leadership. The list includes conservatives such as Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas and Kevin Hern, R-Okla and Democrats like Reps. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass. and Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y. Still, its unclear what its path will be in Congress, where past legislative efforts to restrict the app in the U.S. have stalled, despite a high-profile congressional hearing last March during which lawmakers grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdiction over the issue, is expected to mark up the bill on Thursday. The aide described the legislation as narrowly tailored and said the language was crafted to get around potential constitutional concerns. TikTok, which has pushed back on security concerns raised by U.S. officials, sued the state of Montana over its ban on the app, citing free speech violations and accusing it of being a bill of attainder, meaning legislation that allows the government to punish a person or group for a perceived crime without a trial. A federal judge blocked the law last November. Step Back Last month, Bidens campaign joined TikTok in a bid to reach young voters, despite existing White House warnings about security risks. The app is currently banned from government devices. TikTok has pushed back on security concerns raised by U.S. officials, holding up a $1.5 billion-effort known as Project Texas meant to wall off U.S. user data. The View From China A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. urged the U.S. government to give ByteDance fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment. TikToks parent company is a private enterprise that conducts business in the U.S. in accordance with market principles and international rules and complies with US laws and regulations, Liu Pengyu said in a statement to Semafor. At the same time, we are firmly against some peoples moves to deliberately overstretch the concept of national security to wear down Chinese enterprises, Liu continued, adding that Beijing would continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. Notable The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that some American user data was still being shared with ByteDance employees. A group of US lawmakers has introduced a bill that would require Chinese tech giant ByteDance to divest from the popular video-sharing TikTok app within six months or face a ban. For years American officials have raised concerns that data from the app could fall into the hands of the Chinese government. A bipartisan set of 19 lawmakers introduced the legislation on Tuesday. TikTok called the bill a disguised "outright ban". In a statement announcing the bill, the lawmakers said "applications like TikTok that are controlled by foreign adversaries pose an unacceptable risk to US national security". The bill would give ByteDance 165 days to divest, or it would be blocked from the app store and web hosting platforms in the US. "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," TikTok said in a statement to the BBC. TikTok has previously argued against divestment, arguing a change in ownership would not impose new restrictions on data use. TikTok is one of the most popular apps in the US, especially among younger people. This is the latest attempt by US lawmakers to place restriction on TikTok. Senators introduced legislation to block the app last year, but the move stalled after lobbying from the company. Former President Donald Trump tried to ban the application completely in 2020, though the move was also unsuccessful. The application is also banned on government devices, though President Joe Biden's re-election campaign made an account last month. The House Energy and Commerce Committee said it would consider the latest bill on Thursday. The price of a single bitcoin hit an all-time high Tuesday, topping $68,800 for the first time since November 2021 and extending a rally fueled by a cash infusion following the approval of exchange-traded funds that hold the cryptocurrency. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first U.S. spot exchange-traded funds in January, lending legitimacy to once-fringe digital assets and opening the door to billions in investment from financial institutions. The recent surge in Bitcoins value and the potential factors contributing to its increased price can be attributed to a combination of the upcoming scheduled Bitcoin halving and the increased institutional adoption through crypto ETPs and derivatives, said Rajeev Bamra, senior vice president of digital finance at Moodys Investor Service. The impending halving, involving a substantial reduction in mining rewards from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC per block, aligns with increased demand, fueled in part by the growing popularity of spot crypto ETPs. Bitcoin dominates the global crypto market, accounting for $1.3 trillion of the nearly $2.6 trillion in crypto in circulation around the world, according to the crypto data aggregator CoinGecko. The turnaround in the crypto market from last year, when economists were also predicting a wider recession in the U.S., has been remarkable. The price of bitcoin has more than tripled from January 2023, when it was trading below $20,000. A rising tide lifts all boats, and crypto is no exception. Other digital asset tokens, including Ethereum, have seen their prices soar, albeit at a slower rate than bitcoin, which has increased more than 26 percent since last Monday. But Bamra warned investors should exercise caution and acknowledge that the road ahead for the digital finance ecosystem, particularly the crypto markets, is expected to navigate through a period marked by volatility. Crypto faces a challenging road in Washington, and the surge in bitcoin price isnt likely to move policymakers on crypto regulation anytime soon. This will not have any impact on the legislative agenda, predicted Christopher Grieco, a former Justice Department and Trump White House official who is now general counsel and chief compliance officer at the Web3 company Rain Cards. Time for consideration before the election or in lame duck is rapidly coming to a close, and the Warren Gensler anti-crypto army dont see BTC price as a positive but as a further call for draconian enforcement, Grieco added, referring to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler, two staunch critics of the industry. A number of cryptocurrency bills have been introduced this Congress. Crypto proponents, including Coinbase, are particularly fond of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, also known as FIT21, which establishes a sweeping regulatory framework for digital assets. Crypto advocates have also been playing defense against Warrens bipartisan Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act (DAAMLA), which they say harms U.S. competitiveness without actually impacting illicit actors. The Blockchain Association sent a letter to the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee in February that included more than 80 signatures from former military and national security professionals including Grieco voicing their concerns with the anti-money-laundering legislation. Sen. Warrens DAAMLA legislation, however, would inadvertently hinder law enforcement and national security efforts by driving the majority of the digital asset industry overseas. This shift could also lead to increased liquidity in unregulated offshore exchanges and a loss of valuable expertise and visibility for the U.S. in the blockchain realm. Further, this legislation, if implemented, will have no meaningful effect on the foreign illicit actors it targets, the letter says. The agency sued crypto exchange giants Coinbase and Binance last summer. The two lawsuits differ in their facts, but both cases alleged the exchanges failed to register with the SEC despite selling cryptocurrencies the agency said could be securities. The overbearing and uncertain enforcement should be enough impetus for a legislative solution that provides clarity and protections to crypto participants, but it seems increasingly unlikely that Congress will pass anything this year, Grieco said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bitcoin Tuesday hit an all-time high in value after dips and fluctuations in its price over recent years as the cryptocurrency makes a foray into mainstream trading. The price briefly crossed $69,000, surpassing its prior all-time high of $68,990.90 from Nov. 10, 2021, according to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, which cited data from the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index. In Florida, where crypto trading has its own restrictions, a new ruling from the SEC could make things much easier. Just last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said during his presidential bid that the federal government should take a more permissive approach to cryptocurrencies, according to a report in Forbes. "We are going to allow Americans to invest in things like Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, DeSantis said at the time. Under a new guidance from the SEC, that may now be easier than ever. Why did Bitcoin's price increase so much? Bitcoin's price has risen dramatically this past year as a result of crucial regulatory approvals that brought trading cryptocurrencies more in line with trading stocks. A visual representation of the digital cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, alongside U.S. dollars. In January, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved what are known as exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, that correspond with the price of Bitcoin. This allows everyday investors to tie their money to the cost of Bitcoin without owning any outright. Tuesdays increase came right alongside a fall in the traditional stock market. With the advent of cryptocurrencies, which act as nontraditional securities, Florida has its own unique position on their trade. Is Bitcoin legal in Florida? Because of the encrypted nature of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, their use has prompted concerns over money laundering and other illegal activities.Some Florida laws have put restrictions on Bitcoin, such as requiring a Money Services license in addition to maintaining an anti-money laundering program for those institutions involved in trading the cryptocurrency, putting them in a different category than typical stock brokers. The new approval from the SEC, however, allows investors interested in cryptocurrencies to invest in them without going through the process of purchasing them. How can I buy Bitcoin in Florida? What has not changed is that Bitcoin can currently be purchased outright in Florida online through online exchanges such as LibertyX or Coinbase. What is new is that Floridians along with everyone else nationwide can purchase ETFs tied to the value of Bitcoin on the open market like any other stock or security. Those interested in using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as investment vehicles can now go through typical online brokers to trade ETFs. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Investing in Bitcoin in Florida to be easier under new rules TAMPA (BLOOM) In the picturesque landscapes of the Cotswolds, a revolution brews, merging the essence of traditional farming with the artistry of modern distillation. BLACKLION Vodka emerges as a testament to innovation, where the pastoral charm of sheep farming meets the sophisticated world of spirit production. This article delves into the unique journey of BLACKLION Vodka, crafted from the milk of the distinctive Valais Blacknose sheep, transforming a traditional byproduct into an award-winning spirit. The Genesis of BLACKLION Tim and Tanya Spittle, second-generation farmers, ventured beyond conventional boundaries to create a vodka thats as unique as their heritage. Faced with the evolving challenges of modern farming, they envisioned a spirit that encapsulated the purity and essence of their farms produce. Their journey was fueled by a blend of passion and ingenuity, leading to the birth of BLACKLION Vodka, a spirit distilled from the whey of sheeps milk. We were sipping vodka on a beach, questioning, could we produce something like a spirit from our farm? That moment sparked our journey to create BLACKLION Vodka, shared the Spittles. From Pasture to Bottle: The Art of Distillation BLACKLION Vodkas production is a narrative of meticulous craftsmanship, where every step is a testament to the brands commitment to quality and sustainability. The process begins with the ethical farming of Valais Blacknose sheep, whose milk is transformed through a secret distillation process, culminating in a vodka thats smooth, pure, and distinct. The journey from milk to vodka is our guarded secret, but its the essence of our commitment to creating a super premium spirit that honors our farming heritage, the founders explain. Embracing Sustainability Sustainability is woven into the fabric of BLACKLION Vodkas ethos. The brand exemplifies environmental stewardship, from promoting biodiversity on their farm to choosing eco-friendly packaging, demonstrating that luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously. Our vodka reflects our dedication to sustainability, using every part of the milk and ensuring our farming practices contribute positively to our environment, said the Spittles. Flavor Profile BLACKLION Vodka is not just a spirit but a culinary marvel, offering a palette of flavors that pair beautifully with various gourmet delights. From the creamy and smooth Dirty Sheepdog cocktail to the exquisite pairing with sheeps cheese, each sip is a celebration of the vodkas versatile character. The vodka pairs beautifully with a sheeps cheese, echoing the journey of the curds and whey back together, the Spittles remarked, showcasing the thoughtful culinary craftsmanship behind the brand. Welcomed with Open Arms: The Tampa Debut The Tampa Bay communitys warm embrace of BLACKLION Vodka underscores the citys evolving palate and openness to innovative culinary experiences. The debut events at Ulele and Taste of South Tampa were not just introductions but a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and the shared joy of discovery. The response in Tampa was overwhelming; its all about tasting it, understanding the craftsmanship, and of course, the story behind our Flockstars, they enthused. Looking Ahead: Innovations on the Horizon BLACKLION Vodkas journey is far from complete, with plans for expansion, sustainability initiatives, and exciting collaborations that promise to elevate the brand to new heights. The Spittles vision for the future is as clear as their vodka, focusing on growth, innovation, and a continued commitment to their environmental ethos. Our future is brimming with possibilities, from our Flockstars tour in the United States to sustainable business practices that ensure our farms legacy, the founders shared with anticipation. Engage with the Legacy BLACKLION Vodka offers more than just a taste of premium vodka; it invites enthusiasts to become part of a community that values tradition, innovation, and the spirit of adventure. Through newsletters, social media, and exclusive farm visits, fans can connect with the brands journey and ethos. Become a Friend of The Flock, engage with our story, and discover the passion behind every bottle of BLACKLION Vodka, encouraged the Spittles. My Take on BLACKLION Vodka: Perfect for Those Special Gatherings After giving BLACKLION Vodka a try, Ive got to say, its quite the experience. This isnt just any vodka; its like a smooth journey in a glass. The first thing youll notice is how incredibly smooth it is its got that luxurious feel without any harshness, making it a pleasure to sip on its own. Its definitely one of those vodkas that you bring out when you want to impress or on those occasions that are a bit more special. Theres something about its elegance that makes it stand out. Plus, the unique backstory of its production adds an extra layer of intrigue, turning it into a great conversation piece at parties. BLACKLION Vodka is more than just a drink; its a storytelling experience. Smooth, refined, and with a tale tied to every bottle, its the kind of spirit that sparks conversation and makes your special occasions even more memorable, is what Id say to sum up my tasting. Whether youre hosting a fancy dinner or just looking to enjoy a quiet, quality drink, this vodka fits the bill. Its definitely got that wow factor thatll get your guests talking, and lets be honest, its fun to serve something that comes with its own set of stories and a touch of exclusivity. BLACKLION Vodka is a unique and innovative spirit, marrying the rich heritage of sheep farming with the refined artistry of vodka distillation. Its a story of passion, sustainability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, inviting all to savor not just a drink, but a unique experience that celebrates the best of British farming and the transformative power of creative vision. The Spittles journey from pastoral farmers to purveyors of fine spirits is not just inspiring; its a testament to the possibilities that unfold when tradition meets innovation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. U.S. Secretary of State Blinken meets with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the State Department in Washington By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz at their meeting on Tuesday in a "quite frank" way that Israel needs to act urgently to allow more aid into Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Speaking at a news briefing, Miller said Washington has seen some Israeli ministers in government blocking flour shipments to Gaza and support protesters who blockaded aid going into the densely populated enclave, and he said the U.S. has called out on such actions. Washington now wants to see another border crossing into Gaza opened by Israel and is engaged with its Israeli counterparts directly to make that happen, Miller said, and those engagements include Blinken's meeting with Gantz. "He (Blinken) was quite direct and quite frank about the seriousness of the situation on the ground and the fact that it is incumbent on everyone involved to do more to get aid in urgently, as soon as possible," Miller said, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "horrific." Gantz, speaking to reporters outside the State Department after his meeting with Blinken, said: "Meeting was very good." He did not respond to shouted questions on whether Israel would open another border crossing to allow in more aid. Famine is now looming over the Gaza Strip as aid supplies, already sharply curtailed since the start of the war, have dwindled to barely a trickle over the past month. 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. CEASEFIRE TALKS Blinken on Tuesday also discussed the ongoing ceasefire talks in Cairo with Gantz, Miller said, but he declined to provide details. "The obstacles are not insurmountable," Miller said. "In our view, it should be possible to reach an agreement. We think the proposal that Israel put on the table in consultation with the United States and with Qatar and Egypt is one that Hamas should agree to." Hamas negotiators stayed in Cairo for a third day of ceasefire talks on Tuesday to achieve a deal in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins at the start of next week. Three security sources from host and mediator Egypt told Reuters that the warring sides were sticking to demands that had held up an agreement. A 40-day ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel would allow some hostages captured by Palestinian militants in the October attack that precipitated the war to go free, while aid to Gaza would be increased and families would be able to return to abandoned homes. (Reporting by Simon Lewis, Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Leslie Adler) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel on Tuesday to maximize "every possible means" to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza, saying the current situation in the densely populated enclave was unacceptable and unsustainable. Speaking before his meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the State Department, the top U.S. diplomat also said there was an opportunity right now to achieve an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war but that the onus was on the Palestinian militant group to engage in those talks. "Israel has to maximize every possible means, every possible methods of getting assistance to people who need it," Blinken said, and reiterated the Biden administration's call that Israel open new border crossings to allow more humanitarian aid to go in, something that country has been resisting. "It requires more crossings. That requires more aid getting in. And once that aid is in, it requires making sure it can get to the people who need it. So we will continue to press that every single day because the situation as it stands, is simply unacceptable," Blinken said. Famine is now looming over 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 swaths 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. Blinken's comments came as ceasefire talks in Cairo, billed as a final hurdle to reach a 40-day truce in the war between Hamas and Israel in time for the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, continued, but with no clear breakthrough. "We have an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Palestinians who so desperately need it. ... It is on Hamas to make decisions about whether it is prepared to engage in that ceasefire," Blinken said. "Qatar, the United States and our partners will be always persistent to make sure that this deal happens," said Sheikh Mohammed, standing next to Blinken. The sheikh, who is also the Qatari foreign minister, is visiting Washington for the latest round of U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, a comprehensive mechanism of talks during which the two sides will discuss their military, economic and political ties. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; editing by Jonathan Oatis) BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) A Mercer County man was sentenced for a federal fraud crime. 37-year-old Matthew Huffman, of Bluefield, West Virginia, was sentenced to three years of federal probation, including 90 days on home detention with location monitoring, and ordered to pay $45,258.51 in restitution for theft or embezzlement in connection to healthcare services. Bench warrant list released by Bluefield WV Police Department Huffman admitted that he stole from the Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center when he was employed as its chief substance use disorder officer. According to court statements, Huffman embezzled money from Southern Highlands between October 2022 and January 2023. The embezzled money included more than $5,000 from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP). Southern Highlands, a non-profit medical treatment canter, offers a wide range of services that includes treatment for addictions. COSSUP grants are given out to help people who are affected by illegal substance use and misuse. Summers County man pleads guilty to federal gun crime Huffman revealed he forged signatures that were needed to approve the use of funds that included the COSSUP grants, and put the names of former patients and consumers of Southern Highlands on the required forms. Furthermore, he admitted to embezzling the funds for his own use that included using the money for his car loan payments, utility bills, and to buy prepaid debit cards and gift cards. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who praised the Mercer County Sheriffs Office for their work on the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. If you thought the allegations of corruption against New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez couldnt go any deeper, you clearly arent accustomed to hiding gold bars in your sock drawer. On Tuesday, New York prosecutors leveled another superseding indictment against the Democratic senator, bringing up the total of indictments against Menendez to three in the states ongoing corruption and bribery investigation into the lawmaker, his wife, and several business associates. In September, Menendez was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion. Prosecutors alleged that Menendez and his wife, Nadine, had agreed to and did accept hundreds of thousands of dollars of bribes in exchange for using Menendezs power and influence as a Senator to seek to protect and enrich, three businessmen: Wael Hana, Jose Uribe, and Fred Daibes. The charges included allegations that Menendez had abused his post to unlawfully aid the government of Egypt, and showed that investigators had found envelopes of cash and even solid bars of gold stashed throughout the senators home. Things were already looking grim, but in October, prosecutors leveled additional charges accusing Menendez of having provided sensitive U.S. Government information and took other steps that secretly aided the Government of Egypt, and acting as a foreign agent. On Friday, Uribe pleaded guilty to seven counts including conspiracy to commit bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and honest services wire fraud and entered a cooperation agreement with prosecutors. Now, authorities have leveled a third indictment against the senator, alleging that he used his elected office to unlawfully benefit the government of Qatar. JUST IN: Superseding indictment charges Menendez with using his position as senator to benefit *Qatar* in addition to Egypt. https://t.co/abxfsLOqvL pic.twitter.com/7bmY7dnc8k Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 5, 2024 Despite calls from dozens of Democrats for his resignation, Menendez has refused to vacate his seat, only going so far as to voluntarily step down from his position as Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. But while Menendez seems determined to keep a grip on his Senate office, Democrats in his home state are gearing up to force him out via vote. The state is now the site of a hotly contested race to replace Menendez should he resign or be forced out before election day. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone A 40-year-old San Pablo man who reported his wife and her mother missing has now been charged in connection with their deaths, California police say. Prosecutors charged Phuc Vo with two counts of murder on Monday, March 4, following his arrest on Feb. 29, San Pablo police said in a news release. Vo told police Sept. 13 that his wife, Tho Ly, 40, and her mother, Que Tran, 74, had not been seen after leaving their San Pablo home Sept. 6 to travel to Southern California following an argument, the release said. But detectives spotted Vo driving his wifes missing vehicle, which was found Dec. 5 in Oakland, police said. Investigators uncovered other evidence suggesting Vo was directly involved in the disappearance and killings of the two women, police said. He was arrested after police served a search warrant at his home, the release said. The bodies of Ly and Tran have not been discovered, police said. Police ask anyone with information to call 510-215-3150. San Pablo is about 20 miles northeast of San Francisco. Three women leaving baby shower die in crash with accused drunk driver, CA cops say Accused thief hops into driverless car then cant drive it away, California cops say Explosion of homemade fireworks kills man at dog park, Colorado police say Other state Republicans have joined Lauren Boebert in calling for action against Jena Griswold (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Lauren Boebert did not appear at a recent campaign event because she was busy seeing if her ex-husband had tossed her possessions into a pond, according to The Washington Post . The Colorado Republican had reportedly been scheduled to address the Pachyderm Club, a local Republican group, at a coffee shop last month, but her campaign manager spoke in her place. Ms Boebert reportedly drove back that day to the house where she had, until recently, lived with her ex-husband Jayson Boebert to pick up her remaining belongings. The two went through a contentious divorce last year. Mr Boebert, who was still living in the house, reportedly texted the lawmaker saying she could find her things at the bottom of the pond. As it turned out, that was not true; he had actually moved her belongings into storage without her permission. Ms Boebert reportedly called the police and took out a temporary restraining order against him. The right-wing politicians campaign manager, Drew Sexton, denied to Business Insider that the congresswoman had been scheduled to appear at the event. She had spoken to the club the prior week, he said. "I was there on behalf of the campaign simply to check in and say hi," Mr Sexton said. The family has gone through some highly public turmoil over the past year. Their son, Tyler Boebert, was arrested last week on suspicion of a recent string of vehicle break-ins and thefts. Twice last year, Mr Boebert was also arrested first for an altercation between him and his then-wife, and then for assault charges after an argument with their son turned physical. The two incidents that led up to the arrests were cited in Ms Boeberts temporary restraining order as reasons it should be granted. In September, Ms Boebert and another guest were kicked out of a performance of Beetlejuice after people in the audience complained they were vaping, singing, using their phones, and causing a disturbance. Open borders, unlocked infrastructures, active economic, political and cultural ties. These are the conditions necessary to establish long-term peace in our region, - is the main idea of the proposed Crossroads of Peace project . I believe that possible implementation of the Crossroads of Peace project (on the regional dimension) can lead to deep interconnections and interdependence between the countries of the region with strong infrastructural ties with the neighboring countries and regions. Thus, it will allow turning the South Caucasus into the crossroad between the East and the West, the North and the South, as it used to be for centuries. I do see the positive signals from our neighboring partners: Georgia and Iran. From the other side, Azerbaijan and Turkiye, operating as strategic allies, are actively working to maintain Armenia in a state of blockade, thereby contributing to a broader regional atmosphere characterized by tension rather than peace and stability. So, its evident that Azerbaijan has no willingness to achieve peace in a short-term perspective. But, regarding domestic implementation of the Crossroads of Peace project, there are already some preliminary calculations, that the modernization of all infrastructure capabilities inside Armenia will cost half a billion USD. Armenia is already implementing some infrastructure projects in the Syunik region (in the south of the Republic), and others yet to come. AK: New transport communications are always good, as long as they are used for peaceful trade, not for the troops deployment. But to attract business, and make the transport companies change their logistics in favor of them, the key is not only economic benefit, but also long-term stability and safety. From your standpoint, what is the role of political guarantees for successful implementation of Crossroads of Peace, and how do you see them in practice? Is it about the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement, or something else? JM: Indeed, the primary focus should be on reaching a peace agreement with robust political guarantees from Azerbaijan, further reinforced by assurances from external actors like the United States. Only this option will be beneficial not only for our states and the region, but also to the international community. By securing such guarantees, we can lay the foundation for stability, prosperity, and cooperation, fostering an environment conducive to peace and mutual development. Therefore, prioritizing diplomatic efforts towards achieving this goal is paramount for ensuring a positive outcome for all stakeholders involved. However, the persistent obstacle remains the security situation on the ground, with Azerbaijan's revisionist and aggressive stance posing a significant challenge to progress. Consequently, it seems unlikely, at this stage, that we'll see international transport companies swiftly altering their logistics to utilize our region, given the prevailing security concerns. Despite these challenges, it remains imperative for Armenia to continue working on the peace agenda and actively engage more international partners in this process. By doing so, we can garner broader support and collaboration to address the underlying issues and pave the way for sustainable peace and prosperity in the region. Speaking of the peace process, I remain hopeful that the Brussels platform will continue its operation in the near future and yield positive outcomes. However, the primary obstacle to achieving a genuine peace treaty lies in the apparent lack of willingness in Baku to pursue peace. AK: Do you expect that Azerbaijan, even if coming to a peace agreement with Armenia, would automatically approve direct transport communication between Armenia and Turkiye? Baku had already signaled that the Zangezur Corridor (the route from Azerbaijan mainland to Nakhchivan through Armenia) "lost its attractiveness", as Azerbaijan is building an alternative route through the Iranian territory. JM: If we can achieve peace, then numerous possibilities become feasible. However, the critical question lies in understanding the preconditions set by Baku, as they have already made claims to the territorial integrity of Armenia, introducing terms like "West Azerbaijan," which Ankara has supported. Yet, if we envision a scenario where Turkiye lifts the blockade over Armenia, it could prove beneficial for both countries, particularly in terms of the development of bordering regions. Additionally, the recent consideration of constructing a railway from Kars to Nakhichevan highlights the potential for increased connectivity in the region. However, for this vision to materialize, unblocking communications and restoring railway connections between Armenia and Turkiye along the Kars-Gyumri route, as well as between Armenia and Azerbaijan along the Yeraskh-Julfa route are necessary. This infrastructure development would facilitate the establishment of a link between Kars (Turkiye) and Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan) via Armenia, which will be a more cost-effective solution while simultaneously fostering greater regional integration and cooperation. Remarkably, the cost for Armenia to undertake this project is estimated to be relatively modest, approximately $10 million. This budget would cover expenses such as $8-9 million for the route from Gyumri to the Turkish border (1 km) and $1-2 million for the route from Yeraskh to the Azerbaijani border (6 km). After completing these initial steps, we can move forward with another crucial aspect of communication infrastructure development. Specifically, I'm referring to the restoration and construction of a Nrnadzor-Agarak railway (43 km) in the Armenian Syunik region. This railway would establish a direct link between Nakhichevan and Azerbaijan, traversing Armenian sovereign territory. It's essential to clarify that in Armenian terminology, the notion of a "Zangezur corridor" does not exist. Instead, both we and our international partners emphasize the restoration of communications. The cost for Armenia to undertake this project is estimated to be approximately $60 million. It's worth noting that the Armenian route holds significant importance for Azerbaijan and the main reason is that it offers a route that is not subject to the control of Iran. For more than three decades, Azerbaijan has relied on Iranian territory to maintain ground connections with Nakhichevan. That is why I think that the Iranian route is not and will not be an alternative route for Azerbaijan and the statements from Baku may indeed be part of a broader negotiation strategy. Armenia stands ready to offer its territory for international and regional transit purposes, as demonstrated by its commitment to initiatives like the "Crossroads of Peace" project. However, it's crucial that any such agreements are based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, reciprocity, and equality among the involved countries. These principles are essential for ensuring fairness and sustainability in any cooperative endeavors aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and cooperation. AK: Lets imagine all political obstacles are resolved The Armenian side estimates the Project to ensure 4,7 million tons of cargo and 300,000 passenger transportation through regional countries during the first year of operation; by 2050 the volume of goods transported through regional countries by Armenian railway infrastructures will reach 10 million tons. I believe this would require a substantial investment what is in the funding plan? Or is it all financed by the Armenian state? JM: As previously mentioned, the initial implementation of the "Crossroads of Peace" project within Armenia will be financed by the Government of Armenia. While investments from international financial organizations may come later, for now, we will rely on our own resources to initiate the project. In November 2023, Minister of Finance Vahe Hovhannisyan stated that the estimated cost of the "Crossroads of Peace" project would range between $400-500 million. As the project continues to develop, it's likely that updated figures will emerge, especially considering Armenia's intention to incorporate the "Dry Port" project near Gyumri into the initiative. The government plans to invest up to $40 million in the "Dry Port," which is envisioned as a multifunctional and multimodal hub facilitating customs processes for regional and international companies. Positioned adjacent to Shirak International Airport, the railway station, and the North-South transportation corridor, the "Dry Port" is poised to transform the Shirak region, bordering Turkiye and Georgia, into an industrial zone. It will encompass a free economic zone, distribution centers, small and medium enterprises, light industry facilities, production bases, and an international food market. AK: And in connection with Georgia in particular, are there any estimations, for example, about the transport costs from Armenia to Russia through Georgian territory as compared to the possible transit through Azerbaijan? Should Georgia be worried about less Armenian transit through its territory? JM: I dont have specific estimations regarding transportation costs from Armenia to Russia through Georgian territory compared to the potential transit through Azerbaijan. However, I firmly believe that if we can achieve peace in the region, it will open up numerous possibilities. Concerning Georgia, while they may encounter some complexities and challenges due to their historical benefit from closed borders in the region, the newfound stability will attract more investments. Official Tbilisi has expressed keen interest in the "Crossroads of Peace" project, recognizing the potential benefits it could bring to the region. The implementation of regional infrastructure projects, including the "Crossroads of Peace," will not only help compensate for any potential expenses but also position Georgia as a major beneficiary of peace and stability in the region. Overall, the prospects of peace offer significant opportunities for economic growth and cooperation, fostering mutual benefits for all countries involved. AK: Going back to Georgia, how do you generally assess the Georgian-Armenian perspectives after Armenias recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory (moreover, just recently the prime ministers of both countries officially consolidated a new strategic level of bilateral relations)? JM: Armenian-Georgian relations boast a rich history of cultural and political ties. Throughout periods of independence, both nations have consistently maintained strong neighborly bonds and partnerships. Their relationship has been characterized by active political dialogue and robust economic cooperation, reflecting the mutual respect and collaboration between the two countries. During the rule of the Georgian Dream and after the change of power in Armenia in 2018, relations between the elites of the two countries have become even warmer. The basis for deepening relations are the trends in both countries. These are the strengthening of democracy, human rights, freedom of speech. Recently, on January 26, the Prime Ministers of both governments, Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Gharibashvili, signed the Declaration establishing a strategic partnership between Armenia and Georgia. This significant agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthen their cooperation across various fields and deepen their longstanding ties even further. With our relations now officially designated as "strategic," I anticipate that Yerevan and Tbilisi will embark on a process aimed at realizing that strategic partnership. There is indeed much to be done: updating and expanding the interstate cooperation agenda, aligning legal documents with the level of strategic cooperation, and initiating various joint projects to enhance and deepen our collaboration. These efforts will lay the groundwork for a strengthened and mutually beneficial partnership between Armenia and Georgia. AK: If there is anything that you would like to add for our readers, the floor is yours. JM: I think we had quite an interesting and inclusive interview that covered regional developments and security issues, as far as cooperation between Armenia and Georgia. Hence, I would like once again to thank you for this opportunity and reconfirm my readiness to continue our cooperation in future. AK: Thank you very much! As Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing Co. engage in talks for Boeing to re-acquire what was once its Wichita plant, let me take you back to one of the most emotionally wrenching days I ever had to cover as a journalist here. It was Saturday, March 21, 2005, to be exact. It was a day I spent sitting on porches in south Wichita with Boeing employees as DHL Express delivered packages carrying news of whether they should report to work the Monday after Boeing divested itself of its Wichita plant. I remember watching that bright yellow DHL truck as it moved down the street, stopping at every few houses to deliver those packages. And I remember the tears of the displaced workers, who were generally older and better paid after spending decades sweating and bleeding for Boeing and thinking that their company had their back. Workers like Johnnie D. Jones, a 32-year Boeing employee who wept when he got the letter from Mid-Western Aircraft Systems, the placeholder name for what had been Boeings Wichita division, later renamed Spirit AeroSystems. We regret to inform you that you will not receive an employment offer from Mid-Western Aircraft Systems at this time, Jones termination letter said. Thank you for your interest in the new company and for participating in the employment process. Jones, 60, had been a dedicated soldier of the Cold War. He started with Boeing in 1972, refitting and modernizing B-52 bombers, a key element of the U.S. nuclear deterrent force that kept the Soviet Union in check. He suspected he was on the chopping block after he was abruptly transferred from the military division, which Boeing didnt sell, to a low-level job in the civilian aircraft plant that was being sold to Onex Corp., a Canadian investment firm that acted as the middleman to do Boeings dirty work. The underlying reason for the sale was that Boeing wanted to cut costs by abrogating its labor contracts with its Wichita workforce. The sale gave Onex a free hand to make them all reapply for their jobs, shedding the higher-paid line workers and renegotiating contracts with the survivors. It wasnt long until the successor company started pestering the Legislature for job-training money to prepare workers for its factory floor. As I watched that unfold in Topeka, I remember thinking to myself, You had a trained workforce what did you do with it? Point of interest: Onex made $3.2 billion on its Wichita adventure from 2005 to 2014, when it sold off its last remaining stake in Spirit. Its been as shameless an exercise in corporate greed and callousness as Ive ever seen, and I covered the demise of the aircraft industry in Southern California, which crashed and burned after the Soviet Union ceased to exist. Now, 19 years later, the sins of the past are on approach at Boeing. Its a truism in any industry that rampant cost-cutting sooner or later leads to degradation of product quality. If youre making picnic coolers or car stereos, two other things that Wichita used to be famous for, the consequences arent all that severe. But when you make airplanes, every single working part has to be right every single time, or people can die. Spirits signature product is the fuselage for the troubled 737 Max jet. Right now, 171 of those planes are grounded after an Alaska Airlines jet made an emergency landing when a plug that was installed in place of an optional door blew out of the side of the aircraft in mid-flight. It was terrifying and traumatizing for the passengers, but we can be thankful that the seat belt light was on and none of them were killed. That incident followed other quality issues coming out of the Spirit plant, including misdrilled holes in pressure bulkheads that were discovered last year and are the subject of an ongoing class-action lawsuit. That followed revelations of problems with tail fittings for the plane. For Boeing, the Alaska Airlines blowout was the latest in a series of quality control fails, the most serious being the mass grounding of 737 Max planes from March 2019 to November 2020, after botched software in overseas airliners caused two crashes that killed 346 people. Boeing, youve got a long way to go to get your mojo back. Buying back the Wichita plant would be a start, but its only a start. What youre really going to need going forward is skilled and conscientious line workers who care about quality, do things right, and are confident enough to speak up when something goes wrong guys like Johnnie D. Jones. But it wont be him. He died in 2009, four years after you sent the DHL truck to his house. Boise residents awakened Tuesday morning to a flurry of snow outside their window and a winter weather advisory notification on their phones. Before the city had fully gotten to work, 2.1 inches of snow had been recorded at the Boise Airport, and the National Weather Service expects more to fall over the course of the day. The winter weather advisory notes that 1-3 inches of snow will fall in the Treasure Valley, with up to 4 inches in some spots. It remains in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday. As of 8am, we've measured 2.1" of total snow at the airport. We've received reports of 10" of snow in Featherville and 11" of snow in McCall. Roads still look mostly slushy, but there are slick spots, especially on snow covered roads. How much snow did you get? #idwx #orwx pic.twitter.com/VfWNjwxchW NWS Boise (@NWSBoise) March 5, 2024 Its a little more snow than we expected, Weather Service meteorologist Sophia Adams told the Idaho Statesman. We have a band thats over us right now, and we are expecting that to continue through the afternoon. Although snow is forecast throughout the day for Boise, Adams said temperatures will rise to the upper 30s. The higher temperatures mean the snow could transition to rain in the early afternoon, but it likely will return to snow around 10 p.m. if there is still precipitation in the area, Adams said. The warmer temperatures are helping road conditions in Boise, with little accumulation of snow expected on roadways and sidewalks. Snow on Monday morning under colder temperatures resulted in snow accumulation on major roadways, including nearly 100 traffic incidents on Interstate 84 between Boise and Mountain Home. If any slick spots occur, itll be overnight when temperatures drop to around 26 degrees, Adams said. For the (Wednesday) morning commute, if there are still some wet spots with any lingering snow, especially in shadowed north-facing areas, you could see some slicker spots, Adams said. Heavier snow in the mountains While the snow remains lighter in the valleys, its a different story for the mountains. The Weather Service reported that McCall had seen 11 inches of snow by 8 a.m., while closer to home, Bogus Basin had picked up about 8-9 inches. Adams said she expects Bogus Basins snow totals to increase to about 11 inches by noon and 15 inches by the end of the day. The roads, as usual, will be pretty dangerous and snow-covered, Adams said. They do a great job on (Bogus Basin Road), and those road crews work really hard up there, so that will help. But just with the amount of snow that weve seen, Adams continued, it will definitely be dangerous, so follow the local and (Bogus Basins) guidance for what kind of snow tires you need and stuff like that. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Police early Tuesday arrested a man on suspicion of burglarizing Bonnies Best Cafe and vandalizing an accounting business downtown. Cody Edwards, 20, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, vandalism, trespassing and resisting arrest, police said. Hes due in court Thursday. BPD ask for communitys help identifying suspect who allegedly burglarized Emmanuel Lutheran Church Police were called around 5 a.m. to a report of a suspicious person outside Justin Regan Accounting and found Edwards. Officers determined he had vandalized the business, according to a Bakersfield Police Department release, and found him in possession of property from Bonnies Best Cafe. Police confirmed the sandwich shop had been burglarized. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the BPD at 661-327-7111. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Police are asking for the communitys help identifying a suspect who allegedly burglarized a church in northeast Bakersfield. BPD said the suspect was captured on surveillance footage allegedly burglarizing Emmanuel Lutheran Church, located at 1900 Baker St. on Feb. 27. Arvin police sergeant admitted using cocaine: docs The suspect is described as a white man who was wearing a black hooded sweater, brown jogger-like pants and black Adidas shoes. Anyone with information on the alleged burglary is asked to call Det. M. Tramel at 661-326-3519 or Bakersfield police at 661-327-7111. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. FILE PHOTO: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures while standing in front of his house before testifying to the Federal Police in Brasilia By Ricardo Brito BRASILIA (Reuters) -The former heads of Brazil's Army and Air Force have confirmed to federal police that ex-President Jair Bolsonaro discussed a draft decree to prevent the handover of power after the 2022 election, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Their testimonies, delivered to investigators in recent weeks, augur badly for Bolsonaro, whose political career looks finished and is now widely seen as battling to stay out of jail. Bolsonaro has been ruled politically ineligible until 2030 for spreading electoral misinformation during the 2022 campaign, and recently had his passport seized by police probing his efforts to cling onto power after he lost to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the election. Last week, former Army chief Marco Antonio Freire Gomes told police in a seven-hour deposition that there were discussions with Bolsonaro over a draft decree that could have prevented Lula's inauguration, two sources said. That followed testimony from former Air Force chief Carlos Baptista Junior, who last month also told police about the discussions with Bolsonaro on ways to prevent Lula taking power, one of the sources said. "I've spoken with various sources over the last 48 hours. I'm certain. There is nothing concrete against the president," Bolsonaro family spokesman Fabio Wajngarten wrote on X, adding that he had not yet had access to the ex-military chiefs' testimonies. Neither Gomes nor Baptista Junior could be reached for comment. Bolsonaro currently faces various criminal probes that are close to reaching their conclusions. A federal police source with knowledge of the matter said investigators plan to combine the various probes, and are already discussing the charges they believe Bolsonaro should face. The possible charges, which include trying to overthrow the democratic state, racketeering, and falsification of documents, carry a maximum total jail sentence of 55 years. Once the federal police have decided what charges they believe Bolsonaro should face, it would then be up to the office of Brazil's prosecutor general to formally indict him. "Bolsonaro's indictment is more a matter of when, rather than if," a source in the top prosecutor's office told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Neither the prosecutor general's office nor the federal police responded to requests for comment. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Writing by Steven Grattan;Editing by Gabriel Stargardter, Rosalba O'Brien and David Gregorio) Not long after Deng Xiaoping took charge of saving China from the chaos left by Maos demise, Chinese scientists began flocking to Western universities where they were welcomed unconditionally into the heart of the liberal research establishment, and set free to plunder sensitive technical innovation at its source. Now, forty years on, the results have stacked up immensely in favour of the Chinese Communist Party, helping them to develop the cutting-edge military capabilities which underpin Chinas increasingly aggressive geostrategic objectives. This threat has been common knowledge and concern in the UK for decades. Yet successive UK governments have failed to staunch the haemorrhage of priceless technical knowhow from British centres of excellence. Inventions that should have been used to strengthen our own security and that of our allies instead have fuelled the revisionist aggression of what Westminster still persists in calling a systemic competitor. When a competitor which drains British dual use innovation on an industrial scale is rushing to triple its nuclear weapons stockpile, building hypersonic missiles and developing weapons for use in space, perhaps its time to abandon such mealy-mouthed euphemisms and come up with some effective deterrents. As is now well known, on the final day of Xi Jinpings state visit in 2015 Chancellor George Osborne took him to the National Graphene Institute at Manchester University to learn about the future graphene applications being developed there. Osborne said that he wanted to show Xi Jinping what we are capable of in Britainso that things discovered in Britain could be sold around the world. China had other ideas. It is now clear that up to one third of Chinese funding to UK universities has links to the Chinese military. Industrial-scale draining of strategic intellectual property takes place in open sight. Universities can justifiably argue that they have not knowingly aided and abetted the hostile acquisition of sensitive technologies. Given the vast sums invested by China in foreign dual-use technology research and the dearth of strategic UK government funding, it is perhaps understandable if gift horses from Beijing are not looked too closely in the mouth. The UK government is confronted by a fundamental contradiction between the ideals of free and open academic research and the need to shield some of it from potential hostile exploitation. Even more challenging is the fluid margin between civil and military applications. Such is the pace of technical innovation that todays new wonderful new discovery may turn out to have uses in future weapons of mass destruction or oppressive surveillance capabilities. Chinas Military-Civil Fusion policy actively compels Stem researchers to pursue both tracks in parallel. In Britain and much of the West, where liberal freedoms are the norm and there is no such explicit objective and pressure to weaponise everything, the point at which a new technology becomes sensitive is extremely hard to define and regulate. It is comparatively easy for UK security organs to disrupt efforts by terrorists to obtain dangerous technologies, and quite another matter when the beneficiary is a major global economy with whom national policy is to deepen economic co-operation. Thus the UK National Protective Security Authority advises that Chinese laws may affect the control you have over research and data shared with Chinese individuals and organisations, and leaves academia to choose its own path. This is no longer sustainable. Our world-class centres of STEM excellence are helping to arm and empower a regime that oppresses its own citizens, supports the likes of Putin and Kim Jong-un and is explicitly bent on using force to replace the rules-based world order with its own authoritarian tyranny. It is high time for Westminster to come up with preventive rules and legislation that stand some chance of stemming the tide. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Sean Doyle, BA's chief executive, said the company will invest 7 billion over the next two years to 'revolutionise our business' - STEVE PARSONS/PA WIRE British Airways is to offer passengers free WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger in an attempt to revive its flagging reputation with customers. The flag carrier airlines customers will be able to send and receive texts on the messaging apps, along with Apple iMessage and Microsoft Teams, free of charge on flights starting from next month. Passengers will not, however, be able to send pictures, videos or file attachments unless they pay for full access to the in-flight Wi-Fi. Those wanting to use apps to send or receive images, videos or attachments, browse the internet or stream content can buy passes costing between 4.99 and 21.99. To send free text messages, British Airways (BA) passengers must first register with the airlines free-to-join loyalty scheme, Executive Club. The scheme is also restricted to a single device per passenger. Meanwhile, rival Virgin Atlantic offers passengers 20 minutes of free Wi-Fi aboard its A330neo aircraft, which it says lets customers post a selfie or finish watching that cat video. Sending free in-flight texts from a personal device over Wi-Fi has been a feature of travelling with US airlines including United, Delta and Southwest for years. Paid upgrades to send pictures and videos has also been a feature of those airlines Wi-Fi offerings since they were launched. Enhanced Wi-Fi access is part of BAs 7 billion transformation plan. All of BAs Gatwick-based aircraft and more than 80 per cent of its Heathrow-based fleet have Wi-Fi, with the remainder expected to be fitted with the technology by the end of 2025. The transformation plan includes developing a new mobile app and website, which will improve assistance given to customers whose flights are cancelled. The airline said the changes would enable passengers to book seats on alternative flights, including those operated by other carriers. Passengers entitled to hotel rooms and food will also be sent vouchers direct to their electronic devices. Difficulties accessing call centres or finding staff at airports means customers of all airlines are often forced to pay up front for food and accommodation during disruption, and later submit claims for reimbursement. This leads many passengers to miss out on what they should receive under consumer laws because they are unaware of their rights or cannot afford the costs. Consumer organisation Which? ranked BA fifth from bottom among short-haul airlines in a February survey, giving the airline two stars out of five for value-for-money in its long-haul category. Worse, 3.3 per cent of flights were cancelled less than 24 hours before departure. Given how big BA is, that means tens of thousands of people had their plans torn up at the last minute, added Which?. Steph McGovern, the television presenter, hosted an event for the airline in the City of London on Monday night, at which she told bosses: Ill be honest with you, I hate the app. Colm Lacy, the chief commercial officer, replied: I wish I had a pound every time I heard that statement. He added: Having a new technology platform allows us to do things that we just cant do on our existing platform. Its all about personalisation. Other areas included in the transformation plan are new short-haul and first class seats, using AI to boost flight punctuality and aircraft reliability, a new lounge at Dubai Airport, and the return of flights between Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur, and between Gatwick and Bangkok. Sean Doyle, BAs chief executive, said: 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 7 billion over the next two years to revolutionise our business. 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. BAs parent company International Airlines Group reported underlying operating profits of 3.5 billion (3bn) for 2023, nearly three times the 1.3bn it reported in 2022 and higher than its pre-pandemic peak. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. British Airways is investing $9 billion as part of a two-year transformation. Business Insider had a first look at the new short-haul seats. Plus it announced new first-class seats on the A380, new routes, and a new app. British Airways unveiled a host of new initiatives at a media event in London on Monday, as part of a $9 billion "transformation." The UK flag carrier was named the world's best airline by Skytrax in 2006, but its reputation has since faltered. It ranked third-last out of 17 airlines for customer satisfaction on long-haul flights in a survey last month from British consumer advocacy group Which?. "We're on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation program that will see us invest 7 billion [$9 billion] over the next two years to revolutionize our business," said CEO Sean Doyle. With a new seat design, new routes, and upgrades to the Airbus A380, here's how BA is changing. New short-haul seats British Airways' mockup cabin with Tower Bridge in the distance. Pete Syme/Business Insider Monday's showcase took place in an iconic skyscraper nicknamed "The Cheesegrater" in London's financial district, so the mockup cabin had great views of Tower Bridge. British Airways is rolling out the new seat design to its Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets, used on its short-haul flights. They're set to be delivered from May onwards. The navy color with red accents is supposed to evoke the British flag although it also looks similar to Delta Air Lines' seats. Nonetheless, it's an upgrade from the current gray. The business-class configuration on BA's new short-haul seats. Pete Syme/Business Insider Headrests can be folded at the sides, and next to the tray table, there are two convenient ports one USB-A and one USB-C. Like most European airlines, business class on short-haul flights uses the same hard product, except the middle seat is sectioned off. There's also a couple of inches of extra legroom: 31 inches instead of the 29 in economy. The seatbacks have one USB-A and one USB-C port. Pete Syme/Business Insider First class on the Airbus A380 British Airways' new first-class has been retrofitted on its Boeing 777 jets. The same design is now coming to the superjumbo A380, expected to debut at the end of 2025. Some airlines have been retiring the enormous A380 since the pandemic, but that's not the case for BA. "The A380 is an important part of our fleet and rightfully, incredibly popular with our customers," Neil Chernoff, chief planning and strategy officer, told Business Insider. BA is the only European airline that offers first-class seats between the UK and US. This winter season, the A380 has been flying to Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco as well as to Dubai and Johannesburg in South Africa, Chernoff said. He added that for the summer season, there would be added routes to Boston, Washington Dulles, and Singapore but Dubai would be dropped. New app, new perks, and returning routes British Airways also announced two routes are set to return. It will fly daily from London Heathrow to Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur starting on November 10. Economy tickets start at $786, and first will cost at least $5,000. From October 28, it will also fly three times a week from London Gatwick to Bangkok with prices starting at $886. For frequent fliers, there are also a couple of new perks. BA is opening a new lounge in Dubai Airport as it's relocating to a larger space later this year. From April 3, Executive Club members will be able to send messages for free using the onboard WiFi in any class. Although, this doesn't cost more than $6.50 for non-members. A new mobile app and website were also announced. Beta testing is ongoing, and it's set to debut by the end of the year. By switching to new technology, BA says the app will be more personalized, plus it'll be easier to change your journey online rather than calling customer service. Read the original article on Business Insider The British Museum has been accused of sexism after suggesting single women can attract a man by looking confused at its Roman exhibition. The museum attempted to promote the exhibition Legion: life in the Roman Army in an Instagram post by referring to a TikTok trend that showed women asking their husbands, boyfriends and fathers how often they thought of the Roman Empire and expressing bewilderment when the answer was every day. Any single woman going to the exhibition, the now-deleted post suggested, would find a phalanx of single men anxious to explain pilums, centurions and the testudo formation. However, the post read: Girlies, if youre single and looking for a man, this is your sign to go to the British Museums new exhibition, Life in the Roman Army, and walk around looking confused. Youre welcome x. It then added: Come for the Romans, stay for some romance. Academics were among those to join a backlash on social media. Lucia Nixon, an archaeologist at the University of Oxford, added: This is an official post from @britishmuseum?!?!?. The museums meme also showed five red banners featured in the exhibition, which were likened to those displayed at Nazi rallies. Dr Claire Millington, a visiting research Fellow at Kings College London, wrote on X: Unrelenting fascist imagery and sexism dolloped on top. This is the BM's insta today. pic.twitter.com/VSqqWLfZlR Dr Claire Millington (@Claire_M) March 3, 2024 In response to one critic, the museum said: Hello - its 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 wasnt aware of the wider context who felt offended by this meme! Saskia Cort, a Swedish-based influencer, went viral in 2022 after urging her followers to ask their male partners how often they thought about the Roman Empire. The trend was reignited in August last year when history enthusiast Artur Hulu, also based in Sweden, posted the same prompt on Instagram before it generated wider interest on TikTok. Alexandra Wilson, a professor of music and cultural history at Oxford Brookes University, accused the British Museum of being misguided in its marketing approach. Dr Wilson 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. A British Museum spokesman said: 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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former Chiefs assistant Britt Reid was quietly released Friday at 10:40 a.m., hours before his commutation became public knowledge. He is currently under parole supervision, the Missouri Department of Corrections told the Star Monday. It was announced Friday that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson commuted Reids sentence after he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and causing a crash that severely injured a 5-year-old girl. What wasnt known at the time was that he was also released that same day. He will be under house arrest until Oct. 31, 2025, according to Parsons office. The 38-year-old son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid pleaded guilty to a single felony offense in the Feb. 4, 2021 crash. The family of Ariel Young leave the Jackson County Courthouse after Britt Reid was sentenced to three years in prison for driving while intoxicated and causing a 2021 crash that severely injured a 5-year-old Ariel. Ariel Young, who was 5 years old at the time, was a passenger in one of two vehicles that Britt Reids pickup slammed into on the side of the entrance ramp along Interstate 435, near the teams practice facility. Tom Porto, an attorney for the family said, The family is disgusted, I am disgusted, and I believe that the majority of the people in the state of Missouri are disgusted by the governors actions. If you drink and drive and you put a little girl in a coma, you should have to serve the entire sentence that a judge of this state gave you, he said. Porto also provided a statement from Ariels mother, Felicia Miller, who asked, How would the governor feel if this was his daughter? It seems the laws dont apply equally to the haves and have nots. The haves get favors. The have nots serve their sentence. Prosecutors said Britt Reid was driving 83 mph two seconds before the collision and had a serum blood alcohol content of 0.113 about two hours after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08, according to Missouri law. In a statement Friday, Jonathan Shiflett, a spokesperson for Parsons office said, Mr. Reid has completed his alcohol abuse treatment program and has served more prison time than most individuals convicted of similar offenses. Ariel was in a coma for 11 days. In November 2022, Reid was sentenced to three years in prison. The Stars Katie Moore and Jonathan Shorman contributed reporting to this story. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) believes that El Nino, a natural pattern that causes water surface temperatures in tropical areas of the Pacific to rise, peaked last December and is now gradually weakening. But it will continue to impact the global climate in the coming months, fuelling the heat trapped by greenhouse gases from human activities, warned the WMO in its latest update. Last February, in fact, is shaping up to be the warmest February on record. The previous record was set in 2016, coinciding with another significant El Nino event. The WMO update estimates there is about a 60% chance of El Nino persisting during March-May and 80% chance of neutral conditions (neither El Nino or La Nina) in April to June. El Nino occurs periodically every two to seven years and usually lasts between nine and 12 months. It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, the WMO explained. And it influences weather conditions and storms in different parts of the world. The current El Nino began in June and helped make 2023 the warmest year on record. However, it was not the main cause. The greenhouse gases emitted by the world economy are what have led to the continuous rise in global temperatures, a trend that has become more pronounced over the last decade. Every month since June 2023 has set a new monthly temperature record and 2023 was by far the warmest year on record. El Nino has contributed to these record temperatures, but heat-trapping greenhouse gases are unequivocally the main culprit, explained WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in the update. The surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean in the tropics were above normal, a clear sign of the effect of El Nino. But, as Saulo warned: Sea surface temperatures in other parts of the globe have been persistently and unusually high for the past 10 months. The January 2024 sea-surface temperature was by far the highest on record for January. This is worrying and cannot be explained by El Nino alone. Last January was the warmest ever on Earth since reliable records began in the mid-19th century (although paleoclimate scientists argue that you have to go back several millennia to find such high temperatures). And last February also looks set to break records, according to data provided by Climate Pulse, a tool from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) of the European Commission. Climate Pulse which provides a daily average temperature indicates that this past February was around 0.2 degrees Celsius warmer than 2016, which held the previous record. The first two weeks of February were especially warm across the planet, as reflected by Climate Pulse data. Temperatures eased in the second half of the month, although they have continued to be among the highest in historical records. This data must still be reviewed and verified by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Temperature anomalies in February 2024 compared to the reference period 1991-2020. Copernicus In addition to contributing to rising global temperatures, El Nino is associated with increased rainfall and flooding in the Greater Horn of Africa and the southern United States, and with unusually dry and warm temperatures in Southeast Asia, Australia, and southern Africa, according to the WMO. The latest event has also exacerbated drought in northern South America and contributed to drier and warmer conditions in parts of southern Africa. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Brockton Public School student was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle while getting of the school bus Monday afternoon, officials confirm. Acting Superintendent James Cobbs said in a statement that a Hancock School student was being dropped off at a bus stop around 3:30 p.m. when the child was hit by a passing vehicle. The young student is not believed to have suffered serious injuries but underwent evaluation at an area medical facility, said Cobbs. Brockton Police also responded to the incident, which occurred in the Manthala George Jr. Elementary School area. According to Cobbs statement, the bus was stopped and its red lights and stop sign were activated at the time of the incident. We are grateful that this incident did not result in a tragedy, Cobbs said. We urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution around schools and bus stops to ensure the safety of students. Police say the driver was cited on the scene. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to two years of probation after officials say they found buckets of human remains in his home, news outlets reported. Jeremy Pauley pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, according to court records. In the summer of 2022, Pauley was arrested after authorities said they discovered 5 gallon buckets filled with human remains inside his home in Enola, according to WHP-TV. This came after police received a tip that a man, later identified as Pauley, was buying and selling human body parts, WPMT reported. Pauley told police he was part of a network of people who bought and sold human remains, the news outlet reported. The remains were stolen from the Harvard Medical School, an investigation found, according to WGAL. Among the remains identified were human brains, heart, livers, skin and lungs, the Cumberland County District Attorneys Office said in a news release, McClatchy News reported in August 2022. Six people were arrested, in what the FBI called a multi-state scheme, after some body parts stolen from Massachusetts and Arkansas were found in a Kentucky home, McClatchy News previously reported. McClatchy News attempted to contact Pauleys attorney for comment but could not reach him. Pauley was also charged in federal court and pleaded guilty to interstate transport of stolen property and conspiracy to interstate transport of stolen property, WHP-TV reported. He has yet to be sentenced on those charges, the outlet reported. On the abuse of corpse charge out of Cumberland County, Pauley was sentenced to two years of supervised probation, with the possibility of the last year being unsupervised for good behavior, WGAL reported. Enola is about 115 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Morgue manager stole parts from donated bodies and sold them on social media, feds say Washed-up human skull found after flooding leads to investigation, Arizona officials say Morgue worker altered sex doll as he returned to dead persons home, Nebraska cops say Happy birthday to the team responsible for helping nearly every military project get off the ground! Of course, we're talking about the Seabees. The Seabees were established on March 5, 1942. So, each March 5, the Navy community gathers to celebrate these remarkable sailors. Love them or hate them, there's no denying the Navy Seabees are a unique and vital part of the military. But what exactly is a Seabee? And how did they form? Read on to find out! What does A Seabee do? The name "Seabee" comes from the initials "CB," which stands for Construction Battalion. Seabees are the construction force of the United States Navy. They are responsible for building and maintaining infrastructure in combat and peacetime operations. In other words, if something needs to be built or fixed, the Seabees do it. Day in the Life of a Seabee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNz_WCR78Qo Few people know what they do or how difficult their job can be. The Seabees are the United States Navy Construction Battalions - they build stuff. But it is so much more than that. If you ask any Seabee, they will tell you this is one of the most challenging and rewarding things they have ever done. Why It's Difficult What makes being a Seabee so difficult? Well, they often deploy to remote, dangerous and sometimes even hostile locations. Their tasks include building things like roads, runways, bridges and living quarters, even under challenging circumstances. One of the most difficult aspects of being a Seabee is being away from home for long periods. Deployments can last a long time, which affects them and their families. It is not an easy lifestyle. That said, it's one that many Seabees wouldn't trade for anything else in the world. If you are thinking about becoming a Seabee , know that it is not going to be easy. It will be challenging, and there will be times when you want to give up. But, if you can stick it out, you will be part of something extraordinary. A History of the Seabees in the American Military The United States Navy's Construction Battalions have been a fixture in American military history for over 75 years. Seabees initially formed during World War II to free up troops for combat duty. The newly formed units started by taking on construction projects in the Pacific theater. Heres the request that was sent up the flagpole to create what we know today as the Seabees. Since then, they haven't stopped. Seabees have served in every major U.S.-involved conflict. World War II: The Birth of the Seabees Seabees at Camp Peary during WWII. U.S. Navy photo. The Seabees trace their origins back to World War II when the U.S. Navy realized it needed a dedicated construction force to free up troops for combat duty. In March 1942, the first Construction Battalion (CB) was formed. By the end of the war, there were a total of 325,000 Seabees serving in 100 different CBs. These service members saw action in every theater of operation during World War II. However, their most notable deployments were to the Pacific island-hopping campaign against Japan. Korea: The Forgotten War The Seabees saw action again during the Korean War. They often worked alongside Army units to construct roads, airstrips, and bridges under enemy fire. Despite their vital role in supporting American troops, the Seabees have been largely forgotten by history. That might have something to do with the fact that their role is largely one of helping and not one of combat. Vietnam: A New Generation The Vietnam War was a new kind of conflict for America. It required a new generation of Seabees to meet the challenges of guerilla warfare and hostile jungle terrain. Among other things, they built floating restaurants and barges to support American troops stationed along Vietnam's extensive river network. They also constructed barriers to prevent Vietcong vehicles from using roads to transport supplies and troops. By the time the last Seabee left Vietnam in 1973, they had earned a reputation as some of America's most formidable and most resourceful soldiers. Gulf War: Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm The 1990s saw a new era of diplomacy and international cooperation. Still, it was also a time when America's military prowess was tested with Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in response to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. As always, the Seabees supported American troops, helping build barracks and repair runways while enduring hostile conditions. Operation Iraqi Freedom: The Return to Iraq In 2003, America invaded Iraq a second time. Once again, the Seabees played a vital role in supporting American troops by constructing living quarters and forward operating bases throughout Iraq. And once again, they demonstrated their dedication to duty by carrying out their missions despite being targets of insurgent attacks. For decades now, the United States Navy's Construction Battalionsbetter known as the Seabeeshave been playing a vital role in supporting American troops during conflicts around the world. From their origins during World War II to their operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Seabees have always been there when America needed them most. So next time you see a member of this proud corps, be sure to thank them for their service! Burkburnett police say a 20-year-old father was "engrossed in video games" while his baby daughter drowned in a bathtub in May last year. Justin Ray Kidwell of Burkburnett was being held Monday in the Wichita County Detention Center on a murder charge in connection with the child's death, according to online jail records. The recommended bail is $500,000. Kidwell pleaded guilty to abandoning or endangering a child in December 2022 in connection with an incident involving a child unrelated to him, court documents show. Two Burkburnett men were charged with possessing fentanyl disquised as oxycontin pills. Anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. On Monday, Burkburnett police announced Kidwell had been arrested in connection with his 8-month-old daughter's drowning death. On May 14, Burkburnett police and firefighters responded to a distress call about an unresponsive infant in the 200 block of Avenue B, according to allegations in the media release. They found the child was deceased after being taken from a bathtub. Burk police and Texas Rangers thoroughly investigated and determined the baby was left unattended with the water running in the bathtub and died in a heartbreaking incident, according allegations in to the media release. A forensic examination of electronic devices notably the father's computer revealed a timeline that indicated Kidwell was playing computer games and left the child unsupervised, according to allegations in the media release. On Monday, Burk police and Texas Rangers served a warrant for murder and arrested Kidwell. "This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of parental supervision, particularly when it comes to the safety and well-being of our children," Burk officials said in the media release. Members of the Burkburnett Police Department extended their deepest sympathies to the victim's family and friends and urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant. Kidwell was placed on three years of probation Dec. 8, 2022, for abandoning or endangering a child as part of a plea bargain, court records show. A little girl consumed a THC edible in the area of her car seat in the backseat of a vehicle. He was not the biological father of the child, who was his girlfriend's. Eighty-ninth District Judge Charles Barnard delayed convicting Kidwell, allowing him the opportunity to avoid a conviction if he successfully served his probation. But the Wichita County District Attorney's Office is asking the judge to proceed with the conviction, alleging Kidwell violated his probation, according to a motion the DA's Office filed June 5. The alleged violations include failing to hold a job, report to his probation officer in February 2023, stay within Wichita County limits and pay a $500 fine and various fees. Kidwell was arrested June 9 in connection with the DA's motion and has been free on a $75,000 bond since June 10, according to online jail and court records. Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Burkburnett man charged with murder Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sparred with the host of CNBCs Squawk Box over President Bidens border policies Tuesday, arguing former President Trump is to blame for the collapse of a bipartisan border deal. It was especially disappointing to see what happened with the border, right. You got congressional GOP talked about the border every chance they got, so you would think they would be interested in addressing it, Buttigieg told CNBCs Joe Kernan. It looked like there was gonna be a chance to do something real with real resources at the border, only for Donald Trump whos not even an elected official to come in and kill it with the chill that he put on, he added. Kernan pushed back on Buttigiegs remarks, saying the Biden administration did not become interested in solving the problems at the border until it became clear it was going to be a major campaign issue. Every time we hear those talking points that suddenly it was Republicans who ruined the border, thats why people get so frustrated. We know what President Biden said about inviting people in, we know that he got rid of all the things that were keeping the border closed that President Trump had put in. We know that he got rid of all those, Kernan said before Buttigieg interjected. Its literally not true, Buttigieg said. The two proceeded to talk over each other, with Kernan pointing to high numbers of people crossing the border under Bidens administration when compared to Trumps. Buttigieg hit back, saying Biden got rid of the policy to tear children out of the arms of their parents. There have been bipartisan efforts to get something done here. But I really believe weve gotten to the point where many congressional Republicans find it so useful as a cudgel that they would rather keep the problem going for political uses then solve the problem and risk the chance that the president gets sharing credit for that, Buttigieg said. Kernan responded, referencing Bidens poll numbers. The reason that some of these numbers stay where they are, is because it just seems like instead of actually owning some of the issues that we have, instead of acknowledging that the president maybe has lost a step, the administration keeps saying, Dont believe your lying eyes, he said. The two continued to spar before Buttigieg again blamed GOP lawmakers for not addressing the issues at the border. Buttigieg said the common sense position is that there ought to be more legal immigration and less illegal immigration. And yet when theres a chance to actually do that, thats not what happened. The last administration cut legal immigration and meanwhile, our economy is pulling people just as much as terrible conditions in Latin America are pushing people, he said. Trump had voiced his opposition to the bipartisan deal on the border, which Senate Republicans torpedoed last month after it was met with conservative backlash. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Our industrial society is underpinned by drug use, though we don't typically think of it as such. After all, two out of three Americans drink coffee daily, according to the National Coffee Association. The American coffee market is expected to exceed $28 billion in 2024 and the industry creates 2.2 million jobs a year, which in turn generates more than $100 billion in wages for employees. But just try to imagine a world without coffee in the office breakroom or the long lines wrapping around Dutch Bros. Yet as unthinkable as it may seem, climate change could craft a future in which coffee disappears, or at least becomes far more scarce and expensive. Experts in this area seem to agree on two things: Climate change is going to make it harder to produce coffee, and coffee production in turn actually worsens the problems of climate change. Jarrod Kath, a professor of agriculture and environmental science at the University of Queensland who has studied coffee and temperature variability, elaborated on how global warming will negatively impact coffee production. Specifically, Kath focused on the two species of plants used to make coffee Arabica and robusta and how each one responds differently to rising temperatures. "Robusta coffee is generally thought to be able withstand hotter conditions better than Arabica," Kath told Salon by email, adding that he has previously researched the question of how much better it will be. The conventional wisdom holds that robusta needs an optimal temperature range above 22C to thrive, but Kath's research has found that those people "are likely overestimating its suitable production range and its ability to contribute to coffee production as temperatures increase under climate change. Robusta supplies 40% of the world's coffee, but its production potential could decline considerably as temperatures increase under climate change, jeopardizing a multi-billion dollar coffee industry and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Similarly, Kath and his team did research on Arabica coffee and discovered that "it is highly sensitive to the air getting drier and hotter." After Kath and his scientists measured the dryness and heat of the air, they learned that "once you reach a critical threshold of vapour pressure deficit that Arabica coffee yields decline rapidly. Several Arabica areas under climate change may see rapid yield declines under climate change." In addition to making coffee more scarce, climate change has also put a target over the coffee industry for a different reason the fact that it leaves a massive carbon footprint which exacerbates global warming. Amanda McMillan Lequieu, a professor of environmental sociology at Drexel University who has also studied coffee and climate change, elaborated on the nature of coffee's worrying (but elusive) carbon footprint. "There are many ways to produce coffee, so it's difficult to summarize exactly how much carbon coffee production inmates," Lequieu wrote to Salon. "We do know that the production processes tend to make up 40 to 80% of the total greenhouse gas emissions affiliated with coffee as a commodity. This is because the growth of coffee plants can often be associated with removing other habitats, and with the mechanization of certain components of the harvesting, cleaning, and those two process require some fossil fuel energy, and perhaps most significantly, transportation contributes significantly to the carbon emissions for most tropical commodities consumed in the global north." Lequieu added, "To be clear, other forms of consumption say, of meat contributes more significantly to greenhouse gas emissions than coffee does. Zooming out further, industrial-scale transportation and fossil fuel extraction and usage are the most significant contributors overall." Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. There is one other way in which climate change negatively impacts the coffee industry by harming the livelihoods of those who depend on it. "This is my opinion, not based on my research, but my discussion with those I word with in the coffee industry suggest that those with enough resources (e.g. money to invest in irrigation) to adapt to climate change may be fine," Kath told Salon. "It is the poorer coffee farmers that dont have the resources and capacity to adapt that will face the greatest challenges. If the climate becomes more unfavorable, they may no longer be able to produce high enough yields to make a living income from coffee production. The flow on effects of this at scale and for coffee supply more generally I dont think are well understood, or at least quantified." "Under these circumstances," David Kuhn, the lead for corporate resilience at the World Wildlife Fund, pointed out, "its important that we examine the whole system while also engaging with local communities to implement solutions that put people and nature at the center of a long-term vision for healthy landscapes. This includes significantly scaling up investments in adaptation and resilience for our communities and nature." "They are being impacted by climate change now, and the longer we wait, the harder and more expensive its going to get," he added. As Kuhn also noted, coffee and humans are alike in that they "depend on a healthy environment to survive and thrive." This is demonstrated in the case of coffee by the fact that "the coffee plant requires certain conditions to grow and produce high-quality fruit; the right temperature, the right precipitation, the right soil and all at the right time. Coffee is also impacted by pests. Climate change is shifting all of this, making things more uncertain, making management decision-making harder and more expensive for producers and putting more stress on the plants and resources." Lequieu said the coffee and climate change crisis involve far more than the fate of this particular beverage. "I think that coffee serves as a canary in the mine of environmental change," Lequieu told Salon, explaining that this was a key reason why she and one of her students decided to write an article studying it. "Even those of us who feel particularly alienated from where our food comes from often, on a daily basis, interact directly with the fruit of this tropical plant. Even if the quantity of coffee available to everyday consumers doesn't change much initially, as climate change might enable coffee to be grown in other regions of the world when a warming climate creates amenable weather patterns beyond the Equatorial region, we wanted to draw attention to the very real people who will be impacted by coffees decline in traditional growing regions." SOUTHPORT, N.Y. (WETM) New York convenience store chain Byrne Dairy could be opening another store in Chemung County after information was found in the public agenda of Mondays Southport Planning Board meeting. According to the Agenda, a discussion was brought up to review a site plan of Sonbyrne Sales Inc., the parent company of Byrne Dairy, for the construction of a new gas station at 1151 Broadway in Southport, the former Pizza Hut lot. When speaking to the Southport Code Enforcement secretary on Tuesday, March 5, she told 18 News that the discussion was brought up during the meeting, but nothing has been voted on yet. A last lifeline for historic Brand Park Pool? She added that more information will be brought up at the meeting on April 1, and then at the following meeting on May 6. She said that if all of the information is presented at the May 6 meeting, there will be a vote to approve or deny the construction. 18 News contacted Sonbyrne Sales Inc. for any additional confirmation but provided no comment at this time other than confirming the company name was on the public agenda for the project. If approved and constructed, this would put another business at the southern end of Southport, filling a space that was once filled by Pizza Hut. 18 News will continue to follow this story and provide updates when they become available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. California Lutheran University President Lori Varlotta delivers the state of the university address at the Lundring Events Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. California Lutheran University's Board of Regents held two days of meetings from Feb. 23-24, their first since a sweeping faculty vote of no confidence in President Lori Varlotta. One week later, university leaders kept mum on whether the board took any action to respond to the vote. The board's top three members threw their support behind Varlotta in the days after the 122-3 faculty vote, but the full board did not officially convene until the late February meetings. Board President Ann Boynton did not directly respond to questions about the meetings emailed to her and a university spokesperson on Feb. 26. Mark Berry, the spokesperson, replied via an emailed statement but did not address Varlotta's tenure. "As is our established practice, Cal Lutheran leadership will update the university community on the actions of the board through our usual channels, including already calendared meetings and town halls, over the next couple of weeks," Berry wrote. More: Cal Lutheran University faculty vote no confidence in President Lori Varlotta One of those meetings, a regular virtual town hall for faculty and staff, convened Friday morning. Three faculty members contacted after the meeting said that the meeting's leaders did not share whether the board took any action in response to the faculty vote. Berry said in a phone interview Monday that the meeting was largely a typical one, though, in an unusual move, Boynton joined to address faculty and staff directly. The board president, Berry said, "made it clear" that university leaders are expecting to make changes to get the university through the enrollment and budget difficulties it has faced of late. Kristine Butcher, a chemistry professor and faculty senate member, said by phone that Boynton acknowledged the faculty vote in her comments. Butcher said she appreciated the acknowledgement, and despite the lack of any announced action, believes the faculty's vote accomplished what it needed to. "It got the attention of the board and they recognized that there are some things going on that they need to pay attention," she said. Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Cal Lutheran's board keeps quiet on embattled president DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A California man was arrested in Davis County Monday after he was found in a hotel room with a juvenile boy, according to the Davis County Sheriffs Office. Austin David Arnold, 36, was booked into Davis County Jail on charges of enticing a minor first degree felony sexual activity and sexual abuse of a minor. On Sunday afternoon, March 3, a boy was reported missing by family members in Davis County. They said the teen had not been seen since early morning, and that he had changed his voicemail something his family believed to be a distress signal based on conversations the family recently had about safety, according to the sheriffs office. Man allegedly attacks woman in front of 12 kids, children wrestle weapons away Deputies and investigators with the Davis Child Abduction Response Team responded to search for the missing boy, and at around 8:30 p.m., the victim sent a message to a family member and shared his location. Authorities responded to his location, the address of a hotel, and discovered the juvenile in a room with four adult men. The teen was then taken to Primary Childrens Hospital for an evaluation. One of those men, identified as Arnold, was arrested on the charges previously mentioned. The other three men were detained and questioned, then released. Arnold admitted that he knew the boy was a minor, and that he had travelled to Utah from California to meet up with the victim. Arnold also admitted that he had plans to take the boy to California. Possible charges of possession of child sexual abuse material may be forthcoming, according to the Davis County Sheriffs Office. No further information is available at this time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A California man has become the first person in the United States charged with illegally smuggling greenhouse gases into the country, officials said Monday. Michael Hart of San Diego was arrested under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020, which prohibits the importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) without proper permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). HFCs are potent greenhouse gases commonly found in refrigerators and air conditioners, building insulation, fire extinguishing systems, and aerosols. They can be hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, exacerbating the climate crisis. According to the Department of Justice, Hart purchased refrigerants in Mexico and smuggled them into the United States in his vehicle, hidden under a tarp and tools. He then posted the items for sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace and other sites, selling them on for a profit. "The illegal smuggling of hydrofluorocarbons ... undermines international efforts to combat climate change under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol," said David Uhlmann of the EPA, referring to an agreement the United States, along with most countries, has signed. It calls to phase out the super pollutants by 80-85 percent by 2047. The indictment also alleges Hart imported HCFC 22, an ozone-depleting substance regulated under the Clean Air Act. Mexico as a developing country has a longer timetable for phasing out such pollutants than the United States as a developed country. ia/st The Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) that will take place this week has an ambitious agenda. The president of the IDB, Ilan Goldfajn, has been working on a proposal to reform the institution. and it is expected to be approved at the meeting. Central issues to the 48 member countries, such as insecurity and climate change, will also be discussed in seminars that bring together the private and public sectors. Most of the governors on the board the IDBs highest authority are finance and economy ministers, presidents of central banks or senior officials of their respective countries in the Americas. Whats more, the event brings together leaders from the private sector and representatives of civil society, with more than 3,000 participants expected to attend. The event will be held from March 6 to 11 in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, which has not hosted the IDB since 1992. The Board of Governors is expected to vote on proposals to strengthen cooperation between the IDB, IDB Invest, the banks private sector arm, and IDB Lab, its financial innovation lab. The three organizations make up the IDB Group. This involves voting on a series of operational and institutional changes that were presented to the IDBs Board of Governors in October. At a press conference in December, Goldfajn described his program as a cultural transformation of the bank. Our new orientation towards effectiveness and development results also requires a cultural transformation at the Bank. Promoting a culture of impact, rather than borrowed amounts, requires changing incentives and processes: a global transformation. Next year will be important to advance the changes that will help us achieve this goal, said Goldfajn, who was elected president of the IDB in November 2022. During this weeks event, there will be seminars that bring together business executives, bankers, public officials and members of civil organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The urgent need to invest in education, the transition from hydrocarbons to clean energy, innovation in agriculture and food systems, public security, climate change funding and biodiversity loss are some of the topics that will be discussed. Of the 48 member countries, the IDB has 26 borrowing member countries, all of them in Latin America and the Caribbean, which have just over 50% of the voting power on the institutions Board of Governors. Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings estimates that the IDB disbursed $10.5 billion in loans for development projects in the region last year. In an interview with Reuters in October last year, Goldfajn said the IDB Group could expand its lending capacity to $112 billion within a decade, including its public and private arm. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The suspects have not been identified and are consided armed and dangerous (AP) Masked men killed four people and left seven others injured at a house party in California on Sunday evening. The suspects remain on the run as of Monday morning, with locals in King City warned to keep away from them. Here is everything we know so far about the latest mass shooting. Police were called to a shooting at a house party King City Police Department in California were called out to a house on the 200 Block of N 2nd Street on Sunday 3 March at around 6pm, following reports of shots being fired. A birthday party was being held at the residence, cops said, with multiple people hanging out in the front yard. A silver Kia pulled up outside, three men got out and they opened fire. They then got back in the car and drove away. Four killed, seven wounded in King City shooting The suspects have not been identified and are considered armed and dangerous (KSBW Action News 8) When police officers arrived, they found three men in the front yard. They had all died from gunshot wounds. They also found four others who had been shot, including a 20-year-old woman who was taken by someone else to the Mee Memorial Hospital. She was pronounced dead from her injuries. Initially, police said three others had been wounded, but that number has since been updated to seven. All were taken to hospitals within Monterey County, with two in a critical condition as of Tuesday morning. The identities of the victims have not been released as of Tuesday morning. The suspects were wearing masks The three shooters were all wearing dark clothing, as well as dark-coloured masks, the police department said. Investigators have also not revealed any more about their identities. In an update late Sunday night, the police department said the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous and warned locals to stay away from anyone matching the description. Police offer $20,000 reward for information In an update on Monday night, the King City Police Department said it was offering a reward of $20,000 for information on the case, which leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects. Anyone with additional information is being asked to contact King City Police Department Sergeant Josh Partida at 831-386-5988 or jpartida@kingcity.com. Alternatively, residents can use the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME anonymously. Another mass shooting in the US According to the Gun Violence Archives definition that a mass shooting involves four or more victims, the incident in King City becomes the 70th such incident in the United States in 2024. The murders and shootings that occurred yesterday evening were a terrible tragedy for our entire community, King City Mayor Mike LeBarre said on Monday. We are heartbroken and share our deepest sympathy with the family and friends of those who were killed by this ruthless act of violence. We want to respect the privacy of the families that are suffering, but please know the City is here to help provide or access any resources that would be of assistance and support. On Sunday there was at least one other mass shooting event at a nightclub in Mississippi. In that incident, one person was killed and 12 people were injured. Three others were recorded on Saturday in Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina. In 2023, there were 656 mass shootings across the US. Incumbent Matt LaVere held an insurmountable lead after updated results were released Tuesday for the March 5 primary election for Ventura County Supervisor District 1. Challengers Philip Fields and Jeff Ketelsen are a distant second and third place, respectively. LaVere grabbed 26,810 votes, or 76.10%, according to updated results released around 3 p.m. on March 12. The Ventura County elections office will continue to count the votes in the coming weeks. "It was an honor to receive nearly 80% of the vote in this election," LaVere wrote in a text message Tuesday evening. "I'm excited to continue representing the first district residents on the board of supervisors and to keep working on their behalf." County supervisors serve a four-year term. With a clear majority of the votes, LaVere is expected to win outright with no runoff necessary. In the county-level race, a candidate who gets more than 50% of the vote wins the seat outright. If no candidate earns more than half of votes, the top two finishers advance to the November general election. On Tuesday, Fields was in second place with 5,508 early votes, or 15.63% of the total. Ketelsen received 2,914 votes, or 8.27% of the early total. Matt LaVere, Ventura County Supervisor District 1 incumbent, and his daughter Lucia LaVere, age 10, view the election results on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. In his second term, LaVere, 45, said he wants to continue working on homelessness, enhancing mental health services and supporting public safety and small businesses. District 1 covers mainly west Ventura County, including Ventura, Montalvo, Saticoy, Ojai, Ojai Valley, Upper Ojai Valley, Riverpark, northwest Oxnard and other areas. The seat is one of five on the Board of Supervisors, which oversees county-level government services as well as municipal services like streets and policing for the unincorporated areas. This race is nonpartisan. Read past coverage: California primary election 2024: Meet Ventura County District 1 supervisor candidates Incumbent Matt LaVere, left, and Philip Fields are running to represent District 1 of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. LaVere, a Democrat, lives in Ventura. Fields, a Democrat, is a retired university professor who lives in Ventura. Ketelsen, of Ojai, works in park services. He said he is an independent when asked about his political party. This story will be updated. Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Results: LaVere wins county Supervisor District 1 seat Voters are headed to the California Senate primary, as polling shows Rep. Adam Schiff (D) leading the crowd of California Senate contenders, with Rep. Katie Porter (D) and Republican Steve Garvey hovering around second place. Porter is hoping to secure second-place and advance into Novembers runoff in the states top two primary. All candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will be placed on the same ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to November. Schiff, Porter, Garvey and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) are running to serve a full term that was vacated by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and is temporarily being filled by Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), who decided against running for a full term. Follow live results from DDHQ here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sir Mark Rowley said that 'there are a lot of men who are a threat to women and children' - Leon Neal/Getty Images Violence against women and girls must be treated as a national security threat, the Met Commissioner has said. Speaking in the wake of a damning report into the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Scotland Yard officer, Sir Mark Rowley warned that hundreds of thousands of sex abusers and paedophiles were at large, and tackling them would require more resources from future governments. Addressing a meeting of the London Policing Board, Sir Mark said: The aim nationally should be to treat it as a national security threat like we treat organised crime, like we treat terrorism. When you look at the amount of harm that predatory men create in communities and to individuals, thats what it deserves. Describing the scale of the problem, he said that in London alone, 34,000 men had sex allegations made against them in one year, while figures from the annual Crime Survey for England and Wales suggested 800,000 women annually were victims of sexual assault. Last year, the National Crime Agency estimated that 750,000 men posed a sexual threat to children. Sir Mark said: You start to add these numbers together. There are a lot of men who are a threat to women and children. And were trying to build the capabilities to both react better to the crimes that are reported, and to proactively in public spaces or with dangerous offenders protect women and children. He told the Policing Board his force was making progress but added: Were going to need the support of future governments to really build the scale of resource to deal with this problem across the country that is the same kind of resource that you have proportionately to deal with, say, terrorism and organised crime. Full coverage How Wayne Couzens offended in plain sight for decades Read more His comments came after the family and friends of Ms Everard marked the third year since her abduction, rape and murder by Wayne Couzens, who was a serving Met officer. Last week, a report by Lady Elish Angiolini highlighted a string of missed opportunities by the Met and other forces to identify Couzens pattern of offending and stop him serving as a police officer. Issuing a fresh apology to Ms Everards family, Sir Mark said: There is nothing we can say to the family of Sarah Everard and those who loved her to say how deeply, deeply sorry we are. Wayne Couzens crimes were horrific, and the fact that he committed them while abusing his position as a Metropolitan Police officer was a betrayal of trust and damages the relationship between police and the public in London. Two years ago, Priti Patel, then the home secretary, said that tackling violence against women and girls would be added to the strategic policing requirement, meaning forces would have to treat it as a national priority alongside terrorism, serious and organised crime and child sexual abuse. Addressing the meeting of the London Policing Board, which was attended by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, Sir Mark also hit out at criticism of his forces handling of recent pro-Palestinian protests, saying it had resulted in the Met being simultaneously labelled woke and fascist. Last week, Rishi Sunak urged police to take a tougher stance on activists as he said protests must not be hijacked by extremists to promote hatred or anti-Semitism. Last year, Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, accused Scotland Yard of double standards, suggesting the force treated pro-Palestinian protesters more leniently than far-Right demonstrators. But Sir Mark insisted his officers were policing the law as it is, not as others would wish it to be and said hundreds of people had been arrested and prosecuted, including some for terror offences. He said there had been more than 360 arrests in total, with 90 from the far Right. He said: In this context of polarised public debate I do think sometimes we are the first people who are able to be labelled simultaneously woke and fascists, and that comes across in some of the criticism. I fully understand the strength of feeling but to suggest that we are not where the law permits as the law allows policing robustly, is not accurate. On Tuesday night, Mrs Braverman urged Mr Sunak to go further and introduce emergency laws allowing ministers to restrict marches, telling GB News a step change in the police response was needed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill. In todays edition, national political reporter Bridget Bowman and CNBC political finance reporter Brian Schwartz report on why prominent GOP megadonors are targeting Super Tuesday primaries in deep-red House districts. Plus, senior political editor Mark Murray breaks down how Joe Biden is in worse shape than his recent predecessors at the same point in their re-election bids. The Super Tuesday battles that could have big consequences for the House GOP By Bridget Bowman and Brian Schwartz, CNBC The political worlds attention is on the presidential election heading into Super Tuesday, when more delegates are up for grabs than any other day in the 2024 nominating fight. But its also the first major congressional primary day of the year a date GOP megadonors who are concerned with the direction of the conflict-ridden House Republican conference circled long ago on their calendars. Do you have a news tip? Let us know Two super PACs financed by a small group of prominent donors quietly spent over $6 million against five Republicans running for deep-red House seats in Super Tuesday primaries, according to Federal Election Commission records. Their apparent goal? Limit the influence of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. The super PACs, Conservatives for American Excellence and America Leads Action, have targeted candidates who are either endorsed by the political arm of the House Freedom Caucus or would align with the caucus if elected. The groups have also targeted one candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump: Brandon Gill, who is running in Texas open 26th District. The Freedom Caucus has been in conflict with House Republican leadership since it formed, including helping force the resignation of then-Speaker John Boehner in 2015. But those conflicts have been especially acute over the past year, with the GOP majority at only a few seats. Most of the eight Republicans who voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker last year were Freedom Caucus members. And members of the group have opposed deals struck by new Speaker Mike Johnson in attempts to keep the government open this year. If Republicans keep the House in the November election, its possible the next majority could be similarly slim. And the new super PACs appear to be trying to make sure the Freedom Caucus ability to tank legislation or threaten speakers doesnt grow in the next Congress. These races really determine the heart and soul of the caucus, said David McIntosh, president of the conservative Club for Growth, whose PAC has endorsed Gill and North Carolina Republican Bo Hines, another target of the new super PACs, ahead of Tuesdays primaries. Read more Analysis by Mark Murray The state of the Biden presidency is ... still not strong. Thats the unmistakable conclusion from the national and battleground state polls that have been released before President Joe Bidens State of the Union address Thursday. He narrowly trails Trump in hypothetical general election matchups (although the results are often within the margin of error). His job approval rating is lower than Trumps was at this same point in time in 2020. And hes slightly more unpopular with the electorate than Trump is which was never the case for Biden in his 2020 victory. Now, the standard caveats: Were still eight months away from the general election. Trump isnt popular himself and is dealing with multiple indictments. Poll numbers can change. And polls havent exactly had the greatest track record in recent elections. But what stands out about Bidens polling situation is that it hasnt improved since late last year when there were already clear warning signs. In fact, its gotten worse. Just look the recent national NBC News poll: Bidens approval rating stood at 37% among registered voters down from 40% in November. He was behind Trump by 5 points in a hypothetical matchup up from his 2-point deficit in November. And Bidens favorability rating with the electorate was 36% positive and 54% negative (-18 net rating), while Trumps rating was 38% positive and 52% negative (-14 net rating). And compare Bidens standing with past presidents at this same point in time, according to the 30-year-plus history of the NBC News poll: Its lower than what the poll showed for Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and even Trump. That's Biden's political challenge ahead of his State of the Union address and over the next eight months. He needs to dig out of a political hole deeper than any of his recent predecessors faced. Thats all from The Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com VICTORIA, British Columbia The Canadian government has ordered $1.7 billion Canadian dollars ($1.3 billion) in defense-spending cuts, but it still plans to put emphasis on acquiring new equipment as well as improving North American security. Gen. Wayne Eyre, Canadas chief of the Defence Staff, and Bill Matthews, the deputy minister of National Defence, said in a statement issued March 4 that they hope to minimize the impact of the cuts which will take place over the next three years. The plan is to redirect defense spending to increasing military capabilities and improving recruitment, the two noted in a message to military and department staff. The Liberal Party government tabled in the House of Commons on Feb. 28 its spending estimates for the next several years. Those show reductions in defense spending of $810 million in 2024-2025, $851 million in 2025-2026 and $907 million in 2026-2027. It is currently projected that Canada will spend $30 billion on defense in 2024-2025. The cutbacks will come from infrastructure and travel budgets as well as funding used for private sector contractors. In addition, there could be money pulled back from future programs, but officials provided no details. We will achieve savings from activities that have a history of underspending their approved funding, and from initiatives to be delivered in future years, Eyre and Matthews noted in their message. Priority equipment programs and key capabilities, however, will retain their funding or could see more money in their budgets. In its Feb. 27 report titled, Procurement of Capabilities, the Department of National Defence noted that projects to modernize systems for NORAD will be accelerated. No specific timelines were provided in the document, but those projects include a new radar system to provide situational awareness in the Arctic for the joint U.S.-Canada alliance. The cutbacks come at a time when Canada is facing increased pressure, particularly from the United States, to spend more on defense. In an interview aired Feb. 25 on CBC TV, David Cohen, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, acknowledged the significant funds the country has already spent on new military purchases and on Ukraine aid. By the same token, I have been quite clear and the United States has been quite clear that NATO and the world is watching what Canada is doing with respect to its commitment, he said. Canada is the seventh-largest spender in NATO when it comes to actual dollars. But in terms of the commitment by NATO nations to spend 2% of their GDP on defense, Canada has yet to reach that figure, currently standing at 1.3%. To reach the alliance target Canada would have to add up to $18 billion Canadian annually to its defense budget. In the last year Canada has announced $30 billion Canadian in new equipment purchases, including the acquisition of the Lockheed Martin F-35 and the Boeing P8-8A Poseidon. Canada is also buying a fleet of General Atomics MQ-9B Reapers as well as trucks. In February, Canada announced it was spending $316 million Canadian for new air-defense and counter-drone systems as well as anti-tank missiles for its troops in Latvia as part of shoring up its NATO commitments. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A Canby High School senior is dead after he was hit by a train Monday night, the district superintendent announced Tuesday. Authorities say Mason Warshaw, 18, was crossing the tracks just north of the Pine Street intersection when he was hit by a northbound freight train. Investigators believe the crash was accidental. Corvallis man dies after serious crash, vehicle fire Superintendent Dr. Aaron Downs said the district is extending its condolences to Warsaws family and friends in the days to come. We also offer condolences to our Canby High School students and staff members, especially Masons classmates, teachers and support staff, Downs said. Our district counselors and psychologists are available to students throughout the day today. If you have any concerns about your students reactions to this loss, please feel free to contact your childs teachers, the school counselors, or the administrative staff. Thank you for your concern and well wishes. An investigation into Warsaws death is ongoing. Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Images from the NTSB investigation of the Jan. 5 accident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on a Boeing 737-9 MAX in Portland, Oregon. A Fort Myers man, who was not on that plane, is suing the airline and Boeing after delaying his flight on the same make aircraft. Cape Coral law firm announced a class action lawsuit against United Airlines and The Boeing Company after a cancellation the day an Alaska Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing on behalf of a Fort Myers man on another flight. "Our client, Alexander Eaton, along with countless other passengers, have suffered undue travel disruption, stress, opportunity loss, inconvenience, and damages, due to this egregious oversight by United Airlines and The Boeing Company," said Bill Berke, the leading attorney at Berke Law Firm, in a press release. Eaton is seeking relief in damages that exceed $50,000. "Through this class action lawsuit, we seek not only to recover damages for those affected but also to ensure such negligence is never repeated in the aviation industry." Here's what we know: About Berke Law Firm Berke Law Firm, P.A., is a Cape Coral-based law firm that provides end-to-end legal services for Social Security disability claims and personal injuries. What happened? Images from the NTSB investigation of the Jan. 5 accident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on a Boeing 737-9 MAX in Portland, Oregon. During a flight on Jan. 5, 2024, passengers on a Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft, operated by Alaska Airlines from Oregon to California, encountered a horrifying event when the door plug of the aircraft blew out. The incident depressurized the cabin and exposed passengers to open air thousands of feet above the ground, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. This led to an emergency landing. Eaton's flight to Idaho on Jan. 18 was canceled as his flight was on a Boeing 737-9 Max, which had all been grounded with no communication until the last minute, according to Berke. Fallout from emergency landing Images from the NTSB investigation of the Jan. 5 accident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on a Boeing 737-9 MAX in Portland, Oregon. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found a neglect of safety protocols on the part of Boeing Company. According to the press release, the Boeing Company issued a statement acknowledging their mistake in failing to install the four necessary bolts before delivering the aircraft to Alaska Airlines on Jan. 9, 2024. "This admission has led to increased scrutiny over Boeing's manufacturing and quality assurance practices," the press release states. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral law firm seeking damages after grounded flights CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Davenport University on Tuesday announced Casa Latina, a new bilingual program that will teach students in English and Spanish. Casa Latina offers 12 online undergraduate and graduate programs. The classes will switch off languages every other week. Casa Latina aims to increase the number of Latinos in higher ed, the programs Executive Director Carlos Sanchez said. Right now, of the half a million of Latinos in in Michigan, about 2% of us have a college degree. He noted that anyone who speaks both Spanish and English can join the program, like students who arent Latino but who went through an immersion program growing up. Subverting trends, Cornerstone sees 82% new student increase Sanchez said the program adapts to the way students learn rather than asking them to adapt to the way things are taught. The future of higher ed will be adapting to what the student does, he said. The Latino population is growing, so the future would be more offerings that are targeting that are targeted to the Latino community. Davenport University President Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D., told News 8 Casa Latina is a game changer for the school. This has been a huge effort on our part to serve people of color, especially the Latino population fastest growing, but least represented in higher education, he said. Its an opportunity for us for us to change what has been lacking for them to come. Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan Sanchez said while developing the program, he heard a good response from the Latino community and from corporations. School leaders hope the program will help address the talent gap by bringing more students into higher education programs. This initiative is a significant milestone, not only for Davenport University, but also for our entire community. Casa Latina optimizes our shared commitment to maximizing the economic potential of new Americans in our community, Omar Cuevas, the senior vice president of investor relations for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, said during the announcement. Davenport has been a welcoming place for Latinos, but now theyve created a bigger casa: A place of belonging. The first Casa Latina classes will start this fall. For more information, go to davenport.edu. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. (NEXSTAR) Facebook and Instagram users were locked out of their accounts Tuesday morning during a widespread outage of the social media platforms. Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads all owned by Meta were down Tuesday shortly after 9 a.m. CT, DownDetector reports. Users were either unable to load new posts or were logged out and unable to log back in. The issues appeared to begin resolving for users about 90 minutes later. Andy Stone, Metas head of communications, addressed the outage on X, saying, Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Stone did not provide any additional details. London-based internet monitoring firm Netblocks said the problems appeared to be related to login sessions in multiple countries. But the firm, which advocates for internet freedom, said there was no sign of country-level internet disruptions or filtering, which are typically imposed by governments. Users report issues accessing Facebook, Instagram, more Cybersecurity expert Matthew Green said the outage appeared to go beyond Meta. There are a number of services having trouble with at least parts of their systems, particularly the ability to log into websites, said Green, an associate professor of computer science and member of the Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute. This may indicate a common cause, like a failure at a major cloud services provider. At the moment nobody knows exactly whats happening. 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. Voters in more than a dozen states will head to the polls Tuesday for the Super Tuesday primary elections. The outage comes just ahead of Thursdays 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. In 2021, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp were down for hours, an outage the company said was a result of faulty changes on routers that coordinate network traffic between its data centers. The next year, WhatsApp had another brief outage. Nexstar reached out to Meta for comment on cause of Tuesdays outage, but hadnt heard back. This story will be updated as we learn more. Nexstars Michael Bartiromo and the Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A recent sleep analysis survey, conducted by 40dB for Cadena SER and EL PAIS, shows that almost half of Spanish adults do not sleep well on a daily basis and most do not get as many hours of sleep as they would like. The data coincide with those provided by the Spanish Federation of Sleep Medicine Societies, according to which 10% of the Spanish population suffers from some degree of sleep disorder and another 30% wake up every day with the feeling of not getting a good nights sleep or end the day feeling extremely tired. Given the information at hand, it is not surprising that sleep problems are increasingly becoming an issue that is also keeping us awake at night as a society. There is mounting scientific evidence demonstrating the link between chronic sleep deficit and the development of numerous diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and certain types of cancer. A major meta-analysis has recently been published in the scientific journal of the American Psychological Association which has synthesized more than 50 years of research on sleep deprivation and its effect on our mood. The result is unequivocal. All forms of sleep loss (total sleep deprivation, partial sleep loss, and sleep fragmentation) cause emotional alterations the next day. The strongest and most consistent effects are a reduction in positive mood and increased anxiety levels. The results of the study are significant because they reflect what happens to many people in everyday life. For example, new parents may wake up frequently to feed their children, or people may experience their sleep temporarily affected by noises during the night, which changes the structure and cohesion of their sleep without necessarily altering the duration of it, explains Joanne Bower, author of the study and researcher at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, United Kingdom). The scientist points out that previous research has already demonstrated that when we are short of sleep, the connections between the emotional regions of our brain and the areas that should help us to control these emotions are reduced. The novelty of this meta-analysis is that it indicates that this association occurs even after losing only one or two hours of sleep in one night. Even then, a decline in positive mood and an increase in anxiety were observed in the participants. Emotions govern virtually every aspect of our day-to-day lives, so depriving ourselves of sleep seems to be the best way to choose the worst possible driver, says Bower. Psychologist Nuria Roure, a member of the Insomnia working group of the Spanish Sleep Society, stresses that the research results validate what specialists observe every day in their practices. Emotional imbalance is, together with physical fatigue, the most frequently reported symptom in the consultation room, underlines the author of the book Por fin duermo (Finally I can sleep). This expert welcomes the fact that more and more research is focusing on the emotional impact of sleep deprivation, an aspect that is generally less studied than the relationship between rest and certain pathologies. Roure explains that if emotions were the pedals of a car, a good rest would allow for the correct balance between the use of the accelerator and the brake. However, a lack of sleep would be the equivalent of driving without brakes: When we do not sleep well, we are more driven by our most primitive instincts and less by the more rational part of our brain, which is why we tend to act more impulsively, to lose our temper, to feel more anxious, to eat more high-calorie foods or to binge-watch TV series. According to the psychologist, the problem is that we often enter a vicious circle with regard to our emotional health. If we sleep too little, the next day we are more sensitive to emotions and we generate higher levels of anxiety. When the night comes again, this will make us sleep worse because our brain does not disconnect, which means we will be even more tired the next day. It goes on and on in an infinite loop. This circular mechanism would explain why insufficient sleep, according to one study, is one of the main predictors in the process of burnout. In the long term, mental health suffers the most As Joanne Bower explains, the meta-analysis only analyzed the immediate (next-day) effects of sleep deprivation upon emotional health. Therefore, the long-term effects remain to be studied, although the scientific evidence is quite clear: prolonged periods of sleep deprivation could be associated with worsened mental health in the long term. Exploring whether this is related to changes in our emotional functioning due to sleep loss represents an important future avenue for research, suggests the British scientist. Her view is shared by Francesca Canellas, psychiatrist at the Multidisciplinary Sleep Unit of the Son Espases University Hospital in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), who adds that scientific evidence points to a bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders and mental health problems: It is estimated that eight out of ten patients presenting with mental disorders during the acute phase and about three out of ten during follow-up have insomnia. Other studies have also shown that insomnia precedes depression. The expert believes that the data from this meta-analysis should be taken into account by political regulators with a view to taking measures to prioritize the rest the population gets and encourage more rational use of timetables. According to Canellas, this is especially important in the case of the adolescent population, whose school and extracurricular timetables lead them to experience chronic sleep deficits. These kinds of well-grounded articles should have an impact on policy, because we are already seeing the horrific mental health epidemic affecting young people. And yes, its all very well to hire more psychiatrists and psychologists, but perhaps investing in prevention would be much better, she adds. In the same vein, Nuria Roure points out the need to invest in the training of medical professionals in cognitive-behavioral therapy, which has been proven to improve sleep the most and in the long term. According to the psychologist, medication can be helpful at first (as support in those moments when we are emotionally overwhelmed), but then non-pharmacological therapies are needed to treat the problem of sleep deprivation at its root: Otherwise, we will wind up as we are now, as world leaders in the consumption of benzodiazepines, anxiolytics and hypnotics, which are ineffective in the long term because the underlying problem persists. Joanne Bower believes that this and other studies support the idea that improved sleep should be a public health priority and be promoted in the same way that healthy eating and regular exercise are. If we can help improve the populations sleep wellness, this will likely improve many other aspects of physical and mental health and wellbeing, she concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Tuesday! In perhaps the wildest literary twist of the modern era, it turns out that tortured 21st-century American poet Taylor Swift is, according to Ancestry, distantly related to the tortured 19th-century American poet, Emily Dickinson. Hows that for a mashup? Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Another Hostage Negotiation Falters Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz departs the White House after meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on March 4, 2024. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Israeli war cabinet member and opposition leader Benny Gantz met with Biden administration officials in Washington, D.C., on Monday to discuss Israels ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. In a perceived slight, Gantz did not inform Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his planned trip, Israeli media outlet Ynet reported on Friday, prompting Netanyahu to clarify to Gantzand perhaps his Western alliesthat the state of Israel has only one prime minister. Its been a week since President Joe Biden, in an ice cream shop with late-night host Seth Meyers, predicted a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas before the end of the weekend. Negotiations in Egypt, however, are on the verge of collapse, with Israel holding back its delegation after Hamas refused to release a list of surviving hostages. Meanwhile, as the humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza, the U.S. has begun airdropping aid to civilians living in the terrorist-controlled enclave, and leaders have more forcefully begun calling on both Israel and Hamas to come to an agreement. Exactly 150 days since the war began, Israel continues its mission to eradicate the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists from Gazaand though the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have made significant progress, cells have survived underground. Hamas is in a much weaker position now than they were two months ago, Greg Brew, an Iran analyst at Eurasia Group, told TMD. But they are still holding onto a significant number of hostages, and they do feel that theyre in a position to negotiate a ceasefire. So theyre not going to surrender. And so long as there is resistance on the Israeli side to a deal that preserves Hamas in Gaza, reaching any kind of ceasefire is going to be very difficult. International pressure for a ceasefire agreement has recently grown, particularly in response to an incident last week where dozens of Palestinians were killed as they swarmed a humanitarian aid convoy in Gazasome were shot by IDF forces and many were trampled in a stampede. Israel and Hamas have negotiated back and forth for weeks, but in a matter of days the process went from an endorsed framework to the brink of failure. As The Dispatchs Charlotte Lawson reports from Tel Aviv today: 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. To some observers, Israels demand to know which hostages still remain in Hamas captivity represents the bare minimum requirement for a deal. If youre going to be negotiating for hostages, said Raphael Cohen, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation and lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, you want to know which ones are alive and which ones are not. But refusing to provide a list of living hostages wasnt the only hang-up: Axios reported yesterday that Hamas was also seeking an agreement that would allow Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza. Israel is wary of that, Brew said, because that suggests that Hamas wants to reestablish its control over north Gaza, which would undo what Israel feels that it has accomplished in its offensive. Ultimately, however, the fate of the hostages plays the most pivotal role in negotiations for both sides. The bottom line is, and the sad truth about whatever hostage exchange comes at last, is that Israel is not going to get all the hostages back, Enia Krivine, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Israel Program, told TMD. As long as the Hamas leadership is alive and is hiding underneath Gaza, it needs to surround itself with Israeli hostages to protect itself, as its insurance policy and its last piece of leverage, and theyre not going to willingly let go of that. The dwindling prospects of a truce led to the most forceful comments so far by the Biden administration in its push for a temporary resolution. At an event commemorating Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, this past weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks to get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in, putting the onus on Hamas to agree to that deal. Harris also pushed for greater efforts by the Israeli government to combat civilian suffering in Gaza. No excuses, she 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. Over the weekend, the U.S. military airdropped 38,000 ready-to-eat meals into Gaza, the first of such planned packages. We will continue to pull out every stop we can to get more aid in, Biden tweeted on Saturday. (Congressional Republicans have opposed the airdrops so far, citing concerns that aid could fall into the hands of terrorists.) Harris remarks reflected the Biden administrations frustration with the lack of progress on a ceasefire that seemed within reach, Cohen told TMD. Biden came out last week saying that he thought a ceasefire by Ramadan was likely, he said, referring to the month of fasting and reflection for Muslims that this year begins on March 10. The way I view Harris remarks is, in some ways, trying to push the sides to that desired outcome. Enter Benny Gantz, one of Netanyahus top political rivals who joined Israels war cabinet after the October 7 attacks in an effort to project unity to a mourning nation. As Netanyahu has faced renewed criticism at home and blame from Israelis for the October 7 attacks, Gantzs popularity has grownso much so that many see him as Netanyahus likely replacement. So far, the coalition war cabinet has largely been able to leave politics behind, Krivine said, which is a true feat in Israel, where everything is so highly political right now and polarized and has been for years. Still, Gantzs reportedly unsanctioned trip to the U.S. came as a surprise. Its a break of diplomatic protocols for him to go without Netanyahus sign-off, Krivine continued, and we dont know what he hopes to achieve while hes there. Gantzs visit poses a welcome opportunity for a frustrated Biden administration. Its become very, very clear that the Biden administration does not have much confidence left in Bibi [Netanyahu] and probably wants to talk to somebody new on the Israeli side to try to figure out how they can work with Israel on a day-after scenario, Brew told TMD. Krivine also pointed to the rift between the Biden administration and Netanyahus government. [Biden] still has not invited Netanyahu to Washington, D.C., she said. Theres definitely some politics in the air, both in Washington and in Jerusalem. And I think that the administration folks will warmly receive Gantz and be happy for that photo-op, whereas I dont expect Netanyahu to receive an invitation any time soon. In a meeting with Gantz on Monday, Harris pushed again for a hostage deal, a pause in fighting, and increased aid to Gaza. I think the Biden administration is now comfortable expressing its dissatisfaction with the Netanyahu government and its dissatisfaction with Israeli policy in Gaza, Brew said, but this does not suggest a major break in the U.S. approach to the conflict. Despite her elevated rhetoric over the weekend, Harris reiterated the administrations unwavering support for Israel. Without a list of living hostages from Hamas, a ceasefire seems a long way offand that lack of a proper count of how many Israelis remain in Hamas capture leaves Krivine wary of a lasting agreement. In order to provide a ceasefire to Hamas, Israel is going to have to bring back enough hostages to justify pausing the war, she said. Im not convinced that Hamas will be able to fulfill any kind of hostage agreement. Worth Your Time What is motivating President Joe Biden, now 81 years old, to run for president again? In a comprehensive profile of the president for the New Yorker, Biden biographer Evan Osnos tries to answer that question. Near the end of my conversation with Biden, he said, Theres only one reason, I think, to be involved in elective office, and thats to be able to do what you think is the right thing, Osnos wrote. The sentiment is noble but incomplete. In this election, the right thing is to win. If Biden succeeds, his critics will say that their alarms nudged him to victory. If he loses, they will say that he was captive to hubris. History will be harsh. Biden believes that he is doing the most essential work of his life. To some, this is a dangerous rationalization. He is at peace with that. In the election, he is betting that Americans will reward him for his achievements: ejecting [former President Donald] Trump from the White House, getting the nation out of the pandemic, rescuing the economy, reviving NATOnot to mention passing significant legislation on climate change, gun control, drug prices, manufacturing, and infrastructure. But achievement is not the same as inspiration, and Americans are not in a mood of gratitude toward our leaders. Having entered the Senate at the age of thirty, one of the youngest members in its history, Biden formed an idea of himself as a wunderkind, and he has never quite shed it. He often says, I feel so much younger than my age. In the early years of his Presidency, when people asked him about his age, his stock response was Watch me. He doesnt say that as much anymore. Grudgingly, painfully, he may be coming to terms with the reality that people dont see him the way he hopes they will. Presented Without Comment Financial Times: U.N. Finds Grounds to Believe Hamas Committed Sexual Violence on October 7 Also Presented Without Comment New York Post: Larry Hogan Says Trump Ordering GOP to Block Bipartisan Border Bill Made Him Angry Enough to Run for Senate Toeing the Company Line Its Tuesday, which means Dispatch Live () returns tonight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT! The team will discuss the news of the week and, of course, take plenty of viewer questions. Keep an eye out for an email later today with information on how to tune in. Alexs latest Dispatch Fact Check dove into what we do and dont know about the death of American journalist Gonzalo Lira in a Ukrainian prison. In the newsletters: Kevin panned () Slates firearms coverage as intellectually dishonest, David and Mike previewed Super Tuesday and recapped The Dispatchs interview with former Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Nick analyzed () the weirdly rational populist strategy of purging conservatives. On the podcasts: On the latest episode of Advisory Opinions , Sarah and David discuss the Supreme Courts unanimous decision dismissing efforts to block former President Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot. On the site today: Charlotte reports on the state of the Israel-Hamas war after 150 days, and Chris explains how the kooks in the Republican Party can lose and real conservatives can still win. Let Us Know Do you agree with the Biden administrations decision to continue pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas? 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 deadly shooting is prompting leaders at the Central Florida Fairgrounds to step up security. It comes after 35-year-old Veronica Ramirez was shot and killed in the flea market parking area of the fairgrounds after the fair closed on Saturday. According to the Lake County School District, Ramirez was a teachers assistant at Sorrento Elementary School and had been employed with the district since 2019. Ramirez family didnt want to relive the trauma of the shooting in an on-camera interview but told Channel 9 they believe their daughter was at the wrong place, wrong time when she was shot. Read: Police identify woman shot to death near Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando Ramirez mother said it was one of lifes injustices that her daughter is no longer here today. They were together at the time of the shooting and had been enjoying family time at the fairgrounds before gunshots rung out around 10:30 pm Saturday. According to leaders with the Central Florida Fair, fairgrounds staff has been cooperating with OPD on the investigation. OPD is still investigating, so we dont have a lot of information. From what were being told its an isolated event, said Michael Tipton, President of the Central Florida Fair. Read: Police identify man fatally shot at Orlando pool hall But Tipton said this upcoming weekend, there will be both a larger OPD presence and more hired security patrolling the fairgrounds. He also added that the fair has invested in more advanced metal detectors and more than 20 surveillance cameras over the last year. We take security very seriously, said Tipton, We spent a lot of money this year investing in equipment to enhance our security. We know the reputation the fairs had in the past. Read: Troopers release 2 videos of fatal hit-and-run crash near Kissimmee Tipton told Channel 9 the shooting has kept him and his staff awake at night, but added that he doesnt believe they could have done more to prevent the tragedy since they already work with OPD and two private security companies all their events. I dont feel like theres anything, we could have done more, anything that could have prevented something that might have come from outside the property, into the property, said Tipton. Channel 9 noted OPD was present after the fair opened at 4 p.m. Monday. An additional OPD surveillance camera was added to the property as well. Eyewitness News reached out to OPD for updates on the case and is waiting to hear back. In the meantime, anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact OPD or Crimeline at 407-423-8477. You can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A man ducks at the sound of gunfire as he walks down a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where surging violence has plunged the impoverished Caribbean nation deeper into crisis (Clarens SIFFROY) A powerful Haitian gang leader warned Tuesday that the chaos engulfing the capital Port-au-Prince will lead to civil war and "genocide" unless Prime Minister Ariel Henry steps down. The stark comments from Jimmy Cherizier, known as "Barbecue," came as Henry appeared to be struggling to fly home, with the main airport under attack and neighboring Dominican Republic refusing permission for him to land. Henry -- who was supposed to step down last month -- was out of the country last week when armed criminal gangs, who control large swathes of the country, launched a coordinated assault to oust him. "If Ariel Henry doesn't resign, if the international community continues to support him, we'll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide," Cherizier, a former police officer who is under UN sanctions for human rights abuses, told reporters in the capital. "Either Haiti becomes a paradise or a hell for all of us. It's out of the question for a small group of rich people living in big hotels to decide the fate of people living in working-class neighborhoods," the 46-year-old added. As the latest crisis in the violence-wracked Caribbean nation spiraled, gunfire shut down some flights at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Haiti's capital. Henry was denied entry into the neighboring Dominican Republic, according to Dominican news group CDN. On Tuesday evening a spokesperson for the governor's office in nearby Puerto Rico confirmed his plane had landed there, at least briefly. "I don't know if he's still in Puerto Rico," Sheila Anglero told AFP by telephone. In power since the 2021 assassination of president Jovenel Moise, Henry was due to step down in February but instead agreed to a power-sharing deal with the opposition until new elections are held. Earlier Tuesday, a police academy in the capital where more than 800 cadets are training came under attack by an armed gang. The attack was repelled after the arrival of reinforcements, said Lionel Lazarre of the Haitian police union. The unrest has left 250 Cubans stranded in Port-au-Prince after their flights were canceled, according to the Havana office of Sunrise Airways. "When we were about to board the plane, they realized that the plane had a bullet hole," a 34-year-old Cuban passenger told AFP via WhatsApp, on condition of anonymity. Cherizier, who leads a group of gangs known as the "G9 Family and Allies," cites as a chief inspiration Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who ruled Haiti with ruthless brutality in the 1960s and 70s. He said gunmen had committed harmful acts, but "I believe that society must forgive them and unite to rethink a new Haiti." - UN-backed mission planned - Haitian officials have been pleading for months for international assistance to help their overwhelmed security forces, as gangs push beyond the city and into rural areas. Henry had traveled to Kenya to push for the deployment of a UN-backed multinational police mission to help stabilize his country when the attempt to oust him began. With him away, the gangs raided two Port-au-Prince prisons, in attacks that resulted in a dozen deaths and the escape of thousands of inmates. "They're showing us that the police don't matter," Bertony Junior Exantus, a resident of Delmas in Port-au-Prince who fled the violence, told reporters. At least 15,000 people have recently evacuated the worst-hit parts of the capital, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Due to limited movement, UN teams on the ground have been unable to report a death toll, Dujarric told reporters in New York. The government has declared a state of emergency and nighttime curfew, while the UN Security Council has scheduled a closed-door meeting Wednesday. After being brought to a virtual standstill, Port-au-Prince appeared quieter Tuesday, although some streets remained barricaded by residents. Some transport resumed and shops reopened, with long queues outside of stores, banks and at petrol stations. In Washington, the State Department renewed a call for calm, though a spokesman declined to address the whereabouts of Haiti's prime minister. str-bur/st/bgs A Guatemalan farmworker has been cleared of charges in the heart-attack death of a Florida sheriff's officer, a case that drew celebrity attention and prompted a nationwide petition for his freedom. NBC News reported on the case of 19-year-old Virgilio Aguilar Mendez, in December, after his attorney obtained and shared body camera video of the arrest. On Friday, the state attorney in Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit said in a statement that dismissing charges against Aguilar Mendez was appropriate. Expert testimony on Aguilar Mendez's inability to comprehend English, his cultural background and concerns about his intellectual capacity had raised concerns in the case, said R.J. Larizza, the prosecutor in the case. He added that a judge recently ruled that Aguilar Mendez was incompetent to face prosecution based on that expert testimony. "Arrest and time served is sufficient," the state's attorney stated. Aguilar Mendez had been held since May 19, 2023, when he was arrested outside a Super 8 hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. He was charged with contributing to the death of St. Johns County Sheriffs Sgt. Michael Kunovich, who suffered a heart attack after struggling for several minutes, along with other officers, to take Aguilar Mendez into custody. Kunovich walked away when Aguilar Mendez was handcuffed on the ground. Minutes later he collapsed on a curb, according to documents released after the arrest. Vergilio Aguilar Mendez, 18, (Phillip Arroyo) Video of the arrest, however, led Aguilar Mendezs civil attorney, Phillip Arroyo, to assert that his client was a victim of police brutality and that the arrest never should have happened. Arroyo said body camera showed that his client, whose first language is Mam, an indigenous language of Guatemala, did not understand the commands of the officer. A petition for his release started by Change.org garnered more than 600,000 signatures. Aguilar Mendez's case got a boost from media personality Kim Kardashian's social media sites, Arroyo said. Aguilar Mendez remained jailed Monday in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Attorneys had filed a motion for his release and were awaiting response from the agency, said Arroyo, who filed a civil rights lawsuit in the case on Feb. 23. Aguilar Mendez had faced charges of aggravated manslaughter of an officer, a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison and resisting an officer with violence, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Arroyo disputed assertions that the charges were dropped based on Aguilar Mendez's competence. "The prosecutor dropped the case because, it is our position, they knew very well the evidence and bodycam videos demonstrated how the Sheriff blatantly lied to the media during the case and they had no case. The charges were frivolous and they always knew it would not stand legal muster," Arroyo said in an email. In a news conference last May, St. John County Sheriff Robert Hardwick had said the arrest was by the book and that Aguilar Mendez had been trespassing. He was never charged with trespassing. Arroyo said that one hour after charges were dropped, Aguilar Mendez was moved to St. Johns County Jail, where he was picked up by ICE to be held at its facility in Baker County, Florida. Arroyo said he was not informed of the transfer before the charges were dropped. Luckily our team had already filed a motion through immigration attorney Henry Lim to have Virgilio released from ICE custody and there actually is no deportation removal order at all, Arroyo said. Aguilar Mendez initially had been charged with murder but those charges were reduced after a medical examiner found Kunovich's death was natural and caused by an irregular heartbeat, due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The medical examiner also listed physical exertion and possible emotional stress while apprehending a fleeing suspect as contributing causes. Kunovich was 52 and had 26 years of service, according to an obituary. He had two sons. The sheriffs office criticized the decision to drop the charges saying in a statement that Aguilar Mendez is an "illegal alien" who resisted "lawful efforts to detain him" and Kunovich died as a result. Hardwick said in a statement that Kunovich was a hero, First Coast News reported. There have been attempts by some to portray Aguilar Mendez as a victim and vilify Sergeant Kunovich. I continue to stand behind Sgt. Kunovichs actions on the night of May 19, 2023," Hardwick stated. He said Kunovich was a hero protecting St. Johns County citizens. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A north Charlotte pizza restaurant received a B grade from the Mecklenburg County Health Department for numerous health violations, including the presence of mold and lack of refrigeration. Little Caesars, 228 Eastway Dr., received a score of 82.5 during its March 4 inspection. Health department inspectors cited the restaurant after finding cheese sauce with mold on it, documents show. The restaurant was also dinged after inspectors saw a fan with a large amount of dust buildup blowing directly on the pizza-making station, according to county documents. Other violations the restaurant was cited for include: Food stored above required temperatures Employees preparing food with watches on Shelves and racks with large amounts of dust and debris buildup An old mattress and other litter around the dumpster area According to county documents, the facility voluntarily closed and will not be able to reopen until the health department verifies that the restaurants walk-in cooler and prep unit can hold foods at 41 degrees or below. This is the restaurants second B grade. Its first B was in July. According to state law, permits are immediately revoked if a restaurant receives a score of less than 70 percent. The Charlotte Observer reached out to the restaurant for comment regarding its score prior to publication but did not receive a response to a message. German chemicals giant Bayer vowed Tuesday to "urgently" address key challenges after plunging deep into the red in 2023, weighed down by woes related to its glyphosate-based weedkillers. But CEO Bill Anderson, hired last year to help steer the troubled group in a new direction, ruled out any imminent break-up of the company -- despite mounting pressure from activist investors. Bayer swung to a 2.9-billion-euro loss ($3.1 billion) in 2023 after booking a net profit of 4.15 billion euros a year earlier, it said in a statement. Sales fell by six percent to 47.6 billion euros, partly because of "significantly" lower prices for glyphosate-based herbicides in the group's crop science division. Earnings were also dragged down by heavy impairment losses in the same division. Sales of prescription medicines in the pharmaceuticals division were flat, while the consumer health unit saw an uptick in part thanks to higher demand for dermatology products. Anderson said Bayer faced "four challenges that urgently must be addressed." Bayer, maker of Aspirin, has to strengthen its pharmaceuticals pipeline, he said, referring to the need to launch new products to compensate for the expiration of patents on several blockbuster drugs in the coming years. The group also needs to address massive litigation issues linked to the Roundup weedkiller, Anderson said, a problem Bayer inherited in the 2018 takeover of US firm Monsanto. Bayer has faced a wave of lawsuits in the United States over claims Roundup, which contains the active ingredient glyphosate, causes cancer. Bayer denies the claim but has spent billions of euros on legal costs in recent years. The group's high debt levels and a hierarchical bureaucracy that "blocks progress" were also key issues that need tackling, Anderson added. But he pushed back against pressure from activist investors who want to split up the company and spin off at least one branch to generate cash. On the question of a possible break-up of the group, "our answer is 'not now' - and this shouldn't be misunderstood as 'never'," said Anderson. "Our priority is on tackling our challenges," he added. Bayer, which has already warned there would be "significant" job cuts to help turn around the group's fortunes, said it aimed to make savings of two billion euros a year from 2026. Looking ahead, the group expects full-year sales to come in at 47 billion to 49 billion euros in 2024, while earnings are expected to decline again. mfp/lth CHICAGO A Chicago woman accused of injuring a man in a shooting on the South Side in early February is now facing a felony charge. According to Chicago police, 52-year-old Ceceilia Wilson, a South Side resident, has been charged with one felony count of attempted first-degree murder. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Officers say the charge stems from an alleged shooting that unfolded at around 10 p.m. in the 2800 block of West 87th Street, in Ashburn, on Friday, Feb. 9. Police say Wilson allegedly shot a 57-year-old man in the area, leaving him injured. 52-year-old Ceceilia Wilson has been charged with one felony count of attempted first-degree murder in connection with a shooting on the South Side in early February. Wilson was eventually located by police in the 5100 block of South Wentworth Avenue on Sunday. Police investigate after man killed in Little Village shooting According to police, Wilson appeared in court for a detention hearing on Monday. Officers have not provided an update on the condition of the victim injured in the shooting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A woman and child stand among makeshift tents at Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Children are dying of starvation in northern Gaza, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief says. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency's visits over the weekend to the Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals were the first since early October. In a post on social media, he spoke of "grim findings". A lack of food resulted in the deaths of 10 children and "severe levels of malnutrition", while hospital buildings have been destroyed, he wrote. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported on Sunday that at least 15 children had died from malnutrition and dehydration at the Kamal Adwan hospital. A sixteenth child died on Sunday at a hospital in the southern city of Rafah, the Palestinian official news agency Wafa reported on Monday. Dr Tedros reported "severe levels of malnutrition, children dying of starvation, serious shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies, hospital buildings destroyed" in northern Gaza, where an estimated 300,000 people are living with little food or clean water. "The lack of food resulted in the deaths of 10 children," he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The visits were the WHO's first in months "despite our efforts to gain more regular access to the north of Gaza", he wrote. "The situation at Al-Awda Hospital is particularly appalling, as one of the buildings is destroyed," he added. The UN warned last week that famine in Gaza was "almost inevitable". A senior UN aid official warned that at least 576,000 people across the Gaza Strip - one quarter of the population - faced catastrophic levels of food insecurity and one in six children under the age of two in the north were suffering from acute malnutrition. And the regional director of the UN's children's agency, Unicef, said "the child deaths we feared are here, as malnutrition ravages the Gaza Strip". "These tragic and horrific deaths are man-made, predictable and entirely preventable," Adele Khodr said in a statement on Sunday. On Saturday, the US the US on Saturday launched its first airdrop of humanitarian aid into Gaza - including more than 38,000 meals. However, aid agencies have said these drops - which have also previously been carried out by the UK, France, Egypt and Jordan - are an inefficient way of getting supplies to people. The deliveries themselves have sometimes turned deadly. Last week, at least 112 Palestinians were reportedly killed when large crowds descended on lorries carrying aid while Israeli tanks were present. Israel said the tanks fired warning shots but did not strike the lorries and that many of the dead were trampled or run over. But this has been disputed by Hamas, which said there was "undeniable" evidence of "direct firing at citizens". Some aid agencies have been facing difficulties with the authorities. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN's main human rights agency in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA, on Monday accused the Israeli government of trying to "eliminate" its presence in Gaza. Israel has long accused different branches of the United Nations, including Unrwa, of bias and even of antisemitism. Several western countries, including the UK, have paused funding to UNRWA after Israel accused some staff of roles in the 7 October attacks. Mr Lazzarini said that this was not just in response to "neutrality breaches of some of the staff" but had a wider political motive, which included plans to "eliminate the status of refugees and make sure that this is not part of a final political settlement". He added that dismantling his organisation would lead to the collapse of the entire humanitarian response on Gaza. The Israeli military launched a large-scale air and ground campaign to destroy Hamas - which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the UK, US and others - after the group's gunmen killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on 7 October and took 253 back to Gaza as hostages. More than 30,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry. China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal and will probably have more than 1,000 by 2030 - Jia Fangwen/VCG via Getty China announced a 7.2 per cent rise in defence spending on Tuesday and pledged to strengthen its military preparedness, amid high tensions with the US and its Asian neighbours. The increase, roughly mirroring similar rises over the past nine straight years, keeps the Chinese defence budget as the second highest in the world behind the US, at $222 billion, alarming competing powers as Beijing extends its assertive foreign policy across the Indo-Pacific. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japans chief cabinet secretary, said Chinas rapidly expanding military power was a serious concern for Japan and the international society. The announcement, in a key annual speech by Li Qiang, the Chinese premier, to the countrys top legislature, coincided with a violent confrontation in the South China Sea between the Chinese coast guard and a Philippine vessel bringing supplies to troops stationed on a disputed shoal. Manila accused the coast guard of dangerous manoeuvres that led to a collision that left the Philippine ship with minor damage. Competing territorial claims in the South and East China Seas between Beijing and a raft of countries including the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam are fuelling Chinas steady acquisition of hi-tech military technologies, as well as the growth of its nuclear arsenal, air force and navy. The official budget indicated at the legislatures annual keynote two sessions meeting is believed to be only a fraction of actual spending by the Peoples Liberation Army, the military wing of the ruling Communist party, as it excludes purchase of foreign military equipment and R&D, reported the AP. China has more than 500 operational nuclear warheads in its arsenal and will probably have more than 1,000 by 2030, the Pentagon said in an annual report last year, concluding that Beijings nuclear arms build-up was happening faster than projected. The Peoples Liberation Army Navy already surpassed the US Navy in fleet size around 2020, the US defence department warned in 2022. Recent state media footage showed the Fujian, Chinas third and most advanced aircraft carrier, is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices, which allow fighter jets to be launched more frequently. Mr Li pledged the country would comprehensively strengthen military training and combat readiness to firmly safeguard sovereignty and security interests. He said this year the country would take critical steps to meet the century goals of the PLA, which falls in 2027 and which has been cited by senior US defence officials as an important juncture when the Chinese military could be capable of invading Taiwan, although not that it would definitely do so. Beijings staggering military expansion is nonetheless of growing concern for Taiwan, which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controversially claims as its own and threatens to seize by force if Taipei does not agree to annexation. Mr Li repeated the CCPs mantra of opposition to Taiwan independence and external interference, adding that while Beijing would promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, it would unswervingly advance the great cause of reunification. A spokesman for the National Peoples Congress argued that Chinas military spending in proportion to GDP is lower than the US and other major military powers. Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times, a nationalistic state media outlet, that the budget increase was moderate and reasonable, pointing to aggressive spending increases in countries like Japan. In his keynote speech, Mr Li also announced Chinas aim to grow its GDP by around 5 per cent this year despite slow economic recovery from the pandemic and a difficult global environment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas defense spending will grow by 7.2% in 2024 the most in five years an increase that comes amid signs corruption is undermining a military revamp. Most Read from Bloomberg Military expenditure by the central government is expected to rise to 1.67 trillion yuan ($231 billion) this year, according to a Finance Ministry report released on Tuesday. In comparison, US President Joe Biden signed an annual $886 billion defense bill late last year, one that advanced a trilateral security deal with Australia and the UK largely intended to counter China. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has set a 2027 deadline for his nations military to become a world-class force one his diplomats say is focused on defense yet doubts are mounting over whether corruption is hindering that ambition. The Peoples Liberation Army Daily said this year it would continue fighting the difficult and protracted war on graft, a pledge that came after the defense sector was shaken by a series of abrupt personnel changes. In recent months, the defense minister of the worlds largest armed forces by number of troops and two Rocket Force generals were replaced without explanation. Top political bodies have also kicked out several other senior military figures. The Rocket Force manages Chinas nuclear weapons, an arsenal that the US has warned is expanding. Read More: US Intelligence Shows Flawed China Missiles Led Xi to Purge Army Bloomberg News reported this year that US intelligence indicated the sweeping military purge came after widespread graft was found to have hampered Xis modernization drive. The corruption in the Rocket Force and throughout the nations defense industrial base was so extensive that US officials believed Xi is less likely to contemplate major military action in the coming years than would otherwise have been the case, according to people familiar with the assessments who asked not to be named discussing intelligence. The forecast rise in the defense budget means that it will continue to only be about 1.2% of GDP, below the 2% annual target that NATO sets for member nations. Still, Chinas spending on the PLA has risen by at least 6.6% each year for the past three decades, although analysts say the actual figure far exceeds its official sum, partly because R&D expenditures are not included. Chinas provinces also make a small contribution to defense spending. The Asian country now has the worlds biggest navy by number of ships and is adding to its fleet of aircraft carriers. China, the US and Russia are the only nations producing fifth-generation fighter jets. And last week, the US said China is boosting its military capabilities in space at a breathtaking pace. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said while delivering a work report to the opening of an annual legislative meeting in Beijing on Tuesday that the government was determined to get the military ready to fight. The armed forces will strengthen all-around military training and combat readiness, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, he said. Read More: Chinas Defense Purge Strikes at Heart of Xis Military Reforms Chinas stepped up financial support for its armed forces comes amid lingering military tensions with the US, especially over Taiwan, though the situation has eased since Xi and Biden met in the US in November last year. Beijing held major exercises around the democratically run island of 23 million people twice since August 2022 because its leader, President Tsai Ing-wen, met top US lawmakers. The US and its allies also sometimes engage in tense encounters with PLA planes and ships in the South China Sea. Underscoring that friction, in autumn last year the US and China each released video footage that accused the other of provocative or unprofessional actions by military craft in and around the body of water Beijing largely claims as its own. Li also said in his speech that his nation will promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, be firm in advancing the cause of Chinas reunification and uphold the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, phrasing regarding Taiwan that was largely in line with previous remarks. Last week, Chinas state-run Global Times newspaper said the coming increase in the defense budget was warranted, pointing to tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. --With assistance from James Mayger. (Adds more comments from Li and other details.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. President Joe Biden holds a campaign rally ahead of the state's Democratic presidential primary, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. February 4, 2024. Kevin Lamarque (REUTERS) The White House on Monday lifted its Covid-19 testing requirement for those who plan to be in close contact with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses, bringing to an end the last coronavirus prevention protocol at the White House. The White House said the change aligns its policies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. The agency last week relaxed its recommendation that those who test positive for Covid-19 isolate for five days. Now, the agency says people can return to work or regular activities if their symptoms are mild and improving and its been a day since theyve had a fever. The White House testing protocol was instituted shortly after the pandemic began in 2020 when former President Donald Trump was in the White House. It was further strengthened by Bidens administration when he took office amid the pandemic in January 2021. Both Trump and Biden contracted the virus while in office. Trump required hospitalization after falling seriously ill weeks before the 2020 presidential election; Biden had minimal symptoms after catching it in the summer of 2022 after having been vaccinated. More than 1.18 million people in the U.S. died from Covid-19, according to CDC data and 6.85 million were hospitalized over the past four years. More than 270 million people have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. The vaccines have helped dramatically reduce instances of serious disease and death since their widespread availability in early 2021. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition (Bloomberg) -- China has sent a high-ranking diplomat to Kyiv to seek a political settlement to the war. But within Beijing, it appears to be giving Ukrainian diplomats the cold shoulder. Most Read from Bloomberg Li Hui, Chinas special envoy for Eurasian affairs, arrived in Russia on Saturday, the first port of call for a trip that will also take him to Poland, Ukraine, Germany, France and Belgium. This is Lis second round of shuttle diplomacy since Russias invasion of Ukraine two years ago. But expectations for his trip to lead to a meaningful solution to the war are low. Li is a former Chinese ambassador to Moscow. Beijings continued diplomatic and economic support of Russia since the war has been a sticking point in relations with Europe, which said its trust in Beijing has eroded as it steps up scrutiny of its trade with China. Theres also skepticism over Chinas 12-point peace proposal issued in February 2023 to end the war. Beijings outreach abroad appears to contrast with its actions at home. Ukraines ambassador, Pavlo Riabikin, has secured only a handful of meeting since his arrival in the Chinese capital last summer, despite sending requests to almost 40 different ministries and municipalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. By contrast, Russian Ambassador Igor Morgulov who was appointed to serve in Beijing by Vladimir Putin in September 2022 described Russia-China relations last year as very fruitful. He told Rossiya-24, a state-owned Russian news channel, that his embassy arranged 27 visits by Russian officials to China at the level of federal minister and higher, including the head of state Putin himself. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to a question about the Ukrainian ambassadors lack of meetings that communication channels between China and Ukraine are unimpeded. The Ukraine embassy in Beijing didnt respond to an email seeking comment. Support for Ukraine among the broader Beijing diplomatic community is mixed. A Ukrainian embassy event on Feb. 22 to mark two years of the war was attended by Western diplomats including US Ambassador Nicholas Burns and British Ambassador Caroline Wilson. In contrast, only half a dozen diplomats from Global South countries in Beijing showed up, out of the more than 100 invited, the person said. Elsewhere, countries are seeking to rally support for Ukraines peace talks. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis last month invited China to participate in a high-level peace conference. Switzerland, which has historically remained neutral in European conflicts, is looking to establish talks by the summer. A detailed itinerary for Lis trip has yet to be released. A European diplomat, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters, described the visit as being hastily arranged and said expectations are low for it to yield anything new or substantial. Russia Meeting Li said in a meeting Saturday with Mikhail Galuzin, Russian deputy foreign minister, that China will continue its efforts to promote talks for peace, mediate and build consensus among parties to push for a solution to the conflict. Historical experience shows that any conflict in the end has to be settled through negotiations, Chinas Foreign Ministry said in a statement following Lis meeting. The more acute the conflict is, the more important it is not to give up efforts for dialogue. Li conducted his first shuttle diplomacy in May 2023 where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Li said then that China would help Ukraine within its own ability. Beijing is paying a steep price for its stance on the war. Tensions with the European Union have been rising as the bloc made clear it wont separate trade from security issues, with Brussels opening a probe into Chinese electric-vehicle manufacturers and Beijing launching an anti-dumping investigation into EU liquor products. Brussels is considering new restrictions on three Chinese firms that it believes are supporting Russias war efforts in Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a briefing last week that the country has never given up in its efforts to promote peace and talks. Beijing said it conducted in-depth communication with Russia, Ukraine and other relevant countries, and played a constructive role in dealing with the crisis. Chinese President Xi Jinping has had one phone call with Zelenskiy since the war. The two spoke in April 2023, more than a year after the Russian invasion. He met with Putin three times since the war, most recently in October when the Russian leader visited Beijing for the Belt and Road forum. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Chinese Premier Li Qiang deliveres his annual work report at the opening session of the National People's Congress on Tuesday (GREG BAKER) Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the country's annual government work report on Tuesday, laying out the ruling Communist Party's key aims for the year ahead. Here are some of the report's highlights: - Economy - China has set an economic growth target of "around five percent" in 2024, the same goal as last year but far lower than previous decades. Beijing has struggled to sustain its rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic as a property sector crisis and flagging consumption weigh on growth. Li told the gathered CCP cadres, including President Xi Jinping, that the country would seek "steady growth" in consumer spending and "defuse risks in real estate (and) local government debt". Beijing will also remove more barriers to foreign investment and "appropriately cut import tariffs on advanced technology and equipment", Li said at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. The Chinese economy expanded by 5.2 percent in 2023, according to official statistics -- one of its lowest rates in years. - Defence - China's military spending will rise 7.2 percent to 1.665 trillion yuan ($231.4 billion) this year, according to a separate budget report. The figure is broadly in line with the announced increases in previous annual work reports. However, some Western analysts believe Beijing ploughs a significant amount of extra money into its armed forces without officially disclosing it. The spending increase comes as China's relations with several neighbouring states show signs of strain. Tensions have simmered in recent years as Beijing has sought to assert its territorial claims over Taiwan and disputed areas in the South China Sea. - Taiwan - On Taiwan, Li said China would "resolutely oppose separatist activities" aimed at the self-ruled island's independence and "external interference". He said Beijing would seek the "peaceful development" of ties with Taiwan but did not commit to "peaceful unification" as mentioned in previous years. China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out using force to bring it under its control one day. It has maintained a hard line towards Taiwan's ruling party since its candidate Lai Ching-te won the island's presidential election in January. It has branded the president-elect a "separatist" and sent warplanes and naval vessels around the island on a near-daily basis. Relations with Taipei sank further last month when two Chinese sailors died in an incident involving the Taiwanese coast guard near the Taipei-administered island of Kinmen. - Young people - The work report said Beijing will "strengthen measures to promote the employment of young people", an issue at the heart of China's economic malaise. Joblessness among people aged between 16 and 24 has spiked since the pandemic and become a politically sensitive topic for the Communist Party. The national statistics bureau stopped publishing the youth unemployment rate for several months from last summer as the figure soared above 20 percent. It began publishing the rate again in December after adjusting its calculation methods, with around 15 percent of young people recorded as being out of a job that month. Tuesday's report said Beijing would "apply a combination of measures to ensure stability in employment and promote income growth". Nationwide, it targeted over 12 million new urban jobs and a surveyed urban unemployment rate across all working demographics of "around 5.5 percent". It also promised better healthcare and social security services and a "proactive national strategy" in response to the rapid ageing of the country's population. - Diplomacy - Li said China would stick to its "independent foreign policy of peace and... peaceful development". But he added that Beijing would "remain firm in opposing all hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts", without referring to any countries by name. China has clashed with the United States and other Western powers in recent years over technology, trade, human rights and other issues. Its foreign ministry has previously used such language in response to acts by Washington that China deems a constraint on its development. mjw/je/cwl Opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Reuters) - China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), kicked off its annual session on Tuesday, with Premier Li Qiang delivering his maiden work report in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square. Here are the main takeaways: ECONOMY AND GROWTH China will aim for economic growth of about 5% this year as it works to transform its development model, curb industrial overcapacity, defuse property sector risks and cut wasteful spending by local governments. It plans to run a budget deficit of 3% of economic output, down from a revised 3.8% last year. But crucially, it plans to issue 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion) in special ultra-long term treasury bonds, which are not included in the budget. TAIWAN AND DEFENCE Referring to Taiwan, China will "be firm in advancing the cause of China reunification", dropping previous mentions of "peaceful reunification". China also announced it would boost defence spending by 7.2% this year, in line with last year. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY China will formulate development plans for emerging industries, including quantum computing, and will continue striving toward self-sufficiency in technology, including stepping up efforts in big data and artificial intelligence. CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY China will improve policies supporting childbirth and detailed plans to support a growing elderly population by raising benefits and basic pensions and pushing forward a private pension system. ENERGY AND RESOURCES China will step up exploration and development of oil, natural gas and strategic minerals to ensure energy and resource security and will tighten control over fossil fuels consumption. It will also expand its production of soybean and other oilseed crops while keeping livestock and fishery production stable, in a move to enhance food security for the world's second biggest economy, according to an official work report on Tuesday. (Writing by Lincoln Feast. Editing by Gerry Doyle) WASHINGTON As a substitute teacher in her mid-20s, Lindsey Puls was delighted to discover the fashion world of Shein more than 10 years ago, lured in by its super-low prices with tops selling for a few dollars, dresses under $10, and free shipping on orders over $29. Puls, who has a blog called Have Clothes, Will Travel, joined other influencers in modeling her low-priced but trendy purchases on social media like Instagram and TikTok, contributing to a surge in popularity for Shein. The company, which was founded in China and sells clothing manufactured there, is now the top fast fashion retailer in the U.S. From my experience, they have pretty good designs for the price and extensive varieties, said Puls, who lives in Shiocton, Wisconsin. The U.S. is in this phase where more is better.' Many people want to get as much clothing as money can buy." How can stylish imports from the other side of the Pacific be so cheap? The answer has much to do with a trade rule known as the de minimis exception, which allows parcels valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free per person per day. With the explosion of global online shopping, that rule is now coming under scrutiny. While America's Gen Z shoppers may celebrate their online bargains, lawmakers from both parties are questioning whether the rule allows manufacturers to avoid tariffs aimed at protecting American companies and bypass laws barring the imports of products made by forced labor, illicit drugs or unsafe materials. On Thursday, a group of 40 lawmakers asked Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas to crack down on the de minimis trade, which they said also facilitates the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, top Democrat on the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee, has introduced legislation to exclude non-market economies like China from the rule. A bill introduced in the Senate would make the practice reciprocal. China, for example, sets the de minimis threshold at about $7. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon. The de minimis loophole is a threat to American competitiveness, consumer safety and basic human rights, Blumenauer said in December. But the de minimis rule also has powerful defenders. The National Foreign Trade Council, whose members include major shippers such as FedEx, UPS and DHL as well as online retailers like Amazon and eBay, argue that restricting its use would make purchases more expensive for American consumers and small businesses. The cost of a $50 package would double, according to the council. Shein, now based in Singapore, said in a statement it has made it a priority to comply with the customs and import laws of the countries where it operates, including the U.S. requirements for de minimis packages. Introduced in 1938, the de minimis exception was intended to facilitate the flow of small packages valued at no more than $5, the equivalent of about $106 today. The threshold increased to $200 in 1994 and $800 in 2016. At the time, Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said the bill would empower more Americans to engage in global commerce. In 2023, for the first time, more than 1 billion de minimis packages came through U.S. customs, up from 134 million packages in 2015. China is the biggest source of retail packages entering the U.S., accounting for the bulk of the nearly 3 million small parcels that come through every day under the de minimis rule, according to Customs and Border Protection data. Thats approximately a 646% increase over just eight years, said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, director of field operations for Custom and Border Protection's Chicago field office, which oversees one of the nations busiest ports for de minimis parcels. Behind the surge is the explosive growth in e-commerce, she said. A June 2023 report by the House Select Committee on Chinas Communist Party found that Shein and Temu, a low-cost online retailer of clothing and household goods, alone accounted for more than 30% of all packages shipped to the U.S. daily under the de minimis exemption. China's exports grew only 0.6% last year, but the bright spot was cross-border e-commerce, which includes but is not limited to the de minimis packages. These online sales expanded nearly 20% in 2023 to reach 1.83 trillion yuan, or $257 billion, nearly 8% of the countrys total exports. The U.S. is the biggest market, accounting for more than a third of Chinese goods bought online and shipped internationally in 2022, the last year for which China's official customs data are available. The United States does not include these direct online retail sales in its import figures, so it is difficult to know the true dollar value of the de minimis parcels. Charles Benoit, trade counsel for the Coalition for a Prosperous America, said an estimated $188 billion worth came into the U.S. from other countries in 2022. A repeal of the provision could add $20 to $30 to each transaction, which would make it financially impossible for businesses such as Shein and Temu to sell to American consumers at the low prices they are offering now, Benoit said. In a January meeting with Mayorkas, the National Council of Textile Organizations complained about unfair trade practices, including the de minimis rule. The industry has lost eight plants in three months," the council said. Plants that survived the Great Depression, the Great Recession and COVID arent surviving the economic environment due to demand destruction exacerbated by unfair trade practices. It called for better enforcement of laws forbidding the import of goods produced by forced labor and the closing of the de minimis loophole, which it said is facilitating millions of unchecked packages a day into our market and hurting our industry. Law enforcement agencies also complain about the de minimis provision, which they say has helped fuel the drug crisis. The National Association of Police Organizations testified in December before the House Ways and Means trade subcommittee that much of the fentanyl seized last year came into the country in de minimis packages. It is unclear how much fentanyl and other illicit drugs may be slipping undetected into the country in the small packages. On a recent Friday morning at Chicago's O'Hare airport, small parcels that had arrived by mail from overseas were on conveyor belts going through X-ray machines for inspection. Officers occasionally stopped the belt to pick out and open a suspicious parcel. Among the items they seized were replica guns and illicit drugs. Sutton-Burke said Customs and Border Protection uses a layered security approach and works with multiple partners to manage shipments, but resources have literally remained static in the face of explosive growth of de minimis parcels. Investments in infrastructure and technology would be helpful, she said, as would updating U.S. rules and laws to allow the agency to obtain more information about the small parcels coming in to help customs agents identify high-risk shipments. Videojournalist Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago and business writer Haleluya Hadero in New York contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Blumenauer bill targets Chinese clothes retailers like Shein A model sustained injuries that turned "septic" after being bitten multiple times by her ex-partner, a court has heard. Chloe Othen, 33, was also punched in the head 30 times by Ricky Lawrence, 32, the court was told. The prosecution said Mr Lawrence strangled Ms Othen and stopped her from leaving his flat in Knightsbridge, during an incident in October 2022. Mr Lawrence denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Prosecutor Sheilagh Davies told Nightingale Crown Court in Holborn: "As she got up to leave, Ricky Lawrence had grabbed her phone out of her hand and refused to give it back. He then lashed out and punched her. "He was fighting her, biting her multiple times all over her body." Ms Davies said Ms Othen and Mr Lawrence had been in a relationship earlier in 2022, which had ended long before the incident, but they were still in occasional contact and met up from time to time. The defendant provided a prepared statement to police in which he said he had "repeatedly asked Chloe to leave but she continued to shout and scream" and he had "sustained a lengthy scratch" along his abdomen, the court heard. 'Weirdly calm' Ms Othen went to A&E on 16 October, where her injuries were documented and it was shown one of the bite marks on her neck "turned septic". Giving evidence in court, Ms Othen said she had been at an event during the day of 14 October and the defendant became "aggressive" by text, adding: "I thought I'd let him calm down and then go over there and see him." Asked about Mr Lawrence's mood when she arrived, Ms Othen said he was "weirdly calm". "Ricky was quite strange when I walked in. Within five, 10 minutes, I wanted to leave," she said. "I genuinely thought he was going to kill me." Ricky Lawrence is accused of biting and strangling Ms Othen Ms Othen said Mr Lawrence punched her "about 30 times" in the head and the ear for "about an hour and a half", after taking her phone away from her. She said he also pulled her "up and down from the kitchen to the bedroom" by her hair, before he took two kitchen knives and chased her round the dining room. Ms Othen said she managed to escape and ran to a nearby hotel and called for help. The court heard she had a mild cauliflower ear, had to get her jaw unlocked as a result of the attack, and had to wear a neck brace from being strangled. She said she was bitten by Mr Lawrence six times. Mr Lawrence, of Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge, west London, denied the charge and spoke only to confirm his name. The trial continues. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk SARASOTA, Fla. - Audio recordings of police interviews with former Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler reveal a mostly cooperative tone with Sarasota police who investigated him for a rape allegation last year. They also reveal his concerns over the public relations fallout from the charges, and that his wife, Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota School Board member, would be unfairly dragged into controversy. The Sarasota Police Department released hours of recordings related to their investigation Monday. They include interviews with Ziegler, his wife and controlled calls which police monitored from the woman who accused Zeigler of rape last October. RELATED: Christian Ziegler investigation: Police release interview with Bridget Ziegler in rape investigation The woman told police she was expecting Zeigler and his wife to show up for a three-way encounter. She said when Ziegler called and told her his wife couldnt make it, she told him not to come. She said he came over anyway, and claimed he raped her. During a police interview on November 2, Ziegler, with his attorney present, described it in different terms. He said it began with text messages establishing a time for him to stop by. PREVIOUS: Video voyeurism case against ousted state GOP chair sent to prosecutors He told police, "I went over there, and when I knocked on the door, she answered and said Oh, I just ordered a pizza, Im about to go pick it up.'" Ziegler said he told her "I can leave if you want. She said, no come in." Ziegler said they engaged in small talk in the kitchen at first and then, "she just started undoing my pants." He said they moved to a bedroom where they engaged in sex. READ: New police records released in rape investigation of Florida GOP leader Afterward, they briefly discussed her plans for a new place to live, "her struggles shes had at work" and other matters in what he described as a "non-eventful conversation." Ziegler said he didnt think anything of it "until the end of the month when I sent her a text message, and shes like Hey, what happened wasnt right, and I was like Whoa, what are you talking about?" He told police he was shocked and "blindsided" by the accusation and responded to her message by saying "Whoa, thats not what happened. That wasnt the intention, thats not what occurred." MORE: Christian Ziegler investigation: Florida GOP Chair probe expands to video voyeurism after rape allegation Ziegler told police he first met the woman 14 or 15 years ago. He said they had a sexual relationship when they first met and that "those started again about three years or four years ago." He described it as a "friends benefits relationship" and said there had "never been an issue until now." He said hes had sex with her about a dozen times and described the encounter as "like routine." On December 1, Zeigler met with officers again during a meeting to collect a DNA swab. During a conversation with officers, he said he was worried about the impact the case would have on his wife. RELATED: Florida Republicans oust state party chairman facing rape allegations in critical election year "Im taking the shots. Im fine," Ziegler said. "My wifes in a different, unique situation, and unfortunately she cant really defend herself. She hasnt seen her [the victim] in years, and they dont communicate directly with each other." Ziegler said he wanted to insulate her "as much as possible from any crazy accusation." Bridget Ziegler is a member of the Sarasota School Board and a founding member of Moms for Liberty, a conservative group that has had an instrumental role in removing books that contain sexual or violent content from school libraries. She has admitted to having a sexual encounter with her husband and the alleged victim one time, several years ago. PREVIOUS: Christian Ziegler rape investigation: Newly obtained bodycam video from original welfare check Critics accuse her of hypocrisy and have held rallies outside school board meetings calling for her resignation. Police said Christian Zeigler was cooperative throughout the investigation and provided them a copy of the sexual encounter, which he recorded on his cell phone. In a statement released January 19, police said, "the video showed the encounter was likely consensual." The statement said detectives were unable to develop probable cause to charge Zeigler with sexual battery. He maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. Police ended the investigation without any charges. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: SIGN UP: Click here to sign up for the FOX 13 daily newsletter For an organisation that prides itself on bringing the Good News to people, you cant move for terrible headlines about the Church of England; from the Diocese of Birminghams hunt for a deconstructing whiteness officer, to the Church Commissioners report calling for the fund of 100 million earmarked to atone for historic slavery to be increased to 1 billion. Incidentally, the report also calls for the CofE to apologise for seeking to destroy diverse African traditional religious belief systems and replace them with Christianity. In a crowded field, this might be the most insulting part of all. Each year, thousands of Nigerian Christians are murdered by groups like Boko Haram for a faith that the report apparently believes wasnt worth spreading. Some, who mistakenly view the Church of England as a unified, coherent body may therefore delight in the shrinking congregations and generally low morale that defines it nowadays. I delight in none of these things, because I love the CofE. Look more closely though, and youll realise that there is not one Church of England but two. Theres the Reverend Dr Jekyll, the one who performs invaluable work on the ground; burying the dead, visiting the sick, educating more than a quarter of our nations schoolchildren to a much higher standard than the state normally achieves. This Church manages the food banks, playgroups, dementia cafes and loneliness workshops. It does its best to protect some of the most valuable parts of our nations physical and cultural heritage. Its parish priests do this for little money; its thousands of volunteers do it for none at all. Then there is the other Church of England the Reverend Mr Hyde. This is a church of unaccountable committees and upward failure, resulting in perhaps the least impressive bench of bishops since Pope Gregory first observed non angli, sed angeli. Members of this caste speak in identikit managerial jargon, which from an institution that has provided some of the most beautiful cadences and turns of phrase in the English language is depressing. Even more depressing is the fact that nothing they say or do gives the impression they are running a church at all, rather than an NHS trust or local council. The former Post Office CEO Paula Vennells (who, lest we forget, was reported to have been Justin Welbys choice for bishop of London) embodies this second Church: an individual with no obvious link to its parishes or grassroots work yet catapulted into its upper echelons. She symbolises a wider, more striking issue: Mr Hydes contempt for the ordinary people in the pew. In Galatians, St Paul talks about false brethren who posed as members of the church in order to bring it into bondage. I always wondered who he meant. Wonder no more. It is increasingly clear that these two churches cannot both survive; that this second Church of England, which controls all of its money, runs its internal organisations, manages (read: stitches up) appointments, is doing its utmost to destroy the other one. This has been going on for some time; in the 1970s, under the banner of fairness, the Church stripped parishes of their assets and centralised their funding. It was claimed that this would result in a more equal church for the nation. Instead, dioceses invariably use these sums to fund more diocesan officials and vanity projects, all at the expense of the parishes that provided them. Meanwhile, your average church scrabbles around in a desperate attempt to keep the roof up and the lights on. The institution owes its existence to the unpaid, unappreciated labour of parochial church council members, church wardens and congregants. Many buildings wouldnt survive at all without charities such as Friends of Friendless Churches, which supports more than 60 abandoned places of worship across England and Wales. In the face of this, Church of England PLC is invariably stingy; its long-running refrain to parishes up and down the country is if you want a vicar, youve got to pay for it yourself which naturally favours wealthier areas over poorer ones. Which is why developments like the search for a deconstructing whiteness officer to join an 11-person West Midlands Racial Justice team are particularly grating. Not only does this directly contradict Christian teaching that we are children of God, made in His image there is the sheer cost of it. Having claimed poverty, suddenly the CofE is awash with cash for nonsense-jobs. Nor will finding 100 million down the back of the ecclesiastical sofa to devote to reparatory justice endear the CofE to its hard-pressed congregations. Some no doubt imagine that embracing radical thinking will attract younger worshippers; the Bishop of Dudley recently boasted to the General Synod that every parish representative in his diocese must now undergo compulsory unconscious bias training. More likely it will irritate the dwindling number of volunteers who sustain the Church, and further demoralise clergy who depart from this way of thinking. But this is par for the course; so much of the hierarchys language and decision-making seems designed to alienate. Robert Conquest famously noted that the simplest way to explain the behaviour of any bureaucratic organisation is to assume that it is controlled by a cabal of its enemies. Nowhere is this truer than in the Church of England. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Cincinnati is a city that prides itself on its religious devotion to its pro sports teams, a bottomless appetite for Skyline Chili and, while unbeknownst to many visitors, its affinity for street art. If you ever find yourself strolling the streets of downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine or any other neighborhood, you're sure to come across the city's eclectic collection of murals and other forms of street art. Each art piece adds a splash of Cincinnati's personality to many of the city's building facades, which could otherwise be bare and dull. Cincinnati's vibrant collection hasn't gone unnoticed either, as the city finally clinched the No. 1 spot this year in USA TODAYs 10 Best Cities for Street Art. "Cheers to Cincy: Brewing the American Dream," located at 1625 Central Parkway across the street from the Sam Adams Findlay Market taproom. After a panel of experts, including USA TODAY editors, 10Best.com editors and influential contributors, made their nominee selections across six art-filled categories, readers were then allowed to vote once per day for their favorites over four weeks. In each of the last three years, Cincinnati had made an appearance in the top 10 for the street art category, finishing as high as No. 2 in 2021. Voters decided Cincinnati was the best of the best this time around. The national recognition is thanks in large part to ArtWorks, a Greater Cincinnati-based nonprofit that creates community-based public art providing career opportunities for artists of all ages. In collaboration with community organizations and residents, businesses, governments and foundations, ArtWorks is responsible for more than 300 outdoor murals shaping Cincinnati's cityscape, according to its website. Being the No. 1 city for street art is a testament to ArtWorks longstanding commitment to prioritizing community-based partnerships, listening to community voices, hiring local artists, celebrating heritage and elevating civic pride. Our process is just as important as these gorgeous works of art, which have forever changed our city," Colleen Houston, ArtWorks CEO and artistic director, said in a statement. The nonprofit said that dozens of art projects will be underway this spring and summer. Here is the full list of USA TODAY's 10 Best Cities for Street Art: Cincinnati, Ohio Richmond, Virginia Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Detroit, Michigan Portland, Oregon Miami, Florida Nashville, Tennessee Washington, D.C. New York City, New York This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: USA TODAY: Cincinnati tops list of US cities with the best street art Billionaire, philanthropist and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin has donated $50 million to go toward research and developing new cancer treatments at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. UM President Julio Frenk and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Griffins $50 million naming gift for Sylvesters new 12-story building at a news conference Tuesday morning at Sylvester. UM officials say Griffins landmark gift will help Sylvester the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida double its research capabilities and help develop new cancer therapies, improve patient care and expand access to clinical trials. This gift elevates the outstanding research that will have the highest impact, giving us the ability to develop targeted treatments for our patients with the most complex cases, said Dr. Dipen J. Parekh, chief operating officer of the University of Miami Health System, or UHealth, and founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. Levine Cava said she believes the research and treatments that will be conducted inside the 12-story, 244,000-square-foot building will not just help the more than 12,000 families in the county impacted by cancer, but thousands elsewhere. Levine Cavas longtime aide Sean McCrackine recently died from cancer. This is a transformational day. Its a day that will light the way for a healthier Miami-Dade County and the world, said Levine Cava. ...[W]ithin these walls, there will be breakthroughs forged and lives will be saved and futures will be rewritten. Florida has the second-highest burden of cancer in the country, and one-third of its people live in South Florida, according to UM. The new research building, which was previously called the Transformational Cancer Research Building, will now be called the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building. Griffins gift, which is part of UMs $2.5 billion Ever Brighter fundraising campaign, is the second $50 million gift the university has received for the new research building. The first $50 million gift was made anonymously in 2020. The new building, which is still under construction, is expected to open in 2025 and will offer research space to more than 240 cancer doctors and scientists. It will serve as a hub for cancer research, innovation, wellness and patient-centered care, according to university officials. The Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building undergoes construction on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami. Alie Skowronski/askowronski@miamiherald.com Sylvesters team of physicians, scientists and health care professionals play a leading role in our communitys efforts to defeat cancer, said Griffin. I am honored to support the transformational work of these incredible individuals in discovering, developing, and delivering life-saving treatments to those affected by this disease in South Florida and beyond. Griffin, who relocated his Citadel financial empires headquarters to Miami from Chicago in 2022, has been buying real estate across South Florida, including the purchase of the historic Arsht estate near the Vizcaya Museum in Coconut Grove. And hes also been making hefty donations. Last year, Griffin donated $25 million to Nicklaus Childrens Hospital near South Miami, one of the largest single donations in the hospitals 72-year history. Today we are celebrating a gift toward eradicating cancer and the people in this room represent, in my view, the generation that will end this disease in America and in the world, said Griffin, who was born in Daytona Beach. Thank you for your commitment to winning the war against cancer. The conference was held on 305 Day, a countywide celebration of the culture, food, art and people that makes Miami-Dade the 305. And because everyone in Miami is always repping the 305, Levine Cava also declared Griffin, 55, as Mr. 305, an honor Griffin quickly acknowledged would always belong to Pitbull. Let the record be clear, and mayor, Im sorry, but Pitbull wins, he said. I was born in Florida, I will die in Florida. This will be my home ... I will do everything I can do to help make this truly one of the greatest cities in the world, he added, expressing his pride in having a 305 phone number. Griffins gift to Sylvester is his largest philanthropic gift in Florida to date and is among the 10 largest health-related philanthropic gifts in Florida in the last decade, according to the university. Dr. Henri Ford, the dean and chief academic officer of UMs Miller School of Medicine, believes the new research facility will help the university attract new cancer treatment specialists and inspire more medical students to become oncologists, potentially moving it into an elite research medical school. Ken Griffin, Citadel CEO, center, talks with Dr. Julio Frenk, president of UM, and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava after a ceremony celebrating the $50 million donation by Griffin for a new building called the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami. Alie Skowronski/askowronski@miamiherald.com What is the mission of Sylvesters new Miami research facility? Mission: Sylvesters goal is to expand its research to develop lifesaving and practice-changing cancer treatments and therapies. Another focus will be to prioritize wellness during cancer treatments to improve the quality of life for patients, according to Dr. Frank Penedo, the director of Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care at Sylvester. Were raising a lot of awareness about monitoring and addressing symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment ... theres a lot more to cancer than just the disease status itself. The emotional well being is critically important, Penedo told the Miami Herald after the news conference. And we have been doing research that has shown that not only can we bring patients in to provide them with the necessary skills to improve their quality of life, but that also relates to critical outcomes, like hospitalizations, and visits to the emergency room. So its comprehensive, holistic treatment of the patient. READ NEXT: Depression, anxiety common after breast cancer diagnosis. How these women found peace A attendee looks at an augmented reality scan of the building during a ceremony celebrating the $50 million donation by Ken Griffin, Citadel CEO, for a new building called the Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, on the campus of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami. Alie Skowronski/askowronski@miamiherald.com Sylvesters promise: The building is a symbol. Weve been focusing on some cancers that are particularly lethal pancreatic cancer, brain tumors and leukemia, and cancers that are prominent in our catchment area, said Dr. Stephen Nimer, who serves as Sylvesters director and executive dean for research at UMs Miller School of Medicine. We are serious here in South Florida ... Were going to find the solutions here, were going to deliver the solutions here for our friends, our family members, our community, and thats essential to who we are, Nimer told the Miami Herald after the news conference. A rendering of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Centers Transformational Cancer Research Building in Miami. Slated to open in 2025, the center will house doctors and scientists to work on advancements in cancer care. Courtesy/University of Miami SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Its official: After years of trial and error, the Cactus Hotel may soon be renovated thanks to Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone funding. During the San Angelo City Councils Tuesday, March 5, meeting, the Council once again discussed whether to renovate the historic hotels awnings after the project failed to be approved for funding in the Feb. 6 council meeting. Introduced alongside five other projects, the Cactus Hotel awning renovation plan was removed from the February meeting agenda due to concerns about criteria set by the Secretary of the Interior Guidelines for Historic Properties. PREVIOUSLY: The Cactus Hotel was almost renovated. What happened? The awning project had been proposed to the City Council on three separate occasions before 2024, according to the meetings agenda. The project would be stopped on its first attempt in 2021 and second attempt in 2022, but it would find success on its third attempt in 2023 that saw its application be approved and rated highest on the list based on current criteria. So, what encouraged the City Council to approve the project for TIRZ funding this time? The March 5 meeting Plans for the proposed renovation have remained largely the same as before, with the Planning & Development Services Department requesting $75,000 in TIRZ funding to be allocated for the replacement of the fabric awnings lining the hotels exterior walls with same-colored metal awnings. The project would also facade improvements and an upgrade to the buildings doors and doorways for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They have this nice awning that is going to give some shade to those windows, replacing an older shade that just has not been able to hold up, Aaron Vannoy, assistant director of the Citys Planning & Development Services Department, said. An image used in the presentation given to the City Council depicting the proposed changes to the Cactus Hotels awnings. Image courtesy of the City of San Angelo. An image used in the presentation given to the City Council depicting the proposed changes to the Cactus Hotels awnings. Image courtesy of the City of San Angelo. This time around, however, Vannoy brought photographs of the Cactus Hotel confirmed by the Texas Historical Commission and Angelo State University to have been taken in 1929, the year just after the hotel opened, and 1984, the year that the building underwent a major interior renovation. These photos depict awnings on the side of the building when it first started and awnings removed from the building during the major renovation time period, providing a historical precedent for the features replacement. These two pictures are from pretty much the same angle, and this helps us a whole lot in verifying that what were replacing back was there from the beginning, Vannoy said. An image of the Cactus Hotel taken in 1929, one year after the hotels opening. An image of the Cactus Hotel taken in 1984, when awnings were temporarily removed from the building for a major renovation. District 3 Councilman Harry Thomas, the council member representing the district the project falls in, made a motion to approve funding for the plans. His approval came after he stated that he had read the 300-plus pages of background information for the project more than once and that he didnt wish to delay the renovations even longer. The owner of this property started this process more than two years ago, and because of things that happened, here we are today again, Thomas said. I do not want to delay this any further. District 2 Councilman Tom Thompson seconded the motion. However, the City Councils approval of the project wouldnt go without comments from the public, as Zane White, a citizen from District 6 who has been a proponent of the hotels historic preservation in the past, came to the podium. White, whose comments partially swayed the City Councils decision to remove the Cactus Hotels TIRZ project from the Feb. 6 agenda, accused the Planning & Development Services Department of corruption by purposefully mishandling the proposed renovation plan on multiple occasions throughout the years. Whats been happening, particularly for the last two years on this awning-canopy fiasco, is misrepresentation regarding the project itself, outrageous interference and malfeasance on the part of the planning department as far as overlooking certain things and running this thing through for two years in front of you guys, White said. Things get overlooked, rules get changed and thats what has been happening here. Despite Whites efforts to throw shade at the agenda item, the City Council would still vote 5-0 in favor of approving TIRZ funding for the Cactus Hotel project, meaning that the iconic building may soon be in for a metal makeover. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Pro-Ukrainian demonstrators hold signs, asking for Taurus cruise missiles to be delivered to Ukraine, outside football club SC Freiburg's Europa-Park Stadium as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not pictured) makes a visit in Freiburg, Germany, February 27, 2024. The German government on Monday vehemently rejected allegations that Russias leak of a conversation by high-ranking German military officers was an indication that Berlin was preparing for war against Russia. 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 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in Berlin. Government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner said the leak was part of Russias 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. Russias 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. Relations between the two 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 Russias presidential election. 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 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. 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 U.S., and it is further stepping up its support this year. Scholzs insistence last week on not giving Taurus missiles to Ukraine came after Germany stalled for months on the countrys desire for the missiles, which have a range of up to 500 kilometers (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. Im the chancellor, and thats why its valid, he said regarding his no to the delivery of Taurus missiles, dpa reported. Also on Monday, Germanys ambassador visited Russias 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. Germanys 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. 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 governments 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. In London, a spokesman for U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned that the government must treat anything coming out of the Kremlin with caution, noting the Russian governments 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. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Portland City Council will consider a new ordinance on March 6 that would ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by 2026. If passed, the proposed ordinance would outlaw the private and commercial use of all gas-powered leaf blowers in the city. However, gas-powered blowers would still be permitted during the fall and early winter through 2028, as the latest electric leaf blower technology remains inadequate for removing wet leaves. Beginning January 1, 2026, the proposed ordinance would prohibit property owners from using, or hiring contractors that use, [gas-powered leaf blowers] between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 each year, the city council agenda item reads. Although electric lawn equipment technology is rapidly advancing, the city recognizes that electric leaf blowers are not yet powerful enough to practically move wet leaves during the winter season. File: Autumn leaves in a downtown Portland puddle as seen by KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart. Push back, petitions arise amid PGEs unaffordable proposed rate increase The citys reasons for the proposed ban include air and noise pollution, health concerns and disproportionate impacts on specific groups. Gasoline leaf blowers most commonly have two-stroke engines that incompletely combust their fuel, resulting in the emission of benzene and additional carcinogenic substances, the ordinance proposal states. The use of gasoline leaf blowers can cause direct harm to people within the vicinity by contributing to localized air pollution, creating excessive noise and causing other negative health impacts to their operators who disproportionately identify as Latinx or Hispanic. MAX service returns to PDX as TriMet wraps east section of Better Red project Citizens found in violation of the ordinance would face a series of penalties for each offense. First-time offenders would receive a warning for the offense. A second fine would result in a $250 fine. A third offense would rise to $500, and a fourth offense cost $1,000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A law clerk hired recently by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas amid allegations of bigotry cleaned up her public image by recasting the narrative surrounding the 2015 incident in which she was accused of sending a racist text message to a former colleague, the New Yorker reports. Crystal Clanton, who graduated from George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia Law School in Virginia in 2022, was hired by Justice Thomas in late February following her meteoric rise to the highly coveted position with the nations highest court as a new theory portrays her as the victim of a vengeful co-worker. The racial controversy arose in 2015 when Clanton served as the national field director for the conservative student organization Turning Point USA, a Republican advocacy group closely tied to former President Donald Trump, also known for its divisive rhetoric. Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks at the Heritage Foundation on October 21, 2021 in Washington, DC. Clarence Thomas has now served on the Supreme Court for 30 years. He was nominated by former President George H. W. Bush in 1991 and is the second African-American to serve on the high court, following Justice Thurgood Marshall. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Two years later, an investigative report by The New Yorker exposed Clantons text message in which she told a co-worker: I HATE BLACK PEOPLE Like f- them all I hate blacks. End of story. Screenshots of the string of messages marked with Clantons phone number were shared with the magazine in 2017, and multiple employees at the time confirmed Clanton as the sender. When confronted about the messages, Clanton explained that she couldnt remember writing them and asserted that the comments did not reflect what I believe or who I am, she told the news outlet at the time. Clanton resigned in disgrace over the incident, but she never apologized to the Black community for the hurtful comments that led to her 2017 ouster as the second-in-command of the conservative group. Nearly a decade after she allegedly sent the texts, Clanton has managed to move past the episode while benefiting from powerful connections in the Republican legal community and beyond, including Thomas wife, Ginni, who hired Clanton in 2017 to assist her work as a national conservative activist. As part of the arrangement, Justice Thomas allowed Clanton to live in their Virginia home for almost a year as Ginni Thomas and Clanton knew each other through Turning Point USA. During this time, the Thomases encouraged Clanton to pursue a legal career, and Justice Thomas even recommended her for admission to the Antonin Scalia Law School despite her questionable background. After graduating from law school, Clanton was immediately hired as a law clerk for two Republican-appointed federal judges, including U.S. District Judge Corey Maze in Birmingham, Alabama, and later Chief Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, known for his conservative rulings and for matriculating new law clerks to Justice Thomas. The Thomases support and Clantons subsequent rise have kept the spotlight on her past controversy, which might otherwise have faded into obscurity. In 2021, reports resurfaced about the racism allegations against Clanton just as she lined up clerkships with Maze and Pryor. At the time, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee became aware of the racist incident and filed an ethics complaint against Maze and Pryor amid concerns that Clantons hiring would undermine trust in the federal court system. The complaint was ultimately dismissed in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Judicial Council in New York after Justice Thomas defended Clanton in a letter to Chief Judge Debra Ann Livingston, saying his wife had informed me of the horrible way Clanton had been treated at Turning Point. Judge Pryor also wrote a letter to Livingston, revealing that he and Thomas met privately and discussed the matter involving Clanton, leading to a new theory about the incident, which held that Clanton was the actual victim. However, this immediately raised questions as to why Clanton had never mentioned this throughout the ensuing firestorm. Pryor said Clanton had not previously denied the racist text allegations because she was supposedly bound by a nondisclosure agreement, which she had not mentioned to reporters or her lawyer at the time. Clantons lawyer said he never prepared an NDA for her. In his plea to the judge, Pryor said Justice Thomas assured him that Clanton was a victim of a pernicious attempt to portray her as a racist while claiming that a former employee who was not named had created fake text messages that would implicate other employees for misconduct. Livingstons ruling stated that the original news coverage about Clanton was false and that Clanton had always treated everyone with kindness, respect, and fairness while noting the facts presented by Judge Pryor, who maintained the racist texts were fabricated while touting Clanton as highly qualified. The judge concluded that Pryor and Maze had performed all necessary due diligence, allowing Clanton to quietly move on from the debacle, leading to her hiring by Thomas to work in his chambers on the nations highest court. In recent weeks, Clantons story has emerged as a rallying cry for conservatives who view her as a casualty of false accusations and apparent cancel culture, suggesting that the racist texts were manufactured to tarnish her reputation. After heat from the debacle died down, Clanton began claiming that she resigned from Turning Point USA, but the head of the nonprofit, Charlie Kirk, who was Clantons boss when she sent the racist text message, previously suggested that Clanton was fired due to the incident. Turning Point assessed the situation and took decisive action within 72 hours, he told The New Yorker in an email. Four years later, the nonprofit officially confirmed that Clanton was terminated from Turning Point after the discovery of problematic texts. But when contacted by Judge Pryor, Kirk changed his story, saying, The media has alleged that Crystal said and did things that are simply untrue. The U.S. Judicial Conferences Judicial Conduct and Disability Committee tried to investigate the allegations against Clanton further. They asked a special committee to find out if Clanton had made the racist statements and what she had told Pryor and Maze. The special committee suggested interviewing Clanton and the witnesses mentioned in media reports, but so far, that has not occurred. Judge Pryor and Judge Maze invoked a legal doctrine that blocked the Judicial Conference from reconsidering Livingstons ruling to shut down the ethics complaint concerning Clanton. Supporters of Justice Thomas saw this as within his discretion, citing the close relationship between justices and clerks. However, critics view it as yet another instance of Justice Thomas ignoring ethical rules. Justice Thomas, Ginni Thomas, and Judge Maze declined to comment, while Judge Pryor did not respond, according to The New Yorker. Despite skepticism over the cleaned-up version of what happened, Clanton continues to receive significant support from Justice Thomas, several federal judges, and prominent Republican political groups. She stands to gain significantly from the Supreme Court clerkship, which typically lasts for a year and is extremely lucrative in both professional and financial terms. Former clerks often receive substantial bonuses that can exceed half a million dollars when they sign on for their first real jobs after the clerkship. Additionally, having a Supreme Court clerkship on ones resume opens doors to prestigious academic and political positions, and increases the likelihood of future appointment to the federal bench. Typically, only elite law students with outstanding resumes get a shot to serve as a Supreme Court clerk, while behavioral factors, such as termination for alleged racist remarks, could normally disqualify a candidate. But Clanton was able to sidestep these concerns as Ginni Thomas went to bat for her new legal assistant, as shown in a leaked video from a Council for National Policy meeting in 2019. In the footage, Thomas introduced Clanton as her special conservative guest and described her as the wind in my sails. Clarence Thomas Accused of Burying Another Scandal As the Justice and Other Conservatives Claimed His Law Clerk Was Framed for Racist Text Messages Mount Fuji is covered in snow most of the year (Philip FONG) Hikers using the most popular route to climb Japan's Mount Fuji will be charged $13 each from July, with numbers capped to ease congestion and improve safety, a regional official said Tuesday. Increasingly large crowds are scaling Japan's highest mountain, which is covered in snow most of the year but draws more than 220,000 visitors each July-September climbing period. From July 1, an entry fee of 2,000 yen ($13) will be charged per person to ascend the famous volcano's Yoshida Trail. Daily entries to the trail will be capped at 4,000 people, with entry banned between 4:00 pm and 2:00 am, under an ordinance approved Monday by Yamanashi region. "After Covid restrictions were lifted, we started seeing more people. We want them to dress appropriately for the mountain and be well prepared," Toshiaki Kasai, an official at the local government, told AFP. "We will ask visitors to monitor social media for up-to-date information about the daily visitor count," he added. Each summer, reports in Japanese media describe tourists climbing Mount Fuji with insufficient mountaineering equipment. Some sleep on the trail or start fires for heat, while many attempt to reach the 3,776-metre (12,388-foot) summit without breaks and become sick or injured as a result. The active volcano has three other main routes that will remain free to climb. But the Yoshida Trail -- accessed from Tokyo relatively easily -- is the preferred choice for most holidaymakers, with around 60 percent of climbers choosing that route, according to official data. Mount Fuji is about two hours from central Tokyo by train and can be seen for miles around. The mountain has been immortalised in countless Japanese artworks, including Hokusai's world-famous "Great Wave". hih/kaf/mtp Anything 4 Luv Like something out of a Cold War-era satire, a new court filing reveals just how far one retired military officer went for love. As federal court filings reveal, former Air Force official David Slater has been charged with sharing top-secret information with a woman who claimed to be living in Ukraine at the time of Russia's invasion in 2022 an individual who, per the messages sent to the ex-military officer, was not at all subtle about what she was after. "You are my secret informant love!" declared the woman, whom Slater was said to have met on an unnamed "foreign dating website." After retiring from the Army at the end of 2020, Slater joined the Air Force's United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) in spring 2021. When taking on that job, the man, now 63 years of age per the Department of Justice's press release about the case, signed an ironclad top-secret non-disclosure agreement to, you know, not share military secrets with obvious honeypots. Nevertheless, Slater did share those secrets with the woman described only as "Co-Conspirator 1," who he was said to have met on said dating site sometime around February 2022. As transcripts of their messages reveal, her attempts to extract that information weren't exactly delicate. "Beloved Dave," the alleged Ukrainian wrote to Slater in March 2022, "do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us?" "Sweet Dave," she entreated in April of that same year, "the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great!" https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1764781238550680002 Cause For Speculation As the federal filing claims, Slater did indeed share classified intelligence and documents with the woman at her overt request though of course, the government's not spilling anything else in its public charges. Beyond what's been made public, we don't have much else to go on besides the obvious tenacity of Slater's so-called co-conspirator but given that she quite literally signed off from one message "with love," it's easy to speculate who that person might have been working for. Notably, news of Slater's leaks came on the heels of 22-year-old Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira pleading guilty to violating the Espionage Act after he straight up posted Pentagon secrets on a Minecraft Discord server. The charges also come just over a week after a significantly more gruesome Air Force-related event: when member Aaron Bushnell self-immolated in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC in protest of the US military's involvement in the occupation of Gaza. It's been a tough year for the military, and it seems like the United States' airmen in particular are not OK. More on the military: The Pentagon's Ex-UFO Chief is Blaming the Government for Conspiracy Theories WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, romped through more than a dozen states on Super Tuesday, all but cementing a November rematch and pushing the former presidents last major rival, Nikki Haley, out of the Republican race. Their victories from coast to coast, including the delegate-rich states of California and Texas, left little doubt about the trajectory of the race. Haley won Vermont, denying Trump a full sweep, but the former president carried other states that might have been favorable to her such as Virginia, Massachusetts and Maine, which have large swaths of moderate voters like those who have backed her in previous primaries. Hours after the last polls closed in Alaska, Haley scheduled a 10 a.m. ET speech in her home state of South Carolina to announce she was suspending her campaign. Three people with direct knowledge who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly confirmed Haleys decision ahead of her announcement. The only contest Biden lost Tuesday was the Democratic caucus in American Samoa, a tiny U.S. territory in the South Pacific Ocean. Biden was defeated by previously unknown candidate Jason Palmer, 51 votes to 40. Not enough states will have voted until later this month for Trump or Biden to formally become their parties presumptive nominees. But the primarys biggest day made their rematch a near-certainty. Both the 81-year-old Biden and the 77-year-old Trump continue to dominate their parties despite facing questions about age and neither having broad popularity across the general electorate. Haley watched the election results in private. Her campaign said in a statement that the results reflected there were many Republicans who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump. Unity is not achieved by simply claiming were united,' spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas said. Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, meanwhile, was packed for a victory party. Among those attending were staff and supporters, including the rapper Forgiato Blow and former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn. The crowd erupted as Fox News, playing on screens around the ballroom, announced that the former president had won North Carolinas GOP primary. They call it Super Tuesday for a reason, Trump told a raucous crowd. He went on to attack Biden over the U.S.-Mexico border and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. After beginning the night with victories in Virginia and North Carolina, he wrapped Super Tuesday by winning contests in Alaska and Utah. Biden didn't give a speech but instead issued a statement warning that Tuesday's results had left Americans with a clear choice and touting his own accomplishments after beating Trump. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, all of this progress is at risk, Biden said. "He is driven by grievance and grift, focused on his own revenge and retribution, not the American people." While much of the focus was on the presidential race, there were also important down-ballot contests. The governors race took shape in North Carolina, where Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein will face off in a state that both parties are fiercely contesting ahead of November. In California, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey, a former Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player, advanced to the general election race to fill the Senate seat long held by Dianne Feinstein. Despite Biden's and Trump's domination of their parties, polls make it clear that the broader electorate does not want this years general election to be identical to the 2020 race. A new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds a majority of Americans don't think either Biden or 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. The final days before Tuesday demonstrated the unique nature of this years campaign. Rather than barnstorming the states holding primaries, Biden and Trump held rival events last week along the U.S.-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 Trump to primary ballots following attempts to ban him for his role in helping spark the Capitol riot, Trump pointed to the 91 criminal counts against him to accuse Biden of weaponizing the courts. Fight your fight yourself, Trump said. Dont use prosecutors and judges to go after your opponent. Biden delivers the State of the Union address Thursday, then will campaign in the key swing states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. The president faces low approval ratings and polls suggesting that many Americans, even a majority of Democrats, dont want to see the 81-year-old running again. His easy Michigan primary win last week was spoiled slightly by an uncommitted campaign organized by activists who disapprove of the presidents handling of Israels war in Gaza. Allies of the uncommitted movement pushed similar protest votes elsewhere, such as in Minnesota, which has a significant population of Muslims, including in its Somali American community. At least 45,000 voters in Minnesota selected uncommitted, which won 19% with almost all votes counted. That exceeds the 13% of voters who selected uncommitted in Michigan. Joe Biden has not done enough to earn my vote and not done enough to stop the war, stop the massacre, said Sarah Alfaham of the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington. Biden also is the oldest president ever and Republicans key on any verbal slip he makes. His aides insist that skeptical voters will come around once it is clear that either Trump or Biden will be elected again in November. Trump is now the same age Biden was during the 2020 campaign, and he has exacerbated questions about his own fitness with recent flubs, such as mistakenly suggesting he was running against Barack Obama, who left the White House in 2017. I would love to see the next generation move up and take leadership roles, said Democrat Susan Steele, 71, who voted Tuesday for Biden in Portland, Maine. Trump has already vanquished more than a dozen major Republican challengers before Haley, his former U.N. ambassador. She had maintained strong fundraising and notched her first primary victory over the weekend in Washington, D.C., a Democrat-run city with few registered Republicans. Trump scoffed that Haley had been crowned queen of the swamp. We can do better than two 80-year-old candidates for president, Haley said at a rally Monday in the Houston suburbs. Trump's victories, however dominating, have shown vulnerabilities with influential voter blocs, especially in college towns like Hanover, New Hampshire, home to Dartmouth College, or Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan is located, as well as areas with high concentrations of independents. That includes Minnesota, a state Trump did not carry in his otherwise overwhelming Super Tuesday performance in 2016. Seth De Penning, a self-described conservative-leaning independent, voted Tuesday morning in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for Haley, he said, because the GOP needs a course correction. De Penning, 40, called his choice a vote of conscience and said he has never voted for Trump because of concerns about his temperament and character. ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Steve LeBlanc in Boston; David Sharp in Portland, Maine; Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina; Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia; Trisha Ahmed in Eden Prairie, Minnesota; and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and a good Samaritan on Monday rescued two boaters stranded nearly 2,000 miles from the nearest shores of Bermuda after a lightning strike blasted a hole in their vessel, officials said. The Fifth Coast Guard District command center in Virginia received an emergency radio beacon from the 19-foot sailing vessel Lhor One around 6 p.m. Sunday and alerted mariners in the North Atlantic Ocean to be on the lookout for the stranded sailors, the USCG said. The Coast Guard also deployed a HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in North Carolina. The distressed boaters were traveling from Guadeloupe to France when they got stuck about 1,726 miles east of Bermuda, a distance that officials said was comparable to traveling about halfway across the continental United States. COAST GUARD RESCUES DOG TRAPPED FOR A WEEK INSIDE SHIPPING CONTAINER AT TEXAS PORT The mariners reported that their sailing vessel, the 19-foot Lhor One, was taking on water after a lightning strike. "To put the distance from shore in perspective, the mariners were roughly the same as if you drove from Portsmouth, Virginia, to Odessa, Texas, near the Texas-New Mexico border," Petty Officer 1st Class Starr Franklin said in a news release. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The plane crew reached the disabled vessel at 4:45 a.m. Monday and established communication with the 20-year-old and 24-year-old males on board. The 505-foot motor vessel Frio Ionian rescued two mariners, a 20-year-old male and 24-year-old male, aboard the 19-foot sailing vessel on Monday. The mariners reported that their boat was taking on water after it was struck by lightning, which left a hole in the vessel. The aircrew contacted a nearby good Samaritan vessel, the 505-foot motor vessel Frio Ionian, and directed the ship toward the stranded boats position. COAST GUARD LAUNCHES WHALE SIGHTING ALERTS IN SEATTLE SO BOATS WILL STEER CLEAR The Frio Ionian crew reached the location at 10 a.m. and safely brought both men over from the Lhor One with no reported injuries. Officials thanked the good Samaritan vessel for helping make the rescue a success. The Coast Guard thanked the good Samaritan vessel for helping to make the at-sea rescue possible. "This rescue was quite a distance from land and the successful rescue of two mariners was only possible because of the crew of the Frio Ionians participation in the AMVER program," Franklin said. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP AMVER, which stands for Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue, is a Coast Guard program that allows vessels to voluntarily provide position updates for the response to search and rescues around the world. Original article source: Coast Guard, good Samaritan rescue mariners 1,700 miles from Bermuda after lightning strike blows hole in boat CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Coastal Carolina University will develop a mini-satellite as part of a new space program that will be the first of its kind in South Carolina. CubeSat, which will also be called ChantSat-1, will focus on monitoring and managing coastal erosion, sea-level rise, stormwater runoff and other concerns that are critical to the states coastal region. Wes Hitt, an associate professor and chair of the physics and engineering science department, said one exciting feature is that community members will be able to interact with CubeSat. There will be two cameras, he said. One will be a selfie camera, so the satellite will be capable of taking selfies. There will also be a display surface on the outer wall of that part of the satellite that can be seen in the selfie photo. Thats going to allow the community to interact with the satellite to put text and images and things like that on it. So, you see its going to broaden the accessibility to space. People will be able to participate with space in a more-direct way. CCU space is advised by seven matter experts including NASA Langley Research Center, Maxar and other corporate space systems. Another lead of the program, Robert Vipperman, explained how the program will help students after they graduate. We just feel like itll be such a benefit for the students in this area and open a lot of doors for them career-wise, Vipperman said. It could produce hundreds, maybe a thousand or more career opportunities because the breadth that were finding out in this small satellite development, it is covering the campus. ChantSat-1 is expected to go into space in the spring or fall of 2027 and be in space for three to five years. The project will cost roughly $1.2 mill to $1.5 million. * * * Hannah Huffstickler is a multimedia journalist at News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2024 after graduating from Coastal Carolina University in December of 2023. Keep up with Hannah on Facebook and Instagram. You can also read more of her work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. People talk and hold signs at a protest against the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to bar former President Donald Trump from the state's primary ballot, Dec. 27, 2023., outside the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Americas institutions are functionally incapable of barring an adversary of the country from leading it. Trump disqualification Read more from our reporting on the Trump 14th Amendment case here. That assessment is unavoidable now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of former President Donald Trump in the case over whether he should be disqualified from the Colorado ballot. The court was the countrys last primary source of legal protection against a second Trump presidency. The justices not only proved unwilling to follow the plain language of the Constitution, the conservative majority with brazen overreach ruled in such a way as to insulate Trump from disqualification far beyond the Colorado case. They appeared eager not just to dispense with a divisive case but to aid a political ally. The ruling is among the most vivid instances of structural collapse in attempts to protect the country from Trump. A functional constitutional republic ensures accountability for the sort of abuse the former president has perpetrated, and the law provides several inherent safeguards meant to repel such internal enemies. But those safeguards have all failed, because, again and again, the people in positions to implement them chose not to. That leaves the country in a dire position. If President Joe Biden wins reelection in November, Trump and MAGA insurgents are all but certain to reject the results and assault the system. They did it before, and theyre already doing it again. If Trump wins, he will reshape the executive branch as a tool of autocracy. Barring some extraordinary event, one of these two disasters awaits the nation, and it would be negligent to put off thinking about what comes next for America. Trump, the Republican front-runner for president, attempted a violent coup the first time he was president, after he lost an election. That was the capstone to a political career marked by treasonous coddling of foreign enemies, abuse of power and mob tactics. After he incited the Jan. 6 insurrection, institutional defenses should have engaged on an emergency basis. Then-Vice President Mike Pence, whom the Trump mob sought to assassinate, could have invoked 25th Amendment removal of Trump. But he let it go. The Senate could have convicted Trump and permanently disqualified him from office after the House impeached him. But Republicans gave him a pass. Trump could have been prosecuted under the federal law against insurrection, which also comes with permanent disqualification from office. But federal prosecutors declined. Attorney General Merrick Garland could have acted swiftly to hold Trump accountable for obvious crimes. But he dithered. The special counsel Garland finally appointed is trying Trump on criminal counts. But the charges dont include any that come with disqualification from public office, and the Trump partisans posing as impartial jurists on the U.S. Supreme Court have likely ensured that Trump will escape prosecution before November. Even after a conviction, Trump could pardon himself if he wins election. The Colorado lawsuit was the last plausible structural defense against Trump returning to the White House. Six Colorado voters sued to block Trump from the ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which says no person who took an oath to support the Constitution then engaged in insurrection can hold any office in the United States. But, even though numerous constitutional experts, notably conservative scholars, largely agreed Trump should be disqualified under Section 3, and the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, the U.S. Supreme Court justices, through an unholy mix of bias, politics and ignorance, sided with Trump. Is a MAGA-ruled America an America its residents will tolerate? Too many voters do not seem to have grasped that giving Trump another term would ratify a shift from constitutional to authoritarian government, even as Trump himself discusses his strong-man intentions out loud. But the threat of this transformation cannot be overstated. As Robert Kagan, a Washington Post editor who thinks a Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable, wrote in November, Think of the power of a man who gets himself elected president despite indictments, courtroom appearances and perhaps even conviction? Would he even obey a directive of the Supreme Court? Or would he instead ask how many armored divisions the chief justice has? Trump plans to weaponize the federal government to punish critics and opponents and derail campaigns of political rivals by using the Justice Department as a dirty tricks shop. He wants to shatter the civil service corps of federal staffers and install thousands of people whove demonstrated sufficient personal loyalty to him, rather than ability to serve the American people, a project described by its architect as institutionalizing Trumpism. He would deploy as many as 300,000 U.S. troops on American soil to fight immigration as a war and help build camps to detain millions of people. Trump and likely administration appointees talk openly about jailing journalists during a second term. No one can seriously believe that if Trump had a second term that he wouldnt insist on claiming a third and a fourth. The fascist Trump, in an irreparable break with 235 years of constitutional order, would rule as a lawless autocrat. But the question of whether a Trump presidency would be constitutional is largely irrelevant at this point. The real question is this: Is a MAGA-ruled America an America its residents will tolerate? Its reasonable to estimate that for around half the country, the answer is no. What then? Whatever the answer, the nation has yet to meaningfully reckon with the implications. It has less than a year to do so. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post After Colorado, whats next for America? appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Dr. Seleshi Asfaw (left) is president and founder of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services. Mukti Dahal, right, is a program officer at ETSS. Staff meetings at Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS) on Columbus' East Side are "like the U.N. General Assembly," according to its president, Dr. Seleshi Asfaw. The nonprofit, which is one of three refugee resettlement agencies in central Ohio, employs around 200 full- and part-time staff who speak 38 different languages and come from all over the globe. Many staff are former refugees or asylees themselves, Asfaw said. ETSS provides an array of services from resettlement to employment and public health programs, as well as after-school and summer camps for youth catering to thousands of immigrants yearly, according to recent annual reports. Asfaw, a former medical doctor, fled Ethiopia due to political and ethnic persecution, arriving in the U.S. in 1997 with his wife and two children. He founded ETSS in 2000. At first, the organization worked primarily with the Ethiopian community, but it has since become a hub for immigrants from all over the world. Asfaw and his colleague, Mukti Dahal, a former Bhutanese refugee who is a program manager at ETSS, sat down with The Dispatch to discuss their organization's ongoing work and how Columbus is changing as a city for refugees and immigrants. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Mukti Dahal makes a presentation at a New American Leadership Academy event held Nov. 2, 2022, at the City of Columbus' Jerry Hammond Center. Question: What are the similarities and differences between your own experiences arriving in the U.S. several decades ago and the journeys of new refugees you see arriving today? Seleshi Asfaw: Becoming an American is a journey, and it has its challenges. Learning the language, understanding the system, getting employment, helping your children in education enrollment, health assessment and health screenings all those basic needs are the same. The difference is at the time when I came here, there were not many refugee- or immigrant-serving organizations. Today, there's a lot of infrastructure. There are good refugee-serving organizations Columbus (has) become a more welcoming city. Today, we have three resettlement agencies. We have so many churches and many community organizations providing refugee and immigrant services. And that is why Columbus is attracting (immigrants) it is because of the community, because of social service agencies, because of faith communities that are flourishing, because of businesses that are culturally oriented. Q: Columbus was seen 10 or 15 years ago as a place where refugees could find affordable housing and get a job pretty easily even without much English ability. Is it still seen that way? Mukti Dahal: When I first came here (in 2009), I still remember my rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $293. Housing is a really, really big challenge, particularly for the low-income families and immigrant populations nowadays. Asfaw: (For) large families of eight or 11, but also even singles, affordable housing is a main challenge. Now there are a lot of job opportunities. That was true (even a decade ago), but now there are so many agencies that are providing employment services for immigrants, too. The challenge that still remains is for foreign-trained professionals. We did a study (and) we found 47% of highly trained refugees are underemployed. Especially for (immigrants with backgrounds in) science and technology, engineering, IT, doctors, pharmacists it is very difficult for us to find a job because of (Ohio's) certification processes. It is a systemic and infrastructural discrimination. Dr. Seleshi Asfaw at ETSS' old offices in Columbus in 2022. Q: In addition to resettling refugees during their first months in the U.S., what other services does ETSS provide? Asfaw: The first 90 days (after arrival) is (handled) by our resettlement department. (This involves helping refugees find housing, getting children enrolled in school, finding jobs and getting legal paperwork completed.) Then, after 90 days, starts the long-term integration programs. The long-term programs are really to make (refugees) more productive and contributing members for the society. And they do have a big impact through their businesses, through their employment they become taxpayers. (We have) English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, employment programs. We start with economic stability (programming), like workforce development and self-employment programs. We also have an asset development program...that matches saving accounts of up to $2500 for individuals and $5000 for family accounts. Once (refugees find employment), the program encourages refugees to save money and we offer financial literacy training. ... We also offer a microloan program, a microenterprise training, a homebuyer education training, (and) a financial empowerment and literacy training (about) how to build credit. We also provide a culturally appropriate Community Health and Wellness program, a domestic violence survivors' program and then a community engagement and participation (program). We also have a leadership training program for those newcomers who want to start their own nonprofit. We help them get their start because we are experienced (and) strengthening community-based organizations is a way to strengthen the whole community. Q: ETSS has a new program to assist firms that employ refugees and other recent immigrants. Can you tell me more about that? Dahal: (It's funded by) a grant from the Office of Refugee Resettlement under the (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services. We will work with any employers who have already hired a refugee workforce or who are willing to hire a refugee workforce (to provide) culturally and linguistically appropriate services and on-site job skills training. It is completely free to the employers. We are looking for partners. We can actually create a curriculum based on (each firm's individual) requirements. So for instance, if an employer call us and tell us, 'Hey, we're struggling with the onboarding process (with former refugees),' then we will go there and support them with the onboarding process. If they're struggling with digital literacy, we may step up and provide digital literacy education. It's about helping (the employer) enhance their workforce, and at the same time, supporting refugees for upward mobility. Q: Does ETSS accept volunteers, and how can people reach out? Asfaw: Yes. People can apply through our website. (Our staff) will screen them and do a background check. Once that is complete, there is an orientation and a volunteer policy that they have to read and understand. We are desperately looking for (volunteers). Peter Gill covers immigration, New American communities and religion for the Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ. pgill@dispatch.com @pitaarji This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus is changing as a home for refugees, nonprofit leaders say Community star Joel McHale has provided fans with an exciting update on the highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit series. It has been over a year since it was announced in September 2022 that the sitcoms promise of six seasons and a movie would finally come to fruition. US streaming service Peacock shared the news seven years after the series came to an end in 2015, revealing that creator Dan Harmon would oversee the project, and that the majority of the cast would be returning for the film. In a new interview with Deadline, McHale who played the shows playboy protagonist Jeff Winger pointed to recent comments made by his co-star Donald Glover, confirming that the scripts done. McHale, 52, told the interviewer that he has not read the script himself. We go to the centre of the earth. Its like the movie The Core, he joked, referencing the 2003 disaster movie starring Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank. Glover previously revealed that the film would centre on a college reunion with film fan character Abed Nadir (played by Danny Pudi) having become this big director. On a serious note, fans will be delighted to hear that McHale said he believes the Community film will shoot this year adding that he will be shocked if it doesnt. But I really do think its happening this year, and probably next week, he said. Its basically working around Donalds schedule. (NBC) Having played the lovable goofball Troy Barnes on the show, Glover is perhaps the busiest original cast member of Community. The 40-year-old is known for making his Emmy award-winning series Atlanta (2016-2022) as well as traversing the world of music as the Grammy-winning rapper Childish Gambino. Most recently, he co-wrote and starred in Amazon Prime Videos reboot of Mr and Mrs Smith. In July last year, after much speculation, Hale confirmed that Glover would be returning as Troy for the movie. Donald Glover as Troy Barnes in Community' (Peacock) The actor said Glover was coming back, adding: And thats really important. The fact that we even got Donald to do it... that was the big piece. He also said that Shirley Bennett actor Yvette Nicole Brown would be returning for the movie. I think everyones coming back. So far, were pretty good. Stars confirmed to return include McHale, Glover, Brown, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Jim Rash, and Ken Jeong. Chevy Chase, who played millionaPierce Hawthorne, on the series will likely not be returning, with Harmon previously suggesting that it might not be legal for him to come back. Chases time on the series was riddled with behind-the-scenes drama. The actor, 80, exited Community during its fourth season, after he allegedly made racist remarks toward Glover. Chevy Chase as Pierce Hawthorne in Community (NBC) Chevy was the first to realize how immensely gifted Donald was, and the way he expressed his jealousy was to try to throw Donald off, Harmon told The New Yorker in 2018. I remember apologizing to Donald after a particularly rough night of Chevys non-PC [politically correct] verbiage, and Donald said, I dont even worry about it. In a subsequent interview on the WTF With Marc Maron podcast, Chase suggested that his departure was on his own terms. I honestly felt the show wasnt funny enough for me, ultimately, he said. I felt a little bit constrained. Everybody had their bits, and I thought they were all good. It just wasnt hard-hitting enough for me. Chase added that felt happier being alone and just didnt want to be surrounded by that table, every day, with those people presuambly referring to his co-stars. Following a group of students at a community college, Community ran for 110 episodes across six seasons, airing its finale in 2015. A release date for the film is yet to be announced. Vice President Kamala Harris and other top Biden administration officials were holding talks on Monday with a member of Israels wartime Cabinet who came to Washington in defiance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. White House officials said Benny Gantz, a centrist political rival of Netanyahu, requested the meeting and the Democratic administration believed it was important to meet with the prominent Israeli official despite Netanyahus objections. The meeting comes as President Joe Biden, Harris and other senior administration officials have become increasingly blunt about their dissatisfaction with the mounting death toll in Gaza and suffering of innocent Palestinians as the war nears the five-month mark. Were going to discuss a number of things in terms of the priorities that certainly we have, which includes getting a hostage deal done, getting aid in and then getting that six-week ceasefire, Harris told reporters before her meeting with Gantz. The U.S. on Saturday carried out the first of what is expected to be ongoing aidrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The moment is reflective of the increasingly awkward dynamics in the U.S.-Israel relationship, with the U.S. forced to fly badly needed aid past its close ally as it looks to ramp up assistance for desperate civilians in Gaza. The first airdrop occurred just days after more than 100 Palestinians were killed as they were trying to get food from an Israel-organized convoy. The White House agreed to the meeting with Gantz even as an official from Netanyahus nationalist Likud party said Gantz did not have approval from the prime minister for his meetings in Washington. Netanyahu gave Gantz a tough talk about the visit underscoring a widening crack within Israels wartime leadership. We have been dealing with all members of the war Cabinet, including Mr. Gantz, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. We see this as a natural outgrowth of those discussions. Were not going to turn away that sort of opportunity. In addition to his talks with Harris, Gantz is meeting on Monday with National Security Council Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk and Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser. Gantz was also scheduled to meet on Monday with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. And he will meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday. Gantz just before the start of his White House meetings told a reporter with Israels public broadcaster Kan: There will be an open and honest conversation between two friendly and important countries and partners. Biden is at Camp David, the presidential retreat just outside Washington, until Tuesday as he prepares to deliver the annual State of the Union address later this week. Over the weekend, Harris issued a forceful call for a temporary cease-fire deal in Gaza, which administration officials say would halt fighting for at least six weeks, and also increased pressure on Israel not to impede the aid that workers were trying to get into the region. The White House has been advocating for that framework deal for weeks. Israel has essentially agreed to the deal, according to a senior Biden administration official, and the White House has emphasized that the onus is on Hamas to come on board. Biden faces mounting political pressure at home over his administrations handling of the Israeli-Hamas war, which was triggered when militants in Gaza launched an attack, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 people hostage. In last weeks Michigan presidential primary, more than 100,000 Democratic primary voters cast ballots for uncommitted. Biden still easily won the states primary, but the coordinated push by voters on the left who are dissatisfied with the presidents unwavering support for Israel as its military operations in Gaza have left more than 30,000 Palestinians dead. The vote totals raise concerns for Democrats in a state Biden won by only 154,000 votes in 2020. Gantz, who polls show could be a formidable candidate for prime minister if a vote were held today, is viewed as a political moderate. But he has remained vague about his view of Palestinian statehood something that Biden sees as essential to forging a lasting peace once the conflict ends but that Netanyahu adamantly opposes. It is also assumed that when the heavy fighting subsides, Gantz will leave the government, which would increase pressure for early elections. Since Gantz joined Netanyahus three-minister war Cabinet in October, U.S. officials have found him to be easier to deal with than either Netanyahu or Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Although Gantz holds many of the same hardline views as Netanyahu and Gallant, he has been seen as more open to compromise on critical issues, including the increased delivery of humanitarian assistance that will be a prime topic of discussion in the meetings in Washington this week. Until now, calls for elections have been muted due to the war, but analysts think that when Gantz leaves the government, it will send a signal to the Israeli public that the need for national unity has passed and efforts to oust Netanyahus government can begin in earnest. For his part while in Washington, Gantz aims to strengthen ties with the U.S., bolster support for Israels war and push for the release of Israeli hostages, according to a second Israeli official. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent allowed to publicly discuss the disputes within the Israeli government. Gantz is scheduled to head to London for meetings after his U.S. visit. It remains to be seen if Gantz while in Washington will diverge from Netanyahus stances on Palestinian statehood or carrying out an expanded operation in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned Israel against a Rafah operation without a plan to protect civilians. I dont doubt there are some administration officials who believe just by meeting with Gantz they are undermining Netanyahu, said Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative Washington think tank. But if Gantz carries the governments line on key issues of disagreement, these meetings are net-negative for the White House while helpful back home for Gantz. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The president of a technology firm working to build its $95 million U.S. headquarters in Johnson County on Monday called claims it poses a national security risk completely incorrect. Allegations from Republican politicians in recent months that the company could steal military secrets hold no semblance of reality, the company official told Kansas lawmakers. Cnano Technology, a U.S. subsidiary of a Chinese firm, received economic incentives from Johnson County to build its facility last June. In the time since, theyve faced intense backlash from some conservatives and, more recently, from U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and state officials. They argue the company has ties to the Chinese Communist Party and that its new headquarters poses a national security risk because of its location 21 miles from the Kansas City National Security Campus, 35 miles from Fort Leavenworth and 70 miles from Whiteman Airforce Base in Missouri. For the first time on Monday the company directly addressed these concerns while objecting to a bill in the Kansas House that would force it to divest from their property in Kansas. Contrary to whats being portrayed, Cnano poses absolutely no threat, said Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano Technology USA. The notion that CNANO USA could be used as a conduit to steal Americas military and intellectual secrets is completely incorrect. Cnano USA, Montgomery said, is completely independent from its Chinese parent company aside from sending it monthly financial reports. He insisted the companys sole goal in Kansas was to make nanotubes, a technology developed in China, and turn them into a paste that can be used in electric vehicle batteries. I would never do anything that isnt in the best interest of the United States, Montgomery said. He said the USA subsidiary of the company had no employees that worked for the Chinese Communist Party. While their parent company did have employees in the party, Montgomery said, that is also common for American companies that do business in China. Montgomerys testimony comes as Kansas lawmakers consider policy barring foreign entities to own certain land in Kansas. The Kansas House is considering a bill that would bar foreign companies, governments and individuals from owning or leasing non-residential land within 150 miles of a military installation if the country they are from is listed on the U.S. Department of Commerces foreign adversary list. In addition to blocking new purchases of land, the bill requires any foreign companies already in Kansas to divest from land they own within the 150 mile radius which includes the vast majority of the state. A separate bill, promoted by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach in the state Senate, does not require divestment of land but requires any foreign entity, regardless of the country, purchasing three or more acres of land to seek approval from a council of state leaders. Republicans in Kansas and across the country have become increasingly concerned about Chinas influence on U.S. companies and the potential for the country to compromise the countrys food security through the purchase of farm land or spy on military installations. Cnano USAs testimony failed to adequately address the overwhelming evidence that ties their parent company, Cnano Jiangsu, to President Xi, the CCP, and Chinese intelligence services, LaTurner said. I applaud the Kansas legislature for working diligently to ensure we can protect our supply chains and crucial military bases from Americas greatest national security threatthe Chinese Communist Party. House Majority Leader Chris Croft, an Overland Park Republican who has led the effort to limit foreign land ownership in the House, said Montgomerys testimony did not fully assuage his concerns with the company. There are some issues out there that still need to be addressed, Croft said, adding he sought to craft the bill so that companies that self-reported would have more time to determine if they violated the new law and divest if needed. Just get beyond these three companies, what do we not know, what companies dont we know about? Montgomery also warned lawmakers that any effort to force existing companies to divest may be unconstitutional but Croft told lawmakers that element of the bill was important for determining what foreign companies are already in Kansas. Throughout the hearing Montgomery faced detailed questions from lawmakers about the parent companys links to the Chinese Communist Party and the status of individual company employees. Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, compared the questions to the campaign against communists carried out in the U.S. government by U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. I think everyone needs to calm down, take a deep breath and leave foreign policy to the federal government, she said. One hard reality of cybersecurity is that the economics favor attackers. It is more costly to defend than it is to attack. As threat actors become more sophisticated and diverse, the cost to defend continues to grow. Defender resources time, money, and people are finite. As such, companies need to allocate them efficiently and effectively. Unfortunately, the steady movement toward government-imposed cybersecurity regulations and enforcement actions poses a dilemma for many companies. Do they allocate resources to secure their environment or to ensure compliance with a multitude of government mandates and reporting rules? The number of cybersecurity regulations imposed on industry is so voluminous that a core pillar of the Biden administrations National Cybersecurity Strategy is to harmonize regulations. Yet government agencies continue to issue conflicting mandates that will divert resources from security to compliance. One such example is the Federal Acquisition Regulations rule on Cyber Threat and Incident Reporting and Information Sharing, proposed by the U.S. Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and NSA, which is estimated to impact upwards of 94,000 companies that contract with the federal government. This proposed rule alone is conservatively estimated to impose compliance costs of $1.52 billion annually on companies that service the federal government. The benefits, however, are less easy to quantify. Advocates of mandatory reporting claim that it is necessary so that the government can have a better understanding of cyber threats, which will help them share information on how to defend against the threats. Even if we accept this claim that despite the collective resources of the NSA, Cyber Command, the CIA, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and a nearly endless number of federal agencies, the government still does not have a sufficient understanding of the threat landscape the proposed regulations will not achieve the purported goal. Instead, the government will be provided with a tsunami of information with seemingly no filter. For example, the proposed FAR rule would require companies with government contracts, and their suppliers, to report on every anomaly observed on their network which the proposed rule calls an incident that may have occurred within eight hours (yes, eight hours) of it being noticed. Companies investigate potential security incidents every day. Therefore the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency could receive hundreds, potentially thousands, of reports each day on incidents that may have occurred. CISA will be quickly overrun with unverified and inaccurate information on security incidents that either didnt occur or have no impact. The task of sorting through a mammoth amount of data will make it more difficult to provide actionable threat intelligence back to industry. As such, at a minimum, the FAR regulations should limit mandatory incident reporting to consequential incidents such as those that impact government data or a contractors ability to perform its mission. Other government agencies also are imposing regulations that likely will have a detrimental impact on security. The most high-profile of these is the SECs Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure rule, which creates another set of governance and reporting requirements for publicly traded companies. Under the SEC rules, publicly traded companies would have to publicly announce when they experience a cyber incident that has a material impact. Under these regulations, companies must publicly disclose incidents and certain details even if doing so puts them or other companies at greater risk. For example, if a company is still remediating an attack, it faces the prospect of being attacked again by other actors who know that the company is already busy responding to the initial incident. Public information about a successful attack will undoubtedly be scrutinized and used by attackers. Companies are anxiously awaiting the next round of regulation, due in March, when CISA issues its initial proposed regulations to implement CIRCIA. This law was passed in 2022 and requires companies to report incidents to CISA within 72 hours. Key areas of focus will be which companies will be required to report incidents and what type of incidents they will need to report. These examples reflect only a sample of the regulations and mandates from just the federal government. States are developing their own set of cybersecurity requirements. This will make both security and compliance more difficult and costly. Our nation faces a complex range of cyber threats. Nation-states are using their cyber armies to attack Americas critical infrastructure and government. They are actively stealing intellectual property and, according to the FBI, are lurking on networks waiting to pounce when the time is right. Unfortunately, the governments response to this is to create a complex regulatory, compliance, and reporting environment that is both duplicative and contradictory. It may not be realistic to begin the immediate rolling back of regulations and mandates. However, it is essential that the government collectively pause on issuing new cybersecurity regulations and mandates to focus on the much-needed regulatory harmonization. Scott C. Algeier is Executive Director at IT-ISAC, a not for profit organization of companies dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity by sharing threat information. Congress couldnt quite get its act together to pass four spending bills and avert a partial government shutdown last week. So it tries again this week. But heres the catch. Only in Congress-logic would you add two bills to the mix and give yourself one less day to complete everything. Lawmakers must now approve six spending packages before Friday. But neither the House nor Senate return to session until Tuesday night. So, here we go again. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP POWERLESS OVER POWER: AFTER SHIFTS IN GOP LANDSCAPE, MCCONNELL'S LEADERSHIP DRAWS TO A CLOSE "Watching House Republicans is like watching a football team whose best play is the punt and block," said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. "We blocked the (Senate Minority Leader Mitch) McConnell, R-Ky., supplemental. But we punt yet again on needed spending cuts." That said, there is brimming optimism among bipartisan House and Senate leaders that Congress will avoid a shutdown early Saturday morning. The sides released a universal plan over the weekend to lump together funding bills for Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Transportation/Housing, Agriculture, Energy & Water plus two new bills: a measure to fund Commerce, Justice and Science programs, plus Interior. The plan is for the House to advance this package on Wednesday. The Senate on Thursday or Friday just under the wire before the 11:59:59 pm et deadline. These bills represent less than a third of all government funding. The bigger problem emerges on March 22. Thats when the rest of the spending bills come due. And the calisthenics required to pass those bills is expected to be exponentially more challenging. First of all, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., long pledged that he wouldnt support any more Band-Aid spending bills. Congress has now approved four interim spending measures to prevent government shutdowns since fall. Johnson has presided over three of them. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., pushed through the initial one at the end of last September. Just doing that interim spending bill last autumn is exactly what cost McCarthy his job. Speaker Mike Johnson is holding firm to his position on needing border security measures in exchange for Ukraine aid. Yet Johnson is still here with nary a challenge to his leadership. Make sense? Not really. But this is where we are. Johnson found himself on the defensive several days ago when he and other leaders announced the latest punt. Some angry Republicans say they found out about the latest mulligan via Twitter or X. But Johnson called the fourth stopgap bill a "process CR." Thats short for "Continuing Resolution," an emergency bill which simply renews all funding at current levels to avoid a shutdown. But no one had ever heard the term "process CR" before Johnson deployed it. Johnson said that Republicans would have "72 hours to review" the tranche of six bills which they welded together. Thats true. But the House voted in the early afternoon Thursday to simply re-up the old funding even though that bill had not been posted for three days. House Republicans usually insist they have a three-day grace period before voting on a bill. But Johnson ditched that provision although one could argue there wasnt much to read since it simply greenlighted the old funding. But a CR is a CR is a CR. Its still parliamentary putty. Johnson swore he wouldnt tangle with interim bills again. Hence the new term a "process CR." "We have continued with the CRs and the same policies that I voted against on September 30, the last act of the previous Speaker," complained Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. "I've described it as a failure. I think it was another terrible decision." REPUBLICANS SAY HUNTER BIDEN DEPOSITION REVEALS INCONSISTENCIES IN WITNESS TESTIMONY The House voted to avert a shutdown 320-99 Thursday afternoon. But as has become de rigueur in the Republican-controlled House, way more Democrats supported the plan than GOPers. 207 Democrats voted yes. Only 113 Republicans voted yea. Thats a delta of 94 votes. Ninety-seven Republicans voted no. Only two Democrats voted nay. Johnson was prescient earlier in the day about putting yet another CR on the floor. "The appropriations process is ugly. Democracy is ugly," said Johnson. "Its been a long road to get here." Johnsons homily failed to move Good. "I actually had a Democrat member tell me this morning We like it when you're in charge because nothing changes, but you guys get all the blame," said Good. mike johnson But some Republicans argued this was all they could do, considering their meager 219-213 majority. "The American people gave us a slim majority in the House," said Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., who chairs the Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee. "This negotiation has been difficult. But to close the government down at a time like this would hurt people who should not be hurt." There were a myriad of reasons why Republicans might oppose the bridge spending bill. There was just the fact that it wasnt a new bill. Others noted that it reauthorized spending approved when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wielded the gavel and recognized many of her spending priorities. And then there was the southern border. "Any continuing resolution has got to have border control," said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. "So if youre so scared to shut the government down, and wont take a risk on shutting the border down, there is a problem." SEN. FETTERMAN CONDITIONALLY EMBRACES GOP BORDER BILL Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., joined Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., as the only two Democrats to oppose the most recent CR. Quigley says hes opposing CRs until lawmakers pass a bill to aid Ukraine. "Theres no other way for me to draw attention (to Ukraine) other than to travel there," said Quigley. And so over the weekend, the six-bill combo measure for this week hit the in-boxes of lawmakers. The House will consider all of those bills together at once. House Republicans have been loathe to pass anything characterized as an "omnibus." Thats where Congressional leaders glue all 12 appropriations bills together. Six bills is conceivably a "mini-bus" although some conservatives may quibble with that. WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) arrives to a luncheon with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol on February 07, 2024, in Washington, DC. The Senate failed to pass legislation consisting of immigration and border security tacked on with foreign aid for Ukraine and Israel, and are working toward passing legislation without including the border and immigration element that Senate Republicans take issue with. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Johnson continues to say that the House has broken the "omnibus fever." Just for the record, theres no clear definition in Congress as to what constitutes an "omnibus" bill or a "minibus" bill. However, its generally understood that all 12 bills latched together is an "omnibus." Anything less is probably a "minibus." Still, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., saw the punt coming last week. He anticipated Congressional leaders dumping the bill on the floor as one massive bill. "This is the old way of doing business where the leadership gets behind closed doors, disappears for a few weeks with something and says take it or leave it," said Massie. "There are no amendments. Theres no changing it. And I think we need to reject that notion." What we havent mentioned yet is the SECOND slab of the remaining six spending bills due March 22. Those include more nettlesome, controversial policy areas. Defense. Homeland Security. And Labor/Health and Human Services. The latter two can be particularly tricky. Thats because the border is a major issue. So too is abortion and the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling on IVF and embryos. Congress may finally actually pass bills to fund the government this week. But the bigger test looms later this month. And all bets may be off for both Johnson and the chances of a government shutdown if lawmakers stumble with the next round of funding. Original article source: Congress tries to avoid a shutdownagain LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The man convicted of murder as a teenager, who then shot and killed two people over a 5-day crime spree, also shot a third person in the face that man survived. Mark Ford, 36, killed two people, shot a third and then died by suicide between Feb. 20 and Feb. 25, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. In all, Ford killed three people not including himself as he served 20 years in prison for the 2003 murder of Vincent Gomes. On Tuesday, Feb. 20, around 5 p.m., Jessica Russos mother called police saying she found her 36-year-old daughter unresponsive with several gunshot wounds at a home near St. Rose Parkway and Bermuda Road. Investigators identified Ford as Russos boyfriend and said Ford also lived at the home. Jessica Russo, 36, was found dead at her home on Feb. 20, 2024. (Laura Castelle) He murdered my daughter like a monster. He shouldve never gotten out of prison. Hes a monster, Laura Russo told 8 News Now after her daughters death. You can never replace a mother. Even by a grandmother, you cant replace a mother, she said of Jessicas children whom she left behind. On Sunday, Feb. 25, around midnight, Ford shot and killed John Dorotiak, 44, outside of Dottys near Hualapai and Elkhorn. Dorotiak worked there as a bartender, one of two jobs he did to support his wife and 16-month-old daughter, his family said. Police identified Ford as an acquaintance of Dorotiaks, though the exact relationship remained unclear Tuesday. We know that Jessica and John worked together at Leftys for a little while and also worked at Dottys and were friends, Nicole Manning, Dorotiaks niece, said. John is a very caring person and he always looked out for others, and I think he had heard from their community at work that she was involved with someone who was very dangerous, who was convicted of murder. John Dorotiak was shot and killed on Feb. 25, 2024. (Nicole Manning) Later that morning, police found Ford dead in a car outside of a home in the south valley near Las Vegas Boulevard and St. Rose Parkway, documents said. Officers found Ford with a gunshot wound to his chest. Police found a gun under his sweater. Sometime between Dorotiaks murder and the discovery of Fords body, Ford shot another man in the head, documents said. In that third shooting, a person called police saying Ford was outside a home near Cactus Avenue and Valley View Boulevard. The victim, a man, was shot outside of the home and survived, documents said. The mans name was not made public. Police said the third victim was a friend of Fords. A photo of Mark Ford, 36. Metro police released the photo in their attempts to find Ford before he died by suicide. (LVMPD/KLAS) Had Ford lived, he would have faced charges including two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. In the hours after Dorotiaks murder, Metro police issued a public alert in an attempt to find Ford. In 2003, a jury convicted Ford on a second-degree murder charge for the death of his neighbor, records said. Then a teenager, Ford broke into a neighbors home, stabbing him during a burglary. A judge then sentenced him to two life terms in prison. Ford was paroled in February 2023, a spokesperson for the Nevada Department of Corrections said. A law passed in 2015 lessened sentences of life without the possibility of parole for juvenile offenders, leading to Fords release. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Read the full story on The Auto Wire Cops Leave Injured 16-Year-Old Trapped In Wrecked Dodge Charger We appreciate the largely thankless and often dangerous work law enforcement performs daily for communities across the nation. While there are many good officers out there, unfortunately some arent so great, are incompetent, or sometimes just plain drop the ball. We believe this case out of Oklahoma where two deputies didnt check up on a 16-year-old boy who was trapped in a crashed Dodge Charger is shocking because it represents exactly the opposite instinct officers of the law should have. Watch a fleeing Dodge Charger get peeled like an orange. In shocking dashcam footage, we see everything unfold. The teenage driver was pulled over by a Canadian County deputy for not having a tag on his vehicle, which had just been purchased by his parents. State law allows for a newly purchased car to be driven without a tag for a certain number of days, so when the driver presented the proper paperwork the deputy said he was only giving the boy a verbal warning. Image via KFOR/YouTube Thats when a drowsy driver behind the wheel of a pickup pulling a trailer slams into the drivers side of the Charger, flipping the deputy and pushing the Dodge all the way to the sound wall. Dazed and seriously hurt, the deputy takes over a minute to come to and radio for help. When a trooper arrives on scene about two minutes after the crash, the deputy asks if the two drivers involved in the crash are okay. Thats when the trooper plainly says, I dont care about them. He follows that declaration up by not bothering to check on those drivers. A second trooper arrives not too long after and seems to have the same attitude. Weve seen cops risk their lives to pull someone out of a burning vehicle after that person led them on a high-speed pursuit, so this behavior is really weird for anyone in law enforcement. And we think its completely out of line. What those troopers didnt know and apparently didnt care about was the teenage driver in the Charger suffered serious head injuries, was unconscious and going into seizures. It took a local police officer arriving on scene before someone finally went to check on the boy, almost eight and a half minutes after the crash. In that amount of time, the teenager easily could have died. And yet those two troopers couldnt be bothered to just check up on him? The Charger was clearly heavily damaged, surely they knew it was likely the driver was injured and trapped. Fortunately, the 16-year-old survived and is recovering from his serious injuries. But the inaction of the troopers could have easily been the death of him. To Protect And Serve is often featured on police vehicles as a reminder to officers as much as the community of their duty to help those in need. But in this case one could say it was more To Protect And Serve Ourselves. With the video footage what unfolded seems pretty clear and its utterly disgusting. The parents of this teen arent just your average Oklahoma citizens. His father is Greg Treat, an Oklahoma State Senator and his mother is Maressa Treat, Oklahoma County Clerk. While its undoubtedly true his parents positions are helping to shine a light on this case, we hope it leads to some good. Officers of the law should never conduct themselves this way, although we know realistically it happens all too often. Greg Treat is working to pass legislation which will reform the process for temporary registration of vehicles in Oklahoma. Perhaps if Texas revolutionary step towards issuing permanent tags immediately is a success, other states will soon follow. Images via KFOR/YouTube Follow The Auto Wire on Google News. Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a highly respected conservative senator who is closely allied with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), announced Tuesday that he will run to become Senate Republican Conference chair, the No. 3-ranking spot in the Senate GOP leadership. Cotton told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt of his plans to run for conference chair on the same day that Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who currently holds the post, announced he will run to become the next Senate GOP whip. Cotton is making a bold move. He doesnt hold an elected Senate GOP leadership spot, and Senate Republican Policy Committee Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is in next in line to chair the GOP conference. She currently holds the No. 4-ranking leadership slot. If Cotton is elected GOP conference chair, he would also leapfrog Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the Senate GOP conference vice chair. Traditionally, Senate Republicans have moved up the leadership ladder one rung at a time, but decorum is being put on the shelf at the moment amid one of the biggest scrambles for power within Senate Republican ranks in decades. The whips job will open up at the end of the year, because Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) is running to succeed McConnell as GOP leader. His main competition is Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a prodigious fundraiser who held the whips job from 2013-19, including stints in the majority and minority. Cottons biggest asset in the race is that Senate GOP colleagues respect his credentials as a law-and-order conservative focused on national security. He also has a close relationship with McConnell, which could swing votes his way. Cotton gave a speech nominating McConnell for another term as leader after the 2022 midterm election. It gave the veteran Kentucky senator a boost before he handily defeated Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R) in the leadership race. Senators say Cotton has often spoken up in support of McConnell at key moments during Senate GOP conference meetings when McConnell needed support on his right flank. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Following the lead of 10 other states, Kentucky lawmakers are seeking to further change how children learn to read, proposing a law that would ban a form of instruction associated with Reading Recovery. House Bill 612 would ban teachers from using a method known as three-cueing which guides children to use clues like pictures to figure out a word rather than sounding it out and stop teacher prep programs from using it. The House Education Committee unanimously passed the bill Tuesday. The move is another step toward removing balanced literacy instruction, a method that numerous studies have said is harmful to struggling readers. It teaches students to memorize or guess at words, while the structured literacy method teaches them to sound out letters to decode words. The Kentucky legislature already passed a bill last year that prevents school districts from using balanced literacy as their primary instruction model next school year. Students "are being given cues to guess at a word rather than learning the sounds. ... It is harmful to helping our students learn how to read successfully," said House Education Committee Chairman James Tipton, R-Taylorsville. The bill, Tipton said, is not geared specifically to Reading Recovery, but "toward any vendor that might utilize this type of instruction." Ohio is among the states that have banned three-cueing, and in the aftermath is being sued by the Reading Recovery Council of North America. The intervention program, which has been taught to struggling first grade students in Kentucky since 1989, came under national scrutiny last year after a study suggested the program was ineffective in the long term and could actually be harmful to students reading abilities. The study followed the test scores of Reading Recovery students and a similarly skilled control group into the third and fourth grades and found the program's students scored about a half-grade level below their peers who also had struggled with reading as first graders but did not receive the intervention. Even though those early impacts were positive and big, long-term impacts are actually negative, suggesting that the kids may have been better off if they had not gotten Reading Recovery at all, Henry May, director of the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy at the University of Delaware, told the Courier Journal. Kentucky Says Representative Tina Bojanowski speaks to JCPS parents about the problems with bus transportation during a conversation with JCPS parents at Brown Park, Sunday, Aug. 13 2023 in Louisville Ky. Many Kentucky districts stopped using the program after a Courier Journal Investigation that found the state has poured millions into Reading Recovery but failed to study whether the program leads to long-term reading success. Additionally, the Kentucky Department of Education no longer supports the use of it, but the University of Kentucky awarded $800,000 in grants to districts to expand their use of the program. The Reading Recovery Center at UK received funding to put toward those grants from the state legislative budget, though Rep. Tipton along with Rep. Tina Bojanowski, D-Louisville, who co-sponsored the bill to ban three-cueing, said neither were aware that funding was still being provided and that it was a line item from several years ago. The Five Components of Literacy is a slide from a presentation given by Terra Greenwell, chief academic officer for Jefferson County Public Schools to the school board Tuesday, April 25, 2023. It is unclear what will happen to UK's center if Tipton and Bojanowski's bill is passed. The center's funding from the legislature, according to UK spokesman Jay Blanton, will continue through June. "UK is legislatively designated to act as the fiscal agent to distribute state-appropriated funds to districts," Blanton said. Aside from impacting districts, many Kentucky universities will need to make changes in how they train future teachers about literacy and how kids learn to read, with the bill stating such programs should use evidence-based reading instruction. The National Council on Teacher Quality released a report last summer analyzing whether 15 Kentucky higher ed institutions are instructing education majors on the five components of the Science of Reading. The report gave about half of them a "D" or "F" for failing to adequately cover them. The intention of the bill, Tipton said, "is that the language is specific enough that it would prevent any (post)secondary institution from promoting (balanced literacy) instruction." The other states that have banned three-cueing include Arkansas, Florida, Indiana Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. More: Kentucky schools invest more money in reading program experts say is harmful Contact Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: House Bill 612 could ban Reading Recovery in Kentucky schools WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The race to replace Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is already in full swing. McConnell, who has been the leader of the Senate Republicans since 2007, announced last week that he will be stepping down in November. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), who is currently McConnells number two as the Senate GOP Whip, announced Monday that he wants the job. I hope to be, Thune said. Im going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues. Theyre the voters, theyre the ones who ultimately make the decision. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) says he also wants the job. I believe the Senate is broken that is not news to anyone, Cornyn said in a statement to his Republican colleagues announcing his bid. The good news is that it can be fixed, and I intend to play a major role in fixing it. McConnell says he will officially leave his leadership post in November. When that happens, the Senate Republican conference will meet behind closed doors to elect their new leader. During that meeting they will also have to decide who will be the number two whip and number three. One of the interesting things about the Republican leadership is they actually have term limits, Todd Belt, a Political Science Professor at The George Washington University said. Cornyn is actually term-limited out from some of the lower positions because hes already held them. For him, its going to be majority or minority leader or bust. Belt says winning McConnells seat starts outside the Capitol, on the campaign trail. You are going to see them standing next to all the Republicans running for Senate, fundraising for them and endorsing them, Belt said. Mitch McConnell was a master at this. Belt says the leadership hopefuls will also have to win over the conservative wing of the party, who want a fresh start for the Senate GOP conference. People thought McConnell was more of a Washington insider, that he was too eager to compromise with Democrats, Belt said. And many Republicans want someone who is going to be more of a fighter, who will support their agenda. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. International travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic started to be lifted in March 2022. Ever since, the airline industry has been struggling to keep pace with demand. At the same time, carriers have been putting up fares to take advantage of the limited supply of seats. Looking ahead to summer 2024, the outlook is for higher prices still and less availability due to problems with the most popular aircraft for European flights: the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 family. Delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries because of safety concerns, combined with an issue affecting some Airbus engines, means some airlines may struggle to fulfil their planned operations and fares are likely to rise. Airlines will charge whatever they can get away with more enthusiastically than ever as they try to make up for the billions they lost during Covid. And with lots of money chasing fewer seats, they can cash in like never before on what the market will bear. British Airways parent company, IAG, has just announced record profits. So could new flights cost even more and might existing bookings be cancelled? These are the key questions and answers. Which airlines are affected? Two of the biggest budget airlines serving the UK will not have the aircraft fleets they expected when they planned their summer 2024 programmes. Ryanair now expects to receive just 40 of the 57 planned Boeing 737 Max aircraft that were due to be delivered to Ryanair before the end of June 2024. Wizz Air has 42 Airbus A320 series aircraft grounded for inspections of their Pratt & Whitney GTF (geared turbofan) engines. The Lufthansa Group which includes Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, as well as the German national carrier is reported to have 62 Airbus aircraft on the ground. While other leading airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 are encountering no such problems, the shortfall in seats is cutting availability and raising prices. The 17 aircraft Ryanair now expects not to receive in time for summer would have flown a total of 20,000 seats per day or 1.85 million in the course of July, August and September. The airlines chief executive, Michael OLeary, said: We expect these latest Boeing delivery delays, which regrettably are beyond Ryanairs control, combined with the grounding of up to 20 per cent of our Airbus competitors A320 fleets in Europe, will lead to more constrained capacity and slightly higher air fares for consumers in Europe in summer 2024. He has predicted prices could rise by up to 10 per cent. What exactly are the planemakers problems? Boeing The US maker has been unable to increase the rate of deliveries of 737 Max aircraft following an inflight scare in January, when a door plug blew out from the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 shortly after take-off from Portland, Oregon. The aircraft landed safely, but quality-control concerns have led the Federal Aviation Administration to demand close supervision of each new plane. The delivery delays are so significant that Ryanair has told investors that its projected passenger total to the end of March 2025 will fall from 205 million to below 200 million. Airbus The Toulouse-based manufacturer is blameless: the problem is that some of its planes are powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF (geared turbofan) engines. The engine maker has identified a potential problem of contamination in the powder metal used for some key components on some power plants. The engines must be inspected earlier: removed, disassembled, examined and put back together by specialist teams. That could take two months for each engine. As a result, Wizz Air and the German airline Lufthansa have grounded more than 100 aircraft between them. Could flights already booked be cancelled? Ryanair says it has already implemented schedule cuts at Dublin, Milan Malpensa, Warsaw Modlin and four Portuguese airports. The carrier says: All affected passengers have already received schedule change notifications offering them alternative flight times or full refunds if they prefer. A Wizz Air spokesperson said: Wizz Air has made no cuts to UK routes due to the Pratt & Whitney inspections and does not predict any further changes to UK routes this summer. Wizz Air has cancelled entire routes such as from London Luton to Dubrovnik and Nice for the summer, while other flights are being filleted: my Wizz Air flight booked to Sarajevo in April has been cancelled, with an alternative offered two days later. But the spokesperson said: The London Luton to Dubrovnik route was cancelled before the Pratt and Whitney groundings began, and the route to Nice was dropped due to bigger demand for other routes. What happens if my flight is cancelled? If any future cuts are made, European air passengers rights rules are on your side. The UK Civil Aviation Authority says that airlines cancelling flights must get you to your destination on the same day if at all possible, even if it means buying a ticket on another carrier. Should the airline decline to book you with a rival, you can do so yourself but keep the cancelling airline informed of your plans. Should I book a summer flight now? You might want to commit, even at annoyingly high fares. With a worldwide shortage of planes, it is difficult to see where substantial new capacity could come from. Airlines such BA and Lufthansa could switch some long-haul planes to Europe to take up the extra demand. Deploying large long-haul aircraft tactically on short European flights sometimes happens: Iberia and Finnair have done so on routes serving London Heathrow. But in general, airlines make much more money from intercontinental flying than within Europe, and will not be inclined to move valuable assets to meet the shortfall. Later in the summer, though, supply may move closer to balance with demand. Ryanair says it will now work with Boeing to accept aircraft deliveries during the peak months of July, August and September 2024. Any additional flights are likely to appear in August and September; if you plan to travel in mid-September, it is probably wise to wait. Finally, some planes could be kept in service longer than planned. Listen to Simon Calders podcast on the problems affecting some operators of Airbus and Boeing aircraft Cayden Stone had just been elected student body president at his Coeur dAlene high school in 2021 when a 15-year-old fellow student died after taking prescription pills that contained fentanyl. Stone, who testified at a legislative committee last month, said the issue has stuck with him since he left high school. Now a member of student government at Boise State University, Stone and other students are pushing to legalize testing kits used to determine whether a substance contains fentanyl. Even just one more bright light lost too soon is one too many, Stone said at the committee meeting. Idaho lawmakers could soon legalize fentanyl testing strips with a bipartisan bill by removing them from listed drug paraphernalia prohibited in state law. The bill, House Bill 441, is sponsored by House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, and Rep. Marco Erickson, R-Idaho Falls. Martha Smith, a member of student government at the University of Idaho, told the Statesman by phone that she thinks the legislation could help reduce harm for people struggling with substance abuse. A student of the Moscow campus died in Washington after using fentanyl-laced cocaine last year, according to previous Statesman reporting. We need to start having conversations about how were going to address it a little bit more effectively, Smith said, referring to the fentanyl crisis in Idaho. At least 270 died of opioid-related causes in 2022, according to the Department of Health and Welfare. Idaho last month implemented a law to add mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking crimes. The law takes effect in July. Though proponents have said the bill will discourage the illegal drug trade, opponents worry it could ensnare people with addictions into required prison sentences of three years or longer. Lawmakers faced intense pressure from law enforcement groups and other advocates to vote in favor of the bill. Smith said the testing kits would be a tool for harm reduction organizations and could also help college students who she said tend to experiment more with drugs. She said she thought it could be particularly helpful for students who are dependent on ADHD medication and have been prescribed treatment. Facing a shortage of the drug in recent years, some students have turned to buying the medication without a prescription, which puts them at risk of buying drugs laced with fentanyl, she said. Rubel pointed out that the kits are legal in most other states. A pack of 10 can be purchased for $11.50 on Amazon. This is a cheap and easy way for people to make sure theyre not being poisoned by fentanyl, Rubel said on the House floor last month. Erickson said the strips could be used by Idahoans who purchase over-the-counter medications from out of the country who want to ensure fentanyl has not been added to their pills. House Bill 441, which passed in the House last month, will need approval from the Senate before its sent to Gov. Brad Little for signing. Want the latest news on the Idaho Legislature? Sign up for Capitol Letters, a newsletter we send for every day of the legislative session. We'll keep you up to date on bills in the process of becoming law. Boutique Group, a pioneering ultra-luxury hospitality group in Saudi Arabia, said it looks forward to showcasing its commitment to preserving the kingdoms rich heritage while redefining the luxury hospitality, at ITB Berlin (March 5-7), one of the worlds leading travel trade show. Boutique Group will participate in ITB Berlin as part of the Saudi Tourism Authoritys delegation, which was named 'best exhibitor' in the Best of the Best category among 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries at the 2023 edition. This year, the group will be connecting with more than 90,000 visitors representing 180 countries and regions to showcase its portfolio of historic and cultural palaces, being transformed into ultra-luxury hotels. This includes the iconic Red Palace, the first concrete building in the region that once housed King Saud bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, Al Hamra Palace in Jeddah, built as a royal palace for King Faisal bin Abdulaziz, and the Aga Khan Award-winning Tuwaiq Palace, designed by esteemed German architect Frei Otto, and Buro Happold and Omrania. Marco Franck, Chief Hospitality Officer will be representing Boutique Group at the event. Boutique Group is pleased to participate in ITB Berlin, showcasing the unparalleled hospitality experiences we are creating in the kingdom. Our presence at this event alongside the Saudi Tourism Authority underscores our commitment to promoting Saudi Arabias rich cultural heritage. Owned by Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, Boutique Group supports the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture objective to develop and promote the industry, estimated to grow to $6 trillion of investment opportunities by 2030. Visitors to Boutique Groups booth at ITB Berlin can expect to learn about the groups dedication to responsible and sustainable luxury tourism, talent development and the Kingdoms ambitious plans for economic diversification. With a focus on luxury, authenticity and personalised service, Boutique Group aims to captivate the global travel community and invite discerning travellers to experience the beauty and hospitality of Saudi Arabia. TradeArabia News Service In the face of the support received by Jewish settlers from the government and the army, more and more international governments are ordering economic sanctions and travel restrictions against those who carry out attacks against Palestinians. Since the war began last October, more than twice as many violent acts have been recorded in the West Bank, according to the United Nations, where at least 400 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by the army or by settlers, Israeli citizens forcibly and illegally installed in Palestinian territory. On February 1, the United States opened the tap of sanctions and Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and New Zealand followed in the wake of this unprecedented measure. So far, only the U.S. and British authorities have taken the step of identifying the persons against whom they have taken action, four in each case. There is only one Israeli citizen who appears on both lists made public: Yinon Levi, 31, who runs a farm in the illegal settlement of Meitarim, in the south of the occupied West Bank. In addition to travel restrictions, Levis personal and business bank accounts have been frozen by Israel. The settlers and their lawyers blame these sanctions, in large part, on the work and denunciations of Israeli human rights organizations, such as BTselem and Peace Now, which for years have been closely following the abuses committed by Israeli settlers in Palestine, who number around 500,000. They often warn of the impunity with which they act under the protective shadow of the army, as in the case of Levi himself. In contrast to the other three people sanctioned by the U.S., local media describes him as a businessman who uses the Israeli authorities to consolidate a company with which to deepen the occupation of Palestine and expel the local inhabitants. Mauricio Lapchik, director of external relations for Peace Now, considers the announcement by Spain that is also preparing a list of 12 settlers to be sanctioned as an important step in the defense of the Palestinian population in the West Bank. However, it is still worrying that the Israeli government is not taking minimal steps to stop this phenomenon of organized violence that aims at annexing the occupied territories and clearly constitutes terrorism, he adds. Israeli human rights organizations are working in the face of the most ultra-right-wing government in the history of Israel, in which the National Security portfolio is in the hands of a settler with an ultra-nationalist and racist discourse, Itamar Ben-Gvir. Lapchik points to what he considers the triumvirate of government support for the settlers. In addition to Ben-Gvir, he cites Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. We expect the Israeli government to take concrete steps to enforce the law in cases of settler violence. It is our hope that, in the future, it will not be necessary for other countries to impose sanctions on our fellow citizens for their criminal acts. Without naming any of these human rights groups, Levi blames the punishments imposed on him by the U.S. and the U.K. on anarchist and leftist organizations that defend the Palestinians and do harm to Israel, the settlements, the army and everyone, according to his statements, sent to EL PAIS via voicemail. From the moment we occupied the land, people from these organizations came to bother us, he adds, referring to territory that the settlers consider public. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a convention calling for Israel to rebuild settlements in the Gaza Strip and the northern part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, in Jerusalem, January 28, 2024. RONEN ZVULUN (REUTERS) Fundraising As soon as the sanctions were announced in February, other settlers and supporters of the movement launched campaigns to raise funds to address the economic suffocation of Levis farm. I dont accept handouts from other people, he responds when asked about it. I dont want to feed my children with other peoples money. The money I receive is neither for me nor for my family, but to maintain the land and strengthen the land of Israel. According to the U.S. government, Levi led a group of settlers who assaulted Palestinian and Bedouin civilians, threatened them with further violence if they did not leave their homes, burned their fields, and destroyed their property. The British governments accusation is similar. Some 300 Palestinians have been evicted in recent months from their homes around Levis farm, according to Peace Now. On October 16, at the outset of the current war, in the presence of Israeli soldiers, Levi drove a bulldozer into the village of Susiya, near Meitarim, where he carried out destruction, according to the Israeli press. Despite being well known as a violent settler, he has never been prosecuted, unlike other settlers targeted by the U.S. and the U.K. Peace Now denounces, moreover, that the Har Hevron Regional Council (the Israeli occupation authority that manages the colonies in the area) signed a contract with Levi in 2021 for the construction of his agricultural farm, which is, according to the NGO, evidence of a direct link between him and the authorities. There is a good chance, if the U.S. continues to sanction violent settlers, that the regional council could also be sanctioned for the contract it signed with Levi, notes Lapchik. The Honenu Association, the legal aid organization for the settlers, represents those who have been sanctioned. Its lawyers are trying to prevent the freezing of accounts at Israeli banks from going ahead. Its director, Shmuel Meidad, who calls the targeted settlers heroic, welcomed the fact that the courts initially ruled in their favor, according to a February 15 statement from the organization. No foreign country, let alone a so-called friend of Israel [referring to the United States], should be able to impose a policy on the sovereign state of Israel, certainly not on the backs of the best of its children, who are sacrificing their lives for sovereignty, Meidad said. Days later, the fundraising campaigns were blocked following an Associated Press investigation cited by Israeli media. The U.S. sanctions system and its involvement beyond its borders is very strict, according to an analysis by Amichai Cohen of the Israel Democracy Institute think tank. Their impact can significantly damage the economy of that country as a whole, he says in reference to Israel. Cohen notes that President [Joe] Biden authorizes the Secretaries of State and Treasury to impose sanctions on anyone who endangers stability in the West Bank, and anyone who acts violently to harm people or their property, or to deprive them of their property. The order also applies to organizations including governmental organizations that support such actions. Compared to the U.S., the sanctions regime of the EU or other Western countries is quite limited, Cohen adds, as they focus on activities carried out within the borders of the sanctioning country and assets located in that country. The sanctions have both angered and caused concern within the settler movement. Its unbelievable. We are not talking about terrorists. Its not money that is dedicated to causing terror. We are talking about people and private initiatives who are fighting for their home, for our land, says Itamar David Moshe, a 35-year-old lawyer and military reservist who lives in a West Bank settlement. He believes that the sanctioning countries are acting without evidence and illegally, which is why he plans to direct all his expertise and knowledge, at no cost to address these punishments. They exceed a red line that we cannot accept, he adds. These sanctions can hurt us in the short term. Without even a trial, the United States wants to regulate our country, regulate our society, regulate our people [...] I dont think this is a matter for the United States, to take their money and freeze their accounts. I hope that the Supreme Court of Israel will stop this madness. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Eric Mays, a longtime and beloved member of the Flint City Council, died from natural causes last month. Then things got weird, according to a new lawsuit. Eric HaKeem Deontaye Mays, identified as the councilmans only child in court documents filed Monday, alleges that violations of Michigan law, fraud, and conspiracy by the Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and four siblings of the late Councilman have been committed in connection with the handling of his remains. Mays died without a will, according to the lawsuit, which claims that only his son Eric has next-of-kin rights as to how to handle his remains. But the suit alleges that two of the elder Mays siblings instead lied to authorities that he had no children, and that a third siblingan employee of the Moon Funeral Homefalsely represented to the Genesee County Medical Examiners Office that he had the legal authority to authorize the release of his body. Now in possession of Mays remains, the Moon Funeral Home has refused to turn them over to Eric, the lawsuit alleges. Eric claims he has provided the company with the legally required documentation to authorize the release of the remains. Erics complaint also accuses the siblings of unjustly [profiting] from their fraudulent scheme by soliciting in-person donations from the community under the false premise they were the late councilmans next of kin to purportedly raise money for funeral services they have no legal authority to control. Eric is asking a judge to cancel funeral plans arranged by the Moon Funeral Home for this coming weekend, and order the release of his fathers remains to the funeral home of his choice. He is also seeking a judgment for compensatory, punitive, and exemplary damages, as well as interest and legal fees. An attorney representing Eric told Flint Beat on Monday that the Moon Funeral Home was disrespecting the life and legacy of the late Councilman Eric B. Mays by holding his body hostage and refusing to turn it over to his son, and by participating in an unlawful conspiracy with estranged, rogue members of the late councilmans family to deprive his son his right to lay his father to rest. When a reporter for MLive.com called the Moon Funeral Home on Monday, the person who answered the phone said they had no comment on the lawsuit. A sister of Mays similarly told the outlet that the siblings had no comment. The elder Eric Mays represented the First Ward on the Flint City Council from 2013 until his death at age 65 on Feb. 24. The City of Flint hailed him in a statement for his bold and courageous service, saying he had been adored by his constituents. Councilman Mays was not only a dedicated public servant but also a tireless champion for the people of Flint, Flint City Council President Ladel Lewis said in a statement last month, according to WJRT. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of our community has left an indelible mark, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, when more than a dozen states will hold presidential primary contests. Its one of the most significant days of the primary election season, with more than a third of the total party delegates up for grabs. Former President Donald Trump is looking to lock in his status as the Republican frontrunner. Weve been on a rocket to the Republican nomination, its been a rocket, Trump said. Former Governor Nikki Haley is fresh off her first primary win in Washington, D.C. On Monday she rallied voters in Texas, hoping to carry that momentum into Tuesdays elections. I defeated a dozen of the fellas. I just have one more fella I gotta catch up to, Haley said. Trump has dominated every other primary contest. Polls show hes poised to continue that trend and win big on Super Tuesday. Get everyone you know to the polls so we can trounce Haley, Trump said. As he gets closer to becoming the Republican nominee, Trump is turning his attention towards his Democratic rival. The poll numbers are very good. Were beating President Biden in almost every poll, Trump said. Team Biden is pushing back. First lady Jill Biden spent the weekend campaigning in swing states, telling voters that Donald Trump is dangerous. We simply cannot let him win, Jill Biden said. The president is also hoping for a strong show of support on Super Tuesday. The Biden campaign is trying to ramp up enthusiasm ahead of the general election in November. There is way too much at stake, Jill Biden said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A couple heading home from an anniversary trip are being celebrated as heroes for jumping in to save two drivers involved in a head-on collision, a Florida sheriffs office said. Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell, whose first names were not released, celebrated their 30-year wedding anniversary in Destin, Florida, about 70 miles southwest of their home in Geneva, Alabama, according to a March 3 Facebook post from the Walton County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said the Cardwells were reminiscing about their celebration on the winding roads of County Highway 185 on the particularly dark night of March 2 when a car came up fast behind them. In their rearview, though, came two bright lights. Headlights. They were closing in fast, the sheriffs office said. In a flash, the vehicle passed them in a blur, disappearing into the night. The Cardwells kept driving, but soon they came upon a crash, deputies said. A driver had collided with the front of another vehicle, the sheriffs office said, and one of the cars was already billowing smoke when the Cardwells arrived. As Mrs. Cardwell called 911, Mr. Cardwell noticed the smoking car had caught fire and realized it was the same car that passed them earlier, the sheriffs office said. No matter. This person, whoever they were, was in danger. As quickly as he passed them in the night, Mr. Cardwell pulled the driver from the car as it was (engulfed) in flames before running to help the second driver who was pinned in their vehicle, the sheriffs office said. As Mr. Cardwell worked to free the driver, emergency services arrived, deputies said, and soon the driver was safely removed from the wrecked vehicle. The conditions of the drivers were not released, but they both survived the crash, according to the sheriffs office. In our eyes, Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell are heroes, the sheriffs office said. Had they not stopped and helped, the driver may have died in those flames. Geneva is about 120 miles northwest of Tallahassee. Driver lands car in precarious spot on top of Georgia pool. See the waterlogged rescue Driver led astray by GPS detour ends up stranded in 2 feet of snow, Oregon cops say Hiker, 3 children rescued after getting trapped on Hawaii mountain ledge, rescuers say Man falls headfirst into well and gets trapped 75 feet down, Virginia officials say Renton Police detectives say a couple wanted in connection with an identity theft investigation has been arrested in New York. Detectives said the couple may have information about an 85-year-old man who was pickpocketed at the Renton Benson Fred Meyer. His debit card was stolen and used to withdraw $2,700 later that day. Police said several other Puget Sound-area cities reported similar crimes involving the same suspects. The man and woman were arrested Monday in a city north of Manhattan, NY, where they are suspected of stealing a senior citizens debit card. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Columbus Police Department is searching for information leading to the arrest of responsible parties in the shooting that claimed the life of 19-year-old Jaylan Dobbins. CPD says back on Feb. 6, 2021, officers were dispatched around 12:12 a.m. to the 1400 block of 16th Street to a report about a shooting. After arriving on the scene, CPD said officers found Dobbins suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS later arrived on the scene, but could not resuscitate Dobbins. Dobbins succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced dead at 12:43 a.m. The Columbus Police asks anyone with information to contact Corporal Kevin Baldwin at 706-225-4337 or kbaldwin@columbus.ga.org. Information can also be sent anonymously through City Protect or by texting VACS plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Previous Report: Midtown Columbus shooting leaves teen dead, coroner tells News 3 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft caught up with the International Space Station early Tuesday after a 28-hour orbital chase, bringing three NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to the outpost for a six-month tour of duty. The docking capped an exceptionally busy "day" for SpaceX that included the Crew Dragon's launch Sunday at 10:53 p.m. EST, followed by two back-to-back Falcon 9 flights Monday, one from Florida and the other from California, that put a total of 76 satellites into orbit. All the while, the Crew Dragon, launched three days late because of high winds, continued its automated approach to the space station, catching up from behind and below and then moving in for docking at the Harmony module's forward port at 2:28 a.m. EST Tuesday, about a half hour earlier than expected. In a traditional welcome-aboard ceremony, station commander Andreas Mogensen (with microphone) jokes with the newly-arrived Crew 8 fliers (front row in blue flight suits, left to right): Jeanette Epps, cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, Mike Barratt and Crew Dragon commander Matthew Dominick. / Credit: NASA TV After hooks drove home to firmly lock the spacecraft in place, a SpaceX flight controller called to confirm "docking sequence is complete. So with that, Crew Dragon Endeavour, welcome to the International Space Station. We would also like to note that you can't be 'Crew L8' (late) when you arrive 30 minutes early." "SpaceX Dragon ... copies all," Crew 8 commander Matthew Dominick replied. "So excited to be here, and thank you, all the teams that got us here, so much." Dominick, space station veteran Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin are replacing Crew 7 commander Jasmin Moghbeli, European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japanese flier Satoshi Furukawa and cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov. They plan to undock March 11 to close out their own six-month stay in space. The Crew Dragon Endeavour as seen from the International Space Station as the Crew 8 fliers closed in for docking. / Credit: NASA TV "From those of us on board, welcome to the International Space Station," Moghbeli radioed after Crew 8 docked. "Mike, welcome back. We think a few things have changed since you left. Matt, Jeanette, Sasha, you're going to absolutely love it here." "Good to hear your voice, Jasmin, and looking forward to seeing you in just a moment," Dominick replied. "Absolutely," Moghbeli said. "I'm both excited and sad, because it means I'm leaving soon." After leak checks to verify an airtight structural seal, hatches were opened and the Crew 8 fliers floated into the space station to be welcomed aboard by Moghbeli's crew and three other station crew members who flew to the lab aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft: commander Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara. "Welcome to space, Matt, Jeanette and Alex, and welcome back to space to Mike," said Mogensen, the outgoing space station commander. "You guys are going to have a fantastic mission, and we look forward to spending the next week in space with you." Crew 8 commander Matthew Dominick snaps a selfie as the Crew Dragon flew through the final stages of an automated rendezvous. / Credit: NASA TV Dominick said his crew was "super excited to be here." "Thank you to everyone who helped put this together," he said, "such a giant team around the world, and we're excited to be on board and ready to take over the watch." Barratt, making his third space flight and his second long-duration visit to the station, said it was great to be back, adding "our flight's gonna go by in the blink of an eye, and I'm really anxious to start. Thanks for the very warm welcome." Crew 7 will spend nearly a week familiarizing their replacements with the intricacies of space station operations before undocking and returning to Earth. Kononenko, Chub and O'Hara were launched last September. The two cosmonauts are midway through a yearlong stay aboard the space station while O'Hara is wrapping up a more typical six-month tour. On March 21, a fresh Soyuz will be delivered to the space station by veteran cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Belarus guest flier Marina Vasilevskaya and NASA veteran Tracy Dyson. Then, on April 2, Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya will return to Earth along with NASA's O'Hara, using the Soyuz spacecraft that carried Kononenko, Chub and O'Hara to the station last September. Dyson will return to Earth next September, joining Kononenko and Chub aboard the Soyuz MS-25/71S spacecraft delivered by Novitskiy. Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes NASA's pricey mission to send U.S. back to moon faces technical challenges | 60 Minutes NTSB discusses investigation into Nashville plane crash that killed 5 Editors Note: The following arrest and incident reports were supplied by the Abilene Police Department. All information below comes from reports made by responding officers, and all suspects are considered not guilty unless determined otherwise in a court of law. Incidents 2400 block of Buffalo Gap Road Assault Family A victim reported she was in a verbal disturbance with her husband. 1200 block of Yeomans Road Terroristic Threat Cause Fear A victim reported a suspect threatened her at a south Abilene apartment complex. 3200 block of S Danville Drive Assault Police responded to a disturbance where two guests got into a physical altercation. 2600 block of Mimosa Drive Theft of Property A victim reported his push mower worth $300 was stolen. 1100 block of Corsicana Avenue Assault Family Violence A victim reported her husband bent her finger back. 3500 block of W Lake Road Assault Family Violence A victim alleged his boyfriend bit him during an argument. 2400 block of N Willis Street Assault Family Violence Police responded to a disturbance in north Abilene where a victim was arrested for Assault Family Violence. 4600 block of S 14th Street Criminal Mischief A victim reported an unknown suspect damaged her vehicle after an argument at a south Abilene business. 4500 block of S 1st Street Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information 300 block of Somerset Place Fraudulent Use/Possession of Identifying Information 6000 block of Highway 277 S Accident Involving Injury 3500 block of West Lake Road Theft of Property A backpack, clothing, a certificate, and more were reported stolen. 3200 block of N 1st Street Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon A victim reported a known suspect chased them with a large knife. 2000 block of S Clack Street Criminal Trespass Habitation A report was taken for criminal trespass of a habitation. 3800 block of W Lake Road Assault An assault and criminal mischief report was taken in north Abilene. 200 block of Elm Street Assault Family Violence A victim reported her husband hit her, causing her pain. 800 block of E Overland Trail Theft of Motor Vehicle An SUV was stolen from an Abilene dealership. 1200 block of Lytle Way Circle Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon A suspect reported a man threatened him with a blunt object. 4300 block of Buffalo Gap Road Assault Family Violence During a verbal disturbance, two people were seen fighting each other in a parking lot. 400 block of Palm Street Criminal Mischief A criminal mischief report was taken in south Abilene. 4900 block of W Stamford Street Assault Family Violence Assault family violence was reported. 600 block of Westwood Drive Assault Family Violence A victim was assaulted by her fiance in north Abilene and did wish to pursue charges. 3900 block of Ridgemont Drive Terroristic Threat of Family/Household A report for terroristic threat was taken in south Abilene. The victim did wish to pursue charges. 1100 block of S 7th Street Theft of Property A victim reported two cellphones were stolen overnight. 2900 block of Elm Street Theft of Property A victim reported some items were stolen from his storage lot. 3100 block of N 3rd Street Burglary of Building An unknown suspect pried the lock off a storage unit and stole $1,500 worth of items. 4300 block of Buffalo Gap Road Theft of Property $522 worth of cosmetics were reported stolen. 2100 block of Texas Street Warrant 2400 block of S 1st Street Assault A suspect assaulted a clerk at a south Abilene gas station. 200 block of Chapel Hill Road Assault Family Violence A victim reported she was assaulted by her girlfriend. 7500 block of Olive Grove Avenue Burglary of Vehicle A suspect discovered subjects entered his vehicle and took tools worth $250. Arrests Brandon Garner Assault Family Violence Edward Whitaker Assault Family Violence Bianca Tejeda Theft of Property James Humphrey Warrant David Baldoza Criminal Trespass Emmanuel Perez Warrant Jimmy Nowell Warrant Jordan Boerger Public Intoxication Serenity Beasley-Blanks Failure to Identify Aiden Ochoa Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Carrying Weapon Evan Greene Possession of Marijuana Daqualin Brown Public Intoxication Leinad de Jesus Oliva Gaytan Public Intoxication John Barilleaux Warrant Laken Fields Possession of Controlled Substance Joseph Weimer Warrant Brandy Kanady Theft of Property, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Dangerous Drug Chester Smith Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon Timothy Wetsel Public Intoxication David Glass Public Intoxication Justin Davis Driving While Intoxicated Christopher Morris Warrant Alexander Torres Driving While Intoxicated Ana Bustillos Warrant Anthony Martinez Driving While Intoxicated Ronald Reccord Public Intoxication Tiffiny Lomax Assault Threat/Contact David Loza Warrant Tifany Williams Possession of Controlled Substance For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. The severed communications cables reportedly ran under the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia to Djibouti Several undersea communications cables in the Red Sea have been cut, affecting 25% of data traffic flowing between Asia and Europe, a telecoms company and a US official say. Hong Kong-based HGC Global Communications said it had taken measures to reroute traffic after four of the 15 cables were recently severed. The cause is not yet clear. The US official said it was trying to find out whether the cables were cut deliberately or snagged by an anchor. Last month, Yemen's internationally-recognised government warned that the Iran-backed Houthi movement might sabotage the undersea cables in addition to attacking ships in the sea. The Houthis - who control much of western Yemen's Red Sea coast - denied last week that they had targeted cables and blamed US and British military strikes for any damage to them. US and British forces have targeted Houthi weapons and infrastructure in response to the drone and missile attacks on merchant vessels passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis say their attacks are a show of support for the Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. HGC Global Communications said in a statement on Monday that four submarine cables in the Red Sea - Seacom, TGN-Gulf, Asia-Africa-Europe 1 and Europe India Gateway - had been cut in a recent "incident". An estimated 25% of traffic was affected, it added, noting that some 80% of the west-bound traffic from Asia passed through the cables. HGC said it had taken measures to mitigate any disruptions for its clients by rerouting data to Europe through cables in mainland China and under the Pacific Ocean to the US, as well as using the remaining cables in the Red Sea. African telecoms cable operator Seacom told the Associated Press that "initial testing indicates the affected segment lies within Yemeni maritime jurisdictions in the Southern Red Sea". A Pentagon official confirmed to CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that undersea telecommunications cables in the Red Sea had been cut. The official said the US was still trying to determine whether they were deliberately severed or snagged by a ship's anchor. Last week, Israeli business website Globes reported that the same four cables running between the Saudi city of Jeddah and Djibouti had been damaged and pointed the blame at the Houthis, without providing any evidence. Sky News Arabia, which is based in the United Arab Emirates, cited unnamed sources as accusing the Houthis of "blowing up" the cables". The Houthis' telecommunications ministry denied those reports. The ministry said it wanted to reaffirm remarks in a recent speech by Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, who said the group did not want to put any communications cables at risk. The decision to "prevent the passage of Israeli ships" through the Red Sea did "not apply to ships belonging to international companies licensed to carry out marine work on cables in Yemeni waters", it added. On Monday, Telecommunications Minister Misfer al-Numair said his ministry was "ready to assist requests for permits and identify ships with the Yemeni Navy", referring to the Houthis' naval forces. Meanwhile, the US military's Central Command said the Houthis had fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at a Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned container ship, MSC Sky II, in the Gulf of Aden. One of the missiles hit the vessel, causing damage but no injuries, it added. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed that the ship was Israeli and that it would "continue to prevent Israeli navigation or those heading to the ports of occupied Palestine". Patients are opting for private healthcare in record numbers as the NHS is blighted by long wait times and strike action. The number of private hospital admissions between January and September 2023 increased 7pc compared to 2022, rising to 664,000, data show. Analysts are predicting the number of people opting to pay for their own healthcare will rise to record levels this year, as the health service falters. They expect the number of people opting for medical healthcare to exceed the 836,000 private hospital admissions recorded in 2022. It comes as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt faces warnings of real-term cuts to the NHS ahead of the spring Budget on Wednesday. The health service could suffer a 1.2pc reduction in day-to-day spending in England despite ministers promising not to lower the healthcare budget, the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned. NHS waiting lists will remain above pre-Covid levels until 2030, the IFS said last week, despite the Prime Ministers promise in January last year that times would fall and that people will get the care they need more quickly. The NHS has also faced disruption from doctors striking over pay, with walkouts of both senior and junior medics. Striking consultants have potentially agreed an improved pay deal with ministers on Tuesday, the Times reported, following extensive government talks. But there is little hope of progress with striking junior doctors, who are balloting for further walkouts, following action in February. Brett Hill, head of health at consultancy Broadstone, said: It has become increasingly difficult for people to access timely NHS healthcare. Until the NHS can get on top of its vast waiting list, we expect to see these trends continue, or even accelerate further, and potentially drive a permanent change around how UK workers access the healthcare system moving forward. The most popular private procedures included cataract surgery, knee and hip replacements, diagnostic endoscopies and colonoscopies, as well as hernia repairs, according to Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), which collects data on private hospitals. In the second quarter of 2023, 17,300 cataract surgeries were performed privately, and 14,500 patients received private chemotherapy. Cancer survival rates in the UK are lagging 15 years behind other major countries because of a lack of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, research published in the Lancet Oncology journal last week found. Operation costs can range from anywhere from 2,512 for an adult circumcision or 2,200 for a colonoscopy to 14,449 for a knee replacement or 13,402 for a hip replacement, according to data from myTribe Insurance. Most admissions are for those aged between 50 and 59, and more women are admitted privately than men. Of private admissions, private medical insurance, predominantly paid for by employers, was used by 69pc of patients, rising 11pc on the year before. The remainder chose to pay for procedures out of their own pockets. The number of admissions paid for out-of-pocket by the patient or their family is up by 32pc compared to pre-pandemic levels, but is down by 8pc from the record levels of 72,000 per quarter seen directly after the Covid-19 outbreak. Richard Wells, who manages PHINs data team, said: It would be very unexpected if hospital admissions in the private healthcare sector dont hit record levels in 2023 when all the data is collected and analysed. After a rapid growth in self-pay following the pandemic, private medical insurance has been firmly reestablished as the primary method of payment for private healthcare and, indeed, is now more popular than before the pandemic, he said. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said the Government was working on making the health service faster, simpler and fairer, and cutting waiting lists and ensuring people get the care they need. Overall NHS waiting lists have decreased for three months in a row despite winter pressures and industrial action and weve delivered on our commitment to provide an extra 50 million GP appointments months ahead of schedule, while the recent rollout of Pharmacy First will help to free up 10 million GP appointments per year. We are putting record levels of investment into the NHS, and we have commissioned the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to train and retain the staff our healthcare system will need in the decades to come. Recommended I used to work for the NHS here's how to never pay care home fees Read more Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Mark Cuban, the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said he would cast his vote for President Biden over former President Trump in November, even if he was being given last rites. If they were having his last wake, and it was him versus Trump, and he was being given last rites, I would still vote for Joe Biden, Cuban told Bloomberg News in a piece released Monday, referring to a Catholic tradition of praying over someone who is close to death. The billionaire also told the outlet that he plans to vote for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley in the Texas GOP primary Tuesday as a protest vote against Trump, but that he would still support the current president versus the former one. Texas is one of more than a dozen states holding primaries for both parties on Super Tuesday, alongside states such as Arkansas, California and Virginia. Cuban, an investor of the hit show Shark Tank, has been a vocal critic of the former president in recent years, praising his ban from Twitter, now X, and other social media in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, saying it was the right thing to do. If I realized that something I sold was being used for something that was nefarious or wrong, I would stop it, he said. How is this any different? Cuban continued. Putting aside the [Terms of Service], Its just the right thing to do. Cuban also shot down speculation that he himself would run for president back in November, stating he had no plans to do so in an email to NBC News, despite toying with the idea in the past. Back in 2020, he said that while there wasnt much of a chance for him in a race for the Oval Office, he had not closed the door on the idea. It was closed, but we have such crazy times and Ive been getting so many requests that I at least want to keep the door open, but its still highly unlikely, Cuban said at the time. There would have to be something more than the pandemic. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Alberto Otarola once said that a former high-ranking public official taught him that a self-respecting minister should always carry a letter of resignation in their pocket in case the president withdraws their support. But the current prime minister of Peru seems to have forgotten that lesson. According to different media sources, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has asked him to resign over a leaked tape, in which Otarola appears to be taking advantage of his position of power to harass a woman. The audio released on the Sunday TV program Panorama concerns a conversation between Otarola, 57, and Yazire Pinedo Vasquez, 25. In the tape, Otarola calls her love, insists on seeing her, and repeatedly asks her if she loves him. He also asks her to pass him her resume so that she may receive a state job. And when are you going to let me see you? And when can I see you? Tell me love, so we can talk. You know that these things are annoying, they are upsetting, but you know that I love you too. Ill see you tomorrow, okay? Tomorrow? Listen to me. But send me now, as soon as you can, your CV, says Otarola, who brags that he has a very nice, very comfortable job for her. In the tape, Pinedo appears uncomfortable, she answers evasively, hinting that, more than a romantic relationship, it is a case of harassment. Panorama revealed that in December 2022, when Otarola was Minister of Defense, the woman visited his office in secret: there is no record of her in the official registry. Two months later, on February 2, 2023, she obtained two contracts in the Defense Ministry for 53,000 soles ($14,324). Pinedo also received an email from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), by that point led by Otarola, in which she was offered a job and asked about her salary expectations. In the end, Pinedo turned down the job offer. Do you want me? The only thing I want to know is if you love me or not. My love, thats enough for me, I believe you and I love you. I adore you, my life, Otarola tells Pinedo in another section of the audio. In another tape, Pinedo complains that Otarola had used state resources to follow her. He wanted to see who I went out with, who I arrived with. Thats why he wanted me to work with him so much, she is heard saying in another conversation. The prime minister who presides over the Cabinet of Peru is at a mining convention in Canada and was not scheduled to return to Peru until Wednesday. However, in the wake of the crisis, Boluarte demanded that he return as soon as possible. Otarola, meanwhile, has defended himself from the allegations. I understand the seriousness of the political situation, but I reiterate that I have not committed any illegal act. In due course, I will specify where this infamy comes from and what dark interests it is after, he said in a message on X (formerly Twitter). My principles are greater than the hatred and baseness of the haters, he added. In a radical twist to the story, Pinedo has denied the authenticity of the audios and, as a result, any romantic relationship with Otarola. The audio is from January 2021. In reality, it is not an audio but a video. The audio they have released is completely false, I assure you. It is edited, she told the program Beto a Saber. At the beginning of 2021, Otarola did not have any government position and Boluarte was not yet vice president, a position she took after Pedro Castillo who is still in prison after carrying out a self-coup in 2022 was elected. Pinedo said she sought out Otarola for his services as a lawyer, arguing the scandal is a plot orchestrated by Nicanor Boluarte, the presidents brother. Mr. Nicanor offered $200,000 [for the audio]. They wanted to oust the prime minister, because if Mr. Otarola left the prime ministers office, Mr. Nicanor Boluarte would be able to bring in his people. But Pinedos comments have not stopped the scandal from escalating. A group of 23 parliamentarians on Monday presented an interpellation motion against the prime minister. As stipulated in the regulations, at least 20 signatures are needed for the head of Congress to report the motion to the plenary. It is then submitted for debate, where Otarola will be called to explain his actions. Previously there were 50 reasons for him to leave office, but it is time for his presence to stop disrespecting Peru, said legislator Susel Paredes, alluding to the 50 protesters killed during protests against the government. For a large sector of the public, it is quite revealing that the most influential man in government is close to losing his position for harassing a woman a matter that should not be ignored and not for being accused of being one of the main people responsible for the government repression that ended the lives of several dozen protesters. Otarola should have left the Cabinet on December 15, 2022 due to the massacre in Ayacucho perpetrated under his responsibility as Minister of Defense and Boluarte should have called general elections to open a democratic solution to the crisis. He will pay for his responsibilities, said anthropologist and leftist politician Veronica Mendoza. The right-wing Popular Renewal party also condemned the actions of the prime minister. We are demanding the dismissal of the until-now prime minister, he should not remain in charge of such an important position in the executive branch. We demand that both the Prosecutors Office and the Attorney Generals Office present the corresponding criminal complaint against him, and those who are responsible for these heinous acts. Journalist Christopher Acosta, the head of the Latina Investigation Unit, doubts that the scandal is a plot by Boluartes brother, pointing out that the prime minister, as a lawyer, saved Boluarte from some serious legal cases. Since then, they have established a relationship of dependency, which was later transferred to the government, he explained. It is easier to imagine an Otarola government without Dina, than a Dina government without Otarola. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition ALBANY, N.Y. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was issued a subpoena Tuesday by the Republican-led House subcommittee investigating the governmental response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The subpoena orders Cuomo to appear before the panel for a deposition on May 24. The order to sit for the House lawmakers comes after the panel has also requested former members of his administration be interviewed, including former top aide Melissa DeRosa. Cuomo is the first member of his former administration to be issued a subpoena by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which was first reported by ABC News. Former state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker was previously interviewed by panel. Cuomo became a national figure during the early weeks of the pandemic with his daily briefings from his office in Albany and as the state was the first epicenter of the virus. But questions were raised more than a month into the crisis after a state order in March 2020 that barred nursing homes and assisted living facilities from turning away Covid positive patients as officials feared hospitals would be overrun. Approximately 15,000 nursing home residents died, and his administration later acknowledged it had withheld information. 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, Rep. Brad Wenstrup, the Ohio Republican who chairs the subcommittee, said in a statement. It appears that politics, not medicine, was responsible for these decisions. And that while Mr. Cuomo is adept at seeking legal advice, he is not necessarily adept at seeking medical advice. Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, has defended his administrations response to the pandemic and asserted Republicans were playing politics with the criticism over nursing home policy. Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi blasted House Republicans, knocking the conference for failing to approve an aid package to Ukraine and for being able to adopt a federal budget. Instead, they continue to play politics with Covid and weaponize peoples pain and loss of loved ones, he said. Congress is officially a circus, and they are nothing but clowns. The subpoena is the latest legal woe for the ex-governor, who is also weighing a run for New York City mayor. Cuomo separately faces a lawsuit by a former member of the State Police who has accused him of harassment. He has denied any wrongdoing. Multiple investigations over Cuomos nursing home policies by the Department of Justice and state and local investigators did not lead to any conclusions of wrongdoing. Cuomos lawyer had tried to stave off a subpoena. Attorney Rita Glavin in a letter sent Monday proposed a voluntary interview before the committee with four potential dates in August. To be clear, Gov. Cuomo has been and remains cooperative, she wrote. (Bloomberg) -- A House committee has subpoenaed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to testify about his 2020 mandate forcing state nursing homes and long-term care facilities to admit or re-admit potentially contagious and untested Covid-19 patients. Most Read from Bloomberg The subpoena compels Cuomo to sit for a May 24 transcribed closed-door interview in Washington before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. 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, Ohio Republican Brad Wenstrup, the panel chairman, said in a statement. Wenstrup said Cuomo dodged previous efforts to obtain his voluntary interview. But he said, Cuomo owes answers to the 15,000 families who lost loved ones in New York nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cuomos lawyer, Rita Glavin, said in a statement the former governor has cooperated with the investigation and provided four possible dates for a transcribed interview. There was no need for a subpoena, and they know it. And their letter shows theyve already made up their minds before even hearing from Governor Cuomo, she said. Pure political theater. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Petr Pavel, the President of Czechia, says there should be no limit regarding possibilities in the support for Ukraine that is fighting against the Russian aggression. Source: Pavel at the press conference with Emmanuel Macron, President of France, as reported by Novinky and European Pravda Details: Pavel urged Ukraines partners to extend the forms of aid for Ukraine, including the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine. He noted that it was not about sending combat units but about different forms of aid and "non-combat participation". "I endorse searching for new ways (to help ed.), including continuing the discussion about a possible military presence in Ukraine. Lets not impose limits on ourselves if we do not have to," Pavel said, adding that Europe must play a bigger role in deterring Russia. Pavel added that there was no difference whether Ukrainian soldiers would undergo training with Western instructors abroad or directly in Ukraine. "Ukraine remains a sovereign state, even though it was attacked," he said, noting that a possible training mission is not a violation of any international rules. "We decide on our own which form of aid to choose," he added. Background: Earlier, Macron stated that "it should not be ruled out" that Western troops might be sent to Ukraine. Later he added that his remarks, which have caused a stir, were carefully thought through. These remarks caused a negative response from governments of the allied states, the leaders of which stressed that they would not send troops to Ukraine. While the majority of NATO member states ruled out the sending of troops to Ukraine, including such powerful players as Germany, the UK and the US, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, said on 28 February that he was thankful to Macron for the debates he had started. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian president, stated that the presence of NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine would lead to a direct conflict between the Alliance and the Russian Federation. Support UP or become our patron! Theres an old saying that diversification is the only free lunch in finance. Why, then, is the Chancellor toying with plans to introduce a British Isa, asking pension funds to disclose how much they invest in the UK, and thereby encouraging investors of all stripes to allocate more money to their home market? The answer, of course, is that Jeremy Hunt is looking for ways to engineer a bit more interest in the deeply unloved UK stock market. At a time when global indices are regularly breaking fresh records, the FTSE appears to be treading water and the trickle of British companies abandoning a listing in their home market is in danger of becoming a flood. However, reports suggest the Financial Conduct Authority isnt best impressed with new rules announced by the Treasury last week. These would require pension schemes to reveal their levels of investment in British businesses (as well as being clearer about their costs and returns in comparison to other schemes). The financial watchdog has let it be known that theres precious little evidence that investors or the wider markets are being harmed by the absence of such disclosures. Well, that somewhat depends on how broadly you define harm. Im certainly not going to defend a British Isa (one suggestion currently doing the rounds is that tax relief on overseas stocks be removed, which is straightforwardly bonkers). However, Im a bit more relaxed about the disclosure requirements for pension schemes as long as it doesnt morph into a diktat about how and where they invest. A countrys capital markets are a delicate ecosystem with lots of moving parts. At least part of the reason for the current dire state of the stock market is that past governments have upset the balance. New accounting regulations brought in during the 1990s forced companies to include pension schemes on their balance sheet. Then, in 1997, Gordon Brown infamously removed dividend tax credits from pension schemes. This two-punch combination hastened the demise of Britains gold-plated defined benefit scheme, triggering a wholesale shift out of equities and into bonds. To make matters worse, the new defined contribution schemes that have replaced the old defined benefit schemes appear to be investing far less in their home market compared to similar funds in other countries. This has had a series of serious knock-on implications, including raising the cost of capital for UK companies, reducing the amount they therefore invest and the number of jobs they create. And the problem could very well get worse before it gets better. In the past, a pension scheme would decide how much of its money it wanted to invest in equities and then split this allocation fairly evenly between its home market and the rest of the world. In recent years, many schemes have shifted to just investing in global equities, with their allocation to UK equities decided by this countrys weighting in global market indices (which is roughly 4pc). That trend is still in progress. Research conducted by the think tank New Financial found the overall allocation to UK equities by local government pension schemes, for example, fell from 25pc in 2013 to just 10pc today. However, only half such schemes have switched from a UK centric model to a global equities approach. If the rest follows suit, the proportion of LGPS assets invested in UK equities will fall to just 2pc. The result is that the UK is at risk of becoming something of a global outlier in terms of asset allocation. Many Australian pension schemes which are often held up as examples for the UK to follow offer members higher default allocation to domestic equities than in the UK. Nest is the UKs largest DC scheme with around 12 million participants and over 30bn in assets under management. But its annual report contains no mention of how much of this money is invested in the UK. By contrast, Australias largest DC scheme, AustralianSuper with 3.3 million members and A$125bn (64bn) of assets, has a whole section in its annual report extolling its contribution to its home economy. You could argue that schemes have no responsibility to the wider economy. But this is a little disingenuous. Local authority pension and civil service pension schemes are extremely generous and funded by the taxpayer. Overall, pension tax relief adds up to around 48bn a year more than the entire defence budget. Nothing exists in isolation. Ultimately, the Government shouldnt be telling pension schemes how or where to invest. But it does need a clearer picture than it currently has of whats going on so that it can tweak the incentives if necessary to maintain the health of its capital markets. If past changes to regulations and tax treatment have resulted in schemes investing less in the UK, it stands to reason that future regulatory and tax tweaks could help redress the balance. Hunts plan will give the Government and the market a better idea of who is investing in what. The reduced demand for UK assets has undoubtedly been one (but by no means the only) reason that UK assets have performed so poorly. The danger, according to William Wright, the head of think tank New Financial, is that the UK market gets sucked into a doom loop in which the reduced allocation to UK equities helps feed reduced demand and relative performance of UK equities, which in turn reduces demand and allocations further. Clearly it would be a complete abrogation of responsibility for any Chancellor to stand aside while his countrys stock market circled the drain. Whats more, scheme members surely have a right to know where their money is being put to work. The FCA seems to be objecting to more disclosure and better transparency. That seems an odd stance for a regulator to take. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Daniel Day-Lewis is said to be officially done with acting despite attempts to lure him back to the big screen. The actor, who is the only star to have ever won three Best Actor awards at the Oscars, decided to stay away from pursuing new roles after his performance in Paul Thomas Andersons Phantom Thread, which was released in 2017. Naturally, since then, the actor has been offered the chance to return to acting but, according to one of his previous collaborators, Day-Lewis is standing firm on his decision. The update on Day-Lewiss career came from Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan, who directed the actor to his first Oscar win in the 1989 film My Left Foot. He says hes done, Sheridan, told ScreenDaily, adding: I keep talking to him. Id love to do something with him again. According to Sheridan, Day-Lewis is unhappy with the rise in streaming platforms. Hes like everybody else. He opens up the streamers and theres seven thousand choices; none of them are good. 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. Sheridan continued: Itd be great to see Daniel coming back and doing something because hes so good. Day-Lewis has always maintained an air of exclusivity when choosing his film roles. His credits include There Will Be Blood and Lincoln, for which he won Oscars, as well as The Last of the Mohicans, In the Name of the Father, The Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York. In 2017, the stars team said, three months before the release of Phantom Thread: Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject. Daniel Day-Lewis announced acting retirement in 2017 (Getty Images for Academy of Moti) While the motivation behind his retirement was unclear, Day-Lewis had expressed a desire to step away from acting before. After starring in 1997s The Boxer, he disappeared from the big screen for five years until Martin Scorsese convinced him to return for Gangs of New York. During that time, he reportedly took up shoemaking in Italy, explaining to the Guardian: I didnt really want to be involved with films. I just wanted some time away from it all. I need that quite often. The actor, who is married to and has three children with writer-director Rebecca Miller, emerged on the scene with 1985s My Beautiful Laundrette, directed by Stephen Frears. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Following the U.S. Supreme Courts unanimous ruling that Colorado cannot bar former President Donald Trump from its 2024 presidential ballot, the liberal group that brought the case last year sought to return the focus to the unprecedented events that motivated its lawsuit in the first place. Trump disqualification Read more from our reporting on the Trump 14th Amendment case here. It is still true now, as it was yesterday, that every court, every decision-making body that has substantively looked at the issue has determined that Jan, 6, 2021, was an insurrection, and Donald Trump engaged in insurrection, Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told reporters Monday. The court removed an enforcement mechanism, but nothing in that opinion changed the fact that Donald Trump is, as the minority in todays opinion puts it, an oathbreaking insurrectionist. With support from CREW, six Republican and unaffiliated Colorado voters filed a lawsuit last September alleging that Trumps actions in relation to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualify him from office under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The clause prohibits a person who engaged in insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again. A 4-3 majority of the Colorado Supreme Court sided with the plaintiffs and ordered Trump to be barred from the ballot. In an unsigned, per curiam opinion issued Monday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling, citing the chaos that would result from allowing states to enforce Section 3 against candidates for federal office. It did not address other arguments made by Trumps attorneys, sidestepping the issue of whether Jan. 6 was an insurrection and whether Trump engaged in it. Were disappointed with the loss, said Eric Olson, one of the attorneys who argued the case for the plaintiffs. But winning this particular outcome was not the only goal of our suit. The other goal of our suit was to make sure that everyone knows that this portion of the Constitution exists (and) it has power and force, which the Court acknowledged that it did. Trump who was indicted last year by federal prosecutors who allege that his pervasive and destabilizing lies about the results of the 2020 election targeted a bedrock function of the United States federal government addressed the ruling in remarks from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. He denounced the Jan. 6 indictment and other pending criminal and civil cases against him as politically motivated. I have great respect for the Supreme Court, and I want to just thank them for working so quickly, and so diligently, and so brilliantly, Trump said. Trump is the overwhelming favorite to secure the Republican nomination for president again in 2024, setting up a probable rematch with President Joe Biden. Colorado will join 14 other states in holding its presidential primary election on Super Tuesday, March 5. Election lies and threats The Colorado Supreme Courts ruling never took effect, because the justices stayed their order pending U.S. Supreme Court review, and Trump still appeared on GOP primary ballots, which were mailed to Colorado voters beginning Feb. 12. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, told reporters Monday she was glad that the court issued a decision ahead of Tuesdays primary. About half a million Republican primary ballots have already been processed by local elections officials, and since Trump is an eligible candidate, all votes for him will be counted. But Griswold, an outspoken critic of Trumps efforts to cast doubts on the legitimacy of the 2020 election, said she was disappointed by the U.S. Supreme Courts decision. I believe that Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrectionists from our presidential primary, Griswold said. I also think its troubling that, logistically, federal oath-breaking candidates will have a free pass to run for office again. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold speaks at an Election Day press conference, Nov. 7, 2023, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Aurora. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Griswold did not bring the CREW lawsuit in fact, she was named as a defendant alongside Trump and declined to take a position on Trumps eligibility prior to the state Supreme Courts ruling. But in an open letter to Griswold, top Colorado Republicans on Monday falsely accused her of a reckless attempt to throw Trump off the ballot. It is now even more clear Coloradans should have zero faith in you to adequately protect their right to vote and oversee elections in the state of Colorado, said the letter, which was signed by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams, and repeats debunked lies about rigged elections. Griswold said she had received over 700 violent threats since the Colorado lawsuit was filed, and continued to receive violent threats even as of Monday morning. The failure to hold these actors accountable does embolden people, and then the failure to prosecute in a meaningful way those who have threatened the lives of secretaries of state and election workers further emboldens, because theres a perception that there is no accountability, no consequences for threatening peoples lives, Griswold said. Federal law enforcement agencies have issued dire warnings about potential threats to the 2024 election, with one FBI official telling the winter conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State in Washington earlier this month that the outlook is extremely alarming, according to Stateline. In a statement, Aly Belknap, executive director of the nonprofit Colorado Common Cause, which filed several amicus, or friend-of-the-court, briefs in support of the Colorado plaintiffs, called the ruling a dark day for our democracy. Donald Trump lied, cheated, and unleashed violence when the election did not go his way, and his ongoing incitement has led to an unprecedented rise in attacks and death threats against election workers, judges, and other public servants, Belknap said. By refusing to hold Trump accountable and allowing him to skirt around the pillars of our Constitution, SCOTUS has greenlit this behavior for future public officials. Enforcement and immunity case Though the U.S. Supreme Courts reversal of the Colorado ruling was unanimous, the full set of opinions released by the court Monday revealed a 5-4 split over the question of how exactly Section 3s insurrectionist ban must be enforced. A five-justice majority appeared to back strict limitations on how the insurrection clause can be enforced, ruling that Congress must pass enforcing legislation that determines the circumstances under which a person is disqualified. The majority cited the Enforcement Act of 1870, which was later repealed, and Section 2383 of the U.S. Code, a current criminal statute prescribing a disqualification from office for rebellion or insurrection, as examples of such enforcing legislation. In a concurrent opinion, the courts three liberal members Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote that this finding went too far, accusing the majority of deciding novel constitutional questions to insulate this Court and (Trump) from future controversy. Valarie Walker of New York City holds a sign reading "Trump Led a Riot" in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Valarie Walker of New York City holds a sign reading Trump Led a Riot in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (Ashley Murray/States Newsroom) The choice by the three liberal justices not to file a formal dissent in the case drew criticism from some left-leaning commentators. Metadata in the document released by the court indicated that the opinion had been previously styled as concurring in part and dissenting in part, an artifact that legal commentator Mark Joseph Stern wrote pierc(ed) the facade of unanimity that the conservative justices sought to present. Mondays precedent-setting 14th Amendment ruling comes amid a cloud of doubt and distrust felt by many Americans towards the Supreme Court, especially in the wake of its 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and roll back 49 years of federal protections for abortion rights. Republican-appointed justices hold a 6-3 majority on the court, and three of its conservative justices were appointed by Trump himself. In recent months, prominent legal pundits have speculated about the potential for a grand bargain relating to the Section 3 litigation and another case involving Trump before the Supreme Court Trumps effort to dismiss the Jan. 6 criminal case on the grounds that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took in his official capacity as president. Jonathan Mitchell, who represented Trump in oral arguments in the Colorado case on Feb. 8, sent murmurs through the Supreme Court chambers when he responded to Justice Brett Kavanaughs suggestion that an individual would be disqualified from office if they were convicted under Section 2383. The only caveat that I would add is that our client is arguing that he has presidential immunity, Mitchell said. So we would not concede that he can be prosecuted for what he did on Jan. 6 under 2383. The Supreme Court agreed last week to hear Trumps appeal in the immunity case, and scheduled oral arguments for late April. Critics say that timeline raises the distinct possibility that a trial in the case could be pushed back beyond the 2024 election, and used Mondays ruling to highlight the courts need to act more quickly. The Supreme Court was very quick to decide Trumps eligibility to remain on the CO ballot. It should be equally fast in resolving Trumps immunity case, the nonprofit Brennan Center for Justice wrote on X. The country cant wait until June for its ruling. Newslines Quentin Young contributed to this report. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Dark day for democracy: Coloradans highlight election threats in wake of 14th Amendment ruling appeared first on Colorado Newsline. Viktoria Hazegh-Aazam sat in a Placer County courtroom Monday a few feet away from the man who killed her mother in a hateful crime that has left the teenager consumed by agony. She wasnt just my mom. She was my rock, my entire support system and my best friend. The woman who was meant to guide and teach me the ways of life, she said in court about Vita Joga. And to have her ripped away from me in such a horrific manner is a wound that will never heal. The 51-year-old mother was shot to death by her ex-fiance, Johnnie Jordan IV, while she worked at a Roseville restaurant in a 2021 brazen act of domestic violence. Viktoria Hazegh-Aazam reads on Monday her victim impact statement about her mother Vita Joga to Johnnie Jordan IV, who last month pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Jogas death. Jordan gunned down Joga, his ex-fiancee, in 2021 while she was working as a waitress at a Roseville restaurant. Jordan, 51, of Citrus Heights, pleaded guilty last month to first-degree murder in Placer Superior Court for Jogas shooting death. Joga was gunned down while at work as a waitress at the House of Oliver restaurant. On Monday afternoon, Jordan was formally sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the murder. Jordan agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors to avoid a trial that had been scheduled to begin Feb. 13. Jogas daughter fought back tears as she spoke in court about her mothers brutal murder and its aftermath. She said she misses her mothers laughter, hugs and guidance more than words can express, and that no amount of time or justice served can ever bring back what she lost. The murder at the restaurant The deadly shooting was reported at 3:20 p.m. on June 21, 2021, at the well-known restaurant along Douglas Boulevard, between Roseville Parkway and Sierra College Boulevard. The Roseville Police Department has said Jordan left the area in a vehicle. About two hours after the restaurant shooting, police announced the suspect was taken into custody. Prosecutors said Jordan drove himself to the South Placer Jail after the fatal shooting and turned himself in. He has remained in custody since then. Investigators closed the parking lot outside the House of Oliver restaurant along Douglas Boulevard in Roseville, California after a shooting occurred there on Monday afternoon June 21, 2021. Hazegh-Aazam, who was 16 years old when her mother was killed, said the man responsible for this heinous act was no stranger to her family. He was once welcomed into our lives with open arms, she said. Little did we know the depth of darkness that lurked beneath his facade of charm. The betrayal I feel knowing that someone my mother trusted could commit such a vile deed is beyond comprehension. She said her mothers murder has shattered her sense of security and trust, leaving her feeling lost and alone with disturbing thoughts that make finding closure feel like an impossible task. But Hazegh-Aazam also said she will work to make the memory of her mother become the brightest beacon of light to guide her family toward healing and eventual peace. History of domestic violence Jordan was accused of domestic violence several weeks before the deadly shooting. On May 7, 2021, Jordan was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and committing battery on or against a spouse. Jordan was released from custody May 10, 2021, but failed to appear in court for a scheduled hearing hours before he shot the waitress to death at the restaurant. Joga had obtained a restraining order against Jordan. A May 10, 2021, court order instructed Jordan to stay away from his ex-fiancee. Vita in this case did everything she was supposed to do, Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said during the sentencing hearing. When she was abused, she reported it. She kicked the defendant out and she got a restraining order. She did everything the system asked her to do, and she placed trust in the system. Gire said the deadly shooting was not an impulsive spur-of-the-moment act; Jordan committed a calculated premeditated act. A memorial is set up outside the House of Oliver restaurant for Vita Joga, who worked as a waitress at the restaurant, in June 2022 in Roseville. She was shot to death while at work the day before. Murderer speaks on his senseless act Jordan spoke in court for a few minutes, apologizing to Jogas daughter repeatedly for killing her mother. While he remained seated, he spoke into a microphone, telling Hazegh-Aazam that he will pray that shes able to have a healthy and beautiful future despite what he did. I wasnt going to speak today because Im so ashamed of what I did, Jordan said in court. Im so sorry I took your mom from you. I want you to know how much I regret what I did. I wish I could take it all back. He went on to say he knows how much he took from Jogas daughter in a senseless act, but he wasnt asking Hazegh-Aazam for forgiveness because he wouldnt forgive him if he was her. Im sorry I was such a weak man. I wish I could have controlled my emotions. I know Ive destroyed a part of you, Jordan told his ex-fiances daughter. Now, Im going to away for life. I wish I could bring her back to you. I would sacrifice my life to bring her back to you. And I mean that. I did a horrible thing. Johnnie Jordan IV apologizes to Viktoria Hazegh-Aazam, daughter of the woman he pleaded guilty last month to murdering, before he leaves the courtroom after being sentenced to 50 years to life in Placer Superior Court in Roseville on Monday. Jordan killed ex-fiancee Vita Joga in 2021, while she was working as a waitress at a Roseville restaurant. Outside the courthouse after the sentencing, Gire said Jordans statement in court rang a little bit hollow and his apology seemed a little bit insincere given the circumstances of the case. The prosecutor told news reporters that he was notified that Jordan was going to speak in court, so it wasnt unexpected, but youre never truly prepared how those words are going to sound when they come out of a killers mouth. Along with the murder charge, Jordan faced charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making criminal threats, both felony charges; along with a misdemeanor charge of battery against a spouse or cohabitant. Those charges were formally dismissed as part of his plea deal. Gire said his office agreed to the plea deal after consulting with Jogas family. He said prosecutors wanted a resolution that would essentially guarantee a sentence that will keep Jordan behind bars for effectively the rest of his life while helping Jogas family avoid the emotional toll of a murder trial. If state law remains the same, Gire said Jordan will not be eligible for parole until hes more than 100 years old. Jail assault conviction Before he starts serving his 50 year to life prison sentence, Jordan will have to serve another prison sentence in an unrelated jail attack. Jordans murder case was put on hold in January after he was arrested again after a jail assault. He also pleaded to that felony charge last month and will serve an additional 32 months in prison for committing battery on a custodial officer Jan. 20 at the Placer County Jail. Sgt. David Smith, a spokesman for the Placer County Sheriffs Office, said Jordan injured the correctional officer in the South Placer Jail. Smith said the officer suffered a minor facial contusion and has recovered. The district attorney has said in court that Jordan punched the custodial officer who was trying to do their job. Dave Chappelle rarely shares the stage when he performs, but the wildly popular (and at times polarizing) comedian is one half of a double act back home. The former Chappelles Show star married wife Elaine Chappelle more than two decades ago, and the couple have built a solid partnership and a family together in the years since then. However, despite the funnymans massive fame, his significant other has largely avoided the spotlight, eschewing social media. Dave Chappelle, Elaine Chappelle (Evan Agostini / AP) So, who is Dave Chappelle's wife? Read on to learn about Elaine Chappelle, the woman whos been by the comics side for so long. Dave and Elaine Chappelle met in New York When Dave Chappelle sat down with Howard Stern in 2001, he described Elaine Chappelle, nee Mendoza Erfe, as a Filipina from Brooklyn, and he said he met her in that same New York City borough. While he didnt say exactly when they got together, he explained that it was before his career really took off, noting, She was with me when I was poor. Dave and Elaine Chappelle get married The pair swapped vows in a private ceremony in 2001. I love marriage, Chappelle raved in a later visit to "The Howard Stern Show." I actually love marriage; yes, I do. Im going to tell you something you eat better. Usually. I feel the quality of my life as a married man is substantially better than when I was single. Shes a mom of three Elaine and Dave Chappelle have three children together, whom they have maintained out of the public eye. Their oldest child, son Sulayman, was born the same year the couple wed in 2001. Two years later, they welcomed another son, Ibrahim, and in 2009, they added daughter Sanaa to the family. Dave Chappelle (Owen Sweeney / AP) Where they call home The family has a 65-acre estate (and possibly much, much more) in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Dave Chappelle's father, William David Chappelle III, lived in the city and the comedian would visit the state often, he told Stephen Colbert during a "The Late Show" appearance in 2017. Elaine Chappelle has been through it all Dave Chappelle made headlines when he abandoned the third season of his eponymous Comedy Central show in 2005 and suddenly left the country, flying to South Africa without telling anyone from the network or anyone at home. In a 2006 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he said he bounced without a word to his wife. The situation kind of warranted it, he explained. Because certain people around me were putting my sanity in question, I would meet too much obstruction if I would say Im doing something like this. ... It wasnt that I didnt tell my wife, it was like, Im not telling her until after Im gone, which was a mistake. But it wasnt a crazy mistake. ... I took off, then I called my wife. Then, a couple of weeks later, he returned home. He did not, however, return to his hit show and the $50 million he stood to make if he had stayed on. Thats something he said left Elaine Chappelle salty. My wifes still a little salty at me, he told Conan OBrien that same year. Shes not mad at me, but dont think youre going to walk away from $50 million and your wifes just going to be cool with it. Dave Chappelle and Elaine Chappelle (Jacopo Raule / Getty Images) She tips him off when theres trouble Dave Chappelle is known for never playing it safe on stage, and despite facing backlash at times for the jokes he makes, he plans to keep it that way. In fact, he ignores his negative press, unless Elaine Chappelle tells him not to. My wife, if it gets real bad, shell let me know, like, Oh, you should look into this, he said during a HOT 97 interview. But for the most part, I try not to pay attention to it because you dont want to be careful as a comedian. This article was originally published on TODAY.com If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline at 988. National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah: namiut.org CLEARFIELD, Utah (ABC4) Utah teens who may be struggling have a free opportunity to check in with a mental health professional for a screening in Davis County later this month. March comes in like a lion: NWS releases 72-hour Utah snow totals The community-wide event will take place on Thursday, March 21 at North Davis Junior High for teens between 11 and 18 years old which national research shows is a vulnerable age for Utahs youth. Data provided by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services shows Utahs suicide rate was nearly double the national rate. Suicide was found to be the leading cause of death for Utahns aged 10 to 17 and deaths are only part of the problem. DHHS said many more Utahns are hospitalized or treated in emergency rooms for suicide attempts than those who are fatally injured. Recent surveys of Davis County School District students found a startling number of students have been struggling with mental health. Davis School District K-12 Prevention Coordinator Christi Blankman said over 66% of students reported having moderate depressive symptoms and nearly 17% have seriously considered attempting suicide. Though the numbers may seem bleak, Blankman said Utahs youth can make it through their struggles with the right help, which this free event aims to help provide. Youth are resilient and can overcome mental health struggles with the right support, treatment and resources, said Blankman. This event is set up to help youth and families identify if there are areas of concern and then link them to services. The screenings themselves are not full psychological evaluations, however, they will provide an opportunity for teens and their parents to talk with a mental health professional. A flamingo on Great Salt Lake? Davis HELPS Coalition Coordinator Teresa Smith said access to behavioral health services has been a top public health priority since 2013. The purpose of this event is to provide access to a mental health screen, to talk individually with a professional, and to link to appropriate service providers and resources, said Smith. Each appointment will be 30 minutes long and available starting at 4 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. at North Davis Junior High. Teens and their parents or legal guardians who must be in attendance during the appointment have until Tuesday, March 12 to register for the event. Once registered, parents and teens will fill out an online questionnaire. A mental health professional will go over the results of the questionnaire during the screening and talk about if a follow-up is needed. The Davis County Health Department said both the screening and meetings will address a students social and emotional needs, depression, anxiety, trauma, suicide, and safety concerns. To register for the free mental health screening, visit the Davis Behavioral Health website here or call Angie Smith from Davis Behavioral Health at (801) 336-1742. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The British fire on American colonials March 5, 1770, in an event that would later be known as the Boston Massacre. File Image by Paul Revere/Metropolitan Museum of Art/Wikimedia March 5 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1770, British troops killed five colonials in the so-called Boston Massacre, one of the events that led to the American Revolution. History buffs relived the event 232 years later with a re-enactment in downtown Boston. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson was publicly inaugurated for his second term. He had a private, official inauguration a day earlier. In 1933, in German elections, Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party won nearly half the seats in the Reichstag (the Parliament). In 1946, Winston Churchill, in a famous speech in Fulton, Mo., stated that a Soviet Union "Iron Curtain" had "descended across" Europe. A woman performs with a Hula Hoop as she walks in the St. Louis Mardi Gras Parade on February 22. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI File Photo courtesy Cecil Beaton/Imperial War Museums In 1953, the Soviet Union announced that dictator Joseph Stalin had died at age 73. Stalin had been in a coma after having a massive stroke four days earlier. President Woodrow Wilson takes the oath of office -- delivered by Chief Justice Edward Douglass White -- for his second term on March 5, 1917. File Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress In 1963, Wham-O patented the Hula Hoop, which then became a fad across the country. The company's co-founders, Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin died in 2008 and 2002, respectively. In 1993, Canada's Ben Johnson, once called the world's fastest human, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was banned for life from track competition. On March 5, 1953, the Soviet Union announced that dictator Joseph Stalin had died at age 73. Stalin had been in a coma after having a stroke four days earlier. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI In 2011, archaeologists renovating the Rio de Janeiro harbor for the 2016 Olympics reported uncovering the remains of a 19th-century port where thousands of people arrived from Africa and were sold into slavery. File Photo by Terry Schmitt Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez talks to the media next to Bolivian President Evo Morales (R) as they arrive at a plenary session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 18, 2009. On March 5, 2013, Chavez died at age 58 and Vice President Nicolas Maduro ascends to the presidency. File Photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/UPI In 2013, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died at age 58 and Vice President Nicolas Maduro ascended to the presidency. In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with South Korean officials for the first time since becoming leader. The special envoys of South Korean President Moon Jae-in were on a mission to broker denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States. In 2021, Pope Francis arrived in Iraq for the first-ever papal visit to the Middle Eastern nation. In 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the United States to stop buying Russian oil during a Zoom meeting with members of the U.S. Congress. File Photo courtesy of the Ukrainian President Press Office In a flat terrain, with hardly any buildings for cover, and the few hills to the east and south occupied by enemy artillery, the effort made by the Ukrainian army to repel the Russian invader on the Robotyne front (in the Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine) is immense. This is not the time to attack, like in the summer, when Kyivs troops were well supplied by the West during their failed counteroffensive, and they managed to recapture the land on which this now empty village stands. Every day, hundreds of soldiers from Kyiv walk the 6 miles that separate their drop-off point from combat positions facing the Kremlins forces. There is no going back. FPV (First Person Vision) kamikaze drones prevent armored vehicles from evacuating the wounded. Only on foot can they return, exposed all the while to these unmanned explosive vehicles. Despite this, their commanders affirm that they have not lost ground. The casualties of the aggressors army dead and wounded are triple their own, they say. Theres no turning back. Units of at least nine Russian regiments airborne, motorized, and air assault have besieged this small pocket of land of about 30 square miles liberated by Ukraine last August on its southern front. The invaders rockets and howitzers relentlessly punish the rear and have reduced the settlements of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka, about 5 miles north of the combat zone, to rubble. Guided bombs launched by Moscows air force also land here. Their destructive power leaves craters up to 50 feet in diameter. Almost all the residential buildings in these towns are totally or partially destroyed. The residents except for a handful of elderly and impoverished people have fled (14,000 people lived in Orikhiv alone during peacetime). A contingent of about 25,000 soldiers, sheltered underground or hiding out in homes dotted throughout this agricultural area, has replaced them. The noise of cannon fire and explosions from both sides is constant, almost rhythmic. This is one of the points where the Russian army has concentrated its troops in the advance that began in December. The importance of Robotyne is more symbolic than strategic it was Ukraines most celebrated conquest during its counterattack last summer but, according to analysts, the siege serves to weaken Kyivs forces against the Kremlins main military objective in the east. Moscow wants to occupy what little is left of the Luhansk region in the northeast that is currently not under its control, and to advance towards Kharkiv from there. After the Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka, it also seeks to take over the entire Donetsk region, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), based in Washington. The offensive in Robotyne and further west on the left bank of the Dnipro, in Kherson province, seeks to prevent Kyiv from concentrating its men in places where the Russians want to make more significant advances. Unlike in Donbas, the Kremlins troops have not managed to occupy more ground in Robotyne and Kherson. The plan has not succeeded, but the Ukrainians are paying a high cost and are struggling with an increasingly evident lack of artillery ammunition. Their tactics are always the same, a Ukrainian special forces commander stationed at Robotyne explains. They send waves of small formations of between four and six soldiers. The first acts as a scout unit to locate us. They advance, and when we fire to defend ourselves, they learn our position. Then comes another small group supported by FPV drones that tries to take out our men. Finally, a third group tries to take over our combat post, the soldier (who has received training in Germany and the United Kingdom) adds. The only way to stop them is to resort to our drones, with grenade launchers, mortar fire, or artillery. The latter, artillery ammunition, is the main problem. They are running short on both the 82 caliber mortar projectiles and the Soviet 120 millimeter and 155 millimeter howitzers, the latter supplied by NATO. But what we need most are the 105 caliber [those used by the American-made M-101 cannons], says another of the Ukrainian commanders. These howitzers have a range of more than 7 miles. We receive that ammunition every week, but it is not enough. That is the most important projectile, because it allows us to cover our soldiers on the ground. This Friday alone, Robotyne and the rest of the Zaporizhzhia front received six attacks with Russian MLRS rocket batteries and 218 artillery hits, as well as 79 drone incursions, according to the state administration in the region. Residential buildings destroyed by Russian air and artillery bombardment in Orikhiv on March 1. Manuel Altozano A flock of chickens and a couple of dogs run through the yard of a country house less than 6 miles from the front. The place looks like a rural lodge, but a Humvee (high mobility multipurpose military vehicle) hidden under the trees and covered by camouflage fabric is a clue that this is military land. Inside this half-ruined, abandoned house live three Ukrainian soldiers with roles in intelligence. They work in a tiny cabin lined with silver asphalt coating to insulate themselves from the cold and not be detected by thermal devices deployed by the enemy. Among childrens drawings, a Ukrainian flag, and military-themed posters is the device they are working with. A laptop connected to a television shows the images of the front, obtained by the cameras of about twenty Mavic-type exploration drones. They only have to zoom in to see enemy soldiers crawling through trenches covered in leaves and logs. Our job is to monitor the movement of Russian troops and armor, explains one of the men, a 26-year-old whose nickname is Kotya (little cat). When we see that four or five are grouped together at the same point, we notify our superiors, he continues. Another unit is then in charge of sending another kamikaze-type unmanned aerial vehicle to the enemys location and launches itself at them. While Kotya explains what he does, the monitor shows it live. A Ukrainian drone is launched against enemy forces. Those who have managed to survive the impact crawl out of their hiding place, dragging themselves along the ground. A few minutes later, three armored vehicles appear on the screen. The soldier zooms in with the telephoto lens. They are not attack vehicles. They are the ones in charge of demining the land, he says. We dont have to report on those, he adds. And he clicks on the images from another drone on his laptop. The unit that Kotya is part of was made up of 23 soldiers, but at the end of autumn, the impact of an artillery shell left 17 comrades unfit for combat. One died and 16 suffered injuries that did not allow them to continue on the front. Until then, they alternated drone control work with reconnaissance expeditions, but they can no longer do them. We have been waiting for the replacements for months. They told us that new colleagues would arrive, but, for the moment, no one else has turned up, says one of his colleagues, a 25-year-old whose code name is Sova (cuckoo). Ukrainian soldiers Kotya and Sova with one of the dogs that lives with them on the Robotyne front. Manuel Altozano Fatigue and understaffing are behind a serious mistake Ukraine has made on this front in recent days. The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday that its soldiers had taken over an important building in Robotyne. The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reacted by stating that some of the commanders had made miscalculations when assessing the enemy and promised to send more weapons, ammunition, and personnel. The problem is that the brigade units that fought that day were exhausted, but now it has been solved, the head of the special forces on the ground explains. He says that the territory lost four days ago has now been recovered. This commander, however, does not hide his concern about the difficulty of replacing and rotating troops. We need people who are prepared. We receive many young people who we ourselves are in charge of training, he continues. If you are defending yourself from the invader, it is essential that people can rest, because what they are experiencing is very hard, he adds. Our soldiers can do it, but they have fewer and fewer days off. Defend and do not attack. Leave the initiative to the aggressor. Thats what Ukraine is doing in Robotyne and on the rest of the front. The country has gone from an offensive to a defensive operation, in the words of Syrskyi, the army chief. Its time to save ammunition while new supplies arrive. Avoid the loss of men as much as possible. Preserve their lives. A Soviet-made Ukrainian T-72 tank destroyed by a Russian missile. Manuel Altozano Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition OKMULGEE, Okla. (KFOR) The first person to become a licensed architect in Oklahoma was born on March 5, 1889. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, Leon Bishop Senter was born in Morris, Kansas, on March 5, 1889, to James and Emma Senter. THIS DAY IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY: March 1 In 1910, Leon got married to Maudean Houghton in Missouri and had three children. He joined the Kansas City, Missouri, architectural firm of Smith, Rae and Lovitt as a draftsman and office manager in 1912, and by 1918, he was a full partner. Officials say they developed an office in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in 1915, where Senter served as manager. Five years later, Rae passed away and the partnership ended, but Smith and Senter continued to work together in Okmulgee. In 1925, Senter became a licensed architect in Oklahoma, the first in the state. In 1928, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he created Senter and Associates in 1933. The firm included his son, Leon B. Senter Jr., who was also an architect. According to OHS, Senter designed many buildings in both Okmulgee and Tulsa, but he also worked in other areas of Oklahoma. In Okmulgee, Smith and Senter have been credited for designing: Okmulgee Public Library. Image courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. The Orpheum Theater in 1921 (Spanish Baroque Revival) The Commerce Building in 1921 (Beaux Arts) The Okmulgee Carnegie Library in 1922 (Georgian Revival), which is also included in the National Register of Historic Places The McCulloch Building in 1926 (Renaissance Revival) Some of Senters designs in Tulsa include: The Coliseum in 1928 (Saracen Revival) The Philcade Building in 1930 (Art Deco), which is also included in the National Register for architectural significance The Tulsa Union Bus Depot in 1935 (Art Deco) Will Rogers High School in 1939 (Art Deco), which is also included in the National Register for architectural significance The Stanolind Pipeline Building in 1949 (Streamline/Art Moderne) The Mayo Motor Inn in 1952 (International Style), which is also included in the National Register for architectural significance The Downtown Tulsa YMCA in 1953 (International Style), which is also included in the National Register for architectural significance The Page Belcher Federal Building and United States Post Office in 1967 (International Style) Philcade Building, Tulsa. Image courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. Will Rogers High School, Tulsa. Image courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. Mayo Motor Inn, Tulsa. Image courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. Downtown Tulsa YMCA. Image courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. THIS DAY IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY: February 14 OHS says in 1957, Senter was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architecture. He also worked on the licensing board for Oklahoma architects, was a member of the board of design for the Tulsa Civic Center and had a seat on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Senter died in Tulsa on September 16, 1965. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Lots of people drive by a storage facility on busy Jimmy Carter Boulevard every day, not knowing that close to 1,000 pounds of meth was inside the units. The DEA said its an example of how metro Atlanta is very much involved in cartel drug wars. There were more than 855 pounds of crystal meth found in the Norcross storage unit on Monday, estimated to be worth $1.5 million on the streets. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] We cant allow this poison to make it to the street, DEA Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Ryan Murphy told Channel 2s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson. It shows you the strategic nature of Atlanta for the cartels. Murphy said its common for large amounts of drugs like this to be hiding in places the public doesnt expect. This clearly came across the border and was processed here in Atlanta and is getting ready for distribution, Murphy said. The DEA task force that combines local and federal authorities arrested Franklin Pineda Orrosquieta, 33, on Monday on drug charges. Murphy said the task force acted on information that led them to the storage facility where they discovered the massive amount of meth. The DEA has linked the finished meth to the Jalisco New Generation cartel and they said Atlanta is part of the cartel drug war. TRENDING STORIES: Theyre warring in Mexico and Atlanta is a major hub and theyre warring in Atlanta for control as well, Murphy said. Its not the first large DEA meth seizure this year and Murphy said his team is committed to getting more off the streets. We know its going to keep coming across the border. Thats a whole other issue. But as long as its coming here, were going to keep attacking it, Murphy said. The investigation is still active and Johnson reveals how agents are working to find where all that meth was made coming up on Channel 2 Action News at 6 p.m. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: What causes incontinence and how you can support someone going Around one in five people in the UK struggles with some form of urinary incontinence, meaning they sometimes lose control of their bladder. However, given the huge stigma surrounding incontinence, youd think it was extremely rare. Any sort of involuntary loss of urine or faeces is a type of incontinence, says Tracy Evans, a clinical team leader for the Continence Service at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. Lots of people dont realise that theyre experiencing incontinence because they think its normal to wee a little bit when they laugh or cross their legs, particularly if theyve had children. One of the most common misconceptions about incontinence is that it is just a normal part of ageing. Not so, says Evans. You dont just have to put a pad on and pretend it isnt happening, she adds, pointing out that around 70 per cent of incontinence problems are reversible. While losing urine involuntarily is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it isnt normal, and it is something that can be helped, she says. On the other hand, total incontinence where someone loses complete control over their bladder or bowel can hugely affect a persons quality of life and stop them from doing the things that they would usually do. This is common in people who suffer from dementia, over half of whom develop a form of urinary incontinence. Another common type of incontinence is functional incontinence, where people cannot physically make it to the lavatory because of a disability. In both cases, the taboo surrounding incontinence can make it incredibly hard to cope with, both for carers and those living with incontinence. So what can you do to manage your own incontinence or help a loved one who is struggling with theirs? What is incontinence? There are several types of incontinence, according to Evans and NHS England. The tiny dribble that many people release when they sneeze, laugh or cough is often referred to as stress incontinence, as it occurs when extra pressure is put on the bladder. This type of incontinence is especially common in women whove had children. It is also the type of incontinence that is most easily managed and treated. There are several other forms of incontinence that are also fairly common. Urge incontinence is when your bladder doesnt let you know when its time to go to the loo, likely because it doesnt fill properly, Evans says. People who have urge incontinence cant just wait to finish doing the dishes or for the adverts to come on when they have to go, they really do have to go. There is also overflow incontinence where your bladder doesnt empty properly, which can cause leaking. Then there is functional incontinence, where someone may not be able to get to the toilet on their own, for example, if they use a wheelchair, and this affects both bladder and bowel movements. Managing stress and urge incontinence When it comes to managing stress incontinence, a few small lifestyle changes are often enough to correct the problem, says Evans. It sounds counterintuitive but if you arent getting in enough fluids, this can increase your risk of incontinence. Our kidneys remove harmful things from our bodies and the waste product ends up in our bladders, so we need water to make that system function. If you dont drink enough then your body can take control and release those toxins involuntarily. But how much is enough? You should try to drink about 1.5-2 litres of water a day, which is about three or four pints. Significantly more than that isnt good, however, as it could lead to an overflow, Evans says. Your urine should be hay-coloured most of the time if youre always passing clear urine then either you are drinking too much or your system isnt processing toxins properly. Likewise, dark urine shows that youre drinking too little or that something is wrong. On top of that, what you drink is crucial to the health of your bladder. Try to stick with either water or fresh juice diluted with water, says Evans. Try to avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks as these will just irritate your bladder and make things worse. As with most things, our weight does have an impact on our bladder function. If your BMI is over 30, there will be more pressure on your abdomen and pelvic floor from abdominal fat, so youll be more prone to having problems. For those who struggle with stress incontinence, it can be a good idea to do pelvic floor exercises. Evans says: There are two types of muscle fibres on the pelvic floor: short fibres and long fibres. Its important to exercise both. You can work out your longer fibres by squeezing and holding for a longer period and your shorter fibres by squeezing and letting go repeatedly. This isnt a quick fix though. You need to be consistently doing pelvic floor exercises for about three months before you can see the full benefit. Pelvic floor exercises can also be helpful for those who have been diagnosed with urge incontinence. In this case, the NHS also recommends a course of bladder training. This involves learning different techniques to help lengthen the period of time you have between feeling the need to go to the lavatory and passing urine involuntarily. There are also medications that can be offered to people who are experiencing stress or urge incontinence, which can be prescribed by a GP. Incontinence and dementia More than half of those living with dementia and as many as 70 per cent of those with Alzheimers disease develop incontinence and need help from their carers to manage this. Incontinence commonly follows Alzheimers disease because the condition is marked by a decline in both a persons ability to communicate and to learn new information. This disease usually impacts the parts of the brain that allow us to learn first, and while long-term memories might remain intact for years in a person with Alzheimers, it can be very difficult for them to form new memories such as where a bathroom is. Trevor Salomon, 71, has been a carer to both his father and his wife, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2019. When someone is living with dementia, and especially with Alzheimers in particular, you almost know for certain that incontinence is down the road, Trevor says. It can be incredibly difficult for carers to manage as it feels so exasperating, but it is so important to try and approach it in a matter-of-fact way and remember that it is not your loved ones fault. When some people develop dementia, their brain no longer picks up their bodys signals that its time to go to the toilet, Evans explains. Other people with dementia might be fine at home, where their long-term memory lets them remember where the bathroom is, but in hospital or when visiting relatives they arent able to find it in time. Trevors wife developed incontinence as her symptoms of dementia worsened. The best thing I can recommend to other carers is to try and have a conversation with your loved one while they are cogent enough to do that with you, Trevor says. I told my wife,When this happens to you, please let me know so that I can help. Unfortunately she still didnt feel comfortable enough to ask for my help, but I do think that having that discussion made things easier for her and for me as time went on. I was able to reassure her from the start that I understood what was happening and that it was not her fault. Having that conversation early meant that when she did start to wet herself, I was able to offer help without the added stress of her having to worry about what I thought. Caring for someone with total incontinence Both Evans and Salomon emphasise the importance of speaking to your loved one about their incontinence, which is almost certainly harder on them than it is on you. Try to approach it in a clear, matter-of-fact way, says Trevor. It can still be difficult for the person youre caring for to open up and ask for your help but letting them know that its not their fault and that there is nothing to be ashamed of is the best way to go. He adds: Once the incontinence begins, its important to keep reminding them that theyre not to blame. There are also practical things you can do to preserve their dignity and avoid accidents. When my wife began struggling with incontinence I took her for regular bathroom trips and encouraged her to use the loo, which was largely successful and helped her to keep her privacy. Evans agrees: The most important thing is to be open about incontinence as much as you can, and try to avoid making someone feel dirty or belittled. Remember, while there is absolutely no shame in it, incontinence is not necessarily a natural part of ageing. There are things that can be done and some types of incontinence are reversible. Make sure that you see your GP or take your loved one if they are experiencing incontinence as often there will be help at hand. Recommended The dos and donts of eating vegetables when youve got IBS Read more Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Remember Yik Yak? Young adults of a certain age myself included likely do. The social media platform, which allows users to post anonymously in a location-based public forum, was popular at high schools and colleges throughout the mid-2010s before it shut down in 2017. Though the platform sometimes made for lighthearted laughs about situations or events on campuses, its anonymity also allowed for cyberbullying and threats to be made, often with little consequence for the yakkers, or users, who posted the content. Well, after relaunching in 2021, the app is now back on campuses. And, along with other similar platforms, its contributing to a reckless disregard for the well-being of young people and an outright indifference to bullying and bad behavior, according to UNC System President Peter Hans. Thats why hes hoping to block the platforms from campus IT networks across the 17-institution public university system. Welcome to Deans List, a weekly roundup of higher education news in the Triangle and across North Carolina from The News & Observer and myself, Korie Dean. This weeks edition includes more on Hans plan to block the anonymous, location-based apps from campuses, the two UNC System professors who received awards for their commitment to service and a new partnership between Johnston Community College and North Carolina Wesleyan University. System presidents call to block apps Hans announced his plans to block Yik Yak and at least three other apps Fizz, Whisper and Sidechat from campus IT infrastructure in his remarks at last weeks meeting of the UNC System Board of Governors. Citing a recent interaction he had with Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist who has taught at New York University since 2011, Hans spoke about the concerns Haidt has raised regarding the effects of technology and social media on the mental health of young people. One of the most compelling things Dr. Haidt said during his talk is that our current relationship to technology and online life is a choice, and we could make different choices, Hans said. In fact, we have an obligation to make different choices when it comes to young people. We used to prescribe opium to children, he noted, and we stopped when it became clear that we were doing terrible harm. With that in mind, Hans said, were approaching a similar moment of clarity with social media and technology. The UNC System is already doing plenty of valuable work to chart a healthier course in the relationship between students and technology, he said, with researchers, student affairs professionals and faculty all playing a role. But Hans wants to make their jobs a little bit easier and he plans to do so by having the systems legal and IT teams block the most destructive social media apps from UNC System infrastructure. Hans said he was not aware of Yik Yak or the other apps until a group of student body presidents told me of their ubiquitous presence on our campuses. These apps, operating only within a five-mile radius of a school to target their students, are the modern equivalent of scrawling cruel rumors on the bathroom wall, except now with a much larger audience, Hans said. There are reasonable arguments about limited social media usage, generally, but theres simply no value to our campus communities in providing a taxpayer-paid platform for trolling. Hans acknowledged that blocking the apps from campus IT networks wont bring an end to students use of them. They would still be able to access the platforms on their own data plans, outside of campus Wi-Fi networks, for example. But he hopes the move will spark a larger conversation about technology and social media on campuses. My hope is that this action, admittedly a small step, will prompt deeper reflection about how were encouraging our students to spend their time, engage with their peers, and cultivate a public square thats worthy of a public university, Hans said. On a related note: North Carolina last year banned TikTok from state-owned devices and networks, citing security threats, but the ban did not apply to universities or university employees. ECSU & UNC professors win Holshouser awards Last weeks Board of Governors meeting also brought the annual awarding of the Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service. Established in 2007 and named for Holshouser in 2013, the award is designed to encourage, identify, recognize, and reward public service by employees of the UNC System. Two professors shared the honor this year: Kuldeep Rawat of Elizabeth City State University, who has been with the university since 2004 and currently serves as the dean of the School of Science, Aviation, Health and Technology and the director of the universitys aviation science program. Over his 19 years with ECSU, Rawat has led outreach efforts, such as the NASA Aerospace Academy of Northeastern North Carolina and a mobile STEM lab program, that have impacted thousands of students, parents and teachers in Eastern North Carolina. Among his several other accomplishments and contributions at the university, Rawat is also the architect of the universitys unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) degree and helped establish the states only UAS training facility. He has also worked to secure funding and support for broadband access across Eastern North Carolina, supporting a future where families have access to education and opportunity by way of technology, a UNC System news release said. Because of Dr. Rawats vision and hard work, students from the smallest towns in eastern North Carolina can discover new opportunities and build paths that will change the course of their lives for the better, Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey said in the news release. We thank Dr. Rawat for his incredible contributions to generations of North Carolinians and congratulate him on this award. A student walks under a display celebrating the Aviation Sciences program at Elizabeth City State University. Mike Smith, dean emeritus of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government, who first came to the university in 1978. Smith became the director of the universitys Institute of Government in 1992, then shepherded the campus unit as it became the School of Government and he became its dean in 2001. Under his leadership, the School of Government remained closely focused on its mission of improving state and local government for all North Carolinians, a UNC System news release said. The School of Government, which offers training for more than 12,000 public officials across the state each year, is the largest university-based organization of its kind in the country. Smith expanded the schools offerings to include expertise in environmental finance, development finance, criminal justice and other areas. In 2013, he pioneered the creation of a fully-online Master of Public Administration degree program, quadrupling the number of students served through that program and making it easier for public officials across the state to take the next step in their careers. Mike is a model of selfless, nonpartisan public service, Hans said in a news release. He understands on a bone-deep level that this university belongs to all North Carolinians, and that we must use our research and scholarship to benefit our citizens. He has put this belief into practice over many decades at Carolina, and we are indebted to him for his support of good government in both large and small communities around the state. My congratulations to him on this well-deserved award. JCC joins Wesleyan Works transfer program Its now easier for Johnston Community College graduates to transfer to North Carolina Wesleyan University, the private university in Rocky Mount. The colleges signed a new memorandum last week that adds JCC to the Wesleyan Works program, which guarantees admission to NC Wesleyan for graduates of participating community colleges. Under the agreement, JCC students who earn an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate of Arts in Teacher Preparation, Associate of Science in Teacher Preparation, Associate of Engineering, Associate in Applied Science or Associate of Nursing will receive a transfer credit of 75 hours and a clear definition of the courses that are transferable from JCC to NCWU. JCC students will also have access to academic and financial aid advising at NC Wesleyan. North Carolina Wesleyan University has had a long-standing focus on supporting community college students (to) further their education, NC Wesleyan President Evan Duff said in a news release. Because Johnston Community College seeks only the best opportunities to benefit their students and alumni, partnering with them made sense. We both value pathways to support students educational journeys that is affordable, practical, and purpose-driven. North Carolina Wesleyan University President Dr. Evan Duff, left, and Johnston Community College President Dr. Vern L. Lindquist sign the transfer agreement. Higher ed news Im reading Sign up for our higher ed newsletter Thats all for this weeks roundup of North Carolina higher education news. I hope youll stay tuned for more. Like what you read here and want to be on our mailing list when the Deans List newsletter launches? Have suggestions for what kind of content youd like to see featured in the future? Let us know by filling out the form below: Strong winds on Feb. 29 - March 2 shifted the water in the temporary lake in Death Valley National Park's Badwater Basin two miles to the north and spread it out, park officials said. The lake is returning downhill but is more shallow and no longer deep enough to kayak. The opportunity to cruise by way of boat on the lake that formed at Death Valley National Park has dried up, literally. The National Park Service said Monday that Lake Manly, the temporary lake that formed in Badwater Basin in late February is closed to boating. Tourists from all over the world flocked to the area over the last week, basking in the opportunity to kayak, stroll, or frolic in one of the normally driest places in the world. The occurrence, called an extremely rare event by The Park Service, was brought on by record torrential rains and flooding, according to previous USA TODAY reporting. "Lake Manly", which formed a few weeks after Hurricane Hillary, was thought to last at least a couple more weeks. Heres what we know. Why cant you boat at the Death Valley Lake anymore? A paddle boarder paddles through water Thursday at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, Calif. Kayakers and visitors have flocked to the park to take advantage of the ephemeral waters that have filled the basin, which is normally a dry salt flat. "Lake Manly" has now become too shallow and too far from the road to transport and launch watercraft without damaging the landscape, according to the NPS. Visitors are no longer able to bring a boat or any other vessel that travels on water. They will, however, still have the chance to observe the stunning reflections of the surrounding peaks in its calm waters for the moment, USA TODAY reported. Then itll be a muddy, wet mess, and then itll dry out into those gorgeous white salt flats," NPS Park Ranger Nichole Andler told the Associated Press. How did the lake in Death Valley form? Brian Nelson, left, and Kathleen Nelson, right, both of Bishop, Calif., pull kayaks Thursday into water at Badwater Basin. Record rains and flooding have filled the normally-dry basin with water in the past few months. A number of storms brought record amounts of rain to Death Valley National Park over the last six months, causing "Lake Manly" to form at Badwater Basin. The basin runs along part of central Californias border with Nevada, USA TODAY reported. "Lake Manly" was but a shallow reflecting pool when it appeared in August, forming after the remnants of Hurricane Hilary, according to NPS. Water filled the lake in early February from another Californian storm, known as an atmospheric river, USA TODAY reported. The additional water raised levels back to a foot deep in some places, NPS said. Then intense winds from February 29 through March 2 blew the lake to the north, spreading it out, resulting in shallower water, according to NPS. What made "Lake Manlys" formation especially rare was that all the water collected in the basin typically evaporates faster than it flows, Andler previously told AP. To have as much water as we have now and for it to be as deep and lasting as long as it has this is extremely uncommon. If its not once-in-a-lifetime, its nearly, Andler said. Contributing: Eric Lagatta and James Powel; USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lake Manly no more: Death Valley lake grows too shallow for boats The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that prosecutors can't use a teenager's confession because it was coerced by a Topeka police detective. Friday's ruling means that prosecutors can't use the teenager's confession to molesting his stepsister as part of an ongoing criminal case in Shawnee County District Court. All seven justices on the high court agreed with outcome of the decision written by Chief Justice Marla Luckert, although Justice Caleb Stegall wrote a concurring opinion. "We conclude the detective's statements negated the Miranda warnings and misled G.O. into believing the interview's purpose was to help his stepsister," Luckert said. Inducing these false beliefs was coercive and led to G.O. confessing against his expressed free will not to talk about what had happened." "Our Constitution does not tolerate coerced confessions," Stegall added. G.O.'s attorney argued that he didn't knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waive his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and the detective violated his Fourteenth Amendment rights. G.O. was represented by Reid Nelson, of the Capital and Conflicts Appeals Office. Nelson didn't respond to a request for comment. Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert wrote the opinion finding that a teenager was coerced into confessing by a Topeka police detective. Why was G.O. investigated? The teenager, identified only by the initials G.O., was 16 years old in 2017 when his younger stepsister reported while at a hospital that he had molested her. The hospital identified in court records as the KVC Kansas Health Facility reported the sexual abuse to the parents and the Kansas Department for Children and Families. KVC and DCF made referrals to the Topeka Police Department. A detective interviewed the family members, and the mother thought they including G.O. were required to talk to police. No one said they could refuse. The mother, who thought the police interview was arranged by DCF for the purpose of family reintegration, asked the detective if she could sit in on G.O.'s interview. The detective told her to wait in the lobby. Did the TPD detective lie in the interview? During the interview, the detective told G.O. that they would just "hang out," reassured him they would not be long, thanked him for coming "so we can get some stuff cleared up" and "you're not going to be under arrest when we're done." The detective said clearing up and airing out what happened would help everyone, including the stepsister, and "This isn't about getting people in trouble." But he did read him his Miranda rights. G.O. told the detective that he was previously molested by his day care provider's son, and that it may have a connection the sexual acts with his stepsister. The detective urged him to share details of his own molestation and his molestation of his stepsister, telling him to "rip the bandaid off" and it would help his stepsister. "I just want to go home," G.O. said at some point. "I want to get this done and over with. Get everything just cleared up and make sure I can just be less of a wreck." The teen said he was now on medication because of anxiety and panic attacks and that he was seeing a therapist at DCF's urging. Despite promise, G.O. did get in trouble The court record said G.O. wasn't arrested or charged until more than two years after the police interview. But Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said charges were actually filed less than a year later. "Charges were not filed until all follow-up investigation was completed," Kagay told The Capital-Journal. "The waiver to adult court did not take place until two years after the interview. That may be what you're seeing and is not atypical. Waivers generally happen later in the case." The court record states that the charges were one count of aggravated criminal sodomy and one count of aggravated indecent liberties of a child younger. Both charges involved an offender younger than 18 and a victim younger than 14. The prosecutors were allowed to try him as an adult. G.O. and prosecutors initially reached a plea agreement, but that was withdrawn by G.O. because the sentence recommended by both parties would have been illegal. Prosecutors then filed an amended complaint with 60 counts: six of aggravated criminal sodomy, 51 of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, one of attempted rape and two of rape. "The defense was made aware of the additional charges prior to the plea agreement," Kagay told The Capital-Journal. "Any felony complaint may be amended at the time of the preliminary hearing, if the court finds the charges are supported by probable cause based on the evidence presented. In this case, the preliminary hearing occurred after the plea was withdrawn." Judges disagreed on whether to suppress confession The defense then moved to suppress G.O.'s statements to the detective, arguing his confession was not voluntary. The detective testified about the interview. So did the mom, who shared about G.O.'s learning disabilities and that she thought the interview was arranged by DCF for the purposes of family reintegration. G.O. had learning disabilities that required testing accommodations but still struggled with his grades before he was moved to an alternative education program with smaller class sizes and more one-on-one time. Shawnee County District Court Judge Nancy Parrish granted the motion to suppress. While she considered it a "close question," what tipped the balance was that G.O. believed what the detective told him, that they were there to talk and help his stepsister and not to get anyone in trouble." Also significant was that the mom told G.O. he had to cooperate with the detective.wesq A divided panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed that decision, ruling that "G.O. was compelled to confess not by any officer's overreaching acts, but by his own guilty conscience." Judges David Bruns and Kathryn Gardner were on the majority, while Judge Jacy Hurst dissented. That opinion was filed in September 2022. The case was then appealed to the Kansas Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in January 2023 and issued its ruling on Friday. What did the Supreme Court justices think? The Supreme Court said the detective's comments downplayed the significance of the Miranda advisory and he did not reveal the true purpose of the interview, noting that such omissions and obfuscations can confuse a juvenile about the purpose and gravity of the situation. The detective read G.O. his Miranda rights, but prefaced that by telling him: "You are not under arrest, you are not going to be under arrest ... this isn't about getting people in trouble." Rather, he said, it was about helping his stepsister. The detective misled G.O. and "gave the impression that the interview was a therapy session rather than part of a criminal investigation." The justices noted that "a law enforcement officer's false promise, lie, or other deception can negate the Miranda advisory." "Here, the detective not only downplayed the Miranda warnings, but he also encouraged a full confession if G.O. wanted to avoid prosecution," Luckert wrote. "The detective also misrepresented the true purpose of the interview by repeatedly telling G.O. the purpose of the interview was not about getting anyone in trouble." The justices said the detective "arguably promised" G.O. that he would not be arrested or otherwise harmed, even though such representations "were not true." "They presented him with the option of helping his stepsister, and the false hope that he was progressing toward reintegrating his family, returning to live with his mother, and relieving his anxiety," Luckert wrote. "And he could gain these benefits without the threat of being arrested or otherwise being in trouble." Adding to the "deceptive nature of the interview" was that G.O.'s mom "became a proxy for the detective" by also telling G.O. he was not under arrest and that he should share the details of what happened. The justices said the mom's trust in the detective "illustrates how someone more mature misunderstood the situation," suggesting the vulnerability of G.O. "The detective deceptively led G.O. to believe he was not in trouble, would not be arrested, and was just there to help his stepsister," Luckert wrote. They interrogation techniques were coercive because of the unique circumstances of the suspect, they reasoned. Why did the Topeka police detective lie? While the Supreme Court's ruling did not name the detective, a prior appellate court decision named him as Sgt. Ryan Hayden. Hayden is now TPD's assistant director of training and an adjunct instructor at Washburn University. Rosie Nichols, a city spokesperson, said the city's legal department analyzes court decisions and "updates or creates training for appropriate city personnel to ensure the city is staying up to date with best practices. Cases determining voluntariness of a confession are always going to be fact-specific as the Court looked at the totality of the circumstances to determine if the confession was voluntary. "The use of interrogation techniques or a combination thereof is to seek the truth from the individual being interviewed. The importance of determining the truth, is to protect and seek justice for the victim(s) as well as determine the alleged suspects involvement in a crime and protect the rights and freedoms of a person that is wrongly accused." But at least some of the justices were not impressed with the interrogation techniques. "Why is it so hard for this detective, or this officer, to just tell G.O. that at least a part of what he is doing in interviewing him is investigating a crime?" Justice Dan Biles asked during oral arguments 13 months ago. "I don't know any law enforcement officer that comes in and says, 'Here is what I'm doing, I'm investigating this crime,'" replied Natalie Chalmers, an assistant solicitor general with the Kansas Attorney General's Office. "G.O. knew what he was doing when he was there." When Justice Evelyn Wilson said G.O. thought it was part of therapy and to help his stepsister, Chalmers said: "I also find it just entirely unbelievable, personally, that any 16-year-old thinks that a detective interviewing me is the same as therapy. I just, I don't know how we're getting there." "Is that because you have law enforcement experience?" Wilson asked. "I think even at 16 I'd watched enough 'Law and Order' to know that cops don't just go around being like, 'Hey, I want to have therapy sessions,'" Chalmers said. "I'm sorry, but I just don't see how what the officer did here made him unable to understand his rights, unable to invoke his rights and unable to stop talking if he didn't want to talk, or not have an attorney," she added. Nelson, of the Capital and Conflicts Appeals Office, said it is not difficult for a detective to tell a suspect that they are investigating a crime, "and that is usually what professional detectives do." "The reason why the detective in this case did not do that," Nelson said, "is because the detective wanted to pull the wool over G.O.'s eyes." As for G.O.'s allegation that he was sexually assaulted, Nichols said, "TPD investigates all claims or allegations of serious crimes and would not be able to provide any additional details related to any ongoing investigations." Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas Supreme Court rules Topeka detective coerced teen's confession French-Polish film director director Roman Polanski attends the rehearsals for the musical "Dance of the Vampires". Polanski will stand trial in Paris from Tuesday on charges of defamation. picture alliance / dpa French-Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski will stand trial in Paris from Tuesday on charges of defamation. The trial against the 90-year-old centres on allegations of sexual abuse by British actress Charlotte Lewis and an interview that the director gave to the magazine Paris Match at the end of 2019. Lewis had accused Polanski of sexually abusing her in the 1980s when she was 16. Polanski rejected the allegations and strongly reiterated his stance in the Paris Match interview. "The basic quality of a good liar is an excellent memory," he was quoted as saying. "Charlotte Lewis is always included in the list of my accusers without these contradictions ever being pointed out." While Lewis is expected to attend the start of the trial, Polanski is unlikely to initially appear in person. In 1977, Polanski was arrested over allegations he raped a 13-year-old girl. He fled the US for Europe after it looked like a judge would reject a plea bargain. Other allegations have followed but he maintains his innocence. Delaware's coastal towns have been offered their payout for allowing offshore wind projects to take place. Offshore wind development company US Wind officially presented Delawares coastal communities a sizable investment package, signaling another step toward Delawares all but confirmed offshore future. The projects have yet to receive the green light from the federal government, and concerns from residents and lawmakers about the deal already are being expressed. There will be a meeting to learn more about Delaware's land contribution to the project next week. Here's what to know about the offer. What off-shore projects are going to impact Delaware? US Wind controls the rights to an 80,000-acre lease area located off the Delmarva coast. This area is the site of US Winds two ambitious projects: MarWin and Momentum Wind. Combined the projects would include up to 121 individual turbines, ranging from around 15 to 26 miles off Delaware's shores. If approved and constructed, they would be first offshore wind projects in the mid-Atlantic region. Background: What to expect in 2024 on the development of offshore wind energy in Delaware The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement assessing the potential impacts from developing the lease area and are undergoing the permitting process for the projects. BOEM is expected to issue a decision to approve or reject those plans by the end of this year. US Wind has estimated that the projects will be able to save Delaware ratepayers up to $253 million in utility bills over the 20-some year lifespan of the turbines. This would amount to a reduction in the average ratepayers electric bill by an estimated $9. Part of the plans include attaching a cable to the existing Delmarva Indian River substation facility near Dagsboros Indian River Power Plant. US Wind would be required to get the states permission to use 3Rs Beach in the Delaware Seashore State Park as a connection point for this cable. In December, US Wind purchased 140 acres of land surrounding the Indian River Power Plant for around $20 million (the power plant itself was not included in the sale). The company also has pledged to invest over $200 million into Sussex Countys transmission system upgrades and to pay Delaware a lease payment of $350,000 per year, with a 3% annual increase. Delaware also will receive 150,000 free Renewable Energy Credits with an estimated value of $76 million per year. What is US Wind offering coastal towns? Fenwick Island State Park sits mostly empty on a breezy November day. A proposed plan would upgrade the park's amenities in exchange for allowing a Denmark-based company to build a offshore wind connection facility on 1.5 park acres. US Wind presented its benefits package to Delawares Association of Coastal Towns (ACT) in the towns public meetings in early January. The ACT is made up of the towns of Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and South Bethany. The community benefits package includes a stream of annual $100,000 payments over 20 years, worth a total $2 million to each town. The first $100,000 installment would be paid once construction on the wind farm began, the second payment would be issued after the turbines were attached to the power grid and the successive 18 payments would be paid to the state annually. A contingency of the towns accepting this deal is that they cannot take action, obstruct or delay US Winds projects. This also includes pursuing litigation in the case of environmental harm or hazard. Towns can drop out of the deal at any time, but must repay the money received by the company. Otherwise, the money is theirs to use as they see fit. What have the towns decided? So far, ACT Communities have begun to evaluate the offer and will proceed with discussions through their respective public meeting process. None have made a final vote yet. Joni Reich, mayor of the town of Henlopen Acres, stated that while she credits the company for offering financial incentives to Delaware despite the projects economic benefits likely being more Maryland-focused, she recognizes that some terms may need to be revised. I do think the Delaware coastal towns should also receive an economic lift given the location of the turbines and the impacts we will experience by virtue of that, Reich said. The funds being offered by US Wind could certainly be put to good use. More: Delaware Gov. John Carney plans $129.6M for environmental, climate action Two concerns brought up by Reich are the ACTs lack of jurisdiction in the location of the turbines and transmission lines, as well as the lack of ability to publicly comment on the installation. Reich confirmed that the town will be holding an information session in the summer when more residents are in town. Lynn Coan, communications manager for the City of Rehoboth, stated the city has chosen to defer their final decision until BOEM finalizes US Winds permits later this year. According to Coastal Point, Fenwick Island already has opted not to accept the agreement. Public concerns, how to give input During South Bethanys Town Council meeting on Jan. 10, concerns were raised by attendees including whether the town would be receiving enough money, the prohibition of the town speaking out against the project after accepting the deal, and the lack of financial safeguards in place should the project unexpectedly fall through. Many of the ACT members stated that the money received from US Wind would be used to finance major infrastructure needs and coastline management projects. A Senate Joint Resolution was proposed by Sen. Gerald Hocker and Rep. Ronald Gray, requiring pre-construction decommissioning bonds to be posted and that the materials used to construct the turbines are recycled or disposed of in Maryland rather than Delaware. It also calls for Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems to be installed. If any of these individual conditions are not met, a permit would be automatically rejected, if the joint resolution were to pass. Decommissioning bonds and Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems already are required by federal law and have been agreed to by US Wind, according to Nancy Sopko, US Winds Senior Director of External Affairs. But she stated that the disposal of components will be based on technical availability of options. DNREC will hold a public engagement session on Tuesday, March 12 for residents to learn about the recreational impacts of the power lines being brought through 3Rs Beach. The meeting will not accept comments on the wind turbines themselves. The meeting will be held at Bethany Beach Town Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware beach towns offered payout to support offshore wind projects SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Delta Airlines has increased its baggage fees starting Tuesday, March 5, joining several other airlines that have also raised their fees in recent weeks. Deltas baggage fees were quietly updated reflecting a $5 increase for both first and second checked bags. The bag fees for the first bag will now cost Delta fliers $35 while the second will now be an extra $45. Delta Airlines, which has a central hub in the Salt Lake City International Airport, said the rise in cost does not apply to airline tickets purchased before March 5. SkyMiles Medallion Members, Delta SkyMiles American Express cardholders and customers with First Class, Delta Premium Select and Delta One itineraries will still have baggage fees waived. This is the first increase in baggage fees for Delta since 2018. Delta said the fee increase will help the airline keep pace with rising costs in the industry. READ NEXT: A flamingo on Great Salt Lake? Delta is not the only airline raising its baggage fees. Just two weeks ago, United Airlines and American Airlines announced they would be increasing the fees for checked baggage by $5 on their flights as well. JetBlue and Alaska Airlines have also recently increased their fees. In a statement made to Nexstar Media earlier this week, airlines attributed the rising costs to rising operating costs, including higher fuel prices. A JetBlue spokesperson further claimed the airline industry has been unprofitable since COVID. The Associated Press reported that baggage fees have become a dependable source of revenue for airlines since they were first introduced by American Airlines in 2008. The latest statistics show that U.S. airlines earned $6.8 billion in check-bag fees. United and American earned the most with $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion in revenue earned, respectively. Delta Airlines reported earning nearly $1 billion in baggage fees from 2022. The Associated Press attributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester speaks at the Mansfield Metcalf dinner in Helena on March 2, 2024. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan) Underdog Democrats rallied around 2024 candidates up and down the ballot at their annual Mansfield Metcalf dinner in Helena on Saturday. But a night Democrats typically reserve for in-party schmoozing and supporting statewide candidates was interrupted with protests from pro-Palestine demonstrators. Protesters were there to confront U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, incumbent candidate and sole Democrat in the states congressional delegation, to end weapons funding to Israel. Demonstrators said the senator hasnt taken a meeting with them, which Testers staff said is not true. A Tester spokesperson said Monday the senator supports the efforts to reach a negotiated pause to release hostages, and a targeted response to avoid casualties. Democrats are going to have to fight this election season to overcome Republican dominance at the ballot box in Montana in recent years. Republicans control the governorship and all statewide-elected offices, and they have a supermajority in the legislature. Tester is the only Democrat holding statewide office, and its expected to be a tight race for him this year. At the dinner, Tester was minutes into his speech, when a pro-Palestinian demonstrator interrupted him waving a large Palestinian flag. He was later interrupted again by another protester who stood up on a chair to shout at the senator. Both activists were quickly removed by Lewis and Clark County deputies for trespassing with no arrests. Isnt it great to be popular? Tester told the crowd. He then asked the veterans in the room to stand up to be recognized. For the people who have served in the military in this room, the reason we have the country we have today, the reason those kids could stand up and do what they did, is because of the veterans who have served in the military, Tester said to applause in the room. But one of the protesters, Leticia Romero, was a veteran telling the Daily Montanan she served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I stood up on the chair and I yelled Im a veteran, youre funding genocide. We will not forget, we will not forgive, she said. Pro-Palestine demonstrators gather to protest outside the Montana Democrats annual Mansfield Metcalf dinner in Helena on March 2, 2024. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan) Demonstrators held a candlelit prayer gathering outside the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in 19-degree weather and heavy snowfall. There were approximately 20 protesters holding signs reading Ceasefire Now Please and MT Jews 4 Ceasefire that attendees passed as they drove into the venue. The interrupting protester with the Palestinian flag, who requested anonymity when speaking with the Daily Montanan, said he had a responsibility as a Jew to speak out on the conflict in Gaza. He said Tester supported the purchase of weapons and bombs, and that the Senator has the power to stop it. Tester is the chairperson of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee. They dont get to just sit in their dinner, eating steak and mashed potatoes and patting themselves on the back and throwing up buzzwords about equality and safety while theres people dying, the protester said. This isnt the first time pro-Palestine Montanans have confronted Tester on his position on the conflict in Gaza. Last fall at a Butte town hall, Tester fielded questions from activists wanting to know why he hadnt called for a ceasefire in Gaza. Tester responded at the November event Israel had the right to defend itself following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, as reported by the Associated Press. Organizer Kimber Brown protesting in Helena Saturday said they want Tester to hold a town hall, something they said Tester has so far refused to do, so they can ask him to stop sending aid to Israel. They said Democratic leadership in the state, including Tester, are complicit in this genocide happening. A spokesperson for Tester said in a statement Tuesday that Tester will always support Montanans right to make their voices heard and said the senator has met face-to-face with Montanans that have a wide array of views on this difficult issue. Testers office refuted the claim Tester hasnt spoken with MT for Palestine, pointing to a call between the senator with the organizations leader Brendan Work, as well as meetings with top staff, to discuss the issue. A spokesperson said Testers staff continues to correspond with the organization. Senator Tester supports ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated pause agreed upon by both sides that would release the remaining hostages and save innocent lives, the statement read. Senator Tester believes our top priority must be the release of American hostages and allowing Israel to effectively counter Hamas and that response must be targeted and avoid civilian casualties. In an email Monday, Work said he has not heard from Testers office since the fall, saying he talked with Tester and his chief of staff in November, but hasnt heard from his policy advisor since October. Republicans in Montanas congressional delegation, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, introduced bills to bar Palestinians from entering the U.S., but neither bill has advanced. Rallying around abortion rights, fighting wealthy outsiders and Testers Senate bid Democratic candidates for statewide and federal seats gave Tester accolades, with Legislative Minority Leader Kim Abbott of Helena saying his race would drive turnout for the party this year, as opposed to last cycle. Were gonna win some f**king legislative seats, Abbott said. Common themes across speeches included how Democrats were protecting rights to abortion and access to public land, and admonishing the current Republican administration for property tax increases. Ryan Busse, candidate for governor, spoke to support hes garnered from county commissioners who have been in legal fights with Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who is running to keep his seat, about property taxes. He said when he walks into commission offices theyve told him theres not a single Democrat in this whole building, but theyre aint a single person in this building thatll vote for that Greg Gianforte. Tester spoke to abortion rights, saying how Republicans passed anti-abortion legislation in the state but the courts stopped it due to the protections in the Montana Constitution. After the Supreme Court struck down federal abortion protections in Roe vs. Wade, Democrats in red states like Ohio and Kansas have seen success in establishing statewide protections and the issue is seen as a winner for Democrats nationally. Candidates including Tester spoke about the wave of money that is going to be spent in the state this election cycle, as well as how the cost-of-living in the state has increased with access to affordable housing shrinking and the pressure of tight budgets in local communities. Montana aint for sale, Tester said. The eyes of the country will be on Testers race as it may determine the party majority in the U.S. Senate. Tester said his opponent, businessman Tim Sheehy, was an out of state multimillionaire from the Minnesota burbs hand-picked by U.S. Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Sheehy has endorsements across Montanas Republican leadership, including Daines, Zinke, Gianforte and most recently, his opponent for less than one week Rep. Matt Rosendale. If you want to come here and you want to change life in Montana, like Sheehy wants to do, I suggest that you just go back to Minnesota, Tester said. The post Democrats rally around 2024 candidates, Tester interrupted by pro-Palestine demonstrators appeared first on Daily Montanan. Beyond the periodic warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin about resorting to atomic missiles, Russias invasion of Ukraine has provoked a much more tangible nuclear threat in a country that suffered one of the biggest disasters in history Chernobyl in 1986. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, occupied by Russian troops on March 4, 2022, is now in an unprecedented situation, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said Friday, stating that he is extremely concerned about safety at the center. Two years ago, the Russian army bombed and seized the facility, to the bewilderment of half the world. Since then, Zaporizhzhia has suffered eight total blackouts that have forced its staff to use diesel generators to cool its six reactors. Over the last two weeks, it has relied on only one of the 10 power lines that supplied it before it was occupied, with no other available backup power source. As the war enters its third year, the plants precarious operational status remains a source of extreme concern. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Grossi has paid nine visits to Ukraine to monitor it. The U.N. atomic watchdog maintains a team of inspectors at the facility who report on explosions and military activity around the site, located near the city of Enerhodar on the south bank of the Dnieper River, where the sound of air raid sirens is constant. The permanent power shortage affects not only the cooling capacity of the reactors, but also other essential nuclear safety and security functions, according to the agency. The fact that such a facility continues to operate under these conditions is, in Grossis words, an unprecedented situation in the history of nuclear power and clearly not sustainable. I remain extremely concerned about nuclear safety and security at the plant, he added. According to an IAEA statement, for the past two weeks the plant has relied on a single 750-kilovolt line to receive the power supply it needs, without any backup power in case that line fails. Agency inspectors have said they expect another 330-kilovolt line to come online in the next few days. Even if one back-up line becomes available again, it is far from sufficient, Grossi warned. Before the invasion, the plant had four 750-kilovolt and six 330-kilovolt power lines to guarantee its operation. The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, on March 4 in Vienna (Austria). Lisa Leutner (REUTERS) Grossi, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in February to discuss the situation at the countrys nuclear plants, is scheduled to travel to Russia on Tuesday, where he is likely to meet Putin to discuss the situation at the Zaporizhzhia facility. Peter Kotin, the president of the Ukrainian state nuclear energy company, Energoatom, said Monday that the anniversary of the seizure of the plant comes at a particularly sensitive time, because the six-year deadline for the use of nuclear fuel is about to expire. Also, he says, the Russians are not allowing qualified Ukrainians to work at the plant, replacing them with poorly trained employees from Russian facilities. Will this date mark the beginning of the countdown to tragic and catastrophic events for all mankind? he asks in an article published on the second anniversary of the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia plant. He replies to his own question: The probability of this happening is higher than ever. Of seven criteria, six are compromised In two years of Russian control, the nearest Zaporizhzhia came to disaster was on June 6 last year, when Kremlin troops blew up the dam at the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (93 miles to the southwest), causing the reservoir from which the plant is fed to empty and forcing the refilling of the pool used to cool the reactors. Discussions continue on the need to address the consequences of the flooding in Kherson province, the IAEA chief said Monday, referring to the possible contamination spread by the catastrophic flooding caused by the attack downstream at the mouth of the Dnieper. With a severe shortage of personnel some of the Ukrainian employees left their posts after the outbreak of the war and supply not assured, six of the seven criteria established by the IAEA to ensure safety at the plant are compromised according to the inspectors: the full operation of its safety systems, the safety and security of its personnel, safe energy supply, protection of the logistics and transport supply chain, the establishment of effective radiation monitoring systems inside and outside the plant, and communication with the regulator, Energoatom. The only commitment to date that has been respected is the physical integrity of the facilities, despite the Russian bombing during its capture eight days after the start of the invasion, which according to Kyiv provoked a fire that claimed the lives of several employees. After the seizure of the nuclear plant, Ukraine set up a crisis mechanism in case of an atomic accident that implies the mandatory evacuation of 300,000 people in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv. The authorities stage periodical drills in the area to prepare for such an eventuality. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Supreme Court decided on Monday that the question of Donald Trumps disqualification from the ballot under the 14th Amendment blocking those who engaged in insurrection from holding federal office falls on Congress to answer. One Democrat in Congress took note, and is trying to answer that questions with legislation in the House in real time even though any Dem-proposed measure will likely go nowhere in the Republican-controlled, albeit barely-controlled, House, where Republican members are already publicly toasting the high courts unanimous decision. House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (R-MD) told Axios on Monday that he is already writing a bill in response to the ruling. Congress will have to try and act, he told Axios. Im working on it today. The bill will reportedly be a revised version of legislation he introduced with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) in 2022. That proposal, which would establish the DOJs right to take legal action to block candidates from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, obviously did not pass at the time. Raskin told Axios hes revising that bill in light of the SCOTUS ruling and plans to couple it with a resolution that would declare the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol an insurrection once and for all. Raskin said he will try to appeal to Republicans to co-sponsor the measure, but does not have high hopes. I dont have a lot of hope that Speaker [Mike] Johnson will allow us to bring enforcement legislation to the floor, but we have to try and do it, Raskin told Axios. The Best Of TPM Today The latest from Kate Riga: Right-Wing Lawyer Feigns Skepticism At Extreme Relief Hes Seeking In Affordable Care Act Attack New from Josh Kovensky: History is Made: Top Trump Lawyers Texted Gleefully Throughout Attempt To Reverse 2020 Loss New in TPM Cafe: Texas v. Garland: Another Attack On Women And Democracy From A Radical Judiciary Catch up on our coverage of this mornings SCOTUS decision here: SCOTUS Rules Constitutions DQ Clause Cant Keep Trump Off Ballot Yesterdays Most Read Story Republicans Increasingly Reveal They Barely Know Where Babies Come From Nicole Lafond What We Are Reading Joe Bidens Last Campaign The New Yorker I Dont Know If Most People Even Know What Party Is In The Senate Majority Off Message Judge rejects Sen. Bob Menendezs claims that search warrants in bribery case were unconstitutional AP One of the actors who has called out French star Gerard Depardieu for his behaviour on set says producers knew he was an aggressor, and urged more women film stars to speak out about sexual violence. Anouk Grinberg, 60, appeared alongside Depardieu in the 2022 feature "The Green Shutters". Two members of the film's crew have made complaints of sexual assault against the 75-year-old, arguably France's best-known actor. On Tuesday, prosecutors said they had opened a formal investigation based on the complaints. Depardieu already faces a rape charge and sexual assault investigation, as well as claims of assault by more than a dozen women -- all of which he has strongly denied. "When film producers hire Depardieu on a film, they know they are hiring an aggressor. Not a potential aggressor -- an aggressor," said Grinberg. "We all saw. We all heard... We were treated to his salacious nonsense from morning to night," she told AFP. Grinberg said the producers of "The Green Shutters" had supposedly appointed someone to deal with harassment issues but that she did nothing. "She was never introduced to me. She never gave her support to the women who were attacked. She never intervened when we had to hear all about 'Pussy, pussy, cock, getting sucked'," she said, referring to Depardieu's alleged barrage of sexual talk. AFP has requested comment from Depardieu through his lawyers. The film's director, Jean Becker, has denied Grinberg's account, saying he would have confronted Depardieu if any such complaints had been made. "Come on! (Becker) knew very well that two women had been seriously attacked," said Grinberg. "It was to cover up their cowardice, their inability to protect women, that they accuse me (of lying)." - 'Many women know' - Grinberg has known Depardieu for decades, having worked with him on 1991 film "Merci la Vie". She said his behaviour had considerably worsened over the years. "I always heard him make sexual remarks but it got much, much worse -- all with the permission of the profession that pays him and covers up his crimes," she said. Asked why other iconic co-stars of Depardieu's, such as Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert, have not accused him, Grinberg said it was "a matter of self-awareness and empathy for others". "It's their business. But of course I would like many more women to speak out, because many women know," she added. Grinberg began speaking up after befriending Charlotte Arnould, who accused Depardieu of raping her in 2018 when she was 22 and anorexic. That did not stop Grinberg appearing alongside Depardieu in "The Green Shutters". She has previously argued she wanted to be a witness to his behaviour and had cleared the decision with Arnould. She said crews were often warned against speaking about Depardieu's behaviour on set. "People are afraid of losing their job, of not being believed, because until now, no matter how much we talked, we weren't believed. Now the world is changing," she said. Grinberg had a dig at President Emmanuel Macron who said in December that Depardieu was a victim of a "manhunt". Macron "dares to say that he's against 'manhunting'," she said. "And what about 'womenhunting'? For him that's fine?" fbe-gd/er/ah/yad Deputies in Clallam County arrested a suspected drug dealer Friday after reports he dropped off a bag of fentanyl pills at a casino. At about 4:41 p.m. on March 1, deputies responded to the 7 Cedars Casino of a suspicious man, who was later identified as Kyle K. Bateman, 36, of Bainbridge Island. Bateman allegedly left the casino before deputies arrived, but he was later found at a Safeway in Sequim. When deputies arrived, Bateman was arrested for an outstanding warrant from the Washington State Department of Corrections. Bateman was searched and deputies found 100 suspected fentanyl pills and suspected methamphetamine on his person. After a search warrant, deputies also found 371 grams of suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and black tar heroin in his car. Bateman was booked into the Clallam County Jail. A hospital trust has told an inquest its "failure" to offer antibiotics to a mother during labour is "likely to have contributed" to the death of her baby. Zachary Taylor-Smith developed breathing problems and died at Royal Derby Hospital in November 2022 just 14 hours after he was born. His parents Hannah and Tim Taylor-Smith said they have serious concerns about the care he received. A three-day inquest into Zachary's death began on Monday. The hearing was read a statement from University Hospitals Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust which said a failure to offer antibiotics to Mrs Taylor-Smith during her labour "is likely to have contributed" to the baby's death. The trust also admitted a "failure to escalate care" after Zachary's birth,vwhich could have "prevented death", the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said. The maternity unit at Royal Derby Hospital (pictured) was rated inadequate in November Zachary was born at 36 weeks after his mother was induced because of recurrent asthma attacks, the inquest heard. He was initially in a healthy condition but soon became unwell, suffering a low temperature and poor feeding, the LDRS said. The couple, from Lichfield, Staffordshire, previously said they were not listened to when they alerted hospital staff to Zachary's deterioration. They claim doctors told them their son had died from Group B Strep, otherwise known as GBS, but they were not made aware of the life-threatening condition until after his death. They say if had been made aware of the disease, and if Mrs Taylor-Smith was given antibiotics, their son's death could have been avoided. 'Real-life horror movie' Mr and Mrs Taylor-Smith told the hearing, at Derby and Derbyshire Coroner's Court, of the impact Zachary's death had had on them. "My world is full of darkness now. None of this will never make sense," Mrs Taylor-Smith "Taking my baby to the mortuary will be something I never forget. I had to walk past happy families taking their new-born babies into their cars. On the school run I now have to pick up my children from the school office because happy families in the playground is too much to bear. "I had never been told about Group B Strep before. If I had been told I would have gone to have been privately screened for it." Mrs Taylor-Smith told the BBC she still finds herself unable to visit Zach's graveside in Lichfield as it is too upsetting. She added: "I can't fathom he is below ground and I can't get to him. It is too painful to go to the graveside" Mr Taylor-Smith said losing his son, the couple's fifth child, had been like "living in a real-life horror movie". In November the trust's maternity services were rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission. The Taylor-Smiths have called for Donna Ockenden, who is leading the biggest ever investigation into NHS maternity failings, to expand her review to Derby and Burton. The inquest continues. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. DMPS Board Chair Teree Caldwell Johnson introduces new superintendent Ian Roberts during a Des Moines Public Schools board meeting at Central Campus on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Des Moines. The longest-serving board member for the Des Moines Public Schools, Teree Caldwell-Johnson, who has been battling cancer, has resigned after nearly two decades. School Board Chair Jackie Norris confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Caldwell-Johnson who has been on the board since 2006 had submitted her resignation. Caldwell-Johnson has also pulled back from her role as CEO at Oakridge Neighborhood, a Des Moines nonprofit that provides services such as housing for families in need, to focus on her health, according to a news release. Caldwell-Johnson who served multiple times as school board chair or vice chair over the years announced last year she had been diagnosed with cancer. In recent months, she has attended school board meetings online. Ian Roberts shakes hands with Teree Caldwell-Johnson, board chair, after signing paperwork during a Des Moines Public Schools board meeting at Central Campus on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Des Moines. Board members dressed in shades of green Tuesday night in honor of Caldwell-Johnson's favorite color: kelly green. While she did not attend the board meeting, several people said she was watching online. "It has been my privilege to have been elected to serve on the Des Moines public school board over the past 18 years," Caldwell-Johnson wrote in her resignation letter. "And my greatest honor is to have served as the board chair. Our district's commitment to student outcomes and policy focused governance has created a win-win for our district and our current and future students." It is her expectation that this will continue under Superintendent Ian Roberts and the board's leadership, she said. Both past and present board members spoke during the meeting about Caldwell-Johnson's style, insight around education and her many contributions to the district and community. Roberts told those gathered that he spent time with Caldwell-Johnson on Saturday. "During two hours or more of conversation you continuously asked how you can be helpful to me, he said of Caldwell-Johnson. "You shared so many nuggets of wisdom during that time that no amount of schooling or life experiences will ever be able to replace those. I will continue to keep those near and dear as I lead and serve this amazing school system." Caldwell-Johnson has always been a person who does not mince words, said former board Chair Dwana Bradley. It was a blessing for me to be able to sit down with her, the amount of style and grace that she shows, her strength, and I think you all can agree with me that when Teree spoke, we listened, Bradley said. Former board chair helped herald district change Caldwell-Johnson's time on the board has been marked with two national superintendent searches and the COVID-19 pandemic. Caldwell-Johnson was part of the superintendent search for former Superintendent Nancy Sebring's replacement and later longtime Superintendent Tom Ahart's replacement, said Phil Roeder, district spokesperson. In total, she has helped oversee three superintendents and one interim superintendent. Ahart also served as interim superintendent for a year after Sebring resigned. Most recently, Caldwell-Johnson and the board hired Roberts to oversee Iowa's largest and most diverse school district. At the height of the pandemic, Des Moines schools and in particular Ahart came under fire for the board's decision to have students start the 2020-21 school year online. Board members said at the time Ahart was just following their orders. The superintendent later received a written reprimand from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners for the move. Caldwell-Johnson has also been known not to back down from controversy. During the district's State of the Schools address in February 2023, Caldwell-Johnson asked lawmakers to "leave our public schools alone" in response to a question about what legislators can do to help schools besides an increase of funds. We don't need your interventions around curriculum, what we teach, how we teach, who we teach, and Des Moines Public Schools has been in existence for 116 years and we've been doing pretty darn well," she said at the time. Related: Des Moines names ex-Olympian as superintendent first person of color to lead district During her final full year on the board, Caldwell-Johnson was instrumental in the search for Roberts and helping to build a relationship between Des Moines schools and Drake University during construction of the shared stadium, Roeder said. Caldwell-Johnson helped lift up Black male students During the 2018-19 school year, district leaders met with community members to discuss a number of issues impacting Des Moines Public Schools. Out of those conversations came the district and board's commitment to improve academic outcomes for Black male students particularly in the areas of math and reading. Board member Kim Martorano noted Caldwell-Johnson "tirelessly championed" for marginalized communities and the "empowerment of Black males in our district." "Your unwavering commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by this demographic group has been nothing short of inspirational," Martorano said. "Through your leadership, you have sparked meaningful conversations, implemented targeted initiatives and paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable educational experience for all students." While the district has struggled to make some of these goals, Caldwell-Johnson has continued to advocate for students. Caldwell-Johnson, the daughter of educators, summed up her reason for running for the board in a video the board showed from her time with the district. "I ran understanding that kids that are in need and live in impoverished neighborhoods need a voice and so I decided that I wanted to be the voice for our little brown and Black children," she said in the clip. Teree Caldwell-Johnson saluted as the 'mayor of Oakridge' Since 2004, Caldwell-Johnson has served as the CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood. She has also sat on several nonprofit boards, including the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, Planned Parenthood and Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. In an emailed statement, officials at Oakridge said Caldwell-Johnson "transitioned out of her day-to-day responsibilities" at the nonprofit to prioritize her health. They also thanked Caldwell-Johnson for her years of dedication to fulfilling the organization's mission. "Speaking on behalf of our entire team, Teree is a dear friend, a wonderful mentor and one that brings the secret sauce to make Oakridge Neighborhood such an inspiring place," said spokesperson Chris Irvine in a statement. "We are so thankful for her, her guidance and her example. "Because of her and the strong legacy she has built, we know Oakridge Neighborhood will continue to thrive in supporting children and families as it has for the last 55 years." The board of directors has selected Kristin Clayton, vice president of finance and administration, to take on Caldwell-Johnsons role as acting CEO. Related: A token of appreciation: Over 20 volunteers in the metro to receive national recognition Over the years, Caldwell-Johnson has been widely recognized for her work in the community, strong faith and leadership. She is the 2024 recipient of the states Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award. Last year, she was awarded the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice and the President's Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also named a 2022 Remarkable Woman by WHO-TVs Nexstar Media Group. Caldwell-Johnson was nicknamed the Mayor of Oakridge by state Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad for her work in the community. Abdul-Samad previously served on the board. To honor Caldwell-Johnson, Abdul-Samad announced she was receiving a certificate of recognition from the state House of Representatives for her long-lasting positive impact on the students of Des Moines Community School District, the community of Des Moines and the state of Iowa. Teree, youve always been the shoulders a lot of us have stood on, and you have been an inspiration to a lot of us when we got down and thought there was nowhere to go, said Abdul-Samad. Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter. F. Amanda Tugade covers social justice issues for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on Twitter @writefelissa. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Teree Caldwell-Johnson resigns from Des Moines school board Gov. Ron DeSantis needed someone to take over as Supervisor of Elections in heavily Democratic Orange County to replace the former one, now-retired Bill Cowles, just before the Presidential Primary on March 19. Rather than any of the eight candidates who filed for the job, mostly Democrats, on Monday the governor appointed fellow Republican Glen Gilzean. Which is not surprising. When DeSantis needs someone, he often turns to Gilzean, as previous governor Rick Scott did before him. Most recently Gilzean was chosen to be the District Administrator of the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which was put in place to replace Disney's previous district as part of the governor's ongoing feud with the company. Now he'll be managing the elections for a Democratic voter stronghold, the fifth-largest county in Florida, home of Orlando and Disney World, and one of the few counties in Florida that Democrats carried in the otherwise GOP-dominated 2022 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections. Here's what you need to know: Who is Glen Gilzean Jr.? Glenton Gilzean Jr. Glenton Glen Gilzean Jr.'s grandparents emigrated from Jamaica. He grew up in the Lauderdale Lakes area of Broward County and graduated from Nova High School, participating in on-the-job training and even spending a semester studying in Israel. Gilzean holds a bachelors degree in biomedical sciences from the University of South Florida and a masters degree from the University of South Floridas Center of Entrepreneurship. After college Gilzean worked for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Florida, and then spent over three years working for the Florida Department of Education as a regional field director. He left to form a nonprofit group called Educate Today and grew it into a multimillion-dollar organization but resigned from it in 2012 when then-Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to fill an empty seat on the Pinellas County School Board even though he had only lived in the area for two months at the time. Gilzean was defeated in the next election, despite an endorsement from former Gov. Jeb Bush, but the next year Scott appointed him to the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees, which was also considered by some to be a controversial choice. He withdrew his nomination in 2014 before he could be confirmed after the Herald/Times reported that per state law, as the vice president of advocacy and outreach for Step Up For Students, a nonprofit organization in Jacksonville that managed Florida's school voucher program, he would have to register as a lobbyist. In 2016, Scott appointed him to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission to select nominees for judicial vacancies. In November 2015, Gilzean took over as head of the Central Florida Urban League, an affiliate of the National Urban League, when they were floundering under $1.2 million of debt, and brought them out of it in less than two years. He was made president and CEO in 2016 and was named one of Central Floridas CEOs of the Year in 2019 by the Orlando Business Journal. DeSantis appoints Gilzean to multiple Florida committees DeSantis has relied heavily on Gilzean, placing him wherever the governor needed someone reliable. Gilzean came under fire for several of those positions. He defended DeSantis and the African American Task Force for Floridas new controversial African American history standards against claims that they whitewash history and require instruction that "slaves developed skills" for "personal benefit." After Gilzean announced that the new district governing Disney World would be abolishing its diversity, equity and inclusion program, his former employer, the Central Florida Urban League, blasted his "betrayal." And he ran into a conflict of interest when he took the Disney job while staying on the Ethics Commission, which doesn't allow members to hold public employment. Gilzean resigned from the commission last August. Gilzean criticized for conservative leanings "Gilzean has been a dedicated public servant to the State of Florida," DeSantis said in the press release announcing the Supervisor of Elections appointment. Gilzean has worked his entire career to further opportunities for Black people. Glen was a like a breath of fresh air to the Central Florida Urban League, Board Chair Paula Hoisington told the Orlando Sentinel. It was his love for community, his love for children, his love for just wanting to make it an even playing field for all of those that were needing a hand up, not a handout. But his conservative political leanings and tireless support of governors Scott and DeSantis have drawn criticism, especially as DeSantis is perceived by many to be consolidating his hold on Florida politics and using the power of the state against businesses that defy him. The Associated Press reported that a group of Orlando-area federal and state lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, called the elections job the latest example of DeSantis naming unqualified loyalists to elected positions so he can control every part of our state and local governments and warp our democracy to his will. Glen Gilzean is a Ron DeSantis loyalist whos top priority seems to be making Ron DeSantis happy, not protecting the integrity of our elections, the Democratic lawmakers said. This move signals the Governors focus on silencing the voices of Central Florida voters as one of the most northern progressive hubs in our state. We cannot let this happen. The Associated Press contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Glen Gilzean to run elections in Democratic Orange County Florida Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced the state will be increasing its police presence at Miami Beach and other popular spring break destinations in an attempt to limit mayhem. DeSantis announced the law enforcement change at a press conference Tuesday. He said he had begun working with Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, but 17 other popular vacation destinations across the state requested troopers be deployed to help with tourists. Florida is a very welcoming state. We welcome people to come here and have a good time, DeSantis said. What we dont welcome is criminal activity. What we dont welcome is mayhem and people that want to wreak havoc on our communities. More than 60 state troopers will be deployed to South Florida and another 60 to other spots like Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach. DeSantis said through the State Highway Patrol, he has activated aviation drones and mobile command vehicles to assist with traffic management. Troopers will also use mobile automated license plate readers throughout Miami to identify subjects with outstanding warrants or those that are driving stolen vehicles. If youre coming here in order to enjoy Florida to have a good time, fine, he said. If youre coming for these other reasons, if youre committing crimes, causing havoc, you are going to pay the price and we will hold you accountable because thats what we do here. Traffic mitigation, crowd control, DUI checkpoints and street closures are also part of the new plan. DeSantis said residential neighborhoods in the surrounding communities will have increased security. In Miami, the city will institute curfews, bag checks at beach access points and limited beach hours to ensure law and order. Uniformed officers will patrol beaches in vehicles, on ATVs and bicycles and by foot. The Coast Guard will also patrol the surrounding waters. DeSantis announcement came a year after several fatal shootings last March as an influx of out-of-city visitors flocked to Miami. An 11:59 p.m. through 6 a.m. curfew was enacted last year due to the excessively large and unruly crowds. According to The Associated Press, local business owners are frustrated that visitors are not visiting the businesses and hope Miami does more to control loitering, while others think the restrictions are racially motivated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Ron DeSantis reminded spring breakers that Florida is a "law and order" state at an appearance in Miami Beach Tuesday morning, warning tourists of the consequences of "committing crimes, causing havoc." "You are going to pay the price, and we will hold you accountable, because that's what we do here," DeSantis said. "Some people may be coming from other jurisdictions where they can get away with this type of activity. That is not going to fly in the Sunshine State." DeSantis said 17 local law enforcement agencies across the state requested state assistance for spring break. South Florida will receive more than 60 state troopers, with most of them going to Miami Beach. Other cities like Daytona Beach and Panama City, will also receive back up. Gov. Ron DeSantis hosts a roundtable discussion at the Florida Governors Mansion introducing the Cancer Connect Collaborative with doctors and researchers to improve cancer research and treatment Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Twenty-four members of the Florida Highway Patrol Quick Response Force team will go to Bay, Volusia, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and drones and mobile command vehicles will be used to monitor traffic. In Miami Beach, police will be using automated license plate readers to look for outstanding warrants and stolen vehicles, and law enforcement will be in plain clothes. "You really have an opportunity to have fun, and we want to see people do that, but we also are going to insist that people respect the law, that order is kept in the streets and that our residents and local businesses are not negatively impacted by people here visiting," DeSantis said in front of a group of Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Miami Beach focus of spring break 'havoc' In 2021, Miami Beach made more than 1,000 arrests amongst spring breakers, leading them to issue an emergency curfew. In 2022, two shootings injured five people, leading to another curfew. Last year, the Miami Beach Police Department said it conducted 488 arrests, impounded 105 firearms and issued 7,190 traffic citations between Feb. 27 and March 27. Miami Beach park rangers watch over crowds Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Miami Beach, Fla. Miami Beach officials have come up with a plan to curb spring breakers after three consecutive years of violence, including two fatal shootings last year. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) ORG XMIT: FLML303 DeSantis said there will also be increased security in Miami Beach's residential neighborhoods. The city will be limiting beach access and closing liquor stores early throughout March, and for March 7-10 and March 14-17, the city will close parking garages in South Beach. You are going to pay the price: DeSantis sends more cops to Florida spring break hot spots. Heres where DeSantis also comments on U.S. southern border DeSantis also used his appearance as another opportunity to address the U.S.-Mexico border and criticize the federal government, opening his announcement with an anecdote about the state's push to arrest an undocumented person with charges in Oregon for rape and sexual abuse. Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a 26-year-old Guatemalan man in Martin County for driving without a license. After he was released to an Alternatives to Detention program, law enforcement learned of the man's charges in Oregon, and ICE and local officials arrested the man, who originally entered the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor in 2015, according to an ICE press release. The man was ordered to be deported back to Guatemala by a judge in 2019. Curfews, checkpoints, mounted patrols: Miami, Florida cities brace for spring break 2024 "Today's another example of the fact that we are, despite of what the federal government may do, other states may do, other localities may do, we're a law and order state," he said. As of late February, Miami has the third largest number of undocumented immigrants monitored by ICE's Alternatives to Detention programs, with 13,633 monitored. About 67% of those held in ICE detention do not have a criminal record, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonprofit data tracking organization out of Syracuse University. Last month, DeSantis also has sent more than 1,000 Florida National Guard members and State Guard Soldiers to Texas to help stop what he called "the invasion at the southern border." They joined Highway Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and FDLE members already there, a press release said. USA TODAY contributed to this story. Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Spring break 2024: DeSantis warns Florida is a 'law and order' state Since the 2022 death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman held in police custody for wearing her hijab inappropriately, Iranian demonstrators have protested against the repressive regime and the surge of executions of ethnic and religious political dissidents. In the first 11 months of 2023, Iran had executed 746 people, prompting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to observe that Iran was carrying them out at an alarming rate. So far in 2024, Iran has executed at least eight Kurdish political prisoners, including four on Jan. 29, 2024, who were convicted on dubious charges such as waging war against God and corruption on Earth. As a Kurdish-born scholar and a professor of Middle Eastern studies at the University of Central Florida, I have previously written about the Women, Life, Freedom movement and the Kurdish female fighters who focus on the protection of womens rights and protests by the Iranian people against their government. Those demonstrations includes protests against Irans use of the death penalty that, according to a 2022 the U.S. Department of State report, disproportionately affected religious and ethnic minorities. With hardliners maintaining their grip on parliament after the election held on March 1, 2024, the plight of ethnic and religious minorities remains an ongoing tragedy with no end in sight. Because of a nationwide boycott of the election, voter turnout was estimated at less than 41%, the lowest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. As human rights organization Amnesty International warned in 2023, the Iranian authorities had embarked on an execution spree. Separate and unequal In late November 2023, human rights groups reported intense crackdowns on protesters in two Kurdish cities. In one of them, Mahabad, authorities have declared martial law. In another, Javanrud, people have been found massacred and the government accused of ethnic cleansing, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran and Kurdistan Human Rights Network. Thousands of demonstrators stop traffic in Iran on Sept. 19, 2022, to protest the death of Jina Mahsa Amini while in police custody. Getty Images This Kurdish region of Iran has been the epicenter for nationwide protests that erupted in September 2022 since Aminis death. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini established the Revolutionary Courts which have supreme power over the general courts and were designed to protect the revolution from any and all perceived enemies of the state. In this 1979 image, an Iranian government firing squad executes 11 Kurdish men. Jahangir Razmi/ Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Most death sentences of the regimes opponents have been carried out by these courts. The executions are often based on vague charges and forced confessions, many of which are broadcast on state-owned national television. A study by the International Federation for Human Rights revealed that between 2009 and 2019, Iranian media broadcast 355 such forced confessions. Ethnic and religious persecutions Unfortunately, the discrimination against the Kurds and other minorities in Iran remains overlooked, and it is even enshrined in the constitution. In Iran, where people of non-Persian ethnicities constitute more than half of the population and speak nearly 100 different languages and dialects, Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Persian/Farsi as the official language and script of Iran. As a result, ethnic minorities like the Kurds are prohibited from learning or teaching their own languages. The law is strictly enforced. In 2020, for instance, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Courts sentenced Zara Mohammadi to 10 years in prison for teaching Kurdish, her native tongue. Ten years earlier, Kurdish primary school teacher Farzad Kamangar was executed for advocating for greater cultural and political self-determination for the Kurds. Criminalizing religious minorities is also permitted in the constitution of the Islamic republic. Irans Constitution names the Twelver Jafari School of Shia Islam as the state religion. This excludes the Sunni Kurds, Bahais and other religious minorities from the minimal protections granted by Irans Constitution. Not surprisingly, the Bahais and Sunnis remain the most persecuted religious minorities in Iran. Ending hell on earth Jina Mahsa Aminis death unleashed a wave of nationwide protests in Iran that called for dismantling the states gender apartheid as well as systemic ethnic, racial and religious discrimination, particularly in Sunni- and Kurdish-dominated cities. Human rights organizations have accused Iran of exploiting the current international focus on Gaza to exact revenge on dissidents. Since the start of the war, there has been little international focus on the human rights situation in Iran, and there has been no substantial response to the significant increase in executions, said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of Iran Human Rights, a nonprofit human rights organization. Amiry-Moghaddam explained that his organization has compiled data that shows the Iranian regimes brutal crackdown has disproportionately targeted ethnic and religious minorities. In my view, the current killing spree defies the demands of the Iranian people and the Kurds to end the executions and to expel Iran from the U.N. under Article 6, Chapter II of the U.N. charter for the regimes persistent violation of human rights principles since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. As former U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold once said, the U.N. was created not to lead mankind to heaven but to save humanity from hell. For the long-suffering, stateless Kurdish nation, the U.N. has so far failed to rescue them from their hell on earth. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Haidar Khezri, University of Central Florida Read more: Haidar Khezri does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan addresses the news media as the city of Detroit announces a new phase in demolition of the Packard Plant in Detroit on Monday, March 4, 2024. A final phase of demolition got underway Monday at the Packard Plant on Detroit's east side as the mayor declared that most of what's left of the infamous graffiti-scrawled ruins will all be down by year's end. "By the end of 2024, the Packard Plant will finally be history," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said at an afternoon news conference outside 5409 Concord St., shortly before a hydraulic excavator from Detroit-based Adamo Group ripped through a section of brick wall. The city will preserve two structures of the Packard Plant for their historical significance, he said. Those structures, on opposing sides of East Grand Boulevard, once were connected by an iconic bridge that spanned across the boulevard before it collapsed in January 2019. The city will in coming months start soliciting proposals for redeveloping the post-demolition Packard Plant site, Duggan said, presumably for auto supplier operations, given its proximity to General Motors' Factory Zero and the Stellantis Jefferson North Assembly Plant. The mayor noted two recent successful redevelopments in the city of demolished sites of similar industrial ruins: Lear Corp. brought a seat manufacturing operation and hundreds of jobs to the old site of the long-empty Cadillac Stamping Plant, and industrial developer NorthPoint Development is nearly done with a new facility on the former site of American Motors Corp.'s headquarters on the west side. A bulldozer goes into action after the city of Detroit announces a new phase in demolition of the Packard Plant in Detroit on Monday, March 4, 2024. Were going to go out for proposals, but Ive had a number contact me," Duggan said of prospects for the Packard Plant site. Nobody wanted to bid on this (when) they thought they were going to spend $15 million or $20 million on demolition. The numbers wouldnt have worked," the mayor said. "Now that we have the demolition handled, our goal is to award this to somebody to redevelop it as the last of the walls are coming down. Demolition of the Packard Plant began in fall 2022 after the city won a judgement in Wayne County Circuit Court against a firm belonging to international developer Fernando Palazuelo that had owned most of the 40-acre property. More: 10 new Detroit developments to get excited about in 2024 Total costs for the demolition is about $26 million, city officials said, with the vast majority of demo money coming from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. That third COVID-19 federal stimulus package, which also included $1,400 per-individual checks, was signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021. I didnt know if we were ever going to get a chance to do this, but its really good to have Joe Biden as your friend," Duggan said. "I sent him a note this morning to thank him." The Packard Plant's previous owner, Palazuelo, picked up the property for $405,000 in Wayne County's 2013 tax foreclosure auction. But he ultimately fell short in his vision to rehab the structure as an eclectic mixed-use development of offices, events space and art-themed attractions even a techno club collaboration with world-renowned German nightclub owner Dimitri Hegemann. The Albert Kahn-designed Packard Plant opened in 1903 and built its last Packard car in the 1950s. It lost most of its remaining industrial tenants in the 1990s and became known for hosting rave parties. Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit mayor kicks off final phase of Packard Plant demolition For two months Rosmery and Jean Carlos have been sleeping in a tent on Colombias Caribbean shore. They are surviving there with their 10-year-old twins and their dog, Candy. They are Venezuelans. They arrived at the beaches of Necocli with their whole lives packed in a few suitcases. Their first objective like thousands of migrants of different nationalities who are camping with them is to get on a boat that will take them to Capurgana or Acandi, on the other side of the Gulf of Uraba. There the dense Darien jungle awaits them. The walk to the border with Panama takes three days. Then they have a long, expensive, and very dangerous road ahead of them to the United States. Until December they lived in Piedecuesta, near Bucaramanga (Colombia), more than 400 miles away from Necocli. There they recycled waste, fixed up apartments, and cooked at private dinners and elegant hotels. They have abandoned everything to chase the American dream. Rosmery Marcano washes a pot outside her tent to make the coffees she sells on the beach to other migrants. CHELO CAMACHO In 2023, more than 457,000 people crossed the border on foot, according to information from the Panamanian government and Human Rights Watch. Almost double the 248,000 that passed through the area in 2022. Although there are no exact calculations for 2024, the local authorities in Uraba estimate that every day there is a flow of between 1,000 and 2,000 migrants, concentrated in the ports of Necocli and Turbo on the Atlantic. But there is an aggravating factor for the settlements: many migrants cannot continue on their way immediately due to economic difficulties, security issues, or because the boats cannot cope. Like Rosmery and Jean Carlos, thousands of Venezuelan, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Haitian, Cuban, Chinese, and Afghan families remain stranded in Necocli for weeks or months on end. They endure hunger and suffer illness and violence while they raise the money to cross the jungle. I am a cook and my husband is a chef, but in Necocli we have been very hungry, Rosmery tells EL PAIS. On January 8, when we arrived, I weighed 67 kilos. Now Im 57. Her husband went from 85 kilos to 74. The dog is also skinny and dehydrated. They have made many sacrifices so that their children can have three meals a day. The hardest day was when Jean Carlos started crying and asked me why I had brought him here. We are in hell, says Rosmery. She shakes her head with resignation: It made me depressed. I was powerless. You dont have money for food. You have to use a filthy bathroom. It is awful. I sometimes cooked for 800 people. There was plenty of food. We could eat whatever we wanted. Now we have nothing. The beach, the sun, and the sea have hit the whole family hard. The children got chickenpox, a terrible cough, and fever. A lot of nights they cried. Tents on the beach at Necocli. CHELO CAMACHO The past week was particularly difficult in Necocli. On Thursday, February 22, the police and the navy arrested the captains of two boats for crimes related to migrant trafficking. According to the Prosecutors Office, the high-speed launches transported 151 migrants illegally and dangerously. Shipping companies ceased operations in protest. That generated a massive backlog. The migrants continued to arrive at the usual pace, but they could not continue on their way. About 5,000 people gathered on the beaches. Food, drinking water, and camping space became increasingly limited. The humanitarian situation became extreme. On the afternoon of February 29, the departmental authorities and the companies agreed that the routes would resume in the early morning of March 1. Thats how it went. Last Friday at 5 a.m. hundreds of people gathered in long lines at Necocli's two docks to get on the boats. In the middle of the crowd, everything seemed orderly even though there were no police or soldiers. Secretary of Government of Necocli Johann Wachert explained in dialogue with EL PAIS that, under the agreement, Migration Colombia has to bring more officials to the ports to prevent irregularities in travel and to meet minimum safety standards. In addition, it is expected that on March 6 a security council will be held with the police, the navy, and the Prosecutors Office to set joint criteria and ensure that the boat captains are not persecuted. Migrants wait on the beach to board the boats to the Darien jungle. CHELO CAMACHO The areas lucrative migrant trade is controlled by the Gulf Clan, the most powerful organized crime group in the country. EL PAIS spoke with at least 10 people from Necocli, from different professions, and they all agreed that not a single dollar, migrant, or boat moved without permission from the owners of the world, as one of the sources called them. One of the Gulf Clans guards protecting the beach where all the migrants are camped threatened the photographer who took the images that accompany this report. Colombian President Gustavo Petro told the New York Times that the Gulf Clan earns $30 million annually from the immigration business. This must be one of the most lucrative businesses for the organization, earning them even more than drugs, a source from the municipality who knows the situation told EL PAIS. Migrants walk along the dock towards a boat that will take them to the Darien jungle to continue their route to the United States. CHELO CAMACHO Secretary Wachert says he does not know about the Gulf Clans role in migrant trafficking: We do not have direct knowledge of these organizations or contact with them. We cannot verify it because we do not know at what point in the chain it happens. However, the Ombudsmans Office published a report in 2023 confirming that the criminal organization has all the power in the area and handles drug trafficking and migrant smuggling. While gangsters and some local businessmen get rich, the migrants live in misery. Among them are three trans women who, in addition to the pain of poverty and leaving their home, have suffered discrimination. The evangelical churches, which sometimes give food to the migrants, ignore them: When we get to the line they say that the lunches are over, says one of the three Venezuelan friends who braid other migrants hair to earn money for their onward journey. We are here for the American dream, and to have the operation, she says. Rosmery and Jean Carlos have helped them. They visit them, they lend them things to cook with, they do not discriminate against them. Venezuelan trans women Samantha and Shirley work on the beach braiding other migrants' hair. They are looking to save enough to pay for the next step on their route to the United States. CHELO CAMACHO The migrant couple takes turns working all day and all night. They sell coffee, candy, and cigarettes. Every peso they earn, they save to get the $990 they need to pay to ensure that all five of them reach the border (the cost is $330 per adult and $165 per child). Candy, the dog, is also going to cross the jungle in a special bag. We are just $400 short, says Jean Carlos with enthusiasm. Next to Rosmery and Jean Carloss family tent lives Carmen Rosalia Rojas, perhaps the oldest person among all the migrants gathered on the beach. She is 64, has a couple of faded tattoos, and is the adoptive grandmother of a group of 23 Venezuelans who have been migrating from Chile. She sings, dances, and runs on the beach. I want to go to the United States to see something new. I already know all this. I have been to Ecuador, Peru, Medellin, and Bogota, she says. Albert Diaz, one of the Venezuelans who is with her, says that they found her at a gas station in Bogota. She was begging for money, selling candy. We saw her crying because her grandchildren had abandoned her and we told her to stay with us. That was about a month ago and now they look like family. Albert carries Rosalias bag with her documents, doesnt let her work, and says that they are going to cross the Darien jungle together. I promised her that I was going to come to the United States with her. Venezuelan migrant Carmen Rosalia Rojas. CHELO CAMACHO It is Thursday afternoon and the news that the boats will be running again the next day spreads quickly from tent to tent. Some migrants are happy because the dream of reaching the other side is just that little bit closer. Others are distressed because they have not yet gotten enough money together. Everyone is afraid of the jungle. Last week Doctors Without Borders reported an increase in attacks on migrants passing through Darien. In recent weeks, health teams have recorded more attacks of extraordinary physical and sexual violence and an unprecedented number of assaults in what is feared could be a worsening of the already terrible situation on the jungle route, the organization states in a report. In just one week in February, its medical teams treated 113 victims of sexual assault, including nine minors. Night falls. Amid the difficulties, the migrants have built a large family on the beach. We are in hell, but we are not alone, one of them says and smiles. They make a bonfire. They cook pasta with tomato sauce and distribute it to everyone nearby. One is a young man who dreams of being a rapper in Harlem. His stage name is Turbo. He sings while shaving and cutting his friends hair. It doesnt matter that until recently they didnt know each other, now they are family, and they know that sticking together is the only way to make tragedy more bearable. Cali rapper Turbo cuts another migrant's hair as night falls. CHELO CAMACHO Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's trusted adviser knew about Akron-based FirstEnergy's $4.3 million payment to the governor's pick for top utility regulator a payment that federal and state prosecutors now say was a bribe. But DeWine's former Chief of Staff Laurel Pressler Dawson isn't answering questions about how she learned about that payment to ex-Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo, and why she didn't tell DeWine about it. Dawson, who now earns $185,411 as counselor to the governor, is one of DeWine's longest-serving and most trusted advisors. She served as DeWine's chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1983 and has worked for DeWine on and off for more than four decades. Her husband, Michael Dawson, has worked as a FirstEnergy lobbyist and consultant. According to a recent indictment against Randazzo and two former FirstEnergy executives, Laurel Dawson learned about a $4.3 million payment from FirstEnergy to Randazzo during the early 2019 vetting process for the new administration, before DeWine nominated Randazzo to the PUCO. Randazzo described the payment as the final installment of a consulting agreement with FirstEnergy not money for future assistance as PUCO chairman. DeWine's staff had previously said Dawson first learned of the $4.3 million payment Oct. 30, 2020, when Randazzo called DeWine's chief of staff to give her a heads up that the payment would appear on FirstEnergy's next business filing. Democrats say that distinction is important and something Dawson should clear up. "The governor has not been charged with a crime, but it certainly does not look good for your chief of staff to learn of a huge potential conflict of interest and not tell you," Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, said. Laurel Dawson has declined to comment. DeWine's spokesman Dan Tierney said it's difficult to say whether knowing the exact sum of the payment would have made a difference in DeWine's decision to appoint Randazzo to the PUCO. "His (Randazzo's) experience with FirstEnergy was one of the reasons he was appointed, because of the expertise factor," Tierney said. FBI agents remove items from the German Village home of Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Sam Randazzo in Columbus, Ohio on November 16, 2020. Dawson told DeWine about the payment Nov. 16, 2020 the same day FBI agents searched Randazzo's German Village condominium. Three days later, FirstEnergy disclosed the questionable $4 million payment in its filing, linking it to the firing of three executives in late October 2020 and making the payment public knowledge for the first time. Randazzo left the PUCO the next day, writing in his resignation letter that he did not want to be a distraction for the DeWine administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. DeWine praised Randazzo that day: "I want to thank him for his work. He has done very, very good work as chair." Where does Laurel Dawson intersect with the FirstEnergy scandal? Laurel Dawson serves as counselor to the governor. The $4.3 million payment isn't the only place Dawson intersects with FirstEnergy's quest to get Randazzo appointed to the PUCO. More: FirstEnergy's ties to DeWine administration extend beyond PUCO pick Sam Randazzo Dawson approved sending a state plane to pick up lawmakers needed for a vote on House Bill 6, which would have bailed out two nuclear plants then-owned by FirstEnergy Solutions. Former FirstEnergy vice president Michael Dowling celebrated the decision in a text message disclosed during Householder's trial. Mike Dawsons wife. Boom, wrote Dowling, who was recently charged in state court for his alleged role in the scheme. However, the plane was never actually sent. Another connection between Randazzo and the Dawsons is a $10,000 loan from Randazzo to Mike Dawson in 2016. Randazzo did not disclose the payment on his financial disclosure forms and Laurel Dawson, through a spokesman, has declined to explain what the loan was for. "Laurel is politely declining all comment on that," Tierney said. The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, which investigated Randazzo and the two FirstEnergy executives, subpoenaed Laurel Dawson to appear in person and answer questions on Jan. 12, 2024, according to the subpoena provided via a records request. Who is Laurel Dawson? A Marion native and Miami University graduate, Laurel Dawson's first taste of politics was working for California Rep. Bob Lagomarsino in Washington, D.C. She then served as DeWine's chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Dawson worked as Gov. George Voinovich's director of cabinet affairs while DeWine was lieutenant governor. Her husband also worked for DeWine's brief 1989 gubernatorial bid and on Voinovich's staff. After DeWine lost his U.S. Senate seat in 2006, Laurel Dawson worked for the CJR Group, a lobbying firm founded by another Voinovich-DeWine staffer Josh Rubin. While there, she lobbied for the United Collection Bureau in Ohio and Cleveland State University, the Environmental Defense Action Fund, the private aviation company Flight Options and others in Congress. When DeWine won the governor's race in 2018, he picked Laurel Dawson as his chief of staff. Her longstanding relationship with DeWine made her the obvious pick. She served in that role until May 2021 when she was named counselor to the governor. DeWine described their relationship while leaving the U.S. Senate in 2006: "I have been privileged to have her be my most trusted adviser for over two decades. She always just got it done. She managed my organization with great skill. I cannot thank her enough for all she has done for me and for my family." Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Gov. Mike DeWine's trusted adviser Laurel Pressler Dawson? A stock image shows food at an Indian restaurant. Ibuki/Getty Images A hotel restaurant manager in India has been arrested after diners spat up blood. Police say that a waiter served after-dinner mouth fresheners containing dry ice. Dry ice, if ingested, can cause internal organ damage. Police in Gurugram in northern India arrested a hotel restaurant manager on Tuesday after social media footage appeared to show diners spitting up blood after a meal. According to BBC News, police say the restaurant served diners after-dinner mouth fresheners containing dry ice. The hotel restaurant manager was charged with causing harm by poison, The Hindu reported. Surender Sheoran, Manesar's assistant commissioner of police, told the ANI news agency that five people became unwell immediately after consuming the after-dinner mouth fresheners at Laforestta Cafe over the weekend. Sheoran told ANI that the diners "started vomiting and had a burning sensation in their mouth" after consuming the mouth fresheners. Police told BBC News that their mouths then started to bleed. Prolonged exposure to or ingesting dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide used as a cooling agent, can cause frostbite, respiratory issues, and internal organ damage. Videos circulating on Indian social media appeared to show the diners screaming in agony. Kumar, one of the diners, said he later showed the mouth freshener to a doctor, who confirmed it was dry ice, per The Hindu. According to The Hindu, Kumar also accused restaurant staff of abandoning them instead of providing help. BBC News reported that police are conducting a forensic analysis to confirm if the mouth freshener contained carbon dioxide. The outlet said a search is underway for the restaurant's owner. Read the original article on Business Insider All Dirt Roads Tastes of Salt wowed audiences when it debuted last year at Sundance. Director Raven Jackson said that shes always excited to hear when people react to her work, who tell her that it feels like memories from their own lives. I really moves me when folks who are from the South know the South feel like, I feel that I know this place, you know what I mean? It feels like Ive been in this living room, or Ive seen this street, because thats what I was going for, she said. The films love letter to growing up in the South is one that resonated with a lot of viewers, especially those who have distinct, fond memories of Southern living and some of the esoteric stuff that comes with it, such as the down-home practice of eating clay dirt. Experiences like those are hard to replicate, but Jackson accomplishes it by drawing from her own past. I was inspired for that scene by an electrical fire that happened when my mom was in her youth. I just came across driving location scouting, a house that had already had a fire there and it just happened that we could use it for the scene to stage it, she said. Location scouting and casting are just top, top, top for me. And it was very important to find those places that speak to a specific place, but can be transformed for these different years that the film covers. Even with the house Mack grows up in, its like, I knew I wanted wood-paneled walls, you know, I knew I have to have things like that. Even though the film is fictional, there are a ton of details that stem from real life. [Its] first and foremost a fiction film, but there are certain details. That were jumping-off points or emotional truths or details like Mac [growing] up fishing. I grew up fishing, and in the early scene of her fishing at the water [we used] my fathers tackle, Jackson said. And in some of the scenes, some of the pictures from my grandmas photo albums are on the walls. But again, its a fiction film, but there are details and emotional truths Im using as inspiration in ways and fictionalizing. Even with the Grandma Betty scene where shes speaking to Mack and Josie about clay dirt, some of those lines [are] from a conversation I had with my grandma around the eating of clay dirt. Its fiction, but Im threading certain truths and details within it [because] even when the work is fiction, I still like to feel very close to it. Thats important for me. The star of the film, Charleen McClure, plays Mack from her teenage years through adulthood. McClure and Jackson were already friends from the poetry scene; they met at Brooklyn-based Black poetry nonprofit Cave Canem. Jackson decided to cast McClure because of what she had learned about her as a friend. With Charleen, theres just a raw vulnerability she has that I noticed as a friend, and when it came time to thinking about [casting, I thought], Ooh, I see something here. Could Charleen potentially be the Mack Im looking for?' Jackson said. I also realized just practically, she has a face that carries many years. She could believably play late teens through early 30s, which is what the character needed because you see Mack at several stages of her life. And so that was a really big thing, and also that her face can express a lot without needing to say words because the film doesnt rely a lot on dialogue. And so all of those things really strongly spoke to me when thinking about Charleen, she continued. Reginald Helms, Jr., who plays Macks love interest, Wood, was also cast for showing vulnerability beyond his years. I was looking up musical artists from the South, and I came across his video Southside Fade, and once I saw it, I was really struck by how he expresses with his body and also his eyes, she said. He has such expressive eyes, and when we did a chemistry read with him and Charleen, it just became clear that there was a nice chemistry there between the two of them. And also, in a similar way to Charleen, Reggie has a vulnerability that, again, through his face, through his eyes, hes able to express and he can express a lot through his body, through his movements without needing to say words again, which is a quality that pretty much across the board all the characters needed to have. Im someone who really trusts what moves me, and I was moved by both of these people, both individually when I met them, but also when I saw them working together, she continued. And Im really grateful that I trusted that and that the folks I was working with trusted this too. And because, you know, I look at just the work they did in the film and Im really grateful to have worked with them. McClures draw to the character had much to do with her friendship with Jackson, but her personal tie to the South was very strong as well. I grew up in Georgia I wasnt born in Georgia, but all my formative years were here. Because we didnt have a lot of extended family. I spent a lot of time outside and we moved from a city to the South, so there were lots of trees and lots of that famous Georgia red clay and, again, because we didnt have a lot of family, I was raised by this network of Southern women that my mother plugged into as she created a life for us here, she said. So, that propelled me to just honor the experience and honor the legacy of Black Southern [women], so I just kind of marinated in it on set. And we were in Jackson, Mississippi. Id been in Mississippi before, but not to spend so much time, so just noticing all those new colors from a different angle, it was a very nurturing experience. I mean, challenging for sure. Its work, theres a schedule, there are demands, but it was a very nourishing experience to be part of the film. Working with Jackson in this way was different in the sense that they were creating a film, but McClure said that a lot of it still revolved around poetry. Ive been reading Ravens poems for almost a decade and talking to Raven through poems, and in this atmosphere, in a way, it was very familiar, she said. You know, for me it started with the script, it started with the language of the script, and it did feel like, OK, this is a line break. The background and the study of poetry allowed me to see the form, the way that the film was moving through its form as well as through its language. It just made it very rich because Im used to the poems being on a page in words, and yeah, they were still; it was still a poem. I read the script the first time and I told Raven, Okay, so you wrote a poem, you know? she continued. But now we have other materials, right? So working with the costume designer, shes a poet, shes thinking about it in materials, in the textiles and colors and shapes. The makeup artists the cinematographer, you know, everyone was. It felt like everyone was in the poem with different materials, so just made it more rich and textured in a different way. It was really amazing to come at it through poetry and have it expand. Jackson also talked about how the other professionals creating the film utilized poetry in their work. The cinematographer and I talked a lot about slant rhymes and how some of the shots of the hands and the embraces like, how are these moments slant rhymes with other moments that help to speak to the relationships and how these relationships are changing and how these characters are changing and their lives are changing, she said. And it was also in the edit. I mean, for me, there are cuts in the film that feel like a line break, you know? Specifically, a poet that was in my mind a lot was Lucille. Clifton. Theres a spaciousness that I find as a reader in her poetry that I thought a lot about, and so I thought a lot about that as well. So yes, poetry was very close to me in the making of the film. I call the scenes with Mack at different ages and experiences portraits, and in the same way, you know, a poet would order the poems and a poetry book and intentionally build an emotional arc to create an emotional experience for the reader. Thats what Im doing with the edit. Some of the poetic moments of the film come from the church scenes, in which hands continue the films narrative refrain of hands being used as linking imagery. The church itself, Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Meadville, Mississippi, has a long history within the community, adding to the films poetic weight. That church has a rich, rich history and, I mean, this film deals a lot with whats passed from generation to generation and stories, you know, and so it was very beautiful to shoot in a church with so much history, Jackson said. It was important to me to invite folks who either went to the church directly or were a part of the community of the church when it wasnt in operation. We have some folks who were a part of the community in that team, and in a film that deals so much with stories thats passed orally, whats passed from generation to generation, it felt really nice to thread other peoples stories and histories into that. Rose Hill Church really is like one of the hearts of the film for me. One of the songs in the trailer, Lord, Im in Your Hand, is sung by Marianne Amanda Gordon, one of the former pillars of the church when it was still in operation. Jackson said the song was one of the synchronicities that helped elevate the poetic nature of the film. The fact that that song speaks about hands and the film, these are things I couldnt have planned for, you know what I mean? she said. Shooting that scene, I thought a lot about community and how we hold each other, and to your point, its mirroring to whats happening outside of the church too. It felt very authentic to these characters and this film, too, that they would have this community that, especially in this moment, this wedding, celebrating them. But also this is a church where, when theyre in deep grief, theres people. Theres a [funeral] scene at this church as well, and when thinking about how are these people supported, how does their community show up for them? Again, I thought it felt authentic to these characters that it would be involving a community of churchgoers as well. The film was supported and produced by Barry Jenkins and his production company, Pastel. Jackson said she first met Jenkins after he selected her as the winner of the Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Residency. She said she submitted for the residency at the last minute, not knowing Jenkins would be judging. Him picking her as the winner was how their paths first crossed. After the film made it further in its development, Jackson and her producing partner, Maria Altamirano, started pitching it to production companies, including Jenkins Pastel. She said they really wanted to bring it to Pastel because they felt it would be a fantastic fit. Once they read [it], they were excited about the project, she said of Pastel execs Adele Romanski and Mark Ceryak. And after we had a conversation, it was clear that these were the right people to move forward on the project with. It excited me that they werent afraid of the risks that I or the film were [making], she continued. They were excited by it and there was a lot of trust in me and the process that Im so grateful for. Barry was really a great collaborator on this film and he really made himself available and was really invested in the film and in being there for me. Im really grateful for that. McClure also talked about Jenkins involvement in the film, saying how Jackson told her how kind and caring Jenkins was to her throughout the film production process. Im a fan of Barry Jenkins work, she said, adding that he was a very warm, kind, welcoming individual in our brief encounter and gentle in talking with [Jackson] in the process. [T]hat was also really beautiful to witness from the side, just hearing how he was really genuinely involved and compassionate and just a human, she continued. I mean I saw Moonlight three times in the movie theater. It was significant to have his support, his resources, his heart on the film as well. She also discussed how leading a film as a first-time actor was a challenge she made sure to rise to the occasion for. I did feel a responsibility because Raven is a dear friend. Its her film, as well as the opportunity to tell this story [and] to illuminate these lives on the screen. I felt a great deal of responsibility, so I made sure I got a good nights sleep and did what I needed to do to take care of myself to show up on set, McClure said. It was also [important] in allowing myself to make mistakes. Like, Im not trained in acting, right? And Im here with professional actors who are amazing so I was a little intimidated. But, you know, to just allow myself to be in the process [was important]. And with Raven, it was such a collaboration. This is someone I can talk to frequently, so also having that communication in that relationship also made it feel like I could just be present and show up and trust myself. Another of the gifts that Raven offered was that she was just like, from the very beginning, If were gonna do this, you have to trust yourself. So exercising all those things made it possible to drown out some of that noise of pressure. Jackson and McClure both have things coming soon for fans, but McClure said that while she has poetry in the works this September with BOA Editions, shes on the lookout for a very specific film to take part in. I think All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is spectacular, you know? I mean, this is me [not counting myself] in it, you know? But just as a fan of Ravens work, a fan of the script, the film, everything that it was calling in, all of that tradition and legacy and experimentation is so engaging on so many levels, McClure said. I still think about the film with questions, right? If Ill be able to find a project similar to that. I feel kind of picky now, so I dont know. Im open though. I am definitely open. The other thing I would say is that it was, again, a collaboration with a friend. I think that experience also would be kind of hard to replicate. So Im not sure what that will look like as a film, she continued. Theres still a bit of a future in poetry. But yeah, Im open [to more films]. I didnt expect to make any film at all, so Im open to whatever. Many families that were displaced or lost their homes in the Smokehouse Creek Fire are starting all over from scratch. Nothing can stop natural disasters but now many Texan families are burdened by financial strife because of no insurance. Those who lost their homes to the wildfires mostly had homes in rural areas outside of the city. According to the Texas Tribune, Texas homeowners who go without insurance tend to be lower-income. Homeowners in the states rural areas are more likely to not have insurance than their urban counterparts, the publication said. Some 11% of homeowners in the states major metropolitan areas don't have homeowners insurance, whereas about 26% of homeowners in rural areas lack it. Track wildfires in real-time: Wildfires burn more than one million acres in Texas panhandle What does homeowners insurance cover? According to the Texas Department of Insurance, home insurance protects homeowners financially if the property is damaged or destroyed by something the policy covers, like a fire or storm. Its not legally required but its best to protect the investment and lenders like to see potential homeowners have it. What are the types of Texas homeowners insurance? The Texas Department of Insurance mentions there are several types of home policies that are combined into one package. Those policies include: Dwelling coverage pays if your house is damaged or destroyed by something your policy covers. Personal property coverage pays if your furniture, clothing, and other things you own are stolen, damaged, or destroyed. Other structures coverage pays to repair structures on your property that arent attached to your house. This includes detached garages, storage sheds, and fences Additional living expenses coverage pays if you have to move while your house is being repaired to fix damages your policy covers. Additional living expenses include rent, food, and other costs you wouldnt have if you were still in your home. Personal liability coverage pays medical bills, lost wages, and other costs for people that youre legally responsible for injuring. It also pays if youre responsible for damaging someone elses property. It also pays your court costs if youre sued because of an accident. Medical payments coverage pays the medical bills of people hurt on your property. It also pays for some injuries that happen away from your home if your dog bites someone at the park, for instance. Texas wildfires: These 7 photos of the Texas panhandle wildfires illustrate just how destructive they are What are the average costs of homeowners insurance? Texas has some of the highest insurance rates in the U.S. According to Nerdwallet, Texas average cost of home insurance is $3,875 per year, or about $323 per month. There are several options for homeowners insurance. The cheapest option is the Armed Forces insurance, which averages out to $1,906 annually but you have to be in the military, a veteran or part of the military community. Heres a look at the average cost of homeowners insurance: Homeowners insurance rates in Texas What do policies cover? There are common probabilities and threats that insurance will and will not cover. Heres what homeowners insurance policies will likely cover according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Fire and lightning Sudden and accidental release of water or smoke Explosion Theft Vandalism, malicious mischief, riot, and civil commotion Aircraft and vehicles Windstorm, hurricane, and hail (but not if you live on the Gulf Coast) Texas wildfires: These are largest, deadliest and most destructive wildfires in Texas, US history What Texas homeowners insurance wont cover? Homeowners might have to purchase a separate policy for the following: Flooding A continuous water leak; policies also wont cover mold removal, except to repair damage caused by a covered risk Termites, insects, rats, or mice Losses that occur if your house is vacant for the number of days specified by your policy Wear and tear Earthquakes or earth movement Wind or hail to trees and shrubs See map of Texas wildfires: The Smokehouse Creek Fire is so big it could cover Los Angeles How to make a claim if you were affected by Texas wildfires If ever in a situation where your home is damaged from a fire, you must act swiftly. There are some steps to follow if you're in this situation, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Document the damage . Take pictures and video of the damage throughout your home if you can. Create an inventory of personal items that were damaged by the fire or smoke. The documentation is needed so you provide proof to an insurance adjuster. Know your living expenses . If you are forced to leave your home, the insurance company should pay for the expenses. You can ask an insurance provider for a cash advance to cover living expenses or document the expenses to include them as part of the claim. The insurance company will only cover the cost of essentials such as hotels, food, clothing, and toiletries. File a claim. Call the insurance provider to start the claims process. The insurance company will send a claims adjuster to your property within two weeks to inspect the damage and estimate the repairs. The insurance company must react to the claim within a reasonable amount of time. If the insurance company accepts the claim, they must give you the money within five business days. If the claim is rejected, the insurance company must provide an explanation in writing. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Does homeowners insurance cover damages due to Texas wildfires? TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Newly-released audio recordings give insight into the Sarasota police investigation into Florida Republican Party chair Christian Ziegler, who was accused of rape. The several audio files were released after police inactivated the case. They did not find probable cause to charge Ziegler with sexual battery. That surprises me: New audio shows how Bridget Ziegler responded to rape accusation against husband Ziegler was accused of recording the encounter on his phone without the victims consent. The video led police to determine that the sex was likely consensual, but he now faces a video voyeurism charge. Sarasota police forwarded a probably cause affidavit to the state attorneys office. The state attorney must decide whether to officially charge him and prosecute the case. After the investigation became public, Ziegler was removed from Florida GOP leadership. His wife, Moms for Liberty founder and Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, was also involved in the investigation. She stepped down from her role at a conservative nonprofit after the investigation revealed she admitted to having consensual threesomes with her husband and the alleged victim in the case. On Nov. 1, two detectives visited Ziegler at his home for an interview. According to the audio recording and transcripts, Ziegler asked the police several times throughout the interview about what is and isnt public record and stressed that he was worried about the public finding out about the investigation. A portion of the interview, which has been edited for time, can be viewed in the video player above. He admitted he was more worried about the publics response to the investigation, rather than the serious accusation itself. Bridget Ziegler and Christian Ziegler So Im chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, so therell be a high public interest in the case. I have to navigate this not just from the fact base, but from also a political, PR angle, Ziegler said at one point in the interview. Im more sensitive about the PR side, the political side, then I am about the facts, he later stated. He repeatedly asked the detectives if he should have a lawyer present during questioning, which is his right. They reminded him they were in his home, and he could ask them to leave at any time. So how does it work if I say Im going to wait for an attorney? Thats probably the best, Ziegler said after attempting to call a woman who did not answer. After discussing the proceedings of the investigation, Ziegler said, This is going to be not good. It sounded like he tapped his fist the table multiple times. At one point, Ziegler considered ending the conversation so he could consult with an attorney. Does that make me look more guilty? Ziegler asked. Transcripts of police interviews with Ziegler can be viewed at the link here: Christian Ziegler seemed more concerned about public perception of rape allegations, transcripts show Detectives simultaneously interviewed Bridget Ziegler that day. In audio recordings of her interview, obtained by WFLA last week, she said it wouldnt surprise her if her husband had an extramarital affair, but the rape allegation was shocking. This is going to be not good: Christian Ziegler seemed more concerned about public perception of rape allegations, transcripts show As the conversation wrapped up, Ziegler became quiet and asked if the victim was okay, or physically injured. A detective replied that she is struggling, but is okay as she can be. Ziegler has faced calls to step down from her school board position since the investigation became public. At Sarasota County School Board meetings, residents accused her of hypocrisy for having sexual encounters with women, as Moms for Liberty championed the so-called Dont Say Gay bill. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Two weeks after facing a backlash when Alabamas Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are legally children, Alabama lawmakers scrambled to put together a new legislation to help protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics from civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution. As Salon previously reported, the February ruling unleashed chaos for families as clinics across the state paused IVF treatments due to concerns about how and if embryos can be discarded, and what happens if transfers fail. It is common for multiple eggs to be transferred and fertilized because not all transferred embryos turn into viable pregnancies. IVF patients usually have a few options for their fertilized eggs that havent been transferred: to discard them, donate them to research, donate them to another couple or keep them for a future pregnancy. But the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling raised questions IVF clinics and patients had never asked before: Could they be sued for manslaughter for discarding frozen embryos? Could patients be sued or criminally prosecuted if their own embryo transfers failed? But last week, Alabama legislators in both chambers passed bills that would give civil and criminal immunity related to IVF providers or those receiving goods or services related to in vitro fertilization; and to provide retroactive effect. This happened after nearly 200 IVF patients filled the Alabama Statehouse pressuring lawmakers to get IVF services restarted as soon as possible, as reported by NPR. On Tuesday, Committees in the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate will gather to debate a legislation to protect IVF providers and patients from civil and criminal prosecution. The next step is to wait for the Republican Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to sign the protections into law. However, as lawmakers gear up to debate the protections, experts tell Salon the bill is political theater, and raise concerns about what the bills do and dont address. There is a much easier way to protect IVF, which is to actually create a privacy right for patients who need IVF, and then protect their access to these services, Daphne Delvaux, an employment attorney and founder of The Mamattorney, a platform educating women on their rights at work, told Salon via email. Instead, what Alabama did is declare embryos as children and then create a law that provides immunity to clinics and providers in cases for wrongful death or harm to an embryo. Delvaux said that the laws are nonsensical and contradictory to each other. If clinics cannot be sued for wrongful death of an embryo, doesn't that exactly prove our point? That embryos aren't children, she said. Because you can still sue for wrongful death of an actual person. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Indeed, a major concern is that the new protections don't address the most problematic part of Alabamas Supreme Court ruling: that frozen embryos are extrauterine children. The mid-February Alabama Supreme Court ruling came from a pair of wrongful death cases brought by couples whose frozen embryos were destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic. A patient allegedly removed embryos from the cryotanks at the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Mobile, Alabama, destroying the embryos of the three couples who were the plaintiffs of the case. The majority opinion said that an 1872 statute allowing parents to sue for the wrongful death of a minor applies to unborn children and that there is no exception for extrauterine children, such as frozen embryos. In Chief Justice Tom Parkers concurring statement, he cited the Book of Genesis. It was the first time the state applied legal personhood rights to an embryo outside of a pregnant persons uterus. This is a good way to ensure that patients who are facing infertility will not have their care interrupted or denied, that's the benefit of this bill, to just give some clarity that providers won't flee Alabama and not provide IVF services, Seema Mohapatra, a health law and bioethics expert at Southern Methodist University, told Salon. But I think that there's a lot of other legal concerns of leaving that a frozen embryo is an extrauterine child. Mohapatra added that its notable that the proposed shield law is the opposite of what the plaintiffs wanted in the first place, too, which was compensation for the fact that their genetic material was destroyed, she said. It's an effort to protect the business of IVF and assisted reproduction not questioning whether an embryo outside the body is a person under Alabama law. Delvaux said she believes the new legislation, despite providing civil and criminal immunity to those receiving goods or services related to in vitro fertilization leaves mothers vulnerable. Its unclear who exactly immunity will be granted to and whether it only protects against actions by the clinics against the patients, or by any third party against the patients. Legal ambiguity, she said, means that lawsuits will still be brought. She noted that the legislature could have easily written "IVF patients," but chose not to be so specific. It also does not protect patients against claims other than wrongful death or damage, like custody claims, Delvaux said. This leaves especially women in abusive marriages extremely vulnerable." When asked what her biggest concern is, she said its that mothers could be sued by abusive men for losing a pregnancy in the IVF process. These men would sue her for wrongful death, on behalf of the embryo, and a discovery process would open, Delvaux said, adding the cross-examination would focus on all of a womans actions during pregnancy what she ate, where she went and who she met. Attorneys charge multiple hundreds of dollars per hour for legal defense. This could push these women into bankruptcy, she said, adding that even the threat of these cases could make women scared and force them to bend to the man's will. Generally, my biggest concern is that it does not protect parents from allegations and attacks by their partners or even other family members, she said. There are no protections when a parent decides to abuse the legal system to rob the other parent of agency about whether they want embryos to be implanted. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A former Air Force Police Officer pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges for submitting fraudulent insurance claims that were worth more than $150,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. According to several court documents, the DOJ says between April 2020 and June 2020, 31-year-old Trevor Miller, a former Air Force Police Officer at Edwards Air Force Base submitted fraudulent claims in several states using his former name of Trevon Rodney. Miller told the state agencies that administer the unemployment insurance system that he claims was unemployed when he was an active Air Force Police Officer the whole time. The claims were worth more than $150,000 and the money was out onto debit cards that were mailed to Miller, says the DOJ. The DOJ says Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Miller faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Donald Trump on Monday drew ridicule and fierce criticism in equal measure after he put an interplanetary twist on his racist rhetoric about immigrants to the United States. During an interview with Right Side Broadcasting Network that was broadcast in front of supporters from his Mar-a-Lago home, Trump claimed there are people who are coming from parts unknown, countries that youve never heard of. Languages that nobody in this country speaks. We dont even have teachers of some of these languages, he continued. Then he asked, Who would think that we have languages that are like from the planet Mars? The line drew a laugh from the audience. Nobody, nobody, knows how to, you know, speak it, Trump added. Trump on immigrants: They have languages that nobody in this country speaks. The languages are from Mars pic.twitter.com/diVfTZ88nU Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) March 5, 2024 Four-times-indicted Trump has regurgitated a similar line of attack on immigrants. Nobody can explain to me how allowing millions of people from places unknown, from countries unknown, who dont speak languages, he confusingly complained during his visit to the U.S. southern border last week. We have languages coming into our country. We have nobody that even speaks those languages. Theyre truly foreign languages. Nobody speaks them, he added. And theyre pouring into our country, and theyre bringing with them tremendous problems, including medical problems, as you know. CNNs fact-checking reporter Daniel Dale, though, at the time said the claim seems to be just conjured out of thin air and is nonsense. Amid record levels of migrants at the border, Republican 2024 front-runner Trump has sought to make immigration a key issue in the 2024 election, which is looking increasingly likely to be a repeat of the 2020 vote between himself and President Joe Biden. Trump has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration and limit legal immigration if he returns to the White House, promising the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. Look, we have to deport a lot of people, and they have to start immediately, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity last week. Local police officers would play a key role in the deportations, he explained. This tracks, for a man who stared directly into an eclipse. Nostradonny (@Nostradonny) March 5, 2024 Donald Trump, in an interview with RSBN, says that some of the immigrants crossing the border are speaking "languages that are, like, from the planet Mars. Nobody knows how to, you know, speak it." Trump often makes similar claims, but this is a new interplanetary variant. Michael Gold (@migold) March 5, 2024 His cheese has slid off the launch pad ~ fucking Mars? Mary Teresa (@HelloKittyDerby) March 5, 2024 Does he think illegal aliens are......aliens????? Rich Goetz (@richard_goetz) March 5, 2024 Pretty sure he couldnt point to Mars on a map of the solar system. Jedi Ghost (@JediCounselor) March 5, 2024 so he thinks illegal "aliens" are Martians. sounds about right $. (@get_ded_) March 5, 2024 Narrator: Theyre not from Mars. Two For Joy (@CKscullycat) March 5, 2024 Related... Former President Donald Trump's lawyers said he shouldn't be bound by a gag order in his New York criminal case over whether he illegally falsified records tied to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump's team made the argument in a Monday court filing that responded to the gag order request from the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump's lawyers said Bragg was seeking an unconstitutional restriction on the Republican presidential frontrunner's speech. "Speech that falls short of incitement may not be silenced solely because it might inspire others to engage in violence or other unruly behaviorregardless of how predictable (or not) those unruly reactions might be," the Trump team wrote. Former US president Donald Trump speaks during a press conference following his court appearance over an alleged 'hush-money' payment, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 4, 2023. The filing comes as Trump nears the March 25 start date for his New York criminal trial, which looks at whether he illegally falsified business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who has alleged she had an affair with the former president. The payment was made by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump has also fought gag orders in his New York civil fraud case and his federal election interference case in Washington, D.C. New York Judge Arthur Engoron issued one of those orders in the New York civil case after Trump, who has frequently attacked judges or prosecutors on social media, shared a post falsely claiming the judge's law clerk was the girlfriend of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Engoron later extended the gag order to Trump's attorneys in that case, writing that his office had "been inundated with hundreds of harassing and threatening phone calls, voicemails, emails, letters, and packages." The request from Bragg seeks restrictions against Trump commenting on potential jurors, on prosecutors outside of Bragg, on potential witnesses, on court staff, and on relatives of the lawyers or staff. Bragg said he modeled his requested gag order on an order in Trump's federal election interference case. A federal appeals court allowed limited speech restrictions in that case that are aimed at protecting witnesses, as well as court and lawyer staff and family members. Contributing: Bart Jansen This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump argued against a gag order in his New York criminal case WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. The Supreme Court made a momentous decision on Monday, but for former President Donald Trump it was an increasingly typical day. More time spent on legal activity than campaigning for another term in the White House. "Never been done in this country," Trump said from his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida after he praised the Supreme Court for ruling states can't remove him from their 2024 ballots. The high court's decision on Monday capped a Super Tuesday campaign in which Trump spent less time shaking hands with voters and more time behind closed doors. The former president has been raising money and meeting with lawyers and campaign advisers, with much of the private discussion devoted to his sweeping civil lawsuits and criminal indictments. It could well be a preview of things to come: Trump is scheduled to stand trial in a hush money case on March 25, just three weeks from Monday. Less time campaigning and more time in the courtroom? Trump has only held two campaign rallies since his Feb. 24 victory in the South Carolina primary, both on Saturday in North Carolina and Virginia. He did visit the southern border on Thursday to promote his immigration agenda. But he turned around on Friday to attend a pre-trial hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, in the case accusing him of mishandling and hiding classified documents. After all, the former president must figure out how to pay more than a half-billion dollars in damages in a civil fraud trial and two defamation trials in which columnist E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of sexual assault. According to his critics, the money chase explains another distraction for Trump: His efforts to seize full control of the Republican National Committee. Trump allies, including daughter-in-law Lara Trump, are expected to be elected to RNC leadership positions at a meeting in Houston later this week. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and other Republicans say the former president wants to funnel RNC money into his legal expenses, though his aides say they have no plan to do so in the coming months. Will Donald Trump delay his criminal trials? The Supreme Court's decision on Monday lifted one headache for Trump, but that's far from the last legal hurdle he faces in 2024. Trump is preparing for the very real prospect of a hush money trial in New York starting March 25, which he's required to attend. The New York case, which involves paying women to keep them quiet right before the 2016 election, could take up to six weeks, into early May. However, the Supreme Court is currently considering Trump's claim of blanket immunity in his criminal trials. That appeal has already delayed a federal trial, in which Trump is accused of conspiring to steal the 2020 election from President Joe Biden. The former president and his legal team are also backing attempts to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from a Georgia case election case. And Trump is still seeking to push back the classified documents trial past Election Day on Nov. 5. Trump has acknowledged that his campaign schedule and legal calendar are set to collide in 2024, with the former president looking for ways to campaign in and around trial appearances, perhaps on nights and weekends. "I'll be here during the day and campaigning during the night," Trump told reporters after a recent hearing, adding without evidence that "they want to keep me nice and busy so I can't campaign so hard." 'Chaos and division' Haley, Trump's last remaining Republican opponent, has long taken shots at Trump's various legal problems. His one-time United Nations ambassador has told GOP voters that Trump's massive indictments and his potential absence from the campaign trail during trials will cost him and other Republicans victory in November. "Republicans closest to Washingtons dysfunction know that Donald Trump has brought nothing but chaos and division for the past 8 years," Haley said on the social media platform X after winning the Republican primary in Washington. "It's time to start winning again and move our nation forward!" It's not clear Haley's campaign message is swaying Republican voters, however. Seeking to regain the office he lost to Biden in 2020, Trump won Republican races in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and Haley's home state of South Carolina. And despite lawsuits and the prospects of criminal trials, Trump is heavily favored in most if not all of the primaries and caucuses on Super Tuesday. But even if Trump continues to defeat Haley in the coming weeks, those wins may not clear a path heading into the general election. The Associated Press reported that, according to its VoteCast surveys of the first three GOP contests, "2 in 10 Iowa voters, one-third of New Hampshire voters, and one-quarter of South Carolina voters would be so disappointed by Trumps re-nomination that they would refuse to vote for him in the fall." Results and polls from previous contests indicated that Trump has major problems with more moderate Haley voters and independents. Both of these groups could cost Trump a close general election and potentially lead to another loss against Biden. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Greensboro, North Carolina on March 2, 2024. Trump's base doesn't care about trials Trump and aides believe the indictments helped his candidacy - and so do supporters who continue to flock to his rallies, however fewer they may be. On Saturday, outside the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in North Carolina, a massive crowd of supporters assembled hours before Trump arrived for a traditional get-out-the vote rally. Waiting in a line that snaked through the parking lot, listening to a background music soundtrack that mixed country and hip-hop, many supporters of the former president told USA TODAY part of the attraction is Trump's unprecedented legal troubles. They feel a connection and want to rally around him. He needs to stay with that message because I think thats why people are out here, Gilbert Jones, a 70-year-old retired restaurant manager who drove roughly 30 miles from Ruffin, North Carolina, said. Everybody out here has a some point run into some moron in government - even you. Sherri Powell, 62, a farmer who hails from Siler City, North Carolina., stood outside the arena with her husband a good hour and a half before doors opened. She said she prefers it when Trump talks more about solving Americas problems, such as the migrant crisis, rather than his various indictments. As far as the lawsuits, if youre like me and you hang out on a farm, youre not going anywhere and hearing about people being judged improperly, Powell said. Nevertheless, as Trump remains focused on his criminal trials and lawsuits, it looks like he's paying less attention to voters like Jones, Powell and the rest of his base, a risk as the 2024 general election draws closer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump juggles campaign, criminal trials ahead of Super Tuesday In September, a British couple was arrested when their flight landed in Ibiza: theyd been caught having sexual relations in the planes bathroom. The dalliance wound up in the media, the dastardly duo in the hands of justice and their fate on social media, thanks to the various fellow passengers who recorded the moment that the flight attendant opened the bathroom door. But is there a specific regulation or a manual of conduct that provides a protocol for airplane crews in the case of a couple who decides that their plane is the ideal place to make love? Anantxa, a 32-year-old flight attendant, says: Not really. If they are in the lavatory, you have to make sure that there are only two people, because there are only two [oxygen] masks [in case of cabin depressurization]. There have been times when people have tried to get three people into the same lavatory, it happened to us on a flight between Madrid and Santo Domingo. What we do in those cases is kindly invite them to return to their seats, for their own safety, she tells EL PAIS. A 2016 study by JetCost an app that compares flight, hotel and rental car offers found that 14% of Spanish cabin crew members have had sex with a passenger on a plane, a percentage that rises to 21% when they were asked about couplings with fellow crew members. Popular culture has imparted a certain mystique to having sex at high altitudes. In Rich and Famous (1981), it was portrayed as glamorous. In Snakes on a Plane (2006) it was thrilling, and in 365 Days (2020) it was arousing, desirable. A former flight attendant named Mandy Smith, who worked for Virgin, Richard Bransons airline, made it clear in her memoir Cabin Fever that sex on board an airplane is far from limited to the world of fiction. My suitcase was like a traveling sex shop, she confessed in the book. The mile high club To become part of the so-called mile high club, you dont need to pilot a plane. All it takes is climbing aboard a fellow passenger and having sexual relations, at least once. The club even has its own website, where those who have decided that orgasms are better midair proudly share their experiences. One woman named Mrs. Poppy says that her first time on an airplane was with her husband, who was also the flights captain. I was flying to Frankfurt from Colombo with my three children and husband. I have always heard [of] people having sex on board and it was my dream to experience the adventure of making love at 35,000 feet. For our luck [sic] they had the crew rest which each pilot [got] to rest for few hours He took the first lap [] We had amazing sex. Trust me with 300 passengers on board I had to switch my sound of music cos [sic] we had to be decent in an indecent manner. I am glad I did experience [sic] making love on board, she writes. Jacqueline Bissets character in Rich and Famous (1981) has sex with a stranger on an airplane at the beginning of the movie, introducing her to the audience as a modern, free and unprejudiced woman. Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images) Kris Jenner preferred to tell her story directly to Cosmopolitan. I was with [her partner, who would later come out as a trans woman, Caitlyn Jenner] on a commercial airliner in first class. We joined the mile high club and felt we got away with it. We had sex in the bathroom and we came out and nobody said anything. At the end of the flight, the flight attendant got on the microphone, Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Jenner! Youve just joined the mile high club. Were so proud of you, and we decided to give you a bottle of champagne! Yay! I could not squish down in my seat low enough. I was mortified. But why do so many people think that sex in an airplane bathroom, a priori a small and uncomfortable space, is worthy of being attempted and then shared with the world? Adrenaline comes into play, its the risk hormone and is immensely addictive, as it intensifies physical and emotional sensations, says psychologist Lara Ferreiro. Orgasms are intensified because of the low atmospheric pressure, while the sensation of danger excites many. Such are the legions of people who fantasize about having relationships up high that there are now companies that have been formed to take advantage of their desires. The best-known is Love Cloud, a company that offers flights (for now, only in Las Vegas) to celebrate weddings, anniversaries, Valentines Day, birthdays or other special occasions. According to its website, it provides an exclusive escape into the clouds, providing a serene backdrop for love to unfold. Its three packages range from $995 for a 30-minute flight to $1,895 for a one-hour flight. Each passenger receives a card and a certificate signed by the pilot indicating that he or she is now a member of the mile high club. If in the past, having sex on the plane was something to keep secret, today is it worthy of decoration. The Love Cloud company plane, which allows couple to have sex in the air with no worry of legal problems. Love Cloud Although the majority of those who reserve the services of Love Cloud are couples, the company has on occasion been booked by groups of three or four people. In exchange for an additional fee of $200 per person, its possible to bring your polyamory sky-high. On the flights, a mattress on the floor, red satin pillows and a curtain separating the bedroom from the pilot (who wears noise-canceling headphones) sets the scene. In addition, those hiring the service can bring their own playlists for the airplanes sound system. Still not convinced? If despite all this, what you really want is just a simple flight with your partner in a romantic ambiance, sans the exchange of fluids, Love Cloud also offers a romantic date option in which sex is prohibited. Which brings us back to the episode with which we opened this article. As exciting as sex in the air may seem, it is important to take into account the laws of the country where the plane is registered. Prevailing regulation explains the arrest of the British couple: according to Article 71 of the United Kingdoms Sexual Offenses Act, it is illegal to have sex in a public bathroom. In Spain, having sex on an airplane is only a crime if you leave the bathroom door open, as that would incur penalties for exhibitionism and sexual provocation. Anyone looking for sexual turbulence, therefore, must attend to the law. Call it geopolitics, if you will. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Visit the award-winning Tank Museum in the garrison village of Bovington, Dorset, on any given weekend, and you will find scores of families admiring its historical fleets. Top attractions include Little Willie, the worlds first ever working tank from 1915 (its name is believed to be an irreverent sobriquet for the German Crown Prince, Kaiser Wilhelm), Germanys famous Tiger tank, known for its impenetrable armour and powerful gun, plus the A22 Churchill, used extensively in the Second World War and admired for its heavy armour and ability to climb steep slopes. Yet what is perhaps less well-known is the role this rural attraction is playing in the modern-day fight against Russian president Vladimir Putin. Late last year, it dug out long-forgotten manuals, diagrams and documents from its extensive archive on how to repair damaged Soviet-era tanks currently used in Ukraine. It has since passed this specific information to a leading UK defence company, enabling it to make repairs on the tanks tracks or solid chain caterpillar treads that are needed in trench warfare. These new tracks are now out in Ukraine, helping the army keep the Russians at bay in what is now a long, brutal war of attrition. When we were asked to help we immediately went and looked for anything that might be of assistance, says David Willey, curator of the museum. David Willey, curator of the Tank Museum - The Tank Museum UK defence companies are very keen to assist but in some cases the people from the Cold War era are no longer around and knowledge has been lost. Details such as the angles, pitch and tension required for the new tracks were sought and our archive was able to provide them with old manuals and blueprints for the tanks. We also found examples of the actual items required such as T-72 tracks and pins from one of the vehicles in the collection. The new parts could then be made accurately in the UK. A British-made track for the T-72 Since war began in February 2022, the UK has supplied Ukraine with 14 of its top Challenger 2 main battle tanks used in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq. But much of the countrys fleet is composed of ageing tanks from the 1960s and 1970s, when Ukraine was still part of the USSR. These include the MT-LB, a Soviet multi-purpose, fully amphibious, tracked armoured fighting vehicle in use since the 1970s, the BMP-1, the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle of the era, and the T-72, the main Soviet battle tank. But in recent years, many of these have had their tracks damaged by mines, with Ukraine unable to fix them due to lack of manpower. A convoy of Soviet T-72 main battle tanks - Corbis/Getty Images Last year, Cook Defence Systems, based in Stanhope, County Durham, was commissioned by the UK and UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine to supply spares for up to 500 of these Ukrainian armoured vehicles. In order to build new tracks, the company had to use reverse-engineering to deconstruct the design and understand how they were built. Engineers then got in touch with the Tank Museum, asking if it had any diagrams and instructions of how the treads were made in its archive. Willey adds: We have hundreds of thousands of reference documents, diagrams and drawings. Lots of material is squirrelled away, but it didnt take us too long to find what we were asked for. A diagram of the T-72 tracks from the Tank Museum's archive It is all fascinating, and the irony is that the need for these historical documents comes round again and are of contemporary relevance. The company also came and took a link from the track off one of our T-72s. Even then, the company struggled to develop new steel alloys to match the original Russian specifications. We have a long history of supplying tracks for all the armoured vehicles of the British Army and many allied militaries, says Cook Defence Systems manager William Cook, but delivering these contracts for Ukraine has been a very different challenge. We have had limited reference material and we are doing all this with an urgency unknown in peacetime. We know there are Ukrainian soldiers on the front line whose lives depend on what we do. 'There are Ukrainian soldiers on the front line whose lives depend on what we do,' says William Cook, of Cook Defence Systems - Getty Images The war, which has claimed the lives of 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers, has now become a stalemate, which both sides dug into set positions. But Willey says the tanks are needed to bolster defences, act as mobile artillery and be ready to exploit a break-out should the opportunity arise. The tanks are particularly used to shell the enemys position, he says, or when a break-out comes. And he says every tank is of value no matter how old it is. Some of Ukraines tanks were made in the 1950s, but if they still have an engine and a gun, then they are still an effective threat, he says. They may not be at the top end but Ukraine wants every one it can get. There is a requirement to keep as much hardware as they can on the battlefield. It is not the first time the museum has used its expertise and historical stock to help out in more modern warfare. In 2011, the RAF and French air force jets led a mass bombing campaign in Libya, which ended the rule of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The Libyan army mainly used T-54 and T-72 tanks, which the Tank Museum had among its exhibits. It enabled the RAF Tornado jet pilots to fly over them, so as to get used to them by sight. The T-72 in action at the Tank Museum The museum also regularly provides vehicle examples, literature and expertise to help in the servicing and maintenance of British military kit that has been gifted or sold around the world. Willey says: Its surprising how many issues for defence contractors, designers and of course the actual soldiers, come back again and again. Part of the museums role is to help retain corporate memory. The museum, which boasts 300 tanks from 26 nations, also has particularly close links to Ukraine. In recent years, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have received training at Bovington garrison, learning how to drive the Challenger 2 tank, work together and effectively identify and engage targets. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky was shown around Lulworth Camp, which is part of the Bovington garrison, during a visit last February. We regularly meet these soldiers, Willey says. They are a huge mix. Some are very experienced and some are new conscripts. But they are all keen to learn and their heart is in the fight. He adds that he is proud to help in the war, saying: It has been an honour to play a small part in helping our allies in their war against an aggressor. We are duty-bound to support them. Common sense says that we should help allies in trouble. If we dont stand up to this dictator and Ukraine falls, other countries will be next. We have to do our best. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Dothan man is awaiting extradition to South Florida after investigators claimed he was an accessory to murder. According to the Dothan Police Department, on Monday, March 4, investigators from the West Palm Beach Police Department requested assistance from Dothan Police in apprehending Eric Robinson, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Accessory After the Fact to First-Degree Murder with a Firearm. Lt. Scott Owens says Dothan investigators immediately set up surveillance on Robinsons home and arrested Robinson after seeing him walk out of the house. Robinson is being held on the fugitive warrant in Dothan with no bond until he can be extradited to West Palm Beach. WDHN has reached out to the West Palm Beach Police Department for additional information on the alleged murder. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. A Portland trial attorney said Oregon lawmakers' decision to recriminalize drugs could signal a sea change in the deeply blue state. "It's not progressive to just let people rot in gutters," Kristin Olson, trial attorney and host of the Rational in Portland podcast, told Fox News. "Intervention had left the building. Intervention is now back, and I think that's a big deal." A woman and her boyfriend prepare to smoke foils of fentanyl on Jan. 23, 2024, in downtown Portland. Oregon voters chose to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs in the November 2020 election. Three years after the trailblazing law took effect, lawmakers have made drug possession a crime again. CRISIS IN THE NORTHWEST: FENTANYL 'KILLING THE MENTALLY ILL FOR A DOLLAR A PILL' IN STATE WITH LOOSE DRUG LAWS Oregon became the first (and only) state in the nation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of all drugs in early 2021, after 58% of voters approved Measure 110. But as overdose deaths and open-air drug use soared, numerous polls showed Oregonians souring on the law, which many believed would lead to increased treatment for addiction. Instead, the vast majority of those given a $100 ticket for drug possession simply threw the ticket and phone number for an addiction treatment hotline away. House Bill 4002 creates a new misdemeanor drug possession charge and gives those caught with small amounts of substances like meth and fentanyl a choice: undergo treatment or go to jail for up to six months. Treatment includes a behavioral health screening and participation in state-funded deflection programs. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Numerous surveys show Oregonians support re-criminalizing hard drugs and making treatment mandatory, not voluntary, in order to avoid jail time. CRISIS IN THE NORTHWEST: DRUGS LEAVE RURAL AREAS TO ROT IN THE SHADOWS, LIKE PLAYING WHAC-A-MOLE Those convicted of possession could also get their record automatically expunged. Republicans and Democrats originally proposed competing bills, but the final legislation struck a compromise between the two and sailed through both chambers last week. "I'm impressed, actually, with the Oregon Legislature," Olson said. "I really didn't think they were going to compromise on anything." The same legislature has green lit "pretty far left policies" in recent years, Olson said, such as allowing minors to undergo sex reassignment surgery or get an abortion without their parents' consent. A bill passed in 2021 required schools to provide free tampons in all bathrooms, regardless of gender. So dialing back the nation's most progressive drug law is "a huge success," Olson said. "It shows that the Overton window has shifted and the silent majority is silent no longer and the legislature is actually listening to us," she added. WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE The George Soros-backed Drug Policy Alliance, which poured millions of dollars into the campaign for Measure 110, blasted lawmakers for blaming the law "for their failures to address the housing crisis," overdoses and other "public suffering." "Recriminalizing drugs won't solve the devastating public suffering crisis in OR," the alliance wrote on X. "Instead, its likely to increase preventable overdose deaths & expand racial disparities in incarceration rates, making it harder for Black, Brown, & poor communities to access life-saving services." The Drug Policy Alliance did not respond to requests for an interview. The state's ACLU said "lawmakers knowingly took us backwards" by choosing "to send our most vulnerable neighbors to jail instead of treatment," and an Oregon nonprofit supporting incarcerated people has already warned it may go to court to block the bill. Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, has not said whether she plans to sign the legislation, though she previously stated she was open to recriminalizing drugs as long as the legislature's main focus was on expanding treatment options. CRISIS IN THE NORTHWEST: ARE VOTERS 'BEYOND A TURNING POINT' AFTER DECADES OF PROGRESSIVE POLITICS? While many lawmakers blame Measure 110 for the staggering rise in overdose deaths in Oregon, researchers, including Dr. Alex Kral from RTI International, found no connection. Oregon's spike in overdose deaths coincided with the arrival of fentanyl on the West Coast around 2018, and the start of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns in 2020. "From a scientific perspective, it certainly seems like M110 hasnt made things worse with crime or overdose deaths," Kral told Willamette Week. Reported drug overdoses rose more in Washington (38.27%) than in Oregon (32.85%) from September 2022 to September 2023, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Olson acknowledged that it's difficult to determine the impact of Measure 110 on overdose deaths, but said the law had a devastating effect on families of drug addicts as well as public safety and livability. "We normalized the public smoking of fentanyl," Olson said. "My children are 10 and 12 and they know what fentanyl smells like." A police officer holds a container with a small amount of suspected fentanyl powder in Portland, Oregon. Olson said she thinks it will "take time" to see any effects from the new law, noting the ongoing shortage of police officers in Portland, where the drug problem is most apparent. But she's optimistic about what she sees as a new trajectory for the state. "I think Portlanders are done with all of those kinds of [far left] policies," she said. "Oregonians are done with those kinds of policies. We're recriminalizing drugs. We're hiring all the police officers we can get our hands on." Original article source: Drug recriminalization could signal cultural shift in progressive state, Portland trial attorney says A sweep of a detention center in the Inland Empire resulted in the discovery of narcotics, weapons and other dangerous contraband over the weekend, officials said. Narcotics detection canines and narcotics division personnel conducted the facility-wide search of the West Valley Detention Center on Saturday, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department stated in a news release. The operation was successful in recovering weapons and dangerous contraband from inside the jail facility, the Sheriffs Department stated. In addition to finding weapons, canines successfully alerted the presence of narcotics within several pieces of mail sent to inmates and drugs that had made it inside the inmate housing unit. The investigation is ongoing pending further analysis to determine the type and quantity of narcotics recovered, the Sheriffs Department stated. The West Valley Detention Center located in Rancho Cucamonga was opened in 1991 and is one of the largest county jails in the State of California, the Sheriffs Department says on its website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Selman Turk is facing jail after he was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to provide details of a string of payments Sarah, Duchess of York has praised a kind and supportive banker who paid her family 1.4 million he allegedly stole from a Turkish heiress. The letter from Sarah Ferguson to Selman Turk was revealed as he was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to provide details of a string of payments and was warned that he is facing jail. The Duke of York, 63, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, 64, and their daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, received payments totalling 1.4 million out of the more than 40 million Turk is accused of stealing from Nebahat Evyap Isbilen. In 2019, when the payments were made, the Duchess wrote to Turk telling him that she wished to honour him with a dinner at Royal Lodge, the home she shares with her ex-husband on the Windsor estate. The Yorks have now agreed a private settlement with Mrs Isbilen, 77, which will keep them out of the complex legal case in which Turk and various offshore companies are being sued. But High Court judge Sir Anthony Mann who has never been shown the full settlement said that it must be treated with caution and noted that something odd was going on with the payments. Lawyers for Mrs Isbilen argue that some of the payments were part of a scheme between Tarek Kaituni, a convicted Libyan gun smuggler who had links to Colonel Gaddafi, and Turk to get moneys to the Duke of York. The nature of the relationship between the Prince Andrew and Duchess and Turk, or the reason he gave them money, remain unclear. It is not alleged that the Yorks were aware the money was stolen and they are not accused of any wrongdoing. Sarah, Duchess of York, wrote to Selman Turk in 2019 telling him that she wished to "honour" him with a dinner at Royal Lodge Sir Anthony found Turk guilty of contempt after he failed to comply with an earlier court order that stated he had to disclose details of a number of transactions, including some of the payments to the Yorks. Sentencing was adjourned until Wednesday to allow Turks lawyers to explain to him the full details of his 109-page judgment. I think it is undesirable and unfair to send a man to prison as that is the prospect he will face when he does not understand fully the judgment, Sir Anthony said. Mrs Isbilen hired Turk, a former Goldman Sachs banker, to help transfer her assets out of Turkey, where her husband, a wealthy MP, is a political prisoner. She has alleged that he tricked her into making one payment of 750,000 to the Duke, after claiming the Royal had helped to secure her a passport. The money was transferred nine days after Turk won an award for his digital bank business idea from Pitch@Palace, the Dukes Dragons Den-style initiative, at St Jamess Palace. The Duke paid the money back when court proceedings were first issued. Turk says that it was a gift to the Duke of York on his daughters wedding that he admits arranging but says that he did so on Mrs Isbilens instructions. The York payments included unexplained instalments adding up to 350,000 to the Duke, 225,000 to the Duchess and 25,000 to Princess Eugenie. The Yorks have agreed a private settlement with Nebahat Evyap Isbilen, the Turkish heiress at the heart of the legal case against Turk - CHRIS JACKSON/AFP via Getty Images In his judgment, Sir Anthony Mann said: There is no doubt that there was some sort of relationship. In his cross-examination Mr Turk claimed to have visited them 20 or 30 times (reduced slightly in a later answer). On 13th October 2019 the Duchess wrote to him (copied to Mr Kaituni), saying: Dear Salman, I am Sarah, the friend of Tarek. You have been incredibly kind and supportive and I wish to honour your support and care. Would you be so kind to help and I would be delighted to invite you and Mrs Turk to dinner at Royal Lodge. Mr Turk was sure that he had met the Duchess many times before this email but was unable to explain why, if that was the case, the Duchess felt the need to introduce herself in that manner. The nature of the support was not investigated before me. He noted that the weight of the settlement on his judgment was limited as there had been no formal steps taken to introduce it as hearsay evidence and no supporting material from the participants was available. Sir Anthony said the agreement was far from conclusive or weighty enough to establish guilt and one does not know why the parties were keen to acknowledge Turks knowledge of the transactions, adding that the agreement must be treated with caution. The payments to the Duchess began in August 2019, just three months before the Pitch@Palace event, and were said to relate to her work as a brand ambassador for solar power firm, Pegasus Group Holdings, with which Mr Turk has no obvious connection. Salman Turk at Pitch@Palace, a Dragons' Den-style initiative, at St James's Palace where he won an award for his digital bank business idea Payments were made through Alphabet Capital Ltd, owned and operated by businessman Adrian Gleave, 52, who made his name running caravan parks, which it was said in the judgment had previously made, and might in the future make, substantial payments to HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York. Payments to the company would enable it to make substantial further payments to HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of York, according to the settlement agreement between the Yorks and Mrs Isbilen which has also been signed by Mr Gleave. Sir Anthony noted: Something odd was going on here, and I have found it to be the case (as accepted by Mr Turk) that Alphabet was used as a vehicle for getting money to the Duchess, but it is not clear, beyond reasonable doubt, that there was an overall scheme of Mr Turk to use Mrs Isbilens money to pay the Duke of York. That may well become more apparent at a trial, but it is not sufficiently apparent on this application with its more limited evidence and its high standard of proof. A date for the trial relating to the fraud has not yet been set. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A complaint about slow service at a Dunkin Donuts ended with one of the employees chasing the customer in traffic, firing shots at him, according to investigators in North Carolina. It happened Saturday, March 2, at a Dunkin in the Wesley Chapel area, and the customer escaped injury, the Union County Sheriffs Office reported in a news release. Wesley Chapel is about 20 miles southeast of uptown Charlotte. This incident began when the (911) caller, a restaurant customer, expressed dissatisfaction with the restaurants service speed and requested a refund for his meal, the sheriffs office said in a March 4 news release. A verbal altercation then occurred between the caller and a Dunkin Donuts employee. ... The caller then left the store and drove away in his truck. While driving down Weddington Road, the caller reported that (the employee) began following him and drove into oncoming traffic, pulling alongside his vehicle. At that time, (the employee) presented a pistol and fired multiple shots into the callers truck, officials said. The customer escaped injury and reported the incident to the sheriffs office. Deputies found the 18-year-old suspect driving his car near the area where the shooting had just occurred, officials said. A brief pursuit occurred when the suspect refused to stop, but his vehicle came to a halt when it crashed in a field, officials said. He then surrendered without incident. A search of his vehicle yielded the discovery of a semi-automatic pistol with an altered serial number and additional evidence of the shooting, the sheriffs office said. The suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of felony discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, felony fleeing to elude arrest, and possessing a firearm with an altered/damaged serial number, records show. Bond was set at $4,000. Irate Dunkin customer uses hot coffee to blister face of employee, Florida cops say Topless bar employee slaps and spits on customer for not tipping, Florida cops say Refund demand at Wendys drive-thru escalates to death threats, Florida deputies say Dunwoody police are looking for a sexual assault suspect. Darin Pyatt, 20, is wanted for four sexual assaults in the Perimeter area between June 29, 2023, and Feb. 27, 2024. Pyatt has mid-length dreads with both sides of his head shaved. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He was last seen wearing a black letterman-style jacket with white sleeves with Chicago Music House on the back. Police did not give details of the assaults or say where they happened. If you have seen him or have information on his location, you are urged to call Detective Robert Ehlbeck at 678-382-6925 or email robert.ehlbeck@dunwoodyga.gov. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The Baltimore Highlands home where three people were killed in a fire last week did not have a working smoke alarm, fire officials said. City records also show the homes owner failed to renew his rental license after it expired in November, a process that would have required checking for working smoke detectors in the rental. Baltimore Fire Department spokesperson Kevin Cartwright said Monday that the rowhouse where a family lost an 8-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl and a 22-year-old man in a fire last week did not have a working smoke alarm. Unfortunately, the lack of this early warning notification perhaps contributed to their demise and limited their ability to escape safely, Cartwright wrote in an email to The Baltimore Sun. Lucias Islas, president of Comite Latino de Baltimore and an advocate who has been supporting the family, confirmed that the home did not have a working smoke detector. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, which began early in the morning of Feb. 27 and displaced 19 people from the 3400 block of East Lombard Street. The boy and girl who died were siblings. Their cousin, the 22-year-old, was the father of a small child. All three will be buried in Guatemala, where the family is from, advocates who have been aiding the family said. The Breath of God Lutheran Church is accepting donations to support that family and others the blaze displaced. Fire that killed three spotlights unique vulnerabilities facing Baltimore immigrants City records show the home where the fire began is owned by an LLC registered to Kevin Agahi, who did not return phone calls Friday and Monday. Tammy Hawley, a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, said that the property had been appropriately registered previously, but the owner had failed to renew the rental license. According to a notice dated Thursday, housing inspectors found after the fire that the home is no longer fit for human habitation. Baltimore City rental properties must pass a basic safety inspection check for owners to obtain a two-year license. The checklist for rental license inspections requires that smoke detectors are properly installed and operational. Cartwright said Monday that he did not know whether the adjoining homes had working smoke alarms. Other homes damaged in the fire appeared to have current rental licenses, according to city records. Agahi owns other rental properties with up-to-date rental licenses. According to a January 2023 report by Southeast Community Development Corp., 11 of the 25 rental properties in Baltimore Highlands owned by Agahis KFRNA LLC received a total of 35 citations related to trash since 2016. The name Einstein has long been synonymous with genius, but it goes back to a man and his equation, E = mc. In his lifetime, Albert Einstein was the worlds most famous man and most famous Jew and most famous refugee (the last two being connected, as he had to flee his native Germany when the Nazis took power in 1933). Time magazine selected him as the Person of the Century. He even has a part in the film Oppenheimer. But with Einsteins fame and worldwide acclaim as a man of science, he only bestowed his name to one institution, a medical school in the Bronx, in 1953, two years before he died. It was to be a different kind of med school, open to all students and faculty, regardless of race and religion, breaking with the shameful legacy of limiting Jews and other undesirables from medical schools. Before Einstein, there was Middlesex University in Massachusetts, which did not bar students. Yet Middlesex failed and its campus was taken over by Brandeis University (which doesnt have a med school). So it was tried again in New York. Founded under the auspices of a Jewish institution, Yeshiva University, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine was nonsectarian from its start and the great physicist freely gave his name. In recent years, Einstein has been part of Montefiore Medical Center, the largest employer in the Bronx. And now, the legacy of Einsteins mission of being open to all has expanded with an extraordinary gift of $1 billion by Ruth Gottesman, who served on the faculty for more than 50 years and is chair of the board. The money, the largest donation ever to a medical school, will make Einstein forever tuition-free. The current tuition of $60,000 a year, over four years, has meant that young doctors, MDs and PhDs, were starting their careers with a quarter million dollars in debt. No more. The lectures and the labs will be free to all students. Gottesman, who is 93, is the widow of investor Sandy Gottesman. In 1964, he founded the Wall Street firm First Manhattan and teamed up with Warren Buffet and his Berkshire Hathaway. At around the same time, Ruth Gottesman, who holds a doctorate in education, joined Einsteins Childrens Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center and became a clinical professor of pediatrics, focusing on learning disabilities. Sandy and Ruth both flourished in their pursuits for decades. He died two years ago at age 96, leaving her a bequest of $1 billion to use as she saw fit. She decided to give the mountain of money to Einstein. With such an enormous gift would normally come the donors name on the door, but she refused and even was reluctant to have her gift be public. Indeed, a stipulation of the gift is that Einstein remain the med schools name. And so the promise that Albert Einstein College of Medicine began with is now fully realized. Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Black, white, Hispanic, Asian; people of all types are welcome as students to learn and now there is no financial barrier. The only criteria is that the applicant be someone who will become a good doctor, a compassionate and learned healer for the betterment of all of humanity. Ruth Gottesman found the perfect place for the money. ___ Bond's play Saved, set on a south London council estate, sparked controversy for its portrayals of violence British playwright Edward Bond, who was known for his social commentary, died on Sunday at the age of 89. The dramatist penned more than 50 plays in his career, including Lear and The Sea. His play Saved, set on a south London council estate, sparked controversy for its portrayals of violence, which initially saw it banned when first staged in 1965. Actor Samuel West described him as "a theatrical giant" in a post on X. "His work was like nobody else's: passionate, serious, principled, anguished, strange, completely original," added West, who performed in Sam Mendes' 1991 production of The Sea at the National Theatre. Bond was born in north London in 1934 and taught himself to read from his mother's shopping catalogues, before quitting school at 15. He said his lifelong love affair with theatre stemmed in part from seeing his sister being sawn in half as a conjuror's assistant at a local music hall. Novelty aside, experiences of wartime society informed his peacetime works of societal and community tensions in a changing world. Bond's incendiary approach, which ultimately saw him fall out with collaborators and cast members, initially helped him make an instant impact as part of the Royal Court theatre's writers' group. His first full play, goadingly titled The Pope's Wedding, opened in 1962 and explored the banality of rural life and growing isolation. But it was Saved, three years later, that really set his reputation and public reaction alight. Its depictions of mindless, frustration-filled urban violence, including a baby being stoned to death in a pram, caused outrage. Looking back on the furore when speaking to the BBC in 2010, Bond said: "When it was produced... the scandal and shock and the horror... people were fighting in the theatre... the abuse in the papers. I used to get letters written in blood and excreta. I was regarded as some sort of moral hyena." The infamous Saved pram scene, once banned, performed in 1972 Defences from Sir Laurence Olivier and other theatre icons failed to stop it being censored by Lord Chamberlain, who refused to licence the play. Paradoxically, this banishment saw the work become a sensation outside the UK, establishing Bond as a "colossus of the world stage", wrote Claire Armitstead for The Guardian. The Royal Court, perhaps spurred by the international interest, pushed forward unapologetically in putting on Bond's next play - the surrealist Early Morning. This escalated shock value further - portraying Queen Victoria as killing Prince Albert and raping Florence Nightingale, as well as delivering conjoined twins. Heaven turns out to be a world of cannibalism. Despite its satirical edge, the rewriting of Victorian monarchy once again incurred the wrath of censors. Showings did unofficially go ahead, however, billed as dress rehearsals. Bond's two censored plays, banned so close in time, worked to force a rethink. Taken together, they are credited with playing a pivotal role in the abolition of theatre censorship by 1968. "It is hard to imagine the explosion of visceral drama in the 1990s - especially the work of Sarah Kane - without his example," said Dominic Cavendish in his obituary for the the Telegraph. Introspective biting underbelly But although these early plays contained a "high quotient of violence", he was neither a "sensation-seeker nor a despairing nihilist", wrote theatre critic Michael Billington in the Guardian. Social themes were evident in his Shakespearean works, including 1971's Lear - a modern rewriting of King Lear. In Bingo, he turned his focus upon the Bard himself, casting Patrick Stewart in the lead role. "Bond's Shakespeare was an unforgettable portrait of the artist as an old man, confronting his ineffectualness in mitigating the world's cruelty", added Billington. When Billington asked if he saw this reflecting his own work, Bond replied: "All I can do is write the best plays I can and keep describing reality as I see it." In his latter years, Bond, increasingly isolated in the UK, taught in France This honesty continued to be his greatest artistic weapon, but arguably also his sharpest career vice. Arguments with institutions, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, saw him walk out over the standard of rehearsals for the 1985 imagining of The War Plays. "The men who run the National and the RSC - I call them the floating dead," he raged. The Royal Court's artistic director, Max Stafford-Clark, would also call him "the most difficult person I have worked with" in a very public spat. Whatever his personal faults, the fiery stage genius remains undeniable. Alongside his stage work, Bond also worked on a number of screenplays, including Blow Up, Laughter In The Dark and Walkabout. The fragile peace maintained by the Agnelli family, one of the richest clans in Italy, has been blown up in recent days. Once again, the closest thing that the southern European republic has to a royal family is back in the public eye. The war is on again. At the center of the familys legal battle which has lasted two decades and is seasoned with power games, intricate disputes in the courts of Italy and abroad, wild ambitions and hurled accusations is (as it has been for years) the distribution of the enormous inheritance left by the patriarch Gianni Agnelli, the vain playboy who reinvented the car company Fiat. He died in 2003. The new chapter in the saga, which corroborates the fact that the wounds never really healed, begins with a legal complaint made by Margherita Agnelli, the daughter of the aristocrat. Its in relation to her son, John Elkann, heir to the family empire, and alleged tax irregularities in the case of the inheritance left by her mother, Marella Caracciolo, who died in 2019. No further details of the accusation have emerged: its only known that the Prosecutors Office is investigating Elkann. Clearly, the fuse has been lit once again between the members of one of the most powerful industrial dynasties in the history of Italy. The eternal war of succession within the Agnelli clan has become a kind of transalpine version of the popular HBO series. Margherita practically excluded from family affairs since Giannis death has been in conflict for two decades with some of her children: John, Lapo and Ginevra Elkann, born from her first marriage to the heir and journalist Alain Elkann. Among other things, she demands that the distribution of her mothers estate also take into account her five other children, whom she had with her second husband, the Russian Count Sergius of Pahlen. These children have traditionally remained out of the spotlight. Following the new complaint, John Elkanns lawyers have rejected accusations of any tax irregularities and have argued that their client has paid all the taxes he owes. In a statement sent to EL PAIS, the attorneys have also criticized the judicial actions that Margherita Agnelli has undertaken over the years: This is a mother who, for more than 20 years, has been persecuting in all judicial instances, while even making the matters public in the press her parents and three of her children. [These children] have been the only ones who watched over the care of their grandmother until her last day, with great dedication. In response, Margherita Agnellis lawyer alleges that her client is only defending herself. On the same day of Marella Caracciolos death, John Elkann alongside his two siblings [Lapo and Ginevra] opened legal proceedings in Switzerland against his own mother, even before any dispute had arisen over his grandmothers inheritance [and] without even any will having been published on that date, he explains, in a note sent to this newspaper. In 2003, when Avvocato (the nickname by which everyone knew Gianni Agnell) died, a fierce struggle for inheritance broke out within the family. After a year of arduous negotiations, Margherita Agnelli signed an agreement by which she renounced the shares of the family company, which, at that time, was staring into the abyss. Today, however, the firm has become a prosperous colossus. In exchange for giving up her shares, Margherita was said to have received a significant sum of money: around $1.3 billion. When this took place, the shares in the company passed from her mother, Marella, to her firstborn, John Elkann, the heir to the empire, who is currently president and CEO of the family business group, Exor. Most of the properties also passed into his name. Years later, however, in 2021, Margherita challenged that agreement, because she considered that the amount she received had been inadequate. She claims that it was too low, when taking into account how the shares rose in value. John Elkann is now accusing his mother of trying to take advantage of the good economic performance of the family group, today a prosperous conglomerate that, among other brands, includes large stakes in Ferrari and Fiat. He argues that, when Margherita signed the agreement, the firm was going through tough times. He reproaches her for not caring about the future of the company, only to later claim the part of it which she had renounced. Its worth highlighting that Margherita Agnelli evidently taking into consideration the critical and uncertain fate of the business activities of her son [and his siblings] decided, in 2004, to monetize her part. [She has then tried] to paradoxically benefit from a new increase in assets derived from the success of Fiats relaunch plan, to which she hadnt contributed at all. As a mother, she should be happy and proud, since her son had been the main architect [of the turnaround], Elkanns three lawyers point out. Margherita challenges everything even going so far as to breach the signed agreements to not recognize her parents will, they add. Margherita Agnelli and Sergio de Pahlen, photographed during the funeral of Marella Agnelli, on February 25, 2019, in Turin, Italy. Stefano Guidi (LightRocket via Getty Images) Sources close to Margherita Agnelli tell EL PAIS that its not that Margherita signed the agreements and then, the next day, began to challenge what she signed. Rather, three years after the agreement, in 2007, she discovered that her mother had a fortune in Switzerland of hundreds of millions of euros that didnt appear in the official accounts. [Also, many of] her fathers assets hadnt been included in the distribution [when he died]. That year, she filed a lawsuit in court to clarify the full contents of Gianni Agnellis estate, but it was dismissed. The Elkann brothers lawyers highlight that, so far, all of Margherita Agnellis legal initiatives havent been recognized in any court, neither criminal nor civil. They point out that the mere fact of being investigated by the judicial authorities a situation that John Elkann finds himself in today doesnt imply any responsibility. Formal charges havent been filed. The lawyers emphasize that, in the past and always in the context of the battle for a larger inheritance Margherita was also investigated along with her Swiss lawyer for an extortion attempt, which was reported by another lawyer who complained of having been subjected to strong pressure to induce him to make statements that were favorable to her in the case of the succession process. [He was threatened with being subjected] to a complaint for tax evasion. The Elkann lawyers indicate that this case was subsequently dismissed. Margherita Agnellis entourage tells EL PAIS that the judicial route isnt the most appropriate to resolve family issues, but Margherita has been forced to proceed along that path, because she was the first to receive a court summons. And they insist that, for Margherita, its important that all of her children are treated equally in the distribution of the inheritance. The other children [with the last name Pahlen] shouldnt have been separated from her; theres no evidence that Mrs. Marella has specified anything of the sort in her will. The Elkann brothers express, through their lawyers, that theyre experiencing grief and pain as a result of their mothers accusations. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Edward Bond, the playwright and poet, who has died aged 89, was the most controversial of all the new writers in the British post-war dramatic revival. A moralist whose plays were often morally obscure, a dramatist who wrote in fragments so brief that they defied directors to achieve a coherent dramatic rhythm, and a Marxist who seemed able only to demonstrate what was wrong with the non-Marxist world rather than suggest an alternative, Bond became in the 1960s one of the most fashionable discoveries of the English Stage Company at the Royal Court since John Osborne with Look Back in Anger a decade earlier. If Bonds visibility in British cultural life faded over time, he remained a prolific dramatist with more than 50 plays to his name and he was accorded respect in continental Europe while remaining much venerated by academics and other playwrights here; his influence was detected most notably in the 1990s in the work of Sarah Kane, another playwright whose earliest work caused outrage. Edward Bond (1978): 'Violence shapes and obsesses our society, and if we do not stop being violent we have no future' - Radio Times He was an almost constant thorn in the side of the official stage censor from the start, and his plays zealously supported by the Royal Courts director William Gaskill were as challenging for the ordinary playgoer to enjoy as for the Lord Chamberlain to approve. No other playwright of the dozens discovered by the Royal Court from the 1950s exercised more persistently the so-called right to fail with which the English Stage Company would justify its presentation of works of limited interest. The plays never strongly took the public fancy, probably because they affronted sensibilities in their portrayal of violence and cruelty, defied Aristotle with their truncated scenes, espoused a Brechtian theory that the audience should be kept on the intellectual alert by the dialogue and structure, and avoided attractive characterisation. But the fact that the Royal Court could continue to present such an assertively unpopular author became a credit to the English Stage Companys policy. It could rise above market forces, public taste and censorship. Indeed it was Bonds plays which directly led to the abolition of the Lord Chamberlains office. Several of the early plays were so provocative in their representation of sex, violence and the Royal family that they could only be acted in what were known as club conditions, to which the censor traditionally turned a blind eye. This was the means deployed to present the uncompromising Bonds most famous piece, Saved (1965), which caused a furore by depicting a baby in its pram being stoned to death in a park by a group of adolescents. The baby stoning scene from Saved at the Royal Court in 1969, in its first full public run after the abolition of censorship - Alamy Despite avoiding a public premiere, those involved were still prosecuted; they were found guilty and fined, paving the way for a showdown over Early Morning (1968). In this surrealistic fantasy, Bond concocted such an impishly puerile world of reversed Victorian values that Queen Victoria had a sexual relationship with Florence Nightingale (who changed sex twice), her husband and children on arrival in heaven displayed cannibalistic appetites, and Gladstone lectured the workers on how to kick down their opponents. Early Morning was the last play the Lord Chamberlain banned, but it was produced despite that; the end of his rule had been hastened by the prosecution for Saved, which spurred a parliamentary review of the law, resulting in the abolition of censorship in the 1968 Theatres Act, after 231 years. Bond continued to disturb his audiences. In a version of Shakespeares King Lear re-titled Lear (1971), a sequence in which the King himself was blinded was staged with such realism in a 1980s revival at the Barbican by the Royal Shakespeare Company in its studio The Pit that spectators, including critics, fainted when a medical machine for removing eyes went slowly into apparently visible action. Nauseated playgoers, leaving the small auditorium during the performance, collided with others on their way back in a narrow passage-way also being used by the actors so that entrances and exits were interrupted. Bond insisted that the nastier side of his plays had a valid political purpose The shock is justified by the desperation of the situation or as a way of forcing the audience to search for reasons in the rest of the play Its only because I feel it is important to involve people in the realities of life that I sometimes use those effects. John Gielgud as Shakespeare in Bond's 1974 play Bingo at the Royal Court - Evening Standard He had his champions, apart from William Gaskill, who eventually gave up directing his plays because they were becoming didactic, a criticism levelled at his later work in general. John Gielgud played Shakespeare in Bingo (Royal Court, 1974), which depicted the playwright as a rapacious landlord in comfortable retirement at Stratford-on-Avon. The Fool (Royal Court, 1975) portrayed the poet John Clare as a long-suffering artist from the working class. Confirming Bonds prestige, in 1978 the National chose The Woman, about the Trojan Queen Hecuba and her struggle against the Athenians, as its first new play for the Olivier auditorium, with Bond himself directing his echoes of Euripides. His epic trilogy, The War Plays, looking at the moral quandaries faced by those living in an age of potential nuclear annihilation, was staged by the RSC at the Barbicans Pit in 1985. And in the early 1990s at the National Judi Dench performed his most easily enjoyed comedy, The Sea, playing, wittily, the matriarchal Mrs Rafi. All his work was based on the same analysis: he took the view that society was a product of repression and the aggression which resulted. He said: I write about violence as naturally as Jane Austen wrote about manners. Violence shapes and obsesses our society, and if we do not stop being violent we have no future. Judi Dench (Louise Rafi) in The Sea at the Lyttelton Theatre - Donald Cooper/Alamy Born of working-class London parents on July 18 1934, (Thomas) Edward Bond grew up in Holloway; despite being evacuated as a child during the war he was present during the bombing of the capital in 1940 and 1944, a formative exposure to violence. He was educated at Crouch End secondary modern, leaving at 15 to work in factories and offices before his National Service in the Army, joining the occupation forces in Vienna between 1953 and 1955. After writing plays and poetry in his spare time, he had his first stage work, The Popes Wedding, acted on a Sunday night at the Royal Court in 1962. It dealt, almost cinematically in its episodic style, with a young man who left his rowdy friends to take up with a hermit. After becoming a play-reader for the English Stage Company, Bond joined the Royal Court writers group. Saved, his second play, set in South London, brought him fame not only for its detailed picture of a joyless working-class family in which a young couple engages in sporadic attempts at sexual intercourse in the living room, but also for that street scene in which louts begin idly throwing stones into a pram until they realise that they had killed its tiny occupant. This prolonged act of simulated violence was described by many critics at the time as gratuitous, but has since come to be regarded as a landmark moment in post-war drama. Bob Peck (Lear) and Mark Rylance (Gravedigger's Boy) in Bond's Lear for the RSC at the Other Place, Stratford, 1982 - Donald Cooper/Alamy Following on from the controversy over that and Early Morning (1968), Bonds fourth play, Narrow Road to the Deep North (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 1968) was a political and moral satire about imperialism. After Black Mass (1970), which contributed to a commemoration of the Sharpeville massacre, and Passion (Royal Court, 1971), in aid of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, came Lear (1971). This subversive take on Shakespeares original showed the tyrannical king becoming a radical opponent of the regime he helped usher in. After such darkness the relatively genial comedy The Sea (Royal Court, 1973), set beside the seaside before the First World War, provided a welcome change of tone. Work with students in Birmingham and the North yielded a number of plays, the most notable being The Worlds (1979), which, drawing on the unrest of the time and marking a shift towards more radical politics, justified the execution of businessmen by terrorists, arguing: Were all terrorists. Every one of us. Bond, centre, in 2007 with high-school pupils in Lyon: 'I love writing for the young,' he said. 'They're not interested in plays about paying the mortgage. They're interested in the universe and the kitchen table' - AFP PHOTO/FRED DUFOUR Back at the Royal Court in 1981 Bond wrote, with Nick Bicat, Restoration, a play with music satirising Restoration comedy and pointing up comparisons with the ongoing class system. Summer (1982), a play for Europe set in socialist Yugoslavia, was staged at the National Theatres Cottesloe. The War Plays (1985), which he directed himself, reflected a period of growing antagonism with theatre institutions; he left rehearsals before the premiere and criticised the production, severing his connection with the RSC. This period of estrangement lasted until 1996 and the RSCs staging of In the Company of Men, inspired by Bernard Shaws satire on the arms industry Major Barbara. Nevertheless, Bond became the great outsider of British theatre writing plays in the knowledge that they would not be staged here except by amateur companies. Like Shaw he expended considerable intellectual energy on writing prefaces to work, and arguing his theories in essays and other writings. He also worked on film screenplays including Blow-Up, Walkabout and Nicholas and Alexandra. From 1997, he envisaged dystopian societies in plays such as Coffee, The Crime of the Twenty-First Century, Born, People and Innocence; these were championed in France by director Alain Francon to such an extent that Bond dubbed the group of work The Paris Pentad. Edward Bond in 2008: he wrote and directed his final play, Dea, in 2016 - Eamonn McCabe/Popperfoto Some of this work and other plays was presented by the Birmingham-based theatre-in-education company Big Brum, which Bond regarded as a crucial artistic relationship; 2012 saw it mount two premieres: The Broken Bowl and The Edge. I love writing for the young, he said. Theyre not interested in plays about paying the mortgage. Theyre interested in the universe and the kitchen table. Signs of British theatres continuing admiration for him were apparent in his later years. Lear was staged at the Crucible in Sheffield in 2005. Restoration was toured in 2006 by the Oxford Stage Company; and in 2008, Jonathan Kent revived The Sea at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, though the author disapproved, preferring an earlier revival at Chichester. As a consequence, that shows director Sean Holmes was allowed to present the first London production of Saved for 27 years in 2011 at the Lyric Hammersmith. The play is more relevant now. Im certain of that. Theres a huge hollowness in our society, he said at the time. Fifty years after Saved, he was still pushing things to extremes with his final play, Dea (2016), a three-hour catalogue of horrors, loosely inspired by Medea; he directed it himself at the Secombe Theatre, Sutton. Remaining wary of the institutions he had once been attached to, Bond refused, for instance, to take part in the Royal Courts 50th anniversary celebrations in 2006. Despite his reputation for truculence of personality and bleakness of dramatic vision, to regard Bonds artistic project as consumed by negativity would be to misunderstand him. If youre going to despair, stop writing, he told the Guardians Michael Billington. If my plays are staged and acted in the way in which they are written, what comes across is a colossal affirmation of life. Edward Bond married, in 1971, Elisabeth Pable; she died in 2017. Edward Bond, born July 18 1934, died March 3 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The City of El Paso announced Frontier Airlines will be adding two new routes at El Paso International Airport. Starting this summer, travelers can choose new nonstops to Ontario, California and San Diego, according to the City. Frontiers new service to Ontario will start on May 17, with flights operating three times a week. Nonstop flights to San Diego will begin on May 16, also with a three-times-a-week frequency, according to the City. Additionally, Southwest Airlines Chicago Midway service and Delta Airlines addition of a third flight to Atlanta are both set to start this summer, according to the City. The announcement of these new routes comes just after the start of Southwest Airlines Long Beach, California, and Orlando services this past fall. These new routes complement Frontiers existing service from ELP to Denver and Las Vegas. While Ontario is part of the Southern California market already served by Southwest (LAX and Long Beach) and American (LAX), the addition of Frontiers flights offers travelers more choices to fly. Similarly, San Diego, currently served by Southwest with daily flights, will benefit from increased options with Frontiers service, the City said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America will supply the U.S. Army shot-spotting sensors that can be mounted to watch towers, surveillance aerostats, unmanned vehicles and more. Logos Technologies announced a $19.4 million deal for its Serenity hostile fire detectors late last month. The five-year arrangement also accounts for maintenance and operation costs across U.S. Africa Command. Serenity combines electro-optical and acoustic sensors to pinpoint the origin of weapons fire and explosions as far as 6 miles away. It can be paired with a wide-area motion imagery, or WAMI, device to document swaths of land over extended periods of time. Serenity can cue the WAMI system to a particular area of interest say, the location of an enemy mortar team and then the WAMI system can track their movement across the battlefield, as well as go back in time and discover their initial staging area, Doug Rombough, vice president of business development at Logos, said in a statement. Serenity systems are already used by U.S. troops, Rombough added, and a quickly deployable version for international forces is under consideration. The Army Research Laboratory is also looking into a smaller version of Serenity that can be mounted on a gyrocopter, according to the company. Counterterrorism missions across the African continent involve multiple countries and their forces. The region has been plagued by violent organizations affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. In addition, coups in Mali in 2020, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in 2023 have complicated U.S. Defense Department operations and assistance programs there. Elbit Systems of America is itself a part of Israeli business Elbit Systems, the 21st largest defense contractor in the world when ranked by defense-related revenue. Elbit Systems earned nearly $5 billion in defense revenue in 2022 and about $4.8 billion in 2021, according to Defense News Top 100 analysis. Its Election Day and voters across North Texas are headed to the polls to pick who they want to see on the November ballot. Polls open for the Republican and Democratic primaries at 7 a.m. Tuesday, with the race for president at the top of the ticket. Down the ballot, Democratic primary voters will pick who they want to run for U.S. Senate against all but assuredly Republican incumbent Ted Cruz. Locally, two open Congressional seats have drawn a crowded field of candidates looking to replace longtime Republican Reps. Kay Granger of Fort Worth and Michael Burgess of Lewisville. A full slate of state Legislative races, county positions and judicial races round out the ticket. Heres what voters should know as they head to the polls. Find your sample ballot Sample ballots can be found on the Tarrant County elections website. The Star-Telegram also has an online voter guide offering information on where candidates stand on a variety of policy issues. Are you registered to vote? The deadline to register to vote in the March 5 primaries has already passed, but voters unsure if they are registered can check on the Texas Secretary of State website. Texas voters do not have to register with a specific political party to vote in the primaries. Election Day voting locations in Tarrant County Tarrant County has countywide voting, which means voters can cast their ballots at any vote center on Election Day. Tarrant County Election Departments website includes a list of polling places. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Texas voter ID requirements Voters will need a photo ID when they head to the polls. Eligible ID forms are: A Texas drivers license A Texas election identification certificate A Texas personal identification card A Handgun license A U.S. military ID card with your photo on it A U.S. citizen certificate with your photo on it U.S. passport If a voter does not have one of the eligible forms of photo ID, they can submit a Reasonable Impediment Declaration and provide a supporting form of ID (copy or original). This includes: A government document with your name and address, including a voter registration certificate. A current utility bill A bank statement A government check A Paycheck A Birth certificate What not to bring to the polls Items not allowed at polling places include: Cell phones, cameras and other electronics: Cell phones, tablets and laptops are not allowed within 100 feet of a polling place. Cameras and the recording of video and sound isnt permitted. Campaign clothes: Voters cannot wear clothes related to a candidate, political party or measure thats on the ballot. Firearms: Guns are not allowed in polling places. How to vote by mail The deadline to request an application to vote by mail has already passed. Those voting by mail should send their ballots back by mail (Early Voting Clerk, Tarrant County Elections Administration, PO Box 961011, Fort Worth, TX 76161-0011) or deliver their ballot in person (2700 Premier St., Fort Worth, TX 76111). Ballots must be received by March 5 at 7 p.m. if the envelope is not postmarked. If its postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day, it must be received by 5 p.m. on March 6. It may be safest to deliver the ballot in person, if Tuesday comes and it still hasnt been submitted. Ballots can be tracked on the Texas Secretary of State website. Accommodations for voters Voters with disabilities are legally entitled to equal voting access. Tarrant County offers the HART InterCivic Verity Touch Writer Duo Voting System for those who are blind, have limited vision or who have limited dexterity and need assistance to vote. Those with limited mobility that substantially impairs the persons ability to move around can ask for priority voting and be moved to the front of the line, according to the election office. Voters who have a hard time walking or standing for long periods of time can vote curbside. Voters with disabilities and voters who do not speak English can get assistance at the polls. The person helping them cannot be their employer, agent of their employer or an officer or agent of their union, according to VoteTexas.gov. The assistant must take an oath that they will not influence voters and will mark the ballot as the voter directed. 2024 Primary Runoffs Races where a single candidate doesnt get more than 50% of votes will head into a May 28 runoff. Early voting starts May 20 and runs through May 24. Useful contacts and websites Tarrant County Election Office Phone: 817-831-8683 Vote by mail: votebymail@tarrantcountytx.gov Register to vote: voterregistration@tarrantcountytx.gov Texas Secretary of States Office Election Day is upon us, bringing with it plenty of ways to cast your ballot and the chance to flaunt an I Voted sticker. As of Monday, about 48,000 ballots had been returned to the Elections Office, which makes up about 27% of the total sent out, according to San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. This year, voters will have the chance to choose a representative for District 5 on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors and judges for San Luis Obispo Superior Court, along with picking candidates to progress to the November general election for Congress, president and the California State Assembly and State Senate. If youre one of those who have waited to vote until Election Day, you can still return your mail-in ballot at one of the countys official drop boxes or at the SLO County Clerk-Recorders Offices in downtown San Luis Obispo and Atascadero. You can also vote at your polling place. Heres a look at everything you need to know to vote in the primary. Pete Schwartz stops to drop off his ballot while bicycling on his way to the Cal Poly physics department. Ballots were being collected at the San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorders office at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center during the Super Tuesday election on March 5, 2024. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Is it too late to register to vote? The deadline to register to vote was Feb. 20 for the March primary but to all the procrastinators out there, youll still have the chance to cast a ballot. People are still able to sign up for conditional voter registration, also known as same-day voter registration, through Election Day. You can complete conditional voter registration at the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office or a polling place, where youll fill out forms and then be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. Tracy Nelson fills out his ballot at a voting station in the lobby in front of the elections office. Ballots were being collected at the San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorders office at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center during the Super Tuesday election March 5, 2024. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com How and where to vote Voters can return their mail-in ballots by mail, at an official ballot drop box, at the countys election offices in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero or at a polling place on Election Day, according to the release. You can find a list of official drop boxes on the countys website at bit.ly/4aU6hGg. The North County Elections Office at 6565 Capistrano Ave. in Atascadero will be open Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the San Luis Obispo Elections Office at 1055 Monterey St. will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Finally, you can drop off your mail-in ballot or vote with a provisional ballot at your polling place. You can find the location of your precincts polling place listed on your mail-in ballot or online at bit.ly/3T4U6y4. Be sure to complete your ballot with a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink and sign the back of your mail-in ballot envelope before submitting it. Ballots submitted before Election Day will be counted before election night, and then included in the election night tally. Ballots received by the office in the mail after Election Day are counted later, which can take weeks depending on volume. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted. Poll worker Karen Lun is handed a ballot at the drop off point on Monterey St. Ballots were being collected at the San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorders office at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center during the Super Tuesday election March 5, 2024. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Staffing shortage shuffles SLO, Los Osos and Oceano precincts Some residents in Los Osos, Oceano and San Luis Obispo will need to vote at a different polling place than the one that is listed on their mail-in ballot, according to the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office. The Elections Office consolidated three precincts with others nearby due to a staffing shortage. In Los Osos, precinct 213 will be consolidated with precinct 214, the Elections Office said. Instead of being located at Monarch Grove Elementary School, the precinct will be located at Trinity United Methodist Church at 490 Los Osos Valley Road. In Oceano, precinct 411 was supposed to be located at the Oceano Community Center. Instead, it will join precincts 412 and 413 at the Rancho Del Arroyo Mobile Home Park Clubhouse at 2700 Cienaga St. Finally, in San Luis Obispo, precinct 519 was moved from the SLO Veterans Hall to the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. Who is on the ballot? The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors race in District 5 has been the most contested this election, with Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno and Atascadero Mayor Pro Temp Susan Funk competing to replace Supervisor Debbie Arnold on the board. Because only two candidates are competing for the seat, whoever wins the primary election wins the position. The victor will be sworn in as supervisor in January when Arnolds term ends. You can read more about the two candidates here: Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno, left, and Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem Susan Funk are running for the District 5 seat on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors in March 2024. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Meanwhile, Supervisors Dawn Ortiz-Legg and John Peschong are running unopposed to keep their seats in their respective districts. Ortiz-Legg represents District 3, while Peschong represents District 1. Supervisors John Peschong, right, and Dawn Ortiz-Legg listen during the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions meeting at the Board of Supervisors chambers in San Luis Obispo on May 3, 2023. The commission was in town to discuss the potential relicensing and safety of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Six candidates are fighting to represent San Luis Obispo County in the United States House of Representatives. The northern portion of the county, from Atascadero, Cayucos and above, is in District 19 with parts of Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Clara counties. Software engineer Sean Dougherty and small business owner Jason Anderson challenged incumbent Rep. Jimmy Panetta for the District 19 seat. The southern part of the county is in District 24 with Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Public school teacher Helena Pasquarella and campaign data analyst Thomas Cole challenged incumbent Rep. Salud Carbajal for the seat. The top two vote-getters for each race will progress to the November general election, when voters will select their official representative. Lean more about the candidates here: Six candidates are running for Congress to represent San Luis Obispo County. At top, competing for the District 19 seat are, from left, Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Santa Cruz software engineer Sean Dougherty and Atascadero business owner Jason Anderson. At bottom, running for the District 24 seat are, from left, Rep. Salud Carbajal, Montecito campaign data analyst Thomas Cole, and Ojai public school teacher Helena Pasquarella. Five candidates are running for two seats representing San Luis Obispo County in the State Senate. The southern and eastern portion of the county, including the Grover Beach, Oceano, Nipomo, the Carrizo Plain and Cuyama, is now part of District 21 which extends into Ventura County. There, college student Elijah Mack is challenging incumbent Monique Limon. Both candidates will progress to the November general election. The rest of the county remains in District 17, which also includes a portion of Monterey County along with San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. Computer science professor Eric Tao, veterans advocate Tony Virrueta and AV technician Micheal Oxford challenged incumbent John Laird for the District 17 seat. The top two vote-getters will head to a runoff in the general election. Read more here: John Laird, top left, Tony Virrueta, top right, and Eric Tao, bottom left, are running for State Senate District 17, along with Micheal Oxford, not picured. Monica Limon, bottom right, is running for District 21 state senator against Elijah Mack, not pictured. SLO County voters will also notice a California State Assembly race on their ballot. Nipomo shares District 37 with Santa Barbara County, while the rest of San Luis Obispo County falls into District 30 with parts of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. In District 30, broadcast journalist Dalila Epperson is challenging incumbent Dawn Addis for the seat. In District 37, retired business analyst Sari Domingues is challenging incumbent Gregg Hart for his seat. Both races will head to the November general election when voters pick the victor. Learn more about the candidates here: At top, Dawn Addis, left, is challenged by Dalila Epperson in the race for the District 30 state Assembly seat. At bottom, Gregg Hart, right, is challenged by Sari Domingues in the District 37 race. Three positions are up for election to be a judge on the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County. Three judges are running unchallenged for each six-year term. A fleet of new, electric-powered school buses will be coming to Worcester. The school district received nearly $6 million as part of the EPAs Clean School Bus Grant program. They will be able to buy 15 electric buses with the money. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren were in town to celebrate the news. Both lawmakers say these buses will reduce air pollution and help fight climate change. Besides Worcester, the EPA also awarded funds for electric school buses in Boston, Fall River and New Bedford. In total, it will help buy 80 electric school buses. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The mother of Elijah McClain spoke out about the sentencing of one of the Colorado paramedics who was tried and convicted in her 23-year-old sons death. A judge sentenced Peter Cichuniec to five years in prison, which is the minimum sentence for his criminally negligent homicide conviction. Cichuniec and his family begged and cried in court to the judge in a desperate plea for mercy, not for forgiveness. Peter Cichuniec (right) sentenced to 5 years in prison for his role in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain (left) after administering a 500-milligram dose of ketamine to McClain after he was involved in a struggle with police. (Photos: McClain Family/Aurora, Colo. Sherriffs office) Minimum, the bare minimum always? Elijahs mother, Sheneen McClain, questioned reporters after the sentencing. No. We deserve better, we deserve more because we are worth more. Cichuniec and fellow paramedic Jeremy Cooper were both found guilty of criminally negligent homicide last December for injecting McClain with a lethal dose of ketamine in 2019. Cichuniec was also found guilty of second-degree assault for administering drugs without consent. McClain was stopped by police officers on August 24, 2019, in an Aurora suburb as he was walking home after police received a report about a suspicious-looking person. During that encounter, police forced him to the ground and handcuffed him. One officer put McClain in a chokehold that restricted oxygen flow to his brain and caused him to lose consciousness briefly. Im not OK. I never will be, Sheneen McClain told KUSA in an interview. Everybody there that night, even the ones that did not get convicted for my sons murder, even the ones that walked away, even the ones that stood there and watched, theyre all guilty and theyre all scum. Before McClains transport to the hospital, officers held an unconscious McClain down as Cooper gave him a 500-milligram dose of ketamine, a sedative. Cichuniec, the senior paramedic on the scene, told authorities it was his decision to administer the drug. They never asked or consulted McClain about the dose and he went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing just a few minutes after receiving it. He died six days later. No matter who they want to call faulty when its their own actions that killed my son. They had an opportunity to save him. He was speaking, he was talking when they got there, Sheneen McClain said. It doesnt make any sense for them to be so disrespectful to my sons life. McClain was said to be suffering from excited delirium during his encounter with police, a condition that prosecutors argued neither Cooper nor Cichuniec medically evaluated him for. Excited delirium is a condition typically associated with drug use and agitation, aggression, acute distress, and sudden death, according to the Western Journal of Medicine. However, it isnt recognized by the American Medical Association or the American Psychiatric Association, and even the Colorado Licensing Board for Peace Officers voted to remove the term from training documents. Cichuniec faced up to 16 years in prison on the assault charge. The five-year sentence was the minimum the judge could have given him under sentencing guidelines, according to the Associated Press. He was also sentenced to three years probation. Cichuniec as well as his wife and two sons pleaded with the judge to give him the minimum sentence. The paramedic cried in court and told the judge he was begging for mercy. I know this wont sound fair because Miss McClain will never have an opportunity with Elijah, but I beg of you on this sentencing day that you give me the opportunity, judgeto return to my family, to provide for them, Cichuniec said, according to CNN. Cooper will be scheduled to be sentenced in April. Im just so glad its over. I cant even imagine what Elijah experienced, you know. I cant even imagine, McClain said. Im just glad this part is over. Atlanta Black Star reached out to McClains attorney for further comment on the sentencing but has not heard back yet. Randy Roedema was the only police officer involved in the encounter with McClain who was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison and four years probation in January. Elijah McClains Mother Furious With Bare Minimum Five-Year Prison Sentence for Paramedic Who Cried and Begged Judge for Mercy TWO RIVERS Police on March 5 released more details about a vehicle they have recovered as part of an investigation into the disappearance of 3-year-old Elijah Vue. Elijah was reported missing at 10:59 a.m. Feb. 20 from an apartment in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers. Daily search efforts by local, state and federal law enforcement officers have included canvassing of urban and rural neighborhoods; searches of rivers, shores and a landfill in Calumet County; and K-9 teams "checking and rechecking various areas." Police ask public to search security footage on Feb. 19 for a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, biege in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with "A" and end with "0." With the search in its 15th day March 5, Two Rivers Police Department said in a news release a vehicle they recovered a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, beige in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with A and ending with 0 is not owned by either Elijahs mother, Katrina B. Baur, or her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, who have been charged with neglect in relation to Elijahs disappearance. Police ask public to search security footage on Feb. 19 for a 1997 four-door Nissan Altima, biege in color, bearing Wisconsin registration beginning with "A" and end with "0." Police said they want people and businesses in Manitowoc County and those in adjacent counties to check their security camera footage for the vehicle between 2 and 9 p.m. Feb. 19. They said their interest is not with the current owner of the vehicle, only in the camera footage captured Feb. 19. Anyone with information is asked to call the tip line at 844-267-6648 or to upload their video of the vehicle at https://widoj.sharefile.com/remote/801a6dd5-12f7-4d63-95da-4d7db3ec2b85?fbclid=IwAR2MD1rP680oO6KWia0d8KWf3LWkP07-hbe8dHjpuTlEGeIT_vJ6VLE0Jq4. Search for Elijah Vue: People urged to display blue and green as search continues for missing 3-year-old in Two Rivers Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers increases reward for information about the disappearance of Elijah Vue. Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers on March 5 announced it has increased the reward for information about Elijah Vue's disappearance from $1,000 to $10,000. The reward is offered for information leading to the discovery of Elijah or the arrest and charging of anyone responsible for his disappearance, Crime Stoppers said in a news release. The FBI is also offering a $15,000 reward for information, bringing the total reward amount to $25,000. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 920-683-4466 or by using the P3 app. People can donate to a special Crime Stoppers fund for Elijah Vue. A woman leaves the Mikadow Theatre after attending a meeting for people wishing to volunteer in the search for missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Manitowoc, Wis. A special fund has been created by Crime Stoppers for people to add to the reward total in the search for Elijah Vue. Donations can be made in person at the Two Rivers Police Department or by mail to Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers, 1025 S. Ninth St., Manitowoc, WI 54220. All checks can be made payable to Manitowoc County Crime Stoppers, Inc. Donations exceeding $100 will have the option to receive a refund if no tip leads to an arrest and charge. Donations less than $100 will be added to the Crime Stoppers General Fund at the conclusion of the case. Let us stand together, vigilant and determined, until Elijah is safely reunited with his loved ones, Crime Stoppers said in a news release. Your assistance can make all the difference. Law enforcement from across the state continued to search rural areas for Elijah Vue March 5. Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert provided an update on the search for Elijah in a 1 p.m. March 5 news release. The chief said law enforcement from across the state, in addition to the FBI, DCI and DNR, assisted in searching rural areas throughout the county in the morning and would continue to do so in the afternoon March 5. Katrina Baur and Jesse Vang will appear in court March 7 on neglect charges related to the disappearance of Elijah Vue. An apartment complex in the 3900 block of Mishicot Road in Two Rivers was where 3-year-old Elijah Vue disappeared from, as seen Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Two Rivers, Wis. Katrina B. Baur, 31, and Jesse Vang, 39, are both expected to appear in Manitowoc County Circuit Court March 7 as they continue to face child neglect charges related to the disappearance of 3-year-old Elijah Vue. Baur, of Wisconsin Dells, is being held at Manitowoc County Jail on a $15,000 bond and is suspected of felony child neglect in connection with the disappearance of her son. Vang, of Two Rivers, was also arrested and charged with felony child neglect. He's being held at Manitowoc County Jail on $20,000 cash bond. In Wisconsin, the court system requires people to pay the full cash bail to be released from custody. According to the criminal complaint, Elijah was staying at Vang's Two Rivers residence for more than a week before he disappeared while his mother stayed in Wisconsin Dells. Jesse Vang: What to know about Jesse Vang, the Two Rivers man charged with neglecting missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue Do you have information about Elijah Vue? Police describe Elijah as being of Hmong and white ethnicity with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 3 feet tall and has a birthmark on his left knee. He was last seen wearing gray pants, a dark-colored, long-sleeve shirt and a pair of red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes. He may also be carrying a red-and-white plaid blanket. If you have information that could help the Two Rivers Police Department find Elijah Vue, contact their tip line at 844-267-6648 or submit information via the Crime Stoppers app P3. Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews. Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Elijah Vue missing in Two Rivers: Police share more details about car TWO RIVERS, Wis. - The search continues for the missing Two Rivers 3-year-old boy, but police said on Monday, March 4 that they have located a car of interest. Elijah Vue has been missing since Tuesday, Feb. 20. Vue's mother and a man who lived in their home have been charged with child neglect. During the ongoing investigation, Two Rivers authorities said a 1997 beige Nissan Altima, with Wisconsin license plates starting with "A" and ending with "0" has been taken into the polices possession. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Police are also asking that homeowners and business owners review surveillance footage from Feb. 19, between 2-9 p.m. Authorities are reviewing video material beyond the greater Two Rivers area, including neighboring counties. Officials created a link for video submission: https://widoj.sharefile.com/remote/801a6dd5-12f7-4d63-95da-4d7db3ec2b85. Police noted they are expanding their search for Vue with assistance from law enforcement from across the state. Have you seen him? Authorities said Vue's caregiver last saw him at 8 a.m. at his home that Tuesday near 39th and Mishicot in Two Rivers. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a long-sleeved, dark-colored shirt, and red-and-green dinosaur slip-on shoes. Elijah Vue Vue, who is of Hmong descent, is described as 3 feet tall and 45 pounds with sandy hair and brown eyes. Officials said he has a birthmark on his left knee. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 844-267-6648 or 920-686-7200. You can also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. (Bloomberg) -- Democratic senators led by Elizabeth Warren urged top Biden health officials to take a harder line on private Medicare Advantage health plans, arguing that insurance companies annually overcharge the government by tens of billions of dollars. Most Read from Bloomberg The lawmakers asked the administration to ensure funds that are incorrectly going to Medicare Advantage firms go instead to patients and medical providers, according to a letter sent late Monday to the leaders of the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Biden administration has taken unprecedented steps to improve transparency, use taxpayer dollars wisely, promote competition, and make sure people can get the care they need quicker through Medicare Advantage, while cracking down on abusive marketing tactics, an HHS spokesperson said in an email. CMS didnt respond to a request for comment. Medicare Advantage, a private version of the federal health program for seniors, has driven growth and profits across the health insurance industry for years. The private plans covered 31 million people last year and the largest sellers units of UnitedHealth Group Inc., Humana Inc. and CVS Health Corp. enroll about half the market. UnitedHealth, the biggest US health insurer, fell 1.9% at 2:26 p.m. in New York, while an index of five major insurers lost 1.7%. The business is facing fresh challenges, though, with a rise in medical care expenses colliding with federal efforts to tighten some payments. The senators letter highlights increasing concerns about how much the private plans cost taxpayers. Overpayments to plans run as high as $156 billion a year, the senators wrote, citing an analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Congressional advisers at the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission estimate the health program will pay $88 billion more for Medicare Advantage this year than it would cost to cover the same people in the traditional version of the program. For years, the nonpartisan group has called for revamping Medicare Advantage payments. As concerns about Covid infection fade, patients have been returning to hospitals and clinics, leading to higher costs for insurers. Companies have asked Biden officials to boost next years payment rates to take into account those rising costs. However, if the government were to rein in payments, as Warren and her colleagues suggest in the letter, insurers might dial back popular benefits in the private programs. That could lead to an election-year scenario that policymakers likely want to avoid. Medicare Advantage is popular with seniors and has long enjoyed broad support in Congress from both parties. Its plans have more restrictions on care, but often come with lower out-of-pocket costs and benefits the traditional program doesnt cover. The private program has undergone fundamental changes over the past three years, including revised quality ratings along with new rules regarding payments, care authorization and marketing, Mike Tuffin, chief executive officer of the AHIP insurance lobby group said. Meanwhile, seniors use of health care has been spiking, he said in a statement. It is against that backdrop that the Medicare Advantage policies recently proposed by CMS for 2025 must be evaluated, he said in the statement. Warren, who represents Massachusetts, and her colleagues asked CMS to speed up changes that would cut down on insurers misuse of medical codes to increase payments, a practice called upcoding. They also asked for other technical changes that would result in lower payments to Medicare Advantage plans. Other senators signing the letter include Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Richard Durbin of Illinois, Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tina Smith of Minnesota, and Vermonts Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders, an independent. The senators urged agency leaders to scrutinize industry practices that limit patients access to care including the use of artificial intelligence in medical decisions. They also pointed to longstanding concerns about potentially misleading marketing for the private programs and transparency about costs to patients. --With assistance from John Lauerman and Jemima Denham. (Updates with insurance trade group comments in 11th-12th paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. South Dakota Sen. John Thune is entering the race to be the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate once Sen. Mitch McConnell steps away from the post in November. Thune, currently the No. 2 Senate Republican, told local news outlets that he is interested in the job. He said in an interview with South Dakotas Keloland News that I hope to be the next leader and will do everything he can to convince his colleagues to support him. He told another local news outlet, Dakota News Now, that McConnell stepping down is a chance for a reset and Id like to be a part of it. His announcement sets up an expected race with Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who held the No. 2 leadership post until he was term-limited five years ago. The two men have long hinted at their interest in replacing McConnell, but they have made their campaigns official in light of McConnells announcement last week that he would not seek reelection as GOP leader when his term ends in November. Other senators could jump into the race as well, including Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who is currently No. 3 in leadership behind McConnell and Thune. Republican senators havent chosen a new leader since 2007, when McConnell was elected before most current GOP senators took office. Much of the campaigning will likely take place in private and in one-on-one meetings, as the contenders work to convince each of their GOP colleagues to back them on a secret ballot. The election will take place in a closed-door conference meeting at some point after the November elections. Thune has at times sparred with former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination. In the days before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, Thune told reporters that Trumps efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat would go down like a shot dog in the Senate. Since then, Trump declined to endorse Thunes reelection bid in 2022 and Thune endorsed South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott over Trump in the presidential primary. But after Scott dropped out and it has become more likely that Trump will be the partys nominee this year, Thune has said he would back the former president. Thune told Dakota News Now that Trump has taken some swipes but I just think in the end, I worked with him well when he was president before. The four-term senator mulled retirement in 2022 but ultimately decided to come back to the Senate as it became clear he had a chance to become leader. Like Cornyn, Thune said he would work to make sure individual senators have more of a voice in decisions. That has been a frequent complaint from rank-and-file members under McConnell, particularly as massive year-end spending bills that are introduced by leadership and quickly passed through both chambers have become more common. Announcing his intention to run on Friday, Cornyn said he believes the Senate is broken that is not news to anyone. It is so far unclear who will have an advantage in the race. Thune could have the advantage of incumbency as McConnells current deputy. But Barrasso has tracked furthest to the right of the three, becoming the first of them to endorse former President Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination. Cornyn has drawn attention for his fundraising, having raised a total of $13 million for incumbents, the partys Senate campaign arm and Senate Republican nominees already in the 2024 cycle. But Thune has amassed a campaign war chest of $17.8 million a sum that he is also likely to use as campaign contributions to fellow Republicans as he mounts the bid for leader. While McConnell still enjoys support from the majority of his caucus, he announced his plan to step aside last week after facing louder and increasing criticism from some within his party who have said it is time for a change in leadership. McConnell was also at odds with Trump, whom he has said was " practically and morally responsible " for the Capitol attack. The two havent spoken since before then, and Trump frequently bashes him publicly. Believe me, I know the politics within my party at this particular moment in time, McConnell said in a floor speech last week. I have many faults, misunderstanding politics is not one of them. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Video captured the aftermath of a Tesla Cybertruck driver who crashed into the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel sign Sunday. The incident happened just before midnight on Mar. 3. The famous hotel is at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and North Beverly Drive. The nearly 7,000-pound stainless steel vehicle hopped the curb and came to a stop with its two front wheels on top of a concrete landscaping wall. The truck sustained significant damage to its front left wheel, as well as damaging the poles that hold the sign. On X, formerly Twitter, Elon Musk, who owns the social media platform, responded to the crash. Cyberbeast is faster than a Porsche 911, but looks like a truck, so perhaps the valet wasnt expecting so much acceleration, he said. Cybertruck crashes into Beverly Hills Hotel sign Initial reports about the crash claimed the Tesla was being driven by a hotel valet, but that later turned out to be untrue. Just hours before that crash, two men barely escaped with their lives after a Tesla that they were driving went off an overpass on the 134 Freeway in the Griffith Park neighborhood and burst into flames. Two men were seriously injured in a fiery crash in the Griffith Park neighborhood of Los Angeles on March 3, 2024. The crash was reported just before 11 p.m. when the car drove through a barrier on the Riverside Drive overpass and landed on the center divider of the freeway below, the Los Angeles Fire Department stated in a news alert. Police warn of thieves using wifi-jamming tech to disarm cameras, alarms Two men, aged 65 and 60 managed to exit the vehicle, which eventually burst into flames. The unidentified men were taken to a local hospital in serious but stable condition, the Fire Department stated. It is unclear if anyone in the Cybertruck that struck the Beverly Hills Hotel was injured. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Margaret Caldwell said police failings gave Iain Packer 'freedom to carry on attacking and raping vulnerable women' - LESLEY MARTIN/PA Humza Yousaf has promised Emma Caldwells family that he will make a quick decision over whether to order a public inquiry into police handling of the case. The First Minister on Tuesday met with Margaret Caldwell, Emmas mother, who is demanding a judge-led probe into the police blunders, which meant Iain Packer escaped justice for almost two decades. Packer, 51, was sentenced last week to serve at least 36 years in jail for the murder of Emma, who was 27 at the time, and a litany of other violent and sexual offences, many of which were committed after the 2005 killing. Police officers have revealed that they were told not to pursue Packer and to instead focus attention on a group of Turkish men who were charged with her murder despite being innocent. Police Scotland has apologised for its failures in the case. Emma Caldwell's body was discovered in woodland in 2005 - POLICE SCOTLAND/PA Following the meeting at Bute House, Angela Constance, the justice secretary, pledged that a decision would be made soon with the Scottish Government very open to ordering a public inquiry. She added: We will now seriously reflect on todays discussion and give the familys calls for a judge-led public inquiry primary consideration as we consider next steps. Packer was also convicted of 11 rapes and 21 further charges including sexual assault and abduction, involving multiple women, over 26 years. Following his conviction, Ms Caldwell accused police of knowing as far back as 2006 that Packer was responsible for her daughters death but claimed they gave him the freedom to carry on attacking and raping vulnerable women like my Emma. Aamer Anwar said that a decision on the public inquiry was expected to be announced at Holyrood within days - LESLEY MARTIN/REUTERS After the meeting with Mr Yousaf, Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing the Caldwell family, said a decision on a public inquiry was expected to be announced at Holyrood within days. He added: We know that evidence exists that the abduction, rape and murder of Emma Caldwell and the subsequent rapes of women might have been prevented or at least disrupted had allegations against Packer been properly investigated. We hope he [Mr Yousaf] 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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Emmanuel Macron addresses French community living in the Czech Republic at the Lycee Francais school in Prague - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP Emmanuel Macron has urged Ukraines allies not to be cowards just days after refusing to rule out sending ground troops to the war-torn country. We are surely approaching a moment for Europe in which it will be necessary not to be cowards, the French president told members of the French expatriate community in Prague while on a visit to the Czech Republic. War has returned to our land, he added, warning that Russia had become unstoppable. We never want to see coming tragedies, said the French president, who is expected during his visit to clarify Frances standpoint on a Czech plan to buy weapons outside Europe for Ukraine. Mr Macron spoke of powers that have become unstoppable and that are widening the threat every day, attacking us more and more. We must be equal to the challenge of history and the courage it implies, he insisted. The French president also issued a robust defence of his controversial assertion last week that nothing should be ruled out when it came to dispatching Western ground troops to Ukraine. Im convinced that the deliberate clarity of these remarks is what Europe needed, he said in Prague alongside his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel. Ask rather President Putin what he is not prepared to do. Who launched the war in Ukraine? Vladimir Putin. Who threatens us no matter what we say with nuclear weapons, President Putin. You should all turn to him to find out what his strategic limits are, he said. But if every day we explain what our limits are in the face of someone who has none and has launched this war, I can already tell you that the spirit of defeat is already lurking. Explaining that we are not going to impose any limits on ourselves is necessary, said Mr Macron. Can we turn away, consider that things can continue to be played out? I dont think so, and so it is a strategic leap forward that I have called for and that I fully accept Nato leaders have publicly denouncing the idea of sending European or alliance troops to Ukraine. Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, Joe Biden, the US president, Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister and Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of Nato, all distanced themselves from his remarks. Russia issued stark warnings of a real threat of nuclear war should such troops be sent. The Elysee has since made it clear Mr Macron was only referring to personnel for training or support, not combat roles. The French president has insisted it is important to keep Putin guessing as to how far the West would go to deny him victory via strategic ambiguity. According to Ivo Daalder, former US ambassador to Nato, Mr Macron was aware of the type of reaction he could expect from allies as France had already mooted it. Weeks earlier, General Thierry Burkhard, Frances chief of the defence staff, had written to half his Nato colleagues, exploring the possibility of a coalition of the willing to take over certain tasks from Ukraine including manning defensive systems, training forces in country, launching cyber operations and offering help in de-mining, Mr Daalder wrote in Politico. No military leader would send this kind of letter without clear backing from their countrys top political leadership. And every ally, I am told, reacted with a furious WTF?. Seeing a sneaky political end run around them, they made clear their answer was an emphatic no. And yet, it seems Paris didnt listen or possibly even care. In an interview with Czech newspaper Pravo on Tuesday, Mr Macron said: We are sparking debate and thinking about everything we can do to support Ukraine. I have always been clear about our framework: we are not at war with the Russian people and we refuse to enter into a logic of escalation. French commentators say that Mr Macrons pugnacious rhetoric is also aimed at a domestic audience in the run-up to European elections in which the hard-Right National Rally which long admired Putin before his invasion is polling to come first. Editorialist Francoise Fressoz said Mr Macrons message was: Vladimir Putin is not just threatening Ukraine. His aim is to weaken systems of government based on the rule of law and the principles of liberal democracy. Given this context, those who are determined to unravel the EU appear to be (Putins) useful idiots or objective allies. However, according to an Odoxa-Backbone Consulting poll for Le Figaro, 68 per cent of French people thought he was wrong to rule out sending troops. After meeting Mr Pavel and Petr Fiala, the Czech prime minister, Mr Macron said France was ready to back a Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine from third countries. We back this initiative and we will contribute to it, said the French president. He is expected to discuss buying ammunition outside of the EU to help Ukraine. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Employees for Pennsylvania agencies can now get a discount for tuition at a local college. A partnership between the state and York College of Pennsylvania will allow state workers to get up to a 15% tuition discount for professional and graduate programs, according to a news release. Partnerships like this exemplify York Colleges commitment to meeting the needs of our local community and region, York College President Thomas Burns said. Its a win-win situation as both parties work to impact the Commonwealth positively. There are a variety of graduate degree and professional certificate programs that will be taught by faculty who are experts in their fields and the programs can be taken virtually in order to work with students busy schedules. York County Food Bank receives 30,000 pound food donation This tuition discount puts exceptional education and professional development opportunities within reach for more of our workforce. It will allow them to grow in their careers, further excel in their public service, and provide a brighter financial future to their families, Pennsylvania Office of Administration Secretary Neil Weaver said. This collaboration with York College of Pennsylvania adds to the robust education benefits available to Commonwealth workers. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest If interested, you can head to York College of Pennsylvanias website to apply for the programs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Kentucky House Bill 500 was recently passed by a House of Representatives' Small Business and Information Technology Committee a 9-4 vote is now headed to the House floor for a full chamber vote. The bill focuses on employee lunch and rest breaks, as well as other employee benefits enforced by Kentucky labor laws. Could Kentucky lose lunch breaks?: Bill repealing right to breaks advances Here's what you need to know about HB 500 in Kentucky: What is KY HB 500? Kentucky Rep. Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown, is the committee chair and owner of a landscaping business called Pratt's Lawn and Landscape. The bill aims to: Eliminate required lunch breaks Eliminate required rest breaks Eliminate time-and-a-half overtime pay for working 7 days in a row. Statute of limitations for bringing employment lawsuits decreases from five to three years. Pratt sponsored HB 500 and claims his efforts are to "modernize" Kentucky labor law so it will match federal law. He's also the sponsor of HB 255 a bill threatening to weaken the state's child labor laws. Employers can still provide lunch breaks and rest periods by choice, according to Pratt. A practice his company plans to continue. However, an employment law attorney, organized labor groups and more are crying foul over the proposition. Michele Henry, a Louisville employment law attorney at Craig Henry PLC, referred to the bill as simply unfair to employees who are spending eight or more hours a day at the workplace. "They should be entitled to time off to eat and to engage in other activities. Eliminating breaks increases the chance of injuries and burnout." 'Fight until our very last breath': Unions rally against bill weakening child labor law Does federal labor law require lunch breaks? Kentucky Bill 500 aims to eliminate mandatory lunch and rest breaks for employers in the state. No, according to the dol.gov. Lunch and coffee breaks are not required by federal law. However, short breaks consisting of 5 to 20 minutes when offered by employers are to be considered compensable work hours that would be included in the sum of hours worked during the workweek and considered in determining if overtime was worked. Meal periods of around 30 minutes are considered to serve a different purpose than coffee or snack breaks, according to the website. Hence, lunch breaks are not considered work time and are not compensable. Can I work 8 hours without a lunch break in Kentucky? No. Currently, it is required by Kentucky law for employers to give workers an unpaid lunch break in the middle of their shift. Do you have to take a 30-minute lunch break in Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky law currently indicates an unpaid lunch break must be provided no sooner than 3 hours after a shift begins and nor later than 5 hours after the start of a shift. Exceptions can be made through a collective bargaining agreement or mutual agreement between the employee and employer. Are rest breaks mandatory in Kentucky? Yes. Rest breaks are currently required in the state of Kentucky at 10 minutes over every 4 hours worked. KY HB 500 concerns Rep. Susan Witten, R-Louisville, broke with her party and passed on voting as expressed concern over the bills unintended consequences. There's belief the door will open for employers to not pay employees for travel during long commutes to and from distant worksites, or even travel between sites during the workday. According to Henry, the number of lawsuits filed by employees who think they've been underpaid could also be on the rise since the statute of limitations for bringing employment lawsuits would be changed by the bill from five to three years. This means employers who underpay employees would have to pay back lost wages for only three years instead of five. Resolutions with employers will likely be replaced by increased lawsuits. Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: KY Bill 500: How a Kentucky bill is attacking lunch breaks, rest The agency has issued an alert regarding an Iranian official wanted in connection to a plot to assassinate current and former U.S. officials "in revenge" Iranian intelligence officer Majid Dastjani Farahani, who is being sought by the FBI The FBI is on a manhunt for an Iranian intelligence officer allegedly overseeing a plot to assassinate current and former federal government officials as revenge for the Trump administration's 2020 airstrike killing of an Iranian military official. Last Friday, the agency's Miami field office issued an alert that Majid Dastjani Farahani "is wanted for questioning in connection with the recruitment of individuals for various operations in the United States." Those operations, the alert adds, include the assassinations of "current and former United States Government officials as revenge for the killing of IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani." Major General Qassem Soleimani was the commander of Irans Quds Force, a specialized unit in the Revolutionary Guards, when he was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport as he was leaving by car in January 2020. Related: Donald Trump Orders Airstrike Killing Qassem Soleimani the Head of Iran's Elite Military Force Donald Trump as president at the time ordered the killing, with the Department of Defense saying in a statement at the time, "At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization." General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, the statement continued, adding that Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. Farahani, the Iranian intelligence officer sought by the FBI, "also reportedly recruited individuals for surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses and other facilities in the United States," the FBI alleges. "Farahani acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security." FBI FBI poster of Majid Dastjani Farahani According to the FBI alert, Farahani is 41 years old, has brown and gray hair, brown eyes, and speaks Farsi, English, Spanish and French. He also "has ties to or may visit Iran and Venezuela," the agency adds. The outlet Semafor reports that Farahani's plot specifically focuses on Trump-era officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Brian Hook, who worked as Trumps special envoy for Iran. Citing unnamed U.S. officials, Semafor reports that both men are being provided with around-the-clock security due to the nature of the threat. The FBI did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further details. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Scientists say the implications of a killer whale hunting solo, rather than in a group, could be huge for the local ecosystem Getty (2) Stock photos of an orca whale (left) and a great white shark (right) Since at least 2017, scientists have observed two killer whales living near South Africa team up to attack and kill great white sharks In a recent article, scientists shared that they recently observed one of the orca whales in the shark-hunting pair kill a great white shark by itself in less than 2 minutes Experts believe this new hunting tactic could be a response to climate change and may have an impact on other ocean species Scientists have observed an orca whale killing a great white shark alone off the coast of South Africa, and the attack could offer insights into how the whale species' hunting tactics have changed. Since at least 2017, a pair of orcas in the waters around South Africa have been killing great white sharks for their livers a nutrient-dense meal for the whales and leaving the rest of the sharks' bodies behind. The hunting tactic has been driving sharks away from the coastal waters around Cape Town, according to scientists studying the shark-hunting duo. But this solo orca attack, observed by scientists in June 2023 and featured in an African Journal of Marine Science article published in March, showed one of the orcas killing an 8.2-foot-long shark by itself in under two minutes. According to one of the biologists who observed it, the ferocity of the attack was "unprecedented" and "astonishing." Related: Humpback Whale Jumps Out of Water Next to Tour Boat and Waves at Stunned Onlookers Speaking with BBC, Rhodes University shark biologist Dr. Alison Towner told the outlet that the male orca, nicknamed Starboard, grabbed the young great white by its fin and "thrust forward several times before eventually eviscerating it" to get at its liver. A newly released video of the attack shows Starboard quickly killing the shark before swimming away with the nutrient-rich liver in his mouth, passing by a nearby boat full of tourists. According to the recent article about the shocking killer whale attack, this is the first widely observed occurrence of an orca hunting and killing a great white shark by itself. This occurrence also challenges existing theories about the hunting strategies of killer whales, as previous research led scientists to believe that orcas primarily hunt in groups rather than by themselves. Previous killer whale attacks on the sharks involved multiple orcas including Starboards partner, another male named Port and took up to two hours, the researchers wrote. Related: Two Humpback Whales Were Photographed Having Sex for the First Time in History and They Were Both Male Dr. Luke Rendell, another scientist from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, told BBC that it was "unsurprising" that whales had learned to target great white sharks, as orcas may be facing challenges finding food due to issues like climate change and other human-led changes in their ecosystem. "A great white shark is a nice, big concentration of food, so it's perhaps unsurprising that some populations [of orcas], where these sharks occur in sufficient numbers, have learned to exploit that," he said. "Human activities, like climate change and industrial fishing, are exerting significant pressures on our oceans," Towner added. Related: Killer Whales Sink Boat Off Morocco in 45-Minute Attack: 'Love of the Sea Always Wins' The scientists behind the recent article on the solo killer whale attack first reported their findings about Port and Starboard in 2022. They wrote in the African Journal of Marine Science that they had traced at least 8 great white shark killings back to the pair. According to the researchers, several sharks had their hearts and livers removed. Dr. Primo Micarelli, a biologist at Italy's Sharks Studies Centre and the University of Siena, told CNN in a statement that while seeing such a powerful attack was "unforgettable," he also worries about the ecological implications it has for both orcas and great white sharks. "Despite my awe for these predators, I'm increasingly concerned about the coastal marine ecology balance," Micarelli told the outlet. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Orcas are the great white shark's only predator, aside from humans. Killer whales grow up to 30 feet in length and can weigh more than six tons, while great white sharks can reach up to 22 feet long and weigh around 2.5 tons. Towner told BBC that the orcas' new hunting habits could impact other species, such as African penguins, which could face more danger from cape fur seals as great white sharks usually hunt the seals. "These are groundbreaking insights into the predatory behavior of this species," Towner told CNN. "The presence of these shark-hunting killer whales possibly ties into broader ecosystem dynamics. Rapid developments in this phenomenon make it challenging for science to keep pace." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reaffirmed its 2021 decision to approve the use of paraquat-based herbicides on American farmlands, despite outcry from public health advocates. What happened? In 2021, the EPA reapproved paraquat herbicides for agricultural use, despite science linking the substance to Parkinson's disease. Public health groups sued the agency, charging that it ignored scientific consensus on paraquat, which is banned in almost 60 countries. Recently, the agency doubled down on its decision. "After a thorough review of the relevant studies, the agency concluded that the weight of evidence was insufficient to link paraquat exposure from pesticidal use of U.S. registered paraquat products to (Parkinson's disease) in humans," the EPA stated in a recently released draft report. However, the plaintiffs alleged that by reapproving this "highly lethal" substance, the EPA is putting industry interests ahead of public health. "There is an incredibly overwhelming body of evidence on this that has been accepted by scientists across the globe, and the EPA's decision really placed it at odds with the best available science," Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, a senior attorney with Earthjustice, told the Guardian. Why is the reapproval of paraquat concerning? Several studies have linked paraquat to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. It is banned in many countries such as China, as well as the UK and European Union. Agricultural workers face the most immediate risk from the substance. An epidemiological study of central California farming communities exposed to paraquat and another herbicide showed an increased risk of Parkinson's, the Guardian reports. But paraquat is not the only pesticide threatening the health of Americans. A weed killer called glyphosate can put people at higher risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Meanwhile, neonicotinoids have been linked to cancer, while other pesticides may be causing decreased sperm counts in men. It's not just agricultural workers who are at risk. After pesticides are applied to crops, winds can carry them to nearby communities. The EPA states that this "pesticide drift" can pose health risks for people in nearby homes, schools, and playgrounds, as well as farm workers in adjacent fields. A recent analysis from the Environmental Working Group found that more than 4,000 elementary schools in the U.S. are located within 200 feet of crop fields that may have pesticides applied to them, threatening the health of young students. Thousands more schools are situated within a quarter mile of crop fields. Recently, a retired EPA scientist broke the silence on her former employer, telling Al Jazeera's Fault Lines that she did not believe the agency was protecting the public from toxic pesticides. "In the last three decades that I have worked at EPA, it has been very rare for a toxic pesticide to be taken off the market," she told the publication. What's being done about paraquat? The EPA has strict regulations that require farmers to be trained and certified to use paraquat and to wear protective gear when doing so. That said, agricultural workers still face high risk, Kalmuss-Katz told the Guardian. The agency also said it will review more science and could reverse its decision when it issues a final report next year. "The EPA can still correct its flawed decision, but it needs to follow the science and join dozens of other countries in banning paraquat," Kalmuss-Katz told the news agency. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. A general view of a plenary session of the European Parliament. The outline of a new regulation banning products made with forced labour was agreed by European Union lawmakers during the early hours of Tuesday morning. Philippe Stirnweiss/European Parliament/dpa The outline of a new regulation banning products made with forced labour was agreed by European Union lawmakers during the early hours of Tuesday morning. The draft law would require member states to investigate products - whether imported or made in the EU - when there is a risk they were made with forced labour. Should one member state's investigators conclude that a product was indeed made with forced labour, a decision to ban the sale, import and export of the product would apply to all 27 countries of the EU. Tuesday's deal was struck between negotiators for the European Parliament and the Belgian government, acting on behalf of all EU member states. Some technical details of the legislation will still need to be worked out in further talks between parliamentary assistants and Belgian diplomats. Once that's done, the draft will be sent to senior diplomats from all member states. If they approve, the bill must then pass a vote in the parliament's internal market and trade committees. It will then be reviewed and polished by the EU's specialized lawyer-linguists before being put to a final vote in the European Parliament and in the Council of the EU, where national ministers vote on behalf of their member states. The European Commission's plans will limit EU countries from purchasing weapons from UK-based firms - Leon Neal/Getty Images The European Union could block exports of weapons to Britain if war breaks out with Russia, it was announced on Tuesday. A top official said plans had been drawn up to prevent overseas shipments of arms and civilian technologies to make up for the blocs own shortfalls in a security crisis. To counter the return of high-intensity war on our border, we have decided to kick up a gear, Thierry Breton, the EUs industry commissioner, told reporters as he announced plans to put the blocs defence industry on a war footing. The proposed overhaul is part of a wider strategy to boost Europes military support for war-torn Ukraine and prepare for the mounting threat posed by Vladimir Putins Russia. Brussels wants to massively boost joint weapons production and procurement among its 27 member states with the ambition of strengthening the continents security and reducing reliance on the United States. The European Commission is calling for new powers to control military exports from the bloc to secure its capitals in case the war in Ukraine escalates over its borders. British soldiers drive Jackal vehicles during a Nato exercise in Poland on Monday - Kacper Pempel/Reuters Brussels wants to massively boost joint weapons production and procurement among its 27 member states - Kacper Pempel/Reuters Mr Breton said: The European Defence Investment Programme has prioritisation measures in it. EDIP contains a fully fledged security of supply pillar that is in it for crisis situations. Once this stage is declared, specific measures can be applied, including priority-rated orders on civilian products or defence products depending on the situation. Around 40 per cent of the weapons and ammunition currently produced in the bloc are shipped overseas, Josep Borrell, the EUs top foreign diplomat, said while outlining the scope of the potential export blockade. We have a powerful industry of defence because we export a lot, he added. Certainly when there is a big push on demand, which might happen with a war, we have to ask for extra input. Member states would have to vote on the crisis situation, which include security or more general shortages in weapons, before the export ban could be applied. The measure resembles the export controls introduced by the EU on vaccine shipments at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, which sparked a jabs war with Britain. While the EU promised to team up with strategic, like-minded and international partners, the UK is excluded from any of its new schemes to boost defence production. Ukraine will be treated as a quasi member state as Brussels seeks to make up for its recent failure to give Kyiv a promised one million artillery shells. The scheme will also limit EU countries from purchasing weapons from UK-based firms, such as BAE Systems, if they want to benefit from financial incentives paid out of the blocs budget. The Rochester facility of British defence contractor BAE Systems - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph The UK is excluded from any of the EU's new schemes to boost defence production - Daniel Karmann/Avalon EU members have spent more than 100 billion on defence purchases since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Margrethe Vestager, the commission vice president, said. Almost 80 per cent of that was spent outside of the European Union, and the US alone accounted for more than 60 per cent of this spending. This is no longer sustainable, she said. The strategy aims to have internal trade of weapons within the bloc reaching 35 per cent of total value of its defence market by 2030. National capitals will also be encouraged to procure European weapons costing at least 50 per cent of their own defence budgets in the same period, increasing to 60 per cent by 2035. An initial 1.5 billion fund has been committed to hand out incentives, including tax breaks, to firms and governments backing joint European purchases. Mr Breton has previously said this would need to rise to at least 100 billion for the bloc to be able to outcompete Washington and the US defence industry. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. One of Americas pioneering paradigms in drug and addiction treatment appears to be on its last legs. Tina Kotek, the democratic governor of Oregon, has on her desk a bill ending the law that legalized drug possession and prioritized addiction treatment with public money. After only four years, politicians have reversed the experiment that began at the ballot box in 2020, when 58% of voters backed Measure 110. A sharp rise in overdoses amid the fentanyl epidemic has prompted the state government to pull the project. We are moving in a direction that says to Oregonians we heard you, we respect your voices, and were taking action, said Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp on Friday. That day the Upper House overwhelmingly approved in a 21-8 vote a new rule that once again makes the possession of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamines a crime. Neither hallucinogenic mushrooms nor marijuana, a drug that has been legalized for recreational use since 2014, are affected by the new law, known as House Bill 4002 (HB4002). The initiative sets down new criminal punishments. Possession of illegal drugs becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison. It also allows police to confiscate substances in parks, public spaces and campgrounds. Likewise, it facilitates the arrest of traffickers and harsher penalties against them. It is a significant change to the law passed by the Senate after Measure 110 triumphed at the polls. Under that law, which went into effect in February 2021, the maximum penalty for possession of hard drugs was a fine between $45 and $100. There were no jail sentences, state supervision, or other penalties. Those fined had 45 days to attend clinical treatments funded by tax money from legal marijuana dispensaries. The reward for attending these therapies was to have the charges expunged. After a year in force, an audit showed that the system had led to less than optimistic results. Only 1% of people who received a summons to start treatment sought help. Measure 110, voted for by 1.3 million people, was inspired by an initiative launched in Portugal a country that changed its approach to the war on drugs in 2000. However, the Oregon state government has now realized that one of the key factors of the Portuguese reform was a more proactive stance in treating addictions. Oregon lawmakers were not counting on the fentanyl epidemic that has swept across the United States. The wave of deaths due to this synthetic opiate has taken a heavy toll on Oregon, a state home to 4.2 million people, which has recorded a 1,500% year-on-year increase in the number of overdose deaths. It is the steepest rise recorded in the entire country. The state recorded 280 accidental deaths due to opiates in 2019. In 2022 that number was 956. The figure fell slightly last year, coming in at 628. As of Monday, Governor Kotek had not said when she will sign the bill into law. In January, however, the governor said that she was willing to do so. Five of the eight votes against HB4002 were from progressive lawmakers in Oregons Democratic Party, mostly African Americans, one of the races most affected by U.S. drug policy. Senator Lew Frederick of Portland criticized the new bill, which he sees as a return to the war on drugs. Flawed or not, the new legislation has a lot of support. The state House approved it in a 51-7 vote. Democratic politicians have tried to downplay the failure of the experiment by announcing a million-dollar investment in addiction care. Senators have approved the $211 million investment in projects and programs aimed at treating addictions, including within prisons. Part of these funds will be allocated to prevention and mental health. With this bill, we are doubling down on our commitment to make sure Oregonians have access to the treatment and care that they need, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber said Friday. The senator added that the bills passage will be the start of real and transformative change for our justice system. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The European Union's gas imports from Russia have decreased by 71% since 2021, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson announced on March 4, following an Energy Council meeting in Brussels. The EU pledged to reduce its energy dependence on Russian fossil fuels after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and speed up the transition to green energy. Profits from oil and gas constitute a substantial portion of Russia's economy, helping fund its war against Ukraine. Before the full-scale invasion, Russia supplied 45% of all gas imports to the EU. This figure fell to 24% in 2022 and then 15% in 2023, Simson said. According to Simson, the leading gas suppliers to the EU are now Norway and the U.S. Within the EU, "gas prices have gone down significantly and are now quite stable," at around 25 euros ($27) per megawatt hour, a "level last recorded before the war started," Simson said. The Energy Council also discussed how to reduce the imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), as proposed by Lithuania. The EU has not imposed sanctions on Russian LNG, and EU nations bought record amounts of LNG from Russia in 2023. The EU reached a deal in December 2023 that allowed individual countries to effectively ban Russian shipments of LNG. Finland announced in January that it plans to ban imports of Russian LNG from 2025. Some countries, such as Latvia and Lithuania, have already stopped buying LNG from Russia. "I have repeated that we cannot afford Russia to compensate through LNG channels some of the volumes it has cut off by unilateral decisions via pipeline exports," Simson said. "We must end this year with even less Russian gas in our system than the year before." Read also: Austria exploring how to end Russian gas import contract, energy minister says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission called on the European Investment Bank on Tuesday to change its policy this year to enable it to fund defence projects, as Europe ramps up defence production following Russia's war in Ukraine. The EIB is owned by EU governments and some of them are reluctant to heed that call, concerned that financing defence could hurt the EIB's top credit rating and not address the problem, which they say is not a lack of funding, but of long-term contracts. Defence and military projects are explicitly excluded from the list of activities that can be financed by the EIB and the bloc's 27 governments would have to agree to change that. The Commission said it had invited the EIB Group's governing bodies "to adapt defence-related exclusions from the EIB Groups Lending Policies" thereby allowing it "to support production of military equipment and more generally the European defence industry." The call is part of a broader Commission proposal to boost defence production in the EU after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 highlighted Europe's lack of preparation for a potential military conflict with Moscow. "The Russian war of aggression has brought a great sense of urgency to step up our defence industrial capacity," the EU's Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell told a news conference. With a balance sheet total of 544.6 billion euros ($590.78 billion), the EIB is the world's biggest multilateral financial institution by assets and the biggest multilateral lender, with disbursed and promised loans of 562 billion euros in 2022 compared to the World Bank's $171 billion. FUNDING MODEL The EIB is a key player in funding Europe's ambitious transition towards a net-zero-carbon and more digitised economy, and some countries are concerned that adding ammunition and weapons to its investment list could scare off investors. "If the EIB touches defence, they will be off-limits to a lot of investors," one senior euro zone official close to the talks said. "We are concerned about the potential effects on the EIBs funding of such a strategy change," the official added. But Guntram Wolff, a senior fellow at Bruegel think tank that often prepares research for EU ministerial decisions, said the EIB rating was unlikely to be hurt by funding defence. Wolff said the EIB's gearing ratio, which compares equity and debt issued to raise money for loans, was very conservative at 2.5 times and could be easily raised to 4 or 5 times without any impact on the credit rating. "Also, it is a bank owned by EU governments so it has implicit government guarantees behind it anyway," Wolff said. The bank can already lend for projects that are of dual civilian-military use, like transport infrastructure or drones. The definition of what can be dubbed dual-use should be further adjusted, the Commission said. Poland or the Baltic countries would welcome EIB financing of defence projects, because the bank has a triple-A rating and can raise funds more cheaply than less highly rated governments. "I think there is enough political will around the table to enable EIB to do more," a second senior euro zone official close to the talks said. "How much more - remains an open question. In some cases, if players like EIB become more active in funding ammunition and similar facilities, it would be beneficial for a large number of EU countries," the official said. ($1 = 0.9218 euros) (Reporting by Jan Strupczewski, Editing by William Maclean and Christina Fincher) Ukrainian servicemen of the 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade fires a 122mm mortar towards Russian positions at the front line, near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union on Tuesday outlined ambitious plans to boost its defense industry as it responds to the threat posed by Russias war on Ukraine and seeks to wean member nations off an over-dependence on the U.S. defense industry. The plans by the EU Commission center on streamlining the procurement of arms by the 27 EU states and to increasingly produce them within the bloc in a multi-billion-dollar pivot away from the United States. In the first 16 months since the February 2022 start of the Ukraine war, member states spent more than 100 billion on defense acquisitions, said EU Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager. Almost 80% of that was spent outside of the European Union and the U.S. alone accounted for more than 60% of this spending. "This is no longer sustainable if it ever was, Vestager said. The need for some strategic independence from the EUs pre-eminent ally in NATO underscores a sense of political estrangement from Washington, which has been reinforced by the strong showing of former President Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential campaign and his barbed comments on the level of European defense spending. For decades, EU nations have slumbered under the protective nuclear cover of the United States through the NATO alliance while their defense spending and crisis preparedness withered. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is a driving force behind a stronger EU defense industry, said it was essential for the bloc to fall back on its own industrial base. Will it be bad news for the U.S. defense industry, the Korean defense industry? I dont know. What we know is that we need to increase our capacity to produce what is needed. And by the way, today we have to be honest, the U.S. cannot provide what is necessary, especially for ammunitions. Breton said. Now, with an increasingly assertive Moscow, the need to beef up defense is becoming ever clearer. After decades of underspending, we must invest more on defense, but we need to do it better and together," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. "A strong, resilient, and competitive European defense industry is a strategic imperative. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exposed glaring weaknesses in Europes arms manufacturing capacities that were neglected in the wake of the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall and the promise of a peace dividend in Europe. So when Kyiv was badly in need of the most elementary ammunition to stave off Russian forces, European nations were caught out, unable to deliver what was asked and even promised. The realization that Trump might return to the White House and undermine support for Ukraine has also focused minds in Europe. EU heavyweights France and Germany have warned that the bloc must do more to protect itself. And after years of go-it-alone defense strategies that left Europe divided despite high spending, the plan seeks to impose common strategies. The plans now have to be assessed by member states, and will need to be endorsed unanimously. Our defense spending goes to too many different weapon systems, primarily bought from outside the EU," said Vestager. With defense budgets in EU member states rising, "we should invest better, which largely means investing together, and investing European. Under the proposals, the 27 member states will be invited to buy at least 40% of defense equipment together and make sure that 35% of the defense value represents internal trade by 2030. The plans now go to the member states where they will be further negotiated. The war in Ukraine spurred European nations to hike defense spending, and a lot of money is destined for the U.S. defense industry. Germany, for example, announced a 100 billion-euro ($108 billion) upgrade of its armed forces, with a big chunk of the funds dedicated to U.S. F-35 fighter jets and transport helicopters. While production is improving, the EU had aimed to be making 1 million artillery shells annually by now but is only making around half that figure. Officials now say that production could reach 1.4 million shells per year by the end of December. Semafor Signals Insights from Le Monde, The Guardian, and Politico The News The EU launched its first-ever defense industrial strategy on Tuesday, calling for the blocs 27 member states to purchase more weapons from European countries in the face of rising aggression from Russia. It hopes to shift away from a reliance on U.S. arms: Since 2022 the bloc has purchased 75% of its military equipment from non-European companies, mostly in America, Le Monde reported. After decades of under-spending, we must invest more on defense, but we need to do it better and together, the EUs top diplomat Josep Borrell said at a press conference, while a French EU official noted: We need to change the paradigm and move into war economy mode. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. The plan may improve coordination but lacks funding Sources: The Guardian, The Hertie Schools Sascha E. Ostanina, Le Monde While the proposal will help member states coordinate their defense spending, the planned 1.5 billion ($1.5 billion) set aside is unlikely to have a big impact, Guntram Wolff, a senior fellow at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank, told The Guardian. Ultimately, the plan is limited by being a non-binding strategy with a limited pot of money, Sascha E. Ostanina, an EU security expert at the Hertie School, a university in Berlin, wrote on X. The strategy which aims for EU countries to procure at least 50% of their defense spending within the bloc by 2030 will take several years to demonstrate qualitative changes in European defence industrial cooperation, she added. One defense industry figure told Le Monde that the plan was unlikely to succeed without an influx of funding. Funding through Eurobonds remains divisive within the bloc Sources: Politico, Financial Times, The Guardian One model for funding a European defense strategy has been to issue joint debt via Eurobonds to approach the 100 billion-mark some experts say will be needed. The idea has support from France, Estonia, and Belgium, but more frugal countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have resisted the idea. The commission doesnt have to incentivise this. Governments will place orders, defense companies will invest in capacity and sell their stuff, one EU official told the Financial Times. Max Bergmann, an expert on EU defense policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told The Guardian that European defense is in a disastrous state, calling for the bloc to just borrow the damn money through Eurobonds. EU aims to reduce decades-long reliance on US arms industry Source: Foreign Affairs The defense plan is part of a wider effort to reduce Europes reliance on the U.S. amid widespread concern about whether Washington will remain a reliable ally if Donald Trump were elected president again. We need to get that transatlantic balance right, irrespective of election electoral dynamics in the US. We must take more responsibility for our own security, while, of course, remaining fully committed to our NATO alliance, European Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager said. While the EU has long done little to foster its defense industry, initiatives to improve defense cooperation within Europe have often been met by fierce opposition from the United States, two experts wrote in Foreign Affairs. Efforts by Europe to get its industrial act together are met by stiff resistance by American administrations, which channel the concerns of U.S. companies about being locked out of the European market, they added. The first-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy at EU level, which envisions close involvement of Ukraine, was presented by the European Commission on 5 March. Source: European Pravda, citing the European Commissions press office The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) establishes a clear, long-term vision for achieving defence-industrial readiness in the European Union. As the first immediate and primary means of implementing the strategy, the European Commission introduces legislative proposals for the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products. The strategy outlines the challenges currently faced by the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and identifies opportunities for fully leveraging its potential, setting the direction for development over the next decade. To support member states in achieving these goals, the EDIS proposes a set of measures aimed at: Supporting a more efficient expression of the Member States' collective defence demand; Securing the availability of all defence products through a more responsive EDTIB, under any circumstances and time horizon; Ensuring that national and EU budgets support with the necessary means the adaptation of the European defence industry to the new security context; Mainstreaming a defence readiness culture across policies, notably by calling for a review of the European Investment Bank's lending policy this year; Developing closer ties with Ukraine through its participation in Union initiatives in support of defence industry and stimulating cooperation between the EU and Ukrainian defence industries; Teaming up with NATO and our strategic, like-minded and international partners, and cooperating more closely with Ukraine. The strategy establishes indicators to measure member states' progress in achieving industrial readiness. Member states are encouraged to: Procure at least 40% of defence equipment in a collaborative manner by 2030; Ensure that, by 2030, the value of intra-EU defence trade represents at least 35% of the value of the EU defence market; Make steady progress towards procuring at least 50% of their defence procurement budget within the EU by 2030 and 60% by 2035. Background: The US is discussing creating a separate position for a commissioner for defence affairs. The Czech initiative to procure 800,000 shells for Ukraine outside the EU, which is financed jointly by a number of states, will be able to make first deliveries to Kyiv in a few weeks. Support UP or become our patron! The European Union aims to buy 50% of weapons produced and stored within the bloc and cooperate with Ukraine until at least 2030. Source: text of the proposed document on the website of the European Commission According to the document, the main reasons for the adoption of this strategy are the military threat from Russia and the dependence of EU member states on the weapons sold by third countries. In 2022, EU defence spending increased to 240 billion, but 78% of purchases took place outside the EU. Most of the weapons were purchased in the United States. The authors of the document see the low level of consolidation of the member states as one of the main problems of the EU defence industry. Governments buy weapons separately, based on their interests. This leads to the fact that defence companies are forced to operate in several scattered markets, rather than in one large and integrated one. It is emphasised that European customers have recently increasingly bought ready-made weapons in third countries, instead of investing in capacities and jobs in the EU. As a result, defence companies become dependent on exports and the national customer is not a priority for them anymore. To solve the urgent problems in the defene industry, the strategy provides for member countries to achieve such indicators by 2030: 40% of defene purchases should be made jointly by member states; Arms trade between member states should account for at least 35% of the total EU arms market; By 2030, 50% of defene purchases should be made within the framework of the European Union, and by 2035 this amount is supposed to reach 60%. The strategy also provides for direct investment in the defence industry of US$1.5 billion from 2025 to 2027 under the joint European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP). A separate paragraph in the document mentions Ukraine. It is emphasised that deepening cooperation with the Ukrainian defence complex will become part of the EU's security obligations to Ukraine. In particular, Ukraine will be able to participate in joint purchases of EU weapons, and the domestic defence industry will be able to receive financial support from EDIP. For the latter, profits from frozen Russian assets can be attracted. European political structures will explore the possibility of further stimulating cooperation between the European Union and the Ukrainian defence industry. To strengthen cooperation, the EU-Ukraine defence industry forum will be held in 2024. Support UP or become our patron! The European Commission wants to create a defence industry system in the European Union fit for war with a new long-term strategy on Tuesday. The Ukraine war was a "wake up call," EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton told French media, France info on Monday, stressing that EU countries need to combine their defence production resources. "We have to move our defence industry into war economy mode, so that we can supply Ukraine with what it needs, but also ourselves, for our own security," he said. As well as develop the EU's native industry, the wider strategy aims to shift defence production away from a peace-time basis to meet the new demands of increased European investment. To achieve this, the commission is to propose a European Defence Industry Programme. Among other things, the programme is to use the EU budget to support the joint procurement of all types of military equipment, an EU official said. The programme expands a short-term scheme created last year to help the bloc's defence industry supply Ukraine with 1 million artillery shells, the EU official said. The idea is to provide the security of supply for defence companies to set up new manufacturing lines without waiting for new contracts to start production. Other measures to support the long-term ramp up of defence production include introducing a weapons reserve system, similar to the United States, to make the sale and distribution of weapons faster. Exemptions from Value Added Tax (VAT), as well as the commission negotiating weapons contracts on behalf of groups of EU countries, are also included in the programme. The commission also wants the European Investment Bank (EIB) to adapt its usually strict rules and invest in weapons' production. The European Commission presented the first-ever European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS) at the EU level to support the competitiveness and readiness of the blocs defense industry, the commissions press service announced on March 5. The news comes amid worries in Europe that the U.S. may not be a reliable partner for European security and in backing Ukraine if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election. The performance of the European defense industry, especially when it comes to supporting Ukraine, has been lackluster, as the EU failed on its promise to deliver 1 million artillery shells between March 2023 and 2024. After supplying only about half of the promised rounds, Brussels shifted the deadline to the end of this year. The EDIS outlines the challenges currently faced by the European Defense Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) as well as opportunities to fully exploit its potential and determines a direction for the next decade, according to a press release published by the blocs executive body. "To increase European defense industrial readiness, Member States need to invest more, better, together, and European," says the release. As the first urgent and primary tool for implementing the strategy, the commission is reportedly tabling a legislative proposal on the European Defense Industry Program (EDIP) and a set of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defense products. Read also: Our reserves will run out: Ukrainian artillery sounds alarm on Western shell shortage EDIP will mobilize 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) from the EU budget in 2025-2027 to improve the competitiveness of the European defense industry. The program is expected to shift the short-term emergency measures introduced in 2023 and ending in 2025 to a more structured and long-term approach. As part of the strategy, the commission proposes developing closer ties with Ukraine through its participation in the blocs initiatives to support the defense industry and stimulating cooperation between the EU and Ukrainian defense sectors. EU member states are also offered to purchase at least 40% of defense equipment jointly by 2030, ensure that by 2030, the value of intra-European defense trade is at least 35% of the value of the EU defense market, and "make steady progress" toward procuring at least half of its defense budget within the EU by 2030 and 60% by 2035. Euractiv previously reported on the European Commissions plans to present a defense industry support scheme envisaging Ukraine as a full-fledged member. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Feb. 29 calling on EU member states to support Ukraine with "whatever is needed for Kyiv to win its war against Russia," including long-range weapons. Read also: Wests response to Macron comments on troops to Ukraine reveal discord, weakness, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The European Commission will on Tuesday, 5 March propose ways for the European Union to stimulate its defence industry so that it can switch to a "war economy mode" in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Source: Reuters Details: EU officials said that Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market, would present proposals to encourage EU countries to buy more weapons from European companies, as well as to help such companies increase production capacity. Breton, who was the CEO of a French technology company, also said that the possibility of another term for Donald Trump in the US, who has questioned Washington's commitment to NATO, meant that Europe must do more to defend itself. Quote from Breton: "We need to change the paradigm and move into war economy mode. This also means that the European defence industry must take more risks, with our support. 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." More details: Russia's war in Ukraine prompted many European countries to increase defence spending. But EU officials argue that purely national efforts are less effective and want EU bodies to play a more significant role in defence industry policy. Analysts said the war had shown that European industry was ill-prepared for some serious challenges, such as the sudden increase in demand for large quantities of artillery shells. Breton's proposals include the creation of a European version of the US Foreign Military Sales mechanism, under which the United States helps other governments buy weapons from US companies. Another proposal would allow the EU to force European arms companies to give priority to European orders in times of crisis. To be implemented, these proposals would need to be approved by the EU's 27 national governments, which are often reluctant to cede powers in defence and military affairs, and the European Parliament. The proposals would also be closely scrutinised by NATO, which has said it welcomed EU efforts to promote European defence but has warned that they should not duplicate or conflict with the work of NATO. Support UP or become our patron! The European Commission proposed to extend the agreement on road transport with Ukraine, but decided to introduce changes to it instead on 5 March. Source: European Pravda, citing the European Commission. The Commission said that the proposals include updating the agreement with Ukraine "to improve its practical implementation and enforcement while maintaining its objectives and scope." The initial agreement was signed in June 2022 and later extended until the end of June 2024. A similar agreement was signed with Moldova. The agreements grant bilateral transport rights to Ukrainian, Moldovan, and European hauliers within each other's territories. Due to the disruption or closure of traditional transport routes in the region caused by Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and the unavailability of the Black Sea as a traditional trade route for both countries, extending the agreement at least until the end of 2025 will help secure supply chains, the Commission said. Additionally, the Commission stated that it decided to amend the agreement with Ukraine "on the basis of exchanges with Member States, Ukraine and stakeholders." The proposed changes would: make obligatory the carrying of documents showing that a transport operator is duly authorised to perform international carriage, and that the transport is being carried out under the Agreement; make obligatory the carrying of specific documents certifying that an unladen operation is directly linked to a transit or bilateral operation, as required under the Agreement; strengthen compliance by road haulage operators with obligations relating to operations authorised under the Agreement, fighting fraud or forgery of driver documents and road safety-related traffic offences: such offences may lead to the withdrawal of the licence; add a new safeguard clause: in case the national road transport market in a specific geographical area sees a major disturbance that can be attributed to the Agreement, the agreement could be suspended in that geographical area. At the same time, the Commission emphasised that the agreement has been highly beneficial for both the EU and Ukraine, enabling a significant increase in their exports to each other's markets. Background: Polish hauliers resumed protests at the Ukrainian border on 1 March, suspended in January. This has significantly worsened an already difficult situation with the passage of goods. Read more about what is happening at the border and what has changed with the return of the hauliers' blockade in European Pravdas report. Support UP or become our patron! By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Mar 6, 2024 - 18:13 | All, World Donald Trump dominated on the most crucial day of the 2024 U.S. presidential primary calendar Tuesday, raising the likelihood of him clinching the Republican nomination as soon as next week and setting up a November showdown with his successor, Democrat Joe Biden. On what is known as Super Tuesday, with a third of all delegates at stake, Trump trounced Nikki Haley, his last remaining rival for their party's nomination, making her path to capturing it virtually impossible. But Haley managed to avoid being swept in all 15 contests by narrowly winning the small liberal-leaning state of Vermont. Trump won delegate-rich California and Texas, as well as Massachusetts, Maine and Virginia, which are known for having more moderate, college-educated voters than other states where the Republican primaries or caucuses were held. "This has been a day that we've been waiting for," Trump said in celebrating his landslide victory with supporters at his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate. "November 5th is going to go down as the single most important day in the history of our country. We are going to take it." Coming out of Super Tuesday, Trump won 1,051 delegates, compared with Haley's 86, as of around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to ABC News. While Trump's recent victories have not secured him enough delegates to be deemed the presumptive nominee, he could clinch the nomination as early as next Tuesday, when Georgia holds its primary, according to projections from major U.S. media outlets. In coast-to-coast contests for both the Democrats and Republicans, which also included Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, the spotlight was also on Haley's next move. Trump's long-shot challenger has faced increasing pressure to drop out of the race, but she made no public appearances following the latest results. Her campaign instead released a statement saying, "Today, in state after state, there remains a large block of Republican primary voters who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump." "That is not the unity our party needs for success. Addressing those voters' concerns will make the Republican Party and America better," her spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas said. Ahead of Super Tuesday, Trump swept all except one of the first nine Republican contests since the primary season formally began in January. Haley, a former South Carolina governor who served as U.N. ambassador under Trump, defeated him in the U.S. capital on Sunday, not only winning a nomination race for the first time but also becoming the first woman in U.S. history to win a Republican primary. Still, Haley, 52, has struggled to slow Trump's momentum despite polls showing a majority of voters want an option other than the 77-year-old Trump and the 81-year-old Biden. Despite 91 criminal charges against him, Trump also leads Biden in head-to-head races in some national polls and key battleground states. As of Tuesday, Trump is leading Biden by 2 percentage points, 47.5 percent versus 45.5 percent, in a hypothetical 2024 rematch, according to an average of national polling data by Real Clear Politics. Super Tuesday came a day after the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Trump can remain on 2024 presidential primary ballots, reversing a decision by the state of Colorado's highest court to disqualify him over his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the Capitol. The ruling gave Trump a significant legal victory, removing a potential hurdle for his bid to return to the White House. At the Republican Party's national convention in July, a candidate will need at least 1,215 of the 2,429 delegates up for grabs to win its presidential nomination. Biden, the oldest U.S. president ever elected, is all but certain to clinch the Democratic Party's nomination, although worries over his age persist. In late February, his doctor said an annual physical examination found no new concerns, describing the president as a "healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male." Biden is set to deliver the State of the Union speech on Thursday, hoping to build voter support for a second term. Related coverage: U.S. Supreme Court keeps Trump on presidential primary ballots Trump is not isolationist, former U.S. envoy to Japan believes Biden found to be healthy in annual physical exam amid age concern The European Commission has proposed holding a defence industry forum with Ukraine this year. Source: Interfax-Ukraine with reference to a European high-ranking official, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to an unnamed senior EU official, the corresponding proposal was outlined in the European Defence Industrial Strategy, which was approved by the College of Commissioners in Brussels on Tuesday, along with another document, the European Defence Investment Programme. Quote: "In this strategy, we are also looking into how to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine, particularly in the defence industry. One of the proposals we have developed is to hold a defence industry forum with Ukraine later this year," he said in a conversation with reporters. The senior official stated that the strategies "primarily concern the strengthening of the European defence technological and industrial base." He went on to say that the document includes a section on partnership, "and there is no other partner except Ukraine, which in this strategy is given so much space and attention." "Of course, there is a legal point at which there is a difference between Ukraine and a member state, or even between Ukraine and Norway, which is an associated member state, but I believe that within the existing legal constraints, the Commission has gone as far as is legally possible by integrating Ukraine into these programmes," the source said. According to the official, according to the approved documents, Ukraine as a "quasi-member of the European Union" can actually participate in many activities enabled by new tools. "This is the first element; Ukraine may also receive some funding... There are numerous activities underway to ensure Ukraine's participation in innovation as well. For example, the announcement of the opening of an innovative office in Kyiv is a sign of ambition, that is, to unite with Ukrainians in order to do much more," the high-ranking official concluded. Previously: The first-ever European Defence Industrial Strategy at EU level, which envisions close involvement of Ukraine, was presented by the European Commission on 5 March. The EU is considering creating a separate position of European Commissioner for Defence. Earlier, it was reported that the Czech initiative to procure 800,000 shells for Ukraine outside the EU, which is financed jointly by a number of states, will be able to make first deliveries to Kyiv in a few weeks. Support UP or become our patron! Migrants disembark from the SOS Humanity 1 humanitarian ship in the Italian southern port town of Crotone, Monday, March 4, 2023. German charity SOS Humanity said the Libyan coast guard used violence and fired live bullets as its crew rescued migrants in the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday. The charity said that several migrants aboard three unseaworthy boats had to jump into the water. It said that it rescued 77 people, but that others were forced aboard a coast guard vessel. Some family members were separated and at least one migrant drowned. (Antonino D'Urso/LaPresse via AP ) BRUSSELS (AP) The European Unions border and coast guard agency has a duty to inform Libyan authorities about migrant boats in trouble in the countrys waters and will keep doing so, the head of Frontex insisted Tuesday, after a charity accused Libyas coast guard of threatening its crew during a rescue. German charity SOS Humanity said the Libyan coast guard fired live bullets and used violence as its crew rescued migrants in the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday. The charity said several migrants aboard three unseaworthy boats had to jump into the water. It said it rescued 77 people but others were forced aboard a coast guard vessel. Some family members were separated. At least one migrant drowned. Frontex uses aircraft, drones and other equipment to monitor the EUs outside borders, including in international waters. Libyas vast search and rescue area in the Mediterranean reaches well beyond its maritime border to almost halfway to the Italian island of Lampedusa. The agency provides the Libyan coast guard with the location of boats that it believes are in danger. Frontex's executive director, Hans Leijtens, told The Associated Press that the organization is obliged by international law to report such incidents to appropriate authorities, and if its in the Libyan search and rescue zone, it means also the Libyan authorities. Not to inform them would be playing with the lives of the migrants, because that would mean that assets that are available to save lives will not be allocated to the incident, Leijtens said. Thats a gamble I will never take. The EU has funded the Libyan coast guard since 2015 as part of its effort to stop migrants from the North African country reaching Italy. As part of the deal, the coast guard intercepts migrants in Libyan and international waters and returns them to Libya. Libya was plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Over the years, several witness accounts of abuses by the coast guard and detention center staff on land have been reported. Some EU countries have asserted that charity ships looking for migrants in trouble at sea are only encouraging more people to come to Europe. Italy has sought to impound some aid vessels. But Leijtens said its important for Frontex to work with nongovernmental organizations. I think its important that that we are not blocking any cooperation, he said. Whatever it takes to save lives is very important. According to the International Organization for Migration's Missing Migrants Project, at least 962 migrants were reported dead and 1,563 others missing off Libya in 2023. Around 17,200 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya last year. Leijtens said Frontex lacks a mandate, sufficient funds and equipment to carry out rescue work. ___ Follow APs coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) As Netflix users welcome a seventh season of Somebody Feed Phil this month, Grand Rapidians are getting set to welcome its creator to town in May. An Evening with Phil Rosenthal of Somebody Feed Phil' will make a stop along a 25-city tour in Grand Rapids at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on May 2. He will also be at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor the day before. The tour is running as the new season of Rosenthals latest project is released on Netflix. The show features Rosenthal traveling across the country, meeting people and, of course, trying out all the great food each city has to offer. The live show will allow Rosenthal to not only share some stories from his travels but also about his career and life. It is a little like a comedy show because I think some of the stories are very funny. And then the interaction with the audience, the audience is always great, Rosenthal told News 8. We really have a good time, I have to say. And I love doing it. Rosenthal is best known for his role on the hit Netflix show, where hes the focal point, but also for his time behind the screen as the creator of the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, for which he won two Emmys for best comedy series. He blends both of these milestones in his life in the live show, telling firsthand stories and taking questions from the audience. You get the funny stories of my career, life and the funny things that have happened on the show. And then like a half an hour to an hour of Q&A with the audience, he said. So if you come, you can ask whatever you want. Im very good at relationship advice. Marriage advice. Ever the comedian, Rosenthal did have one last message for those who might be on the fence about coming to the live show on May 2: I wouldnt come if youve never seen the show or liked the show, he said. But if you do, I think youll have a good time. You can get tickets to the show by clicking here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Kristin Powell vividly remembers watching the Super Tuesday returns in February 2008 and being consumed by a single question: Can he actually make it? A college student spending a semester in Italy at the time, Powell was referring to Barack Obama, the youthful U.S. senator from Illinois who was challenging the establishment darling Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination. Powell knew that she was enthralled by Obama but did other Black voters share her excitement? Quickly, the answer became obvious: Yes. The vast majority of Black voters turned out for Obama on Super Tuesday the busiest day of the primary calendar injecting even more energy into his insurgent campaign. By the end of the night, Obama had notched a narrow but meaningful delegate advantage over Clinton and cemented his status as the front-runner. Months later, hed defeat the Republican Party nominee, John McCain, and become the countrys first Black president. Super Tuesday is, really, our dress rehearsal for the general election, Powell, the deputy director of the Black Futures Lab, a voter mobilization organization, told Capital B. Given the large number of states that hold contests on Super Tuesday, it illuminates what Black voter enthusiasm looks like and where parties are struggling and need to sharpen their efforts. It also reveals which candidate might clinch the Democratic nomination when theres legitimate competition, since becoming the partys standard-bearer hinges on winning big among Black voters. Read more: New Literacy Test: The Black Organizers Waging War on Disinformation Thats why were spending so much time in [Super Tuesday] states such as North Carolina. We can practice our messaging, listen to Black voters, and confirm what their concerns are, Powell said. Were also paying attention to down-ballot races. Theres a governors race in North Carolina. We want people to understand the importance of whats happening beyond the presidential race. Cliff Albright, the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, also underscored that Super Tuesday can indicate the current level of engagement among Black voters. The results are litmus tests of what their mood is and how it may have shifted since earlier contests. While Super Tuesday probably wont yield any huge surprises this year that President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will emerge victorious is essentially a foregone conclusion lets take a moment for a refresher on what, exactly, this day is and what some of the most crucial races are. Read on for more. What is Super Tuesday? Super Tuesday is the day during the U.S. presidential primary cycle that the most states hold their caucuses or primaries. This year, 15 states are voting on March 5: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. American Samoa, a U.S. territory, also will be voting, and Iowa will report the results of its Democratic caucus. In the Democratic and Republican primaries, about a third of the total available delegates are at stake on Super Tuesday. This means that the candidates can get a major boost from the day in their quest to earn their respective partys nomination at the conventions this summer. Theres a nice mixture of states: Southern states, Midwestern states, Western states, Michael Minta, a political scientist at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities who focuses on racial and ethnic politics, told Capital B. So, Super Tuesday gives us a good snapshot of the country of what voter preferences are and is helpful for candidates as they try to accumulate delegates. Black voters form a critical share of the Democratic primary electorate. As a result, Super Tuesday can make or break a Democratic candidates campaign, depending on their strength among this key voting bloc. Just ask Biden. His 2020 bid for the nomination seemed over until he swept the South Carolina contest and then, on Super Tuesday, the South the region with the most Black voters. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts suspended their campaigns after lackluster performances on Super Tuesday. The night was yet another reminder that if a candidate wants to win the Democratic nod, they must secure substantial support from Black voters. Which races is Capital B watching? More will be on Tuesdays ballot than just presidential primary races. Many Americans will be voting in various down-ballot contests, too. I know that people like to look at the presidential level, but in many of those Southern states, youre not going to see an impact as [Democratic primaries] relate to the presidential election, because those states are heavily red, Minta said. But when it comes to statewide races, these diverse, Democratic-leaning groups can make a difference especially where there are competitive races. Here are just a few of the high-stakes contests well have our eye on: Alabama: The Yellowhammer State will hold a Republican primary to replace the retiring chief justice on the state Supreme Court one of the most conservative courts in the U.S. (Recall its ruling in February attacking in vitro fertilization.) Additionally, Alabama will hold U.S. House primaries, including for the new majority-Black district that was drawn after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last June that the states congressional map likely violated the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. North Carolina: The Tar Heel State will hold primaries to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. His party hopes to retain the office, which has tried hard to serve as a bulwark against a Republican-controlled state legislature that continues to undermine civil rights. North Carolina is once again becoming a vital battleground, as Biden seeks to flip an increasingly diverse state that Trump won by about 1 percentage point four years ago. Texas: The Lone Star State will hold a Democratic U.S. House primary for the 18th Congressional District, a seat that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has held since 1995. (She lost her 2023 bid for Houston mayor.) Jackson Lee is facing what many view as formidable competition from Amanda Edwards, a former Houston City Council member described as representing the next generation of Black political leadership in Houston. Arkansas: The Natural State will hold nonpartisan primaries for two different state Supreme Court seats: One is for the chief justice seat, while the other is for Position 2. These races could create vacancies that Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders would then fill. This heightened conservatism would arrive at a moment when Black voting rights in the state and elsewhere in the Eighth Circuit are already under siege. What are barriers to look out for at the ballot box? This year, Biden is all but assured to be his partys nominee, but Super Tuesday can still offer a glimpse of the state of Black voter enthusiasm for his reelection campaign. The turnout will probably indicate some of the excitement that Black voters have for Biden, explained Minta. Youve probably seen polls saying that Black men arent as enthused about Biden as Black women, and that this enthusiasm gap has increased a bit since 2020. So thats something hell likely be paying attention to on Tuesday. Albright urged caution on the topic of Black voter turnout, stressing that the countrys voting rights framework has changed significantly even since 2020. Sometimes when people talk about these elections whether the primary or the general they lose sight of the fact that turnout is dictated not just by enthusiasm but also by the barriers to the ballot box Black voters are facing, he said. That piece of the story too often gets lost. It got lost in the 2022 elections, when people talked about turnout in Georgia and Texas. They made it seem as if Stacey Abrams and Beto ORourke just didnt motivate people, completely ignoring voter suppression in those states. A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan think tank, finds that the racial turnout gap defined as the difference in the turnout rate between white and nonwhite voters is climbing most swiftly in the South and in other parts of the country that previously had to preclear changes to their voting policies with the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. Supreme Court swept away this requirement in 2013, via Shelby County v. Holder. All that being said, Powell explained that, so far, recent polling makes her hopeful about Super Tuesday. A new poll from the Black to the Future Action Fund, the Black Futures Labs sister organization, shows that nearly 60% of Black North Carolinians intend to participate in the Tar Heel States primaries on Tuesday, and that 68% approve of the job Bidens doing. For Cooper, that figure is 74%. Many in the mainstream media are talking about how Black voters have basically given up on Biden either were not going to show up or were even considering Trump, Powell said. But our polling in North Carolina doesnt show that. And we plan to continue polling across the South. The post Why Super Tuesday Is a Dress Rehearsal for the General Election appeared first on Capital B News. Tuesday is primary Election Day in North Carolina, with voters deciding party nominees for everything from president to county commissioner. Polling locations across the state will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. People who are in line at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Heres what else you need to know: Whats on the ballot in the 2024 election? Voters will decide Democratic, Republican and third-party nominees for president, Congress, governor, offices in the Council of State, appeals courts, the legislature and county commissioners. Those nominees will then face off in the November 5 general election. Ballots will have different races on them depending on where voters live and which primary they vote in. To check your registration, see your sample ballot or polling place, visit vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. Who can vote in North Carolina primary? All registered voters are eligible unless you voted early or submitted a mail-in absentee ballot. People who requested a mail-in absentee ballot but havent returned it can cast a ballot on Election Day. Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary. Republicans can vote in the Republican primary. But unaffiliated voters can vote in either (but not both). NC voter ID laws Voters now need to show photo identification to cast a ballot. Acceptable IDs include: A North Carolina drivers license A state ID issued by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles A U.S. passport or U.S. passport card A drivers license or non-driver ID from another state, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territories if the voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election. For the complete list of acceptable IDs, visit ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id#acceptable. Where do I vote? Voters must cast their ballot at their assigned precinct on Election Day. Look up your registration on the N.C. State Board of Elections website at vt.ncsbe.gov/PPLkup. Voters may be able to cast a provisional ballot if they arrive at the wrong polling location. What if Im not registered to vote? Voters arent allowed to register on Election Day and vote the same day. What can I bring with me to the polls in North Carolina? Voters may bring voting guides, notes and other materials into the voting booth, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections. Voters also are allowed to have phones or electronic devices with them to access information while voting. But the devices cannot be used to photograph or videotape a ballot or communicate with anyone via voice, text, email or any other method. What if you encounter intimidation at the polls? Whether you are being refused your right to vote or witness an illegal act, documenting incidents could help prove they occurred. The State Board of Election encourages voters who want to file a complaint to provide evidence, including photos or videos, although photography or filming inside a polling location is prohibited, according to North Carolina law. Claims can be emailed to elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov. Voters can also call NCSBE at 919-814-0700 to file a complaint. Once a complaint has been submitted, it is handled by the Investigations Division for review. Each polling location is staffed with a chief judge who is tasked with maintaining order. If you encounter trouble, consult with polling staff immediately. The chief judge can contact the police to help diffuse the situation. Results will take longer this year Election results are expected to come in later than usual this year due to new legislation passed by North Carolina Republicans. The delay is due to a provision in Senate Bill 747, a Republican-crafted bill passed last year which makes sweeping changes to election law. GOP proponents said the goal was to increase confidence in elections. The law says election officials must wait until polls close at 7:30 p.m. to begin counting and reporting results of ballots cast during early voting. Previously, county boards of elections were able to begin tabulating early votes before polls closed, allowing them to report those results around 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Who to call with questions about voting in North Carolina If you have questions about voting on Election Day or encounter difficulty at your polling location, contact your county board of elections. In Mecklenburg County, call 704-336-2133. In Wake County, call 919-404-4040. The State Board of Elections has a full directory of county offices on its website at ncsbe.gov/about-elections/county-boards-elections. 2024 NC primary results Check charlotteobserver.com for constantly updating results and news starting at 7:30 p.m. A civilian employee in the U.S. Air Force was charged in federal court with giving classified material about the war in Ukraine to a woman he met on an online dating service, apparently unperturbed by her bizarrely worded requests for information on military targets and Russian capabilities. David Franklin Slater, 63, of Nebraska, was taken into custody on Saturday on a three-count indictment. He is accused of conspiring to transmit and transmitting classified information relating to the national defense to someone who, claiming to be a single Ukrainian woman, wheedled sensitive information out of him while referring to him as her secret informant love and her secret agent. A former U.S. Army officer, Slater retired as a lieutenant colonel before signing up to work with the Air Force as a civilian, according to the Justice Department. He was assigned to U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where he worked in a classified space and held a top secret security clearance from August 2021 until the following April. As a part of his duties, he sometimes attended classified briefings on the war in Ukraine. Around February 2022, Slater began willfully, improperly, and unlawfully sharing national defense information over a foreign dating platform, prosecutors said. Referred to as Co-Conspirator 1 in Slaters indictment, the unidentified woman asked him repeatedly to supply her with non-public, closely held, and classified information. Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting, she messaged him on March 11. Four days later, she wrote: 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? Three days after that: Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us? In more messages the next month, the woman thanked her sweet Dave for the valuable information and shared her hopes that NATO was preparing a very unpleasant surprise for Putin, adding, Will you tell me? In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division said Slater had acted in blatant disregard for the security of his country and his oath to safeguard its secrets. 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. Slater will make an initial court appearance on Tuesday. An attorney for him was not immediately identified. 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 of conspiracy to transmit and the transmission of national defense information. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) The ex-husband of a former Houston County beauty queen and target of her alleged murder-for-hire plot in the Bahamas is now reportedly dating Chrisley Knows Best star Savannah Chrisley, according to PEOPLE Magazine. Robert Shiver and Chrisley made their first official public appearance as a couple on February 6 during a fundraising event in Nashville. Their relationship was made official in a November 2023 Instagram post by Chrisley showing the two kissing with the caption Sometimes it just works and she confirmed their relationship was going strong during a February 2024 interview with PEOPLE magazine. Its been great. Everythings awesome, Chrisley told PEOPLE Magazine about her relationship with Shiver. Shiver made headlines in July 2023 after his ex-wife and former Houston County beauty queen Lindsay Shiver was arrested in the Bahamas after allegedly plotting to have Robert Shiver killed by her lover, Terrance Bethel, and his friend, Faron Newbold. According to Georgia court records, Robert Shiver filed for divorce from in Lindsay after finding out about her and Bethels alleged affair in July. In September 2023, not long after Lindsay Shivers initial arrest in Nassau, PEOPLE Magazine reported Robert Shiver and Chrisley were seen together for the first time at a Los Angeles Airport and said she hinted at their relationship during a podcast just days before. This guy that Im talking to, his wife just tried to kill him. It was a thing, she said during the Viall Files Podcast in September. Hes a normal person, and I love it. Chrisley told PEOPLE that Shiver was a blessing amid the turmoil after her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley, were imprisoned on tax fraud and evasion charges last year. Lindsay Shiver was set to go to trial on the murder-for-hire charges on Monday, March 4, in the Bahamian capital, but the trial was delayed until July 1. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. March 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department said Monday that a former Venezuelan military official has pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering, bribing foreign officials and defrauding foreign financial institutions. A former major in Venezuela's National Guard, Nepmar Jesus Escalona Enriquez, a Venezuelan national who was residing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., admitted to an illegal scheme that involved knowingly submitting fraudulent applications to the National Center for Foreign Commerce -- which administers legal currency exchange in Venezuela -- to deceive three different entities into releasing nearly $1.7 million to him and other conspirators in U.S. dollar exchanges. Escalona, 47, lied and claimed to the three entities -- Banesco Bank, the Central Bank of Venezuela and Venezuelan customs authorities -- that what he was doing involved financing the importation of food into Venezuela, according to a release by the department. In at least one instance, Escalona -- who pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy -- did admit to bribing a Venezuelan official in an effort to prevent getting caught. And in another instance, he admitted to taking part in five illegal wire transfers totaling more than $420,000. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Miami Field Division office had been pursuing the case. Escalona -- who faces 20 years in a U.S. prison if convicted -- is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola Jr on May 23. By Sarah Morland (Reuters) -More than a year ago Haiti's government formally requested a multinational force be deployed to help its police restore control of the capital Port-au-Prince, as powerful alliances of heavily armed gangs expanded their influence. Progress has lagged, but as Prime Minister Ariel Henry traveled to Kenya last week to sign a deal expected to secure Kenya's leadership, fighting escalated dramatically as armed men broke thousands of inmates out of overpopulated prisons, authorities declared a state of emergency and thousands of displaced people fled makeshift camps in the capital. The United Nations estimates hundreds of thousands have been displaced and thousands killed in the overall conflict, with widespread reports of rape, torture and ransom kidnappings. HOW IT HAPPENED Henry first called in October 2022 for a rapid international force to help national police fight gangs which were quickly growing their influence and military arsenals around Port-au-Prince, driving a devastating humanitarian crisis. A year later the United Nations passed a resolution approving the force and setting out a framework, stipulating the mission would not be U.N.-led, though the agency would offer oversight, set up a dedicated trust fund and receive formal commitments from countries volunteering their support. Countries have been slow to offer support, with some raising doubts over the legitimacy of Henry's unelected government amid widespread protests. Many, both in Haitian communities and abroad, are wary of international interventions after previous U.N. missions left behind a devastating cholera epidemic and sex abuse scandals, for which reparations were never made. Kenya offered to lead the force last year, but a court ruled it needed a reciprocal agreement from Haiti. Henry traveled to Nairobi to sign this agreement while fighting escalated in his country. He landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, after media reports said the Dominican Republic prevented him from entering Haiti from its airspace. TROOPS The U.N. last month said five countries had formally pledged troops to the force, Benin being the largest known contributor with 1,500 personnel. Chad, Bangladesh and Barbados also made formal pledges, it said without giving more details, as well as the Bahamas, which had previously said it would send 150 people. Kenya has pledged to lead the force with 1,000 police officers. Late last year, politicians in Kenya's parliament reported plans to contribute from Burundi and Senegal. Meanwhile in the Caribbean, Belizean media said the country had pledged 50 soldiers and Antigua and Barbuda's prime minister has pledged an unspecified number of soldiers. Media reported Suriname also would offer personnel. Under the U.N.'s resolution to deploy the force, states must formally notify its secretary general. There is no deadline. The widely criticized 2004-17 U.N. MINUSTAH mission to Haiti was given an initial mandate of up 6,700 troops. Researchers at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based NGO, said Kenyan assessments indicated the mission should have up to 5,000 personnel and cost some $240 million per year. FUNDING The United States is the largest known financial backer, having pledged up to $200 million. The U.S. has said Guyana has also pledged funds, without saying how much. Canada later followed this with a pledge of around $59 million, and France with some $3 million and a further $924,000 for French and Creole-language training for the mission. However, as of March 5, a U.N. spokesperson said only $78 million had been formally pledged and less that $11 million deposited in its dedicated trust fund, from Canada and France. No new contributions were made since the state of emergency. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly called for more countries to offer funds and urged more support from French-speaking nations. Both France and the United States were recipients of a debt Haiti paid during more than a century over claims of property, including slaves, lost during the Haitian revolution. Combined with loans taken to meet payments, a New York Times investigation estimated the "debt" cost Haiti billions of dollars, crippling development. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. UNCLEAR PLEDGES, CLEAR LIMITS Several dozen more countries have made unspecified commitments of support, notably Spain and nearby Jamaica. The Miami Herald has reported commitments from Mongolia, Guatemala, Italy and Peru, and El Salvador said they had offered a "study mission" to share technical expertise learned from the Central American country's own security crackdown. It was unclear whether this mission took place. The neighboring Dominican Republic, while calling for deployment, has been clear it will not participate in the force and its president has said he would not allow Haitian refugee camps on its territory. The country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has deported tens of thousands in the past year, and does not allow infants of Haitian migrants born in the country to have Dominican nationality. USE OF FORCE The U.N. has authorized the so-called Multinational Security Support Mission to "take all necessary measures" against alleged gang members while collaborating with Haitian police to secure routes for humanitarian aid and ensure stringent measures to prevent further rights abuses. Sinisa Vukovic, a senior conflict lecturer at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, said that while the U.N. mandate clearly allowed for use of force against perpetrators of violence towards civilians, it was unclear what limits donor countries would impose on their troops. Vukovic pointed to acts linked to MINUSTAH peacekeepers that resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians, justified at the time as self-defense, but he said this suggested the mission had not been fully prepared to counter violence while keeping civilians safe. "The real question is: What will be different this time?" Vukovic asked. "It is obvious that this will be a patched-together mission, shaped and conditioned by the political will of contributing countries." ($1 = 0.9198 euros) (Reporting by Sarah Morland in Mexico City, Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Stephen Coates) (KTLA) The Ojai City Council in California unanimously voted to permanently ban the sale and use of glue traps in their community. Ojai, which became the first American city to recognize the legal rights of nonhuman animals last September, believes glue traps, which are primarily used to trap and kill rodents, can pose a risk for species that the traps are not intended for. Glue traps are commonly used for rodents, however PETA states that these traps have been used to capture other wildlife such as birds, snakes and squirrels, the ordinance introducing the ban stated. Furthermore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] warns against the use of glue traps due to potentially producing harmful health impacts as the trapped animals produce urine and feces. The types of traps now outlawed in Ojai are described by officials as extremely cruel and painful even though they are regularly used in homes, food service establishments and by pest management companies. Regarding Her: Celebrating Womens History Month by highlighting female entrepreneurs While the larger glue traps designed to capture vertebrate animals tend to be the most problematic due the increased likelihood to capture larger animals or multiple animals, smaller glue traps designed to capture animals such as ants, flies, insects and cockroaches present similar dangers, Ojai city officials said. Therefore, all glue traps, regardless of their size or intended victim, pose animal welfare and health concerns. Several alternatives to glue traps include snap traps and electric traps, both of which have a higher chance of killing the rodent instantly, city officials said. Live traps, also known as catch-and-release traps, are a way of safely capturing an animal and releasing it somewhere else. The movement to ban glue traps has grown in the United States and across the world. West Hollywood became the first city in the nation to ban glue traps in April 2023, and according to PETA, three American cities have reportedly banned glue traps within their internal operations: Cartersville, Georgia; Eugene, Oregon; and Washington D.C. My Dead Friend Zoe: Travis Kelces film producer debut set for world premiere at SXSW Similar bills were introduced in New York and Massachusetts during the 2021-2022 Legislative Session, but neither passed. On an international level, England, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand have also reportedly banned the use of glue traps, Ojai officials say. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) said it is taking part in ITB Berlin 2024, one of the world's premier travel trade fairs, taking place from March 5 to 7, 2024, in Berlin, Germany, to showcase the multifaceted tourism and cultural facets of the emirate. While aiming to elevate awareness about Ajmans unique appeal as a premier tourist destination, ADTD said it will focus on fostering cultural exchange, cultivating promising partnerships, and reinforcing tourism connections between the emirate and the global community. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of ADTD, said: "We are pleased to announce Ajman's participation in ITB Berlin 2024. The remarkable growth we achieved in Ajman over the past year reflects our unwavering commitment to developing the tourism sector. This accomplishment underscores the ongoing efforts and strategic vision of the emirate in positioning itself as a leading tourist destination. "Ajman's rich cultural heritage sets it apart, and through our active involvement in this exhibition, we anticipate showcasing its beauty and diversity. The success of Ajman in the tourism sector reflects our dedication to providing unique experiences for visitors. Ajman offers a tapestry of cultural experiences, including traditional markets, culinary journeys ranging from popular to international cuisine, and an array of museums. The Ajman Museum stands out as a landmark, narrating the emirate's story and the development path of its population over 5,000 years BC, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the region's rich heritage. The recently inaugurated heritage trail represents a significant step in enhancing Ajman's rich heritage, fostering connections with history and culture among residents and visitors alike. The Beit Rashid Al Khader Museum, which opened in 2023, showcases poetry as an artistic expression and a conduit for transmitting heritage and stories. Ajman's events cater to adventure enthusiasts, offering opportunities for long walks in the scenic natural areas of the Al Zorah region. The Masfout area provides a unique experience with mountain biking paths and the discovery of picturesque landscapes. As of 2023, Ajman boasts 50 hotels and resorts with a total of 4,292 rooms. The emirate experienced a remarkable 11% growth in revenues and a 6% increase in occupancy in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to a report by Smith Travel Research (STR). Ajman leads the hospitality sector with an 82% occupancy rate, outperforming its competitors. TradeArabia News Service KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 08:07 | All, World The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on 2024 presidential primary ballots, reversing a decision by the state of Colorado's top court to disqualify him over his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. A day before "Super Tuesday," when 15 states and one territory hold nominating contests for the 2024 general election, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Trump's appeal against the decision. It is a significant win for Trump, clearing a major legal obstacle in his bid to return to the White House. On Dec. 19, the Colorado court, in a 4-3 vote, said Trump was ineligible to be president again under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution from holding office should they engage in insurrection against it. The decision sent shockwaves through the country as it was the first time a U.S. court had found Trump, the clear front-runner in the Republican Party nominating race for the presidential election, ineligible to run for the White House again. On Monday, the nine-member Supreme Court, which added conservative justices under the Trump administration, said the post-Civil War-era clause included in the 14th Amendment can only be enforced by Congress against would-be or current federal officeholders. "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. Trump, who was in office for four years through January 2021, seeks a rematch against Democratic President Joe Biden in the election on Nov. 5. "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!" he wrote on his social media platform. In addition to reversing Colorado's decision, the Supreme Court ruling also ends similar cases that had threatened to boot Trump from primary ballots in Maine and Illinois. Colorado and Maine are among the many states holding "Super Tuesday" presidential primaries or caucuses. Trump has claimed that he had no involvement in the Capitol Hill riot that challenged the 2020 presidential election results and delayed the certification of Biden's victory. Despite facing 91 criminal charges, including those related to efforts to overturn his loss in the previous election, Trump has won almost all the Republican nominating contests, garnering 247 delegates as compared to 43 for his last remaining rival, Nikki Haley. A candidate in the party needs to collect at least 1,215 delegates to win its presidential nomination. Related coverage: Trump bags another win over Haley as 2024 primary enters final phase Trump ordered to pay $355 million in New York fraud trial Trump told to pay $83 million in damages for defaming columnist The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faulted Boeing for quality control problems in the wake of a midair blowout earlier this year. In a statement Monday, the agency said its six-week audit of the aviation giant and Spirit AeroSystems, the manufacturer linked to the incident that sparked the audit, found multiple instances when the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeings manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control, the FAA said in its statement. The FAA is providing these details to the public as an update to the agencys ongoing investigation. A spokeswoman told The Associated Press that more details couldnt be made public because its investigation of Boeing is continuing. The results of the audit were shared with Boeing and Spirit. Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino said the company welcomed the FAA audit and will review the findings, the AP reported. We are in communication with Boeing and the FAA on appropriate corrective actions, he said, according to the news wire. Boeing confirmed last week that it was in talks to rebuy Spirit AeroSystems, which made the fuselage and door plug that blew off midflight during an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 flight traveling from Oregon to California. Spirit was separated from Boeing in 2005, per the AP. We have been working closely with Spirit AeroSystems and its leadership to strengthen the quality of the commercial airplanes that we build together, Boeing said Friday in a statement. We confirm that our collaboration has resulted in preliminary discussions about making Spirit AeroSystems a part of Boeing again. Last week, the FAA gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan to address its systemic quality-control issues in the wake of an audit and expert panels findings on the aviation giant. Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said after meeting with Boeing CEO and President David Calhoun. Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeings leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations. In an email, Boeing referred The Hill to a statement Calhoun made in which he said his company has a clear picture of what needs to be done. Transparency prevailed in all of these discussions, the Boeing CEO said. Boeing will develop the comprehensive action plan with measurable criteria that demonstrates the profound change that Administrator Whitaker and the FAA demand, Calhoun continued. Our Boeing leadership team is totally committed to meeting this challenge. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is faulting Boeing for quality control problems in the wake of a mid-air blowout earlier this year. In a statement Monday, the agency said its six-week audit of the aviation giant and Spirit AeroSystems, the manufacturer linked to the incident, found multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeings manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control, the FAA said in its statement. The FAA is providing these details to the public as an update to the agencys ongoing investigation. Boeing in talks to rebuy manufacturer linked to mid-air blowout A spokeswoman told The Associated Press that more details couldnt be made public because its investigation of Boeing is continuing. Results of the audit were shared with Boeing and Spirit. Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino said the company welcomed the FAA audit and will review the findings, the AP reported. We are in communication with Boeing and the FAA on appropriate corrective actions, he said, according to the news wire. Boeing confirmed last week that it was in talks to rebuy Spirit AeroSystems, which made the fuselage and door plug that blew off mid-flight during an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 flight traveling from Oregon to California. Spirit was separated from Boeing in 2005, per the AP. We have been working closely with Spirit AeroSystems and its leadership to strengthen the quality of the commercial airplanes that we build together, Boeing said Friday in a statement. We confirm that our collaboration has resulted in preliminary discussions about making Spirit AeroSystems a part of Boeing again. Malaysia signals it may revive search for missing flight MH370, a decade later Last week, the FAA gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan to address its systemic quality-control issues in the wake of an audit and expert panels findings on the aviation giant. Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said after meeting with Boeing CEO and President David Calhoun. Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeings leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations. In an email, Boeing referred The Hill to a statement Calhoun made in which he said his company has a clear picture of what needs to be done. Transparency prevailed in all of these discussions, the Boeing CEO said. Boeing will develop the comprehensive action plan with measurable criteria that demonstrates the profound change that Administrator Whitaker and the FAA demand, Calhoun continued. Our Boeing leadership team is totally committed to meeting this challenge. The Associated Press contributed reporting. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The day started off with a blank screen for many who turned to social media Tuesday morning, leaving them asking wheres my Facebook and Instagram? I tried getting on Instagram and it said couldnt load the feed. I was like whats wrong? said James Boone, a University of Memphis student. Then my friend, he was like, Facebook and Instagram are down. Meta services went down around 9:30 Tuesday morning. Those trying to sign on were automatically logged off and unable to get back on. Service was back after about an hour and a half. What caused the Facebook, Instagram outages? For many its a big inconvenience. But for those who have built a business and brand around the social media site, its much more. Plenty of people use Instagram as a livelihood, to an extent. I know even an hour is enough for them to lose revenue or lose money in general, said U of M senior Endiyiah Franklin. Facebook responded early on, saying it was aware people were having trouble accessing services, and they were working on it. But at a time when computer systems are being hacked and cyber attacks are a real threat, the loss, even temporarily, of something many have come to rely can give everyone pause. I was very surprised, Boone said. Its like AT&T, how they went down a couple of days ago, I was like, what in the world is going on? DOWNLOAD the WREG mobile app for news alerts and more Facebook apologized for the incovenience in a post to X, but still hasnt indicated just what went wrong. CBS News reported more than half a million Facebook and Instagram users reported widespread issues. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Claim: A social post shared in early 2024 accurately reported that a man renovating his home in Turkey discovered a massive, ancient, underground city. Rating: Rating: True In early 2024, an image shared on social media claimed that a man performing home renovations in Turkey discovered an ancient underground city. The claim had previously been shared on Reddit. (iFunny) This claim is true. According to BBC, in 1963, an unidentified local man kept losing his chickens, which he noticed were disappearing into a gap in one of the walls of his home, never to be seen again. After knocking down a wall in his basement, he found a tunnel leading to a sprawling system of cave-like rooms and homes that made up the subterranean city. Due to ongoing excavation efforts, the details surrounding the scope of Derinkuyu's discovery have not yet been fully revealed but the city's existence and significance are undisputed. Located in Cappadocia near the center of Turkey, Derinkuyu is an ancient marvel with a rich history and significant archaeological importance. The sprawling underground city is believed to have been constructed as early as the 8th to 7th centuries B.C. and was once known as Elengubu. It served as a refuge for people during times of Byzantine-Arab conflict and persecution, and later during the 7th century A.D. as a shelter for Christians fleeing persecution from Islamic raids. Reports suggest it could accommodate up to 20,000 people. Sources like Atlas Obscura and the BBC provided further context, underscoring Derinkuyu's importance as a cultural and historical treasure. According to the BBC: The ancient city of Elengubu, known today as Derinkuyu, burrows more than 85m below the Earth's surface, encompassing 18 levels of tunnels. The largest excavated underground city in the world, it was in near-constant use for thousands of years, changing hands from the Phrygians to the Persians to the Christians of the Byzantine Era. It was finally abandoned in the 1920s by the Cappadocian Greeks when they faced defeat during the Greco-Turkish war and fled abruptly en masse to Greece. Not only do its cave-like rooms stretch on for hundreds of miles, but it's thought the more than 200 small, separate underground cities that have also been discovered in the region may be connected to these tunnels, creating a massive subterranean network. The site has not been completely excavated and its full extent and significance are not yet known; we were unable to find definitive records of its exact size. A report from Architectural Digest in September 2023 said archaeologists were studying a 215,000-square-foot subterranean complex called Sarayini about 150 miles west of Derinkuyu and that another complex in the Nevsehir region may be larger still: Many of the ancient underground cities unearthed in Turkey have only been discovered in recent years, and most have not been fully explored. Preliminary studies have indicated that a subterranean complex found in Turkey's Neveshir region may be larger than both Derinkuyu and Sarayini, though archaeologists don't yet have a complete picture of the site. Derinkuyu's rich history, architectural complexity, and excavation efforts emphasize its significance in understanding ancient civilizations. After its rediscovery in 1963, Derinkuyu was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. This isn't the first time Snopes has covered an ancient underground network having been unearthed in Europe, with Medieval Erdstall tunnels dating back centuries found in places such as Germany, Austria, France, Ireland and Scotland. Sources: Antik Sarayini Yer Alt Sehrinin Kesfedilen Alan 20 Bin Metrekareye Ulast. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur/antik-sarayini-yer-alti-sehrinin-kesfedilen-alani-20-bin-metrekareye-ulasti/2972469. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. Borges, Jason. "Nevsehir Underground City." Cappadocia History, 17 Sept. 2020, https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/nevsehir-underground-city. "Derinkuyu & The Underground Cities of Cappadocia." Sometimes Interesting, 10 May 2014, https://sometimes-interesting.com/derinkuyu-the-underground-cities-of-cappadocia/. "Inside One of the World's Largest and Most Advanced Underground Cities." Architectural Digest, 27 Sept. 2023, https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-turkey-underground-cities. Jacobs, Frank. "The Mysterious Underground City Found in a Man's Basement." Atlas Obscura, 7 Apr. 2023, http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/derinkuyu-turkey-underground-city-strange-maps. MyBestPlace - Derinkuyu, the Extraordinary Underground City of Turkey. https://www.mybestplace.com/en/article/derinkuyu-the-extraordinary-underground-city-of-turkey. Accessed 1 Mar. 2024. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "GoReme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia." UNESCO World Heritage Centre, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/357/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. Turkey's Underground City of 20,000 People. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220810-derinkuyu-turkeys-underground-city-of-20000-people. Accessed 1 Mar. 2024. Claim: Netanyahu was recorded in 1990 saying: "America is a Golden Calf and we will suck it dry, chop it up, and sell it off piece by piece until there is nothing left but the Worlds biggest welfare state that we will create and control." Rating: Rating: Unfounded In late 2023, rumors spread online claiming that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once said, "America is a golden calf and we will suck it dry, chop it up, and sell it piece by piece until there is nothing left but the world's biggest welfare state that we will create and control... This is what we do to countries that we hate. We destroy them very slowly." The alleged quote was not new, having repeatedly resurfaced since at least 2017 on both X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit. The statement was supposedly uttered by Netanyahu in 1990, although he did not assume prime ministership until 1996. This is the full quote attributed to Netanyahu as it has appeared in other social media posts: If we get caught they will just replace us with persons of the same cloth. So it does not matter what you do, America is a golden calf and we will suck it dry, chop it up, and sell it off piece by piece until there is nothing left but the world's biggest welfare state that we will create and control. Why? Because it is the will of God, and America is big enough to take the hit so we can do it again and again and again. This is what we do to countries that we hate. We destroy them very slowly and make them suffer for refusing to be our slaves. This text accompanies the quote in memes such as the one above: Benjamin Netanyahu, employed at the time as a Soviet agent, in a covert conversation taped in 1990 @ Finks Bar in Jerusalem, a well known Mossad hangout. Taken directly from the transcript of the recording, which was witnessed and has been 100% fully authenticated. Shown here making the satanic sign of '666' at that meeting. Made public by Gordon Duff, Veterans Today. Sources: https://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/03/12/shockwaves-part-iii/ https://new.euro-med.dk/20150320-veterans-today-rewrites-us-history-much-worse-than-you-ever The meme cites "Gordon Duff, Veterans Today" as its source. Veterans Today is a website we have previously found to publish antisemitic, pro-Nazi, and Holocaust-denying material. Vice called Veterans Today "conspiracy-oriented." Duff, the senior editor and director of Veterans Today, stated in a 2012 interview that, "About 30% of what's written on Veterans Today, is patently false. About 40% of what I write, is at least purposely, partially false, because if I didn't write false information I wouldn't be alive." Veterans Today has a disclaimer that reads as follows [archived here]: Due to the nature of uncensored content posted by VT's fully independent international writers, VT cannot guarantee absolute validity. All content is owned by the author exclusively. Expressed opinions are NOT necessarily the views of VT, other authors, affiliates, advertisers, sponsors, partners, or technicians. Some content may be satirical in nature. All images are the full responsibility of the article author and NOT VT. The first link [archived here] listed takes us to a page written in 2015 by James Preston, who claims to be a Social Psychologist with a Ph.D. The second link doesn't work, either because the page has been deleted or because the URL is incomplete. (Image via Veterans Today) The article itself claims that Netanyahu is the "Operational Head of the Khazarian Mafia" (an antisemitic trope) and that the statement was recorded while he was meeting at Fink's Bar in Jerusalem, a real bar that closed in 2005. Although the article claims that the quote was pulled from the transcript of a recording, no such recording has never been presented as evidence. https://media.snopes.com/2024/03/veterans_today_conspiracy_doc_netanyahu_golden_calf_quote_single_page.pdf (Veterans Today) In sum, although Veterans Today claimed this quote was "100% fully authenticated," we found no corroborating evidence to support this claim, nor indeed any evidence that the quote even existed prior to the 2015 article in which it was published. Additionally, Veterans Today has a reputation for spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories. Because of this, we rate this claim "Unfounded." Sources: Fact Check: NO Evidence Netanyahu Once Said 'America Is A Golden Calf And We Will Suck It Dry,' 'Destroy' It | Lead Stories. 18 Jan. 2024, https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2024/01/fact-check-no-evidence-netanyahu-once-said-america-is-a-golden-calf-and-we-will-suck-it-dry-destroy-it.html. 'Https://Twitter.Com/AlgerianPalest/Status/921115692136529920'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/AlgerianPalest/status/921115692136529920. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 'Https://Twitter.Com/LadyVelvet_HFQ/Status/1730786770982256956?Lang=en'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/LadyVelvet_HFQ/status/1730786770982256956?lang=en. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. Kasprak, Alex. 'Did Rep. Paul Gosar Promote Holocaust-Denying Website in Email to Constituents?' Snopes, 17 Apr. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/gosar-veterans-today/. Preston, James. 'Shockwaves (Part III)'. Veterans Today, https://www.veteranstodayarchives.com/2015/03/12/shockwaves-part-iii/. 'Remembering Fink's in Jerusalem, Politicians, Celebrities Dined There'. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.Com, 20 Sept. 2020, https://www.jpost.com/opinion/remembering-finks-in-jerusalem-politicians-celebrities-dined-there-642974. Thompson, Alex. '9/11 "truthers" Vow to Never, Ever Forget'. Vice, 12 Sept. 2016, https://www.vice.com/en/article/pa499n/911-truthers-vow-to-never-ever-forget. White, Gregory. 'Israeli Prime Minister: "America Is A Thing You Can Move Very Easily"'. Business Insider, https://www.businessinsider.com/israeli-prime-minister-america-is-a-thing-you-can-move-very-easily-2010-7. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. DENVER (KDVR) The two faculty members who were shot at East High School by a student in March 2023 have filed a notice of claim ahead of their intent to sue. FOX31 obtained the notice of claims for Jerald Wayne Mason and Eric Sinclair, two deans at the school shot by Austin Lyle during a routine pat down, from Denver Public Schools. The documents are dated to September 2023. A notice of claim is a process that happens before a lawsuit is filed. The process is the first step toward a lawsuit that allows involved parties to settle before going to court or arbitration. Both Masons and Sinclairs notice of claim state that this comes as a result of the negligence, recklessness and willful and wanton conduct of Denver Public Schools, the members of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, Denver County 1 School District, and Denver Public Schools d/b/a East High School. Aurora teacher suffers 3 strokes in 5 days due to neck injury Per the notices, Mason is seeking $5 million as he continues to undergo medical care. According to Sinclairs attorney, monetary damages cannot be fully ascertained at this time, however, they claim the economic and non-economic damages from the shooting exceed $1 million. Both deans suffered injuries following shooting On March 22, 2023, Lyle was undergoing a routine search as part of his safety plan when police said he got hold of a weapon and shot both Mason and Sinclair before fleeing the school. According to police, this search was not conducted by the usual faculty member. Sinclair suffered serious injuries and had to undergo surgery. According to his attorney, he had blood clots in his lungs, fractured ribs, a splenectomy and permanent impairment among other injuries. Jury awards almost $4M in damages in Denver police SWAT search Mason was also injured but was discharged from the hospital shortly after arriving. Lyles body was found in Park County near Bailey with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Denver Public Schools said they do not comment on pending lawsuits. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Philippine Airlines has warned of "bogus" Facebook pages claiming the archipelago's flag carrier is offering "six months of free flights" for only three dollars. Posts promoting the offer on these pages direct users to a website where they are invited to fill in their credit card information. The airline said no such promotion exists and engaging with the pages could compromise personal data. "The Antimonopoly Committee obliged Philippine Airlines to sell part of its air tickets at a low price," claimed part of a Facebook post shared on February 28, 2024. "In this regard, the company organized a promotion -- a Philippine Airlines certificate for 6 months of free flights for only 168 pesos (3 dollars)." The post's accompanying image shows the cabin of a passenger plane with someone holding what appears to be a "card for 6 free flight (sic)". The claim surfaced after authorities announced an increase in fuel surcharge fees that airlines could add to the base fare (archived link). Screenshot of the false Facebook post, captured on February 29, 2024 An "Apply Now" button can be found under the post. It directs users to a page asking for credit card information for a charge of 112 pesos. Screenshot of the website asking for users credit card information Another post on the same page here offers the same purported deal, claiming Philippine Airlines was offering the promotion because there was "a lack of passengers on its flights". A similar claim was shared on another Facebook page here and here, which said the airline was offering six flights for 168 pesos. Multiple comments from recently created Facebook accounts give the impression the supposed promotion is genuine. "I was waiting for deception, but now I travel every weekend," read one comment. "Thank you very much for the card, I received it literally 10 minutes ago. This weekend we are already flying with a friend to Rome," read another, despite Philippine Airlines not having direct flights to Rome as of March 4 (archived link). 'Bogus' promotion Philippine Airlines said in a statement posted on Facebook on February 14 that pages announcing the supposed promotion were "bogus" (archived link). "Unscrupulous individuals have created bogus Facebook sites announcing a PHP168 flight promo," the statement says in part. "Please do not engage with these fake sites as doing so will compromise your personal data." Genuine flight promos are announced on the official Philippine Airlines website and their Facebook page, the airline added (archived links here and here). Moreover, there is no public record of a legal authority named the "Antimonopoly Committee" in the Philippines. The agency that regulates anti-competitive behaviour is called the Philippine Competition Commission (archived link). Keyword searches on the website of the commission did not find any order for Philippine Airlines to sell tickets at a low price. Google reverse image searches found the images in the false posts had been altered to include a "6 free flight" card. The picture of the aeroplane cabin was published in a review of the business class section of a Philippine Airlines flight to Toronto (archived link). Below is a screenshot comparison of the altered image in one of the false posts (left) and the photo from the flight review (right): Screenshot comparison of the altered image in one of the false posts (left) and the photo from the flight review (right) The purported "free flight" card closely resembles a "Mabuhay Miles" card, the rewards system for frequent flying customers of Philippine Airlines (archived link). Below is a screenshot comparison of the card seen in the false posts (left) and a "Mabuhay Miles" frequent flyer card (right): Screenshot comparison of the false flight card (left) and the airline's "Mabuhay Miles" card (right) Philippine news organisation Rappler has also debunked the posts. AFP has previously debunked a similar scam offering "free subway rides" in the capital Manila. Jaeda and Janae Coon searches family records at the FamilySearch center during RootsTech in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024. The worlds largest family history conference concluded this weekend in Salt Lake City. Despite rapid advances in genealogical technologies, some still perceive family history as interesting primarily to older folks with extra time and an affinity for family lore. But Americas mental health crisis might change that. Professor Jonathan Haidts highly anticipated book, The Anxious Generation, explores the puzzling deterioration in youth mental health over the last 15 years. Although there are various factors involved, Haidt focuses attention on the arrival of a phone-based childhood that ushers young people into an immersive network of digital community centered on social media relationships. This emergence of the smart phones dominance (in the early 2010s) is highly correlated with the sharp downturn in youth mental health, as documented by San Diego State University scholar Jean Twenge over the last decade. Influenced by these findings, no less than 35 states passed laws or resolutions about social media and youth in 2023, few more forceful than Utah, which has made headlines again this year with legislative initiatives looking to curb the influence of social media. Amidst the widespread concern over the consequences of these pervasive social media networks including spikes in loneliness and isolation less attention has gone to alternative networks where people of all ages can find meaningful connection and healing relationships. Professional genealogist Lindsay Fulton spoke at RootsTech about the untapped potential of family history, including its incredible and quantifiable impact on young people. With organizations now poised to offer family history education in classrooms and homes anywhere including 670 videos available from past RootsTech conferences (and another 858 in Spanish or Portuguese) experts at the conference pointed to four main emotional and relational benefits of family history: 1. An expanded sense of connection The well-known dinnertime study from 2005 directed by Emory psychologists Robyn Fivush and Marshall Duke was one of the first to highlight the tangible benefits of family history for young people. There seems to be something thats particularly important about children knowing where they came from in a larger sense, they observed. The researchers described family narratives about the shared past as especially significant for childrens sense of being a member of a unified family. Theres an amazing feeling I get when I put in the effort to learn more about my ancestors, 18-year-old Janae Coon said at her first RootsTech conference. When I listen to stories about (my ancestors), she said, I feel connected to them. Thats been true for her adopted familys ancestry, and it also makes Janae excited to research her biological family and learn more about my roots as a Native Alaskan. Native American history specialist Alyssa Gamble with FamilySearch Library assists Janae Coon in learning how to search records during RootsTech in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024. This kind of increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives can help us no longer feel alone, said Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To those unsure about having coherent family stories to share, Fivush is quick to remind families about spontaneous, everyday conversations that happen every few minutes at dinner about current activities (Guess what happened today ') or memories that surface (That reminds me when I was a little girl '). All of this helps weave our lives back together, she said. You dont think your adolescents want to talk about this, Fivush says with a smile. They roll their eyes, and say come on. Yet after many years of research across hundreds of families, she points out that over 95% of young people surveyed have been happy to tell a story about their families. If anything, what we hear more is we want to hear more stories. ... Theyre hungry for them. 2. An expanded sense of identity In a 2010 study, The power of family history in adolescent identity and well-being, this same set of Emory researchers surveyed middle-class, mixed-race families with teenagers, discovering that young people who knew more stories about their extended family showed higher levels of identity achievement. Family stories provide a sense of identity through time, and help children understand who they are in the world, they concluded. Koen Bangerter has been looking into his familys history for years, and can hardly contain his excitement to share ancestor stories with the other teens in the group as they walk around RootsTech together. With everything else he could be focusing on as a high school freshman, I asked Koen why he keeps wanting to learn more about his ancestors. It shows you what you are really a part of, and how significant it is, he said. Brigham Young University professor Brian Hill has explored ways to use family history to help families and youth who have lost family connections. Whereas most people almost universally know where they are from and something about their family, so many others dont. With the help of DNA, Hills team was able to help abandoned youth in South Africa identify their tribes and families, many of whom would say, I didnt know who I was. These new discoveries were often met with spontaneous singing and dancing. Knowing where we are from and about our family tells us who we are, Hill said in a report by Rachel Sterzer Gibson. Family history knowledge is a bedrock part of our identity. Hill, along with fellow researcher Clive Haydon, published a 2023 study of 250 students at seven U.S. universities, which again found that those with the highest family history knowledge also had the healthiest identity development. Family history knowledge is particularly good at keeping us grounded, Hill said in a BYU press release. As we learn more about our own ancestors and feel connected to them, we will in turn feel better about ourselves, researcher Kelly Summers told Church News, adding, because they are a part of us. Dr. Jennifer Jacobs with Connect Our Kids, told the story at RootsTech of a young man in the foster system in Ohio named Daniel, who was grappling with his own sense of self due to his immediate family history: If his parents were failures, well, he must be one too. Then Daniel began to explore his larger family tree, filled with lots of other people, including a great-grandfather who had been a well-loved, small town pastor and a great-grandmother who had been a nurse in World War II. Wait, what? he said. There are good people in my family? That discovery prompted him to get reconnected with other living relatives and become open to adoption. As Jacobs observed, Daniel now stands straighter, and smiles more ... because he knows better who he is. Dr. Jennifer Jacobs, Connect Our Kids CEO and co-founder, speaks at the Impact Forum at RootsTech in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024. Rather than keeping historical details hidden, Jacobs said that struggling children desperately need some information to make some sense of what has happened suggesting that many childrens futures depend on connecting them with their people, their identity and their history. 3. A deepened capacity for resilience Not all stories and not all storytelling are equal, said professor Jody Koenig Kellas from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at RootsTech, with past experiences shared in positive, hopeful, resilient ways especially impactful. BYU Haydon said that sharing family history is most likely to influence positive adolescent identity development when it promotes positive relationships, respects personal agency and invites personal reflection. The Emory researchers similarly observed that families who are able to talk about emotionally complex and difficult events in ways that are more open, integrated, and coherent instill valuable lessons about how to navigate future challenges. Among other things, these children can come away understanding that negative events dont define the family history. After the shattering death of her father by suicide, Camaron Perkins described a tangible impression: Dont let this one moment in time define your father. Thats not who he is. ... Find a way to define his life and celebrate it. As Sydney Walker reports in the Church News, Perkins felt inspired to begin adding memories to her fathers profile in the FamilySearch App. With each new picture and story, positive memories came flooding back, which helped her preserve them in honor of him. As I was doing this, all those feelings of pain and agony were leaving me, and they were being replaced by feelings of joy and wonderful memories and love for my father, she said calling the entire processing healing. Keynote speaker Lynne M. Jackson, president and founder of The Dred Scott Heritage Foundation, presents at RootsTech in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024. Even when the stories are difficult, sometimes those are the most important stories to share, Fivush says, because those are the stories that build strength, that build resilience, that help us process deeply difficult things. Certainly we want the joyous stories, she said, we want to share that joy. But we also want to share the tears. Christina Herzog-Garcia found new comfort and connection in family history following many years of sadness and anger after being unable to have children or adopt. Just by knowing that my great-grandfathers sister was married and was never able to have children just like me gave me a comfort knowing that someone in my family went through the exact same thing I am going through now, she told Walker. Its not just how to tell stories, but how to listen to stories, said Kellas, adding, We must learn how to listen to other peoples stories compassionately and empathetically. Jody Koenig Kellas, Willa Cather professor and department chair of the department of communication studies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Robyn Fivush, Samuel Candler Dobbs professor of psychology at Emory University, speak at the Impact Forum at RootsTech in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024. 4. Expanded emotional well-being In a 2022 study, Barry Lunt and several other BYU professors were surprised to find that even one three-month family history class had measurable effects in reducing anxiety by 20%, while boosting self-esteem and resilience. Were not suggesting that this can solve clinical depression and all ills of life, but it can help, Wood said. The proof is in the pudding. ... Try it and see if youre not happier at the end and if you dont feel better. After experiencing depression and anxiety for years, Amelie Bleakley described making surprising progress in searching for ancestors. It was such a fantastic feeling to have a glimpse at the lives of people from the past, humbling, exciting. I laughed, I cried, she recalled in a Church News interview. I was feeling alive, which wasnt always the case when I was really low. It helped me overcome that feeling I was useless and worthless. This impact can also be seen in families as a whole. As the Emory team observed, family narratives often told again and again, define the shape of each familys emotional life. Ken Kaufman described a time of great family turmoil where his business fell apart. Seeing a need to lift and reassure their children, he and his wife Angela called the family together each weekend for regular Sunday scoops as they sleuthed together on various aspects of family history (followed by a bowl of ice cream). This has become a regular part of the familys life, and closely tied with their worship in Latter-day Saint temples. The Kaufman children have been to RootsTech each of the last five years, with the oldest brother Daniel finding well over 5,000 family names, and teenager Emily checking 6,000 names for accuracy in online indexes last month alone. At the end of the interview, Emily pulled me aside to make sure she had a chance to share, the blessings of family history are real. Ive experienced them myself. Sydney Walker and Rachel Sterzer Gibson contributed to the reporting Popeyes, known for its chicken sandwich, is considered to be the best fast-food restaurant to get a fish sandwich as well, according to a new report from The Washington Post. Tim Carman, the papers food reporter, tried 10 fish sandwiches from six national fast-food chains to determine which restaurants had the best sandwich. IHOP collaborates with Girl Scout Cookies on new pancake flavor One well-known fast-food fish sandwich, the Filet-O-Fish from McDonalds, didnt make the cut because Carman said the one he sampled was greasy, bready and, oddly, chewy. These are the top 5 best fast-food chains to get a fish sandwich, according to the Washington Post. Popeyes Classic Flounder Fish Sandwich Burger Kings Fiery Big Fish Wendys Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich Bojangles Bojangler Fish Sandwich Arbys Crispy Fish Sandwich After backlash, Wendys now says it will not roll out surge pricing Fish sandwiches have been seasonal or year-round staples at many fast-food chains as a way to appeal to Catholics who dont eat meat on Fridays, some even outside of Lent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A Vermont man pleaded guilty Monday to three charges including manslaughter in the death of his 2-year-old son, who police say fell into a fast-moving stream as his father fled the scene of a car crash in Massachusetts last April. Darel Galorenzo, of Readsboro, Vermont, was sentenced to nine to 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge, far exceeding the states sentencing guideline of three years. He was also sentenced to 2 1/2 years for operating under the influence of liquor and operating under the influence while endangering a child, to be served concurrently with the manslaughter sentence. I will spare the public of the traumatic details of the incidents that led to a two-year-old childs death which included first surviving a car crash then ultimately drowning on a cold, dark night in a river rushing with melting snow, District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said in a statement. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of 12 to 15 years; Defense requested four years. Galorenzo initially pleaded not guilty in Northern Berkshire District Court in North Adams last year. Massachusetts State Police troopers responded to reports of a single-vehicle rollover in the town of Clarksburg at about 2 a.m. April 8, 2023, police said. Police said a preliminary investigation suggested the boy died after his father lost him in a brook while fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle crash on foot. The child was pulled from Hudson Brook around 2:20 a.m. and rushed to Berkshire Medical Center in North Adams where he was pronounced dead. A preliminary autopsy found he died of drowning and hypothermia. Police found Galorenzo, soaking wet, near the stream. While attempting to wade through the swift current and frigid water, Galorenzo more than likely fell and lost his grip on the child, the police report said. Galorenzo was treated at a hospital for minor injuries. He told police that they went for a drive because his son could not sleep and had been coughing. He blamed the crash on ice and said the child ran away from him into the stream. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 08:35 | World, All Chinese Premier Li Qiang will not hold a press conference after an annual session of parliament closes next week, a spokesman for the legislature said Monday, breaking with tradition since 1993 and stoking concerns about the opaqueness of the country's policies. Li, who assumed the premiership during a National People's Congress session last year, will skip news conferences at the end of annual parliamentary meetings for the remainder of his five-year term through 2028 unless there are special circumstances, spokesman Lou Qinjian told reporters. Li held his first press conference as premier after last year's session ended. Such news conferences by the country's premier, who is in charge of steering economic policy, have served as a rare opportunity for the media to directly ask questions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Monday that worries about the country's openness are "unnecessary" as there will be many meetings open to the media during the upcoming parliamentary session and that sufficient information will be provided. This year's weeklong gathering will open Tuesday, Lou said. On the first day, Li is expected to unveil a 2024 gross domestic product growth target for the world's second-largest economy, which has been slowing amid a prolonged property-sector crisis. In 2023, China's GDP expanded a real 5.2 percent from a year earlier, meeting the country's annual target of around 5.0 percent due partly to the previous year's low baseline caused by the stringent "zero-COVID" policy. Observers say Beijing could set a growth goal of around 5.0 percent again this year. China will also announce its 2024 military spending on Tuesday, following a 7.2 percent rise unveiled during the parliamentary session last year. Lou said the increase in the defense budget is "reasonable" and in line with the country's economic growth. "Compared with major military powers such as the United States, China's defense spending is quite low" in terms of its ratio to GDP and per-citizen expenditure, Lou said. "China is committed to the path of peaceful development," he added. The parliamentary spokesman countered criticism that China's revised anti-espionage law, which took effect in July last year, has raised fears among foreign businesses about arbitrary enforcement. Calling such a view a "misinterpretation" of the law, Lou said the legislation has "actually refined the definition of espionage activities and made clear the line between legal and illegal activities." "It does not target normal business activities, research cooperation and academic exchanges," he said. "We are opposed to any attempt to denigrate or attack China's business environment by misinterpreting" the counterespionage law, the spokesman added. Related coverage: U.S., China agree to hold follow-up talks on North Korea, Middle East China named as hypothetical enemy for 1st time in Japan-U.S. exercise China ships warn Japan SDF planes to leave airspace near Senkakus Majid Dastjani Farahani is suspected of working for Iran's ministry of intelligence and security - FBI The FBI is hunting for an alleged Iranian spy accused of plotting to assassinate Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state, in revenge for the killing of military leader Qasem Soleimani. Majid Dastjani Farahani, 41, is suspected of working for Irans ministry of intelligence and security and, according to the agency leading the manhunt, has been involved in the lethal targeting of current and former US government officials. In a most wanted notice, the FBI said: Farahani is wanted for questioning in connection with the recruitment of individuals for various operations in the United States as revenge for the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. Farahani also reportedly recruited individuals for surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses, and other facilities in the United States. Farahani acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Irans ministry of intelligence and security. According to the agencys Miami field office, Farahani speaks French, Spanish and English and frequently travels between Iran and Venezuela. Another man targeted Iran vowed to take revenge on the US following the drone strike on Jan 3 2020 that killed Soleimani, then head of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of its Revolutionary Guards. Aside from Mr Pompeo, who was secretary of state under Donald Trump at the time of the attack, the FBI also believes Iran is targeting Brian Hook, the ex-presidents envoy to Tehran, according to Semafor. Both Mr Pompeo and Mr Hook have been receiving around-the-clock security as a result of the increased threat level while Farahani remains at large. Farahani was sanctioned by the US Treasury department in December, which claimed he works for Iran to aggressively target and stifle opponents and dissenting voices. The regimes efforts to silence its opponents extend far beyond its borders, where Iran has carried out acts of transnational repression, including rendition and lethal plotting against activists, journalists, and foreign government officials, the Treasury department said at the time. Tehran was also accused of trying to assassinate a US government official in 2022 when the US Department of Justice indicted several members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard for plotting to kill Mr Trumps former national security adviser, John Bolton. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The FBI has stepped up its hunt for Iranian agents who allegedly targeted current and former American officials as revenge for an Iranian general's murder, with an appeal for any information on their whereabouts as the cost of protecting those officials continues to climb. "Iranian intel officer Majid Dastjani Farahani is wanted for questioning regarding the recruitment of individuals for operations in the U.S., to include lethal targeting of current/former USG officials," the FBI Miami office wrote in a post on social media platform X. The FBI claimed Farahani targeted U.S. government officials who were involved in the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, which served as the focus for Farahnis recruitment activities. He allegedly recruited individuals with connections to religious sites, businesses and "other facilities" in the U.S. "Farahani acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security," the FBI wrote on its website. WILL US DO THE RIGHT THING ON DEFENSE SPENDING? BEIJING, MOSCOW AND TEHRAN WATCH AND WAIT Iran has repeatedly threatened to take revenge for Soleimanis killing, just one year ago promising that, "God willing, we are looking to kill Trump [and] Pompeo and military commanders who issued the order should be killed." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Forces, was killed in a Jan. 3, 2020 U.S. strike in Baghdad days after Iranian-backed militia supporters stormed the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. Threats have often accompanied new Iranian shows of force, such as the announcement of a new long-range cruise missile capable of striking targets within a 1,000-mile range. Iran initially responded to Soleimanis killing with missile strikes against U.S. troops stationed at two bases in Iraq, which failed to kill any American soldiers. The renewed push to catch Iranian intel operatives comes as new details emerge that the Secret Service continued to monitor former Trump National Security Council advisors John Bolton and Robert OBrien long after they left their positions, explicitly due to the potential threats from Iran. IRAN VIOLENTLY CLAMPS DOWN ON CHRISTIANS AMID REPORTS OF TORTURE, FINES AND FLOGGINGS CBS program "60 Minutes," through a Freedom of Information Act request, learned that the protection cost was around $12 million a year to maintain. The documents did not specify Iran, but "60 Minutes" separately verified that the order related to Iranian threats. The Department of Homeland Security documents related to the protection order disclosed that the protection details included 24-hour coverage by dedicated special agents who covered them at home and in their offices, as well as during domestic and foreign travel. An Iraqi judge who issued an arrest warrant for former President Trump over the death of Qassem Soleimani, pictured here, is expected to travel to Washington D.C. "60 Minutes" called the level and duration of protection for both men atypical, especially as Bolton did not receive any protection after initially leaving the White House. His protection started in 2021, around the time the Department of Justice (DOJ) identified a plot to kill Bolton. Former President Trump had ordered the protection details upon his departure from office, and President Biden ordered the Secret Service to extend both mens protection after an initial six-month detail. UK-OWNED SHIP STRUCK BY HOUTHIS SINKS, FIRST VESSEL LOST DURING WAR The protection initially cost around $2 million for each man during the six-month period, doubling each time the president renewed the order. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas signed each protection approval. The FBI has not explained why it made its appeal now and why it targeted Florida. FBI Public Affairs Specialist James Marshall directed Fox News Digital to a Treasury designation of sanctions against human rights abusers published in December in response to a query on the issue. The designation, issued on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, targeted more than 150 individuals "for issues relating to human rights abuse." "These designations have leveraged numerous sanctions authorities and have targeted a range of activities that violate or abuse human rights and betray the vision laid out in the UDHR," the statement read. "Treasury designations also targeted instances of human rights abuse linked to terrorist organizations, criminal activity, repression of LGBTQI+ persons, transnational repression, and environmental crime and degradation," it explained. The DOJ in Aug. 2022 charged members of the IRGC with "use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire and with providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot." Shahram Poursafi, also known as Mehdi Rezayi of Tehran, had attempted to arrange the murder of Bolton in 2021, according to the DOJ filing. "Iran has a history of plotting to assassinate individuals in the U.S. it deems a threat, but the U.S. Government has a longer history of holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our citizens," Executive Assistant Director Larissa L. Knapp of the FBIs National Security Branch said in 2022. Fox News Digitals Caitlin McFall and Greg Norman contributed to this report. Original article source: FBI hunts for Iran's would-be assassin who has allegedly targeted Trump admin officials The FBI is looking for an alleged Iranian spy who travels frequently to Venezuela and is believed to have been recruiting people to assassinate former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials, U.S. authorities said. A notice issued by the FBI Miami field office said that Majid Dastjani Farahani, 41, is wanted for questioning in relation to a series of alleged plots. Farahani is believed to have been actively recruiting individuals for various operations in the United States, to include lethal targeting of current and former United States Government officials as revenge for the U.S.-ordered death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Farahani also reportedly recruited individuals for surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses, and other facilities in the United States. Farahani acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security, it added. Farahani speaks Farsi, French, Spanish and English and frequently travels between Iran and Venezuela. Officials are asking the public to provide information that might lead to his detention. While the announcement was made out of Miami, it is not clear if the alleged Iranian agent is believed to be in Florida. According to U.S. officials, the plot against U.S. government officials comes at a time when Iran seeks revenge for the 2020 killing of Soleimani, which took place when Pompeo was Secretary of State. Seeking Information Poster Soleimani was killed in Iraq in a drone strike in January 2020 on orders of President Donald Trump. According to a story published by the website Semafor, the FBI believes Iran is also targeting Brian Hook, Trumps envoy to Tehran. Farahani was sanctioned in December by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control along with fellow intelligence officer Mohammad Mahdi Khanpour Ardestani for the violent repression of peaceful dissidents and for plotting actions against foreign officials. Farahani and Ardestani also recruited individuals for surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses, and other facilities in the United States, a Treasury press release in December said. The FBI is hunting for an alleged Iranian spy it believes is involved in plots to kill current and former US government officials. The agency accuses Majid Farahani, 42, of plotting revenge for the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds force, was assassinated in a US drone attack in Iraq in January 2020. The FBI says Mr Farahani has acted on behalf of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence. In a notice posted on Friday, the FBI said it wanted Majid Dastjani Farahani for questioning in connection with the recruitment of individuals for operations in the US. Officials say Mr Farahani travels between Iran and Venezuela and has also recruited allies for "surveillance activities focused on religious sites, businesses, and other facilities" in the US. In December 2023, Mr Farahani and another alleged intelligence official were sanctioned by the US Treasury. The BBC has contacted Iranian officials in Washington and New York for comment. Iranian officials have vowed revenge for the killing of Soleimani, who was widely seen as the second-most powerful person in Iran at the time of his death. He was killed at Baghdad airport along with several other Iranians on the orders of then-President Donald Trump. The Quds force that Soleimani led is a branch of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which specialises in unconventional warfare and military intelligence. It operates outside Iran and supports groups including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. The US considers the Quds force a terrorist organisation. At the time of the drone strike in Iraq, Mr Trump said the general was "directly and indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions of people". Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded by saying "severe revenge awaits the criminals" who carried out the attack. As a result of Iranian threats, the US government has provided security details for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Mr Trump's special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook. The security measures have continued under President Joe Biden's administration, according to the Associated Press. Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state under Donald Trump, has been provided with a security detail Mr Pompeo was reportedly targeted in an Iranian assassination plot along with Mr Trump's national security adviser John Bolton. In August 2022, the Department of Justice charged suspected Iranian spy, Shahram Poursafi, with plotting to kill Mr Bolton. Court filings made reference to a "second target" which was Mr Pompeo, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News. In Iran earlier this year, 84 people died in a bomb attack on crowds commemorating the anniversary of Soleimani's assassination in Kerman in southern Iran. Iran initially alleged that Israel and the US were behind the attacks, before the Islamic State group claimed responsibility. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) This months Featured Fugitive from the Texas 10 Most Wanted is Mack Kizzee III, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the reward leading to his arrest has been increased to $6,000 during March if the tip is received this month. Mack Arthur Kizzee III, 29, of Houston, is believed to be affiliated with the Bloods gang and has been wanted since January 2023, when the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation. That same month, a warrant was issued for his arrest for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. According to DPS, Kizzee was convicted of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and sentenced to 10 years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison in 2015. He was released on parole in January 2022. To better identify Kizzee, he is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He has tattoos on his chest, neck, both arms, and shoulders. For more information or updates in the event of his arrest, view Kizzees wanted bulletin. Texas Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives or Sex Offenders. To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to authorities using one of the following three methods: Call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). Submit a web tip through the DPS website by selecting the fugitive you have information about then clicking on the link under their picture. Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the SUBMIT A TIP link (under the About section). All tips are anonymous regardless of how they are submitted and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name. DPS investigators work with local law enforcement agencies to select fugitives for the Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives and Sex Offenders Lists. You can find the current lists with photos on the DPS website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Idaho State Police investigators are looking into a fatal law enforcement shooting that took place in Owyhee County over the weekend, according to a news release. Officers from the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, responsible for enforcing tribal laws and making arrests on Native American land, on Saturday pursued a vehicle from the Duck Valley Reservation in Nevada into Idaho, according to the release. Once the officers got into Idaho, the driver ran from his car and officers fired their weapons, the release said. The Duck Valley Reservation includes land in both states south of Mountain Home along Idaho Route 51 and Nevada Route 225. Idaho State Police didnt immediately respond to a list of questions sent by the Idaho Statesman asking for clarity on how many shots were fired or how many officers fired their guns. Neither did the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Owyhee County Coroners Office told the Statesman by phone that the man would be identified Monday. The Owyhee County Sheriffs Department asked ISP to investigate the shooting, the release said. The agencys detectives are working to determine what initiated the pursuit and the timeline of events that led to shots being fired, the release said. A federal appeals court ruled unanimously Monday to block a Florida law preventing businesses from requiring employees to attend workplace trainings that promote diversity and inclusion, affirming a temporary injunction issued by a lower court. This is not the first era in which Americans have held widely divergent views on important areas of morality, ethics, law, and public policy, a three-judge panel for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in Mondays decision. And it is not the first time that these disagreements have seemed so important, and their airing so dangerous, that something had to be done. But now, as before, the First Amendment keeps the government from putting its thumb on the scale. Florida officials, since introducing the Stop WOKE Act in which woke is an acronym for Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees have argued that the legislation is intended to combat alleged indoctrination in schools and workplaces. The law prevents Florida educators and businesses from requiring individuals to participate in activities that promote discriminatory concepts constituting unlawful discrimination, including that members of one race or sex are morally superior to those of another and that a person, by virtue of their race, sex or national origin, should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment to achieve diversity, equity or inclusion. In Florida, we will not let the far-left woke agenda take over our schools and workplaces. There is no place for indoctrination or discrimination in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), a frequent critic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, said while signing the bill in 2022. Three Florida businesses sued the state that June, and a federal judge in August 2022 blocked portions of the law pertaining to private employers, ruling that the restrictions violate free speech protections under the First Amendment and the 14th Amendments Due Process Clause for being impermissibly vague. Recently, Florida has seemed like a First Amendment upside down, District Court Judge Mark Walker wrote in the ruling. Normally, the First Amendment bars the state from burdening speech, while private actors may burden speech freely. But in Florida, the First Amendment apparently bars private actors from burdening speech, while the state may burden speech freely. Attorneys for the state argued in an appeal that, in this case, ordinary First Amendment review is not applicable because the law in question restricts conduct, not speech. Mondays three-judge panel said they disagreed. We cannot agree, and we reject this latest attempt to control speech by recharacterizing it as conduct, the panel said. Florida may be exactly right about the nature of the ideas it targets. Or it may not. Either way, the merits of these views will be decided in the clanging marketplace of ideas rather than a codebook or a courtroom. DeSantiss office told The Hill in a statement that it was reviewing all options on appeal going forward. Protect Democracy, the nonprofit organization representing the Florida businesses challenging the law, celebrated Mondays ruling as a win for free speech in the workplace. Speech codes have no place in American society, and elected officials have no business censoring the speech of business owners simply because they dont agree with whats being expressed, Protect Democracy counsel Shalini Goel Agarwal said in a statement. Barring employers from engaging in speech that powerful politicians dont like is a move straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Today is a good day for the First Amendment and the ability of American businesses to speak freely, she said. Updated 10:41 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In a blow to Gov. Ron DeSantis "war on woke," a federal appeals court Monday agreed with a lower court judge on blocking a key provision to Florida's 2022 Stop WOKE Act." That provision restricted businesses' diversity practices and trainings, blocking concepts that could make employees feel "personal responsibility" for actions committed in the past such as discriminatory ones by someone of the "same race, color, sex or national origin." That language had been iced by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker of Tallahassee, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals concurred, despite Florida's assertion that its actions were OK because the law restricts conduct, not speech. "We cannot agree, and we reject this latest attempt to control speech by recharacterizing it as conduct," wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Britt Grant, appointed by former President Donald Trump. "Florida may be exactly right about the nature of the ideas it targets. Or it may not. Either way, the merits of these views will be decided in the clanging marketplace of ideas rather than a codebook or a courtroom." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the crowd before publicly signing the Stop WOKE Act in April 2022. In promoting the law, DeSantis bashed "corporate wokeness" and critical race theory, or CRT. CRT, an academic concept that studies racism as a social construct, is a top target of conservatives across the nation. Proponents argue that learning the history of racism is crucial to addressing the inequities that result from it, while critics say it singles out white people as the bad guys. Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis' press secretary, said the governor's office is "reviewing all options on appeal going forward," which could potentially set it up for U.S. Supreme Court review. The next step, however, would be to ask the entire 21-judge appellate court to rehear the case. Federal court rules say such a request "is not favored and ordinarily will not be ordered unless ... the proceeding involves a question of exceptional importance." "Today, the ... Eleventh Circuit has held that companies have a right to indoctrinate their employees with racist and discriminatory ideologies," Redfern said in a statement. "We disagree with the Courts opinion that employers can require employees to be taughtas a condition of employmentthat one race is morally superior to another race," he continued. "The First Amendment protects no such thing, and the State of Florida should have every right to protect Floridians from racially hostile workplaces." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the Stop WOKE Act in April 2022. The law was challenged by Primo Tampa LLC, a Ben & Jerrys ice-cream franchisee; Honeyfund.com Inc., a Clearwater-based technology company that provides wedding registries; and Chevara Orrin and her company, Collective Concepts LLC. Those plaintiffs and one of their attorneys, Shalini Goel Agarwal, praised the opinion. The government obviously has no right to patrol my workplace for words that some politicians dont like, said Antonio McBroom, CEO of Primo Tampa, in a statement. And the government obviously has no right to substitute its preferences for those of any businesses guests and team members. Another key provision of the "Stop WOKE Act," which limited discussion of race, gender and other topics in university classrooms, was also blocked by Walker. It too awaits a 11th Circuit ruling. The News Service of Florida and USA TODAY contributed. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Federal appeals court deals blow to DeSantis' 'Stop WOKE Act' TULSA, Okla. A federal judge says based on the evidence presented at trial, the judgment awarded by the jury to the family of Terral Ellis, Jr. will stand and it is just. Terral Ellis (Courtesy of the Ellis family via AP) The 26-year-old father from Miami, languished in jail for days before before dying of sepsis and pneumonia on Oct. 22, 2015, while incarcerated at the Ottawa County Jail. After an eight-day federal trial last August, the jury found former Ottawa County Sheriff Terry Durburow, in his official capacity, at fault for the death and awarded the Ellis family $33 million in compensatory damages. The judgment is against an elected position not Durburow individually. Payment of a $33 million judgment falls on the backs of Ottawa County residents There are a couple of appeal options left, but no decision has yet to been made on which option to take, said Wellon Poe, attorney for Ottawa County. The argument for a new trial focused on four issues. They argued the $33 million award was grossly excessive and shocks the conscience because it appears to be punitive in nature, as opposed to compensatory, and it drastically exceeds awards in comparable cases, according to the filing. In the 46-page ruling, Justice Claire R. Kelly ruled although the verdict here is large it is not unprecedented and the Court cannot say that it shocks the conscience given the evidence heard by the jury. Appeal filed in multi-million dollar judgment against Ottawa County Kellys ruling spells out the final days of Ellis life from the time he voluntarily surrendered himself up until his last days, lying on a urine-soaked mattress, his cries for help ignored and even mocked. In the days preceding this death, Ellis complained of back pain saying he thought his back was broken and sought medical attention from Therese Horn, an Ottawa County jail nurse. Horn failed to take Elliss vitals and reportedly had a seizure. Ellis also complained to the jail staff that his legs were numb. The jury heard evidence that when Mr. Ellis begged for water, a member of the staff prevented another from giving him water, indicating that Mr. Ellis could do so on his own, U.S.DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA 4:17-cv-00325-CRK-CDL OPINION AND ORDER Ellis was complaining that he was in pain and that his legs were black and purple. Jail staff, guards, and others not only ignored Ellis pleas but mocked him. Finally, the jury heard the jail staff tell Mr. Ellis he had to wait to be seen by the nurse. The jury saw evidence that when the nurse arrived, she not only ignored Mr. Ellis pleas for help but also threatened him if he continued asking for medical assistance, according to the ruling. The jury heard Nurse Horn say the very first time you [complain] oh, I cant get up, I need help I cant oh Im having seizures [inaudible] youre going to that D-Ring and thats where youre going to stay the whole time that you are here cause Im sick and tired of dealing with your ass. Aint [sic] a damn thing wrong with you! Based on the evidence presented to the jury over an eight-day trial, the Court cannot say that the size of the verdict was unreasonable or the result of inappropriate remarks Kellys ruling stated. U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA, 4:17-cv-00325-CRK-CDL, OPINION AND ORDER During closing arguments, Elliss attorneys requested damages over $50 million dollars; Ottawa County attorneys told the jury that a reasonable award would be between $1.5 to $3 million. The jury rejected both requests and awarded $33 million, the order states. The other points for a new trial accused the Court of error for allowing evidence concerning jail standards, admitting the opinion testimony of witness Dr. Wilcox and emotional outbursts of the Ellis familys attorneys during the trial as well as inappropriate comments during closing arguments. EllisDownload Kelly denied the Countys claims and also granted Elliss attorney $970,402 in attorneys fees and expenses. Ottawa County Commissioners could not be reached for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 15: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump sits with attorney Susan Necheles during a pre-trial hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 15, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan is expected to rule whether the trial will begin as scheduled on March 25. (Photo by Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images) Late last year, it seemed likely that former President Donald Trump would spend part of the 2024 campaign facing at least one, if not multiple, criminal trials. As he was charged with more crimes and as the trial dates drew closer, the share of voters who said he had committed crimes ticked up. The Trump team has pushed to stall the trials as much as possible, hoping to delay any verdicts until after the general election in November. Beyond that, his team has tried to wring the indictments for any political advantage it could find. The tactics may be paying off. The share of Americans who say that Trump committed serious federal crimes, steadily on the rise since the fall of 2022, has declined since December, the latest New York Times/Siena College poll found. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Voters across the political spectrum are now less likely to say that Trump acted criminally. Democrats are 7 percentage points less likely to say that they think Trump committed crimes, while the share of political independents who said the same is down 9 percentage points. Republicans have remained relatively stable, only ticking down 1 point since the end of last year. In December, Trumps civil cases dominated the headlines and he faced gag orders limiting his speech. But the drumbeat of legal developments has slowed in some cases and turned in Trumps favor in others as he awaits word from the U.S. Supreme Court on whether he is immune from prosecution. Trumps team was thrilled by the delay in his federal election interference trial, which many of his advisers see as the one with the most potential to be politically damaging. And while they are not looking forward to the prospect of being in court later this month in New York, they are less concerned that the specifics in the case will hurt him with voters, who they think have become inured to reports about his personal behavior. Trumps trials dont really impact my vote, said Holly Call, 35, who plans to vote for Trump in the fall. Some of the charges are unwarranted, and for some of the charges, other people have done the same things and have not been tried. There are some things that he might be guilty of theyre not serious crimes. Call, a stay-at-home mother from Newton, Utah, said that she would have preferred to vote for Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida or one of Trumps other Republican opponents, but that she was supporting the former president because of his conservative values. Still, 21% of Republicans including an identical share of Trump supporters said that their partys likely nominee had committed serious federal crimes. Even among Democrats, the share who said that Trump acted criminally has slipped. While a vast majority 85% still said he had committed crimes, that is down from 92% in December. These shifts have not necessarily translated into more support for Trump. Instead, the share saying he acted criminally who said they planned to vote for another candidate or not vote if the choices were only Trump or his likely opponent, President Joe Biden has gone up. Joseph Kozinski, who describes himself as a political moderate, says he does not think that Trump has committed crimes. He has not made up his mind about whom he plans to support in November, but hes concerned that theyre trying to piece things together that arent here he said, adding, Theyre charging him with things that other people would never be charged with. Id think if there was something substantial, by all means, that should be taken up in court. But some of the things are being invented right now, said Kozinski, 61, a retiree from Jasper County, South Carolina. Trump is set to go on trial March 25 in a New York state court on allegations he falsified business records to cover up hush-money payments to a porn actress during the 2016 campaign. Another state case, in Fulton County, Georgia, which alleges crimes committed in his efforts to stay in office, has become mired in questions about the duration of a romantic relationship between the district attorney, Fani Willis, and the prosecutor she appointed to the case, Nathan Wade. The penalty in the hush-money case could include jail time. But compared with the national import of the two federal cases that Trump is facing he stands accused of breaking laws in trying to subvert his 2020 election loss and of hoarding reams of classified materials at his private club in Florida and stymying efforts to retrieve them the New York case has been seen as less weighty. If Trump is elected again, he is expected to work toward getting the government to drop the federal cases against him, or to possibly try to pardon himself. He would not be able to do so with the state cases, raising questions about what would happen if he wins the 2024 race after he has been convicted in New York and ultimately sentenced to prison. Just 32% of Americans saw the charges in the New York hush-money case as very serious in a September poll conducted by Quinnipiac, compared with 56% who said the same about the federal election interference trial. The poll, taken before Willis testimony captured headlines, also showed 54% saying that charges in the Georgia trial were very serious. Trump has characterized all four cases as well as two civil actions in New York as a witch hunt and has baselessly accused Biden of spearheading them. The civil fraud trial against Trump and his company that just concluded with an enormous financial judgment has its origins well before Biden even declared his 2020 presidential campaign. Nonetheless, Trump has used repetition over the course of the past eight years in political life to dull some of the reactions to him and his actions, and to his critics accusations. And he has spent months describing the legal actions aimed at holding him accountable as weaponization of government. At his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, Trump held a brief news conference to celebrate a U.S. Supreme Court decision saying that officials in Colorado could not remove him from the primary ballot. A case in state courts there had accused Trump of engaging in insurrection, which, under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, would disqualify him from holding office. But Trump also used the opportunity to attack all the prosecutions, and Biden. After calling the sprawl of indictments and civil actions against him all part of a rigged system, Trump insisted that the public saw it that way. Im lucky in that Im able to explain it to the public, Trump said, because if you werent able to explain it the public wouldnt know. Theyd believe what they see. c.2024 The New York Times Company KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 11:25 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on April 11 when he travels to Washington for an official visit, congressional leaders said Monday. The leaders, including House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, said in a statement that Kishida's visit "symbolizes both nations' commitment to peace and prosperity and to an international community that promotes democracy, security and stability." Kishida's address will be the first by a Japanese leader in nine years. On April 10, he is scheduled to hold talks with President Joe Biden and attend a state dinner. During the visit, Kishida is expected to underscore that Japan will reinforce its long-standing alliance with the United States in the face of China's assertive actions and North Korea's weapons development. Kishida and Biden will likely agree on the need to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as economic security, outer space and emerging technologies, while also enhancing collaboration trilaterally with South Korea and multilaterally with like-minded partners. "Now more than ever, we must speak out against tyranny and continue our pursuit of freedom and democracy worldwide," Johnson said in the statement. "I am pleased to join my colleagues in extending this invitation." The bipartisan leaders said in a letter sent to Kishida that his address to the session "would pave the way for increased collaboration in the years to come, both in the Indo-Pacific and around the world." In Tokyo on Tuesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference that Kishida's upcoming speech "will be extremely significant in further deepening close cooperation between Japan and the United States and demonstrating the solid bilateral alliance to the world." The last Japanese prime minister to make such an address was Shinzo Abe in 2015, during the administration of President Barack Obama. Abe, who was killed by a gunman during campaigning in 2022, visited the United States as a state guest ahead of the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. In his speech to the U.S. Congress, Abe expressed "deep remorse" for Japan's wartime actions and underscored that the relationship of the two countries stands as a model of postwar reconciliation. Kishida represents a constituency in Hiroshima and attention will focus on whether he says anything about his life's work for a world without nuclear weapons when he appears in the legislature. Abe made no reference to the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final stage of World War II, apparently because Japan is protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Some of the risks of FGM include severe pain, infections, excessive bleeding and urine retention A bill aimed at lifting the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) has been tabled in The Gambia's parliament by an independent lawmaker. It was outlawed in the mainly Muslim nation in 2015 when Yahya Jammeh was president. He said it was not required in Islam. But influential Muslim clerics have been pushing for the ban to be repealed, while women's rights activists have vowed to campaign for it to remain in place. Mr Jammeh's 22-year authoritarian rule came to an end in 2016. More than three-quarters of Gambian females aged between 15 and 49 have undergone FGM, according to the UN. In the procedure's most severe form, after removing the sensitive clitoris, the genitals are cut and stitched closed so that the woman cannot have or enjoy sex. Followers of an outspoken Muslim cleric, Abdoulie Fatty, rallied in support of the bill shortly before it was introduced in parliament on Monday. They chanted: "Female circumcision is my religious belief, Gambia is not for sale." Last year, the cleric helped pay the fines of three women who were convicted of carrying out FGM on young girls. At the time, The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, the main body of Muslim clerics in the country, called for the ban to be scrapped. There are different views in Islam over the practice, with some leading scholars, like those in Egypt, opposing it. The Gambian lawmaker who is championing the bill, Almammeh Gibba, said it sought to "uphold religious purity and safeguard cultural norms and values", the privately owned Point newspaper reported. He said the practice could not be described as mutilation if done properly. The head of The Gambia's Female Lawyers Association, Anna Njie, said that repealing the ban would be a backward step. "We have no authority to tell the National Assembly what to do, but we have rights reserved in the constitution to take legal action when certain fundamental rights are violated," she was quoted by the local Standard newspaper as saying. The leader of the majority party in parliament, Billay Tunkara, said it had not yet taken a decision on whether to support the bill. "We are taking our time because it is a very sensitive area that doesn't only have to do with religion or cultural aspect but also human rights and health issues," he said. You may also be interested in: More than 20 percent of those planning on voting for former President Trump believe he has committed a serious crime, according to a recent poll. A New York Times/Siena College poll found that 21 percent of those voters planning on backing Trump in Novembers election think he has committed a serious federal crime. Sixty-eight percent said he has not, and another 12 percent said they were not sure or refused to answer, the poll noted. Trump is entangled in a number of court battles across the country, including two federal cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The former president pleaded not guilty to four felony counts in the federal 2020 election interference case that accuses him of engaging in numerous conspiracies to stay in office after losing the election. He also pleaded not guilty to 40 charges in the federal classified documents case that alleges he mishandled classified information and tried to obstruct the government from retrieving them after leaving office. Overall, the poll found that 53 percent of voters think Trump has committed a serious federal crime, including 85 percent of Democrats and 21 percent of Republicans. Another 36 percent of voters said he has not committed a serious federal crime. The poll also found that Trump has a five-point lead over President Biden in a rematch. The poll was conducted among 980 registered voters from Feb. 25-28 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) The Art Center of Western Colorado (TAC) will host Fifth Reel & Friends in concert March 8. The concert will feature traditional songs, melodies and dance music from Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as stately and elegant English ballroom music. Tickets are $20; the show starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. To buy tickets or find more information on TACs upcoming concert series, visit the Art Center Guilds website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened Monday afternoon in Orlando. Officers responded to the 8200 block of Pembrook Villas Circle around 3:45 p.m. in reference to a physical fight. When the arrived, police located a man in his 30s, who had been shot. Read: Central Florida Fairgrounds ups security after shooting death of Lake County teachers aide The man was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said that all parties involved in this incident are accounted for, but have not released any other information at this time. Read: Troopers release 2 videos of fatal hit-and-run crash near Kissimmee WFTV will update this incident when more information is provided. Read: Thousands of Supercross fans storm track at Daytona International Speedway Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A woman stabbed a convicted sex offender to death over the weekend as police said the felon attempted to rape her inside a Louisiana business in broad daylight. The attack took place at a laundromat in Lacombe, a small, rural community about a 50-mile drive northeast of New Orleans. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office reported deputies responded about 3:30 p.m. Sunday to a laundromat off U.S. 190 for a report of unresponsive man with an apparent stab wound. While en route to the scene, deputies were also dispatched to a call in reference to a woman claiming she stabbed a man who had attacked her while she was at the same laundromat. Arriving officers found 40-year-old Nicholas Tranchant at the business suffering from a stab wound, officials said. Nicholas Tranchant, a convicted sex offender from Louisiana. Tranchant was taken to a hospital where he died, according to a press release from the department. Woman fatally stabs attempted rapist A preliminary investigation into the death determined Tranchant a convicted sex offender entered the business armed with what officials described as a sharp weapon, and attempted to sexually assault the woman. But she fought back. "The female was able to gain possession of the weapon, and used it to stab him before fleeing to safety," the department wrote in the release. Sheriff praises woman for 'fighting back' The woman was also taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries suffered in the attack, the department said. I want to compliment this brave woman on the courage and strength she showed in fighting back against her attacker and ask for prayers for her continued recovery, Sheriff Randy Smith said. Six flags police shooting: 15-year-old shot outside Six Flags by police after gunfire exchange, Georgia officials say Convicted sex offender Nicholas Tranchant's criminal history Court records show Tranchant was convicted in Louisiana in July 2003 on a felony charge of indecent behavior with juveniles. Then in May 2008, records show, he was convicted of felony attempted aggravated rape and aggravated burglary. Tranchant was released from jail on those charges on Dec, 21, 2023, the sheriff's office reported, and by law, required to register as a sex offender for life. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Louisiana man stabbed by woman who he tried rape in laundromat: Police FILE - A charred vehicle sits near the ruins of a home after the property was burned by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Fritch, Texas. Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith, whose small town was among the hardest hit last week by historic blazes sweeping across the Panhandle, died Tuesday, March 5, 2024, while fighting a structure fire, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil, File) A Texas fire chief whose small town was among the hardest hit last week by historic blazes sweeping across the Panhandle died Tuesday while fighting a house fire, authorities said. The house fire that Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith, 40, responded to wasn't caused by a wildfire, but Smith had been battling the wildfires for over a week, said Brandon Strope, spokesperson for the Hutchinson County Office for Emergency Management. Strope said that after Smith, who was first to arrive, entered the home to check on any occupants, he did not exit. Other firefighters found him and EMS began medical treatment, but he died at the hospital. Stope said Smith's cause of death hasn't been clarified and an autopsy has been ordered. Him and his team were out every day, most nights, got very little sleep and just selflessly went out and did everything they could to save their community and keep us intact, Strope said. Firefighters are still trying to extinguish wildfires that have been burning across rural areas around Amarillo, which officials say have destroyed as many as 500 structures. Those wildfires include the Smokehouse Creek fire, which is the largest wildfire in Texas history. The fire, which has burned almost 1,700 square miles (4,402 square kilometers) and spilled into neighboring Oklahoma, was about 37% contained as of Tuesday. The announcement of Smith's death came hours before Republican Gov. Greg Abbott met with firefighters in Canadian, another town that's experienced heavy destruction. Abbott started the news conference by offering his condolences on Smith's death. "He was willing to put his own life on the line to save the property of others, and that is what Texas heroism is all about, Abbott said. During the news conference, Abbott spoke about the way people have been pulling together to help amid the destruction from the wildfires, and also noted that there are still many needs, including an extraordinary need for hay for cattle to eat. That, he said, is a need that will last for months. Abbott said that with the wildfires still burning, it's important that residents remain vigilant. Even though progress has been made, its wrong if anybody thinks the fire is over and they can let down their guard, he said. A cold front that moved into the area Monday brought cool temperatures and higher humidity, which helps crews make strides in containing the fires. Were making progress here, that doesnt mean that the fire doesnt have potential to move, said Terry Krasko, a spokesperson with the Southern Area Incident Management Blue team, a team of federal, state and local agencies. And, he said, while theres a small potential for rain toward the end of the week, there are concerns about the possibility then of lightning igniting other fires. And more dry weather is expected over the weekend, he said. Fritch Mayor Tom Ray has said that the city's northern edge was hit by a devastating wildfire in 2014, while last weeks blaze burned mostly to the south of the town, sparing the residents who live in the heart of the community. Ray said Tuesday that Smith had started work at the Fritch fire department in 2017, and became chief in 2020. Before that, he worked at a Chevron Phillips fire department. Ray said Smith is survived by two sons, ages 9 and 22. The mayor also added, his voice breaking, To me, he was one of my kids." Although officials have not released an official cause of the Smokehouse Creek fire, a lawsuit filed Friday alleges a downed powerline near the town of Stinnett on Feb. 26 sparked the blaze. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to John Marshall High School Tuesday afternoon. Officials say firefighters responded to the area of NW 122nd and Portland where fire was found in a bathroom at the school. It was quickly knocked down by firefighters. Students were evacuated while fire officials tended to the fire. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A fire at a chemical company in Lockport caused damage on Monday night, according to the Lockport Fire Department. Crews responded to VanDeMark Chemical, located on North Transit Road, around 7:50 p.m. Monday. Flames were visible from the upper exterior on the west side of the building, on a pipe chase assembly. It was determined that a wrapped stainless steel pipe overheated and caused the outer covering of the pipe to ignite where it exits the buildings exterior wall. Crews put out the fire after around 90 minutes. There were no injuries, while the property damage is estimated at $8,000. They were unable to value content loss due to specialized nature. The fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to be accidental. This embedded content is not available in your region. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. [Source] Asian elephants in India's Bengal region have been observed mourning and burying their dead calves, a recent study by Indian scientists has documented. What the scientists found: The study, published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, details five instances between 2022 and 2023 where elephant herds in northern Bengal carried their calves using their trunks and legs before burying them in irrigation canals, with legs facing upwards. The calves, aged 3 months to 1 year, died from various causes. Unprecedented behavior: Both African and Asian elephants are known to approach carcasses at various stages of decomposition. Previously, such burial behavior was only documented in African elephants and remained unexplored among their smaller Asian counterparts. Mourning rituals: Researchers Parveen Kaswan and Akashdeep Roy highlighted that they found no direct human intervention in any of the five calf deaths and observed the elephants leave the burial site within 40 minutes and avoid the area afterward. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children In one instance, the herd "loudly roared and trumpeted around the buried calf," which appears to indicate a form of mourning ritual. The researchers noted that the herd only buried calves due to the "non-feasibility" of transporting heavier adult elephants. The bigger picture: The researchers noted that understanding and documenting Asian elephants' behavioral patterns is crucial for their conservation. Asian elephants are recognized as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with an estimated 26,000 individuals living in the wild, mostly in India and Southeast Asia. The study underscores the importance of preserving elephant habitats and ensuring their coexistence with human activities. Trending on NextShark: Austin authorities say investigation into Angela Chaos unfortunate accident is unchanged Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) Five men are accused of solicitation and sexual abuse following an Illinois State Police anti-human trafficking operation in the Danville area. State Police officials said that starting Feb. 28, the Division of Criminal Investigations Trafficking Enforcment Bureau conducted a two-day operation focused on people seeking to engage in commercial sex acts. As a result, they arrested the following five people: Salem Khan, 37 of Cheektowga, N.Y. Brett Wright, 42 of Danville, Ill. Eric Schmidt, 46 of Lisle, Ill. Andrew Cravens, 44 of Danville, Ill. Bradley Wagoner, 46 of Westville, Ill. DeWitt Co. Sheriffs Office gets new drones All five are charged with indecent solicitation/aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child (a Class 3 felony), traveling to meet a child (a Class 3 felony) and solicitation to meet a child (a Class 4 felony). Wagoner is also charged with possession of less than five grams of meth (a Class 3 felony). The Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, East Central Illinois Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations also took part in the operation. The Vermilion County States Attorneys Office provided support. Anyone who suspects human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. People can also email ISP.Crime.Tips@illinois.gov. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 18:46 | World, All China on Tuesday set itself a gross domestic product growth target of around 5 percent for 2024 during the opening of an annual session of its parliament, with the Asian powerhouse striving to shore up its slowing economy amid a long-running property crisis. Beijing also announced in a budget report delivered at the National People's Congress session that it will increase its military spending this year to 1.67 trillion yuan ($231 billion), a 7.2 percent rise from last year and a sum around 4.3-fold larger than Japan's defense budget. On Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory, Premier Li Qiang said his country will be "firm in advancing the cause of China's reunification" with the self-ruled island. The mainland will "resolutely oppose" separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" and external interference, he said. The growth goal for the world's second-largest economy is the same as its target for 2023. Last year, China's GDP expanded a real 5.2 percent from 2022, due partly to the previous year's low baseline caused by the country's stringent "zero-COVID" policy that involved citywide lockdowns. Li said that China accomplished its main economic development goals in 2023 despite "an unusually complex international environment," as he delivered a government policy direction report for 2024 to nearly 3,000 delegates at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping was present at the session. Li, a close ally of the leader, delivered his first report as premier at the legislature, having assumed the post in March last year during the previous annual meeting. The underlying trend of economic recovery and long-term growth remains unchanged and will remain so, the premier noted, adding, "On the other hand, we should not lose sight of worst-case scenarios and should be well prepared for all risks and challenges." In setting the 2024 growth target, Li said the government has taken into account the "need to boost employment and incomes and prevent and defuse risks." He added that achieving the goal "will not be easy," calling for hard work and the mobilization of a concerted effort. The premier pledged that Beijing will "continue to implement a proactive fiscal policy" to support the economy and refine real estate policy to "promote the steady and healthy development" of the property market. Li also pointed to substantial achievements that have been made in China's scientific innovations such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology and vowed to further promote research and development. As part of efforts to boost the economy, the policy direction report said that China will abolish all market access restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing and reduce obstacles in services sectors such as telecommunications and health care. China's 2024 growth target compares with a 4.6 percent expansion projected by the International Monetary Fund for the country this year in its update of the World Economic Outlook report released in January. The rate of defense budget growth was the same as the year-on-year rise in 2023 and marked the ninth consecutive year in which the increase was less than 10 percent. On Monday, parliamentary spokesman Lou Qinjian defended the spending rise, calling it "reasonable" and in line with the country's economic growth. "Compared with major military powers such as the United States, China's defense spending is quite low" in terms of its ratio to GDP and per-citizen expenditure, Lou said, adding that "China is committed to the path of peaceful development." The policy direction report said the military will strengthen training and combat readiness to "firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and development interests." On Tuesday, Taiwan brushed aside Li's reunification claims, with the island's Foreign Ministry saying the territory is "sovereign and independent," and that neither Taiwan nor the mainland is subordinate to the other. "The People's Republic of China has not governed Taiwan for a single day," and any attempt to distort the island's status will not change the current situation across the Taiwan Strait, the ministry said. Cross-strait tensions have been rising since a deadly boat incident occurred near a remote Taiwanese island last month that claimed the lives of two Chinese fishermen. In May, the island's President-elect Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has slammed as an independence advocate, will take office. Taiwan and Communist-ruled China have been governed separately since they split in 1949 due to a civil war. Beijing regards the island as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary. This year's policy direction report lacked any mention of "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan as had been done previously. Amid an intensifying rivalry with the United States, Li said China calls for "an equal and orderly multipolar world," adding that the country remains firm in "opposing all hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts and upholding international fairness and justice." The premier was apparently referring to U.S.-led efforts to tighten restrictions on Beijing's access to cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors, alongside Washington and its allies' strategy of "decoupling and de-risking" to reduce dependence on the Asian economy. As for Hong Kong and Macao, former British and Portuguese colonies that are administered through the "one country, two systems" policy, Li said Beijing will "remain committed to law-based governance" in the territories to ensure that they are "administered by patriots." China has clamped down on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, where a "patriots-only" election policy was implemented. Beijing scrapped a press conference by the premier that until this year had been held annually after the closure of the parliamentary session, breaking with a tradition maintained since 1993. The premier's role has waned since Xi began concentrating power in his own hands and started a norm-breaking third five-year term as the country's leader in 2022. Related coverage: China premier to skip parliament press event for 1st time since 1993 The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send a massive spending package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. (Getty Images Plus) WASHINGTON Congress is on track to approve a staggering $468 billion in government spending this week, finishing part of the work it was supposed to complete by Oct. 1 including a big boost intended to shore up the federal WIC nutrition program for women, infants and children. Other agencies will see cuts, including the FBI and the National Park Service, as Democrats and Republicans haggled over winners and losers in the annual spending process. There are spending increases for items such as wildland fire management, first-time-ever federal oversight of cosmetics and emergency rental assistance for low-income families. Surviving: Plenty of earmarks for lawmakers local projects, also referred to as congressionally directed spending or community project funding, which received $12.655 billion in spending for the 6,630 projects within the six spending bills combined into one package, according to two people familiar with the total. For example, in the bill that provides funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, that includes everything from $3 million for the Integrative Precision Agriculture Laboratory at the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. to $800,000 for Livingston Parish Courthouse Renovations in Louisiana to $3.3 million for the Pinetop Wildland Fire Response Station in Arizona. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send the package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. However, agreement on six other consequential appropriations bills, which are due by March 22 and include health, defense and homeland security programs, remains elusive. Dems tout WIC funding The first batch of government funding bills brokered by the divided Congress includes the Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD measures. Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a statement released Sunday that she and other Democratic lawmakers fought hard to protect investments that matter to working people everywhere and help keep our economy strong rejecting devastating cuts to housing, nutrition assistance, and more. Forcing states to pick and choose which moms and kids will be able to access essential WIC benefits was never an acceptable outcome to Democrats, and this bill ensures that wont happen by fully funding WIC for millions of families nationwide, Murray said, referring to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, which provides grants to states and had faced a shortfall. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member on the panel, said in a written statement the bills will make a real difference in communities throughout the United States. Members of the Appropriations Committee in both chambers have worked very hard to reach agreements on the bill text unveiled today, Collins said. I look forward to working with Chair Murray and our colleagues to bring this legislation to the Senate floor for a vote without any further delay. House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the bills achieve what we set out to do: strategically increase defense spending and make targeted cuts to wasteful non-defense programs. Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement the bipartisan bills help keep communities safe and healthy. I am grateful that each of these bills rejects many of the extreme cuts and policies proposed by House Republicans and protects the great strides we made over the last two years to reverse the underinvestment in domestic programs that Americans depend on, DeLauro said. I urge swift passage of this package and look forward to releasing the remaining 2024 funding bills. Federal agency cuts The bills would cut funding from several federal agencies, including a $977 million reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency; a $654 million cut for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a $150 million reduction to the National Park Service; and a $122 million cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects are among the programs that would see an increase in their funding. Congress, after approving these six bills this week, must finalize bipartisan agreement on the remaining six. Those bills include Defense, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations. They are typically harder to negotiate than the bills in this weeks minibus. Congress would likely start on the fiscal 2025 process shortly after approving all dozen annual appropriations bills, given that Biden is expected to send lawmakers his next request, for fiscal 2025, on March 11. Heres a breakdown of whats funded in each of the bills that Congress will vote on this week. Agriculture-FDA The Agriculture-FDA funding bill would provide $26.2 billion in discretionary spending for the agencies and programs within the legislation, including conservation and rural development. That represents a $383 million increase above current funding levels. The USDA would receive $22.3 billion, which would be about $383 million more than current law. That discretionary funding would go toward several programs, including the Agricultural Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The FDA would receive $3.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $7 million to conduct oversight of cosmetics for the first time ever and $1.5 million to reduce animal testing through alternative methods, according to a summary of the bill released by Senate Democrats. The Agriculture-FDA measure includes significant mandatory spending as well, which is counted outside the discretionary spending caps the Biden administration and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, agreed to in January. Mandatory spending is required by laws that Congress has already approved. It makes up the largest component of federal expenditures and is often spent outside of the annual appropriations process, though some mandatory spending accounts are reported in the bills. Discretionary accounts make up about one-third of federal spending and are whats subject to the spending caps on the dozen annual appropriations bills. The Agriculture-FDA bill would approve $7 billion for the Women, Infants and Children program, an increase of more than $1 billion compared to its current funding level. A WIC program recipient uses a mobile app to determine if the food item selected is WIC approved A WIC program recipient uses a mobile app to determine if the food item selected is WIC approved at the Mothers Nutritional Center, an A50 WIC retailer, on May 5, 2023, in San Diego, California. (Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) The increase would fully fund the WIC program, which includes more than 7 million people, according to subcommittee Chairman Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, who said in a statement he was focused on delivering for American families, farmers and producers, and rural communities. This bill gets that done, even while we had to make some tough decisions to get there, Heinrich said. I am especially proud that we stood firm to fully fund WIC and the other programs that will help put food on the table for Americas kids. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families, would get $122.4 billion, a $32 billion decrease in mandatory spending thats due to the end of pandemic-era benefits and decreases in participation rates, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. Child nutrition programs like the national school lunch program, school breakfast program and summer food programs would get $33.3 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion over what the federal government currently spends. The legislation doesnt include many of the conservative policy riders House Republicans added in their original bill, such as a proposal to ban the abortion medication mifepristone from being sent to patients through the mail. The bill has 72-pages of community projects, formerly known as earmarks, that will go to nearly every state in the country. Commerce-Justice-Science The Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill provides approximately $67 billion in discretionary funding plus $2 billion in emergency funding to address violent crime, counter the fentanyl crisis, and maintain U.S. scientific, technological, and economic superiority over China, according to Senate Republicans summary of the bill. That funding level would be divvied up with about $37.5 billion for the Department of Justice, $10.8 billion for the Department of Commerce, $9.1 billion for the National Science Foundation and nearly $24.9 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. The bill would approve $844 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR, that will go toward legal services for underrepresented communities and modifications to courtrooms. That is about $16 million less than current law. The bill would address the more than 2.5 million case backlog in immigration courts by hiring new immigration judges and providing training. The bill would require EOIR to implement a performance appraisal based on recommendations from the Government Accountability Office for immigration judges and the agency has to submit a report to Congress on the results of the appraisal process. The legislation provides an increase of $13 million for the Violence Against Women Act, bringing the funding level to $713 million toward those programs. That funding will go toward assistance with transitional housing, domestic violence reduction, sexual assault services, research on violence against Indigenous women and legal assistance, among other initiatives. The bill provides about $10.6 billion for the FBI, a decrease from fiscal 2023. That funding will go toward targeting fentanyl and opioid trafficking, child exploitation, trafficking and bioforensic analysis, among other initiatives. The bill includes a 95% cut in funding for FBI construction, from $629.1 million to $30 million. The bill would require the FBI to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding the FBI operations in regional offices around the country, according to the explanatory statement. The bill includes a provision that none of the funds can be used to target or investigate parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and are not suspected of engaging in unlawful activity. House Republicans have scrutinized the Justice Department after the agency directed the FBI to investigate threats of violence made to school board officials and teachers after a conservative backlash to discussions about race in public schools. The bill would provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with $1.6 billion, a decrease of $112 million below fiscal year 2023 levels in order to reverse anti-Second Amendment overreach, according to a summary of the bill by House Republicans. Members of Congress obtained 86 pages of earmarks in the Commerce-Justice-Science bill. Energy-Water The Energy-Water appropriations measure would moderately boost spending on defense primarily the Energy Departments nuclear programs while cutting slightly from the bills domestic water infrastructure accounts. The defense discretionary total in that bill, which is apart from overall Pentagon spending, would be $33.3 billion, a 6% increase from fiscal 2023, and discretionary domestic spending on the bills programs would be $24.9 billion, a 2% decrease. The bill includes more than $50 billion for the Department of Energy, $8.7 billion for the Army Corp of Engineers, which oversees most federal water project construction, and $1.9 billion for the Interior Departments Bureau of Reclamation. The National Nuclear Security Administration would see a nearly $2 billion funding increase from fiscal 2023, almost all of which is for the agencys weapons activities. The Bureau of Reclamation, the Interior Department agency that deals with water and hydroelectric power, would see a $31 million decrease to $1.9 billion. The bill included 30 pages of earmarks. Interior-Environment The Interior-Environment funding bill, which covers the Interior Department, EPA and related agencies, totals $41.2 billion, which would be a decrease of more than $11 billion, more than 21%, from fiscal 2023. The bill would cut nearly $1 billion of the EPAs budget, a 9.6% decrease from fiscal 2023. Most of that cut, $745 million, is from the agencys Hazardous Substance Superfund. That account, which funds cleanup of massive environmental hazardous waste sites, would receive $537.7 million, down from $1.3 billion in fiscal 2023. Two other long-term spending laws, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law and Democrats 2022 energy, taxes and domestic policy law, provide additional funding for Superfund cleanup. Total federal spending would be more than $3 billion in fiscal 2024, even with the proposed cut. Addressing wildfires was a priority in the bill, according to summaries from both Senate Democrats and House Republicans. The bill includes $6 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, including $2.3 billion for the agencys Wildland Fire Management program. That represents an increase of $1.37 billion for wildland fire management. Payette National Forest prescribed burn Prescribed burns were planned in several ranger districts to manage wildfire in Idahos Payette National Forest. (Courtesy of the Payette National Forest) The bill would also maintain full funding for wildland firefighter pay, which was increased in the 2021 infrastructure law. The bill maintains $900 million in mandatory federal spending for the Land and Water Conservation Fund that allocates money for federal land acquisition, state grants for outdoor recreation and related efforts. And it would direct $1.9 billion in mandatory spending for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund that addresses roads and buildings across five Interior Department agencies, with the bulk of the funding going to the National Park Service. The funding levels in both the Land and Water Conservation Fund and public lands fund meet caps established in the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act and do not count against the discretionary funding limit. The bill includes 100 pages of earmarks. Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Lawmakers are touting the Military Construction and VA bills $326.4 billion total as fully funding veterans benefits and health care, bolstering national security in the Indo-Pacific region, and upgrading housing for service members and their families, among other priorities, according to a statement Sunday from Murrays office. The bill contains $175.2 billion in mandatory spending on veterans benefits that encompass disability compensation, education and employment training. On the discretionary side, $153.92 billion would be allocated to the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs as well as four related agencies, including Arlington National Cemetery, American Battle Monuments Commission, Armed Forces Retirement Home, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If cleared by Congress, the lions share of the bills funds, at $134.8 billion, would go to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Of that total, roughly $121 billion would be allocated for veterans medical care, including $16.2 billion for mental health, $5.2 billion for telehealth services, $3.1 billion for homelessness programs, $231 million for substance abuse and opioid misuse prevention, and $108 million for overall well-being programs, or Whole Health Initiatives. The remaining $18.675 billion in discretionary funds would head to the Department of Defense for the planning and construction of several military projects, including $2.4 billion for shipyard infrastructure, $2 billion for military family housing, and $1.5 billion for construction or upgrades to military Reserve and Guard facilities. Specific domestic projects and their locations can be found in the 11 pages of lawmaker earmarks for community funding. They include a range of infrastructure upgrades, numerous child development centers and several barracks upgrades at military sites across the U.S. Other allocations in the military construction spending total include $634 million for energy projects, $293 million to the NATO Security Investment Program, and $489 million for base realignment and closures, $50 million of which will be dedicated to the cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS chemicals. About $131 million would be allocated for planning, design and minor construction for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which operates in a strategically important region for the U.S. military. The Military Construction and VA spending bill also sets some funding levels for the following fiscal year. The bill allocates $195.8 billion for veterans benefits and $112.6 billion in discretionary programs in 2025. Transportation-HUD The Transportation-HUD appropriations measure would appropriate about $89.5 billion in discretionary funding for the dozens of programs throughout the bill. Another $8 billion in emergency funding was added to the legislation to maintain current rental assistance for low income Americans amid a collapse in housing receipts that are used to help offset the cost of such assistance, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. The Department of Transportation would receive $27 billion in discretionary funding while another $79 billion would come from obligation limitations, according to Senate Democrats summary of the bill. The Federal Aviation Administration would receive $20.1 billion, about $1 billion more than its current funding level. The money would allow the FAA to hire 1,800 new controllers, improving training facilities at the air traffic controller academy, and addressing the reliability of critical IT and telecommunications legacy systems, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Federal Highway Administration would receive $63 billion, the Federal Railroad Administration would get $2.9 billion and the Federal Transit Administration would receive $16 billion. To address the rail safety deficiencies identified in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, the bill provides a $27.3 million increase for FRAs safety and operations budgetmeeting the Presidents budget request for rail safety inspectors, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would receive $70.1 billion that would go toward rental assistance and self-sufficiency support for low-income working families, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities; housing and services to homeless individuals; and support for economic and community development, according to the Senate Republican summary. Homeless Assistance Grants would increase in funding by $418 million to $4.05 billion. Community Development Block Grants would receive $3.3 billion in funding. The Native American Housing Block Grant program would receive $1.3 billion, a historic level of funding that would make significant progress in addressing the dire housing needs of Indian Country, where residents are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Transportation-HUD bill includes 306 pages of community projects, or earmarks, making it one of the more significant bills for lawmakers to receive funding for priority initiatives. Those include $1 million for the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia, one of three projects that House Republicans stripped out of their original bill in July after initially approving them. The bill didnt include funding for the LGBT Center of Greater Reading in Pennsylvania, which was originally selected for $970,000 in funding, or for affordable senior housing at LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. in Massachusetts, which was on track for $850,000 in funding. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Five months late, Congress is poised to pass a huge chunk of federal spending appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send a massive spending package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. (Getty Images Plus) Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON Congress is on track to approve a staggering $468 billion in government spending this week, finishing part of the work it was supposed to complete by Oct. 1 including a big boost intended to shore up the federal WIC nutrition program for women, infants and children. Other agencies will see cuts, including the FBI and the National Park Service, as Democrats and Republicans haggled over winners and losers in the annual spending process. There are spending increases for items such as wildland fire management, first-time-ever federal oversight of cosmetics and emergency rental assistance for low-income families. Surviving: Plenty of earmarks for lawmakers local projects, also referred to as congressionally directed spending or community project funding, which received $12.655 billion in spending for the 6,630 projects within the six spending bills combined into one package, according to two people familiar with the total. For example, in the bill that provides funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, that includes everything from $3 million for the Integrative Precision Agriculture Laboratory at the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. to $800,000 for Livingston Parish Courthouse Renovations in Louisiana to $3.3 million for the Pinetop Wildland Fire Response Station in Arizona. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send the package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. However, agreement on six other consequential appropriations bills, which are due by March 22 and include health, defense and homeland security programs, remains elusive. Dems tout WIC funding The first batch of government funding bills brokered by the divided Congress includes the Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD measures. Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a statement released Sunday that she and other Democratic lawmakers fought hard to protect investments that matter to working people everywhere and help keep our economy strongrejecting devastating cuts to housing, nutrition assistance, and more. Forcing states to pick and choose which moms and kids will be able to access essential WIC benefits was never an acceptable outcome to Democrats, and this bill ensures that wont happen by fully funding WIC for millions of families nationwide, Murray said, referring to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, which provides grants to states and had faced a shortfall. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member on the panel, said in a written statement the bills will make a real difference in communities throughout the United States. Members of the Appropriations Committee in both chambers have worked very hard to reach agreements on the bill text unveiled today, Collins said. I look forward to working with Chair Murray and our colleagues to bring this legislation to the Senate floor for a vote without any further delay. House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the bills achieve what we set out to do: strategically increase defense spending and make targeted cuts to wasteful non-defense programs. Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement the bipartisan bills help keep communities safe and healthy. I am grateful that each of these bills rejects many of the extreme cuts and policies proposed by House Republicans and protects the great strides we made over the last two years to reverse the underinvestment in domestic programs that Americans depend on, DeLauro said. I urge swift passage of this package and look forward to releasing the remaining 2024 funding bills. Agency cuts The bills would cut funding from several federal agencies, including a $977 million reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency; a $654 million cut for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a $150 million reduction to the National Park Service; and a $122 million cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects are among the programs that would see an increase in their funding. Congress, after approving these six bills this week, must finalize bipartisan agreement on the remaining six. Those bills include Defense, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations. They are typically harder to negotiate than the bills in this weeks minibus. Congress would likely start on the fiscal 2025 process shortly after approving all dozen annual appropriations bills, given that Biden is expected to send lawmakers his next request, for fiscal 2025, on March 11. Heres a breakdown of whats funded in each of the bills that Congress will vote on this week. Agriculture-FDA The Agriculture-FDA funding bill would provide $26.2 billion in discretionary spending for the agencies and programs within the legislation, including conservation and rural development. That represents a $383 million increase above current funding levels. A farmer harvests corn near Slater, Iowa on Oct. 17, 2020. (Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The USDA would receive $22.3 billion, which would be about $383 million more than current law. That discretionary funding would go toward several programs, including the Agricultural Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The FDA would receive $3.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $7 million to conduct oversight of cosmetics for the first time ever and $1.5 million to reduce animal testing through alternative methods, according to a summary of the bill released by Senate Democrats. The Agriculture-FDA measure includes significant mandatory spending as well, which is counted outside the discretionary spending caps the Biden administration and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, agreed to in January. Mandatory spending is required by laws that Congress has already approved. It makes up the largest component of federal expenditures and is often spent outside of the annual appropriations process, though some mandatory spending accounts are reported in the bills. Discretionary accounts make up about one-third of federal spending and are whats subject to the spending caps on the dozen annual appropriations bills. The Agriculture-FDA bill would approve $7 billion for the Women, Infants and Children program, an increase of more than $1 billion compared to its current funding level. The increase would fully fund the WIC program, which includes more than 7 million people, according to subcommittee Chairman Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, who said in a statement he was focused on delivering for American families, farmers and producers, and rural communities. This bill gets that done, even while we had to make some tough decisions to get there, Heinrich said. I am especially proud that we stood firm to fully fund WIC and the other programs that will help put food on the table for Americas kids. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families, would get $122.4 billion, a $32 billion decrease in mandatory spending thats due to the end of pandemic-era benefits and decreases in participation rates, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. Child nutrition programs like the national school lunch program, school breakfast program and summer food programs would get $33.3 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion over what the federal government currently spends. The legislation doesnt include many of the conservative policy riders House Republicans added in their original bill, such as a proposal to ban the abortion medication mifepristone from being sent to patients through the mail. The bill has 72-pages of community projects, formerly known as earmarks, that will go to nearly every state in the country. Commerce-Justice-Science The Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill provides approximately $67 billion in discretionary funding plus $2 billion in emergency funding to address violent crime, counter the fentanyl crisis, and maintain U.S. scientific, technological, and economic superiority over China, according to Senate Republicans summary of the bill. The mobile launcher, carried by the crawler-transporter 2, rolls out from its park site location to Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida in August 2023 for testing ahead of the agencys Artemis II mission. NASA/Ben Smegelsky That funding level would be divvied up with about $37.5 billion for the Department of Justice, $10.8 billion for the Department of Commerce, $9.1 billion for the National Science Foundation and nearly $24.9 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. The bill would approve $844 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR, that will go toward legal services for underrepresented communities and modifications to courtrooms. That is about $16 million less than current law. The bill would address the more than 2.5 million case backlog in immigration courts by hiring new immigration judges and providing training. The bill would require EOIR to implement a performance appraisal based on recommendations from the Government Accountability Office for immigration judges and the agency has to submit a report to Congress on the results of the appraisal process. The legislation provides an increase of $13 million for the Violence Against Women Act, bringing the funding level to $713 million toward those programs. That funding will go toward assistance with transitional housing, domestic violence reduction, sexual assault services, research on violence against Indigenous women and legal assistance, among other initiatives. The bill provides about $10.6 billion for the FBI, a decrease from fiscal 2023. That funding will go toward targeting fentanyl and opioid trafficking, child exploitation, trafficking and bioforensic analysis, among other initiatives. The bill includes a 95% cut in funding for FBI construction, from $629.1 million to $30 million. The bill would require the FBI to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding the FBI operations in regional offices around the country, according to the explanatory statement. The bill includes a provision that none of the funds can be used to target or investigate parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and are not suspected of engaging in unlawful activity. House Republicans have scrutinized the Justice Department after the agency directed the FBI to investigate threats of violence made to school board officials and teachers after a conservative backlash to discussions about race in public schools. The bill would provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with $1.6 billion, a decrease of $112 million below fiscal year 2023 levels in order to reverse anti-Second Amendment overreach, according to a summary of the bill by House Republicans. Members of Congress obtained 86 pages of earmarks in the Commerce-Justice-Science bill. Energy-Water The Energy-Water appropriations measure would moderately boost spending on defense primarily the Energy Departments nuclear programs while cutting slightly from the bills domestic water infrastructure accounts. The defense discretionary total in that bill, which is apart from overall Pentagon spending, would be $33.3 billion, a 6% increase from fiscal 2023, and discretionary domestic spending on the bills programs would be $24.9 billion, a 2% decrease. The bill includes more than $50 billion for the Department of Energy, $8.7 billion for the Army Corp of Engineers, which oversees most federal water project construction, and $1.9 billion for the Interior Departments Bureau of Reclamation. The National Nuclear Security Administration would see a nearly $2 billion funding increase from fiscal 2023, almost all of which is for the agencys weapons activities. The Bureau of Reclamation, the Interior Department agency that deals with water and hydroelectric power, would see a $31 million decrease to $1.9 billion. The bill included 30 pages of earmarks. Interior-Environment The Interior-Environment funding bill, which covers the Interior Department, EPA and related agencies, totals $41.2 billion, which would be a decrease of more than $11 billion, more than 21%, from fiscal 2023. The bill would cut nearly $1 billion of the EPAs budget, a 9.6% decrease from fiscal 2023. Most of that cut, $745 million, is from the agencys Hazardous Substance Superfund. That account, which funds cleanup of massive environmental hazardous waste sites, would receive $537.7 million, down from $1.3 billion in fiscal 2023. Two other long-term spending laws, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law and Democrats 2022 energy, taxes and domestic policy law, provide additional funding for Superfund cleanup. Total federal spending would be more than $3 billion in fiscal 2024, even with the proposed cut. Forests, timberland and homes are in danger as wildfires burn in the Panhandle. Credit: Florida Forest Service Addressing wildfires was a priority in the bill, according to summaries from both Senate Democrats and House Republicans. The bill includes $6 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, including $2.3 billion for the agencys Wildland Fire Management program. That represents an increase of $1.37 billion for wildland fire management. The bill would also maintain full funding for wildland firefighter pay, which was increased in the 2021 infrastructure law. The bill maintains $900 million in mandatory federal spending for the Land and Water Conservation Fund that allocates money for federal land acquisition, state grants for outdoor recreation and related efforts. And it would direct $1.9 billion in mandatory spending for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund that addresses roads and buildings across five Interior Department agencies, with the bulk of the funding going to the National Park Service. The funding levels in both the Land and Water Conservation Fund and public lands fund meet caps established in the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act and do not count against the discretionary funding limit. The bill includes 100 pages of earmarks. Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Lawmakers are touting the Military Construction and VA bills $326.4 billion total as fully funding veterans benefits and health care, bolstering national security in the Indo-Pacific region, and upgrading housing for service members and their families, among other priorities, according to a statement Sunday from Murrays office. The bill contains $175.2 billion in mandatory spending on veterans benefits that encompass disability compensation, education and employment training. On the discretionary side, $153.92 billion would be allocated to the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs as well as four related agencies, including Arlington National Cemetery, American Battle Monuments Commission, Armed Forces Retirement Home, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If cleared by Congress, the lions share of the bills funds, at $134.8 billion, would go to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Homeless woman. Credit: YouTube. Of that total, roughly $121 billion would be allocated for veterans medical care, including $16.2 billion for mental health, $5.2 billion for telehealth services, $3.1 billion for homelessness programs, $231 million for substance abuse and opioid misuse prevention, and $108 million for overall well-being programs, or Whole Health Initiatives. The remaining $18.675 billion in discretionary funds would head to the Department of Defense for the planning and construction of several military projects, including $2.4 billion for shipyard infrastructure, $2 billion for military family housing, and $1.5 billion for construction or upgrades to military Reserve and Guard facilities. Specific domestic projects and their locations can be found in the 11 pages of lawmaker earmarks for community funding. They include a range of infrastructure upgrades, numerous child development centers and several barracks upgrades at military sites across the U.S. Other allocations in the military construction spending total include $634 million for energy projects, $293 million to the NATO Security Investment Program, and $489 million for base realignment and closures, $50 million of which will be dedicated to the cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS chemicals. About $131 million would be allocated for planning, design and minor construction for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which operates in a strategically important region for the U.S. military. The Military Construction and VA spending bill also sets some funding levels for the following fiscal year. The bill allocates $195.8 billion for veterans benefits and $112.6 billion in discretionary programs in 2025. Transportation-HUD The Transportation-HUD appropriations measure would appropriate about $89.5 billion in discretionary funding for the dozens of programs throughout the bill. Another $8 billion in emergency funding was added to the legislation to maintain current rental assistance for low income Americans amid a collapse in housing receipts that are used to help offset the cost of such assistance, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. The Department of Transportation would receive $27 billion in discretionary funding while another $79 billion would come from obligation limitations, according to Senate Democrats summary of the bill. An American Airlines plane takes off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on October 1, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images.) Courtesy of the Minnesota Reformer. The Federal Aviation Administration would receive $20.1 billion, about $1 billion more than its current funding level. The money would allow the FAA to hire 1,800 new controllers, improving training facilities at the air traffic controller academy, and addressing the reliability of critical IT and telecommunications legacy systems, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Federal Highway Administration would receive $63 billion, the Federal Railroad Administration would get $2.9 billion and the Federal Transit Administration would receive $16 billion. To address the rail safety deficiencies identified in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, the bill provides a $27.3 million increase for FRAs safety and operations budgetmeeting the Presidents budget request for rail safety inspectors, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would receive $70.1 billion that would go toward rental assistance and self-sufficiency support for low-income working families, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities; housing and services to homeless individuals; and support for economic and community development, according to the Senate Republican summary. Homeless Assistance Grants would increase in funding by $418 million to $4.05 billion. Community Development Block Grants would receive $3.3 billion in funding. The Native American Housing Block Grant program would receive $1.3 billion, a historic level of funding that would make significant progress in addressing the dire housing needs of Indian Country, where residents are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Transportation-HUD bill includes 306 pages of community projects, or earmarks, making it one of the more significant bills for lawmakers to receive funding for priority initiatives. Those include $1 million for the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia, one of three projects that House Republicans stripped out of their original bill in July after initially approving them. The bill didnt include funding for the LGBT Center of Greater Reading in Pennsylvania, which was originally selected for $970,000 in funding, or for affordable senior housing at LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. in Massachusetts, which was on track for $850,000 in funding. The post Five months late, Congress is poised to pass a huge chunk of federal spending appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Photo illustration by Getty Images. WASHINGTON Congress is on track to approve a staggering $468 billion in government spending this week, finishing part of the work it was supposed to complete by Oct. 1 including a big boost intended to shore up the federal Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. Other agencies will see cuts, including the FBI and the National Park Service, as Democrats and Republicans haggled over winners and losers in the annual spending process. There are spending increases for items such as wildland fire management, first-time-ever federal oversight of cosmetics and emergency rental assistance for low-income families. Surviving: Plenty of earmarks for lawmakers local projects, also referred to as congressionally directed spending or community project funding, which received $12.655 billion in spending for the 6,630 projects within the six spending bills combined into one package, according to two people familiar with the total. For example, in the bill that provides funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, that includes everything from $3 million for the Integrative Precision Agriculture Laboratory at the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. to $800,000 for Livingston Parish Courthouse Renovations in Louisiana to $3.3 million for the Pinetop Wildland Fire Response Station in Arizona. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send the package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. However, agreement on six other consequential appropriations bills, which are due by March 22 and include health, defense and homeland security programs, remains elusive. Dems tout WIC funding The first batch of government funding bills brokered by the divided Congress includes the Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD measures. Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a statement released Sunday that she and other Democratic lawmakers fought hard to protect investments that matter to working people everywhere and help keep our economy strongrejecting devastating cuts to housing, nutrition assistance, and more. Forcing states to pick and choose which moms and kids will be able to access essential WIC benefits was never an acceptable outcome to Democrats, and this bill ensures that wont happen by fully funding WIC for millions of families nationwide, Murray said, referring to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, which provides grants to states and had faced a shortfall. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member on the panel, said in a written statement the bills will make a real difference in communities throughout the United States. Members of the Appropriations Committee in both chambers have worked very hard to reach agreements on the bill text unveiled today, Collins said. I look forward to working with Chair Murray and our colleagues to bring this legislation to the Senate floor for a vote without any further delay. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the bills achieve what we set out to do: strategically increase defense spending and make targeted cuts to wasteful non-defense programs. Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement the bipartisan bills help keep communities safe and healthy. I am grateful that each of these bills rejects many of the extreme cuts and policies proposed by House Republicans and protects the great strides we made over the last two years to reverse the underinvestment in domestic programs that Americans depend on, DeLauro said. I urge swift passage of this package and look forward to releasing the remaining 2024 funding bills. Agency cuts The bills would cut funding from several federal agencies, including a $977 million reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency; a $654 million cut for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a $150 million reduction to the National Park Service; and a $122 million cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects are among the programs that would see an increase in their funding. Congress, after approving these six bills this week, must finalize bipartisan agreement on the remaining six. Those bills include Defense, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations. They are typically harder to negotiate than the bills in this weeks minibus. Congress would likely start on the fiscal 2025 process shortly after approving all dozen annual appropriations bills, given that Biden is expected to send lawmakers his next request, for fiscal 2025, on March 11. Heres a breakdown of whats funded in each of the bills that Congress will vote on this week. Agriculture-FDA The Agriculture-FDA funding bill would provide $26.2 billion in discretionary spending for the agencies and programs within the legislation, including conservation and rural development. That represents a $383 million increase above current funding levels. The USDA would receive $22.3 billion, which would be about $383 million more than current law. That discretionary funding would go toward several programs, including the Agricultural Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The FDA would receive $3.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $7 million to conduct oversight of cosmetics for the first time ever and $1.5 million to reduce animal testing through alternative methods, according to a summary of the bill released by Senate Democrats. The Agriculture-FDA measure includes significant mandatory spending as well, which is counted outside the discretionary spending caps the Biden administration and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, agreed to in January. Mandatory spending is required by laws that Congress has already approved. It makes up the largest component of federal expenditures and is often spent outside of the annual appropriations process, though some mandatory spending accounts are reported in the bills. Discretionary accounts make up about one-third of federal spending and are whats subject to the spending caps on the dozen annual appropriations bills. The Agriculture-FDA bill would approve $7 billion for the Women, Infants and Children program, an increase of more than $1 billion compared to its current funding level. The increase would fully fund the WIC program, which includes more than 7 million people, according to subcommittee Chairman Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, who said in a statement he was focused on delivering for American families, farmers and producers, and rural communities. This bill gets that done, even while we had to make some tough decisions to get there, Heinrich said. I am especially proud that we stood firm to fully fund WIC and the other programs that will help put food on the table for Americas kids. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families, would get $122.4 billion, a $32 billion decrease in mandatory spending thats due to the end of pandemic-era benefits and decreases in participation rates, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. Child nutrition programs like the national school lunch program, school breakfast program and summer food programs would get $33.3 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion more than what the federal government currently spends. The legislation doesnt include many of the conservative policy riders House Republicans added in their original bill, such as a proposal to ban the abortion medication mifepristone from being sent to patients through the mail. The bill has 72-pages of community projects, formerly known as earmarks, that will go to nearly every state in the country. Commerce-Justice-Science The Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill provides approximately $67 billion in discretionary funding plus $2 billion in emergency funding to address violent crime, counter the fentanyl crisis, and maintain U.S. scientific, technological, and economic superiority over China, according to Senate Republicans summary of the bill. That funding level would be divvied up with about $37.5 billion for the Department of Justice, $10.8 billion for the Department of Commerce, $9.1 billion for the National Science Foundation and nearly $24.9 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. The bill would approve $844 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR, that will go toward legal services for underrepresented communities and modifications to courtrooms. That is about $16 million less than current law. The bill would address the more than 2.5 million case backlog in immigration courts by hiring new immigration judges and providing training. The bill would require EOIR to implement a performance appraisal based on recommendations from the Government Accountability Office for immigration judges and the agency has to submit a report to Congress on the results of the appraisal process. The legislation provides an increase of $13 million for the Violence Against Women Act, bringing the funding level to $713 million toward those programs. That funding will go toward assistance with transitional housing, domestic violence reduction, sexual assault services, research on violence against Indigenous women and legal assistance, among other initiatives. The bill provides about $10.6 billion for the FBI, a decrease from fiscal 2023. That funding will go toward targeting fentanyl and opioid trafficking, child exploitation, trafficking and bioforensic analysis, among other initiatives. The bill includes a 95% cut in funding for FBI construction, from $629.1 million to $30 million. The bill would require the FBI to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding the FBI operations in regional offices around the country, according to the explanatory statement. The bill includes a provision that none of the funds can be used to target or investigate parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and are not suspected of engaging in unlawful activity. House Republicans have scrutinized the Justice Department after the agency directed the FBI to investigate threats of violence made to school board officials and teachers after a conservative backlash to discussions about race in public schools. The bill would provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with $1.6 billion, a decrease of $112 million below fiscal year 2023 levels in order to reverse anti-Second Amendment overreach, according to a summary of the bill by House Republicans. Members of Congress obtained 86 pages of earmarks in the Commerce-Justice-Science bill. Energy-Water The Energy-Water appropriations measure would moderately boost spending on defense primarily the Energy Departments nuclear programs while cutting slightly from the bills domestic water infrastructure accounts. The defense discretionary total in that bill, which is apart from overall Pentagon spending, would be $33.3 billion, a 6% increase from fiscal 2023, and discretionary domestic spending on the bills programs would be $24.9 billion, a 2% decrease. The bill includes more than $50 billion for the Department of Energy, $8.7 billion for the Army Corp of Engineers, which oversees most federal water project construction, and $1.9 billion for the Interior Departments Bureau of Reclamation. The National Nuclear Security Administration would see a nearly $2 billion funding increase from fiscal 2023, almost all of which is for the agencys weapons activities. The Bureau of Reclamation, the Interior Department agency that deals with water and hydroelectric power, would see a $31 million decrease to $1.9 billion. The bill included 30 pages of earmarks. Interior-Environment The Interior-Environment funding bill, which covers the Interior Department, EPA and related agencies, totals $41.2 billion, which would be a decrease of more than $11 billion, more than 21%, from fiscal 2023. The bill would cut nearly $1 billion of the EPAs budget, a 9.6% decrease from fiscal 2023. Most of that cut, $745 million, is from the agencys Hazardous Substance Superfund. That account, which funds cleanup of massive environmental hazardous waste sites, would receive $537.7 million, down from $1.3 billion in fiscal 2023. Two other long-term spending laws, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law and Democrats 2022 energy, taxes and domestic policy law, provide additional funding for Superfund cleanup. Total federal spending would be more than $3 billion in fiscal 2024, even with the proposed cut. Addressing wildfires was a priority in the bill, according to summaries from both Senate Democrats and House Republicans. The bill includes $6 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, including $2.3 billion for the agencys Wildland Fire Management program. That represents an increase of $1.37 billion for wildland fire management. The bill would also maintain full funding for wildland firefighter pay, which was increased in the 2021 infrastructure law. The bill maintains $900 million in mandatory federal spending for the Land and Water Conservation Fund that allocates money for federal land acquisition, state grants for outdoor recreation and related efforts. And it would direct $1.9 billion in mandatory spending for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund that addresses roads and buildings across five Interior Department agencies, with the bulk of the funding going to the National Park Service. The funding levels in both the Land and Water Conservation Fund and public lands fund meet caps established in the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act and do not count against the discretionary funding limit. The bill includes 100 pages of earmarks. Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Lawmakers are touting the Military Construction and VA bills $326.4 billion total as fully funding veterans benefits and health care, bolstering national security in the Indo-Pacific region, and upgrading housing for service members and their families, among other priorities, according to a statement Sunday from Murrays office. The bill contains $175.2 billion in mandatory spending on veterans benefits that encompass disability compensation, education and employment training. On the discretionary side, $153.92 billion would be allocated to the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs as well as four related agencies, including Arlington National Cemetery, American Battle Monuments Commission, Armed Forces Retirement Home, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If cleared by Congress, the lions share of the bills funds, at $134.8 billion, would go to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Of that total, roughly $121 billion would be allocated for veterans medical care, including $16.2 billion for mental health, $5.2 billion for telehealth services, $3.1 billion for homelessness programs, $231 million for substance abuse and opioid misuse prevention, and $108 million for overall well-being programs, or Whole Health Initiatives. The remaining $18.675 billion in discretionary funds would head to the Department of Defense for the planning and construction of several military projects, including $2.4 billion for shipyard infrastructure, $2 billion for military family housing, and $1.5 billion for construction or upgrades to military Reserve and Guard facilities. Specific domestic projects and their locations can be found in the 11 pages of lawmaker earmarks for community funding. They include a range of infrastructure upgrades, numerous child development centers and several barracks upgrades at military sites across the U.S. Other allocations in the military construction spending total include $634 million for energy projects, $293 million to the NATO Security Investment Program, and $489 million for base realignment and closures, $50 million of which will be dedicated to the cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS chemicals. About $131 million would be allocated for planning, design and minor construction for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which operates in a strategically important region for the U.S. military. The Military Construction and VA spending bill also sets some funding levels for the following fiscal year. The bill allocates $195.8 billion for veterans benefits and $112.6 billion in discretionary programs in 2025. Transportation-HUD The Transportation-HUD appropriations measure would appropriate about $89.5 billion in discretionary funding for the dozens of programs throughout the bill. Another $8 billion in emergency funding was added to the legislation to maintain current rental assistance for low income Americans amid a collapse in housing receipts that are used to help offset the cost of such assistance, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. The Department of Transportation would receive $27 billion in discretionary funding while another $79 billion would come from obligation limitations, according to Senate Democrats summary of the bill. The Federal Aviation Administration would receive $20.1 billion, about $1 billion more than its current funding level. The money would allow the FAA to hire 1,800 new controllers, improving training facilities at the air traffic controller academy, and addressing the reliability of critical IT and telecommunications legacy systems, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Federal Highway Administration would receive $63 billion, the Federal Railroad Administration would get $2.9 billion and the Federal Transit Administration would receive $16 billion. To address the rail safety deficiencies identified in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, the bill provides a $27.3 million increase for FRAs safety and operations budgetmeeting the Presidents budget request for rail safety inspectors, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would receive $70.1 billion that would go toward rental assistance and self-sufficiency support for low-income working families, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities; housing and services to homeless individuals; and support for economic and community development, according to the Senate Republican summary. Homeless Assistance Grants would increase in funding by $418 million to $4.05 billion. Community Development Block Grants would receive $3.3 billion in funding. The Native American Housing Block Grant program would receive $1.3 billion, a historic level of funding that would make significant progress in addressing the dire housing needs of Indian Country, where residents are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Transportation-HUD bill includes 306 pages of community projects, or earmarks, making it one of the more significant bills for lawmakers to receive funding for priority initiatives. Those include $1 million for the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia, one of three projects that House Republicans stripped out of their original bill in July after initially approving them. The bill didnt include funding for the LGBT Center of Greater Reading in Pennsylvania, which was originally selected for $970,000 in funding, or for affordable senior housing at LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. in Massachusetts, which was on track for $850,000 in funding. The post Five months late, Congress is poised to pass a huge chunk of federal spending appeared first on Daily Montanan. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send a massive spending package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. (Getty Images Plus) WASHINGTON Congress is on track to approve a staggering $468 billion in government spending this week, finishing part of the work it was supposed to complete by Oct. 1 including a big boost intended to shore up the federal WIC nutrition program for women, infants and children. Other agencies will see cuts, including the FBI and the National Park Service, as Democrats and Republicans haggled over winners and losers in the annual spending process. There are spending increases for items such as wildland fire management, first-time-ever federal oversight of cosmetics and emergency rental assistance for low-income families. Surviving: Plenty of earmarks for lawmakers local projects, also referred to as congressionally directed spending or community project funding, which received $12.655 billion in spending for the 6,630 projects within the six spending bills combined into one package, according to two people familiar with the total. For example, in the bill that provides funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, that includes everything from $3 million for the Integrative Precision Agriculture Laboratory at the University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc. to $800,000 for Livingston Parish Courthouse Renovations in Louisiana to $3.3 million for the Pinetop Wildland Fire Response Station in Arizona. The U.S. House and Senate are expected to take broadly bipartisan votes to send the package known as a minibus to President Joe Biden ahead of a Friday midnight deadline. However, agreement on six other consequential appropriations bills, which are due by March 22 and include health, defense and homeland security programs, remains elusive. Dems tout WIC funding The first batch of government funding bills brokered by the divided Congress includes the Agriculture-FDA, Commerce-Justice-Science, Energy-Water, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD measures. Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, said in a statement released Sunday that she and other Democratic lawmakers fought hard to protect investments that matter to working people everywhere and help keep our economy strong rejecting devastating cuts to housing, nutrition assistance, and more. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington state, walks through the Senate Subway to participate in a vote on the Senate Floor on Nov. 16, 2022. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Forcing states to pick and choose which moms and kids will be able to access essential WIC benefits was never an acceptable outcome to Democrats, and this bill ensures that wont happen by fully funding WIC for millions of families nationwide, Murray said, referring to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, which provides grants to states and had faced a shortfall. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, ranking member on the panel, said in a written statement the bills will make a real difference in communities throughout the United States. Members of the Appropriations Committee in both chambers have worked very hard to reach agreements on the bill text unveiled today, Collins said. I look forward to working with Chair Murray and our colleagues to bring this legislation to the Senate floor for a vote without any further delay. House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, said the bills achieve what we set out to do: strategically increase defense spending and make targeted cuts to wasteful non-defense programs. Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement the bipartisan bills help keep communities safe and healthy. I am grateful that each of these bills rejects many of the extreme cuts and policies proposed by House Republicans and protects the great strides we made over the last two years to reverse the underinvestment in domestic programs that Americans depend on, DeLauro said. I urge swift passage of this package and look forward to releasing the remaining 2024 funding bills. Agency cuts The bills would cut funding from several federal agencies, including a $977 million reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency; a $654 million cut for the Federal Bureau of Investigation; a $150 million reduction to the National Park Service; and a $122 million cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects are among the programs that would see an increase in their funding. Congress, after approving these six bills this week, must finalize bipartisan agreement on the remaining six. Those bills include Defense, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, Legislative Branch and State-Foreign Operations. They are typically harder to negotiate than the bills in this weeks minibus. Congress would likely start on the fiscal 2025 process shortly after approving all dozen annual appropriations bills, given that Biden is expected to send lawmakers his next request, for fiscal 2025, on March 11. Heres a breakdown of whats funded in each of the bills that Congress will vote on this week. Agriculture-FDA The Agriculture-FDA funding bill would provide $26.2 billion in discretionary spending for the agencies and programs within the legislation, including conservation and rural development. That represents a $383 million increase above current funding levels. The USDA would receive $22.3 billion, which would be about $383 million more than current law. That discretionary funding would go toward several programs, including the Agricultural Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service. The FDA would receive $3.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $7 million to conduct oversight of cosmetics for the first time ever and $1.5 million to reduce animal testing through alternative methods, according to a summary of the bill released by Senate Democrats. The Agriculture-FDA measure includes significant mandatory spending as well, which is counted outside the discretionary spending caps the Biden administration and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, agreed to in January. Mandatory spending is required by laws that Congress has already approved. It makes up the largest component of federal expenditures and is often spent outside of the annual appropriations process, though some mandatory spending accounts are reported in the bills. Discretionary accounts make up about one-third of federal spending and are whats subject to the spending caps on the dozen annual appropriations bills. The Agriculture-FDA bill would approve $7 billion for the Women, Infants and Children program, an increase of more than $1 billion compared to its current funding level. The increase would fully fund the WIC program, which includes more than 7 million people, according to subcommittee Chairman Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat, who said in a statement he was focused on delivering for American families, farmers and producers, and rural communities. This bill gets that done, even while we had to make some tough decisions to get there, Heinrich said. I am especially proud that we stood firm to fully fund WIC and the other programs that will help put food on the table for Americas kids. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families, would get $122.4 billion, a $32 billion decrease in mandatory spending thats due to the end of pandemic-era benefits and decreases in participation rates, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. Child nutrition programs like the national school lunch program, school breakfast program and summer food programs would get $33.3 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion over what the federal government currently spends. The legislation doesnt include many of the conservative policy riders House Republicans added in their original bill, such as a proposal to ban the abortion medication mifepristone from being sent to patients through the mail. The bill has 72-pages of community projects, formerly known as earmarks, that will go to nearly every state in the country. Commerce-Justice-Science The Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill provides approximately $67 billion in discretionary funding plus $2 billion in emergency funding to address violent crime, counter the fentanyl crisis, and maintain U.S. scientific, technological, and economic superiority over China, according to Senate Republicans summary of the bill. That funding level would be divvied up with about $37.5 billion for the Department of Justice, $10.8 billion for the Department of Commerce, $9.1 billion for the National Science Foundation and nearly $24.9 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. The bill would approve $844 million for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR, that will go toward legal services for underrepresented communities and modifications to courtrooms. That is about $16 million less than current law. The bill would address the more than 2.5 million case backlog in immigration courts by hiring new immigration judges and providing training. The bill would require EOIR to implement a performance appraisal based on recommendations from the Government Accountability Office for immigration judges and the agency has to submit a report to Congress on the results of the appraisal process. The legislation provides an increase of $13 million for the Violence Against Women Act, bringing the funding level to $713 million toward those programs. That funding will go toward assistance with transitional housing, domestic violence reduction, sexual assault services, research on violence against Indigenous women and legal assistance, among other initiatives. The bill provides about $10.6 billion for the FBI, a decrease from fiscal 2023. That funding will go toward targeting fentanyl and opioid trafficking, child exploitation, trafficking and bioforensic analysis, among other initiatives. The bill includes a 95% cut in funding for FBI construction, from $629.1 million to $30 million. The bill would require the FBI to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding the FBI operations in regional offices around the country, according to the explanatory statement. The bill includes a provision that none of the funds can be used to target or investigate parents who peacefully protest at school board meetings and are not suspected of engaging in unlawful activity. House Republicans have scrutinized the Justice Department after the agency directed the FBI to investigate threats of violence made to school board officials and teachers after a conservative backlash to discussions about race in public schools. The bill would provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with $1.6 billion, a decrease of $112 million below fiscal year 2023 levels in order to reverse anti-Second Amendment overreach, according to a summary of the bill by House Republicans. Members of Congress obtained 86 pages of earmarks in the Commerce-Justice-Science bill. Energy-Water The Energy-Water appropriations measure would moderately boost spending on defense primarily the Energy Departments nuclear programs while cutting slightly from the bills domestic water infrastructure accounts. The defense discretionary total in that bill, which is apart from overall Pentagon spending, would be $33.3 billion, a 6% increase from fiscal 2023, and discretionary domestic spending on the bills programs would be $24.9 billion, a 2% decrease. The bill includes more than $50 billion for the Department of Energy, $8.7 billion for the Army Corp of Engineers, which oversees most federal water project construction, and $1.9 billion for the Interior Departments Bureau of Reclamation. The National Nuclear Security Administration would see a nearly $2 billion funding increase from fiscal 2023, almost all of which is for the agencys weapons activities. The Bureau of Reclamation, the Interior Department agency that deals with water and hydroelectric power, would see a $31 million decrease to $1.9 billion. The bill included 30 pages of earmarks. Interior-Environment The Interior-Environment funding bill, which covers the Interior Department, EPA and related agencies, totals $41.2 billion, which would be a decrease of more than $11 billion, more than 21%, from fiscal 2023. The bill would cut nearly $1 billion of the EPAs budget, a 9.6% decrease from fiscal 2023. Most of that cut, $745 million, is from the agencys Hazardous Substance Superfund. That account, which funds cleanup of massive environmental hazardous waste sites, would receive $537.7 million, down from $1.3 billion in fiscal 2023. Two other long-term spending laws, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law and Democrats 2022 energy, taxes and domestic policy law, provide additional funding for Superfund cleanup. Total federal spending would be more than $3 billion in fiscal 2024, even with the proposed cut. Addressing wildfires was a priority in the bill, according to summaries from both Senate Democrats and House Republicans. The bill includes $6 billion for the U.S. Forest Service, including $2.3 billion for the agencys Wildland Fire Management program. That represents an increase of $1.37 billion for wildland fire management. The bill would also maintain full funding for wildland firefighter pay, which was increased in the 2021 infrastructure law. The bill maintains $900 million in mandatory federal spending for the Land and Water Conservation Fund that allocates money for federal land acquisition, state grants for outdoor recreation and related efforts. And it would direct $1.9 billion in mandatory spending for the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund that addresses roads and buildings across five Interior Department agencies, with the bulk of the funding going to the National Park Service. The funding levels in both the Land and Water Conservation Fund and public lands fund meet caps established in the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act and do not count against the discretionary funding limit. The bill includes 100 pages of earmarks. Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Lawmakers are touting the Military Construction and VA bills $326.4 billion total as fully funding veterans benefits and health care, bolstering national security in the Indo-Pacific region, and upgrading housing for service members and their families, among other priorities, according to a statement Sunday from Murrays office. The bill contains $175.2 billion in mandatory spending on veterans benefits that encompass disability compensation, education and employment training. On the discretionary side, $153.92 billion would be allocated to the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs as well as four related agencies, including Arlington National Cemetery, American Battle Monuments Commission, Armed Forces Retirement Home, and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If cleared by Congress, the lions share of the bills funds, at $134.8 billion, would go to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Of that total, roughly $121 billion would be allocated for veterans medical care, including $16.2 billion for mental health, $5.2 billion for telehealth services, $3.1 billion for homelessness programs, $231 million for substance abuse and opioid misuse prevention, and $108 million for overall well-being programs, or Whole Health Initiatives. The remaining $18.675 billion in discretionary funds would head to the Department of Defense for the planning and construction of several military projects, including $2.4 billion for shipyard infrastructure, $2 billion for military family housing, and $1.5 billion for construction or upgrades to military Reserve and Guard facilities. Specific domestic projects and their locations can be found in the 11 pages of lawmaker earmarks for community funding. They include a range of infrastructure upgrades, numerous child development centers and several barracks upgrades at military sites across the U.S. Other allocations in the military construction spending total include $634 million for energy projects, $293 million to the NATO Security Investment Program, and $489 million for base realignment and closures, $50 million of which will be dedicated to the cleanup of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS chemicals. About $131 million would be allocated for planning, design and minor construction for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which operates in a strategically important region for the U.S. military. The Military Construction and VA spending bill also sets some funding levels for the following fiscal year. The bill allocates $195.8 billion for veterans benefits and $112.6 billion in discretionary programs in 2025. Transportation-HUD The Transportation-HUD appropriations measure would appropriate about $89.5 billion in discretionary funding for the dozens of programs throughout the bill. Another $8 billion in emergency funding was added to the legislation to maintain current rental assistance for low income Americans amid a collapse in housing receipts that are used to help offset the cost of such assistance, according to a summary of the bill from Senate Republicans. The Department of Transportation would receive $27 billion in discretionary funding while another $79 billion would come from obligation limitations, according to Senate Democrats summary of the bill. The Federal Aviation Administration would receive $20.1 billion, about $1 billion more than its current funding level. The money would allow the FAA to hire 1,800 new controllers, improving training facilities at the air traffic controller academy, and addressing the reliability of critical IT and telecommunications legacy systems, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Federal Highway Administration would receive $63 billion, the Federal Railroad Administration would get $2.9 billion and the Federal Transit Administration would receive $16 billion. To address the rail safety deficiencies identified in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, the bill provides a $27.3 million increase for FRAs safety and operations budgetmeeting the Presidents budget request for rail safety inspectors, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would receive $70.1 billion that would go toward rental assistance and self-sufficiency support for low-income working families, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities; housing and services to homeless individuals; and support for economic and community development, according to the Senate Republican summary. Homeless Assistance Grants would increase in funding by $418 million to $4.05 billion. Community Development Block Grants would receive $3.3 billion in funding. The Native American Housing Block Grant program would receive $1.3 billion, a historic level of funding that would make significant progress in addressing the dire housing needs of Indian Country, where residents are nearly twice as likely to live in poverty and nearly three times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to other U.S. households, according to Senate Democrats summary. The Transportation-HUD bill includes 306 pages of community projects, or earmarks, making it one of the more significant bills for lawmakers to receive funding for priority initiatives. Those include $1 million for the William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia, one of three projects that House Republicans stripped out of their original bill in July after initially approving them. The bill didnt include funding for the LGBT Center of Greater Reading in Pennsylvania, which was originally selected for $970,000 in funding, or for affordable senior housing at LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. in Massachusetts, which was on track for $850,000 in funding. The post Five months late, Congress is poised to pass a huge chunk of federal spending appeared first on Arkansas Advocate. The European Union in September named six gatekeepers including Apple and Google that must adhere to the rules (Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD) 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 Viral video that surfaced Monday showed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., snap at pro-Palestinian protesters who confronted her and her fiance outside a movie theater in Brooklyn, New York. "I need you to understand this is not OK," Ocasio-Cortez angrily told the activists as they demanded that she call Israel's offensive in Gaza a "genocide." The Democratic lawmaker appeared uncomfortable as the activists accosted her in public, but that was exactly what she called on protesters to do just a few years ago. "The whole point of protesting is to make ppl uncomfortable," Ocasio-Cortez posted in December 2020 in a thread that defended "defund the police" activists who had confronted politicians in public spaces. "The thing that critics of activists dont get is that they tried playing the polite language policy game and all it did was make them easier to ignore. It wasnt until they made folks uncomfortable that there was traction to do ANYTHING even if it wasnt their full demands," she argued at the time. PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS ACCOST AOC OUTSIDE MOVIE THEATER, DEMAND SHE CALL ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR A GENOCIDE Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was accosted outside a movie theater by pro-Palestinian activists. "Activists take that discomfort w/ the status quo & advocate for concrete policy changes. Popular support often starts small & grows. To folks who complain protest demands make others uncomfortable ... thats the point," she posted. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Those posts have come back to haunt Ocasio-Cortez several times in the years since, as she has complained when protesters targeted her at various events. In the video that surfaced Monday, protesters, phones in hand, are seen approaching the congresswoman outside the Alamo Drafthouse. "Its not OK that theres a genocide happening, and youre not actively against it," one of the protesters tells her. UN FINALLY RECOGNIZES THAT ISRAELI WOMEN WERE RAPED, SEXUALLY ATTACKED BY HAMAS TERRORISTS Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her fiance were confronted outside a movie theater. "You're lying!" Ocasio-Cortez shot back. The video shows the protesters following her down the escalator, continually berating her for not labeling the war a "genocide." "If you cant say it, just say it. Literally. Were just talking to you like normal people. Just say its a genocide. Just say it. Over 30,000 people are dead, AOC. You cant just say it for once?" another protester shouts, citing figures from the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. "Just say the word, thats it. Thats all we want you to say." The confrontation escalates as the activists chase down Ocasio-Cortez and her fiance, Riley Roberts, outside the building. At one point, Roberts pleads with the protesters to stop as they continue following the couple down the sidewalk. WOEFULLY SILENT AOC BLASTED IN TIMES SQUARE BILLBOARD WARNING OF TROJAN HORSE CHINA THREAT Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks to the media outside the Thomas P. O'Neil Jr. House Office Building on Feb. 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Ocasio-Cortez once defended protesters accosting people in public, arguing, "the whole point of protesting is to make ppl uncomfortable." One of the protesters asks whether Ocasio-Cortez is concerned her comments would "go viral." A visibly angry Ocasio-Cortez tells the protesters that they are going to clip the video so that her comments are "completely out of context." She then appears to concede that Israels actions constitute a genocide. "I already said that it was. And yall are just gonna pretend that it wasnt. Over and over again. Its f---ed up man. And youre not helping these people. Youre not helping them," Ocasio-Cortez says. Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly condemned Israels retaliation after the Oct. 7 massacre, in which Hamas militants killed 1,200 civilians, injured hundreds more, and took around 250 hostages. She has called for a cease-fire and suggested the U.S. "conditioning aid, if not cutting aid to the Netanyahu government." Just weeks after the Oct. 7 attack, Ocasio-Cortez accused Israel of committing war crimes , while qualifying that she was not defending Hamas. Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report. Original article source: FLASHBACK: AOC calls on activists to make politicians 'uncomfortable' In last years legislative session, Gov. Ron DeSantis and his allies in the Legislature enacted infamous SB 1718, one of the nations harshest anti-immigrant laws. The law harms Floridas immigrant families by targeting every facet of their lives. People who had come to see Florida as a place with a history of welcoming immigrants were caught off guard, shocked by the laws extremely punitive measures. This was an introduction to the trend of cruel, anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies that has only grown producing policies that arent merely unnecessary, but also detrimental to the fabric of our communities and threatening to the success of Floridas economy. The aftermath of the bills passage confirmed those fears. Media coverage highlighted the laws many negative impacts on immigrants who are disproportionately represented in many key industries, including tourism, agriculture and healthcare for example, critical workers not showing up to work for fear of being arrested or mothers avoiding prenatal care for fear of being mistreated due to their immigration status. The current legislative session continued the trend. Last year, SB 1718 banned funding for community IDs. This year, despite demonstrable benefit to local communities of an ID program, one proposal seeks to make the anti-immigrant provisions harsher by banning local governments from even accepting community IDs, which are available to everyone, not just immigrants. Another example: Even though Florida already prohibits many immigrants from obtaining a drivers license, a bill proposed this year would increase criminal penalties for all Floridians who drive without a license. This is a strategy designed to trap people who go about their daily lives, taking their children to school or driving a spouse to work, while struggling to find their footing in our difficult immigration system. These bills reflect a heavy-handed strategy of attacking and dehumanizing immigrants, but they is trap citizens and immigrants alike. Harsh discriminatory policies never stop at their supposed target. Law enforcement and employers have been incentivized by policies enacted by the Legislature to make racially motivated assumptions about a persons immigration status. That is why after the adoption of so-called anti-sanctuary policies, lawful permanent residents immigrants lawfully present in the country and even citizens have been unlawfully detained. In Florida, where over 20% of the people are immigrants (and over 425,000 citizens in Florida live with a family member who is undocumented), and many are first or second-generation Americans, people are especially vulnerable to being profiled and targeted based on stereotypes, like whether they speak Spanish or Creole. These laws also foster a culture of bias in which employers hesitate to hire someone due to a presumption about their immigration status, and police officers stop and detain someone based on their appearance. This is especially problematic when politicians legitimize anti-immigrant sentiment, untroubled by practices that target people based on race or ethnicity. None of those bills provide guidance to employers or law enforcement about how to make complex immigration status determinations. Under the Constitution, the federal government has exclusive power over immigration. Those who attempt to enforce laws in this sensitive area other than federal governments specially trained personnel just endanger the public. Florida has long been celebrated for its diverse communities, where cultures and people from all backgrounds have flourished. The state has benefited not suffered from the contributions of newcomers welcomed into our communities. As a first-generation American, I know this firsthand. After my parents immigrated to Florida from Venezuela, they started businesses, bought property, and set up their children and grandchildren to thrive all while spending decades navigating the complex immigration system. The evidence documenting the positive impact that immigrants have had on our state regardless of their citizenship status is overwhelming. Do we really want to live in a world that supports such discriminatory policies? We should reject policies repeatedly enacted by legislators that target people based on their appearance or what language they speak policies that, whether stated explicitly or not, harm all Floridians, not just immigrants. Silvana Caldera is a senior policy strategist with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. In Florida, commuters who make at least 35 toll-road trips per month are poised to continue saving money as state lawmakers finalize a plan to extend a multi-million-dollar toll relief program for another year. The rebate program would apply to all toll roads in the state, including bridges and causeways that require tolls, such as Card Sound Bridge, Venetian Causeway and Rickenbacker Causeway in South Florida, and the Sunshine Skyway in Tampa Bay. Drivers with a Sunpass or other Florida-based toll passes would be eligible under the program, which would run from April 1 to March 31 of next year. The savings would vary depending on the cost of each toll road, but drivers would be eligible for a 50% discount that would be credited back to their account if they make 35 toll road trips each month. The rebates are a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who pushed to establish the program last year. The governor said that about 1.1 million drivers benefited from the program last July, and estimated that some drivers saved up to $100 each month because of it. This year, lawmakers want to fund the program at $450 million. That would be $100 million more than last years program. Its a big ask, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, said about the governors funding request. It was warranted. Who qualifies for a discount? To get the discount under the proposed plan embedded in the state budget, which lawmakers will vote on this week commuters would need to use Florida-based transponders like SunPass, E-ZPASS or those issued by a state toll agency, record at least 35 toll trips in a month, drive a two-axle vehicle, and have an account that is in good standing. Motorcycles would be excluded. Commuters would see their rebate the month after the credit is earned. The state would then reimburse all the local entities that collect the rolls based on the amount of credits each of them issues to commuters so that they dont lose revenues. According to those terms, the program would not cancel out any current program that an entity offers, or prohibit them from offering something new. Some entities may continue to offer a monthly pass, or offer a lesser rebate for a different number of trips. Local toll revenues are reinvested back into the community and help fund construction of projects that reduce traffic, among other things. Some mail carriers in Florida are calling for more protection. It comes after at least six of them were recently robbed in Jacksonville. Reports show thieves have been attacking postal workers for their arrow keys, which can open group mailboxes at apartments or business complexes. Watch: Audit finds that USPS still doesnt have a handle on arrow key thefts The National Association of Letter Carriers says more needs to be done. If I had to prioritize, I would say first federal prosecution. These are federal crimes, and the prosecution rates are alarmingly low, said NALC President Brian Renfroe. Read: Suspect wanted after universal mail keys stolen from postal workers in 2 Central Florida counties Last year, two U.S. Senators filed bipartisan legislation aimed at keeping postal workers safe. The measure would ensure postal police officers are assigned to duty outside of postal service property. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A specialty license plate to honor the late musician Jimmy Buffett and another highlighting The Villages are among a series of proposed plates heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis. WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS The Senate on Monday unanimously passed a measure (HB 403), described by Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, as the train of license plates. With members of Buffetts family in the Senate gallery, the bill would create a Margaritaville specialty license plate, which would benefit the SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc., also known as Singing for Change. Read: Mad Soul Music Festival brings Central Florida community together through music and advocacy Buffett died Sept. 1 at age 76 of a type of skin cancer. Read: Get Fringed: Orlando Fringe Festival returns to Loch Haven Park for its 33rd year The bill also includes proposed plates such as Universal Orlando Resort; Support General Aviation; Recycle Florida; Boating Capital of the World; and The Villages: May All Your Dreams Come True. Read: Art and Music lovers get set for the return of the 11th Annual Uptown Art Expo at Cranes Roost Park Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 19:30 | All, Japan A doctor was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 years in prison for the consensual killing of a woman with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare neurological disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2019 in Kyoto, western Japan. The Kyoto District Court found 45-year-old Yoshikazu Okubo guilty of administering a lethal dose of a sedative to Yuri Hayashi in her apartment on Nov. 30, 2019, at her request. Prosecutors had sought a prison term of 23 years. ALS is a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure or known treatment. Presiding Judge Hiroshi Kawakami said that Okubo was not Hayashi's attending physician and killed her after meeting her for the first time. According to the ruling, Okubo and former doctor Naoki Yamamoto, 46, administered a fatal dose of drugs to Hayashi, who was later rushed to a hospital before dying. Yamamoto was sentenced to two years and six months in prison last December for conspiring with Okubo for the consensual killing of Hayashi. Prosecutors had argued that the case "did not fulfill the minimum requirement for euthanasia." Meanwhile, Okubo's defense team argued that without euthanasia, Hayashi "would have been forced to live a life under the constant fear of death." His act fulfilled her wish, and ruling Okubo guilty of murder would violate the Constitution's right to self-determination, they said. In Japan, euthanasia is not legally recognized. Under the Penal Code, a person who kills someone at the request of that person or with their consent can face a prison term of between six months and seven years. Okubo was also found guilty of killing Yamamoto's 77-year-old father, Yasushi, in 2011, in conspiracy with Yamamoto. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Florida Senate approved a new revised bill that would restrict minors from social media platforms. HB 3 passed Monday with a vote of 30 to 5, days after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a different bill banning minors from social media if they were under the age of 16. Teen dies after being ejected from boat in St. Pete; another injured The current version of HB 3 prohibits social media platforms from allowing anyone younger than 14 from holding a social media account. If passed, any social media platform would be required to delete any account by a minor of that age group. However, an account holder would have 90 days to dispute termination if they have legitimate grounds. If the account holder asks to remove their account, the platform has five business days to terminate the account. If the parent or guardian makes the request, then the social media company has 10 business day to terminate. All personal data affiliated with these accounts will also be deleted unless there are legal requirements for keeping it. However, if the minor is 14 or 15 years old, a social media platform will also be required to remove the account by the wishes of the parent or guardian. In these cases, the same rules for those under 14 would apply. If a platform commits a reckless or knowing violation of these policies, they may suffer a civil penalty of $50,000 per violation as well as paying for attorney fees and court costs. In the case where a company shows a consistent pattern of violations, punitive damages may also be established. For platforms that have explicit material that exceeds 33.3% of its total published content, they must also have independent age verification to prevent minors from accessing it. The revised bill now heads to the House for approval. If passed and signed, it would go into effect by July 1. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) The Foley City Council will soon vote on the first project planned for the citys new medical overlay district, according to a release from the city. 1 dead, Mobile woman arrested in Sunday homicide: MPD City officials say the first project planned for the district is a 12-acre healthcare facility on Fern Avenue. PROPOSED FACILITY LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. According to the press release, the Foley Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning the site as a planned unit development. This proposal will now go before the Foley City Council for final approval. A new medical park proposed to be built on a 12-acre site on Fern Avenue is the first project planned for Foleys new Medical Overlay District. (Courtesy of the City of Foley) In 2023, the council voted to create the medical overlay district near the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center. The idea behind the district is to encourage medical services development in the area as Foleys population continues to increase. The South Baldwin Regional Medical Center is currently undergoing expansion, increasing capacity to 140 beds. Mobile police investigating 2 shootings into occupied vehicles on McFarland Road This is the first one in the medical overlay district, taking advantage of the hospital expansion, the $250-million expansion there, Foleys Executive Director of Infrastructure and Development Wayne Dyess told planning commission members. We feel like this is a very good plan. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the facility will allow residents to get medical attention in their home city rather than having to travel for it. I think this is great, Hellmich said. This will help support our new $250-million hospital, and this will bring specialty doctors that we currently dont have, that are in Pensacola or Mobile, here because they are really interested in this new hospital. According to Adam Spangrud, who is partnering in the project, medical providers are already expressing interest in opening offices at the Fern Avenue site. IVF clinic workers say Alabama Supreme Court ruling adds hurdles to their jobs Weve had great feedback on this from both doctors and some folks in the community that are currently driving 40 minutes to an hour away to get certain specialty care, Spangrud said. Its been positive on both sides and everybody on the zoning and planning team has just been great to work with. I think weve made a lot of good progress so far. Design Alabama conducted a study, which led to the recommendation of the hospital district in north Foley to encourage medical services development in the city. Foley will use the medical overlay district to include hospitals, medical clinics, pharmaceutical businesses, medical technology research and other related uses. Those other uses could be located in the hospital, clinic buildings or as independent uses within the district. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Its been several days since Stephan Sterns was transferred to Osceola County Jail over the weekend. Sterns is in jail for charges stemming from child sexual battery. Sterns was named the prime suspect in 13-year-old Madeline Sotos disappearance and the last person to see her. Since his arrest, Sterns has yet to speak to police about his involvement with the disappearance of Soto. If the state decides to seek the ultimate sanction of this case of death, you want to make sure it has enough time for the defense to look at it, said Belvin Perry, former chief judge. Read: Osceola County Sheriff Lopez apologizes after social media post shows possible body of Madeline Soto Perry said the case is very fresh and fluid, and Kissimmee Police are working to build a case in the death of Soto after her body was discovered in a wooded area Friday. You will have more and more evidence. But preliminarily, they have a very good strong circumstantial case, and it will get better based upon the forensics, said Perry. As the case begins to unfold, Perry said more evidence from videos, clothing, and tips to police will convey what exactly happened to Soto. Read: Stephan Sterns waives public appearance again, homicide charges not yet filed for Madeline Soto There is evidence (that) one, that he was the last person with her, said Perry. Two, he said he dropped her off at the school, and there is evidence that she was seen. That he dumped some of her personal items in a dumpster so that evidence of those few things would supply probable cause to believe that he had committed murder. Perry, who presided over the Casey Anthony case in 2011, said he saw similarities between this case and Anthonys. Casey saying that the babysitter had her, and you have this person saying he dropped her off at school, said Perry. He also noted that both victims knew their prime suspects, both victims were children, and the prime suspects stories to police leading up to the discovery of bodies. Hes what I call the suto relative that was close to the child, that was in a familiar place with the child, said Perry. Perry said this case could play out for some time. He said law enforcement could let Sterns child sexual battery case play out, which would give them enough time to gather all the needed evidence to continue building their case. Its really putting together a jigsaw puzzle piece by piece. And the police will build their case, said Perry. Perry said A trial could be two years away from indictment and that it would be hard for Sterns to post get or post bail. The state can file a motion for pre-trial detention or object for bail being sentenced. After all, he is a suspect in a homicide with strong evidence. Also, there is a great incentive for him if he is released, hes facing murder in the first degree with the ultimate penalty being death. I doubt very seriously if any judge looking at the total factual situation protecting the community, a great risk of flight would grant this guy bail, said Perry. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A former Newton Police Department officer accused of harassing a woman who was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend has been stripped of his law enforcement certification. Carter James conduct shows that he has failed to maintain good moral character sufficient to warrant the public trust in him as a law enforcement officer, according to the summary order of revocation from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training. The agency, known as KS-CPOST, oversees officer certifications. James was employed by the department from March 2022 to August 2023, according to KS-CPOST. Newton police Chief Craig Dunlavy said by email that James was fired from the department on Aug. 23, 2023. A call and text made to a number associated with James went unanswered. He did not respond to a social media message seeking comment. The summary order gave this account: Newton police received a complaint about James after he responded to a report from a woman who was a domestic violence victim and was being stalked by an ex-boyfriend who had threatened to kill her. The ex-boyfriend was arrested for stalking and drug possession. James and the woman did not know each other before the incident. After meeting the woman, James repeatedly called and texted her and tried to reach her through social media apps Instagram and Snapchat. James gave the woman his personal number and sent her messages not related to her case, including his address. Some of the messages sent read Well once this blows over we can get dinner so I can see the less crazy side of you lol, You need a long full hug and Wanna talk? I can call or pick you up. James was accused of lying to the woman and giving her information about the whereabouts of her ex-boyfriend, which police think was from a license plate reader. James also was accused of giving her confidential dispatch information not related to her case. The woman accompanied James on an unapproved ride along and gave her an unauthorized note with the Newton police letterhead excusing her from work. The woman initially said she felt that James was checking on her and concerned about her safety, but then said she thought he was trying to get with her. Days after meeting the woman, James called her six times over 45 minutes. She ignored his messages. Based on James actions, the prosecutor in the womans case was unwilling to file stalking and drug charges against the ex-boyfriend, the KS-CPOST summary said. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested and charged the former Superintendent of the Lowndes County School District for allegedly fueling his personal pickup trucks with school-owned fuel from the districts bus fueling station and then using it for personal travel. The Lowndes County Sheriffs Office asked the GBI to investigate on April 3, 2023. Shawn Haralson, 54, of Statesboro, is charged with 17 felony counts of theft by taking and five felony counts of unauthorized use of a financial transaction card. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In the fall of 2023, the case file was given to the District Attorneys Office for review. The Lowndes County Grand Jury reviewed the results of the GBI investigation and returned a true bill of indictment on March 1, 2024. Haralson was arrested that day with the assistance of the Bacon County Sheriffs Office. Haralson agreed to reimburse the district $2,800 for the gasoline he is alleged of using. Haralson was hired in May 2022 and started in his role as Superintendent on July 1, 2022. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Former Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell has been named to serve as an independent advisor should any complaints arise during the 2024 gubernatorial election this year. Bell was appointed to serve an an advisor as current Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson seeks re-election as Gov. Spencer Coxs running mate. Henderson took a step back from her duties over the gubernatorial election in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest Utah National Guard leaves on largest deployment in a decade Under former Gov. Gary Herbert, Greg Bell served as Utahs lieutenant governor between 2009 and 2013. Bell resigned from his position citing his familys long-term financial needs. Cox was then appointed by Herbert to fill the role. As a former lieutenant governor, Greg Bell has both the expertise and experience to provide sound, independent recommendations, Henderson said. This precautionary measure is an extra effort to prevent any perceived or actual bias in the gubernatorial election. I appreciate former Lt. Gov. Bells willingness to serve in this advisory capacity. Hendersons office said Utah Director of Elections Ryan Cowley will make all decisions that have a clear answer under state law, should any issues arise. For the more difficult or controversial questions related to the upcoming elections, Cowley and Hendersons assistant attorney general will ask Bell to study the matter and make a recommendation to Henderson. Any and all recommendations made by Bell will be made public. Hendersons office said county clerks run elections and perform all the related operations, including handling and counting ballots. Aside from sequestering herself from questions in the gubernatorial race, Henderson will continue working in her capacity as a supervisory authority over elections in Utah. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A 22-year-old former Marine private pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that facilitated the straw purchase of six handguns while stationed in North Carolina and then transported them to New York to sell illegally. Rylan Peterson, of Kingston, New York, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of conspiracy and one count of unlawful transfer of firearms to an out-of-state resident. A straw purchase is when someone buys firearms for someone else who cannot buy them, for example, if the receiver has been convicted of a federal crime and is prohibited from buying firearms. He faces sentencing on July 10. Peterson faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 2 Marine veterans involved in conspiracy to sell hard-to-trace guns, authorities say Peterson, Oryin McLeod, 23, and Kenneth Mitchell Locke made the gun purchase plan in December 2022. On Dec. 8, 2022, McLeod, who lived in New York, texted Peterson a list of six firearms he wanted. He wanted three .380 caliber handguns, a Glock 42 and a Rock Island .38 revolver, and a .22 semiautomatic handgun, according to court documents. On Dec. 9, 2022, McLeod sent a total of $3,651 via Apple Pay to Peterson. The next day he sent another $3,750 to Peterson via CashApp, according to court documents. Peterson got Locke, a North Carolina resident, to buy the weapons on Dec. 19, 2022. Between Dec. 20, 2022, and Dec. 22, 2022, Locke picked up the firearms from the Fuquay Gun & Gold Store in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. Later that month, Peterson transported weapons from North Carolina to New York where he gave them to McLeod and others, according to court documents. McLeod pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the firearms purchases in mid-February. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 26, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office release. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, then NATO Secretary General, speaks in the Chancellery during a joint press conference with Merkel. Former NATO chief Rasmussen criticizes Scholz for wartime wavering. Soeren Stache/dpa Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for being too hesitant. In an interview published on Tuesday in the Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Rasmussen said with regard to the war in Ukraine, "We need heads of state who act decisively." In times of war, you cannot lead by following public opinion. "We need a much more determined German government. Chancellor Scholz is far too slow, far too hesitant. He doesn't come across as a leader," said Rasmussen. The German chancellor has been blocking the delivery of longer-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev for months out of concern that they could be used to strike targets within Russia and further escalate the conflict. There has been pressure within his government to reverse his stance. This is another reason why Germany is not sufficiently recognized for providing the most financial support to Ukraine after the United States, Rasmussen added. Scholz should act much more proactively. "I don't understand why Germany is not supplying Taurus [missiles]," said Rasmussen. Europe must switch to a war economy and supply Ukraine with all the weapons it needs, the former NATO chief said. "We must finally realize the seriousness of the situation. Putin will not let up, especially not until the elections in the USA." Moreover, he advocated extending an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible. "I don't know whether this will happen at the NATO summit in July," he said. "But I would like to counter the argument that it is impossible to initiate an accession process as long as Ukraine is still at war." Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts during his visit to the vacuum technology company J. Schmalz. Silas Stein/dpa Anders Fogh Rasmussen, then NATO Secretary General, speaks in the Chancellery during a joint press conference with Merkel. Former NATO chief Rasmussen criticizes Scholz for wartime wavering. Soeren Stache/dpa Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for being too hesitant. In an interview published on Tuesday in the Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Rasmussen said with regard to the war in Ukraine, "We need heads of state who act decisively." In times of war, you cannot lead by following public opinion. "We need a much more determined German government. Chancellor Scholz is far too slow, far too hesitant. He doesn't come across as a leader," said Rasmussen. The German chancellor has been blocking the delivery of longer-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev for months out of concern that they could be used to strike targets within Russia and further escalate the conflict. There has been pressure within his government to reverse his stance. This is another reason why Germany is not sufficiently recognized for providing the most financial support to Ukraine after the United States, Rasmussen added. Scholz should act much more proactively. "I don't understand why Germany is not supplying Taurus [missiles]," said Rasmussen. Europe must switch to a war economy and supply Ukraine with all the weapons it needs, the former NATO chief said. "We must finally realize the seriousness of the situation. Putin will not let up, especially not until the elections in the USA." Moreover, he advocated extending an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible. "I don't know whether this will happen at the NATO summit in July," he said. "But I would like to counter the argument that it is impossible to initiate an accession process as long as Ukraine is still at war." He stated that this argument sends the wrong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin because "he would know that he simply has to continue the war endlessly in order to prevent Ukraine from becoming a NATO member." "We have to break this vicious circle," he said. Rasmussen has held the prime minister's post in Denmark and is currently co-chair of the International Working Group on Security Issues and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz reacts during his visit to the vacuum technology company J. Schmalz. Silas Stein/dpa FILE - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stands with his mother Imelda Marcos, left, and his wife Maria Louise Marcos, right, during his inauguration ceremony to become the country's 17th president at the National Museum in Manila, Philippines, on June 30, 2022. Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, the mother of the incumbent president and widow of an ousted dictator, has been hospitalized with pneumonia. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Tuesday March 5, 2024 that his mother, who is 94, was suffering from a slight pneumonia and was put on antibiotics by her doctors. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File) MANILA, Philippines (AP) Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos, the mother of the incumbent president and widow of an ousted dictator, has been hospitalized with pneumonia. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Tuesday that his mother, who is 94, was suffering from a slight pneumonia and was put on antibiotics by her doctors. Marcos, in a statement from Melbourne, Australia, where he is attending an Asian summit, said that his mother was in good spirits" and has "no difficulty in breathing and is resting well. Marcos' sister Senator Imee Marcos told reporters that her mother has had bouts of fever and coughing and was taken to the hospital for closer monitoring. Imelda Marcoss lavish lifestyle amid her countrys appalling poverty came to symbolize her late husbands authoritarian rule, which ended when a 1986 army-backed people power uprising toppled him and drove him and his family to U.S. exile. The ousted leader died in exile in Hawaii three years after being overthrown without admitting any wrongdoing, including accusations that he and his family amassed an estimated $5 billion to $10 billion while he was in power. The Marcoses returned to the Philippines in 1991 and gradually regained political power despite the plunder and widespread human rights atrocities under Ferdinand Marcos Sr. In 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr won the presidential race in a landslide victory in one of the country's most dramatic political comeback. Opponents said he clinched the top post through well-funded social media campaign that whitewashed the family's political history. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 20:24 | World, All The Philippines on Tuesday said two China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at a boat chartered by its navy while traveling in the South China Sea, causing damage to the boat's windshield and minor injuries to at least four personnel on board. Manila said the boat was heading to a Philippine navy outpost on a disputed shoal on a supply mission when it encountered the Chinese vessels. The incident is the latest attempt by Beijing to prevent Philippine ships sailing to the outpost since early last year. The boat, which was en route with a number of ships to the outpost in the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal, was also involved in a collision with a China Coast Guard vessel. One of the two Chinese coast guard vessels was also involved in a collision with a Philippine Coast Guard ship, the Philippine authorities said. While the navy-chartered boat returned to the western Philippine island of Palawan, one other boat carrying supplies was able to reach the outpost. Beijing said later Tuesday it had lodged a strong protest to Manila over the incidents, saying four Philippine vessels intruded into waters near the shoal without approval from the Chinese government. The China Coast Guard claimed the Philippine Coast Guard ship "purposefully engaged in a mild collision" and that Manila "must bear full responsibility." Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing urges Manila to stop its provocations and refrain from taking any actions to complicate the situation at sea. The China Coast Guard last used water cannons on Philippine ships in December last year. Beijing asserts its claim over almost the entire South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a 2016 ruling invalidated China's sweeping claim to the resource-rich sea. But Beijing has rejected the decision. Related coverage: Philippines condemns China actions after South China Sea confrontations Philippines, China chase in South China Sea witnessed aboard ship FOCUS:Japan focusing on boosting bilateral security ties with diverse ASEAN As part of theGrios Running Black election series, we sit down with Prince Georges County Executive Alsobrooks, who is running to become the first Black American from Maryland to be elected to the U.S. Senate. TheGrios Running Black election series profiles Black candidates running for office in the 2024 elections. If successful, each candidate profiled could make history in their state. Hear from them in their own words about whats at stake in their races, for the country, and for Black and brown communities on the political margin. Angela Alsobrooks could make history in the 2024 U.S. Senate election in Maryland if she is able to win a crucial primary race in May. The Prince Georges County executive could be the first Black American elected to the Senate from the state. She would also become only the third Black woman to ever be elected to the upper chamber of Congress. However, Alsobrooks will have to first best two heavy hitters for the coveted seat in Congress. One of her biggest contenders, U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-Md., has served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019 and was endorsed by House Minority Leader, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Alsobrooks, who has managed Prince Georges Countys local government for more than five years, told theGrio that shes the better candidate because she has a record of actually delivering results for Marylanders. I have built mental health care and addiction care facilities, she said. Ive broken ground on ten new schools, created economic opportunity, and created jobs in Maryland. Even if the Maryland native is able to win over Democratic voters in the primary, Alsobrooks will have to outpace former Republican Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who recently announced his bid for the Maryland U.S. Senate seat on the GOP side. The Democratic candidate told theGrio that she believes Hogan, who remains popular among Marylanders according to polling, will fail to get the momentum he needs in the general because Maryland voters will understand that he is anti-choice, he does not support voting rights, and his party has been aligned with the NRA. Alsobrooks said Hogans run for office has little to do with him and more to do with the larger Republican Partys agenda to elect a Republican and change the balance of power in the Senate. That party is hook, line, and sinker connected to Trump right now in a way that is so dangerous and can never be trusted, she argued. BALTIMORE, MD OCTOBER 23: Angela Alsobrooks speaks during a campaign event for her run for the U.S. Senate at Monument City Brewing Company in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 23, 2023.(Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images) Alsobrooks believes her commitment to public service over the years will resonate with voters and help her get elected to Congress. She earned a juris doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law and worked as a line prosecutor at the Prince Georges County states attorneys office. She was elected to Prince Georges County executive in 2018, and in 2023, she made a bid for the U.S. Senate after Senator Ben Cardin announced that he would not seek re-election for a fourth term last year. Since announcing her run for office, Alsobrooks received endorsements from several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including U.S. Reps. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. If elected to the Senate, Alsobrooks plans to focus on creating more economic opportunities for her constituents. People are very concerned about creating jobs and increasing income, she said. Its an issue that resonates in rural and urban parts of the state. She added, They want to live in places that are safe and affordable. Alsobrooks said that if she were to become a member of Congress, she would push for comprehensive gun reform. She said dangerous guns need to be removed from our streets and that Congress needs to pass commonsense policies. You have so many families now who do not feel safe in their communities, and then there are parents like me who dont even feel that your children are safe in places where they have a right to feel safe, she shared. Currently, only one Black woman is serving in the U.S. Senate, junior U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, D-Calif. In 2023, Butler became the third Black woman to ever serve as a U.S. senator after Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Vice President Kamala Harris was the second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, serving California from 2017 to 2021. Carol Moseley Braun was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1993. She represented the state of Illinois until 1999. Alsobrooks said representation matters and that, if she were elected, it would not only be an essential marker for Black Americans but for America as a whole. I think everyone should be able to look inside that Senate and see a part of their lived experience, she said. I think it makes the policies more complete. Alsobrooks added that if voters want to see progress and an agenda that responds directly to the needs of Americans, they should vote for Democrats in the 2024 general elections. The people of Maryland deserve a senator who not only fights hard for them but one who understands them and shares their concerns, said Alsobrooks. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Former prosecutor Angela Alsobrooks seeks to bring results for Maryland voters with historic campaign appeared first on TheGrio. A former elementary school teacher has been arrested for allegedly engaging in numerous sex crimes with a former student. Sara Kathleen Majors was taken into custody on Feb. 22 after a four-month-long investigation by the Rowan County Sheriffs Office Special Investigations Unit. Deputies said Majors met the victim during her time as a teacher at Hurley Elementary School in Salisbury years ago. The crimes were allegedly committed every year from 2019 until 2022. The victim was no longer a student at the elementary school when the sexual assault occurred, according to deputies. ALSO READ: Former Statesville police officer accused of child sex crimes The victim came forward last October, which led to the sheriffs office investigation. Majors has been charged with eight counts of performing a sex act with a student, 16 counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and 16 counts of statutory rape of a child 15 years of age or younger. Deputies said after leaving Hurley Elementary School as a full-time teacher who had taught both third and fifth grade, Majors had most recently taught at the North Carolina Cyber Academy. Rowan County Schools addressed Majors tenure there, saying, Ms. Majors resigned from the Rowan-Salisbury School System in August of 2020. We were not aware of any accusations upon her resignation. A brother and sister told Channel 9s Dave Faherty they had Majors as a teacher in grade school and spoke highly of her in the classroom. She took care of us like we were her family. She had nothing but respect for us, they said. It seemed like she had the best intentions for everyone. On Monday, Majors attorney filed a motion asking for her bond to be reduced to $50,000, saying the bond right now is excessive. She goes back to court next week in Rowan County. VIDEO: Former Statesville police officer accused of child sex crimes John Brindley, 41, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court for drug dealing A former army veteran has been given a suspended 18-month jail sentence for dealing cocaine to pay off his drug debt. John Brindley, 41, from Watford, saw active service in Afghanistan. He suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had been prescribed medication for it by an army doctor. The court heard that Brindley had became addicted to drugs and was coerced into drug dealing. On 29 June 2023 the police stopped a Mercedes in Watford, which led them to an address in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where Brindley was staying. The officers found Brindley and 10 wraps of cocaine, with 82% purity. Prosecutor Philip Misner told the court that Brindley handed over 160 and said: This is from dealing. Mr Misner said it was accepted by the prosecution that Brindley had played a lesser role in drug supply. Brindley from Watford appeared for sentencing at St Albans Crown Court having pled guilty to possessing a Class A dug with intent to supply. The court heard that Brindley was being supported by Op NOVA, a charity that helps ex-service personnel who were in contact with the justice system. Brindley had seen active service in Afghanistan and had been prescribed medication for PTSD. Recorder Ian Stern KC said that the prosecution had accepted that Brindley was coerced into drug dealing. The judge passed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. Brindley must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830 See Also Related Internet Links Four former Twitter executives filed a lawsuit Monday against the companys current owner, Elon Musk, arguing he withheld more than $128 million of their severance pay after firing them when he took over the social media platform. The federal lawsuit was brought by the companys former chief executive officer, Parag Agrawal; the companys former chief financial officer, Ned Segal; the companys head of legal, policy and trust, Vijaya Gadde; and the companys acting general counsel, Sean Edgett. Musk fired all four plaintiffs when he bought Twitter, which he has since renamed X. They are now asking for severance benefits and payments for attorneys fees and interest. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims the executives contracts stated that they were entitled to severance pay if Twitter became no longer a public company. When Musk took the company private in October 2022, he did not pay them, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit points to a section of Walter Isaacsons biography on Musk, who described to Isaacson his strategy of avoiding paying the severance by manufacturing cause. The lawsuit says that the plaintiffs lobbied shareholders against Musks wrongful attempt to renege on the deal to buy Twitter, which angered Musk. The lawsuit quotes Musk from the biography saying he would hunt every single one of the executives and directors till the day they die. Musks own words show that he made up cause and terminated Plaintiffs to avoid paying them the benefits they are owed under the Plans. As quoted above, Musk admitted his plan to his biographer Isaacson as it was happening. Musk orchestrated the closing and termination plan as a pretext to cut off Plaintiffs severance, exact vengeance, and save himself money. He terminated Plaintiffs and manufactured cause for the specific purpose of interfering with their right to benefits under the Plans. 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, the lawsuit reads. He claimed in his termination letters that each Plaintiff committed gross negligence and willful misconduct without citing a single fact in support of this claim. The Hill has reached out to representatives for San Francisco-based X for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A man who is accused of exposing himself to residents in a neighborhood and also entering a North Texas high school without following visitor procedures has been arrested on an indecent exposure charge, Fort Worth police said in a news release Tuesday. Larry Holloway, 25, was booked Tuesday into the Tarrant County Jail. Fort Worth police and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD police began investigating after receiving information from social media and residents regarding a suspicious person in the community, according to the release. Residents told KXAS-TV that a north Fort Worth neighborhood near Saginaw was on edge, with multiple neighbors reporting to police that a man had been flashing people for months. The incidents happened in the area of Durness Drive, according to KXAS. Today's top stories: Primary Election Day updates: Lines, problems, what voters are saying Suspect in Crockett Street killing turns himself in to authorities A Tarrant County guide to Texas Republican, Democratic primaries. Get free alerts when news breaks. The man also reportedly behaved threateningly toward a woman who spoke to KXAS by banging on her car windows and blocking her exit from her driveway. In an initial news release last week, Fort Worth police said they were aware of the allegations but had not yet been able to substantiate a criminal offense with the provided evidence. On Jan. 22, according to Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school officials, Holloway entered Boswell High School without following required procedures for visitors. According to security video obtained by Fort Worth police, Holloway never acted inappropriately while inside the school nor did he come in direct contact with students, authorities say. He was inside the high school for 10 minutes, according to the police news release. District police and administrators immediately escorted Holloway off school property without incident, authorities said. The school districts police officers said they could not arrest Holloway because no crime was committed on the campus, but they issued him a criminal trespass warning effective for every campus in the district. The public can report these types of offenses to the Fort Worth Police Departments non-emergency number at 817-392-4222. Tips can also be reported to the Tarrant County Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker bucked the trend of most prominent Texas politicians by endorsing former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley for president. Parker introduced Haley at a packed rally Monday at Tannehills Tavern in the Stockyards. She called the former South Carolina governors message a hopeful vision for the future. Each of you are here because youre voting for someone, not against the status quo, Parker said. She called Haley inspirational, adding that Haley inspires people to be better together. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and several North Texas congressional representatives support former President Donald Trump. However, prominent Fort Worth Republicans including Parker, former Mayor Betsy Price, and former Fort Worth city council member Steve Murrin have all shown support for Haley. Price, who spoke to the Star-Telegram before introducing Haley at a February event in Dallas, said Haley is more of a public servant than a politician. Im just really not sure we need somebody thats got all that baggage, Price said. Haleys visit to Fort Worth comes on the eve of Super Tuesday, where 15 states, including Texas, will hold primary elections. Haley trails Trump by a tally of 244 delegates to 43. They each need 1,215 delegates to win the nomination. Shes also behind Trump in the latest University of Houston poll, with 80% supporting Trump and 19% supporting Haley. Still, people at Mondays rally said they are supporting Haley for her ability to bring people together. Several blamed Trump for divisions in the Republican party and argued that Haley would stand a better chance of beating President Joe Biden in the general election in November. Cathy Hartman, 66, said she supported Trump in 2016 at a time when the country needed his style of what she called raw truth. I think its kind of falling on deaf ears now. Its not sexy anymore, Hartman said. Patrice Lucas, a retired nurse from Fort Worth, was more blunt in her assessment of Trump. I dont want someone who is old and facing jail time, and it would be nice if someone could speak in complete sentences, Lucas said. She also said shes tired of the toxic political culture embodied by Trump, who often focuses on bashing his political opponents rather than talking about policy to make the country better. Haley picked up on that point in her stump speech, referencing the way Trump lashed out at her after she secured 43% of the vote in the New Hampshire Republican primary. All hes doing is talking about himself, and the thing is, this isnt about him. This is about the American people, Haley said, drawing booming applause from the roughly 1,000 people gathered Monday. Haleys speech was interrupted at least a dozen times by protesters calling for a ceasefire in Israels war against Hamas. While the crowd chanted her name to drown out the protesters, Haley urged her supporters to be civil. My husband and his military brothers and sisters sacrifice every day for their right to be able to (protest), she said. Haley ended her speech with a call to normalcy. Biden calling his opponents fascists and Trump calling his opponents vermin is not normal, Haley said. She noted that many young Americans cant afford to buy a house and believe their children will be worse off. If you join this movement, if you make your voices heard, I promise you our best days are yet to come, she said. Fox News host Trey Gowdy on Monday encouraged Donald Trump to show humility after the Supreme Court overturned a Colorado courts decision to bar the former president from appearing on 2024 ballots. I would encourage him to do something that he doesnt often do, which is show humility, because there are other decisions that are coming that he may not agree with, the former GOP congressman from South Carolina said. I dont think hes going to win the presidential immunity case before the court, he added. So, you know, its confusing when you say I love you on one day and I hate you the next. Show a little restraint when you win. Show a little restraint when you dont win. Fox News host Trey Gowdy says Trump should exhibit some "humility" on the SCOTUS ballot ruling because it's very likely the court will also overwhelmingly rule against him on presidential immunity. "It's confusing when you say 'I love you' on one day and 'I hate you' the next." pic.twitter.com/5Gg11O6Xn3 Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) March 4, 2024 The U.S. Supreme Courts Monday ruling ended an effort in several states to remove Trump from ballots over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection under the so-called insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment. In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that states do not have the authority to disqualify candidates for federal office under that clause. Trump called the decision a BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!! Later, in remarks from his Mar-a-Lago estate, he urged the Supreme Court to rule in his favor on his claims of presidential immunity. I hope that the justices, because theyll be working on some other cases, but one in particular, presidents have to be given totally immunity, he said. They have to be allowed to do their job. If theyre not allowed to do their job, its not what the founders wanted, but perhaps even more importantly it will be terrible for the country. Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to rule on Trumps claims that he is immune from prosecution for his actions as president, scheduling oral arguments for April 22. This means a delay of at least several months for Trumps federal election interference trial. If its pushed back past the November election, and Trump returns to the White House, he could order the case to be dismissed. He is also criminally charged in three other cases. Related... France invited Ukraine's Foreign Minister, foreign and defence ministers of Kyiv's main allies, and the NATO Secretary General to a video conference on 7 March to show a "united stance" and develop solid proposals to strengthen support for Ukraine. Source: Reuters, which has the relevant invitation from Paris at its disposal, as reported by European Pravda Details: The invitation says that participants of the meeting will discuss ways to accelerate the provision of key capabilities, particularly the supply and production of artillery shells, as well as the establishment of a system that will enable partners to improve the release of their ammunition stocks and create new options for medium and long-range missile supplies. The invitation says that, "without becoming parties to the conflict ourselves," participants of the meeting will also investigate the possibility of assistance through cyber defence, mine clearance, border security with Belarus, and coordination of equipment production and maintenance in Ukraine. It does not mention sending a non-combatant contingent to Ukraine, despite French officials indicating that this is possible, Reuters points out. Ministers, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell all received an invitation on behalf of the French Foreign and Defence Ministers. The latter two were not invited to the informal Allied summit in Paris on 26 February. Unnamed diplomats confirmed to the news agency that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will also attend the meeting via video link. Another topic to be discussed is support for countries directly threatened by Russia, particularly neighbouring Moldova. Three diplomats told Reuters that Moldovan President Maia Sandu would travel to Paris on Thursday for separate talks with Macron. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated while talking about Russias war against Ukraine that it was time to step up and not be cowardly. Last week Macron stated that "it should not be ruled out" that Western troops might be sent to Ukraine. Later he added that his remarks, which have caused a stir, were carefully thought through. These remarks caused a negative reaction of the governments of some allied states, the leaders of which stressed that they would not send troops to Ukraine. While the majority of NATO member states excluded the sending of troops to Ukraine, including such powerful players as Germany, the UK and the US, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, said on 28 February that he was thankful to Macron for the debates he had started. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian president, stated that the presence of NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine would lead to a direct conflict between the Alliance and the Russian Federation, escalating the situation. Support UP or become our patron! French President Emmanuel Macron has backed a Czech plan to send 800,000 artillery shells to Ukraine from countries outside the European Union to help it resist Russias full-scale invasion. Source: Macron after his meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague on 5 March, writes Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda Details: The French President stated that the Czechias initiative "is extremely useful, we support it, well participate in it." "It consists of looking for ammunition everywhere it is available and is compatible with the equipment weve delivered [to Ukraine - ed.]," he added. Speaking about ways to find the funds to finance the Czech plan, Macron suggested that it could be "bilateral mobilisation, it can be cooperations with third parties, bilateral financing." "It can be European financing, that of the European Peace Facility, which can be mobilised in part for this initiative," the French president suggested. Background: At the Munich Security Conference, Czech President Petr Pavel stated that the country has found a way to acquire 800,000 shells, which it could send to Ukraine in a matter of weeks if delivery funding was provided. The Czech Defence Ministry previously stated that it was coordinating the effort and had received prior commitments from Canada, Denmark, and other countries that did not wish to be identified. The Netherlands, which has already contributed 250 million to the purchase of ammunition, and Belgium, which will contribute 200 million, have publicly announced their involvement. Support UP or become our patron! By Jason Hovet PRAGUE (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron told expats in Prague on Tuesday it was time for Ukraine's allies to step up, adding that a moment was being approached "in our Europe where it will be appropriate not to be a coward." Macron has faced a backlash from many Western allies after he discussed the idea of sending Western troopsto Ukraine at a Paris-based conference on Ukraine on Feb. 26. But during a visit to Prague on Tuesday, Macron said he stood by his comments, and that a "strategic leap" was necessary. In a reference to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Macron said that France and the Czech Republic were "well aware that war is back on our soil (in Europe), that some powers which have become unstoppable are extending every day their threat of attacking us even more, and that we will have to live up to history and the courage that it requires." Macron's Feb. 26 comments, made after he hosted a meeting of Western leaders to rally support for Ukraine, fit with his reputation as a diplomatic disruptor who likes to break taboos and challenge conventional thinking. French officials later explained that Macron's intention was to stimulate debate and that ideas under discussion involved non-combat troops in roles such as demining, border protection or training Ukrainian forces. AMMUNITIONS Macron also stressed on Tuesday his support for plans announced last month by the Czech Republic, backed by Canada, Denmark and others, to finance the rapid purchase of hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries to dispatch to Ukraine. Ukraine is critically short of artillery rounds as its troops try to hold back Russian forces who are again on the offensive in the east, two years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. Macron did not say what France would contribute to the initiative, adding that ministers would work on that. But he opened the door to using European funds for it. One of the key issues for France has been financing of such an initiative, given it has long pushed for the EU to use European financing only for the European defence industry and opposed the idea of using European money to buy outside the bloc. "We support this initiative and we are ready to contribute to it," Macron said of the Czech plan. Despite earlier misgivings on using EU funds to buy abroad, he said: "I think that in this context it could be done bilaterally, it could be done in cooperation with third parties, with bilateral financing or European funding, that of the European Peace Facility, which can be partly mobilised for this initiative." The Netherlands said last month it would contribute 100 million euros to the Czech initiative. (Reporting by John Irish in Paris and Jason Hovet in Prague; Additional reporting by Dominique Vidalon and Benoit van Overstraeten; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by William Maclean and Bernadette Baum) KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 17:51 | All, World, Japan Japan's communications ministry on Tuesday urged LY Corp., the operator of the Line messaging app, to strengthen the protection of users' personal data following a massive data breach. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said the app provider relies heavily on Naver Corp. of South Korea, a major shareholder of LY, to operate the app system and lacked appropriate countermeasures against cyberattacks. The ministry called on the Japanese company to improve its operations through a review of its capital relationship with Naver as it is under "considerable influence" from the South Korean company. LY was 64.5 percent owned by A Holdings Corp., which was half owned by Japanese telecom company SoftBank Corp. and the other half by Naver as of October last year. LY said in November as many as 440,000 items of personal data, including those related to its users and business partners, were leaked due to unauthorized access. The number increased to about 510,000 after a subsequent investigation. The leakage was caused when malware infected a server of LY's South Korea-based affiliate, Naver Cloud Corp., through a computer of a subcontractor. Naver Cloud and LY share an in-house system for dealing with employee and other personnel information, and this allowed unauthorized access into LY's internal system, according to LY. The Japanese app operator had a similar data security issue in 2021, and is now required to regularly report the progress it is making in improving its operations. "We strongly demand (LY) ensure its users' interests are protected," communications minister Takeaki Matsumoto said at a press conference. LY President Takeshi Idezawa told reporters following the administrative measure that his company will "do our utmost to create an environment where our customers can use our services safely." LY is considering punishing its executives over the data leakage, Idezawa added. The Line app had 194 million users globally as of September 2022, according to the operator. Of those, 93 million were in Japan, 53 million in Thailand, 22 million in Taiwan and 8 million in Indonesia, it said. Related coverage: Social media firms bolster monitoring of Japan quake misinformation Line operator says 440,000 personal records leaked in data breach FEATURE: Rakuten Viber on course to become the Philippines' "super app" VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Free Folklorico classes for children are being offered thanks to a grant awarded from the city to the Juventud Enriquecimiento Musica y Artes (JEMA) Foundation, officials announced. The JEMA Foundation officials this is their latest initiative to bring the vibrant tradition of Mexican folk dance, also known as Ballet Folklorico, to the children and young adults of Visalia. The classes are being offered for children ages four to 17. The program invites parents to sign up their children for an immersive experience in the rich cultural heritage of traditional Mexican dance. Officials say that from lively rhythms to colorful costumes, Ballet Folklorico embodies the spirit of celebration and community. Through these classes, participants will not only learn the artistry of dance but also gain a deeper appreciation for Mexican culture. We are thrilled to bring this opportunity to the youth of Visalia, said Dance Instructor Micaela Macareno, on behalf of the JEMA Foundation. Ballet Folklorico is more than just a dance form; its a celebration of our heritage and a way to connect with our community. We are grateful to the City of Visalia for their support in making this program possible. The classes are open exclusively to residents residing within the limits of Visalia. Officials say no fees will be requested for participation, as the program is fully sponsored by the 2024 Youth Non-Profit grant from the City of Visalia. Parents interested in enrolling their children are encouraged to visit the JEMA Foundations website to fill out an interest form by clicking here. Depending on the age groups of interested participants, classes will be scheduled at a community center within the city. For more information, visit the foundations website by clicking here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. (BCN) An owner of a Fremont manufacturing company was sentenced to 10 months in prison last week for submitting false tax returns, federal prosecutors said. Milpitas resident Cuong Chi Quan, also known as Roger Quan, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to a count each of willfully aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return and willfully violating foreign bank account reporting requirements, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California said in a statement Monday. What Californians need to know ahead of Super Tuesday Quan, 56, admitted to underreporting his income by nearly $4.5 million as the owner and manager of QXQ, Inc., a Fremont-based manufacturer of circuit board test fixtures. He said that before 2014, his company maintained two sets of QuickBooks bookkeeping files. One set of books logged sales to customers in the U.S. and all of QXQs expenses. The other set recorded sales to customers in Asia. Quan told QXQs customers in Asia to wire their payments to QXQs bank accounts in New Zealand. The income and expenses of the company were reported on Quans individual tax returns, according to federal prosecutors. He admitted that he provided his income tax preparer only with the file that recorded the firms sales to customers in the United States and all of its expenses, without disclosing to the tax preparer about the books that logged QXQs sales to customers in Asia or the statements from his and the companys foreign bank accounts. Quan confessed that his scheme omitted over $4 million in 2017 income, causing his 2017 federal income taxes to be underreported by $1,783,339. He also admitted that he had signature authority over at least 11 foreign bank accounts in 2017, one of which had a balance of over $12 million in April 2018, but intentionally did not report the existence of these accounts as required. He also did not report the interest earned in foreign bank accounts, according to his guilty plea. The U.S. Attorneys Office said the federal court imposed restitution to the IRS of $8,167,733 for underreported federal income tax for the years 2014 through 2018. The court also further imposed on Quan a fine of $35,000, and a 3-year term of supervised release. Copyright 2024 Bay City News, Inc. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. ANDOVER, Kan. (KSNW) French chef Thierry Nerrison will visit the Redler Culinary Institute on Wednesday. Nerrison is the director of the Notre Dame la Riche Hotel School, a member of the Academie Nationale de Cuisine and the Culinary College of France, named best Sommelier in France by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, and co-author of the cookbook, Terre de poivres. Dwight Yoakam coming to Hartman Arena in August Chef Nerrison will be cooking with students, recommending food and wine pairings, and sharing an introduction to tasting peppers, berries, and spices. The free event will take place Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is open to the public. The Redler Culinary Institute is located at 622 Cloud Ave. in Andover. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The parliamentary debate about the security agreement between France and Ukraine announced by the Elysee Palace is scheduled for 12-13 March. Source: BFMTV with reference to its sources; European Pravda A source familiar with the schedule said that the debate in the National Assembly is planned for 12 March, and the debate in the Senate for 13 March. Background: On 17 February, French President Emmanuel Macron instructed the government to "make a statement to the parliament" regarding the bilateral security agreement signed with Ukraine on 16 February and the situation in Ukraine as a whole, after which there will be a "debate and vote". Subsequently, it became known that the French president will gather leaders of parties represented in Parliament to talk about the "situation in Ukraine" on Thursday, 7 March, which is obviously a preparatory meeting before the debate. On Tuesday, Macron travelled to Prague, where he will explain his position on France's participation in the Czech plan to purchase shells for Ukraine outside of Europe. Support UP or become our patron! CAMDEN, N.J. Roz Pichardo knows how to save a life: She has done it more than 2,200 times, living and working in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood. She records each save, taking note of the day, time and a detail or two, in a pocket New Testament she carries with her. "I call them 'Sunshine,' because to call them 'addict,' or 'junkie,' or 'zombie' ... It's dehumanizing. It's stigmatizing," said Pichardo, who came to Camden on a cold January day to offer compassion and lessons in Narcan administration. Pichardo is something of a super-lifesaver: trained medical, police and social workers on the front lines of the opioid epidemic who may have saved thousands from fatal overdoses across the U.S. Roz Pichardo has saved more than 2,200 people from fatally overdosing. She lives and works in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood and takes notes about each save in a pocket-size New Testament she carries with her. A recent RAND study found that more than 40% of Americans know someone who has died of a drug overdose. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency reported that more than 11.7 million fentanyl pills have been seized already in 2024. In 2023, the agency seized more than 78.4 million fentanyl-laced pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder more than 388.8 million lethal doses in a nation of 335 million people. RAND noted in its report that more than 109,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses in 2022 and more than 1.1 million have died since 2000. For Pichardo, the mission is personal. "People ask, 'Why write them down?'" she said. "It helps me humanize them and remember them. After a while it can be traumatic, so you try to put that in the back of your head, but I still want to be able to go back later and say, 'I saved them.'" Teens and opioids: Treatment for teens is inaccessible, costly as U.S. opioid deaths rise From a survivor to a savior on Philadelphia's streets Pichardo has survived more than her share of trauma: In 1994, a former boyfriend killed her boyfriend and nearly murdered her. Her twin sister died by suicide, and her brother was murdered in 2012, a case that remains unsolved. After working for nonprofits including Prevention Point, which offers health care and social services in Kensington; Ceasefire PA, a gun control advocacy group; and Temple University Hospital as a trauma advocate, Pichardo now leads Operation Save Our City. The organization recently opened a drop-in center for unhoused people, a space where they can pick up mail and messages, make phone calls to loved ones and take a Narcan kit with them. Operation Save Our City embraces the concept of harm reduction, the idea of keeping people as healthy as possible, and alive, so they have a chance at recovery. Pichardo, 46, says she has saved more than 2,245 people. "She's been doing this a long time, and she's from the neighborhood," said Shawn Westfahl, overdose prevention and harm reduction coordinator with Prevention Point, which distributed 97,000 Narcan kits last year. "She's an amazing person." Sadly, not every Narcan administration is successful. Pichardo remembered a man who went down on the subway. Commuters callously stepped over him, some even uttering a nasty word about his addiction, as Pichardo worked to save him. A teenage girl trained in CPR helped her; they held his hand as he died, a human connection in his final moments. "If I dont see them for a while, I like to think they went home," she said. "My role is to keep them alive long enough to go home. I just want them to have their next breath." The lives at stake: Across all 50 states, men more likely to die from using opioids, cocaine, meth, study finds Joshua De La Rosa is a Boston police officer who estimates he's saved 100 to 200 people from drug overdoses. He calls saving someone's life 'a beautiful experience.' Boston's Methadone Mile is his 'Miracle Mile' Joshua De La Rosa doesn't keep track of how many lives he has saved, but he has given many people another chance at life. "At least a hundred," the Boston Police detective told USA TODAY. "Probably 200. Maybe more. During the pandemic, it was pretty bad, two to three people a day." An outreach officer assigned to patrol Boston's Methadone Mile, an area of the city with homeless encampments and open drug use, De La Rosa's job was not to arrest but to help. A Massachusetts law, Section 35, allows for involuntary commitment for substance use disorder, so De La Rosa was sometimes tasked with picking people up on warrants. "I'd apologize and tell them, 'I care about you,'" he said. "I'd tell them: 'You werent created to be a drug addict. I dont believe thats your heavenly identity.' Usually when I say that, they start to cry. They know they didnt grow up to do this. Non-fatal ODs: The White House is now tracking opioid overdoses that don't kill. Why that's important. "They'd call me every name you can think of that first day. But a week later, they'd ask forgiveness and thank me. I built so many relationships. It's been a beautiful, beautiful experience." De La Rosa, a devout Christian, remembered one man he was able to get off the streets and into treatment. He heard he was doing well in his recovery but eventually saw him again on the streets. Though the man assured him he was well, "something didn't sit right with me." Narcan, also known by its generic name naloxone, can be used to reverse an opioid overdose De La Rosa had his phone on do-not-disturb while off-duty. Later, he saw two desperate messages from the man. No longer assigned to the area, De La Rosa reached out to officers who were, asking them to look for him. "They found him in a building hallway. ... I took that one really hard." He recalled a beautiful young woman from a good family who turned to sex work to support her addiction, and the agonized parents who came looking for her. De La Rosa worked with the family to have her committed. "She ran from me, told me she hated me," he said. "But months later, she came to see me with her mother. She gave me a thank-you card, and now she's almost five years sober, doing amazing." The father of five said he believes people can find their way to a better life, even in a place like Methadone Mile. "I like to call it Miracle Mile," said De La Rosa, now a detective. Helping in DC and San Francisco: 'A human being is a human being' Dana McCollough is the medication assisted treatment manager at HIPS, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit offering harm reduction, health care and other services to sex workers, transgender people, homeless people and people with substance use disorder. Formed in 1993, HIPS has distributed 11,000 naloxone kits and trained 3,000 people in overdose reversal. McCollough isn't sure how many overdoses she has reversed, but it's "definitely more than 100." "A human being is a human being, regardless of their flaws," McCollough said. "I go through ups and downs, but I try to move on to the next hour or the next day, so I can help the next person." Amber Sheldon has reversed dozens of overdoses since she started with GLIDE in San Francisco as a volunteer in 2017, joining the paid staff a year later. She's passionate about harm reduction and said she and her team see hundreds of unhoused people in the city's Tenderloin district. "We pass out Narcan like hotcakes," she said, in addition to offering testing strips for fentanyl and offering training in overdose reversal. She remembered when a woman came to GLIDE's office looking for her son, whose addiction led him to the streets. Later that day, she saved a young man from an overdose: "When he came to, he started crying and apologizing, and he asked to call his mother," the woman who had come looking for him the day before. "The war on drugs is a war on people," she said. Harm reduction may be controversial, but Sheldon says it shouldn't be: "Access to harm reduction gives people an opportunity for change, positive change, not just within one person but within their families. We do this for the well-being of the whole person and the whole community." Contact Phaedra Trethan by email at ptrethan@usatoday.com, on X @wordsbyphaedra, or on Threads @by_phaedra This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Narcan in hand, they're saving lives on opioid epidemic's front lines For the record: 5:43 p.m. March 6, 2024: An earlier version of this article said that Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia was elected in 2022 with substantial help from volunteers belonging to the Democratic Socialists of America. While a DSA voter guide recommended a vote for Mejia, the organizations members did not mount an organized campaign for him. A referendum on a more rehabilitative, less punitive approach to criminal justice got its latest test Tuesday in Los Angeles County, as progressive Dist. Atty. George Gascon faced a large field of opponents promising either more moderate reforms or a return to tougher law enforcement. The 11 challengers to be district attorney created the hottest race in the county, with the large field and substantial discontent with Gascon all but certain to prevent anyone from winning a majority, setting up an expected November runoff between the top two finishers. Tuesdays election also put nearly half the seats on the City Council and the majority of the five-member county Board of Supervisors before voters, along with the question of who will replace two venerable L.A. school board members and a ballot measure intended to substantially rework traffic patterns in the city of Los Angeles. In early returns Tuesday evening, Gascon was leading a tightly bunched group of opponents in the district attorney race. He was followed by Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, who raised the most money in the primary; Deputy Dist. Atty. Jonathan Hatami, a Gascon critic popular with victims rights advocates; and Superior Court Judge Debra Archuleta, who was endorsed by the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the largest law enforcement union in L.A. County. Also on the ballot is citizen-sponsored Measure HLA, which would take road projects that have languished for years on drawing boards and push them toward reality adding more than 600 miles of bicycle lanes and 200 miles of bus lanes around the city. Among the many projects the measure identifies are protected bike lanes on Sunset and Venice boulevards and a bus lane connecting Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights to 6th Street downtown, then to Wilshire Boulevard west of the 110 Freeway. Approval of HLA would effectively fast-forward the citys ambitious Mobility Plan, which calls for special improvements every time an eighth of a mile, or more, of street is paved. Though some of the plans would constrict car traffic, they also identify about 80 miles of road where efficient vehicle travel would be the priority. HLAs backers say it will promote multiple forms of transportation and make streets safer by slowing cars down. Opponents contend the measure will create unintended danger by slowing emergency vehicles. The cost of implementing the proposal also has created a sharp split: The citys top budget official says it will have a price tag of at least $3.1 billion, while proponents say it will cost much less. Initial results Tuesday showed HLA ahead by a wide margin. Perhaps the most closely watched of the seven Los Angeles City Council contests has been the reelection bid of Nithya Raman, a progressive whose election four years ago helped usher in an increased interest at City Hall in renters' rights and crime-reduction tactics not solely reliant on police. Raman has had to focus on more than policy during her first term. She fought off a recall attempt that never reached the ballot and now faces a bid for a second term in a district whose boundaries were substantially redrawn in a way that cut the number of generally liberal-leaning renters. Cut from the 4th District: tenant-heavy areas such as Park La Brea. Added: single-family home havens such as Encino, and parts of Studio City and Reseda. In the most expensive council race this year, Deputy City Atty. Ethan Weaver has positioned himself as a moderate alternative. Raman has drawn a clear distinction with Weaver and some of her current colleagues by opposing a city law that prohibits homeless encampments near schools. The councilwoman also voted against a package of pay raises for the LAPD. Weaver supports the police raises and the law limiting the location of homeless encampments. Read more: Primary election results: Los Angeles County The councilwoman, who lives in Silver Lake, had the distinction in 2020 of becoming the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America to oust an incumbent at City Hall. The leftward tilt at City Hall proved much more than an anomaly two years later, when two other candidates won with substantial help from DSA volunteers Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez. Weaver has sought to portray the DSA as too radical for the district. Raman has countered that she is a pragmatic progressive. Her vote for Mayor Karen Bass budget, which called for hiring 1,000 police officers, did not sit well with some on the left. Raman held an extremely narrow lead over Weaver in the first round of results Tuesday, with software engineer Levon Lev Baronian a distant third. Another high-profile city contest puts Councilmember Kevin de Leon in front of voters for the first time since a secret recording caught him, two other council members and a labor leader engaged in an inflammatory and racist discussion of how to carve up political districts in L.A. The October 2021 recording, which was leaked a year later, spurred calls for De Leon to resign, but he has held his post representing the 14th District, which includes northeast Los Angeles. Among the seven candidates competing to replace him are two former members of the state Assembly, a DSA-backed activist, a high school science teacher, a real estate attorney, a geriatric social worker and a nonprofit consultant. De Leon had the early lead over the large field in the first round of returns, followed by state Assemblymember Miguel Santiago and DSA-supported tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado. In Los Angeles County, three incumbents are running for reelection to the Board of Supervisors. After serving in the state Senate and one term on the county board, Holly Mitchell is the establishment candidate in the 2nd District. The incumbent touts endorsements from Bass, labor unions and the Sierra Club. The countys 4th District is home to Supervisor Janice Hahn, part of a political dynasty headlined for four decades by her father, the late Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, and also including her brother, a former city controller, city attorney and mayor. Hahn has drawn a well-known and controversial opponent, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who bridled at oversight of his department and lost his reelection bid in a landslide in 2022. The two are joined on the ballot by John Cruikshank, who has served seven years as a council member and mayor in Rancho Palos Verdes. Incumbents Mitchell and Hahn were comfortably ahead in early returns, while Villanueva trailed badly in his attempt to return to elective office. The 5th supervisorial district, which reaches to the north end of the county, has been represented since 2016 by Kathryn Barger. Although she is a Republican, Barger has won the backing of labor unions, including SEIU Local 721 and the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which represents rank-and-file members of the Sheriffs Department. She also has the endorsement of a Planned Parenthood advocacy group. The challenger with the highest political profile is Chris Holden, a Democrat who represents Pasadena in the state Assembly and who is forced by term limits to leave that post. Holden also has substantial labor backing, including from a pair of SEIU locals. Barger held a solid lead in the first round of returns. The Los Angeles Board of Education will be reshaped by Tuesdays election as two significant political and education figures Jackie Goldberg and George McKenna will retire at the end of the year. In all, 18 candidates are vying to hold one of four seats on the ballot. Most races are likely to be settled with a runoff in November. The outcome will determine whether the board majority will be more or less supportive of charters, which are privately managed, mostly nonunion public schools. The district faces financial uncertainty due to declining enrollment and the expiration of pandemic-relief aid, as it attempts to boost student achievement. One of the more controversial figures on the ballot is Kahllid Al-Alim; it was disclosed in February that he had reposted or liked social media posts with content that was antisemitic, pro-gun or pornographic. Despite those revelations, Al-Alim pushed into a narrow early lead in the contest for the seat representing District 1 in the sprawling Los Angeles Unified School District. Times staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Bassam Masoud CAIRO/RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) -The U.S. said on Wednesday that talks on a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza could still reach an agreement between Hamas and Israel as the enclave's humanitarian crisis prompted South Africa to ask the World Court for new emergency measures. Negotiators from Hamas militants, Qatar and Egypt - but not Israel - are trying to secure a 40-day ceasefire in time for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins early next week. Despite speculation negotiations were at an impasse, the U.S. said on Wednesday that a truce accord was still possible. "We continue to believe that obstacles are not insurmountable and a deal can be reached ... so we're going to continue to push for one," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in Washington. But South Africa, which in January brought a case at the World Court in The Hague accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, on Wednesday asked the court to order new emergency measures including a stop to hostilities because Palestinian civilians were facing starvation. "The threat of all-out famine has now materialised. The court needs to act now to stop the imminent tragedy," the South African presidency said in a statement. The Gaza health ministry said two Palestinians, aged 15 and 72, died of dehydration and malnutrition in Al Shifa and Kamal Adwan hospitals on Wednesday, raising the toll of such deaths in just over a week to 20. Reuters could not verify the deaths. Fears were also mounting that the Gaza conflict could spread in the Middle East, especially after a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by Iran-aligned Houthi forces acting in solidarity with the Palestinians. In the latest strike, at least three sailors were killed in a Houthi attack on a Greek-owned freighter, U.S. military officials said, the first deaths reported since the Yemeni group began the strikes against shipping in one of the world's busiest sea lanes. The U.S. State Department said it would continue to hold the Houthis accountable for such attacks. 'WE ARE SHOWING FLEXIBILITY' Hamas pledged to continue the Cairo talks, but officials in the Palestinian militant group said a ceasefire must be in place before hostages are freed, Israeli forces must leave Gaza and all Gazans must be able to return to homes they have fled. "We are showing the required flexibility in order to reach a comprehensive cessation of aggression against our people, but the occupation is still evading the entitlements of this agreement," Hamas said in a statement. A source had earlier said Israel was staying away from the Cairo talks because Hamas refused to provide a list of hostages who are still alive. Hamas says this is impossible without a ceasefire as hostages are scattered across the war zone. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said the Islamist group had presented its own draft deal and was awaiting a response from Israel, and that "the ball now is in the Americans' court". U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday said ally Israel was cooperating and urged Hamas to accept the "rational offer" Israel had made. Israeli forces, which began their offensive in Gaza after the deadly Hamas raid on Israel on Oct. 7, have continued bombarding the Palestinian enclave since the talks began in Cairo on Sunday, and the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated coastal strip has deteriorated further. "Every day costs us dozens of martyrs. We want a ceasefire now," Shaban Abdel-Raouf, a Palestinian electrician and father of five from Gaza City, who is now in southern Khan Younis, told Reuters via a chat app. Health officials in Gaza said the number of people confirmed killed in Israel's offensive had now passed 30,700. It reported 86 deaths in the past 24 hours and witnesses said the Israeli bombardments continued in Khan Younis, the southern city of Rafah and areas in central Gaza. NEED FOR 'DRAMATICALLY MORE' AID The U.S. and Britain on Wednesday reiterated calls for increased aid to Gaza. Washington has pressed Israel to open another border cross in north Gaza to get more aid there. About 250 aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday, the U.S. and Israel said. Miller added: "We need to see dramatically more go in." But Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy insisted Israel was not imposing any restrictions on aid and was facilitating increased shipments of food, medicine and other supplies, blaming problems on poor U.N. distribution in Gaza. "We're working with the private sector, working with airdrops as well," Levy said. "Send the aid, we'll get it in." The Biden administration faced growing calls from fellow Democrats to increase pressure on Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis, with some saying they may try to stop military assistance if conditions for civilians do not improve. The deal presented to Hamas for Gaza would free some of the hostages it still holds following the Oct. 7 attack, in which Israel said 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel would also be released. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir in Dubai; Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Bassam Massoud and Mohammed Salem in Rafah, by Stephanie van den Berg and Bart Meijer; Additional reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo and Emily Rose in Jerusalem and Bhargav Acharyain; Writing by Michael Perry, Timothy Heritage, Nick Macfie and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Miral Fahmy, Sharon Singleton, William Maclean and Diane Craft) (NEXSTAR) More than two years after being removed from the ABC soap opera General Hospital following a dispute over the COVID-19 vaccine, actor Steve Burton has returned to the show. Burton appeared on Mondays episode of General Hospital, roughly one month after the actor teased his return in an Instagram video apparently filmed on the shows set. Hey hey, back at home, Burton told fans at the time. Burton, who joined the show in 1992 as Jason Morgan, had first revealed to fans in November 2021 that the producers let [him] go because of the vaccine mandate. He explained at the time that he had applied for medical and religious exemptions, but was denied. Manager of San Francisco Giants institutes new policy for players during national anthem ABC confirmed the decision to The Hollywood Reporter in 2021, explaining that the networks policy required cast and crew working in areas where actors werent masked to be vaccinated. The verified Instagram page for General Hospital shared a video of Burton, 53, on Tuesday. It just feels really good to be back on set with my people, Burton says during the clip, which also shows him walking on set and explaining how hes approaching his character upon his return. After leaving General Hospital, Burton reprised his Days of Our Lives role as Navy SEAL Harris Michaels on the shows spin-off miniseries Beyond Salem in 2022, and also on Days last year, USA Today reports. Burton announced last month that he would be leaving the series, but a spokesperson told USA Today that his character will remain on the show for the coming months. What caused the Facebook, Instagram outages? Shortly before Burton left General Hospital, the show parted ways with Ingo Rademacher, who had played Jasper Jax Jacks on the soap opera since 1996, for refusing to comply with the shows vaccine mandate. Rademacher later sued ABC over the mandate, but a Los Angeles judge sided with ABC in the case in June 2023. In November 2022, most Disney shows dropped their vaccine mandates, Deadline reported. (The Walt Disney Company owns ABC.) For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The murder of a Georgia college student last month is reigniting a debate over immigration reform on Capitol Hill. 22-year-old Laken Riley was attacked and killed near the University of Georgia campus where she went for a jog in February. Riley was a nursing student at Augusta Universitys Athens campus. Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela. Read: Central Florida Fairgrounds ups security after shooting death of Lake County teachers aide Officials said Ibarra had previously been arrested in the U.S. for driving without a license and endangering a child, and was later cited for shoplifting. In the first place, the guy should have never been in the country, Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) told our Washington News Bureau. Collins is now leading a proposal named after Riley in the House. Read: Troopers release 2 videos of fatal hit-and-run crash near Kissimmee It reduces the threshold of when to contact ICE when something happens, said Collins about the new measure. According to Collins, the Laken Riley Act does three key things: it allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants for theft-related crimes like shoplifting; it allows State Attorneys General to sue the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for failed immigration policies; and it condemns the Biden administrations border policies. The people that have come into this country illegally, they did it illegally. They dont care about our laws, said Collins. We need to pick them up and deport them. Read: Thousands of Supercross fans storm track at Daytona International Speedway But the measure is facing backlash from immigrants rights groups. These are not meaningful legislative attempts to create safer communities and better lives for all Americans, said Suchi Mathur, a Senior Litigation Attorney with the American Immigration Council. What is certainly not helpful is politicians who engage in scapegoating without meaningful solutions. Mathur argues the focus should instead be on improving safety and resources for migrant families. Theres a lot of empirical evidence that as a group, immigrants and new arrivals commit crimes at much lower rates than other Americans, said Mathur. We all live in mixed communities and diverse communities. We all love and appreciate our neighbors for who they are, and communities need support. Collins said he expects the bill to be voted on in a House committee Tuesday and could go to the full House floor for a vote as soon as Thursday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The murder of a Georgia college student last month is reigniting a debate over immigration reform on Capitol Hill. 22-year-old Laken Riley was attacked and killed near the University of Georgia campus where she went for a jog in February. Riley was a nursing student at Augusta Universitys Athens campus. Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela. Officials said Ibarra had previously been arrested in the U.S. for driving without a license and endangering a child, and was later cited for shoplifting. In the first place, the guy should have never been in the country, Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) told our Washington News Bureau. Collins is now leading a proposal named after Riley in the House. It reduces the threshold of when to contact ICE when something happens, said Collins about the new measure. According to Collins, the Laken Riley Act does three key things: it allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants for theft-related crimes like shoplifting; it allows State Attorneys General to sue the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for failed immigration policies; and it condemns the Biden administrations border policies. The people that have come into this country illegally, they did it illegally. They dont care about our laws, said Collins. We need to pick them up and deport them. But the measure is facing backlash from immigrants rights groups. These are not meaningful legislative attempts to create safer communities and better lives for all Americans, said Suchi Mathur, a Senior Litigation Attorney with the American Immigration Council. What is certainly not helpful is politicians who engage in scapegoating without meaningful solutions. Mathur argues the focus should instead be on improving safety and resources for migrant families. Theres a lot of empirical evidence that as a group, immigrants and new arrivals commit crimes at much lower rates than other Americans, said Mathur. We all live in mixed communities and diverse communities. We all love and appreciate our neighbors for who they are, and communities need support. Collins said he expects the bill to be voted on in a House committee Tuesday and could go to the full House floor for a vote as soon as Thursday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 14:36 | World, All A senior official of Myanmar's military government attended a meeting of ASEAN defense ministers in Laos on Tuesday, in what is seen as a sign of the junta's willingness to cooperate with the regional bloc. It was the second time this year for Myanmar to participate in a major meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian nations. The junta, which ousted Myanmar's civilian government in a February 2021 coup, had previously boycotted ASEAN ministerial meetings after other members decided in October 2021 to allow only a nonpolitical representative from the country to attend. The Myanmar representative who attended the annual defense ministers' meeting on Tuesday was Zaw Naing Win, director general of the Defense Ministry's International Affairs Department, according to diplomatic sources. In late January, a senior Myanmar military government official and foreign ministers of other ASEAN member countries held talks in Luang Prabang and endorsed Thailand's initiative to set up a humanitarian corridor to provide aid for civilians displaced by Myanmar's intensifying civil war. Thai Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang has told Kyodo News that Myanmar's participation in the Tuesday meeting would be beneficial for the people of Myanmar and all concerned parties. "It will narrow the distance" in terms of consensus building over the implementation of a peace plan for Myanmar agreed between Myanmar and the other ASEAN nations in April 2021, the minister said last Friday. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Related coverage: Japan grants refugee status to democracy advocate Myanmar woman "Silent protest" held in Myanmar on 3rd anniversary of military coup Myanmar junta senior official attends ASEAN meeting in Laos A Senate Bill named after Henry County deputy Daniel D. Podsiadly, right, would help police offices receive lost wages for serious injuries suffered on the job. Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett, left, is congratulated by Lihontnoia Democratic Sen. Tonya Anderson after the Senate passed the Podsiadly bill on Thursday. Ross Williams/Georgia Record The Georgia House is expected to consider criminal justice legislation designed to toughen penalties for people who sell fentanyl that causes an overdose and a bill that gives police officers more pay while recovering from severe injuries sustained on the job. A bipartisan Senate majority supported legislation voted to create the crime of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for those convicted of delivering or selling drugs laced with fentanyl that cause the death of another person. The measure is now before the House chamber, which has until March 28 to pass legislation for this year. The bill is named after former Lowndes County resident Austin Walters, who, while suffering from anxiety and depression in 2021, purchased fentanyl-laced Xanax pills. In September 2021, Walters was killed by a single pill laced with fentanyl after suffering from anxiety resulting in him seeking drugs off the street. In the days following Walters death, his father emailed Cogdell Republican Sen. Russ Goodman, asking for help from state lawmakers in crafting criminal penalties for people providing fentanyl, a substance that is 100 times more potent than morphine. Usually, fentanyl overdoses are caused by the substance being made illegally by mixing it with another drug without the users knowledge. Fentanyl was responsible for more than 70,000 of the 106,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2021, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under Senate Bill 465, someone convicted of the new charge could serve between 10 to 30 years or life in prison. Prosecutors wont have to prove the defendant knew the substance was tainted in order to bring charges of involuntary manslaughter. Goodman said the legislation gives law enforcement and prosecutors stronger means of punishing fentanyl dealers. On Thursday, he thanked Walters parents for fighting to prevent other parents from suffering the heartbreak caused by the poisonous substance. Drug dealers benefit from the requirement currently under Georgia law that the state must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the dealer knew the chemical identity of the drugs he sold, Goodman said. Under Austins Law when the defendant intentionally sells what he believes to be a controlled substance and that substance kills someone then law enforcement will have the tools to bring that drug dealer to justice. Democratic Sen. Kim Jackson of Atlanta said that while the bill provides judges with discretion in sentencing, the new crime could also result in felony charges against a college student who unknowingly shares laced drugs with a friend. Goodman said that the new law is intended to ensure the people distributing an illegal drug to a teenager are held responsible. This epidemic is plaguing our country and killing our children, he said inside the Senate chamber in late February. Im hoping that this increased deterrence is going to make it where those fentanyl laced drugs never show up in the hands of that 17-year-old child. House lawmakers also have until March 28 to pass a Senate bill named after a Henry County deputy who lost wages not covered by workers compensation insurance while recovering from injuries sustained after being shot during an ambush. Senate Bill 371, known as the Daniel D. Podsiadly, Jr. Act, would change how the State Board of Workers Compensation handles cases involving police officers who suffer a catastrophic injury in the line of duty. Under the bill, the injured officer would be eligible to receive the same benefits and pay as prior to suffering the injuries. A claim for catastrophic injuries would be investigated by the State Board of Workers Compensation to determine whether an office is eligible for the difference between their workers compensation and their law enforcement salary. Podsiadly and two Clayton County police officers were shot in July 2023 while pursuing a man suspected of killing four people a day earlier in a Hampton subdivision. The 30-year veteran Henry County deputy testified before a Senate committee about the stress of trying to pay his bills while recovering from serious injuries. Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett organized a fundraiser to help pay his deputys bills, but soon after contacted state Sen. Brian Strickland, a McDonough Republican, about needing the state to provide financial support for officers facing similar situations. Workers compensation generally pays about two-thirds of the average weekly pay for an employee and in Georgia the maximum weekly amount for a temporary disability is $675. Strickland would co-sponsor the legislation with Democratic Sen. Emanuel Jones, who also represents a section of Henry County. He recently returned to work and is back serving the citizens of Henry County, but because of his service and leadership of Sheriff Scandrett, they wanted to see the passage of this bill in the event another officer finds himself or herself in a similar situation, Strickland said. Senate Bill 371 allows the state to step up and support these peace officers to make sure that while theyre home recovering, paying the bills supporting their family is one less thing to have to worry about, he said. The post Georgia House to consider bills to toughen penalties for fentanyl distribution appeared first on Georgia Recorder. DENVER (KDVR) A Georgia man was sentenced to jail time and fines after forged signatures were found on petitions to get a congressional candidate on the Colorado ballot. An investigation into the signatures led to charges against six people, including Jordahni Rimpel, 24, who pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced last week, according to a Monday release from the Colorado Attorney Generals Office. Investigators found several signatures on candidate petitions were those of dead voters or voters who had moved from Colorado before the petition was circulated. Access to the ballot in Colorado must reflect the will of voters, not fraud perpetrated by criminal actors, Attorney General Phil Weiser said in the release. We will continue to take election fraud seriously and vigorously safeguard election integrity. Rimpel pleaded guilty to perjury and attempting to influence a public servant, the latter a felony for which he received a two-year deferred judgment. At least 6 implicated in petition fraud investigation The matter came to light when the Colorado Secretary of States Office rejected a 2022 petition because of an insufficient number of valid voter signatures, according to the AGs Office. After finding an unusual amount of signatures that did not match voter files, the case was turned over to the AGs office for investigation. Supreme Court: Trump allowed to appear on Colorado ballot The six people charged were hired as paid circulators by the Oregon-based professional petitioning firm Grassfire, LLC, to gather 1,500 valid signatures to place a 7th Congressional District candidate on the Republican primary ballot, according to the AGs office. The candidate, Carl Andersen, is not suspected of wrongdoing. At least 21 signatures were found that correlated to deceased people, according to court documents. Rimpel was accused of signing affidavits affirming that he collected the signatures from people who signed the petition in his presence. A Denver District Court judge sentenced Rimpel to 10 days in jail and a $500 fine. He also received a two-year deferred judgment for the felony count of attempting to influence a public servant. Where to drop off your Colorado presidential primary ballot The deferred judgment requires Rimpel to repay over $3,500 for the cost of his extradition from Georgia and to write apology letters to the secretary of state and the former congressional candidate, according to the plea document provided by the AGs office. Four other related cases are still pending in Denver District Court. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A co-defendant in the 2020 Georgia election interference case says a new witness is prepared to testify against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should evidence be re-opened in her disqualification proceedings. David Shafer, a former Georgia Republican Party chair, filed a notice of proposed testimony in Fulton County Superior Court announcing that Cindi Lee Yeager, a co-chief deputy district attorney for Cobb County, stands ready to appear as a witness, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. According to the filing, Yeager claims to have had "numerous" interactions with the defense's star witness, Terrence Bradley, and can corroborate his claims that Willis began an affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade years earlier than they both claimed. "Mr. Wade had definitively begun a romantic relationship with Ms. Willis during the time that Ms. Willis was running for District Attorney in 2019 through 2020," a summary of Yeager's proposed testimony states. TRUMP LAWYERS MAKE CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN DA FANI WILLIS IMPROPER AFFAIR ALLEGATIONS: IRREPARABLE STAIN District Attorney Fani Willis previously said the allegations of an "improper" romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade were made because she is Black. The motion informs the court that Yeager contacted Shafer's counsel after watching Bradley's testimony. She told the attorneys about alleged in-person and other conversations she had with Bradley from August 2023 through January 2024, during which they discussed Willis and Wade. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Bradley, Wade's former law partner and divorce attorney, allegedly told Yeager that Willis and Wade initiated their romantic relationship shortly after meeting at the 2019 Municipal Court Continuing Legal Education Conference and that it continued through 2020, while Willis campaigned for district attorney. Yeager alleges Bradley shared that he had "personal knowledge" of the affair and included details regarding the use of Robin Yeartie's apartment and other meetings before November 2021, when Wade and Willis claim their relationship started. The Cobb County prosecutor also claims she overheard a September 2023 phone conversation between Willis and Bradley discussing an article about how much money Wade and his law firm had earned from working on the election interference case. FULTON COUNTY DA FANI WILLIS ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT TIMING OF AFFAIR WITH TRUMP PROSECUTOR Judge Scott McAfee has been asked to hear additional testimony challenging Terrence Bradley's testimony about Fani Willis and Nathan Wade's relationship. During this alleged conversation, which took place before Bradley was subpoenaed as a witness against Willis, Yeager claims she heard the district attorney tell Bradley, "They are coming after us. You don't need to talk to them about anything about us." The motion states Yeager agreed to come forward after seeing how Bradley's testimony during Willis' disqualification hearing did not match what he had purportedly told her. "Therefore, in the event that the Court re-opens the hearing to receive additional evidence, as requested by the State and Defendant former President Trump, Mr. Shafer requests that the defense be permitted to subpoena Ms. Yeager and present Ms. Yeager's testimony relating to the matters set forth herein," the motion states. It is unclear if Judge Scott McAfee will reopen evidence to allow Yeager's testimony to be admitted. KEY WITNESS IN FANI WILLIS CASE TESTIFIES HE MAY HAVE LIED IN TEXTS ABOUT FRIENDS' AFFAIR Former President Trump and 18 others have been charged in a RICO conspiracy case for allegedly attempting to overthrow the 2020 election results in Georgia. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis brought the case, but several Trump co-defendants are trying to have her disqualified over allegations she had an improper affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The judge heard closing arguments Friday on allegations that Willis benefited financially from her affair with Wade and should be disqualified from her case against former President Trump. Willis and her office are leading the sweeping racketeering cases against the former president and 18 co-defendants. Several co-defendants, including Shafer and Michael Roman, earlier this year accused Willis of hiring Wade while they were romantically involved and that she benefited from his government salary through lavish vacations they took together. Willis and Wade have both denied the allegations and have said their romantic involvement started after Wade was hired in 2021. Willis said in court testimony that she would always reimburse Wade for her portion of their shared travels in cash. There are no receipts for those reimbursements, and one witness said their relationship started as early as 2019. Last month, Bradley testified under oath regarding what he knew about Willis and Wade's personal relationship. He took the stand after McAfee determined Bradley could not claim attorney-client privilege . Bradley, when pressed under oath, said he could not recall several details and timelines about conversations he had with former client Wade about Wade's romantic relationship with Willis. Bradley said he could not recall key details or specific information more than two dozen times in the roughly two-hour testimony in Fulton County Superior Court on Tuesday. He also said he had only ever discussed Wade's relationship with Willis once with Wade. After hearing all the arguments and testimony, McAfee said he would issue a decision in the next two weeks. Fox News' Brianna Herilhy contributed to this report. Original article source: Georgia prosecutor alleges Fani Willis asked Bradley not to testify on affair: 'They are coming after us' 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) 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. 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. 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. 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. Georgias law is one of multiple attempts nationwide by Republicans to control prosecutors they dont like. Republicans have inveighed against progressive prosecutors after some have brought fewer drug possession cases and sought shorter prison sentences, arguing Democrats are coddling criminals. Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, has accused Russia of waging an information war after Moscow released details of a discussion involving senior German officers concerning weapons for Ukraine. Was he surprised? Russia will pull every trick in the book in pursuit of its aims, including embarrassing Western governments by eavesdropping on their most secret gatherings. A 38-minute recording of a call in which German officers were heard discussing a potential strike by Kyiv on a bridge in Crimea was published by Russian media, prompting Kremlin demands for an explanation. Participants also talked about the presence of British troops in the country. Mr Pistorius should be more mindful of his countrys own security protocols rather than just blaming Russia for causing trouble, which it is bound to do. According to Der Spiegel, the video conference was held on the Webex platform, and not on a secret internal military network, making it vulnerable to the Kremlins listeners. This appalling breach has no doubt delighted Vladimir Putin. The Russians probably knew a great deal already from their spy network, but to have it blurted out in this way is a gift to their propagandists. The foreign ministry said it showed a lack of democracy in Germany, which is hypocrisy on a breathtaking scale. More important is what was behind the discussion pressure from Ukraine for more equipment from the West before Russia launches an expected spring offensive. Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, can make up for this debacle by giving Ukraine the Taurus long-range missiles it urgently needs. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said that the interception of classified information on the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine occurred because one of the Bundeswehr officers joined the conversation via an unprotected line. Source: European Pravda with reference to Tagesschau Details: According to Pistorius, one of the participants who called from Singapore used an open unencrypted channel to participate in the conversation, which was carried out via the online platform Webex. Quote: "Our communication systems have not been compromised. The reason the air force call could nonetheless be recorded was because of an individual's operational mistake," said Pistorius, as quoted by Reuters. He emphasised that the use of the unencrypted Webex platform for conversation was permitted, noting that it was not ready-made software, but rather specially certified, with servers in Bundeswehr computing centres in Germany. According to the official, Russia most likely intercepted the military call by accident as a result of large-scale surveillance, rather than with the help of a spy or compromised German systems. Pistorius added that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the participants of the conversation. As reported earlier, the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany initiated an investigation into whether the conversations of representatives of its air force who, according to Russian propaganda, allegedly discussed blowing up the Crimean bridge with Taurus missiles were intercepted. Subsequently, Germany's Defence Ministry confirmed that an internal conversation between German Air Force officers had been intercepted. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius commented on the scandal, noting that it is a hybrid attack with the aim of misinformation. Support UP or become our patron! An "individual error" resulted in a call between high-ranking German military officers being leaked after one officer joined the meeting from abroad via an insecure line, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a press conference on March 5. An audio recording of a conversation between German Air Force officers about the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian troops was published on March 1 by Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Kremlin-controlled TV channel RT, on March 1. The call was held via Webex videoconferencing software, hosted on German army servers, but "not all participants adhered to the secure dial-in procedure as required," Pistorius said. In principle, the systems used by the German military are secure, but one participant dialed in from Singapore using an insecure line, according to Pistorius. Pistorius said that the person in question was in Singapore for an aviation industry trade fair, which was targeted by Russian secret services. They carried out "comprehensive wiretapping operations." Gaining access to the Webex conference call software was a "random hit," according to Pistorius, who described the leak as "a serious mistake...that should not have happened." "We will take technical and organizational measures so such an incident does not happen again," Pistorius said. While a disciplinary investigation is underway, Pistorius said that consequences for individual officers "are not on the agenda" and that he does not plan to "sacrifice my best officers for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's games." Pistorius previously described the leak as "a hybrid disinformation attack" that aims for "division," according to the German television channel Tagesschau. Read also: Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson threatens German journalists with expulsion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A heavily armed police officer is on duty at a hospital in Aachen, where a 65-year-old woman barricaded herself inside. Henning Kaiser/dpa An hours-long stand-off at a hospital in the western German city of Aachen came to an end late Monday with police overpowering a woman who had threatened staff and barricaded herself inside a room. The 65-year-old was seriously injured by police gunfire during the raid by a special tactical unit. "As the woman did not respond when spoken to, the police officers used their firearms to put an end to the dangerous situation," a police statement said. A dpa reporter at the scene saw the woman, wrapped in an emergency blanket, wheeled out of the facility on a stretcher and taken to an ambulance. No one else is believed to have been injured. The police had moved in to apprehend the woman at 11 pm (2200 GMT), about six hours after the ordeal began. The police said they believe that the woman, who lived in the nearby town of Eschweiler, had suicidal intentions. She had a blank-firing gun with her and threatened employees of a physiotherapy practice inside the hospital, according to the police account. Aachen police said they were investigating whether there was a connection with a fire that destroyed an apartment in Eschweiler earlier on Monday. No one was injured in that incident. While much remains unclear about how the hospital stand-off unfolded, authorities said alarm was first raised when emergency services were told a fire had broken out in the hospital around 5 pm. Smoke could been coming from the building. Authorities have yet to say what caused the fire, which was put out later in the evening. The Bild newspaper reported that the woman had set off pyrotechnics. Almost 400 patients and staff were inside the facility at the time stand-off. Four people being treated in the intensive care unit were taken to other hospitals, while 270 patients stayed at the Luisenhospital throughout the ordeal. A special police vehicle is parked outside a hospital in Aachen, where a 65-year-old woman barricaded herself inside. Ulrike Hofsahs/dpa Heavily armed police officers and rescue workers are deployed outside a hospital in Aachen, where a 65-year-old woman barricaded herself inside. Henning Kaiser/dpa German military leaks which left British troops at risk may be just the tip of the iceberg, according to Berlins former intelligence chief. August Hanning warned that more Nato secrets could have been obtained by Russia after it published a video call between German military officers discussing support for Ukraine. A recording of the call was leaked by Russian state media on Friday in which they discussed the details of British troops on the ground in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has previously claimed Russias war is against the collective West, not just Ukraine (via REUTERS) On Monday, Rishi Sunaks official spokesman declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine, beyond saying there was a small number of troops providing protection for British diplomats and training for Ukrainian forces. But on the call, the head of the German air force said Britain had people operating on the ground in Ukraine helping Kyivs forces fire long-range Storm Shadow missiles. During the conversation, Lt Gen Ingo Gerhartz, the head of the German air force, describes how the UK and Ukraine work to deploy Storm Shadow missiles against targets behind Russian lines. When it comes to mission planning, the German commander says, I know how the English do it, they do it completely in reachback. They also have a few people on the ground, they do that, the French dont. Reachback is military jargon for obtaining equipment that is not on the battlefront. Berlin has launched an investigation and military experts warned the leaks put British troops at risk. But on Monday night, Mr Hanning told Germanys Bild newspaper: This leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg. Russia had already seized on the leaks as a further example confirming once again that the countries of the collective West are being drawn into the conflict around Ukraine, a key point of the countrys justification for the ongoing war in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin has previously claimed Russia is fighting against the collective West, not just Ukraine. The prime ministers spokesman told reporters it is clearly in the Kremlins interest to propagate misinformation and we should not fall into that trap. Rishi Sunaks official spokesman declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine beyond saying there is a small number of troops on the ground (AP) We do have to treat anything coming out of the Kremlin with caution. As we know, Russia has a tendency to spread misinformation and disinformation and clearly it is in their interests to sow disunity amongst allies who are seeking to support the armed forces of Ukraine. While No 10 was keen to stress Western unity, it is likely that stern conversations will take place with Berlin behind the scenes. The spokesman declined to comment on UK operations in Ukraine, beyond saying there was a small number of troops providing protection for British diplomats and training for Ukrainian forces. Former chairman of the defence committee Tobias Ellwood said many aspects of the leak were concerning. He told the BBC: Firstly, why werent basic concept protocols followed? But it also revealed a tension, I think, between senior German military who want to see Taurus dispatched and the German Chancellor, who seems increasingly focused on his political survival rather than whats best for the continent. And its also how this plays out in Germany. He added: You can see the tensions that are playing out in capital cities as to what we should do next in Ukraine because the tide does seem to be turning unless they receive greater support. Theyve not received the F-16s, theyre not receiving artillery shells that they need, and theyre not receiving the long range weapon systems. He said that Germany did respond well after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but now were seeing other factors coming into play. Tobias Ellwood raised concerns over the apparent leak (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (PA Archive) Mr Ellwood added: Unlike here, where the longer term strategic dangers to our economy and our security of Putin winning are constantly spelled out by the Prime Minister by the UK Government, and that helps retain public support for the scale of military systems, in Germany, in contrast, its still seen by the German public as a war in Ukraine, not part of a wider confrontation that Putin is seeking to have with the West as Putin moves his economy to a war footing and actually becomes arguably more powerful than Stalin. Mr Ellwood added that given the intensity of Russias spying on Germany and others, they probably have not learned anything that they didnt already guess. But that does not prevent some serious conversations taking place in the diplomatic corridors between Germany and Britain and indeed Nato, as well as to why this happened in the first place. Meanwhile, former Army chief Lord Dannatt has said the German air force officers who were caught talking on the unencrypted call should be censured pretty heavily. He told Times Radio: I was very disappointed to read that story. I think the German air force officers who were talking on an open line, frankly, should be censured pretty heavily. They are suggesting that there are British people in Ukraine. Its not for you or me to comment on that. We have provided a lot of equipment to them. We provided a lot of training. As far as Im concerned, I think what they were talking about was whether they would or wouldnt supply a German system akin to our Storm Shadow. I suspect that we do our training on Storm Shadow, either in this country or in Poland or elsewhere. Its not for you or I to confirm or deny whether there are British military in Ukraine. 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, in Berlin, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The German government has vehemently rejected allegations that Russias leak of a conversation by high-ranking German military officers was an indication Berlin was preparing for war against Russia. The government is at the same time trying to contain the domestic fallout from the leak and promising a quick investigation. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP) BERLIN (AP) 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 defense 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. Not all participants adhered to the secure dialing procedure as intended, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said as he briefed reporters in Berlin on the initial results of an ongoing investigation. 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, and then dialed into the WebEx call using either his mobile phone or the hotel's 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. 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. 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, Russias Foreign Ministry on Monday threatened Germany with dire consequences in connection with the leak. It did not elaborate. 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. The recording also shows the German government has not given its OK for the delivery of the cruise missiles sought by Ukraine. Pistorius said Tuesday 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 monthslong debate in Germany about whether to supply the Taurus missiles to Ukraine as Kyiv faces battlefield setbacks until Scholz said last week Germany wouldn't 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 U.S., 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, Russia's real success was that with the leak it set the agenda for what is being discussed in Germany, and that's exactly what Putin wants to achieve. KYODO NEWS - Mar 5, 2024 - 08:24 | All, Japan, World Rina Gonoi, a former member of Japan's armed forces, attended a White House ceremony on Monday as one of the recipients of an award honoring women who have taken courageous actions to fight for a better world. Hosting the annual ceremony with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, First Lady Jill Biden praised the women on stage, saying, "You've spoken out for yourselves and for others in the face of fear and risk, and those who have tried to steal your voices away." "Together, we will keep chipping away at the quiet that haunts our world, and while there may be those who wish for us to fall silent, we will never fall because the steepness of the struggle will not stop our ascent," she said. With 11 other women from countries such as Bangladesh, Belarus, Iran and Myanmar, Gonoi received the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award for leading a public campaign against sexual harassment. Gonoi, 24, who was sexually assaulted while serving in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, attended the ceremony wearing a judo outfit. She did not make comments at the event. She is the first Japanese woman in nine years to be selected as a recipient of the award, which started in 2007. In 2015, Japanese activist Sayaka Osakabe was commended for her fight against "maternity harassment," or unfair treatment of pregnant working women. Gonoi came forward in 2022 as a victim of long-term sexual harassment and abuse by colleagues in her unit. Her actions drew attention and led to Japan's Defense Ministry receiving more than 1,400 reports of sexual and other forms of harassment within the Self-Defense Forces. In December, a Japanese court found three former male colleagues of Gonoi guilty of sexual indecency. At the ceremony, Blinken said, "The United States stands with every woman of courage working to build greater stability, greater equality and greater opportunity." "Supporting women and girls is not only the right thing to do, it's the smart and necessary thing to do, and we know this in so many different ways," he said. "Simply put, when women do better, we all do better." Related coverage: Abused former GSDF member Gonoi gets women of courage award 3 ex-SDF members convicted in high-profile sexual indecency case Abused ex-GSDF member attends Time event, says speaking out is key 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. 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) Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, told the media that the leak was the result of an 'individual error' and communication systems had not been breached - Maja Hitij/Getty Images Germany will not sack the brigadier general who inadvertently leaked military secrets to Russia by dialling into a secure phone call from a Singapore hotel. Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, said the classified conversation about the Taurus missile was the result of an individual error and communication systems had not been breached. In the call, which was published on Russian propaganda sites last week, German officials discuss Olaf Scholzs reluctance to send Taurus missiles to Kyiv and the alleged presence of British soldiers on the ground in Ukraine. Brigadier General Frank Grafe was one of four high-ranking air force officers on the call, which was leaked by the sanctioned RT broadcaster. Ingo Gerhartz, the head of the air force, was also on the call with Brig Gen Grafe, the department head for operations and exercises, and two other senior officers. One of the participants in the call dialled in from a hotel room in Singapore, where he was visiting an airshow, Mr Pistorius said. The meeting was held on Webex, a popular public platform for audio and video meetings. Brigadier General Frank Grafe was one of four high-ranking air force officers on the leaked call - Alamy The two officers discussed Brig Gen Grafes presence at a Singapore air show on Feb 19 at the start of the call, according to the RT transcript. Social media posts from the airshow, sourced by The Telegraph, discuss the visit by Brig Gen Grafe, a career soldier with a computer science degree, who was linked to the scandal by German media. The leak has caused dismay in the West and been gleefully celebrated by the Kremlin. Mr Pistorius, who did not name Brig Gen Grafe, said that the trust of allies in Germany remains unbroken. Everyone knows about the danger of such wiretapping attacks and knows that no one can offer 100 per cent protection, he added. Pistorius: I will not sacrifice my best officers He added that he was unlikely to sack the officer responsible unless more wrongdoing was discovered in a security review. If something worse does not come out, I will certainly not sacrifice my best officers for Putins games, he said. He went on to suggest that Russia routinely tries to bug insecure communications networks at hotels where they believe top German officials will be receiving sensitive phone calls. For the Russian secret services, it was a real find targeted hacking took place in the hotels used across the board, he said. It must therefore be assumed that the access to this conference was a chance hit as part of a broad, scattered approach. The conversation also casts doubt on the reasons the German chancellor has publicly given for refusing to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Mr Scholz has argued that Germany could not justify matching British and French moves in sending long-range missiles to Ukraine and supporting their deployment. But according to the leaked recording, there is no reason why Taurus missiles could not be operated without any direct help from German soldiers. In the leaked call German officials discuss Olaf Scholz's reluctance to send Taurus missiles to Kyiv - Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images On Tuesday, Maria Zakharova, the spokesman for Russias foreign ministry, described the German officers on the call as inglorious b-----ds for discussing possible strikes on the Kerch bridge linking Russia to Crimea. The Kremlin said the call was proof Germany was going to carry out strikes inside Russia, a claim swiftly denied by Berlin. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said: The recording itself suggests that the Bundeswehr is discussing substantively and specifically plans to strike Russian territory. Roderich Kiesewetter, a senior MP from the opposition party CDU, warned on Tuesday that Mr Scholz has increasingly become a security risk for Europe in light of the embarrassing audio leak and his own remarks about the Taurus system. The CDU also called for an emergency meeting of the Bundestags defence committee to discuss the leaked audio recordings. Henning Otte, a CDU MP, said the leak once again shows the need to set up a national security council with a co-ordinating function and decision-making powers. Last week, Mr Scholz came under intense criticism after he appeared to confirm that British soldiers have been deployed to Ukraine to support Kyivs forces. He disclosed the information while attempting to outline his own grounds for refusing deliveries of the powerful Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Senior German defence officials discussed the possible use of Taurus missiles by Ukraine (JUNG Yeon-Je) Germany sought Tuesday to downplay an audio leak of senior military personnel discussing the war in Ukraine, blaming "individual error" and stressing that Berlin still had the trust of allies. A 38-minute recording of the talks, in which the officers debated the possible use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukraine, was posted Friday on Russian social media. "A serious mistake happened here that should not have happened," Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told a press conference in Berlin. The initial results of a probe showed the German army's "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. Pistorius said he had telephoned allies over the leak and was reassured that their "trust in Germany is unbroken". "Everyone knows about the danger of such wiretapping attacks and knows that no one can offer 100-percent protection." Kyiv has been calling on Germany to provide it with Taurus missiles, which can reach targets up to 500 kilometres (300 miles) away. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has however declined to approve the deliveries, fearing it could draw Germany into the war. - 'Unauthorised connection' - In the recording, Bundeswehr officers can be heard discussing various details about the possible use of Taurus missiles, including specific quantities. The participants speculate whether they could be used to hit a key bridge over the Kerch strait linking the Russian mainland to Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014. The conversation also touched on long-range missiles supplied to Ukraine by France and Britain with references to British soldiers on the ground. The Kremlin said on Monday that the content of the recording proved Western countries were participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Berlin has accused Russia of seeking to "destabilise" Germany and its allies by leaking the sensitive discussion. Pistorius said Tuesday that the German military's use of the popular meeting platform WebEx was legitimate, while "extra security" measures were in place. One of the participants, who was attending the Singapore Airshow, had however dialled into the meeting via an "unauthorised connection" leading to the intercept, Pistorius said. With several senior military officials in attendance at the show from different countries, the event would have been a "field day" for Russian intelligence, Pistorius said in Berlin. The hotels where attendees at the event were staying would have been targeted by "widespread wiretapping efforts", he added. - 'Putin's game' - The successful interception of the German military call was therefore a "random hit in the scope of a broad-based approach", Pistorius said. "Our partners know that we will investigate the case thoroughly and with determination," said Pistorius. A preliminary disciplinary probe would be opened into the participants attending the meeting but "personal consequences are not on the table," he said. "I will not sacrifice my best officers to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's game." The Kremlin was seeking to "drive a wedge between us", including different political parties in Germany and those who wanted "more or less support for Ukraine", Pistorius said. The German minister also played down the importance of the leaked meeting later on Tuesday at a press conference in Sweden. "It was just a theoretical talk between military personnel... with no decision and no concrete plan," Pistorius said. bur-sea/hmn/giv Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (R) and France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (2nd R) say goodbye after their talks. Soeren Stache/dpa Germany and France want to work together to ensure a better supply of ammunition to Ukraine, as discussed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Stephane Sejourne in Paris on Tuesday. During the meeting, the two ministers spoke about possible global procurement of ammunition for Ukraine, which is facing full-scale attack by Russia. Afterwards, there was talk from delegation sources of good and trusting discussions about how Germany and France could support Ukraine with concrete steps. Ways to counteract attempts to destabilize Moldova were also discussed. "United and determined: together we are strong," Baerbock wrote about the meeting on X, formerly Twitter. Sejourne wrote: "Our two countries are fully committed to Ukraine's side and we are working together to do more and better." Earlier in the day, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country supported the Czech initiative to procure around 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine from countries outside the EU. Before her evening talks with Sejourne, Baerbock stressed the importance of close ties between Berlin and Paris in the wake of recent Franco-German disagreements. Baerbock was meeting with her French counterpart on the heels of a trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Before heading to Paris, Baerbock said: "Deep friendship and solidarity are not expressed by always agreeing with each other. If you always agree, then something is wrong." Her trip to the French capital is thought to have been designed to send a signal of unity to Moscow following recent public discord between France and Germany. She added: "Deep friendship is expressed above all in the fact that, even if you disagree, you continue to pull together and nothing can divide you." She was referring to recent public disagreements between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron over strategy in the Ukraine conflict. Scholz recently defended his line of not sending soldiers to Ukraine to help fend off the Russian invasion that began more than two years ago. He was reacting to eyebrow-raising comments that Macron made about not ruling out the deployment of Western ground troops if needed. Furthermore, a recent wiretapping scandal, in which Russian media published an intercepted call between senior German air force officers, has caused a stir in diplomatic circles. Highly sensitive information was apparently discussed on a non-secure line, including British and French military details. Some critics say Germany's security gaffe shows it cannot be trusted with foreign intelligence. The German defence minister has said that Russia is trying to drive a wedge between Western allies. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and German Ambassador Stephan Steinlein (L) attend a meeting with French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (Not Pictured). Soeren Stache/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (3rd R) meets with French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (4th L). Soeren Stache/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (L) and Stephane Sejourne, Foreign Minister of France, greet each other before their meeting. Soeren Stache/dpa Russian spies did not breach Germanys communication systems to obtain audio of top officers discussing Taurus cruise missiles potentially being supplied to Ukraineinstead, a military officer had made the mistake of using an insecure line from a Singapore hotel, Germanys defense minister said. Our communication systems were not compromised, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Tuesday, apparently seeking to dispel concerns of a breach in military communications. He told reporters at a press conference that he was very irritated by the incident, as it distracted from more serious issues facing Ukraine as it struggles to fend off Russias invasion. But he admitted that a bad mistake had been made, saying that something like this should not have happened. Earlier, he called the leaked audio a hybrid disinformation attack by Moscow. German authorities have verified the authenticity of the recording, in which four military officers discussin hypothetical termshow Taurus missiles could be used if they were supplied to Ukraine. But they say Moscow took the conversation out of context in order to drive a wedge between Ukraines allies in the West. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far refused to send Ukraine the missiles, warning that if used incorrectly, [Taurus missiles] could reach a target in Moscow. Leaked Audio Proves Germany Plans to Attack Russian Territory, Kremlin Claims The 38-minute audio recording was leaked over the weekend by one of Vladimir Putins top allies in Russian state-run media, RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan. The Kremlins propaganda machine had a field day with the leaked recording, accusing Germany of plotting to blow up the Crimean Bridge and touting the audio as proof that Western forces are directly involved in the war. On Monday, Germanys ambassador to Russia, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, was badgered by a swarm of state TV reporters as he visited Russias Foreign Ministry, with Moscow later releasing footage of the kerfuffle to declare that such actions will not go unanswered without our harsh response. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (R) and France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (L) say goodbye after their talks. Soeren Stache/dpa Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed the importance of close ties between Berlin and Paris in the wake of recent Franco-German disagreements. Baerbock met with her French counterpart Stephane Sejourne in Paris on Tuesday afternoon on the heels of a trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Before heading to Paris, Baerbock said: "Deep friendship and solidarity are not expressed by always agreeing with each other. If you always agree, then something is wrong." Her trip to the French capital is thought to be designed to send a signal of unity to Moscow following recent public discord between France and Germany. She added: "Deep friendship is expressed above all in the fact that, even if you disagree, you continue to pull together and nothing can divide you." She was referring to recent public disagreements between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron over strategy in the Ukraine conflict. Scholz recently defended his line of not sending soldiers to Ukraine to help fend off the Russian invasion that began more than two years ago. He was reacting to eyebrow-raising comments that Macron made about not ruling out the deployment of Western ground troops if needed. Furthermore, the recent wiretapping scandal, in which Russian media published an intercepted call between senior German air force officers, has caused a stir in diplomatic circles. Highly sensitive information was apparently discussed on a non-secure line, including British and French military details. Some critics say Germany's security gaffe shows it cannot be trusted with foreign intelligence. The German defence minister has said that Russia is trying to drive a wedge between Western allies. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (R) and France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (2nd R) say goodbye after their talks. Soeren Stache/dpa German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and German Ambassador Stephan Steinlein (L) attend a meeting with French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne (Not Pictured). Soeren Stache/dpa The News ACCRA, Ghana Ghanas president has delayed making a decision on an anti-gay bill due to a Supreme Court challenge, a move that could enable him to avoid choosing between a $4 billion hole in World Bank funding and scuppering his partys chances in Decembers elections. The bill, which imposes a three-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+ and has attracted international criticism from rights groups, requires President Nana Akufo-Addos assent to become law. Akufo-Addo, nearing the end of his second term in power ahead of a presidential election in December to choose his successor, has previously said he would sign the bill into law if it was supported by the majority of Ghanaians. The president, late on Monday, said a challenge had been mounted at the Supreme Court. It would be as well for all of us to hold our hands and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken, the president said in his first public comments on the bill since its passed last week. The courts deliberations could extend beyond the end of his time in office. The finance ministry, in a document seen by Semafor Africa, has warned that the bill could trigger the loss of $3.8 billion in World Bank financing over the next five to six years and derail the countrys $3 billion IMF loan deal if it becomes law. But Ghanaians typically frown upon same-sex relationships and any failure to sign could cost Akufo-Addos ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) whose candidate in Decembers election will be Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. The bill was backed by Ghanas two biggest parties, including the NPP. Earlier this year the leading opposition candidate John Mahama, a former president, publicly stated that gay marriage was against his Christian beliefs, though he did not state whether or not he supported the bill. Know More Similar anti-gay legislation in Uganda prompted the United States to remove the East African country from the African Growth and Opportunity Act AGOA which offers participants favorable trade terms. The U.S. said it was deeply troubled by the passage of Ghanas bill in parliament. Ghana would lose the ability to export products tariff free to the worlds biggest economy if it was removed from AGOA. Some $700 million of Ghanas exports to the U.S. in 2022 was through AGOA. One beneficiary of AGOA has been Ghana-based American apparel manufacturer DTRT which employs more than 5,000 workers at two plants in Accra and Tema and exports to retailers in the U.S. Its co-founders told Semafor Africa that if the bill is passed into law it would put thousands of jobs at risk if the U.S. suspends Ghana from AGOA. It would be horrible for the business, but we believe the president and his successors understand the risks, said Skip Richmond, co-founder/CEO of DTRT Group. Dr Daniel Amartey, an economist, said other markets, including Europe, would also act if the bill became law. If they follow those lines, it will affect our trade volumes and, as an economy that is trying to bring back macroeconomic stability, that will be a big blow. Nana Oyes view The legal challenge has given President Akufo-Addo a way to delay making a decision that would be damaging in some way. The economic implications of assenting to the law are potentially dire, as the finance ministry outlined in its briefing document and that report focused on the World Bank funding without engaging with the possibility of action on AGOA. Its worth remembering that the IMFs bailout was a vital lifeline when the country grappled with its worst economic crisis in a generation. Ghana isnt out of the woods yet. As the finance ministry warned, there could be dire consequences on the debt restructuring exercise and Ghanas long term debt sustainability. Despite the economic concerns, it could be problematic for the NPP if its president was deemed to be thwarting the will of the people in a socially conservative country over a bill that had overwhelming support from the main parties and was sponsored by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders. As the saying goes, all politics is local. With that in mind, Akufo-Addo may find himself under growing pressure from within his party to avoid turning this into an issue that scuppers his deputys chances of succeeding him. That means the Supreme Courts handling will play a crucial role in what happens next. Perhaps above all, Akufo-Addo will need to reckon with his legacy. He risks being remembered by some at home as a leader who presided over a huge economic crisis and, as a parting shot, heeded the wishes of Western institutions over his countrys parliamentarians. But, as a man well respected for his oratorical skills, the president is probably hoping to begin a new chapter as a roving statesman who brokers peace deals, leads election observer missions and delivers after dinner speeches to policymakers. That seems less likely if he approves the bill. Room for Disagreement Disqualification from AGOA would not be as painful as many assume, argue some Ghanaian manufacturers and exporters. Seth Twum Akwaboah, executive secretary of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) trade body that represents more than 4,000 businesses, told Semafor Africa local manufacturers are not able to produce the volumes needed to make trading under the AGOA beneficial. There are challenges that are affecting business domestically including the high cost of production, lack of capital for expansion and a weak value chain, he said. Edwina Assan, who chairs the garments, textiles and leather sector within AGI, said: We are not really benefiting so if it [Ghana] is taken off, thats fine. The View From Uganda Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni played down the impact of his countrys expulsion from AGOA when it was announced by Washington last year. In a post on X in November, he urged citizens not to be overly concerned. We have the capacity to achieve our growth and transformation targets, even if some of the actors do not support us, adding that some erroneously think that African countries cannot move forward without their support. President Akufo-Addo sought to assure the diplomatic community that Ghana was committed to upholding human rights Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he will not assent to an anti-gay bill until the Supreme Court rules on its constitutionality. Earlier, the finance ministry warned that billions of dollars in World Bank funding could be lost if it became law. Passed by MPs last week, it imposes a jail term of up to three years for identifying as LGBTQ+ and five years for promoting their activities. The Supreme Court challenger says there was no quorum when the bill was passed. Gay sex is already against the law in Ghana, and carries a three-year prison sentence. The proposed tough new legislation - The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill - was backed by both of Ghana's main political parties. But lawyer Richard Dela Sky, who has filed the application with the Supreme Court, says there were not enough MPs in the chamber when the vote took place. According to parliamentary rules, at least half of Ghana's 275 MPs must be in parliament and take part in the vote for a bill to be passed on to the president to sign into law. It has not been reported in the Ghanaian media how many MPs took part in the vote last Wednesday. The bill has been widely condemned by the UK and the US - and rights groups have described it as regressive. President Akufo-Addo had previously said that he would sign it if the majority of Ghanaians wanted him to do so. But he is now seeking to assure the diplomatic community that Ghana is committed to upholding human rights. He acknowledged that the bill had "raised considerable anxieties in certain quarters of the diplomatic community and amongst some friends of Ghana" that the country may be "turning her back on her, hitherto, enviable, longstanding record on human rights observance and attachment to the rule of law". "I want to assure you that no such back-sliding will be contemplated or occasioned," he added. On Monday, the country's finance ministry said Ghana could lose a total of $3.8bn (3bn) in World Bank funding over the next five to six years. Ghana is suffering a major economic crisis and last year had a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It is unlikely that the Supreme Court will rule on the case before presidential and parliamentary elections due in December. Some of the cases filed earlier by human rights groups to stop the bill were not heard before the vote took place. The elections will see Ghanaians vote for a new president, as Mr Akufo-Addo will be stepping down at the end of his two terms. You may also be interested in: Some unusual flotsam and jetsam big bales of cotton and a few empty wine barrels washed up on San Luis Obispo County shores over the weekend, drawing curiosity from beach-goers. Social media postings about the odd items began showing up on Sunday. Observers reported seeing them as far north as the elephant seal rookery near San Simeon and as far south as Grover Beach. Some of the bales were wrapped in heavy blue plastic, or, where the plastic has shredded off, they appeared to be wire-wrapped, densely packed cotton. Officials from various agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and State Parks, confirmed Monday that theyd had reports about the ocean-borne trash. Bales of cotton wrapped in blue plastic washed up on San Luis Obispo County shoes on Sunday, March 3, 2024, including at elephant sea beaches near San Simeon. One bale which came ashore about 100 feet from Cayucos Pier, turned out to be a large bale of cotton, with Cotton USA on it, CHP Officer Efrem Moore said Monday afternoon by phone. He added that the investigation then determined that it was on a lost load from a ship during the storms last November. Beyond that, we dont have a whole lot of info, Eric Hjelstrom, a coastal superintendent of State Parks San Luis Obispo Coast District, said by email Monday morning. What have officials found so far? We have some bales of cotton on state beaches. ... We have also received reports of empty wine barrels, Hjelstrom said, adding that we reported it to Coast Guard and county sheriff, and we are developing plans for removing the bales when and where we can. Some areas are still populated with (elephant) seals so we may hold off in those areas. Officials may have already removed one or more of the bales, including the one by the pier, according to online comments. Its not uncommon for cargo to fall off ships in transit, said Stuart MacDonald, a commander with the San Luis Obispo Sheriffs Office. Bales of cotton washed up on San Luis Obispo County shoes on Sunday, March 3, 2024, including at elephant sea beaches near San Simeon. Remember the rubber duckies that landed on our shores? he said, referring to an incident in 1992 in which 29,000 plastic yellow ducks, blue turtles and green frogs that washed ashore after a January storm. Those were from a cargo container that fell off a ship. NPR dubbed that rubber-duck spill Moby Ducks. Weve had incredibly stormy seas lately, MacDonald said. And thats what beachcombing is all about, seeing what washes up. Once in a while, its illicit cargo, but oftentimes, its just treasures from the sea that found their way to the shore. Bales of cotton wrapped in blue plastic washed up on San Luis Obispo County shoes on Sunday, March 3, 2024, including at elephant sea beaches near San Simeon. While some people made the social-media leap into possible shipments of illegal drugs, harkening back to panga boat captures in the past, Hjelstom said, we have not found any contraband at this point. Other commenters wrote that they believe in some instances, the cotton is batting around steel containers, Hjelstrom said, but I am not aware of any steel boxes. The only thing my staff has encountered is bales of cotton wrapped in plastic and empty wine barrels. When Ken Goldberg wanted his home cleaned, he contacted a company named Homeaglow. On their website, Homeaglow says homeowners dont have to be home when the cleaners are there. The company further states that its cleaning professionals have passed a criminal background check and have been thoroughly reviewed. Goldberg said that their safety guarantee was the reason he signed up with Homeaglow. The only reason I hired this company is because they told me that, he said. Had I not read that, they wouldnt have been hired by me. End of story. But when Goldberg noticed property missing, he reached out to a private investigator. A check of Goldbergs cleaner by Andy Holmes, CEO of Holmes Risk Management, shows a wide history of violent criminal activity. That person has nine felonies and three gross misdemeanors in the last three years, said Holmes. He said the report he ran shows the worker with assault, weapon, and theft convictions. Holmes says hes not surprised by the results for one reason, a background check is not truly a criminal background check. He says a criminal check must go deep for it to be effective. However, there are differing legal limits across the country on how far a business can look into a persons criminal history. Holmes said federally, you cant go back more than seven years. Some of the local municipalities have written in their city laws that you cant go back more than three years. Goldbergs cleaner had a conviction for firearm possession in April 2023. Holmes showed us a letter he received from Homeaglow confirming the worker was with the company six months later, corresponding with when he cleaned Goldbergs home. Holmes said their ads dont match reality. Ill tell you that if anything, theyre giving people a false sense of security that opens them up to be a potential victim, he said. Homeaglow does have a theft and damage policy. But its exclusions include losses of cash, jewelry, collectible coins, stamps, third-party gift cards, and pets. It could not be an easier program for criminals to set up, Goldberg said. The private investigator and our team have been asking the company about this person for more than a month. When we asked to verify the felons status in February, Homeaglow responded that he is an independent contractor of Homeaglow Its like the Disneyland for criminals, said Goldberg. But theres a disaster. There is a disaster coming. Someones going to get hurt. In my opinion. The company did not respond to requests for comment on their business practices. You can run your own background checks through the Massachusetts CORI system. That will cost you $25 dollars. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW TRIPOLI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Deputy President of the Presidency Council of Libya Musa al-Koni said Monday that the existing political divisions in Libya made it difficult to control illegal migration. Al-Koni made the remarks during a meeting with British Minister of State for Countering Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson in the capital Tripoli, where they discussed illegal migrants and its repercussions on Libya and Europe, according to a statement issued by the Presidency Council. "The Deputy President confirmed that in light of the political division that the country is witnessing, it is difficult to combat illegal migration without a unified strategy to ensure securing the borders and reducing this phenomenon," said the statement. "Al-Koni called for intensified efforts to support the stability of the Sub-Saharan African region, and to contribute to addressing the crises that the countries of the region are experiencing, stressing the need to create spatial development in the source countries of illegal migration to reduce the desire of migrants to leave their countries," the statement explained. Tomlinson said that illegal migration is a matter of priority to the British government, which has been making efforts to reduce illegal migration, adding that Britain seeks to cooperate with Libya on this issue. Because of the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of its late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, have chosen to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya. Glen Gilzean started his job as Orange County elections supervisor on Tuesday with a full day of staff meetings, stepping into a role overseeing voting in one of Floridas most Democratic counties. Gilzean, a close ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis, declined to take questions from a reporter who went to the elections office Tuesday morning seeking to meet him. The supervisors schedule is jam-packed, said DAnne Mica, a spokeswoman for the elections office. DeSantis appointed Gilzean to the post on Monday, filling a vacancy created when longtime Democratic elections chief Bill Cowles retired in January. Gilzean, a Republican, serves as the administrator of the tourism oversight district at the center of DeSantis feud with Disney. Gilzeans appointment as elections supervisor will be in effect until the election winner in November takes office in January 2025. Gilzean, 41, who has no experience running elections, is not listed as a candidate. It remained unclear Tuesday whether Gilzean has or intends to resign from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District or take a leave of absence. A district spokesman and its board chairman have not answered the question. Mica also did not provide an answer. Gilzean has not returned an email or text message from the Orlando Sentinel. Gilzeans background has prompted criticism from local Democrats who branded him in a joint statement as a loyalist whose top priority seems to be making Ron DeSantis happy. Ron DeSantis continues to abuse the power of his office to appoint his friends and allies to elected positions that they are not qualified for, all so he can control every part of our state and local governments and warp our democracy to his will, the group of nine lawmakers said, which included U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost and state Rep. Anna Eskamani. In May, the tourism oversight board hired Gilzean to serve as its administrator, a job that pays $400,000 a year. The Orange County elections position pays $205,000. In a Facebook post, Gilzean wrote that Paula Hoisington, deputy district administrator, would serve as acting district administrator at the tourism oversight district during his unavailability. Under Gilzeans employment agreement, he can resign with 30 days of written notice. During that notice period, the administrator must continue to report to work each day and fully perform his duties and is not permitted to take vacation or other time off unless permitted by the board, according to the agreement. The district can relieve the administrator of his duties immediately upon receiving the resignation notice. The agreement also includes an exclusive services stipulation that the administrator perform all duties on a full-time basis and devote his full efforts and attention to his duties and responsibilities at the district. During employment, the administrator shall not participate in, render services to, become employed by, or otherwise receive remuneration for any services rendered from any business or entity, unless specifically approved in writing by the Board Chair, the agreement states. District officials have not responded to questions about whether they have received written notice of resignation or provided written authorization for outside employment. As for state law, potential wiggle room exists in the section of the Florida Constitution that bars dual office-holding, said Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University. An administrative position chosen by a board may not be considered an officer under state law. There certainly is an argument to be made that this situation does not fall under any of the prohibitions on dual-office holding, Jarvis said. Ultimately, its going to be up to a court to decide what is an office and which offices are subject to the rules. In the end, Jarvis said, It really comes down to how much public blowback there is. DeSantis appointed Gilzean to an unpaid seat on the Florida Commission on Ethics in 2019. He resigned as chairman of that board in 2023, months after taking the tourism district position after a report revealed it was against state law for a public employee to serve on the ethics board. Before joining the tourism district, Gilzean was CEO of the Central Florida Urban League, a civil rights advocacy organization. Hes held various roles in education, including a stint as an executive for Step Up For Students, an organization that administers school vouchers in Florida. Former Gov. Rick Scott appointed Gilzean to fill a vacancy on the Pinellas County School Board in 2012. Hes held other appointed roles, including on the Reopen Florida task force overseeing the states emergence from COVID shutdowns in 2020 and the states African American History Task Force. Leaders of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA, New Zealand Maori Tourism (NZMT), and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) announced on Monday development of a new organization called Destination Original International Tourism (DO-IT). The announcement came during the International Indigenous Tourism Conference being held in Ottawa, Canada. Destination Original International Tourism (DO-IT) will be dedicated to the development and marketing of authentic Indigenous tourism destinations globally once it has been created. The goal is to have the worlds Indigenous tourism industry working together to ensure a larger presence and a unified voice in promoting the industry. This entails generating opportunities for joint initiatives and fostering innovative marketing partnerships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous entities, as well as working closely with governments and industry leaders globally. The organization aims to gain recognition and a seat-at-the-table with UN Tourism to ensure an Indigenous voice is included in their tourism marketing efforts. This signifies a monumental step towards amplifying Indigenous voices in the global tourism arena, Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of AIANTA said. Together, DO-IT will pave the way for the development and marketing of sustainable and authentic Indigenous tourism experiences. Not only it is our time to shine but this will offer consumers the perfect platform to learn of original experiences anywhere they travel in the world! Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. The vision for the organization is to establish an international tourism network of Indigenous tourism associations in each of our countries. DO-IT aims to lead initiatives like international research, perception studies, uncover trends that will support Indigenous tourism businesses, as well as ensure a much stronger presence and unified message with major global organizations and key industry conferences. The announcement of the initiative set to revolutionize the global Indigenous tourism landscape, was shared during a panel at IITC, organized by ITAC, held February 26-28. Panelists Sherry Rupert, CEO of AIANTA, Pania Tyson-Nathan, Chief Executive of NZMT, and Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC, convened for a groundbreaking conversation on international brand alignment in Indigenous tourism. This pivotal discussion shared best practices, insights, and the importance of collaboration in propelling Indigenous-led tourism initiatives worldwide. Firmly fixed in our shared vision, we will safeguard the well-being of our Indigenous communities, cherish and preserve our cultural heritages, and honour and protect our wildlife and environment. As courageous and ambitious leaders in international Indigenous tourism, our dedication extends to the care and hospitality of our visitors, ensuring their experience is respectful. Through our endeavours, we will enrich cultural wealth in harmony with Earth Mother. We look forward in the implementation and full launch of this organization with our partners and start onboarding new Indigenous Destinations very soon our possibilities are endless! said Pania Tyson-Nathan, Chief Executive of NZMT. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net An Instagram post calling attention to legislation passed by Mississippis House of Representatives in the wake of the death of a sheriffs deputy claims that Glock switches turn semiautomatic guns into fully automatic weapons. The claim is true. The Supreme Court recently heard arguments over whether to uphold a federal ban on bump stock accessories implemented by former President Donald Trump. Gun-control activists want the court to rule that bump stocks can be categorized as machine gunsdefined legally as any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the triggerbecause they make it easier for users to utilize the recoil of a firearm to fire rounds at a near-automatic rate. But guns with bump stocks are still semiautomatic weaponsthe trigger must be compressed each time they fire, even if that compression is assisted by a bump stock. Glock switches, however, are a different story. This devicea type of automatic searcan actually convert a semiautomatic handgun into an automatic one. In a firearm, the searas part of a larger trigger mechanismis responsible for holding the hammer, striker, or bolt of the gun in place until enough pressure is exerted on the trigger. When an automatic sear is in place, the weapons trigger bar is prevented from catching its firing pin, allowing multiple rounds to be fired without additional pulls of the trigger. The Instagram post refers to Mississippis House Bill 903, which prohibits the manufacture and possession of machine gun conversion devices and was passed on Friday, before being sent to the Mississippi Senate for review. The bill was prompted by the death of George County sheriffs deputy Jeremy Malone, who was shot with a handgun modified with a Glock switch. The bill defines a machine gun conversion device as any device that is designed or intended to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a weapon that can fire more than a single shot automatically by a single function of the trigger. Though an explicit ban on devices like Glock switches was not previously part of Mississippi state law, their possession is already illegal at the federal level. Under 26 U.S. Code 5845(b), devices designed to allow for the automatic firing of weapons are themselves considered machineguns, which are unlawful to possess or transfer, with very few exceptions, under 18 U.S. Code 922(o)(1). If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. 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. In the twilight of her campaign, Nikki Haley pleaded with Republican voters to move on from the unhinged chaos that comes with Donald Trump. At every appearance, she called out Trumps ugly rhetoric, his toxic narcissism, his grift, and his reckless empowerment of Vladimir Putin. Even as he moved closer to clinching the 2024 GOP nomination, Haley warned Republicans that the multi-indicted Trump cannot win the general election. And again and again, she appealed for a return to what she called normalcy. But on the eve of Super Tuesday, this much seems clear: The Republican voters dont want normal. And Trumps expected sweep will put an exclamation point on the GOPs full embrace of the chaos that will define the next year. Lauren Boebert Just Realized She Lives in a Glass House Electability? All in all, theyd rather have The Trump Show. Both national and swing state polls show Haley is a dramatically stronger candidate than Trump in the general election. (A new Marquette University poll has Haley beating Joe Biden by 16 percentage points, while Trump and Biden are in a statistical tie.) The warning signs are everywhere. Over the weekend, Haley said she no longer felt bound by an RNC pledge to support the partys nominee. Half of the Republican voters in South Carolinaand a quarter of Trumps own supportersworry that he is too extreme to win in November. But in a choice between winning and a year of unhinged bedlamits frankly no contest. Republican voters look at Trumps attempts to overthrow the government, the document thefts, the gaseous malice, the insults to service men and women, and his pledges to pardon rioters who attacked copsand they have decided they want four more years of it. Trump has been found liable for sexual assault and defamation, faces a half-billion dollar judgment for fraud, and may stand trial on 91 felony charges, but GOP voters are unfazed. To the contrary, the evidence suggests they are jazzed. And they are entertained. The rambling ugliness of Trumps rhetoricdemagogic, crude, mocking, and chronically fakecontinues to enthrall his base precisely because it offends all the right people. There are scores to be settled, hippies to be punched, and libs to be owned. And Republicans will accept no substitutes. At his recent CPAC appearance, Trump described his return to power as judgment day for the liars and cheaters and fraudsters and censors and imposters who have commandeered our government. He boasted that is victory in November would be my ultimate and absolute revenge. The crowd abso-freaking-lutely loved it. While Haley implored primary voters to remember what normal feels like, Trumps base was being dazzled by his new line of golden sneakers, or at least unembarrassed by it. Alexei Navalnys Death Is the Passing of More than Just One Man When Trump refused to condemn Putins murder of Alexei Navalny, and then portrayed himself a victim of political persecution, the media yawned, but MAGA was thrilled. Trump promised the largest mass deportation in the nations history, adding: We have languages coming into our country they have languages that nobody in this country has ever heard of. Its a horrible thing. Black people, he said, liked him, because hed been indicted so many times, and they embraced his defiant mugshot. Haley called the remarks disgusting, but Republican voters simply shrugged, because Trump was, once again, breaking things. Breaking things, after all, is the point, isnt it? A recent article in The Atlantic described a subset of Americans who need chaos either because they are angry or merely bored. They are attracted to candidates who want to burn it all down. A New Hampshire voter explained to Politicos Michael Kruse that he liked Trump because hes a wrecking ball. Our system needs to be broken, the voter told Kruse, and he is the man to do it. There is no evidence Trump will try to heal the breach in his own party, or that he will make any serious attempts to reach out to moderates or other swing voters. Over the weekend he boasted that MAGA now represented 96 to 100 percent of the Republican Party and that Were getting rid of the Romneys of the world. And the Republicans who are backing Nikki Haley? Theyre being publicly shamed (canceled, if you will) by their fellow party members who have chosen a personality cult over a viable candidate. If Trump Drops Out Today, Nikki Haley Still Wont Be the Republican Nominee On Saturday, the Trumpified Missouri GOP held its caucuses. Lynn Schmidt, a Missouri Republican, described the scene in an email: There were 558 people in the gym for our caucus. When Haley was nominated, the room erupted in boos. Then they asked all of Haley's voters/supporters (62 of us) to line up two by two in the middle of the gym while the other 469 people continued to boo and jeer at us. We were literally lined up in the middle of the gym for all of our neighbors to see They called us Democrats and talked about hating RINOS. I was never under an illusion that the Republican Party wasnt completely gone. But the level of hate that was spewed in that room should worry all of us. Nota bene: This does not seem like a political party that is interested either in returning to normal or to winning elections. But thats no longer the point. The rage, the trolling, the purgingthats the point. Charles Sykes is the author of How the Right Lost Its Mind. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A Russian strike on Ukraines southern city of Kherson wounded a 52-year-old man on March 5, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor. Ukraine's Armed Forces liberated Kherson and other regional settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River in the fall 2022 counteroffensive. Russian troops were pushed to the river's east bank, from where they have since been firing at the liberated territories, regularly resulting in civilian deaths as well as large-scale destruction of homes and infrastructure. Russian troops struck Kherson multiple times on March 5, damaging homes and civilian infrastructure, Prokudin said on Telegram. As a result of the afternoon attack, the local man was reportedly hospitalized with injuries to his head and shoulders. An administrative building, power lines, and a car were damaged, added Prokudin. An elderly man was injured when residential areas of Kherson came under Russian fire at 7 a.m. local time on the same day, the governor reported earlier. Read also: Who are they fighting, children? Family of 5 killed in devastating Russian attack on Kharkiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces shelled the town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk Oblast, killing a 72-year-old man, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on March 5. Civilians in Donetsk Oblast settlements suffer from daily Russian strikes due to their proximity to the front line. Heavy battles continue in the region as Russia intensifies offensive actions along the front, and Ukraine's military faces serious ammunition shortages due to delays in U.S. aid. Krasnohorivka has been on the front line for 10 years, and every day it becomes more and more dangerous to stay there, Filashkin said on Telegram. I am asking everyone: take care of yourself and your loved ones! Evacuate in time! Krasnohorivka, with a population of 14,000 before the full-scale invasion, lies immediately north of Marinka, effectively destroyed by fighting. Earlier Russian attacks killed one person in Kharkiv Oblast and injured another in the southern city of Kherson on March 5, according to regional authorities. Read also: What danger does Transnistria pose to Ukraine, Moldova? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Were told Tuesday is super, but it doesnt feel that way, does it? With 16 states and one territory holding primaries all at once, there should have been drama surrounding the night. But that would have taken bravery. Party leaders chose safety in the familiar instead. For years, polls have consistently shown that America does not want a rematch of Joe Biden versus Donald Trump. Yet the reason the primaries dont feel inspiring is that weve just kept heading in that direction anyway. No Democrat with gravitas wanted to challenge Biden in the primary. Very few Republicans with influence wanted to risk it all against Trump; only one plausible contender, Nikki Haley, has stuck it out this far. And so instead of a Super Tuesday that hinges on policy questions, rapport with voters or anything else that politics should be about, the dominant conversations this primary season are about indictments and age. In other words: Its about them. Read more: Granderson: Newsom's ads against red states' abortion travel bans aren't just a stunt We needed Super Tuesday to be about us. California was hit with a blizzard that knocked power out for thousands. Texas is in the middle of the largest wildfire in the states history. Yet instead of climate change policies, were discussing whether Trump could kill his political rivals without punishment . If that sounds like something Russian dictator Vladimir Putin would do, then you understand why this election is so important. And yet the biggest day of the primary season feels more like the day after Christmas. Read more: Granderson: You can't compare Trump's record to Bidenomics The 22nd Amendment which limits a president to two terms wasnt ratified until 1951. That meant George Washington wasnt required to leave the presidency. After the Revolutionary War and the Constitution was established, many hoped he would stay indefinitely. Washington chose not to, for the good of the country. There was never a chance of Trump doing something for the good of the country: Although he is facing jail, he has a well established history of putting his needs above the country, so its no surprise he wants to run for president again. However, at one point I did have hope that President Biden who said the Charlottesville white supremacist rally in 2017 inspired him to run would have gone the Washington route and announced he would not run again. That would have been one way to defend America. To help the country regain its footing. Read more: Granderson: Can the Chiefs parade shooting inspire enough Republican voters to make a change? Imagine if he had stepped aside so the next generation of leaders could flourish and jostle through a competitive primary season. Instead of Super Tuesday 2024 being defined by questions surrounding Bidens health and ability to serve out his term, it could have been one in which voters had a chance to decide the direction of the party. That appears to have been kicked down the road to 2028. Thats a long time to wait for the future. Super Tuesday became a thing in 1988 in part because Walter Mondale had gotten trounced by Ronald Reagan in 1984 and Democrats in the South wanted a stronger say in the primary, to balance out the influence of the earliest standalone contests with a cluster of votes on the same day. Democratic Party leaders were not immediately swayed; they put up Massachusetts own Michael Dukakis in 1988, who proceeded to get thumped by George H.W. Bush. What the back-to-back shellacking represented was growing pains. Finally, in 1992, Super Tuesday delivered on its promise, when Bill Clinton emerged victorious after getting off to a rough start in Iowa and New Hampshire by learning how to craft a message of coalition building. Thats how he won support of Black voters and the LGBTQ+ community. Thats how he won over the white working class as well. The same for Barack Obama, whose primary with Hillary Clinton produced vigorous debates about foreign and domestic policy leading into their Super Tuesday matchup. Voters in Democratic primaries had a real say that year about what they wanted the nation to look like. Tight control by timid parties saps all the democracy out of the democratic process. Washington cautioned the nation about political parties because he foresaw exactly what we have become. Now too many of us think of the White House as some kind of trophy to be claimed by one of the two teams every four years. We are spoon fed by the parties, really. Name recognition has more importance than it should, competency less than it ought. Partisanship has driven us to think in terms of payback and revenge. As a result, instead of this November being a chance for a fresh start, were just hoping democracy survives. The challenges we face as a nation are many, and yet here we are spending Super Tuesday talking about how energetic Biden is and whether Trumps name should even be on the ballot. We had a chance to make this day about us. Maybe next time. @LZGranderson If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A jury has awarded a Denver grandmother $3.76m (2.9m) after her home was raided by police based on what turned out to be a false Find My iPhone ping to trace stolen goods. Ruby Johnson, 78, was made to leave her home and wait in the police car while she was dressed in only a bathrobe. The jury found the raid on 4 January 2022 was without "probable cause" and violated her constitutional rights. She was given $1.26m in compensatory damages and $2.5m in punitive damages. Denver police had issued a search warrant the day after a truck was allegedly stolen from the parking garage of hotel. The vehicle's owner, who was staying at the hotel, told police that the truck contained six firearms including a tactical military-style rifle two drones, $4,000 cash and an old iPhone 11, according to NBC News. He also told officials he had used the Find My iPhone app to locate the phone near Ms Johnson's residence. A Denver detective and sergeant used the locator to obtain a search warrant, which was approved by Denver's District Attorney's Office. Dressed in Swat gear and carrying weapons, the officers executed the search warrant at Ms Johnson's home. They found nothing, but in the process, smashed her garage door with a battering ram, broke a collectible doll and wrecked her home, she said. The BBC has contacted the Denver Police Department for comment. The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, which brought the suit on Ms Johnson's behalf, called the $3.7m compensation "a small step toward justice". Ms Johnson "and her home" still "carry wounds from that day that have not healed", the ACLU said, adding that the grandmother had moved and had developed health issues from the trauma of the incident. "[I]t is a critical case under our state's Constitution, for the first time affirming that police can be held accountable for invading someone's home without probable cause," said the organisation's legal director, Tim Macdonald. Colorado Constitution requires that search warrants be supported by a written affidavit and adequate probable cause before police can raid someone's home, he added. It took more than 50 years after his death for Staff Sgt. Ruben Rivers to receive the Medal of Honor. Now, the Association of the United States Army has released a graphic novel, Medal of Honor: Ruben Rivers, about his heroic actions with Able Company under the 761st Tank Battalion during World War II. Rivers unit, more commonly known as the Black Panthers, was assigned to Gen. George Pattons Third Army in Europe. Despite facing racial segregation and prejudice particularly in the form of Jim Crow laws the battalion of tankers answered the call to serve its nation. After forming in 1942, the 761st received its first official orders just after D-Day on June 9, 1944. (AUSA) Following additional training at Camp Shank in New York, Staff Sergeant Ruben Rivers boarded USS Esperance Bay with his unit on August 27, 1944, and made for the United Kingdom according to the National WWII Museums records. In Britain, the 761st was outfitted with the latest model of the Sherman, the M4A3 with a 76mm gun. Rivers first landed on Omaha Beach in October of 1944. A month later, the tanker battalion was tasked with disrupting German industrial advances in the Saar region of France. On Nov. 16, Rivers tank struck a mine outside Guebling, France. Although he suffered a severe leg injury, he refused medical evacuation and instead commanded another tank into battle just one day later. Repeatedly refusing evacuation, Staff Sergeant Rivers continued to direct his tanks fire at enemy positions beyond the town through the morning of 19 November 1944, his citation reads. When met with heavy enemy fire, Able Company commander Capt. David Williams ordered all tanks to seek cover. However, Rivers chose instead to provide cover fire for the company once he identified the location of the German antitank fire. While doing so, Staff Sergeant Rivers tank was hit, killing him and wounding the rest of the crew, according to his citation. Staff Sergeant Rivers fighting spirit and daring leadership were an inspiration to his unit and exemplify the highest traditions of military service. Just four days later, Williams recommended Rivers for the Medal of Honor posthumously. However, he knew it was unlikely to go through because Black soldiers at the time were not held in high esteem by the then-segregated Army. Williams knew it was a long shot: no African American had been awarded a Medal of Honor for World War I or II at that point, the National Park Service notes. Williams made it his lifes mission to see that Rivers was not forgotten. On Jan. 13, 1997, Rivers sister received his Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton. Williams attended the ceremony, which saw seven African American soldiers receive the highest valor award for their service during World War II. Rivers was laid to rest in a cemetery in Lorraine, France. To read AUSAs graphic novel Medal of Honor: Ruben Rivers you can visit www.ausa.org/rivers. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says it needs donations as it faces a critically low level of food inventory. The cause of the shortage, according to the food bank, is due to months of increased demand for food assistance and higher costs to get food at the national level. In the final quarter of 2023, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank said it realized a 40% increase in demand over what was originally planned for the year. Bill filed to restore funding for summer EBT program More families are going to the food bank in the last year due to inflation. Increased costs have also impacted the nonprofits purchasing of food products, the food bank said. The nonprofit is asking for help in filling back up now-empty shelves as the food bank prepares for the summertime when food assistance typically spikes. Photo of empty shelves at the food bank in Baton Rouge. (Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank) If not for some of the USDA product, our shelves would be far emptier. At the same time, we are anticipating a 15% decrease this year in USDA food product alone which will have added future impact, said Mike Manning, president and CEO of the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Seeing low inventories this early in the year is something we have rarely seen in my 20 years with the Food Bank. We are putting out the call for community support so we can feed our friends and neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table for their families. EBR Schools expands child nutrition program. See how students can get free food How to donate to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank There is more than one way to give back to the food bank. People can donate food and money. According to the food banks website, food items that are accepted include canned vegetables, flour, canned fruit, corn meal, soup, rice, breakfast bars and cereal, dried beans, peanut butter, pasta and any nonperishables. Donations can be brought to the food bank located at 10600 S. Choctaw Drive in Baton Rouge. People can also plan an event to get donations. Food drives can be organized through the groups website. The food bank said while food donations are welcomed, monetary donations allow the nonprofit to buy more food for a lower cost per pound. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Seera Group has annnounced that the company and Public Investment Fund (PIF) have agreed to terminate the non-binding term sheet in relation to PIFs proposed investment in Almosafer, a wholly owned company of Seera. The term-sheet signed in September 2022 was terminated due to the inability to reach an agreement between the parties regarding transaction, a filing by Seera on Saudi bourse Tadawul said. The group, however, reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the value of its assets and optimising its shareholder returns. Seera Group in its strategy statement announced in November, 2023, said Almosafer is fully self-sufficient, independently generating consistent and profitable growth, having achieved a net booking value of SAR5.691 billion and EBITDA of SAR49 million during the first nine months of 2023 and intends to continue to work within the ecosystem playing a leading and strategic role to achieve the kingdoms Vision 2030 goals in the tourism. Almosafer is set to surpass its historical performance levels and exceed SAR10 billion in booking value by 2025, the filing said. It also noted that the groups announced strategy also includes listing subsidiaries at the appropriate time. SALE OF UBER SHARES MELBOURNE, Australia, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday announced a billion-dollar fund to boost clean energy investment in Southeast Asia. In a speech to the chief executive officer (CEO) Forum at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Albanese unveiled the two billion Australian dollar (1.29 billion U.S. dollar) Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility. To be managed by government agency Export Finance Australia (EFA), the fund will provide loans, guarantees, equity and insurance to bolster two-way trade and investment with ASEAN member nations and support the clean energy transition. "Australia and Southeast Asia must together face this moment with a sense of optimism and urgency," Albanese said. "Acting on climate change is an environmental necessity for our region, it is also a transformative economic opportunity." The Australian prime minister said that two-way trade between Australia and ASEAN members passed 178 billion Australian dollars (115 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, making the bloc the country's second-largest trading partner behind China. In addition to the new financing facility, Albanese announced an extra 140 million Australian dollars (91 million U.S. dollars) over the next four years for the existing Partnerships for Infrastructure Program, which funds and supports sustainable infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia. An Amish man found his slain pregnant wife in the middle of a grisly murder scene in their northwest Pennsylvania home, according to court documents made public Monday. Andy Byler and 911 caller Julie Warner had just stepped into his home in Sparta Township last Monday when they found the body of Rebekah A. Byler, 23, a search warrant application and affidavit of probable cause revealed. The victim was found laying on her back in a pool of blood in the living room of the residence, according to the court document, written by State Police Trooper Adam Black. Responding police found that her throat had been cut, and they saw "a scalping wound to her head," according to the court document. State police have arrested Shawn C. Cranston, 52, of Corry, Pennsylvania, who was booked on suspicion of criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass. A criminal complaint accuses him of shooting [Byler] in the head and/or slashing her throat. And in court documents made public on Tuesday, investigators said they hauled away at least three firearms, a discharged .22-caliber cartridge case, a 6.5 Creedmoor casing, a partially smoked cigarette, a white bonet and a empty Mountain Dew bottle, among other items discovered in the victim's home. The court documents released Monday did not mention a possible motive for Byler's slaying in her home on Fish Flats Road, about 120 miles north of Pittsburgh. Byler had two children, ages 2 and 3, who were in the house when her body was discovered but were not harmed in the bloody attack, police have said. Cranston had not hired or been assigned a criminal defense lawyer as of midday Monday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Critics of a Utah bill that seeks to incentivize teachers to carry guns in schools are urging Gov. Spencer Cox to veto the legislation, saying that more guns in the classrooms wont make students safer. Nancy Halden, spokesperson for the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, said at a Monday morning press conference that House Bill 119 was rushed through at the end of the legislative session with hardly any discussion from lawmakers. Bill would reimburse gun-carrying Utah teachers for tactical firearms training The groups represented here have serious issues with this bill, Halden said, adding that the groups planned to deliver a signed letter to the governor, asking him to veto the bill. Nancy Halden, spokesperson for the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, speaks at the Utah State Capitol on March 4, 2024. HB119, which was passed by the Utah Legislature last week on a party line vote, would create the Educator-Protector Program, which would reimburse gun-carrying Utah teachers who undergo annual firearms training. State Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, the bills floor sponsor, said on the Senate floor that the program was designed to incentivize school teachers to responsibly secure or carry a firearm on school grounds by providing reimbursement for training and liability protection. Under the bill, teachers in the program wouldnt be liable for any civil damages or penalties when carrying or using firearms in a school, so long as they are not grossly negligent. This is the most dangerous part of this bill, Halden said, while speaking at the Utah Capitol Building. If a person decides to carry a firearm, they must take responsibility to be liable if that firearm harms another person. Stan Holmes, a retired Utah public high school teacher who also spoke at the press conference, said the bill was loaded with false assumptions about teachers. It wrongly assumes that teachers in a crisis with firearms will use them at least as responsibly as trained law enforcement officers, he said. Holmes, who described himself as an Army veteran, said he once participated in one of Utahs half-day conceal permit classes, which a gun-carrying teacher would have needed to complete in order to be enrolled in the Educator-Protector Program. The class was a joke, Holmes said. Everyone passed, no problem. I left unconvinced that all the graduates could handle themselves in a crisis situation. Dee Rowland, of the Utah Citizens Council, said that the bill was the product of non-educators and gun lobbyists who think that arming teachers is the best way to keep classrooms safe in the event of an active shooter. Putting more guns in schools for safetys sake is ludicrous, she said. Speaking to ABC4 in January, State Rep. Tim Jimenez (R-Tooele), the bills sponsor, said teachers who already carry concealed firearms came to him with the idea of reimbursement for tactical training. That way they feel a little bit more confident with the firearm they are carrying, Jimenez said. Under the bill, teachers in the program would remain anonymous, and theyd have to undergo approved tactical training once a year to stay in the program. Additionally, these teachers would be able to store their guns on school grounds if the weapons are in a biometric safe. Theyd also be able to have them in their car. Should the governor sign the bill, or let it become law without his signature, it would go into effect on May 1. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Notable guests will be in attendance Thursday for President Bidens State of the Union address. Lawmakers and officials have been rolling out their guest lists for the annual speech, which is an opportunity for Biden to outline his policy priorities for the upcoming year. By inviting guests with specific backgrounds or stories, lawmakers will attempt to make their points on what issues are most important to them for the upcoming year. Biden will speak to both chambers of Congress at 9 p.m. EST Thursday. Here are some of the people who will be in attendance that night. Women who fled states for abortion services At least two women who fled their states to receive abortion services have been invited as State of the Union guests as Biden pushes reproductive health care a significant campaign issue. First lady Jill Biden invited Kate Cox as one of her guests. Cox sued for the right to terminate a nonviable pregnancy in Texas and later left the state to receive abortion care. Cox, a Dallas-area resident, was more than 10 weeks pregnant with a fetus that was diagnosed with a chromosomal anomaly that leads to miscarriage, stillbirth or death of the infant. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) invited Kayla Smith, a central Washington resident, as one of her guests. According to Murrays office, Smith learned at 19-weeks pregnant that the fetus had serious and fatal fetal anomalies while living in Idaho in 2022. Under Idahos ban, she could not receive an abortion as the law only allows exceptions to prevent the death of the mother, despite Smiths concerns for her own health. She then traveled to Seattle to receive abortion care and has since moved her family to the state of Washington. We felt strongly about raising our girls in a state where they would have bodily autonomy. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to sit alongside Senator Murray at the State of the Union address and continue to share not only my story, but the story of so many other women who have unfortunately been forced to flee their home state for abortion care, Smith said. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovichs parents The parents of detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will be attending as Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) guests on Thursday. Johnson said he is honored to host the parents, saying the invitation highlights Russias unjust detention of Gershkovich. He has been held by Russia since last March on espionage charges, which he, his family and the Biden administration have all denied. The U.S. considers him wrongfully detained. By hosting Evans parents, Congress will shine a spotlight on the unjust detention of their son. The United States must always stand for freedom of the press around the world, especially in places like Russia, where it is under assault, Johnson said Tuesday. The Administration must bring Evan home. First person born via in-vitro fertilization Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) will bring Elizabeth Carr the first person to be born via in-vitro fertilization in the U.S. as his State of the Union guest. I am honored and humbled to be able to attend the State of the Union address with Senator Kaine as a representative of how far IVF technology has come in this countryand not just as the first IVF baby in this country, but also as someone who understands deeply just how many people in-vitro has helped build the family of their dreams, Carr, born in 1981, said in a statement. This comes after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos are people and therefore subject to wrongful death of a minor legislation should something happen to them. This has since prompted multiple in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics to shut down operations. Families of the hostages being held in Gaza Seventeen relatives of American hostages who were taken by militant group Hamas into Gaza last year will be attending as guests of lawmakers. The Families of the American Hostages in Gaza coalition announced that many of the families will be in attendance as guests of members of Congress, including Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and many others. Johnson will be bringing Orna and Daniel Neutra, the mother and brother of Omer Neutra, as two of his guests. Jeffries will be bringing Andrea Weinstein, who is the sister of Judy Weinstein Haggai and Gad Haggai. The family of Weinstein Haggai announced in December she was killed by Hamas after being taken by the militant group and her husband, Gad Haggai, is believed to have been killed by Hamas on Oct. 7. An advocate for radiation victims Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will be bringing Dawn Chapman, an advocate for victims of radiation. He described her as a tireless advocate for radiation victims in MO & around the country in his post on X, formerly Twitter. Hawley has pushed for legislation to compensate victims of radioactive waste in his state and throughout the country. He said Monday the Senate will vote this week on a standalone measure to expand and reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Yulia Navalnaya, widow of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was invited to the State of the Union but is unable to attend, according to the White House. Biden had met Navalnaya and her daughter, Dasha, in San Francisco last month shortly after death of Navalny. Russian officials announced Navalnys death Feb. 16, explaining that Putins imprisoned top rival felt unwell after a walk and lost consciousness. In the weeks since his death, his widow has vowed to keep up Navalnys work. His funeral was held last week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A pen hovering over a black and white ballot showing the Democratic Party, the Republican Party and the Libertarian Party. A voting ballot. (Getty Images) Alabama voters go to the polls today to select Democratic and Republican nominees for state and federal offices. Below is a brief guide to the races. When are polls open in Alabama? Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find your polling place and registration status here. What do I need to vote? Voters must present a valid photo ID before voting. Valid forms of ID include: Alabama drivers license (not expired or expired less than 60 days) Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital drivers license Alabama Non-Driver ID (not expired or expired less than 60 days) Alabama Photo Voter ID card State-issued ID (Alabama or any other state) Federal-issued ID U.S. Passport Employee ID from the federal government; state of Alabama; county; municipality, board or other entity of Alabama Student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools) Digital student or employee ID from a public or private post-secondary educational institution in Alabama or other states (including colleges, universities, postgraduate technical and professional schools) Military ID Tribal ID What federal races are on the ballot? People walking and biking in front of the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Senate early Tuesday passed legislation extending global military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Senators earlier blocked a sweeping larger package that would have overhauled immigration law for the first time in decades.(Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) The presidential race, for one. Democrats will choose between incumbent President Joe Biden and challenger Dean Phillips, a congressman from Minnesota. Republicans will choose among seven candidates, though only three former President Donald Trump; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida businessman David Stuckenberg have active campaigns. The only congressional race without at least one competitive primary is the 5th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Madison, is running unopposed for re-election. A federal court ruling that redrew the states map last fall has had a major effect on at least two races. A map of Alabama divided into congressional districts. A federal court last October ordered Alabama to adopt this congressional map for the March primaries. (U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals) 1st Congressional District: U.S. Reps. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, and Barry Moore, R-Enterprise are seeking the Republican nomination in the district, redrawn after the federal court ruling by adding the Wiregrass portions of the former 2nd Congressional District (which Moore currently represents) to the Mobile-centered 1st Congressional District. The winner will face presumptive Democratic nominee Tom Holmes in November. 2nd Congressional District: Eighteen candidates 11 Democrats and seven Republicans are running for the redrawn seat, meant to be an opportunity district for Black voters to select their preferred candidates. The seat should lean Democratic in November and could draw national attention with control of the U.S. House at stake. 3rd Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, first elected to the U.S. House in 2002, faces Republican challengers Barron Bevels and Bryan Newell in the GOP primary. No Democrat qualified for the race. 4th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, first elected in 1996, faces a Republican primary challenge from Justin Holcomb, a former spokesman for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. No Democrat qualified for the race. 6th Congressional District: U.S. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, first elected in 2014, faces a primary challenge from Ken McFeeters, an insurance agency owner, and Gerrick Wilkins, a businessman. The winner will face presumptive Democratic nominee Elizabeth Anderson. 7th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, first elected in 2010, faces a primary challenge from Chris Davis. Republican candidates Robin Litaker, a claims adjuster, and Christian Horn, a Republican candidate for secretary of state in 2022, are on the GOP ballot. What state races are on the ballot? An engraving over six classical-style columns says "Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building." The Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, seen on January 24, 2023. The building houses the Alabama Supreme Court and the state appellate courts. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Alabama elects most of its state officers in the off-year of presidential elections, and the big races there will be in 2026. But there are several contested judicial and state school board races. Chief justice: Alabama Supreme Court Justice Sarah Stewart and former Sen. Bryan Taylor are seeking the Republican nomination to replace incumbent Tom Parker, who is past the states mandatory retirement age. The race has taken on a new profile since the court on Feb. 16 ruled that frozen embryos are children, leading to a halt to in vitro fertilization programs in the state. Stewart, who joined the majority opinion in the case, declined to comment on it, citing the ongoing litigation. Taylor wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, that we can uphold the sanctity of life without subject IVF clinics to lawsuit abuse. The winner will face Democratic nominee Greg Griffin, currently a Montgomery County circuit judge. (Griffins son, also named Greg Griffin, is running for a circuit court seat in Montgomery.) State Board of Education: Republicans have two contests to replace two outgoing incumbents. Democrats did not field candidates in either race. In State Board of Education District 3, taking in much of central Alabama between Birmingham and Montgomery, three Republicans retiree and conservative activist Ann Eubank; former Rep. Charlotte Meadows of Montgomery, and business executive Kelly Mooney are running to replace longtime incumbent Stephanie Bell, who is stepping down this year. (Former Montgomery County Board of Education member Melissa Snowden, whose name will be on the ballot, said Monday she has decided to withdraw my name from the race.) In State Board of Education District 7, which covers northwest Alabama down to Jefferson County, three candidates Decatur City Board of Education member Doug Bacchuss; Alan Long, a physician, and Jefferson County Board of Education member Oscar Mann are running for the seat. The candidates are running to replace Belinda McRae, who is not seeking re-election. Public Service Commission: PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, a Republican, is seeking a fourth term as president. She faces Robert McCollum, a 2022 Republican PSC candidate, in the primary. Whats this amendment were voting on? A voting board The Alabama House of Representatives votes for a bill extending immunity to IVF providers on Feb. 29, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Legislature is voting on immunity measures after an Alabama Supreme Court decision that caused many IVF programs in the state to close. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Currently, the Alabama Constitution forbids the Legislature from considering any bill before it approves the states two budgets. Since the budgets are rarely passed before the final days of the session, the 1984 amendment that created the restriction allows bills to come to floor votes if 60% of lawmakers present and voting agree. Thats known as a budget isolation resolution (BIR). The provision effectively requires every bill to win a supermajority vote to pass. The amendment on Tuesdays ballot would remove the BIR from local legislation, or bills specifically for a city or county, and aims to make it easier to get those bills into law. Statewide bills would retain the BIR. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Your guide to Tuesdays primaries in Alabama appeared first on Alabama Reflector. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (WGHP) A man was apprehended in New Mexico last month on a sexual assault warrant during a Guilford County Sheriffs Office investigation, according to a news release. On Feb. 29, the U.S. Marshals Service and Albuquerque Police Department apprehended 37-year-old Jose Morado-DeLuna in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as part of an ongoing investigation conducted by detectives with the GCSO Major Crimes Investigative Unit. Man pleads guilty to case of sexual battery at Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, courts say The apprehension of Morado-DeLuna was conducted as part of a warrant service for one count of rape of a child by an adult offender. Morado-DeLuna will remain in custody in Albuquerque pending an extradition hearing to determine if he will be returned to Guilford County for prosecution. The investigation is ongoing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A group of armed gangs attempted to take over Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Monday, launching an armed attack against the facility just days after a series of coordinated attacks across the capital led to the escape of thousands of jailed prisoners, including several notorious gang leaders. The attack against the airport came amid a suspension of all international flights into Haiti by U.S.-based carriers, citing the ongoing civil unrest. Despite the cancellations, the airport had remained under heavy guard, with members of the countrys armed forces deployed inside, while Haiti National Police officers and soldiers patrolled the outskirts. Last week, gangs opened fire on the airport, striking three domestic aircraft parked at both the international airport and the neighboring Guy Malary national airport. Mondays firefight broke out around 1 p.m. after gunmen opened fire from several directions and attempted to breach the facility by creating a hole in a wall. They were immediately met with heavy gunfire from the police, who were also accompanied by members of the Armed Forces of Haiti. Two days earlier, Haiti had deployed its armed forces to help police beef up security at both the airport and the seaport. Both locations had been targeted after gangs began launching violent attacks Thursday against several police substations in a bid to seize control of key government installations. Soldiers were also deployed to patrol the vicinity of the National Palace. READ MORE: Biden rejects U.S. troop deployment to Haiti as crisis spirals On Monday, the United States, the United Nations and the Organization of American States condemned the attacks, which led to the embassies of France, Canada and the U.S. to suspend consular services. Many of those responsible for the violence have already been sanctioned by the United States and other countries, a State Department spokesperson said. These actions make it clear why. Gangs in charge Gangs control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince and in recent days theyve grown even more powerful. Their coordinated violent attacks have overwhelmed and outgunned the Haiti National Police, which has struggled to respond to the surge. The police force, which had roughly 9,000 officers on public safety duty at any given time last year, has been shrinking at an alarming rate, according to the United Nations. The U. N. has said that the police force lost more than 1,600 officers last year. Some were killed by gang members, while others migrated to the U.S. after the Biden administration launched a two-year humanitarian parole program for nationals of Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. In October, the U.N. Security Council approved the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission, led by Kenya, to Haiti. But the armed forced has struggled to get off the ground due to legal issues in Kenya and a lack of funding from international partners. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has been out of the country during the violence, was in Kenya last week to sign a reciprocal agreement to allow Kenya to deploy 1,000 of its police officers to Haiti. The Kenyan police are supposed to be the backbone of the armed mission. The State Department spokesperson said the U.S. is actively planning for the international mission to assist the Haiti National Police battle gangs. Both U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and OAS General Secretary Luis Almagro are calling on the international community to do more. On Monday Guterres reiterated the need for urgent action, particularly in providing financial support for the mission. Almagro, meanwhile, criticized the delay in the international communitys response to come to Haitis aid. It is more necessary than ever to promote cooperative efforts within the United Nations to restore security in the country. It is irresponsible that necessary measures and actions continue to be delayed, Almagro said. READ MORE: While international community is divided on Haiti military, support for an army grows The delay in the international communitys response is raising fears of a total collapse of the Haitian government. The gangs reportedly control all of the lower part of downtown Port-au-Prince, which has led to judges being fearful to step out of their homes since the prison break to confirm deaths and other crimes. Were fast approaching a tipping point where the Pentagon has to dust off its contingency plans and get a limited force to Port-au-Prince to prevent total state failure. It can be a short-term deployment with a quick handover to an international force, said James B. Foley, a retired U.S. ambassador who was stationed in Haiti. The bottom line is that the United States simply cannot tolerate anarchy on its doorstep. For years, Haitis armed forces have been trying to enter the battle against gangs but had to accept being sidelined because of U.S. policy. The U.S. publicly opposed the reinstatement of the army after supporting its disbandment after a 1991 military coup under the Lieutenant General Raoul Cedras overthrew the countrys first democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The policy has made Haitis financial donors uneasy with providing funding or weapons, even as they privately admit that the country needed to have a second security force to stem the tide of gang violation. Further complicating matters has been a U.S. arms embargo, which has made it difficult for even the countrys national police to acquire weapons and ammunition. A case in point: Following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise the government sought to outfit the armed forces with weapons but U.S. authorities blocked the move. A source said that the army recently managed to acquire several hundred weapons, though not all were long-guns or heavy artillery. For now, neither the Haitian government nor army officials will say how many soldiers have been deployed or what kind of equipment the force has been given. But it has found support in many corners. I wish the police could do the job, but look at what we are facing with these gangs? The police was not built for this, said Jean Dorneval, who served as Haiti defense minister before the assassination of Moise. We need an army to stabilize the country. The police can always exist butthe world has completely changed, he said. For me, this is non-negotiable for Haiti. The deployment of the army comes amid a 72-hour state of emergency and curfew, both of which were imposed by the government late Sunday. It also comes as Haitians remain on edge about whether the gangs, which have threatened to depose Henry and now have expanded their ranks with escaped gang leaders, will continue their destabilization efforts. The firefight at the airport came as an eerie calm covered the capital as the country braced for the return of Henry from Kenya. After rumors circulated earlier in the day that he would be landing at the international airport in Cap-Haitien, panic ensued. Businesses closed and police patrols increased. Workers at the airport were also subjected to slurs from passing motorists shouting through megaphones. McClatchy Chief Washington Correspondent Michael Wilner contributed reporting. Haiti is spiralling further into chaos after armed gang members freed thousands of prisoners, burned government buildings, and forced the prime minister to resign after he fled the country to seek help. Dozens of people are dead and roughly 15,000 have been forced to flee their homes due to gang raids, according to The Associated Press, with many now facing dwindling supplies of food and water. The violence escalated on 29 February when Haitis powerful criminal gangs, which already controlled large parts of the economy and most of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, launched a series of attacks on police stations, prisons, and other government buildings. After all the capitals international airports were seized by gangs, prime minister Ariel Henry was trapped outside the country and faced both domestic and international pressure to resign. On 5 March, the leader of the unified gangs Jimmy Cherizier known by his childhood nickname, Barbecue threatened continued violence if Mr Henry did not step down. He said if the international community continues to support [Mr Henry], well be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide. Either Haiti becomes a paradise or a hell for all of us. Its out of the question for a small group of rich people living in big hotels to decide the fate of people living in working-class neighborhoods, Mr Cherizier said. On Monday, Mr Henry resigned. The US has airlifted in extra military muscle to guard its embassy in Port-au-Prince, and Caribbean leaders have met in Jamaica to find a solution to the crisis. So how exactly did this happen? Gunfire, mass jailbreaks, and an absent prime minister The heightened upheaval this month began while former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was travelling to Kenya to push forward a United Nations deal that would bring 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti to help restore security. On 28 February, leaders of Caricom a trade bloc comprised of 15 Caribbean countries or territories announced that Henry had pledged to hold elections by mid-2025, after promising and then failing to do so twice before. We dont know exactly why Haitis powerful criminal gangs chose that moment to strike. But one day later, they unleashed a wave of violence that killed at least four police officers and forced airports, businesses, and schools to close and numerous Haitians to flee their homes. In a recorded video, gang leader and former police officer Cherizier declared that he planned to capture various government ministers and prevent Henry from entering the country. With our guns and with the Haitian people, we will free the country, said Cherizier, who has previously claimed that he is a revolutionary rather than a mere crook. Former police officer Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, leader of the G9 coalition in Haiti (REUTERS) Gangs led a mass jailbreak at Haitis national penitentiary, reportedly releasing nearly all of its roughly 4,000 prisoners. Three people were found fatally shot outside the facility, while the other Port-au-Prince prison, which held 1,400 people, was also taken over. Several prisoners and prison staff members were injured in the two raids, Haitian government officials said in a less than reassuring statement . Our police officers, on the scene of several operations facing the rampages of heavily armed criminals wanting at all costs to free people in custody, particularly for kidnapping, murder and other serious offenses, and not hesitating to execute civilians, burning and looting public and private property thanks to various collusions, did not succeed in preventing the bandits from bringing out a large number of prisoners, the statement read. Only a small portion of inmates did not flee. Among them were reportedly the 18 Colombian mercenaries accused of orchestrating the assassination of a previous Haitian president, Jovenel Moise, in 2021. Their attorney, Samuel Madistin, told The New York Times they remained in the prison out of fear for their lives. Since Mr Moise was killed, Haiti has faced widespread violence at the hands of gangs. According to a UN report, there were nearly 5,000 homicides in 2023 twice as many as the prior year. Haitis finance minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who is acting prime minister while Henry is away, declared a state of emergency and imposed an evening curfew. But by Sunday 10 March, the government was still struggling to quell the violence, with sporadic gunfire audible across Port-au-Prince while ordinary Haitians run low on basic supplies. How did Haitis criminal gangs become so powerful? On the afternoon of 13 November 2018, a police armoured vehicle drove into the La Saline neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince and unloaded its cargo of armed men, some of whom were wearing police uniforms. What happened next was one of Haiti's worst massacres in decades. At least 71 people were killed, 11 raped, and 150 homes looted and destroyed, according to a report by human rights observers. The leader of the slaughter, the report alleges, was Jimmy Cherizier then a serving police officer, allegedly acting with the support of senior Haitian politicians who wanted to punish La Saline for its role in a huge wave of protests against then-President Moise. That was the first of many atrocities allegedly backed by Moise's government, which experts say increasingly colluded with criminals to keep a lid on unrest. "'Barbecue' is a Frankenstein['s monster] who has broken free from his master," Sorbonne University geographer Jean-Marie Theodat told AFP, a French news agency, on Sunday. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang during a protest against Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government and insecurity, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti 1 March 2024 (REUTERS) Haiti has long suffered from poverty and political stability. Founded in 1804 by Black revolutionaries who had broken the shackles of slavery, it was eventually forced at swordpoint to pay vast sums in compensation to French former slave owners, creating a debt that would cripple its development for more than a century. Haitian politicians have relied on armed gangs to enforce their rule since at least 1959 when the infamous dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier formed a paramilitary militia known as the Tonton Macoute named after a mythological boogeyman. The problem continued long after the Duvalier family were overthrown in 1986, as Haiti stumbled between military coups and foreign interventions. In 1995 the Haitian military was disbanded after one coup too many, but that put thousands of armed men out of work while creating a power vacuum. When a rogue police official attempted another coup in 2001, it was armed civilians, not soldiers, that thwarted him. Meanwhile, Haiti's position between Latin America and the US made it an attractive route for drug smugglers, creating a new line of commerce for the gangs. Experts say that some progress was made under Rene Preval, the only Haitian leader to democratically win and complete two terms, who took a hard line on gangs. But in 2010, Haiti was struck by a massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake that flattened Port-au-Prince, killing anything between 100,000 and 316,000 people. The Haitian economy was more or less destroyed, while thousands of former gang members escaped from jail. Since then, democratic government has steadily crumbled in Haiti. Before his death, Moise was accused of consolidating power and ruling by decree, repeatedly violating the constitution while refusing to step down at the end of his term. While the reasons for his assassination remain murky, a New York Times investigation found evidence that he was preparing to name names about senior Haitian politicians and businessfolk involved in the drug trade. For his part, Ariel Henry has repeatedly reneged on promises to hold elections, saying that gang violence would make it impossible to ensure that they are fair. Hence, Haiti has been trapped in a fiendish double bind. The United Nations has warned that security must improve before elections can be held. However, the lack of elections has created a crisis of legitimacy that empowers and emboldens the gangs. "For the last three years, the gangs started to gain autonomy. And now they are a power unto themselves," University of Virginia professor Robert Fatton told AP. Just ask Jimmy Cherizier, who gave an interview to AP earlier this year as he strolled through the slums of La Saline, flanked by armed guards and watched from above by a personal monitoring drone. "The government of Ariel Henry is a de-facto government. Its a government that has no legitimacy," he said. "Im not a thief. Im not involved in kidnapping. Im not a rapist. Im just carrying out a social fight." Former police officer Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, who leads an alliance of armed groups in Haiti, gives a news conference in Port-au-Prince on 11 March, 2024 (REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol) Ariel Henry resigns After Henry was left stuck in the US territory of Puerto Rico, having been refused entry by the Dominican Republic (Haitis neighbour on the island of Hispaniola, which shares a land border with it), he began facing pressure to resign. Cherizier and other gang leaders are dead set on removing him and have promised to temporarily stop the violence if he agrees to resign. We are going to call for a truce just to evaluate the situation, Cherizier told ABC News. Everywhere around Port-au-Prince that is currently blocked or inaccessible will be reopened and we will automatically stop the attacks on the police stations. After initially rejecting calls to resign, Mr Henry agreed to resign his position, and said the remnants of his government would end when a transitional council was ready to take over. On Monday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jamaica for an urgent Caricom summit aimed at resolving the crisis. Whether Henry was allowed to attend this meeting is unknown. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith arrive at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel for an emergency summit on the crisis in Haiti. In tow, US Ambassador to Jamaica, Nick Perry. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry is not in Jamaica and is pic.twitter.com/KyFQOl2hq2 Nationwide90FM (@NationwideRadio) March 11, 2024 What happens next? One possible solution proposed by Caricom: Henry could be replaced by a transitional council, which would select an interim president and arrange the countrys first elections since 2016. However, its hard to imagine how free and fair elections could take place under the current conditions of violence, in a country where armed groups have usurped such power from the government. Guyanas president, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said: I think we can all agree: Haiti is on the brink of disaster. We must take quick and decisive action. However, he also noted that a transitional council was still a ways off. The United Nations approved an intervention plan that would send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti to help restore order. However, this intervention faced several barriers. For one, Kenyas High Court has ruled it unconstitutional; for another, 1,000 police officers would not even replace the estimated 3,300 Haitian officers who have deserted since 2021. The mission is also not very well funded: the US has pledged $300m, while Canada has said it will give $80m. However, all of those issues became moot on Tuesday when Kenya announced it would not send a security force due to a lack of a sitting government in Haiti to coordinate their efforts. The deal they signed with the president [William Ruto] still stands although the deployment will not happen now because definitely we will require a sitting government to also collaborate with, Salim Swaleh, Kenyas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told The New York Times. All of which leaves the future of Haiti, and the safety and prosperity of its people, severely in doubt. This story was originally published on 4 March 2024 and was updated on 12 March to reflect the changing situation. Banks and government offices in Haiti are being pillaged and burned. Police substations are falling under the control of gangs. Prisons have broken open. And neighborhoods across the nations capital, Port-au-Prince, are experiencing continuous gunfire. As a powerful coalition of armed gangs continues its assault in a volatile Haiti and the political party of a former coup leader proposes he lead a takeover of the country fears are mounting that Haiti has mere days, or maybe even hours, before it completely collapses. Meanwhile, the countrys embattled prime minister, Ariel Henry, who had been on a state visit to Kenya, has been unable to return home. He attempted unsuccessfully to return via the neighboring Dominican Republic on Tuesday after international commercial flights to Haiti remained suspended for a second straight day. But Henrys charter plane was denied entry into the Dominican Republic and he was forced to land in Puerto Rico, an official in the U.S. territory confirmed to the Miami Herald. The Dominican Foreign Ministry did not respond to the Heralds request for comment. Kenyan President William Ruto, who last week declared he is ready to deploy 1,000 of his police officers to help Haiti after signing a bilateral agreement with Henry, has told U.S. and Haitian officials he can have his troops ready to go within 72 hours. The White House is relying on it, ruling out a deployment of U.S. forces and pledging to expedite the multinational support mission, led by Kenya, that has taken over 16 months to materialize. But Republicans in Congress are still objecting to the disbursement of millions of dollars the Biden administration pledged to help support the mission. The U.S. funding is needed to pay for the missions planning and deployment. Ruto has said without the funding, his troops arent leaving home. The way the situation is now, Haiti cannot wait any longer, said Pierre Esperance, a human rights activist in Port-au-Prince. The gangs are in many places and starting to pillage. If there isnt a rapid response to support the police, the situation can become even worse at any moment. On Monday, gangs surrounded the international and domestic airports in the capital, firing at police while trying to breach a security wall. In addition to trying to take control of the facility, they were also awaiting Henry, whom they had promised to keep out of the country. While police, along with soldiers from the army pushed back the attack, another police substation in the Delmas 28 neighborhood fell. The attacks have demoralized an already weak police force, said Esperance, noting that rank-and-file officers have abandoned some posts and are no longer taking orders from superiors. Police are absent in areas not under attack by gangs, he said. U.S. officials acknowledged to McClatchy and the Herald that the missions lack of funding is a critical obstacle, noting that other countries had also faced hurdles submitting their financial pledges in time. But where until now the Biden administration has felt it had time on its side to carefully craft a plan for the police-led mission, a week of chaos has shattered that calculus. The fall of Haitis government could spark a migration crisis from the Caribbean nation to U.S. shores that the Biden administration has feared since its earliest days, in the midst of an historic debate on Capitol Hill over immigration reform and at the height of an election year. John Kirby, White House National Security Communications adviser, told reporters Tuesday that several factors are at play holding up the Kenyan deployment beyond funding. He was unable to name them. Lets put that aside. Youre right, and were gonna need some support, Kirby said. We are working actively with members of Congress. I mean, I think we can all recognize that this is in our interest as well, because the regions interest and certainly the interests of the Haitian people is to get a more stable, calm, secure environment there. Both the Republican ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, James Risch of Idaho, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas are opposed to the release of the funds, accusing the Biden administration of failing to provide a detailed plan for the mission. A spokesperson for Risch told McClatchy that the senator had released 20 percent of the State Departments initial $50 million request enough money for the administration to put together a comprehensive plan for success and present it to Congress. READ MORE: White House battles Republicans in Congress over funding for police force to help Haiti The department has still not spent that money or provided any meaningful benchmarks, Rischs staffer said. It has also not been forthcoming about any new developments, nor has it been responsive to congressional oversight requests on this matter. If the administration cant manage the $10 million its been given, the spokesperson added, why should Congress give it more for this untested program? The U.S. has pledged up to $200 million to fund the Multinational Security Support mission. Of that amount, the administration made an initial request for $50 million from Congress. Lawmakers released $10 million, but the administration countered by asking for $17 million to begin the process, according to sources familiar with the effort. Fevered discussions in Washington Fears of Haitis complete collapse gripped the State Department on Tuesday and forced top administration officials into fevered, all-day meetings on the crisis, according to one U.S. official familiar with the matter. Access in and out of Port-au-Prince is blocked by armed gangs controlling all roads out to the ports, rural regions and the main national road to the neighboring Dominican Republic. Kirby reiterated a State Department alert from over the weekend urging Americans to depart immediately, despite the roadway perils, the airport coming under attack and all international flights being suspended. There are other ways to leave, he said. An official with the Department of Homeland Security told McClatchy that the agency has yet to see any effect from the crisis on migration flows across the Florida Straits. But potential Haitian migrants, too, are being blocked from exiting the country by gang-enforced road closures. With an attempt by the Caribbean Community to bring together Haitis main olitical players failing once more, some leaders continued to blame Henry for the ongoing chaos. Supporters of Guy Philippe a former coup leader who was deported from the U.S. last year after serving time for drug trafficking-related money-laundering charges took to the radio to propose that he lead a transition government. The spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged Tuesday that the situation on the ground is getting worse. Guterres, he said, is reiterating his appeal for urgent action and for financial support to the Multinational Security support mission. We need to see faster and more sustained support, a coalescence of support of the international community around the multinational support mission. We continue to believe it is the best possible option at this time, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. He added the U.N. doesnt have the capacity to monitor the toll of the crisis on the ground, but its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the recent escalation of violence in Port-au-Prince has led to some 15,000 people being forced to flee their homes. Most of them had already been displaced previously, he added. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a private meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Haiti and get an update on the multinational security mission. As each day goes by, if not each hour, it is clear that the Haitian people are the ones who are suffering and who are trying to eke out, trying to survive in the midst of horrific and inhumane violence, Dujarric said. One of the reasons the Secretary-General suggested a support mission, a non-U.N. peacekeeping support mission, is that in the ideal world these things are mobilized much faster and get on the ground much faster than an official UN peacekeeping mission. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley ruled out the idea of running either as an independent or under a No Labels ticket during a Tuesday interview. Haley was asked on Fox News if she would forgo running under No Labels if she didnt get the GOP presidential nomination and if she would support the eventual Republican nominee, which appears increasingly likely to be former President Trump. I am a conservative Republican. I have been all my life, and you know the problem is right now everybodys saying if you dont support Donald Trump, youre a Democrat. Thats terrible, and thats not unifying, and thats not going to get anyone to win a general election, Haley said. What I will tell you is Im a conservative Republican. I have said many, many times, I would not run as an independent. I would not run as No Labels because I am a Republican, and thats who Ive always been, she continued. Thats what Im going to do. And so thats my focus. What we wanted was to give people a voice. Were going to have that today. Sixteen states and territories are going to vote. God bless America that we get to do that. And then were going to take it from there, she finished. Super Tuesday represents Haleys last chance to dig into Trumps momentum in the GOP primary. The former U.N. ambassador has won only the Washington, D.C., early nominating contest, which featured both Republicans names. Haley has faced growing questions about her path forward, including whether she might mount an independent or third-party bid. No Labels national director Joe Cunningham said on Fox News last month that Nikki Haley is somebody wed definitely be interested in. Haley has previously suggested she would not be interested in running under No Labels, which has pushed for a bipartisan unity ticket including one Republican and one Democrat. The former U.N. ambassador told reporters recently, If I were to do No Labels, that would require a Democrat. I cant do what I wanted to express with the Democrat. At the same time, Haley demurred to Fox Newss Ainsley Earhardt on Tuesday when she was asked if she would unify around Trump if he won Super Tuesday. I mean, Ainsley, if I were to get out of the race, it would still be the longest presidential general election in history, she said. I dont know why everybody is so adamant that they have to follow Trumps lead to get me out of this race. You know, all of these people deserve to vote. Sixteen states want to have their voices heard. Lets let their voices get heard. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley said she is very happy the Supreme Court restored former President Trump to the ballot in Colorado on Monday, rejecting 14th Amendment challenges to his eligibility for the White House. Haley responded to the Supreme Courts ruling on CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper, explaining that voters should be the ones to decide whether they want Trump to lead the country. We dont want the chaos of certain states or secretaries of state saying that they like someone or dont like someone and want to take them off the ballot. I trust the American people, Haley told Tapper. I think at the end of the day, they will decide who they want to lead this country. And I think we should let it happen that way. So I was very happy with the Supreme Court ruling, she added. The court ruled that Colorado cannot disqualify the former president from the ballot under the 14th Amendments insurrection clause, with the majority writing that the authority to enforce the amendment to disqualify federal candidates rests with Congress. Haley remains the only major challenger to Trump in the GOP presidential primary but is trailing significantly behind the former president. According to Decision Desk HQ, 192 delegates are pledged to Trump while 42 are pledged to Haley. A candidate needs 1,215 delegates to win the Republican nomination. Haley has vowed to remain in the primary race as long as we are competitive ahead of Super Tuesday. She said Monday that she wants to defeat Trump without the courts booting him off the ballot. Im trying to defeat Donald Trump fair and square. I dont need them taking him off the ballot to do it. I think were trying to share enough that this is chaos that we want to get back to an America thats normal and that we need a new generational leader. And thats the way were going to continue pushing forward, she said. When asked if the 14th Amendment is supposed to be taken seriously in light of the ruling, she said that it is up to legal experts to decide. I think that, you know, the Supreme Court wasnt there to decide whether it was an insurrection or not, she said. They were there to decide whether someone could be taken off the ballot like that. And I think that they made the right decision when they said, let the people decide and let it go from there. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Al-Shuhada mosque in Gaza, which was heavily damaged by Israeli air strikes on Jabalia refugee camp - MAHMOUD ISSA/ANADOL VIA GETTY IMAGES Joe Biden has said a ceasefire deal is in the hands of Hamas as he urged the terror group to accept an Israeli proposal for a pause in fighting. The US president also warned of imminent danger if a deal was not in place before Ramadan, after another day of talks in Cairo ended without an agreement on Tuesday. Its in the hands of Hamas right now, Mr Biden. The Israelis have been co-operating, the offer (of a ceasefire) is rational. Well know in a couple of days. But we need the ceasefire. The talks broke down after Hamas refused to provide a list confirming which hostages in Gaza are still alive. Joe Biden spoke of the urgency of achieving a deal as he boarded Air Force One to travel to Washington DC on Tuesday - ALEX BRANDON/AP The Hamas delegation said it would remain in Egypt for more negotiations, despite Israel withdrawing its team over the hostages row. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, doesnt want to reach an agreement and the ball now is in the Americans court. The deal on the table reportedly involves Hamas releasing all women, children and wounded hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, to a ratio of about one hostage to 10 prisoners. It also allows for hundreds of aid lorries to enter Gaza during a 40-day pause in fighting. Mr Biden said that it was up to Hamas whether to accept an offer for a six-week truce, while warning Israel there were no excuses for failing to let aid through. Airdrops of aid packages into the besieged territory of 2.4 million people ordered by the US president continued on Tuesday. Mr Biden said: Im working with them (Israel) very hard. We must get more aid into Gaza. Theres no excuses, none. The US president also said a deal needed to be struck before Ramadan on March 10, when tensions in Jerusalem traditionally rise between hardline Jews and Muslims. He said: Theres got to be a ceasefire because [of] Ramadan if we get into circumstances where this continues to Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem could be very, very dangerous. Israel has said it is interested only in a temporary truce during which more hostages would be freed. Hamas says it wants any deal to lead to a permanent end to hostilities. Egyptian security sources said US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators were seeking to overcome this difference by offering separate guarantees to Hamas of peace talks to end the war. The sides need to resolve a Hamas demand for all Gaza residents to be allowed to return to abandoned homes during the truce, as well as Israels demand for the list of hostages, the Egyptian sources said. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has said there is extreme malnutrition in Gaza, with one in six children under the age of two at risk of starvation. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has said that 15 Palestinian children have died in recent days from dehydration and malnutrition. In Khan Younis, where fighting continues, Palestinian residents have said that there are decomposing bodies left in the streets. The Gazan health ministry said 17 people were killed in one of many Israeli airstrikes launched near the city. Mr Biden also brushed off suggestions of tensions with Mr Netanyahu as Washington presses Israel over civilian deaths, and after one of the Israeli prime ministers rivals in the war cabinet visited the White House on Monday. He said their relationship was like its always been. Israeli soldier stabbed in West Bank Also on Tuesday, an Israeli soldier was seriously injured in a stabbing attack at the Yitzhar Junction in the northern West Bank. The teenage Palestinian attacker was shot dead by Israeli soldiers. Donald Trump, the former US president, claimed in a TV interview that the Oct 7 attacks and ensuing war would not have happened had he been in charge instead of Mr Biden. It would have never happened if I was president. Iran was broke. They had no money for Hamas, for Hezbollah, they were broke, he said in a Fox News telephone interview. They wouldnt have done it to me. I guarantee you that. They did this because they have no respect for Biden. On Tuesday night, crowds of relatives of the hostages in Gaza gathered outside the US embassy branch office in Tel Aviv for the second time this week, demanding a deal be struck on bringing home their loved ones. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Hamas said Tuesday there could be no exchange of prisoners before a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as it responded to proposals from Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The security and safety of our people will not be achieved except through a permanent ceasefire, the end of the aggression, [Israels] withdrawal from every inch in Gazaand the entry of aid to our people in Gaza is our utmost priority, Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan told a news conference in Beirut. Any prisoner exchange will not be completed except after the completion of all this. Hamas response comes as negotiators race to reach a deal that would pair a pause in fighting with the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Whether that deadline can be met remains uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously ruled out stoping the military campaign before Hamas is completely destroyed. Hamdan on Tuesday also accused Israel of stalling on reaching an agreement and warned that the negotiations would not be open-ended as Israel continues its offensive in Gaza. We have affirmed our conditions for a ceasefire: complete withdrawal from the sector, the return of displaced persons to the areas they left, especially in the north, and the provision of sufficient aid, relief, and reconstruction, he said. Reuters and Al Jazeera reported last week that Hamas was reviewing a draft proposal for an initial ceasefire lasting roughly six weeks, during which 40 Israeli hostages would be exchanged for 400 Palestinian prisoners. Hamdans response came just hours after US President Joe Biden said a potential ceasefire was in the hands of Hamas as he boarded Air Force One at Hagerstown airport. Biden said the Israelis have been cooperating and that a ceasefire is necessary. We need a ceasefire, he said, calling the deal on the table a rational offer and saying the Israelis had agreed to it. We have to see what Hamas does, he said. US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on March 5. - Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Race against the clock The Biden administration has been racing against the clock to secure a ceasefire before Ramadan, which is expected to begin March 10, fearing any aggressive military push by Israel during the Muslim holy month would only further inflame tensions across the region. Biden said Tuesday that without a deal by Ramadan, the situation in Israel and specifically Jerusalem would be very, very dangerous. Negotiators have been gathered in the Egyptian capital Cairo since Sunday for talks on a deal, but Israel did not send a delegation, an Israeli official told CNN, despite increasing international pressure to end hostilities and allow for a desperately needed surge of humanitarian aid. An Israeli official told CNN that the reason behind the decision was that Hamas had not responded to two Israeli demands: a list of hostages specifying which are alive and which are dead; and confirmation of the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages. When Biden was asked about his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said it was like its always been. And he repeated his assertion there were no excuses for Israel not to allow more aid into Gaza. The US has become increasingly vocal about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where the United Nations warns hundreds of thousands of people are on the brink of famine and US ally Israel continues to obstruct the bulk of aid deliveries. On Saturday, the US made its first humanitarian airdrop into the strip 66 bundles containing meals but no water or medical supplies, a US official said. Aid groups have criticized the air drops as an ineffective and degrading way to get aid to Palestinians in Gaza, with the International Crisis Groups UN director saying they are at best a temporary Band-Aid measure. One of the strongest rebukes of Israel by a US official to date came from US Vice President Kamala Harris, who on Sunday forcefully called for more humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying that people in the region are starving in the face of inhumane conditions and urged Israel to do more. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israeli military vehicles move out from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Israel Israeli military vehicles move out from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Israel CAIRO (Reuters) - An exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages in Gaza can only happen after a ceasefire, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said on Tuesday, as ceasefire talks in Cairo between Hamas, Egypt and Qatar continued with no sign of a breakthrough. Hamdan, speaking at a press conference in Beirut, repeated his group's conditions for a deal; an end to Israel's military offensive, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and the return of displaced Palestinians to homes they have fled in other parts of Gaza. "In the past two days, the movement presented its position on the proposal put forward by the brotherly Qatari and Egyptian mediators. We reaffirmed our conditions for a ceasefire: a full pullout from the Strip and the return of the displaced from areas they left, in particular in the north," he said. The humanitarian situation is particularly dire in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of residents are believed to have remained despite Israeli orders to evacuate. The United Nations has been unable to deliver food aid to the north since Jan. 23. Israeli authorities have denied access to U.N. aid convoys, which their troops have fired on. The United States on Saturday carried out the first of what it said would be a series of humanitarian air drops of food into Gaza. But Hamdan told reporters: "We say to Washington, what is more important than sending aid is stopping its supply of weapons to Israel." (Reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi, Writing by Adam Makary, Editing by William Maclean) TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Two harmful chemicals were found at the Tontitown WM Eco-Vista Landfill in early February, according to the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment. An independent environmental contractor found benzene and acrolein in air samples of the landfill, according to a letter from ADEE sent to Representatives Robin Lundstrum and Steve Unger and Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell on Friday. As residential homes surround the landfill, ADEE said in the letter that the amounts of benzene and acrolein were above regional screening levels for residential air but below industrial standards. The cause is unknown but Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell says the health and safety of citizens is important to her. Someone does need to make sure that the citizens here in Tontitown are able to breathe clean air, she said. Residents like Mark Calcagni, who lives near the eco-vista landfill in Tontitown, have been expressing their concerns of the air quality for the past six years. We finally have gotten some attention, and we finally got the air to be tested, Calcagni said. From the dates of Feb. 5-8, ADEQ reported samples from S. Pianalto Road, Clear Water Road, Fayetteville, Arbor Acres Avenue, Springdale, and the corner of Arbor Acres Avenue and Dowell Road. Timeline: Tontitowns landfill controversy The 61st Civil Support Team of the Arkansas National Guard conducted tests in December 2023, finding elevated levels of sulfur dioxide in the vicinity of the landfill. The most recent sample did not detect sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide at a level that would cause human health or environmental concerns, ADEE said. Proj-037346-Air-Quality-ReportDownload Benzene is a flammable, colorless chemical with a sweet odor that evaporates quickly when exposed to air, according to the American Cancer Society. The Centers for Disease Control says long-term exposure to benzene affects the blood, leading to a potential decrease in red blood cells. Women can experience irregular menstrual cycles and a decrease in the size of their ovaries, and in some severe cases, the Department of Health and Human Services says high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia. Acrolein is a colorless or yellow liquid that has an unpleasant order, according to the CDC. Arkansas National Guard tests air quality in Tontitown The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry says acrolein can irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Inhaling it can make it harder for people to breathe. That is very concerning to me and theyre very dangerous to the citizens health. If youre out there breathing that, Russell said. She says its also scary not only to all of the citizens that are around the area, but weve had citizens that are over a mile away saying that they go outside and theyre starting to get headaches and the nauseous feelings. Calcagni says he has experienced symptoms from breathing in these chemicals. Russell says she received an email from a resident who believes the chemicals are impacting the health of her dog. The dog came back in and started throwing up because of the odor and the gases were so strong, she said. According to the Arkansas Division Of Environmental Quality Air (ADEQ) quality assessment, the results for benzene ranged from 0.13 ppb through 0.32 ppb. Exposure to 0.4 ppb in air over a lifetime could cause a risk of one additional cancer case for every 100,000 exposed persons, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Russell says this needs to be resolved and is something the state needs to take seriously. She says theres not many precautions that you can take to avoid being affected by the chemicals. Unless you had some kind of a gas mask or some type of mask on to prevent you ingesting breathing in those chemicals, Russell said. Calcagni says his wife is concerned for her health because she has asthma. The three substances that they found in the air, theyre hazardous to your breathing, you know, the lungs. He also has concerns about the water quality as well. You kind of wonder for the animals if that waters bad and that theyre drinking at the ponds, Calcagni said. The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission voted to expand the landfill in Dec. 2023. But Calcagni says with 1400 signed petitioners against the expansion , and the water and air issues in the area, it shouldnt be . We all want to stay healthy and safe, and we should be good stewards of the environment, he said. Mayor Russell says the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has to resolve this issue. The health and safety of the Tontitown citizens is of great importance to me. I am thankful the air testing from the National Guard was able to determine what chemicals are being emitted into the air. I am also concerned with what could potentially be going into our water system. This not only affects Tontitown but the surrounding communities. It is imperative that the issues at hand be resolved quickly. All citizens have the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water. Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell in a statement on Friday. WM is reviewing the ADEEs initial data and results from the sampling event that occurred in February 2024. WMs Eco-Vista facility will continue to work with ADEE to conduct any additional sampling deemed necessary. The Eco-Vista facility continues to be operated in a manner that is protective of the health and safety of our employees, customers, and community, WM said in a statement. KNWA/FOX24 reached out to ADEQ for comment but has not heard back. This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the International Association of Fire Fighters Legislative Conference at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Monday, in what the White House billed as a "surprise drop-by." Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI March 4 (UPI) -- Vice President Kamala Harris dropped by this year's International Association of Fire Fighters legislative conference Monday to thank members for their "calling to protect people in their most dire moments of need." "Yours is not just a profession, it is a calling," the vice president said, as she discussed the health risks, including cancer, that firefighters face on the job. "We've still not done enough as a nation to give you the equipment and resources you need," Harris added in remarks billed by the White House as a "surprise drop-by." The IAFF represents more than 340,000 firefighters and paramedics, according to its website. The conference, which runs through Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., allows members to advocate with lawmakers on key issues including health, safety and economic security. "Day 1 packed a punch with the VP closing out the program," the IAFF wrote Monday in a post on X. Vice President Kamala Harris discusses firefighters' health risks, including cancer, at the International Association of Fire Fighters Legislative Conference at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI "Tomorrow our members head to Capitol Hill to lobby Congress." #LEGCON24 Day 1 packed a punch with the @VP closing out the program. "In California I met with FFs who were putting out fires as their own homes were burning, that's the character of who you are." Tomorrow our members head to Capitol Hill to lobby Congress. Follow along! pic.twitter.com/4OLVGQrLsd International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) March 4, 2024 Harris received a standing ovation as she discussed the Biden administration's efforts to work with the IAFF "to do what we need to do in terms of giving now $720 million for SAFER and AFG grants and funds," which fund fire departments and their resources. "What we need to do around upgrading your equipment, phone, the kinds of toxic materials that you work with that you shouldn't have to work with every day," Harris said, adding that she will also continue to push for additional resources to hire more firefighters. "Because I know that one of the best ways we're going to keep our firefighters safe is to have more firefighters to be able to work on the job with you," Harris said, as she thanked the members again for their many sacrifices. "You are individuals who will work long shifts away from your family, unpredictable hours, will work around the clock in some of the most dangerous conditions anyone could ever work. And your work is the kind of work that also not only exposes you to danger but the kind of health risks that you are exposed to." A Harvard University spokesman said the school has provided nearly 4,900 pages in documents to lawmakers after Congress last month subpoenaed top Harvard officials for a federal probe into antisemitism at the university. In a statement Tuesday, Harvard spokesman Jason Newton said the university is working to combat antisemitism on its campus, and that university officials have provided thousands of pages of requested documents to the House Education and Workforce Committee. Committee officials last month alleged that Harvard has failed to produce 11 key areas of documentation that are intended to uncover what actions Harvard is undertaking or has undertaken to ensure Harvard Jewish students feel safe and welcome on campus. On Tuesday, Newton said, Harvard continues to respond, in good faith, to the House Education and Workforce Committees inquiry into efforts to combat antisemitism. With an additional submission this week, Harvard has provided nearly 4,900 pages of information in 11 submissions since January, including non-public information and internal communications, along with public information, the Committee requested Harvard to compile, Newton said. Newton pointed to a four-page document submitted by Harvard officials to the House Education and Workforce Committee on Monday, among other documents. It outlines steps the university has taken to combat antisemitism on campus. HARVARD Overview of Efforts to Combat Antisemitism by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Harvard continues to take action as a community to address and combat antisemitism through efforts in these five key areas, the document states. According to the university, the five areas are student safety and support, updating and clarifying policies, providing multiple avenues for reporting and disciplinary processes to address violations of policy, including harassment and threats; prioritizing respectful dialogue and civil discourse, and listening to and learning with our Jewish community. The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority, the document states. Harvard has taken steps over the last several months to strengthen security on campus, deter and denounce any potential acts that threaten the safety of individual students, and connect students with the support they need. The university has increased campus security in important and potentially vulnerable University spaces, including student residences, the document states. Harvard also has periodically restricted access to Harvard Yard to limit outside disruptions to its campus. Campus police have also increased patrols at locations and events where members of Harvards Jewish community gather, the university document states. In addition, Harvard engaged with senior leadership of Sidechat following reports of a disturbing rise in antisemitic posts on the anonymous digital platform, the document states. As a result of this engagement, Sidechat has limited access to the Harvard space on the platform to Harvard College students only, and Harvard was assured that Sidechats content moderation guidelines are being strictly enforced. The university also said, in response to student feedback, it has secured additional trauma-informed counseling resources through Harvard Counseling and Mental Health Services and has prioritized awareness of and access to all of the Universitys mental health and counseling resources. The school also said it has organized community support sessions led by the counseling team and Harvards chaplains, which comprise more than 30 faith leaders representing Judaism and several other religions. Harvard denounced antisemitism on our campus and have made clear that the University will continue to take actions to combat antisemitism in any form, Newton said. 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, Newton said. FILE - Harvard University President Claudine Gay speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Education on Capitol Hill, Dec. 5, 2023, in Washington. Gay resigned Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say unequivocally that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the schools conduct policy. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) In January, embattled Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned from her position as leader of the Ivy League school following weeks of campus turmoil that included plagiarism accusations and backlash over antisemitism testimony. In October, amid mounting pressure from alumni and others, Gay condemned the terrorist atrocities perpetrated by Hamas in Israel, days after student organizations at the school signed a controversial joint statement holding Israelis responsible for all recent violence in that country. In a statement at the time, Gay distanced herself and university leadership from the students statement which drew harsh criticism from congressional leaders and others, including Congressmen Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss, who are both Harvard alumni. Three dozen student organizations at Harvard signed a joint statement holding the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. Tensions escalated on Harvards campus, and on other campuses nationwide, after more than 1,550 people were killed dead and thousands more were wounded after Hamas launched surprise attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Last month, the Department of Education launched a discrimination investigation into a complaint that the school failed to protect Muslim and Palestinian students. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Stream FOX 35 News: WALTON COUNTY, Fla. - It was a case of being in the right place at the right time for a couple from Alabama celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in North Florida over the weekend. The Caldwells of Geneva, Alabama, were heading back home from Destin when a car sped past them and ultimately wound up in a head-on collision on County Highway 185, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Photo: Walton County Sheriffs Office "What felt like seconds later, the couple came upon the wreckage of what appeared to be a crash. A head-on collision. Smoke began billowing from one of the vehicles involved," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "Mr. Cardwell told his wife to call 911 and immediately recognized the car catching fire as the one who passed them moments before." RELATED : Good Samaritans rescue missing dog found swimming in Florida lake Mr. Caldwell, whose first name was not revealed in the Facebook post, pulled the driver from the one car as it became engulfed in flames, and also ran to help the driver of the other vehicle who was pinned inside, deputies said. First responders arrived shortly after and helped free the second driver. Deputies said had the Caldwells not stopped to help, that driver might have died in the fire. "May this be a reminder to all of us, to remember how precious life is. To slow down. Don't take it for granted. It can end in an instant," the Walton County Sheriff's Office said. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, known for her ardent support for Ukraine and hawkish anti-Russia views, will retire in the coming weeks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the news on Tuesday and lauded Nuland for putting diplomacy back at the center of our foreign policy and revitalize Americas global leadership at a crucial time for our nation and the world. What makes Toria truly exceptional is the fierce passion she brings to fighting for what she believes in most: freedom, democracy, human rights, and Americas enduring capacity to inspire and promote those values around the world, Blinken said in a statement. Nuland served in the State Department for more than 30 years, serving under six presidents and 10 secretaries of state in various posts. In her early career, Nuland worked with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and helped open the first American embassy in Mongolia. She also worked in the State Departments Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and was a diplomat in Guangzhou, China; served as a national security advisor to the vice president from 2003 to 2005 and later as a NATO ambassador; and was assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs before she became under secretary for political affairs in 2021 under President Biden. Nuland is perhaps most well known for a 2014 incident, when she attracted global media attention after a leaked transcript caught her saying F the EU during a call with the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. Nulands strong views on Russia and backing for Ukraine defined her later career, during which she played a central role in the conflict when Moscow illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula following the ouster of a pro-Russian president in Kyiv. Nuland was a target by some on the right in the U.S. for her hawkish Russia views. Her comments also attracted harsh rebukes in Russia, including last year when the Kremlin denounced her comments for a demilitarized Crimea. Still, Blinken said he and Biden were grateful for Nuland. He said she always stands up for and invests in Americas diplomats mentoring them, lifting them up, and ensuring they and their families have what they deserve, and what our mission demands. She finds light in the darkest moments, makes you laugh when you need it most, and always has your back, Blinken said Tuesday. Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting [Russian President Vladimir] Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure, and helping Ukraine work toward the day when it will be able to stand strongly on its own feet. Updated at 12:04 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Villa Rica High School employee is being investigated after accusations of sexual relationships with multiple students. On Feb. 16, the Carroll County School District notified the Villa Rica Police Department of an allegation that had been made to them about a Villa Rica High School employee being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The VRPD identified the suspect as 30-year-old Alonzo Wyatt, a full-time counselor at Villa Rica High School. The investigation initially revealed that Wyatt had a sexual relationship with a student at the high school on multiple occasions. During the investigation, two other victims were identified. The investigation into the additional victims found that they were being counseled by Wyatt. Police said during the counseling, Wyatt made inappropriate comments, solicited them for sex, and groped them. This investigation revealed a pattern of predatory behavior by Mr. Wyatt, police said. He was in a position of trust at the school and students depended on him for assistance, advice, and safety. Mr. Wyatt clearly and continuously broke that trust and preyed on the students that he was in charge of supervising and assisting. TRENDING STORIES: According to VRPD, Wyatt has been charged with six counts of improper sexual contact by a school employee and one count of criminal attempt to commit. Channel 2s Tom Regan spoke to Villa Ricca Police Captian Blake Terry, who revealed where the incidents happened. All of them took place on campus, except one, where it took place off campus during the school day. They actually left campus, Terry said. The evidence has shown they actually occurred in the counselors office. Regan learned that the improper relationships were reported as an anonymous tip. Police said Wyatts illicit relationship with one student went on for a year. Regan spoke to student Bryce Johnson, who was shocked to learn of Wyatts arrest. When I heard about it, I was confused about it because he was a great coach, a great counselor really, Johnson said. He got me into a couple of colleges. He helped me get a job. Terry said students, staff and parents may feel a sense of betrayal after Wyatts arrest. Its a position of trust. You know the school system, the police we all trust counselors, Terry said. Students came to him for counseling services, and he was acting inappropriately. Carroll County Schools issued a statement early Tuesday morning, writing: The district was informed of allegations made against a Villa Rica High School employee. The matter was turned over to the Villa Rica Police Department, and they have notified us of the completion of their investigation. We are thankful for the strong relationship we have with our local law enforcement to ensure that the safety of our students remains our top priority. The school system would not ay if he had been fired. Channel 2 Action News also reached out to the Carroll County jail for his booking photo. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: A Kennewick High School student was arrested and jailed Monday after bringing a gun to school. School staff members learned about the gun in the students backpack and contacted the schools resource officer, who is a Kennewick police officer, according to a post on the Kennewick police Facebook page. Its unclear how staff members knew about the firearm. Kennewick school officials said that the gun was unloaded and no one made any threats. We want to let you know that one of our students arrived at school and after a search of their backpack a firearm was discovered, school district officials said. Bringing any kind of weapon onto school grounds is against the law, so the student was arrested and booked into the Benton-Franklin Juvenile Detention Center, Kennewick police said. A sign on the main entrance of a Tri-Cities High School references the Revised Code of Washington that makes all school in the state of Washington off-limits to weapons. Washington state law and school district policy requires a mandatory one-year expulsion for students who bring guns on to school premises. Please discuss this incident with your children to emphasize that it is against the law to bring weapons of any type to school, Kennewick police said. WARSAW, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A tracked military vehicle ran over two soldiers Tuesday morning during exercises in northwest Poland's Drawsko Pomorskie, with one killed and the other seriously injured, local prosecutor's office said. "I confirm that one of the soldiers in the accident has died, and the other one is in serious condition," Lukasz Wawrzyniak, a spokesman for the District Prosecutor's Office in Poznan, told the Polish Press Agency. The military police and prosecutors are on site in Drawsko Pomorskie in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship for procedural activities to determine the cause of the tragedy, he added. The injured soldier was taken by air ambulance to the University Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Szczecin, the capital of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. "The patient is in a state of immediate threat to life," said hospital spokeswoman Joanna Woznicka. According to Jacek Piotrowski, a spokesman for the first Warsaw Armored Brigade, the accident occurred at the training ground in Drawsko Pomorskie, where the exercises were going on. However, he noted that the drill was not part of the Dragon-24 maneuvers conducted currently under the large North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) war game Steadfast Defender 2024. Ukraine claimed Tuesday 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. 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. 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. 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 U.S. 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 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line, but are also taking aim at targets far beyond the battlefield. 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 defense ministry posted on X, formerly Twitter, a video of what it said was the nighttime attack on the Sergey Kotov using Magura V5 uncrewed vessels that are designed and built in Ukraine and laden with explosives. 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 neighbor in February 2022. The 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 Feb. 1, it claimed to have sunk the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets, and on Feb. 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. Almost a year ago, the flagship of Russias Black Sea fleet, the Moskva guided-missile cruiser, sank after it was heavily damaged in a missile attack. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. Angela Martins slide into homelessness started when she was 9. Thats when she was first admitted to a mental health facility. Suffering from a plethora of mental and physical ailments including schizophrenia, she became a daily user of intravenous methamphetamines and ended up homeless, living in a tent, she said. But as she emerged from that tent one morning last week, she received a helping hand from Joe Pondolfino, the program director for Pinellas Hope in Clearwater. Martin, 47, is one of hundreds of homeless people living in the facilitys tents, part of a complex of apartments, showers and a kitchen run by the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg. Pinellas Hope has given me a second chance at life, Martin said. State lawmakers are preparing to pass sweeping legislation that would require counties to remove homeless people from public spaces, such as parks and sidewalks. Where counties would place them is up to county officials. But under House Bill 1365, counties could designate public land, away from neighborhoods and businesses, for public camping or sleeping. Security, sanitation and behavioral health services would have to be available. The idea has been condemned by advocates as an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach that will lead to further criminalization of homeless people. But places such as Pinellas Hope offer an example of how such a system could function from the type of security to the services offered. Based on what weve done for the last 17 years, this model works, said Maggie Rogers, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Gainesville, on the other hand, offers a cautionary tale of a tent camp that had to be shut down over violence and drug use. We have seen the vision that you are trying to portray here today, Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, told Republicans on the House floor on Friday. That didnt work. Gainesvilles experience The idea for the legislation came from Rep. Sam Garrison, R-Jacksonville, who said communities have to take back their public spaces. Florida cities cant become like San Francisco and Los Angeles, he said. At the same time, he said his heart breaks for homeless people, and keeping them on the streets to fend for themselves is unacceptable. I have no illusions whatsoever that when my Lord returns, hes not hanging out with me, Garrison said. Hes going to be with those folks, serving their needs. Democratic lawmakers and advocates have raised practical and philosophical concerns. Communities might not have land available or be able to afford the cost of maintaining such a camp. Moving people off the streets could lead counties to choose between forcing people into camps or arresting them, neither of which is considered best practice. In 2014, Gainesville tried an approach to a tent camp. The city had an unsanctioned 200-person homeless camp near downtown. When it forced residents out of it, the city said they could set up their tents near a new emergency homeless shelter offering meals and showers. At first, the new camp worked, according to a paper about Gainesvilles experience published in The Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law & Policy last year. The city offered clean water, bathrooms and trash pickup, and residents showed pride in their surroundings. But the city had no strategy to move people into permanent housing, according to the paper, and the camp swelled to several hundred people. Drug use and violence increased, despite police assigned to the camp, and there were rumors of human trafficking. Permanent housing is considered the best long-term strategy, and its how cities such as Miami have been successful in reducing homeless populations. Garrison said he doesnt disagree but said communities cant wait years for housing to be built. How much communities spend on homeless services adapting to the legislation will make or break how successful they are, said Jon DeCarmine, co-author of the Georgetown paper and executive director of the nearby homeless shelter, Grace Marketplace. The shelter worked with the city to end the encampment. Lawmakers so far are budgeting an extra $10 million across the state to help counties adapt to the changes. Under the legislation, the states 29 fiscally constrained rural counties dont have to provide the sanitation, security and services required under the bill. What problem are we trying to solve? If its visible homelessness, this might make some impact, DeCarmine said of the legislation. If its ending homelessness, I dont think this gets us there. What sites could look like Rogers, the Catholic Charities director, said the legislation would have to be implemented properly. I think it has to be well-thought-out, well-planned, and they have to look at models across the nation that have worked, she said. About 230 people sleep at Pinellas Hopes 10-acre campus each night, in either its apartments, tents or cottages converted from shipping containers, Rogers said. It has an annual budget of $2.1 million, from donations and funding from cities. The money pays for full-time staff, case management services, showers, a laundry room and a library. Daily meals are donated. The shelter screens out sexual offenders but otherwise admits anyone. Drugs and alcohol arent allowed on site. It does not have security, just staff with deescalation skills, Rogers said. They want it to be their safe place, Rogers said. Joe Cornell, 61, could be one of the people forced to relocate under the legislation. His gold-colored tent is tethered to vines and a pair of stackable storage drawers on an undeveloped plot of upland scrub on Rowan Road in New Port Richey. He was forced into homelessness more than a year ago, he said. Hed had a series of run-ins with the law, he said, including a 1991 conviction for drug trafficking. Whenever he leaves his tent, his few belongings are vulnerable to being stolen. He said he would consider moving to an organized camp for better security. I have lost everything, Cornell said. And now I am starting all over again. One of the last photographs taken of the three siblings, Abby, Dan and Natalie Every parent would say the death of one child is unthinkable, but Mu Goode from Gateshead has lost two of her three adult children. Her daughter died of a pulmonary embolism, then her son was lost to cancer twenty years later. Mrs Goode, 75, turned to a charity called Compassionate Friends - which provides support and friendship to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings - to help her cope with the deaths of her children. Now she says she "honours their memory by trying to live life to the full". Mrs Goode's daughter Natalie was just 24 when she returned to the UK from a trip to Australia. Six weeks later she became ill and died on New Years Eve 2000 from a clot which blocked a blood vessel in the lungs. "It was just horrific," Mrs Goode said "I was a very fit person, but I couldn't walk. I walked into walls; people thought I was drunk but I wasn't. "I couldn't eat, my son had to make me smoothies because I couldn't chew. We were all just in so much shock." After Natalie died, Mrs Goode was helped by Compassionate Friends. "While it is a group nobody wants to join," she said, "it was still a huge comfort to meet people who understand and know you're not going mad." But 20 years later, after Mrs Goode returned from her first holiday since her daughter died, she had a call from her son He told her he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and given just three months to live. He died on 30 March 2020 during the first national Covid-19 lockdown. "I always said I could never go through that again," Mrs Goode said. "And what was worse was when he went into a hospice, they said I couldn't go in and he died without me there. "He had planned a big funeral but we could only have ten people, but he left letters for us all, and for all the milestones in his daughter's life. "Having lost his sister he wanted to make it as easy as possible for us all." Her surviving daughter Abby lives in Australia and Mrs Goode has recently returned from a visit. "I'm very sociable, I have lots of friends and I honour my children's memory by living life to the full," she explained "I'm not prepared to sit at home and be miserable because that's the last thing they'd want me to do." Compassionate Friends holds its annual service for bereaved families at St Johns Church on Grainger Street in Newcastle at 2pm on Saturday 16 March. Jenny Ford, from the charity, said: The service is a simple candle-lighting service and is for anyone whose child has died. "Its open to parents of all faiths and none, and other family members are welcome too. "Its an opportunity to remember that loved one amongst people who understand." Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. More stories on bereavement Related internet links Small toiletries will be a casualty of regulations on single-use plastics - Alexander Shapovalov/Alamy Sachets of sauce and small bottles of shampoo will be banned from European restaurants and hotels after a deal was struck to ban single-use plastics in the EU. Belgium, negotiating on behalf of EU member states, reached provisional agreement with the European Parliament on the law to cut packaging waste late on Monday. Negotiators agreed on packaging waste reduction targets of 5 per cent by 2030, and 15 per cent by 2040, with a commitment that all packaging should be recyclable by 2030. They also agreed that empty space should make up no more than half of packaged goods, a move intended to stop the use of oversized boxes for online deliveries. From Jan 1 2030, mini shampoo bottles will not be allowed in hotels and neither will plastic shrink wrap around suitcases in airports. Restaurants will be banned from offering sauces such as ketchup and mayonnaise in plastic sachets, unless they are takeaways. Forever chemicals to be prohibited The ban will also apply to single-use plastic items such as disposable plates, cups and boxes used by fast food restaurants, and lightweight bags, such as those offered in markets for groceries. There will also be a ban on forever chemicals (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances or PFASs) in food contact packaging. The deal comes after the European Commission called for a revamp of packaging rules in 2022. Packaging waste has grown by more than 20 per cent in the EU over the last decade and each European generates almost 419lb of packaging waste per year. The targets will not apply to very small businesses. But the agreement still needs approval from the European Parliament and EU governments, and that is not guaranteed as EU green rules come under increasing pressure from Right-wing parties. Conservative forces have argued they are too burdensome during the cost of living crisis. A UK ban on some single-use plastics came into force in October last year. It banned, among other items, single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups and food containers in England. As things stand, the EU ban goes further and covers more items. European legislation will apply in Northern Ireland The European legislation will apply in Northern Ireland, which continues to follow more than 300 EU rules as part of post-Brexit trading arrangements, unless a majority in Stormont attempts to block it. The UK does have some single-use plastic bans in place but overall progress is slower than the EU, said Paula Chin, senior policy adviser at WWF UK. We want to see more ambitious legislation to drive greater waste prevention through eco-design and enabling reuse and refill systems for many packaged products. A Defra spokesman said the UK had introduced one of the worlds toughest bans on microbeads and a plastic packaging tax, as well as far reaching bans and restrictions on polluting single-use plastics, including cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups and food containers. We continue to work with industry and international partners to tackle plastic pollution and meet our environmental targets, he said. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The House committee investigating the coronavirus pandemic response issued a subpoena Tuesday for former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) over his alleged failure to cooperate with a probe into the states COVID-19 nursing home policies. The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is demanding Cuomo appear for a closed-door deposition on May 24. Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), the subcommittees chairman, has previously requested interviews with former Cuomo administration officials, including former top aide Melissa DeRosa. Cuomo became a nationally known figure early in the pandemic by conducting daily briefings from Albany, contrasting himself with then-President Trump. Wenstrup in a statement accused the former governor of stonewalling the investigation and said the panel had been met with months and months of repeated and unjustified delays. The panel has been investigating COVID-19 nursing home policy decisions made by Cuomo and the Democratic leaders of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Specifically, the panel is looking into Cuomos must admit order, which said nursing homes could not turn away patients who tested positive for COVID-19, as long as they were medically stable. The facilities were also prohibited from requiring hospitalized residents to be tested for the virus before their admission or readmission in nursing homes. The move was made early in the pandemic and was meant to help relieve overburdened hospitals, which were sending patients elsewhere to help free up capacity. The virus decimated New Yorks nursing homes, killing more than 15,000 people. But multiple investigations into the Cuomo administrations nursing home policies by the Department of Justice as well as state and local investigators did not lead to any conclusions of wrongdoing. In early 2021, a report from New York State Attorney General Letitia James found that COVID deaths in New York state had been undercounted by as much as 50 percent. Cuomo resigned in August 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, and as criticism of his COVID response mounted. 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 said in a statement. It appears that politics, not medicine, was responsible for these decisions. And that while Mr. Cuomo is adept at seeking legal advice, he is not necessarily adept at seeking medical advice. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said the subpoena is a political attack, and slammed House Republicans for failing to pass a budget or Ukraine aid. Instead, they continue to play politics with Covid and weaponize peoples pain and loss of loved ones, Azzopardi said. Congress is officially a circus and they are nothing but clowns. Wenstrups letter describes months of back-and-forth between the committee and Cuomos representatives over the past three months, which the Ohio Republican described as stalling attempts. It is now clear that your strategy from the beginning has been to delay and undermine our investigation. You have repeatedly and consistently dismissed, deflected, or ignored all questions and requests from the Select Subcommittee related to your handling of nursing homes, Wenstrup wrote. Cuomos attorney Rita Galvin said the former governor has been and remains cooperative. In an attempt to stave off a subpoena, she sent a letter to the panel on Monday proposing four potential dates in August for a voluntary interview. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FIRST ON FOX: House Rep. Andy Biggs is eyeing artificial intelligence (AI) technology as a way to cut unnecessary government red tape. The Arizona Republican is introducing a bill on Tuesday that would mandate federal agencies use AI to review regulations under their purview with the aim of cutting rules that fail to meet certain standards. "American businesses must be given the opportunity to thrive without overbearing, costly, contradictory, and duplicative regulations mandated by the DC Swamp," Biggs told Fox News Digital. "Federal overregulation takes a colossal toll on the U.S. economy. Thousands of new regulations go into effect every year, and there simply isnt enough manpower or existing technology to sift through previously issued regulations. AI technology is an effective tool that can save taxpayer dollars, benefit American business owners, and promote economic growth." GOOGLE GEMINI MAY BE LAUGHABLE NOW, BUT THE THREAT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS IS REAL, MARC THIESSEN WARNS READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP If passed, the bill would have federal agencies and offices use "algorithmic tools and artificial intelligence" to "more efficiently, cost-effectively, and accurately" review regulatory policies, according to bill text obtained by Fox News Digital. The review would flag regulations that are "outmoded," "contain typographic errors," "contain inaccurate cost references," or "are redundant or overlap with any regulations or standards of the Federal Government." Heads of those agencies would then need to provide Congress with a detailed strategy on how to reform or strip those regulations. TAYLOR SWIFT AI-GENERATED EXPLICIT PHOTOS OUTRAGE FANS: PROTECT TAYLOR SWIFT A bill is being introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs to use AI to streamline government regulations. (Getty Images) The 118th Congress has seen a record number of AI-focused bills introduced in both the House and Senate as lawmakers race to get ahead of the rapidly emerging technology. Many of those bills are focused on mitigating potential threats posed by AI, but Biggs bill is an example of how lawmakers are also working toward harnessing it to streamline aspects of day-to-day life and government operations. WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? The Committee on House Administration, led by Rep. Bryan Steil, RWis., has outlined ways in which Congress is already using AI. The House of Representatives already uses AI to make certain processes more efficient, according to a report used last year by the Committee on House Administration. The December document listed current cases in which House staff use AI, which includes "AI-assisted chatbots and other AI automations or support for Helpdesk," as well as using AI to help draft constituent correspondence, emails, memos and briefing notes. Original article source: House GOP lawmaker proposes using AI to cut federal red tape, streamline services A 19-year-old died after he was hit with a flying object from a fiery explosion at a vape distributor about a quarter-mile away in a Detroit suburb. Fire officials raced to put out a massive fire as hundreds of explosions boomed in Clinton Township, around 25 miles north of downtown Detroit, at around 9 p.m. Monday. The explosions and fire happened at a business building that housed Select Distributors, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. Fire Chief Tim Duncan said the 19-year-old may have been observing the fire from a nearby carwash when he was struck, but officials were still investigating the death. "Our thoughts and prayers and sadness to the family, friends and loved ones in the community of the loss of a life of a 19-year-old out in the street that got hit by one of those pieces of shrapnel," Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said at a news conference Tuesday morning. "I couldn't think of anything sadder as an outcome for this particular situation," he said. Clinton Township police said area residents and businesses were evacuated. Duncan said he could hear the explosions from his house 7 or 8 miles away as he rushed to the scene. "You could see the amount of fire just coursing in the sky," he said at a news conference Tuesday. "The explosions were actually shaking the car." Duncan said the explosions were so intense firefighters couldn't initially approach the building. "We had to back out," he said. "There was no way we could put people in harm's way like that." "This by far was the biggest one that I've ever seen," said Duncan, who has fought fires for 25 years. The fire was reportedly under control by 11 p.m. Monday, but the cleanup for the explosions and fire continued through Tuesday morning. Here's what to know about the fire. Nashville plane crash: 5 people dead after single-engine plane crashes along interstate Where were the Clinton Township explosions? A plume of fire is captured in a screenshot from the area of 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck in Clinton Township. The fire and explosions began in a building that housed Select Distributors, police said. Duncan said Select Distributors provides gases for vape pens. The building also houses Gu, a vaping distributor that had over 100,000 vape pens in storage at the time of the fire. "They had literally received a truckload of butane within the past week, and they still had over half of that left," Duncan said. "So this is what you're seeing strewn throughout the area." Duncan said two business owners were interviewed by officials from the local fire department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday. The investigation is ongoing, under the jurisdiction of both agencies, Duncan added. Clinton Township police are also assisting. "Our last inspection did not show this amount of material in that building. So we're going to look into that," Duncan said. Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon said the city would have "issued violations immediately," had officials known containers of butane and nitrous oxide were being kept in the back rooms of the building. "There are going to be repercussions," he said. Residents up to 10 miles away in Macomb Township, Michigan, reported hearing loud bangs that persisted for more than an hour. Smoke and flames could be seen for miles. Were there any injuries? A fiery explosion was reported at the Select Distributors plant at 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck in Clinton Township. Duncan said a firefighter was briefly hospitalized after he was hit with broken glass and shrapnel from the explosion. Cannon said the firefighter was injured when an object went through the windshield of the fire truck. Both a police and a fire vehicle were damaged by exploding projectile canisters. Duncan said county officials had to "scrape the road" to clear debris from the explosions. He said officials were trying to recover blades and knives thrown by the explosion. The Detroit Free Press reported at least one person discovered an open knife in the debris. Social media captures fire, expulsions Massive fire at 15 Mile Road and Groesbeck tonight in Macomb County. Thought it was a fireworks show from the distance. pic.twitter.com/JmF5fsiSxV Kurt Nagl (@kurt_nagl) March 5, 2024 NEW: Bob Cannon, Clinton twp supervisor tells me this: We have our public safety as well as other public safety departments helping us with the issue. Encouraging people to stay far away and in their homes as ashes blowing. pic.twitter.com/6WwsRG7sp9 Roop Raj (@rooprajfox2) March 5, 2024 Most visual explosions of the night behind Groesbeck. Been going on for 45 minutes now, power flickered on and off during this video. @macombdaily #Macomb #ClintonTownship #groesbeck pic.twitter.com/GEPDuCqpUt Jarrett Maki (@JRNMaki) March 5, 2024 Did the fire affect the air quality in Clinton Township? Duncan said a hazmat team that arrived to test the air quality Monday evening concluded the area was safe. "They monitored the situation, they had all their equipment set up," Duncan said. "Everything came back fine. They weren't concerned." Hackel said Monday preliminary findings from air quality tests determined there was smoke, but nothing hazardous. Testing was mostly west of Groesbeck, as the wind was pushing smoke westerly and semi-northerly, he said. Hackel said people with smoke allergies or issues breathing may want to find shelter or a different location to stay if they are bothered by smoke while inside their homes in the immediate area. He said the county's emergency management assisted with air quality testing and remained on the scene. He said dust or particles on the ground will be tested if need be. The disaster knocked out power throughout the area, Duncan said. Technicians for DTE Energy were working to restore power as of Tuesday, he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Explosion in Detroit suburb to blame for 19-year-old's death Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. Photo: Getty Images Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has explained why Budapest currently considers a meeting between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy impossible. Source: Szijjarto at a press conference, reported by MTI Details: Szijjarto claimed that the Ukrainian government had not provided any proposals that would contain progress on the full restoration of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia Oblast that were in effect before 2015. "Unfortunately, we have to state that the response document that our Ukrainian counterparts sent us does not contain any progress in this area," he said. Szijjarto added that an official response would be sent to Kyiv on Wednesday. "Until Ukraine adopts the necessary legislation to restore the rights of the Hungarian national community, the conditions for a meeting at the highest level simply cannot be created," Szijjarto added. Background: The day before, Szijjarto told Russian propagandists that a meeting between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would not take place in the near future, as the preconditions for it were not ready. At the end of January, Szijjarto said that there was a "long way to go" before Zelenskyy and Orban met and that it would take place after Kyiv fulfilled Budapest's conditions. Szijjarto noted that if Ukraine fulfilled Hungary's conditions, it would create a "clean slate" in bilateral relations and allow for a meeting at the highest level. Support UP or become our patron! Newly elected Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok speaks after being sworn in after representatives of the Hungarian parliament confirmed his appointment as the new president, at the parliament building in Budapest. Marton Monus/dpa Hungary's new president, Tamas Sulyok, signed a law ratifying Swedish membership of NATO on Tuesday. The signing of the bill passed by the Hungarian parliament on February 26 concludes the ratification process for Sweden, as Hungary was the last country to ratify. NATO rules require all NATO members to formally notify the United States government that they've ratified Sweden's accession protocols. The secretary general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, will then formally invite Sweden to join the alliance. Sweden will officially become a member of NATO after it has handed its accession papers to the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. Stockholm applied to become a member of NATO in May 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hungary was the final NATO country to ratify Swedish membership, even though Budapest had promised allies that it would not be the last. Tuesday was Hungarian President Sulyok's first day in office. Signing the bill was his first decision as president, government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said on X, formerly known as Twitter. The Hungarian parliament elected Sulyok on February 26, the same day it passed the bill ratifying Sweden's accession to NATO. The previous president, Katalin Novak, was forced to resign after pardoning a man convicted of helping to cover up sexual abuse in an orphanage. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte inspects buildings destroyed by Russian strikes during a tour with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kharkiv. -/Ukrainian Presidency/dpa Hungary "certainly cannot support" Dutch premier Mark Rutte's bid to become secretary general of NATO, the country's foreign minister said on Tuesday. "We certainly cannot support the election of a person as NATO secretary general who previously wanted to bring Hungary to its knees," Peter Szijjarto said at a press conference in Budapest. "It would be very strange if the candidacy of such a person was supported by the Hungarian government." Rutte, the prime minister of the Netherlands, was a strong advocate for rules making access to the European Union's budget conditional on meeting the bloc's rule of law standards, which led to billions of euros being withheld from Hungary. Rutte is now seeking to replace Jens Stoltenberg as secretary general of the 31-nation Western military alliance. But he needs the support of every NATO member state to get the job, meaning Hungary has the power to veto. There are currently no other publicly declared candidates. Rutte has strong backing from Britain, Germany and the United States. Szijjarto was speaking at press conference with the secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mathias Corman. The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) China has a pioneering experience in reducing and eliminating poverty and is "a model for developing countries to improve their people's living standards and expand welfare," said the Egyptian expert. CAIRO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China's "Two Sessions," the annual meetings of the top legislature and top political advisory body, draw close attention worldwide for its growing global influence, said an Egyptian expert. They are "remarkable events for China and the rest of the world," Amer Tamam, vice editor-in-chief of Egypt's state-run Akhbar newspaper, told Xinhua in a recent interview. The Chinese economy is "dynamic and flexible," he said, adding that China attracted large amounts of foreign investment in 2023, thanks to the incentives offered by the Chinese government to foreign companies. Meanwhile, China's non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) in U.S. dollar terms totaled 130.13 billion dollars in 2023, up 11.4 percent from a year earlier, according to official data released by the Ministry of Commerce in early February. "Promoting technological industries remains an economic priority for China, so developing plans for productive forces and shaping policies for the industrial sector will feature the 'two sessions,'" Tamam said. "Besides, China has a steady policy seeking stability for fostering economic order and achieving win-win results in cooperations with other nations," he said, citing the historic role of China in 2023 in succeeding in brokering an agreement to restore diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran after years of open hostility. He believed that China has good intentions and is qualified to mediate other major conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Regarding climate change, the expert said, "China is sincere in delivering its pledges and willing to cooperate with countries to reduce carbon emissions and tends more to depend on anti-pollution industries and pumps investments in green hydrogen, clean energies domestically and in African countries, including Egypt." China has a pioneering experience in reducing and eliminating poverty and is "a model for developing countries to improve their people's living standards and expand welfare," he added. BUDAPEST/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok has signed the bill that approved Sweden's accession to the NATO military alliance, the president's office said on Tuesday, clearing the way for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the alliance in the coming days. Stockholm abandoned its non-alignment policy for greater safety within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The remaining formalities, such as depositing accession documentation in Washington, are likely to be concluded swiftly. "It is tremendously important and hopefully we will now become members and it will not be a matter of weeks but a matter of days," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a news conference in Stockholm. "It will be good for Sweden and it will be good for NATO. It will be good for stability in the entire Euro-Atlantic area that Sweden can become a full-fledged member of NATO." Most NATO countries approved Sweden's bid quickly after its application in May 2022 but Turkey and Hungary delayed the process, unhappy with Sweden's perceived support for Kurdish separatists and criticism of the Hungarian government. The accession of Finland last year and soon Sweden, which has not been at war since 1814, is the most significant expansion of NATO since it took in members from eastern Europe after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The accession is a blow to President Vladimir Putin and Russia now faces an almost unbroken chain of NATO members to its west stretching from the Black Sea to the Arctic. Hungarian lawmakers approved Sweden's NATO bid on Feb. 26 after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government had faced pressure from NATO allies to fall in line and seal Sweden's accession to the alliance. (Reporting by Anita Komuves, Johan Ahlander and Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Sharon Singleton) Martin Matisoff spent decades as the supportive husband to his wifes art. When they were a young couple in Los Angeles, he would drive her to classes, built studios for her in each of their homes, gave her thoughtful feedback on her work, and provided emotional support when she was ready to quit. Marty has always supported me in my art all the way back from when we first met, painter Sharon Matisoff says. He has always gone to all my shows ... Even when I gave my demonstrations, he was always there supporting me. But Sharon always thought it would be wonderful if Martins involvement went to a different level: As an artist in his own right who could share the experience. It was not a far-fetched desire. Martin was an avid art enthusiast and had his own interests, drawn to fabric art created by a Chinese technique he once saw called the blind stitch or forbidden stitch, so called because it was so small and intricate that, according to legend, embroiderers who made that stitch would go blind. Sharon Matisoff and Martin Matisoff, shown with their dogs Weebles and Abby, are visual artists based in Frankfort, Kentucky. They will both be featured in the Kentucky Crafted Market March 9 and 10, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Parks Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. In retirement, Martin became an embroiderer who has not gone blind and will be joining Sharon this weekend as an exhibitor at the Kentucky Crafted Market in the Kentucky Horse Parks Alltech Arena. The annual market, presented by the Kentucky Arts Council, boasts hundreds of arts and crafts exhibitors as well as music, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and other attractions. Sharon has been a demonstrating artist at Kentucky Crafted several times before, but this will be both of their first times as exhibiting artists. If you go check them out, it will be easy to tell their work apart. Martin Matisoff works on a piece of embroidery in the studio of his Frankfort home. He wears two pairs of glasses to better see the intricate stitching. Sharon Matisoff and Martin Matisoff are visual artists based in Frankfort, Kentucky. They will both be featured in the Kentucky Crafted Market March 9 and 10, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Parks Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. While they share a last name and modest home in Frankfort, Sharon and Martins art works are quite different from each other. Sharons paintings are drawn from reality with a growing focus on equine art since the couple moved to Kentucky, seeking a quieter life than L.A., around 20 years ago. Sharon spent decades as an enthusiastic amateur artist, focusing on portraiture and animal art and growing her skillset both through classes and self learning. Her spacious studio in the couples modest Frankfort home boasts finished works and works in progress, including a portrait of her late mother-in-law taken from a photograph. Sharon Matisoff in her home studio which, like all of her other studios, was built by her husband Martin. Sharon Matisoff and Martin Matisoff are visual artists based in Frankfort, Kentucky. They will both be featured in the Kentucky Crafted Market March 9 and 10, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Parks Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The focus of Sharons recent endeavors has been equine art, a particular challenge for the painter who prizes precise dimensions in her work. She notes that many equine artists also own and work with horses. While she does not have that kind of proximity to the animals, she has found Central Kentucky provides a variety of opportunities to be around and study horses, including the Kentucky Horse Park and Keeneland. Her attention to craft has earned Sharon numerous accolades and associations, including artist membership in the American Academy of Equine Art. Sharon often looks to Martin to help evaluate whether images are looking right and proportional as they evolve from sketch to completed painting. For her part, she marvels that, he has an idea. He thinks about it. He sketches it, he embellishes it, he changes it, and then hes got something magnificent, and hes got this darkness captured perfectly. Martins embroidery results in fantastical images drawn from literature, religious works, and historical sources. Though he only put needle to fabric two years ago, he has developed a painstaking process that starts with planning out pieces in a sketchbook before bringing them to fruition with threads and other materials. Along the way there have been many challenges such as figuring out how to represent barbed wire in embroidery for a piece drawn from the Holocaust and victories such as selling a piece featuring the Biblical creature Behemoth to the Kentucky Artisan Center. Sharon Matisoff and Martin Matisoff are visual artists based in Frankfort, Kentucky. They will both be featured in the Kentucky Crafted Market March 9 and 10, 2024, at the Kentucky Horse Parks Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Now retired, the Matisoffs enjoy days of creativity in their studios across the kitchen of their brick ranch house from each other. They have entertained the idea of a joint show, and Kentucky Crafted brings them closer to that. Their living room reflects their excitement for Kentucky Crafted with a joint display of their work ready to head to the Horse Park. It feels fabulous to be doing this together, Sharon says. We will be supporting each other. And I dont feel alone. I feel like my buddy, my soulmate is right there. Im safe, so it gives me this feeling of complete freedom to just relax and enjoy the day. Martin Matisoff works on a piece of embroidery in the studio of his Frankfort home. He wears two pairs of glasses to better see the intricate stitching. Sharon Matisoff and Martin Matisoff are visual artists based in Frankfort, Kentucky. They will both be featured in the Kentucky Crafted Market March 9 and 10, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Parks Alltech Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The Kentucky Crafted Market When: March 9 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and March 10 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Alltech Arena in the Kentucky Horse Park, 4089 Iron Works Pike. Tickets: Admission is free and the Horse Park charges $10 for parking. Online: Artscouncil.ky.gov The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against two high-ranking Russian military figures, accusing them of war crimes against Ukrainian civilians. Sergei Kobylash, a lieutenant-general in the Russian Armed Forces, and Viktor Sokolov, an admiral in the Russian Navy, were the pair listed in the warrant. The ICC said they are responsible for war crimes of directing attacks at civilians, causing excessive harm to civilians and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. The court, based in The Hague, the Netherlands, pointed to strikes by Moscow against electric power plants and substations, which were carried out by the Russian armed forces in multiple locations during its war in Ukraine. Its Tuesday ruling furthered the international communitys efforts to bring justice against top-ranking Russians for Moscows war in Ukraine, which crossed the two-year mark last month. Last March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin and top official Maria Lvova-Belova, for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. The new warrants mark the first time military commanders have been charged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move. Every perpetrator of such crimes must know that they will be held accountable, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. International justice requires time, but it is unavoidable. But the Kremlin said Russia does not recognize the arrest warrants since it is not a signatory to the ICCs Rome Statute. This is not the first such decision. We are also aware that there are various closed proceedings under way, conducted in secret. So we regard these decisions accordingly, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday. Sokolov has been Russias commander for its Crimea-based Black Sea fleet since August 2022. Last year, Ukraine claimed to have killed him in an attack on the occupied peninsula, only for him to appear in an interview days later. The international community has long accused Russia of committing war crimes in its attacks on Ukraines cities and towns, and on key civilian infrastructure. In December, four Russian soldiers were revealed to have been charged with war crimes against an American who was living in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, according to a historic indictment unsealed in federal court in Virginia. The case against the Russian soldiers marked the first time the US government has used a decades-old law aimed at prosecuting those who commit war crimes against American citizens. Russia like the US, Ukraine and China is not a member of the ICC. As the court does not conduct trials in absentia, any Russian officials charged would either have to be handed over by Moscow or arrested outside of Russia. The Kremlin has always dismissed accusations of war crimes. Located in The Hague, Netherlands, and created by a treaty called the Rome Statute first brought before the United Nations, the ICC operates independently. Most countries on Earth 123 of them are parties to the treaty, but there are notable exceptions, including Russia. The ICC is meant to be a court of last resort and is not meant to replace a countrys justice system. The court, which has 18 judges serving nine-year terms, tries four types of crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and war crimes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Viktor Sokolov is one of the men named by the ICC The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for top Russian commanders over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Sergei Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov, an army lieutenant general and a navy admiral, are the two men named by the ICC. This is the second round of warrants for Russian officials related to the war in Ukraine. The first were for President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights envoy. Russia does not recognise the ICC, making it highly unlikely they will ever be deported to face the charges. The ICC said the latest warrants were due to there being reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects were responsible for "missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure". The alleged crimes took place between October 2022 and March 2023, the ICC said. The court said that the attacks caused civilian harm and damage that would have been clearly excessive. The two men "are each allegedly responsible for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects" and are also accused of the "crime against humanity of inhumane acts", the court said. Mr Kobylash, 58, was the commander of long-range aviation for the Russian air force at the time of the alleged crimes. Mr 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. Moscow has in the past denied targeting civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the new warrants. "Every Russian commander who orders strikes against Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure must know that justice will be served," he posted on social media. "Every perpetrator of such crimes must know that they will be held accountable." Created by a UN treaty in 2002, the ICC investigates and brings to justice those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, intervening when national authorities cannot or will not prosecute. The treaty has been ratified by 123 countries, but Russia - along with China, India and the US - has refused to join. In March last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants for President Putin and Russia's commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. The court focused those claims on the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia. Moscow denied the allegations and labelled the warrants as "outrageous". The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Tuesday for two Russian military generals believed to be involved in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. The court is seeking the arrests of Lt. Gen. Sergei Ivanovich Kobylash who served as Commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force around the time of the allegations and Navy Adm. Viktor Nikolayevich Sokolov, who served as a commander of the Black Sea Fleet, the ICC announced Tuesday. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said Kobylash and Sokolov are allegedly responsible for attacks on critical infrastructure, which includes strikes against power plants and substations between Oct. 10, 2022, until at least March 9, 2023. My Office presented evidence that these 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, Khan said in a statement. The two are accused of war crimes, including directing attacks against civilian objects, causing excessive harm or damage to civilians or civilian objects and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts, per the court. I have repeatedly emphasized 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, Khan wrote. All wars have rules. Those rules bind all without exception. This marks the second time the court has publicly issued statements about arrest warrants related to Russias war with Ukraine, according to the Associated Press. The global court last March issued war crime arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, commissioner for childrens rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. The warrant against Putin marked one of the first war crime charges against the leader for since Russias February, 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russias Foreign Ministry at the time said the country does not cooperate, with the ICC and rejected its authority. The ICC argued last year it is able to bring charges against Russian officials as Ukraine has accepted its jurisdiction to investigate crimes carried out on Ukrainian territory by Russia. The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted for just over two years since Moscow invaded Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month said an estimated 31,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed in the war, far less than the estimates given by Putin, per The AP. Russia has not provided frequent casualty figures, though data from the Defense Ministry from January 2023 claimed more than 6,000 deaths, though U.S. and U.K reports say that number is much higher the news wire added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Venezuela's government has announced plans to 'save' the La Corona glacier which experts say is already gone (Jose Manuel Romero) A small patch of ice among bare rock is all that remains of Venezuelas 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 range -- which stretches all the way to Chile in the south -- to 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. 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. 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. "Its 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. mbj/jt/mlr/sms Over the weekend, Donald Trump received 85% of the votes in the Idaho Republican caucus, meaning that as expected hell receive all of the states 32 Republican delegates to the national convention. That led Idaho GOP Party chairwoman Dorothy Moon to declare Idaho is definitively Trump Country, according to the Idaho Capital Sun. Trump beat former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who received 13.2% of the votes cast on Saturday afternoon in 210 caucus sites around the state. Trump didnt lose a single site. The closest was a 22-13 victory in Bonneville County. (Yes, you read that right: 35 people voted at that site). It was a definitive victory for Trump. But lets take a closer look at the underwhelming numbers. Of the nearly 1 million registered voters in Idaho, 581,198 are registered Republicans. How many people voted in the caucus? 39,584. Of those, 33,603 voted for Trump, or about as many votes as Ed Humphries got in the last Republican gubernatorial primary. So 6.8% of all registered Republicans voted for Trump, representing 3.4% of Idahos registered voters. Well be honest, though, as far as survey results go, that could be a representative sampling. Trump, no doubt, has very high support in Idaho. We knew turnout was going to be low, but not that low. Moon said she was hoping for 100,000 people, and even that would be only 17% of registered Republicans. The last time Idaho saw a contested Republican primary was 2016 when Idaho had 300,000 fewer people than today and 227,000 voters showed up. That was a 30% turnout among all registered voters and a whopping 62% of registered Republicans. (And back then, Idaho was Cruz Country. Ted Cruz received 101,000 votes; Trump got 62,000. My, how times have changed.) Low voter turnout shouldnt come as a surprise in a caucus, which is much more restrictive than a primary. The caucus, which is run by the Republican Party not any government elections office is held at a specific time at fewer locations than a primary. Voters in a primary can show up at their precinct polling place at any time from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, cast a mail-in absentee ballot or vote early in person. A lack of absentee ballots in the caucus disenfranchises, for example, members of the military or those on a mission. While Saturday may be convenient for some, its inconvenient for many others, including people who have to work including Moon, herself, who was working at Idaho GOP headquarters and couldnt vote in her Stanley caucus site, according to the Idaho Capital Sun. So how did we get here? Idaho lawmakers last year passed a bill that moved the presidential primary to May but mistakenly eliminated the presidential primary. (Well point out once again that the bill overwhelmingly passed 61-6-3 in the House and 23-11-1 in the Senate, so there was clear legislative intent for a May primary.) Once legislators discovered the error, they failed to pass a trailer bill that would have reestablished the primary, based on arguments, led by Moon, that Idaho needed a March primary to be relevant in the national debate about the presidential selection. Now that Idahos 33,000 Republicans a number thats smaller than the population of Rexburg and fewer than the number of people who voted to reelect Boise Mayor Lauren McLean have spoken, did Idaho really involve itself in the national dialogue? Did anyone see a candidate ad in Idaho? Did any candidate visit or mention Idaho? Did anyone outside of Idaho care what Idahos voters decided? Moon might be very happy that a tiny sampling of Republicans were able to cast their votes on Saturday. After all, under her leadership, the Idaho Republican Party is disenfranchising its ranks, eliminating women and young Republicans from the executive committee, establishing witch-hunt tribunals for legislators who dont toe the extremist party line, and releasing a party purity litmus test rating based on the far-right platform. The caucus, as expected, is a terribly unrepresentative way of determining support for a candidate among voters. With turnout numbers like Saturdays Idaho Republican caucus, you might as well skip it altogether and simply have Moon issue a decree. Were sure shed like that. Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Mary Rohlfing and Patricia Nilsson. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) The person who died in a single-vehicle crash near Kingsburg last week has been identified by officials. California Highway Patrol says on Feb. 27 a crash happened around 5:30 a.m. at Clarkson Avenue near Del Rey Avenue. According to CHP, two people were in a vehicle going westbound on Clarkson Avenue when the driver veered to the right side of the road into a vineyard and crashed into an electrical pole. 1 dead in Fresno County crash, CHP says The person who died has been identified as 24-year-old Aaron Herrera of Cutler. The cause of the crash is under investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Palestinians inspect the destruction following an Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Al-Faqawi family. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Israeli sniper, tank and drone fire killed "around 20 terrorists" in the past 24 hours in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday. More than 50 targets of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement were also hit, including launching pads, weapons depots, tunnels and other military infrastructure, the IDF said. During the operations in the western part of Khan Younis, which have been ongoing for weeks, "the troops apprehended dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists who hid among the civilian population and attempted to flee the area," the IDF wrote on its Telegram channel. The claims could not be independently verified. The Gaza war was triggered by the terrorist attack by Hamas and other groups in southern Israel on October 7. Terrorists killed 1,200 people in the unprecedented massacre and abducted 250 others as hostages and took them to Gaza. Israel then attacked the coastal strip with the goals of crushing Hamas and getting the hostages back. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, 30,534 Palestinians have been killed so far, although this figure includes both civilians and fighters. A Palestinian woman reacts following an Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Al-Faqawi family. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa A Palestinian boy carries a stuffed toy while walking on the rubble of a house belonging to the Al-Faqawi family following an Israeli airstrike. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian children inspect the destruction following an Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Al-Faqawi family. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian children inspect the destruction following an Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Al-Faqawi family. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Israeli sniper, tank and drone fire killed "around 20 terrorists" in the past 24 hours in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday, as they also announced the destruction of the largest Hamas tunnel ever discovered there. More than 50 targets of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement were also hit, including launching pads, weapons depots, tunnels and other military infrastructure, the IDF said. The tunnel with several branches, which was found in the north of the coastal area in mid-December, had been examined and dismantled in recent weeks, the IDF said. The IDF said vehicles were able to pass through the tunnel, which extended for more than 4 kilometres and had a depth of 50 metres. The tunnel system is located 400 metres from the Erez border crossing between Israel and Gaza but did not extend into Israeli territory, the IDF said. It was reportedly built by Mohammed al-Sinwar, the brother of Yehya al-Sinwar, who leads Hamas in Gaza. According to Israeli media reports, it led to Jabalia, the refugee neighbourhood in northern Gaza which is considered a Hamas stronghold. In the IDF's ground operations on Tuesday in the western part of Khan Younis, which have been ongoing for weeks, "the troops apprehended dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists who hid among the civilian population and attempted to flee the area," the IDF wrote on its Telegram channel. The claims could not be independently verified. Also on Tuesday, Jordan said it carried out its largest airdrop of food and relief aid supplies on the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the United States, France and Egypt. Three Jordanian armed forces aircraft took part in the operation, along with three US aircraft, one Egyptian and one French. The packages attached to parachutes included aid provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) and were targeted at northern Gaza, the Jordanian armed forces said. Jordan has been dropping food and supplies into Gaza by air since November. Recently, other countries began joining those operations. On Tuesday in Geneva, the United Nations said it is considering supplying the Gaza Strip with food from the air, according to Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Airdrops are not the most efficient way to get food to starving people, but lorry deliveries are hampered because Israel is not issuing enough permits, the UN has said. In the first three days of March there were between 100 and 130 lorries entering daily, compared to more than 500 before the war started after Hamas and other militants attacked Israel and killed 1,200 people on October 7. In Israel, President Isaac Herzog praised a UN report showing that members of Hamas had committed sexualized violence against Israelis during its October 7 massacre and called on the world to "condemn and punish Hamas." Five months after the Hamas attacks that started the war in Gaza, the UN's paper, published on Monday, said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that rapes and gang rapes had taken place in at least three locations during the attacks. There is also convincing information that sexualized violence was also committed against hostages and that this could be ongoing in Gaza. The report does not have a mandate to name culprits. The paper also states there is evidence of sexualized violence against Palestinians in Israeli captivity. The report is of "immense importance," Herzog wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "It substantiates with moral clarity and integrity the systematic, premeditated, and ongoing sexual crimes committed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli women." "The world must react strongly by condemning and punishing Hamas," Herzog wrote. Hamas, in posts on its WhatsApp group and Telegram channel, rejected the UN's report saying the "allegations clearly contradict what emerged from the testimonies of Israeli women about the good treatment of them by resistance fighters, as well as the testimonies of released Israeli female prisoners, and what they confirmed of the good treatment they received during their captivity in Gaza." Hamas' statement contradicted what Israeli women have told investigators and the Israeli public about their experiences. Israel had long accused the UN of failing to respond appropriately to the atrocious crimes of October 7. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday evening that the Israeli ambassador to the UN would be summoned home for consultations. Among the many criticisms Israel has against the UN, Katz is annoyed that the UN Security Council does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. Palestinian children inspect the destruction following an Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Al-Faqawi family. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinians inspect destroyed buildings following an Israeli attack on the Al-Sedudi family's building at Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, speaks at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 4, 2024. Philippe Lazzarini warned Monday against attempts to dismantle the agency. Lazzarini expressed concerns at the UN General Assembly about "a deliberate and concerted campaign" aiming to cease the agency's activities, amidst accusations from Israel of the agency harboring over 450 "military operatives" from Hamas and other groups. (Mark Garten/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, warned Monday against attempts to dismantle the agency. Lazzarini expressed concerns at the UN General Assembly about "a deliberate and concerted campaign" aiming to cease the agency's activities, amidst accusations from Israel of the agency harboring over 450 "military operatives" from Hamas and other groups. "UNRWA is facing a deliberate and concerted campaign to undermine its operations, and ultimately end them," Lazzarini said. UNRWA, critical for humanitarian aid in Gaza, is "functioning hand-to-mouth" after a significant funding halt, triggered by Israel's accusations against 12 UNRWA staff members of being involved in a Hamas attack, said the UNRWA head. Lazzarini warned media the same day that the "worst is yet to come" for UNRWA and its beneficiaries. "We are in a situation where there is a political decision to eliminate UNRWA," he said, citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that there is "no place" for UNRWA in Gaza as well as attempts to block and evict the UNRWA staff from its premises "with the aim to dismantle the agency." He confirmed that a yet to be published UNRWA report will document the experiences of those released from Israeli detention since October last year, including UNRWA staff members, 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. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, briefs the informal meeting of the General Assembly on UNRWA at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 4, 2024. Philippe Lazzarini warned Monday against attempts to dismantle the agency. Lazzarini expressed concerns at the UN General Assembly about "a deliberate and concerted campaign" aiming to cease the agency's activities, amidst accusations from Israel of the agency harboring over 450 "military operatives" from Hamas and other groups. (Evan Schneider/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Is your high-speed Internet at home actually high-speed? A state agency is working to build out a more accurate map of Internet speeds across Illinois and is encouraging residents to participate in a challenge. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is encouraging residents to document their actual Internet speeds for the BEAD map challenge. Danville asks for public input on Kickapoo Rail Trail extension By sharing Internet speeds, officials will create a more accurate map of unserved and underserved areas for Internet access in the state. The state will then disburse Internet access funding for places in the state that need it the most, which potentially could include Central Illinois. While we believe most of the residents in our city have access to high-speed Internet, we can challenge that assumption through the BEAD map Challenge, said Mark Toalson, the I.T. Director for the City of Champaign. This challenge allows citizens to test their home Internet speeds and submit the results for consideration in the grant process. The speed test will require three submissions of tests on three separate days. Participants will also need to know the provider and speed of the internet plan they subscribe to. Illinoisans can register for the BEAD map challenge using an online form. Registration closes March 13. Broadband providers will be able to rebut the data in April and May. A more accurate map of the states Internet speeds using the data will be available in the summer. The current map can be found on BEADs website. Last year, the federal government distributed more than $1 billion to the state of Illinois to connect homes, small businesses and public spaces with high-speed Internet. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. SPRINGFIELD The Democratic-controlled Illinois Senate on Tuesday passed a plan that would create a hybrid elected school board in Chicago this fall, with half of the members voted in by residents and the rest appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Legislators failed last fall to resolve the contentious issue of shaping Chicagos first elected school board, and some Senate Democrats made it known that they still had problems with the latest proposal, which is backed by Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union. It ultimately passed in a 37-20 vote. The bill now goes back to the House, which approved a similar plan last fall. Lawmakers are up against a self-imposed April 1 deadline to implement the process, which includes putting a school board map in place, ahead of the November general election. The plan passed by the Senate on Tuesday aligns with the 2021 law that created the school board. After the initial round of elections for half the board, Chicago Public Schools would transition to a fully elected board after the 2026 election under this proposal. Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park agreed to the plan after pushing last fall for the election of all 20 board members in the first round of voting. During a Senate Executive Committee hearing Tuesday, he said that he went along with the House plan because it had the endorsement of Johnson, a former CTU organizer and a Harmon ally. Our solution in the fall was to propose an immediate election of all 20 members of the school board, Harmon said. I still think thats the better opportunity, the better option. The House disagrees. The mayor and the city of Chicago disagree and were running up against a deadline. Theres no perfect solution, Harmon said before the committee advanced the bill to the Senate floor in a 9-4 vote. Sen. Mattie Hunter, a Democrat representing Chicagos South Side, said during the committee hearing that the bill was a very difficult vote for me today. I know the disparities and the inequities that have existed with the Chicago Public Schools system all of my life, and I thought that this would be an opportunity for Chicago to finally get on a fair ground with all the other school systems within the state of Illinois, Hunter said, before voting for the bill in the committee and on the floor. Also speaking at Tuesdays committee hearing was Northwest Side Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, who slammed CTUs support for the bill and alleged the legislation was decided on behind closed doors. A hybrid school board is not a fully democratic process. Make no mistake, this is a CTU PAC bill, Villegas said, referring to the unions political action committee. I have not heard that this bill will help parents, students and teachers. They dont want to spend, or have the money to spend on 20 elections. Well too bad. Make no mistake, this hybrid CTU PAC bill is not for the residents of Chicago. A CTU spokesperson declined to comment. Johnson sent a letter to Harmon in late January urging the adoption of the hybrid model, saying the issue is personal for me. As you already know, I worked on the issue for a decade alongside community organizations across the city knocking on doors, educating voters, and assisting with successful ballot measures in 2012 and 2015, Johnson wrote. Additionally, over the years I worked closely with General Assembly members to ensure the passage of an elected school board bill through multiple attempts. Johnsons predecessor, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, had unsuccessfully fought the shift to an elected school board in Chicago. The legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in July 2021 included an immediate moratorium on school closings until 2025. On the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. Robert Martwick, a Chicago Democrat who worked on the legislation creating the elected school board, noted the plan all along had been for a transitionary phase, which ended up being the hybrid model. That was what we agreed to. Thats what the Senate passed. Thats what the House passed. Thats what this represents. Is that what I wanted? No. But that was the compromise that I agreed to, Martwick said. Is it perfect? No. But when you figure out what perfect form of democracy is, would you let me know? Under the proposal approved by the Senate, the city would be divided into 10 districts, each of which would elect a school board member in the November general election. Johnson would appoint 10 additional members, one from each district. Johnson would also be required to appoint a school board president. All 21 members, including the board president, would serve two-year terms. Each of the 10 districts would be divided into two subdistricts, which in 2026 would hold elections for a fully elected school board that would be seated in January 2027. Beginning with the 2032 general election, board seats would be up for election three times over a 10-year period, two of the times for four-year terms and then for a two-year term. The bill also includes a district map that lawmakers from both chambers have previously agreed on. It would create seven majority-Black districts, six majority-Latino districts, five majority-white districts and two in which no group has a majority. The new plan also resolves unanswered ethical questions concerning how to address conflicts of interest among board members considering any contract, work, or business of the district, according to the bill. Like Hunter, Sen. Willie Preston, a Democrat from Chicagos South Side who once served as a Local School Council member, said he voted yes reluctantly, and that he still thinks electing all 20 school board members right off the bat is the best policy we should be putting forward today. But political weight has been pushed to water down this bill, said Preston. I will vote yes on this bill because it is the best-case scenario. All 18 Senate Republicans who voted on the bill were in the no column, as were two Democrats, Sara Feigenholtz of Chicago and Laura Fine of Glenview. Feigenholtz said after the vote shes spoken to her constituents about the issue and remains concerned that their voices will not be heard under the hybrid plan. Theres been some alarm bells going off and a lot of parents are very concerned about the conversations that the board is internally discussing about selective enrollment, said Feigenholtz, whose district covers a swath of Chicagos North Side. They have reservations about process but certainly about substance. Senate Republican leader John Curran of Downers Grove suggested an independent commission free from politicians, free from political influence, free from power shouldve been chosen as part of the process for implementing the elected school board. We have not removed this process from politics. Its a missed opportunity, he said. The Senate Republicans oppose maps drawn by politicians. Weve been very consistent on that. Community opposition to the hybrid plan sparked a rally outside a South Side high school on Monday, where Dwayne Truss, a Chicago Public Schools board member from 2019 to 2022, called the legislation reckless. Voters are going to be disenfranchised and theyre making ballot access overwhelming for prospective candidates, said Truss, a resident of Chicagos Austin community and a member of the group Illinois African Americans for Equitable Redistricting. Half the voters cant choose the candidate of their choice, Truss said. CTU is trying to maintain as much power as possible and the mayor is a CTU member and now he gets 10 seats. Harmon, while acknowledging his own reluctance to go along with the House plan, tried to take an optimistic view on Tuesdays outcome. For all of the frustration that I have felt and I know all of you have felt, I take comfort in one final truth, he said at the committee hearing. No matter what happens in 2024, in 2026, the second election, all 20 members will stand for election. The presiding officer will run citywide and we will, at long last for the first time, have a fully elected representative school board in the city of Chicago. Tribunes Zareen Syed contributed from Chicago. Kyrsten Sinema, the former Democrat from Arizona who is an independent in the US Senate, said on Tuesday she would not run for re-election this year. I love Arizona and I am so proud of what weve delivered, Sinema said in a video posted to social media. Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year. The news is a boost for Sinemas old party, as it faces a tough task in seeking to maintain control of the Senate in the November elections. Ruben Gallego, a US Marine Corps veteran and congressman, is the clear leading candidate for the Democratic nomination in Arizona but has lagged in polling behind the extremist, election-denying, pro-Trump Republican nominee, Kari Lake. Both parties will now court Sinemas remaining supporters. Sinemas ideological journey from the Green party to the Democratic left and on to sitting as a centrist independent has been a source of incessant speculation and reporting, not least as to what she might do next. She said last year she would not become a Republican but otherwise kept her plans to herself. Sinema also stoked tremendous frustration among progressives. Wielding significant power in a closely divided Senate, she and Joe Manchin, a centrist Democrat from West Virginia, exerted great influence over policy priorities for the Biden administration. The two senators were on board for Covid relief and infrastructure legislation but also acted to block an attempt to weaken the filibuster, the Senate rule that requires 60-vote supermajorities for most legislation, a near-impossible target in so partisan and closely divided a chamber. Activists and Democratic party officials knew filibuster reform was necessary for passing voting-rights protections meant to counteract Republican-led voter suppression in key states. Sinemas own state Democratic party formally censured her on the issue. In a western sun belt state shifting from Republican red to Democratic blue or perhaps to swing-state purple Sinema first sat in the US House, then won her Senate seat in 2018, becoming the first non-Republican to represent Arizona in the upper chamber since 1994. To win that seat she beat Martha McSally, the Republican successor to John McCain, a giant of US politics who held the seat for 31 years and was the GOP presidential nominee in 2008. In March 2021, Sinema courted controversy and progressive fury with a gesture apparently learned from or used in tribute to McCain, a senator widely known as a political maverick, willing to buck his own party. In 2017, McCains famous thumbs down gesture on the Senate floor defeated a Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Three years later, Sinema used the same gesture to express her opposition to raising the minimum wage. In December 2022, Sinema announced her switch to become an independent, enraging the left again. On Tuesday, Nina Turner, a former campaign chair for the Vermont senator and former presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, said: Kyrsten Sinemas legacy as a senator will be that she upheld the filibuster, tanking legislation enshrining voting rights, reproductive rights, doubling child poverty by not expanding the Child Tax Credit, and killing raising the minimum wage increase. In her own statement, Sinema heralded her work across the aisle in the Senate, naming Republican allies including Mitt Romney of Utah and Rob Portman, a former senator from Ohio, but lamented that Americans still choose to retreat farther to their partisan corners. Its all or nothing, she said, the outcome less important than beating the other guy. The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media. Compromise is a dirty word. Weve arrived in that crossroads and we chose anger and division. I believe in my approach, but its not what America wants right now. What America has right now is a bitter partisan divide, as jaggedly expressed in Arizona, a focal point for Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Replace Sinema Pac, a group established to oppose Sinema, said the senator obstructed President Bidens agenda, got in the way of fundamental rights and did the bidding of her wealthy donors. Claiming credit for her departure, it said: Arizonans deserve better. Steve Daines of Montana, the Senate Republican campaign chair, told CNN he was not surprised by Sinemas announcement and claimed that polling showed Lake would benefit more than Gallego from Sinemas exit. It gives us another great opportunity, another open seat on the Senate map, Daines said. In a statement, Lake said Sinema shares my love for Arizona, wished her the best in her next chapter and attacked Gallego as far left and a radical. In his own statement, Gallego thanked Sinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state and said: Arizona, we are at a crossroads. Protecting abortion access, tackling housing affordability, securing our water supply, defending our democracy all of this and more is on the line. Its time Democrats, independents and Republicans come together and reject Kari Lake and her dangerous positions. Semafor Signals Insights from The Print, Brookings India, and The Wire The News Indian authorities on Tuesday arrested seven men in connection with the gang rape of a Brazilian tourist, sparking fury over the countrys lack of progress in addressing gender-based violence. The assault on the travel blogger and her Spanish partner took place in a forest in Indias Jharkhand state in the east of the country late Friday, as the pair were on their way to Nepal. In a since-deleted Instagram video the couple, visibly shaken and with bruised faces, according to the Washington Post, said the perpetrators held knives to their throats and took turns raping the woman while her partner was beaten and restrained. Jharkhand police said that the victims were taken to a local hospital where their accounts were confirmed, and were given one million rupees ($12,000) in compensation for the attack, the latest in a spate of high-profile rape cases involving foreign tourists in India. The incident spotlights the high rates of sexual violence in Indias deeply patriarchal society, where women often struggle to come forward over fears of social stigma. Because of this, experts believe the true number of rape cases in the country is likely much higher. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. The survivors experience is shared by many Indian women Sources: The Print, The Independent The brutality of the gang rape has resonated with women across India, with one journalist describing the assault as not being perpetrated on the body of one woman alone. In an emotional column in The Print, Karanjeet Kaur wrote that it felt like it happened to all of us, recounting an incident 12 years ago that sparked worldwide outrage when a 23-year-old student was gang-raped by six men on a bus in Delhi and later died from her injuries. While the latest incident is likely to lead to swift arrests, a quick trial, and the rollout of a new helpline, Kaur wrote, she is not hopeful that genuine systemic change will take place. Indias chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Rekha Sharma, called for an investigation into the incident. However, her defensive response to a post by a journalist who warned of unsafe conditions for solo women travelers in India in which she accused him of defaming [the] whole country, was criticized as victim-blaming, The Independent reported. Sharma had previously come under fire for not taking immediate action after receiving complaints about an incident last year in which three Indian women were disrobed and paraded through a crowd in the northeastern state of Manipur. Modi accused of failing to keep women safe despite equality pledges Sources: The Washington Post, Brookings India, The Wire Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ran for office in 2014 pledging to ensure womens safety and boost gender equality yet nearly ten years on, India faces an uptick in violent crimes against women. Experts blame the rise on a culture of downplaying sexual harassment and violence, The Washington Post reported. While Modi passed a landmark bill that would reserve one-third of seats in the countrys lower house and state legislative assemblies for women, the reforms are unlikely to throw up solutions for deep-rooted gender inequality, wrote one analyst for Brookings India. Gujarat state lawmakers faced intense criticism from Indias Supreme Court for the early release of 11 men who were convicted of gang-raping a Muslim woman in 2008, with lawmakers from the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party praising the convicts as good Brahmins the highest Hindu caste. The men were later ordered to return to custody. In another instance, Modi was widely criticized for taking 78 days to break his silence on the Manipur incident last year, The Wire reported. India has urged citizens working in Israel to "relocate to safe areas" after an Indian national was reportedly killed near the border with Lebanon. Two Indian citizens were also seriously injured when an anti-tank missile hit a plantation in Margaliot on Monday. The Israeli embassy in Delhi accused the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah of being behind the attack. The Indian embassy in Israel has since advised all its nationals to stay away from the border. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the embassy added that it was in contact with Israeli authorities to "ensure the safety of all our nationals". However, it did not directly address the anti-tank missile attack, nor how many people had died or been injured. Media reports in both India and Israel say the man was an Indian national, while the Israeli embassy in Delhi has also expressed grief over the death of the man. According to reports, the man had only moved to Israel two months ago to work on a farm. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had earlier said it responded by hitting the site in Lebanon from where the missile was launched. Tens of thousands of people living in communities near the border with Lebanon have been evacuated by Israeli authorities following an escalation in hostilities with Hezbollah on 8 October, the day after Hamas's attacks on southern Israel triggered the war in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah - an Iran-backed Shia Islamist group proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK, US and others - is the largest military force in Lebanon. It says it is attacking Israel in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli military has carried out air and artillery strikes in response, fuelling fears of a major confrontation. Despite these fears, and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, thousands of Indian job seekers have applied to work in Israel. Israeli businesses have been actively recruiting, hoping to fill the gaps left by some 80,000 Palestinians barred from working in Israel since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In India, unemployment remains high, with 42% of graduates under 25 years old having no jobs, as shown in the latest State of Working India report by Azim Premji University. "This group has aspirations for higher incomes, and they don't want to do insecure gig work. This group is trading that extreme risk [of going to Israel] for higher incomes and some level of reduced precarity," explained Rosa Abraham, a labour economist with Azim Premji University. Women's rights groups in Bolivia say gender-based violence is normalized in a society where many men see women as property (Aizar RALDES) A violent attack by would-be robbers steered Bolivian Lidia Mayta towards the martial art of taekwondo. Three years later, she helps train other Indigenous women to defend themselves against rampant gender-based violence in the South American country. Mayta told AFP she would have died if neighbors had not come out of their own homes to scare off the assailants choking her outside her front door. They were trying to steal her wallet. After the attack, she vowed she would never feel so helpless again. She joined a woman-only class at the Warmi Power taekwondo studio in Bolivia's second city El Alto. Warmi is "woman" in the Indigenous Quechua language. Her enthusiasm was such that the founders soon asked her to join the training team, helping in particular to translate instructions into Aymara, another of Bolivia's indigenous tongues. "I didn't know how to defend myself, now I try to help other women lose that fear," the 56-year-old shopkeeper and community health secretary told AFP. "This is a job of violence prevention." Government data shows that eight out of ten women and girls in Bolivia suffer physical violence at least once in their lives. "This is a violent country for women," said Lucia Vargas of Coordinadora de la Mujer, a rights advocacy group. In 2023, more than 51,000 women reported falling victim to violence in the country. Husbands or partners were the perpetrators in the vast majority of cases. - Saving lives - Warmi Power was launched by Bolivians Laura Roca and Kimberly Nosa in 2015. Both are taekwondo black belts. "Violence is not solved with violence, but learning to defend ourselves can save our lives," said Nosa, who has been practicing taekwondo for 18 years. Roca is a trained psychologist who said she took up the discipline despite her father insisting it was the preserve of men. Together, the pair have trained more than 35,000 women countrywide. At the class in El Alto, most of the women are Indigenous and engaged in informal trade. Many dressed in the traditional Aymara bulging skirt with woolen blanket and tall bowler hat over two long braids, they start each session with a muscle warmup. Most have never dealt a blow in their lives and seem uncertain with the first air punches. But they soon get into the routine. They kick, they scream, and they learn to identify an assailant's weak spots. Mayta walks through the class correcting postures and motivating participants to project their fears onto inanimate objects, which they attack with gusto. Among the pupils is cheese vendor Marcelina Quispe, 45. She told AFP she was inspired to take up taekwondo by a friend's experience with domestic violence. "Her husband told her: 'I'm going to bury you in the yard if you leave me'. I told her not to be afraid, that we would not abandon her. And I came to these classes because you never know when misfortune will come knocking," she said. Her friend ended up running away from home. - 'You're powerful' - Women's rights groups in Bolivia say gender-based violence is normalized in a society where many men see women as property. "There is a cruelty to the lives of women who seek their independence," said Vargas. Since 2013, Bolivia has had a specific law to protect women from gender-based violence. It prescribed a 30-year prison term for the crime of "femicide" -- when a woman is killed for being a woman. But since the law entered into force, 1,085 femicides have been reported, and critics say not enough resources are dedicated to fighting gender-based crime in Bolivia. At the end of their class in El Alto, the taekwondo pupils walk one by one through a tunnel formed by two rows of women holding hands. "You're beautiful, you're powerful, you're valuable, you're a warrior, you're strong," they are told, and slapped on the back encouragingly. The class ends with a group hug. epm/pb/mlr/st Infection control experts refused to sign off a new children's hospital as safe because they had not been able to assess its ventilation risks, a public inquiry has heard. The delayed 2019 opening of Edinburgh's Sick Kids hospital is being examined by the Scottish hospitals inquiry. The hospital was handed over to NHS Lothian from contractors without a key infection risk check being carried out. This was a missed chance to assess ventilation issues, the inquiry heard. The opening of the children's hospital in Edinburgh was postponed when last-minute inspections found safety concerns over its ventilation systems. Dr Donald Inverarity, the lead infection prevention and control doctor for NHS Lothian, told the inquiry of his surprise when it was announced in February 2019 that the health board had formally taken over the facility from contractors ahead of its scheduled opening in July that year. He said this surprise stemmed from the fact that a check to asses the risk of acquiring an infection in the new hospital had not been completed at that stage. The infection control team said this was because they did not have the information, from an independent validation report, that was needed to assess whether the ventilation and water systems were "fit for purpose". In his statement to the inquiry, Dr Inverarity said for him and his colleagues, "none of us were comfortable that we could truthfully sign a document that explicitly asks whether the ventilation system and water system do not pose a risk of spreading infection when we did not have sight of data that had demonstrated that they didn't". In his evidence to the inquiry, he added: "We were concerned that due process was not being followed." Dr Inverarity said not doing these checks before the handover from the contractor was "potentially missing your last chance of being assured that the area is safe". He added: "There was potential risk being accepted and we didn't know what it was". The issues surrounding the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh are being examined by a public inquiry The infection control expert also told the inquiry that he saw "some potential parallels" with building issues at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. It was only when the children's hospital had been handed over to NHS Lothian, and 1.4m monthly repayments had started, that independent checks found the critical care rooms were operating with the wrong air flow. Remedial work worth 16m was then carried out and the new Sick Kids building started hosting outpatient appointments in July 2021. 'Compromised environment' The inquiry also heard that another consequence of the delay was that plans to move patients from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences in Edinburgh's Western General Hospital into the new building were also put on hold. This was a problem because the facilities at the Western General, according to Dr Inverarity, "were deteriorating and there were significant issues with water contamination" and that this meant "services had to continue in a very compromised environment with real risk of post-operative healthcare-associated infections". A report commissioned by NHS Lothian in 2019 said the mistakes made on the delayed hospital project were a "collective failure" and the board has previously said "at no point" were patients put at any risk. The inquiry, before Lord Brodie, is this week due to hear from senior NHS Lothian executives and Scottish government officials. Samira Thari was evacuated from Gaza to Qatar after she was injured and her young granddaughter was killed by an Israeli strike. Akbar Shahid Ahmed / HuffPost DOHA, Qatar Samira Thari recently told her six children still in Gaza that she doesnt want to hear from them. She thinks of them constantly, especially those most hurt by the violence there like her 22-year-old son, who is in a wheelchair after being hit by shrapnel, and her 14-year-old daughter, whos been rendered speechless by the shock of the war. But she knows that for the family to get cell service, they have to leave their tent shelter and climb up a hill that has previously been targeted by Israeli forces. Dont try to call me, because I wont answer, she told them on Feb. 23. Thari has been in Qatar for nearly three months, since she woke up there after she was injured in an Israeli strike on a United Nations school. The attack killed her 3-year-old granddaughter, who had been sitting with Thari as she made bread for her family, and wounded Thari so badly that emergency workers put her in a body bag only realizing she was alive when her grieving sister noticed Tharis eyes were still moving. Medical teams moved Thari and her injured husband from hospitals in Gaza to an Italian hospital ship, then to Egypt and eventually Qatar. Shes now had five surgeries, and is awaiting one more in her back. If I had the option to stop treatment, I would go back in a heartbeat, Thari, 39, told HuffPost last week. In addition to the concern for her children, her heart burns for her parents, who are 70 and 75. Im not able to heal because of my mind and emotional state, Thari said. My therapist tells me to stop watching the news, but how can I stop? I have to check the lists of people being martyred. How can I stop? Since Israel began its devastating U.S.-backed campaign in Gaza on Oct. 7, retaliating for a shock attack by Gaza-based Palestinian militants that killed some 1,200 people, only a handful of the regions 2.3 million residents have gotten to safety. Up to a thousand are believed to be living in Egypt after relying on their dual nationalities or bribes to travel through the Rafah Crossing, currently the only functional pedestrian exit point into and out of Gaza. And medical and diplomatic personnel have overcome bureaucratic and logistical hurdles to evacuate some Palestinians, like Thari, who needed urgent, specialized care. About 700 Palestinian civilians among them 300 children are now in Qatar, local officials say, a group that comprises mostly wounded people but also some of their companions. In interviews with HuffPost in the Persian Gulf state, a U.S. ally that plans to treat at least 1,500 injured Gazans, evacuees described heartache over separation from their vulnerable loved ones, and deep disillusionment about the global response to Israels offensive. Despite Israels claims that its military operation is focused on the militant group Hamas, it has killed more than 30,000 people, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian authorities. Perched on a beanbag chair in the courtyard of a residential facility just a few miles from the offices where Israeli representatives have visited for U.S.-backed discussions about a possible truce with Hamas, a 30-year-old mother named Watfah described watching coverage of President Joe Biden discussing the prospect of a cease-fire on Feb. 26. Hes doing it while eating ice cream, mocking us, Watfah said. Now in Qatar, Watfah hopes to reunite with her children. Akbar Shahid Ahmed Thari had particular disdain for governments in the Middle East. Palestinians have traditionally looked to fellow Arab nations for support, but in recent years, Israel has successfully convinced several of those states to establish ties with it without an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. The only reason this is happening to us is because of the silence of the Arabs, Thari said, tearing up. Arab leaders are too scared to stand up to Israel and America ... Its like spraying pest control on animals, thats how many people have died. Views like these reflect not only how the ongoing war has traumatized Palestinians, but also a widespread wariness about discussions in Washington, regional capitals, and beyond about halting the fighting and negotiating a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. Simultaneously, the evacuees stories underscore the yearning for a respite among those who understand conditions in Gaza a goal that Biden and other key figures say they are working hard to achieve before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins on March 10. Our hearts are still back in Gaza, Thari said. I die a hundred times a day for my kids. Family Separation Mohammed Obaid, 42, and his 13-year-old son Bahaa have been in Qatar since Jan. 18. Since they were hit by an Israeli airstrike on Nov. 6, both have had complex surgeries. Bahaa has lost his left leg and is hoping to soon get a prosthetic. Were tired, Obaid said. We just want peace. He fought back tears remembering how he tried to hold his wifes hand after the strike, and how he realized, once they were taken to a hospital, that she had lost too much spinal fluid to survive. Obaids uncle, a surgeon, was able to help him and Bahaa get to Egypt for treatment. But Obaids other children are still in Gaza, and he has only been able to speak to them once a week. Struggling to feed themselves, they always ask him what he and Bahaa have been able to eat. Theyre living with their uncle, but they need their father, he told HuffPost. They already lost their mom they need their father. Many at the Qatari facility said reuniting with their loved ones was their chief priority. Some had already been separated from family members during the war, as more than 70% of Gazas population has been displaced into makeshift refuges amid Israeli evacuation orders, bombardments and troop advances. Naheel, 35, and her five children have only seen her husband for a handful of days since Oct. 7. On Oct. 11, a premonition prompted her to move with her kids into a U.N. school. Her husband didnt want to abandon their home. Attacks in their neighborhood, initially designated a safe zone by Israel, soon wounded him, putting him in a hospital bed for months. Meanwhile, the relative safety of Naheels shelter had limits. When she went out to a balcony to check that her kids had not strayed off the school grounds, a large piece of shrapnel hit her in the back. It felt like I was on fire, she said. Amid chaos at the local Nasser Hospital, she only got a dressing for the wound, then hurried back to her children. Still, she couldnt watch them at all times. One day in late October, two of her sons 15-year-old Anas and 10-year-old Adham joined a group of boys in search of wood for cooking. Suddenly they were engulfed in what Anas called toxic bombs that made them feel like they were suffocating. By the time they were taken to a hospital, Adham was near death. Doctors told his family his brain had run short on oxygen, leaving him disfigured and unable to speak or control his limbs. Anas (left) and his brother Adham were hit by Israeli bombing while seeking firewood for their family. Akbar Shahid Ahmed By late December, bullets through the windows of the U.N. school, as well as airdropped Israeli messages about continued attacks, convinced Naheel to move again. Her husband went to Rafah and secured a tent, and Naheel and their children traveled three hours on a donkey cart to reunite with him on Jan. 10. Four days later, she heard that Egyptian authorities were willing to let her and Adham exit through Rafah. She hoped that permission could extend to their whole family. But when they arrived at the crossing, border guards refused to let her husband cross. My kids broke down, she recalled. Since they have been transferred to Qatar, she and the children have had minimal contact with him, but she says nothing could be more important for them, especially Adham. She showed HuffPost a video of him reacting excitedly when she mentioned his father. She said she is begging multiple governments for help, awaiting the day she sees his name spelled out on the Rafah exit list: Mohammed Abu Al Ola. Fear and longing are paired with guilt for some evacuees, making each day of the war harder to bear. Watfah, who arrived in Qatar two weeks ago with her severely injured 13-year-old son, is wracked by thoughts of her other children. Her 9-year-old daughter is a parent now, she said, caring for her young siblings. The family has already endured a loss: Watfah was seven months pregnant when the war broke out, but due to malnourishment and dehydration, her baby was stillborn, she said. Iman, a young woman from Gaza City, told HuffPost she thinks constantly about her decision to get in an ambulance with her daughter Aleen after the girl was hit by shrapnel on the balcony of their apartment on Dec. 10. Emergency personnel brought the pair to a hospital through Israeli checkpoints. Because of the extent of Aleens wound, which left a gaping hole in the side of her face, doctors kept her in a hospital and ultimately sent them to Egypt, then Qatar. Iman wonders if she could have snuck her other two children boys aged 12 and 4 into the ambulance too. She says shes regularly asked that question by other people. But she also knows Israeli soldiers would have likely pulled them out of the vehicle. I didnt expect my daughter to need this much treatment. I cant handle one more day without my other kids, she said, expressing particular concern about Israeli forces pattern of treating men and older boys like her husband and her 12-year-old as potential combatants. As Iman receives meals provided by the Qatari government, her children in Gaza can rarely get rice, she said: Theyre starving. Northern Gaza, where Imans family and about 300,000 other Palestinians live, is enduring near-famine conditions and children there are dying of hunger, U.N. and aid experts say. Though Israel controls the area, it has offered little support to efforts by donor groups and Israeli partners like the U.S. to send in a huge surge of food and other supplies. Aleen and her mother, Iman. Akbar Shahid Ahmed We Kept Getting Let Down Worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and fears that continued bloodshed there will spark broader violence over Ramadan, are intensifying a U.S.-led attempt to negotiate a pause in fighting, allow in more aid and release Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. As HuffPost interviewed evacuated Gazans, Israeli technical experts and Qatari mediators with Hamas were assessing the possibility of trading Israeli hostages for Palestinians. Since then, however, talks have stalled over the questions of whether Israel will withdraw its troops from Gaza and whether Hamas will share details about individuals it wants included in the deal. From evacuees to well-connected sources, theres little optimism among observers that a meaningful stop to the war is imminent. Theyre all liars. We were hopeful, but we kept getting let down, Thari said in Doha. A U.S. official familiar with senior Biden aides thinking told HuffPost that top American officials know how dire the situation is and even anticipated a scenario like the tragedy last week, now being called a flour massacre, when more than 100 Palestinians trying to get aid were killed amid trampling and Israeli gunfire. Yet the presidents refusal to pressure Israel in a tangible way, for instance by suggesting limits on the American support fueling its Gaza offensive, is shaping U.S. policy, the official said. Pushing Israel to allow food in is totally off the table, they said. Biden is not budging on anything. The official, who has worked under both Democratic and Republican presidents, described a mix of incompetence and Bidens singularly harmful views, like leaning more reflexively pro-Israel than other Democratsand, according to administration officials, viewing Israel as it was 30 or 40 years ago, rather than acknowledging its current strength and hard-right politics. The upshot, they said, is that the Biden administration would try to address the crisis through complex, hard-to-do and low-yield PR stunts like airdrops. Spokespeople for the White House did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Experienced humanitarians have condemned Bidens new policy, launched over the weekend, of airdropping aid into Gaza. The worlds wealthiest, most powerful, greatest nation should not have to resort to needed, but inefficient and last-resort airdrops to get life-saving aid in, Sean Carroll a former U.S. Agency for International Development official who now runs the group American Near East Refugee Aid recently wrote on LinkedIn. Given its influence, many say the U.S. could do more to change Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach. Netanyahu this week refused to even send an Israeli delegation to truce talks, and Israel has not permitted aid to enter northern Gaza through crossings it controls. The Americans should be much tougher. They still dont fully understand who theyre up against, said a former senior Israeli official who requested anonymity to speak candidly. Advocates like Dylan Williams of the Center for International Policy argue that the U.S. should legally already be compelled to cut off military aid for Israel because the country is hindering the distribution of American aid. It defies credulity for the administration to act as if it hasnt made known to the President that the government of Israel restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of US humanitarian assistance, which is the standard set in the law, Williams told HuffPost by text message. If there is not a massive increase in aid into Gaza, I think you can expect congressional calls for enforcement of this law to grow. Palestinians with lives in the balance say a change in course is overdue. Evacuees described how their loved ones days are dominated by anxiety about Israeli airstrikes, how their chronically ill relatives are unable to get treatment as hospitals focus on war injuries, and how their own futures feel inextricably tied to the war. Were resisting food, on hunger strike, said Thari, telling HuffPost she only accepts a couple of spoonfuls of food to take her medication. How can I eat when my dad is eating grass? AUSTIN (KXAN) Cutting beneath sand on the desert world of Arrakis, giant sandworms strike fear and inspire awe in the blockbuster Dune films. Based on the 1965 novel, the sandworm has grown into one of the most iconic creatures of science fiction, but these creatures are not just relegated to stories. Here on Earth, a similar species lurks beneath the surface. Theres just not a whole lot known about them, because they are sort of rare, said Patrick Lewis Ph.D., from Sam Houston University when asked about Worm Lizards. Ranging from a few millimeters in length to several inches, Worm Lizards are a bizarre creature that lives in Africa, South America, the Caribbean and southern California. There around 200 different species of Worm Lizards, also known scientifically by Amphisbaenians. Worm Lizards can range in size, but are typically small and live underground. (Credit: University of Texas) Lewis was studying environmental changes in Botswana when he took an interest in Worm Lizards. They have a lizard-like head, big teeth and a snake like body. Some species even have little vestigial limbs and pelvises. Worm Lizards are hard to find and live underground. They look a little terrifying, you know, those big teeth. If they were the size of a dog, you know, we would all be running away from them, Lewis said. So, of course, he collected a few of the tiny ones and brought them to the United States. Beneath the skin of the Worm Lizards One of the challenges to studying these creatures is their size. Lewis, along with the University of Texas researcher Chris Bell, needed to look closer at them, but dissection was a challenge. Theyre so small, and the bones are really tightly knit together, you know, traditional anatomical approach you dissected bone by bone, you just take it apart. These are only a few millimeters long, Lewis said. Fire ants inspire transforming rubber technique at Texas A&M They decided the best way to study something so small was by relying on the power of the atom. They brought the specimens to the University of Texas CT Lab. Worm Lizards are a little studied species. University of Texas and Sam Houston University researchers recently took a closer look at the species using a CT scan. (Courtesy: University of Texas) The CT Lab is located in the basement of the Jackson School of Geosciences. The team scans a mixture of things: meteors, rock samples, snakes, lizards, violins, Cheetos. Jessica Maisano, a Research Science Associate with the CT Lab, said they have two machines. One is large, a giant brown box that could fit a person and pump them full of lethal radiation. The other is smaller, capable of more detailed scans down to a micron in detail. Along a wall, a collection of photos from scientific journals that have featured research conducted with the help of the CT Lab. Soon, a research paper written by Lewis and Bell will join this wall. The strange skulls of the Worm Lizards How do you conduct a CT scan on a very tiny Worm Lizard? Straws. Maisano collects them and uses them to mount various specimens in. Her cabinet is full of straws, tiny ones for lizards and giant ones used to hold boa constrictors. The Worm Lizards were placed in the machine and scanned. These scans were used to build a 3D model of the Worm Lizard, which can then be 3D printed and used by future researchers. New research conducted at the University of Texas is taking a closer look at the skulls of Worm Lizards. (Credit: Eric Henrikson/KXAN) So what did they discover? Their skulls are like a Chinese finger puzzle, Maisano said. Most vertebrate have skulls made of tiny plates that are interlocked. Worm Lizards have much tighter interlocking plates. Foxes at Huston-Tillotson University could face extinction student project reveals If they didnt have that inner fingering, they wouldnt be able to use their heads as a shovel, which is what they do, because these guys live underground, Maisano said. Many species that live underground use hands to dig, but the Worm Lizard is all skull digging. According to Lewis, seeing this pattern inside a Worm Lizards skull could give us a greater understanding on how other vertebrates skulls are constructed. While Maisano said that the research could help us understand not just the species alive today, but those that have since passed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. FILE - An exterior view of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Tuesday, March 5, 2024, 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's only the second time the global court has publicly announced arrest warrants linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. 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. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Tuesday 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's only the second time the global court has publicly announced arrest warrants linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. 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. Also wanted is Russian Navy Adm. Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, who was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. 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 emphasized 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. All wars have rules. Those rules bind all without exception. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 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, Zelenskyy 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." 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 Oct. 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 its 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. 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 Sokolov was dismissed from his post last month, although there has been no official confirmation yet. The reports of Sokolovs 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 isn't a member of the global court, doesn't recognize its jurisdiction and refuses to hand over suspects charged by the court. The court didn't release details of the warrants, in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the investigations. But it said it publicized 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. When it issued the arrest warrant for 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. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ANKARA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police on Tuesday detained 51 suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) group in nationwide operations, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. Yerlikaya said on social media platform X that the suspects were detained in 17 provinces, including Istanbul, Antalya, Gaziantep, and Afyonkarahisar. Turkiye has stepped up operations against IS terrorists after the group attacked an Istanbul church in late January, killing a civilian during Sunday mass. The IS group operates a network in Turkiye, which recruits more foreign members for its activities despite constant counterterrorism operations, according to security sources. The Turkish government designated the IS as a terrorist organization in 2013 and blamed it for a spate of deadly attacks in the country since 2015. In December last year, Turkish intelligence and security forces captured a top IS terrorist in charge of the group's finances in an operation in Turkiye's southeastern province of Mersin. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for commanders of Russia's Long-Range Aviation (Sergey Kobylash) and the Russian Federation's Black Sea Fleet (Viktor Sokolov) as part of the investigation into potential Russian war crimes in Ukraine committed between 10 October 2022 and 9 March 2023. Source: European Pravda with reference to the press service of the ICC Details: The prosecution filed motions, which led to the issuance of both arrest warrants. The Chamber of Pre-Trial Proceedings II believes that both suspects are responsible for missile strikes launched by forces under their command against Ukraine's electricity infrastructure during this time. Sergey Kobylash Viktor Sokolov Pre-Trial Chamber II also determined that the alleged strike campaign qualifies as a course of conduct involving multiple acts against a civilian population carried out in accordance with State policy, as defined in Article 7 of the Charter. There is therefore sufficient reason to believe that the suspects are also responsible for a crime against humanity consisting of "other inhumane acts [] intentionally causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health," according to the relevant article of the Rome Statute. Kobylash and Sokolov are accused of committing war crimes, which included attacking civilian objects, causing excessive accidental harm to civilians, or causing damage to civilian objects, as well as a crime against humanity, which involved committing inhumane acts. The court stated that there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are individually criminally responsible for the aforementioned crimes, as well as that they committed them jointly and/or through other persons, gave orders to commit crimes, and/or did not exercise proper control over the forces subordinate to them. The warrants are issued under the heading "secret" to protect witnesses and ensure the safety of the investigation. However, given that Russia continues to strike civilian targets in Ukraine, the Chamber believes that public awareness of the warrants can help prevent future crimes. "Therefore, Pre-Trial Chamber II considers it to be in the interest of justice to authorise the Registry to publicly disclose the existence of the warrants, the name of the suspects, the crimes for which the warrants are issued, and the modes of liability," the court said. Support UP or become our patron! The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two Russian military commanders for carrying out strikes on Ukrainian electricity infrastructure during the winter of 2022 to 2023, the court announced on March 5. Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Sokolov "are each allegedly responsible" for a number of war crimes, including "directing attacks at civilian objects," the court said. Kobylash is suspected due to his role as Commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Aerospace Force, while Sokolov is suspected due to his position as Commander of the Black Sea Fleet, according to the court, which is based in The Hague. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility 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," the court said. Russia launched 84 missiles and 24 kamikaze drones at Ukraine on Oct. 10, 2022, the first of a long series of devastating attacks targeting the countrys critical infrastructure through the winter. "The expected incidental civilian harm and damage" caused by the strikes "would have been clearly excessive to the anticipated military advantage," the court said. Read also: Who are they fighting, children? Family of 5 killed in devastating Russian attack on Kharkiv "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspects also bear responsibility for the crime against humanity" of "intentionally causing great suffering." By the end of the winter, the strikes had caused $10 billion in damages across Ukraine and left 12 million people with no or limited access to power, according to the United Nations Development Program. Energy workers battled to repair the infrastructure as quickly as possible, with 22 out of 36 of Ukraine's power generation plants damaged or destroyed. "These are obvious crimes Russia's war crimes and crimes against humanity. And there is a significant movement (to prosecute those crimes) in the International Criminal Court," commented President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address. "When international justice starts working, it cannot be stopped. Justice for Ukraine, for Ukrainians, and for the international community in general will definitely be restored." Admiral Sokolov had reportedly been killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol in September 2023, according to Ukraine's Special Operations Forces. Russia's Defense Ministry then published a video that purported to show a meeting between military leadership with Admiral Sokolov. The White House refused to comment on whether Sokolov was confirmed to be alive. The announcement of the arrest warrants of the two commanders comes almost a year after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian official allegedly overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed the issuing of the warrants in March 2023, declaring that the "decisions of the International Criminal Court have no meaning for our country, including from a legal standpoint." Russia withdrew from the ICC in 2016 following its criticism of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An Estonian arms dealer sold laser target markers destined for the Ukrainian military at an inflated price, allegedly making millions of euros at the expense of the German taxpayers, according to an investigation by Estonian newspaper Ekspress published on March 5. The investigation concerned well-connected arms dealer Ants Poldsam, owner of arms sales consulting business Bristol Trust and an Estonian military supplier, and German national Haiko Dehnen. According to Ekspress, Poldsam offered to supply 20 Leonardo Type 163 laser target markers to Ukraine in August 2022 from the Italian manufacturer's British factory. Germany would finance the transaction. The laser target markers allow munitions to be fired with pinpoint accuracy up to 10 kilometers away, meaning fewer rounds have to be used to achieve the desired result. "In the midst of the hottest weeks of the war, the Ukrainians, under the cover of secrecy, were desperately looking for a large number of different military equipment, including smart laser sights, on the European market," Eskpress said. With Poldsam's company acting as a broker, the laser target markers were sold at a total price of 3.76 million euros ($4 million). This indicates a cost of 187,959 euros ($204,250) per piece, even though the market price of one sight was 112,000 euros ($121,707), according to Ekspress. The German Defense Ministry confirmed that the 20 Leonardo laser target markers "were a contribution from the German taxpayer," Ekspress said. "The delivery of 20 laser sights took place in 2023 as part of the German government's initiative to help Ukraine. The contract was concluded between Ukraine and one of the partners operating in the field," the German Defense Ministry told Ekspress. The target markers "rolled off the plane in Tallinn, hidden from the public eye," in January 2023, and were declared at Estonian customs as having a total value of 2.23 million euros ($2.4 million), the market price, according to the investigation. "When the taxes on the goods were paid and the cars with laser target markers could leave the customs warehouse, as a result of four months of work, the local intermediary was left with a profit of nearly 1.1 million euros ($1.2 million)," Ekspress said. According to the investigation, Poldsam's business partner and German national Haiko Dehnen received a fee from Bristol Trust of 902,808 euros ($980,955) for providing advice on laser target markers. In 2022, Poldsam paid a a total of 1.1 million euros ($1.2 million) to Dehnen, who previously worked as a business development manager at the German branch of Leonardo, Ekspress said. Dehnen refused to disclose to Ekspress what kind of advice he gave to Poldsam, "citing business confidentiality." Read also: A rare glimpse into covert arms sales world: How Western companies make a fortune on brokering deals for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Executions in Iran were at their highest since 2015 (Ludovic MARIN) Iran executed at least 834 people last year, the highest number since 2015, as capital punishment in the Islamic republic surged to a "staggering" level, human rights groups said on Tuesday. The number of executions, which Iran has always carried out by hanging in recent years, was up some 43 percent on 2022. It marked only the second time in two decades that more than 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 (ECPM) said in the joint report. The groups accused Iran of using the death penalty to spread fear during its crackdown on protests sparked by the September 2022 death in police custody of Mahsa Amini. "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". ECPM director Raphael Chenuil-Hazan added: "There is an instrumentalisation of the death penalty in Iran by the regime in order to fight against the protests." 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. There has also been a rise in executions on other charges, notably in drug-related cases, which had previously 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, particularly the largely Sunni Muslim Baluch community 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 last year, accounting for 20 percent of the total, even though the community accounts for only around five percent of Iran's population. - 'Wrong signal' - Chenuil-Hazan deplored a "lack of reaction" by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to the surge in drug-related executions, saying the agency was deepening rather than cutting its cooperation with the Iranian authorities. Most hangings in Iran are carried out within the confines of prisons but the report said that in 2023 the number of hangings carried out in public in Iran more than 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. 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. One man was executed in April on charges of adultery, the first time a person was hanged on these charges since 2009, it said. In May, two men accused of desecrating the Koran were executed on blasphemy charges, the first such executions in nine years. In 2023, only 15 percent of the recorded executions were announced by Iranian official media, with IHR confirming the other executions through its own sources. Human rights groups regard Iran as the world's biggest executioner after China, for which no data is available but which is widely believed to execute several thousand people every year. With global attention focused on the Gaza war between Israel and Hamas, Amiry-Moghaddam expressed concern that a lack of international outrage at the executions was only encouraging the Islamic republic to carry out more hangings. "Unfortunately this reaction has been lacking, especially in the second half of 2023," he told a news conference. "When the political cost of the executions is not high, the numbers increase." So far in 2024, Iran has executed at least 83 people, according to IHR's figures. "I am afraid we will be facing more executions unless the international community shows a stronger reaction," Amiry-Moghaddam said. sjw/tgb/kir People protest outside the Iranian embassy in Rome on 10 December 2022 Executions in Iran have surged for a second year running to 834, campaign groups say. Most were undocumented hangings, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and France's Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) said. Official sources noted 125 executions. The Iranian authorities were weaponising the death penalty to "instil societal fear", they said. It follows nationwide protests led by women and girls. The protests were sparked by the death of Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022 and led to a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities. While at least eight protesters were executed last year, the vast majority of executions were reportedly based on drug-related charges (56%) and murder charges (34%). At least 471 people were executed on drug-related charges in Iran last year, more than 18 times higher than 2020's figure. The report criticised the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for "an alarming silence" on the issue. BBC News has reached out to the UNODC for comment. Baluch minorities, which account for approximately 2-6% of Iran's population, were identified as being "grossly overrepresented" amongst the number of executions, with 138 drug-related executions, according to the findings. The figures mark the highest number of executions in Iran since 2015, when 972 people were executed, and the second highest since records began 16 years ago. Other executions identified in the report were based on charges in relation to "moharebeh and corruption on earth" (39), rape (20), unknown (19), blasphemy (2) and adultery (1). At least 22 women were also executed last year, the highest number since 2013. The report said Iranian authorities used the death penalty as "a tool of political repression", identifying a correlation between the number of executions and political events. Iran Human Rights Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said that "instilling societal fear is the regime's only way to hold on to power". Last January, responding to the nationwide anti-government protests across Iran, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said using "criminal procedures to punish people for exercising their basic rights" amounted "to state sanctioned killing". Dr Sanam Vakil from Chatham House think tank told the BBC there "certainly appears to be a correlation between protests, harsh sentencing and executions as part of the Iranian government's efforts of curbing further wide scale dissent." Most of the cases relied on "little evidence and zero due process", she added. Iron Miah was found with a gunshot wound to the head in Nelson Street, east London A prison officer has been jailed at the Old Bailey after being given "money, gifts and promises" to lie for a defendant awaiting trial for murder. Wiktoria Bujko, 30, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice for reporting a "false confession" by a man awaiting trial for Iron Miah's murder. Mr Miah, 40, was shot dead in Nelson Street, east London, in November 2019. Three men were jailed for life for his murder at the same court on 29 February. Mohammed Moshaer Ali, 31, of Dagenham, Antonio Afflick-McLeod, 32, of Ilford, and Aaron Campbell, 32, of Fulham, were found guilty of Mr Miah's murder at the conclusion of a third trial for the case. An earlier trial had to be aborted after former prison officer Bujko came forward with a false account to police. Bujko, of Marlborough Road, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for perverting the course of justice. 'False account' Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC previously told the same court Ali had persuaded Bujko to create an "entirely false account of a confession by Aaron Campbell". At the time, she was working at high security HMP Belmarsh in south-east London where all three defendants were being held on remand. Ali had "repeatedly shown himself to be an outrageous liar" and rewarded the female prison officer with "money, gifts and promises", Mr Aylett said. On 17 October 2022, shortly before a retrial was due to begin, Bujko made a statement about a conversation she claimed to have overheard between Campbell and another inmate. Someone paid 500 into Bujko's bank account the day after she submitted her witness statement, the court was told. Wiktoria Bujko was working at HMP Belmarsh where all three defendants were being held on remand Her statement suggested that Campbell and Afflick-McLeod had planned to rob Ali of drugs. A jury heard that Bujko had known Ali since he was first remanded to HMP Thameside, where she had been working. Ali was sentenced to life with a minimum of 36 years for murder, with a concurrent sentence for perverting the course of justice. Afflick-McLeod was sentenced to life with a minimum of 34 years for murder., with a concurrent sentences for drugs charges and possession of a firearm. Campbell was sentenced to life with a minimum of 31 years for murder. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk Al-Aqsa compound, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Jerusalem's Old City JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel will allow a similar number of worshippers into Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the first week of Ramadan as in previous years, a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Tuesday, without specifying a number. With war raging in Gaza, Israel said it may limit access to the holy site during the Muslim fasting month, citing security needs. Many Palestinians reject any such restrictions. Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in the world for Muslims, sits on a hilltop in Jerusalem's Old City in a compound also revered by Jews as a vestige of their two ancient temples. Israel captured the site in the 1967 Middle East war and illegally annexed it with the rest of East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of an independent state. Israeli police raids, visits by Jewish officials and restrictions on Palestinian access to the site have been a source of friction in the past, particularly during holidays including Ramadan, which begins this year on or around March 10. Tuesday's decision came in agreement with top Israeli security officials during a meeting on preparations ahead of Ramadan, the statement said. "During the first week of Ramadan, the entry of worshippers to the Temple Mount will be permitted, similar to the numbers in previous years," it said, using the Jewish name for the site. "A weekly assessment of the security and safety aspects will be held; a decision will be made accordingly." Earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu said freedom of worship on the site would be ensured during Ramadan while taking Israel's security needs into consideration. In Muslim tradition, it is from the Al-Aqsa compound that the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven, and tens of thousands of Muslims usually visit the mosque every day during Ramadan. Israel has long limited access to Al Aqsa for younger Muslims and Palestinians from the occupied West Bank. Since the start of the war in Gaza in October, it has imposed extra restrictions on Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of Jerusalem, citing security reasons, forcing hundreds to perform Friday prayers in the streets. (Reporting by Jerusalem bureau; Editing by James Mackenzie and Josie Kao) Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on Lebanon's southern village of Majdel Zoun - Kawnat Haju/AFP Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, has said that Hezbollahs continued attacks on Israel are pushing the country to a critical point in deciding to pursue military action in Lebanon. 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, Mr Gallant said in a meeting with Amos Hochstein, a US special envoy. During the meeting at Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, Mr Gallant also warned Hochstein that the Lebanese militant group is dragging the parties to a dangerous escalation, according to his office. His warning comes amid multiple reports of Hezbollah missile strikes on Israel in recent days, with yesterdays attack near the border community of Margaliot leaving one person dead and seven wounded. Follow the latest updates below 04:09 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for tuning in to todays live blog. Come back tomorrow for all the latest updates from the Israel-Hamas war. Key moments from today: An Israeli man was stabbed in an attack in the West Bank. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, called on Hamas to accept an immediate ceasefire with Israel. Israeli security services have detained a young man in the West Bank planning an imminent terror attack. Kamala Harris pointed speech on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza was harsher towards Israel in its original draft, reports suggest. Hamas negotiators will remain in Cairo for another day in a bid to keep ceasefire talks alive, an official from the militant group said on Tuesday. Hezbollah has launched a missile attack on a military outpost in northern Israel. Malnutrition in northern Gaza is particularly extreme, the World Health Organisation has warned. Israels foreign ministry has lambasted the European Union for its decision to restore limited funding to UNRWA. The Israeli army announced it has finished sealing up Hamass largest-ever tunnel, first revealed in December. 04:02 PM GMT Turkey detains seven suspected Mossad spies Turkish police have detained seven people suspected of selling information to Israels Mossad intelligence service. One of the suspects, a detective, was trained by Mossad and received off-book payments in cryptocurrency, the Turkish intelligence agency said. He is suspected of gathering information on Middle Eastern companies and individuals in Turkey, placing tracking devices and engaging in surveillance. We will never allow espionage activities to be carried out within the borders of our country. We will catch them one by one and bring them to justice, Ali Yerlikaya, the interior minister, said on Twitter. This is the latest in a series of incidents in which Ankara has made accusations of Mossad espionage. The Turkish government has warned Israel of serious consequences if it tries to hunt down Hamas members living outside the Palestinian territories, including in Turkey. 03:46 PM GMT Israel uncovers Hamas weapons depot near school Israeli counter-terrorist troops have discovered a Hamas weapons depot close to a school, the army reported. The IDF said it had intelligence indications of the site, which had been used as a shelter for civilians, near to a school in southern Gazas Khan Younis. The depot contained dozens of firearms, ammunition, rockets, mortars, grenades, and other military equipment, the IDF said. It was located near a further site containing a cache of dozens more rockets and military equipment. Footage shared by the IDF shows Palestinian Islamic Jihad flags at both locations. The IDF has encouraged civilians to evacuate Khan Younis in recent days as it carries out an operation to flush out Hamas militants and uncover supply centres in the area. 03:27 PM GMT Biden: US committed to getting aid into Gaza The United States is committed to pulling out every stop to get more aid to those in Gaza who desperately need it. We won't stand by. We won't let up. President Biden (@POTUS) March 5, 2024 03:16 PM GMT Israeli man stabbed in West Bank attack An Israeli man was stabbed in an attack in the West Bank. The man was left in a serious condition after the attack at the Yitzhar Junction in the northern West Bank and is currently being treated at Beilinson Hospital, medics reported. The Palestinian assailant who carried out the attack was shot dead at the scene by IDF troops. He has been identified as Muhammad Shehadeh, 17, from the town of Urif, south of Nablus, Palestinan media reported. The IDF published a photo of a large kitchen knife that the assailant reportedly used to carry out the attack, while unverified images circulating show a man lying on the side of a road receiving treatment. 03:00 PM GMT US joins Jordan in Gaza aid drop United States Central Command and Royal Jordanian Armed Forces Conduct Additional Airdrops of Humanitarian Aid Into Gaza Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on March 5, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. (Gaza pic.twitter.com/ec2m80rUHl U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 5, 2024 02:45 PM GMT Antony Blinken urges Hamas to accept ceasfire terms Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, called on Hamas to accept an immediate ceasefire with Israel as the militants met Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo. Mr Blinkens intervention comes as ceasfire talks, during which time Israeli hostages would be released and aid could flow into Gaza, look set to drag on into a third day. We have an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian assistance getting to Palestinians who so desperately need it, and then also set the conditions for an enduring resolution, Mr Blinken said as he met the Qatari prime minister in Washington. It is on Hamas to make decisions about whether it is prepared to engage in that ceasefire. 02:32 PM GMT Starving Gazan children are an alarm like no other, says UN Palestinian boy Ahmed Qannan, who is suffering from malnutrition, is attended to at a healthcare centre - Mohammed Salem/Reuters Children dying from starvation in Gaza should be an alarm like no other, a United Nations spokesman said. Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency, called on the international community to flood Gaza with aid amid reports that 15 children have died from starvation and dehydration since October 7. The World Health Organization reported grim findings and scenes of starving children after reaching two northern hospitals with aid last weekend for the first time since October. 02:10 PM GMT Israel thwarts West Bank terror mastermind plotting imminent attack Israeli security services have detained a young man in the West Bank planning an imminent terror attack. Israeli forces arrested the prominent terror operative along with other suspects in an overnight raid on the Balata refugee camp near Nablus in the northern West Bank, a join statement from the Border Police, Shin Bet and the IDF reported. The suspect, Muhammad Tanji, was one of the main operatives in the terror infrastructure in Balata over the past year, the statement said. Mr Tanji was a leader and founder of the so-called Balata Battalion, a local wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in the refugee camp, Palestinian media reported. He has been wanted by Israel for more than four years. 01:28 PM GMT Harris criticism of Israel watered down by White House Kamala Harris pointed speech on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza was harsher towards Israel in its original draft, reports suggest. The US vice-presidents speech, in which she called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and described conditions in the Strip as inhumane, marked a sea change in Washingtons language towards Israel. Before it was sent to the National Security Council for review, the vice-presidents address called out Israel even more directly about the need to immediately allow additional aid trucks in, NBC reported, citing a current and former official familiar with the speech. One official described Harris original language as strong but not controversial. Asked about reports that the speech Sunday was moderated to be less aggressive, Kirsten Allen, Harris communications director, said, That is inaccurate. 12:51 PM GMT Gaza ceasefire talks extended in Cairo for another day, says Hamas Hamas negotiators will remain in Cairo for another day in a bid to keep ceasefire talks alive, an official from the militant group said on Tuesday. The delegation will remain in Cairo on Tuesday for more talks. They are expected to wrap up this round later today, a Hamas official told Reuters. Egypts Qahera television also reported the talks had been extended for a third day, but said they were facing difficulties. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, said earlier that 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 did not attend, Reuters reported. (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, Mr Naim said. While Israel has declined to comment on the ceasefire talks, reports suggest it stayed away because Hamas had rejected its demand to provide a list of all hostages who are still alive. The talks, which have been ongoing for two days without breakthrough, aim to broker an extended ceasefire, during which time Israeli hostages would be free and aid pumped into Gaza. 12:25 PM GMT Hezbollah launches missile strike on northern Israel Hezbollah has launched a missile attack on a military outpost in northern Israel. The Lebanese terrorist group claimed responsibility for an attack at Birkat Risha, near Zarit on the Israeli border, adding that it targeted soldiers at the site. It claimed the anti-tank missile strike, carried out at around 10am (GMT), achieved a direct hit, adding that it caused damage and started a fire. Images postage on social media showing smoke billowing into the air from a hilltop location. The IDF confirmed one rocket was fired in the attack. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported earlier that rocket sirens sounded in northern Israel and an anti-tank missile landed in the region of Upper Galilee. This is the second anti-tank missile strike from Lebanon in as many days after an attack yesterday on an orchard near the border community of Margaliot left one person dead and seven wounded. 12:09 PM GMT Jordan launches biggest Gaza aid delivery to date Jordan and its allies delivered eight airdrops over Gaza today in the largest joint operation to date, reports suggest. Three Jordanian planes, three US planes, and one each from France and Egypt took part in the operation aimed at delivering aid to locations around the war-torn Strip, independent Jordanian media reported. The planes dropped relief supplies, including food provided by the World Food Programme. These airdrops are a continuation of Jordans commitment to providing medical, relief, and food aid to the people of Gaza, aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, the Petra news agency reported. According to Jordan, there have been 43 airdrops over Gaza since war broke out on October 7, the majority of them carried out from Amman. 11:48 AM GMT Bodies lying in the streets in Khan Yunis Relatives mourn at the morgue of European Hospital following an Israeli attack on the house belonging to the al-Faqawi family in Khan Yunis, Gaza - Jehad Alshrafi/Getty Images Gazan residents described finding decomposing bodies lying in the streets as fighting envelops Khan Yunis. Authorities reported dozens of Israeli air strikes near the European Hospital in Hamad, close to Gazas main southern city. The Israeli army said it was conducting targeted raids in the area and had captured dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters who were hiding among civilians. An Israeli airstrike killed at least 17 people in the city today, Palestinian officials said. This was among 50 strikes the Israeli army ordered in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. 11:10 AM GMT Israeli minister affirms commitment to getting humanitarian aid into Gaza Benny Gantz affirmed Israels commitment to get humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza in a meeting with Kamala Harris, the US vice-president. The Israeli war cabinet minister met with vice-president Harris yesterday to discuss humanitarian conditions in the Strip and securing a hostage deal. Mr Gantz used the meeting to underscore the imperative of removing the threat of Hamas and finding a sustainable solution to make sure humanitarian aid reached civilians without propping up the terrorist organisation. In return, Ms Harris urged Israel to take additional measures to increase aid flow to Gaza and called for a credible humanitarian plan before launching any Rafah military operation, a White House statement said. With food supplies running dangerously low, Gaza stands on the brink of famine as foreign envoys seek to negotiate a truce with Hamas ahead of the start of Ramadan next week in order to get aid to the civilian population. I met with Benny Gantz of Israel today and reiterated our support for Israel's right to defend itself. We discussed the need to get a hostage deal, increase the flow of aid into Gaza, and protect civilians. pic.twitter.com/IB6C6qZRFo Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 4, 2024 10:49 AM GMT Malnutrition extreme in northern Gaza, says WHO Yazan Al-Kafarna, a Palestinian boy who had cerebral palsy and died due to malnutrition, according to a Gaza doctor, lies on a bed at Al-Awda health centre - Yasser Qudih/Reuters Ahmed Qannan, a Palestinian boy who is suffering from malnutrition, is attended to at a healthcare center - Mohammed Salem/Reuters Malnutrition in northern Gaza is particularly extreme, the World Health Organisation has warned. At least one in six children under two years old in the region are acutely malnourished, said Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for Gaza and the West Bank. This was in January. So the situation is likely to be greater today, he added. Famine is now gripping the besieged Gaza Strip as aid supplies have dwindled to barely a trickle over the past month. Whole swathes of the territory are completely cut off from food, with Gazas few functioning hospitals filling up with children starving to death. At least 15 children have died over the past few days from malnutrition and dehydration at Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, the health ministry said on Sunday. 10:28 AM GMT Kamala Harris pushing Biden to get tougher on Israel Kamala Harris, the US vice-president, has been urging Joe Biden to toughen up his rhetoric on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to reports. Ms Harris has on multiple occasions advised the president and other senior US officials to address the high death toll in Gaza and the plight of survivors in addition to continuing to condemn the Hamas attacks on October 7, the New York Times reported. The vice-president publicly demanded an immediate cease-fire ahead of a meeting with a member of Israels war cabinet, Benny Gantz, at the White House on Monday in which she expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza, the NY Times said. Ms Harriss remarks are a shift in the administrations public position on Gaza and are meant in part to address a deepening political concern for President Biden as he campaigns for re-election this year. 10:20 AM GMT Israel blasts EU for partially restoring UNRWA funding Israels foreign ministry has lambasted the European Union for its decision to restore 50 million euros of funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) frozen after evidence emerged several employees took part in the October 7 massacre. The disappointing decision gives legitimacy to UNRWA employees involvement in terror activities and cooperation with Hamas, the ministry said in a statement. Israel and UNRWA have traded salvos in recent days, with Israel accusing the agency of having employed more than 450 terrorists. UNRWA claimed that Gazans detained by the IDF have been left completely traumatised, while Israel recalled its ambassador to the UN amid accusations that the organisation failed to adequately address claims of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7. UNRWA has also accused the Israeli authorities of torturing several of its staff members. 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. Some of our staff have conveyed to UNRWA teams that they were forced to sign confessions under torture and ill-treatment. 09:50 AM GMT Gazans detained by Israel left completely traumatised Gazans detained by Israeli forces are left completely traumatised upon release and have reported abuses while in captivity, the head of the UNs Palestinian refugee agency said. Detainees have been subjected to a broad range of ill treatment including threats of electrocution, being photographed naked, sleep deprivation and having dogs used to intimidate them, said Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA chief. Mr Lazzarinis comments follow reporting by the New York Times on an internal investigation compiled by UNRWA staff documenting the state of returning detainees at the Kerem Shalom border in southern Gaza. We have seen these people coming back from detention, some of them for a couple of weeks, some of them for a couple of months, and most of them coming back (are) completely traumatised by the ordeal they have gone through, Mr Lazzarini said. The IDF denies general and unsubstantiated claims regarding sexual abuse of detainees in the IDFs detention facilities, the Israeli military said in a statement. 09:30 AM GMT Pictured: Israels army in action Israeli troops have encircled the 'Hamad' area in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza - IDF/Telegram 09:17 AM GMT Israel destroys Hamas tunnel wide enough to drive a car through The IDF announces that it has completed destroying and sealing Hamas largest-ever attack tunnel, which the military initially revealed in December. In recent weeks, the IDF says it worked to complete its investigation of the tunnel and then destroy it. Parts of the tunnel were pic.twitter.com/bwhJvTxXS6 Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) March 5, 2024 The Israeli army announced it has finished sealing up Hamass largest-ever tunnel, first revealed in December. Parts of the tunnel were blown up by combat engineers before concrete was pumped into the remaining subterranean passages, the Times of Israel reported. The 2.5 mile-long tunnel is around 165 feet underground and was wide enough for cars to drive through, allowing it to be used for vehicle-borne raids, the IDF reported. One of the shafts was located just a quarter of a mile from the Erez Crossing - a key crossing point for Palestinian civilians to travel to Israel prior to October 7. When it was first discovered in December, the IDF released footage showing Muhammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamass Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, in a car driving through the tunnel. 08:54 AM GMT Children are dying of starvation in Gaza, UN confirms Children have starved to death in the besieged Gaza Strip, where people are eating leaves and animal food in a desperate attempt to stay alive, write Lilia Sebouai and Andrea Hamblin. Life-saving aid to the enclave continues to be delayed by stalled ceasefire negotiations and as Israel blocks delivery trucks at border crossings. Thousands of families are struggling to find food. Ten children died at Kamal Adwan hospital in the north of Gaza, the United Nations confirmed for the first time on Monday. Yazan Al Kafarneh, 10, was filmed by local journalists at the hospital a few days before his death, looking emaciated and barely able to speak. Read the full report here. 08:41 AM GMT Hamas attackers raped womens corpses, UN finds Hamas attackers raped womens corpses, a UN report has found, citing clear and convincing evidence to support multiple accounts of sexual violence, writes Rozina Sabur. Pramilla Patten, the UN special envoy on sexual violence and women, said there were reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed sexualised torture when they carried out their attack on Israel on Oct 7. Sexual violence against Israeli hostages being held in Gaza may also be ongoing, the report found. The report also highlighted allegations of sexual violence against Palestinian women, men and girls that implicated Israeli security forces and settlers in the West Bank. Israel recalled its UN ambassador in response to the report, accusing the bloc of taking too long to respond to the claims. The decision comes amid an increasingly bitter row surrounding the beleaguered 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. Read Rozinas full report here. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Russian government has hidden data on recipients of social support services in 2022 to hide the losses Russian troops suffered in the first year of the war in Ukraine. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: The Russian opposition publication Verstka conducted an investigation into the Unified State Information System of Social Protection of the Russian Federation and reported on 4 March that the social security agency had concealed data on recipients of social benefits in 2022. This may also be related to the inability of the Russian government to pay the promised social assistance to vulnerable groups. Verstka noted that some of the hidden data contain information that could reveal the scale of losses in Ukraine, such as figures on "widows of servicemen killed during military service" and "citizens who were wounded, concussed, injured or maimed during military service ". The Institute for the Study of War suggests that the statistics were concealed to prevent social discontent surrounding reports of Russian casualties in Ukraine. This information was shared only in 2023 and 2024 when the Kremlin's line on Russian losses was somewhat consolidated to eliminate social backlash. The Kremlin may have also withheld social services data for 2022 to hide its problems in providing promised social support measures to various individuals, especially those affected by the first year of the war. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 4 March: Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev promoted Russias extensive territorial objectives that expand deep into Ukraines territory. The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported that unknown actors detonated explosives and severely damaged a Russian railway bridge over the Chapaevka River near Chapaevsk, Samara Oblast, on 4 March. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly awarded a Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) and Spetsnaz-affiliated Russian milblogger, likely as part of the Kremlins longstanding efforts to co-opt milbloggers and make them loyal to the Kremlin. The Russian government reportedly hid data on recipients of social support services in 2022, likely to obfuscate casualties suffered in the first year of the war in Ukraine or to cover up the governments inability to pay promised social support to vulnerable populations. The Kremlin is continuing efforts to ensure high voter turnout in the upcoming presidential election to present the guise of legitimacy and widespread popular support among Russian President Vladimir Putins domestic electorate. Russian authorities continue to exploit the leaked recording of German military officers discussing the theoretical provision of Taurus missiles to Ukraine to deter Western military aid provisions to Ukraine. Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City amid continued positional engagements along the entire frontline. A Russian news aggregator claimed on 4 March that Russian forces replaced Storm-Z convict units with Storm-V units, a mechanism for distributing convicts into the regular Russian military as opposed to keeping them siloed within convict-only units, as was the case with Storm-Z formations. Support UP or become our patron! BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday started deliberating a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council. Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, explained the draft revision at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC. ROME (Reuters) - A German charity vessel was on Tuesday impounded by Italian authorities after it ran into a dispute with the Libyan coast guard over the rescue of as many as 100 migrants in international waters. Italy often temporarily blocks the operations of charity-operated rescue vessels on the basis of a migration decree introduced last year by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's rightist government. The Humanity 1, operated by the SOS Humanity organisation, was blocked for 20 days in the southern port of Crotone, where it had docked on Monday bringing ashore 77 migrants it had picked up during the weekend. A spokesperson for SOS Humanity said the charity was "falsely accused" of failing to coordinate with Libyan authorities and of putting migrants' lives at risk during a sea rescue. SOS Humanity said it intervened on Saturday to help 90-100 migrants on three boats in distress in international waters off Libya and Tunisia, and that a Libyan patrol boat tried to stop its efforts by force. The charity said Libyan officers threatened its staff and migrants with a machine gun. The organisation said the intervention resulted "in people jumping in the water and at least one person drowning" and the separation of family members, as some migrants were picked up by the NGO and some by the Libyans. Libyan authorities did not respond to a request for comment. Under international humanitarian law, migrants cannot be forcibly returned to countries where they risk serious ill-treatment, and widespread migrant abuse has been extensively documented in Libya. At the same time, Italy and other European Union governments are trying to curb the inflow of sea migrants from North Africa, and have offered money or equipment to Libya and Tunisia to stop departures from their shores. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, additional reporting by Ahmed Elumami in Tripoli, editing by Tomasz Janowski) 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 shooters 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 theyre aware of Jennifer Crumbleys 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 wasnt 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 didnt 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 Crumbleys 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 didnt 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 dont 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 friends art studio in Detroit. They insisted they were not trying to flee. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. After spending years working to get the First Americans Museum open and operating, James Pepper Henry is stepping down as executive director and CEO of the Oklahoma City landmark. Pepper Henry, an enrolled member of the Kaw Nation who is also Muscogee, will exit his current position on March 31, the museum announced Monday. He will shift from overseeing daily operations of the First Americans Museum, also known as FAM, to an advisory role of director emeritus, with a focus on fundraising and special projects. Museum Director and CEO James Pepper Henry, a member of the Kaw Nation, is seen on Sept. 18, 2021, during the opening day of the First Americans Museum. "We will be forever grateful for the expertise and leadership that Jim has brought to FAM," said Gregg Wadley, who is Choctaw and chairman of the First Americans Museum Foundation Board of Directors, in a statement. "We will miss his steadfast dedication and wish him success in his next endeavors. James Pepper Henry's time as director of OKC's First Americans Museum Pepper Henry was named director and CEO of FAM, then known as the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, in 2017. He shepherded the long-delayed project to its public opening on Sept. 18, 2021, and has continued to guide the fledgling museum over the past two and a half years. A metal sculpture hangs outside the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City in 2022. Jim brought First Americans Museum to the finish line. We couldnt have completed this project without his expertise and dedication," said Blake Wade, executive director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority, in a statement. "Not only has he helped to build an amazing facility to showcase the 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma, but he has also solidified its reputation as one of the premier cultural institutions in the state. FAM is now regarded as the bellwether museum for the representation of Indigenous peoples both nationally and internationally. By fall 2021, almost a year after the long-awaited landmark opened near downtown OKC, more than 130,000 people from all 50 states and 26 countries had visited the First Americans Museum. To date, more than 300,000 people from across the state, country and globe have been admitted to the museum, and thousands more have attended events at FAM. The museum is expected to draw even more visitors after the adjoining $400 million Okana Resort and Indoor Waterpark opens in 2025. The resort along the Oklahoma River is being built by the Chickasaw Nation as part of an agreement with the city of Oklahoma City to finish the First Americans Museum. Under Pepper Henry's leadership, FAM also has been honored with more than 30 local, regional, national and international awards. The museum recently received a $65,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to help the museum continue to reunite Indigenous items on loan from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian that were collected in Oklahoma more than a century ago with their tribes and families of origin. James Pepper Henry, director and CEO of the First Americans Museum, is shown in 2021. One of the things that I am most proud of at FAM is that the stories and histories presented in our exhibitions are told from the first-person perspective by members of the 39 tribal nations in Oklahoma. You will not find a more authentic experience in any other museum representing Native peoples," Pepper Henry said in a statement. Why is the First Americans Museum's director stepping down? Pepper Henry is stepping down because he believes it is time to pass the mantle to the next generation of leadership at FAM, according to the announcement. The First Americans Museum Foundation Board of Directors soon will begin efforts to recruit a new executive director. Pepper Henry, who is also vice chair of the Kaw Nation Tribal Council, brought decades of museum experience to FAM. He came to the long-stalled OKC project from Tulsa's Gilcrease Museum, where he was executive director for two years. Visitors tour exhibits in 2022 during an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. Prior to that, he was the director and CEO of the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, for almost two years and the director and CEO of the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center in Alaska for nearly six years before that. After interning there in the 1990s in New York, Pepper Henry returned to work as an associate director for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian from 1998 to 2007. During that time, he played a pivotal part in the 2004 opening the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and he drafted the agreement to loan items from the Smithsonian that were collected in Oklahoma to what would become the First Americans Museum. Pepper Henry also served as the founding director of the Kanza Museum in Kaw City, Oklahoma; interim curator of American Indian Art at the Portland Art Museum in his native Portland, Oregon; gallery director at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center in Portland; and gallery director for the Institute of Alaska Native Arts in Fairbanks. Director and CEO James Pepper Henry speaks at the First Americans Museum in 2021. "We could not have made First Americans Museum a reality without the support of so many individuals, foundations, corporations, the public, and especially our tribal nations and tribal members. I am forever grateful for this incredible opportunity to help bring FAM to fruition," Pepper Henry said in a statement. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: First Americans Museum director James Pepper Henry stepping down [Source] The 53rd Pritzker Architecture Prize has been awarded to Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto for his five-decade career focused on innovative housing projects and educational institutions. The Nobel of architecture: Yamamoto, 78, is the ninth Japanese laureate of the Pritzker Prize, the highest honor in architecture which is often hailed as the Nobel of architecture. No other country has produced as many Pritzker winners in its 45-year-history as Japan. Yamamoto, who is known for his commitment to fostering community in his designs, will be awarded $100,000 and a bronze medallion. About Yamamoto: Born in China and raised in Japan, Yamamoto received a masters degree in architecture from Tokyo University before founding his practice in 1973. Yamamoto's approach combines private and public spaces, a strategy that multiplies opportunities for spontaneous interactions. Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure The architects inspiration: Yamamotos architectural vision was shaped by global journeys to villages, drawing inspiration from the concept of a "threshold" between public and private spaces, and the writings of philosopher Hannah Arendt. In the city, we have very few communities sometimes no community, Yamamoto told CNN. You can sometimes have 5,000 people living completely independently from the city, and the people inside (tower blocks) are independent of each other Most Japanese people believe this is the ideal living system. I dont agree with that. Notable projects: The Pritzker jury praised Yamamotos consistent, high-quality work that dignifies and enriches individuals lives and their social connections. His notable projects include the virtually transparent Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, promoting public engagement with firefighters, and The Circle at Zurich's airport, an open 24-hour environment that welcomes residents and travelers to shops and businesses. The 78-year-old also created the Hotakubo housing project in Kumamoto, arranging 110 homes in 16 clusters around a tree-lined central courtyard. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children Last year's winner: The recipient of the 2023 Pritzker award was British architect David Chipperfield, 70. His major works in North America include the Des Moines Public Library in Iowa, the Saint Louis Art Museum in Missouri and the Museo Jumex in Mexico City. Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on April 11, congressional leaders said in a statement on Monday. "This visit symbolizes both nations' commitment to peace and prosperity and to an international community that promotes democracy, security, and stability," the statement said. Kishida will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House on April 10 and the Japanese leader will be the guest of honor at a lavish state dinner at the executive mansion. The visit comes at a challenging time for both leaders, who have low public approval ratings at home. Biden is likely facing a close-fought November election against Republican Donald Trump and Kishida is managing the fallout from a fundraising scandal, economic difficulty and a major earthquake in January. (Reporting by Eric Beech) Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the Pritzker prize for architecture on Tuesday, the organizers said in a statement, praising his "reassuring style." Highlights of Yamamoto's work include Nagoya Zokei University in Japan completed in 2022, THE CIRCLE at Zurich Airport in Switzerland finished in 2020 and Tianjin Library in China unveiled in 2012. "The Pritzker Architecture Prize announces Riken Yamamoto, of Yokohama, Japan, as the 2024 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the award that is regarded internationally as architecture's highest honor," the prize-givers said in the statement. The prize citation said that Yamamoto was selected "above all for reminding us that in architecture, as in democracy, spaces must be created by the resolve of the people." He will receive $100,000 and an ornamental bronze medallion at an event typically held at an architecturally significant location. "For me, to recognize space, is to recognize an entire community," Yamamoto said. "The current architectural approach emphasizes privacy, negating the necessity of societal relationships. However, we can still honor the freedom of each individual while living together in architectural space." - 'Generosity in spirit' - The prize was founded in 1979 by the late mogul Jay Pritzker and his wife, Cindy, to honor a living architect whose work demonstrates "a combination of those qualities of talent, vision and commitment," the organizers said. "One of the things we need most in the future of cities is to create conditions through architecture that multiply the opportunities for people to come together and interact. By carefully blurring the boundary between public and private, Yamamoto contributes positively beyond the brief to enable community," said Alejandro Aravena, jury chair and 2016 Pritzker prize laureate. "He is a reassuring architect who brings dignity to everyday life. Normality becomes extraordinary. Calmness leads to splendor." Yamamoto is the 53rd winner of the prize and the ninth from Japan. "Yamamoto develops a new architectural language that doesn't merely create spaces for families to live, but creates communities for families to live together," said Tom Pritzker, chair of the Hyatt Foundation, which sponsors the award. "His works are always connected to society, cultivating a generosity in spirit and honoring the human moment." Yamamoto was born in Beijing, and resides in Yokohama, Japan. He will be honored in Chicago this spring. Illustrious past prize winners include Britain's Norman Foster, Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, and Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi of India. British architect and urban planner David Chipperfield won the 2023 edition. gw/bfm Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder, has reclaimed the top spot as the richest person in the world, worth $200 billion, according to Monday's Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Bezos dethroned Elon Musk after Tesla shares tumbled 7% at Monday's close. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI March 4 (UPI) -- Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has dethroned Tesla's chief executive Elon Musk as the richest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, after Tesla stock tumbled more than 7% on Monday. Bezos landed the top spot with a net worth of $200 billion, according to Monday's index, while Musk -- who also founded SpaceX and owns the social media platform X -- came in second with $198 billion. French billionaire Bernard Arnault, who runs a luxury brands conglomerate of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Celine, came in third with $197 billion. Bezos and Musk have frequently traded places at the top of the world's richest list. Last June, Musk reclaimed the top spot over Arnault, with Bezos landing in third place with $144 billion. According to Monday's index, Meta chief executive officer and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is the fourth richest person with $179 billion, followed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in fifth place with $150 billion. Musk's slide from first place came on the heels of Monday's 7.16% drop in Tesla stock, its lowest close since Feb. 13, as China announced new price cuts amid slowing shipments. Owner of X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk slid to second place on Monday's Bloomberg Billionaires Index, after holding the top spot since last June. Musk's wealth dropped to $198 billion, after Tesla shares tumbled 7% at Monday's close. File photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI The last time Bezos held the richest person title was in the fall of 2021. Despite selling some 50 million Amazon shares last month, worth about $8 billion, Bezos still holds a 9% stake in the online retail giant. Amazon shares are up about 17% year to date, with Bezos gaining $23 billion in worth over the past year. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranks the world's richest people and is updated daily at the close of trading in New York. French billionaire Bernard Arnault ranks third on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index of richest people in the world, with a net worth of $197 billion. File pool photo by Albin Lohr-Jones/UPI Police said the vandalism at Jeremy Hunt's constituency office was likely to have been carried out between 8pm and 9pm on Monday - Georgia Hase Police have opened an investigation after Jeremy Hunts constituency office was vandalised on Monday evening as he finalised his spring Budget statement. The front door and windows of the Chancellors local office in Hindhead, Surrey, were defaced with graffiti in white spray paint that read: Die Tory scum. The attack is the latest in a series of aggressive acts or criminal incidents at Conservative MPs offices and homes. Protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Movement demonstrated outside Tobias Ellwoods house last month. On Tuesday, a man admitted in court that he set fire to a shed at Mike Freers constituency office in north London on Christmas Eve, but denied the act was politically motivated or targeted. Mr Hunt insisted he would not be deterred by the attack on his office, telling The Express: The British people are famously tolerant, which is why we have one of the most robust democracies in the world. We wont be deterred by a few idiots. Mr Hunts office was likely to have been vandalised between 8pm and 9pm on Monday, according to Surrey Police. The graffiti was discovered on Tuesday morning. The Chancellor spent Tuesday evening solidifying the details of his Budget statement, which will be delivered in the Commons on Wednesday. On Sunday, The Guardian revealed that Mr Hunt had contributed more than 100,000 to the funds of his constituency Conservative party. Electoral Commission records showed that, in the last five years, he has donated 105,261 to the Southwest Surrey Conservative Association. Mr Hunt has been projected to lose his seat at the next election, and would become the first sitting Chancellor in history to suffer such a defeat. His Godalming and Ash constituency is a key target for the Liberal Democrats, whose leader, Sir Ed Davey, spent Tuesday campaigning in the area. A spokesman for Surrey Police said: Officers were called following reports of criminal damage at a property on Tilford Road in Hindhead, which is believed to have taken place between 8pm and 9pm on Monday March 4. The criminal damage involved graffiti being sprayed on the windows on the outside of the property. No one was present in the property at the time of the criminal damage. If anyone has any information that could help our investigation, including any CCTV, dashcam or helmet cam footage, please contact us via live chat on our website quoting PR/45240025530. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Activists chain themselves to the fence of the White House during a protest on the Israel-Hamas war on Dec. 11, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) It has been more than four months since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government began inflicting brutal collective punishment on civilians in Gaza. Credible estimates reflect more than 30,000 Palestinians killed and more than 70,000 injured. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 85 journalists have been confirmed killed since the start of the war, most of them Palestinian or Lebanese. Eighty-five percent of Gazans have been displaced from their homes. Without access to potable water, electricity, or food, Gazans are starving and disease is spreading. Many children in Gaza are unaccompanied. Per UNICEF, nearly all surviving children in Gaza face incapacitating mental health challenges as a result of bombings and the loss of life occurring all around them. Here are just a few examples of alleged Israeli war crimes: targeting civilians, targeting personnel and resources of humanitarian aid, bombing towns that are undefended, and attacking hospitals and areas of cultural significance like libraries. The state of Israel has done all of this and more. Israel defends its military actions by blaming Hamas for sacrificing their own people as human shields. While its undeniable that Hamas operations are embedded in the infrastructure of Gaza, this doesnt provide Israel, or any nation, a justification to carry out the level of destruction seen since early October. Given that half of Gazas population is children, it is indefensible to hold them or any other civilians responsible for the horrible atrocities committed by Hamas on Oct. 7. As this war rages on, the Jewish and Palestinian diasporas are also paying a price. In October, Wadea Al Fayoume, an innocent 6-year-old American child, was stabbed 26 times by his familys landlord due to his Palestinian heritage. His grieving mother was unable to attend his funeral as she recovered in the hospital from her stab wounds. Earlier this month, 23-year-old Palestinian-American Zacharia Doar was stabbed after attending a Palestinian liberation protest. Synagogues around the United States, Europe, and Africa have been vandalized and attacked, including the murder of a Detroit rabbi outside her home. When we attend services at our local synagogues here in Colorado, we are greeted by cops and hired security as we retrieve our siddurim and silently pray that we will return home safely. Palestinian and Jewish safety are inextricably linked, and the perpetuation of this war keeps both communities in danger around the world. How can we, as a nation, denounce violence against journalists and civilians, genocide, and war crimes around the world, when we fund those very actions? The violence is not distant for Palestinian Americans and Jewish Americans: Its a dangerous reality we must wrestle with in our own communities. On Feb. 15, Glenwood Springs City Council took the courageous, morally correct step of becoming the first municipality in Colorado to adopt a ceasefire resolution. The resolution explicitly included the release of all hostages held by Hamas, in addition to calling for the passage of humanitarian aid, and the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians. By passing this resolution, Glenwood Springs sent a message to our elected leaders at the federal level that they need to do more to end the violence in Gaza and at home. While our U.S. senators, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, signed on to a letter to President Joe Biden urging diplomacy and a ceasefire, they both voted in support of the foreign aid package with $14 billion in unrestricted military funds for Israel after constituents, including Jews, pleaded with them to use their power to bring an end to the war. Our governments support of Israels military campaign is putting Bidens reelection at risk with many of the younger voters who propelled him to victory in 2020 vocalizing a lack of support for him in 2024. How can we, as a nation, denounce violence against journalists and civilians, genocide, and war crimes around the world, when we fund those very actions? We applaud and thank Glenwood Springs City Council for their actions, and we call on our federal delegation to do more, now. Jews are not a monolithic community and we dont speak for everyone. But for many local Jews, we are grateful for the actions of the Glenwood Springs City Council. We also assert that the teachings of Judaism cannot be used to justify violence. This war is a power play that devastates regular people, the most vulnerable people. We cannot allow this to be carried out in the name of Jews or as the legacy of the United States. Our future, our freedom, and our safety as Jews depend upon advocating for an end to Palestinian oppression. The authors are Jewish residents of Western Colorado. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post A Jewish perspective on why the Glenwood Springs ceasefire resolution matters appeared first on Colorado Newsline. PHNOM PENH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia attracted 540,023 international tourists in January 2024, a significant increase of 34 percent from 402,943 in the same month of 2023, said a Ministry of Tourism's report released on Tuesday. Thailand topped the chart among the international arrivals to the Southeast Asian country in January this year, followed by Vietnam and China, the report said. Some 163,661 Thais, 85,700 Vietnamese, and 46,781 Chinese traveled to the country during the above-mentioned period, up 17 percent, 33 percent, and 87 percent, respectively, the report added. Cambodia launched the 2024 Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year in January, hoping that the initiative would be a magnet for Chinese tourists to the country. "I'm strongly confident that the initiative will become a new driving force to attract more Chinese tourists and investors to Cambodia," Cambodian Tourism Minister Sok Soken said at the launching event held at the famed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. The country received 5.45 million foreign visitors in 2023, earning gross revenue of 3.08 billion U.S. dollars, which contributed 7.5 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Ministry of Tourism. The kingdom has four world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park, the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in central Kampong Thom province, and the Temple of Preah Vihear and the Koh Ker archaeological site in northwest Preah Vihear province. Besides, it has a pristine coastline stretching in the length of about 450 km in four southwest provinces of Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong. Jim Parobek has been named president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital. With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field, Parobek is taking the reins with two goals in mind making sure associates of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital have what they need to do their best work and serving the community outside the walls of the hospital. Parobek most recently served as the interim CEO for White Rock Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he led the operations of the facility focusing on building a strategic plan for growth and expansion. Before that, Parobek was named president of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas in 2018, the largest hospital within the Texas Health Resources network. During his presidency, he established the hospital as a Level 1 trauma center, initiated multiple DE&I initiatives as well as community engagement projects including establishing a respite unit at a local homeless shelter. Jim Parobek Parobek joined Texas Health in 2014 serving in various leadership roles where he had a significant impact on the operations by unifying the oversight and coordination of all physicians contracting, workforce development and recruitment. Before his career at Texas Health, Parobek was the president of St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital and the Jewish Hospital Physician Group, both in Louisville, Kentucky. He was also the president of Gateway Rehabilitation Hospital in Louisville. Strategic thinker, results-oriented leader Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to OhioHealth Marion General Hospital, having served in various senior leadership roles in Kentucky and Texas, said Chris Clinton, president of OhioHealths regional markets. He is a strategic thinker and results-oriented leader. Jim values collaboration and is passionate about local healthcare. Please join me in welcoming Jim Parobek to OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and the Marion community. No stranger to Ohio, Parobek attended Miami University completing his undergraduate degree in chemistry and later at Ohio University where he received his Bachelor of Science in physical therapy. Parobek later received his M.B.A., with honors, from Webster University. My wife and I are thrilled to have the chance to return to north central Ohio, Parobek said. This is such a special role in the community, and I am both honored and humbled to be chosen as [Marion General Hospitals] next president." "As one of the citys largest employers and only hospital, we have a responsibility to truly take care of our neighbors," he added. "I am looking forward to working with our associates to see that they have the skills, training and tools they need to do their best work. We need to take serving the community outside the walls of the hospital and truly partner with them for a lifetime of health. We are looking forward to being a part of the Marion community. Parobek started serving his new role Monday. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Jim Parobek is the new president of OhioHealth Marion General Hospital Jon Stewart once again took aim at both sides of the aisle, this time blasting the GOP for deliberately fueling public alarm about migrants at the border, and criticizing Democrats failure to stick to espoused values. On Mondays segment of the Daily Show, the host joked that every two to four years, were reminded that theres a border, before playing Fox News and Newsmax clips pushing the migrant crime narrative. In one clip, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed Donald Trumps rhetoric of rapists crossing the border despite studies showing there is no correlation between immigration and rising crime rates. Stewart was quick to point out that its all about branding, and that Republicans intentionally blocked a bipartisan immigration bill supported by the U.S. Border Patrol union because of how confident they are that fearmongering will be an effective election year strategy for Trump. The Daily Show veteran then rolled video of Trumps clunky attempt to coin a portmanteau for Biden and migrant as Bigrant crime. Stewart wasnt sold: It really just sounds like a migrant whos open to cross at either border. Elsewhere in the episode, Stewart juxtaposed Democrats touting unshakeable, bedrock, American values of compassion and empathy against a snippet of New York City Mayor Eric Adams flipping from give me your tired to we have no more room in this city following an influx of migrants who have arrived since spring 2022. Following his return to host the program after almost nine years, Stewart received a liberal lashing for firing off at both President Joe Biden and Trump for their age-related blunders. Last week, the temporary host took on something light and addressed the war in Gaza criticizing Israel for civilian deaths, Hamas for declaring Israel must be removed, and the U.S. and United Nations for not stopping the suffering of innocent people. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Jordanian army planes prepare to drop humanitarian aid packages over Northern Gaza. The landing operations included 3 C130 aircraft belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, 3 American aircraft, an Egyptian aircraft, and a French aircraft. -/Jordanian Armed Force Website/dpa Jordan said on Tuesday it has carried out its largest airdrop of food and relief aid supplies on the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the United States, France and Egypt. Three Jordanian armed forces aircraft took part in the operation, along with three US aircraft, one Egyptian and one French. They targeted northern Gaza. The packages attached to parachutes included aid provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), Jordanian armed forces said. Jordan has been dropping food and supplies into Gaza by air since November. Recently, other countries began joining those operations. Humanitarian aid packages are seen on a plane before being dropped over Gaza. The landing operations included 3 C130 aircraft belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, 3 American aircraft, an Egyptian aircraft, and a French aircraft. -/Jordanian Armed Force Website/dpa Humanitarian aid packages are seen on a plane before being dropped over Gaza. The landing operations included 3 C130 aircraft belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, 3 American aircraft, an Egyptian aircraft, and a French aircraft. -/Jordanian Armed Force Website/dpa Retired federal Judge J. Michael Luttig on Monday called the Supreme Court decision allowing former President Trump to remain on the presidential ballot stunning in its overreach. In an interview on CNNs The Lead, Luttig refrained from criticizing the decision to let Trump stay on the ballot, but he said the Supreme Courts expansive decision concerning other constitutional matters was both shocking and unprecedented. Not for its decision of the exceedingly narrow question presented by the case, though that issue is important, but rather for its decision to reach and decide a myriad of the other constitutional issues surrounding disqualification under [the] 14th Amendment, Luttig told Jake Tapper. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that Colorado cannot disqualify former President Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendments insurrection ban. The Supreme Court also ruled Congress has exclusive authority to enforce the 14th Amendment to disqualify federal candidates. Trump-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in criticizing that decision. Luttig, a longtime conservative jurist on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, agreed with the concurrence and said it was not necessary to go beyond the narrow scope of the case. In reaching and deciding those questions unnecessarily, the court, the majority, as the concurrences said, effectively decided that the former president will never be disqualified from holding the presidency in 2024. Or ever, for that matter, Luttig continued. But even more importantly, as the concurrence said, effectively, the court today decided that no person in the future will ever be disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, regardless [of] whether he or she has engaged in an insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution of the United States, he said. Luttig compared the reach of the ruling to those of the Warren Court, largely considered the most liberal Supreme Court in recent history. Its stunning in its overreach. Its a textbook example, Jake, of the kind of activist judicial opinion from the 1960s and the Warren Court era that begat the conservative legal and judicial movement in the 1970s and 1980s. But of course, its different here. Because this is unmistakably a conservative court, he said. Luttig who filed an amicus brief in January calling on the Supreme Court to uphold the Colorado decision barring Trump from appearing on the ballot defended the liberal justices against Barretts warning not to amplify disagreement with stridency. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who did not join the other five in the overreaching decisions that it made, accuse the three concurrences of stridency in their opinions, Luttig said. For your listeners and your viewers: There was not one word of stridency in the concurring opinion by Justices [Sonia] Sotomayor, [Elena] Kagan, and [Ketanji Brown] Jackson. Not one single word of stridency. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. FBI agents did not breach Sen. Bob Menendezs constitutional rights when they searched his New Jersey home in June 2022 and found a trove of gold bars and cash, a federal judge found Monday. Judge Sidney Stein swatted away the embattled New Jersey Democrats claim that the feds deceived a magistrate judge by omitting key facts before asking for warrants to search the senators Englewood home and his email accounts as they probed him for an alleged bribery scheme. Stein blasted an argument from Menendezs lawyers that Manhattan prosecutors should have disclosed before getting the warrants that several people accused of benefiting from the bribes had claimed not to know anything about the senators alleged crimes. The senator and his wife are accused of accepting bribes to do favors for businessmen and the governments of Egypt and Qatar. REUTERS The fact that beneficiaries of an alleged scheme denied their involvement or knowledge after the fact when questioned by a government agent is not sufficient to overcome the significant contemporaneous evidence supporting probable cause that is otherwise present, the jurist wrote. FBI agents discovered more than $150,000 worth of gold bars and nearly $500,000 in hidden cash including stuffed inside envelopes inside Menendezs government jackets after searching the New Jersey home, court papers say. Investigators also found a trove of key evidence of the senators online activities, including that he Googled kilo of gold price shortly after allegedly receiving a gold bar bribe. FBI agents also uncovered the fingerprints of a driver for a businessman who allegedly bribed Menendez on some of the envelopes, court papers say. FBI agents who raided the Englewood Cliffs home discovered a trove of cash and gold bars. Christopher Sadowski Menendez, 70, and his wife Nadine, 56, have each pleaded not guilty to sprawling bribery charges claiming they accepted cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz convertible and even exercise machines and an air purifier from 2018 through 2022 while the senator helmed the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. After receiving the gold bars, Menendez Googled kilo of gold price, an indictment states. Steven Hirsch The pair are accused of doing favors for businessmen and acting as agents of Egypt and Qatar. A trial is slated for May. Mondays ruling is just the latest legal blow suffered by the veteran pol. On Friday, one of the businessmen accused of making the bribes former insurance agent Jose Uribe agreed to flip and testify against the Menendezes after admitting in court to helping the couple purchase a Mercedes-Benz convertible in exchange for help protecting one of Uribes colleagues from a state investigation over insurance fraud. Menendezs lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A sitting state appellate judge, a former Illinois Supreme Court justice, multiple ex-legislators and the Cook County clerk all wrote letters of support for Tim Mapes, the former Springfield insider who was convicted of perjury last year in connection with a sweeping statehouse corruption investigation. The letters were submitted ahead of Mapes sentencing last month but were made public Tuesday in redacted form by order of U.S. District Judge John Kness. Mapes, former chief of staff to powerhouse ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was ultimately given 30 months in prison. Many of the letters released Tuesday vouched for Mapes character and asked Kness for leniency. Former Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride, who received millions of dollars from Madigan-backed campaign contributions over three races for the high court, called Mapes a man of many admirable talents. Kilbride noted that Mapes son, Devin, served as a judicial intern for the justice, and Kilbride ultimately swore him in when he became a lawyer. Although I have not been privy to the full trial story, and my view is limited to my reading of newspaper articles, Tims misdeeds appear to be his first offense and to have had minimal impact on the investigation of Madigan, wrote Kilbride, who lost his 2020 bid for a third 10-year term. Illinois Appellate Court Justice David Ellis, who once served as Madigans chief House counsel and oversaw the impeachment proceedings of former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, called Mapes a gracious, kind man. Ellis, a well-known book author, wrote Kness that he recognized the difficult task a judge faces in fashioning a sentence, but urged Kness to consider Mapes family, personal kindness and compassion; and the decades of hard work he performed for the speaker and the benefit of the state of Illinois. Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough wrote that Mapes is a good person who worked extremely hard on behalf of the people of Illinois and helped make our State a better place his commitment to helping our societys most vulnerable has resulted in countless lives being changed for the better. Yarbrough, who wrote that she was submitting the letter in her personal capacity, is head of the Cook County clerks office which employs one of Mapes sons. She also served as interim chair of the state Democratic Party when Madigan stepped down in 2021. Former House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, said she never had reason to question Mapes honesty or his integrity. Was he perturbed when the train ran off the rails? Of course, Currie wrote. Could he be brusque when that happened? Of course. But he never, in my experience, carried a grudge. Todays transgressor was tomorrows trusted aide. Longtime Madigan spokesperson Steve Brown said Mapes devoted a lot of energy to helping people rescue themselves from personal crisis situations. Brown concluded that it is beyond the scope of my human experiences that there is any benefit to be gained by inflicting a harsh punishment on a person because of misstatements or a failure to recall conversations from years ago. Further, Brown noted that the events and topics Mapes was asked about did not involve the commission of crime. Brown, who also served as a Madigan adviser from 1983 to 2021, misspelled the judges name twice, writing Knees instead of Kness. Joe Lyons, a former Democratic state representative from Chicago, asked Kness to please consider as lenient a sentencing as possible for Tim. The judgment by the jury carries with it devastating consequences for the Mapes family. Among the other former state representatives who vouched for Mapes character: John OConnell, a longtime lobbyist who said Mapes was not just a hard worker, but he was also an innovator; and Frank Mautino, now the state auditor general, who wrote that, In all things work related I have found Tim to be honest, forthright and trustworthy. Former Democratic state Rep. Tom Holbrook, who now serves as St. Clair County clerk, wrote he always felt Tim had a near-impossible job keeping the House running while dealing with Members issues and egos. Tim had to try to create order among hundreds of individuals who had their own agendas, Holbrook wrote. Tim was the person who had to say NO to legislators that seldom accepted NO. The buck stopped with Tim, and most legislators wanted to kill the messenger. Tim weathered this type of environment for decades. Janis Cellini, the sister of Republican powerhouse Bill Cellini who went to prison for corruption, told of her longtime friendship with Mapes wife, Bronwyn Rains, and said she is known by the Mapes sons as Aunt Janis. Janis Cellini, who also served as a top patronage aide to Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, called Mapes smart, workaholic and oftentimes brutally honest and extremely demanding' but she also maintained his role as Madigan chief of staff also meant he had to deliver the bad news when the good news wasnt available. Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, a former chairman of the St. Clair County Board, also said Mapes would always give you the bad news as well as the good. He was never a backslapper or glad-hander and never told people what they wanted to hear. Kurt DeWeese, a longtime and respected House Democratic staffer, said he always appreciated Tims Skills and work ethic. The letters of praise for Mapes represented a far different picture from that of his critics. Mapes spent years as Madigans chief of staff and executive director of the state Democratic Party, when, as the speakers premier gatekeeper, he strode the halls of power with an almost autocratic style. He also served as the clerk of the House, where he was known as a details-driven micromanager adept at keeping the legislative trains running. Madigan unceremoniously dumped Mapes from all three positions in June 2018 after a staffer accused him of sexual harassment in a year in which the #MeToo movement cost the careers of several Madigan allies. During Mapes trial, Madigan, McClain and Mapes were described as the major players in a triangle of power that held sway over the longtime speakers Democratic House caucus, government operations and major grip on statewide politics. In an outside investigation Madigan ordered to review how he handled sexual harassment complaints after Mapes was among several top allies caught up in #MeToo scandals in 2018, Mapes received some of the harshest criticism. The probe, led by former federal prosecutor Maggie Hickey, found sufficient evidence to conclude that Mapes did not discharge his duties as chief of staff and House clerk in a courteous and efficient manner when he made inappropriate comments to or around staffer Sherri Garrett. The Hickey report said state workers she interviewed believed that Mr. Mapes attempted to motivate workers through fear and that a few other supervisors throughout the years emulated this practice. Some people also raised the additional concern that, given Mr. Mapess political ties, he could make or break their careers outside of the speakers office as well, the report stated. Mapes had kept collecting his monthly pension checks despite his conviction in August, but it is now suspended and under review since his sentencing. He received an automatic increase in January that lifted his annual pension rate to more than $154,000. rlong@chicagotribune.com mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Jury deliberations in the trial of a man charged in the 2021 fatal shootings of Baltimore Police officer Keona Holley and 27-year-old Justin Johnson stretched through Tuesday and will resume Wednesday morning. Jurors began deliberating Monday afternoon and continued throughout the day Tuesday, bringing to more than eight hours the total time the case has been in their hands. Elliot Knox is charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearms offenses stemming from the shootings, which happened over a 90-minute stretch in the early morning of Dec. 16, 2021. If convicted, the 34-year-old faces life in prison. His trial, which began last week, spanned the better part of four days. During closing arguments, Assistant States Attorney Kurt Bjorklund described the killings as executions, saying it was his belief that Knox pulled the trigger in both shootings. Holley was ambushed and gunned down around 1:30 a.m. while sitting in her patrol car on an overtime shift in Curtis Bay. When she was shot, Holleys car lurched forward over Pennington Avenue, rolled down an embankment and came to rest in a park. Two bullets struck her in the head, damaging her brain. The 39-year-old mother of four died in the hospital about a week after the shooting. Around 3 a.m. the same day, Johnson was gunned down while sitting in his 1997 Lincoln Town Car in the 600 block of Lucia Ave., which is in the citys Yale Heights neighborhood. Six bullets tore into his back, damaging his spine, lungs and heart. He died at the scene. Scores of detectives descended on the scene of Holleys shooting, soon learning that a license plate reader in the area had picked up the tag of a silver Hyundai registered to Knox. Cameras showed the car arrive and park around the block from where Holleys patrol car was. Two men got out. The footage, played at trial, showed them walking in the direction of Holleys cruiser and then running back toward their car. Within hours, police located, stopped and detained Knox. After waiving his Miranda rights, he spoke to investigators in a small interview room at the Homicide Unit in Baltimore Police Headquarters. After misleading police for about two hours by denying any involvement in the violence and claiming someone else had taken his car, he confessed to being present but blamed his accomplice for pulling the trigger in both shootings. Travon Shaw also was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and firearms offenses in both killings. A jury in October convicted him of all counts related to Johnsons death. Shaw, 34, faces life in prison at sentencing later this month, when he is also due to stand trial on the charges stemming from Holleys killing. His public defender previously declined to comment. Knoxs defense attorney, Natalie Finegar, told jurors the prosecution couldnt disprove her clients story, and thus it was possible that he was telling the truth. During his interrogation, Knox directed detectives to the house where he hid both guns used in the shootings: A Glock 22 handgun and an AR-style pistol. Police found them in a bedroom closet of the house, where the suspect said they would be, in a pair of backpacks along with gloves, masks and extra magazines. Crime lab technicians documented and collected ballistics evidence from the scene of both shootings. From the place Holley was shot, they picked up six .40 caliber casings. Police found another two .40 caliber casings and one .223 caliber casing around Johnsons car. Once police had the guns, a firearms examiner with the department was able to complete a full analysis of the evidence. Testifying as an expert, the examiner said the .40 caliber casings from both shooting scenes were consistent with having been fired by the Glock 22 recovered by police. He also said the same regarding the .223 caliber round from Johnsons shooting scene and the AR-style pistol detectives got. A police DNA analyst also testified that Knox and Shaw matched a profile of genetic material collected from the pistol. The analyst could not identify anyones DNA from the Glock 22. This article will be updated. A jury on Tuesday convicted a man accused of shooting and killing Chicago police Officer Ella French and injuring her partner after the panel spent days viewing harrowing body-camera footage and hearing emotional testimony from police officers and other witnesses. Emonte Morgan, 23, was found guilty of killing French, and of attempted murder for seriously injuring Officer Carlos Yanez Jr. and an attempted murder count in connection with Officer Joshua Blas during a traffic stop on Aug 7, 2021. The verdict was read to a hushed courtroom with a heavy presence of deputies lining the aisles. Judge Ursula Walowski warned observers to remain calm and silent. Afterward, family members of French, Yanez and Blas hugged and cried. Yanez and Blas were both present for the verdict. After the verdict, Cmdr. Bryan Spreyne, who supervised French, Yanez and Blas, said it has been a trying week for their family and the Police Department. We all hurt through this incident, Spreyne said. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx said that a just verdict was rendered. We are incredibly gratified by the jurys verdict today but it is difficult to feel anything other than sadness about the senseless murder of a Chicago police officer in the line of duty, Foxx said. Attorneys delivered closing arguments to a full courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, presenting dueling interpretations of evidence aired to the jury since last Tuesday. The jury began deliberating around 3:30 p.m., deliberating for less than four hours. Prior to the arguments, Walowski denied a request from defense attorneys to instruct the jurors on a possible finding of a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. French, 29, was gunned down after she and her partners around 63rd Street and Bell Avenue pulled over a vehicle occupied by Morgan, his brother, Eric Morgan, and a woman Eric Morgan was dating. The shooting rattled the city and Police Department, and her police work elicited praise in many corners across the city, from officers she worked with to victims she helped. The jury was sworn in on Feb. 26 and began hearing testimony the next day. Assistant States Attorney Emily Stevens began closing arguments with a display of the two bulletproof vests Yanez and French wore the night they were shot. These vests didnt stop any bullets, she said, not because they didnt work, but because the defendant Emonte Morgan didnt aim there. Prosecutors sought to contradict assertions from the defense that the shooting was not intentional, but rather a byproduct of a struggle between Yanez and Morgan, arguing the shooting was purposeful. Stevens said that Morgan exited the vehicle with a gun in his waistband, rather than attempting to hide it under the seat in the car. This defendant left (Yanez) laying on his back looking up toward the sky drowning in his own blood, Stevens said. He fired a bullet into (Frenchs) skull, fracturing it and breaking it in several places. Defense attorneys, though, said that during the struggle after the traffic stop, Yanez was so close to Morgan that its difficult to discern what happened. Hodel said the defense attorneys were not suggesting that Yanez or French were responsible for the shooting, as its uncontested that their weapons didnt leave their holsters, but said her clients intent is unproven. Because of the position of Yanez on top of Monty, we dont see what happens. You cant make a determination whether he did that intentionally or not, Assistant Public Defender Jennifer Hodel said. Hodel also argued that prosecutors did not prove that Morgan fired shots at Blas, contending there werent enough shell casings from Morgans gun. She argued that those found outside the vehicle were from the shooting that wounded French and Yanez. If there had been additional cartridge casings from Montys gun, they would have found them, she said. They did not. Rebutting the arguments, Assistant States Attorney Scott Clark said that a firearms expert testified that the gun had a safety and did not have an unusually light trigger. Youre being asked to believe that during this struggle for the gun in the car, the gun somehow went off seven times, he said. Prosecutors have said that Emonte Morgan fired multiple shots at the officers after French and two fellow officers stopped a gray SUV driven by Eric Morgan. Emonte Morgan was also shot during the confrontation. Body camera footage from French, Yanez and Blas, who were working together that night, showed the officers pull over the SVU and begin engaging with the occupants of the car, noting an open container of alcohol and asking them to turn off the music and hand over the keys. At one point, Eric Morgan took off running and Blas pursued him until, he testified, he heard gunshots back toward the crime scene. Footage from Yanez and Frenchs body cameras showed a close-up scuffle before gunshots sound. French runs around the car to help her partner, according to the footage. Eric Morgan, in October was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in the shooting. The footage captured Blass return to the scene, and his anguished cries yelling the names of his partners. Prosecutors said Morgan shot at him, so he returned fire and struck him. French French! Blas yelled when he arrived, according to the footage. Jurors also watched footage that captured the bloody aftermath of the shooting, with officers carrying French and Yanez into separate vehicles, attempting CPR and rushing to the hospital. Yanez took the stand last week and testified that he remembers the beginning of the traffic stop, then nothing until shortly after he was shot. I heard gunfire right above me, and then I heard Josh screaming Yanez! Yanez! French!, Yanez testified. Frenchs mother, Elizabeth French, also told the jury about her final phone call with her daughter. Ella had called her mother to pass the time during the drive to her district, she told jurors Tuesday. Elizabeth French then ended the call as she always did: that she loves her, to be careful and to be safe. She liked to call me on her way to work, French testified, smiling through tears. AUSTIN (KXAN) A Travis County jury Friday sentenced a man to 36 years in prison for murder in connection with the 2022 death of a woman in Austin, according to the Travis County District Attorneys office. The DAs office said the jury convicted John Steven Hernandez, 36, in the death of Marisela Gonzalez, 32. 2022: Austin Police investigate northeast Austin homicide According to Austin Police, she was shot at a northeast Austin apartment and later died on Sept. 15, 2022. Police said officers were called to the area of Berkman and Reagan Hill Drives for a shooting. Thats just south of U.S. Highway 183 and east of Cameron Road. Officers found Gonzalez shot inside an apartment unit. In 2022, police said during their investigation, officers determined Gonzalez had been in an altercation with another person, which escalated into the shooting. Police arrested Hernandez on Oct. 4, 2022, the DAs office said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A memorial for the victims of the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan (Emily Elconin) Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of a Michigan father accused of manslaughter over a school mass shooting carried out by his teenage son. James Crumbley, 47, and his wife Jennifer, 45, are the first parents of a school shooter to face felony manslaughter charges in the United States for the actions of their child. Jennifer Crumbley was convicted last month of four counts of involuntary manslaughter and is to be sentenced on April 9. She could face up to 15 years in prison. Her husband faces the same charges. Their son Ethan Crumbley is serving a life sentence for the November 30, 2021 shooting at Oxford High School on the outskirts of Detroit which left four students dead and seven other people injured. The Crumbleys bought their then 15-year-old son the 9mm SIG Sauer handgun he used to carry out the attack and were accused of ignoring warnings that he had mental health struggles. Jennifer Crumbley testified during her trial that her husband bought their son the gun just days before the attack as an early Christmas present, and she took the boy to a shooting range the next day. She said her husband was responsible for storing the weapon at their home, and it was for her son "to use at the shooting range only." The mother said she never had reason to believe her son was capable of carrying out such a violent act. The Crumbleys were summoned to the school on the day of the shooting, after a teacher was "alarmed" by a violent drawing she found on Ethan's desk. The parents were shown the drawing and advised they needed to get the boy into counseling. They allegedly resisted taking their son home and he returned to class. He later entered a bathroom, emerged with the gun which had been concealed in his backpack and fired more than 30 shots. Amid a huge number of deadly firearms incidents involving young people in the United States, pressure has been mounting to punish parents who make it possible for their children to get weapons. The father of an Illinois man accused of killing seven people in July 2022 pleaded guilty in November to misdemeanor charges of "reckless conduct" for helping his son obtain the assault rifle used in the mass shooting. A Virginia woman whose six-year-old son shot and severely wounded his teacher was recently sentenced to two years in prison for felony child neglect and 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to illegally obtaining the firearm. cl/mlm The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting. Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting. Lawmakers reviewed a report from the State Council on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2024 draft plan, as well as the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024. They also reviewed a report from the State Council on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, as well as the draft central and local budgets for 2024. Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, explained a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the opening meeting. Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a government work report at 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/Yao Dawei) Zhao Leji presides over 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/Xie Huanchi) Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, explains a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) A juvenile male was arrested over the weekend after he fired several shots at police in Orange County, authorities announced on Monday. The incident unfolded at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday in the 300 block of West Guinida Lane in Anaheim, according to a news release from APD. Officers say that as they were contacting several other suspects, the juvenile opened fire, shooting several times at police before fleeing the area on foot. Fortunately, no one was struck by the gunfire. Officers did not return gunfire and requested assistance of additional Officers to help with locating the suspect, police said. During an hours-long search for the suspect, officers spotted the suspects mother driving away from the area and broadcast the information to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Police warn of thieves using wifi-jamming tech to disarm cameras, alarms Shortly after the broadcast, Deputies from the Orange County Sheriffs Department located and arrested the suspect in the City of Mission Viejo without incident, the release noted. The suspect was booked at Orange County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of attempted murder on a peace officer, along with several other offenses. Due to his age, authorities are not releasing the suspects identity. The investigation, however, is ongoing and Anaheim PD Gang Unit Detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 714-765-1900. Anonymous tips can be made through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or online at Orange County Crime Stoppers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A former guard for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice was arrested for assaulting a minor at a facility in Columbia, officials said. Tyquine Leonard, a 28-year-old Cayce resident, was charged with third-degree assault and battery as well as one count of misconduct in office, SCDJJ said Tuesday in a news release. Leonard was working as a juvenile correctional officer at the Midlands Evaluation Center in Richland County, according to arrest warrants. Thats at 1721 Shivers Road in Columbia, not far from the intersection of Broad River Road and St. Andrews Road. Juveniles housed at the evaluation center include those who have been convicted and are ordered to undergo psychological, social, and educational assessments, as well as those who are court-ordered to be committed, according to DJJ. On Nov. 15, 2023, Leonard knowingly and willingly assaulted a youth, arrest warrants show. He choked and pushed the minor in the chest and upper body, according to the arrest warrants. Evidence gathered from witnesses and video surveillance led to the charges, arrest warrants show. There was no word about what motivated the attack. Information about how, and when, Leonard left the SCDJJ job was not available, but he surrendered to law enforcement at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Tuesday morning, according to the release. As of Tuesday afternoon, no bond was set and Leonard remained behind bars, jail records show. SCDJJ strives to hold all employees accountable for actions that violate internal policies, oath of office, or the law, officials said in the release. If hes convicted on the misconduct in office charge, Leonard faces a maximum punishment of a fine and a year in prison, according to South Carolina law. A conviction on the misdemeanor assault and battery charge could lead to a maximum punishment of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine, per South Carolina law. This is not the first time Leonard has been charged with third-degree assault and battery. On June 14, 2023, Leonard was arrested on the same charge, in addition to one count of malicious injury to property (value $2,000 or less), Richland County court records show. He was released on a $3,212.50 bond on the combined charges from the 2023 arrest, and a jury trial is pending, according to court records. TOPEKA (KSNT) A federal grand jury indicted a Kansas couple for allegedly fraudulently obtaining disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Department of Justice (DOJ) made the announcement in a press release on March 4 that James Bradford, 47, and Equanda Bradford, 45, of Junction City, have each been charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of theft of public money, property or records. James, a U.S. Army veteran, and his wife Equanda are accused of giving false and fraudulent information to the VA about James caregiver needs and Equandas caregiving functions. This resulted in the receipt of more than $172,000 in disability compensation to which the couple was not entitled, according to the press release. Junction City animal shelter fights for more space, facility upgrades For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Kansas Food Bank is hosting Filling the Gap to provide food for students in need over spring break. While it may be exciting for many families, vacation from school can be a difficult time for a child who depends on school breakfast and lunch. Thats where Filling the Gap comes in! said the Kansas Food Bank Filling the Gap will provide kids with a box of five days of breakfasts and lunches. Wichita school board to decide on 6 closures The distribution will be from 12 to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 11, at five different pick-up locations across the Wichita area. No registration is required. Children must be present to pick up. Any kids are welcome. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Topeka police arrested a Kansas lawmaker Monday on suspicion of traffic violations and possession of a firearm while under the influence. Rep. Carl Maughan, a Colwich Republican, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail at 4 a.m. Monday morning, according to Shawnee County booking documents. Maughan was arrested on allegations he failed to use his turn signal and improper driving on laned roadway alongside the gun charge, according to the records. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning. Maughan, who was first elected in 2022, did not respond to The Stars request for comment. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said in a statement he appreciated law enforcements efforts to work with Maughan through the process. Anytime theres an instance of anyone driving under the influence its concerning and something to be taken seriously, Hawkins said. Im thankful that no one was hurt. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas Representative Carl Maughan has stepped down from his leadership position on the House Judiciary Committee after being arrested in Shawnee County. Nexstars Kansas Capitol Bureau confirmed with House Republican Leadership that Maughan vacated his Vice-Chair position on the committee on Tuesday, March 5. He stepped down as vice chair of judiciary but will remain on the committee, Spokeswoman for Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins Carrie Rahfaldt said. A new vice chair will be appointed. No other committees have changed. Shawnee County District Attorney talks murder, crime issues in Topeka Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins also responded to Rep. Maughans arrest. He sent the following statement on Tuesday. Any time theres an instance of anyone driving under the influence its concerning and something to be taken seriously, Hawkins said. Im thankful that no one was hurt in the incident and appreciate law enforcements efforts to work through this process with Rep. Maughan. Photo of Carl Fredrick Alexander Maughan provided courtesy of Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Biden invests $9M in Kansas Indian Country Nexstars Kansas Capitol Bureau has requested the incident report from Maughans arrest. On Monday, the 52-year-old Colwich Republican was booked on charges of possession of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failure to give signal when changing lanes or turning and improper driving on a laned roadway, according to the Shawnee County daily booking report. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. To download our Storm Track Weather App, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Months before a presidential election that will bring hundreds of thousands to the polls, Kansas lawmakers gave initial approval to a complete overhaul of Kansas voting system alongside severe limits on advance and mail-in voting following years of false claims of election irregularities and voter fraud. The Kansas Senate voted Monday to advance a bill banning electronic voting machines and requiring all ballots be hand counted. The bill also bans remote ballot drop boxes and eliminates the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots to arrive if they were postmarked by election day. Drop boxes would be allowed if they were inside an election office and monitored. Lawmakers will take a final vote on the legislation Tuesday. It will head to the House if passed. The changes, which supporters argue are intended to avoid voter fraud and voter confusion, would alter the way local election officials operate in a critical election year. Opponents said the bill would unnecessarily disenfranchise voters. The removal of electronic voting machines, they said, would add significantly more work for already overburdened election officials. Studies have shown hand counted elections are less accurate than those with machines. These are monumental changes we are asking them to make, Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat, said. This takes us back five decades. We stopped hand counting because it was error prone, easy to rig, and time consuming. The bill would also change the process for thousands of Kansans who vote by mail regularly. Kansas counties used a combined 167 remote drop boxes in 2022 and more than 130,000 Kansans voted by mail that year according to data kept by the Kansas Secretary of States Office. In Johnson County, Election Commissioner Fred Sherman reported that 45% of the countys mail-in ballots were returned by drop box in 2022. Following Mondays debate, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican, criticized lawmakers for lacking faith in the system that elected them and harming voter confidence in the process. Today, the Senate took action to further undermine voter confidence and compromise election integrity with the bill as amended, he said. We encourage common sense to prevail before the final vote is cast. Voting rights advocates have warned limits on mail-in and advance voting could severely limit the ability for Kansans to make their voice heard especially Kansans with disabilities who may be unable to vote in person on election day. Before we make changes to election laws, think about the groups and individuals who will be impacted, said Mike Burgess, a lobbyist for the Disability Rights Center of Kansas. But Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, argued that, with persistent delays in the postal service, voters needed to be encouraged to physically show up at the polls. Youre disenfranchising yourself by not doing it the right way and showing up to the polls, he said. Baseless claims of fraud The proposal faces major hurdles in the Kansas House and with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly before becoming law. Last year the Kansas Senate approved a bill that eliminated the 3-day grace period and banned remote drop boxes. The drop box piece was removed during negotiations with the House and Kelly successfully vetoed the final bill. Sen. President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, warned lawmakers the addition of the amendment eliminating remote drop boxes may sacrifice election security as an issue in the Legislature this year. It will put an anchor around the underlying bill and well be back to unregulated drop boxes and election day isnt election day, he said. False claims of election fraud have spread in Kansas fueling consistent legislative efforts to limit mail-in voting and resulting in an investigation from Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden that has resulted in no criminal charges. There has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Kansas and Schwab has consistently called Kansas elections safe and secure and advocated for the use of ballot drop boxes. Mondays debate featured consistent conspiracy theories and claims of fraud and hacking without proof. We know for a fact (election machines) can be manipulated. I know, in time, well be able to prove they were manipulated. Thats the only thing standing between us now, said Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson Republican. Its time to ensure safety over convenience and get it right for the people who stay in Kansas. Election officials have persistently said voting machines are reliable. There is no evidence theyve been manipulated to alter the results of an election. Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, claimed ballot drop boxes could result in destroyed or manipulated ballots though there are no known instances where that has occurred in Kansas. The existence of unmonitored ballot drop boxes, she said, would make it impossible to enforce the states statute that restricts Kansans from returning more than 10 ballots on behalf of another voter. These remote boxes that are not monitored can be tampered with, Tyson said. We need to make sure that those ballots are counted and accurate. After weeks of speculation about her whereabouts, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was spotted in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mother near Windsor Castle on Monday. (Frank Augstein / Associated Press) Catherine has been spotted for the first time since December, months after her January hospitalization, which spawned rampant conspiracy theories, and viral suppositions about her alleged "disappearance." The Princess of Wales, formerly Kate Middleton, was photographed Monday by Backgrid, a photo-hosting agency, near Windsor Castle in the U.K. sitting in the passenger seat of an Audi driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, according to TMZ. The Daily Mail reported that Monday's princess sighting came via paparazzi pictures that were not authorized by the palace. The casual outing featuring the princess in sunglasses and without security is the first time that the 42-year-old has been seen in public since she celebrated Christmas at Sandringham estate in eastern England with husband Prince William, their three children and rest of the royal family, People reported. Read more: What the frenzy over Kate Middletons disappearance says about the royals and us The senior royal was admitted to the London Clinic on Jan. 16, Kensington Palace said, for a planned abdominal surgery and successfully underwent the procedure. The palace added, however, that the princess was expected to be hospitalized for 10 to 14 days after the mystery surgery and "before returning home to continue her recovery." She would return to her public duties after Easter March 31 based on current medical advice, the palace said. The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate, Kensington Palace said. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private." Despite her desires, the announcement coupled with father-in-law King Charles III's simultaneous health issues ignited even more interest in her condition and plenty of wild speculation given her absence from the public eye, as well as that of her children and parents. Amid theories about an organ donation to Charles, a Brazilian butt lift, mommy makeover or the possibility that she was in a coma, the topic (hashtag #whereiskatemiddleton) has been a talking point ever since. As many a Redditor and casual social media user wondered, "What is going on with Kate Middleton?" the BBC analyzed the "royal dilemma" over Kate's health, the New York Times touched on the rumors swirling around her, Vogue tracked "The Curious Case of the 'Disappearing' Princess," and this newspaper tried to figure out what the frenzy over her alleged "'disappearance' says about the royals and us." Read more: Commentary: Prince Harry's memoir mercilessly trashes the royal family. He didn't go far enough Kate left the hospital on Jan. 29 and returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, where she was reunited with her kids. Prince William, first in line to accede to the British throne, temporarily stepped back from his royal duties to manage childcare but continued with other royal engagements in Wrexham and London. Last week, the 41-year-old prince who is also expected to take on more royal duties after his father's cancer diagnosis provided further fodder for the rumor mill when he cited a personal matter for his absence from the funeral of his godfather, King Constantine of Greece. Nonetheless, a spokesman reiterated the palace's stance that there would be no "running commentary" provided on Kate's health despite internet rumors. That, according to the Telegraph, was testing the Firm's policy of "never complain, never explain." Read more: 'The Crown' brings the story of the royal family and Princess Diana to a close 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 hasnt changed, a spokesperson for the family told the Telegraph. We were always clear we wouldnt be providing updates when there wasnt anything new to share," the spokesperson said. "The last thing anyone wants is a running commentary of the Princess of Waless recovery. Nothing has changed from that approach in January." Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Update: According to KCPD, Travis Blackmon has been located and is safe. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department has issued a Silver Alert for a 66-year-old man who hasnt been seen in nearly a month. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Travis Blackmon was last seen in the area of E. 25th Street and Campbell Avenue on February 9, 2024 after having contact with law enforcement and released at the intersection. Hes described as standing 61 and weighs 160 pounds. He has grey hair, brown eyes. MSHP said Blackmon is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and dementia. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Anyone with information should immediately dial 911 to contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the Kansas City Police Department at (816) 234-5043. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. HAYS, Kan. (KSNW) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Ellis County Health Department are investigating reports of health problems in residents of Victor E. Village and McMindes Hall at Fort Hays State Univeristy. To help with their investigation, the KDHE sent out a 5-10 minute survey to get a count of the number of students living in Victor E. Village and McMindes Hall from August 15, 2023 to present who report illness. Wichita school board to decide on 6 closures The survey is safe, secure and confidential for students. The responses will only be viewed by public health staff working on the investigation. The survey comes after students said mold in their dorm rooms made them sick. It went live on Monday. FHSU has began to cleanup the mold. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. NANNING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A sea-road intermodal transportation route linking Da Nang in Vietnam with south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been put into essential use. On Monday, the first batch of containers, loaded with tapioca from Da Nang in Vietnam, arrived at the Beibu Gulf Port Qinzhou container terminal in Guangxi, where they would be transported to factories in Guangxi's Chongzuo City via road transportation. The tapioca would be processed to produce industrial and food-grade alcohol, according to Liu Fuming, operation manager of Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Transport Development Co., Ltd. The sea-road intermodal transportation route shortened the traveling time to about seven days, saving more than half of the transportation time compared to the previous route which used to take about 20 days, while the cost remains almost the same, said Liu. Li Tailin, chairman of Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Transport Development Co., Ltd., said that the route can expand the transportation capacity of Beibu Gulf Port, contributing to the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a trade and logistics passage built by provincial-level regions in western China and ASEAN members. By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles will miss next week's engagements to mark Commonwealth Day, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday, with his wife Queen Camilla stepping in for the monarch as he continues to undergo treatment for cancer. Charles, 75, has been forced to step away from public duties after it was announced last month he had been diagnosed with a unspecified form of cancer, less than 18 months into his reign. As a result, the king, who is head of the Commonwealth of 56 countries that evolved from the British Empire, will be unable to attend the annual service of celebration at Westminster Abbey on Monday and a reception afterwards. Camilla will head the group of senior royals in attendance, which will include heir-to-the throne Prince William but not his wife Kate, who has also been absent from public life this year after having abdominal surgery for a non-cancer related ailment. While Charles is keeping up with his official state duties and was pictured on Tuesday meeting finance minister Jeremy Hunt a day before he gives his budget statement to parliament, it is not clear when he will return to his usual public role. The absence of both the king and Kate, while William missed an engagement last week because of an unspecified "personal matter", has led to a surge of speculation and conspiracy theories on social media. The British royals rarely release details of any medical conditions, regarding them as purely private matters, but the policy of maintaining a dignified silence on rumours is coming under pressure. "The most cursory of glances at the rampant speculation on social media ought to persuade even the most unyielding of royal aides that wherever there is a vacuum surrounding a public figure, it will be filled," royal expert Richard Kay wrote in the Daily Mail newspaper. Kate's office has said it would only provide "significant" updates on her condition, and that she was not expected to be back performing public duties until after Easter. Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday she would be attending an annual military parade in June. However Kensington Palace is responsible for confirming her attendance at future events and has not yet done so. It comes the day after U.S. celebrity news site TMZ published what it said was the first picture of the Princess of Wales since her operation in January, sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by her mother near Windsor Castle. (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Nick Macfie) Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking advantage of delays in U.S. aid to Ukraine to further Russian military efforts, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said at a press conference on March 4. Aid for Ukraine has been stuck in the U.S. Congress since Autumn 2023. The U.S. Senate on Feb. 13 passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill that includes $60 billion for Ukraine, as well as funds for Israel and other allies, but the proposal is yet to be approved by the House of Representatives. After delaying the vote for weeks, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Feb. 29 that his chamber would consider the foreign aid bill "as soon as the government is funded." Congressional leaders managed to pass a short-term stopgap spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown without funding for Ukraine. Holdups in U.S. assistance have put a significant strain on Ukraine's efforts to resist Russian aggression, causing ammunition shortages and contributing to the loss of a key front-line city of Avdiivka. Responding to a question about whether Putin is trying to weaponize U.S. hesitancy to send aid to Ukraine, Kirby stated that Ukraine's depleted ammunition supplies are helping Russia achieve stronger military advantages. "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," Kirby said. "Hes certainly taking advantage of what hes 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." U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned during his visit to Lviv in February that Ukraine is at risk of losing the war without American aid, urging the House Speaker to put the bill to a vote. Earlier this week, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly met privately with Republicans who support military aid to Ukraine about crafting an alternative foreign aid bill in the House. According to internal U.S. estimates, Ukraine's ammunition shortage "could effectively turn the tide of the war and lend Russian President Vladimir Putin a significant advantage." Read also: ABC News: Ukraine could face catastrophic arms shortage within weeks, US officials say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The mass work stoppage has taken a toll on hospitals, with crucial treatments and surgeries cancelled (Anthony WALLACE) South Korea said Tuesday it would start notifying striking trainee doctors that their medical licences would be suspended, as it moves to punish medics who have quit hospitals in protest at training reforms. Thousands of junior doctors handed in their notice and stopped working two weeks ago to protest against an increase in medical school admissions from next year which the government says is meant to help combat shortages and meet the demands of an ageing society. The striking trainees have defied a February 29 government deadline for them to return to work or face legal action, including possible arrest or suspension of their medical licences. The government has identified some 7,800 junior doctors who have defied the back to work order and officials will send them notifications of their pending licence suspensions starting Tuesday, Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told a press conference. "As soon as their violations of the back to work orders are confirmed, we will send out advance notice of administrative measure starting today," Park said, referring to the licence suspension. Despite the warning of suspension, striking junior doctors have not returned to work on any significant scale, government data shows. As of Monday nearly 9,000 trainee doctors remained on walkouts, Park said, a figure that has not significantly changed over the last two weeks. "The government will respond in accordance with laws and principles to keep acts of threatening people's lives and health from occurring again," Park said. The mass work stoppage has taken a toll on hospitals, with crucial treatments and surgeries cancelled, prompting the government to raise its public health alert to the highest level. Around half of the surgeries scheduled at some major hospitals have been cancelled since last week, according to the health ministry. Under South Korean law, doctors are restricted from striking, and the government has requested police investigate people connected to the stoppage. The government is pushing to admit 2,000 more students to medical schools annually from next year to address what it calls one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among developed nations. Vice Minister Park said medical colleges have already applied for an increase of 3,401 students next year, a figure he said justifies the plan. "It reaffirms the capacity for increase starting next year by far exceeds 2,000", he said. Doctors fear the reform will erode the quality of service and medical education, but proponents accuse medics of trying to safeguard their salaries and social status. kjk/ceb/mtp The excommunicated pastor had attended Seoul pride events and also held blessings ceremonies for same-sex couples (ANTHONY WALLACE) South Korea's Methodist Church has excommunicated a pastor for advocating gay rights, according to a church verdict obtained Tuesday by AFP. Nearly a quarter of South Korea's population of 51 million are Christian and the religious community holds significant political sway, with many evangelicals staunchly opposing gay rights. Gay marriage is not recognised in South Korea, social pressure keeps many people from being open about their sexuality, and Seoul's annual Pride celebration attracts vicious Christian-led opposition. More than a dozen attempts to pass broad anti-discrimination laws have failed over the past 16 years in the face of strong opposition from conservative churches and civic groups who say the law will pave the way for legalisation of gay marriage. Globally, many religious groups have taken steps to embrace LGBTQI rights, with the Vatican recently approving Catholic blessings for same-sex couples. But on Monday South Korea's Methodist Church upheld a lower church ruling to excommunicate pastor Lee Dong-hwan for having engaged in activities in support of gay rights, the verdict showed. "The church doctrine stipulates acts of agreeing or sympathising with homosexuality amount to rules violations," the church said in a verdict. Reverend Lee had attended Seoul gay pride events, and also held blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples. "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 said. The verdict is final within the church, and Reverend Lee has no way to contest it. The 43-year-old pastor told AFP that the church's decision was "shameful". "Excommunicating a pastor for blessing sexual minorities will go down in history of Protestantism as dark history that will only invite laughter later," Lee told AFP. He said he was considering bring the case to a civil court. South Korea's Methodist Church has 1.2 million followers under its wing with 6,700 churches in and outside the country and 1,300 missionaries, according to its website. kjk/ceb/mtp TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Krispy Kreme is offering a deal for customers looking to satisfy their sweet cravings on Super Tuesday. The North Carolina-based doughnut chain is giving away two free Original Glazed doughnuts to anyone who visits a Krispy Kreme location on March 5, no purchase necessary. A statement shared by Krispy Kreme executive Dave Skena suggested the offer is part of the chains push to get customers to exercise their right to vote. While encouraging everyone to vote, our primary role on Super TWOsday will be to sweeten your day, Skena, the companys global chief brand officer, said in a press release. A sign featuring the company logo hangs at the entrance of a Krispy Kreme store in Chicago in May 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Customers can redeem the offer at shops nationwide not just in the states conducting primary elections both in-store and at the drive-thru. Guests can also order ahead online for pickup using the promo code TWOSDAY. The 100 best doughnut shops in the country, according to Yelp On March 5, over a dozen states and one U.S. territory will hold primary votes or caucuses in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. The outcome of Tuesdays votes does not determine the presumptive nominee for either the Democratic or Republican parties, though its expected to push the leading candidates closer to an official nomination. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-AZ, speaks during the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Oct. 19, 2021. Photo by Mandel Ngan-Pool | Getty Images Quality Journalism for Critical Times U.S. Sen. Krysten Sinema announced Tuesday that she will not be seeking a second term after months of speculation about her political future following her decision in late 2022 to leave the Democratic Party. Sinema, who built a reputation as a dealmaker who sought to bridge the partisan divide in the Senate to foster compromise, cited the increasing partisanship of American politics in a video she posted on X, formerly Twitter. She acknowledged that her style of governance was unpopular among voters and said she would not seek reelection. The only political victories that matter these days are symbolic, attacking your opponents on cable news or social media, she said. I believe in my approach. But it is not what America wants right now. It has been an honor to serve Arizona for the past 20 years, she said. Sinema, who changed her party affiliation from Democrat to independent in December 2022, has often taken fire from her own party for siding with Republicans on critical votes, chief among them to preserve the filibuster. A former self-described progressive, Sinema has also come under fire from many liberals for taking money from corporate lobbyists. Sinema was also censured by the Arizona Democratic Party in 2022 for helping block the filibuster repeal. Shortly after she announced she would become an independent. The announcement comes on the heels of the March 2 opening of the window for Arizona candidates to file the nomination petitions required to appear on the 2024 ballot. On Monday, Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego filed more than 14,000 signatures for his bid to win Sinemas Senate seat, double the 6,500 needed to be collected. Gallego thanked Sinema for her service to the state and called on her to join him in rejecting Kari Lake and protecting abortion access, tackling housing affordability, securing our water supply and defending our democracy. Thats why Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike are coming together and rejecting Kari Lake and her dangerous positions, Gallego said in a written statement. I welcome all Arizonans, including Senator Sinema, to join me in that mission. Lake, who lost a bid for governor in 2022, is widely viewed as the GOP front-runner for the Senate nomination. She is likely to face Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the primary election. Gov. Katie Hobbs, who was a legislative seatmate of Sinemas when both were state lawmakers, praised the senator. Senator Sinema is a friend, and I thank her for her years of service to the State of Arizona. She has been an important partner in Washington, D.C. who has fought to bring critical advanced manufacturing investments to Arizona, secure our border, and invest in our states roads, bridges, and broadband infrastructure, Hobbs said in a written statement. I wish her well in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing what her next chapter has in store. Sinema was first elected to Congress in 2012, then won a Senate seat in 2018. She was a prodigious fund-raiser, and had about $10.6 million on hand at the end of 2023, more than Gallegos $6.5 million, Lakes $1.1 million and Lambs $256,000. However, her fundraising had dramatically fallen off after she left the Democratic Party. By the final quarter of 2023, she raised just $595,000, less than one-fifth what Gallego raised. This story was published earlier by the Arizona Mirror, an affiliate of the nonprofit States Newsroom network, which includes the Florida Phoenix. The post Krysten Sinema, acknowledging shes not what America wants, will not seek reelection appeared first on Florida Phoenix. Kyrsten Sinemas short but lively time in the US Senate is coming to an end. The one-term senator from Arizona announced on Tuesday that she would serve the remainder of her term before stepping down from the Senate at the end of the year, rather than run for re-election. Following her win in a nail-biter election as a Democrat in 2018, Ms Sinema joined the Senate in January of 2019. In that one term, she would become one of two holdout senators in the chamber who worked to thwart Joe Bidens Build Back Better agenda, while also emerging as an opponent to the idea of killing the Senates filibuster rule to allow the passage of voting rights legislation. She would go on to drop her party affiliation, becoming an independent, though she continued to caucus with Senate Democrats to protect the partys majority in the chamber. Her decision to stand down from a re-election fight comes as she was facing what could have been the political battle of her career. Running as an independent, her continued presence in the 2024 race was set to tee up a three-way fight between herself and the two major-party challengers for her seat which polling indicates will most likely be Congressman Ruben Gallego for the Democrats, and news-anchor-turned-2020-election-conspiracist Kari Lake for the Republicans. Ms Sinemas departure from that expected fight will undoubtedly boost the chances of Mr Gallego or another Democrat in November; the primary elections for the seat will be held in July. Ms Lake, who lost the election for governor in 2022 to Katie Hobbs, would go on to falsely claim that both her election and Donald Trumps were stolen by the Democrats; shes now facing a crowded race in her own primary, but has the endorsement of Mr Trump thanks to her vocal defence of him. Equally as important, she also has the backing of the NRSC the Senate Republican caucuss campaign arm. Mr Gallego and Ms Lake both thanked the senator for her service in separate statements on Tuesday, a sign that both are seeking to polish their images among independents ahead of Novembers general election. I want to thank Senator Sinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state, said Mr Gallego in a statement released by his campaign. As we look ahead, Arizona is at a crossroads. Protecting abortion access, tackling housing affordability, securing our water supply, defending our democracy all of this and more is on the line. Thats why Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike are coming together and rejecting Kari Lake and her dangerous positions. I welcome all Arizonans, including Senator Sinema, to join me in that mission. Ms Lake, whose bombastic warring with opponents of Donald Trump in 2020 and 2021 placed her on the black list of the McCain family and other centrist Republicans in the state, has in particular sought to reform voters perception of her. In her campaign announcement, she explained that she was fighting for honest elections and to restore confidence in voting processes, but avoided explicit mention of her past disproven claims of election fraud. As a Journalist, I covered Kyrsten Sinema for many years. We may not agree on everything, but I know she shares my love for Arizona. Senator Sinema had the courage to stand tall against the Far-Left in defense of the filibusterdespite the overwhelming pressure from the radicals Kari Lake (@KariLake) March 5, 2024 The departing senator was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, having served for eight years in the Arizona state legislature as a representative and later senator. Shedding her ties to the partys progressive wing which had included a stint with the Arizona Green Party, Ms Sinema would go on to develop a reputation as a conservative Democrat once elected to Congress, joining the Blue Dog Democrats caucus and the bipartisan Problem Solvers as well. This didnt prevent her from embracing some Democratic Party priorities including the DREAM Act, however. In the Senate, she doubled down on that rightward shift and came out as a holdout against her partys effort to carve out an exception to the filibuster to allow the passage of voting rights legislation, which Democrats argue is needed to combat efforts in mostly conservative states to restrict mail-in voting and implement other restrictions for in-person voting. That opposition earned her the ire of major Democratic donors in her state as well as condemnations from groups like Emilys List, which under the leadership of her now Senate colleague Laphonza Butler pledged to abandon her re-election bid. Undaunted by anger from within her own party, Ms Sinema would still end up typically voting with the president and remained in the Democratic caucus. She also became one of the architects of a bipartisan infrastructure bill passed into law in 2021. Her broken ties with both progressive Democrats as well as groups linked more closely to the partys establishment were not followed by a groundswell of support from moderate Democrats or independents. The incumbent senator consistently trailed both of her major-party challengers and appeared to be set to endanger the seats future within the Democratic caucus with her continued bid for re-election. Ms Sinema seemed to recognise this in her video message to Arizonans on Tuesday, explaining that her brand of bipartisanship mixed with opposition to her partys top priorities was not what Americans want right now. The firm acknowledgement also appeared to nip in the bud any talk of running for president or any other office for the time being. Arizona is one of the key battleground states being fought over by the likely Republican and Democratic candidates, Mr Trump and President Joe Biden, this year after it was one of several states the incumbent Democrat won back from the Republicans in his 2020 victory. With immigration and border security set to be a top campaign issue for both parties, the border states politics are likely to make it one of the most talked-about parts of the country as the general election nears. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) announced on Tuesday that she will not seek reelection in 2024. The move clears the way for a showdown between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake in what will be one of the most consequential races this year. In a video message released on social media, Sinema claimed that despite her successes and efforts to promote unity and understanding Americans still chose to retreat farther into their partisan corners. I believe in my approach, but its not what America wants right now. I love Arizona, and Im so proud of what weve delivered. Because I chose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year, she said. A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/1XWFSWgGdh Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) March 5, 2024 Sinema was facing a tough reelection bid in 2024, as Gallego, a Democratic congressman, and Lake, the Trump-loving Republican, are both vying for her seat. Even within her state, the senators frequent fence-straddling and breaks with party leadership earned rebukes from Arizona Democrats. In 2022, the state party censured Sinema after she refused to support Senate efforts to end the filibuster. Later that year, Sinema left the Democratic Party entirely and changed her affiliation to independent. During her tenure in the Senate, Sinema frequently clashed with her fellow Democrats as she worked to foil and water down President Joe Bidens core agenda items. She was, however, beloved by both Republican politicians and special interest groups, who poured millions into her coffers and ran TV ads touting her independence. During Bidens presidency, Sinema helped water down Democrats legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices; opposed the partys plan to add dental and vision benefits to traditional Medicare; persuaded Democrats not to end the notorious carried interest loophole that benefits billionaire private equity executives; and opposed efforts to increase corporate taxes more broadly. She enthusiastically voted down a measure to enact a $15 minimum wage, with a thumbs down and curtsy on the Senate floor, before speaking at a conference for restaurant lobbyists. Sinema also led the fight against ending the filibuster the Senate rule requiring 60 votes to pass most legislation. The rule effectively functions as corporate lobbying groups killswitch over legislation. Preserving it helped Republicans block voting rights legislation, among other promised Democratic agenda items. According to retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Sinema told him she had no fear of losing reelection, explaining: I can go on any board I want to. In 2022, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is also retiring this year, gushed about Sinema, calling her the most effective first-term senator hed ever seen. In a statement released through his campaign, Gallego thanked Sinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state. Arizona is at a crossroads. Protecting abortion access, tackling housing affordability, securing our water supply, defending our democracy all of this and more is on the line. Thats why Democrats, independents, and Republicans alike are coming together and rejecting Kari Lake and her dangerous positions. I welcome all Arizonans, including Senator Sinema, to join me in that mission, he added. Lake also released a statement acknowledging Sinemas retirement, commending her courage to stand tall against the far-left in defense of the filibusterdespite the overwhelming pressure from the radicals in her party like Ruben Gallego who called on her to burn it all down, and wishing her well in her future endeavors. While Sinema would like to blame her retirement on the American public being too divided for her to succeed, the reality is that she was likely facing a humiliating defeat at the hands of Arizona voters who saw right through the facade. As of March, Sinema was polling a distant third behind Gallego and Lake. Shed never lost an election, and it seems fleeing looked better than fighting. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Kyrsten Sinema once said she could "do anything" after leaving the Senate, according to one book. It's true. Now that she's retiring, Sinema has all kinds of get-rich-quick options available to her. Plenty of lawmakers pass through the "revolving door" after they leave office, and she could too. If McKay Coppins's biography of Sen. Mitt Romney is to be believed, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona hasn't been worried about staying in the Senate for quite some time. According that book, Sinema told the Utah Republican that she didn't care about winning reelection, a prospect that had long been imperiled by breaking with her party on government spending and the Senate's "filibuster" rule. "I don't care. I can go on any board I want to. I can be a college president. I can do anything," Sinema purportedly told Romney. "I saved the Senate filibuster by myself. I saved the Senate by myself. That's good enough for me." A spokesperson for Sinema chalked that up to a "game of telephone" in a statement to Business Insider in October, but affirmed that the Arizona senator was "not worried about winning the next election." Now, Sinema's retiring from the Senate, and the world is indeed her oyster even her liberal detractors know it. "Enjoy your lobbying gig and leave the rest of us alone forever," said Leah Greenberg, the co-founder of the liberal group Indivisible, in a statement calling Sinema a "feckless, corrupt egomaniac." The Arizona senator made little mention of her post-Senate plans in a video announcing her decision, merely saying that she's retiring because she's choosing "civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done." As of now, Sinema makes the same $174,000 annual salary that every other member of Congress who isn't in leadership makes plus between $22,000 and $26,000 each year for teaching courses at Arizona State University, according to her recent financial disclosures. But now that she's moving on, other options abound, including by passing through the much-reviled "revolving door" between public service and the private sector. Leveraging her relationships by getting into lobbying Whatever her detractors may say about her, Sinema has excellent relationships with other lawmakers particularly Republicans. It's part of the reason she has been so reticent to speak with reporters she's argued that it's best to engage in negotiations in private, rather than doing so through the press. To her credit, she delivered some results with that approach, including the bipartisan infrastructure bill, a major gun control package, and the Respect for Marriage Act. Lawmakers often seek to become lobbyists where they're paid to push the agenda of a particular group or company on Capitol Hill precisely because of the relationships they have with lawmakers. Under existing ethics rules, she can't register as a lobbyist for a year. But that's a short amount of time, and other recently-departed lawmakers have had little issue waiting it out. For example, Ed Perlmutter a former Democratic congressman from Colorado recently registered to lobby for the marijuana industry. Before leaving Congress at the beginning of 2023, he had championed a bill to make it easier for financial firms to do business with marijuana companies in states where it's been legalized. Choosing to 'go on any board I want to' or becoming a college president Another popular landing spot for former lawmakers is the corporate boardroom just ask Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York or former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan. After leaving Congress last year, Suozzi spent a year in the private sector, where he managed to triple his income by setting up a consulting shop and joining the board of an industrial equipment distributor. Suozzi earned $82,500 alone from that position, according to documents he filed when he ran for his old seat again in the special election to replace George Santos. As for Rogers now the leading GOP Senate candidate in Michigan he managed to multiply his net worth over the course of nine years in the private sector, including by joining a myriad of boards and working on many of the same issues that he did as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Former Sen. Ben Sasse is set to make millions from his new role as a college president. Tasos Katopodis-Pool/Getty Images Sinema could also seek to become a college president, as she purportedly once told Romney and she could get rich doing it. Just ask Ben Sasse, the former GOP senator from Nebraska and perennial critic of former President Donald Trump who resigned from the Senate last year to become the president of the University of Florida, where he's set to make millions of dollars. Giving paid speeches This is also a well-worn path for former politicians, but if she does it, she may want to think twice about ever running for office again giving paid speeches has often come to be a political headache for ex-politicians who emerge from retirement, including Hillary Clinton and Nikki Haley. Nonetheless, it's a lucrative business. According to Rogers's financial disclosures, he made $32,000 from paid speeches in 2022 and he's not even as famous as Sinema. Writing a tell-all book about the Senate Technically, Sinema could've done this while still in office six of her Senate colleagues managed to make more than their official salaries in book sales in 2022. Writing a book is a tried-and-true way to make some extra money as a well-known politician, and there's little doubt that Sinema has stories to tell and a message to deliver. Read the original article on Business Insider In an announcement Tuesday, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced that she will not be running for reelection in November. The move comes as polls show her in a distant third behind Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake, who ran a losing campaign for governor of Arizona in 2020. Sinema chose to leave the Democratic Party in 2022 and become an independent, and until Tuesdays announcement, was running for reelection without a party affiliation. In a delusional video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Sinema pretended like she did a ton of good during her time in office. A message for Arizonans from Senator Kyrsten Sinema pic.twitter.com/1XWFSWgGdh Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) March 5, 2024 In reality, Sinemas stances against popular Democratic legislation, such as raising the minimum wage, drew opposition from Democrats who saw her as betraying the party as well her constituents. Perhaps most memorably, she made a thumbs down gesture to vote against an amendment to add a minimum wage increase to President Bidens coronavirus relief bill in 2021. At the time, she drew ire for what many thought was a misguided attempt to copy the late Senator John McCain, who made a similar gesture in 2017 to save the Affordable Care Act from Republicans. Replace Sinema PAC, formed to defeat her in the 2024 election, released a statement after her announcement. We started this effort to Replace Sinema over two years ago to hold Sinema accountable for betraying the Arizonans who elected her. Sinema obstructed President Bidens Build Back Better agenda, got in the way of fundamental rights like abortion care and voting, and did the bidding of her wealthy donors who fund her luxury lifestyle. We succeeded in first pushing her out of the party by making clear she couldnt win a Democratic primary and now weve also helped push her out of the Senate. Good. Arizonans deserve better. We now must put all of our efforts into helping elect Ruben Gallego, a pro-choice champion who will fight for Arizonans every day, over MAGA extremist Kari Lake. Game on. Sinemas departure from the Senate ends a career full of betrayal of her own constituents, who believed they were electing a Democrat, as well as the rest of the country. In addition to blocking a minimum wage increase, she also famously helped reshape the Inflation Reduction Act for the worse, pressuring Democrats to remove proposed tax overhauls for the wealthy. Even outside of the policy realm, she wasnt much better. She was allegedly a very demanding boss, giving her staff a 37-page guide to working for her that included buying her groceries, fixing her internet, and even making sure her airline preferences were fulfilled. She reportedly kept up an active Facebook marketplace account mostly selling her exercise clothing and equipment. And then theres that fact that she spent roughly $210,000 of her taxpayer-funded budget on private air travel, ironic considering that earlier in her career, she was once a member of the environmentally conscious Green Party. Whats next for Sinema after her Senate term runs out this year? A lucrative career in lobbying to cap her six years as corporate Americas darling? A vanity presidential campaign from corporate-backed No Labels, whose donors also gave to her aborted Senate campaign? Regardless of where she goes, at least one person is sorry to see her go: noted senators daughter Meghan McCain. This article has been updated. Presidium elected, agenda set for China's annual legislative session Xinhua) 08:05, March 05, 2024 Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over a preparatory meeting for the second session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) gathered in Beijing on Monday at a preparatory meeting to elect the presidium and set the agenda for the second session of the 14th NPC, scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the preparatory meeting. All the preparatory work for the annual session has been completed, Zhao said. A 181-member presidium was elected, with Li Hongzhong as secretary-general of the NPC session. The preparatory meeting also adopted the agenda of the upcoming session: -- Deliberate the report on the work of the government; -- Review the report on the implementation of the 2023 plan and on the 2024 draft plan for national economic and social development, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024; -- Review the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, and the draft central and local budgets for 2024; -- Deliberate the bill put forward by the NPC Standing Committee on reviewing the draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council; -- Deliberate the work report of the NPC Standing Committee; -- Deliberate the work report of the Supreme People's Court; -- Deliberate the work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The presidium of the session met shortly after the preparatory meeting concluded. Attendees to the presidium meeting decided on the schedule of the NPC session, among other matters. The NPC will be in session from March 5 to 11 this year. Prior to the preparatory meeting, the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee met for the meeting's preparation. The presidium meeting and the Council of Chairpersons meeting were both presided over by Zhao. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first meeting of the presidium of the second session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the 22nd meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), hosted its inaugural Journey to Excellence 2024 Town Hall, which serves as a platform for celebrating achievements, sharing challenges, providing updates, and setting expectations for the future. Bringing together BACs management and staff in an open and collaborative atmosphere, the Town Halls primary objective was to provide updates on the companys achievement in 2023 with a forward looking into 2024 strategic projects and objectives in alignment with the vision of Gulf Air Group (GFG) as Bahrains aviation leader. With the aim of empowering BACs teams to unlock their full potential in line with the vision of GFG, the Tamayouz programme was introduced at the event, marking a significant milestone in BACs collective pursuit of excellence. Through the Tamayouz programme, BAC is committed to delivering exceptional experiences to passengers and stakeholders. During the event, BAC Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Yousif Al Binfalah, presented BAC's vision roadmap, highlighting the overall performance, strategic approaches and achievements, as well as key initiatives undertaken by the company to elevate the airport's operations and services. The vision of BAC for the future emphasised the importance of innovation, customer experience, and sustainability in driving the airport's success. A panel discussion on The Significance of Data in Airport Operations further enriched the event. Moderated by GFG Chief Technology Officer, Ahmed Naeemi, the session featured distinguished panellists from BAC: Chief Airport Operations Officer, Ali Rashid, Vice President Non-Aeronautical Revenues, George Moore, Vice President Development and Technical, Hesham Zaman, and Acting Vice President Facilities Management Eyad Ismaeel. The discussion highlighted BACs valuable insights and perspectives on leveraging data to optimize airport operations, enhance passenger experiences, and drive efficiency. The deliberation covered the establishment of the Airport Operations Center (APOC), planned implementation of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM), and a dedicated section in the Airport Operations Department (AOD) focused on data management. Furthermore, BAC emphasised its commitment to leveraging data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). The panel served as a platform for industry leaders to share insights and foster collaboration, reinforcing BAC's dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the aviation sector. - TradeArabia News Service A plane drops humanitarian aid over the northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024. The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) AMMAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. The airdrops, which came as part of continued efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, were conducted by three C130 aircraft belonging to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, three American aircraft, one Egyptian aircraft, and one French aircraft, the state-run Petra news agency reported. The relief and food aid targeted several sites in northern Gaza, and it included materials provided by the World Food Programme, Petra reported. The operation is part of Jordan's ongoing efforts to send more medical, relief, and food aid to the people in the Gaza Strip to alleviate the effects of the conflict and compensate for the severe shortages in food and medicine due to the continued Israeli aggression, according to the agency. The armed forces emphasized continued commitment to sending aid through an aerial bridge, whether through aid planes from Amman's Marka Military Airport to El-Arish International Airport in Egypt's North Sinai or through airdrop operations to the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian aid is airdropped over the northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024. The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) Humanitarian aid is airdropped over the northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024. The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) A plane drops humanitarian aid over the northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024. The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) Humanitarian aid is airdropped over the northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024. The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) A plane drops humanitarian aid over the northern Gaza Strip, on March 5, 2024. The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army said on Tuesday that it conducted eight joint airdrops of aid to Gaza with several countries. (Photo by Mohammed Ali/Xinhua) HOWELL A former Massachusetts business owner has pleaded no contest to multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 11 people in Michigan in 2012. Barry Cadden pleaded no contest Monday in Livingston County's 44th Circuit Court. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the plea in a release Tuesday. Kathy Pugh tends to her mother, fungal meningitis patient Evelyn Bates-March, in 2013. Cadden is the former owner of New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. The outbreak stemmed from contaminated epidural injections of the steroid methylprednisolone, compounded and produced at NECC. The deaths in Michigan were connected to injections shipped to the Michigan Pain Specialists Clinic, then located in Genoa Township in Livingston County. In total, the nationwide outbreak resulted in 64 deaths and hundreds of infections. Michigan victims included Donna Kruzich, Paula Brent, Lyn Laperriere, Mary Plettl, Gayle Gipson, Patricia Malafouris, Emma Todd, Jennie Barth, Ruth Madouse, Salley Roe and Karina Baxter. The Michigan Attorney General's Office began investigating Cadden in 2013. After a federal investigation, he was found guilty of 57 criminal charges in 2017, and sentenced to 14 1/2 years in prison. He was subsequently charged in Michigan with 11 counts of second-degree murder in 2018. Barry Cadden, president of the New England Compounding Center, followed by members of his legal team, arrive at the federal courthouse for sentencing, June 26, 2017, in Boston. The co-founder of a specialty pharmacy that was at the center of a deadly national meningitis outbreak in 2012 pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in Michigan, authorities said Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The plea Monday accompanies a sentencing agreement of 10 to 15 years in state prison, to be served concurrently with the federal sentence. Cadden is scheduled for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. April 18, before Livingston County Chief Judge Michael Hatty. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage In 2015, a $200 million settlement agreement was reached for victims and their families nationwide, with $10.5 million earmarked for Michigan. A majority of the families representing the 11 statewide victims supported resolving the criminal charges with a plea deal, according to the release. Cadden ran his pharmaceutical lab with a shocking and abhorrent disregard for basic safety rules and practices, and in doing so he tragically killed 11 Michigan patients, Nessel said. Wherever you are in this country, if your greed harms and kills Michigan residents, my office will make every effort to enforce the fullest extent of the law." Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Lab owner charged in 11 Michigan meningitis deaths reaches plea deal The beach at Launch Pointe marina on Lake Elsinore is now completely covered with water. The tree in the water used to shade beachgoers on a sandbar. (Mark Boster/For The Times) After a series of atmospheric river storms dumped record levels of rain on Southern California, the region's largest natural freshwater lake has recovered in a major way. As of last week, Lake Elsinore was deeper than it had been since June 2011, according to data from the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. Years of drought and the occasional wet winter have caused wide variations in the lake's depth. At 1,248 feet above sea level, the lake is now more than 10 feet deeper than it was in July 2022, and almost 15 feet deeper than at its lowest recent point, in November 2018. The deeper lake attracts visitors and commerce but also presents challenges, said Lake Elsinore spokesman Jovanny Huerta. On the one hand, "the algae issue takes care of itself," he said. Toxic algae has made the water unsafe and caused the city to shut down the lake several times in recent years, according to the Press-Enterprise. On the other hand, "our public beach at launch point is under about 5 feet of water," according to Huerta, though he noted that other beaches were still available. When it comes to getting big rains, the city is "damned if we do and damned if we don't," he joked. After a series of heavy rainstorms hit Southern California, water levels at Lake Elsinore are near a 25-year high. (Mark Boster/For The Times) "Before, the issue was that we didn't have enough water in the lake because of the drought," but recent conditions "set us up for success," he said. With more rain in the forecast, the deepest point in the lake has already risen from around 18 feet to 30 feet, he said. A partially submerged dock rises up out of the water at Launch Pointe at Lake Elsinore. (Mark Boster/For The Times) If the lake gains two more feet of depth, water arriving from the San Jacinto watershed will be diverted to an outflow channel into the Santa Ana River, thanks to "a levee system that was constructed after the major floods in the 80s," Huerta said. A pelican glides past the reflection of a partially submerged tree on what used to be the beach at Launch Pointe marina on Lake Elsinore. (Mark Boster/For The Times) "We are open for business and we are excited to receive hundreds of thousands of people this summer," Huerta said. The city now expects "more boaters, more kayakers, more anglers." The official opening day for lake season in Lake Elsinore is April 14, with free access and free boating passes available and plenty of spots to fish. "When the lake is thriving, the economy is thriving," Huerta said. The palm trees at the Elsinore West Marina at Lake Elsinore are now under water. (Mark Boster/For The Times) Lake Elsinore is also famous for its poppy frenzy. The wet weather that has rejuvenated the city's namesake lake may also bring even more poppies this spring. After closing to tourists in past years to protect the blooms and avoid the traffic headaches brought on by visiting flower fans, the city is now considering whether to make the poppy fields along the shore accessible to visitors. As for poppy season, "you know how that can get," Huerta said. Fisherman Johnathan O. Skinner floats out to his favorite spot on Lake Elsinore, trying to catch a catfish or a bass. (Mark Boster/For The Times) Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) Other than Bok Tower, its the tallest structure in town, said Brandon Alvarado, the president of the Lake Wales History Museum. According to Alvarado, the Dixie Walesbilt Hotel on 1st Street in Lake Wales was home to a grand entryway, businesses and 110 hotel rooms after it opened in 1927. It closed in the 1990s. Kind of like what it represented in 27 and what it represents almost 100 years later is progress, the idea of what Lake Wales can be, said Alvarado. In 2010, Raymond Brown entered into a redevelopment agreement with the City of Lake Wales to develop what was then called the Grand Hotel into residential units. Downtown Lakeland business owners concerned about idea to eliminate free parking In 2022, after years of the hotel sitting largely untouched, the city sued Brown. In a ruling last week, a judge found Brown had made false statements when entering the agreement involving the pre-sale of units and a multi-millionaire investor. In making his decision, Judge William Sites stated Brown admitted in depositions that he had never sold any units and that investor Rajesh Kumar was never a member of the Dixie Walesbilt LLC nor contributed any capital. Because of this ruling, the city could potentially regain ownership. We appreciate the courts ruling and we think it is eminently correct, said Lake Wales Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson. Gibson said more details on the court case and the future of the Walesbilt Hotel will be discussed at Tuesday nights commission meeting. Commercial fishermen concerned about lack of access to Lake Hancock Browns attorney, Brent Geohagan, said he plans to appeal the ruling. With the utmost respect, we disagree confidently and vehemently. We think this is the wrong decision for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is the statute of limitations, he said in a phone interview. Geohagan pointed out only one commissioner provided testimony saying her decision to approve the agreement would not have happened without the false statements. My client has a heart for this project and wants to do everything he can to make it what it should be, said Geohagan. The hotel is iconic to Lake Wales, said Ronnie Wood, executive director of the Lake Wales Main Street program. She said the success of the Walesbilt Hotel is a part of the citys downtown revitalization plan. The opportunity of the city regaining the hotel would be a dream come true, said Wood. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Russia is developing and extending its entire cyber-aggression system on a national level, and students at Russian universities are being recruited. Source: Illia Vitiuk, Head of the Cyber-Security Department at the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), in an interview for Forbes Ukraine Vitiuk said the SSU has documents containing information about the upscaling of Russias entire cyber-aggression system, which has existed since at least 2016, on a national level. As part of this state initiative, reserve officers from Russias Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and the Federal Security Service (FSB) teach students how to conduct cyber-offensive actions at technical or military universities. After finishing their studies, the most able students may be hired by state intelligence bodies or the security services. During their studies, the students may be involved in creating software and studying the logistics, power and water supply systems of different countries, particularly Ukraine. "No other country in the world systematically teaches people to be hackers. Russia started with universities and will gradually roll this out to schools too," Vitiuk explained. He added that billions of roubles have been invested in Russian cyber-attacks, an amount that continues to grow. Vitiuk reported that during the two years of the full-scale war, the SSU have documented and repelled 9,000 cyber-attacks, 4,500 in each year. Background: On 12 December 2023, during one of the most recent mass cyber-attacks in Ukraine, the country's largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, was targeted, leaving 24 million users without a connection. The SSU assumed that the Russians were behind the attack. Yurii Prokopenko, who was responsible for cyber-security at Kyivstar, later resigned by mutual agreement, but said his decision had nothing to do with the attack, explaining that "people sometimes burn out". Dutch company VEON, the owner of Kyivstar, said the cyber-attack and network failure in December 2023 caused nearly US$100 million worth of damage. Support UP or become our patron! LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A Las Vegas man accused of hitting a child with a dog leash after the child allegedly took money from another student told police he thought it was justified, according to police. On Feb. 29, a teacher called police to report abuse that allegedly happened at the home of one of her students, according to an arrest report. When officers arrived at the teachers house, she told police she noticed that the victim was absent from school on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and when he returned to school on Thursday, there was visible bruising under both of his eyes and on the sides of his neck, the report stated. There was also bruising behind both of his thighs. When the teacher asked the victim why he was absent on Wednesday, he told her that a family member hit him after he took money from another student, according to the report. The family member the victim referred to was later identified as Armante Hayes. Armante Hayes faces a charge of child abuse after police said he hit a child with a dog leash. (LVMPD) Based on the year of the victims birth, he is either 12 or 13. The victim told police that his younger sister told his family he stole money from a classmate at school. Hayes then confronted him about the money and started pushing and slapping the victim, the report stated. When the victim pushed Hayes back, Hayes lunged at him, putting his hands around the victims throat and choking him, causing the victim to fall onto the bed and then to the floor, according to the report. The victim told police it was becoming hard to breath [sic] while Hayes had his hands on his throat. Hayes then made the victim do wall sits near the front door. Wall sits are a physical exercise where a person squats while leaning their back against a wall. The victim told police that Hayes hit the back of his legs with a dog leash when the victim started to move. He also told police that his mother saw everything, but did not attempt to stop Hayes, the report stated. Hayes told police he learned the victim stole $200 from his friend at school and after learning this, he confronted him about it. Hayes admitted to hitting the victim in the head to knock some sense into him as well as attempting to physically restrain him by pushing him to the ground, according to the report. After the physical struggle, Hayes brought the victim to the front door to make him sit in the wall sit position as a form of punishment. Hayes told police that the victim moved from the position several times which made [him] hit him with a dog leash, the report stated. Hayes told police he wanted to discipline the victim like he was disciplined as a child. He said he knew the discipline seemed excessive based on the injuries, but he believe[d] his intent was justified based on the severity of the crime committed. Police arrested Hayes and took him to the Clark County Detention Center, where he later posted bail and was released. Hayes faces a charge of child abuse or neglect. His next court appearance was scheduled for April 4. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department requests the publics help locating a missing teen. Authorities say 13-year-old Itany Delilah Barnett-Garcia hasnt been heard from since she left her home in Lakewood around 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 28. She is described as African-American/Hispanic, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 110 pounds with wavy brown hair and brown eyes. The missing teen was last seen wearing grey shorts with a black and white plaid shirt. Barnett-Garcias family is extremely concerned about her well-being. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. 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. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) 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. 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. 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? 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Phillips has remained in the race despite providing only token opposition to Biden and no real chance of challenging him nationally. His home state of Minnesota is among those holding a Democratic primary on Super Tuesday but he isnt expected to win there, either. A damage to a house after a rocket fired by Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group hit the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, on the border with Lebanon, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) An Israeli airstrike killed at least 17 people in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Tuesday, Palestinian officials said, as talks on a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas ended without a breakthrough. First responders with Gaza's Civil Defense department circulated footage of rescuers pulling dead and wounded people from the rubble of a house, including a child with blood on his face who was not moving. The nearby European Hospital said it received 17 bodies overnight. The Israeli military said in a statement that it was carrying out targeted raids on militant infrastructure in Khan Younis while trying to evacuate civilians from the area. The latest fatalities brought the overall Palestinian toll from the nearly five-month war to 30,631, according to Gazas Health Ministry. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures but says women and children make up around two-thirds of the total casualties. It says over 72,000 people have been wounded. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas-led militants stormed across the border on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Over 100 hostages were released last year in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Currently: The latest Gaza cease-fire talks have ended with no breakthrough, officials say. Ramadan is days away. Biden's allies are increasing pressure on the White House to act to ease Gaza suffering. Vice President Kamala Harris hosts Israeli war Cabinet member as the U.S. pushes to get more aid into Gaza. A U.N. envoy says there are reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed sexual violence on Oct. 7. Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war. Here's the latest: ISRAEL UNVEILS PLAN FOR MUSLIMS VISITING AL-AQSA MOSQUE DURING RAMADAN JERUSALEM Israel announced Tuesday its long-awaited plans for dealing with Muslim worshippers who want to pray at a flashpoint holy site during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The announcement came amid high tensions because of the nearly five months of fighting in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas. There had been concerns that Israel would sharply curtail the number of worshippers allowed at the site. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would allow a similar number of Muslims to worship at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the first week of Ramadan as it has in previous years. The decision followed a government meeting with top security officials. Netanyahu said security forces would determine if any changes are needed. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir slammed the decision, saying it was a danger to Israelis. Netanyahus office would not comment on whether Palestinians from the West Bank would be able to enter Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan. Most of the checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank have been closed since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that sparked the war. In previous years, Israel allowed women and young children from the West Bank to enter Jerusalem without a permit during Ramadan, as well as men between the ages of 45 and 55 who have a permit. For Palestinian worshippers, praying at the third-holiest site in Islam is a centerpiece of Ramadan. Jews revere the site as the Temple Mount, home to the biblical Temple. The competing claims often spill over into violence. UN SAYS IT NEEDS MORE FOOD TO MEET GAZA'S OVERWHELMING NEEDS UNITED NATIONS The U.N. and its partners are reporting a lack of food to distribute in Gaza, and say the dire conditions are forcing some 340 people to share a single toilet and roughly 1,300 to share one shower on average in overcrowded shelters. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that the food entering Gaza is very limited compared to the overwhelming needs, and that continuing airstrikes and heavy fighting are impeding humanitarian operations. He said the U.N. humanitarian office reports that between Feb. 26 and March 3 a daily average of some 245,000 people received food assistance including food parcels and hot meals from 17 of its partner organizations. He said 42% of the food went to Palestinians in southern Rafah and the rest to Deir Al Balah, Khan Younis, Gaza City and northern Gaza. But the U.N. says the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza needs food, with starvation levels rising and children already dying of malnutrition. The U.N. childrens agency UNICEF, which deals with water and sanitation in crises, reports that more than 80% of Gaza households lack clean drinking water, Dujarric said. UNICEF has been providing fuel to operate public and private water wells and desalination plants, the U.N. spokesman said. ISRAEL SAYS MARITIME CORRIDOR FOR AID DELIVERIES TO GAZA MAY OPEN SOON JERUSALEM Israels Foreign Ministry said it hopes to open a corridor for humanitarian aid from Cyprus to Gaza via the Mediterranean Sea soon, in response to international pressure to increase aid to the beleaguered Palestinian territory. Cyprus proposed a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid in October, just weeks after the Hamas attack in southern Israel that triggered the war. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said Tuesday that logistics are being resolved that would finally allow the direct delivery of aid to Gazas shores. He would not confirm a delivery start date. Israel inspects all goods and humanitarian aid that enter the Gaza Strip to check for weapons and military equipment. Aid groups have complained that the inspections slow aid delivery; Israel says the bottleneck is because aid groups cannot distribute the goods. Israel could inspect the aid at Cyprus port of Larnaca, some 240 miles (385 kilometers) from Gaza. Cypriot officials say several countries, including Britain, have sent aid that is being stored at Larnaca port. Gaza Citys seaport was targeted early in the war, so finding ways to deliver the aid to Gazas coast has been challenging. Israels former Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Cyprus in December to hammer out the details of the humanitarian maritime route. UN AGENCY SAYS ISRAEL BLOCKED FOOD DELIVERY INTO NORTHERN GAZA The World Food Program said it tried to deliver urgently needed food to northern Gaza Tuesday but that Israels military turned its 14-truck convoy away. Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the U.N. agency, said in a news release that WFP wont give up its efforts to deliver food to Gazas north, where children are dying of hunger-related diseases and suffering severe levels of malnutrition. The trucks were held at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint for three hours before being dismissed. WFP said the rerouted convoy was later looted by a crowd of desperate people who took around 200 tons of food. The agency said trucks are the only way to deliver the quantity of food needed to avert famine in northern Gaza. UNICEF said Tuesday that at least 10 children have reportedly died in northern Gaza because of dehydration and malnutrition. WFP also airdropped 6 tons of food in northern Gaza with the help of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, but Skau called the airdrops a last resort that cannot avert famine. We need entry points to northern Gaza that will allow us to deliver enough food for half a million people in desperate need, Skau said. He called for a cease-fire deal that would allow the delivery of food and other aid across the Palestinian territory. HAMAS OFFICIAL DECRIES PROPOSED TEMPORARY CEASE-FIRE DEAL BEIRUT Hamas is insisting on a permanent cease-fire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza rather than a temporary pause in hostilities, a political official with the group said. The security and safety of our people will be achieved only by a permanent cease-fire, the end of the aggression and the withdrawal from every inch of the Gaza Strip, Osama Hamdan told reporters in Beirut on Tuesday. Cease-fire talks in Cairo ended Tuesday without a breakthrough. The Biden administration is pushing for a temporary cease-fire before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins. Hamdan said Washingtons position is essentially that Israel has the right to stop killing for a few weeks and then return to that killing. Israels bombardment and invasion of Gaza following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The proposed deal on the table would provide a six-week break in hostilities, an influx of aid, Hamas would release some 40 hostages and Israel would return an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners. Israel did not send a delegation to Cairo, saying it was waiting for Hamas to hand over a list of hostages who are still alive. Hamdan said that was not relevant to the proposed cease-fire and accused Israel of using it as an excuse to avoid the negotiations. He said recent airdrops of humanitarian aid, including by the United States, were inadequate and called on the international community to use more effective methods of delivering aid, such as opening crossings to bring such aid by land. BIDEN URGES GAZA CEASE-FIRE DEAL BEFORE RAMADAN BEGINS WASHINGTON President Joe Biden said Tuesday that it's crucial a temporary cease-fire deal for Gaza comes together in time for the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. Three days of negotiations involving the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas ended Tuesday without a breakthrough, Egyptian officials said. The start of Ramadan expected on the evening of March 10 has been set as an informal deadline to finalize a deal for a temporary cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages. If we get into a circumstance where this continues through Ramadan ... it could be very, very dangerous, Biden told reporters. The president said he continues to press to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza an issue that has been central to talks with Israel war cabinet member, Benny Gantz, who has been meeting with top administration officials in Washington this week. We must get more aid into Gaza, Biden said. Theres no excuse. None. Gantz, a political rival of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, came to Washington without Netanyahus blessing. White House officials have downplayed Netanyahus objections to the visit. Biden has shown frustration with Netanyahu during the nearly five-month-old war. Asked Tuesday about their relationship, Biden said it is like its always been." ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES KILL 3 IN LEBANESE BORDER TOWN BEIRUT Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon Tuesday killed a family of three in the border town of Houla, first responders said. The intense strikes took place a day after White House senior adviser Amos Hochstein visited Lebanese political and military officials in Beirut in an effort to deescalate ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli military along the Lebanon-Israel border. Lebanons Civil Defense and Hezbollahs Islamic Health unit said first responders pulled the bodies of Hassan Hussein, his wife Rwaida Mostafa, and their 25-year-old son from the rubble of a house that was targeted in the airstrikes. Civil Defense responders were searching for more bodies. Later Tuesday, the Israeli military said it struck what it described as a Hezbollah military site near Ayta ash Shab in southern Lebanon, saying two anti-tank missiles had been launched from there toward Biranit on the Israeli side of the border. It said no injuries were reported. The military said it also struck a Hezbollah operational command center near Jabal al Baba, launch posts close to Matmoura, and military compounds near Majdal Zoun, Houla, and Kafra. It did not mention the family reported killed in Houla. AT LEAST 17 KILLED IN KHAN YOUNIS IN SOUTHERN GAZA STRIP RAFAH, Gaza Strip Palestinian officials say an Israeli airstrike has killed at least 17 people in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Civil Defense department first responders circulated video footage of rescuers pulling dead and wounded people from the rubble of a house, including a child with blood on his face who was not moving. The nearby European Hospital said Tuesday that it had received 17 bodies overnight. Gazas Health Ministry says a total of 97 people have been killed in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall Palestinian death toll from the nearly five-month war to 30,631. It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its figures but says women and children make up around two-thirds of the casualties. It says over 72,000 people have been wounded. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas-led militants stormed across the border on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Over 100 hostages were released last year in exchange for 240 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high toll on Hamas because the militants operate in dense, residential areas. The military rarely comments on individual strikes. The military said in a statement on Tuesday that it was carrying out targeted raids on militant infrastructure in Khan Younis while trying to evacuate civilians from the area. Law enforcement in Central Florida is continuing to build its case after the disappearance and death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Her body was discovered in a wooded area of Saint Cloud on Friday. Her mothers boyfriend is in the Osceola County Jail, on charges unrelated to her death. Watch: Osceola County Sheriff Lopez apologizes after social media post shows possible body of Madeline Soto Officials said hes still not talking about the case. The Orange County Sheriffs Office said Friday evening that Madeline Sotos body has been found. Investigators said Osceola County deputies found the missing 13-year-old girls body at about 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area along Hickory Tree Road. Detectives believe Stephan Sterns killed 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday morning at a Kissimmee apartment complex. Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. Sources say that Maddies body was found in rural St. Cloud near Hickory Tree Road. Police and deputies canvassed the area of Osceola County for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. The Kissimmee Police Department will handle the search for Madeline Soto, said Chief Betty Holland. The sheriff said the efforts will now shift to recovering her body. Sheriff John Mina said he is confident that she is dead, and recovery efforts will continue. Members of the community will gather to pray for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning. And now, her mothers boyfriend is in jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material. Stephan Sterns was supposed to go before an Orange County judge Thursday morning but refused to be in court. More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto The Orange County Sheriffs Office on Friday confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto, 13, has been located. Investigators are taking their time as they gather evidence to tack on a possible murder charge. They have to wait for results from lab tests to see what exactly happened to Madeline. Watch: Former chief judge explains next step in Madeline Soto case as evidence builds against prime suspect Legal experts expect Stephan Sterns to continue to not offer any answers to the officers trying to put him away for murder. Many are also speculating Sterns could face the death penalty. Read: Madeline Sotos body found in rural Osceola County See more in the video above. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A group of lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would force ByteDance to sell TikTok in order for the app to remain available in the United States. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would prohibit US app stores and web hosting services from distributing TikTok unless it divested from parent company ByteDance. The bill is the latest in a long line of attempts by lawmakers and other officials to ban or force a sale of the app. Former President Donald Trump attempted to force a sale of TikTok in 2020, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The Biden Administration has also pressured the company to divest. And a US District Court Judge recently blocked an attempt to ban the app in Montana. The new bill, which comes from a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House, takes a different approach. It would give ByteDance a six-month window to sell TikTok before app store-level bans would come into effect. It would also require TikTok and other apps to provide users with a copy of their data in a format that can be imported into competing apps. And though TikTok is referenced several times in the text of the bill, the legislation would open the door for bans on other foreign adversary-controlled apps if the president deemed them to be a national security threat. This bill is an outright ban of TikTok, no matter how much the authors try to disguise it, TikTok 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. TikTok CEO Shou Chew has maintained that a divestment would not fully address officials concerns about US user data. The company has spent years trying to address national security concerns about its service with an initiative called Project Texas. Under the plan, created as a result of years of negotiations with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), US users data would be separated into US-based servers and government officials would be able to oversee audits of TikToks source code and other aspects of its operations. The Washington Post reported last year that TikToks negotiations with CFIUS had been recently revived amid doubts the [Biden] administration has the authority to ban TikTok on its own. If Congress was able to pass the new bill, it would clear up such questions and create a new process for forcing ByteDance's hand. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other digital rights groups have criticized the government's efforts to ban TikTok. In a statement on the latest bill, the ACLU said the proposed measure was "unconstitutional" and would hurt free speech. "Just because the bill sponsors claim that banning TikTok isnt about suppressing speech, theres no denying that it would do just that," senior policy counsel Jenna Leventoff said. Columbia University's nonprofit Knight First Amendment Institute raised similar concerns. "Congress can protect data privacy and security without banning Americans from accessing one of the worlds most popular communications platforms," the organization's executive director Jameel Jaffer said in a statement. "It should start by passing a comprehensive privacy law restricting the kinds of information that TikTok and other platforms can collect." Update March 5, 2024 6:50 PM ET: This story has been updated to add comments from the ACLU and Knight First Amendment Institute. SEOUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has strongly denounced the large-scale joint military exercise Freedom Shield staged by the United States and South Korea, saying it would increase the unpredictability of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday. The annual springtime war game included a plan for outdoor mobile drills which doubled the number of last year and even the armed forces of 11 satellite countries under the so-called "UN Command" without any justification for existence were mobilized, the KCNA quoted a spokesman for the DPRK's Ministry of National Defense as saying in a press statement on Monday. "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,'" said the statement. The DPRK Ministry of National Defence strongly denounced the reckless military drills of the United States and South Korea for getting more undisguised in their military threat to a sovereign state and attempt for invading it and severely warned them to stop the moves that cause further provocation and instability. The United States and South Korea kicked off the major joint exercise on Monday, which will last for 11 days, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in an earlier statement. More than half of the population in Dodge City, Kansas, is Latino. But in the past 20 years members of the community argue they have never had the power to elect city officials of their choice. A federal judge heard arguments last week in a lawsuit that aims to change this, with critics of Dodge Citys current local government structure arguing it denies representation and voting rights to its Hispanic and Latino residents. The outcome of the case holds major consequences for the Southwest Kansas city. And if Dodge City loses, other Kansas cities may face their own legal challenges or calls for change. The lawsuit, filed in 2022 by the ACLU of Kansas and other voting rights groups on behalf of two Dodge City voters, argues that Dodge Citys at-large voting system violates federal voting rights law because it denies Hispanic and Latino residents who live in the same part of the city the ability to elect representatives of their choosing. Several other Kansas communities also use at-large voting systems where every city council member must be elected by a vote from the entire city, rather than a specific district. A ruling against Dodge Citys system could cause a fundamental change in how some communities elect representatives, said Spencer Duncan, a lobbyist for the League of Kansas Municipalities. Weve taken the approach of sitting back and watching because Im not sure anyone knows how its going to shake out, Duncan said. Long-criticized system At-large voting districts have long faced criticism for limiting the influence of individual communities in cities and raising the bar for a resident to be elected to local office. They allow a majority block, so a majority of voters within a locality can control 100% of outcomes even if that majority is pretty slim, said Yurij Rudensky, a senior fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice. At-large voting systems, Rudenkey noted, establish a dynamic where it is possible for a communitys entire governing body to live in the same part of a city. It is harder and more expensive to mount a campaign in an at-large district, he said, and the type of person who runs for office is then limited. As a result, he said, communities can be shut out of their local governments without a seat at the table. Attorneys for the ACLU of Kansas said this has been particularly clear in Dodge City, where Latino residents live in compact neighborhoods of the city. If the citys representation was split into geographical districts, the attorneys said, the community would be able to elect officials from within those neighborhoods. But under the current system, ACLU attorney Kunyu Ching said, Latino residents struggle to even connect with their elected officials because they live across town and work conflicting hours. If you cant hear from a significant segment of the population how are you even going to know an issue exists, she said. In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Dodge City argued the form of government was neutral and that a lawsuit brought by two residents should not change the voting system for the entire community. The lawsuit, it argues, couldnt prove that the entire Hispanic community in Dodge City would vote alike. Communities across Kansas, including Lawrence and Manhattan, use at-large voting systems. A ruling against Dodge City wouldnt immediately force those cities to change their system. To prove a community violated voting rights laws a variety of factors impacting the representation of racial minorities must be met. But it could spark lawsuits in those cities or cause those communities to rethink their voting systems out of concern. Duncan said the question of district or at-large systems has often come down to a philosophical question about representation and whether it is better for local officials to represent specific neighborhoods or a full community. Theres really good arguments on both sides, he said. In Lawrence, elected officials are already thinking about making a change. In November Lawrence residents will vote on whether to retain its current at-large voting system or move to individual districts. We had a committee to go ahead and look into it and bring back information and we thought it would be prudent to push it forward, Lawrence Mayor Bart Littlejohn said. State Rep. Christina Haswood, a Lawrence Democrat, said she could see value in moving to a district by district system but wanted to see more data on who has historically run for office in Lawrence. Its always such a hard ask to get folks from diverse backgrounds and experiences to run for office itself, Haswood said. I think our city commission is not diverse currently, as well, which makes me a little concerned on that end. Im always open to new structures. Some communities, like Wyandotte County, the most racially diverse in the state, include at-large seats alongside districts in local government. Under its unique combined county and municipal government structure, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, has 10 elected commissioners split into eight districts and two at-large seats. Rudensky said whether a mixed system dilutes voting power is dependent heavily on a local community. It does work, Commissioner Andrew Davis, 8th District, said of the current setup. He noted there is racial diversity in the governing body that reflects the population. Davis raised other Kansas cities contemplating the conversation of in-district versus at large representation on public bodies, including Lawrence, saying its a conversation he expects will continue to be had especially as the state becomes more diverse. Davis said the district boundaries have been created with a focus intended on representation. From a Wyandotte County perspective, I think we do this pretty well. Davis said of the district map-making in Wyandotte County. I think its one of the better processes, he added. I think there are others that should mimic what we have. HEMPHILL COUNTY - A new lawsuit claims a falling utility pole caused the tragic 1 million-acre Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas Panhandle. A system of different wildfires has torn through the Panhandle scorching over 1.2 million acres over the past week. A woman is suing the Southwestern Public Service Company after her home near Canadian was burned, alleging the Smokehouse Creek fire was caused by human error. Melanie 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. According to McQuiddy's lawsuit, the fire started on February 26 when the pole, which the firms "failed to properly inspect, maintain, and replace," cracked and snapped off at its base. "As a result of the utility, powered utility lines hit the ground, igniting a fire, which spread quickly into an uncontrollable conflagration," states the lawsuit. The largest fire in the history of the state is being investigated by the Texas A&M Forest Service, which has not yet determined a cause. According to the lawsuit, 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." In a statement to CBS News Texas, Xcel Energy did not address the lawsuit but said they were working "in coordination with first responders and local officials to support the power needs of our communities." "Our thoughts are with the families and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires across the Texas Panhandle. As members of this community, we will continue to support our neighbors in this recovery," Xcel Energy said in a statement to CBS News Texas. "Through the hard work and dedication of our employees and community partners, we have safely restored power to customers who can receive power. 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, stated that the company takes the accusations seriously. "We are closely following reports of the devastation brought by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, and our thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy," said Adams. "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. We stand by the quality and accuracy of our utility pole inspections." There has been no official determination of cause or causes for the fires in the Texas Panhandle and investigations are ongoing. Two people have died as well as thousands of heads of cattle and more than 500 structures have been destroyed by the wildfires. The firm representing McQuiddy in the lawsuit has previously represented plaintiffs in lawsuits related to wildfires in Maui and California. McQuiddy is suing for recovery of damages to real property. Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes The Nobel laureates behind mRNA COVID vaccines DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: "We were not informed" about prior arrests of Georgia suspect EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) The lead courier in a Dominican Republic-based mail fraud scheme has been sentenced to prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Josiah DeJesus, 22, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced on Thursday, February 29, to 6 years and 8 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for his role as coordination courier in the grandparents fraud scheme that preyed on elderly victim from across the country. According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, from June 2020 to October 2020, DeJesus and a group of men from Bronx, New York that he recruited regularly traveled from New York City to Pennsylvania to retrieve UPS and FedEx packages containing thousands of dollars in cash. Man sentenced to 12 years in jail for meth trafficking Karam says these packages were sent by elderly victims, who were persuaded to send cash based upon false claims that their grandchildren had been arrested and charged with serious crimes and were in immediate need of money. Officials say the false claims were made to grandparents by DeJesus co-conspirators from the Dominican Republic, who would pose as the victims grandchildren or attorneys representing them. DeJesus told officials that he received between $250,000 and $550,000 from the scheme which caused financial hardships to five or more victims. U.S. Attorneys say at his sentencing, DeJesus was ordered to pay $366,303.28 in restitution to the victims of the scheme. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Twenty Georgia children were injured when a school bus rolled over on the way to school Tuesday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The accident happened around 7:20 a.m. in Worth County, which is near Albany. The bus was on its way to drop students off at school in Sylvester. Georgia State Patrol said that the bus driver veered onto the east shoulder. The driver overcorrected, traveled into the ditch on the west side and then overturned. TRENDING STORIES: Around 20 children and the bus driver were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Parents told WALB that most of the kids had scratches and bruises, but one student had to get staples and another had a broken shoulder. Worth County Superintendent Nehemiah Cummings released a statement to WALB regarding the incident: I would like to thank our local EMA and law enforcement for their rapid response and coordination. We are also grateful for the staff at Phoebe Worth who provided expert, timely care to our students. Our students and parents are also to be commended for their patience and cooperation, said Superintendent Nehemiah Cummings. We are thankful everyone is safe, and grateful for everyone who helped take care of our students today. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The crash is still under investigation. Its unclear if the driver is facing any charges. In The Road to Wigan Pier, George Orwell said our civilisation ... is founded on coal, more completely than one realises until one stops to think about it. He captured that ambivalence the rest of the country felt for the men who dug it from the ground, a mix of fascination and suspicion. In a way it is even humiliating to watch coal miners working. It raises in you a momentary doubt about your own status as an intellectual and a superior person generally. For it is brought home to you that it is only because miners sweat their guts out that superior persons can remain superior. When that was published in 1937, the mining industry employed more than one million men and powered the nation. Coal had fuelled the Industrial Revolution and underpinned an empire. Yet a mythology developed, especially on the Left, around miners and their communities that belied the dangers and wretched nature of the job. Disasters down the centuries claimed the lives of thousands of pitmen, a death toll far greater than in the nuclear power industry. Production peaked in 1913, when more than 1,500 pits extracted some 290 million tons. By 2013, that had fallen to under four million. The last deep pit in the United Kingdom, at Kellingley in Yorkshire, closed two years later and the remaining few open cast mines have also shut. Approval has recently been given for a new coking coal mine in Cumbria to supply the steel industry; but with the latter switching to cleaner electric arc furnaces, there is now a question mark over that, too. King Coal is dead; and if you believe the propaganda, it was killed by Margaret Thatcher in a murderous attack on the working classes on behalf of plutocracy. The anniversary of the miners strike, which began 40 years ago, will doubtless perpetuate these old canards. Arthur Scargill and his National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) cohorts were the vanguard of a proletariat fighting the forces of capitalist darkness. This was no dispute over pay and conditions but a fight for the very survival of a way of life. The Daily Telegraphs front-page story for March 6 1984 reported how the Coal Board planned 20,000 redundancies from a workforce of around 120,000. This prompted a walk-out at Cortonwood Colliery in South Yorkshire, the first of a series of wildcat stoppages. Mrs Thatcher was facing the same nightmare that toppled her predecessor Edward Heath. She, however, was ready. The government had averted a potential flash point the previous year by bowing to an NUM wage demand and then spent months building up a stockpile of coal at the power stations in anticipation of a strike to follow the expected closure of pits. These were hardly new. Mines had been shutting ever since nationalisation in 1947. Clement Attlees Labour government closed 101; the Conservatives under Harold Macmillan closed 246; Labour led by Harold Wilson closed 253 in his two terms in office twice as many as Mrs Thatcher did. Yet from recent retrospectives, you would imagine that she was uniquely brutal in her approach to the miners. The difference is that she was not cowed by the NUM, unlike Heath. Indeed, the reason she was prepared was precisely to avoid what had happened 10 years earlier. The miners first went on strike in January 1972, triggering a state of emergency as electricity supplies ran low. Planned blackouts were used to manage the supply crisis, but it didnt stop severe industry disruptions and thousands of people losing their jobs. By the end of February, the government and NUM reached a compromise and the strike was called off. However, over the winter of 1973/74, in the midst of a global oil crisis, the miners went on strike again. Heath imposed a three-day week with only services deemed essential, like hospitals and shops, exempt. Television went off the air at 10.30pm and power cuts meant households were without electricity for hours every day. I can remember revising for exams by candlelight. Eventually, after the miners rejected a pay offer, Heath called a general election on a who governs? ticket, only to lose his majority. Mrs Thatcher was determined not to be caught out in the same way but the NUM made it much easier for her. The strike was called in the spring when demand was falling, even though the leadership knew there was enough coal stockpiled to see the country through the year. On top of that, Scargill refused to call a pit-head ballot as required by NUM rules, thereby dividing the miners against each other. The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire coalfields carried on working. The rift caused by the absence of a vote plagued Scargill since no other union would come out in support. The sentimentalisation of this period has deepened over the years. In popular culture it has been captured in films like Billy Elliott and Pride. What is undoubtedly true is that, as the pits closed by the mid-1990s just a handful were left the communities that relied on them collapsed. Even though mining was a grim and dangerous occupation, it was a job. Without it there was nothing else to do. Neil Kinnock, who as Labour leader and a south Wales MP found himself in an unenviable position, sympathising with the miners but opposing the NUMs refusal to hold a ballot, said this week that the great failure was not to do enough to rescue the villages left behind. That is true but it is not entirely the Tories fault, since there was a Labour government for 13 years and most of the local councils are Labour-run. Indeed, the biggest political surprise of recent years is that many of these old mining areas like Ashfield, Bolsover, Mansfield and the rest voted Conservative in 2019 (even if they probably wont next time). The greatest irony is that those who most eulogise the miners for seeking to preserve their way of life have been in the vanguard of those demanding the removal of all carbon from the economy. Had the pits still been open today, the net-zero zealots would insist on their closure. It so happens that Mrs Thatcher was the first world leader to warn about the dangers of global warming in a speech in 1988, but do not expect the Left to give her any credit for doing so. In socialist demonology, she is still the prime minister who killed the pits, whatever the truth of the matter. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Reactions from legal experts are pouring in after the Supreme Court voted unanimously in favor of former President Trump and against the effort to remove him from the Colorado ballot for allegedly taking part in an "insurrection." "The Court showed a divided nation that we remain bound by shared constitutional values," George Washington Law professor Jonathan Turley said on Fox News immediately after the decision was read, adding that this was a "critical moment for this court in history." "After all of the years we have spent in this Republic we came to a point where these states claimed that they could unilaterally bar the leading presidential candidate from ballots to prevent people from voting for Donald Trump," Turley said. "The court here struck with a strong, and it appears unanimous, voice at least on the result that thats not going to happen. Voters will vote. Theyll make their own verdict regardless of cases that happen involving President Trump. They will cast the most important verdict of all. They will vote for the next President of the United States." "So much for the long list of people who weighed in on this case to declare that Colorados position was the only constitutionally acceptable one and suggesting that any idiot could see that," Judicial Network President Carrie Severino posted on X . TRUMP-ALIGNED LAWMAKERS CELEBRATE UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT BALLOT RULING Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd during a campaign rally on September 25, 2023 in Summerville, South Carolina. "Obviously, they were not making legal arguments, but political ones." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Ilya Shapiro, director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, told Fox News Digital that the "unanimous Supreme Court got it right." "States cant create a patchwork of ways for disqualifying candidates for federal office," Shapiro added. "Theres disagreement among the justices about which federal actors can do so, and according to which procedures, so perhaps it would be a good idea for Congress to clarify these issues by enacting a new version of the Enforcement Act of 1870." "But regardless, in a polarized time of record-low societal trust in institutions, its a good thing that voters will decide whether Donald Trump can return to the White House, not Colorados supreme court, Maines secretary of state, or any other state or local officials." "The Supreme Court justices brought order to what could have become a chaotic election season by shutting down this partisan, anti-democratic, and unconstitutional effort in Colorado," Heritage Foundation legal fellows Hans von Spakovsky and Charles Stimson wrote in a press release . "They found a 'combination' of constitutional grounds that 'resolves this case,' and that explains why the Colorado court got it wrong." TRUMP SAYS SUPREME COURT RULING IN COLORADO CASE IS 'UNIFYING AND INSPIRATIONAL' Former President Trump "Activist courts and partisan bureaucrats should not be able to take away American voters right to choose the president. This ruling, which came together with amazing speed for the Supreme Court, should serve as a stern warning that radicals cannot interfere in our election process and, as the justices say in the opinion, nullify the votes of millions and change the election result." All nine justices ruled in favor of Trump in the case, which will impact the status of efforts in several other states to remove the likely GOP nominee from their respective ballots. The court considered for the first time the meaning and reach of Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars former officeholders who "engaged in insurrection" from holding public office again. Challenges have been filed to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot in over 30 states. "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 wrote. "A great win for America. Very, very important!" Trump told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview Monday morning. "Equally important for our country will be the decision that they will soon make on immunity for a president without which, the presidency would be relegated to nothing more than a ceremonial position, which is far from what the founders intended," Trump told Fox News Digital. "No president would be able to properly and effectively function without complete and total immunity." He added, "Our country would be put at great risk." Fox News Digitals Brooke Singman and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report Original article source: Legal experts rally around Supreme Court ruling keeping Trump on ballot: 'Stern warning' to 'radicals' Former Trump attorney Kenneth Chesebro, one of the architects in the former presidents fake elector plot, may have a "perjury" problem over his testimony to a Nevada grand jury. The Washington Post on Monday reported on a cache of documents in the Nevada grand jury probe of the fake elector scheme, including Chesebro's statements to the panel. Chesebro told the grand jury that he saw "pending litigation" as pivotal to the plot to overturn Trump's 2020 loss. The whole point of the alternate elector plan that we arrived at in Wisconsin is the idea is we make sure that we have the extra three weeks to try to win the lawsuit," the right-wing lawyer said, according to a transcript. "If there isn't any lawsuit then there's no need for this to be done because there's no lawsuit that would be won before January 6th." However, in an email sent in December of 2020, Chesebro alleged, "I think having the electors send in alternate slates of votes on Dec. 14 can pay huge dividends even if there is no litigation pending on Jan. 6," effectively undercutting his statement. "There is no barrier to Congress (here, we're talking the Senate, assuming it's still controlled by Republicans) deliberating on which electoral slate to count, the email continued, even if one electoral slate is endorsed by the governor, after all litigation is final indeed, even if the slate met the Dec. 8 'safe harbor' deadline." New York University Law Prof. Ryan Goodman highlighted the statements on X/Twitter, warning that "Chesebro has a new perjury problem." Chesebro's "goose looks cooked," agreed former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Mueller's team. Chesebro goose looks cooked https://t.co/528QdkS3f6 Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads) (@AWeissmann_) March 4, 2024 A CNN report recently found that Chesebro concealed a secret Twitter account from Michigan prosecutors that was rife with posts that contradicted statements he made about his role in the ex-presidents election subversion plot. "Worse yet. Chesebro repeatedly told Michigan prosecutors his view of alternate electors plan was contingent on winning litigation," Goodman tweeted. "New emails coming out of Wisconsin settlement provide strong proof he perjured himself." 5. Chesebro email to Troupis on 11/8/20 maps out scheme to use false electors ballots to create chaos ("cloud of confusion") on Jan 6, regardless of whether litigation succeeded. Chesebro has said he told Trump directly of 11/18/20 memo to Troupis writing up the plan. pic.twitter.com/14iYwF7rYH Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) March 4, 2024 The two Democratic California U.S. senatorsSen. Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, have introduced 172 acres of land into trust for the benefit of the Jamul Indian Village. Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The Jamul Tribes ancestral lands have diminished over time from over 640 acres to just six acres, which now comprise the Tribes entire trust land base, making it one of the smallest reservations in the country. In 2005, Jamul tribal members voluntarily moved off of the reservation to allow the Tribe to pursue economic development to become self-sufficient and less reliant on the federal government. In order to build a true homeland for its members, the Jamul Indian Village has purchased four parcels of land, comprising 172 acres of land in San Diego County, which it holds in fee. The Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act would allow the Tribe to place these lands in trust in order to bring their tribal members back to live on their reservation and develop a permanent and proper homeland. After years of sacrifice in their efforts to achieve self-determination, the Jamul Indian Village deserves a true homeland to preserve their sacred history and bring together generations to come, Sen. Padilla said. I am honored to work alongside the Jamul Indian Village to enhance the Tribes community development and permanently safeguard their home for the benefit of their members. This legislation is important and necessary to honor the Jamul Tribes sovereignty over their native homeland, Sen.Butler said. Generations of tribal members stand to benefit from the economic development made possible by this bill, and Im proud to be part of the effort ensuring the Jamul Indian Village can permanently reclaim and restore their ancestral territory. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Jamul Indian Village Chairwoman Erica M. Pinto says putting the 172 acres will honor the ancestors of the tribe. This critical legislation will help bring our people back to the community that has been our home from the beginning of time. It will also achieve the restoration and protection of our culturally significant ancestral lands, Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village said. On the largest parcel covered by the bill, the Jamul Indian Village plans to develop housing for their tribal members and to establish administrative offices, a health clinic, a child care center, educational services, a community center, law enforcement offices, and other community resources for tribal members. The other parcels contain the only physical access road to the Tribes reservation and the Tribes historical church and cemetery. The legislation is endorsed by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Full text of the bill is available is here. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net To the editor: I am the third elected Latina on the City Council in Los Angeles' history, and I can tell you that achieving this office involved overcoming machismo and other social forces it was not some anointed moment. Tragically, Gustavo Arellano's "Power y Glory" columns on Latino power in Los Angeles are filled with tired narratives that do nothing to encourage Latino voting. Arellano, who is not from Los Angeles, leads readers to believe that the careers of Latino elected officials occur because of alleged political godfathers. Well, I earned my City Council seat in the community where I was raised. Like many of those before me, I am a product of hard work and earned trust that garnered support from the people I sought to represent. Arellano constructs a narrative that suggests Latino communities such as the one I proudly represent or that Ed Roybal served should wait their turn. He fails to celebrate the contributions made by many leaders and instead emphasizes petty power grabs that reinforce a narrative not equally applied to other demographics. I call on The Times to focus on the civic engagement and voices of Latinos as we are in an important election. Members of younger generations need to remain engaged so they can emerge as leaders in the future. As a first-generation American of Mexican descent, I look forward to the day when our community will be represented accurately and fairly, and with the respect we have earned. Monica Rodriguez, Los Angeles The writer is a member of the L.A. City Council. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Stanford University in Palo Alto has an endowment valued at more than $36 billion. (Ben Margot / Associated Press) To the editor: Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) contends that colleges offering legacy admissions "have plenty of money" to offer low-income students without having to rely on alumni donations. Where, pray tell, does he think these colleges got this money? ("California effort to crack down on legacy and donor admissions could hit USC, Stanford," Feb. 29) It was not from the government, nor was it from tuition from full-paying students, because for most colleges, tuition is insufficient to cover costs. This money came from alumni from years past building up endowments for tuition assistance. My husband was able to attend college with tuition assistance from an alumnus. In fact, the school asked him to write a letter every year thanking the donor, and he gratefully did so. Recently, when my daughter applied to college, an admissions director at a highly selective school told us that 90% of the applicants were qualified to attend. So the question becomes, how do schools choose? If a legacy or donor child meets the criteria, why can't the school choose that child? If it is a full-paying student and additional monies are donated to provide tuition assistance, I call this a win-win. Jacqueline Brady, San Juan Capistrano .. To the editor: I fully support the effort to ban state financial aid to students attending private colleges and universities that favor legacy admissions. According to their own statements, USC's endowment is more than $7 billion, Santa Clara University's is $1.47 billion, and Stanford's is a whopping $36.5 billion. These institutions could easily make all tuition free, or even free for those with incomes under a certain amount, but they choose not to. No public monies should be given to these behemoths that are sitting on obscene sums. Brenda Gant, Glendale This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WARSAW, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A tracked military vehicle ran over two soldiers on Tuesday morning during exercises in Drawsko Pomorskie, northwest Poland, said a military spokesman. The accident occurred at the training ground in Drawsko Pomorskie, where the exercises were going on, Jacek Piotrowski, a spokesman for the first Warsaw Armored Brigade, told the Polish Press Agency. He noted that the drill was not part of the Dragon-24 maneuvers conducted currently under the large NATO war game Steadfast Defender 2024. To the editor: John Anderson. Ralph Nader. Ross Perot. ("California poll reveals how minor candidates could throw 2024 presidential race to Trump," March 1) Those three men were independent presidential candidates at some point during my life, and all three siphoned enough votes away from a major-party candidate to change the outcome of the election. None was close to winning the Oval Office. This trend could continue with Jill Stein and Cornel West, who together barely muster 5% in polls. Even Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has slightly more than double the support that those two have ... combined. While I certainly support any qualified person's right to run for president, the presence of third-party candidates nearly always results in being little more than a way for a minority of voters to express their dissatisfaction. That sentiment should not be allowed to skew the single most important election we have in any four-year period, even though I cannot and would not attempt to legally preempt those candidates' rights. But unless Stein's, West's and Kennedy's actual goal is to take enough votes away from President Biden to enable former President Trump to win, they have a moral obligation to do the right thing for democracy and end their campaigns. Kymberleigh Richards, Van Nuys .. To the editor: We have nine months until the election. A lot can happen in nine months. As a centrist Democrat, I would cross over and vote for former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney in a heartbeat. She is smart as a whip, honest, sincere and one of the very few Republicans who aren't crazy as a hoot-owl. It absolutely blows my mind that there are so many voters out there thinking Trump is anywhere near a viable candidate for reelection. That has to be the most telling sign that our country is in dire need of a major reawakening. Roger Krenkler, Westlake Village .. To the editor: Do we still need the electoral college to choose our president and vice president? Those office holders represent the entire country. Shouldnt we have a federal election for those offices using a popular vote? Currently, when we vote for president and vice president, do our votes count directly for those offices, or are we really choosing state electors? And, are those electors bound by law to represent their states' majority, or can they go rogue? In other words, does our vote actually count? Mary Sikonia, Manhattan Beach .. To the editor: What is wrong with these people? Do they not realize that a vote for anyone other than Biden is a vote for Trump? Don't give me that "I wanted to send a message" baloney. The message you are sending is either "I want Trump to win but I cant admit it," or "I'm stupid." Lorraine Knopf, Santa Monica This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Court cases stemming from several deadly incidents in Central Kentucky have progressed this month, with defendants in major criminal cases receiving their prison sentences. Februarys court developments include a mothers five year sentence related to the overdose death of her young child being probated, and a sentencing of two men charged in the 2016 deadly shooting of Caleb Hallett during a robbery. Here are some updates for court cases covered by the Herald-Leader. Lexington mother receives probation in overdose death of 2-year-old son A Lexington woman originally charged with manslaughter in the death of her 2-year-old son has received a sentence of probation after she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless homicide. Alashia Brown, 25, was sentenced to five years in prison in Fayette Circuit Court on Feb. 22. Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Goodman suspended her sentence, and placed her on one year of probation. Brown previously faced a second-degree manslaughter charge before accepting the guilty plea deal, which reduced her sentence. In November 2022, Brown was charged with murder and criminal abuse after her child died at a hospital from a fentanyl overdose. A few months later, a Fayette County grand jury downgraded her murder charge to manslaughter and dropped the criminal abuse charge. Brown said she and her son were at someone elses house when the incident occurred. Brown said her and the child took a nap, and when she awoke the child was gone. Brown went to look for the child in the kitchen, where she found him unresponsive with a pill in his hand, according to previous court testimony. The child was taken to a hospital, where he later died. The investigation into the childs death is still ongoing. Two men sentenced for 2016 murder of Caleb Hallett A case dating back to 2016 was resolved in February with the sentencing of two men. They were charged in the death of Caleb Hallet, who was 18 at the time he was shot and killed. The shooting was preceded by a botched robbery, according to prosecutors. Christopher Mason Allen, 25, and Ricky Auxier, 24, pleaded guilty. Allen accepted a plea for murder and first-degree robbery. Two assault and robbery charges were dismissed as part of the deal. Allen was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Feb. 9. Auxier pleaded guilty to a count of first-degree robbery and another count of second-degree robbery. He originally faced two counts of first-degree robbery, but a charge was amended as part of the deal. He was sentenced to 10 years. Auxier and Allen were part of a group of five suspects who were involved in Halletts death. Testimony and evidence showed the suspects arranged a robbery at a University Avenue home because they believed a significant amount of narcotics were inside. Two of the suspects, Marquess L. Hector Smith, 26, and Marique Q. Sturgis, 25, were both convicted for their involvement following a jury trial in November 2023. The jury convicted Smith of murder, ruling he was either complicit or the principal actor in the offense. He was also convicted of complicity to second-degree assault and complicity to two counts of first-degree robbery. Sturgis was found guilty of complicity to second-degree manslaughter, complicity to second-degree assault, complicity to first-degree robbery and complicity to evidence tampering. Sturgis and Smith are awaiting sentencing. The fifth suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in January 2016. Man who fatally shot through the floor pleads guilty to amended charges A Lexington man arrested for murder in August 2022 after he fired a bullet through the floor of his apartment, killing his neighbor, entered a plea of guilty to amended charges Feb. 28. Keith Denton, 29, was originally charged with murder, first degree wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, three counts of violating a Kentucky protective order, two counts of receiving stolen firearms, methamphetamine trafficking and marijuana possession. The shooting killed 38-year-old father Kadage Byishmo. He accepted a deal to plead guilty to lesser charges which amended his murder charge to manslaughter, and five of his charges were dismissed altogether. Denton testified he was packing in a hurry when he grabbed an assault rifle and accidentally fired it because the safety mechanism was not on. He told Fayette Circuit Judge Thomas Travis he was scared and left the apartment. Travis asked where Denton got the gun, which prompted a long silence from Denton. He later said, someone left it there, but admitted he had known it was illegally obtained. Denton faces a sentence range of five to 10 years and is scheduled for sentencing on April 4. Couple sentenced for involvement in friends death, setting his body on fire Two suspects charged with fatally shooting a man and and setting his body on fire in the trunk of a car were sentenced on Feb. 22. Martae Shanks, 36, and 30-year-old Autumn Owens Shanks appeared before Fayette Circuit Judge Thomas Travis for their involvement in the death of Lazarus Parker, who was killed in 2021. Investigation revealed that before his body was found, Parker had been shot in a Lexington residence on Dakota Street. An autopsy revealed he had a purple bullet lodged in him. Martae Shanks was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Autumn Owens Shanks, his wife, was sentenced to six years. Shanks and Owens pleaded guilty to multiple, amended counts of drug trafficking and possession, criminal mischief, complicity to abuse a corpse, and complicity to arson. At least four of Martae Shanks nine felony charges were amended to misdemeanors as part of his plea deal, according to court documents. He originally faced 70 years in prison, according to court testimony. Shanks and Owens accepted plea deals in exchange for testimony against Cecil Thomas Russell, the only person charged with the murder of Parker. A jury found Russell not guilty of murder, but did convict him on charges of complicity to abuse a corpse, complicity to arson, evidence tampering and criminal mischief. Russells sentencing is scheduled for April 4. At the sentencing hearing, Parkers mother, Dora Burgess, said justice was not served by the suspects taking a plea deal. She said the cases should have gone to trial. I am not satisfied with handling of my sons death, Burgess said. Nobody was held responsible for my sons murder. Martae Shanks and Autumn Owens Shanks spoke during the sentencing and apologized for their actions. The Lexington council gave initial approval Tuesday to set aside $400,000 to help find or keep housing for Fayette County Public Schools students and their families experiencing homelessness. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward a contract for $400,000 for Goodwill Industries to provide first months rent and a deposit for families of FCPS students who have been identified as homeless. FCPS will refer its homeless families who have some income to Goodwill who will work with them to find housing and pay the deposit and first months rent. The added benefit is theyll get all the employment supports and other programming available through Goodwill, said Charlie Lanter, commissioner of Housing Advocacy and Community Development. Lanter said the city choose Goodwill because Fayette County school system already had a working relationship with the organization. In addition to the $400,000 to house Fayette County school students, the council also approved $200,000 for mediation services through Legal Aid of the Bluegrass to represent Lexington-Fayette County Housing Authority tenants who are facing eviction. The money comes from interest on federal coronavirus relief funding to keep people housed during the pandemic. This has proven an extremely effective and affordable program that keeps people from losing their homes with the Housing Authority, Lanter said. The city set aside funding to provide lawyers to people facing eviction. Studies show if tenants have lawyers, many times an eviction can be avoided. Tenants with past court-ordered evictions face a much tougher time finding landlords who will rent to them. An eviction from federal housing authority properties can make it nearly impossible for a person to find a new rental property, Lanter and other housing advocates have said. The funding will be spread out over the current and next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The city has spent $53 million in federal funds to keep people from being evicted during the coronavirus pandemic. That money went directly to landlords and was exhausted last year. In addition, the city set aside millions of dollars from federal American Rescue Act funding for affordable housing and other homeless programs. How many kids are homeless? Fayette County Public School spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith declined to answer questions about the current number of students who are considered homeless or how much money the school system receives in federal funding for homeless students, which is commonly called McKinney-Vento funding. McKinney-Vento is a federal competitive grant to help local school districts provide educational and other services to local school districts. The Kentucky Department of Education, which administers McKinney-Vento funding, said Fayette County receives limited funding through the grant program. The total amount of federal funding for the current year is $176,897, said a spokesperson for the department. That money cant be used to house students. In the 2022-23 school year, the latest data available, the number of FCPS students counted as homeless was 923, according to Kentucky Department of Education statistics. In the fall, school officials said there were around 500 homeless students. The number of homeless students fluctuates throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Education has a different definition of homeless than the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Department of Education considers those who are living with relatives or friends as homeless. HUD does not count those who are conditionally housed like couch surfers as homeless in its annual counts. The council is expected to give final approval for the tenant mediation program and the new program for homeless students later this month. In addition, the Catholic Action Center and other homeless nonprofits announced a campaign this fall to raise private funds to house more FCPS kids and their families. Catholic Action Center Director Ginny Ramsey said that private fundraising effort has raised approximately $70,000. That money has gone to FCPS to help with homeless services costs and has helped house five families. One of those families had 13 kids. However, the money is nearly depleted. To find out how to donate to the program, visit www.catholicactioncenter.net/give-kids-a-home. By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila BUDUBURAM, Ghana (Reuters) - Sitting on a tattered mattress amongst the rubble of his former home, Wendell Elijah Mallobe is one of 15,000 Liberian refugees left destitute after authorities in Ghana demolished the camp where he has lived for more than 30 years. "I don't know anybody in Liberia. Nobody. They burnt the village I was living in," said 55-year-old Mallobe, who arrived in the camp in 1990, after fleeing Liberia's civil war. "My bed, television, clothes - everything I have worked for is gone." More than 200,000 people were killed and thousands more were mutilated and raped in brutal civil wars in Liberia between 1989 and 2003. Though the U.N. ruled in 2006 that it was safe for refugees to return home, many, traumatised and without connections, remained in the so-called Liberia Camp in Buduburam, about 45 km west of Ghana's capital, Accra. But last week, under the orders of traditional authorities who own the land, demolition of the camp began. By Monday, a large part of the site where the once bustling Liberia Camp had stood for 34 years was reduced to concrete rubble. Only palm trees remained standing. Residents picked through the wreckage of their destroyed, once brightly painted houses to salvage belongings as bulldozers ploughed on around them. In the nearby Point Hope Basic School, women, children and the elderly slept on improvised beds. Patrelizas Prowd and her one-month-old niece shared a mattress with another refugee. "The cold, the mosquitoes, and the surroundings make her uncomfortable," Prowd said of the baby. "In the afternoon, the place becomes too hot and she cries." She had lived in the camp since 2003. Like the thousands of others in Buduburam, Prowd and her family made the nearly 600 km journey on foot, by bus and boat to safety in Ghana. Some were rescued by U.N. peacekeepers from the forests of Ivory Coast, which lies between Liberia and Ghana. Many of the camp's residents were born there. Prince Kamua, 20, said he had not been able to return to school since the demolition, which left him with only one book and the clothes on his back. He hopes to become an author, but fears his sudden homelessness will jeopardise his education. A spokesman for the Gomoa Fetteh Stool, the traditional chieftaincy that owns the land, said the operation would continue until the entire site is cleared. Liberia Camp ceased to be classified as a refugee shelter in 2012. Since then, the landowners have made several attempts at demolition. Tetteh Padi, executive secretary of the Ghana Refugee Board, a government body, said the board had lobbied to delay its demolition. Only about 3,000 of the estimated 15,000 Liberians in the camp hold valid refugee status, Padi said, but efforts were underway to re-register the others for potential relocation to another camp in Ghana. Dennis Gwion, the camp's leader, said homeless residents were struggling to get enough food and said lives could be in danger. "If there is a country that will take us for asylum, we will go," he said. (Additional reporting by Francis Kokoroko and Thiam Ndiaga; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian and Portia Crowe; Editing by Ros Russell) The Department of Education imposed a record $14 million fine on Liberty University, a Christian college located in Virginia, over violations of a campus safety law, officials said Tuesday. The Department of Education said it was the largest fine ever imposed for violating the Clery Act, which requires colleges to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information. Liberty University also agreed to spend an additional $2 million to improve on-campus safety over the next two years. The Department of Education initiated the review in 2022 after receiving complaints that alleged the college committed violations of the Clery Act. The review also followed a 2021 lawsuit, in which 12 women claimed that the school created an environment that increased the likelihood of sexual assault and rape. The case was settled in 2022. The Department of Educations Clery Act review, conducted by the office of Federal Student Aid, identified 11 violations, such as failing to maintain an accurate, daily crime log; failing to issue timely warnings to the campus community about reportable crimes; and failing to comply with numerous sexual violence prevention and response requirements. Through the Clery Act schools are obligated to take action that creates safe and secure campus communities, investigate complaints, and responsibly disclose information about crimes and other safety concerns. We will continue to hold schools accountable if they fail to do so, Richard Cordray, Federal Student Aids chief operating officer, said in a statement. The legislation was passed in 1990 after Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her college dorm at Lehigh University, according to the Clery Center. In 2019, Michigan State University was fined $4.5 million under the Clery Act a record at the time in connection with the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. The Department of Education said Tuesday that Liberty Universitys administration promptly acknowledged the violations outlined in its report and demonstrated a commitment to remedy them. In a statement, Liberty University said it agrees with the Department of Education that numerous compliance deficiencies existed in the past. We acknowledge and sincerely regret these errors and have since corrected them in a manner that allows us to maintain compliance in each of these areas, it said. But Liberty University took issue with the way the Department of Education conducted its review, adding that many of its methodologies, findings, and calculations in the report were drastically different from their historic treatment of other universities. Liberty disagrees with this approach and maintains that we have repeatedly endured selective and unfair treatment by the Department, it said. Liberty University was founded in 1971 by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell, who wanted to create a Christian university for evangelical believers. His son, Jerry Falwell Jr., resigned from his post as president of the university in 2020, a day after reports that he and his wife took part in a sexual relationship with a former hotel pool attendant. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Liberty University will pay a record $14 million fine for flouting campus crime reporting laws, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday. The conservative Christian school will also spend another $2 million on campus safety improvements related to the Clery Act, which requires campuses that receive federal funds to report crime statistics, the department said. The school in Lynchburg, Virginia, founded by the late Moral Majority leader Jerry Falwell, will be monitored for two years to ensure it follows the safety guidelines, the department said in the settlement agreement. Rich Cordray, chief operating officer for student aid with the Department of Education, said the goal of the Clery Act is to create "safe and secure campus communities" and "responsibly disclose information about crimes and other safety concerns." "We will continue to hold schools accountable if they fail to do so, he said. The fine is the largest on record for Clery Act violations, the federal student aid office said. It capped a two-year investigation that found Liberty officials systemically underreported complaints about crime and dissuaded students from reporting them. It also found the school lacked the resources to investigate complaints, failed to report a stalking incident involving a student athlete, retaliated against a worker who raised a Clery Act concern, and erased evidence related to the DOE investigation. Liberty University spokesman Ryan Helfenbein acknowledged the settlement agreement in a statement, conceding "there were numerous deficiencies that existed in the past." "We acknowledge and sincerely regret past program deficiencies and have since corrected these errors with great care and concern," he said, adding that Liberty has spent more than $10 million since 2022 to bring its safety programs into compliance with the Clery Act and Title IX rules. Title IX forbids sex-based discrimination in higher education and requires schools to have a system in place to respond to sexual assault allegations. But Helfenbein also alleged that it was the victim of "selective and unfair treatment" by the Department of Education. "In the report, many of the Departments methodologies, findings, and calculations were drastically different from their historic treatment of other universities," he said in the statement. "Liberty disagrees with this approach and maintains that we have repeatedly endured selective and unfair treatment by the Department." Liberty University was founded in 1971 and has 93,000 on-campus and online students. It remains one of the most influential Christian colleges in the country, even after the acrimonious departure in 2020 of Falwell's son and successor, Jerry Falwell Jr., amid a sex scandal involving his wife. The DOE probe was launched in 2022, a year after a dozen women filed lawsuits in 2021, claiming that Liberty discouraged sex assault victims from reporting abuses by weaponizing The Liberty Way, which is the schools honor code. It bars students from engaging in premarital sex, being in a place where alcohol is being served or being alone with a member of the opposite sex. The "Jane Does" charged that Liberty retaliated against people who reported sexual violence, and they accused the school of tacitly condoning it by giving more weight to the denials of the alleged predators, often male athletes, than the women who claimed to have been assaulted. While Liberty is a private school, many of its students receive federal financial aid, which means Liberty is required to follow Clery rules on reporting crime statistics and other information about campus safety to the government. In October, two young women at another influential Christian school, Hillsdale College in Michigan, accused the school in a lawsuit of conducting phony investigations into their sex assault allegations and then blaming them for being raped. Hillsdale College officials have denied the women's claims. Because the school does not take any government funding, including federal aid to students, it is not subject to Title IX. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Liberty University has agreed to pay a $14 million fine over failing to report campus crime, the Biden administration announced Tuesday. The Education Department said its Federal Student Aid (FSA) office is imposing the fine as part of a settlement agreement with Liberty University related to violations of the Clery Act, which requires schools that receive federal funding to collect data on public safety and warn its students of threats, among other requirements. Students, faculty, and staff deserve to know that they can be safe and secure in their school communities, FSA Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray said. We respond aggressively to complaints about campus safety and security. Through the Clery Act schools are obligated to take action that creates safe and secure campus communities, investigate complaints, and responsibly disclose information about crimes and other safety concerns, Cordray added. We will continue to hold schools accountable if they fail to do so. The $14 million fine is the largest imposed on a school for violating the Clery Act, per the department. As part of the agreement, the school will spend $2 million on campus safety improvements and compliance enhancements. The Education Department wrote in its program review report issued Tuesday that Liberty substantially failed to develop and implement an adequate Clery Act compliance program. The review of Liberty identified 11 findings that the FSA said was in violation of the Clery Act. The review alleged Liberty had inaccurate and incomplete informational disclosures, failed to comply with the Violence Against Women Act requirements and failed to issue emergency notifications and timely warnings according to federal regulations. The Education Department said the fine and other actions Liberty will take in the settlement reflect the serious and longstanding nature of Libertys violations, which undermined campus safety for students, faculty, and staff. In a statement on the fine, Liberty University accused the Education Department of treating the school differently than other institutions but acknowledged that there were numerous deficiencies. In the report, many of the Departments methodologies, findings, and calculations were drastically different from their historic treatment of other universities, the statement reads. Liberty disagrees with this approach and maintains that we have repeatedly endured selective and unfair treatment by the Department. The University concurs there were numerous deficiencies that existed in the past. Examples include incorrect statistical reports as well as necessary timely warnings and emergency notifications that were not sent, they added. We acknowledge and sincerely regret past program deficiencies and have since corrected these errors with great care and concern. The school also noted that it has made more than $10 million in significant advancements to ensure compliance in Title IX and Clery Act Programs. We will continue to work in cooperation with the Department to prioritize safety in our Liberty University community and to advocate for a fair, consistent, and principled standard of Clery compliance that is applied equally to all universities without prejudice, they said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Peter Bott remembers the "great relief" the SS Vega brought to the island's residents The first visit from the International Red Cross SS Vega to Guernsey bringing aid during the Occupation is being remembered at an event later. Guernsey residents were in dire need of food and medical supplies in the months before the was liberation in May 1945. Peter Bott was a child in December 1944 when the ship arrived and remembers the "great relief" it brought. "Without that, we must never forget that they basically saved a lot of Guernsey people," he said. Paul Le Pelley, vice-president of the Channel Islands' Occupation Society, said from the fall of St Malo in mid-August 1944 to the liberation of the Channel Islands on 9 May 1945 the islands faced increasing deprivations. "This desperate situation was overcome by the arrival of aid from the International Red Cross in the shape of the SS Vega," he said. Mr Bott remembers that first visit from SS Vega as "such a joyous time" as the aid packages contained "everything you needed". "If they hadn't have come, obviously things would have become much worse, people were already dying," he said. "It was fantastic to find that there was something to eat and another lot of people on the other side of the world were thinking about us." The SS Vega made several visits to the island between 27 December 1944 and June 1945. The event at the Les Cotils Centre will feature talks, displays and presentations about the SS Vega and the work of the International Red Cross. Follow BBC Guernsey on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. New speculation about the toddlers death and pressure to force DNA testing of evidence have revived scrutiny of what was known as the crime of the century. Bruno Richard Hauptmanns mug shot. The wooden electric chair where he was put to death. A sponge like the one that was dampened with salt water and placed on his head to conduct the deadly jolts of electricity. This grim assortment of relics is housed in a small museum in New Jersey, about 20 miles away from where the decaying body of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., the toddler Hauptmann was convicted of kidnapping and killing, was discovered face down in the dirt. Nearly 100 years ago, the Lindbergh case was known as the crime of the century by virtue of its cinematic details and the boys high-profile parents, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a diplomats daughter; and Charles A. Lindbergh, an aviator who had catapulted to fame by completing the worlds first nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times In the decades since, as the keepers of the Lindbergh kidnapping archives can attest, public interest in the case has never subsided nor has skepticism about Hauptmanns guilt. But a bizarre and grisly new theory about Lindberghs potential involvement in his sons death, and renewed legal pressure to force DNA testing of evidence, have combined to thrust one of the countrys most enduring murder mysteries squarely back into public consciousness. Hauptmann, a German immigrant who had worked as a carpenter and lived in the Bronx borough of New York City, was executed for the crime in April 1936. His great-great niece, Cezanne Love, and her aunt recently provided DNA samples in the hope that New Jerseys courts would decide to clear the way for modern science to explore century-old doubts: Was an innocent man put to death? And, if not, did he act alone? I personally dont think he did it, Love said, noting that Hauptmann and his widow maintained his innocence, and his alibi, until the end. But if the evidence does link him to the case, then so be it, she said. I want to uncover the truth. Charles Lindbergh Jr. was 20 months old when he disappeared from his bedroom in East Amwell, New Jersey, on March 1, 1932. A wooden ladder, a chisel and the first of more than a dozen ransom notes were found at the house after the kidnapping. The family arranged for a $50,000 payment, but the child was discovered dead 10 weeks later. The investigation, led by the New Jersey State Police and splashed across front pages worldwide, raged on until September 1934, when a $10 gold certificate from the ransom payment was used to buy gasoline in New York. Investigators traced the car at the gas station to Hauptmann and later discovered $13,760 in ransom bills in his garage money he said hed been asked to hold for a man who died in Germany before the trial. There were no fingerprints, and there was no confession and no explanation for how a solitary kidnapper might have orchestrated a toddlers abduction from a second-floor nursery on a rainy Tuesday evening, while five adults and a dog were in the home. Hauptmann was convicted after a six-week trial in Flemington, New Jersey, and sentenced to death. At the time of the boys kidnapping his father was a national hero. But history would come to view the renowned pilot who died 50 years ago far more critically. Lindbergh was fascinated with the study of eugenics and was vilified by the media after accepting a medal for his contributions to aviation from Hermann Goering on behalf of Adolf Hitler in 1938 seen by many as a sign of his sympathies with the Nazi regime. Lise Pearlman, a retired California judge, now speculates that Lindbergh was capable of something even more sinister: sacrificing his son for scientific experiments that led to the childs death. I take advantage of the distance in time to treat the boys father as a potential suspect in his kidnap and murder; like all the others on the list, a fallible human being, not a demigod, Pearlman wrote in a 2020 book, The Lindbergh Kidnapping Suspect No. 1: The Man Who Got Away. It is a theory that other Lindbergh researchers view with deep skepticism. Pearlman acknowledged that her findings were based on circumstantial, yet compelling, evidence about the crime scene, the condition of the boys remains and the research that Lindbergh was conducting at the time with Dr. Alexis Carrel, a Nobel Prize-winning surgeon and organ transplant pioneer. Last February, she shared her theory at a conference held by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, broadening the reach of her views and stoking renewed debate about the crimes persistent riddles. Writers who have researched the case just as extensively as Pearlman said it would be impossible to definitively prove a whole new theory 100 years later. But that has not stopped people from trying. A former Rutgers University professor, Lloyd C. Gardner, founded a social group decades ago that called itself the State Street Irregulars, an homage to Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes series. The group met at the bar of a restaurant in Lambertville, New Jersey, while Gardner was writing his book on the subject, The Case That Never Dies. It will never be proven one way or another, Gardner said. Push for DNA Tests Barry Scheck, a founder of the Innocence Project, which has represented roughly 200 clients exonerated by DNA evidence, was a classmate of Pearlmans in college and in law school and wrote a supportive blurb for her book. The Innocence Project has not taken on the case, but Scheck said he had provided consultation to Pearlman. In an interview, Scheck said his interest in the Lindbergh case was tied more to the possibility that an innocent man was executed than the identity of a culprit. If there is a DNA test that you can do that will shed light on the guilt or the innocence of somebody, particularly someone who was executed, I think the family has the right to get that information, he said. His sentiment is in line with many peoples lasting interest in the case and follows renewed efforts to determine Hauptmanns guilt or innocence. Lawrence S. Lustberg, a prominent criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey, said Monday that he had joined the effort on behalf of opponents of wrongful conviction. He said he was carefully considering what procedural mechanisms might be available to redress what appears to be a terrible, historic injustice. There is already an unrelated legal challenge in New Jersey over a request to test the saliva on the stamped ransom envelopes for clues. Researchers have also argued that the ladder and a wooden board found in Hauptmanns attic should be evaluated using modern methods to confirm that they match. A Superior Court judge ruled last year against releasing the envelopes for DNA testing, and an appeals panel is expected to set a date to hear arguments on the matter in the coming months. Kurt Perhach, who has cited the states open public records laws in his fight to win access to the envelopes, traces his career as a lawyer to a teenage fascination with the Lindbergh kidnapping case. I have felt compelled that theres something wrong here since I was a boy, said Perhach, 46, who grew up about 30 minutes away from the Lindberghs farmhouse in East Amwell. He represents a group of people, including Wayne McDaniel, a New York City-based filmmaker, hoping to use information gleaned from testing to explore a new documentary angle within the already well-plumbed Lindbergh oeuvre. The New Jersey attorney generals office has opposed the request, arguing that the integrity of the historical items outweighs any interest in conducting DNA testing that will permanently alter and potentially damage the items. A Trove of Records In 1981, a former governor of New Jersey, Brendan Byrne, issued an executive order that made all records pertaining to the Lindbergh investigation available to the public for research. That material roughly 225,000 documents is housed in a large room adjacent to the Lindbergh museum gallery at the State Polices headquarters near Trenton, New Jersey, and overseen by a full-time archivist, Greg Ferrara. Visitors are free to open filing cabinets and leaf through original crime-scene photos, the trial transcript, index cards bearing names of potential witnesses, police reports and Hauptmanns account of his life, which was typed onto translucent paper so brittle it crinkles when handled. Much has been said in the newspapers about my life to make me appear as a black sheep, he wrote. Why dont they investigate the true course of events? Since then, few cases have generated more independent investigation. Sleuths, some of them admittedly obsessed by the case, still flock to online discussion boards to trade hypotheses. The kidnapping has inspired dozens of researched books, movies, documentaries and even musicals. I got four calls this week, Ferrara said, describing the level of continuing public interest. Gardner, 89, said he once suggested adding a sign above the New Jersey archive. Abandon all hope ye who enter here, he said, borrowing a passage from Dantes Divine Comedy. You get into this, and you cant get out, he said. Its so intriguing. Del Quentin Wilber heard the same Dante line as he researched a book he is writing about the case for Simon & Schuster. Wilber, the Washington investigations editor for The Associated Press, said he had mined hundreds of thousands of records held at the U.S. Treasury Department, the FBI, the New Jersey archives and several universities. Its still the ultimate American spectacle that draws people to it in this obsessive way, said Wilber, who is convinced of Hauptmanns guilt despite trial flaws that have opened the case to unceasing scrutiny. They railroaded a guilty man, he said. Complicated, Flawed Men One of the most grotesque theories to emerge since the boys death is detailed in the book by the retired judge in California. Pearlman said she considered the apparent absence of blood in the woods where the body was discovered a smoking gun that proved the boy died somewhere else. Unexplored questions about the condition of the body and items found nearby have led her to speculate that Lindbergh colluded with Carrel, his friend who worked at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York City, to experiment on his son. She wrote that the boy, who had an unusually large head and took medicines associated with rickets, would have been seen as expendable to the men, who, as eugenicists, believed in improving the genetic quality of the population. She has concluded that there was a horrendous probability that the men removed his organs in hope of achieving a medical breakthrough that might help Lindberghs sister-in-law, who had a damaged heart valve. To reach this conclusion, Pearlman worked with a New Jersey pathologist, Dr. Peter Speth, who evaluated records from the crime scene and autopsy, which showed that all the boys organs other than the heart and liver were missing. At the time, investigators deduced that foraging animals had mutilated the body as it lay in the woods. Speth said the apparent absence of vermin on the boys remains and clues suggesting the childs face and one of his feet decayed more slowly than other parts of the body indicated that the body had been dumped in the woods well after the abduction and that chemicals commonly found in laboratories had also probably been used. Bruno could not have conceived of it and could not have carried it out, Speth said in an interview. He called Hauptmanns execution a terrible miscarriage of justice. The Academy of Forensic Sciences routinely includes disclaimers noting that the research presented at its conferences is unverified, and Pearlmans findings have not been subject to peer review. But a screening team would have had to approve Pearlmans participation in the conference, and the academy published an abstract summarizing her findings, as is routine, Jeri Ropero-Miller, a scientist and member of the academy, said. Still, authors who have also studied the crime and its characters extensively question Pearlmans book and its extreme conclusions. David M. Friedman, who wrote The Immortalists: Charles Lindbergh, Dr. Alexis Carrel and Their Daring Quest to Live Forever, said he had not read Pearlmans book but found the theory about Lindbergh and Carrel absurd. They were complicated, flawed men, Friedman said. But the idea that they would collaborate in an act of infanticide strikes me as malicious garbage. Love, Hauptmanns relative, said she remained focused less on the whodunit than on helping to wipe away a stain that had haunted her family for nearly a century. Her goal, she said, was to expose the limits of science and justice in the 1930s. With the hysteria and the horribleness of the crime, the police wanted to put a nice little bow, she said. But in todays court system it would have been a totally different outcome. c.2024 The New York Times Company Lithuanian farmers said that it is the influx of Russian grain, not Ukrainian crops, that presents a problem for the EU markets, the Lithuanian National Radio (LRT) reported on March 5. Their colleagues from Poland launched protests against Ukrainian agricultural imports and the EU's Green Deal earlier in February, blocking six border crossings with Ukraine. Polish agricultural workers have complained that cheaper products from Ukraine push down prices and have created unfair competition since the EU instituted a free trade regime with Kyiv in 2022 to alleviate its economy amid the war with Russia. Since March 1, Polish farmers have also begun partially blocking the former Kalvarija-Budzisko checkpoint on the border with Lithuania, allegedly due to fears that Ukrainian grain enters Poland via the Baltic country. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal denied the claims during a press conference on March 4 and stressed that Ukrainian products like grain or corn, prohibited to sold in Poland, do not enter Polish markets. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us According to Lithuanian farmers, grain from Russia enters the EU in huge quantities and presents a much more serious problem. "These are impressive figures, with over 3 million tons of Russian grain having passed through Latvia and Lithuania combined in 2023," said Ausrys Macijauskas, the head of the Lithuania Association of Grain Growers. Eurostat's data show that EU imports of Russian grain went from 970,000 metric tons in 2022 to more than 1.5 million in 2023. Macijauskas claimed that Russian grain is driving down prices across the European bloc in a deliberate move by Moscow to destabilize the markets. "There is a regulation that allows the EU to intervene in the market in an emergency situation and start buying food products the prices of which are falling drastically. In this case, it could buy Ukrainian grain on the territory of Ukraine and thus stabilize the market," Macijauskas said, according to LRT. Latvia decided to temporarily ban imports of grain and other foodstuffs from Russia and Belarus in February, making it the first EU country to take this measure. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on March 4 that Warsaw plans to ask Brussels to impose sanctions on Russian and Belarusian agricultural products and foodstuffs. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NANJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Siemens Advanta, a business unit of Siemens offering digital transformation and industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, signed documents on Monday establishing its China headquarters in the city of Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. According to the management committee of Suzhou New District, the company will be based in the Chinese mainland market and expand its business to the regions of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. It is expected to promote the intelligent transformation and sustainable development of enterprises and enable new industrialization, making use of Siemens' professional and technological advantages. Suzhou New District, a high-tech industrial base, has so far attracted nearly 2,000 foreign-funded enterprises and 61 investment projects from the world's top 500 enterprises, gathering nearly 50 foreign-funded headquarters and institutions. Amid a partial blockade of farmers on the Polish-Lithuanian border over Ukrainian grain, Lithuanian farmers say they are more concerned about imports of Russian grain. Source: European Pravda; Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT Details: Since Friday, Polish farmers have been partially blocking the main motorway at the former border checkpoint between Poland and Lithuania and checking lorries, citing concerns that some Ukrainian grain imported to Lithuania is being returned to Poland. However, Lithuanian farmers say that their biggest problem is not Ukrainian but Russian grain, which is entering the EU in huge quantities. "These are impressive figures, with over 3 million tonnes of Russian grain having passed through Latvia and Lithuania combined in 2023. In total, 12 million tonnes of Russian grain were imported into the EU market last year," said Ausrys Macijauskas, head of the Lithuanian Association of Grain Growers. Macijauskas said Russian grain is pushing down prices across the EU: Russians are deliberately dumping it to create chaos in the agricultural sector. However, the European Commission has the tools to end this. "There is a regulation that allows the EU to intervene in the market in an emergency situation and start buying food products, the prices of which are falling drastically," Macijauskas said. According to grain processors, about 50,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain were imported to Lithuania last year, much less than in the pre-war period. Processors, as well as grain producers, emphasise that the real problem is Russian grain. The Latvian parliament has temporarily banned imports of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus until at least July 2025. But even this step has made little difference, processors say. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said yesterday that he supported proposals to ban imports of Russian grain. Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk promised to appeal to the Polish Sejm regarding the introduction of sanctions against Russian and Belarusian agricultural products. Support UP or become our patron! Its Election Day in California. Polls remain open for voters until 8 p.m. Tuesday. This election gives eligible voters a chance to choose from candidates for U.S. president, the Senate and the House of Representatives. They can also weigh in on Proposition 1, which authorizes $6.38 billion in bonds to build mental health treatment facilities. The Sacramento Bee will be updating residents with the latest on the primary election as it happens. Stay in the know here: UPDATE: 4:35 p.m. Tuesday When will votes be counted for election? Results finalized? Election officials have already started processing vote-by-mail ballots for the California presidential primary election, but it may still take a while before results are finalized. County elections officials may begin opening and processing vote-by-mail ballot envelopes up to 29 days before Election Day, according to the California Secretary of State website. Those results cannot be accessed or shared with the public until all polls close on Election Day, the website said. The first round of election results will be announced hours after polls close at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, but the complete tally of votes wont be ready on election night. In fact, votes wont fully be counted until after the canvass period. That 30-day time period is used to tally all ballots and conduct a post-election audit. After this period, the results will then need to be finalized and the Secretary of State needs to verify the results, which can take another 38 days. California has more than 22 million registered voters, the most of any state in the country, according to the California Secretary of State website. Sacramento ballot transporters James Hill Jr. and his father James Hill Sr. take filled voting containers from the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven library to the county elections office on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. UPDATE: 3 p.m. Tuesday Sacramento residents head to polls for Election Day. Whats happening? Voters trickled into Sacramento Central Library on Tuesday afternoon to cast their ballots during their lunch hours. Things here have been steady, but not overwhelming, said Richard Weitzenberg, vote center supervisor at The Sacramento Central Library. He said he expected traffic at the polling station to pick up from 4 to 6 p.m. before tapering off once more. Come back after 6 p.m. and we can both play cards, Weitzenberg joked. Voting at Sacramento Central Library was pretty straightforward, said Sarah Taylor, who came in on Tuesday to cast her ballot. Taylor said she works at the California Environmental Protection Agency building on I Street, so the library polling place was very close. I spotted it on my way into work this morning, and I thought, Right, I need to vote, she said. Spencer Tufts had the day off on Tuesday and stopped at Sacramento Central Library to cast his vote. I used the League of Black Women Voters guide when filling out his ballot, he said. Overall, he said the voting process at the library polling place was pretty simple. The Sacramento Central Library polling station on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 was quiet during the lunch hour. UPDATE: 2:15 p.m., Tuesday Gov. Gavin Newsom casts his vote in California primary Gov. Gavin Newsom cast his vote in person for the California presidential primary election on Tuesday afternoon. Newsom posted a photo of himself at the polls at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday on X, formerly called Twitter. California, we have a chance to reimagine our mental healthcare system TODAY, the governor wrote in the X post. We can help those living in tents and on our streets to get into the care and housing they need. Polls close at 8pm! Make sure to vote, and vote YES ON 1! Newsom didnt indicate in his post where he voted but the photo he shared shows the California Hall of Fame at the California Museum, 1020 O St. in Sacramento. California, we have a chance to reimagine our mental healthcare system TODAY. We can help those living in tents and on our streets to get into the care and housing they need. Polls close at 8pm! Make sure to vote, and vote YES ON 1! pic.twitter.com/bZZ5FxIsyo Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 5, 2024 UPDATE: 9:45 a.m., Tuesday Placer County Elections representative Murriel Oles, 80, gives a detailed presentation in Rocklin on Friday, March 1, 2024, of the new election process and how it impacts voters. How late can I turn in my ballot on Election Day? Planning on dropping off your ballot after work on Election Day? Be sure youre on time. Polls will remain open until 8 p.m. Tuesday and registered voters should be in line by 7:59 p.m. If a voter is in line to vote when the polls close they have the right to vote, the California Secretary of State Press Office wrote in an email to The Sacramento Bee. If you want to mail in your ballot, it needs to be postmarked on Election Day. You can also drop the ballot off at a drop-box location or voting center no later than 8 p.m. Tuesday. You can find your nearest location on the California Secretary of States website. Sacramento ballot transporters James Hill Jr. and his father James Hill Sr. take filled voting containers from the Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven library to the county elections office on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. UPDATE: 8:35 a.m. Tuesday Facebook and Meta sites were down Election Day morning Some California residents lost access to Facebook, Instagram and Threads as Election Day kicked off Tuesday morning. The outage started around 7 a.m. for the three Meta social media platforms, according to The Verge. Some customers reportedly also had issues with logging into their Meta Quest headsets. Downdetector had received more than 500,000 reports of Facebook outages across the country as of 7:25 a.m. Tuesday, with large concentrations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. There were more than 90,000 reports of Instagram being down as of 7:30 a.m. according to the outage website. Meta spokesman Andy Stone addressed the issue in a post on X, formerly called Twitter, at 7:52 a.m. Tuesday. Were aware people are having trouble accessing our services, Stone wrote. We are working on this now. The issue had been resolved as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, with access restored to Meta platforms. Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services, Stone wrote in an X post from 9:19 a.m. We resolved the issue as quickly as possible for everyone who was impacted, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Election workers count ballots in the tabulation room at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office in south Sacramento in September 2021. UPDATE: 5 a.m. Tuesday Whos running in California primary election? If you havent yet voted in the California presidential primary election and dont know where to start, The Bee has you covered. In this primary election, youll vote on who the U.S. Democratic and Republican presidential nominee will be, as well as who will fill the seat previously held by the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Other races include the U.S. House of Representatives and Sacramento County and city council races. READ MORE: Statewide races were watching: Throughout California, there are two U.S. Senate races, as well as contests for the U.S. House of Representatives and State Legislature. READ MORE: Local and regional races were watching: Sacramento residents will be voting for the citys new mayor. Mayor Darrell Steinberg, whos been serving the city since 2016, is not seeking re-election. Competing to replace him as Sacramento mayor are candidates including epidemiologist and activist Flojaune Flo Cofer and former city Councilman Steve Hansen. California State Assemblyman Kevin McCarty; former state lawmaker and pediatrician Richard Pan; Sacramento gym owner and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve captain Jose Antonio Avina II and asset protection officer Julius Michael Engel are also running. Additionally, the District 2 seat on the Sacramento City Council is up for grabs. Councilman Sean Loloee, who represented North Sacramento, Del Paso Heights and Robla, resigned following a federal indictment on fraud, obstruction and other charges. Candidates are also vying for City Council seats representing District 4, District 6 and District 8. Countywide, there are races for supervisor for Districts 3 and 4, as well as the Sacramento County Board of Education and Sacramento County Superior Court. READ MORE: Proposition 1 Californians will vote on Proposition 1, which would reorganize the 2004 Mental Health Services Act as the Behavioral Health Services Act to address the homelessness crisis. The proposition, if approved, would allow for more than $6 billion to be used to create centers for mental health care and drug and alcohol treatment, and housing for those experiencing homelessness, mental health or substance abuse problems. But thats not all it does, The Bee reported. It would include a restructuring of funds that could route an estimated $140 million away from counties to the state. The measure is backed by the governor and other democrats, but some county leaders and mental health advocates are sounding the alarm about the ramifications of the proposition. A yes vote would allow for these changes, the restructuring of funds and would put certain requirements around how the money is used. A no vote would keep the Mental Health Services Act as is. READ MORE: When and where can I vote? How do I track my ballot? Registered voters in California should have already received ballots in the mail. You can submit your completed ballot at an authorized drop-off location or at your county elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find your nearest drop-off location online by inputting your ZIP code and city. If you prefer to vote in person, you can find a local polling spot online. If youre turning in a mail ballot via USPS, be sure its postmarked on Election Day and received by March 12. After submitting your ballot, you can track its progress and if its been counted on Ballottrax. READ MORE: Can I be turned away at the polls? Essentially, if youre a registered voter and youre in line at the polls before 8 p.m. when they close, you cant be turned away. Under California law, residents must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. If youre not, you can still cast a provisional ballot and your eligibility will be verified before its counted. How does The Sacramento Bee call races? The Sacramento Bee relies on the Associated Press to call state and national races. For local races, The Bee, like the AP, does not make projections or name likely winners. Have a question about the primary election? Ask the California Service Journalism team. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The family of 17-year-old Shauna Maynard, whose murder remains unsolved more than 25 years later, suspects the person who killed her was angry because she turned down their romantic advances. For months, Shauna Maynard cut out her family a family a quarter century later is pleading to find her killer. Two passersby found the Norco, California natives body on the morning of April 21, 1998, near the intersection of Blue Diamond Road and Decatur Boulevard at that time, a desolate area of the south valley along the route between Las Vegas and Pahrump. She was challenging, Inez Maynard, Shauna Maynards mother, told 8 News Now Investigator David Charns about her daughter. Fiercely independent? Charns asked Inez Maynard. Yeah, she was, Inez Maynard replied. The family of 17-year-old Shauna Maynard, whose murder remains unsolved more than 25 years later, suspects the person who killed her was angry because she turned down their romantic advances. (KLAS) In December 1997, after Inez Maynard, a mother of four, told her second-eldest daughter that she could not attend a Christmas party, Shauna Maynard decided she would leave home. The teenager graduated early from Buena Vista High School in Corona, California, in May 1997. Was it a job? Was it living life? Was it just having no restrictions? Charns asked Inez Maynard. All of the above, she said. Freedom. That sense of freedom would ultimately lead to her death. Shauna Maynard ran away from home and moved in with a family friend in Las Vegas. The crime scene at Blue Diamond Road and Decatur Boulevard is 15 miles away from that crowded apartment. Shauna Maynards body was several feet off the road. (KLAS) In her teenage mind, it was a valley void of restriction. Her travels brought her to one apartment and then to a second near Las Vegas Boulevard and Owens Avenue in North Las Vegas. It was a living hell, Inez Maynard said about the months of not knowing where her daughter was. And I kept trying to find her and nobody in her circle would tell me. At the time of her death, Shauna Maynard was living in that North Las Vegas apartment with several women and their children. The rooms were small, and space was limited for the eight or nine of them, Las Vegas Metro police cold case investigator Terri Miller said. So rather than being on the streets, she probably put up with things she really didnt want to deal with, especially being 17 years old, Miller said. At the time of her death, Shauna Maynard was living in this North Las Vegas apartment complex with several women and their children. The rooms were small, and space was limited for the eight or nine of them, Las Vegas Metro police cold case investigator Terri Miller says. (KLAS) The Maynard family believes that included unwanted attention from both men and women, possibly some of the women she lived with. When you get denied something I think that was what flipped the switch, per se, to stir the pot, Inez Maynard said. By Spring 1998, Shauna Maynard was working in a restaurant and making money babysitting. But something happened on April 21 that her family believes changed their lives and theirs forever. Around 2 a.m. that morning, Shauna Maynard called a friend saying there was a problem at the apartment. Investigators believe Shauna Maynard and another person argued, Miller said. Around 2 a.m. that morning, Shauna Maynard called a friend saying there was a problem at the apartment. Within hours, officers would find her body 15 miles away from where she lived. (KLAS) And she felt that they were going to hurt her, Miller said. In a time without cell phones and widespread video surveillance, what happened next remains unclear more than 25 years later. Around 3 a.m., a Metro police officer working in the south valley reported hearing gunshots, though he would not find any evidence in the darkness. But by sunrise, officers found Shauna Maynards body on the side of the road. She was shot multiple times, including to her face, Miller said. The crime scene at Blue Diamond Road and Decatur Boulevard is 15 miles away from that crowded apartment. Shauna Maynards body was several feet off the road. Miller said it appeared from how officers found her body that she was trying to run away. Shauna Maynard had no belongings with her at the time of her death no purse and when police visited that apartment days later with a search warrant, all of her things were gone. (KLAS) After months of not knowing where her daughter was, Inez Maynard finally had an answer. And then I had the coroner call me, and then it made it real, she said. And then there is this: Shauna Maynard had no belongings with her at the time of her death no purse and when police visited that apartment days later with a search warrant, all of her things were gone. What did Shauna Maynard know? Or was it her familys theory that she declined those come-ons? Shauna Maynards body was several feet off the road. Miller said it appeared from how officers found her body that she was trying to run away. (KLAS) Someone takes a liking to her, and she doesnt go down that pathway you know? Andrea Maynard, Shaunas sister, said. And that person gets angry. Shauna Maynard would have turned 43 in 2024. There is no way to know what her dreams involving fashion and music would have become. There wasnt any sense though that she would be in any danger? Charns asked Inez Maynard. No, nobody wants to think that, she said. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 702-385-5555 or at crimestoppersofnv.com/report-a-crime. Information can also be sent via text by sending CRIMENV and then your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers offers a reward for information that leads to a conviction. The Maynard family has also put up reward money to find Shauna Maynards killer. In 2015, a person posted graphic photos online, claiming to have killed Shauna Maynard. Metro previously ruled this person out and determined the photos were not of her. Las Vegas Unsolved: Linda Anderson: Daughter learns mother is unidentified Las Vegas murder victim 30 years later Gwenn Story: Strip murder victim identified 44 years later as Ohio 19-year-old James Wagner: Grandfather killed on Mothers Day Daniel Montes-Rodriguez: 29-year-old murdered on way to work; video could lead to suspect Renick Lambey: Driver hits, kills grandfather crossing street in wheelchair Alfonso Turner: Videos show men casing apartment complex, shooting father of 4 as he left work Brittney Briggs: 3-year-old at home as killer strangles mother to death David McMillan: Fathers family offers reward in holiday murder Eugene Bell: Family pleads for answers after man celebrating birthday is found murdered in car John Norris: Pizza deliveryman murdered while dropping off order Steven Colburn: Veteran, grandfather likely saved friends life; his killer remains on the run Celia Luna-Delgado: Men who killed grandmother left something behind at crime scene Raheem Rice: Student murdered was not intended target; suspected shooter living in valley For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. When it comes to the high-profile and hotly debated public safety bill pending in the Kentucky legislature, nearly everyone has an opinion. At least 35 lobbying organizations pitched state legislators on the pros and cons of House Bill 5 during the first month of the 2024 General Assembly, records released in February by the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission show, and the session won't end for another month and a half. Theres a reason the "Safer Kentucky Act," as it's been dubbed by Republican sponsors including Louisville Rep. Jared Bauman, has drawn pointed interest from so many lobbying groups, based both inside and out of the state and on all ends of the political spectrum. The wide-ranging 74-page proposal would increase penalties for violent crime and fentanyl trafficking convictions along with acts that harm first responders, limit charitable bail organizations, allow shopkeepers to use force against suspected shoplifters and place new restrictions on outdoor camping, among other measures. Outside of the budget proposal, HB 5 may be the most high-profile piece of legislation in the 2024 General Assembly. Its already advanced through the House with heavy support from Republicans and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate. It took a long road to get to this point. Republicans behind it rolled out their blueprint in September and put forward their first draft three months later. Lobbyists, advocacy groups and others have offered plenty of input on the bill in that time and with the session reaching a critical juncture ahead of its final days in April, they arent slowing down any time soon. Take the Texas Public Policy Foundation, for example. Elizabethtown attorney and former Army officer Joey Comley, who serves as Kentucky director for the conservative foundations Right On Crime criminal justice campaign, has spent months working with lawmakers to try to ensure the bill doesnt move the state in the wrong direction. He still isnt satisfied. Bauman and other Louisville Republicans behind the bill have been receptive and willing to continue to work to help shape House Bill 5 into something that is better informed, Cromley said last week, but overhauling the states criminal justice system without careful consideration of long-term impacts is dangerous. Comley said measures in the bill that would require longer sentences, including life in prison for individuals convicted of three violent crimes, take discretion away from judges and prosecutors who can examine unique circumstances behind each case. Those measures would also remove incentives for people in prison to work toward reentering society and take part in programs to reduce recidivism. Longer and more frequent prison sentences would cost the state billions in coming years during a time in which the state income tax is dropping, he added, and hearken back to failed policies instituted during the escalation of the war on drugs decades ago. I think thats just a combination of errors that well pay for over the next decade or two that will just drive us into a deficit and disrupt so much of the good thats going on right now in Kentucky, he said. The Texas Public Policy Foundation reported spending more than $41,000 on lobbying in Kentucky in 2023, including $16,130 in the last four months of that year and an additional $8,750 in January 2024 lobbying on HB 5 and a number of other criminal justice bills. Comley, hired as Right On Crime's Kentucky director last August, is its lone listed legislative agent. The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a "research and educational institution" founded 35 years ago that pushes conservative ideals nationally on topics including public safety, parole and victim compensation. It may not always have a ton in common with Dream.Org, a national nonprofit based out of California and co-founded by activist Van Jones with an aim to close prison doors and open doors of opportunity into the green economy. But that organization, which spent $5,000 on lobbying in January, shares a goal with the Texas Public Policy Foundation this session. The group released an online ad last month calling for building a safer Kentucky by addressing underlying causes of problems like addiction and mental health issues, including treatment programs outside prison to help former inmates stay out of trouble, over increasing punitive measures. The nearly two-minute video quotes advocates along with a Georgetown Police officer discussing the department's "harm reduction model" for treating individuals with drug issues who have been charged with crimes. The Senate chamber was empty before gaveling in on the first day of the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly in Frankfort, Ky. Jan. 2, 2024 John Bowman, Dream.Orgs senior campaign organizer in Kentucky, said hes used to having those tough conversations and (getting) people to really talk to each other usually people that wouldnt normally sit with each other. He wasnt surprised the two groups had common ground. We work with people on both sides of the aisle, he said last week. We all know that these provisions dont work. Weve done our research, weve looked at the data, and everyone is in agreement on that. These are things that dont work. Well, maybe not everyone. One national organization that's worked to provide input on the proposal is Cicero Action, with a four-member team of lobbyists paid $2,500 in January to pitch legislators in the first few weeks of the session. Cicero Action is the lobbying arm of the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based policy and research institute that pushes for more strict laws on homelessness and a tougher prosecution system. Bryan Sunderland, the groups advocacy director, did not respond to an email last week seeking comment. But in an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader, he said homeless encampments in Louisville are becoming a nuisance to the community in some measure, but its also becoming unsafe, because these areas cant be properly cleaned or secure. Ciceros fingerprints are on HB 5, with language cracking down on homelessness that mirrors parts of Cicero's 2021 model bill, the Reducing Street Homelessness Act," including measures such as a ban on outdoor camping on non-designated state-owned lands punishable as a class C misdemeanor and limits on state funding toward short-term housing (similar text was initially included in HB 5 but has since been dropped). In a July 2022 post on its website, the group touted its success pushing bills around the country. Four states (Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and Utah) have passed parts of its homeless legislation into law, with ongoing efforts in several other states, as well. In all, organizations that acknowledged lobbying efforts on HB 5 spent nearly $170,000 total in the first month of the session, though most of those groups lobbied on behalf of several other bills, too. That money represents just a fraction of all lobbying expenses in January. Who spent the most on lobbying during Kentucky legislature's first month? Groups spent just over $2.8 million lobbying General Assembly members in the first month of the 2024 session. They spent the vast majority of that (about $2.6 million) on compensation for lobbyists. You can expect plenty more where that came from. In 2022, the most recent 60-day session, a record $24.6 million was spent on lobbying, breaking the previous record of $23.1 million set in 2018. The Senate on the first day of the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly in Frankfort. Jan. 2, 2024 Here's a quick look at groups that spent the most money on lobbying in January. A total of 39 groups spent more than $10,000, with the biggest spender pumping more than $50,000 into Frankfort. 1. Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, $51,720 Bills the state's chamber of commerce have lobbied on are not listed on the January filing, but the organization's 2024 legislative priorities include creating a "competitive tax environment" through slow lowering of the state's income tax rate, approved in the 2022 General Assembly. 2. East Kentucky Power Cooperative, $30,499 The not-for-profit utility company based out of Winchester did not list which bills it has taken action on during the first month of the session. 3. ACLU of Kentucky, $29,469 Members of the Kentucky branch of the national civil rights organization did not list which bills they support or oppose, but have spoken out against HB 5 and efforts to curb diversity, equity and inclusion on college campuses. 4. Save the Children Action Network, $28,472 A national nonprofit with a Kentucky office, Save the Children Action Network reported lobbying on bills concerning meals served in local low-income schools. 5. Greater Louisville Inc., $27,800 Louisville's chamber of commerce has lobbied on the two House budget bills along with legislation on "business interests, economic development incentives, education, environment and energy, local tax reform, state budget, talent attraction, and workforce participation." 6. Frankfort Plant Board, $27,605 The Central Kentucky utility company lobbies "all legislative items of interest or impact to the Frankfort Plant Board and legislation impacting municipal utilities services or operations." 7. Kentucky Hospital Association, $24,791 The hospital nonprofit has lobbied on several bills, including legislation concerning freestanding birthing centers and violence against health care workers. 8. Kentucky Justice Association, $22,912 The trial lawyer organization based out of Frankfort has input on HB 5 as well as several other bills concerning the right to retain an attorney, consumer legal funding, settlements and annuities on behalf of minors and other legal legislation. 9. Kentucky Retail Federation, $22,095 The self-proclaimed "voice of retailing" did not list which bills or legislation it's lobbied on so far this year. Its website says it works to raise "greater awareness of the retail industry." 10. Kentucky League of Cities, $21,585 The Lexington-based "united voice of cities by supporting community innovation, effective leadership and quality governance" did not list bills it's lobbied on but has listed priorities including ensuring cities can annex property, modernize revenue options and rework Kentucky's road funding formula. Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Safer Kentucky Act, HB 5, draw lobbying efforts in General Assembly American Classical Academy Rutherford public charter school will open this August in La Vergne despite previous opposition, organizers confirmed Monday. The school will start as a K-5 campus before phasing in as a K-12 and be open to all Rutherford students in the former Ingram Entertainment building in Rutherford County at 2 Ingram Blvd. off Interstate 24. Angela Wynn speaks in a rally against American Classical Academy Tuesday, April 25, 2023, before the Rutherford County Board of Education approved the public charter school plan that would use free curriculum and teacher training from the conservative Christian Hillsdale (Michigan) College. The building is officially under contract and is being purchased by American Classical Education Foundation from David B. Ingram. The charter school, which can operate with tax dollars independent of the elected Rutherford County Board of Education and staff, is using private funds to buy the building from Ingram Content Group. Charter schools: America tries to figure out what to do with alternative learning initiatives The charter school location awaits approval from the La Vergne Planning Commission and the city's Board of Zoning Appeals, Mayor Jason Cole said. The school will need to present a traffic study and a full plan for a building in an industrial area that includes significant truck traffic, especially from Amazon with two nearby operations, Cole said. Many of students in La Vergne are attending overcrowded schools, so the charter school may offer some relief. American Classical Academy: ACA charter school application wins approval by Rutherford County school board School plans to serve up to 690 K-12 students The Ingram Entertainment Building that American Classical Academy plans to buy to convert into a charter school, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in La Vergne. American Classical Academy (ACA) officials expect to start with K-5 grades for 340 students at the Ingram building before adding a grade each year until reaching 690 K-12 students, Head of School Phillip Schwenk confirmed recently with The Daily News Journal. "It's the best facility we looked at throughout the search," said Schwenk, who expects renovations to be completed before the school year at the campus that includes parking, greenspace, safe access, wiring, a gym space, and a kitchen and cafeteria area. "You can actually do school in it right of way. Its just a very good building to start a school in." Schwenk added that the location offers the safest and highest quality environment for students andis most convenient for families. The building is in great shape and will be ready with very few renovations to serve students this fall. It has ample green space and easy parking, Schwenk said in a press release Monday. It is big enough to accommodate our growth into a full-fledged K-12 school. It will be our home for a long time. ACA has the backing of Gov. Bill Lee. The charter school plans to use free curriculum and training offered by the conservative, Christian Hillsdale (Michigan) College, in La Vergne as well as at a Jackson charter school expected to open by 2025. Hillsdale President Larry Arnn caused controversy over the charter school plans in 2022 when a publicly shared video of him and the governor at a private event in Williamson County showed the college president saying teachers were trained "in the dumbest parts of the dumbest colleges in the country." ACA proposal to state: Charter schools public hearing speaker slots limited, all went to supporters ACA will be one of 3 charter schools to open in Rutherford The campus in Rutherford County will be one of three public charter schools expected to open by August. Charter school plans: Rutherford County will gain 3 public charter schools The other two charter schools in Rutherford County have plans to serve K-8 grades: Rutherford Collegiate Prep, which will start with grades K-6 on Manson Pike on the westside of Murfreesboro; and Springs Empower Academy that uses a Montessori-aligned approach that stresses hands-on individualized learning; Springs Empower Academy will start with grades K-5 at the Smyrna Boys and Girls Club before opening a building by August 2026 on Enon Springs Road West near Rocky Fork schools in Smyrna. Charter school issue: Rutherford Collegiate Prep charter school wins state approval, RCS scolded for lack of transparency School board accepts revised plan for ACA Supporters of the American Classical Academy Joel Schellhammer, left, and Michelle Garcia, right, react to a Rutherford County Board of Education vote to accept the public charter school plan Tuesday, April 25, 2023. In the background far left, Oceana Glantz holds a sign in opposition for a charter school that will use free curriculum and teacher training from the conservative, Christian Hillsdale (Michigan) College. The Rutherford County Board of Education has reviewed two plans by American Classical Academy. The board voted 6-1 against the initial application July 2022 before approving a revised plan in a 5-2 vote April 2023. Board member Katie Darby of La Vergne supports American Classical Academy. "We are a very diverse county," Darby said. "We need options that will appeal to all parents. Its another way to add more seats for our students. Im excited that they found a property in La Vergne. It is one of our most rapidly growing and overly populated areas." Katie Darby 'We're not all treated the same': County Schools building plans annoy La Vergne leaders ACA 'recognizes the whole child' Schwenk touts the classical education curriculum offered by Hillsdale College because the approach "recognizes the whole child" and goes beyond being intellectually sound. American Classical Education wants children to read well, think well and think free well, Schwenk said. The charter school in grades K-2 will stress phonics to help children learn language by saying words, hearing words, reading words and writing words, Schwenk said. Children also will learn the Greek, Latin and German roots of the English language and diagram sentences. The school also will stress students to learn to logic, reasoning, math, science, and moral and political philosophy. Students, for example, will consider "what does it mean to seek a happy life," Schwenk said. Tale of 2 charter schools: Rutherford school board votes down charter school plan tied to Hillsdale College, approves another Students will read and study the U.S. Constitution and the Federalist Papers starting in fourth grade and continue this in seventh, eighth and high school grades, he said. The goal is for students to read well, do math well, reason well and be good citizens. Students also will learn about the ancient Greeks, Romans and Judeo-Christian influences on the United States of America, Schwenk said. Students, for example, will read the translated writings of Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. "We rely on primary sources," Schwenk said. "You still study the rest of the world." Students by 12th grade will write a senior thesis based on what they've learned from the school and all of what've they've read, and present this project to a panel of teachers and peers, Schwenk said. Those interested in enrolling their children at American Classical Academy Rutherford should visit our website to fill out an enrollment application. Any questions about enrollment may be submitted through our contact form. For more information, visit the school's Facebook page. Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Location identified for first ACA charter school in La Vergne Firefighters carry a ladder outside a hospital in Aachen, where a 65-year-old woman barricaded herself inside. Henning Kaiser/dpa An hours-long stand-off at a hospital in the western German city of Aachen came to an end late Monday with police overpowering the 65-year-old woman who had barricaded herself in a room. The police initially gave no information about the woman's health. But they said that no other people at the hospital were believed to have suffered injuries. A dpa reporter at the scene saw the woman wheeled out of the facility on a stretcher. A special police vehicle is parked outside a hospital in Aachen, where a 65-year-old woman barricaded herself inside. Ulrike Hofsahs/dpa Heavily armed police officers and rescue workers are deployed outside a hospital in Aachen, where a 65-year-old woman barricaded herself inside. Henning Kaiser/dpa Georgia the cat has been at this Ohio shelter in Lima for over three years. Her sweet face will win your heart over, the shelter says. Shes been at the shelter longer than most cats, except for a short-lived adoption, according to the Ohio SPCA & Humane Society said. She was rescued from a large hoarding situation. The shelter said it learned a lot about the best home environment for the 4-year-old cat. Georgia is now the most talkative cat in her room, according to the shelter, and she loves other cats, but she has some particular home requirements. She will thrive in homes without children or dogs, since she needs the space to decompress, the shelter said. Georgia doesnt like to be held either, but she will constantly ask for pets and attention. She does not like to be cornered or picked up, and needs a family that will let her be a cat, the shelter said. Lima is about 130 miles north of Cincinnati. Precious baby of endangered species born at Ohio zoo, photos show. See him explore Three manatees rescued in 2021 needed intensive care. Theyre now back in the wild Dog vanished five years ago until absolute miracle just reunited him with family When a half-asleep woman scratched off a lottery ticket first thing in the morning, she wasnt sure if her big win was real or a dream. Fortunately, the $50,000 win in the Missouri Lotterys Treasure Hunt scratch-off game was very real for the woman from Dunklin County, according to a Monday, March 4, news release. The woman said her husband purchased the ticket at a Caseys convenience store in Senath and left it for her to scratch off when she woke up. She told lottery officials she thought she was still dreaming when she saw her prize amount. I kept rubbing my eyes because I kept seeing more zeros! she said. I was like, Alright, lets focus! The $50,000 win is one of seven jackpot prizes offered in the Treasure Hunt game, which costs $3 to play. The winner didnt believe her good fortunes until after checking her ticket several times and calling her husband to verify it. I kept thinking I probably made a mistake because it was too good to be true! she said. Senath is in southern Missouri about 220 miles south of St. Louis. Moms dreams of winning lottery become real when she sees Missouri ticket lying around Lottery player finds late fathers numbers and uses them to win big in Missouri Mans tradition of stopping for breakfast and lottery ticket paid off with huge prize Louisiana became the 28th state in the nation to enshrine into law the right of its residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. "Today, we join 27 other states in passing Constitutional Carry. I promised the folks of Louisiana that I would champion Constitutional Carry into law, and within two months, I have honored that commitment," Republican Gov. Jeff Landry told Fox News Digital. "It's fundamentally clear law-abiding citizens should never have to seek government permission to safeguard themselves and their families. Today, we have secured an incredible victory for liberty in Louisiana. I want to thank Louisianas NRA members for their great work." Landry signed the NRA-backed Senate Bill 1 into law Tuesday, which allows eligible residents 18 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. SB 1s primary author, Republican state Sen. Blake Miguez exclusively told Fox News Digital that the governors signature "marks a key milestone in our enduring quest for liberty." CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY: 2023 SAW NEW MILESTONE FOR GUN RIGHTS READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Today, Louisiana asserts its unwavering commitment to the Second Amendment by enacting Constitutional Carry, a move that embodies the absolute right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms. Governor Landry's pivotal role, combined with the steadfast support from legislators across both chambers, has been crucial in reaffirming our dedication to the rights of law-abiding citizens. Our success owes much to the tireless efforts of NRA members and Second Amendment defenders throughout the state, whose advocacy has been indispensable," Miguez said. Supporters of the legislation in the state say constitutional carry will drive down crime, as armed law-abiding Americans are better equipped to fend off criminals and defend themselves, with some GOP lawmakers in the state recently arguing "evil is everywhere" and "police alone can not protect us." LOUISIANA GOV. LANDRY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER POLICE SHORTAGE Violent crime skyrocketed in Louisianas top tourist city of New Orleans, for example, in 2022, when the city recorded a homicide rate of 70 per 100,000 people. Violent crimes have since dropped in the city. Landry, who was sworn in as governor just this year, has urged the passage of tough-on-crime policies to further drive down crime in the state, and he vowed on the campaign trail last year to pass constitutional carry if elected governor. The law comes just 57 days after Landry was sworn into office following Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards two terms in office. NRA-ILA Executive Director Randy Kozuch touted that Landry made a campaign pledge to pass the legislation and "remarkably delivered on this promise within a mere 57 days in office." DESANTIS SIGNATURE TIPS US INTO MAJORITY 'CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY' NATION WITH NEW FLORIDA GUN RIGHTS LAW "This victory is a shining example of what can be achieved when freedom-loving legislators in both the House and the Senate work in unison. Our deepest gratitude goes to Sen. Blake Miguez and House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson for their pivotal roles in spearheading this life-saving legislation and expeditiously moving it to the Governor's desk," Kozuch said. "The NRA celebrates Louisiana's momentous step in becoming the 28th state to enact the pivotal NRA Constitutional Carry legislation. This swift and decisive action, a testament to the NRA's unwavering advocacy, empowers Louisianians to exercise their Second Amendment rights free from government permission, solidifying our right to self-defense," Kozuch added in comment to Fox. REPUBLICANS FLIP DEMOCRAT-HELD LOUISIANA GOVERNOR SEAT IN FIRST MAJOR CONTEST AHEAD OF 2024 ELECTIONS Both Kozuch and NRA Interim Executive Vice President and CEO Andrew Arulanandam joined Landry in Baton Rouge for the signing on Tuesday. Opponents of the bill argued that the law could make the state less safe and drive up the rates of those killed by guns. Louisiana's Fraternal Order of the Police spoke out against the bill, while the Louisiana Sheriffs Association did not take a position, local media reported. Louisiana's House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike T. Johnson, however, argued earlier this year that residents of the state are "fearful" of even running errands due to criminals on the streets, and that the law will offer "law-abiding citizens their God-given right" to defend themselves. A general view of the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Johnson added in a comment to Fox News Digital that Landrys signature on the bill marks "a landmark victory." "The Second Amendment's 27 words underscore that law-abiding citizens should never require government permission to exercise their right to bear armsa principle that Louisiana has proudly reaffirmed today. I extend my deepest thanks to Governor Landry for signing this critical bill, as well as to my colleagues in both the Louisiana House and Senate. Most importantly, I express my heartfelt gratitude to NRA members and gun owners across Louisiana for their unwavering dedication to freedom," he said. PROUD CAJUN CANDIDATE SOUNDS ALARM OVER STATE'S BLEEDING POPULATION, SAYS IT'S TIME TO END DEMOCRAT RULE Residents who wish to obtain a permit may still do so in the state. The bill also restricts residents from carrying in certain areas, such as schools and the state Capitol. The Pelican State is already an open carry state, meaning eligible residents can openly carry without a permit. Louisiana now joins a list of 27 other states across the nation that have constitutional carry laws on the books. The U.S. officially became a constitutional carry majority nation last spring, when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his states version of permitless carry. Arulanandam told Fox News Digital that Louisiana's passage of the law is testament to "the unwavering dedication of NRA members and the resolve of leaders like Gov. Landry and pro-self-defense legislators." "These men and women champion our Second Amendment rights and help ensure that law-abiding Americans have the means to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities," Arulanandam said. "This rapid 57-day turnaround is a powerful message that NRA members are not just participating in the fight for gun rights; they are leading it. Rest assured, we are on a mission to bring NRA Constitutional Carry to every state in the nation, one victory at a time." The law will officially take effect on the 4th of July this year. The full list of states with constitutional carry laws now includes Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. Original article source: Louisiana becomes nation's 28th state with constitutional carry law on the books: 'landmark victory' BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) Gov. Jeff Landry signed crime bills that passed during the special crime-focused legislative session at the Louisiana State Capitol on Tuesday, March 5. Today we sign those bills to start to make Louisiana safe, Landry said. The governor thanked the Speaker of the House, Senate President and lawmakers who have shown the people of Louisiana that they came here to do their bidding and that they could do it in an efficient and effective manner. He spoke about the victims and their families, saying, I want you to know that this would not be possible without you. Landry said of Louisiana law enforcement, We appreciate them standing on that thin blue line protecting us from those who want to wreck havoc in our communities. Cost of tough-on-crime legislation uncertain as bills sail through special session One of the bills that passed during the session was House Bill 10 which would reduce the amount of time that can be taken off of someones sentence due to good behavior. Another bill that passed was House Bill 6. This bill would add nitrogen hypoxia and the electric chair to the list of ways that the state could execute death row inmates. Senate Bill 3 was passed, meaning that 17-year-olds would be treated as adults in the criminal justice system. Senate Bill 1 was also passed which would allow a person to conceal carry a firearm without the need for a permit or training. Another bill that was passed would lower the amount of time that an inmates sentence can be reduced because of good behavior. Latest News For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. A voter casts his ballot during 2024 presidential primaries at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. Fifteen states, including California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Texas, as well as the U.S. territory of American Samoa, are scheduled to hold primary elections on "Super Tuesday" while Iowa Democrats will release the results of their presidential caucus on the same day. Both Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican front-runner Donald Trump aim to secure a series of "Super Tuesday" wins, but neither will be able to collect enough delegates to claim the title of "presumptive nominee." Tuesday's primaries could also represent the last chance for former South Carolina Governor and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley's attempt to challenge Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. U.S. media outlets estimate that the earliest date Trump can clinch his party's presidential nomination is March 12 while the earliest Biden can is March 19. A majority of American adults are concerned about both Biden's and Trump's mental capability to serve effectively as U.S. president, according to findings from a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. More than six in 10 say they are not very or not at all confident in Biden's mental capability to serve effectively as president, while 57 percent say that Trump lacks the memory and acuity for the job, the poll showed. Four in five American adults think the United States is headed in a wrong direction while one in five think it is going the right way. A voter casts his ballot during 2024 presidential primaries at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) A voter fills in his ballot during 2024 presidential primaries at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) A polling station is seen during 2024 presidential primaries in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) Voters fill in ballots during 2024 presidential primaries at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) A voter casts her ballot during 2024 presidential primaries at a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) A voter casts his ballot at Metro Headquarters of Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua) Voters cast ballots at a voting center in Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua) A man leaves a voting center in Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua) A voter casts her ballot at Metro Headquarters of Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua) Voters cast ballots at a voting center in Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua) Voters arrive to cast ballots at Metro Headquarters of Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Xinhua) A voter shows a sticker at a polling station in Plano, Texas, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Dan Tian/Xinhua) A voter casts his ballot at a voting center in San Francisco, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) A voter casts her ballot at a voting center in San Francisco, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) Voters cast ballots at a voting center in San Francisco, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) Voters cast ballots at a voting center in San Francisco, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) A voter casts her ballot at a voting center in San Francisco, California, the United States, on March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) Voters are pictured at a voting center of San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua) Citizens walk past a direction sign for voters outside the San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua) A voter (C) casts his ballot at a voting center of San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 5, 2024. Polls begin to open in more than a dozen U.S. states on the so-called "Super Tuesday" as part of the 2024 presidential primaries, with voters concerned about the leading candidates of both parties. (Photo by Liu Yilin/Xinhua) If you own real estate in Georgia, youve got a tax bill coming. Its going to happen probably around the first week of June. And when it happens, youll probably wish you had done something ahead of time to make the amount of that tax bill smaller. FOX 5 real estate expert John Adams says you have probably been paying more than your fair share of property tax and now is the time to do something about it. In Georgia, our property tax is an ad valorem tax, meaning each owner pays his fair share based on the appraised value of that property on Jan, 1. Your local tax assessor is responsible for determining that value. Typically, a valuation does not happen every year, and because of the recent volatility in housing prices, a review of value may save you hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars. However, it is your responsibility to take control of the process for 2024. There is absolutely no relationship whatsoever between the assessed value for property tax purposes and the real market value of the property. While all of us want our homes to be worth as much as possible, you dont need to worry that a low assessment will hurt your selling price should you later decide to sell. Beginning on Jan. 1 of each year, every owner in Georgia has the right to file a taxpayer's return of property with the tax assessor in the county where the property is located. This form simply notifies the assessor of your opinion of the value of the property in question on Jan. 1, 2024. The form is known as "Georgia PT-50R" and can be found on Adam's website. It should only take about 10 minutes to fill out. Your estimate of value should be based on sales of comparable homes which occurred during the 12 months between Jan. 1, 2023 and Dec 31, 2023. If possible, find at least three sales that are similar in age, style, and size to yours; have the same bedroom and bathroom count; and are located within a mile of your home. Local real estate agents can help you locate these sales. Make sure your estimate of value for 2024 is lower than the assessed value assigned for last year. If it looks to you like your value is truly higher, dont file anything. The assessor may simply leave well enough alone. Because this is simply your estimate of value, you dont have to be able to back it up with data. Filing the form simply tells the county you want them to re-examine their estimate of value before they propose a valuation for 2024 later this spring. Your completed Georgia Form PT-50R should be postmarked or hand-delivered to the local Board of Tax Assessors by Monday, April 1, 2024. And the sooner you do it, the better your odds of gaining the attention of a real person at the assessors office. Every day that passes between now and April 1 will mark an exponential increase in the demands for their time. Eventually, they will simply be unable to respond to review requests. For your best chance of success, Adams' advice is to file your return as soon as possible. Some counties, like Gwinnett County, allow you to file your form online. However, the safest method of filing is to hand it to the assessor and get a receipt. Submitting that paperwork tells the county you want them to review 2023 sales data before they calculate a proposed valuation for this year. Well examine each of these steps in more detail as we move into the new year, but the bottom line is this: you can save significant sums of money by making sure the county is not overcharging you for your property taxes. Adams also offers his free 2024 special report entitled "How To Lower Your Property Tax In Georgia." In the report, he looks at the new Georgia laws surrounding property taxation and how they can benefit owners. Atlanta native John Adams has been a real estate broker and investor in residential real estate for the past four decades. French President Emmanuel Macron has visited Prague on Tuesday, 5 March, to clarify his country's position regarding the Czech plan to purchase ammunition outside Europe for Ukraine. Source: French news agency AFP, as reported by European Pravda Details: During his one-day visit, Macron will meet with Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala as well as speak at a nuclear forum. Last month, at the Munich Security Conference, Pavel stated that Czechia was able to find a significant amount of ammunition for Ukraine outside the continent. He said by working with Canada and Denmark, the Czechs had found 500,000 155-mm ammunition and 300,000 122-mm shells, "which we would be able to deliver within weeks" provided the necessary funds were available. The Financial Times reported that Prague aims to raise $1.5 billion to pay for ammunition for Ukraine. Last week, Fiala stated at an international conference in Paris that around 15 countries are ready to join this initiative, including France. Macron stated that his country would participate in the initiative but did not disclose any details regarding the contribution it would make. Prague expects specific commitments from the French leader during the negotiations on Tuesday. A French advisor said that the visit to Prague would provide an opportunity to "discuss this initiative" and possibly provide "details". This would be a significant breakthrough as Paris has so far tended to direct defence spending toward its domestic industry and favoured weapon production on European soil with EU funds. Czecia expects that Ukraine will soon receive the first batch of ammunition purchased from outside the EU. Support UP or become our patron! French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Prague on March 5 to meet Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala and discuss plans to purchase ammunition for Ukraine outside of Europe, among other topics, Czech Television reported. As Kyiv faces critical ammunition shortages due to U.S. assistance being stalled in Congress, Pavel said last month at the Munich Conference that Prague had found 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells abroad that could be shipped to Ukraine if other partners provide financing. Several countries, including Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Lithuania, have already supported the initiative. Macron voiced support for the plan in a comment for the media on Feb. 26, but Paris has not made a decisive commitment yet. According to Bloomberg, the French president is expected to announce a pledge to the Czech proposal as soon as this week. Ukraine is facing increasingly critical shortages in shells as allies fail to restock this vital capability quickly enough. The EU did not deliver on its promise to supply Ukraine with 1 million shells by March, sending only about half of the number so far and pushing the deadline to the end of the year. U.S. ammunition supplies have largely run out as House Speaker Mike Johnson refuses to put the Senate's $95 billion foreign aid bill, allocating $60 billion for Ukraine, to the vote in his chamber. The shortages already had a direct impact on the ground in Ukraine, contributing to the loss of the key city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast and other villages on the eastern front. Read also: Our reserves will run out: Ukrainian artillery sounds alarm on Western shell shortage Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce a pledge as soon as this week to support a Czech proposal to source hundreds of thousands of artillery shells from countries outside the European Union to back Ukraines war effort, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark have all joined France in backing the plan to buy non-EU ammunition, and Macron will discuss the proposal with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during a trip to Prague on Tuesday, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A separate discussion of EU defense and foreign ministers is expected to take place later in the week to hammer out the details. European allies are struggling to meet commitments to supply Kyiv with military equipment at a delicate moment in the war, with Ukrainian officials concerned that Russian troops may break through their defenses by summer, Bloomberg reported. The EU missed a pledge to provide Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery by this month just as the war-torn nation faces a critical shortage. Czech President Petr Pavel said at the Munich Security Conference last month that his country had identified 500,000 rounds of 155mm shells and 300,000 rounds of 122mm ones that could be delivered within weeks if the money was made available. A few days later, Macron invited leaders to discuss Ukraine aid, including the Czech proposal, in Paris, where the Netherlands agreed to contribute 100 million ($108 million). The Czech government has said its received preliminary commitments from Canada and Denmark among other countries, including Lithuania and Latvia, saying theyre considering joining the initiative after their leaders informally decided to back the plan at the Paris gathering, said the people. Poland expressed readiness to join the plan, Fiala said after meeting Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Prague last week. The discussions come as more than $60 billion of proposed US emergency aid to Ukraine is stuck in Congress and fears are mounting in Europe that if Donald Trump is elected president in November he may withdraw support to Kyiv. This week, European Commissioner Thierry Breton is also planning to unveil a plan to expand joint acquisitions of defense equipment. A French official insisted that the Czech push to source ammunition wouldnt be funded by EU mechanisms such as the European Peace Facility, but by bilateral contributions. The platform will focus on urgent artillery needs with the Czechs centralizing purchases and demands, the official said, adding that the success of the initiative was important to send a signal both to Washington and Moscow that the EUs support is unwavering. Some in the bloc are concerned that the numbers proposed in the Czech plan are overly optimistic, given the limited supply of gun powder, according to one of the people. The government in Paris is looking into how much ammunition is immediately available to ascertain a possible total order. Macron has championed ramping up EU production rather than purchases outside the bloc, but has fallen short on his pledge two years ago to turn France into a war economy. The country plans to produce as many as 5,000 ammunition shells a month by the end of the year, up from 3,000 currently. While the French president broke a taboo last week when he publicly floated the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to support initiatives like de-mining and training, irking some of his allies, Ukraine has insisted that its most pressing need is ammunition. In Prague, Macron will be traveling with the head of Electricite de France SA to discuss nuclear cooperation. The electricity utility has submitted a binding bid to build one reactor in the Czech Republic, but the government is seeking bids for as many as four units this year. --With assistance from Aaron Eglitis, Paul Richardson and Milda Seputyte. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a joint press conference with President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel (Not Pictured). ihova Michaela/CTK/dpa French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europeans to be courageous in the face of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. "We are certainly approaching a moment in our Europe when it is appropriate not to be cowardly," Macron told the French community in Prague on Tuesday. He believes that France and the Czech Republic are aware of what is happening in Europe - namely that war has returned to European soil. "We must do justice to history and the courage it requires. That is also our responsibility," the French leader sad. Last week, Macron caused a stir when he did not rule out helping Ukraine's defence by deploying ground troops there. He said nothing should be ruled out. However there was no agreement on this during a meeting of more than 20 heads of state and prime ministers. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and many other leaders rejected Macron's proposal for a possible deployment of ground troops from to Ukraine. President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron speak during a joint press conference. ihova Michaela/CTK/dpa (Bloomberg) -- French President Emmanuel Macron threw his support behind a Czech plan to deliver hundreds of thousands of artillery shells to Ukraine from countries outside the European Union to help it force back Russian advances. Most Read from Bloomberg France will take part in the initiative, Macron said, without offering financial details, adding that the EUs European Peace Facility could also be tapped in part to fund it. A French official had previously said such mechanisms would not be used. The Czech initiative is extremely useful, we support it, well participate in it, Macron said in Prague Tuesday alongside Czech President Petr Pavel. It consists of looking for ammunition everywhere it is available and is compatible with the equipment weve delivered. Macron has insisted on focusing the EUs efforts on bolstering Europes defense industry rather than diverting funds for off-the-shelf material from outside the bloc. But dwindling ammunition stocks and stalled funding from the US have put Ukrainian forces on the back foot, raising worries that Russian troops may make significant advances by summer. The Czech president said last month that Prague had identified some 800,000 rounds of ammunition that could be bought from non-EU countries and delivered within weeks if money were made available. Days later, Macron hosted leaders in Paris to discuss support for Ukraine, including the Czech proposal. The Netherlands agreed to contribute 100 million ($108 million). The initiative is a backstop as the EU has fallen well short of a pledge to provide Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery by this month. Russia is producing far more and benefiting from ammunition deliveries from North Korea. Emergency Measure Addressing how to pay for the plan, Macron said: It can be a bilateral mobilization, it can be cooperations with third parties, bilateral financing, just as it can be European financing, that of the European Peace Facility, which can be mobilized in part for this initiative. Discussions on boosting the EPF a mechanism used to refund member states for weapons they provide to Ukraine with 5 billion a year have been stalled due to Frances resistance to spending funds on non-EU deliveries as well as German requests to include bilateral contributions in how the funds resources are calculated. EU member states are seeking to reach a deal well before leaders meet in the third week of March. After Macron spoke, a French official said the EPF should favor European equipment and that non-European sourcing should be seen as an emergency measure to supply Ukraines immediate needs. Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada have all joined France in backing the Czech plan to buy non-EU ammunition, while Poland expressed interest, Bloomberg has reported. A separate discussion of EU defense and foreign ministers is expected to take place later this week to hammer out the details. The French president already broke a taboo last week when he publicly floated the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to support initiatives like de-mining and training, irking some of his allies. Earlier Tuesday, he reiterated the message to Czech media. In response to a question about sending troops, I replied that nothing was ruled out. Every word counts, Macron told Pravo newspaper. Were starting the debate and thinking about what we can do to support Ukraine. --With assistance from Deana Kjuka, Natalia Drozdiak, Alberto Nardelli and Andrea Dudik. (Updates with comment from French official in ninth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated while talking about Russias war against Ukraine that it was time to step up and not be cowardly. Source: Macron cited by Reuters, as reported by European Pravda "We are certainly approaching a moment in our Europe where it will be appropriate not to be a coward," Macron said to French immigrants living in Prague. He added that France and the Czech Republic were "well aware that war is back on our soil (in Europe), that some powers which have become unstoppable are extending every day their threat of attacking us even more, and that we will have to live up to history and the courage that it requires". It is expected that during his visit to Prague Macron will also discuss the support for Czechias plans to send 800000 projectiles to Ukraine that were announced last month. Earlier Macron noted that France would make its contribution into the Czech initiative but did not specify how exactly. Background: Macron stated that "it should not be ruled out" that Western troops might be sent to Ukraine. Later he added that his remarks, which have caused a stir, were carefully thought through. These remarks caused a negative reaction of the governments of some allied states, the leaders of which stressed that they would not send troops to Ukraine. While the majority of NATO member states excluded the sending of troops to Ukraine, including such powerful players as Germany, the UK and the US, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, said on 28 February that he was thankful to Macron for the debates he had started. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian president, stated that the presence of NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine would lead to a direct conflict between the Alliance and the Russian Federation, escalating the situation. Support UP or become our patron! Contrary to media reports, French President Emmanuel Macron did not say there would be no deployment of French troops in Ukraine "in the near future". Source: European Pravda On 4 March, Czech news portal Novinky posted a news report citing Macron's words from a joint interview with two Czech media outlets. In particular, it included the following quote from the French president. Quote: "This does not imply that we are considering sending French troops to Ukraine in the near future, rather that we are starting a discussion and considering everything that can be done to assist Ukraine, particularly on Ukrainian territory." This statement was publicised in Ukraine as well amid discussions about the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine which Macron had initiated earlier. In particular, this excerpt from the interview was reported by European Pravda. Paris insists that this was not mentioned in the president's conversation with the Czech media. A French diplomat also provided European Pravda with a transcript of the interview, which does not contain the quote that was originally published on the Novinky website. The Czech media, meanwhile, removed the quote, which the Elysee Palace denies. As of now, Macron's quote about troops "in the near future" is indeed missing from the news. But it is included in the archived copy of the page as of noon on 4 March, and has been there for at least a few hours. Reminder: Last week, Emmanuel Macron said that the possible deployment of Western troops in Ukraine "should not be ruled out". He later added that his resonant words had been carefully thought through. At the same time, the French president's statements provoked a negative reaction from the governments of the allied countries, whose leaders were quick to assure that they would not send their troops to Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that French President Emmanuel Macron's call for Ukraine's allies "not to be cowards" does not help solve the problems with military support for Ukraine. Source: Pistorius during a visit to Sweden on 5 March, reported by AFP Details: Pistorius said that discussions about Western troops in Ukraine or "whether we have more courage or less courage" were not needed. "This is something that does not really help solve the problems we have when it comes to helping Ukraine," Pistorius added. Background: Speaking about Russia's war against Ukraine, Macron said it was time to step up and "not be cowards". Macron said last week that "we cannot rule out" the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. He later added that his words had been carefully considered. At the same time, Macron's statements provoked a negative reaction from the governments of the allied countries, whose leaders were quick to assure that they would not send any troops to Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Music and activism came together at Loch Haven Park on Saturday for the Mad Soul music festival. The festival, organized by Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost, brought together bands and organizations from across Central Florida and the United States to raise awareness for issues, like registering to vote. Other organizations represented at the festival were supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, womens rights, common sense gun legislation, black health commission and many more. After a local high school choir sung a rousing rendition from Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda joined them on stage with a message of hope. Read: See inside Central Floridas newest aquarium There are times like right where we can come together because of music and we can come together in hope, and when I see you sing I have hope, when I see all of you out here singing along I have hope that we can make a better world because democracy is on the line and we really need you to vote, said Lin-Manuel Miranda. Nearly 1,000 music fans came out to show their support for the bands, enjoy food from local food trucks and get involved in their community. Something Rep Frost, a drummer himself, told WFTV power of music is force that can bring the community together. Read: Get Fringed: Orlando Fringe Festival returns to Loch Haven Park for its 33rd year Mad Soul is a combination of advocacy, music, politics and the work we are involved in. The festival is about music bringing us together, and once theyre here we are going to activate people, get the engaged and to vote, said festival organizer Congressman Maxwell Frost. The festival also featured speakers from across the country including New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Brandon Wolf, Florida State Rep Anna Eskami and Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr, who encouraged kids to find their passion in life. Read: Art and Music lovers get set for the return of the 11th Annual Uptown Art Expo at Cranes Roost Park Find your passion lower case P find your passions, chase them are they not hurting people? Probably a good passion. And chase them like they are the more beautiful important thing in the world because what you find is that you will build a life you can be proud of. Build a passion and if you do that you find yourself in a community with so many different people, said Montana State Rep Zooey Zephyr. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The bustling ice and snow tourism in northeast China has boosted the development of supporting industries and new occupations. In this episode, we talked to Yu Minsi, a ski resort planner who is contributing to the prosperity of her village. Update: Osceola County Sheriffs Office says they are cooperating and being transparent with FDLE. FDLE still has not said anything about if theyre investigating. We have just confirmed Bain has asked FDLE to investigate. Previous story: Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Andrew Bains office told Channel 9 on Tuesday afternoon that he has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate how a photo of the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto was released over the weekend. The photo was posted on Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopezs personal Instagram page less than 24 hours after law enforcement found Sotos body in a rural area near St. Cloud. The photo shows a body dressed in the sweatshirt Stephan Sterns said Soto was last seen in. Lopez said he accidentally posted the image while sharing a post about him meeting with senior citizens. Read: Osceola County Sheriff Lopez apologizes after social media post shows possible body of Madeline Soto Florida law bans the public release of photos showing the body of a minor without a familys permission. The law says anyone who willfully and knowingly releases it could face a third-degree felony charge. Channel 9 has reached out to FDLE about the investigation but has not yet heard back. Read: Former chief judge explains next step in Madeline Soto case as evidence builds against prime suspect The Orange County Sheriffs Office said Friday evening that Madeline Sotos body has been found. Investigators said Osceola County deputies found the missing 13-year-old girls body at about 4:30 p.m. in a wooded area along Hickory Tree Road. Detectives believe Stephan Sterns killed 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Monday morning at a Kissimmee apartment complex. Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. Investigators discovered the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto on Friday afternoon. Sources say that Maddies body was found in rural St. Cloud near Hickory Tree Road. Police and deputies canvassed the area of Osceola County for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. The Kissimmee Police Department will handle the search for Madeline Soto, said Chief Betty Holland. The sheriff said the efforts will now shift to recovering her body. Sheriff John Mina said he is confident that she is dead, and recovery efforts will continue. Members of the community will gather to pray for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Deputies in Orange County said 13-year-old Madeline Soto has been missing since Monday morning. And now, her mothers boyfriend is in jail on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material. Stephan Sterns was supposed to go before an Orange County judge Thursday morning but refused to be in court. More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. More than 50 members of the Orange County Emergency Response Team looked for the 13-year-old in various areas as our detectives continued their investigation. Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto Madeline Soto The Orange County Sheriffs Office on Friday confirmed that the body of Madeline Soto, 13, has been located. The Sheriffs Office was not investigating Sotos death as Kissimmee Police Department was the lead agency in the case. But the Sheriffs Office was part of the search for her remains. So why did Lopez have the graphic photo? Despite multiple attempts to obtain more information about that, the Sheriffs Office would not say why Lopez had the photo or who took the picture. Read: Law enforcement gathers evidence against prime suspect in Madeline Soto case Channel 9 has also asked if Lopez has personally apologized to Sotos family. The Sheriffs Office did not answer that question but released a statement that said in part, We deeply apologize for any confusion or disturbance this may have cause. Bain told Channel 9 that he is deeply disturbed that the photos were carelessly made public. Channel 9 has reached out to the Sheriffs Office for comment on this latest development. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on this developing story. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Florida State Attorney's Office has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to open an investigation after an apparent photo of the area where Madeline Soto's body was found last week was allegedly posted on social media. In a screenshot of the Instagram post, which was shared with FOX 35 Orlando, one of the photos appears to show a body in a grassy, wooded area. FOX 35 has viewed the photo and made the decision not to show it or post it. Madeline Soto was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26, after she never made it to school. Five days later, her body was found in a rural wooded area in St. Cloud, not far from Kissimmee, Florida, officials said. The Osceola County Sheriff's Office confirmed to FOX 35 in a statement earlier this week that an investigative photo was "accidentally" included in the photo collage, which was intended to showcase Sheriff Lopez's attendance at a community event for seniors. "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," the sheriff's office said. Sheriff Lopez has not personally commented on the matter. "deeply disturbed" State Attorney Andrew Bain State Attorney Andrew Bain's office told FOX 35 earlier this week that Bain was "deeply disturbed" that such a photo was "carelessly made public," according to a statement. However, he did not believe the alleged incident would impact the investigation. MADELINE SOTO DISAPPEARANCE & DEATH "While I do not believe these photos will have any evidentiary impact on the case as of now, they were released in poor taste. Our main focus is making sure we get justice for 13-year-old Madeline Soto," he said. On Tuesday, the State Attorney's Office said in a new statement that it had requested that the FDLE investigate the matter. FOX 35 has reached out to FDLE for comment. "We welcome an independent review of what transpired" Osceola County Sheriff's Office statement In a statement late Tuesday night, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office said it also contacted the FDLE "to offer our cooperation and transparency into the inadvertent release of an investigative photograph." "We understand the communitys concerns and we welcome an independent review of what transpired," the statement read. Former Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson, who is re-running against Sheriff Lopez in the upcoming election, wrote a scathing post against Lopez on Facebook. "This is 100% unacceptable and 100% shameful," he wrote. Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline Soto's mom, Jenn, was arrested amid the search for Maddie under suspicion of sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material after detectives conducted a search of his phone. He is considered to be the "prime suspect" in Soto's disappearance. However, he has not been arrested or charged with anything related to her disappearance or death. Yahoo News Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing former President Donald Trumps criminal trial on charges that hush money payments made in 2016 to cover-up an alleged extramarital affair violated tax and campaign finance laws, rules that Trump and his lawyers can learn the names and addresses of the jurors in the case, but cannot make that information public. On Tuesday, voters in Maine will head to the polls to choose their preferred candidate for the presidency. Former President Trump is projected to win in the state. Follow live results from DDHQ here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new poll released Tuesday shows that a sizable majority of voters who backed President Joe Biden in 2020 oppose weapons shipments to Israel, the latest sign that Israels offensive in Gaza remains a political liability for the presidents reelection campaign. According to the online poll, which was commissioned by the left-leaning Center for Economic and Policy Research and conducted by YouGov, 52 percent of Americans agree that the U.S. should halt arms shipments to Israel until it ends its military offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Among voters who supported Biden in 2020, that number jumps to 62 percent. By contrast, only 30 percent of those who voted for Donald Trump in 2020 said they would support stopping weapons transfers. The poll, which surveyed 1,000 people, had a margin of error of 3.5 percent. The Biden administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The poll comes as the Biden administration faces pressure from progressives and Arab American voters in swing states over its level of support for Israel. The countrys military offensive, which began after Hamas launched attacks against Israel in October, has resulted in widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, massive displacement of Palestinians, reports of malnutrition and starvation among refugees and allegations of war crimes and abuses by the Israel Defense Forces against civilians. Though the Biden administration has criticized the Israeli government and worked behind the scenes to nudge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toward a more restrained military campaign, critics have blasted the White House for its continued verbal support for Israel and its perceived slowness to showing solidarity and empathy for the plight of Palestinians. The issue is one of the main drivers behind the grassroots campaign urging voters to mark the uncommitted option in upcoming primaries. The effort scored an important symbolic win in Michigan, where over 100,000 voters marked uncommitted on their ballots in the swing state to register their displeasure. CORRECTION: The headline on a previous version of this story misstated where the weapons are being shipped. The U.S. is transferring weapons to Israel. Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty sat down with Grazia magazine to talk about how their family navigates housework - SIMON WALKER/NO 10 DOWNING STREET Rishi Sunak has revealed that making the bed and stacking the dishwasher are his favourite household chores. The Prime Minister said that it bugs him so much when the bed is left unmade that he leaves his office to return to the flat in No 10 Downing Street in order to do it. He also expressed frustration at his childrens lack of dog-walking and admitted to offering them snacks in a bid to encourage them to help around the house. Mr Sunak sat down for an interview with Grazia magazine alongside his wife, Akshata Murty, to answer questions about household dynamics ahead of International Womens Day on Friday. When asked which job around the house was his favourite, Mr Sunak said: Hard choice... dishwasher stacking, making [the] bed? Both have a nice, satisfying ending. Probably the bed. He added: It bugs me, so I actually sometimes come back into the flat from the office after weve all left and make the bed because Ill be irritated if its not made. Ms Murty then described it as one of his special skills, adding: Rishi likes to have it done nice and tidy. She admitted that her husband was better at loading the dishwasher, adding she was A for enthusiasm, when the Prime Minister interrupted: But then it requires redoing after youve been very enthusiastic. He told her: It creates more work. And then more goes in as a result! Mr Sunak said that his least favourite chore was taking the bins out, describing it as a pain. During Theresa Mays time as prime minister, it was left to her husband Philip to take out the rubbish a household task she once described as a boy job. The former leader came under fire for her comments during a joint interview about their life together in No 10, after she said that there were boy and girl jobs around the house. When Theresa May lived in No 10, her husband Philip took out the bins, which she called a 'boys job' - EDDIE MULHOLLAND Mr May joked during the BBC One Show interview: Theres give and take in every marriage isnt there. I get to decide when to take the bins out, not if I take the bins out. The then prime minister replied: Theres boy and girl jobs you see. Mr May added: I definitely do the taking the bins out, I do the traditional boy jobs by and large. Mr Sunak and his wife were also asked how much their two daughters, 12-year-old Krishna and 11-year-old Anoushka, help with household chores. Ms Murty admitted that they do a few but they could do more, while Mr Sunak added: It would be nice if they walked the dog that they wanted to get. The family have had their pet labrador, Nova, since 2021, when they lived in No 11 when Mr Sunak was chancellor. Rishi Sunak admitted he would like the children to walk Nova, the labrador they'd asked for - SIMON WALKER/NO 10 DOWNING STREET The couple also appeared to differ in their attitudes to rewarding their children for housework. Ms Murty said that she did not believe in giving the children any incentives to do the housework because were a family, we all have to work together, we all help each other out. She added: So no, we dont give them obvious incentives, shall we say Rish? Mr Sunak then laughed, adding: I give them snacks. He also said that he was the stricter parent in matters other than schoolwork. His wife praised the Prime Minister for being the better cook in the relationship, though he does less of it because of a lack of free time. Mr Sunak said: Its mainly just breakfast on a Saturday morning Gordon Ramsay scrambled eggs. He also said that Ms Murty reads more than he does, as he prefers instead to watch reruns of the 1990s sitcom Friends when he gets home from work. Im too exhausted when I get home at the end of every day, so I watch an episode of Friends and then go to bed. It never gets old, he said. We have watched the same episodes of Friends I dont know how many times, Ms Murty added. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are back on the British Airways map but the link to the Thai capital is much diminished compared with the pre-Covid era. Starting with the winter 2024-25 schedules in late October, BA Boeing 777s will depart three times a week from London Gatwick to Bangkok. Previously the airline flew daily from Heathrow. First class has also been dropped, though it remains available on BAs competitors from Heathrow to the Thai capital. Thai Airways operates twice daily from Heathrow to Bangkok, while Eva Air goes nonstop on the same route once a day. Back online: Khao San Road in Bangkok, to which British Airways will return in October 2024 (Simon Calder) Daily BA flights to Kuala Lumpur will resume from London Heathrow, using a four-class Boeing 787. The airline says the move back to Southeast Asia demonstrates its commitment to expanding its network to Asia post-pandemic. The aviation schedule analyst, Sean Moulton, said the move appears to be a change of strategy, moving away from the core BA market connecting Europe and India with the US and Canada. He said: Kuala Lumpur has very few direct links to Europe so BA will be able to tap into unserved connections. Bangkok shifting to Gatwick shows the lower yields but popularity of the route. For decades Bangkok was a key destination for British Airways from London Heathrow. BA even launched a direct link from Manchester to the Thai capital, though it was soon dropped due to unprofitability. Even before Covid, British Airways struggled to make money on the Heathrow-Bangkok link. The majority of UK visitors to Thailand now travel on the Gulf-based airlines: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. They offer vast amounts of capacity out of the UK via their hubs. Qatar Airways has six flights a day from Doha to Bangkok while Emirates operates five daily Airbus A380 SuperJumbo aircraft from Dubai to the Thai capital. BAs Heathrow operation is focused on premium cabins, and there is simply not sufficient demand to fill the more desirable seats profitably. Costs of operating from Gatwick are lower, allowing BA to set more competitive fares. The restored links with Southeast Asia were announced by the airlines chairman and chief executive, Sean Doyle, at the launch of what is described as a 7bn modernisation plan. He 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. Mr Doyle added the airline is laser-focused on transforming our business and fixing any pain points for our customers. From 3 April, members of BAs Executive Club members will start to be able to send messages on a single device using the airlines wifi, free of charge. The airline says the service will be available on every wifi-enabled aircraft within two weeks of the rollout date. New aircraft cabins and seats are promised on the latest Airbus A320 series short-haul planes, including extra-large bins for overhead luggage. British Airways currently has the most generous free cabin baggage allowance in Europe, comprising two bags weighing up to 23kg each. For more travel news, views and advice from Simon, download his daily Independent Travel podcast. The Maldives has signed a "military assistance" deal with China after ordering Indian troops deployed in the small but strategically-placed archipelago to leave, officials said Tuesday. Some 89 Indian military personnel in the country will be gone by May 10 after having been previously ordered out by pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu, who came to power last year on an anti-Indian platform. The Maldivian defence ministry said they signed an "agreement on China's provision of military assistance" with Beijing late Monday, saying the agreement was "gratis", or without payment or charge, but giving no further details. The defence ministry said the deal was to foster "stronger bilateral ties", in a post on social media platform X. India is suspicious of China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence in the Maldives, as well as in neighbouring Sri Lanka. Both South Asian island nations are strategically placed halfway along key east-west international shipping routes. Relations between Male and New Delhi have chilled since Muizzu won elections in September. Addressing a public rally north of the capital on Monday, Muizzu vowed there would be no Indian troops on Maldivian soil after May 10, when they are expected to complete a withdrawal. The Indians had been deployed to operate three reconnaissance aircraft New Delhi had gifted Male to patrol its vast maritime boundary. India is expected to replace the military personnel with civilian staff to operate the aircraft, and the Maldives defence ministry announced last month that Indian civilian crew had begun arriving in the atoll nation. Last month, Male allowed a controversial Chinese research ship to enter its waters in a sign of the nation's diplomatic reorientation towards Beijing and away from its traditional benefactor India. China's Xiang Yang Hong 3 arrived in Male after being refused permission to dock by Sri Lanka following objections from India, which has labelled it a spy ship. China also gave 12 electric ambulances to the Maldives on Sunday, the health ministry said. aj/pjm/cwl Male California nurse accused of sex attack on unconscious patient, may be more victims: police A male nurse has been arrested and freed on bail in connection with the sexual assault of an unconscious female patient at a hospital in California and police fear the suspect may have targeted other victims. The nurse, Jacob Daniel Hartman, 27, was nabbed by police on Wednesday and charged with sexual assault, including the sexual battery of an unconscious person at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Riverside, the Riverside Police Department said in a statement. The facility is about 40 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles. The victim had been admitted into the hospital in mid-January for several days, during which time Hartman is accused of sexually assaulting her. Hartman, of Corona, a city in northwestern Riverside County, was subsequently booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. He has since been released on $55,000 bail. 'HORRIFIED' HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE LEAKS DEI TRAINING PUSHING 3-YEAR-OLDS IDENTIFYING AS TRANSGENDER Jacob Daniel Hartman, 27, has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Riverside, police said. Police did not provide any more details pertaining to the incident or give the woman's age. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP 75,000 UNION HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT KAISER PERMANENTE GO ON STRIKE "Given the nature of these crimes, SACA (Child Abuse Unit) Detectives believe there may be other victims who have not come forward yet," the Riverside Police Department said in a statement. Anyone with additional information is being asked to email Detective Daniel Suarez at DSuarez@RiversideCA.gov or call 951 353-7120. Riverside Police Department shared a statement put out by Kaiser Permanente Hospital stating that Hartman is no longer working for the company. "At Kaiser Permanente, safe and high-quality care are always our top priorities," the statement reads. "As soon as we learned of this serious accusation, we immediately cooperated with law enforcement and started an internal investigation. At this time, the individual is no longer employed by Kaiser Permanente." Original article source: Male California nurse accused of sex attack on unconscious patient, may be more victims: police A man is seen inside a house demolished by Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Nablus, on March 4, 2024. On Monday, Israeli forces blew up the house of a Palestinian accused of attacking Israeli settlers last year in Nablus, said eyewitnesses. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) According to the UN rights chief, peace is built and nourished through rights, so it is by upholding and advancing the full spectrum of human rights that states can craft durable solutions GENEVA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stressed the importance of peace on Monday while addressing the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. He compared the right to peace to the mother of all human rights, saying that without peace, "all other rights are quashed." Addressing the ongoing Human Rights Council session, Turk urged states to keep communication channels open, rebuild trust as well as to re-establish a sense of the interconnectedness and shared destiny of all humanity to regain a mindset of peace. "Rarely has humanity faced so many rapidly spiraling crises," he said, telling the Council that around the world, 55 conflicts are flaring, and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law are generating devastating impacts on millions of civilians. Israeli soldiers take part in military training near the border with Gaza Strip, on March 4, 2024. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 30,534, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement Monday. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Noting that the war in Gaza has already generated dangerous spillover in neighboring countries, Turk said he is 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," he said. The military escalation in southern Lebanon between Israel, Hezbollah and other armed groups is extremely worrying, almost 200 people have been killed in Lebanon, and some 90,000 internally displaced, with extensive damage to health facilities, schools, and vital infrastructure, he elaborated. Some 80,000 Israelis have also been displaced from border areas of Israel, he added. Smoke rises from the Lebanese village of Markaba as a result of Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon, next to the border with Israel, on March 4, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) Besides the war in Gaza, conflicts in other regions, including the Horn of Africa, Sudan and the Sahel, could also escalate sharply, he said. "It is imperative to do everything possible to avoid a wider conflagration." According to the UN rights chief, peace is built and nourished through rights, so it is by upholding and advancing the full spectrum of human rights, including the right to development and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, that states can craft durable solutions. "Because they respond to the universal truth of our equality and the inextinguishable desire for freedom and justice," he concluded. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A horse was rescued by the Fresno Animal Center with the assistance of the Fresno Police Department from an abandoned yard last week, according to officials. Officials say the Fresno Police Department received a request to assist the Fresno Animal Center with the rescue of a horse being illegally housed in an abandoned yard next to an apartment complex. According to police, Mounted Patrol officers responded to the location and found the horse to be suffering from malnutrition and had multiple injuries. Police say the horse was brought back to the Fresno Police Departments Mounted Patrol facility where the officers evaluated her and treated the wounds they found. The horse was housed in the polices barn until the Fresno Animal Center found a rescue home, police said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An Oregon man accused of drugging three preteen girls at his daughters sleepover last summer has been indicted by a grand jury. Police said the girls, all 12 years old, were hospitalized on August 26, 2023, after being exposed to an unknown prescription drug at a slumber party in Lake Oswego. An investigation found that 57-year-old Michael Meyden, the host of the sleepover, was responsible for administering the drug to the girls, according to authorities. The three girls tested positive for benzodiazepine, a sedative known to treat anxiety, USA Today and NBC News reported, citing a probable cause affidavit. Meyden allegedly spiked the girls mango smoothies with the drug before serving it to them, according to the document. One of the girls, who didnt drink much of her smoothie, said Meyden came to the basement, where she and her friends were gathered, more than once after handing out the drinks. California dentist fatally shot at work, disgruntled ex-customer arrested The affidavit states the girl frantically texted her parents: Mom please pick me up and say I had a family emergency. I dont feel safe. I might not respond but please come get me. Please. Please pick up. Please. PLEASE!! A family member reportedly picked up the girl, took her home, and then two parents eventually went to Meydens home to get the other girls. Authorities said Meyden turned himself in at the Clackamas County Jail on Wednesday, Feb. 28, where his bail was set at $50,000. Meyden was charged with three counts of causing another to ingest a controlled substance, four counts of application of a schedule-4 controlled substance to another and three counts of delivery of a controlled substance to a minor. The charges were first reported by The Oregonian. A motive remains unclear. Meyden pleaded not guilty during last weeks arraignment, according to NBC News. His lawyer told the outlet that Meyden is presumed innocent, and they hope people will reserve judgment until all the facts are known. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7: 1-800-897-LINK (5465). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or in an emergency, please call 911 immediately. MAGNA, Utah (ABC4) A man was arrested in Magna on 13 charges after allegedly attacking a woman in front of 12 kids on Wednesday, Feb. 28, according to arrest documents from the Third District Court Jimmy Lucero, 39, was arrested for one count of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and 12 different counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, as stated in the affidavit of probable cause. READ NEXT: Women falsely accuse mayor of child trafficking, allegedly demand $1M to stop harassment Police say they responded to a Magna home after 4:30 a.m. for an urgent welfare check, according to arrest documents. The affidavit states that when officers arrived at the home, they interviewed the victim who said Lucero assaulted her with a screwdriver. She said Lucero struck her in the neck with the screwdriver in addition to strangling and choking her. Documents say several of her children wrestled a knife and the screwdriver away from him, after which Lucero reportedly fled the scene. According to the affidavit, officers observed several signs of injury on the victim, including several on her face and arms, plus a puncture wound to her neck that police say was directly over and in-line with the trachea. The officer who filed the affidavit said they believed Lucero should be subject to continued detention because he allegedly threatened to kill the victim in the past, and that there were indications that Lucero will commit a lethal offense on the victim, after a lethality assessment was conducted as part of a domestic violence investigation. After several hours, officers say they located Lucero and booked him into the Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned 13 charges. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. MURRAY, Utah (ABC4) Officials with the Murray City Police Department say a man has been arrested in Colorado in connection to a shooting in Murray that left a teenager hospitalized over the weekend. Jhon-Alvaro-Alarcon Paredes, 20, was arrested in Colorado and taken into custody by the Mesa County Sheriffs Office. Detectives with Murray Police were able to track the suspect after he reportedly fled the scene following the shooting, according to a press release from Monday. PREVIOUS: Teen shot, hospitalized in serious condition in Murray In the press release, Murray Police say Paredes is awaiting extradition back to Utah on possible Attempted Homicide charges while in the custody of the Mesa County Sheriffs Office. According to officials, the shooting took place in a vehicle that had three males in it, as they were all sitting in a parking lot on Commerce Drive in Murray on Saturday, March 2. The victim was in extremely critical condition, according to the press release, and Paredes reportedly fled the scene after the incident and eventually made his way out of Utah, police say. It was previously believed that all of the involved individuals were juveniles, but officials with Murray Police told ABC4.com that Paredes had recently turned 20. Police also previously told ABC4.com that the three individuals who were in the car were believed to be friends at the time of the incident. Murray Police say the case is still under investigation. There is no further information at this time. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. AUSTIN (KXAN) Another person was arrested in connection with a spring 2023 homicide reported in a south Austin greenbelt, according to an arrest affidavit. The affidavit also revealed the homicide may have happened between March and May 2023 in a transient camp behind a clothing store on South Lamar Boulevard. The camp is east of the store and is located in the West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, court records said. According to witnesses, a fight happened between the suspect, Melcolm Martin Lee, 24, and the victim Jehu Patrick Flores, 20. During the argument, Lee pulled out a firearm and shot Flores one time in the back of the head, court records said. Man arrested, victim identified in connection with greenbelt homicide, US Marshals say After Flores was shot, Lee asked Billy John Lamar, 47, to help him remove Flores body from the camp and put him in a hole farther into the greenbelt, according to the affidavit. According to online court records, Lamar was arrested and booked into the Travis County Jail on a charge of tampering/fabricating physical evidence/failure to report human remains on a $30,000 bond. KXAN reached out to Lamars attorney, and we will update this article if a statement is received. On Nov. 27, 2023, two witnesses came forward to investigators saying they knew where Flores body was buried in the greenbelt. On Nov. 29, officials responded to the area with a search and rescue K9, and that is when the skeletal remains were found, court records said. On Dec. 12, 2023, the Austin Police Department requested for the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force to find and arrest Lee, who was last known to be transient in the Austin community. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A Bronx man who was described as a migrant and a shoplifter by Curtis Sliwa during a live TV beatdown by his Guardian Angels in Times Square last month says he is fighting back with a lawsuit and criminal complaint against the vigilante group. Marco Pina, 22, who emigrated with his family from Mexico 20 years ago when he was a toddler, said New York City is the only home he knows and he deserved better. Ive never lived anywhere else, Pina said in a statement nearly a month after he clashed with members of the Angels during a live Fox News broadcast. I work to support my child and Ive never broken the law. Now I will tell my story to the [district attorney] and will seek justice, Im not afraid anymore, he added. Pina crossed paths with the Angels on Feb. 7 as Sliwa, their longtime leader, was being interviewed in prime time by Fox News host Sean Hannity about crime in the area. A group of Angels sporting their signature red berets and bomber jackets broke away to tend to an off-screen disturbance. At Sliwas direction, the camera panned to show them confronting Pina, pushing him to the sidewalk and placing him in a headlock. As the camera rolled, Sliwa labeled the man a migrant. Our guys have just taken down one of the migrant guys on the corner of 42nd and Seventh where all of this has taken place, Sliwa told Hannity as he threw his hands in the air. Theyve taken over! Sliwa also called Pina a shoplifter, an allegation cops could not substantiate. Lets just say we gave him a little pain compliance, Sliwa, the 2021 GOP mayoral candidate, continued during the broadcast. His mother back in Venezuela felt the vibrations. Hes sucking concrete. In a Tuesday statement, Sliwa repeated claims that Pina initiated the encounter by pushing and shoving through the film crew despite being told by the security of the film crew to please stay back repeatedly. The Guardian Angels stand against hate and we pride ourselves on our diversity and inclusivity, he added. Police said Pina was issued a summons for disorderly conduct because he was acting in a loud, threatening manner causing public alarm. Pina said he feared that his immigration status would be in jeopardy if he stood up to a well-known man like Sliwa. It has taken me some time to come forward, he said. Im a nobody in this city, Curtis Sliwa is famous. I was intimidated and scared since Im only protected by DACA, a temporary permit for immigrants like myself that arrived here as babies. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), established by the Obama administration in 2012, offers a lifeline to specific undocumented individuals in the United States, particularly for those who entered the country as minors. The policy provides them with a renewable two-year reprieve from deportation and the chance to obtain work permit eligibility. The incident came amid rising tensions in New York City, where officials have struggled to handle an ongoing rise in migrant arrivals for more than a year. In one high-profile incident, a group of migrants attacked two NYPD officers outside a shelter in Times Square on Jan. 27, sparking outrage. Pinas lawyer, Patricia Lynch, said Pina continues to suffer from the Angels beatdown. The incident aired live on Sean Hannity, where millions of people watched Mr. Marco Pina being thrown to the ground and put into an illegal chokehold, and for Mr. Pina to have his character and reputation assaulted after this horrific incident was tantamount to pouring salt in his wound, said Lynch, a lawyer at Sacco & Fillas. Pina plans to file a civil suit in Manhattan Supreme Court along with making a complaint with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The DAs office previously said its investigating the incident. Pina also received support from Hispanics Across America spokesman Fernando Mateo, who was defeated by Sliwa in the 2021 Republican mayoral primary. Hes not a recent immigrant. Hes not a looter, not a thief, Mateo said of Pina. He was body-slammed and his face was pushed against the concrete. His friends who tried to support him were pushed to the streets. WAUKEGAN, Ill. - Two men are accused of fatally shooting two people in Waukegan last month in what authorities describe as a random act of violence. Tylo Eddins and Ishawn Pitts both face first-degree murder charges. The deadly shooting occurred after a spree of other crimes. On Feb. 24, Eddins allegedly entered an Uber driver's silver 2020 Kia Sorrento in Chicago, pretending to be the driver's designated pickup. Eddins then displayed a handgun, took the car and left the driver near an expressway ramp in Chicago. The Kia was driven to Waukegan, where Eddins allegedly approached a victim in the 500 block of South Genesee Street while wearing a mask and carrying a gun, and robbed him of $20. Following the robbery, Eddins allegedly took the Kia to his Waukegan residence and then left after picking up another person, later identified as Pitts. The two allegedly drove by the 400 block of Powell Avenue, where they saw a man and woman outside a residence. At that time, Eddins allegedly shot both victims, identified as Rodrigo Olivan and Ana Gil, before telling Pitts to shoot them and finish them off, police said. Pitts then allegedly fired at the two numerous times before fleeing northbound in the Kia. Following the shooting, the Kia went to Zion, where it crashed into a fence in a single-vehicle collision, police said. The individuals inside the vehicle fled the scene. While investigating, detectives were able to link the crash in Zion to the double homicide that occurred in Waukegan. The next day, Feb. 25, a search warrant and area search were conducted in Zion, which led to the recovery of evidence related to the homicide and carjacking, police said. On Feb. 26, the Lake County Coroner's Office conducted an autopsy, which indicated that Olivan had died from multiple gunshot wounds. On Feb. 27, Gil succumbed to her wounds, and the coroner's office stated that she died from complications of multiple gunshot wounds. According to police, Eddins fled Waukegan shortly after the homicide and on Feb. 28, he was arrested in Killeen, Texas, for an unrelated burglary case, among other crimes in Texas. On Feb. 29, Waukegan detectives took Pitts into custody for an outstanding aggravated robbery warrant out of Round Lake. He was transported to the Waukegan Police Department, where he allegedly confessed to the shooting on Powell Avenue. Pitts was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held at the Lake County Jail. On March 1, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Eddins for six counts of first-degree murder. He is being held in Texas for the Waukegan arrest warrant and is waiting to be extradited to Illinois to face murder charges, police said. Police said it appears this shooting was random and occurred for no reason. Olivan and Gil had no ties to the suspects or any crimes. A California man was arrested and charged for allegedly smuggling greenhouse gases into the United States from Mexico and selling them for profit, federal prosecutors announced Monday. Michael Hart, of San Diego, is accused of purchasing refrigerants in Mexico and bringing them into the U.S. in his vehicle, where they were hidden under a tarp and tools, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Monday. He allegedly posted the fluids for sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace and other websites, Justice Department (DOJ) prosecutors added. Harts indictment marks the first prosecution in the U.S. that includes charges related to the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020, which prohibits the importation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) without permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). HFCs are powerful greenhouse gases that drive climate change and are typically used in refrigeration, insulation, air-conditioners, aerosols, and fire extinguishing systems, per prosecutors, citing the EPA. They are used to replace ozone-depleting substances, the production and importation of which the U.S. is trying to phase out. It is illegal to import certain refrigerants into the United States because of their documented and significantly greater contribution to climate change, Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim, of the DOJs Environment and Natural Resources Division, said. We are committed to enforcing the AIM Act and other laws that seek to prevent environmental harm, Kim added. Hart appeared for a federal arraignment Monday and pleaded not guilty to 13 charges including conspiracy, illegal important, and illegal merchandise sales, prosecutors said. He is expected to appear in court again on March 25. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (KRON) Zuri Wilson was convicted by a jury for a 2013 execution-style murder in Sunnydale, the San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced. Wilson was convicted of first-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Wilson was accused of allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm in the commission of the murder. Cluster of fentanyl overdose deaths reported in Marin County I would like to thank the jury for their service and my staff for their unwavering commitment to fighting for justice, said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. I would also like to thank the Otis family for their patience and trust in my office. My office will do everything in our power to fight for justice and ensure that the most dangerous individuals in our communities are held accountable and face consequences. At 7 p.m. on August 23, 2023, Wilson waited for over an hour in a vacant housing unit across from where the victim often stayed, according to testimony. Wilson subsequently walked to his car with his aunt. When the victim was leaning the rear passenger door to gather items, two masked men rushed out of a housing unit. The men charged behind the victim, shooting him a dozen times in his head, back, chest and arm, according to video evidence. San Francisco police officers were a short distance away and heard the fired shots. The officers located the suspects. An SFPD officer chased the suspects and obtained a description of the getaway car. Wilson was named the primary shooter, according to testimony. This conviction brings a measure of closure to the Otis family, who have dealt with the aftermath of this murder for almost eleven years. Their daily presence in court was a reminder of Shawntes humanity and the many people who still miss him, said Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai. I have the utmost gratitude and respect for the SFPD officers, both current and retired, who investigated this case and assisted our office in this conviction. Wilson is currently in custody pending sentencing and faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole. His sentencing is scheduled for March 21. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A 68-year-old Shingle Springs man died Friday after crashing a vehicle into a tree in Placer County, the California Highway Patrol said. A spokeswoman with the CHPs Auburn area office said officers were called about 3:50 p.m. to Auburn Folsom Road near Woodchase Drive in unincorporated Placer County. The stretch of roadway is a tree-lined street bordering several homes in Granite Bay. The South Placer Fire District found the man dead inside the vehicle, wrote Yvette Norman, a spokeswoman with the CHPs Auburn office. Norman wrote its unknown what caused the man to crash into the tree. PHNOM PENH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were injured in a bus explosion at a parking lot in front of the famed Angkor Wat temple in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province on Tuesday, a police chief said. The blast occurred at around 5:30 a.m. local time, and a bus engine fault was likely to blame for the incident, Siem Reap provincial police chief Major General Teng Channath said. "According to our preliminary investigation, a bus's engine accidentally exploded, leaving two people injured -- one slightly injured and another seriously wounded," he told Xinhua via telephone. Three buses were damaged in the incident, Channath said, adding that police cordoned off the area as a further probe is underway. Angkor Wat is one of the key temples in the 401-square-km Angkor Archaeological Park, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1992. HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) A man will spend years on the sex offender registry after a plea connected to his actions at a Triad farmers market last year. According to the Guilford County courts, Ivan Hugh-McDonald Peden entered a guilty plea on Feb. 26, 2024, to indecent exposure and sexual battery and will register as a sex offender. Sex offender registration lasts 30 years, and he received a 45 day suspended sentence for the indecent exposure and a 75 day suspended sentence for the sexual battery, as well 18 months probation. The attorney who represented Peden said this was an Alford plea, where the individual does not admit guilt but enters a guilty plea because the individual feels that it is in his/her best interest to do so. The state dismissed additional indecent liberties and secret peeping charges as a result of this plea. Victim: Criminal charges had to be done against ex-Charlotte pastor After a great deal of thought, Mr. Peden elected to forego his right to go to trial on these matters and proceed via Alford plea due to his age and health, and due to the affects a long and public trial could have on Mr. Peden and his family, his attorney, Jones Byrd, said in a written statement. The courts said that Peden was also required to stay away from the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market on Sandy Ridge Road in the Colfax area of Guilford County, where the complaints originated from. Background The Guilford County Sheriffs Office arrested Ivan Hugh-McDonald Peden after they said they got reports of two sex offenses at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax. The two incidents happened on June 24 and July 14, 2023. The 71-year-old former clergyperson was charged with felony indecent liberties with a child, felony indecent exposure, misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor secret peeping. He has also been banned from the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market. Documents state that Peden pleaded guilty to a charge of simple assault in August of 2021, which stemmed from a charge on March 7, 2020, in Forsyth County. Reportedly, the incident involved a teenage boy working at a Forsyth County grocery store. The victims grandparents say Peden was physically aggressive with the teenager. At one point, he reportedly wrote down his phone number on a receipt, forced it into the teens pocket and grabbed his backside. Court documents in that case state that the assault stemmed from Peden grabbing the victims butt multiple times. 2023 allegations At the time of his arrest, an adult victim who wished to remain anonymous said that Peden, who he had seen at the market multiple times, was in the market restroom when he walked in on June 24. Warrants offer new details after retired minister accused of sexual battery, peeping at Piedmont Triad Farmers Market The victim greeted him, and Peden allegedly responded by groping the victims chest and pinched him so hard that it hurt several hours after. The victim says he pushed Peden and went in to use a stall. The victim said, when he looked up, he saw Peden watching him. Then, on July 14, the documents show that Peden exposed [his] penis for the purpose of arousing and gratifying defendants sexual desire and that he committed a lewd and lascivious act upon a 13-year-old victims body. Pedens history as pastor The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church said that he retired from active ministry in 2020 and said at the time that the conference was saddened to hear about the allegations. Moores Chapel United Methodist Church in Charlotte confirmed to Queen City News that Peden was a pastor from 1989 to 1992 and a pastor at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte in 1999. Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Pointed confirmed to FOX8 that Ivan Peden served as the churchs associate pastor from 1992 to 1999 and offered this statement: We are saddened to hear the news of the allegations regarding our former associate minister Rev. Ivan Peden, Melody Emerson, director of communications, wrote. During his time at Wesley Memorial, Rev. Peden helped to bring Stephen Ministry to our church, as well as, midweek communion services. Both programs have expanded and continue today. Rev. Peden was also involved in missions work and Wesley Memorials ministry to older adults. His wife and children were members of our congregation and very active in the life of the church. We do not have any direct knowledge of the alleged incidents, but we extend prayers to all involved. Lewisville UMC confirmed that Peden was a pastor that he retired in 2020 and that they had no knowledge surrounding these recent allegations. We are saddened to hear about them and are praying for all involved as the proper authorities work toward healing and justice, Rev. Paul Brown, senior pastor at Lewisville UMC wrote in a statement. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Farmers Market Responds In a response provided by Market Manager Daniel Johnson, the farmers market stressed that they take the safety and comfort of the visitors, vendors and employees very seriously. We regret this situation occurred but want to stress that this is a safe market, and the public should feel confident about that, Johnson wrote. They cooperated fully and immediately with law enforcement and said they took proactive steps to have the involved individual trespassed as the sheriffs office continues investigating. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A man pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of first-degree murder in connection to a shooting that occurred more than two years ago in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. Noah Hernandez, 20, is being held without bail and appeared in court with his attorney, H.A. Sala. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 18, the same date for a hearing in a separate case in which Hernandez is charged with assault with a gun and gang participation, among other offenses. Hernandez is accused of fatally shooting Jose De La Torre on Nov. 21, 2021, in the parking lot of the Taco Bell at 551 Weedpatch Highway. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. An Ohio man was found guilty of murder in the shooting death of his fiancee, according to news outlets. Tirrell Edwards, 41, called 911 in October saying he had just killed his fiancee, 46-year-old Amanda Williams, WJW reported. When police arrived at the Warrensville Heights home, they found Williams with several gunshot wounds, the news outlet reported. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. This truly hurts. Amanda was a beautiful soul. She was a genuine person who loved people and was gifted and anointed to beautify others, one person wrote on Facebook, McClatchy News reported at the time. Edwards was taken into custody for questioning, but he was later released due to a lack of evidence, WEWS reported. He told authorities he had shot WIlliams in self-defense. However, he was indicted by a grand jury a few weeks later after outcry from friends, family and community members, according to WEWS. Family members told WJW that Williams death came after years of abuse and manipulation. During his trial, Edwards testified that Williams lunged at him with a knife and he was left with no choice but to shoot her, according to WEWS. I just shot rapidly. I was scared. She had me so scared with that knife, Edwards said while on the stand, WKYC reported. However, prosecutors argued against that claim, according to the news outlet. The State of Ohio believes that Amanda Williamss death was an intentional homicide without justification and the evidence we presented has conclusively proven that, said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley in a statement to WKYC. Williams was a mother and grandmother, as well as a popular hair stylist in the area, WJW reported. Theres some people, and Ive been doing this a long time, that when they walk in the room, they light up the room; that was her, and shell be sorely missed, and were grieving the needless death because of domestic violence, Pastor R. A. Vernon told WEWS. Edwards was found guilty on two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one court of domestic violence, WKYC reported. He will be sentenced on March 11. Warrensville Heights is about 15 miles southeast of Cleveland. If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Dad shot, killed during custody exchange of 4-year-old daughter, Colorado cops say Body found in car in search for missing woman, Oregon cops say. Now fiance arrested Mother, three daughters found shot and killed in Illinois home, cops say. Massacre A Maryland angler was on an important mission: find a large chain pickerel and catch it. Rashan Hunt searched and searched for the species, catching lots of fish that didnt make the cut, he told Maryland Department of Natural Resources officials. Then, after five casts on the Loch Raven Reservoir on Feb. 26, he found the fish he was looking for. The Sparrows Point resident reeled in a 24-inch chain pickerel, which is a freshwater fish part of the pike family, according to the departments March 5 news release. The catch meant more to Hunt than just pulling up a big fish it earned him a Master Angler Milestone Award in Maryland, officials said. The Master Angler title is considered the highest award for the FishMaryland program, according to officials. It requires an angler to catch 10 different, trophy-size fish, including freshwater and saltwater fish, in Maryland, officials said. The chain pickerel for some reason has been one of the hardest fish for me, the military veteran told officials. I spent countless miles and hours on kayak and fished from the shore at multiple locations throughout Maryland waterways. The catches that officials say qualified him for the title were: A 34.5-inch northern snakehead A 50.5-inch blue catfish A 21.5-inch largemouth bass A 32.5-inch common carp A 30.5-inch channel catfish A 45-inch striped bass A 14-inch yellow perch An 18-inch hickory shad A 15-inch crappie A 24-inch chain pickerel Hunt, who moved to Maryland in 2011 from New Jersey, became the sixth recipient of the Master Angler award since the program started in 2019, according to the department. One person earned the title in 2019, and the other four winners before Hunt were named Master Anglers in 2023, according to FishMaryland. The U.S. Department of the Army employee is also a member of the Legion of Anglers, where he spends time helping organize fishing tournaments and trash pick-up events, officials said. He told officials he has fished all over the world catching various species. Fishing is my therapy and is good for mental health and well-being, Hunt said in the release. The Loch Raven Reservoir is about 20 miles northeast of Baltimore. One of the worlds tiniest fish can make noises louder than an elephant, new study says Boaters caught trying to smuggle over 110,000 live eels out of Puerto Rico, feds say Angler reels in 3-foot creature and rediscovers rare species not seen in 84 years Mike Freer announced he would be stepping down as an MP at the next general election amid concerns for his safety - ELLIOTT FRANKS A 42-year-old man has admitted setting fire to a shed belonging to Mike Freer, the Conservative MP. Paul Harwood was charged over a fire last Christmas Eve at the MPs constituency office in Ballards Lane, north Finchley, north London. Mr Harwood said the arson attack was not in any way politically motivated or targeted while his co-defendant denied the charges entirely. He was also charged over another arson on a bin at the rear of a property in Long Lane, Finchley, on the same night. Mr Freer announced that he would be stepping down as an MP at the next general election amid concerns for his safety, shortly after the incident, which he described as the final straw. He was first elected as MP for Finchley and Golders Green in May 2010. On Tuesday, Mr Harwood appeared at the Old Bailey via video link and pleaded guilty to two charges of arson. Mr Freer's office after a shed was set on fire at the rear of the MP's Finchley and Golders Green constituency office - CENTRAL NEWS/X TWITTER The charge relating to the MP stated that on December 24 2023 he damaged by fire to a shed ... belonging to Mike Freer intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged and being reckless as to whether life to others would be endangered. The other charge stated that he without lawful excuse damaged by fire a bin belonging to another intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether property was damaged. Tim Williams, Harwoods barrister, said that the offences were not in any way politically motivated or targeted. A second defendant, Zara Kasory, 32, from north Finchley, denied the same charges and faces trial at Harrow Crown Court on July 1. Judge John Lodge set a further hearing for March 12 and remanded the defendants into custody. Mr Freer, 63, was appointed parliamentary under secretary of state for the Ministry of Justice in September 2022. He served as minister for exports and minister for equalities between September 2021 and July 2022. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An investigation is underway Tuesday after a man was struck with an arrow in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Police received a call of a person being hit in the shoulder by an arrow in the 1400 block of Sunset Boulevard shortly before 8 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Officer Madison told KTLA. The victim broke the arrow off and then walked to the nearby Rocket minimart, stringer news service OnScene.TV reported. Police investigate after a man was shot with an arrow in Echo Park on March 5, 2024. (OnScene.TV) Police investigate after a man was shot with an arrow in Echo Park on March 5, 2024. (OnScene.TV) Police investigate after a man was shot with an arrow in Echo Park on March 5, 2024. (OnScene.TV) Video showed a broken arrow on a sidewalk and a trail of blood leading to the minimart. The unidentified victim, described by Madison as a man in his 40s, was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition. No further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting were immediately provided but crime scene tape could be seen surrounding a parking lot as police conducted their investigation. The victim told police he did not see anyone when he was shot. Madison said the man was not being cooperative with investigators. KTLAs Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A man wanted for a Florida homicide was arrested during an investigation at a downtown Pittsburgh smoke shop. Pittsburgh police say detectives executed two search warrants on Tuesday, in connection to the operation of the Smoking Stars Smoke Shop in Market Square. Police say these searches happened because of multiple complaints about the business owners. One search was at a hotel on Park Lane Drive, which is near the airport, and is where Shelly Omaire Duberry, 38, an owner of Smoking Stars lived. She was arrested for possession of marijuana and delivery of marijuana. A second search was conducted at the Market Street business and is where Danitto Simpson, 28, was arrested. Pittsburgh police say he was wanted on two warrants: one for a September 2023 homicide in Daytona Beach, and another for an aggravated assault on a pregnant woman. Simpson was living and working at Smoking Stars. Police say the Jamaican national was living in here on an expired Visa. Police say Duberry will face additional charges for the search at the store because a stolen gun and large quantities of marijuana and THC products were found. Both Simpson and Duberry are being held in the Allegheny County Jail. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A burned truck sits on lot in Fritch where a wildfire burned through. Areas behind the truck appear to be untouched. Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune FRITCH Many Panhandle residents whose dwellings and possessions burned in the regions ongoing wildfires may never financially recover for one simple reason: Their homes werent insured. A lot of the people who have lost a home had no insurance, Gov. Greg Abbott said at a Friday press conference. So there are a lot of people in great need right now. Texans pay some of the highest homeowners insurance premiums in the country. Increased risk of extreme weather events, at least partially driven by climate change, have driven up those costs. Growth in homeowners insurance rates here outpaced the rest of the nation last year, straining Texans ability to pay. In Texas, those without insurance are also more likely to be those who have a harder time recovering from disaster: lower-income households and rural residents. That means Texans without insurance face a steep if not impossible path to restore what financial well-being they had before a disaster strikes. Patricia Hester, a 76-year-old Fritch resident, is among several Panhandle residents whose home was destroyed by a wildfire that swept through her neighborhood on the towns south side last Tuesday. She dropped her homeowners insurance on her manufactured home about a decade ago because of rising costs. When youre on a limited income, something has to give, Hester said. You have to eat and be able to get gas in the car. So thats what I gave. Its common for families, particularly those that are low-income, in areas destroyed by the Panhandle fires to not have homeowners insurance, local officials and community leaders said. Many simply cant afford it and, because they own their homes outright, nothing requires them to carry it, they said. Julie Winters, the executive director for Hutchinson County United Way, said about 70 families in Fritch whose homes had been damaged or destroyed asked the organization for assistance on Friday. Most of them didnt have homeowners insurance, she said. This is a lower socioeconomic level of the community that got hit, Winters said. They probably cannot afford insurance. Texas homeowners who go without insurance tend to be lower-income, according to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data conducted by the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University. Homeowners in the states rural areas are more likely to not have insurance than their urban counterparts, the analysis found. Some 11% of homeowners in the states major metropolitan areas don't have homeowners insurance, whereas about 26% of homeowners in rural areas lack it. Further complicating matters: Several homes that burned down were manufactured homes, which homeowners can struggle to get insured. Thats because insurers consider them more risky investments since they are highly vulnerable to fires and other natural disasters, said Thomas Chandler, deputy director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University. And homeowners insurance is considered the most clear-cut avenue to seek financial restitution after a major disaster, experts told the Tribune. Going without it means homeowners would have to pay for repairs and rebuilding out-of-pocket or rely on assistance from the public and private sectors that may not come. Officials havent determined the full scope of the disaster as the fires continue to rage, though its believed hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed. The ultimate scale of the damage will determine whether displaced residents and others affected by the wildfires qualify for federal disaster aid under an emergency declaration. Abbott said Friday he is waiting on a full assessment of the damages before requesting a declaration from the federal government. Even if the assistance that can come with a federal disaster declaration arrives, it likely wont fully replace what many homeowners in the Panhandle lost, Chandler said. It's really more get back on your feet money designed to enable you to just get started again, Chandler said. Stacy McFall, a 52-year-old certified nursing assistant who lives in Fritch, said she tried to obtain insurance to cover her childhood home, which she moved into about 14 years ago. But the home didnt sit on a foundation, she said, so no insurer would write her a policy. Flames engulfed McFalls home Tuesday. She had just enough time to pack her three dogs and a stack of clothes into her car before she evacuated, she said. McFalls sister has taken her in for now, but McFall isnt sure yet how shell bounce back. I don't know what's going to happen, McFall said. You feel kind of numb. You don't know if you're going to find a home. Everything is burnt to a crisp and I have to start all over again with everything. McFalls son and daughter, who live in Dallas and Austin, respectively, have asked her to come live with them, she said, but she doesnt want to move. This is my home, McFall said. Disclosure: Texas A&M University 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. 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. Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article should have said Maricopa County's Human Services Department gave preliminary approval to use the county's leftover federal pandemic relief cash to help Scottsdale fund the housing project. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors did not vote on the funding deal with Scottsdale. Scottsdale is losing out on nearly $7 million and dozens of affordable housing units after Maricopa County leaders reneged on a tentative funding deal with the city. The move infuriated Scottsdale officials who say the county never explained its decision and "ghosted" city leaders when they reached out for information. The project was called The Residence at Paiute and would have been built either atop or alongside the Paiute Neighborhood Center. It would have included 28 low-cost apartments, which city staffers wanted to use in order to help the nearly 450 seniors who are on Scottsdale's affordable housing waitlist. Maricopa County's Human Services Department preliminarily approved using millions of the county's leftover federal pandemic relief cash to help Scottsdale fund the project, after which the City Council took a vote of its own to accept the funds. The only step left was for the county to finalize the deal, which city leaders said is usually a rubber stamp decision. But that never happened. Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin's district encompasses Scottsdale. Mayor David Ortega blamed him for the city losing $6.6 million worth of affordable housing funds, saying Galvin "did not represent the people of Scottsdale." The final vote was abruptly pulled from the Board of Supervisors' agenda last fall. County staffers told Scottsdale in January that they would not follow through on the grant and were instead sending the funds to communities in the West Valley, all but killing The Residence at Paiute. Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega said he received no explanation from the county even though he tried to reach out and address any concerns. He laid the blame on District 2 Supervisor Thomas Galvin, who represents most of the East Valley. There isnt a day when someone (doesnt) mention to me that housing affordability is a crisis," the mayor said. "Supervisor Galvin basically defunded this effort. He defunded the effort to provide housing that we were certainly due. "I became aware that the county was dragging their feet and we (contacted the county). We did not get any response from Supervisor Thomas Galvin," Ortega added. "Supervisor Galvin actually ghosted us ... He did not represent the people of Scottsdale." Ortega and Galvin have locked horns before. Last year, they publicly feuded over the city's refusal to continue providing water to an unincorporated community just north of Scottsdale called Rio Verde Foothills. Last year's county-city feud: A community without water: What to know about Rio Verde Foothills Galvin was one of the main players trying to force Scottsdale to turn the taps back on. Ortega, on the other hand, was the city's most outspoken opponent of such an agreement, citing concerns about conservation and the numerous warnings Scottsdale gave Rio Verde Foothills before the city stopped sharing its water. Scottsdale City Councilmember Barry Graham said lasting bad blood from the Rio Verde spat may have played into the county's decision to abandon the affordable housing deal," describing it as "part of a pattern of a strained relationship that we have with the county." Galvin told The Arizona Republic he "asked for the agenda item to be withdrawn after looking at the cost and receiving feedback from members of the Scottsdale community." Aside from that, he shared only a vague written statement about his decision to walk away from The Residence at Paiute. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is tasked with allocating (federal) funds and does so with a mindset of determining what provides the best value for County taxpayers. The Board invests in projects based on need and maximum impact for the community as a whole, Galvin's full statement read. Councilmember Graham was one of only two city officials who voted against accepting the county funds last year. He objected over concerns about non-Scottsdale residents being housed at the site and the city's lack of solid design plans for the building. But even he was critical of the county's withdrawal, saying, "You would expect this sort of (county) approval to be perfunctory. And so for them to divert it, it's just not a good way to govern." More project controversy in Scottsdale: Axon, Scottsdale attorney lock horns over city official's claim of intimidation by company Councilmember Solange Whitehead laid some of the blame for losing the county cash at the feet of Graham and Councilmember Kathy Littlefield, the other "no" vote when the funding deal came up at a City Council meeting last year. Whitehead suggested that their opposition may have given the county an excuse to give the grant to another Valley community. I think that not having a unanimous vote enabled the county to take our tax dollars and have no doubt about it, these were our tax dollars and send them to the West Valley," Whitehead said. "Now were guaranteed that Scottsdale residents will not be helped." Scottsdale's City Council unanimously voted to kill The Residence at Paiute project on Feb. 20 after Judy Doyle, the city's community services assistant executive director, announced the development was not viable without the county's cash. Whitehead described the situation as one that's robbing Scottsdale of cash it deserves and kneecapping city efforts to house the hundreds of elderly residents who are being priced out of the city's pricey housing market. "We know that the number one group that is falling into homelessness are our seniors," the councilmember said. "Im deeply disappointed that we lost this opportunity. Im deeply disappointed with the county Board of Supervisors for giving Scottsdale tax dollars to other cities and leaving our seniors high and dry." Reporter Sam Kmack covers Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler. Follow him on X @KmackSam or reach him at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: County cancels $7M housing grant for Scottsdale without explaining The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that restored former President Donald Trumps name to the Colorado ballot makes it all the more important for voters to express their opinions in presidential primaries, Massachusetts elections chief said Monday. Citing significant early voting numbers, Secretary William Galvin said his prognostication for a reasonably good turnout on Tuesday in the Massachusetts primaries could be enhanced a little more by the courts Monday morning ruling. More than 50,000 Bay Staters have already cast ballots in person, and more than 400,000 have voted by mail in advance of Super Tuesday. Galvin said he expects to see more than 600,000 Democratic primary ballots cast by Tuesdays end, and said GOP ballots will surely exceed 400,000 tomorrow. This mornings decision makes it all the more important that those voters who have opinions on the presidency take the opportunity to express them, because clearly what the court said today was that they will not do anything to decide the outcome of the presidential election. Theyve left it up to the voters and ultimately to Congress on the issue of the enforcement of the 14th Amendment, the Brighton Democrat told reporters. The state record for turnout in a Republican presidential primary was set in 2016, when 637,703 voters cast a GOP ballot. Party enrollment continues to dwindle, while the rising ranks of unenrolled or independent voters are able to choose on Election Day which ballot they want to pull, and Galvin said independents can really swing an election. Comparatively fewer party changes in this calendar year have included more than 13,000 Democrats going independent since Jan. 1, the secretary said. Those former Democrats would now be free to pull a Republican primary ballot. That could be a factor in tomorrows voting, Galvin said. He added, I had to assume eight years ago that when I saw Democrats going Republican that they were doing it for Trump, because he was the candidate with momentum eight years ago in the primary, and he was. I mean, clearly -- I guess the one common theme between 2016, 2020, and 2024 is Donald Trump. Its a factor. However you want to play it, or however you want to observe it. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Anderson found that enforcement against federal officeholders and candidates of Section 3 of the 14th Amendment -- known as the insurrection clause -- rests with Congress and not the States. The Reconstruction-era Constitutional amendment includes a prohibition on certain previous officeholders who have engaged in insurrection subsequently holding any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State. Citing that clause, challenges to Trumps ballot access have been launched in multiple states. In Massachusetts, a challenge was dismissed by the Ballot Law Commission whose decision was upheld by Supreme Judicial Court Justice Frank Gaziano in January. The U.S. Supreme Court wrote Monday, Conflicting state outcomes concerning the same candidate could result not just from differing views of the merits, but from variations in state law governing the proceedings that are necessary to make Section 3 disqualification determinations. Some States might allow a Section 3 challenge to succeed based on a preponderance of the evidence, while others might require a heightened showing. The result could be a patchwork of state enforcement, the ruling said, and [n]othing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos arriving at any time or different times, up to and perhaps beyond the Inauguration. Galvin opined that the high court deliberately reported its unanimous opinion before Super Tuesday, when 15 states decide their convention delegates. The secretarys traditional pre-primary press conference was already scheduled for Monday morning, around half an hour after the ruling began to hit national headlines. They did not take the bench to issue it, they issued before 10 oclock this morning -- so that all the voters who are voting tomorrow, and all the voters who are going to be voting over the next few months, know what the rules are, know what the impact of the 14th Amendment is, and know whos responsible to enforce it, which they say is the Congress, thats the majority, Galvin said. Galvin had already read the ruling by his 10:30 a.m. press conference and underscored that it was a unanimous decision of the nine justices. But he added that a difference in the concurring opinions was whether the court should have gone so far as to say only an act of Congress could enforce the 14th Amendment. And as the three concurring justices said, they didnt think that was necessary to go to that step at this point. And they in fact ... suggested the majority was insulating the court from further action on the issue of the insurrection clause even after the election, that it would leave it up to the Congress. ... It also says to the voters that if you really are that concerned about the insurrection clause, and they should perhaps be, its up to them, that you need to affect the election of members of Congress. Attorney Marc Salinas, whom the state Republican Party had hired to defend placing Trump on the Bay State primary ballot, said in a statement that the push to remove Trump from primary ballots was purely politically motivated. When you take politics out of the analysis this was the only correct result. Thats why we saw a unanimous decision from the Court, Salinas said Monday. This ruling is a victory for our democracy and the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the MassGOP said in an email blast. Citizens have the right to vote for whomever they feel most confident in representing them, and the Supreme Courts decision reaffirms this fundamental right. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. In a few communities, local matters will also be decided Tuesday. Republican John Marsi is unopposed in a Central Mass. special election to fill a vacant House seat that represents Dudley, Southbridge, and parts of Spencer and Charlton. And six towns are also holding concurrent municipal elections with separate ballots: Dover, Lexington, Plainfield, Reading, South Hadley, and Wellesley. Any voters still holding onto a mail-in primary ballot should not drop it in the mail, Galvin said. At this point, it should be dropped off in person in order to arrive before Tuesdays end and be counted. The opportunity is there for everyone to participate, he said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW KIGALI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has asked the African Union not to support troops from southern African countries deployed to fight armed groups in the restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), claiming the force will exacerbate the conflict. Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta said in a letter to Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat made public Monday that Rwanda learned "with great concern" about a scheduled meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, part of whose objectives are to endorse the deployment of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC), and assess possible support that the AU and other strategic partners could extend to the mission. Biruta accused the regional force of fighting alongside the DRC army and other coalition armed groups which include Rwandan rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). "SAMIDRC, as an offensive force in coalition with these elements, cannot substitute for a political process that has been blocked by the government of DRC. Therefore, the African Union is urged not to 'authorize' or fund SAMIDRC," the statement said. It said the SAMIDRC supports the DRC government's belligerent posture, focusing on a military solution against the spirit of all regional peace initiatives. Rwanda "wishes to bring to the attention of the African Union Commission that the intention to compel the African Union to support the SAMIDRC deployment can only exacerbate the conflict," the statement said. Last month, fresh fighting erupted between the Congolese army and March 23 Movement (M23) rebels around Goma and Sake in the DRC's eastern province of North Kivu. In January, the Congolese military announced the start of a joint offensive in the east of the country with troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional economic bloc, mainly targeting the M23 rebels. The 16-member SADC approved the mission to the eastern DR Congo in May last year. Police investigate the scene of a mass shooting in King City, Calif., on Sunday. (KION ) It took less than half a minute. A silver Kia pulled up to the frontyard of a King City home where a birthday party was underway. Then three men emerged from the car and sprayed bullets into the crowd. Eleven people were hit, and four of them died. "It couldn't have been 20 seconds and it was all over," said James Hunt, police chief of the Monterey County city. "It was senseless." Now, King City is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects who opened fire at the party. On Sunday, around 6 p.m., police officers responded to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 200 block of North 2nd Street. Eleven people sustained gunshot wounds, and four people three men and one woman later died, according to Hunt. The gunmen, who wore dark-colored clothing and masks, fled after shooting multiple rounds at partygoers. Seven adults were taken to hospitals in Monterey County. Two of them were in critical condition, and the others had non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Authorities identified those who were slain as King City residents Alicia Ramirez Aparicio, Francisco Aldape Perez and Olivo Perez Pina, all 32, and 42-year-old Mario Guzman Mendoza. The murders and shootings that occurred [Sunday] evening were a terrible tragedy for our entire community," King City Mayor Mike LeBarre said in a statement. "We are heartbroken and share our deepest sympathy with the family and friends of those who were killed by this ruthless act of violence." Read more: Two seriously injured after Tesla flies off freeway overpass in Los Feliz, bursts into flames King City, along the Salinas River, has about 14,000 residents, of whom about 85% are Latinos, according to census data. The city is about 130 miles south of San Francisco and 220 miles north of Los Angeles. The city "is a vegetable center shipping the finest produce grown in the nation," according to the King City website. Councilmember Carlos Victoria condemned the shooting in a Monday interview, saying such a mass killing was unprecedented in King City. "This is a small ... rural community," he said. "Most of our source of employment is agricultural. It's just not acceptable. It's not welcome in our town." Hunt described King City as a tight-knit agricultural community that had had some gang issues. Ten years ago, he said, there were a few shootings. "We still have shootings and we'll have a homicide here and there," he said, "but nothing on this scale." Hunt noted the $20,000 reward and said that the investigation was a large undertaking for the city's police. "For a big city it would be a difficult task at hand," he said, "but for a small police department, it's even harder." In a news release, the department thanked the Monterey County Sheriffs Department, California Highway Patrol and the Greenfield, Soledad, Seaside, Pacific Grove and Salinas police departments for their help with the investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact King City Police Sgt. Josh Partida at (831) 386-5988 or jpartida@kingcity.com, or call the WeTip line at (800) 782-7463. Times staff writer Summer Lin contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Voters head to the polls on Tuesday in Massachusetts to cast a ballot for their preferred presidential candidate. President Biden is expected to clinch the nomination in the state. Follow live results from DDHQ here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A woman accusing Mayor Adams of sexually assaulting her decades ago must file a formal complaint in court within 20 days outlining more details about her shocking claim, the Daily News has learned. The woman, whose name is being withheld by The News, filed a so-called notice of claim in Manhattan Supreme Court in November saying she intended to sue the mayor for $5 million over allegations that he subjected her to sexual assault, battery and employment discrimination while they both worked for the city Transit Police Department in 1993. Since that brief filing, the woman and her attorney have declined to provide more details about her accusations. Adams, meantime, has vehemently denied the accusations, and his attorneys said as recently as a few weeks ago that he had yet to be served with her claim, a formality required to kick off any court proceeding. However, on Tuesday afternoon, Sylvia Hinds-Radix, Adams corporation counsel who leads the city Law Department, filed papers in Manhattan Supreme Court demanding that the woman provide the complaint in this action within 20 days. The filing from Hinds-Radix indicates the initial claim has finally been served, as the Law Department otherwise wouldnt be able to demand a full complaint. Megan Goddard, the womans attorney, did not return a request for comment Tuesday, and neither did a spokesman for the mayor. A Law Department spokesman declined to comment. In addition to Adams, the woman named the NYPD and the Guardians Association as defendants in her initial claim. The Guardians is a Black police officers fraternal organization that the mayor used to head in the 1990s. Adams confirmed in November that he expected the Law Department to represent him in any case brought by the complainant. The woman filed her claim under the Adult Survivors Act, a state law that opened a one-year window in 2022 for victims of sexual misconduct to sue their assailants even if the statute of limitations on the claim had expired. Adams accuser filed her notice of claim on Nov. 22, 2023, one day before the one-year window closed. AI was used in the creation of this article. The article was reviewed, fact-checked and edited by a content review team. We might earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links. McClatchy newsrooms were not involved in the creation of this content. The decision between pursuing an MBA (Master of Business Administration) and obtaining a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license stands as a fundamental crossroads. This choice involves two distinct pathsone an academic degree and the other a professional designation. Both can be a part of improving your personal brand. So, when it comes to MBA vs CPA, which path aligns with your career vision? This guide cuts through the complexity, offering clear insights into both options. Below, Ill highlight the key differences, career paths, and benefits, helping you decide which aligns best with your career goals. Whether youre aiming for the boardroom or the accounting firm, making the right choice now can set the stage for a fulfilling and successful career. Key Takeaways Distinct Paths for Diverse Goals : An MBA equips individuals with broad business management skills for leadership roles across various industries, while a CPA offers specialized knowledge in accounting and finance, crucial for roles requiring financial expertise and trust. Investment and Commitment : Becoming an MBA graduate involves significant financial investment and opportunity costs, with programs varying in cost from $20,000 to over $100,000. CPA certification demands a rigorous commitment to education (150 credit hours), exam preparation, and work experience, with costs including exam fees and review courses. Career Opportunities : MBA graduates are sought after for roles in management, finance, technology, and entrepreneurship, offering a wide salary range and rapid growth potential. CPAs are valued in public accounting, corporate finance, and government, emphasizing technical skills and ethical standards. First-hand Insights: Finance professionals highlight the CPAs value in accounting and its technical accreditation as foundational for career advancement. An MBA is noted for its versatility and leadership development, with the combination of both credentials seen as a powerful asset for career growth. Understanding CPA vs MBA MBA Overview An MBA is a prestigious academic degree designed to equip students with a deep understanding of business leadership and management principles. An MBA program aims to prepare graduates for senior management roles in various sectors by enhancing their strategic thinking, decision-making capabilities, and understanding of corporate finance. MBA programs come in several formats to suit different career stages and learning preferences: Full-time MBA : Typically, it is a two-year program to provide an immersive business education experience. Part-time MBA : Designed for working professionals, offering flexibility to balance work and study. Executive MBA (EMBA): Tailored for mid-career executives seeking to advance their leadership skills without taking a break from their careers. Key areas of study within MBA programs include: Management : Principles of leading teams and managing resources efficiently. Finance : Understanding financial management, investment banking, and financial planning to make informed business decisions. Marketing : Strategies for market analysis, brand management, and customer engagement. Human Resources: Managing workforce dynamics, talent development, and organizational behavior. CPA Overview The CPA certification is a highly respected professional designation that signifies expertise in accounting, auditing, tax, and business law. The CPA certification aims to ensure that accounting professionals possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and ethical standards to protect the public interest. CPAs are recognized for their role in enhancing the reliability of financial statements, which is crucial for investors, regulators, and the overall functioning of the economy. Requirements for CPA certification include a combination of education, examination, and experience: Education : Candidates must hold a bachelors degree with a certain number of credit hours in accounting and business courses, typically 150 semester hours. Examination : The CPA exam focuses on three core areas of accounting and one specialized discipline, incorporating a blend of multiple-choice questions and task-based simulations. Some states also require the passing of an ethics exam. Experience: Most states require candidates to complete a specific amount of work experience under the supervision of a licensed Certified Public Accountant. This 1 to 2 years of experience is crucial for applying theoretical knowledge in practical settings. The core subjects covered by the CPA certification include: Accounting : Principles and practices of financial accounting and reporting, including preparing and analyzing financial statements. Auditing : Standards and procedures for conducting audits, including assessing financial statement accuracy and internal controls. Tax : Federal taxation principles, tax return preparation, and planning strategies for individuals, businesses, and estates. Business Law: Legal concepts relevant to accounting, including contracts, commercial transactions, and entity structure. Career Paths and Opportunities MBA graduates are highly valued for their broad business acumen and leadership capabilities, making them ideal candidates for specialized roles within various industries. Heres a more detailed look at the career paths and specific roles that MBA graduates often pursue: Investment Banker : Assists organizations in raising capital by underwriting or acting as the clients agent in the issuance of securities. Private Equity Analyst : Evaluates investment opportunities in private companies and works with portfolio companies to increase their value. Technology Consultant : Advises businesses on best using technology to meet their objectives, often involving implementing new systems or tech infrastructure. Business Operations Manager: In smaller companies or startups, this role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring the business runs efficiently. Career Opportunities with a CPA A CPA designation is renowned for its rigorous standards and comprehensive coverage of accounting, tax, and financial management principles. This certification equips professionals for a variety of specialized roles across different sectors. Take my career, for example. I no longer work in accounting but am an expert on how to help other accounting professionals become CPAs. Audit Manager : Leads audit engagements for a CPA firm to verify the accuracy of financial statements and ensure compliance with accounting standards. Tax Advisor: Provides expert advice on tax planning and compliance, helping individuals and businesses use tax accounting to minimize their tax liabilities while adhering to tax laws. Forensic Accountant : Investigates financial fraud and disputes by analyzing financial documents and transactions to uncover misconduct. Chief Financial Officer (CFO): As the top financial executive, responsible for strategic financial planning, risk management, and financial reporting. Costs, Time, and Commitment Many MBA programs require substantial money, time, and effort. Costs vary widely, with tuition ranging from $20,000 to over $100,000 based on the schools prestige, location, and program format. Time commitments range from 18 months to four years, with part-time and executive students needing to balance work and study. Additional expenses include: Application Fees : Costs for applying to multiple schools can range from $50 to $250 per application. GMAT/GRE Fees : Test preparation and fees are necessary for most programs, potentially adding significant costs. Books and Materials : Textbooks and other materials can significantly increase overall expenses. Living Expenses : Full-time students may face high costs for housing, food, and transportation, especially in costly urban areas. Health Insurance: This may be required for students without existing coverage. Pursuing an MBA involves considering both direct tuition costs and related expenses. CPA Costs and Commitment Achieving CPA certification demands both financial resources and a considerable dedication of time and effort. The main costs include exam fees, licensing, and continuing education, with additional expenses for the 150 credit hours required beyond a typical bachelors degree. This education can cost an average of $19,749 annually, covering tuition and related fees. Key expenses involve: CPA Exam Fees : Around $344.80 per section, totaling approximately $1,379.20 for all four parts, plus variable application and licensing fees between $50 and $200. Review Courses : Essential for exam preparation, these can range from $2,000 to $4,000. Time Commitment: Completing the CPA exam and fulfilling experience requirements can take several years, with a disciplined approach needed to manage study schedules and work experience, typically under a licensed CPAs supervision. MBA vs. CPA Salary Comparison In comparing the salary potential of MBA graduates and CPAs, its evident that both career paths offer lucrative opportunities, albeit with distinct trajectories and investment requirements. This was one of my main considerations when deciding whether to attend business school or focus on a CPA designation. MBA Graduates MBA programs, known for their broad business education and leadership training, pave the way for graduates to enter high-paying roles across various sectors. According to industry statistics, the average salary for MBA holders is around $97,000, with the potential for significant growth. Within three to five years post-graduation, salaries can increase to $151,000 and $172,000, demonstrating the MBAs strong return on investment in career advancement and earning potential. Certified Public Accountants Conversely, CPAs boast a wide salary range from $54,000 to over $200,000, reflecting the high demand for their specialized knowledge in accounting, tax, and financial management. The average CPA salary is approximately $109,000, marking a significant premium over non-certified accountants. This premium compensates for the rigorous process of obtaining a CPA license, which includes meeting the 150 credit hour educational requirement, passing the CPA exam, and gaining relevant work experience. The investment in becoming a CPA is substantial in terms of time and finances, especially considering the additional educational costs and the effort required to prepare for and pass the CPA exam. Insights from the Field: CPA vs. MBA or Both? The debate between pursuing a Certified Public Accountant certification, a Master of Business Administration degree, or both has elicited various opinions from Reddit users. Heres a synthesis of their insights, blending summaries with direct quotes to illuminate the discussion. CPA: The Cornerstone for Accountants Priority in Public Accounting : A Reddit user, GennyLight99, emphasizes the CPAs paramount importance, stating, The CPA is worth more, particularly if you are in public accounting. This sentiment underscores the CPAs critical role for those dedicated to a career within CPA firms, where an MBA might not significantly enhance ones standing. Technical Credential: The CPA is recognized as a technical accreditation essential for entry into the accounting profession. However, another commenter points out that it gets you entrance to the field but not necessarily the push to move to higher value functions. This highlights the CPAs role as a foundational step requiring further career progression development. MBA: Broadening Career Horizons Versatility and Leadership : In contrast, an MBA is valued in sectors where CPA certification is not a prerequisite. A Reddit user notes, MBA is cool where CPA is not needed, but if you have both, that will fast track you, highlighting the MBAs ability to open doors to management and executive roles. A Credential for Career Pivots: An MBA offers a valuable business credential for those not initially on an accounting trajectory. GennyLight99 suggests the MBA is more for someone who wasnt/isnt on an accounting track, pointing to its utility in expanding career options beyond accounting. Combining CPA and MBA for Maximum Impact Dual Credential Strategy: Balancing the pursuit of both CPA and MBA credentials can be challenging but rewarding. iSweetPea shares their experience of tackling both initially, only focusing on the CPA due to its perceived greater value and affordability. Yet, the combination of both credentials is powerful for aspiring leaders, with Kreed76 observing that some of the more successful people I know have a solid MBA and a CPA. Costs and Comparative Value Investment Considerations: An MBA programs financial and time commitments are substantial, with the CPA offering a more cost-effective route to professional enhancement. One Reddit commenter succinctly puts it: A CPA is more valuable than an MBA, especially when considering the resume impact and the relative cost of an MBA. Conclusion Choosing between an MBA and a CPA hinges on understanding their differences: an MBA, an academic degree, prepares you for broad leadership roles, while a CPA, a professional designation, equips you for specialized accounting and finance positions. Both require substantial time, financial investment, and dedication. Your career aspirations will dictate the best path, as each offers distinct benefits for professional growth. Deciding factors include the desired industry, role, and the type of expertise you aim to develop, guiding you towards a fulfilling career path. FAQs Can an MBA lead to a CPA certification? No, an MBA is an academic degree focusing on broad business management skills, while CPA certification requires specific accounting coursework, passing the CPA exam, and meeting experience requirements. However, an MBA with a concentration in accounting can help prepare for some of the CPA requirements. Is it better to pursue an MBA or CPA for career advancement? It depends on your career goals. An MBA offers many opportunities for those seeking leadership roles in various business sectors. A CPA is best for those focused on specialized accounting, auditing, and finance roles, often leading to positions like CFO or tax advisor. Can I do both an MBA and a CPA? Many professionals pursue an MBA and a CPA to maximize their career opportunities and earning potential. This combination is particularly powerful for roles at the intersection of business management and finance, offering a competitive edge in the job market. How do the salary prospects compare between MBA graduates and CPAs? MBA graduates start with an average base salary of around $97,000, with potential for significant growth, reaching between $151,951 and $172,469 within three to five years. CPAs have a broad salary range from $45,000 to $300,750, with a median salary of approximately $122,000. While CPAs may have a higher starting median salary, MBAs often see rapid salary growth in various industries, reflecting the value of their broad business skills and leadership capabilities. This is about life and death, but neither yours nor mine. Its about other lives, obituaries, funerals and no services at all. Like most newspaper types, particularly those of the older persuasion, I am an avid obituary reader. Thats where, if you are both interested and lucky, youll learn information about folks you either never knew but perhaps wanted to, or more about someone you did know but wanted to know better. Sometimes, you are privileged to read one of those long, quirky, funky, funny obits that makes you ask, Would you have told that? Those are my favorites. Mac Gordon The obituary page is where you find information and details on how the life was lived and any planned services. I hope you didnt search for information on the life and recent death of Judy Foster of McComb, my sister Nancys good friend and her former co-worker of many years in the Washington office of the late U.S. Rep. Jamie L. Whitten of Mississippi, the longest-serving U.S. congressman ever (1941-1995). There was nothing in the local paper about Judy no obituary and no memorial service. Judy wanted none of it and left explicit instructions with Nancy not to consider such. Thats the way Judy wanted things and Nancy complied with her wishes. Hopefully all interested parties understand. There may well be a memorial service at some point. Later-on services have become a new norm. Nancy and her late husband, Carl Lazenby, left Washington and moved to McComb in 1992. A few years later Judy arrived. A native of Texas, Judy had almost no living relatives by then. Judys only sister was deceased, thus Nancy was the closest person left. Nancy and Carl welcomed her with open arms to McComb, where Judy renovated an older home and became active in a church and other local matters including a project aiding sheltered animals. These are different times in the life-and-death business. There seems to be almost as many cremations without a following service as there are full funerals of the historic version. The gravedigging business must also be suffering. Cemeteries are not maintained to the standards of yesteryear. Go look, youll see. Newspapers formerly didnt charge to publish obituaries. Now, most do and will accept an obituary with payment somehow attached only from a funeral home. This limits many final death notices to only the bare details. Of course, funeral homes have websites with detailed obituaries. I cant say this about all U.S. metropolitan newspapers but at least two that I read regularly devote much space daily to the dearly departed, while employing different styles. The New York Times uses its own writers to pen final life stories of the well-known. The Atlanta Journal-Constitutions obituaries read like a family members account of the deceaseds life, at any length desired. I like both formats but the Atlanta obituaries are freer and contain more flair in describing a life. In one recent Atlanta obituary section, I read about three persons who were the life of the party and one immigrant, Gerda, from Germany whose father was killed in World War II. Gerda was 14 when she came to America not knowing one word of the English language. Eventually, Gerda became a biochemist. Allow me to tell you a little about our Judy. She grew up in Electra, Texas, and graduated from Texas Womans University. She was a public servant, working for three federal agencies. Judy lived a quality life, much of it in her adopted McComb. She loved people and animals. Judy was 78 and shes dearly missed by Nancy and many others. Mac Gordon, a native of McComb, is a retired newspaperman. He can be reached at macmarygordon@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: McComb MS citizen wanted no attention at her death, got none In a conversation allegedly intercepted by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), a Russian commander claimed that the Russian Sergey Kotov patrol ship, reportedly destroyed near occupied Crimea on March 5, had a helicopter on board. The military intelligence agency confirmed earlier today that the Project 22160 patrol ship was destroyed in the Kerch Strait after being hit by Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drones. The Russian Defense Ministry is yet to comment on the incident. Later the same day, the military intelligence agency published an intercepted call in which the alleged Russian commander of the 184th Water District Protection Brigade in Novorossiysk claimed that the vessel was attacked by five unmanned naval vehicles. "There was a helicopter (on board), a ship with weapons, AK-176 (naval gun)," the audio said. Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing unnamed sources, that a Russian Ka-29 transport and combat helicopter was destroyed along with the patrol ship. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk also said on national television that there might have been a helicopter on board, adding that the data on losses is being clarified. Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov said that "there are killed and wounded, but there is a possibility that some of the crew managed to evacuate." Russian forces were also planning to place an anti-aircraft missile system on the Sergey Kotov patrol vessel, according to Yusov. Sergey Kotov is one of a number of Russian ships reported to have been damaged by Ukrainian forces. On Feb. 14, the Russian Ropucha-class landing ship Caesar Kunikov was sunk in the Black Sea after being attacked by Ukrainian naval drones. Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including the sinking of the flagship cruiser Moskva in April 2022 and a devastating missile attack on the fleet's headquarters in occupied Crimea that reportedly killed more than 30 officers. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Medical leaders support a planned increase in the number of physician associates (PA) in the NHS. But the British Medical Association (BMA) is concerned about a new law allowing the General Medical Council (GMC) to regulate PAs, who must be supervised by a fully qualified doctor. The doctors' union says it blurs the lines between doctors and PAs and could risk patient safety. Two families whose relatives were seen by PAs want the roles defined. The NHS has 3,286 PAs, who assist healthcare teams and are not authorised to prescribe or request scans. PAs and anaesthetic associates (AA) qualify after a funded two-year master's degree. They often have a science undergraduate degree, but that is not a prerequisite. Their role includes taking medical histories, conducting physical examinations and developing treatment plans. Like PAs, AAs are healthcare professionals who work as part of a multidisciplinary team with supervision from a named senior doctor. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges said on Tuesday that it welcomes a push to increase the number of PAs in the NHS, but that it is "vital" that there are clear guidelines on how they are deployed. 'Breathless, light-headed and difficulty walking' Emily Chesterton, from Salford, died aged 30 after a blood clot was missed in two appointments with a PA she believed was a GP. She had called her GP practice complaining of pain in her calf, which had become hard. Then she saw a PA in person, who recommended paracetamol. But she got worse, Emily's mother Marion Chesterton told the BBC: "She was breathless, light-headed and she had difficulty walking. "In the second appointment, the PA diagnosed her with a calf sprain, long-Covid and anxiety." But the PA did not examine Emily's calves, and did not make it clear that she was not a doctor, Marion said. Emily had a blood clot in her left leg which led to her dying of a pulmonary embolism, which is when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery in the lung. The coroner's conclusion was that Emily "should have been immediately referred to a hospital emergency unit". If she had been seen, it is likely that she would have survived. Emily's GP surgery, The Vale Practice in London, told the BBC that it is "deeply saddened" by her death and now only provides appointments with GPs, nurses and pharmacists after a "thorough" review. It added that staff have been told to ensure that "a patient understands their role at the start of each appointment". Ben Peters' case was not one of misdiagnosis and all correct procedures were followed, but it did highlight that a patient under the care of a PA could be discharged without being seen in person by a doctor. Ben, from Cheadle, went to the emergency department at Manchester Royal Infirmary on 11 November 2022, with chest pain and shortness of breath, and also was severely vomiting. The 25-year-old was looked at by a PA, who ordered an ECG and all other appropriate tests, according to the Manchester Foundation Trust (MFT)'s letter to the coroner. They also said that the PA was being supervised by an experienced consultant physician in acute medicine. The PA took an X-ray of Ben's chest, which appeared normal, and he was discharged with a panic attack and gastric inflammation diagnosis after a discussion between the PA and the duty consultant, who also prescribed medication. The consultant did not see Ben in person. Ben's father Steve found him dead the following morning in their home. The inquest found that Ben suffered from a very rare condition called an acute aortic dissection, a tear of the body's main artery. Review into death Ben's family have now all been screened for the same condition from which he died. Steve was found to have a faulty aortic valve and enlarged aorta, which resulted in surgery in 2023. "Ben's chest pains were put down as anxiety so he was sent home with tablets to calm him down," Ben's mother Anna Peters told the BBC. MFT told the coroner on the case that an acute aortic dissection is an "extremely rare condition" and none of the investigations performed on Ben revealed it. The trust also said that Ben's case was reviewed by several emergency medicine, acute medicine and cardiology consultants, who agreed on the approach that was taken. There had been no misdiagnosis, it told the BBC, and had Ben been seen in person by a doctor, this would sadly have not made any difference to the outcome. The coroner's report of Ben's death said it was a "matter of concern" that despite his reported symptoms, age and "extensive" family history of cardiac problems, he was discharged without being examined in person by a doctor. But the report acknowledged that all appropriate procedures were followed and investigated, and that neither the hospital or the PA were responsible for Ben's death. 'PAs hard to tell apart from doctors' In response to a BBC Freedom of Information request, NHS England said that as of 30 September 2023 there were 3,286 PAs in primary and secondary care in England and 76 AAs in secondary care. The government says it wants to increase the number of PAs to 10,000 by 2036 to 2037 and the number of AAs to 2,000 over the same period. An NHS England spokesperson told the BBC that PAs "play an important role in supporting the NHS". Adam Skeen started working as a PA in 2021 before going to medical school. He is a BMA representative, but not speaking on behalf of them. He said his day-to-day tasks were "difficult for the untrained eye to distinguish from that of the team of doctors" with whom he worked. "Physician associates are not doctors and have not completed a medical degree. Patients deserve to be treated by those with more experience and training. "For patients, because these tasks look like those of a doctor, it may have been difficult for them to appreciate that I was not a doctor. This is worrying." Now as a medical student, Adam said his training is distinctly different. Some doctors argue that, when used correctly, PAs can be largely beneficial to healthcare settings. Prof David Strain, a consultant based in Exeter who chairs the BMA's board of science, said that PAs' basic training puts them in a good position to do rudimentary clinical examinations, which eases the load on wards. However, Prof Strain said that he is "incredibly worried about missed diagnoses" because of a lack of training. The Faculty of Physician Associates makes it clear that PAs "are not doctors" and "do not replace medical roles". What will regulation mean? On 26 February, the regulation, called the Anaesthesia Associates and Physician Associates Order 2024, was debated in the House of Lords. Both houses of Parliament have approved the new law, meaning regulation can be made into law. Once it begins, PAs and AAs will go on the register of the GMC, which will oversee their work. The GMC says this will mean that it can set conditions for PA and AA course providers to meet to ensure adequate training. Regulation will also mean they will have to go through a revalidation, which the GMC uses to make sure those on the register remain fit to practise. The GMC and Royal College of Physicians (RCP) make it clear that there needs to be additional education, a defined scope of practice and guidance for PAs and AAs, which they hope regulation will bring. Currently there is a curriculum for them, but no overseeing regulator. Donya Mighty has been working as a PA since 2018, while studying to become a doctor herself. She says the key benefit of the role is continuity of care for patients. Donya is in favour of the regulation but says her colleagues would "welcome further clarity on their scope for progression." Adam and Prof Strain echo this sentiment and say they support regulation, but not by the GMC, as it "blurs the lines between doctors and PAs". An anaesthetics trainee in the Midlands told the BBC he was concerned that an AA in his area was added to the registrars' list. "If you haven't been to medical school and studied the anatomy, how can you be giving informed advice?" the trainee added, calling the move "dangerous". 'Patients deserve to know who they're seeing' Ben's family is now trying to raise awareness of aortic dissections and underlying conditions by working with Cardiac Risk in the Young. The family told the BBC they want the distinction between doctors and PAs to be clearer for patients. Emily's family is also trying to raise awareness and believe "all patients should have the right to know who is treating them and have the choice to see a fully-qualified doctor". Marion, Emily's mum, said: "If I had my time over, I would have taken her straight to A&E. That is the biggest regret of my life. "My advice to anyone is always ask who you are seeing." FAIRHAVEN -- Olivia's, the highly anticipated new restaurant in Fairhaven Village, is set to open its doors in the spring of 2024 -- and leading the kitchen will be award-winning chef, Steven Hacker. "It's a hobby as well as a passion," said Hacker. "I've had the opportunity to do so much in the culinary world, and I'm always just so excited for it." Growing up in Bridgewater in a family that valued the importance of food and cooking, Hacker said his interest and passion for cooking was sparked by his father's garden, where he would experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Chef Steven Hacker prepares to serve at Olivia's in Fairhaven, opening in Spring 2024. "I learned from using what you had. And that really influenced my style as far as what I cook as kind of elevating things that are seen as trash, throw away or undesirable," he said. Working with Michelin Star and James Beard award-winning chefs From there, he worked his way up the culinary ladder, starting as a dishwasher in college and eventually becoming the Chef de Cuisine at the renowned JM Curley in Boston. More: The Baker to open new restaurant in Fairhaven. Here's what we know. But his hunger for new experiences and techniques led him to the West Coast, where he trained under Michelin Star and James Beard award-winning chefs, as well as restaurants such as a beachfront Izakaya in Venice and even cooking for celebrity Burning Man camps in the Nevada desert. He also worked in the remote Alaskan wilderness, where he lived for months at a time, cooking for king salmon fishing camps. There, Hacker said he learned the art of cooking over an open fire, as well as fishing and foraging for wild ingredients with the native Yup'ik tribe. But eventually, he found himself back in Attleboro in June 2020. "After my father passed away in May 2020, I just knew I needed to be with family," said Hacker. "I took a couple of years off from cooking, not knowing if it was still important to me after such a significant loss." More: Calling all filmmakers: New Bedford has a challenge for you on March 22-24. Hacker became a dog trainer opening Every Good Pup Dog Training. "It was great for a while. But after my dog passed away, I realized cooking was still my passion. So I decided to brave up and get back into the kitchen," he said. "I try to be grateful every day for what happens, good or bad, because I know it's for a good purpose." Returning to the kitchen after a break Hacker said when he heard about the opportunity to become the head chef at Olivia's, he knew it was the perfect fit. In fact, he moved to Fairhaven, eager to share his knowledge and passion for cooking with the community. Brandon Roderick, owner, reviews the list of fifty orders for the popular Friday chicken pot pie which sells out in minutes when availability goes live online at The Baker in downtown New Bedford. "I wanted to work somewhere that would allow me to express myself and use all my experiences in their fullness," Hacker said. "It's important for me to be honest with myself and with the customers, but I also understand the business side and what customers want. It's all about finding a balance." More: 'Don't Fall From Grace,' filmed at The Whalehouse last year, is done. Here's what we know Hacker also found a great partner in the restaurant's owner Brandon Roderick, who he said shares a similar background and family style. "We have similar ideas and passions, and I think our collaboration will bring some exciting changes to the menu," said Hacker. What Hacker plans to put on the menu Hacker's plan for the menu is to highlight coastal cuisine complemented with his unique, diverse culinary background. He said he plans to source local and sustainable seafood as well as meat that balances well with locally-grown produce. One culture that particularly caught Hacker's attention is Portuguese, which he has been eagerly learning more about. "I want to try and learn some Portuguese myself because I'm always seeking to expand my knowledge and skills," he said. Hacker's worldwide experiences can be seen in some of his planned dishes. For example, he infuses lemon leaves, something he learned in Los Angeles, into chicken for a flavorful twist on a traditional Chicken Vita dish. "I like taking familiar concepts and giving them a new spin," Hacker added. "It's important to keep things familiar yet different, which is what Olivia's is all about." The Baker's Brandon Roderick prepares to open Olivia's Restaurant in the form Elisabeth's in Fairhaven Village. He also has a tenderloin dish on the menu, which is inspired by his time in Alaska. Hacker also wants to offer something for everyone, which is why he plans on adding pizza to the menu in the future. "I want to offer options for those who want a more casual dining experience as well," he said of the Middle Street restaurant. "We want Olivia's to be a place where anyone can come and enjoy great food in a beautiful setting." And there will be plenty of dessert options There will also be plenty of desserts such as a flan cheesecake and a truffle as well as collaboration from The Baker. As the opening of Olivia's approaches, the excitement continues to build, Fairhaven Village is sure in for a treat with Hacker now partnered with Roderick. "This place is a perfect fit for me, it allows me to have the peace and quiet I need to focus on my work, while also providing a beautiful and tranquil environment to relax and recharge," Hacker added. "I'm thrilled to be a part of this community and to bring my creative dishes to the table at Olivia's." Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Olivia's to open this spring in Fairhaven, meet Chef Steven Hacker Kathleen Jennings: Delaware Attorney General Attorney General Kathy Jennings Kathy Jennings, a longtime prosecutor, runs the Delaware Department of Justice in her role as the statewide-elected attorney general. She is the top decision-maker and manager of an office that is responsible for putting people in prison, providing legal counsel and civil defense to a large contingent of state bureaucrats and employees and that also acts on behalf of Delawareans filing litigation against polluters and other interests. Her influence extends beyond the implementation of law and into the formation of law through the influential lobby efforts of her office in the Delaware General Assembly. Collins Seitz Jr.: Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice The influence of the Delaware Supreme Court bears upon everything from how local police can treat the homeless all the way up to how the nation's richest corporations compensate their leadership. Collins J. Seitz is the court's chief justice. The court is the primary outlet for criminal defendants to appeal their convictions and also has oversight of appeals from the Court of Chancery, the nation's foremost business court. Seitz's role also functions as the administrative head of the state's court system, setting operational procedures, signing off on budgets and serving as a primary face in the courts interaction with the state legislature. He's been a motivating force in a larger effort to diversify Delaware's overwhelmingly white legal community and spearheaded changes to the Delaware Bar. Kevin O'Connell: Delaware Office of Defense Services, chief defender Chief Defender Kevin O'Connell O'Connell leads the Delaware Office of Defense Services. The office represents adults and juveniles who are accused of crimes and can't afford an attorney. The office employs 75 full-time attorneys, as well as a staff of interpreters, investigators, social specialists and others. Under O'Connell's leadership the office has continued to grow its focus on wholistic representation of its clients, seeking to meet their needs in court, but also the needs that contributed to them becoming involved with the justice system. In addition to serving a vital purpose in the justice system, few voices have been louder than O'Connell's and those on ODS staff in pushing reforms to our broken criminal justice system. David Weiss: Delaware federal prosecutor, Hunter Biden prosecutor U.S. Attorney for the district of Delaware David Weiss. Weiss is the last U.S. Attorney appointed by former President Donald Trump to have not been replaced by President Joe Biden. His job is to manage the office that prosecutes federal crimes in Delaware: think deportation cases, a drug dealer here and there and one time, unsuccessfully, a handful of former bank executives. His true influence is centered on his long-running pursuit of charges against Biden's son, Hunter. Weiss is currently pursuing a firearms prosecution against Hunter Biden in Delaware and a far more involved tax case against the president's son in California. And the case and Weiss' oversight of it has been fodder for congressional Republicans seeking to cast Hunter's foibles as election-year problems for his father. Recently, Weiss' work has undercut that effort with his prosecution of a former FBI informant his office claims lied to federal investigators about allegations central to the Republican impeachment proceedings. Javonne Rich: ACLU of Delaware, policy and advocacy director Javonne Rich The ACLU of Delaware has been a primary voice in the state's General Assembly advocating for social justice reforms in recent years. Javonne Rich is the policy and advocacy director for the organization, leading a team of individuals spearheading change on topics including reproductive freedom, criminal law reform, immigrants rights, education equity, LGBTQ rights, free speech, privacy and voting rights. She also co-authored an investigative report on the state's probation system, which has served partially as a framework for proposed reforms being debated by the General Assembly. A licensed clinical social worker, Rich is also a past founding board member of Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence and currently serves as a member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights Delaware Advisory Committee. Robert Coupe: Delaware's legal marijuana czar Robert Coupe This is Delaware so of course the first top regulator for recreational marijuana sales has probably the most extensive cop resume in the state. Robert Coupe spent decades rising to the rank of colonel and office of superintendent in the Delaware State Police. He went on to be secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, a cabinet-level position that oversees the State Police and other law enforcement. He was also the commissioner of Delaware's Department of Correction and chief of staff for Attorney General Kathy Jennings, the state's top prosecutor. He was most recently working as chief of staff of the Delaware Department of Technology and Information when Gov. John Carney picked him to be the state's first marijuana czar. Last year, Delaware lawmakers approved the legalization of recreational marijuana and now Coupe will be responsible for setting up an oversight office to set regulations and issue licenses for the industry in Delaware scheduled to get off the ground in the coming year. Delaware Corporation Law Council Delaware State Bar Association Delaware is in a unique position as the nation's incorporation capital and so it essentially provides governing corporate law for companies operating across the country and globe. That means the people who set, modernize and tweak those laws have significant influence on how business is done everywhere. That responsibility largely rests with the Delaware State Bar Association's Corporation Law Section. The group is comprised of a collection of elite attorneys who each year propose changes to what is known as the Delaware General Corporation Law. The changes are often, but not always, passed with little debate from lawmakers in the Delaware General Assembly. Doneene Damon: Richards Layton & Finger and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership Doneene K. Damon When the popular Freakonomics podcast came to Delaware to do a somewhat unflattering take on the state's outsize influence on corporate law, Doneene K. Damon's role in the program was as cheerleader for what the broadcast critically referred to as the Delaware Way. She is the immediate past president of the prominent Richards Layton & Finger law firm and chair of the Corporate Trust and Agency Services Group. Her influence goes outside law as well as she was chair of the board of directors of Christiana Care, the state's largest healthcare provider as well as a board member of the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, a private organization that doles out state economic development grant money. Kathaleen St. J. McCormick: Delaware Court of Chancery, chancellor When it comes to officials in Delaware's legal community, nobody has seen their name in the national press in recent years as much as McCormick. She is the head of Delaware's Court of Chancery where the nation's biggest corporations go to litigate billion-dollar disputes. She has a supervisory role over different aspects of the court's operation, like which judicial officer presides over which case, and also presides over cases herself. She's seen the national spotlight in recent years from her rulings on the business of the world's richest man, Elon Musk. In 2022, she presided over litigation involving Musk's attempts to abort his purchase of social-media giant Twitter. Last month, Musk directed his online ire at the court after a ruling by McCormick struck-down his $55 billion compensation package at Tesla. Julianne Murray and Jane Brady, attorneys Julianne Murray Jane Brady When it comes to conservative influences in the legal community Julianne Murray and Jane Brady have taken an active role in both litigation as well as local politics. They argued two of the cases striking down recent legislative changes expanding mail-in voting, early voting and same-day voter registration, affecting how tens of thousands in Delaware are allowed to cast their ballots. Murray also has been involved in cases involving local environmental regulations as well as conservatives' attempts to intervene in the Hunter Biden cases. Murray was elected chair of the Delaware Republican Party late last year, succeeding Brady, who is also a previous Delaware Attorney General and Superior Court judge. Dan McBride: Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust, deputy attorney general Dan McBride. Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust, deputy attorney general Dan McBride recently took over leadership of the office of Civil Rights and Public Trust within the state's prosecutors office. The office is responsible for investigations and prosecutions of hate crimes, crimes by state officials , as well as investigating whether police uses of deadly force could be considered a violation under Delaware law. Delaware does not have an independent inspector general, the state's Public Integrity Commission doesn't have much policing authority and members of the state's General Assembly rarely raise questions about corruption. Additionally, Delaware's public records law affords police departments, and state government more generally, wide latitude to hide telling documents from the public. So McBride's office is an important one, and, as of now, the only one with real power to police the police. Prior to his current position, McBride was the unit head over the departments Violent Criminal Enterprise Unit and has held other prosecutorial leadership positions. His most prominent prosecutions include murder trials involving local gangs. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Here are Delawares most influential people in law in 2024 Former President Trump is set to tighten his lock on the GOP presidential nomination on Super Tuesday, with plausible expectations that he could sweep all 15 contests that are taking place. The main hope for his last remaining rival, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, would appear to be a victory in Virginia, buoyed by the moderate voters of the affluent suburbs abutting Washington, D.C. But Haley is already far behind in the delegate race that will ultimately determine the nomination. As of Monday afternoon, Trump had secured 244 delegates to Haleys 43. The North Dakota GOP caucuses, taking place Monday, have another 29 delegates at stake. Haley notched her first victory Sunday, when she carried the District of Columbia primary. That victory was history-making, as her campaign noted it made her the first woman ever to win a GOP presidential primary. But the D.C. win does not change the shape of the race, nor is it a harbinger of things to come. The Republican electorate in the District is highly unrepresentative of the grassroots of the party across the nation. That point was seized upon by the Trump campaign. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Haley had been crowned Queen of the Swamp by the lobbyists and DC insiders that want to protect the failed status quo. Haley has sharpened her attacks on Trump over the course of the primary. In the run-up to recent contests, she has contended Trump cannot win a general election, mocked him for his failure to serve his nation in uniform and suggested that he and President Biden are each too old to be president. Haley has also grown noncommittal on whether she would endorse Trump if he ultimately wins the nomination. Trumps combative rhetoric, hard-line positions on topics like immigration and capacity to channel the passions of his partys base appear to be a solid recipe for winning the nomination. Polling in the Super Tuesday contests 15 states are holding Republican primaries or caucuses has been predictably sparse after Trump romped home in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. All of those victories came by double digits. In Haleys home state of South Carolina, Trump won by 20 points. There has been some polling in California, which votes Tuesday and it puts Trump up by a colossal 55 points, according to the polling average maintained by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). There are a total of 865 delegates at stake for Republicans on Super Tuesday. Trump aides have been predicting for some time that it will be the end of the road for Haley. Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, two of the most senior people on the Trump campaign, were predicting as long ago as late January that Super Tuesday would be lights out for her. Haley has not given a clear statement of her intentions beyond Super Tuesday. She could stay in the contest to keep offering up an alternative version of conservatism, but the conventional wisdom holds that an exit is likely. One way or another, it is a remarkable political comeback for Trump following his defeat in the 2020 election when he lost the popular vote by around 7 million votes and his impeachment for instigating the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021. Back then, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) declared that there is no question none that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. Since then, Trump has come to dominate the party once again. Last week, McConnell announced he would step down as Senate Republican leader in November, a role he has held since 2007. Real doubts still hang over Trump, of course. At least some of the 91 criminal charges against him could come to trial before the election. Several polls have indicated that a criminal conviction would cause Trump real electoral damage. One such survey earlier this year, from Bloomberg and Morning Consult, found that 53 percent of voters across seven key swing states would refuse to vote for Trump if he were convicted. Haley is also largely right when she makes the argument on the stump that she would be a stronger candidate in a general election against Biden. A New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday found Haley defeating Biden by 9 points among registered voters in a hypothetical match-up. Haley appears to have greater appeal to the center ground, too. She was beating Biden by 9 points among independent voters, while Biden took a plurality of independents over Trump by a 4-point margin. But GOP voters are largely unmoved by that argument when the same polls show Trump with an advantage, albeit a smaller one, against the politically weakened president. The Times poll had Trump leading Biden by 4 points among registered voters. It also showed a startling 47 percent of voters who strongly disapprove of Bidens job performance and an additional 12 percent who somewhat disapprove. The same poll indicated 71 percent of the likely 2024 electorate believed Biden was just too old to be an effective president. Biden, at 81, is just 4 years older than Trump. But only 41 percent of the likely electorate believes Trump is too old. Trump aides are predicting a rout on Super Tuesday. There is every reason to predict they are correct. As a competitive contest, the GOP primary looks all but over. Now the nation braces for a 2020 rematch this November. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GABORONE, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Botswana will start its first-ever citrus harvest from its Selibe-Phikwe Citrus Project, located about 402 km east of the capital Gaborone, on March 21, and it seeks to explore international markets with the produce. This marks a significant leap in Botswana's drive to improve agricultural production, Johan Janse van Vuuren, the project's operations manager, told Xinhua in a telephone interview on Tuesday. "We are getting ready to start exporting our first-ever harvest in a week's time," said the manager, adding that the first harvest will feature lemons and will be followed by oranges, grapefruit, and naartjies in the subsequent seasons. According to him, 70 percent of the initial harvest will be exported to the international market, while the rest will be consumed domestically and in other African countries. Targeted international markets include China, the United States, Canada, Britain, the Middle East and Japan. Janse van Vuuren said the citrus project sits on 889 hectares of land, and is expected to reach optimum production of 700,000 tonnes per year by the 2026/2027 season. Botswanan Minister of Agriculture Fidelis Molao told Xinhua over the telephone that the project is expected to be one of the largest consolidated citrus developments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Molao said the remaining 30 percent to be sold locally has the potential to create the much-needed spin-off businesses, thereby boosting local production of goods traditionally imported from other countries. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) A tag team tackle by Kansas City Chiefs fans at a Chiefs victory rally was perhaps more important than any in the Super Bowl. On Monday, the two men were honored for their heroics. When a person believed to be a juvenile with a gun ran by after the shooting on Feb. 14 and then started back toward Union Station, Trey Filter was the first to leap into action. Once I did that, he broke my tackle, and Paul here, he dove on him, Filter described. He hit him and then he got loose, and I was right there like Trey said, when I took him down, we rolled, Paul Contreras chimed in. Kansas City family sending loved ones ashes to space Thats when they saw the gun up close. As much as we were keeping him down, he was fighting to get up, but we couldnt let him get back to his feet, Contreras said. Two adults have been charged with murder, while two juveniles are facing gun charges from the shooting that killed one and injured nearly two dozen others. Theyve yet to be charged as adults and their names have not been released. The tragedy that happened at that parade could have been a whole lot worse had it not been for your actions of you and Trey on that day, Jackson County Legislator DaRon McGee said during Mondays meeting. Filter, whos from Wichita, and Contreras, whos from the Omaha area, were honored at the Jackson County Legislature meeting. This County owes you a debt of gratitude for your heroic actions. You just stepped up and stepped in to protect people youve never met and dont even know, McGee said. There are guardian angels that show up sometimes when we need them and that is you two one hundred percent, Legislator Manny Abarca said, who co-sponsored the resolution. Each of the men said they didnt have time to think, but meeting for the first time Monday, they were grateful to one another. Trey, thank you for doing what you did at that moment, Contreras said. Im sure glad Paul was here to help, Filter responded. Facebook and Instagram back online after widely reported outage As for being called a hero, the men said they didnt do anything they wouldnt have expected anyone else to do in their place. Thats very humbling to be called that. Theres people I call when I need help. I think we could all be heroes at the right time we need to be, Filter said. We were there at the wrong time, but I guess it was the right time to do what we needed to do, and we did it, Contreras said. Sasha and John Krough and Mike Aciego were also honored Monday. Each came to the aid of Jenipher Cabrera, 20, when she was shot a couple blocks away as she and her family were heading to the rally that day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to improve sleep, memory and concentration Menopause is not a disease, but is being treated as such to make money for pharmaceutical companies, a Lancet paper has suggested. Researchers said a medicalised view of menopause meant that countries like the UK were treating it as a medical disorder or hormone deficiency that required treatment, when it was part of healthy ageing. They said commercial interests marketing menopause products and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) meant the small but serious risks of treatment were often downplayed or ignored. Experts from Kings College London and the Royal Womens Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, said too many health problems were being blamed on menopause without evidence to support it. They said menopause should not be seen as something to fear and was often too negatively depicted. While HRT had been shown to improve sleep, memory and concentration in women taking it for hot flushes, it was unlikely to have any effect in women without flushes, they said. In the papers, the authors argued there was a lack of data on whether health problems were caused by menopause or simply by ageing. For example, although bone density was known to decline after menopause, whether menopause at the average age increases other chronic conditions such as diabetes, dementia, or cardiovascular disease is uncertain, they said. Changing the narrative Series co-author Prof Martha Hickey, from the University of Melbourne and Royal Womens Hospital, told a briefing that menopause is not a disease. She 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. However, the reports quotes a review of evidence on menopause symptoms which found hot flushes and/or night sweats affect up to 80 per cent of women going through the menopause. At the age of 50, almost four in 10 described symptoms as moderate to severe. Dr Lydia Brown, from the University of Melbourne, said: Whilst its certainly the case that some women have extremely negative experiences of menopause and benefit from hormone therapies, that isnt the whole picture. The reality is much more complex and varied, with some women reporting neutral experiences and others highlighting good aspects, such as freedom from menstruation and menstrual pain. 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. Media messaging The authors suggested commercial interests, such as organisations which are marketing menopause products to consumers including pharmaceutical companies and private providers, have strongly influenced media messaging about menopause and menopause hormone therapy. They said other midlife experiences such as working, caring for children and looking after elderly parents could cause or worsen mood changes and sexual problems which were blamed on the menopause. If women want HRT, 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, the papers state. The team suggests medics should discuss the use of cognitive behavioural therapy to treat hot flushes and night sweats. Draft guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recently said the treatment could help reduce hot flushes, prompting criticism from those questioning a lack of evidence that it could tackle physical symptoms. Increased risk of disease Dr Louise Newson, a GP and menopause specialist running Newson Health, said: Menopause is more than a collection of symptoms; it is a cardiometabolic and inflammatory condition which leads to an increased risk of numerous diseases. Menopause has been medicalised for years including with antidepressants, antipsychotics, painkillers, sleeping tablets, anticholinergics to treat bladder symptoms, and heart medications to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and control palpitations. The first-line treatment for menopausal symptoms is body-identical HRT. Studies have shown that when women are given the right dose and type of hormones, their symptoms improve, and they have a lower risk of numerous long-term inflammatory diseases associated with menopause including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and depression as well as early death. She said: Talking about menopause as being a natural transition or part of healthy ageing ignores the very real suffering of many women with menopausal symptoms. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A new satellite can now track polluters from the sky making it easier to hold bad actors in the oil and gas industry responsible for dangerous leaks. MathaneSAT, a satellite designed to track methane emissions, was launched on a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket on Tuesday at 11am New Zealand time (10pm GMT on Monday). Methane, an invisible yet highly potent gas, is responsible for one-third of global heating. Yet it is colourless and odourless, making it difficult to track. Methane emissions have been overlooked and hard to detect for far too long, said Dr Kelly Levin, the chief of science at the Bezos Earth Fund, which helped to fund the project said. MethaneSAT changes the equation, putting science and data front and centre. From the sky, MethaneSat can see what others cant, helping good actors and holding bad actors accountable. It will orbit the planet 15 times per day, using infrared sensors to measure methane leaking from all of the worlds major oil and gas production centres. From the sky, MethaneSat can see what others cant, helping good actors and holding bad actors accountable (MethaneSAT) It is the first satellite in space designed by an environmental non-profit, the US based Environmental Defense Fund. It cost $88m to build and launch and was developed in partnership with the New Zealand Space Agency. The superpower of MethaneSAT lies in its advanced ability to precisely measure methane levels with high spatial resolution over wide areas. It will measure changes in methane concentrations as small as three parts per billion. It has a resolution of about 140 metres, compared with the European Space Agencys Sentinel 5P which has resolution of about six kilometres (3.7 miles). This means it can detect emissions from small, dispersed sources that were previously invisible to other satellites. It will also identify larger emission sources that might have been overlooked with its wide-camera view, which is designed to survey large areas, such as entire states, countries, or major oil and gas basins. 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, founder of Bloomberg LP and UN secretary-generals special envoy on climate ambition. 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. Steven Hamburg, EDF Chief Scientist and MethaneSAT project leader, said: 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 Knowing how much methane is coming from where and how the rates are changing is essential. Google, which is also part of the team of creators of MethaneSAT, will use AI algorithms, informed by satellite imagery, to construct maps of oil and gas infrastructure around the world, which are the biggest sources of the potent gas. Sample MethaneSAT data shows area of methane leak on Google Earth (MethaneSAT/Google Earth Engine) With the help of these maps, people can see exactly where methane plumes are coming from. This means that researchers, regulators, environmental defenders and the general public can now track real-time information and hold oil and gas companies responsible for their emissions. Methane emissions are the second biggest problem for the world after carbon pollution and Reacting to the launch, the Oil industry group 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 policy. Mark Brownstein, senior vice president for energy transition at EDF, said he hopes oil companies will use this data in a constructive way. 2024 marks the start of a new era of radical transparency in greenhouse gas measurement, he said. Well be able to see who the laggards are, but hopefully, they will use that information in a constructive way to improve their performance. All over the world, there are inreasing efforts being made to reduce methane emissions. In the United States, the Biden Administration has proposed new rules to charge fees for excessive methane emissions, making accurate reporting essential. In Europe, theres legislation in place that paves the way for requiring practical emissions data from gas importers. Recently, in Kazakhstan, an oil company was fined for one of the largest leaks of methane ever recorded, which experts said was a big step. These efforts align with global initiatives, such as the Global Methane Pledge, where over 150 countries have committed to cutting methane emissions by at least 30 per cent from by 2030. During the Cop28 climate summit last year, more than 50 companies also pledged to eliminate methane emissions. 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 decarbonise our energy systems, said EDF President Fred Krupp. A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to state prison for dealing large-volumes of fentanyl across the Granite State, Attorney General John Formella said Tuesday. Jose Mitchell Marquez, 36, of Methuen, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 15 years to life in the New Hampshire State Prison. A judge handed down his sentence in the Belknap County Superior Court. Marquez was sentenced for violations of the New Hampshire Controlled Drug Act, including transporting, or possessing more than five grams of fentanyl with the intent to sell, despite having a previous felony drug trafficking conviction, Formella said in a statement. Violations also included four counts of knowingly selling more than five grams of fentanyl, despite having a previous felony drug trafficking conviction. The sentence came after Marquez was arrested on May 25, 2023, following an investigation by the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Drug Task Force in March of 2023. Authorities seized 812.17 grams of fentanyl, Formella said. Marquez was responsible for distributing numerous kilograms of fentanyl throughout New Hampshire over a two-year period, Formella said. I want to thank the members of the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Drug Task Force, the Belknap County Attorneys Office, and our law enforcement partners in this case for their tireless efforts investigating and prosecuting Mr. Marquez, Formella said. Fentanyl is devastating too many families, Formella said. This case is just one example of how law enforcement agencies in our state work together to target and remove this deadly drug from our communities. Our Drug Task Force remains committed to dismantling drug trafficking networks by targeting dealers and preventing the flow of deadly drugs throughout the Granite State. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a persons body size, tolerance and past usage, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. From the amount seized from Mr. Marquez, 812,170 milligrams of potentially lethal fentanyl were taken out of circulation in the state of New Hampshire, Formella said in his statement. New Hampshire State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tilton Police Department, and the Franklin Police Department, and the Belknap County Attorneys Office assisted in the investigation, Formella said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LEA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) Four New Mexico law enforcement officers are facing criminal charges after they were accused of circulating an explicit video of a coworker. Three of those named in the complaint are Lea County deputies, Sgt. Sonia Estrada, Deputy Diana Jurado-Garcia and Deputy Aileen Vizcarra. Jal Police Department Officer Alyssa Porras was also charged. 21-year-old from Santa Fe pleads guilty to drug trafficking and gun charge According to court documents, the four got a hold of a nude video of the victim who was also a Lea County deputy. Investigators say they used a TracFone wireless phone to send the video to the wife of another deputy claiming that the victim and that deputy were having an affair. The video was also sent to the victims husband, chief deputies in the department, and the sheriff himself The four are facing the misdemeanor charge of unauthorized distribution of sensitive images. News 13 reached out to the sheriffs office to learn the employment status of those deputies. We have not heard back. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Protections were upheld for a rare bird species known to dwell throughout New Mexico, despite lawsuit from the New Mexico agriculture industry in 2021 that was struck down Thursday. The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association sought to strip the southwestern willow flycatcher of its endangered species status, the highest level of federal protections to prevent extinction, by suing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Interior Department in December 2021. The case was considered in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which ruled against the association Feb. 28 and upheld the status the bird first received in 1995. More: No jaguars in New Mexico as feds deny request to recover species in Gila National Forest In the ruling signed by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, she wrote that the southwestern willow flycatcher was a recognized subspecies since 1948 and the Association only petitioned for its listing after outlier data was presented to suggest otherwise in 2015. The Service then undertook a 12-month review of the species status, Reyes wrote, assessing available science and concluding that the species should maintain its status. The Service did not discard the petition as strictly for the birds. It instead found that it presented substantial information that delisting may be warranted, Reyes wrote. The Service counters that it considered the best available science, found that the flycatcher satisfied methods taxonomists use to identify subspecies, and explained its reasoning. More: Silverspot butterfly in northern New Mexico is 'threatened' amid climate change threats The southwestern willow flycatcher migrates annually from Latin America to the American Southwest, with its estimated range including every New Mexico county, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and several in Arizona, Texas, Colorado and Utah. The endangered southwestern willow flycatcher is pictured. It's listing sparked a legal battle between a New Mexico ranching group and a national environmental organization. It grows to about 6 inches in length, with a brownish-olive gray or gray-green body, read a report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bird is known for its vocalizations, described as a sharply-whistled whit or dry sprit sound. The southwestern willow flycatcher requires dense riparian habitats along rivers for nesting and eats mostly flying insects. Human water developments that alter river flows threatened the species ability to survive, read the report, along with increased fires and other impacts of climate change. More: Here's the latest on local efforts to restore Carlsbad's endangered species Ranchers argue against endangered species listing The Cattle Growers Association first petitioned the federal agencies to delist the flycatcher 20 years later in 2015 but was denied despite arguing new data showed the flycatcher to not be a distinct subspecies of the more common willow flycatcher and therefore did not warrant listing. The 2021 lawsuit maintained that the denial was illegal and that the agency made no adequate definition of subspecies to warrant the listing. The listing was overly burdensome, the Association argued, and provided no actual benefit to conservation. (Endangered species listings) increase the costs of federal permitting, reduce the market value of affected lands, and expose landowners to potentially ruinous civil and even criminal penalties, read the lawsuit. It is therefore crucially important that federal decisionmakers are guided by sound data-driven science and objective, publicly disclosed standards. More: Biden vetoes Congress' effort to repeal lesser prairie chicken protection in New Mexico Meg Townsend, attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, which intervened in the case to provide its own testimony, said in response to the verdict that the Pacific Legal Foundation which represented the Cattle Growers Association had for years made baseless arguments to delist species like the flycatcher. Im so happy the beautiful, little Southwestern willow flycatchers will remain protected, Townsend said. Pacific Legal Foundation has been making the same baseless arguments for years to callously deprive imperiled wildlife like the flycatcher the protections they need to survive. What a relief the court didnt buy it. In a statement announcing the initial lawsuit, the Pacific Legal Foundation pointed to Catron County rancher Hugh McKeen who the law firm contended was unfairly impacted by the southwestern willow flycatchers listing. More: Gray wolves are being released in Colorado. How will that affect lobos and ranchers in NM? Like all ranching families in the region, Mr. McKeen must contend with drought, wildfire, and the many other realities of raising cattle in the harsh conditions of the arid West, read the statement. Unfortunately, these hard-working ranchers must also contend with unlawful federal regulations that conjure new species and subspecies from thin air, declare them endangered, and establish draconian rules to protect them. The Maricopa Audubon Society also intervened in the case, and the groups Conservation Chair Charles Babbitt said the ranchers who opposed the birds protection had operations that were inherently destructive to wildlife. That protection is problematic for ranchers whose unsustainable business model requires that their cows continue to destroy the countrys few surviving desert riparian areas, Babbitt said. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Southwestern willow flycatcher still protected amid New Mexico lawsuit Sources have said that Michelle Obama will be less involved in the Biden campaign than her husband Barack - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images 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. But on Tuesday Mrs Obamas office said she would 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. She told NBC News: Mrs Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harriss re-election campaign. Its going to be a new puppet Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican candidate, previously argued the Democrats would not let the 81-year-old Mr Biden run and on 20 occasions suggested Mrs Obama could make a presidential bid. Its going to be a new puppet Gavin Newsom, Michelle Obama, you name it, Mr Ramaswamy said. Other Right-wing politicians to have promoted the idea include Marjorie Taylor-Greene and Senator Ted Cruz. Democrats worried about Mr Biden have also raised the proposition. When special counsel Robert Hur released a report which called Mr Biden an elderly man with a poor memory, Mrs Obamas name began trending on X, formerly Twitter. She was also the top choice among Democrats to replace Mr Biden on the 2024 ticket, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released last month. But the 60-year-old has for years said there is zero chance she would run for president. There are so many ways to improve this country and build a better world, and I keep doing plenty of them, from working with young people to helping families lead healthier lives, she said in 2019. But sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office will never be one of them. Its just not for me, she said. It is not in my soul In a Netflix special released last year, she said politics is hard... and the people who get into it Its got to be in your soul, because it is so important. It is not in my soul. In a 2022 BBC interview, she also said she detests questions about running for president. Sources told NBC News Mrs Obama plans to help the Biden campaign as the race hots up this autumn, in a similar manner to 2020. Her involvement is likely to be minor in comparison to her husband, Barack Obama. Kevin Munoz, the Biden campaign spokesman, said Mrs Obama was enormously helpful in the fight to beat Donald Trump in 2020. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Michelle Obama is making it crystal clear shes not eyeing a return to the White House with a surprise presidential bid, according to her office. As former first Lady Michelle Obama has expressed several times over the years, she will not be running for president, Crystal Carson, the director of communications for Obamas office, said in a statement provided to ITK on Tuesday. Obama supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris re-election campaign, Carson said. The statement rejecting any chance of Obama attempting a return to the White House as president, first reported by NBC News, comes after Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, publicly floated the evidence-free idea that the former first lady could replace Biden on the ballot in November. Biden has faced low polling numbers and concerns among some voters about his age. Obama who earlier this year said she was terrified about what could possibly happen in the November election was the top choice among Democrats to replace Biden on the 2024 ticket, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released last month. Commentators have also touted Obama as the best chance for Democrats to retain the White House in a potential matchup against former President Trump. But the 60-year-old ex-executive mansion resident has repeatedly squashed speculation that she could seek to occupy the Oval Office. In 2019, Obama said there was zero chance she would run for president. There are so many ways to improve this country and build a better world, and I keep doing plenty of them, from working with young people to helping families lead healthier lives, Obama, who founded the voter registration and engagement organization When We All Vote in 2018, said at the time. But sitting behind the desk in the Oval Office will never be one of them. Its just not for me, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. People caring for elderly or disabled relatives need a break and, in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has a proposal to give them one. Whitmers recently proposed US$5,000 tax credit, the Caring for MI Family Tax Credit, is part of a growing trend of public subsidies for families shouldering the responsibilities of caring for family members. Americans strongly endorse the idea that families, not the government or other organizations, are responsible for providing care for family members. They especially endorse adult children providing care for their aging parents. That may help explain why family members are the main and sometimes only caregivers for older adults and others with long-term care needs in the United States. We are researchers who study families and caregiving. Our recent study finds that when given a choice between family, government or other care providers, many Americans think family should provide care but the government should pay for it. Caregiving costs can be substantial. On average, a caregiver in Michigan can expect to spend over $7,000 out of pocket per year. One study estimates the cost of care for a person with dementia are even higher, ranging from $3,000 to $17,000, depending on the severity of the disease. Another estimate that accounts for the total impact of caregiving, including costs such as lost wages and the impact on caregivers health, puts the personal expense of caring for a loved one at roughly $90,000 a year. Despite this steep price, few federal governmental programs address caregivers financial burdens. In response, states have begun to pass their own policies, like paid leave in states such as California, Washington and Massachusetts, and, increasingly, tax credit policies like Whitmers proposal in Michigan. Helping to offset, reduce costs Currently, six states Montana, North Dakota, Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina and New Jersey offer a tax credit to offset the costs of caregiving. The credit can be used to cover home modifications such as ramps or bathroom grab bars, assistive devices such as a cane or walker, or to pay a professional care worker. Whitmers proposal is generous compared with other states. For example, Georgias caregiving tax credit reimburses up to 10% of costs, with a cap of $150. A needed break The proposed Michigan tax credit would support counseling, transportation and nursing or respite services that pay a caregiver to come help so the family caregiver can have a break. These types of services delay transitions into nursing homes, which helps keep costs down for Medicaid and individual monthly out-of-pocket spending. Respite care use has become more common over the past two decades, especially among families providing care for older adults with dementia. However, many caregivers are unable to access these services. One barrier is the cost, which averages $29 per hour. Public support for caregivers increasing Recent polls show that a majority of Americans want Medicare, the federal program that provides health care to people over 65, to help cover the cost of long-term care. In terms of what supports should be made available to caregivers, tax credits receive the greatest public support relative to other programs, such as unpaid time off. A recent AARP study of registered voters ages 50 and older found 8 in 10 people support a $5,000 annual caregiver tax credit. Another study of voters of all ages found similar support for expanding the earned income tax credit to include family caregivers. Evidence suggests that tax credits implemented in Arizona and Idaho in a three-year test of the program in the early 1980s had the desired effect more care by family members and a reduced use of formal care. Paid leave in California is also associated with a reduction in nursing home usage. The benefit of the Caring for MI Family Tax Credit will depend in large part on the details and design of the policy. A refundable tax credit will provide greatest benefit to low-income households. A similar federal bill, the Credit for Caring Act, has been introduced in Congress. If passed, the legislation would provide a federal tax credit for working family caregivers to cover 30% of expenses incurred above $2,000. And other states such as California are also considering introducing tax credits to help offset the cost of caregiving. The population of Americans over 65 is increasing, meaning more people will need caregiving in the near future. The introduction of these bills reflects Americans growing support for new solutions to defray the costs associated with providing care to a loved one. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sarah E. Patterson, University of Michigan and Adriana Reyes, Cornell University Read more: Sarah E. Patterson receives funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). She volunteers with the Alzheimer's Association in Michigan. Ariana Reyes receives funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Two Michigan men say their cousin's abusive ex-husband approached them in a Lake Orion gym before they sent him packing with questions about what happened to his missing girlfriend, who was last seen almost exactly three years ago. Ryan Bane approached them in a Planet Fitness gym in February, they said, prompting them to tpull out their phones as they asked him about the disappearance of Sarm Heslop, who vanished off his catamaran in 2021. They are the cousins of Corie Stevenson, Bane's ex-wife who previously shared her story of physical abuse at his hands. MISSING WOMAN IN VIRGIN ISLANDS HAD AMERICAN BOYFRIEND QUICK TO ANGER: EX-WIFE The men said Bane approached one of them before they began taking pictures of him and asked if he'd "killed anyone lately" a reference to Heslop's unsolved disappearance, who was last seen leaving a bar with him three years ago this week. They said Bane then left without further comment. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP MICHIGAN MAN'S 911 CALL REPORTING GIRLFRIEND MISSING IN US VIRGIN ISLANDS NEVER RECORDED: FAMILY Attempts to reach Bane were unsuccessful. He has not been charged with a crime in connection to Heslop's disappearance, and his attorney previously denied any involvement on his client's behalf. A series of pictures show him in blue shorts and a sleeveless black shirt, carrying a mug and wearing earbuds. He also appeared to have gotten in shape since Heslop vanished. AMERICAN SWIMMING CHAMP FOUND DEAD IN US VIRGIN ISLANDS, INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY After Heslop disappeared in 2021, Stevenson told Fox News Digital that Bane had a short temper and was so volatile she couldn't leave him home alone with her daughter. However, she said, he was only violent with her once. She divorced him following a domestic violence arrest in 2011, when she said he kicked her while she was driving home from a wedding, dragged her out of the car in their driveway, knocked out one of her teeth and squeezed her throat before he got up and went to bed. Bane pleaded guilty to domestic violence and served 21 days in jail, according to The Sun, which cited court documents. Bane reported Heslop missing on March 8, 2021. At the time, the British national was working as a cook on his charter yacht based in the U.S. Virgin Islands and had previously been a flight attendant. The couple went to dinner in St. John on March 7 and left around 10 p.m. Police have not publicly confirmed whether they believe she made it back to his yacht that evening. US VIRGIN ISLANDS MISSING SARM HESLOP: NOT NORMAL FOR POLICE NOT TO SEARCH BOYFRIEND'S YACHT, EXPERT SAYS The booking photo from Bane's 2011 domestic violence arrest. Bane called 911 around 2:30 a.m. on March 8 to report that she wasnt on board. Virgin Islands police told him to contact the Coast Guard but he reportedly did not do so for roughly 10 hours. Then he allegedly refused to allow responding sailors to search the cabin of his vessel. Sarm Heslop was last seen in March 2021 after going out to dinner with her American boyfriend, Ryan Bane, a Michigan native whose yacht she was living on at the time. Bane has not been charged with a crime in connection with Heslop's disappearance. However, her family continues to demand answers in the case and has received support from a former London homicide squad commander, David Johnston, former commander of Homicide and Serious Crime for the Metropolitan Police. Her family this week is publicly acknowledging the likelihood that she is no longer alive, their supporters said in a statement Monday morning. US VIRGIN ISLANDS MISSING WOMAN SARM HESLOP'S FRIENDS OFFER REWARD MONEY FOR HER WHEREABOUTS Sarm Heslop steers a sailboat in a July 2020 photo posted to her Instagram account. "What we dont know is how, if her death did occur on that boat, we dont know how it befell her," Johnston told Fox News Digital. "Whether through an accident or an argument or a completely violent act." Bane's attorney, David Cattie, previously told Fox News Digital that his client would return to the Virgin Islands if his presence was "legally required." "Mr. Bane had nothing to do with Sarms disappearance and remains heartbroken that she is missing," he said. Police called Bane a "person of interest" in the case but did not obtain a search warrant for his yacht, which is believed to have since changed ownership. Anyone with information on Heslops whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Virgin Islands Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Police did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Original article source: Michigan men confront cousin's abusive ex-husband at gym, demand answers about his missing girlfriend Li Song (Front, R), China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks during the March meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Austria, on March 4, 2024. Li on Monday reiterated China's firm opposition to Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean, calling for strengthening international supervision over the water release. (Chinese Permanent Mission to UN and other International Organizations in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua) VIENNA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday reiterated China's firm opposition to Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean, calling for strengthening international supervision over the water release. In disregard of the opposition from neighboring countries and concerns of the international community, Japan has so far arbitrarily discharged over 23,000 tonnes of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean, and started the fourth round of wastewater release last week, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a meeting of the agency's board of governors. Calling Japan's wastewater discharge an unprecedented move that imposes the risk of nuclear contamination on the world, Li said its unprecedented spillover influence extends far beyond Japan's territory and jurisdiction, and thus it is by no means the country's private matter. Japan's wastewater release has severely impacted the international nuclear safety system, and by using the IAEA to endorse its discharge plan, Japan has seriously undermined the agency's credibility, Li said. Li noted that China has firmly opposed Japan's wastewater discharge and urged Japan to stop the release. In response to Japan's pushing ahead with the wastewater release, China took the lead in calling for strict and effective international supervision over Japan, for the benefit of the marine environment and human health, Li said, adding that it is the firm position and continuous efforts by China and other stakeholders that have driven the IAEA Secretariat to make international monitoring arrangements for Japan's nuclear-contaminated wastewater discharge. Li said China also supports and actively participates in the IAEA Secretariat's monitoring work in Fukushima and maintains communication with Japan. China's stance and support are important contributions to the international supervision of the discharge, he said. The substantive participation of China and other stakeholders provides an important guarantee for the international monitoring arrangements to achieve strict, independent and effective supervision, he added. The Chinese envoy said that China, in a scientific and responsible manner, has raised doubts about Japan's wastewater discharge, such as the plan's legitimacy, safety, potential hazards including bio-concentration, the long-term reliability of Japan's wastewater purification equipment, the accuracy of wastewater data and the effectiveness of the current monitoring arrangements. However, the long-standing dishonesty, chaotic management and weak supervision of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the Fukushima plant's operator, have undermined the credibility of Japan's claim of the so-called "safe and reliable" wastewater discharge, Li said. He added that recent developments, including safety concerns arising from the earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula and the massive leakage of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima plant's purification equipment, have confirmed the concerns of China and the international community and demonstrated the necessity of strengthening international supervision and monitoring. Li emphasized that wastewater discharge is not only a scientific issue but also a matter of attitude. China urges Japan to take seriously the concerns from home and abroad and fully cooperate in establishing long-term, independent and effective international monitoring arrangements that involve the active participation of its neighbors and other stakeholders, Li said, calling on Japan to properly dispose of the Fukushima wastewater and prevent the harm to global marine environment and human health. He said China stands ready to improve communication and cooperation with all parties, support and actively participate in the monitoring of Japan's discharge and continuously strengthen relevant international supervision, so as to restore clean and safe oceans for people around the world. Nearly a decade after holding its first Microsoft Ignite event in Chicago and then abruptly pulling up stakes for other cities the software giants annual information technology conference is coming back to McCormick Place in November. Microsofts return engagement, announced Monday, is expected to bring thousands of IT professionals to McCormick Place and $44 million in economic impact to the city during the five-day event, a late-season windfall for Chicagos tech and tourism industries. Microsofts choice to host Ignite 2024 in Chicago reaffirms this citys standing as a hub for innovation, technological advancement, and major corporate events, Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release. Launched in May 2015, the inaugural Ignite conference drew 20,000 attendees to McCormick Place, generating nearly 90,000 hotel room nights and high hopes for a recurring annual event. But five months later, Microsoft announced it was canceling its scheduled 2016 Chicago return, moving Ignite to Atlanta and pushing it back to the fall. At the time, it was a significant blow for Chicago, with a Microsoft corporate partner notifying more than 50 participating hotels to cancel reservations. Officials estimated the loss of the 2016 Ignite conference cost the city $56 million in economic impact. For nine years, Microsoft Ignite took place far from its Chicago origins. After one year in Atlanta, Ignite was held in Orlando for three years, then canceled a planned move to New Orleans in 2020 when the pandemic hit, going exclusively digital until 2021. For the past two years, Microsoft has hosted the in-person conference in its home city of Seattle. The return of Microsoft Ignite to Chicago is scheduled for Nov. 18 to 22, with the event centered on the burgeoning applications of artificial intelligence. This years focus is to empower our customers and partners through AI transformation, Takeshi Numoto, Microsofts chief marketing officer, said in the release. Microsoft did not respond to an additional request for comment Monday on its decision to return to Chicago, or future plans for the conference. The late-season addition of Microsoft Ignite bolsters the continued recovery of Chicagos tourism industry, which was hard-hit by event cancellations during the pandemic. In 2019, McCormick Place held 129 convention center events generating $1.94 billion in economic impact, according to Cynthia McCafferty, a McCormick Place spokesperson. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the convention center shut down and was briefly converted to an alternate medical care facility to handle overflow COVID-19 patients. The convention business began returning in 2022, with 103 events generating $1.65 billion in economic impact, McCafferty said. In 2023, McCormick Place held 115 events generating $1.81 billion in economic impact, she said. This year, there are 92 scheduled convention center events, including Microsoft Ignite, which are projected to create $2.21 billion in economic impact, McCafferty said. The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority is a municipal corporation that owns McCormick Place, the Hyatt Regency, the Marriott Marquis Chicago, Wintrust Arena and Navy Pier, which it leases to a not-for-profit corporation for $1 per year. The economic engine of Chicagos tourism industry, the McCormick Square convention and hotel complex generated a net operating income of $856,000 in fiscal year 2019, but bled red ink during the pandemic, losing nearly $73 million in 2021 and $5.8 million in 2022. The McCormick Place campus returned to profitability in 2023, generating $7.9 million in net operating income for the fiscal year ending June 30, according to MPEA. In addition to Microsoft Ignite and other McCormick Place events, Chicago is gearing up to host the Democratic National Convention Aug. 19-22 at the United Center. The convention is projected to bring 50,000 visitors, 20,000 members of the media and 5,500 delegates to the city, according to the Chicago DNC 2024 host committee. Microsoft is pulling the plug on Android apps for Windows. The company said its ending support for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), the underlying component behind the Amazon Appstore (and other Android apps) in Windows 11. Microsoft told Engadget it was responding to evolving customer needs. Microsoft first said in 2021 that Windows 11 would be able to run Android apps. When it arrived the following year, users could install the Amazon Appstore, and some individual Android apps were found in the Microsoft Store. The rollout was viewed as an answer to the dual threats of Android apps on Chromebooks and iOS apps on Apple Silicon Macs. A Microsoft spokesperson clarified to Engadget why its now terminating the feature. As part of our commitment to meeting evolving customer needs, we periodically update our product offerings, they said. This involves introducing new technical innovations and retiring products. Microsoft remains dedicated to an open platform and ecosystem, and we look forward to continuing to bring the best experiences and apps to Windows. With Microsoft blazing full-tilt into all things AI, it may now see its past attempts at making Windows a dramatically better touch-focused platform as no longer worth the resources. Another possibility, as The Verge speculates, is that people hunting for Android apps on Windows expected the full Google Play Store experience not Amazons variant, which has an inferior overall selection. Microsoft says customers who installed the Amazon Appstore (or other apps and games using WSA) on their Windows 11 machines before Tuesday can keep using them until March 5, 2025. Meanwhile, Amazon clarified that its Appstore and associate apps will no longer be discoverable in the Microsoft Store beginning on Wednesday. In addition, developers can no longer submit new apps for the Amazon Appstore on Windows, but those with existing ones can continue to submit updates for them until this time next year. As for whats next for Microsoft, the company is rumored to launch new Surface devices on March 21. The Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 are expected, with the company possibly marketing them as its first AI PCs. Seven Russian sailors were killed and six injured as a result of the destruction of the Russian Sergey Kotov patrol ship near occupied Crimea on March 5, according to preliminary data from Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR). The military intelligence agency confirmed earlier today that the Project 22160 patrol ship was destroyed in the Kerch Strait after being hit by Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drones. The Russian Defense Ministry is yet to comment on the incident. Ukraine's military intelligence agency said that 52 crew members who were on board the ship could have been evacuated. In a conversation allegedly intercepted by HUR, a Russian commander claimed that the Russian patrol ship had a helicopter on board. Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing unnamed sources, that a Russian Ka-29 transport and combat helicopter was destroyed along with the vessel. Russian forces were also planning to place an anti-aircraft missile system on the Sergey Kotov patrol vessel, according to HUR spokesperson Andrii Yusov. Sergey Kotov is one of a number of Russian ships reported to have been damaged by Ukrainian forces. On Feb. 14, the Russian Ropucha-class landing ship Caesar Kunikov was sunk in the Black Sea after being attacked by Ukrainian naval drones. Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including the sinking of the flagship cruiser Moskva in April 2022 and a devastating missile attack on the fleet's headquarters in occupied Crimea that reportedly killed more than 30 officers. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A patrol ship from Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Sergey Kotov, was hit and destroyed in an overnight attack orchestrated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), the agency said on March 5. Reports of the attack on the Russian vessel came after nighttime explosions on the occupied peninsula, amid which the Kerch Bridge was shut down. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 38 drones had been destroyed over Crimea. Several Ukrainian media outlets reported earlier today that the Russian vessel was hit by Ukrainian naval drones. According to Ukraine's military intelligence, the Project 22160 patrol ship suffered damage to its stern and on its left and right sides. Sergey Kotov was reportedly located near the Kerch Strait when it was attacked by domestically-produced Magura V5 naval drones. "The cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million," the agency wrote. According to the statement, the operation was carried out in cooperation with Ukraine's Navy and the Digital Transformation Ministry. Andrii Yusov, a military intelligence spokesperson, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that the fate of the ship's crew is being clarified. "There are killed and wounded, but there is a possibility that some of the crew managed to evacuate," he noted. Later, Ukrainian military intelligence said that seven Russian sailors were killed, six injured and 52 crew members could have been evacuated, according to preliminary data. In a conversation allegedly intercepted by HUR, a Russian commander claimed that the Russian patrol ship had a helicopter on board. Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing unnamed sources, that a Russian Ka-29 transport and combat helicopter was destroyed along with the vessel. The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on the reported attack. Sergey Kotov has already reportedly been hit by naval drones along with another patrol ship, the Vasiliy Bykov, in September 2023. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the vessels allegedly managed to repel the attack. In total, Russia's Black Sea Fleet has four vessels of this design, which the Ukrainian Navy calls "the most modern:" Vasily Bykov, Pavel Derzhavin, Sergey Kotov, and Dmitry Rogachev. Only the latter has not been attacked during the all-out war. Read also: These are the most important Russian ships destroyed by Ukraine Such ships can perform various tasks at sea, including guarding base points, Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk told RFE/RL, saying that their destruction can have a significant impact. U.K. Defense Minister Grant Shapps commented on the attack on Sergey Kotov, saying that "the Black Sea is not safe for Putins Navy." "Until recently, that would have been unimaginable. Now because the West backed Ukraine, its undeniable," Shapps said on X (formerly Twitter). "If we get them what they need, the bravery & skill of the Ukrainian Armed Forces can unlock victories once thought impossible." Sergey Kotov is one of a number of Russian ships reported by Kyiv to have been hit. On Feb. 14, the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov was sunk in the Black Sea after being attacked by Ukrainian naval drones. Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's Black Sea fleet since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, including the sinking of the flagship cruiser Moskva in April 2022 and a devastating missile attack on the fleet's headquarters in occupied Crimea that reportedly killed more than 30 officers. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The gray weather didnt match the beaming smiles as military families reunited with their loved ones in an emotional homecoming Tuesday. Approximately 140 members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, who were packed into white buses and escorted by police, were greeted by homemade welcome signs and American flags outside a movie theater at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport after being deployed overseas for several months. The reunion Tuesday also fell on the 82nd birthday of the United States Naval Construction Battalions, also called Seabees, which are a subset of the Navy responsible for construction and engineering work all over the world. The Seabees were established in 1942 to replace civilians who were building facilities for military use overseas in World War II. Among the people waiting for their loved ones were a pregnant woman waiting for her husband and a woman who had given birth while her husband was deployed. Henry Friedrich, 1, and Carter Friedrich, 3, wait for their father Conrad Friedrich, a member of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, to return from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Heather Pinkston, accompanied by her older daughters Gracie and Maddie, held her newborn, Elizabeth, as her husband James got off the bus to embrace the family. James had missed Elizabeths birth as she had been born a few months into his deployment in Spain. Im just grateful that hes home safe, Heather Pinkston said. One of the other spouses waiting for their partner to return was Lindsay Arellano, 24, of Long Beach, who won the first kiss, meaning she was the first military spouse to reunite with their Seabee. Arellano was embraced by her husband Dylan, who had been deployed to Spain for 7 months. This just shows how strong our marriage is and our love to be able to endure this time apart and make more memories before he has to leave again, Arellano said. James Pinkston, a member of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, holds his newborn baby Elizabeth as he reunites with his family after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Pinkstons newborn was born while he was deployed. According to Bob Smith, a retired Seabee who helps manage the Heritage Center adjacent from where the reunion was held, there are now fewer than 15,000 Seabees, down from the 325,000 that were serving in World War II following the establishment of the Seabees. Smith says the birthday of the Seabees is important because the Seabees are trying to live up to the greatest standard [of those that served in WWII], they werent called the greatest generation for nothing. Were preserving out heritage and legacy as Seabees today. Family members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 wait for their family members to return from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Signs made by family members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 to welcome them home from deployment line the streets at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 reunite with their families after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Buses carry members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 reunite with their families after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Heather Pinkston holds her newborn baby Elizabeth as she waits for her husband James, a member of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, to return from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Pinkstons newborn was born while James was deployed. Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 reunite with their families after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 reunite with their families after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Family members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 wait for their family members to return from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 reunite with their families after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 reunite with their families after returning from deployment at a homecoming event at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Most Military Times readers believe theyve been targeted with disinformation from malicious groups, politicians and news media, and they think the responsibility to stop its spread falls to everyday people, a recent survey found. Readers are dubious about information posted to social media and confident in their ability to spot disinformation but they dont have faith in their neighbors or in politicians to do the same, the results said. In a test designed to see whether readers could differentiate between real and false information online, about 90% succeeded. While most respondents called out false claims about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol being a PsyOp, or psychological operation carried out by the government, there were still hundreds who answered that the claim was credible, said Scott Parrott, a professor in the journalism department at the University of Alabama who helped put together the questionnaire. What the results are telling me is that theyre skeptical, Parrott said. Theyre skeptical of news media, theyre skeptical of politicians and theyre skeptical of social media. However, a disturbing number of people still indicated support for the most extreme principles of QAnon and the Great Replacement theory conspiracies that have prompted violence in recent years, researchers said. Military Times and the University of Alabama conducted the survey with Military Veterans in Journalism to discern how readers perceived disinformation and extremist beliefs ahead of the November presidential election. More than 2,400 members of the military community participated, including veterans, service members, contractors and family members. Their political ideologies were split: one-fourth identified as Republicans, 14% as Democrats and 52% as Independents. Most readers could spot disinformation The World Economic Forum declared disinformation as the most severe risk over the next two years, writing in its annual report in January that the spread of false information could undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments across the globe and result in violent protests, hate crimes and terrorism. Researchers are already seeing instances of Russian interference in the U.S. this year, including a coordinated effort around the Texas-Mexico border crisis to amplify calls for a civil war, according to Kyle Walter, head of research at Logically, a British tech company that uses artificial intelligence to monitor disinformation around the world. Walter said Russia is likely to increase its spread of falsehoods in the run-up to the November election, likely focusing on immigration and the U.S. economy. The perception at times is that Russia is seeking to help one candidate win an election over another candidate, Walter said. What theyre really trying to do is create chaos and make people question the process and validity of the democratic process and the integrity of the election. Election deniers are specifically recruiting veterans and service members this year to exploit their social capital and bring legitimacy to the cause, argued Human Rights First, a nonprofit human rights organization. In a report, the nonprofit urged veterans to be wary of calls to restore election integrity or catch the cheaters in real time and instead leverage their credibility to counter conspiracies about the democratic process. In the survey, 57% of Military Times readers said they had personally been targeted with disinformation, and another 23% were unsure. They believe disinformation is spread mostly by malicious groups seeking power, followed by the news media, politicians and independent actors. Its a bad sign that so many people have been targeted, and a good sign that so many people recognize at least part of the time when theyve been targeted, said Rachel Goldwasser, a senior research analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center. When asked about whos responsible for stopping disinformation, 87% of respondents said U.S. adults as individuals bear that burden. Of the respondents, 73% said members of the mainstream media also share responsibility, and about half think government and community leaders, academics and social media companies should help stop the spread of disinformation. Only 17% said foreign government agencies are responsible for stopping it. Overwhelmingly, Military Times readers said they could identify disinformation about 92% were confident they could spot it. They generally believe their friends and family members can identify disinformation, too. About 64% think their friends could identify it, and 61% think their families can. Just over half of respondents said veterans as a population can identify disinformation, but they were less confident in politicians and people in the towns where they live. About 42% think politicians can discern real and false information, and 30% think their neighbors can tell the difference. Its common for people to overestimate their ability to identify disinformation, said Wendy Via, a co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Parrott described that as the third-person effect, referring to a theory coined in the 1980s that states individuals perceive others as being more influenced by mass-media messages than they are. Its almost as if you think better of yourself, like Im not affected. I can figure it out. I can parse it, Parrott said. But when it comes to family or friends, they say, They can parse it, too, but not as well, and then it gets to townsfolk and they say, No, they cant. Participants in a survey of Military Times readers were asked whether this post on X contained credible, fact-based information. About 10%, or 245 people, said it did. (University of Alabama) The survey put readers to the test. It asked respondents to identify several posts on X, formerly Twitter, as being real or false information. Many of them were correct with their responses, but there was confusion among hundreds about what was real or false. Via, who has conducted extensive research on disinformation and extremism, said voluntary surveys were a helpful way to understand peoples thinking, but it was important to take into account the demographics of who responded. For the folks who are willing to sit down and take a survey online, its usually because they have something to say, Via said. Of the respondents in this survey, 86% were men, 92% were white, 49% had earned masters degrees and 68% had completed combat deployments. Participants were spread across the U.S., but the highest number of people, about 30%, were located in the Southeast. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard were represented in the pool of respondents, with the highest concentration about 37% serving in the Army. The average length of their military service was 19 years. A concerning embrace of the Great Replacement To determine whether disinformation had influenced readers, survey organizers asked for their beliefs about various extremist groups and prominent conspiracy theories. While most respondents reject key tenets of QAnon and the Great Replacement theory, those who do agree still amounted to a disturbing number, said Freddy Cruz, a researcher with the nonprofit Western States Center, a nonprofit that monitors political extremism in the U.S. The Great Replacement theory is a baseless idea that lenient immigration policies are being designed to replace the power and culture of white people in the U.S. The survey asked respondents how strongly they agree or disagree with the notion that a group of people in the U.S. is trying to replace native-born Americans with immigrants and people of color who share their political views. While 1,770 people completely or mostly disagree with that notion, 438 respondents, or 18%, said they mostly agree, and 223 people, or 9%, completely agree. There seems to be some embrace of the Great Replacement narrative, which has been linked to several violent incidents in the U.S., Cruz said. Thats one of the things that stood out to me as one of the more disturbing aspects of the survey. The conspiracy theory went from fringe to mainstream in the past couple of years, as conservative media outlets and some elected officials have amplified the message, Cruz said. The theory fueled racist violence and motivated multiple mass shootings, including the 2022 killing of 10 people in Buffalo, New York, and a shooting in El Paso, Texas, that left 23 people dead in 2019. A poll organized by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022 found that one-third of Americans believe the Great Replacement theory. The findings from Military Times and the University of Alabama were on par with a similar poll conducted by the federally funded think tank RAND Corp. in 2023, which found that 29% of veterans believe it. The responses for completely agree and mostly agree with the Great Replacement theory were extremely high, said Goldwasser, who has studied militia groups for nearly a decade. This is a theory that was really created and used by white supremacists, so the idea that its moved into the mainstream to the point where Army veterans believe it is alarming. When asked about their thoughts on Nazis, 83% of survey respondents indicated they think the group is a threat to national security a figure that surprised Cruz because of the embrace of the Great Replacement theory. In the survey, it looks like people overwhelmingly agree that white supremacy is bad, Nazism is bad, but then theres a smaller group of people who seem to actually embrace Great Replacement, and its a weird discrepancy, Cruz said. I think it speaks to the GOP doing an excellent job of dissociating the theory from white supremacist beliefs. Phill Cady holds a sign during a Another cause for concern was the acceptance of QAnon, Goldwasser said. QAnon is an umbrella term for several conspiracy theories that falsely allege a cabal of Satan-worshipping pedophiles run the world. Only 2% of respondents said they completely agree and 7% mostly agree with the theory, but Goldwasser argued those amounts were concerning based on how the question was posed. Respondents were asked whether they agreed with the idea that the government, media and financial world in the U.S. were controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex-trafficking operation. The fact that people made it all the way to the end of that sentence and agreed with every single one of those statements is disturbing in the grand scheme of things, Goldwasser said. It really got to who the true believers were. Other surveys over the past few years have tried to ascertain how many U.S. adults overall believe in the QAnon theories. A poll by the Public Religion Research Institute in 2021 found that 15% believe it, and a poll by Yahoo in 2020 pegged acceptance of the theories at 7%. Where readers get their information Respondents turned to local news outlets most for accurate information. About 77% of people said they trust their local news either a lot or some. However, local news is facing a crisis. About one-fourth of local newspapers in the U.S. have shut down in the past 15 years, creating news deserts and driving more people to social media, where disinformation is rampant, according to research from the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life. Among the Military Times readers surveyed, 59% trust national news outlets, and 29% of respondents trust the news they received through word of mouth. Social media garnered the least support, with only 14% of people trusting the information they received there. Nearly 50% said they didnt trust information from social media at all. The lack of trust in social media surprised Parrott, who expected more people to turn to sites like Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram for their news. A study from Pew Research Center at the end of 2023 found that 19% of U.S. adults overall often get their news from social media, and 31% sometimes do. They were skeptical of news, especially on social media, which I think is really interesting, Parrott said. I expected more people to be getting their news there. Of the survey respondents who do get their news from social media, they most often turned to Facebook, followed by YouTube and X, the survey found. For people who do get their news on those platforms, Parrott suggested several questions they should try to answer to determine whether information is true, including: Does the person posting have a headshot and actual name? How long has the account been active? What other sources can you consult? Is the source objective or biased? Does the post share information that target a social or political group? Whos the source? Whered they get the information from? Are they real? Has it been confirmed? These are little things you can check, Parrott said. If it elicits strong emotions from you or others, if its enraging, thats a sign you might want to check that out. Instead of social media, 53% of respondents said they get their information most often from news websites, followed by 37% who turn to television news the most. Goldwasser warned that its unclear what respondents mightve meant by news websites. Fake news sites have flooded the internet over the past several years and have increased in number since the advent of generative AI, which allows users to quickly create content to post online. NewsGuard, which tracks misinformation, found 725 AI-generated fake news sites in operation as of last month. This is something I have seen a number of times in a variety of circumstances, where people think its a news website, but actually, that might not be accurate, Goldwasser said. I think it evokes almost a sigh of relief, like, OK, they get their news from news websites. Thats great. But actually, it might not be quite as great as it sounds. The survey asked about 14 news outlets specifically, including a few that skewed conservative or liberal, based on the media bias chart from the media watchdog Ad Fontes. Respondents could indicate either that they trusted the outlet, didnt trust it or didnt know how to feel about it. The outlet with the most outright distrust was Fox News, with 57% of people saying they dont trust it. About 30% said they do trust Fox News. The Daily Caller garnered the fewest number of people who said they trusted it. Only 5% of respondents trust its news, while 48% dont trust it and the rest dont know how to feel about it. Army Times, which distributed the survey through its morning newsletter, was predictably the most trusted, with 64% of people responding that they trust news found on the website. CBS followed with about 40% of respondents indicating they trust the outlet. About 27% trust USA Today, 31% trust CNN, 22% trust MSNBC and 37% trust The New York Times. This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com. Republican legislators want to put the new Minnesota flag on the ballot this fall. Frustrated by the process used to redesign the state's official state flag, the lawmakers want to give voters the chance to say yea or nay in an election. The proposed constitutional amendment was part of a suite of bills Republicans rolled out on Tuesday as the flag redesign shifts to a more partisan issue in 2024. A group of less than two dozen conservative activists also rallied on the Capitol steps in the afternoon, waving the state's old flag design while criticizing the 13-member commission that debated and settled on a new design for both the flag and the seal. "Thirteen unelected members spoke for 5.7 million people," said Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, who sat on the commission as a non-voting member. "Thirteen members designed what is before us and about to become the next flag and seal of Minnesota if the Legislature doesn't act." The DFL-led House and Senate passed legislation last session to create the commission to redesign the flag and the seal after decades of criticism that the imagery on both was problematic and too similar to more than a dozen other state flags. The state seal, which is at the center of the flag, shows a white settler plowing a field in the foreground while a Native American man on horseback rides into the sunset. After months of debate and thousands of public submissions, the commission approved a new flag design that features the shape of Minnesota, cast in a deep blue and topped with an eight-point star facing north. Republicans are in the minority in both chambers of the Legislature, and Democrats haven't shown interest in revisiting the work of the commission this session. Sen. Mary Kunesh,DFL-New Brighton, who sponsored the legislation to create the commission and sat on it as a non-voting member, said the poorly-attended rally shows "this controversy is manufactured by Republicans." "From what I could see, it looked like there were more Republican legislators at the press conference than there were Minnesotans gathered outside. By comparison, the commission to consider changes to the flag and seal received thousands of submissions and almost 22,000 public comments," she said in a statement. "I am proud of that process, and the result, and look forward to seeing the new flag fly over the Capitol." The new design won't start flying until May 11, which is Statehood Day, but Republicans' proposed legislation would halt the changeover until after a public vote. If voters reject the new design, the proposal would create a new commission that would have more than a year to design an alternative option. Rep. Bjorn Olson, R-Fairmont, said Mississippi recently voted on a redesigned flag, which has diminished controversy. A separate bill would ask legislators to approve the new design by a two-thirds majority. Bills would also make tweaks to the state seal, which was redesigned to feature a red-eyed loon prominently at its center. They would add back the year of statehood to the seal while removing "Mni Sota Makoce," Dakota for the "land where the waters reflect the sky." Commission members supported adding the language because it's where Minnesota's name is derived, but critics said it violates law barring state emblems from including imagery or words that represent only one group. Another proposal would help local governments cover the cost of replacing the old flag and seal on city and county property. In Benton County, officials estimate it would cost the county about $50,000 to replace seals on county vehicles and sheriff's office badges and about $700 to replace current flags. "I look at all the money this is going to cost the state of Minnesota," said Jared Gapinski, chair of the Benton County board. "We're underfunded on so many things and then they do this. I can tell you I think we can spend our money elsewhere." Benton County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday on a resolution asking the Legislature and Gov. Tim Walz to reject the recommendations for a new flag and seal. The resolution, based off one Crow Wing County passed in January, states the flag and seal "contain historical information on our farming background, Native American heritage and the co-existence that is part of the rich history of our state." Officials from more than a dozen counties have adopted resolutions stating they are not in favor of the new flag and seal. A beloved Mankato-area sculptor's will leaving everything to his former assistant is in doubt after a court ruling released Monday found his signature may have been forged. The Minnesota Court of Appeals last month reversed a District Court decision not to reopen legal matters over Arnold Lillo's estate after his children brought forth evidence the notary, a Good Thunder city official, lied about being present when Lillo signed it. His will left his home and metal shop to Robyn Block, the woman who worked under him for years, according to a will dated and signed in early December of 2021. Lillo died later that month at age 83 on Christmas Day from COVID complications, several weeks after he was assaulted with a hammer by Block's former boyfriend, Brandon McMurtrey. "We're happy with the decision and we will be pursuing our clients' interest," said Jason Raether, one of the lawyers representing Lillo's children Mark Lillo and Tammy Jo Klahn. Steven Fink, attorney for Robyn Block, did not respond to multiple attempts for comment Monday. Arnold Lillo was an attraction in Good Thunder who drew hundreds of visitors to his home each year to see the metal works he created, from the piece he said was the world's largest working gun to the model Eiffel Tower he built for his ailing wife almost a decade ago. At the time of the Nov. 10 hammer attack, Block was avoiding McMurtrey because of his abusive behavior and threats he made against her and Lillo, according to court records. A police report states McMurtrey went to Lillo's house to speak to him, then hit him while his back was turned. McMurtrey ended up pleading guilty to felony first-degree assault under an Alford plea, meaning he maintained his innocence but acknowledged there was ample evidence to convict him. He was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison in August of 2022. Lillo told local media outlets shortly after he was attacked he had hoped Block would take over his metal studio. Since his death Block has turned the space at Lillo's home into a museum honoring his work, as well as helping to finish several pieces Lillo had started, including a sculpture of the Great Lakes. Block in January 2022 began court proceedings to take over Lillo's estate, including about $280,000 in real estate assets, a $25,000 promissory note from Block and three vehicles with unknown values. Lillo's children had no objections at the time; Block filed to close the estate that September. But Lillo's children motioned to contest the will toward the end of 2022 after they discovered the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office had looked into Lillo's will. The District Court last year declined to reopen legal proceedings in the estate, arguing too much time had passed and reopening the estate would be unduly biased against Block. The Appeals Court disagreed, ruling on Feb. 22 the estate should be reopened. Court records show a relative approached investigators concerned Lillo's signature on the will didn't match his handwriting, among other issues. According to an investigative report, Block told police she and Lillo had signed the will in the presence of Good Thunder City Clerk Ashney Helleksen and another friend. Helleksen told police the same thing but later recanted her story in an email to an investigator, saying Block had brought documents with Lillo's signature for her to notarize and that Helleksen had never been to Lillo's house. The investigative report states Helleksen told police Block had previously asked her to lie about being present at the time. Block stuck to her story when confronted by investigators, according to a court report, but also said she had memory issues stemming from past trauma and a brain injury she suffered in 2013. The investigator recommended felony aggravated forgery charges be filed, but the Blue Earth County Attorney's Office declined to pursue the case. The Minnesota Zoo is celebrating 10 years of the ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge this week and the more than 30,000 students it has impacted. The ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge is a nationwide, year-long program that gives elementary, middle and high school students a chance to solve real problems encountered by zookeepers. The program, which is sponsored by Flint Hills Resources, encourages students to address issues at the zoo using the concepts of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Flint Hills Resources, which operates the Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount, has been a partner of the Apple Valley zoo for more than 30 years. This years competition gives students the opportunity to redesign the zoos bison and prairie dog exhibits, which can both be seen from the zoos new Treetop Trail. The Treetop Trail, which opened last summer, is the worlds longest elevated pedestrian loop, stretching over a mile and bringing visitors up to 32 feet in the air with birds eye views of tigers, wild horses and more. Since launching in Dakota County in 2014, the ZOOMS program has reached 33,000 students who have developed more than 10,000 projects, according to the zoo. Over the last decade, the program has spanned 434 schools across 12 states and two countries, with this years challenge reaching 68 schools. Related Articles For the first time in over a year, we are hearing from Julie Chrisley about her experience of being in jail following the fraud conviction of her and her husband, Todd. The couple, mostly known for their reality TV series Chrisley Knows Best, were found guilty in 2022 of conspiring to defraud banks and the IRS out of millions of dollars. During a recent episode of her podcast, the couples daughter Savannah Chrisley shared letters written by her mother from behind bars talking about being separated from her husband and children. I knew my life was about to change forever. My husband and I stood in our bedroom right in front of our prayer bench and said our goodbyes. We hugged, we kissed and we prayed before he walked out the door heading to Pensacola, Florida with Savannah, Grayson and Nick, she wrote in her first letter after reporting to prison in January 2023, People Magazine reported. The Chrisleys are serving a combined 15 years in prison. They were originally sentenced to 19 years, but the sentences were reduced in September 2023. In that same letter, Julie wrote This would be the last time I would speak to my husband face to face. We talked on the phone during his ride to Pensacola, I called one last time before I self-surrendered to the camp in Lexington. In another note shared by their daughter, Julie Chrisley said she was happy she was able to at least communicate with them by letter. RELATED STORIES: I miss Todd so much that it hurts. Ive never gone this long without talking to him, Julie Chrisley wrote. Savannah Chrisley called the letters heartbreaking. I can just feel her hurt through these messages and to just think about how different life is now, a year, almost a year and a half later, and to just think that like, sure, theres some funny things in here, moms trying to make jokes, trying to make light of it, but like this is her life now. And its so different than obviously what it was before, in just the emotional aspect of it of having to miss your family so much, Savannah Chrisley said. In yet another letter, Julie Chrisley said she was still longing to see her husband. It was great seeing the kids and Mom and Dad this week, but I miss Todd so bad, she wrote. I miss his voice. I miss being able to lay in bed beside each other. I miss my person. I called Chase in the middle of the afternoon and gosh, I worry about my kids so much. I only talked to him for a minute and then followed it up with an email. Last month, Julie Chrisleys attorney said he hoped that her sentence could be reduced even further and that she might be able to get out on bond as the couple continues to appeal their sentence. Attorney Alex Little said he feels that the First Step Act could be applied in Julies case. The act is a criminal justice reform bill that promotes the rehabilitation of convicted individuals and reduces excessive sentence, People reported. We dont know whether the judge would actually apply it in a way to reduce her sentence, Little said. We think it should if the judge would have followed the guidelines. And that could happen, you know, this year, early next year. Channel 2 Action News first started investigating the Chrisleys in 2017, when we learned that Todd Chrisley had likely evaded paying Georgia state income taxes for several years. Court documents obtained by Channel 2 Action News showed that by 2018, the Chrisleys owed the state nearly $800,000 in liens. The couple eventually went to trial and a federal jury found them guilty of bank fraud and tax evasion in June 2022. RELATED NEWS: BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Brunei plans to set up a 30 MW new solar power plant to ramp up to 200 MW of the country's solar energy by 2025, according to a senior official of Brunei Darussalam. During the meeting of the 20th session of the Legislative Council, Brunei's Second Minister of Defense Haji Awang Halbi unveiled the plan for the new solar plant, which aims to be operational by 2025, local media The Scoop reported on Monday. Brunei is renowned for its abundant oil and natural gas resources. In recent years, the Brunei government has been committed to developing renewable energy such as solar power to promote energy structure and economic diversification. CANTON, Ohio (WJW) The Stark County Sheriffs Office has asked the public to be on the lookout for an 18-year-old woman missing since Monday. Areanna Leach is described as standing 5-foot-4, weighing about 131 pounds and having brown hair and hazel eyes. She may be wearing gray Hey Dude shoes and blue jeans, according to a Facebook post. Excavator stolen from local roadside construction site Leach was last seen at 10 p.m. on Monday, March 4. Authorities believe she left her home in the 12000 block of Baywood Street Southeast in Paris Township sometime in the night. This embedded content is not available in your region. Amber Alert suspect identified as local school employee Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the sheriffs office at 330-430-3800. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. The Missouri Republican Party is working to remove a Republican candidate for governor from the ballot after a photo resurfaced online of the candidate saluting in front of a burning cross. The candidate, Darrell Leon McClanahan, is depicted in the photograph next to a person who was wearing what appear to be hooded Ku Klux Klan robes. The Missouri Republican Party has been made aware that Darrell Leon McClanahan III filed for Governor as a Republican despite his affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan, which fundamentally contradicts our partys values and platform, the party wrote on social media on Thursday. We have begun the process of having Mr. McClanahan removed from the ballot as a Republican candidate. The partys statement said it condemned any association with hate groups and are taking immediate action to rectify this situation. Our party upholds respect for all individuals, and were dedicated to addressing any challenges to these principles decisively. Representatives from the Missouri GOP did not immediately respond to a series of questions asking when and how it planned to remove McClanahan from the ballot. McClanahan, in a response on social media, said the Missouri GOP knew exactly who I am. What a bunch of Anti-White hypocrites, he wrote. McClanahans name began to circulate on social media last week after the first day of candidate filings. His name still appears at the top of the list of Republican candidates for governor, according to the unofficial candidate filing list on the Missouri Secretary of State Offices website. Shamed Dogan, a former Republican state representative from the St. Louis area, was one of the first people to call on the party to take action. Dogan, who is Black, referred to McClanahan as a racist loser in a social media post. But its not the first time McClanahan has run for elected office as a Republican in Missouri. The Anti-Defamation League in a 2022 article highlighted the photo of McClanahan in front of the burning cross after he ran an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate. McClanahan last year filed a more than $5 million defamation suit against the organization, alleging that the group hurt his political career and demanded that the article be removed. In court filings, McClanahan described himself as a Pro-White man who is dedicated to traditional christian values. He said in the lawsuit that he has never been a member of the KKK, but was instead provided an Honorary 1-year membership by a Missouri coordinator. McClanahan in response to a request for comment from The Star sent a lengthy series of texts, alleging, in part, that a lot of the newspapers are misquoting and making false accusations. In one of the texts, he said that he received an honorary 1-year membership to the League of the South which the ADL condemns as a white supremacist group. McClanahan in the suit said that he did attend in 2019 a private religious Christian Identity Cross lighting ceremony falsely described as a cross burning in the ADL article. His presence, according to the suit, was in response to a Charlottesville Unite the Right protester who was sentenced to prison for beating up a Black man. McClanahan, according to the suit, felt this was an unjust sentence because a Black Defendant received a seven-year sentence for manslaughter. A federal magistrate judge tossed the lawsuit last year, finding that McClanahan did not sufficiently allege a claim against the organization. The Complaint itself reflects that Plaintiff holds the views ascribed to him by the ADL article, that is the characterization of his social media presence and views as antisemitic, white supremacist, anti-government, and bigoted, the judge wrote in the order. The controversy surrounding McClanahan comes as Missouri Republicans are looking to hold onto control of the governors office after Gov. Mike Parson terms out of office. The Republican candidates include Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Sen. Bill Eigel. Missouri lawmakers are weighing legislation that would prohibit certain victims of gun violence from filing civil lawsuits against the perpetrator if the shooting was found to be justified in a criminal case. The bill, filed by Sen. Jill Carter, a Granby Republican, states that no individual can be found civilly liable for damages for conduct found to be justified under state law. This would include a 2016 so-called stand your ground law that allows people to use physical force to defend themselves. Missouri lawmakers held a hearing over Carters bill last week, exactly two weeks after the mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally which killed one person and injured more than 20 people. The shooting has put renewed scrutiny on the states loose gun laws with some attorneys saying that the shooters may have grounds for self defense arguments. Five people, including Lyndell Mays, 23, of Raytown and Dominic M. Miller, 18, of Kansas City, have been charged in the shooting in what prosecutors say stemmed from a dispute. The Missouri Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee held an extraordinarily short hearing over Carters legislation, called the Keep Your Ground Act, last week. No one testified in favor or against the bill and Carter did not go into specific details about why she filed it. It basically kind of goes along with the stand your ground laws, Carter told the committee. It just deals with the civil liability. If you are found not guilty, just strengthens that language just a little bit. Its one sentence. Carter did not respond to two requests for comment on her legislation. However, Sen. Brian Williams, a St. Louis area Democrat on the committee, criticized the legislation in a statement to The Star, saying that after decades of Republican lawmakers loosening the states gun laws Missouri now has one of the highest rates of gun violence in America. The Republicans latest proposal to take away the rights of shooting victims to access the courts will make gun violence worse, because there will be no legal consequences for shootouts, no matter how many innocent people are caught in the crossfire, he said. The mass shooting in Kansas City has infuriated Missouri Democrats and gun control advocates who have for years criticized the states lax gun laws. Debates over gun control, including potential legislation barring minors from possessing firearms, are likely to roil the Missouri Capitol this year. But the Democratic efforts face an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled General Assembly, which has for years relaxed firearm regulations. Republicans last year, for example, voted down a proposal to ban minors from openly carrying guns on public land without adult supervision. The decision to hold a hearing on Carters legislation signals that some Missouri Republicans, in addition to pursuing looser gun laws, also plan to target the ability for victims of gun violence to hold shooters civilly liable. Across the building in the Missouri House, however, Republicans decided not to pursue two gun-related bills this year in the wake of the shooting. The Associated Press contributed reporting. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Missouri Supreme Court has denied former Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaeres request to transfer his case to the states highest court. The courts decision Tuesday is just the latest in a slew of rulings that have gone against the convicted ex-KCPD detective. Footage captures crowd after shooting at North Kansas City High School DeValkenaere is serving a six-year prison sentence for shooting and killing Cameron Lamb in 2019. A judge found DeValkenaere guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in 2021. Last year, the states appellate court also denied DeValkenaeres request to transfer the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. But that opened the door for DeValkenaeres attorneys to file a transfer application directly with the states top court. The Missouri Supreme Courts decision Monday means that DeValkenaere is largely out of options in the court system. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker released the following statement: Owners of Missouri Christian boarding school charged, kidnapping crimes It is not unexpected that the Missouri Supreme Court has rendered a decision to deny transfer of the DeValkenaere decision for the Supreme Courts review. Were grateful for the full judicial process thats been given this case. The appellate court also upheld DeValkenaeres conviction last year, saying there was enough evidence to prove that he killed Lamb and acted with criminal negligence. DeValkenaere and his partner were called to Lambs neighborhood for a traffic incident near East 41st Street and College Avenue on Dec. 13, 2019. A police helicopter saw a red pickup, believed to have been involved in the incident, turn into Lambs garage. The two officers followed Lamb onto his property, and DeValkenaere admitted to shooting Lamb but said he was protecting his partner. Kansas City family sending loved ones ashes to space The appellate court has also previously denied DeValkenaeres motion to reinstate an appeal bond, leaving him behind bars while he waits for a decision from Jefferson City. He is currently in out-of-state custody after he was transferred from the Platte County jail last year. DeValkenaere is still waiting for Gov. Mike Parsons decision on his clemency application. Parsons office has previously confirmed it is reviewing DeValkenaeres clemency application, which urges the governor to pardon the former KCPD detective. The governors office said its received calls and requests from private citizens calling for the same. Lambs family, their legal team and the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, however, have all urged Parson not to pardon DeValkenaere. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Every judge that has looked at this case has said this man was guilty. The conviction was upheld, Lambs family attorney David Smith previously said. Parson hasnt made a decision on pardoning DeValkenaere, a spokesperson saying this case will get a thorough review before he comes to a conclusion. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., center, speaks with Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, left, and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., right, and others, before President Joe Biden arrives to deliver his State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 7, 2023. | J. Scott Applewhite Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema announced Tuesday she would not be running for reelection, ending her time in the Senate after one term. In response to her statement, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney praised her work and referenced their past collaborations. Kyrsten is one of a kind brilliant, hardworking, and driven, he wrote in a post on social media. A fierce defender of the institution of the Senate and unwavering in doing whats best for Arizonans and our country. Proud to call her a friend and a partner on many policy achievements. Sinema is the latest in a string of moderate lawmakers who have chosen to leave Congress rather than seek reelection amid growing partisan unrest. Romney previously stated he was open to endorsing Sinema in a potential 2024 Senate race, as the two have worked together in the past. Their political careers have been marked by efforts to bridge the partisan gap. The Arizona senator ran in 2018 as a Democrat but announced her decision to leave the party and continue as an independent in 2022. In a social media post announcing her decision to leave the Senate, Sinema referenced growing partisanship and a lack of civility and understanding in politics as reasons for her departure. In 2017, I warned we were approaching a crossroads. Our democracy was weakened by government dysfunction and the constant pull to the extremes by both political parties, she said. Weve arrived at that crossroads, and we chose anger and division. I believe in my approach, but its not what America wants right now. Recent polls showed Sinema was trailing behind the two likely nominees for her seat. According to a survey from The Hill, Democratic candidate Ruben Gallego was leading by 6 points, followed by Republican candidate Kari Lake. Sinemas message did not include information on her plans for the future. A multiracial, multi-aged crowd followed Martin Luther King Jr.s path to the Kentucky Capitol 60 years to the day on Tuesday, and they made one thing very clear. The mostly white men in the Kentucky General Assemblys GOP supermajority will not be allowed to turn back time to the bad old days, no matter how many laws they pass that ban diversity, hurt poor people or try to cancel the teaching of our history. Its very ironic theyre trying to reverse the things we marched for and achieved, said Kevin Russell of Radcliffe, the chairman of the MLK State Commission. The supermajority will not allow us to move forward. And they do it with a smile. How can you take things that shaped our lives and say they never happened? Russell was referring to last years attacks on critical race theory, and this years salvo on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in which acknowledging racism or trying to do anything about it is a divisive concept that has no place in our schools. How big was the 1964 Martin Luther King March in Frankfort? Kings March on Frankfort 60 years ago made up of 10,000 protesters led to the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966, the first one passed in the South, passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Edward Ned Breathitt. Tuesdays event, organized by Frankforts Focus on Race Relations, was focused on unity and brought hundreds marching. We hope we can stop fighting, find common ground and learn to accept one another, said organizer Kristie Powe. She called the current state of politics in Frankfort sad. We hope the love we exhibit today will help them understand that love is always more powerful. On March 5, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., baseball legend Jackie Robinson and Kentucky civil rights leaders led 10,000 people to rally at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort in a peaceful demonstration, calling for a good public accommodations bill to prohibit segregation and discrimination in stores, restaurants, theaters and businesses. Billed as a nonpolitical event, things quickly turned political with Gov. Andy Beshear marching at the front of the line, fresh from a Louisville ceremony in which he vetoed House Bill 18, which would stop Lexington and Louisville in their attempts to stop landlords from discriminating against housing vouchers. Racism exists to this day and its our job to stop it, Beshear said. He admitted that while he could not truly understand systemic racism, I am committed to listening. Folks, Im about ready in this session to veto a lot of discriminatory bills. The line got huge applause, even though those vetoes may be empty victories, given the General Assemblys veto-proof supermajorities in both houses. Did any Kentucky Republicans march during 2024 Freedom March? Its hard to see where compromise can happen when two sides see things so differently. No Republican legislators were on the dais with Beshear and it didnt seem as though there were any in the crowd, even though 60 years later, most Republicans will admit King was onto something in trying to erase legal segregation. Its the Kings other ideas diversity and inclusion, helping the poor or even saying that racism is systemic that appear suspect to them. Senator Gerald Neal giving a speech during the 60th anniversary celebration of the MLK March on Frankfort, at the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort, Ky on March 5, 2024. Sixty years ago, we were fighting for freedom, and right now, there are legislators trying to take away the things we fought for, said Rep. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville. Today, they are criminalizing homelessness and taking away SNAP benefits. Herron said she hoped the many students at the March on Tuesday would be inspired by King to make change on their own. Sixty years ago, one of those children watching was Rep. Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort. A friends father picked up the two 5-year-olds from kindergarten and took them to the March. He said, look at all those people. History is going to be made, Graham recalled. He was right. The opportunities Ive been given come from those who came before me, he continued. We need to continue to fight to make sure we dont go back. Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher on Monday shut down a Democratic lawmakers speech about the weekend shooting at North Kansas City High School after the lawmaker began to talk about lax gun laws. The dust up between Plocher, a St. Louis-area Republican, and Rep. Eric Woods, a Kansas City Democrat, comes as Missouri Republicans have largely refused to entertain calls for stricter gun laws in the wake of three high profile shootings in the Kansas City area over the last few weeks. Plochers decision to cut off Woods speech drew swift condemnation from House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat running for governor, who said in a letter to Plocher that his actions were disgraceful, unacceptable and an embarrassment to yourself and the Missouri House. Woods on Monday had asked Plocher for a point of personal privilege, a motion that allows lawmakers to talk about issues that affect the House. The Democratic lawmaker then spoke about the Saturday shooting at the high school in his district, which injured two people. I was refreshing social media, calling, texting anyone I could possibly think of to try and see if I could figure out how many kids had been shot at my high school, Woods said on the House floor. These things happen so frequently in this country that I had a moment where I thought oh, only two to three people shot at my high school? Thats it? OK. But we cant feel that way. We cant become numb to things like this, Woods said, also referencing last months shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally. Woods then spoke about loose firearms regulations in the country and the countrys infatuation with guns, saying that the United States was the the only place where we have such frequent explosions of gun violence. We dont think of guns in this country as weapons and tools, which they are. We give them a sort of sacred object status, he said. We treat them with almost a religious reverence that says that were not allowed to suggest that the amount of guns or lax laws contribute to violence. To do so is blasphemy. Plocher then slammed down his gavel and cut off Woods when he began to talk about how there are laws that lawmakers can enact to address gun violence. Gentleman, Plocher said, this is neither an introduction of special guests nor a point of personal privilege. Mr. Speaker, Woods pleaded. But Plocher moved on, asking whether there were other lawmakers who wanted to speak. The top Republican lawmaker then quickly offered his own point of personal privilege to talk about the House doormans birthday. Plochers office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. The incident marked the second time in several weeks that Plocher has shut down conversations about gun violence. On the morning after the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally, Plocher repeatedly refused to answer questions from reporters about firearms and abruptly ended a news conference. Woods, in an interview, said it seems like every week a lawmaker stands up on the House floor and talks about a shooting in their district. Plochers unwillingness to listen to his speech was an indictment of his partys stance on gun control, he said. I felt pretty disrespected when I was trying to speak about some trauma that happened to my community, he said. And if there was a view that what I was saying was too political, thats because this issue is political. And until we start talking about solutions, all we can do is make noise about it. Quade, in her scathing letter to Plocher on Tuesday, said that he shut down Woods speech with no justification. With your action, you not only treated a colleague with unwarranted disrespect, you showed utter contempt for the shooting victims and traumatized bystanders he was honoring, Quade said. Missouri Republicans, the letter said, were complicit in weakening the states gun laws and Woods speech was what they needed to hear. As speaker, it is your duty to preside over chamber proceedings fairly and in full accordance with House Rules, the letter said. If you find yourself unable to do so, then you should relinquish the gavel to someone who can. Under Missouri House rules, any lawmaker can offer a point of personal privilege on matters that collectively affect the House, its rights, its dignity, and the integrity of its proceedings or the rights, reputation, and conduct of its individual members in their respective capacities only. The rules state only that lawmakers may not use the motion to debate any motion, bill, resolution, memorial, or other business pending before the House. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A man was arrested after he allegedly broke into a car on Lamar Street, according to the Mobile Police Department. 1 dead, Mobile woman arrested in Sunday homicide: MPD An MPD news release said officers were called to the 1600 block of Lamar Street Saturday around 8 p.m. for a report of unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle. GENERAL LOCATION: This embedded content is not available in your region. Mobile police investigating 2 shootings into occupied vehicles on McFarland Road When officers arrived, they reportedly found Bobby Joe Gordon, 55, of Mobile, near the scene. He was arrested and taken to Mobile Metro Jail. Gordon was also charged with unlawful breaking and entering and possession of drug paraphernalia. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. The Army's website announced that the Princess would review soldiers on parade in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Europe The Ministry of Defence was forced to remove a statement from its website claiming that the Princess of Wales would attend Trooping the Colour after it was announced without approval from Kensington Palace. There was confusion on Tuesday after the Army announced that the Princess, as Colonel of the Irish Guards, would review soldiers on parade on June 8. However, Kensington Palace was not consulted ahead of the announcement and has not yet confirmed her attendance. The Princess continues to recover from abdominal surgery and has not undertaken any public duties since Christmas. While plans are in place for the Princess to attend, sources said the Palace would make the official announcement as and when a final decision was made. The MoD is understood to have frustrated royal aides with its statement, not least as it was the first event to be announced for the Princess since she stepped back from official duties to convalesce following surgery on Jan 16. One source said that Kensington Palace and no one else confirms the attendance of the Prince and Princess of Wales at events. However, the information on the Armys web page, which was selling 15 tickets for the event, remained live throughout Tuesday. It was expected to be removed imminently. The MoD also said the King, who is undergoing cancer treatment, would be back in action for his official birthday parade the following Saturday, June 15. Buckingham Palace sources said that planning for the Kings future engagements continued, with allowance to be made for his changed circumstances, if necessary, nearer the time. The Armys website said the Trooping the Colour attended by the Princess would be the same as the parade traditionally inspected by the monarch. The site 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 Kings 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. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Marie Callenders in Modesto shut its doors for good yet again, selling the last of its pies and seating the last customers Tuesday, Feb. 20, after 40 years of business. This isnt the first time the city received news that the northeast Modesto mainstay was going out of business. The restaurant announced in 2019 that it was shutting down permanently after filing for bankruptcy. Hope was regained two months later when a franchisee stepped forward to reopen the location, but it wasnt for three more months and a change in franchise ownership that the smell of freshly baked pie wafted throughout the building again. To end the rollercoaster ride, Marie Callenders is closed for real this time, and new plans for the site are already in the works. Marie Callenders in Modesto, Calif., shut its doors for good Tuesday, Feb. 20. Dominique Williams Whats going to replace Marie Callenders? The owner of the property where Marie Callenders is located, 3500 Coffee Road, sold the property to McDonalds, said Mayra Gonzalez Francis, who served as the restaurants general manager for four years. The building is going to be demolished, she said. The Stanislaus County Building Permits Division website confirms that a permit application was submitted for a 3,608-square-foot McDonalds with a double drive-thru to replace the 10,232-square-foot restaurant at the Coffee Road address. This will mark the 12th location of the fast-food restaurant in Modesto. Marie Callenders had 18 regular employees (and more seasonally), most of whom will be filing for unemployment, Gonzalez Francis said. We are all going to miss Marie Callenders and especially the pies and our loyal customers who supported us, she said. If you need a pie fix, the closest locations still operating are at 5622 Freeport Blvd. in Sacramento and 1781 E Shaw Ave. in Fresno. Marie Callenders restaurant on Sylvan Avenue in Modesto, Calif., has closed. Photographed Saturday, March, 2, 2024. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com Members of the press stake out outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 8, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) The Supreme Court delivers a significant victory to the former president, who is the frontrunner in the Republican presidential race. 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 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 mother of a 14-year-old was among several passengers who intervened when a woman started rubbing her daughters head and leg on a Breeze Airways flight, according to federal prosecutors. While sitting next to the teen, Susan Holliday not only rubbed the girl, but also placed the childs hand on (her) chest during the May 14 flight from Louisville, Kentucky, to Charleston, South Carolina, prosecutors said. Holliday, 61, of Hardeeville, South Carolina, pleaded guilty on March 4 to simple assault of a minor while aboard an aircraft in connection with the incident, court records show. She is represented by Charles Condon, a former attorney general for South Carolina, who didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on March 5. Holliday is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old while inebriated from drinking alcohol, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina said in a March 5 news release. By doing so, Holliday disrupted the flight resulting in the girls mother and other passengers taking action, prosecutors said. Holliday was moved to another seat, where a flight attendant stayed with her until the plane landed in Charleston, according to the attorneys office. McClatchy News contacted Breeze Airways for comment on March 5 and didnt receive an immediate response. Holliday was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond on March 4, court records show. She must surrender her passport, not obtain another passport and is not allowed to drink alcohol, according to an order setting the conditions of her release. Holliday faces up to one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000, prosecutors said. She will be sentenced after U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel receives and reviews a sentencing report from the U.S. Probation Office, according to the attorneys office. The date of her sentencing wasnt specified. The FBIs Columbia Field Office investigated the case, the attorneys office said. The FBI investigates sexual misconduct, assaults, interference with flight crew members and thefts that occur on an airplane, according to the agency. Hardeeville is about 22 miles northwest of Hilton Head Island. Cruise passenger asked to quiet down smashes cocktail glass in mans face, feds say Passenger uses blanket to hide himself groping woman next to him on flight, feds say Off-duty cops restrain passenger groping woman, threatening others on flight, feds say Man assaults 13-year-old on flight, says shell never see her family again, feds say Jacqueline Medina, mother of 16-year-old Texas girl Lizbeth Medina, who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant in December, is calling for change after the murder of Georgia college student Laken Riley. Rafael Govea Romero, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, allegedly stabbed Lizbeth to death in the bathtub of the apartment she shared with her mother on Dec. 5, 2023. About three months later, on Feb. 22, Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly killed Riley with a blow to the head while she was jogging along the University of Georgia campus. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Laken Riley, and my heart goes out to her family during this difficult time," Jacqueline Medina told Fox News Digital in a statement. "As someone who has also lost a daughter to violence at the hands of an illegal immigrant, I understand the pain and devastation that comes with such a senseless act. It is heartbreaking to see another family go through what mine has endured." Jacqueline said she is "moved by the fact that" Riley and Lizbeth both wanted to become nurses. She shared a certificate with Fox News Digital noting Lizbeth's nomination for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence and said Lizbeth had dreams of studying at the University of Texas at Arlington. LAKEN RILEY'S MOTHER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT AVOIDABLE TRAGEDY AFTER DAUGHTER'S FUNERAL "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." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP She added that "this is not 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." TEXAS CHEERLEADER, 16, FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT BATHTUB BELIEVED MURDERED: 'I DON'T UNDERSTAND' Jacqueline Medina came home to find her daughter, Lizbeth "Liz" Medina, dead in the bathtub of their residence at the Cottonwood Apartments after she hadn't seen or heard from the 16-year-old that afternoon. Edna police arrested Romero, 24, in Schulenburg, Texas, thanks to cellphone data and other evidence tying him to Lizbeth's murder. He is charged with capital murder and has been placed on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer after Lizbeth, a cheerleader at Edna High School, was found in the bathtub with "smeared blood on the sides of her and what appeared to be a stab wound to the upper stomach area," according to a police affidavit previously obtained by Fox News Digital. "On Dec. 10, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Houston lodged an immigration detainer with the Jackson County (Texas) Sheriffs Office on Rafael Govea-Romero, 24, Mexico, following his arrest for capital murder," ICE told Fox News Digital in a statement. Jacqueline had left their apartment in Edna early on Dec. 5 for work. Her daughter typically left for school afterward, but that day, she neither made it to school nor a Christmas parade that her cheer team was supposed to be practicing in. The Edna Police Department announced the arrest of Rafael Govea Romero, an "undocumented male" whom officials believe is "the person responsible for the death of Lizbeth Medina," in Schulenburg. Jacqueline went to the parade, expecting to see her daughter, but when she couldn't find Lizbeth anywhere, she began reaching out to friends and family for help tracking down the 16-year-old. Later that evening, Jacqueline found her daughter dead in their bathtub. LAKEN RILEY FUNERAL IN GEORGIA COMMEMORATES NURSING STUDENT ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT The grieving mother, who lived in Nebraska before moving to Texas for work, said neither she nor her daughter knew Romero but noted that their house had been burglarized on Nov. 13, about a month before the teenager's murder. Edna police officers believe Romero may have been involved in the burglary and may have stalked Lizbeth before allegedly attacking and killing her. The mother of a 16-year-old Texas girl found dead in their Edna apartment is "praying for justice" for her only child. "I believe the burglary from 11/13/2023 could have a connection with the murder suspect," an Edna officer wrote in the affidavit. "I believed the suspect of this murder was at large and a present danger to the community. I was especially concerned that the person believed to be the murder suspect was texting other high school students, leading me to believe the suspect was targeting students. TEXAS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT INDICTED ON CAPITAL MURDER CHARGE IN CHEERLEADER'S BEATING, STABBING DEATH "Furthermore, I believe the public was in danger due to the stalking-like behavior displayed by the suspect via the potential connection of the 11/13/2023 burglary and driving through the apartment complex on 12/4/2023." Romero's arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. Fox News Digital reached out to his defense attorney for comment. Pundits and social media personalities have noted similarities between Lizbeth's and Riley's murders. Laken Riley poses for a photo posted to Facebook. Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia, was found dead near a lake on campus on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Riley was out for a jog along dirt paths on the University of Georgia campus, near Lake Herrick, when Ibarra, 26, allegedly attacked and killed her. Riley's roommate had reported her missing when she did not return from her run on the morning of Feb. 22, and police found her deceased around noon that same day. She died of blunt-force trauma to the head. Jose Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23 in connection with Laken Riley's Feb. 22 murder in Athens, Georgia. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Ibarra, who lived within a five-minute walk of the approximate crime scene, is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. Ibarra entered the United States through the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and was freed on border parole. He initially lived in New York City before moving to the Georgia college town. Original article source: Mom of Texas teen allegedly killed by illegal suspect calls for change after Laken Riley murder MONETT, Mo. A Monett man pleads guilty in a drunk driving crash that left two people dead last year. Early Tuesday, Rafael Contreras-Maldonado, 20, pleaded guilty to DWI involving the deaths of two people. The judge immediately sentenced him to nine years in prison. FOUR STATES CRIME The crash happened in June of last year at the intersection of state Highway 37 and US 60. A Lawrence County deputy was in a vehicle pursuit with Contreras-Maldonado when he ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle. Larry Brock, 53, and Lydia Shorey, 61, both of Crane, Missouri were in that other vehicle and died in the crash. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. The author Monica Ali has said that this years Womens Prize for Fiction longlist gives a voice to those who would otherwise remain voiceless. The writer, best known for her novel Brick Lane, is chair of the judges for the prize which celebrates original fiction written in English by women from anywhere in the world. It features work by eight debut novelists and seven independent publishers on several stories that deal with the emotional impact of immigration and the narratives we create for ourselves when we feel we dont belong, according to the Womens Prize Trust. Other themes explored by the 16 books include trauma, madness and resilience, individual and societal grief in war, the relationship between art and politics, what it means to be a queer member of a family, and motherhood and autonomy. In an interview with The Independent, Ali, 56, spoke about the longlist while teaching a creative writing class in Marrakesh. With several books featuring writers of colour delving deep into their experiences of immigration and diasporic identity, Ali, who is of Bangladeshi heritage, said they were among the most important issues of our time. Its not surprising that themes of immigration and migration have cropped up in the longlist because thats reflective of the reading that we did. Those issues are some of the most pressing and debated of our time. She discussed the power of fiction to deep dive into complex issues that would ordinarily be simplified. When you deal in politician soundbites and statistics, what gets lost is the human experience, the complexity of those experiences. Monica Ali is chair of the judging panel for the Womens Prize for Fiction (Womens Prize Trust) Thats what fiction can do so brilliantly is to illuminate those individuals to give voice to people who otherwise remain largely voiceless. The list includes previous Womens Prize for Fiction winner Kate Grenville for her work Restless Dolly Maunder, published by independent publisher Canongate Books. The story follows a pioneering and triumphant woman as she creates a life she can call her own a husband and two children dont deter her from searching for love and independence. Grenville won the prize in 2001 for her novel The Idea of Perfection. It also includes Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, a tale of a Palestinian woman who returns to the West Bank and is involved in a stage production of Shakespeares Hamlet. Ali describes it as a deeply nuanced, very subtle novel... that could have been topical at any time during the last several decades. The 16 books on the longlist (Womens Prize Trust) Among the debut authors included are Maya Binyam who is included for her work Hangman, which explores a mans return to his home in sub-Saharan Africa after 26 years living in exile in America. Ali says it is a very diverse list and sheds light on the power of fiction to humanise marginalised groups. It humanises the individuals involved, it reminds us that they are individuals, that they are people. Its fascinating to see the very different ways that women writers are engaged with that [theme of migration] from novels of return, for example Hangman and Enter Ghost, to the immigrant experience in the US coming from Ghana in Nightbloom. Then theres a reversal of the immigrant story in River East, River West with an American women in China, theres all different ways of approaching it. Run by The Womens Prize Trust, a UK charity which creates equitable opportunities for women in the world of books, it is sponsored by Audible and Baileys and is now in its 29th year. The shortlist of six books will be announced on Wednesday 24 April at 8am. The full longlist is included below Hangman Maya Binyam In Defence of the Act Effie Black And Then She Fell Alicia Elliott The Wren, The Wren Anne Enright The Maiden Kate Foster Brotherless Night V V Ganeshananthan Restless Dolly Maunder Kate Grenville Enter Ghost Isabella Hammad Soldier Sailor Claire Kilroy 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster Mirinae Lee The Blue, Beautiful World Karen Lord Western Lane Chetna Maroo Nightbloom Peace Adzo Medie Ordinary Human Failings Megan Nolan River East, River West Aube Rey Lescure A Trace of Sun Pam Williams Ranked choice voting, which asks voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference, has seen its profile steadily expand since 2016. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) The Montgomery County Board of Registrars said Tuesday that 4,600 voters in Montgomery County received incorrect information about which congressional district they resided in ahead of Tuesdays primary election. Zane Snipes, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Registrars, said Tuesday 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. A portion of Montgomery County was in the 7th Congressional District until last fall, when a federal court approved new congressional maps that put the whole county in the 2nd Congressional District. Snipes estimated the postcards were sent around Jan. 15. He said the Board of Registrars realized the error on Jan. 23, fixed the computer glitch and updated their systems so that voters are listed in the correct district. Snipes said the Board of Registrars plan to mail some 6,600 postcards to voters indicating their correct voting district in several days. That doesnt necessarily address the issue of sending incorrect information during the initial mailing, but Snipes added there were other efforts made to ensure people had the correct information. We did publish in the newspaper twice, last week and the week before, a list of all the voters active and inactive in Montgomery County, showing their correct polling places and their correct congressional districts, he said. The error became a point of dispute between the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Alabama Secretary of States office on Monday. The SPLC identified the error in a Monday statement and said the vast majority of voters it identified as affected by the error were Black. SPLC said it did not know how many voters received incorrect information. The organization blamed Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen for the mix-up, saying the office had the major responsibility to keep rolls updated. Alabama voters deserve better from our leaders and accountability Secretary Allen needs to own up to this mistake, said Tafeni English-Relf, director of the SPLCs Alabama state office. I encourage every Alabama voter to double-check their congressional district and other election information as soon as possible. The Secretary of States Office Monday rejected that. The Alabama Secretary of States office has not sent any mailers to any residents of Alabama informing them of a change in their assigned voting district, said Laney Rawls, executive assistant and director of scheduling at the Alabama Secretary of States Office. Any suggestion to the contrary is erroneous, and should be retracted immediately. Any mailer sent to Montgomery County voters regarding a change in their assigned voting precinct would have been sent by the Montgomery County Board of Registrars or the Montgomery County Election Center. Messages seeking comment were left with Montgomery County Probate Judge J.C. Love on Monday and Tuesday. Alabamas congressional maps were redrawn after The Supreme Court upheld a lower-court ruling determining the map drawn by the state legislature back in 2022 violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by packing Black voters into Alabamas 7th Congressional District. The redrawn 2nd Congressional District spans the southern half of Alabamas Black Belt. There are 11 Democrats and seven Republicans running for their respective parties nominations. The post Montgomery County Board of Registrars: 4,600 people received erroneous voting information appeared first on Alabama Reflector. A record-breaking total of nearly 72,000 families applied this year for state funding to help them pay for the cost for attending a North Carolina private school, making it unlikely all of them will get the money they want. State lawmakers overhauled the Opportunity Scholarship program to allow any family to apply this year for a private school voucher. The result is a more than 500% increase in applications this year over the 11,617 applications that were received in February 2023. Demand remained high from the start of the application period on Feb. 1 to its end on Friday evening. The N.C. State Education Assistance Authority said the number of applications exceeds the $293.5 million in state funding currently available for vouchers. We anticipated an incredible surge in applications for the Opportunity Scholarship Program based on what we heard from parents, families, and school communities since the eligibility expansion was passed by the state legislature last year, Mike Long, president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, said in an email Tuesday. Longs group was paid by the state to promote the program to parents. Voucher flood gates opened State lawmakers created the Opportunity Scholarship Program in 2013, originally promoting it as a way to help low-income families escape failing public schools. There have been 32,341 scholarships awarded this school year. Amelia Copersito works in her first-grade class at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School in Apex on Jan. 24, 2024. Ethan Hyman/ehyman@newsobserver.com Now a familys income will only determine how much it will receive, ranging from $3,360 to $7,468 per child for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, lawmakers dropped requirements that students had to previously attend a public school to get a voucher. Heather Koons, a spokesperson for Public Schools First NC, said the group isnt surprised by the application numbers given how legislators opened the floodgates with the eligibility changes. At a time when public schools need more money, Koons said the state will now be subsidizing the tuition costs of some families who were already attending private schools. Weve got this huge fund that will be supporting schools that are religious and are often very discriminatory, Koons said in an interview. The state has not yet provided figures showing how many of the 72,000 applications came from new as opposed to existing private school families. Who will get a voucher? First priority will go to voucher recipients who are renewing their Opportunity Scholarship. All new applicants will be grouped into one of four tiers based on their family income. Signs lay in the grass during a rally celebrating National School Choice Week on Halifax Mall in front of the Legislative Building in Raleigh on Jan. 24, 2024. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com The NCSEAA will hold a random lottery in early April starting with applications from Tier 1, which are the families with the lowest income. The NCSEAA will then go through the remaining tiers until the money runs out or theyre out of applicants. If the NCSEAA runs out of money, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The agency says 19% of the applicants are from Tier 1. For a family of four, that works out to a maximum household income of $57,720 a year. Theyll get the maximum award of $7,468 per child. Families in Tier 2 accounted for 26% of the applications. Thats a maximum annual income of $115,440 for a family of four. Theyd be eligible for $6,722 per child. The remaining application breakdown is 37% for Tier 3 and 18% for Tier 4. At this time, after awarding renewal families, we expect to award all eligible new Tier 1 families by early April and will have a better sense at that time about whether we have sufficient funds within the existing budget to award some Tier 2 families, the NCSEAA said in an email Monday. Should the enacted budget include additional funds for the program, we would continue awarding families at that time. School voucher supporters celebrate National School Choice Week during a rally on Halifax Mall in front of the Legislative Building in Raleigh on Jan. 24, 2024. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com Calls for more state funding State lawmakers are planning to increase voucher funding by $1.7 billion over the next nine years. But Long of Parents for Educational Freedom says legislators should consider adding even more money. Demand for OSP by low-income and working-class families is so strong that some of them could be sitting on the waitlist this year, and because of that we encourage lawmakers at the General Assembly to continue expanding access to Opportunity Scholarships as soon as possible, Long said. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has been calling for a moratorium on expansion of the voucher program, saying the money should instead be spent on public schools. (Cooper) needs to look at the historic demand for this program and realize he is on the wrong side of history when it comes to parental school choice in North Carolina, Long said. Beavers returned to the area for the first time in centuries last year A family of beavers has been released at a nature reserve as part of a reintroduction project in the Cairngorms National Park. The group of three Eurasian beavers includes one pair - a male and female - and one kit. They have been released at the RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes nature reserve near Kingussie. The release was overseen by the Beaver Trust, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, RSPB Scotland and Five Sisters Zoo. More beaver families could be released in the next five years In December last year, beavers returned to the Cairngorms 400 years after the species was driven to extinction in Scotland. A pair were released at Rothiemurchus Estate, near Aviemore, and another pair on land owned by billionaires Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen. Over the next five years, 15 families could be released in the national park. More on this story Related internet links Click here to view the video Winter certainly isn't going out without a fight across parts of central Canada. After a blast of heavy snow already led to road closures and school cancellations in Manitoba to start the week, another round of wintry conditions will like cause more travel troubles as we hit the mid-week mark. SPRING 2024: Get an in-depth look at the Spring Forecast, tips to plan for it, and much more! It'll be a quick blast of snow, but still enough to slow drivers during commute times on Wednesday. Quick blast of snow pushes through Wednesday The snow will spread in from the southwest on Wednesday morning, engulfing all of southern Manitoba by the afternoon hours. Baron - MB precip Wednesday.jpg The heaviest snow will pick up in time for the evening commute in the Winnipeg area, challenging drivers and likely making for a much slower drive home. This time around, more snow will fall in Winnipeg and southeastern Manitoba than with the previous system, with about 5-15 cm forecast by the time all is said and done. Baron - MB precip Wednesday evening.jpg The system will be a quick mover, tapering off across southern Manitoba through the overnight hours, and pushing into northwestern Ontario by Thursday morning. A widespread 5-10 cm is likely for much of northern Ontario, though with heavier amounts up to 15 cm possible for areas along the Manitoba border. Drivers there will likely be challenged through the first half of Thursday before the system exits the region. Baron - MB ON snow totals.jpg Forecasters are also closely watching the track of a storm from the central U.S. this weekend, with the potential for substantial snow for eastern parts of northern Ontario, including the Nickel Belt. Thumbnail courtesy of John Brandt. Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Manitoba and northern Ontario. Sabrina Greene-Rusk, a wedding photographer, cant imagine photographing another wedding now that she knows she will never get to see her son get married. On Feb. 27, 15-year-old Aidan Hoglen of Waynesville, North Carolina died of heart failure following a swift and brutal battle with Type B Influenza, according to his mother. My son passed away yesterday from Type B Flu, Greene-Rusk wrote in a vivid and harrowing essay for Southern Appalachian Women on Feb. 28. The piece is a moment-by-moment account of a mothers worst nightmare. My throat is sore, but Im sure that is from screaming. Aidan loved fishing, hunting, playing music and being outdoors, according to the obituary. He also loved trains. He was the kind of teenager that couldnt be kept inside, his mother told WLOS. His youth and energy made what was about to happen even more shocking. According to Greene-Rusk, her son came home sick Feb. 25. Usually, a hearty teenager being sick in the middle of February is no cause for alarm, so they went to bed. But when Greene-Rusk got up the following morning, nothing could have prepared her for what she saw. I pray no mother ever sees and experiences what I did. ... What happens to the body when it goes into total organ failure is a nightmare, Greene-Rusk wrote. While the flu is a mainstay of every winter, Type B Flu is a less common strand, accounting for only 25% of flu cases, according to experts. No strand of flu is commonly a death sentence unless the virus causes inflammation or infection. In this case, Aidans influenza caused an infection that affected his heart, his mother said. Greene-Rusk rushed Aidan to the emergency room. According to WLOS, he was having a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest. Greene-Rusk wrote about the final moments standing at her sons hospital bed. As I turned in horror I saw the monitor flash 0, and the numbness gripped my body and soul, she wrote. I had to turn and walk away. My baby was gone. For some people, the flu can cause a rapid decline. According to the British Heart Foundation, the flu causes stress to your body which can affect your blood pressure, heart rate and heart function. Theres evidence that heart attacks happen more often during or immediately after an acute inflammatory illness, such as flu. The organization recommends contacting your doctor if you feel sick or think youve been exposed to the flu. For Greene-Rusk and the rest of Aidans family, this was all too fast. Im lost, Im broken, Im angry, and Im numb, Greene-Rusk wrote. Waynesville is about 30 miles west of Asheville. Hospital CEO dies after heart surgery, and it couldve been prevented, IL lawsuit says COVID booster shots coming again, CDC says but not everyone needs one. What to know Incredibly contagious stomach flu on rise in US. What to know about noroviruses Last year saw more than 200,000 people scale Mount Fuji People hoping to climb Mount Fuji using its most popular route will soon have to pay a $13 (10) charge as authorities try to limit the numbers scaling Japan's famous volcano. Last year, more than 220,000 made the ascent between July and September. But congested routes, increasing injuries and rubbish littering the trail - not to mention badly dressed hikers - prompted officials to act. This year, just 4,000 people a day will be allowed up the Yoshida Trail. That trail, easily accessible from the capital, Tokyo, is currently the route of choice for more than 60% of climbers. They will also not be allowed to set off between 16:00 and 02:00 - part of a bid to stop so-called "bullet climbs", when people try to scale the 3,776-metre (12,388-foot) summit without breaks. Numerous groups had been raising the alarm for some time. Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefecture official, said last September the area faced "a real crisis", and the numbers had become "uncontrollable". Photos show the congested paths, local associations complain they are forced to pick up rubbish left behind, and huts along the route are unable to keep up with demand. Last year, 61 rescue calls were made to Shizuoka prefecture police, news agency Reuters reported. According to officials, the majority were suffering altitude sickness, hypothermia or just poorly equipped to climb the Unesco World Heritage site. With all this in mind, officials decided time had come to act: the new rules, which come into force on 1 July, were approved on Monday by Yamanashi regional government. "After Covid restrictions were lifted, we started seeing more people," local government official Toshiaki Kasai told news agency AFP. "We want them to dress appropriately for the mountain and be well prepared." They are not the only place to bring in new rules to curb over tourism. Last year, Venice approved a 5 (4.30; $5.35) tourist fee for daily visitors on a trial basis, while Thailand closed one of its famed beaches for several years to allow it to recover. Maya Bay, on the island of Phi Phi Leh, was reopened with a daily visitor cap in 2022. Meanwhile, questions have been asked of the number of permits given to climbers tackling Mount Everest after high numbers of deaths during the 2023 season. Japan has also had its own struggles with a booming tourism industry. Back in 2019, Kyoto officials started handing out leaflets and paper lanterns in an attempt to remind tourists how to behave in its historic Gion quarter. This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) VLADIVOSTOK, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. "As of this morning, three active fires have been registered that have continued since the previous day, with a total area of 7,400 hectares, and three have been localized," said a representative of the regional Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations. The village of Khasansky is currently battling a fire covering 3,000 hectares, while in Gvozdevo, the flames have consumed 4,000 hectares. "In the specially protected natural areas, a fire is raging near Andreevka, covering 400 hectares, and it has been contained," said the official. The Land of the Leopard National Park has confirmed that the fire is affecting the protected territory. The day before, a fire of 400 hectares was extinguished in the park. About 120 Amur leopards are living in the park. This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia, March 5, 2024. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire in Primorye Territory of Russia, March 5, 2024. Wildfires that swept Russia's southern Primorye Territory over the weekend has expanded to 7,400 hectares, while a new fire breaking out in the Land of the Leopard National Park, local media reported on Tuesday. Over the past weekend, large-scale wildfires ignited in the Khasansky District of southern Primorye. As of Monday morning, the firefighters had increased to 300 persons. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) Panic followed the jihadist attacks in Chiure district forcing 80,000 people to flee - mainly on foot More than 70 children are missing following recent jihadist attacks in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province, the authorities say. They became separated from their families as thousands fled to a neighbouring province in recent weeks. There are fears that some of them may have been kidnapped by the fighters linked to the Islamic State (IS) group. Regional troops have been helping the military tackle an insurgency involving Islamist militants that began in 2017. But the violence has spiked recently and the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says 80,000 people have been displaced since January. The children were among those who fled over the last few weeks from Cabo Delgado's Chiure district to Nampula province. Chiure, in the south of Cabo Delgado, has been a relatively safe haven for those displaced over the last few years - with the violence mainly being reported in the north of the province. Last week, President Filipe Nyusi said the jihadists had deliberately targeted Chiure to abduct children. There is concern they may have been placed in training camps by the militants, the private newspaper Expresso da Tarde reports. It is not clear how many civilians have died in the recent violence in Chiure - where the army says calm has now been restored. Officials say the children were lost in the panic as people fled - some have been since been found, but 72 are still unaccounted for. More than 60% of those displaced by the new wave of jihadist attacks are children and 129 schools have been closed, according to a UN report. It is the highest number of children to be uprooted in such a short period, Save the Children says. "There are repeated reports of beheadings and abductions, including multiple child victims. The conflict has already left 540,000 people displaced with more than a half of them children," the charity said. The insurgency in the gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado, launched by the IS-linked local al-Shabab militia, is now in its seventh year. High levels of poverty and disputes over access to land and jobs have contributed to local grievances. More on Mozambique's insurgency: MEMPHIS, Tenn. Police say a man who found his stolen car at Parkway Village convenience store was attacked by the person driving it. The victim said he spotted the vehicle in the 4500 block of Winchester in Parkway Village and found a work ID belonging to Markelon Brown on the ground next to the vehicle. The car owner said he recognized Brown from the ID when he exited the store. He said Brown came over to the drivers side of the SUV he was driving, said the stolen car was his, and began hitting him in the face with a handgun. Brighton High School student accused of carjacking student at gunpoint The victim said he was able to drive away, but Brown followed him and fired at least one shot at him. His vehicle was not hit. The victim said his ex-fiance took his car in August, and he saw it at the Winchester store a month later. Brown was booked in the Shelby County Jail on Monday on charges of aggravated assault and theft of property. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. More than 100 MPs have backed powers for Parliament to block the proposed Abu Dhabi takeover of The Telegraph, calling it a dangerous Rubicon that must not be crossed. Led by Robert Jenrick, the former housing secretary, the cross-party group of MPs called on Rishi Sunak to support a Lords amendment that would give MPs and peers a veto on ownership of UK news media by a foreign state. In a letter to Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, they said: If major newspaper and media organisations can be purchased by foreign governments, the freedom of the press has the potential to be seriously undermined. No other democracy in the world has allowed a media outlet to be controlled by a foreign government. This is a dangerous Rubicon we should not cross. The letter was signed by a string of former Cabinet ministers, including Sir John Redwood, Therese Coffey, Sir Simon Clarke, Robert Buckland, Stephen Crabb, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Theresa Villiers and Sir Geoffrey Cox. It includes 100 MPs signing publicly, along with a number of others who have signed privately. Most of the signatories are Conservatives. Four Labour MPs, including Liam Byrne and Sarah Champion, have signed, along with a number of Liberal Democrats. The group signalled support for an amendment to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, tabled by Baroness Stowell, a Tory peer, that would create the new powers for Parliament. The Bill comes before the Lords next week and, if the amendment passes there, it will be heard by MPs in the Commons later. Labour is set to debate its position on Baroness Stowells Bill on Wednesday. Mr Jenrick said: Our free press is a cornerstone of our democracy. We must do everything we can to protect it. Takeovers of news organisations by foreign governments should not only face the usual scrutiny by regulators and Government, but also from elected representatives in Parliament as a final bulwark for press freedom. From my conversations, it is clear there is very wide cross-party support in the House of Commons for Baroness Stowells amendment. I urge the Government to accept it, or have it forced upon them. The proposed takeover of The Telegraph is currently in limbo pending investigations by Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). RedBird IMI, a fund 75pc backed by Abu Dhabis Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the vice-president of the United Arab Emirates, has positioned itself to take control in a complex 1.2 billion debt deal with the Barclay family, which values the company at 600 million. It has pledged to protect editorial independence with legally-binding undertakings that the UAE will be a passive investor only and that management of The Telegraph will be the sole responsibility of RedBird, the US private equity firm providing a quarter of the purchase price. Robert Jenrick, pictured with Suella Braverman, said: 'Our free press is a cornerstone of our democracy' - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph The Barclay family remain owners of The Telegraph but are barred by law from exercising any control. Ofcom is scheduled to deliver its report to Ms Frazer by March 11. She would then be able to block the deal following further investigation by the CMA of its potential threat to press freedom. In their letter to Ms Frazer, the MPs said: There are clearly well-evidenced concerns about the potential for editorial influence and censorship by the UAE that merits intense scrutiny. The free press is a key pillar of our democracy. As you will be aware, a group of crossbench peers in the Lords led by Baroness Stowell, Lord Anderson, Lord Robertson and Lord Forsyth have tabled an amendment to the Digital Markets Bill which would prevent the acquisition of a UK news media organisation by a foreign power without the approval of both legislative chambers. This would provide an additional and critical bulwark for press freedom in this country. There is widespread support for the amendment in the House of Lords. As MPs following the debates in the other place closely, we urge the Government to accept the amendment in the House of Lords. In a submission to Ofcom seen by The Telegraph, Brian Dooley, a Middle East expert, warned that fundamental human rights standards were being flagrantly transgressed in the UAE, including regular, arbitrary detention as well as examples of unlawful surveillance and torture. His report, funded by friends of a group of activists who were arrested and placed on mass trial in the UAE last year, said: These particularly relevant considerations should dissuade the UK Government from allowing this proposed takeover to proceed. The UAEs bid is, in fact, part of a broader pattern of the UAEs use of investment to seek to distract the United Kingdom from these egregious abuses. Around 84 Emirati dissidents were subjected to a mass trial during the Cop28 climate summit last year on charges of terrorism. They have been recognised by international human rights groups as activists, academics and lawyers. Ahmed Al-Nuaimi, a UAE national unlawfully convicted in an earlier mass trial, who has been living in the UK, said: I have been living in exile from the UAE for simply signing my name to a letter which imagined a more democratic UAE. I have been tried in absentia and warned that if I ever go back I will be immediately detained. The UAE is not the friendly Gulf country it likes to portray itself as. Please listen to those of us who know the truth of human rights there and who know just how much abuse can take place in the UAE. It would be a tragedy for the British press to be bought by anyone associated with the UAE, and I am urging the British Government to intervene in this very harmful sale. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Because of course he did. After a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into the sign outside The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday night, Elon Musk joked on X that his EV companys car may simply have caught the driver off-guard with its speed. Cyberbeast is faster than a Porsche 911, but looks like a truck, so perhaps the valet wasnt expecting so much acceleration, Musk wrote. Former Twitter Execs Sue Elon for More Than $128M in Unpaid Severance The billionaires quip came in response to a post showing the crashed car with a caption saying that a valet at the hotel had reportedly crashed a brand new cybertruck. The claim may have originated with another post from an X user saying the hotels valet just crashed my friends [sic] brand new cybertruck. @elonmusk the beverly hills hotel valet just crashed my friends brand new cybertruck outside pulling it around!! Can you help out in getting another?? pic.twitter.com/aEHIk2iudq J$LATT (@jackdidthatt) March 4, 2024 The user who posted the original claim later clarified that theyd blamed the hotels valet as a joke. Not thinking it would blow up, we thought it would be funny to say it was valet and not our friend who just crashed his new cybertruck... BHH is not at fault! they wrote. A representative for The Beverly Hills Hotel on Monday also told The Hollywood Reporter that she could 100 percent confirm that it was not a hotel employee involved in the incident. A community note added to the original X post linked to an InsideEVs article claiming that it was, in fact, the Cybertrucks owner who was responsible for the crash. Musk apparently didnt get the memo. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is calling on residents in Travis County, Texas the home of the city of Austin to head to the ballot box for Tuesdays Democratic primary to push out the countys current district attorney. Reposting a message from defense attorney Jeremy Sylestine, who is challenging incumbent Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza (D), Musk wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, 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! Musk has ties to the Austin area, which is where Teslas headquarters is located. Earlier this year, a Delaware judge tossed out Musks record-breaking Tesla compensation package worth up to $55.8 billion, ruling it was negotiated unfairly since Musk controlled the board that authorized it. The ruling was a significant hit for Musk, who is now attempting to move several of his companies out of Delaware. The billionaire moved his spacecraft and satellite communications company Space Xs state of incorporation to Texas last month. Shortly after the Delaware ruling, Musk took to X which he renamed after purchasing the platform in 2022 and asked his followers if Tesla should also change its state of incorporation to the Lone Star State. About 87 percent of votes said yes in a poll on the platform. The CEO said last month that the electric car company will hold a shareholder vote on moving its site of incorporation. Musk also moved the state of incorporation for his neurotechnology company Neuralink from Delaware to Nevada last month. Garza, who was first elected in 2020, faced criticism early in his term for his indictments of 17 officers involved in the Black Lives Matter riots in 2020, which he eventually dropped. Primary challenger Sylestine is running to unseat him, and has vowed more transparency with the community and more resources for those with mental health issues, according to Fox 7 Austin. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Astronaut graduates from the United States and United Arab Emirates during a ceremony at the NASA Johnson Space Center (Mark Felix) After two years of rigorous training, ten Americans officially became astronauts on Tuesday, and are now eligible for planned NASA missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and -- if all goes well -- to Mars. Two Emiratis who trained alongside them also graduated Tuesday during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Members of the class, nicknamed "The Flies," were selected from more than 12,000 applicants in 2021 and their training included simulated spacewalking, robotics, space station systems, and more. "You are here because you are exceptional," said NASA associate administrator Jim Free. We ask you to sit on the pointy end of a rocket and risk your life to advance our nation's goal to explore the unknown." They include fighter pilots, scientists, engineers, scientists and a doctor, and are drawn from both the military and civilian worlds. Christina Birch, who holds a doctorate in biological engineering, recalled the camaraderie the group developed during their time together. "After a week in the Alabama back country during our survival training, when all the other MRE (ration) food ran out, we shared together one final bag of peanut M&Ms," she said. "I know all of the Flies feel a great sense of responsibility and excitement for what comes next," she added. "We feel ready." NASA immediately opened applications for its next class of astronauts, with a deadline to apply of April 2. Applicants must be US citizens, with a graduate degree in a science or technical field, or be at least two years into a doctorate, or hold a medical degree, or be enrolled in a test pilot school. The salary is $152,258 -- and the job listing advises remote work is not an option. la/ia/sms Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday to leaking classified military documents to an online Discord chat group. Teixeira had originally pleaded not guilty, but he admitted to "willful retention and transmission of national defense information" in a deal with prosecutors to avoid espionage charges. He will also be required to brief officials on the information he leaked during his work for the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base. The sentence is harsher than that of other recent leakers. Daniel Hale, a U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst who exposed key details about the Obama administration's drone assassination program, was sentenced to 45 months in prison. Reality Winner, a National Security Agency contractor who leaked documents about alleged Russian hacking, got five years. Unlike other historical leakers, Teixeira was not an intentional whistleblower. He originally sent documents to a raucous Discord server called Thug Shaker Centralthe title was a reference to a porn filmwith a few dozen gamers in it. The files went viral after other users reposted them elsewhere. Teixeira would not be the first person to leak restricted documents to gamer friends. So many people have posted sensitive weapons data to the War Thunder video game forum that it has become a meme: "0 days since classified document leaks." But the Discord leak wasn't a mere attempt to impress friends or a joke. Teixeira, who has been described as "antiwar" and "libertarian," appeared to have some qualms about U.S. foreign policy and wanted to talk through these issues with his friends. "It wasn't really 'pushing these to teenagers for clout,'" Vahki, a pseudonymous member of the chatroom where Teixeira posted the documents, told CNN. "It was more like showing these to friends, so we won't be shocked by the news cycles. And we know what's going on with our tax dollars." At the time of the indictment, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Teixeira leaked "information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if sharedIn doing so, he is alleged to have violated U.S. law and endangered our national security." Yet the leaks also provided valuable insights into U.S. foreign policy, especially the war in Ukraine. Based on the documents, journalists were able to learn more about U.S. advice about Ukrainian strategy, Ukraine's ammunition shortages, attempts by Russia to obtain weapons and other support from U.S. allies, and casualties on both sides of the war. The leak embarrassed U.S. friends and foes alike. Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov, stung by reports that Russia was secretly buying rockets from U.S. ally Egypt, called the documents a "hoax." Perhaps most embarrassingly, the documents revealed the extent of Washington's eavesdropping on its partners, from South Korea to Israel. Rather than threatening American lives, Teixeira's real crime may have been humiliating American diplomats. The post National Guardsman Gets 16 Years for Leaking Pentagon Docs Over Discord appeared first on Reason.com. Nearly a dozen illegal immigrants were hurt over the weekend while trying to scale a border wall that separates California and Mexico. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department says it took ten people to the hospital with mild to moderate injuries. Their ages ranged from 18 to mid-40s. Four of the injured were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital, including three people who were traveling with five children, all under the age of 11, Chris Van Gorder, the president of Scripps Health, told The San Diego Union-Tribune. The hospital provided childcare while their parents were being treated. Volunteers setup provisions for distribution to migrants in front of a 30-foot wall, seen beside an older 18-foot wall, on October 10, 2023, in San Diego, California. The incident came days after a man believed to be in his late 20s died trying to get around the border wall. Officials say theyve seen a significant increase in trauma cases since the border walls height was increased during the Trump administration, which began replacing sections that ranged less than 20 feet with 30-foot steel bollard barriers. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In 2021, when President Biden took office, UC San Diego Health treated nearly 450 patients who had fallen from border walls up from fewer than 60 patients just two years prior. BRAZILIAN MAN CONVICTED OF CHILD RAPE, FLED TO US, DEPORTED BACK HOME, ICE SAYS The pattern follows wider trends of illegal crossings diverting to blue states at the southern border this year as Texas has implemented tougher policies and rhetoric to combat the issue in the absence of federal help. Internal U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data provided to Fox News shows that Border Patrol apprehended more than 141,000 illegal immigrants in February. Of those, more than 70% were in Arizona, California, and New Mexico all of which, are run by Democratic governors. Texas, which has five out of nine Border Patrol sectors along the Southern border and has traditionally seen the most activity, saw around 42,000 apprehensions of illegal immigrants or just under 30% of apprehensions nationwide in February. FILE: Migrants attempt to cross Mexico-United States border despite heightened security measures, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on February 01, 2024. Texas, in recent months, has been testing the limits of how far the state can go in keeping illegal immigrants out of the country, irking the Biden administration in the process. On Monday, the Justice Department asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a new Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants who enter the country illegally. The emergency request came after a federal appeals court stayed U.S. District Judge David Ezra's sweeping rejection of the law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AT SOUTHERN BORDER SURPASS 21,000 IN 72 HOURS, CBP SOURCES SAY The law is set to take effect Saturday unless the Supreme Court intervenes. The Justice Department told the 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." Under the Texas law, state officers can arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally. Once in custody, people arrested can agree to a Texas judge's order to leave the country or face a misdemeanor charge for entering the U.S. illegally. Migrants who don't leave after being ordered to do so could be arrested again and charged with a more serious felony. 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. Several Republican governors have backed Abbott's efforts, saying the federal government is not doing enough to enforce existing immigration laws. Some of Abbott's attempts to impede illegal border crossings have included a floating barrier in the Rio Grande and placing razor wire along the state's 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. Original article source: Nearly a dozen migrants hurt trying to scale California border wall as more crossings diverted away from Texas I grew up living paycheck to paycheck and working my whole life, but I always dreamed of travel. At 64, a few years from retirement, I can afford to travel and I built up the courage to go alone. My first trip was to Antarctica, and I plan to keep seeing the world while I can. I've dreamed of travel ever since my uncle gave me a subscription to National Geographic magazine for my 8th birthday. I still remember flipping through beautiful photos of Antarctica and dreaming about one day seeing such a wondrous place with my own eyes. But travel was never really in the cards for me. I grew up living paycheck to paycheck in a large family in a small Long Island town. I've been working since I was a kid, and I never even left North America. But I decided that, at 64 years old, my dreams have been on hold for long enough. I finally have the money and time to travel, even though I'm not retired yet (I still have about three more years until then). I started my bucket list, and I'm determined to check things off. First up was my dream adventure to Antarctica. I mustered up the courage to book a long solo cruise My cruise (not pictured) brought me through Antarctica. Frans Van Heerden/Getty Images A cruise seemed like the best way to visit Antarctica it's generally more cost-effective than flying so I booked one that embarked from Santiago, Chile, this past December. It was my first time leaving North America, and I was petrified of heading to South America, alone, for 16 nights. But I also knew that if I didn't overcome these fears, I would only see the world through pictures and videos. I'd be depriving myself of my life-long dreams. Fortunately, I summoned the courage and boarded the plane for the long flight to Chile. Seeing Antarctica was as incredible as I'd dreamed it'd be The cruise itself was quite the journey. I bundled up and tried to maintain composure as temperatures dropped, and we sailed through the notoriously rough and rocky Drake Passage. I felt like I was in a movie as the ship approached Elephant Island, awed by the majestic snow-covered peaks and glaciers and the enormity of where I was swept over me. As we continued toward the Antarctic Peninsula, we sailed past magnificent icebergs of various colors, shapes, and sizes some as tall as a 20-story building. The penguins I saw (not pictured) were incredible. Patrick J. Endres/Getty Images We even passed a research station, where the inhabitants came out and waved to us travelers as we sailed by. From my balcony, I saw penguins, whales, birds, and other sea life. While stopping at the Falkland Islands, I took an excursion to a penguin rookery and watched thousands of penguins walking on glaciers and diving into the ocean. It was pure magic. The experience bolstered my courage and deepened my desire to keep traveling The trip was everything I thought it would be, and more. It made me more confident that I could overcome some of my fears of traveling to foreign countries, especially doing so alone. Next on my bucket list is visiting other places my 8-year-old self dreamed of seeing, like Norway and Iceland. Later this year, I'm flying to England to board another cruise for another long-awaited adventure. Although it took decades to get here, I'm glad to finally be pursuing my travel dreams now, there's no turning back. Read the original article on Business Insider NHS Lothian has been criticised for promising 'non-financial reparations' with health services in Scotland under pressure - georgeclerk A Scottish NHS board has made a formal apology over its historical slavery links in Jamaica. John Connaghan, the chairman of NHS Lothian, said that he wanted to face up and apologise after a report revealed that the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, founded in 1729, had been part-funded by a slave plantation left to it in a surgeons will. As part of efforts to make amends, a report suggests that NHS staff could be sent to work in hospitals near what was once the Red Hill pen in Jamaica, the slavery estate which provided rental income to a previous incarnation of the hospital. However, the health board was accused of a dereliction of its duties by sinking resources into addressing historical slavery links, rather than the turmoil in the modern-day health service. NHS Lothian last week organised an equality and diversity conference at which Prof Connaghan offered his formal slavery apology. Stephen Kerr, the Tory MSP, said that with NHS Lothian facing a 133 million funding gap it was absurd to see health bosses holding conferences to promote woke ideology. Patients are facing longer waiting times and cancelled operations, he said. Staffing levels are under threat and the NHS workforce is under intolerable levels of stress. Im proud of the part our country played in ending the slave trade. But the NHS was established in 1948 and we are talking about events that took place over 300 years ago. NHS Lothian has also committed to a comprehensive reparations scheme going forward which will involve commissioning new artworks. This nonsense needs to stop While it is envisaged that much of the work will be funded by NHS Lothians official charity, some insiders believe staff time is being wasted and that donations and bequests intended to benefit patients are being misused on the controversial project. Mr Kerr added: NHS managers and board members should be ashamed to use scarce resources to hold conferences and sit in meetings to promote this nonsense when hard-pressed nurses, doctors and other staff are being pushed to their very limits to save lives. Its nothing more than a slap in the face to the hardworking staff and their patients. This nonsense needs to stop. Stephen Kerr called NHS Lothian's reparations plan a "slap in the face to hardworking staff and their patients" The hospital has moved twice since it was given the plantation in the will of surgeon Archibald Kerr 275 years ago. The hospital then owned and leased enslaved people until 1834, when slavery was abolished in British colonies. Last October, the NHS Lothian board approved a plan to make non-financial reparations for its role in the slave trade. It said the plantation provided considerable wealth, worth the equivalent of almost 40 million today, to the early Royal Infirmary after it was bequeathed in 1749. It also received other donations from people who benefited from slavery. A follow-up report released as part of the conference said every penny of wealth extracted from enslavement is a stain on the Royal Infirmarys history. In discussions about how NHS Lothian could make up for its history, it was suggested that it could fund training for Jamaican medical students or see NHS staff going to Jamaica or working with hospitals near Red Hill pen. In his apology, Prof Connaghan said his organisation needed to face up to and apologise for the fact that in the early days of this great hospital, wealth to support its activities was drawn from the practice of slavery that we now know was a crime against humanity. He added: As we near our third century we recognise and apologise for these historical acts and the impact on all the people who have suffered because of them. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BEIRUT, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Tuesday called for Israel's withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, urging a peaceful solution to the Lebanon-Israel conflict on the southern border. "Our work together to build a better future for our current and future generations requires stopping the Israeli aggression against southern Lebanon and Gaza, moving towards a peaceful solution to the conflict, obligating Israel to implement international resolutions ... and to withdraw from Lebanese occupied territories," said Mikati, according to a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. Mikati's remarks came during the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia in Beirut. The prime minister said that the conflict taking place in southern Lebanon puts tremendous pressure on the country, calling on the international community to help stop Israeli aggression and work on peaceful solutions to the issues of the region. The Lebanon-Israel border has been witnessing increased tension since Oct. 8, 2023, after Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike in the town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of one civilian and injuries to three others. The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 336 people on the Lebanese side, including 226 Hezbollah members and 62 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. Niles police have arrested a 28-year-old Niles man in the shooting death of a 26-year-old at Harlem and Chase Avenues in late February and indicated drugs played a role in the crime. The Cook County States Attorneys Office has charged Alexander G. Eleopoulos, 28, of the 7100 block of Keeney Street, Niles, with first-degree murder, a Class M felony, in the killing of Billy J. Parker, 26, of the 7300 block of North Oconto Avenue, Chicago. Both men lived within a mile of the location where police found Parker on the ground with gunshot wounds on Sunday, Feb. 25 at about 9:08 p.m., according to previous reports. Niles police said an investigation by their detectives and investigators from the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force (NORTAF) determined the victim met the suspect at a pre-determined location to conduct a drug transaction, and the suspect shot and killed the victim. Police indicated the suspect made a statement to detectives incriminating himself in the murder, and said this was corroborated by a witness. A arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. NILES, Ill. A man was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing another man last month in Niles. Billy Parker, 26, of Chicago, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds just before 9:10 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the area of Harlem and Chase. He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Police believe Parker met with Alexander Eleopoulos, 28, of Niles, for a drug transaction. Man, 26, from Edison Park shot and killed in Niles Niles police said Eleopoulos incriminated himself in the murder to a detective. He has been charged with first-degree murder and was taken into custody on Monday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Opinion. Fourteen years ago this month, the South Dakota legislature passed an eleventh-hour proposal to change the state's statute of limitations on child sex offenses. The legislation made it impossible for any victim aged 40 or above to bring civil damages against people or institutions including churches and schools that should have known of the sexual abuse. The 2010 measure was first brought to the legislature by Steven R. Smith, a South Dakota attorney for a Catholic entity that was being sued by dozens of Native Americans who claimed they had been sexually abused over decades at three Indian boarding schools run by the church. Then-governor Mike Rounds, a Republican who now serves as South Dakotas junior U.S. Senator, signed the bill into law in March 2010. With the swipe of his pen, Rounds undid scores of lawsuits for more than 100 Native American boarding school survivors against the Catholic Church and put South Dakota out of step with the rest of the country so much so that another Republican lawmaker later said: I'm told that what we did in 2010 made South Dakota a great place for pedophiles. South Dakotas statute of limitations change stemmed from Native American adults who brought lawsuits against the Catholic Church. They wanted some level of justice for the sexual abuse they experienced at the hands of priests and nuns while attending Indian boarding schools. Reading some of the cases from that time period revealed stories of Catholic priests molesting, raping and sexually abusing young Native American girls and Native American boys. If the priests sins were discovered, they were often given slaps on their hands and transferred to other institutions, where they had access to other Native American children they could victimize. As I journeyed along the U.S. Department of the Interiors Road to Healing tour last year, I heard of sexual abuse perpetrated in Indian boarding schools in every region of the country. The physical, emotional, and sexual abuse was not isolated to South Dakota nor to the Indian boarding schools run by the Catholic Church. Almost two years ago, our Senior Reporter Jenna Kunze brought to our attention the story of nine sisters from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa who attended Indian boarding schools when they were little girls growing up in the 1950s and 60s. While there, they endured almost unspeakable sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of Catholic priests and nuns at the St. Pauls Indian Mission boarding school in Marty, South Dakota. The sisters, as adults, have spent years attempting to seek justice, but were denied by the South Dakota legislature last-minute statute-of-limitations change in 2010. The law stripped them and hundreds of other Native survivors of sexual abuses the right to sue the Catholic Church. It deprived them of the opportunity to seek justice and find healing. For more than a decade, the sisters tried to overturn the law. Last week, we published Nine Little Girls, a two-part series that tells the story of the nine Charbonneau sisters. Reported by Kunze, it was almost two years in the making. The story was slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which took the life of one sister. Another sister passed from cancer. And one other died of an aneurysm. So, Jenna waited with sensitivity so that she could properly capture the essence of the injustice experienced by the sisters and the familys efforts to continue fighting for justice, despite the setbacks. Other media outlets have reported on different aspects of this story over the years, so Native News Online is not the first publication to tell the Charbonneau sisters story. And I hope were not the last. This story needs to be told over and over again until the South Dakota legislature eliminates the statute of limitations on sexual abuses, especially those suffered by our elders during the assimilation era. If our people are ever going to heal from the dark spot in American history called Indian boarding schools, we must allow justice to be part of the process. Truth must be sought, regardless of whether or not the criminal is dead or alive. It should not matter. It is time for the remaining Charbonneau sisters and their families to be given justice. It is time for Native Americans to heal from the historical trauma brought by a dark era in American history. Justice brings healing. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that in a leaked conversation between Bundeswehr officers, it was clearly stated that no political decision had been made to send Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. Source: Reuters Details: "They always mentioned during all that phone call, there is no political decision neither by the chancellor (Olaf Scholz) nor by me to deploy Taurus to Ukraine," Pistorius said. The minister said that Germany's allies were not upset about the scandal surrounding the intercepted conversation. He added that he had informed his partners in Washington and London on Monday that it was a one-off mistake. "They are not angry or upset with Germany because they know that we have rules and that things like this can happen," said Pistorius. Background: Earlier, Pistorius said that one of the participants in confidential talks that were intercepted by Russia, in which senior German Air Force officers discussed the supply of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, had called via an insecure line. Support UP or become our patron! Rise in levels on River Thurne follow Norfolk's wettest February on record and months of heavy rainfall - Herbert Woods/BHA/SWNS Cruises on the Norfolk Broads are under threat from rising water levels that have made a key bridge impassable, operators say. The rise in levels on the River Thurne follow Norfolks wettest February on record and months of heavy rainfall. Boat operators say the space underneath the 14th-century stone bridge in Potter Heigham is now too small for all but the lowest boats to pass through, blocking off miles of the Broads. The Environment Agency has rejected calls from cruise operators to resume dredging in the area to remove pressure on the river, saying it is focused on long-term efficacy over short-lived fixes. The agency rarely supports the use of dredging, which historically has been used to reduce river levels to combat flooding, because it is believed to be more expensive and harmful to the environment. Our larger vessels are currently unable to pass under Potter Heigham Bridge due to the high river levels, thereby impacting our overall hiring capacity, said Nick Highton, of the Martham Ferry Boatyard. In addressing this, we advocate for increased dredging activities in the short term, allowing us to manage the existing challenges effectively, while new comprehensive water management plans are formulated to mitigate potential future issues. He added that after two years of elevated rainfall, we acknowledge that this may be a transient weather pattern and hope for a return to historically lower rainfall levels in the east of England. Robin Richardson (left) and Patrick Richardson in the flooded car park of Phoenix Fleet, in Potter Heigham - Phoenix Fleet/SWNS Robin Richardson, who owns Phoenix Fleet, a boat hire firm, told a local news agency that the river had never really emptied properly since a storm and flooding in 2022. River Thurne, where it goes out into the sea, needs dredging. It needs dredging back to the level it was pre-1997, when it was dredged regularly, he said. He added that there seems to be a culture of dont do anything in case we do something wrong. But the Environment Agency told the Telegraph that its decision not to pursue dredging was based on our understanding of the River Thurnes dynamics. Dredging would currently bring little benefit to the river given that it is tidal, which means silt would return to the channel quickly sometimes in a matter of weeks, said a spokesman. However, where there is a case for it, dredging does take place for the purposes of navigation by the Broads Authority. Our focus is on the long-term solutions that will allow the River Thurne to remain usable for the public and mitigating flood risk, whilst also making sure we improve the local environment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. This article was originally published in Education NC. Hundreds of higher education leaders across the country gathered virtually on Feb. 28-29 for a dual enrollment conference hosted by several North Carolina agencies the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS), the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the University of North Carolina at Greensboros Early College Research Center, and the national RAND Corporation. The conference included more than 30 sessions focused on the benefits of dual enrollment, the need for equity, and strategies to improve and expand programs. This is the second conference focused on the role of dual enrollment in unlocking student potential and expanding access to postsecondary education in our state and across the country, said NCCCS President Dr. Jeff Cox. We are a leader in the country in dual enrollment, but theres a lot of interest to expand even further. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In North Carolina, dual enrollment opportunities for high school students have existed for more than 30 years. The states dual enrollment program, Career and College Promise (CCP), was created in 2011 to provide structured opportunities for high school students to earn college credits tuition-free that lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree as well as provide entry-level jobs skills. In recent years, the NCCCS has focused on expanding and strengthening CCP, which includes three pathways: college transfer, career and technical education (CTE), and Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS). The systems 2022-26 strategic plan includes high school enrollment as a focus of increasing access and enrollment across the state. At the same time, participation in dual enrollment programs has increased. Last school year, the NCCCS served over 78,000 students in its dual enrollment programs during 2022-23, Cox said. CCP participation among N.C. high schoolers doubled from 6% in 2014-15 to 12% in 2020-21. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said dual enrollment is an important part of student success. She said the community college system is crucial to her work of improving the states public schools, expanding innovation, and ensuring that all students are prepared to be enrolled, enlisted, or employed when they graduate. Keynote speaker Dr. Karen Stout, president and chief executive officer of Achieving the Dream, urged conference attendees to rethink access to dual enrollment. Dual enrollment is the fastest-growing segment of community college enrollment, she said. We must stretch the boundaries of our thinking about the design of our dual enrollment programs and about the range of partnerships we might develop with K-12 partners to help more students thrive who without these programs, would never have found their way to college in the first place. Stout raised a few themes for participants to think about over the two-day conference. The importance of CTE pathways to increase equitable access to dual enrollment. Aligning dual enrollment programs with other college offerings in a more strategic manner. Articulating a shared vision among partners and then creating a work plan to achieve desired outcomes. Focusing on equitable expansion. Specifically, Stout recommended creating culturally-focused and community-specific outreach, engaging prospective students earlier, and bringing advising/classes to students. Equity must be at the center of the work to strengthen dual enrollment, she said. There is much for us to do, and this is important work at a critical moment. Dual enrollment must become a centerpiece to our equitable student success agenda. Heres a look at some of the main takeaways from the conference. The graphic below also includes an overview of the three CCP pathways in North Carolina. Impacts of dual enrollment Overall, data shows positive impacts of dual enrollment, said Dr. Julie Edmunds, the director of the Early College Research Center at UNC-Greensboros SERVE. Research indicates that CCP programs allow participants to earn postsecondary credentials at higher rates than their peers with larger benefits for economically disadvantaged students. Edmunds said economically disadvantaged students benefit most in attaining bachelors degrees. Edmunds presented data on college-level credits earned by the end of 12th grade among CCP participants and their peers. You can see that data in the chart below. If you dont see impacts on these college credits, then your program isnt really doing anything at all, Edmunds said. But as you can see from this chart, CCP students earn many more college credits than students in the comparison groups. She noted that CIHS involvement has the largest impact on postsecondary attainment among the pathways. Other benefits of CCP include higher graduation rates and a higher likelihood to earn a credential. That includes any postsecondary credential, certificate, associate degree, and bachelors degree. Among all pathways and credentials, the only negative impact was among CTE participants. Students who participated in CTE were slightly less likely to earn a bachelors degree than their peers, Edmunds said. This seems to suggest that some students may have been steered away from earning a bachelors degree. Is this good, or is this bad? Edmunds said. It could be good if students might have learned that their desired career did not require a bachelors degree, and therefore they didnt need to go to a four-year institution. However, we also know that students with bachelors degrees earn more over the long haul than students without bachelors degrees. Rural students also tend to benefit more from CCP participation, Edmunds said. (This is) mostly because they dont have as many alternative options to them for high-level course taking, she said. The Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Researchs Dr. Holley Nichols presented on benefits for rural students taking dual enrollment math courses. North Carolina saw a 45% increase in math dual enrollment courses taken between 2017 and 2022, according to the Belk Centers research. We really saw this incredible uptick that was much sharper than overall engagement in dual enrollment, in math, said Nichols, the Belk Centers associate director of research and evaluation. The center analyzed participation in math dual enrollment courses across the state, focusing on highly transferrable courses like statistical methods, pre-calculus/algebra, and calculus. They found that math dual enrollment participation was roughly 25% across the board in Tier 1 counties, as ranked by the N.C. Department of Commerce. Each year, the department ranks counties on their economic well-being, with 1 being the most economically distressed and 3 being the least economically distressed. In rural counties specifically, the rate of participation in math dual enrollment was often higher. This could be due to generally higher rates of math teacher vacancies in rural areas, Nichols said. Related Colleges Must Extend Enrollment Deadlines after FAFSA Delays In some counties, the rate of math dual enrollment participation was up to 50%, Nichols said. In rural areas, the importance of these math dual enrollment classes cannot be underestimated, Nichols said. For a lot of these high schools, that is the chance to take upper-level math. Despite all the benefits CCP offers, access to dual enrollment is not equitably distributed, conference speakers said. Here is a look at what research says about increasing the equity of dual enrollment. Equitable expansion While dual enrollment is particularly beneficial for economically-disadvantaged students, gaps exist in participation and attainment. Those gaps vary across dual enrollment pathways, speakers said, but generally impact Black, Hispanic, and male student populations. In the college transfer pathway, Edmunds said an additional gap exists among economically disadvantaged students. Many gaps exist because colleges are not intentional about outreach, she said. When you just sort of make an opportunity available to people, who are the people who are going to take advantage of that? Edmunds said. Well, theyre going to be the people that are already super motivated or their parents are super motivated. People who come with all of those inherent supports and advantages, those are going to be the people who are going to take advantage of it first. Conference speakers, including Edmunds, emphasized several strategies to advance equity in dual enrollment: the importance of strong K-12 partnerships, academic and non-academic supports, and early career/academic exploration. Edmunds also shared several recommendations on expanding access to dual enrollment, included below. Sarah Griffin, a research associate with Columbia Universitys Community College Research Center (CCRC), shared the centers equity framework, dual enrollment equity pathways (DEEP). DEEP is a research-based framework for rethinking dual enrollment as a more equitable on-ramp to college programs of study that lead to family-supporting, career-path jobs for students who might not otherwise pursue education after college, per the centers website. In general, the expansion of dual enrollment has been really positive for students and communities, Griffin said. However, in addition to gaps in access, some dual enrollment programs also lack structured guidance for students. Griffin said the DEEP framework seeks to mitigate both challenges. So the DEEP research was motivated by our interest in understanding who was getting access to dual enrollment, she said. But also what were students getting access to, in terms of their dual enrollment programs and how they were being implemented. Heres a look at the main components of the DEEP framework: Related Helping Teens Succeed: We Must Blur the Lines Between HS, College & Careers Leaders from Ohios Columbus State Community College and Columbus City Schools also presented on their efforts to address food insecurity among dual enrollment students. Why should we address food insecurity among dual enrollment students? asked Columbus State K-12 Partnerships Director Kimberly Connell. Because when students dont have access to adequate food, it impacts their concentration, their memory, their mood, and their motor skills. Those are things that are all important for students to be successful. In fall 2021, the college started a lunch card distribution program to address food insecurity. Students who take in-person courses are eligible to receive lunch cards based on the number of days they are on campus for class. Presenters said the program has addressed an important need. During the first year of the program, the college distributed 309 lunch cards to 10 students, per the presentation. By fall 2023, that amount increased to 1,088 lunch cards to 48 students. Students cannot achieve self actualization if their basic needs are not met, Connell said. Speakers lifted up a number of other strategies for increasing equity in dual enrollment, listed below. Build resources for under-resourced schools with the most limited capacity. Invest time and resources. Strengthen and streamline dual enrollment processes. Promote student success once students have enrolled in courses. Attend community and school events to explain the opportunities of dual enrollment, and market that message well. Prioritize authentic connections between staff and students, which requires capacity and strong team vision. Dr. Jason Taylor, an associate professor at the University of Utahs Department of Educational Leadership, stressed the importance of program vision and planning. We really need to be looking at the relationship between design and outcomes, Taylor said. How we design our programs and the purpose of our programs matters quite a bit in terms of what we might need to consider for equitable outcomes. Lessons from early colleges Throughout the conference, several panels and speakers highlighted the strengths of the early college model. The early college is a really great setting to explore these other ideas about how to support students in dual enrollment courses more effectively, said Dr. Julie Edmunds, with the Early College Research Center. In North Carolina, early colleges fall under the Cooperative Innovative High Schools (CIHS) pathway, which also includes middle colleges and STEM and career academies. CIHS students account for 31% of those enrolled across the three CCP programs in the state. In order to address equity gaps in dual enrollment, North Carolinas legislation establishing CIHS states that schools must target one of the following three student populations: First-generation college students. High school students who are at risk of dropping out. High school students who would benefit from accelerated instruction. Nationally, there are about 1,100 early colleges, according to research presented by RTI International. That research identifies North Carolina as a national leader of early college programs, with 134 CIHS programs. Heres a map of those programs across the state. Related School Choice Activist Jeff Yass May Have Prompted Trumps About-Face on TikTok RTI Senior Research Education Analyst Dr. Elizabeth Glennie said early colleges can help mitigate barriers to college. Glennie discussed financial, academic, cultural, and logistical barriers. Early colleges help prepare students for the rigor and culture of college. They also provide support in applying for college, which is particularly important for first-generation students. Perhaps most importantly, Glennie said, early colleges provide students with college courses for no cost. Dr. Frank McKay, an education consultant with RTI, spoke about the characteristics of early colleges. In North Carolina, early colleges have a cap of 100 students per grade. N.C. early colleges serve students in grades 9-13, which allows students to remain in school for a fifth year to earn their associate degree. If youve seen one early college, youve seen one early college, because theyre such unique implementations, McKay said. The kind of sweet spot and secret of success is the combination of the rigorous (college) program and curriculum, tied with really strong student supports. Edgecombe Early College High School Principal Matt Bristow-Smith spoke about how to help dual enrollment students succeed. One of the way you grow programs is by creating something successful that people want to be a part of, and that they can see themselves in, Bristow-Smith said. Giving folks hope and inspiration is really important, and someone needs to be the moral cheerleader of your school And the second piece is you need to have a plan for folks. Lisa Cummings, principal of Wake Early College of Health and Sciences, said intentional supports are crucial for student success. Wake Early College of Health and Sciences opened in 2006 as the first early college in Wake County and focuses on careers in health sciences. Seventy percent of the schools students are first-generation students or from underrepresented backgrounds. Last year, 80% of their graduates were accepted and planned to attend four-year universities, Cummings said. Here are other student success strategies Cummings shared: Strategic advising, front-loaded when students first arrive. Purposeful scheduling. Targeted courses. Interventions inside and outside the classroom. Future research, work Keynote speaker Dr. Karen Stout left conference attendees with several questions on which to reflect: Does dual enrollment help the many, many students who aspire to transfer into a bachelors program, but never do? Do our programs lead not only to good, in-demand jobs, but also put students on a pathway to a meaningful career over the long-term? Do our programs have positive social, economic, and cultural impacts on our communities? Speakers also lifted up the need for strong data collection and reevaluation of programs. The Early College Research Center is researching the impact of dual enrollment on employment and earnings, Edmunds said, and how the pandemic impacted students postsecondary choices and performance. On Thursday afternoon, attendees also heard about the role of policy and legislation in dual enrollment expansion. Those panelists emphasized the need for strong data, design, and partnerships. They also cautioned against broadly expanding all programs and advocated instead for focusing on impactful programs and practices. Finally, the panel encouraged conference attendees to remain engaged in the policy conversations in their prospective states. Were at a critical point, said panel facilitator Dr. Joel Vargas, vice president of Jobs for the Future. So we really need all of you champions out there. Everyone has a leadership role to play, Achieving the Dreams Nick Mathern said during the conferences closing remarks. It will take all stakeholders to reach educational attainment goals and close equity gaps, he said. Talk to the students and families in your community about what the value proposition for higher education looks like to them, said Mathern, Achieving the Dreams executive director of K12 partnerships. Ive been inspired by the excellent work shared by so many of you around the country. And Im eager to see what the collective impact of our continued work will be. Starting the week of March 4, you can view session recordings on the conferences website after creating an account. After 30 days, those recordings will be moved to YouTube, under the handle @DE24DualEnrollmentConference. This article first appeared on EducationNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. [Source] A physician in North Carolina delivered her daughter on Feb. 29, the same day she was born 40 years ago. How it happened: Dr. Kai Sun, a rheumatologist at Duke Health in Durham, and her husband, Michael Paik, welcomed their daughter Chloe at around 5 a.m. on Thursday, a leap day. In a video, Sun shared that Chloe's birth was supposed to be induced on Feb. 24, but they decided to wait a few more days. "We had the silly idea. What if she is born on the same [day] as me, since this is a leap year?" Sun wondered. The aftermath: Shortly after her birth, Chloe was taken to a pediatrician because she was breathing fast. But "everything checked out" and they have since been doing well, Sun told "Good Morning America." Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure About her pregnancy: Sun, an assistant professor of medicine at the hospital, revealed that she had a miscarriage about a year ago, making Chloes birth even more special for them. She also dealt with other issues during her pregnancy, including "some abnormal findings" on the initial ultrasound, contracting COVID-19 herself and falling on her belly in her third trimester. Sun on Thursday also turned 10 in leap years. She hopes to be discharged on Friday so she can introduce Chloe to her older siblings, Charis, 5, and Caleb, 3. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! A Hitler-quoting, gay-bashing, conspiracy-flouting antisemite is on track to cinch the GOPs gubernatorial nomination in the battleground state of North Carolina. North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is up for election in the states primary election on Tuesday. He has so far pulled ahead by double-digit percentage points over his GOP opposition, Bill Graham, according to a February High Point University Survey Research Center poll. Thats in spite of the fact that the Trump-endorsed candidate quoted Adolf Hitler in a 2014 Facebook post that normalizes the German dictators stance on racial pride. History who said it #1; Pride in ones own raceand that does not imply contempt for other racesis also a normal and healthy sentiment. I have never regarded the Chinese or the Japanese as being inferior to ourselves... They have the right to be proud of their past, just as we have the right to be proud of the civilization to which we belong, the post (which is still up) read. Then, at a Moms for Liberty summit in July, Robinson fervently defended his choice to quote the genocidal leader of the Nazi Party, implying that doing so without context is not akin to endorsing his words or actions. Whether youre talking about Adolf Hitler, whether youre talking about Chairman Mao, whether youre talking about Stalin, whether youre talking about Pol Pot, whether youre talking about Castro in Cuba, or whether youre talking about a dozen other despots all around the globe; it is time for us to get back and start reading some of those quotes, Robinson said, adding, Its time for us to start teaching our children about the dirty, despicable, awful things that those Communist and socialist despots did in our history. Again, the Facebook post quoting Hitler is still up with none of this additional context. Robinson has drawn immediate comparisons to Trump for his bombastic orations and loyal GOP following, and like Trump, he has a laundry list of controversies. In other posts, Robinson has minimized the horrors of the Holocaust, claimed a satanic marxist had made the movie Black Panther to pull shekels out of Black audiences, likened women getting abortions to murderers, and derided gay people as filth and maggots. He has also expressed archaic views about womens role in society, telling a Charlotte-area church in 2022 that Christians are called to be led by men. God sent women out when they had to do their thing, but when it was time to face down Goliath, [He] sent David. Not Davita, David, Robinson said at the time. And yet, Robinsons gubernatorial win would turn the states executive branchits last Democratic holdoutred, effectively locking Democrats out of a state they had once predicted would be their stronghold in the South. Robinsons likely opponent come November will be Attorney General Josh Stein, the Democratic favorite. FILE - A Bismarck police vehicle sits outside the Bismarck Police Department in Bismarck, N.D., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. A North Dakota prosecutor has declined charges against Bismarck police officers who fatally shot a teenager last fall during a traffic stop. Nicholas Bruington, 17, of Bismarck, was shot and killed Nov. 12, 2023, in a mall parking lot, where the traffic stop by police took place. (AP Photo/Jack Dura, File) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A North Dakota prosecutor has declined charges against three Bismarck police officers who were involved in the fatal shooting of a teenager last fall during a traffic stop. Nicholas Bruington, 17, of Bismarck, was shot and killed Nov. 12, 2023, in a mall parking lot, where the traffic stop by police took place. Bruington was a suspect in a report of gunfire in the area, and witnesses had identified him as the shooter, according to Burleigh County State's Attorney Julie Lawyer, who reviewed the case and announced her decision on Tuesday, finding the shooting justified. Bruington, a passenger in the vehicle with his mother and brother, did not immediately comply with officers' commands to show his hands, but he did eventually put up his hands and get out of the vehicle, Lawyer said. But he bent back into the vehicle and emerged with a firearm in his right hand, she said. He began to run, at first toward the officer who was making the commands, she said. Officers fired and began to pursue him, Lawyer said. They shot him twice and performed life-saving measures until he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He suffered gunshot wounds to the right upper back of his torso and his right hand, according to an autopsy Lawyer cited. By engaging in the prior shooting incident and grabbing his gun prior to his attempted escape, Bruington indicated he was likely to endanger officers or others or to inflict serious bodily injury unless he was apprehended immediately," Lawyer wrote in a Feb. 26 letter declining charges. Bruington dropped the handgun after the first shots, she said. A bullet apparently broke the weapon into pieces. The officers Wade Nordick, Benjamin Friedt and Zach Halpin were placed on administrative leave pending a probe by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. They returned to duty effective Jan. 2. Videos released by police show Bruington exiting the vehicle with his hands up, appearing upset and shouting. He then pulls at his shirt or waistband, returns to the vehicle, appears with what police highlighted as a handgun and runs before four gunshots are heard. A video from a police vehicle shows the car following Bruington as he ran, driving up on a sidewalk and back into the street before two final gunshots of six total rounds ring out. Bruington's mother did not immediately respond to a Facebook message for comment. Apache choppers take off at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Monday as the Freedom Shield joint military exercise kicks off. North Korea on Tuesday warned of a "dear price" over the exercise. Photo by Yonhap SEOUL, March 5 (UPI) -- North Korea warned Tuesday that the United States and South Korea will be "made to pay a dear price" for holding their annual Freedom Shield large-scale joint military exercise. An unnamed representative of the North's Ministry of National Defense condemned the "provocative" 11-day exercise, which kicked off Monday with ramped-up field training drills and a focus on countering threats from the nuclear-armed North. The ministry "strongly denounces the reckless military drills of the U.S. and [South Korea] for getting more undisguised in their military threat to a sovereign state and attempt for invading it," the statement, carried in state-run Korean Central News Agency, said. The North Korean 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 said. North Korea regularly condemns the allies' joint exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and has used the drills in the past as a pretext for its own missile tests. Freedom Shield is the first joint exercise since the North scrapped a 2018 inter-Korean military accord meant to reduce tensions along the border, raising additional concerns over a provocative response from Pyongyang. On Tuesday, South Korea's Defense Ministry responded to the statement, calling Freedom Shield "a defensive military exercise conducted regularly every year to prepare for North Korea's provocations and aggression." "Our military is thoroughly prepared for North Korea's provocations," a spokesman for the ministry said in a message to reporters. "If North Korea makes a direct provocation under the pretext of joint exercises, we will respond overwhelmingly." The joint drills come as tensions remain at the highest point in years on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang has conducted a flurry of weapons tests this year and has ramped up its bellicose rhetoric toward South Korea, labeling Seoul its "principal enemy" last month. The United States and South Korea, meanwhile, have increased their military cooperation with expanded drills and the deployment of U.S. assets such as aircraft carriers, a B-52 nuclear bomber and a nuclear ballistic missile submarine to the Korean Peninsula in recent months. In addition to U.S. and South Korean forces, personnel from 11 other member countries of the United Nations Command are joining the exercise. Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand will take part in different capacities. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Two foreigners were arrested for overstaying in Brunei in a joint operation by government departments of Brunei Darussalam, according to an official media report on Tuesday. Law enforcers from the Immigration and National Registration Department, and other departments launched a joint operation and inspected more than 200 foreign nationals in several local commercial buildings, according to the Pelita Brunei, Brunei's official media. Twenty-three foreign nationals have been detained for further investigation due to failure to provide valid documents, among whom two foreign nationals have been charged and sentenced to months of jail, and fined, according to the media report. Apache choppers take off at Camp Humphreys, to join the Freedom Shield 2024 exercise. -/YNA/dpa North Korea warned the United States and South Korea that they will pay a "high price" for holding their annual spring military drills. The Defence Ministry in Pyongyang described the 11-day Freedom Shield exercises, which began on Monday, as a threat that would be met with the appropriate response. He did not say what counter-measures would be taken, however. For its part, South Korea's Defence Ministry warned the North's isolated regime against undertaking "direct provocations." According to South Korea, defence against nuclear threats from North Korea will be a core element of the readiness drills, which include computer simulations and training sessions in the field. The US, along with North Korea's neighbours South Korea and Japan, see themselves directly threatened by Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes. The one-party state in the north, ruled by Kim Jong Un, considers Washington in particular to be hostile. North Korea's Defence Ministry on Tuesday accused the US armed forces of preparing an invasion together with South Korea. North Korea's People's Army will continue to observe the "adventurous actions of the enemy and undertake responsible military activities to control the unstable security environment on the Korean peninsula," it said. South Korea and the US deny Pyongyang's accusations of wanting to attack the country. They say their joint military exercises are exclusively for defensive purposes. Tensions on the Korean peninsula have escalated considerably over the past two years. In response to the numerous tests of nuclear-capable missiles by North Korea, Seoul and Washington have further expanded their military cooperation. South Korean and US Air Force leaders of the Combined Air Component Command get together to monitor the Freedom Shield 2024 exercise at the Korean Air and Space Operations Center in Osan Air Base. -/YNA/dpa South Korean and US soldiers of the Combined Air Component Command conduct the Freedom Shield 2024 exercise at the Korean Air and Space Operations Center in Osan Air Base. -/YNA/dpa OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) is reminding travelers that its not too late to secure their accommodations to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 at an Oklahoma State Park, as well as tips and resources to help individuals plan their trip. The eclipse is just a few weeks away, which means now is the time to finalize your stay at one of our state parks for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. said Shelley Zumwalt, Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife & Heritage. Spots are filling up fast, especially those in sites with 100% totality. We expect to have thousands of visitors in southeast Oklahoma for the eclipse, so plan ahead and be prepared. Users report issues accessing Facebook, Instagram, more If youre looking for additional accommodation options, consider staying at any number of state parks in Southeast Oklahoma just outside of totality, and traveling into a park in the path of the eclipse on April 8. The agency recently launched its 2024 eclipse web page for travelers to plan their trip activities and book their stay at travelok.com/eclipse2024. It features tips on where the best viewing spots are and highlights outdoor adventures in or near the state parks. OTRD is also offering a 2024 Solar Eclipse Package that includes a t-shirt, safe viewing glasses and a sticker available for purchase online at shoptravelok.com. Souvenir eclipse glasses can also be purchased individually online, in your local Tourism Information Center or the nearest park gift shop. Oklahoma state parks with 100% totality for the solar eclipse are: Beavers Bend State Park Length of totality: 4 minutes and 15 seconds Talimena State Park Length of totality: 1 minute and 38 seconds Lake Wister State Park Length of totality: 1 minute and 31 seconds In addition to the three parks with full visibility, several state parks will have near-total visibility and are within driving distance of areas that will experience 100% totality. Consider booking at these locations and traveling into a nearby park. These parks include: McGee Creek State Park Darkness: 99.57% Robbers Cave State Park Darkness: 99% Lake Texoma State Park Darkness: 99% Lake Murray State Park Darkness: 97.8% To secure a spot at a state park lodge, cabin or campsite, visit travelok.com/state-parks/bookings. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Miami Beach is officially "breaking up" with spring break, according to a new PSA released by the city. Framed like, well, a breakup, the ad starts with actors addressing would-be spring breakers. In the one-minute video, spring break is discussed not as the iconic party fest it's become known as, but rather as a dreaded yearly occurrence that is detrimental to Miami Beach locals, law enforcement, businesses and property. Miami Beach Police escort revelers as they gather on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida on March 15, 2022. "This isn't safe so we're done," the ad says, flashing images of headlines detailing arrests, fights and violence from the year before. While the city has buffed up security in the past, implementing a curfew and directing resources towards law enforcement, this year's "break up with spring break" campaign appears to have taken things to the next level. How does Miami Beach plan to "break up" with spring breakers in 2024? With quite a few new rules. Curfews, checkpoints, mounted patrols: Miami, Florida cities brace for spring break 2024 'It's not us, it's you': Watch Miami Beach's anti-spring break ad Shared by the official City of Miami Beach social media accounts, the video, posted with hashtag #springbreakup, features three actors speaking as Miami Beach locals. "Hey, we need to talk," the video starts. "This isn't working anymore and it's not us, it's you. We just want different things." The "locals" go on to explain that they prefer to relax on the beach, try new restaurants and go to the spa for fun, whereas spring break revelers "just want to get drunk in public and ignore laws." The video calls last year's chaos "a breaking point," saying that this time around, stricter rules will be in place to keep partiers at bay. "This March, you can expect things like curfews, bag checks and restricted beach access, DUI checkpoints, $100 parking and strong police enforcement for drug possession and violence," the ad continues. "Whatever it takes because it's time to move on." Florida puts deterrents in place to drive away spring breakers Miami Beach Fire Rescue transport a woman on a stretcher on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida on March 17, 2022. In recent years, Miami Beach has implemented emergency curfews during spring break to control what has been described as chaos. While the pandemic slowed some things down, spring break soldered on in the area in 2021, with more than 1,000 arrests being made among partiers. Two shootings injured five people in 2022, drawing attention to the increased risk of violent crime linked to March revelry. Last year, Miami Beach Police Department said it conducted 488 arrests, impounded 105 firearms and issued 7,190 traffic citations between Feb. 27 and March 27. This year, the city is imposing additional security every Thursday through Sunday in March, limiting beach access and closing liquor stores early. As mentioned in the PSA, additional measures, such as restricted beach access, DUI checkpoints, bag checks and $100 parking will also be put in place. Parking garages in South Beach will close altogether from March 7 to 10 and March 14 to 17. In a statement made on Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Gov. Ron DeSantis warned tourists against "committing crimes" and "causing havoc," saying that Floria is a "law and order state." "You are going to pay the price, and we will hold you accountable because that's what we do here," DeSantis said, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY network. "Some people may be coming from other jurisdictions where they can get away with this type of activity. That is not going to fly in the Sunshine State." DeSantis said law enforcement agencies will be buffing up their teams to handle the influx of young party-goers. South Florida will receive more than 60 state troopers alone, with most going to Miami Beach, while other cities like Daytona Beach and Panama City will also receive additional resources. He also said drones and mobile command vehicles will be deployed along with automated license plate readers scanning for outstanding warrants and stolen vehicles. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami Beach spring break: City looks to 'break up' in new video PSA Educators, parents and researchers agree social media is highly addicting, and if algorithm-based posts are not driving the mental health crisis plaguing kids, they're at least riding shotgun. But the road to a solution is uncertain. A national push for social media platforms to do more to protect kids is playing out alongside an anticipated decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on state laws seeking to prevent social media companies from moderating content posted on their sites. New York has entered the fray with a pair of bills in the state Legislature that would prevent social media platforms from providing minors under 18 with addictive feeds without parental consent. The addicting nature of social media has been made possible by sophisticated algorithms that learn users' habits and provide them with content that keeps them on platforms longer. The bills would require social media platforms to get parent consent to allow kids to get their notifications between midnight and 6 a.m. And they would require the platforms to create options to opt out of access during those hours and limit how much time kids could spend on platforms overall. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, arrives to testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, to discuss child safety. "When it comes to things like this we need to protect our young people," said state Sen. Peter Harckham, D-Lewisboro, who is a co-sponsor of the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act, or SAFE Act. Should states intervene to protect kids from social media? New York's bills aren't about controlling what content young people can access, but rather about addressing the algorithms that present kids with the most addicting content, Harckham said. Both Harckham and state Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, D-Dobbs Ferry, a co-sponsor of the bill on the Assembly side, said federal legislation would ideally address the problem. "But the question is can our children in New York wait that long?" Shimsky said. Shimsky drew parallels to cigarette companies knowingly selling an addictive product. State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky. State Assemblymember Steven Otis, a Democrat who represents the Sound Shore and chairs the Assembly's Science and Technology Committee, said the committee was reviewing the bill and feedback from technology experts. The bills could either be included in the upcoming state budget or they could continue to be pursued as standalone legislation, he said. States aren't going to wait for the federal government to protect kids from social media, Otis said, and may not want to be "limited to what the federal government comes up with when they come up with something." Last year the U.S. surgeon general released a report saying social media presented "a profound risk of harm" to children and adolescents' mental health. In January, the CEOs of Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok and X, formerly Twitter, testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Legislators told them they weren't doing enough to protect kids from the harms of social media. In attendance were parents whose kids had suffered the negative impacts of social media, including suicide. When free speech applies The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision by June on two state laws restricting social media: one in Florida that prevents companies from kicking politicians off their social media platforms, and one in Texas that prevents them from removing users because of their viewpoints. Media reports indicated the court was skeptical of the two laws last month. While the New York bills have very different goals in targeting the algorithms presenting kids with addicting content, Leslie Garfield Tenzer, a professor of law at Pace University, suspects the New York legislation could run into similar pushback as the Florida and Texas laws. It could be challenged by lobbying groups for tech companies, she said. The Florida and Texas laws were born out of frustration with social media platforms' responses to former President Donald Trump and his social media posts that preceded the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. State Sen. Peter Harckham. But the First Amendment applies to the government, not to private companies, Tenzer said. The government can't restrict a citizen's free speech, but private social media sites can set their own rules for kicking people off, Tenzer said. But If the Supreme Court were to decide social media companies are common carriers, like railroads and telecommunications companies, they would be seen as quasi-governmental entities and subject to federal regulation, Tenzer said. "The question then becomes for New York state ... can New York state regulate the algorithms?" Tenzer said. The New York legislation could run into problems if the Supreme Court rules against the Florida and Texas laws, which would indicate the government can't tell social media platforms what they can and can't do, Tenzer said. Harckham said the New York legislation is not trying to restrict anyone's free speech, but protect children from addictive social media activity. "There's a difference between free speech and using algorithms to force information onto a young person's feed, designed only to get them to stay on the device longer so they can sell more advertising," he said. "To me that's not free speech. That's corporate manipulation." Contact Diana Dombrowski at ddombrowski@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @domdomdiana This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY legislation targets social media algorithms aimed at kids NEW YORK (AP) A New York City 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. 10-year-old caught subway surfing in Queens: police sources 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 Martins 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 Peaces 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. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The New York Police Department has arrested a 23-year-old woman in connection with a performer being attacked last month while playing his cello at a Manhattan subway station. Amira Hunter, was arrested and charged with assault on Wednesday, according to the NYPD. The Brooklyn residents arrest comes after Iain Forrest, a 29-year-old electric cellist who performs under the name Eyeglasses, was bashed in the back of the head with a metal water bottle while performing at 34th Street Herald Square station in mid-February. subway attack musician cello player @eyeglasses.stringmusic (@eyeglasses.stringmusic via Instagram) Hunter, who has had prior arrests involving domestic violence, petty larceny and grand larceny but no criminal convictions, pleaded not guilty and was ordered to cooperate with supervised release. The judge in this case was right to order supervised release for Ms. Hunter, as she has no prior criminal convictions, Hunters lawyer, New York County Defender Services attorney Joseph Conza, said in a statement provided to NBC News. People still deserve the presumption of innocence, even when video is released early on, because that is only a small part of the story. Other people have been exonerated despite early video footage for exactly that reason. Forrest addressed the developments in a video on Friday, saying he was relieved and thankful that the suspect was caught. You may see on the news that the suspect was released under supervision; rather than get mired in the complexities of bail reform, I want to focus on everyone staying safe and moving forward positively with music, Forrest said. Video that captured the incident showed a woman lingering at the station watching Forrest perform, before suddenly attacking him. Forrest, who is part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authoritys performing arts program Music Under New York, previously told NBC News that the incident prompted him to decide to stop playing in the NYC subway system. He also said he is in the process of forming a coalition to push for stronger protections for subway musicians. The NYPD records information on reported attacks, but Forrest said he is pushing for more specific data to be collected. Theres just no tally or that simple counting and tracking of specifically musicians being attacked, he said. Once we have eyes on those trends, and you see, OK, well, look, its against solo musicians who are at 34th Street Herald Square at the evening rush hour. Once you have that information you can better give resources to prevent that from happening with the NYPD. Hunter is expected back in court on April 4 for a hearing. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) hit back at protesters who were following and filming her at a theater over the weekend and who heckled her about her stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly criticized the war, but the protesters filming her accused her of not calling the war in Gaza a genocide. You refuse to call it a genocide, one of the protesters says in the video, prompting Ocasio-Cortez to respond with, I need you to understand that this is not OK. When the protester shot back that its not OK that theres a genocide happening and youre not actively against it, the New York Democrat said they were lying. The protesters followed her down an escalator and out the doors of the theater, still accusing her of refusing to call the Israeli attacks in Gaza a genocide. As she exited the building, the protesters continued to follow her down the street. The video then cut to Ocasio-Cortez turning to the camera and accusing the protesters of planning to edit the video to make it look like she said something she did not. And youre gonna cut this youre gonna clip this so that its completely out of context, she told the protester. I already said that it was. And yall are just going to pretend that it wasnt over and over again, Ocasio-Cortez says in the video, referring to calling Gaza a genocide. Its fed up, man. Youre not helping your people. And youre not helping them. Youre not helping them, she said. Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly called for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and has raised concerns about the Israeli attacks in Gaza, where the health ministry has reported that more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the war. She said in an appearance on NBCs Meet the Press in January that the accusations that President Biden is enabling genocide in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war demonstrate the mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing. She pointed to the International Court of Justice, which said in a preliminary ruling earlier this year that Israel must contain civilian deaths in Gaza, when asked if accusing Biden of condoning genocide goes too far. I believe that they are they are theyre still determining it. But in the interim ruling, the fact that they said theres a responsibility to prevent it, the fact that this word is even in play, the fact that this word is even in our discourse, I think demonstrates the mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing, Ocasio-Cortez said at the time. The Hill has reached out to Ocasio-Cortezs office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) monitors the UK government's spending plans and performance. Twice a year, it releases forecasts on the state of the economy and the public finances. What is the OBR and what does it do? The OBR assesses the health of the UK's economy. It is independent of government but works closely with the Treasury. Its forecasts are usually released alongside big government events such as the Budget and Autumn Statement. Before these announcements, the government gives the OBR details of its plans to raise or lower taxes and how it intends to spend public money. The OBR checks the information and makes economic forecasts covering the subsequent five years. These forecasts cover things like whether the government will spend more money than it raises, and whether the UK's economy will grow or get smaller. Why is the OBR important? In September 2022, Liz Truss's government put forward a set of unfunded tax cuts in its mini-budget without consulting the OBR first. The value of the pound crashed, signalling that international investors had no confidence in the government's measures, and the Bank of England was forced to step in to protect pension funds. The OBR had offered to prepare a draft economic forecast, but the government rejected the offer. Many said the decision not to consult the OBR was a key reason for the lack of investor confidence. Former PM Liz Truss and her then chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng were criticised for not working with the OBR Jeremy Hunt, who replaced Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor shortly afterwards, said it was a mistake by the government to "fly blind" without the OBR's input. Mr Hunt even pushed back the date of the 2022 Autumn Statement to allow time for the OBR to prepare an accurate economic forecast. Most of the tax cuts promised in the mini-budget were later cancelled. Why do OBR forecasts matter? The OBR uses its forecasts to assess whether the government is likely to meet the rules it has set for managing the economy. Its judgement on whether the government's plans are sound is important to financial investors. They help fund government spending by buying its bonds - which are a type of IOU. This means some of the government's borrowing costs are determined by how the financial markets respond to the OBR's assessments and forecasts. Why was the OBR created? The OBR was set up in 2010 under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. Before that, the government produced its own economic forecasts. The OBR was designed to provide independent analysis of the UK economy that was not influenced by party politics. It also assesses some aspects of the financial policy decided by the Scottish and Welsh governments. Who runs the OBR? The OBR is led by a Budget Responsibility Committee. It has three members, including the current chair Richard Hughes, whose five-year term began in October 2020. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The U.S. Marshals Service (USM) said members of its Capital Regional Task Force arrested a man wanted for a deadly shooting in Ohio in Springfield, Va. on Monday. USM said the Columbus Division of Police was looking for Ryan Polk, 36, for the murder of Morgan Bruster, 31. Officers received a call for a well-being check at a home in the 7000 block of Stapleton Dr. on Feb. 23. They found Bruster had been shot. She died there. Police: 2 men suspected of robbing Woodbridge Starbucks USM said members of the task force took Polk into custody after he tried to get away from them in a vehicle. The Fairfax County Police Department said members of its Fugitive Tracking and Apprehension Unit were there and that Polk hit a number of police vehicles in the process. He and officers had minor injuries as a result. As of Tuesday, he was in jail in Fairfax County. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Last November, Ohioans went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted to protect abortion rights. Voters made clear to out-of-touch Republican politicians that they didnt want the government interfering in personal, private medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor. Thankfully, Issue 1 passed by wide bipartisan margins, enshrining reproductive rights in Ohios Constitution. But the fight isnt over. Even on election night, we heard from GOP politicians that theyre going to do everything they can to weaken or even repeal Issue 1, flying directly in the face of the will of Ohio voters. We know that extremists in our GOP-gerrymandered legislature are going to pass bills that are anti-abortion and anti-women in an effort to achieve their long-standing goal of banning abortion in Ohio. And when we fight back, the last line of defense will be the Ohio Supreme Court. Unfortunately, one of the candidates running as a Republican has already made her views on the issue crystal clear. Judge Megan Shanahan has taken to social media to brag about her endorsements from the very same anti-abortion groups who led the opposition against Issue 1 Cincinnati Right to Life and Centers for Christian Virtue. Judge Shanahan once admonished another judge for sharing her opinions on a political issue when she was running for office, writing: "Whats not fine, is having strongly formed opinions about how cases should be decided before they reach your courtroom." Shanahan has broken her own rules. Shes "proud" to be endorsed by anti-abortion groups that support her campaigns, financially and otherwise, and who continue working to try to ban abortion in Ohio. Shes shown her political prejudice. She clearly cant be trusted to be fair and impartial. And she belongs nowhere near the Ohio Supreme Court. Feb 7, 2023; Columbus, OH, United States; Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly listens to oral arguments. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch Ohio is the only state in the country with the opportunity to flip its state supreme court this year. And while abortion rights are clearly on the ballot in 2024, its not the only issue that will likely come before the supreme court. Redistricting reform, voters access to the ballot and marijuana legalization are all critical issues that will likely be decided by the court we elect this November. Time and again, the current GOP majority on the Ohio Supreme Court has shown theyre willing to put politics over people. If we dont flip the court this year, extremists in the state legislature will continue to pass out-of-touch policies that move our state backward yet are rubber-stamped by Republicans on the Supreme Court looking out for their political allies. Ohioans deserve a court that is fair, impartial and follows the rule of law, not partisans that look out for their donors and political allies at the expense of Ohio families. This November, lets reject Republican radicalism and put people over politics by reelecting Justice Michael Donnelly and Justice Melody Stewart and electing Judge Lisa Forbes to the Ohio Supreme Court. Elizabeth Walters has been serving as chair of the Ohio Democratic Party since January 2021. She is the first woman to head the Ohio Democratic Party and was unanimously reelected as chair in August 2022 to another four-year term. Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Democratic Party chair This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio only state with chance to flip Supreme Court this year Attendees look at Roller Latch Wireline System samples at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) An attendee looks at an ore sample at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) Attendees look at a fat truck, an industrial off-road utility vehicle, at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) Attendees look at ore samples at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) Attendees look at core bits at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) Attendees look at ore samples at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) Attendees look at a Kore Geosystems scanner at the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention in Toronto, Canada, on March 4, 2024. With more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries and regions, the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention is held here from March 3 to March 6 this year. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua) A Ukrainian drone attacked an oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast on the morning of 5 March, setting three oil storage tanks on fire. One Ukrainian intelligence source says it was an operation by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Source: Vyacheslav Gladkov, Governor of Belgorod Oblast; Mash and 112 Russian Telegram channels; Roman Starovoit, Governor of Kursk Oblast; Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti, citing Russian emergency services and the Russian Emergencies Ministry; Ukrainska Pravda (UP) citing a source in Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) Quote from Gladkov: "There is an emergency in Gubkinsky district. After an explosion, a fire was reported at an infrastructure facility. There are no casualties. Operational and emergency services are working at the scene." Details: Russian Telegram channels claimed that a drone attacked the Belgorodnefteprodukt oil depot in the village of Dolgoye. Mash stated that the attack took place at 08:50, and two oil storage tanks are currently on fire at the oil storage depot. 112 stated that one tank was on fire. Both Telegram channels reported that the fire is ongoing. In addition, Roman Starovoyt, Governor of Kursk Oblast, said that there was a fire and power outage as a result of an attack on Glushkovo railway station. He said that the fire had already been extinguished. Power lines were damaged. He added that as a result of the attack, Glushkovo station and the village of Kulbaki had been left without electricity. Update: RIA Novosti, citing Russian emergency services, adds that three storage tanks at the oil depot near Belgorod are on fire. At the same time, the agency notes that the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed damage to one tank. They claim that there is no threat of the fire spreading. One of UPs sources in the intelligence service confirmed the damage and said that the attack on the oil depot was an operation by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. The oil depot is used for military purposes. Background: The last time the facility was attacked, according to Telegram channels, was on 15 February. Support UP or become our patron! UPDATE 10:33 AM 03/05/2024 According to officials, the victim was treated and released. The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Daniel Deakins, was taken into custody following the shooting. Daniel Deakins. Image courtesy Oklahoma County Detention Center. UPDATE @ 8:14 p.m. Lt. Jeff Cooper PIO with the Oklahoma Police Department says, around 7 oclock this evening, officers responded to a shots fired call, when they arrived they found a woman lying in a front yard. The woman was transported to hospital, in stable condition. One adult male is in custody. This was a dispute between neighbors and too early in the investigation to know whether or not the neighbors had a relationship, according to Lt. Cooper. No further information has been released. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma Police Department has confirmed one woman has been shot in SW Oklahoma City. Details still unknown at this time, according to Lt. Cooper with the Oklahoma Police Department. Authorities say, a shooting call came out with one victim found in the front yard of 10445 Fairfax Lane. Southwest OKC, Image courtesy KFOR Southwest OKC, Image courtesy KFOR Headlines KFOR has a team headed to the scene. No word on the condition of the victim at this time. This story is developing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. TechCrunch Arjun Sethi speaks with the confidence of someone who knows more than other people, or at least knows that sounding highly confident can shape perception. Sethi, a co-founder of the venture firm Tribe Capital, is talking about Termina, a subscription-based AI software platform for quantitative diligence that Tribe recently spun out. Sethi says it can improve results for as many investors as he can sign up. An Oklahoma judge has been indicted over a shooting in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 11. A Travis County grand jury returned an indictment, charging Brian Lovell with eight felony counts of deadly conduct. Grand jurors alleged Lovell recklessly shot at eight vehicles from his SUV while driving down a street. Police reported getting a call about shots fired at parked vehicles at 4:09 p.m. Lovell Lovell, 59, is an associate district judge in Garfield County, which is in northern Oklahoma. He has declined to talk to the media since the incident. He is not presiding over any cases. The indictment was filed Thursday in Travis County District Court. His attorney in Texas did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment. Lovell was arrested after a traffic collision around 5:30 p.m. Sept. 11 about 1.7 miles from the shooting site. He was charged last year with a misdemeanor, reckless driving, over the collision. More: New twist emerges in investigation of Garfield County judge and drive-by shooting "Lovell advised he did not know why he would have shot his gun and he could not recall any part of the shooting incident," an Austin police detective reported in court affidavits. He did admit he rear-ended another vehicle twice after being cut off in traffic "but did not admit the collisions were intentional," the detective reported. The indictment was expected but did reveal the shooting was more extensive than initial reports indicated. The targeted vehicles were identified in the indictment as a 2017 Hyundai, a 2010 Toyota, a 2021 Chevrolet, a 2014 Jeep, a 2020 Toyota, a 2023 Subaru, a 2015 Nissan and a 2023 GMC. Lovell came under investigation last year in Oklahoma because of a drive-by shooting at his brother-in-law's ranch near Bison on Feb. 12, 2023. No one was injured. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation began looking at that shooting at the request of the Garfield County sheriff's office. The request was made Sept. 20, after the incidents in Austin came to light. The OSBI has reported spent casings out of Bison matched a spent casing recovered in Austin. The judge lives in Waukomis, which is just over 7 miles by car from the ranch. He could face an indictment over the ranch shooting, too, once evidence is presented to the Oklahoma multicounty grand jury. His Oklahoma attorney, Stephen Jones, has said he was not involved. More: Oklahoma Judge Traci Soderstrom resigns before ouster trial over texts sent during murder trial Lovell also could face disciplinary proceedings before the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. The married judge is accused of sending sexual texts to a married female bailiff. The Council on Judicial Complaints has been investigating. "That's beyond the scope of the Council on Judicial Complaints," Jones said Monday. "Even if true ... there's case law that would seriously question whether that's something for the Court on the Judiciary or the Council on Judicial Complaints." Officials with the Council on Judicial Complaints do not speak about its investigations because of strict secrecy requirements. The bailiff, who worked for another judge, has resigned. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Judge Brian Lovell indicted over shooting in Texas Yahoo UK's poll of the week lets you vote and indicate your strength of feeling on one of the week's hot topics. After 72 hours the poll closes and, each Friday, we'll publish and analyse the results, giving readers the chance to see how polarising a topic has become and if their view chimes with other Yahoo UK readers. Karen Dotrice, Julie Andrews and Matthew Garber and Jane Banks, Mary Poppins and Michael Banks in the 1964 Disney film. (Alamy) Yahoo readers think age ratings for older films like Mary Poppins should not be changed to reflect modern sensibilities. The British film censors recently raised the age rating for the 1964 Julie Andrews musical from a U (universal) to a PG (parental guidance) because it features 'discriminatory language'. One character in the film uses the term 'Hottentot' a derogatory term originally used by white Europeans about nomadic people in South Africa when referring to soot-faced children. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) reclassified the Oscar-winning Disney film after it was resubmitted for a 60th anniversary re-release in UK cinemas. A spokesperson for the BBFC said the usage of the term now "exceeds our guidelines" for U films. "While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language." The BBFC also explained that its research into racism and discrimination showed that a key concern for people, particularly parents, was the potential for films to "expose children to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence". Yahoo News UK asked our readers "Should the age ratings of older movies be updated to reflect modern sensibilities?" Here are the results: Age ratings - Poll of the week results (Yahoo News UK) Age ratings - Poll of the week results (Yahoo News UK) Our poll from Monday at midday until midday Thursday asked: 'Should the age ratings of older movies be updated to reflect modern sensibilities?' It received 4,012 votes and showed the majority of Yahoo readers felt the age ratings of older movies should not be changed to reflect modern sensibilities. Some 90% of voters said they were against the idea, with just 6% saying they were in agreement and 4% did not lean either way. 90% of voters said they were against the updating of age ratings Yahoo News UK readers were also asked: How strongly do you feel about updates to film certificates? This poll received 1,884 votes with the most common vote being 10, indicating many readers felt very strongly about updates to age ratings. The average strength-of-feeling score on all the votes was 6.92. The most common vote was 10, indicating many readers feel strongly about updating age ratings on older movies Our original poll article can be found here. The results of the poll chimed with a 2016 YouGov poll which asked "Would you support or oppose a new rule which requires that all films which include tobacco use are automatically given at least an 'R' rating?" 51% of people polled opposed the rule which would affect the age ratings of many older films when smoking was accepted on screen. Only 22% of the 2,207 adults polled agreed with the proposed rule. Read more of Yahoo UK's Poll of the Week articles Shukri Hassan, right, the daughter of Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam, speaks Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the sentencing of 24-year-old Isaiah Brown-Miller (seated at left and wearing brown) in Franklin County Common Pleas Court for kidnapping and aggravated robbery in connection with the death of her father, Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam, in 2021. Members of Columbus' Somali and Muslim communities packed a Franklin County courtroom Tuesday for the sentencing of a man convicted of kidnapping beloved Imam Mohamed Hassan Adam in 2021 in a fatal robbery attempt. Isaiah Brown-Miller, 24, of Columbus' North East Side, was sentenced by Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Karen Phipps to 26 to 31 years in prison for his conviction on kidnapping and aggravated robbery charges. Brown-Miller was convicted in January by a Franklin County jury at his third trial after two other juries could not reach a unanimous verdict. More than 300 people signed victim impact letters sent to the judge about Adam, who was the imam at Masjid Abu Hurairah mosque on the Northeast Side. Thousands more locally and around the world have been impacted by the loss of Adam, who was a spiritual leader and helped the poor, homeless and orphaned regardless of race or religion, his friends said. Adam's family said Brown-Miller was an accomplice to Adam's murder and is also responsible for the 48-year-old man's death. However, Brown-Miller was not charged with murder. A different jury convicted his codefendant, 47-year-old John Wooden, of Columbus' Franklinton neighborhood, of aggravated murder, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, and other charges in Adam's death. "Mr. Brown-Miller participated," said Abdi Sofi, Adam's longtime friend and relative. "(Adam) was an honorable member of the community and was held hostage for so many hours and killed, and they left his body in a junkyard." Brown-Miller intends to appeal his case. His defense attorney, Lumumba Toure McCord, said he does not believe the third jury got the verdict right. Wooden is scheduled for sentencing on Thursday after he fired his defense attorney in January, thus delaying his sentencing. For aggravated murder, Wooden faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Phipps will decide when he is first eligible for parole after at least 20 years. Isaiah Brown-Miller, 24, of Columbus' North East Side, center, appeared in Franklin County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, March 5, with his attorney Lumumba Toure McCord, right. McCord said he does not believe the third jury got it right when they convicted Brown-Miller of kidnapping and aggravated robbery in connection with the 2021 death of Mohamed Hassan Adam. Phipps said while sentencing Brown-Miller that she took into consideration that he was out on probation when he committed this crime and that his first felony charge came when he was 14 for a robbery. After the hearing, Phipps thanked Adam's family in the courtroom. Im so sorry it took this long, but hopefully you can move on and have some closure, Phipps said. Adam's daughter, Shukri Hassan, told The Dispatch that her family will have justice after Thursday when Wooden is sentenced. During the hearing, Hassan said her father fled a civil war in Somalia and believed this country was safe for him and his family. "He never could have imagined leaving a war zone, only to get murdered here in this country," Hassan said. "This crime has completely destroyed my family's sense of safety." A deadly kidnapping Adam was reported missing on Dec. 22, 2021, and was found fatally shot on Dec. 24, 2021 near his yellow van in an overgrown lot on Columbus' North Side. Franklin County prosecuting attorneys said during their trials that Wooden and Brown-Miller were attempting to get money from Adam and possibly from the mosques funds to which the imam had access. Adam was seen on surveillance video on the evening of Dec. 22, 2021, attempting to withdraw money from an ATM while accompanied by a man in a white mask. There were also numerous failed transactions on Cash App, a money-transferring app, from Adams cellphone that night, according to prosecutors. Some transactions were for thousands of dollars. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus man sentenced for his role in Somali imam's kidnapping death A crash southeast of Boise killed one person and hospitalized two others on Sunday morning. William Thompson, 38, of Boise, died after a single-vehicle crash at about 10:35 a.m. on Interstate 84 southeast of the Blacks Creek Road exit in Ada County, according to news releases from the Ada County Coroners Office and Idaho State Police. Thompson was driving a Ford Expedition east on I-84 when the SUV left the roadway and rolled multiple times, according to police. Thompson, who was not wearing a seat belt, died from his injuries at the scene after first responders attempted life-saving measures, the releases said. The Ada coroners office pronounced him dead at 11:29 a.m. The coroners report listed traumatic blunt force injuries as the cause. Two passengers, a 37-year-old Twin Falls woman and a juvenile, were taken to a local hospital by ambulance for treatment, according to ISP. One eastbound lane of the highway was blocked for more than four hours as emergency responders cleared the scene. Police said they were continuing to investigate. On March 2, 2024, a post claimed that former U.S. President Donald Trump called "for mass detention camps and rounding up millions of Latinos, echoing Project 2025." The post on X was shared by a pro-Biden account, which posted a clip of Trump speaking at a campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, on March 2, 2024. In the clip, Trump can be heard saying, "We will begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history." (Screenshot via X) Trump did not explicitly say in the speech he would deport "millions of Latinos," but did promise the deportation of "illegal alien migrants" in what he said would be "the largest deportation operation in American history." However, people from Latin American countries do comprise a significant majority of the millions of migrants living in the U.S. without authorization, according to Pew Research Center. Moreover, Trump did not explicitly call for "mass detention camps," though the largest deportation operation in American history would presumably require much more detention space than currently exists. We previously reported how a November 2023 New York Times story found Trump was planning "an extreme expansion" of his first-term immigration policies should he be reelected, including rounding up undocumented people in the United States and putting them in "vast holding facilities" before expelling them from the country. Stephen Miller, who was an adviser to Trump during his term of office and still advises him on immigration matters, acknowledged the plan to build more detention camps, saying they would likely be built "on open land in Texas near the border." Miller said the military would construct the camps under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security, and that they would be used to primarily detain single adults. Trump's full speech can be heard on C-SPAN here. Earlier in the speech, he accused President Joe Biden of not doing enough to get MS-13 out of the United States referring to a criminal street gang of Salvadoran immigrants that Snopes previously reported had origins in Los Angeles. We have transcribed the relevant section of Trump's speech below, including what he said just before calling for the "largest domestic deportation operation" (emphasis, ours): If Joe Biden's illegal alien migrants do not go back to their countries, we will never get our country back. But we are going to take them back, because they will not go back. We're going to take them back. Fast. It's going to happen quickly. [...] You know the local police know every one of them. [...] We are giving our policemen immunity from prosecution because you know when they stop crime, they get prosecuted. [...] On day one of my administration I will terminate every open border policy of the Biden administration. We will begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history because we have no choice. Trump made similar comments in September 2023, saying he would carry out "the largest domestic deportation operation in American history." He also said he would be "Following the Eisenhower model" for such deportations, referencing a 1954 campaign to round up and expel Mexican migrants, named after an ethnic slur "Operation Wetback." We should note that during Trump's first term in office, he expanded an already large immigration-detention system of four family detention centers that included facilities for children and around 200 adult facilities. In the past, Trump has referred to migrants who cross the southern border as "coming in from prisons and mental institutions," adding "many are terrorists," "illegal aliens," "cartel members," "drug dealers," and used incendiary language that doubled down on his history of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. He has also stereotyped Mexicans and other Latin Americans. The post from @BidenHQ also referenced Project 2025, which is an effort by conservative think tank Heritage Foundation and a number of affiliated organizations to roll back what they believe has been many years of a liberal takeover in Washington, D.C. Broadly speaking, the project aims to slash the bureaucracy and populate it with conservative employees, but supporters also have a number of proposals for various areas of governance. In particular, the project calls for deploying U.S. military and the National Guard as law enforcement at the border, similar to Trump's own plans to use military bases and personnel in deportation efforts. Sources: Arnsdorf, Isaac, et al. "Trump and Allies Planning Militarized Mass Deportations, Detention Camps." Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/20/trump-mass-deportations-immigration/. Accessed 5 March 2024. "Campaign 2024: Former President Donald Trump Holds Rally in Greensboro, North Carolina." March 2, 2024. C-SPAN.Org. https://www.c-span.org/video/?533855-1/president-donald-trump-holds-rally-greensboro-north-carolina. Accessed 5 March 2024. "Here Are All the Times Donald Trump Insulted Mexico." TIME, 31 Aug. 2016, https://time.com/4473972/donald-trump-mexico-meeting-insult/. Accessed 5 March 2024. Ibrahim, Nur. "Did Trump Call for Mass Detention and Deportation of Undocumented Immigrants?" Snopes, 20 Dec. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/12/20/trump-deportations-illegal-aliens/. Accessed 5 March 2024. Palma, Bethania. "What Is MS-13?" Snopes, 11 Feb. 2018, https://www.snopes.com//news/2018/02/11/what-is-ms-13/. Accessed 5 March 2024. Savage, Charlie, et al. "Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump's 2025 Immigration Plans." The New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/us/politics/trump-2025-immigration-agenda.html. Accessed 5 March 2024. Singman, Brooke. "Trump Says He Will Carry out the 'largest Domestic Deportation Operation in American History' If Elected." Fox News, 20 Sept. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-he-will-carry-out-the-largest-domestic-deportation-operation-in-american-history-if-elected. Accessed 5 March 2024. "What Trump Has Said about Mexicans." BBC News. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-37230916. Accessed 5 Mar. 2024. A New York judge has sentenced a man to more than 25 years in prison after he was found guilty of murder for fatally shooting a woman who mistakenly pulled into his driveway last year while searching for a house party. Kevin Monahan, 66, received the sentencing on March 1 after having been convicted of reckless endangerment, second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence in the death of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis. The judge sentenced Kevin Monahan to 25 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder charge. (Photos: WNYT/Youtube screenshot, Getty Images) People who commit murder generally dont recidivate a lot, they dont commit the same crime its a low rate of recidivism, Judge Adam Michelini told Monahan before handing down the sentencing. But with you, I think you really could possibly do the same thing again. Its obvious to me that you feel justified, Michelini said to Monahan, WRGB-TV reported. You dont take any responsibility for the outcome of your actions. On April 15, 2023, in Hebron, New York, Gillis drove onto Monahans property looking for the correct address with no cellphone service at the time, NBC News reported. A motorcycle and another vehicle also pulled into the driveway. Monahan testified during his trial that he felt threatened by the presence of the vehicles and the motorcycle and assumed he was being blocked in. In response, he turned his floodlights on and grabbed a 20-gauge shotgun, according to WNYT-TV. According to Monahan, he fired off a warning shot, and he said the second shot that killed Gillis was fired accidentally after he tripped over nails on his deck, WNYT-TV reported. Monahan appeared to express remorse during testimony, stating, I just feel like my soul is dead. Theres just a hole in me. I took someone elses life, according to WNYT-TV. But the judge, who accused Monahan of lying, did not feel he was sorry. The first thing you do on the witness stand when you come up here and testify is you made a joke to the jury about them finally being able to see your face, Michelini told Monahan last week, according to WRGB-TV. You senselessly took the life of Kaylin Gillis and you have the gall to sit here and talk about how you plan to finish up the work on your house and race motocross in the future, Michelini said. You dont deserve that. What would make you think that you deserve those things? The judge told Monahan that he deserved to spend the maximum time in prison allowable under the law. The only regret you have is that youre finally facing the consequences for your actions, Michelini said in court. You murdered Kaylin Gillis, you shot at a car full of people and you didnt care what would happen. The judge sentenced the man to 25 years to life in prison for the second-degree murder charge. Monahan also received a consecutive sentence of one-and-a-third to four years in prison for tampering with physical evidence, and a sentence for reckless endangerment will be served concurrently, The Associated Press reported. Monahans defense team intends to appeal the sentencing. The fatal shooting of Gillis last year came two days after Black 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot in the head by an 85-year-old white man in Kansas City, Missouri, after going to the wrong house, Atlanta Black Star reported previously. Yarl, who was attempting to pick up his siblings, recovered from his injuries sustained in a shooting that officials believe was related to the teens race. The Only Regret You Have Is That Youre Finally Facing the Consequences: Judge Sentences New York Man to More Than 25 Years for Fatally Shooting Woman Who Entered His Driveway Editors note: Daniel McCarthy is the editor of Modern Age: A Conservative Review and a columnist for The Spectator World and Creators Syndicate. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN. If practice makes perfect, Nikki Haley is only making Donald Trump stronger by dragging out the race for the Republican nomination. The former US ambassador to the United Nations has no realistic path to becoming the nominee, losing almost every primary to date by wide margins. Yet she doggedly remains in the race and is on the ballot in Super Tuesdays 15 GOP primaries and caucuses. Daniel McCarthy - Courtesy Daniel McCarthy Her ability to draw double-digit support in key early primaries and indeed to win in Washington, DC, over the weekend is annoying and even a little embarrassing for Trump. The former president no doubt hopes shell drop out after he cleans up Tuesday night, and his campaign predicts that it will have won enough delegates to clinch the nomination by March 12. But theres been an upside for him to Haleys tenacity: Her challenge is helping to prepare him for the showdown with President Joe Biden in the fall. Merely token challengers, such as Bidens opponents in the Democratic race US Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson provide little exercise for a front-runners campaign. The Michigan primary last week revealed just how little Phillips and Williamson matter: Each received no more than 3% of the vote, while the uncommitted line on the ballot took more than 13% There is discontent with Biden in the Democratic Party, but no one running against him is in a position to marshal it against him or give him the kind of run for his money that could elevate his game. Haley, on the other hand, is well-financed and well-suited to capitalize on disaffection with Trump, both within the GOP and among whatever independent or even Democrat-leaning voters she can motivate to participate in the Republican contest. She may not be able to win, but she can give Trump a workout. For his campaign, a prolonged primary season means more experience with mobilizing supporters, maximizing turnout not just to win but also to win as decisively as possible. In 2016, Trump was put through his paces by Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who both stayed in the race until May. Like Haley, they were strong contenders, even though they, like her, had no plausible shot at the nomination after Trumps early victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina. The Republican contest that year was longer and messier than the Democratic race between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and then as now, there was speculation about what that division in the GOP would mean for the partys prospects in November. Yet Trump prevailed over Clinton. He was no doubt helped by the hard-fought primaries, which are an invaluable learning opportunity for campaigns. They reveal a candidates weaknesses, while there is still time to overcome or mitigate them. To start with, who are the Republican voters that Trump will have the most trouble getting to the polls in November? Haleys performance provides the answer. In New Hampshire, for example, exit polls showed that Trump underperformed among married voters, who made 65% of those surveyed: He won 50% of them to Haleys 47%, compared with his commanding 63% to 35% win among the unmarried. And if its no surprise that Republicans who recognize Biden as the winner of the 2020 election are among the GOP demographics that are least likely to support Trump, its nonetheless important for his campaign to know just how big that demographic is. In South Carolina, it was 36% of voters in the Republican primary (and Trump won 18% of them). In New Hampshire, it was 46% (and Trump won 22% of them). In this way, bad news can be as valuable as good news where developing strategy is concerned. In South Carolina, 81% of the Haley voters surveyed by exit polls said they were casting their ballots against Trump rather than for Haley. His prospects of winning over those voters in the general election are bleak, unless his campaigns messaging to them de-emphasizes Trump himself and instead focuses on Biden perhaps by painting Biden in colors that make him resemble what Haley voters dislike about Trump. Of course, exit polls in a contested primary also tell Trump what segments of the party are most enthusiastic about him, and mobilizing those voters to the utmost will be necessary in November. Biden won four of 2020s battleground states by 2% or less, and Trump won North Carolina, the closest battleground state in which he prevailed, by just a little over a point. Margins in 2016 battlegrounds were similarly narrow. Although nothing in politics is as obvious as the need to turn out ones base, actually doing so requires recent, reliable information of the kind that primary contests provide and its a help if voters have already put themselves in a participatory mindset by going to the polls in a primary. Voting is a habit. Trumps glide to the nomination isnt threatened by Haleys continuing campaign. Her effort isnt harmless, however: It does force the Trump campaign to spend money that could otherwise be put toward taking on Biden. But that harm is likely outweighed by the benefit Trumps campaign receives from putting its resources into voter identification and turnout. The primaries are a dry run for the general election, and the more Trump perfects his get-out-the-vote operation now, the more formidable hell be in the main event. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The 14th National People's Congress (NPC) opens its second session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were present at the opening meeting. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng were present at the opening meeting, which was attended by nearly 3,000 NPC deputies. Zhao Leji, executive chairman of the session's presidium, presided over the meeting. Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting. In the face of an unusually complex international environment and the challenging tasks of advancing reform and development and ensuring stability at home, China accomplished main goals and tasks for economic and social development in 2023 and made solid advances in building a modern socialist country in all respects, Li said when delivering the government work report to the session. Reviewing the work that was carried out last year, he said the government strengthened macro regulation and promoted steady economic recovery and growth. Other work he listed includes promoting industrial upgrading through innovation, deepening reform, expanding opening up, and improving the business environment. While recognizing the achievements, Li acknowledged problems and challenges, vowing that the government will face them head-on, make every effort to deliver, and do its utmost to live up to the expectations and trust of the people. Li said the year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and it is a crucial year for fulfilling the objectives and tasks set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan. He disclosed major targets for this year's development, including a GDP growth of around 5 percent, the creation of over 12 million jobs in urban areas, and a CPI increase of around 3 percent. To achieve the targets, the premier called for more efforts to advance high-quality development, promote better interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government, and further stimulate and boost the vitality of the society. Li outlined major tasks for 2024, including striving to modernize the industrial system and developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace, invigorating China through science and education, expanding domestic demand, continuing to deepen reform and pursuing higher-standard opening up. He also elaborated on work related to improving government performance, ethnic and religious affairs, national defense and military development, the development of Hong Kong and Macao, cross-Strait relations, and foreign policy. Lawmakers reviewed a report from the State Council on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2024 draft plan, as well as the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024. They also reviewed a report from the State Council on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, as well as the draft central and local budgets for 2024. Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, explained a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the opening meeting. The draft revision consists of 20 articles. The law is of crucial significance to ensuring that the State Council performs its duties in accordance with the Constitution and other laws, the explanation stated. The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a government work report at 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/Yao Dawei) Zhao Leji presides over 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/Xie Huanchi) Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, explains a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Nineteen-thirty-eight is an apposite metaphor for 2024, of a world poised on the brink of a devastating war. The pieces are all there: Russias invasion of Ukraine, tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the U.S. increasingly divided and isolated, the Middle East divided along sectarian and tribal lines, a resurgent populism in Latin America, and an Africa slowly sliding off the map into state failure, military juntas, and regional wars. This state of affairs should not be someone elses business. Critical choices about defense, foreign policy, national posture, and the allocation of spending by leadership and publics alike will determine a future either of war or peace. For those on the periphery of the global economy, on the margins of the concern of richer states and publics, this carries even greater possible costs. Contrary to popular impressions, much of Africa is on Ukraines side. Twenty-eight African countries voted for the February 2023 UN General Assembly resolution calling for Russia to halt its invasion and withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Most of them are democracies, while most of the 17 African countries that abstained or voted against the resolution are, with a few democratic exceptions like South Africa and Namibia, authoritarian or hybrid regimes. This voting pattern was reproduced during subsequent UN resolutions on Ukraine. Alexei Navalnys murder should make it clear what sort of regime is Vladimir Putins, as should his armys ghastly acts against Ukrainian civilians. Russia is today antithetical to basic human rights and freedoms. Its actions are familiar to many post-colonial societies traversing the same tricky path that Ukraine has had to negotiate over the last 30 years in breaking the shackles of Russian imperialism. Read also: Opinion: Call of Dutys Modern Warfare III whitewashes the Kremlins crimes There is fertile ground for Ukraines case since the majority of Africans want to live in circumstances similar to those in Ukraine, not Russia. Two-thirds of Africans consistently prefer democracy to other forms of government, as polled by Afrobarometer. Yet over 90% of Africans live under a version of authoritarian regime. As much as it explains why some African leaders favor supporting authoritarians wherever they exist, this dissonance offers an opportunity for Ukrainians to appeal directly to Africans on issues which Moscow cannot reach. In fact, the strongest selling point among Africans, especially its younger cohort, of the U.S. is precisely its democratic status a feature preferred by more than 70% of Africans polled. When asked which country they saw as the best model for their future development, 33% of respondents in a 2021 Afrobarometer survey chose the U.S., while 22% chose China. Out of 34 countries surveyed, the U.S. polled more than China in 23 countries, greater than the number two years earlier. Younger Africans (36% of people aged 18-25) said they were more likely than older Africans (26% of people above 55) to prefer the U.S. as a model for development. But Ukraine has to make it easier for Africans reluctant to be caught up in someone elses conflict with so many problems of their own to take Ukraines side publicly. Three key actions stand out in developing an appropriate African narrative for Kyiv: Transforming the narrative. The true cost of a Ukrainian failure needs to be made clear by Kyiv both in terms of the democratic and economic consequences. Ukraines is a profoundly anti-colonial struggle against a ruthless aggressor. If Ukraine were to lose the war in the long term, the strategic implications for the democratic world would be both profound and negative. Ukraine would become a non-independent state. The current leadership of Ukraine would be killed, convicted, or forced into exile. In so doing, they and NATO (as the proxy for the West, and not Russia, would be made guilty of the war. Read also: Opinion: Putins silk road around sanctions In installing a puppet president heading a government made up of Ukrainians loyal to Russia, Ukraines independent media would be silenced, and no political opposition would be permitted. Of particular interest to Africa, Ukraines economy would be made completely dependent on Russia, together dominating the global export of grain and thereby weaponizing the commodity with severe implications for import-dependent economies. Side with democracies everywhere. If the West and Ukraine want Africans to side with them, given that Russias invasion is an assault on the rules-based international order that underpins democratic freedoms and values, then they need to stand with African democrats (and citizens) who are fighting for the same freedoms and values in their contexts. These values and principles must matter for African lives equally, not just Ukrainian (or European) lives. For Ukraine, specifically, this means choosing your allies and friends carefully in Africa and avoiding those who represent and sometimes very publicly defend Russia. Prepare together for a post-war world by advocating for the establishment of war crimes tribunals, just as Nuremberg was first discussed in 1942. Again, such measures demand even-handedness in dealing with grave violations of international law (for instance, by Russia, by African dictators/oppressors, or in the Middle East) without fear, favor, or hypocrisy. Timothy Snyder says that To become better, a country must lose its last colonial war. The opposite also holds true. Russia is not going to lose its colonial war in Ukraine without citizens elsewhere being willing to pay a price for the maintenance of their own freedoms, including democrats in Africa. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. For almost 60 years, the federal government has imposed itself into the affairs of local schools and districts through its Title I program. The American people, both conservatives and progressives, have pushed back and demonstrated that they value local control of education. It is time to pare back or even end this program, as it is ill-suited to the emerging reformation in education policy occurring in state capitals and local school districts nationwide. Nobly born at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Title I was originally construed as a funding stream to be targeted to a specific group of young people: those attending public or private schools with a high percentage of students from lower income families. Its laudable ideal, as expressed by then-President Lyndon Johnson, was that poverty will no longer be a bar to learning, and learning shall offer an escape from poverty. For this truly is the key which can unlock the door to a great society. As I demonstrate in my new Manhattan Institute report, that goal was never met. Over the decades, Title I was repeatedly modified and now emphasizes general school improvement efforts while requiring states to measure student achievement and academic differences across racial and economic groups. Since the dawn of the school reform era in the 1980s, the federal government has lagged behind innovative efforts at the state and local levels, often taking what it deemed to be the most promising of those initiatives and imposing them on all states and localities. Yet, federal spending accounts for little more than 10% of school district revenues, with Title I being the largest component. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Federal interference in education policy has had two high water marks. The first was the judicial effort to undo legalized racial segregation in the 1950s and 1960s. Title I was born in that era and added federal funds to the effort to undo the impact of discrimination. The second occurred in the second term of President Barack Obama, from 2013 to 2017, which capped the efforts of a Washington-based, bipartisan consensus on school reform that emerged over the Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama presidencies. Under the umbrella of Common Core and Race to the Top, this effort tried to incentivize states to adopt curricular standards aligned with the general guidelines of the Common Core, and to adopt one of two standardized tests whose scores could be compared. Though popular in Washington, this effort fell apart when states began to implement it. The American people value local control of education and pushed back against both the Common Core and its attendant tests. The problem was that the Washington-based compromises appealed to only the policy wonks themselves. Suburban parents did not embrace testing standards that identified proficiency solely with college readiness and began withholding their children from the testing regime. Social conservatives distrusted the attempt to fashion school curriculum around Washingtons values. Progressives were wary of what they saw as corporate influence in the testing and assessment schemes. In short, groups that agree on little else agreed that Washington had overstepped its bounds. This pushback, as well as discontent with schooling due to pandemic closures (motivated by federal guidelines responding to teachers union pressure) has given rise to a new era of local and state activism in education policy. In the last two years, eight states have adopted family school choice in the form of education savings accounts, which provide universal or nearly universal access to private and religious schools with public money. At the same time, various states have moved to require schools to disclose the content of their curricula, and debates over the age-appropriate nature of lessons on sexuality and gender identity have moved to the local school district level, where elected school board members are ultimately answerable to the communities they serve. Related Title I Funding Has Doubled But Its Most Potent Formula Is Stuck in the Past In this context, Title I has become a wedge for federal involvement in conflicts around educational content and other school policies. It has become the hammer that the U.S. Department of Education uses to pursue its own policy agenda through Dear Colleague letters and broad investigations into school practices. Attempting to override local preferences, the department threatens the loss of Title I funding to noncompliant districts and schools. The problem is that people on both sides feel strongly about these issues, and solutions forged in Washington are likely to build resentment and damage the trust among parents, schools and communities that is so critical to school effectiveness. If Congress ever returns to functionality, it should make clear that Title I funds may not be used to pressure school districts to comply with the department on policy matters that are rightfully left to local control. This does not mean that the federal Office of Civil Rights should not pursue remedies to specific violations of civil rights as codified in the Constitution or federal law, but it should not expand the scope of those rights as a matter of executive action. It should also require that Title I funds be directed to participating families, not to local school districts, in states that have universal school choice programs. In the likely case that congressional action fails to materialize, governors and legislators in individual states should ask themselves whether the acceptance of federal funding, about 10% of school district revenue, is worth the interference that comes with it. BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) American Heart Month just ended, but the Orange Beach Fire Department says saving lives has not. Officials with the fire department announced upcoming dates for a CPR class this week. Daphne Fire Department investigating Lake Forest house fire According to a Facebook post, the Orange Beach Fire Department is hosting a community CPR and AED certification class this week on Thursday at 6 p.m. Officials with the department said this class can help people to prepare for a medical emergency by covering CPR, an emergency lifesaving procedure for when the heart stops beating, as well as AED training, a device that gives an electrical shock to the heart to help return the hearts rhythm back to normal. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest, according to the American Heart Association. Orange Beach Fire Department CPR class (Courtesy: Orange Beach Fire Department Facebook page) Orange Beach Fire Department CPR class (Courtesy: Orange Beach Fire Department Facebook page) Orange Beach Fire Department CPR class (Courtesy: Orange Beach Fire Department Facebook page) The class will use mannequins to teach students the proper techniques for CPR. Attendees of the class will be able to practice performing compressions and get guidance on their technique. Mobile man sentenced to life in prison for 2022 murder To sign up for the class, visit the City of Orange Beachs website. If you do not need a certification card, there is no payment for the class, according to the website. For those who need a CPR/AED or CPR/AED/First Aid card, there is a $30 charge. An AHA BLS for Healthcare Providers card has a $15 charge. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The Oregon legislature passed a slimmed-down version of Gov. Tina Koteks emergency housing production package on Monday, in what the governor calls one step towards addressing Oregons affordable housing crisis. On Monday, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537 investing a total of $376 million towards housing production after the governor originally requested $500 million. The bills, which are part of Koteks Emergency Housing Stabilization and Production package, are the only legislation introduced by the governor during this legislative session and previously passed by the Senate the week of Feb. 26. Oregon Senate votes to end Daylight Saving Time, but requiring California, Washington approval The bills now head to the governors desk for signature. SB 1530 Senate Bill 1530 passed the House on Monday in a 51-6 vote. The bill includes several housing investments, including $65 million for operating emergency shelters, Project Turnkey sites, and navigation centers. Another $34 million will be allocated for homeless prevention services, including services under the Oregon Eviction Diversion and Prevention program and the Eviction Prevention Rapid Response program. MAX service returns to PDX as TriMet wraps east section of Better Red project The bill will also develop affordable housing projects. This includes a $25 million investment to the Albina Vision Trust to buy a property on North Dixon Street to develop into affordable housing. The bill also gives $3 million to the Center for Intercultural Organizing to develop affordable housing on East Burnside Street. Another $7 million will go to the Urban League of Portland for homeless prevention services. SB 1537 On Monday, the House passed Senate Bill 1537 in a 48-8 vote. SB 1537 creates the Housing Accountability and Production Office to support housing production and address issues from local governments and developers over compliance with state housing laws. Under the bill, the Housing Accountability Office will become operative by July 1, 2025. The bill also creates a fund to provide grants to affordable housing developers. Additionally, the bill lets cities change their growth boundaries. Can Ridgefield roads handle an In-N-Out, Costco combo? Citizens share concerns SB 1537 will also establish the Housing Infrastructure Support Fund for the Oregon Business Development Department to help local governments develop infrastructure to support residential development. Koteks response In response to the passage of the bills, Gov. Kotek praised the Oregon legislature for moving with urgency amid the states affordable housing crisis. Oregonians are struggling under the pressure of an increasingly unaffordable housing market. After hearing this concern directly from Oregonians from across our state last year, I knew we had to make major progress on our housing crisis during this years legislative session. I want to thank legislators for meeting the urgency of this moment and providing much-needed funding that will boost housing production throughout the state. She continued, These bills offer a menu of tools that will provide the support needed to ease our housing crisis and help all our communities thrive. I believe this package will make meaningful progress in fixing our housing shortage while also preserving our land use system and ensuring strong environmental protections. But this is not the finish line. We have more work ahead to solve our housing and homelessness crises and I will keep pushing for more because the need is so great. Oregonians are counting on us to deliver. Additional projects under the package are funded through House Bill 4134, which is up for a vote on Tuesday in the House and will need approval in the Senate. The housing package comes as Oregon is behind 140,000 housing units and needs to build 440,000 units in the next 20 years to keep up with demand, according to the governors office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. People gather at the beach during the 2020 Labor Day weekend during the pandemic in Pacific City. Visits to Oregon's state parks in 2023 plateaued at a historically high level. The great outdoors boom continues in Oregon. Oregons state parks posted their second-busiest year on record in 2023, trailing only the pandemic-fueled 2021 season for the number of visits. The park system saw an estimated 52.2 million day-visits to 180 parks, historic sites and natural areas last year. That was slightly higher than 2022s total of 52.1 million but short of the record of 53.6 million set in 2021. Visitors also logged 2.9 million camper nights last year, also down just slightly from a record-high of 3 million in 2021. The numbers show that while Oregon is no longer setting new records for visits each year, something that happened throughout the 2010s, it has plateaued at a historically high level. That high usage has meant campsite reservations remain difficult to score, especially in the summer. Trails at Silver Falls and Smith Rock remain as crowded as ever. "It can be difficult to find reservations at the most popular campgrounds or find a parking spot in the middle of summer at a popular site," Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman Stefanie Knowlton said. "Rangers and support staff work very hard to keep the parks clean and safe while providing educational and recreational opportunities." Oregons Parks and Recreation Department has made a priority of adding capacity. Fifty new campsites are scheduled to open at both Silver Falls and Champoeg state parks in coming years. A new visitor center and parking is coming to Smith Rock. But, the park system remains stretched. Day-use at Oregon Coast, valley parks increases in 2023 Last years high number of visits was due mostly to an uptick at the Oregon Coast and at the Willamette Valley and Rogue Valley parks. Coast parks, across a total of 84 sites, saw 29.97 million visits in 2023, up from 28.8 million a year ago. The 2021 record was 31.4 visits. Sites that saw more visitors in 2023 included Ecola, Oswald West and Harris Beach state parks. Harris Beach was the most visited park in the state with 1.78 million visits. The number of visits to valley parks, which includes sites like Silver Falls and Champoeg, reached a new record 11.8 million. The only area down slightly was in the mountains and Eastern Oregon region, which saw 10.4 million visits, down from 11 million in 2021 and 10.7 million in 2022. Camper visits miss Oregon record in 2023, but not by much Three years 2019, 2022 and 2023 are in a virtual tie for the second-most camper nights at state parks at 2.9 million. Last year might well have broken the all-time record, but two of the most popular sites, Beverly Beach and Bullards Beach, were closed last fall. A sign marks the Detroit Lake Recreation Area's campground as full in this Statesman Journal file photo. Parks that saw a big increase included some in the mountains region Detroit Lake and Milo McIver state parks, along with Prineville Reservoir and Lake Owyhee state parks in eastern Oregon. Fort Stevens State Park continued to be Oregons busiest campground, with 350,000 camper nights, followed by South Beach at 217,000. Oregon bill to protect park rangers failed in 2023 Parks officials said in a news release that hiring continues to be difficult for the park rangers needed to manage the parks at such high visitation levels. Parks is hoping to hire 250 seasonal rangers and ranger assistants this season and is currently taking applications. The Statesman Journal reported on an uptick in assault and hostility directed at park rangers in 2022, and that trend appears to have continued in 2023. "Anecdotally, it appears to be about the same," Knowlton said. "As an agency, we are concerned about the safety of our staff, particularly, those who are enforcing administrative rules in parks." The issue got bad enough that the state Legislature introduced legislation to increase penalties for assaults committed against parks and recreation employees. However, it did not pass. "We are considering other options for introducing legislation in 2025 that addresses some of the concerns around safety for our staff and working across state agencies to consider public employee safety more broadly," Knowlton said. "In general, visitors are recreating responsibly, having a great time and not creating safety concerns. But a small percentage increasingly struggle, and that has an impact on rangers and visitors." Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon state parks see second-busiest year on record in 2023 Oregon is set to become the latest state to pass a Right to Repair law. The Oregon House of Representatives passed the Right to Repair Act (SB 1596) on March 4, two weeks after it advanced from the Senate. It now heads to Governor Tina Kotek's desk, who has five days to sign it. California, Minnesota and New York have similar legislation, but Nathan Proctor, the Public Interest Research Group's Right to Repair Campaign senior director, calls Oregon's legislation "the best bill yet." (It's worth noting that Colorado also has its own Right to Repair legislation that has a different remit around agricultural equipment rather than around consumer electronics.) If made into law, Oregon's Right To Repair Act would be the first to ban "parts pairing," a practice that prevents individuals from swapping out a piece for another, theoretically equivalent one. For example, a person might replace their iPhone battery with an identical one from the same model, but they'll likely receive an error message that it either can't be verified or used. The system forces people to buy the part directly from the manufacturer and can only activate it with their consent otherwise users will have to buy an entirely new device altogether. Instead, under the new bill, manufacturers would be required to: Prevent or inhibit an independent repair provider or an owner from installing or enabling the function of an otherwise functional replacement part or a component of consumer electronic equipment, including a replacement part or a component that the original equipment manufacturer has not approved. Reduce the functionality or performance of consumer electronic equipment. Cause consumer electronic equipment to display misleading alerts or warnings, which the owner cannot immediately dismiss, about unidentified parts. Along with restricting parts pairing, the act dictates that manufacturers must make compatible parts available to device owners through the company or an authorized service provider for the most favorable price and without any "substantial" conditions. The parts pairing ban applies to any devices first built or sold in Oregon starting in 2025. However, the law backdates general coverage of electronics to 2015, except for cell phones. Oregon's mobile devices purchased starting July 2021 count a stipulation in line with California's and Minnesota's Right to Repair bills. Hungary tightened its abortion rules in 2022 under Prime Minister Viktor Orban (BEA KALLOS) Conservative counter-campaigns are unravelling global advances in women's rights, the latest "backlash" in a series dating to the 1980s, activists and experts warned ahead of International Women's Day on Friday. Organised and politicised, the counter-movement unpicks abortion rights, fuels online hate and harassment and encourages domestic violence, researchers say. "Global progress towards gender equality has slowed across regions, and targeted rollbacks of women's and girls' legally protected rights have significantly intensified," the United Nations warned in a report last year. - Organised anti-abortion campaign - Neil Datta, the founder and head of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, identified 120 anti-abortion organisations in Europe and reviewed financial data for 54 of them. In a report published in 2021, he found that from 2009 to 2018, over $700 million (644 million euro) was given to "anti-gender" campaigns by these groups -- NGOs, foundations, religious organisations and political parties. They were primarily financed "by the US Christian right, Russian oligarchs and economic and social elites from several European countries", Datta said. These groups have become "professionalised", he added. "They now influence parliamentarians and member states' foreign relations. They know how to launch lawsuits." France's independent state equality council (HCE) in a 2023 report noted a backlash that was impacting "major political decisions in many countries", citing the "historic setback" on abortion rights in the United States alongside similar moves in Poland and Hungary. In 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v Wade ruling -- a landmark judgement that legalised abortion nationwide in 1973. It said conservative movements have also used messaging on social media to "silence or discredit women." - History of 'backlash' - Observers say advances in women's rights have been systematically followed by a "backlash" ever since the 1980s. The theory was detailed by American feminist Susan Faludi in her 1991 book: "Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women." It describes US conservative movements' strategy following the liberalisation of abortion laws and the first entry of women into the labour market in the 1970s. Conservative movements blamed feminism for a range of ills including miscarriages, infertility and depression, using incomplete or false statistics to back up their position, Faludi wrote. The "backlash" theory re-entered the public sphere when Roe v Wade was overturned. The backlash was seen to surge during actor Johnny Depp's televised defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, with social media commentators attacking her over her accusations of domestic abuse. For Faludi, the effect of these campaigns can be seen in the increase in domestic violence during the pandemic, the emergence of "incels" -- a misogynist online subculture -- and "the flood of pornography and cyber-bullying," she was quoted as saying in 2023 by French arts magazine Telerama. - Domestic violence, incels - Lucie Daniel, an advocacy expert from the feminist NGO Equipop, called the backlash movement "a very heterogeneous coalition". "You find states with a very conservative agenda on these issues, far-right organisations, and fundamentalist religious movements," said Daniel, who co-authored a 2023 report on "backlash" with the Jean-Jaures Foundation, a French think-tank. She said these movements are "particularly well organised, connected to each other and benefit from very generous funding from big conservative figures." The report said it is vital to "increase funding for feminist associations and movements" to counter the backlash. mep/alu/nmc/rlp/giv/ach CALVIN, Okla. (KFOR) The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says the Hughes County Sheriffs Office has requested the bureaus help with an officer-involved shooting in Calvin, Oklahoma. According to authorities, earlier that evening, Hughes County deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop south of Atwood. The driver failed to cooperate and led deputies on a pursuit. OKCPD investigate shooting in SW OKC, suspect in custody The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Clovis Lee Reeves Jr., came to a stop in a rural area near 377 Road and 144 Road in Calvin. Police confirm Reeves exited his vehicle armed with a firearm. Deputies pursued him on foot for a short distance before the shooting occurred. Reeves was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital where he is currently in stable condition. The deputies on scene were not injured. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A Florida sheriff has been forced to apologise after sharing a photo of what appeared to be the body of murdered 13-year-old girl Madeline Soto online. The photo was posted on Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopezs personal Instagram page within 24 hours of the teenagers body being found on Friday 1 March. Sheriff Lopez has since said the post was an accident and that he meant to actually upload a post about a visit with senior citizens. The image appeared to feature clothing which matched the outfit Madeline was last seen wearing when she vanished on 26 February in Kissimmee. The sheriffs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent on Tuesday morning about the incident, but a spokesperson told local media that the photo had been immediately removed when the error was spotted. We deeply apologise for any confusion or disturbance this may have caused, they said. As with any investigation, the information obtained is confidential and any mistaken disclosures will be immediately rectified. The incident comes after another official from the OCSO Executive Director Nirva Rodriguez shared a selfie with suspect Stephan Sterns in the background, as he was booked into the county jail on charges of sexually battering a child and possessing child pornography. Mr Sterns, the victims mothers boyfriend, was arrested on 28 February after officers found criminal photos and video on his phone. One day later, Orange County Sheriffs Deputies concluded the teen was dead. Mr Sterns, 37, had told officers that he had dropped Madeline off close to her school on the Monday morning, but that she never showed up for class. Orange County Sheriff John Mina later said that he believed Madeline was already dead that morning, after finding security camera footage showing what they believed was Mr Sterns driving his car with her body inside. Madelines body was then discovered on Friday afternoon in rural Osceola County, where the first photo was reportedly taken. Missing poster for Madeline Soto (Orlando Sentinel) A spokesperson for State Attorney Andrew Bain told The Independent that he was deeply disturbed by the photos, which he said were in poor taste. We have requested the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigate this matter. However, we would be unable to comment on any active investigation, spokesperson Jason Gunn said. Our main focus is making sure we get justice for 13-year-old Madeline Soto. There are now questions around how these photos might affect a criminal trial for Mr Sterns, as Florida law prohibits the release of photos depicting the killing of a minor, including media showing their body, except to a parent. If an official is found to have wilfully shared the photo, they could face up to five years in prison. The man running to replace Sheriff Lopez in the 2024 election, Russ Gibson, said he was shocked and appalled over the posts. This is 100% unacceptable and 100% shameful and disrespectful to Madeline, her family and friends!! Mr Gibson said in a post on Facebook, with his supporters calling for a thorough investigation. Kissimmee Police Department, which is leading the murder investigation, told The Independent that there were no new developments as of Tuesday morning in the case. Mr Sterns is being held without bond. Some of the 401 migrants who arrived in Dover on Monday More than 400 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Monday, the highest daily number so far this year. The daily total was announced as the UK and four other European countries agreed to form a customs partnership aimed at "disrupting the supply chain of small boats". Home Office figures showed 401 people crossed the Channel on Monday, taking the total for the year so far to 2,983. It followed the arrival of 327 people on Sunday, the first group to arrive in March. The previous highest daily figure for 2024 was set on 17 January when 358 people were brought ashore in Dover. Monday's arrivals landed as the government's Rwanda Deportation scheme suffered a series of defeats in the House of Lords. Separately, a new customs partnership has been agreed by Britain, France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to tackle the migrants issue. Countries along the supply chain will 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. Home Secretary James Cleverly said the partnership, demonstrates our enduring commitment to smashing the business model of criminal gangs and stopping the boats. A family arriving at Dover on Monday On Monday the government said it had reached agreement with France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, known as the Calais Group of nations. It will see the UK and France leading a customs partnership which will allow more effective sharing of information and help stop small boats being taken to the French coast to be used by people smugglers. Home Secretary James Cleverly also said there would be further work with social media companies to stop smuggling gangs promoting themselves online. Home Secretary James Cleverley agreed customs deal with European partners to disrupt small boat crossings 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." Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related internet links A drone photo taken on March 3, 2024 shows the "Shenditake 1" borehole in the Taklimakan Desert in the Tarim Basin, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The drilling of a superdeep borehole in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region reached 10,000 meters at 2:48 p.m. Monday and is going deeper, marking a breakthrough in the country's deep-Earth exploration. Located in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert in the Tarim Basin, the "Shenditake 1" is expected to reach a designed depth of 11,100 meters upon completion. It is China's first scientific exploration borehole designed to exceed a depth of 10,000 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) People visit the Second Morocco Carpet and Flooring Trade Show in Casablanca, Morocco, March 3, 2024. The show kicked off here on Feb. 28. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) A man stands near damaged buildings after land subsidence at Cibedug village in Bandung Barat Regency, West Java, Indonesia, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Septianjar Muharam/Xinhua) A woman talks through an iPhone at the Berlaymont building, headquarters of the European Commission, in Brussels, Belgium, on March 4, 2024. The European Union (EU) on Monday slapped tech giant Apple with over 1.8 billion euros (about 1.95 billion U.S. dollars) in fines for alleged antitrust violations. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo) People check the wreck of a truck hit during an Isreali attack in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, March 3, 2024. Earlier on Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed a small truck carrying humanitarian here, killing at least eight, according to the state-run Palestine TV. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) Li Qingzhong (L), a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), prepares to be interviewed with the help of Zheng Hong, also a member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, ahead of the opening of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Actors re-enact a medieval battle in Samobor, Croatia, on March 3, 2024. The Battle of Samobor took place on March 1, 1441. (Davor Puklavec/PIXSELL/Handout via Xinhua) This undated photo shows the front face of the epitaph cover of Cheng Huan, the owner of a large Tang Dynasty tomb. A previously anonymous epitaph discovered in 2022 in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been identified as paying tribute to a high-ranking Tang Dynasty (618-907) official, local authorities said. (The Academia Turfanica/Handout via Xinhua) The opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) An overwhelming majority of Americans said they believe in vitro fertilization treatment (IVF) should be legal, according to a new poll. The poll, released Sunday by CBS News/YouGov, found 86 percent of Americans support keeping IVF legal for women, while 14 percent said they believe it should not be legal. The survey was taken Wednesday through Friday, less than two weeks after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos and fertilized eggs are considered children under state law and subject to legislation related to the wrongful death of a minor. The decision stated Alabamas Wrongful Death of a Minor Act will now apply to all unborn children, regardless of their location. The decision, while limited to Alabama, cast a national spotlight on IVF and how the ruling could usher in a new fight over reproductive rights across the country. The ruling did not outlaw IVF, though fertility experts have warned the new legal standards could make the process more expensive with limited accessibility. The ruling was quickly lambasted by Democrats, while Republicans who oppose abortion but support IVF were put in a complicated position when explaining their views to voters. A group of Senate Democrats late last month sought to affirm their support of IVF treatment and are now attempting to force a vote on a bill to protect access to the fertility treatment. Alabamas legislature last week passed bills giving IVF service providers civil and criminal immunity from prosecution or legal action related to the goods and services they provide, which Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) has signaled she will sign into law. The CBS News/YouGov poll follows a separate survey from Axios/Ipsos, released late last month, that found about 66 percent of Americans said they disagree with the Alabama ruling, including 45 percent who said they strongly oppose it and 21 percent who somewhat oppose it. That same poll found a partisan split in respondents familiarity with the ruling and, to a lesser extent, their feelings about it. About 65 percent of Democrats said they were familiar with the Alabama ruling, while about 42 percent of independents and 34 percent of Republicans said the same. About 82 percent of Democrats opposed the ruling, while a smaller share of independents and Republicans 67 percent and 49 percent, respectively disagreed with it. The CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted among a representative sample of 2,159 U.S. adult residents interviewed Wednesday through Friday. It has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Owner Of Dear Sunday Skincare, A Black-Owned Business With A Luxury Product Line, Also Has A Retail Space To Help Other Business Owners | Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images Kenya Staples is a chemist who is using her growing skincare line to support other Black women whose small businesses intertwine with her own. The Alabama native is the creator and CEO of Dear Sunday Skincare, a luxury product line whose formula is plant-powered to help refresh the skin. Her business is in the process of expansion as she currently has a retail space called You Good? Self Care Sanctuary, an incubator program that provides entrepreneurs with valuable resources, in partnership with REV Birmingham, that set them up for success on their journey to acquire a storefront, in the Woodlands region, according to Alabama.com. Sundays are my reset days. I would always look forward to my Sunday routine. It was my self-care Sunday. But why cant everyday be a self-care day? Stapes told the outlet. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dear Sunday Skincare (@dearsundayskincare) Although shes a huge fan of self-care Sunday and wants others to enjoy the same pleasure she gets from pampering herself, this wasnt what she set out to do with her career. She decided to serve in the armed forces when she graduated high school because she wanted to be a physician assistant and the military would cover college expenses. When she was released, she attended Alabama A&M, earning a bachelors degree in chemistry and later working with an ophthalmologist. Shortly after, she realized her career path wasnt fulfilling. I just realized that wasnt for me. I decided then to take a step back and reevaluate. It was 2019 when I came back home. And of course in 2020, thats when COVID hit. I decided that was the perfect time to just sit and figure out what I really wanted, she told Alabama.com. In 2019, Staples moved back home with her parents. During that time, she dabbled in a few industries like photography, videography and even real estate to discover what she was passionate about but wasnt initially successful. While trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I started getting a little anxious about my next steps in life because time was moving. I always had these goals and something to get after, she said. One day, she started reflecting on the times she would purchase beauty products to find the perfect skincare regimen when she was active in the military. After some self-reflection, she determined her interest in body products was her niche. I took a step back because I really enjoy being creative. I like to express my creativity. I was questioning what I wanted to do, and more than anything, I wanted to be true to myself this go around, she said. I took a few different approaches and finally came to the conclusion that I really love the self care space. To build her business, Staples researched quality cosmetic products, plant-based ingredients like turmeric, cucumber, witch hazel, green tea, and more before she started formulating and testing recipes in her lab, which was the basement of her familys home. After creating three products she believed in, the chemist established and launched Dear Sunday Skincare in November 2021. She debuted her line consiting of three products: an exfoliating facial cleanser, a vitamin-rich moisturizer and an oil-controlling toner. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dear Sunday Skincare (@dearsundayskincare) To help spread the word, Staples curated pop-up events. At one event, she caught the eye of former Thrive Wellness Lounge CEO Tish Fetcher, who was intrigued and wanted to encourage her as a fellow entrepreneur by selling her products at her business. Fetcher then suggested that Staples apply for a grant that finds locations for small businesses with REV Alabama and she got it. Now Staples is offering exposure to other local businesses by giving them space on her shelves. I love that were all able to collaborate as Black women business owners, Staples said. Im really excited about being based here in Woodlawn. This has been really fulfilling knowing that this area is coming up and I grew up right down the street. Just seeing the community evolve and grow. Im grateful to be part of that change. 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 (David Clohessy via AP) The husband and wife owners of a Missouri boarding school for boys have been jailed and charged with felony crimes after a lengthy investigation by a county sheriff. Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch said in a news release that Larry Musgraves Jr., 57, was arrested Friday evening on the ABM Ministries campus in Piedmont, a small town 130 miles (209 kilometers) south of St. Louis. Carmen Musgraves, 64, was arrested around 3 a.m. Saturday when she came to the jail to check on her husband, Finch said. Both have been charged with first-degree kidnapping and jailed without bond. The Musgraves do not yet have listed attorneys. A phone message was left Monday with ABM Ministries, the latest Christian boarding school in Missouri to face legal scrutiny. ABM Ministries' website says its facility, operated as Lighthouse Christian Academy, is a private Christian boarding school for boys ages 10-13, situated on 250 acres that include a spring-fed pond and a pasture with animals. On average, it has around 40 students, the website says. The website claims success in helping boys who are troubled, learning-impaired or dealing with ADHD or other disorders. Finch said that since early January, his office has received reports of five runaways from the school. In one instance, two boys were picked up by a neighboring resident and taken home. The boys asked her to call 911. But Finch said his investigation began several months ago after he was contacted by a former student living in Alabama. He followed up by interviewing other former students, and eventually the current students. A probable cause statement says the former student told Finch that on her 18th birthday, she was locked in a small room and "held against her will." The statement doesn't specify how long she was allegedly kept in the room. The sheriff's department anticipates more charges as the investigation continues, with more alleged victims coming forward," the news release stated. All five boys who had run away since January have been returned to their homes, the Kansas City Star reported. The school was coed in 2009 when a federal lawsuit accused a former principal of sex acts with a female student and alleged that the Musgraves failed to take action to protect the girl. Court records show that ABM Ministries and the Musgraves agreed to pay $750,000 in a settlement, and the principal agreed to pay $100,000. In 2023, Agape Boarding School in Stockton, Missouri, closed after years of investigations, lawsuits and eventually criminal charges that followed abuse allegations. One former student alleged he was raped and called seizure boy because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor. Allegations of abuse at Agape and at the nearby Circle of Hope Girls Ranch prompted a state law in 2021 requiring stricter rules for such facilities. Missouri previously had virtually no oversight for religious boarding schools. In 2021, Agapes longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Those cases are still pending. Also in 2021, Boyd and Stephanie Householder, former owners of Circle of Hope, were charged with around 100 child abuse counts. They pleaded not guilty and have been scheduled to go to trial in November. Former students at ABM Ministries said justice was long overdue. Juliana Davis, now 34, said she was abused at the school in 2006 and 2007. I'm glad that he took us seriously," Davis said of Finch. "There's a whole group of us that have been trying for decades, speaking out about what happened to us and what we saw. Another former student, Aralysa Baker, 31, recalled being put in a chokehold and having her head held underwater when she was a student from 2005 to 2007. I never thought in a million years that charges would ever be brought," Baker said. We just wanted the school shut down and the kids sent home. Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from suspended Palm Beach County Democratic leader Mindy Koch. After more than a year of divisive conflicts between Palm Beach County Democratic leaders and key volunteers, state party chief Nikki Fried has suspended Mindy Koch from her position as chair of the local party's ruling board. The suspension marks the first time a state party leader has initiated the process for removing an elected county party chair from the helm. As of Monday afternoon, Fried wrote in a statement, Vice Chair Sean Rourk is in charge of the Palm Beach County party's governing board, the Democratic Executive Committee, pending the election of a new leader. Koch was notified early February that she failed to meet deadlines for important documents, including campaign plans, a membership list and a budget, and that she needed to turn in documentation for reasons why certain members were removed by Sunday afternoon. In the suspension letter, Fried acknowledged that Koch turned in all documents except those pertaining to removing members, but also pointed at Kochs inability to quell simmering disputes and tensions within the leadership and volunteer ranks. The removal of members and inability to find compromise within your membership have altogether created an environment that prohibits the DEC from being compliant and successful, and as State Chair it is my responsibility to intervene, Fried wrote in a suspension notice. Koch acknowledged the divisions within the Palm Beach County Democratic Party and noted that she won her election by one vote, and that wasn't enough for some people to let me do my job and this suspension is the outgrowth of that division. We'll all get to see how the DEC operates with novices in leadership, Koch said. On Wednesday, 15 party leaders, officials and others submitted a letter to Fried saying they were "dismayed" by her decision to boot Koch and asked the state party leader to reconsider. The two-page letter defended Koch's leadership and blamed the "vile personal attacks" and "abuse" directed at her on "MAGA-left organizers" who have "unfortunately borrowed a page from the MAGA-right and utilized the same nastiness against our own Democratic leaders." It concluded: "Given this atmosphere it's amazing that Chair Koch has been able lead a team to raise money, re-enroll over 80,000 vote by mail Democrats, start a youth outreach program, lead a successful pro-environmental vote by the PBC Commission to save the Agricultural Reserve, and do anything at all. She is to be commended, not suspended." The next step is for a state party committee to vote on her permanent removal. A two-thirds vote is required to remove Koch from her post. The state party said the committee vote has not been scheduled. Koch said Monday evening she believes the committee would meet in Orlando in about two months. Fried said she wants a 'fully engaged' Palm Beach County Democratic Party In her statement, Fried said that one of her first actions after taking over the reins of the Florida Democratic Party in 2023 was tasking an "assessment team" to review issues in local parties statewide, including in Palm Beach County. The conflicts within the Palm Beach County party were well known. In June, Fried visited the local party to assess and attempt to quell the friction within the Democratic Executive Committee. During Fried's visit, multiple volunteers and party leaders spoke out during a forum that discussed the various problems with the local party and particularly Koch's leadership. Fried visits Palm Beach County: 'The parent is coming in:' Nikki Fried intervenes as Palm Beach County Democrats feud The points of concern included Koch's governing style and issues members had with the party's initial policy of in-person only meetings. Some who spoke also addressed what has been cited as a generational divide between older and younger members of the party and executive committee. Fried listened to concerns from party leaders at that encounter and made recommendations to Koch, who had been elected chair in 2022, succeeding Terrie Rizzo. In particular, Fried charged Koch with reuniting the party ahead of the critical 2024 election year. All told, the effort did not appear to succeed and Fried said in her statement a "fully engaged" Palm Beach County party is "vital." "Candidates and elected officials rely on their local Democratic parties to register voters, mobilize volunteers and engage donors to support their efforts and they are impacted the most when they are not working effectively having Palm Beach Democrats fully engaged is vital to our mission to take back Florida," Fried said in a statement. Nikki Fried speaks to the media and supporters after conceding the Democratic primary for governor to Charlie Christ during FriedOs Democratic primary watch party at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL., on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Biden visits Florida for campaign funds: Biden says he wants to win Florida. Local Dems also focused on commission, legislative races Palm Beach County Democrats have one goal to win Florida Palm Beach County is particularly important for state Democrats who need this traditionally blue linchpin in order to win statewide races. In 2022, the county voted in favor of Gov. Ron DeSantis over Democratic opponent Charlie Crist, leading to a statewide landslide and raising concerns the county is losing its status as a blue bastion. Fried said the stated goal this year is to bring Democratic wins to Florida and "too much is at stake to ignore the challenges we face in Palm Beach." Florida Democrats are serious about creating the infrastructure and party apparatus we need to take back our state, restore our rights and freedoms and re-elect Democrats all the way up the ticket. The country is counting on us," Fried said. Stephany Matat is a politics reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY-Florida network. Reach her at smatat@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Democratic chief Nikki Fried suspends Palm Beach County chair Koch As well as his dog, Ricardo Martinelli moved a mattress and TVs in to the Nicaraguan embassy when he sought asylum there Panama's ex-President Ricardo Martinelli has had his hopes for re-election dashed after a court barred him from running in May's election. Most polls had put Mr Martinelli in the lead but on Monday the electoral tribunal annulled his candidacy citing his conviction for money laundering. He was sentenced to more than 10 years in jail last year. But he has been living in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City since seeking asylum there in February. Panama's electoral tribunal announced the decision on Monday, arguing that the constitution ruled out candidates who have been sentenced to more than five years in prison. Martinelli, a supermarket tycoon who was president from 2009 to 2014, was found guilty of money laundering in July 2023 and sentenced to 10 years and eight months. The 71-year-old has denied any wrongdoing and denounced the charges as politically motivated. But his appeal against his conviction was quashed last month, a development he said was an "illegal last-minute move" to take him out of the presidential race. Mr Martinelli was ahead in the polls before his candidacy was annulled He then sought refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy, claiming there was an imminent risk to his life. Nicaragua, which has granted Mr Martinelli asylum, has asked Panama to allow the ex-leader to travel to Nicaragua, but the Panamanian authorities have so far denied that request. Mr Martinelli has been posting videos from the embassy showing him playing with his dog Bruno in front of a large map of Nicaragua and working out on a treadmill. The electoral court said that following the annulment of his candidacy, Mr Martinelli's name would be replaced with that of his vice-presidential candidate, Jose Raul Mulino, on the ballot. Under Panama's constitution, presidents cannot run for consecutive terms, so the incumbent, Laurentino Cortizo, cannot stand. Panama's former President Ricardo Martinelli kicks-off 2024 presidential campaign, in Panama City PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Panama's electoral court on Monday decided to annul former President Ricardo Martinelli's candidacy in the May 2024 presidential election, citing his inability to run due to a nearly 11-year prison sentence for money laundering. Panama's constitution bars anyone sentenced to a prison term of five years or more from serving as president. Most polls before Monday's court ruling positioned Martinelli as the favorite to win the election. The electoral court said his running mate Jose Raul Mulino will now appear in the ballot as presidential candidate for Martinelli's political party. Martinelli has been living in the Nicaraguan embassy in Panama City since he requested asylum after a court ruling found him guilty on money laundering. The former president, a multimillionaire supermarket magnate, held office from 2009 to 2014. (Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle) If you placed a Panera Bread delivery order between October 2020 and August 2021, you may be eligible to receive a settlement payment. Three separate class action lawsuits filed in Missouri, California and Illinois allege Panera's representation of its delivery fees and delivery menu prices on the Panera app and website were false and misleading, says settlement administrator Kroll Settlement Administration LLC. Panera decided to avoid further costs of defense and settle the claims, agreeing to provide up to $2 million worth of Soups & Mac vouchers and cash settlements to those affected. According to Panera's website, there are 124 locations in New York. Here's how to find out if you're eligible and when you may see the money. New Yorkers may be eligible to receive money through a recent Panera Bread settlement. Are you eligible? If you placed a delivery order on the Panera app and/or the Panera website between Oct. 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021, you may be eligible to receive a payment. What are your payment options? If you are eligible for the payment, you have two options a Soups & Mac voucher settlement award or a cash settlement award. The soups and mac voucher award, which will be sent electronically, includes up to two vouchers for one free item from Panera's "Soups & Mac" menu. Each voucher is worth $9.50 and no additional purchase is necessary to use the voucher. If you opt for a cash settlement, you'll receive an electronic payment of up to $12 through Pay Pal, Venmo, or other electronic means. How to file a claim If you have a class member ID, which you would have received through an email notice, you can file your claim online at deliverypricesettlement.com. It's ok if you don't have a class member ID you can still submit your claim by mail to: Panera Delivery Fees Settlement, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, PO Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. Claims must be submitted by June 10, 2024. And if you wish to object to the settlement or exclude yourself, you must do so by March 11, 2024. Are you eligible?: Kia, Hyundai theft settlement funds coming to New Yorkers When might you see your payment? It depends. The court has already granted preliminary approval of the settlement and will make its final decision on May 31, 2024. Payments will be delivered within 60 days of the effective date but if the decision is appealed, payment might be delayed. Looking for more information? Contact Kroll Settlement Administration LLC by calling 833-462-4684 or through their online form. What's on Panera's Soups & Mac menu? Wondering what your options are on Panera's Soups & Mac menu? Currently, the company's website lists mac and cheese, broccoli cheddar soup, turkey chili, homestyle chicken noodle soup, creamy tomato soup, bistro french onion soup, cream of chicken and wild rice soup and vegetarian autumn squash soup. Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Panera Bread lawsuit settlement: How to receive cash or food voucher Ugo Gattoni, the artist behind the work, said the landmarks were portrayed in a surrealist and celebratory universe French conservatives have attacked the official Paris Olympics poster for removing a cross from the site of Napoleons tomb, as the government weighs hosting a Saudi Olympic village at the historic landmark. Two art-deco posters depicting the City of Love were unveiled this week to promote the 2024 games, with the illustrations adorning billboards across Paris. But Right-wing critics have attacked the woke designs for leaving out a cross which sits on top of the Domes des Invalides. It comes amid outrage from both conservatives and liberals after one of Emmanuel Macrons ministers confirmed Paris was looking sympathetically at Saudi Arabias request to install a national pavilion in the middle of the military complex. The Paris Olympics are set to take place from July 26 until Aug 11, followed by the Paralympics from Aug 28. Recognisable at a glance Ugo Gattoni, a French artist, designed the promotional posters, which depict major landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and Les Invalides,and were revealed on Monday. Noting the illustration omitted the cross on the building, which houses Napoleons tomb, Francois-Xavier Bellamy, of the Right-wing Republicans party, accused the designers of being ready to deny France, going so far as to distort reality to cancel its history. Meanwhile, Marion Marechal of the far-Right Reconquete (Reconquest) party, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: What is the point of holding the Olympic Games in France if we then hide who we are? Nicolas Meizonnet, the National Rally lawmaker, added that the omissions must be the result of wokism. Responding to the controversy, Mr Gattoni said he had rendered buildings in the way they come to my mind without any ulterior motive. I am not aiming to make them accurate to the originals but rather to make them recognisable at a glance, placing them within a surrealist and celebratory universe, he added. The organising committee said that the posters were a light-hearted interpretation of a reinvented stadium-city. A surfing wave is seen offshore of the Marseille Marina; the Eiffel Tower is pink; the Metro is passing through the Arc de Triomphe none of which should be the object of politically-motivated interpretations, it added. Historic site for potential Saudi Olympic village The furore comes amid an outcry after Mr Macrons governments possible plans to erect on the grounds of Les Invalides which has been described as a Saudi Olympic village. The historic site is home to museums of the army and the Legion of Honour and the hospital for the war wounded, while its courtyard is where state memorial ceremonies and funerals are held. Plans for the pavilion, which would be erected in May and stand for four months, were revealed after Nathalie Serre, a conservative MP, demanded information in a parliamentary question. Sebastien Lecornu, the defence minister, said that the government was giving the proposal a sympathetic view, adding that Saudi Arabia is committed to respecting the security and financial measures of Les Invalides and that Riyadh was an important defence partner. He said several countries would be setting up pavilions in the city. The proposal was criticised as an example of pandering to the Gulf state by both Marine Le Pens National Rally and the far-left party of Jean-Luc Melenchon. Ms Serre said a foreign state would be out of place in an architectural treasure, full of symbolism and our countrys history. She said: There are some things that are not for sale and in my view Les Invalides is one of them. The defence ministry said the deal was dependent on strict conditions that the Saudis have not yet accepted, which must ensure the security and solemnity of the site and the peace of the resident pensioners. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The parliament's Humanitarian and Information Policy Committee supported a bill that could ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) for approval in the Verkhovna Rada's second reading, lawmaker Volodymyr Viatrovych said on March 5. The bill would prohibit the activities of any religious organizations affiliated with war propaganda or justifying the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Parliament passed the bill in the first reading in October 2023, and now the final vote is to be held. According to Viatrovych, the text of the bill has been "significantly strengthened." According to the document, the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church will be terminated "according to a clear procedure" that will include an analysis, an order to comply with the law, and a court injunction, the lawmaker said. Such organizations will not be able to use state and municipal property, and the transition of communities to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine "will be greatly simplified," Viatrovich noted. Ukraine has two main Orthodox churches the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the autocephalous (a level of canonical independence) Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The Moscow-linked church (UOC-MP) has been accused of aligning with the Russian government during the war, which the church's leadership has denied. Since November 2022, Ukraine's law enforcement has raided multiple premises of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, alleging that the church is at the heart of "subversive activities by Russian intelligence services." The Ukrainian government evicted the UOC-MP from the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and has brought charges against several church leaders for spreading pro-war propaganda. As of June 2023, 66% of Ukrainians believed the UOC-MP should be banned, according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. COALINGA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) An educational partnership between the West Hills College Coalinga and the Fresno Pacific University to enhance learning opportunities and academic resources in the region was held on Monday. According to West Hills Community College District officials, the event celebrated the collaborations mission to create seamless educational pathways and foster academic innovation, particularly in areas where access to higher education has traditionally been limited. Dr. Carla Tweed, President of West Hills College Coalinga, and Andre Stephens, Ph.D., President of Fresno Pacific University signed the agreement, symbolizing the commitment to transforming the educational and economic landscape of the region. Officials say this partnership addresses these challenges by providing accessible, high-quality educational pathways that lead to meaningful employment and economic upliftment. West Hills College Coalinga and its Firebaugh Center are positioned to serve a geographically remote service area where officials say 24% of residents live in poverty, 62% have less than a high school diploma, and 97% have less than a BA/CS degree. This partnership stands as a beacon of hope for our community, said Tweed. Together with Fresno Pacific University, we are breaking down educational barriers and opening up new avenues for success for our students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Officials say this collaboration will offer more significant support and access to a broad spectrum of academic programs and resources to students. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. People flee from their homes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) There has been a rising death toll, babies dying of starvation, and 85 percent of Gaza's population -- or 1.9 million people -- are internally displaced. UNITED NATIONS, March 4 (Xinhua) -- UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis on Monday called for action to end violence and suffering in Gaza. "First and foremost, an immediate humanitarian ceasefire must be implemented. The bombardment must stop, now," Francis told the General Assembly plenary meeting on the use of the veto, describing the situation in Gaza as "catastrophic," and highlighting the "shocking" death toll and the impact on children and families. The General Assembly met to examine the U.S. veto of the latest Security Council draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza, where a grim, forewarned landscape of famine has seen babies and children die of starvation in recent days. 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. "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," Francis said. People flee from their homes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) 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, the UNGA president called 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 the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East reports a significant 50 percent 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. The 193 members of the UN General Assembly on April 26, 2023 adopted by consensus resolution 76/262, committing that every time a veto is cast in the UN Security Council, the General Assembly will meet within 10 days and "hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast." The initiative was born out of growing frustration over states persistently using vetos in the Security Council, including to block action aimed at halting or averting the commission of atrocity crimes, and addressing their humanitarian consequences. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Eyes of the Storm, an exhibit of more than 250 recently rediscovered photos taken by Beatles legend Paul McCartney during the bands infamous rise to fame from 1963 to 1964, are coming to the Portland Art Museum. Portland Art Museum spokesperson Ian Gillingham told KOIN 6 News that the exhibit will feature photographs printed directly from negatives and contact sheets shared by McCartney. When is winter expected to end in the Pacific Northwest? At a time when so many camera lenses were turned toward them, McCartneys perspective from the inside out brings fresh insight into the band, their experiences, the fans, and the Beatlemania phenomenon, the Portland Art Museum stated about the upcoming exhibit. Through these photographs, along with video clips and archival material, visitors can witness the dawn of the British Invasion that fundamentally transformed rock and roll music and American society. A self-portrait taken by McCartney. (Photos taken by McCartney, curated by the National Portrait Gallery in London and provided by the Portland Art Museum.) Beatles drummer Ringo Starr. beatles Beatles The photos of McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are shot in a style suitable for a family photo album, the museum said, and offer a personal look at the band during a formative three-month period. McCartney offered his own thoughts on the photos, calling them a flood of special memories. Looking at these photos now, decades after they were taken, I find theres a sort of innocence about them, McCartney was quoted saying in a press release. Everything was new to us at this point. But I like to think I wouldnt take them any differently today. They now bring back so many stories, a flood of special memories, which is one of the many reasons I love them all, and know that they will always fire my imagination. The exhibition, which is organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London, will be on display at the Portland Art Museum from Sept. 14 to Jan. 19, 2025. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PD: Fort Bliss man charged with DWI after striking police car in East El Paso EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man from Fort Bliss was arrested this past Saturday, March 2 for driving while intoxicated after striking a police car in East El Paso, El Paso Police said. Police say Denzel Malone, 32, was arrested and charged for driving while intoxicated with an open container. Police say they responded to Trophy Room Bar located on 9627 Sims Dr. just before 2 a.m. that Saturday in reference to a reported shooting. Police say an officer was parked in the parking lot of the bar when a black Nissan Rouge pulled out of a parking space and struck the police car. Police say the officer observed the driver, Malone with open containers in the vehicle and determined that he was intoxicated. Malone was placed under arrest and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $1,500 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. SELMA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A suspect was arrested after a shooting in the parking lot of a Carls Jr restaurant on Friday, the Selma Police Department said on Monday. On Monday, officers with the Selma Police Department say they arrested and filed robbery and attempted homicide charges on 30-year-old Randy Escobedo following a shooting investigation from Friday in the parking lot of the Carls Jr Restaurant located at 2818 Floral Avenue at around 7 p.m. Through the course of this investigation, police say it is believed the victim intended to meet with Escobedo for unknown reasons. During this interaction, Escobedo shot the victim several times. The victim sustained injuries and he was rushed to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. Those who might have any information regarding this case are encouraged to contact the Selma Police Department Investigators at 559-891-2244. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A Pearl police car is shown in this file photo. Pearl police arrested a male motorcyclist after he reportedly led an officer on a chase into Jackson on Monday afternoon. According to a City of Pearl press release, an officer noticed a motorcycle with no tag traveling at a high rate of speed near U.S. 80 and Bass Pro Drive. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop. Police said 30-year-old Justin Jerome Gatlin of Jackson refused to pull over and got onto I-55 heading north toward Jackson. Gatlin then took the High Street Exit, where he lost control of the vehicle and wrecked. He sustained minor injuries. Pearl officer hospitalized after chase: Pearl PD officer in hospital after high-speed chase ends in multi-vehicle crash According to the news release, officers found a gun on Gatlin when he was taken into custody. Gatlin faces charges of felony fleeing, possession of a weapon by convicted felon, reckless driving, no tag and no insurance. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Pearl MS police arrest motorcyclist after chase ends in Jackson crash Critics responded to a Fox News guests claim about Donald Trump with a collective Huh? The Outnumbered panel on Monday fawned over what they described as the former presidents measured and firm response to the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that Colorado must include him on its 2024 presidential primary ballot. So good, television personality Kym Douglas first said of Trump, who argued that voters, not a court, should decide who should be president. Then she added, What I love about him, he never plays the victim. He was like, Keep weaponizing me. I just keep winning. Never plays the victim. I thought he was super presidential today. The claim confused many, seeing how Trumps attempt to portray himself as a political martyr is actually one of his main campaign tactics as he closes in on the Republican presidential nomination. Critics duly noted that and more on X, formerly Twitter: Direct from Upside Down World: Fox News host says Trump never plays the victim. (Video: Fox News) pic.twitter.com/A2lzseHJ8B Mike Sington (@MikeSington) March 4, 2024 We may have reached new levels in Fox News' sycophancy towards Trump. In this segment alone, you have one host literally compare Trump to God while another one says Trump "never plays the victim." Meanwhile, there are a bunch of "preach" and "drop the mic" shouts throughout. pic.twitter.com/bIvkGgpank Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) March 4, 2024 This segment is beyond stupid. @HARRISFAULKNER literally lets a panelist lie by saying Trump never plays the victim? @FoxNews is literally the communications arm of the @GOP. https://t.co/z6LNQeQBF7 rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) March 4, 2024 hes been playing the victim since he lost the 2020 election https://t.co/OP4CCIqK5I Robbin (Real Robbin) \() (@RaeMargaret61) March 4, 2024 Related... A frame grab from aerial video footage shows the collision between ships of the Chinese and Philippine coast guards (Handout) The Philippines said Tuesday that China Coast Guard vessels caused two collisions with Philippine boats and water cannoned one of them, leaving four crew injured during a resupply mission in the South China Sea. Manila summoned a Chinese representative over the incidents, which happened in waters around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands where the countries have contesting maritime claims. A Philippine government task force said in a statement that "China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels harassed, blocked, deployed water cannons, and executed dangerous maneuvers in another attempt to illegally impede or obstruct a routine resupply and rotation mission". The China Coast Guard said it "took control measures" against Philippine ships' "illegal intrusion" in waters around the shoal. The BRP Sindangan, along with a sister ship, had been deployed to support the military chartered Unaizah May 4 and Unaizah May 1 boats carrying replacement soldiers and supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino troops are stationed on a grounded Philippine navy vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre. Four crew on board the Unaizah May 4 were injured when two China Coast Guard ships simultaneously fired water cannon at it, shattering the windshield, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement. It said a China Coast Guard vessel also caused a "minor collision" with the Unaizah May 4, which turned back to shore without delivering its cargo. The Unaizah May 1 was able to unload its provisions, which the troops on the rusty BRP Sierra Madre depend on for their survival. Earlier in the morning, the task force added, a China Coast Guard vessel caused a separate "minor collision" with one of the Philippine Coast Guard ships that was escorting the supply boats. China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu accused the Philippine Coast Guard ship of "intentionally" ramming the Chinese boat, causing a "minor scrape". Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing had expressed "strong protests" over the run-in with the Philippine vessels which were "attempting to transport construction supplies and building materials" to the Sierra Madre. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said it told Chinese embassy deputy chief of mission Zhou Zhiyong that the "aggressive actions" of the China Coast Guard and other vessels were "unacceptable". It ordered the Chinese vessels to leave the vicinity of the reef "immediately", the department said in a statement. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from a host of Southeast Asian nations and an international ruling that has declared its stance baseless. Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan, and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island. - 'Stop harassing us' - The incident comes a day after Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo called on China to "stop harassing us" as he defended Manila's strategy of publicising Chinese manoeuvres in the South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos was similarly forthright when he appeared later Monday evening at an event hosted by an Australian think tank. "We shall never surrender even a square inch of our territory and our maritime jurisdiction," he said on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Melbourne. Tuesday's collisions and water cannoning came after similar incidents in December. Those confrontations were the most intense between Philippine and Chinese vessels in years. Beijing is trying to "break our resolve, basically warn us that this will lead to further escalation," political science professor Renato de Castro of Manila's De La Salle University told AFP. Relations between Manila and Beijing have frayed under Marcos, who has sought to improve ties with traditional ally Washington and deepen defence cooperation in the region, while also pushing back against Chinese actions in the South China Sea. That contrasts with the approach of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who set aside maritime disputes with Beijing in exchange for promises of Chinese investment. US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson condemned China's "dangerous maneuvers" in a post on social media platform X, saying they "endangered lives, resulted in injuries, and damaged (Philippine Coast Guard) vessels". Luc Veron, the EU envoy to Manila, said on X he was "troubled" by China's efforts to target "Philippine vessels engaged in crucial resupply missions". Political analyst Richard Heydarian said the Chinese actions could lead "to a horrible accident or an extremely violent incident that could really escalate out of control in ways that is not only detrimental to the Philippines but also to the supposedly stronger party." cgm/amj Lawrence Russell Jr, who told police he was 'terrified' after failing a blood alcohol test before a flight An American airline pilot was caught with two bottles of Jagermeister one opened and only half full as he prepared to fly a Boeing 767 from Edinburgh to New York, a court has been told. Lawrence Russell Jr, 63, was found to have the herbal liqueur in his luggage by security staff at Edinburgh Airport in June last year, the citys sheriff court heard. Police were contacted and Russell was arrested after he failed a breath test. A later blood test revealed his alcohol level was 2.5 times the legal limit for a pilot. The pilot, from Georgia, US, was remanded in custody to await sentence after he pleaded guilty on Tuesday to reporting for duty as a pilot while being impaired through drink or drugs. Liqueur found in luggage search Matthew Millar, prosecuting, told the court Russell was due to captain a Boeing 767 flight to JFK Airport in New York when his luggage was selected for inspection at 8am on June 16 last year. When the luggage was searched, the bottles of Jagermeister were found. 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. One of the bottles of alcohol had been opened and was half full. Mr Millar said: Given 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 the alcohol level in the 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 prosecutor said when the pilot was cautioned and charged, he told officers: Im terrified. Pilot will be sentenced later this month Pamela Rogers, defending, provided the court with a medical report on the treatment Russell has been receiving for his alcoholism and said he was under no illusion as to the seriousness of the offence. Sheriff Alison Stirling remanded Russell Jr in custody and deferred sentence for the preparation of reports to later this month. Following the pilots arrest last June, the flight to New York was cancelled and Delta Airlines confirmed all the passengers were being helped with their travel plans. Delta Airlines was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A pilot was heard saying he was unable to make an emergency landing, moments before he and four others died in a fiery crash at the side of a Nashville highway. Three children were on board the single-engine aeroplane which burst into flames when it crashed at the side of the I-40 just before 8pm local time on Monday. Audio came to light on Tuesday, reportedly from communications between the pilot and air traffic control as the plane attempted to make an emergency landing at John C Tune Airport after reporting engine failure. Im too far away, I wont make it, the pilot stated after the air traffic controller told him he was clear to land. Instead, the Piper Saratoga aircraft plummeted into the ground close to a Costco around 5 miles away. All five people on board died. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday afternoon that all five on board were Canadian citizens and that three of the deceased were children. Further details on their identities were not revealed. BREAKING: 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. pic.twitter.com/6tyBa3UCpB Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 5, 2024 Nashville Fire Department crews rushed to the scene Monday night, with the department later saying that firefighters had managed to preserve as much of the evidence as possible so that investigators could work out what happened. Flight data showed the aircraft had flown from Milton in Canada at around 1.20pm ET on Monday, before heading to Eerie, Pennsylvania and Mount Sterling County, Kentucky and then to Tennessee. NTSB official Aaron McCarter told reporters in Nashville that the plane had circled the airport before turning back when it lost power. "We're still trying to determine why he decided to overfly the airport at 2,500 feet. I don't know that yet," Mr McCarter said. "We are at the infancy of this investigation. These are all things that will come to light in subsequent days." The NTSB has now moved the aircraft to a special facility where it can examine it in a closed environment. Several videos of the explosion as the plane hit the ground have circulated online, with Mr McCarter asking those with footage to assist investigators by sending it to the NTSB. Following the incident on Monday night, Nashvilles Mayor Freddie OConnell paid tribute to emergency services. Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of all those on board the single-engine aircraft that crashed near Interstate 40 this evening, Mayor OConnell said in a post on X. I want to thank the Metro emergency responders who were on site quickly and extinguished the fire. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) Pinellas County School leaders are considering implementing a more restrictive cell phone policy for the entire district. Florida state law prohibits banning cell phones, but school leaders can decide what students do with their cell phones when at school. During a workshop Tuesday, Leaders with Pinellas County Schools discussed recommendations that would be implemented based on the grade of students. In elementary schools, devices would be required to be off during the school day. Students would only be permitted to use phones after school to arrange transportation. In middle schools, students would be permitted to use devices before or after school. During school, phones would be required to be turned off. Students would be required to have devices stored away in places such as their pocket, bookbag, locker, lunchbag, or in any non visible location. Teachers could also have a designated area to store devices. The same would also apply to earbuds and similar devices, school leaders said they should not be seen during the school day. High school students would be required to keep wireless communication devices in the silent mode or off position during instructional time within all class periods. In addition, students would be permitted to use their wireless communication devices before and after the instructional school day, during lunch and when transitioning between classes. The exception would be earbuds, which would not allowed during the day, only before and after school. District leaders are making the recommendation that students be able to use smart watches during the day, but not for the purposes of texting or making phone calls. About 5,000 parents, 2,000 district employees, and 600 students responded to a survey asking what they thought would work best. The results showed that most people would prefer middle and high schoolers to use their phones if teachers gave permission or in special circumstances like medical needs. The survey revealed most people think elementary school students should not be allowed to use their phones at all during school, including during lunch and between classes. A first reading is scheduled for April 23, a second reading is schedule for June 11, and an information campaign kickoff is scheduled for August 2024. The plan would be implemented in the fall. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. LARGO Pinellas County high school students could find it easier to opt out of their final exams next year. School district officials said they view the idea as a way to encourage teens to attend classes more regularly. Their plan, presented to the school board on Tuesday, would allow students to exempt semester exams for as many as three courses in which they are averaging a C grade or better over both quarters, and have not missed more than five days in those classes. The current rule permits exemptions for A and B grades, for students who have five or fewer absences from all courses. The district recently reinstated the attendance requirement, after having waived it during the pandemic so students would not come to school sick to maintain their exemption status. Pinellas, like school systems across Florida and the nation, has seen a spike in absenteeism that has lingered in years since the pandemic. In the 2018-19 school year, 18% of students missed at least 10% of their classes. That number shot to 33% in 2021-22 before improving slightly to 29% last year. Other districts in the Tampa Bay area have seen a similar trend. Pinellas Area Superintendent Mike Vigue suggested that if a greater number of students view exam exemptions as accessible, they might choose to go to classes more regularly rather than skip out of frustration. Setting the grade level for getting out of the exams at C reflects the level of student proficiency for a course, rather than requiring mastery, Vigue said. It also falls in line with expectations for passing at the high school and college levels, he added. The question became, If students are demonstrating proficiency, then is the exam really needed? said Leanna Ison, district director of strategic planning, who helped write the proposal. A third part of the recommended policy revision would allow students to exempt exams from the same course two semesters in a row. The district currently does not allow that. Vigue said this change might encourage students who have required exams in many of their classes, such as Advanced Placement, Cambridge AICE and state-mandated algebra and language arts. Some students might have only three courses available to exempt, he noted. This change would give them some breathing room. The goal, Vigue said, is to engage students in the academic middle in areas they might have considered unreachable. Board members signaled their support for the concept, despite some initial reservations. I was surprised when I was first reading it, board vice chairperson Carol Cook said. The more I thought about it, you need a 2.0 (grade-point average) to graduate. If you have a C already, Id rather have you spend time studying for a class you have a D in. Board member Stephanie Meyer acknowledged some people might view the proposal as a watering down of expectations. She did not agree with that assessment. The goal is to increase participation in school, and make sure kids are coming, Meyer said. If there is that incentive, even if I am not an A student, if I am attending and engaged in the classroom, I still have the opportunity to exempt one or maybe more. She added that she liked the idea of letting students distinguish between classes, rather than have the attendance apply overall, saying the flexibility should help. Tackling the absentee issue is critical, said board member Lisa Cane. There is a lot of truancy, Cane said, noting it occurs among students who are doing well and poorly in classes. We need to push students to remain in class and continue to come. The policy proposal is scheduled to come up for a public hearing on April 23, with final consideration set for June. Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian speaks at the China-Algeria Economic Forum in Setif, eastern Algeria, on March 5, 2024. Senior officials and business representatives from China and Algeria gathered Tuesday in Setif to attend the China-Algeria Economic Forum. (Xinhua/Wu Tianyu) ALGIERS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials and business representatives from China and Algeria gathered Tuesday in Algeria's eastern city of Setif to attend the China-Algeria Economic Forum. The forum, jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Algeria and the Setif provincial government, was attended by 260 participants, including Algerian lawmakers and government officials as well as business people from both countries. In a speech delivered at the forum, Chinese Ambassador to Algeria Li Jian said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Algeria has entered a new phase, and economic and trade cooperation has developed strongly, with annual bilateral trade exceeding 10 billion U.S. dollars for the first time in 2023. Li said he hoped the Setif province, with its great potential in agriculture, mineral resources, industrialization, tourism and culture, could become a gateway of cooperation between China and Algeria. For his part, Setif's Provincial Governor Mustapha Limani said that this forum is taking place under very positive conditions, especially as Algeria is witnessing a shift in economic strategy, and an improvement in investment and business environment. "We invite you to intensify and develop bilateral cooperation within the framework of a 'win-win' economic partnership and move forward for the prosperity and progress of our two countries," Limani added. During the forum, representatives of Algerian government introduced trade policies and market access conditions of Algeria to the participants. Setif's Provincial Governor Mustapha Limani speaks at the China-Algeria Economic Forum in Setif, eastern Algeria, on March 5, 2024. Senior officials and business representatives from China and Algeria gathered Tuesday in Setif to attend the China-Algeria Economic Forum. (Xinhua/Wu Tianyu) People attend the China-Algeria Economic Forum in Setif, eastern Algeria, on March 5, 2024. Senior officials and business representatives from China and Algeria gathered Tuesday in Setif to attend the China-Algeria Economic Forum. (Xinhua/Wu Tianyu) The Ministry of Defence blamed an unnamed individual's improper use of a "non-secure data line" for the recent leak of a German army conversation about the Taurus weapon system to Russia. The mistake was made by the participant who took part in the conversation from Singapore and had dialled in via a "non-secure data line" such as a mobile phone or via a wireless network, according to the interim result of an investigation presented on Tuesday by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Pistorius ruled out the possibility that a Russian spy had taken part in the conversation without being noticed. "Our communication systems were not compromised," he emphasized. Pistorius said that preliminary disciplinary investigations had been initiated into all four participants in the conversation. However, he also emphasized that personnel consequences were "not currently on the agenda." "[Unless something worse comes out] I will not sacrifice any of my best officers to Putin's games," emphasized Pistorius. On Friday, Russia published a recorded conference of four senior officers, including German Air Force chief Ingo Gerhartz. In it, they discussed deployment scenarios for the German Taurus cruise missile if it were to be delivered to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ruled this out at the present time and justified his "no" by saying that Germany could then be drawn into the war. Taurus has a range of 500 kilometres and can therefore also hit targets in Moscow from Ukraine. According to Pistorius, the conversation between the four officers took place via the Webex internet platform, which is used by the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, in various protected versions for such conversations. German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius gives a press statement on the current state of affairs following the Russian publication of a recording of a conversation between Bundeswehr officers on the use of Taurus weapons in Ukraine. Michael Kappeler/dpa The Ministry of Defence blamed an unnamed individual's improper use of a "non-secure data line" for the recent leak of a German army conversation about the Taurus weapon system to Russia. The mistake was made by the participant who took part in the conversation from Singapore and had dialled in via a "non-secure data line" such as a mobile phone or via a wireless network, according to the interim result of an investigation presented on Tuesday by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Pistorius ruled out the possibility that a Russian spy had taken part in the conversation without being noticed. "Our communication systems were not compromised," he emphasized. Pistorius said that preliminary disciplinary investigations had been initiated into all four participants in the conversation. However, he also emphasized that personnel consequences were "not currently on the agenda." "[Unless something worse comes out] I will not sacrifice any of my best officers to Putin's games," emphasized Pistorius. On Friday, Russia published a recorded conference of four senior officers, including German Air Force chief Ingo Gerhartz. In it, they discussed deployment scenarios for the German Taurus cruise missile if it were to be delivered to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has ruled this out at the present time and justified his "no" by saying that Germany could then be drawn into the war. Taurus has a range of 500 kilometres and can therefore also hit targets in Moscow from Ukraine. According to Pistorius, the conversation between the four officers took place via the Webex internet platform, which is used by the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr, in various protected versions for such conversations. The conversation was able to be intercepted because a participant in Singapore had not adhered to the secure dialling-in procedure. At the time of the conversation, the Singapore Air Show was taking place in the south-east Asian city state. The event was attended by many high-ranking European military officials. "For Russian intelligence services, an event like this in this environment is understandably a real find," said Pistorius. The hotels used for the event had been bugged across the board. The access to the Bundeswehr officers' Webex conference was a "chance hit as part of a broad, scattered approach," he said. Pistorius emphasized that the Bundeswehr's communication systems must continue to be reviewed and improved upon on an ongoing basis. "We must continue to harden our systems," he said. The "breadth of attacks" on the communication systems is increasing massively, he said, adding that he was not aware of any further cases of interception. "But that doesn't rule out the possibility of another one." Boris Pistorius, German Minister of Defense, gives a press statement. Michael Kappeler/dpa (Bloomberg) -- This years Super Tuesday primaries will put Donald Trump on the cusp of the Republican nomination and launch the longest general election battle in recent US history. Most Read from Bloomberg Voters in 15 states are expected to hand Trump a clear victory over his last remaining GOP rival Nikki Haley, effectively blocking her White House bid. The outcome will cement the November rematch with President Joe Biden, a race between two unpopular candidates that polls show the public doesnt want. Heres what to watch: Haley Heading for the Exits? 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. Read more: Haley Gets First Primary Win in D.C. With Super Tuesday Ahead Closing in on the Nomination More than 800 Republican delegates roughly 36% of the total are up for grabs Tuesday, almost all of which will be awarded to the state winner, with the runner-up getting no delegates at all. Thats good news for Trump: A substantial victory in each of the 15 nominating contests would put him at the precipice of notching the 1,215 delegates he needs to clinch the nomination. His campaign plans to sew up the nomination by mid-March. Read more: Delegate Math Favors Trump as Haleys Long-shot Bid Gets Harder The ex-presidents team has already begun consolidating power. He recently endorsed an overhaul in the Republican National Committees leadership structure which included the appointment of his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to a top role days before RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced she would step aside this month. An end to the contested primary season would allow Trump to raise more money jointly with the party, a significant benefit given recent worrying signs of his campaigns financial state and Trumps mounting legal bills from his 91 felony counts. Uncommitted to Biden Democrats will be closely watching votes designed to express disapproval with Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war after an uncommitted vote effort in Michigan garnered more than 100,000 votes. A Muslim American-led group known as Abandon Biden plans to mobilize voters in a similar fashion in Minnesota and North Carolina, asking people there to bubble in uncommitted and no preference as a way to register their criticism. Still, Biden faces no serious challenges in the states casting Democratic primary ballots Tuesday. Minnesota Representative Dean Phillipss long-shot bid to derail Bidens march to the nomination has gained little traction. Democratic operatives will be closely watching turnout in North Carolina, where Barack Obama narrowly won in 2008. Bidens allies hope a decision to move South Carolina earlier on the primary calendar a recognition of Black voters sizable influence will energize the key constituency in other Southern states, including Georgia and North Carolina. Trump has been trying to peel off support from Black voters, who have registered discontent with the president. Dueling Agendas, Part Two With the contours of the general election coming into focus, markets and world leaders are looking ahead to the policy implications of a second Trump or Biden term. Trump has floated plans for across-the-board tariffs on imports as well as a 60% levy on Chinese goods. He has vowed to pursue the largest deportation effort in US history and has sowed concern among NATO members about his commitment to the alliance. Biden has demanded so far unsuccessfully that Congress provide fresh funding for Ukraine two years into Russias invasion. Trump, meanwhile, opposes funneling aid to the country and wants to pursue an end to the war if elected. Look for Biden to offer clues to his second-term agenda during his State of the Union address Thursday. Whats next? Although Trump will not have the delegates to officially end the primary after Super Tuesday, his general election pivot likely will be in full swing. The former president is already spending most of his time criticizing Biden on the trail and hosting dueling events. Earlier: Biden, Trump Set Dueling Visits to US-Mexico Border in Texas Biden, for his part, is expected to ramp up his campaign travel. The president has been deploying Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and others in a bid to energize target voters, including young people and women. The campaign also has been staffing up in swing states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Multiple people died in Nashville after a small plane crashed near an interstate highway, leading to closure of lanes on the busy stretch on Monday night, police officials said. A single-engine plane crashed adjacent to Interstate 40 on a grassy median near a Costco store in the western part of the city, the Metro Nashville Police Department said. The plane burst into flames on crashing, they added. Details about the plane and its passengers were not immediately clear. Police spokesperson Don Aaron said several people aboard the plane were killed. An exact number of victims has not been determined, the official said. 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 Metro Nashville Police Department said on X. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said it was alerted to the crash at 7.49pm local time. I-40 East is closed at MM 202 due to a small plane crash on the shoulder of the road, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson Rebekah Hammonds said on X. A diversion is in place at Exit 201, the spokesperson said, urging people to find an alternate route for their travel from the highway. An investigation will be ongoing, she said. BREAKING: 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. pic.twitter.com/6tyBa3UCpB Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 5, 2024 Airport authority the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration said they will investigate after Metro first responders ensure the accident scene is safe. No injuries have been reported for drivers on the interstate near the affected point, Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney said. Officials added no vehicles or buildings on the ground were damaged. The Metro Nashville Police Department said one lane of I-40 east between the Charlotte Park and White Bridge exits will be reopening shortly. Two of the three lanes should be open for rush hour traffic on Tuesday morning, the police department said on X, adding, nevertheless, expect slow traffic and delays in this area Tuesday morning. CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Shooting pledges with air guns, making them eat butter with dirt on it and making them drink bong water led to a Coastal Carolina University fraternitys five-year suspension, according to an investigative report obtained by News13. The fraternity, Alpha Chi Rho, was suspended in January through 2028 after an October 2022 hazing incident. The hazing violations were reported to the university on March 29, 2023. It was reported that in the evening hours of Oct. 10, 2022, into the early morning hours of Oct. 11, a first-year student pledging the fraternity was injured after being shot multiple times with an air gun as part of the groups initiation process. Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Davidson College suspended over hazing According to a report News13 obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, about six pledges went to a fraternity house off campus on Oct. 10 to prepare for an exam about the fraternitys history. Later in the evening, the pledges were lined up and each were asked questions about the upcoming exam, according to the report. Initially, if one of them answered incorrectly, they were told to lay in the dirt or do pushups. Eventually, the punishments escalated to the fraternity members shooting the pledges with air guns, including a first-year pledge who was shot twice in the head, twice in the stomach and multiple times in the back, the report said. That student sought medical attention in the following days for headaches and hearing difficulty. Shortly after, he received texts from some of the fraternity members, including one who allegedly told him to keep the frats name out of your mouth, according to the report. The pledge withdrew from the university on Jan. 9, 2023, for medical reasons. The university last April asked the Cozen OConnor law firm to investigate the hazing allegations, the report said. Between May 31 and Oct. 6, investigators interviewed 23 people, including current and former students, the universitys Fall 2022 director of Greek life, a Department of Public Safety officer, Fall 2022 employees of the Dean of Students Office and the director of communication and development of the Fraternity National Chapter. Frat made some consume butter rolled in dirt, bong water An interview with one of the witnesses, a former pledge who was at the fraternity house that night, said he wasnt shot, but that the pledge who was shot was laughing every time he answered a question incorrectly, which made the fraternity brothers more and more angry, according to the report. It seemed more like them taking their anger out versus trying to teach someone something, he said in the interview. The student during his interview with investigators also shed light on other alleged hazing activities in the fraternity, including having to eat a stick of butter rolled in dirt and drinking bong water. The student told investigators that one pledge was messing up the answers pretty badly and that the punishments initially started as just pushups. A fraternity member then gave the pledge bong water and told him to drink it. The student recalled the pledge going over to the side of the house and it sounded like he threw up, according to the interview. The student said the pledge came back looking pale and visibly disgusted. School leaders slapped the fraternity with an interim suspension two days after the investigation began March 29. Those findings were submitted to CCU on Oct. 24 and confirmed that hazing took place. Alpha Chi Rho appealed the decision on Nov. 17, and it was later denied on Jan. 3. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. An Indian laborer in Israel was killed and several other migrant workers injured on March 4, 2024, in a missile attack launched from Lebanon by Hamas-aligned Hezbollah. They are not the first migrant workers in Israel to get caught up in the monthslong fighting. Dozens of other farmworkers, agricultural apprentices and caregivers from countries including Thailand, Nepal, Tanzania, Cambodia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Moldova were murdered or taken hostage during the Hamas attack of Oct. 7. The sizable number of non-Israeli workers affected by the current war has surprised some onlookers while shining a light on Israels reliance on temporary migrant workers. But as researchers who study the proliferation of migrant workers around the world, we know how labor migration programs have transformed nearly all societies, including Israels. The long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict has shaped Israels migrant worker history and has contributed to the globalization of the workforce in the Middle East. A global story The initial recruitment of overseas workers to Israel, which began as early as the 1970s, followed a post-World War II trend that saw higher-income countries such as the U.S., France and West Germany sign labor migration recruitment agreements with poorer nations. These poorer countries, which at the time included Mexico, Spain and Turkey, among others, overcame an initial reluctance to lose part of their populace and began to see emigration as a strategy for modernization. The idea was that emigrants could learn modern farming or industrial skills overseas, while sending money back to boost development in their home communities. In the 1970s and 1980s, many South and Southeast Asian countries began to promote the export of migrant workers as a key piece of their economic development strategies. At the same time, receiving countries became hooked on the idea of a flexible, temporary labor force that would not inflame anti-immigrant sentiment as much as more settled migrants seemingly did. Israels relationship with Thai workers came initially by way of the United States support for the 1979 peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. The U.S. government recruited Thai workers who had once worked on Vietnam War-era U.S. military bases in northeastern Thailand to help build a new air force base in Israel. The arrival of the Thai migrant workers, along with Portuguese workers, prompted public controversy among Israeli lawmakers, trade unionists and the media about the creation of a split labor market, as research done by one of us has shown. Meanwhile, others worried that the workers presence cut against Zionist imperatives to guarantee a Jewish majority. A Thai worker labors in the field adjacent to the Gaza Strip. Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty Images Attempting to resolve these contradictions, the Israeli government started to experiment with migration policies designed for a new category of workers neither Jewish nor Palestinian who were intended to remain separate from Israeli society. A decade later, in a different political moment, these policy ideas would become concrete in a new category of person in Israel: the foreign worker. Growing recruitment The Israeli-Palestinian conflict drove the foreign worker policy forward. Though Israel was founded on the ideology of avoda ivrit, or Hebrew labor, Israels occupation of the West Bank and Gaza since 1967 has led to the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian workers, who became an attractive low-wage labor force. They soon came to compose 7% of the workers in the Israeli labor market as a whole, 24% of workers in the agricultural sector and 60% in the construction sector. The non-citizen Palestinian workers commuted daily from the West Bank and Gaza, controlled by a regime of permits and regulations. When the first Palestinian uprising, or intifada, began in 1987, some members of the Israeli public came to see such workers as a security risk. The 1993 Oslo Accords, which sought to foment separation between Israelis and Palestinians, further pushed Israel to minimize the dependency on non-citizen Palestinian workers. To make up for the shortfall, Israeli employers convinced the government to vastly expand the recruitment of temporary workers to take their place. In addition to Thailand, countries including China, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Romania and Turkey spotted an opportunity and allowed Israeli employers to recruit within their borders. By 2003, migrant workers made up 10% of the labor force in Israel. Creating marginal workers Migrant workers in Israel, like their counterparts the world over, have long since been vulnerable to exploitation. Many of their origin countries did not demand a commitment to secure their citizens rights in the form of a bilateral labor recruitment agreement. And workers migrating via private recruitment channels had to pay thousands of dollars in illegal sign-up fees, causing them to begin their journeys deep in debt. Meanwhile, Israeli government policies have attempted to keep migrants outside of society by confining them to specific industries, obligating them to leave the country upon completion of their labor contract, excluding them from the public health system and prohibiting them from marrying or engaging in romantic relations while in Israel. And authorities have paid little attention to labor standards, leaving farmworkers, for example, vulnerable to wage theft, terrible housing and exposure to pesticides without proper protection. Under pressure from the U.S. government and Israeli civil society, over the past decade Israel began to sign bilateral agreements with countries sending migrants. These eliminated exorbitant recruitment fees, even if they failed to meaningfully improve labor conditions. Even so, the number of migrant workers has grown slowly but steadily. In 2022, a total of 73,000 migrants in Israel worked as caregivers, in addition to nearly 50,000 in the construction and agriculture sectors combined. A Thai worker takes shelter in an underground bunker in Metula, Israel. Marcus Yam/ LA Times via Getty Images Yet these migrants did not obviate the need to also have Palestinian labor in the mix. By Oct. 7, 2023, about 100,000 Palestinian workers crossed the border daily from Gaza and the West Bank. In harms way Since Oct. 7, Israeli authorities have ended those Palestinians work permits and tried to recruit thousands of new workers to the fields and construction sites to make up for the shortfall. Malawi, a country that came to depend on migrants economic remittances decades before Thailand did, has sent 700 farmworkers and promises another 9,000 on the way notwithstanding criticism from voices within the African nation itself. In India, which had long sent caregivers to Israel, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ignored internal criticism and sent Israel more workers in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack, including Pat Nibin Maxwell, the man killed in the March 4 Hezbollah attack. Workers like Maxwell are now being sent to work near the borders of Lebanon and Gaza, laboring in agricultural communities vulnerable to Hamas and Hezbollah attacks that have been depleted by the evacuation of Israeli residents. Though foreign governments are able to guarantee their citizens few protections in Israel, thousands have queued up in their home countries in search of a contract. Once in Israel, they join the vast majority of migrant workers who have elected to remain in the country despite the Oct. 7 attack and its aftermath. Like millions of migrant workers the world over in search of economic progress or survival, they have calculated, for now, that earning higher wages abroad is worth taking significant personal risks. While helping keep the Israeli economy running during wartime, these migrant workers remain in the path of rockets as the death of Pat Nibin Maxwell has illustrated. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Julie Weise, University of Oregon and Shahar Shoham, Humboldt University of Berlin Read more: Shahar Shoham previously worked at Physicians for Human Rights-Israel Julie Weise does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Spanish Lake teenager is accused of fatally shooting an associate and stealing thousands of dollars from him that were to be used in a music video production. According to the Ferguson Police Departments probable cause statement, the shooting took place on the evening of February 29 in the 300 block of South Harvey Avenue. Officers received a report of a shooting at the scene, then received a ShotSpotter notification of shots fired in the area. Police found the victim, whose name has not been released, unconscious in the drivers seat of a vehicle. Hed been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators found shell casings inside and outside the vehicle and noticed bullet holes in the drivers side door. Witnesses told police the shooting began inside the car, with the shooter exiting the vehicle, walking around to the drivers side, and firing at the victim again before running away. Manhunt in St. Francois County for man accused of sodomy, arson The victims pockets had been turned inside out, and police discovered two bags of marijuana around the outside of the car near the front passenger door. Meanwhile, firefighters en route to the scene noticed a man walking down the street, bleeding from his left hand. Firefighters stopped, tended to the man, and brought him to the hospital. The man claimed hed been shot. The man, later identified as Darrell Taylor, said he was riding in a car with someone. When the car stopped, Taylor said he went to change the music and suddenly heard gunfire. The victims sister arrived at the scene of the shooting and told officers shed given Taylor and her brother $7,000 earlier that evening for the purposes of recording a music video. However, police found no sign of the money at the scene. Police claim the victims sister said Taylor called her for a ride after the shooting. When she picked him up, she noticed a handgun that appeared to have blood on it. She dropped Taylor off alongside the road, and Taylor got out and continued walking. Police went to the hospital to question Taylor. He told investigators hed been shot while changing music in the victims car. Police took Taylor into custody. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Taylor, 18, with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and armed criminal action. Hes being held without bond for the time being, pending an upcoming hearing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A 15-year-old boy has died from injuries sustained during a boat crash on Sunday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Florida, according to Fox 13. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), investigators were called to the report of a boating accident around 4:30 p.m., on Sunday in St. Petersburg. Two 15-year-old boys, Collin Moorefield and Christian Tharakan were both on the 18-foot boat when it hit a dock, FWC told Fox 13. The investigation revealed that both boys were thrown into the water when the boat crashed. CELL PHONE VIDEO SHOWS MOMENT FLORIDA TOUR BOAT CARRYING PASSENGERS COLLIDED WITH VESSEL Authorities identified the victim as 15-year-old Collin Moorefield. Officials told Fox 13 that Tharakan, the operator of the boat, was recovered from the water. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Moorefield, who was found by a good Samaritan and a St. Petersburg Police Officer, was located after a brief search of the area. The United States Coast Guard (USCG), St. Petersburg Police Department, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO), and FWC all responded to the scene and helped in the search and recovery efforts. The teens were taken to a local hospital, according to authorities. Moorefield died from his injuries. Tharakan sustained non-life-threatening injuries. WHALE CAPSIZES BOAT LEAVING 1 PERSON DEAD, ANOTHER INJURED IN ABSOLUTE FREAK ACCIDENT: OFFICIALS Two teenagers were hospitalized in critical condition after a boat crash in St. Pete Sunday evening. "We would like to express our condolences to the Moorefield family and ask that the public give the family space during this difficult time," said Major Evan Laskowski, Southwest Regional Commander in a statement to Fox 13. "As a father myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain they are experiencing right now. I want them to know we are thinking and praying for them during this time." The FWC is leading the active investigation with assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department. Fox News Digital reached out to the FWC for more information but has not yet heard back. Original article source: Police identify 15-year-old boy killed in Florida boat crash HUDSON, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in western Wisconsin identified the man who was found dead in a body of water, and believe that the incident was an accident. According to the Hudson Police Department in Wisconsin, on March 2 around 8:30 a.m., officers were sent to the area of Lake Front Park for a report of a body in the water. Authorities later identified the man as 34-year-old Anders Engstrom. Police say that the investigation into the incident did not show any indications of foul play. Officials believe that the incident was a freshwater drowning accident. Multiple departments respond to early morning fire in Two Rivers At the time of the incident, police did not believe there were any threats or danger to the community. Multiple agencies assisted with the incident. No additional details were provided. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Man dies after officer-involved shooting at car wash in El Pasos Upper Valley EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting Tuesday morning, March 5 at a car wash in El Pasos Upper Valley, El Paso Police Departments Public Information Officer Adrian Cisneros said. Cisneros said at around 1 a.m. an officer said he was checking a subject in a vehicle at a car wash located on 5830 Doniphan Dr. During that encounter, the officer discharged his weapon and the subject died at the scene, Cisneros said. The individual was described to be an Hispanic male approximately 30 years old. The Crimes Against Persons Unit, Internal Affairs, Shooting Review Team, and Texas Rangers are investigating the case. Cisneros said there is currently no danger to the public and the area will be closed for the next couple of hours. No further information has been released. This story will be updated once we learn more. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. RAMALLAH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces detained at least 22 Palestinians in the West Bank on Tuesday, including two Palestinian prisoners who were released during the Israel-Hamas truce in November last year and a woman, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club, a non-governmental organization, said in a statement that the arrests were carried out in the cities of Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Jericho. They were allegedly accompanied by "torture, beatings, sabotage operations, extensive destruction in homes, and seizure of funds." The club identified Aman Nafe and Hanan al-Barghouti from the village of Kobar near Ramallah, both of whom were released in a hostage-for-prisoner swap during a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas in November last year, and Mona Abu Hussein from the village of Aboud, among those arrested. So far, the Israeli army has arrested nine Palestinian prisoners who were released in the hostage-for-prisoner swap, including three children and two women, according to Palestinian sources. During the week-long temporary ceasefire in November last year, 105 civilian hostages were released from Hamas captivity, including 81 Israelis, 23 Thais, and one Filipino. Meanwhile, institutions dealing with Palestinian prisoner affairs reported that Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from its jails during the ceasefire, including 71 female prisoners and 169 children. Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military spokesperson, said on social media platform X that the Israeli authorities arrested people suspected of being involved in "terrorist" activities in the West Bank. He noted that among the detainees was Muhammad al-Tanji from Balata refugee camp in Nablus, who intelligence indicated was planning a "terrorist operation" with others soon. Adraee mentioned that Israeli forces had demolished the house of Abid Masad in the village of Kafr Dan, Jenin, for his alleged involvement in a shooting accident in August last year in Hawara town near Nablus, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli citizens. The Israeli forces also arrested four wanted people from the village of Kobar, one from Yatta in Hebron, and three from Jericho, according to the spokesperson. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7 last year, Israel has arrested approximately 3,450 wanted people in the West Bank, with about 1,500 of them belonging to Hamas, according to Adraee. The West Bank has experienced escalating tension and armed confrontations in cities, villages, and refugee camps since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict. DENVER (KDVR) Police in Denver responded Monday afternoon to an outdoor death investigation near a church. The scene was in the 4600 block of Pearl Street at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Police were investigating when FOX31 arrived around 3 p.m. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Police said a cause of death will be determined by the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. Police also said the department would provide updates if the case changes into a homicide investigation. Pearl Street was closed temporarily around the scene because of the police presence. FOX31 has a reporter at the scene and will provide updates as they become available. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) One juvenile and a man, who took himself to the hospital, were shot Monday night, according to the Seat Pleasant Police Department (SPPD). The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. in the 6800 block of Greig St. Officers were in the area when they heard several gunshots. When they arrived at the scene, they found a juvenile who had been shot. Anne Arundel County police investigating fatal shooting That juvenile was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A short time later, a man, seeking treatment for a gunshot wound, walked into a hospital. He also had non-life-threatening injuries. SPPD said detectives with the Prince Georges County Police Department were at the scene investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-866-411-TIPS. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. (KRON) Police said a Berkeley Hills home invasion escalated rapidly into violence on Monday morning. Two masked men wielding handguns broke into a Kensington house while multiple residents were at home at 11 a.m., police said. According to eyewitness and victim accounts, the perpetrators forcibly entered the residence, confronting the occupants and demanding valuables. The situation escalated rapidly, with one of the suspects physically assaulting a victim. The suspects took wallets, phones, and a home safe, the Kensington Police Department wrote. The two men fled in a white getaway car and evaded arrest. One victim was taken to a hospital to receive medical treatment. KPD wrote, The psychological impact of such a traumatic event cannot be understated. The experience undoubtedly shook the victims; however, the community will not be intimidated by this senseless act of violence. In response to this alarming event, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Kensington Police Department at 510-526-4141. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a man who it says intentionally started a fire in his apartment building on Monday. MPD said officers responded to the apartment building, located at the 900 block of 5th St., around 4 p.m. in Southeast D.C. The fire was inside the third floor of an apartment building which was extinguished. DC cherry blossoms enter Stage 2, florets visible Fire crews had to evacuate a number of senior citizens from the building. Smoke and water damage impacted nine units. Investigators revealed the suspect intentionally set the fire inside his apartment after the property manager gave him a notice that he was past-due on his rent. The suspect threatened the property manager, returned back to his apartment and then lit items on fire. MPD arrested 63-year-old Mitchell Cooper and charged him with arson and threats to do bodily harm. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. An Attleboro man who was struck and killed while crossing the street over the weekend had savagely killed his wife at their Chelmsford home in 1987 in a case that spanned several states, according to police and newspaper reports. Basil Bletsis, 74, confessed to killing his wife, 28-year-old Panagiota Bletsis, at their North Chelmsford home in 1987, Attleboro Police Chief Kyle Heagney confirmed. He was 37 at the time of her murder. Her body was found in the trunk of his car at Kennedy International Airport in New York on Sept. 5, 1987, according to newspaper reports. Basil Bletsis later turned himself in to California authorities. The outcome of the murder case and whether he served any prison time were unclear Tuesday. Basil Bletsis was fatally struck by a car while crossing Pleasant Street in Attleboro at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, police said. He was taken by ambulance to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said no charges have been filed against the driver, who immediately stopped and cooperated with authorities. According to a Sept. 6, 1987 news article from the Daily News in New York, the savagely beaten body of Panagiota Bletsis, a young mother of two, was found on the night of Sept. 5, 1987, in the trunk of a car at Kennedy International Airport. The murder case started in her Massachusetts bedroom and ended with her husbands arrest in California, the Daily News article states. Acting on a call from Massachusetts police, Port Authority cops hammered open the trunk of a silver-gray four-door Mitsubishi sedan around 6:30 p.m. and found the nightgown-clad body of Panagiota Bletsis, 29, of North Chelmsford, Mass., the newspaper article states. Severely beaten on the head, the woman was wrapped in a blanket, her hands and neck bound. It was unclear whether the children were at home when she was killed, the article states. Investigators said at the time that Chelmsford Police officers found the Bletsis bedroom in disarray and splattered with blood. A broken chair leg was found, and a phone cord had been torn from the wall, the newspaper article states. The family had lived in a mixed blue-collar, white-shirt neighborhood of mostly single-family Victorian cottages, the newspaper article states, citing information from investigators at the time. Authorities said at the time that Basil Bletsis left Chelmsford sometime before 4 a.m. overnight in the car, arriving at Kennedy International Airport shortly before 8 a.m., the newspaper article states. He booked a United Airlines flight to Los Angeles. Once there, he took a second plane to Santa Barbara to see his brother. Basil Bletsis allegedly told his brother of the killing, the newspaper article states. The brother phoned relatives in Chelmsford, who in turn called local police, investigators said at the time. He then turned himself in to the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department. Bletsis was arrested by sheriffs detectives on a murder warrant issued by Massachusetts authorities and was in custody in the Santa Barbara County Jail, according to a Sept. 6, 1987, United Press International article. According to WJAR, those who most recently lived under the same roof as Basil Bletsis at a rest home on Pleasant Street in Attleboro said his past was never really mentioned. He was very quiet and smiled a lot and he had dimples, Brenda Cuellar, a resident of the rest home, told the news station. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall said the museum will include preserved batons, truncheons and a 1990s police car The Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall (MOPIDAC) is set to open to the public in a Devon town. MOPIDAC, a registered charity, said the facility would showcase the history of the Devon and Cornwall force. Police commissioner Alison Hernandez is due to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony on Tuesday in Tavistock. The charity said the small museum, located in the town's Court Gate, was the result of years of work. It said the museum was a place where artefacts, documents and photographs charting local policing history and heritage could be displayed to the public. The museum is located at Tavistock's Court Gate building in Bedford Square MOPIDAC CEO Greg White said he was "so proud of the team effort that went into getting the museum ready". He said: "It is probably the biggest single collection of policing history in the UK. "It is a really significant regional asset and there was no way we could put it all on display." Mr White explained some of the items included batons, truncheons, tip staffs, weaponry and a 1990s police car. "We are going to be drawing small samples .... and then making them available in Tavistock to the public with particular themes attached to them," he said. He added: "We are really looking forward to being able to exhibit some of our unique collection and archive, which until now has been only available to the public by prior appointment." Museum trustee and retired police officer Pam Giles said the launch of the museum was "very emotional" Museum trustee, volunteer and retired police inspector Pam Giles, who joined the constabulary in 1975 and retired in 2003, said the launch of the museum was "very emotional". She said: "This is the first time the public will have unrestricted physical access to a section of the museum. "It's something we've wanted to have for as long as I can remember, when there were just three volunteers involved." The current force began operating in June 1967 after a series of major mergers that began in 1943. Those brought together 22 borough police forces which were formed across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the 1830s. Follow BBC Devon on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. SPARTA, Wis. (WFRV) A 26-year-old police officer and firefighter in Wisconsin was arrested on Friday related to an investigation into child enticement. According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, officers took Peter Schneider, 26, into custody on March 1, after evidence revealed on several occasions, he allegedly requested explicit photos from a 17-year-old victim. Schenider also reportedly asked the victim to go into a private area for sexual contact. Another inmate found dead at troubled Wisconsin prison At the time, Schneider was employed by the Ho-Chunk Police Department and was a firefighter with the Sparta Area Fire District. The initial information about the incident was brought to the attention of officials, who immediately took action and relieved Schneider from his duties with both agencies. Both agencies showed the utmost professionalism in their cooperation with the sheriffs offices investigation, added Monroe County Sheriff Wesley Revels. Illegal drugs seized after suspicious activity reported at Menominee Casino Resort The Monroe County Sheriffs Office says during the bond hearing, Judge Mark Goodman ordered Schneider be held on a $1,500 cash bond. No additional details were provided. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Security personnel stand at the entrance to the Tesla car factory in Gruenheide after production came to a standstill due to a power outage. The factory in Gruenheide near Berlin has been evacuated, a spokeswoman said. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa Police are investigating an initial suspicion of arson following the power failure at the Tesla car factory near Berlin, a spokesman told dpa upon request. In the early hours of Tuesday a burning electricity pylon caused a major power outage in the region near the factory. Production at Tesla's only European plant came to a halt, and the factory was evacuated. A report by tabloid newspaper Bild suggested that the fire was caused by environmental activists who are occupying part of the forest that Tesla plans to use for the expansion of its factory site. The authorities did not initially comment on a possible connection with protests around the site when asked. A view of the Tesla factory "Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg." Christophe Gateau/dpa A view of the Tesla car factory in Gruenheide after production came to a standstill due to a power outage. The factory in Gruenheide near Berlin has been evacuated, a spokeswoman said. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa Police are investigating an initial suspicion of arson following the power failure at the Tesla car factory near Berlin, a spokesman told dpa upon request. In the early hours of Tuesday a burning electricity pylon caused a major power outage in the region near the factory. Production at Tesla's only European plant in Grunheide came to a halt, and the factory was evacuated. "We are investigating the initial suspicion that it was deliberate arson," said the police spokesman. According to the police, the State Criminal Police Office has begun an investigation. The electricity pylon in question was standing freely in a field and was not fenced in. Tesla said that an arson attack was assumed and referred to information from the relevant authorities. A report by tabloid newspaper Bild suggested that the fire was caused by environmental activists who are occupying part of the forest that Tesla plans to use for the expansion of its factory site. The authorities did not initially comment on a possible connection with protests around the site when asked. Tesla said that all measures had been taken to secure the production facilities. After consultation with the electricity provider EDIS, Elon Musk's company does not expect production to restart quickly. According to the police, the fire brigade was called at around 5:15 am (0415 GMT) and began extinguishing the fire. A police helicopter was also deployed in the morning after the alarm was raised about the fire. Around 80 to 100 activists have been occupying part of the forest near the factory since Thursday in opposition to the company's expansion plans. The activists plan to hold out as long as possible in the 10 or so tree houses they erected. A citizens' initiative from Grunheide is also speaking out against Tesla's expansion plans and is showing solidarity with the squatters. Tesla has been manufacturing electric cars in Grunheide for almost two years. According to the company's latest figures, around 12,500 employees work there. Environmentalists criticize the fact that the site is located in a water protection area, among other things. In a public consultation in Grunheide, the majority of residents said they oppose the expansion plans. Security personnel stand at the entrance to the Tesla car factory in Gruenheide after production came to a standstill due to a power outage. The factory in Gruenheide near Berlin has been evacuated, a spokeswoman said. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A traffic stop Tuesday morning led to traffic being backed up around I-5 after it turned into a pursuit. San Diego Police told FOX 5 that officers attempted a traffic stop on a white car at 3500 Main Street in San Diego at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. Video shows one of several homes burglarized in Mira Mesa According to SDPD, the driver stopped the car for officers, but the passenger in the back seat forced the driver out of the car and jumped into the drivers seat, fleeing from police. During the pursuit, police say the driver crashed at the 28th Street onramp to I-5 northbound, then ran from the scene on foot. One dead after crash with parked excavator on SR-78 Officers were able to capture the suspect after a brief pursuit and take them into custody. The suspect, who has not been identified by police at this time, is being booked for evading and carjacking along with outstanding warrants, SDPD confirmed. Traffic was backed up Tuesday morning due to this incident and another crash at the I-805 ramp to southbound SR-15 around the same time. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 5/KUSI for the latest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) The Athens Police Department is searching for two men in connection to a burglary at a pharmacy. According to a spokesperson with the department, two men broke into Westside Pharmacy around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. HPD: One transported to hospital after crash in Northeast Huntsville The security camera images show the men grabbing medications of the shelf and placing them in a trash can, which they took with them. Westside Pharmacy burglary (photo: Athens Police Department) Westside Pharmacy burglary (photo: Athens Police Department) Westside Pharmacy burglary (photo: Athens Police Department) The department said the possible vehicle the suspects used to get away was a dark grey Jeep Cherokee. Is you have any information about this burglary, or the individuals in the photos, please contact Detective Joe McClanahan at (256)233-8777. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Police are searching for several suspects after a shooting on the westside of Los Angeles Monday, authorities confirmed to KTLA. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at around 4 p.m. in the 4000 block of Del Rey Avenue. Police searching for suspects after shooting in Del Rey Video of the scene showed blood stains in a parking lot next to a white or cream color vehicle that police were having towed. Details are extremely limited and its unclear what led to the shooting, but authorities said they are looking for two, possibly three suspects in a vehicle described as a black Chevrolet Suburban. The suspects were described as two Black males, with a possible third person in the backseat of the vehicle. Police searching for suspects after shooting in Del Rey Witnesses told police that the weapon used in the shooting was a black handgun. Police warn of thieves using wifi-jamming tech to disarm cameras, alarms The victim was rushed to the hospital by medical personnel with the Los Angeles Fire Department. No information was provided on the extent of the victims injuries or condition. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Police Department is asking for the public to assist with identifying a shoplifting suspect. According to authorities, this individual shoplifted from a Kohls in NW OKC. Headlines Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department If you recognize him, call Crime Stoppers at 405.235.7300 or go to http://okccrimetips.com. You can remain anonymous and may earn a cash reward. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department are warning residents in Los Angeles Wilshire-area neighborhoods of a series of burglaries involving wifi-jamming technology that can disarm surveillance cameras and alarms using a wireless signal. According to police, the burglaries typically involve three to four suspects who enter homes through a second story balcony. Once inside, the thieves target primary bedrooms in search of high-end jewelry, purses, U.S. currency and other valuables. Gambling, narcotics operation taken down in Southern California On many occasions, these suspects will have a getaway vehicle and driver to act as a look out, authorities said in a community alert. To deter these types of burglaries, authorities provided the following tips: Ensure your electrical circuit boxes are secured with a padlock to make it harder for thieves to tamper with alarm systems Never tell Uber, Lyft or taxi drivers or post on social media that you will be on vacation or away from home Stay alert for suspicious vehicles with temporary or dealer plates, as well as rental vehicles Share your cellphone number with trusted neighbors and ask them to clear your mail and keep an eye on your residence if you plan to be away Place cameras around the home and ensure that the alarm DVR is secure and cannot be tampered with Consider moving to an alarm system that is hard wired rather than running on a wireless signal Provide extra security such as a pole to sliding glass doors to eliminate easy opening Place tracking devices, such as Apple AirTags, on valuable items like jewelry boxes, purses or vehicles See what shrubbery or trees can be trimmed or cut to keep your residence highly visible Install proper lighting and security signage and always leave light on in your home, especially while away Anyone with information on any of these crimes is encouraged to contact LAPDs Wilshire Burglary Detectives at Wilshireburglary@lapd.online. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at L.A. Crime Stoppers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Once upon a time, America embraced nuclear power as the future of energy. Today it accounts for a mere 18 percent of the nation's electricity generation, while fossil fuels remain dominant at 60 percent. Why did nuclear fail to take off? From 1967 to 1972, the nuclear sector experienced significant growth, and 48 new nuclear plants were built. But in March 1979, a meltdown at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, which resulted in no casualties and no lingering environmental damage, spooked the entire nation and empowered anti-nuclear activists. "After Three Mile Island, what was considered to be in the best interest of the public was just reducing risk to as low as possible," says Adam Stein, director of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Program at the Breakthrough Institute. "It resulted in a huge volume of regulations that anybody who wanted to build a new reactor had to know. It made the learning curve much steeper to even attempt to innovate in the industry." After the incident, the momentum behind nuclear reactor construction tapered off and no new reactors were built for the next two decades. Nowadays, the landscape remains unchanged: The federal government makes permitting arduous, while many states impose severe restrictions on new plant construction and force operational ones to shut down prematurely. For example, take Indian Point Energy Center, the largest nuclear plant in New York State. In 2007, anti-nuclear activists targeted the plant, which provided a quarter of downstate New York's electricity. Their cause gained significant traction with the support of New York state attorney generaland future governorAndrew Cuomo, who believed the nuclear plant was "risky." Cuomo promised to usher in a new era of clean energy for New Yorkers. His moves against Indian Point garnered support from fellow Green New Deal advocates, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.), as well as environmental groups. The plant eventually closed in April 2021, but there was "a gulf between intentions and results," explains writer Eric Dawson, co-founder of Nuclear New York, a group fighting to protect the industry. The closure of Indian Point increased New York's carbon emissions. State utilities had to make up for the loss of energy by burning more natural gas, resulting in a 9 percent increase in energy-related CO2 emissions. At the same time, the state's energy prices also increased. This outcome isn't unique to New York. Germany also opted to phase out nuclear power, betting on wind instead. Electricity from windmills increased, but so did the country's reliance on coal. In 2023, Germany emitted almost eight times the carbon per kilowatt-hour than neighboring France, which still gets the majority of its electricity from nuclear and less than 1 percent from coal. According to Dawson, nuclear power is "the most scalable, reliable, efficient, land-conserving, material-sparing, zero-emission source of energy ever created." Wind and solar aren't as reliable because they depend on intermittent weather. They also require much more land than nuclear plants, which use about 1 percent of what solar farms need and 0.3 percent of what wind farms require to yield the same amount of energy. The economics of nuclear power are undoubtedly challenging, but its advocates say that's primarily because of its thorny politics. The headache of building a new power plant is vividly exemplified by Georgia's Plant Vogtle. The first U.S. reactor built from scratch since 1974, the project turned into a nightmare scenario: It took almost 17 years from when the first permit was filed for construction to begin, it cost more than $28 billion, and it bankrupted the developer in the process. Nuclear regulation is "based on politics and fear-mongering and a lack of understanding," explains Indian Point's vice president, Frank Spagnuolo. If they aren't shut down, he says, power plants such as Indian Point could safely continue to provide clean energy for decades. Despite the opposition, there remains some hope for the future of nuclear energy. Companies are actively developing next-generation nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors and molten salt-cooled reactors, to minimize the risks associated with nuclear meltdowns and explosions. And some former nuclear opponents have become advocates, acknowledging it as a vital source of clean energy. The converts include the Environmental Defense Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and even Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. The Biden administration has also demonstrated support for nuclear power, with the Department of Energy projecting a tripling of nuclear energy production in America by 2050. Anti-nuclear activists, environmentalists, and politicians have crippled the only truly viable form of clean energy. But the long nuclear power winter might finally be coming to an end in America. Photo Credits: Louis Lanzano/Polaris/Newscom; Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/Newscom; JB NICHOLAS/Splash News/Newscom; Erik Mcgregor/ZUMA Press/Newscom; Erik Thomas/NY Post/MEGA/Newscom/DBNYC/Newscom; Pool/ABACA/Newscom; Jon G. Fuller/VWPics/Newscom; imageBROKER/J. Ehrlich/Newscom; */Kyodo/Newscom; RICHARD B. LEVINE/Newscom; FRANCES M. ROBERTS/Newscom; Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Newscom; MOURAD ALLILI/SIPA/Newscom; Pacific Press/Sipa USA/Newscom; Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/Sipa/Newscom; Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group/Newscom; Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group/Newscom; KEVIN DIETSCH/UPI/Newscom; ROGER L. WOLLENBERG/UPI/Newscom; Utrecht Robin/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Dick Darrell/Toronto Star/ZUMA Press/Newscom; St Petersburg Times/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Ron Adar, M10s/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Reginald Mathalone/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Hans Pennink/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Paul Hennessy/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Antti Yrjonen/ZUMA Press/Newscom; Brittany Murray/ZUMA Press/Newscom; Meghan McCarthy/ZUMA Press/Newscom; Dan Herrick/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom; Nuclear Regulatory Commission, CC BY 2.0 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Library of Congress/Bernard Gotfryd; Jmnbqb, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Truzguiladh, CC BY-SA 2.5 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Georgia Power; Edibobb, CC BY 3.0 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Z22, CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED, via Wikimedia Commons; Ron SachsCNP for NY Post/CNP/Polaris/Newscom Music: "The Edge" by Theatre of Delays via Artlist; "Digital Abyss" by Stephen Keech via Artlist; "Expand" by Theatre of Delays via Artlist; "Monomer" by Leroy Wild via Artlist; "Behind the City" by Ziv Moran via Artlist; "No Decides" by Or Chausha via Artlist; "Pulse" by Theatre of Delays via Artlist; "Each and Every" by Crosstown Traffic via Artlist; "Upon Dragon Wings" by Rob Cawley via Artlist; "Silent Bloom" by SLPSTRM via Artlist; "Sad Snow" by Yehezkel Raz via Artlist; "First Try" by Neon Ridge via Artlist; "Still Need Syndrome" by Yarin Primak via Artlist; "Night Shift" by Curtis Cole via Artlist; "Elastic Clock" by Jozeque via Artlist The post The Political Sabotage of Nuclear Power appeared first on Reason.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After serious issues with open drug use and dealing at Southwest 10th and Jefferson in Downtown Portland, the area has seen significant improvement in recent days. Many neighbors have told KOIN 6 News they have retired to the downtown area for proximity to necessities, public transit and walkability. However, they say when their grocery store, street cars and sidewalks are overwhelmed with drug use, it defeats the purpose of living here. But after neighbors voiced their concerns, leaders are quickly making changes. When is winter expected to end in the Pacific Northwest? Keith Martin spoke with KOIN 6 less than a week ago about the drug dealing and accessibility issues in his neighborhood. Since then, the City of Portland further cleared sidewalks and significantly reduced open drug use. This is the first time since the whole homeless and pandemic thing started that Ive felt hope that it can be better, said Martin. Its staggering to see if the city really puts its mind to it, the admin, the police, everybody. They can change things with a snap of the fingers. Signs of improvement coincide with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson temporarily suspending individual bottle deposits at the Safeway and Plaid Pantry in the area for 30 days, following reports of people using the cash to buy fentanyl. Ive been here four years and Ive never seen that corner of 10th and Jefferson be so clean, calm and normal. I can send my son down there at 10 at night and not worry, and it happened overnight, Martin said. While there are still some signs of distress at nearby bus stops and the Plaid Pantry, the clear sidewalks and presence of security and police are much more noticeable. Never let perfection get in the way of progress, Martin said, as he shared his gratitude to all the leaders involved. I want to thank them and say to them this is a model; if they really put their attention to something and focus on one single thing, (they) can make our lives better one single thing at a time, Martin said. My only fear is that the citys focus goes somewhere else after 30 days. The bottles come back and the dealers come back. I hope they remember it takes constant attention to keep the improvements in place. However, the sounds of sirens and public overdoses a KOIN crew witnessed outside the Church at SW 10th and Columbia signal theres still more work to do. Portlands downtown recovery has been a constant priority for my team. Through the tri-government state of emergency, we are seeing more collaboration and are moving in the right direction. Im grateful for the continued good work by the Unified Command and the many partners at PPB, OSP, PF&R, the Street Services Coordination Center, the Public Environment Management Office, MHAAO, and many others throughout the region who are joining us to make Portland safer for everyone, said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. We are committed to maintaining our progress and coordination to expand these efforts across the city. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. This embedded content is not available in your region. Former sub-postmaster Jo Hamilton says she feels "survivor's guilt" after settling with the Post Office over the Horizon IT scandal for an undisclosed sum. Ms Hamilton said the settlement would pay off her mortgage and debts, but she got less than she had hoped for. She said she and her husband accepted the offer as they were "exhausted". Her story was one of the central strands in the ITV dramatisation which put a fresh spotlight on the scandal. The mother-of-two was prosecuted for a shortfall of 36,000 at her Post Office in South Warnborough, Hampshire in 2006 and was persuaded to plead guilty to a charge of false accounting. She took up cleaning jobs, had to mortgage her house twice, borrowed money from friends, and received donations from the local community to pay back the funds. Her conviction was overturned in 2021 when it was discovered that more than 700 sub-postmasters and postmistresses had been prosecuted because of a faulty accounting system. Ms Hamilton - who was played by Monica Dolan in the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office - said she had "mixed feelings" at accepting the compensation offer. "I almost feel like I've got survivor's guilt, because many of my colleagues that I've fought alongside in court, they haven't been settled," she said. But she said her was husband was getting older and she didn't want him to go into his eighties still waiting for money. "While I didn't want to walk away, we were just tired. We had debt around our ears and a large mortgage, all of which has gone now. I think it was the right thing to do." Ms Hamilton got 80% of what she wanted, she said. She added the feeling when her debt disappeared was "just incredible". However, she said her claim was reasonable, and the Post Office "shouldn't be arguing with anybody", especially as that hikes up legal fees that could be spent on compensation. "Why can't they just pay people?" she said. She began negotiating with the Post Office in 2021, but was initially offered only 20% of what she wanted. She received the last compensation payment about five weeks ago. Ministers have vowed to speed up compensation for the victims, with new measures announced last week. As of 1 February 2024, approximately 160m had been paid to more than 2,700 claimants across three compensation schemes, according to government data. Mrs Hamilton presented an award at the Brits alongside Monica Dolan, the actress who portrayed her on screen The Department for Business and Trade said the government is "working as fast as possible to get compensation to every single postmistress and postmaster caught up in this injustice". Last week, ministers announced new measures to speed up compensation for victims. An interim payment of 450,000 will be available to sub-postmasters who had convictions overturned, up from the current level of 163,000. In addition, legislation to clear sub-postmasters who were wrongly convicted is expected to be brought forward within weeks. Jo Hamilton appeared at the Brit Awards last week, and was joined by Monica Dolan. On stage at the ceremony, she called for compensation to be sped up for those wrongfully prosecuted. She told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday that Ms Dolan was "just wonderful". "Not only is she a brilliant actress, she's a lovely person," she said. Appearing at the Brits was "probably as scary as being in Crown Court, almost," she said. "To walk along that landing, with all those people in the hall [was scary]," she said. "But seriously, when I got to the podium at the end, I didn't realise I was going to be met with the applause that I was. I really do believe the country is behind us." Staunton controversy Meanwhile, a row between the government and former Post Office chair Henry Staunton deepened on Tuesday. He accused the government of using the Post Office as a "fig leaf" to avoid promptly paying compensation to sub-postmasters. However, the government responded by saying Mr Staunton was "trying to deflect from his terrible tenure as chair of the Post Office". As part of a series of letters published by the Business and Trade Committee on Tuesday, Mr Staunton also alleged an investigation into chief executive Nick Read was about bullying. A letter from Ben Tidswell, a Post Office director, did not deny this, but pointed out the investigation was wider. A spokesman for the Post Office said there were "inaccuracies and falsehoods" in Mr Staunton's claims. "The investigation remains ongoing, and nobody should be drawing any conclusions at this stage," he added. Whirling coffee steam, a box of donuts, spiraling strips of I Voted stickers and no line. At 6:41 a.m., Michael Bankhead strolled through his neighborhoods YMCA. To his left, seven gymgoers pushed, pressed and ran. To his right, six swimmers waded in the pool. Straight ahead, ten poll workers waited for him. When his Jumpmans and cane passed over the gyms door frame the workers clapped and wooed as if it was his homecoming. But they knew nothing about the 50-year-old except for his title: Our First Voter. On this Super Tuesday, Bankheads vote combined with early votes cast Feb. 15 to Saturday will guide top-of-the ballot presidential and gubernatorial races and determine each partys nominees for county commission, the state legislature and Congress. The McCrorey Family YMCA was just one of 243 voting locations in Mecklenburg County, and Bankhead was just one of about 19,000 voters who would cast their ballots across the county before 10:30 a.m. After everything Trump did, Bankhead said he cared most about the presidential election. The new local names that pop up on the ballot each year are a roll of the dice, he said. After researching, but before casting, he still talks to his mom and his six aunts and uncles about each years candidates. Democrat County Commissioner Vilma Leake has his vote, he said, because she has been consistent since her inaugural election in 2008. If you dont vote, you cant complain, he said. Michael Bankhead is the first voter to arrive at the McCrorey YMCA during the primary election in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. We have the power to make change A second voter trailed Bankead at 6:45 a.m. By 6:49 a.m., a third and fourth a mother and daughter appeared. Teresa and Jillian Shipman, 69 and 28, have voted together in the last three elections. Since moving from Washington State and Utah, respectively, the duo who are also roommates have voted in Charlottes last three elections together. We have the power to make change in this state, Jillian said. North Carolinas status as a junior swing state only underlines the power each vote has, she said. In 2020, former President Donald Trump won North Carolinas race by less than three percentage points. This year, womens rights issues determined Teresas ballot both before and after the bubbles were filled in. In North Carolina, voters not affiliated with a party can still vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary elections, but they must choose one. Teresa, an unaffiliated, retired social worker requested the Democratic ballot. Theres not one Republican I can vote for, she said. But civic duty demanded she vote for someone. It summoned Bankhead to the booths. It drew hundreds of volunteer poll workers to spend more than 12 hours ushering voters through each school, church and library turned democratic hub. And it brought Barber-Scotia College president to Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church. I always vote, Chris V. Rey said. The issues people are voting on This year, the economys effects on food and gas prices were top of mind and he filled out the top of Reys ballot. The current administrations policies are the reason we arent falling off a cliff, he said of President Joe Bidens initiatives. Some would say the economy was headed toward a cliff but we never got there. Rey, the former Mayor of Spring Lake, which is near Fort Liberty, is also the current International President of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, a fraternity founded by three African-American Howard University students in 1914. He gets his news briefs from the White House and government websites, he said, to balance the slant found in todays media. Research is tough in this age, he said. We get squeezed in the middle of two sides, and everything is skewed to our satisfaction. Bipartisan support is key, he said, and it always will be. Republicans will have to play nice for that to happen, said Kathy, a former East Mecklenburg High School teacher who voted at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Mint Hill. She declined to give her last name. Naturally, she said, candidates stances on teacher salaries and education drove her votes. She requested a Democratic ballot at the Mint Hill church after they tried to give her a Republican one. But Tricia Cotham, a now-Republican who represents eastern Mecklenburg Countys District 112 in the House of Representatives, has done a good job, Kathy said. Now, she said, Cotham just has to keep it up. Jillian Shipman, left, and her other Teresa, right, submit their completed ballots at the McCrorey YMCA during the primary election in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The Tricia Cotham effect Cotham recently made national headlines when she switched from the Democratic Party and gave Republicans veto-proof majorities in both legislative chambers. Her announcement came a month after the state redrew maps for the congressional and legislative districts. The new state House map places Cothams Mint Hill residence in a new district where Republicans have a slight advantage and where a Democratic tie would have laid out an extremely tough path for reelection, the Associated Press reported. The race for Attorney General captured one moms attention more than Cotham. Gabe, a 42-year-old who also declined to give her last name, took her 2-year-old daughter to walk through the streamers and banners set up at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church. Gabe left feeling good about filing a vote for Jeff Jackson someone she says is an honest candidate with integrity. Her daughter came away feeling good about the sticker on her hand. I voted! she said as they walked to Gabes car. I know you did, wasnt that so cool? Gabe responded. Jackson also pulled support from Steve Wilson, a 42-year-old who makes just enough money to sit comfortably between the two parties platforms. He doesnt need food stamps, but he doesnt care about inheritance tax, he said. Hes pro-choice and anti-war spending, he said, and at the end of the day he votes in a way that will help those who are less fortunate than him. Chris Propst greets voters as they enter Philadelphia Presbyterian Church during the primary election in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Early voting results in Mecklenburg County Tuesdays tallies will be added to early voters 52,551 ballots and 855 mail-in ballots. According to Mecklenburg County data, those numbers trailed the last presidential primary by 25% when about 71,000 Mecklenburg residents cast early ballots in 2020. This year, only about 7% of eligible Mecklenburg voters cast ballots before Election Day Tuesday. In 2020, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg competed in the Democratic primary. This year, in largely Democratic Mecklenburg County, the bolded No preference option resting below Bidens name could have squashed voter motivation to show up at the polls. This year, more Republicans are voting. Nearly 20,600 Mecklenburg voters cast early ballots while Nikki Haley continues to try to unseat former President Trump and State Treasurer Dale Folwell and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham try to stop Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson from becoming governor. In 2020, 12,841 Republicans showed up at polls. 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-kilometre (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 centre in Altyn Dala on trucks. Przewalski's horses have narrowly avoided extinction thanks to breeding programmes 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. frj/amj/rlp (AP) Police investigating the killing of a pregnant Amish woman inside her Pennsylvania home last week recovered three firearms, bullets and two spent casings as well as broken knife parts, according to an inventory made public on Tuesday. The state police document said the search of the house where Rebekah A. Byler was killed on Feb. 26 produced the broken orange handle of a knife, a broken knife blade and a bone-handled knife. Investigators also took a white bonnet and the contents of an ash tray, trash can and dust bin. Excavator stolen from local roadside construction site A man who lived about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from the Byler home in northwestern Pennsylvania was charged Saturday with criminal homicide, homicide of her unborn child, burglary and criminal trespassing. Police have not disclosed what they think may have motivated Shawn C. Cranston, 52, to kill her in the living room, where her husband and a family friend found her. Have you bought groceries at Walmart? You may be entitled to part of $45M class-action settlement Its unclear from the search inventory if any of the items taken belonged to Cranston or were used in the killing, which police have said involved shooting her in the head and/or slashing her throat. They include a .22-caliber rifle, two shotguns and a variety of ammunition. Investigators also recovered a .22-caliber cartridge case and a 6.5 Creedmoor casing, both discharged. Cranston remains in the Crawford County Correctional Facility without bail. No defense attorney has appeared in court records, and the county public defenders office said Monday it was not representing him. Family members have not answered phone calls seeking comment on his behalf. Police said the 23-year-old Byler, whose two children were home but unhurt, suffered wounds to her neck and head. Cranstons cousin, Rebekah Cranston of Erie, said Tuesday that Cranston was a native of the Corry area and had worked as a truck driver. She said she had fallen out of touch with him in recent years and that many of his relatives knew nothing about the allegations. Were just in shock and sending out prayers for the victim, she said. Shawn Cranstons next-door neighbor, Chris Knight, said he was a respectful neighbor who often rode motorcycles. His wife is a nurse, she said. Knight said that in recent months Cranstons pickup truck was no longer parked at the home. The Cranstons seemed to be down to one vehicle, she said, a red Jeep. It seemed like hes been home a lot but I dont know what that situation is, Knight said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. CARIO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- There are difficulties in the negotiations hosted by Egypt to reach a truce between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV reported Tuesday. The report, citing a high-ranking Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the negotiations for a humanitarian truce in Gaza are difficult, but were still ongoing. The source did not reveal the nature of these difficulties or details of the items in dispute between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, in statements to Xinhua, official Egyptian sources denied media reports that the talks in Cairo had failed, noting that the negotiations were continuing. The sources noted that the Hamas delegation is still in Cairo to discuss solutions for reaching a truce, revealing that Hamas submitted proposals that are currently being presented to Israel. The sources pointed out that the United States is also pressuring Israel to accept a truce during the month of Ramadan. Since Sunday, Egypt has been hosting a new round of discussions to reach a calm in the Gaza Strip, with the participation of delegations from Qatar, the United States and the Gaza-ruling Hamas movement. Israel waged a massive military campaign on Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli towns, killed about 1,200, and took over 200 as hostages on Oct. 7, 2023. Since then, the Israeli retaliation has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 70,000, according to Gaza's health ministry. At the primaries, contenders will be whittled down gradually until one gains enough support to be named the official nominee for their party A series of state votes known broadly as primaries will help the Democrats and Republicans to select their candidates to run for the White House in 2024. Contenders will be whittled down gradually until one gains enough support to be named the official nominee for their party. Donald Trump has won against his main rival Nikki Haley in almost every Republican primary and caucus so far. But Ms Haley had still refused to drop out of the race by Super Tuesday, the main event of the primary season. Meanwhile, without any contenders posing a real challenge, Joe Biden has won all contests since voting began. However, his campaign has not been without its challenges, notably when significant numbers of predominantly young, Arab voters in Michigan marked their ballots as uncommitted in protest against Mr Bidens handling of the war in Gaza. Mr Biden now faces the risk that other key states, such as Minnesota, may follow suit. The final decision on the official party candidates is confirmed in the summer at the Republican and Democratic party conventions, after which the general election campaigning begins in earnest. What are the primary elections? Primary elections are held by the main political parties to choose a presidential candidate. Rules vary state by state. Connecticut, for example, has what is known as closed primaries which means that voters can only participate in the primaries held by the party for which they have registered. Other states, such as Georgia, have open primaries, which means any registered voter can participate, regardless of their affiliation. The primaries choose delegates who are sent to the parties national conventions. Democrats will have around 3,900 voting delegates at their convention and Republicans 2,429. In recent elections, the successful candidate has arrived at the convention with enough delegates to secure the nomination. The last time this didnt happen was in 1952. The Democrats, after much horse-trading, nominated Adlai Stevenson, who was drafted on the third ballot, after the other candidates failed to secure a majority. Dwight Eisenhower also fell short on the first ballot but secured the nomination when delegates who had backed Harold Stassen switched to the wartime general. How do they work? Voters will either take part in a primary ballot or, in some states, attend a caucus. The Republican rules are simpler. For the first batch of primaries, delegates are awarded in proportion to the number of votes cast. After March 14, states are allowed to award all the delegates to the candidate who polls the most votes. The Democrats share delegates in proportion to the number of votes cast. But there are also attendees known as super delegates, who account for nearly 15 per cent of votes at the convention. They are normally party officials, such as members of the Democratic Convention. Other superdelegates include governors and members of Congress. What is a caucus? Caucuses work differently. They are run by the parties themselves. They are held in locations across the state with supporters attending in person. The meetings can last several hours. Their purpose is to choose delegates who are pledged to vote for a particular candidate at the parties national convention. While some caucuses do hold secret ballots, many rely on a show of hands, and in 2020, a mobile phone app was used. The caucuses can be the scene of lengthy horse-trading, with campaigns trying to persuade attendees to switch their vote. While the Republicans cast their votes by secret ballot, the Democrats work differently. Voters are asked to form groups according to who they support or join a cluster who are undecided. A candidate failing to win the backing of 15 per cent of attendees is eliminated and their supporters, along with the undecideds, are free to join another group. Things do not always go smoothly, as the 2020 Democratic caucus in Iowa proved. Problems with the mobile phone app and inconsistencies in the vote counting resulted in both Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana and Bernie Sanders, the socialist senator from Vermont, both claiming victory. Who won in Iowa? Donald Trump secured an overwhelming victory in Iowas Republican caucuses, winning 51 per cent of the votes in the state. Mr DeSantis and Nikki Haley were left battling it out for second and third place, securing 21.2 per cent and 19.1 per cent of the vote respectively. DeSantis had gambled heavily on Iowa, a conservative state that he believed shared his values. After coming second in the state, he dropped out of the race on Sunday. Never Back Down, his political action committee, spent $100 million in the state and knocked on more than half the homes in Iowa. The Democratic caucus in Iowa does not take place until March 5, otherwise known as Super Tuesday. Who won in New Hampshire? Donald Trump picked up his second victory - comfortably defeating Nikki Haley - to win the Republican nomination in New Hampshire. Ms Haley has vowed to fight on to South Carolina, her home state, on Feb 24, but she faces a tough task in stopping Mr Trump. On the other side of the race, Joe Biden won the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire but Dean Phillips, his main rival, rattled the party by taking 20 per cent of the vote. Who won in South Carolina? Donald Trump inflicted an embarrassing defeat on Nikki Haley in South Carolina, her home state where she served two terms as governor. Ms Haley vowed to fight on with her campaign despite the thumping loss, but many are now doubting she has a plausible route to the White House past the Trump juggernaut. For the Democrats, the South Carolina primary took place on Feb 3, with Mr Biden winning 96.2 per cent of the vote to Marianne Williamsons 2.1 per cent and Mr Phillipss 1.7 per cent. Who won in Nevada? The Nevada Republicans held a state-run primary on Feb 6 and a party-run caucus on Feb 8, but only the results of the latter counted towards the allocation of delegates. Candidates can run in only one of the two elections, with Donald Trump choosing to run in the caucus - and winning against Ryan Binkley with 99.1 per cent of the vote - and Ms Haley running in the primary. However, the former South Carolina governor secured only 30.7 per cent of votes in the state primary, with the option to vote none of these candidates winning, with 63.2 per cent of the vote share. Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats held only a state-run primary in Nevada on Feb 8, which was won by Joe Biden with 89.3 per cent of the vote. Who will win in Michigan? The Democratic party voted to hold Michigans presidential primary on Feb 27 this year, moving it significantly earlier in the election cycle. The decision has driven more attention to the battleground state, increasing its profile in national politics. Republicans will also hold their Michigan primaries on Feb 27, followed by a caucus on March 2. This hybrid system gives voters a say in choosing the nominee, while granting party activists a role in official delegate selection. Current polls place Mr Trump in the lead for the Republican nomination in the state, while Mr Biden leads the Democratic candidates, according to polling aggregator FiveThirtyEight. The state of Michigan has been allocated 15 electoral college votes. Primaries and caucuses are held across different states throughout the year, but the key date will be March 5 known as Super Tuesday when 17 states and territories vote. Republicans will hold their national convention in Milwaukee from July 15-18 and the Democrats gather in Chicago for three days starting August 19. The presidential election takes place on November 5. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Gayatri Suroyo and Stefanno Sulaiman JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's presumed president Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday promised a "very smooth" transfer of power later this year and opened the door to privatising state-run firms while maintaining government control of key economic sectors. Speaking at an investment forum, Prabowo, who unofficial vote counts show won the Feb. 14 presidential election by a huge margin, also said he believed economic growth could reach 8% annually within the next four or five years. Prabowo said that while the state could continue to regulate and maintain decision-making in strategic areas in Southeast Asia's biggest economy, the private sector should be allowed to thrive and take the leading role. "Maybe we have to really have a programme of rationalising and privatising many of the state owned enterprises. The state can regulate, the state can (provide) oversight, the state must also have strategic decision-making in the strategic sectors," he said. "I don't see for instance why we need to be present in every sector of the economy ... now we must allow private sectors to be more and more dominant." State companies in sectors such as banking, telecommunication, construction and mining currently play a dominant role in Indonesia's economy. Prabowo, 72, pledged to continue the policies of incumbent Joko Widodo, who has overseen a big push to modernise infrastructure, and said he aimed to significantly improve tax ratios by widening the tax base, not necessarily by raising taxes. He said his government could widen the fiscal gap to up to 2.8% of gross domestic product, from under 2% in 2023, and would still comply with the mandatory deficit ceiling of 3% of GDP. Investors have been closely watching Prabowo's fiscal plans, after previous comments on potentially upping Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio raised alarms. Rating agencies warn his signature promise of free school lunches could be costly. Prabowo pledged to maintain Indonesia's track record of fiscal prudence, but repeated that he thought there was space to increase public spending and debt, with their ratios relative to GDP being lower than other countries. Prabowo also said Indonesia would strive for food self-sufficiency, which he was optimistic could be achieved quickly, leading to the nation exporting food within four years. He said Indonesia was open for investment and that his government would ensure protection for foreign and domestic investors. DEMOCRACY 'VERY, VERY TIRING' In a wide-ranging speech that lasted nearly an hour, Prabowo said Indonesia should be proud of last month's election, though he said he was not satisfied with his country's democracy, without elaborating. "Let me attest, testify that democracy is really very, very tiring. Democracy is very, very messy, democracy is very, very costly," he said. "There is a lot of room for improvement." Prabowo, who is currently defence minister, looks to have easily won his third attempt at the presidency, buoyed by the tacit and controversial support of the hugely popular Jokowi, as the president is known, and the inclusion of the incumbent's son on his ticket as running mate. Jokowi, who has been in power a decade, has been widely criticised for unfairly favouring Prabowo as a means of preserving his legacy, and exerting influence over institutions to influence the election outcome, which his allies reject. The official election result is expected by March 20 and, if confirmed winner, Prabowo will take office in October. (Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo and Stefanno Sulaiman; Additional reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Michael Perry) Election signs line the perimeter of the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center in Houston on March 5, 2024. Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune Its election day in Texas, and voters are heading to the polls to choose their Republican and Democratic nominees to face off in a number of races in November. At the top of the ticket are the candidates running for president, where Joe Biden and Donald Trump are overwhelmingly expected to win their respective primaries. But down ballot, Texans will also weigh in on dozens of state and federal races, where the primary winner is often assumed to be the eventual winner because of noncompetitive matchups in November. Many of the races are expected to go to a runoff on May 28. The primaries come as divisions among Republicans are in stark display, some of Texas most senior members of Congress are retiring and Democrats are competing with the hope of unseating Sen. Ted Cruz. Here are six things to watch for. Will Paxton and Abbott-backed challengers prevail? Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are deeply upset with Republicans in the Texas House Abbott because representatives killed his school voucher bill and Paxton because they impeached him. The pair have endorsed dozens of challengers to incumbents across the state, forcing many unaccustomed to competitive primaries into expensive and sometimes ugly campaigns. For Abbotts part, hes putting his money where his mouth is. With the help of a $6 million campaign contribution from pro-voucher billionaire Jeff Yass, Abbott has spent mightily on ads, canvassing and polling for his candidates. Paxton, whose campaign money is tied up in mounting legal debts to lawyers defending him in his impeachment and criminal case, has relied more heavily on the value of his own campaign appearances. Hes also leaned on allied groups funded by oil billionaire Tim Dunn to finance his supporters. This primary has become a referendum on the influence of statewide leaders in local House districts (others like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have also picked sides, usually the challengers). Even Donald Trump has endorsed some of them. The incumbents, like Stan Lambert of Abilene, say they know their districts better than these Republicans. Tuesday evening will show if theyre right. The average voter here is torn, said Neal Coates, a political science professor at Abilene Christian University. They like the governor and they also really like Donald Trump, but they also like Stan Lambert. Seven House members are particularly on notice Tuesday night, facing opposition from both Abbott and Paxton: Gary VanDeaver, Glenn Rogers, Hugh D. Shine, Steve Allison, Land & Resource Management Committee Chair DeWayne Burns, Stan Lambert and Higher Education Committee Chair John Kuempel. See the full breakdown of who voted for and against vouchers and impeachment, along with how Abbott and Paxton endorsed, here. But Paxtons ire extends beyond the House. Angered that the Criminal Court of Appeals ruled that his office could not unilaterally prosecute voter fraud, Paxton endorsed the primary challengers of three of the courts judges. The three jurists, Presiding Judge Sharon Keller, Judge Barbara Hervey and Judge Michelle Slaughter, say they were simply following the state Constitution in ruling against Paxton. Nevertheless, his involvement in what are normally sleepy judicial races has turned the contests into some of the most intriguing in this primary. Coates said that Paxtons argument may not resonate even with Republican primary voters, as local district attorneys have always had the ability to prosecute voter fraud, and the three judges have sterling conservative credentials. I think the negative communication about them from the attorney general has come too late, Coates said. Who will challenge Ted Cruz? U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez are the frontrunners in the Democratic primary to challenge Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred is leading by far in fundraising, reporting raising over $21 million this cycle compared with Gutierrezs $1.3 million. Allred is hoping to win the primary outright. But with 10 candidates running for the nomination, the race could easily go to a runoff, which would be held on May 28. Allred is the favored candidate among Washington Democrats, who have witnessed his bipartisan ethos firsthand. National Democrats are rooting for Allred to pick up the seat in an unfavorable Senate map this cycle where a number of Democrats in conservative states are up for reelection. Democrats can lose only one seat and maintain their majority in the Senate. Gutierrez is running as a progressive, underdog candidate. He has elevated his name in Texas by being the most outspoken voice for gun control and police accountability in the Legislature after the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde. Who will replace the long-timers in Congress? Two senior Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation are retiring, and candidates are leaping at the chance to represent their solidly red districts. U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, is retiring as the longest-serving Texas Republican in Congress, and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, is retiring after 11 terms. Both Granger and Burgess were known for their influence among House Republicans. Granger chairs the House Appropriations Committee, and Burgess is among the most senior members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Both are some of the most coveted committee assignments in Congress. In the race to succeed Granger, state Rep. Craig Goldman is backed by the local political and business establishment who say they are seeking candidates who will prioritize practical policymaking over national culture wars. He leads the field along with Paxton-backed candidate John OShea who said he best aligns with the far-right House Freedom Caucus. The frontrunners to replace Burgess include two far-right candidates: Brandon Gill, a newcomer to politics and the district whose campaign is backed by Trump and his father-in-law Dinesh DSouza, and John Huffman, the Southlake mayor who helped spark a national war against diversity, equity and inclusion policies in education. Former congressional chief of staff Luisa Del Rosal and former Denton County Judge Scott Armey are also in the race, which is likely to go to a runoff. Granger and Burgess have so far not endorsed in the primaries, but Burgess said he might if it goes to a runoff. Will Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan be forced into a runoff? The marquee primary in the Texas House is that of Speaker Dade Phelan, who is facing a well-funded, Paxton-backed opponent in David Covey. A House speaker hasnt lost a primary in more than 50 years, though polling has shown Phelan has become the most-despised Republican leader in Texas. Phelan has the full might of the far right against him led by Paxton. Patrick has campaigned actively against Phelan in ads, and Trump has come out in favor of Covey. Phelan has for years been a target of the state Republican party, which continues to criticize him for including Democrats as House committee chairs. Phelan voted for Paxtons impeachment, but he didnt cast a vote on school vouchers, leaving voters to wonder where he stood on the issue. (He later told The Texas Tribune he would have supported a limited voucher program.) Likewise, Abbott has remained silent on Phelans future, ostensibly ambivalent about his political survival. Phelan merely needs to remain in the good graces of the 200,000 residents of his Beaumont-area district, where he has strong family ties and a history of delivering funding for local projects. Covey, however, has tried to position himself to be the true conservative in the race, a major plus for Republican primary voters. How will Tony Gonzales censure impact his reelection? This is U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales first election since being censured by the Republican Party of Texas last year. The state GOP objected to his votes supporting gay marriage and gun safety legislation, and his opposition to U.S. Rep. Chip Roys border security proposal and a right-wing House rules package crafted to get Kevin McCarthy elected House speaker. Four candidates are challenging Gonzales from the right, including Julie Clark, the Medina County GOP chair who first launched the censure motion. Gonzales willingness to work with Democrats and openly criticize his own partys right flank has soured relations with members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Members of the right-wing group have met with Gonzales challengers. Gonzales still comfortably outraised all of them by a wide margin, with almost $2.9 million raised ahead of the primaries. His highest-raising challenger comes shy of raising a third that amount. All eyes on Houston Democrats Houston Democrats are facing a handful of high-profile challenges this year. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who is tied for the title of longest-serving Texan currently in Congress, will face off against former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards after failing to win the citys mayoral election last year. Its her first serious primary challenge in her 30 years in office. State Rep. Shawn Thierry faces backlash from her party for her support of Senate Bill 14, which bars gender transition care for minors. It was a stunning break with her partys support for LGBTQ+ Texans, and her reelection has become a litmus test on how viable Democrats can be in the state without full-throttle support for LGBTQ+ causes. Several House members have endorsed one of her challengers, labor organizer Lauren Ashley Simmons. Meanwhile, Harris County Democrats are similarly questioning the ideological bona fides of District Attorney Kim Ogg as she seeks a third term. Supporters of her primary challenger, former prosecutor Sean Teare, are frustrated over her alleged ties to Texas Republicans, her war with Democratic County Judge Lina Hidalgo and insufficient action on criminal justice reform. Ogg ended decades of Republican control of the countys DAs office the third-largest in the country. The Texas Tribune answering reader questions about 2024 elections. To share your question or feedback with us, you can fill out this form. 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. Catherine, Princess of Wales, who had not been seen in public since the end of last year, has been spotted for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery in January, and on the heels of internet conspiracy theories concerning her whereabouts. The 42-year-old royal was photographed riding shotgun Monday in an Audi driven by mom Carole Middleton, according to Backgrid photos obtained by multiple outlets. Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Catherine had undergone a successful previously scheduled abdominal surgery the day prior and would be unlikely to resume her royal duties until after Easter. Days later, a source told People that her mother, dad Michael Middleton, and husband Prince William would all be there to lend support as she recovered. The palaces previously projected timeline did nothing to abate speculation last week when the Prince of Wales, 41, suddenly pulled out of a memorial service honoring his godfather, King Constantine of Greece, who died last year, citing personal reasons. Williams father, King Charles, who recently announced his cancer diagnosis and is undergoing treatment, was also absent. Unlike his daughter-in-law though, the 75-year-old monarch has occasionally been seen after he was treated for an enlarged prostate earlier this year. His hospitalization at The London Clinic overlapped with the princess. Some theories last week went so far as to suggest that Catherine was in a coma due to complications from her surgery despite the palace assuring the public she was doing well. Kensington Palace on Thursday ultimately made a rare statement shutting down the theories. We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant, a spokesperson told People. They noted again that Catherine was doing well. Prior to Monday, she had last been seen in public during the royal familys annual Christmas outing. There was also speculation that Williams absence from the service was linked to the suspected suicide of Thomas Kingston. The 45-year-old financier husband of Charles second cousin, Lady Gabriella Kingston, and reported ex of Catherines sister, Pippa Middleton died on Feb. 25. The news wasnt announced till hours after the service for Constantine. This weekend, officials stated that Kingston died of a traumatic wound to the head, with a firearm found near his body. Deadly heat is threatening the lives of Americas ageing incarcerated population, who are trapped in increasingly hot and humid conditions as the climate emergency escalates, new research has found. Almost 45% of detention facilities on the US mainland suffered a rise in hazardous heat days between 1982 and 2020, with the south most severely affected. People incarcerated in state-run facilities in Texas and Florida are the most exposed to dangerous conditions. Hazardous heat refers to the number of days a year when the indoor maximum wet bulb globe temperature exceeds 28C (82F) the safe humid-heat threshold set by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) for acclimated populations under moderate workload. In facilities where detainees were exposed to at least one hazardous day a year, the average (mean) number of hot-humid days jumped from 77 to 100 a year in four decades, according to the study published in Nature Sustainability. When temperatures rise, prisoners are sitting ducks, utterly powerless to protect themselves from lethal levels of heat and humidity. Building a prison without climate control is like building a prison without fire exits its an invitation to disaster, said David C Fathi, director of the National Prison Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The current threat to the incarcerated population risk is probably even greater than the analysis suggests given that the past three summers have been among the hottest on record. Americas incarcerated population is at high risk of heat-related morbidity and mortality due to their physical confinement, age, high rates of chronic physical and mental illness and a general lack of concern about their welfare by lawmakers and society at large. Researchers also found that detention facilities jails, prisons, work camps and migrant detention centers are often built in the least hospitable places, where there is little cooling vegetation and communities have limited political power to resist. In addition, concrete structures trap heat, making them harder to cool including at night when the body cannot recuperate until the temperature drops to 80F. Carlee Purdum, assistant director of the Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center at Texas A&M, said: Prisons are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures than other types of infrastructure incarcerated people are experiencing severe heat-related illness and have higher rates of chronic health problems and diminished access to healthcare resources. Arizona, Nevada and California have the widest heat disparities between prisons and other locations. The greatest overall increase of hot and humid days relative to the state was at Webb county jail with 59 more days than the rest of Texas in 2020 compared with 1982. Prisons and other detention facilities are located in disproportionately hotter places because the idea of incarcerated people suffering from heat fits the retribution and punishment ethos of the US system, said co-author Robbie Parks, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University. Deadly heatwaves have struck towns and cities across the US in recent years, and are likely to rise in frequency and intensity due to global heating. Those without access to air conditioning or other effective cooling tools such as shaded outdoor spaces are vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, as well as potentially fatal complications from existing health conditions and prescribed medications. Swamp coolers Climate control has been standard in any new construction for decades, and almost 90% of US households have air conditioning. Yet 44 states do not universally provide air conditioning in adult detention facilities. Those that do, often install evaporative coolers also known as swamp coolers which are less effective especially when humidity is high. The study by a coalition of researchers at Montana State, the University of Kansas, California and Columbia, found that overall 1.8 million incarcerated people 90% of adult detainees were exposed to at least one dangerously hot and humid day annually. In 118 facilities, mostly concentrated in southern California, Arizona, Texas and inland Florida, incarcerated people experienced at least 75 very hot-humid days on average a year. In Starr county jail in south Texas, on average the wet-bulb temperature hit at least 28C on 126 days a year. The greatest increase over time was in Florida, where incarcerated people experienced on average 22 more dangerously hot humid days in 2020 compared with 1982. Its a simple truth that heat kills vulnerable people first, said Jeff Goodell, author of The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet. As the climate crisis accelerates and extreme heatwaves become more commonplace, this study underscores that un-air-conditioned prisons will become ovens where people are literally cooked to death. Improving ventilation and cooling systems in US prisons isnt expensive and it doesnt require a breakthrough in quantum physics [but] it requires seeing incarcerated people as fellow humans worthy of being treated with decency and respect, added Goodell. Despite the growing threat posed by the climate crisis, experts still do not fully understand how outdoor temperatures and humidity translate to conditions inside prisons the crucial first step in planning interventions to alleviate the mental and physical health implications for incarcerated people and prison workers, according to Purdum at Texas A&M. Deadly heat is not just a problem for the south. The warming planet is making extreme weather conditions hot and cold temperatures, and rainfall increasingly erratic and unpredictable, striking in places that are ill prepared to cope. In 2021, several hundred excess deaths were attributed to a heat bomb over the Pacific north-west a region that is not equipped for extreme heat. The ACLU has brought successful legal challenges to heat risk at prisons and jails in Mississippi, Arizona and Wisconsin, on the basis that the conditions violate the eighth amendment on the US constitution which prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. In Wisconsin, a maximum-security prison was ordered to air-condition the cells to a temperature of 84F or below despite arguing that air conditioning would entice inmates at different jails to attack others in order to get a transfer. Ed Markey, the Democratic senator representing Massachusetts, has introduced two bills to tackle deadly heat including the End Solitary Confinement Act which would help prevent incarcerated people from being exposed to extreme heat, often in small, poorly ventilated cells. Extreme heat poses an extreme health risk to people across the country, and we need a national response that addresses the dangers posed by rising temperatures for incarcerated people, Markey said. We cannot prioritize the climate without prioritizing justice, and we must pass my legislation to ensure our most vulnerable communities are protected from extreme temperatures. This image released by the Pritzker Prize shows the Yokosuka Museum of Art, designed by Riken Yamamoto, in Yokosuka, Japan. (Courtesy of Tomio Ohashi/Pritzker Prize via AP) The Pritzker Architecture Prize has been awarded to Japans Riken Yamamoto, who earns the fields highest honor for what organizers called a long career focused on multiplying opportunities for people to meet spontaneously, through precise, rational design strategies. Yamamoto, 78, has spent a five-decade career designing both private and public buildings from residences to museums to schools, from a bustling airport center to a glass-walled fire station and prizing a spirit of community in all spaces. By the strong, consistent quality of his buildings, he aims to dignify, enhance and enrich the lives of individuals from children to elders and their social connections, the jury said, in part, in a citation released Tuesday. For him, a building has a public function even when it is private." In an interview from Yokohama, where he is based, Yamamoto said he was both proud and amazed to win the prize, seen as the Nobel of architecture, at this point in his career. Soon I will be 79 years old, he said. This prize is a big moment for me. In the near future I think many people will listen to me very carefully. Maybe I can say my opinion more easily than before. The architect explained that his craft is not simply to design buildings, but to design in the context of their surroundings, and hopefully to impact the surroundings as well. A key example: Yamamoto's virtually transparent Hiroshima Nishi Fire Station, designed in 2000, with a facade, interior walls and floors made of glass. The building invites the public to experience the daily activities of firefighters, something it rarely sees. The result encourages passersby to view and engage with those who are protecting the community, resulting in a reciprocal commitment between the civil servants and the citizens they serve, organizers said. Normally, Yamamoto said, a fire station would be built from concrete. He had a different perspective, which he submitted in a competition with other architects. I proposed a very radical idea, Yamamoto said. "The idea was that the fire house should be the center of the community. Not only their fire work but their daily life should be the center, because they are living at the place, for 24 hours they have activities. He described firefighters training with ropes and ladders in a central atrium visible from outside. Many young children come to see, he said. It's very interesting for them. A more recent design with a similar concept is The Circle at Zurich's airport, designed in 2020, a major commercial center for shops, restaurants, hotels and a convention hall. Yamamoto said he aimed to create an open, 24-hour hour environment, a space to welcome city residents as well travelers. I proposed a very open system, he said, "no gate, no entrance, no door. He said snow or rain sometimes enters the space via a partially open roof. Another noted design is the Hotakubo housing project in Kumamoto, Japan, Yamamoto's first social housing project, made up of 110 homes in 16 clusters." How do you make a community out of 110 family houses? he mused in an interview about the 1991 design. It is very difficult. Most apartments, he noted, are boxes inside of a bigger box. It's very easy to create privacy, but very difficult to make a community because each house is independent, he said. The architect's solution: a tree-lined plaza at the center that can only be entered via a residence. In this way, he explained, he was able to combine the private with the public, giving individual families their privacy while promoting connections between them. Terraces also overlook the common space. Yamamoto was born in China in 1945 and raised in Japan from early childhood. He said he first grew attracted to architecture while still in high school. He received a masters degree in architecture from Tokyo University in 1971, and founded his own practice two years later. Many of his ideas on community were inspired by three extensive trips he took early in his career not to famous monuments but instead to villages around the world, he said, in Europe, North Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia. In such villages, he examined the relationship of the family unit to the broader community and explored the idea of a threshold" between public and private space. He also said he was inspired by the writings of philosopher Hannah Arendt. A book by Yamamoto, The Space of Power, The Power of Space, is due to be published next month, an English translation of his 2015 work. Yamamoto, who lives and works in Yokohama and has held numerous teaching positions, is the 53rd laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, established in 1979 by the late entrepreneur Jay A. Pritzker and his wife, Cindy. Winners receive a $100,000 grant and a bronze medallion. Suella Braverman said Rishi Sunak should give powers to ministers so they could prevent protests from going ahead - Paul Grover for The Telegraph Pro-Palestinian protests have turned parts of London into no-go areas for Jewish people, Suella Braverman claimed as she urged Rishi Sunak to introduce emergency laws to tackle extremism. Mrs Braverman said Mr Sunak needed to replace his words with action by giving powers to ministers so they could prevent protests from going ahead. She was responding to a speech by the Prime Minister last week in which he said there had been a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. Mr Sunak urged protesters to not let extremists hijack demonstrations, calling for people to protest decently and with empathy for your fellow citizens. Mrs Braverman said that the remarks were welcome but told GB News that I think the time for words has come to an end and we do need to see action. She said: The next day we saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets, chanting hateful slogans and behaving in a totally unacceptable way in many instances, overwhelming the police, notably, where police resource has been disproportionate to actually whats happening. So we need to see a step change in the police response. They need to be enforcing the law. They need to be arresting people who are using threatening or abusive language. We need to be holding the police to account in a better way, and I would have liked to have seen an emergency law introduced to actually empower ministers and empower all of those policymakers who are responsible for this issue to actually take steps to restrict some of these marches. You know, this has been going on now for four months. Its become a weekly fixture. Parts of London have become no-go areas for Jewish people. That is totally unacceptable. Weve seen anti-Semitism skyrocket. That cannot be the case in 21st century Britain, and therefore its time for action, not words. Mrs Braverman was sacked in November after she defied Number 10 over an article in which she accused the Metropolitan Police of bias in its policing of pro-Palestinian protests. She proposed new laws to plug gaps in the current legislation under which police have to prove incitement or encouragement of terrorism and suggested amending the laws so that any expression of support for terrorism could be prosecuted. The former home secretary said the Government should legislate to introduce an amendable list of conduct that constitutes threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour as required under the Public Order Act. Her comments came after Paul Scully, a former minister, sparked an Islamophobia row by claiming that there were no-go areas in London and Birmingham because of religion rather than protests. He subsequently withdrew his remarks. Mrs Braverman also denied that Lee Anderson is Islamophobic after the Tory MP faced accusations of racism over his claim that Islamists had got control of Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor. She said: I totally abhor the accusations that have been launched against him. He is not racist, he is not Islamophobic. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Mary Ann Roby of Downey votes in the California primary on Monday at the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder's office in Norwalk. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) will face Republican and former Dodgers All-Star Steve Garvey in the race to be California's newest senator, and President Biden and former President Trump handily won their respective party primaries Tuesday night. Proposition 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom's legacy-staking statewide measure that would pour billions of dollars into new supportive housing and treatment beds for unhoused Californians, was slightly ahead in early results Tuesday, though its future remained up in the air. Several tight congressional races in California, which could reshape the razor-thin majority Republicans currently hold in the House of Representatives, also remain up for grabs. For the first time, California joined 15 other states and American Samoa in the mammoth Super Tuesday primary day, delivering a slew of delegates to presidential candidates. Read more: Voting last minute in the California primary election? Here's your guide The fight to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Dianne Feinstein's death last year has been shaping up as a two-way race between Schiff and Garvey for the past few weeks. The Associated Press called Schiff and Garvey as finishing in the top two places Tuesday night with Schiff leading both to complete Feinstein's unexpired term from November to January and to fill the next six-year Senate term. Support for Reps. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) and Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), the other top contenders for the race, lagged in the final weeks of the campaign. Porter, a competitive candidate at the beginning of the race, was attacked in an expensive barrage of negative political ads paid for by cryptocurrency executives . Schiffs campaign also pumped money into ads that appeared to help Garvey consolidate the Republican vote in California. For Schiff, Garvey would be a less formidable opponent than Porter in the November election. Political action committees have poured more than $21 million into the Senate race. Still, Long Beach resident Bo Tobin happily sported a bright orange "Katie Porter for Senate" T-shirt as he rode his bike into his polling place Monday afternoon. "I think she's incredibly intelligent, and she makes things very clear and accessible," said Tobin, 56, a registered Democrat. Porter has famously drilled people in congressional hearings with questions, using a whiteboard to illustrate her points. Tobin found the fact that Schiff did not support a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war troublesome. He also questioned Schiff for giving up his seniority as a leader in the House to become a freshman senator. The seat for Senate appeared twice on California's ballot once to fill the remainder of Feinsteins term, from the general election in November until the new term in January, and another for the full six-year term beginning in January. After Feinstein died last year, Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a union activist and former leader of Emilys List, to the position. Butler chose not to run for a full term. Conclusive results could take days or weeks to emerge in some of the tightest races, including congressional, legislative and local races. California's presidential primary has much less drama and intrigue. Looking toward the one-on-one face-off in November, a recent poll showed that Biden enjoys a comfortable lead in left-leaning California, though his margin over Trump has narrowed in the last three years hes been in office. A UC Berkeley Institute of Government a l Studies poll shows that Biden leads Trump by 18 points statewide but even less if independent and minor-party candidates, including Jill Stein and Cornel West, are included. Some Democratic voters cited Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war and his age as major factors working against him in the 2024 election. "I will speak as a 70-year-old," said Lynne, a registered Republican from Long Beach who declined to give her last name. "I think both candidates are too old to be the president of the United States." Standing outside her local polling place, Lynne said Trump did not carry out traditionally Republican philosophy. His criminal charges should disqualify him as a presidential candidate, she added. "How do we look to other parts of the world?" she said. "We're a joke in some places. ... You have a guy who's got felony charges against him, but he's running for president!" Speaking to supporters at his private club Mar-a-lago Tuesday night, Trump reiterated his campaign promises to close the country's borders, drill for oil and drive down inflation. "We're going to take back our country," he said. "We're going to have the greatest economy ever in the history of our country. We're going to top what we did." The future of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley 's campaign remained murky after another series of defeats though she did win the Republican nomination in Vermont, the Associated Press projected Tuesday night. She had pledged to stay in the race for the Republican nomination through Super Tuesday, despite trailing Trump by double digits in nearly every other primary so far, including in her home state of South Carolina . Haley won the District of Columbia last weekend. Read more: Voter guide to the 2024 California primary election Typically, primaries in a presidential year provoke strong turnout, but early returns have shown lackluster results. As of Monday, about 3 million vote-by-mail ballots had been returned, according to California's secretary of state a fraction of the 22.3 million ballots sent to voters mailboxes. Lynn Vavreck, professor of political science at UCLA, said she expects abortion rights to be a major issue driving voters to the polls for primaries nationwide, much like in the 2022 midterm elections. And even though foreign policy doesnt typically figure much into presidential election years, Vavreck said, the Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia wars are likely to be pivotal issues for voters this year. Even if politics in the U.S. seems uninspiring to people at the moment the candidates, maybe they seem uninspiring to people those two global conflicts are good reminders for people that there's important stuff happening globally, Vavreck said. And that may work to remind people, Oh, there's a primary coming up." There's still a lot of things happening, she added. And that's probably good for turnout. Pro-Palestinian voters who are angered by Biden's handling of the conflict have marked protest votes in the New Hampshire and Michigan primaries by writing in cease-fire and voting uncommitted, respectively. The Council on American-Islamic Relations encouraged its members to vote Tuesday, even if that meant leaving the presidential ballot blank. Read more: California's 2024 U.S. Senate race could be a hot one Weve heard from some in our community that they dont want to vote in the presidential election due to the current violence in Gaza, Monica Rahim, senior policy and advocacy manager for CAIR-LA, said in a statement. We continue to emphasize that that should not mean that they dont vote at all. It is still important to make their voice heard by voting in the down-ballot races. Democratic voter Richard Richina, 74, said Biden is on the right side of many issues, but "maybe a bit too strident" in his handling of the Middle East conflict. "I think he could be a little more forceful in terms of trying to rein in" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Richina, who rode his bike to his local Long Beach polling place after a morning yoga session. A poll in January by the Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, found that California voters younger than 30 were far more likely to sympathize with Palestinians than with Israelis, while those older than 65 side with Israel. On Tuesday, California voters also weighed in on Proposition 1 , Gov. Gavin Newsoms proposal to reform the states mental health offerings, especially for unhoused people. In a Berkeley/L.A. Times poll released last week, half of likely voters supported Proposition 1, which has bipartisan support in the state Legislature. Still, while several major Republicans have endorsed it, a majority of GOP voters oppose the measure, the poll found. Proposition 1 would reconfigure the states 20-year-old Mental Health Services Act in order to allocate $1 billion to supportive housing. It would also include a $6.4-billion bond to provide 10,000 new treatment beds. Proposition 1 is Newsoms biggest effort to curb homelessness, one of California voters top issues. In Santa Cruz, one of the cities in the state that is most squeezed for housing, voters will decide on Measure M , which would require a vote for any development that exceeds current zoning restrictions. A push for high-rises has created divisions in the famously laid-back California community, where local activists put the measure on the ballot. Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Prosecutors brought a dozen additional charges against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), including obstruction of justice and bribery, after one of the senators co-defendants took a plea deal and agreed to cooperate. Unveiled on Tuesday, the superseding indictment charges Menendez with a total of 16 criminal counts over allegations he accepted luxurious bribes in exchange for his political influence and acted as an agent of the Egyptian government. Menendez pleaded not guilty to the previous rounds of charges and has brushed off calls to resign from the Senate. The Hill requested comment from his lawyers. Many of the new counts involve alleged schemes with three New Jersey businessmen already brought to light in the senators previous indictments, but prosecutors now charge Menendez directly with bribery, extortion and acting as a foreign agent rather than merely bringing conspiracy charges. The new charging documents follow the recent guilty plea of Jose Uribe, one of three businessmen charged alongside Menendez and his wife, Nadine. The other businessmen, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, also face new charges. Prosecutors newly accuse the defendants of conspiring to cover-up the alleged bribery scheme as the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York criminally investigated the case. Uribes guilty plea acknowledges conspiring to falsely claim that payments he made to the Menendezs, which they used to help them secure a Mercedez-Benz convertible, were loans. But prosecutors say those payments were bribes accepted by Menendez who allegedly agreed to disrupt the investigation into Uribe. As part of his deal, Uribe agreed to testify truthfully if called upon in Menendezs trial. The trial is scheduled to begin on May 6. After flipping the businessman, prosecutors on Tuesday alleged Menendez obstructed justice by falsely characterizing his knowledge of the convertible payment and a more than $23,000 payment Hana made toward the senators wifes mortgage. They also charged the senator with obstruction of justice for allegedly urging his counsel to tell the prosecuting office at first that he did not know about the payments until 2022 and later that, in 2022, he learned the funds were loans. In truth and in fact, and as Menendez well knew, Menendez had learned of both the mortgage company payment and the car payments prior to 2022, and they were not loans, but bribe payments, prosecutors wrote in the updated indictment. The latest indictment also details a previously unknown meeting between Uribe and Menendezs wife, Nadine. Prosecutors say Nadine Menendez asked Uribe what he would say to law enforcement about the payments he had made for the Mercedes-Benz convertible if asked, to which he suggested hed say the payments had been a loan. Nadine Menendez said that sounded good, according to the updated indictment. Nadine Menendez is similarly accused of telling her counsel to inform prosecutors that she believed the $23,000 payment from Hana and convertible payment from Uribe were loans. Prosecutors say the senators wife well knew they were bribe payments. Menendez said in a statement through his lawyers that the superseding indictment is a flagrant abuse of power. He maintained his innocence and accused overzealous prosecutors of making wild allegations again and again, without actually proving anything. The latest charge reveals far more about the government than it says about me, Menendez said. 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 continued. Menendez, his wife and the three businessmen were first indicted in September. The Justice Department asserts that the senator and his wife agreed to and accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for Menendezs political influence, used to enrich the businessmen and Egypt. A superseding indictment, filed in October, added charges for Menendez, his wife and Hana of acting as a foreign agent of Egypt. A second superseding indictment, filed in January, introduced new accusations the senator accepted gifts from the Qatari government and helped Daibes obtain millions in investment funds from the country. The latest indictment is the third superseding indictment in the case. Menendez stepped away from his position as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations last year after he was first indicted, in line with Democratic Conference rules. Updated at 5 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Concerns have been raised that Police Scotland is becoming a "reactive" force - Andrew Milligan/PA Police Scotland is detecting and preventing fewer crimes as it attempts to rein in spending, a report into the forces finances has disclosed. The document warned that budget constraints are having an impact on frontline policing, harming the welfare of officers and leading to higher levels of absence. The report, presented to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) watchdog, warned that a recruitment pause at the end of last year had resulted in reductions in proactive crime prevention and reductions in detection rate. The head of the body which represents rank and file officers said the report was further evidence that Police Scotland is becoming a reactive service where the force is only guaranteed to attend serious incidents. David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), claimed that the basic principles of engagement and proactivity were being lost, and said the force was becoming irrelevant in our communities as a result. Minor crime cases being closed The report was published after it emerged that the force was considering not conducting a full investigation of every crime in Scotland after a pilot scheme was deemed a success. An evaluation had been completed of a project in the North East of the country where some minor crimes were not investigated if they were deemed to require excessive manpower. Complaints of some thefts, break-ins and vandalism were closed if there were no leads or CCTV evidence, in what was described as a proportionate response to crime. Ahead of this years Scottish Budget, Chief Constable Jo Farrell called on the Scottish Government to provide an extra 128 million next year so her officers could maintain a visible, accessible and proactive front line. Angela Constance, the justice secretary, said Police Scotland had been given record funding of 1.55 billion for 2024-25, and added that this was an increase of 92.7 million. But the report, covering the forces finances for the third quarter of 2023-24, said Police Scotland was still expected to go 5 million in the red in the current financial year. Decisions such as the recruitment freeze had brought this figure down from 18.9 million. Whilst the overtime management group has had an impact of significantly reducing overtime, this has had a similar impact to the reduction in officers, in that there has been welfare implications, an impact on frontline policing and a decline in crime detection, it said. The public are paying the price Mr Threadgold told 1919 magazine: I cannot accept that a single executive decision in the last six months has been based on anything other than finance. The welfare of officers has been a secondary consideration and I challenge anyone to produce evidence to the contrary. Recent reporting of success in reducing a projected overspend by 13 million this financial year could be applauded, but at what cost? Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tories Shadow Justice Secretary, said: Police officers and the public are paying the price of the relentless weakening of Scottish policing while SNP ministers are in a state of denial about the consequences of their own actions. Of particular concern is that the wellbeing of our hardworking police officers has [been] allowed to become an afterthought. To gamble with officer safety is unforgivable. Ms Constance said: Scotland continues to have more police officers per head of population than England and Wales, and Scotlands officers are the best paid at all levels. Recorded crime is at one of the lowest levels since 1974. Police Scotland referred to comments by Ms Farrell at last months SPA meeting. In her report, she said: Police Scotland must focus intensely on our core duties and what matters to the people we serve. If what we do doesnt protect the vulnerable from harm, prevent crime or support our officers and staff, we will challenge that and redirect resources to prioritise the front line. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Participants attend an exhibition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 5, 2024. The Africa Energy Indaba 2024 opened in Cape Town on Tuesday, aiming to drive the energy agenda across the globe and eradicate energy poverty on the African continent. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) CAPE TOWN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Energy Indaba 2024 opened in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa, Tuesday, aiming to drive the energy agenda across the globe and eradicate energy poverty on the African continent. More than 4,000 participants attended the 16th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba, featuring the theme "African Energy Transitioning from Aspiration to Action - Delivering a Sustainable and Prosperous Future." Government ministers, investors, industry experts and energy users gathered here to discuss and pursue lasting solutions for energy transition. The three-day event also featured at least 156 notable speakers and more than 200 exhibitors who introduced cutting-edge technologies and solutions that will drive the continent's renewable energy transition and foster change in the energy sector. While delivering a keynote address, South Africa's Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said the plan is to achieve a just energy transition from high to low carbon emission on the African continent. "We consistently expressed our desire to eradicate energy poverty not only in South Africa, but on the African continent, and to achieve a just energy transition from high to low carbon emission," Mantashe said. He noted that among the challenges affecting a reliable energy supply in South Africa were limited grid capacity, the intermittent nature of renewable energy and the decline in the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) due to aging infrastructure. EAF is the percentage of maximum energy generation that a plant is capable of supplying to the electrical grid, limited only by planned and unplanned outages. "Hence, the South African government continues to invest efforts and resources to arrest the decline in the EAF and resolve the grid capacity challenges, while on the other hand, it continues to invest in baseload energy sources to guarantee access to affordable and reliable energy supply for the people of South Africa," said the minister. "The reality of the matter is that climate change and energy security are two sides of the same coin," Mantashe said. "As we transition from high to low carbon emissions, we must ensure that we address energy poverty, ensure energy security and leave no one behind." Africa Energy Indaba Managing Director Liz Hart emphasized that Africa needs to set its path in the energy transition. "African countries ... still have a long way to go to catch up with the developed nations of the world," she said. "In this context, while Africa must join the global drive toward limiting greenhouse gas emissions, its own just transition towards a low-carbon economy must be done in a manner that recognizes and addresses the deep energy deficit across African economies." The Africa Energy Indaba is Africa's premier energy conference and exhibition dedicated to driving energy investment, trade and innovation across the continent. Held annually, the event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, investors and stakeholders to discuss key issues, explore opportunities and shape Africa's energy future. The term "Indaba" comes from the Zulu language, which means a meeting to discuss a serious topic. South Africa's Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe (Rear) speaks at the Africa Energy Indaba 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 5, 2024. The Africa Energy Indaba 2024 opened in Cape Town on Tuesday, aiming to drive the energy agenda across the globe and eradicate energy poverty on the African continent. (Photo by Fred Barker/Xinhua) Participants attend a forum at the Africa Energy Indaba 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 5, 2024. The Africa Energy Indaba 2024 opened in Cape Town on Tuesday, aiming to drive the energy agenda across the globe and eradicate energy poverty on the African continent. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) The Florida State Attorneys Office announced on Mon., March 4, 2024, that Ahmad Williams was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his friend. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< On Jan. 5, 2020, a group gathered outside a vacant home on North Main Street and Florida Avenue in Crescent City. The defendant and his childhood friend were part of the group, having a conversation. At some point, Williams made a statement that he was going to shoot his friend in seven minutes. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Williams then walked around the corner of the vacant home and returned with a firearm. While his friend was sitting, Williams pulled the gun out and shot the victim in the head. READ: Man shoots, kills friend during argument in Orange Park, deputies say The victim later died from his injuries at the scene. Williams ran after the shooting but later turned himself in. What the defendant did was inconceivable. He murdered his childhood friend for no apparent reason! State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. Our victim leaves behind a large family who will never understand the brutal and senseless killing of their family member. Williams pled guilty in December to second degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a violent career criminal. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A Place at the Table, Raleighs first pay-what-you-can restaurant, is adding a new food truck with community and government support. The Downtown Raleigh restaurant intends to use the same pay-what-you-can model with the truck at festivals and corporate events. The county funding will help expand the number of meals they can serve and their community outreach, including to the Boys and Girls Club in Zebulon, said Maggie Kane, a founder and executive director of A Place at the Table. Wake County is giving $7 million to 12 organizations to provide food, shelter and healthcare to the community. The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved the funding at a meeting Monday afternoon. A Place at the Table will receive $120,000. I just want to stress how grateful we are for the for the county (and) for believing in us, Kane said in an interview Monday before the meeting. And this is our first county funding. So its really exciting. A Place at the Table opened in 2018 and serves breakfast and lunch at its cafe on East Hargett Street. Some diners pay a suggested price. Others may pay more or less, pay it forward, or volunteer for their meal. The county partnership will help A Place at the Table expand to other Boys and Girls Clubs and nonprofits, specifically organizations targeting children and teens, Kane said. We know that were not going to be their end-all meal service, but we can develop this partnership with them, bring a meal for these kids and really get to know them and be an organization that just partners right alongside them, Kane said. The Wake County money comes after the restaurant received $100,000 in December from The Kelly Clarkson Show, which named the cafe a Good Neighbor of the Year. At the time, Kane hinted the money would go toward a food truck, The News & Observer previously reported. Other Wake County projects Funding to the other organizations ranges from $36,600 to $1 million and will pay for everything from infrastructure to buying land to adding services to help Wake County residents. Were thrilled to apply funds the county received last year from the Wake County Alcohol Beverage Control to these worthy projects, said Chair Shinica Thomas of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, in a news release. From helping increase access to healthy food to expanding options to shelter the unhoused, the work these non-profits plan to do will make a significant difference in the lives of our most vulnerable residents. Advance Community Health, $1 million: Will expand the facility on Capital Boulevard to provide healthcare, behavioral health, dental services and more to serve an additional 2,000 walk-in patients. The Alice Aycock Poe Center, $887,000: Will fund roof repairs, HVAC repairs and other renovations at its facility on Sunnybrook Road. The organization focuses on preventative health education. Fertile Ground Food Cooperative, $1 million: Will go toward a community-owned grocery store in Southeast Raleigh. Greenwood Forest Baptist Church, $900,000: Will go toward building a childcare facility for DHIC to build an affordable housing project on church grounds in Cary. The Joel Fund, $264,000: Will purchase land in Rolesville to further its mission of connecting veterans and their families to services. North Raleigh Ministries, $1 million: Will fund the purchase of a 19,300-square-foot building at 2809 E. Millbrook Road to consolidate services in one location. North Raleigh Ministries provides food assistance, crisis support and programs aimed to families overcome financial stress. Rebuilding Together of the Triangle, $930,000: Will purchase a 7,700-square-foot building at 8035 Chapel Hill Road in Cary. The organization services low-income homeowners who need home repairs. WakeEd, $155,200: Will expand a Tools4Schools, a free classroom supply store. White Oak Foundation, $173,100: Will fund the development of two transitional housing units near Apex and Cary for low-income families, aging adults and veterans. Construction is expected to begin June 2024. The Womens Center of Wake County, $36,600: Will convert existing space at the womens shelters to install modular beds and storage units. YES Foundation, $533,5000: Will fund a 9,500-square-foot day treatment facility for youth on Rock Quarry Road. A breeding programme for the ruff was approved unanimously by councillors despite a recommendation to reject A rare bird breeding scheme has been approved despite recommendations to reject the project. West Norfolk councillors approved conservationist, Andrew Crean's ruff breeding programme for Marsh Farm at Deepdale near Burnham Market. The scheme ran into opposition from officers who recommended it was refused over the inclusion of plans to build a warden's bungalow on site. They wanted a non-permanent caravan to be used instead. Mr Crean's project builds on previous success of introducing the young birds from Germany, which have already been released onto the marsh. The ruff is a migrating wading bird that lives in marshland habitat. At a planning committee meeting, Mr Crean defended the proposal, describing it as a "valuable conservation project". He said a permanent dwelling was necessary for it to be a success, housing an on-site warden to provide 24-hour care for the birds and to facilitate scientific research. Officers argued there was not sufficient evidence to justify building a new dwelling in the rural area and that temporary accommodation, such as a caravan, should be used instead. Despite the officer's recommendation, King's Lynn and West Norfolk borough councillors saw merit in the project and voted unanimously to support Mr Crean's arguments for the project. Independent councillor Simon Ring said it would be a "dereliction of duty" not to support it and was keen to support the work of the conservationists. Pallavi Devulapalli for the Green party added: "Biodiversity is in such a decline around the world and in west Norfolk. Any steps that can improve this should be encouraged." The ruff breeds in wetland habitats in northern Europe, before travelling to the warmer climes of Africa in the winter months. The wading bird has a long neck and a droopy bill with reddish legs. Since the mid-19th Century, its numbers have declined significantly in the UK, according to the RSPB. Usually a migrant bird, in the UK, some birds are present all year round, the bird charity said on its website. The Norfolk project hopes to boost the breeding population of the ruff in the east of England. Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830. More than 93% of GOP voters in Idaho didnt vote in the Idaho Republican presidential caucus Saturday, making it the lowest primary turnout in more than a decade. Just under 7% of Republicans voted, according to data from the Idaho Republican Party, and chose former President Donald Trump to win all of Idahos 32 delegates for the Republican National Convention. The party reported nearly 40,000 voters who cast ballots of the 579,000 registered Republicans in the state. The Idaho GOP organized a caucus for the first time since 2012 after the Legislature inadvertently removed the March presidential primary last year, and state leaders were unable to agree on a replacement. Caucuses differ from primaries in that they are run by political parties rather than state or local governments and are generally held on a particular day and time. Idahos caucus began at noon Mountain Time and 11 a.m. Pacific Time, and Republicans at locations around the state were able to vote for the next hour and a half. There was no absentee or early voting. The last time the Idaho GOP had a caucus, in 2012, an estimated 19% of voters cast their ballots, according to data from the secretary of states office. That caucus had 5,000 more registered Republicans vote than the number who voted Saturday. Turnout lower than other statewide elections in Idaho The voter participation this year differs markedly from Idahos prior elections. In 2016, when a crowded field of Republicans competed to be the next Republican president, 73.5% of Idaho Republicans participated in the March primary, according to data from the Secretary of State. Four years later, when Trump ran for a second term, 26.8% of Republicans cast their ballots for the primary. Trump won 85% of the votes Saturday. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was the only other candidate still in the race, while four other candidates on the ballot had dropped out. After Democrats held a 2016 caucus, in which 34% of party members voted compared to the three-quarters of Republicans who voted in their primary, the state GOP released an infographic touting the benefits of primaries over caucuses, according to a previous Statesman article. The state GOP said the caucus was a resounding success, given the short time frame we had to plan and execute such a large statewide endeavor in an emailed statement. The party said it wants the Legislature to restore the March presidential primary. At a party event in January, GOP Chairwoman Dorothy Moon said the caucus would save the state millions of dollars, and that the party picked noon to make travel easier in potentially snowy parts of the state. The party has blamed elected officials for removing the primary. The Legislature disenfranchised everyone by removing the presidential primary, and the caucus re-enfranchised as many Republican voters as possible, Moon said in a statement last month. Caucus time excluded a lot of voters Some voters also had concerns about how the caucus was conducted. Becky Martin, a Boise resident who voted at Lowell Scott Middle School, told the Statesman by phone that she was given a glossy paper ballot and a dry-erase marker to vote with. Partway through the caucus, after Martin had voted, the party volunteers realized the issue that erasable markers could cause and told voters to switch to different pens. By 2 p.m., Martin said she watched the votes get tallied and saw that none were discounted for illegibility, meaning that hers was counted. But she said she was particularly frustrated because the party has cast doubt on recent elections and emphasized election security. For as much hoopla there is about stolen elections and secure elections, this just seemed really bizarre to have dry erase markers as the tool of choice, she told the Statesman. The GOP told the Statesman that no ballots were laminated. Martin said she thinks the partys decision to hold a caucus purposefully excluded a lot of voters and guaranteed that the number of participants would shrink. Martin added that her daughter plays volleyball and had a match Saturday afternoon, but Martin knew she could miss it because her daughter is injured. She said she normally votes absentee because her work schedule fluctuates. I like people being involved in our election process, she said. I think its sad when we exclude a large chunk of the state. At the January launch, Moon was asked by an attendee whether the party should encourage the Legislature to declare voting days holidays to try to give more people the day off. Moon said that would be unlikely to happen and that people make their own choices. I would prefer that people make the choice to try to save our state and save our country with a good presidential candidate instead of sitting at home and doing other things, she said. Want the latest news on the Idaho Legislature? Sign up for Capitol Letters, a newsletter we send for every day of the legislative session. We'll keep you up to date on bills in the process of becoming law. One simple step can revolutionize surface warfare, as U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro put it at the latest naval conference WEST in San Diego: rearming our warships at sea. Today the only way to reload vertical launching system cells the mainstay of the Navys front-line warship is to pull into port, often taking warships out of action for weeks at a time. Consider the situation in the Red Sea. For our Navys warships engaging the Houthi rebel group, reloading VLS cells would require a transit through the Suez Canal to ports in Greece or Italy, about 2,000 miles or more away. This lost time, under persistent Houthi attacks, proves this ability to reload underway is no longer a luxury its a necessity. VLS cells carry most of the surface fleets firepower onboard destroyers and cruisers. From VLS cells, the Navy employs air and missile defense weapons as well as long-range strike and anti-ship missiles. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers have the capacity to store 90-96 missiles in VLS cells depending on the variant of warship. Warships are loaded with an assortment of weapons before deploying to meet expected mission needs and ensure the ships self-defense. Reloading the most capable missile defense weapon the RIM-161, also known as the Standard Missile-3 into one of these vertical cells is a delicate matter. It requires precisely loading a 1.5-ton, 21.5-foot-long missile into a tube built into the hull of the ship. At sea, the movement caused by even calm seas makes this nearly impossible to do without damaging the missile. A 2019 Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments study found a VLS reload-at-sea capability could provide the equivalent of an additional 18 destroyers or cruisers in a Pacific war scenario. With Chinas modern navy larger than ours and backed by a massive shipbuilding industry, every one of our warships must be kept in the fight. As such, the U.S. Navy can ill afford to lose one warship for weeks to arrive at a safe Pacific harbor to reload weapons. Chinas navy has more ships than the US. Does that matter? Fortunately, rearming VLS cells at sea is not an impossible engineering problem. The Navy has explored two options since the mid-1990s. The first uses a conventional approach reminiscent of time-tested underway replenishment at-sea methods: the Transportable Re-Arming Mechanism. The second, more complex approach uses a crane that compensates for wave movements: Large Vessel Interface Lift On/Lift Off. Between the two approaches, the TRAM systems simpler approach is closer to an at-sea demonstration. The secretarys comments at WEST indicate this is coming in the summer. Once completed the next step will be to adapt the method to operational destroyers a task that the Navys recent performance indicates will be too long in coming. Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have been going on for months, and the destroyer Carney has been there from the beginning. As of Feb. 3, it had been shooting down Houthi missiles and drones for almost four months. When it must depart the fight for a distant port to load its VLS cells, the lost firepower will have to be made up someway, or operations will be affected. Calls for developing the capability to reload VLS cells at sea is not new. And the attention of the secretary of the Navy dates back to a major speech given at Columbia University in December 2022. The secretarys attention clearly underscores the importance placed on developing it. Yet progress seems stalled. Its time Congress steps in and gets answers to help the Navy get what it needs to develop this critical capability. Perhaps some of the needed money could be spared from the $114.7 million requested in the current defense budget for diversity, equity and inclusion activities. The nation cannot afford to learn the importance of having VLS rearming at sea after a major war in Asia begins. As the secretary has stated, history is forged in the crucible of action, not the comfort of hindsight. Brent D. Sadler is a senior research fellow in naval warfare and advanced technologies at The Heritage Foundation think tank. Jerusalem When Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida began a speech marking the 100th day of the war in Gaza, one confounding yet eye-opening proclamation escaped the headlines. Listing the motives for the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, he accused Jews of "bringing red cows" to the Holy Land. The cows he was talking about are red heifers, which now graze at a secure, undisclosed location in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Some Jews and Christians believe they're key to rebuilding the Jewish temple that once stood in Jerusalem, and to beckoning the Messiah. To understand, you have to look back almost 2,000 years in the tumultuous history of the Middle East, when the ancient Romans destroyed the last temple in Jerusalem. To rebuild it, fervent believers point to the Bible's Book of Numbers, which commands the Israelites to offer "a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke." Only with that offering, they insist, can the temple rise again. From Texas to the West Bank Instrumental in bringing the heifers to the Holy Land was Yitshak Mamo, of Uvne Jerusalem, a group committed to seeing a new temple built in Jerusalem's Old City. "You can check to see if they have any white or black hairs," he told CBS News, explaining that any hair that isn't red would disqualify the cows from fulfilling their prophesied role. Red heifers, brought to the Israeli-occupied West Bank by Yitshak Mamo of Uvne Jerusalem, a group committed to seeing a new Jewish temple built in Jerusalem's Old City, are seen at his settlement in the West Bank. / Credit: CBS News Finding the red heifers took years. The quest led Mamo not to Jewish breeders but to Christian ranchers thousands of miles away. "After a long search, we found them in Texas," he said. "Texas red angus." To bypass strict laws in place at the time that banned the export of U.S. cattle to Israel, the heifers were classified as pets, Mamo said with a laugh. But to those following biblical commandments, the cows are no laughing matter, he added, stressing that it was no publicity stunt. "Harry Potter is a good story. The Bible is not a story," he said. "The Bible is a way of God to lead us." Yitshak Mamo, of Uvne Jerusalem, a group committed to seeing a new Jewish temple built in Jerusalem's Old City, speaks with CBS News at his home in a settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. / Credit: CBS News But while they're classed as pets, there are no plans to let the red heifers live out long happy lives. A massive white altar awaits, where they are to be burned on a plot of land overlooking the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Mamo said the ceremony must be performed looking directly into where the ancient Second Temple stood, until it was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70. "A Pandora's box that nobody can close" What Mamo didn't mention is what stands in the temple's place now: The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, which are among the holiest sites in Islam. Israeli security forces guard the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following clashes that erupted during Islam's holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jerusalem, April 5, 2023. / Credit: AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Today, heavily armed guards ensure that only Muslims are allowed inside the complex. But that hasn't stopped Jewish activists, like Melissa Jane Kronfeld, from leading groups up the Temple Mount five days every week. "There's one true God, and it started here," she said, before falling to her knees and bowing where the First Temple, or the Temple of Solomon, was built in 957 BCE. The Second Temple, or Temple of Herod, was a reconstructed version of the first, built in the 6th century BCE, according to scripture. "It's so important for the Jews to return and rebuild the temple," said New York native Kronfeld, who founded the High on the Har organization to lead the tours. "It's not about taking anything from our Muslim brothers and sisters. It's not about the destruction of Islamic holy sites. It's about preserving this place and being guardians over the house of God for all people." But she makes no secret about what she wants to happen to the Dome of the Rock. "I believe it's going to go, 100%. The whole thing is going to go to build a temple," she said, insisting that the shrine and its golden dome should be preserved, but relocated. Melissa Jane Kronfeld speaks with CBS News correspondent Chris Livesay as they walk in front of the golden dome of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City. / Credit: CBS News It's a suggestion that many fear, if acted upon, could make the current war even bloodier, and see it spread rapidly beyond the Gaza Strip. "Everyone says that the building, the Third Temple, is what will bring the war, it would destabilize the Middle East," she said. "The Middle East seems pretty destabilized right now, and the war, if I'm not mistaken, is already here." To be clear, Kronfeld's dream of seeing a Third Temple constructed on the site is just that, a dream, and it is not shared by the Israeli government or by the vast majority of Israelis or Jews. But the suggestion has been more than enough to incite numerous Islamist groups. Hamas dubbed its Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel "the Al-Aqsa Wave," and the group's emblem features the Dome of the Rock behind two crossed swords. While most Muslims do not support Hamas' violence, they do share its unwavering devotion to sacred ground, says Mustafa Abu Sway, the Imam Al-Ghazali Chair at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. "Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to all Muslims," he said. "So, you will find reactions from Indonesia to Toronto to New York. Today there are 2 billion Muslims worldwide." He told CBS News that removing Al-Aqsa or the Dome of the Rock was "unimaginable," and warned that it would be "opening a Pandora's box that nobody can close." U.S. evangelicals, the cows, and the second coming Jewish activists have not been deterred by Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre or the ongoing war in Gaza. Some have been using the conflict as a backdrop to promote their cause in the United States. At the recent National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance in Washington, D.C., Mamo spoke of his heifers and his hopes for a Third Jewish Temple. The gathering was convened by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who gave a keynote prayer before a who's-who of evangelical leaders and congresspeople spoke. Many American evangelicals believe the red heifers will usher the second coming of Christ. "We're going to accept the Messiah, and we need the Messiah to come," Byron Stinson, a Texan who helped bring the cows to Israel, said at the gathering. "For me, the red heifer is red for the blood of Jesus Christ. That's why it's red." Byron Stinson (right), a Texan who helped bring Texan red angus heifers to the West Bank, speaks at a Jan. 31, 2024 event in Washington, D.C. / Credit: CBS News Back at his settlement in the West Bank, Mamo told CBS News the heifers need only pass a final purity test. The ceremony that he hopes will resurrect the temple and usher in the Messiah could take place any day. He said he understands why Hamas could be outraged. "But I cannot understand, even if they are right, why they have to slaughter and rape people to win their war," he said. "Terrorists have been attacking us before we ever dreamed of these cows," he reflects. "They don't need them as an excuse to kill." Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes NASA's pricey mission to send U.S. back to moon faces technical challenges | 60 Minutes Here's how Super Tuesday became an election season staple FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) The Boston Red Sox are likely to be without right-handed starter Lucas Giolito for opening day and potentially longer after he experienced discomfort in his elbow following his last outing. Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Giolito will have additional exams to determine the severity of the injury. Were obviously concerned. Not a good day for us, Cora told reporters in Florida. Giolito signed a $38.5 million, two-year deal with the Red Sox this offseason. He made two starts in spring training, throwing two scoreless innings in his first outing before getting roughed up allowing four runs and three walks in 2 1/3 innings against Minnesota last Friday. It was after that start that Giolito reported the discomfort in his elbow. Giolito was the first overall pick by Washington in the 2012 amateur draft, agreed to a $2,925,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut that Aug. 14 in the Gulf Coast League. That was his only appearance before Tommy John surgery on Aug. 31, 2012, with Dr. Lewis Yocum. Giolito returned to the mound in the Gulf Coast League the following July 3 and he made his big league debut in June 2016. He is coming off a 2023 season where he gave up a league-high 41 home runs and had a 4.88 ERA pitching for the White Sox, Angels and Guardians. He was an All-Star in 2019 and between 2019-21, Giolito had a combined 3.47 ERA and averaged 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings. The Red Sox were hopeful of getting that version of Giolito when he signed this winter. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) They say food is the quickest way to the heart. This Remarkable Woman of the Upper Peninsula Contest finalist, Alexandria Palzewicz, serves up local food while providing a space for a few local small businesses to thrive and grow. You know, if you dont know Alex, I dont know how thats possible, said Sara Johnson, the person who nominated Alexandria for the Remarkable Women of the Upper Peninsula Contest. She finds a way to really connect and engage with so many people and bring them together. In a beautiful, meaningful, impactful way Alexandria Palzewicz, creator of the Northwoods Test Kitchen, believes in the importance of food and what it can do for the community. The Northwoods Test Kitchen, located in Barrel and Beam, was created by Alexandria, not only to feed their customers, but also to give local businesses a chance to grow and bring their ideas to life. I knew when we started the kitchen that we werent going to be open every single day, explained Alexandria. And as someone whos always kind of had a side hustle in the cooking world, like doing little events or things like that, knew how hard it was to have an access to a space. So it just made sense to if we had some time available to find the right folks. So we work with three kitchen renters right now we have Moonlight Meadows, Botanica Quetzalli, and then Bad Seed Hot Sauce. Alexandria says that she cant take all of the credit for the food she creates. She works closely with local farmers and community members to bring fresh, local ingredients to her cooking. The thing that I really enjoy is just supporting my local neighbors, the local economy, said Alexandria. Theres that piece, but I think the relationships that I get to build with all the people that we purchase stuff from, whether its a relationship where the folks that Im seeing at the farmers market every week, and Im also catching up with how the fam is doing, and other things like that. Or some of the folks that are downstate that we like pick stuff up from and just maybe I dont talk to them as much and maybe Ive never met them in person but just getting to know the folks that were purchasing things from. I always kind of ease off of the chef title because I really do feel like its about letting the ingredients guide the way and I feel like the farmers and the folks behind the products that were getting are doing a lot of the first stages of the cooking process, right? So I always joke Im like, Im just buying good stuff. Im really just throwing it together. Because it really I think tastes better because you know where it comes from. Alexandria works hard to support her local community, including others in the food industry. She works so hard and she doesnt give up and she really doesnt give up, said Johnson. She has faced failure many times but shes going to come back and continue to tackle it. Nothing seems impossible. She will come up with the wildest ideas and find a way to make it happen. And not only does she come up with ideas, but then shell execute. She finds ways to actually bring these ideas to fruition which you know, theres talking to talk them is walking the walk and she can do both and I admire her so much for that. She is constantly finding ways to work with others, uplift others and create opportunities for others which, you know, we live in a fantastic community but it can be limiting a lot of times, especially when it comes to local food system endeavors and so shes somebody thats constantly championing that for everybody. We asked Alexandria what inspires her. So I feel like, for me, its just about our relationship to food, right? Alexandria explained. Like, I dont feel like we get enough time to think about our relationship to food and where it comes from and what it does for our health, whether its mental or physical, and its, its nourishment. It also connects us to the land and the water that were a part of, especially, were really lucky to be in the U.P., and to have access to such great fertile land and we have really great water and so I think for me, its making sure that through the food that we create, were honoring that and thinking about the importance and the story thats behind the food. I have worked, I worked really hard because I love it. So that, like, its not anything to say, its like Im choosing to put this time and effort in. But to just be recognized, I guess is cool, but like, again, like I get, like, I get rewarded every day for the relationships that I get with the folks in the community. If youre interested in learning more about the Northwoods Test Kitchen or if you want to keep updated on their latest food specials or events, you can find their Facebook page here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com. NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) When many voters head to the polls Tuesday, theyll be tasked with a choice for the Arkansas 3rd Congressional District. Rep. Steve Womack currently holds the seat a position hes been in since 2010 and is being challenged by Arkansas State Sen. Clint Penzo, who represents the 31st District. The winner of the race will face the Democratic candidate Caitlin Draper in the November election to represent Arkansas District 3 in the U.S. House of Representatives. Womack pointed to his more than 13 years of experience in Congress as a leg up for the position, noting he has never missed a vote in the House. I dont think a 3rd District discerning voter could expect more than what Im giving them in Washington, Womack said. I come to work every day, and you dont have to worry about where Steve Womack is on an issue because over 8,000 times, I voted. Never missed one. Where can you vote on Election Day? One of those votes, which would have appointed Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio to Speaker of the House, Womack voted against instead putting his bid for Rep. Steve Scalise from Louisiana. Penzo claims this played a role in him throwing his hat into the ring for the congressional seat. Arkansas Sen. Clint Penzo Steve Womack (R) Resolutions were sent from the 3rd District Republican Committee, the Benton County Womens Republican Committee and also the Washington County Republican Committee to Womack asking him to vote for Jim Jordan, Penzo said. Instead of representing what his constituents wanted, he did what he thought was right for him, so that upset a lot of people in my district. So that got my phone ringing, and a lot of people reached out to me and asked me to primary Congressman Womack, Penzo said. Both candidates are Republicans, stating that they are anti-abortion and would back Israel in its war against Hamas. Womack and Penzo agree that there is a problem with illegal immigration with the former calling the southern border a mess. Penzo wants to close the southern border but thinks the immigration problem is more widespread. Weve got Chinese, Russians, Syrians, people coming from a lot of countries that we consider enemies, Penzo said. These are military-aged males that are coming in unvetted, and thats a national security threat. Taylor Samples, Mark Scalise up for state district judge seat The two are split on the issue of sending more money to Ukraine, though. I am unapologetically in favor of helping people who are trying to help themselves against rogue dictators that threaten world peace throughout, Womack said. Weve been sending money to Ukraine and a lot of its unaccounted for, Penzo said. In addition to finishing the Interstate 49 and Highway 412 projects, Womack said one of the bigger issues in District 3 is nutrient loading into the Illinois River Watershed. I do worry a little bit about a T.M.D.L. a total maximum daily load on any nutrient that is flowing into the Illinois River, either through farm applications or point-source pollution provided by our cities, Womack said. Penzo said, if elected, he would want to focus on improving rural areas of the 3rd District. Theres a lot of complaints about infrastructure in some of the surrounding areas and their inability to attract businesses because of the lack of infrastructure, Penzo said. Womack said he looks forward to serving another two years in Congress. To run for Congress and now serve 13 and a half years, again, the honor of a lifetime, Womack said. I firmly believe the things that I said I would be willing to do in representing my district, Ive accomplished. Penzo said if he gets the nomination, constituents would get someone that actually listens. They will have a representative that comes to the county committee meetings, Penzo said. I plan on doing, in district, Coffee With Clint, have events where I can actually sit down and have dialogue. Voters in Washington, Benton, Madison, Carroll, Crawford and Sebastian counties will be tasked with choosing between Womack and Penzo for the Republican nomination. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Thirty years after he burst onto the TV cooking show scene with his infectious enthusiasm, colorful catchphrases and unabashed love of pork fat, Fall River native Emeril Lagasse remains one of the worlds most popular chefs. A recent study by travel company Explore Worldwide looking at Google search data from each state showed that Lagasse is the most-searched for chef from Massachusetts. Using national and international search data, Lagasse is the fourth-most popular chef from the United States, and number 16 on a list of chefs worldwide. The study pulled a years worth of search data from Google from November 2022 to October 2023. Fall River strong: From Rhodes scholars to MMA fighters, 10 notable city natives What other celebrity chefs are on the list? Lagasses national popularity is just behind Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host Guy Fieri (who has his own connections to Fall River and the area), author and TV host Bobby Flay, and Cake Boss host Buddy Valastro. Just under Lagasse, rounding out the top 10, are Katie Lee, Andrew Zimmern, Mario Batali, David Chang, Graham Elliot and Antonia Lofaso. The most popular chef internationally is famously foul-mouthed "Hell's Kitchen" host Gordon Ramsay. Continuing the list until Lagasse are, in order, Jamie Oliver, Guy Fieri, Nigella Lawson, Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Tariq Helou, Gino D'Acampo, Hilda Baci, Vicky Lau, Wolfgang Puck, Alain Ducasse, Buddy Valastro, Sanjay Thumma and Heston Blumenthal. Eat the city: Fall River Restaurant Week lineup unveiled. There's two dozen tasty options for dining deals. Chef Emeril Lagasse, as seen in his high school yearbook photo, and later as one of the world's most famous celebrity chefs. Whats Emerils history in Fall River? Born in Fall River in 1959, Lagasse worked his way up from the kitchens of Greater Fall River to kitchens across the world. He might be the Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School culinary arts programs most famous and successful alumnus. Lagasse started his career washing pans at Carreiros Barcelos Bakery on Bedford Street and continued his formal education at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, but credits his love of cooking to spending time in the kitchen with his mother, Hilda Medeiros Lagasse. He became an executive chef at Commanders Palace in New Orleans in 1982, and has since adopted the city as his second hometown. He opened his first restaurant there in 1990. Lagasses parents, Hilda and John, lived in Fall River all their lives until 1992, when they relocated to New Orleans. What is Emeril Lagasse doing today? His restaurant has spawned many others the Emeril Group currently owns and operates five restaurants in Las Vegas, Florida and New Orleans. Lagasse has hosted over 2,000 episodes of television for the Food Network, including Essence of Emeril, Emeril Live, and starting with How to Boil Water in 1993. Hes hosted shows for other networks including Emeril Green, The Emeril Lagasse Show, Emeril Cooks, Emeril Tailgates and many others. He even played himself in a short-lived sitcom, on an episode of Treme, and in the film Last Holiday opposite Queen Latifah. Hes the author of 19 cookbooks, and is currently the food correspondent for Good Morning America. Dan Medeiros can be reached at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Report: Fall River's Emeril among most popular chefs in US, world Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and premier of the State Council, joins his fellow deputies from the delegation of Yunnan Province to deliberate on the government work report at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng on Tuesday attended deliberations at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature. When joining NPC deputies from Yunnan Province in a group deliberation, Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and premier of the State Council, stressed that Yunnan should give full play to its advantages and characteristics to better integrate into the national strategy of regional coordinated development. He stressed adhering to the general principle of seeking progress while maintaining stability, seizing all opportunities and making full use of favorable conditions available, continuing to drive the economy forward to secure an effective improvement in quality and a reasonable increase in quantity, and comprehensively advancing building a strong nation and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. Yunnan should play an active role in opening up, and better transform its location advantage into a new edge for opening up, Li said. When joining the deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Sichuan Province, Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, asked the province to implement the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee in light of its actual conditions, and promote Chinese modernization. Sichuan should rely on scientific and technological innovation to create new drivers and advantages for development, in a bid to build itself into an innovation highland and a key driving force for high-quality development in the western region, according to Zhao. The province should ensure and improve people's livelihood in the course of development, and continue to achieve ecological progress, Zhao noted. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, joined deputies from Guizhou Province in a deliberation. He called on the southwestern province to comprehensively implement the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee, and work hard to advance Chinese modernization. Wang asked Guizhou to promote rural revitalization in an all-round manner and consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation. He also called on the province to strengthen efforts to promote ecological progress, and accelerate high-quality development of areas with large ethnic minority populations. Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, joined his fellow legislators from northeastern Liaoning Province to deliberate on the government work report. Ding stressed the importance of closely focusing on the Party's central task in the new era on the new journey and promoting high-quality development to yield concrete results. He urged Liaoning to consolidate and boost the momentum of economic recovery and improvement, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, transform and upgrade traditional industries, and construct a modernized industrial system featuring the province's characteristics and strengths. While joining fellow lawmakers from Fujian Province to deliberate the government work report, China's top anti-graft official Li Xi stressed efforts to advance the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision, so as to provide a strong guarantee for building China into a great country and realizing its national rejuvenation. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, urged discipline inspection and supervision organs to foster a good environment with both order and vitality, constantly eradicate the soil for corruption, address pressing problems of keen concern to the people, and improve the people's well-being. Li also called on the coastal province to continue exploring a new way of integrated development on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and better build it into a demonstration zone for cross-Strait integrated development. While speaking with lawmakers from Shandong Province, Vice President Han Zheng called for thorough implementation of the CPC Central Committee's decisions and arrangements, and making all efforts to make sure that all areas of work are carried out. After deliberating on the government work report with the lawmakers, Han called for achieving the goals and tasks throughout the year, urging Shandong to focus on the central task of economic development and the primary task of high-quality development to advance Chinese modernization. Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, joins the deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Sichuan Province at the second session of the 14th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, joins his fellow deputies from the delegation of Guizhou Province to deliberate on the government work report at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese vice premier, joins his fellow deputies from the delegation of Liaoning Province to deliberate on the government work report at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao) Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, joins his fellow deputies from the delegation of Fujian Province to deliberate on the government work report at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Chinese Vice President Han Zheng joins his fellow deputies from the delegation of Shandong Province to deliberate on the government work report at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) Photo by Natasha Khan | Cronkite News In their continuing effort to upend how Arizona conducts its elections, Republicans in the state Senate want to force a return to precinct-based voting with only 1,000 registered voters in each precinct. This would drastically increase the number of precinct locations open across the state, with Arizona counties concerned about finding enough physical locations, as well as enough poll workers, not to mention the increase in ballots cast that inevitably wont be counted. There were more than 4.1 million people registered to vote in Arizona as of January, according to the Secretary of States Office. The GOP proposal would require more than 4,100 polling locations across the state if it became law. House Bill 2547, sponsored by Rep. Rachel Jones, R-Tucson, passed through the state House of Representatives on Feb. 6, by a vote of 31-24, with only Republicans in support. It was approved by the Senate Elections Committee on Monday by a vote of 4-3, with Republican Sen. Ken Bennett, a former secretary of state, voting alongside the Democrats against the bill. The bill also would eliminate in-person early voting locations. Vote centers are where the mischief occurs, said Elections Committee Chair Wendy Rogers. This is where commingling happens. Rogers is an election denier who has said that the 2020 and 2022 elections in Arizona were stolen from Donald Trump and Republican candidates for statewide office, respectively. Several Arizona counties use a vote center model, in which any registered voter in the county can cast their ballot at any polling location in the county. In a precinct model, each voter can only cast a ballot at their designated location, and if they dont cast their ballot at the correct location, it wont be counted. Arizonas most populous counties, Maricopa and Pima, both use vote centers, and Yuma has used them for more than 10 years. Jacob Emnett, a lobbyist for the County Supervisors Association of Arizona, said that the organization was opposed to the bill for several reasons, including that voting centers reduce the number of provisional ballots cast the votes cast at the wrong location that arent counted. The supervisors also expressed concern that, in counties where voters are used to being able to cast a ballot at any polling location through the vote center model, a return to precincts will lead to confusion and voters turning up at a precinct where they legally cannot vote. Supervisors in rural counties, in particular, said they were acutely worried about finding enough physical voting locations to comply with the bill. In the 2022 general election, there were 223 voting centers open on Election Day in Maricopa County. Democratic Sen. Priya Sundareshan, of Tucson, told lawmakers on Monday that rough estimates show a need for around 1,800 voting locations in Maricopa County with a return to precincts with only 1,000 registered voters. As of February, there were more than 1.8 million registered voters in Maricopa County. Its already a huge problem for counties to find poll workers, Sundareshan said. She added that Pima Countys move to vote centers has decreased costs to the county. Emnett pointed out that Cochise County recently moved from precincts to voting centers for that reason: It couldnt find enough volunteers to staff its precinct locations. Rogers said that, with drastically increased interest in election in Arizona, she did not foresee any issues in finding people to staff the thousands of precincts that the bill would require. Plenty of people come to me, personally, wanting to volunteer, she said. Sandy Bahr, a lobbyist for the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club, spoke against the bill, saying that voting centers and early voting locations made voting more accessible for people who work long hours, who lack childcare or who cant make it to their precinct location on Election Day for various other reasons. Returning to a precinct model is taking a step backward for our elections, Bahr said. She added that, for many years, Arizona could be proud of its work toward increasing accessibility for voters and that it would be unfortunate to move in the opposite direction. Before voting against the bill, Bennett said that voting centers have been used successfully in Yavapai County, where he lives, and around the state for years. Although there were problems in Maricopa County in 2022 with ballot printers, Bennett said banning voting centers was not the right solution. The solution is to fix those problems, not eliminate vote centers, he said. Next, the bill will move to the full Senate for consideration, but if the chamber approves it, the bill is almost certain to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Republicans want to limit voting to 1,000-voter precincts. Arizona would need more than 4,100. appeared first on Arizona Mirror. A US air force employee has been charged with sharing military secrets on a dating website with a person who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. David Franklin Slater, 63, who was arrested on Saturday, works in a civilian role for the air force, having previously held a senior role at US Strategic Command (Stratcom), which oversees the US nuclear missile arsenal. Prosecutors say he was described as my secret informant by the person on the website and he illegally transmitted documents that could be used to the injury of the United States. The retired US army lieutenant colonel, who held a top secret security clearance at US Strategic Command, attended classified briefings on the war in Ukraine between February and April 2022 around the start of Russias invasion according to charging documents. Prosecutors say Mr Slater, who lives in Nebraska, then sent classified information to someone who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. According to the charging document, the two communicated via email and through the online messaging platform of an unnamed foreign dating website. You are my secret informant love! Mr Slater was frequently asked in online conversations about US national defence secrets, added prosecutors, who also revealed alleged messages sent by the person on the dating site in 2022. Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting, read one of the messages, sent on March 11. You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? the person wrote four days later. Western support for Ukraine, including the supply of weapons, was a topic of particular interest. Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great! read one message sent on April 12. Mr Slater was also asked to provide information on Nato. Beloved Dave, do Nato and Biden have a secret plan to help us? Mr Slater was asked. You are my secret agent. With love. Another read: Dave, I hope tomorrow Nato will prepare a very unpleasant surprise for Putin! Will you tell me? Unauthorised disclosure Mr Slater faces one charge of conspiracy to disclose national defence information and two charges of unauthorised disclosure of national defence information. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges. He is due to appear in court in Nebraska on Tuesday. US Attorney Susan Lehr said: Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to top secret information. The allegations against Mr Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities. Meanwhile, Jack Teixeira, the 22-year-old charged with leaking classified US military documents to fellow gamers on a social media platform, has agreed to accept a prison sentence of 16 years. Prosecutors claimed he leaked classified records including documents on Ukraines air defences, South Koreas ammunition concerns and Israels Mossad intelligence agency to a group of gamers on the Discord messaging app. At the time he was working in cyber defence for the Massachusetts Air National Guard. Teixeira has agreed to plead guilty to all six charges relating to wilful retention and transmission of national defence information. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel was arrested on 2 March and charged with unlawfully disclosing classified information about national defence and the Russian-Ukrainian war through a dating website. Source: European Pravda, citing the US Department of Justice 63-year-old David Franklin Slater, who until recently worked as a civilian contractor for the US Department of Defense with US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), allegedly communicated with an individual posing as a woman residing in Ukraine. He purportedly sent her certain classified Pentagon documents about the Russia-Ukraine war. While working at STRATCOM, Slater had clearance granting him access to classified information, according to investigation documents, and underwent training on handling confidential state 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 US Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska. The co-conspirator consistently asked Slater to provide her with confidential, non-public, restricted, and classified information, referring to Slater in her messages as her "secret informant love" and a "secret agent." In response to these requests, Slater indeed provided her with classified information, including details about military facilities and the Russian militarys potential related to its invasion of Ukraine. "Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting," stated one of the messages sent to Slater in March 2022, as reported by CBS News. "Beloved Dave, do NATO and Biden have a secret plan to help us?" the person on the other side of the screen inquired. "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," one of the messages read. "My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, it's great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv," the message from 14 April 2022 reads. Slater will appear in court on 5 March in Nebraska. If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to US$250,000 for each count of conspiracy to communicate national defence information. The charges against Slater were announced shortly after a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, Jack Teixeira, admitted to violating the Espionage Act by posting classified government documents, some related to the war in Ukraine, on a Minecraft-related online bulletin board system. Support UP or become our patron! The European Commission on March 5 will propose ways to boost the European defense industry and shift it to a "war economy mode" in response to Russia's war on Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing EU officials. European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton will present specific proposals to the bloc's members to jointly buy from European arms companies and increase the production capacities of these firms, according to the officials. The news comes amid worries in the EU that the U.S. may not be a reliable partner for European security and in backing Ukraine if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election. "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," Breton commented. "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." Trump sparked outrage at home and abroad when he said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell they want" to NATO members who do not reach the 2% defense spending mark. While U.S. President Joe Biden called Trump's remarks "dangerous" and "un-American," the comments prompted talks among European officials on the need for self-reliance in security matters. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us The performance of the European defense industry, especially when it comes to supporting Ukraine, has been lackluster, as the EU failed on its promise to deliver 1 million artillery shells between March 2023 and 2024. After supplying only about half of the promised rounds, Brussels shifted the deadline to the end of this year. One of Breton's proposals included compelling European arms companies to prioritize European orders in times of crisis or setting up a European version of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales scheme, which helps other governments buy from American companies, Reuters wrote. The commissioner will reportedly propose a financing package of 1.5 billion euros ($1.63 billion) through the end of 2027, which will, however, create a legal framework for further contributions. In January, Breton proposed a 100 billion euro ($108 billion) fund to boost European defense production. EU officials told Reuters that they want to include Ukraine in the procurement scheme to jointly support production capacity. "Our mission here is to treat Ukraine as almost equivalent to a member state," an unnamed official said. The proposals would have to be approved by all 27 member states and by the European Parliament. Read also: Opinion: Will Europe ever get serious about defense? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. France has invited officials from Ukraine's key allies and NATO chief to participate in a video call on March 7 aimed at demonstrating a "united front" and developing concrete proposals to strengthen support for Ukraine, Reuters reported on March 5. French President Emmanuel Macron has faced a backlash from many Western allies after saying at a Paris-based conference last week that sending Western troops to Ukraine can not be "ruled out" in the future. France scheduled a follow-up conference to take place in Paris with officials from 28 countries, but it was reduced to a video call, Reuters wrote. The virtual meeting will reportedly consider ways to accelerate the delivery of key capabilities, in particular, the supply and production of artillery shells, as well as setting up a system that would allow partners to improve ways to empty their ammunition stockpiles and create new options for medium- and long-range missiles. Read also: Wests response to Macron comments on troops to Ukraine reveal discord, weakness, experts say "Without becoming parties to the conflict ourselves," the meeting will also explore support for Ukraine through cyber defense, demining, protecting the border with Belarus, and coordination of production and maintenance of equipment in Ukraine, according to the invitation seen by Reuters. The invitation did not mention sending non-combat troops to Ukraine. It was sent to allies' foreign and defense ministers as well as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell, who were not invited to the Feb. 26 Paris summit. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will also take part in the meeting via video link, unnamed diplomats told Reuters. Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed an agreement on Feb. 16 on a long-term security cooperation between the two countries, under which Paris pledged 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in military aid this year. Read also: Borrell, Kuleba: Europe and the world need Ukraine to prevail Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Turkey's Dortyol oil terminal in the Mediterranean Sea has halted business with Russia as pressure caused by U.S. sanctions mounts, Reuters reported on March 5. Western countries have sanctioned Russian oil trade due to Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In response, Russia shifted its focus to other markets, including Turkey, China, and India. Turkey became Russia's biggest buyer in the Western hemisphere, purchasing 24% of its oil products and 5% of its crude last year, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Global Terminal Services (GTS), which operates the Dortyol terminal, said it would no longer accept products from Russia. "GTS decided to cut all possible connections to Russian oil and declared accordingly to its customers in late February 2024 that even if there is no breach of any laws, regulations or sanctions, it would not accept any product of Russian origin or any products loaded from Russian ports as an additional measure to the sanction rules in effect," GTS told Reuters. According to shipping analytics cited by the news agency, the GTS terminal, which is Turkey's seventh-largest import terminal by volume, received 11.74 million barrels of Russian crude oil and fuel in 2023. The U.S., the EU, and other partners have banned the import of Russian seaborne oil, although the product continues to flow to some European countries via pipelines. The Group of Seven (G7) has also imposed a $60-per-barrell price cap on Russian crude shipped to global markets. As Russia has largely managed to circumvent the cap, recent sanctions by the U.S. and the EU aim to tighten it further and prevent Russia from trading its oil above $60 per barrel. Read also: Sanctions for show: Russian oil sales to China, India single main driver of Ukraine invasion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. As the internet's premiere fact-checking site, Snopes is on the frontlines of this era's biggest misinformation battles from fights against war propaganda to false election-fraud claims to dangerous theories on climate change. Also within that category: The U.S. movement to discredit the effectiveness of vaccinations. Even before 2020, when COVID-19 vaccine skepticism enveloped new shades of otherwise science-minded Americans, Snopes prioritized fact-checking efforts to expose the logical flaws behind anti-vaccine activists' arguments. By unpacking one of their major talking points below, we deepen that work all with hopes of arming readers with context to discern undisputed facts from agenda-focused mistruths in their everyday lives. If you'd like to support this type of journalism, we'd love your help. Jessica Lee, senior assignments editor, snopes.com This story explores the history of a purportedly scientific study promoted by Robert Kennedy Jr., a 2024 presidential candidate, and his anti-vaccine non-profit Children's Health Defense. The study purports to "prove" that vaccines are the primary cause of chronic illness in America. Despite the study's wild and incorrect claims, including that it supposedly demonstrated "the mathematically proven imminent dissolution of America from within," Kennedy and his network of activists gave it wide exposure. In August 2023, he published a book, "Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak," featuring the data she collected. The study was completed by Joy Garner, an activist with no relevant scientific or medical training. She later recalled she was inspired to investigate the matter while attending a 2019 rally against California vaccine mandates headlined by Kennedy. This story describes the evolution of the claim that the study proved that vaccines are responsible for an "epidemic" of chronic illnesses (like cancer and diabetes), from its birth at a Kennedy rally to its embrace by activists. It is an example of how pseudoscientific health misinformation can mature to reach mainstream audiences with the help of high-profile figures, like Kennedy. Kennedy did not respond to our request to comment on the findings of this report, but his "Vax-Unvax" co-author Brian Hooker answered some of our questions on his behalf. Garner engaged in a lengthy back and forth with Snopes, publishing a portion of the exchange on Substack in November 2023. The Epiphany: 'That's Where The Bodies Are Buried' A California woman named Joy Garner said she had an epiphany on the steps of the California State Capitol Building in early April 2019. She was standing in a crowd protesting legislation that would place tighter restrictions on doctors who issue medical exemptions for vaccinations. The protest was part of an event organized by leaders of America's anti-vaccine movement, including Robert Kennedy Jr., who gave a headlining speech questioning the safety of vaccines. "Our research and the litigation that we're doing right now," son of the late Bobby Kennedy and current independent presidential candidate said, referencing the work of his anti-vaccine charity, Children's Health Defense (CHD), "[shows] that many of these vaccines are actually causing, in high probability, far more deaths and injuries than they can ever be argued to be prevented." These deaths, he suggested in a live stream of the event, were in the form of chronic disease. Life-changing illnesses like cancer and diabetes, according to Kennedy and others, were linked to vaccines. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at an anti-Senate Bill 276 rally in Sacramento, California, on April 10, 2019. (Facebook) Recalling the April 10, 2019, event on a podcast years later, Garner described seeing another protester holding a "clever sign" in the crowd. It referenced, she said, an alleged lack of studies about vaccine safety that include a control group (that is, an unvaccinated group to compare against.) She said she began "howling" to a crowd growing around her. "They are trying to eliminate the controls because that's where the evidence is," she said to that crowd. Garner believed the alleged superior health of unvaccinated people was direct evidence of harm from vaccines, and that scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and medical professionals were working to keep that fact secret. "That's where the bodies are buried," she recalled saying, referring to information that could be gleaned by comparing the health of unvaccinated and vaccinated people. Screengrab from Facebook live video taken at an April 24, 2019, anti-SB 276 rally. Sign advertises "thecontrolgroup.org" (Facebook) Two weeks later, Garner returned to the Capitol for another protest against the California legislation, Senate Bill 276, with printed copies of a survey and supplies for a makeshift booth to advertise her new effort, recruit for participants, and distribute information. (The setup was visible in a Facebook live feed of the event.) This time, her mission was to collect information on the health of as many unvaccinated Americans she could contact. She named her effort The Control Group (TCG). "Robert Kennedy Jr, and other good people will be able to make good use of this evidence," Garner wrote to potential participants. The Lawsuit: 'The Most Damning Evidence Big Pharma Has Ever Faced' Attorneys Greg Glaser (left) and Ray Flores (informedconsentdefense.org) The data collected by TCG, Garner explained in online recruitments posted in May 2019, would be used to sue the U.S. president and try to end vaccine mandates nationwide. "Our massive and now expanding study," Garner wrote, "will be the most damning evidence big pharma has ever faced in a court of law." She brought two lawyers on board to fight the federal case in court Ray Flores and Greg Glaser. Both have deep connections to Kennedy and his anti-vaccine charity, CHD. Kennedy, who, as of this writing, was on leave as chairman and chief legal counsel to the nonprofit to focus on his presidential run, took charge of CHD in 2016. The CHD advocates for anti-vaccine policies and files lawsuits to advance that goal. Under Kennedy's leadership, the group rode a pre-pandemic wave of anger towards laws mandating vaccines at the state level, such as in California, and became one of the most significant anti-vaccine groups in America. People's objections to mandatory lockdowns and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic increased the CHD's reach. Glaser, The Control Group's lead attorney, has served on the legal team of at least one CHD case and is a regular guest on various shows and podcasts produced by CHD. Flores is presently senior counsel at CHD. At more than 70 pages, the The Control Group lawsuit repeated the central themes of Kennedy's early April rally and subsequent activism that the legal protections given to vaccine developers supposedly make it impossible to sue them, and that this alleged immunity means the safety of vaccines is never really tested objectively. "What people don't know," Kennedy misleadingly claimed at the April 10 protest, "is that not only are they exempt from liability, but they're also exempt from safety testing." Also, he accused the manufacturers of lacking long-term safety monitoring. Kennedy and anti-SB 276 demonstrators at the California Capitol Building, Aug. 28, 2019 (Sacramento Bee) The Control Group set out to change that. The group attempted to survey as many completely unvaccinated people as possible about whether they suffered from any long-term chronic conditions. First, Garner approached participants at SB 276 rallies and other anti-vaccine events. Later, she reached out to people online. She finished collecting and tabulating the data by July 2020, after receiving responses from over 1,400 people who said they had never been vaccinated. In November 2020, the group filed its suit against the president at the time, Donald Trump in the U.S. Circuit Court for California's Eastern District. The judge switched the plaintiff to Joe Biden following his inauguration in January 2021. The group's complaint asked a judge to declare specific protections for unvaccinated people, force Biden to establish a national informed consent law, and end mandatory vaccinations nationwide. The group further stated that it sought to prevent "the mathematically proven imminent dissolution of America from within." Glaser, on a CHD-hosted podcast, later recalled going "into court with 5,000 pages of fully vetted scientific materials, [and] perfect case presentation." McGregor Scott, a U.S. attorney representing the presidential office, saw the group's work in a different light. Their complaint, he wrote, was "most accurately described as an unfocused, rambling anti-vaccine screed" culminating with "an implicit threat that, if the Court does not act, a military overthrow of the government might be in the offing." Snopes reached out to Glaser about the group's legal effort. He responded with a series of false allegations about Snopes' supposed ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Despite multiple attempts, he did not directly answer any questions related to this story, requesting that we first provide him with, among other things, every advertisement displayed on Snopes "since 2020." (Such a request is impossible because, like most websites, the programmatic ads Snopes displays are unique to each user's visit and largely outside the organization's control. Snopes discloses all financial information here). Extreme claims that speakers made at SB 276 rallies, such as comparisons between vaccination and racial segregation, or the notion that vaccination was akin to a "mass, ongoing, human medical experiment," also appeared in The Control Group's court filing and oral arguments. The group repeatedly described vaccine requirements for public school children, government workers, and others as a form of unconstitutional discrimination similar to racial segregation. "It used to be that in our nation we prevented people from going to school based on the color of their skin," Glaser argued in the group's district court appearance before U.S. Circuit Judge William Shubb on Feb. 22, 2021. "Now we're preventing them from going to school based on what's injected underneath their skin." Shubb dismissed the case that day, agreeing with the presidential office that the president could not plausibly be considered liable for vaccine mandates, which are created and enforced by state governments. Also, Shubb wrote in his ruling, courts could not offer the type of relief the group sought. The Control Group appealed the case's dismissal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, alleging conflicts of interests with both Shubb and the judge from the 9th Circuit to whom the group was assigned. When the 9th Circuit nonetheless decided not to reconsider the case, the group asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its arguments. In July 2022, the CHD, the anti-vaccine organization led by Kennedy, supported The Control Group by submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court. (Amicus briefs are legal filings made by outside parties with interest in a case.) In the brief, Mary Holland, then CHD's chief legal officer, repeated The Control Group's suggestion that the American populace was being experimented on. "Petitioners seek the Court's intervention to uphold their right to refuse participation in [...] the vast array of government-mandated vaccination requirements." Ultimately, the Supreme Court declined to reconsider the appeal. That outcome, however, did nothing to stop the group from publicizing vaccines' alleged link to chronic illnesses. The study the group produced, advocates believed, would shake "the bedrock of medicine" by supposedly proving unvaccinated people are healthier and vaccines are the primary driver of chronic illness in America. The Study: 'So You're Telling Me There's a Chance' Using the survey responses from people who said they were unvaccinated, The Control Group's study was initially "published" as an exhibit in the group's complaint against the president. That report, titled "Statistical Evaluation of Health Outcomes in the Unvaccinated," is also available on the Children's Health Defense's website, among other places online. Despite its name, the study didn't actually use a control group. TCG sought data only from completely unvaccinated individuals. A study using a control group would have recruited vaccinated people from the same locations and in the same way (online and in-person events) to compare their rate of chronic illness to the unvaccinated group. Instead, The Control Group merely looked to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates of chronic disease prevalence among Americans to see if survey respondents had fewer such illnesses in comparison: A Control Group-produced chart used in litigation (thecontrolgroup.org) The group collected data on 1,482 Americans. Within this pool of individuals, 88 (~6%) reported one chronic health condition, and 14 (less than 1%) reported two such conditions. In most (but not all) cases, The Control Group's comparisons considered children under the age of 18 separately from adults. Some 1,272 (86% of the respondents) were under the age of 18, leaving only 210 adults. (The Control Group also collected data on whether a respondent's mother was vaccinated during her pregnancy and if a respondent had received a vitamin K-shot at birth.) In legal filings, the group claimed its data provided absolute and unequivocal proof that vaccines cause chronic illness. Among other things, survey data supposedly demonstrated the "probability" that "excess health conditions seen in the vaccinated population under the age of 18 are not due to vaccine exposure is 1 in [84 sexvigintillion]." This is a misrepresentation of basic statistical theory. The "1 in 84 sexvigintillion" number and other similarly extreme figures were derived solely from calculations of the statistical significance between the number of chronic diseases in TCG's survey responses and CDC's averages. Such a calculation has no bearing on the validity of The Control Group's hypothesis that vaccines cause harm; it merely demonstrates the observed difference between the two groups (the CDC averages and survey respondents) is real. In emails with Snopes, Garner demonstrated this misinterpretation of statistical significance on more than one occasion by citing the 1994 buddy comedy "Dumb and Dumber." "The astronomical odds against the innocence of vaccines as the cause of this disparity," Garner told Snopes in an email, "gives absolute hilarity to the, 'So you're telling me there's a chance' [...] argument from the Dumb & Dumber movie, and all who dare to repeat it." Erroneously claiming that statistical significance proves a specific hypothesis correct an elementary mistake in the world of statistics is the foundation of The Control Group's most sensational claims about chronic illness. There is, in fact, a clear difference between TCG respondents' incidence of chronic disease compared to America at large, but such a difference could well be a result of The Control Group's sampling of a population that differs from America's in ways unrelated to vaccines. One potential explanation for the differences observed, for example, is that The Control Group targeted individuals of a higher-than-average, socio-economic class. This is relevant because, as the National Academies wrote in its 2019 report "A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty," for "almost every chronic condition, children from wealthier families experience better health." Scholars generally recognize two forms of unvaccinated or under-vaccinated Americans, citing socioeconomic data: Those who are poor and lack access to vaccines, and those who are affluent yet under-vaccinated due to political or moral stances. Speaking to Snopes by Zoom, Yale Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology Donna Speigelman said a study like the one The Control Group attempted to conduct would need to include unvaccinated individuals who are as identical as possible to the American population cited by the CDC, namely in terms of socioeconomic status, and other demographic details. According to The Control Group, however, CDC research projects that consider such socioeconomic factors aim "to incite class and race wars" and benefit a "communist agenda." As a result, Garner said, her survey omitted questions about race, income, parental status, and other factors epidemiologists typically consider as relevant in such studies. "Only a moron goes looking for a non-biological cause," she told Snopes by email. Another potential explanation for the better health outcomes in the The Control Group pool is that it targeted individuals who were abnormally healthy. The group's survey sought responses from people who were motivated to validate their choices to avoid vaccination and prove "the good health of their unvaccinated children." In legal filings, the group described ideal study participants for a proposed follow-up study as people who are "completely and extraordinarily healthy." Yet another possible explanation for why Garner's survey respondents said they suffer from fewer chronic illnesses compared to CDC averages could be related to the fact that, as a whole, the group is far younger. The average survey participant was about 10 years old, based on raw data found on the group's website. The average age of the U.S. population, as of late 2022, was 38.8 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Looking at The Control Group's 18-and-under group, children under 5 are overrepresented compared to the U.S. population, per Census estimates. The likelihood of chronic disease increases with age. Many conditions the group investigated are classified as "age-associated" chronic diseases, including cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes can affect both children and adults, for example, but the disease disproportionately affects older people in the form of Type 2 diabetes. A risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, according to the CDC, is "being 45 or older." Among the 210 adults in The Control Group's survey, 18 were over the age of 45. As a final defense of its methodologies, the group hid behind another specious statistical argument: It claimed that because it was able to sample such a large fraction of the (exceedingly small) unvaccinated American population, the survey's data must be representative of all unvaccinated people in the country from a mathematical standpoint. Miguel Hernan, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said that claim about sampling ratio was not true. "It isn't reasonable to argue that, because the population is small, any sampling is representative," he wrote via email. The Control Group sampled far less than 1% of the American unvaccinated population, according to its own calculations. "Even if we could sample, say, 25% of a population, if the sampling is not random," Hernan said, "there is no guarantee that the 25% is expected to be representative in any sense." Speigelmen, the Yale professor, agreed. "[The] idea that a large sample size makes bias go away? [...] That's completely wrong." The Influencers: 'I'm Going To Blow Your Socks Off' Under Kennedy's leadership, the Children's Health Defense enabled dissemination of The Control Group's misconstrued findings across a wide range of conspiracy and anti-vaccine media outlets. In other words, the Kennedy-run organization helped spread the misguided claim about vaccines being a primary driver of chronic illness in America to people who may not have heard it otherwise. The Control Group's purported results have been shared by prolific anti-vaccine social media accounts, like Vigilant Fox, and anti-vax and conspiracy media outlets, like Natural News, The Expose, and Age of Autism. Also, Garner has been interviewed at length by several anti-vaccine figures. That virality followed promotion by the CHD, which publishes dubious vaccine information through its online publication, "The Defender." With this publication, Kennedy said in an October 2020 video announcing its launch, CHD would "weaponize information" by republishing "all the information that is censored everywhere else." Fittingly, The Defender's stories are often reposted in full on Alex Jones' conspiracy website, Infowars. "The Defender" first published The Control Group's findings in a January 2021 story authored by TCG attorney Glaser. The report claimed, in part, "America is dying from the current trajectory of chronic illness" and that "our Control Group pilot survey proved it is the vaccines causing our nation's demise." People in CHD's orbit of influencers ran with that finding. Paul Thomas, a former pediatrician, was among that group. He had made a name for himself by alleging that the CDC's recommended childhood vaccination schedule was harmful. In October 2022, the state of Oregon forced him to surrender his medical license, in part, because the state said he was discouraging parents from vaccinating their children. He hosts a weekly podcast produced by CHD. Thomas used that CHD podcast to promote the The Control Group's effort on several occasions. On a January 2022 appearance on Thomas' podcast, for instance, Glaser explained the purported benefits of the group's scientific work. "If you want to show that vaccines are the healthiest thing on the planet, you need a control group. If you want to show they're harming society, you need a control group," he said. "There's no substitute for this." Thomas was impressed. A few months later, Thomas used The Control Group's data as a key reveal in a talk distributed to online participants of a so-called "health freedom conference" that is, a collection of videos promoting, among other things, unsubstantiated claims about supplements and vaccines. "I'm going to blow your socks off," he said before diving into the group's data. A clip of that talk went viral online both at the time of the conference and at subsequent times pushing its information beyond CHD circles. Believers of the data regularly share a portion of the talk with copy-and-pasted text, beginning, "Dr. Paul Thomas Blows Up The Conventional Vaccine Narrative With Stunning Data": "Wouldn't it be nice if you had known that, [by] not vaccinating, you wouldn't have had to deal with [diabetes]?" Thomas asked in the clip. He did not say that assertion was based on survey responses from a group of individuals including only 18 people over the age of 45, the age at which the CDC says the risk for Type 2 diabetes really takes effect. The Control Group's work also caught the attention of entrepreneur Steve Kirsch a frequent speaker alongside Kennedy at rallies and podcasts on issues surrounding vaccines and online censorship. An inventor of the optical mouse in the 1990s, Kirsch became one of the U.S.'s loudest and most persistent anti-vaccine voices during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2023, Kirsch testified before the Pennsylvania State Senate as part of a panel that discussed "medical freedom" a term often embraced by anti-vaccine advocates to describe their movement. His presentation cited The Control Group's study. "[The study has] over a thousand people who are unvaccinated," Kirsch told the committee in a video that regularly goes viral, repeating The Control Group's talking point alleging that virtually no unvaccinated people have chronic disease compared to 60% of vaccinated individuals. Like Thomas, Kirsch did not elaborate on evidence supporting the former figure that it was derived from a pool of 210 adults with an average age of 30. Jonathan Jarry, a science communicator at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, wrote in a profile of Kirsch that his "answer to his opponents is straight out of the quack handbook: debate me, bro!" He often uses Control Group data in such debates. Kirsch did not respond to a list of questions for this Snopes report, after he previously challenged this reporter to a debate against a panel of "autism experts," including Garner, The Control Group's leader. In August 2023, four months after launching his campaign for president, Kennedy explicitly gave The Control Group's work a seal of approval by including it in his book, "Vax-Unvax: Let The Science Speak." Co-authored by CHD scientific officer Brian Hooker, the book purports to be an exhaustive collection of scientific evidence demonstrating that vaccinated children are more likely to be diagnosed with a wide range of chronic health conditions. "The Control Group study [...] demonstrates that vaccinated children have a much higher incidence of specific chronic disorders than unvaccinated children," Kennedy and Hooker wrote. "Most notably," they claimed, referring to specific comparisons found in The Control Group study, "the vaccinated have a twenty times higher incidence of ADHD than the unvaccinated and over a ten times higher incidence of autism than the unvaccinated." (Gab / Children's Health Defense) In adversarial interviews with people who challenge his views on vaccines, Kennedy has repeatedly asserted there "are hundreds and hundreds'' of studies demonstrating harm from vaccines, without going into details. "Vax-Unvax" which, according to its publisher, is a collection of just over 100 such studies, provides a look not only at the quality of scientific work underlying such platitudes but also provides context for statements by Kennedy about his scientific literacy. For instance, on Joe Rogan's podcast in June 2023, he claimed he is "comfortable with reading science" and knows "how to read it critically." Hooker responded to some of Snopes' questions about "Vax-Unvax" on Kennedy's behalf. Hooker said Snopes' argument about the age of Control Group respondents (that their youth compared to the actual American population could drive the difference in health outcomes) was "obviated" because he and Kennedy only looked at data concerning children. "We are not affirming the entirety of Garner's study," he told Snopes, "but featuring the information we feel is most scientifically valid." Notably, Hooker falsely argued The Control Group's methodology that is, that it did not correct for the overrepresentation of young people and ignored socioeconomic factors was in line with CDC-authored studies. Hooker provided Snopes with three studies as purported examples, but, contrary to Hooker's assertions, each of those studies used control groups, corrected for age, and/or accounted for socioeconomic factors. Hooker did not respond to a follow-up email asking for clarification. The Control Group's inclusion in "Vax-Unvax" was far from the only example of Kennedy's flawed interpretation of statistics to justify his rhetoric. The same chapter featuring the group "Health Outcomes Associated With The Vaccine Schedule" included two infamously poor studies covered by Snopes in the past. Three of the eight studies in the chapter were authored by Hooker or ex-pediatrician Paul Thomas. In September 2023, after an aggressive push by the Children's Health Defense and Kennedy to promote the book, it hit the New York Times' bestseller list. The Campaign: 'A Tsunami of Chronic Disease in Our Country' Despite telling numerous pundits he is "not leading" on the issue of vaccines during his presidential bid, Kennedy's history of activism has prompted some pundits and journalists to question if that's true, considering the fact he's brought up vaccines, both implicitly and explicitly, while campaigning. For instance, when Kennedy initially announced his presidential campaign in April 2023, running as a Democrat, he vowed to reduce chronic disease in children if elected president. "If I haven't significantly dropped the level of chronic disease in our children by the end of my first term," he said, "I do not want you to reelect me." He did not say how he would accomplish such a goal. In other settings, however, he explicitly blamed chronic illnesses on vaccines. In June 2023, for example, Kennedy told Wall Street Journal columnist Gerard Baker, "[The] science is overwhelming and very clear that, yes, the vaccines are producing a tsunami of chronic disease in our country." Numerous CHD staff members or anti-vaccine activists presently work for Kennedy's campaign, further evidence that anti-vaccine advocacy is part of his presidential bid. They include Mary Holland, the former chief legal officer and president of CHD who authored the amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of The Control Group; Stefanie Spear, who edited CHD's online content, including "The Defender"; and Del Bigtree, an activist who organized the April 10, 2019, rally that apparently inspired Garner's work. Also, some notable supporters of his campaign have ties to the anti-vaccine movement and the promotion of The Control Group's work. For instance, the pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values 2024, which paid $7 million for a Kennedy campaign ad during the 2024 Super Bowl, was co-founded by Tony Lyons the head of a publishing company that prints most books authored by Kennedy and CHD staff, including "Vax-Unvax." Kirsch, who provided funds to American Values early on, according to FEC filings, was until recently listed on the PAC's website for the group as a "surrogate" presumably someone who advanced its talking points to the media. In sum, Kennedy's embrace of The Control Group's data data potentially inspired by his own words highlights the ability of misinformation to be a self-sustaining phenomenon. Public-health advocates worry Kennedy's presidential campaign could lend new exposure and credibility to his claims regardless of their factualness, resulting in greater public misconceptions about vaccines. Sources: #1999 - Robert Kennedy, Jr. 15 June 2023. open.spotify.com, https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DQfcTY4viyXsIXQ89NXvg. "About." Informed Consent Defense, 26 Jan. 2019, https://informedconsentdefense.org/about/. "About Us." Skyhorse Publishing, https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/about/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Acker, Lizzy. "Anti-Vaccine Portland Pediatrician's License Suspended; Cases Include Boy Hospitalized with Tetanus." Oregonlive, 7 Dec. 2020, https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/12/anti-vaccine-portland-pediatricians-license-suspended-cases-include-boy-hospitalized-with-tetanus.html. Alex Jones: Five Things to Know. https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/alex-jones-five-things-know. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION RELEASES STATEMENT ON STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND P-VALUES . American Statistical Association, 7 Mar. 2016, https://www.amstat.org/asa/files/pdfs/p-valuestatement.pdf. "An International Message of Hope for Humanity From RFK Jr." Children's Health Defense, https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/message-of-hope-for-humanity/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Anti-Vaccine Activism in 2018 and 2019. Sept. 2020. direct.mit.edu, https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/12242.003.0020. Attorney Greg Glaser Discusses Lawsuit to Protect the Rights of All Americans to Live Natural Lives. https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/an-informed-life-radio-with-bernadette-pajer/attorney-greg-glaser-discusses-lawsuit-to-protect-the-rights-of-all-americans-to-live-natural-lives/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Bill Text - SB-276 Immunizations: Medical Exemptions. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB276. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. BRIEF OF CHILDREN'S HEALTH DEFENSE AS AMICUS CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS. No. 21-1511, https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/21/21-1511/229360/20220705114132178_CHD%20Amicus%20Brief%20for%2012-1511.pdf. CDC. "Immunization Schedules for 18 & Younger." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Nov. 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html. "CHD Attorney Accuses NIH of 'Stonewalling' in Case Involving People Injured by COVID Shots Who Contacted NIH Researchers." Children's Health Defense, https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/chd-nih-lawsuit-people-injured-covid-shots/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "Childrens Health Defense - Nonprofit Explorer." ProPublica, 9 May 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/260388604. "Children's Health Defense on Gab: '#VaxUnvax by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. + Brian Hooker.'" Gab Social, 2 Sept. 2023, https://gab.com/childrenshealthdefense/posts/110998034929659054. Daley, Matthew F., et al. "Association Between Aluminum Exposure From Vaccines Before Age 24 Months and Persistent Asthma at Age 24 to 59 Months." Academic Pediatrics, vol. 23, no. 1, Jan. 2023, pp. 3746. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.08.006. DeStefano, Frank, et al. "Age at First Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination in Children with Autism and School-Matched Control Subjects: A Population-Based Study in Metropolitan Atlanta." Pediatrics, vol. 113, no. 2, Feb. 2004, pp. 25966. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.113.2.259. Dumais, John-Michael. "CDC Runs Two VAERS Systems The Public Can Access Only One of Them." Infowars, 15 Nov. 2023, https://www.infowars.com/posts/cdc-runs-two-vaers-systems-the-public-can-access-only-one-of-them. ---. "Federal Judge Orders CDC to Release V-Safe Texts Detailing COVID Vaccine Injuries." Infowars, 1700206095460, https://www.infowars.com/posts/. Duncan, Greg, and Suzanne Le Menestrel, editors. A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty. National Academies Press, 2019. National Academies Press, https://doi.org/10.17226/25246. Ferguson, Cat. "This Tech Millionaire Went from Covid Trial Funder to Misinformation Superspreader." MIT Technology Review, https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/10/05/1036408/silicon-valley-millionaire-steve-kirsch-covid-vaccine-misinformation/. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024. Frenkel, Sheera. "Where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Delivers His Fringe Views: Not on the Trail." The New York Times, 12 Sept. 2023. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/technology/rfk-jr-campaign-vaccines.html. Garner, Joy. STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE UNVACCINATED Full Report. 19 Nov. 2020, https://or.childrenshealthdefense.org/wp-content/uploads/Statistical-Evaluation-of-Health-Outcomes-in-the-Unvaccinated.pdf. Garner, Joy Lucette. "When Snopes Comes After You for Telling the TRUTH:" Joy's Newsletter, 24 Nov. 2023, https://ghostofjfk.substack.com/p/when-snopes-comes-after-you-for-telling. Garner v Biden. 2:20-CV-02470-WBS-JDP. Gaunt, William H. Autism in Vaccinated Versus Unvaccinated Children. 28 Oct. 2021, https://www.ageofautism.com/2021/10/autism-vaccinated-unvaccinated.html. GOP, PA Senate. 6/9/23 - Medical Freedom Panel. 2023. Vimeo, https://vimeo.com/834816421/55110f443b. Greg Glaser, J.D. - Heroic Lawyer Sets An Example For Attorneys: Principles & Ethics Above Money. Directed by Lost Arts Radio. rumble.com, https://rumble.com/v17o7l5-greg-glaser-j.d.-heroic-lawyer-sets-an-example-for-attorneys-principles-and.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "Hardcover Nonfiction Books - Best Sellers - Books - Sept. 17, 2023 - The New York Times." The New York Times. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2023/09/17/hardcover-nonfiction/. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024. "Historic Ruling: District Court Judge Blocks Doctors' Censorship Law in California." ClarkCountyToday.Com, 26 Jan. 2023, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/historic-ruling-district-court-judge-blocks-doctors-censorship-law-in-california/. Huff, Ethan. "Study Finds Unvaccinated People Are Healthier than the Vaccinated." NaturalNews.Com, 17 Apr. 2022, https://www.naturalnews.com/2022-04-17-study-unvaccinated-people-healthier-than-vaccinated.html. Informed Consent + Free Speech Litigation. https://live.childrenshealthdefense.org/chd-tv/shows/with-the-wind-with-dr-paul-thomas/informed-consent-free-speech-litigation/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Informed Consent Action Network. SB276: Robert Kennedy, Jr., ICAN Founder Del Bigtree to Speak At California State Capitol Parents Rally To Protect Patient-Doctor Relationships, Legal Medical Exemptions From Vaccination. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sb276-robert-kennedy-jr-ican-founder-del-bigtree-to-speak-at-california-state-capitol-parents-rally-to-protect-patient-doctor-relationships-legal-medical-exemptions-from-vaccination-300829914.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "Informed Consent Defense." Informed Consent Defense, 19 May 2021, https://informedconsentdefense.org/. Jarry, Jonathan. "Steve Kirsch and the Seduction of Simplicity." Office for Science and Society, https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking/steve-kirsch-and-seduction-simplicity. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Krystal And RFK JR DEBATE Vaccines | Breaking Points. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7-0LNiMIBA. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Latypova, Sasha. "The Control Group." Due Diligence and Art, 12 Dec. 2022, https://sashalatypova.substack.com/p/the-control-group. Nagourney, Adam. "A 30-Second Kennedy Ad Collides With a Decades-Long Family Legacy." The New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/13/us/politics/rfk-jr-super-bowl-ad-kennedy.html. National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program | HRSA. https://www.hrsa.gov/vaccine-compensation. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024. Norris, Laura. No on SB276 Rally after a Full Day of Oppositions!!!! And of Course It Still Passed. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v= href="tel:10157387800406654">10157387800406654. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Novilla, M. Lelinneth B., et al. "Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated against Measles: A Systematic Review of the Social Determinants of Parental Perceptions on MMR Vaccine Hesitancy." Vaccines, vol. 11, no. 5, May 2023, p. 926. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11050926. Offit, Paul. "Should Scientists Debate the Undebatable?" Beyond the Noise, 22 June 2023, https://pauloffit.substack.com/p/should-scientists-debate-the-undebatable. Oregon Medical Board. Thomas, Paul Norman, MD. License Verification Details, https://omb.oregon.gov/Clients/ORMB/Public/VerificationDetails.aspx?EntityID= href="tel:1459035">1459035. PAGE BY PAGE REPORT DISPLAY FOR 202310189598506360 (Page 11 of 48). https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?202310189598506370. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024. Prasad, Sahdeo, et al. "Age-Associated Chronic Diseases Require Age-Old Medicine: Role of Chronic Inflammation." Preventive Medicine, vol. 54, May 2012, pp. S2937. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.11.011. Price, Cristofer S., et al. "Prenatal and Infant Exposure to Thimerosal from Vaccines and Immunoglobulins and Risk of Autism." Pediatrics, vol. 126, no. 4, Oct. 2010, pp. 65664. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0309. "Ray Flores." Children's Health Defense, https://childrenshealthdefense.org/conference-bios/ray-flores/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "Reversing the Decline in Routine Childhood Immunization Rates Is Good Health, Equity, and Economic Policy." Center for American Progress, 6 July 2023, https://www.americanprogress.org/article/reversing-the-decline-in-routine-childhood-immunization-rates-is-good-health-equity-and-economic-policy/. "RFK Jr. Launches Presidential Campaign, Vows to Reduce Chronic Disease in Children." Children's Health Defense, https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/rfk-jr-presidential-campaign-chronic-disease-children/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "Rule 37. Brief for an Amicus Curiae." LII / Legal Information Institute, https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/supct/rule_37. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Russin, Leah. "How Journalists Can Cover RFK Jr.'s Antivax Presidential Run Responsibly." STAT, 24 Apr. 2023, https://www.statnews.com/2023/04/24/robert-f-kennedy-jr-antivax-presidential-campaign/. Sherr, Sol. Input Devices. Elsevier, 2012. Smith, Philip J., et al. "Children Who Have Received No Vaccines: Who Are They and Where Do They Live?" Pediatrics, vol. 114, no. 1, July 2004, pp. 18795. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.114.1.187. "Steve Kirsch." American Values 2024, https://web.archive.org/web/20240114222309/https://www.av24.org/steve_kirsch. Stunning: Dr. Paul Thomas Blows Up the Conventional Vaccine NarrativeIncredible Statistics. rumble.com, https://rumble.com/v106rmt-stunning-dr.-paul-thomas-blows-up-the-conventional-vaccine-narrativeincredi.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. The Control Group Download Page. https://www.thecontrolgroup.org/gallery. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "The Facts. Vaxxed vs Unvaxxed Health." Rights and Freedoms, 17 July 2021, https://rightsfreedoms.wordpress.com/2021/07/17/the-facts-vaxxed-vs-unvaxxed-health/. The HighWire with Del Bigtree: "HighWire Special Report- Rally to Oppose SB276 Sacramento, CA." JoyBee, http://joybee.live/s/meBq4a. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. US Census Bureau. "America Is Getting Older." Census.Gov, https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/population-estimates-characteristics.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. "Vax-Unvax." Skyhorse Publishing, https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/9781510766976/vax-unvax. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024. "Vaxxed v. Unvaxxed: Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Americans From Discrimination Based on Vaccination Status." Children's Health Defense, https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/vaxxed-unvaxxed-lawsuit-protect-americans-from-vaccination-status-discrimination/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. @VigilantFox. "For Those Intrigued and New to This Issue, Here's The Control Group Data, as Presented by Dr. Paul Thomas." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/VigilantFox/status/1674270521318334466. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. When "Health" Agencies Won't Do Their Job: The Control Group Project Exposes The Hidden Truth. Directed by Lost Arts Radio. rumble.com, https://rumble.com/v17o2c9-when-health-agencies-wont-do-their-job-the-control-group-project-exposes-th.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. Wilson, Rhoda. "Big Study Finds Non-Vaccinated Are Healthier than Vaccinated." The Expose, 11 Apr. 2022, https://expose-news.com/2022/04/11/study-finds-non-vaccinated-are-healthier-than-vaccinated/. Zadrozny, Brandy. "RFK Jr. Comes 'Home' to His Anti-Vaccine Group, Commits to 'a Break' for U.S. Infectious Disease Research." NBC News, 4 Nov. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/rfk-jr-comes-home-anti-vaccine-group-commits-break-us-infectious-disea-rcna123551. ---. "RFK Jr. Hires Top Anti-Vaccine Activist as Campaign Communications Director." NBC News, 2 Jan. 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rfk-jr-hires-del-bigtree-anti-vaccine-activist-communications-director-rcna131859. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is fueling speculation that he could join the Libertarian Partys presidential ticket as he seeks to qualify in more states heading into November. Kennedy raised eyebrows late last month when he spoke at the partys annual convention in California, a development that was welcomed as a signal of intent from some Libertarians and came as he gains ballot access in swing states as an independent candidate. While Kennedy himself has only casually entertained a possible switch, there is growing support among party members, strategists and activists for him to join their ranks, multiple sources told The Hill. Theres a buzz going on, and theres a lot of interest in him, said Ron Nielson, who served as former Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnsons campaign manager in 2012 and 2016. If he were to say that he were to accept the nomination of the Libertarian Party, that would probably change a lot of heads, Nielson said. There are people within the Liberty movement that would like to help him. One source in Kennedys orbit echoed that sentiment. There is a willingness of people in the Liberty movement to consider Bobby, for sure, the source said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss internal campaign dynamics. Hes a rogue punk rocker of the political system, the source added. Kennedy wants to appear uniformly on ballots across the map as part of a third-party crusade against President Biden and former President Trump. He regularly laments the established parties front-runners, deeming them unfit to address the current national turmoil and bigger systemic problems in government. So far, hes become an official contender in New Hampshire and Utah, and last week he added Hawaii to his camps tally. But observers from many corners of the political system are increasingly skeptical that hell be able to gather enough signatures in time. Libertarians, meanwhile, have taken notice of Kennedys more recent movements, quietly expressing a willingness to nominate him at their late May convention in Washington, D.C. I am seeing on the ground and hearing from other politicos in the independent space that there is a unique coalition that theyre attempting to build, said Christopher Thrasher, an independent ballot access consultant with a long former association with the Libertarian Party. It really does transcend party lines, Thrasher said. No matter what, part of their calculation is whether its pre-general election or actually in the general election activating as many individuals across an ideological spectrum as possible. The Libertarian Party and Libertarian events and conventions plays into that strategy. The piqued interest in Kennedy is based in a belief that this could be the most consequential election for a third party since Ross Perot in 1992. Kennedy would automatically qualify for dozens of states as a Libertarian if he were to formally change his party for the second time in the 2024 cycle. He could instantly appear in two places with the biggest electoral vote hauls, Texas and California. I think theres no question that theres a real chance for an independent or third-party candidate to actually win electoral votes in this election, Thrasher said. Kennedy hasnt exactly been shy about this thought process. Despite his politically connected Democratic family, his stances around freedom of speech and censorship put him outside of what many consider to be mainstream in American politics. In that sense, a Libertarian bid could be a natural fit for the 70-year-old, whos campaigning as an insurgent despite his bloodline. In a recent appearance on CNN, Kennedy said hes looking at another possible party flip, this time toward Libertarian. The California convention was his biggest sign to date that hes considering a run for their ticket. He could theoretically wait until the spring to change his affiliation, just before the convention or even as late as during the event itself, but many caution that its better to do it sooner than later. Hes got a small window to make a choice here. I dont think he would be wasting his time showing up to the Libertarians convention in California if he wasnt giving serious consideration to running for their nomination, said the source familiar with Kennedys thinking. Adrian Malagon, an at-large representative for the Libertarian National Committee, told The Hill that Kennedy was very well received at the conference. Were incredibly grateful that he accepted our invitation, he said. The Kennedy campaign did not provide comment. Kennedys growing behind-the-scenes support within Libertarian circles comes as he continues to present an alternative to Biden and Trump. Some within the party concede that his policies are not totally aligned with their agenda, noting his posture around guns and his foreign policy stance on Israel, which some criticize as too close to Bidens. But many are willing to consider Kennedy as the lesser of two evils, with the caveat that he would give their party a bigger platform. Many also see an upside in platforming a celebrity-style candidate. Thats particularly important after the movement has suffered recent fissures over ideological turf wars that have blunted their national momentum. Some of the most fervent Libertarians, including the Mises Caucus, are not likely to accept Kennedy and have already started pushing back against his bid. Moderate Libertarians see that faction as inching closer to Trumps right-wing politics and away from the partys traditional values. They believe Kennedy, a former Democrat as of just a few months ago, is not a strong representation of their brand and are actively lobbying against his potential party change. We firmly oppose any strategy that would rent out our partys place on any states ballot to RFK, or indeed any candidate who has so many disqualifying deviations from the essential principles of libertarianism, Aaron Harris, who chairs the Mises PAC, wrote in a blog post last month addressing the question: Should the Libertarian Party nominate RFK Jr.? We in the LP bill ourselves as The Party of Principle for a reason: We are in this because we passionately favor individual liberty and believe that the State is the greatest threat to peace and freedom, Harris wrote. Despite the strong pushback from that wing of the party, others are inspired by the groundswell of interest and are urging Kennedy to make further gestures that could indicate which way hes leaning. I would open the door, said Nielson. If hes seriously even contemplating a Libertarian run, I think he needs to address it directly and state, I would be willing to accept the nomination. You kind of let the chips fall and see what develops, Nielson added. Certainly, that would open a lot of discussion. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PROVIDENCE One by one, Rhode Island's faith leaders took turns at a microphone in the State House on Tuesday to implore the state's "leaders to lead" by using their voices to help end violence wherever it exists in the world and the power in their home state to bring to a vote measures to ban "assault weapons" and require the safe storage of firearms. Speaking out a week before the House Judiciary Committee holds it annual marathon hearing on proposed gun bills, they talked about the right to live without fear of gun violence at school, the grocery store, the movie theater, the shopping mall, Gaza. And they talked about the shared beliefs that brought them to the State House. "We as faith leaders stand together representing all communities to uphold the universal truth that human life is a sacred gift of God," said the Rev. Howard Jenkins Jr., pastor of the Beth-el AME Church. Rhode Island faith leaders gathered at the State House on Tuesday to sign a statement with Everytown for Gun Safety and other advocates calling on the General Assembly to pass gun-safety legislation this session. Then they each walked over to a table at the front of the State House Library to sign a letter in solidarity with Everytown for Gun Safety addressed to "All Elected State Executive and Legislative Officials, and to All Citizens of Rhode Island," that said, in part, "We, the undersigned, and all those who stand with us, together and today proclaim that gun violence in our nation is a grave injustice that has caused the appalling loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives and inflicted insufferable pain on millions more. "When these tragedies occur, we often send our thoughts and prayers.... It is not enough," the statement said. "It is, indeed, our moral obligation to take action to stop the needless horrors wrought by the many forms of gun violence.... those who die by gun suicide ... [and those] murdered, wounded and scarred in spaces we have long thought were safe: places of worship, schools, shopping malls, roads, theaters, grocery stores." "Democracy is a principle in our faith,'' said the Rev. Elizabeth Lerner Maclay, senior minister at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, "so it comes as a special charge to me to say again this year, today, that we are not OK with the status quo around gun violence and gun laws in our state." As "for those who ignore or resist these bills, your choices are undemocratic," she said. "They are irresponsible. We are not willing to wait for the mass deaths of our children, our congregants, our families, our people ... to the unstoppably vicious and powerful projectiles of an AR-15 ... and then pass this legislation." Along with Jenkins and Maclay, those signing the letter on camera included: the Rev. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew, Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island; the Rev. Eugene T. Dyszlewski, pastor, Little Rock Baptist Church, Lincoln, and president, Rhode Island State Council of Churches; Adam Greenman, president and CEO, Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island; Mufti Ikram ul-Haq, imam, Masjid Al-Islam, North Smithfield; Angela Howard-McParland, justice resource manager for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Cumberland, and co-founder of Nuns Against Gun Violence Coalition; Jeremy Langill, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches; the Rev. Effie E. McAvoy, lead pastor, Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church, Hope/Scituate; the Rev. Nancy Soukup, pastor, First Congregational Church, Bristol; Rabbi Howard Voss Altman, Temple Habonim, Barrington; the Rev. Dr. Jamie Washam, pastor, First Baptist Church in America, Providence; and Swami Yogatmananda, minister, Vedanta Society of Providence. Catholic Bishop Richard G. Henning was not present for the State House event, but he sent a statement that was read aloud, in which he said, in part: "I share your grief at the terrible loss of life and injustices resulting from gun violence." When the hearings take place, Henning promised, the Rhode Island Catholic Conference will testify in support of the safe storage of weapons and a ban on assault weapons "and will encourage our state leadership to pass these bills for the sake of the common good and the defense of human life." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI faith leaders ask state "leaders to lead" the way to gun safety Rishi Sunaks Rwanda plan is never going to work and the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Richard Tice, the Reform UK leader, has said. Speaking in the wake of the Governments five defeats in the Lords over the scheme, Mr Tice said the continued small boat crossings of the Channel in the past week showed that it was not acting as a deterrent. I knew it would never be a deterrent. Our plan is the only plan that will work, said the Reform leader, who has seen his party jump to 10 points in the opinion polls as the Conservatives have slumped to 20 per cent. You leave the ECHR and you pick the boats up, [get] people out of the boats, and you safely take them back to Dunkirk and Calais, which we are legally entitled to do under two international maritime treaties, and nobody has proven me wrong because I am right. But none of these gutless, feeble people in the House of Commons whether it is Starmer, Sunak, Cleverly, any of them have got the guts to do it. That is the only way this will stop. Mr Tices remarks follow a series of damaging defeats in the Lords, which threaten to delay Mr Sunaks pledge to get Rwanda flights taking off. Peers voted through five amendments, which declared that deportation flights should not be allowed until there was independently verified evidence that Rwanda was safe and that the legislation should be tightened to ensure the migration pact is compatible with international law. A succession of senior Tories gave speeches in the upper chamber, warning the Government that the deal will face further legal challenges. Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, raised the rise of the Nazis as he warned ministers against the perils of breaking with human rights rules. However, in an interview with The Telegraph, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, warned that delaying the legislation would only benefit the people-smugglers. He said opponents in the Lords and Labour were trying to take away one of the tools that would deter migrants from making life-threatening journeys and break the business model of the smuggling gangs without coming up with an alternative that would work. Mr Tice suggested the defeats played into the hands of the Government, saying: It actually suits the Prime Minister. So he can now blame the Lords for stopping the Rwanda Bill. We all know that it was never going to make any difference whatsoever, and the proof is in the pudding. These arrivals this week, last week, all this year clearly shows it is not a deterrent. It is ridiculous. The Safety of Rwanda Bill, designed to clear the path for deportation flights, has another day of votes on amendments by the Lords on Wednesday before it returns to the Commons on March 18, when the Government is expected to seek to reverse them. This will spark a ping-pong battle with the Lords, which is expected to result in victory for the Government as Labour has said it will not ultimately block the legislation. Ministers have said they aim to get the flights going as quickly as possible after that, although they anticipate further legal challenges by individual migrants earmarked for deportation to Rwanda. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. UN Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix (Front) speaks at a Security Council meeting on South Sudan at the UN headquarters in New York, on March 5, 2024. Lacroix on Tuesday warned that elections in South Sudan carry risks of violence with disastrous consequences. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Tuesday warned that elections in South Sudan carry risks of violence with disastrous consequences. Elections must be deemed credible by the people of South Sudan and should be a unifying exercise and not a divisive one. Accordingly, a confluence of political will, methodical planning and adequate resources is necessary to address the aspirations of the people of South Sudan vis-a-vis elections, he told the Security Council in a briefing. There are differences between the rival political factions in the readiness of the country for elections in December 2024. A myriad of factors will likely affect elections in South Sudan, he said. A fledgling economy has intensified fights over resources and led to high unemployment, particularly impacting the youth. In addition, political competition among the ruling elite, increased intercommunal clashes and the added strain inflicted by the influx of returnees and refugees escaping the conflict in neighboring Sudan have all combined toward an assessment that elections, when held, are going to take place in an environment of elevated tensions and a constrained civic and political space in the country, he said. "Therefore, if not managed carefully, they carry the potential for violence with disastrous consequences for an already fragile country and the wider region," noted the official. The impact of the conflict in Sudan deserves special attention. Over two-thirds of South Sudanese citizens remain dependent on international assistance for their basic needs with women and children being the most vulnerable, he said, adding that the South Sudanese economy is overwhelmingly dependent on oil revenues that will stall, should the conflict in Sudan affect the flow of oil to Port Sudan. Global competing priorities have already curtailed international resources for South Sudan and a loss of oil revenues in this context could have catastrophic humanitarian and security consequences for the entire region, warned Lacroix, who visited South Sudan last month. The United Nations has to harmonize its position on key political issues in South Sudan with those of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union while maintaining its impartiality and independence. Both IGAD and the African Union have voiced support for elections in South Sudan and the United Nations will, therefore, offer as much support as possible in line with its mandate, he said. It is, however, important to note that the United Nations cannot opine whether South Sudan should have elections or not, but can only assess if the government has put in place the requisite architecture for the elections to be peaceful and credible, he said. "Failure to do so not only threatens the desired credibility and peacefulness of elections, but also the overarching framework, the peace agreement itself," he noted. As things stand, South Sudan is not ready for elections and a lot needs to be done. But if the parties display political will and timely invest adequate resources, credible elections can still take place before the end of the transition period, said Lacroix. The peace agreement remains the only viable framework to achieve peace and stability in South Sudan. Despite the shortcomings in implementation, the peace agreement did instill a period of stability at the national level and brought opponents who fought two civil wars to the table and enabled them to govern from within a government of national unity, he said. It is now time for all to come together to build on this achievement. Peaceful conduct and implementation of the outcome of the elections should, therefore, be a shared strategic goal of all stakeholders, he added. Moving forward, the government needs to take urgent measures to resource institutions of transition, reach political decisions to complete transitional security arrangements and the constitutional review process as a matter of priority, and ensure a level playing field for all parties to participate in elections in a much more open civic and political space than what currently exists in the country, he said. Legitimacy through elections can only be secured if the people of South Sudan believe that their voices were heard, he noted. "The people of South Sudan have suffered far too much and for far too long. It is time for them to finally receive the peace dividend they deserve," said Lacroix. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) met with former President Trump on Monday night, amid rumors that the Florida Republican might launch a bid to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who recently announced he would step down from the post in November. Great to see President Trump tonight! Were going to continue working together to win big in 2024 and fix Washington, Scott wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Scott posted a photo with Trump in which the former president was giving a thumbs-up to the camera. The meeting comes as the race for the next Senate Republican leader officially takes off. On Friday, Scott said he was seriously considering a run for the Senate GOP leader in an interview on The Charlie Kirk Show. We could actually have somebody that actually believes in this country and believes in solving the problems of this country running the Senate when we get a majority in November, Scott said on the podcast. We could make big change. Two candidates have already announced their bid for the important position Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) both seen as traditional Republicans and serious legislators. In 2022, Scott launched a challenge to McConnells reelection bid. Trump backed the challenge, but Scott ultimately lost by a vote of 37-10. Votes are cast by secret ballot, and only members of the Senate Republican Conference are allowed to vote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gilbert Sanchez-Perez, 23, from Ridgeland, was charged Sunday with first-degree criminal sexual conduct after reportedly breaking into his ex-girlfriends house and sexually assaulting her early Saturday morning, according to the Jasper County Sheriffs Office. Police say Sanchez-Perez forced his way into the home on Bees Creek Road around 4 a.m. Saturday through a broken window that had been boarded up. The property is located east of Ridgeland town limits. As the woman tried to hold her bedroom door shut, he pushed his way into the room and sexually assaulted her, according to sheriffs office spokesperson Deputy Chief Jeff Crosby. The womans small child was on the same bed when the assault occurred, according to Crosby. Her roommate was also home at the time but told police she did not hear the attack, he added. After hearing from the victim, Jasper County deputies located Sanchez-Perezs vehicle via license plate readers along nearby roadways. He was arrested Sunday after investigators obtained his arrest warrant, using evidence from the victims testimony and cell phone camera footage she recorded while Sanchez-Perez allegedly broke into the home, according to Crosby. The felony offense of first-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to 30 years in prison under South Carolina law. Sanchez-Perez was also charged for giving false information to police, a misdemeanor, although Crosby did not have additional details on that offense as of Tuesday morning. A search of judicial records in Beaufort and Jasper counties did not reveal a prior criminal history for Sanchez-Perez. After his arrest Sunday, he was denied bond and remained in custody at the Jasper County Detention Center as of Tuesday afternoon. When we publish mugshots The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette publishes police booking photos, or mugshots, in the following instances: In situations where a public figure or someone in a position of public trust is arrested In cases where there is an immediate and widespread threat to public safety In cases where the arrested person is accused of a crime reporters have evidence to believe involved numerous, unknown victims Reporters will avoid using mugshots as lead images for online articles in order to limit their circulation on social media, except in cases where the public is served by the immediate identification of the accused. Reporters and editors may use discretion in situations that dont meet the criteria outlined in this policy but still present a compelling reason to publish a mugshot. Not for the first or last time, this column nails its political colours firmly to the Blairite standard. Tony knew what he was about. He had the nous to reject the Lefts traditional view that opposition parties needed to present a radically different prospectus to the electorate in order to gain its support. That notion was dealt a death blow in the general elections of 1983 and 1987 when voters gave landslide victories instead to the supposedly divisive Margaret Thatcher. The creation of New Labour was a repackaging of a strategy used by successful opposition parties of various political colours since the era of democracy dawned: to win the next election by attracting to your side those who voted for the governing party last time. The notion that working class voters who had approved of Mrs Thatchers policies on council house sales and trade union democratisation could be won over by a manifesto that promised to abolish such reforms was for the birds, as the ballot box proved beyond doubt. Blair was the first Labour leader since Harold Wilson to explicitly acknowledge that the larger the ideological gap between the parties, the more difficult it would be and the less likely it would be for voters to consider jumping between them. He also accepted the fundamental consequence of such an approach: that his government, while radical in those areas not considered divisive, would aim to improve things for voters, not commit itself to a wholesale reinvention of the capitalist system. Keir Starmer, while possessing little of Blairs genius, is cut from the same cloth. If he appears less subtle in his jettisoning of some of his partys sacred cows especially those reared during the years of Jeremy Corbyns leadership it is only because he is in a much greater hurry and knows he will get only one shot at the top job. This is what oppositions on the verge of victory do they nick the policies and rhetoric of the government in order to avoid scaring the horses. Its frustrating for some, but it works, so the malcontents need to keep their own counsel. Labour in 2024, just as it did in 1996, is busy constructing a coalition of supporters by promising little or no extra spending, few, if any, tax rises, and accepting much of the welfare reforms it previously castigated the current government for introducing. Thats how politics is supposed to work, or at least, thats how it has worked whenever a change of government is in the offing. Yet Rishi Sunaks administration seems to have learned precisely the wrong lessons from Blairs successes. Oppositions are supposed to poach policies from the government, not the other way around. If the prime minister reckons he can hold on to power by establishing a Labour Party tribute act, he should just get on with an immediate election and get to measuring the curtains in the Leader of the Oppositions office. It is not hard to imagine that in a few years, the following description could be applied to the Starmer government elected in 2024: personal taxation at a historical high, non-dom status abolished, business rates going up, removing any prospect of Britain following Irelands example as a magnet for international investment, radical racial and trans ideologues dictating policy in Whitehall, immigration at highs never before seen, and removals even for violent criminals beyond the wit of ministers to accomplish in the face of activist judges. But after tomorrows budget, that may well be a description of the state of affairs under a Conservative government, after 14 years of said Conservative government. Instead of showing voters the value of Conservative policies and the impact they can have on ordinary peoples lives, this government seems committed to implementing Labour policies in the hope of what, exactly? In the hope of voters seeing how awful a Labour government would be in reality? Thats a bold tactic, but one, I fear, doomed to failure. If a decade and a half of Conservative government results in such an ideological retreat that there is no perceptible difference between the two sides of the Commons, that can only be seen as a victory for Labour and an abject defeat for the government, even before a single general election ballot is cast. That state of affairs can only benefit the opposition, whose job is to reassure voters that a change in government should not frighten them. That will be enough to assure a Labour victory. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Hollywood legend Rita Moreno, who turned 92 in December, sharply criticized the rhetoric comparing former President Trumps 91 criminal charges to President Bidens age of 81. In an interview on The View, Moreno said the presidential candidates apparent political weaknesses are not comparable, but shes not surprised that many focus on Bidens age, pointing to the political climate. Actually, Im not surprised given the tenor of whats going on in this country right now, Moreno said, when asked what she makes of the discussion. But let me say this, and its very succinct and to the point: I am not about to vote for someone who has 91 indictments against for criminal activity, she added. Trump faces a total of 91 criminal charges across a total of four indictments two related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election; one related to allegations of willful retention of classified defense information and obstruction of federal efforts to retrieve the documents; the fourth related to alleged hush money payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Enough said already. Thats so stupid, Moreno added, referring to comparisons of the candidates weaknesses. Look at all the stuff that Biden has accomplished, she added. Moreno turned to The View co-host Ana Navarro, a centrist Republican, and said, I know where you stand politically. Id take 81 years over 91 counts any day, Navarro said, cutting in. Youre damn right. Youre damn right. Absolutely, Moreno responded. Its appalling. Its appalling. In a recent interview with The Hill, Moreno said she thinks people are mistaking something of President Biden. I think that because he walks like an elderly person which he does they dont think this is working, Moreno added, pointing to her head. They dont understand anything about old age. Noting that she didnt want to get political, Moreno said she hoped age isnt whats on the minds of good Americans. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On a frigid day in a conference room at the Public Safety Building, Captain Greg Bello diligently types away at his keyboard. Suddenly, the atmosphere is pierced by the projection of case files on a TV screen. Each file is a person missing in Rochester. It's a parent's worst nightmare. Ray Bradley still waits for word of what happened to his adult child, Johnny Bradley. But he wasn't just waiting for Johnny to come home; he had been striving for years and years to get case details from the police department. When the paltry answers about the police search for his 20-year-old came, they were a bitter shock. Or was it a surprise? In a way, what he saw in the blue folder containing his son's case file that he opened for the first time at Christmas was something he had expected all along. Group you don't want to be in: Parents of missing children At first glance, Ray Bradley is like any other 57-year-old man. He works as a medical transporter every morning, driving clients to and from their doctor's appointments. He spends most of his weekends with his grandkids, though his five grandsons are on time-out from Grandpa's house until February due to the mass destruction of juice boxes and candy they left in his living room the last time they slept over. Ray Bradleys son Johnny Bradley went missing in 2005. He still holds out hope they will be reunited. But for the past 19 years, Bradley has been carrying the weight of loss. A dark cloud of grief and frustration follows him everywhere but isn't always visible to the naked eye. He doesn't celebrate holidays or birthdays. Most nights, he's alone in his living room, watching television until the next day. The anguish he felt was shared only by the members of a small yet expanding community a group no parent desires to be a part of: parents of missing children. Since Johnny's disappearance in 2005, Bradley hasn't been able to shake the feeling that the police department wasn't thoroughly investigating his son's case. The nine pieces of paper within the blue folder confirmed his worst fears, in his view. Two of the nine pages were from 2005; the rest were all from 2012. Now he's left to wonder, was anything done between 2005 and 2012? And has anything been done since then? "What are they doing to me and my family," Ray Bradley says after pounding his fist on the table. "This playing field ain't fair. I'm just over it." In Bradley's eyes, the lack of information within this folder was evidence that his son's case had fallen through the cracks. Is anyone looking for Johnny? A shelf in Ray Bradley's house is a shrine to his son, Johnny Bradley, and his late wife. How do police investigate missing people? Bradley's doubts about RPD's investigation into his son's case began the day they reported him missing. He remembers the struggle his family experienced trying to get the officers to take their concerns seriously. Rochester Police Department says they investigate every missing person case to the best of their ability. Investigator Randy Benjamin says he is actively working on Johnny's case. To Ray Bradley, it felt like they decided Johnny left on his own before they even got to his house to take the initial report. And he's not alone in that feeling. USA TODAY reviewed policy manuals from 55 law enforcement agencies for their national investigation into disparities in missing children's cases. Over 40% of those manuals permit police to allocate less effort to locate runaways than other missing children. Read More: 'Missing the Missing' offers support, advocacy for families of missing individuals in Rochester The data supports a pattern where Black children in America are often categorized as runaways rather than missing, leading to disparities in investigative resources. Even though Johnny was over 18, he had a disability and there was tension between the family and police on whether he left of his own accord. "He's a 20-year-old male; he can leave if he wants to," Ray Bradley recalls police telling him during their initial meeting. May 3 will mark 19 years since Johnny's disappearance. Throughout this time, Bradley says the police were adamant that they were doing everything they could to locate Johnny but were they? Looking at this short stack of records, Bradley couldn't help but think about what was missing. Ray Bradley reads police reports on his son, Johnny Bradley's disappearance in 2005. Where were the reports about the car Johnny was driving that was found abandoned in a parking lot shortly after his disappearance? Or the ones about his debit card that someone tried to use to rent a car and buy McDonalds in Miami? Bradley has spent almost two decades navigating the struggles of having a missing child. Now, he was faced with a different type of beast: the realization that those who were supposed to protect and help find his son seemingly didn't. Go Deeper: What happens when a child disappears in America? Missing person's investigations: What did Johnny's look like? Retired RPD officer Kenneth Coniglio was the initial investigator assigned to Johnny's case. An Investigation Action Report dated Aug. 10, 2005, says Coniglio was canceling the missing persons report as Johnny was reportedly seen by family. Investigator Randy Benjamin then took over Johnny's case in 2012 as a favor for a friend. Benjamin said he believes Ray called RPD sometime after the case was closed in 2005 to report that he still had not seen Johnny, but he is unsure when the case was officially reopened. At the Public Safety Building this year, Benjamin, Bello and civilian employee Laurie Van Brederode assured the Democrat & Chronicle they are still actively investigating Johnny's disappearance. They said they understand families in these situations want answers and, at times, may feel left in the dark but explained that it's vital to withhold certain information about their investigations to protect the integrity of the case. The lack of resources and staffing can also play a role in this tricky relationship between families of missing children and the police department. Though RPD has a missing person unit, officers must be assigned explicitly to only investigate these cases. According to section 6 of RPD's General Order on missing person investigations, cases with extenuating circumstances are immediately followed up by the patrol section of occurrence and then assumed by the Central Investigation Section. Non-extenuating missing person cases are routinely followed up by the patrol section of occurrence after 10 days and then considered by CIS after 30 days. These CIS investigators often work on multiple cases, making it challenging to stay in constant communication with all the families and victims. Benjamin admitted there has been inconsistent communication with Bradley throughout the years. He said he understood Bradley's frustration but reaffirmed that police are on the hunt for his son. Ray Bradley at his home in the 19th Ward section of Rochester. The shelf in front of him is a shrine to loved ones. Benjamin ended the conversation by offering that though he cannot share every update in Johnny's investigation, the father is welcome to call him anytime. "Why this case?" the investigator asked Democrat and Chronicle reporters, referring to the newspaper's interest. For 19 years, Ray Bradley has been asking "why not," regarding this question. He questions why the media has to bring attention for the police to do their job. This blue folder that Ray Bradley hoped would answer some of his questions only furthered his confusion and frustration. He sat in a state of shock, trying to take it all in. The only thing clear to him at that moment was that he would never stop advocating for Johnny. "I'm the only voice he has now." Robert Bell is a multimedia journalist and reporter at The Democrat & Chronicle. He was born in Rochester, grew up in Philadelphia and studied film in Los Angeles. Follow him at @byrobbell on X and @byrobbell on IG. Contact him at rlbell@gannett.com. Madison Scott is a recent college graduate who is an intern with the Democrat and Chronicle. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com. Tell her if you have a good history book recommendation, especially about the Rochester region. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Johnny Bradley disappeared 19 years ago: The case devastates his dad ROCKWALL COUNTY, Texas - A Rockwall estate agent and church youth volunteer was arrested late last month and accused of aggravated sexual assault of a child. 44-year-old Natalie Sorrells was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with child sexual contact in the city of Heath. Natalie Sorrells (Source: Rockwall County Sheriff's Office) Sorrells served as a volunteer youth worker at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall. Lakepointe Church released a statement to FOX 4: "We were informed last week that one of our volunteer youth workers was arrested for illegal sexual contact with a minor. While it is our current understanding that no inappropriate activity occurred on church premises, at any church event, and that the minor involved was not under the direct leadership of the volunteer, out of an abundance of caution we immediately informed Lakepointe parents, restricted the volunteer from any access to minors at the church and removed her from her volunteer position." The church says all of its volunteers have to undergo security clearance, background checks and training. Court records show that the 44-year-old posted bond. Roman Polanski faces charges that he defamed Charlotte Lewis, 56, after she accused him of sexually assaulting her 'in the worst possible way' - ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images British actress Charlotte Lewis has told a French court she had been raped as a teenager by director Roman Polanski before he launched a smear campaign against her denying the allegations. It nearly destroyed my life, the 56-year-old told a criminal court in the French capital, which is hearing a defamation case against Polanski. Polanski, who was not present at Tuesdays hearing, faces charges that he defamed Lewis after she accused him of sexually assaulting her in the worst possible way when she was 16 in 1983. She had travelled to Paris for a casting session and appeared in Polanskis 1986 film Pirates. Roman Polanski with Charlotte Lewis in May 1986, prior to the premiere of the film Pirates - AFP/Getty Images Polanski, 90, is wanted in the United States over the rape of a 13-year-old in 1977 and faces several other accusations of sexual assault dating back decades and past the statute of limitations all claims he has rejected. He fled to Europe in 1978. Polanskis films include Oscar-winning Rosemarys Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist. The France-born filmmaker called the allegation that he abused Lewis a heinous lie in a 2019 conversation with Paris Match. According to the magazine, he pulled out a copy of a 1999 article from the now-defunct News of the World, and quoted Lewis as saying in it: I wanted to be his lover. Lewis has said the quotes attributed to her in that interview were not accurate. She filed a complaint for defamation, and the film director was automatically charged under French law. Lewis told the court that the media coverage after she spoke out in 2010 had given her a nervous breakdown, and her then six-year-old son had to change school because everybody read the articles. She said Polanskis Paris Match interview was the last drop. Charlotte Lewis, here with her lawyer, told a Paris court that the media coverage after she spoke out in 2010 had given her a 'nervous breakdown' - ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images Stuart White, a former journalist who wrote the 1999 News of the World article, was also present in court. The interview I gave to Stuart White was not the interview that was in the newspaper, Lewis said on Tuesday, adding that she only discovered the article years later. In his contested report about the actress, Mr White described how she went from hooker to Hollywood. The News of the World has previously been accused of libel and of fabricating quotes. It was forced to close in 2011 after its employees were accused of phone hacking in pursuit of stories. It was the first night I met him Delphine Meillet, Polanskis lawyer, has said there was no defamation in the Paris Match article. Polanski has the right to defend himself publicly, as does the woman who accuses him, she said. Describing the time she met Polanski in 1986 in court, Lewis said she only later realised what had happened to her. It was the first night I met him. He decided the hotel we were staying in wasnt 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 thats when he raped me. He became my male role model Asked why it had taken her until the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 to mention the attack, she said: I didnt realise it was rape. I didnt even know that word. I knew what happened to me wasnt right, but I didnt 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, Lewis said she decided to speak out to counter suggestions from Polanskis legal team that the 1977 rape case was an isolated incident. Plans for Polanski to preside over the Cesar Awards, 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, Marianne Barnard, a Californian artist, 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 low profile. His latest film, The Palace, premiered without him in Venice last summer. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Royal Caribbean cruise employee arrested after hidden camera found in guest bathroom on Symphony of the Seas A Royal Caribbean cruise employee has been arrested after allegedly setting up hidden cameras inside passenger bathrooms to spy on young girls. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, a citizen of the Philippines, was arrested Sunday after a guest aboard the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship found a camera in her bathroom on Feb. 25. The guest, who was staying in a room with her sister and mother, found the hidden camera when she reached under the sink to grab a roll of toilet paper and found the camera "affixed to the counter underneath the sink," the probable cause affidavit said. She reported the camera to customer services, and ship security responded to the room. Symphony of the Seas (Julien Rambaud / Sipa USA via AP file ) Mirasol, an attendant who services the cabin by cleaning, replacing towels and making the bed, was detained on the ship until it docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 3. Once the ship docked, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection and the Broward County Sheriffs Office were alerted and spoke with security and Mirasol. His electronics, including his phone, an SD card, camera, and USB stick, were investigated that same day. On the USB stick, law enforcement discovered "numerous videos of naked females undressing" as well as child pornography, the criminal complaint affidavit said. One video showed Mirasol himself installing a camera into a guest room's bathroom. Mirasol admitted in a post-Miranda interview to taping a video camera in guests bathrooms when he worked as an attendant and said he'd pleasure himself after retrieving the camera and viewing its footage, the affidavit said. Mirasol revealed that he has been placing these cameras in the bathroom since he started working on Symphony of the Seas around December 2023, the filing said. He told officers, I want to control it, but I cant, the affidavit said. He said he'd place the cameras in the rooms where there were females 16 years old and older, despite knowing it is illegal to film underage girls. Mirasol also admitted that while guests were taking a shower, hed enter the rooms and hide under the bed while recording them naked with his phone, the affidavit said. Mirasol has been charged with six state charges of voyeurism in Broward County. In the U.S. District Court of Florida, he was further charged with production and possession of child pornography. NBC News has reached out to the public defender who was appointed to his case. Royal Caribbean said in a statement: 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. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A Royal Caribbean cruise ship worker was arrested Sunday in Fort Lauderdale after admitting to planting hidden cameras in guest bathrooms to spy on unsuspecting women and children for months, federal officials say. Arvin Joseph Mirasol is facing federal production and possession of child porn charges. The 34-year-old also has six counts of video voyeurism, all third-degree felonies, state court records show. He remains in Broward jail as of Tuesday afternoon. On Feb. 26, Mirasol came to the attention of Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection and the Broward Sheriffs Office after Royal Caribbean reported that he had placed a camera in cabin bathrooms, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida. According to a cruise tracker, a Symphony Of The Seas ship with an eight day itinerary on Sunday returned to Fort Lauderdale, where he was taken into custody following an investigation. The cruise began its voyage in South Florida, later stopping in Aruba, Curacao and Haiti. We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior, the cruise line said in a statement to the Miami Herald. We immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities. After confessing, Mirasol told officials he placed the cameras in restrooms to pleasure himself, the complaint says. He worked as a stateroom attendant, a role in which he was responsible for cleaning rooms. Mirasol turned over his electronics, including SD cards, an Android cell phone, a camera and an Apple Watch. On them, investigators discovered videos of naked women and children undressing in the bathroom, according to the complaint. One of the videos, feds say, shows Mirasol placing the camera and aiming it toward the shower. Minutes later, a girl thought to be around 10-years-old entered the bathroom. Its unclear if the videos were linked to the most recent Symphony of Seas cruise or from a prior trip. Mirasols cell phone search history included hidden cameras and other term associated with child sexual abuse material, the complaint states. Mirasol also admitted to entering rooms and hiding under the bed to record people naked. Princess Catherine Middleton has been seen for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery. The March 4 photos, albeit grainy, show Kate in a car that her mom, Carole, is driving. Kate is wearing sunglasses and appears to have a touch of a smile on her face. The photos seemingly debunks all the wild rumors swirling around in the world of social media. Do you think these photos will quiet the noise? UPDATE: A spokesperson for the Royal family is speaking out after Kate Middletons absence from the public eye has caused several conspiracy theories about her silence to run wild. Unfortunately, the statement has only fueled people to continue to speculate on Kates wellbeing. We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant. The spokesperson then said what so many members of the royal family have said over the last several weeks, that Middleton is doing well. Fans of the Royal Family are worried after Prince William made a last minute decision to not travel to the memorial service being held for his Godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece. According to several reports, William pulled out of the royal duty due to personal reasons. As it has been well documented, the Royal Family has endured a slew of hardships at the start of the new year. Williams wife, Princess Catharine underwent a substantial abdominal surgery that left her hospitalized for 10 days. As far as the public is aware, Kate is still recovering in private. It was reported that William would also be stepping away from royal duties until Easter while he aided Kate in her recovery. However, William was asked to report back to duty earlier than anticipated after his father, King Charles, underwent a prostate procedure and was diagnosed with cancer. While its unclear if Williams personal matter is related to these instances at all has not been confirmed, but people are concerned it is. Princess Kate Middleton Undergoes Serious Surgery, Will Remain Hospitalized for At Least 10 Days Kate Middleton is now home, but still little is known about the abdominal surgery she underwent that kept in under hospital supervision for 10 days. The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress, the statement read. The Prince and Princess wish to say a huge thank you to the entire team at The London Clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, for the care they have provided. The Wales family continues to be grateful for the well wishes they have received from around the world. A source has revealed that despite their long running feud, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have wished Kate Middleton and King Charles well as they both continued to recover from serious health issues. The King and the Princess of Wales have received support from Prince Harry and Meghan regarding their health. The Duke and Duchess contacted both parties in different ways to express their concern and best wishes. Its been roughly a week since Kate Middleton underwent surgery and remains in the hospital as she recovers. An insider tells The Independent that the Princess continues to do well in her recovery. UPDATE: The day after it was revealed that Kate Middleton had undergone abdominal surgery, Prince William has announced that he will also be stepping back slightly from his royal duties to care for his wife and their children. William was spotted on Thursday afternoon, London time, visiting the hospital where his wife will continue to recover for several more days. Reports suggest the Prince drove himself to the Clinic. Additionally, People reports that new information suggests the issue with Kates abdominal is non-cancerous though its still unclear what exactly the issue was. Thankfully, all signs point to Kate being on the up and up. As Mamas Uncut also reported, King Charles is also expected to receive medical attention for an enlarged prostate. In an update offered by Queen Camilla while she visited the Aberdeen Art Gallery, she revealed that the King is fine, thank you very much. Looking forward to getting back to work. A surprising announcement from the Royal Family has left people praying for Princess Catherine Middleton. According to a statement made by Kensington Palace, the Princess of Wales underwent an abdominal surgery on January 16. The statement offered an update on how the Princess is doing. The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery, the statement revealed. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private. Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness progress when there is significant new information to share. The statement concluded with Kate offering her apologies. The Princess of Wales wishes to apologize to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible. The reason for the abdominal surgery was not revealed. MOSCOW, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-27 fighter jet escorted three French military planes near the Russian border over the Black Sea, state-run TASS news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the Russian Defence Ministry. As the ministry noted, Russian radars over the Black Sea detected three air targets flying towards the Russian state border. "To prevent violation of the state border of the Russian Federation," a Su-27 fighter from the air defense forces on duty was dispatched, according to the ministry's statement. The French planes were identified as an E-3F long-range radar detection and control aircraft and two Rafale-C multipurpose fighters of the French air and space forces. After the Russian fighter jet approached, the foreign military aircraft performed a U-turn from Russia's state border and left the airspace over the Black Sea, the ministry said, adding that the country's border was not violated. DENVER (KDVR) Looking for a job that pays more than $25 an hour and offers a signing bonus? The Regional Transportation District is hiring new bus operators. RTD will hold a career fair on Thursday, March 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for potential employees. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center at 15500 E. 40th Ave., which is easily accessible using RTD services. This embedded content is not available in your region. Right now, RTD is looking to hire full-time and part-time bus operators. City council approves 4 salary increases for Denver Sheriff Department Those who apply at the career fair could receive an offer letter that day. Training could begin as soon as April 1 or April 15. Benefits and pay of RTD bus operator According to RTD, those hired following the career fair will receive several benefits as they enter the position. Candidates who are hired will receive a $4,000 signing bonus, paid training that includes CDL training and guidance through the permit process. Pay for bus operators starts at $25.96 an hour. Qualified candidates will need to have a domestic drivers license that is valid for at least two years. The bus operator role is a career that people can retire from or start as a second career. It provides a needed service for the community and contributes to the agencys mission of making lives better through connections. RTD invests in its employees and trains them for future leadership roles within RTD and the transit industry, said RTD in a press release. Candidates who attend the career fair will have the chance to learn more about the role and tour an RTD bus. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is calling on nine U.S. mainstream media CEOs to sever their ties with China Daily, an English-language newspaper owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Propaganda Department that often gives flattering coverage of the regime. "The CCPs efforts to infiltrate American institutions are extensive, and news outlets are not immune to these ventures. China Daily is one of the CCPs leading organs to subvert U.S. news media by amplifying the goals and ambitions of the party," Rubio wrote Monday to The Seattle Times, the Houston Chronicle, The Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, Time, USA Today, the Financial Times, the Sun Sentinel, and the Chicago Tribune. Rubio said China Daily's goal is to "subvert U.S. news media by amplifying the goals and ambitions of the party." The outlet has published several articles claiming the U.S.'s "anti-China" reporting on the persecution of Xinjiang Uyghurs is an "outright lie." CHINA'S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE PLAGUED BY BACKLASH AND POLITICAL BACKLASH: REPORT Sen. Marco Rubio said China Daily's goal is to "subvert U.S. news media by amplifying the goals and ambitions of the party." Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, co-signed the letter. In 2021, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings showed that multiple American outlets received hundreds of thousands of dollars from China Daily. China Daily registered with FARA in 1983 and was among a dozen Chinese media outlets that the U.S. State Department labeled a foreign mission of the Peoples Republic of China. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "China Daily is an arm of the CCP. This is a well-known fact, and there are no shortage of examples showing the outlets fealty to the party. From whitewashing the genocide of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, to excusing the CCPs continued bankrolling of Russias war against Ukraine, China Dailys mission is to propagate the goals of the party," Rubio wrote. SEN HAWLEY WARNS CONSULTING FIRMS AGAINST WORKING WITH CHINA TO 'UNDERMINE AMERICA' "No company based in the United States, including news outlets, should be complicit in legitimizing the CCPs heinous acts or promoting the regimes outright lies," the letter continued. According to the most recent FARA disclosure, the nine outlets received more than half a million dollars in both ad revenue and printing collectively in 2023. Fox News Digital reached out to The Seattle Times, the Houston Chronicle, The Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, Time, USA Today, the Financial Times, the Sun Sentinel, and the Chicago Tribune for comment. Original article source: Rubio calls on US media outlets to cut ties with CCP propaganda outlet China Daily On March 2, 2024, X user Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) a researcher and senior digital editor for the progressive network Meidas Touch posted on X a video taken from a campaign speech delivered on the same day by former U.S. President Donald Trump in Richmond, Virginia. According to the post, the clip showed a "confused" Trump saying former U.S. President Barack Obama's name when he was referring to President Joe Biden. Wow the crowd goes silent as a confused Trump says: And Putin has so little respect for Obama that he's starting to throw around the nuclear word pic.twitter.com/M0oMFKUBgu Acyn (@Acyn) March 3, 2024 In the brief video, Trump mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "Get that war settled. It's a bad war. And Putin, you know, has so little respect for Obama that he's starting to throw around the nuclear word. You heard that? Nuclear. He's starting to talk nuclear weapons today." Similar clips were later virally shared by other users. BREAKING: A confused Trump again forgot who the current president is, calling Biden "Obama." If Biden ever referred to Trump by the wrong name, the media would run a full day of stories about Biden's "cognitive decline." WHY DO THEY GIVE TRUMP A PASS? pic.twitter.com/NON842Er67 Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) March 3, 2024 Biden, Trump and Mental Acuity The mental acuity of both Biden and Trump has become a much-discussed topic ahead of the 2024 election due to their ages Biden is 81, Trump is 77. For example, on March 4, The Associated Press reported that a poll had found "a significant share of U.S. adults doubt the mental capabilities" of both men, with Biden earning a slightly larger share of concerned voters. The survey was conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Trump Claims Mentions of Obama Are Sarcasm Regarding the clip from Trump's speech, there's a bit of context to be covered here, mainly the transcribed remarks that appear below. Also, Trump has mentioned Obama's name mistakenly or not when speaking about Biden before, as ABC News and USA Today have reported. Further, in November 2023, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he does this name swap "sarcastically" and on purpose. To be clear, assessing whether a person any person truly meant to say something as a joke or to be sarcastic is not something that can necessarily be done by examining data. Partisan personalities can debate how supposedly "obvious" it is that a statement was uttered as a joke, but often the truth of the matter is only known for sure by the person who said it. Context from Trump's Richmond Speech Snopes found a video of Trump's full speech in Richmond that was posted on the Newsmax YouTube channel. Trump's relevant remarks have been transcribed below, all in chronological order. At the 20:53 mark in the video, more than 36 minutes before Trump made the viral remark about Putin and Obama, he talked to the crowd about how he supposedly says Obama's name to represent Biden. He also said that, personally, he does not believe in the baseless conspiracy theory that Obama is secretly calling the shots in the Oval Office an opinion that clashes with his own claim that he was purposely saying Obama's name "sarcastically" when he meant to say Biden's. Still, Trump said that he knows that some people might believe the conspiracy theory anyway: Biden and his accomplices. I mean, that's what it is. It's really more of the accomplices. I mean, the guy can't put two sentences together. He can't find the stairs to a platform. (Trump gestures, pretending to be Biden looking for stairs) I have to be careful. You know, every time I do that, my wife called. I said, "How good was that speech tonight? I had 29,000 people. How good was that?" She said, "It was good, darling. But they said you had a terrible time finding your way off the platform." So every time I do that, or I'll say, "Our president, Barack Hussein Obama." Now, I do that because, you know, that makes a point. We understand that, right? Because a lot of people say he's running the country. I don't personally think so. But it is being run by a group of radical left thugs that circle the beautiful desk. The Resolute Desk. One of the most beautiful desks in the world has been badly stained by the occupant right now. But, you know. But when I say, "Barack Hussein Obama, the president of our country," on the news that night they go, "Donald Trump didn't know the name of our president. He said it was President Obama. It's President Biden." So I have to be very, very careful. It's I have to be very, very careful. We have many of them. I purposely mix up like a name like "Bird Brain." You know who "Bird Brain" is, right? Nikki [Haley] ... with Nancy Pelosi. I put them in because they're interchangeable in my mind. And, except, I have to say... I have to say, I shouldn't say this about a semi-Republican but I think Pelosi's probably a little bit smarter, actually. It's too bad to say. But you know what? So you interchange them. And then they (inaudible). I cannot be sarcastic so I try not to be. I just did that thing for the first time in like two weeks because it's a disaster. Guaranteed, the fake news, the enemy of the people, will say, "He could not find his way off the stage." So, we have to be very careful. Between that and AI, we have a lot of problems coming. Minutes later, at the 35:45 mark in the video, Trump mentioned Obama and Biden again, correctly referencing their time when Obama was president and Biden was vice president. Then, at the 56:20 mark, Trump uttered the remark that went viral on X. While referencing the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul in Afghanistan in 2021 with the words "that horrible airlift" and promoting the false conspiracy theory that the 2020 election was "rigged," he said the following (bolded words signify the portion of the speech that appeared in some posts on X): And then we had a rigged election, and this fool, this fool, this stupid fool took over, and we had that horrible airlift. He said, "We'll never have anything like Vietnam." This thing blew Vietnam away with the people on the airplane from 3,000 feet up. They start falling off the plane. Before I even arrive at the Oval Office, shortly after we win the presidency I will have the horrible war between Russia and Ukraine settled. I know them both very well. And we will restore peace through strength. Get that war settled. It's a bad war. And Putin, you know, has so little respect for Obama that he's starting to throw around the nuclear word. You heard that? Nuclear. He's starting to talk nuclear weapons today. I was waiting for that to happen but we have a fool, a fool as a president. He said, "We will never leave until there is complete and total victory." And we might be there for a long time. Nah, we have a fool. I'll get that thing settled. I know both men very well. For further reading, Snopes previously reported about the moment when Biden mistakenly called Trump the "sitting president" during a speech he gave in January 2024. Sources: "About Us." MeidasTouch Network, https://www.meidastouch.com/page/about-us. Acyn. "Crowd Stunned Silent as Trump Appears Confused During Speech." MeidasTouch Network, 2 Mar. 2024, https://www.meidastouch.com/news/crowd-stunned-silent-as-trump-appears-confused-during-speech. Englander, Tyler. "Trump Makes Campaign Stop in Richmond, Attacks Biden Ahead of Super Tuesday." WAVY.com, 4 Mar. 2024, https://www.wavy.com/news/virginia/richmond/trump-makes-campaign-stop-in-richmond-attacks-biden-ahead-of-super-tuesday/. Hennigan, W. J. "'A Tragic Mistake.' Botched Drone Strike in Afghanistan Raises Concerns Over Biden's Counterterrorism Strategy." TIME, 18 Sept. 2021, https://time.com/6099377/afghanistan-drone-strike-counterterrorism/. Ibssa, Lalee, and Soo Rin Kim. "Trump Insists He Isn't Mixing up Obama and Biden as Critics Try to Spotlight His Gaffes." ABC News, 27 Nov. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-insists-mixing-obama-biden-critics-spotlight-gaffes/story?id=105181893. "LIVE: President Donald Trump Get Out The Vote Rally in Richmond, Va. | NEWSMAX2." YouTube, Newsmax, 2 Mar. 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv-dWhy-RXw. Looker, Rachel. "Why Does Donald Trump Keep Calling President Biden 'Obama' on the Campaign Trail?" USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/04/campaign-confusion-trump-mistakes-biden-obama/72841597007/. Trump, Donald. Truth Social, 27 Nov. 2023, https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/111482667285702469. Multihyphenate RuPaul has launched a new venture: Allstora, a 100% author-owned online book marketplace committed to protecting, empowering and uplifting storytellers. According to a news release, the platform offers users more than 10 million titles, amplifying authors from underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ+ people, women and communities of color. RuPaul will act as the platforms chief creative officer. He co-founded the company alongside bestselling author Eric Cervini and his partner, Adam Powell. The two founded ShopQueer.co, a predecessor to Allstora. In the position, RuPaul will start RuPauls Book Club, which will highlight authors from diverse backgrounds. Reading is fundamental, and we all benefit from stories that give us a different perspective or take us to another world, RuPaul said in a statement. Creatives whether drag queens, philosophers or authors are driving our culture forward, and should be properly compensated for their work. Im passionate about uplifting the voices of underrepresented groups, and Im proud of what Allstora offers to both authors and readers: a community. The company offers authors a profit-split, so when customers buy a book on Allstora, the authors will receive the bulk of the profits. As an author, I understand firsthand how impossible it feels to survive in the literary world, and we hope to create an industry-wide shift in how we purchase books and compensate authors, Cervini said in a statement. Allstoras mission is to empower authors and cultivate communities through the power of literature, made accessible to all, and were thrilled to have the legendary RuPaul by our side. Plus, Allstoras philanthropic effort, Rainbow Book Bus, will start a cross-country tour on Monday, taking it from Los Angeles to Atlanta. The tour will make stops in places affected by queer book censorship. RuPauls own memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, will be released on Mar. 5. Its available on Allstora for purchase, and theres currently a 50% discount for members. Be a little wary of any new legislation named after an individual who has suffered. It so often proves that hard cases make bad law. Martyns Law is coming soon. Named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 murdered by the Manchester Arena bomber in 2017, the Bill has the laudable aim of better protecting premises from terrorist attacks. Its consultation period, for those with smaller premises such as churches and schools, ends on 18 March. The churchwarden in our country parish, who happens to be my wife, has been looking into what this means. All churches will be required to register with a new regulator. This would be a big new undertaking because charities, which already have a regulator, will now have to face an extra one, imposing extra duties. The regulator could issue fines of up to 10,000 for non-compliance and, in extremis, close the church (or school). Workers would have to be trained for the new anti-terrorist tasks at the churches/schools expense. My wife points out that, even in the bad times through which we are living, the chances of a terrorist attack in rural England are vanishingly low, whereas the chances that the 14th-century churchs fine roof will at some point need expensive repair are 100 per cent. It is a real struggle to raise from about 700 souls the average of over 35,000 a year required for all existing repairs, parish share to the diocese etc. The church has no paid workers, only volunteers, most of whom are over 70 years old, their numbers more than decimated by Covid. As churchwarden and treasurer, she is overworked. Should she really be forced to become a security guard as well? Neglecting churchwardens Meanwhile, as if to rub salt in the wound, the General Synod of the Church of England has just passed a measure designed to get rid of churchwardens and other parochial church council members if they bully their clergy. Of course, such bullying should not happen, but what does it say about the attitude of the Churchs governing body to its volunteers that it feels it necessary to legislate against them? In other news, it has been announced that the Church of England in the West Midlands is recruiting for its Regional Racial Justice Initiative. At least one of its 11-person team will be tasked, the job ad says, with deconstructing whiteness. Are new recruits really needed? I would say the existing diocesan bishops (almost all of whom, by the way, are white) are successfully deconstructing whiteness among the people who serve their church for free, driving them away without any additional assistance. Negotiating with Hamas Hamas has told the BBC, the Corporation reported yesterday, that it cannot give Israel the full list it demands of the Israeli hostages still held. It blames the fog of war and the existence of different groups holding the hostages for this. The BBC did not interrogate this claim, as it would have done if it had been made by, say, the British Government. It should. After all, if Hamas is saying that it does not know which hostages it has and cannot control what happens to them, how can anyone negotiate with it on the subject? Ismail Haniyeh hasnt got the message Some say it is morally important to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas before the holy month of Ramadan, which starts next week. The idea is that Ramadan reflects the peaceful intentions of all Muslims and so should not be polluted by violence. So I was surprised to see that Ismail Haniyeh, the Politburo chief of Hamas, has called for Muslims to march on Al-Aqsa mosque on the first night of Ramadan. He would seem not to have got the message about the religion of peace. Baby loss certificates Last month, a government scheme came in that allows parents whose baby died before 24 weeks of pregnancy to be issued with a baby loss certificate if they would like one. This sympathetic move shows that the state officially recognises such a baby as a dead human being and that the death is a matter of sorrow, not merely a clinical event. It would be logical, therefore, to issue such a loss certificate to any parent who has caused his or her child to be aborted before that date. They wouldnt want that, you might object. That is not always true: regret over an abortion is not uncommon. To an extraordinary extent, our society faces both ways on this subject. It tries to reconcile the contradictions by saying that only wanted babies should be born. But if a pre-24-week baby is a human being (which the issue of a baby loss certificate acknowledges), surely the wishes of the parents should not trump its right to life. Lacking authority This month marks the 40th anniversary of the start of the miners strike. There will be a deluge of plays, documentaries etc, most of which will back the strikers and lambast the wicked Thatcher government. To keep your head above water in this flood, just remember one thing: at all times, before and during the dispute, the NUM union leader, Arthur Scargill, refused to call a national strike ballot and therefore lacked moral authority for all his actions. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Russian forces fired at the Sumy Oblast border 44 times on March 4, striking 11 communities, the regional military administration reported. A civilian was injured in Myropillia as a result of shelling. The attacks caused over 220 explosions in the area. The communities of Khotin, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Shalyhyne, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, Svesa, and Druzhbivka came under fire. Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, drones, and grenade launchers. At least 25 mines were dropped onto the Velyka Pysarivka community, and 12 more on the village of Krasnopillia and surrounding areas, the Ukrainian military reported. The town of Seredyna-Buda, with a pre-war population of about 7,000 residents, experienced the bulk of the attacks reported with 67 explosions recorded in the area over the past 24 hours. The residents of Sumy Oblast's vulnerable border communities face near-constant attacks from nearby Russian forces. Russia has launched attacks on the region almost every day since April 2022. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine slows Russian advances west of Avdiivka, military says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia claimed its air defenses shot down three drones over Belgorod Oblast overnight on March 5 and one more over Kursk Oblast, according to the Russian Defense Ministry's Telegram channel. Earlier in the morning, Roman Starovoit, the governor of Kursk Oblast, claimed a there was shelling of a railway station in the village of Glushkovo. He wrote about "nine strikes," which caused a fire, according to Starovoit's statement. Starovoit further claimed that power lines were damaged, leaving the railway station and the village of Kulbaki in the region without electricity. Ukrainian officials did not comment on the claims, which cannot be independently verified. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the drones allegedly were targeted at unspecified "objects" in Kursk Oblast. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support us On the morning of March 5, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Belgorod Oblast's governor, claimed an "emergency" in the Gubkinsky district of the Russian region, writing about an explosion and fire at an infrastructure facility. Russian Telegram channels claimed that the oil depot had been hit, publishing alleged photos of black smoke rising above the site. Ukrinform reported, citing an unnamed source in Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), that the agency is behind an attack on the Belgorodnefteprodukt oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, which was hit by a Ukrainian drone. In recent weeks and months, Russian authorities began reporting an increasing number of drone strikes targeting Belgorod, Bryansk, Oryol, and Leningrad oblasts, as well as other regions. Read also: Military intelligence: Russias Sergey Kotov patrol vessel destroyed near Crimea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Western intelligence says its almost certain that Russia's new T-14 tank isn't fighting in Ukraine. It says Moscow is likely trying to avoid the "reputational damage" of losing one in battle. It's a story similar to that of another much-touted Russian asset the Su-57 fifth-gen fighter jet. Russia has touted the new T-14 Armata as a highly advanced and formidable tank for dominating the modern battlefield, yet there has been no evidence it has seen action in Ukraine, or that it has even been deployed there for that matter. Moscow has also sidelined another much-celebrated asset the supposedly fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet, raising the question of why the Russian military would leave top weapons behind. The answer, per a new Western intelligence assessment, is that the Kremlin likely fears the reputational damage of losing one of its T-14s in combat. The Russians have described the next-generation T-14 main battle tank, which was introduced in 2015, as "cutting-edge" weaponry, featuring new technology and automated functions like a remotely operated cannon, sophisticated sensors, onboard drones, and defenses against anti-tank weapons. The emergence of the Armata initially sparked concerns among some Western analysts who worried that it might rival NATO tanks like the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 or Challenger 2. But years into its development, the T-14 program remains plagued by problems such as manufacturing issues, delays, and a reduction in fleet size, all while the tank's reliability has also been called into question. A Russian T-14 Armata tank participates in a Victory Day Parade night rehearsal on Tverskaya street on May 4, 2022 in Moscow, Russia. Photo by Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images) Russia's 1st Guards Tank Army was supposed to receive the T-14 in 2021, and Moscow was even considering deploying the tanks to Ukraine at one point in early 2023. But it is "highly unlikely" that a delivery to any front-line unit has occurred, the British defense ministry said in a Tuesday intelligence update. "To date, it is almost certain that the T-14 Armata MBT has not been deployed to Ukraine," the update continued. "This is highly likely due to the potential reputational damage of losing the 'prestige' vehicle in combat and the requirement to produce greater quantities of MBTs which can only be satisfied by other variants." This assessment directly contradicts claims made by Russian state media throughout the war that the T-14s had been operating in Ukraine. The examples of said participation ranged from reports of brief stints on the front line to firing from a distance without engaging in direct assault operations. Kyiv has denied Moscow's claims about the tank's involvement and said it hasn't seen any Armatas in battle consistent with the UK's assessment. Russian servicemen drive T-14 Armata tanks during the Victory Day Parade in Red Square in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov On Monday, the head of a Russian state-owned weapons manufacturer, Rostec, revealed that Moscow is ultimately unlikely to use the tanks in Ukraine because they are far too costly, despite these weapons supposedly being more advanced and functional than Moscow's existing inventory of tanks. The relationship between the T-14 and the Ukraine war bears similar hallmarks to what British intelligence and aviation experts have previously said about the Su-57, which is Russia's highly touted first attempt at a fifth-generation fighter jet, the kind of aircraft that should be able to make a difference in a war like Ukraine. Known by NATO as the "Felon," the Su-57 was delivered to Moscow's military in 2020, but there are only a very small number of these aircraft in its arsenal. There is also only very limited evidence that the fighter jet has seen action in Ukraine, mainly just Russian reports that the plane has fired missiles from positions considerably far from the front lines. A Sukhoi Su-57 jet fighter performs during International military-technical forum "Army-2020" at Kubinka airbase in Russia on Aug. 25, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov "Russia is highly likely prioritizing avoiding the reputational damage, reduced export prospects, and the compromise of sensitive technology which would come from any loss" of the Su-57 over Ukraine, Britain's defense ministry said in an early 2023 intelligence update on the war. Indeed, were Russia to lose one of its Su-57s to Ukraine's highly capable air-defense systems, it would strike a blow to the fighter's reputation and potentially place its much-needed foreign sales in jeopardy, aviation experts previously told Business Insider. The experts also said that any loss of the aircraft would result in sensitive technologies eventually falling right into NATO hands and suggested that Moscow's reluctance to rely more on the Felon indicates a lack of confidence in its purported stealth capabilities. It's unclear if there may be similar concerns about the capabilities of the T-14 Armata, but a previous intelligence update noted than Russian commanders in Ukraine would be "unlikely to trust" the new tank in battle. Read the original article on Business Insider Russia has lost 1,070 military personnel, nine tanks, three multiple-launch rocket systems and other equipment over the past day. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 5 March 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses ed.]: 419,020 (+1,070) military personnel; 6,657 (+9) tanks; 12,688 (+28) armoured combat vehicles; 10,258 (+48) artillery systems; 1,007 (+3) multiple-launch rocket systems; 700 (+2) air defence systems; 347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft; 325 (+0) helicopters; 7,863 (+18) strategic and tactical UAVs; 1,917 (+1) cruise missiles; 25 (+0) ships and boats; 1 (+0) submarines; 13,423 (+49) vehicles and tankers; 1,630 (+9) special vehicles and other equipment. The data is being confirmed. Support UP or become our patron! By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Tuesday accused Western ambassadors in Moscow of meddling in Russia's internal affairs by attending the funeral of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, saying their behaviour raised questions about the point of such envoys. The Ukraine war has triggered the deepest crisis in Russia's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and President Vladimir Putin has warned that the West risks provoking a nuclear war if it sends troops to fight in Ukraine. 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 Russia's March 15-17 presidential election. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, remarking on the envoys' refusal, told Russian state television anchor Vladimir Solovyov: "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?" Solovyov noted that EU ambassadors attended the March 1 funeral of Navalny, whom he cast as their agent. Navalny, whose death at an Arctic prison colony was announced on Feb. 16, has always denied being a Western agent. The West says Putin is responsible for Navalny's death. Zakharova said the envoys' refusal to talk with Lavarov showed they were meddling in Moscow's affairs and putting on "performances" rather than doing diplomatic work. The banner headline on Solovyov's TV show read: "Should the EU ambassadors be sent out?" Reuters photos showed that the Western envoys at the funeral service included French Ambassador Pierre Levy, German Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff and U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy. WARNING TO BERLIN The West is grappling with what support it will give to Kyiv as Russian forces regained the initiative on the battlefield following a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive last year. 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 said it presented a "demarche" to Germany's ambassador on Monday, demanding clarification on the content of the recording. Germany said the envoy was not summoned but attended an pre-arranged appointment. Germany's envoy was also scolded over what Moscow said were attempts 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. Germany has not commented on the accusation. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Bernadette Baum) SANAA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthis said they launched multiple missile and drone attacks against two U.S. Navy warships in the Red Sea on Tuesday night. "We carried out a qualitative military operation, targeting two American warships in the Red Sea. The operation was carried out with a number of naval missiles and drones," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the Houthi-run satellite TV channel al-Masirah. "Our armed forces will not hesitate to expand attacks against all hostile targets to support the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, as well as in response to the U.S.-British aggression against our country (Yemen)," he said. "Our attacks will not stop until the Israeli offensive in Gaza stops and the siege imposed on the Palestinian people is lifted," Sarea added. The U.S. Navy is yet to make a comment on the alleged Houthi attacks. Shortly before the Houthi statement, the U.S.-British military coalition launched five airstrikes on Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, according to al-Masirah TV and local residents. Two airstrikes hit the area of Ras Issa in the al-Salif district northwest of the city, while three others occurred in the area of al-Jabbanah in the western part of the city, reported al-Masirah TV. Local residents said on social media that the airstrikes targeted Houthi mobile missile launchers in both areas. On Monday, Sarea said in a statement aired by al-Masirah TV that his group had fired multiple anti-ship ballistic missiles toward "U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea and an Israeli commercial vessel, M/V MSC SKY II, in the Gulf of Aden," claiming that the strikes were accurate. However, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement on social media platform X that the Houthi missiles impacted the water but caused no damage to the U.S. Navy ships in the southern Red Sea. The command also confirmed that one of the Houthi missiles fired toward the Gulf of Aden impacted M/V MSC SKY II, a Liberian-flagged, Swiss-owned container vessel, inflicting damage. The Houthis have been targeting shipping vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, particularly those with suspected links to Israel, since November last year, in what they said was an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In response, the U.S.-led coalition has conducted dozens of airstrikes against Houthi targets to deter the group from targeting commercial vessels and disrupting the freedom of international shipping in the region. Nevertheless, the Houthi group has vowed to escalate and expand its attacks against commercial ships passing through the waters until Israel stops its offensive in Gaza. The Houthi group has been controlling several northern Yemeni provinces, including the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, since the onset of the Yemeni civil war in late 2014. The US government on Monday accused Russia of trying to stir up mistrust among Ukraine and its Western allies by publishing an intercepted online call between senior German Air Force officers about the war. Russia's leak last Friday of the 38-minute conversation between top military personnel has proved a major embarrassment for Berlin, which has described the recording as part of Moscow's "information war." White House national security spokesman John Kirby weighed in on the national security breach suffered by one of Washington's closest allies, saying Moscow was trying to "sow discord." "This is a bold attempt, a transparent attempt by the Russians to try to sow discord and to try to show division and try to make it look like the West isn't unified," Kirby said. Russia was also trying to make it appear as if the government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not "unified on what they're doing" for Kiev, Kirby said. The officers can be heard on the call discussing the possibility of sending Germany's longer-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev - a move that Scholz has stridently rejected publicly for months. The Luftwaffe officials say that the missiles could, for instance, destroy the bridge to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Moscow in violation of international law. According to the officers, a swift delivery and deployment of the Taurus missiles would only be possible under the direct involvement of German forces. Deployment solely under Ukrainian command would be possible, they say, but the necessary training for Ukrainian soldiers would likely take months. The clip also contains a diplomatically sensitive reference to the British having "a few people on the ground" in Ukraine, in connection with the Storm Shadow cruise missiles sent to the country. Russian forces struck the centre of the city of Kherson from the temporarily occupied left (east) bank of the Dnipro River at about 15:00 on 5 March. A 52-year-old man has been injured. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast State Administration; Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration Details: The injured man was sent to hospital in moderate condition. The medics diagnosed a mine-blast injury, a shrapnel wound on the back, a dislocation of the shoulder, etc. This is not the first attack on residential areas of the city today. Power lines and a car have been damaged as a result of the attacks. In the afternoon the occupying forces struck an administrative building in the city of Kherson. The building was severely damaged. Background: The Russian forces struck Kherson two times in the morning, injuring a 77-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man. Support UP or become our patron! Novica Antic is accused of being an 'agent of influence' of Russian intelligence Russia used a Serbian agent to infiltrate the European Parliament and spread propaganda about the invasion of Ukraine, it has been claimed. Novica Antic held meetings with MEPs in October 2023, according to a Western intelligence briefing, the Politico website reported, adding that the briefing identified him as an active agent of influence for the FSB, Russias federal security service. They took every opportunity to promote Russian propaganda relating to the war in Ukraine, the briefing said, referring to meetings in Serbia and EU countries. Serbia is one of the Western Balkan countries hoping to one day join the EU. However, it has not joined EU sanctions against the Kremlin over the illegal invasion of Ukraine. Call to counter Russian influence in Balkans It is believed that Russia is deploying influence operations to weaken pro-EU sentiment in the country. Annalena Baerbock, Germanys foreign minister, called on Monday for faster enlargement of the EU to counter Russian influence in the region. Mr Antic met MEPs including Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, of the German Greens, Alessandra Moretti, of the Italian Socialists & Democrats, and Vladimir Bilcik, a Slovakian member of the conservative European Peoples Party Group. Politico reported there was nothing in the intelligence briefing to suggest the MEPs knew of the alleged FSB links. Vladimir Bilcik was one of the MEPs who met Mr Antic, and who the intelligence briefing did not suggest knew anything of his alleged FSB links - THIERRY MONASSE/GETTY IMAGES Mr Antic, who is chairman of the Serbian Military Trade Union, also held meetings with representatives of the EUROMIL and EPSU trade unions in Brussels. He reportedly works closely with an alleged FSB associate named Vyacheslav Kalinin, a Russian national and editor-in-chief of Veteran News, a media website with links to the Russian Ministry of Defence. An EPSU official told Politico, A delegation of his union was in Brussels in October, where they met with several MEPs and they were all transparent. The only topic was trade union rights. Alessandra Moretti, an Italian MEP, also met Mr Antic - FRANCO ORIGLIA/GETTY IMAGES Alleged agent on hunger strike in Serbia Mr Antic did not respond to Politicos request for comment. A fierce critic of Aleksandar Vucic, the Serbian president, he is currently being detained on unspecified charges in Serbia and has reportedly gone on hunger strike. The European Parliament does not have any direct say on EU foreign policy, which is led by the blocs member states, but it can pass non-binding resolutions and write reports. Mr Antics access to the EU institution, which sits in Brussels and Strasbourg, comes amid fears the parliament is vulnerable to state-backed infiltration. Spyware was recently found on the smartphones of two MEPs, including the chairman of the defence committee. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Semafor Signals Insights from Sirena, Sobesednik, and Wired The News At least five people have been detained in Moscow after attending the funeral of Alexei Navalny, the Russian watchdog OVD-Info reported, suggesting the Kremlin is continuing its crackdown on the opposition leaders supporters. One woman who attended the rally and was caught on video chanting glory to the heroes, a pro-Ukraine slogan, was arrested on Monday, a lawyer representing the woman told OVD-Info. She was handed a small fine, but allowed to return home the following day. Police apprehended two other attendees of the funeral Tuesday, although the charges remain unknown, the Russian independent news outlet Agenstvo reported. OVD-Info press secretary Dmitry Anisimov told Agenstvo that Russian security forces have likely used Moscows extensive surveillance system and facial recognition technology to identify attendees. In the days leading up to Navalnys funeral, authorities installed several new surveillance cameras around the church and cemetery where the ceremony took place. While it is too early to talk about trends, Anisimov said, several independent Russian human right groups warned that there was a risk of protesters being rounded up after attending the rally. More than 400 people have been detained across Russia for protesting since Navalny died, according to OVD-Infos estimates. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Facial recognition technology is a powerful tool in the Kremlins arsenal Sources: Reuters, Wired The arrests are the latest evidence of the Kremlins growing dependence on surveillance technology to uphold its harsh levels of repression. Facial recognition and surveillance cameras have played a role in the arrests of hundreds of protesters since Russia invaded Ukraine, a Reuters investigation found. While the hundreds of thousands of surveillance cameras in Moscow were originally touted as a way to catch criminals and improve public safety, they have now been turned against protesters. As the Kremlin seeks to centralize its surveillance system, activists warn that Russia will only get better at cracking down on dissent. If they digitalize all the databases and combine them to make this joint database, they can find everybody, one Russian activist told Wired. Despite repression, hundreds continue to visit Navalnys grave Sources: CNN, Sobesednik, Sirena Images and footage from Navalnys funeral show that hundreds of Russians have continued to visit his grave in the days after the funeral, CNN reported. An article in Sobesednik, one of the few liberal publications still in print in Russia, described gigantic queues over the weekend, as the bouquets left on Navalnys grave became a mountain of flowers. An earlier edition of Sobesednik was withdrawn from Moscow newspaper stands after it was printed with an article entitled Russia is a happy country. Sometimes Navalnys are born in it, the Russian independent outlet Sirena reported. Russian attacks killed one person in Kharkiv Oblast and injured another in the southern city of Kherson on March 5, authorities reported. Russian troops attacked the village of Kurylivka in Kupiansk district at 10:30 a.m. local time, killing a 67-year-old woman, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram. Syniehubov also reported that a 55-year-old woman, who was seriously injured by a Russian attack against the village of Chorne in the Kupiansk district on Feb. 15, died in the hospital. Residential areas of Kherson came under Russian strikes at 7 a.m. on March 5, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. An elderly man has been hospitalized with shrapnel wounds soon after the attack. Another woman was rescued from her house and transported to the hospital for examination. Over the past day, the attacks damaged around 18 houses, eight apartment buildings, administrative buildings, a gas station, and warehouses in Kherson Oblast, the governor noted. Russian forces launched 21 strikes against multiple settlements in Kharkiv Oblast, damaging at least 10 houses and injuring a 49-year-old driver of an emergency medical care center, according to Syniehubov. The Air Force reported that Ukraine had shot down 18 of the 22 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight on March 5. Read also: Who are they fighting, children? Family of 5 killed in devastating Russian attack on Kharkiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union from 1924 until 1953. Moscow has always maintained that he died after suffering a stroke - Keystone/Hulton Archive The Communists of Russia party has urged the FSB security service, the successor agency to the Soviet Unions KGB, to investigate the possible involvement of Western intelligence agents in the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1953. Russias RIA news agency cited Sergei Malinkovich, the partys chairman, as saying: The party appealed to the prosecutor generals office of the Russian Federation and the FSB with a request to check the possible involvement of Western intelligence services in the death of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. Sergei Malinkovich, chairman of the Communists of Russia, says it is possible western agents poisoned Stalin and has called for an invesigation - Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP According to the report, Mr Malinkovich said: Many testimonies from Stalins contemporaries speak of the possible poisoning of the leader of the Soviet nations by agents of Western influence. It was not immediately clear whether the FSB or the prosecutor generals office had replied to the partys request. Tuesday marks the 71st anniversary of the death of Stalin, who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until the day he died. The cause of his death was a hemorrhagic stroke, Moscow said at the time. Stalin oversaw Russias rapid industrialisation, but also the deaths of millions in famines, purges and in Gulag labour camps. Recommended Russia builds 'Stalin centres' to restore reputation of dictator Read more Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who casts himself as an heir to the tsars of the past, has offered a mixed assessment of Stalin, praising his war leadership while condemning his domestic policies as totalitarian. The Communists of Russia party was registered in 2012. Its main rival on the Left of Russias political spectrum is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, which considers itself the successor to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Mr Malinkovich told RIA that representatives of his party would lay flowers at the bust of Stalin at the Kremlin Wall on Tuesday. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Communists of Russia party has urged the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and top prosecutors to investigate potential Western intelligence involvement in the 1953 death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, the Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported. "The party has formally petitioned the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation and the FSB to examine the potential role of Western intelligence services in the passing of Joseph Stalin," Chairman of the party, Sergei Malinkovich, was quoted as saying. "Numerous testimonies from Stalin's contemporaries suggest the potential poisoning of the Soviet leader by agents of Western influence," Malinkovich reportedly said. It remains unclear whether the FSB or the Prosecutor General's Office has responded to the party's request. March 5 commemorates the 71st anniversary of Stalin's death. He served as the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 until his passing. The government attributed his death to a hemorrhagic stroke. Read also: ISW: Medvedevs rhetoric echoes Stalin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A mine has been left without power in Donetsk Oblast, while a gas pipeline has been damaged in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, both due to Russian attacks. Source: press service of Ukraines Ministry of Energy on Telegram Details: Due to combat operations, an overhead power line in Donetsk Oblast was disconnected, resulting in a power outage at the substation supplying electricity to the mine and residential consumers. A total of 16 people were brought to the surface from the mine. Additionally, a gas pipeline was damaged in the city of Nikopol as a result of artillery shelling. People have been left without electricity. An overhead power line supplying power to residential consumers was disconnected in Chernihiv Oblast as a result of Russian attacks, leading to power outages for 370 households in six settlements. The 330 kV line which supplied power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains disabled. Background: On 4 March, Ukraine exported a record-breaking 13 gigawatts of electricity to other countries. Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova will purchase the electricity. Support UP or become our patron! Russia is ready to expel German journalists in retaliation for any measures taken against Russian journalists in Germany, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on March 5, according to state-owned media agency RIA Novosti. Tensions between Germany and Russia have risen in recent days following the leak of a conversation between German military officers on March 1. The recording of the conversation, during which the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian troops were discussed, was published by Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Kremlin-controlled TV channel RT. "If they touch Russian correspondents," German journalists will be removed from Russia, and the German government knows "about this through diplomatic channels in Berlin," Zakharova claimed. According to media reports, Germany's Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz was among the participants of the conversation, which was alleged to be a preparation for a briefing with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The publication of the leaked conversation was a "hybrid disinformation attack," Pistorius said. "It's about division." Calling it "a very serious matter," Scholz vowed that the situation was to be "clarified very carefully, very intensively, and very quickly." The Russian Foreign Ministry reportedly summoned German Ambassador to Russia Alexander Lambsdorf on March 4 in relation to the leak. Read also: Jailed US journalist spends 100th day in pre-trial detention in Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE PHOTO: Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin attends the opening ceremony of a monument to the victims of World War Two in Leningrad region By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign intelligence chief has said French President Emmanuel Macron's refusal to rule out sending European troops to fight Russian soldiers in Ukraine was extremely dangerous and irresponsible. Macron said last month that there was no consensus on sending European troops to fight in Ukraine but that nothing should be excluded, though the United States and other European members of the alliance have said there were no plans to do so. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has triggered the deepest crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and President Vladimir Putin has warned that the West risks provoking a nuclear war if it sends troops to fight in Ukraine. Asked about Macron's remarks, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the main successor to the KGB's First Directorate foreign spying section, said they were deeply irresponsible. "This shows the high degree of political irresponsibility of Europe's leaders today, in this case, the president of France," Naryshkin told state television in remarks on Tuesday. "These statements are extremely dangerous." "It is sad to see this, sad to observe and sad to understand that the ability of current elites in Europe and the North Atlantic to negotiate is at a very low level," he said. "They more and more rarely demonstrate any common sense at all." Russia and the United States have the world's largest arsenals of nuclear weapons. President Joe Biden has cautioned that a conflict between Russia and NATO could trigger World War Three. After the Russian invasion in 2022, Western leaders said they would help Ukraine defeat Russian troops on the battlefield and drive out Russian troops. Ukraine recaptured large swathes of territory in 2022. But Kyiv's counteroffensive in 2023 failed to pierce heavily dug in Russian lines, and Russian forces have been pushing into Ukrainian territory just as U.S. support for Ukraine is tangled in domestic political debates. Russia controls just under one fifth of territory internationally recognised as Ukraine. (Reporting by Maxim Rodionov in London, Ron Popeski in Winnipeg, Canada, and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Alison Williams and Gerry Doyle) SANAA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthis said they launched multiple missile and drone attacks against two U.S. Navy warships in the Red Sea on Tuesday night. "We carried out a qualitative military operation, targeting two American warships in the Red Sea. The operation was carried out with a number of naval missiles and drones," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by the Houthi-run satellite TV channel al-Masirah. "Our armed forces will not hesitate to expand attacks against all hostile targets in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, as well as in response to the U.S.-British aggression against our country (Yemen)," he said. The Russians used dangerous projectiles, spherical fragmentation air bombs ShoAB-0.5, in the north of Ukraine's Sumy Oblast on the night of 4-5 March. They remotely mined the area near the village of Marchykhyna Buda in the Shostka district. Source: Sumy Oblast Police on Facebook Details: Specifically, Russian aircraft used RBK-500 cluster munitions during the airstrikes. One such cluster contains 565 SHOAB-0.5 spherical air bombs, which weigh 400 g each and have a long effective range. Quote by Ihor Cherniak, head of the Department of Pyrotechnical Service of the Main Directorate of the National Police: "This object looks like a little silver-coloured ball with small "ribs" on the sides. Its looks may be appealing to children so we advise the parents to take this into consideration and warn their loved ones about possible danger. We strongly advise against touching such objects." Details: He added that at the moment, police bomb squads are working on site of the mining. Policeman from a bomb squad working on the mining site Photo: regional branch of the National Police The police warn that upon detecting such an explosive, one must not approach it, touch it or do anything with it at all. If a SHOAB-0.5 air bomb or any other explosives are found, the police should be immediately informed about this by dialling 102. Support UP or become our patron! SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The San Angelo Fire Department spoke with the San Angelo City Council on Tuesday to discuss the status of the fire crews it sent to help combat the ongoing wildfire crisis in the Texas Panhandle. SAFD Fire Chief Patrick Brody approached the City Council during the public comment section of the March 5 council meeting to share what the fire crews sent to the panhandle had accomplished thus far. The SAFD sent one firefighting crew to help tame the flames ever since the wildfires consuming large swaths of the Lone Star State began to grow to their catastrophic size, with personnel first being reported in the panhandle on Feb. 28. According to Brody, the San Angelo firefighters were initially staged in Childress, Texas, a city approximately 200 miles from the major cluster of wildfires. When the fire broke out on Monday, they were immediately dispatched to that area, Brody said. From there, the firefighters were dispatched to Canadian, Texas, to stave off any further flames. The town had been ravaged by the Smokehouse Creek wildfire, which has become the largest fire in Texas history after burning over 1 million acres of land. The SAFD would send another crew shortly thereafter as well as an additional brush truck and two engine bosses. San Angelos Texas A&M Forest Service also deployed its own team with the firefighting crews, making the San Angelo-based forces amount to 10 personnel. We have a strong presence of San Angelo, whether it be San Angelo Fire or Texas Forest Service, represented in the panhandle, Brody said. Since the SAFDs arrival at Canadian, 19 strike teams and 323 personnel have been sent to the area to help face off against the inferno. The firefighters also have air support in the form of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Theyre beginning to get a handle on the situation, Brody said. I spoke with a strike team leader this morning, and were at 55% containment. Thats a huge stride. However, the work is not yet finished. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfires acreage and percentage contained as of 1:30 p.m. on March 4 are as follows: Grape Vine Creek Fire, Gray County 34,882 acres, 60% contained Smokehouse Creek Fire, Hutchinson County est. 1,076,638 acres, 15% contained Windy Deuce Fire, Moore County 144,206 acres, 55% contained Magenta Fire, Oldham County 3,297 acres, 85% contained Roughneck Fire, Hutchinson County est. 300 acres, 50% contained Despite the daunting task ahead of them, the SAFD hasnt stopped giving it their all. At first [the fire personnel] were putting in the normal shift. The normal shift is a 12-hour shift. But theyre putting in 15, 16, 18 hours consecutively with no sleep, out on the line, Brody said. I see pictures coming home from those guys up there working, and you can just see it all over their face theyre exhausted, but theyre doing Gods work. RELATED: SAFD shares on-the-ground glimpse of panhandle fires The work of the SAFD hasnt gone unnoticed by the residents of Canadian. Brody shared with the City Council that the Texas Municipal Police Association expressed its gratitude in an email on behalf of the citizens affected by the flames, which he read aloud to the council members. I was advised that if the San Angelo Fire Department had not arrived when they did, there was a strong belief that the community would be an entire loss, a representative of the TMPA said in the email. The San Angelo Fire Department arrived with little time to spare and began to hold the lines to keep the town from being a much larger loss. The citizens I spoke with were extremely appreciative of San Angelos response and efforts to stop the fire from causing any worse loss to the community. Brody and the City Council expressed immense pride in the San Angelo firefighters who have risked their personal safety to help their fellow Texans in their hour of need. My heart is full of pride with these people, Brody said. They are representing our city, and they are defending a community that they are not a part of. Its something to be very proud of. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Officer Cadet Harry Waters told police the woman had climbed on him on the sofa - Solent News & Photo Agency A trainee British Army officer raped a female colleague who was so drunk she had to be carried up the stairs to his bedroom, a court martial was told. Officer Cadet Harry Waters, 24, is accused of carrying the young woman upstairs princess style and having sex with her on his bed. Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, heard Officer Cadet Waters invited a group of cadets to his familys home in Guildford, Surrey, for a weekend while his parents were away. The alleged rape came after a day of heavy drinking which the victim was not accustomed to. Officer Cadet Waters, 24, who denies rape, claimed his fellow cadet climbed on top of him, prompting him to ask: Do you want it? The female trainee officer later told him that if he had to carry her up the stairs it did not count as consent for sex. Rupert Gregory, prosecuting, said the group went to a pub in London before returning to Officer Cadet Waterss family home, where they continued 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. She had a flash of memory He said the others went to bed, leaving Officer Cadet Waters and the woman alone, and that the pair started kissing. She had quite a lot to drink, Mr Gregory said. He carried her upstairs. 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 doesnt know if it happened or not. In a police interview, the female cadet said she realised they did have sex as she ached. She said: I didnt say anything about it, I was just confused at this point. Officer Cadet Waters told police she had climbed on him on the sofa and he had asked her: Do you want it? I dont have a condom. Asked whether he had an STI The court heard the next morning, Officer Cadet Waters was regretful. Months later, after speaking with the padre at Sandhurst, the cadet wrote a letter to Officer Cadet Waters accusing him of sexually assaulting her. Mr Gregory said: She asked Officer Cadet Waters whether he had an STI and wrote to him about how isolated she felt. They had a chat and he said he felt differently about what happened. She said she didnt consider that what they did in the bed was consensual. Officer Cadet Waters came to her room and she told him: I dont know if you have a different definition of consent but if you could not walk up the stairs I dont see that as consent. Officer Cadet Waters left her room upset after telling her he didnt carry her upstairs. The trial, due to last more than two weeks, continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SANDUSKY, Ohio (WJW) A Sandusky City Schools employee has been indicted, accused of having sex with a 15-year-old. Terrin M. Schnee, 38, of Sandusky, was charged Friday, March 1, via secret indictment with felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor as well as misdemeanor counts of sexual imposition, court records show. Excavator stolen from local roadside construction site The offenses allegedly occurred between Jan. 7 and Feb. 4, according to the indictment. One day in February, the mother of the 15-year-old returned home to find Schnee with the teen, according to a news release from Norwalk police, who responded to a report of a disturbance at the home. It was later discovered more incidents had occurred between the two which led to a grand jury handing down the eight-count indictment, Detective Sgt. Jared Ferris wrote in the news release. Norwalk police officers and sheriffs deputies from Huron and Erie counties arrested Schnee at his Sandusky home on Monday, March 4, according to the release. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment later that day in Huron County Common Pleas Court. He was later released after posting a $50,000 bond, and was ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim or other minors, records show. Child endangerment case worst seen in officers career Anyone with information on the case or other potential victims is urged to call Norwalk detectives. The police departments phone number is 419-663-6780. Schools Superintendent and CEO Daniel Rambler in a statement said Schnee has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as well as the districts own internal investigation. Ramblers statement reads, in part: We will continue to coordinate with the Norwalk Police Department and local law enforcement throughout this process and will update our community as we can. The safety of all students is always our first priority. However, if you or your student has information regarding this investigation, we encourage you to call the Norwalk Police Department at 419-663-6780. We are committed to the safety of our students and expect all staff to adhere to the highest ethical practices and conduct. We will not tolerate behaviors that compromise the safety of our children. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we deal with this unfortunate situation. Sandusky City Schools Superintendent and CEO Daniel Rambler Records from a September meeting of the Sandusky City Schools Board of Education show Schnee was being paid $49.12 per hour for the 2023-24 school year, as an English teacher for speakers of other languages. Schnee is due back in court for a pretrial in April, and is scheduled for trial on May 22. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Five SAS soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of alleged war crimes following the death of a suspected jihadist in Syria. The soldiers, who remain on active duty, are claimed to have said he posed a threat and feared he intended to carry out a suicide attack. Defence sources have indicated that the arrests had been made following the incident two years ago. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 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. Sources at the Special Air Service sources, which forms part of the civilian Crown Prosecution Service, claim a primed suicide vest was found nearby but the suspect was not wearing it when killed. It is uncertain if any of the arrests will lead to prosecution of the soldiers as it is exceptionally rare to have them convicted of war crimes. The MoD) said it would not comment directly on the investigation. Members of the SAS have been deployed to support the Syrian Democratic Forces and to push back against Islamic State. It is understood to be the first arrests involving UK personnel linked to an operation relating to the terror network. Elite troops have been working in both Syria and Iraq in a bid to defeat Islamic State. Their role has been focused on identifying targets on the ground for RAF aircraft, including Reaper drones and Typhoons, to attack. They have also been involved in operations to rescue children from the so-called caliphate and have them brought back to Britain. The role of the SAS has recently changed in a drive to identify Iranian-backed militia smuggling weapons across the region and into Lebanon, an RAF source told The Times. But ministers and officials in the Government have refused to be drawn on the work of the elite unit. It was back in the 1980s that the practice was introduced, which includes off the record remarks. The director of special forces, the SASs most senior officer, is directly accountable to both the Defence Secretary and the Prime Minister. Actions of SAS in Afghanistan under investigation The arrests have come at a time when the actions of the SAS in Afghanistan have come under the microscope in a public inquiry looking into claims that 80 Afghans were killed by the unit. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer said senior figures in the Army failed in their basic duty to find out the truth regarding allegations of murder by the SAS. He told an inquiry that senior people within the Ministry of Defence had failed to establish if a special forces unit, known as UKSF1, had a policy of executing males of fighting age who posed no threat in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. Afghan families have accused UK special forces of conducting a campaign of murder against civilians, while senior officers and personnel at the MoD sought to prevent adequate investigation. Asked by Oliver Glasgow KC, the counsel to the inquiry, if he was angry that he had not been told the true picture about the three-year period in question, Mr Mercer said he was angry with senior leaders within the Ministry of Defence and within UKSF. Members of the elite force are based in Hereford who operate in difficult and often changing circumstances behind the lines and in locations that Britain does not reveal that there is a military presence. Lord Justice Haddon-Cave is due to report during the autumn on whether or not war crimes took place and if they were adequately investigated. It is expected his report could lead to a fresh criminal inquiry into the shootings and the chance that Special Forces commanders perverted the course of justice by obstructing attempts by military police to probe the killings. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A high school counselor faces sex crime charges after he was accused of having inappropriate contact with multiple students, Georgia police say. Alonzo Wyatt is charged with six counts of improper contact by a school employee and one count of criminal attempt, Villa Rica police said in a March 4 news release. Wyatt, 30, was a full-time counselor at Villa Rica High School, where police said he preyed on students under his guidance. Authorities began investigating Feb. 16 after Carroll County Schools received reports that an employee was having an inappropriate relationship with a student, according to police. McClatchy News reached out to the school district for comment on March 5 and was awaiting a response. Wyatts name was seemingly scrubbed from the schools website as of Tuesday. A police investigation revealed Wyatt had sexual contact with a student at the high school more than once, authorities said. Police identified at least two other victims who were being counseled by Wyatt. He reportedly made sexual advances, groped them and solicited them for sex during sessions, according to authorities. He was in a position of trust at the school and students depended on him for assistance, advice, and safety, police said, adding that Wyatt clearly and continuously broke that trust. Officers also pored over complex digital cell phone evidence and numerous victims and witnesses during their investigation, the department said. This investigation revealed a pattern of predatory behavior, according to police. Carroll County Schools addressed the incident in a statement and said it was aware of the accusations against Wyatt, WANF reported. The matter was turned over to the Villa Rica Police Department, and today they have notified us of the completion of their investigation, district officials told the station. We are thankful for the strong relationship we have with our local law enforcement to ensure that the safety of our students remains our top priority. Villa Rica is about 30 miles west of downtown Atlanta. If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom. Man taunted college students with stolen nude photos from their Snapchats, feds say Pastor fired over predatory texts with men and underage teenager, Texas church says Police chief made unforgivable advances on officers wife, NC town says. Hes fired Tracey and Martin Bunn have been selling children's clothes for more than three decades A couple who have sold generations of families school uniforms are celebrating the 30th anniversary of opening their shop. Owned by Tracey and Martin Bunn, both 58, Kids Klobber has been selling school wear and equipment from its Endless Street premises in Salisbury since 1994. Open seven days a week during their summer peak season, Mr Bunn said: "We've served three generations of some families. "We still enjoy meeting the children and making sure they have everything they need." The couple opened the shop in the city's Endless Street in 1994 and have expanded it twice Starting out on a market stall, Mr Bunn said he first sold clothes for children and babies in 1987, before deciding to "take a risk" and open a shop as well. Ms Bunn took on the responsibility of looking after the shop, which has since expanded twice, while Mr Bunn continued to sell on the market. He eventually shut the market stall in 2012, something Mr Bunn said he was "very glad to give up" just so he could "come into the warm". "It takes five minutes to open up the shop. Lights on, heating on, kettle on, unlock the door," he said. "Much better than setting up in the markets, which took an hour-and-a- half in all weathers." Local schools regularly change their uniform During the school summer holidays, the couple said they start work at 05:00 BST and can work 15 to 16 hours a day. Ms Bunn said: "We see the same faces come in at the last minute every year, luckily we can measure most children by eye and very rarely need our tape measures." More on this story (WJW) Kids often wish for a snow day, but how about a total solar eclipse day? For some districts in Northeast Ohio, thats exactly what students and staff are getting on April 8, 2024. Thats the day the Moon will perfectly align between the Sun and Earth to cast a shadow across parts of North America. CLICK HERE for complete FOX 8 coverage of the Total Solar Eclipse FOX 8 has found a growing list of districts that are canceling classes for the day. Especially those located in the direct path. During the summer, students at Amherst Exempted Village Schools wrote nine letters to the board arguing for a day off. According to their district calendar, those students got their wish. Earlier this year, in a newsletter sent to parents, the superintendent of Rocky River City Schools announced Spring Vacation would be extended by an additional day for the once-in-a-lifetime event. He noted, The eclipse is projected to pass through Rocky River around 3 p.m. about the same time schools are getting out and many public safety organizations have asked schools not to be in session on April 8 to help alleviate traffic and congestion in the area. Significant problem expected after eclipse Canton City Schools have also been added to the growing list. Officials wrote on the districts Facebook page in February, Its official CCSD will have a calamity day on April 8, 2024, for eclipse day. Teachers will be sharing lessons on the big event as it gets closer. Ohio is expecting a traffic gridlock around our dismissal times. Even local colleges and universities are adjusting schedules. The University of Akron announced remote learning for students on April 8 due to traffic and other issues associated with the eclipse. Other districts and schools closed include: Districts and schools that will release students early include: Districts and schools that will have a remote day of learning: If you know of a school district closed for the event, please email tips@fox8.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. MONTOUR FALLS, N.Y. (WETM) The Schuyler County Historical Society will be hosting its third Talkin History! Series installment this weekend in Montour Falls, where the county historian will talk about various canal boats on the Finger Lakes. The event is free and will take place on Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. at the Silver Spoon Cafe, which is located in the Schuyler County Human Services Complex on 323 Owego Street. This talk comes in support of New York State celebrating 200 years of the Erie Canal. Watkins Glen road racing exhibit comes to Montour Falls The talk will be led by County Historian Gary Emerson, who will use pictures, maps and stories to discuss the different types of canal boats, what life was like on the boats and how they journeyed through the area. Canal boats once plied our local waters, moving goods and people to expand the economy and unite the nation. Many boatyards in our area produced canal boats that were used across the state, said Emerson. For more information about the event, call the Brick Tavern Museum at 607-535-9741. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Mystery Machine The AI industry exploded in late 2022, following the wild success of OpenAI's ChatGPT release in November of that year. Generative AI tools from chatbots to remarkably lifelike music and voice-generators to image and video creators, and more continue to dazzle the public, while AI and machine learning advancements continue to find applications in fields like healthcare and drug discovery. Just one problem: not even the folks creating all this AI fully understand how it really works. "Obviously, we're not completely ignorant," University of California, San Diego computer scientist Mikhail Belkin told MIT Technology Review. "But our theoretical analysis is so far off what these models can do." Indeed, as MIT Tech explains, many AI models are notoriously black boxes, which in short means that while an algorithm might produce a useful output, it's unclear to researchers how it actually got there. This has been the case for years, with AI systems often defying statistics-based theoretical models. Regardless, the AI industry is careening ahead, fueled by billions of investment dollars and a hefty share of near-fanatical belief. (And, of course, the C-Suite vision of eliminating vast swaths of the workforce.) In other words, AI is already everywhere. But as it's increasingly integrated into human life, the scientists building the tech are still trying to fully understand how it learns and functions. Spaghetti, Meet Wall Some experts chalk the lack of understanding up to the burgeoning nature of the field, arguing that AI's nascency means that sometimes researchers will have to work backward from experimental results and outputs. "These are exciting times," Boaz Barak, a Harvard University computer scientist, told MIT Tech. "Many people in the field often compare it to physics at the beginning of the 20th century." "We have a lot of experimental results that we don't completely understand," Borak continued, "and often when you do an experiment it surprises you." No Guarantees If the industry's still-minimal degree of understanding seems at all cavalier, though, it's because it is. To be sure, experimentation and uncertainty are natural, if not inherent, to the scientific process. But AI models are no longer restricted to metaphorical Silicon Valley test tubes; the AI industry is a lucrative financial behemoth, and like with other technologies, the familiar "move fast and break things" approach that many in the industry have moved with could well present challenges down the road. After all, as Belkin told MIT Tech, guarantees are important. And here? They don't exist quite yet. "I'm very interested in guarantees," said Belkin, according to the report. "If you can do amazing things but you can't really control it, then it's not so amazing." "What good is a car that can drive 300 miles per hour," he added, "if it has a shaky steering wheel?" More on shaky AI steering wheels: Researchers Create AI-Powered Malware That Spreads on Its Own NEW DELHI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Two trainee pilots were injured Tuesday after a small aircraft belonging to the Indian army landed on a field in India's eastern state of Bihar, police said. The aircraft landed on the field in Bagdaha village of Gaya district, about 117 km south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. "Today a microlight aircraft of the Army's Officers Training Academy (OTA) during a training session experienced a malfunction. It landed on a field in Bagdaha's Paharpur in Bodh Gaya sub-division," a police official said. The two trainee pilots on board who sustained injuries were taken to the base camp with the help of local villagers for treatment, the official added. Reports said no damage was caused to the civilian property in the area. Even in films where religion isn't front and center, Martin Scorsese's attention to ritual and devotion comes through. Apple TV+ A widely circulated still from the set of Martin Scorseses latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon, shows the director sitting in a church pew. Next to him is Lily Gladstone, who plays the role of Mollie Kyle, an Osage woman whose family is targeted as part of a broader conspiracy by white Americans to steal the tribes wealth, to the point of marrying and killing its members. In the photograph, Scorsese appears to hold rosary beads, a common devotional object for many Catholics. Mollie is Catholic, so the rosary makes sense as a prop. But as a scholar of religion and film, Im struck by how it calls to mind the directors own complex Catholicism and its imprint on his decades of filmmaking. Scorsese stands in a long line of Catholic American filmmakers, stretching back to the 1930s and 1940s one that includes Irish Americans John Ford and Leo McCarey, and Italian immigrant Frank Capra. At a time when Catholicism still seemed foreign to many Americans, those directors helped normalize the faith, making it seem like part of a shared American story. Yet in his films, Scorsese has taken a much more personal approach to exploring Catholic faith and experience. He doesnt feel the need to defend the religion or burnish its image. His movies are steeped in Catholic sensibilities, but embrace painful questions that often accompany belief: what it means to hold on to religious commitment in a world where God can seem absent. From altar boy to auteur Scorsese has often spoken of his Catholic background. Born in New York Citys Little Italy, he went to Catholic schools and served as an altar boy at St. Patricks Old Cathedral, which appeared in his early masterpiece Mean Streets. Scorsese even began seminary training, but he quickly realized the priesthood was not for him. Yet the church proved influential. Scorsese has described St. Patricks as a spiritual alternative to the violence in the streets around his neighborhood. A priest introduced the young Scorsese to classical music and books that widened his cultural horizons. Organist Jared Lamenzo performs at the Basilica of St. Patricks Old Cathedral on June 21, 2019. Kris Connor/Getty Images for NAMM A similar tension runs through many of his films: Catholic devotion, mystery and ritual interwoven with ruthless crime. Indeed, the struggle with faith amid brutality is a theme Scorsese returns to over and over, asking what religion might have to offer the world as it actually exists, with all its cruelties, greed and despair. Presence and absence That struggle can be described as one between presence and absence, to use the terms of religious studies scholar Robert A. Orsi. Religious presence refers to all the ways people experience their gods existence in the world and in their lives. For Catholics, for example, the Eucharist is not just a symbol of Christ; the consecrated bread and wine in Communion actually become Jesus flesh and blood, according to Catholic teaching. Orsi describes religious absence, on the other hand, as the experience of doubt and spiritual struggle about a god not felt directly on Earth. Both presence and absence shape Scorseses rendering of religion. Gods absence takes the form of violence and greed in his films. But some characters also carry their gods with them in the world. This is most dramatically seen in Silence, released in 2016, which was based on the novel by Japanese Catholic writer Shusaku Endo. Silence is the story of two Jesuit missionaries who travel to 17th century Japan in search of their mentor, another Jesuit who is believed to have renounced the faith during a wave of violent persecutions. One of them, Father Rodrigues, profoundly questions his own faith after witnessing the torture of Japanese Christians. Why, he wonders, does God allow such suffering? Eventually he himself will renounce his faith in order to save the lives of those to whom he ministers. The silence of God is the films major preoccupation, yet it is filled with devotional imagery. At the climax of the film, Rodrigues tramples on an image of Christ in order to end the torture of other Christians. But just at that moment, he experiences the presence of his God. The very final scene depicts his burial, years after the films main events a small crucifix clasped in his hand. Penance in the streets This preoccupation with Catholicism stretches back to Scorseses 1973 breakthrough film, Mean Streets. Harvey Keitel plays a young Italian American man, Charlie, who grapples with his faith in the unforgiving world of New Yorks Lower East Side. Presence, as Orsi points out, is often as much a burden as a solace. Indeed, part of the emotional power in Mean Streets lies in Charlies own impatience toward Catholic practices and rules. He wants the freedom to be Catholic in his own way. You dont make up for your sins in the church, he insists in the opening voice-over. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit, and you know it. Martin Scorsese at the corner of Hester and Baxter streets in 1973, one of the locations he used in his New York film Mean Streets. Jack Manning/New York Times Co./Getty Images Over the years, Scorseses own ambitions have led him far beyond the streets of Little Italy. A number of his films have little to do with religion. Yet movies such as Casino, The Aviator and The Wolf of Wall Street elaborate the same basic question as Mean Streets: What is important in a world that so often feels dominated by absence, money and violence? Through a long career, Scorsese has framed both the sacred and profane as compelling but competing forces of human desire. Shortly before the release of Silence, Scorsese visited St. Patricks during an interview with The New York Times. I never left, he said. In my mind, I am here every day. One might take him at his word. Even in his most recent movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, a Catholic sensibility sneaks through in numerous ways. Characters attend Mass at parish churches and bury their dead on consecrated Catholic ground. Further, the films attention to Osage religious practices demonstrates Scorseses sensitivity to the power of ritual and devotion. The movie opens with the burial of a ceremonial pipe, highlighting how objects can assume sacred significance. As Mollies mother dies, she has a vision of the elders. But the questions that haunt Scorsese hang over moments that hardly feel religious, too. Toward the end of the film, when Mollie asks her duplicitous husband, Ernest, to come clean, his refusal to fully confess the harm he did to her and her family epitomizes the depths of his ethical emptiness. Her silence as she gets up and leaves, with an FBI agent standing quietly in the corner, offers a more powerful moral indictment than any legal sentence. The refusal to pay for ones sins at home and in the streets has rarely looked so damning. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Anthony Smith, University of Dayton Read more: Anthony Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. In November 2004, Scott Peterson was convicted of murdering his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner. Prosecutors alleged that Petersons motive for the murders was to escape married life and upcoming fatherhood. His death sentence was overturned in 2020, and he is serving a life sentence without parole. In January 2024, the Los Angeles Innocence Project, a non-profit that works to exonerate people who are wrongly convicted, announced it is representing Peterson as it investigates his claim of actual innocence. Heres a timeline of important developments in the case: Timeline December 24, 2002 - Laci Peterson is reported missing from the Petersons home in Modesto, California. January 24, 2003 - Amber Frey, a Fresno massage therapist, comes forward at a police news conference and says she was having an affair with Scott Peterson. She says the affair began November 20, after Peterson told her he was single. April 18, 2003 - California Attorney General Bill Lockyer confirms a body found on April 13 on the shore of San Francisco Bay is Conner and another body found on April 14 is Laci. April 18, 2003 - Peterson is arrested in San Diego, pending capital murder/double homicide charges, and is held without bail. April 21, 2003 - At his arraignment Peterson is charged with two felony counts of murder with premeditation and special circumstances. Peterson pleads not guilty. May 2, 2003 - Mark Geragos becomes Petersons attorney. June 12, 2003 - A gag order is placed on participants, saying the restrictions are necessary to preserve Petersons right to a fair trial amid massive publicity. August 18, 2003 - Judge Al Girolami rules that news cameras will not be allowed in the courtroom at the preliminary hearing. September 26, 2003 - Lacis family files a civil lawsuit against Peterson to prevent him from receiving money for selling his story. December 19, 2003 - Lacis mother, Sharon Rocha, sues Peterson for over $5 million for the deaths of her daughter and unborn grandson. As the executor of Lacis estate, Rocha files two separate lawsuits, a wrongful death action and a survival action. January 20, 2004 - The criminal trial is moved to San Mateo County. February 2, 2004 - Judge Alfred Delucchi bars cameras from the courtroom for the entire trial. March 4, 2004 - Jury selection begins. May 27, 2004 - The six-man, six-woman jury is seated. There are also six alternates. June 1, 2004 - Trial begins. June 21, 2004 - Delucchi tells jurors they must take care to ensure their actions in and around the courtroom are not misconstrued. The warning comes after Juror No. 5 spoke to Lacis brother, Brent Rocha, at a courthouse security checkpoint on June 18. June 23, 2004 - Juror No. 5, Justin Falconer, is dismissed from the jury. August 10, 2004 - Frey testifies that Peterson told her he was a widower and lied about where he lived and where he traveled. Jurors hear recordings of Peterson and Freys conversations made by police after she discovered the truth. November 3, 2004 - Jury deliberations begin. November 12, 2004 - Peterson is found guilty of first-degree murder for Lacis death and second-degree murder for Conners death. December 13, 2004 - The jury recommends that Peterson be sentenced to death. March 16, 2005 - Delucchi follows the recommendation of the jury and sentences Peterson to death. October 21, 2005 - A judge rules that proceeds from a $250,000 life insurance policy Peterson took out on Laci will go to Lacis mother. April 2009 - Lacis parents drop their wrongful death lawsuit against Peterson. March 13, 2019 - Gov. Gavin Newsom signs an executive order issuing a moratorium on executions of death row inmates in California prisons, including Peterson. August 24, 2020 - Californias Supreme Court overturns Petersons death sentence. The case is remanded to a lower court to determine Petersons penalty. October 14, 2020 - The California Supreme Court orders the San Mateo County Superior Court to reexamine Petersons murder convictions because a juror did not disclose involvement in other legal proceedings, including but not limited to being the victim of a crime. The latest ruling is part of an ongoing appeals case. December 8, 2021 - Peterson is resentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Judge Anne-Christine Massullo. October 2022 - Peterson is moved from death row at San Quentin State Prison near San Francisco to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California. April 2023 - Petersons attorneys file a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in which they allege violations of state and federal constitutional rights and state statutory rights, including a claim of actual innocence that is supported by newly discovered evidence. January 2024 - The Los Angeles Innocence Project says it has begun representing Peterson. The nonprofit says it is investigating Petersons claim of actual innocence. March 2024 - A hearing is scheduled for March 12. It follows new motions relating to additional evidence and DNA testing that were filed in January when the Los Angeles Innocence Project announced it was taking on Petersons case. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Supreme Court issued a stay against the Texas law that expands police officers' powers to detain migrants, temporarily halting enforcement. The order, which was decided on Monday, was signed by Associate Justice Samuel Alito. The stay prevents the Texas law, which is called SB 4, from going into effect until 5 p.m. on Mar. 12, at the earliest. The move from the Supreme Court came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the court to temporarily block enforcement of the state law. The agency had filed an emergency appeal. SB 4 gives Texas authorities the ability to arrest anyone they believe has crossed into the U.S. illegally. It was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in December. SCOTUS RULES UNANIMOUSLY FOR TRUMP IN CO BALLOT DISPUTE The Supreme Court has issued a stay regarding the Texas law that expands police officers' powers to detain migrants. Last week, Abbott said that he will refuse to "back down in our fight to protect our state" after a federal judge had temporarily blocked the law through a preliminary injunction. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Back in February, over 40 politicians endorsed an amicus brief that supported the law. TRUMP CALLS OUT BIDEN AFTER SCOTUS RULING, SAYS FIGHT YOUR FIGHT YOURSELF Asylum seekers cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital that the intention of the law is to "stop the chaos, secure the border, and protect Texans." "It is clear to any honest and objective person living in this country that President Biden has willfully disregarded the laws of the land, abdicated his constitutional duty to provide for a common defense, and unilaterally surrendered control of our border to terrorist drug cartels," Arrington said. Migrants attempting to cross the North American side of the border between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in Texas, United States on March 3, 2024. The State of Texas has until Mar. 11 to file a response to the DOJ appeal for emergency action. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reached out to Abbott for comment. Fox News Digital's Michael Lee, Louis Casiano and Adam Shaw contributed to this report. Original article source: SCOTUS stays Texas law that allows police to arrest, detain illegal migrants [Source] The Seattle Police Department officer who fatally struck an Indian woman while responding to an overdose call in January 2023 has received a traffic infraction after dodging criminal charges. Catch up: Officer Kevin Dave was reportedly driving up to 74 miles per hour about three times the speed limit when he struck Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, on Jan. 23, 2023. The impact, which occurred at the intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street, knocked Kandula 138 feet and killed her later that night. Decision: The King County Prosecutors Office said the evidence is consistent with Kandula being distracted. On Feb. 21, the office announced that Dave will not face criminal charges. On Friday, the Criminal Division of the Seattle City Attorneys Office announced that he had been issued a traffic infraction for negligent driving in the second degree with a vulnerable user victim. This carries a maximum fine of $5,000. On the recently released investigation report of the King County Prosecution Attorney on the unfortunate death of Jaahnavi Kandula, Consulate has been in regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure India In Seattle (@IndiainSeattle) February 23, 2024 Dive deeper: Investigation revealed that the crash took place while Kandula was walking on an unregulated crosswalk. Construction barriers reportedly obstructed her view of the traffic. Witnesses who heard the siren and saw the vehicle said she continued walking. She then started running as she approached the traffic lane, making a panicked decision to try to beat the speeding cruiser, prosecutors said. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children Dave, on the other hand, had his emergency lights on, but his siren was not activated continuously. Instead, he chirped it at the intersection. While he attempted to avoid the collision by steering and braking, those actions neither changed his direction nor stopped his cruiser. Ultimately, prosecutors determined that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that he had conscious disregard for others safety. Reactions: More than two dozen people marched in a solidarity walk for Kandula on Sunday, slamming the recent decisions and calling for justice. For someone to just walk scott-free right after taking someones life is not OK and we need accountability, said Deepali Jamwal, one of the events organizers. Trending on NextShark: NYC sushi restaurant owner accuses Wegmans of stealing his concept and trade secrets Whats next: Kandulas family has vowed to pursue civil action against Dave and the Seattle Police Department. Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in Seattle has requested a review of the decision. On the other hand, Daniel Auderer, the officer accused of making insensitive remarks after Kandulas death, is scheduled for a disciplinary hearing on April 1. Trending on NextShark: Watch: Sydney Sweeney crushes on 'straight' Bowen Yang in hilarious 'SNL' skit Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz announced the arrests of three different people for three separate homicides at a press conference Monday afternoon. On Feb. 22, a man was found dead in the 1100 block of 8th Avenue just after 5 a.m. His body had been found in an alcove of Seattles Town Hall building. According to Diaz, the man had been sleeping when he was struck in the head and killed. This weekend, a detective spotted a person with a suspicious object when they ran from the officer. As they ran off, the suspect dropped an ax. The suspect was caught, identified, and arrested. A search warrant was also served at their home. On Feb. 25, a 26-year-old man was shot and killed on board a light rail train. According to Diaz, a 21-year-old man from SeaTac turned himself in to police on Saturday, where he was arrested for murder. On Mar. 3, a woman was shot to death in an alley between Wall Street And Vine Street. Officers later identified another woman as a suspect and took her into custody. To have just in this one weekend, have three cases, where were able to solve three homicides and take three suspects, book them into jail for investigation of murder is extraordinary police work by the detectives and our officers, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz said. A person died in a head-on collision led to a shut down part of I-75 Tuesday afternoon, according to the Richmond Police Department and Fayette County Coroners Office. The wreck happened on the southbound lanes of I-75 near exit 87 in Richmond. Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson said a vehicle was traveling in the northbound lanes when it crossed over into the southbound lanes for an unknown reason, colliding with another vehicle. Taylor Baltimore, 23, was killed in the wreck, according to the Fayette County Coroners Office. Baltimore was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. The coroners office said wet road conditions are believed to have caused the wreck. Richardson said the departments Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene to investigate. The southbound lanes of the interstate were shut down while officials investigated. At 3:20 p.m. Richmond police reported the road had been reopened. Its the fourth fatal crash in Madison County this year, according to Kentucky State Police. All of the fatal collisions have happened in the last four weeks. Counter-intelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), during a special operation, has detained a Russian agent who planned to blow up a local post office in the centre of Zaporizhzhia using a remote explosive device. Source: press offices of the SSU and the Prosecutor General's Office Quote: "In early February 2024, the suspect received instructions from Russian overseers to commit a terrorist act in a densely populated area of Zaporizhzhia. The intended act of terror aimed to cause numerous casualties and destruction, disrupt public safety and instil fear in the population." Details: The SSU reported that, in preparation for the crime, a resident recruited by Russia in 2023 manufactured an improvised explosive device with a remote control in his own residence, following instructions provided by Russian secret services. The suspect hid the ready-made device in boxes of fruit packaging, intending to later dispatch them to the cargo department of one of the postal operators. He planned to deliver the "package" to its destination not personally but through a courier to enhance concealment. Upon receiving notification of the "order" delivery at the post office, the man intended to activate the explosive device by phone. The Russians hoped that detonating the device would result in numerous casualties among the civilian population and spread panic in the frontline city. The suspect was exposed during the preparation phase, allowing for step-by-step documentation of their criminal activities. This led to intercepting the shipment with the explosive device and detaining its owner. Additionally, during the investigation, the Security Service determined that an additional task of the Russian agent was to identify locations of clusters of personnel and equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During the searches of the detainee's residence and vehicle, items and components for creating an improvised explosive device were seized. Computer equipment and mobile phones with evidence of criminal activities were also discovered. Security Service investigators have served the Russian agent with a notice of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A missing 14-year-old Limestone County girl has been located safe according to the Limestone County Sheriffs Office. Emily Gott was last seen on March 4, around 11 p.m. near Wooley Springs Road in Athens. FPD: Active police presence in Florence neighborhood She was wearing a black jacket, white shirt, shorts and pink Crocs. Gott is described as white, with blonde, or strawberry blonde, hair and green eyes. She is 55 and weighs roughly 150 lbs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., was charged Tuesday with obstructing justice in a new indictment that builds on earlier criminal allegations that he accepted bribes in exchange for improperly helping the Egyptian and Qatari governments. The new charges, which target Menendez and his wife, Nadine, allege the pair conspired to and actually obstructed justice in the New York federal investigation. Prosecutors say the pair wrote checks and letters from about June 2022 to 2023 that falsely characterized the return of bribes to co-defendants as loan repayments, and caused their legal counsel to make statements about the bribe money that the pair knew were false. The charges add to the pair's legal woes. Prosecutors have already accused the senator and his wife, who was his girlfriend during part of the time covered by the indictment, of agreeing to help Egypt's government with weapons sales and financing in exchange for a middleman's help getting Nadine a low- or no-show job. The middleman later sweetened the deal with cash and gold, according to the allegations. Prosecutors say Menendez shared non-public information on personnel at the U.S. embassy in Cairo with Nadine, who then allegedly got the information to an Egyptian official through a middleman. Menendez also secretly helped to draft a letter for Egypt's government aimed at convincing other senators to release hundreds of millions of dollars in aid, and instructed Nadine to tell the middleman he planned to sign off on a $99 million arms deal with Egypt, according to the indictment. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrives as the Senate prepares a procedural vote on an emergency spending package that would provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and provide food, water and other humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, at the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. In January, prosecutors added to the Egypt-related allegations with new allegations that the senator took money and gold with the understanding that he was expected to do things that would help the Qatari government as well as a co-defendant who was seeking an investment from a fund tied to that government. Menendez's attorney provided the following statement to USA TODAY: "Todays superseding indictment is a flagrant abuse of power. 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.... It says, once and for all, that they will stop at nothing in their zeal to get me... I am innocent and will prove it no matter how many charges they continue to pile on. In a previous statement to USA TODAY, the senator said he had a long record of challenging Egyptian leaders on issues such as human rights and has only ever been loyal to the United States. The governments latest charge is as outrageous as it is absurd, Menendez said. I have been, throughout my life, loyal to only one country the United States of America, the land my family chose to live in democracy and freedom. Walls closing in? Co-defendant agrees to cooperate On Friday, a separate co-defendant, Jose Uribe, pleaded guilty to seven criminal counts in a charging document that said he made payments toward Nadine's Mercedes-Benz Convertible in exchange for the couple's agreement to use the senator's authority to favorably resolve a separate criminal prosecution of an Uribe associate. Among other offenses, Uribe admitted to obstructing justice by causing his then-legal counsel to falsely state the payments were loans. The plea agreement could be further bad news for the Menendezes. Uribe, who faces a maximum sentence of 95 years in prison, has agreed to testify if called upon by prosecutors. His sentencing will be up to the Manhattan federal district court, but prosecutors agreed to inform the court about the nature and extent of his cooperation. Lawyers for Uribe and Nadine Menendez declined to comment. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sen. Bob Menendez charged with obstructing justice on top of bribery FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wants President Biden to increase tariffs on any imported energy components from China, a week after he introduced another bill that would hike tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports. "President Bidens climate agenda undermines U.S. energy independence and will make us more reliant on China," Hawley told Fox News Digital in a statement. "We cant afford energy policies that enrich our greatest adversary at the expense of American workers here at home. Its time to declare our energy independence from Chinaand we can start by raising tariffs on China's green energy sector." Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods. CHINA'S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE PLAGUED BY CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL BACKLASH: REPORT Hawley will introduce a new bill on Tuesday called the Declaring Our Energy Independence from China Act. It would require the president to apply additional tariffs on all battery components, solar energy components and wind energy components imported from China at a 25% rate. The president could increase the rate by 5% annually for the next five years, peaking at 50%, according to the bill. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Since former President Trump's term, the average U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports remain at approximately 19.3%, according to an estimate from the nonprofit research group Peterson Institute for International Economics. FBI TO EXAMINE POSSIBLE DEBRIS OF CHINESE SPY CRAFT FOUND BY ALASKAN FISHERMEN Sheep graze underneath solar panels at a farm in Hammond, Minnesota, on Friday, June 2, 2023. The bill would also require a report on subsidies China provided to its battery, solar and wind energy sectors over the past 15 years, including direct fund transfers, tax breaks and preferential access to resources. Last year, Biden halted tariffs on solar imports for two years. A bipartisan Congressional Review Act resolution was passed to end the pause, but the president vetoed it. Biden also introduced mandates to transition American manufacturers and workers toward electric vehicles (EVs), targeting two-thirds of all U.S. automobiles to be EVs by 2032. US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA DOESN'T 'FEEL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE RELATIONS BETWEEN COUNTRIES An EV charging station. According to a U.S. Department of Defense report last summer, China controls most renewable energy equipment production and material supply chains. Hawley is not the only one concerned about China dominating the U.S. energy industry. In January, a group of bipartisan senators sent a letter to Biden urging him to increase tariffs on Chinese imported solar panels. "By 2026, China will have enough capacity to meet annual global demand for the next ten years," Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Jon Osoff, D-Ga., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio wrote. "This capacity is an existential threat to the U.S. solar industry and American energy security." Last week, Hawley proposed a bill to boost the current 2.5% tariff on vehicles to 100%, effectively increasing the overall tariff on all Chinese automobile imports from 27.5% to 125%. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on Hawley's bill. Original article source: Sen Hawley wants Biden to hike tariffs on Chinese energy imports Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend a joint press conference after their meeting in Ankara, Turkiye, March 5, 2024. Turkiye is ready to assume its responsibilities within the framework of the guarantor mechanism as part of its efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference attended by visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas here on Tuesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ANKARA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye is ready to assume its responsibilities within the framework of the guarantor mechanism as part of its efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. "It is obvious that a just peace with guarantees is needed instead of just verbal peace efforts," Erdogan said at a joint press conference attended by visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Turkish capital Ankara. The only path to lasting peace is the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and geographically integrated Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Erdogan added. "It is now widely acknowledged that unless a fair solution to the Israel-Palestine issue is found, peace cannot prevail in the Middle East," he said. Erdogan attributed Israel's "spoiled and lawless attitude" to the support it receives from Western powers. Turkiye stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people, he said, adding the Turkish government has received more than 900 patients from the Gaza Strip for treatment. Erdogan also underlined his country's efforts to build a field hospital in Gaza. For his part, Abbas stressed the need for the international community to protect the Palestinian people. "Efforts need to be strengthened to provide international protection to Palestine," he said, adding that Palestine should become a member of the United Nations. While expressing his gratitude for Turkiye's continued support for the Palestinian cause, Abbas said Palestine attaches importance to Turkiye's role in the Palestinian issue. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye, March 5, 2024. Turkiye is ready to assume its responsibilities within the framework of the guarantor mechanism as part of its efforts to end the Israel-Hamas conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference attended by visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas here on Tuesday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, arrives as the Senate prepares a procedural vote on an emergency spending package that would provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel, replenish U.S. weapons systems and provide food, water and other humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, at the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. | J. Scott Applewhite Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, in his appearance on The Source with Kaitlan Collins last week warned of the dangers that come with not backing Ukraine, while the House is prioritizing border security before foreign aid. Touching on the retirement news of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday, host Kaitlan Collins described the leader as out of step with the majority of the Republican Party on national security, before asking Romney how the GOP position on foreign policy has evolved. In his response, Romney, R-Utah, said he believed a majority of his Republican colleagues think the U.S. should play an active role in the world and defend freedom. According to Romney, if a standalone bill to send military aid to Ukraine was introduced on the Senate floor, a large number of GOP senators would vote in favor of it. Romney noted the source of the discontent was monetary support for the Ukrainian government. But I think the majority of our group feels that we are better off in America if we defend the cause of freedom around the world, he added. If Congress doesnt approve aid to Ukraine, the Eastern European country will struggle to preserve its geographic integrity and life, as Russia runs across Ukraine, Romney said. This move will also single Europe to not jump to help Washington, D.C., on matters of foreign affairs, he added. Were strong globally in part because of our friends, he said. And if we dont stand with our friends, we will lose strength and that will ultimately come to hurt us. But not all of Romneys colleagues are on the same page as him. Sen. J.D. Vance, the loud anti-Ukraine aid critic Collins asked Romney if he disagreed with Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, a vocal critic of Ukraine aid who argued sending $61 billion wouldnt change Kyivs position on the battlefield. Romney said while Vance made an interesting point, he said it was irrelevant. It may not change their stance on the battlefield. What it does do is communicate to the entire world that we honor our commitments, he added. If we cede leadership, if were no longer the leader of the free world, if were no longer the arsenal of democracy, then the world is going to look for different leaders. Romney said China would be happy to step into this leadership role, but it would create a very dangerous world, not good for America, not good for our businesses, for our economy, but certainly not good for our freedom. On Sunday, Vance, in an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, characterized his colleagues as obsessed with the war in Ukraine. Well, I think its so shameful that you have all of these people whose job it is to look after the American people and to lead this country, but theyre obsessed with Eastern Europe and with Ukraine, Vance said, as The Hill reported. Look, we have terrible problems because of our border. We have the fentanyl problem, the sex-trafficking problem. Vances comments were in response to the remarks made by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., after Schumer met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as well as other congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in the Oval Office last week. The meeting on Ukraine was one of the most intense Ive ever encountered in my many meetings in the Oval Office, Schumer said. If Ukraine loses the war, it could fracture NATO allies while empowering the boldest autocrats of the world, he said. Vance called Schumers statement disgraceful, adding, By the way credit to Mike Johnson for being the one person in that meeting whos standing there saying, We have got to put the interest of our own citizens first. Will Congress authorize aid for Ukraine? The Senate passed a $95 billion bipartisan aid package in February. At the time, it earned strong opposition from a group of lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who extensively spoke on the Senate floor to derail the bill from passing, as the Deseret News previously reported. This package includes roughly $60 billion for Ukraine, $14.1 billion for Israel, $9.5 billion in humanitarian assistance, and additional funds for the Indo-Pacific, as well as $7.2 billion for the border. In the House, GOP representatives declared the bill dead on arrival since the border related provisions didnt go far enough. Johnson has not introduced the package to the House floor yet, nor has he committed to planning a vote. For now, congressional lawmakers are focused on finalizing 12 spending bills ahead of the March 8 and March 22 deadlines to avoid a government shutdown. But, behind the scenes, the House GOP is drafting a new bill with stricter border provisions, as CNN reported. These efforts are led by House Foreign Affairs chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and are set to be complete in the next two months. This working proposal would provide only military aid, but no humanitarian aid. It would also reinstate the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy, where the U.S. partnered with Mexico to keep migrants on the other side of the U.S.-Mexico border during the entirety of their immigration proceedings. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The owners of a Norfolk business had a chance to share their concerns with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine as he paid a visit to four minority-owned small businesses in Hampton Roads. On Monday morning, Kaine sat down with Virginia Thornton and Zahra Ahmad, the owners of Get Well Soon, located on 44th Street in Norfolk. The self-care sanctuary offers massages, yoga, facials and Pilates according to its website. The owners shared concerns with staffing and better pay to help employees. The mental health advocates say they may have to move in the fall citing inflation and rental costs. Kaine serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions These owners are kind of on the front end of trying to get us to focus on prevention, wellness, and dealing with stress, Kaine said. Kaine explained that he grew up in a small business family in which his mom and brothers all had to chip in at times. He believes the obstacles current owners are facing now are often compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. They opened this business during COVID, Kaine said. My dad never had to do something like that. He had to deal with cycles that were up and down. Thats the norm that small businesses deal with. But he never had to deal with something like this pandemic where businesses were shut [down] where supply chains got messed up. When he reopened that, he needed to order the steel or the iron to do the work. [Yet] suddenly, he couldnt find it because of the supply chains were messed up. Workforce challenges are common concerns Kaine mentioned in an interview with 10 On Your Side. You can [talk to] any employer in the country and theyre pretty much saying, Boy, its hard to hire these days,' Kaine said. We have to do, probably, more training. We may need to provide more incentives for hiring. We also have to get immigration reform right. Later in the day, Kaine stopped by Prince Tea House on Holland Road in Virginia Beach, Project Seed Coffee on Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach, followed by The High Cup on East Princess Anne Road in Norfolk. Project Seed Coffee will open a shop in the Kempsville area in April 2024. I was already obsessed with coffee, said Erene Henninger, Project Seed Coffee owner. We wanted to open a coffee shop, but because of the pandemic, that didnt happen. We kind of rerouted to home based delivery service. Henninger wants to see more easily-accessible grants or business loans. Small businesses are struggling currently, Henninger said. Kaine said a big take away is how helpful the paycheck protection program, or PPP, was for small business owners during the pandemic. Now, hes looking for ways to help businesses that started during the pandemic. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the Senate GOP whip, is looking to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) when he steps down from his role as party leader in November, he told local news outlets Monday. When asked directly by Keloland News reporter Dan Santella if he wants to be the GOPs next Senate leadereither in the majority or minorityhe replied in the affirmative. Well, I hope to be, and Im going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues, Thune said. Theyre the voters. Theyre the ones who ultimately make the decision. SD's @SenJohnThune, currently the Republican Party's whip in the Senate, says he is aiming for a higher role in that chamber in the wake of McConnell's planned departure. Much more coming later today on @keloland and on social media, but here's part of today's interview: pic.twitter.com/Sap33Ah1IT Dan Santella (@KELODanS) March 4, 2024 The decision by McConnell, 82, to step down, Thune similarly told Dakota News Now, offers a chance for a reset, and Id like to be a part of it. For me, its really about trying to be a difference-maker, he said. I think I have something to contribute there. I think were ready for a new generation of consistent, principled, conservative leadership for Republicans in the United States Senate that empowers our individual members [and] gets back to doing things under regular order, which has gone by the wayside under the leadership of Chuck Schumer as hes been the majority leader. I think this is a real opportunity. Thune is joined by Sen. John Barasso (R-WY) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) as potential successors to McConnell. Additionally, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) told Politico last week that Trump has been encouraging him to run. Thune, a member of the Senate since 2005, considered retiring prior to launching his 2022 re-election campaign in part due to the GOP fealty to Donald Trump, The New York Times reported. After first backing Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) for president, Thune has endorsed Trump, despite disagreeing with the former presidents false claims about the 2020 election. Although Trump has taken some swipes at him, Thune told Dakota News Now, I just think in the end, I worked with him well when he was president before. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Labour and Plaid Cymru have refused to change controversial reforms to elections for the Welsh Parliament. From 2026, votes will be cast for parties instead of individual candidates as part of a plan to create a bigger 96-member Senedd. Critics say it gives parties too much power to decide who gets elected. A Conservative and Liberal Democrat bid to let voters choose favourite candidates was rejected in the Senedd on Tuesday. The Labour Welsh government said it was making elections simpler by giving voters one ballot paper. The current mix of local and regional members will be replaced by 16 new constituencies, each represented by six Members of the Senedd (MSs). Parties would put forward lists of ranked candidates for every seat under a so-called closed list system. It is contained in a Senedd reform bill, agreed between Labour and Plaid. The bill needs two-thirds of MSs to back it to become law. Other proposals for more proportional electoral systems were rejected in favour of the closed system. The Conservatives and Lib Dems called for a flexible list system, where voters could also back individual candidates and bump them up the list. However a Lib Dem amendment requiring names of candidates to be included on the ballot paper was passed without a vote. In a debate, Lib Dem and Tory MSs repeatedly asked Labour and Plaid politicians why they had accepted the closed system. Labour MS Alun Davies said some in his party were opposed to other options, so he had accepted the "compromise" of closed lists to make sure the bill gets through. "One step forward is better than no step forward," he said. Plaid's Heledd Fychan said: "Our priority today is to ensure that our bold package of reforms is in place by 2026." Conservative Darren Millar said Plaid had "rolled over to the demands of the Labour Party when they've clearly been told 'it's this way or you can shove your Senedd reform and expansion programme'." Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds said the plan had "all the hallmarks of a backroom deal". Labour's Mick Antoniw, who is overseeing the bill, said the closed list system would get the "necessary supermajority" of 40 members. "The closed list system doesn't remove from voters a choice that they currently have," the counsel general said. "Parties currently select their constituency candidates in the first past the post system." Meanwhile Labour and Plaid also refused a bid to include a mechanism for misbehaving politicians to face a recall petition, giving voters a chance to throw them out through a by-election. The system already exists in Westminster. Mr Millar said: "Constituents should be able to express their view on members of the Senate when their MS has committed serious wrongdoing." Mr Antoniw did not support the amendment but said "there would be merit to exploring such a system". He said the size of Mr Millar's amendments showed it was not a straightforward matter and "requires careful consideration". He said the Senedd's standards committee had agreed to look at the issue, although he said the parliament's behaviour watchdog, the commissioner Douglas Bain, does not support recall. Train services have resumed after a derailment in Surrey caused widespread disruption on Monday. South Western Railway (SWR) said on Tuesday morning the lines between Woking and Surbiton had reopened and a full service was expected throughout the day. A spokesperson said: "We are pleased to confirm the incident train was moved from the site and Network Rail engineers successfully carried out track repairs overnight." They added there may be some delays, revisions and cancellations as some trains are in the wrong place. Customers are being advised to check before travelling. Network Rail confirmed a train hit an object at about 05:50 GMT in a 90mph area near Walton-on-Thames in Surrey. The incident derailed the front wheels of the train. All four tracks between Woking and Surbiton were closed before the disruption spread across the SWR network including between London and Exeter St David's, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a decision on whether or not an investigation would be launched would be taken once evidence had been reviewed. Nick Dransfield, a passenger on the derailed train, described a "loud bang" before the train "juddered and performed an emergency stop". He added: "Sparks were erupting up the side of the train." Mr Dransfield praised staff on the train, who he said had "leapt into duty" and were checking on passengers' welfare. The train involved was one of the first to travel through the area after Network Rail carried out maintenance work on the line over the weekend. It has not been confirmed whether the object was involved in this work. Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Related Internet Links More on this story Seven men are now in custody in India for the alleged gang-rape of a tourist and assault on her husband, authorities said, in a case that has shone a new spotlight on the endemic problem of sexual violence against women in the country. On Saturday, police announced that three men had been arrested in connection with the incident and that they were seeking four more. Dumka Deputy Commissioner Anjaneyulu Dodde confirmed to CNN Tuesday that four further suspects had now been detained. The couple, who had been traveling by motorcycle from the state of West Bengal to neighboring Nepal, were found late Friday by police officers on patrol, said Pitambar Singh Kherwar, superintendent of Dumka district police in Jharkhand state. They were taken to the hospital, where the woman told the doctor she had been raped, he said. Police have formed a special investigative team, Kherwar said. It is unclear whether the suspects have legal representation. CNN is not naming the female victim, in accordance with Indian law that prevents the naming of victims of sexual violence. Police have not disclosed the names or nationalities of the couple. The arrests come after a travel vlogger couple on Saturday posted on their Instagram account that they had knives (held) to our throats, during an attack in India. The woman had been raped and brought to the hospital for DNA testing, they said. The couple posts in Spanish, and the woman says on her Instagram page that she is Brazilian. On their Instagram story, the woman showed bruises on her face, saying, This is what my face looks like, but it isnt what hurts the most. I thought I was going to die. In a follow-up post Sunday, the couple thanked their followers for their support, saying they are doing well and that the police is doing everything possible to catch the remaining suspects. CNN has reached out to the couple for comment. Indias National Commission for Women (NCW) condemned the alleged attack. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma has spoken to the victim and extended all required assistance, the organization posted on social platform X on Saturday. Jharkhand minister Mithilesh Kumar Thakur called the alleged assault a condemnable incident. If a crime has been committed, the culprits will not be spared, he said on Saturday. India has struggled for years to tackle high rates of violence against women, with a number of high-profile rape cases involving foreign visitors drawing international attention to the issue. In 2018, A British woman was allegedly raped while walking to her hotel in the western state of Goa, a popular tourist destination; two years earlier, an American woman was allegedly drugged and raped by a group of men in her five-star hotel room in New Delhi. And in 2013, six men were sentenced to life in prison for the gang rape of a Swiss tourist. According to Indias National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 31,516 rape cases were recorded in 2022, an average of 86 cases per day. And experts warn that the number of cases recorded are just a small fraction of what may be the real number, in a deeply patriarchal country where shame and stigma surround rape victims and their families. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Burn Ban effective immediately RESOLUTION NO. 2024-04 PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY IN GRAY COUNTY, KANSAS. WHEREAS, K.S.A. 48-932 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to declare a state of local disaster upon a finding that a threat of a disaster is imminent in Gray County; WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has been advised by the Gray County Rural Fire the threat of disaster exists for the citizens of Gray County; AND WHEREAS, the grassland and cropland of Gray County, Kansas, form an important part of our economy, provide for protection of watersheds, forage for livestock, refuge for wildlife and recreational opportunities. Wildfires endanger these resources, real and personal property, and the lives of residents and visitors in the area. Extremely dry, windy and unseasonably warm weather conditions have created an extreme fire hazard in the grasslands and croplands of Gray County. Once started these fires are difficult to control and strain both paid and volunteer fire departments manpower and resources. The fire danger is extreme across Gray County. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF GRAY COUNTY, KANSAS, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Kansas. The area affected by the imminent threat of disaster is Gray County Section 2. The period of imminent threat of disaster affecting Gray County shall be from February 29, 2024, until April 15, 2024, unless this declaration is further continued or terminated in accordance with K.S.A. 48-932(a). Section 3. During the period of imminent threat of disaster, the following activities are prohibited in Gray County: a. Careless use of smoking material, including cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes. Discard of smoking materials shall be in a manner which precludes any threat from smoldering remains. b. Building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire or campfire, except in permanent stoves or fireplaces or barbecue grills in developed recreational sites or residential premises. c. The sale, use or discharge of fireworks. The term fireworks shall mean any combustible or deflagrating composition, article or device suitable for use by the public for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, deflagration or detonation. This shall include both consumer and display fireworks. d. Prescribed burning of all fence rows, fields, wild lands, ravines, trash and debris. Prescribed burning may be exempt from this resolution only if such is necessary for crop survival and has been specifically approved in writing by the fire chief in the jurisdiction where the burning is taking place. Burning stubble in preparation for second crop planting shall be included within the definition of crop survival. Section 4. All law enforcement and fire department agencies in Gray County shall enforce this resolution. Section 5. A person who intentionally violates this resolution and declaration may incur a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,500 per violation. Each penalty may be assessed in addition to any other penalty provided by law. Section 6. This resolution shall be in full force and effect for the period of time stated in Section 2 of this resolution unless extended in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 48- 932. Section 7. This resolution shall become effective upon publication in the official county newspaper. Further, this resolution shall be filed promptly with the Gray County Clerk and shall be given prompt and general publicity. ADOPTED this 29th day of February, 2024. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Several people have died after a small plane crashed near the shoulder of Interstate 40 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to authorities. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said multiple people witnessed the single-engine plane crash off the eastbound lanes of the interstate at about 7:45 p.m. Monday. Kendra Loney, a public information officer for the Nashville Fire Department, said at a press briefing that the plane imploded on impact. That impact was catastrophic, and it did not leave any survivors, Loney said. Authorities did not specify how many people died, as crews continue to examine the wreckage. (Source: Metro Nashville Police Department) (Courtesy: Mary Beth Ikard) The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said all eastbound lanes of I-40 were shut down following the crash. Police said the plane didnt hit any vehicles or buildings. Nashville International Airport (BNA) issued the following statement to Nexstars WKRN: This evening, at approximately 7:49 p.m., the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) was alerted of a single-engine aircraft crash three miles south of John C. Tune Airport (JWN), near I-40 at mile marker 203. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate this aircraft accident after Metro first responders ensure the accident scene is safe. Please contact Metro emergency personnel for additional details. The investigation is ongoing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday for an unprovoked anti-gay slashing on a Manhattan subway train, police said Tuesday. Milton Hamlin, 46, is facing assault as a hate crime and menacing charges for the Friday night attack on a 27-year-old man seated on an uptown A train approaching 34th St.-Penn Station, cops said. The victim was seated with his husband when Hamlin stormed up to them with a box cutter in his hand, cops were told. Fing gay motherfer! Hamlin screamed as he lunged at the victim, according to cops. The victim, a Bronx resident, raised his hand to deflect the attack but Hamlin allegedly cut into his hand, slicing the skin between the thumb and forefinger, cops said. The victim and his husband got off the train at Penn Station and reported the incident to an Amtrak police officer. Medics took the victim to Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated and released. He needed four stitches to close the gash. Hamlin, who also lives in the Bronx, remained on the train and got away, according to cops. The NYPD on Saturday released a cellphone image of the suspect in the hopes someone recognized him. Police tracked a photo of Hamlin down using facial recognition, which the victim and a witness positively identified as the attacker, NYPD Lt. John Russo said at a news briefing Tuesday. They were acting like every other couple on the train, Russo said of the victim and his husband. They were together and for whatever reason Milton Hamlin took exception. Cops tracked Hamlin down to a Bronx apartment Monday morning. He has an extensive criminal history with 11 arrests, mostly for grand larceny and robbery, police said. He was added to the states sex offender registry in 2012 after he was convicted of attempting to lure a 16-year-old boy he knew into his home or car so he could sexually abuse the teen, according to court records. He served 19 months in prison before he was released in July 2013. He also served 17 months in prison beginning in April 2007 for assault, records show. His arraignment for the anti-gay assault was pending in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday. The attack comes as the NYPD is fighting a 16% jump in assaults at city subway stops and trains. As of Sunday, the city has seen 97 assaults in the subway system this year, 13 more than by this time last year. There were three murders in the city subways in the first two months of the year, cops said. Recent subway assaults include a bloody scene in Brooklyn when a commuter slashed MTA conductor Alton Scott in the neck as the 59-year-old MTA employee stuck his head out of the conductors window at the Rockaway Ave. station in Bedford-Stuyvesant. French prosecutors have launched new proceedings against actor Gerard Depardieu in yet another case of alleged sexual assault. The preliminary investigation was opened following a complaint from a 53-year-old set designer. She accused Depardieu of sexually harassing and assaulting her during the shooting of the film "Les volets verts" ("The Green Shutters"), the Paris public prosecutor's office said on Tuesday. This is the third such case against the 75-year-old actor. Several women have accused the star, who has appeared in over 200 films, of sexual harassment or violence. Depardieu has been under investigation for allegations of rape since 2020. Since mid-September, another complaint against him for sexual abuse is said to be ongoing. The incident is said to have taken place in 2007. Depardieu denies the allegations. In a letter published in the newspaper Le Figaro at the beginning of October, he described himself as the victim of a "media lynching." Depardieu was also harshly criticized for his behaviour in a documentary film about his trip to North Korea in 2018, which was broadcast at the beginning of December. In the film he repeatedly makes misogynistic and vulgar comments. Du Yushan (R), leader of the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ghana, checks a machine at LEKMA Hospital in Accra, Ghana, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) ACCRA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ghana has helped a Ghanaian hospital improve its radiology services over the past year, benefiting thousands of local patients. LEKMA Hospital, a general hospital where the Chinese medical team is based, has been lacking radiology equipment and techniques for years, posing a challenge to disease diagnosis, Du Yushan, the team's leader, told Xinhua in an interview on Monday. "The whole hospital has only one X-ray machine, but that does not mean we should lower the standard. Instead, we have successfully made use of the machine to expand medical examinations such as the esophagus checkup," said Du, who is also a radiologist. Du said the Chinese medical team helped the hospital establish an effective system of filing radiology reports to better describe patients' conditions, allowing for more accurate disease diagnoses. "For acute diseases, we can now provide checkup results promptly, which helps the doctors make rapid diagnoses," Du added. Dennis Amartey Ahia, the deputy chief radiographer at the hospital, said the hospital has been fortunate over the years that every batch of the Chinese medical team has had a radiologist among the doctors to provide this critical intervention for patients. "In general, there are very few radiologists in the country, so this cooperation has been very helpful to us over the past years," Ahia said. Ahia said the support from the Chinese medical team has also brought economic benefits to the locals, who can access services at the hospital at subsidized rates, helping them save money. The current Chinese medical team, which comprises 11 medical specialists in various fields from south China's Guangdong Province, will wrap up their year-long mission in late March. Du Yushan, leader of the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ghana, looks at an X-ray image at LEKMA Hospital in Accra, Ghana, on March 4, 2024. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) A 14-foot shark tagged off the South Carolina coast in December has made an unyielding 2,000-mile journey to Mexico, experts say. And in doing so, the nearly 3,000-pound fish named LeeBeth has made shark science history, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy said in a Feb. 29 post on Facebook when the shark reached Matamoros, Mexico. This is the furthest west a white shark has ever been tracked into the Gulf of Mexico, the Massachusetts-based group said. LeeBeth was tagged Dec. 8 off the coast of Hilton Head Island, and a scientist affixed new technology on the predator that made her the first great white to have a camera on its dorsal fin, The Island Packet reported. The technology similar to that of a GoPro has allowed people to view LeeBeths activity through the app called Sharktivity. This is a fish who has seen some things, Megan Winton of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy told The Island Packet of the shark, believed to be in her mid-to-late 20s. During her three-month journey, LeeBeth traveled around Florida to the Gulf of Mexico, where it continued its swim off the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Then, it traveled toward the southern tip of Texas, coming near South Padre Island. She eventually traveled into foreign territory when she reached Mexico in late February. Most stopped around the Mississippi River, but LeeBeth kept going, Capt. Chip Michalove, who tagged the shark, told HigherCalling.net. Shes traveled 2,000 miles since we caught her off Hilton Head. Michalove, of Outcast Sport Fishing, tagged LeeBeth for research purposes with the conservancy. The tag, The Island Packet reported, gives scientists useful data such as sharks preferred water temperatures and how many miles theyve traveled. Research of great white sharks is vital, as the predators play a critical role in maintaining a health and balanced marine ecosystem, the conservancy said on its website. LeeBeth has caught the attention of others, including Dr. Kelsey Banks, an associate research scientist for the Sport Fish Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She told KVUE that LeeBeths pinging off the Texas coast is the second time hes confirmed a shark in the Western Gulf of Mexico in the past decade. Shes been a groundbreaking shark in a lot of ways, Winton told WBUR. Monster shark tracked off Florida part of much larger predator migration, experts say 10-foot shark from Canada resurfaces west of Mississippi River. Where is it going? Sawfish tagged on Floridas Gulf Coast was huge when recaptured on states east coast MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump were in Memphis on Tuesday, remembering four men who died in custody at the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar. They are calling on the Department of Justice to investigate conditions, especially in the case of inmate Ramon McGhee, who died in early January. McGhee was remembered at a service at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church as an artist who loved drawing and dancing. Crump says McGhee was covered in lice and bed bugs when he got to Regional One hospital. Family says inmate covered in bugs starved in jail His mother said that, despite sending money, her son wasnt eating or receiving medicine for his mental illness. A mothers gut tells you when something is wrong and I knew something was wrong, Lisa McGhee said. This isnt goodbye. Sharpton had strong words for county officials at the jail. They fire people in jail. Thats not enough, he said. Its a crime to neglect people in custody, to not feed people. To have a person neglected and know they have mental challenges. The sheriffs office has called McGhees death completely unacceptable. Sheriff Floyd Bonner said action was being taken. Unacceptable: Sheriff addresses inmates death in jail Other families whose children have died in custody were at the memorial. Around this time a year ago, both Sharpton and Crump gathered in Memphis for Tyre Nichols funeral. Tuesday, the Nichols family also remembered McGhee, who was found unresponsive in his cell in January and died at 42 years old. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. The Osceola County Sheriffs Office in Florida has apologized after a sensitive crime scene photograph was uploaded to the sheriffs public Instagram account over the weekend, the day after authorities found the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto. Former Osceola County Sheriff Russ Gibson, who is running for re-election against incumbent Sheriff Marcos Lopez, publicly alleged that the image showed Sotos lifeless body. ClickOrlando reported that the clothes visible in the imagewhich has since been taken downwere consistent with those that Soto was believed to be wearing when she was reported missing late last month and that officials in the sheriffs office did not dispute that the picture stemmed from an investigation into Sotos disappearance and death. Missing 13-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Dead, Mothers Boyfriend Is Prime Suspect The image in question was posted Saturday alongside other images of a community event hosted by the sheriff for local seniors, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Great day with our seniors, a caption alongside the images reportedly read, which also included an emoji of a smiley face with a halo. 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, an unnamed spokesperson in the sheriffs office told the Sentinel in a statement. 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. The agency did not answer the newspapers follow-up question attempting to clarify if the photo showed Soto. Its also not clear if Sheriff Lopez personally posted the photo or another employee at the agency. On the same morning that the image appeared online, a sheriffs office employee was also criticized for sharing a selfie on Facebook as she stood in front of Stephan Sterns, the main suspect in Sotos disappearance. If Gods love has been poured out over your life, dont allow evil to keep you away from what He has prepared for you, read a Spanish caption on the image posted on the personal page of agency executive director Nirva Rodriguez. That image was also taken down. Gibson said the second image was unacceptable and shameful in a post that also addressed the alleged crime scene photo. This is 100% unacceptable and 100% shameful and disrespectful to Madeline, her family and friends! Gibson wrote. 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! Sotos body was found in wooded area in St. Cloud on Friday. Orange County Sheriff John Mina told a press conference earlier in the day that authorities believe 37-year-old Sternsthe boyfriend of Sotos motherkilled Soto in Kissimmee before moving her body. Sterns originally told police hed dropped the girl off near her school on Monday, but detectives later determined that didnt happen, Mina said. Instead, we believe she was already dead at the time and that Stephan Sterns moved her body in the early morning hours on that day, Mina said, adding that video evidence had allegedly captured Sterns discarding items in a dumpster, where detectives later found Sotos backpack and school laptop. During the investigation into her disappearance, officers allegedly found disturbing images on Sterns phone which were criminal and sexual in nature, police said. He was arrested and is currently being held in the Osceola County Jail without bond. Sterns faces two charges of sexual battery of a minor, including a count for capital sexual battery on a minor under 12. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The period drama from Shondaland has been watched in 82M households Netflix has been churning out countless hours of original content for years now, and if its latest viewing numbers are any indication, the hard work is certainly paying off. According to a statement from the streamer, the hot period drama Bridgerton is officially Netflixs biggest series ever with 82M households streaming the buzz-worthy show. Read More: Bridgerton renewed by Netflix for second season; details revealed Created by Chris Van Dusen, Bridgerton is the first show from former ABC showrunner Shonda Rhimes much-buzzed-about Netflix deal. Based on a series of romance novels by Julia Quinn, the show quickly proved to be a hit when it dropped last month, becoming the most-watched Netflix show in the U.S. in its first week. Now, according to a recent statement from Netflix, Bridgerton is officially the biggest show they have ever released. Per Deadline, Season 1 of Bridgerton was watched by a record 82M households around the world (partially or in its entirety.) That is a whopping 19M households higher than the four-week projection Netflix issued 10 days into the Shondaland series run (63 million), at the time the streamers fifth-biggest launch in history. Thank you for making Bridgerton our biggest series ever pic.twitter.com/Euac58hs61 Netflix (@netflix) January 27, 2021 The record-breaking news comes after the recent announcement that the show will return for a second season. An announcement from the shows Lady Whistledown character herself reads, The incomparable cast of Bridgerton will return to production in Spring 2021. The announcement also hints the second season will follow the love life of Lord Anthony Bridgerton. The first season, of course, brought viewers into the complicated romance between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and The Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page). Read More: Before Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte may have been Black The shows success is a good sign for Rhimes, who left ABC and signed a deal with Netflix in 2017. While her first and also wildly successful show Greys Anatomy, is still on ABC, Rhimes in 2017 was looking to build a vibrant new storytelling home for writers with the unique creative freedom and instantaneous global reach. Bridgerton seems to only be the beginning for Shondalands new Netflix home, as the company reportedly has 7 more series in development. Have you subscribed to theGrios podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today! The post Shonda Rhimes Bridgerton has become Netflixs biggest series ever appeared first on TheGrio. Attendees at the National Transition Event watched as more than 100 supercars were driven around the track Hundreds of former members of the armed forces have attended an event arranged to help them move into new careers in the civilian sector. The National Transition Event (NTE) took place at Northamptonshire's Silverstone Circuit. Mission Motorsport, the forces' motorsport charity which organised the event, said about 15,000 people leave the services each year. The charity said those with a military background were an "untapped resource". Organisers aimed to connect "forces-friendly" employers with a potential new workforce, and the event was supported by the Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans' Affairs. The guests could also watch more than 100 supercars being driven around the race circuit. About 1,200 people attended and 600 veterans were there representing different businesses, Mission Motorsport said. Roughly 200 companies and organisations had a presence, including Jaguar Land Rover, the NHS and National Grid. James Cameron praised Silverstone for allowing the charity to host the event at the venue Mission Motorsport chief executive James Cameron said it "isn't a job fair, it's about meeting those who came before you and had similar life stories". Mr Cameron said he started the event as he noticed ex-service people struggled to articulate themselves in interviews. "If you're in the armed forces, talking about yourself in the first person as being better than the people around you is very counter cultural," he explained. He said people with a military background had enormous potential and not helping them find work was "letting ourselves down as a nation". Stuart Pringle was an officer in the Royal Tank Regiment before leaving and finding a second career in motorsport A forerunner to the event called Troops Track Day was first hosted at Silverstone in February 2019. The venue has hosted NTE each year since. Stuart Pringle, Silverstone's chief executive, who served in the British Army during the 1990s, said: "It was a really formative part of my education in life; it's a wonderful experience and I use the lessons I learnt daily trying to steer Silverstone. "Everything is transferable." The former officer Royal Tank Regiment officer said ex-military people were "incredibly well skilled" and "used to solving problems". "Throughout your training you're constantly reminded things go wrong," he explained. "To have problem solvers and people who are not afraid to make a decision, they are an asset to any organisation." Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830 Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) is opting against running for reelection, avoiding a messy three-way race that would have put Democrats in a difficult position. Sinema made the announcement in a video on social media, arguing that voters arent interested in electing members focused on compromise. I believe in my approach, but its not what America wants right now, Sinema said. Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year. Sinema, a first-term senator, has been one of the foremost players in Senate deal-making over the years, headlined by her work on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Most recently, she was a key figure in bipartisan border negotiations along with Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Republican Sen. James Lankford (Okla.) that landed with a thud among Republicans. She also became the source of frustration among progressives over her refusal to support President Bidens Build Back Better package, a multitrillion dollar proposal she and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) declined to back. They eventually agreed to greenlight the Inflation Reduction Act. The two also declined to join with calls by Biden and other Senate Democrats to repeal the filibuster in order to pass top priorities, including voting rights legislation and to cement abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The move by Sinema, who changed her party affiliation from Democrat to independent in late 2022, means the Arizona Senate race has largely been solidified as a match-up between Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is also running on the GOP side, but Lake is seen as the heavy favorite in the Republican primary. Sinemas decision will also provide Democrats with a sign of relief. Another run by the independent would have left Senate Democrats in a bind over whether to back Sinema, who is no longer a Democrat but still caucuses with the party and has an incumbency advantage, or to back Gallego. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement shortly after Sinemas announcement that Democrats are fully behind [Gallegos] candidacy. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Sinemas seat as toss up. Gallego on Tuesday thanked Sinema for her nearly two decades of service to our state. Arizona, we are at a crossroads. Protecting abortion access, tackling housing affordability, securing our water supply, defending our democracy all of this and more is on the line, he wrote on X, the platform formerly called Twitter. Its time Democrats, Independents, and Republicans come together and reject Kari Lake and her dangerous positions. Lake, meanwhile, said she and Sinema may not agree on everything, but I know she shares my love for Arizona. Senator Sinema had the courage to stand tall against the Far-Left in defense of the filibuster despite the overwhelming pressure from the radicals in her party like Ruben Gallego who called on her to burn it all down, she wrote on X. Senate Republicans in recent weeks had expected that Sinema would decide against seeking a second term and had turned their attention to a potential Gallego-versus-Lake match-up. An Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey in late February found Sinema trailing both Gallego and Lake. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), argued shortly after the decision that the Republicans are now in a stronger position to claw back the seat. With recent polling showing Kyrsten Sinema pulling far more Republicans than Democrat voters, her decision to retire improves Kari Lakes opportunity to flip this seat, Daines said in a statement. But its not immediately certain who Sinemas exit benefits most. The Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey also found that in a head-to-head match-up between Gallego and Lake, Gallego led by 7 points, with 15 percent undecided. Daines and the NRSC officially endorsed Lake last month. They have touted her talent as a candidate and a revised message focused on the economy and immigration, rather election fraud, which was a major focal point of her 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Sinema was facing an uphill climb on a number of fronts. Outside of the polling disadvantage, she would have had to collect 42,000 signatures by April 1 in order to get on the statewide ballot. The threshold in the state is higher for independent candidates than it is for those under a party banner. Gallego on Monday turned in more than 14,000 signatures a figure more than double the requirement. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reacted to the news that broke during the daily press briefing, noting that the White House has worked closely with Sinema on key, important bills, including the border security deal out of the Senate. Shes been a partner with us on many critical issues that matter to the American people, and we think thats important, Jean-Pierre told reporters. Updated at 4:40 p.m. Alex Gangitano contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Singapore is drawing fans from all over Southeast Asia and beyond to Taylor Swifts Eras Tour, much to the annoyance of the city-states regional neighbors. The anger is not directed at the superstar but at the Singaporean government for an exclusive deal it struck with concert organizers to make sure the city-state is the only place in Southeast Asia where she performs. Swift has brought a windfall to Singapore as she usually does wherever she goes as fans buy flights, accommodation and souvenirs in the city-state. But countries in the region have expressed their annoyance with Filipino lawmaker Joey Salceda saying exclusive deals arent what good neighbors do. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong responded to the criticism on Tuesday, saying Singapore was not being unfriendly to its neighbors by making a deal with the superstar. [Our] agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia, Lee said at a press conference in Melbourne while on a state visit to Australia. Certain incentives were provided to her, and a deal was reached. It has turned out to be a very successful arrangement. I dont see that as being unfriendly. If we had not made such an arrangement, would she have come to more places in Southeast Asia? Maybe, maybe not? he added. Singapore officials had previously acknowledged offering Swift a grant, with the countrys culture minister, Edward Tong, playing down the size of the grant and Monday said that it is not accurate and not anywhere as high as speculated. Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had claimed during a business forum in Bangkok on February 16 that Singapore paid Taylor Swift up to $3 million per show on the condition of exclusivity to perform in the country. Swifts team has not commented on the controversy and hasnt replied to CNNs request for a response. Both Thailand and Philippines have seen major international music acts pass through recently and wow fans, including Coldplay. Southeast Asia fans dig deep to see Swift The Eras Tour is a multi-continent extravaganza that surged to become the highest-grossing tour of all time and Swift is making Singapore a lot of money. Swift is playing six, sold-out nights to 300,000 fans in Singapore, where 70% of the concertgoers are flying from overseas and spending up to $370 million in the city state, according to estimates by an economist at Maybank. Between March 1 and 9 when Swift is in town, Singapore-inbound flights shot up by 186% and accommodation bookings almost quintupled, according to Edmund Ong, general manager at travel platform Trip.com in Singapore. Mega-events such as festivals, concerts, major sporting events, bring immense economic benefits driven by high tourist spending to supplement their trip, said Sarah Wan, Klooks general manager for Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Based on our data, typically, a tourist attending a concert or event can hit an incremental spending of 5x the face ticket value. Based on an average ticket price, we expect a traveler to spend an additional $800 on local hotels, restaurants, experiences, etc, Wan added. These large-scale global music events are a boon for Singapores travel-related services that can add up to 10% of its GDP, HSBCs ASEAN economist Yun Liu wrote in a recent note. Filipino fans Errol De Asis, Gilliane Granada, Christel Kaye Kuan, Yedda Mendoza, made their way to Singapore for the Eras Tour. - CNN Fans from the Philippines, Thailand, China and other countries in the region have spent thousands on concert and plane tickets to watch Swift perform, plus whatever it takes to complete the experience with sequined dresses and themed costumes. For many Filipino fans, traveling to Singapore can be a huge outlay. The GDP per capita in the Philippines is around $3,500 a year, according to the World Bank. In comparison Singapore is one of the worlds wealthiest places in the world where the average person earns more than 23 times has much with a GDP per capita of $83,000. Filipino fan Charlyn Suizo is among those on a pricey pilgrimage to watch Swift, splashing all out for the once in a lifetime extravaganza. This is the biggest amount I have spent for a concert. I never really spent big like six-digit (Philippine peso) amounts for someone else, just Taylor Swift, Suizo said. Singapores currency is one of the strongest in Asia, making everything relatively expensive for travelers from emerging markets in the region. Gilliane Granada, 24, who traveled from the Philippines with three other friends, said while its more costly for them to go to Singapore for the concert it makes sense to host it in the city-state. I dont think wed have a big enough venue to accommodate her, her stage and her production and all that. So, I think thats probably one of the reasons why they decided to have it here in Singapore because its a great stadium, Granada said. Her friend, Christel Kaye Kuan, 25, said they all spent about $2,000 for tickets, flights accommodation for the trip, and added that they at least got to turn it into their first international trip as friends. Thats about six times the national average monthly wage in the Philippines, based on latest government census data. But its all worth it because we get to see Taylor. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Taylor Swift's deal to play Singapore was an exclusive one in the region, the city-state's premier confirmed Tuesday (DAVID GRAY) Singapore struck a deal ensuring Taylor Swift played the city-state but nowhere else in Southeast Asia, the country's prime minister said Tuesday while defending the secretive arrangement. Pop icon Swift is halfway through a run of six sold-out shows in Singapore, the only city in Southeast Asia to feature in her blockbuster Eras world tour. The star's schedule has sparked controversy in the music-mad region, with Singapore accused of throwing cash at Swift to stop her from appearing in other locations. The issue unexpectedly reared its head at the ASEAN-Australia summit in Melbourne -- a sober affair typically more preoccupied with matters of security and economic growth. "Our agencies negotiated an arrangement with her to come to Singapore and perform, and to make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart. "A deal was reached. And so it has turned out to be a very successful arrangement. I don't see that as being unfriendly." Singapore has repeatedly declined to detail the financial terms of the deal. After Singapore, Swift's Eras Tour will head to Europe. sft/arb/cwl AUSTELL, Ga. - A video posted to TikTok days before the free-for-all at Six Flags Over Georgia suggests some circles of kids knew there would be violence on Saturday. "[Point of view]: you live in Atlanta and you already know what finna go down March second at Six Flags," a title on the video said, along with a laughing emoji. Police have charged the 15-year-old boy whom they shot with aggravated assault on law enforcement, claiming he fired at them first. The boy remains in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said detectives found a gun nearby. A woman named Nadja Barron tells FOX 5 said she saw the posts and tried to warn Atlanta Crime Stoppers and park officials there would be trouble Saturday night. "I called [Six Flags] and the tip line to let them know what was happening and what I had seen on social media," Barron said. "That was it. Nothing else was done." Cobb County Police confirmed they received several tips from people who saw the message on social media, adding they were actively investigating the posts. Crime scene investigators were back near the scene with metal detectors Monday afternoon searching for any evidence they might have missed. A spokesperson for Six Flags declined to comment on Mondays developments. Barron said she felt powerless watching videos of the chaos on social media. She wants to see something done. RELATED: METRO ATLANTA NONPROFIT PUSHES S.T.E.A.M. TO KEEP GIRLS FOCUSED, OUT OF TROUBLE "Outreach to these young youth to let them know what theyre doing is not right," she said. "This is not how you live your life. Atlanta is not about this." Up the road from the crime scene, a church-run community center called Riverside EpiCenter is trying to reach teens. They watched as police flooded the street in front of the center. "We were here in our facility, and we felt safe," said Dr. Christopher Boyd, the manager of the center. "We look forward to whatever it takes to make sure safety is the first thought and the true response of this community." RELATED: BALLING WITH A PURPOSE: MAYOR DICKENS' MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL REDUCING CRIME IN ATLANTA Boyd said teens need a "third place" to go when theyre not at school or home. He said his goal is to make EpiCenter one of those places. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An empty, pothole-ridden parking lot straddling the Old North and Clintonville may one day become a six-story apartment building. The architects behind the Ohio Statehouse renovation, the design of the citys Michael B. Coleman Government Center and college residence halls across Ohio hope to build an apartment complex on a 1.19-acre of land on North High Street near Ohio State University. The group, Columbus-based Schooley Caldwell, sees a mixed-use apartment complex of mostly one-bedroom units replacing a pair of barren, unused parking lots on the corner of North and North High streets. Affordable housing development to be built near Columbus State Schooley Caldwell, which has designed spaces for the citys parks department, multiple state governments, Ohio State and other colleges, submitted a conceptual plan to the University Area Commission outlining a 92-unit apartment building with 7,200 square feet of retail space on the first floor. The vast majority of units would have one bedroom and fall between 620 and 700 square feet. A handful of studios and two-bedroom units flank the ends of proposed floor plans. A ground-level floor plan for a proposed apartment building at 2711 N. High St. (Courtesy Photo/Schooley Caldwell) A floor plan for a proposed apartment building at 2711 N. High St. (Courtesy Photo/Schooley Caldwell) A floor plan for a proposed apartment building at 2711 N. High St. (Courtesy Photo/Schooley Caldwell) The space at 2711 N. High St. was the former site of Patrick Js, a bar and restaurant that closed in 2016 after its owner, John Raphael, pleaded guilty in the citys red light camera bribery scheme. Raphael was a longtime city government lobbyist who falsified campaign finance documents to obscure contributions to city officials made by Redflex, a red light camera company hoping to secure contracts with Columbus and Cincinnati. Multiple developers and architects, including Schooley Caldwell, have pitched apartment plans for the site since Patrick Js closed. Several plans even secured approval from the University Impact District Review Board before falling through. According to the Franklin County Auditors Office, the land is currently owned by Stark Capital Ventures. Schooley Caldwell submitted its conceptual plan to the University Area Commission on Monday evening. The architecture firm did not respond to a request for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. JOHANNESBURG, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which owns and operates the country's nine principal airports, has allocated more than 21 billion rands (about 1.12 billion U.S. dollars) for airport infrastructure development over the next five years, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said Tuesday. "This investment primarily targets refurbishment, efficiency improvements and statutory compliance measures, with the aim of enhancing asset availability, airport safety and passenger experiences across our airports," Chikunga said at a media briefing on the state of South Africa's aviation sector. ACSA is set to embark on the development of a new cargo terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, she added. Infrastructure expansion will also be implemented at the country's other airports, including those in Durban, George, Cape Town and Gqeberha, to enhance the airports' capacity and effectiveness, according to Chikunga. "After a period of turbulence and uncertainty regarding the full extent of the pandemic's social and economic impact, I am pleased to confirm that the worst is over and our aviation sector's recovery is on a positive trajectory," Chikunga said. A new source of affordable housing for seniors is rising behind one of Atascaderos existing multi-family affordable residences. Behind California Manor a 95-unit senior affordable housing complex located at 10165 El Camino Real two new structures are entering the back half of their construction phase, according to Sanger-based developer Micon Real Estate. Micon founder and CEO Mike Condry said after his company acquired the California Manor property in 2011, he began exploring ways to utilize the roughly two acres of space behind the existing residences. The result: California Grand Manor Apartments, a pair of three-story buildings totaling 76 units of affordable housing, which will available to seniors over the age of 62 and people with disabilities, Condry said. What is that in SLO County? Ever wonder what that construction is in your town or what happened to that local business? Were finding out the answers. Send us your questions and tips by emailing reporter Kaytlyn Leslie at kleslie@thetribunenews.com. Read More New outdoors store opens in Paso Robles. Heres a look inside The tallest building in downtown SLO is wrapped in blue. Whats happening? While the project will bear many similarities in appearance and name to the original California Manor project, Condry said the new units will serve a different subsection of the San Luis Obispo County senior population. Heres what you can expect from the newest affordable project in progress and whether you qualify to apply. Construction is underway at California Grand Manor Apartments, an expansion to California Manor in Atascadero on Feb. 28, 2024. The expansion consists of a pair of three-story buildings totaling 76 units of affordable housing, which will be available to seniors over the age of 62 and people with disabilities. Do you qualify for California Grand Manor Apartments? The project serves people who make anywhere between 30% and 80% of the area median income, and offers a mix of 12 studio apartments, 57 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units, accorded to Condry. On average, the projects units will serve people who make an average of 55% of the area median income, which for a one-person household was $76,450 in 2022, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Condry said while the project is an expansion on California Manor, residents wont get the same rental assistance afforded by USDA housing vouchers used on the original project. Construction is underway at California Grand Manor Apartments, an expansion to California Manor in Atascadero Feb. 28, 2024. The expansion consists of a pair of three-story buildings totaling 76 more units of affordable housing becoming available to seniors over the age of 62 and people with disabilities. Those vouchers ensure that residents pay no more than 30% of their income as rent and utilities, and supplement residents who struggle to meet that requirement, Condry said. Because the USDA isnt involved in the new expansion instead receiving financial support from the California Housing Finance Authority residents will pay anywhere from $574 at the lowest income level for a studio apartment to as much as $1,970 for a three-bedroom at the highest income level, Condry said. Like the existing California Manor project, the expansion will feature internal courtyards and shared spaces, along with activity rooms, tenant storage, a community patio and a laundry room, according to Micons website. Construction is underway at California Grand Manor Apartments, an expansion to California Manor in Atascadero Feb. 28, 2024. The expansion consists of a pair of three-story buildings totaling 76 more units of affordable housing becoming available to seniors over the age of 62 and people with disabilities. When will construction finish? All told, the expansion will cost around $27 million to bring to life, Condry said. Construction started on the project in August 2023, Condry said, and is expected to be complete around the end of September this year, with marketing and applications getting underway in the coming months. Were surrounded by multi-family or higher density housing, Condry said. Weve had support for the project from the outset and were doing well I think its going to be an asset to the community. Construction is underway at California Grand Manor Apartments, an expansion to California Manor in Atascadero Feb. 28, 2024. The expansion consists of a pair of three-story buildings totaling 76 more units of affordable housing becoming available to seniors over the age of 62 and people with disabilities. Mayor Brett Smiley said he would like to see noise cameras distributed "evenly" throughout the city to avoid targeting specific neighborhoods a shift that comes after concerns were raised about the potential program disproportionately ticketing in communities of color. Smiley is currently seeking permission from the General Assembly to use so-called acoustic cameras throughout the city. The devices would listen for loud music or roaring straight pipes that break the city's noise law, and trigger a ticket. But if they're installed only in noise hotspots, they're likely to have a higher impact on communities of color. In 2022, the Brown University created a heat map of noise pollution in Providence, which put South Providence and South Elmwood among the loudest neighborhoods in the city. On the contrary, Blackstone on the East Side is remarkably quiet. More: Noisy neighborhoods can be hazardous to Rhode Islanders' health. How it's being addressed. "Its one piece of feedback that weve heard, which is some people have concerns about disproportionate enforcement, and the best solution to that is equitable distribution," Smiley said. "So I would expect and hope that the sound cameras get distributed evenly throughout the city so that were not targeting one neighborhood or another." The mayor said that approach would differ from "block-the-box" cameras, which he also wants to install. Those, he said, would likely be limited to a couple of problematic areas where drivers tend to sit in intersections, stalling traffic. A noise-detection camera in downtown Knoxville, Tenn., in 2022. That city is testing out a camera that captures data such as the time and date of a noise violation, the vehicle type and a photo of the vehicles license plate. Audio cams are relatively new. What does the city know about them? Audio cameras don't yet exist in many American cities, so the research the City of Providence could do on the devices has been limited. Last month, The Providence Journal filed a public records request for any research or discussion Providence has had with other cities about noise cameras. Yet all that was returned was an email thread indicating City Hall staff had arranged a meeting with a New York City Council staff member in 2023. The meeting, conducted over Zoom, was intended to cover how New York's noise-camera program worked. No other outreach or communication with other cities was reflected in the response to the records request. The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island filed a similar request and received the same limited reply, raising concerns about how much digging was done before the program was announced. Thomas Shevlin, spokesperson for the City of Newport, which has a new sound-camera program, said neither the Information Technology Department nor the Police Department had fielded inquiries from Providence about the initiative. More: Providence may be poised to buy noise-activated cameras. Mayor says 'it's not surveillance' However, Smiley said he has personally spoken with officials in New York, Newport and Miami Beach, which also has an audio-camera program. Smiley said Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy planned to testify in support of the mayor's bill for permission to use the cameras in Providence. But Smiley indicated there wasn't much legwork for the city to do when it came to research. "Its not like theres been a lengthy period of annual reports that other communities have started to issue or anything, because this is still relatively new," he said. ACLU still skeptical of noise camera program. Here's why. The ACLU of Rhode Island maintains its concerns about audio cameras, how they would store data and who would be able to access it. "I think a lot of the same concerns we have about other types of surveillance technology, other types of surveillance cameras, are still relevant here," said Hannah Stern, a policy associate at the organization. Stern expressed skepticism about the idea of the city using technology from a private company, noting that "private businesses arent beholden to that same level of transparency" as a public agency. Smiley is still working on General Assembly permission to use the cameras, so a vendor hasn't yet been selected. Despite some concerns, Smiley said he sees Providence's exploration of new technology as a positive. "I think thats a good thing that Providence has a chance to be on the leading edge on improving the quality of life in our city," Smiley said. "So theres not a deep amount of research thats available in this country, but we have talked to the people that we could have to see how theyre working." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence noise cameras would go up throughout the city, but ACLU still concerned SOCASTEE, S.C. (WBTW) A Socastee day care worker was arrested after she allegedly pulled several children from their sleeping mats and shoved one of them into a chair, according to arrest warrants obtained by News13. Alexandria Allabaugh, 30, was charged with nine counts of harming a child in her care/custody, jail records show. She was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Monday morning. According to an incident report, Horry County police responded on Feb. 16 to the My Sunshine Child Development Center in the 3000 block of Socastee Boulevard for reported child abuse. Allabaugh is accused in multiple instances of forcefully pulling children from their sleeping mats on Feb. 14, warrants show. In one instance, she allegedly pulled a girl from her sleeping mat, kicked her and shoved her into a chair. In another instance, Allabaugh allegedly flipped a girl over, hit her in the face and kicked her, causing her to roll into a shelf and hit her head, according to the warrants. Allabaugh is also accused of pulling a girl by her feet from the mat she was sleeping on and throwing shoes at her. News13 asked Horry County police about the child abuse allegations from the day care on Feb. 19 based on a viewer tip. The day care released the following statement Tuesday afternoon: Alexandria Allabaugh was let go by our director prior to us finding out about this incident. The director went back and was reviewing cameras and found this horrific act. We immediately contacted DSS and law enforcement. We have turned over all evidence and are working with them on this case. We also contacted parents and brought them in and told them what had happened. We had no indication that Ms. Allabaugh would ever commit such an act. It is our priority to keep all children in our care safe! The website for My Sunshine says children six weeks through 12 years old attend the day care, which is a family oriented child care center where your babies are one of our babies.' You can rest assured that when you drop your child off to us they are getting love and attention throughout the day! the website says. Online booking records show Allabaugh was still in jail as of this writing. Her bond has not been set. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Elle Crofton was 25 when she was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. At 25-years-old, you kind of think youre still invincible, said Crofton. The diagnosis hit. I wasnt fully aware of what that meant for a long time. What it meant was she needed a stem cell transplant to save her life. Thankfully, she got the call that a match was found through the national registry: NMDP, formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match. >> Funeral services announced for 14-year-old Ellie Carder She was able to save my life and thats why Im here eight years later, said Crofton. Crofton now works as a teacher in Philadelphia. Its all thanks to a stranger who signed up to donate to help. Claire LaSee from Olympia, Washington is one of the millions of donors on the registry, and in 2019 she got the call to help another person in need. I had matched a man in his 60s with cancer. So, it was a no brainer for me, said LaSee. LaSee donated surgically. She said she had to take about 40-45 hours off work in total for the physical, donation and recovery process. >> Shots fired at Ohio hotel leads to police chase But not every donor has the ability to take off work. The most commonly cited reason that donors cant donate stem cells is really just because theyre worried about job security, said Dr. Clark Alsfeld, an oncologist and stem cell transplant physician at Ochsner Health in Louisiana. If we do find that one donor or two donors, we dont want to lose them because theyre worried about job security. Its a big issue. Theres now a bipartisan bill in Congress aimed at protecting donors called the Lifesaving Leave Act. It allows donors giving bone marrow or blood stem cells to take 40 nonconsecutive hours of unpaid time off from work during a one-year period. Around 60 transplant donors, recipients and advocates recently came to Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to pass the proposal as soon as possible. Too many people waiting for bone marrow transplants cant find a match because donors cant take time off from work, said Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a sponsor of the bill in the Senate. Im fighting for this bill because every potential donor has the opportunity to save a life, and we must ensure the fear of losing your job is not a barrier to doing so. Americans deciding to make a lifesaving bone marrow or blood cell donation should not have to worry about losing their job, said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), another sponsor of the Senate bill. Patients with life-threatening conditions depend on them. This legislation makes it easier for Americans to provide these crucial donations to save lives. Doctors say the job protection is urgently needed, especially since ideal donors are between ages 18 and 30. Just out of college, in their first jobs and may not have that seniority to take off the time or have that protection, said Alsfeld. They cant guarantee your employer will keep your job or there wont be repercussions for you if you donate, said LaSee. Donors, recipients and doctors are now hoping the proposal in Congress will change that. They can give somebody a life and then also make sure theyre financially stable, said Crofton. Every donor that gets the call should be able to donate. So, this would just eliminate one of the biggest barriers that we have out there. The bill has Democrats and Republicans as sponsors in the House and Senate. The son of a woman whose body was found alongside a Meigs County sheriff's deputy in the Tennessee River filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit blaming the Meigs County government for his mother's death. Nathan Smith filed the suit on behalf of his deceased mother, Tabitha Smith, on Monday in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The 16-page suit claims the deceased deputy, Robert "R.J." 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," according to the suit. Smith is demanding a jury trial and seeking a $10 million award for damages caused by the violation of his deceased mother's constitutional rights, the suit says. USA TODAY contacted Meigs County but did not receive an immediate response. "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," according to the suit. A view of the Tennessee River from the South Knoxville Bridge during a snow storm in Knoxville on Monday, January 15, 2024. Leonard was texting, driving before the drowning, Smith alleges Leonard took Smith into custody Feb. 14 after being called to a disturbance on the Tennessee Highway 60 bridge, which spans the Tennessee River, according to the suit. It took three minutes for Leonard to handcuff Smith and put her in the back of his patrol car, the suit continued. At some point between the arrest and the incident, Leonard sent his wife a text, the suit reads. Leonard's last breath may have come when he used his radio to tell the police dispatcher for the county, "Water," according to the suit. When authorities found Leonard's patrol car, it was flipped upside down at the bottom of the Tennessee River. "The vehicle was nose in, but upside down, wheels up," District Attorney General Russell Johnson said at a press conference after the incident. What to know: Bodies of Tennessee deputy, woman he arrested found in Tennessee River Johnson also said Leonard's wife, Christina, received a one-word text message from the rookie deputy that read "arrest." She responded to the text, though his phone never got the message, he said. "As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions of Leonard and the county, the deceased suffered a horrific death," the suit says. Smith, Leonard survived by their children Tabitha Smith is survived by one adult child, Nathan, and three minor children, according to the suit. "As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions averred herein, (Nathan Smith) lost his mother, lost any future he may have had with his mother, lost his ability to have a continuing relationship with his mother," the suit reads. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to determine what happened, Johnson said. Were operating under the theory that it was an accident, he missed his turn, he wasnt familiar, and he was doing other things that may have caused him to go into the water, the district attorney general said. Theres some skid marks and some scratch marks, too. So, theres some indication that he was on the brakes at least trying to stop. Leonard, who had been with the sheriff's department for two months, is survived by his wife and five children, according to his obituary. His funeral was held Feb. 19. The Police Benevolent Foundation set up a memorial fund to help Leonard's family during this time. Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Son of Tabitha Smith, woman found dead in Tennessee River, files suit Congressman Eric Sorensen has invited local veteran Leo Doc Kaalberg as his guest for the Presidents State of the Union Address to Congress on Thursday, March 7. Kaalberg of Moline served as a combat medic in the 1st Infantry Division, completing four tours and earning the Purple Heart twice. Veteran Leo Doc Kaalberg of Moline will be a guest at Thursdays State of the Union Adress. As a trusted voice for the people of Central and Northwestern Illinois, it is my responsibility to make sure that my neighbors stories are heard here in Washington, Sorensen said in a Monday release. I am excited to have Leo join me as my guest to this years State of the Union Address, where he gets the chance to represent our veterans in Central and Northwestern Illinois and across the country. It is so important that we understand Leos story of courage and sacrifice, and I am honored to highlight his service to a grateful nation. Right now, what the world needs most, is story tellers and leaders, Kaalberg said in the release. Leaders to show us the way forward with strength, and story tellers to remind us of where we came from and where weve been. Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) (photo submitted) Raised in the heart of the Illinois Quad Cities, Leo is a 25-year married Midwest father of four with a deep-rooted pride in his third-generation military legacy, according to the release. As a combat medic in the 1st Infantry Division, Kaalberg has weathered four tours and earned the Purple Heart twice, a testament to the unwavering commitment and sacrifice of what military service means to him. Transitioning from the battlefield, Leo has found solace in supporting his local community, channeling his experiences into advocacy, Sorensens release said. Through writing restaurant and small business reviews, as well as engaging on social media, Leo aims to foster connections and understanding while shedding light on the realities of PTSD and bridging the gap between our veteran and civilian communities. The State of the Union Address from President Biden will highlight the historic achievements the Administration has delivered and share an optimistic vision of our nations future to lower costs, grow the middle class, make all our communities safer, and defend our fundamental freedoms, Mondays release said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) South Carolina Democrats on Tuesday slammed GOP efforts to expand a controversial education funding program that by 2027 would route $90 million out of the states public school system. We believe this misguided Republican effort widens the great divide that persist in education outcomes. Widening the gap of opportunities, widening the achievement gap between the haves and the have nots, state Rep. Roger Kirby, D-Lake City, said at a Statehouse news conference. Last spring, Gov. McMaster signed S. 39, known as the educational scholarship trust fund set to take affect this fall but currently halted because of legal challenges. Teachers advocates challenge private school voucher program in South Carolina The law would allow parents and guardians to get up to $6,000 annually for tuition, transportation, supplies and other education-related costs to send students to a public or private school outside their home district. Beginning with 5,000 eligible students in 2024-25, it would eventually ramp up to 15,000. Having the freedom to choose the school that is best for your children is something that parents have been seeking for 20 or 30 years or more here, McMaster said at a May 4, 2023 bill signing ceremony at his Columbia office. We have finally arrived at the beginning of a great solution and a great step forward for our state. On Wednesday, the House Education and Public Works Committee will begin talks on a measure that would take the scholarship program even further by stripping income caps for eligibility and removing language that vouchers could only be handed to students who previously attended a public school. This is nothing short of an effort to defund the public school system, state Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto said. If were going to debate public education, we should be talking about classroom size, we should be talking about increasing teacher pay, we should be talking about things that will enhance the public school system that we already have. The South Carolina constitution prohibits using public money to benefit private educational institutions. Supporters say the scholarships gets around that issue because the money comes out of the general fund instead of money assigned to schools and goes into education savings accounts instead of directly to private schools. This is not an either/or choice, State Superintendent of Schools Ellen Weaver said last May. We have made incredible progress to enhance public education in our state. Kirby, whose House District 101 covers rural swathes of Berkeley, Florence and Williamsburg counties, said the subsidies reflect the views of an out-of-touch party. Many of the Republicans who are pushing these type bills are so far removed from public education, they couldnt find a school with a map, he said. Information from the Associated Press was used in this story. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Senate Minority Whip Sen. John Thune (R-SD) addresses reporters following a weekly Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on October 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. Thune Monday said he would enter the race to succeed outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota announced Monday that he plans to run for U.S. Senate GOP leader. I hope to be, Thune said in an interview with KELOLAND News, a news outlet in his home state. Im going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues. Currently the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, Thune is the second Senate Republican to jockey for the role following Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnells announcement last week that he would step down as minority leader, ending nearly two decades of leadership. While speculation has swirled, only Sen. John Cornyn of Texas so far has formally announced his ambition to lead Senate Republicans. I have learned a lot during my time both in and out of Senate leadership, Cornyn said in a statement, according to the Texas Tribune. Throughout my time Ive 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. Thune recently endorsed former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, following earlier endorsements by Cornyn and another potential Republican in the race, John Barrasso of Wyoming. Barrassos aides did not respond to a request for comment on whether he will run for GOP leader. Senate Republicans will select a new leader in November. As we look at a new generation of consistent, principled, conservative leadership in the United States Senate that empowers our Senate Republicans that put the check and balance against what has been a very liberal Schumer-Biden agenda, Thune said. Im prepared to lead that effort. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post South Dakotas John Thune enters race to succeed McConnell as U.S. Senate GOP leader appeared first on Alabama Reflector. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., listens as U.S. Senate Minority Whip Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters following a weekly Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 19, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota announced Monday that he plans to run for U.S. Senate GOP leader. I hope to be, Thune said in an interview with KELOLAND News, a news outlet in his home state. Im going to do everything I can to convince my colleagues. Currently the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, Thune is the second Senate Republican to jockey for the role following Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnells announcement last week that he would step down as minority leader, ending nearly two decades of leadership. While speculation has swirled, only Sen. John Cornyn of Texas so far has formally announced his ambition to lead Senate Republicans. I have learned a lot during my time both in and out of Senate leadership, Cornyn said in a statement, according to the Texas Tribune. Throughout my time Ive 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. Thune recently endorsed former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, following earlier endorsements by Cornyn and another potential Republican in the race, John Barrasso of Wyoming. Barrassos aides did not respond to a request for comment on whether he will run for GOP leader. Senate Republicans will select a new leader in November. As we look at a new generation of consistent, principled, conservative leadership in the United States Senate that empowers our Senate Republicans that put the check and balance against what has been a very liberal Schumer-Biden agenda, Thune said. Im prepared to lead that effort. The post South Dakotas John Thune enters race to succeed McConnell as U.S. Senate GOP leader appeared first on Florida Phoenix. (Bloomberg) -- South Korea has a contingency plan for a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors that has threatened the delivery of health care as they protest against a plan to increase medical school enrollment, according to the nations health minister. Most Read from Bloomberg The country is prepared for a worst-case scenario in which a large number of the trainee doctors in the walkout dont return to work, Health and Welfare Minister Cho KyooHong said in an interview Tuesday, declining to elaborate on details of the plan. With doctors and the government at loggerheads, the walkout looks like it could take time to reach a resolution. As a way to fill gaps in the system so far, the government has opened up emergency rooms at military hospitals to the public, allowed telemedicine nationwide and encouraged people with minor illnesses to visit local clinics in their neighborhoods. Cho said the government wont back down from its plan to increase annual enrollment at medical schools by 2,000 from the current 3,058 to alleviate a doctor shortage that ranks among the most acute the developed world. That is the core of our medical reforms and we do not at all consider holding out a cut as a bargaining chip, Cho told Bloomberg News from his office in Seoul. The government contends that the number of slots at medical schools hasnt increased for nearly three decades and poses enormous risks for the health-care system in the rapidly aging country. About 7,000 of the countrys 13,000 trainee doctors have not returned to work and Cho demanded they end their labor action that has entered its third week. Its not a matter between the government and doctors, he said. Theres demand from the public - doctors should change their mind. The door for dialogue is always open. We can talk about various problems in the medical system. South Korea, Japan and other countries place quotas on medical school seats in a way to regulate the number of doctors. Japan, which faces a similar demographic challenge as its neighbor, has raised its quota in recent years while South Korea has not. The doctors contend the enrollment plan wont fix fundamental problems such as a shortage of physicians in fields seen as lower paying, a concentration of doctors in urban areas and a malpractice system they contend makes it difficult for them to do their jobs effectively. The trainee doctors, similar to medical residents, play key roles in emergency care. Their walkout has led hospitals to turn away patients and about a 50% reduction in surgeries, the government has said. An increase in medical school enrollments wont impact on us for a decade, said Park In-sook, a member of the Korean Medical Association, a major lobby group for the profession. This protest isnt about money, its about the future of our country, she told reporters. President Yoon Suk Yeols administration has threatened to cancel licenses for doctors who organize what it says is an illegal labor action and suspend licenses for about three months for those taking part, which could hurt their career prospects. It has started legal proceedings that can lead to dispensing punishments. Universities, including those in remote areas seen as under-served by doctors, submitted plans to the health ministry Monday to increase nearly 3,400 enrollment spots at their medical schools. The government will allocate additional seats to campuses outside Seoul and increase investments in state-run medical schools, Yoon has said. South Korea ranks near the bottom in the developed world for its number of medical school graduates per capita, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It is an absolute fact that we lack doctors, Cho said. Polling indicates the public is siding with the government, seeing the reform as a way to cut waiting times for health care. South Korean doctors rank among the best paid among OECD members in comparison to average wages, which has led to criticism the labor action may be more about protecting the earning power of physicians rather than improving the health-care system. Read more: South Korea Breaks Record for Worlds Lowest Fertility Rate Again Cho left the door open to a reduction in medical school slots to respond to population decreases. By 2050, the South Korean population is set to fall to 47 million from the current 51 million, according to government data. Yoons approval rating climbed to 39% in a weekly tracking poll released Friday from Gallup Korea, the highest since July last year, indicating broad support among voters for his stance. This could help his conservative People Power Party in April elections as it tries to take control of parliament from the progressive Democratic Party. The last labor action by doctors was in 2020 when the previous government tried to raise the number of medical school seats by 400 people per year from 2022. The government buckled to pressure and dropped its plan after a one-month walkout as it was trying to contain Covid-19, and keep happy its base of support among organized labor groups. This time will be different, Cho said, adding that withdrawing the plan would make doctors think that the government is bluffing in the future, hurting the credibility of any policies. --With assistance from Shinhye Kang. (Updates with comment from lobby group in paragraph 11.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. COLOMBO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to develop the historical Galle harbor as a place for commercial and recreation activities, cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference, Gunawardena said the cabinet approved the proposal to select a suitable investor under the public-private partnership model for the development of infrastructure facilities related to the Galle Harbor Development Project and the development of infrastructure facilities related to recreation activities. Sri Lanka plans to develop the Galle port into a fully-fledged tourist port and leisure hub of South Asia with an investment of 175 million to 200 million U.S. dollars. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea and the United States have named envoys to launch a new early round of talks on ways to share the cost of keeping American troops in South Korea, the countries said on Tuesday. The appointment of South Korea's Lee Tae-woo and the United States' Linda Specht comes unusually early for a deal set to take effect in 2026, perhaps aimed at reaching agreement before the possible re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. Some 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea as part of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea. 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. "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. The early appointment was intended to "allow sufficient time in advance" to prepare but no date was set for a fresh round of talks, said Lim Soo-suk, a spokesman for South Korea's foreign ministry. "Looking at past cases, there were times when negotiations took quite a long time," he told a briefing. Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the November election, had during his presidency 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 any potential comeback by Trump. 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 Trump's presidency, both sides had struggled for months to make progress, before reaching a deal when Seoul agreed to increase its contribution by 13.9%, the biggest annual rise in nearly two decades. 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 Department's bureau of political and military affairs. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Lincoln Feast.) SpaceX kept its assembly line approach to launching rockets alive and strong Monday with successful missions from both Cape Canaveral and California launched less than 20 hours since sending up four humans to space from Kennedy Space Center. Topping off the day from the Space Coast amid a blanket of fog was the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket with 23 of SpaceXs Starlink internet satellites taking off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 at 6:56 p.m. The first-stage booster flew for the 13th time with a recovery landing downrange in the Atlantic on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas. This marked the 15th launch from the Space Coast in 2024, with all but one coming from SpaceX. Just over 20 hours earlier, SpaceX began its busy run with the launch of the Crew-8 mission launching four aboard the Crew Dragon Endeavour at 10:53 p.m. Sunday from KSCs Launch Pad 39-A, the second human spaceflight of the year for SpaceX following Januarys Axiom Space Ax-3 mission. That success set the stage for two launches Monday evening, with SpaceX switching focus to the west coast, where it successfully launched from California, sending up the Transporter-10 mission from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 5:05 p.m. The mission was the 10th dedicated rideshare mission for SpaceX, carrying 53 payloads for a variety of customers. Its booster flew for the fifth time, landing back at the Space Force base recovery site. Across both Florida and California launch pads, SpaceX has now managed 22 launches in 64 days, better than one launch every three days, during a year in which Elon Musk said the company could see as many as 150. Its also gearing up to send up the third test flight of its Starship and Super Heavy from its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Starship Flight 3 preparing for launch, Musk posted on Twitter after SpaceX spent Sunday evening running through a wet dress rehearsal filling the rocket with 10 million pounds of propellant. SpaceX is awaiting the OK from the Federal Aviation Administration before it can set up a target launch date for the massive rocket. The first two test flights in 2023 ended explosively, but the FAA last month cleared the path for the third test flight to move forward by closing the latest launch mishap investigation. Starship is the companys replacement rocket for its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy fleet, one that would be completely reusable, with both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage capable of vertical recovery landings. _____ Less than 24 hours after launching a crew of four on a flight to the International Space Station, SpaceX launched 53 commercial satellites from California on Monday, including an innovative methane emissions monitor built by a nonprofit, then fired off 23 more of its own Starlink satellites from Florida. The Crew Dragon spacecraft was launched by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket Sunday night from the Kennedy Space Center, kicking off a 28-hour flight to deliver three NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut to the orbiting laboratory. With the Crew Dragon on course for docking at 3 a.m. EST Tuesday, another Falcon 9 blasted off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base at 5:05 p.m. EST Monday and climbed away to the south toward an orbit around Earth's poles. A Falcon 9 blasts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base northwest of Los Angeles carrying 53 On board were 53 small satellites owned by a variety of vendors booked on SpaceX's 10th "rideshare" mission, flights intended to give smaller operators an opportunity to launch relatively modest payloads and satellites at relatively low cost. SpaceX charges $300,000 to launch a 110-pound payload and $6,000 for each additional pound. One of the satellites launched Monday MethaneSAT was developed by a subsidiary of the Environmental Defense Fund to measure methane emissions across wide swaths of land and sea using a high-resolution infrared instrument. The idea is to identify previously undetected releases from oil and gas operations and other sources. It is the first such satellite to be built by a nonprofit organization. "Everybody thought it was crazy," Steven Hamburg, EDF chief scientist and MethaneSAT project leader, was quoted by The New York Times. "I thought it was crazy, to be honest." But the group managed to raise $88 million from a variety of donors, including the government of New Zealand and the Bezos Earth Fund, to get the washing machine-size satellite built. "MethaneSAT's 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," Hamburg said in a statement. "Knowing how much methane is coming from where and how the rates are changing is essential" for climate modeling. The rideshare satellites were released from the Falcon 9's second stage as planned over the course of about an hour and 40 minutes, with MethaneSat the last to be released. Another Falcon 9 blasted off in dense fog from Cape Canaveral, boosting 23 more Starlink internet relay satellites into orbit. A long-range tracking camera captured the surrealistic exhaust plume from the rocket's nine first stage engines as it climbed out of the lower atmosphere. / Credit: Pete Carstens/Spaceflight Now Before the Transporter 10 deployments were complete, SpaceX launched another Falcon 9 from pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 6:56 p.m., sending 23 more Starlink broadband relay stations into space and boosting the total launched to date to 5,942. The first stage used for the rideshare mission, making its fifth flight, flew itself back to an on-target landing at Vandenberg after boosting the upper stage and payloads out of the lower atmosphere. The Starlink booster landed on an off-shore droneship. SpaceX has now successfully carried out 281 first stage recoveries, the last 207 in a row. With the Starlink flight, SpaceX launched three Falcon 9s within 20 hours and two within just one hour and 51 minutes, a new record for the California rocket builder. The company plans to launch more than 140 Falcon-family rockets this year. Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes The Nobel laureates behind mRNA COVID vaccines DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: "We were not informed" about prior arrests of Georgia suspect Spain's government has tried to make military careers more attractive to women - Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Spanish soldiers and policemen are changing their gender in order to access benefits intended for women, an investigation has found. Spains Left-wing government introduced a self-ID law in 2022 that made it simple to transition formally, while at the same time boosting benefits for women in the military and security forces. Since the change was introduced, 41 men have become women in the Spanish territory of Ceuta in North Africa. Only four of that number have changed their names. According to a report in online newspaper El Espanol, the vast majority of the 37 newly registered women are employed by the military or the police. On the inside I am a lesbian Roberto Perdigones, an army corporal who registered as female in the last year, now earns more money and lives in superior accommodation. On the outside I feel like a heterosexual man, but on the inside I am a lesbian. And it is the latter that counts. This is why I made the legal change to become a woman, Corporal Perdigones, who continues to sport a beard, told El Espanol. Sources close to Ceutas security forces said male officers are changing their legal gender in the hope of gaining promotions. Corporal Perdigones said positive discrimination was an incentive for becoming a woman. For changing my gender, I have been told that my pension has gone up because women get more to compensate for inequality. I also get 15 per cent more salary for being a mother, he said. The corporal explained that he was planning to sue for shared custody of his 16-year-old son because he thought his new gender status will give him a better chance in the courts. After changing his gender last summer Corporal Perdigones arrived at the barracks with longer hair than is permitted for men, and earrings, which male soldiers are not permitted to wear. I even have a private room in the barracks, all to myself, with a private bathroom. This is because I cannot be with men as I am a woman, and I did not consider it appropriate to be with biological women out of respect for them. Under Spains transgender law, anyone can switch the gender entered on their ID card and passport by formally requesting the change, without any additional requirements such as a psychological or medical report, as was the case previously. From the age of 12 children can also do so but a court has to approve the move unless, in the case of 14 and 15-year-olds, their parents approve. Spain has sought to boost the number of women in the Guardia Civil and National Police forces to 40 per cent. The government has been accused of a string of woke progressive policies while in power, galvanising conservative opposition. Some policies have also backfired, including a reform to sexual consent, which ended up leading to the early release of a number of offenders. The Socialists were punished at the ballot box last year but managed to keep hold of their majority by a razor thin margin. They are now embroiled in a major row over an amnesty offered to imprisoned Catalan politicians who conducted an illegal referendum to split from Spain. The amnesty has been set up to gain the support of Catalan MPs in the Spanish parliament, so the Socialists can cling to power. Sources told El Espanol that officers in the Civil Guard, the National Police and the Local Police in Ceuta were also changing their sexes for benefits. A Civil Guard source said many are doing it as a rebellion against the progressive laws. I have already seen several cases among my colleagues, and it is going to increase, because there are quite a few people who have requested it and are in the process. So, from time to time, the number is going to be much higher, he adds. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Hard-line conservatives are up in arms over the bipartisan government funding deal endorsed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), but heading into this weeks vote to prevent a partial shutdown, theyve been forced to acknowledge theyre all but powerless to block it. Members of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus have urged Johnson to demand deep cuts in spending and scores of conservative policy changes including tougher border security as part of the two 2024 funding packages moving through Congress this month. Absent those provisions, theyve pressed the Speaker to abandon the 2024 talks and pursue an alternate strategy to keep spending at current 2023 levels through the remainder of the fiscal year. Johnsons weekend endorsement of a minibus deal, which includes six bills that will fund a slew of agencies through September, essentially ignores the entreaties of his right flank. The package excludes a number of the policy riders demanded by the conservatives while providing billions of dollars in funding over 2023 levels an increase established by last summers debt ceiling deal between President Biden and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). The deal has infuriated the hard-liners, who are accusing GOP leaders of bailing on the partys promises to use its House majority to bring fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets to Washington. And the critics arent mincing words. This #omnibus spending bill (divided into 2 minibus bills to hide it) will spend $1.65 [trillion] ($30 [billion]+ more than Pelosi), is littered with earmarks, fails to secure the border, & punts almost every GOP policy win thus, will fund most of Bidens lawlessness & tyranny, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wrote Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. While the conservatives are fuming, however, they dont seem ready to use the last tool at their disposal: The motion to oust the Speaker which led to McCarthys demise in October threw the GOP conference into chaos for three weeks and prevented the House from conducting any legislative business after Hamass unprecedented attack on Israel. Speaker Johnson inherited a bad situation, said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who supported McCarthys ouster over spending deals. With the former Speaker leaving early hes really put us in a very bad spot. So this Speakers just having to maintain. Thats about all he can do. That reluctant resignation reflects both the simple math of the House, where Republicans control just a slim majority, and the political realities of a divided Washington, where Democrats control both the White House and Senate and every major legislative achievement necessarily requires bipartisan buy-in. Those dynamics have left Johnson with a choice in the budget fights: He can either forge deals with Democrats to keep the government open, or he can side with the hard-liners and demand steep cuts in spending, which would likely lead to a shutdown. Time and time again, Johnson has chosen the former. Since winning the gavel last October, hes endorsed three short-term funding patches, known as continuing resolutions (CRs), to keep the governments lights on. And in supporting this weeks 2024 minibus, he again chose bipartisan compromise over the scorched-earth strategy of his restive right flank. In announcing his support, Johnson framed it as a big win for conservatives and taxpayers alike. House Republicans secured key conservative policy victories, rejected left-wing proposals, and imposed sharp cuts to agencies and programs critical to President Bidens agenda, Johnson said Sunday in a statement. Thats done little to appease the conservative firebrands who wanted steeper cuts. And the Speaker will likely be forced to bring the minibus to the floor this week using a fast-track procedural tactic, known as the suspension calendar, to deny those conservatives an opportunity to block the spending package from receiving a vote. The moves by Johnson are not new he brought the past three CRs to the floor under suspension of the rules, clearing them with help from Democrats but the recurrence has rankled conservatives, who are approaching wits end as they prepare to vote on another bipartisan spending bill. Unfortunately its just the makeup of the conference. Its just not a conservative conference, Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) said last week. Its unfortunate. Unveiled Sunday, the six-bill spending package provides roughly $460 billion to fund a handful of agencies through September, including the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Commerce and Energy. Congress faces a Friday deadline to pass the legislation, while funding for the remaining agencies lapses on March 22. The agreement features some notable wins for conservatives and liberals alike lending leaders in both parties ammunition to sell the package to their respective ranks. Democrats, for example, have highlighted increased funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children commonly known as WIC while Republicans have pointed to a number of areas where funding was slashed, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Republicans have also cited a provision that prevents the sale of oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China. Johnson is also expected to promote the package as legislation that broke the omnibus fever a source familiar told The Hill, citing a slide at a conference communications meeting on Monday playing into the hatred conservatives have for the sprawling, typically end-of-year spending bills. That messaging, however, is doing little to win support from hard-liners, who are billing the package as a weak policy crafted by the D.C. swamp and arguing it is essentially an omnibus because it includes six spending bills. The Swamps first spending package is out, Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) wrote in a thread on X that ticked through all the policy wins that were SURRENDERED during backroom negotiations. Roy, a prominent spending hawk, bashed the minibus on X while responding to a post from Elon Musk, which said America needs secure borders, safe cities and sensible spending. [H]int: the Omni bills this week arent this, Roy wrote. But even as the hard-liners air their frustrations out in the open, conservatives are not going after Johnsons gavel for now recognizing the tight spot the Speaker is in just months after ascending to the top job. Mikes a good friend and hes dealing with a tough, you know, hand, Roy told reporters last week when asked if he has faith in Johnsons leadership. Well keep working and trying to move the ball forward. But you know, look, this is not the call I would have made and I think everybody knows that. Nick Robertson contributed to this report, which was updated at 9:50 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Six Wichita schools will be permanently closed at the end of the semester. The school board voted 5-2 Monday night to shutter Clark, Park, Payne and Cleaveland Magnet elementaries and Hadley and Jardine Magnet middle schools. The boards two newest members, Melody McCray-Miller and Ngoc Vuong, voted against the closure recommendation, voicing concerns about a lack of meaningful community input. The closures will affect 2,213 students and 322 employees. The employees have been told they will be offered a position elsewhere within the district next year if they go through an application process. Although tonight is very painful and we know the people we care about and serve are going to experience grief because of their loss, I will vote in favor of the motion because I think its the most equitable and wisest way possible in the constraints of time and budget for us to move forward, board member Julie Hedrick said. District officials say the consolidation will save an estimated $16.2 million money needed to help plug a $42 million budget hole that was first publicized in January, when board members were told they needed to choose between closing schools and laying off teachers and other employees. Informing the public early and often of this impending shortfall would have gone a long way to creating what I would call a common understanding with the intent of garnering public consensus and support, McCray-Miller said. The listening sessions and the public hearing held recently may have been designed to listen and document statements. However, they were not designed to allow our stakeholders true input to be considered in the final solutions. A sign that reads Dont Close Schools hangs from the pedestrian walkway on Kellogg near Hillside before Monday nights vote. Jaime Green/The Wichita Eagle USD 259 is the largest public school system in Kansas. Enrollment has declined by 8% since 2016, cutting down on the per-pupil funds the district receives from the state. The shortfall also coincides with the exhaustion of $263 million in federal COVID-19 relief money. The consequences of remote learning as a result of school closures during COVID drove parents to send their students to private schools or choose to homeschool, board member Kathy Bond said. Now, we have too many buildings and not enough students to fill the classrooms . . . This decision cannot be delayed or pushed down the road anymore without putting this district in serious jeopardy. If we do not take drastic action right now, we could in effect create a situation where our school district cannot survive because we didnt take the measures to stop the bleeding. Vuong, who along with McCray-Miller was sworn in as a board member the same day USD 259s budget shortfall was made public, said the closure process has moved too quickly. Board members were told in February when closure recommendations were made that there was not enough time to consider alternative buildings for closure. I can recognize the need to close schools while also recognizing that my principles of equity, true community oversight of our school district, true financial oversight of our school district, has been violated, Vuong said. Long-term, we have to have many more options in terms of making any decision that pertains to the responsible stewardship of resources. Cadets from the Jardine Middle School JROTC program present the colors before the start of the Wichita school board meeting on Monday night. The board voted to close their school a couple of hours later. Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle Beyond building closures, the district hopes to save $9 million through a variety of cuts, including trimming all non-school programs by at least 5% and scaling back the number of schools that participate in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college readiness program. That leaves a $16.8 million budget hole that still needs to be filled. From the COVID years, we do have some cash reserves, so we think we can finish up that last portion of the hole with some cash, through attrition and through the possibility of savings that we can find here and there, board President Stan Reeser said before Mondays meeting. He would not rule out the possibility of additional school closures or a bond issue to help the district address its $1.2 billion in deferred maintenance needs. Best case scenario is, we wont have to address this anytime soon. But obviously theres no guarantees, Reeser said. Wichita Public Schools has permanently closed 42 school buildings in its 154-year history, district spokesperson Susan Arensman said. Ten schools that closed as regular attendance centers are now used as magnets or to house special programs, including the former Emerson Elementary, which was reopened in 2016 as the Gateway Alternative Program Center, and the shuttered Bryant Magnet Elementary, which was repurposed as Bryant Opportunity Academy in 2018. Recommendations about what to do with the closed schools will likely be included in the districts 10-year facilities master plan, which is expected to come before the board in May or June. The state of Kansas will have right of first refusal on the buildings. Before closures can be finalized, state law requires a 45-day period for residents to lodge an administrative review with the state board of education. To register an administrative review, petitions must be signed by at least 5% of registered voters within district boundaries. The Wichita school board heard a district staff proposal on Feb. 12, 2024, to close four elementary schools and two middle schools at the end of the semester. Top row: Hadley Middle School, Clark Elementary School and Jardine STEM & Career Explorations Magnet Middle School. Bottom row: Cleaveland College and Career Readiness Magnet Elementary School, Park Elementary and Payne Elementary. Jaime Green and Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle Where will students go? Heres where the district plans to send affected students: Hadley students will go to Hamilton, Marshall, Pleasant Valley and Wilbur. Neighborhood students at Jardine Magnet will be reassigned to Mead and other magnet students from around the city will be allowed to apply with priority to any of the districts other magnet schools or attend their own neighborhood school. Clark students will be distributed between Caldwell, Beech and Allen elementaries. Cleaveland is a traditional magnet that pulls students from all around the city. Students can either attend their own neighborhood school or apply with priority to another magnet program. Park students will be distributed between Irving, Washington, Harry Street and Linwood elementaries. Payne students will be distributed between Lawrence, Stanley and Woodman elementaries. The district has extended its magnet application deadline through March 22 to accommodate families that want an alternative to the new school their student is assigned to. Only students who attended a magnet school that is being closed will be given priority in the magnet lottery process. Families can also request a special transfer to another city school, but transportation will not be provided. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Spring Hill man was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking over 100 turtles, violating the Lacy Act last year, the Department of Justice announced. On Monday, Kevin Olbrych, 48, received his sentence for trafficking Florida box turtles, loggerhead musk turtles, and ornate diamondback terrapins. He reportedly faced up to 10 years in federal prison. Florida man pleads guilty to smuggling thousands of turtles overseas According to the DOJ, Olbrych has been permanently enjoined from processing, caring for, transporting, selling, transferring, or distributing any animals. He was also ordered to pay $7,500 to the Lacey Act Reward Fund. The 48-year-old will also have three years of supervised release after serving time. Back in 2018, the Tampa Police Department searched Olbyrchs home, where they found several 300-gallon pools filled with turtles and other containers for the rearing of turtles. There were 120 turtles unlawfully in his possession. Photo courtesy of the Department of Justice The turtles were not properly housed, and Olbrych was not licensed to have them, according to the DOJ. The animals were confiscated and turned over to an individual qualified to rehabilitate them on behalf of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. One of Floridas most popular vacation destinations is breaking up with spring breakers During an investigation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that Olbrych had illegally sold turtles to a co-conspirator in Oregon, who later sold them to buyers in China. Authorities said the 48-year-old continued selling turtles through 2021, even after the turtles were seized from his home in 2018. Olbrych pleaded guilty on Nov. 17, 2023. The Lacey Act combats the trafficking of illegally taken wildlife, fish, or plants. The Lacey Act Refund uses money to pay for the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of wildlife pending their disposition after civil and criminal matters. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. A 27-year-old Springfield man is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl at a Battlefield residence. Andrew T. LaChance was recently charged with first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy after Battlefield Police said the man purposely touched the child's genitals inside her clothes. "Lachance told (victim's) mother he made a big mistake, and he needed help, when confronted about the abuse," BPD officer Shannon Marler wrote in a police report filed on Feb. 26. The victim told police that she had her legs over LaChance's waist on a couch before she fell asleep. When she woke up, according to the police report, the man was rubbing the child's genital area. Police said that when shown the diagram of a female's body, the child circled the genital area when asked where she was touched. "LaChance told me he had been rubbing her legs and belly on the couch. He said at somepoint he was under her clothes and went too low," the police report said. LaChance's relationship with the victim and her mother were not mentioned in the police report, which is standard procedure in helping protect the identity of the victim. When asked if he had rubbed down to her pubic bone, LaChance said "likely," according to the police report. LaChance was booked into Greene County Jail following last month's police interview, but he was not listed on the jail's roster on Tuesday morning. Andrew LaChance His private attorney, veteran criminal defense lawyer Stacie Bilyeu, filed a motion Tuesday morning requesting LaChance either be given a bond amount for bail or be released on his own recognizance. He was being held without bond last week. In Bilyeu's motion, she noted that LaChance has no previous criminal history, has the means to pay bond, has no history of mental health problems, and has a plan of living with his parents. According to LaChance's professional and social media profiles, he attended Missouri State and has worked as a loan specialist. He faces a maximum prison sentence of life in Missouri for his criminal charge of first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy, which carries a minimum of five years. Ryan Collingwood covers a wide range of topics for the News-Leader with an emphasis on public safety. He can be reached by phone at 417-258-8174 and email at rcollingwood@news-leader.com. You can also follow Ryan on social media at X.com/rwcollingwood. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield man, 27, accused of sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A Springfield woman faces multiple charges after an investigation into the death of a Chapmansboro child. Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began investigating the death of 5-year-old Turner Simpkins, who was found dead at his Poplar Ridge Road home in Chapmansboro on July 23, 2023. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com During the course of the investigation, agents determined Turner died as a result of chronic blunt force injuries and malnouishment, making the manner of death homicide. The investigation also revealed that Shannon Leigh Elliott, who was dating the victims father, was responsible for Turners injuries. Monday, March 4, the Cheatham County Grand Jury indicted Elliott, 26, with on two counts of first degree murder, and three counts of aggravated child abuse/neglect/endangerment. She was arrested and booked into the Cheatham County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. ST. LOUIS A St. Charles County man appeared in federal court on Monday to be sentenced for selling firearms without a license. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Harry Trueblood, 69, sold unlicensed firearms from Jan. 1, 2021, to May 10, 2023. Trueblood pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of being an unlicensed firearms dealer. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Trueblood to five years of probation and 200 hours of community service. Due to his conviction, Trueblood is barred from possessing or selling firearms ever again. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives noted that 15 guns originally purchased from Trueblood had been recovered in criminal investigations. Trueblood admitted that he bought and sold hundreds of firearms between January 2021 and March 2022. Manhunt in St. Francois County for man accused of sodomy, arson ATF agents observed Trueblood selling firearms at gun shows, where background checks are not required for sales from private sellers. Prosecutors said Trueblood sold a firearm to a convicted felon at a gun show. The felon, who was working with the ATF, had informed Trueblood hed been to prison prior to the sale. Trueblood informed the person that police had previously contacted him regarding two guns used in crimes. Trueblood was also selling armor-piercing ammunition at the event. Trueblood continued to sell firearms at gun shows even after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the ATF. Some of Truebloods illegal firearms were recovered at the scene of a homicide, a suicide, and other shootings, prosecutors said. One individual with mental health issues, who was turned away from purchasing a firearm at two gun stores, found Trueblood and bought a weapon from him. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. TOKYO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- About 10 percent of Japan's local governments will not be able to fully migrate their data systems to the central government's cloud service by the end of fiscal 2025, digital transformation minister Taro Kono said Tuesday. Kono said that 171, or 9.6 percent, of the country's 1,788 local governments are expected to miss the March 2026 deadline for shifting to computer systems adopting unified specifications. The central government plans to unify system specifications for 20 core local government administrative operations, including basic resident registers and national pensions. The plan involves transferring resident information held by the local governments nationwide to a common digital infrastructure for national and local use. Through system integration and joint operation, improvements are expected in terms of reduced costs and operational efficiency. In its basic policy on the matter revised in September last year, the central government said it would tolerate a delay in the shift if local governments face challenges such as finding professionals with digital skills. A St. Louis TV station apologized after facing backlash for describing minority homeowners as "colored" during a broadcast. On the Feb. 26 evening newscast, a KMOV anchor referred to minority homeowners as "colored" while teasing a story about Black homeowners and real estate appraisals. The anchor apologized on the air the following day. "Last night at this time, I read an outdated racial term on air during a story. The word should have never come out of my mouth, and it does not reflect who I am or what First Alert 4 represents," anchor Cory Stark said. "It was unacceptable, and we are meeting with community members as we strive to do better every day." KMOV did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The station promptly received backlash for the incident, including the National Association of Black Journalists. "It is upsetting that such a slur would make it to air. The term is outdated, offensive and racist," the association wrote in a statement Friday. "We are concerned that no one in the KMOV newsroom caught this error, and we question KMOV's editorial process when it comes to cultural awareness." "Given that St. Louis' population is 43% Black, and the city is no stranger to racial strife, we would hope KMOV would be more sensitive in how it covers the Black community," it added. The National Association of Black Journalists also suggested KMOV and Grey Television, the company that owns the station, retrain employees in diversity, equity and inclusion issues. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Deputies with the Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) arrested a man accused of killing two women in Virginia in the 1980s, nearly four decades after the murders. Jacqueline Lard (Image courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) On Nov. 14, 1986, 32-year-old Jaqueline Lard was working at Mount Vernon Realty in the 300 block of Garrisonville Rd. SCSO said she was last seen at 9 p.m. that night as the business closed she never made it home. The next morning, businesses in the area were preparing to open for the day and found a crime scene at the realty office, indicating a struggle. Lard and her car were both missing. Detectives processed the scene, collecting blood and other evidence. DC cherry blossoms enter Stage 2, florets visible Two days after Lards disappearance, on Nov. 16, two kids were playing in a wooded area in Woodbridge when they found a body under a pile of discarded carpet. Stafford detectives joined with Prince William County detectives and the FBI to process the scene. Officers identified the body as Lard. Investigators later found Lards car abandoned in Fairfax County on Dec. 18, 1986. Over the years, detectives from federal and state agencies followed up on leads and conducted interviews, gradually eliminating suspects and persons of interest. The FBI created a task force with the SCSO, Prince William County Police Department, FBI and DEA. Though DNA was collected from the evidence, repeated searches of the Virginia and National DNA Databanks failed to identify the killer. After leads were exhausted, the investigation went cold but evidence collected at the scene allowed investigators to identify a suspect 37 years later, SCSO stated in a Facebook post. Growth in small business driving revival in Hagerstown, leaders say Detective D.K. Wood with SCSO worked with Parabon NanoLabs, a company that provides DNA phenotyping. An analysis of the DNA linked Lards murder to another cold case: the unsolved 1989 murder of Amy Baker in Fairfax County. Amy Baker (Image courtesy of the Fairfax County Police Department) The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said that Baker, who was 18 years old at the time, was visiting family in Falls Church on March 29, 1989. She started to head home to Stafford County around 8:30 p.m., but police said she never made it home. A Virginia State Police trooper found Bakers car by the road around 9:55 p.m. that night. It was unoccupied. The trooper saw the car in the same spot the next morning and had it towed, presuming that the car was abandoned. Bakers family reported her missing after she didnt return home. Her mother found her car and searched it after learning that it had been towed. On March 31, 1989, Bakers family searched the area near where her car had been discovered and found her body in a wooded area near the exit ramp from I-95 to Backlick Road in Springfield, FCPD said. Police determined that Bakers car had run out of gas on the exit ramp. Detectives believed that she left her car to look for a gas station when she ran into the suspect. FCPD said that she was strangled and killed. FCPD said that its Cold Case detectives had submitted forensic evidence from the scene to DNA Labs International in 2021, leading to the link to the case in Stafford County. Man dies after being hit by car in Laurel; police arrest person for driving under the influence On Dec. 14, 2023, a family name for the suspect was identified and detectives obtained a search warrant for DNA from Elroy Harrison, a 65-year-old Stafford County resident. On March 4, Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County Grand Jury for the first-degree murder, abduction with the intent to defile and aggravated malicious wounding of Lard as well as breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder. He was arrested at his home on March 5 and held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. FCPD detectives were working with the Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth Attorney to also charge Harrison for Bakers murder. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Stafford County detectives and Pennsylvania police worked together to arrest a 34-year-old man accused of sex offenses. The investigation into Jesse Abrecrombie started back in October 2023 when a detective with the Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) received a cyber tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program. The tips, which continued into January 2024, revealed that a possible Stafford County man was talking with juveniles over social media to try and get them to send explicit images of themselves to him. Stafford County deputies: Man says he drank too much after driving recklessly, hitting car As the detective continued his investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) contacted him in February 2024 and said that it also had been looking into Abercrombie for similar crimes. The detective and PSP began working together. On March 1, at around 9:15 a.m., SCSO detectives detained Abercrombie at Royal Farms, located at 1221 Warrenton Rd. Later that day, a search warrant was executed at Abercrombies Meadows Road home and detectives said they found numerous electronics relating to their cases. He was taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail and held without bond. Nonprofit opens 32 Freedom Libraries at VA correctional centers PSP charged Abercrombie with child pornography, unlawful contact with a minor, dissemination of explicit sexual material to minors and indecent exposure. SCSO said detectives were still going through all the evidence seized to determine all the appropriate charges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Search warrants were executed on March 5 at nine gas stations for violating Georgias gambling laws, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. GBIs Commercial Gambling Unit and the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office executed the warrants at the following locations: Hop In, 7890 Veterans Parkway, Columbus Hop In, 4499 Warm Springs Road, Columbus Hop In, 1400 Double Churches Road, Columbus Lotto Mart, 400 3rd Ave., Columbus Citgo Quik Mart, 314 5th St., Columbus Hop In, 3875 St. Marys Road, Columbus Hop In, 5757 Buena Vista Road, Columbus Hop In, 3021 Macon Road, Columbus Hop In, 871 U.S. Hwy 27, Cataula Agents discovered businesses operating Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAMS) where customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits, according to the release. The GBI said COAMS in Georgia must be properly licensed by the Georgia Lottery and credits may only be redeemed for non-cash prizes. Multiple arrests are pending, according to the GBI. LOVINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico State Police have released more information on a police shooting Sunday morning in Lovington. They say the Lovington Police Department responded to the area of West Ave. over an unwanted subject call around 8:30 a.m. New Mexico Supreme Court rules no double jeopardy for man who killed roommate Police identified Luis Raul Bernal-Alvaraz who had several active arrest warrants for failure to appear in court. Bernal-Alvaraz was seen leaving the residence when officers instructed him to stop but he then fled the scene in a black GMC Yukon. He was not hit. Police say Bernal-Alvaraz later crashed through a barbed wire fence near East McDonald Rd. in Tatum, New Mexico. He attempted to flee on foot but was tased and arrested. Bernal-Alvaraz is facing charges including aggravated fleeing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, who has represented District 27 since 2022, will head into Tuesdays primary election with a hefty warchest fueled by more than 800 contributors. In fact, only Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has raised more than Sorias $1,890,144, according to data from the California Secretary of State. Rivas has banked $2.7 million. Both have been outraised by fellow Democrat Yvonne Yui, the Monterey Park City Councilmember making a bid in the open state Senate District 25. Yui has raised $3.2 million, but $2.9 million of that has come from her pocketbook. The financial management company owner spent $6 million in an unsuccessful bid two years ago for state controller. Sorias fundraising ranks third overall among candidates for the 80 Assembly and 20 state Senate seats. The prodigious fundraising is not new for the 41-year-old Soria. Two years ago, when she squeezed past Republican Mark Pazin by less than 3 percentage points, Soria raised $3.7 million. Pazin, a retired Merced County sheriff, raised $1.3 million. This year, however, Soria is not expected to face a well-funded challenger. Republican Joanna Garcia Rose, an auditor, has raised $49,000. She is endorsed by 14 Republican office-holders. Sorias contributors range from the California Democratic Party, which has pumped more than $132,000 into her campaign, to fellow Democrats. Her contributions also come from PACs representing firefighters, state workers, and the oil industry. The state Democratic Party has been more generous than its Republicain counterpart. The party, according to the state Secretary of State, has given out more than $1.1 million to candidates in 2023. Meanwhile, the GOP has contributed $570,000. Top 10 Assembly candidates ranked by fundraising *Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Salinas, $2.7 million *Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, $1.9 million *Blanca Rubio, D-San Gabriel Valley, $1.4 million *Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, $1.3 million *Minority Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, $1.1 million *Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, $1.1 million Christy Hostege, D-Palm Springs, $1.1 million Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, $1 million *Jasmeet Bains, D-Bakersfield, $972,000 *Cottie Petrie-Norris, D-Irvine, $880,000 Top 10 state Senate candidates ranked by fundraising Yvonne Yiu, D-25th District, $3.2 million *Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, $1.6 million Kipp Mueller, D-23rd District, $1.2 million #Tim Grayson, D-9th District, $1 million #Carlos Villapudua, D-5th District, $950,000 #Eloise Gomez Reyes, D-29th District, $920,000 Sasha Renee Perez, D-25th District, $870,000 #Sabrina Cervantes, D-31st District, $836,000 Jesse Arreguin, D-7th District, $805,000 *Dave Cortese, D-15th District, $747,000 *Incumbent #Currently in the state Assembly Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand. An annual speech by Gov. John Carney that typically focuses on how good things are in Delaware was intermittently interrupted Tuesday by protesters seeking to draw lawmakers' eyes to death and starvation in Gaza. A handful of protesters interrupted Carney's annual State of the State speech multiple times, calling on lawmakers to acknowledge and take action against the Israeli military campaign that has killed 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October. They shouted things like "permanent cease-fire now," and "stop funding genocide" as they were ejected from the balcony overlooking the state House of Representative chambers where lawmakers from both the House and Senate had gathered for the speech. They were escorted from the building without any legal action by authorities. Dounya Ramadan of Wilmington held a sign reading, "29,000 Palestinian lives taken with U.S. Tax $$$" as she was ejected. Outside, she said Carney and other state and federal elected leaders in Delaware have failed to acknowledge the "humanity" of the Palestinian plight. Protesters stand outside Legislative Hall after being ejected for disrupting Gov. John Carney's State of the State. They contrasted local officials' silence regarding suffering in Gaza to Carney's order last year directing the state's flags being flown at half staff following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 people were taken hostage, sparking the current Israeli bombing and ground-war campaign. "He has never acknowledged (Palestinians') existence; he has not acknowledged their death," Ramadan said. The Gaza Health Ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally of 30,000 Palestinians killed, but says women and children make up around two-thirds of the total casualties, according to The Associated Press. As the death toll within Gaza continues to rise, aid groups say most of the territory's 2.3 million population has been displaced and are on the brink of famine. As Carney exited the House chamber following his speech, he said the interruptions were "unfortunate, but understandable." He declined to clarify what that meant before going into a closed office. Ahead of November's election, President Joe Biden is under pressure from Democratic voters and leaders to push for a permanent end to the conflict. After being booted from Legislative Hall, protesters implored lawmakers and leaders like Carney to join that pressure and acknowledge that taxpayer money and influence is enabling horrors in Gaza. "Blood is on his hands," said Maryan Rahmai of Newark. 'We are involved in this' The protesters emphasized that Delaware is Biden's home and drew on other local connections. Hafsha Rahman said that Carney's speech touched on promoting opportunities for children in Delaware and education for children in Delaware, "while our money that is being sent to Israel is killing 12,300 children." RECENT: US vetoes UN resolution demanding cease-fire in Gaza Ramadan noted shipments of Israeli armaments sent through Dover Air Force Base a few miles away from Legislative Hall, emphasizing "we are involved in this." She said pressure on the federal government has to start at the bottom and that Delaware officials enjoy relationships with Biden and federal lawmakers that must be leveraged. "Unfortunately, it takes all of us in order to stop something that an entire federal administration does not want to stop," Ramadan said. In November, scores of protesters marched on Biden's Greenville home. Then, a week later, an uncharacteristically large crowd of protesters successfully petitioned the Wilmington City Council to support a resolution calling for a permanent cease-fire. From left, Lead Rally Organizer Yara Awad, Ohio State Rep Munira Abdullahi, Delaware State Rep Madinah Wilson-Anton, Lead Organizer Dounya Ramadan and Palestinian Political Activist Linda Sarsour join arms and walk over to the secret service and police barricade in front of President Biden's home to deliver a message and roses at a Rally in Support of Palestine that culminated with a march along Barley Mill Rd. to the President's home in Greenville, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. According to event organizers, close to 2,000 supporters participated in the rally and march. Michaelena de Jesus of Wilmington was the first ejected from the speech. She said activists have tried quieter means of lobbying lawmakers, things like calling their offices, to no avail. March on Biden's home: State congressional officials not in support of growing protests seeking Gaza cease-fire "If we have to show up to your house, show up at public meetings ... we will do that until a permanent cease-fire is achieved," de Jesus said. Protesters implore Sens. Coons, Carper to push for cease-fire Protesters have taken their actions to the Wilmington homes of Sens. Chris Coons and Tom Carper in recent weeks, urging them to use both their political clout and congressional votes to pressure Israeli leaders to end the conflict. Through a spokesperson, Coons said he "fully" supports "Americans exercising their right to peacefully protest." Coons' is part of a growing group of Congressional Democrats showing some willingness to place restrictions on military aid to Israel. In a recent CNN interview shared by his spokesperson, Coons said he would support restrictions if Israel does not take into "account their obligation under international law to protect civilians and to facilitate the distribution of aid" during a looming ground invasion of the southern Gazan city of Rafah. The prospect of an invasion of Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million have sought shelter, has raised global alarm, and the area has already been the subject of shelling by the Israeli military in recent days, according to the Associated Press. Earlier protest: State lawmaker among few Delaware officials protesting for permanent cease-fire in Gaza Coons was in Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late February. "The debate we ended up engaging in was how much more of this can the Palestinian people take, can the region take, and the supporters of Israel around the world of Israel take?" Coons said in an interview with CBS News Philadelphia about the visit. For those protesting Tuesday, that line was crossed a long time ago. "The congressional delegation should only be advocating for an immediate and permanent cease-fire," Ramadan said. Officials ask for order as people protesting the war in Palestine are escorted out of Gov. John Carneys State of the State Address at Legislative Hall in Dover, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The event was rescheduled from January after Carney fell ill. U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester's office did not reply to an email seeking comment. Carper's office declined to comment on the protests. On social media, his office cheered a U.S. airdrop of provisions into Gaza on Saturday. de Jesus said federal lawmakers cannot, on one hand, call for further aid into the territory while also funding and not fighting against the military campaign. "They cannot be the aid and the ammo," she said. Meanwhile, talks continue in Egypt toward a temporary cease-fire and hostage exchange. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article. Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. The Speech: Here are the takeaways from Delaware Gov. John Carney's final State of the State This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: At State of the State speech, protesters draw eyes to death in Gaza CHICAGO Severe Weather Preparedness Week kicked off in Illinois on Monday and Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is encouraging residents to take part in a statewide tornado drill this week. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the annual statewide tornado drill will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The statewide drill comes a little over a week after a rare February tornado outbreak, when a round of intense storms battered parts of the state with strong winds, hail and rain, leaving behind a path of damage. Brookfield Zoo announces name change, new logo The NWS later confirmed that 11 tornados touched down in Illinois on Tuesday night, including 10 in Chicagoland. What will happen during Wednesdays statewide tornado drill? The NWS will issue a routine weekly test (RWT) to NOAA Weather Radios to initiate the drill on Wednesday morning, residents across the state can also expect brief interruptions on TV and radio stations during the drill. The test will come one day after a monthly siren test, which takes place on the first Tuesday of each month, so tornado sirens are not expected during Wednesdays drill. What can Illinois residents do to prepare for the statewide tornado drill? The NWS advises residents to treat the drill as if it were an actual Tornado Warning. Jason Kelce announces decision on retirement The purpose of the drill is to test everyones readiness for life-threatening severe weather events such as tornadoes, flash floods, and damaging winds, the NWS said in a statement. Residents are advised to familiarize themselves with NWS watches and warnings and identify safe places where they can seek shelter. What is Illinois Severe Weather Preparedness Week? Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which is an effort by the OEMC to make sure residents are prepared for severe weather in the spring and summer, begins on Monday, March 4, and runs through Friday, March,8. Throughout the week, OEMC will provide safety and preparedness tips to residents, offering a new theme each day. Early voting expands to all 50 wards in Chicago on Monday The following themes will be highlighted throughout the week: Monday: Receiving Warnings Tuesday: Lightning Wednesday: Tornadoes Thursday: Hail/Wind Friday: Flash Flooding Visit the National Weather Service website for more details on Severe Weather Preparedness Week and for tips on how to prepare for a severe weather event. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A Mountaineer statue that was stolen from Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley was recovered successfully. Bluefield man sentenced for federal fraud crime The West Virginia State Police and the on-site security team at Tamarack Marketplace worked together to recover a bronze Mountaineer statue that was stolen on Monday, February 26, 2024. The bronze statue, recovered on Thursday, February 29, 2024, was made by West Virginia artist, Burl Jones, and is a symbol of West Virginias history. We are delighted to announce the safe recovery of the stolen Mountaineer statue. The collaborative efforts between our on-site security team and the West Virginia State Troopers have demonstrated the effectiveness of proactive and cooperative measures in safeguarding our cultural assets. Tammy Coffman | Executive Director at Tamarack Marketplace Tamarack Marketplaces security team and the West Virginia State Police Troop 7 Parkways worked together to launch an investigation into the theft of the statue. Beckley woman pleads guilty to drug crime We commend the dedication and professionalism of the West Virginia State Troopers for their swift and successful efforts in resolving this matter. This collaborative achievement reinforces the importance of community engagement and cooperation in maintaining the security and integrity of our shared cultural treasures. From the very beginning of the investigation, the Troopers assigned made it their mission to bring the Mountaineer Statue back home. West Virginia State Police, Captain J. S. McCarty of Troop 7 The efforts of the investigation were successful in locating the statue in pristine condition a couple days after it was stolen. Billy Paul Brown, of Pax, was arrested by West Virginia State Police, Troop 7 Troopers, and charged with one count of Grand Larceny. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Mariam leads a double life. She had two weddings. The first, a traditional Muslim ceremony in the northern town where she grew up. The second, a much rowdier affair with dancing and cocktails, took place in the south-west where Mariam now lives with her English husband and their two children. No guests at the former wedding attended the latter. Her parents dont know their daughter looked stunning in a white lace dress with a gaggle of bridesmaids in coral. Mariam has two wedding albums, two sets of ornaments, twice the number of framed photos and clothes which she changes into when her parents or siblings visit. If shes been home to see her family, as soon as she gets on the M62, she takes off her hijab. But Mariam thinks she is one of the lucky ones. When Mariam was at school, there were girls in her class who went on holiday to Pakistan and were never seen again. Later, they would hear that their absent friends were married to uncles or cousins. Clever girls in Mariams class used to deliberately fail their exams because they knew the fate that awaited them once they completed their education. Mariams mother is a bright woman but, like many other mums of her age in the community, she never learnt to speak English. She has lived in Lancashire since she came over as a 14-year-old bride for an arranged marriage almost 60 years ago, but she barely knows 10 words to exchange with the locals. Hello, Thank you, Aright, love. So she has no non-Pakistani friends and she has never worked. Mariams father used to taunt her mother, telling her that she could never run away because no one would understand what she was saying. When she was still a teenager, Mariam told her mother that it wasnt normal for men to beat their wives. It wasnt normal to cower when you heard his key in the front door. Mariams mother said her daughter was mistaken. It was perfectly normal. Mariam wasnt allowed to go to university very few fathers were happy letting their daughters travel alone without a chaperone but she was really good at maths and managed to train as an accountant at a local firm. She got upset sometimes because she thought her English colleagues assumed she was thick or weird because she was Muslim and didnt go to the pub with them. But, then, on a training course, Mariam met Aandy and did something she wasnt supposed to do: she fell in love. Because Andy had a house and a nice car, her father agreed to the marriage. A miracle really. If you ask them, Mariams son and daughter will say they are Muslim, but they attend a Church of England school, sing hymns and Christmas carols and do all the normal stuff the other kids do; netball, violin, Fortnite. Mariam loves her mum and her siblings, and she carries her religion like a rosebud curled tight within her, but she wants her children to be British not Pakistani. (She would never allow her daughter, now 12, to visit relatives in Pakistan in case they abducted her and married her off.) Mariam knows that, one day, her lies will be exposed. On their last trip up north, her son asked: Mum, why do you cover your hair when we go to Nanas? Its exhausting keeping up the pretence. But Mariam cant face the almighty, violent row that will ensue if its revealed that her fathers dutiful daughter now acts and behaves like shes any other British woman. So the double life, two of everything, goes on. I thought of Mariam when I watched George Galloway revel in his victory at the Rochdale by-election. There were no women on the ballot paper and, as far as I could see, there were no female faces among the Muslim brothers at Galloway rallies apart from Georges foxy fourth wife. Islamic patriarchy ruled. How many of the avalanche of postal votes that secured victory for a candidate who unashamedly turned it into a Gaza election were cast by women like Mariams mother? Women who dont understand English, women who do as their husbands tell them. There were 13,460 postal votes cast in Rochdale last week thats 43.2 per cent of the total and more than 12,335 were received by Galloways far-Left, pro-Palestine Workers Party of Britain. The proportion of postal votes was up from 22.7 per cent in the 2019 general election to 43.2 per cent in the by-election. Disgracefully, the Electoral Commission has chosen not to investigate this startling increase in voters who cannot be seen or checked. Thats a can of worms the authorities clearly dont want to open. For the same reason, Labour MPs turn a blind eye when they attend meetings of the community where women are either segregated or absent entirely. (Even arch-feminists like Harriet Harman temporarily set aside their loathing of male privilege.) Its the kind of blatant discrimination, exclusion, misogyny and sexism on which the Labour party constantly lectures the rest of us, but which apparently doesnt count when the offenders are South Asian, not ghastly white males in their ghastly white vans. And when the Muslim vote is at stake, of course. That sort of cowardly collusion by our political class has enabled both the continuing isolation of Muslim women like Mariams mum and the mass grooming of white working-class girls, whom it was fine to go on raping as long as no one got accused of Islamophobia. The common thread is bone-headed tribal elders who have prevented their women integrating into their new homeland, the better to keep control over them, and who have slaked their lust on vulnerable girls. That is one reason why the victory of such men in Rochdale, and their growing influence on policy and electoral fortunes, is so disturbing. Indeed, George Galloways triumph delivered such a shock to the complacent, diversity is our strength status quo that the Prime Minister shot into Downing Street to give a speech fretting about national disunity. He noted how protest on our streets has descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings 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 the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate who dismisses the horror of what happened on Oct 7, who glorifies Hezbollah. I mean, who could possibly have warned the PM that allowing flagrant displays of anti-Semitism and pro-Hamas slogans to go unchecked on the streets of our capital would end badly? Why, there was Suella Braverman whom Rishi Sunak sacked as home secretary last November after she insisted that the police needed to take a harder line against the Islamists who hate our way of life. An argument that Sunak himself finally made to a meeting of Met officers, four months too late, when he claimed that mob rule was breaking out in Britain. It wasnt a bad speech, but it took refuge in comforting platitudes about immigrants who have integrated and contributed. And, to avoid causing offence when we have now got to the point where causing offence may be a matter of national security, Sunak absurdly equated the threat posed by Islamist extremists and the far Right. Praying it will all blow over, the Governments solution is to come up with a new definition of extremism by next week to encompass any group or individual that promotes an ideology that undermines the rights or freedoms of others. Anything, it would seem, to avoid admitting that multiculturalism has been a disaster for the UK. This top-down theorising wont work. We know it is mothers who drive integration, mothers who are desperate for their children to succeed in a new country. (Think of Rishi Sunaks own mum who said she didnt want her son to speak with an accent so he would fit in.) For the sake of Mariams mother and thousands like her, our focus has to be on empowering women to break free of patriarchal communities. There is a strikingly low employment rate among Muslim women almost 70 per cent dont work compared to 20 per cent among Christian women. That means no opportunity to mix with their fellow citizens, no chance to improve their language skills, no opportunity to earn money that will buy a bit of independence from those husbands who still think it is their right to dominate their wives (which suits those men just fine), no chance to feel British and pass on that settled loyalty to their offspring. So, heres a plan for Rishi, the Man With a Plan. First, you cut immigration to the bare minimum to give us a fighting chance of assimilating those who are already here. Forget useless posturing about banning foreign hate preachers from coming to the UK; kick out the extremist imams who are already here, spreading anti-Western hatred in this countrys mosques. Make cousin marriage illegal. It keeps too many locked in a narrow, incestuous clan and reproduces the poor conditions of rural Pakistan instead of building bridges with other economically successful ethnic groups. Ban postal votes except for the infirm or the elderly. No access to benefits unless you either speak English or can prove you are learning English. Compulsory free English classes for anyone who cant speak English (I volunteered as a teacher in Tower Hamlets years ago, and Im sure many Brits would step forward to do the same). No access to benefits, full stop, unless you are applying for jobs, and a time-limit on how long you are entitled to state aid. Stop being scared of Islamophobia. Start worrying about Anglophobia. Mariam feels obliged to live a double life because her values and lifestyle would appal her family who dont live in the Britain the rest of us live in. That cant be allowed to continue. Suspicion and hatred fester when communities remain strangers. The cycle of poverty wont be broken if mothers cant speak English or find work. If Mariam acts and behaves like shes any other British woman, thats because thats exactly what she is: a British woman. *Mariam and Andys names have been changed Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PHNOM PENH, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 55 out of the 58 Senate seats in an election on Feb. 25, according to official results released by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Tuesday. Four political parties, the CPP, the Khmer Will Party, the Nation Power Party, and the royalist Funcinpec Party, took part in the Senate election for the fifth legislative term. The official results showed that the CPP received 55 seats and the Khmer Will Party got three seats, as the Nation Power Party and the Funcinpec Party did not earn any seat. CPP's spokesperson Sok Eysan said the results demonstrated that the CPP remained strong and unbeatable. "This is another great success for the CPP after we won a landslide victory in the general election in July 2023," he told Xinhua. Eysan confirmed that former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the 71-year-old president of the CPP, will take over as the president of the Senate after the election, allowing him to act as the acting head of state when the king is overseas. Held every six years, the election for the Senate, or the upper house, was by a non-universal suffrage as only members of the National Assembly, or the lower house, and commune councilors across the Southeast Asian country were eligible to cast ballots. The Senate has 62 seats, but the vote was held for 58 seats as two senators will be appointed by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and two others by the National Assembly. On Friday, the National Assembly nominated two CPP party members, Eysan and Heng Halim, an advisor to Hun Sen, as the senators. Four in 10 sixth form boys told they are the problem in schools People should stop putting men down to improve female equality, a Tory MP has said in a warning about the impact of toxic masculinity discussions in schools. Boys face a negative narrative and indifference in classrooms, with four in 10 sixth form pupils told in lessons that boys are a problem, a Westminster Hall debate heard on Tuesday. Steve Double, the Conservative MP for Austell and Newquay, said: I absolutely understand and agree that we have needed to address the inequality that many women have experienced in our society for a long time, and we have made huge progress on that, but we should not be putting men down as a result. I feel sometimes that that is what we have done, and we need to think carefully about it. Steve Double said that although female equality is important 'boys should not be put down as a result' - RICHARD TOWNSHEND He said that the concept of toxic masculinity pushes negative messages all the time to young men, who then wonder what they are meant to be, who they are meant to be and how they are meant to behave. Mr Double was speaking at a debate led by Nick Fletcher, the Conservative MP for Don Valley, on the underachievement of boys compared with girls in education. In reading, writing and maths Sats last year, 56 per cent of boys met the expected standard, compared with 63 per cent of girls. Boys were behind girls in exam results for A-levels, T-levels and vocational education. At 18, some 34,000 fewer British boys every year go to university than girls of the same age. Mr Fletcher accused the educational establishment of ignoring the plight of boys, with too many boys feeling ignored, marginalised and unsupported. He said: Boys educational underperformance is a truth and no one dares speak its name: silence across the educational establishment. The MP, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on issues affecting men and boys, cited research by the Civitas think tank, which found 41 per cent of sixth form boys and girls have been told in school lessons that boys are a problem. Sir David Evennett, the Tory MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, said that while there has been a focus on womens issues, which he said were very important, male problems had been somewhat neglected. He added: White working-class boys from disadvantaged backgrounds underperform against boys of all other races and ethnicities in our country. The question is why. The debate comes after MPs on the Commons women and equalities committee last year said that boys should be given specific sex education lessons to tackle toxic masculinity. The recommendation was made after a study by the committed found that sexual harassment and abused of female pupils and staff was a serious problem. Mr Fletcher is calling for Ofsted to give more positive ratings to schools with policies and initiatives in place to address any gender attainment gap. He said there should also be more mentoring programmes for boys led by former pupils and community leaders. A this boy can campaign could help promote careers for men in female-dominated professions such as teaching and healthcare, he added. David Johnston, an education minister, told MPs: Raising attainment for all pupils, including boys, is at the heart of the Governments agenda. He said the Government has invested significantly in education to ensure that all young people can reach their potential. He added: The core schools budget next year will be the highest ever in real terms per pupil, helping schools in their vital work to close attainment gaps and level up educational opportunities. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Tensions are high at a Riverside High School after social media posts threatening violence on the campus were made last week. Parents of Riverside Polytechnic High School students were on edge Monday, with some electing to keep their children at home and miss classes. My daughter is not in school today either, Yvette Bernklau said to KTLA 5s Shelby Nelson. Im just turning in a form for her. Bernklau is still unsure of when she will bring her daughter back to school. There was a heightened police presence on the campus Monday, a result of multiple physical altercations that took place at the school late last week. We had a small handful of fights on Thursday, Ryan Railsback of the Riverside Police Department said. Then some spill over the next day as well. Authorities say the threatening posts were made online following the fights. One shows a gun in a bathroom with the question, who going to school tomorrow? A screenshot of a post on social media shows guns and a caption threatening violence at Riverside Polytechnic High School on March 4, 2024. (Riverside PD) A screenshot of a post on social media shows guns and a caption threatening violence at Riverside Polytechnic High School on March 4, 2024. (Riverside PD) A post to social media shows threats made to students at a Riverside High School. Authorities have not been able to identify the person in the picture on March 4, 2024. (Riverside PD) There was an increased police presence at Riverside Polytechnic High School on March 4, 2024. (KTLA) A screenshot of a post on social media shows guns and a caption threatening violence at Riverside Polytechnic High School on March 4, 2024. (Riverside PD) Riverside Police were not able to confirm who created the posts and sent them out. We dont know if its A.I. created that shows someone holding a gun, Railsback said. We dont recognize a person. School officials are taking the threat seriously and changing some lunchtime activities to prevent more altercations or disruptions. They are also cooperating with local law enforcement and providing additional support at the school this week. The schools principal has been in regular communication with parents since the fights broke out last week. Students at the school had their schedules altered, including two different lunch periods to improve supervision. Still, parents are concerned for the safety of their children. One father pulled his to freshman sons from school during fifth period. One of the students said it wasnt worth going to class on Monday, with so many of his peers not on campus. It was just boring, six kids were in my class, the student said. Im like whats the point of even going today? Riverside Police says the students that were involved in the fights last week will be facing criminal charges. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Related video above contains images taken by the James Webb telescope. SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) Under the inky darkness of night in Southern Californias Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a physics and astronomy professor captured a series of awe-inspiring images of the cosmos. Herbert W. Hamber from the University of California, Irvine told Nexstars KSWB that he heads to the barren wilderness of San Diego Countys northeast desert to photograph galaxies far, far away. He waits until conditions are perfect and then posts up overnight at the Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center (SBABDRC) to get his best shots. I usually visit the SBABDRC during the middle of the month, when theres no moon. The moon can be bright enough in other periods, so as to make it nearly impossible to get decent images of faint objects such as nebulas and galaxies, Hamber explained. NYC offering Rat Academy classes According to the professor, Borrego Springs and the surrounding area is a great place to capture these images because light pollution is minimal. He said this makes faint objects a lot more visible and provides good image contrast. Theres some residual light pollution low facing west in the direction of Escondido and north towards Palm Springs, Hamber continued. Going further out in the desert would be even better, but nevertheless quite challenging due to a lack of basic infrastructure power, wifi, water, beds etc. My observation times usually last four to five nights in a row, weather and clouds permitting. Herbert W. Hamber, The equipment In order to capture these photos, Hamber used the following four telescopes: SVbony 80mm aperture (450mm focal length) f/7 ED refractor SVbony 122mm aperture (680mm focal length) f/7 triplet APO refractor Celestron 8-inch (200mm aperture, 1250mm focal length) f/6.3 Schmidt-Cassegrain (SCT) refractor iOptron 8-inch (200mm aperture, 1620mm focal length) f/8 Ritchey-Chretien (RC) reflector with twin hyperbolic mirrors (same optical design as the Hubble Space Telescope) Brownsville blooms: Community revives neglected green space The telescopes differ quite a bit in the size of the region they can explore. The smaller 80ED one is good for looking at objects that are around 2-3 degrees in size. The larger 8-inch RC one can go down to smaller 0.5 degree objects, Hamber explained. All of the telescopes are mounted on computerized GoTo mounts, which allow very accurate tracking of celestial objects like planets and galaxies over many hours. I usually run two telescopes with two mounts concurrently, so as to explore different regions of the sky, said the professor. The telescopes are connected at the back with a dedicated astro camera. Hamber used two Risincam cameras that incorporate the Sony IMX571 26 Megapixel sensor, which he said is one of the best sensors on the market for backyard astronomy. The photo process The camera attached to the telescope is connected to a laptop via a usb3.0 high speed data cable. A program on the laptop allows Hamber to look at the images as they come in, and adjust gain, focus and framing as well as many other parameters. WiFi access at the center allows me to upload the first images that come in to a NASA database (astrometry.net) and have it analyzed there to see if I am in the right region of the sky. The process involved is called by astronomers plate solving. All incoming pictures are stored on the laptop in a format used by astronomers called .fits (similar to .raw), he explained. The images are acquired by first taking a sequence of short exposures, typically between 10 seconds and 30 seconds. Many of these individual pictures (called subs) are taken over a period ranging from a few minutes to as much as five hours or more a night weather and clouds permitting. Eats in Queens Restaurant Month offers discounts, exclusive events From there, the individual short exposures are combined or stacked by a free computer program called Deep Sky Stacker into a single image. This image is later cleaned up, cropped, color adjusted/white balanced and cropped in another free program called Gnu Image Manipulation Program. The captures Hambert captured several nebulas, galaxies, and even a globular cluster. Heres a look at his photos with some added insight: Rosette Nebula NGC 2244 in the constellation Monoceros As explained by the astronomer, the Rosette Nebula is a bright Hydrogen emission nebula in the constellation Monoceros, with a tight cluster of stars at the center. The nebulas color is mostly reddish from the vibrant ionized Hydrogen emission. Rosette Nebula Orion Nebula M42 in the constellation Orion M42 is a very large, bright and visible emission nebula in the constellation Orion, and often a favorite subject for backyard astronomers, said Hambert. It is located only ~1344 light-years away, within our own Milky Way galaxy. Orion Nebula M42 in the constellation Orion Horsehead Nebula IC 443 in the constellation Orion IC443 is a large Hydrogen emission cloud in Orion, close to the bright triple star Alnitak, which Hambert said can be seen on the left. Extensive areas of dust around the deep red Hydrogen clouds create a nice sharp contrast over the Hydrogen red. The bright yellow Flame Nebula NGC 2024 can be seen on the lower left. $5 movies: AMC showing best picture nominees ahead of Academy Awards Horsehead Nebula IC 443 in the constellation Orion Lagoon and Trifid Nebulas M8 and M20 in the constellation Sagittarius These are about 4000 light-years away. He explained that large emission nebulas have the red colors given mostly by ionized Hydrogen and the green/blue tones from ionized Oxygen. Embedded within the nebulas are large clusters of bright stars. Lagoon and Trifid Nebulas M8 and M20 in the constellation Sagittarius Whirlpool galaxy M51a in the constellation Canes Venatici What can be seen in the picture (below) is actually two galaxies colliding with each other, a large one in the front and a smaller one passing behind it, the professor explained. The larger M51a in the front is a large spiral galaxy about 31 million light years away and containing around 100 billion stars. Whirlpool galaxy M51a in the constellation Canes Venatici Dumbell Nebula M27 in the constellation Vulpecula M27 is what is described as a planetary nebula, where an expanding gas cloud are illuminated by a bright white dwarf star situated at the center. It is located at a distance of about 1,360 light-years from Earth. Dumbell Nebula M27 in the constellation Vulpecula Great Globular Cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules Hambert explained that M13 is a large globular cluster located about 22k light-years from Earth, containing around 300k stars with an estimated age of 11.65 billion years. Thus significantly less, but still quite comparable to the age of the Universe, making it very old, he said. If you look closely, two faint galaxies are visible towards the top left. Great Globular Cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules Its safe to say, these images are far out. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Nikki Haley announces she is suspending her campaign for president. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley suspended her presidential campaign on Wednesday after former President Donald Trump dominated Republican elections on Super Tuesday. She did not endorse Trump but said: "I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America's president." Haley was Trump's last remaining challenger for the Republican nomination. The only GOP primary she won on Tuesday was Vermont. President Biden was also victorious in Democratic races on Super Tuesday, notching a string of resounding victories that brought him even closer to a 2024 rematch with Trump. Presidential primary results This embedded content is not available in your region. ALABAMA (WHNT) People across North Alabama will be heading to the polls Tuesday for the 2024 Primary Election, and theres a lot you need to know before casting your vote! News 19 is Your Local Election Headquarters, and were taking action to make sure youre an informed voter this Super Tuesday. 14-term congressman faces newcomer in Alabama congressional District 4 race How do I find my polling location? The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you still need to check your polling location, you can do that here! What happens when I arrive at my polling location to vote? When you arrive at the polling place, youll provide your name to a poll worker and present an acceptable form of photo identification. Valid forms of photo ID include: Valid Drivers License (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days) Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Drivers License Valid Non-driver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days) Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Digital Non-driver ID Valid Alabama Photo Voter ID Valid State Issued ID (Alabama or any other state) Valid AL Department of Corrections Release- Temporary ID (Photo Required) Valid AL Movement/Booking Sheet from Prison/Jail System (Photo Required) Valid Pistol Permit (Photo Required) Valid Federal Issued ID Valid US Passport Valid Employee ID from Federal Government, State of Alabama, County Government, Municipality, Board, Authority, or other entity of this state Valid student or employee ID from a college or university in the State of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools) Valid Military ID Valid Tribal ID A poll worker will check the list of registered voters for your name. If your registration is active, youll declare which partys primary you wish to vote in and sign that partys poll list. If it is listed as inactive, youll will be asked to update your voter registration information by completing a Voter Update Form available at the polling location prior to being allowed to vote. What if my name isnt on the list of registered voters? If your name does not appear on the list of registered voters for the polling place, the poll worker will contact the county Board of Registrars to determine if youre eligible to vote at that location. If the Board of Registrars are unable to verify the voter registration, you may vote by a provisional ballot. Whats on the ballot? If youre unsure what will be on the ballot when you head to your polling location, you can find a copy of the sample ballot for your county by clicking here. What is Proposed Statewide Amendment One? There is one statewide proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot for the March primary. It deals with when certain bills are allowed to be introduced in the legislature. This is how Amendment One reads on the ballot: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to amend Section 71.01 authorizing the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations. Former Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said that when the legislature deals with local legislation, generally involving one county or area, the local delegation is given the courtesy to handle their own bill. The current rules complicate that, he said. To sum it up, right now, local bills and amendments need approval just to be voted on, by three-fifths of the entire House or Senate body. Amendment One would eliminate that need when it comes to local bills. News 19s Brian Lawson broke down the amendment a bit more, and you can find that information here. To see the latest election coverage from News 19, Your Election Headquarters, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. The polls are now closed in all 16 states across America that held presidential nominating contests on Super Tuesday. In the race for the Republican presidential nomination, the Fox News Decision projected that former President Donald Trump would win the North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Maine, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, and California primaries. "They call it Super Tuesday for a reason. This is a big one," Trump said in a primary night victory speech in front of a large group of supporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. "There's never been anything so conclusive." And in an exclusive interview with Fox News' Brooke Singman minutes earlier, Trump called it a "great evening." SUPER TUESDAY: LIVE UPDATES While Trump won't clinch the 2024 Republican nomination on Tuesday, the former president was on course to capture the vast majority of the 854 Republican delegates up for grabs, moving him significantly closer to locking up his party's presidential nomination over his last remaining rival former U.N. ambassador and former two-term South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Haley did come away with one victory on Super Tuesday, as she was projected the winner in Vermont, where she narrowly edged Trump. Trump made no mention of Haley in his 20-minute-long speech Tuesday night. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST SUPER TUESDAY RESULTS FROM FOX NEWS Haley, who had said she would remain in the race at least through Super Tuesday, has remained mum on any plans going forward. Her campaign said that Haley watched primary night returns with staff as they huddled in Charleston, South Carolina. She didn't deliver any speech or release a statement. But her campaign, in a statement, said "were honored to have received the support of millions of Americans across the country today, including in Vermont where Nikki became the first Republican woman to win two presidential primary contests." And pointing a bunch of Super Tuesday states where Haley captured anywhere from a quarter to a third of the vote in the GOP contests, the campaign argued that "today, in state after state, there remains a large block of Republican primary voters who are expressing deep concerns about Donald Trump. That is not the unity our party needs for success. Addressing those voters concerns will make the Republican Party and America better." FOX EXCLUSIVE: TRUMP REACTS TO SUPER TUESDAY VICTORIES Heading into Super Tuesday, Trump had swept all but one of the first ten contests on the GOP nominating calendar. And the strong showing by the former president in Tuesday's slew of primaries and caucuses boosted him in his mission to completely pivot from a primary battle with Haley to a general election rematch with President Biden, who defeated Trump four years ago to win the White House. Biden was running the table in the Super Tuesday Democratic nominating contests, although he did suffer his first defeat - with a loss in American Samoa. "If every single conservative, Republican and Trump supporter in these states shows up on Super Tuesday, we will be very close to finished with this primary contest," Trump said in a video to supporters this past weekend. "Republicans will then be able to focus all of our energy, time and resources on defeating crooked Joe Biden." Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former President Trump Some of the states including California with 169 delegates at stake have winner-take-all rules to varying degrees, which should boost Trump's delegate haul. CHECK OUT THE LATEST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DELEGATE COUNT HERE With more large states like Georgia, Florida, Illinois and Ohio among the eight holding primaries on March 12 and 19, Trump is expected to reach the 1,215 delegates needed to clinch the nomination by the middle of this month. Trump's campaign predicted in a memo last month that even under the most favorable modeling for Haley, the former president would clinch the nomination by March 19. Trump for nearly a year has dominated the GOP nomination race, which last summer peaked with more than a dozen challengers taking on the former president. Helping to boost Trump among the Republican base were his history-making indictments last year in four different criminal cases including charges in two cases that he tried to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss. The former president kicked off the nominating calendar with double-digit wins in the Iowa caucuses and in the New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Michigan primaries. He also grabbed landslide victories in the Nevada and U.S. Virgin Islands GOP caucuses. TRUMP HEADS INTO SUPER TUESDAY ON A ROLL Trump rolled into Super Tuesday with plenty of momentum after securing the 39 delegates up for grabs Saturday at the Michigan GOP's party convention. A few hours later, the former president was victorious in the Missouri caucuses, and he closed out Saturday evening by scoring a win in the Idaho caucuses. "Weve been launching like a rocket to the Republican nomination," Trump touted Saturday night at a rally in Richmond, Virginia, as he pointed to his ballot box victories in Michigan, Missouri and Idaho. Heading into Super Tuesday, Trump was 230 delegates ahead of Haley, following his North Dakota victory on Monday night. "Republican voters have delivered resounding wins for President Trump in every single primary contest and this race is over," Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a recent statement. "Our focus is now on Joe Biden and the general election." The former president also won a major court victory on Monday as the Supreme Court unanimously sided with Trump in his legal challenge to the state of Colorados attempt to kick him off its 2024 primary ballot. Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks at a rally in Washington, D.C., on March 1, 2024. But Haley, who remains in the GOP nomination race at least through Super Tuesday despite the extremely long odds she faces, on Sunday enjoyed victory for the first time in the 2024 race. Haley topped Trump by roughly 30 points in Washington, D.C.'s, Republican primary. She captured 19 delegates and made history as the first woman to win a GOP presidential primary or caucus. "Republicans closest to Washingtons dysfunction know that Donald Trump has brought nothing but chaos and division for the past 8 years. It's time to start winning again and move our nation forward!" Haley wrote on social media Sunday night. In the past few days, Haley landed the endorsements of two GOP senators from Super Tuesday states: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Haley, who has garnered strong support in the GOP primaries from independents and whose fundraising has remained formidable, has stayed in the race as an option for voters dissatisfied with a likely Biden-Trump rematch. "As much as everybody wants to go and push me out, I'm not ready to get out yet. I'm still sitting there fighting for the people that want a voice," Haley said Tuesday morning in an interview on "Fox and Friends." Haley reiterated in an interview on Saturday with Fox News' Bill Melugin that "we're going to go as long as we're competitive," but she did not specifically define what competitive means. Except for Alaska, all the states that were holding GOP primaries or caucuses on Tuesday also conducted Democrat ones as well. The Iowa Democrats announced the results of a vote-by-mail caucus they've been holding since mid-January. One U.S. territory American Samoa also hold a Democratic nominating contests on Tuesday. CHECK OUT THE LATEST DEMOCRAT DELEGATE COUNT HERE The president, who faces nominal challenges from Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and best-selling author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson, easily romped in the Democrat contests. The Fox News Decision Desk projected Biden the winner of the Vermont, Virginia, and North Carolina primaries soon after the poll closings in those three states. The following hour the president was projected the winner in Alabama, Tennessee, Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. In the 9pm ET, the Fox News Decision Desk projected Biden to be victorious in Texas and Minnesota. Biden was on course to win nearly all the 1,420 Democratic delegates up for grabs on Tuesday and move much closer to the 1,968 needed to lock up renomination. But Biden did suffer a setback, as the Fox News Decision Desk projected he would lose the Democratic caucus in American Samoa to longshot candidate and entrepreneur Jason Palmer. Palmer was expected to win 4 delegates, to the president's two on the Pacific Ocean island territory. It was Biden's first defeat in the 2024 Democratic nominating calendar. The president, in a statement on Super Tuesday's results, said that "oday, millions of voters across the country made their voices heard showing that they are ready to fight back against Donald Trumps extreme plan to take us backwards." "My message to the country is this: 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 emphasized. Fox News' Remy Numa contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Super Tuesday boosting Trump closer to clinching GOP nomination as Haley makes possible last stand US voters head to the polls in 15 states spanning the breadth of the continent on Tuesday, from Maine to California and Alaska to Alabama. At stake are more than a third of the delegates to this summer's Democratic and Republican conventions, which will determine the two major parties' presidential candidates. It is the biggest one-day prize of the presidential nomination calendar, conducted in states (and American Samoa) with a total population of more than 134 million. This year's Super Tuesday is not expected to generate many surprises, with Joe Biden and Donald Trump continuing their march towards a rematch of the 2020 election in November. As the results roll in throughout the evening, however, there will still be plenty to watch out for. Here are four key things to keep in mind. 1. A Trump rout in the making? Republicans have held 10 nomination contests so far. In all but one - Sunday's primary in Washington DC - Donald Trump has been victorious. Polls indicate that the former president will run the table on Super Tuesday, carrying the 15 states by a comfortable margin. If he does so, he will build up a near-insurmountable lead in convention delegates, given that many of the states allocate their entire slate of delegates to whoever wins a majority of the vote. While Mr Trump may not be able to mathematically guarantee that he is the Republican Party nominee, a strong Super Tuesday should eliminate whatever shadow of doubt there was remaining even after his early successes. Behind what should be formidable top-line numbers, however, keep an eye on exit polls that may reveal continued disaffection with the former president among some primary voters. Earlier surveys indicated a not insignificant minority would not support Mr Trump in November - or could turn on him if he were to be found guilty in one of his trials. Biden at a campaign event in Nevada in February The former South Carolina governor, Mr Trump's sole remaining Republican opponent, has benefitted from the support of many of those anti-Trump primary voters, but it hasn't been nearly enough. She has doggedly stayed in the race despite a streak of bad results (Washington DC, notwithstanding). Weeks ago she pledged to stick it out through Super Tuesday, hoping to add to her delegate totals, particularly in the 11 states holding primaries that are open to non-Republican voters, an area of relative strength for her. Haley seen at a campaign rally in North Carolina on Saturday Already, however, rumours are floating that she is preparing to end her campaign in the days ahead. A particularly thorough drubbing on Tuesday may accelerate those plans or even lead her to throw in the towel that evening. Assuming she doesn't do that, look for hints in her speech on Tuesday night as to her plans in the coming days. Will she ultimately endorse Mr Trump, as her fellow non-Trump presidential rivals have? Would she reconsider an independent presidential bid? Is she already positioning for a 2028 presidential run? At 53, Ms Haley is still young (for a national politician). But the decisions she makes after Super Tuesday could go a long way in determining what doors open and which are slammed shut. 3. A Biden protest vote If there's little drama in the Republican primary race at this point, there's practically none on the Democratic side. Joe Biden has rolled to comfortable victories against token opposition in South Carolina and Michigan (as well as a nonbinding vote in New Hampshire). He appears poised to continue his march on Tuesday. The most consequential obstacle to the president so far has come from those who oppose his Gaza policy. They accuse him of turning a blind eye to what critics regard as Palestinian genocide, an accusation which Israel vehemently denies, saying it is focused on destroying Hamas. In Michigan last week, more than 100,000 voters - 12% of the total - turned out to cast ballots for "uncommitted" instead of for Mr Biden, as part of an organised Gaza war protest. Map showing states voting While there do not seem to be similar efforts in the 14 states that hold Democratic votes on Tuesday (Republicans are also voting in Alaska), watch the results to see if there are any significant non-Biden surprises. With its largest-in-the-nation Muslim and Arab population, Michigan's results may be the high water mark for the Gaza protest. But turnout levels across the US, as well as opinions registered in exit polls by Democratic voters, could provide indications of the strength (or weakness) of Mr Biden's campaign efforts so far. 4. Down-ballot drama In several states, voters are casting primary ballots for more than just president. How those results shake out will help determine what kind of political environment Mr Trump or Mr Biden has to deal with after taking the oath of office next January. California is holding its non-partisan "jungle" primary, where the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Voters there are deciding on candidates for the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died last year, and determining opponents for several Republican House incumbents who are high on the Democratic target list. In Texas, the big battles are within the Republican Party, as Attorney General Ken Paxton - with the help of Donald Trump - is targeting state politicians who unsuccessfully tried to remove him from office on corruption charges. The legislature in the second-most populous US state is already run by Republicans who have enacted aggressive legislation on voting rules, abortion and immigration. It could swing even further to the right if Mr Paxton's efforts are successful. North Carolina is the only swing state voting on Super Tuesday and there's a lot going on there. Its race for governor will be one of the closest watched in November and if they win their primaries it will pit the state's Democratic attorney general, Josh Stein, against Republican front-runner, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson. North Carolina has primaries for five open House of Representatives seats. Because the state's Republican-controlled legislature redrew the maps to favour their party and limit closely contested races, the votes on Tuesday will probably determine who goes on to comfortably win in November. US Election Unspun logo If you're in the UK, sign up here. And if you're anywhere else, sign up here. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD Super Tuesday results expected to move Biden, Trump much closer to an all-but-certain general election rematch. Continue reading GET A GRIP Speaker slams House Dems as they attempt to reverse SCOTUS order keeping Trump on ballot. Continue reading YOU'RE LYING!' 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Continue reading Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter LinkedIn Fox News First Fox News Opinion Fox News Lifestyle Fox News Entertainment (FOX411) Fox News Fox Business Fox Weather Fox Sports Tubi Fox News Go Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Well see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday. Original article source: Super Tuesday may set Biden, Trump rematch, Speaker slams Dem ballot reversal attempt and more top headlines Minnesotans will head to the polls Tuesday and join voters in 14 other states holding presidential primaries to award the largest number of delegates of the campaign season so far. Both the Republican and Democratic parties will dole out more than one-third of the total number of delegates that will nominate their eventual standard-bearer on Super Tuesday. Democrats are also holding a presidential primary in American Samoa. In the North Star State, the Legal Marijuana Now party will host a nominating contest featuring five candidates. Polls opened at 7 a.m. in Minnesota, and they close at 8 p.m. Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have so far won every statewide contest for the Democratic and Republican nominations, respectively. But Biden has been plagued by a dearth of enthusiasm and a campaign criticizing his administration's response to the war in Gaza. A coalition of progressive activists is urging Democratic Farm Labor party voters to choose "uncommitted" on their ballots to press the White House on a ceasefire agreement in the region. U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips has also launched a long-shot campaign to unseat the president to mixed reactions in Minnesota and beyond. In Michigan, Phillips trailed the "uncommitted" vote. Trump, who faces 91 criminal counts in four jurisdictions, has glided through every state primary so far. But voters in Washington, D.C., awarded their 19 delegates to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the only presidential hopeful for a major party who has campaigned in Minnesota so far. How will Twin Cities voters respond to candidates' appeals? Star Tribune reporters will take the temperature throughout the day. This story will be updated. CANBERRA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Australian researchers have returned from a two-month Antarctic voyage with comprehensive data on how the Southern Ocean is driving global climate patterns. After 60 days on board the research vessel Investigator, the team from national science agency the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and the government-funded Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP) docked in Western Australia on Tuesday. During their 12,000-km voyage, 39 scientists collected data from up to 6 km below the ocean surface to low-lying clouds 2 km high to find links between physics, aerosols, plankton, clouds and chemistry and the Earth's changing climate. "The work reveals how microbes in the ocean control the brightness of clouds in the sky, how melting of the Antarctic ice sheet is altering deep ocean currents that extend around the planet, and how much iron is available to support the growth of marine plants," Steve Rintoul, voyage co-chief scientist from the CSIRO and AAPP, said in a media release on Monday. "This critical research into physics, biology and chemistry provides new insights into how the ocean, atmosphere, ice and marine life are interconnected and how these interactions regulate climate." Researchers deployed 22 robotic floats during the voyage -- the longest in the 10 years of the research vessel -- 12 of which sampled the full depth of the ocean and 10 with extra sensors for the 2 km below the surface. The team collected the first comprehensive measurements of iron and other trace elements in the specific part of the Southern Ocean and new observations allowing for the tracking of how much carbon dioxide the Southern Ocean is removing from the atmosphere and storing in the deep ocean. Using special onboard incubation tanks, they also conducted the first experiments measuring how marine biota affect the emission of cloud-seeding gasses. Super Tuesday might not be the end of the primary elections, but it could be a turning point in the nomination process. Fifteen states and one U.S. territory have elections. Based on what weve seen, I'm expecting to see a string of victories for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Still, there are a few things to pay attention to as we shift into a full-blown election year. Weve seen enough of the primary season that we can anticipate some of what will happen on Super Tuesday. Voters know it's going to be Trump and Biden in the end, just like 2020. It's a rematch that no one wants Biden's popularity is waning, Trump's legal battles aren't over and both are showing their age. If your state heads to the polls Tuesday, it's the last chance to make your voice heard before the general election kicks off. It could also get us closer to ending this miserable primary season. Nikki Haley could ride her D.C. high Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley finally has some points on the board after winning Sundays Republican primary in Washington, D.C. She now has 19 delegates, bringing her grand total to 43 ahead of Super Tuesday. Trump is still dominating with 244 delegates, and the Supreme Court just ruled that he can remain on the ballot in Colorado and Maine, which are among the states voting on Super Tuesday. Its unlikely that Haleys win this weekend will have a huge impact on her standing in the Super Tuesday states. Fewer than 2,000 Washingtonians voted in the Republican primary, and Haley has already been declared Queen of the Swamp by the Trump campaign. Its likely that what little momentum she has at this point will fizzle out after votes come in Tuesday night, even though its unclear what her plans are going forward. Why not Haley? Nikki Haley dominates Biden in polls. Why are Republican primary voters so stuck on Trump? Whether she stays in the race will depend on her finances. She brought in $12 million in February, despite her electoral losses, but that won't last her until July. Even so, Haley's offering Republican voters a choice instead of letting Trump cruise to victory, and that's admirable. Hopefully, she sticks to her morals and stays in the race. 'Uncommitted' vote campaign spreads to other states On the Democratic side, Michigans 100,000 uncommitted voters showed progressives in other states an option for voicing their discontent over Bidens handling of the conflict in Gaza. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who is Palestinian American, was a vocal supporter of the protest vote and likely had a hand in its success in her state's primary. There isnt a comparable Democrat leading the charge in other states on Super Tuesday, but there is an effort from the Democratic Socialists of America to popularize the uncommitted vote in other states. President Joe Biden speaks to the National Governors Association during an event in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate cease-fire of six weeks or more during a speech in Selma, Alabama, this weekend, but it wont make a difference in the minds of voters who want to see the Biden administration do more to ease the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians. Its also unlikely that other states will see protest votes comparable to Michigan, but its still something the campaign should make note of after Tuesdays results are in. Biden is wasting TikTok: I don't want my president to be a TikTok influencer. Biden is wasting time making jokes. What the Democratic Party fails to understand is that other like-minded voters are expressing their frustration with a war that they want no part in ahead of November. It does not mean these voters are sitting out altogether, just that they want to express their discontent with the current relationship between the United States and Israel. The campaign could ignore these voters, but I don't see how that would help the campaign in the long run. Will young voters show up in Super Tuesday states? The presidential primaries this year have had mixed turnout results. Voter turnout was lower than previous years in Michigan, as well as Iowas Republican primary and South Carolinas Democratic primary. Other races, like the Republican primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina, saw a record number of voters. In this combination of photos, President Joe Biden speaks on Aug. 10, 2023, in Salt Lake City, left, and former President Donald Trump speaks on July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas, center, and Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, speaks on Feb. 18, 2024, in Columbia, S.C., right. With the potential of some newfound Haley momentum and the push among progressives to consider the uncommitted vote, its possible that young people will affect the elections on Super Tuesday. Voters ages 18-29 had a higher turnout in the 2020 Democratic primaries than previous competitive primaries, but there isnt data on the Republican contests for that year. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Its possible that young voters stay at home due to the definitive nature that has accompanied both Republican and Democratic primaries though there are important primaries down the ballot that could have more of an impact on abortion rights and crime within their states. Its also possible that Haleys win in Washington or the push for more uncommitted votes encourage young voters to show up on Super Tuesday. Personally, I'm ready for things to be finalized. Both Trump and Biden are acting as though they are the two nominees, and mainstream media outlets reflect this. Hopefully, once the primaries are done, we can start talking more about things such as the economy, abortion access and immigration. Trump hasn't even picked a running mate. Until the general election is underway, it's going to be difficult for either presumed nominee to make a case for themselves. Let's fast-forward to that. Follow USA TODAY elections columnist Sara Pequeno on X, formerly Twitter, @sara__pequeno and Facebook facebook.com/PequenoWrites. You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Tuesday is here. After DC win, does Haley still have a chance? WASHINGTON The Supreme Court has weighed in on the latest dispute between the Biden administration and Texas over the southern border, keeping a controversial state law from taking effect for now while the law is being challenged. Swiftly responding to an emergency appeal from the Justice Department filed Monday afternoon, the court said it would keep on hold until at least March 13 a Texas law that empowers state law enforcement to detain and deport migrants entering or living in the U.S. illegally. A panel of judges on the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit had said the law would take effect Saturday unless the Supreme Court intervened. That would "create chaos" in the federal government's efforts to administer federal immigration law in Texas, the Justice Department said in its emergency appeal to the high court. The department called the law "flatly inconsistent" with the court's past decisions, which recognized that the power to admit and remove noncitizens lies solely with the federal government. The emergency appeal is the latest development in the federal government's attempt to quash the law and is part of a larger, high-pitched battle between Texas and the Biden administration over enforcement of the southern border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott whose border crackdown also includes a program to bus migrants out of state and install razor wire barriers in the Rio Grande argues the federal government isn't doing its job amid record crossings at the southern border. U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra on Thursday preliminarily prevented Texas from enforcing the law, which would make it a state crime to cross the Texas-Mexico border. In his order granting an injunction, Ezra said that states may not exercise immigration enforcement power except as authorized by the federal government. Surges in immigration do not constitute an invasion within the meaning of the Constitution, nor is Texas engaging in war by enforcing SB4, Ezra said in the order. But the appeals court on Saturday granted Texas' request to intervene, giving the Biden administration a week to get the Supreme Court to decide whether the law should take effect while it's being challenged. The Supreme Court extended that deadline Monday and gave Texas until March 11 to tell the justices why the law should not remain on hold. Texas National Guard agents process migrants on February 29, 2024. US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both visited the US-Mexico border in Texas today, in Brownsville and Eagle Pass, respectively. (Photo by Herika Martinez / AFP) In addition to the federal government, the law is being challenged by El Paso County, Texas, and Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, which provides pro bono legal representation to asylum-seekers and other immigrants in El Paso. Abbott and the legislative authors of the bill say state troopers wont target longtime residents of Texas but only those suspected of crossing illegally within the border zone.Border community leaders and immigrant advocates say the law will unfairly target their majority-Hispanic communities. Large Texas border cities including El Paso and Laredo and small communities such as Roma and Eagle Pass live by the coming and going of U.S and Mexico residents who crisscross the border lawfully to visit family, go to school or do business. Allowing Texas to deport migrants to Mexico, the Justice Department told the Supreme Court, would "have significant and immediate adverse effects on the United States' relationship with Mexico a relationship that is critical to the federal government's ability to effectively address immigration at the southwest border." Marisa Limon Garza, executive director of Las Americas, said she is worried S.B. 4 will lead to racial profiling, especially in border communities. When we cross here in El Paso, with a passport or a visa, I dont get a stamp in my passport book, she said. How will (state troopers) know I crossed legally if there is no proof? The state says, Police officers are well-trained and they will be able to make a determination based on behavior. If you are anything other than white or passing, then you can receive the strong hand of the law. More: Joe Biden, Donald Trump clashing visits thrust border fight further into spotlight Super Tuesday live updates: What's at stake for Trump, Haley on massive day of primaries This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court pauses Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants The U.S. Supreme Court sided unanimously with former President Trump in his challenge to the state of Colorados attempt to kick him off the 2024 primary ballot. All nine justices ruled in favor of Trump in the case, which will impact the status of efforts in several other states to remove the likely GOP nominee from their respective ballots. The court considered for the first time the meaning and reach of Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars former officeholders who "engaged in insurrection" from holding public office again. Challenges have been filed to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot in over 30 states. "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 wrote. READ THE RULING BELOW. APP USERS: CLICK HERE. TRUMP REACTS TO SUPREME COURT ORAL ARGUMENTS: 'GOOD NEWS IS WE'RE LEADING VIRTUALLY EVERY POLL' READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Colorado's Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued a statement Monday on the opinion saying, "The United States Supreme Court has ruled that states do not have the authority to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment for federal candidates." "In accordance with this decision, Donald Trump is an eligible candidate on Colorados 2024 Presidential Primary," she said. Trump reacted to the ruling in a post on Truth Social saying, "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!" The state of Colorado had argued that because they determined Trumps behavior related to 2020 election interference culminating with the Jan. 6 Capitol riots amounted to an "insurrection," he should be removed from the states ballot. The Supreme Court, however, said, "state enforcement of Section 3 with respect to the Presidency would raise heightened concerns." "Conflicting state outcomes concerning the same candidate could result not just from differing views of the merits, but from variations in state law governing the proceedings that are necessary to make Section 3 disqualification determinations," the opinion states. "The result could well be that a single candidate would be declared ineligible in some States, but not others, based on the same conduct (and perhaps even the same factual record)." "The patchwork that would likely result from state enforcement would 'sever the direct link that the Framers found so critical between the National Government and the people of the United States' as a whole," the opinion says. The court's majority also seemed to signal against any future attempts by states to try to invalidate Trump after he is possibly elected or inaugurated. "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 acute and could nullify the votes of millions and change the election result if Section 3 enforcement were attempted after the Nation has voted," the opinion says. Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett "Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos arriving at any time or different times, up to and perhaps beyond the Inauguration," it continues. Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a concurring opinion wrote, "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. 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," she said. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote a concurrence which said that while they agree Colorado should restore Trump to the 2024 ballot, they disagreed with the majority which opined on "which federal actors can enforce Section 3, and how they must do so." "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. We cannot join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily, and we therefore concur only in the judgment," the trio wrote. In more than two hours of spirited, often tense arguments last month, the nine justices asked tough questions of both sides about whether the president or a presidential candidate is exempt from the constitutional provision adopted after the Civil War. Justice Brett Kavanaugh spoke for colleagues when saying they were confronting "difficult questions." Former U.S. President Donald Trump points to supporters at the conclusion of a campaign rally at the Atkinson Country Club on Jan. 16, 2024, in Atkinson, New Hampshire. "When you look at Section 3, the term insurrection jumps out," Kavanaugh said. "And the questions are, what does that mean? How do you define it? Who decides? Who decides whether someone engaged in it?" Kavanaugh noted the courts looked at these questions in an 1869 decision, known as "Griffin's case," which found that an act of Congress was necessary to enforce the 14th Amendment's ban on insurrectionists holding federal office. SUPREME COURT TO HEAR TRUMP BALLOT REMOVAL CASE OUT OF COLORADO Supreme Court Justices hear arguments from Trump attorney Jonathan Mitchell. "These are difficult questions, and you look right at Section 5 of the 14th Amendment ... and that tells you Congress has the primary role here," Kavanaugh said. "I think what's different is the processes, the definition, who decides questions really jump out at you when you look at Section 3." Chief Justice John Roberts questioned Colorados attorney Jason Murray about the "consequences" of the states position. TRUMP HOLDS LARGE LEAD OVER HALEY 4 DAYS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA GOP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY "What do you do with consequences of your position? There will be disqualification proceedings on the other side, and some will succeed in very quick order, I would expect that a goodly number of states will say whoever the Democrat is, you're off the ballot," he said. "It would then come down to a small number of states deciding the election. That's a pretty severe consequence." Justice Samuel Alito pressed Murray to "grapple" with "what some people have seen as the consequences of the argument that you're advancing, which is that there will be conflicts in decisions among the states." "The different states will disqualify different candidates. But I'm not getting a whole lot of help from you about how this would not be an unmanageable situation," Alito said. Original article source: Supreme Court rules unanimously for Trump in Colorado ballot disqualification dispute The Supreme Court just honestly does not like to rule on elections, said Ameshia Cross, Democratic strategist. Former President Donald Trump will remain on all 2024 presidential primary ballots following the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling. Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross told theGrio that this decision was expected and that the court did the right thing. If the court ruled any other way, what would have happened is patchwork, she explained. States would have decided maybe they would include Trump on the ballot, maybe they wouldnt. On the other hand, she added that states would have had the authority to decide whether to include President Joe Biden on the ballots as well. GianCarlo Canaparo, a senior legal fellow at the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, said he isnt surprised by the ruling. To remove Trump from the ballot by state bureaucrat or state judge would have been unconstitutional, he said. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court published an opinion penned by Justice Amy Coney Barrett. It found that Colorado, Illinois, and Maine lack the power to remove the embattled former president from their 2024 presidential primary ballots under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The constitutional amendment states that no individual should hold any office, civil or militarywho, having previously taken an oathas an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion. Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Barrett wrote that the 14th Amendment on its face, does not affirmatively delegate such a power to the States. The terms of the Amendment speak only to enforcement by Congress, she added. Granting the States that authority would invert the Fourteenth Amendments rebalancing of federal and state power. The Supreme Court decision comes nearly a month after the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court heard hours-long arguments in the Donald Trump v. Norma Anderson case to determine whether states have the authority to bar a presidential candidate who engaged in an insurrection from appearing on the ballot. Canaparo said the ruling sends a message that the justices believe the electoral process is the primary way through which these kinds of disputes are resolved, adding, Either directly through elections or through the elected representatives in Congress, who determine when an insurrection occurred and what the punishment should be. Cross said the Supreme Court does not like to rule on elections. This is why it is important for every person to get out and [vote] instead of having states decide to push Trumps name off the ballot, she argued. That takes away the responsibility of individuals having to show up. If the court ruled the other way, Cross said, MAGA supporters would have said that this is just another way that Biden has power over state laws. Following Barretts opinion, liberal Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan wrote a concurring opinion, stating that the majority erroneously used this case to define how Section 3 of the 14th Amendment should be applied in the future. WASHINGTON, DC FEBRUARY 07: Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson listen as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on February 7, 2023 in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. The speech marks President Bidens first address to the new Republican-controlled House. (Photo by Jacquelyn Martin-Pool/Getty Images) The three liberal justices said legislators drafted the 14th Amendment after they experienced an insurrection [and] rebellion to defend slavery. They wanted to ensure that those who participated in that insurrectioncould not return to prominent roles. Today, the majority goes beyond the necessities of this case to limit how Section 3 can bar an oathbreaking insurrectionist from becoming President, said the justices. U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., told theGrio that the Supreme Court went well beyond overturning the Colorado decision. He believes the justices used the case to severely curtail and limit Congress ability to enforce Section 3 of the 14th Amendment against insurrectionists like Donald Trump. The Democratic lawmaker added, MAGA influence on the court cannot be denied, unfortunately. Its time to expand the court to restore balance and legitimacy. The courts ruling came a day before voters are expected to cast their ballots in Colorados 2024 presidential primary election. Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter. The post Supreme Court ruling to keep Trump on 2024 ballot goes well beyond 14th Amendment case appeared first on TheGrio. Jena Griswold, the secretary of state in Colorado, at the U.S. Capitol following former President Donald Trump The U.S. Supreme Court brought certainty Monday to a primary season muddled by confusing and divergent state-level rulings by deciding unanimously that the 14th Amendment did not allow states to disqualify former President Donald Trump. But reaction to the ruling showed that the challenges to Trumps candidacy had hardened political dividing lines and angered Republicans who saw the lawsuits as an antidemocratic attempt to meddle in the election. And the ruling was handed down as voters in more than a dozen states prepared for Super Tuesday primaries. It motivated people to get involved, said Brad Wann, a Republican Party caucus coordinator in Colorado, the first of three states to disqualify Trump, and the state at the center of the Supreme Court case. They feel like the Democrats in this state are trying to take basic rights away. People are talking at coffee shops, at churches, saying we cannot let this happen. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The ballot challenges, which were filed in more than 30 states, focused on whether Trumps efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat disqualified him from holding the presidency again. The cases were based on a clause of the 14th Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, that prohibits government officials who engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding office. On Monday, all nine Supreme Court justices agreed that individual states could not bar candidates for the presidency under the insurrection provision. Four justices would have left it at that. A five-justice majority, in an unsigned opinion, went on to say that Congress must act to give that section force. In Illinois, where the Supreme Courts decision overtook a finding by a state judge last week that Trump was ineligible, many voters said Trump belonged on the ballot. The former president had remained on the ballot in the three states to disqualify him Colorado, Illinois and Maine while he appealed those rulings. The Supreme Courts opinion provided a final resolution. People are trumping up everything they can on him, said Herbert Polchow, 67, a Republican retiree in Rankin, Illinois, who said the ballot challenges were just a way for Democrats to keep Trump from becoming president again. Zachary Spence, 42, of Danville, Illinois, said the Supreme Courts decision was a victory for voters. You cant take away peoples choice, said Spence, a supporter of the former president. In Colorado, Patrick Anderson said he had voted for Trump twice but would not do so a third time because of Trumps denial of the 2020 election results. He said he agreed with the Supreme Court, to a point. I think presumption should be to let the voter have their say, Anderson, 77, said. But I dont think there should be a popularity contest if there is a crime involved. While Republican officials had been united in opposition to the ballot challenges, the question had divided Democrats, some of whom doubted the political and legal merits of challenging Trump. Even for those who supported the ballot challenges, the ruling Monday brought clarity after weeks of uncertainty. I believe Colorado should be able to bar oath-breaking insurrectionists from our presidential ballot, but the U.S. Supreme Court disagrees, said Jena Griswold, the Colorado secretary of state and a Democrat. So in accordance with that, Donald Trump is an eligible candidate and votes for him will be counted in the state of Colorado. Shenna Bellows, Maines Democratic secretary of state who ruled in December that Trump was not eligible to appear on the states primary ballot, issued an updated ruling Monday reflecting the Supreme Court decision. Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, she wrote, I hereby withdraw my determination that Mr. Trumps primary petition is invalid. The new certainty, officials on both sides of the issue agreed, was important. Colorado and Maines primaries are on Tuesday, and the Illinois primary is on March 19. Now that this decision has been made, voters in Super Tuesday states can hold their elections without any additional distraction regarding this matter, said Secretary of State Wes Allen of Alabama, a Republican. Those who led the attempts to have Trump taken off the ballot expressed disappointment and stood by their decision to bring the challenges. Ben Clements, the chair of Free Speech for People, a group that filed several state-level challenges, called the Supreme Courts ruling a great disservice to the country and to our constitutional democracy. He said the attempt to disqualify Trump was absolutely a fight worth fighting. Some voters agreed. Richard Utman, 69, a political independent from Palermo, Maine, said he was disappointed in the courts decision, and that the ruling shows the Constitution is broken. Hes a criminal, Utman said. He has no business holding office. He has no business being president. John Anthony Castro, a long shot Republican presidential candidate who has filed federal lawsuits challenging Trumps eligibility in more than 20 states, said he did not believe the Supreme Court opinion prevented him from pressing on with his court cases. None of Castros lawsuits have been successful, and many have been dismissed or withdrawn. Many Republicans used dire language to describe the challenges to Trump, and some spoke ominously about what might have happened if the Supreme Court had reached the opposite decision. Jay Ashcroft, Missouris secretary of state, had previously said that conservative states could try to disqualify President Joe Biden if the Supreme Court had allowed for Trump to be removed from the ballot. Im grateful the Supreme Court put a stop to this idiotic attempt to subvert our election process, said Ashcroft, a Republican. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said that Americans can celebrate that the Supreme Court has rejected this authoritarian effort that would interfere in our elections and block Donald Trump from even standing for office. Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, a Republican, praised the ruling and accused Colorado of a blatant attempt to subvert the will of the American people in the upcoming presidential election. Some voters who did not like Trump said they, too, agreed with the Supreme Court. At an early voting site in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Laura Edwards said she worried that the legal fight over Trumps appearance on ballots might have given him a political boost. It gives him more attention and hell use this as a victory, said Edwards, 42, who voted in the Democratic primary. They should have left him on the ballot and left us to hope that logical people will not vote for him. Karl Klockars, 78, a lawyer from Wheaton who voted early for a candidate other than Trump in the Republican primary, said the Supreme Court did the right thing, and its evident by the fact that there were no dissenters. And Gregory Hinote, 64, a retiree from Danville, said he did not usually vote in the primaries, but did this time because he believed voting was the best way to keep Trump from becoming president again. Voting is the way, said Hinote, who selected a Democratic primary ballot. I think we should vote and vote him out. Thats the way to do it not ban state by state. c.2024 The New York Times Company The other Supreme Court decision. Fresh off a unanimous decision keeping former President Donald Trump on the Colorado state ballot, the U.S. Supreme Court has told Texas to halt the implementation of its controversial immigration law that gives state officials the power to arrest and deport migrants. The Texas law had been set to take effect this coming Saturday, reports the Associated Press, thanks to a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that reversed a lower court judge's opinion blocking the law. The order issued by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito pushes back the start date of the Texas law to March 13 for the moment. The delay is intended to give the Supreme Court more time to consider whether they'll let Texas enforce its own immigration policies. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed S.B. 4, the law in question, back in December 2023. The new law makes it a state misdemeanor to cross the border illegally. Repeat offenders can be charged with more felonies. Per the Texas Tribune, the law also requires judges to order convicted illegal border crossers to leave for Mexico and empowers police to dump them off at the border. Civil liberties groups have been up in arms about Texas trying to chart its own way on immigration. "Make no mistake: S.B. 4 bypasses federal immigration authority and threatens the integrity of our nation's constitution and laws," said the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups in a joint statement urging the Supreme Court to block the law. "We have long warned that this law will separate families, lead to racial profiling across the state, and harm people." The Supreme Court has put limits on states getting into the business of immigration enforcement in the past. Most notably in 2012, it struck down parts of a 2010 Arizona law that allowed police to arrest suspected illegal immigrants without a warrant and made it a state crime for immigrants to not carry immigration papers with them. Meanwhile, everyone is processing yesterday's Supreme Court decision that keeps Trump on the ballot in their own way. The big man himself was certainly pleased with the court's unanimous ruling that states can't unilaterally kick candidates for federal office on the ballot because they participated in "insurrection." "If you're going to win or lose, you have to win or lose at the ballot box, not in a courtroom," said former President Donald Trump, apparently without irony, on Fox News yesterday. "It was a really well-crafted decision. People were very happy about it. Actually, all sides were pretty much respectful of it." "If you're going to win or lose, you have to win or lose at the ballot box, not in a court room." - President Trump pic.twitter.com/CPoo7z8GBO Anthony Hughes (@CallMeAntwan) March 5, 2024 Of course, not everyone was satisfied with the court's ruling. Liberal news commenter Keith Olbermann, measured as always, said the decision signaled the end of democracy and the need to dissolve the Supreme Court entirely. The Supreme Court has betrayed democracy. Its members including Jackson, Kagan and Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively the "court" has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate. It must be dissolved. Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) March 4, 2024 Less hysterical liberal commentators are worried about what the decision signals for courts' willingness generally to sanction Trump. "To anyone hoping that Trump's efforts to overturn the last election would lead the judicial system to meaningfully penalize him before the next one, recent developments have proved sobering," wrote Sarah Ellison and Toluse Olorunnipa over at The Washington Post. Read Jacob Sullum's analysis for Reason about the relatively unsurprising ruling and some of the finer points the justices argued over. Scenes from D.C. Policy makers in the nation's capital are once again making changes to the city's tipped minimum wage policy. Back in 2022, D.C. voters approved a ballot initiative that gradually eliminates businesses' ability to pay a lower hourly minimum wage to workers who earned tips. This ballot initiative had already been passed once before in 2018, and then repealed by the city council at the behest of city restaurants and bars and many of their workers. To cope with the ending of the tipped minimum wage, businesses in the city are starting to apply automatic service fees to their checks, causing no shortage of customer confusion and complaints. Today, the city council will consider a bill that would zero out the tipped minimum wage by 2025 (instead of 2027) while lowering this year's planned base minimum wage increase to 25 cents instead of $2. .@councilofdc will be considering Tues speeding up elimination of tipped min wage by 2 years (2025 instead of 2027) in exchange for essentially increasing it 25 cents instead of $2 in July. This is why per @ChmnMendelson My story. h/t @amanduhgomezhttps://t.co/50NIyFXGCi pic.twitter.com/ncOIm0kGwX Barred in DC (@BarredinDC) March 5, 2024 QUICK HITS California voters go to the polls today. In addition to voting in various primaries, voters in San Francisco will decide on ballot initiatives that would force some people into drug treatment and provide police with more surveillance cameras. Speaking of primaries, today's Super Tuesday primaries are a make-or-break moment for Nikki Haley. Judging from her past performance, it'll mostly be break. The White House announces a "strike force" to tackle higher, "illegal" prices, reports Politico. China's National People's Congress met today and agreed to keep the whole communism thing going. The United Nations has released a report finding "convincing" evidence that Hamas raped and tortured Israeli captives. The post Supreme Court Tells Texas to Hold On appeared first on Reason.com. The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily blocked a Texas law that allowed state law enforcement officers to arrest migrants entering the United States from Mexico. In an order signed by Justice Samuel Alito, the high court blocked Texas from enacting the law until March 13, giving the state until March 11 to respond to the Justice Departments request asking to pause the law from taking place. The Justice Department had filed an emergency request Monday asking the Supreme Court to intervene, with Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar arguing that the law would alter the status quo that has existed between the United States and the States in the context of immigration for almost 150 years. Prelogar was responding to an order from the Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit over the weekend that paused a ruling from a federal district judge that barred the law from taking effect last week. The preliminary injunction entered by the district court simply maintains the longstanding status quo while this litigation proceeds; the court of appeals stay, on the other hand, would result in direct and irreparable harms to core federal interests, she wrote. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed the legislation into law last December, giving any Texas law enforcement officer the power to arrest those who are suspected of entering the country illegally. After being arrested, the migrants would either agree to a judges order making them leave the U.S. or be charged on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry under the new law. This law set up a contentious battle over immigration with the Biden administration. The Justice Department sued Texas over the law in January, arguing that it is unconstitutional under the Constitutions Supremacy Clause. Federal Judge David Ezra barred the law from taking place in an order issued last week. Texas had immediately appealed the decision to the federal appeals court, and the state attorney generals office on Monday applauded the 5th Circuits order. The emergency stay granted by the Fifth Circuit has itself been stayed for seven days to allow the federal government to seek review by the Supreme Court of the United States. Further, the Fifth Circuit ordered that this appeal be expedited and argued immediately, the state attorney general office wrote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday temporarily blocked a new Texas immigration law in response to a Biden administration request. In an order issued by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, the court froze a lower court decision that would have allowed the law to go into effect Sunday. The ruling is now blocked until March 13, giving all nine justices more time to determine what next steps to take. Alito also ordered Texas to respond to the Biden administration request by March 11. The law in question, known as SB4, allows police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the border from Mexico and imposes criminal penalties. In this attempt to cross the river, a woman has drowned and her body was recovered by Mexican authorities a few miles down river the next day. (Andrew Lichtenstein / Corbis via Getty Images) The dispute is the latest clash between the Biden administration and Texas over immigration enforcement on the U.S.-Mexico border. A federal judge blocked the law after the Biden administration sued, but the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a brief order it could go into effect March 10 if the Supreme Court declines to intervene. In Monday's emergency filing, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar said the Texas law is "flatly inconsistent" with Supreme Court precedent dating back 100 years. "Those decisions recognize that the authority to admit and remove noncitizens is a core responsibility of the national government, and that where Congress has enacted a law addressing those issues, state law is preempted," she wrote. The appeals court, Prelogar added, did not explain its reasoning for allowing the law to go into effect. She dismissed Texas' argument that its law can be defended on the basis that the state is effectively battling an invasion at the border under the State War Clause of the Constitution. "A surge of unauthorized immigration plainly is not an invasion within the meaning of the State War Clause," Prelogar wrote. The city of El Paso and two immigrant rights groups, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center and American Gateways, have also challenged the law and had filed their own emergency request at the Supreme Court. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A member of a Texas border task force is shown patrolling along the Rio Grande near El Paso on May 11, 2023. The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the implementation of new state law allowing local police to arrest and criminally charge migrants entering the country without authorization. File Photo courtesy of Texas Army National Guard March 4 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court on Monday moved to temporarily halt the introduction of a new Texas law under which local authorities would be allowed to arrest migrants believed to be illegally entering the country. In an order issued by Justice Samuel Alito, the high court delayed the implementation of the measure until 5 p.m. on March 13. His order stays a decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued over the weekend that would have allowed police to begin enforcing the controversial law as soon as Saturday. Prior to that, a federal judge in Austin had halted implementation of Senate Bill 4 as the court battle continued playing out. Texas is being sued by the Biden administration and several immigration advocacy organizations over its provisions, which represent the latest attempt by Republican Gov. Gregg Abbott to deter increasing numbers of migrants from crossing the Rio Grande. Under the law, crossing Texas-Mexico border illegally would become gross misdemeanor carrying a penalty of up to six months in jail, with repeat offenders facing possible felony charges with a punishment up to 20 years in prison. The law also demands that judges order migrants returned to Mexico if they are convicted. Abbott has called the influx of record numbers of migrant an "invasion" and Republican political candidates across the country, including former President Donald Trump, have used the migrant issue to bash Democrats and President Joe Biden. The Department of Justice, however, vehemently opposes the Texas law, which it sees as a usurpation of the federal government's constitutional right to control and manage the nation's borders. "SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said shortly after its adoption in January. "Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the framework enacted by Congress." The administration says the Supreme Court confirmed in Arizona vs. United States that decisions relating to removal of noncitizens from the United States crosses over into the realm of foreign relations, which, it argues, "must be made with one voice." Giving local Texas authorities the power to unilaterally arrest and deport migrants "impedes the federal government's ability to enforce entry and removal provisions of federal law and interferes with its conduct of foreign relations," Gupta said. For the second time in a week, the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority has blessed the Donald Trump campaign with a favorable ruling. The former president, who upon leaving office had nothing but scorn for the court he built, has been gushing about his success at the high court this term to colleagues in private. According to two people whove recently spoken to Trump about the Supreme Court this year, the ex-president has repeatedly praised the conservative justices for being very fair to him, in the face of a torrent of legal action and criminal charges that hes faced while trying to recapture the White House. On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a speedy ruling blocking states like Colorado from moving to toss Trump off their ballots on the grounds that he incited the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The decision, which will make it virtually impossible to block any insurrectionists from holding federal office, comes days after the court agreed to review Trumps claim that he is entitled to immunity for acts he committed as president a move that likely punted Trumps criminal election subversion trial until after the 2024 election. While the Supreme Court refused to help Trump steal the election in 2020, its recent maneuvers could easily tilt 2024 in his favor and represent the most overt assistance that justices have given Republicans since the court handed the 2000 election to George W. Bush. (Notably, three of the courts six conservative justices worked for Republicans on that case.) By December 2020, Trump was willing to tell practically anyone in his White House who would listen how much he despised the actions of the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority, which he helped create. He loudly complained that the justices he appointed were too scared of the backlash that would occur if they had supported his efforts to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 victory, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. At the time, Trump also ranted about how he should have picked different justices who, when the chips were down, would have had his back and demonstrated (perhaps Trumps favorite word) loyalty. In the years of his post-presidency, Trumps bitterness toward the right-wing justices he put on the bench persisted for a while, fueled by his anger at their squeamishness toward obliterating the nations democratic order in late 2020 and keeping Trump in power. Mondays ruling from the court on its face, unanimous showed how far the conservative majority is willing to go to protect Trump and Republican insurrectionists. All nine justices agreed that Colorado, or any state, cannot unilaterally decide which candidates for federal office are insurrectionists ineligible for placement on a ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment which bars officers who have engaged in insurrection against the U.S. Constitution from holding any office. But five of the Republican-appointed justices went further than that binary question, and instead invented a new system to decide who in government is empowered to make a decision about an alleged insurrectionists eligibility for federal office. The conservative majority excluded federal courts from having any say in such decisions and instead instructed that only Congress can, through a particular kind of legislation, determine whether insurrectionists are eligible to hold office. The three liberal justices blasted the majoritys opinion as an attempt to insulate all alleged insurrectionists from future challenges to their holding federal office. The aggressive new framework created by the conservative justices even prompted a rare, if veiled, rebuke from the Trump-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who pointed out that the facts of the case did not require us to address the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced. Barrett further counseled that her colleagues should avoid stridency in the midst of a presidential election, when the court should seek to turn the national temperature down, not up. Given routine gridlock in Congress and the fact that most House Republicans baselessly voted against certifying the 2020 election results, the chances of lawmakers passing new legislation to keep out insurrectionist candidates are precisely zero. The state of Colorado aimed to keep Trump off the ballot because he fomented the Capitol insurrection. With its decision Monday, the Supreme Court has opened the possibility that individuals who participated in or were convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection can run for federal office unimpeded, absent the unlikely congressional action the court is now demanding. I do think that their decision coupled with an improbability of congressional action means that federal oath-breaking candidates have a free pass to run for office again, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, whose decision to disqualify Trump led to the high court case, told Rolling Stone in an interview on Monday. Theres a lot that I disagree with in this decision. Ultimately, as an elected official, its my job to follow the Supreme Courts decision. The ruling Monday caps off a banner week at the Supreme Court for Trump. Last week, Trump, his lawyers, advisers, and close allies were absolutely ecstatic when the Supreme Court agreed to hear Trumps claim that he is immune from prosecution for all acts committed as president, a move that will significantly delay Special Counsel Jack Smiths election subversion trial. As Rolling Stone reported at the time, a lawyer close to Trump said they were literally popping champagne bottles in response to the news. This is because, according to legal experts, the Supreme Court and its conservative supermajority rendered it extremely unlikely that the Smith trial will start before Election Day in November. Some of Trumps most senior lieutenants had privately warned him that a pre-election criminal conviction in that federal trial, in particular, could spell disaster for his chances of beating Biden. For several months, Trumps attorneys have hoped that their salvo of delay tactics would push the Smith trial as far down the calendar as possible, but they were mostly preparing for the federal trial to begin in the summer. To the delight of the Trump legal team and his campaign, they are getting more help than they anticipated. Of course, another Trump criminal trial, related to hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, is slated to start in New York next month. But Team Trump has been significantly more optimistic about their chances of managing the political fallout from that trial, compared to what could happen during and after a trial related to, for instance, Trumps attempts to cling to presidential power that climaxed in mob violence and deaths. Elsewhere, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is in hot water over claims she hired her romantic partner as a special prosecutor in Trumps Georgia election-interference case. The Manhattan district attorneys case may now be the only criminal trial of Trump that occurs in this election year. And if Trump wins in November, he and his MAGA allies plan to diligently undo all the work of federal investigators and prosecutors, and seek vengeance against them. By Monday morning, the jubilation only increased, with what one attorney in the Trump orbit bluntly describes to Rolling Stone this week as a winning streak at the highest court in the land. Within a half hour of the Supreme Courts decision, Trump and his 2024 team were already enthusiastically fundraising off the ruling. SUPREME COURT RULES TO KEEP ME ON THE BALLOT! his campaign texted supporters and donors, urging them to check out my emergency broadcast. In a press conference shortly after the opinion, Trump thanked the justices he had scorned as disloyal four years ago. It was a very important decision, very well crafted, the former president said. They worked long, they worked hard, and frankly they worked very quickly on something that will be spoken about a 100 years from now and 200 years from now, he said before pivoting to a demand that the court grant him immunity in his next case before them. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone COLOMBO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a proposal to absorb SriLankan Airlines' outstanding debt of 510 million U.S. dollars by the government, a minister said on Tuesday. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva told the media that the cabinet approval was also given to allocate funds to maintain services of the national carrier for another six months. The Sri Lankan government has called for bids from interested parties for the divestiture of the state-owned national carrier. The minister said the deadline for submission of bids for SriLankan Airlines has been extended by 45 days. Local media reported earlier that SriLankan Airlines' total debt amounted to 1.2 billion U.S. dollars, and the government intended to retain 51 percent of the airline's shares. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court has asked Congress for an extra $19.4 million for security to deal with evolving risks and a change in how the justices homes are protected, according to the office that administers the federal courts system. The offices 2025 budget request for the Supreme Court includes 33 new positions to boost protection for the nine justices as threats against the judiciary have increased in recent years. Ongoing threat assessments indicated that there are evolving risks that require continuous protection, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts wrote in its request to Congress. Increased funds are also needed to allow the Supreme Court Police to take over around the clock protection of the justices residences from the U.S. Marshals Service, the office said. More: Supreme Court rules Donald Trump can stay on Colorado ballot ahead of Super Tuesday. 24-hour security for Supreme Court justices following threats and protests In 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland tapped the Marshals Services to provide 24-hour security for the justices amid a flood of threats and protests that followed a leaked draft of the opinion that would overturn the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade. President Joe Biden signed into law a bill quickly passed by Congress to expand security protections for the justices' families. "The law requires every judge to swear an oath to perform his or her work without fear or favor, but we must support judges by ensuring their safety," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his 2022 annual report on the federal courts. "A judicial system cannot and should not live in fear." In June of 2022, a California man who allegedly made threats against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was arrested near the justice's suburban Washington, D.C. home while armed with a gun and knife. He has pleaded not guilty. More: Supreme Court allows sanctions on 'Kraken' lawyers who challenged Michigan's 2020 election CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND - MAY 11: Police stand outside the home of U.S. Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh as abortion-rights advocates protest on May 11, 2022 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Florida man pleads guilty to threatening to kill Chief Justice John Roberts In December, a Florida men pled guilty to threatening to kill Roberts. The 2025 budget request also includes a security increase for the rest of the judiciary, due to the significant increase in threats against federal judges. The request is for the fiscal year that begins in October. But Congress has not completed work on the current budget cycle. Unanimous? Top takeaways from Supreme Court's ruling to keep Trump on the ballot This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court asks Congress to increase funding to protect justices A reported robbery at the Dayton Mall is under investigation. Police were called to Diamonds Plaza inside the Dayton Mall around 2 p.m. on Monday, according to a spokesperson for Miami Twp. police. >> Family-owned Mexican restaurant to open in Washington Twp. this week Employees at the store told officers that an unknown male entered the store and scuffled with an employee during an exchange before running from the store. The suspect drove away from the mall in a white Nissan. The employee was not seriously hurt, the spokesperson confirmed. Its currently unknown if anything was stolen from the store during the incident. HETTA, Finland (Reuters) - In the snows of Finland, Swedish and Finnish soldiers take part in NATO's biggest exercise since the end of the Cold War, intended to test the military alliance's ability to reinforce places such as the Nordic far north. Swedish and Finnish forces have trained together for years, but NATO membership for Finland and looming membership for Sweden following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adds a new dimension as they integrate deeper into the alliance. "Becoming a member is like a new phase," said Brigadier General Manu Tuominen, leading the Finnish troops participating in the exercise. "There is still a lot for us to learn but I would say we are quite well prepared and exercises like this make us an even better member." The drills in the Finnish woods, part of the Steadfast Defender exercises, pit a mix of Finnish and Swedish troops in mock engagement. Finland joined NATO last year while Sweden now stands on the cusp of joining after Hungarian lawmakers approved Sweden's accession on Feb. 26, clearing the last hurdle before Stockholm's historic step. Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok signed the bill on Tuesday. Sweden's neutrality lasted through two world wars and the Cold War. In the exercise, Leopard tanks in winter camouflage fired training rounds as they shifted firing positions while the infantry vanished in among the pine trees and snow. Amid a lull in the gunfire, Swedish Brigadier General Rickard Johansson said he was looking forward to hearing more from his Finnish partners on how their first few months as full NATO members had gone. "We are looking forward to being a member of NATO as soon as possible." The biggest change may be a mental one as Swedish soldiers take on board a new reality of potentially defending the borders of a NATO ally. Sweden has already said it plans to contribute to NATO's deployment in Latvia. "It feels safe that Sweden will join NATO, so we receive support from all other NATO members if something should happen, and we can also give support to those countries that are vulnerable," said Felix Taws, a conscript in a Swedish mechanized unit taking part in the exercises. "I would be ready ... to go to another country and help them defend their country," he said. (Reporting by Niklas Pollard and Tom Little, Editing by Alexandra Hudson) A group of geese are in need of a new home after being left behind in North Carolina, a bird rescue said. The three geese two blind ones and a seeing eye goose were turned in to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in Indian Trail with very little info on their past, according to the sanctuarys Feb. 27 Facebook video. A week later, the trio is still looking for a safe home, the organization said. The group has not been adopted as of March 5, the rescues executive director Jennifer Gordon told McClatchy News in an email. There is interest from another sanctuary in adopting them, but it hasnt been confirmed, she said. Their previous owner surrendered the geese to the rescue before moving across the country, Gordon said. The two blind geese are believed to have been born blind. The trios dynamic hinges on the sighted goose leading the other two around, according to the rescues video. The bird stays near the other two to create spacial awareness with vocal cues, the sanctuary said. The seeing eye goose tries to help out his blind companions the best he can, the rescue wrote in the video. The trio stays in an enclosure to prevent the blind pair from wandering off too far from their food and into harms way, Gordon said. They are acclimating to their new space and people at the rescue, but the three have remained very sweet the whole time, she said. Bringing in blind birds isnt common for the sanctuary because they typically dont do well on their own, Gordon said. These geese having a sighted friend makes all the difference for their quality of life, she added. Indian Trail is about 15 miles southeast of Charlotte. Long-time cat resident at Ohio shelter returns after short adoption. She needs a home Her 15 puppies got adopted but she needed a home. Then this dogs luck took a turn Stray dog found scrounging for scraps outside McDonalds. Then, couple fell in love FILE PHOTO: First flight of the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) of the Swiss Armed Forces in Emmen By John Revill BERN (Reuters) - Swiss weapons exports fell by more than a quarter last year, the government said on Tuesday, with critics blaming the country's neutral stance which has blocked the re-export of Swiss-made guns and ammunition to Ukraine. War material exports fell 27% to 696.8 million Swiss francs ($788.06 million), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said, down from 955 million francs in 2022. Despite its long-held neutrality, Switzerland is a big arms supplier, the 14th biggest globally in 2022, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. In 2023, Switzerland exported war materials to 58 countries, down from 60 a year earlier, with Germany the biggest customer followed by Denmark, signing big orders for ammunitions and wheeled armoured vehicles. SECO did not give a reason for the downturn in exports last year, but industry association Swissmem said Switzerland's ban on the re-export of weapons had played a role. Under the country's neutrality law, Bern cannot approve requests for the transfer of Swiss-made war material to Ukraine as long as it is involved in an international armed conflict. "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. Swissmem said Switzerland's 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 Switzerland's 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. "It has nothing to do with the legal definition of neutrality." ($1 = 0.8842 Swiss francs) (Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Sharon Singleton) (FOX40.COM) South Tahoe Fire firefighters are offering an incentive for residents to help shovel snow away from their local hydrants. Find your closest fire hydrant and adopt it by digging it out this upcoming storm, the utility district said in a social media post. Once you dig it out, make sure to post a photo and tag either South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue or Lake Valley Fire Protection District (official) to receive a free mug! NWS releases final snowfall totals from Sierra Nevada blizzard When fighting a fire, every second can be vital to a positive outcome. A buried fire hydrant could slow the response for emergency officials and impact whether or not firefighters can quickly get the upper hand on a blaze. Clearing your hydrant saves firefighters precious time!, Lake Valley Fire said. Officials advised residents to clear a minimum of three feet around hydrants near your home. For more information visit lakevalleyfire.org or cityofslt.us. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. FILE PHOTO: Israeli soldiers kneel in position, as tension mounts between the Lebanon and Israel, in northern Israel FILE PHOTO: Israeli soldiers kneel in position, as tension mounts between the Lebanon and Israel, in northern Israel BEIRUT (Reuters) -Indirect talks to end hostilities along the Lebanese-Israeli border will begin during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which starts next week, Lebanon's caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati said on Tuesday. Powerful Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire for nearly five months in parallel with the Gaza war, prompting diplomatic efforts aimed at staving off an escalation. In an interview on Tuesday night with local Lebanese broadcaster Al Jadeed, Mikati said long-term stability on the southern border required Israel to stop violating Lebanon's territorial integrity and to return territories it occupies all along the border. He said Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri - who is close to Hezbollah - was studying a proposal suggested verbally by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who was in Beirut on Monday. Mikati said the proposal centered on how to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the month-long war fought in 2006 between Hezbollah and Israel. It calls for a withdrawal of non-state armed actors from southern Lebanon and a deployment of up to 15,000 Lebanese army troops. Lebanon has accused Israel of violating the resolution more than 30,000 times, and says it would be ready to implement it fully. Mikati said Hochstein's proposal also included "a development plan for south Lebanon," that would be backed by Arab states and other countries outside the region. He said Lebanon still had questions about the proposal and had some preliminary comments on it, and that either he or Berri would speak to Hochstein within the next 48 hours, particularly to learn Israel's position as the U.S. envoy traveled on to Tel Aviv from Beirut. Mikati said the timeline for implementation was "elastic." Hezbollah is one of several Iran-aligned groups around the Middle East that have entered the fray since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants stormed Israel from the Gaza Strip, triggering a fierce Israeli land, air and sea offensive on Gaza. Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has said its campaign aims to support the Palestinians under Israeli bombardment. Mikati told Reuters in an exclusive interview last week that a halt to fighting in the Gaza Strip would trigger indirect talks to end hostilities along Lebanon's southern border. But in Beirut on Monday, Hochstein warned that a truce in Gaza would not necessarily automatically bring calm to Lebanon's southern border and he warned about the risks of an escalation of the conflict. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam; Editing by David Gregorio and Josie Kao) Tallahassee city commissioners may pass a resolution that aims to defend their Citizen Police Review Board amid ongoing state legislation. At Wednesday's meeting, the commission is looking to "urge the Florida legislature to defeat SB 576 and HB 601," which aim to put a stop to police oversight boards. The House already has passed its proposal and sent it to the Senate, where it awaits a final vote before going to Gov. Ron DeSantis for review. Its backer there, Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, said he "actually thinks these boards are divisive. I do not think that they are serving the public well other than to second-guess, again, in the court of public opinion. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia greets family of other senators before the start of the Senate Session on opening day of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Senators have until the scheduled end of session, Friday, to pass the legislation. But that means the city's resolution will be considered when lawmakers have less than three working days left in Tallahassee. The resolution would then be sent House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, both Republicans. The bill's staff analysis says "any COA (civilian oversight agency) that is currently performing such oversight functions related to the investigation of complaints of misconduct would be prohibited from continuing to do so after July 1, 2024" if it passes and is signed into law. Already the city's oversight board has been criticized by progressives and critics of the Tallahassee Police Department as toothless. The city commission created the board in September 2020 after days of street protests following three fatal shootings of suspects by TPD and the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. The nine-member panel can make recommendations to Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell and consider incidents after they've gone through the internal review process at the agency. In December 2022, after only two years of work, the board suffered a major road bump. Commissioners voted 3-2, with Commissioners Jeremy Matlow and Jack Porter dissenting, on ousting board member Taylor Biro. The decision came after it was found that Biro had a sticker that said "Abolish the police" on a drinking cup. The sticker, a design of a police officer striking a citizen, was initially and incorrectly said to be an "(expletive) the police sticker, when it was brought up by a commissioner at last month's meeting. That sparked the Big Bend Police Benevolent Association to immediately call for Biro's removal. (The sticker was one of many others on Biro's cup.) Resignations followed Biro's ouster. Afterward, the board struggled to find a quorum and was unable to meet for months. As of 2024, the board looks to meet once a quarter, their last meeting being Jan. 11, and their next meeting being planned for April 4. In other business: Apologizing for slavery Inter-Civic Council leaders wait outside City Hall in Tallahassee, Fla. on Oct. 17, 1956 for the start of their trial on charges of operating illegal car pool to transport African Americans boycotting buses in segregated seating protest. Rev. C.K. Steele, council President, is second from left in front row. The agenda shows the commission also is looking to pass their own resolution apologizing for the city's history of slavery and racism. It "acknowledges that African Americans endured significant injustices ... under slavery and Jim Crow" and "apologizes for (the city's) historical role in the perpetuation ... of all forms of discrimination against African Americans." "The City expresses its commitment to recognize the misdeeds committed against African Americans and to continue working toward eliminating racial prejudices, injustices, and discrimination from our society," staff said in the agenda item. Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee commission takes up police review board, slavery apology Taylor Swift once cited Emily Dickinson as an inspiration but it turns out the great American poet is also a distant relation of the pop superstar. The pair are sixth cousins, three times removed, according to Ancestry, the genealogy company, which says that they both descend from a 17th-century English immigrant, Swifts ninth great-grandfather and Dickinsons sixth great-grandfather who was an early settler of Windsor, Connecticut. Taylor Swifts ancestors remained in Connecticut for six generations until her part of the family eventually settled in north-western Pennsylvania, where they married into the Swift family line, Ancestry said in a statement to NBC show Today. Swift publicly referenced the 19th-century poet in 2022 while talking about the different types of lyrics she writes for her songs. If my lyrics sound like a letter written by Emily Dickinsons great-grandmother while sewing a lace curtain, thats me writing in the Quill genre, she said after receiving an award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Rumours album inspired by Dickinson Fans of the 34-year-old musician have also speculated about whether Swifts ninth studio album, Evermore, was inspired by the works of Dickinson, who is regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry. Swift announced the albums release on Dec 10, 2020, exactly 190 years after Dickinsons birth in Amherst, Massachusetts. Ancestry has previously revealed a family connection between other figures of American popular culture. In 2019, it found Tom Hanks was related to the late childrens TV host, Fred Rogers, who the actor played in the film, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A teenager is facing charges after police say he stole an iPhone during a Facebook Marketplace sale in Homewood in January. The criminal complaint said the victim listed his iPhone for sale on Facebook Marketplace and agreed to sell it to a person with the profile Lucas Moran for $200. The buyer requested the victim meet him at Dallas Park in Homewood because he was on an ankle monitor and couldnt go far from home. The seller arrived at Dallas Park just after 4 p.m. A person walked up to the sellers car, told him he was the buyer and asked to see if the phone worked. The complaint said the seller handed the phone to the buyer, who took the SIM card out and put his own in. He then said youre going to have to take a loss here before lifting his jacket and exposing the grip of a handgun in his waistband. The buyer walked away with the phone into Fleury Way before cutting between houses toward Bennett Street. The investigation showed the suspect was on an ankle monitor, which placed him at the robbery scene at the time the seller arrived at Dallas Park. During an interview, the suspect denied committing the robbery or having any knowledge of it, the complaint said. Near the end of the interview, he handed the stolen phone over to police and admitted to taking it, but denied he had a handgun. The suspect is charged with robbery and possession of a firearm by a minor. Theres currently a warrant out for his arrest. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Man, 19, killed in McKees Rocks shooting Man from upstate New York murdered in Station Square Nurse practitioner accused of writing fake oxycodone prescriptions VIDEO: Road crews start work on Glenwood Bridge DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts TOKYO, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A doctor in Japan was sentenced on Tuesday to 18 years in prison for the consensual killing of a woman with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2019 in Kyoto, western Japan. Hiroshi Kawakami, presiding judge at Kyoto District Court, rejected 45-year-old Yoshikazu Okubo's plea of not guilty. Prosecutors had sought a prison term of 23 years. Okubo has been charged with conspiring with former doctor Naoki Yamamoto, 46, on Nov. 30, 2019, to administer a lethal dose of a sedative to the ALS patient Yuri Hayashi, 51, at her request and cause her death from acute drug poisoning at her home in the city of Kyoto. Yamamoto was sentenced to two years and six months in prison last December for conspiring with Okubo for the consensual killing of Hayashi. Admitting to charges of commissioned murder, Okubo has said that he "did it to fulfill (the patient's) wish." Okubo's defense team argued that Okubo tried to realize the "peaceful death" chosen by the victim with terminal ALS and that accusing him runs counter to the right to pursue happiness stipulated in the Constitution. Kawakami said that Okubo was not Hayashi's attending physician and killed her after meeting her for the first time. Prosecutors had argued that the case "did not fulfill the minimum requirement for euthanasia." LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A 17-year-old is in custody in El Centro, California facing murder and robbery charges in a deadly January shooting at a Las Vegas apartment complex. The teen, who was not identified due to his juvenile status, is awaiting extradition to Las Vegas, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. On Jan. 2, officers said a man was shot and killed inside an apartment on Torrey Pines Drive near Sahara Avenue. A second shooting victim was able to take himself to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officers arrested Prseyus Dennis, 18, on Feb. 27, 2024, on charges of open murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, records said. (LVMPD/KLAS) David Valle, 18, faces charges of open murder, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. (LVMPD) Javier Galvan, 20, (left) and Juan Glavan, 19, (right) faces charges of open murder and robbery (LVMPD) The shooting occurred when several people were inside the apartment, police said. The first arrest in the case happened on Feb. 27 when Prseyus Dennis, 18, was taken into custody. The following day, police arrested David Valle, 18, and then Juan Galvan, 19, and Javier Galvan, 20 were arrested on March 1. The 17-year-old in California was arrested on March 2. All five are facing charges of open murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, according to court records. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Hundreds of people have flocked to a gurdwara in Telford as it celebrates 50 years since opening. In the early 1970s, a group of Sikh families rallied together to raise 11,000 in order to buy an old primary school building so they could have somewhere to worship. After reaching their goal in 1973, the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Hadley opened a year later - believed to be the first Sikh temple in the town. It went on to become a hub for local residents and the place where Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota once studied and later got married. The anniversary was marked with a feast The former leader of Telford and Wrekin Council said: I got married in here in 1976, then when my kids were born I brought them here and when my son got married, he got married in this Sikh temple and when my grandchildren were born I brought them here to be blessed so I have a long connection with this gurdwara. The president of the gurdwara, Parkash Sing Shami MBE, who helped to set it up, said there were only about 25 Sikh families in the community so they reached out to family and friends for support in raising the funds. Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota remembers getting married in the same room that he once studied woodwork At the time, many members of the Sikh community locally had links to the GKN Sankey plant in Hadley. Lord Sahota explained: The pay was only about 5 or 10 a week, that was a big sacrifice at that time and look where we are now. Before the temple opened, families would have to travel as far as Birmingham or Wolverhampton to find a place to worship. Sukhdeep Chaudhari, who has been attending for 47 years, told BBC Radio Shropshire that when her children were born in hospital, they went to the temple before going home. "Its a very big part of our lives," she said, recalling how her personal history was so entwined with the venue. Sukhdeep Chaudhari says the Gurdwara plays a key role for her and her family The leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, Shaun Davies, described the gurdwara as a symbol of how Telford and Wrekin as a borough has grown. He continued: The integration and unity of purpose is so important. There is no better example of how the community has really contributed to the wellbeing and betterment of our town. Belinda Ezeazu also attended the celebrations on behalf of the Nigerian community Belinda Ezeazu, a representative of the Nigerian community in Telford, attended anniversary celebrations on Sunday. She said: It's a privilege to see other people and how they are united, we are all one big happy family in this place we call our home. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram, Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk More on this story Related Internet Links House Majority William Lamberth R-Portland, and Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, speak, during a House session at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. Tennessee House Republicans on Monday passed legislation to block state courts from hearing challenges to any internal rules or policies the General Assembly passes, a direct response to a lawsuit filed last year after three Tennesseans were dragged out of a committee hearing for holding paper signs calling for gun reform. Bill sponsor Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, has repeatedly argued the General Assembly's authority rises above any state judicial oversight over its internal rules, even those that affect members of the public. Courts could still exercise judicial review over laws passed by the legislature. "No trial court judge anywhere in the state has the power to interfere with the rules that the House adopts," Bulso, a practicing attorney, said earlier this year. "If there's some claim that there's a violation of the First Amendment, that should go directly to the federal district court." Democrats strenuously objected to the bill, House Bill 1652, which they say is the latest power grab by the GOP supermajority at the Tennessee Capitol. The House supermajority last year passed stringent internal rules in the wake of ongoing, heated public protests for legislative action on gun violence. More: Tennessee bill would block state courts from overturning legislature's rules House Republicans continued to wield their power on Monday, voting to close debate on the bill even as several additional Democrats wished to testify against the legislation. The GOP caucus also voted to reduce debate time from 5 minutes to 2 minutes on all amendments on the floor on Monday, an unusual move. "What we're seeing today is the body saying, 'We are above the law. This House is above the law. This House does not have to answer to the people of this state,'" Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, said in opposition to the bill. Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, during a House session at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. Jones implored Republicans to vote against the bill, saying the GOP caucus has been told to "fall in line." "You are not free either my friends, if you can't vote your conscience," Jones said. The vote passed on a 59-30 vote, with five Republicans "blue lighting" the bill, which records the members as present but not voting for the legislation. The Republicans were Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville; Rep. Patsy Hazelwood, R-Signal Mountain; Rep. Kevin Vaughn, R-Collierville; and Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville. All Democrats voted against the bill, and were joined by Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson; Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis; Rep. Tom Leatherwood, R-Arlington; Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hamilton County; Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, and Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville. Bulso has argued the state Constitution is clear on the issue of judicial review, per the attorney's own interpretation of case law. "This idea that there is a First Amendment right to hold up a sign in our gallery no. The Constitution says, and the courts have held, that we could if we wanted to, and whenever we want to hold floor sessions in secret and there's nothing the judiciary can do about it," Bulso said in a committee meeting last week. Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, presents a bill during a House session at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. State courts have clearly interpreted differently, such as last August when Davidson County judge last year temporarily the House from enforcing a ban on protest signs in committee meetings on constitutional grounds. House legal staff last advised the legislation could be "constitutionally problematic," as the state constitution does afford the legislature the right to create its own rules but not to infringe on citizens' constitutional rights. Bulso has argued constitutional challenges should go through federal courts if needed. "We as legislators and everybody in our constituency would lose power to have access to Tennessee courts if their constitutional rights are being abridged," Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, said. Though Bulso's bill moved swiftly through House committees to a full floor vote this week, the Senate companion bill remains stagnant in the upper chamber. It was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 1 but has yet to make it to a calendar, which could suggest hesitance to take up a measure legal staff has cautioned could bring constitutional challenges. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN House Republicans pass controversial bill aimed at court oversight An amber alert has been issued for an autistic teenager who went missing in the suburbs of Nashville early last week. Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, was last seen the morning of February 26 around Stafford Court in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Multiple agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, as well as thousands of volunteers, are involved in the search for the teen. Sebastian Rogers has not been seen since February 26. The Sumner County Sheriffs Office has asked residents to "meticulously review footage from security and trail cameras," focusing on the afternoon of Sunday, February 25, going into the next morning. "We believe even the smallest detail could be the key to locating Sebastian," the sheriffs office said. AIR FORCE VETERAN DISAPPEARS IN MEXICO, FAMILY NOT SURE IF HES ALIVE': REPORT READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Authorities have collectively searched 2,000 miles on foot throughout Hendersonville, which is about 15 miles outside Nashville. Deputy Chief Eric Craddock with the Sumner County Sheriffs Department said the agency was "operating under the assumption that Sebastian walked off. We have no evidence to disprove that." Authorities said Rogers was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and glasses. He is 55", weighing around 120 lbs., with brown hair and eyes. The sheriffs office said Rogers has a "medical condition" that may impair his ability to return safely without assistance. Original article source: Tennessee officials searching for missing teen with autism The Tennessee Department of Treasury has some actually, a lot of money to give away. Yes, you read that correctly. It's not a scam, instead the state Department of Treasury has more than a billion dollars in unclaimed property that is waiting for residents to claim, Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard said. During the annual Mem2Nash Conference on Feb. 21 in Nashville, Lillard discussed the unclaimed property division, which continues to be a lesser-known program for many residents. The Tennessee Department of Treasury has more than a billion dollars in unclaimed property that is waiting for residents to claim, Tennessee Treasurer David Lillard said. The money is turned over to the state by businesses and organizations unable to locate the rightful owner. The division is a consumer protection program designed to ensure those missing dollars are returned to the correct owners, according to a 2021 column from Lillard. Lillard said the program saw more that 65,000 claims last fiscal year, which yielded more than $68.7 million in returns for residents. Here is what to know about unclaimed property in Tennessee and how to search to see if any of it is yours. What is unclaimed property? Unclaimed property is when banks, credit unions, utility companies, governments or other organizations owe you money and they cannot locate you. They report the unclaimed property to the state and the state holds it until you claim it. How do I find my unclaimed property in Tennessee? Once you go online to the Tennessee Department of Treasury's website, click to search for unclaimed property. Once there, you will input as much information as you can. It asks for last name, first name, city, ZIP code and property ID. A list will then come up. Search for your name and hit claim. Lillard recommends people also try searching with their maiden names. WHEN DOES THE TIME CHANGE?: It's nearly time to spring forward for daylight saving time What information do I need to provide to claim unclaimed property? The Tennessee Department of Treasury requires five items to claim property. Complete an online form or have a paper claim signed by the owner/claimant. A photocopy of the owner/claimant's driver's license or other photo ID. Documentation verifying the owner/claimant's address listed on the claim form. This can be a driver's license or a photocopy of a recent bill or pay stub. Documentation verifying the owner/claimant's social security number. This can be a social security card, tax records or a recent pay stub. Proof of ownership documentation. This can be the same documentation used for the social security number, postmarked envelope, canceled check, birth certificate, credit report, utility bill, insurance policy, original un-cashed check, bank book, stock certificate, contract or court document. How long is unclaimed property held in Tennessee? The default period for unclaimed property is three years. This is down from the previous period of five years. How am I notified of unclaimed property? The Tennessee Department of Treasury uses a variety of methods to try and notify you about your unclaimed property. They will mail information to your home and your work, have advertisements and host public events to help people access the unclaimed property. The easiest way to see if you have unclaimed property is by going to its website. State Treasurer David Lillard, right, presents a check from the Tennessee Department of Treasury for unclaimed property to Trustee Randy McNeece, on behalf of Maury County Government How much money has been returned from unclaimed property in Tennessee? Claimants received payments totaling $68.7 million between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. 65,150 individuals submitted claims during this time period. Holders turned over $154.8 million to the Tennessee Department of Treasury in this period as well. The largest three categories that unclaimed money comes from are financial institutions, insurance companies and retailers, services, telecommunications and colleges. These three categories make up 82% of all sources for unclaimed money. Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig. Jordan Green covers trending news for the USA Today Network. She can be reached via email at jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter/X @_green_jordan_. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Tennessee has $1B in unclaimed funds: How to check if it's yours We as a nation must stop supporting Israels war on Palestine. Yes, Israel has a right to defend itself. It seems, though, that Israels notion of defense is preemptive: eliminating as many Palestinians as possible before the rest of the world intervenes. I remember when the United States provided El Salvadors corrupt government with dollars, napalm, bombers, and CIA training in torture techniques, for making war on its own people. The State Department leaned on U.S. news media not to report any of this, but eyewitness reports trickled through. One of these testimonies, from a man whod been kidnapped from his village by the Salvadoran army, detailed the process by which the army turned terrified captives into brutal soldiers. A boy would be tortured for several hours while soldiers and other captives watched. A few days later, physically recovered but still traumatized, humiliated, stripped of human dignity, hed be offered a chance to torture someone else. Most accepted, hoping thus to regain their sense of selfhood. I tell you this story because of what it explains about Israel and Palestine. Alison Slow Loris Make no mistake, I wholeheartedly condemn the actions of Hamas. Terrorism is wrong, punishing the innocent for others sins. Sadly, its an understandable response to ongoing abuse. Terrorism is born of terror; violence is rooted in helpless rage. Too many of the grandchildren of the Jews imprisoned or slaughtered in the Holocaust have turned victimhood into cruelty. Even 30 years ago, I read of the Israeli checkpoints restricting Palestinians movements within their own country: of soldiers, bored and resentful at the provincial posting, taking it out on people who couldnt fight back; of elders kicked and spat upon; of a pregnant woman forced at rifle point to crawl in the dust before being allowed through to see her doctor. Imagine being that womans toddler son, witnessing his mothers treatment. Consider 30, 40, 70 years of such abuse, creating terror and rage, creating terrorists. Hamas is the living mirror of Israels careless cruelty. 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas last October. Israel in response has killed some Hamas fighters and tens of thousands of Palestinian women and children, wounding many more; attacked every hospital in Gaza; forced as many people as possible over the borders into nations that lack the capacity to receive them and are also under attack from Israels military; denied safe passage of food and medicine; fired upon aid convoys. Aid workers use the acronym WCNSF, Wounded Child, No Surviving Family. Only after most of the rest of the world condemned Israel for deliberately starving Gaza, did Israel permit an aid airdrop. Israeli soldiers accompanying trucks carrying food then fired upon and/or crushed under their trucks the people waiting for that food, killing 115 and wounding almost 300 more. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, illegal Israeli settlers continue to terrorize and murder their Palestinian neighbors and a visiting American boy in order to seize their land too. Even Israeli citizens are not safe from the states brutality. When the families of the hostages gathered to demand a ceasefire, they were met with fire-hoses. Protesters against the illegal settlements in the West Bank are attacked by settlers with the governments tacit approval. Some Israelis, and their current government, believe Israel will only be safe when every Hamas fighter is dead or maybe even when every potential Hamas fighter is dead. That would explain all the children slaughtered and starved to death in Gaza: dead babies will never join Hamas. But even if Israel were allowed to keep killing civilians, while retaining its stranglehold on Palestine and expanding its illegal settlements, Hamas would not die, because terror will always breed terrorism. The only way to weaken Hamas is to deny it the endless supply of injustice and outrage that feeds it. The path to peace in the Middle East is a free Palestinian state, whose people will be too busy rebuilding their lives to expend energy on harming others. Israel insists on retaining control of Palestine. In fact, it begins to look to many of us, including growing numbers of appalled Israelis themselves, as if Israel means to claim all of Palestine for its own. That cannot be allowed to happen. Its past time for the US to stop providing military aid for Israels war on civilians, to stop blocking UN resolutions and opposing ceasefires. Its time to throw all the weight of Americas international influence behind the creation of a free and independent Palestine. Alison Slow Loris is a writer, caregiver, and grocer who lives in Bremerton. She stands in twice-monthly peace vigils with Women in Black, an international group founded by Israeli and Palestinian women standing together in a silent call for peace. For more information, email KitsapWIB23@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: American can't sit back in conflict over Palestinians and Israelis Pylon Pyre A Tesla factory outside Berlin was forced to stop work and evacuate all its employees after a suspected arson attack left the site without power, Reuters reports. The suspected attack targeted a large electricity pylon in a field near the factory, which was set ablaze early Tuesday morning. Police said that the fire didn't spread to or damage the building, but that the burning of the pylon also cut off power to the wider region, according to The New York Times. A Tesla spokesperson confirmed to multiple outlets that work had been halted and that all employees had safely been evacuated. It's unclear when production will resume. Taking Credit Police said that the perpetrators haven't been officially identified, but Berlin newspaper Tagesspiegel reports that a left-wing activist organization called "Vulkangruppe," or Volcano Group, had claimed responsibility for the arson attack in a lengthy letter sent to the paper. "We sabotaged Tesla," an online version of the letter stated, as translated by Reuters. "Tesla consumes earth, resources, people, workers and in return spits out 6,000 SUVs, killer cars and monster trucks each week." Authorities said they are working on confirming the letter's authenticity, Reuters reported. According to NYT, activists under the name "Vulkangruppe" also claimed to be behind another attack on the factory's construction site in 2021. Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to the news of the attack's alleged perpetrators, condemning their actions. "These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals," Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter. "Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm." Tree Tutelage The Tesla factory, officially called Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, has been the subject of controversy since it opened two years ago. It's the electric vehicle automaker's first and only manufacturing site in Europe, and thus plays a pivotal role in the Musk-led company's ambitions in the continent. As part of its expansion agenda, Tesla plans to double the factory's manufacturing capacity to a million cars per year. Contentiously, that includes clearing 250 acres of nearby forest to make room for additional buildings and a rail yard. But those ambitions have been met with resistance by locals. In February, residents in the surrounding Grunheide municipality voted overwhelmingly against Tesla's plans to cut down trees for the Gigafactory's expansion. The vote, however, was nonbinding, which is perhaps why environmental activists still felt compelled to stage another recent protest. Since last week, according to The Associated Press, between 80 and 100 activists have been camping in the woods that Tesla plans to raze, pitching tents and setting up tree houses. Police said at the time that they didn't feel that they had to take action but with this suspected arson attack, that may change. More on Tesla: Man Alarmed When Cybertruck's Steering and Brakes Fail With Wife and Toddler in Vehicle Production at Tesla's car factory near Berlin has come to a halt following a power outage, a spokeswoman told dpa on Tuesday. The factory in Grunheide has been evacuated. A burning electricity pylon had previously caused a major power outage in the region near the factory. Regarding the possible cause, the police initially said: "We are investigating in all directions." Tesla also said that all measures had been taken to secure the production facilities. After consultation with the electricity provider EDIS, Tesla does not expect production to restart quickly. According to the police, the fire brigade was called at around 5:15 am (0415 GMT) and began extinguishing the fire. According to a spokesman, the fire caused a power cut in the surrounding area. Police spokesman Roland Kamenz said that the electricity pylon was said to be free-standing in a field. A police helicopter was also deployed in the morning after the alarm was raised about the fire. Tesla halted production at its German factory Tuesday after power lines supplying the electric carmaker's only European plant were set on fire in an act of sabotage claimed by a far-left group. Tesla owner Elon Musk tweeted in German that the attack was "extremely dumb", while the company said it would cost it several hundred million euros and it was unclear when production might resume. Emergency services were called in the early hours of Tuesday to reports of a burning electricity pylon southeast of Berlin, close to the Tesla plant. The blaze was extinguished but damage to the lines knocked out power to the US carmaker's factory, as well as surrounding villages. After police said they had launched an investigation into suspected arson the act was claimed by far-left activists from the so-called Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group). "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 activists highlighted concerns about the environmental impact of the plant and the local water supply, at a time when Tesla is seeking to expand the site. An outfit going by the same name claimed responsibility for an arson attack on the power supply of the Tesla plant in 2021, according to a report from domestic intelligence services the same year. The latest attack was highly disruptive, with more than 12,000 workers at the site currently unable to do their jobs. "We currently have no clear visibility when we can start production again," plant manager Andre Thierig told a press conference, adding that the damages will reach the "high, nine-figure area". Musk said on X, formerly Twitter, 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'." - 'Serious offence' - Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that such an attack "is a serious criminal offence that cannot be justified by anything. "If a left-wing extremist motive is confirmed, then this will be further proof that the left-wing extremist scene does not shy away from attacks on critical energy infrastructure." The power outage is the latest problem to hit the factory. In January, most production was halted at the site for two weeks due to a shortage of parts following shipping delays caused by Yemeni rebel attacks in the Red Sea, a vital trade route. Tesla's German plant started production in 2022 following an arduous two-year approval and construction process dogged by administrative and legal obstacles. Tesla wants to expand the site by 170 hectares (420 acres) and boost production up to one million vehicles annually to feed Europe's growing demand for electric cars and take on rivals who are shifting away from combustion engine vehicles. But the plans have annoyed local residents, who voted against the project in a non-binding ballot last month. After the vote, Tesla said it might have to rethink the plans. "We recognise that the citizens of Gruenheide have concerns in connection with the planned expansion of the site," the company said. - Forest camp - Environmental activists opposed to the expansion of the factory run by Elon Musk's company recently set up a camp in a wooded area near the plant. Protestors at the forest camp, situated in an area of forest that the carmaker will have to raze if the expansion goes ahead, share many of the locals' objections to the factory. As well as deforestation, the activists say there is a threat to local drinking water supplies. Stop Tesla, the group behind the protest camp, said Tuesday it had "no information" about the cause of the fire and shared its "solidarity with the workers at Tesla and the local residents". Tesla has plenty of headaches elsewhere. In Sweden, a strike by Tesla maintenance and repair workers has lasted more than four months over its refusal to sign a collective wage agreement. In January, the company reported lower fourth-quarter operating profits despite higher revenues, while warning of slower volume growth this year. sr/hmn/lth AUSTIN (KXAN) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Hutto Independent School District for allegedly using state resources to conduct illegal electioneering. According to a release from his office, Paxton claimed Hutto ISD used official government resources to advocate for certain policies and measures on its social media accounts, which violates the Texas Election Code. It is in the Texas Election Code that public employees or entities are prohibited from using public resources, whether thats equipment or money or whatever, for promoting a specific political position or candidate, said Roger Bogelt, a Texas election and campaign finance attorney. The lawsuit cited a social media post where the district said, Vouchers hurt our public schools. The lawsuit said this is the Hutto ISD social media post in question. (Photo: Hutto ISD) The communication referenced above constitutes political advertising because it is a communication supporting or opposing candidates for nomination or election to a public office, or office of a political party or a measure, and such communication has also appeared in written communication, the lawsuit said. According to Paxtons release, he isnt able to prosecute criminal violations of the Election Code because of the Court of Criminal Appeals decision in Texas v. Stephens. So instead, hes seeking civil injunctive relief. School districts should be aware that illegal electioneering is criminal conduct and violators could be subject to criminal prosecution by local authorities. While unable to criminally prosecute violators at this time, Attorney General Paxton is committed to using all available means to protect the integrity of Texas elections, the release said. Hutto ISDs response In a statement sent to KXAN, Hutto ISD said it was surprised to learn of this suit by Paxton. At no time has the District used public resources to advocate for or against a candidate ballot measure or political party, in violation of state law. At Hutto ISD, our focus remains on empowering student success and advancing our district. Were committed to enhancing every students journey towards excellence. Hutto ISD This is part of an ongoing effort by Paxton to crack down on the wave of illegal electioneering across the state, according to the release. The Attorney Generals Office is keeping a watchful eye. School choice is such a volatile issue in the state. Brian Smith, St. Edwards University Political Science Professor Other districts include: Castleberry ISD Denton ISD Frisco ISD Denison ISD Huffman ISD Aledo ISD Hutto ISD is now the seventh Texas school district to be sued for similar acts in the last few weeks. What is the lawsuit asking? Bogelt said Paxton is suing the entire school board and the superintendent in their official capacity. The attorney general is asking for injunctive relief, Bogelt said. Basically, just that the posting be taken down and that the district be prohibited from doing any future postings of this kind. Bogelt said this might not be a well-known law. I think its fairly easy to slip in something like this. Thats a careful line that needs to be followed closely. Roger Bogelt, Bogelt Law What is electioneering? St. Edwards University Political Science Professor Brian Smith described electioneering as what many think of as campaigning. Donating money to a candidate, endorsing a candidate, convincing people to vote, putting signs in our yard, Smith said. These sorts of traditional campaigning activities, but the term for it is actually electioneering. Smith said for almost everyone this is protected by the First Amendment. However, it becomes illegal when nonprofits and government agencies, like school districts, do it. Governmental agencies are supposed to represent all of us. Its the idea that when people who are nonprofits or governmental agencies start doing it, then its our tax dollars or lack of tax dollars, thats enabling them to do it, Smith said. Thats when theyre forced to stop. Smith said most of the time, people dont know theyre violating the law. We dont see a lot of big criminal trials going on here, Smith said. Most people are making honest mistakes, and then, immediately stop when they realize theyve done something wrong. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. ISTANBUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and one person wounded on Tuesday in an accident on a motorway in Istanbul, local media reported. The accident happened when a car traveling on a motorway struck pedestrians attempting to cross the road in the Pendik district on the Asian side of the city, according to CNN Turk broadcaster. It noted that all five pedestrians lost their lives, while the car driver, who was trapped inside the vehicle, was subsequently rescued and transported to a hospital. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission announced Monday it authorized the state to pursue land swap negotiations with Elon Musks SpaceX, despite meeting widespread criticism. The commission said it authorized the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to pursue the acquisition of approximately 477 acres for a new state park located near the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. In exchange, Texas would give about 43 acres of land from Boca Chica State Park in Cameron County to SpaceX. The commission said the land swap would create a tenfold return, allowing the TPWD to begin planning for a new state park that would give the public access to fishing, kayaking, hiking and other outdoor activities. This is an exciting opportunity to acquire land that has been of interest to us and the conservation community for many years, said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director David Yoskowitz. We look forward to working with Cameron County, city and state officials as well as the public to develop a shared vision for Bahia Grande that enhances conservation and expands recreational opportunities for all Texans, both now and in the future, Yoskowitz said. The 43 acres it would give to SpaceX are noncontiguous, with the commission noting that most of the acres do not connect to each other or to areas offering public access at Boca Chica State Park. These smaller, noncontiguous tracts do not provide beach access and are dotted among private properties or immediately adjacent to SpaceXs facilities, meaning they arent readily available for public use and provide less cohesive wildlife habitat than offered by a connected and consistently managed tract of conservation land, the announcement reads. Musk moved SpaceXs state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas last month after an unfavorable court ruling in Delaware state court. The Texas Tribune reported there were four hours of public testimony during the departments meeting in Austin that held the vote Monday, with many members of the public opposing the exchange. Some expressed concerns about the exchange limiting access to the beach in Boca Chica State Park and potentially harming endangered species in the area, according to The Texas Tribune. The Lone Star Chapter of Sierra Club issued a statement last week opposing the land swap proposal. To be clear, this action only gives TPWD staff the ability to consider and negotiate making this land swap including after potential environmental assessments. Nevertheless, it is the only opportunity at the state level for the public to give feedback, the statement said. Because the land swap will ultimately result in the expansion of SpaceX in the Rio Grande Valley, and SpaceX has a history of being a bad neighbor, wreaking havoc on the communities and habitat nearby, we are opposed to this potential land swap, it continued. The Hill has reached out to SpaceX for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Texas company claims to have new evidence in search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 A Texas-based company is claiming that they have scientific evidence of the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370s final resting place. Ocean Infinity has announced a proposal for a new search in the southern Indian Ocean where the plane is believed to have crashed a decade ago. It has already submitted the proposal to the Malaysian government. Ocean Infinity has proposed a no-cure, no-fee search when the client is only required to pay for the services if the company secures a positive outcome. 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, he said. Just after midnight local time on 8 March 2014, the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, a Boeing 777, vanished from air traffic control radars while flying over the South China Sea shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur. In the weeks that followed, meticulous examination of radar data and a series of satellite pings revealed that the aircraft deviated from its planned route, heading west across the Southeast Asia peninsula before altering its path southward over the Indian Ocean. On board were 239 people, including 12 crew members. Malaysias transport minister Anthony Loke told reporters that he has invited Ocean Infinity to discuss a no cure, no fee proposal to resume the search for MH370. I am very, very confident that the government of Malaysia and cabinet will approve such a proposal, he said. Mr Plunkett said the company was analysing the data in the hopes of narrowing the search area. This search is arguably the most challenging, and indeed the most pertinent one out there. Weve been working with many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue analysing the data in the hopes of narrowing the search area down to one in which success becomes potentially achievable. We hope to get back to the search soon. In 2018, Ocean Infinity undertook a three-month search on a no cure, no fee basis, spanning approximately 112,000 square kilometres, yet this effort too ended without yielding any new findings. FILE - Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is seen before the flag-draped casket bearing the remains of Hershel W. "Woody" Williams lies in honor in the U.S. Capitol, July 14, 2022, in Washington. Texas has some competitive U.S. House races on the ballot in Tuesday's primaries. Along the Texas-Mexico border, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales will face his first election since being sanctioned by his party. (Tom Williams/Pool photo via AP, File) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas, who drew a rare rebuke by his own state party last year over breaking with conservatives in Congress on key issues, was forced into a runoff from the right on Tuesday night against challenger Brandon Herrera. The race was among the most closely watched House primaries in Texas, where U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee won the Democratic nomination, fending of a challenge months after losing a bid to become Houstons mayor. Along the Texas-Mexico border, U.S. Rep Monica De La Cruz won the Republican nomination and will face Democratic business owner Michelle Vallejo in November. The district is expected to be a target for Democrats in November. Here's a closer look at the biggest congressional primaries in Texas: A RUNOFF IN TEXAS' SPRAWLING BORDER DISTRICT The primary is Gonzales first campaign since the state party sanctioned him over a voting record that highlighted an independent streak. It included support for protecting same-sex marriage and new gun safety laws following the 2022 Uvalde school shooting in his district that left 21 people dead. Herrera is a gun rights activist who produces YouTube videos. He was among four people challenging Gonzales in the GOP primary. A candidate needs to get more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. The runoff is May 28. Herrera, a gun manufacturer whose family has ties to Texas, moved to the Lone Star state in 2020 due to frustrations with COVID-19 restrictions, according to his campaign site. Immigration is a key issue in the district, which covers a long portion of the U.S.-Mexico border from El Paso to San Antonio. The district encompasses Eagle Pass, which has been thrust into a turf war between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and President Joe Bidens administration over immigration enforcement. Gonzales, who is from San Antonio, was first elected in 2020. LONGTIME CONGRESSWOMAN FENDS OFF RARE CHALLENGE Jackson Lee did not announce that she would seek reelection to her Houston district until December, after losing the mayor's race. John Whitmire, a veteran Democratic state lawmaker, defeated her in an upset to become mayor of the nation's fourth-largest city after Jackson Lee faced backlash over an unverified audio recording in which she purportedly berated staff members with a barrage of expletives. In Tuesday's primary, she fended off a challenge in her heavily Democratic district from former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards. Edwards had dropped out of the mayor's race and decided to seek Jackson' Lee's seat when the longtime congresswoman announced her mayoral candidacy. Jackson Lee has faced challengers only a handful of times in her nearly three-decade House career and defeated each definitively. RUNOFF FOR AN OPEN SEAT Texas state Rep. Craig Goldman will face business owner and real estate developer John OShea in a runoff election in May after neither candidate secured a majority of the vote. OShea has received support from GOP Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton because Goldman was among Republicans who voted to impeach Paxton last year. Paxton narrowly survived allegations of corruption and abuse of office. The Fort Worth-area 12th Congressional District is open for the first time in nearly 30 years after Rep. Kay Granger announced in November that she would not seek reelection. DEMOCRATS HOPE TO PICK UP A SOUTH TEXAS SEAT In Texas' Rio Grande Valley, Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz won the Republican nomination in her bid to defend her competitive South Texas district. De La Cruz will face business owner Michelle Vallejo, who the Democratic primary on Tuesday. Democrats are hoping to pick up the seat in November. Immigration is also a central issue for the district, which stretches from the U.S.-Mexico border to a county east of San Antonio. ___ All references to U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz have been corrected to De La Cruz instead of de la Cruz or just Cruz. The volunteer fire chief of Fritch, Texas, a Panhandle city among the hardest hit in the state's deadly historic wildfires, died on Tuesday after responding to a structure fire unrelated to the wildfires. Hutchinson County officials announced Zeb Smith's death, saying it came after his "tireless efforts over the past week." "Chief Smith, a dedicated public servant, was the first on the scene, demonstrating his unwavering commitment and service to the Fritch community," Hutchinson County officials said in a press release on Tuesday morning. "During the response, Chief Smith faced unforeseen challenges and, despite emergency medical assistance and quick transportation to Golden Plains Community Hospital, tragically succumbed to his injuries." Hutchinson County, which includes the town of Fritch, is where the Smokehouse Creek Fire ignited, growing to nearly 1.1 million acres in just a few days. In a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, officials said that Smith had responded to a reported structure fire at a residence around 7 a.m. local time that day. Fritch, Texas, volunteer fire chief Zeb Smith died in a structure fire on March 5, 2024, after spending more than a week fighting the state's largest ever wildfire. / Credit: City of Borger/Hutchinson County OEM via Facebook "Chief Smith arrived on scene. He entered the residence of the shelter to identify if there was anyone inside who needed to be rescued," public information officer Brandon Strope said. "Chief Smith did not exit that residence." Other responders found the chief at 7:30 a.m. and began medical treatment. Officials said he was rushed to a community hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of his death. "This structure fire was not directly related to the ongoing wildfires. It did not start as a cause of those wildfires," Strope clarified, adding, "However, I would be remiss if I did not say that Chief Smith, along with every other volunteer firefighter in this county and in his department, has responded for the last nine days actively fighting these fires. So I think we all can say with pretty good certainty that it did have a role in today's unfortunate incident." Alan Wells, fire chief of Stinnett, another city in the county, noted at the news conference that Smith had not gotten much sleep while continuously fighting wildfires for nearly 10 days. The handful of Texas Panhandle wildfires have burned nearly 1.25 million acres in just over a week, which is nearly the same amount of land that was burned by thousands of fires across the entire state from 2017 to 2021. Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin said at the press conference that it was Smith's "dedication to his duty that ultimately led to his death." "I'm extremely proud of the work that our local firefighters have done," Irwin said, adding that "Chief Smith led a fire department that prioritizes safety for its citizens. ... We'll continue to support the family of Chief Smith." Fritch Mayor Tom Ray said that Smith joined the city's fire department in 2017 and rose to the rank of chief in 2020. He had two sons the youngest is just 9 years old. "He was one of my kids," Ray said about Smith through tears. Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later time, officials aid. Trump hosts Super Tuesday watch party at Mar-a-Lago NASA welcomes 10 new astronauts Dams being removed from California river, hoping to restore salmon population A volunteer fire chief in the tiny Texas town of Fritch, which has been devastated by recent wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, died Tuesday after he suffered a medical while fighting a structure blaze. The neighboring town of Borger confirmed the death of Zeb Smith, saying his death is a profound loss to the community, especially after a tumultuous week where volunteer firefighters have worked around-the-clock to protect the community from wildfires. In a statement, Borger officials said Smith was the first to arrive at the scene of a structure fire on Tuesday when he faced unforeseen challenges that sent him straight to a hospital in Borger, where he died. Authorities did not specify if Smiths medical emergency was related to the structure fire or wildfires. Smith had been among the firefighters from Fritch, a town of 2,000, and Hutchinson County whove worked since last week to battle the Windy Deuce wildfire, which had burned 144,000 acres and was just 55 percent contained on Tuesday. Other smaller fires have broken out near Fritch as conditions remain dry and windya dangerous combination for wildfires. Chief Zeb Smith served the Fritch and Hutchinson County community with selflessness and dedication, Borger officials said. His exemplary leadership was evident in his tireless efforts over the past week, where he worked diligently to protect and safeguard his community and fellow citizens. In a post of its own, the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department said Tuesday that is not OK. It urged residents to be patient with them as they grieve the loss of their leader while simultaneously pushing back the Windy Deuce fire. Just know that right now, we are not OK, they wrote. We love our Chief, our Brother, our Friend. Please be patient with us. The announcement came just hours before Gov. Greg Abbott was expected to meet with firefighters in a nearby town thats experienced heavy destruction. Other agencies in North Texas posted tributes to Smith, including the Amarillo Area Office of Emergency Management. Chief Smith was a true hero, a dedicated public servant, and a cherished member of The Fritch Fire Department family, they wrote. Throughout his years of service, he led with courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the safety of the Fritch community. We are grateful for Chief Smiths selfless service and the countless lives he saved. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. ATLANTA Flash flooding and water rescues were reported in the Atlanta metro area Wednesday morning, and millions of people will continue to be at risk of seeing severe weather across the South through the rest of the week. FOX 5 Atlanta reports that emergency crews were out in full force throughout the day responding to requests for help, including residents of a home that was damaged by a falling tree, as well as from people who became trapped by rapidly rising water. Several crashes were also reported on local roads and highways, which led to slower travel times during the Wednesday morning commute. Atlantas iconic Mary Macs Tea Room was severely damaged after the roof collapsed as torrential rain was falling. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER The Southeast is getting a brief break from the heavier action Wednesday before the next round of showers and storms Thursday. There are a few exceptions, however. This graphic shows the severe thunderstorm threat in Texas on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. This graphic shows the severe thunderstorm risk in Florida on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. This graphic shows the severe thunderstorm threat in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. NOAAs Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has highlighted three areas of concern where strong to severe thunderstorms could fire up on Wednesday North Texas, the Florida Peninsula and South Carolina. The main threats from any thunderstorms that develop on Wednesday will be large hail and damaging wind gusts. However, there is a small risk of tornadoes along Floridas east coast from Melbourne southward through Vero Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. WATCH VS. WARNING: HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE WEATHER TERMS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE The end of the workweek could be interesting as more severe storms with the potential of producing large hail, damaging wind gusts and possible tornadoes could develop from Texas in the southern Plains to the Deep South and Gulf Coast. Nearly 9 million people from Central Texas, western Oklahoma and southern Kansas have been placed in a Level 2 risk on the SPCs 5-point severe thunderstorm risk scale Thursday. DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX WEATHER APP This graphic shows the severe weather threat on Thursday, March 7, 2024. This includes the Texas cities of Abilene, Dallas, Waco and Wichita Falls. In Oklahoma, the cities of Fort Sill and Woodward will be at risk. Additionally, more than 8 million people are in a Level 1 out of 5 risk of severe weather on Thursday, and that includes cities such as San Antonio and Austin in Texas and Oklahoma City and Tulsa in Oklahoma. HOW HEAVY IS IT REALLY GOING TO RAIN? This graphic shows the severe weather threat on Friday, March 8, 2024. The severe thunderstorm risk on Friday will expand farther to the east, with more than 12 million people in a Level 2 out of 5 risk. That includes Waco and Lufkin in Texas, Shreveport, Alexandria and New Orleans in Louisiana, Jackson in Mississippi and Mobile in Alabama. A much larger Level 1 risk encompasses more than 25 million people from Central and East Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley, mid-South and along the central Gulf Coast as far east as the Florida Panhandle. Original article source: Water rescues reported in Atlanta as millions face severe weather, flash flood threats in South This infrared satellite image shows the active fire line and burn scars west of Miami, Texas, on 28 February. This infrared satellite image shows the active fire line and burn scars west of Miami, Texas, on 28 February. Photograph: Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies/AFP/Getty Images Rain and snow are expected in parts of the Texas Panhandle starting on Thursday, bringing possible respite to the Lone Star state as firefighters continue to battle the largest wildfire in its history. Up to 500 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the flames as of Monday, and at least two people have died: Cindy Owen, 44, and Joyce Blankenship, 83. Thousands of cattle have also either been killed or euthanized after being injured in the wildfires. But a severe weather shift could bring hail and thunderstorms to the region, the National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas, warned in a Tuesday forecast, as damaging winds continue to howl. Still, the cooler conditions will help suppression efforts and tamp down the threat of new ignitions, according to the Texas A&M forest service. An underlying risk for new wildfires will continue in the Texas Panhandle and south Texas until spring green-up occurs in the abundance of grass vegetation found in these regions, the agency said in a Tuesday update. Several wildfires are still burning in Texas. Together they have scorched more than 1.1m acres, an area approximately five times larger than New York City. The Smokehouse Creek fire, the largest wildfire in Texas history, was only 37% contained as of Tuesday morning, Texas A&M forest service reported, and has burned through 1,059,570 acres thus far. Additionally, the Windy Deuce fire in Moore county, at about 150,000 acres, and the Grapevine Creek fire in Gray county, about 35,000 acres, are 55% and 60% contained respectively. As firefighters work to slow the spread of the flames, they also have to ensure new spot fires do not erupt within the fire footprints; though the Smokehouse Creek fire has covered a record amount of ground, a patchwork of scorched earth remains within its perimeters with pockets of unburned vegetation that can still catch. All you need is one spark and it will reignite and take off, said public information officer Steven Bekkerus. Additional firefighters have helped officials tackle and contain emerging wildfires, Deidra Thomas, a spokesperson for the Hutchinson county emergency management, told the Associated Press. Yesterday, had we not had the resources we had, that fire could have been catastrophic, Thomas said on Monday. Were in a really good position today and tomorrow and hopefully through the rest of the week. The smaller Roughneck fire in Hutchinson county, in northern Texas, displaced about 200 families, the social worker Julie Winters told CBS. We have some veterans that have been displaced with this, we have elderly people that have been displaced, we have young families, she said. The blaze burned across 355 acres but was 80% contained by Tuesday morning. Aerial images from last week show how far-reaching the wildfire destruction already is. The town of Fritch has been badly hit by the wildfires, with satellite images showing most of the 2,000-person settlement. Elsewhere, in Miami, Texas, a small town known for its cattle industry, satellite images show the fires have burned much of the areas land and vegetation. Related: Texas town evacuated as firefighters battle states biggest ever wildfire Images from the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere also show the wildfire spreading into parts of western Oklahoma. Fire chief Zeb Smith also died on Tuesday, after days spent battling the blazes, in an incident unrelated to the wildfires. Brandon Strope, public information officer with the nearby city of Borger, told local reporters that Smith was pulled from a burning building he had responded to Tuesday morning. An autopsy has been ordered to determine his cause of death, while the community mourns. I would be remiss if I did not say Chief Smith, along with every volunteer firefighter, has responded the last nine days actively fighting fires, Strope told Fox news affiliate WHSV. It remains unclear what has caused the fires, but dry grassland, unusually warm temperatures and strong winds have fueled and propelled the flames. One woman whose home was destroyed in the deadly blaze has claimed that the fires were started by a rotten utility pole that fell to the ground and caught on fire, according to a lawsuit filed on Friday, CNN reported. Melanie McQuiddy, who lives near Canadian, Texas, is suing Southwestern Public Service Company, its parent company Xcel Energy, and Osmose Utilities Services, a Georgia-based company that inspected the utility pole. Kevin Cross, a spokesperson for Xcel Energy, told USA Today that an investigation into the cause of the fire was still taking place. Our thoughts are with the families and communities impacted by the devastating wildfires across the Texas Panhandle, Cross said. As members of this community, we will continue to support our neighbors in this recovery. Texas man allegedly placed Apple AirTag under car to track woman: reports A Waco, Texas man who allegedly installed an Apple AirTag on a womans car to track her has been arrested, according to reports. KWTX in Waco reported that 39-year-old Hugo Mendez is charged with unlawfully installing a tracking device. In a court affidavit obtained by the station, police allege a woman began getting AirTag notifications on her phone on Aug. 14, 2023. The woman told police she did not own an AirTag and became suspicious about the notifications. FLORIDA FAMILY USES APPLE AIRTAG TO LOCATE STOLEN LUGGAGE FROM A NORTH CAROLINA AIRPORT TO SUSPECT'S HOME Hugo Mendez is accused of placing an Apple AirTag under a vehicle to track down the owner. After searching for an AirTag device near her, she eventually found a magnetic box attached to the underside of her vehicle, the affidavit alleged. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Inside the metal box was an Apple AirTag, which is a tracking device meant to keep track of personal belongings in the event they are lost. Since being introduced into the market, the nearly quarter-sized devices have been used for nefarious purposes, such as tracking would-be victims. After learning about the findings, police obtained a subpoena and served it to Apple, later finding out that the tracker belonged to Mendez. CANADA GOOSE JACKETS ARE TARGETS FOR THIEVES, DC POLICE RECOMMEND AIRTAGS FOR OWNERS OF EXPENSIVE OUTERWEAR A Texas man allegedly placed an Apple AirTag on a woman's car to track her. Police called Mendez and he allegedly admitted to placing the device on the womans vehicle, the affidavit says. The affidavit also stated that Mendez told police he thought the woman hit his vehicle and fled the scene. So, he followed the vehicle in order to find out who was responsible, the station reported. After following the vehicle, Mendez allegedly told police, he waited for the driver to return to their car, but they never did. MAN USES APPLE AIRTAG TO TRACK, RECOVER BMW STOLEN FROM HIS DRIVEWAY: 'PRETTY INSANE' Apple AirTags can be used to track a lost item. Instead, he put the AirTag into a magnetic box and attached it to the vehicle, the court document alleges. The McLennan County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to requests seeking additional information about the allegations against the suspect. Mendez was ultimately arrested and held in the McLennan County Jail on $2,000 bond. Original article source: Texas man allegedly placed Apple AirTag under car to track woman: reports LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The U.S. Marshals are searching for a Texas robbery suspect who is believed to be in Las Vegas. Jerome Marquise Donavon, 34, was arrested in 2018, released from custody on bond, and failed to return to court, according to Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Ray Venegas. We are concerned for the community and the members of the public here in Las Vegas, Venegas told the 8 News Now Investigators. The U.S. Marshals are searching for Jerome Marquise Donavon, 34, a Texas robbery suspect who is believed to be in Las Vegas. (U.S Marshals) There is a warrant for Donavon for aggravated robbery out of Lubbock, Texas, Venegas said. Donavon and two other suspects are accused of committing an armed robbery spree in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Lubbock areas. In Lubbock, they entered a 7-11, placed a gun on a cashier, forced her into a bathroom, threatened her and robbed the store, according to the U.S. Marshals. Donovan posted bond after his arrest and has been on the run. An investigation revealed Donavon may be residing in a neighborhood of Las Vegas near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway with a sister of one of his co-defendants, Venegas said. The U.S. Marshals consider Donavon to be armed and dangerous. The public is urged to contact law enforcement if they see him and/or have information on his whereabouts: 1-877-WANTED-2. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. This is the next installment in a series of articles by the Knowledge Matters Campaign to elevate stories of educators implementing high-quality instructional materials. Edna Cruz is a bilingual skills specialist and Alaura Mack is an instructional skills specialist working together at Reed Academy in the Aldine Independent School District, which includes parts of Houston and Harris County, Texas. As the first distrct in Texas to have adopted a high-quality, knowledge-based reading curriculum, the authors reflect on the importance of equipping teachers with curriculum-based professional learning to ensure long-lasting success for students. Follow the rest of the series and previous curriculum case studies here. In 2020, the Aldine Independent School District became the first district in Texas to adopt a high-quality, knowledge-based reading curriculum. It was a seismic change for teachers, who had been using a familiar balanced literacy program with skills-focused lessons and leveled readers for several years. But it was a necessary change for students in 2018-19, just 30 percent of Aldine third graders were reading at or above grade level. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its effect on academic achievement, we have made strides by implementing the Amplify CKLA curriculum. Today, teachers lead highly structured, thematic units that focus on the same content over a period of weeks. All students work with the same knowledge-rich, grade-level texts, whether they read them independently or with support. That gives every student the opportunity to build vocabulary and a base of common knowledge, which boosts reading comprehension and fosters inclusive communities of learning. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Our students have made rapid progress within the first two years, 50 percent of third graders were reading at or above grade level. The percentage of third graders scoring well below benchmark dropped from 48 percent to 36 percent. These are heavy lifts in Aldine, where about 90 percent of students are economically disadvantaged and more than half are English language learners. Fifth graders in Carolina Penas classroom are studying character traits including effortlessly using the word quixotic while reading about Don Quixote. Students academic achievement and development rely on their teachers understanding and execution of the Amplify CKLA curriculum. As instructional specialists, we have implemented robust curriculum-based professional learning to ensure Aldine teachers are prepared to deliver strong instruction that meets the needs of all students. Curriculum-based professional learning brings teachers and instructional leaders together to probe and practice individual lessons, which has helped our teachers implement new curriculum with fidelity. During these sessions, teachers internalize, annotate, collaborate, and rehearse lessons within units of study. They identify the most critical ideas and skills students should encounter, the most likely misconceptions students may experience, and the scaffolds or learning supports needed to grant access to the content to all learners. This sort of study doesnt happen overnight. Here are three key aspects of this work that have shaped our progress: Closing the Research-Practice Gap Too often, research stands a world apart from the educators who work directly with students. Aldine provided resources and time to close that gap. Even before the new curriculum was announced, both teachers and instructional specialists like us read Natalie Wexlers The Knowledge Gap and participated in related staff development sessions. Meanwhile, a literacy task force was studying curriculums and visiting out-of-state classrooms to make their recommendation. This shared reading assignment and attendant discussions helped teachers and specialists learn the science behind best practices and understand the role that building knowledge plays in literacy development. Both were critical when it came time for our teachers to trust that an unfamiliar and seemingly out-of-reach reading curriculum could be effective in Aldine classrooms. Revamping PLCs for Curriculum Study In the past, meeting time for professional learning communities (PLCs) was spent on grade-level business, like planning field trips or sharing concerns from individual classroom observations. These are key issues, but they dont necessarily translate into instructional innovation or academic progress. Even when meetings were focused on instruction, master teachers and teachers with outsized experience or confidence spoke up most often. As a result, meetings did not include the voices of all teachers, especially novices or those serving the most disadvantaged student groups. Our district revamped grade-level meetings to focus on in-depth curriculum study. Today, during Curriculum-based Professional Learning (CPLs), instructional specialists facilitate in-depth curriculum study sessions, which follow detailed discussion protocols. These one- and two-page discussion guides help teachers unpack and internalize the logic of each unit and lesson, identify opportunities to make cultural connections with and among students, and focus attention on the essential questions and tasks each lesson needs to ensure students master the learning goal. Related How Reading Curriculum Is Helping English Learners in New Mexico Schools This structure and guidance help ensure teachers time together is purposeful and driven by our common curriculum. In addition, by focusing attention on a shared resource, weve seen that more teachers speak up in CPLs, which gives a grade-level group a wider view of classroom practice and learning. Building Teachers Trust Changing curriculum means changing instructional practice and underlying beliefs. Teachers need to trust that a new curriculum will work with their students before they will teach it as intended. Often, teachers who work with struggling students are initially wary of high-quality, knowledge-based curriculum. In our district, second-grade teachers were concerned that students would not successfully engage with a unit based on grade-level texts about The War of 1812, for example. Ongoing curriculum-based professional learning with grade-level colleagues helped address these concerns. As teachers studied and practiced units and lessons together, they could see the logic and variety of ways students at all levels could access, understand, and make connections with rigorous content. And, as they experienced this new teaching in their classrooms, they could share challenges and evidence of growth. No one teacher was going it alone. Any change in curriculum requires strong leadership from the Central Office. But when it comes to changing what actually happens in classrooms and schools, teachers are the real decision-makers. By intentionally equipping teachers with curriculum-based professional learning, we are setting our schools up for long-lasting success. Edna Cruz is a bilingual skills specialist at Reed Academy in the Aldine Independent School District, which includes parts of Houston and Harris County, Tx. She is a member of the Curriculum Matters Professional Learning Network, which supports district leaders from around the country implementing high-quality instructional materials. Alaura Mack is an instructional skills specialist for English Language Arts at Reed Academy and is also a member of the Curriculum Matters Professional Learning Network. ISTANBUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces on Tuesday detained seven suspects in Istanbul over alleged espionage activities connected to Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. The minister announced on social media platform X that the detentions came during simultaneous operations aimed at uncovering international espionage activities in Turkiye. According to Yerlikaya, the suspects have been accused of transferring information and documents regarding companies and individuals targeted by the Israeli intelligence service. During the raids, the police units also seized unlicensed pistols, various amounts of narcotics, electronic devices for detecting listening devices, and a large quantity of digital materials, documents, and foreign currency. The operations were carried out under the coordination of the National Intelligence Organization units and the General Directorate of Security, the minister added. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office has captured the final individual involved in the January 2024 escape from the Tom Green County Juvenile Justice Center that saw one guard violently assaulted. 17-year-old TJon Walker had escaped from the Tom Green County Juvenile Justice Center on Jan. 8 after assaulting a guard and escaping the facility on foot with two other inmates. The two accomplices were captured the following day, but Walker remained at large and an investigation into his location remained active. He would later be placed on the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office Most Wanted list. PREVIOUSLY: 2 juveniles escapees captured, Most Wanted escapee still at large The Sheriffs Office obtained two search and arrest warrants at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 4, for an address in the 900 block of Shiloh and the 1900 block of Raney Street. Assisting the sheriffs office in the operation were the Texas Department Of Public Safety (CID Division), the San Angelo Police Department, the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the San Angelo Fire Department. The Tom Green County Special Response Team (SRT) executed the warrant in the 900 Block of Shiloh at 1 p.m. only to find the fugitive had left the residence. As the SRT team and deputies closed in to serve the second search warrant on Raney Street, Walker was observed attempting to flee the area on foot and was taken into custody. Prior to his escape, Walker had been detained in the Tom Green County Juvenile Justice Center for Deadly Conduct Discharge of a Firearm and Theft of a Firearm. Walker is now additionally charged with Assault on a Public Servant (Felony 3) and Evading Arrest, among other charges. This is an active investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming. A mugshot of TJon Walker. Image courtesy of the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Legislative benefits Thanks to the state legislature, Kentucky is No. 1 in stupidity. HB 500 sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pratt, R-Georgetown. This bill would make workers in agriculture, retail and any positioned paid for by the federal government ineligible for overtime. Joy. Citizens who work at McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Wal-Mart and gas stations could be forced to not only eat poisoned food but forced to work 90 hours a week. Who paid you, Mr. Pratt? HB 100 sponsored by Rep Wade Willliams of Erlanger and written by the Opportunism Solution Project. (A group that believes all social programs should be abolished.) This law would curtail qualifications for SNAP (Food Stamps) by eliminating all able-bodied humans. By able-bodied, they mean anyone breathing. Sen. Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, wants a raise for the legislators. How? Thayer screamed universal pre-K (which would benefit all 120 counties) would cost too much. It is strange that if it benefits him, Thayer always has the money. More examples of how little the citizens matter to Pratt, Williams, Thayer and the rest of the gang of idiots. Damian Beach, Frankfort Kentucky legislators If you put somebody on a crack pipe and give them a Beretta 9 mm, you dont have to be a rocket scientist to figure out whats going to happen next. If our Republican legislators continue to: take healthcare away from the sickest among us; turn down federal money to feed our children; force essential workers to work for a minimum wage that is HALF a LIVING wage; let Big Pharma flood the state with opioids and charge $300 for insulin that costs $10 to make; pass legislation to FORCE women to give birth and do NOTHING about Kentucky having the 2nd highest infant/maternal death rate in the US; pass gun legislation that allows anyone, even the mentally incompetent or domestic violence offender, to carry a gun without permit or training; vote against federal infrastructure money and bills giving women the right to BIRTH CONTROL; and destroy public education with charter schools and underfunding...then you dont have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what will happen next in Kentucky. If Kentuckians keep voting for legislators who continue shaving the dice on the side of those with money and power, then they deserve what they get. Margaret Groves, Frankfort Alabama embryos Recently, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are minor children. In in vitro fertilization (IVF), an egg is removed from a woman, fertilized in a petri dish with sperm and can be re-implanted or frozen. The optimum time of freezing is Day 6 after fertilization, when there are about 50 embryonic cells present. Once frozen, these children, as Alabama now terms them, have all the protections of children who have been born. They cannot be destroyed - ever. Not after 50 years. Not if the contributing parents die. A strong protection for 50+/- cells. For these children to ever develop and be born, they must be thawed and implanted in a womb. In order to protect these children, could Alabama mandate that they be implanted in non-consenting womens wombs? I care about children. I care that 250,000 born children (15.3 percent) in Alabama living below the poverty line. I care that in FY 2022, Alabamas Department of Human Resources made 40,473 child abuse and neglect registry checks and handled 41,473 cases of child abuse and neglect. I care that in 2021 firearm deaths became the leading cause of death among Alabama children. There are Alabama children who need protection. Marilyn S. Daniel, Versailles A photo of an embryo. Allan Jung/Telegram & Gazette/USA TODAY NETWORK Landowner rights Kentucky State Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, recently proposed extending a state-owned airport runway. This plan would have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and used eminent domain to force Bourbon County citizens to sell their farmland. Fortunately, Wests plan was rejected due to strong public opposition. Now West has introduced another bill to deprive citizens of their right to control their farmland. His new bill will prohibit any solar facility that will result in more than one percent of the total land area of any county where the proposed construction is to be located. This bill allows only one percent of the land to be used as the owner desires. If this bill passes, Kentucky will prevent owners of 99 percent of the land from adapting to new opportunities that conform with all the applicable governmental regulations. Those owners will be left with only memories of when tobacco and dairy farming was profitable. Now is the time to state your opinion if you value landowner rights. Wests failed runway extension has proven the public can stop his bad ideas. Will you help stop this one? Charles Marshall, Maysville Rental responsibility The recent column by LZ Granderson was a bit confusing. I thought she was distressed about evictions that were taking place, but it turns out this plight was being caused by wealthy! Evictions are no different than repossessing merchandise purchased on a payment plan where payment obligations were not maintained. Housing is expensive and, in Lexington, part of the problem is the cost real estate. Rent is also used to pay property taxes and overhead, like repair, employees, and insurance. Granderson uses the word greed in describing capitalism. I certainly would not consider Warren Buffet greedy, nor many of other billionaires who have donated to bettering our society. And while I would agree that more affordable housing is required, I would leave it up to local governments and their zoning boards to address. Most businesses that use any type of equipment receive the same depreciation or tax breaks she speaks of. Automobiles that individuals use for work can be written off. No one wants to work it seems. The government has created subsidies supporting individuals who do not want to earn enough money to pay rent. Perhaps, if they worked, there would be sufficient money to not get evicted. Ben C. Kaufmann, Lexington MAGA rumors Rumor is if Trump is re-elected, all Trump voters will get red MAGA hats and red sneakers. The term USA will be changed to UASA - United Apartheid States of America. The U.S. Capitol will be moved to Mar-A-Lago. Preposterous you say!!! Who would have thought something like January 6th would have ever happened in this county? Stay tuned. Bob Sutton, Springfield Trump evangelicals It seems that Kentucky, which was a Democratic state until President Barack Obama was elected, has flipped 180 degrees to Republican. After four years of Trump I would think that the evangelical support he enjoys would be all but gone. I know there are preachers that vocally support him from the pulpit and I dont see them as Christian individuals. Since he is the embodiment of the seven deadly sins, I wish an evangelical would write in an and explain how you support him while claiming to follow Jesus. To me every step with Trump is a step away from the teachings of Jesus. Jim Hamon, Winchester Supreme Court It is shameful that U.S. Supreme Court justices are failing to ensure justice in our country in allowing Justice Clarence Thomas, whose wife actively supported the election lies and insurrection efforts, to rule on any cases involving former President Donald Trump. The Feb. 28 Supreme Court decision to delay Trumps election subversion trial, the most critical case in the history of this country, could not be more egregious. What could be more crucial and urgent in this election year? It seems that even the Supreme Court has succumbed to Donald Trumps devious moves to escape accountability and return to power. So disheartening! So perilous! In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Justice delayed is justice denied. God, in your mercy, deliver our country from the potential devastation of this gross injustice! Beverly Johnson-Miller, Lexington Hax return Let me add my voice to those calling for the return of columnist Carolyn Hax to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Her comments were always lively and perceptive, and her writing in general was some of the best in the paper. Bring back Hax! Mike Norris, Lexington Israel invasions Many in this country look with horror at the deaths of Palestinians in the Israeli invasion into Gaza and have very strongly criticized President Joe Biden exhorting him to speak more forcefully or even somehow change the course of this terrible situation. He has been accused of not caring about Palestinian lives. I believe this not to be true; he cares but there is little he can do. Publicly he has spoken with restraint (but has spoken). Behind the lines I believe the United States has been much more forceful. But consider what he/we face. We face a political player (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) who is not popular in his own country and who faces the real possibility of prison if he cannot hold off the prosecutions currently before him. Only by aligning with the most extreme right wing in the Knesset can he maintain a position shielding him from prison. The price of that alignment is the horror that we see Israel currently causing. I am not here to defend Hamas but to point out a parallel with our country. What would former President Donald Trump do to avoid prison if given power? George W Noe, Harrodsburg Election morality In 1988, presidential candidate Gary Hart dropped out of the race after being pictured on vacation with a young woman who was not his wife. In 2004, U.S. Sen. John Edwards exited the race for President after news broke of his extramarital affair. Some 20 years later a presidential hopeful began his campaign under the cloud of the Access Hollywood tapes, bribes to a porn star, and accusations of sexual abuse. And hes running again for president. He has convinced his followers that these allegations are hit jobs by his opponents. Has the American psyche been degraded to this extent ? I have many friends that are among these believers although they dont like discussing any of the facts. So we dont talk about it. We let the elephant in the room grow larger by ignoring it. I choose to believe they are not amoral or clueless and have simply succumbed to the effectiveness of the consummate snake oil salesman. In this age of commercials for erectile disfunction, have we also become accepting of a reduction of our moral standards? When Donald Trump self-destructs, can we return to some level of morality? It will be an interesting phenomena to watch. Tom Padgett, Lexington Compiled by Liz Carey In a video that went viral on Facebook, a convoy of trailers and trucks stretched the length of a football field as they traveled along the backroads between Childress and Canadian en route to aid cattle producers affected by the ongoing wildfires. Like ants on a log, following one after another to the Panhandle, each was filled to the brim with hay and other supplies, responding to the urgent need for vital sustenance, as the wildfires consumed their primary source for food. Since last Monday, five fires have ravaged the Panhandle, scorching more than 1.1 million acres in total, destroying hundreds of homes and taking the lives of at least two residents, in addition to thousands of head of cattle. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension establishes an aid and feed station for those affected by the Smokehouse Creek Fire at the Hemphill County Extension Center, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is one of five wildfires that ignited in the Panhandle last week and it made history as the largest wildfire on record. This fire, alone, has burned more than 1,078,000 acres, or equivalent to 1,700 square miles. As of Monday afternoon, the wildfire, which is now five times the size of New York City and larger than the entire state of Rhode Island, was still only 15% contained. The cause of the fire has remained uncertain since it began Monday afternoon, but according to a filing with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission, investigators from several insurance companies communicated with Xcel Energy this week via a law firm, questioning if one of its downed utility poles may have started the fire. Reuters further reported that an affected homeowner filed a lawsuit in Hemphill County against Xcel on Friday with the same allegations, but the Amarillo Globe-News and Lubbock Avalanche-Journal could not immediately retrieve the filing. In a visit to the Panhandle on Friday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation and the Texas Department of Emergency Management will continue to assess the damage. "When you look at the damages that have occurred here it's just gone, completely gone nothing left but ashes on the ground," Abbott said during a news conference in Borger. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension establishes an aid and feed station in the Hemphill County Extension Center for those affected by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Canadian, Texas. West Texans helping West Texans Located in a prominent land for cattle production the world's largest region for beef production the Smokehouse Creek Fire has impacted cattle producers and farmers far and wide. In a news conference late last week, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller alleged the rough estimate of dead cattle had totaled thousands, although many more would die or undergo euthanasia due to the trauma from the wildfires." Its been very devastating, Miller told CNN in an interview last week. Theres no grass, theres no water for all the livestock. Weve lost over 3,000 head, which is a very small number that will double or triple easily. Weve got cattle that were going to have euthanized because of the damage to their hooves, their udders - well just have to put them down. In a tragedy unfolding for hundreds of ranches on the Panhandle, cattle producers and experts are describing an unprecedented scene that has never been witnessed before as wildfires continue. The historic Turkey Track Ranch in Stinnett, a pioneering ranch once acclaimed as "Prize of the Panhandle" by LAND Magazine, has been completely destroyed, for instance. Already, the region has reached slower production in recent years, contributing to the state's lowest inventory since 1968 due to drought and extreme temperatures. The aftermath of this week's wildfires are poised to increase that loss exponentially. In Roberts County, situated west of Canadian and north Pampa, County Judge and Emergency Management Coordinator Mitchell Locke described a dire situation for the local cattle industry. More than 85% of the state's cattle production occurs in the Panhandle, and although the majority is based in feedlots and dairy farms which received additional protection among the fires many of the independent ranchers and cattle producers will now suffer. "(Even though the active wildfires were not close to town), it's still a problem in places," Locke said. "This is cattle country, and we are trying, our fire departments are trying, to preserve grass. It might seem like just grass to some people, but that's people's livelihood, because that's the main source of income for their cattle ... We won't know (how many cattle are dead) for a month because the fences are gone, and they might be 10 miles away from where they originally were, or they might be dead." In an interview the Amarillo Globe-News and Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, one supporter had only one word to describe what he'd be feeling if he was in the position of ranchers in the Panhandler: "Devastating." That's why he, and his friend, Casey Smith of Midland, chose to bring hay to those ranchers struggling in Canadian and Fritch. "That's really West Texas character," said Chad Merritt of Midland. "It's what we do." Their story is one of hundreds of Texans to have pitched in, supporting other Texans in the aftermath and ongoing distress caused by the Panhandle wildfires. In agreement with Merritt's description of a "neighbor-helping-neighbor situation," Smith said he was just trying to help where he could. While they had not seen any livestock along the way, that wasn't important to him. What was important to him, was helping others. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: As cattle dies in Panhandle, ranchers across Texas assist AUSTIN (Nexstar) At least 3,000 cattle have died since Texas largest-ever wildfire ignited in the Panhandle last week, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Monday, with the death count expected to increase by the thousands. At up to $3,000 a head, the loss is a devastating financial strain to many farmers and ranchers. Cattle who survive are left with charred, barren fields unfit for grazing and scarce drinking water. Others are so badly burned they will have to be euthanized. People up in this country have missed two cotton crops in a row, so theyre already struggling financially. Now, possibly, theyve lost all their livestock, Commissioner Miller said. Hooves are burned beyond repair, their utters are gone, so theyre no longer be able to nurse their calves. Its a real sad situation. Miller urged Texans to donate to the State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund the STAR Fund a privately-funded lifeline to help farmers and ranchers get back on their feet. Texans can also find or donate hay at the Department of Agricultures Hay Hotline. More than 500 houses and barns and 120 miles of electric lines have also been destroyed, rendering many ranches inoperable even for those that did not lose cattle. With no electricity, no water, no grass, it doubles the problem, Miller said. Farmers are at a heightened risk for suicide given the volatility of the profession and historic lack of resources. Miller urged anyone in need to contact Texas suicide hotline specifically for farmers. The AgriStress Helpline can be reached at 833-897-2474. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Daytona International Speedway is looking into an incident that led to thousands of Supercross fans storming the track this weekend. One fan shared a cell phone video of the situation with Eyewitness News. The Daytona International Speedway said its looking into the incident. Read: Diverging Diamond Interchange coming to I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange Friday night Eyewitness News also contacted the Daytona Beach Police Department who typically provides security and patrols for all bike week events and track events. We asked if there were any injuries or arrests made as a result of the incident and a spokesperson with the department said they had no information. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. U.S. Postal Inspectors and other federal officials are working to shore up any security gaps that may exist with arrow keys. As part of this effort, the Postal Service announced last year that it is replacing 49,000 locks used on old boxes with electronic locks. A 19-year-old Colerain Township man pleaded guilty to robbery Friday. In Ohio, that offense usually carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, but Lamarion Gray faces up to 25 years in prison. That's because Gray pleaded guilty to robbing a mail carrier, a crime that has exploded across the country in the wake of the pandemic. Last year, there were 18 cases of mail theft and robbery in Greater Cincinnati, more than double the number from the year before, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. There have been hundreds of cases nationally. The integrity of the mail Part of the reason that Gray is facing such a steep penalty is that he was prosecuted federally. In Cincinnati, that's the job of Ken Parker, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. Parker has prosecuted or is currently prosecuting six cases from 2023. He said these cases affect the most intimate parts of people's lives: medical records, identification, finances, passports, parent obligations and even the integrity of our elections. Tampering with the mail at a time when mail-in ballots are so crucial is a "threat to our democracy," he said. "Our job is to protect these postal workers and to protect the integrity of the mail," Parker told The Enquirer. More: How to protect yourself from USPS mail theft 'Arrow key' theft cases pile up In the past several months, Parker has seen several successful prosecutions. Many of the crimes he's investigated have centered around "arrow keys." These keys allow postal workers to open mail dropboxes, the big blue ones found bolted to sidewalks. Criminals who steal these keys can raid the boxes for checks, cash and other valuables. In December, 19-year-old mail carrier Demarco Tapplar pleaded guilty to selling his arrow key. Prosecutors say he was paid with altered checks stolen from the mail. Also in December, Antonio Toombs and Larenzo Brandon were indicted on charges that they assaulted two U.S. mail carriers in October to take their arrow keys. Between July 2022 and June 2023, three men were responsible for taking between $250,000 and $550,000 from 10 different victims by stealing from the mail collection boxes. After multiple police chases, one of the men, Brandon McCollum, was found with a stolen arrow key. The three men have all been sentenced to multiple years in prison. In April, five people were indicted in a crime ring that allegedly involved the robbery of a postal carrier in the Villages of Roll Hill and the theft of mail from at least four drop boxes around Cincinnati. Prosecutors say William Lindsay, Arnando Miller, Derray Kennedy, Monae Mosley and Amos Ashley would borrow or rent cars to move throughout the city and take mail. They would "wash" checks of the old ink and then deposit them in the accounts of their associates, court documents state. At least two members of this group have pleaded guilty. Mail thefts have surged nationwide since the pandemic. Hundreds of stolen checks, credit cards and pieces of mail recovered after an arrest in Apple Valley, California, in 2022. Robbed at gunpoint In July 2023, Gray held a postal carrier at gunpoint on Cliffside Drive in Colerain Township and demanded her keys, according to court documents. She handed over both her arrow key and the keys to her mail truck. Surveillance cameras in the neighborhood allowed police to retrace Gray's steps after the robbery and led them to a house he frequents, a vehicle he used and eventually his home where he lives with his mother. After tracking the vehicle for some time, investigators searched it and both homes in August. In the car, they found a distinctive gold barrel of a gun matching the weapon used in the robbery. The handle of the firearm was found in one of the homes. More: Ohio mail carrier shot, killed while in USPS van in 'targeted attack,' police say Wrapped inside a glove in the car were the arrow key and the mail truck keys, court documents state. They also found "numerous checks and articles of mail that had not yet been processed by the U.S. mail, which is indicative of mail that has been stolen from ... collection boxes," the documents state. On Friday, a sentencing hearing for Gray had not yet been scheduled. Ken Parker says mail crimes threaten democracy in an age when mail-in ballots are common. 38 cases in Cincinnati and Columbus Of the 18 cases in and around Cincinnati involving mail theft and robbery in 2023, Parker said six have been solved so far. He said there are another 20 cases in Columbus and 12 of those have been solved. Parker said it is impossible to know if this criminal trend has peaked or if it will continue to grow. "Has greed peaked?" Parker asked. He said his office, the U.S. Postal Inspectors and other federal officials are working to shore up any security gaps that may exist with arrow keys. As part of this effort, the Postal Service announced last year that it is replacing 49,000 locks used on old boxes with electronic locks. He wants the public to know that these crimes will not be tolerated and penalties for tampering with the mail are stiff. He said committing these crimes is like playing a scratch-off lottery ticket. Breaking into a blue mail collection box could give you nothing, but it could also cost you 10 years of life in prison, he said. "I hope they don't forget how crucial the mail system is," Parker said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mail theft: USPS, feds crack down as arrow key robberies rise Thirty-seven-year-old Corinn OBrien is about two months pregnant through in vitro fertilization, but an ultrasound recently showed the fetus might be in trouble, and she wants the option to try again if she needs to. Cancer survivor Kailani Greenwood, due to give birth in spring after undergoing IVF, hopes to have more children in the future and has four frozen embryos in storage. But the Alabama women who represent two groups most likely to turn to IVF to build the families they desperately want women over 35 and those with serious diseases worry about whether those options will be there when they need them. OBrien and Greenwood are among the many whose dreams are in limbo after three of Alabamas largest clinics paused IVF services in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling that described frozen embryos as extrauterine children. Its been hard, OBrien said, her voice breaking. I have no idea what will happen next, and thats really scary. An estimated 1 in 6 people are affected by infertility worldwide. In the U.S., women increasingly delay motherhood even though fertility gradually declines after age 30, particularly after 35. That raises the need for treatments like IVF. Women 35 to 44 are more than twice as likely as younger women to say theyve used fertility services, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey. Besides the growing ranks of older patients, doctors point to a smaller but significant number of women facing treatment for conditions such as cancer, lupus and sickle cell disease who want to preserve their fertility. In Alabama, doctors say many of these women are in a holding pattern or seeking help outside the state. Some are also pushing for a legislative solution, and on Tuesday, committees in the state House and Senate advanced legislation that would shield clinics from prosecution and civil lawsuits. Lawmakers hope to get the measures to the governor this week. But some doctors and patients worry they wont go far enough and that legislation or court rulings in other states could eventually put IVF at risk more broadly. Dr. Beth Malizia, Greenwoods doctor at Alabama Fertility, a clinic that paused services, said the upheaval has made life even tougher for women who are already struggling. Look, nobody wants to be in our clinic. No one chooses fertility issues. No one chooses cancer. No one chooses recurrent pregnancy loss, she said. Were trying to provide the best care that we can, and this decision has really limited us in our ability to do that. We just want to grow families. DREAMS INTERRUPTED After losing her mother to pancreatic cancer and having no brothers or sisters to turn to, OBrien realized how important it was for her young daughter to have a sibling, to navigate life with after were gone. The Birmingham woman and her husband had tried for a baby for a few years, and she suffered through a dangerous, nonviable ectopic pregnancy. She tried various fertility treatments before starting IVF. Ten eggs were retrieved in October, and three were fertilized and frozen. Her doctor transferred one of the embryos into her womb in late January and she became pregnant. But the same day the court ruling came down, an ultrasound showed problems with the fetal heartbeat. It was kind of a double punch like, this might not work and you might not have access to IVF, she said. For Greenwood, IVF is the only way she can have children. The 31-year-old Montgomery woman was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma 11 years ago. She went into remission after chemotherapy, but the cancer returned when she was 25. The ensuing radiation, chemotherapy and stem cell transplant led to infertility. So she had her eggs harvested and frozen. Being a mom is something Ive always dreamed about my whole life, she said. Last year, Greenwood became pregnant with her little girl through an embryo transfer and is now in her third trimester. She doesnt want to stop at one child, though. I definitely want at least two, if not more, she said. Shes been trying to stay hopeful that IVF will resume at her clinic. But each day brings fresh reminders of the court decision in her job as a physician assistant in surgical breast oncology, where many of her patients hope to preserve their fertility. EVERY MONTH THAT YOURE NOT PREGNANT FEELS LIKE GRIEF Dr. Kara Goldman, medical director of fertility preservation at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, said older patients and those with serious diseases face different challenges. Patients with cancer, for example, urgently need cancer treatment. This means they must begin taking medications to get ready for egg retrieval almost immediately. They can choose to freeze their eggs or fertilize them and freeze embryos which have a greater likelihood of surviving the thaw later. Older patients face a decreasing likelihood of pregnancy and an increasing chance of chromosomal abnormalities in their offspring the longer they wait. The time it can take to get pregnant often exacts an emotional toll. When you are ready to have a child, every month that youre not pregnant feels like grief, said Goldman, 41, who had her 9-month-old son through IVF. Doctors said the turmoil in Alabama has deepened that grief for many. Dr. Mamie McLean, OBriens doctor, said a patient in her 40s who desperately wants a second child had an unsuccessful IVF cycle and wanted to begin the process again this month. Shes considering doing that in Georgia. She would much prefer to stay in Alabama, McLean said. But she also knows that time isnt on her side. Dr. Jennifer Kawwass, medical director of the Emory Reproductive Center in Atlanta, said shes already seeing an influx of Alabama patients, and many are stressed out. Fertility treatment already puts patients at so much social and financial stress, she said. The unexpected, sort of indefinite pause on IVF in Alabama is compounding this. Without insurance, one cycle of IVF costs about $15,000 to $25,000. Travel and lodging costs can add thousands more especially since an IVF cycle requires six to 10 visits over two weeks. As patients consider their options and push for solutions in Alabama, they and their doctors also hope that threats to IVF dont spread to other states. I would hope that as a country, we can unite over the fact that these treatments are really aiming to help people grow families and bring life into this world, Kawwass said. It is somewhat ironic and also tragic that this is actually hurting individuals that are trying to build their families. ___ Reporter Kim Chandler contributed to this report from Montgomery, Alabama. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Smoke billows after an Israeli strike on Lebanon's southern village of Hula (-) A Lebanese couple and their son were killed Tuesday in an Israeli strike on a house in the southern border village of Hula, the Lebanese official National News Agency reported. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and Israel have traded deadly cross-border fire on a near-daily basis since war broke out in October between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers, a Hezbollah ally. "The three civilians, Hassan Hussein, his wife, Ruwaida Mustafa, and their 25-year-old son, Ali Hussein, were killed in the enemy raid on a three-storey house in Hula," NNA said. "Search operations and the removal of rubble are continuing," it added. Shortly after the deadly strike, Hezbollah said it launched "dozens of rockets" at the Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Blum, six kilometres (about four miles) from the nearest border point. The Iran-backed group also said it "targeted a building" in the Israeli city of Kyriat Shmona. It said it acted "in response to the Israeli aggression against the villages of the south and the homes of civilians," among them the strike on the house in Hula. The Lebanese Shiite movement also said it carried out several attacks on Israeli military positions on the border on Tuesday. On Monday, a missile fired from Lebanon killed a foreign worker in Israel, according to the army, and three Hezbollah-affiliated paramedics were killed in an Israeli raid on southern Lebanon, according to the group. NNA had also reported on Monday evening that Israeli air raids targeted the border town of Bint Jbeil, but no casualties were reported. It came as US envoy Amos Hochstein said a diplomatic solution was key to ending nearly five months of intensifying hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. "A diplomatic solution is the only way to end the current hostilities" and achieve "a lasting fair security arrangement between Lebanon and Israel", he said, adding "a temporary ceasefire is not enough". Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said there will be no let-up in Israeli action against Hezbollah even if a Gaza ceasefire is secured. On Tuesday, the chief of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, Mohamed Raad, was quoted by NNA as saying: "We do not wish for war but we are ready to face it." "We have not used all of our weapons, nor the weapons of open conflict. We have not deployed all of our arsenal, and the enemy knows it," he said. The fighting has killed at least 302 people in Lebanon, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also including at least 51 civilians, according to an AFP tally. In Israel, at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians have been killed. jos/dv/srk/jsa Parents of Tyre Nichols, RowVaughn Wells looks on as her husband, Rodney Wells speaks during a press conference on HB 1931, at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. The bill by Rep. John Gillespie, R- Memphis, would keep local governments from enacting any laws that restrict local police officers from making minor traffic stops. The Tennessee House Monday punted discussion and a floor vote on a bill that would remove power from local governments to pass police reform legislation. The bill, filed by Memphis Republican Rep. John Gillespie, has faced backlash from Memphis' local elected officials, activists and the family of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was beaten by Memphis police officers following a traffic stop in Jan. 2023. The bill was on the agenda for a floor vote Monday afternoon, but was kicked to the end of the calendar by Gillespie with no discussion. The bill has faced backlash from activists, state Democrats and the family of Tyre Nichols, who have said the bill was filed to overturn an ordinance passed by the Memphis City Council that limits pretextual stops. Both of Nichols' parents, RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, were in the House gallery to oppose the bill Monday. The bill was moved to Thursdays agenda. As the House session dragged on through Monday night, Gillespie walked upstairs to the gallery and sat beside Nichols' family, speaking for about 10 minutes. Gillespie's bill was later booted to Thursday's House calendar. Rodney Wells declined to share details of his conversation with Gillespie, characterizing it as a private conversation, but said the couple planned to return to Nashville on Thursday. "Oh, we'll be back," Wells said. A spokesperson for Gillespie did not immediately respond to a request for comment asking why a vote on the bill had been pushed back. A bill with the same language, filed in the Senate by Memphis Republican Sen. Brent Taylor, has passed a committee vote, but not yet been scheduled for a floor vote. "Tennessee is a law and order state and that means holding criminals accountable for their actions at every level," Gillespie said in a statement ahead of the punting on the vote Monday evening. "Law enforcement must be able to do their jobs without soft-on-crime local ordinances tying their hands. Public safety is top-of-mind for many Memphians and we must empower our police with the necessary resources to keep citizens safe. I sponsored House Bill 1931 to allow authorities across Tennessee to enforce existing state law. We can take back crime-ridden cities through common-sense policies." Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who took office at the beginning of 2024, wrote to the Tennessee General Assembly at the end of February, requesting the bill not be passed. "As we continue to develop a dynamic response to crime in Memphis, it's imperative we have the ability to determine policies and practices unique to our context," Young wrote to House and Senate committee chairs. "Limiting the ability of local governments to pass ordinances to this effect would be counterproductive to our efforts. Respectfully, I request that committee members oppose HB1931 and SB25722, and permit local governments and police chiefs to determine appropriate policing policies for their communities." In a press release that accompanied the two bills' filing, Taylor directly mentioned the Memphis City Council's ordinance banning pretextual traffic stops for a short list of minor offenses. In that release, Taylor said traffic stops are a tool for police that "have resulted in major arrests and the apprehension of violent criminals for years." House Minority Leader, Rep. Karen Camper, D- Memphis speaks during a press conference condemning HB 1931, at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. The bill by Rep. John Gillespie, R- Memphis, would keep local governments from enacting any laws that restrict local police officers from making minor traffic stops. Weeks after Taylor and Gillespie filed their respective bills, a group of Memphis activists released a report Decarcerate Memphis' annual Driving While BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, other people of color) Report found that although pretextual traffic stops had increased in Memphis in the months after Tyre Nichols was fatally beaten, few of those stops resulted in felony arrests. The report looked at Tennessee Highway Patrol data, which Taylor had previously touted on social media, and found that out of 11,626 traffic stops conducted in Memphis and Shelby County, 13 resulted in felony arrests. That report also took a random sample of 1,432 cases from Shelby County's court system from 2023. Of those cases, the report said, 150 began with a pretextual traffic stop. And, of those 150 cases, 91 did not involve any felony charges. Parents of Tyre Nichols, Rodney Wells and RowVaughn Wells listen during a press conference condemning HB 1931, at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. The bill by Rep. John Gillespie, R- Memphis, would keep local governments from enacting any laws that restrict local police officers from making minor traffic stops. There were 119 cases that had reached a disposition by the time the report was compiled, ten ended with a conviction. Two of those convictions were for felonies. One was for evading arrest and marijuana possession. The second felony conviction was for intent to distribute 2.5 grams of meth. It is not clear whether the ordinances were enforced by the Memphis Police Department after they were passed. Former Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland wrote to the city council, with days left in his term, and said his office had not enforced the ordinances. MPD Interim Chief Cerelyn "C.J." Davis told reporters after Young had been sworn in that her office had enforced them internally. The Commercial Appeal requested copies of roll calls, trainings, policy changes and memos that were used within the department to announce that it would enforce the ordinance through the Tennessee Open Records Act in January. That request has not yet been filled. The ordinance banning low-level pretextual stops banned police from pulling people over for only secondary violations. Those violations were for having registration that expired under 60 days prior; if a temporary tag is in the incorrect place, but clearly visible; if a license plate is not securely fastened to a vehicle, but is clearly visible; if a single brake light, head light or running light is broken; and if the car is missing, or has a loosely fastened bumper. Police, per the ordinance, can cite motorists for a secondary ordinance during a traffic stop if the traffic stop was initiated due to a primary violation, such as speeding, reckless driving or running a red light. The ordinance, named in honor of Tyre Nichols, drew support from activists and had wide support from the Memphis City Council. More: How Tyre Nichols' parents stood strong in their publicized grief, focused on son's life Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, and House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis, both decried a paternalistic pattern of legislation from the Republican supermajority to chip away at local political control, which Camper said Republicans have hypocritically touted as a priority. "It is an abuse of our power to go and strip power away from local governments just because we saw them do something that we might not agree with," Pearson said. Before the House session on Monday, Pearson called for Gillespie to take the bill off notice and said his efforts arent supported by many Memphians. "(Gillespie) represents and is indicative of the Republican Party here that is bent on doing racist, retaliatory things to our majority Black communities, and it needs to stop," Pearson said. "We are not going to consistently stand for being treated this way, because it is disrespectful. It is demeaning, it is racist, it is immoral, it is wrong." RowVaughn Wells, Nichols mother, said Monday she was baffled the state could step in and undo a local ordinance many people had fought for. "I am just appalled by what Republicans are trying to do in this state," said Rodney Wells, Nichols' stepfather. "Memphis is a majority Black city. For a Republican to come in, regardless of what were trying to do and accomplish, to wipe out all of our hard work, I disagree with that wholeheartedly." Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr., who supported the ordinance's passage and questioned Davis as to its enforcement, also sent a letter to state legislators urging them to vote down the two bills. "The power to enact legislation and dictate policy on a local level should rest with local governments and their police chiefs," Smiley wrote in a letter addressed to House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lt. Governor Randy McNally. "It is evident that those who live, work, eat, worship and spend their social time in a community they call home know it better than those who do not. The law enforcement challenges facing the various urban, suburban and rural community across the State of Tennessee differ, and therefore, local leaders should be given deference. The same argument that each of you makes regarding federal preemption applies here. As such, I respectfully request that you all apply that same logic in this matter and oppose HB1931/SB2572, as it undermines the ability of those serving in local leadership to make necessary adjustments to local policies that govern policing." Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, or (901) 208-3922 and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TN House punts vote on bill restricting local power to enact police reform Police say a toddler's mother drove her to Children's Hospital of Orange County after the child was injured in a shooting. (OnScene.TV) A suspected gang member from Santa Ana was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder in the shooting of a 3-year-old girl who was wounded while riding in the back seat of a car, police said. Angel Castillo, 20, was allegedly trying to shoot the man in the front seat of the car, identified as the boyfriend of the girl's mother. Castillo was arrested Thursday in Santa Fe Springs, Santa Ana police said in a statement Monday. He faces two counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and committing the crime for the benefit of a street gang. Angel Castillo was arrested and charged in the shooting of a toddler in Santa Ana. (Santa Ana Police Department) The couple, the 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old were at 15th and Spurgeon streets in Santa Ana on Feb. 25 when someone fired at the car, said Santa Ana Police Officer Natalie Garcia. Although the mother's boyfriend appeared to be the intended target, she said, one of the bullets pierced the trunk of the car and found its way to the 3-year-old girl. Nobody else inside the car was wounded. The two continued to drive, unaware that the girl was wounded until they found her gasping for air. They then drove her to Children's Hospital of Orange County. Police found two bullet holes in their white sedan. Police had initially identified the two adults in the car as the girl's parents, but Garcia said the mother's boyfriend was not the child's father. Garcia said the 3-year-old girl was still hospitalized as of Monday but is expected to make a full recovery. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BERLIN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Production at the German Gigafactory of U.S. electric car manufacturer Tesla has been halted after a suspected arson attack, which led to a power outage. The Brandenburg Ministry of the Interior and for Municipal Affairs said that on Tuesday morning, unknown perpetrators deliberately set fire to a high-voltage pylon at the factory in Gruenheide, near Berlin. As a result, nearby villages and the Tesla plant were cut off from the power supply. The so-called "Vulkangruppe" left-wing extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack as a protest against the U.S. carmaker, the German press agency dpa reported. "We sabotaged Tesla today," the group announced in a letter. According to Tesla, measures have been taken to safeguard the production facilities. After consultation with the electricity provider Edis, Tesla does not expect production to restart quickly, according to dpa. "If the initial findings are confirmed, this is a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure. This will have consequences," said Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stuebgen. "Thousands of people have been cut off from their basic supply and put in danger." "We now need to concentrate all our efforts on solving the incident," Stuebgen stressed. The State Office of Criminal Investigation is looking into the attack. Despite considerable resistance from environmentalists and local residents, Tesla is seeking to expand its Gigafactory in Gruenheide, which began operating two years ago. Tesla aims to double production from the current interim target of 500,000 cars per year to one million. There were already reports last week that Tesla could be forced to halt production due to its excessive emissions of water-polluting substances. Tesla has been continuously discharging excess phosphorus and nitrogen into the wastewater system, exceeding limits by up to six times, according to local water authority Strausberg-Erkner Water Association (WSE). Since last Thursday, around 80 environmental activists have been occupying part of the forest near the Tesla factory, and have erected tree houses to demonstrate against the planned expansion of the site. A K-9 with track record for helping find missing children has done it again, this time aiding in the recovery of a 3-year-old boy, Michigan authorities say. The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office said the toddler went missing Monday, March 4, when he pried open a window and left his Geneva Township home. The boy vanished wearing only a diaper. Authorities were called to the home 30 minutes after the boy was last seen, and a K-9 unit was requested to assist in the search, according to the sheriff. A K-9 named Kuno and his handler, Deputy Eric Calhoun, located a footprint near the home and began tracking nearly a quarter-mile of land toward a body of water, the sheriff said. At the same time, drone operators for South Haven Area Emergency Services spotted the child walking near a pond, according to a Facebook post from the department. Working in conjunction with the drone operators, Kuno and Calhoun found the child just 50 yards away from the water, the sheriff said. He was in good health with only minor scratches. The sheriff said the boy was safely returned to his family. He was the fifth missing child Kuno and Calhoun have located, authorities said. Kuno has been a member of the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office since 2017 and has worked alongside Calhoun in dangerous situations, MLive.com reported in 2019. The bond between me and K-9 Kuno is somewhat unbearable. Its kind of like having another kid, Calhoun told MLive. I take him home with me at the end of my shift, he socializes with my family and then I get to take him to work and work with me for 12 hours. 12-year-old vanished in frigid weather, MA cops say. Then police K-9 picked up scent Dog tracks down missing child in Virginia woods, cops say. Heroes come in all forms Saturday, as colleagues celebrated a new phase in Tom Skillings life, he was joined by his staff of retired National Weather Service colleagues that had been a part of the WGN Weather Department for more than 25 years of Toms career. Beginning in 1997, Tom launched the Chicago Tribune Weather Page and his NWS colleagues came on board to assist. They helped Tom generate data to appear on the daily Tribune weather page but also assisted in daily forecasts, severe weather information, the popular ASK TOM WHY section and helped Tom maintain the WGN Weather Center website. All were on hand daily to provide statistics and data gathered from their years at the National Weather Service BEFORE joining Tom at WGN. And, all were by Toms side for severe weather coverage. Legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin noted there were high tempers on the Supreme Court after it ruled Monday that Colorado could not disqualify former President Trump from the ballot under the 14th Amendment. There was a paradox, about today, at The Supreme Court, Toobin told CNN anchor John King on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. They were unanimous, which is in controversial cases unusual in this Supreme Court. However, there were some pissed off justices there, you could just tell from the paper the opinions were written on. The three justices didnt dissent the three liberals but they really went after the five for saying for giving a road map for how this law should be applied, instead of just saying What Colorado did was wrong, he added. His comments come after the high court ruled unanimously that the Centennial State could not bar the former president from being on the primary ballot under the 14th Amendments insurrection clause which bars anyone who has taken an oath of office and engaged in a rebellion against the government from returning to office. Four Republican and two independent voters in Colorado backed by watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a lawsuit last year seeking to remove Trump from the primary ballot. They argued in the filing that the former presidents actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack triggered his disqualification. In its 9-0 ruling Monday, the court said states do not have unilateral authority to disqualify federal candidates from ballots, and five conservatives specified that the provision under the insurrection clause could only be enforced via Congress. The three liberals on the court Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan and conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote a separate opinion, arguing that the majority went further than needed. They said in the joint opinion that the majority improperly decided novel constitutional questions to insulate this Court and [Trump] from future controversy. In a sensitive case crying out for judicial restraint, it abandons that course, the justices said of the majority. Barrett wrote that 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. 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, she added. Trump called the ruling both unifying and inspirational in a statement following the news. The historic decision by the Supreme Court on Monday now preserves the ability of the Republican front-runner to seek a second presidential term. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bosnia's top international envoy has warned of Russia's growing influence in the Balkan country amid a growing stand-off with the Moscow-backed Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. "We should not give (Vladimir Putin) the last decision... on whether Bosnia Herzegovina has a path to European integration," Christian Schmidt told AFP during an exclusive interview this week. "But I think we should stop declaring everything as normal... we have to address this." His comments come as the envoy -- who helps oversee the fractured state for the international community -- is locked in a feud with Dodik, a long time Kremlin ally on trial for signing legislation that refused to recognise decisions made by Schmidt and Bosnia's constitutional court. The veteran German diplomat is charged with overseeing the enforcement of the Dayton Agreement that ended the country's bloody civil war in the 1990s. Dodik, however, has refused to recognise Schmidt's authority after Russia and China dropped their support for the envoy. In July, Schmidt struck down two laws passed by the parliament of Bosnia's Serbian entity which refused to recognise him and the top court. Dodik has remained defiant, vowing to fight the charges in a trial that marks a potential tipping point for post-war Bosnia. The case will likely serve as a litmus test of the weak central government's ability to hold a leading politician to account after openly flouting the country's peace accords and court system. - Kremlin ties - Outside of court, Dodik has continued to flaunt his ties with Moscow. Last month, President Putin awarded Dodik the Order of Alexander Nevsky, one of Russia's highest medals, during a state visit by the Bosnian Serb leader. Schmidt and others have warned that the ties with Moscow risk further inflaming tensions in the region after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has driven a wedge through the Balkans. "I would not exclude that some of the strategy is coming directly from Moscow," Schmidt said of Dodik's recent moves, as he denounced the Bosnian Serb leader's "anti-European behaviour and his close relations to Putin". Schmidt's comments come weeks ahead of the next meeting of the European Council in Brussels, which will likely be the last chance to open EU membership negotiations with Bosnia before June's European elections. Bosnia has been an official candidate for EU membership since 2022 but must implement a string of major reforms before opening accession negotiations. So far, Bosnia has managed to pass Brussels-backed anti-money laundering legislation, but has yet to tackle more sensitive judicial reforms. On Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that delaying EU accession for the countries of the Western Balkans risked leaving them open to Russian "infiltration". "We cannot allow any grey areas in Europe and together we must do everything we can to protect the flanks that Russia can use for destabilisation, disinformation and infiltration," she said ahead of a visit to the Balkans. - 'Yes and no' - Bosnia has been governed by a dysfunctional administrative system created under the Dayton pact that divides the country into two bodies -- a Muslim-Croat federation and a Bosnian entity known as Republika Srpska. The two entities are guaranteed a large degree of autonomy and connected by a weak central government. To help manage the complex governance system, the top envoy enjoys wide powers, including to impose or annul laws and sack elected officials. Schmidt defended his powers saying they support and assist "local authorities to develop a functioning state." Asked whether the broad powers proved the incompetence of Bosnia's politicians, Schmidt sent mixed signals. "As a diplomat, I would probably say yes and no," he told AFP. "As a politician, I have to say yes, there is a problem." rus-cbo/ljv/ds/fg A police officer watches protesters outside the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., on Sept. 26, 2020. (Allison Dinner / Associated Press) LAPD inspector general Mark Smith is a finalist for a job overseeing court-ordered reforms at the Portland, Ore., police department, officials in the Pacific Northwest city announced this week. If hired, Smith would serve as an independent monitor to settle a decade-old review of the Portland Police Bureau by the U.S. Department of Justice, which previously accused the city's police of engaging in a continuing pattern of excessive force during arrests of people with mental illness. Smith's business, MPS & Associates, was named among three finalists named in a press statement released Monday by Portland officials. The other two finalists are Katie Zafft, with the Crime and Justice Institute, a Boston-based consulting group that analyzes local law enforcement, and Darryl Neier, a former prosecutor who now works for a New Jersey public safety think tank. The city of Portland and the Justice Department agreed last November to appointing an independent monitor to oversee remaining reforms from their 2014 settlement. According to local news reports, the city had already adopted numerous reforms, including overhauling its Taser policy and creating a mobile unit that responds to behavioral crisis-related calls. The city's pick will be announced on March 24, the press release said. Smith was appointed inspector general of the Los Angeles Police Department in 2018 after serving as a constitutional policing advisor for then-L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, where he served in a similar role advising the Sheriff's Department on internal investigations and disciplinary matters. He also investigated shootings by deputies. It was his second stint with the LAPD inspector general's office, where he worked for four years as a special investigator after graduating from the UCLA law school in 2005. Read more: LAPD slams 'highly inaccurate' audit that questioned millions spent on helicopters He served in police watchdog roles in Chicago and Oakland, before returning to Los Angeles to work under McDonnell. As with the Sheriff's Department, the LAPD inspector general's office is supposed to play a crucial role in civilian oversight of the nation's third-largest police force. His office, which is independent of the LAPD, monitors a wide array of matters, including complaints against officers, department practices and shootings and other serious uses of force by police. The inspector general is appointed by the all-civilian Police Commission and Smith's office acts as its investigative arm, including handling complaints made against the chief of police. However, it can't initiate its own investigations without approval from the commission, which oversees the department. In the past few years, the office has released audits of the department's use of facial recognition and of the LAPD's secretive disciplinary system, which it found was resulting in many proposed penalties being downgraded. But Smith has also weathered criticism that his office has been slow to respond to complaints and has produced fewer reports than previous inspectors general. In the position, those in his shoes have sometimes publicly clashed with city and department officials over policy matters. In a resume included with Monday's announcement, Smith said that he is responsible for running the 35-person office tasked with "providing independent and effective civilian oversight of LAPD." He listed among his references current Police Commission President Erroll Southers and recently departed LAPD Chief Michel Moore. If Smith were to get the Portland job, he would leave the LAPD at a tricky crossroads as it searches for its next chief. Moore unexpectedly announced his retirement in January, after roughly six years as the city's top cop. An interim chief, Dominic Choi, stepped into the role this week, and will remain on the job while the city conducts a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. Richard Tefank, the commission's executive director, has also said he intends to retire next month. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Top State Department official Victoria Nuland will retire in the coming weeks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday. Nuland departs her role as undersecretary of state for political affairs where she played a key role in the US response to the war in Ukraine as funding for Kyiv continues to stall in Congress and Russia advances on the battlefield. The current US Ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, is expected to be nominated to replace Nuland, according to a source familiar. In the meantime, Undersecretary of State for Management John Bass has been asked to serve as acting undersecretary, Blinken said. Nuland had for months serves as acting deputy secretary of state following Wendy Shermans retirement last July. She was not nominated to fill that role. It instead went to senior national security council official Kurt Campbell, who was sworn-in in mid-February. Blinken praised Nuland as truly exceptional. Over the past three years, Toria has led this Department on everything from addressing complex crises in the Sahel, Haiti, and the Middle East, to broadening and strengthening Americas alliances and partnerships across Europe and the Indo-Pacific, Blinken said in a statement. But its Torias leadership on Ukraine that diplomats and students of foreign policy will study for years to come, he continued. Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure, and helping Ukraine work toward the day when it will be able to stand strongly on its own feet democratically, economically, and militarily. Blinken said he admired the fact that Nuland always speaks her mind to my benefit and to the benefit of our foreign policy. She always stands up for and invests in Americas diplomats mentoring them, lifting them up, and ensuring they and their families have what they deserve, and what our mission demands. She finds light in the darkest moments, makes you laugh when you need it most, and always has your back, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The News A Harvard fellow who is a high-profile advocate for South Sudan was arrested by federal agents in Arizona for trying to illegally smuggle weapons worth millions of dollars to his home country. Peter Biar Ajak was charged with conspiring to purchase and illegally export fully automatic rifles, grenade launchers, Stinger missile systems, hand grenades, and sniper rifles. South Sudan is subject to an UN arms embargo due to violence between armed groups. He was arrested alongside a fellow activist, Abraham Chol Keech. The charges against Keech and Ajak include fraud by ordering up to $4 million worth of weapons and creating a fake contract in the same amount for consulting services. These services related to human rights, humanitarian, and civil engagement inside South Sudan refugee camps. If convicted both men could face up to 20 years in prison. Know More Ajak, a 44 year-old Maryland resident, is well known in Africa circles in Washington D.C. as an exiled South Sudanese opposition leader and purported peace activist. A former World Bank economist and fellow at Harvard Kennedy Schools Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, he was granted refugee status in the United States last year. Ajak is a former child soldier, who reported to have started his efforts to support South Sudanese democracy in 2011. In 2017, he founded the South Sudan Young Leaders Forum, an organization of emerging South Sudanese leaders across ethnic groups and factions committed to ending conflict and seeking to place the country on a path towards democracy and peace. But in 2020 he fled his home country after being arbitrarily detained and possibly targeted for assassination, according to his asylum petition lawyers at Paul Hastings. According to charges filed Feb. 29 by the Justice Department, Keech began shopping for weapons to bolster the South Sudanese opposition in September of 2021, and he and Ajak began talks in earnest in February of 2023 with arms dealers who turned out to be federal agents. They allegedly transferred $4 million last month for a cache which was to include fully automatic rifles, grenade launchers, Stinger missile systems, hand grenades, sniper rifles, ammunition, and other export-controlled items, according to the Department of Justice. As alleged, the defendants sought to unlawfully smuggle heavy weapons and ammunition from the United States into South Sudan a country that is subject to a U.N. arms embargo due to the violence between armed groups, which has killed and displaced thousands, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division. The Department of Justice will not tolerate the illicit export of weapons overseas, and we will hold accountable those who would violate our laws. Ajak was set to lead a seminar last month on Reviving the Spirit of Sudan. The seminar, according to Harvards website, was canceled. CORRECTION: The South Burlington school budget proposed was $71,192,891, with a 13.86% increase from the previous year. A figure at the bottom of the article was incorrect. Voters across Vermont turned out on Town Meeting Day to vote on town and school budgets, elect municipal officials and school board members, and decide local issues. Here are the results from the March 5 voting in communities around Chittenden County. Bolton Proposed Town Budget: $1,601,157, a roughly 19.3% increase from last year's budget of $1,342,280 was passed in a floor vote. Selectboard: Michael "Mica" Cassara won the vote over Leanne Marguerite Deschenes for a two-year term, 155-126. Incumbent Paula Gervia ran unopposed for a three-year term. She won with 270 votes. Items include: Should Bolton residents allow the Selectboard to increase the tax rate by one quarter cent to help the Conservation Fund? Passed 198-88. Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District: Proposed school district budget: $65,623,048, a 18.72% increase over current budget. The vote will be held April 2. School Board: Stephen Diglio is running unopposed for a three-year term. The vote will be held April 2. A sign planted in front of Burlington City Hall on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, supports a measure to allow all legal residents of Burlington to vote, regardless of their citizenship. Burlington Proposed City Budget: The Burlington City Council votes on the city's budget in the summer. City Council: Ward 1: Progressive Carter Neubieser beat Democrat Geoff Hand 832-669. Ward 2: Incumbent Eugene Bergman , a Progressive, won 1,520. Ward 3: Republican Christopher-Aaron Felker is running against Progressive Joe Kane . Kane won 1,078-229. Write-in Malik Mines, Democrat, received 305 votes. Ward 4: Incumbent Democrat Sarah Carpenter won against Progressive Dan Castrigano 1,746-600. Ward 5: Incumbent Democrat Ben Traverse beat Independent but Progressive-backed Lena Greenberg , 1,523-759. Ward 6: Democrat Becca Brown McKnight beat Will Anderson , 1,276-519. Ward 7: Democrat Evan Litwin won against Progressive Lee J. Morrigan , 1,475-718. Ward 8: Progressive Marek Broderick won against incumbent Democrat Hannah King 485-360. Items include: Should Burlington residents increase the public safety tax by three cents to provide more funding for the police and fire departments? Passed 10,181-4,032. Should Burlington residents amend the city charter to increase the amount of money the electric company can borrow from $5 million to $10 million. Passed 8,335-2,780. Burlington School District: Proposed school district budget: $119,604,584, a 14.84% increase over current budget, passed 10,267-4,070. School Board: Ward 1: Rida Kori won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,210 votes. Ward 2: Polly Vanderputten won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,459 votes. Ward 3: Saja Almogalli won unopposed for a two-year seat, 1,245 votes. Ward 4: Incumbent Martine Larocque Gulick won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,993 votes. Ward 5: Incumbent Lucia W. Campriello won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,834 votes. Ward 6: Incumbent Clare Wool won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,567 votes. Ward 7: Incumbent Monika Ivancic won against William Oetjen for a two-year seat, 1,553-401. Ward 8: William R. Church won unopposed for a two-year seat with 632 votes. Charlotte Proposed Town Budget: $3,252,147, with $1,540,380 raised by property taxes and $1,711,767 by non-tax revenues. This year's proposed budget is approximately an 20.45% increase from last year's approved budget of $2.7 million. Voters approved the budget 883-519. Selectboard: Incumbent Frank Tenney ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,069 votes. Challenger Natalie Kanner defeated Incumbent Louise McCarren 954-218 for a two-year term. Items include: Should Charlotte voters allocate $989,087 from property taxes to Charlotte Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services for the upcoming fiscal year? The item was approved 919-491. Should Charlotte voters allow the town to propose a municipal charter to the General Assembly of the State of Vermont with sections on corporate existence, general provisions, town managers and road commissioner, separability, amendment and effective date? The item was defeated 799-587. Should Charlotte voters allow the town to issue no more than $365,000 in general obligation bonds or notes to finance a new ambulance over the course of a decade? The item was approved 951-454. Champlain Valley School District: Proposed School District Budget: $105,801,185 a 10.07% increase over current budget. The budget was defeated in a district-wide vote 5,090-3,391 School district items: Shall the school district finance $395,000 to purchase three school buses? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,883-3,569. Shall the school district allocate a fund balance of $3,275,547 as revenue for future budgets? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 5,335-3,056. Shall the school district take out a bond for $3.5 million to make school building improvements? Items include Charlotte Central School mechanical, electrical, energy efficiency and paving; CVU High School grounds and building repairs and replacements; Shelburne Community School building and grounds repairs, electrical and HVAC upgrades; Williston Central School flooring and Allen Brook School fire alarm system. The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,851-3,568. School Board: Incumbent Meghan E. Metzler ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,088 votes. Colchester Proposed town budget: $15,937,217, a 6% increase from the current budget, approved 2,105-1,265. Selectboard: Incumbent Charlie Papillo received 1,487 after challenger Peter Walsh was withdrawn from the ballot for a two-year term. Incumbent Pamela Loranger received 2,700 votes running unopposed for a three-year term. She is currently chair of the Selectboard. Colchester School District proposed budget: $57,425,957, a 9.6% increase over current budget, approved 1,885-1,505. School Board: Jennifer Fath received 2,673 votes running unopposed for a two-year term. Incumbent Laurie Shepard-Kigonya received 2,592 votes running unopposed for a three-year term. Essex Junction Essex Junction no longer holds a town meeting. There is only voting by secret ballot from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 9 at Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St. Essex Westford School District election: Voting will be held April 9. Proposed school district budget: $115,043,210, a 4.5% increase over current budget. School Board: Election will be on April 9. Essex Town Proposed town budget: $16,106,421, a 4.58% increase from the current budget. Voters approved the budget 1,324-776. Selectboard: Incumbent Tracey Delphia ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,715 votes. Delphia is vice-chair of the Selectboard. Items include: Require the town annual report to list the locations of commercial properties that received a municipal tax stabilization benefit, the amount of that benefit and the property owners (advisory). Voters approved the item 1,811-274. Require the town annual report to list the names, titles, salaries and benefits of all town employees (advisory). Voters approved the item 1,567-524. Essex Westford School District election: To be held April 9. Proposed school district budget: $115,043,210, a 4.5% increase over current budget. School Board: Election will be on April 9. Hinesburg Proposed town budget: $5,434,059, a 13.2% increase over current budget. Voters approved the budget. Selectboard: Incumbent Maggie Gordon ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,113 votes. Incumbent Paul Lamberson ran unopposed for a two-year term and received 1,088 votes. Items include: Appropriate $41,450 for 10 non-profit organizations, with more than half of the sum $23,100 going to the Hinesburg Community Resource Center. Voters approved the item 954-362. Proposed school district budget: $96,119,804, a 7.5% increase over the current budget. The budget was defeated in a district-wide vote 5,090-3,391. School district items: Shall the school district allocate $600,000 of its current fund balance as revenue for the 2023-2024 school year and allocate $1,377,414 of the fund balance to future budgets? The item was approved 5,335-3,056. Shall the school district borrow up to $395,000 to purchase three school buses? The item was approved 4,883-3,569. School Board: There is no Hinesburg representative to the CVSD board on the ballot this year. Huntington Proposed town budget: $2,395,465 (of which $2,008,921 would be raised by taxes), up 12.8% from the current budget. The proposal was passed from the floor. Selectboard: Karen Godnick Barber ran unopposed for a two-year seat and received 441 votes. Incumbent Landel Cochran ran unopposed for a three-year seat and received 454 votes. Town officers: Incumbent Heidi Racht ran unopposed for the three-year term as town clerk and received 487 votes. Incumbents Marc Heath (413 votes) and Joe Segale (420) ran unopposed for two three-year seats as planning commissioners. Incumbent Jeanine Carr ran unopposed for one year remaining of a three-year term as planning commissioner, receiving 467 votes. Incumbent Dana Cummings ran unopposed for the one-year moderator seat and received 494 votes. Items include: Authorize the transfer of $118,000 from the General Fund to the Highway Bridge Reserve Fund to be used for essential bridge repairs and reconstruction, including work on Bridge 9H near Texas Hill Road. The proposal was passed from the floor. Transfer $42,826 from the General Fund to the Highway Paving Reserve Fund for paving repairs and reconstruction including work on Hinesburg Hollow Road. The proposal was passed from the floor. Transfer $5,000 from the General Fund to the Highway Equipment Reserve Fund for the purchase of highway equipment, including replacing the towns one-ton plow truck. The proposal was passed from the floor. Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District: (Voting will be held April 2.) Proposed school district budget: $65,623,048, a 18.72% increase over current budget. School Board: Gail Conley ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 438 votes. Jericho Proposed town budget: $3,456,499 a 2.1% increase from the current budget. Budget was approved in a floor vote. Selectboard: Incumbent Erik Johnson ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,164 votes. Challenger Peter Booth defeated incumbent Joseph Flynn 725-598 for one year of an unexpired three-year term. Town clerk: Incumbent Jessica Alexander ran unopposed for a one-year term and received 1,322 votes. Items include: Should Jericho issue a bond for $4.15 million for improvements to the town maintenance facility? Voters approved the item 831-469 Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District: (Voting will be held April 2.) Proposed school district budget: $65,623,048, a 18.72% increase over current budget. School Board: Incumbent Susan Lillich ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,118 votes. Two positions are open for one year of an unexpired three-year term. No candidates have stepped forward. Milton Proposed town budget: $10,025,278 up 2.45% from the current budget, approved 1,559-1,280 Selectboard: Incumbent Michael R. Morgan defeated challenger Lauren Blume 1,873-941 for a three year term. Incumbents Darren Adams (1,829 votes) and Leland Morgan (1,734) were elected to one-year terms over challengers Lonnie Poland (997) and Ember Nova Quinn (579). Town clerk: Kristin Beers ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 2,548 votes. Milton Town School District proposed school district budget: $37,172,203, a 7.3% increase over current budget, was defeated 1,744-1,121. School district items: Should the Milton Town School District appropriate up to $72,723 of the district's fund balance to the Capital Reserve and Maintenance Fund? Approved 1,872-945. School Board: Incumbent Karen Stout defeated Nathan Steady 1,418-1,308 for a three-year term. Challenger Allison Duquette (1,343 votes) defeated incumbent Melinda Young (1,063) and challenger Ember Nova Quinn (333) for a two-year term. Scott O'Brien defeated Emily Hecker 1,442-1,187 for a one-year term. Richmond Proposed town budget: $4,819,779, a roughly 6.4% increase from last year's budget of $4,530,571. The budget was approved. Selectboard: Jay Furr won unopposed for a three-year term with 1,296 votes. Adam Wood won against Matthew Moultroup for a two-year term, 878-458. Items include: Should The Committee on Temporary Shelter receive $1,000 to provide services for unhoused and marginally housed residents, such as emergency shelter and housing? Measure was approved. Should Our Community Cares Camp receive $3,000 to provide children with enrichment and food services and young adults with career development opportunities? Measure was approved. Should Steps to End Domestic Violence receive $1,500 to help residents who have experienced various types of abuse get back on their feet? Measure was approved. Should Turning Point Center of Chittenden County receive $5,000 to help residents recover from substance abuse? Measure was approved. Should HOPE Works receive $1,885 to help end sexual violence against residents? Measure was approved. Should the town spend $9,841,603 over three decades to address various health, safety, and flood-related concerns in the Town Center building? Article failed 772-666. Should the Conservation Reserve Fund be funded through increasing the municipal tax by one cent? Passed 1,014-420. Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District: (Voting will be held April 2.) Proposed school district budget: $65,623,048, an 18.72% increase over current budget. Items: Should the school board be able to borrow money (no more than the school year's expected revenue) through issuing bonds or notes? School Board: Incumbent Katie A. Nelson ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 1,213 votes. St. George Proposed town budget: $369,455, up 19.70% from the current budget. Budget was passed in a floor vote. Selectboard: Rob Crites was chosen for the remainder of three-year term expiring in 2026. Lorri Terrier and Sarah Potter were elected in floor votes for two-year terms. Incumbent Joel Colf was elected in a floor vote for a three-year term. Items include: Pending the votes for town lister and auditor, eliminate the office of town lister and replace with a professionally qualified assessor and eliminate the office of auditor with future audits provided by a public accountant licensed by the state. Residents voted 19-9 to eliminate the office of town lister and tabled a decision on the office of auditor. No lister candidates were elected; two people were elected as auditors. Create a Conservation Fund for the purchase and maintenance of open lands preserving natural areas in St. George. The item was approved in a floor vote. Establish a permanent one-cent tax added to the annual town tax rate to go into the Conservation Fund. Wording was changed from "permanent" to "recurring" and the item was approved in a floor vote. Permanently dedicate the nearly one acre allocated in 2021 for the Schoolhouse in the Town Center subdivision to the town to be used for town purposes. Those purposes would be decided by the Selectboard and approved by the Development Review Board at a later time. The item was approved in a floor vote. Champlain Valley School District: Proposed school district budget: $105,801,185, a 10.07% increase over current budget. The budget was defeated in a district-wide vote 5,090-3,391. School district items: Shall the school district finance $395,000 to purchase three school buses? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,883-3,569. Shall the school district allocate a fund balance of $3,275,547 as revenue for future budgets? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 5,335-3,056. Shall the school district take out a bond for $3.5 million to make school building improvements? Items include Charlotte Central School mechanical, electrical, energy efficiency and paving; CVU High School grounds and building repairs and replacements; Shelburne Community School building and grounds repairs, electrical and HVAC upgrades; Williston Central School flooring and Allen Brook School fire alarm system. The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,851-3,568. Shelburne Proposed town budget: $13,027,637, with $8,775,102 funded by real estate taxes. This year's proposed budget is a 22.6% increase from last year's budget of $10,624,271. The budget was approved 1,531-989. Selectboard: Chunka Mui ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 2,105 votes. Incumbent Matt Wormser ran unopposed for a two-year term and received 2,160 votes. Items include: Should Shelburne purchase and equip an ambulance for Shelburne Rescue through issuing general obligation bonds or notes worth no more than $375,000? The item was approved 2,114-425. Should Shelburne purchase and equip a new engine tanker for Shelburne Volunteer Fire Department through issuing general obligation bonds or notes worth no more than $1 million? The item was approved 1,886-551, Should Shelburne raise $100,000 by increasing taxes to acquire land or rights in land for natural resource and open space preservation? Leftover money will be placed in the Open Space Fund. The item was approved 1,686-729. Champlain Valley School District: Proposed school district budget: $105,801,185, a 10.07% increase over current budget. The budget was defeated in a district-wide vote 5,090-3,391. School district items: Shall the school district finance $395,000 to purchase three school buses? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,883-3,569. Shall the school district allocate a fund balance of $3,275,547 as revenue for future budgets? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 5,335-3,056. Shall the school district take out a bond for $3.5 million to make school building improvements? Items include Charlotte Central School mechanical, electrical, energy efficiency and paving; CVU High School grounds and building repairs and replacements; Shelburne Community School building and grounds repairs, electrical and HVAC upgrades; Williston Central School flooring and Allen Brook School fire alarm system. The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,851-3,568. School Board: Kate Webb ran unopposed for a three-year term replacing outgoing Barbra Marden and received 2,247 votes. South Burlington Proposed town budget: $64,916,064.64 (of which, $21,043,140.22 would come from property taxes), an increase of 17.4%.; budget approved 2,555-2,350. City Council: Laurie Smith defeated Linda Bailey for a three-year seat 2,405-1,952. Mike Scanlan (2,400 votes) defeated Lydia Diamond (643) and Julian Keenan (1,340) for one two-year seat. Elizabeth Fitzgerald ran unopposed for one year remaining on a two-year term and was reelected with 3,777 votes. City clerk: Holly B. Rees ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 4,084 votes. Items include: Amend city charter to increase number of South Burlington School Board seats to seven. Voters approved the item 3,815-977. Spend $5,750,000 for a 2.1 million gallon water storage tank west of Dorset Street was approved 3,610-1,277. South Burlington School District proposed school district budget: $71,192,891, a 13.86% increase over current budget, failed 2,856-2,072. School district items: Shall the school district allocate $2,266,362 in surplus funds to the Capital Reserve Fund for future capital improvements? Voters approved the item 2,798-1,111. School Board: Chelsea Tillinghast ran unopposed for a three-year term and was reelected with 3,598 votes. Elaine Cissi ran unopposed for a two-year term and was elected with 3,583 votes. Tim Warren ran unopposed for one-year remaining of a two-year term and was reelected with 3,672 votes. Underhill Proposed town budget: $3,429,212, a 4.6% increase from the current budget. Voters approved the budget plus an additional $2,000. Selectboard: Incumbent Daniel Steinbauer defeated David Demarest 642-204 for a three-year term. Items include: Shall the voters authorize the purchase of a dump truck and borrow an amount not to exceed $290,000 for a term not to exceed five years? Voters approved the item 662-231. Shall the voters allocate $100,000 that the town receives for State Aid to Highways into the Highway Capital Reserve for the next 5 years? Voters approved the item 782-111. Shall the voters exempt the property of the Underhill Jericho Fire Department from taxation for municipal and school purposes for a period of five years? Voters approved the item 719-172. Shall the voters approve expanding the Selectboard from three members to five members? Voters approved the item 686-208. Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District: (Voting will be held April 2.) Proposed school district budget: $65,623,048, an 18.72% increase over current budget. School Board: No candidates for one vacant seat. Westford Proposed Town Budget: $2,223,929, a 3% increase from the current budget passed with 657 to 170 votes. Selectboard: Wendy Doan won against Robert Bancroft for a one-year term, 401-383. Deb Jorschick won against Greg Bemis for a two-year term, 455-295. Casey Mathieu won with 661 votes for a three-year term with two years remaining. Patrick Haller won against Basil Panattu for a three-year term, 434-334. Items include: Should the town spend up to $630,000 for a fire tanker truck for the Westford Fire Department? Passed 641-170. Essex Westford School District election: Voting will be held April 9. Proposed school district budget: $115,043,210, a 4.5% increase over current budget. School Board: Election will be on April 9. Williston Proposed town budget: $15,353,518 (of which $8,080,011 would be raised by taxes), up 16.7% from the current budget. Voters rejected the budget 1,494-1,285. Selectboard: Greta DAgostino , incumbent, ran unopposed for a three-year term and received 2,351 votes. Mike Isham, incumbent, ran unopposed for a two-year term and received 2,518 votes. Items include: Shall the town take out a bond for $700,000 to expand the Town Hall parking lot by 6,400 square feet? Voters rejected the item 1,631-1,160. Shall the town take out a bond for $400,000 to construct and install a fire suppression system within the Old Brick Church? Voters rejected the item 1,523-1,261. Proposed school district budget: $105,801,185, a 10.07% increase over current budget. The budget was defeated in a district-wide vote 5,090-3,391. School district items: Shall the school district finance $395,000 to purchase three school buses? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,883-3,569. Shall the school district allocate a fund balance of $3,275,547 as revenue for future budgets? The item was approved in a district-wide vote 5,335-3,056. Shall the school district take out a bond for $3.5 million to make school building improvements? Items include Charlotte Central School mechanical, electrical, energy efficiency and paving; CVU High School grounds and building repairs and replacements; Shelburne Community School building and grounds repairs, electrical and HVAC upgrades; Williston Central School flooring and Allen Brook School fire alarm system. The item was approved in a district-wide vote 4,851-3,568. School Board: Brendan McMahon, incumbent (2,246 votes), and Sarah Showalter-Feuillette (2,067) ran unopposed for two three-year seats. Winooski Proposed Town Budget: $10,981,086.07, with $8,309,546.35 raised from property taxes. This year's proposed budget is an 18.8% increase from last year's budget of $9,242,032.87. It passed 933-388. Mayor: Incumbent Kristine Lott won with 1,174 votes for a three-year term. City Council: Incumbent Aurora Hurd ran against Nick Brownell and Thomas Renner for two two-year seats. Hurd and Renner won with 848 and 891 votes to Brownell's 439. Items include: Should the City Council be allowed to receive and use funding from sources other than property taxes? Passing this article will not affect property taxes. Passed 1,210-112. Should up to the $515,000 of the 2020 Capital Improve Bond be used to pay for improvements to the city's streets, traffic control and landscape, sidewalks and roads? Passed 1,215-118. Should the city issue bonds, notes or other debts worth no more than $4.6 million to pay for the Burlington-Winooski Bridge Project? Passed 1,066-253. Should $3.2 million of infrastructure bond proceeds pay for a supervisory control and data acquisition upgrade? Passed 1,021-242. Winooski School District proposed school district budget: $31,970,907, a 25.65% increase over current budget was passed 922-397. School district items: Shall the school district spend $2,669,825 for special education programs, which will come entirely from federal funds and not be raised through taxes? Passed 1,185-138. School Board: Isaiah L. Donaldson won with 1,022 votes for a three-year term. Elom Kpesse won with 1,012 votes for a two-year term. Nicole Mace won with 1,063 votes for the remainder of a three-year term that expires in 2026. Burlington School District Proposed school district budget: $119,604,584, a 14.84% increase over current budget. Passed 10,267-4,070. School Board: Ward 1: Rida Kori won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,210 votes. Ward 2: Polly Vanderputten won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,459 votes. Ward 3: Saja Almogalli won unopposed for a two-year seat, 1,245 votes. Ward 4: Incumbent Martine Larocque Gulick won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,993 votes. Ward 5: Incumbent Lucia W. Campriello won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,834 votes. Ward 6: Incumbent Clare Wool won unopposed for a two-year seat with 1,567 votes. Ward 7: Incumbent Monika Ivancic won against William Oetjen for a two-year seat, 1,553-401. Ward 8: William R. Church won unopposed for a two-year seat with 632 votes. Champlain Valley School District The Champlain Valley School District covers the towns of Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George and Williston. School Board candidates are listed according to town above. Proposed school district budget: $105,801,185, a 10.07% increase over current budget. The budget was defeated in a district-wide vote 5,090-3,391. School district items: Shall the school district finance $395,000 to purchase three school buses? The item was approved 4,883-3,569. Shall the school district allocate a fund balance of $3,275,547 as revenue for future budgets? The item was approved 5,335-3,056. Shall the school district take out a bond for $3.5 million to make school building improvements? Items include Charlotte Central School mechanical, electrical, energy efficiency and paving; CVU High School grounds and building repairs and replacements; Shelburne Community School building and grounds repairs, electrical and HVAC upgrades; Williston Central School flooring and Allen Brook School fire alarm system. The item was approved 4,851-3,568. Colchester School District Proposed school district budget: $57,425,957 a 9.58% increase over current budget. Approved 1,885-1,505. School Board: Jennifer Fath received 2,673 votes running unopposed for a two-year term. Incumbent Laurie Shepard-Kigonya received 2,592 votes running unopposed for a three-year term. Essex Westford School District The Essex Westford School District covers the towns of Essex, Essex Junction and Westford. Essex Westford School District informational meeting: There will be a board meeting where the budget is discussed on Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Essex High School Library, 2 Educational Drive, Essex Junction. Voting: Election will be on April 9. Proposed school district budget: $115,043,210, a 4.5% increase over current budget. Milton Town School District School district items: Should the Milton Town School District appropriate up to $72,723 of the district's fund balance to the Capital Reserve and Maintenance Fund? Approved 1,872-945. School Board: Incumbent Karen Stout defeated Nathan Steady 1,418-1,308 for a three-year term. Challenger Allison Duquette (1,343 votes) defeated incumbent Melinda Young (1,063) and challenger Ember Nova Quinn (333) for a two-year term. Scott O'Brien defeated Emily Hecker 1,442-1,187 for a one-year term. Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District covers the towns of Bolton, Huntington, Jericho, Richmond and Underhill. School Board candidates are listed according to town above. All voting will be April 2. Proposed school district budget: $65,623,048, a 18.72% increase over current budget. Milton School District Proposed school district budget: $37,172,203, a 7.3% increase over current budget. School district items: Shall the school district appropriate $72,723 from the districts balance to the capital reserve and maintenance fund? School Board: Nathan B. Steady and Karen Stout (I)are running for a three-year term. Allison Duquette , Ember Nova Quinn and Melinda Young are running for a two-year term. Emily Hecker and Scott O-Brien are running for a one-year term. South Burlington School District Proposed school district budget: $71,192,891, a 13.86% increase over current budget. Failed 2,856-2,072. School district items: Shall the school district allocate $2,266,362 in surplus funds to the Capital Reserve Fund for future capital improvements? Voters approved the item 2,798-1,111. School Board: Chelsea Tillinghast ran unopposed for a three-year term and was reelected with 3,598 votes. Elaine Cissi ran unopposed for a two-year term and was elected with 3,583 votes. Tim Warren ran unopposed for one-year remaining of a two-year term and was reelected with 3,672 votes. Winooski School District Winooski School District proposed school district budget: $31,970,907, a 25.65% increase over current budget was passed with 922 votes over 397 votes. School district items: Shall the school district spend $2,669,825 for special education programs, which will come entirely from federal funds and not be raised through taxes? Passed with 1,185 votes to 138 votes. School board: Isaiah L. Donaldson won with 1,022 votes for a three-year term. Elom Kpesse won with 1,012 votes for a two-year term. Nicole Mace won with 1,063 votes for the remainder of a three-year term that expires in 2026. Champlain Water District The Champlain Water District serves the towns of Colchester, Essex, Essex Junction, Jericho, Milton, Shelburne, South Burlington, Williston and Winooski. These towns' ballots may include the following item: Should the Champlain Water District allocate $3,200,000 of unused funds to implement a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition upgrade. Burlington Free Press reporters April Barton, Dan D'Ambrosio, Sydney Hakes, Brent Hallenbeck and Megan Stewart contributed to this report. Contact Burlington Free Press staff at metro@burlingtonfreepress.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Town Meeting Day 2024 results from around Chittenden County Youre zipping along I-20, minding your business, when all of a sudden those all-to-familiar blue lights appear in your rearview mirror. Were you speeding? Do you have a brake light out? Whatever you may have done, your traffic violation in South Carolina will accrue points that could eventually cost you your drivers license. According to the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles, South Carolina is one of several states that levies points against a persons drivers license for breaking traffic laws. The purpose of the point system is to make problem drivers improve their driving habits and protect innocent people from careless and reckless drivers, the SCDMV website states. Below are details on traffic violation point values and how many will cost a person their drivers license, according to the SCDMV and the Drennan Law Firm in Mount Pleasant. SC drivers license suspension So, how many points does a driver need to earn before their license is suspended? A drivers license in South Carolina can be suspended after the driver gains 12 points, Brennan Law Firm states. And based on the point system below, reaching 12 points may be easier and faster than some residents think. Points for SC traffic violations South Carolina traffic tickets are separated into three categories of severity. 2 points: Shifting lanes without signaling, failing to dim lights, operating without adequate lights, improper or dangerous parking, driving an unsafe vehicle, driving in the wrong lane, backing up improperly, speeding 10 mph or less than the posted speed limit. 4 points: Driving on the wrong side of the road, disobeying an officer, unlawfully passing or turning, disobeying traffic signals or signs, failure to yield the right of way, driving through a safety zone, failure to signal, tailgating, driving with inadequate brakes, speeding between 10 and 25 mph above the speed limit. 6 points: Reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus, hit and run with property damage, speeding 25 mph or more above the speed limit. Brennan Law Firm notes that DUIs or hit and runs resulting in injuries and death carry criminal penalties, but can also lead to a suspension of your drivers license. How to reduce points Points on a South Carolina drivers license are not permanent, but they dont exactly drop away fast either. Traffic points are reduced in half one year from the time they are levied. To have them reduced faster, the SCDMV suggests drivers complete the National Safety Councils 8-hour defensive driving course or an equivalent. There are also some defensive driving courses offered at SCDMV-certified driving schools. Find the schools that offer the course by searching for ones certified for four-point reduction, SCDMV states. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has made an arrest in connection with a 2021 murder in Victorville. Bryan Brewer, 32, was found dead inside a home in the 15600 block of Jay Post Road on April 13, 2021, authorities said in a news release. He had sustained a knife wound. Now, nearly three years later, an extensive ongoing investigation identified 30-year-old transient Brandon Mitchell Hunsaker as the alleged assailant. Authorities did not elaborate as to how Hunsaker was identified. Hunsaker is being held without bail at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic on an unrelated charge, according to the SBSD and jail records. Hunsaker, who has been in custody since Oct. 23, 2023, will be transferred to the SBSD in the next few weeks to face this murder charge. Anyone with information can call Detective Brandon Becker 909-890-4904. To report information anonymously, call WeTip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BUDAPEST, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok on Tuesday signed a bill ratifying Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). "President of the Republic Tamas Sulyok, today signed the decision made by the National Assembly on Feb. 26, 2024, regarding Sweden's accession to NATO," said the presidential office. The president's signature was needed to put into force a bill that was passed in Hungary's parliament. Hungary is the last of the 31 NATO member countries that approved Sweden's bid to join the military alliance. Sweden will officially become the 32nd member of the alliance at its next summit in Washington D.C. in July. 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. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File) BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Migrants bound for the U.S. are once again crossing the Darien Gap in large numbers, officials in Colombia said on Monday, after being stranded for much of last week in a small town along the country's Caribbean coast due to a work stoppage by local boat captains. Johann Wachter Espitia, deputy mayor of Necocli, said that 3,000 migrants have left the town since Friday on boats headed towards the Darien jungle, with another 400 people waiting and sleeping in tents, as they gather money to pay for their tickets. From Necocli migrants board boats that take them to two remote villages, where the treacherous trails that cross the Darien Gap begin. The dense and roadless rainforest divides South America from Central America and in recent years it has become a common, yet perilous route for hundreds of thousands of South Americans, Asians and Africans headed to the United States. From Monday to Thursday of last week transit across the Darien dwindled as boat companies in Necocli went on strike over the arrest of two of their boat captains by Colombias navy. The captains had been intercepted after they left Necocli in two boats carrying around 150 migrants and were accused by authorities of transporting migrants in unsafe conditions, and of contributing to human trafficking. The two companies operating boat services from Necocli towards the Darien Gap stopped their services in protest for four days. They resumed activities on Friday after holding several meetings with municipal and national government officials, who were concerned over the large numbers of migrants stranded in the small town. According to Colombia's Human Rights Ombudsman, around 8,000 migrants were stranded in Necocli by Thursday, generating the potential for a public health crisis. According to Wachter Espitia, the companies agreed to a request that migrants boarding their boats register on a government app. More details on the conditions for transporting migrants will be discussed in another meeting later this week, he said. Colombia has long allowed migrants from different nations to transit through its territory without visas. But the South American nation has come under increasing pressure from U.S. officials to stem the flow of migrants headed north, as record numbers of people seek asylum at the U.S. border. Last year 520,000 people crossed the Darien Gap on foot, according to authorities in Panama, where most migrants register with officials in villages on the northern side of the jungle before they continue their journey to the United States. Panamas Security Minister Juan Pino said Monday that the number of migrants crossing the Darien could increase this year, with more than 73,000 crossings registered in the first two months of 2024, a 52% increase from the same period last year. Most of those crossings this year have been Venezuelans escaping their nation's economic crisis, followed by migrants from Haiti, China and Ecuador. Despite its growing popularity, the Darien Gap continues to be a dangerous route where migrants have drowned while crossing swollen rivers and are exposed to robberies, sexual violence and tropical diseases. On Friday Doctors Without Borders said it had treated 233 victims of sexual violence at its health posts in the Darien Gap during the first two months of this year. In a report published last year, Human Rights Watch said the Colombian side of the Darien is run by the Gulf Clan, a drug trafficking group that is taking a hefty cut from the fees that migrants must pay to guides and porters that lead them to the border with Panama. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america The Biden administration on Tuesday unveiled sanctions on two individuals and five corporate entities tied to the Intellexa consortium, a network of European firms behind the sale of a widely used mobile surveillance software known as Predator. Part of a larger crackdown: The Treasury Department action marks the latest move by the Biden administration to crack down on a shadowy ecosystem of commercial spyware vendors based in Europe whose products have been used by foreign governments against dissidents and against U.S. citizens. In July, the White House added two European firms with ties to the Intellexa consortium to a Commerce Department blacklist. This action also recognizes the challenge and threat to Americans of commercial spyware misuse globally, but also particularly in Europe, said a senior administration official, who provided a briefing to reporters ahead of the announcement on condition of anonymity. The problem: The Intellexa consortium's Predator spyware which can surreptitiously extract messages, photos and location data from mobile phones has been used to surveil foreign politicians, dissidents and journalists, and even a U.S. citizen in Europe and Africa. The company has sprung up to fill the vacuum left by Israels NSO Group, a once-prolific spyware maker that has been battered by tightening domestic export controls, foreign sanctions and public scrutiny. The impact: The sanctions will block all U.S. property owned in whole or in part by the following entities: Two individuals: Tal Dilian, a former Israeli general and the founder of Intellexa, and Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou, a corporate off-shoring specialist, per a Treasury Department fact sheet. And five firms: Greece-based Intellexa S.A., Ireland-based Intellexa Limited, North Macedonian-based Cytrox AD, Hungary-based Cytrox Holdings, and Ireland based Thalestris Limited. The official also argued the move would have symbolic value, undercutting the market for similar firms. Intellexa consortium could not be immediately reached for comment. The timing: The move comes ahead of the March 18 Summit for Democracy in South Korea. At last years summit, the U.S. and a slew of foreign partners signed a joint statement outlining their commitment to reigning in the use of commercial surveillance tools. It followed shortly after a March 2023 executive order forbidding executive branch agencies from using spyware tied to repeated human rights abuses. BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) The Tremont branch of the New York Public Library is now officially a landmark in New York City, officials announced on Tuesday. The Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the decades-old library after a unanimous vote. The library was built in 1905 and is one of the 67 libraries constructed in New York City that was funded by Andrew Carnegie. The Tremont branch, located at 1866 Washington Ave., established one of the first girls reading clubs in the NYPL branch system. Tremont librarians have also taught classes to young children, English to new immigrants, and helped hold meetings for community members. More Bronx News The New York Public Librarys Tremont branch is a classically-inspired Carnegie library, designed by the firm Carrere and Hastings in a distinctive architectural style to be recognizable to all New Yorkers at the turn of the century a symbol of learning and opportunity that was open to all, said Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll. Todays designation is a tribute to this remarkable library, its dedicated staff, and the Tremont community, and reflects the Commissions ongoing commitment to recognizing the rich history of the Bronx as told through the historic buildings and sites located across the borough, she continued. Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI (Reuters) - The trial in Vietnam's largest financial fraud case on record began on Tuesday, with nearly 90 defendants accused of being part of a $12 billion scam, for which some of them risk the death penalty. The trial, expected to last until the end of April at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City, is part of a much wider campaign against corruption in the country which the leader of the ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, has pledged for years to stamp out, with no tangible results yet. The anti-graft drive has led in recent months to multiple high-profile arrests and the resignation of top figures, including the country's former president last year, but the trial for the chairwoman of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group is unprecedented for its scale, with thousands expected to be summoned and about two hundred lawyers participating in the proceedings, according to state media. Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan and her accomplices are accused of siphoning off 304 trillion dong ($12.46 billion) from the country's largest bank by assets, Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), which Lan effectively controlled through dozens of proxies, according to investigators. A lawyer for Lan declined comment. If proved, it could be one of the largest financial frauds in Asia. Malaysia's 1MDB corruption scandal involved for instance only about $4.5 billion. The start of the trial featured prominently in state media which showed pictures and footage of Lan and other defendants in the courtroom surrounded by dozens of police officers. From early 2018 through October 2022, when SCB was bailed out by the state after a run on its deposits, Lan appropriated large sums by arranging unlawful loans to shell companies, according to public investigators. Another $1.2 billion was lost by holders of bonds issued by Van Thinh Phat, Lan's real estate firm, according to the investigators. Lan has for years been a central figure in Vietnam's finance and orchestrated the merger of SCB with other two lenders in 2011 to salvage the troubled banks in a plan coordinated with the central bank. She owns several properties in Ho Chi Minh City's richest district and has multiple assets abroad, according to investigators and public information. Top international auditors, including Ernst & Young and KPMG, did not raise any concern about the bank in their audits, public documents show. They did not reply to requests for comment. WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION In addition to charges of embezzlement, Lan is also accused of giving bribes and of breaching banking regulations. She risks the death penalty. Among the other defendants are Lan's husband, a Chinese national, and 15 central bank officials, including a senior inspector accused of taking bribes worth $5.2 million from Lan. Despite years of the anti-graft campaign, known locally as "blazing furnace", corruption remains widespread in the Southeast Asian country, leading many to question motives behind any arrest. In some provinces, up to 90% of applicants for land certificates paid a bribe, and kickbacks are also extremely common to receive medical services in public hospitals, according to a report published in March 2023 by the United Nations Development Programme and other organisations. "Bribe-taking amounts that would trigger citizens' denouncements ranged between 20 million dong ($810) and 43 million dong ($1,742), indicating citizens' levels of tolerance of bribe-taking acts," said the report, with the upper value being five times the average monthly salary in the country. ($1 = 24,675.0000 dong) (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) A historic Miami trial spotlighting the assassination of Haitis president will likely be held months after its scheduled date in May for the remaining five defendants who have not reached plea deals with federal prosecutors. On Tuesday, prosecutors told a federal judge that theyre willing to delay the trial until October. But defense attorneys said they needed even more time until March of next year citing the huge volume of evidence, the logistical challenge of meeting with their clients detained in a federal lock-up and the backdrop of extraordinary turmoil in Haiti. READ MORE: Haiti has deployed its army; troops joined police to push back gang takeover of airport Jacqueline Becerra, the newly confirmed federal judge who was handed the remainder of the case by veteran jurist Jose Martinez on Tuesday, ordered both sides to make their arguments for a new trial date in writing. But she made her timeline clear. It looks like a continuance [of the trial] is in order, but Id be surprised if its going to be a year, said Becerra, who, as a magistrate judge, had been reviewing some of the pre-trial motions by both sides in the Haiti assassination case. The high-profile U.S. case is at a crossroads: five of the 11 defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiring to kill Haitis president, Jovenel Moise, on July 7, 2021, resulting in life sentences that they hope to get reduced with their cooperation. A sixth defendant also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving the smuggling of bulletproof vests that were illegally exported to Haiti for a group of ex-Colombian soldiers who carried out the deadly attack. The remaining five defendants are charged with conspiring in South Florida to kidnap or kill Haitis leader and related charges, including recruiting the Colombian commandos. The conspiracy charge carries up to life in prison. The defendants facing trial are: Antonio Intriago, the head of a Miami-area security firm, CTU; Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, a former FBI informant who joined Intriago at CTU; Walter Veintemilla, a Broward County financier; James Solages, a Haitian American; and Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haitian pastor and physician who was initially seen by the group as a successor to Moise as Haitis president. Last month, Sanon was charged with the others for the first time with conspiring to kill Haitis leader, after first being accused of trying to carry out a military expedition against a foreign country. It was the fifth superseding indictment filed by prosecutors Andrea Goldbarg, Monica Castro and Frank Russo. 2.5 million pieces of evidence At Tuesdays hearing, attorneys for all five defendants said they needed a year or possibly even more time to prepare for trial, pointing out that the federal prosecutors are still in the process of turning over more than 2.5 million pieces of evidence, including text messages, emails and other records. If you gave us another year, it would still not be enough time, said Emmanuel Perez, one of the attorneys for Intriago. Its impossible for us to go to trial in the next couple of months, he said, referring to the scheduled May 9 trial date. It is an absolutely overwhelming amount of discovery that we have to process. ... Add to that, whats going on with the Haitian government is unfathomable. Since the presidents assassination at his home outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti has plunged into total chaos as armed gangs have terrorized the island nation with no presidential election on the horizon. While the U.S. investigation led by the FBI moved quickly, Haitis probe of the presidents slaying only resulted in an indictment last month. A total of 51 people were charged by an investigative judge in collaboration with a prosecutor. Among those accused of the deadly attack: the slain presidents widow, Martine Moise, who suffered gunshot wounds during the assault on the familys home. We now know when the trial is scheduled to begin for a Georgia woman accused in a murder-for-hire attempt to kill her husband in the Bahamas. Channel 2 Action News has been following the case against Lindsay Shiver since her arrest last year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Prosecutors say Shiver, her alleged lover Terrance Bethel, and another man, Faron Newbold, arranged for one of them to kill Robert Shiver. Georgia court records showed that the Shivers filed for divorce months before police uncovered the alleged plot. Lindsay Shiver pleaded not guilty and requested a speedy trial in order to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible to get back to her family. On Monday, the judge set the date for her trial to begin on July 1. The charges against Shiver, Bethel and Newbold carry up to 60 years in jail time if they are convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, ABC News previously reported. TRENDING STORIES: Shiver has been allowed to return to the United States since her arrest. In December, a judge granted her permission to stay at her parents home in Alabama for the holidays, but was not allowed to step foot in Georgia unless it was for a divorce or custody hearing. The judge also said Shiver cannot come within 100 feet of her estranged husband, except for the court hearings. Shiver will have two more hearings on May 1 and June 5 before the trial begins in July. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Editors note: Welcome back to our series Lets Dish, Kansas City, showcasing some of our favorite restaurant meals. Click here to sign up for our new newsletter. And scroll down to learn how you can participate. My first Kansas City dining experience came after a long day of moving. After arriving from Texas late on a Thursday in October, I woke up the next day, made a pit stop at Starbucks and headed to my new apartment in the West Bottoms to meet the movers. Hours later, I was exhausted and hungry. Luckily, I found Fortunati Pizza just across the street, near Hy-Vee Arena. Its an easy place to miss, with its small building, unassuming Fortunati sign outside and a tiny neon pizza sign in a window corner. Fortunatis 12-inch baked potato pizza has a sourdough crust topped with house-made white sauce, mozzarella, bacon, potato slices and sour cream and onion flakes. Theres not much inside, either. But you will find the magic of a great pizza there. One in particular caught my attention: baked potato pizza, something Id never seen. Too many carbs? Yes. But I was too hungry to care. The pizza is topped with white sauce, mozzarella, bacon (Im talking thick-sliced; no crumbs or bits here), sliced potatoes and a sour cream n onion dust. It works perfectly with the sourdough crust and has become my go-to order. Its truly the best way to eat baked potatoes. Unfortunately for my waistline, I can eat the 12-inch pizza in one sitting because theres nothing like the comfort this pizza brings after a long week at work or when I am feeling too lazy to cook. Justin Norcross, owner of Fortunati Pizza, plates a 12-inch baked potato pizza. He opened the restaurant last summer. Justin Norcross, who helped open the restaurant last summer, said he learned about potatoes on pizza from his friend Nick Vella, who owned Observation Pizza on the West Side before he died in 2020. Norcross said Vellas family is from Malta, an island nation in the Mediterranean. Potatoes on pizza is normal in the country, as it is in Italy. I used to make fun of him and tell him, You dont put potatoes on pizza; thats just weird, Norcross said. He would say, Youre just an American and wouldnt understand. It is a thing. Norcross skepticism soon vanished. The second I tried it, I was like, I see you, he said. This was good. It was outside of what I thought was good pizza. The interior of Fortunati Pizza is pretty nondescript, except for this mural by artist Jake Schlenck. It is among only six pizza options on the menu that also includes a spicy sausage variety with vodka sauce, and a Pep Boi topped with pepperoni, hot honey and jalapeno. The restaurant also sells custom-made pizza. Norcross said the menu may change as the business grows. The baked potato pie is $18 for a 12-inch and $22 for a 16-inch. The restaurant came about after Norcross started making pizzas for friends and family at the start of the pandemic. He and his business partners later introduced Tuesday and Thursday night pizza parties at their bar, Lucky Boys. The pizza was such a hit that they decided to open the pizzeria two doors down. Fortunati Pizza is tucked away in the West Bottoms at 1623 Genessee St. It just evolved into this thing where we were like, lets do this, Norcross said. Lets take this thing we started out of desperation and put it in front of people. The name Fortunati is a play on the bars name it means lucky in Italian. It is located at 1623 Genessee St. and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. This embedded content is not available in your region. North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson won Tuesday's GOP gubernatorial primary. Donald Trump has repeatedly praised Robinson. But Robinson's history of antisemitic and other derogatory remarks now looms over his gubernatorial campaign. North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson won the state's GOP gubernatorial primary Tuesday evening, according to NBC News, setting up a closely contested race that will test whether his history of derogatory statements will derail his chances. A former furniture salesman, Robinson went viral after a 2018 speech at a Greensboro City Council meeting. He is also a pastor. Former President Donald Trump called him "Martin Luther King [Jr.] on steroids" in a pre-election rally. Robinson's rapid rise has put him on the verge of becoming the first Black governor. But his history of antisemitic comments and other derogatory remarks now looms over the race. Democrats currently hold the governor's mansion, but Gov. Roy Cooper is term-limited. Attorney General Josh Stein won the Democratic nomination, per the Associated Press. As The Washington Post stated, Robinson's history of offensive comments "stand out even in Trump's party." In 2014, Robinson quoted Hitler on Facebook, and in 2018 he compared protesters tearing down a Confederate statue to Kristallnacht, a night of Nazi destruction that proceeded the Holocaust. That same year he also speculated Marvel's Black Panther was created by an "agnostic Jew" to profit off of Black people (he actually used a Yiddish slur instead of Black people). And in 2017, Robinson even posted his thoughts on the viral topic of killing baby Hitler, concluding the Nazi dictator was not the one to target. "Folks always talk about killing 'baby Hitler' to spare humanity from extreme misery," Robinson wrote in 2017, per Jewish Insider. "But if you really wanna do humanity a favor go back and kill 'baby Friedrich Engels' and 'toddler Karl Marx.'" Last year, Robinson told reporters of his posts that there "was never any antisemitism intended in those words." He was adamant that he was not against Jewish people either, vowing "there is no antisemitism standing here in front of you." "I apologize for the wording," Robinson said while marking a "Solidarity with Israel Week" after Hamas' October 7 attack, per WRAL News. "We've dealt with the Facebook posts and moved past them." The Raleigh News & Observer also unearthed a 2020 interview where Robinson spoke with a fringe pastor who says the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" include the Rothschild banking family. At the time of his election, the Republican Jewish Coalition called Robinson's history of remarks "clearly antisemitic." It's not just his antisemitic comments. In 2021, Robinson likened gay and transgender people to "filth." While many of his remarks were made before he was elected, Robinson made that statement while in office. He's also repeatedly called former first lady Michelle Obama a man. HuffPost assembled an entire collection of his comments degrading successful women, including Taylor Swift. Robinson also blamed the initial sexual assault accusations against comedian Bill Cosby on "the Illuminati." Last year, CNN uncovered other posts where he defended the shooting of Kent State Protestors, an act the Nixon administration concluded was unjustified. Trump could make all the difference. The former president carried the state by less than two percentage points in 2020. A former GOP official told Politico that Stein would likely win in November if Trump performs similarly this year. But if the former president can run up the score, he could push Robinson to victory. Before former Gov. Pat McCrory's election in 2012, Republicans hadn't won a gubernatorial contest in nearly three decades. Stein has also massively outraised Robinson. According to their campaigns' most recent reports, Stein had roughly $12.7 million on hand while Robinson had just under $4.5 million. A representative from Robinson's campaign did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider BISMARCK, North Dakota Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, ahead of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. The results resumes Trumps winning streak, which was briefly interrupted on Sunday when Haley notched her first victory of the campaign in the District of Columbias primary. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when results will pour in from states across the country in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. Trump and President Joe Biden are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations later this month. Under North Dakotas rules, candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20percent of the vote. However, a candidate who wins at least 60 percent of the vote receives all of the states 29 delegates. Four candidates were on the ballot, including Trump and Haley. The other candidates, who have received little attention, were Florida businessperson David Stuckenberg and Texas businessperson and pastor Ryan Binkley, who recently ended his campaign. Trump swept North Dakotas three Electoral College votes in 2016 and 2020, winning about 63 percent and 65 percent of those votes, respectively. The last Democrat to win North Dakota in November was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. As president, Trump visited Bismarck and Mandan in 2017 to talk about tax cuts, and he campaigned twice in Fargo in 2018 for Kevin Cramer in the then-congressmembers successful Senate bid against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. North Dakotas Democratic-NPL Party is holding a presidential primary almost entirely by mail, with mail-in voting from Feb. 20 to March 30, and limited in-person voting for residents of Indian reservations. President Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips and six others are on the ballot. A third party will count ballots in Fargo on March 30, with results available on the partys website afterward. As Fani Willis fate in the Trump election interference case rests in the hands of a Georgia judge, defense lawyers say two more attorneys are willing to testify under oath that a witness told them the Fulton County district attorneys relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade began earlier than theyve claimed. In their effort to disqualify Willis from the case and prove she began a romantic relationship with Wade before hiring him in November 2021, defense lawyers pushed their star witness, Georgia lawyer Terrence Bradley, to testify that he had personal knowledge that the affair began before the DA was sworn into office. But both times Bradley took the stand, he insisted that he couldnt recall when the relationship began and invoked his attorney-client privilege with Wade as his one-time divorce attorney. Nowwith the hearing already overtwo attorneys have said they are willing to testify that Bradley also told them Willis relationship began with Wade before he went to work for the DAs office. I talked to Mr. Bradley on four, five, maybe six occasions. He couldnt have been more professional, Manny Arora, who represented former Trump lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, told The Daily Beast on Tuesday. He was very specific and forthcoming, and said the relationship started way earlier. The Sauciest Moments From Fani Willis Time on the Stand Arora said he spoke to Bradley when his team initially considered filing a motion about potential misconduct stemming from Willis and Wades relationship. His team, however, ran out of time, as Chesebro took a plea deal in October 2023 that may compel him to testify in the election interference case. A Tuesday motion asking to re-open the hearing for additional evidence states that Bradley told Arora that the relationship began while Willis was running for district attorney and that she had Wade supervise her transition into office. The filing by an attorney for Trumps co-defendant, Cathy Lathan, also states Bradley knew that Wade had a garage opener for an apartment where Willis briefly stayed. While on the stand, Bradley denied having any personal knowledge of Wade having the garage opener. Arora told The Daily Beast he was surprised by Bradley's vague testimonyand that if subpoenaed, he would be willing to talk about their chats under oath. That was just not the same person I talked to, Arora said. I was very disappointed. Cindi Lee Yeager, a Cobb County co-chief deputy district attorney, also claims she spoke with Bradley about Wade and Willis relationship. In a Monday motion, lawyers for co-defendant David Shafer state Bradley told Yeager that Wade had definitively begun a romantic relationship with Ms. Willis during the time that Ms. Willis was running for district attorney in 2019 through 2020. The filing states Yeager told defense attorneys that she also overheard Willis call Bradley last September after an article came out about how much money Mr. Wade and his law partners had been paid in this case. They are coming after us, Willis allegedly told Bradley, according to Yeagers account detailed in the defense filing. You dont need to talk to them about anything about us. While the context of that alleged call is not immediately clear, it could call into question Bradleys assertion on the stand that he did not personally know Willis. My interaction with Ms. Willis was never where I would pick up the phone and talk to her, he said. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is set to rule on whether Willis should be disqualified from the case within the next two weeks. In the Monday filing, Shafers lawyers ask McAfee to allow Yeager to testify in the event that the court reopens the hearing to receive additional evidence. Yeager watched Mr. Bradleys testimony before the Court and became concerned as a result of the fact that what Mr. Bradley testified to on the witness stand was directly contrary to what Mr. Bradley had told Ms. Yeager in person, the motion added. Wade and Willis both confirmed during the evidentiary hearing that they had a romantic relationship that began in 2022 and ended last summer. The two have denied any wrongdoing and pushed back on claims that Willis financially benefited from the affair because the two went on lavish vacations. The Fulton County District Attorneys Office did not respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment. In a Tuesday filing, however, prosecutors insist that Trump and his co-defendants did not successfully prove that Willis had an actual conflict of interest or engaged in misconductand thus Willis should remain on the case. The filing also notes that while the defense attorneys have accused Willis of benefiting from prosecuting the case, they have not provided any evidence to prove she has any direct personal stake in its outcome. Inappropriate or improper disqualification of a district attorney, elected by the people of this county and constitutionally mandated to represent the state in all criminal cases in the superior court of this circuit, has severe consequencesboth for the peoples faith in their constitutional right to be represented by a district attorney elected by them... and for the publics confidence in our system of justice, prosecutors wrote in the filing. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday night, returning his campaign for the 2024 GOP nomination to a winning streak that was interrupted for the first time a day earlier with Nikki Haleys victory in Washington, D.C. The former president won 84.6 percent of the overall vote, according to the Associated Press, while Haley attracted just 14.2 percent. A 70 Point win in the Great State of North Dakota tonight, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, later reminding his voters of whats next: SUPER TUESDAY, a really big deal. Please get out and VOTE! Trump Claims He Lost to Haley in D.C. Because He Purposely Stayed Away In winning more than 60 percent of the vote, Trump takes all of the states 29 delegates, bringing his overall total to 273. Former South Carolina Gov. Haley has just 43 heading into Super Tuesday, in which about one-third of the remaining available delegates will be distributed as voters cast their ballots in caucuses and primaries across 15 states. Trump holds commanding poll leads over Haley in the days two biggest racesthe California primary, with 169 delegates, and the Texas primary, which has 161. Speaking in an interview with Right Side Broadcasting Network at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, Trump hailed his near-perfect record in the races so far. We were just knockin em dead, Trump said. In New Hampshire, we had the most votes in history. Iowawe had the biggest margin in history times two. And in Nevada was a record, all records. Somethings really fantastic happening out there. He went to claim that the country wants help. Theyre screaming for help, I really believe it, with millions and millions of people coming in illegally. Trump then got a big laugh rehashing a favorite line comparing migrants to the fictional cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Theyre rough people, Trump said of those crossing the southern U.S. border. In many cases from jails, prisons. From mental institutions, insane asylums. You know insane asylums? Thats Silence of the Lambs stuff. Hannibal Lecter! Anybody know Hannibal Lecter? We dont want em in this country. Its unclear how long Haley will remain in the race for the nomination. In her final campaign stop before Super Tuesday, Haley told supporters in Fort Worth, Texas, that the race had been a whirlwind. I announced [my campaign] just over a year ago, the former U.N. ambassador said. We had 14 people in the race. I defeated a dozen of the fellas, she said to cheers. I just have one more fella I gotta catch up to. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Former President Trump demanded he receive a new trial after a jury ordered him to pay $83.3 million in advice columnist E. Jean Carrolls defamation lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has previously rejected many of the arguments contained within Trumps two separate post-trial motions, both filed Tuesday. In particular, the former president took aim at how Kaplan, an appointee of former President Clinton, heavily restricted what Trump could tell jurors while on the witness stand. Kaplan imposed the limitations after finding Trump liable for defamation prior to trial because of Carrolls win in a separate lawsuit last year. Januarys trial was limited to the issue of damages. Trumps attorneys pointed to an exchange ahead of Trumps scheduled testimony where the judge asserted he wanted to know everything (Trump) is going to say. Kaplan had gone over each question and Trumps intended responses in meticulous detail before jurors heard from Trump, cutting off the former president at times as he testified. Trump was on the stand for less than five minutes. Just before President Trump took the stand at trial, the Court engaged in a colloquy with defense counsel designed to restrict the scope of President Trumps testimony, Trump lawyers Alina Habba and John Sauer wrote in Tuesdays filing. That exchange, they argue, narrowed the scope of Trumps testimony to the point of prejudice by preventing him from addressing his mental state in relation to Carroll. On the witness stand, Trump only answered two questions one of which was objected to, they wrote. Did you ever instruct anyone to hurt Ms. Carroll in your statements, Habba questioned Trump earlier this year during the trial. No, Trump replied. I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and frankly, the presidency. Carrolls lawyer jumped in with an objection that the judge sustained, ordering the jury to disregard Trumps remarks beyond no. Carrolls legal team declined to comment on Trumps latest filing. Trumps lawyers previously objected to the restrictions to no avail but are newly demanding it requires a new trial. At the trials conclusion, a New York jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defaming the writer in 2019 after she came forward with accusations Trump sexually assaulted her. On Tuesday, Trump, who denies the accusation, asked the judge to rescind the verdict. Trump previously asked the judge to delay enforcement of the $83 million judgment or at least permit a reduced bond amount in anticipation of his post-trial motions, insisting they will get the amount entirely tossed or heavily reduced. Under the federal courts default rules, efforts to collect the sum from Trump could begin as soon as next week. Carroll opposes Trumps request for an additional delay. A decision will be rendered as promptly as is reasonably possible, the judge wrote in a brief order Monday. Without implying what that decision will be or when it will be made, however, it will not come today. Trumps delay request also follows a penalty of more than $454 million, plus interest, against the former president in his civil fraud case. The judge in that case determined Trump and top executives at the Trump Organization were liable for fraud and conspired to alter the former presidents net worth for tax and insurance benefits. Each day the judgement goes unpaid, it increases more than $111,000 in interest. Estimators including Forbes and Bloomberg have placed Trumps net worth between $2.6 billion and $3.1 billion, but its unclear whether Trump has the cash on hand to pay the full judgements. He recently told a New York court that the exorbitant and punitive amount of the fraud judgment would be impossible to secure for a bond while he appeals the matter. Between the fraud judgement and the verdict in Carrolls case, Trump must cough up a combined $547 million to date and growing to continue his appeals of the cases. Updated at 2:59 p.m. ET For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Trump fights proposed hush-money trial gag, argues 'tens of millions of Americans' want to hear his views about the case Trump's NY hush money prosecutors worry he'll incite attacks on witnesses, jurors, and court staff. On Monday, Trump's lawyers filed papers opposing DA Alvin Bragg's request for a limited gag order. The defense says that "tens of millions of Americans" want to hear his take on the March 25 trial. "Tens of millions of Americans" want to hear what former President Donald Trump has to say about his upcoming "hush money" trial in New York, his lawyers argued Monday in papers opposing the district attorney's proposed limited gag order. Manhattan prosecutors want the GOP frontrunner barred from making remarks that could incite attacks on witnesses, jurors, and court staff. The First Amendment protects not only speech but those who listen to the speech, his lawyers argue in the new filing to the trial judge, state Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. The proposed gag would harm not only Trump, but all those who wish "to listen to President Trump's campaign speech," the filing by defense lawyers Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche says. "A restriction on President Trump's speech therefore inflicts a 'reciprocal' injury on the tens of millions of Americans who listen to him," it says. "American voters have the First Amendment right to hear President Trump's uncensored voice on all issues that relate to this case," it says. "President Trump's political opponents have, and will continue to, attack him based on this case," it adds. "Neither the First Amendment nor the New York Constitution permits the government 'to license one side of a debate to fight freestyle, while requiring the other to follow Marquis of Queensberry rules,'" says, quoting case law from 1992. The judge and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg have contended that Trump remains at liberty to say anything he wants to about the case they just don't want him inciting attacks, something the judge warned the former president about at his arraignment nearly a year ago. Prosecutors' gag request cites scores of citations from Trump's social media and speeches, in which he "attacks individuals that he considers to be adversaries." The proposed gag is tailored after a gag order in his Washington, DC, election interference case that has already been upheld by a federal appellate court, the DA's request argues. Manhattan prosecutors allege Trump falsified 34 Trump Organization business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump pleaded not guilty. The payment, footed by Trump's then-personal attorney, Michael Cohen, silenced Daniels weeks before the 2016 election. But instead of being recorded as a campaign expenditure, it was illegally disguised as a series of legal fees to Cohen, prosecutors say. In Monday's filing, the defense further argues that Trump has not incited attacks on witnesses, prospective jurors, and court staff. The judge's verbal warning against doing so, made during Trump's arraignment a year ago, has been sufficient, they argue. Trump's lawyers sent the judge a separate filing Monday focused on Bragg's request for an anonymous jury. They argue that Trump and his defense team need to know the identities of potential jurors in order to prepare for jury selection effectively. "The people do not cite a single public statement by President Trump since May 2023 that addressed, positively or negatively, the potential venire in this case," Necheles and Blanche wrote, using the legal term for prospective jurors. "The People do not identify a single example where President Trump mentioned let alone attacked or harassed any juror by name," they add. Merchan has not said when he will rule on the proposed gag order and on juror anonymity. Read the original article on Business Insider Trump and Haley face off for Super Tuesday WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Voters across 15 states are heading to the polls to pick their candidate for president. Its the most significant day for voters until Election Day in November. All eyes will be on the Republican primary results, if Donald Trump pulls off a sweeping victory, it could signal the beginning of the end of his race with Nikki Haley and the start of a general election match-up with President Joe Biden. In her final campaign stop before Super Tuesday, GOP candidate Nikki Haley urged her supporters in Texas to cast their votes. 2024 Primary Election: Your North Carolina voter guide We all have a chance to make our voices heard in the loudest of ways, she said. But if you believe the polls, Haley is in for a disappointing night. The polls say former president Donald Trump is leading Haley by 50-70% depending on the state and hes already looking forward to a rematch against President Biden. The poll numbers are very good. Were beating President Biden, Trump said. President Biden is painting a different picture. Last five polls you had me for, Im winning, five, five in a row, Biden said. However, Biden faces some opposition within his own party. I voted uncommitted, said Massachusetts voter Anita Smithson. Tricia Cotham switched parties last year in the NC House. Now these candidates are coming after her More voters are promising to follow Michigans lead, where more than 100,000 people voted uncommitted, as a protest over the presidents handling of the war in Gaza. Political analyst Todd Belt says Super Tuesdays results will provide fresh insights into what voters are thinking. Whether or not theyre really satisfied with these candidates and what their main concerns are, Belt said. It may be Haleys last hurrah. This is likely the end of the Haley campaign after Super Tuesday, Belt added. Over the weekend Haley vowed to stay in the race as long as it remains competitive, Notably, the Haley campaign does not have any events scheduled in the coming days. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Former President Trump is criticizing Democrats who want to pass an anti-insurrectionist law, saying theyre real losers who, in his view, should focus on bettering the country. Trump was reacting to news of House Democrats preparing legislation in response to Mondays unanimous decision by the Supreme Court that Trumps name cannot be taken off a state ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clause. The nine justices on the court agreed Congress has exclusive authority to enforce the 14th Amendment to disqualify candidates. Well, its the same losers, Trump said during his Tuesday morning interview on Fox Newss Fox & Friends with anchors Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones. Theyre real losers. If they spent their time focusing on the country and making America great again, that would be a lot better than just wasting their time, he said. Trumps remarks came in response to footage of Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on CNN. Raskin said he and two other House Democrats, Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) are working to pass legislation that would put in place a process to decide if someone is disqualified from running for federal office due to the insurrection clause in the 14th Amendment. The former president said he has been facing opposition from the same lawmakers for some time now and that they are part of a sick movement. Ive been going through it for years, beating them for years, Trump said. And its the same voices, the same faces. They never stop. They dont care about our country. I actually I dont think they love our country, frankly. They love themselves or their movement, and its a sick movement. Trumps attorney Alina Habba praised the Supreme Courts decision and said people should ignore the proposal laid out by Raskin. I think that we really need to, embrace today to try and remember who we are as a country, to ignore the noise that is people like that going on with Dana, Habba said Monday during her appearance on Eric Bollings show The Balance on Newsmax. Trump reiterated that his sights are on winning in November and slammed Biden again, calling him the worst commander in chief ever. And Im Im just focused on winning an election, Trump said. We have to beat Biden. Hes the worst president in history. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An attorney for former President Trump accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) of misconduct when comparing his treatment of Michael Cohen to that of Allen Weisselberg, Trumps longtime financial gatekeeper. In a letter addressed to Bragg, Trump attorney Todd Blanche accused the district attorney of ongoing prosecutorial misconduct in his hush money case against Trump. Blanche argued that Braggs office turned a blind eye to the admitted and repeated perjury of Cohen, who had paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an affair she alleged to have had with the former president. Trump has denied any affair. Trump is accused of falsifying business records of reimbursements he made in 2016 to Cohen, his fixer at the time. Blanche said the vindictive and oppressive pressure and plea negotiations on Monday led to Weisselberg, former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, pleading guilty to perjury charges of him lying during a 2020 deposition. [The district attorneys] conscious choice to ignore obvious and admitted criminal conduct by Cohen and to instead deploy unethical, strong-armed tactics against an innocent man in his late 70s underscores the irresponsibility of your conduct in office, Blanche wrote. Indeed, while you waste public resources in a desperate attempt to impede President Trumps ongoing ascent to the White House, in violation of applicable prosecutorial guidelines prohibiting such election interference, you regularly and repeatedly allow those guilty of brutal attacks on law enforcement and murderers to roam free, he continued. Blanche said prosecutors presented Weisselberg with an impossible choice of either pleading guilty in exchange for a relatively short stint in prison or facing arrest and incarceration. He said Weisselberg was treated differently than Cohen, whom Blanche claimed has committed perjury in a separate civil fraud trial in New York. These issues demand careful consideration because of the legal, ethical, and constitutional issues they implicate. We again urge you to reconsider your positions regarding Cohen and Mr. Weisselberg and put an end to the selective and oppressive misconduct of your office, Blanche wrote. Trumps lawyers have also used Cohens testimony in their effort to block him from testifying in the upcoming hush money trial. He recently committed perjury, on the stand and under oath, at a civil trial involving President Trump. If his public statements are any indication, he plans to do so again at this criminal trial. The Court should preclude Cohens testimony in order to protect the integrity of this Court and the process of justice, the motion states. The Hill has reached out to Braggs office for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Trump leads President Biden in Iowa by 15 points in a hypothetical match-up, according to a poll released Tuesday, a significant increase over his 2020 election margin in a good sign for the likely GOP nominee. Trump has about 48 percent support among Hawkeye State voters compared to Bidens 33 percent, according to the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll. A sizable 15 percent said they support a candidate outside of the two major party favorites. The 15-point margin for Trump is nearly twice his margin of victory in the 2020 election over Biden: 8 percent. Trump cruised to victory in the Januarys Iowa caucuses and has performed well in the GOP primaries so far. He is likely to take a majority of the Super Tuesday races over rival Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor. Biden faces a low approval rating in Iowa, just 29 percent. Among independents, about 80 percent said the country is heading in the wrong direction, according to the poll. Age is also a concern for Biden, as about 56 percent of respondents said the president is too old to serve a second term in office. Just under a quarter said the same of Trump. The issue has taken center stage in the 2024 race between Biden, 81, and Trump, 77. While Biden is not expected to be competitive in Iowa in the general election, the wide margin could be a poor sign for the rest of the campaign. Early polls show Trump with a 2 percent lead over the president nationally, according to the Decision Desk HQ average. The Iowa poll was conducted Feb. 25-28 among 804 adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Voters in a new poll who favored President Biden by 10 points in 2020 have shifted their support to former President Donald Trump, who now leads among the same voters by five points. The poll, which was conducted by the New York Times and Siena College from Feb. 25 to 28, shows Trump with a 48-43 edge over Biden, a slightly larger lead than two-point edge the former president held in the same poll when it was conducted in December. The lead comes despite many of the registered voters sampled indicating they voted for Biden in 2020, with 44% of respondents saying they voted for the president in the last election, compared to 33% who indicated they voted for Trump. TRUMP LEADS BIDEN AMONG HISPANICS, REGISTERED VOTERS OVERALL: POLL The poll shows that Trump has done better work shoring up his base, with 97% of respondents who indicated they voted for him in 2020 saying they plan to do the same this year. Meanwhile, Biden is only garnering the support of 83% of those who say they voted for him in 2020, while 10% indicated they plan to vote for Trump this time around. Those numbers weren't the only bad news for the president in the poll, which also showed Trump as having a six-point lead (46%-40%) among Hispanic voters, a demographic that until recent years had been a dependable bloc for Democrats. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP POLL SHOWS BIDEN'S LEAD OVER TRUMP SHRINKING IN 2024 MATCHUP AS CONCERNS OVER PHYSICAL FITNESS GROW Biden is also struggling with working-class voters of color, who according to exit polls, voted in large numbers (72%) for the president in 2020, with only 22% of the group supporting Trump. But that gap has shrunk significantly, the poll found, with Biden only holding a 47%-41% advantage among the same group today. The president also faces an enthusiasm gap compared to Trump, with only 23% saying they would be enthusiastic if Biden were to become the Democratic nominee. Meanwhile, 48% of respondents indicated they would feel enthusiastic about Trump securing the Republican nomination. But the news wasn't all bad for the president, who polled better with critical independent voters, who currently are split 42%-42% on who they would support between Biden and Trump. Voters also showed concerns about the criminal cases playing out around Trump, with 53% indicating they believe the former president committed serious federal crimes. The New York Times/Siena College poll sampled 980 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of sampling error at plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Original article source: Trump leads Biden among voters who favored Biden by 10 points in 2020: poll Former President Donald Trump appears in court for a hearing in his New York hush money criminal case on February 15. On Monday, Trump's attorneys filed their opposition to a limited gag order motion, calling it "unconstitutional and unlawful." Photo by John Angelillo/UPI March 4 (UPI) -- Former President Donald Trump's legal team filed their opposition Monday to a limited gag order motion in his New York hush money case, as they urged the judge to reject the request just weeks before the start of the trial. In the filing, Trump's lawyers ask Judge Juan Merchan to deny prosecutors' request for the gag order, which they call "unconstitutional" for failing to meet the legal standard for restricting a defendant's speech. The lawyers argue the former president should be allowed to respond to attacks by his political opponents as he runs for the Republican nomination. "It would be unconstitutional and unlawful to impose a prior restraint on President Trump's First Amendment speech, which, notably, the People have requested around the time of Super Tuesday and as President Biden prepares to use the State of the Union address for his own political advocacy -- to assail President Trump based on politically motivated indictments, including the one in this case," his attorneys wrote. "American voters have the First Amendment right to hear President Trump's uncensored voice on all issues that relate to this case," defense attorney Todd Blanche wrote. "President Trump's political opponents have, and will continue to, attack him based on this case. The voters have the right to listen to President Trump's unfettered responses to those attacks -- not just one side of that debate." Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump has pleaded not guilty and has denied he had an affair with Daniels. Jury selection is set to begin on March 25. Last week, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg filed the motion to keep Trump from making public comments about potential witnesses, court staff and prosecutors. Prosecutors cited Trump's "long history of making public and inflammatory remarks" as the reason to impose a gag order. "Those remarks, as well as the inevitable reactions they incite from the defendant's followers and allies, pose a significant and imminent threat to the orderly administration of this criminal proceeding and a substantial likelihood of causing material prejudice," the motion stated. It did not seek to bar Trump from making statements specifically about Bragg. "Speech that falls short of incitement may not be silenced solely because it might inspire others to engage in violence or other unruly behavior -- regardless of how predictable (or not) those unruly reactions might be," Trump's lawyers wrote in Monday's filing. Trump should be "afforded the highest level of constitutional protections" as his criminal case is "inextricably entwined with his campaign" for the presidency. Former President Trumps legal team has asked the New York judge presiding over his hush money case to block a limited gag order proposed by state prosecutors just weeks before the historic trial is set to get underway. Trump attorneys Susan Necheles and Todd Blanche wrote in a new court filing Monday that the former presidents status as a leading candidate in the 2024 election, in which he is all but guaranteed the Republican nomination, should bar the state from limiting Trumps speech throughout the trial. It would be unconstitutional and unlawful to impose a prior restraint on President Trumps First Amendment speech, which, notably, the People have requested around the time of Super Tuesday and as President Biden prepares to use the State of the Union address for his own political advocacy to assail President Trump based on politically motivated indictments, including the one in this case, the attorneys wrote. If the proposed gag order is approved by Judge Juan Merchan, Trump would be precluded from making statements about court staff, their family members and prosecutors other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), so long as the statements are made with the intent to materially interfere with the case. Trump would also be barred from making statements about any jurors. In their motion, prosecutors cited Trumps long history of making public and inflammatory remarks in his many legal matters as reason to impose the gag order. Those remarks, as well as the inevitable reactions they incite from defendants followers and allies, pose a significant and imminent threat to the orderly administration of this criminal proceeding and a substantial likelihood of causing material prejudice, they wrote. Gag orders were imposed in Trumps New York civil fraud case and his Washington, D.C., federal criminal case. In Trumps fraud case, which recently ended with Trump and his co-defendants being ordered to pay more than $464 million, the New York state judge imposed a similar gag order after Trumps Truth Social account falsely derided his principal law clerk as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) girlfriend. Trump sued Judge Arthur Engoron over the order, but upper courts affirmed his ruling before the states highest court declined to review it further. The judge fined Trump $15,000 for twice violating the gag order. The gag order in Trumps federal election interference case barred Trump from making statements that target foreseeable witnesses, court staff and prosecutors. The former president appealed that order, too, but a federal appeals court sided with U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the case. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts charging him of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. His trial is scheduled to begin March 25 the former presidents first criminal trial, and the first criminal trial of any former president. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. 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. Former President Donald Trump is poised for a fresh round of blowout wins over Nikki Haley on Super Tuesday that could all but wrap up the Republican nomination, even as Haley vowed to stay in the race following her win in the Washington, D.C., primary. With 15 states prepared to vote, Trump leads Haley in all of them, although the former U.N. ambassador is within striking distance in a few, such as Massachusetts, Minnesota, Virginia and Vermont, that are strongholds of more moderate suburban Republicans. Haley boasted some momentum from a lopsided win in Sundays Washington, D.C., GOP primary, her first win after Trump swept all the traditional early voting states like Iowa, New Hampshire and her home state of South Carolina. Haley beat Trump by a nearly 2-1 margin in the D.C. contest, where Republicans are outnumbered by Democrats by a 10-1 margin and most GOP voters are moderate, affluent and well educated, demographics that have favored her. But Trump remains the overwhelming favorite to romp to a lopsided victory in populous, delegate-rich states such as California and Texas, which will likely all but seal his win in the Republican nomination fight. He could win a majority of the GOP delegates, effectively wrapping up the nomination, as early as next week, before he faces any of four expected criminal trials on a total of 91 felonies. On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden is facing only nominal opposition and is expected to cruise to overwhelming victories in all the states on tap. Biden could face some pockets of resistance from progressive opponents of his stance on Israels war in Gaza, some of whom may vote for uncommitted delegate slates after about 13% did so in last weeks Michigan primary. The vast coast-to-coast map on Super Tuesday seems tailor-made for Trump to keep rolling on his way to an insurmountable lead over Haley. Haley rallied supporters on Monday in Texas, the second-biggest delegate prize next to California. The ex-president, who remains the most popular and powerful leader in the GOP, has been ramping up pressure on Haley to drop out, and another big win could be the final straw for her. Haley still boasts a significant campaign war chest and has said 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 amid his legal woes. But Haley had been most adamant about staying in the race through Super Tuesday, raising the possibility she might not soldier on if she endures another round of punishing defeats. One big question for Trump will be if he continues to perform relatively poorly with affluent college-educated Republican primary voters, a onetime reliable GOP voting bloc that has swung hard to Democrats since he burst onto the political scene. Key tests of his weakness with those voters could come in Virginia, a state that Sen. Marco Rubio nearly won in the 2016 race when he ran against Trump as a moderate, and Minnesota, which Rubio won. Massachusetts and Vermont, where Republicans elected moderate GOP Gov. Phil Scott, might also give Haley stronger than expected showings. _____ Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Israeli forces involved in the military offensive against Palestinians have to finish the problem, after months of staying silent on the violence in Gaza. In a phone interview on Fox & Friends, hosts Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones asked the GOP front-runner if he was on board with the way Israeli forces have been carrying out their offensive in Gaza. Youve got to finish the problem, Trump said. You had a horrible invasion that took place, that would have never happened if I was president, by the way. Hamas militants launched a deadly attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. About half the hostages were released during a temporary cease-fire late last year; 100 of the remaining 130 hostages are estimated to still be alive. In retaliation, Israel launched a massive and ongoing military offensive in Gaza, killing more than 30,000 Palestinians and wounding many more, as well as displacing millions. Trump dodged multiple questions by the Fox & Friends hosts on his stances related to Israel and Gaza and instead reiterated that the Oct. 7 attack and Israels retaliation would not have happened had he been president. They wouldnt have done it to me I guarantee you that, he said. They did this because they have no respect for Biden, and frankly, they got soft. "You gotta finish the problem" -- Trump endorses Israel's war effort against Hamas pic.twitter.com/5VXrqSiuNM Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 5, 2024 President Joe Bidens unconditional support for Israel and its military offensive is beginning to cost him votes in the 2024 election. Michigan, which has one of the largest Arab and Muslim American populations, saw an unprecedented number of Democratic voters cast their primary ballot for uncommitted instead of for Biden. The uncommitted movement, which has started spreading to other states, was led by voters who felt that Biden was not taking his constituents concerns seriously about U.S. involvement in Israels offensive. Despite the presidents strong allyship with Israel, Trump would likely still be the preferred candidate for the Israeli governments far-right leaders, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Last month, Ben Gvir told The Wall Street Journal that Trump would give the Israeli right a stronger backing than Biden currently does. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu essentially threw his support behind Trump in the 2020 election. The two leaders were close during the Trump administration, which cut Palestinians out of the negotiations over the so-called Abraham Accords and supported expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. However, after Netanyahu called Biden to congratulate him on his win in 2020, Trump began to sour on the Israeli leader. Just days after the Oct. 7 attack, Trump praised the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group as very smart while disparaging Netanyahu and Israeli military officials. The Republican candidate had since stayed noticeably silent on the war until Tuesday. Related... With dominant performances in the 'Super Tuesday' primaries and Republican Nikki Haley finally dropping out, Trump and Biden have nailed down a clash that many American voters say they don't want (TANNEN MAURY) US President Joe Biden prepared Wednesday for perhaps the most crucial speech of his political career as the unpopular 81-year-old tries to convince doubters he is fit for a bruising rematch with Donald Trump in November. With dominant performances in the "Super Tuesday" primaries and Trump's last Republican rival Nikki Haley finally dropping out, the two men have nailed down a clash that many American voters say they don't want. But Democrat Biden will barely have time to breathe before Thursday's State of the Union speech to Congress, when the 81-year-old will seek to quell persistent voter concerns about his age and the economy. The world will also be watching, with wars in Gaza and Ukraine meaning the stakes of the November 5 election could hardly be higher for an increasingly volatile global order. "You hired me to get the job done, build an economy that works for working people, and make life better for families," Biden wrote Wednesday on X. "Tomorrow, I'll update you on our progress and lay out the path ahead." Biden said the key issues would range from abortion rights, which Democrats view as a major vote winner against Republicans, to lowering healthcare costs and investing in infrastructure. The week of high American political theater will set the scene for eight months of brutal campaigning as Biden tries to win a second term -- and prevent Trump, 77, from making a historic White House comeback. In an unprecedented scenario, Trump, a former reality TV star who faces multiple criminal indictments -- including over his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election -- will face off against the oldest ever president in US history. - 'Historic achievements' - Within seconds of former UN ambassador Haley's withdrawal from the race on Wednesday, Trump and Biden were already scrambling to win over her moderate supporters for November's vote. Trump invited her supporters to "join the greatest movement in the history of our nation" -- while Biden hailed her courage for telling the "truth about Trump" and said her fans had a place in his campaign. Declining to endorse Trump, Haley said he would have to "earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him." Right-wing populist Trump then leaned into the rematch with the man who beat him in 2020, saying on social media that he was ready to hold a presidential debate with Biden "ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE!" Trailing Trump in a series of recent polls, Biden is also expected to use the State of the Union speech to try to convince voters that the election is a stark choice between stability and an existential threat to democracy. But Biden must also physically convince voters that he's the man for the job, as he'll be in the public glare for at least an hour at a time when Trump has mocked his health and mental acuity. For three days over the weekend, Biden huddled with close aides at the Camp David presidential retreat crafting the speech, which last year saw Biden brushing off heckling from Trump allies. "Throughout today, and tomorrow, he's going to continue to fine tune the speech. This is something that he's personally involved in," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday. - 'Divided' - Much of the speech could see Biden urging Republicans to end the political paralysis gripping Washington and pass key legislation, including on the Mexican border and aid for Ukraine. Biden, however, has an uphill battle with voters despite posting clear wins on "Super Tuesday". Recent polls give Trump a narrow lead, with voters particularly concerned by Biden's age, and rating Trump better on the economy and immigration. There are also warning signs from a protest vote over Biden's support for the Israeli offensive on Gaza. "Biden could face a somewhat divided convention if he's not able to wrap up US involvement in the Israel-Gaza war," Todd Belt, a politics professor at George Washington University, told AFP. Despite Trump's scandals, his continuing appeal among working-class, rural and white voters remained on display on "Super Tuesday." Seeking the first comeback by a defeated US president since Grover Cleveland in 1893, Trump swept 14 out of 15 states up for grabs. dk/des "Nothing in the Constitution requires that we endure such chaos." Those words from the Supreme Court in its Trump v. Anderson ruling on Monday put an end to the effort of Democratic secretaries of state to engage in ballot cleansing by removing former President Donald Trump from the 2024 election. The court's decision was one of the most important and impactful moments in its history. During the first Trump impeachment in 2019, I cautioned Democrats not to toss aside constitutional standards out of their hatred for the president. I quoted from the play A Man For All Seasons," when Sir Thomas More is told by his son-in-law that he would cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?" More responded, And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat?" As More described England, the United States also is "planted thick with laws, from coast to coast." The nation's highest court on Monday decided to leave them standing. After months of activists and experts calling for the court to allow ballot cleansing by individual states, the justices refused. Figures like Harvard professor Laurence Tribe had insisted that the legal theory allowing Trump's removal from ballots was unassailable and rejected opposing positions as absurd. Many news outlets posted the analysis of former federal court Judge J. Michael Luttig, who also called the theory "unassailable" and denounced the arguments against disqualification as revealing, fatuous, and politically and constitutionally cynical. He predicted that the court would simply affirm the Colorado Supreme Court. Democratic members of Congress further pushed the narrative that only judicial activists and MAGA justices would oppose disqualification. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., declared: This is their opportunity to behave like real Supreme Court justices. Think what you want about Trump. But even liberal justices agree Trump should stay on ballot. Progressives still melted down. Well, the court rejected that "unassailable" theory in a unanimous decision. While Tribe's view was repeated with little contradiction on many networks and newspapers for months, it failed to garner a single vote from either the left or the right of the court. Things are not going well for those seeking to remake the nation. In 2020, Harvard professor Michael Klarman warned that all of the plans to change the country were ultimately dependent on packing the court. With the 2020 election, he stated that Democrats could change the election system to guarantee Republicans will never win another election. However, Klarman conceded that the Supreme Court could strike down everything I just described, so the court itself had to be changed. Now that the three progressive justices have joined their conservative colleagues in ruling for Trump, they apparently also will have to go. Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann declared that "the Supreme Court has betrayed democracy. Its members including Jackson, Kagan and Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively the 'court' has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate. It must be dissolved." The problem for many on the left is that the unanimous decision shattered the narrative repeated for months that Colorado would be reversed because the conservative justices would robotically protect Trump (despite the fact that they have repeatedly ruled against Trump and his policies). Now, by Rep. Raskin's measure, Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor are no longer acting as "real Supreme Court justices." From left, Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan. Supreme Court transcended ideological divisions The fact is that the Supreme Court justices have proved, again, that they are precisely the "real Supreme Court justices" that the Founding Fathers envisioned. The court was created to be able to transcend our divisions and politics. On Monday, a court sharply divided along ideological grounds showed the nation that it could speak with one voice. In doing so, it spoke to the things that bind us to each other, including an article of faith in our Constitution that defines us all. In the news media and in universities, there is a persistent message that the court and the Constitution are the problem. In a New York Times column, The Constitution Is Broken and Should Not Be Reclaimed, law professors Ryan Doerfler of Harvard and Samuel Moyn of Yale called for the Constitution to be radically" altered to reclaim America from constitutionalism. Will Trump destroy our democracy? Let's tone down doomsday rhetoric and trust our system. Georgetown law professor Rosa Brooks previously went on MSNBC to warn citizens not to become slaves to the Constitution and that the Constitution itself is now the problem for the country. Harvard law professor Mark Tushnet and San Francisco State University political scientist Aaron Belkin even called upon President Joe Biden to defy rulings of the Supreme Court that he considers mistaken in the name of popular constitutionalism. The lumberjack school of constitutional law is the rage on our campuses. Free from the obstructions of constitutional demands, activists (and a newly constituted court) could set about pursuing the devil as a nation of Ropers. Supreme Court ruling provides moment of clarity Despite the push of court packing and extreme interpretations of the law, most Americans continue to cling to America's core institutions and constitutional values. For those reasons, this opinion could be one of the most significant in the court's history, not because of what it did but what it would not allow to be done. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. It is a moment of clarity for a nation mired in rage politics. It was not just the opinion that brought that clarity but what followed the opinion. A day after the unanimous ruling, millions of citizens will line up at polling places around the country to vote for their preferred candidates. It is their choice and privilege as citizens. They are also speaking with one voice. Not for a particular party or person, but as free people claiming their right to choose their own leaders. Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @JonathanTurley You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court ruling keeps Trump on ballot. It's a win for democracy Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, ahead of Nikki Haley. The result puts Mr Trump back on the winning track, which was briefly interrupted on Sunday when Ms Haley notched her first victory of the campaign in the District of Columbias primary. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when results will pour in from 16 states and one territory in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. Mr Trump and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations later this month. Under North Dakotas rules, candidates are eligible to win delegates if they finish with at least 20 per cent of the vote. However, a candidate who wins at least 60 per cent of the vote receives all of the states 29 delegates. Four candidates were on the ballot, including Mr Trump and Ms Haley. The other candidates, who have received little attention, were Florida businessman David Stuckenberg and Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley, who recently ended his campaign. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who ended his unsuccessful presidential campaign in December, was speaking on Mr Trumps behalf on Monday night. He endorsed Mr Trump before the Iowa caucuses. I think were going to send a message that is going to be a kickoff to tomorrow, which is President Donald Trump is going to close this out, this is going to be the end of the trail, and were going to say we have a nominee, and lets go after it, and beat Joe Biden in the fall, Mr Burgum said in a virtual address. Longtime Republican state senator Dick Dever said he voted for Ms Haley, but added she was unlikely to win. The retired factory representative, 72, said: I hear an awful lot of people say that they really liked Trumps policies but they dont like the way he conducts himself, and I think hes gone overboard a bit. Caucus voters were encouraged to be paying party members, but those who wouldnt pay $50 for annual membership were asked to sign a pledge to affiliate with the party, caucus Chair Robert Harms said. North Dakota is the only state without voter registration. The caucuses followed official state voter identification protocols, such as providing a drivers license. Voting was done only in person and on printed ballots, which were hand-counted. In 2016, it was a North Dakota delegate who helped Mr Trump secure the number needed for the Republican presidential nomination. He swept North Dakotas three electoral college votes in 2016 and 2020, winning about 63 per cent and 65 per cent of those votes, respectively. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Donald Trump won the North Dakota Republican presidential caucuses on Monday, adding to his string of victories heading into Super Tuesday. The former president finished first in voting conducted at 12 caucus sites, coming in ahead of former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who notched her first victory of the campaign on Sunday in the District of Columbia primary. While Trump and President Joe Biden both face challengers, both are dominating their races and are on track to winning their nominations. The White House hopefuls now turn their attention to Super Tuesday, when 16 states and one territory will vote in contests that amount to the single biggest delegate haul of any day in the presidential primary. US President Joe Biden, former president Donald Trump and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. - AP/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved. North Dakota's Democratic-NPL Party is holding a presidential primary almost entirely by mail, with mail-in voting from 20 February to 30 March, and limited in-person voting for residents of Indian reservations. Biden, Representative Dean Phillips and six others are on the ballot. North Dakota has long been a safe Republican state at the presidential level. Trump won it in the general elections of 2016 and 2020, winning about 63% and 65% of the vote. It is also the only state without voter registration. Republican caucus voters were encouraged to be paying party members, but those who wouldnt pay $50 for annual membership were asked to sign a pledge to affiliate with the party. In 2016, it was the North Dakota delegation to the Republican National Convention who helped Trump secure the number needed for the presidential nomination. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Police are searching for a man who allegedly robbed a Tualatin bank on Friday afternoon. Tualatin officials say the man entered Unitus Community Credit Union, located at 7495 SW Bridgeport Rd., just before 5 p.m. and handed a note to the teller demanding cash in large bills. Portlands downtown drug hub sees staggering improvement in less than a week The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash and the suspect exited the bank before police arrived, officials said. Police say this man robbed a Tualatin bank on March 1, 2024. (Tualatin Police). The suspect is described as a white male adult, approximately 5-foot-9 with an average build. He was wearing a tan dress shirt with a black striped necktie, tan pants and a tan hat, along with skin-colored prosthetic gloves, an orange curly-haired wig underneath his hat and sunglasses. Police said the suspect was also possibly wearing a skin-colored prosthetic nose with prosthetic cheeks. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Tualatin police. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) Tuccis, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant in Dublin, is now welcoming guests inside its $2.5 million expansion that transformed the eaterys patio into a four-season dining room. The historic Dublin restaurant at 35 N. High St. opened the renovation on Feb. 22, giving patrons a first look at the sunroom that features four skylights and 10-foot-high windows. With the opening, the 26-year-old restaurant also resumed daily lunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with a new menu. Maple Street Biscuit Co. opens third central Ohio brunch spot For the past year, weve been planning and are now turning the space into a permanent, four-season experience, Tuccis said when it announced the renovation in June last year. Our plans will allow us to keep the open and breezy attitude of the patio we love while making the space a fine dining experience to remember. The four-season room also includes a new water fountain and indoor landscaping with palm tree surrounded by banquette seating. (Courtesy Photo/Tuccis) The four-season room also includes a new water fountain and indoor landscaping with palm tree surrounded by banquette seating. (Courtesy Photo/Tuccis) The 26-year-old restaurant also resumed daily lunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with a new menu. (Courtesy Photo/Tuccis) The 26-year-old restaurant also resumed daily lunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with a new menu. (Courtesy Photo/Tuccis) The four-season room, where the 10-foot-high windows will open during warmer months, includes a new water fountain and indoor landscaping with palm trees surrounded by banquette seating. Tuccis also increased accommodations in the rear private dining area and quadrupled the size of its wine cellar. Other enhanced amenities include two appointed restrooms accessible from the four-season room and the sunrooms own HVAC system. Tuccis opened in 1998 and is one of two concepts operated by CLB Restaurants along with Matt the Millers Tavern, a casual restaurant known for its pub fare and happy hour. CLB, which also owns a Tuccis in Carmel, Indiana, downsized to one Matt the Millers in central Ohio last month after opting not to renew the lease at the taverns Polaris location. Daylight saving time: When will clocks spring forward in Ohio? Restaurateur Craig Barnum founded CLB in 2011 after he split off from a previous restaurant group with partners Mike Tibbetts and Jack Eggspuehler. Tibbetts and Eggspuehler retained ownership of Oscars Restaurant and Bar in Dublin which closed in January after more than 30 years of business. Tuccis is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. People protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza during a protest rally in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish police on Tuesday detained seven more people suspected of selling information to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, authorities said, the latest in a wave of such arrests in Turkey. The suspects were taken into custody during simultaneous raids in Istanbul, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The raids were a joint operation with Turkeys National Intelligence Organization. The detained are suspected of collecting data on individuals and companies in Turkey and selling it to the Israeli intelligence agency, Yerlikaya said. We will never allow espionage activities to be carried out within the borders of our country. It was not immediately known if any charges have been raised and authorities provided no additional information. Last month, seven other people, including private detectives, were arrested on similar suspicions. And in early January, 34 people were also detained by Turkish police on suspicion of spying for Israel. The suspects arrested in January have been accused of planning to carry out activities that included reconnaissance and pursuing, assaulting and kidnapping foreign nationals living in Turkey. At the time, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said most of the suspects were charged with committing political or military espionage on behalf of Israeli intelligence. The state-run Anadolu Agency, citing unnamed security officials, said those detained Tuesday included a former civil servant currently working as a private detective who was allegedly trained by Mossad in Belgrade, Serbia. He collected information on Middle Eastern companies and individuals, and even placed tracking devices in vehicles of people targeted by Israeli intelligence, Anadolu said. Turkey and Israel had normalized ties in 2022 by reappointing ambassadors following years of tensions. But those ties quickly deteriorated after the Israel-Hamas war, with Ankara becoming one of the strongest critics of Israels military actions in Gaza. In December, the head of Israels Shin Bet security agency said that his organization was prepared to target the militant Hamas group anywhere, including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel of serious consequences if Israel pressed ahead with its threat to attack Hamas officials on Turkish soil. ISTANBUL Turkeys navy has unveiled changes to its planned air defense vessel and shared details on the ships armaments. The commander of the Turkish Naval Forces, Adm. Ercument Tatloglu, visited the Istanbul Shipyard Command and the Naval Forces Design Project Office on Feb. 28, the service announced, where he received a briefing on the design process and plans for the TF-2000 program. The design office, which is based on the same premises as the shipyard, began design efforts in July 2017. The TF-2000s principal mission is to detect and destroy guided missiles. According to the navy, the ship will be able to detect ballistic missiles, too. Its unclear how many vessels the service plans to buy, how much money is set aside for the program and how long construction will take. This vessels latest iteration shows changes from previous ones. For example, the original displacement was 7,000 tons. And in previous versions, the calculated speed was 28-plus knots (32+ mph). The second iteration shared in 2021 had the ship at 166 meters (545 feet) long and 21.5 meters (70.5 feet) wide, with a displacement of 8,500 tons. In the latest design, the ship is 149 meters long and 21.3 meters wide. It has a draft of 5.75 meters. The displacement is 8,300 tons. Its main machinery is in the so-called CODOG or combined diesel or gas configuration, which is expected to help the vessel reach 26 knots (30 mph) or more. The ship will feature one 127mm main gun, two 25mm remote controlled weapon station and one 35mm Gokdeniz close-in weapon system. Its also to receive two Midlas vertical launch systems. The first one, with 32 cells, is located between the bridge and the main gun. The other, armed with 64 missiles, is located at midships between the funnels and the main mast. The principal weapons for the VLS will be the Siper and Hisar air defense missiles. The navy had previously said the TF-2000 would be fitted with Gezgin cruise missiles launched from vertical launch systems. The ship also features a Levent point defense missile system. The newest version of the TF-2000 comes with structural changes, too. According to the new design, Turkey has abandoned the approach for two, separate funnels; there is now one large funnel structure. Turkey shortened the length of the ship when it eliminated the flexible mission space. This leftover area between the funnels and the hangar were supposed to be a reconfigurable space to carry up to 10 standard ISO containers at 20 feet each; or four 12-meter-long rigid inflatable boats; or various unmanned underwater and surface vessels. There was also space for 16 Atmaca anti-ship missiles, but the newest design does not show dedicated launchers onboard. The ship is to feature 130-150 crew members, and with accommodations for 200. The vessels range is estimated to be 5,000 nautical miles at 18 knots. The ship is also to have a minimum 45-day operational capability without replenishments, and perform missions for 180 days without the support from its base. by Matthew Rusling, Xiong Maoling 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. Eligible to vote? Check. In line by the time the polls close? Check. If you still run into problems at the polls, heres what to do. The presidential primary election, held on Tuesday, March 5, will include candidates for president, U.S. senators and representatives, and local offices. Eligible voters have rights to protect both them and the election process. Can I be turned away at the polls? The Sacramento Bee consulted the California Secretary of States Voter Bill of Rights and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to understand the laws surrounding casting a ballot and steps to take to get your vote counted. Heres what we found: If youre eligible to vote and in line by the time the polls close, you can not be turned away. Under California law, residents must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. If youre not, you can still cast a ballot and your eligibility will be verified before its counted. If you get to the polls and your name is not on the list of registered voters, ask for a provisional ballot. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, registered voters have the right to cast a provisional ballot even if theyre not on the registration list or if their voter eligibility is challenged by an election official. A provisional ballot is often referred to as fail safe voting, allowing officials to verify voter eligibility and for people to cast a ballot without being turned away. Your vote will be counted once elections officials verify youre 1) registered to vote in that county and 2) have not already cast a ballot in that election. Can I register to vote at the polls on Election Day? Yes. California offers same-day voter registration, also known as conditional voter registration, for people who missed the Feb. 20 deadline. Eligible voters can register to vote and cast a provisional ballot at their nearest polling place on Election Day. Just be in line before the polls close and be prepared to fill out a registration form. You do not have to bring identification to register at the polls, a representative with the California Secretary of State confirmed to The Bee on Monday afternoon. After you fill out the registration form and cast a provisional ballot, the county will complete and verify your registration. Only then will the vote be counted. How late is too late to vote? The polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, according to the California Secretary of States Voter Bill of Rights. Any eligible voter waiting in line to vote when the polls close has the right to cast a ballot. Mail ballots must be dropped off at the polls by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Be in line by 7:59 p.m., according to a previous Bee story. When mailing ballots, remember they must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than seven days after Election Day, according to the California Secretary of State. How late is too late to drop off a California ballot? What to know for Election Day 2024 What are my voting rights in California? Your right to vote in California comes down to a short list of the following factors, according to the California Secretary of States Voter Bill of Rights: You are a U.S. citizen residing in California You are at least 18 years old Youre registered to vote where you currently reside You are not imprisoned for the conviction of a felony A court has not found you incompetent to vote You have the right to do the following in California as a registered voter: Cast a ballot if youre a registered voter even if your name is not on the list Cast a secret ballot without anyone bothering you or telling you how to vote. Exchange your ballot for a new one if you made a mistake and have not cast your ballot (including on Election Day) Ask for assistance with casting your ballot from anyone except your boss or union representative Ask for election documents in another language Ask election officials about election procedures Report illegal election activity to an elections official or the California Secretary of State What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Two injured from uptown Charlotte shooting: Medic CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Two people are injured from an uptown shooting Monday evening, authorities say. According to Medic, the shooting occurred around 5:15 p.m. March 4, on North Tryon Street near the intersection with Trade Street. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here Medic says one person was treated for life-threatening injuries and transported to Atrium Health CMC. Another patient has minor injuries. Officers with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police were seen Monday evening investigating a black sedan at the scene. This is a developing story; check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the gunshots heard by firefighters at the Camp Jackson Fire Department building in Cahokia Heights. The men were not firing upon the Camp Jackson firehouse but they were firing rifles and handguns on Saturday less than a mile away on Cemetery Road, which is east of the fire station, according to Master Sgt. Adam Quirin of the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department. The building had been damaged by bullets twice previously in recent weeks. Quirin said he could not release the names of the men because there is an active investigation ongoing regarding the men in connection with another case. The men were each charged with four counts of unlawful possession of firearms by a felon in connection with the shooting on Saturday. Camp Jackson Assistant Fire Chief Sharon Davis said she heard about 300 gunshots and a dink sound Saturday while at the station located off Illinois 157, which is also known as Camp Jackson Road. Davis said no one was injured, and the station didnt have any major damage. She thinks either the buildings brick exterior or a tornado siren was hit on Saturday. Davis was happy to hear that two men were arrested and that the fire department may now decide to replace the garage door windows that were damaged by gunfire on New Years Eve and in late January. Since then, the windows have been covered with tape. News-Democrat reporter Lexi Cortes contributed information for this article. Delaware County Treasurer Don Rankey is quick to tout his fiscal stewardship, overseeing the collection of more than $700 million in property taxes last year. He also boasts about his staff's investment prowess, last year earning the county about $14 million in income. The record growth is largely due to the county being Ohio's fastest growing, argue his two Republican opponents in the March 19 primary that will decide who takes the office. There are no Democrats running. There were 94,234 parcels in Delaware County from which to draw taxes, up 1,830 or about 2% from the year before. Assessed valuation for the countys property which includes residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial parcels increased more than 56% to over $9.56 billion between tax years 2013 and 2022, according to county records. But Rankey, in his first term, said that investment income would not have jumped to $14 million, almost $10 million more than the prior year, without his staff's expertise, specifically that of Rick Karr, his chief investment officer. Delaware County Treasurer Don Rankey is running for a second term. "I made sure that when a dollar came into the treasurer's office that we immediately started earning interest on it," Rankey said, noting that previous treasurers permitted some funds to sit in bank accounts interest-free. He also assembled an investment committee comprised of banking experts and economists. As the March 19 primary election day approaches, the race is getting heated and personal. Ken O'Brien, one of Rankey's two opponents, said his investment strategy would have done better. A former Delaware County commissioner who currently serves as a Berlin Township trustee, O'Brien calls himself a safer alternative to Rankey, contending that Rankey has inappropriately inserted himself into the county's development issues. Rankey last year hosted an "economic summit" that included state officials, including Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, but only one other county official. Two years ago, Rankey proposed hardship bonuses to all county employees. That upset O'Brien and county officials who believe the treasurer's office should focus on safeguarding taxpayer money. Ken O'Brien, Republican candidate for Delaware County Treasurer. "People know that I'm a detailed person. I'm a stickler for following the law," said O'Brien, who also previously worked as a Berlin Township fiscal officer. If elected county treasurer, he said, "we will have that office in good shape." Rankey has raised questions about O'Brien's personal life, noting that a judge last year questioned O'Brien for removing $100,000 from a bank account shared with his estranged wife. The couple have an open divorce case in Delaware County. The money was transferred into O'Brien's campaign fund, and he said he has the right to spend it. The judge ruled O'Brien can spend only what is necessary for "ordinary and necessary business and living expenses." The couple's divorce trial begins on March 19, primary Election Day. O'Brien questions increased spending in the treasurer's office, something Rankey said was long overdue and key in improving job performance and retention. "I would not have doubled the budget of the office," O'Brien said, calling the current budget of about $500,000 "ridiculous." A special education teacher for 24 years, O'Brien served as county commissioner from 2008 to 2015. He was known to exhaust colleagues and staff with a battery of questions during discussions about sewers or development. O'Brien uses terms such as "inverted yields" and "laddering" to fault his opponent's timing of investments, noting that much of the increase has been made during a growing economy. "I'm worried about (what happens in) market declines," O'Brien said. No party endorsement and questions about character During a Delaware County Republican Party Central Committee meeting in January held to determine whom to endorse, O'Brien garnered a little more than half of the 108 committee votes. Rankey landed about 40. Another 14 committee members voted not to endorse anyone. Since O'Brien obtained only a plurality of votes, not the required majority, no one was endorsed. But in a March 1 letter, six county officials, including all three Delaware County commissioners, endorsed O'Brien, stating that they are "frustrated and disappointed" with Rankey for "activities exceeding his statutory duties. "He has continually undermined both the operation of other county offices and the excellent reputation of Delaware County's government," the letter states. O'Brien, 63, calls himself "fair and trustworthy," someone who refused to take Christmas gifts from employees because, he said, there should be a clear demarcation line with subordinates. "I didn't want them to think I was their best buddy," he said. Rankey said morale has never been better in his office, with employees now not constantly looking elsewhere for better pay. Rankey, who turns 66 in April, called the party or county endorsements "meaningless" and said he's considering a run for Ohio Auditor whether he's reelected or not. "I've had people tell me that I should," said Rankey, who owns HomeLife Communities, a nationwide marketing and management company for affordable housing and residential communities for seniors and families. Another O'Brien offering 'better management' John O'Brien, Republican candidate for Delaware County Treasurer The other Republican candidate is John O'Brien, who is no relation to Ken O'Brien. A semiretired financial and management analyst, John O'Brien calls himself "more of a middle-of-the-road-type person. And that's why I had folks come to me to ask me to run," he said. "There were two extremes (in Ken O'Brien and Rankey), and I kind of cut the middle." John O'Brien, 68, a widower, lives in an 1890s Victorian home in the city of Delaware. He was recruited by Saturn Corp. in the mid 1990s the carmaker later taken over by General Motors and trained employees across the U.S. on ways to improve efficiencies, using Six Sigma techniques to reduce defects and errors and increase quality and efficiency. If elected, O'Brien said he'd employ similar techniques, including interviewing office staff to determine areas for change. "It's the frontline workers actually doing the job," O'Brien said. "It's not the manager or leader who sees (needed change). I know several of the people who work in the office and they have done an outstanding job in handling this growth. But I believe that my management skills are better than either of these candidates." Incumbent expects battle Rankey, a self-described maverick, said he's comfortable expanding the role of the treasurer's office and holding frequent seminars for seniors concerned about their taxes. I have not been the kind of treasurer who just sits in his office at the county building all day. Ive actively met with developers and business leaders so that the treasurer becomes a valuable resource to the community, he said in a Dec. 31 news release announcing he was seeking reelection. As for the primary election battle, he said, "I'm taking this very, very seriously." dnarciso@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware County treasurer faces 2 challengers in GOP primary The deaths of two humpback whales that washed up on Virginia Beachs shores are being investigated as separate cases, and it remains unclear what caused their deaths. The first was found Sunday morning on the Oceanfront near 25th Street, and the second was found Monday morning about a 40-minute drive south at False Cape State Park. Kristina Scott, a spokesperson for the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, said theres been no reason to suspect theres a connection between the two whales deaths, though there hasnt been an official conclusion made on this point. [Whales washing ashore] is not as uncommon as people would think because these whales are in our waters during the winter time, Scott said. The Aquarium completed the necropsy on the first whale Monday afternoon but there were no obvious signs of what caused the death, according to Scott. The necropsy on the second whale will be done either late Tuesday or Wednesday, she said. The first whales body was taken away from the resorts into North End, with more residential housing, and buried 30 feet deep in the beach, according to Scott. The second will likely be buried in False Cape, Scott said. Out of the 14 distinct humpback whale populations, four are considered endangered, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The closest humpback population to Virginia is situated in the West Indies off the coast of Florida. The closest endangered humpback population is off the Pacific coast of Central America. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com Issa Spatrisano, Alaska state refugee resettlement coordinator for Catholic Social Services, speaks Monday, March 4, 2024, during a presentation to the Alaska Legislature. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) In the two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, the conflict has significantly changed the way Alaska deals with refugees, one of the states leading experts told the Alaska Legislature in a presentation on Monday. The state of Alaska has dramatically changed in the last two years in refugee services, hitting a peak of resettlement that we have never seen before most definitely, said Issa Spatrisano, Alaska state refugee resettlement coordinator for Catholic Social Services. Catholic Social Services is the lone resettlement agency in Alaska. Two years ago, the average number of resettlement in the state of Alaska was about 100 people. Now were serving around 500 people (per year) in here, she said. Catholic Social Services estimates there are just over 1,000 Ukrainians who have arrived in Alaska since the war broke out in Ukraine, said Molly Cornish Cordy, the nonprofits chief communications officer. Of the 904 people receiving help from the organizations Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services program on March 1, about 70% are from Ukraine. Alaska is also welcoming significant numbers of arrivals from Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ukraine war has also changed where new arrivals are settling, Spatrisano said. Before, it was almost entirely in Anchorage. Now, there are willing and able sponsors across the state. The area around Delta Junction has welcomed dozens. Juneau, which used to have only one or two new arrivals, now has 30. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has more than 200 people in the CSS refugee program. Ive been in refugee services for over a decade. thats totally different than the way it used to be, Spatrisano said. Because of that trend, her visit to Juneau wasnt just about speaking to the Legislature it was also about working with locals to deal with the influx. Thats part of the reason that Im here. Once you hit kind of a tipping point of 30-40 people, we have to think about service provision in that community, she said. We want people to come to Alaska and get all the services they need, so they dont think about moving out of the state and they become new Alaskans, she said. Many of the new arrivals from Ukraine have come under whats known as humanitarian parole, a two-year permission that doesnt put them on the path to citizenship. Those close to the issue had been concerned that the parole period would soon end for some of the first Ukrainian arrivals. That changed last week, when the federal government announced that it will allow Ukranians to reapply for another two years. In Alaska, around 20 individuals will lose status in April 2024 so this announcement comes at the perfect time, Cornish Cordy said. Adam Weinert, special assistant to Department of Labor Commissioner-designee Cathy Munoz, said that agency is supporting efforts to spread the word about the new parole status. Speaking to the Legislature, Spatrisano said its impossible to know what the future holds she couldnt have predicted the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after all but CSS is near its limit when it comes to assistance. That means the state shouldnt expect the same kind of surge that the past two years has brought. In the traditional refugee resettlement program, we are allocated 150 refugees for this federal fiscal year. I would imagine next year in the traditional refugee program, youre going to see 150 to 175, she said. Because CSS is focused on quality, not quantity, it wants to make sure that it can handle the people that it has and ensure that people have jobs and housing. I think if you started to talk about 400-500 people, were not prepared to do that, she said. If Alaskans do want to help, she said, one of the easiest things to do is to offer kindness. If you want to be a sponsor, you want to bring somebody here, great! Do it. At the minimum, when youre at the grocery store, and its their first time using their SNAP benefit card, and theres confusion, and its taking an extra five minutes, can you be calm, kind and collected? Spatrisano said. Its important. When I talk in schools, I tell kids the same thing. When somebody comes in on that first day, ask them if they want to eat lunch with you. Really small acts like that mean a lot to people. Correction: The abbreviation for Catholic Social Services was incorrect in the original version of this article. The post Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, Alaskas refugee picture looks wildly different appeared first on Alaska Beacon. Editors Note: The video above explores why people love to rubberneck and how it contributes to traffic. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Texas Department of Transportation is conducting a speed study on a stretch of Farm to Market Road 973 amid surging traffic volumes along the corridor. Pflugerville resident Crista Swier has owned a ranch off FM 973 in Manor since 2017. Initially, thered be the occasional noticeable traffic near the property, adding time to her nine-mile commute between her home and ranch. TCSO says this road has a reputation for dangerous and reckless driving But then, in 2021, she said that traffic exploded, and has since amounted to bumper-to-bumper traffic clogging the roadway near her property and beyond. Along with that surge has come an uptick in crashes and near-incidents along the roadway. Its gone from being manageable where you didnt necessarily feel like your life was at risk to it literally feels like on a daily basis, youre watching out to make sure you dont get killed on that road, Swier said. Data recorded in TxDOTs Crash Records Information System (CRIS) found more than 230 crashes along a nearly five-mile stretch of FM 973 from Steger Lane to U.S. Highway 290 since 2019. Within that timeframe, 2023 saw the highest number of crashes along that portion of the roadway, with 60 crashes reported in TxDOTs CRIS. Its a concern Swier said has magnified since the development of Samsung out in Taylor. Since construction began on the semiconductor manufacturing site, she said the roadway is at capacity, adding some drivers have resorted to reckless behavior like speeding and passing on the curve amid the traffic. Are the cracks in your road from extreme heat? In an email to KXAN, Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps noted traffic issues on FM 973 have posed substantial concerns for area commuters and property owners. The Manor Police Department works with the Travis County Sheriffs Office to patrol the roadway, since some portions fall within Manors city limits while others lie in the countys jurisdiction. Phipps said the Manor Police Department has been working with TxDOT, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority and Rep. Sheryl Coles office to work on some longer-lasting relief to the problems while they attempt to provide short-term assistance. To address concerns, we have increased patrols in the area and deployed police message boards reminding drivers to stay focused, Phipps said in his email. He added hes in touch with the Texas Department of Public Safety to explore possible enforcement opportunities on the state roadway. TxDOT confirmed to KXAN that its speed study is already underway along FM 973 from U.S. 290 to Farm to Market Road 1160. The current speed limit along the corridor heading into Manor is 65 miles per hour, Swier said. That TxDOT study is expected to take several months to complete. From there, the Texas Transportation Commission would need to authorize any proposed speed limit changes to achieve full approval, a TxDOT spokesperson confirmed with KXAN. An environmental study is also underway for FM 973 from U.S. [Highway] 79 to U.S. 290, which will focus on safety enhancements and mobility improvements along the corridor, the spokesperson added. Its important to note, TxDOT also reminds drivers to make smart decisions behind the wheel, including driving to conditions, obeying the speed limit, avoiding distractions, never drinking and driving and always buckling up. This story originated from a KXAN Investigates tip. To send a story idea to our team, fill out this online form or email us at Investigates@KXAN.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. British sailors on the HMS Trent celebrate a coordinated drug bust with the U.S. Coast Guard near the U.S. Virgin Islands, netting approximately 6,000 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $280 million, officials announced Monday. Photo courtesy of U.K. Ministry of Defense March 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard and a British warship have recovered some 6,000 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $280 million, following a high-speed chase on the Caribbean Sea near the U.S. Virgin Islands, officials announced Monday. British sailors on the HMS Trent and an American patrol aircraft chased, and eventually intercepted, the drug-smuggling boat as the crew began tossing its cargo into the water, according to a statement by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense. This is the HMS Trent's second drug bust in three weeks, after seizing $90 million of cocaine in January. "Drugs bust #2 for Trent!" the HMS Trent wrote in a post Monday on X, along with photos of the coordinated effort. "Running total seized is now 8,031 pounds, worth over $380 million." DRUGS BUST #2 for TRENT! A further 616kg recovered by TRENT following a pursuit, with a whopping 2151kgseized ashore by Law Enforcement coordinated from TRENT by USCG. Running total seized is now 3,643kg, worth over 300m @RoyalNavy #TeamTrent #FwdDeployed Watch this space... pic.twitter.com/DJg0v15XbO HMS Trent (@HMSTrent) March 4, 2024 "During a high-speed chase, the smugglers tried to offload their illegal cargo, but Royal Marines coxswains and the USCG boarding team closed in, took control of the vessel and detained four crew members," the ministry added. The crew aboard the HMS Trent spent 10 hours searching a 24 square-mile area of the Caribbean Sea, and managed to retrieve close to 2,000 pounds of cocaine that had been tossed into the water. While officials did not reveal when the drug seizure was made, or where the drugs came from, Commanding Officer Tim Langford praised both the British and U.S. crews for their work. "The achievements of this ship and her crew in the last nine months have been spectacular, and it is brilliant to see the hard work and dedication of this amazing team paying off," said Langford. "The team is rightly proud of their efforts, and those of our USCG colleagues." The Caribbean Sea is a heavily trafficked avenue for illegal drugs, according to a report on the Caribbean narcotics trade from the White House. In January, federal agents seized more than a ton of cocaine aboard a ship en route to Humacao, Puerto Rico. "This operation sends a clear message: The Royal Navy remains resolute in its efforts to disrupt and dismantle the operations of drug traffickers across the world," Grant Shapps, U.K. Secretary of State for Defense, said Monday. "We will continue to ensure that those who seek to profit from illegal drugs face the full force of justice." A California man arrested Monday is the first person ever to be charged with smuggling banned greenhouse gases into the country, authorities announced. Michael Hart, a 58-year-old San Diego resident, bought banned hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), in Tijuana, Mexico, and snuck them into the U.S. underneath a tarp and tools in the bed of his pickup truck, states a federal indictment filed Feb. 29 and unsealed upon Harts apprehension. Hart is also accused of driving HCFC-22, a powerful ozone-depleting substance outlawed since 2020, across the border. He resold the illegal compounds, which are used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems, for a profit on websites including OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace, according to the indictment. Hart is being prosecuted under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020, a statute prohibiting the importation of HFCswhich can cause thousands of times more atmospheric warming than CO2without permission from the Environmental Protection Agency. His court-appointed lawyer, Sebastian Llewellyn Swain-Gil, did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment on Tuesday. Hart, who is out on bail, was unable to be reached. This office is at the forefront of environmental prosecutions, and today is a significant milestone for our country, U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a statement. This is the first time the Department of Justice is prosecuting someone for illegally importing greenhouse gases, and it will not be the last. We are using every means possible to protect our planet from the harm caused by toxic pollutants, including bringing criminal charges. Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division said, It is illegal to import certain refrigerants into the United States because of their documented and significantly greater contribution to climate change. We are committed to enforcing the AIM Act and other laws that seek to prevent environmental harm. According to the indictment, Harts purchases were enabled by a network of co-conspirators in Mexico. He had buyers in California, telling one that he was able to bring in 15 to 20 tanks of prohibited refrigerants a week, the indictment states. In a court appearance on Monday, Hart pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries up to five years in prison; five counts of importation contrary to law, which each carry up to 20 years in prison; and seven counts of sale of merchandise imported contrary to law, which each carry up to 20 years. All three charges also carry a potential fine of $250,000. Hart was booked and freed on a $30,000 appearance bond, according to court records. He surrendered his passport, and a judge restricted his travel to San Diego County as he awaits trial. Crossing into Mexico is off-limits for now, according to Harts release conditions. Hart is due back in court on March 25. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Israeli soldiers patrol the houses of young families destroyed in the October 7 attacks at Kibbutz Kfar Azza near the Gaza border, one of the crime scenes the U.N. investigators visited as part of a two-week mission that concluded that sexual violence had been perpetrated across multiple locations, including rape-murder and gang rape-murder and at least two cases of rape of women's corpses. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI March 5 (UPI) -- A United Nations investigation found evidence that horrific sexual violence was perpetrated against the victims of the Oct. 7 terror attacks on southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups from Gaza. A 16-day mission to Israel and the West Bank by the Sexual Violence in Conflict office last month found reasonable grounds sexual violence occurred in multiple locations, including rape-murder and gang rape-murder and at least two cases of rape of women's corpses, the U.N. Secretary-General's SVC Special Representative said in a news release. Many of the atrocities took place at the Nova music festival site and its surroundings, on Road 232 and at Kibbutz Re'im. In most of these incidents, victims first subjected to rape were then killed, and at least two incidents relate to the rape of women's corpses. Supported by a team of technical experts, the group also cataloged a pattern of victims, mostly women, found fully or partially naked, bound, and shot across multiple locations. "Although circumstantial, such a pattern may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence, including sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment," said U.N. SVC Special Representative Pramila Patten. However, In other locations such as Kibbutz Kfar Azza and Kibbutz Be'eri, the mission was either unable to verify reported incidents of rape or in the case of the latter concluded the widely reported case of a pregnant woman whose womb had reportedly been torn open, before she was killed, and her fetus stabbed while still inside her was unfounded. While forensic analysis revealed injuries to multiple body parts, including genitalia of male and female solidiers at Nahal Oz base, the mission team was also unable establish a discernible pattern of genital mutilation. The team, which was tasked with collecting, analyzing and verifying allegations of conflict-related sexual violence, gathered clear and convincing evidence the same sexual violence had been committed against hostages and had "reasonable grounds to believe that such violence may be ongoing against those still held." The conclusions were reached after mission members viewed more than 5,000 photo and approximately 50 hours of footage of the attacks, conducted 34 interviews with survivors and witnesses including released hostages, first responders, health and service providers. However, the true extent of the sexual violence perpetrated remains unknown with the team noting it knew of a small number of victims it was unable to speak with due to ongoing severe mental distress and trauma. Patten said the situation on the ground at the time and in the aftermath had made for a series of extremely challenging circumstances ranging from the limited availability of forensic information due to casualty numbers and widely-dispersed crime scenes, prioritization of search and rescue operations as well as the recovery, identification and burial in line with religious practices over the collection of forensic evidence. Loss of potentially critical evidence through the involvement of untrained volunteer first responders, inaccurate and unreliable forensic interpretations by non-professionals, contamination or alteration of some crime scenes and the large number of badly burned bodies also negatively impacted their work. Patten and her team also visited the occupied West Bank -- where they met with the Palestinian Authority, civil society organizations, detainees released from Israeli prisons and other relevant actors -- but not the Gaza Strip. Here, they heard concerns about "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" of Palestinians in detention, various forms of sexual violence such as invasive body searches, threats of rape, and prolonged forced nudity, as well as sexual harassment and threats of rape, during house raids and at checkpoints. Patten called for Israel to grant the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian Territory follow-up access to East Jerusalem and Israel to conduct fully-fledged independent probes into all alleged violations. She also urged Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals held in captivity and guarantee their safety, including from sexual violence, and for relevant national and international, to bring all perpetrators to justice Patten added her voice to that of Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres in calling for a humanitarian cease-fire and urged that SVC experts be consulted in the drawing up and implementation of all cease-fire and political agreements. Shelton oversees the daily operations of almost 1145 acres of land and manages nearly 500 acres of pasture, while supporting 190 to 220 head of Simmental Angus cattle. Shelton and other specialists at the center also conduct and support research initiatives aimed at advancing cattle production strategies and relevant agricultural technology. These activities include examining the effectiveness of annual ryegrass to mitigate negative effects of fragipan soils, analyzing the effectiveness and growth of the forage sorghum crop and collaborating on crossbreed expected progeny differences (EPDs) with the American Simmental Association . Brad Shelton, superintendent of the Feldun Purdue Agricultural Center (FPAC), received the Lawrence County Cattleman of the Year Award at the Lawrence County Cattlemens Association-Indiana annual meeting. Its humbling. I dont feel that I do anything above and beyond what other cattlemen or cattlewomen do to care for their animals. They, too, would be willing to help their fellow producers. Sheltons journey to receiving the Lawrence County Cattleman of the Year award started in Orange County, Indiana, where he was raised on his familys farm operation. This is where his passion for the cattle industry originated, and where he first learned about cultivating mixed crops and raising livestock. During high school, he actively participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H. These experiences instilled a deep understanding of agricultural practices practices that would later inform his work at Purdue. Shelton continues to actively participate in his familys Orange County farm, where he works alongside his father. As an alumnus of Purdues College of Agriculture, Shelton received his bachelors degree in soil and crop management and his masters degree in crop physiology and ecology. Keith Johnson,professor of agronomy, was Sheltons graduate advisor and a major career influence. Shelton has served Purdue in various roles, including at the Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center and as Washington Countys Extension educator for eight years, after which he started his work at FPAC. His current research and work at FPAC focuses on the effects of weather on cattle, utilizing biometric tools to examine further to ultimately mitigate the impacts. Through this analysis, the centers goal is to find a cattle breed that thrives in heat and humidity in the Fescue Belt, a large region of the U.S., including parts of Indiana, known to be an inadequate foraging habitat for cattle. Beyond campus, Shelton actively engages with the agricultural community through the Lawrence County Cattlemen's Association and the Indiana Beef Cattlemen's Association. The latter organization recognized him as an Outstanding Young Cattle Producer in 2017. Jon Leuck, director of the Purdue Agricultural Centers, praises Sheltons recognition. Brad is an excellent cattleman who continuously serves his local cattle producers and community with impeccable loyalty and dedication. He is an asset to the missions of FPAC and the College of Agriculture. A U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was shot and killed inside his work vehicle in Ohio over the weekend. Jonte Davis, 33, was found by police officers suffering from gunshot wounds around 1:45 p.m. in Warren, about 60 miles southeast of Cleveland, on Saturday. He was transported to Trumbull Regional Medical Center where he later died. The killer shot Davis from another vehicle, the Warren Police Department stated. The attackers vehicle was found in the driveway of a residence hours later. Evidence, including the suspect vehicle, was recovered and several individuals were transported to the Warren Police Department to be interviewed, police said in a news release. Police said it appears the victim knew his assailant or assailants and described the shooting at a targeted attack. No one is currently in custody. The U.S. Postal Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting with this ongoing investigation, police said. The Postal Inspection Service said it is offering a reward up to $250,000 for info leading to the killers arrest. _____ The United States Supreme Court declined Monday to review a lower courts decision on a fatal Charlotte-Mecklenburg police shooting, which means a lawsuit can go to trial. That suit is tied to the 2017 death of Ruben Galindo Chavez, who was shot and killed by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer David Guerra. Both Guerra and the city of Charlotte are defendants. Galindo had an unloaded gun and raised his hands in the air when Guerra shot him, The Charlotte Observer previously reported. The suit was first filed in state court in 2019, and was quickly moved to federal court. The Supreme Courts decision Monday came with no explanation from the justices. It was lumped in with a number of other cases that the nations highest court declined to weigh in on. With discovery long finished, a trial could be calendared in the next six months or so, plaintiff attorney Brian Hochman told the Observer Monday. Spokespeople for the city of Charlotte and CMPD did not respond to requests for comment. What happened? On the night of Sept. 6, 2017, Galindo called 911 to say he had a gun and wanted to turn himself for a court date, the Observer previously reported. He faced charges of misdemeanor assault by pointing a firearm and simple assault. In two different calls, a dispatcher told him to put the gun away. But he didnt do that. He told the dispatcher he planned to surrender the gun, which had no bullets, to officers, according to court documents. He also asked for a Spanish-speaking officer to come and was paranoid, records say. He at first said he was the Star God, and that he was tired of police following him. When police arrived, Galindo had the gun in his hand. None of the officers who came were fluent in Spanish. But they repeatedly ordered him to show his hands with one word: manos. In English they told him to drop it. As he raised his hands, the gun still in one, Guerra shot and killed him. Less than a year after the police killing of Keith Lamont Scott, Galindos death drew new criticism and brought protesters to Charlotte City Council. Cases journey through courts The case has bounced around in the federal courts for years, been thrown out and revived. United States District Judge Robert Conrad dismissed the wrongful death suit in 2021, saying that qualified immunity protected Guerra. Thats a type of legal immunity that protects police and other officials when theyre accused of violating a plaintiffs rights. Suits are only allowed when they violate a clearly established statutory or constitutional right, Cornell Law Schools Legal Information Institute says. A reasonable officer in Guerras position did not have to wait; did not have to trust a man believed to be delusional, and possibly homicidal or suicidal; a man who had refused every law enforcement directive aimed at keeping him and others safe, Conrad wrote in a 2021 order. Ruben Galindo, 29, was fatally shot on Sept. 6, 2017. And by drinking to excess, having a handgun on him, executing a bad plan of surrender and exhibiting a complete inability or unwillingness to heed safety suggestions or law enforcement commands, Galindo created the tension and uncertainty that led to Guerra shooting, the judge said. Galindos family appealed the dismissal, and in August 2023 the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled mostly in their favor. Guerra was not protected by qualified immunity, the court said, and the case ought to proceed. The judges said Galindo tried to understand and comply with officers, quickly taking a position of surrender. Qualified immunity In its request for the nations highest court to step in, one of Charlottes lawyers said the goalpost for qualified immunity keeps moving. The misguided court this time is the Fourth Circuit, a petition for certiorari signed by attorney Steven Bader in December said. The officer here directed a delusional, drunk, and armed suspect to drop his gun. Rather than comply, the man raised the weapon above his shoulder, which compelled deadly force from the officer. Bader could not be reached for comment. Galindo posed a threat to many police, apartment residents and anyone nearby and to allow a trial would threaten qualified immunity as a whole, Bader argued. In their own brief in response, attorneys for Galindos estate said there was far more to the story. Some facts were still disputed. And the city changed its whole legal argument at the last minute, they said, noting that they now acknowledged that Galindo raised his hands. Galindo did raise his hands, and did it in response to commands from police, they said. In the end, the Supreme Court more conservative than it has been in nearly a century said that there was no need for review. That will allow a trial. UK Defence Intelligence analysed the statement of Sergey Chemezov, the head of Russian defence concern Rostech, made on Monday that the "most modern main battle tank" of the Russian Federation, the T-14 Armata, will not be deployed in the war against Ukraine due to its high cost. Source: UK Defence Intelligence review on Twitter dated 5 March, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "To date, it is almost certain that the T-14 Armata MBT has not been deployed to Ukraine. This is highly likely due to the potential reputational damage of losing the prestige vehicle in combat and the requirement to produce greater quantities of MBTs which can only be satisfied by other variants," the intelligence agency concluded. Details: The UK Ministry of Defence recalled that the T-14 Armata was presented in Moscow on 9 May 2015, but stalled during a rehearsal, and it did not appear in the Russian army in 2021 as planned. Background: In the previous report, the UK's Defence Ministry reported that throughout February 2024, Russia attempted to attack regional energy facilities in Ukraine, but despite this, the Ukrainian energy network remains operationally stable. Earlier, the analysts pointed out that the average daily number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) in Ukraine in February 2024 was the highest since the full-scale war began. Earlier, the intelligence reported that Russia's military-industrial complex is unable to fully meet the needs of its war against Ukraine but will be able to maintain superiority this year. Support UP or become our patron! UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has commented on the destruction of the Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov, which was attacked by Ukrainian surface drones. Source: Grant Shapps on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: Shapps commented on the attack on the ship, stating that the Black Sea is no longer "safe for Putin's Navy", which had been "unimaginable" previously. Quote: "Now because the West backed Ukraine, its undeniable. If we get them what they need, the bravery & skill of the Ukrainian Armed Forces can unlock victories once thought impossible." Previously: Explosions were heard in Kerch on the night of 4-5 March, and the Crimean bridge was blocked for more than eight hours. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine confirmed that the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergei Kotov was sunk as a result of an attack by Ukrainian Magura V5 drones. Andrii Yusov, spokesman for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that several people were killed and injured as a result of the attack. Support UP or become our patron! The University of Kentucky Senate Council will ask university administration to pause its work on potentially reorganizing its governance structure until further collaboration can take place. The council will consider a resolution at its March 11 meeting that asks President Eli Capilouto to not make a recommendation to the board of trustees until he collaborates with the senate council and senate when reviewing the university senates role, the council said Monday. On Feb. 23, the board of trustees approved a resolution directing Capilouto to formulate recommended changes to the universitys governing regulations, to be presented at the April board meeting. The resolution came after a presentation earlier in the day addressing the boards charge to review university governance structures and regulations. The charge is part of Project Accelerate, which has five work groups reviewing various aspects of the university. As part of work group 5, more responsiveness, UK worked with Deloitte Consulting to present findings to the board. Administrators said the move would streamline the decision-making and policy-setting processes, while giving equal governance to student and staff groups on campus. But faculty members worry potential changes would remove them from the decision-making process around academics. UKs senate, which was first established in 1917, serves in an advisory role to the UK administration, but also holds policy-making power. For example, the senate approves academic programs and sets admissions standards at UK. In response to the boards resolution, the senate council the executive arm of the university senate approved a resolution last week expressing their profound concern over potential changes and asked to be included in the process. A manufactured emergency More than 200 people attended the senate council meeting Monday, in person and virtually, as faculty discussed the implications of changing the universitys governance structure. Most faculty members who spoke said they were concerned about what changing the structure and role of the university senate could mean for the future of faculty involvement and the universitys academics. Jennifer Cramer, a member of the senate council, said this is a process that should not be rushed. The board asked Capilouto to make recommendations at its April meeting, but Cramer said the directive from the board is a manufactured emergency. One concern from the board and Deloitte was the length of the university senates rules, which are 305 pages while other schools have senate rules around 35 pages. The senate has figured itself out in a democratic way to do what it needs to do, to do its job of representing in a democratic fashion all the members of the faculty, said Herman Farrell, a former senate member. Several faculty members said the length of the senate rules adds clarity to their process, and the rules have been updated over time to adapt to the current needs of the university. Rather than having a short set of senate council rules, where theres a lot of ambiguity, I think that the fact that our rules are long is a very good thing, said Akiko Takenaka, a senate council member. Concerns about Deloitte study, potential changes Faculty members said they felt shut out of closed door meetings surrounding the findings of the Project Accelerate work group and interviews conducted by Deloitte. Several called on university administration to release the complete findings from Deloitte, saying they were being asked to meet with Capilouto and comment on findings they had not been able to review. At the board meeting on Feb. 23, Deloitte representatives said their interview process was not intended to be scientific. Since then, faculty members have raised concerns about why the study is being used, and how interviews were conducted. On Monday, the UK chapter of the American Association of University Professors delivered a letter to Capilouto supporting shared governance and asking to ensure that faculty voices are heard and meaningfully considered in all aspects of decision-making that impact the educational mission of the university. We have already witnessed, in the run-up to this resolution, that major decision-making processes are becoming less transparent, and administrators are increasingly reluctant to engage with our campus community in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, a message attached to the letter said. Furthermore, the authority that these administrators might gain through this resolution could have significant consequences for us and our students. Provost Robert DiPaola attended Monday and said he would take comments and concerns back to Capilouto. Capilouto is meeting with groups of faculty members over the next week to hear recommendations on the governance structure. Feedback can also be submitted through a form on UKs website. Our Board of Trustees recently directed me and our community to recommend changes to our Governing Regulations with the goal of creating more clarity, rather than confusion, around the rules that help guide our work, Capilouto said in an email sent to faculty Monday evening. We need more voices not fewer being heard as we determine the steps necessary to make progress in advancing this state. And we need to streamline the processes and procedures we have so that rules meant to help dont hinder creativity and innovation. UK Spokesperson Jay Blanton said Capilouto will meet with more than 200 people on this topic to share perspectives. (Capilouto) believes we should welcome the opportunity to see where, as a community, we can be even better, Blanton said. We should welcome the opportunity to strengthen shared governance and our shared responsibilities. We should welcome the opportunity to create clarity where there is confusion. We should welcome the opportunity to create space for more voices and people at the table, not fewer. Filling the tank of a 55-litre family car, such as a Skoda Superb, costs nearly 90 for diesel, says the RAC Prices of petrol and diesel increased for the second month in a row in February, suffering the largest rise since Russias invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022. According to figures from RAC Fuel Watch, petrol prices increased by 4p per litre to 144.76ppl, which means the cost of a full tank of an average 55-litre family car now stands at 79.62 - 2 higher than in January. Diesel, meanwhile, increased by 5ppl to 153.22ppl, making for an 84.27 bill for drivers of an average family car - a rise of 2.60 month on month. The RAC claims the price increases have been a result of rising oil prices, with the cost of a barrel surpassing $80 (63.28) on 8 February meaning retailers had to pay more for fuel, passing on the price rise to customers. Last month, the RAC also claimed prices were impacted by Houthi rebel attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, which was forcing route changes and subsequent delays. Drivers in Northern Ireland are supposedly getting better prices than those in the rest of the UK, with diesel coming in 4.6ppl cheaper at 148.62ppl and petrol coming in 5.6ppl cheaper at 139.19ppl. The RAC described the discrepancy as galling, with retailers across the Irish Sea willing to sell fuel to drivers at cheaper rates. Our data shows that in February, drivers have endured some of the biggest monthly average fuel price increases since the year 2000, said Simon Williams, fuel spokesperson for the RAC. Diesels 4.7p rise was the 14th largest and the 4p that went on to petrol was the 17th biggest increase since the start of the century. Its claimed that many retailers are taking a margin of around 10ppl on both petrol and diesel, with supermarkets taking up to 8ppl. There was also an 18p difference between the cheapest and costliest supermarket petrol prices and a 21p difference for diesel. When analysing the supermarkets prices via the Competition and Markets Authority open data scheme, it's also very clear there are some big differences between the cheapest and most expensive prices charged for both petrol and diesel, Williams said. To put this into context, it means the cost of filling a family-sized car can be up to 10 more expensive in one part of the country than another. Its important to remember this is the very same product being charged at vastly different prices based just on location. The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), meanwhile, has called for action in tomorrows Spring Budget, described by the organisations boss Gordon Balmer as a pivotal moment for addressing the pressing concerns facing petrol retailers across the UK. In a statement sent to Autocar, the PRA called for an extension to the fuel duty freeze, claiming removing the measure would result in potentially aggravating the financial strain on consumers already grappling with volatile global energy prices. Fuel duty has long been a key concern, providing relief to motorists amidst escalating living costs. Temporary cuts and freezes have been welcome, offering relief amidst economic uncertainty, said Balmer in the statement. He added that more support should be given to retailers, because of uncertainty caused by the standard business rate multiplier. With an impending increase on the horizon, petrol retailers are experiencing increased financial pressures, Balmer said. The proposed rise in business rates poses will only add to the growing list of costs increases that petrol retailers have had to shoulder in recent years. What determines the price of fuel? The price of petrol and diesel you buy at the pump is largely determined by the wholesale price of Brent crude oil. Fluctuations in the price of this, however, can take weeks to filter through to the forecourts. The price of crude oil has gone up nearly $12 per barrel since the start of July to around $96 in October and now fallen to around $78. The long-term cost of petrol In July 2023, a major report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that drivers paid on average 6ppl more for fuel in 2022 as supermarkets took advantage of weakened competition and inflated pump prices. CMA chief Sarah Cardell, who said supermarkets were usually the cheapest place to buy fuel and market anchors, said the rising of prices would have had a greater impact on vulnerable people, particularly those in areas with less choice of fuel stations. The report found the rise was instigated by Asda which was also fined 60,000 for not co-operating fully with the CMA investigation and Morrisons, the two cheapest fuel sellers, which last year each made the decision to target higher margins. Asdas fuel margin target in 2023 was more than three times what it had been for 2019, while Morrisons doubled its margin target in the same period. Other retailers, including Sainsburys and Tesco, didn't respond in the way you would expect in a competitive market and instead raised their prices in line with these changes, the CMA found. Taken together, this indicates that competition has weakened and reinforces the need for action, the report added. Diesel prices were also slow to drop in 2023, partially down to Asda feathering its prices (reducing them more slowly as wholesale prices fell) and other firms not responding competitively to that. The CMA estimated that drivers have paid 13ppl more for diesel from January 2023 to the end of May 2023 than if margins had been at their historic average. Competition at the pump is not working as well as it should be, and something needs to change swiftly to address this, said Cardell. As such, the CMA recommended a "fuel finder scheme" to give drivers access to live, station-by-station fuel prices on their phones or sat-navs. This would help revitalise competition in the retail road fuel market. Cardell added: We need to reignite competition among fuel retailers. This [scheme] would end the need to drive round and look at the prices displayed on the forecourt and would ideally enable live price data on sat-navs and map apps. The CMA also recommended bringing in a new monitoring body to hold [the] industry to account. On this, RAC spokesman Williams said: The fact that drivers appear to have lost out to the tune of nearly 1 billion as a result of increased retailer margins on fuel is nothing short of astounding in a cost of living crisis and confirms what weve been saying for many years: that supermarkets havent been treating drivers fairly at the pumps. Its all about action now, and we very much hope the government follows through with both of the CMAs recommendations. While forcing retailers to publish pump prices is a positive step for drivers, whats of far more significance is the creation of a fuel-monitor function within government which, we very much hope, actively monitors wholesale prices to ensure forecourts dont overcharge when the cost they pay to buy fuel drops. Without this, we fear drivers will continue to get a raw deal." ]]> The UK has removed Igor Makarov, a Russian oligarch and founder of Russian gas company ITERA, from the sanctions list after he renounced his Russian citizenship in favour of Cypriot citizenship last year. Source: the UK government website Details: ARETI, the company Makarov currently owns, reportedly no longer operates in the Russian power sector. No other details concerning these decisions were disclosed. In 2022 the UK government stated that Makarov supported or significantly benefited from the Russian government and was operating in a sector that was strategically important for Moscow. Russian property developers God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev, as well as Iskandar Makhmudov, founder of the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company, were sanctioned at the same time as Makarov. Makarov renounced his Russian citizenship in 2023 and is now a citizen of Cyprus. He is described on the UK government website as originally coming from Turkmenistan. Forbes estimates Makarovs fortune at US$2.2 billion. This is not the first time the UK has eased restrictions against a Russian. In summer 2023, sanctions were lifted from Oleg Tinkov, former owner of Tinkoff Bank, and Lev Khasis, former deputy head of Sberbank. Tinkov was sanctioned in March 2022 after the full-scale war in Ukraine began. Khasis was added to the black list on 24 March 2022, even though he abandoned the bank and immigrated to the US a few days before the war, The Moscow Times adds. Support UP or become our patron! By the end of today, Ukraine plans to have exported a record amount of electricity, 13.39 gigawatts, to Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova. On Monday, 4 March, the export figure was 13.2 gigawatts. Source: Press service of Ukrenergo, Ukraines national energy company Details: The planned export volume for 5 March is 13,393 megawatt hours (MWh), with a maximum throughput of up to 726 MW in certain hours. The import of electricity from Slovakia and Romania is planned at a very small volume in the evening hours. The total volume is expected to be 76 MWh, with a maximum capacity of up to 37 MW in certain hours. Background: On 4 March, Ukraine exported a record-breaking 13 gigawatts of electricity to other countries. Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Moldova purchased it. The European energy association ENTSO-E decided on 1 March to increase the limit on Ukrainian electricity exports to EU countries to 550 MW per hour. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office charged two Russian military servicemen for allegedly shooting a civilian in Kyiv Oblast's Bucha in 2022, killing the person on the spot, prosecutors said on March 5. Bucha, a small city near Kyiv, was occupied by Russian troops shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. After the city was liberated late in March of that year, mass graves were discovered, and thousands of war crimes were documented, including the murder of hundreds of civilians. According to the recently published investigation, two Russian artillery commanders killed an unarmed man on March 19, 2022, at around 5 p.m. The perpetrators shot the victim with small arms without warning, even though the man was dressed in civilian clothes and had a bandage on his arm, prosecutors said. "The man was a civilian who did not take part in the armed conflict. He did not have any weapons, tools, or means that could justify the use of violence against him," the statement read. The two Russian soldiers were charged with murder and violating the laws of war. It is unclear whether they are in Ukrainian captivity or whether they had been served the charges in absentia. Read also: SBU: Russian commander who ordered killing of civilians in Bucha identified Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine's military intelligence service said Tuesday that a special operations unit from the war-torn country had managed to sink another Russian warship. The intel agency released a statement early Tuesday morning saying the Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov was destroyed near the Kerch Strait, off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea. It said the ship was sunk in an overnight operation carried out by the "Group 13" special forces unit using Ukrainian-made Magura V5 maritime drones. It estimated the loss to Russia's navy of being in the region of $65 million. A video posted on social media by Ukraine's military intelligence agency showed what it said was the drone attack on the Russian vessel. A still from video released by the Ukraine's military intelligence directorate on March 5, 2024, shows smoke rising from what the agency said was the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov after it was critically damaged by a Ukrainian sea drone attack off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea. / Credit: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine/Handout/REUTERS The number of crew who were on board the patrol ship, and their fate, was still being determined, according to Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. He said there were believed to be dead and wounded Russian sailors as a result of the attack. The patrol ship reportedly had the ability to carry cruise missiles and up to 60 crew members. The drone strike came shortly after reports of explosions being heard in the city of Kerch, on the Crimean Peninsula. Social media posts reported that the strategic Crimean Bridge, which connects the peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014 with the Russian mainland, was closed for more than eight hours. The Russian ship previously sustained damage and underwent repairs following a previous maritime drone strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in September 2023. In this undated photo provided by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine a Magura V5 Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface boat is seen in Ukraine. / Credit: Daniyar Sarsenov/Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine/AP Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff, said on Tuesday that the "Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation," adding that it "cannot be in Ukrainian Crimea." Russian officials did not immediately comment on the reported sinking. Ukraine said it sank two other Russian warships in February, a landing vessel called the Caesar Kunikov, also off the coast of Crimea, as well as a missile-armed corvette called the Ivanovets. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Ukrainian forces claim to have destroyed or damaged at least two dozen Russian ships. But those individual victories at sea come as Russian troops continue advancing, taking new ground, along the long front line that stretches from north to south across eastern Ukraine. Ukraine's political and military leaders have beseeched their Western partners for months, begging for more desperately needed ammunition, artillery and other weapons and warning that without new supplies, they won't be able to keep Russia at bay. The most urgent request from Kyiv has been for the U.S. Congress to approve a $60 billion additional aid package, which has been held up by partisan gridlock since late last year. Beaufort, SC, bans 5 books from school shelves after push to ban 97 | 60 Minutes NASA's pricey mission to send U.S. back to moon faces technical challenges | 60 Minutes Kyrsten Sinema won't run for reelection in Arizona this year Valtteri Bottas' opening race of 2024 in Bahrain was a nightmare for the Sauber driver, culminating in a disastrous 52.4-second pit stop that effectively ended his challenge. Starting from a lowly 16th on the grid, Bottas evening was first compromised at the very first corner when he got caught in the crossfire of an incident between Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg that damaged the Finns front wing. However, the most significant blow came during his mid-race ruinous pit stop. A routine tyre change from softs to hards was undermined by a cross-threaded wheel nut that Bottas stranded for over 52 seconds while the mechanics frantically tried to fix the issue. The blunder effectively ruined Bottas' race, as he was forced to limp back to the track and settle for a disappointing 19th place finish. Obviously there was an issue with the wheel nut, said the 34-year-old after the race. Something to investigate to make sure it doesnt happen again, I think thats the main take from me today. And also, unlucky with the Turn 1 incident I had a bit of damage in the front wing. It wasnt actually a huge effect, just slight understeer maybe in certain corners, but nothing huge. So, not my day, but hopefully thats my bad luck for the year done! Beyond Bottas misfortune, there were positive signs for Sauber on the other side of its garage thanks to a solid display at Sakhir by Zhou Guanyu. Starting a lowly 17th, the Chinese driver clawed his way back to finish a commendable 11th, just behind the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. The performance suggests promise for the all-new Kick Sauber C44, leaving Zhou cautiously optimistic. Honestly, Im happy with the progress the team were able to make, commented the Chinese driver. At the beginning of this weekend, if you told me we were fighting with the Astons, I think were in a good spot. But clearly the pace is kind of where we are; we really maximised everything in the race, I didnt do any mistakes. But just to maintain Lance behind was so difficult I would just destroy my tyres. So P11, still a lot to be working on, because we all still want another step more closer to the points. Over the whole course of the weekend, coming back to the testing, we were changing a lot on the set-up, Zhou added. We really couldnt find the comfort zone with this new car we have. This weekend which I did, we made small changes which seem to be going in the right direction, so lets keep focused, keep working as a team for Jeddah and show we can do a step. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Ukraine claims to sink Russian ship as US airman charged with sharing intel on dating site Ukraine sinks Russian warship in Black Sea Ukraine claimed Tuesday it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones. The move - unconfirmed by Russian authorities - comes as Kyiv's force take aim at targets behind the war's frontline. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special operations unit destroyed the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov overnight with Magura V5 uncrewed vessels designed and built in Ukraine. The Russian vessel can reportedly carry cruise missiles and has a crew of around 60. The Ukrainian claim could not immediately be independently verified. Meanwhile, disinformation has been a feature of the fighting that broke out after Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Kyiv's forces are struggling to keep the better-provisioned Russian army at bay at some points along the largely static 1,500-kilometer front line, but are also taking aim at targets deep beyond the battlefield. 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. US airman charged for sharing intel on Russia's war in Ukraine A civilian US Air Force employee has been charged in federal court in Nebraska with transmitting classified information about Russia's war with Ukraine on a foreign online dating platform, the American Justice Department said Monday. David Franklin Slater, 63, who authorities say retired as an Army lieutenant colonel, was arrested Saturday on charges of illegally disclosing national defence information and conspiring to do so. Prosecutors say Slater attended briefings between February and April 2022 about Russia's war with Ukraine. Despite having signed paperwork pledging not to disclose classified information, he shared details about military targets and Russian capabilities on an online messaging platform with an unindicted co-conspirator who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine. According to an indictment, that alleged co-conspirator, who is not identified by prosecutors, repeatedly asked Slater for information and described him as my secret informant love. It wasn't immediately clear if Slater had a lawyer. He is due to make his first court appearance Tuesday. Ukraines military on Tuesday claimed another successful attack on a Russian warship, marking the latest in a string of naval defeats for Moscows Black Sea Fleet that Kyiv says has reduced its numbers by more than a third since the start of the war. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine said maritime drones operated by its Group 13 special unit struck and sank the 1,300-ton Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov in the Black Sea, near the Kerch Strait that separates occupied Crimea from the coast of southwest Russia. As a result of the strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Project 22160 Sergei Kotov sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides, sparking a fire aboard the vessel, a statement said. The military later confirmed the ship had sunk. The mission was conducted in cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy and with the support of Ukraines Ministry of Digital Transformation, it added. Andriy Yusov, representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the Sergei Kotov had been targeted and hit before, but this time the Sergei Kotov has been destroyed for sure. A fire on board the 1,300-ton Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov is pictured in video released by Ukrainian defense intelligence. - Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Seven Russian crew members were killed and 27 military personnel were wounded, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. It did not reveal how Ukraine had come by this information. Ukraines maritime drones have taken a heavy toll on Russian naval ships, especially in the past few months, with its campaign in the Black Sea a rare strategic success for Kyiv compared to recent setbacks on the battlefield. In mid-February, the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov was attacked with the same drones used against the Sergei Kotov. The drones punctured critical holes on the Russian ships left side before sinking it, Ukrainian military intelligence agency said on Telegram. Earlier in February, Ukraine claimed its forces had disabled about 33% of Russias warships, amounting to 24 disabled ships and one submarine. Russias worst naval loss of the war was the sinking of the guided-missile cruiser Moskva in April 2022. The Sergei Kotov was one of Russia newest ships in the Black Sea Fleet. A report from Russian state-run news agency TASS on January 21, 2021, said the ship was floated on that day and would soon join the Black Sea Fleet. The TASS report said the 300-foot-long (91 meters) warship had a range of 6,000 nauticial miles, could carry a crew of 80 and was equipped with a helicopter, a 57mm gun and a modern air defense system. Ukraine said it had a price tag of $65 million. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin. Photo: the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ukraines Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin has issued an official comment in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for two Russian generals, Sergey Kobylash and Viktor Sokolov. Source: statement on the website of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine; European Pravda Quote from Kostin: "Today we once again saw justice in action, and the fact that those who commit international crimes will be held responsible. I sincerely welcome the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for a lieutenant general of the Russian Armed Forces and an admiral of the Russian Navy, who are suspected of systematic attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure." Details: Kostin also thanked the ICC, Prosecutor General Karim Khan, and all Ukrainian prosecutors who had contributed to this outcome by helping with evidence gathering. "This is the first case when individuals are suspected of committing a crime against humanity and other inhumane acts [...] that caused great suffering or serious bodily harm," Kostin added. He stressed that Ukraine will continue working alongside the ICC to bring to justice everyone implicated in committing international crimes. Background: On 5 March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for commanders of Russia's Long-Range Aviation (Sergey Kobylash) and the Russian Federation's Black Sea Fleet (Viktor Sokolov) as part of the investigation into war crimes Russia potentially committed in Ukraine between 10 October 2022 and 9 March 2023. On 17 March 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine said on Tuesday its forces destroyed a Russian military patrol boat in the Black Sea near annexed Crimea, the latest naval attack on Moscow's fleet in the key waterway. Kyiv also claimed responsibility for a strike on an oil depot in a Russian border region. Ukraine is flexing its ability to hit Russian targets from the air and at sea, while its troops struggle to hold ground on the front lines. The Black Sea has been a vital battleground since the war started just over two years ago. Ukrainian forces claim to have destroyed more than two dozen Russian ships since Moscow invaded in February 2022, including several in recent weeks. Ukraine's GUR military intelligence unit on 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. Ukraine's 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". "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. Some were scornful of the Russian navy's inability to defend itself. Pro-war Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyak on Tuesday accused Moscow's 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. The ship, which was launched in 2021, had already been severely damaged in a strike last year, Ukraine's Yusov said. Ukraine's 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. 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 president's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said on Tuesday the fleet was "a symbol of the occupation" and "cannot be in Ukraine's 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 Ukraine's 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, Ukraine's 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. bur-jc/jbr/giv Ukrainian forces say they struck a Russian warship with highly advanced sea drones in the Black Sea, the latest blow to Russias navy in the war. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine said in a Telegram post the Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov was attacked by five drones in the waters near the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. The Ukrainian intelligence agency also shared what it said was audio of Russian officers discussing the destruction of the ship and a video of the ship appearing to explode. Special Ukrainian forces attacked the Sergei Kotov on Monday night with Magura V5 naval drones, according to Ukraine. The cost of the sunken ship is about 65 million dollars, Ukrainian intelligence officials said in another post. There was no immediate word from Russias Defense Ministry on the attack. Ukraine has inflicted heavy losses on Russia in the Black Sea, driving the Russian navy out of the western parts of those waters. The U.S. estimated last month that Russia has lost 20 medium-to-large ships in the Black Sea in the fighting. The Black Sea victories have been one bright spot for Ukraine in the past year after Kyiv failed to gain any significant ground in a 2023 counteroffensive and is struggling to get new military aid from the U.S. Congress. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Ukrainian drone struck an oil depot in the Russian border region of Belgorod on Tuesday, a military intelligence source in Kyiv told AFP. The source said at least one fuel tank was set ablaze following the attack on the oil facility in the Russian village of Dolgoye, in Belgorod, about 2.5 miles from the Ukraine border. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said emergency services were dealing with a fire at an infrastructure facility, but did not mention a drone. There were no casualties. Operational and emergency services are working on the site. All circumstances of the incident are being established, he said. Kyiv has ramped up drone attacks on Russias energy industry in the past three months, deeming it fair retaliation on infrastructure Moscow uses to fuel its invasion. Follow the latest updates below 03:02 PM GMT Thats all for today. Thanks for following the Telegraphs live blog. Well be back tomorrow with the latest updates on the war. 02:58 PM GMT War in pictures Sculpture of Roman Shukhevych, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (1943-1950), is covered with a protective film in the yard of a destroyed museum - Global Images Ukraine Ukrainian serviceman of the First Presidential Brigade Bureviy (Hurricane) of the National Guard of Ukraine holds an artillery shell as he prepares to fire a howitzer - Inna Varenytsia/Reuters 02:44 PM GMT Russia rebukes German officers for talking about Crimean bridge attacks Russia on Tuesday rebuked German officers for talking on an intercepted call about the possible use missiles against the Crimean Bridge, Tass reported. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russias foreign ministry, said the German officers were inglorious bastards. 02:25 PM GMT France to contribute to Czech-led purchases of ammunition for Ukraine A Czech-led initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine from third countries is very useful and France is ready to contribute to it, President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday. We back this initiative and we will contribute to it, Macron told a joint news conference in Prague with President Petr Havel. 02:10 PM GMT International court seeks arrest of two Russian officers The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Tuesday for two high-ranking Russian military officers on charges linked to attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. It is only the second time the global court has publicly announced arrest warrants linked to Russias war in 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. Also wanted is Russian navy Adm Viktor Kinolayevich Sokolov, who was the commander of the Black Sea Fleet. They are wanted for the war crime of directing attacks at civilian objects, and causing excessive incidental harm to civilians or damage to civilian objects, and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. 01:58 PM GMT Dont be cowards, Macron tells Ukraines allies Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Ukraines allies not to be cowards in supporting the country to fight off the Russian invasion. We are surely approaching a moment for Europe in which it will be necessary not to be cowards, the French President said on a visit to the Czech Republic. War has returned to our land. Mr Macron last month suggested that several EU and Nato countries were considering deploying soldiers to the battlefield. He said boots on the ground should not be ruled out as he urged the West to do everything needed so Russia cannot win the war. Britain rejected the French proposal to send Nato troops into Ukraine, warning that it would be a major escalation in the war. Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, also dismissed the idea. There will be no soldiers on Ukrainian soil sent there by European states or Nato states, Mr Scholz said. 01:40 PM GMT Russia planning fresh efforts to destabilize Moldova, says countrys spy chief Moldovas spy chief said on Tuesday that Russia was planning fresh attempts to meddle in the countrys internal affairs by provoking protests, interfering in upcoming presidential elections, and disrupting plans to join the European Union. Alexandru Musteata, head of the Information and Security Service, said his agency had intercepted a record level of activities by the Russian security services since 2023 and expected more destabilising actions this year and next. Russian intelligence services intend to interfere in the election processes this year as well, Musteata told media. 01:15 PM GMT Do you have a question for The Telegraphs Associate Defence Editor? 12:57 PM GMT EU executive calls on EIB to start funding defence projects The European Commission called on the European Investment Bank on Tuesday to change its policy this year to enable it to fund defence projects, as Europe seeks to urgently increase defence production to prepare for potential Russian aggression. Defence and military spending is now explicitly excluded from the list of activities that can be financed by the EIB, which is owned by the 27 governments of the European Union. The Commission... invite(s) the EIB Groups governing bodies... to adapt defence-related exclusions from the EIB Groups Lending Policies. This would allow the EIB to support production of military equipment and more generally the European defence industry, the Commission said. 12:36 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian troops on front line Ukrainian soldiers fire D-30 artillery as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in the direction of Bakhmut - Anadolu 11:50 AM GMT Ukrainian sea drones sink Russian patrol ship off Crimea Ukrainian sea drones have sunk a Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship off occupied Crimea, Kyiv said on Tuesday. Ukraines military intelligence agency said that a unit called 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 (51million). Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskiys 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. 11:36 AM GMT EU Commission proposes 1.3 billion common defence industry package The European Commission on Tuesday proposed a new 1.5 billion euro (1.3 billion) defence industry programme, financed from the European Union budget, between 2025 and 2027. The new programme invites EU members states to procure at least 40 per cent of their defence equipment collectively by 2030, the EU Commission said in a statement. The Commission also proposed to used a share of the profits made on frozen Russian assets to fund arms purchases for Ukraine. 10:54 AM GMT Berlin: Allies trust in Germany unbroken despite army leak Germanys defence minister on Tuesday said he had telephoned allies over the leak of an army discussion on the war in Ukraine and received the assurance that their confidence in Berlin was intact. Trust in Germany is unbroken. Everyone knows about the danger of such wiretapping attacks and know that no one can offer 100 percent protection, Boris Pistorius said. 10:37 AM GMT Putins Iron Grip: The sycophants and rivals who could one day lead Russia In March, Vladimir Putin will in the loosest possible sense face an election, writes Francis Dearnley. The result isnt in doubt: a resounding victory, securing his iron grip over the Russian state. Were he to serve out his new six-year-term, he would be the longest-serving ruler of Russia since the 18th century. 09:58 AM GMT Germany considers disciplinary measures over intel leak Germanys Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday one of the participants on the military call on Ukraine intercepted by Russia had dialed in via a non-secure line and disciplinary measures were being looked into. Russia had likely intercepted the military call via widespread surveillance, not a spy or targeted surveillance, Pistorius said. The use of WebEx for the call was authorised. Germany would take technical and organizational measures to ensure such an incident would not happen again, he said. 09:42 AM GMT Ukraine strikes oil depot in Russian border region Ukraine carried out an attack on an oil depot in a Russian border region, a military intelligence source in Kyiv told AFP Tuesday, the latest in a string of such attacks. The source confirmed reports in local media that a Ukrainian drone had struck an oil facility in the Russian village of Dolgoye in the Belgorod border region, setting storage tanks ablaze. 09:17 AM GMT US airman accused of leaking classified Ukraine war documents pleads guilty The US airman accused of leaking a trove of top secret Pentagon documents pleaded guilty Monday under a deal that saw him sentenced to some 17 years in prison in return for prosecutors dropping more serious espionage charges. Jack Teixeira, once a low-level Massachusetts Air National Guard IT specialist, was accused of orchestrating the most damaging leak of US classified documents in a decade, some of which concerned the war in Ukraine. Had he faced charges under the Espionage Act, Teixeira could have been imprisoned for life. Instead he appeared in a federal court in an orange prison jumpsuit Monday and pleaded guilty to six counts of willful transmission of national defense information. 08:57 AM GMT War in pictures Ukrainian soldiers fire D-30 artillery as the Russia-Ukraine war continues in the direction of Bakhmut - Anadolu Soldiers train on the Vistula River as part of the Dragon-24 exercise in Korzeniewo, northern Poland - Andrzej Jackowski/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 08:41 AM GMT Swiss arms sales dip amid block on exports to Ukraine Swiss weapons exports fell by more than a quarter last year, the government said on Tuesday, with critics blaming the countrys neutral stance which has blocked the re-export of Swiss-made guns and ammunition to Ukraine. War material exports fell 27% to 696.8 million Swiss francs ($788.06 million), the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said, down from 955 million francs in 2022. Despite its long-held neutrality, Switzerland is a big arms supplier, the 14th biggest globally in 2022, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 08:19 AM GMT German leaks putting British troops at risk are tip of the iceberg German military leaks that have put British troops at risk could be the tip of the iceberg, Berlins former intelligence chief warned on Monday night. August Hanning said more Nato secrets may have been compromised after Russia intercepted and published a video call disclosing military information, telling Bild newspaper: This leak could have been just the tip of the iceberg. On Monday, sources claimed that Russia had identified Germany as the weakest link in Nato and was using Olaf Scholz as a useful idiot. Read the full piece here. 07:39 AM GMT Russia threatens to expel German journalists Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said that German journalists would have to leave Russia if Berlin took measures against Russian journalists in Germany, RIA news agency reported. 07:21 AM GMT Moscow accuses Western ambassadors of interfering in internal affairs Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Tuesday that Western ambassadors in Moscow were interfering in Russias internal affairs and that their behaviour raised questions about their activity in Russia, Tass reported. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 4 that EU ambassadors had refused to meet him for a conversation ahead of Russias presidential election. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Key developments on March 5: Military intelligence: Russia's Sergey Kotov patrol vessel destroyed near Crimea International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Russian military commanders Deputy minister: Ukraine can produce 150,000 drones per month Ukraine charges 2 Russian soldiers with murdering a civilian in Bucha in 2022 A patrol ship from Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Sergey Kotov, was hit and destroyed in an overnight attack orchestrated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), the agency said on March 5. Reports of the attack on the Russian vessel came following nighttime explosions on the occupied peninsula, during which the Kerch Bridge was shut down. According to Ukraine's military intelligence, the Project 22160 patrol ship suffered damage to its stern and on its left and right sides. Sergey Kotov was reportedly located near the Kerch Strait when it was attacked by domestically-produced Magura V5 naval drones. "The cost of the sunken ship is about $65 million," the agency wrote. Ukrainian military intelligence reported later that seven Russian sailors were killed, six injured and 52 crew members could have been evacuated, according to preliminary data. In a conversation allegedly intercepted by the military intelligence, a Russian commander claimed that the Sergey Kotov had a helicopter on board. The ship reportedly had been attacked by naval drones along with another patrol ship, the Vasily Bykov, in September 2023. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the vessels allegedly managed to repel the attack. In total, Russia's Black Sea Fleet has four vessels of this design, which the Ukrainian Navy calls "the most modern:" Vasily Bykov, Pavel Derzhavin, Sergey Kotov, and Dmitry Rogachev. Only the latter has not been attacked during the all-out war. On Feb. 14, the Russian Ropucha-class landing ship Caesar Kunikov was sunk in the Black Sea after being attacked by Ukrainian naval drones. Read also: Military intelligence: Russias Sergey Kotov patrol vessel destroyed near Crimea International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Russian military commanders The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two Russian military commanders for carrying out strikes on Ukrainian electricity infrastructure during the winter of 2022 to 2023, the court announced on March 5. Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash and Admiral Viktor Sokolov "are each allegedly responsible" for a number of war crimes, including "directing attacks at civilian objects," the court said. Kobylash is suspected due to his role as commander of the long-range aviation, while Sokolov is suspected due to his position as commander of the Black Sea Fleet, according to the court, which is based in The Hague. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the two suspects bear responsibility for missile strikes carried out by the forces under their command against the Ukrainian electric infrastructure from at least Oct. 10, 2022, until at least March 9, 2023," the court said. Russia launched 84 missiles and 24 kamikaze drones at Ukraine on Oct. 10, 2022, the first of a long series of devastating attacks targeting the countrys critical infrastructure through the winter. "The expected incidental civilian harm and damage" caused by the strikes "would have been clearly excessive to the anticipated military advantage," the court said. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that the suspects also bear responsibility for the crime against humanity" of "intentionally causing great suffering." By the end of the winter, the strikes had caused $10 billion in damages across Ukraine and left 12 million people with no or limited access to power, according to the United Nations Development Program. Energy workers battled to repair the infrastructure as quickly as possible, with 22 out of 36 of Ukraine's power generation plants damaged or destroyed. Read also: International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Russian military commanders Deputy minister: Ukraine can produce 150,000 drones per month Ukraine has the capacity to produce 150,000 drones every month, and may be able to produce two million drones by the end of the year, Strategic Industries Deputy Minister Hanna Hvozdiar said on air on March 5. President Volodymyr Zelensky said during his year-end press conference on Dec. 19, 2023, that Ukraine is ramping up domestic drone production and is on track to produce one million drones in 2024. "Ukraine is already well past the million mark in terms of production," Hvozdiar said. The domestic market could benefit from additional funding, which would further increase production capacity, according to Hvozdiar. More than 200 Ukrainian companies are involved in developing drones, of which almost 60 have received orders from the government, Hvozdiar said. The government also has "quite ambitious plans" for developing the domestic production of drone components, which until now have been primarily imported from abroad, Hvozdiar said. Zelensky signed a decree on Feb. 6 creating a separate branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces dedicated to drones. Drones have "proven their effectiveness in battles on land, in the sky, and at sea," Zelensky said. On top of domestic drone production, Ukraine's partners plan to supply Kyiv with one million drones in 2024, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference on Feb. 15. Read also: Ukraine pins hopes on home-made drones to counter Russia Ukraine charges 2 Russian soldiers with murdering civilian in Bucha in 2022 Prosecutor General's Office charged two Russian military servicemen for allegedly shooting a civilian Bucha in 2022, killing the person on the spot, prosecutors said on March 5. Bucha, a small city near Kyiv, was occupied by Russian troops shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. After the city was liberated late in March of that year, mass graves were discovered, and thousands of war crimes were documented, including the murder of hundreds of civilians. According to the recently published investigation, two Russian artillery commanders killed an unarmed man on March 19, 2022, at around 5 p.m. The perpetrators shot the victim with small arms without warning, even though the man was dressed in civilian clothes and had a bandage on his arm, prosecutors said. "The man was a civilian who did not take part in the armed conflict. He did not have any weapons, tools, or means that could justify the use of violence against him," the statement read. The two Russian soldiers were charged with murder and violating the laws of war. It is unclear whether they are in Ukrainian captivity or whether they had been served the charges in absentia. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russians attacked with 22 Shahed attack drones on the night of 4-5 March, and Ukrainian defenders managed to shoot down 18 of them. Source: Ukrainian Air Force Details: The drones were launched from the area of Balaklava in occupied Crimea. Anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defence Forces were involved in repelling the air attack. As a result of combat operations, air defence assets and personnel destroyed 18 Shahed drones in Odesa Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court upheld the claim of the Justice Ministry to confiscate the assets of Russian propaganda mouthpiece Dmitry Kiselyov, the court said on March 4. Kiselyov is a Russian top media executive and TV presenter who has been publicly supporting the occupation of Crimea and Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts since 2014. He continued to justify the Russian aggression after the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Kiselyov's confiscated assets include a mansion in the town of Koktebel in occupied Crimea, 0.2878 hectares of land, a Land Rover car, as well as 100% of shares in the authorized capital of Club Skovoroda and 30.95% of shares of Promo.UA limited liability companies. Kiselyov was sanctioned and his property and assets were blocked by Ukraine in January 2023 when President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose personal sanctions on 119 individuals. Ukraine's Justice Ministry submitted a request to confiscate the propagandist's assets in February. Since March 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has been investigating a criminal case against Kiselyov and another propaganda mouthpiece, Olga Skabeeva, over encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine. At the beginning of the 2000s, Kiselyov worked at the Ukrainian TV channel ICTV. Read also: Court confiscates assets of Russian-Greek oligarch Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Andrii Yusov, spokesman for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), has said that several people were killed and injured as a result of the unmanned surface vehicle attack on the Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov. Source: Andrii Yusov on Radio Svoboda (Radio Liberty) Quote from Yusov: "There are casualties and fatalities. Still, its possible that some crew members were able to evacuate. We know that 10 ambulances were sent to the nearest patch of land. So there was an evacuation operation underway." Details: Yusov said that Sergei Kotov was notable for having participated, alongside the Moskva cruiser, in the attack on the Zmiinyi (Snake) Island in February 2022. "Now it joins the very same Moskva cruiser [which sank after a Ukrainian missile strike in April 2022 - ed.]," Yusov said. He also reported that Russian forces were planning to deploy anti-aircraft missile systems on Sergei Kotov. Quote from Yusov: "There were plans to deploy anti-aircraft missile systems on the ship. They made several attempts to that end. The fewer ships like that there are, the fewer anti-aircraft missile systems will be deployed on them, which means more opportunities for Ukrainian security and defence forces." Background: Earlier on 5 March, it was reported that explosions were heard in Kerch on the night of 4-5 March, and the Crimean Bridge was closed to traffic for over eight hours. A Russian railway company operating passenger trains to temporarily occupied Crimea said trains were stopped near the Crimean Bridge. Russian media reported that drones had sunk the patrol ship Sergei Kotov. Later, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) confirmed that Sergei Kotov, a Russian Project 22160 patrol ship, was struck by Ukrainian naval drones on the night of 4-5 March. DIU said that Sergei Kotov was sunk as a result of an attack by Ukrainian Magura V5 drones. Support UP or become our patron! Saudi Arabia has just unveiled the details of its brand new permanent F1 circuit in Qiddiya that should thrill drivers and fans alike. Since joining the F1 calendar in 2021, Saudi Arabia has relied on a high-speed circuit laid out in the streets of Jeddah, but the Kingdon has now set its sights on a quite remarkable, purpose-built venue. This new track is part of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 scheme located in Qiddiya, a futuristic city project currently under development and situiated approximately 45 km from Riyadh. Designed by F1 veteran Alex Wurz and renowned circuit architect Hermann Tilke, the track boasts a 200mph counterclockwise layout, 21 corners and a 108-meter elevation change. The FIA has already granted the venue its coveted Grade One status, making it fully F1-worthy. Many features are highlighted in the mind-bending visuals provided by the circuits developpers, but the real showstopper is the "Blade," a first corner that's not just sharp, its sky-high! The LED-lit marvel ascends a staggering 70 meters, which translates to over 20 stories! The Qiddiya track has been conceived as a hybrid track that combines the best of both worlds: the permanence and versatility of a dedicated circuit with the excitement and buzz of a street venue. The circuit will include both high-speed sections and technical corners to keep things interesting while it will also offer multiple configurations. Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company said: The Speed Park Track will be a true embodiment of Qiddiyas power of play philosophy and position Qiddiya City as the home of Saudi motorsport and one of the worlds leading motorsport venues. Visitors and spectators will be treated to one of the most unique race experiences in the world with a pioneering track that will be ready to host some of the worlds biggest motorsport events. Another prominent feature will see traditional grandstands replaced by a more modern, immersive experience with "multiple vantage points and viewing terraces". They've even thrown in a music venue and a Six Flags rollercoaster for good measure! "The speed park track will be seamlessly blended in its environment and the very fabric of the city, with competitors taking turn one above a music venue, and racing Six Flag's Falcon's Flight, complete with retail, dining and hospitality offerings that ensure a unique experience for visitors where sports, entertainment and culture collide, added Aldawood. "It's not just a venue; it's the culmination of our efforts to position Qiddiya City at the centre of global motorsport. Our vision for the track extends beyond the thrill of racing spectators will get to witness one of the most elevated and immersive race experiences in the world, reinventing the sport as we know it. "Our aim is to provide an unparalleled immersive experience that fans far and wide can enjoy. Coupled with its state-of-the-art technology, the track's unique versatility will ensure spectators can be treated with a ground-breaking motorsport experience unlike any other. This will allow visitors to enjoy complementary offerings on-site and extend their visit beyond the racing experience." Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has stressed that there is no question of using administrative measures to bring back Ukrainians from abroad, only incentives. Source: Shmyhal at a government meeting Quote: "We are not talking about administrative measures, only incentives. More security, better living conditions, and more opportunities. There are programmes within the country to work towards this, such as eRecovery, eHouse, grants and affordable loans to start your own business." Details: Shmyhal noted that the government has allocated UAH 9.3 billion (about US$240 million) from the Fund for Elimination of the Consequences of the Armed Aggression for Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Cherkasy and Chernihiv oblasts. These funds will be used to reconstruct residential buildings, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure facilities. Support UP or become our patron! Serhiy Haidarzhy is likely alive because his wife Anna fell asleep. Like every night, Anna was in the bedroom with their 4-month-old baby boy Tymofii, while Serhiy was putting their older daughter Liza to bed in her own room. Usually, very often, I fall asleep in the room with Liza, then Anya wakes me and tells me to come to her, he said at a memorial service on Sunday. That night she fell asleep with Tymofii, and didnt call me, and it so happened that the Lord took them to himself, he added. Anna and Tymofii were killed in a Russian attack early on Saturday. A drone turned their apartment in Odesa, southern Ukraine, into a pile of concrete and bricks, with only the narrow room where Serhiy and Liza, who is just two-and-a-half-years-old, were sleeping remaining intact. Serhiy then spent 16 agonizing hours waiting in the courtyard of the building, hoping that his wife and baby were alive. When rescue workers finally found them, both were dead. I was very worried that they suffered, but the doctors said they died in their sleep. They were found in the same position they fell asleep, they were together, he told the congregation, according to the video of the event viewed by CNN. A relative of Anna told CNN that Liza doesnt understand what happened to her mother and brother. She has been told that theyre now in heaven. The photograph, shared by the Haidarzhy family, shows Anna and Tymoffi sleeping in the same way as on the day of the attack. - Courtesy Haidarzhy family Odesa, a strategic city in southern Ukraine, is no stranger to Russian strikes. But the attack on Saturday against a high-rise residential building was particularly brutal. Twelve people were killed and 20 others injured, some of them critically. Locals were left reeling with sadness and anger, and the site of the attack is now covered with flowers, candles and toys. Investigators are trying to determine what type of drone was used in the attack. The damage it caused to the building was significant, as was the number of people who were killed, which has led some to speculate the drone might have been modified to cause bigger impact. Its possible that the drones warhead could have been additionally reinforced, as such destruction is not something that happens very often. We see that the enemy is gradually increasing the combat part of the drones, Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Southern Operational Command, told CNN. People visit the remnants of the building that was struck by a Russian drone in Odesa, leaving flowers and toys at the site of the attack that killed 12 people. - Oleksandr Gimanov/AFP/Getty Images Entire family killed Five children, including Tymofii, were among the 12 people killed, according to Odesa officials. Three of the children were from the same family, killed alongside their parents Tetyana and Oleh Kravets, who both served in Ukraines armed forces. The couple and their 7-month-old daughter Lisa, were found on Saturday. Eight-year-old Zlata and 9-year-old Sergiy were the last to be pulled from the rubble on Sunday. The fifth child killed in the attack was only identified by local media as 3-year old Mark. His father Vitaliy was also killed, while his mother Anastasia was injured and is in an intensive care unit. The Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defence Forces South, the unit that Oleh Kravets served in, described him as a serviceman who was an example in his courage and bravery, determination and resilience, performing his military duty with full dedication and devotion to his homeland. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FILE PHOTO: Palestinian children carry pots as they queue to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip ROME (Reuters) - The United Nations' food agency said it was "largely unsuccessful" in its attempt on Tuesday to resume deliveries to northern Gaza which is nearing famine. The World Food Programme (WFP) had paused its deliveries on Feb. 20 due to precarious security conditions, with its convoys exposed to attacks by hungry mobs. In a statement, the Rome-based agency said it despatched a 14-truck food convoy to northern Gaza, but it was turned back by the Israeli army after a three-hour wait at the Wadi Gaza checkpoint. The trucks were rerouted and later stopped by a large crowd of desperate people who looted the food, taking around 200 tons, the WFP said. "Although today's convoy did not make it to the north to provide food to the people who are starving, WFP continues to explore every possible means to do so," WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau said. Last week, a senior U.N. aid official told the Security Council that at least 576,000 people in the Gaza Strip - one quarter of the population - are one step away from famine. Also last week, the Palestinian health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Israeli forces killed 118 people trying to get aid from a convoy near Gaza City with survivors saying they were shot at. Israel said most of those killed were trampled or run over during a panic. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by David Gregorio) Semafor Signals Insights from Haaretz, Reuters, The Intercept, and Semafor The News A United Nations envoy said there are reasonable grounds to believe that Hamas militants raped women during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that left around 1,200 people dead and some 240 taken hostage. Pramila Patten, the U.N.s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, also said her team found clear and convincing information that sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment has been committed against hostages held in Gaza. Israel and several media organizations have reported allegations of sexual violence by Hamas, allegations the militant group has denied. Pattens team also visited Ramallah, a Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank, and heard concerns about the degrading treatment of Palestinians detained by Israel, including sexual violence. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. Israeli sexual violence report found widespread abuse Source: Haaretz Last month, a wide-ranging report by Israels Association of Rape Crisis Centers found evidence of systematic sexual assaults on Oct. 7, and against the hostages subsequently held in Gaza. Many victims bodies were found mutilated and bound, with sexual organs brutally attacked, and in some cases, weapons were inserted into them, the report said. Its authors said that the aim of such attacks during wartime was to sow fear and humiliate victims, Haaretz reported. The Israeli report was submitted to Pattens team to aid their investigation. Israel welcomes UN report, Hamas rejects findings Sources: Reuters, The Times of Israel Israel on Monday said it welcomed the U.N. report, calling it definitive recognition that Hamas committed sexual crimes. A foreign ministry spokesman said the U.N. Security Council show now designate Hamas as a terrorist organization and impose international sanctions on it. Israel had earlier recalled its envoy to the U.N., accusing the organization of trying to keep quiet about Pattens report even as it was published. In no way, shape or form did the secretary-general do anything to keep the report quiet. In fact, the report is being presented publicly today, a spokesman for the U.N. chief said. On Tuesday Hamas rejected the U.N.s report, calling the findings false claims. Reports on Oct. 7 violence have faced scrutiny Sources: The Intercept, Semafor Media reporting on sexual violence during Hamas attack on Israel has been heavily scrutinized, with one consequential expose by The New York Times widely criticized. The Times has defended its reporting, but questions have circled about the veracity of some claims made in the article, including those raised by The Intercept, which on Monday published an article alleging that two victims of the attack were not subjected to sexual violence. Much of the Times missteps can be attributed to its reliance on amateur reporters on the ground in Israel, Semafors Ben Smith wrote. The Times turned crucial elements of its reporting on one of the most difficult and sensitive stories it has ever published to amateurs, one of whose social media posts would make reasonable people question her ability to be fair, he wrote. That sounds insane when you say it out loud. Why would you do that? Since 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has documented 104 cases of abduction and 55 cases of torture committed by Russian forces in Crimea against pro-Ukrainian activists. The mission stated that Russia had illegally imposed its "citizenship", "laws", and "institutions" on the people of Crimea in all aspects of life, suppressing opposition and dissent. In particular, the leaders of the Crimean Tatars who oppose the occupation of Crimea were particularly affected by repressions, according to a UN report dated 28 February. Many Crimean Tatars were forced to leave the peninsula, and the invaders replaced them with Russians. According to the United Nations, it is an "apparent attempt to change the peninsulas demographic structure". "Over the past decade, we have documented efforts by the Russian Federation to impose the Russian language, culture, and institutional framework on Crimea while at the same time taking actions to erase the peninsulas rich cultural, linguistic, and religious heritage," said the head of HRMMU, Danielle Bell. Due to the Russian Federation's repressive policy, only 0.1% of students in Crimea study in Ukrainian. Furthermore, the invaders shut down nearly 80% of previously registered Ukrainian media. The occupation "authorities" in Crimea suppressed minorities' freedoms of thought, expression of culture, and identity, as well as severely restricting their religious freedom. Since the beginning of the temporary occupation, the number of registered religious organisations in Crimea has been cut in half, according to the UN. Last year in Crimea, it was forbidden to display the Crimean Tatar flag in schools. More than 5,000 human rights violations have been documented on the peninsula since the start of the Russian occupation (as of October 2023). Support UP or become our patron! Severn class lifeboat, the City of London II, makes its way towards migrants travelling in an inflatable boat across the English Channel When it comes to tackling the small boats crisis, ministers keep on making the same fundamental mistake. They only ever focus on the migrants who are desperate to get in. But what about the migrants who are desperate to get out? According to reports, there is a growing number of people who have entered this country illegally, only to find that life in Britain is even worse than in whatever godforsaken hellhole they originally came from. Yesterday, for example, one newspaper carried an interview with a teenager from north Africa who arrived here last July via small boat. He said: I hate Britain and wish I had never come here. I want to go back to France. Meanwhile, an illegal migrant from Sudan said: I want to go anywhere else in Europe There are many young migrants wanting to leave because there is nothing for them in the UK. And last month, an illegal migrant from Syria said: A lot of people who came over the Channel want to leave now there is nothing for us here. Unfortunately for these illegal migrants, however, theres one small problem. They cant leave Britain because the police keep stopping them. Take the illegal migrant from Sudan. Four weeks ago, the police caught him in Dover, trying to sneak aboard a truck bound for France. They then drove him all the way back to Preston in Lancashire, where the Home Office had housed him. The same thing happened to the migrant from Syria. He says hes been trying to sneak out of Britain since last summer but has been caught by the police every time. What a remarkable situation. Were hopeless at keeping people out. But were brilliant at keeping them in. Personally, though, I find it cruel that were forcing these poor migrants to stay in this awful country against their will. In the name of human decency, surely we can find it in our hearts to let them go. All they want is the chance of a better life elsewhere. If the British Government had any gumption, however, it wouldnt just let them leave. It would pay them to go to Calais and warn wannabe migrants about how wretched life in Britain is so that they dont come here in the first place. Supply the ex-migrants with loudhailers, so they can march up and down French beaches, bellowing: Dont board that dinghy! Its not worth it! Britain is skint, miserable and falling apart! And the people-smugglers will charge even more to get you out than theyre charging to get you in! Please, take it from us youre much better off staying in France! Thats the way to solve the small boats crisis: tackle it at source. Let all of Africa and the Middle East know that our country is now so woebegone, even people from warzones feel as if theyve come down in the world. Its got to be worth trying. Then again, the plan does have one possible downside. If word gets out that were paying these former migrants good money to deter aspiring migrants, the aspiring migrants will be even keener to come so that well pay them to do the same thing. Thousands upon thousands of penniless people will come pouring into Britain, in the hope of being kicked straight out again. Why are our schools so ashamed of Britains heroes? Most people in Britain probably still think of Sir Francis Drake as a national hero. Those who run our schools, however, take a very different view. They see him as a shameful colonialist. This is why, last year, the name of Sir Francis Drake Primary School in London was changed to Twin Oaks Primary School. For the same reason, various schools across England have removed Drake from the names of their houses. It was no surprise, therefore, to read that Exeter School in Devon has now leapt on the anti-Drake bandwagon. Its headteacher has removed Drakes name along with that of Sir Walter Raleigh from school buildings, because, according to her, these two Elizabethan figures fail to represent the schools inclusive nature. Normally we might just roll our eyes at such drivel. In this case, though, theres a delicious little twist. Exeter is an independent school which charges fees of 16,710 a year. I have absolutely nothing against private education. I am intrigued, however, to see the head of an independent school boasting about how inclusive it is. Surely the whole point of independent schools is that they are exclusive. Hence the fees. Then again, perhaps the school simply hopes that, if it makes a big enough song and dance about how much it deplores colonialism, the incoming Labour government will look more favourably on it, and decide not to impose VAT on its fees. If so, I wish the school the very best of luck. I note that the head has invited parents to propose new names for its buildings, to replace Drake and Raleigh. To be on the safe side, I suggest Starmer and Reeves. Way of the World is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 7am every Tuesday and Saturday Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Venture capital is sometimes called a sales job by folks in the industry, as investors have to pitch LPs to raise their own funds and then pitch founders to pick their check over other offered term sheets. Founders might feel similarly, given how much time it takes to fundraise for their own businesses. Hell, raising capital is often called a full-time job for founders who are pursuing new backing. Making the fundraising process pain-free is therefore something that both sides of the venture table value. Enter Underscore VC's Lily Lyman, who is coming to TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 in Boston to discuss how founders can build investor relationships with the right venture capitalists. She will discuss how to build venture relationships ahead of time, and how founders can -- and should! -- manage inbound interest, providing enough context to keep investors intrigued and hungry for more. In today's more stringent venture environment, founders can't run a 2021-era playbook (unless they are building an AI foundational model company, I suppose). If you know the folks who might be interested in your startup when it comes time to raise more capital, the entire process can move more quickly and with fewer wasted meetings and emails. So, bring your notebooks and questions to Lyman's Early Stage session coming up on April 25. She'll be joined by a bevy of other startup folks who will be on hand to share their hard-earned wisdom. Our yearly Early Stage get-together usually sells out, so snag a ticket before March 29 to save $200 on your tickets and I will see you in Boston next month! Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024? Reach out to our sponsorship sales team by completing this form. Undersheriff Matt Leirstein recently announced his decision to run for the Emmet County Sheriffs position following Sheriff Pete Wallin's retirement. PETOSKEY Undersheriff Matt Leirstein recently announced his decision to run for the Emmet County Sheriffs position in the next election. Leirstein has been endorsed by current Sheriff Pete Wallin, who will be retiring at the end of his current term. His last day will be on Dec. 31, 2024. The next four-year term for sheriff would be from 2025-2029. Leirstein, 49, has worked with the Emmet County Sheriffs Office since 2007. I started off just like everybody else working the road patrol, handling your basic complaints, Leirstein said. From there, Leirstein was selected to join the multi-jurisdictional task force Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement. After that assignment, Leirstein briefly worked as road patrol supervisor and then was promoted to Detective Sergeant, where he was tasked with running the detective bureau for the Emmet County Sheriffs Office. He was appointed as undersheriff on July 16, 2022. During that appointment, I went through an interview with the sheriff and he asked me what my long term goals were, Leirstein said. I told him that my career has progressed the way I assumed and my goal would be to one day be sheriff, and he liked that. Matt Leirstein Subscribe: Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you More: Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin to retire at end of 2024 Wallin had previously told the News-Review that (Leirsteins) got my full support and endorsement. When Im not here, hes sheriff. He knows what to do. Hell do a good job. Leirstein grew up in the Livonia area and comes from a family of firefighters, including his grandfather, uncles, cousin and brother. I realized quickly that while I respect the profession, it wasnt for me, he said. I was drawn to law enforcement. His passion for law enforcement was ignited through participation in an Explorer Program with the Livonia Police Department when he was in high school. That sealed the deal for me, he said. That was it for me. I wanted to be a cop. Leirstein said he has also always felt strongly about living in Northern Michigan. He and his wife Nikki raised their three daughters, Abigail, Cassidy and Eva, in the area. Abigail is now a corrections officer also working for the Emmet County Sheriffs Office. I always had a love affair with Northern Michigan, Leirstein said. The first opportunity I had to move up here, I took it. I wanted to raise my family here. I wanted to live here, and once the opportunity came up I couldnt pass it up. Ive never looked back. Its been everything I thought it would be and more. If hes elected, Leirstein said he would want to work on community policing initiatives, such as starting Coffee with a Cop meet-and-greet opportunities, in order to promote community outreach efforts. Theres a need for that, he said. I think they are great programs and it allows the public to see who we are. Leirstein would also like to start an Explorer Program in Emmet County that would introduce students to careers in law enforcement. That Explorer Program really meant a lot to me and it kind of gave me an early look at what policings about at an age where youre still impressionable, he said. I would love that, and my goal is to start an Explorer Program here in Emmet County. The Explorer Program could also help address one of the departments biggest challenges, which is recruitment. Each day, its getting harder and harder to recruit people into this profession, Leirstein said. Because we are having such a shortage of qualified candidates, what were finding is when we have an opening, there is nobody applying. And its not that there arent people out there, its that agencies are sponsoring people now (meaning they pay for them to go through academy training and then hire them when they graduate). By offering an Explorer Program and then creating a sponsorship program for those interested in academy training, Leirstein said they could create a talent pipeline that will help address recruitment concerns. Leirstein also emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility and employee retention. I believe when you build a good culture and you have a good foundation, you can recruit the right people, he said. And if you have those other things that are in place, retaining them is not that big of an issue. And how do we do that? We create a culture where they are wanted and respected and employees are heard and we allow them to have input. One reason why Leirstein said he wants to pursue the sheriffs position is because of the great challenge. I believe in the people that are employed with Emmet County and that work with me. I believe that they support me as well, he said. For me, the idea of being able to lead an agency and instill a culture to put my stamp on it, I thought What a wonderful opportunity and its a challenge that I really relish taking on. Leirstein said, if elected, he intends to build on the strong foundation that Wallin has built. (Wallins) been an incredible resource, he said. Forty-two years on the job, and before that he was in the Navy. Heres a guy who has really served his community, and he served his country. Im proud to say that I work for him. Im proud to say Im a member of his office. I believe that Ive represented him and his office well throughout the years. Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Undersheriff Leirstein announces campaign for Emmet County sheriff WEDDINGTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) An 18-year-old man is in custody following an incident at a Dunkin shop with gun charges last week. Union County Sheriff deputies say a 911 caller reported a Dunkin employee fired a gun at him. The call stated he expressed dissatisfaction with the restaurants service speed and wanted a refund for his meal. Dunkin unveils new caffeinated energy drinks months after Panera controversy The two verbally disagreed with the employee, 18-year-old Ricky Miller, before the employee left the store in his truck. Deputies then say the caller reported that Miller began following him down Weddington Road and drove into oncoming traffic, pulling alongside his vehicle. At that time, Miller presented a pistol and fired multiple shots into the callers truck. Deputies located Miller driving his car near the area where the shooting had just occurred and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Miller failed to stop and fled briefly before wrecking his vehicle into a large field nearby. The 18-year-old then surrendered and was taken into custody by pursuing deputies. A search of his vehicle yielded the discovery of a semi-automatic pistol with an altered serial number and additional evidence of the shooting. Dunkin Donuts employee shot by coworker in Chapel Hill, police say Miller was transported to the Union County Detention Center and charged with the following: Two counts of felony discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling Felony flee to elude arrest Possessing a firearm with an altered/damaged serial number. He was issued a secured bond of $4,000 and was in custody Monday. No one suffered injuries in this incident. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Passengers onboard a United Airlines airplane flying from Texas to Florida caught an unexpected surprise on video when the planes engine caught on fire. The video shared with WINK shows the engine sputtering flames about 10 minutes after it took off from Houston. Flight 1118 left George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at about 6:30 p.m. It was headed to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, according to WFTX. Grateful to be safely on the ground @united flight 1118 left jet fire over the Gulf of Mexico, one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Grateful to be safely on the ground @united flight 1118 left jet fire over the Gulf of Mexico pic.twitter.com/gy8coL8pjZ Jonathan Boulahanis (@jboulah) March 5, 2024 In a statement to McClatchy News, United Airlines said the pilot turned around and headed back to Houston after the engine issue occurred. The flight landed safely and the passengers deplaned normally. We arranged for a new aircraft to take our customers to their destination, which departed for Fort Myers later that evening, the statement said. No one on the flight was injured, WFTX reported. Man breaks into airport and tries to steal plane then crashes it, Florida cops say Man from Florida takes plane on 15-mile joyride, crashes and walks off, CA cops say Pilot became disoriented and confused during flight that killed 8 off NC, officials say Aston Martin struggled relative to its direct rivals last weekend in Bahrain, but team boss Mike Krack is confident that the outfits development programme that will kick off this week in Jeddah will allow it catch its rivals. Fernando Alonsos strong P6 performance in qualifying last weekend at Sakhir was as good as it got for Team Silverstone. On race day, the Spaniard dropped back down to P9 at the checkered flag, while Lance Stroll did well to claim the final point of the day after the Canadian was spun around at the first corner. While his team was challenged in Bahrain, Krack is looking forward to the inception of Astons development programme, with the first updated components finding their way on the teams AMR24 as soon as next weekend in Saudi Arabia. "We see the development, he explained. Because when you have race one, the development is not at race one level, it's further ahead. And we see some encouraging development there. So that makes me confident. [For Jeddah] we will have some small developments to improve the car. And we hope that we can be closer. And then we have to see if Fernando can pull another lap out like yesterday, that will help us to come more forward." Read also: Nevertheless, Red Bulls RB20 remains the car to beat. However, Krack would be hard pressed to project when Aston will be snapping at the heels of F1s dominant team, especially as theres a more immediate gap to fill first. I cannot make any prediction on that, he said. But the fact is we have 24 races, we have seen last year you can make developments, you can make recoveries. I would not say let's switch off the TV now! I think everybody will push as much as they can. And there are some great teams around, so I would not be surprised if some of the others catching up or doing good developments. We're not fighting Red Bull at the moment, we're trying to fight the cars that are in front of us, which was McLaren and Mercedes today. And this is the first gap that we need to close." Krack played down any comparison between Astons performance at the start of this season and its impressive opening races in 2023, pointing to how Mercedes and Ferraris form has improved this year relative to the same period 12 months ago. We must not forget that we are also often measured around the podiums of last year, he noted. But it was more a ranking thing than really pace. We had issues with the red cars, we gained a little bit from the circumstances as well. But if we are really objective, and we look at our performance, we can see that it was not that great at the time. The result was, but we were still quite far behind." Looking back on last weekends curtain raiser and his teams achievement, Krack said: The target from the first moment was to score with both cars. We said that has to be really the target. And we managed that. So mission completed, but we would obviously like to have more points. "It's early days. We tried really to get a decent balance for short run, for long run, over the three days. But I think it is it is a very good baseline. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter The flag of US. Stock photo: Getty Images The US State Department has imposed new sanctions against Russia. The restrictions affected the Wagner Private Military Company as well as the Russian Federation's Aerospace Forces. Source: US Federal Register Details: The restrictions fell upon: Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation; Wagner Private Military Company; Russian citizen Pavel Shevelin; Eltehnord company from St. Petersburg; citizen of the DPRK. The US accused these individuals and companies of violating national legislation prohibiting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, specifically nuclear weapons, in regard to Iran, North Korea and Syria. The decision to implement restrictive measures went into effect on 27 February. Support UP or become our patron! Students Lee McCall and Yasmin Guzelkasap said the news came as a shock to them A university will have to find new classrooms after being told it has to leave a council-owned building. Shropshire Council is seeking to cut its budget by 62m and said it could no longer allow the University of Chester to carry on using the Guildhall in Shrewsbury rent-free. The university has been teaching courses from the building since 2016. It said it was looking at alternative options in the county, to allow students to finish their courses. Yasmin Guzelkasap, a student from Oswestry, said: "It's a bit disconcerting when you're going into the final year of your degree which is pretty full-on anyway." She said there were students from all over Shropshire attending and she believed some would drop out if they had to travel further. Lee McCall from Bayston Hill, who is also in her final year, said: "It's a shame really because it's a nice campus, and there's a cafe and it's the centre of town and it's a nice place to come to." The university has been teaching at the Guildhall since 2016 The local authority said it initially agreed to let the university use the building free of charge for five years, and then extended the term to help the university following the coronavirus pandemic, when student numbers fell. But the council said despite having regular conversations, the university was unable to give an assurance over future rent payments. "As many will understand, we just cannot continue to support them in this way," the council said. It added the Guildhall may be needed by council staff once the authority moved out of its existing headquarters at Shrewsbury's Shirehall. The council has long-term ambitions to set up a multi-agency centre on the site of the town's Riverside shopping complex, but may need temporary offices until that project is realised. 'Hugely positive' The university said since moving into the Guildhall it had produced almost 1,000 graduates, including teachers, scientists, nurses and social workers. It said its partnership with Shropshire Council had been "hugely positive" and was grateful for the authority's support. The university is now looking at other locations "preferably in Shropshire" and alternative methods of teaching. It said it was also discussing how it might use existing specialist facilities to deliver its courses. The council said it would support the university in finding new accommodation. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk The remnants of small, rural towns rose from the depths of North Carolina's Jordan Lake late last year. What happened? Drought led to the reservoir's "unusually low levels," Raleigh-based WRAL News reported. "For years, these ruins have been virtually invisible, but lower water levels recently revealed dozens of artifacts, lost roadways, underwater train tracks and even foundations from the old farm houses that once utilized the rich farmland now lost beneath the lake," the outlet stated. In November, the phenomenon attracted visitors who wanted to catch glimpses of the former towns of Seaforth, Pea Ridge, Farrington, and Friendship, which once stood in the New Hope River Valley. The area consisted of a country road and "modest" farmhouses near train tracks that run parallel to what is now Highway 64, WRAL reported. Indigenous tribes, including the Tuscarora, had lived there for 10,000 years. WRAL described the New Hope River as a "major obstacle" that was "extremely dangerous" for European settlers in the 1600s. It divided the state, making trade "perilous and expensive." The valley's propensity to flood, a 1930s Army Corps of Engineers survey, and a 1945 hurricane led U.S. Senator B. Everett Jordan in 1963 to fund the creation of a dam and reservoir. It was completed in 1982, displacing 2,000 people and covering 15 cemeteries. Why is this concerning? Low lake levels are becoming commonplace not only in the United States but around the world as well. A similar uncovering happened outside of San Antonio last year, and the size of west-central Africa's Lake Chad has decreased by 90% since the 1960s. These are just a few examples, and the level of concern is proportionate to the importance of the body of water. Lakes are often vital to communities, providing sustenance, livelihoods, and habitat for wildlife. Peru and Bolivia's Lake Titicaca, for example, is home to the Indigenous Uros, and three million people rely on the lake to make a living. Seven million people are at risk of famine because of Lake Chad's demise, and 500,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. What can be done? Lakes do bounce back, but they can fail too, of course. Lake Powell and Lake Mead in the Western U.S. reached near-catastrophic levels recently and will require strict management to avoid a dead pool. Dam removal projects can also work wonders to restore rivers, as is happening in California with the Klamath. Officials can also step in before such undertakings alter natural ecosystems and uproot the people who choose to live there despite the risks. WRAL reported that an editorial published in The News & Observer in the '60s argued the government had underpaid residents to move. It stated: "The property in the New Hope Valley is wonderfully located in a triangle of rapidly growing towns and cities Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh and this property is destined to become very valuable. "I venture to say within 20 years, much of this property will be worth to its owners from $1,000 to $10,000 an acre, with a total value of $60 million." Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. A civilian employee of the U.S. Air Force assigned to the U.S. Strategic Command was arrested for allegedly disclosing classified information related to Russia's war against Ukraine on an online dating platform, the U.S. Department of Justice reported on March 4. The arrest follows a leak of a conversation between German Air Force officers about the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian troops, which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called "a hybrid disinformation attack." David Franklin Slater, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel who was working in a classified space at USSTRATCOM and held a Top Secret security clearance in 2022, attended briefings on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the department wrote in a press release. He then allegedly sent classified information from these briefings, including about military targets and Russian military capabilities relating to the Ukraine invasion, to a person who claimed to be a woman living in Ukraine through a dating website. The co-conspirator regularly asked Slater to provide her with sensitive non-public information and called Slater in her messages her "secret informant love" and "secret agent," according to the department. "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. Slater is set to appear in court on March 5 in Nebraska. If convicted, he may face 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 disclose and the disclosure of information that constitutes a state secret. Read also: Russian media: Moscow summons German ambassador following alleged leaks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Sunday, after a lifesaving deployment. During the 75-day patrol of the Windward Passage, the ships crew intercepted five unlawful migrant voyages and rescued 33 migrants from a vessel. Additionally, they provided essential life-saving equipment, such as personal flotation devices and dewatering equipment to the migrants that were rescued. We often encounter unseaworthy vessels making attempts to illegally enter U.S. waters, said Cmdr. Staci Rutsch, commanding officer of Forward. The Coast Guards overt presence in this region is essential to deter dangerous and life-threatening migrant ventures. Our extensive Coast Guard presence in the area significantly decreased the number of migration events. The crew did an outstanding job, around the clock, ensuring that these illegal and unsafe ventures were detected and expeditiously intercepted. Once again, the Coast Guard stands out as the partner of choice for preventing loss of life at sea while protecting the homeland. Forwards primary missions involve counter drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws and search and rescue. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Victoria Nuland, the third-ranking U.S. diplomat who is known for her staunch support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, will step down as under secretary of state for political affairs in the coming weeks, the State Department said on Tuesday. Nuland will be replaced on an acting basis by John Bass, under secretary of state for management, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement in which he warmly praised Nuland, a career diplomat who earlier served as the department's spokesperson, top diplomat for Europe and ambassador to NATO. "It's Toria's leadership on Ukraine that diplomats and students of foreign policy will study for years to come," Blinken said in the written statement, alluding to Nuland's backing of Ukraine, particularly since Russia's 2022 invasion. "Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure," Blinken added. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on who might be nominated to the position on a permanent basis. (Reporting By Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Mark Porter) The U.S. is looking into setting up a maritime corridor to get aid into Gaza via sea amid a deepening humanitarian crisis, the Pentagons top spokesperson said Tuesday. In coordination with the U.S. interagency and international partners, we are actively reviewing options for a maritime corridor for humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including potential commercial and contracted options, press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. He wouldnt speak to the options being reviewed but added that the U.S. military would be only in a supporting role in providing aid, an effort headed by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Were we to be involved in that, it would be in the form of unique DoD capabilities, Ryder said. Well continue to work with the interagency on what that might look like going forward. The U.S., with the help of Jordan, has conducted two airdrops to get humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, one on Saturday and one earlier on Tuesday, but the method is seen as costly and inefficient. U.S. C-130s dropped over 36,800 U.S. and Jordanian meal equivalents in northern Gaza in the latest effort, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. U.S. officials have said they will continue to try to get assistance into Gaza, and further options being considered include a maritime corridor and pressing Israel to allow more aid trucks into the devastated Palestinian territory. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier on Tuesday met with Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, where he expressed strong concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and requested Gantzs support in enabling more humanitarian assistance to get into the narrow strip of land, according to a Pentagon readout of the meeting. Gantz, a political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been in Washington, D.C., to meet with top Biden administration officials, including Vice President Harris, on Monday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with Gantz in a separate meeting where he reportedly also pressed for Israel to open another crossing for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. As of last week, the number of Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war tipped over 30,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians, but international aid groups have said the majority of the dead are women and children. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Armed rebels of the Iran-backed Houthi militia take part in a demonstration. Iranian-backed Houthis on Monday hit a Swiss-owned, Liberian-flagged container vessel in the Gulf of Aden with an anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Yemen, the US military said. Osamah Yahya/dpa Iranian-backed Houthis on Monday hit a Swiss-owned, Liberian-flagged container vessel in the Gulf of Aden with an anti-ship ballistic missile fired from Yemen, the US military said. Houthi militants fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at M/V MSC SKY II at around 4 pm (1300 GMT), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. The vessel is managed by the world's largest container shipping company, Swiss-based MSC. "One of the missiles impacted the vessel causing damage. Initial reports indicate there were no injuries; the ship did not request assistance and continued on its way," CENTCOM said. The US command also reported that Houthi militants fired a separate anti-ship ballistic missile into the southern Red Sea a couple of hours earlier, hitting water. Later in the day its forces "conducted self-defence strikes against two anti-ship cruise missiles that presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region," CENTCOM continued. The Islamist militia has vowed to attack ships in the Red Sea linked to Israel. However, many of the ships that have come under fire have no connection to the country. The Houthis say they want to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, which followed the unprecedented massacre by the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas in Israel on October 7. Because of the continuing Houthi attacks, major shipping companies including MSC are increasingly avoiding the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe and sailing around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope instead. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House. Oliver Contreras/White House/dpa The US government on Monday accused Russia of trying to stir up mistrust among Ukraine and its allies by publishing an intercepted online call between senior German Air Force officers about the war. Russia's leak last week of the half-hour conversation between top military personnel has proved a major embarrassment for Berlin, which has described the recording as part of Moscow's "information war." There are also worries in Germany that the incident could spark diplomatic tensions among the Western coalition that supports Ukraine. White House national security spokesman John Kirby weighed in on Monday on the security breach suffered by one of Washington's closest allies, saying Moscow was trying to "sow discord." "This is a bold attempt, a transparent attempt by the Russians to try to sow discord and to try to show division and try to make it look like the West isn't unified," Kirby said. Russia was also trying to make it appear as if the government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not "unified on what they're doing" for Kiev, Kirby said. The officers can be heard on the call discussing the possibility of sending Germany's longer-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev - a move that Scholz has stridently rejected publicly for months, even though there is pressure within his government to reverse his stance. Scholz has been blocking the delivery of the missiles out of concern that they could be used to strike targets within Russia itself and further escalate the conflict. To that point, the Luftwaffe officials are heard saying on the recording that the missiles could, for instance, destroy the bridge to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Moscow in violation of international law. According to the officers, a swift delivery and deployment of the Taurus missiles would only be possible under the direct involvement of German forces. Deployment solely under Ukrainian command would be possible, they say, but the necessary training for Ukrainian soldiers would likely take months. The Kremlin claimed the recording showed that the German military was discussing the possibility of attacking Russian territory. The clip also contains a diplomatically sensitive reference to the British having "a few people on the ground" in Ukraine, in connection with the Storm Shadow cruise missiles sent to the country. "We're all working together to try to support Ukraine and the Germans have been right there in it," Kirby said. "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." The conversation was published on Friday by the head of the Russian state broadcaster RT, Margarita Simonyan. Sources told dpa that the discussion was hosted on Webex, a US-made online conferencing platform. The military is investigating how the conversation was intercepted and recorded. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the country must do more to defend itself from Russian espionage. She said Russian President Vladimir Putin "wants to discredit our state, manipulate the formation of opinion and divide our society." "Putin will not succeed in any of this," she told the Funke media group. "We have continued to ramp up our protective measures against espionage and disinformation and are constantly reacting to current developments," Faeser said. Next Monday, the German parliament's Defence Committee is expected to discuss the affair in a special session. The US government on Monday accused Russia of trying to stir up mistrust among Ukraine and its allies by publishing an intercepted online call between senior German Air Force officers about the war. Russia's leak last week of the half-hour conversation between top military personnel has proved a major embarrassment for Berlin, which has described the recording as part of Moscow's "information war." There are also worries in Germany that the incident could spark diplomatic tensions among the Western coalition that supports Ukraine. White House national security spokesman John Kirby weighed in on Monday on the security breach suffered by one of Washington's closest allies, saying Moscow was trying to "sow discord." "This is a bold attempt, a transparent attempt by the Russians to try to sow discord and to try to show division and try to make it look like the West isn't unified," Kirby said. Russia was also trying to make it appear as if the government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not "unified on what they're doing" for Kiev, Kirby said. The officers can be heard on the call discussing the possibility of sending Germany's longer-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev - a move that Scholz has stridently rejected publicly for months. The Luftwaffe officials say that the missiles could, for instance, destroy the bridge to the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Moscow in violation of international law. According to the officers, a swift delivery and deployment of the Taurus missiles would only be possible under the direct involvement of German forces. Deployment solely under Ukrainian command would be possible, they say, but the necessary training for Ukrainian soldiers would likely take months. The Kremlin claimed the recording showed that the German military was discussing the possibility of attacking Russian territory. The clip also contains a diplomatically sensitive reference to the British having "a few people on the ground" in Ukraine, in connection with the Storm Shadow cruise missiles sent to the country. "We're all working together to try to support Ukraine and the Germans have been right there in it," Kirby said. "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." The conversation was published on Friday by the head of the Russian state broadcaster RT, Margarita Simonyan. Sources told dpa that the discussion was hosted on Webex, a US-made online conferencing platform. An investigation into how the conversation was intercepted and recorded in under way by the military. Signs of the new AI boom are suddenly everywhere again. AI stocks are soaring again this year as recent results from companies like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Super Micro Computer have blown past analyst estimates as cloud infrastructure companies and AI start-ups dramatically ramp up spending on AI hardware. The fervor for AI stocks has gotten so heated that even stocks that Nvidia has invested in, like Soundhound AI, have surged when the news of Nvidia's stake broke. Those soaring stock prices have led some to fear that an AI bubble is forming. Wharton professor Jeremy Siegel said that a speculative bubble could be starting in stocks like Nvidia, and other respected investors like Jeremy Grantham and Jeffery Gundlach have made similar proclamations. However, if you're questioning the magnitude and sustainability of the current wave of demand for AI infrastructure, this quote from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) founder Morris Chang should help convince you otherwise. Image source: Getty Images. Fabs and fabs and fabs At a recent conference in Japan, Chang described the demand his company is seeing from customers for AI computing power, saying: "They're not talking about tens of thousands of wafers. They are talking about fabs, [saying] 'We need so many fabs. We need three fabs, five fabs, 10 fabs.' Well, I can hardly believe that one." The report, which was originally in Nikkei, said that Chang also said he believed demand was somewhere between tens of thousands of wafers and 10 fabs. If you're unfamiliar with Taiwan Semiconductor, or TSMC, you should know that it's the world's biggest contract manufacturer of semiconductors with more than 50% market share, and it has about 90% market share of advanced contract chip manufacturing, which has become even more in demand in the AI era. Taiwan Semi handles production for companies including Apple, Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, and many others as most chip designers now outsource their manufacturing to foundries like Taiwan Semi. Story continues Given its tremendous market power, it's worth paying attention when its founder makes statements like the aforementioned one. Those sentiments also echo ones from other tech titans, including Oracle co-founder and CTO Larry Ellison, who has said that generative AI may be the most important new technology ever and said demand for AI computing power from Oracle was "over the moon." The meta picks-and-shovels AI play The biggest winners in the AI boom so far are the picks-and-shovels plays like Nvidia. These are the companies supplying the key infrastructure needed to run AI applications and high-powered models like ChatGPT. In many ways, this development is reminiscent of the early days of the internet and the dot-com boom, when the biggest winners were companies such as America Online and Netscape, which offered access to the internet and were the key building blocks of that era. Huge success stories such has Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms would come later. Taking that thinking one step further presents Taiwan Semi as something of a meta picks-and-shovels option in the AI boom, as it's as vital to the AI chipmakers like Nvidia as Nvidia is to the companies that need its GPUs and accelerators. That means that TSMC's competitive advantages are likely to expand as demand for AI chips builds. The enormous demand that Taiwan Semi is seeing for new fabs won't be easy to fill. For example, building a state-of-the-art 3-nanometer fab, such as the ones in demand for AI chips, costs an estimated $20 billion, and plans for both TSMC and Intel to build new plants in the U.S. have run into snags. This shows that there are logistical and regulatory barriers standing in the way of expanding chip manufacturing capacity. Image source: Getty Images. This could be the easiest AI stock to own As demand for AI chip manufacturing grows, TSMC occupies an increasingly enviable position, as it is by far the biggest manufacturing partner for industry suppliers like Nvidia. In some ways, it's the only game in town. TSMC's dominant market share at a crucial position in the AI supply chain also gives it significant market power, and it should be a winner no matter what happens in the AI revolution. The company only needs demand for chips to grow, and it's clear now that running generative AI applications comes with massive computing needs. TSMC won't have the kind of triple-digit breakout growth that Nvidia has experienced, as most of its demand is still for non-AI chips. But TSMC seems almost guaranteed to be a winner as AI demand grows, and the stock deserves a place in nearly any AI stock portfolio. Shares of TSMC have already gained 29% this year after climbing 39% last year, and it's well positioned for further gains as it trades at a reasonable valuation and has a huge profit margin. As that quote from Chang shows, TSMC's services are in demand as never before. If you're looking for an AI stock to buy right now, Taiwan Semi is a great place to start. Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now? Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of February 26, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Jeremy Bowman has positions in Amazon, Broadcom, and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom, Intel, and Super Micro Computer and recommends the following options: long January 2023 $57.50 calls on Intel, long January 2025 $45 calls on Intel, long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft, short February 2024 $47 calls on Intel, and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 1 Mind-Blowing Quote That Shows Why This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock is a No-Brainer Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool The News Independent U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced Tuesday that she will not run for reelection and will leave the Senate at the end of the year. Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year, Sinema said in a video posted on X. Sinema won the seat in 2018, becoming the first Democrat to do so since 1994. In December 2022, she left the Democratic party to become an independent. Sinemas decision not to run came as her chance of reelection seemed small, NBC News reported. Surveys have consistently shown her polling behind the likely Democratic and Republican candidates for the seat, Republican Kari Lake and the Democrats Rep. Ruben Gallego. National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Steve Daines said in a statement that with recent polling showing Kyrsten Sinema pulling far more Republican voters than Democrat voters, her decision to retire improves Kari Lakes opportunity to flip this seat. U.S. President Biden delivers remarks before a meeting of his Competition Council, at the White House in Washington By Daniel Wiessner (Reuters) - Major U.S. business groups on Tuesday filed the latest lawsuit challenging a Biden administration rule that would make it more difficult for companies to treat some workers as independent contractors rather than employees. The groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the country's largest business lobby, said in a complaint filed in federal court in Beaumont, Texas, that the U.S. Department of Labor rule violated federal wage law by adopting too broad a definition of who counts as a company's employee. Employees are entitled to the minimum wage, overtime pay and other legal protections not afforded to contractors, and studies suggest that they can cost companies up to 30% more than contract workers. The rule, which takes effect March 11, is expected to have a broad impact on an array of industries including app-based services that rely heavily on "gig" workers to contain costs. At least four other challenges to the rule are pending, including lawsuits by freelance writers, trade groups and a trucking company that treats driver as independent contractors. The new lawsuit also claims that the Labor Department violated a federal law governing rulemaking by agencies by failing to justify its reversal of a Trump administration rule favored by trade groups. The business groups had sued the department in 2021 when it first attempted to repeal the Trump-era rule. A judge blocked the repeal, saying the agency had not adequately explained its decision. Tuesday's filing came as an amended complaint in that case. The Labor Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Labor Department has said that the rule is designed to clarify the standard for determining worker classification and crack down on industries where misclassification is common, such as construction, healthcare, retail sales and security and janitorial services. Tuesday's filing comes as Republicans in Congress are separately working to repeal the rule. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, has said he plans to introduce a resolution under the Congressional Review Act to nix the rule. Lawmakers would need a two-thirds majority to overcome a likely veto by Democratic President Joe Biden. (Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alison Williams) The KNOM building in St Louis, Missouri. The station now brands its newscasts as First Alert 4. The KNOM building in St Louis, Missouri. The station now brands its newscasts as First Alert 4. Photograph: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images A television station in St Louis has issued an apology after a white news anchor referred to minority homeowners as colored while introducing a segment on racial discrimination in the housing market. It was in an original script as homeowners of color and was inadvertently changed and mistakenly read on air, JD Sosnoff, the general manager of First Alert 4, formerly KMOV, Gray TVs CBS affiliate, said in a statement to the St Louis Post-Dispatch. We regret the error and apologized to our viewers. The anchor, Cory Stark, apologized for his use of the term. The word should have never come out of my mouth, and it does not reflect who I am or what First Alert 4 represents, Stark said in his on-air apology. An outdated and fraught term used during legalized segregation in the US, colored has since been replaced by Black or African American. As NPR notes, colored can be used as a noun, an adjective or a verb and is packed with history, prejudice and confusion when its used to describe someones complexion as an indication of race or ethnicity. The National Association of Black Journalists criticized the station over the incident, calling the term outdated, offensive and racist, and expressed concern that no one in the newsroom caught the mistake, which was broadcast on 26 February. Given that St Louiss population is 43% Black, and the city is no stranger to racial strife, we would hope KMOV would be more sensitive in how it covers the Black community, it said in a press release on the incident. While we understand that there have been multiple on-air apologies and KMOV management has met with local leaders, that is not enough. KMOV and Gray TV should retrain their employees on diversity, equity and inclusion issues while investing in recruiting and retaining Black employees on- and off-air. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, has said that Victoria Nuland, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, plans to leave the Department of State in the coming weeks. Source: Blinken's statement released by the Department of State Quote: "Victoria Nuland has let me know that she intends to step down in the coming weeks as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs a role in which she has personified President Bidens commitment to put diplomacy back at the center of our foreign policy and revitalize Americas global leadership at a crucial time for our nation and the world." Details: Blinken said that he and US President Joe Biden have asked John Bass, Under Secretary of State for Management, to serve as the acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs until Nulands replacement is confirmed. Blinken added that Nulands resignation brings to an end three and a half decades of "remarkable public service" under six presidents and ten secretaries of state. "These experiences have armed Toria with an encyclopedic knowledge of a wide range of issues and regions, and an unmatched capacity to wield the full toolkit of American diplomacy to advance our interests and values," he said. He noted that it is Nuland's leadership in the matters about Ukraine that diplomats and students of foreign policy will be studying for many years to come. Quote: "Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure, and helping Ukraine work toward the day when it will be able to stand strongly on its own feet democratically, economically, and militarily." Background: Earlier, Nuland expressed confidence that 2024 is of great strategic importance for Ukraine and will bring it some "solid successes" on the battlefield. She also stated that the US Congress would vote for additional assistance to Ukraine given its role in the country's survival and prosperity. Before that, she noted that Ukraine's allies should prepare for a prolonged confrontation in the war with Russia, including by helping the Ukrainian economy recover as quickly as possible. Support UP or become our patron! US unveils new sanctions against Zimbabwe leader and close aides The US unveiled sanctions against Zimbabwes president, the first lady and his close aides for their alleged involvement in human rights abuses and corruption. The new sanctions have been imposed on 11 people and three entities over the gross abuses of human rights, the White House said. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has faced allegations of protecting gold and diamond smugglers in the country, directing government officials to facilitate the sale of gold and diamonds in illicit markets and taking bribes in exchange for his services, among other offenses. We continue to have concerns regarding serious cases of corruption and human rights abuse in Zimbabwe, Antony Blinken, secretary of the state, said in a statement. 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 multiple cases of abductions, physical abuse, and unlawful killing have created an atmosphere of fear among citizens. Zimbabwe remains one of the most heavily sanctioned countries by the US after Washington hit the country with its first set of sanctions in the early 1990s, targeting then-president Robert Mugabe. It comes a year after President Mnangagwa was elected for a second term following an election tainted with allegations of fraud. Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa won reelection for a second term in August 2023 (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) "We continue to witness gross abuses of political, economic, and human rights," the White House said in a statement. "The targeting of civil society and severe restrictions on political activity have stifled fundamental freedoms, while key actors, including government leaders, have siphoned off public resources for personal gains," it added. Those sanctioned will include first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, vice president Constantino Chiwenga, and defence minister Oppah Muchinguri. Three entities that were hit with sanctions were Fossil Agro, Fossil Contracting and Sakunda Holdings for their alleged involvement in state-sponsored corruption. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Monday to terminate the national emergency and remove Zimbabwe-specific sanctions programme that had been in effect since 2003. Now, the Biden administration is using a Donald Trump-era executive order that implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act as its authority to issue the sanctions. Zimbabwes government spokesperson Nick Mangwana described the new sanctions as illegal and said the lifting of the old sanctions programme was "a great vindication of President Mnangagwas Foreign Policy". The statement added 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. Mr Gantz was also expected to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken US Vice-President Kamala Harris expressed "deep concern" over Gaza in talks with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, the White House says. In a statement, Ms Harris's office said she had urged Israel to let more aid into Gaza, while calling on Hamas to accept terms for a ceasefire. It said they discussed the need for a "credible" humanitarian plan before any major military operation in Rafah. The US is ramping up pressure on Israel to facilitate more aid for Gaza. US President Joe Biden, who is running for re-election this November, is facing political pressure from fellow Democrats over his handling of the Israel-Gaza war. Mr Gantz's visit is being seen as a snub to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has yet to receive an invitation to the White House 15 months after his right-wing coalition took office. The moderate chairman of Israel's National Unity Party, Mr Gantz has proved a stiff political opponent to Mr Netanyahu, despite joining him as a member of his war cabinet after the attack nearly five months ago by Hamas that triggered the conflict. The US vice-president told reporters before Monday's meeting: "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." The meeting took place while Mr Biden was at Camp David, the presidential retreat just outside Washington. It came a day after Ms Harris, at a memorial event to civil rights marchers in Alabama, forcefully demanded that "given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire" of at least six weeks. The US has been working to broker such an agreement between Hamas and Israel with the help of Qatar and Egypt. Mr Gantz also spoke with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House on Monday. He was expected to meet Secretary of State Antony Blinken, too, during his visit. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during a briefing on Monday that Mr Gantz had requested the Washington meeting. Mr Kirby declined to address Mr Netanyahu's concerns over the visit. Owing to the difficulties of getting humanitarian assistance to Gaza, the US airdropped aid over the weekend. Last week, at least 112 Palestinians were reportedly killed when large crowds descended on lorries carrying aid while Israeli tanks were present. Israel said the tanks fired warning shots, but did not strike the lorries and that many of the dead were trampled or run over. This has been disputed by Hamas, which said there was "undeniable" evidence of "direct firing at citizens". The Israeli military launched a large-scale air and ground campaign to destroy Hamas after the group's gunmen killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on 7 October and took 253 back to Gaza as hostages. More than 30,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's health ministry. Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the UK, US and others. Delta just became the 3rd major airline to raise baggage fees in the past 2 weeks Delta has joined American and United in raising its checked-bag fees. A $5 price hike will apply to passengers' first and second checked bags. Baggage fees are a big moneymaker for airlines, to the tune of a reported $33.3 billion last year. Delta has become the third major airline over the past two weeks to raise its checked-bag fees. The price hike, effective Tuesday, is $5 for the first and second checked bags on "most U.S.-originating domestic and short-haul international routes," the company told Business Insider in a statement. The new prices $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second are reflected on Delta's website. Perk holders, including Medallion members, first-class travelers, and Delta-credit-card holders, will continue to receive complimentary checked bags, the statement added. The changes don't apply to any tickets purchased before Tuesday. Delta told BI it implemented the increase, first reported by CNBC, to help it keep up with rising industry costs. It marks the airline's first price hike since 2018 but is part of a wider industry trend. Late last month, American Airlines raised its checked-bag fees ($35 online and $40 in person for the first bag, and $45 for the second), while overhauling its frequent-flyer program to incentivize customers to book directly through American and its partner airlines. Less than a week later, United Airlines announced a similar move, raising the price of checked bags by $5 for economy-class passengers on domestic flights. JetBlue and Alaska Airlines announced comparable increases earlier this year. Baggage fees are a big moneymaker for airlines. They accounted for $33.3 billion in revenue in 2023, IdeaWorks, an airline-revenue consultancy, recently reported up 15% over 2022. Read the original article on Business Insider GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has tabbed $3.85 million in federal funding to help support 16 research and restoration projects across the Great Lakes region, including three that are focused on threatened species in Michigan. The Smithsonian Institution will get one of the largest grants in the plan, approximately $316,000 to study the population dynamics of the Kirtlands warbler. A rising threat: Climate change exacerbates challenges for Great Lakes piping plover The Kirtlands warbler was removed from the federal endangered species list in October 2019, but is still considered a threatened species in Michigan. The little bird has a limited range, living in pockets across the northern end of Michigans Lower Peninsula, the Upper Peninsula, and places in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada. A Kirtlands warbler. (Courtesy USFWS) Michigans population also took a hit last year when a wildfire destroyed more than 2,400 acres near Grayling. The Kirtlands Warbler Alliance said the 2021 census showed at least 18 singing males in that area. While they dont know if any birds died, the eggs they were forced to abandon were likely destroyed. Is there a silver lining to the wildfire that swept through threatened birds habitat? Ironically, human intervention against wildfires was a key factor that put the bird in harms way in the first place. Kirtlands warblers like to nest in the sandy soil beneath young jack pine trees. As the trees grow older, the lower branches die off and expose the nests. By interrupting the natural cycle of regeneration triggered by wildfires, the Kirtlands warbler lost a lot of habitat. This bird limped along for a long, long time. And once we finally figured out that secret sauce, once we finally figured out what it would take to see that population begin to grow, thats when it began to take off, Kirtlands Warbler Alliance Executive Director Bill Rapai told News 8 last year. WOOD TURTLE A wood turtle forages along a riverfront. (Courtesy MSU Extension) A team from Grand Valley State University will receive approximately $281,000 top study the wood turtles predators across the Great Lakes region. Michigan is home to 10 turtle species. The wood turtle, which had been being monitored as a special concern, was declared an endangered reptile last summer. Inside woodtv.com: Preserving Michigans native species They can typically be found near smaller streams or rivers and they prefer sandy or gravelly shoreline areas for nesting. They also like to forage on berries and grasses along the riverfront. According to the Michigan State University Extension, poaching for pets is a major threat to the wood turtle, along with habitat loss. LAKE STURGEON A young sturgeon. (Courtesy Nebraska Game & Parks Commission) The Grand Rapids Public Museum will receive approximately $150,000 to continue its partnership evaluating the lake sturgeon population along the Grand River Watershed. The GRPM is entering its sixth year working alongside the USFWS, John Ball Zoo and GVSU researchers to conduct surveys of the notoriously elusive fish. Biologists know that adult lake sturgeon live out in big lakes like Lake Michigan and swim upriver to spawn. Juvenile sturgeon live in rivers for a year before moving out to the lakes. But as of 2018, there was no confirmed population in the Grand River. Preserving Michigan: Helping lake sturgeon bounce back in the Grand River In 2022, the survey team found six juvenile sturgeon, confirming that the fish uses the Grand River as a breeding ground. GRPM researcher Stephanie Ogren told News 8 in 2022 that it is a good sign for the health of the watershed. GRPM VP of science and education Stephanie Ogren, Ph.D., with the 4-month-old sturgeon researchers found in the Grand River on Sept. 8. (Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Museum) It kind of is sort of a sensor for the rest of the species, Ogren said. If sturgeon are doing well, you can guess most species are doing OK. If sturgeon are having a hard time, you may have some issues with the river system. The lake sturgeon is the largest native species to the Great Lakes. The longest lake sturgeon on record cracked 6 feet and the heaviest weighed more than 200 pounds. While they arent a common sight now, lake sturgeon once ruled the Great Lakes. Numbers have dropped off harshly over the last 200 years, primarily thanks to overfishing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. And they face several other challenges, including pollution, loss of primary food sources and impacts from invasive species. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. TechCrunch Elon Musk's xAI has open-sourced the base code of Grok AI model, but without any training code. In a blog post, xAI said that the model wasn't tuned for any particular application such as using it for conversations. Last week, Musk noted on X that xAI intended to open-source the Grok model this week. FRUITA, Colo. (KREX) A murder suspect out of Utah was arrested in Fruita over the weekend. Mesa County Sheriffs Deputies and Colorado State Patrol officers set up surveillance along I-70 on Sunday, March 3 after the Murray, Utah Police Department told them a homicide suspect was driving east towards Mesa County, according to official reports. Officers were unable to find the car on the highway and decided to search Fruita for the suspect. A deputy then found the suspects car at a gas station in Fruita and arrested 20-year-old Jhon Alvaro-Alarcon Predes and took him to the Mesa County Detention Facility where he awaits extradition from Utah law enforcement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. blackCAT / iStock.com Working from home has exploded in popularity over the past few years. What used to be seen as an unusual perk offered by some forward-thinking companies has now become commonplace for millions of professionals. According to Forbes, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, and the number is growing. Find Out: How I Make $5,000 a Month in Passive Income Doing Just 10 Hours of Work a Year Try This: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) While remote work offers many advantages, like flexibility and no commute, it also comes with its own unique challenges. Employees need extra discipline to stay on task away from managers watchful eyes. The boundaries between work and personal life can become blurred when your office is your dining room. Zoom meetings often replace watercooler chats and face-to-face collaborations. Here are the 14 best parts of working from home, as well as the 15 worst downsides to consider. Understanding the pros and cons can help both managers and employees make the most of the remote work revolution. Eva-Katalin / Getty Images Best Things About Working From Home Theres a reason 90% of employees who work from home said they want to continue doing so. Actually, there are several reasons. These are some of the biggest perks of escaping the 9-to-5 office grind. Read Next: Grant Cardone: Heres How To Become Rich If Youre Earning an Average Salary For You: 26 Ways To Make $1,000 Fast In a Week or Less Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. Serenethos / Getty Images You Save Time by Not Commuting The average Americans commute time is roughly 27 minutes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That means that most people spend just under an hour driving to and from work every day. Thats extra time you could use to get in an at-home workout or spend with your family. Explore More: 30 Best Games That Pay Real Money in 2024 pixelfit / iStock/Getty Images You Can Avoid Distracting Co-Workers Working in an office environment means youre opening yourself up to constant interruptions from co-workers. Some actually might want to chat about something useful, but others might just want to talk your ear off about what they did this weekend or what their kids have been up to. When you work from home, you avoid these daily interruptions. Story continues Drazen_ / Getty Images You Can Work From Anywhere With an Internet Connection You might be confined to your home, but you can work anywhere in your house that has Wi-Fi access. If its nice out and you have outdoor space, consider working outside. Even if youre confined indoors, you can make the most of your home by setting up a cozy at-home office space. Consider taking meetings while standing up by a counter to switch things up. Riska / iStock.com You End Up Saving Money As mentioned above, by working from home, you save money on gas, public transportation or Uber costs by cutting out your commute. Even better, youll save money in other ways, too. Since going out to eat is no longer an option in many places, youll save on going out for lunch every day. Plus, with no co-workers to impress with your outfit of the day, youll save money on clothes and dry cleaning. MStudioImages / iStock.com You Dont Have To Get Dressed Up Theres no need to put on a suit or spend an hour fixing your hair and putting on makeup when you work from home. Not only is it more comfortable to work in your sweats, but you save the time it takes to get ready. Learn More: 7 Things You Must Do To Start Making $1K a Month in Passive Income adamkaz / Getty Images You Can Take Phone Calls Without Co-Workers Listening In Many people now work in an office with an open floor plan, making it nearly impossible to have a sense of privacy at work. When you work from home, you can freely make and receive phone calls without having to worry about nosy desk neighbors. PeopleImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto You Can Make Your Own Schedule Depending on your job, you might be able to choose your own work hours when you work remotely. This means you can have a leisurely morning or get the kids off to school and start your day later, or you can bang out all of your tasks first thing and have the rest of your day free. Drs Producoes / iStock/Getty Images You Can Literally Phone It In During Meetings If youre a remote worker, its especially important to be engaged during phone or video meetings, as these are your main opportunities for face time with your managers and co-workers. However, when youre obligated to attend a meeting thats really a waste of your time, you can just call in, put your phone on mute and work on a task thats a more productive use of those minutes. vm / Getty Images Youre Home To Accept Packages Its always a bummer when youve been eagerly awaiting a package, only to come home to find you missed the delivery person, and you now have to wait an extra day or two to get the package or retrieve it from a pick-up center. When you work from home, youre always there when FedEx or UPS shows up. Discover More: Ramit Sethi: 5 Easy Steps To Getting Rich in 2024 kzenon / Getty Images/iStockphoto You Can Blast Your Music as Loudly as You Want Theres no need for headphones and low-volume listening when you work from home. You can blast your favorite playlist at a louder volume since youre at home, but be courteous of your neighbors, who might also be working from home. iStock.com You Can Create Your Dream Office Space Whether your dream office is full of pink, fluffy details or is dark and austere, you can create the vibe that you want when youre in total control of the decor. PeopleImages / iStock/Getty Images It Forces You To Become More Independent When you work in an office and you encounter a problem that you cant find an easy solution for, you can ask your co-workers for help or constructive feedback. However, this can sometimes be used as a crutch, and leaning on others all the time can prevent you from gaining independence and growing your skills and confidence in your work. When you work remotely, youre forced to be independent and figure a lot of things out on your own which can definitely be a good thing. mixetto / Getty Images Communication Tends To Be More Efficient When you dont have access to your co-workers all the time and vice versa, you cant just pop by each others desks to ask for clarification about something you discussed earlier. Knowing this, you might spend more time crafting emails to make sure theyre clear or be more effective at communicating all the important points during a meeting. This more efficient communication can be a major time saver and can free up your time to take on more tasks during the day. Find Out: 10 Ways to Double Your Income With ChatGPT PrathanChorruangsak / Getty Images/iStockphoto You Can Stay Out of Office Gossip With everyone working remotely, its less likely that office gossip will be as prevalent. This can help you avoid sticky situations that could potentially arise with co-workers. Natee Meepian / Getty Images/iStockphoto Worst Things About Working From Home Sure, working in your pajamas every day can be great. But there are some real negative aspects of working from home, too. xavierarnau / Getty Images A Lack of Face Time Can Make It Harder To Get a Promotion Research has shown that actually being present at work and being observed by others when working has positive outcomes for employees, including receiving better work assignments and being able to advance more quickly. When employees work remotely, it is more difficult to show commitment to their jobs, and that could make it harder to get promoted. If youve been waiting for a promotion and are now working from home, this could delay that from happening. AsiaVision / Getty Images Youre Always Available Some remote workers compensate for their lack of face time by always being on as a way to show their commitment. This means you might get stuck responding to emails and attending meetings outside of your normal work hours. To avoid this, try to set boundaries and stick to your usual work hours, even though youre now working outside the office. For You: 10 Proven Ways To Get Paid for Amazon Reviews in 2023 Vadym Pastukh / iStock.com It Can Feel Isolating Most Americans spend the majority of their waking hours working, and if you work by yourself, that means you spend most of your time by yourself. skynesher / Getty Images Its Harder To Know Whats Really Going On at Your Company Working in an office makes you privy to water cooler gossip you dont get when you work from home. While some of this info is worthless, sometimes you get tipped off to major company shifts that you wouldnt otherwise have time to mentally prepare for or react to. jacoblund / Getty Images/iStockphoto You Miss Out On Work Friendships In addition to feeling isolated, working by yourself can cause you to miss out on developing or nurturing valuable personal relationships with your co-workers. Many of your co-workers are probably feeling as isolated as you, however, especially if theyre also new to working from home. Continue cultivating work friendships through email or interoffice messaging apps during this time. Drazen Zigic / Getty Images/iStockphoto Theres No Real Sense of Separation Between Work and the Rest of Your Day When you work in an office, you often can leave the workday behind you once you walk out the door. Home is your sanctuary where you can escape from work stress and truly relax. However, when your home is also your office, it can be harder to make that mental shift. Explore More: 30 Best Games That Pay Real Money in 2024 Ridofranz / Getty Images/iStockphoto It Can Turn You Into a Hermit If you dont make a conscious effort to step outside and away from your desk during the workday, you can spend the entire day at home. That easily can turn into multiple days of being cooped up, if youre not careful. LightFieldStudios / Getty Images/iStockphoto You Have To Deal With Tech Issues Yourself If your internet goes down or your laptop malfunctions, you have to deal with it yourself. Someone from your companys IT department might be able to help you remotely, but even then, its not the same as being in the same place as your tech support. nortonrsx / Getty Images/iStockphoto You Have To Be Self-Motivated Its easy to stay on track when you work in an office environment and your manager or boss could step into your office or cube at any moment. When you work at home, it can be tempting to take long breaks or get sucked into doing tasks not related to your job. Unless youre self-motivated and self-disciplined, working from home can kill your productivity. Kateryna Onyshchuk / Getty Images/iStockphoto Its Harder To Collaborate On Projects Thanks to video meetings and interoffice messaging apps such as Slack, its easy to communicate with co-workers instantaneously and virtually face-to-face. But sometimes theres no real replacement for actual face time when you want to bounce ideas off your co-workers or get their honest feedback. Read Next: Im Part of the Upper Middle Class: Heres What My Finances Look Like Rawpixel / Getty Images/iStockphoto It Can Hurt Your Social Skills If you spend most of your days by yourself, you might find it increasingly harder to have normal social interactions when you are around other people. To prevent your social skills from declining, force yourself to have at least one social interaction each day, like FaceTiming with a friend or family member. PeopleImages / Getty Images You Could Fall Into Poor Eating Habits When you work from home, you have easy access to everything in your fridge and pantry at all times, which means you might find yourself mindlessly munching on chips and other unhealthy food items throughout the day. To prevent this, set meal and snack times and stick to eating only at those times. Geber86 / Getty Images Your Roommates and Family Might Not Respect Your Work Hours If you dont live alone, its likely youll now be sharing your work environment with roommates or family members who might want to chat or interrupt you constantly. Its important to set boundaries to let people know that your workday is no different even though youre not currently in the office. Establish do not disturb hours that are interruption-free. fizkes / iStock.com You Risk Becoming Lonely and Depressed Some studies have shown that full-time remote workers are much more likely to suffer from loneliness, anxiety and depression. Sitting at home alone all day long deteriorates critical social bonds and relationships. This isolation and sadness makes it hard to stay motivated and productive. Find Out: How Much Money Do Americans Have in Their Bank Accounts in 2024? AJ_Watt / Getty Images/iStockphoto Its Easy To Be Distracted Without managers watching over your shoulder, discipline is required to stay focused working from home. But with the TV and fridge just steps away, and no peer pressure to look busy, its very tempting to slack off. Both productivity and advancement take a hit when you have too much autonomy. The truth is remote work has both upsides and downsides to consider. Being aware of the disadvantages, like career stagnation, isolation and burnout, can help you address them proactively. Then you can better enjoy the flexibility without sacrificing your sanity or job growth. Laura Beck contributed to the reporting for this article. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 14 Best and 15 Worst Things About Working From Home Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump points to a reporter for a question as he speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Monday, March 4, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. The Supreme Court unanimously restored Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to ban him over the Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) | Rebecca Blackwell On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed an earlier Colorado Supreme Court ruling that removed Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential ballot based on allegations of insurrection relating to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The justices 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 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency. While the decision was unanimous, the three liberal justices as well as Justice Amy Coney Barrett said they agreed with the outcome but not with all the arguments presented. Barrett wrote, In my 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 ... 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. How are Utah lawmakers reacting to the Supreme Courts decision? In the wake of the ruling, Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Burgess Owens, among other lawmakers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to respond. Cox reacted to a tweet describing Trumps legal win as a terrible day for anyone who hates democracy by quoting Barretts concurring opinion, encouraging an attitude of unity. In my 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, https://t.co/10gr6F8mIv Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) March 4, 2024 Lee responded to the news in a post to X, referring to the Colorado courts original ruling as The Colorado insurrection. He later wrote in another post, Q: Howd the Left lose this nine to zero? A: Because there are only nine justices. Good. The Colorado insurrection failed. https://t.co/Z2ARnwBeXJ Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 4, 2024 Owens, who represents Utahs 4th District, celebrated the ruling in a post to X, calling it a WIN for every American. An UNANIMOUS Supreme Court decision declaring that states cant kick President Trump off the ballot is a WIN for every American! https://t.co/7ml6bW3FPZ Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) March 4, 2024 What are other prominent figures saying about the Colorado ruling? Heritage president Kevin Roberts, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, senior adviser to former President Trump Stephen Miller, Nikki Haley and Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold joined the Utah politicians in responding to the decision. At a campaign rally in Spring, Texas, on Monday, Haley addressed the decision, telling the crowd We dont ever want some elected official in a state or anybody else saying who can and cant be on the ballot. This is America. ... Look, Ill defeat Donald Trump fair and square but I want him on that ballot, per NewsNation. The Supreme Court ruled today that Donald Trump could stay on the ballotI think that was importantIll defeat Donald Trump fair and square but I want him on that ballot.@NikkiHaley at a packed rally in #Spring #Texas pic.twitter.com/PpodeweTtt Jackie (@Jackie_Koppell) March 4, 2024 Unanimous decision from the Supreme Court on the Colorado case. You know the Regime has overreached when even the liberal justices concur. pic.twitter.com/va2wgtnQ6m Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) March 4, 2024 The biggest meaning of the Supreme Court decision on Colorado is that by 9-0 the Justices concluded that the biggest threat to democracy was not Donald Trump it was the left. Properly driven this can become a major political definition for the rest of the campaign and proof Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) March 4, 2024 Everyone involved in trying to unconstitutionally remove President Trump from the ballot is guilty of insurrection. https://t.co/T2ZLkB9AmD Stephen Miller (@StephenM) March 4, 2024 Meanwhile, Griswold, who had supported removing Trump from the ballot, now says votes will be counted for Trump in Colorado. Ultimately, this decision leaves open the door for Congress to act, to pass authorizing legislation, but we know that Congress is a nearly non functioning body. So ultimately, it will be up to the American voters to save our democracy in November, Griswold said in an interview on MSNBC in reaction to the Supreme Courts ruling. Election coordinator Holly Birich collects ballots from the drop box located at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday morning, March 5, 2024. Thousands of neighborhood precincts across the state will convene Tuesday night for their biennial party caucus as Republicans select a presidential nominee through an in-person preference poll and Democrats participate in a state-funded primary election. State law allows parties to determine the method by which they allocate delegates in the presidential primary cycle. The two major parties in the state used party-run caucuses in 2016. However, the decision resulted in long lines, technical difficulties and decreased turnout compared to previous presidential nominating elections. Democrats and Republics returned to a government-operated primary with mail-in ballots in 2020. This year they are split. How will Utah Republicans choose a presidential nominee? Utah GOP Chairman Rob Axson said increased investment by the party this year will ensure the caucus system is more accessible and smooth. But the biggest benefit, Axson said, is how in-person gathering, despite being inconvenient for some voters, strengthens the connections essential to democracy. I think anytime that we can nurture and strengthen our civic responsibility, and those habits of getting involved, its better for our country, and certainly better for our state, Axson said Monday in an interview with the Deseret News. The Utah Republican Partys caucus system involves over 2,300 precinct meetings at hundreds of locations, including elementary and high schools, across the state, Axson said. Check-in begins at 6 p.m., with meetings running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and results from the caucus presidential preference poll rolling in as soon as groups complete their precinct elections. The caucus is open to any actively registered Republican in Utah. The deadline to change ones party registration was Jan. 9. GOP voters can find their corresponding precinct location on the partys website. The only two candidates still pursuing the Republican presidential nomination are former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Utahs Republican presidential preference poll will have these two names and that of Texas businessman Ryan Binkley, who dropped out after ballots were printed, Axson said. Utahs 40 Republican delegates will be allocated proportionally between Trump and Haley unless one of them receives more than 50% of the votes, in which case the winning candidate will receive all of the delegates. Trump currently has 273 delegates to Haleys 43. A candidate needs 1,215 delegates to win the Republican Partys nomination. Over 850 delegates will be apportioned during Super Tuesday on March 5. The Utah GOPs decision to run the presidential nominating process through a caucus instead of a primary has been a controversial one. When the party did the same thing in 2016, turnout dropped to 22.5% of active registered voters from nearly one-third who participated during the previous election where both parties had contested races in 2008. Utah has 890,637 active registered Republicans, according to the state election office. If caucus participation follows a similar trend as eight years ago, Tuesdays precinct meetings could see over 200,000 attendees, with many unable to participate because of work, or other conflicts. But Axson disagrees with critics who say the caucus system limits voter participation, saying, the participation is available to anybody who wants to take it. Axson said attendance could be higher this year than past caucuses because of the partys unprecedented investment of over $100,000 into digital, radio and print ads and the expanded options for absentee voting, which requires an email ballot to be printed off and brought to the precinct location by someone attending the caucus meeting. A picture of a valid government-issued ID must be included with the ballot. We support this idea of dont just be a sideline participant in our system of government and in our communities, Axson said. Be an actively engaged member of the community that helps get to decide everything from delegates to what the issues and priorities are for our candidates and elected officials. While a recent Deseret News poll in the state showed Trump leading with a large margin over Haley, and then-candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the states GOP chair predicted Tuesdays results could be surprisingly close. Utahs Super Tuesday status will allow the state to have a voice in the national discussion regardless of the results, Axson said. The longer that we are in the earlier nominating calendar the better because Utahns deserve to have a voice in that, Axson said. And I believe that the people of our country will benefit from their candidates engaging with Utahns more frequently and regularly because we tend to have some good ideas on how to solve the countrys challenges. How will Utah Democrats choose a presidential nominee? Utah Democrats began receiving their vote-by-mail primary ballots from the Lieutenant Governors Office, which oversees elections, on Feb. 13. Ballots must have been postmarked by the end of Monday, or delivered to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, to be counted. The names on the ballot are President Joe Biden, Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., activist Marianne Williamson, Gabriel Cornejo and Frank Lozada. Around 3,000 individuals are expected to attend the Utah Democratic Partys caucus proceedings Tuesday night at over 50 precinct locations, according to the partys executive director, Thom DeSirant. The meetings will consist only of party business, not primary voting. Neighborhood caucus night is the largest bi-annual gathering of Democrats across the state and its how we build our local state party, DeSirant told the Deseret News Monday in a written statement. Its not just about our state though, its also about making sure our voices are heard nationally on Super Tuesday. With President Bidens re-election campaign in motion, its crucial that we stand behind him and make our support known. Registered Utah Democrats can find more information about how to participate in Tuesdays caucus, where precinct officers and county delegates will be selected, on the partys website. Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough is overruling plans to ban the famous Times Square kiss photo marking the end of World War II from all department health care facilities, a move criticized as political correctness run amok. The ban was announced internally at VA medical facilities late last month in a memo from RimaAnn Nelson, the Veterans Health Administrations top operations official. Employees were instructed to promptly remove any depictions of the famous photo and replace it with imagery deemed more appropriate. The photograph, which depicts a non-consensual act, is inconsistent with the VAs no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault, the memo stated. 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. The memo garnered public scrutiny after it was posted online by the X account EndWokeness on Tuesday. EXCLUSIVE: The Department Of Veterans Affairs just BANNED the V-J Day kiss photo from all department facilities. "To promote a culture of inclusivity and awareness your cooperation is vital." pic.twitter.com/MZfNHbpV76 End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 5, 2024 Just hours later, McDonough took to social media to reverse the memo. This image is not banned from VA facilities and we will keep it in VA facilities, said a post from his official X account. Department officials echoed in a separate statement that VA will NOT be banning this photo from VA facilities. Officials said the memo should not have been sent out and was formally rescinded on Tuesday. They did not provide details of whether senior leaders were consulted on the matter ahead of Nelsons memo. The photograph was taken by journalist Alfred Eisenstaedt in New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, as Americans celebrated Japans surrender at the end of World War II. Other journalists, including military reporters, also captured the moment. Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities - and we will keep it in VA facilities. pic.twitter.com/dYSikLxHAJ Secretary Denis McDonough (@SecVetAffairs) March 5, 2024 The shot shows a U.S. sailor grabbing and kissing a woman he did not know amid a joyous, party atmosphere in Times Square. The identities of the individuals in the photo have been disputed over the years. In her memo, Nelson noted that use of the photo in VA facilities was initially intended to celebrate and commemorate the end of World War II and the triumphant return of American soldiers. However, perspectives on historical events and their representations evolve. Nelson wrote that the non-consensual nature of the kiss and debates on consent and the appropriateness of celebrating such images led to the decision. Senior leaders did not provide an explanation for the reversal. VA officials could not provide details on how many facilities are currently displaying the photo and whether veterans have complained about use of the image. McDonough has made veterans outreach and inclusion key priorities for the department over the last three years, including rewriting the VA motto with gender-neutral language. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough on Tuesday rescinded a department memo meant to ban the famous World War II photo of a Navy sailor kissing a woman in New Yorks Times Square. Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities and we will keep it in VA facilities, McDonough tweeted along with the black-and-white image known as V-J Day in Times Square. The tweet came hours after a copy of a memo from RimaAnn Nelson, the VA assistant secretary for health for operations, was shared widely on social media. The memo, sent to the Veterans Integrated Services Network Directors on Feb. 29, requested the photo be removed and replaced at all VA facilities to maintain a safe, respectful, and trauma-informed environment. Nelson writes that the photo depicts a non-consensual act which is inconsistent with the VAs no-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault. The VA confirmed to The Hill that the memo was authentic but that it should not have been sent out. A memo was sent out that should not have been, and it has been rescinded, a spokesperson said. The photo in question was taken Aug. 14, 1945, the day Japan surrendered to the United States. As people flocked to Times Square to celebrate the news, George Mendonsa grabbed young dental assistant Greta Zimmer, whose later changed her last name to Friedman, and pulled her into a kiss snapped by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. The famous photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of a sailor kissing a nurse in New Yorks Times Square on V-J Day. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) The memo acknowledges the image is iconic and was originally seen as a symbol of victory and the joyous end to the long and devastating conflict, earning a place in VA facilities to celebrate and commemorate the end of war and the return of U.S. soldiers. However, perspectives on historical events and their representations evolve. Recent discussions have highlighted concerns about the nonconsensual nature of the kiss, Nelson writes. She also asserts that some employees have complained about the photo as a tacit endorsement of the inappropriate behavior it depicts. The memo follows a few months after the House Veterans Affairs Committee launched an investigation into sexual misconduct and harassment allegations at the VAs Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion, which is meant to promote a harassment-free workplace. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rob Howard said the disease was highly contagious and, for some people, very dangerous Leicester has become a "hotspot" for measles due to falling vaccination rates, health bosses have warned. Government data reveal about 11% of children across the East Midlands are not protected by their fifth birthday. There are 31 confirmed measles cases in the region since October, figures show. But Leicester's health boss Rob Howard said he was confident there had been about 70 cases in the city alone, adding people had forgotten how "horrible" the disease was. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the number of children having two doses of the MMR vaccine - needed for lifelong protection - is 85.2% in the East Midlands, well below the 95% target. Childhood vaccines offered through the routine NHS vaccination programme in England have been falling over the past decade across all vaccines, including whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, meningitis and diphtheria, officials said. Nationally, figures show in the four weeks since 29 January there have been 183 newly confirmed cases, with the highest number of cases reported in the West Midlands (43%). This is followed by the North West (19%), London (14%), East Midlands (10%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (8%). Figures show one in 10 children across the region are not fully protected by the time they start school Lower vaccine uptake within communities is also directly linked to wider health inequalities. Mr Howard, Leicester's director of public health, said: "We've had quite a few cases, unfortunately, in the city over the past few months. "It's been a bit of a hotspot in terms of the East Midlands. "Part of it is that people have forgotten what a horrible disease measles is. "We haven't seem much of it over the past few decades because the vaccination came out at the end of the 1960s and levels have been so low. "It is really contagious and, particularly for vulnerable people, it can be really dangerous and it does kill people." 'Present threat' Mr Howard is working with UKHSA and the wider NHS to ask families to check on their vaccination status and then arrange an appointment if needed. They can go to their GP, but a vaccination bus is also touring the area. Dr Vanessa MacGregor, consultant in communicable disease control at UKHSA East Midlands, said: "We need an urgent reversal of the decline in the uptake of childhood vaccinations to protect our communities. "Through this campaign, we are particularly appealing to parents to check their children's vaccination status and book appointments if their children have missed any immunisations. "The ongoing measles outbreak we are seeing is a reminder of the very present threat." Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Vancouvers iconic Wiener Wagon has been found after it was stolen Sunday night. The Wiener Wagon was reported stolen from the owners driveway, according to Vancouver police, and it was potentially seen going toward Portland around 4 a.m. Monday. Oregon Senate votes to end Daylight Saving Time, but requiring California, Washington approval The Columbian reports the food cart is Vancouvers longest-running one and began operating in the 1970s. The owner, Robin Povec, told The Columbian the food cart is her only income source and hits the community as well. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl of Shamrock last year (Niall Carson/PA) (PA Archive) 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. 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 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar 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. 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 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. Tell Biden there will be no shamrock when there is not a total ceasefire Mick Barry, Solidarity representative 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. You seem to be a little bit obsessed about the bowl of shamrock and that takes about 20 seconds Leo Varadkar 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. The leaders will reaffirm the close and enduring partnership between the United States and Ireland and the extraordinary bonds between our people Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary 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 Yodel The stories you need to start your day: What to expect from South Carolinas primary, the moon landing and more in todays edition of The Yodel newsletter Woodlands Checkpoint (left) and Tuas Checkpoint (right) are expected to see heavy traffic in the lead-up to and during the entire holiday period from 8 to 18 March. (PHOTOS: Yahoo Southeast Asia) SINGAPORE Travellers planning to visit Malaysia during the upcoming March school holidays should factor in additional waiting time at Singapore's two land checkpoints, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Monday (4 March). ICA said it is anticipating "very heavy traffic" at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints from 8 to 18 March, and advises motorists to check the traffic conditions at these checkpoints. It is also urging them to refrain from queue-cutting, as it could lead to severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists. "Errant motorists caught queue-cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue," ICA said. Land checkpoints witness over 2.33 million crossings during CNY long weekend According to ICA, during the recent Chinese New Year long weekend from 8 to 13 February, there were over 2.33 million crossings at land checkpoints. This amounted to an average of almost 390,000 travellers daily, marking a 35 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Some travellers departing by car experienced wait times of up to three hours to clear immigration, as there was a long tailback from Malaysian immigration. "As such, travellers are advised to factor in additional waiting time. We seek their understanding and cooperation to be patient, observe traffic rules, maintain lane discipline, and cooperate with ICA officers," ICA said. Reminders for foreign vehicle drivers Motorists driving foreign vehicles are reminded to ensure the validity of their Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP). ICA added that applications for the permit would no longer be accepted at the checkpoints, as doing so "impedes traffic flow". Those who do not have a valid Autopass card, VEP approval email from the Land Transport Authority (LTA), or valid insurance will be denied entry. Furthermore, ICA advises drivers of foreign vehicles to settle any outstanding fines, warning that those with unresolved fines might be denied entry into Singapore. Payment options for such fines include online methods such as AXS kiosks, the AXS website, the AXS mobile app, PayNow, and various relevant agencies e-services websites. Offline payment options include visiting the customer service counters of relevant agencies and SingPost outlets. Travellers are encouraged to seek clarification on any offences from relevant government bodies such as the Singapore Police Force (Traffic Police), Housing Board, LTA, National Environment Agency, and Urban Redevelopment Authority. Foreign drivers without Autopass, VEP approval, or valid insurance will be denied entry to Singapore. (PHOTO: Screengrab/OnemotoringLTA website) Check traffic conditions Motorists can check the traffic situation at the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints via the One Motoring website or the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System installed along the BKE and AYE. They can also get updates through ICA's Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts, as well as local radio broadcasts on Kiss92, One 91.3, Hao 96.3 and UFM 100.3 stations. Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube. Yahoo Singapore Telegram This article will talk about the 15 cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world. If you do not want to read our in-depth analysis of the rising demand of the CCTV industry, you can go straight to the list of the 5 Cities with the Most CCTV Cameras in the World. Eyes Everywhere: Navigating the Global Landscape of CCTV Surveillance and its Impact on Society Depending on your background, you may be unaware of the widespread use and impact of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in our society. It's true that in our daily lives, we seldom contemplate how many times we will drive or walk by a CCTV camera. According to techreport, security surveillance expenditure is estimated to surpass $21 billion by 2026. Based on the reports given by technavio, between 2023 and 2028, the security camera market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%, or USD 2.85 billion. The development of video analytics that are useful for surveillance video analysis, the regular release of security cameras, and the inclusion of face recognition technology in security cameras are some of the variables that determine the market's growth rate. Throughout the projected period, North America is anticipated to contribute significantly to global market growth, comprising 39% of the total, according to Technavio's analysts. Their comprehensive market prediction incorporates detailed insights into regional trends and variables, providing a thorough examination of the factors influencing the market trajectory. When it comes to list 15 cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world, one should know the major companies that are facilitating governments with the production of CCTV cameras. Companies are using a range of strategies to improve their market presence, such as strategic alliances, geographical expansion, and product/service launches. For example, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) offers 6000 Series IP Cameras for worldwide security. Canon's subsidiary Axis Communications AB provides a comprehensive range of security cameras, including fixed dome, fixed box, fixed bullet, and PTZ cameras, among others. There are many other key players included in the market growth and forecasting report of the CCTV cameras industry. These include ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Arlo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ARLO), Costar Technologies Inc., CP PLUS International, DW, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Hanwha Vision America, Honeywell International Inc. (NASDAQ:HON), Johnson Controls International plc (NYSE:JCI), JVCKENWOOD Corp., Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI), Panasonic Holdings Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Schneider Electric SE, Simplisafe Inc., and Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SONY). In essence, expanding the usage and capabilities of CCTV cameras surveillance would either make society safer and more effective or violate our rights to privacy and freedom of movement, depending on whom you ask. Whatever your stance, you cannot dispute the increasing prevalence of live video surveillance throughout the world. Traffic monitoring, crime prevention, and industrial operations observation in unsafe environments are just a few of the many uses for closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. The usage of CCTV cameras has grown in this digital age. Newer, more cost-effective cameras allow for the sharing, remote viewing, and storage of live video feeds. Facial recognition technology has made it possible for public and private entities to swiftly confirm the identity of someone passing by a CCTV camera. As indicated by research, surveillance cameras are effective for both crime prevention and law enforcement. According to a study involving New Jersey police officers, lawfulness has improved by 50% across the city. Police officers admitted to utilizing surveillance camera data when investigating crimes, making it much simpler to conduct thorough investigations and identify the perpetrators. In the light of a study conducted by the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, approximately 60% of 422 burglars in prison stated that their first instinct when breaking into a house or other building is to look for alarms or security cameras and they frequently flee when they do. The ordinary criminal appreciates the simplicity of getting away with their crimes since they do not want to go to jail. When surveillance cameras are combined with additional security measures, they increase public safety and foster confidence in safe environments. Having said that, lets move to our list of 15 cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world. Story continues 15 Cities with the Most CCTV Cameras in the World Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com Methodology To compile our list of 15 cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world, we used a ranking methodology based on a comparative analysis approach. We made use of four variables for our ranking that are CCTV cameras per 1000 people, CCTV cameras per square kilometer, and comparison of densities of CCTV cameras across the cities. Comparative analysis has been done for ranking as well as to analyze the key market trends in the CCTV industry in the upcoming years, and the data for that purpose was taken from technavio. Primarily, we sourced our data from Comparitech, Statista, Surfshark, Upcoming Security, and Tech Report. Additionally, we gathered information from a variety of scholarly articles and news publications, serving as extra sources to augment the data. From these sources, we got data on the overall number of CCTV cameras in cities across the world. After conducting comparative analysis, we then ranked 15 cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Here are the 15 Cities with the Most CCTV Cameras in the World: 15. New York, United States No. of CCTV Cameras: 18,000 In New York, the surveillance system is equipped with a vast network of 18,000 cameras, with 2.2 cameras for every 1000 inhabitants and a density of around 23 cameras per square kilometer. 14. Los Angeles, United States No. of CCTV Cameras: 40,000 Los Angeles also has a huge network of CCTV cameras for its 3.9 million population. There are around 40,000 CCTV cameras present throughout the city and 6.9 CCTV cameras are present per 1,000 people in the city. 13. Moscow, Russia No. of CCTV Cameras: 0.25 million Moscow is not falling behind in terms of its attempts to conduct heavy surveillance. It has a vast network of 203,600 CCTV cameras, with 7.5 cameras for every 1000 people. 12. Wuxi, China No. of CCTV Cameras: 0.3 million As major cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world are hugely present in China, Wuxi is one of them. It has a huge prevalence of around 300,000 CCTV cameras with the presence of 90.5 CCTV cameras per 1000 people. As a huge number of CCTV cameras are scattered throughout the city, Wuxi is safe to live in. 11. Taiyuan, China No. of CCTV Cameras: 0.4 million Taiyuan is one of the top cities with a large network of CCTV cameras in the world. It has 465,255 CCTV cameras scattered throughout the city infrastructure. The country has invested heavily in its infrastructure development and surveillance system. It offers 117 cameras per 1000 people. 10. Delhi, India No. of CCTV Cameras: 0.5 million Delhi is one of the cities that has the highest number of CCTV cameras in the world. The population density of Delhi is roughly 1826 CCTV cameras per square kilometers, while the city has approximately 551,500 cameras, with 35 cameras for every 1000 inhabitants. It demonstrates the efforts that the government of Delhi is making to rein in criminal activity and improve public safety. 9. London, United Kingdom No. of CCTV Cameras: 0.6 million The city of London has been named among the most surveilled cities in the UK due to the presence of around 627,707 CCTV cameras that are dispersed over business areas, streets, and transit networks. There are 73 cameras for every 1000 persons in London, and there are 68 cameras for every square kilometer. 8. Hyderabad, India No. of CCTV Cameras: 0.9 million Hyderabad, which has a population of over 7 million people, is expected to have 900,000 CCTV cameras with 36.52 cameras per 1,000 people, making it one of the cities with the most CCTV cameras in the world. This technique, which included the extensive installation of CCTV cameras, was launched in 2013. 7. Beijing, China No. of CCTV Cameras: 1.15 million In Beijing, approximately 1.15 million CCTV cameras are installed throughout the city's streets, public areas, shopping malls, and residential areas. According to Surfshark, it provides security with CCTV cameras, with 15.6 CCTV cameras for every 1000 persons present and 470 CCTV cameras for every square kilometer. This makes Beijing a highly surveilled city. The value for safety index is 73.21. 6. Seoul, South Korea No. of CCTV Cameras: 1.15 million Seoul has a network of around 1.15 million CCTV cameras. It provides 23.7 cameras per 1000 people and 1295 CCTV cameras per square kilometer. Due to presence of such a huge number of CCTV cameras, the city is pretty safe. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Cities with the Most CCTV Cameras in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 15 Cities with the Most CCTV Cameras in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. GREEN BAY The Green Bay School Board unanimously appointed Vicki Bayer as the Green Bay Area Public School District's interim superintendent Monday. Formerly the deputy superintendent, Bayer is taking over in the wake of former superintendent Claude Tiller's resignation in February. He unexpectedly resigned amid an investigation into comments he made on a Feb. 6 radio show in Atlanta. Vicki Bayer This is the second time Bayer has stepped into the role in recent years, having served as the interim superintendent after former superintendent Stephen Murley retired in the spring of 2022 before the completion of his contract. Green Bay School Board will appoint new board member April 15 As the Green Bay School Board navigates the controversy of Tiller's resignation, the board is also looking to appoint a new member after Laura Laitinen-Warren resigned with a year left in her term. More: Interested in the Green Bay School Board's empty seat? Here's how they fill vacancies. The board will accept letters of interest for the empty seat between March 5-19. Interested community members can send letters, including their qualifications to Kinsey Lehr, executive assistant to the superintendent and School Board, at kllehr@gbaps.org. Letters can also be mailed or hand delivered to the district's downtown headquarters at 200 S. Broadway.Letters of interest should include: Name, Residential address, Telephone number, Email address, Preferred contact method, Why the individual wants to serve on the board, Qualities the individual will bring to the board. The board will screen applicants during a livestreamed meeting April 3 with final interviews and appointment April 15. Interviews will be conducted during an open session meeting. Candidates will have two minutes to give introductions and Board President Laura McCoy will then ask interview questions. To be eligible for the seat, someone must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the school district. They also must be at least 18 years old and have no felony convictions. Board members get $7,500 a year for their service; they are all paid the same, regardless of their role on the board. The appointed board member will complete Laitinen-Warren's term, which expires in April 2025. Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Vicki Bayer named Green Bay interim superintendent after Tiller resigns MEMPHIS, Tenn. The body of a woman strangled to death in Olive Branch in 1985 has been identified, the DeSoto County Sheriffs Department announced Tuesday. Lori Ann Mealer Pennell was identified as the woman killed, officials say. On January 24, 1985, a woman was found on Highway 78 in Olive Branch, Mississippi. She had been strangled to death. On March 1, the Crime Scene Technician Amber Edlin received a lead. Othram, a corporation specializing in testing forensic DNA in cold cases, identified the victim with 1,000% confirmation. According to reports, Pennell has one living relative, a brother in California. He has been notified. Download the WREG App today and stay up to date with breaking news and weather. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Colby Lasyone, Director of Operations for Othram, Inc., said the company worked with DNA from the Mississippi remains using a technique called Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to develop very sensitive DNA profiles for genealogical searches. He says the process often comes down to building a family tree, looking for unacounted persons. Othrams technology developed a profile which provided new leads to Desoto County investigators, who were able to confirm the womans identity through a relatives DNA. Its incredibly meaningful for Othram to be able to contribute and help to provide answers in the case such as the identification of Lori Pennell, Lasyone said. Pennells remains are at Blocker Cemetery in Olive Branch, inscribed with the name Jane Doe; January 24, 1985. Thats the date the womans body was found along Highway 78 near the Coldwater River. Deputies say the investigation will continue until they bring those responsible to justice. We believe that justice has no time restrictions. Therefore we will relentlessly work towards locating the perpetrators so that they can be held accountable for their actions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. FILE - State Department Under Secretary for Public Affairs Victoria J. Nuland speaks during a briefing at the State Department in Washington, Jan. 27, 2022. Nuland, the third-highest ranking U.S. diplomat and frequent target of criticism for her hawkish views on Russia and its actions in Ukraine, will leave her post this month, the State Department said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool, File) WASHINGTON (AP) Victoria Nuland, the third-highest ranking U.S. diplomat and frequent target of criticism for her hawkish views on Russia and its actions in Ukraine, will retire and leave her post this month, the State Department said Tuesday. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe during the Obama administration but retired after Donald Trump was elected president, returned to government as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the Biden administration. She had been a candidate to succeed Wendy Sherman as deputy Secretary of State and had served as acting deputy since Shermans retirement seven months ago but lost an internal administration personnel battle when President Joe Biden nominated Kurt Campbell to the no. 2 spot. Campbell took office last month. Nuland had served at the U.S. embassy in Moscow in the tumultuous 1990s and was in the city during the attempted coup against former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. She then became U.S. ambassador to NATO before being tapped to serve as the State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton during President Barack Obamas first term. As the department spokeswoman and later as assistant Secretary of State for Europe, Nuland drew the ire of many Russian leaders for her outspoken defense of Ukraine, particularly after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Former Secretary of State John Kerry has recalled on numerous times that when Nuland left the spokeswomans job during his tenure to become the top diplomat for Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov congratulated him for getting rid of that woman. Kerry said he replied to Lavrov that he didnt get rid of her, I promoted her. Current Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Nuland for her three and a half decades of public service and thanked her for her role in shaping U.S. policy around the world under six presidents and 10 secretaries of state. But its Torias leadership on Ukraine that diplomats and students of foreign policy will study for years to come, Blinken said in a statement. Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure, and helping Ukraine work toward the day when it will be able to stand strongly on its own feet democratically, economically, and militarily. The Russian foreign ministry immediately seized on the announcement, calling it an admission of failed U.S. policy toward Russia. They wont tell you the reason," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "But it is simple - the failure of the anti-Russian course of the Biden 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. Nuland will be replaced temporarily as under secretary by another career diplomat, John Bass, a former ambassador to Afghanistan who oversaw the U.S. withdrawal from the country. He is currently the undersecretary of state for management. U.S. officials said the favorite to succeed Nuland in a permanent capacity is the current U.S. ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, a one-time Pentagon official who also served as then-Vice President Biden's deputy national security adviser. [Source] Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, topped a list of the world's most polluted cities on Monday. Cause of pollution: Hanoi is enveloped in thick smog caused by high levels of particulates attributed to widespread construction, vehicle emissions, carbon emissions from coal plants and agricultural burning, contributing to its position on Swiss air quality firm IQ-Air's list. Hanoi's 8 million registered vehicles contribute to 30% of air particulate pollution, while industrial emissions account for another 30%, according to a 2021 World Bank report. Negative effects: The citys severe levels of PM2.5 pollutants were classified as very unhealthy, exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) annual guideline by over 24 times. The WHO highlights that exposure to air pollution or PM2.5 pollutants is associated with severe health conditions, including strokes, heart disease and lung cancer. Safety measures: Due to the serious health risks, healthcare authorities had advised residents of the need to wear masks and limit outdoor activities. A recent World Bank report indicates that 40% of Hanoi's population is exposed to air pollution concentrations nearly five times higher than the WHO guidelines. Trending on NextShark: Asian restaurant slams influencer's request for free meal in exchange for exposure This is damaging for our health, Duong Kim Oanh, a 58-year-old Hanoi resident, told Reuters. I think Hanoi's pollution is caused by a large number of personal vehicles and the fine dust from all the construction, plus this cold weather. Hanoi airport delays: Last month, nearly 100 flights to and from Hanoi's international airport faced delays or were redirected to alternative cities due to dense fog blanketing the city, resulting in a surge in air pollution and a significant reduction in visibility. Trending on NextShark: Japan expands free day care centers to all children Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Tuesday he was expecting Vietnam and Australia to announce an upgrade of their bilateral ties during his ongoing visit to Australia. The move would "bring the two countries' relationship into greater depth, substance and effectiveness," Chinh said in a government statement. The ties would be upgraded to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership, from the strategic partnership agreed in 2018. That would put Vietnam's relations with Australia on the same level as the United States, Japan, Russia, India and China. Chinh said it will boost political trust and cooperation in trade, science, education and culture. (Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Martin Petty) Truong My Lan is said to have swindled the cash from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) over the course of a decade, leaving unsuspecting investors out of pocket (Nhac NGUYEN) A top Vietnamese property tycoon went on trial Tuesday along with dozens of others, accused of embezzling $12.5 billion in the country's biggest ever fraud case. Truong My Lan, chair of major developer Van Thinh Phat, is said to have swindled the cash from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) over the course of a decade, leaving unsuspecting investors out of pocket. Eighty-five others are also on trial in southern business hub Ho Chi Minh City, including former central bankers, former government officials and ex-SCB executives -- among them two Chinese nationals still at large, state media said. They face charges including bribery, abuse of power, appropriation and violations of banking law. State media on Tuesday showed pictures of dozens of vans carrying the defendants to the court where heavy security was on guard inside and out. Police have identified around 42,000 victims of the scandal, which has shocked the country and led hundreds to stage protests in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City -- a rarity in a one-party communist state that tolerates no dissent. Lan, who is married to a wealthy Hong Kong businessman, is accused of setting up fake loan applications to withdraw money from SCB, in which she owned a 90 percent stake. Police say those caught up in the scam are all SCB bondholders who cannot withdraw their money and have not received interest or principal payments since Lan's arrest in October 2022. The value of Lan's alleged asset appropriation, which occurred between 2012 and 2022, was equivalent to around three percent of Vietnam's GDP in 2022. Authorities have said that the $5.2 million allegedly given by Lan and some SCB bankers to state officials to conceal SCB's violations and poor financial situation was the biggest ever bribery sum recorded in Vietnam. According to Ho Chi Minh City's Law newspaper, 10 prosecutors and nearly 200 lawyers will attend the trial. Documents weighing up to six tonnes will be handled in the almost two-month long trial, the longest ever in Vietnam. The arrests came as part of a national corruption crackdown that has swept up many officials and members of the country's business elite in recent years. More than 4,400 people have been indicted across more than 1,700 graft cases since 2021. Other top business leaders targeted in the anti-corruption drive -- and accused of massive fraud -- include Truong Quy Thanh, the head of soft drink giant Tan Hiep Phat Group. He is to be prosecuted along with his two daughters for allegedly appropriating $31.5 million. Do Anh Dung, chairman of developer Tan Hoang Minh Group, will also face trial for illegally acquiring $355 million in a bond sale to more than 6,500 investors. bur/aph/pdw/mtp Easington Colliery was one of the most militant during the strike The miners' strike of 1984-85 still casts a long shadow in a village which saw some of the most militant workers picket. Days of trouble in Easington, County Durham, started when pickets found out a single strike breaker, Paul Wilkinson, had been smuggled into work through a back entrance. The picketers felt duped, and with a strike breaker now in the colliery, they went on the rampage and broke in. Bricks and lumps of metal were thrown through office windows at Easington Colliery. The coal board, at the time, said it was a "miracle" no-one was hurt inside. David Ord was on the picket in Easington David Ord, a striking miner, admitted he was involved in smashing up the colliery. "I turned a car over with other lads," he said, adding: "I got arrested two days later." Mr Ord said: "We just wanted revenge for the devious way they would sneak them in the back door. "Orgreave was violent, but I think Easington was just as violent when it went up." Picketer Alan Cummings described it as "the might of the state" against one pit village Former miners have described the violence that ensued between police officers and picketers. Easington saw police from various parts of the UK, including Wales and the Midlands, surrounding the colliery and the striking miners, using video cameras to record people's faces. Alan Cummings, a striking miner, said: "They were fighting for their jobs and their livelihoods and you'd get police beating...people." Another striking miner, John Wood, said: "I still live the strike all the time. "Division is still there. Until there's not one miner left alive, it will always still be there." 'Under siege' Residents in Easington said it felt like the village was under siege. Heather Wood, who lived in Easington in 1984, said: "Our village green - you couldn't see it. It was black because it was full of police in uniform. "I went to go down from the village to the colliery, the place where you've lived all your life, and the police are there with a cordon. "'Where are you going? How long are you going to be? Who are you seeing?'" Heather Wood lived in Easington during the strikes in 1984 The National Union of Mineworkers held a special conference on 3 March 1985, where coalfield delegates narrowly voted to end the strike. Miners returned to work on 5 March. Easington Colliery eventually closed on 7 May 1993, with hundreds of jobs lost. Forty years on from the miners' strike, the pit site has since become a park, but the legacy lingers. Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk More on this story Related internet links Soon after I had an abortion I read Annie Ernauxs Happening, her personal account of the illegal abortion she had in France in 1963, which almost killed her. The book and its film adaptation impacted me so greatly that it became the basis of my MA thesis and eventual PhD. At the time, as now, the noose of restrictive abortion laws in countries across the world was being tightened, putting more and more womens lives in danger. America was months away from overturning Roe v Wade and the UK was beginning to see the steepest rise in abortion-related prosecutions for decades. Yet still I felt grateful to live in a country where I could access a safe abortion with relatively few barriers. Its only recently that I began to recognise how misplaced that gratitude was. Ive spent the years since my abortion researching and writing my own books that aim to normalise and humanise the realities of the abortion experience, holding close the statistic I soon learned by heart that one in three women in the UK will have at least one abortion by the time they are 45 years old. Since Ive come to realise how normal abortion actually is, Ive written at length about the significant damage the unnecessary laws and stigmas surrounding it do to women. As a result, Im no longer grateful. As soon as I heard the news that France had voted to enshrine abortion as a guaranteed freedom in its constitution and saw the images of the Eiffel Tower lit up with the words My body my choice I became adamant. I, too, want the right not to bear children. It angers me that as a woman living in the UK in 2024 I dont have the right to choose what happens to my own body. Our archaic laws surrounding abortion mean that I, and all pregnant people, can be forced to bear children against our will, and anybody can face prosecution if its suspected they have broken these laws. We are not alone. Performing an abortion only on the basis of a womans request is allowed in just 34 per cent of countries across the world. I refuse to be grateful for the limited concessions to the law that make abortion available in this country anything less than abortion as a guaranteed, robustly preserved right simply isnt good enough. Sixty years after Ernaux was left with no choice but to risk her own life in order to end a pregnancy she did not want, France has ended any risk of these kinds of injustices befalling its citizens ever again. Meanwhile, the UK refuses even to implement buffer zones around abortion clinics in order to protect the physical and mental health of the vulnerable people accessing services from the protesters who believe they have some kind of sovereign knowledge about what somebody else should do with their own body. And at the same time, abortion-related prosecutions in the UK continue to damage the lives of more and more women. My question is, who are these laws benefitting? Surely we can all agree that no woman should have to face the horror of being criminally investigated after suffering a miscarriage or a still birth, yet our laws allow this to happen. Nobody should be facing the endangerment of their own life in order to carry a non-viable foetus to term, and yet every day in America new horror stories are surfacing. All the while abortion is not decriminalised in England, America is showing us how until a country enshrines abortion as an absolute right, it is not exempt from going backwards. There is no safety until there is absolute safety. In recounting the day of her illegal abortion in 1963, Ernaux, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2022, wrote: On Wednesday 15 January I caught a train to Paris in the early afternoon I entered a church and sat there for a long time, praying that I should not suffer. Sadly, the laws in France in the 1960s meant that Ernaux did suffer and almost died. In whose interests? Anti-abortionists often talk about being pro-life. The Vatican itself couldnt help but weigh in uninvited soon after France made its recent heroic steps towards a safe future for its women, by appealing to governments to do their best so that the protection of life becomes an absolute priority. I wonder if they have read Ernauxs story and the devastating impact abortion bans had on her life? I wonder if they care? Last year, I took my daughter to Paris for her 18th birthday. I was in the process of editing my first book, which had been accepted for publication the Christmas before, and I couldnt help but think of Ernaux walking the damp streets of the city, first on her way to the house of the illegal abortionist, then back towards the train station, bleeding; the Eiffel Tower, somewhere in the distance, remaining unnoticed. The photo I have of my daughter and I looking up at the tower as it dazzled us with its hourly display of dancing lights is something I treasure. I wish she and I could have been standing there again yesterday to witness in person the words My body my choice writ large amongst the sparkles for all to see. France has now shown the world the way by standing up for what is possible and what is right. The Eiffel Tower bearing such beautiful proof of its countrys monumental decision might give us all hope. To give women true bodily autonomy and freedom of choice is indeed a beautiful thing. Now I want it for us all. Amelia Loullis debut poetry collection Slip will be published by Jonathan Cape on 23 May 2024 Michigan National Guard veteran Gary Voisin was recently named Cheboygan County's Hometown Hero for the month of March by the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee. CHEBOYGAN Michigan National Guard veteran Gary Voisin was recently named Cheboygan County's Hometown Hero for the month of March. Voisin served in the National Guard for 12 years. According to the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee, Voisin has been an active Rotary member for over 62 years and served as the Rotary secretary for the last four years. He has also volunteered in numerous fundraising efforts and construction projects that have benefited the Cheboygan community, including the skateboard and tee-ball parks and the school backpack fundraiser. Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you Members of the Cheboygan County Veterans Subcommittee present Michigan National Guard veteran Gary Voisin (left) with the Hometown Hero for the month award. The goal of the Hometown Hero program is to recognize veterans who have not only served their country, but have also given back to the community in which they live and have a positive impact. Members of the community can nominate a veteran to receive the award by filling out a form. These forms need to contain the veteran's name, their branch of service, what years they served in the military and why the nominating person feels the veteran should be honored. These forms can be picked up at the Cheboygan County Veterans Services Office in Room 122, on the lower level of the Cheboygan County Building. The form can also be found online. Completed forms can be returned to the veterans office, or by mailing them to Hometown Heroes, Cheboygan County Veterans Service, 870 S. Main St., Room 122, Cheboygan, MI 49721. Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Voisin named Hometown Hero for March in Cheboygan County Volcano erupts on Galapagos island where last known 'fantastic giant tortoise' was found A volcano has erupted on an island in the Galapagos where the last known survivor of a species of giant tortoise was discovered. The La Cumbre volcano on Fernandina island began erupting on Saturday night, lighting up the nighttime sky as lava tumbled down its sides toward the sea. Fernandina was home to Fernanda, a lone female giant tortoise who was discovered living on an isolated vegetation patch on the island in 2019. Read the full story of Fernanda's discovery here. Officials from Ecuador's Geophysical Institute said it could be the largest eruption La Cumbre has seen since 2017. The 1,476-metre volcano last erupted in 2020. The La Cumbre volcano is one of the most active in the Galapagos Island chain, which is famous throughout the world for helping 19th century British scientist Charles Darwin develop his theory of evolution. Will wildlife on the island be affected? There are no humans living on the island, which is home to a number of species including iguanas, penguins and flightless cormorants. One person who got uniquely close to the eruption on 3 March is Dr Jorge Carrion, director of conservation at the Galapagos Conservancy, a US-based nonprofit dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Galapagos Islands. While on a conservation mission to Wolf Volcano on neighbouring Isabella island, he witnessed columns of gas and ash rising into the night sky above Fernandina. The current eruption of La Cumbre Volcano, while not posing a significant immediate threat to any Galapagos wildlife, serves as a stark reminder of the constant volcanic activity that has shaped these islands over millions of years and still can occasionally imperil species, the Galapagos Conservancy writes on its website. Fernanda the giant tortoise was relocated after her discovery. She is currently housed in the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center in Santa Cruz, the conservancy said in December. A large-scale mission to find a male mate for the female tortoise on Fernandina has so far proved fruitless. Sadly, Fernanda looks fated to become an endling of her species. In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 countries with the highest prostate cancer rates in the world. If you do not want to learn about the global prostate cancer market, head straight to the 5 Countries With The Highest Prostate Cancer Rates In The World. Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, with certain countries reporting higher incidence rates than others. From well-established risk factors to regional healthcare disparities, understanding the geographical variations in prostate cancer rates sheds light on the complexities of this disease and underscores the importance of targeted interventions and awareness campaigns on a global scale. Understanding the Global landscape of Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer worldwide, with over 3.1 million men in the United States diagnosed with it. In the US, there were an estimated 268,490 new cases and 34,500 deaths from prostate cancer in 2022. Prostate cancer is more common in older men, with about 6 out of 10 cases diagnosed in men aged 65 and older. African American men have a higher incidence rate than White men, with mortality rates roughly twice as high. Epidemiological insights reveal that African American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer globally, attributed to genetic factors and disparities in healthcare access. Mortality rates for prostate cancer vary worldwide, with the highest rates recorded in Central America and Western Europe. The US Preventive Task Force suggests a potential benefit of decreasing deaths from prostate cancer in men aged 55-69 years. Financially, the global prostate cancer therapeutics market is expected to reach $26.7 billion by 2031, driven by an aging population and innovative drugs extending survival rates for advanced cancer patients. North America dominates this market, accounting for 41.1% of sales in 2022, followed by the 5EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK). Key players in this market include Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Astellas Pharma, Inc., AstraZeneca plc, and others. Story continues Navigating the Global Landscape of Cancer: Costs, Challenges, and Perspectives Innovative cancer treatments, including molecular therapies and advanced diagnostics, are transforming healthcare globally. However, their high costs place a heavy financial burden on patients, affecting their well-being. Cancer patients face median annual expenses ranging from $1,730 to $4,727, surpassing those without cancer by $976 to $1,170. Between 22% and 64% of cancer patients experience stress over medical bills, worsening financial hardships for vulnerable groups. Global spending on cancer medicines surged to $185 billion in 2021, mainly in developed markets like the US, EU4+UK, and Japan. Despite promising outcomes, ensuring equitable access remains a challenge. In 2020, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million deaths worldwide, with prevalent cancers like breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, and stomach significantly impacting global health. Mortality rates highlight cancer's profound impact, causing approximately one in six deaths globally. The World Cancer Research Fund's estimate of 18,094,716 diagnosed cases in 2020 underscores cancer's multifaceted nature. The age-standardized rate was 190 cases per 100,000 individuals, higher among men at 206.9 compared to women at 178.1. These figures emphasize the complex challenge of addressing cancer comprehensively. The pricing of cancer therapies, especially biologics, is heavily impacted by market dynamics and comparative effectiveness research, posing challenges in global price comparisons and resource allocation. Key players like Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) are at the forefront, emphasizing personalized medicine and innovative research to advance cancer treatment. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) has been instrumental in advancing cancer treatment, particularly in immuno-oncology. Their support for research by Dr. Jim Allison and Dr. Tasuku Honjo led to the development of the first widely accessible immunotherapy, improving outcomes for various cancers. Recently, they gained FDA approval for relatlimab, a new cancer immunotherapy expected to exceed $4 billion in annual sales when combined with Opdivo. They're also developing immune cell engagers and targeted protein degradation modalities. With the FDA approval of Augtyro for lung cancer targeting the ROS1 gene alteration, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) demonstrates a solid commitment to innovation. Financially, they anticipate significant sales from Opdivo and relatlimab combination therapy, with other promising products in their pipeline contributing to future growth by 2030. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) is committed to transforming cancer care across various types, including lung, breast, ovarian, prostate, blood, liver, and pancreatic cancers. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) focus on understanding cancer complexities to develop life-changing treatments and improve patient outcomes. Key contributions include active involvement in lung cancer research via partnerships like the Lung Ambition Alliance, advancing breast cancer care with innovative medicines like Truqap, and boasting a diverse oncology portfolio focusing on targeting cancer cells effectively at every stage, utilizing platforms like Tumour Drivers and Resistance (TDR) and Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC). 15 Countries With The Highest Prostate Cancer Rates In The World A scientist in a lab researching the biology of a cancer cell. Our Methodology For our methodology, we have ranked the countries with the highest prostate cancer rates in the world based on the 2020 prostate cancer rates ASR/100,000. For data accuracy, we have relied on WCRF. Note: Although our list is on countries, we've also included some territories of other countries separately due to their high incidence rates. Here is our list of the 15 countries with the highest prostate cancer rates in the world. 15. The United Kingdom Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 80.7 Prostate cancer is a prominent health issue in the UK, with high survival rates of almost 8 in 10 men surviving for ten years or more after diagnosis. The UK is one of the countries with the highest prostate cancer rates in the world. However, the incidence of prostate cancer remains substantial, with a notable number of new cases reported annually. Regional variations are evident, with a significant North-South divide in diagnoses. In London, only 12.5% of men are diagnosed with metastatic disease, compared to over 35% in Scotland. These differences highlight the necessity for targeted interventions and awareness efforts to address regional variations in diagnosis and treatment outcomes. 14. Australia Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 85.6 Prostate cancer is a significant health issue in Australia, with a diagnosis rate of 85.6 per 100,000 people and a median age of diagnosis at 69 years. It's a leading cause of male cancer deaths, responsible for about 12% of all male cancer-related deaths. Survival rates vary by stage, with a 100% five-year relative survival rate for Stage I but only 36.4% for Stage 4 cases. It's the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, affecting approximately one in six males by age 85. 13. Czech Republic Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 88 The Czech Republic, with a population of over 10.5 million, grapples with significant cancer challenges, witnessing over 82,000 diagnoses annually, resulting in more than 27,000 deaths. Prostate cancer is a considerable concern, with 8,000 new cases recorded yearly. Managing cancer imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system, with significant expenses for diagnosis, treatment, and care contributing to financial strain. 12. New Zealand Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 90.8 New Zealand has a high incidence of prostate cancer, with around 4,000 new cases annually, making it the most common cancer in men. There's no formal screening program; instead, opportunistic screening is provided by primary care physicians. The increasing incidence of clinically significant disease is projected to impact the aging male population, necessitating effective treatment and preventive strategies. 11. Bahamas Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 98 The Bahamas faces a notable burden of prostate cancer, reporting 201 new cases in 2020 with a mortality rate of 98.0 per 100,000 people (age-standardized). The adjusted mortality rate in 2019 was 44.7 per 100,000 men. A study on non-metastatic prostate cancer showed a 5-year and 10-year overall survival rate of 94%. 10. France Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 99 France stands among the countries with high prostate cancer rates, with over 66,000 new cases in 2020 and an age-standardized incidence rate of 99 per 100,000 people. While the incidence of cancer in French men decreased by 1.3% annually between 2005 and 2012, there were still 204,600 new cancer cases and 67,800 cancer-related deaths in 2018. Additionally, over 1 million adults in France had survived cancer for five years by 2012, representing around 2.5% of the population. 9. Sweden Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 100.4 Sweden ranks fourth globally in prostate cancer mortality, 21% higher than the United States. Despite some success in managing localized cases, overall mortality remains high. PSA testing has increased incidence and prevalence, with familial cases notable. Geographical variation exists in Sweden's prostate cancer rates. The economic burden is significant, with treatment costs impacting healthcare expenditure. 8. Puerto Rica Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 101.2 Prostate cancer rates in Puerto Rico are among the highest globally, with an incidence rate of 101 per 100,000 people, making Puerto Rica stand among the countries with the highest prostate cancer rates in the world. Older Puerto Rican men, especially those aged 85 and above, have a higher incidence compared to non-Hispanic whites and US Hispanics. Between 2007 and 2011, Puerto Rico reported an average annual cancer incidence rate of 339 cases per 100,000 persons, with prostate cancer being one of the most prevalent types. The Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry recorded 68,312 invasive cancers diagnosed during this period, with prostate cancer being common. 7. Estonia Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 102.1 Estonia faces challenges in accurately reporting prostate cancer mortality rates, urging careful interpretation. PSA testing has led to a significant rise in prostate cancer incidence, making it the most common cancer among Estonian men, with 1,100 new cases annually and 3,800 deaths yearly. Late-stage diagnoses persist compared to other European countries. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 9% drop in cancer diagnoses in 2020. Estonia provides free cancer screenings and treatment for insured and unemployed individuals, including Ukrainian war refugees with insurance. Ongoing efforts aim to improve screening rates, guided by the Estonian National Cancer Control Plan (2021-2030). 6. Saint Lucia Prostate Cancer Rate ASR/100,000: 103.2 Saint Lucia has one of the world's highest rates of prostate cancer, with 135 new cases and 54 deaths in 2020. Saint Lucia has two public cancer centers per 10,000 patients but requires more resources and research investment for improved care. With 182,795 premature deaths from non-communicable diseases in 2016, addressing cancer is vital for reducing mortality rates. Click to see and continue reading the 5 Countries With The Highest Prostate Cancer Rates In The World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure. None: The 15 Countries With The Highest Prostate Cancer Rates In The World is originally published on Insider Monkey. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Voters in 15 states will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the Republican presidential primary. This is a make-or-break moment for Nikki Haley who is looking to make up ground on former president Donald Trump who is moving closer to the GOP presidential nomination. We can either have more of the same or we can go in a new direction, Haley said. Haley is telling voters to reject her former boss. Chaos follows him. And we cant be a country in disarray and a world on fire and go through four more years of chaos. We wont survive it, Haley added. Monday the Supreme Court handed former president Trump a victory, ruling he cannot be removed from any state ballots over his actions leading up to the January 6th Capitol riot. Look, I want to win based on my policies are better, Trump said. Meanwhile, activists in states like Minnesota are pushing those headed to democratic primary polls today to vote uncommitted in protest of President Bidens handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Both Biden and Trump are already looking ahead to a rematch in November. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. BUZZARDS BAY Bourne resident Phil Murphy finished breakfast at Leos Breakfast Restaurant Tuesday morning and made his way to the polls at the Veteran's Memorial Community Center a few blocks away. As he walked through the mist to cast his ballot, he offered thoughts about the election. I just hope (Donald) Trump doesnt get in, he said. He tried to overturn the election. He lied about everything. He lies about everything." Voters at the polls in Bourne, Sandwich and Harwich shared their thoughts on Super Tuesday morning about Trump and President Joe Biden along with what they think the most important issues are this election. Those issues, according to voters, included immigration, border control, the economy and a need to preserve democracy. Poll workers Carol Taylor, left, Susan Ridenour and Vicki Marchant, right, coax folded mail-in ballots into the voting machine at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center where three town of Barnstable precincts voted in Tuesday's primary. By 8 a.m., about 60 people had turned out to vote at the Community Center, according to Precinct One Warden Edwin Smith. He oversaw a team of volunteer election workers. Theres always hype with elections, he said. Its just different hype. People get excited. Later in the morning at the Corpus Christi Parish Hall in East Sandwich, a steady stream of voters pulled in and out of the large parking lot. Debra Bailes was one of them. Bailes, 63, isn't happy with what she called an invasion of immigrants in the country illegally. She said half of her husbands paycheck is going to taxes. She wants Trump back in office. Hes done a lot for our country, she said. Im not a Trump lover, but I do love his politics. We need big changes. David Kontny, a former U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant, said he voted because he had served in the military. We have men and women serving all over the world to allow us this privilege," he said. "I think we should get out of our chairs to come out in the rain. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/03/super-tuesday-ballot-choosing-state-town-party-committees-massachusetts/72804490007/ Paul Houlihan said there were a lot of issues on the table in this election. The first is we have to keep our democracy, he said. Second because of all the social justice issues that need to be addressed immigration, minorities, poor people. They arent the enemy. Immigrants have made this country. Theyll continue to make this country. Nearly 400 Harwich residents had turned out to vote at the Community Center by 10 a.m., Town Clerk Emily Mitchell said. The four town precincts included 11,701 voters, she said. A steady stream of people had passed through the doors since opening at 7 a.m. Its been steady to busy, she said, standing behind a bench of poll workers. About 30 of them were on hand to handle registrations, check-ins and check-outs. Harwich election workers Jamie Goodwin, left, and Christina Joyce process mail-in ballots as voters headed to the polls at the Harwich Community Center on Super Tuesday. To see more photos go to www.capecodtimes.com. For Richard Omar, the biggest issues were border control and the economy. America is going down the drain, he said, especially border control. Everyone in the Middle East is laughing at this president because hes not doing anything. We didnt have these problems when Trump was in office. Monomy High School students run exit poll John Dickson, a civics teacher at Monomoy Regional High School, had brought a group of his students to conduct exit polls at the center. It's a tradition that goes back to 1998. Between three classes he estimates the students poll a couple of hundred voters. Its a valuable experience for them to have conversations with voters, Dickson said as he watched the students question a couple who came out the door. It makes politics real. Dickson stepped in to ask a woman a series of questions his students were asking: What party are you in? Who did you vote for? Who will you vote for in November? What are the most important issues in the election? Janice Staicar puts pen to ballot as she casts her vote at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center where three town of Barnstable precincts voted in Tuesday's primary. Grace Filliman said she was a Republican. She voted for Trump and expects to vote for Trump in November. The most important issues were between the border and the economy, she said. Harwich Clerk Mitchell smiled when she heard Dickson and his students were outside conducting exit polls. She participated in one when she was a senior at Monomoy. It was great to see the democratic process in action, she said, when asked what she got out of the high school experience. It helped me develop the confidence to speak with people. To have an honest communication about democracy. Mass. one of 14 states holding elections on Super Tuesday Registered voters on the Cape joined people in 14 other states and 1 territory casting ballots for the presidential candidate they want to represent their party on Election Day in November. Ballots also had slates of candidates for Democratic and Republican State Committee Man and Woman for Democrats and Republicans (voted by state Senate districts) as well as Democratic and Republican Town Committees. The Republican ballots had seven candidates, though only Trump and Nikki Haley were officially in the running. The Democratic ballot included Biden, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson. The libertarian ballot listed five candidates. All ballots gave voters the option of voting "no preference, for their partys presidential candidate. According to the Associated Press, Trump had 273 delegates and needed 1,215 more to clinch the nomination. Haley won one primary on Sunday in Washington, D.C. On the Democrat side, Biden had 206 delegates and would need 1,968 to clinch the nomination. Denise Coffey writes about business, tourism and issues impacting Cape Cod's residents and visitors. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. The Cape Cod Times mobile app gets you to the heart of the matter fast. Whether breaking news, sports, entertainment or weather get succinct, personalized coverage along with award-winning videos, captivating photography, and interactive user features. Download the app. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape voters cite democracy, economy, border as top issues on ballot Tuesday, millions of Americans will cast their ballot in presidential primaries and caucuses in 15 states and one territory around the country. Since We the People exercise our sovereign authority indirectly through elected officials, voting is one of the most important things a citizen in our constitutional democratic republic can do. But voting is not enough. Those who designed our Constitution intended it to work with a citizenry who were more than just voters. As legend has it, Benjamin Franklin was asked by a woman, after emerging from the secret and monthslong meetings of the Constitutional Convention, what type of government the Convention had proposed to the people. His supposed response was, A republic, if you can keep it. Whether or not this conversation occurred, it reminds us that the people are responsible for keeping the republic. And while our Constitutions designers felt the people must have many virtues for our system of government to function properly, there are three Is especially worth remembering: being informed, involved and independent. Informed Thomas Jefferson was so concerned about the need for informed citizens for the success of this great experiment in republican self-government that he founded a university: the University of Virginia. Ronald Reagan reiterated this theme in more recent times with a call for informed patriots. What exactly must our nations citizens be informed about? First, the nature of our constitutional system, which is so much more than just how a bill becomes law. That includes familiarity with the core principles of the Constitution: popular sovereignty, the separation of powers, federalism, the protection of rights, the rule of law and equal justice. Second, we must know our history, the inspiring and the ignominious. It gives us context for our own time. Knowing the good helps us want to accomplish good in our day, and connects us to earlier Americans who did likewise. Knowing the bad helps us avoid similar mistakes. As Winston Churchill once wrote, Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Third, we must be informed about current events and actions taken by our government. We are the overseers of our government officials. If we dont know what theyre doing or failing to do, how can we hold them accountable? Fourth, while we need to know the policy positions of candidates and officials, we must also know their character. Policy positions change, character tends to be constant. The scoundrel and the saint are unlikely to change once they get into office, especially the former. So investigating who people are is just as crucial, if not more so, than what they propose doing once elected (particularly since events can throw those plans out the window and make character so much more important). John Adams once observed that, Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. The same could be said about our government leaders. In fact, so concerned were the Framers of our Constitution about the character of the president, for example, that they designed the elaborate Electoral College to help filter out those who would not be fit for the office. (The Electoral College functions differently today than it was initially conceived.) Involved Being informed is necessary but not sufficient. Armed with knowledge, we must then act for our government system to succeed. One of the most important actions we take, after casting an informed vote, is passing on constitutional literacy to the next generation. Just as a language can die out in one generation if the rising generation is not tutored in its tongue, so can an understanding of and appreciation for our Constitution, which would be fatal to our republic. There are other ways to be involved. We can persuade others, using reason rather than passion, as Abraham Lincoln urged in his famous 1838 Lyceum Address. Said he, Passion ... will in future be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason must furnish all the materials for our future support and defense. Let those materials be molded into general intelligence, sound morality and, in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws. We can assemble, speak and petition our government. We can serve in government or in parties. We can donate money to individuals or groups. And, in some states, we can seek to amend the law or the state constitution, among other things. This is more than any one person can possibly do, but everyone can at least do something. That wont be easy. It will require sacrifice. But while the rent for living in a republic is not cheap, it costs much less than the alternative. Independent Independence is in our blood. Our political forebears were not content to let others be our rulers, throwing off the most powerful nation in the world to strike out on what others thought was doomed for failure: governing ourselves. That spirit of independence and liberty continued with the struggle for emancipation, and then equal treatment and civil rights, by Black Americans. And it has been manifested by other groups as well. Our nations Founders envisioned a people that had a certain degree of independence. In his 1796 farewell address, George Washington expressed hope that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained; that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue; tha(t), in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete. But for this hope to be more than wishful thinking, he raised the warnings of a parting friend. Among the dangers he highlighted was that of political party, which seldom has the interest of the whole nation at heart, and which he feared would become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government. While Washington admitted that the spirit of party exists in all governments, he warned that its baleful effects can gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty. Thus, Washington observed that the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. In sum, he counseled on having at least some independence from political parties. In short, if you are in a state holding an election Tuesday, please vote. And then, also remember that in order to keep our republic, a little more is required of We the People. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Vice President Kamala Harris met in Washington with Benny Gantz, a member of Israels War Cabinet. The meeting comes a day after the vice president added her voice to the calls for Israel and Hamas to end the fighting. There must be an immediate ceasefire, Harris said. On Monday, the vice president made clear that the U.S supports Israel. Israel has a right to defend itself. We got to make sure that innocent civilians are not being killed, she said. But said again, negotiators need to reach agreement on a ceasefire. Were in a window of time right now where we can actually get a hostage deal done, Harris added. The White House says the deal currently on the table would halt fighting for at least six weeks, free Israeli hostages, and allow aid workers to help innocent Palestinians in the region. Far too many Palestinian civilians, innocent civilians have been killed, Harris said. The State Department says many Palestinians are desperate for food, water, and other resources. Over the weekend, the U.S air-dropped 38,000 meals ready to eat into Gaza. The United States is focused on increasing and sustaining aid in Gaza through as many channels as possible, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) warns of a future where no ceasefire happens. 58,000 more Palestinians dead within six months, if we dont have a cease-fire. The President can get this done, Khanna said. The White House says Israel is on board with the latest offer and hopes Hamas will cooperate. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Thursday marks the end of the 2024 Washington legislative session, leaving lawmakers only a few more days to wrap up loose ends during this years short 60-day session. Three of those items on the agenda: the states supplemental operating budget, transportation budget and capital budget, which still must be voted on before adjournment March 7. Additionally, lawmakers this week will need to concur on amendments passed by the opposite chamber before the legislation can be considered passed by the Legislature, and sent off to the governor for signing. On Monday three controversial initiatives that have been one of the most widely-talked about issues during Washingtons 2024 legislative session passed off the Senate debate floor. Lawmakers first debated I-2111, an initiative to prohibit income taxes from being imposed on residents by cities, counties or the state. With little debate, the Senate passed the measure 38-11, with all no votes coming from Democrats Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, said the initiative was designed to do one thing, which is to codify in law the states longstanding tradition of not having a tax on personal income. She said it was drafted narrowly enough that it does not apply to other types of taxes. Robinson voted in favor of the initiative. The Senate then considered and unanimously passed I-2081, an initiative to require parental notification. Although most Democrats have been staunchly opposed to the initiatives, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said he would vote in favor of I-2081 because most of the requirements are already included in state statute. Pedersen said there were some concerns with how the other requirements would interfere with current state laws, but ultimately voted in favor of the measure. Senate lawmakers also addressed I-2113, an initiative to rollback police pursuit laws passed by legislative Democrats in the last few years, and voted 36-13 to pass the measure. Several Democratic lawmakers who were opposed to the legislation spoke during the floor debate. Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, said it was worth pointing out that not all law enforcement in the state supports the initiative, and that some larger counties and cities in the state have already adopted best practices for pursuits that are more in line with the current law. The initiative weakens that standard, said Kuderer. Later in the afternoon, House lawmakers also passed the initiatives, starting with police pursuits. It passed with a 77-20 vote after more than an hour of debate. Rep. Kelly Chambers, R-Puyallup, said she believed all lawmakers in the Legislature have had constituents who have been negatively impacted by law enforcements inability to conduct pursuits in a similar manner to the previous police pursuit law. She said she was supporting the initiative because she stands for the rule of law. While not all House Democrats were onboard with the initiative, all House Republicans voted in favor. Many members of the House Republican caucus spoke to the initiative on the debate floor before passage. State Republican lawmakers were thrilled with the passage. Its our job to listen to the people we serve. This is a very good day, said Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, in a news release Monday. The parental rights initiative did not pass as easily in the House, but eventually passed with a 82-15 vote. House lawmakers then passed the income tax initiative with a 76-21 vote. Initiatives do not require a signature by the governor and will go into effect 90 days after the adjournment of session on June 5. The three initiatives were part of a broader campaign by Lets Go Washington, a conservative-backed organization to repeal and amend several state laws. Total, the organization spent more than $7 million to get six initiatives certified and brought before the Legislature. However, leading Democratic lawmakers have said they will not hear three other initiatives related to amending the Washington Cares Act, amending parts of the Climate Commitment Act, and repealing the capital gains tax before the 2024 legislative session adjourns for the year Thursday. Those initiatives will instead go directly to the ballot in November. Lawmakers also cleared their last major cutoff date for bills last week, as legislation that was not passed by the opposite chamber Friday will no longer be considered this year. Here are some of the bills that died last week and will not have further consideration this year: Striking workers House Bill 1893 A bill heavily supported by labor unions in the state, this legislation would have allowed striking workers to access unemployment insurance benefits for up to four weeks. Additionally, workers would have been able to access unemployment insurance benefits during employer-initiated lockouts. After passing the House last month, the bill did not have enough support in the Senate and was not brought to the debate floor before the cutoff. A companion bill introduced in the Senate also did not pass this session. Hospital merger Senate Bill 5241 Under this legislation, the state attorney general would have been able to prevent the merger of hospitals in the state if that merger would impact access to emergency care, primary care, reproductive health care, gender affirming care, or end-of-life care. The legislation would have also required the attorney general to hold public hearings on proposed hospital merger transactions. Lawmakers read the bill onto the floor Friday before going to caucus, but returned hours later to adjourn instead of debate the legislation that included dozens of amendments. Even year elections House Bill 1932 Legislation that would have allowed cities to shift local elections to even-numbered years in the state failed to pass this session, after no action was taken on the bill in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The bill made it out of the House earlier in the session with mixed support from both parties, leading to a 52-45 vote. Transit-oriented housing development House Bill 2160 Requested by the office of the governor, this legislation would have allowed more multi-use housing development centered in transit areas in cities planning under the Growth Management Act. The Senate Ways and Means Committee chose not to take a vote on the bill rendering it dead for the year after a 56-40 vote in the House. Independent prosecutors office House Bill 1579 This bill would have established the Office of Independent Prosecutions under the attorney generals office to investigate police use of force cases. Led by an independent counsel, the bill authorized the office to file, or decline to file, criminal charges against officers accused of use of force, and to initiate prosecution. The bill first passed the House this session with a 53-44 vote, but no executive session was held on the bill in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. This was the second year the bill was considered by lawmakers. WAITE PARK Luxury car brand Genesis is making strides to expand its Minnesota footprint with a new dealership in Waite Park, which was unanimously approved by the Waite Park City Council at its Feb. 26 meeting. City Administrator Shaunna Johnson told City Council members that the Waite Park location, which is commonly referred to as the Genesis of St. Cloud, will be the second Genesis dealership in Minnesota. Genesis other Minnesota location is in Bloomington. The Korean car brand was founded in 2015 and is part of the Hyundai Motor Group. It offers six different models with two of those having electric options, according to its website. Prices range from roughly $40,000 to $100,000. A rendering shows what the Genesis Dealership will look like. This section of the building faces 2nd Street S., looking onto the open sales lots. The total length of the front facade is 121.' Genesis will open its new location at 900 2nd St., right next to the existing Hyundai dealership. The new building is on the same land parcel as Hyundai and will be built on a portion of its parking lot. The council did not discuss a timeline for the dealership construction or when it will be open. The company originally considered housing the two dealerships in one building but the idea lost traction. Johnson told the council this was due to the companys business model. Hyundai contemplated whether the addition of the Genesis (dealership) would be within the existing building or whether it would require a separate building, a Waite Park staff report reads. Ultimately the owners decided that a separate building was warranted. Hyundais decision to have Genesis as a standalone company was to differentiate the luxury car brand from the Hyundai models designed for individuals and families, according to Hyundais website. The new Genesis building will be 9,018 square feet and two stories tall, according to a city memo. Roughly 4,400 square feet will be designated to sales, showroom and office spaces while the remaining portion will house the facilitys three maintenance service stalls. Genesis vehicles are currently available for purchase at the existing Hyundai dealership. Corey Schmidt is a freelance reporter for the St. Cloud Times. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: New Genesis dealership to come to Waite Park in St. Cloud One of Lebanon's historic churches, nearly 130 years old, is up for sale The 16,000-square-foot church centrally located in the heart of the city at 336 N. 7th St. is listed for sale at $617,000. The building, originally constructed in 1895 as a Lutheran church, has recently served as home to Iglesia Templo Fe, a Catholic church. It features the original stained glass as well as the names of some of Lebanon's oldest families etched into bricks that were donated for the construction of the church. The church located at 336 N. 7th St. is currently for sale for $617,000. Joshua Johnson of Iron Valley Real Estate said that one of the most interesting features is on the first floor, where a divider wall now separates what was the original congregation room, which seated the congregation 360 degrees around the stage and has a balcony on the second floor overlooking the space of the far side. The wall, he said, was put up much later, dividing the front half for the congregation room and the back half for events and sunday school rooms. He said that the wall could be taken down easily if needed. "I've went through a lot of different churches in this area and I've never seen a church that was built with a middle stage that you could see from 360 degrees," Johnson said. There's a second congregation room on the second floor, and throughout the space are 16 rooms, five commercial bathrooms and a kitchen and utilities in the basement, which are currently being remodeled. Johnson explained that the reason for the listing is that the pastor of the current congregation, Iglesia Templo Fe, church is ready to retire. The property is zoned residential high density and includes on the .38 acre lot a 3,000-square-foot townhouse that must be sold as a package deal with the church. The townhome, with 5 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, features tall ceilings and large open rooms. It is also three stories and has an unfinished basement. Once purchased, the two structures on the property could be separated into two different parcels, he said, but it would cost between $13,000 and $15,000 for the permit. Johnson said that both structures do need some work, as they've both experienced some water damage on the interior from previous roof damage. However, both roofs have been repaired, and the leaking has stopped. Out of the 16,000 square foot in the church, he approximated that around 12,5000 square foot has already been remodeled. Both buildings have new mini split air condition units, gas furnaces and up-to-date plumbing, according to Johnson. The property has a lot of potential. Johnson explained that people he's shown the property to have had ideas of turning the property into a restaurant, event space and multi-unit property. He added that one challenge in turning the property into a restaurant or multi-unit building is that there's no off-street parking, but there is a good amount of foot traffic in the area. Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on X @djlarlham This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon PA church built in 1895 up for sale for $617,000 Army Guardsmen looking to reenlist soon might want to consider holding out for a few more drill weekends, as the service component's reenlistment incentives have been put on hold, according to an internal memo to the force reviewed by Military.com. "Effective immediately, the issuance of reenlistment bonuses is suspended," the March 1 memo said. The suspension is for bonuses that would have a payout between now and the end of 2025, effectively including anyone who would reenlist now, though existing contracts are not impacted, according to the document. The sudden suspension is due to a miscalculation by Army National Guard planners who forecast the amount of funds needed and the anticipated volume of troops planning to continue their service, a spokesperson said. Guard officials are aiming to have bonuses back on track in April, meaning service members who reenlist now won't be entitled to incentives, but could be in a few weeks if they wait. Read Next: Air National Guardsman Teixeira Pleads Guilty to Leaking Classified Info, Faces Up to 16 Years in Prison "This requires a pause to assess fiscal resources that will determine when we can resume offering new bonuses with the issuance of new reenlistment contracts," Paul Swiergosz, a National Guard Bureau spokesperson, told Military.com in a statement. The Army National Guard is facing a retention slump, missing its goal of keeping 36,000 soldiers from leaving the force by 1,000 last year. Meanwhile, the active-duty component of the Army has met its retention goals for the past half-decade with relative ease, and is already showing early signs of meeting its goal this year. "Our first obligation to the Army and to Congress is for us to meet our end strength mission," Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, said in a statement to Military.com. "We are joined with Army leaders to determine courses of action and resourcing solutions that will work to expand the recruitment market and further incentivize our soldiers to continue their service." The National Guard is now facing a two-front issue with bonuses. In October, Military.com first reported the service component was behind on paying up to 13,000 of its soldiers their initial enlistment bonuses; nearly 4,000 of those troops have since left the service. Most of those soldiers likely served at least four years without ever getting paid their bonus, which can be up to $20,000. The Guard considers bonuses late after more than 30 days, but that loose deadline is not codified in any policy -- a separate issue from reenlistment bonuses payable to soldiers already serving, who continue their service. The issue with enlistment bonuses, according to Guard officials interviewed by Military.com, is the accumulated effect of undermanned, poorly trained or poorly performing full-time staff working with a payment-processing system that has faced multiple long-term catastrophic outages. Staff in units across the country have frequently had to manually track whether bonuses have been paid out. The Army National Guard Incentive Management System, or GIMS, was first rolled out in 2012, allowing states to manage and monitor incentives. It was designed to streamline the process and mitigate fraud and abuse. The backlog started in 2018 when GIMS servers were damaged by a fire at the Pentagon, Army Times reported, and the Guard was subsequently unable to process payments for 10 months. In an unrelated incident, the system crashed again in 2021, leading to another 10-month blackout. The fallout of Military.com's reporting led to a bipartisan congressional inquiry on the matter from key House members on the Armed Services Committee who oversee national security policy. "It is absolutely unacceptable that the National Guard has not paid thousands of soldiers and veterans the enlistment bonuses they were promised," Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a Marine veteran, said at the time. Editor's note: This story was updated to clarify the Army National Guard temporarily suspended bonuses. Related: Soldiers Unpaid: National Guard Hasn't Paid Out Thousands of Enlistment Bonuses Tonight features a mild night across the region with a southeast breeze continuing. Low temperatures will dip back into the mid 40s for most thats close to our average high for this time of year! A mostly clear sky will allow for good stargazing! Tuesday is a very warm day with partly sunny skies! With a southerly breeze still ongoing, well make a run into the 70s our western towns will likely reach the mid 70s! Clouds will increase during the afternoon as an area of low pressure off the east coast in the Atlantic Ocean pushes north through the Carolinas and Delmarva regions and a cold front approaches from the west. Well stay dry until the overnight hours, when our chances for rain begin to increase after midnight as temperatures fall back to around 50. Wednesday will be a wet day with rain likely thanks to two systems: our approaching cold front to our west passing through and yet another coastal low pressure system. For most of us, well see around a half an inch of rain Wednesday. Our breeze will switch to coming from the northwest by the afternoon with our front crossing as highs dip back into the mid to upper 50s for highs. Well dip back into the 40s for overnight lows with rain exiting the region. Thursday keeps the clouds around but we will see a few peaks of sun and itll be dry! High temperatures will be in the upper 50s which is still well above normal for this time of year. Clouds will increase in coverage late in the day with another system approaching for the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend. Temperatures drop into the low 40s overnight with mostly cloudy skies. Friday brings back the soggy pattern into the region with a trough providing rain shower chances. Showers will increase in coverage as we head toward dinnertime. A southerly breeze keeps things warm, as we make a run at 60 degrees despite plenty of showers being around. Itll be breezy at times, with gusts up to 25 mph possible. Temperatures will fall back into the 40s overnight with rain chances continuing into Saturday. What should you do if you are bitten by a tick? Saturday still looks wet with a cold front crossing during the morning hours. This will bring steady showers at times to the first half of the day and scattered showers for the afternoon as a westerly wind picks up in intensity behind the front. Temperatures will jump to near 60 Saturday around lunchtime before dropping late behind the front. This will bring cooler air into the region for Sunday. Sunday will be a cooler day with a northwest breeze around and high temperatures struggling to climb as a result, with highs in the mid 40s. The reality is that this is close to normal for this time of year, but itll be a cool day. Temperatures will drop to near freezing by Monday monring a reminder that though we are in meteorological spring, we always see frosts and freezes in the month of March! Monday continues the cooler pattern than what weve been accustomed to with partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the upper 40s to around 50 degrees. We could see a brief sprinkle in the morning but that shower chance should leave with high pressure taking control as we head into the afternoon. Looking ahead in your extended forecast, temperatures will be rebounding once again with high pressure in control. Expect high temperatures in the 50s and perhaps even getting into the 60s in a few spots toward the end of next week. Upload your photo here to our growing online weather photo gallery! Help us with our growing community of weather photos with #weathertogether. Head to our website and search for the Weather together tab and upload your photos of weather going on around our region. We are now in spring forest fire season in West Virginia this means dont burn between 7 AM and 5 PM. Low humidity values during the daytime, along with breezier and warmer conditions will at times increase the fire threat, hence the burn ban during most of the daytime. Follow all regulations or be faced with potential consequences, such as fines! TONIGHT Partly cloudy, mild! Lows in the mid 40s. TUESDAY Increasing clouds, warm! Highs in the low 70s. WEDNESDAY Rain showers likely. Soggy day. Highs in the mid to upper 50s. THURSDAY Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s. FRIDAY Showers increase during the day. Breezy. Highs near 60. SATURDAY Rain likely, especially early. Highs near 60. SUNDAY AM showers, PM clearing. Cooler. Highs in the mid 40s. MONDAY Partly sunny. Highs near 50. TUESDAY Partly sunny. Highs in the 50s. WEDNESDAY Mostly sunny. Highs in the 50s. THURSDAY Mostly sunny. Highs near 60. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Washington state lawmakers passed an initiative on Monday to fully roll back restrictions on police pursuits. The legislature had previously approved restrictions in 2021, limiting pursuits to suspects in violent crimes, sex offenses, vehicular assaults, escapes from detention facilities, and driving under the influence. I dont believe this will solve the problem that it seeks to, and I believe it will do more harm than good, said Rep. Darya Farivar on the House floor Monday. Farivar spoke against the initiative, saying high speed pursuits risk the publics safety. Pursuits are inherently dangerous as weve already heard today. This is why we made this change in the first place. We understood that lives were being put at risk and lost when they didnt need to, Farivar said. In the years since, police have spoken out frequently against the limits, claiming that they empowered criminals to evade law enforcement. I mean, immediately, brazen, brazen, criminal behavior, there was just a change in the, in the tone of everything that was occurring, said Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders. Sanders told KIRO 7 he saw the change in criminal response first hand. They dont have to respect you, but they respect the consequence of committing a crime. And that just went completely out the window, Sanders said. Then at the start of 2024, Republican-backed Initiative 2113 gathered enough signatures to go in front of the legislature. Legislators also had the option to send the initiative to voters before ultimately deciding to pass it into law outright. In practice, I-2113 allows pursuits as long as an officer has reasonable suspicion that someone has violated the law and poses a threat to the safety of others. The initiative will go into effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, for what Republicans in the state House are calling a big win for community safety across our state. Its a change that Sanders says will make a big difference in crimes that have skyrocketed, like smash and grab burglaries and stolen vehicle cases. We just created such a clear path forward. Steal the car, do whatever you want. Ditch the car when youre done or total it, who cares? Its not your car. Theres just so much mayhem thats gone on in this state. So, I think were gonna get turned around, Sanders said. In this article, we look at 15 countries with the most attack helicopters in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis on trends in the aerospace combat industry and head over directly to the 5 Countries with the Most Attack Helicopters in the World. According to European Security and Defence (ESD), there are about 3,000 attack helicopters currently in operation in over 70 countries. With firepower, speed, and mobility becoming more critical in the battlefield than it has ever been, attack helicopters combine these three elements like no other land-conflict military equipment. Programs dedicated to the development of attack helicopters began in the 1960s. The first notable deployment of the aircraft by the United States was in 1967 with the introduction of the Bell AH-1 Cobra in Vietnam. The single-engine helicopter manufactured by Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), was rapidly built in response to the needs of the American army during the conflict. More than 1,100 units of the helicopter have been built to-date. Bell Textron is among the major military rotorcraft manufacturers in Americas defense industry. Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT)s Bell in 2022 won the US Armys contract for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft programme, which is worth up to $1.3 billion, with plans to replace over 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters. This deal with Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) is set to be the largest helicopter procurement by the Army in four decades. Another major player in the industry is The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), which is the maker of the AH-64 Apache turbo-shaft attack helicopter used by the US Army. Defense analysts consider it to be the best helicopter in service currently and expect it to remain in operation till at least 2048. The helicopter has been seen in almost every American and NATO operation since it was launched in 1986. AH-64 Apache can be equipped with cannon, rockets, air-to-air missiles, as well as an advanced precision kill weapon system, which allows it to engage rival helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles in the airspace, and also take out ground targets including main battle tanks. Story continues More than 2,400 units of the attack helicopter have been manufactured by The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) so far for the US and at least 17 other allies. Poland is set to be the latest country to acquire the AH-64 Apache, after the US in August last year approved a sale worth $12 billion for 96 of these attack helicopters along with other related equipment made by The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA). Apaches performance can further be bolstered by using Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)s Apache Fire Control products which, through their radar and sensor technologies, enhance situational awareness of these helicopters and improve survivability. Several countries have been making use of the companys offerings. In January 2022, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) received a $102 million contract to upgrade Egypts 25 AH-64D Apache helicopters. Late last year, Longbow LLC the joint venture between Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) got awarded a $10.45 million deal to refurbish the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) equipment in the US Apache fleet. 15 Countries with the Most Attack Helicopters in the World Pixabay/Public Domain Methodology Countries with the most attack helicopters in the world are ranked in ascending order of their fleet size. Data has been sourced from our recent article, 25 Countries With The Strongest Armies In The World. In case where two or more countries had the same number of attack helicopters in their fleets, we outranked one over the other on the capabilities of their helicopters. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Lets now head over to the list of countries with the most attack helicopters in the world. 15. Israel Attack Helicopters: 48 Israel has 48 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters that it procured from the United States. These are the strongest combat helicopters in the world, and have been deployed in the ongoing military conflict in Gaza. Tel Aviv has recently requested the US for slots in Boeings chopper plant to deliver new helicopters to Israel as a top-priority. The Middle Eastern country also has other helicopters in its fleet which are multi-purpose and used for missions such as scouting and reconnaissance. These include AS565 Panther, Bell 206, and Bell OH-58 Kiowa. 14. United Kingdom Attack Helicopters: 52 The United Kingdom is among countries with the most attack helicopters in the world, with a fleet size of 52 as of 2023. In October last year, the British Armys AH-64E attack helicopters passed the battlefield tests and were declared ready for frontline duty. According to the Ministry of Defence, these choppers destroy air defense units, tanks, and armored fighting vehicles of the enemies. Other military helicopters in service of the United Kingdom include the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Wildcat Mk1, AW159, SA341 and Bell 212. 13. Germany Attack Helicopters: 55 Next on our list of countries with the most attack helicopters is Germany, which has a fleet size of 55 with the majority of them being the Eurocopter Tiger manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. According to a report in Janes earlier this year, the Bundeswehr is set to retire Tiger by 2032, six years earlier than its planned retirement in 2038. In July last year, the German government approved a $8.5 billion order for 60 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, followed by a deal with Airbus later in December for 82 multi-role H145M helicopters. 12. Pakistan Attack Helicopters: 57 According to FlightGlobal, Pakistan had close to 250 military helicopters by the end of 2022. Of these, about 57 are considered to be attack helicopters, that are dedicated entirely to combat. These include 50 Bell AH-1F Cobra procured from the United States, three Z-10E attack helicopters from China, and 4 Russian Mi-35 choppers. Another 17 Z-10 helicopters are currently under order. 11. Italy Attack Helicopters: 57 The Italian military has 57 attack helicopters. The main chopper used by Italy for combat operations is the A129 Mangusta, which entered service in 1990. According to a report, the Italian military plans to phase out the Mangusta starting 2025 and replace it with the AW249 Fenice built by Leonardo Helicopters. 10. France Attack Helicopters: 69 France is among countries with the most attack helicopters in the world, with a fleet size of 69. All of these comprise the Eurocopter Tiger. Last year in July, the United States approved the sale of Hellfire missiles to France for its Tiger attack choppers in a deal valued at $203 million. Paris is currently assessing the possibility of upgrading its fleet with drones compatibility, according to reports. Other military helicopters operated by France for varying operations such as scouting, surveillance, transport, and reconnaissance include the Eurocopter Fennec AS555, Eurocopter EC725, and SA 330 Puma. 9. Algeria Attack Helicopters: 75 Algeria is the third most powerful military in Africa, and relies on Russia for much of its equipment. With a fleet size of 75, it is among countries with the most attack helicopters in the world. According to the Global Firepower Index 2024, the African country has 298 helicopters that currently operate for military purposes. Its fleet of attack helicopters mainly comprise the Mil Mi-28 and Mil Mi-24. 8. Taiwan Attack Helicopters: 91 Half way through our list is Taiwan, a country that right since independence has focused on building a potent military force amid Chinas looming threat of invasion. The country currently operates 91 attack helicopters, which include 62 AH-1W Super Cobra and 29 AH-64E Apache. Taipeis decision to paint its AH-64E Apache helicopters with tiger shark-inspired paint schemes have made these deadly choppers look even more sinister. 7. Egypt Attack Helicopters: 100 Egypt is the most powerful military in Africa, and is equipped with large fleets of modern sophisticated equipment, ranging from battle tanks to fighter jets and attack helicopters. It recently became the first country to use the Russian KA-52 attack helicopters outside of Russia. These choppers comprise nearly half (46) of all its anti-aircraft helicopters. The African country also possesses dozens of Apache helicopters which it has procured from the United States. 6. Turkiye Attack Helicopters: 111 Turkiye finds itself among countries with the most attack helicopters in the world, with a fleet size of 111, which is a mixture of American Cobra attack helicopters AH-1P/S and AH-1W models, as well as the homegrown T129s. The country has a rapidly developing defense sector at home, and last years launch of Turkiyes locally-made T929 attack helicopter was testament to that. Defense analysts believe that the new chopper, powered with Ukrainian engines, is likely to be categorized in the same class as the Apache and Ka-52 attack helicopters. It is likely to enter service in 2025. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries with the Most Attack Helicopters in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 15 Countries with the Most Attack Helicopters in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. March 5 (UPI) -- An Arizona woman said it was a lucky thing she was parked and not in motion when she discovered there was a rattlesnake in the back seat of her car. Milan Watt of Phoenix said she was sitting in the parked car with her boyfriend when he spotted the snake lurking behind them. "He turned around and he had seen a tongue, kind of like flipping at him," Watt told KPNX-TV. "I lost my mind." Watt said it was a good thing the car was parked at the time. "I don't know what I would have done if I had saw it while I was driving. I would have crashed the car," Watt said. She said the car is frequently parked in desert areas and the snake may have been inside the vehicle for up to two weeks. "I was driving around with a snake in my car for two weeks," she said. "We got real comfortable in that car. That snake made its home in there." Watt called 911, but was told emergency responders could not help because there was no immediate threat from the snake. She posted video of the backseat snake to TikTok. "A diamondback rattlesnake found its way in, or this was attempted murder," she wrote. Watt said her boyfriend ended up opening all of the car doors and used a tree branch to remove the intruder. Watt said she will be checking on and under all of the seats before driving from now on. Officials have published an updated report into water safety three years after a young child drowned in a canal. Three-year-old Dylan Milsom fell into the Kennet and Avon Canal at Victoria Park in Newbury, Berkshire, on 13 March 2021. West Berkshire Council, the Canal and River Trust, and the emergency services joined forces to implement measures to prevent further incidents. In the last 12 months, there has been one reported water related fatality in West Berkshire, and two other incidents classed as "near misses". Analysis of water incidents have also resulted in a Water Safety cabinet being installed in Northcroft Park, Newbury, in addition to those previously installed in Victoria Park and Pangbourne Meadow. Dylan fell into the canal in Victoria Park, Newbury The Street Pastors in Newbury have been contacted for their assistance in spreading the word about the dangers of water when walking home from a night out. The fatality in the past year involved a male returning home from the town centre at night and falling into the canal in the Mill Lane area of Newbury. The other two incidents were vulnerable users of the Salvation Army building in Newbury town centre falling into the river Kennet opposite the building. Both had to be rescued by the fire service. On average, around 250 people lose their lives in accidental drownings in the UK every year, with hundreds more having near drowning experiences, sometimes suffering life-changing injuries. Children can be particularly at risk. The data also shows that a large proportion of victims did not intend to go into water of a significant depth on the day they died - about 40% of deaths happened while people were out walking or running. The Water Safety Partnership (WSP) keeps abreast of incidents county-wide to ensure people are aware of current issues, and learn from incidents that happen. It is currently liaising with Reading Borough Council about establishing a Reading Water Safety Partnership. The WSP is also working with Pangbourne Parish Council to look at ways to discourage jumping from Whitchurch Bridge. A range of educational activities around the dangers of water are planned across the district this year. Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Related internet links Waymo will start letting its autonomous vehicles traverse Austin without a safety operator behind the wheel as of tomorrow, a crucial step before the company opens the program up to the public. The company announced Tuesday that it will begin shuttling employees around 43 square miles of the Texas capital, including the Barton Hills, Riverside, East Austin and Hyde Park neighborhoods, as well as downtown Austin. The step forward comes just a few days after Waymo won the ability to start charging for rides in expanded territory across both Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Waymo didn't offer a timeline for when it plans to start offering autonomous rides to the citizens of Austin. When it does, it will become the fourth city where the company's robotaxis are officially in operation, following LA, SF and Phoenix. Waymo continues to steadily expand its autonomous ride-hailing program, which it calls Waymo One, even as other companies in the space have struggled. GM-owned Cruise is currently under investigation from myriad state and federal agencies over how it handled an October crash with a pedestrian. Ford-backed Argo AI went out of business. And many of the once-prominent Chinese AV startups have slowed or stopped testing in the U.S. Waymo has had issues itself. Just last month, one of the company's autonomous vehicles collided with a cyclist in San Francisco -- an incident that the California Department of Motor Vehicles is investigating. The company also recently issued a recall for its autonomous software after two AVs in the Phoenix area crashed into the same towed truck late last year. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett split from the conservative majoritys reasoning in the Trump ballot case but went after the courts three liberals in unusually biting terms, according to CNN Supreme Court analyst Joan Biskupic. The courts majority ruled that states cannot disqualify a presidential candidate under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment also known as the insurrection clause and only Congress could enforce the provision. Barrett pushed back on her conservative colleagues for breaking significant and in her mind unnecessary ground in the breadth of their legal reasoning, Biskupic explained. But then she admonished the courts three liberal justices, who also split from the majoritys legal rationale, in unusually biting terms. 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, she added. Barretts concurrence appeared to suggest that the liberal justices highlighted disagreement over the rulings rationale. All nine Justices agree on the outcome of this case, Barrett wrote. That is the message Americans should take home. Amy Coney Barrett would *really* like to speak to the liberals' manager over the rude service she received. pic.twitter.com/t2Jc5j46qw Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) March 4, 2024 But Barretts opinion, which was joined by no other justice, had the effect of highlighting the tensions between ideological factions and the power of the conservative majority, rather than neutralizing them, Biskupic explained. While the liberal justices agreed that states could not disqualify the president because it would create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, they argued that the majority goes further by requiring Congress to enact legislation to enforce the Constitutional provision. We cannot join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily, the liberals opinion said. The majority is left with next to no support for its requirement that a Section 3 disqualification can occur only pursuant to legislation enacted for that purpose. Barrett agreed that the majority did not need to address the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced. Biskupic noted that by criticizing the courts critics, Barrett appeared to take a page from Chief Justice John Roberts. It has become a disturbing feature of some recent opinions to criticize the decisions with which they disagree as going beyond the proper role of the judiciary, Roberts wrote last year, warning that misperception of the courts splits would be harmful to this institution and the country. Longtime Harvard legal scholar Laurence Tribe criticized Barrett for her message that we should just chill. Id stress what Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson rightly reminded Justice Barrett and Chief Justice Roberts about: as Roberts rightly wrote in Dobbs, the Court should avoid deciding any more than it needs to decide when ruling on a case, Tribe tweeted. To reach out and resolve in advance all sorts of issues that might arise in the future is to take on the role of a super-legislature, not a court of law. Slate legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick called out the weird, passive-aggressive vibe of Mondays opinion. Everybody is kind of pissed off but telling us over and over again: Were not fighting! We love each other! The court is working! This sense of performing unity and performing minimalism falls really heavily on the four women of the court in their separate concurrences, she said Monday. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. MSNBC legal analyst Jordan Rubin called Barretts admonition of the courts liberal minority a weird thing to write. For one, judges disagree all the time, and the Democratic appointees concurrence in Trump v. Anderson is hardly the strongest prose to hit the high court, Rubin wrote, noting that the late Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom Barrett clerked, wrote historically nasty opinions. And if anything, calling attention to the manner of disagreement between disagreeing opinions which is apparent from reading them serves to needlessly amplify any disharmony on the court, Rubin continued. Plus, whats her source for stating that its the courts job to turn the national temperature down anyway? She doesnt cite one. If pointing out flaws in a majority ruling turns up the national temperature whatever that even means then thats a problem with the majority, not the minority pointing out those flaws. The Pen-y-Bont Inn before the controversial rebranding as the Bridge Head - PEN-Y-BONT INN AND FREE HOUSE Drinkers have been urged to boycott a Welsh pub after it relaunched with a slapdash English translation of its original name. Pen-y-Bont in Abergele, Conwy, reopened on St Davids Day, March 1, with its new name, The Bridge Head, prominently displayed on signs outside. Its Welsh language name appears in much smaller writing underneath. Dylan Rhys Jones, a local who is a senior law lecturer at Wrexham University, said the rebranding disparages the Welsh language. He said: This is some kind of slapdash translation, which is unacceptable. What an absolute disgrace. I hope the people of Abergele vote with their feet and never tread into this pub ever again. I dont see the reason why they need to change the name. The English name of the pub is prominently displayed, with the original Welsh appearing much smaller below Gareth Bolton, another local, told the BBC that the name change had attracted a lot of attention from residents on social media, and questioned the sense of mindlessly changing names from Welsh to English. At the end of the 19th century, Abergele had 16 pubs, all of them with an English name apart from Pen-Y-Bont and the Gwindy, said Mr Bolton. The names of these institutions are woven into local culture, identity and history. The savage act of erasing our language is atrocious. Michael Warton, the pubs new manager who oversaw its refurbishment, praised the makeover in the run-up to the relaunch, saying: It looks a hell of a lot better. He defended the name change, stressing that they had retained the original Welsh. We have kept the Welsh names here and the feedback has been very positive. Its been all good, he told the Daily Post. Cymdeithas yr Iaith, a grassroots organisations which campaigns for the preservation of the Welsh language, said: We see Welsh house and place names as communal property and as an integral part of Welsh heritage, which should be protected for the sake of future generations. However, the Welsh Government have not legislated to protect these, which leads to cases like the renaming of Pen-y-Bont pub and countless others. In the absence of government action, Cymdeithas yr Iaith have established a voluntary scheme with draft clauses and documents for registering Welsh place names in cases of sale or inheritance called Diogelwn, or Well Protect. The Telegraph has approached Mr Warton for comment. National park renamed in Welsh In recent years, there has been a growing move in Wales to rename landmarks and national parks with Welsh language names to promote the countrys history and culture. In April 2023, the Brecon Beacons were renamed Bannau Brycheinio, a reference to the legendary 5th-century kingdom of King Brychan as well as the Welsh word for peaks. Officials said the decision was driven, in part, by the environmentally damaging connotations of a wood-burning beacon. Rishi Sunaks official spokesman criticised the change and insisted that tangible action on green issues mattered more than nomenclature. The spokesman told reporters: It is first and foremost a matter for the body itself. I think that the public will continue to refer to [and] use both the English and Welsh names. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. US Wind continues to pave the way for offshore wind development in Ocean City, and now a federal application has been filed by the company to develop a new industrial pier. According to official filings, it will be located on the west side of the resort town and will include a concrete-decked design of over 600 feet. The space will allow for other infrastructure like industrial cranes to be used and will include wave screens to better protect the development. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan asks the Maryland Public Service Commission to reevaluate two offshore wind projects after the developers in both projects changed their plans to use larger wind turbines than previously planned. According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, the project is still in the application phase, with a public hearing on the plans scheduled for Monday, March 25. It will be held at Wor-Wic Community College and will be from 6-8 p.m. The public will also have until April 9 to submit written comments to MDE about their concerns on the proposed projects. "US Wind is advancing permits for various aspects of the project, consistent with what has been included in our Construction and Operations Plan and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement issued by BOEM last October," said Ben Cooper, the company's director of Marine Affairs. "This permit hearing concerns the pier and bulkhead of a planned operations and maintenance facility required by the state to be located in the Ocean City region. The pier, as many locals know, was built 45 years ago and is in desperate need of improvement." According to the company, this permit seeks to make those improvements with US Wind reaching out to the state and local fishermen on their project plans and "will continue to do so throughout the process," the company said. More on Ocean City fighting back 'Ocean City cannot be bought': Mayor firmly rejects offer of financial compensation Offshore wind and sea life Rep. Andy Harris held a hearing on the perils of offshore wind energy Saturday, Jan. 20 in Ocean City complete with expert testimony given at the Roland Powell Convention Center. Nancy Sopko, US Wind's senior director of External Affairs, added they too are operating as responsible corporate citizens in their project. "US Winds construction of the wind farm would not deafen marine mammals. US Wind conducted an extensive Underwater Acoustic Assessment that conservatively estimated sound levels during construction," Sopko said. "These estimates were used to support US Winds proposed mitigation measures, like the use of layered methods to dampen sound during construction, including bubble curtains and resonators, along with protected species observers in multiple locations to watch for marine mammals and to trigger shutdown if needed." The company also added turbines withstand the most extreme wind and wave events predicted to occur at the site over the next 50 to 100 or more years, so hurricanes are well within their ability to withstand. For example, the wind turbines under consideration for the site are typhoon certified and are designed to withstand speeds of up to Category 4 hurricanes. More on Offshore wind setbacks rsted announces pullback in Maryland offshore wind plan as 'no longer commercially viable' "There is a comprehensive process in place whereby an offshore wind developers application is reviewed by the Department of Defense, FAA, U.S. Coast Guard and BOEM at multiple stages of development to determine if impacts to radar would result from construction and operations. The Department of Defense reviewed our project plans twice and issued no objection, as did the FAA," Sopko said. Despite assurances by the company, it is still drawing the ire of the public and local officials that offshore wind development in Ocean City will lead to negative impacts on tourism and ecology. This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: US Wind applies to build new pier in West Ocean City. All to know. (Left to right) Rep. Chris Todd, Rep. Johnny Shaw, and Sen. Ed Jackson sit at a table for the "Capitol Talk" forum where they answered community questions at the Greater Jackson Chamber on Feb. 23, 2024 in Jackson, Tenn. Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, and Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County sat before community members and local leaders on Feb. 23 to answer questions about their legislative plans for the year. Hosted at the Greater Jackson Chamber and moderated by Steve Bowers, the legislators each had three minutes for opening statements before they fielded questions from the public. They fielded questions concerning infrastructure, new industry, hospital closures and reproductive health. More: Sen. Ed Jackson to focus on healthcare, law enforcement, workforce development More: Elected officials talk 'red flag' laws at We The People of West Tennessee event in Jackson Senator Jackson A community member inquired about the state-wide crisis of hospital closures. A topic of continued importance for Jackson, he said he's working with several groups aiming to restore closed hospitals and prevent additional closures. Of the 16 hospitals closed in the state since 2010, 13 closures have been in rural counties, making access to healthcare increasingly challenging for those residing in rural areas. "Rural counties can least afford to lose a hospital," Jackson said. "That's vital for these counties to reopen these hospitals and keep our hospitals healthy." Jackson commended West Tennessee Healthcare for their partnerships with remaining hospitals in continuing to provide care to rural communities. Representative Shaw A perpetuating topic of conversation among the legislators was Ford's Blue Oval City in Stanton. Located in Shaw's district of Haywood County, discussions arose about how to maximize travel efficiency for those coming and going from the mega-site and how to improve Jackson's McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport. Todd shared that it is estimated that 250 flights per week will be directly associated with Blue Oval City. "Haywood County happens to be the fastest-growing county in the state," Shaw said. This raised questions about whether Interstate 40 will be expanded into Memphis or Nashville and if roads will be made bigger to accommodate the semi-truck influx coming to the Brownsville area. Shaw said there has been talk about the implementation of choice lanes. Attendees of the "Capitol Talk" forum listen to legislators at the Greater Jackson Chamber on Feb. 23, 2024 in Jackson, Tenn. "I don't think we really know exactly what's going to happen, we just know something's got to be done pretty quickly," Shaw said. Representative Todd In his opening statement, Todd spoke to a bill he is spearheading, House Bill 2882, that would require firearm safety training in all public schools across the state beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Todd compared it to the existing fire drills and safety training students already have to go through. "The amount of fires a child will see and the likelihood a child will see a fire in their lifetime, even an accidental fire in school, is pretty slim," Todd said. "The likelihood that they're going to encounter a firearm somewhere along the way, laying somewhere or on a shelf or whatever it might be, is pretty high ... ." The legislation is not to be confused with how to use a gun, but rather what to do if a child encountered a stray one. "We want to make sure they know what to do," Todd said. "It's not going to be political, it's not going to be teaching them how to shoot or anything like that. It's strictly what to do if you see a gun." Per the Feb. 16 Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) are considered children, one of the questions asked of the legislators was what that means for Tennessee moving forward. "I think the court case centers around a basic principle that I have from my faith, and that is life is beginning at conception," Todd said. "Our constitution says we have to protect life, we have to protect every citizen as life begins there. And everybody's got their own opinion about where life begins, and I think that's really the crux of the matter, but for me, life begins at conception." This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: West TN legislators field questions at Jackson 'Capitol Talk' forum SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A couple from West Valley City have been charged with felonies after their three-month-old daughter died at the hospital in late February, according to court documents. Israel Levi Gonzalez Gomez, 21, has been charged with first-degree felony murder or, in the alternative, first-degree felony reckless child abuse homicide and misdemeanor child abuse. His wife, Andrea Samano Galeana, 20, has been charged with second-degree felony obstruction of justice. Woman sues Salt Lake County over untimely death of her husband while in custody Prosecutors say Gomez and Galeana took their daughter, Dariana, to the hospital on Monday, Feb. 19, after she had gone limp and pale. While at the hospital, Dariana reportedly suffered from three cardiac arrests and was pronounced dead three days later. Doctors reportedly told investigators that the babys injuries could not be plausibly explained with an accidental injury and should be considered consistent with inflicted trauma, such as in child abuse. In initial interviews, Gomez and Galeana allegedly said Dariana had been frequently crying. Gomez described the cries as a big scream or a shriek, according to court documents. On the night of the incident, Galeana said she had been in and out of the room as Gomez attempted to soothe her with a pacifier, food, changing her diaper or bouncing her. The two allegedly told investigators when she had finally fallen asleep that was when they noticed she had gone limp and pale. According to court documents, Gomez later requested a second interview because he wanted to tell the truth. Gomez said while he was changing her diaper, Dariana had fallen off the bed, causing her face to turn red and swollen. Gomez said he knew the injuries were bad and she later had a shortness of breath and her heart stopped beating. He reportedly told officers he gave his daughter CPR and mouth-to-mouth before going to the hospital. Upon further investigation, detectives allegedly found multiple text messages from Galeana confronting Gomez about his roughness with their child. Galeana allegedly sent a picture of Dariana with bruises on her cheeks asking Gomez if he pinched her too hard. Gomez allegedly replied saying You are right and I wont do that to her cheeks again, adding, But now I am aware that her skin is delicate. Delta Airlines quietly raises baggage fees, joining airline trend Galeana reportedly became concerned something would happen to her daughter, but detectives say she did not tell doctors about Darianas previous injuries. We mourn the death of Dariana, whose life had just begun, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. It is critical that we vigilantly look out for the welfare of our communitys children. If you see signs that may indicate harm being done to a child, please report your concerns to law enforcement so they can be investigated and the child may get the help they deserve. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Russian intelligence has used a Serbian agent to infiltrate EU institutions and spread pro-Kremlin narratives about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Source: Politico with reference to a Western intelligence briefing, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to documents, Serbian citizen Novica Antic, in October 2023, knowingly collaborated closely with Russian secret services, meeting with European officials in Brussels, including the European Parliament members. Among these MEPs were German Greens lawmaker Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Italian Socialists and Democrats lawmaker Alessandra Moretti and Vladimir Bilcik, a Slovakian member of the conservative European People's Party Group. The intelligence briefing did not mention anything suggesting that the MEPs knew Antic's ties to the Russian Security Service (FSB). Antic, the Serbian Military Trade Union chair, also met with EUROMIL and EPSU union representatives, representing armed forces personnel and civil servants in the EU. According to a Western intelligence briefing, Antic is an active FSB "agent of influence". He closely collaborates with an FSB employee named Vyacheslav Kalinin, a Russian citizen and the chief editor of Veteran News, a website specialising in the news for armed forces veterans. While the intelligence briefing highlighted Antic's actions, it also mentioned that Kalinin recruited others without specifying how many or in which countries. Kalinin invited Antic to Russia for meetings with senior Russian military leadership in 2019-2020. Initially focusing on influencing Serbian civil society, the pair expanded their activities to include European trade unions, veterans' organisations and even European Parliament members in recent months. Reference: Antic, an outspoken critic of the Serbian armed forces who had fallen out of favour with the country's political leadership, was detained on unspecified charges, as the Balkan Insight news website reported. Balkan Insight stated that Antic has been discharged from the Serbian army twice in the last five years. He reportedly declared a hunger strike in protest against his detention. Antic's lawyer has refused to name the exact charges against him. Background: The news about Antic holding meetings in the European Parliament underscores the vulnerability of this institution. Recently, Politico reported that spyware was found on the mobile phones of two European Parliament members, including former French Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau, who heads the European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defence. Support UP or become our patron! A prison in Western Pennsylvania is helping men with autism and other intellectual disabilities stay safe behind bars while learning life skills. Pennsylvanias State Correctional Institution at Albion in Erie County launched a Neurodevelopmental Residential Treatment Unit three years ago, the first in the state and one of a handful nationwide, the Associated Press reports. It provides accommodations to help prisoners who struggle with overstimulation and physical coping needs. A handful of sensory rooms in the unit offer calming blue walls where harsh fluorescent lighting is dimmed by special covers. Theres also an exercise yard not accessible by the prisons general population, and prisoners stay in the unit to receive their medication and see specialized treatment staff. They can check out puzzles, yoga mats or drawing supplies to help them cope in overwhelming moments. In a regular prison setting, many of these prisoners with autism and similar disabilities would normally have kind of gotten through their incarceration just quietly, said Steven Soliwoda, the units creator and program manager at Albion. Maybe they would have been a recluse or spent a lot of time in their cell. But their voices are heard in the program and they develop that independence and the social skills they need to survive when they get out of here. The unit houses about 45 men a small population that helps staff focus on individual treatment and limits some of the sensory stimulation of prison, Soliwoda said. It requires corrections officers to undergo regular training on de-escalation and crisis intervention to maintain a secure environment while offering accommodations. The Associated Press reports that the unit at Albion uses so-called transitional cells as an intervention when they see certain behaviors. The stripped-down cells, equipped with safety features, are a place where the prisoners can go to regain control over their emotions while they work on completing goals set by the psychiatric staff before they are allowed to return to the rest of the unit. Soliwoda said he hopes to bring more programming to the unit as it continues to evolve. For now, though, corrections department officials dont have plans to expand the model to other prisons, the Associated Press reports. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Man, 19, killed in McKees Rocks shooting Man from upstate New York murdered in Station Square Nurse practitioner accused of writing fake oxycodone prescriptions VIDEO: Road crews start work on Glenwood Bridge DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts This article takes a look at the 20 best river towns for retirement in the US. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on saving struggles and riverside havens, you may go to 5 Best River Towns for Retirement in the US. From Savings Struggles to Riverside Havens According to data from New York Life, Americans believe they will be able to retire by the age of 64. However, only 21% of the individuals surveyed have a retirement strategy that can help them get there. With a historic surge in Americans reaching the age of 65 this year, the impending Peak 65 period and the broader wave of boomer retirements are poised to significantly impact the economy. This demographic shift is anticipated to exacerbate challenges such as the depletion of the social security fund, escalating healthcare costs, and a potential strain on crucial resources. As of today, many Americans now find themselves grappling with the challenge of navigating the so-called golden years without a clear survival plan. Alarming insights from BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) underscore the prevailing unease, marking retirement confidence at its lowest point in history. "So we've been doing this survey read on retirement for eight years and this is the lowest it's ever been. So what's driving this? Well, it's really the market environment. I think anybody who lived through last year, with both stocks and bonds being down, it was just a really hard year. And I think people are reflecting that in terms of their confidence in retirement." - Anne Ackerley, head of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK)'s retirement group. BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) further notes that out of those surveyed, only 56% feel they are on track towards retirement. This percentage was 63% in 2022, and 68% back in 2021. Consequently, workers are adopting stringent methods to get their savings on track, with many going as far as postponing retirement. Amid these challenges, a glimmer of hope emerges from Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC)'s Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions. Bank of America Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions, in collaboration with the Bank of America Institute, unveiled their fourth quarter 2023 Participant Pulse (MAP6212241). The report reveals a notable 15% surge in average 401(k) account balances, reaching $86,280 by the end of 2023. This is not only because the value of their investments has increased, but also because participants are now contributing higher to their plans. Story continues "We were encouraged to see more plan participants taking positive actions in their accounts in the fourth quarter. These insights offer signs that people are prioritizing their retirement savings, with more employees increasing their contribution rates and fewer taking hardship distributions." -Lorna Sabbia, Head of Retirement and Personal Wealth Solutions at Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC). The analysis, conducted in collaboration with the Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) Institute, also revealed a decrease in withdrawals among the 4 million participants included in the study. These statistics imply that there is finally an increased awareness amongst potential retirees about retirement savings and the need for a substantial nest egg to survive those golden years. As retirees become more vigilant in their savings strategies, the allure of realizing retirement dreams in idyllic locales becomes increasingly attainable. While some gravitate towards the tranquility of the best mountain towns, others find themselves captivated by the allure of charming riverside communities. Choosing a riverside town for retirement can be especially appealing to seniors considering it offers the perfect blend of charm and tranquility, making it an ideal and serene haven for your post-career chapter. Regardless of the chosen destination, a common thread emerges substantial savings are paramount for affording a relocation that aligns with one's retirement aspirations. With that said, lets explore some of the best river towns for retirement in the US. 20 Best River Towns for Retirement in the US Image by Carabo Spain from Pixabay Methodology To compile the list of best river towns for retirement in the US, we have used several sources such as Southern Living, US News Money, The Travel, and forums such as Reddit and Quora. After compiling an exhaustive list, we ranked them on factors such as the cost of living index, median home price, livability, and amenities. Places were ranked on each factor and scores were summed up to generate a unique Insider Monkey Score. Finally, the river towns were arranged in ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores. It is important to note that before making a decision, retirees should visit the potential destination in question, assess local amenities and the community, and determine how well the city aligns with their retirement goals and lifestyle preferences. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Here are the best river towns for retirement in the US: 20. Wilmington, North Carolina Insider Monkey Score: 19 Cost of Living Index: 98.1 Median Home Price: $425,000 Livability Score: 70 Perched on the eastern shore of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington steals the show with its picturesque waterfront, cultural attractions, and historical charm. Healthcare facilities are well-regarded here, and there are tons of places to explore and things to do. This is the place where coastal allure meets vibrant festivals, watersports, breweries, wine shops, and an array of dining options, ensuring every moment is lively and engaging. 19. Blue Ridge, Georgia Insider Monkey Score: 22 Cost of Living Index: 101.9 Median Home Price: $720,000 Livability Score: 71 Nestled within the breathtaking embrace of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, this charming mountain town effortlessly doubles as an idyllic river haven for seniors. It sits along the Toccoa River, offering retirees all the necessary amenities they need to spend their golden years. There is a charming downtown brimming with shops, restaurants, and fun antique stores too. 18. Goldsboro, North Carolina Insider Monkey Score: 23 Cost of Living Index: 82.2 Median Home Price: $185,000 Livability Score: 63 The best thing about river towns such as Goldsboro is the plenty of water fun they bring along. For seniors, Goldsboro's location along the Neuse River means tree canopies, wildlife, and lots of paddling. 17. Portsmouth, New Hampshire Insider Monkey Score: 25 Cost of Living Index: 118.9 Median Home Price: $750,000 Livability Score: 85 Though Portsmouth might demand a bit more from your wallet, it undeniably ranks among the best river towns for retirement in the US. This seacoast town is located on the banks of the Piscataqua River, offering retirees numerous cultural attractions, a charming downtown, a scenic location, and a strong sense of community. 16. Helen, Georgia Insider Monkey Score: 25 Cost of Living Index: 86.2 Median Home Price: $434,000 Livability Score: 70 Continuing our exploration, we arrive at Helen, nestled in the embrace of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Helen is best known for its beautiful Alpine architecture, trout fishing, and natural beauty. The Bavarian Alpine model of a village has the Chattahoochee River flowing through its heart; offering scenic views, a peaceful ambiance, and lots to do. 15. Townsend, Tennessee Insider Monkey Score: 26 Cost of Living Index: 92.4 Median Home Price: $490,000 Livability Score: 71 This Gateway to the Smokies makes for one of the best river towns for retirement in the US with good reason. Retirees love this town for its proximity to the peaceful Little River, offering a range of outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and riverside strolls along the way. 14. Bradenton, Florida Insider Monkey Score: 28 Cost of Living Index: 104.6 Median Home Price: $345,000 Livability Score: 80 Everyone knows about Jacksonville and Palm Beach but little know that Bradenton is also a good pick for those wishing to retire in the sunshine state of Florida. From its excellent healthcare services to its mild climate and proximity to Gulf Coast beaches, this is one of the best places to retire near the water. 13. Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana Insider Monkey Score: 29 Cost of Living Index: 84.3 Median Home Price: $242,000 Livability Score: 69 Nestled on the banks of the Ouachita River and Bayou Desiard, Monroe-West Monroe is truly among the best small towns to retire in the US. Thanks to their breathtaking scenery, an abundance of shops and galleries, and hundreds of locally owned restaurants, the twin cities deserve a place on our list. 12. Stillwater, Minnesota Insider Monkey Score: 30 Cost of Living Index: 110.4 Median Home Price: $381,000 Livability Score: 83 Our next find for the best river towns for retirement in the US is Stillwater, Minnesota. Nestled along the scenic St. Croix River, this town proves to be an outstanding choice for retirement owing to its captivating blend of historic charm and natural beauty. With affordable home prices and a commendable livability score, this locale solidifies its position as an excellent choice. 11. St. Augustine, Florida Insider Monkey Score: 31 Cost of Living Index: 110.9 Median Home Price: $474,000 Livability Score: 85 Our next pick from the Sunshine State, St. Augustine is hailed as an ideal river town owing to its coastal beauty, historical charm, and moderate climate. Situated along the scenic Matanzas River, retirees get to enjoy an active, social community and lots of adventures. 10. Paducah, Kentucky Insider Monkey Score: 32 Cost of Living Index: 77 Median Home Price: $275,000 Livability Score: 67 Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, Paducah is revered for its charming downtown, rich arts and cultural scene, as well as diverse amenities. 9. Eureka Springs, Arkansas Insider Monkey Score: 33 Cost of Living Index: 76.3 Median Home Price: $300,000 Livability Score: 66 Another exceptional river town amidst the Ozark mountains, Eureka Springs is around fifteen minutes away from the White River. The town boasts a thriving arts scene, preserved Victorian architecture, and its famous mineral water springs. 8. Chattanooga, Tennessee Insider Monkey Score: 33 Cost of Living Index: 89.7 Median Home Price: $315,000 Livability Score: 74 If you wish to say it right, its not Chattnooga, but Chadda-nooga. Regardless of how you spell it, Chattanooga is one of the best river towns for retirement in the US. Boasting a lower-than-average cost of living, affordable home prices, and a good livability score, life in this town can be quite fulfilling and serene. 7. Savannah, Georgia Insider Monkey Score: 34 Cost of Living Index: 90.2 Median Home Price: $335,000 Livability Score: 79 Often hailed as one of the best places to retire in the US, Savannah in Georgia ticks all the boxes when it comes to retirement. Graced by the beautiful Savannah River, the town offers the best of Southern charm and riverside allure. 6. Hannibal, Missouri Insider Monkey Score: 35 Cost of Living Index: 77.6 Median Home Price: $147,000 Livability Score: 71 Next up on our list of best river towns is Hannibal, Missouri. Situated along the Mississippi River, Hannibal offers an amazing rivertown experience to retirees. Seniors appreciate it for its diverse recreational opportunities, cultural charm, as well as history. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best River Towns for Retirement in the US. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 20 Best River Towns for Retirement in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey. John and Beverly Martin, 60, sold their Florida home to travel the world during their retirement. After visiting all 50 states and 51 national parks, they've traveled to over 91 countries. Hidden gems in Denmark, Latvia, and Greece were their favorite destinations in the world. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with John Martin, who previously worked in the aluminum industry, and his wife Beverly, both 60, who have been traveling the world since 2021. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Faroe Islands, Denmark Faroe Islands, Denmark. dirk moll John: There's a part of Denmark called the Faroe Islands. It actually looks like Iceland, but it's a group of islands north of Scotland and west of Norway. In fact, one of the last James Bond movies was filmed there. It was incredible. John: There are these steep mountains with waterfalls going into the ocean. It's just a really great place for hiking rugged, raw land. It's just beautiful. Faroe Islands, Denmark. Roberto Moiola Beverly: They still have Nordic homes and these little seaside villages. They've built a tunnel system underneath the ocean to all the different islands, and you drive to all of these different islands under the tunnels. John: There was this tunnel through a mountain where on the other side it was just a village of 10 homes. Riga, Latvia Riga, Latvia. Marcus Lindstrom John: A surprise city for us was Riga, Latvia. It's one of those cities that isn't connected by train to the rest of Europe, so a lot of people miss it. Beverly: It has this whole area that's very Art Deco. Unfortunately, some of the cities you visit are beautiful but crumbling, but Riga was perfectly intact. It was just really lovely. Riga's central market. Eloi_Omella John: During World War II, five Zeppelin hangars were built in Riga. The city has taken them over and turned them into a central market. One hangar is fruits, another is vegetables. It's really a sight to see. I love salmon and it had this smoked salmon that was $1 for two pounds. Unbelievable and some of the best I've ever had. I just walked around eating it the rest of the afternoon. Riga, Latvia. Maremagnum Beverly: There's a beautiful river running through the town, which gives you great options for long walks. And the center of town, with this classic Old World feel, has so many great restaurants at a very, very low cost. Beverly: There's an easy day trip just across the border to this place: the hill of 100,000 crosses. There's nowhere else in the world that looks like it. Folegandros, Greece Folegandros, Greece. Vasilis Tsikkinis photos John: We found our favorite spot kind of by accident. We went to Santorini, Greece. It's beautiful, but it's filled with cruise boats and hordes of visitors. Forty minutes away, there's an island called Folegandros. We went there to stay a week in April, and it was almost deserted. At one point, it was an island for exiled prisoners because it was completely barren. Now you go around the island and there are hiking trails and gorgeous scenery. Beverly: You can walk across all of this terraced land and look out over the Aegean Sea, next to herds of goats. John Martin walking along the edge of a cliff in Greece. Courtesy of John and Beverly Martin John: We stayed in this little place right on the edge of a 1,000-foot cliff. A yellow farmhouse overlooking the Aegean Sea. Beverly: There were old windmills on this property that were crumbling and in disrepair. But the woman who owned the farmhouse told us that when she was a little girl, they used to grind the wheat for the whole island. It was such cool history. John: We didn't have a car, so we walked everywhere we went. And you walk a lot. You walk a mile to town and pass a man on a donkey. It's a whole different world. Beverly: Folegandros has more churches than people. They told us that when something good happens in your family on the island, you build a church. Some of them are very small, some are medium. Only a handful are quite large. They're like monuments. There's a church at the top of a hill that the island only visits once a year for Easter. They said visitors can join the parade. Read the original article on Business Insider BRANDON, Fla. (WFLA) Laura Bray of Brandon is one of four local finalists in the 2024 NEXSTAR Media Group, Inc./News Channel 8 Remarkable Women Remarkable Women contest. Every day, from her small office, Laura Bray is busy changing lives. She is a key player in helping to heal people who are extremely ill, many facing death, dozens and sometimes hundreds at a time. Laura tracks down life-saving drugs in short supply for people who desperately need them. Meet Remarkable Woman Candy Caldwell Her mission is called Angels for Change, and it began with a single patienther precocious 9-year-old daughter Abbywho was dealt a devastating diagnosis Thanksgiving weekend of 2018. It was a phone call, recalls Laura. And our pediatrician said there are blasts in Abbys blood, there is a bed waiting for her at St. Joes oncology unit. Pack a bag, plan to stay. Get there now. Words no parent wants to hear. WFLA Abby had leukemia. Yet there was hope. Her doctors said this type of leukemia was treatable, and even curable. It would depend on this very long, arduous protocol that would be more than two years, maybe three, explains Laura, but at the end of it was very likely that she was going to not just be ok, but go on to live a life weve always dreamed for her. Soon, the familys hopes were challenged. Treatment went very well for the first few months, until, says Laura, doctors delivered some difficult news. We were told you are not going to get this medicine today. Its on shortage. The news did not escape Abby. You know, she caught it right away. Shes smart, quick, witty, and fierce, you know she doesnt let things go, and she just said, What do you mean? Laura promised her daughter she would find her life-saving medicine. Luckily, I was a business professor, explains Laura. I did have knowledge about supply chain, global supply chains, no medical knowledge or no pharmaceutical knowledge, but I know how business works, I know how business speaks, I know how stakeholders work, and how supply chains work. Laura was able to help Abby quickly, but she didnt stop there. She wanted to help others in her position. I knew there were other families hearing those same words. I couldnt sleep at night, and I asked myself, Is this my purpose? Is this what I was made for? Thats when Angels for ChangeLauras volunteer mission to end drug shortageswas born. Almost immediately, patients and even hospitals began calling Angels for Change for help. Laura says now, the challenge is moving the mission to end drug shortages forward. Shes even taken the issue to Washington, speaking before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Laura says Abby is doing well and looking forward to celebrating five years cancer-free. Yet, in the meantime, she says, more than 300 drugs are still considered in shortage. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Mudbug season is back again. Thats right, South Mississippi bars and restaurants are boiling up crawfish and offering platters with all of the fixings as we prepare for spring. Last year, more than 300,000 people voted in Sun Heralds inaugural crawfish bracket and chose Gulfports Blazin Cajun & Craw Daddys as the winners. Will Gulfport restaurants dominate for a third year in a row? Before we start this years bracket, here is your opportunity to include your favorite crawfish source on the Coast. Nominate the places you love to load up on mudbugs and well be sure to include them in this years competition. A seafood merchant has never seen crawfish so scarce on the MS Coast. What happened? Hallowed be thy gumbo: South Mississippi churchs secret recipe a hit for 40 years New restaurant brings shaved ice treats and boba-filled tea to the Mississippi Coast Martha Beatriz Roque, a pillar of strength and peaceful dissidence in Cuba for decades, was honored at the White House in absentia during a Womens History Month event held Monday. She was one of a dozen women from around the world recognized by First Lady Jill Biden with an International Women of Courage Award. This was no political far-right ceremony against Cuba, but a liberal-minded one in tone, touting a gender-equality and empowerment philosophy. The point was to raise awareness about human rights abuses, from Afghanistan to Uganda and everywhere in between, and to champion the fierce women for whom courage is a deliberate and daily choice, as Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the lives of the honored. READ MORE: Dissident Martha Beatriz Roque is honored at the White House. Cuba didnt let her attend Travel denied But the Cuban regime, in its infinite capacity to be petty and repressive, denied Roque permission to travel to the United States. An economist and former university professor, shes too important a figure to be allowed to leave the country and speak her truth. The denial, however, is an outrage that will surely stay under the radar with the happy-go-lucky American and Canadian travel-to-Cuba crowd, which includes a growing number of women solo-traveling there who should care about these matters. Regretfully, the news of Roques denial also will likely go ignored by influential American women like writer Alice Walker, author of the achingly good book The Color Purple and a long-time admirer of the repressive Castro brothers and the current inherited dictatorship of Miguel Diaz-Canel. Teachers and spiritual guides, Walker called Fidel Castro and Celia Sanchez, the first woman to join his guerrilla forces, in a book of essays dedicated to them. Last month, Walker received from Diaz-Canel a medal of honor for her decades of support of a regime who keeps prominent AfroCuban artists imprisoned for daring to speak their minds and women like Roque in a perennial cycle of harassment, detention and denial of basic rights such as leaving her house freely without persecution. How can Walker and other Americans like her reconcile their support of oppression? READ MORE: Its no coincidence that the alleged Cuba spy peddled Trump and right-wing politics | Opinion American womens Cuba travel Roques denial reminds me of a post I recently saw in a womens international solo travel group. An American sitting poolside in Varadero sipping her mojito described her state of mind as sad. She wanted to go home, felt trapped in the inclusive resort, unable to explore freely, and the weariness of hospitality workers was palpable, she said. In an effort to uplift her, women encouraged her to stay, sharing their politically blindfolded tour explorations of Commie Disneyland. Dozens gave her advice tips on everything from salsa dancing to scoring a fling but only one addressed the elephant in the room. Here was that rare sensitive soul, among privileged free people who travel to oppressive Cuba to get their groove on, accurately reading the national mood and feeling it herself. I acknowledged her feelings and posted about Lisdany Rodriguez Isaac, imprisoned with her twin sister for their peaceful participation in the historic protests of July 11, 2021, and according to her family, lawyer and political prisoner advocacy groups, being pressured by the Cuban government to have an abortion. While few appreciated my post originally which must have felt like a cold shower ruining a hot party Ive noticed that posts on travel to Cuba are increasingly nuanced now. Please dont misinterpret me. I dont stand for denying American women the right to travel, a right that Cuba denies its people. Prohibition solves nothing and mirrors the oppressor, who benefits from Cubas isolation. But its high time to stop romanticizing deceptive Cuba. After 65 years of dictatorship, the ruthless, backward repression should surprise no one. But, somehow, another act of infamy always does. The White House is launching a multi-agency strike force on Tuesday in an effort to curb unfair and illegal pricing across the economy, according to Lael Brainard, chair of the National Economic Council. Brainard will make the announcement at a meeting Tuesday of the White House competition council, a group stacked with Cabinet officials, and other agency heads. The move comes as President Joe Biden seeks new ways to show voters hes cracking down on the so-called corporate greed that he has increasingly blamed for high prices. Yet while Biden is making competition a key part of his domestic economic agenda, the effort will face headwinds from Congress. The White House strike force announcement comes just as lawmakers are poised to rebuff most of the administration's request to increase the budget for the Justice Departments antitrust division as part of the government funding deal announced Sunday. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment. The president supports funding for antitrust enforcement, according to an administration official, who noted that funding for DOJ antitrust enforcement has increased year-over-year under Biden. The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission will strengthen interagency efforts to root out and stop illegal corporate behavior that hikes prices on American families, according to a fact sheet released Monday by the White House. The effort will focus on key sectors where corporations may be violating the law and keeping prices high, including prescription drugs and health care, food and grocery, housing, financial services, and more. POLITICO previously reported the DOJ and FTC will be joining forces with the Department of Health and Human Services on health care enforcement, and that Biden also plans to highlight rising housing costs in his State of the Union address on Thursday. On a call with reporters, Monday, DOJ antitrust head Jonathan Kanter described the work as confronting the most powerful corporations in the world. But in the funding deal released on Sunday, appropriators allocated just $233 million to the antitrust division, substantially less than the roughly $325 million requested by the White House. The bill also would no longer allow the antitrust division to keep a portion of the fees companies pay when they submit deals for review. Instead, that money would be distributed through the standard appropriations process. Congress in 2022 raised the fees with the intention that the money would go to the antitrust division. Fees for the largest deals jumped from $280,000 to $2.5 million. Among its many cases, the DOJ is litigating two significant antitrust cases against Google, a potential near-term lawsuit against Apple and numerous pending high-profile merger reviews including Capital Ones takeover of Discover. All of those efforts require significant resources. Some Democrats are hoping to change the language before the bill becomes final. Diverting these fees is just wrong. We passed strongly bipartisan legislation with an 88-8 vote to ensure that the Antitrust Division at the Justice Department has sufficient resources to vigorously enforce our antitrust laws, said Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who chairs the Senate Antitrust subcommittee. In an increasingly complex world, the Division is going up against major monopolies with unlimited legal resources, and we must even the playing field for consumers and small businesses. I will keep fighting to ensure our enforcers have the resources they need to do their jobs. The White House is highlighting its competition agenda throughout the week. The competition council is meeting Tuesday, and on Monday the panel held an event aimed at curbing drug prices. The FTC and DOJ are also holding a workshop Tuesday on the role of private equity in health care, and Biden is expected to address many of these issues in his State of the Union speech Thursday. Marcia Brown and Katy ODonnell contributed to this report. CLARIFICATION: This report has been updated to clarify how the government funding deal would affect the budget for the Justice Departments antitrust division. White House drops COVID-19 rule that those around Biden, Harris must test negative The White House on Monday lifted regulations on those working in close contact with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, no longer requiring a negative COVID-19 test. The decision marks the end of one of the last remaining federal restrictions from the pandemic era. The White House has pointed to changing guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a key factor in its policies surrounding COVID-19. On March 1, the CDC officially dropped its recommendation for people to isolate themselves for five days after a positive COVID test. PROTEST OF CDC'S NEW COVID GUIDANCE PLANNED FOR THEIR MONTH IN WASHINGTON, DC: 'URGENT NEED' President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris stand onstage and wave to the crowd at a "Reproductive Freedom Campaign Rally" at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia, in January 2024. The agencys new guidance tells people to stay home if they are sick, but when they are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours, they can return to school or work. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP CDC RECOMMENDS ADDITIONAL COVID VACCINE FOR ADULTS 65 AND OVER A general view of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. Prior to this most recent update, the CDC called for people who test positive for the virus to "stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home," a recommendation that was implemented in late 2021. The contrast between the CDC's rhetoric about COVID-19 during the pandemic and afterward has caused controversy among some. In response to last week's change in guidance, a community called LC/DC, which describes itself as non-partisan, is planning a protest at the Lincoln Memorial on March 15. "LC/DC is fighting to raise awareness about long COVID, and we recognize that reducing the isolation policy will result in more infections, long-term illnesses and disability," said Paul Hennessy, one of the three main organizers of the planned event. The demonstration at Lincoln Memorial will take place on March 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Original article source: White House drops COVID-19 rule that those around Biden, Harris must test negative The White House on Tuesday would not say whether President Biden plans to talk about Laken Riley's murder allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant during his upcoming State of the Union address. Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University, was killed while jogging on trails around the University of Georgia campus. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who was living illegally in the United States, has been charged in her murder, which has sparked national outrage and provoked renewed criticism of Biden's border policies. Asked by Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy whether Biden planned to address Riley's death during his State of the Union speech Thursday night, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she had nothing to share about the president's speech related to that topic. "This is such a tragic story and, obviously, situation. This is someone's life that was lost. So I do want to always acknowledge and extend our deepest condolences to her family and to her friends and the people who loved her," Jean-Pierre said. JIM BANKS CALLS ON BIDEN TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE LAKEN RILEY AT SOTU President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, March 1, 2024. She noted that Biden recently traveled to Brownsville, Texas, to visit the southern border and repeated the White House's attack line on Republicans for opposing a bipartisan deal that would have increased border security funding and tightened rules for asylum-seekers. Republicans who oppose the measure say the deal would have normalized high levels of illegal immigration. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Riley's death has become a political rallying cry for Republicans, who argue every crime committed by illegal aliens could have been prevented were the border secure. GOP CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES LAKEN RILEY ACT TO REQUIRE ICE TO DETAIN MIGRANTS ARRESTED FOR THEFT Laken Riley poses for a photo posted to Facebook. Riley, a nursing student, was found dead near a lake on the University of Georgia campus on Feb. 22, 2024. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., on Monday announced legislation, the Laken Riley Act, that would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who are charged with local theft or burglary. Ibarra had been cited in a shoplifting incident before he was released and went on to allegedly kill Riley. Republican Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., on Monday penned a letter to Biden, calling on him to acknowledge Riley's death during the State of the Union address. MOM OF TEXAS TEEN ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY ILLEGAL SUSPECT CALLS FOR CHANGE AFTER LAKEN RILEY MURDER Jose Ibarra was arrested on Feb. 23 in connection with Laken Riley's Feb. 22 murder in Athens, Georgia. "As Commander-in-Chief, it is your duty to protect American citizens, and this tragedy highlights the urgent need to address the surge in crime resulting from your negligence at our southern border," Banks wrote. "Your failure to publicly acknowledge this tragedy is unacceptable," he added. Last week, the White House provided a statement to Fox News Digital regarding Riley's death. "We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley," a spokesperson said. "People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE." Biden, himself, has not addressed the death of Riley, despite being asked during a press conference if he bears any responsibility for it following a speech last week. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Ibarra, who lived within a five-minute walk of the approximate crime scene, is charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. Ibarra entered the United States through the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and was freed on border parole. He initially lived in New York City before moving to Athens. Fox News' Julia Johnson, Aubrie Spady and Thomas Phippen contributed to this report. Original article source: White House won't say if Biden will address Laken Riley's death at State of the Union speech President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting of his Competition Council to announce new actions to lower costs for families in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) WASHINGTON (AP) The Associated Press was able to declare President Joe Biden the winner of a near clean sweep of Democratic Super Tuesday contents based largely on initial vote results that showed him winning about nine out of every 10 votes in almost every contest. The lone exception: American Samoa, where the local Democratic Party announced it had awarded half of its delegates to a little-known candidate. Biden has now won 19 out of 20 contests and has more than quadrupled his total number of delegates. He is on track to win enough delegates to clinch the nomination by March 19. Here's how Super Tuesday played out: IOWA: Called for Biden, 5:50 p.m. EST Biden's first win of the night was in Iowas first vote-by-mail Democratic presidential preference contest. The AP called the race for the president based on near-complete vote results provided by the Iowa Democratic Party showing him leading the field by more than a nine-to-one margin. Ballots postmarked by Tuesday will be accepted and counted until the vote is certified on March 16, but there will not be enough outstanding votes to sway the outcome. Iowa historically has kicked off the race for the White House for both parties, starting in 1972 for Democrats and 1976 for Republicans. But Iowa Democrats were ousted from their first-in-the-nation perch this in favor of South Carolina, which held the partys first authorized 2024 presidential nominating contest on Feb. 3. VIRGINIA: Called for Biden, 7:09 p.m. EST Biden's second Super Tuesday win was in Virginia, where the first vote results of the night showed Biden winning almost all of the vote. Although less than 1% of the vote had been tabulated in the commonwealth, Biden had received more than nine out of 10 votes cast. The initial results showed him winning almost all the vote in the Richmond area, one of the largest Democratic strongholds in the state. He led by such a wide margin in places where the vote had been reported that the APs analysis of Virginias voting history and the political leanings in various areas showed there was no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to take the lead. VERMONT: Called for Biden, 7:20 p.m. EST Biden was leading statewide in Vermont with about nine out of every 10 votes when AP declared him the winner. An estimated 2% of the vote had been tabulated by that point, and initial vote results showed Biden with commanding leads across the states political spectrum from the states Democratic-leaning areas to Republican-leaning territory and the moderate swing areas in between. He also had a sizable lead in the states heavily Republican areas. NORTH CAROLINA: Called for Biden, 7:39 p.m. EST The AP declared Biden the winner less than 10 minutes after polls closed with a cross-section of vote results reported from about a quarter of the states 100 counties. He was the only named candidate listed on the ballot, and initial vote results showed him easily leading No preference, the only other option. Biden was winning about nine out of every 10 votes both statewide and in every major geographic region throughout the state. TENNESSEE: Called for Biden, 8:09 p.m. EST Biden had received almost all of the vote cast at the time the AP declared him the winner. Only about 1% of the expected total vote had been counted at that point from part of seven of the state's 95 counties, but an AP analysis of the states voting history found that Biden's sizable lead in the areas that had reported votes was highly likely to hold. The analysis also showed that even if later updates showed massive vote swings in another candidate's favor it would not be anywhere near enough to oust Biden from first place. OKLAHOMA: Called for Biden, 8:16 p.m. EST Biden also had an overwhelming lead in Oklahoma when the AP declared him the winner. A estimated 6% of the vote from parts of 65 of the state's 77 counties showed Biden winning eight out of every 10 votes statewide. He also had prohibitive leads in every major geographic region in the state. MASSACHUSETTS: Called for Biden, 8:27 p.m. EST At the time the race was called, Biden had about 10 times the vote received by his nearest competitor in the statewide vote No preference." Initial vote results from the Boston area a decisive region in Democratic primaries showed Biden winning there by about the same margin. He also led by comparable margins in all the geographic areas of the state that had reported by then. MAINE: Called for Biden, 8:29 p.m. EST Biden had won almost all of the vote in initial results reported at the time AP declared him the winner in Maine. An estimated 2% of the vote had been counted at the time from a handful of voting jurisdictions from both of the state's congressional districts. The AP analyzed where the votes had been reported at the time the winner was declared and compared them to places where votes had not yet been reported. The AP concluded that even if the trailing candidates had vastly improved their vote performance in areas where the vote had yet to be counted, they still would not be able to overtake Biden for the lead. ARKANSAS: Called for Biden, 8:43 p.m. EST Biden's lead in initial returns in Arkansas were large enough that, based on an analysis of the state's voting history and the political leanings of different areas, there was no scenario that would allow a trailing candidate to take the lead. Biden was winning nearly every vote in Pulaski County, home to Little Rock and an estimated quarter of the states Democratic primary voters. ALABAMA: Called for Biden, 8:45 p.m. EST Initial vote results at the time AP called Alabama for Biden showed him winning nine out of every 10 votes statewide. Biden was winning nearly all the votes reported at the time of the call, and led in every region of the state. He was doing best in the Birmingham area and in the southern part of the state. TEXAS: Called for Biden, 9 p.m. EST By the time the AP called Texas for Biden, polls in almost all of the state had been closed for an hour, and an estimated 43% of the vote had been counted from 102 of the state's 254 counties by the time the last polls closed at 9 p.m. EST. Those results showed Biden had built an insurmountable statewide lead, winning almost nine out of every 10 votes cast statewide and winning by equally big margins in almost every major region in the state. COLORADO: Called for Biden, 9:04 p.m. EST Biden was leading comfortably in every region of Colorado when the AP declared him the winner just four minutes after polls closed. By that time, an estimated 37% of the statewide vote had been counted from eight of the states 64 counties. In the Boulder area, which is home to an estimated fifth of the states Democratic primary voters, Biden had more than 10 times as many votes as the next-closest competitor, the noncommitted delegate option. AMERICAN SAMOA: Called for Jason Palmer, 9:05 p.m. EST The Democratic Party of American Samoa released results of its presidential caucus at 9:05 p.m. EST showing that Jason Palmer won the event with 51 votes, compared to 40 votes for Biden. A total of 91 votes were cast. At 12:25 a.m. EST, the party said that Palmer and Biden would receive three delegates each. MINNESOTA: Called for Biden, 9:24 p.m. EST Biden was declared the winner in Minnesota on the basis of initial vote results from parts of 13 counties from across most of the state. Biden was winning eight out of every 10 votes statewide at the time. The AP analyzed the state's vote history and determined that Bidens sizable lead was highly likely to stand through the rest of the vote count. Biden had his largest lead in northern Minnesota when the race was called. He was significantly ahead of Dean Phillips, who has represented Minnesotas 3rd Congressional District since 2019, in every county that reported results. UTAH: Called for Biden, 10:05 p.m. EST The AP based its call for Biden in Utah on initial returns that showed the president with an overwhelming statewide lead. An estimated 39% of the vote had been counted by that time from three of the Utah's 29 counties, including a sizable update from Salt Lake County, by far the state's most populous and home to about 60% of the expected Democratic electorate. Biden was winning about nine out of every 10 votes statewide and was winning by about the same margin in regions throughout the state. CALIFORNIA: Called for Biden, 11:12 p.m. EST Biden was declared the winner in California based on early vote results from key areas throughout the state. At the time the race was called, an estimated 6% of the vote had been tabulated from parts of eight of the state's 58 counties. Biden was winning more than nine out of 10 statewide votes and had comparable leads in most of the state's key geographic regions. Calling it a loophole in Florida law, Republican lawmakers in the Legislature on Monday voted for a bill that targets identification cards provided to undocumented immigrants by community programs, part of a broader effort that they say is meant to deter illegal immigration in the state. One of the co-sponsors of the proposal said during a debate in the House that the state needs to crack down on these identification documents and echoed a far-right conspiracy, known as the Great Replacement Theory, whose premise is that white Americans are being actively displaced by non-white people and immigrants. Rep. Jeff Holcomb, a Republican from Hernando County, said that the United States is no longer sovereign and that Washington has allowed the country to be invaded. He listed the reasons why he believes supporters of the programs back the community IDs. Number one: They want to increase the population in certain segments of this country, so they can get electoral votes and more representatives in Washington. Number two: They want illegal immigrants to vote, said Holcomb. They want a popular vote. You are going to win a popular vote election when you allow new people to vote. The bill, which was introduced in the House by Republican state Reps. Kiyan Michael and Berny Jacques, prohibits county and municipal governments from accepting IDs or documents knowingly issued to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. Eighty-one House members voted in favor of the bill, while another 32 opposed it. The legislation is scheduled to be on the Senates special order calendar on Tuesday. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, also a Republican, introduced it in that chamber. The legislation expands on a state immigration-related law from last year that barred local governments from funding organizations that give IDs to people who cannot prove they are authorized to be in the country. If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the new law would go into effect in July of this year. Miami-Dade and Broward counties have nonprofit-run, community ID programs. They give identification cards to Floridians who cant get a state ID because they dont meet requirements or have a difficult time doing so, including homeless people, survivors of domestic violence, formerly incarcerated citizens, seniors and immigrants. Those who support community IDs say they help keep Florida safer and help vulnerable people get critical services in their communities. When Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava first launched the program following county commission board approval in 2022, she said that it was a long-awaited solution for many of our residents who do not have an ID card that could make their lives easier on a daily basis. Today, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties can no longer fund the community ID programs because of last years state law, but the local groups that run them have continued issuing the IDs. In Miami-Dade, the IDs can be used to adopt animals, connect houses to water meters, receive commuter discounts, get access to housing services and file consumer complaints, among other purposes, according to a 2022 county memo about the programs rollout. They also help law enforcement identify victims and witnesses of crime. ID holders can also use them to pick up children from school and go to doctors appointments. The community IDs cannot be used to vote, drive or receive social welfare benefits. READ MORE: State forbids public funding of community IDs but local programs still issuing them I encourage folks to think about community IDs beyond the debate around immigration. Just look at it as a tool of public safety to ensure everyone can receive critical assistance thats rightfully theirs, said Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from Orange County, during the debate on Monday. She emphasized the utility of community IDs in times of emergency, such as to get sandbags during hurricanes. Tallahassee legislators who publicly backed the bill on Monday linked illegal immigration to violent crime and pointed to high-profile murders of U.S. citizens at the hands of undocumented immigrants. Holcomb described his colleague, Rep. Michael, as a victim of illegal immigration. Michael has publicly shared the story of losing her 21-year-old son in a car accident that involved an undocumented immigrant. In a campaign advertisement for Gov. Ron DeSantis, she narrated how a twice-deported man rammed into her sons car. There are people who are waiting to come into this nation. There are people who paid the prices, theyve done their time, theyve waited in line, theyve filled out the forms. And they are still waiting. But in two years weve had over 8 million plus known terrorists that have come into this nation, said Michael, appearing to refer to the number of encounters that Customs and Border Protection has registered with migrants nationwide since 2021. (However, one individual can have more than one encounter. A Washington Post analysis of Department of Homeland Security data shows that over 2.3 million people have been released from the U.S.-Mexico border, where the majority of encounters have taken place since 2021.) Holcomb also cited the recent murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student who was killed at the University of Georgia last month. A Venezuelan man has been charged with the murder, which has become part of the national debate around immigration in recent days. Washington, you have blood on your hands...You are standing behind murderers who are here illegally. Stop standing with criminals and stand with Americans and support this bill, he said. Rep. Jacques, the co-sponsor, called the community ID legislation a matter of life and death. Let Americans thrive in their own country without worrying about the government failing to keep them safe. And if its just for that reason, to make sure that we dont lose one more American because there was an incentive that drew them here in the first place then thats a reason good enough for me to vote up on this bill, said Jacques, who was born in Port-Au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Research has found that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than their native-born counterparts. One study evaluating over a century of Census data found that people born outside the country are less likely to be imprisoned than U.S.-born Americans. Rep. Angela Nixon,a Jacksonville Democrat, described Holcombs rhetoric on immigration as really disrespectful to immigrants and refugees all across our state and this country. Rep. Marie Paule Woodson, a Democrat from Hollywood born in the Haitian city of Port-de-Paix, questioned colleagues about why they were trying to hurt immigrants with the bill, and pointed to the immigrant roots of several state legislators. When we come up with bills like this one, we forget where we come from. When we are immigrants and we are trying to marginalize other immigrants, we forget where we come from. When we seem to ignore the plea of immigrants, we forget where we come from, she said. This country was built on the back of immigrants and slavery. Hurting immigrants is hurting the United States. Miami Herald Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee bureau reporter Ana Ceballos contributed to this report. Jeremy Hunt, left, is expected to launch a new Isa allowance at the spring Budget - Simon Dawson /No 10 Downing Street Investors could be 30,000 worse off under Jeremy Hunts plans for a Great British Isa. In todays Budget, the Chancellor announced the launch of a new Isa allowance in order to boost investment in homegrown firms. Isas Individual Savings Accounts allow savers to stash away up to 20,000 a year without paying tax on interest or returns. The Great British Isa, however, will see savers benefit from an extra 5,000 allowance for UK-listed equities. But there have been growing concerns the move would see retail investors paying the price for the London markets lacklustre performance. New analysis has shown that investors choosing British stocks over their international counterparts could lose out in the long term. Over the past 10 years, an investor who consistently invested 5,000 in a tracker following the FTSE All Share would have made 67,658, according to calculations by stockbroker AJ Bell. But the same investor putting money into the Fidelity Index World, which mirrors the performance of the MSCI World, would have seen their pot grow to 97,488 a difference of 30,000. If they invested in US stocks, they would have more than doubled their contributions to 113,230 by the end of the period. Laith Khalaf, of AJ Bell, said: The UK stock market has fallen way behind the global stock market in the last ten years and so a Great British Isa would not have produced happy investors over this period. The performance of the next 10 years may not look like the last, but given that technological growth and investment indexing show no signs of abating, it wouldnt be a total surprise to find investors continuing to find better returns across the pond. It is hoped a Great British Isa would revive Londons stock market amid an Initial public offering (IPO) drought. The number of companies listing in the UK has fallen by a fifth since 2019, as firms are lured away to larger, more liquid markets. The FTSE All Share has delivered a return of just 66pc over the last decade compared to 219pc for global equities, while the S&P 500 has returned 320pc. Proponents of the Great British Isa argue that it could reverse the London stock markets fortunes, raising an estimated 200bn for British businesses. But others have said that increased retail investment is not the solution to Britains poor performance. Jason Hollands, of stockbroker Bestinvest, said strict regulation, stamp duty and the allure of innovative companies in the US are other driving factors behind the markets decline. He continued: A Great British Isa might be part of the mix in turning around the prospects of the UK market by dragooning more retail investment into UK equities, but wider reforms are needed, such as ditching stamp duty on share trades. Many investors already have a slight home bias in their portfolios and so the introduction of a Great British Isa could encourage them to increase their exposure even more. An investment portfolio should be well-diversified across sectors and geographies to reduce volatility over time. Mr Khalaf added: Investors would probably welcome the extra tax protection provided by a Great British Isa, but theyd prefer it without strings attached telling them where to invest their portfolio. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In this article, we will be taking a look at the 20 countries with most antidepressant users in the world. If you do not want to learn about the global antidepressant market, head straight to the 5 Countries with Most Antidepressant Users in the World. In today's global landscape, mental health awareness and treatment have become increasingly prevalent topics of discussion. One significant aspect of this discourse is the utilization of antidepressants, which serves as a metric for understanding the prevalence of depression and related mental health conditions within populations. Global Antidepressants Market Dynamics The global antidepressants market is experiencing significant growth, projected at $30.59 billion by 2029, showing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.90%. This growth is attributed to factors such as the high prevalence of mental illness, the presence of specialty centers, and annual drug launches. The market is segmented by drug class, indication, route of administration, end-users, and distribution channels. Key players in this market include Endo Pharmaceuticals plc, Zydus Cadila, Mylan N.V., and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Factors contributing to this growth include the rise in the prevalence of depression, an increase in awareness about depression, and advancements in research and development activities in the healthcare sector. North America is expected to witness significant growth due to the high prevalence of depression and the presence of key players manufacturing antidepressant drugs. In the US, around 17.3 million people suffered from major depressive episodes in 2017. The country is expected to witness substantial growth in the antidepressant market due to rising rates of depression and an increasing number of post-traumatic depressive symptoms post-pandemic. The market size in North America stood at USD 6.00 billion in 2019, with major depressive disorder affecting an estimated 6.7% of the adult population each year. The rising prevalence of mental disorders like depression and increased emphasis on early diagnosis is driving demand for innovative drugs in the US market. Story continues Financial statistics show that the global antidepressants market size was USD 11.67 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow to $18.29 billion by 2027, per Fortune Business Insights. Europe has an estimated 40 million people suffering from depression annually, boosting demand for antidepressants in the region. Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR due to increasing sales of antidepressant drugs among adults. Advancements in Mental Health Treatment: Antidepressants and Psychedelic Therapies Antidepressant use in the US has been increasing, with 13.2% of adults aged 18 and over using them during 20152018, with higher usage among women. The top antidepressants by prescription volume include Trazodone, Fluoxetine, Bupropion, and Duloxetine. Sertraline and fluoxetine are among the most prescribed, with newer drugs like bupropion, venlafaxine, and duloxetine also gaining popularity. Sertraline (Zoloft) remains the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the US, with over 38 million prescriptions in 2020 costing $523 million. Antidepressants are primarily used to alleviate symptoms of depression but also for conditions like OCD, social anxiety, panic disorder, GAD, and PTSD. They work by influencing neurotransmitters in the brain. While crucial, their effectiveness varies, requiring close collaboration between healthcare professionals and patients. The rise in antidepressant use reflects increased recognition of mental health issues and the efficacy of these medications. Nonetheless, debates persist about potential overuse and the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on prescription rates. Nevertheless, antidepressants play a crucial role in treating mental health conditions and improving the quality of life for many individuals. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) has made significant contributions to antidepressant development, including Zyprexa, Symbyax, and Prozac, addressing treatment-resistant depression. They continue researching these drugs, emphasizing mental health treatment improvement. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) also focuses on global medicine accessibility, ensuring essential medications like antidepressants reach those in need. Recent FDA approval of Symbyax for treatment-resistant depression highlights their innovative approach. Strategic investments, like acquiring Erbitux for colorectal cancer, demonstrate their commitment to healthcare advancement. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) is poised to lead in mental health treatment and pharmaceutical innovation, prioritizing research, development, and accessibility for better patient outcomes. On the other hand, Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ:CMPS) also focuses on innovative mental health treatments, developing psilocybin-assisted therapies for TRD, PTSD, and anorexia nervosa. Their COMP360 psilocybin treatment shows promise for TRD and received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA. Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ:CMPS)'s recent news includes positive outcomes for COMP360 therapy and the appointment of Guy Goodwin as Chief Medical Officer. Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ:CMPS) has raised over $100 million and continues research with a focus on psychedelic-assisted therapies. Their strategies include patient-centered research, scientific rigor, and collaboration, with plans to participate in investor conferences and advance psilocybin-assisted therapies for depression and anxiety. 20 Countries with Most Antidepressant Users in the World A scientist in a lab coat working with petri dishes containing biopharmaceutical drugs. Our Methodology For our methodology, we have ranked the countries with the most antidepressant users in the world based on annual sales of antidepressants per capita in 2021 and 2020. For the accuracy of data, we relied on the OECD. Here is our list of the 20 countries with most antidepressant users in the world. 20. Slovakia Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $3.50 In 2021, Slovakia, one of the countries with most antidepressant users in the world, saw a 4.2% increase in antidepressant consumption, part of a broader European trend where usage has more than doubled in two decades, making Europeans the largest consumers globally. There's also a rise in anti-anxiety medication use, like diazepam or lorazepam, in Slovakia and other European countries, despite their addictive nature. Financially, Germany, Spain, and Italy spent significant amounts on antidepressants in 2020, posing a burden on citizens and governments, with Portugal allocating 4% of pharmaceutical sales to antidepressants. 19. Estonia Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $4.10 Estonia experienced a significant increase in antidepressant consumption from 2009 to 2022, with a 9.34% rise in 2022 alone, which mirrors a broader European trend, with the average consumption across 18 countries increasing from 30.5 to 75.3 dosages per 1,000 people per day from 2000 to 2020. OECD statistics confirm a consistent uptrend in antidepressant usage in Estonia, indicating a flourishing market for these medications. 18. South Korea Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $4.50 South Korea exhibits a notable reliance on antidepressants, with escitalopram and paroxetine being the most commonly prescribed, accounting for 22.4% and 18.7% of prescriptions, respectively. This preference suggests an apparent inclination towards these medications within the country. 17. Denmark Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $5 Denmark stands among the top countries with most antidepressant users, with around 9% of the population prescribed these medications in 2021. While the country experienced a 4% decline in antidepressant usage over the last decade, it remains a prevalent issue. Expenses related to antidepressant drug spending reflect a significant burden on citizens and the healthcare system. 16. Chile Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $6.20 Chile saw a significant increase in antidepressant consumption between 1992 and 2004, mirroring global trends. While the specific top-selling antidepressant isn't named, SSRIs are commonly prescribed. Concerns have been raised about price differences in the Chilean drug market, with variations of up to 6,000 Pesos potentially affecting accessibility and affordability for those in need of antidepressant medication. 15. Czech Republic Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $6.20 The Czech Republic has witnessed a remarkable 577% increase in antidepressant consumption, the highest in Europe, positioning the country as one of the world's top consumers of these medications. This surge in usage is reflected in the pharmaceutical market, indicating a significant demand for antidepressants over the years. Given these high consumption rates, it's probable that commonly prescribed medications like SSRIs or SNRIs are among the popular choices, as they are widely used globally for treating depression and anxiety disorders. 14. Slovenia Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $6.30 Sloveni, standing fourteenth among the countries with most antidepressant users in the world, has experienced a significant increase in antidepressant consumption, with 147,300 patients prescribed at least one antidepressant in 2018. Over a decade, the prevalence of antidepressant use rose by 16%, indicating a growing reliance on these medications. Sertraline, a widely prescribed SSRI, is among the most commonly sold antidepressants in Slovenia due to its effectiveness and mild side effects. 13. Norway Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $6.60 Norway has a significant number of antidepressant users, particularly among those aged 85 to 89, reaching approximately 61 users per thousand inhabitants in 2021. In 2011, nearly 300,000 Norwegians were prescribed antidepressants, constituting about 6.3% of the population, with sales nearing 50 million, which indicates a substantial financial commitment to mental health care, likely involving commonly prescribed drugs such as SSRIs or SNRIs to address depression and related conditions. 12. Finland Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $7.40 Finland, one of the top countries with most antidepressant users in the world, with a consumption rate of 67.6 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 people in 2016, highlighting mental health challenges. The Finnish market for antidepressants is robust, with sales exceeding $34 million by 2026, indicating a significant investment in mental health treatment within the country. 11. Italy Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $8.10 Italy has experienced a significant increase in antidepressant consumption, quadrupling between 2000 and 2011 to reach 36.12 Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day. This rise primarily involves SSRIs, which are preferred over TCAs. Financially, Italy spent around $456 million (440 million) on antidepressants in 2020, reflecting a significant burden on citizens and the country. 10. Sweden Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $8.50 Sweden stands tenth among the countries with most antidepressant users in the world. Between 2009 and 2022, there has been a steady rise in the number of antidepressant users. Notably, between 2006 and 2011, 1,274,552 individuals purchased at least one antidepressant medication from a pharmacy, indicating a significant demand for these medications within the population. 9. Austria Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $9.70 Austria is notable for its significant consumption of antidepressants, with an average defined daily dosage of around 63.5 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2021, ranking among the top countries globally. The consumption of psychopharmacologic drugs, including antidepressants, has been notable, with slight decreases observed in 2020 compared to 2019. Despite these reductions, the overall demand for antidepressants remains substantial in the Austrian pharmaceutical market. 8. Luxembourg Annual Sales Per Capita (2021): $9.70 Luxembourg demonstrates significant antidepressant consumption, although it experienced a 4.2 dosage decrease per 1,000 inhabitants per day in 2022 compared to 2021. With a rate of 57 antidepressant users per 1,000 people, Luxembourg reflects notable antidepressant usage. Interestingly, individuals aged 65 and above in Luxembourg, as well as in 15 out of 19 countries, use antidepressants less compared to those aged between 50 and 64. 7. Germany Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $9.80 Germany is one of the countries that consume the most antidepressant drugs, with a 2.89% increase in 2021, reaching 1.8 dosages per 1,000 inhabitants per day. Escitalopram is a commonly prescribed antidepressant with a high incidence in certain regions. Financially, antidepressant consumption significantly impacts healthcare expenditures, with a 7.4% 1-year prevalence rate among health insurance members, differing by gender (male: 4.3%; female: 10.2%). These statistics highlight the substantial financial implications of antidepressant consumption in Germany. 6. Ireland Annual Sales Per Capita (2020): $10.90 In Ireland, there's a significant prevalence of antidepressant usage, notably among children aged 0 to 15. There's a substantial increase in spending on antidepressant medications, especially in Northern Ireland, where expenditure surged by nearly 7 million within a year. The country's prescribing culture indicates high consumption of sedatives, tranquilizers, and antidepressants, with many users reporting daily consumption. Financially, Northern Ireland saw a notable rise in spending on antidepressant drugs in 2020 compared to the previous year. Click to see and continue reading the 5 Countries with Most Antidepressant Users in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure. None: The 20 Countries With Most Antidepressant Users in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. As Republicans in 15 states go to the polls on Tuesday to vote for their preferred nominee to battle Joe Biden, there is little doubt about what the results will be. Donald Trump has run a formidable campaign, winning all but one of this years primaries and losing to Nikki Haley only in Washington DC, where just 2,000 GOP members voted. In all of the Super Tuesday states, Mr Trump has an unassailable lead. In California, which will allocate the largest chunk of delegates in this contest, he is ahead by more than 50 points, and he holds a lead of 40 points or more in North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee. According to the latest estimates, Mr Trump is likely to have secured enough delegates to win the nomination outright by the end of this month. A Haley victory is mathematically possible but vanishingly unlikely. But despite Mr Trumps success, Ms Haley has baffled pundits by refusing to drop out of the race. Nikki Haley at a rally in Fort Worth, Texas - Shutterstock After losing South Carolina, the former governor said she would remain on the ballot to provide a real choice to Republican voters on Super Tuesday and avoid a Soviet-style coronation. In a recent interview, she added that she was not running for her political career but my kids and all your kids and grandkids, and that her campaign was about the direction of the party. Donations have continued to pour in. Ms Haleys statements in the face of almost certain defeat give some indication of her game plan. By remaining in the race for so long, she has increased her name recognition among voters, proven she has the support of a significant minority of the party and spent time on the campaign trail explaining her vision for the GOP. Thousands of voters many hostile to Mr Trump have turned out to listen to her at rallies around the country. Although it will fail to win her the nomination, this campaign could allow Ms Haley to become the frontrunner to replace Mr Trump who cannot serve a third time if he wins office in November. Ms Haley is unlikely to win a primary outright on Tuesday, but there are some states where she could pull off some interesting results. In Colorado, for instance, there have been no polls for months and the population has a relatively small proportion of white evangelical voters, who typically support Mr Trump. In Virginia, there is a high proportion of university-educated voters, who are generally more likely to back Ms Haley, while Utah has a large population of Mormons who are concerned about Mr Trumps lifestyle choices. Tiny Vermont and its neighbour Massachusetts, both of which have educated electorates and few evangelicals, also have open or partially open primaries that will allow Ms Haley to pick up votes from Democrats or non-affiliated voters. A good performance of more than 35 per cent of the vote in six or seven states would allow her to continue making the argument that she is the best non-MAGA politician in the GOP. She could then begin the post-Trump campaign on day one of the next administration, having become the face of the establishment wing of the party that has so far spent seven years out in the cold. As it stands, Ms Haleys underwhelming performance in potentially friendly states like New Hampshire and South Carolina has not made this strategy very plausible. If she has any chance of becoming the next leader, Ms Haley must show she has the support of a serious chunk of the party in many states and Super Tuesday might be her last chance to do that. In short, the best time for Ms Haley to start building political momentum was six weeks ago. The second best time is now. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Its taken quite a bit longer than expected, but on Tuesday, March 5 which is known as Super Tuesday former President Donald Trump aims to deliver a knockout blow to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haleys hopes of winning the Republican nomination for president. Meanwhile, President Biden is expected to easily defeat his minor Democratic challengers in his partys nominating contests. Which states are voting on Super Tuesday A total of 14 states will hold both Republican and Democratic nominating contests on Super Tuesday: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Alaska will also hold Republican caucuses, and Democrats will complete their Iowa caucuses and announce results. Additionally, American Samoa will hold its Democratic caucuses. Most of the attention will be paid to the Republican contests because, unlike Biden, Trump still has a significant challenger in Haley. The big prize: delegates With 854 delegates up for grabs on the Republican side, Super Tuesday is the biggest voting day of the year before the November general election. Trump currently leads Haley in the delegate count, with 244 delegates to her 43. Why its taken so long for Trump to finish this Nikki Haley and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House after Trump accepted Haley's resignation in 2018. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Many thought Trumps win in Iowa was the knockout blow or then his victory in New Hampshire. But starting in New Hampshire, Haley won a significant minority (around 40%) of the vote. And in a series of contests over the past several weeks, she has continued to battle Trump and criticize him more and more forcefully. How delegates get allocated Most of the states holding primaries on Super Tuesday use a rule for delegate allocation called proportional with trigger. In many states, that means that if a candidate wins the contest with more than 50% of the vote, that person gets all the delegates. (If no one wins more than 50%, then anyone who gets at least a certain amount, usually between 10% and 15%, gets that same percentage of the delegates from that state.) The two parties respective nominees are formally selected at the national party conventions over the summer, when delegates from all the states come together and choose their representative for the fall election. How GOP primary rules help Trump The rules of delegate allocation are complex and vary widely state by state. But they generally favor the candidate who is in the lead, and thats Trump. These trigger rules mean that in states where Haley might continue to win 30% to 40% of the vote like California, Vermont, Utah and Virginia she is quite likely to be shut out of the delegate haul because of the state primary rules that reward anyone who gets a majority. However, there are other states, like North Carolina, where 32 of its 74 Republican delegates will be awarded proportionally to all candidates who finish with at least 20% of the vote. The other 42 GOP delegates in that state will be awarded, three at a time, by congressional district. In the congressional districts, anyone who receives at least 60% gets all three delegates in that area. Haleys last stand? Haley has stayed in the race in part because she keeps winning a substantial minority, and because she argues Trump is a uniquely flawed and vulnerable candidate in the general election. In recent days, shes also indicated she believes Trump might subvert the Constitution if elected, retracted her pledge to support him if he becomes the nominee and likened the Republican Party choosing him as suicide for our country. However, except for a major surprise, if Trump sweeps Super Tuesday, Haleys chances of beating him go from very slim to nonexistent. Some good news for Haley On Friday, Haley was endorsed by two Republican senators, both women: Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. Murkowski and Collins are both firmly in the moderate column of the GOP, so they wont sway many hard-core Trump voters. But both of their states are holding primary contests on Super Tuesday, so the news of their endorsement is positive for Haley in both those places. On Sunday, Haley won the Republican her first primary, in the District of Columbia. She earned 19 delegates with the win. Even better news for Trump Voters in Illinois, Maine and Colorado had looked to remove Trump from the ballot in those states because, they said, he had violated the Constitution's insurrection clause due to his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. But on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that individual states removing a candidate from its ballot would be unconstitutional. This is particularly good news for Trump because both Maine and Colorado will be holding primaries on Super Tuesday. Why is it called Super Tuesday? Every primary season, one day out of the election calendar is deemed Super. Theres nothing official about it it just usually means that thats the day with the most contests, making it the closest thing the U.S. has to a national primary. Who can vote on Super Tuesday? It depends on the state. If you live in one of the areas holding nominating contests on Super Tuesday, check with your state or local voting board on whether you are eligible to cast a ballot. Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom. For only the second time this century, on Tuesday Minnesota voters will have a chance to participate in a presidential primary election. And it's not just any primary, but one that tests the mettle of a voter's sense of agency. The wise heads of politics and news media have assured us that the candidates for 2024 are already decided. Yet we cling to the idea that the process matters, that campaigns matter, and that this election will be decided in November and not before. President Grover Cleveland observed in 1885 that "every voter, as surely as your chief magistrate, exercises a public trust." We would add that a trust is a trust, even when it seems unlikely to make a difference. If voters cast their ballots in a way that registers their displeasure with the available choices, that could make a difference. If they give larger-than-expected shares of the vote to the underdogs, that could make a difference. If they support the established favorites of their respective parties, or if they cross party lines to sabotage an opposing candidate, or if they declare themselves uncommitted any of those actions will send a signal that might make a difference. If voters fail to turn out Tuesday, that will send a different message, and not a helpful one: It will suggest that voters see no point in registering their views, that they are ready to concede their irrelevance. That would only empower and encourage those whose interests lie in a depressed voter turnout. Much better to demonstrate that Minnesota's voters are aware, engaged and watching attentively. As in every other sort of election, Minnesota makes voting in a primary easy. Most polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and anyone waiting in line when the polls close still gets to cast a vote. Employers must allow workers time to vote, and voters may bring a friend to help, or they may ask election judges for assistance. Voters who are already registered need not bring an I.D. to the polling place, and if they have not yet registered they can do so on the spot. This being a presidential primary election, it will be necessary to identify with one of the major political parties Republican, Democratic-Farmer-Labor or Legal Marijuana Now. The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office has sample ballots available for viewing, as well as a helpful online tool for finding one's polling place, at sos.state.mn.us/. Unless you have been paying extraordinary attention, you will find a name or two on the sample ballots that are entirely unfamiliar. We were interested to find one whose photos, in a Google search, show him wearing what at first looks like a wizard's hat but on closer inspection turns out to be an inverted rubber boot on his head. We won't mention his name here. Our purpose today is not to advance any candidate over another, but merely to advance the idea that today is Super Tuesday, the most significant day so far of the 2024 election cycle, and to remind you that Minnesota has a role to play. We urge you to vote. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Wichita Fire Department will be hosting another Citizens Fire Academy this spring. Classes will be held every Tuesday evening starting in April and go through the beginning of June. Although the WFD has not released what time the classes start, they say the classes will last 2-3 hours and take place at the Regional Training Center, 4746 E. 31st St. S. #4494. The last meeting will be held at a City Council meeting to recognize the participants for completing the academy. Some of the topics participants will learn about include: WFD History, introductions, overview of the department Recruitment, what it takes to be a firefighter, life of a firefighter Dispatch (911) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Engine & Truck Company Operation Special Operations Heavy Rescue, Haz Mat Team, Vehicle Extrication Fire Investigations Community Risk Reduction Division Medical Calls, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Kansas Firefighters Museum So much more! Sedgwick County Emergency Management participating in statewide tornado drill Wednesday The Wichita Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy is dedicated to increasing public awareness by familiarizing and informing the citizens of Wichita, our customers, and associates of the various divisions, duties, and responsibilities of the Fire Department, said the WFD. Through education, demonstration, and participation, class members will better understand what we do, how we do it, and why. The WFD says after completing the program, participants will be able to use their knowledge to create a safer home and work environment as well as educate others about the Wichita Fire Department and the services it provides to the community. Click here for details and to apply. Email kkennard@wichita.gov or wichitafire@wichita.gov with any questions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Captain Charlie Griffin, who starred on reality show Wild Tuna: Outer Banks, has died in a boating accident. (Reels Of Fortune Wicked Tuna) Captain Charlie Griffin, the experienced fisherman who became a fan favourite on the National Geographic reality show Wild Tuna: Outer Banks, has died in a boating accident. Griffin captained the Reels of Fortune, and the announcement was made on the vessels official Facebook page: 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. Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff! Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks is a reality series about teams of commercial fishermen battling to bring in lucrative Atlantic bluefin tuna from around the Outer Banks, a line of islands off the coast of North Carolina. Local news source The Outer Banks Voice reports that on the morning of Monday 4 March, the US Coast Guard received a report of an overdue vessel traveling from Virginia to Wanchese, North Carolina. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was subsequently located off Pea Island and the bodies of Charlie Griffin and his dog, both deceased, were recovered onshore near the same location. The vessel appeared to have capsized, and officials are still searching for a second occupant who was believed to be aboard the vessel. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is leading the investigation with assistance from US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, NC Marine Fisheries, Dare County Sheriffs Office, and the US Coast Guard. Griffin was a much-loved member of the Wild Tuna: Outer Banks cast from the shows second season until the fifth. He led his crew to triumph in the fourth season. The show was originally called Wicked Tuna: North vs. South but the name was changed at the start of the second season On Instagram, NC Watermen United, a non-profit that advocates for commercial fishermen in North Carolina, remembered Griffin fondly. It is with a sad heart that we write this post. Captain Charlie Griffin met with a tragic boating accident in the early hours of Monday morning off Oregon Inlet. We wish to extend our sympathy to the family, friends, and fellow fishermen of this well respected and beloved captain of the Reels of Fortune. Griff touched all whom he met including all his fans from his days on Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks. Griff was well loved and will be missed by many. We are forever grateful for the impact he made on our lives. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) As strong winds, dry grass and unseasonably warm temperatures fuel the environment for wildfires, Oklahomas latest fire, known as the Smokehouse Creek Fire, has claimed two lives. The wildfire forced the closing of highways in the area alongside the emergency removal of livestock and is now 75% percent contained. The Oklahoma Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) and its volunteers sprang quickly into action providing relief to those in need. Solar panel company vanishes leaving Oklahomans with unfinished business The State of Oklahoma Emergency Operations Center Wildfire Response & Recovery efforts confirm 152,294 approximate acreage has burned. According to the Oklahoma Forestry Services the breakdown is as follows: Catesby Fire (Ellis County): 90,920 Smokehouse Fire (Ellis/Roger County): 31,596 Slapout Fire (Beaver County): 26,048 Sand Creek Fire (Harper County): 2,304 Marsh Fire (Dewey County): 603 Copenhaver Fire (Woods County): 500 L Road Fire (Texas County): 323 The towns of Gage and Shattuck were ordered by public safety officials in Ellis County to evacuate on February 27, as the wildfires moved from the Texas panhandle. On Monday, Feb 26, wildfires also were reported in Latimer, Harper, Woods, Okfuskee and Pontotoc counties. For more information on Disaster Relief or to donate, visit okdisasterhelp.org. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An ex-teacher has been banned from the profession after being convicted of assaulting two pupils in a classroom. Richard Lewis pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Swindon Magistrates' Court in March 2021. A misconduct panel said Lewis was a maths teacher at an unnamed school in Wiltshire at the time of the incident, and had nearly 20 years experience. It added he should "not have reacted in a violent manner" after potentially "provocative" language. He had two previous convictions related to assaults after incidents in 2002 and 2011, neither of which happened at the previous schools he worked at in Bristol and London. 'Shoved pupil to floor' A report by the Teacher's Regulation Authority published on Tuesday said Lewis, who is now 49 years old, used "inappropriate language" towards a boy known as pupil A in November 2020. Pupil A then said something to Lewis, which has not been disclosed, before he got up to leave the class, the report said. Lewis then shoved the pupil in the chest, causing him to fall to the floor, placed his foot on the pupil's chest and stood over him asking if he was being racist, the misconduct panel said. A separate pupil, referred to as pupil B, intervened and pushed Lewis off pupil A, the report said. Lewis then pushed pupil B on his "upper arm or "rib area", before returning to his position of standing over pupil A with his foot on his chest, the misconduct panel said. When pupil A got up, the report said Lewis threatened him with "hitting him hard in the face if he said that again". Despite expressing "some regret at the time" asking for his "sincerest apologies" to be passed onto the families of the two pupils and exam classes, the panel did not consider Lewis displayed "sufficient insight or remorse". On 12 March 2021, Lewis was sentenced to a community order of 18 months with an unpaid work requirement at Swindon Magistrates' Court. The report said: "Nevertheless, the number of convictions of a similar behaviour ought to have indicated to Mr Lewis that he should have taken steps to rehabilitate and learn how to control his reactions. "There was no evidence of successful rehabilitation." It added: "In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession. "A published decision, in light of the circumstances in this case, does not in my view satisfy the public interest requirement concerning public confidence in the profession." Lewis will not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach, but he has a right of appeal within 28 days from the date he is given notice of the order. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. The right-wing Fellowship Foundation, a.k.a the Family, has failed to condemn Ugandas kill the gays law and the Congressional Equality Caucus, which demanded to know the groups role in the law, is outraged. When youre given the opportunity to publicly oppose a law that permits the government to execute LGBTQI+ people just because of who they are, why wouldnt you take it? U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, chair of the Equality Caucus, said in a Friday press release. Pocan, a gay Democrat from Wisconsin, had written to Fellowship Foundation President Katherine Crane in late January to express concern about the foundations relationship with anti-LGBTQ+ leaders in Africa, especially in Uganda. Since the passage of [Ugandas] first Anti-Homosexuality Act a decade ago, there have been numerous reports linking both bills, their authors, and the larger movement to further criminalize LGBTQI+ people in Uganda to the Fellowship Foundation/the Family, and its associates, he wrote. The act, passed last year, provides for a sentence of life in prison for consensual same-sex relations and the death penalty in certain circumstances. It also requires that citizens report anyone they suspect has violated the law. It replaces a similar law that was passed a decade ago, although without the death penalty provision, and was struck down by Ugandas highest court, not because of its content but because of the manner in which it was adopted. The new law is being challenged in court as well. Pocan received a brief response from Crane, dated February 28. At no time has there been any authorization or interest by the International Foundation to fund, influence, or instigate any hurt or hate for anyone, she wrote. Just like you in Congress, we dont control any member of congress, or even our own friends thoughts and words. We certainly understand political agendas in Washington and around the world, yet work to sincerely love people and pray for the work of leaders. We thank you for your letter to help us in that way. The congressman found Cranes response deeply unsatisfactory. She did not address the Anti-Homosexuality Act directly, nor did she respond to questions raised about the foundations involvement with Ugandas National Prayer Breakfast. It helped support the event in 2023 and flew in U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, a Michigan Republican, to speak there. He urged Ugandas leaders to stand firm against international critics, although he later said he did not support the Anti-Homosexuality Act. The Fellowship Foundations four-sentence response to my letter where they refuse to explicitly condemn Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act or discuss their connections to the National Prayer Breakfast Foundationbegs the question: what else are they trying to hide? Pocan said. The anti-LGBTQI+ activities of the Family and their associates directly threatens the safety of LGBTQI+ people around the world. Spanish minister for development Jose Luis Abalos (L), with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has refused to resign over a graft scandal involving his aide (JAVIER SORIANO) Spain's left-wing government is facing growing pressure from the country's right-wing opposition over a graft case linked to the purchase of face masks during the pandemic. The case hit the headlines in February after police arrested several people in connection with a kickbacks scandal, one of whom was a close aide to a former minister and key ally of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. But as the probe has deepened, the right-wing Popular Party (PP) has demanded the resignation of parliamentary speaker Francina Armengol, who holds the third-highest office in Spain after the king and the prime minister. The scandal emerged on February 21 with the arrest of Koldo Garcia, a close adviser to Jose Luis Abalos, who served as transport minister from 2018-2021 and a key member of Sanchez's Socialist party. Garcia is suspected of being a central player in a scheme that let a small, previously unknown firm, Soluciones de Gestion (Management Solutions), obtain contracts worth 53 million euros ($57.5 million) to supply masks to various public authorities between March and June 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Those contracts allegedly generated kickbacks worth 9.5 million euros. Since his arrest, the media, notably right-leaning outlets, have run non-stop coverage of the so-called "Koldo affair". With more revelations emerging daily, the scandal has put the government on the back foot as it faces a string of increasingly harsh attacks from the right. Although Abalos was not initially implicated in the affair, the Socialist party asked him to stand down as an MP to take "political responsibility" for a scandal that occurred on his watch. But when he refused, saying it would be seen as "an admission of guilt", they suspended him pending expulsion. - 'You covered it up!' - It has since emerged that the investigating judge believes Abalos acted as an "intermediary". Abalos was replaced as transport minister during a 2021 government reshuffle, and the PP has claimed his removal showed that Sanchez was aware of the scandal and had sought to sideline him. "You knew about it and you covered it up!" PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo accused Sanchez last week, without offering any proof. And the party has also upped the ante over contracts the company signed with two of Spain's 17 regions, both governed at the time by the Socialists: one with the Canary Islands, worth 12.2 million euros and a second with the Balearic Isles, worth 3.7 million euros. Angel Victor Torres, who headed the Canary Islands regional government at the time, is now territorial policy minister and the former regional head of the Balearic Isles is Armengol, the current parliamentary speaker. - 'Red lines' - The PP has demanded to know how the Balearics administration could have awarded such a large contract to a previously unknown company, which had supplied masks that were not of the quality they had paid for. On Monday, the PP demanded Armengol resign, prompting her to lash back a day later. "I have never, ever instructed anyone in my governments to hire one company or another," she said on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of "crossing every red line". But her words did little to silence the PP whose spokesman Miguel Tellado once again insisted that she "resign her post as soon as possible". Also Monday, the European public prosecutor's office said it would be investigating the two contracts given that the masks were bought with EU funds. Spanish media reports said the first casualty was likely to be Alvaro Sanchez Manzanares, who heads the public body that manages the ports and paid the firm at the heart of the affair 20 million euros for eight million masks. He was expected to be removed from his post on Wednesday following a decision by the transport ministry. The case is particularly sensitive for Sanchez, who took power in 2018 following a huge corruption scandal that brought down Spain's right-wing government, and has since prided himself on the integrity and transparency of his administration. chz/hmw/giv High schoolers from the New Mexico Military Institute won the inaugural Science Bowl hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy March 2 in Carlsbad at Southeast New Mexico College. Students from around southeast New Mexico convened at the college for a regional meet as part of a national competition put on by the DOE. Carlsbad High School and the Early College High School, along with Hobbs High School and the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) were represented in seven teams. They vied for a first-place win, cash prize and trip to Washington, D.C. to compete nationally. High school students from around southeast New Mexico compete in the Department of Energy's Science Bowl, March 2, 2024 at Southeast New Mexico College. The event was hosted by Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO), the DOE-hired contractor that oversees operations at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant nuclear waste repository near Carlsbad. Regionals are hosted around the country by other DOE sites, including the Pantex Plant in Texas and Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories in New Mexico. This was the first year the event was hosted in Carlsbad. High school students from around southeast New Mexico compete in the Department of Energy's Science Bowl, March 2, 2024 at Southeast New Mexico College. Competitors answer science-related questions during the timed competition throughout the day, gathering points that then are used to rank the top three teams for first, second and third place. SIMCO spokesman George Rangel said future science bowls would include other high schools around the region as the DOE looks to expand the competition around WIPP. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: WIPP hosts DOE Science Bowl at Carlsbad's Southeast New Mexico College In this piece, we are going to look at 20 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. If you want to skip our detailed analysis on the population dynamics of the world, and how declining birth rates are changing those dynamics, you can go directly to 5 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Although the world population sits healthy at 8 billion mark as of 2024, the global demographic landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with declining birth rates playing a pivotal role in the discussion on overpopulation, especially in countries with numerous cities surpassing one million inhabitants. Over the past 70 years, countries worldwide have experienced a remarkable decrease in birth rates, which mirrors evolving societal norms and economic progress. Notably, nations like China and South Korea have witnessed a substantial decline in birth rates, dropping by over 80% since 1950. While declining birth rates signify advancement in socio-economic development and a shift towards prioritizing education and career over starting families, they also introduce challenges associated with an aging population and potential labor shortages. The balance between low birth rates and overpopulation in cities presents complex scenarios, necessitating thoughtful urban planning and sustainable development strategies to address the strain on resources and social services. As the global fertility rate has declined significantly over the past five decades to 2.3, falling below the critical replacement level of 2.1, the implications of this demographic shift on overpopulation are increasingly pertinent. The need for proactive measures to navigate the consequences of declining birth rates is crucial, ensuring a balanced approach to population dynamics, sustainable urban growth, and inclusive societal development. In the United States, the downward trend in birth rates has been notable, with a nearly 23% decrease since the Great Recession, highlighting the need for understanding the implications of this demographic transformation. Immediate attention and strategic interventions are essential to address the challenges posed by declining birth rates and to create a balanced equilibrium between low birth rates and the potential impacts of overpopulation. Story continues Various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, retail, and services, have strong ties to densely populated countries. These sectors rely on factors like labor availability, access to resources, market demand, and robust infrastructure that are typically abundant in highly populated regions. So, before we move to our list of 20 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million, lets look at how such global businesses are doing as of now. Namely, we are going to discuss Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB), and Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA). Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) Papa John's, a leading pizza provider, has capitalized on the expanding global population, recognizing the direct correlation between the food market and worldwide population growth. Recently, franchisees of Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) in North America made a strategic decision to elevate their contributions to the national marketing fund, aligning with a new marketing strategy set to launch in 2024. This initiative follows a comprehensive review of the brand's creative and media efforts in 2023. Additionally, Papa John's International, Inc. expanded its global presence by opening a net total of 45 restaurants in the third quarter, bringing the brand's worldwide unit count to 5,825 by the end of September 24, encompassing operations in North America and international markets. In 2023, Papa John's unveiled 210 new units, spanning North America and international regions, demonstrating the brand's commitment to strategic growth and market diversification. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Amazon, a dominant player in e-commerce and digital streaming, leverages the global population growth to drive innovation in response to evolving market demands. In the fourth quarter of 2023, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) experienced robust growth in net sales, with a 14% increase totaling $170.0 billion compared to the same quarter in 2022. Notably, the North America segment saw a 13% sales surge, reaching $105.5 billion, while international sales spiked by 17% to $40.2 billion. The impressive results were fueled by the successful holiday shopping season, featuring record-breaking events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, where customers worldwide purchased over 1 billion items, leading to substantial savings. These outcomes underscore Amazon's strong customer engagement and business expansion across diverse segments. Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) Renowned for its innovative baby and child care products, Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) reported modest growth in Personal Care sales, reaching $2.6 billion in the quarter ending 31st December 2023, showing a 2% increase. The company's success is attributed to advancements in innovation, effective commercial strategies, and supply chain enhancements, resulting in notable volume growth, particularly in North America with a 4% sales surge. Overall, the Personal Care segment displayed a 1% growth in 2023, with 5% organic sales growth, indicating widespread progress across regions. 20 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million A crowded Wall Street plaza, bustling with people carrying briefcases. Methodology To construct our list of 20 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million, we referred to World Population Reviews dataset consisting of population of 802 cities of the world. From this data set, we extracted all the cities with population exceeding 1 million mark. Seeing which country each city belongs to, we came up with the number of cities of respective countries that have population greater than 1 million, and thats how we came up with our list of 20 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Please note that the countries that stood equal with the number of cities exceeding 1 million mark population, we ranked those based on the accumulated population of the cities of the respective countries that exceed 1 million mark. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20. Thailand Number of Cities: 6 In 2023, Thailand's demographic profile showed a notable imbalance, with over 13 million individuals aged 60 and above, contrasting with fewer than 500,000 newborns. The population has experienced a decline of approximately 35,000 people over the past two years. If this downward trend persists, projections suggest that Thailand's current population of 66 million could decrease by more than half in under 50 years. Thailand makes it to our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million at 20th position. Bankok, Chon Buri and Songkhla are few cities in Thailand with population above 1 million mark. 19. France Number of Cities: 6 In France, as of January 2023, the total population stands at 68.0 million, with a marginal increase of 0.3% in 2022. The total fertility rate in 2022 stood at 1.80 children per woman, down from 1.84 in 2021. This alarming trend requires immediate attention and action to address the implications for each respective country's demographics. Paris, Lilli and Lyon are three of the six cities in France with population above 1 million. 18. Canada Number of Cities: 6 Canada is 18th country on our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Based on data from Statistics Canada, Canada's population has witnessed a significant surge, reaching an estimated 40,528,396 on October 1st, 2023, encompassing citizens and residents. This uptick corresponds to an additional 430,635 individuals, signaling a notable growth rate of 1.1% since July 1st, 2023. This growth marks the highest population increase observed in a quarter since the second quarter of 1957 when Canada's population expanded by 1.2%. During that period, Canada's population stood at 16.7 million, with growth largely attributed to post-war baby boom births and an influx of refugees following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa are few cities with population above 1 million. 17. Vietnam Number of Cities: 6 Accounting for roughly 13 million individuals, Generation Z, comprising individuals born between 1997 and 2012, constitutes approximately 19% of Vietnam's population. As of 2025, this demographic cohort is expected to represent about one-third of the country's workforce, making them key contributors to Vietnam's developmental trajectory. Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Can Tho are three of the biggest cities in terms of population in Vietnam. 16. South Africa Number of Cities: 6 Johannesburg, Cape Town and Ekurhuleni are 3 largest cities in terms of population size in South Africa. In comparison to other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), South Africa is relatively young, yet it is considered older by African standards. It is placed at 16th place on our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Seniors make up 5.9% of South Africa's population, with children comprising 28.6%. To provide further context, Russia has 15.8% seniors and 17.2% children, while China's demographics include 13.7% seniors and 17.7% children. Within the sub-Saharan region, the average percentage of seniors stands at 3.0%, contrasted with 41.8% for children. These figures illustrate the demographic distribution and age profiles of various countries in different parts of the world. 15. Colombia Number of Cities: 6 Colombia's total population is projected to steadily rise from 2023 to 2028, increasing by a total of 2.6 million individuals (+4.98%). With this growth trend continuing for the tenth consecutive year, the total population is expected to reach 54.78 million people, marking a new peak in 2028. The country has seen consistent population growth in recent years. 14. Democratic Republic of Congo Number of Cities: 7 In 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is ranked as the fourth most populous country in Africa, following Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Egypt, with a population of 102 million. Globally, it holds the 15th spot among the worlds most populated countries. With projections indicating a significant increase, the DRC is expected to reach a population of 215 million by the year 2050, positioning it among the top 10 most populated countries globally. This growth aligns with the vast size of the country, spanning 2.3 million square kilometers, making it the second-largest country in Africa, after Algeria. DRC is placed 14th on our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Bogota, Medellin and Cali consist of the largest population in DRC. 13. Japan Number of Cities: 8 Within Japanese population demographics, the composition consists of Japanese individuals comprising 97.5%, followed by Chinese at 0.6%, Vietnamese at 0.4%, South Koreans at 0.3%, and other groups constituting 1.2%. This category encompasses individuals from various nationalities such as Filipino, Brazilian, Nepalese, Indonesian, American, and Taiwanese, based on estimates from 2022. Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are top cities in Japan in terms of population sizes. 12. Iran Number of Cities: 9 Iran's population is predominantly concentrated in the northern, northwestern, and western regions, which aligns with the presence of the Zagros and Elburz Mountains. In contrast, the central and eastern areas of the country, including the areas surrounding the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts, exhibit significantly lower population densities. Tehran, Mashhad and Esfahan have the largest population in Iran. 11. US Number of Cities: 10 USA is the 11th country on our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. The rural (nonmetro) population in the United States is experiencing growth once more following a decade of overall population decline. From July 2020 to June 2022, there was approximately a 0.25% increase in population. This growth was fueled by a higher number of people moving into rural areas than leaving, surpassing the population decrease resulting from natural causes (more deaths than births). The rise in remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this notable shift in migration patterns. New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago are biggest cities in U.S. in terms of population sizes. 10. South Korea Number of Cities: 10 South Korea's largest cities in terms of population size include Seoul, the capital city, with approximately 9.988 million residents, followed by Busan with 3.472 million, Incheon with 2.849 million, Daegu (Taegu) with 2.181 million, Daejon (Taejon) with 1.577 million, and Gwangju (Kwangju) with 1.529 million residents, as of 2023. 9. Pakistan Number of Cities: 10 As per the United Nations data, individuals under the age of 30 make up 64% of Pakistan's entire population. In 2018, nearly 37.86% of the population were under 14 years old, and approximately 22.5 million individuals, eligible to be registered on the voter's list, participated in the 2024 elections by casting their votes. Pakistan is 9th country on our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Pakistan's biggest cities in terms of population sizes include Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad. 8. Turkey Number of Cities: 11 A notable reduction in Turkiye's annual population growth in 2023 is seen. While the population previously increased by 7.1 per thousand in 2022, the growth rate has decreased to 1.1 per thousand in 2023, marking the country's lowest level in its history. The previous record for the lowest annual population growth rate was observed in 2020 during the severe pandemic conditions, when the growth rate stood at 5.5 per thousand. Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir are the most popualted cities in Turkey. 7. Russia Number of Cities: 15 Although Russia is a country with a healthy population 34.3 million people living in these 15 cities alone it is currently facing a significant demographic crisis, attributed to prevailing uncertainties in the economic and political environment. The demographic data presents a cause for concern. In August 2023, Russia reported a sharp 29% decline in the natural population during January-June 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, dropping from 383,800 to 272,500. The number of deaths saw a substantial 12.8% decrease from 1,019,000 to 888,700. Notably, the natural population decrease in 2022 exhibited a significant 42.5% decline from 1,042,675 in 2021 to 599,616. Urgent measures are essential to address this pressing demographic challenge in Russia. Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Novosibirsk are the most populated cities in Russia. 6. Nigeria Number of Cities: 16 Nigeria, placed 6th on our list of Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million, consists of a diverse population that demonstrates various ethnic groups, with the Hausa comprising 30%, followed by the Yoruba at 15.5%, and the Igbo (Ibo) at 15.2%. The Fulani ethnic group accounts for 6% of the population, while the Tiv and Kanuri/Beriberi communities each represent 2.4%. Additionally, the Ibibio and Ijaw/Izon groups make up 1.8% each, with the remaining 24.9% classified under other ethnicities based on estimates from 2018. This distribution highlights the rich cultural tapestry present within Nigeria's population. Lagos, Kano and Abuja are the three cities with largest population in the country. Click to continue reading and find out about the 5 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Countries with Most Cities Over 1 Million is originally published on Insider Monkey. The image of a witch flying on a broomstick is iconic, but it is not nearly as old as the idea of witchcraft itself, which dates to the earliest days of humankind. Several theologians, church inquisitors, secular magistrates and other authorities first wrote about such flight in the early 1400s. The earliest known visual depiction of flying witches appears in a 1451 manuscript copy of one such text, Le champion des dames (The Defender of Ladies), by the French poet Martin Le Franc. Witchcraft accusations at this time were increasingly focused on women. The clothing of the figures in Le Francs text depicts them as coming from non-elite ranks of medieval society. So do the implements on which they fly. Staffs and brooms were tools for ordinary housework. The notion that witches could fly served to support the idea that they gathered in large groups called sabbaths. These gatherings, in turn, heightened the supposed threat witches posed to Christian society. Even after the idea of witches flying on brooms was introduced to European society, it was not readily accepted. Many who wrote about witchcraft at this time, including Le Franc, were quite skeptical about the reality of flying witches. As it turned out, however, authorities could still perceive a threat even if they believed witches flight was imaginary. The scope of skepticism In my work as a scholar of medieval European history, I have researched texts describing witchcraft in the early 1400s. Some texts fully accepted the idea that witches flew, often on brooms or staffs. One described witches traveling to sabbaths on staffs anointed with a magical ointment and flying into the mountains to gather ice to cause hailstorms. Other texts, however, were not sure that such flight was real. One noted that accused witches claimed to fly from mountaintop to mountaintop on chairs, but it also hinted that demons might have tricked them into thinking they did. Another text stated that accused witches who claimed to fly were deluded by the devil. Witches were often depicted flying on household implements such as brooms and staffs. Martin Le Franc/W. Schild. Die Maleficia der Hexenleut' via Wikimedia Commons Skepticism about flying witches drew on an early 10th-century church law about women who claimed to ride at night on certain beasts in the train of the pagan goddess Diana, whom Christian authorities understood to be a demon in disguise. The law declared that such flight was not real, and anyone who thought so had been seduced by illusions and phantasms of demons. It prescribed no direct punishment but mandated priests preach against such infidels. Skeptics of magical flight were quite specific in their doubts. Le Franc, for example, declared that anyone who thought that witches could fly lacked common sense. On the other hand, he fully accepted that magicians, who were generally male, could conjure demons and that magic arts had been practiced as far back as ancient Persia. The story, however, is not so simple as male authorities accepting the reality of magic practiced by men but doubting that women flew on brooms. These same authorities were, in general, taking other aspects of witchcraft more seriously. Imagining flight Did women accused of witchcraft really insist that they flew on brooms? Scholars have speculated that the ointments often mentioned in accounts of such flight might have functioned as hallucinogens, producing sensations of flying. The most thorough study of these accounts, however, finds that such references rarely appear in voluntary testimony. They come instead from authorities recording, and often reshaping, what accused witches said. In the end, allegations of flight and dismissal of its reality may have sprung entirely from the minds of legal and religious authorities who codified and condemned the idea of witchcraft. Their skepticism hardly mattered. Courts could execute convicted witches regardless of whether they believed they could fly. Although witch-hunting ended at least in Europe and North America in the 18th century, the image of witches flying on brooms endures. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Michael D. Bailey, Iowa State University Read more: Michael D. Bailey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A woman is now in jail after police say she assaulted an officer at a gas station in Oxford, Mississippi early Sunday morning. Jacqueline Denise Giles, 36, is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and possession of a stolen firearm. On March 3 just before 2 a.m., the Oxford Police Department responded to a disturbance at the Double Quick parking lot where a large crowd was gathered. That is when a fight broke out between two men next to a gas pump. The officer attempted to break up the fight by pulling on the man who was on top. During the altercation, the officer stated they felt a cold, metal object pressed against their temple. TBI investigating deadly officer-involved shooting in Collierville The officer was able to quickly turn around and remove the firearm from the suspect, later identified as Jacqueline Denise Giles. Giles was then taken into custody without further incident. Police say the gun was reportedly stolen from Oxford back in 2020. Police Chief Jess McCutchen says there is a reason why more than one officer shows up on a stop or a call. He also stated that this is the second call that could have resulted in a tragedy in less than two weeks. Giles is currently being held in jail on a $275,000 bond. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A woman has been charged with murder following an early morning stabbing in Uptown, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Officers responded to the 400 block of North Tryon Street around 6 a.m. on Monday about an assault with a deadly weapon. 1 injured in apparent stabbing in Uptown: Medic When officials arrived, they found 46-year-old Susan Annette Dillehay suffering from a stab wound. She was treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say she died of her injuries around 8 a.m. The suspect, 32-year-old Jessica Lashay Robinson, was found by patrol officers not long after the incident, authorities said. After an interview with homicide detectives, Robinson was charged with murder and taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office. This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. This is a developing story; check back for updates For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Woman fatally stabs convicted sex offender who tried to attack her at Louisiana laundromat: authorities A twice-convicted sex offender was stabbed to death at a laundromat in Louisiana by a woman he was allegedly trying to assault, according to authorities. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m., on Sunday, March 3, after deputies were dispatched for a 911 call to a laundromat in the Lacombe-area. According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office, Nicholas Tranchant, 40, was found unresponsive with a visible stab wound and taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. Deputies stated that an investigation into the incident revealed that Tranchant, a known convicted sex offender, had entered the laundromat armed with a sharp weapon and was attempting to sexually assault the woman when she fought back. TEXAS VIGILANTE TRICKED SEX OFFENDER INTO MEETING HIM AT PARK THEN MURDERED HIM: POLICE A convicted sex offender was stabbed to death at a Louisiana laundromat by the victim he was allegedly trying to attack, police said. According to deputies, the woman was able to gain possession of the weapon, and used it to stab him before fleeing to safety, claiming it was self-defense. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Deputies say the woman was also injured during the altercation and was transported to an area hospital, where she is being treated. "I want to compliment this brave woman on the courage and strength she showed in fighting back against her attacker and ask for prayers for her continued recovery," Sheriff Randy Smith said in a statement. FL MAN ACCUSED OF CHILD SEX CRIMES COULD BE FIRST TO BE PUT TO DEATH UNDER STATE'S EXPANDED DEATH PENALTY LAW The sheriffs office said the dead man, identified as 40-year-old Nicholas Tranchant, had been convicted twice, in July 2003 and May 2008 for sex crimes. The sheriffs office confirmed Tranchant was convicted in July 2003 for Indecent Behavior with Juveniles. He was then convicted again in May 2008 for Attempted Aggravated Rape and Aggravated Burglary. Officials said Tranchant was released from jail on those charges on December 21, 2023, and was required to register as a sex offender. Original article source: Woman fatally stabs convicted sex offender who tried to attack her at Louisiana laundromat: authorities A 39-year-old woman was killed when a tree fell on her by Dickerson Creek Waterfall, Kitsap County Sheriffs tell KIRO 7. Co-workers of the woman identified her as Allyson Fredericksen who worked at Columbia Legal Services in Seattle. Fredericksen was hiking Sunday afternoon in the Lebers Lane hiking area when the tree fell. A nurse who was nearby managed to relay to rescue crews that she had died. When crews from Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue arrived, they found her about 100 yards downstream in the creek and pinned by the tree. Rescuers put together a low-angle rope system and brought the hikers body up in a stokes basket. Fredericksens co-workers are in shock at the news of her death. They tell KIRO 7 that Allyson touched us all, bringing a true dedication to equity, an incredible mind, and a deep kindness to her work. She leaves all of us better, individually and collectively. We will miss her so much. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A woman formerly of Cheektowaga pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges after she failed to properly care for over 150 farm and domestic animals, the Erie County District Attorneys Office announced. Officials said 24-year-old Kerisa J. Schmitt, who now resides in West Virginia, failed to provide necessary food, water and care to 156 animals at her former residence on Colton Street in Cheektowaga. The animals included 117 chickens, 18 ducks and geese, 15 rabbits, two goats and dogs, one cat and one pig. Schmitt pleaded guilty to ten counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, a misdemeanor charge. SPCA officers responded to the Colton Street residence on Dec. 14, 2023 for a welfare check when they noticed numerous animals inside a small garage in unsanitary conditions, according to officials. A search warrant was later executed at the residence, at which time the animals were found to be without proper access to food and water. Prosecutors requested Schmitt be sentenced to a period of probation, and she received a one-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Schmitt was also ordered to forfeit custody of all of her animals and had a no animal order issued against her, which prohibits her from owning or caring for any animals for the next five years. Latest Local News Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. HYATTSVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) was investigating after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday evening in Hyattsville. The woman told officers that she was grabbed by two men as she walked in the 6000 block of Ager Rd. at about 5:05 p.m. PGPD said that the suspects sexually assaulted her at knifepoint in a wooded area before fleeing the scene. Woman dead, man injured in laundromat stabbing in Prince Georges County Anyone with information is asked to call detectives with the Sexual Assault Unit at (301) 772-4908. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. NOTE: A lawsuit represents only one side of a story. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A woman is suing Salt Lake County and individuals associated with the county jail after her husbands untimely death, according to a lawsuit filed with the Third District Court on March 1. Amy Baker is listed in the lawsuit as the plaintiff, and she is the surviving spouse of a man named Leland Cropper, who reportedly died while in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. Baker and Cropper had four children together, according to the suit. READ NEXT: Colombian woman sues Tim Ballard, Angel Studios over slanderous portrayal as villain in Sound of Freedom The 11 defendants in the lawsuit include Salt Lake County (as a government entity), the County Sheriff, the medical director of the countys jail system, five jail nurses, a caseworker, a program manager and deputy of the Salt Lake County Sheriff. What does the lawsuit claim happened to Leland Cropper? From March 3 to March 8, 2022, the lawsuit says Cropper was reporting severe nausea, pain, and dehydration. He reportedly suffered weight loss, had severe abdominal pain and was vomiting blood, according to the lawsuit. On March 3, Cropper was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and was assigned to the C-Pod, according to the lawsuit. On that day, one of the defendants, a jail nurse, recorded Croppers weight, height and body mass index 128 lbs., 62 and 16.4, respectively before scheduling a follow-up appointment for April 1 after making note of Croppers low BMI, the lawsuit alleges. The Medical Director prescribed an antihistamine and anti-diarrhea medication to Cropper on the first day as well, the lawsuit says. The next day, March 4, medical staff received the final reports for the bloodwork that was done during the examination, which the lawsuit says indicated that Cropper had abnormal Neutrophils (75.3), Lymphocytes (16.8), and Glucose (180). On March 4, one of the jail nurses reportedly observed Cropper in his cell but did not check his weight or request additional treatment, the lawsuit says. Two more jail nurses observed Cropper in his cell and did not request additional treatment on March 5, according to the suit. On March 6, the lawsuit says another nurse observed Cropper and reportedly did not check his weight or request further treatment. On March 7, in the morning, a nurse reportedly gave Cropper a supplement drink and checked his weight which was then 112.6 lbs., according to the lawsuit. The suit says that nurse still did not request more treatment. On the afternoon of March 7, a nurse observed Cropper and did not check his weight or request additional treatment, according to the lawsuit. The suit says on March 8, Cropper was dead. How did Leland Cropper die, according to the lawsuit? The lawsuit says, based on information from the Office of the Medical Examiner, Cropper died from the effects of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to peptic ulcer disease. Defendants failed and refused to monitor, evaluate, examine or treat Leland and refused to provide or arrange for a competent medical professional to monitor, evaluate, diagnose, examine, provide medical care for Leland, the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit says a Deputy observed Cropper on the ground of his cell over the night of March 7. Cropper reportedly told the deputy he was vomiting in the toilet when asked why he was on the ground, but the deputy did not request medical assistance, the suit says. A few hours later, the lawsuit says Cropper was again found on the ground, but partially underneath his bunk. When deputies knocked on the door and didnt get a response, they reportedly entered the cell and dragged Cropper out from underneath the bunk, after which the suit says Cropper was declared unresponsive. Cropper was strapped onto a gurney and restrained, and the nurse who took his vitals reported no pulse, the suit says. Staff members attempted to revive Cropper with chest compressions and an AED, and Cropper vomited as nurses performed CPR, the suit says. EMS crews arrived and attempted lifesaving measures but later declared Cropper was dead, the lawsuit says. Lelands death would have been prevented if Defendants had called for qualified medical assistance or if the ADC medical staff had even provided basic diagnostic evaluation procedures, the suit claims. Officials conducted an examination of Croppers body on March 9, the day after he died, and said his eyes and cheeks were sunken, and also reportedly found evidence of dehydration and gastric ulcers to the stomach, among other issues, the lawsuit says. Examiners reportedly diagnosed Cropper with hepatic centrilobular congestion, multiple gastric ulcers, history of dark-colored hematemesis prior to his death, bloody stomach contents, dehydration, focal acute bronchiolitis, and underweight, the lawsuit says. Why is Leland Croppers wife suing Salt Lake County? The lawsuit says the defendants deprived Leland of his constitutional rights as guaranteed by Article 1, Section 7 and Article 1, Section 9 of the Utah Constitution. Article 1, Section 7 mentions the due process of law, and says no one shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without it, while Section 9 says, in part, Persons arrested or imprisoned shall not be treated with unnecessary rigor. The lawsuit says the defendants failed to reasonably assess, monitor and treat Cropper, which subjected him to the aforementioned unnecessary rigor. The suit also says the defendants failed to provide adequate or timely medical care. The lawsuit makes four claims for relief: Deprivation of Croppers rights under the Utah constitution, negligence, the Survival Act and the Wrongful Death Act, with the last two mentioning Constitutional and Common Law claims. Croppers wife, Amy Baker, is suing for punitive damages against all defendants except Salt Lake County and reasonable attorneys fees, in addition to general and non-economic damages, plus special and economic damages for several different situations. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. 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 officers, Jan. 4, 2022, in Colorado. Johnson, who sued two police officers after her home was wrongly searched by a SWAT team looking for a stolen truck, won a $3.76 million jury verdict Monday, March 4, 2024, under a new Colorado law that allows people to sue police over violations of their state constitutional rights. (Denver Police Department via AP) DENVER (AP) A 78-year-old woman who sued two police officers after her home was wrongly searched by a SWAT team looking for a stolen truck has won a $3.76 million jury verdict under a new Colorado law that allows people to sue police over violations of their state constitutional rights. A jury in state court in Denver ruled in favor of Ruby Johnson late Friday and the verdict was announced Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, which helped represent her in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that police got a search warrant for the home after the owner of a stolen truck, which had four semi-automatic handguns, a rifle, a revolver, two drones, $4,000 cash and an iPhone inside, tracked the phone to Johnson's home using the Find My app, and passed that information on to police. According to the lawsuit, Johnson, a retired U.S. Postal Service worker and grandmother, 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. 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. WORCESTER The city's Board of Health has taken the first step toward potentially creating an overdose prevention center, also known as a safe injection site, in Worcester. The Board of Health voted 4-0 Monday night to approve creation of a such a center as a pilot program, pending state approval. Its unclear what the next legal and political steps will be to bring a center to the city. Its also unclear if sign-off is needed by City Manager Eric D. Batista and the City Council before a center could come to Worcester. Worcester Director of Public Health Soloe Dennis, seated next to Dr. Matilde Castiel, commissioner of Health and Human Services. City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj posted a message Monday night on X, formerly Twitter, that said the council has the final say on whether to bring a center to Worcester. District 4 City Councilor Luis Ojeda, who chairs the council's public health subcommittee, said he needs time to look at the pros and cons of the centers to gain a better understanding before deciding whether to support them. A spokesman for Batista said the city manager was unavailable for an interview. Batista's office issued a statement that said the city is working on a report requested by City Council and the city will take no action until the state gives further guidance. The administration is working on a report for City Council in response to Councilor Haxhiajs order relative to the data on Overdose Protection Centers (OPC) and expects it to be transmitted in the near future," the statement reads. It continued: "No action will be taken on the potential operation of an OPC in the City of Worcester until further guidance is provided by the State of Massachusetts. At such time, further conversations will be had among City officials, City Council, health providers, stakeholders, and the community at large. 'We have the authority to do this' Board of Health member Gary Rosen, a former Worcester city councilor, said moments before Monday's vote that the board no longer serves just an advisory role, taking on powers bestowed on it from a past city council vote. "The city manager does not oversee the four of us," said Rosen. "Tonight we speak up...We have the authority to do this." Rosen added the board's support for a center would take pressure off the City Council as it considers the issue. He also noted he supports the board working with Batista and the council. "Let's leave tonight to let the City Council and the city manager know where the Board of Health is coming from. That we support a pilot program," said Rosen. Only two in the U.S.: Some objections There are only two of the facilities operating in an official capacity in the U.S., both in New York City, with another expected to open in Providence this summer. Objections to the centers have reportedly focused on those who believe they enable drug users. Locating them is also a challenge, as some neighborhoods don't want them in the vicinity. At overdose prevention centers, medical professionals monitor users while theyre taking illegal drugs that the users bring into the facility. Preventing overdose deaths and getting users into treatment are the goals. Treatment options come into play only if the person wants them. Prior to the vote, the board heard from doctors, advocates and social service providers that the centers reduce the number of drug overdose deaths. In fact, they said, there hasnt been a single death at hundreds of the centers located worldwide. Federal law: Centers are illegal Federal law deems the centers illegal and Massachusetts has not approved them. However, a top state public health official said cities and towns can establish the centers without state lawmakers passing a bill to legalize them. Deirdre Calvert, director of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services at the state Department of Public Health, delivered that message to the board before its vote. Several pending bills are at the Statehouse that call for bringing the centers to Massachusetts. If a municipality wants to go forward, then the Department of Public Health is behind them, said Calvert. Studies: Centers reduce deaths/no increased crime Members of the Worcester Board of Health, from left, Leopoldo Negron Cruz, Chareese Allen, interim chair Frances Anthes and Gary Rosen, who voted unanimously to approve a safe injection site pilot. Brandon Marshall, chairman of epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health, shared studies with the board that showed the centers cut overdose deaths, result in more users accessing treatment and don't result in higher crime rates around the centers. A 2011 study led by Marshall and published in Lancet showed the fatal overdose rate fell 35% in a downtown section of Vancouver after a supervised injection site opened in that area of the city, compared to a 9.3% decline citywide. Another study published last month in the Lancet showed a 67% decline in overdose deaths between 2017 and 2019 in Toronto neighborhoods where nine safe injection sites had opened. In the International Journal of Epidemiology, a study estimated probabilities of overdose, abscesses and emergency department visits over 12 months among people who used an overdose prevention center, compared to those who used other harm reduction services. Findings included: Overdose deaths fell 3%, compared to 1% who used other services Abscesses declined 14%, compared to 3% who utilized other services Emergency department visits dropped 41%, compared to 17% who used other services. Marshall noted this last comparison to highlight how the centers put less strain on emergency rooms and hospitals. Another study of 621 people that used supervised injection facilities in Vancouver found 261 (42%) enrolled in some form of treatment after 24 months of follow-up. In addition, a 2023 study in The Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the two centers in New York City that opened in 2021, plus 17 sites that provide syringes. It found no significant increases in crimes recorded by the police or calls for emergency service in the neighborhoods where the two centers are located. Findings included: Felonies rose at both injection sites by 21%, compared to 18% at the locations that provide syringes. The percentages are consistent with the general rise in crime in New York City during the study period (Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2022), an increase predominantly driven by property crime. Around the two prevention centers, the monthly mean of 911 calls for crime and other emergencies decreased 30.1%, while remaining approximately flat in the syringe locations. 911 calls for medical emergencies decreased around the prevention centers by 50.1%, compared to an 8.6% drop around the locations that offered syringe services. A sign on a wall reads "This site save lives" in Spanish and English at an overdose prevention center at OnPoint NYC in New York on Feb. 18, 2022. Data: Opioid crisis in Worcester Dr. Matilde Castiel, Worcester's commissioner of health and human services, showed the board data that highlights the opioid crisis in Worcester. A total of 141 in Worcester died from an opioid-related overdose in 2022, the highest annual number going back since 2012 A 17.8 % spike from 2021 to 2022 in opioid-related overdose deaths in Worcester, from 281 deaths in 2021 to 331 in 2022 Worcester's rate of deaths (79.62 per 100,000 people) exceeds Boston's rate (54.09 per 100,000 people) Passionate pleas Several attendees at Monday's meeting shared accounts, determined to show that Worcester needs these centers. One came from Eileen Lovejoy, whose son died in 2013 from a heroin overdose. "I believe if he was in an overdose prevention center, he could still be here today," said Lovejoy. Dr. Erik Garcia shared his epiphany with the board. Garcia is an internal medicine physician at UMass Memorial Health who works on the hospital's Road to Care mobile van that provides services to the city's residents with substance use disorders. Garcia said he previously opposed safe injection sites because "they were a step too far," but changed his thinking when he considered the prospect of his daughter, who lives in Oregon, having an opiate use disorder. "I could not sleep knowing that at any point she could be behind a dumpster or in a building or in a room with other people without the medical capacity to help her. That was it for me," he said. "We need to do this as a group without asking for permission from everyone in the city. Just like the outreach van does quietly, we can do this in the same way, unobtrusively." Officials at AIDS Project Worcester told the board before the vote that it supports a pilot spot in Worcester and believes it already offers services and has the professional staff and trust in the community that it could take on the role of a supervised injection site. Besides the distribution of clean needles and Narcan, the life-saving nasal spray that immediately reverses an overdose, officials at the nonprofit told the board that it collects "residue" from drug users. The residue is tested and reveals the drug's contents including potentially deadly components like xylazine a potentially deadly animal tranquilizer that is mixed with some street drugs. "I am very excited by the unanimous vote of the Board of Health has just put forward, and I really hope that it is a sentiment that will be shared by the rest of the politicians in the City of Worcester," El Martinez at AIDS Project Worcester told the T&G moments after Monday's vote. "We are ready. AIDS Project will serve as an organization to take this on and we really feel like it is the best step we could take to combat the mortality rate of overdose in the city." Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @henrytelegram This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Board of Health votes to support opening safe injection site In this article, we will discuss the 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global perfume market and perfume companies going innovative and sustainable and go directly to the 6 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World. Perfumes, magnificent mixtures of aromatic notes, have captivated humanity for centuries. These olfactory masterpieces elicit emotions, memories, and personal expression, leaving a lasting imprint on those who experience their enticing scents. From delicate florals to sensual musks, perfumes embody the art of capturing the essence of beauty in a single bottle. Global Perfume Market: The global perfume market, valued at $50.85 billion in 2022, is anticipated to surge at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2023 and 2030, as per Grand View Research. This expansion is being fueled by a greater emphasis on personal grooming and a growing demand for luxury and exotic fragrances. Consumers are spending more on premium fragrances as disposable incomes rise and living conditions improve, propelling this sector ahead. Perfumes have become a vital part of the cosmetics and personal care markets, contributing to people's pride and confidence in the face of a growing personal care trend. However, the unfavorable impacts of artificial chemicals used for perfumes are projected to impede growth during the projection period and may limit product acceptance. Furthermore, the expanding global market for perfume products made with natural ingredients is anticipated to present substantial prospects for this industry's expansion. Due to the industry players' declining sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on the worldwide industry. For example, LVMH Group, a major perfume manufacturer, saw a 20% fall in revenue in 2020 compared to 2019. The client base is also anticipated to grow as a result of manufacturers' diversifying product offerings. For instance, Chanel's fragrance portfolio includes a variety of perfume items, such as parfum and Eau de parfum spray. Story continues Companies are aggressively pursuing and investing in advertising techniques, as well as in technology, to attract customers and expand their reach. For example, L'Oreal Groupe in 2018 invented a tool called dubbed cockpit to assess the productivity level and real-time return on investment of its media investments.This technology allowed for better decision-making while developing performance strategies. These factors have helped businesses better analyze the effectiveness of their products and create products that satisfy consumers. Thus, fueling the expansion of this worldwide industry. In 2022, Europe's revenue share was the highest, at over 35.10%. The leading nations supporting the expansion in the region are the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) was positioned as the top participant in the German perfume market in 2020. France is the home of many renowned scent brands. With the largest production and export values, the nation has been leading the European market. Throughout the projection period, Asia Pacific is anticipated to increase at the fastest rate. According to the most recent data by Technavio, the size of the US perfume market is expected to increase by $3,029.11 million between 2022 and 2027. Throughout the projected period, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.12%. Perfume Companies Going Innovative and Sustainable: Many key perfume companies promote innovation and sustainability projects. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) , a prominent player in the beauty industry with an annual revenue of $5.30 billion in 2022, and Perfect Corp. announced a partnership agreement in September 2021 to integrate various AI and AR techniques into the digital marketing toolsets of Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) 's cosmetic businesses. These new solutions will provide data-driven customization, online skin diagnostics, and virtual try-ons for Coty's wide range of fragrances as well as for brands like Philosophy, Sally Hansen, and CoverGirl, among others. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) a leader in the fragrance industry, and Etro, a prestigious Italian luxury fashion brand, announced their strategic partnership in February 2024. The goal of the partnership is to use Coty's vast knowledge and global distribution network in the beauty sector to develop and launch Etro's signature fragrance lines. This demonstrates how market players are working together to utilize mutual strengths, broaden product offerings, and enter new markets. Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY) claims that it leverages cutting-edge innovation and technology in conjunction with Green Science to reduce the negative impact of its products on the environment. To incorporate Green Science, Coty collaborates with its ingredient suppliers on three main pillars: green extraction, green chemistry, and biotechnology and biomimicry. Product innovations that are tailored to consumer needs continue to promote market sales. Expanding upon the triumph of its fragrance enterprise, which has witnessed an approximate 40% increase in net sales since the pre-pandemic fiscal year 2019, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) declared in 2023 the opening of an Atelier located in Paris, France. The Atelier, which is slated to open by the end of 2024, intends to support Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) 's current enterprise-wide fragrance capabilities to drive breakthrough innovation, speed-to-market, and artisanal quality at scale while using synergies across the brand portfolio. It also seeks to further accelerate Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) s strategic goals in luxury and prestige fragrances. Since the historic launch of Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) 's debut fragrance in 1953, ELC has continued to hold the top spot in the industry for prestige and high-end scents. It has a whopping annual revenue of $17.74 billion. Today, renowned brands including Jo Malone London, TOM FORD, Estee Lauder, Le Labo, Clinique, KILIAN PARIS, Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle, AERIN Beauty, and Aramis are part of the company's extraordinary and varied scent portfolio. Wasteful packaging is the biggest challenge faced by the cosmetics industry. The British Beauty Council revealed that every year, the cosmetics business creates at least 120 billion packaging pieces. You can see the extent of the environmental difficulties this causes, considering that 95% of cosmetic packaging is thrown away. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) announced several ambitious targets for sustainability in 2021. Two of these objectives were to reduce the amount of virgin petroleum plastic used in packaging to 50% or less by 2030 and to incorporate 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials into the packaging by 2025. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) hopes to accomplish the aforementioned goals with the assistance of SK Chemicals. One of the global leaders in the fragrance and beauty sector, Givaudan, and innovative Carbon Capture and Transformation (CCT) startup LanzaTech NZ, Inc. announced in September 2022 that they would be teaming up to create sustainable fragrance ingredients using renewable carbon sources. With that said, here are the 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World. 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World A shelf of luxurious perfumes in an upmarket department store surrounded by satisfied customers. Methodology: To pick out the 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World, we have used a consensus-based approach using a diverse variety of credible sources to determine the most premium perfumes worldwide. To give you the finest result possible, we picked brands that appeared multiple times in reliable sources, including Allure, Vogue, Byrdie, and Sephora, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. In tie-breaker situations, we consulted independent beauty blogs and product reviews and then curated the perfumes for our list. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World 20. Narciso Rodriguez for Her Musc Noir Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 2 Musk is the standout ingredient in Narciso Rodriguez's scents, adapting to each composition with ease. Musk is initially overpowered by notes of fruit and powder, but as the perfume develops, it becomes more noticeable. Musc Noir fades to a deeper and more enticing aroma while retaining its inherent softness. With top notes of juicy plum and heliotrope, followed by a fascinating heart of musk and a leather suede accord, this enigmatic scent elegantly pays tribute to women's dual nature. It is one of the 20 highest quality perfumes in the world for ladies. 19. Chloe Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 2 Within the perfume industry, Chloe's fragrances have earned a reputation as one of the most exquisite and sought-after perfume brands. The Chloe Eau de perfume is a beloved classic among them, having won the Allure 2020 Best of Beauty award. This fragrance radiates a sweet and airy essence, delivering a subtle, sugary perfume that many people adore. With notes of peony, rose, honey, and cedarwood, it has a powdery allure that enhances its appeal and sophistication. It is among the best perfumes in the world for ladies. 18. Theirry Mugler Alien Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 2 Mugler's Alien, one of the best smelling perfume of all time, encapsulates the essence of utter femininity with its passionate and sensuous allure, making it distinct and intriguing yet warm and delicate. This rich floral woody amber fragrance, with notes of jasmine sambac, cashmeran wood, and white amber, emanates an enticing aura that resonates deeply. Its enchanted trail excites all of the senses and elicits a variety of emotions, making it an incredibly alluring smell experience. 17. Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 Black Orchid by Tom Ford, a high-end perfume, embodies elegance and sensuality with a rich and deep scent of rare black orchids, spices, and dark chocolate. Its spicy and sumptuous smell emanates richness. Unlike imitation fragrances, this scent is authentic and strong, making a lasting impact. This perfume has top notes of truffle and plum, middle notes of rum, ylang-ylang, and black orchid, and a base note of patchouli, creating an exquisite and complex olfactory experience. 16. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette Insider Monkey Score: 3 Maison Margiela is widely recognized as a high-end luxury brand, known for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. This brand's perfume, "Replica By the Fire Place", is an enveloping, unisex fragrance that seamlessly combines aromatic chestnuts, smokey clove oil, and sweet vanilla to create the cozy ambiance of a crackling fire. This perfume not only exudes warmth and coziness but also represents the brand's dedication to excellence and sophistication. 15. Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 Gucci Bloom is an elegant fragrance that wonderfully captures the spirit of modern, diverse, and authentic women. Its notes of genuine tuberose and jasmine provide a pleasantly intense white flora scent on the skin. It is one of the highest quality perfumes for her. 14. Guerlain Shalimar Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 One of the most prominent and highest quality fragrances in the world, Shalimar Eau de Parfum by Guerlain, is known for its timeless appeal. As an Amber Spicy fragrance for women, it provides a luxurious olfactory experience. The opening notes, which include sun-kissed citruses, bergamot, lemon, cedar, and mandarin orange, excite the senses and grab attention right away. Moreover, it is a fragrance of desire. Its iconic bottle, created by Raymond Guerlain, clinched the top prize at the 1925 Paris Decorative Arts Exhibition, establishing its reputation as an enduring masterpiece. 13. Giorgio Armani Si Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 Si by Armani is a timeless classic, perfect for those wanting a sophisticated yet earthy fragrance. Its rhythmic and exquisite olfactory distinctive blends blackcurrant nectar, modern chypre, and subtle musky wood accords, leaving a trail of vanilla, patchouli, woody notes, and ambroxan behind. This sensual fragrance is mellowed by rose and freesia, making it an excellent transition perfume from day to evening. Giorgio Armani is one of the top perfume brands for males. 12. Creed Aventus for Her Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 Aventus For Her, the feminine version of the classic Aventus men's scent, is praised for its delicate combination of precious ingredients. With top notes of crisp green apple, aromatic pink pepper, and invigorating bergamot, this unique blend evolves into a floral heart of rose, lilac, and ylang-ylang. This opulent and captivating perfume concludes with a base of sandalwood, patchouli, musk, and ambroxan, which enhances its decadent attractiveness. It is one of the worlds number 1 perfumes. 11. Lancome La Vie est Belle Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 La vie est belle, crafted with the best ingredients, is a genuinely unforgettable fragrance. Its lovely scent combines a magnificent Iris note intertwined with rich, earthy patchouli, velvety vanilla, and delicate spun sugar. This perfume was created exclusively by two acclaimed French perfumers, Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion, exuding timeless elegance and appeal. 10. Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 3 Reflecting its alluring nature, the latest Miss Dior scent is like a "millefiori" of scents. The Centifolia Rose's fragrant yet peppery undertones compel attention. This fragrance is a delicate symphony of elegance and charm, with notes of apricot-infused peony, powdery Iris notes, and the freshness of Lily-of-the-Valley. 9. YSL Libre Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 4 Libre is regarded as one of the finest perfumes in the world, embodying boldness and femininity. Infused with French lavender essence, intertwined with the enticing scent of Moroccan orange blossom, and enhanced with a daring musk accord, this fragrance offers a distinct aroma that resonates with individuality. The latter is exceptionally long-lasting and ensures hours of captivating appeal, leaving a lasting impression wherever you go. 8. Byredo Mojave Ghost Insider Monkey Score: 4 Byredo's 2014 release, Mojave Ghost, is a unisex oriental floral fragrance. Inspired by the amazing attraction of the Mojave Desert, this smell embodies its majestic beauty. The fragrance opens with ambrette and Jamaican Nesberry, then moves on to magnolia, violet, and sandalwood in the heart, and finally to cedarwood, amber, and Chantilly musk in the base. One of the most distinguished and expensive perfumes in the world, Mojave Ghost is renowned for its extravagance and unmatched excellence. 7. Frederic Malle Portrait of A Lady Eau De Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 4 Portrait of a Lady is an icon of haute perfumery, embodying the essence of luxury and sophistication. Imagine this fragrance as a heady scent of four hundred Turkish roses intertwined with the seductive pull of patchouli, enriched by the mysterious blend of incense and blackcurrant. Attractive, sensual, long-lasting, and distinctly feminine, this scent has an enigmatic strength that can reveal a person's individuality with each whiff. Moreover, it is one of the best-selling perfumes in the world. 6. Dior J'adore Eau de Parfum Insider Monkey Score: 5 J'adore Eau de Parfum is a classic scent that perfectly captures the heart of feminine floral essence, created by the prestigious House of Dior. J'adore, which is meticulously created to ensure the highest quality, is one of the most favorite perfumes among females. Featuring the essence of Ylang-Ylang with its floral and fruity nuances, interlaced with the essence of Damascus Rose from Turkey, it delicately mixes with a rare duo of Jasmine Grandiflorum from Grasse and Indian Jasmine Sambac, exuding a lush and voluptuous sensuality with a fruity undertone. It is one of the perfumes that rich women wear. Click to continue reading and see the 6 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 20 Highest Quality Perfumes in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. WORCESTER Electric school buses are coming to the Worcester Public Schools and the school department celebrated Monday as an electric bus carrying dozens of students from Worcester Technical High and Lincoln Street schools arrived at the district's bus yard. The city is using $5.8 million in federal money to pay for 15 electric school buses 10 larger buses that can each carry roughly 70 passengers and the rest midsize, with 14 seats apiece that cater to special needs passengers. The Worcester Public Schools expect the buses to be in use by the 2026 fiscal year, the 2025-26 school year. "I'm proud that Worcester Public Schools is once again leading the way in transforming school transportation," Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monarrez said Monday. "We're taking the ride together to help reduce our carbon footprint, provide high-quality transportation and a better future for our children." The Environmental Protection Agency grant that will pay for the buses will also help fund electric bus infrastructure including 15 charging stations planned for the district's parking facility at 115 Northeast Cutoff. "I love seeing federal dollars coming to Worcester," Worcester School Committee member Sue Mailman said. "I think it sets us up as a leader. It gives our transportation leaders the message that we are not fooling around. This stuff matters." Mayor Joseph M. Petty said the 15 electric buses will continue the city's goal of reducing its carbon footprint. U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern and EPA New England Administrator David Cash also attended the celebration. An electric school bus, similar to one of the 15 Worcester plans to purchase using an EPA grant. "Clean buses are a huge win for our community," McGovern said. "They're a win for our community, for our country and our planet. We have turned a page on climate leadership in this country." After years of using private school bus companies, the Worcester schools spent $15.6 million in COVID relief money on 165 gas-powered buses ordered in Oct. 2021, two months after the School Committee voted to bring bus service in-house. After the switch, Monarrez said, complaints from parents about buses dropped 76%. "Just in the last 18 months, the (EPA) has worked with us to recruit, hire and pay for the training of 72 new bus drivers," Monarrez said Monday. Worcester was one of four Massachusetts cities to receive an EPA grant to purchase electric buses; Boston, Fall River and New Bedford split $30 million in additional grant money. "Most of our school buses in the commonwealth and all across America still run on diesel," Warren said. "They spew carbon dioxide into the air and dangerous particulates into the air. While our children are waiting for the school bus, they shouldn't be breathing in that toxic air." According to the EPA, the electric buses will expose students and drivers to significantly less harmful diesel emissions like particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Electric school buses also lead to reductions in maintenance costs because they have less brake wear due to regenerative braking and no engine or exhaust system maintenance. "The goal is to make sure that students are going to do more learning as the City of Worcester does less fossil fuel burning," Markey said. "We have to move towards a fossil fuel-free future by electrifying our cars, buses or transit. We can break free from fossil fuels and curb the growing climate change problem that young people are going to have to confront." The students on the bus, including Worcester Tech senior Ella Mason, said the drive was quiet and smooth. Mason, a student studying environmental technology, said reducing carbon emissions gives young people a "fighting chance to recover" from the impact of climate change. "The implementation of this work will have an impact on thousands of students," Mason said. "Our generation wants to be a part of this change and we are more than enthusiastic to be a part of it." This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: EPA grant will provide 15 electric school buses to Worcester Santa Fe County Deputy Levi Abeyta, left, watches as expert witness for the defense Frank Koucky III demonstrates how to uncock a gun like the one used on the set of the movie "Rust" as Koucky testifies in the involuntary manslaughter trial of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the First Judicial District Courthouse in Santa Fe, N.M. (Jim Weber/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, Pool) SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Complaints by a movie weapons supervisor to managers went unheeded as she sought more time and resources to fulfill safety duties on the set of the Western movie Rust, where actor Alec Baldwin fatally shot a cinematographer, a workplace safety investigator testified Tuesday at trial. Defense attorneys for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed called the inspector among their first witnesses to refute allegations of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal in October 2021. Lorenzo Montoya, of the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, conducted a six-month investigation of the shooting and whether managers affiliated with Rust Movie Productions complied with state workplace safety regulations. His inspection produced a scathing narrative of safety failures in violation of standard industry protocols, including observations that weapons specialists were not allowed to make decisions about additional safety training and didn't respond to Gutierrez-Reed's complaints. The report also found that managers took limited or no action to address two misfires on set before the fatal shooting and requests to provide more training. Defense attorneys argue the Gutierrez-Reed, who has pleaded not guilty, is being unfairly scapegoated for problems beyond her control, including Baldwins handling of the weapons on the set of the Western movie in 2021. Montoya said Gutierrez-Reed's requests for more time and resources as an armorer went unheeded. Rust Movie Productions identified a hazard, Montoya said. They adopted firearms safety policies, but they totally failed to enforce them, train their employees on them, practice them, reference them. Nothing. They adopted it, and it stopped at the word adoption. Nothing further happened. In a counterpoint to those findings, prosecutors previously introduced testimony from on-set producer Gabrielle Pickle that she responded to gun-safety concerns on the set of Rust by providing more days 10 days, increased from five for Gutierrez-Reed to devote to her armorer duties, instead of other responsibilities in the props department. Prosecutors say Gutierrez-Reed is to blame for unwittingly bringing live ammunition on set and that she flouted basic safety protocols for weapons handling. Dozens of witnesses have testified at a trial that began with jury selection on Feb. 21, including eyewitnesses to the shooting, FBI evidence analysts, an ammunition supplier to Rust, and the film director who was wounded in the shooting and survived. 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 Hutchins. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for July. Baldwin 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. Rust Movie Productions paid a $100,000 fine to resolve the state workplace safety findings. In other testimony Tuesday, state Occupational Health and Safety Bureau Chief Robert Genoway said Rust producers should have known about hazardous conditions on set and taken action before the fatal shooting. He set the initial fine against Rust Movie Productions at the maximum under state law of $130,000. Pressed by prosecutor Jason Lewis, Genoway acknowledge his previous comments that Gutierrez-Reed contributed to safety breakdowns. Former homicide detective Scott Elliott, an expert witness for the defense, highlighted shortcomings in the investigation that led to charges against Gutierrez-Reed, noting that she was confined to a police car in the immediate aftermath of the shooting while other witnesses including Baldwin commingled and made phone calls. Elliott said interactions between witnesses can lead them to misremember details of what they saw, and he also faulted investigators for waiting weeks after the shooting to search an Albuquerque ammunition supplier. The perils of firearms got some unwelcomed attention in the courtroom when one witness inadvertently pointed a gun or replica toward the judge, and a law enforcement deputy intervened to lower the weapon. A second charge against Gutierrez-Reed of evidence tampering stems from accusations that she handed a small bag of possible narcotics to another crew member after the shooting to avoid detection. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) March is Irish American Heritage Month, and on Monday, a special ceremony was held in Lackawanna County to honor two civil war veterans of Irish descent. The Paul Hook OMalley Division 4 Ancient Order of Hibernians gathered on Courthouse Square. The organization placed a green wreath before a memorial honoring two Irish Civil War veterans, John Delaney and Patrick Delacy. Wilkes-Barre street cleaning schedule for this week Delaney and Delacy were from Lackawanna County and received congressional medals of honor. This is a day just to remember Mr. Delaney, Mr. Delacy, and you know what their sacrifice was, and why they became recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, said Paul Hook OMalley Division 4 Ancient Order of Hibernians Charter President Patrick OMalley. Saturday would be a big day everybody be out for the parade, but nobody else ever noticed this memorial here so I hope they take the time and look and read what those people did for us, Vice President of the Paul Hook OMalley Division 4 Ancient Order of Hibernians Michael Robinson said. Michael Robinson is the 2024 Man of the Year for the Paul Hook OMalley Division 4 Ancient Order of Hibernians organization. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. 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 fertiliser 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 fertiliser 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 families -- up 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 fertiliser, 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. - 'Cascading effects' - Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, pushing the internationally recognised 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. "Without immediate action, this situation could escalate into a major environmental crisis," warned Julien Jreissati, Middle East and North Africa programme director at Greenpeace. "The sinking of the vessel could further breach the hull, allowing water to contact with the thousands of tonnes of fertiliser," 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 Programme 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. 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. bur-am/ho/jsa/fz Donald Trump can stay on Colorado's ballot, the Supreme Court ruled. Haiti is in a state of emergency as gangs overtake prisons. And why Miami Beach is breaking up with spring break. Hey, Monday! Laura Davis here. Lets catch you up on whats happening in the news. But first: Don't be fooled! Add a third entry to the list of inevitable things in life: Death, taxes and baseless claims of election fraud. Here's our guide to spotting election misinformation. Trump can stay on ballot, SCOTUS rules Super Tuesday is almost upon us: 15 states and one territory will cast their vote in presidential primaries tomorrow. And in a Supreme Court ruling on Monday, Donald Trump will remain on the ballot in all of the states, leaving it up to voters to decide whether the former president should be returned to the White House. Here's what to know. How we got here: The Colorado Supreme Court in December ruled that Trump is disqualified from running for president under an anti-insurrectionist provision of the Constitution. Monday's unanimous Supreme Court ruling reversed that decision, saying Congress, not the states, is responsible for enforcing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. The ruling did not evaluate whether the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was an insurrection and whether Trump engaged in it. But some justices have concerns: The three liberal justices criticized the conservative majority's opinion and said the court went further than necessary. And in a rare note of disagreement, one conservative justice Amy Coney Barrett also raised some concerns, saying ''the court should turn the national temperature down, not up." Is your state voting tomorrow? Everything to know about Super Tuesday. 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. Text with USA TODAY politics: Elections news right on your phone. Text 301-888-6791 to sign up. Scores of inmates escape as gangs overtake prisons in Haiti In an effort to regain control of the streets, Haitis government declared a state of emergency and nighttime curfew late Sunday after an explosion of violence over the weekend saw armed gang members storm the countrys two biggest prisons. What happened? Almost all of the estimated 4,000 inmates fled in the jailbreak at the National Penitentiary as gangs stepped up coordinated attacks on state institutions in Port-au-Prince. The government said it would "use all legal means at their disposal" to find the killers, kidnappers and other violent criminals who had escaped from the prison. Here's what we know. Haiti is spinning out of control, from gangs to kidnappings, migration to murder. A demonstrator holds up an Haitian flag during protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 1, 2024. Real quick Support the Short List and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today. VP Harris meets Netanyahu rival, signaling growing Israel frustration In a sign of growing White House frustration with the Israeli government, Vice President Kamala Harris met Monday with Benny Gantz, a member of Israels wartime Cabinet and a political rival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House meeting marked a major test for President Joe Biden's relationship with Netanyahu as the U.S. becomes increasingly at odds over Israel's refusal to scale back the war in Gaza. Take a closer look at the situation. Latest coverage: U.N. says Oct. 7 victims, hostages were subjected to sexual violence. Miami: Its not us, its yall. Just as the "cold" weather warms up and schools let out on vacation, spring breakers will soon be flocking to Florida in droves, prompting seasonal restrictions for crowd control. But while Fort Lauderdale is welcoming "organized fun," Miami Beach wants to "break up" with spring break. Last year, back-to-back shootings left two dead and brought unruly crowds to the streets prompting a state of emergency. This year, officials said enough is enough. How Florida is bracing for the influx. Fort Lauderdale Mounted Police officers escort revelers off the beach in March 2022. A break from the news Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 Election, Haiti prisoners escape, spring break in Florida: Monday's news The Yolo County District Attorneys Office on Tuesday unveiled a new program targeting retail theft that speeds up shoplifting investigations by allowing stores to communicate directly with prosecutors. Known as Fast Pass, the new program skips the step where retailers would report shoplifting to police, who would then submit investigative reports to prosecutors to determine whether to file criminal charges. Retailers in Yolo County can now submit their details of the alleged shoplifting directly to the District Attorneys Office to determine whether further investigation is necessary and what criminal charges to file. Because of factors outside of the control of police and sheriffs, including high priority call volume, limited staffing, some police responses can be delayed or simply impractical, District Attorney Jeff Reisig said. Fast Pass becomes a force multiplier for retailers and the police by directly expediting the facts of non-emergency incidents to the ultimate decision maker, the DA, for charging consideration and allocation of investigative assets. Reisig unveiled the new program during a news conference inside the Walmart Supercenter store in West Sacramento flanked by several law enforcement leaders in the county. His office also chose to announce the early results of the new program, which was implemented in the fall, on Californias March primary Election Day as voters headed to the polls. The foundation of any civilized society is based upon the idea that conduct is moderated by laws and that those who break the law will be swiftly and fairly held accountable, Reisig told reporters. Unfortunately, through a combination of factors in California, including weak criminal laws, increasing violent crime and chronically understaffed law enforcement agencies, many retailers have suffered incredible losses with little or no relief. A report published in September by the Public Policy Institute of California examined commercial burglaries and robberies of commercial businesses. Shoplifting is defined under Californias Proposition 47 as entering a commercial establishment with intent to steal property valued at less than $950 during business hours. The PPIC report said data failed to reveal evidence of increases in shoplifting until 2022, when California experienced a 28.7% spike from the low rates of COVID-19 pandemic years. Robberies, which are violent crimes in which force is threatened or used, at commercial businesses are much less common than shoplifting and commercial burglaries, the PPIC analysis found. Program targets repeat offenders Reisig said his Fast Pass targets repeat offenders and those accused of more serious crimes, not first-time offenders. In the first seven months, the District Attorneys Office has filed criminal charges against 49 retail theft suspects in 43 cases. Reisig said those charges include dozens of felonies with thefts of store merchandise totaling more than $105,000. The 49 suspects accused of retail theft have a combined 134 previous theft convictions. Of the 49 suspects, 93% have previous arrests on theft charges, 46% on burglary charges, 33% on robbery charges and 28% on organized retail theft charges, according to the District Attorneys Office. Also, 17% of the accused 49 suspects had previous arrests on violent assault charges, and 43% of them had been arrested on family violence charges, prosecutors said. Reisig said his office launched the Fast Pass program in cooperation with several retail chains, including Walmart, Best Buy, Lowes, Rite Aid, the TJX Companies, CVS, Nugget Markets, Safeway, Walgreens, IKEA, Raleys and Home Depot. Jarred Crabtree, Walmarts vice president for enterprise security coordination and support, called Fast Pass a cutting edge program that strengthens relationships between retailers and law enforcement. Whats more is our associates feel confident in that they have the backing from law enforcement and also from the local prosecutors office, Crabtree said in the news conference. Reducing time between arrest and prosecution Reisig said Fast Pass can reduce the delay between an arrest and prosecution in some cases from months to weeks or even days. But he said its not intended to dissuade retailers from calling 911 in emergencies or reporting crimes to police and sheriffs officials, and nothing in the new program prevents law enforcement officials from responding to those calls for help. Yolo County Sheriff Tom Lopez said businesses and retailers have become increasingly victimized while many law enforcement agencies are spread thin due to rising violent crime and difficulty with staffing and recruiting of peace officers. My message as sheriff for all prospective thieves and criminals should be clear: We are ready for you. We are united, and I have open jail cells waiting for you, Lopez said in the news conference. But Lopez also said they stand ready to aggressively hold thieves accountable with compassion to help those suffering from mental illness or drug addiction, and to help rehabilitate those who are willing. West Sacramento Police Chief Rob Strange spoke about recent retail thefts in his city in which store loss prevention staff were faced with a violent encounter, including a failed shoplifting attempt at a Target store in which a person reportedly pulled a loaded handgun from a backpack as a police officer tried to handcuff him. The suspect dropped the handgun during the scuffle with the police officer, and a Target store employee kicked the gun away. Strange said the suspect was a previously convicted felon not allowed to possess a gun, and the actions of the officer and the store employee likely saved innocent lives that day. Our community is just tired about having to worry about it at all, Strange told reporters. Theyre fed up, and they clearly recognize that this simply wasnt the world we were in a mere decade together. Greg Totten, CEO of the California District Attorneys Association, said Fast Pass should be replicated throughout the state and rolled out on a much broader basis. He said he hopes to work with retailers on training for prosecutors and retailers on the finer points of Fast Pass. This program is a first of its kind in the nation, Totten said in Tuesdays news conference. It is an extraordinary pilot project that enhances communications between businesses and the prosecutor, spares scarce law enforcement resources, and ultimately produces stronger, more provable cases that can be filed in court and ultimately result in convictions of the perpetrators. A man who murdered and dismembered a woman in New York City is thought to have been inspired by the TV Show Dexter and gathered tips from the fictional TV show to cover up his crime. Cory Martin, 36, a pimp from New York City, was found guilty on all charges in the killing of 26-year-old Brandy Odom, the Eastern District of New York US Attorneys Office said in a statement on Monday. Jurors at Martins trial heard how he lived in Rosedale, Queens, with Odom and a co-conspirator who were both engaged in sex work for him, while he operated as their pimp. In March and December 2017, Martin and his co-conspirator fraudulently got hold of two life insurance policies under Odoms name and made premium payments to the life insurance companies by Western Union money orders using a debit card, also in Odoms name. The co-conspirator testified at his trial that she and Martin watched the true crime TV show The First 48 about police tactics, which would lead them to discuss what not to do, and what things to do to avoid being caught by the police. However, Martins inspiration viewing became more sinister as he also watched Dexter, a TV show about a serial killer who dismembers his victims. Martin was looking for ways to commit the crime when he got rid of Brandy, the trial heard. One day in early April 2018, Martin then entered Odoms bedroom and strangled her. Martin and the co-conspirator then purchased cleaning supplies and a vacuum to clean up the murder scene. Martin also searched on Home Depots website for a Dewalt 12-Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw, described as featuring a powerful 12 Amp motor designed for heavy-duty applications, and then later that evening, searched on YouTube how to use a reciprocating saw. After laying down heavy-duty black garbage bags on every surface of the bathroom floor, Martin used an electric saw to dismember the victims body in the bathtub, the co-conspirator testified. Martin and the co-conspirator then disposed of Odoms body parts by dumping them in Canarsie Park in Brooklyn. After the grisly killing, Martin tried to collect Odoms life insurance policies but was unsuccessful. Martin and his co-conspirator tried to make money out of Odom by claiming life insurance polices after her murder (ABC7NY) Another look at Martins internet history also gave clues as to his involvement in the murder. After he disposed of the victims dismembered remains, he made dozens of swatches for articles such as Search area expands after dismembered body found in Canarsie Park in Brooklyn, and searched on Twitter and YouTube for information. Martin was convicted of all charges including murder-for-hire, aggravated identity theft, murder-for-hire conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy and fraudulent use of identification. He now faces a mandatory life sentence in prison at his sentencing in July. I waited six years, Odoms mother Nicole Odom told the New York Daily News following Mondays verdict. Thats one monster thats off the street right now. Because thats what he is right now. Hes a monster. United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Breon Peace, said in a statement that 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. Mr Peace said that he saw Martins life sentence as a fitting punishment for the ghastly, cold-blooded crime that was motivated by greed and executed after extensive planning. Brandy Odom suffered an unthinkable death at the defendants hands, but her life mattered, and I hope that this verdict holding the defendant responsible brings some measure of closure to her family, he added. The United States does not intend to send troops to fight in Ukraine, noting that what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is asking for is the weapons Ukraine needs to fight Russia. Source: John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, at a briefing on 5 March, European Pravda reports Details: Kirby stressed that the US Congress must pass supplemental funding for Ukraine so that "we can continue that strong leadership and support a coalition of more than 50 nations that the United States put together to support Ukraine. [President Joe Biden ed.] has also been very clear since the very beginning of this war: Theres not going to be US troops on the ground fighting inside Ukraine. And you know what? President Zelenskyy isnt asking for that. Hes just asking for the tools and capabilities," the White House official added. "Hes never asked for foreign troops to fight for his country. He and his troops want to do that. But they need the tools, and thats what we need to help with," he concluded. Background: French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that he "could not rule out" the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine. He later added that his words had been carefully thought through. Macron's remarks provoked a negative reaction from allied governments, whose leaders were quick to assure people that they would not send troops to Ukraine. Moscow reacted angrily to Macron's remarks, warning that the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine would inevitably lead to a conflict between Russia and NATO. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the International Criminal Courts (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Russia's Long-Range Aviation and Black Sea Fleet commanders. Source: President Zelenskyy on X; European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy stressed that 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," Zelenskyy wrote. He added that though international justice requires time, it is "unavoidable", and Ukraine will continue to make every effort to bring every Russian who has committed war crimes against Ukraine to justice. "And no number of stars on shoulder straps or cabinet doors will keep them from being held accountable," Zelenskyy said. Background: On 5 March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for commanders of Russia's Long-Range Aviation (Sergey Kobylash) and the Russian Federation's Black Sea Fleet (Viktor Sokolov) as part of the investigation into war crimes Russia potentially committed in Ukraine between 10 October 2022 and 9 March 2023. On 17 March 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! In this article, we will discuss the 20 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024. You can skip our detailed analysis of the worldwide sun care products industry, the evolution from sunscreen to "funscreen", and sun care companies embracing innovation, by going directly to the 5 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024. Sunscreen is a vital skincare essential that shields skin from the sun's damaging rays. It creates a protective barrier, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and potential skin damage. Embrace the power of sunscreen to safeguard your skin and preserve its youthful radiance. The Worldwide Sun Care Products Industry: According to Grand View Research, the global market for sun-care products was estimated to be worth $10.7 billion in 2020, and between 2021 and 2028, it is projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.0%. The primary drivers of the market's expansion are growing awareness of skin cancer and increasing concern about protecting skin from the sun's harmful rays. Sales of sun care goods have decreased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers are switching to the work-from-home model. However, rising demand for organic and natural personal care products, fueled by health concerns, is likely to propel the sun care products market during the forecast period. These products are often plant-derived and provide additional skin advantages due to the natural ingredients utilized in their preparation. In 2020, Europe held the greatest revenue share of 35.1% in the market for sun care products. The demand for products has increased throughout the region as a result of growing consumer awareness of the damaging effects of prolonged sun exposure on the skin. Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing market for sun care products, with the greatest CAGR projected from 2021 to 2028. The main cause of the development of the Asia Pacific market is the expansion of the chemical industry in China and India, which is anticipated to guarantee manufacturers of skin care products ongoing access to raw materials. This is predicted to be advantageous for manufacturers operating in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. Story continues In 2020, the adult cream market in the United States became the largest segment of the sun care products market. With growing awareness of the harsh chemicals contained in cosmetics and their negative effects on the skin, customers are becoming more picky about the contents before purchasing any product. The American Academy of Dermatology reported that over 9,500 individuals are diagnosed with skin cancer each day in the United States, with an estimated 197,700 new cases of melanoma skin cancer expected by 2022. Hence, the market for sun care products is expanding due to the increasing awareness of skin cancer. The Evolution from Sunscreen to "Funscreen": Brands have become increasingly creative with their formulas in an attempt to boost compliance. Research in 2020 from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) revealed that 76% of Americans believed sunscreen was important. However, only 41% said they routinely wear the latter outside. The sunscreen market has evolved dramatically, moving away from boring white, sticky lotions and toward fun, inventive products that are meant to be used every day. With the availability of SPF sprays, brush-on powders, whipped mousses, and roller sticks, applying sunscreen to daily activities is now simpler and more enjoyable. Sun "patches" serve as reminders for reapplication, while formulations cater to certain skin types, such as acne-prone, allergy-prone, and darker skin tones, with brands like Black Girl Sunscreen leading the way since 2016. "Sunscreens not only became the norm, but they're now dynamic, fun, and personalized," said Dr. Luke Maxfield, a board-certified dermatologist and one of the doctors behind the popular YouTube channel Doctorly (CNN). Researchers discovered in a 2021 survey that a greater number of middle and high school students were using sunscreen; they partly attributed this development to social media. Supergoop, a sunscreen manufacturer known for products such as Unseen Sunscreen and Glowscreen, attributed the spike in daily SPF use to increasing education about its benefits as well as the availability of innovative SPF products. Supergoop's chief marketing officer, Britany LeBlanc, pointed out that the company wants to set itself apart from the sunscreens of the past by making its products enjoyable to use. Additionally, hybrid products are becoming prevalent. Aedit states that Patricia Boland, vice president of research and development at Colorescience, a prominent sunscreen brand, says, "We are big fans of ingredients that help to stimulate collagen and elastin in addition to advanced antioxidants which help neutralize free radicals." This is achieved through actives like peptides, and this brand also contains substances that moisturize, reduce inflammation, and support the skin barrier. Consumers are searching for items with natural and cleaner ingredients. A growing trend is staying away from synthetic chemicals, abrasive materials, and artificial smells. As a result, businesses are producing sunscreen products using organic, sustainably sourced, and plant-based ingredients. As per Future Market Insights, the mineral sunscreen market is predicted to grow at a 5.2% CAGR until 2033, reaching a value of US$ 1,470.3 million. Sun Care Companies Embracing Innovation: Innovations in product offerings are an important development in the sun care sector. Large players in this industry are continually working on creating new goods to expand their market share. With the January 2021 release of ANESSA, a brightening UV sunscreen gel, Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido Company Limited serves as an example of this trend. Using the brand's Smooth Protect Technology, ANESSA combines zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to offer the best possible protection. When the sunscreen is subjected to heat, this cutting-edge technology distributes the UV protection ingredient uniformly in a film coating, improving UV protection. Shiseido's dedication to revolutionary sun protection technology is evident in this product. In another instance, a US-based investment management company called Blackstone Inc.(NYSE:BX) acquired a majority share in Supergoop! in December 2021 to bolster the latter's dedication to brand advertising, customer awareness, and innovation. Blackstone Inc.(NYSE:BX) acquired Supergoop!, a US-based skincare product maker, to accelerate the business's domestic and international growth. Moreover, purchasing a majority share in Supergoop expands Blackstone Inc.(NYSE:BX) s portfolio of female-founded investments. One of the key players in the sun care industry is Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) with a whopping annual revenue of $94.943 billion in 2022. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a multinational pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer goods corporation that owns the skincare brand Neutrogena. In 2019, Johnson and Johnsons Neutrogena launched an innovative skincare line called Neutrogena Bright Boost for millennials, including the powerful ingredient Neoglucosamine. The intense Brazilian sun requires good sun protection, as Anna Trondoli, a 31-year-old Senior Scientist in Skin Health at Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), realized. As such, her contribution to the development of the Bright Boost Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 was crucial. "This moisturizer serves as the ideal final step in your skincare regimen," Trondoli says. "Simply massage approximately one teaspoon of the lightweight lotion into your skin until absorbed." Not only does the moisturizer brighten with neoglucosamine, but it also nourishes with vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and moringa seed. "It was crafted to be multifunctionalproviding all-in-one moisturization, including sun protection, making it ideal for my busy millennial lifestyle." With that said, here are the 20 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024. 20 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024 Pixabay/ Public Domain Methodology: To pick out the 20 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024, we have used a consensus-based approach using a diverse variety of credible sources to determine the most premium sunscreen brands worldwide. To give you the finest result possible, we picked brands that appeared multiple times in reliable sources, including Allure, Byrdie, and Sephora, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. In tie-breaker situations, we consulted independent beauty blogs and product reviews and then curated the sunscreen brands for our list. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 20 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024 20. Aveeno Insider Monkey Points: 2 Aveeno is a prominent skincare brand that uses natural ingredientsespecially oat-based formulationsto treat a range of skin issues. Established in 1945, Aveeno provides an extensive assortment of products, such as cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, and hair care items. Dermatologists frequently prescribe this brand because of its effective yet delicate formulas, which are appropriate for sensitive skin. Providing relief for skin conditions like dryness, eczema, and sensitivity, Aveeno products have been created to hydrate and calm the skin. Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 protects your skin from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB radiation. This hypoallergenic mineral sunscreen, formulated for sensitive body and facial skin, is mild and devoid of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, and dyes. 19. Blue Lizard Australia Insider Monkey Points: 2 The Blue Lizard Australia was created because of the Australian harsh environment and strong UV radiation. Before coming to the USA, Blue Lizard Sunscreen established its weather resistance via testing and the trust of many dermatologists. The Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 50+ Lotion has won the Allure Best of Beauty 2022 Award and is one of the world's best-selling sunscreens. 18. Neutrogena Insider Monkey Points: 2 Neutrogena is an American cosmetics, skincare, and hair care brand owned by Johnson & Johnson. Their products are available in more than 70 countries globally. Dermatologists frequently suggest Neutrogena because of its broad product line and powerful formulas that address a variety of skincare issues. Neutrogena sunscreens are renowned for offering sufficient protection against the sun. Specifically, the broad-spectrum Ultra Sheer Dry Touch, one of the number 1 dermatologist recommended sunscreens, protects against damaging UVA and UVB rays. It lowers the chance of developing skin cancer and helps shield the skin from sunburn and aging symptoms. 17. Biore Insider Monkey Points: 2 Biore, a Japanese brand owned by Kao Corporation, is a well-known skincare brand that specializes in cleansing and pore treatment. Their product portfolio includes sunscreen, cleansers, pore strips, and acne treatments that target and minimize the appearance of pores and blackheads. Biore Aqua Rich UV is derived from Biore Japan's water-based sunscreen brand, which is renowned for its refreshing textures and transparent, clean protection. This feather-light watery essence sunscreen, which is formulated with SPF 50 for UVA and UVB defense, penetrates the skin quickly and effortlessly, leaving the skin moisturized and protected from damaging UV rays. 16. CeraVe Insider Monkey Points: 3 CeraVe, created in collaboration with dermatologists, offers a whole line of skincare products packed with three essential ceramides and is one of the best sunscreen brands to use. These products, enhanced by an advanced delivery method, are designed to help the skin's natural barrier function effectively. CeraVe ensures the quality and effectiveness of its skincare solutions, which are suitable for sensitive skin. The renowned CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF50 is a lightweight daily face moisturizer that offers SPF 50+ UVB/UVA protection as well as the advantages of niacinamide and three key ceramides. This product provides calming, up to 24-hour hydration while protecting the skin's natural barrier. It is perfect for skin types ranging from normal to dry, leaving the skin feeling hydrated and nourished. 15. Kinship Insider Monkey Points: 3 Kinship is a skincare company dedicated to bringing you cruelty-free and clean products. Their product line includes sunscreens, facial cleansers, exfoliating pads, pimple remedies, hydration gels, and more, all made with a combination of scientific and plant-derived components. Their products are clean and ethical, and they use kimbiome, a plant-based prebiotic, so that customers have access to trustworthy and effective cosmetic solutions. Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 32 is an award-winning mineral sunscreen known for its smooth blending, which results in luminous skin. Serving as a moisturizer, primer, and SPF protector, it offers multifunctional benefits in a single application. This non-greasy, lightweight composition prevents breakouts because it does not clog pores or leave a white cast on the skin. 14. Cocokind Insider Monkey Points: 3 CocoKind Skincare is an all-natural skincare brand headquartered in San Francisco, California. This brand takes great satisfaction in using only natural products and being owned entirely by women. Producing products that yield outstanding outcomes, CocoKind is dedicated to upholding strong ideals. cruelty-free, inexpensive, sustainable, and powered by plants. One of the top sunscreens, Cocokind Silk SPF 30, has been thoroughly tested by over 1,964 community members. Its hybrid formula absorbs into the skin, increasing moisture and making it excellent for blemish-prone skin. This lightweight sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation, as well as environmental stressors. Notably, it leaves no white cast due to its distinctive blend of chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients. 13. Innisfree Insider Monkey Points: 3 One of the first all-natural brands in South Korea, Innisfree, sources a large portion of its ingredients from Jeju Island. The company provides a diverse selection of items, including makeup and skincare for both men and women. Innisfree Daily UV Sunscreen is a gentle daily lotion that provides lightweight hydration and discreet UV protection with an SPF of 36. Enriched with a fusion of sunflower seed oil and green tea, this lightweight solution absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving no white residue while imparting the skin a revitalizing glow. 12. Cetaphil Insider Monkey Points: 4 For more than 70 years, dermatologists have recommended the skincare brand Cetaphil, which is owned by the Swiss company Galderma. Cetaphil's range of cleansers, sunscreens, and moisturizers is trusted by millions of women globally who have sensitive skin, and it is supported by scientific evidence from trials involving over 32,000 patients. It has been demonstrated that these products protect against UV radiation, dryness, irritation, tightness, roughness, and a compromised skin barrier. Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer SPF 35 is a soothing, lightweight face moisturizer that protects against UVA and UVB rays while providing immediate, oil-free hydration that lasts for 24 hours and leaves the skin with a matte, satin finish. 11. Banana Boat Insider Monkey Points: 4 The brand Banana Boat is recognized for its skincare and tanning products. To meet the various demands of customers for sun protection and skincare, their product line comprises a range of sun blocks and screens, sun tan treatments, lotions and moisturizers, lip protectors, first aid ointments, and hair protectors. Banana Boat Light As Air is a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen that provides excellent broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. The latter is fast to absorb, leaving no residue, and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation for efficient sun defense, it is formulated without oxybenzone or octinoxate. This sunscreen is innovative and non-clogging. Banana Boat is among the 20 highest-quality sunscreen brands in 2024. 10. Colorscience Insider Monkey Points: 4 The creator of 100% healthy, naturally beautiful color cosmetics enriched with top-notch skincare components and UV protection is Colorescience. Well-known for creating the recognizable Sunforgettable Total Protection Mineral Sunscreen Brush, which combines skincare, sunscreen, and natural color in a handy brush style. This only powder sunscreen, which won the 2021 Allure Best of Beauty Award, is the Skin Cancer Foundation's recommendation for active use. 9. Shiseido Insider Monkey Points: 4 Shiseido opened its first Western-style pharmacy in Japan in Ginza, Tokyo, in 1872. It started as a family-run company and evolved into one of the biggest names in the beauty industry, with operations in over 120 nations and territories. Shiseido's various product categories include skincare, cosmetics, body care, hair care, and fragrances. Shiseido is one of the oldest cosmetic companies in the world. This brands renowned Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Wetforce Broad Spectrum is the latest breakthrough, combining Shiseido WetForce Technology and HeatForce Technology to create SynchroShield, an invisible, lightweight protective barrier intensified by heat and water. It is dermatological and ophthalmologist tested, free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, non-comedogenic, and sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It is one of the best luxury sunscreens. 8. Summer Fridays Insider Monkey Points: 4 A Los Angeles-based beauty company called Summer Fridays perfectly embodies the carefree spirit of Californian living. Summer Fridays emphasizes effectiveness and user-friendliness and offers an array of products, including skincare, body care, and innovative hybrids that combine skincare and makeup. Their products are vegan and cruelty-free, demonstrating their commitment to ethical and sustainable beauty methods. Summer Fridays Shadedrops SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen successfully protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation, which can cause damage and aging. This sun and travel product, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, safeguards skin from free radical damage, boosting complexion health and appearance. 7. Hero Cosmetics Insider Monkey Points: 4 Hero Cosmetics was established with the specific goal of creating products that are solution-oriented and rescue your skin when it's in need. This brand specializes in making cosmetics for those with acne-prone skin, and its products include sunscreen, acne patches, reset mist, and serum sticks. These products are manufactured without parabens, alcohol, and sulfates, guaranteeing that they are gentle on the face and successfully prevent acne breakouts for consumers. One of its best-seller sunscreens, Hero Cosmetic Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen is a lightweight, breathable, and acne-prone skin-friendly sunscreen that has superlight zinc oxide, which physically blocks UVA and UVB rays to provide protection all day long. 6. ISDIN Insider Monkey Points: 5 ISDIN has provided a wide range of products for 40 years, including innovative facial treatments, serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and haircare, in addition to exceptional sun care. ISDIN, recognized as Spain's leading sun care brand, is dedicated to providing solutions that not only protect but also repair and reverse the consequences of UV exposure. ISDIN products are renowned for their effectiveness and high quality, having been backed by years of dermatological research and invention. Its Eryfotona Actinica sunscreen is a lightweight, fast-absorbing emulsion that provides all-mineral broad-spectrum sun protection for daily use. It is one of the best sunscreens for the face. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 20 Highest Quality Sunscreen Brands in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that the capabilities of Ukraines Armed Forces demonstrated that there are no and will not be any safe havens in the Black Sea for Russian terrorists. Source: Zelenskyy's evening address on 5 March Quote: "Today I want to thank all our warriors, all the units that are restoring security and control in the Ukrainian skies and in our Black Sea. Ukraine has proved what we are capable of, what our strength is capable of. This is evidenced by the number of downed Russian military aircraft and the capabilities of our guys against the Russian fleet. There are no longer any safe harbours for Russian terrorists in the Black Sea and there will never be any more. And there will be no safe space in the sky for them, provided our Ukrainian strength is sufficient. This applies to both supplies from partners and our domestic production." Details: Zelenskyy also stated that he had held numerous meetings focused on Ukraine's defence industry. Quote: "There was a report from the Ministry of Strategic Industries on our defence production, as well as relevant communication with partners. We are implementing the recently reached agreements on supplies and joint projects in the shortest possible time. I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps in a principled, timely and uninterrupted manner. I also held a meeting with the international bloc of the government and the Office on key issues in certain areas. We are planning our actions for this month, for this spring, to provide Ukraine with the necessary strength and capabilities." Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law amending certain legislative acts of Ukraine to improve corporate governance of legal entities in which the state is a shareholder (founder, participant). Source: Ministry of Economy It is noted that the law regulates many issues that will allow companies to operate in a way that is clear to society, investors and international partners. Supervisory boards are now given more powers to operate, but they also have more responsibility. The adoption of the law is also part of the European integration process and the IMF programme. The law brings Ukraine closer to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development standards and balances them with the requirements of wartime. For strategic companies, the shareholder and the Ministry of Finance will set requirements through letters of expectation with indicators of profitability, liquidity and solvency. Supervisory boards will decide how to meet these targets. In addition, supervisory boards will be able to appoint and dismiss company executives. An internal control system is emerging instead of audit committees, there will be effective tools: compliance, risk management, and internal audit. "Instead, the government should develop and approve a procedure for assessing the performance of supervisory boards and a procedure for determining remuneration. The law also provides for a clear list of grounds and procedure for dismissing members of supervisory boards," the statement said. Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, pointed out that the new law allows the government to take the corporate reform to a new level and scale up the work that has been going on for eight years. It is also an important signal to investors that Ukraine will act in accordance with the rules that are understandable to the civilised world. Background: On 22 February, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, adopted a law on improving corporate governance of state-owned companies (draft law No. 5593-d). Support UP or become our patron! OTTAWA, Ontario Canadas emergency preparedness minister is warning that this years wildfire season will be worse than the record-breaking season of 2023, when thousands of fires burned tens of millions of acres and set off plumes of smoke that enveloped major U.S. cities, including New York and Washington. This years fires could be especially bad in two of the countrys most fire-prone provinces, where nearly 150 of the blazes that started during last years season are still burning this winter, under snow-covered ground. While so-called zombie fires, a term recently popularized in the Canadian media, are an annual phenomenon in parts of the country, never have so many fires been reported in a single winter, raising fears that many may flare up again aboveground. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The zombie fires persist during winter because porous peat and moss ground cover in northern areas act as underground fuel for them. The risk of wildfire in Canada has grown because of climate change, which increases the hot, dry and gusty conditions that have caused drought, according to research published last summer by World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists who model how climate change impacts extreme weather. Given drought conditions in parts of Western Canada and other extreme weather effects, Harjit Sajjan, Canadas emergency preparedness minister, said it was not surprising that the wildfire forecast was alarming. He added that climate change is the reality that we face and we need to get ready for it. Many of the underground fires which are burning in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta dont pose an increased risk of triggering wildfires in the spring because they are in places so charred that there is no vegetation left to burn. But others are in areas that droughts have turned into tinder boxes, prompting fears that they will cause fires to erupt aboveground once spring arrives. Last years wildfires burned about 48 million acres of forest across Canada, an area roughly the size of Finland, and a staggering increase of 170% over the previous year, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center. Smoke from the fires, particularly blazes that burned in Quebec, wafted as far south as Florida and blanketed several cities in the United States and southern Canada in a noxious cloud. The drought in Western Canada is now entering its third year and is a major factor behind fears of an even worse 2024 fire season, particularly in British Columbia and Alberta. Both provinces have already seen new aboveground wildfires this year, prompting Alberta to declare a start to its wildfire season about a week before the traditional March 1 beginning date. Snow could still fall in the spring and tame the existing fires and help with the dry conditions, said Mike Flannigan, a professor of wildfire science at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. But this year, he added, forecasts suggest continued dryness and warmer-than-usual temperatures. About 93 fires left over from last year have continued to burn underground through the winter in British Columbia, while 55 are burning in Alberta, according to their provincial governments. Such winter fires are common in both provinces, as well as in Yukon, but, in British Columbia, there are usually no more than about 15, experts said, adding that this years higher tally has left them surprised and worried. Theres no historical analogue to what were seeing right now, Flannigan said. Most years theyre not a big deal. But now a lot of these fires have the potential that when the snow melts and it gets warm, dry and windy to actually grow again. So it is a serious issue. No overwinter fires have been recorded in the forests of Quebec, the eastern province that sent smoke billowing into the United States and at one point across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. Quebec generally lacks the peat and moss soil of the western provinces that serve as fuel for winter fires. Since the winter fires are underground and can produce little or no visible smoke, tracking them can be a challenge. The wildfire service for British Columbia said that it relied on sensors in airplanes and satellites to look for heat, though snow cover reduces their effectiveness. Still, some fires have been visible to the naked eye. Even on the minus 40, minus 42 Celsius days, we were still seeing smoke, said Sonja E.R. Leverkus, the senior fire lead at Northern Fire WoRx, a private wildfire fighting service in a remote section of northeastern British Columbia. So much that as you drove youd be smelling the smoke and coughing in your truck. In a typical year, melting snow seeps into the ground where winter fires burn and snuffs most of them out. But this year there has been far less snow than usual, said Leverkus, who holds a doctorate in fire ecology. I am 6 foot 2, and there have been times in the past few years that snow on my apple orchard has been well above my hips, she said, adding that there was less than 1 foot on the ground. Sajjan, the emergency preparedness minister, said Canada was better prepared this year to fight fires and evacuate communities. While provinces and territories are responsible for fighting fires, federal money has provided for the training of an additional 600 firefighters across the country. A system meant to allow provinces to share personnel and equipment has been revamped to make it more efficient and accelerate the exchange of information, Sajjan said. Equipment stocks have been increased, he said, and new techniques such as nighttime firefighting are being introduced or tested. While the forecast for this years wildfire season seems dire, Flannigan stressed that it was still only a prediction. I dont expect to see another year like 2023 in my lifetime, but I could be wrong, he said. Still, he added, the long-term outlook for Canada was discouraging. Most every year is going to be a bad fire year, Flannigan said. But on average, were going to see a lot more fire, a lot more smoke. This trend is going to continue. In Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Leverkus, whose crew numbers more than 100 at the peak of fire season, said she was still haunted by the eight deaths among firefighters in Canada last year. Two of them occurred in areas near where her crews were working. Last year was horrible, she said. My crew and I, we listen to what the land is telling us. And the land is telling us that its dry and the animals are telling us that its dry and to be ready. c.2024 The New York Times Company By Sarah Wu BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle makers made a strong showing at the start of the country's annual parliamentary meeting on Tuesday, bolstered by official recognition of their growing clout on the world stage as they asked for more regulatory support to become global brands. When Yin Tongyue started Chery Automobile 27 years ago, China's auto industry was dominated by foreign companies and the prospect of Chinese people building their own cars was a pipe dream, he told reporters on the sidelines of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's rubber-stamp parliament. Fast forward nearly three decades, and China - the world's largest auto market - also has clinched the title of the world's largest auto exporter. But Chinese automakers must look beyond sales superlatives to focus on technological innovation, quality reputation, and social responsibility, Yin warned. "To transform from a large car country to a strong car country, it is not enough to rely on sales or scale," said Yin, a NPC delegate. "We also need to have our own Chinese global brands that are recognized by others around the world." Premier Li Qiang, in his work report to the week-long NPC meeting outlining key government goals, cheered progress in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, which has been a rare bright spot in the struggling economy, despite an intensifying price war that has squeezed automakers' margins. "China accounted for over 60 percent of global electric vehicle output and sales," the report said, praising "the 30-percent increase in exports of the 'new trio,' namely, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products." Pledging to "consolidate and enhance our leading position in industries such as intelligent connected new-energy vehicles," China said it would boost domestic spending on EVs via trade-in programmes and the revision of local policies that restrict the purchase of cars. These commitments show China's continued support for its prized EV sector. But the government -- which extended a tax exemption for the purchase of new energy vehicles through the end of next year -- did not announce new subsidies. Policy recommendations put forth by automakers primarily sought regulatory changes to speed up the adoption of new technologies, including autonomous driving. GLOBAL SPEED BUMPS China's rise as the top EV exporter, however, has sparked concerns in two important auto markets: Europe and the United States. Exports have been a key driver of growth for Chinese automakers as demand in their home market weakens. The European Commission last year launched an investigation to determine whether to shield EU producers from a "flood" of cheaper Chinese EVs that it says benefit from state subsidies. The United States last month launched a probe into whether Chinese "connected" vehicles pose national security risks. On Monday, Robin Zeng, chairman of Chinese battery giant CATL and member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) top advisory body, told reporters that Europe did not have enough "higher-quality" products yet. He also dismissed U.S. concerns over Chinese vehicle data collection as unnecessary and resolvable through communication. SHIFTING PRIORITIES The high-profile presence of EV bosses at the parliamentary meeting mirrored the shifting priorities of Chinese policymakers. Yin was in the company of other auto heavyweights, including Geely Chairman Eric Li, Changan Auto Chairman Zhu Huarong, and Xpeng's Chief Executive He Xiaopeng. Pony Ma, chief executive and co-founder of tech giant Tencent Holdings, and Richard Liu, founder of one of China's largest e-commerce platforms JD.com, used to be regulars at the annual meeting. But in recent years, following a regulatory crackdown on the tech sector, the internet bosses have receded from the limelight. Another industry with a strong turnout at the meeting was the chip sector, which has been a target of U.S. export curbs and a focus of China's efforts to become self-reliant. Prominent industry figures included Zhang Suxin, chairman of China's second largest foundry Hua Hong Semiconductor, Shi Lei, president of chip packaging and testing firm Tongfu Microelectronics, and Chen Tianshi, president of AI chipmaker Cambricon. (Reporting by Sarah Wu; Additional reporting by Zhang Yan and Yelin Mo; Editing by Brenda Goh and Kim Coghill) An image of two workers from Google YouTube at the plinth in the city of Austin, Texas. One unionised worker has just finished delivering his speech when his colleague appears to inform him of his team's layoffs. YouTube Music contractors were informed mid-speech, during a publicly-recorded and broadcast meeting with the City Council of Austin, Texas that they'd just lost their jobs. "To be supported by the city of Austin, and also our allies in the labour community[it] gives us the motivation to keep this fight going," says Jack Benedict as he speaks to the councilthough he trails off as he turns to his co-worker Katie Marie Marschner, approaching the podium. Composing herself, Marschner then says: "Not to interrupt but they just laid us all off." "As I was sat behind him, filming him, I got a text message from my co-worker letting them know that they had all just been laid off in our weekly team meeting," says Marschner in a later video posted to the union's Twitter account. The council was set to consider and pass a resolution that would call on Google to bargain with the group of contractors, a group that Google maintains should be bargaining with "their employer" Cognizant instead. Cognizant is partnered with Google as part of a dedicated "Google Cloud Business Group". Staggeringly, this is despite a ruling by the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) back in January which stated that Google's refusal to bargain with the workers was, in fact, illegal. The contractors had formally voted to join the Alphabet Worker's Union April 2023, just shy of a year prior. This groupformerly composed of around 49 employeescited minimal benefits and low pay, as well as a return-to-office order as reasons for both unionisation and strikes in Feburary. "Many workers are forced to work multiple jobs to make ends meet," reads a statement later made by the Union. The statement also explains that: "Workers began an Unfair Labour Practice strike on February 3, 2023 in response to a retaliatory return-to-work mandate Workers joined the strike because their only other option was 'voluntary termination' for being unable to physically show up at the office. Many workers either live across state lines or are not paid enough to afford the associated expenses with in-person work, like gas and childcare costs. While dozens of local workers returned to work, several out of state workers maintained the strike." In a statement sent to 404media and several other press organisations, Google argues that the layoffs occurred on the contractor's normal expiry date. The statement reads: "As we've shared before, these are not Google employees. Cognizant is responsible for these workers' employment terms, including staffing. As is the case here, contracts with our suppliers across the company routinely end on their natural expiry date, which was agreed to with Cognizant." A report from the Washington Post paints a less amicable, expected picture of the layoffs themselveswhich claim an expiration that was far from natural: "Sam Regan, a data analyst contractor for YouTube Music, was at the office when the layoff hit. The mood was suspicious, he said, as security guards joined a short morning meeting where company leaders 'coldly' informed workers that their project was being cut. Workers had about 20 minutes to gather their belongings and leave the premises before they were considered trespassing." A video on TikTok was later confirmed by Marschner to have come from inside the office. "In that meeting, [they] watched the wifi get cut, watched their access get cut to Gmail," Masrchner maintains that the layoffs were nonetheless unexpected. "On my team we were working on our most important workflow (I work on the charts team) it's like the most crucial forward-facing team in our whole department." The union concludes its statement as follows: "The layers of subcontracting are a mechanism by which Google distances itself from its responsibilities to its workers The NLRB found that Google has control over workers and their working conditions and is thus obligated to directly negotiate with their union." Scientists have developed a highly effective method to recover gold from electronic waste, an advance they say could yield $50 worth of gold for every dollar spent. Researchers used protein sponges, byproducts from the cheesemaking process, to recover the precious metal from e-waste a method they claim is sustainable and commercially viable. In the study, scientists recovered a 450-milligram nugget of 22-carat gold from just 20 old computer motherboards. The findings suggest the procurement costs for source materials and the energy costs for the entire process are 50 times lower than the value of the gold that can be recovered. To extract gold, scientists denatured whey proteins in acidic conditions at high temperatures to create a protein slurry that they dried to create a sponge. The gold nugget obtained from computer motherboards in three parts (ETH Zurich / Alan Kovacevic) Researchers then removed the metal parts from the 20 motherboards, dissolved them in an acid bath, and then placed a protein fibre sponge in the solution to attract the gold ions. While other metal ions can also adhere to the fibres, gold ions do so much more efficiently. Scientists then heated the sponge, turning the gold ions into flakes, which they then melted down into a gold nugget. Using the method, described in the journal Advanced Materials, they could obtain a nugget of around 450 milligrams from the 20 computer motherboards. The nugget, the study noted, was 91 per cent gold the remainder being copper corresponding to 22 carats. Researchers say the procurement costs for the source materials added to the energy costs for the entire process are 50 times lower than the value of the gold that can be recovered. The fact I love the most is that were using a food industry byproduct to obtain gold from electronic waste...You cant get much more sustainable than that, study coauthor and ETH Zurich professor Raffaele Mezzenga said in a statement. Researchers found microplastics in every single placenta tested during a study. The adverse health impacts of nano- and microplastics is not fully known, but research is emerging that shows the damage these plastic chemicals can have on human cells and tissue. The spreading reach of microplastics in naturefrom drinking water to our human bodiesmakes them unavoidable. Forget dodging nano- and microplastics (NMPs). Theyre everywhereeven, it turns out, in prenatal tissue. A new studyled by a group of researchers from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of New Mexico Health Sciences and published in Toxicological Sciencesputs any doubt of that to rest. Of 62 placenta samples tested in the research, the team found NMPs in all of them. Every. Single. One. The exponential increase in global plastic usage has led to the emergence of nano- and microplastic pollution as a pressing environmental issue due to its implications for human and other mammalian health, the authors wrote. While the exact impact of plastic within humans isnt fully known yet, researchers are starting to figure out some of the consequences. And they arent good. A study from the University of Rhode Island in 2023 used mice as an example. They found that microplastic exposure induced two major types of negative affects: behavioral changes akin to dementia in human, and alterations in liver and brain tissue immune markers. And things were worse for the older animals in the study. So, its probably not a great sign that the team from New Mexicopartnering with the Baylor College of Medicine and Oklahoma State Universitylocated NMPs in all 62 placenta samples they tested. To study the placentas, the team developed a way to extract solid materials from human tissue samples and then pinpoint plastics. The team looked at the tissue by using a centrifuge to separate solid materials from the tissue, and created techniques to isolate the plastic particles and determine their chemical makeup. In the process, dubbed pyrolysis, they placed plastic pellets in a metal cup and heated it to capture the gas emissions. With different types of plastic combusting at specific temperatures, the emissions offer a fingerprint of each plastic type. This method, paired with clinical metadata, will be pivotal to evaluating potential impacts of NMPs on adverse pregnancy outcomes, the authors wrote. Polyethylene proved to be the most prevalent plastic, accounting for roughly 54 percent of all plastics located. It was present in nearly all the samples. Polyethylene is the most used plastic on Earth, key to making water bottles, packing materials, and bags. Polyvinyl chloride and nylon were the heaviest, each making up about 10 percent of the total weight of NMP pollution. The tested samples showed concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 790 micrograms per gram of tissuesmall numbers, but large enough to make the amount poison in the eyes of toxicologists. If the dose keeps going up, we start to worry, study lead Matthew Campen said in a statement. He added that the levels of NMPs found in an eight-month-old placenta amount to just a fraction of what we could see build up over decades in humans. Organs of your body are accumulating over much longer period of time, he said. Its only getting worse, and the trajectory is it will double every 10 to 15 years. So, even if we were to stop today, in 2050 there will be three times as much plastic in the background as there is now. And were not going to stop it today. Multiple studies show that not only do NMPs have their own chemical makeup that can prove detrimental to the human body, but they can serve as a medium for other toxic substances, with many of the potential chemicals linked to everything from insulin resistance and weight gain to decreased reproductive health and cancer. NMPs come ubiquitous in the world. Found from the highest mountain points on Earth to the depths of our oceans, the plastics fill more than placentas. Research showes NMPs present in human blood, breast milk, drinking water, food, and even the air we breathe. If we are seeing effects on placentas, then all mammalian life on this planet could be impacted, Campen said. Thats not good. You Might Also Like Police investigators inspected the damaged pylon after the fire Elon Musk has said a suspected arson attack which has halted production at Tesla's Berlin car factory was "dumb". A far-left activist group says it targeted the site because of the amount of resources and labour it uses. The company says car-making is unlikely to resume before next week, with the outage likely to cost it "in the high nine-digit euro range." Tesla wants to double the size of its German factory - a plan which is opposed by some environmentalists. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Musk used the German phrase "extrem dumm" - extremely stupid - to describe the targeting of the site. "These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals," he wrote. In a letter published online, activists calling themselves the Volcano Group said they sabotaged production. An electricity pylon close to the plant caught fire, causing power outages in the factory and nearby towns. Tesla said workers had been sent home but its building was in a "safe state". The fire did not reach the electric car-maker's factory itself but did burn an electricity pylon and high-voltage wires. In its letter claiming responsibility for the attack, the Volcano Group said it sabotaged Tesla because it ate up resources and labour. It also accused Tesla of contaminating groundwater and using huge amounts of drinking water. State police have told the BBC they are currently examining the letter. "The rule of law will react to such an act of sabotage with the utmost severity," said Interior Minister for Brandenburg state Michael Stuebgen after the attack took place on Tuesday morning. Controversial expansion Some environmentalists are unhappy with the Berlin expansion plan because it would involve chopping down nearby trees. Around 100 people are camping in a forest near the factory. However, those green activists have distanced themselves from what has happened. One group, which calls itself Robin Wood, told the BBC it had "nothing to do with the fire". The fire brigade was called to the scene on Tuesday morning The Tesla factory currently makes around 500,000 cars a year - the Elon Musk-owned company wants to double that. Production is not expected to restart until next week, according to plant manager Andre Thierig. He added that the outage would cost "in the high nine-digit Euro range" after both power lines into the plant were broken. You are the owner of this article. Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 12, 2023, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is back on top as the world's richest person on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The billionaire's net worth now stands at $200 billion, data from the index shows, pushing tech entrepreneur Elon Musk into the No. 2 spot on the list. Musk's net worth was valued at $198 billion the tracker reported Tuesday. Bezos' net worth has grown by more than $23 billion so far in 2024, while Musk has seen the largest decline among top billionaires this year as Tesla's stock has plunged 26% year-to-date. French business magnate Bernard Arnault was listed as the third wealthiest person at $197 billion, as of Tuesday. Bloomberg: World's richest people became $852 billion wealthier in 2023 Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta, is fourth at $179 billion, while Bill Gates trailed not far behind him with a net worth of $150 billion. Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeff Bezos is world's richest person, jumping Elon Musk: Bloomberg Miami Beach is breaking up with spring break or at least trying to Miami Beach is trying to break up with spring break, but its not yet clear whether spring break will take the hint U.S. Army Apache helicopters take off at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Monday, March 4, 2024. North Korea called the ongoing South Korean-U.S. military drills a plot to invade the country, as it threatened Tuesday to take unspecified "responsible" military steps in response. As free COVID test program ends, heres how to get no-cost tests in WA If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com When youre looking ahead to your golden years, choosing the perfect location for retirement can be tricky. New, unfamiliar locales and populous cities might appeal to your sense of adventure; however, at the same time, you should ensure your nest egg will last as long as it possibly can. And, you want to rest easy knowing that your money and well-being are safe. Check Out: Heres the Cost To Retire Comfortably in Every State by Age Read More: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024 To help you with the retirement planning process, GOBankingRates scored the most secure cities on factors such as cost of living and population percentage of residents ages 65 and older. Keep reading to see some of the best places for retirees to enjoy a safe and affordable retirement. BSPollard / Getty Images 25. Oxford, Mississippi Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.916 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.884 Annual Cost of Living: $60,490 Although Oxford was ranked as the least-safe city on this specific list, its still counted among the most affordable and safest places to retire. You can pay your bills and live off of about $60,500 which is important when you are on a fixed income or limited budget in retirement. For You: Net Worth for Retirees: How To Tell If Youre Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich Discover More: 9 Ways Frugal Retirees Spend Their Social Security Checks Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. John Callery / Getty Images/iStockphoto 24. Anacortes, Washington Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.971 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.833 Annual Cost of Living: $85,882 Overall, Anacortes is fairly affordable for being in the Pacific Northwest and comes with a livability score of 80. Not only that, but 28.51% of the population is 65 years of age or older, making it one of the most highly dense cities for seniors or those in retirement. Save Money: 9 Things Frugal Retirees Never Waste Money On Joel Carillet / Getty Images 23. Jonesborough, Tennessee Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.973 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.925 Annual Cost of Living: $61,730 Story continues Overall, the town of Jonesborough is not that big only about 5,747 people reside there. However, the percentage of those who are 65 years or older is 27.13% which means you will be in good company with other retirees. Stone's Throwe Photo / Shutterstock.com 22. Ankeny, Iowa Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.933 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.944 Annual Cost of Living: $63,189 Ankeny might not be the first town that pops into your mind when it comes to Iowa, but you should check it out if you are considering a place to retire with a high livability score. Thats because Ankenys is a stellar 92. Ditch Fisher / Wikimedia Commons 21. Brandon, Mississippi Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.963 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.978 Annual Cost of Living: $64,576 Living in Brandon does not mean you will have a lot of neighbors, as the town only reports to have a little under 25,000 residents. However, 17.67% of them are 65-plus, meaning that a sizable portion of your fellow Brandon dwellers will likely be in your same age demographic. Learn More: How a Trump Win in 2024 Could Impact Your Retirement Savings DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images 20. Keene, New Hampshire Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.945 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.894 Annual Cost of Living: $67,203 Keene scored a respectable 86 on the livability chart and with the cost of living coming to under $70,000 a year, you will feel safe and financially secure in a number of ways. JamesBrey / Getty Images/iStockphoto 19. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.939 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.878 Annual Cost of Living: $64,211 If you end up moving to Wauwatosa, you will find that there is beautiful landscape on the Wisconsin border and of the towns 48,000 or so residents, about 8,300 are 65 years or older. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images 18. Exeter, New Hampshire Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.959 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.956 Annual Cost of Living: $86,758 Living in one of the New England states is never going to be cheap, so you will have to pay a bit more for calling Exeter home. However, the livability reported by residents there earns it a score of 87, which is nothing to sneer at. DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com 17. Concord, New Hampshire Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.956 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.934 Annual Cost of Living: $73,259 Much like its New Hampshire counterpart Exeter, Concord has about the same rates when it comes to violent crime and property crime, which are low. There are more people in Concord overall than Exeter and over 7,500 are 65-plus in age. Joel Carillet / Getty Images 16. Dubuque, Iowa Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.853 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.914 Annual Cost of Living: $61,949 Not only is it relatively cheap to live in Dubuque, but nearly a fifth of the residents are of retirement age. Out of nearly 60,000 residents, almost 11,200 are 65 years or older. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto 15. Rochester, Minnesota Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.929 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.908 Annual Cost of Living: $68,735 The Minnesota climate can be very cold during the winter months, but all year-round residents seem to enjoy living in Rochester due to its lower-than-average crime rates. The city earned a 91 when it came to livability, which is pretty high in the rankings. stu99 / Getty Images/iStockphoto 14. Milford, Connecticut Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.973 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.881 Annual Cost of Living: $79,680 Connecticut is not known for its lower cost of living, which is why residents of Milford pay almost $80,000 a year in expenses. However, if you are a senior looking to find other seniors in retirement, nearly 20% of the residents are 65 years of age or older. Go Abroad: 8 Cheap Places To Retire in Europe Where Residents Speak English David Wilson / Flickr.com 13. Parma, Ohio Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.956 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.959 Annual Cost of Living: $60,563 Parma is not the biggest city in Ohio by a longshot, but its one of the bigger cities on this list. With close to 81,000 residents, 19.48% of the population is 65 and older, making it a great place to meet people who are also likely retired. DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto 12. Dover, New Hampshire Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.987 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.951 Annual Cost of Living: $75,010 Dover is home to over 5,300 people who are 65 years of age or older. Thats only about 16% of the overall population coming in at 32,600 all of whom give Dover an 88 in terms of livability score. Photo Italia LLC / Getty Images/iStockphoto 11. Brunswick, Maine Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.970 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.902 Annual Cost of Living: $82,088 Almost in the center of this list comes Brunswick, which is a little bit higher in price when it comes to cost of living. Residents pay for what they get, with a high livability score of 87. Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto 10. Kettering, Ohio Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.984 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.933 Annual Cost of Living: $58,228 If the cost of living in retirement has you worried, look no further than Kettering, Ohio, one of the cheapest places to put down roots and not worry about high crime rates in your golden years. Pierre Williot / Shutterstock.com 9. Tonawanda, New York Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.948 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.937 Annual Cost of Living: $67,203 The beauty of Niagara Falls can be right outside your door if you move to Tonawanda. The population is a little on the smaller side only about 15,100 people live there but 18.75% are 65-plus. Up Next: Retired and Bored? These Places Want To Hire You marekuliasz / Getty Images/iStockphoto 8. Beatrice, Nebraska Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.916 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.953 Annual Cost of Living: $56,403 Out of all the cities on this list to retire, Beatrice is definitely one of the cheapest. That, plus a livability score of 78, places it in the top 10 safest and most affordable places to call home during your retirement. flySnow / Getty Images/iStockphoto 7. Lexington, Massachusetts Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.986 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.989 Annual Cost of Living: $105,583 With a high livability score of 92, expect to pay top-dollar to feel safe and secure. The average cost of living for Lexington residents is over $100,000 each year and that makes it the most expensive city on our list. ErikaMitchell / Getty Images/iStockphoto 6. Montpelier, Vermont Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.897 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.910 Annual Cost of Living: $68,735 The capital of Vermont is one of the best places to retire in order to feel safe and secure in your finances, property and overall well-being. This city, rich with history and lush scenery, scores an 84 for livability. See More: Im a Retirement Planning Expert: These 4 States Top Florida and Arizona Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons 5. Fergus Falls, Minnesota Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.930 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.887 Annual Cost of Living: $64,065 Looking for a place to retire where over a quarter of the population is the same age and has a similar lifestyle as you? Fergus Falls is your place, with 25.47% of residents are 65 years of age or older. Lynn Betts / USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services 4. Urbandale, Iowa Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.966 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.968 Annual Cost of Living: $63,189 Eighty-nine is what residents give Urbandale for livability, one of the highest scores on this list and enough to push this Iowa city into the top five safest and most affordable places to retire. Real Window Creative / Shutterstock.com 3. Frankfort, Kentucky Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.927 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.906 Annual Cost of Living: $58,228 With a cost of living that comes in under $60,000 annually, Frankfort is a great place to live affordably in your retirement years. Just ask the residents, who gave it a score of 91 for livability. Related Reading: These 5 Cities Are Becoming Popular With Baby Boomers: Should You Consider Them for Your Retirement Years? Shutterstock.com 2. Rockport, Massachusetts Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.987 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.995 Annual Cost of Living: $95,952 A bit of a paradox exists for Rockport: it has a high cost of living, a lower livability score of 70 and yet, it has some of the lowest crime rates both violent and property giving it the silver medal on this GOBankingRates list. LEE SNIDER PHOTO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com 1. Pinehurst, North Carolina Violent Crime Rate Score: 0.989 Property Crime Rate Score: 0.983 Annual Cost of Living: $68,516 If you are looking for a place to call home in retirement, the No. 1 city to look into is Pinehurst, North Carolina. The cost of living is more than reasonable and the crime rates are good enough to crown it as the number one place to feel safe in your retirement. Plus, having nearly 40% of the population 65 years or older doesnt hurt either. Methodology: In order to find the safest and most affordable places to retire across America, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across America for a variety of factors including; [1] Violent Crimes Reported, [2] Property Crimes Reported both sourced from the FBIs Crime Data Explorer portal, [3] Overall Cost of Living Index as sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces, [4] Average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, [5] Livability index as sourced from Areavibes, [6] total population, [7] population of 65 years and over both sourced from the US Census American Consumer Survey. The cost of living index and the average national costs for expenditure was used to calculate the average cost of living in each city. The FBIs crimes reported data and the population data was used to calculate the violent crime rate and property crime rate per 100,000 people in order to accurately compare each city to another. The Livability index, property crime rate, violent crime rate, cost of living index, and percent population 65 yrs and over were all scored and combined to find the safest and most affordable places to retire across America. All data was collected and is up to date as of Nov. 13, 2023. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 25 Safest and Most Affordable Places To Retire Across America Rising tides don't always lift all boats. The S&P 500 index reached new all-time highs several times since 2024 began, but many of its components have not participated in the rally. With most investors focusing all their attention on the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, plenty of reliable dividend payers aren't getting the attention they deserve. Since peaking in 2021, shares of Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) are down about 38% and poised for a rebound. Altria Group (NYSE: MO) and Realty Income (NYSE: O) hit highwater marks in 2022 and have since fallen about 28% and 30% from their respective peaks. Image source: Getty Images. All three of these stocks have decades of consecutive annual dividend raises under their belts. You wouldn't know it by looking at their stock charts, but there's a good chance that the high yields investors receive off the bat will keep growing for at least another decade. Medtronic Medtronic is the world's largest publicly traded medical technology company. At recent prices, it offers a 3.3% dividend yield. With an enormous catalog to choose from Medtronic sales representatives find it relatively easy to engage with busy hospital purchasing managers. The company also uses its size advantage to acquire, develop, and launch heaps of new devices. Running its standard playbook led to one of the stock market's exceptional dividend-raising streaks. Last May, the company increased its payout for the 46th consecutive year. Medtronic is already a giant, but investors can reasonably expect its payout to grow at a mid-single-digit percentage or better in the years ahead. In its fiscal third quarter that ended on Jan. 26, earnings rose 8% year over year to $0.99 per share. That's more than enough to cover dividend payments currently set at just $0.69 per share. Altria Group Altria Group is the tobacco giant that markets the leading Marlboro brand in the United States. Last August, the company raised its dividend payout for the 58th time in 54 years, but the stock market doesn't feel great about its future. At recent prices, its shares offer an eye-popping 9.6% dividend yield. Story continues Last year, after the Food and Drug Administration banned flavored e-cigarettes, Altria sold Juul and acquired NJOY. Now, NJOY is one of three authorized e-cigarette brands in the U.S. and the only one with a pod-based system. Despite declining combustible cigarette volumes and competition with an illicit market, Altria reported adjusted earnings that climbed 2.3% last year. Its dividend payout might not rise quickly, but investors can reasonably expect it to continue moving in the right direction for at least another decade. Realty Income Realty Income is one of the world's largest publicly traded owners of commercial real estate. At recent prices, it offers an appetizing 5.9% dividend yield and monthly dividend payments. Realty Income is a real estate investment trust, which means it has to distribute at least 90% of earnings to investors as a dividend. Steadily growing a business when you have to return nearly every penny earned to investors is an enormous challenge, but Realty Income's raised its dividend payout for 105 consecutive quarters. A secular shift toward e-commerce made commercial real estate investing a minefield over the past three decades. Realty Income produces steady gains because it's focused on tenants that are resilient to the e-commerce trend, such as Dollar General and FedEx. Realty Income also benefits from an A3 credit rating at Moody's. An enviable rating means it can outbid competitors for new properties without sacrificing profit. A relatively low cost of capital combined with a diverse collection of resilient tenants will more than likely allow this legendary dividend raiser to maintain its streak. Should you invest $1,000 in Medtronic right now? Before you buy stock in Medtronic, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Medtronic wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of February 26, 2024 Cory Renauer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends FedEx, Moody's, and Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Medtronic. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 High-Yield S&P 500 Dividend Stocks Down More Than 28% to Buy Now and Hold at Least a Decade was originally published by The Motley Fool Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Tragi de timp? Afla cum sa nu mai amani lucrurile Toata lumea procrastineaza. Ne amanam atributiile pana in ultima clipa, suntem rapid distrasi de lucrurile din jurul nostru si desfasuram unele activitati fara a face realmente ceva util. Si, de cele mai multe ori, nu ne simtim deloc bine pentru ca nu am terminat lucrurile importante. Ne uitam [citeste mai departe] DRDP introduce restrictii de circulatie pe Centura Timisoara Directia de Drumuri si Poduri Timisoara introduce restrictii de circulatie in doua zone din Centura de ocolire a Timisoarei. Se vor efectua lucrari de reparatii. Pe centura Timisoarei au demarat lucrari de reparatii si inlocuire a rosturilor de dilatatie. Vor fi doua zone unde [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday will welcome Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer, according to the Romanian Presidential Administration. The meeting is scheduled for 10:30hrs, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, according to the official schedule.Expected to be discussed at the meeting - Social-democratii si liberalii sunt condamnati sa ramana impreuna si dupa alegerile europarlamentare din 9 iunie pentru ca nu exista alta cale nici pentru unii, nici pentru altii, sustine Kelemen Hunor. Ce spune Kelemen Hunor despre viitorul coalitiei PSD-PNL Presedintele UDMR a explicat faptul ca - "Fostii securisti l-au provocat (conflictul interetnic - n.r.). Au avut nevoie de un pretext pentru a iesi din acea incurcatura in care au intrat dupa Revolutie. Nu pot sa nominalizez, ca nu am la mine dosarul, dar exista un dosar in care se stie cine au fost cei care au lansat acolo toate provocarile - "Fostii securisti l-au provocat (conflictul interetnic - n.r.). Au avut nevoie de un pretext pentru a iesi din acea incurcatura in care au intrat dupa Revolutie. Nu pot sa nominalizez, ca nu am la mine dosarul, dar exista un dosar in care se stie cine au fost cei care au lansat acolo toate provocarile - Romania's President Klaus Iohannis participated on Monday in Paris, at the invitation of France's President Emmanuel Macron, in a working meeting of NATO leaders to discuss the developments in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and concrete ways for the coordinated and most efficient continuation - The new ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Bucharest, Giles Portman, presented his credentials on Monday in a meeting with President Klaus Iohannis at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, thus becoming fully-fledged ambassador to Romania.The British diplomat foreshadowed - President Klaus Iohannis said Tuesday that Romania stands by Japan in these trying times, and conveyed a message of condolences to the loved ones of the victims of the earthquakes that hit the country on Monday."Romania stands by the people of Japan in these trying times. We extend our heartfelt - President Klaus Iohannis says he is appalled by the shooting that occurred on Thursday afternoon in Prague, stressing that Romania is with the Czech people."Appalled by the shooting in #Prague today, that claimed so many innocent lives. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims In this piece, we are going to look at the 30 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. If you want to skip our analysis of the immigration issues in the U.S., you can go directly to 7 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. Illegal immigration has been a longstanding and contentious issue in the United States, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 election. States like Iowa and New Hampshire, far from the southern border, are placing significant importance on immigration alongside the economy when considering their voting choices in the Republican primaries. The number of migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border reached a record high in December, with 302,000 incidents, and apprehensions hit 2.2 million in fiscal year 2022. Over 100,000 migrants have been relocated to cities like Washington, Los Angeles, and New York. The visibility of migrants in urban areas across the U.S., such as Manhattan and Chicago, has brought the issue of illegal immigration closer to home for many Americans, amplifying its significance in the current political landscape. The influx of migrants entering the U.S. through the southern border has notably increased in recent years, particularly during the administration of President Joe Biden. Reports indicate that more than 2.3 million migrants were released into the country under the Biden administration, predominantly consisting of families and some adult groups. Moreover, CBP data shows that over 6 million migrants were taken into custody during the same period, with the number of illegal crossings in November 2023 alone nearing 250,000. The majority of these individuals were released into the country with ongoing claims for protection. According to a report by The New York Times, the estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. now stands at around 11 million, as in 2024, a threefold increase from the figure in 1990. By June 2023, FAIR has projected that around 16.8 million undocumented individuals are living in the United States. This figure shows a notable increase compared to our January 2022 estimate of 15.5 million illegal residents. The 2023 estimate reflects a rise of 2.3 million from the end of 2020, indicating a 16% nationwide escalation in the illegal alien population within the initial two years of Joe Biden's presidency. Story continues While illegal immigration has been an issue for the country for many decades, some immigrations have resulted in an influx of skilled and talented pool of people who have contributed substantially to the countrys economy and are still contributing. So before we move on to our list of 30 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US, lets look at the outcome of influx of such immigrants in the country, in the form of some companies founded by immigrants. Namely, we are going to look at Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC), Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG) and Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQGS:MRNA). Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC) Commercial Metals Company (NYSE:CMC), founded in 1915 by Jacob Feldman, a Russian immigrant, is a major producer of rebar and related construction products in the United States. The company, originally known as American Iron & Metal Company, specializes in supplying steel for reinforcing concrete in various construction projects across the country. In its fiscal fourth quarter ending on August 31, 2023, Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) reported net earnings of $184.2 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, on net sales of $2.2 billion. This represented a decline compared to the previous year's figures of $288.6 million in net earnings and $2.4 billion in net sales. For the full fiscal year 2023, CMC disclosed net earnings of $859.8 million, or $7.25 per diluted share, on net sales amounting to $8.8 billion. This showed a decrease from the previous fiscal year's results of $1,217.3 million in net earnings and $9.95 billion in net sales. An e-commerce company operating in South Korea and Japan, Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG), the U.S.-listed Korean e-commerce giant, achieved its first-ever annual operating profit of $473 million in 2023. The company's success in expanding its product range and leveraging its customer base, particularly through services like Rocket Delivery and paid memberships, has driven an increase in customer spending and contributed significantly to Coupang's transition to profitability. Coupang, Inc. (NYSE:CPNG) was brought into existence by Bom Kim, a South Korean immigrant who emigrated to the US when he was a teenager boy. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQGS:MRNA) is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company specializing in RNA therapeutics, including mRNA vaccines. In the December quarter, Moderna reported earnings of 55 cents per share, contrary to the anticipated loss of 99 cents per share as per FactSet. Additionally, Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) disclosed $2.8 billion in sales, for the same period. 30 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US Budimir Jevtic/Shutterstock.com Methodology To create our list of 30 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US, we referred to Fair Research Report 2022, along with other data sources for the cities not reported in the Fairs report. With this lets now jump to our list of 30 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. 30. Lincoln Illegal Immigrants: 8,636 In 2019, undocumented immigrant households in Lincoln City earned a total of $78.5 million, with $4.2 million contributed toward federal taxes. Undocumented immigrants play a significant role in the local labor force, with approximately 82.7% falling within the working-age demographic in the county. 29. Scranton Illegal Immigrants: 8,805 Pennsylvania has recently become a destination for nighttime flights transporting illegal immigrants, as reported. In the last month of 2023, a minimum of five flights carrying these individuals arrived at airports in Scranton and Allentown from Texas. 28. Columbus Illegal Immigrants: 11,890 Columbus is the 28th city on our list of Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. Since 1990, the Latino community in Columbus, Ohio has experienced significant growth, reaching 4.1% of the city's population by 2006. This increase in Columbus's Latino and Mexican population reflects a broader trend of Latinos moving towards new destinations in the Midwest. 27. Colorado Springs Illegal Immigrants: 12,918 Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade addressed the arrival of 21 migrant families, totaling around 70 individuals, in the city. He emphasized the need for federal support and assistance for these families, without explicitly labeling them as illegal immigrants. 26. Greensboro Illegal Immigrants: 17,413 In 2023, illegal immigration in North Carolina imposes a financial burden of $3.14 billion on taxpayers annually, averaging $779 per household. This includes adding 122,218 students to local schools and costing North Carolinians an average of $4,781 per illegal alien for various services, such as education, police, healthcare, public assistance, and general government expenses. 25. Reno Illegal Immigrants: 17,566 Reno is the 25th city on our list of Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. Immigrants in Reno and Washoe County play a key role in business creation and manufacturing, despite comprising 13.9% of the population. They represent 25.3% of manufacturing workers and 14.1% of business owners. Immigrants contribute over $1.5 billion in spending power and pay over $321 million in federal taxes and $125 million in state and local taxes. 24. Loudoun County Illegal Immigrants: 26,521 In Virginia, undocumented residents, including DACA recipients, have access to in-state tuition, state financial aid, driver's licenses, and state identification. However, there is no specific legislation in Virginia that extends occupational and professional licensure to undocumented individuals, including DACA recipients. 23. Tucson Illegal Immigrants: 32,607 In the Tucson region, CBP processing centers frequently operate at twice their capacity. Border Patrol agents are reportedly bringing busloads of migrants to downtown Nogales, Arizona, every half-hour to ease congestion in these facilities. Following this, migrants are usually supported by local NGOs, with Casa Alitas being a prominent organization providing assistance. Casa Alitas has noted a surge in the number of migrants in its shelters, putting added strain on their efforts to offer transportation and aid. 22. Fairfax Illegal Immigrants: 88,861 Northern Virginia boasts the highest immigrant population in the state. In Manassas Park, the foreign-born residents make up 36.1% of the city's population, while Fairfax County stands at 31.1%. These two localities have the highest concentration of immigrants in Virginia. Conversely, Craig County has the lowest at just 0.2% of the population. 21. Orlando Illegal Immigrants: 90,000 In Florida's expansive immigrant community, recent months have instilled a pervasive sense of fear in daily life. Some individuals limit their driving and outings to reduce exposure, while others refrain from taking children to parks or schools due to concerns. Additionally, some immigrants opt to stay hidden, avoiding inter-state travel, forgoing medical appointments, shuttering businesses, or relocating altogether. 20. Austin Illegal Immigrants: 100,000 The Texas National Guard and various agencies are collaborating to enhance border security, counter drug and weapon smuggling, and disrupt transnational criminal operations in Texas. Through Operation Lone Star, the joint initiative has resulted in over 495,400 illegal immigrant apprehensions, 38,300 criminal arrests, and 34,700 felony charges in 2024. 19. Charlotte Illegal Immigrants: 100,000 In Charlotte, North Carolina, the immigrant population has grown, not just in big cities but also in rural areas with agriculture and meatpacking industries. The undocumented population is diverse, with many long-term residents who are married to U.S. citizens, have higher education, are English-proficient, and work in various industries, challenging stereotypes. 18. Denver Illegal Immigrants: 130,000 In Denver, the challenges of immigration and undocumented immigrants are starkly visible. The city's overwhelmed resources are highlighted by instances such as a preschooler sleeping under a bridge for a month and crowds lining up for food and shelter each night. With winter temperatures dropping below zero degrees Fahrenheit, the urgency of the situation becomes life-threatening, prompting calls for assistance from city officials. 17. San Jose Illegal Immigrants: 140,000 San Jose is the 17th city on our list of Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. In San Jose, California, recent events have brought attention to the dynamics of immigration and undocumented immigrants. More than two dozen migrants seeking asylum were dropped off in the South Bay over the weekend, with some of them now receiving care from various Bay Area nonprofits. This occurrence marked a first for the South Bay, as a bus carrying 29 undocumented immigrants arrived in San Jose, with 12 individuals being dropped off in the Alma neighborhood. 16. Seattle Illegal Immigrants: 140,000 Washington has experienced a notable uptick in illegal immigration, a trend that sets it apart from the national landscape. A recent study, drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, indicates that Washington and Florida are the only two states witnessing an increase in their undocumented immigrant populations. 15. Philadelphia Illegal Immigrants: 160,000 Dozens of Venezuelan migrants seeking asylum have recently arrived in Philadelphia. The New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, a local nonprofit, welcomed 31 migrants who arrived on a charter bus from Del Rio, Texas. This marks the 20th bus of migrants to arrive in the city following the actions of Texas and Florida governors, who have been bussing migrants out of their states and into others. 14. Las Vegas Illegal Immigrants: 180,000 In Nevada, undocumented immigrants gained eligibility for driver authorization cards in January 2014 when Governor Brian Sandoval signed SB 303 into law. Undocumented individuals can provide foreign passports or birth certificates as identification when applying for these cards, which resemble standard driver's licenses but are specifically issued to those who do not meet the citizenship requirements for a regular Nevada license. 13. San Diego Illegal Immigrants: 188,847 In San Diego, hundreds of migrants were unexpectedly dropped off at a bus stop in January 2024 instead of at a reception center. This incident occurred as the center, serving as a staging area, faced a shortfall in local funding earlier than anticipated. The situation underscores the challenges faced by even the largest city on the country's southern border in managing the overwhelming influx of people. 12. Phoenix Illegal Immigrants: 210,000 Phoenix serves as the capital of Arizona, where state legislators have implemented some of the strictest anti-undocumented-immigrant laws in the nation. Phoenix is 12th city on our list of Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. These laws in Arizona restrict undocumented individuals from accessing employment, healthcare, social services, public scholarships at universities, and driver's licenses. A law introduced in 2010 criminalizes undocumented migrants and mandates local law enforcement officers to enforce immigration laws. 11. Atlanta Illegal Immigrants: 211,491 In Atlanta, Georgia House Republicans have supported a bill that would mandate all eligible police and sheriff's departments to assist in identifying, apprehending, and detaining undocumented immigrants for deportation. The House voted 97-74 in favor of this bill following an incident where a Venezuelan man was accused of fatally beating a nursing student on the University of Georgia campus. The measure will now proceed to the state Senate for further consideration and debate. 10. Boston Illegal Immigrants: 220,000 Boston is 10th city on our list of Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. Boston is experiencing an influx of undocumented migrants at Logan Airport, leading to overcrowding. Dozens are seen lining the floors of Terminal E, overwhelming the shelter system. Massport reports daily arrivals through various means, with individuals sleeping in the terminal. exact numbers are unavailable. 9. Riverside Illegal Immigrants: 230,000 Riverside County is unique as the only non-border county in the U.S. to receive migrant drop-offs from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in 2024. Border Patrol centers in cities like Murrieta, Indio, and Blythe are involved in this process. The county's CEO has stated that they may start receiving over 200 undocumented immigrants daily, putting significant strain on available resources. 8. San Francisco Illegal Immigrants: 240,000 San Francisco County had approximately 43,000 undocumented immigrants in 2019, with China, Hong Kong, Mexico, and El Salvador being the prominent regions of birth. While San Francisco is known as a sanctuary city, the rising worry regarding fentanyl trafficking has prompted discussions about excluding fentanyl felony dealing from protections against deportation. Click to continue reading and find out about the 7 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 30 Cities with Most Illegal Immigrants in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey. A liberal historian writes that the Presidents father was a Nazi sympathiser, while a conservative author retorts that digging up the sins of the fathers of opponents is an unfair political practice. On hvg.hu, historian Laszlo Karsai debunks President Sulyoks story that his father was unjustly sentenced to death in absentia at the behest of a Communist official after the war and had to hide for ten years. (The President elected last week made that statement seven months ago in an interview.) He writes that Sulyok Sr. was the county leader of a pro-Nazi party and penned a pro-Nazi front-page article in 1944 in the county daily but was never tried, let alone sentenced for his role. The headline to the hvg.hu article suggests that President Sulyok is either mistaken or is lying. (In a Facebook post on Sunday, DK leader Ferenc Ferenc Gyurcsany wrote that Sulyok is lying for the sake of his Nazi father. If the right wing will lie for Sulyoks sake, then the whole Orbanist Fidesz right wing will be soiled by Nazism.) On Pesti Sracok, Gabor Sebes recalls that in 1990, liberals were outraged when their opponents mentioned the past of the fathers of some of their prominent members as communist political police officers. More recently, it is liberals who are trying to discredit conservatives by digging up the past of their fathers. Sebes characterises that method as dishonest, and as one that can easily backfire. Karsai, he writes, should know this, as his own maternal grandfather authored an enthusiastic article about Italian Fascist dictator Mussolini in 1938, while under Communism, his father was accused of informing on colleagues at a daily newspaper and in the State Archives where he was employed. This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story ******************************************************************************************** You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here! The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline: Q. Why is the most recent fire in Nebraska being called the Bettys Way Fire? A. From what the Wonderline can determine Bettys Way Road is located 8.6 miles northeast of North Platte and is where the fire originated. Typically, wildfires are given a name that references a nearby landmark or geographic moniker that would make clear where the fire started and where its burning. So, if multiple fires are burning in a region, you would have a better idea of which fire based on location. The Bettys Way Fire began on Monday, February 26 and a total of 71,022 acres of land and two primary residences have been destroyed. The North Platte Fire Department responded to the initial 911 call with three stations arriving on scene 12 minutes after the 10:32 a.m. call. Mutual aid was requested from fifteen volunteer fire districts. The fire grew rapidly due to the wind and ripe conditions and evacuations were ordered. No injuries have been reported and it has been determined the fire was human caused due to mowing operations. Q: Which states in the nation raise the most cattle? A: The top five states, in order, for raising cattle are Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and California. Q. Is it true that Highway 81 outside of York is going to become four lanes instead of two? A. Funny you should ask. The Wonderline recently received a press release from the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) on that very subject. The NDOT will hold three public information open house meetings regarding the proposed expansion of approximately 41 miles of U.S. Highway 81 (US-81) located in York, Polk, and Butler counties. The meetings will be held in an open house format with no formal presentation. All three meetings will present the same information. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12 from 57 p.m. at Shelby-Rising City Public Schools, 650 N Walnut St. in Shelby. The second meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 13 from 57 p.m. at the Osceola Auditorium, 361 Central St., in Osceola and the third meeting will be on Thursday, March 14 from 57 p.m. at the Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave. in York. Identified as YorkColumbus, the proposed project would expand the existing two-lane highway to a four-lane expressway along an approximately 41-mile segment. The proposed project would start near the north U.S. Highway 34 (US-34)/US-81 junction at the end of the existing four-lane York bypass. It would extend north to the Nebraska Highway 64 (N-64) and US-81 junction, where it would connect to the existing four-lane roadway. The purpose of the project is to fulfill legislative intent to continue the development of the expressway system identified in the 1988 Nebraska Highway Needs Study; improve regional connectivity for vehicles in east-central Nebraska by providing important expressway connections with Nebraska Highway 66 (N-66), N-64, and Nebraska Highway 92 (N-92), while maintaining convenient highway access for communities in the area; maximize use of existing transportation infrastructure, including connecting highways and existing right-of-way (ROW); improve the condition of the existing infrastructure; and maximize the cost-effectiveness of the project. The project is needed to advance the last two-lane segment between York and Columbus of the US-81 Expressway from the Kansas/Nebraska border to Norfolk, Nebraska. Q. I heard the term luddite the other day. What is a luddite? A. The luddites were a group of early 19th century English workmen who destroyed laborsaving machinery as a protest. The term has come to mean someone who is opposed to technological change. Q: Are people required to pick up their dogs deposits while walking them in the parks in York? A: Yes, people are supposed to pick up their dogs deposits while walking them in Yorks parks, on the trails, on sidewalks, etc. YORK Former governor and current U.S. Senator of Nebraska Pete Ricketts spoke about border security at Kilgore Memorial Library in York on Monday afternoon. I believe that whats going on at our Southern Border is the most pressing national security issue that we have right now, Ricketts said in a room of about 25 people. He wont take steps to secure our border, Ricketts said of President Joe Biden, claiming that Biden has it within his power as president to significantly reduce border crossings. According to Pew Research, in December 2023 the U.S. Border Patrol had about 250,000 encounters with migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico the highest monthly amount on record. This number has increased significantly since a low in April 2020, when there were around 16,000 encounters. In January 2024 the number of encounters fell to around 124,000. In February, Ricketts joined a group of his Republican colleagues in the Senate to vote against a bipartisan border bill backed by Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican of Kentucky. Ricketts said on Monday that he had voted against the bill, which did not pass, because it didnt get the job done. Ricketts said that it was not former President Donald Trumps dislike of the bill that swayed him. That bill was bad enough on its own. It did not need Donald Trump telling people not to vote for it, Ricketts said. Ricketts said that the bill did not go far enough in stopping the Biden administrations use of its immigration parole authority. Through that authority the administration has let in over one million people seeking asylum, as reported by CBS News. That number includes not only people seeking asylum at the Mexico-U.S. border, but also people flying in from Venezuela, for instance, as well as refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan. The single biggest thing I think we can do is have a Remain in Mexico policy, Ricketts said, referring to a Trump-era policy that required asylum seekers trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border to wait in Mexico for their court dates. What we have at our southern border is a catastrophe. Its a national security catastrophe. Its a humanitarian catastrophe, Ricketts said. Ricketts said that the Biden administrations border policies impacted crime, drugs and terror. He said that the number of people crossing the border on the U.S. governments terrorist watch list grew from almost single digits in past years to 172 people in the 2023 fiscal year. Ricketts also brought up witnessing an increase in fentanyl, which is the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 18 and 45, in Nebraska during his time as governor. Every state is a border state, Ricketts said, attributing the increase in fentanyl to illegal immigration. Ricketts brought up the murder of a 22-year old nursing student in Georgia by a Venezuelan man who had entered the U.S. illegally as an example of the effect of the Biden administrations policies. The senator didnt mention statistical evidence tying illegal immigration to an increase in crime. There is little to no evidence connecting illegal immigration to an increase in crime. Ricketts expressed concern about human trafficking and abuse happening at the border due to cartel involvement with illegal crossings. He said that he been to the border four times and spoken with border patrol officials and people seeking asylum. In response to a question about how he would improve legal immigration and address workforce shortage, Ricketts said, One of the things that both sides of the aisle agree on is our immigration system is broken. To actually make progress on the immigration system, we have to address the border. You got to have a secure border, then we can start having conversations about immigration. He said that he supported expanding visa opportunities in areas where there are worker shortages like nursing. Barry Redfern, mayor of York, introduced Ricketts on Monday. York residents asked questions and expressed concerns. One person asked why Democrats did not want to address issues at the border, which Ricketts responded to by speculating that an increase in immigrants could help them win election. Someone else expressed concern about the economic cost of immigration on local government and the need to hire more teachers for English language learners. Ricketts, who, unlike his colleague Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, has not endorsed Trump, told the News-Times on Monday that he would endorse whoever is the Republican nominee. About his rival for U.S. Senate, Preston Love, a Democrat from Omaha, Ricketts said, I welcome the opportunity to be able to talk about how Republicans actually have policies that address the issues that are important to the people of this country like solving what is happening at our southern border, and the Democrats, as demonstrated by what Joe Biden is doing, [are] actually opening up our southern border and its the Democrats in the Senate who are helping to facilitate it. After the talk in York, Ricketts headed to Norfolk for another community conversation, as part of his second round of Border Briefings. Posters | Highlights of Chinese government work report 2024-03-05 16:11 The 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, opened its second session Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The following are the highlights of the Chinese government work report submitted Tuesday to the national legislature for deliberation. New Delhi: As the countdown to the coveted 96th ACADEMY AWARDS begins, a wave of excitement is washing over Disney+ Hotstar users, with all the popular and most loved titles grabbing nominations across prestigious categories. From heart-warming documentaries to captivating animated features, get ready to celebrate the stories that have stolen the show. Witness the worlds most popular award show, the 96th ACADEMY AWARDS, streaming live on 11th March at 4 AM (IST) onwards, exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar. Elemental: Best Animated Feature Film Fiery Ember is tested when she meets go-with-the-flow Wade in Element City. Bobi Wine: The People's President In Uganda's 2021 presidential election, music star Bobi Wine with his wife Barbie, allies his people in a dangerous fight for freedom from an oppressive regime. The Last Repair Shop: Best Documentary Short Film In Los Angeles, a few devoted craftspeople keep over 80,000 student instruments in good repair. Nai Nai & Wai Po: Best Documentary Short Film A filmmaker's love letter to his grandmas, who spend their twilight years dancing, stretching, and farting their sorrows away. Flamin' Hot: Achievement In Music Written For Motion Pictures (Original Song) The story of Richard Montanez, the Frito Lay janitor who channeled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn Flamin' Hot Cheetos into an iconic snack. The Creator: Achievement In Visual Effects & Achievement In Sound Humans go to war with artificial intelligence in this epic sci-fi thriller. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3: Achievement In Visual Effects The band of heroic renegades embarks on an action-packed mission to protect one of their own. And a new force threatens to bring the Guardians down for good. Tune into Disney+ Hotstar on March 11 to watch Hollywoods most anticipated night unfold at the 96th Academy Awards. New Delhi: Three men who chanted Pakistan Zindabad at the Vidhana Soudha in Karnataka were arrested and sent to police custody for three days by a Bengaluru court on Tuesday. The men were part of the celebration of Congress Rajya Sabha member Syed Naseer Hussains victory at the state assembly. The Vidhana Soudha police said that they arrested the trio based on the forensic report, the evidence at the scene, and the testimonies of the witnesses. The police identified the accused as Iltaz from Delhi, Munawar from Bengaluru, and Mohammed Shafi from Haveri. Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara confirmed that the forensic report verified that Pakistan Zindabad slogans were shouted twice during the event. He said that the report did not name the person who shouted the slogans, but only confirmed that the video was authentic and uninterrupted. He said that the police arrested the three suspects based on the report. #WATCH | On the arrest of three people in connection with alleged Pro Pakistan slogans in Vidhan Soudha, Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara says "That individual shouted the slogans twice. FSL has not said who has said that. They have just said that it has been confirmed pic.twitter.com/b8j2wNlclq ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 The BJP in Karnataka slammed Rahul Gandhi and accused him of being behind the anti-national slogans. The BJP said that the arrested men were close associates of the Congress MP and demanded that they be tried for treason and probed under the anti-terror law. The BJP also urged the Vice President to withhold the oath of Naseer Hussain until the case is resolved. New Delhi: Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a Calcutta High Court Judge who had made headlines with his rulings on various issues on Tuesday announced that he will the BJP on 7th March. The Calcutta HC Justice quit his post earlier today. He had declared on Monday that he would resign from his position, saying that his conscience told him that his role in this duty was over. Justice Gangopadhyay submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, with copies to CJI DY Chandrachud and the Chief Justice of the Calcutta HC TS Sivagnanam, sources told PTI. He arrived at his chamber at the high court in the morning, and then sent the resignation letter. He is expected to speak to the media in the afternoon, where he may reveal his next move, amid rumours that he will enter politics. #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 Talking to ANI on Monday, Gangopadhyay said, "I am resigning from the post of a judge in High Court Calcutta. For the last two or more years, I have handled some matters, especially education matters, in which I have exposed and unearthed massive corruption. Many influential people in the education sector of this government are now in jail, facing trial. After that, I started taking labour matters. There are also huge frauds by employers regarding provident fund gratuity, etc. I have also issued some orders in those matters. But while doing these labour matters, labour laws, I felt that my job in this duty was done. This is the voice of my conscience," he told ANI. Now I should go to the larger people, larger area, he added. The Calcutta High Court Judge also noted that in court, a judge deals with the matters that are brought to him by someone who files a case. But in our country and also in our state, West Bengal, there are many helpless people who I have seen who cannot come to the court. Also, suggesting that he might join politics, Justice Gangopadhyay said So I have thought that only the political field can give people who want to work for those helpless people an opportunity to act for them. However, when asked about joining any political party, he said that he had not made up his mind yet. Earlier in February, the Supreme Court linked Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjees petition to take action against Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his alleged continuous politically motivated interviews related to sub-judice cases. Comes From Family of lawyers Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay was born in Kolkata on August 20, 1962 into a family of lawyers. He pursued his early education at Mitra Institution, a Bengali-medium school in Kolkata, completing his schooling in 1979. He then went on to study law at Hazra Law College, Kolkata, where he also developed a passion for Bengali theatre, actively participating in productions with the theatre group Amitra Chanda until 1986. A Brief Stint In Civil Service He began his professional journey as a West Bengal Civil Service officer in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal, but soon moved back to Kolkata and transitioned to practising law in the Calcutta High Court. He was appointed as an additional judge by the High Court on May 2, 2018 and was subsequently confirmed as a permanent judge on July 30, 2020. A Crusader Against Corruption The 61-year-old judge at the Calcutta High Court is most popularly known for ordering multiple investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into numerous cases related to the West Bengal teachers recruitment scam. He issued directives for filing of FIRs and midnight interrogations of the accused, including ministers and education board chairpersons. He also faced controversies for openly criticising the CBI, engaging in disputes with lawyers, and making several politically charged statements against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He once called West Bengal under the TMC an empire of thieves and said that he would never join the party. Jajpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday renewed his attack on the Congress, alleging that before 2014, the main opposition party and its allies were only interested in filling their coffers. PM Modi, while addressing a rally in Odisha's Chandikhole, said that the governments before the year 2014 never showed interest in the timely completion of projects adding that those projects that remained stuck in the previous governments were completed under the tenure of BJP-led Centre in the past 10 years. The Prime Minister added that a permanent house, tap water and gas connection at their home was once a dream for the poor; today it's becoming a reality. In a blistering attack on the Congress, the PM said, "When the poor asked for help from the Congress govt, the govt demanded guarantees. They (Congress) demanded guarantees from everybody...After 2014, the son of a poor man came to power and became the Prime Minister, he said that Modi would become the guarantee for the poor..." #WATCH | Jajpur, Odisha: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "When the poor asked for help from the Congress govt, the govt demanded guarantees. They (Congress) demanded guarantees from everybody...After 2014, the son of a poor man came to power and became the Prime Minister, he pic.twitter.com/OiPLpjhWz6 ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 The PM told the gathering that in the last 10 years, the BJP government has done unprecedented development in Odisha. ''We are trying to make Odisha the gateway of 'Viksit Bharat'," added PM Modi. VIDEO | "In the last 10 years, the BJP government has done unprecedented development in Odisha. We are trying to make Odisha the gateway of 'Viksit Bharat'," says PM Modi (@narendramodi) in Jajpur, Odisha. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/zeMOyn7P6x Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 5, 2024 Exuding confidence that the BJP-led NDA will be victorious in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi said, "Odisha's Sankalp is 'abb ki baar 400 paar'. The '400 paar sanklap' will make India the third largest economy in the world. It will also help in bringing a government again that takes strong decisions." The Prime Minister earlier inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,600 crore in Chandikhole, Odisha. On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi said, "Today's event is also a recognition of how rapidly the work culture has changed in our country over the years. The earlier governments were not interested in completing the projects on time. Whereas our government tries to rapidly complete the projects. After 2014, those projects that were stuck, and lost in the country were completed." Remembering Biju Patnaik on his birth anniversary, the Prime Minister said that the contribution of the former Odisha Chief Minister to the development of the state and the country has been incomparable. "Today, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Maa Biraja, a new stream of development has started in Jajpur and Odisha. Today is also the birth anniversary of Biju Babu Ji (former CM Biju Patnaik). Biju Babu's contribution to the development of Odisha and the country has been incomparable. On behalf of all the countrymen, I pay my tribute and respect to respected Biju Babu," he said. The projects unveiled today relate to sectors including Oil and Gas, Railways, roads, transport and highways, and Atomic Energy. It also includes the inauguration of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited Mono Ethylene Glycol project in Paradip Refinery which will further help in reducing India's import dependency, the Prime Minister's office said. In order to boost road infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation four laning of Singhara to Binjabahal Section of NH-49; four laning of Binjabahal to Tileibani Section of NH-49; four laning of Balasore-Jharpokharia Section of NH-18 and four laning of Tangi-Bhubaneswar Section of NH-16. He also laid the foundation stone for eight laning of Chandikhole - Paradip Section at Chandikhole. Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation, 162 km Bansapani - Daitari - Tomka - Jakhapura Rail Line. It will not only enhance the existing traffic facility's capacity but also facilitate efficient transportation of Iron and Manganese ore from Keonjhar District to the nearest ports and steel plants, significantly contributing to regional economic growth. WendellandCarolyn / Getty Images According to the SSA, the average Social Security payment is $1,770.71 per month. The program never intended for these benefits to provide a retirees full income, but for many older Americans, Social Security is all there is. Find Out: Heres the Cost To Retire Comfortably in Every State by Age Learn More: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024 With such little financial wiggle room, buying a car might seem impossible but it doesnt have to be. While purchasing a car solely on Social Security income presents a unique financial challenge, it can be achieved with strategic planning and responsible budgeting, said Abid Salahi, co-founder of FinlyWealth. If youre a retiree living on just Social Security, heres how to buy what may be the last big-ticket purchase of your life. Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. Forget That New Cars Exist According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the Nissan Versa is the least expensive new car on the market. It starts at $16,390. Even if you can put 20% down (which you probably cant), and even if you dont pay sales tax or title, registration, delivery and other fees (which you will), and even if you get a loan at 6% interest (which you wont), your payment would still be more than $250 per month. I get the struggle of relying on Social Security for retirement, said Rhett Stubbendeck, finance and insurance expert and CEO of Leverage Planning. I had a client, Jenny, who was living on Social Security alone. Getting wheels seemed like a puzzle, but we cracked it. She went for a reliable used car, and it was a game-changer. It was both cost-effective and practical. Read Next: Im a Retirement Planning Expert: These 4 States Top Florida and Arizona Focus on Reliability as Much as Cost in the Used Market Stubbendeck mentioned reliability and practicality. Those are the keys because, in the used market, the lowest-priced vehicle is also usually the cheapest. If you focus solely on the sticker price, youll end up with a beater that will cost you more in the long run with expensive maintenance, repairs and gas. Story continues Remember, a lower initial purchase price doesnt necessarily translate to long-term savings, said Salahi. Aim for fuel-efficient vehicles to minimize running costs. Research, Research, Then Research Some More Shopping for the car you want is the fun part of the buying experience, but if Social Security is your only income, you dont have that luxury. Instead, you need to shop for the car you can afford. Thorough research is crucial, said Salahi. Explore used car options within a realistic budget, considering ongoing maintenance costs. According to US News and World Report, the 2013 Buick Verano with a J.D. Power reliability score of 91 out of 100 is the most reliable used car under $10,000. You should expect to pay $9,851 but other famously dependable options are available for even less. The highly rated 2013 Hyundai Sonata averages just $7,306. Also in the top 10 is the 2013 Hyundai Accent for $7,927. Seek Help From Charities and Assistance Programs Although used Sonatas and Accents cost less than half of what youd pay for a new Versa, $7,000-$8,000 is still out of reach for many retirees living on Social Security alone. For others in a similar boat, check local community programs or nonprofits that lend a hand to seniors needing affordable rides, said Stubbendeck. Jenny found a great deal through one of these. For example, Vehicles for Change provides free cars to qualifying residents of Maryland and Northern Virginia. Working Cars for Working Families maintains a state-by-state list of organizations that offer down payment assistance and even free donated cars to those in need. Other programs include: GoodNewsGarage.org FreeCharityCars.org Cars4Heroes.org 1-800-CharityCars State and federal government agencies also offer vehicle assistance grants to qualifying applicants. Visit gov-relations.com for more information. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Best Ways To Buy a Car If You Live Only on Social Security The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday initiated searches at 17 locations across seven states, intensifying its ongoing probe into the Bengaluru prison radicalisation case. Currently underway in Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu, among other states, the search operations are targeting locations associated with individuals implicated in a terror conspiracy linked to the case. The investigation stems from the Bengaluru Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Prison radicalisation and conspiracy case, where on January 12 of this year, NIA charged eight individuals. Among those charged are T Naseer from Kerala's Kannur district, serving a life sentence in Bengaluru's Central Prison since 2013. Junaid Ahmed (alias JD) and Salman Khan are suspected to have fled the country, while the remaining individuals, including Syed Suhail Khan (alias Suhail) and Mohammed Faisal Rabbani (alias Sadath), are facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosives Substances Act, and the Arms Act. The case was initially registered by the Bengaluru City Police on July 18, 2023, following the seizure of arms, ammunition, hand grenades, and walkie-talkies from seven accused persons gathered at one of their houses. In October 2023, the NIA took over the investigation, revealing that T. Naseer, with a history of involvement in blast cases, had come in contact with the other accused while they were all lodged in Bengaluru Prison in 2017. Naseer orchestrated the transfer of the accused to his barracks, carefully assessing their potential for radicalisation and recruitment into LeT. He successfully radicalised and recruited Junaid and Salman, conspiring with Junaid to further recruit the others. Junaid, upon release, is believed to have fled abroad after committing additional offenses. The NIA found that Junaid, from overseas, began funneling funds to his co-accused to promote LeT activities both within and outside the prison. He conspired with Salman to deliver arms and ammunition, intending to carry out a 'fidayeen' attack and facilitate Naseer's escape from police custody. Junaid also instructed his associates to steal used police caps for the attack and commit arson on government buses as part of a practice run. The plot was thwarted in July last year when authorities seized arms and other materials. The ongoing investigations into the case, guided by Section 173(8) of the Code of Criminal Procedures (CrPC), are progressing. The recent raids occurred just two days after the Ministry of Home Affairs handed over the probe into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru to the NIA. The anti-terror agency promptly re-registered the case and initiated an inquiry into the explosion that took place on March 1, injuring several people during the busy lunch hour in Bengaluru's Whitefield area. KOLKATA: In a significant political development, the Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the case related to the violent assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali on January 5. As per reports from news agency ANI, the bench, presided over by the Chief Justice, has also instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to hand over the accused and TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI by 4:30 PM today, accompanied by all relevant case documents. Calcutta High Court transfers to CBI the Sandehskhali case which pertains to the attack on ED officials. CBI is also expected to take the custody of suspended TMC leader Shiekh Shahjahan. ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal has moved the Supreme Court to against the Calcutta High Court order directing the CBI probe in the Sandeshkhali matter. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the state government, mentioned the plea before the Supreme Court to which the top court directed him to mention it before the registrar general. Sheikh Shahjahan To Face CBI Inquiry The focus of the CBI inquiry is expected to extend to Sheikh Shahjahan, the suspended Trinamool Congress leader, who was apprehended last week. Shahjahan, along with his associates, is implicated in cases involving land grabbing and sexual harassment, which has led to tumultuous protests in Sandeshkhali island, North 24 Parganas district. Shahjahan Sheikh, evading authorities since January 5, was arrested after a mob of supporters attacked an ED team near his residence. The ED officials were on-site to conduct searches linked to an alleged ration scam. BJP Welcomes HC Decision, TMC Stands Firm The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has embraced the High Court's decision, viewing it as a vindication of their stance on law and order in West Bengal. Conversely, the Trinamool Congress has maintained its stance, asserting that the state police were diligently fulfilling their duties. High Court's Stern Warning To Sheikh Shahjahan In a stern rebuke to Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, the High Court emphasized that it harboured no sympathy for individuals implicated in criminal activities. This resolute stance reflects the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for victims. Allegations Of Collusion And Misconduct During the legal proceedings, allegations of collusion between the accused and state authorities emerged. Representatives from central agencies accused the state police of obstructing justice and diluting the severity of the charges. The courtroom became a battleground for competing narratives, with arguments revolving around jurisdictional authority and the integrity of ongoing investigations. Both sides presented compelling arguments, underscoring the complexity of the legal landscape. Call For Immediate Action Amidst the legal wrangling, there was a unanimous call for swift and decisive action. The urgency of the situation necessitated immediate intervention to prevent further obstruction of justice and ensure the integrity of the investigative process. Looking Ahead As the case transitions into CBI custody, all eyes will be on the unfolding developments. The pursuit of truth and accountability remains paramount, underscoring the profound implications of this landmark legal decision. NEW DELHI: Tonight on DNA, we delve into France's groundbreaking decision to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right. This historic move makes France the first country globally to guarantee abortion rights for women in its constitution. Henceforth, women in France are empowered to terminate pregnancies at their discretion, without the need for external approval, whether at 9 weeks or 9 months. Under the banner of "My Body, My Choice," this legislation has ignited fervent debate. Is it a fundamental right for women to decide the fate of their pregnancies independently? This contentious issue fuels discussions worldwide, prompting us to conduct a thorough DNA test on global abortion laws, exploring whether abortion should be regarded as a personal matter for women. In democratic societies, individuals are endowed with certain inalienable rights. Yet, the right to abortion remains elusive for many women across the globe, subject to the whims of legal frameworks and judicial systems. France's adoption of abortion as a constitutional right marks a momentous occasion, sparking jubilation nationwide. The passing of the bill in the French Parliament saw celebratory scenes at the iconic Eiffel Tower, adorned with the mantra "My Body, My Choice." While other nations have acknowledged women's reproductive rights in their constitutions, France distinguishes itself by guaranteeing abortion rights unconditionally. Surveys indicate overwhelming support within France, with approximately 85% endorsing constitutional amendments for abortion rights. French President Macron's pledge to uphold these rights has now come to fruition, with the French government convening a special parliamentary session to formalize the legislation. The resounding approval, with 780 votes in favor against a mere 72, underscores bipartisan consensus and societal backing for this landmark law. Through this progressive legislation, France underscores the principle of bodily autonomy, sending a resolute message globally. Tonight's episode of DNA promises an in-depth analysis of this pivotal development. Union Minister Smriti Irani joined the Modi ka parivar wave on Monday while addressing the BJPs Namo Yuva Maha Sammelan at Nagpur. She said, We are Modis parivar; these youth are Modis parivar (mai hu Modi ka parivar; ye naujawan hai Modi ka parivar). She claimed that Modi does what he promises and thus assured the public to believe in Modi ki guarantee. Earlier, RJD supremo Lalu Yadav started a jibe on PM Modi during his Jan Vishwas Maharally in Patna, where he remarked, You (Modi) don't have a family. However, this remark soon backfired when senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and JP Nadda, promptly added 'Modi ka Parivar' to their social media handles alongside their names. She further challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to compare the ten years of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule with the performance of the Modi government. The distinction is clear and visible in the reforms that have brought about positive changes in the lives of the underprivileged, women, and farmers, Smriti Irani added. She claimed that in the BJPs election manifesto, we promised three key things: abrogation of Article 370, construction of the Ram temple, and the implementation of women's reservation, and all of those were fulfilled. The Minister for Child and Women Development was addressing the youth conclave, which plays a vital role in the BJP's strategic efforts to engage with the next generation, forming an integral part of its campaign strategy for the approaching 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Smriti Irani, accompanied by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJYM president Tejasvi Surya, were present at the Rashtriya NaMo Yuva Maha Sammelan. They encouraged the youth to reach out more diversely into villages and engage at the grassroot level. The goal is to increase the outreach to new voters and educate them on the reforms and good governance of the Modi-led centre. New Delhi: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad stirred up a controversy with his comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's family. He questioned the PM's Hindu credentials and mocked him for not having his own family. In response, BJP leaders changed their social media handles to add "Modi ka parivar" (Modi's family). "My life is an open book... 140 crore people of the country are my family. Today, crores of daughters, mothers, and sisters of the country are Modis family. Every poor person in the country is my family. Those who have no one belong to Modi and Modi belongs to them, said PM Modi. He said that he cared for every poor person in the country and those who had no one. BJP's social media campaign This move by BJP leaders reminded many of their "main bhi chowkidar" campaign in 2019, which was aimed to counter the allegations made by Congress. The Congress leaders had frequently used the phrase "Chowkidar Chor Hai" to attack PM Modi from the election platforms. In reaction, Modi's supporters had started writing "Main Bhi Chowkidar" on social media, and this slogan had stayed on the lips of BJP leaders throughout the Lok Sabha elections. Despite the controversies, BJP had won a bigger mandate in the 2019 elections, increasing their seats from 282 to 303. BJP's slogans over the years On Sunday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its campaign logo, tagline, and theme music for the 2018 Lok Sabha elections, using the slogan "Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar" (Modi once more) to seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second consecutive term. BJP's slogans in 2014 included "Abki Baar Modi Sarkar" and "Bahut Hua Kisaano Pe Atyachar". The slogans had appeared on city billboards, newspapers, television ads, and other places, featuring Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders such as LK Advani and Amit Shah. The phrase had become so popular that ordinary people had started making their slogans with "Abki baar Modi sarkar" at the end. Modi had also coined the term "Acche Din Aane Wale Hai" as a key campaign promise, promising happy days to India's aspirational voters. This phrase had especially appealed to young and first-time voters who were looking forward to a new India with better opportunities. The slogan had been plastered on every billboard and television screen, and Modi and BJP leaders had constantly promised "acche din", making it one of the most talked about mantras in 2014. The BJP's famous 2014 pledge of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" remains a slogan for the party today, as it tries to project a more inclusive image in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. With this slogan, the BJP had committed to lead everyone along the path of growth and prosperity. A separate, catchy song based on the same marketing theme is scheduled to be released in a few days. Digital hoardings, display banners, digital films, and television commercials will all be released in stages over the next few days. Kolkata: In a dramatic turn of events, the West Bengal government on Tuesday chose defiance over compliance, refusing to surrender custody of Sandeshkhali violence accused Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) despite a clear directive from the Calcutta High Court. The former Trinamool heavyweight stands accused of a litany of charges, including extortion, land grabbing, and sexual assault in Bengal's Sandeshkhali region. HC Order Ignored: CBI Left Empty-Handed Despite the High Court's explicit instruction to transfer Shahjahan's custody to the police's criminal investigation department (CID), the state government held its ground, citing an appeal to the Supreme Court as justification. Consequently, a CBI team dispatched to claim custody departed from Kolkata's police headquarters without their intended prize, leaving the legal tug-of-war unresolved. #WATCH | CBI team left from police headquarters in Kolkata. West Bengal CID did not hand over custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI as the state government went to the Supreme Court regarding this matter. pic.twitter.com/sAJeWoihYK ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 Assets Frozen: ED Cracks Down Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) made significant strides in its pursuit of justice, provisionally attaching assets totaling Rs 12.78 Crore linked to Shahjahan and his associates. The seizure, which includes a variety of immovable properties and bank accounts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, underscores the gravity of the allegations against the former Trinamool leader. High Court's Scathing Rebuke The Calcutta High Court did not mince words in its assessment of the state police's handling of the case, lambasting their perceived bias and advocating for a thorough investigation by the CBI. Echoing the sentiments of many, the court emphasized the need for impartiality and integrity in resolving the accusations against Shahjahan. BJP's Allegations; Sandeshkhali's Unrest The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan has not quelled the storm of controversy surrounding his actions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of sheltering Shahjahan from the scrutiny of federal investigative agencies, suggesting political motivations behind his sudden apprehension. Meanwhile, Sandeshkhali continues to reverberate with protests, as women in the community demand justice for the alleged atrocities committed by Shahjahan and his cohorts. Their voices, amplified by widespread discontent, serve as a potent reminder of the stakes involved in this ongoing saga of power, politics, and justice. Male: Hardening his stance, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has now said that no Indian military personnel will remain in the island nation past May 10, regardless of whether they are in uniform or civilian attire. According to The Edition, President Muizzu while addressing the residential community of Baa Atoll Eydhafushi said that the Indian military will not reside in Maldives in any form of clothing after May 10. He added said those who spread false rumours are trying to twist the situation. Muizzu said, "That these people [Indian military] are not departing, that they are returning after changing their uniforms into civilian clothing. We must not indulge such thoughts that instill doubts in our hearts and spread lies," The Edition reported. "There will be no Indian troops in the country come May 10. Not in uniform and not in civilian clothing. Indian military will not be residing in this country in any form of clothing. I state this with confidence," he added. Opposition Criticism Muizzu's statement comes amidst escalating criticism from the Opposition, which alleged that the Indian military personnel are surreptitiously operating within the Maldives. However, the President maintained that discussions between the two nations have facilitated the orderly withdrawal of Indian military forces. Shifting Dynamics In Regional Politics President Muizzu's stance underscores a broader shift in regional dynamics, with Maldives increasingly gravitating towards China and distancing itself from traditional ally India. Muizzu's electoral promise of 'India Out' reflects this evolving geopolitical landscape. Diplomatic Efforts And Continued Cooperation Despite the tensions, diplomatic channels remain open, with both India and Maldives engaging in constructive dialogue to address concerns and find mutually beneficial solutions. The recent arrival of Indian technical personnel signals a commitment to maintaining essential services while respecting Maldives' sovereignty. Optimism Amidst Challenges External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed confidence in diplomatic resolutions during a recent event, affirming that misunderstandings can be overcome through dialogue. Highlighting the humanitarian role of Indian aviation platforms in Maldives, Jaishankar underscored the importance of cooperation amidst evolving circumstances. Path Forward: Diplomacy And Collaboration As both nations navigate complex geopolitical waters, the resolution of tensions surrounding the Indian military presence in Maldives remains a priority. Continued dialogue and cooperation hold the key to addressing differences and fostering a stable, mutually beneficial relationship. Tel Aviv: The Government of India (GoI) on Tuesday issued an advisory for its nationals living in the border areas of Israel to relocate to safer areas within the country due to prevailing situations. "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," the Indian embassy in Israel said in an official statement. The advisory comes after a man from Kerala working in a plantation in Israel was killed and two other Indian citizens were injured in northern Israel following a terror strike by Hezbollah on Monday. Emergency Helpline Number Issued Additionally, Indian authorities have also issued an emergency helpline number (+972-35226748) and an email address (cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in) for clarification and guidance in security-related issues. Moreover, Israeli envoy to India Naor Gilon said that he has spoken with the relatives of the deceased Indian and reassured his country's support. "I spoke earlier to the brother of the deceased Indian farm worker who was killed yesterday in Northern Israel. I offered my heartfelt condolences to him and the family and reassured that Israel will be by their side for anything and everything," Naor Gilon posted on social media platform X. Israel Confirms Death Of Kerala's Nibin Maxwell Earlier today, the Israeli embassy in India confirmed that one Indian national was killed and two more Indians were injured in the terror attack by Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon in Northern Israel yesterday. As per information, the deceased has been identified as 31-year-old Nibin Maxwell, son of Pathrose Maxwell, from Kollam district in Kerala. Reports have also confirmed that the other two injured are also from Kerala. Nibin Maxwell had arrived in Israel two months ago and was working in a farm there. In its statement, 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 yesterday early afternoon. 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 assist them. 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 embassy in India said. Rockets Fired From Hezbollah In Northern Israel Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets at northern Israel on Monday night, 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. According to the Israel Defence Forces, at least 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Western Galilee. Some of the projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system. Fighting also continues in Gaza with the Israeli Defence forces claiming that they eliminated Islamic Jihad terrorists who fired rockets toward Kibbutz Be'eri and Kibbutz Hatzerim. Fifteen terrorists were eliminated using sniper, tank and aerial fire. IDF forces also struck terrorist targets and eliminated terrorists operating from within civilian areas in Western Khan Yunis. LUCKNOW: In a significant development, four new ministers, including Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, were sworn into the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday. State's Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended their congratulations to the newly appointed ministers, emphasizing their support for the state's progress. Inclusion Of Key Figures RLD MLA Anil Kumar also secured a ministerial position in the cabinet expansion. This move came after the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) joined the BJP_led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on March 2. 2 BJP Leaders Take Oath Additionally, two prominent BJP leaders, Dara Singh Chauhan and Sunil Kumar Sharma, also took the oath as ministers in the State cabinet during a swearing-in ceremony held at Raj Bhawan. Commitment To Responsibilities Expressing his commitment, BJP's Sunil Kumar Sharma stated, "The responsibility bestowed upon me by the Chief Minister and the party will be carried out diligently. In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, we are determined to secure victory across all 80 seats." #WATCH | After taking oath as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar says, "We continuously work towards our goal of serving the poor. To fulfill that goal, people in the government will take the schemes of the government to the doors of the poor, pic.twitter.com/vDvxp1tvRn ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024 SBSP's Journey The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) had contested the 2022 UP Assembly elections in alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP), but the alliance dissolved thereafter. Upon assuming office, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar reiterated their commitment to serving the underprivileged. He emphasized the government's responsibility to extend its schemes to the needy, ensuring justice and resolving their grievances. Rajbhar also highlighted the absence of riots during CM Yogi Adityanath's seven-year tenure, underscoring the rule of law in the state. Political Alliances And Strategies Rajbhar's alliance with the BJP-led NDA last July marked a strategic shift. Notably, his party holds six seats in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly. In anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the BJP has taken proactive measures by releasing its initial list of 195 candidates. The list reflects diversity, including youth, women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates. Looking Forward With Lok Sabha elections expected to take place in April-May this year, political maneuvering and strategizing are reaching a fever pitch as parties position themselves for electoral success. In a shocking incident in Gurugram, five individuals were rushed to the hospital after consuming mouth freshener at Laforestta Restaurant, claimed to be dry ice. The complainant, Ankit Kumar, alleges that the mouth freshener served at the establishment led to severe health complications for him and four others. A video circulating on social media has shed light on the distressing aftermath of the incident. Ankit Kumar's wife and friends can be seen throwing up blood in the recording, they seem visibly in pain and discomfort. One person is captured vomiting on the cafe floor, while a woman desperately tries to alleviate the burning sensation with ice. Sunday Dinner Took Drastic Turn The incident occurred on Sunday when a family from Gurugram's Sector 90 went out for dinner at Laforestta Restaurant. Post-meal, they opted for the offered mouth freshener, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that led to their deteriorating health and subsequent hospitalization. Fortunately, two individuals have been discharged. FIR Filed Against Restaurant For Negligence In his formal complaint to the police, Ankit conveyed that he, accompanied by his wife Neha Sabarwal, Manik Goinka and his wife Preetika, and Deepak Arora with his wife Himani, visited a restaurant. Following their meals, the restaurant staff offered them mouth fresheners, resulting in an immediate deterioration of their health. Ankit Kumar filed an FIR around 9:30 PM on Sunday, accusing the restaurant of negligence. To support the case, Ankit retained a sample of the mouth freshener, which, upon examination, was identified as dry ice by the attending doctor. Restaurant's Denial And Police Investigation The manager of Laforestta Restaurant Gagan Sharma vehemently dismissed the allegations, claiming that such an incident had never occurred before. He denied the presence of dry ice in the restaurant, hinting at a potential attempt to tarnish the establishment's reputation. The police are currently investigating the matter, and the restaurant has expressed its willingness to provide compensation for any damages incurred by the affected individuals. Understanding Dry Ice: What Is Dry Ice? Dry ice, a solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2), exists in a frozen state at an extremely low temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius (-109.3 degrees Fahrenheit). Known for its unique applications, it is significantly colder than regular ice cubes and is often used for special effects in films or parties. Effects Of Consuming Dry Ice Consuming dry ice can lead to direct contact between extremely cold tissues and the mouth, throat, and stomach. The drastic temperature difference between the freezing cold dry ice and the warmth of the stomach can cause burning sensations, leading to irritation, bleeding, and, in extreme cases, ulcers. Precautions During Dry Ice Exposure 1. Avoid Consumption: Dry ice is not meant for consumption; it should never be ingested. 2. Use Protective Gear: Always wear gloves to prevent skin contact with dry ice. 3. Keep Away from Children and Pets: Ensure dry ice is out of reach of children and domestic animals. 4. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If someone accidentally consumes dry ice, seek prompt medical assistance and refrain from inducing vomiting or allowing them to eat or drink anything. (Bloomberg) -- US officials have told Advanced Micro Devices Inc. that the artificial intelligence chip it tailored for the Chinese market is too powerful to sell without a license, ensnaring another American semiconductor company in Washingtons crackdown on exports of advanced technologies. Most Read from Bloomberg AMD had hoped to gain a green light from the Commerce Department to sell the AI processor to Chinese customers since it performs at a lower level than what the company sells outside of China, according to people familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. But US officials told AMD it must still obtain a license from Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security in order to sell it, the people said. AMD didnt have a comment and its unclear whether the company is seeking a license. The Bureau of Industry and Security declined to comment. AMD shares were down 2.2% as markets opened in New York on Tuesday. California rival Nvidia Corp. has also been continually downgrading its powerful AI chips destined for China in an attempt to pass muster with US officials and their ever-tightening restrictions on chips as Washington seeks to constrain one of its biggest geopolitical rivals. The US has been working to limit Chinese access to cutting-edge semiconductors that can develop AI models and the tools used to manufacture those chips out of fear that Beijing will gain a military edge. President Joe Bidens administration unveiled an initial set of export controls in 2022 and strengthened them last October to include more technology and curb sales to intermediary nations that might undermine the ban. Read More: Nvidia Warns of Product Snags From Tightening US Chip Rules Story continues The tighter controls restricted the sale of a processor that Nvidia had designed specifically for China in compliance with the initial 2022 version of the export rules. The company has since developed new customized, less-powerful products for the Chinese market to align with the 2023 restrictions, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has said that she is looking into the specifics of those components. The 2022 US ban prevented both Nvidia and AMD from selling their most powerful AI chips to China, forcing them to find workarounds. Nvidia immediately responded with a reduced-performance modified model, whereas AMD hasnt publicly discussed its efforts to develop a new AI processor for the country. AMD had less of a foothold in the Chinese AI chip industry than Nvidia, which had a large share of that market prior to the ban. When the restrictions took effect in 2022, AMD said it didnt expect to be materially affected by the rules. But AMD is now going after the AI chip market more aggressively. In December, it launched a new MI300 lineup that will challenge processors from Nvidia. The China-tailored product has been referred to as MI309, according to the people. Its not clear which Chinese customer was trying to buy the AMD AI chips. That factor could influence whether the company is able to secure a license, should the chipmaker choose to move forward. Leading Chinese tech firms, including Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Baidu Inc., have said they have stockpiled enough powerful chips from Nvidia the types that are now subject to US controls to advance their chatbots capabilities for another year or two. Meanwhile, Shenzhen-based Huawei Technologies Co. is developing its own AI semiconductors and chipmaking capability that could eventually help Chinese companies fill the gap created by the US ban. (Updates shares in third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. New Delhi: The situation faced by Indian youths who traveled to Russia in search of jobs is quite alarming. They're encountering numerous difficulties amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These students come from different parts of India, but they share a common struggletheir desperate need for employment that is being exploited by predators lurking around online. Their struggle is linked to the misleading information spread by a YouTube channel. In an exclusive story, The Indian Express spoke to the families of these students to understand the challenges are facing. The Indian students who went in search of good prospects rather ended up in danger in the Moscow warzone war after being promised a job. The Indian Express, narrating the story of Mohammed Afsan, aged 30, from Hyderabad, and Mohammed Sufiyan, aged 23, from Narayanpet district, found how these boys traveled to Moscow in November and December and got trapped. An agent promised them better jobs in Moscow but instead they were given just 15 days of training and then sent to Ukraine amid the ongoing war. There, they are being compelled to live alongside Russian soldiers fighting in the conflict, as reported by their families to Indian Express. Mohammad Afsan's Story Mohammad Afsan used to work as a salesman in a clothing store. However, when he was offered a job in Moscow, he decided to go there. He was told he would earn Rs 45,000 per month initially, and later it would increase to Rs 1.5 lakh. Furthermore, he was promised the opportunity to apply for a Russian passport and citizenship after working for a year. Afsan found this offer very tempting and left for Moscow on November 9th, the Indian Express reported Afsan made his final video call from the border between Russia and Ukraine on December 31st. Since then, his family has not been able to contact him. They provided this information themselves. The family also told Indian Express that He also suffered serious leg injuries and we request the Central Government to make arrangements to bring him back. Mohammed Sufiyan's Story Another young man who goes by the name of Sufiyan, used to work in a packing company in Dubai and earned Rs 30,000 per month. Sufiyan's brother, Syed Salman, revealed the Indian Express that Sufiyan got in touch with an agent named Faisal Khan, who operates a YouTube channel. It was Faisal Khan who encouraged Sufiyan to apply for the job in Moscow. According to Salman, Sufiyan was told that the job was for an assistant in a Russian government office and that he would be paid over Rs 1 lakh per month. With this assurance, Sufiyan also decided to go to Russia. During a video call with his brother, Sufiyan mentioned that he and other Indian youths were taken to a military camp and given training after three days. Sufiyan's family states that Indian youths are being placed at the frontlines of the war, and Sufiyan's life was saved once. However, they are unable to contact Sufiyan now. Mustafa, the brother of Sameer, another young man who went to Moscow, said that during a call four to five days ago, Sameer seemed very scared. Sameer requested Mustafa to contact authorities to ensure his safe return. Ranjith Vasireddy, a visionary entrepreneur and an innovator, has worked tirelessly to revolutionize the technology landscape for the real estate industry. From humble beginnings in a small town in Khammam, his journey to becoming a trailblazer in his field is marked by perseverance, passion, and an unwavering commitment to his dreams. Despite facing financial challenges and limited opportunities in his early life, Ranjith demonstrated an innate aptitude for entrepreneurship and a thirst for knowledge. Unlike his peers who sought traditional career paths after graduation, Ranjith was driven by a desire to create job opportunities for others. This determination led him on a path towards establishing his own business. However, the road to entrepreneurship was not without its obstacles. Ranjith encountered difficulty securing funding to launch his startup, estatedekho.com. Undeterred, he took decisive action, temporarily joining a company to fulfill the bank's requirements for loan approval. With the necessary documentation in hand, he successfully obtained a loan and laid the foundation for his company with an initial capital of 4 lakhs. Since its inception, estatedekho.com has flourished into a thriving business, boasting an annual revenue of 5 crores. What began as a team of four individuals has now expanded to over 70 employees, operating from multiple branches across India. The platform serves as a free property consultation portal for buyers, providing innovative solutions to streamline the real estate process. Ranjith Vasireddy's entrepreneurial spirit further manifested in the introduction of "Digi marketer," a groundbreaking product on the platform. This innovative tool simplifies the process of creating posters and scheduling social media promotions, empowering users to effectively manage ad campaigns and integrate with third-party apps. In addition to offering free property consultation, estatedekho.com operates as an aggregator model for builders and channel partners, generating leads through its "Right Party Contact Leads" service. The platform's CRM tool enhances lead management for stakeholders, further solidifying its position as a leader in the real estate technology sector. Ranjith Vasireddy's journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere, proving that with determination and passion, anything is possible. New Delhi: ICICI bank has announced its upcoming changes to ICICI Bank Credit Card features and charges. Starting April 1, ICICI Bank Credit Card holders will get a complimentary Airport Lounge Access upon meeting certain terms and conditions. "Starting Apr 01, 2024, you can enjoy One complimentary airport lounge access by spending Rs 35,000 in the preceding calendar quarter. Spends made in the preceding calendar quarter will unlock access for the subsequent calendar quarter. To be eligible for complimentary lounge access in Apr-May-Jun, 2024 quarter, you need to spend a minimum of Rs.35,000 in the January-February-March 2024 quarter and similarly for the subsequent quarters," ICICI Bank said in its website. The below mentioned illustration, as given by ICICI bank will help customers understand the Spend period along with the Lounge eligibility period S. No. Spend period Lounge eligibility period 1 Customer spends Rs 35,000 between Dec 26, 2023 to Mar 25, 2024 Complimentary lounge access(es) between Apr 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2024 2 Customer spends Rs 35,000 between Mar 26, 2024 to Jun 25, 2024 Complimentary lounge access(es) between Jul 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2024 3 Customer spends Rs 35,000 between Jun 26, 2024 to Sep 25, 2024 Complimentary lounge access(es) between Oct 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024 3 Customer spends Rs 35,000 between Sep 26, 2024 to Dec 25, 2024 Complimentary lounge access(es) between Jan 1, 2025 to Mar 31, 2025 This updated criteria to avail complimentary domestic airport lounge access will be applicable for the cards in abovementioned table. However for the other ICICI Bank credit card there is no change in the spending criteria, the bank has said. New Delhi: Instagram users encountered difficulties accessing the popular social media platform, along with other Meta-owned platforms. Reports of the outage began surfacing early Tuesday evening, highlighting issues with logging in and refreshing feeds. Meta's suite of platforms, including Facebook, Messenger, and Threads, were affected by the outage. Users attempting to access these platforms were greeted with error messages and were unable to log in or refresh their feeds. On Facebook, users were presented with a "session expired" message, prompting them to log in again. However, attempts to log in were met with an "unable to log in" error. Similarly, Instagram users faced challenges refreshing their feeds and experienced access issues on the web version of the platform. The exact cause of the outage remains unclear, with Meta yet to provide an official statement. However, the widespread nature of the issue suggests a potential server or technical malfunction. Users took to other social media platforms to express their frustration, highlighting the reliance on these platforms for communication and connectivity. Meta is expected to address the issue promptly and provide updates as the situation unfolds. In the meantime, users are advised to monitor Meta's official channels for any announcements regarding the outage. Users took to micro-blogging social media platform X (previously known and Twitter) to report the outage. New Delhi: Online scams have the potential to cause significant financial harm, often resulting in the loss of substantial amounts of money. Today's news story highlights this issue, as a 67-year-old retired managing director of a multinational company in Thane has allegedly lost a staggering Rs 4.80 crore to an online fraud. The Thane crime branch uncovered that the scammers, pretending to be officials from central agencies, falsely accused the victim of drug trafficking and warned of police action. This pressure led the victim to share his secret bank details, which the scammers exploited to steal money. The situation was brought to attention when the Thane police's cyber cell filed a report against three people. (Also Read: Vivo V29e Smartphone Gets Price Cut In India; Check Price, Discount and Specs) Fraudsters threatened with arrest warrants The victim got a call from the accused, who claimed they intercepted a package with illegal items like MDMA, passports, and credit cards bound for Taiwan, as per the complaint. To make it more convincing, the fraudsters had the victim's personal details, including his Aadhaar card number. They also mentioned an alleged case against him at the Andheri police station in Mumbai, threatening him with arrest warrants and legal issues linked to money laundering and drug peddling. (Also Read: Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal Sues Elon Musk, Billionaire Responds With Emoji) Information disclosed by victim Disguised as part of an investigation, the fraudsters told the victim to download a video calling app, promising that an officer would handle the issue. Pretending to be from central agencies with fake logos, they pressured the victim into giving out personal information like bank account details, debit card numbers, and CVV codes. Moreover, the victim disclosed information about property deals in Pune and Murbad. Victim understood that he has been tricked The following day, the scammers accused the victim of making illegal transactions and said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and a private bank were suspicious of his actions. They then told him to transfer Rs 1 crore to his wife's account, which he did. But after talking to his son who lives in the UK, the victim understood that he had been tricked. Case filed under the Indian Penal Code The investigation found out that a total of Rs 4.80 crore was taken from the victim's account. After the victim filed a complaint, the police registered a case against the accused under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. Super Tuesday is an important day in the United States presidential primary elections. It happens on the first Tuesday of March, this year on March 5. On Super Tuesday, many states vote at the same time, which is a big deal because it helps decide which candidates will represent each party. Importance of Super Tuesday? Approximately one-third of all delegates to the presidential nominating conventions can be won on Super Tuesday, allowing contenders to capture a significant chunk of the total delegates required to win their party's candidature. These primaries and caucuses will determine around 36% of the Republican delegates. States and territories to vote On March 5, 15 Republican and 16 Democratic contests will take place around the country. Ahead of Super Tuesday on March 5, 2024, Biden and Trump have emerged as clear winners. Despite multiple failures in caucuses and primary elections, Nikki Haley has refused to abandon her presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Biden's rise to prominence has been essentially unquestioned. Donald Trump has the support of 244 Republican delegates, while Nikki Haley has only 43. They need 1215 delegates. Joe Biden has the support of 206 Democratic delegates and needs the support of 1918 more to guarantee his candidature. In 2020, there were 14 primaries with voting. The Republican primaries on Super Tuesday saw incumbent President Donald Trump overcome opponent Bill Weld. He won seven of the eleven events that day, but lost the grand prize, Texas. Super Tuesday will be the D-day for opponent Nikki Haley, who seeks to derail the former president's bid to become the party's flag bearer once more. Despite winning 40% of the vote in New Hampshire and South Carolina, the former South Carolina governor fell to Trump in all constituencies except Washington, DC. Haley, a former South Carolina governor, had never won a battle before her symbolic victory in the Washington, DC primary on Sunday night. However, she received 40% of the vote in New Hampshire and South Carolina, indicating that the party is divided over Trump. Haley believes she would outperform her challenger in a general election contest versus Biden. The United States Supreme Court has granted former President Donald Trump the right to appear on the ballot in Colorado, overturning a prior state order that disqualified him over his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, according to a report by CNN. This ruling comes after months of intense debate surrounding whether Trump violated the "insurrectionist clause" embedded in the 14th Amendment, casting a shadow over his bid for the GOP nomination. The court's unanimous decision to allow Trump to remain on the ballot marks a significant victory for the former President, eliminating one of the numerous legal challenges that have characterized his ongoing campaign against President Joe Biden. However, it is crucial to note that the Supreme Court's decision does not impact the four ongoing criminal cases Trump faces, including a federal election subversion case covering some of the same conduct associated with the January 6, 2021, incident, as reported by CNN. The court, while united in the stance that Trump could not be unilaterally removed from the ballot, exhibited division regarding the broad implications of the decision. A 5-4 majority asserted that no state had the authority to remove a federal candidate from any ballot, with four justices emphasizing the need for a more limited opinion. In response to the ruling, Donald Trump expressed his elation, branding it a "big win" for the country in a social media post. "BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!" Trump declared. On the other hand, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a liberal group that initiated the lawsuit on behalf of Republican voters, criticised the Supreme Court's decision. Despite acknowledging the dismissal of the insurrection language from Colorado, the group argued that the ruling was "in no way a win for Trump," as it failed to exonerate him from the events of January 6. "The Supreme Court had the opportunity in this case to exonerate Trump, and they chose not to do so. Every court - or decision-making body - that has substantively examined the issue has determined that January 6th was an insurrection and that Donald Trump incited it. That remains true today," the group stated. Notably, the Supreme Court's ruling does not directly address whether Trump's actions on January 6 qualify as an "insurrection," avoiding a contentious issue that the Colorado courts had grappled with. The five-justice majority, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh, asserted that states cannot disqualify federal officers, especially the president, from the ballot without Congress passing legislation. "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," stated the ruling, as reported by CNN. However, four justices dissented on the scope of the decision. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in a concurring opinion that the majority's opinion "shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement." Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in a separate concurring opinion, emphasized that the case "does not require us to address the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced." New Delhi: India has urged for a swift de-escalation and renunciation of violence in Gaza, but did not explicitly call for a ceasefire, which is widely supported by the UN but rejected by Israel. We appeal for a swift de-escalation and renunciation of violence in order to achieve a lasting solution, Indias Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said at the UN General Assembly on Monday. She also demanded the liberation of all hostages, refraining from provocative and escalatory actions and working towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations. Kamboj reiterated New Delhis strong condemnation of civilian deaths in the conflict and pointed out that the immediate trigger for the Gaza conflict was the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, which were appalling and deserve our unreserved condemnation. India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, she asserted. On the conflict that has caused massive civilian casualties, she said, It is vital to prevent further escalation of violence and hostilities. It is essential to avoid the loss of civilian lives in any conflict situation. International law and international humanitarian law must be upheld under all circumstances. The Gaza health ministry reported that over 30,000 people have been killed, most of them children and women, since Israel launched retaliatory attacks on the territory after Hamas struck Israel killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 190 people, many of them children, hostage. Kamboj cautioned about the risks of the spillovers of the Gaza conflict. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, and the region and beyond have witnessed rising instability, she said. The conflict has resonated in the Red Sea area where Houthis have attacked ships and were counterattacked by other countries and in Lebanon with clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Kamboj spoke during a debate on the US veto last month of a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The debate was held under an Assembly resolution mandating a meeting after a veto is cast to have that permanent member explain the action and for UN members to react to it. Kamboj did not refer to the US veto or the exercise of veto powers by the five permanent members of the Security Council, which has immobilised it on Ukraine or Gaza or the efforts to limit the use of vetoes in special circumstances, and has been criticised by several speakers during the debate. India, which seeks a permanent seat on the Security Council, maintains that as long as the veto exists it should be available to any new permanent members. UN officials have warned of an impending threat of famine in a ravaged Gaza where relief supplies have been severely restricted. Kamboj said, India has provided humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine and will continue to do so. It is imperative that humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza be increased immediately in order to prevent a further deterioration in the situation, she said. General Assembly President Dennis Francis said it was deeply regrettable that the body had to take up the Security Council veto issue in the of Gaza. He called for an immediate cease-fire and the freeing of hostages, which he said had been endorsed unambiguously by an overwhelming majority of the Assembly. Each day that passes risks a deepening failure to meet our moral duties and obligations; and each life lost adds to the stain on our collective conscience, he said. New Delhi: The Israeli embassy in India announced on Tuesday that a terror attack by Hezbollah along the Lebanon-Israel border in Northern Israel on Monday claimed the life of one Indian national and wounded two more Indians. The victim has been identified as a 31-year-old man from Kerala. According to information, the victim has been identified as 31-year-old Nibin Maxwell, son of Pathrose Maxwell, from Kollam district in Kerala. Reports have also verified that the other two injured are also from Kerala. Nibin Maxwell had reached Israel two months ago and was working in a farm there. In its statement, the Israeli embassy said, We are deeply appalled and grieved by the death of one Indian national and the injury of two others due to a cowardly terror attack carried out by Shia terror organization Hezbollah, on peaceful agriculture workers who were tending to an orchard at the northern village of Margaliot yesterday early afternoon. Our prayers and thoughts naturally go to the families of the deceased and those of the injured. Israeli medical institutions are fully 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 experienced in civilian loss, stand united in hopes of a quick recovery for the injured and comfort for the family of the deceased the Israeli embassy in India said. Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reported that Hezbollah launched a volley of rockets at northern Israel on Monday night, causing damage that cut off power in several towns, as the military hit targets in Lebanon following a fatal cross-border attack by the terror group earlier in the day. According to the Israel Defence Forces, at least 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Western Galilee. Some of the projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system. Fighting also persists in Gaza with the Israeli Defence forces claiming that they eliminated Islamic Jihad terrorists who fired rockets toward Kibbutz Beeri and Kibbutz Hatzerim. Fifteen terrorists were eliminated using sniper, tank and aerial fire. IDF forces also struck terrorist targets and eliminated terrorists operating from within civilian areas in Western Khan Yunis. Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (KLSE:SOP) shareholders will have a reason to smile today, with the analysts making substantial upgrades to this year's statutory forecasts. The consensus statutory numbers for both revenue and earnings per share (EPS) increased, with their view clearly much more bullish on the company's business prospects. Investor sentiment seems to be improving too, with the share price up 4.6% to RM2.96 over the past 7 days. It will be interesting to see if this latest upgrade is enough to kickstart further buying interest in the stock. After the upgrade, the consensus from Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad's four analysts is for revenues of RM4.6b in 2024, which would reflect a not inconsiderable 10% decline in sales compared to the last year of performance. Statutory earnings per share are presumed to increase 8.5% to RM0.37. Prior to this update, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of RM4.0b and earnings per share (EPS) of RM0.33 in 2024. So we can see there's been a pretty clear increase in analyst sentiment in recent times, with both revenues and earnings per share receiving a decent lift in the latest estimates. Check out our latest analysis for Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad Although the analysts have upgraded their earnings estimates, there was no change to the consensus price target of RM3.03, suggesting that the forecast performance does not have a long term impact on the company's valuation. Taking a look at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can understand these forecasts is to see how they compare to both past performance and industry growth estimates. These estimates imply that sales are expected to slow, with a forecast annualised revenue decline of 10% by the end of 2024. This indicates a significant reduction from annual growth of 14% over the last five years. Compare this with our data, which suggests that other companies in the same industry are, in aggregate, expected to see their revenue grow 4.5% per year. So although its revenues are forecast to shrink, this cloud does not come with a silver lining - Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad is expected to lag the wider industry. Story continues The Bottom Line The biggest takeaway for us from these new estimates is that analysts upgraded their earnings per share estimates, with improved earnings power expected for this year. Fortunately, they also upgraded their revenue estimates, and are forecasting revenues to grow slower than the wider market. The lack of change in the price target is puzzling, but with a serious upgrade to this year's earnings expectations, it might be time to take another look at Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad. These earnings upgrades look like a sterling endorsement, but before diving in - you should know that we've spotted 3 potential concerns with Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad, including its declining profit margins. You can learn more, and discover the 2 other concerns we've identified, for free on our platform here. Another way to search for interesting companies that could be reaching an inflection point is to track whether management are buying or selling, with our free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. was hit Monday with a 1.8 billion ($2 billion) penalty from the European Union over an investigation into allegations it shut out music-streaming rivals, including Spotify Technology SA, on its platforms. Most Read from Bloomberg The European Commission also ordered the Cupertino, California-based firm to stop preventing music-streaming apps from informing users of cheaper deals away from Apples App Store. The larger than expected fine is the first to be handed out to Apple by the EU. Shares fell as much as 3.1% in New York to their lowest level since November. For a decade, Apple abused its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store, EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said. They did so by restricting developers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services available outside of the Apple ecosystem. Apple said it will appeal the EUs decision, which sets off a legal battle that could last for years. In a statement, the company said regulators failed to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast. Apple reported revenue of $119.6 billion in the first quarter, including $69.7 billion from the iPhone alone, with sales from the device up 6% from a year ago. Vestager has made it a core strategy to attempt to dismantle Big Techs dominance in the bloc through fines and regulatory actions. Mondays penalty is the third largest that shes handed out for anti-competitive behavior. She slapped Alphabet Inc.s Google with the two biggest EU antitrust fines so far a record 4.3 billion over its dominance in the Android mobile market in 2018. That followed a 2.4 billion fine for allegedly boosting its own shopping service over rivals. She also ordered Apple to repay 13 billion in allegedly unfair tax breaks from Ireland. Story continues The EUs investigation was sparked by a complaint nearly five years ago from Stockholm-based Spotify, which claimed it was forced to ramp up the price of its monthly subscriptions to cover costs associated with Apples alleged stranglehold on how the App Store operates. This decision sends a powerful messageno company, not even a monopoly like Apple, can wield power abusively to control how other companies interact with their customers, Spotify said in a statement. The commission homed in on Apples so-called anti-steering rules in a formal charge sheet in February, saying the conditions were unnecessary and meant customers faced higher prices. The reality is that European consumers have more choices than ever, Apple wrote in a post about the EU decision. Ironically, in the name of competition, todays decision just cements the dominant position of a successful European company that is the digital music markets runaway leader. At a private June hearing in the EU case, Apples stance was that it already addressed any possible competition concerns, according to a person familiar with the US firms thinking. In early 2022, Apple began allowing Spotify and other music services to direct users to the web in their apps to sign up for subscriptions. Vestager said that Apples rules prevented consumers from making informed choices, meaning some may have paid more than they needed to. The commission found that Apples rules result in withholding key information on prices and features of services from consumers, she said in a news conference. The EU crackdown on Apples App Store has run alongside sweeping new rules aimed at heading off market abuses before they take root. Under the Digital Markets Act, which comes into full effect this week, itll be illegal for the most powerful tech firms to favor their own services over their rivals. Companies will be barred from combining personal data across their different services and from using data they collect from third-party merchants to compete against them. They will also have to allow users to download apps from rivals platforms. The rules come into full force March 7 and Apple has also challenged its designation under the new regime. Read more: Europes Two-Track Approach to Policing Big Tech: QuickTake --With assistance from Molly Schuetz. (Updates with Spotify statement in the 10th paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Understanding BlackRock Inc's Dividend Prospects and Sustainability BlackRock Inc (NYSE:BLK) recently announced a dividend of $5.1 per share, payable on 2024-03-22, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-06. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into BlackRock Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability. What Does BlackRock Inc Do? Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with BLK. High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' Portfolio This Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 Years How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock? BlackRock is the largest asset manager in the world, with $10.008 trillion in assets under management at the end of December 2023. Its product mix is fairly diverse, with 52% of managed assets in equity strategies, 28% in fixed income, 9% in multi-asset classes, 8% in money market funds, and 3% in alternatives. Passive strategies account for around two thirds of long-term AUM, with the company's ETF platform maintaining a leading market share domestically and on a global basis. Product distribution is weighted more toward institutional clients, which by our calculations account for around 80% of AUM. BlackRock is geographically diverse, with clients in more than 100 countries and more than one third of managed assets coming from investors domiciled outside the US and Canada. BlackRock Inc's Dividend Analysis A Glimpse at BlackRock Inc's Dividend History BlackRock Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2003. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. BlackRock Inc has increased its dividend each year since 2003. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 21 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends. Story continues Breaking Down BlackRock Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth As of today, BlackRock Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 2.39% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 2.45%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, BlackRock Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 11.30%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 11.60% per year. And over the past decade, BlackRock Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 11.80%. Based on BlackRock Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of BlackRock Inc stock as of today is approximately 4.14%. BlackRock Inc's Dividend Analysis The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, BlackRock Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.53. BlackRock Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks BlackRock Inc's profitability 9 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability. Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. BlackRock Inc's growth rank of 9 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and BlackRock Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. BlackRock Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 4.20% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 53.62% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, BlackRock Inc's earnings increased by approximately 3.00% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 57.06% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 7.40%, which underperforms approximately 46.57% of global competitors. Next Steps Considering BlackRock Inc's consistent dividend growth, reasonable payout ratio, and strong profitability rank, the company's dividends appear sustainable. However, investors should be mindful of the growth metrics that underperform a significant portion of global competitors, which could impact the company's future dividend growth. For value investors, BlackRock Inc presents a compelling case as a dividend achiever with a potential for continued income. It remains essential for investors to monitor the company's performance and growth prospects to ensure the dividends are well-supported by the underlying financial health and market position. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Ethereum The Securities and Exchange Commission has again delayed BlackRock Inc.s spot ethereum ETF application, extending their time to decide on the asset management giants proposal for an exchange-traded fund holding the second largest cryptocurrency. The delay is the second since BlackRock filed to create the iShares Ethereum Trust in November. The agency first delayed its ruling in late January, when it also extended the review time for a similar application from Grayscale Investments. Interest in crypto ETFs is surging as investors pouring billions into spot bitcoin funds helped push the price of the top cryptocurrency to an all-time high today. Ethereum, the No. 2 cryptocurrency by market capitalization, while gaining lately, remains about $1,000 less than its all-time high of $4,891.70, according to CoinMarketCap. While the SEC greenlit ethereum futures funds in October, it's taken a more cautious approach to ETFs that own crypto and expose investors to the so-called spot market over concerns about market manipulation and fraud. A handful of firms, including Fidelity Investments, Bitwise Asset Management, Ark Invest, and Franklin Templeton, are seeking to create their own spot ethereum ETFs. The decision to delay the ETF was largely expected by analysts, who foresee May as the date to watch for the SEC to make a final decision on the funds. The only date that matters for spot ethereum ETFs at this time is May 23, Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart wrote on Twitter/X after Invescos filing was punted in early February. May 23 is the final deadline for VanEck's spot ether fund. The SEC is also asking for the public to weigh in on "concerns about ethers susceptibility to fraud and manipulation, according to the filing. Ethereum vs Bitcoin Many cryptocurrency investors are hoping that after the watershed approval of ten trading spot bitcoin ETFs in January that spot ethereum funds could be just around the corner. Story continues Yet while many analysts believe that the ether funds will eventually be approved, the path isnt necessarily straightforward. A central issue that has yet to be settled is whether ethereum would be designated a commodity by the SEC, according to etf.com analyst Sumit Roy. At the ETF Exchange conference in Miami in February, a group of executives including Bitwise Asset Managements Matt Hougan, Galaxys Steve Kurz, and Grayscales David LaValle agreed on a spot bitcoin panel that there was about a 50% change that ethereum ETFs would be approved by their May deadline. Commenters have 21 days to submit their thoughts to the SEC. Ethereum, which is the second largest cryptocurrency, has seen its price surge in recent weeks on the coattails of bitcoins rise. The cryptocurrency is up 14% over the past week and nearly 3% over the past day, according to database CoinMarketCap. Contact Lucy Brewster at lucy.brewster@etf.com. Permalink | Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved British Airways British Airways / British Airways British Airways (BA) is returning to two major Asian capital cities. Bangkok will rejoin the route map in October, with Kuala Lumpur beginning in November. Both destinations were served by the UK flag carrier before the pandemic. However, their lingering absence from the post-Covid network left many wondering if they would return at all. Kuala Lumpur is due to start on November 10 and will operate from the carriers primary home and hub at Heathrow Airport. As a clear statement of intent, BA will fly daily on the revived route, with its full spectrum of cabin options. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner rostered for the route is in a four-class configuration. There will be eight seats in First, 42 in Club (business class), 39 in World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and 127 in World Traveller (economy). Commercial Shift for Bangkok British Airways is taking a rather different commercial approach for its Bangkok service. Thailand is a hugely popular destination for visitors from Britain and surrounding markets, but it has historically been a leisure-heavy route. Price-sensitive backpackers and beach-lovers dont usually make for a lucrative flight. BA will be hoping that the soaring popularity of premium leisure traffic will help boost the profitability of the revived Bangkok link. This was a key trend discussed just last week during parent company IAGs annual results. The developments come as Thailand seeks to overhaul its image. Last year, the countrys tourism authority launched a major new marketing campaign with a focus on more meaningful travel. British Airways will fly thrice weekly from its secondary London base at Gatwick Airport to the Thai capital. This marks a notable change from its pre-pandemic daily service from Heathrow. Flights will be operated by older three-class Boeing 777-200ERs during the coming winter season and start on October 28. As British Airways domestic air connectivity at Gatwick is almost non-existent, the airline will be drawing many outbound passengers from the London airports enormous catchment area. Story continues Competitive Pressures Despite being a major global player, BA faces incredibly tough competition for travel from London to both destinations. From Heathrow, Thai Airways and EVA Air operate nonstop to Bangkok, while Malaysia Airlines flies daily to Kuala Lumpur. An additional threat comes from Middle Eastern carriers who channel tens of thousands of European passengers a day through hubs such as Dubai and Doha and onwards to Asia. Fares are often low, with regional departure and arrival points adding to the appeal. Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur joins Abu Dhabi (UAE), Agadir (Morocco), and Izmir (Turkiye) as new or restarted destinations for British Airways this year. Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Skift.com. (Bloomberg) -- Night after night, Californias streets become a refuge for tens of thousands of people. They sleep in cars, tents, and RVs, many wrestling with mental illness, substance abuse, or both, and often with little access to care. Most Read from Bloomberg The grim scene underscores a deepening homelessness crisis that persists despite record spending. Five years into his time as governor, Gavin Newsom has directed more than $20 billion of state investment to combat the problem but the spending has coincided with a 20% surge in the homeless population, which now tops 180,000 people. As the urgency intensifies, Newsom is turning to voters with Proposition 1, a ballot measure that proposes a $6.4 billion bond sale to fund new housing and expand treatment programs for mental illness and addiction. Polling suggests that the measure is likely to pass in voting on Tuesday. The governors number one priority is tackling the homelessness crisis, he has a lot invested in Prop 1 and he made it very clear that that was all we were going to have on the primary ballot for Tuesdays vote, said Democratic Assemblymember Alex Lee. Ron Galperin, a former Los Angeles city controller, has been vocal in his criticism of the states handling of the crisis. His audits exposed significant delays and cost overruns in the citys housing and homelessness programs. Galperin describes the situation in California as a homeless industrial complex, characterized by a multitude of stakeholders with varying motivations all of which has been hindering effective action. With so many players, funding sources, nonprofits and developers, there are a lot of mixed incentives, Galperin said in an interview. I think that its become very clear that the promulgation of the tents has not just become a symptom of the problem, but a huge problem unto itself. Story continues Read More: LA Paying $600,000 Apiece for Units to House Homeless People (1) Despite his criticism, Galperin says he supports Prop 1, citing its focus on the neediest and most visible individuals. Galperins nuanced stance reflects the complexities of channeling additional funds to an issue that has already seen vast resources poured into it with mixed results. Prop 1s detractors argue that it could create funding conflicts among mental health, housing, and substance use programs. Carmen-Nicole Cox, director of government affairs at ACLU California Action, expressed concerns that the measure emphasizes forced treatment over community support. In addressing some of the biggest struggles associated with life on the street, Newsom initiated a revamp of the states mental health system, signing a law last year that makes it easier to force people with behavioral health issues into treatment. The move has been met with resistance by organizations such as Disability Rights California, which views it as an infringement on rights. More Californians with disabilities will be locked in costly institutions instead of being offered treatment in their communities in a manner that respects personal autonomy, supports holistic recovery, and encourages people to seek help, the nonprofit said in a statement. Read More: Rich California Citys Housing Fix Is $150,000 Cargo Containers The proposed $6.4 billion bond aims to address Californias housing shortage, which is estimated at more than 3 million units. The sale is projected to finance the construction of facilities capable of accommodating 6,800 individuals for mental health and substance abuse treatment, along with adding more outpatient treatment slots. It also aims to create up to 4,350 housing units, with 2,350 set aside for veterans, which will include new construction and conversions of hotels and motels into homes. In addition to the bond, Prop 1 would also restrict how the state and counties spend money raised by a 1% tax on the incomes of millionaires. This levy has generated more than $20 billion in revenue since voters approved it in 2004 as part of the the Mental Health Services Act. Karen Krop, a senior director of US public finance at Fitch Ratings, said that even with new bond sales approved by voters, Californias long-term debt compared to personal income and government revenue wont significantly shift and remains manageable. We dont expect Californias long-term liability burden to dramatically change if voters approve the new bond sales, Krop said. The debate over Prop 1 has brought into sharper focus that California has become the face of homelessness in the US, with data showing the state accounts for half of the unsheltered people nationwide. The Democratic governor has both acknowledged the severity of the challenge and been a lightning rod for criticism about the states approach to tackling the issue. No amount of progress can camouflage the most pernicious crisis in our midst, the ultimate manifestation of poverty: homelessness, Newsom said in his State of the State address in 2020, dedicating his speech to the issue. During a prime-time debate in November on Fox News, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis derided Newsoms handling of the homelessness crisis with a map of all the places in San Francisco where human feces had been spotted. Its long overdue, said Galperin when asked about Prop 1. Its never going to be enough but we have an obligation as a society to say, we are not going to just let you decide to die on the street. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Care Resource has launched a new mobile health unit, made possible by a generous $50,000 donation from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation. Their financial contribution was further matched by a Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) H8F grant to complete the purchase and customization of the unit. Care Resource hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new mobile health unit. This mobile health unit marks a significant advancement in the health center's mission to expand access to services in under-resourced communities throughout South Florida. "Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life, which is why community health is a key pillar for our Advance Auto Parts Foundation. Together, with Care Resource, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families, ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing the vital healthcare they deserve," said Elisabeth Eisleben, President, Advance Auto Parts Foundation. There are one-hundred and twenty-three census tracts in Broward County that are designated as medically underserved. By traveling throughout these regions, Care Resource aims to improve the health of under-resourced residents. The mobile health program eliminates barriers to healthcare such as geography, transportation, mobility, language, and lack of insurance. The health center is committed to providing essential health care regardless of age, gender, immigration status, religious beliefs, insurance, and financial status. "With our new mobile health unit, we can now reach at least 2,000 more people annually in underserved areas of Broward County. Many individuals remain unaware of their health status regarding HIV, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis C, or cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, access to immunization and health education is limited. This contribution will help bridge these gaps and create a healthier, more informed community," said Ron Ledain, Director of Marketing, Health Promotion, and Linkage at Care Resource. Story continues In appreciation of their financial support, Care Resource presented the Advance Auto Parts Foundation with their Community Appreciation Award and recognized them as a new member of the health center's Keystone Society. By expanding health care services through mobile health units, Care Resource can further provide communities with the right care, at the right time, in the right place. About Care Resource: Care Resource is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization and a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with four locations in Midtown Miami, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. The health center provides comprehensive health and support services to address the full healthcare needs of South Florida's pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. About Advance Auto Parts Foundation: Advance Auto Parts Foundation is the charitable arm of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Its primary areas of funding are community health, veterans' needs and career training programs at community colleges. Advance Auto Parts Foundation presented with Community Appreciation Award. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/care-resource-receives-50-000-from-advance-auto-parts-foundation-to-deliver-healthcare-services-to-under-resourced-communities-in-broward-county-302080253.html SOURCE Care Resource The Treasury under Jeremy Hunt is on track to borrow around 113bn this financial year - Paul Grover Ageing IT systems and a shortage of top staff risk threatening Britains ability to borrow hundreds of billions of pounds a year to fund tax cuts and government spending, MPs have warned. A report by the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns that the departure of key staff and significant delays in updating IT systems meant that illegal activity in government bond auctions risked going undetected. It comes at a critical moment as Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, prepares to set out plans to cut taxes in Wednesdays Budget. The Treasury is on track to borrow around 113bn this financial year. At the same time the Bank of England is selling down its stockpile of bonds bought through quantitative easing (QE) in the financial crisis and the pandemic. It means investors in financial markets will have to buy around 280bn of gilts over 2024 - a record outside the pandemic - if the Government is to succeed in funding itself. The report said the looming departure of Sir Robert Stheeman, chief executive of the Debt Management Office, which sells the bonds, posed a risk for the organisation. Sir Robert is due to retire in June after two decades in the role, with a replacement yet to be found. Dame Meg Hillier, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee said: The loss of his experience is a risk, especially with a number of his senior staff also approaching retirement. They have already had to up the grade and increase the salary to get a successor. Getting the right person is really critical. Our concern is that if you have a rotational civil servant role who is there for three years and moves on, that is not what you want in this job. You want someone who has real experience in the markets and will commit to the long-term. The key thing is the team around him are at that point where they could be retiring fairly soon too. Debt Management Office chief executive Sir Robert Stheeman is due to retire in June - Christopher Roche Markets can require sensitive handling at a time of heavy borrowing. The debacle around the mini-Budget and the market chaos which followed were in part blamed on the Governments failure to properly understand the situation in stressed financial markets. Story continues At the same time National Savings and Investments (NS&I), which raises money from the general public, struggled to ramp up its operations in the pandemic because of its creaking IT system. It raised a record 23.8bn during Covid, but missed the Treasurys target to bring in 35bn towards covering the national debt because its outsourced IT system could not handle the extra demand. MPs have demanded NS&I send it regular updates on the scheme in the hope it will be better placed to handle future surges in borrowing. We want to hold their feet to the fire, said Dame Meg, who said this is a typical problem across the public sector. You have got old fashioned, clunky systems in the Government compared with what is happening in the private sector. In this case, when you get a new credit card it all runs on an app, you can manage it on your phone - I cannot do that with NS&I. Other risks include a reliance on foreign investors to fund an increasing share of the 2.5 trillion national debt, as the Bank of England is selling bonds instead of buying them, and final salary pension schemes are no longer reliable investors in long-term gilts. The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned overseas investors may be more sensitive to moves in prices and so potentially be a less reliable source of funding, though the DMO disagrees and says diversity of investors is important. The MPs have called on the Treasury to carry out an assessment of the effect of foreign investors on the stability of the market to settle the argument. Meanwhile the Committee warned the interest bill on the national debt is set to come in at more than 100bn this year but it is impossible to know whether the Government is securing value for money from its borrowing. We dont know. We cannot say one way or another, said Dame Meg. The Government cannot say if it is getting value. It is not doing international comparisons. NS&I said: We have made significant progress over the past year in delivering our transformation programme appointing new partners and commencing the transition to our new multi-supplier model. This will create a modern, accessible and sustainable business and, ultimately, enable NS&I to continue to raise funding to support vital public services. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Joe Cash and Yelin Mo BEIJING (Reuters) - China vowed on Tuesday to build up industries it sees as crucial to future competitiveness, ranging from artificial intelligence to space, while offering to free up access to manufacturing and some services sectors to stem a retreat by foreign investors. The commitments, published during the annual meeting of parliament, delivered a clear message: China is open for business, as long as it fits with a national agenda now defined by a quest for self-sufficiency. They come as foreign investor sentiment has soured because of a weaker-than-expected economic recovery after COVID-19 and office raids by authorities, while tech innovation and self-reliance efforts have heated trade tension with the West. "Announcements don't move markets and promises don't drive investment," said Sean Stein, chairperson of the Beijing-based American Chamber of Commerce China, while adding that the announcement of reforms was encouraging. "The key, as ever, will be full and timely implementation." Although President Xi Jinping set the goal of freeing up foreign investment access to the manufacturing sector at the Belt and Road forum last October, it has done little to boost investor confidence. The powerful state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, also said on Tuesday it plans to relax curbs on market access in service industries such as telecoms and medical services but has not elaborated. In 2022, Beijing pruned to 117 the number of sectors on its "negative list" which are either restricted or prohibited for market access, from a 2020 figure of 123. In China's automotive sector, electric vehicle makers such as Tesla have been allowed to set up wholly-owned entities, with foreign firms such as BMW and Volkswagen being permitted to take majority control of their joint ventures. But shifting economic conditions have prompted a broad retreat by foreign investors from China's manufacturing sector, while foreign direct investment shrank for the first time in more than a decade in 2023. Story continues Last year, South Korea's Hyundai Motor sold a joint venture plant in Chongqing as it redrew its China strategy. On Monday, Western Digital Corporation sold a stake of 80% in a Shanghai flash memory facility to Chinese chip assembly and testing firm JCET Group. "Foreign investors will face major competition from Chinese counterparts, so their investment decisions won't be determined by what the government says, but by the return they receive and their global strategy," said Dan Wang, the chief economist of Hang Seng Bank China. SELF RELIANCE Premier Li Qiang restated a goal posed last year by his predecessor, Li Keqiang, to boost self reliance and strength in science and technology in a drive that has intensified friction between China and the West in the past year and looks likely to continue to do so. China has increasingly emphasised the government's role in directing resources to achieve its goal. Since last year, the ruling Communist party has taken a greater role in setting policy related to technology, following a major reshuffle of that ministry in a wider restructuring annouced in 2023. Its efforts so far have made some headway, for example with last August's launch of a surprise new smartphone by US-targeted Chinese tech giant Huawei that analysts said was powered by an advanced chip developed independently in China. Li named quantum computing and life sciences as areas China wants to open up, while vowing to step up efforts in big data, commercial space flight and artificial intelligence, besides launching science and technology programs to attain strategic and industrial development goals. China will lean heavily on cultivating talent in areas of science and technology, Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun told reporters on the sidelines of the meetin of the National People's Congress, in a pointer towads a long-term strategy. Scientists younger than 40 were leading more than 1,100 areas of key national research and development projects, he added. "Young people ... are now an important force for our country's efforts," he said. "In future, they will be the main force in building China into a strong nation in science and technology." (Reporting by Joe Cash and Yelin Mo in Beijing; Writing by Brenda Goh; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) (Bloomberg) -- China set a bullish target of around 5% growth this year as top leaders try to boost confidence in the worlds second-largest economy. But for some analysts, Premier Li Qiangs lack of details on how to get there was out of step with the nations deep challenges. Most Read from Bloomberg The countrys No. 2 official announced China would maintain last years growth goal as the annual parliamentary session opened on Tuesday. That was a clear signal Beijing wants to put a floor under the economys slowdown, marking only the second year in a decade that Beijing didnt lower its main economic target. The last time was 2018, when dealing with the start of a US trade war. While Li told delegates support was needed on all fronts, his annual report to the legislature didnt offer much fiscal firepower: it kept the governments deficit stable, and lacked aggressive moves to boost consumption or new policies to solve the real estate crisis. The Asian nations slide into its longest streak of falling prices since the 1990s wasnt directly addressed. This is a target without a plan, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, Natixis SAs chief Asia-Pacific economist. It shows theyre not understanding the seriousness of the situation. How are you going to support consumption? Wages have been falling. Theres deflation. What are you going to do? Beijing appears to be betting on a rebound in private sector and household confidence. President Xi Jinping told a gathering of parliamentary delegates from Jiangsu province known for its large private sector to support privately owned firms and boost the confidence of the whole society in development, the official Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday. Story continues A press conference with senior officials on Wednesday could fill in some of the gaps. Central bank Governor Pan Gongsheng will brief journalists, alongside Commerce and Finance ministry chiefs and the new top securities regulator. But Beijing canceled the premiers annual press briefing ending a three-decade tradition. While Chinas $18 trillion economy has been decelerating for more than a decade, the decline has become steeper in the last two years, with average growth only slightly above 4%. That slowdown has coincided with Xis push to put technological self-sufficiency and national security on an equal footing with economic expansion. Major stimulus is off limits, as the leadership doesnt want to use the property market to boost growth and wants to control the levels of local government debt. This years growth target is pretty aggressive, due to the higher base of comparison with 2023, said Li Daokui, a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing who advised the government on its goals. While projects highlighted on Tuesday such as renovating aging city districts will boost domestic demand, officials need to go further, Li said. I say this openly to the premier, China needs more aggressive policies to promote consumption, he said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Jobs Target With official measures showing youth unemployment remains high, the government signaled a sense of urgency by setting its highest-ever urban job creation target of more than 12 million for this year but without detailing any new policies to achieve that. Chinas No. 2 official reiterated a pledge made by Xi to encourage consumption by supporting households to trade in old vehicles, electronic products and other big-ticket items, a program that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimates could add 0.6 percentage points to GDP this year. Li also announced a small boost to basic state pensions. The premier directed officials to re-orient growth toward new productive forces, a slogan introduced by Xi that often refers to high-tech industries. That phrase is adding to concerns that Chinas policy will focus on expanding the supply side of the economy while domestic demand is weak, leading to deflation and international trade tensions. Developing new productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries. We must prevent herds and bubbles, and we must not all follow one model, Xinhua quoted Xi as saying. The premiers report also called for reducing overcapacity in some sectors, without giving specifics. Beijing said that the central government will regularly issue long-term sovereign bonds to support infrastructure spending - continuing a rebalancing of debt from the local to the national level that began last year. Officials remain conservative, though, with a 1 trillion yuan ($139 billion) issuance target this year thats the same size as a similar issuance last year. The broad fiscal deficit a figure that accounts for multiple ways the government is funding its spending will remain the same as in 2023, according to estimates by BNP Paribas SA. The budget implies total fiscal spending will grow just 1% in 2024, according to economists at Nomura Holdings Inc. Policymakers appear sensitive to overseas worries about debt sustainability after Moodys Investors Service cut its outlook for Chinese sovereign bonds to negative in December. The deficit target will send a positive signal to the outside world, said Huang Shouhong, director of the State Councils research office, who was involved in the governments plan. The budget reserves the policy room for dealing with potential risks and challenges, he added at a briefing. Beijing could add more stimulus later, after officials showed unusual fiscal flexibility by making a rare mid-year budget revision in 2023. Tools that dont count toward the governments deficit, such as central bank funding for infrastructure and housing projects, are another option for enhancing support to the economy. While actual spending should end up being more forceful than the budget indicates, its important we see the government add more housing support measures, said Jing Liu, chief China economist at HSBC Holdings Plc. But we dont know yet where policymakers are in their decision process. --With assistance from Zheping Huang, Fran Wang and Lucille Liu. (Updates with comments from Xi Jinping and economists, along with additional details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Noridian Healthcare Solutions The company was originally awarded the contract in 2006 and re-awarded it in 2015 FARGO, N.D., March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (Noridian), a leader in developing solutions for federal, state and commercial health care programs, proudly announces the re-award of the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medicare Jurisdiction D (JD) contract. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently re-awarded Noridian the $152.8 million contract, concluding a full-and-open competitive procurement. Covering 17 states and three U.S. Territories, Noridian processes more than 13 million fee-for-service (FFS) claims for nearly 25,000 DME suppliers, resulting in $2.6 billion in payments for the JD contract. We are immensely proud to receive this re-award. For nearly two decades, Noridian has diligently served the suppliers and beneficiaries of JD, said Noridian president and CEO Jon Bogenreif. This re-award reflects Noridians exceptional performance, and a well-established commitment to eliminating administrative barriers and enabling access to health care. Under the JD contract, Noridian handles nearly 200,000 phone inquiries annually from DME, prosthetics and orthotics suppliers in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. JD includes 8.7 million beneficiaries and accounts for 24% of the national DME workload. The performance of the Noridian DME team reflects our commitment to performing at a high level for our customers, explained JD project manager Tina Breiland. It also reflects the business continuity of Noridian, and the employees dedicated to the Medicare program. The people who performed this work as the incumbent are credited with this re-award. The contract period for the new award includes a base year and the option for six one-year option periods. Employees supporting the JD contract are located in Noridians Fargo headquarters and throughout the country. Story continues Beginning with a single federal Medicare contract for North Dakota in 1966, today Noridian provides efficient and effective administrative solutions to federal, state and commercial health care programs in all 50 states and several U.S. territories. The company currently employs more than 2,000 employees across the U.S. Learn more about Noridians full suite of administrative services and open positions by visiting www.noridian.com. About Noridian Healthcare Solutions Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC (Noridian) develops solutions for federal, state and commercial health care programs through a full suite of innovative offerings, including claims processing, medical review, and contact center and provider administrative services. Headquartered in Fargo, N.D. with staff located throughout the nation, Noridian administrates people-first services across all 50 U.S. states. Leveraging its decades of experience, the Noridian team designs and implements customizable, high-quality solutions to eliminate common health care barriers, enabling access to care. For more information, visit www.noridian.com. Media Contact Cailin Shovkoplyas, Communications Manager 701-282-1503 Cailin.Shovkoplyas@noridian.com Location for HB's Restaurant and the Sunset Beach Bar in Naples. Construction is expected to begin soon on the new HB's and Sunset Beach Bar in Naples. The rebuild recently cleared another hurdle, receiving final approval from the city's Design Review Board. Praising the design, the board voted unanimously to give it a final thumbs up on Feb. 28. The restaurant and bar will be a focal point of the new five-star resort development known as Naples Beach Club, off Gulf Shore Boulevard North. The resort development is replacing the landmark Naples Beach Hotel, owned and operated by the Watkins family for more than 70 years. While the Watkins family initially planned to renovate HB's and the Sunset Beach Bar, a cherished part of the former hotel, The Athens Group, the new owners and developers, saw opportunities for improvement with a rebuild that incorporates the historical elements. In an email, Jay Newman, the developer's chief operating officer, described the final plans as "in essence a safer and upgraded version of the classic" that will remain open to all. "Once again, the community will be able to enjoy spectacular sunsets on the Gulf with great food and refreshing beverages along with friends, old and new, and family," he said. At this point, the project has all of its necessary approvals from the state and from city council, Newman said. The developers secured a change in the propertys flood zone designation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that allowed for the use of newer construction technology, including dry floodproofing, through new construction. A permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is not required, as redevelopment will occur above the high tide line, and will not involve dredging or filling within coastal waterways, Newman said. There are just a few administrative steps remaining before construction can start: the city's issuance of a building permit and approval of an amendment to the coastal construction setback line permit to include the new restaurant and bar. Story continues The final step: The city's granting of a certificate of occupancy, which is required after construction is complete before opening next year. A reopening is expected "late in the first quarter of 2025," in time for the projected debut of the new Four Seasons Resort, Newman said. "We look forward to continuing the tradition of these beachfront dining and drinking establishments for all to enjoy again," he said. The footprint of HBs will grow by 3,500 square feet, with the preservation of its views and unassuming, coastal building style. The open-air Sunset Beach Bar will have a more inviting design. The bar will include a drink "rail" with seating overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The new HB's will have a private dining room that will offer a chefs table experience. The experience would allow diners to get up close and personal with the chef, offering them a more memorable, interactive meal. Rendering of new HB's Restaurant, off Gulf Shore Boulevard North. For decades, the restaurant has been a cherished spot to celebrate milestone events, such as birthdays, graduations and retirements, in Naples. Stephen Hruby, chairman of the Design Review Board, said he appreciated that the new restaurant and bar would be more robust against future hurricanes, while keeping their character, and harkening back to the property's historical significance. He said the bar was always an "experience" that he enjoyed. "It was one of my favorite places to go to have a gin and tonic and watch the sun go down," Hruby said. "And I'm glad it's going to be back." During the hearing, disgruntled neighbor Greg Myers continued to voice his opposition to the project, raising myriad concerns, including fears his home will be flooded by the new construction. "There is nothing that substantiates this fear of flooding," Newman said in his email. "Especially in light of the extensive regulatory review by multiple state and local agencies." The new buildings will be elevated only by about a foot from the original ones, so the toes-in-the-sand feel won't be lost. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples getting a new HB's and Sunset Beach Bar. Here's what we know Nationwide, year-over-year single-family home price growth was 5.8% in January, the highest rate of appreciation expected this year. CoreLogic projects that annual home price growth will slow to 2.6% by January 2025. Rhode Island, New Jersey and Connecticut took the top three spots for annual home price gains for the fourth consecutive month. IRVINE, Calif., March 05, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI) and HPI Forecast for January 2024. Year-over-year home price gains reached the highest rate in a year in January, but growth is expected to begin slowing in the coming months, falling to 2.6% by early 2025. Both higher mortgage rates and inventory shortages are exacerbating the nations long-running housing affordability problem, which particularly affects areas of the country where wages tend to be lower. Despite affordability issues, many younger Americans are finding a path to homeownership, with millennials accounting for more than half of home purchase applications between 2020 and 2023. Meanwhile, baby boomers who already have significant financial reserves can pay for homes entirely in cash, which further increases challenges for other buyers. "U.S. annual home price growth strengthened to 5.8% in January 2024," said Dr. Selma Hepp, chief economist for CoreLogic. "And while the acceleration continues to reflect the residual impact of strong appreciation in early 2023, the annual rate of growth is expected to taper off in coming months." "Home prices further increased in late 2023 despite high mortgage rates, which surged to the highest level since the beginning of the millennium," Hepp continued. "But metro areas that have struggled with the impact of higher rates continue to see downward movement on home prices. Generally, pressures from higher mortgage rates tend to occur in markets where the higher cost of homeownership pushes against the affordability ceiling." Story continues Top Takeaways: U.S. single-family home prices (including distressed sales) increased by 5.8% year over year in January 2024 compared with January 2023. On a month-over-month basis, home prices increased by 0.1% compared with December 2023. In January, the annual appreciation of detached properties (6%) was 1.1 percentage points higher than that of attached properties (4.9%). CoreLogics forecast shows annual U.S. home price gains relaxing to 2.6% in January 2025. Miami posted the highest year-over-year home price increase of the country's 10 highlighted metro areas in January, at 10.2%. San Diego saw the next-highest gain at 8.5%. Among states, Rhode Island ranked first for annual appreciation in January (up by 13.2%), followed by New Jersey (up by 11.6%) and Connecticut (up by 11%). No states recorded year-over-year home price losses. The next CoreLogic HPI press release, featuring February 2024 data, is scheduled to be issued on April 2, 2024, at 8 a.m. EST. Methodology The CoreLogic HPI is built on industry-leading public record, servicing and securities real-estate databases and incorporates more than 45 years of repeat-sales transactions for analyzing home price trends. Generally released on the first Tuesday of each month with an average five-week lag, the CoreLogic HPI is designed to provide an early indication of home price trends by market segment and for the Single-Family Combined tier, representing the most comprehensive set of properties, including all sales for single-family attached and single-family detached properties. The indices are fully revised with each release and employ techniques to signal turning points sooner. The CoreLogic HPI provides measures for multiple market segments, referred to as tiers, based on property type, price, time between sales, loan type (conforming vs. non-conforming) and distressed sales. Broad national coverage is available from the national level down to ZIP Code, including non-disclosure states. CoreLogic HPI Forecasts are based on a two-stage, error-correction econometric model that combines the equilibrium home price as a function of real disposable income per capitawith short-run fluctuations caused by market momentum, mean-reversion, and exogenous economic shocks like changes in the unemployment rate. With a 30-year forecast horizon, CoreLogic HPI Forecasts project CoreLogic HPI levels for two tiers Single-Family Combined (both attached and detached) and Single-Family Combined Excluding Distressed Sales. As a companion to the CoreLogic HPI Forecasts, Stress-Testing Scenarios align with Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) national scenarios to project five years of home prices under baseline, adverse and severely adverse scenarios at state, metropolitan areas and ZIP Code levels. The forecast accuracy represents a 95% statistical confidence interval with a +/- 2% margin of error for the index. About Market Risk Indicators Market Risk Indicators are a subscription-based analytics solution that provide monthly updates on the overall health of housing markets across the country. CoreLogic data scientists combine world-class analytics with detailed economic and housing data to help determine the likelihood of a housing bubble burst in 392 major metros and all 50 states. Market Risk Indicators is a multi-phase regression model that provides a probability score (from 1 to 100) on the likelihood of two scenarios per metro: a >10% price reduction and a 10% price reduction. The higher the score, the higher the risk of a price reduction. About the Market Condition Indicators As part of the CoreLogic HPI and HPI Forecasts offerings, Market Condition Indicators are available for all metropolitan areas and identify individual markets as overvalued, at value or undervalued. These indicators are derived from the long-term fundamental values, which are a function of real disposable income per capita. Markets are labeled as overvalued if the current home price indexes exceed their long-term values by greater than 10% and undervalued where the long-term values exceed the index levels by greater than 10%. Source: CoreLogic The data provided are for use only by the primary recipient or the primary recipient's publication or broadcast. This data may not be resold, republished or licensed to any other source, including publications and sources owned by the primary recipient's parent company without prior written permission from CoreLogic. Any CoreLogic data used for publication or broadcast, in whole or in part, must be sourced as coming from CoreLogic, a data and analytics company. For use with broadcast or web content, the citation must directly accompany first reference of the data. If the data are illustrated with maps, charts, graphs or other visual elements, the CoreLogic logo must be included on screen or website. For questions, analysis or interpretation of the data, contact Robin Wachner at newsmedia@corelogic.com. For sales inquiries, visit https://www.corelogic.com/support/sales-contact/. Data provided may not be modified without the prior written permission of CoreLogic. Do not use the data in any unlawful manner. The data are compiled from public records, contributory databases and proprietary analytics, and its accuracy is dependent upon these sources. About CoreLogic CoreLogic is a leading provider of property insights and innovative solutions, working to transform the property industry by putting people first. Using its network, scale, connectivity and technology, CoreLogic delivers faster, smarter, more human-centered experiences that build better relationships, strengthen businesses and ultimately create a more resilient society. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com. CORELOGIC, the CoreLogic logo, CoreLogic HPI and CoreLogic HPI Forecast are trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305637822/en/ Contacts Media Contact: Robin Wachner newsmedia@corelogic.com Sales Contact: https://www.corelogic.com/support/sales-contact/ Interactive sessions targeting women-owned U.S. businesses in the Food & Beverage and Apparel & Fashion industries focused on how to access South Koreas dynamic consumer goods market SEATTLE & WASHINGTON, March 05, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coupang (NYSE: CPNG), a leading global retailer headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with operations in Korea and Taiwan, is pleased to continue its Strategic Partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Administration (ITA) by co-hosting two interactive webinars for U.S. entrepreneurs and sellers to learn about internet-enabled cross-border trade opportunities in Korea. While special focus was placed on women-owned businesses, the sessions were open to all U.S. sellers and business owners. In line with the Departments strategic objective to support international economic cooperation, advancement of underrepresented communities, and U.S. exports, ITAs EMPOWER Asia (Export Markets Providing Opportunities for Womens Economic Rise in Asia) is focused on increasing the number of U.S. women-owned businesses that export to Asia by leveraging ITAs expertise. Coupang, one of the fastest growing American retailers in global markets that has facilitated the export of billions of USD worth of U.S. goods to Korea and Taiwan, shared its insights with attendees interested in growing their businesses by tapping into Koreas rapidly growing commerce market, which is expected to exceed $563 billion in sales by 20271. Participants learned about U.S. Commercial Services support of exporters, received an introduction to Korean commerce and how to grow their businesses by selling with Coupang, and gained valuable insights on South Korean consumers. Speakers included Aileen Nandi, Executive Director for Asia, U.S. Department of Commerce; You Jin Oh, Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, South Korea; Lisa Allen, Director, Agricultural Trade Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Korea; Mimi Choi, Head of Consulting, Asiance; and Gerald Hoe, Head of Global Marketplace, Coupang. Coupang also answered live questions from attendees, covering a range of topics about how to do business and succeed on Coupangs platform. Story continues "We are delighted to collaborate with Coupang to enable greater participation of women-owned businesses in exploring cross-border eCommerce opportunities in Korea," said Jay Park, Commercial Officer at U.S. Embassy Seoul. "By leveraging U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administrations expertise and broad presence in Korea, our goal is to offer essential guidance and assistance to empowering more women-owned businesses as they venture into trading with Korea, opening up fresh avenues for growth and partnership." "As a U.S. business and one of the fastest growing retailers in Asia, Coupang serves as one of the most trusted and proven partners for U.S. sellers to grow their business overseas," said Bill Anaya, Vice President of Global Government Affairs, Coupang. "With our focus on a customer-first digital commerce experience in Korea that serves more than 20 million consumers, Coupang is pleased to support the success of American sellers, from major brands to SMEs. Through our platform, Coupang is uniquely positioned to accelerate increased U.S. exports to Asia and the other important objective we share with the Commerce Department to advance women-owned businesses and leadership." 1 Euromonitor International Retailing 2024, Consumer Foodservice 2024, and Travel 2024 About Coupang Coupang, a Fortune 200 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG), is one of the largest retailers in the world. Its mission is to revolutionize the lives of its customers and create a world where people wonder, "How did I ever live without Coupang?" Coupang offers a variety of services, including same-day and dawn delivery of merchandise, delivery of prepared foods through Coupang Eats, fintech through Coupang Pay, and video streaming through Coupang Play. Coupang is headquartered in the United States, with operations and support services performed in geographies including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, and India. Additional information about Coupang can be found by visiting aboutcoupang.com and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/coupang. About the International Trade Administration The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. Operating in more than 100 U.S. locations and 80 markets worldwide, ITA promotes trade and investment, assists U.S. businesses and workers to export and expand globally, and ensures fair trade and compliance by enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305297213/en/ Contacts Coupang PR press@coupang.com March has come in like a lion at the University of Florida a lion that has ripped to shreds efforts to increase diversity in the schools student ranks. Floridas public university flagship this month announced the elimination of 13 full-time positions and cancellation of 15 administrative appointments for employees who worked across campus on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. The move is a result of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signing legislation in 2023 that banned public colleges from using tax dollars to implement or promote DEI initiatives, and the Florida board of educations redefinition of DEI as programs that categorize individuals based on race or sex for the purpose of differential or preferential treatment. The University of Florida has not published details on all the affected positions or departments. However, among the eliminated jobs was the universitys chief diversity officer, Martha McGriff. The school announced March 2 that all affected employees will receive 12 weeks of severance pay and be considered priorities should they apply for different jobs on campus; and that it would reallocate about $5 million to a faculty recruitment fund that had previously been designated for diversity programs. Read former GMAC CEO Sangeet Chowfla on why diversity is essential to U.S. business schools. DEI IS TOXIC AND HAS NO PLACE IN OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES The universitys memo, signed by Provost J. Scott Angle, General Counsel Amy Meyers Hass, and Vice President for Human Resources Melissa Curry, said the university is and will always be unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity. But it was unclear from the schools announcement and news reports how the death of DEI will impact the University of Floridas business school, the Warrington College of Business, or its graduate school, the Hough Graduate School of Business. Among the offices at UF that fall under DEI: The Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, the Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, the Office for Accessibility and Gender Equity, the Disability Resource Center, the RESPECT Team, and the Office of Institutional Planning and Researchs diversity dashboard. Story continues To a request for comment from Poets&Quants about the specific positions eliminated and how many might be in the B-school, a spokesperson responded by email: Thirteen full-time positions were eliminated from UF. Administrative appointments were ended for fifteen members of the faculty from UF. Given university policy to not comment on personnel matters, we will decline to share further information. The spokesperson invited P&Q to make a public records request at http://publicrecords.ufl.edu/. The passage of Regulation 9.016 on Prohibited Expenditures and the universitys response are part of one battle in a broader effort by conservative groups and politicians to curb what they see as a growing cultural and electoral threat: the diversification of the workforce and general populace a goal to which leading business schools in particular have long been dedicated. Florida has for years been the front line in this culture war. Higher education must return to its essential foundations of academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge instead of being corrupted by destructive ideologies, Manny Diaz Jr., Floridas commissioner of education, said in January, adding that taxpayer money should not be spent on DEI and radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society. Ben Sasse, a former U.S. senator from Nebraska, resigned from the Senate in January 2023 to become the University of Floridas president. Sasse was praised by conservative politicians in the wake of the UF decision; and DeSantis posted his approval of the universitys announcement on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, saying that DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities. Im glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI and I hope more states follow suit. Students at UF seem less glad. The student newspaper Independent Florida Alligator spoke with current students who decried the move, including Rebecca Rollins, a 20-year-old UF biology sophomore. She tied Sasses appointment to the presidency last year to the anti-DEI regulations. How do you come to the school and, in your first calendar year, take away an entire department? Rollins says. Theres been in the air homophobia, transphobia, just across the board, especially since Sasse came here. BLACK STUDENTS AT UF DECLINE TO 5.7% In addition to cutting positions and canceling appointments, Floridas education board also said last week that a principles of sociology course could no longer be taught and would be replaced with a general U.S. history class. It is unclear what other changes to the curricula, including at the Warrington College, might be underway or in store. Minority enrollment at Hough, which rose to 25th in Poets&Quants 2024 MBA ranking, has dropped in recent years, falling to 17.6% in 2022 from 27.4% a year earlier, according to data provided in U.S. News & World Reports 2023 MBA ranking. The school currently lists its under-represented population at 44% of the full-time MBA, which numbers just over two dozen students. The Warrington College, which currently includes more than 6,800 undergraduate students, was 5.6% Black, 23.5% Hispanic, 9.1% Asian, and 52.3% white as of 2020; the schools Diversity Dashboard shows Warringtons total under-represented population in fall 2022 at just under 26%, down from 27.5% the year before. According to the Dashboard, the total number of Black students on UFs campus fell last year to 5.7% of students, its lowest level in more than a decade. Among faculty, reports WUFT in Gainesville, Black professors accounted for about 4.6% of the workforce on UFs campus, according to the latest available figures. For context, the percentage of Black residents in Florida is about 17%. According to a P&Q analysis, since 2021 minority numbers have declined at the full-time MBA programs of three of five other top B-schools in Florida. DEI amounts to a drop in the fiscal bucket at Floridas 12 public universities and colleges: According to the state legislature, expenditures reserved for DEI programs amounted to $34.5 million across all schools last year, including $21 million in state funds less than 0.3% of the universities combined expenditures. In the Alligator, 19-year-old civil engineering student Maxwell Fletcher said the DEI ban would do nothing to help UFs reputation nationally. It certainly does not point to education and higher education of Florida in a great light, especially if we are trying to improve rankings, Fletcher says. Even if it is a state policy, there are ways to fight it, and I unfortunately dont believe that the University of Florida did the best job they could with that. DONT MISS EXCLUSIVE: 1-ON-1 WITH FLORIDA WARRINGTONS DEAN The post DEI Is Dead In Florida. How Will That Affect The States Business Schools? appeared first on Poets&Quants. (Bloomberg) -- The Dubai governments latest initial public offering sold out as soon as books opened, with investors rushing to snap up shares in the citys public-parking business. Most Read from Bloomberg Books for the listing of Parkin Co. PJSC, which could raise as much as 1.57 billion dirhams ($429 million), were covered across the price range within minutes of opening for subscriptions on Tuesday, according to terms of the deal obtained by Bloomberg show. The price range for Parkin was set at 2 dirhams to 2.10 dirhams per share, valuing the firm at as much as $1.7 billion, according to a statement. The Dubai Investment Fund is selling 749.7 million shares, or a 25% stake. The subscription period closes on March 12 for retail investors and a day later for fund managers. The final price will be announced on March 14, and the stock is expected to start trading on March 21. The sale of a stake in Parkin will be the sixth privatization by the Dubai government as part of a plan, unveiled at the end of 2021, to list 10 state-owned companies to boost trading volumes and match similar drives in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Regional governments listings have propelled an IPO boom in the Gulf, with a number of offerings oversubscribed as investors focus more on the region amid high oil prices. Many have been drawn by the high dividend yields offered by the companies, as well as the strong after-market performance. In December, Dubai raised $315 million from the IPO of the citys taxi business, which had the highest over-subscription level ever for a listing in the city, according to Dubai Taxi Co. Parkin expects demand for public parking to grow by 60% by 2033 amid a fast increase in Dubais population. Expatriates have flocked to the city from both Asia and Europe, drawn by a slew of reforms including easier long-term residency rules and visas for job seekers. Story continues The firm plans to pay a minimum dividend of either 100% of profit or free cash flow to equity for the full 2024 fiscal year, depending on which is higher. Emirates NBD Capital, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and HSBC Holdings Plc are joint global coordinators for Parkins IPO, while Rothschild & Co. is an independent financial adviser. (Updates with books covered, valuation and other details) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) stock is trailing the market this year. While share prices of the expanding drive-thru coffee operator and franchisor have dropped nearly 5% so far in 2024, the S&P 500 index has gained about 8%. But analysts from Piper Sandler think that has created a buying opportunity. Research analysts at the firm raised their rating on Dutch Bros from neutral to the equivalent of a buy. It's the first buy rating on Dutch Bros from the firm since it initiated coverage. On Monday, the financial services company also raised its price target on Dutch Bros from $32 per share to $37. That would reflect a gain of 21% on the stock from its current price. Growth coffee chain stock Many investors are well aware of the great returns from Starbucks in its years of high growth. Investors in Dutch Bros hope it will be an even better growth stock. Dutch Bros certainly has been growing. Revenue jumped more than 30% in 2023. Sales have now nearly doubled in just the past two years. Piper Sandler analyst Brian Mullan cites a more positive outlook for the company overall, even as he monitors costs and debt related to its expansion. The coffee chain could see additional growth this year with the implementation of a new mobile order system for its app. The company discussed the new system in its quarterly conference call last month and said it expects to be rolled out to most locations by the end of the year. That's one big reason Mullan and the analyst team think now is the time to buy Dutch Bros stock. Should you invest $1,000 in Dutch Bros right now? Before you buy stock in Dutch Bros, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Dutch Bros wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. Story continues See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of February 26, 2024 Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Dutch Bros Stock Has 25% Upside, According to 1 Wall Street Analyst was originally published by The Motley Fool Company Logo Dublin, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Elafibranor Market Size, Forecast, and Emerging Insight - 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides comprehensive insights about elafibranor for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in the seven major markets and China. A detailed picture of the elafibranor for PBC in the 7MM + China, i.e., the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, Japan, and China for the study period 2019-2032 is provided in this report along with a detailed description of the elafibranor for PBC. 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 elafibranor market forecast analysis for PBC in the 7MM and China, SWOT, analysts' views, comprehensive overview of market competitors, and brief about other emerging therapies in PBC. Drug Summary Elafibranor is a dual agonist of PPAR-a and PPARd in PBC. Targeting PPAR receptors may result in a reduction of bile acid synthesis, improved detoxification of bile in the bile duct, and anti-inflammatory activity. The use of drugs targeting PPAR receptors has been shown to reduce blood levels of ALP and improve biochemical measures of cholestasis and pruritus (itching) in patients with PBC. The drug has received FTD from US FDA and ODD from US FDA and EMA. It is currently being investigated in Phase III clinical trials. Elafibranor Analytical Perspective In-depth Elafibranor Market Assessment This report provides a detailed market assessment of elafibranor for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in the seven major markets, i.e., the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, Japan and China. This segment of the report provides forecasted sales data from 2024 to 2032. Elafibranor Clinical Assessment The report provides the clinical trials information of elafibranor for PBC covering trial interventions, trial conditions, trial status, start and completion dates. Story continues Scope of the Report A comprehensive product overview including the elafibranor description, mechanism of action, dosage and administration, research and development activities in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Elaborated details on elafibranor regulatory milestones and other development activities have been provided in this report. The report also highlights the elafibranor research and development activities in PBC across the United States, Europe, Japan and China. The report also covers the patents information with expiry timeline around elafibranor. The report contains forecasted sales of elafibranor for PBC till 2032. Comprehensive coverage of the late-stage emerging therapies for PBC. The report also features the SWOT analysis with analyst views for elafibranor PBC. Report Highlights In the coming years, the market scenario for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 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 elafibranor dominance. Other emerging products for PBC are expected to give tough market competition to elafibranor 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 elafibranor in PBC. Our in-depth analysis of the forecasted sales data of elafibranor from 2024 to 2032 will support the clients in the decision-making process regarding their therapeutic portfolio by identifying the overall scenario of the elafibranor in PBC. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Introduction 2. Elafibranor Overview in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 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. Elafibranor Market Assessment 5.1. Market Outlook of Elafibranor in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.2. 7MM and China Analysis 5.2.1. Market Size of Elafibranor in the 7MM and China for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3. Country-wise Market Analysis 5.3.1. Market Size of Elafibranor in the United States for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.2. Market Size of Elafibranor in Germany for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.3. Market Size of Elafibranor in France for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.4. Market Size of Elafibranor in Italy for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.5. Market Size of Elafibranor in Spain for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.6. Market Size of Elafibranor in the United Kingdom for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.7. Market Size of Elafibranor in Japan for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 5.3.8. Market Size of Elafibranor in China for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) 6. SWOT Analysis 7. Analysts' Views 8. Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9fpagv 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. CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Electric vehicles Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) to ordinary drivers have plunged by almost a fifth this year, amid calls for Jeremy Hunt to revive the stalling market by cutting taxes. Consumer EV sales were 17pc lower for the first two months of 2024 compared to the same period a year earlier. About 35,900 new battery EVs were registered in January and February overall, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), an increase of 21pc compared to a year earlier. However, just 6,500 of those were bought by private consumers with the rest sold to businesses or fleet operators such as car rental firms. Sales to individuals fell from 7,900 a year earlier, a drop of 17pc. Experts warned the latest numbers showed the market had plateaued, with the SMMT pointing to a triple tax barrier that was putting people off. The SMMT wants the Chancellor to cut the VAT levied on EV purchases and on public charging, as well as an easing of road taxes set to be introduced from next year. Mike Hawes, the SMMTs chief executive, said Mr Hunts Budget was an opportunity to ensure that growth is greener from March, traditionally the industrys best month. He added: Tackling the triple tax barrier as the market embarks on its busiest month of the year would boost EV demand, cutting carbon emissions and energising the economy. It will deliver a faster and fairer zero emission transition, putting Britains EV ambition back in the fast lane. The SMMT has estimated that cutting VAT on purchases from 20pc to 10pc would save the average EV buyer 4,000. Separately on Tuesday, bosses at car dealer group Inchcape also predicted only moderated sales growth in 2024 as they blamed a weakness in certain markets. Following the warning, the companys shares plunged more than 10pc. As well as high taxes on EVs, unevenly distributed charging infrastructure and continued high purchase prices have been blamed for the sales downturn. The gloomy sales figures come after prior SMMT stats showed EVs share of the new car market had slipped from 16.6pc to 16.5pc in 2023. Story continues There has been some more positive news in the second hand market, however, where sales of EVs almost doubled to 118,973 last year. Richard Peberdy, UK head of automotive at KPMG, said: Ongoing pressure on household budgets and a higher cost of car finance mean that its still a difficult economic period for many people wanting to buy a new car, and a challenge for those trying to sell them. While the used EV market is growing, sales growth of new EVs to consumers has plateaued. Many in the car industry are looking to this weeks Budget and hoping that demand can be stimulated by the likes of cutting VAT on EV purchasing and at public charge points. Fleet operators and businesses remain by far the biggest buyers of EVs, helping to offset the fall in consumer sales. Businesses are still able to access support and tax breaks when buying an EV. By contrast, grant funding for private buyers was withdrawn in 2022. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss making companies can act like a sponge for capital - so investors should be cautious that they're not throwing good money after bad. So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI). While profit isn't the sole metric that should be considered when investing, it's worth recognising businesses that can consistently produce it. See our latest analysis for Darden Restaurants How Quickly Is Darden Restaurants Increasing Earnings Per Share? If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. To the delight of shareholders, Darden Restaurants has achieved impressive annual EPS growth of 42%, compound, over the last three years. Growth that fast may well be fleeting, but it should be more than enough to pique the interest of the wary stock pickers. It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. While we note Darden Restaurants achieved similar EBIT margins to last year, revenue grew by a solid 10% to US$11b. That's encouraging news for the company! You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart. In investing, as in life, the future matters more than the past. So why not check out this free interactive visualization of Darden Restaurants' forecast profits? Story continues Are Darden Restaurants Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Since Darden Restaurants has a market capitalisation of US$21b, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a large percentage of shares. But thanks to their investment in the company, it's pleasing to see that there are still incentives to align their actions with the shareholders. Given insiders own a significant chunk of shares, currently valued at US$88m, they have plenty of motivation to push the business to succeed. That's certainly enough to let shareholders know that management will be very focussed on long term growth. It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but shareholders may be wondering if remuneration policies are in their best interest. Our quick analysis into CEO remuneration would seem to indicate they are. Our analysis has discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like Darden Restaurants, with market caps over US$8.0b, is about US$12m. The Darden Restaurants CEO received US$8.5m in compensation for the year ending May 2023. That comes in below the average for similar sized companies and seems pretty reasonable. While the level of CEO compensation shouldn't be the biggest factor in how the company is viewed, modest remuneration is a positive, because it suggests that the board keeps shareholder interests in mind. Generally, arguments can be made that reasonable pay levels attest to good decision-making. Should You Add Darden Restaurants To Your Watchlist? Darden Restaurants' earnings per share growth have been climbing higher at an appreciable rate. The cherry on top is that insiders own a bucket-load of shares, and the CEO pay seems really quite reasonable. The drastic earnings growth indicates the business is going from strength to strength. Hopefully a trend that continues well into the future. Big growth can make big winners, so the writing on the wall tells us that Darden Restaurants is worth considering carefully. Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Darden Restaurants that you should be aware of. There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a tailored list of companies which have demonstrated growth backed by recent insider purchases. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Key Insights The projected fair value for Computershare is AU$28.73 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of AU$25.58 suggests Computershare is potentially trading close to its fair value Our fair value estimate is 2.6% higher than Computershare's analyst price target of US$28.02 In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Computershare Limited (ASX:CPU) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Computershare Step By Step Through The Calculation We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$766.1m US$696.1m US$712.4m US$595.4m US$570.0m US$557.7m US$553.0m US$553.2m US$557.0m US$563.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ -2.15% Est @ -0.86% Est @ 0.05% Est @ 0.68% Est @ 1.13% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 6.7% US$718 US$612 US$587 US$460 US$413 US$379 US$352 US$330 US$312 US$295 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$4.5b The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 6.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$563m (1 + 2.2%) (6.7% 2.2%) = US$13b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$13b ( 1 + 6.7%)10= US$6.7b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$11b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$25.6, the company appears about fair value at a 11% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Computershare as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.980. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Computershare Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Professional Services market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Australian market. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Computershare, we've put together three pertinent factors you should look at: Risks: As an example, we've found 1 warning sign for Computershare that you need to consider before investing here. Future Earnings: How does CPU's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. - With commitment for eight 777-9s and up to 12 more, Ethiopian Airlines is first African customer for highly fuel-efficient 777X passenger jet ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Ethiopian Airlines announced today an agreement for the East African airline to purchase eight 777-9 passenger airplanes and the potential for up to 12 additional jets. Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines announced today an agreement for the East African airline to purchase eight 777-9 passenger airplanes and the potential for up to 12 additional jets. (Image: Boeing) Ethiopian Airlines' selection of 777-9 jets positions the carrier as the first 777X customer in Africa and builds on its landmark 2023 order for 11 787 Dreamliner and 20 737 MAX airplanes to modernize and grow its fleet. "We are pleased to continue setting the trend in African aviation by adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance our services and customer satisfaction. Improving our operational performance and commitment to environmental sustainability, the 777-9 offers more flexibility, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions," said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Mesfin Tasew. "We are grateful to Boeing for their long-standing partnership and support, and we eagerly anticipate flying the 777-9 across the African skies and beyond." Based on the 777 and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 features new carbon-fiber composite wings and engines that will enable the airplane to achieve 10% better fuel efficiency and operating costs than the competition. The 777-9 will support Ethiopian Airlines' plans to grow and renew its fleet in size, range and passenger and cargo capacity to reach high-demand markets in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. "Ethiopian Airlines marks yet another first in our longstanding partnership by selecting the 777-9 to be the flagship of its growing fleet," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "Building on a relationship that goes back 75 years, we deeply value the unwavering trust and confidence Ethiopian Airlines puts in our airplanes." Story continues Boeing airplanes make up more than half of Ethiopian Airlines' current fleet, including 29 787 Dreamliners, 20 777s, three 767s, 27 Next-Generation 737s and 15 737 MAX jets. Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing continue to explore opportunities to further develop the country's aerospace industry, including support for Ethiopian Airlines' MRO capabilities, industrial development, training capabilities at the Ethiopian Aviation University and STEM education, as well as equipping the Ethiopian Museum of Science with aerospace exhibits. Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook forecasts Africa's annual air traffic growth at more than 7% through 2042 the third-highest growth rate among global regions and above the global average of approximately 6%. Providing growth opportunities for airlines and offering enhanced features for passengers, with a range of 13,510 km (7,295 nautical miles), the 777-9 enables flights from Addis Ababa to as far as Seattle in the U.S. About Boeing As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers. About Ethiopian Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the fastest-growing airlines brand globally and the continent's largest airline brand. In its seventy-seven years of successful operations, Ethiopian, the fastest growing airline, has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success. In addition to its main hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it is also pursuing its multi-hub strategy through a hub in Lome, Togo with ASKY, in Lilongwe, Malawi with Malawi Airlines and in Lusaka, Zambia with Zambia Airways. Ethiopian commands the lion's share of the African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 150 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian's fleet category consists of ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Boeing 737s, 777s, 787s, Airbus A350-900 and Bombardier Dash 8-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of seven years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate most of these aircraft. Having achieved its strategic plan (Vision 2025) ahead of time, Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2035 that will see it become one of the top 20 most competitive and leading aviation groups in the world by providing safe, secured, market driven and customer focused Passenger and Cargo Transport and Logistics, Aviation Training, Airport Management and Ground Services, MRO and Aerospace Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Services. As a multi-award-winning airline, Ethiopian has been the champion in various coveted awards including Skytrax's 'Best Airline in Africa Award' for six consecutive years among others. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2011 and has been registering more than threefold growth in the past 10 years. For more at: www.ethiopianairlines.com Contact Nadine Fanous +971-56-422-9051 nadine.fanous@boeing.com Boeing Media Relations media@boeing.com Ethiopian Airlines (251-11)517-8913/8165/8907 CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ethiopian-airlines-to-expand-widebody-fleet-with-up-to-20-boeing-777x-jets-302080091.html SOURCE Boeing ATLANTA, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Extu , a leading provider of channel marketing and sales solutions, recently selected Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) as its nonprofit of choice in North America. As its kickoff project for RMHC, the team assembled activity, hygiene, laundry and snack kits, then delivered them to two different RMHC locations, one in Austin, and the other in Atlanta, where they enjoyed a visit and tour. Ex "Extu Cares, our volunteer initiative, is a reflection of our company's culture and core values," said Extu's CEO Steve Prebble. "We know the work we do affects the lives of people all around the world. We drive growth for companies, build futures for individuals and provide rewarding new experiences for millions." Nichole Gunn, Extu's Chief Marketing Officer added, "We are committed to having a positive impact in our communities and beyond, and are proud to assist this organization which does such vital work in Atlanta and around the world. We believe that children are the future and those struggling with illnesses deserve our help." In January, the company brought employees (some from as far as the United Kingdom and Australia) under one roof at its brand-new office space in Ashford Greens. During the introductory event to launch the relationship between Extu and RMHC, Alissa Scherb, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities' Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations, was on hand to share moving stories of interacting with the families and children. At a Ronald McDonald House, families can stay together, rest and recharge, enjoy home-cooked meals and receive compassionate hospitality from staff and volunteersall just minutes from the hospital where their child is receiving care. Volunteers help to offset costs and allow the Charity to direct more donations to services supporting children and their families. Ms. Scherb commented, "Along with the much-needed kits, the Extu Cares team brought us great energy and heartfelt support, lifting the spirits of the staff, children and families. This is what community is all about." Story continues Extu, which has been based in Atlanta since its inception, recently moved into a new Head Office in Ashford Green. The global firm has an additional North American office in Austin, TX, as well as locations in Sydney, Australia and Bracknell, United Kingdom. About Extu Extu is on a mission to inspire growth. Extu provides through-channel marketing automation, an innovative online rewards platform, with millions of exciting online rewards, prepaid and gift card incentives, as well as group travel incentives. Our solutions are built to help manufacturers and dealers increase sales, capture mindshare, build customer loyalty and improve data collection throughout their channels. Founded in 1994, Extu incorporates powerful technology with real-time data, helping clients get a full view of reseller performance, and empowering channel marketers and driving growth. For more information, visit extu.com . Extu, Channel Technology for Growth (PRNewsfoto/Extu) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/extu-cares-delivers-support-to-ronald-mcdonald-house-charities-302079984.html SOURCE Extu (Bloomberg) -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. expects to secure authorization from Panamanian officials in the coming weeks to sell more than 120,000 metric tons of copper concentrate stored near a port that served its flagship mine. Most Read from Bloomberg Unleashing the stockpile of semi-processed metal could generate between $200 million and $300 million based on todays copper prices. That would be a welcome boost to First Quantums balance sheet after the government ordered the closure of the Cobre Panama copper mine in November following fierce public protests. Releasing the copper cache would also bolster a tight global market for concentrate after a series of supply disruptions. Read More: First Quantum Opens Panama Mine for Public Visits in Restart Bid Authorities have acknowledged that the stockpile belongs to the company and can be sold, First Quantum Chairman Robert Harding and local spokeswoman Maru Galvez said in a Monday interview at Bloombergs Toronto office. The mines preservation and maintenance plan, which includes shipping out the concentrate, has been broadly approved by cabinet and is now being reviewed by the Commerce and Industry Ministry. Theres a time consideration, given the material starts to heat up and risks environmental issues. Its an administrative process essentially, Galvez said. Commerce and Industry Ministry representatives didnt immediately respond to calls and messages seeking comment. Read More: First Quantum Opens Panama Mine for Public Visits in Restart Bid --With assistance from Danielle Bochove. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- A shift away from Chinese equities by global long-term investors has taken a pause, with some funds getting less bearish, according to Morgan Stanley. Most Read from Bloomberg Outflows from Chinese equities slowed into the end of February and regional active managers started adding growth and tech stocks, strategists including Gilbert Wong and Laura Wang wrote in a March 4 note on positions by long-only funds. The report comes as China ramps up measures to boost confidence in its economy, with mainland stocks snapping a six-month streak of foreign outflows. The analysis shows the shift in flows may not be entirely due to Beijing stepping in to buy stocks via the national team, and could help allay some concerns over the sustainability of the rebound from January lows. The realized volatility of MSCI China surged from 20% in late December to above 30% in mid-February on an annualized basis, which made keeping a deep underweight on China a highly risky position for most regional funds, the strategists said. They added that Asia ex-Japan funds and emerging markets funds domiciled in the US and Europe have reduced their underweight stance on China in February. Equities in mainland China and Hong Kong saw $2.2 billion of outflows on a net basis last month 95% of which can be attributed to investors redemptions compared with $2.6 billion in January, they said, citing EPFR data. The moderation in outflows may be an early sign that money managers are rethinking their asset allocations across the region. Some funds have begun trimming rival Indias holdings citing excessive valuations and better risk-reward elsewhere, a shift that can bode well for China to regain its lost heft in global portfolios. Story continues --With assistance from April Ma. (Updates to add more context in fourth paragraph. An earlier version corrected the name of bank in headline) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. An employee of Google has accused the company of powering genocide in a clash with the head of its Israel division. Barak Regev, the managing director of Google Israel, stopped speaking as a man identifying himself as a cloud engineer for the US tech giant stood up and criticised the tech giants Project Nimbus work for the Israeli government and its military. Video shared on social media shows Mr Regev addressing the MindTheTech conference in New York before a man stood up. He said: I refuse to build technology that powers genocide, apartheid or surveillance. Project Nimbus puts Palestinian community members in danger. The man shouted dont cloud for apartheid, dont tech for apartheid as security ushered him out of the room. Mr Regev abruptly ended his speech after a second protester interrupted shouting free Palestine. Audience members could be heard shouting go and support terrorism somewhere else. Googles $1.2bn (950m) Project Nimbus was announced in April 2021 and is intended to provide Israels government, defense establishment and others with an all-encompassing cloud solution. Critics have argued that it allows Israel to collect unlawful data on Palestinians and to increase surveillance. Speaking after his protest, the Google worker who is part of a group dubbed No Tech for Apartheid said: As an engineer working on Google Cloud infrastructure, I was compelled to stand up in a room of decision-makers today and say that I refuse to build cloud technology for genocide, apartheid, and surveillance. The terms of Project Nimbus put our Palestinian users and coworkers in danger by leaving the door open for military use that violates our companys professed values and my own ethics as an engineer. Its my duty as an engineer to deliver this message in support of the stakeholders impacted by my work. As workers in cloud, we cannot allow Googles business leadership to use our labor to further oppress the Palestinian community, or any other communities targeted by cloud-powered apartheid. Story continues The number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has reached more than 30,000 since the war began nearly five months ago, with the prospect of an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah looming. A United Nations report said that children have starved to death in the besieged Gaza Strip, with people eating leaves and animal food in a desperate attempt to stay alive. Life-saving aid to the enclave continues to be delayed by stalled ceasefire negotiations and as Israel blocks delivery trucks at border crossings. Thousands of families are struggling to find food. A UN report also found this week found that Hamas attackers raped womens corpses in their assault on Israel, citing clear and convincing evidence to support multiple accounts of sexual violence. Pramilla Patten, the UN special envoy on sexual violence and women, said there were reasonable grounds to believe Hamas committed sexualised torture when they carried out their attack on Oct 7. Google was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Feverpitched / Getty Images/iStockphoto If your rent went up in the past year, youre not alone. On average, rents have been going up 5.45% over the past year. Some markets even saw rents go up as much as a whopping 63%. That was the case for Amagansett, New York. Other places like Oxford, Mississippi, saw a jump of 37%. Check Out: 25 Safest and Cheapest Cities To Live in the South Read More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money To try and answer the question why rent was going up so dramatically, CNBC dropped a video on their YouTube channel called Are Landlords Colluding on Rent? YouTuber Graham Stephan, known for his personal finance videos and real estate expertise, recently released a video in response titled Why Your Rent Keeps Getting Higher (Landlords Getting Sued). Stephan also explained what he thinks will keep rents from going up. Read on to find out why Stephan believes rents are going up and why landlords are getting sued over it. Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. Supply and Demand Drive Up Prices Stephan said a huge reason why rent is going up can be attributed to simply not enough supply for increasing demand. The demand over the past few years has never been seen before, so landlords, in turn, would increase prices knowing that people would pay more because there were fewer options available. Stephan said the only answer to this is to build more housing. However, thats quite an expensive endeavor. To recoup prices on building, rents would also go up. So, Stephan said the market is stuck in a place where rents are high because of low supply, and would be high for new construction as well. Stephan said there needs to be some sort of incentive for landlords to want to build that offsets the tremendous price it costs to do it on their own. What could we do to get more landlords here to build more? Stephan asked in his video. Because if we doubled the housing supply I know, easier said than done but if you double the housing supply, rents would fall almost immediately by 30% overnight. Story continues Rising Costs: A $150K Income Is Lower Middle Class In These High-Cost Cities Landlords Are Trying To Make Up for Increasing Insurance Rates Stephan also points out that home insurance rates have skyrocketed in states like Florida, Texas and California. Some of the reason why landlords are raising rent prices has to do with trying to make enough to money to pay these new insurance prices. Insurance rates are sometimes double what they used to be a year ago, he said. Where did that money come from? It eventually gets passed down to the tenants because the homeowners overhead costs are going up. It costs them more. They have to charge more just to break even. RealPage Rent Recommendations Drive Up Prices in Certain Areas The lawsuits being served to some landlords have to do with the real estate software RealPage. The software analyzes nearby homes and gives a calculation for the optimal price for a unit and when to leave it empty. The software will advise landlords to leave the unit empty unless they can rent it for a specific price or higher. The CNBC video cited 90% of property owners using the software in a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., which as Stephan points out, can lean toward having a monopoly on the real estate market. This also might force renters to pay higher prices, since the software says its not advisable to go below a certain rent threshold. In response, tenants are saying this technology is encouraging price fixing. The Washington, D.C., attorney general is suing RealPage and certain property companies affecting 14 landlords. Right now, these lawsuits are pending litigation. Depending on the outcome, this could dictate whether landlords are allowed to use pricing software like this, leading to potentially lower prices in the future. The attorney general said theyre seeking monetary damages and restitution for tenants who have been illegally required to pay inflated prices, rather than what a naturally competitive market would have set for them. Its going to be tough because you could argue a naturally competitive market is using algorithms and using software and almost every big landlord has some sort of software that theyre using, Stephan said in the video. Either way, Stephan said its not an issue thats likely to be resolved quickly. Theres so many nuances with this, Stephan said in the video. I dont know if its ever going to fully get resolved, or if it does. I guarantee this thing is dragging on for five to eight years. There could just be a settlement where they dont admit any wrongdoing and then just move on. This will be very interesting to see how this plays out. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Graham Stephan: Why Your Rent Is Getting Higher (Bloomberg) -- The border dispute between oil-rich Venezuela and Guyana got a new twist with Guyana exporting more oil than its neighbor for the third straight month. Most Read from Bloomberg Guyanas daily exports were 621,000 barrels in February, higher than Venezuelas 604,000 barrels, according to vessel movements compiled by Bloomberg. Venezuela and Guyana have disputed the Essequibo region for nearly a century but tensions escalated after the discovery of massive oil basins in recent years off Guyanas coast. The country has seen an influx of investments by companies including Exxon Mobil Corp. Venezuela, home to the worlds largest oil reserve and once a big swing player in the global oil market, saw production slump after the US imposed sanctions aimed at replacing President Nicolas Maduro. The recent easing of sanctions allowed production to rebound to a 4-year high but it still remains below half of what it was before sanctions. Guyana recently started producing oil from a third development, Payara, operated by Exxon. The country went from producing zero oil 3 years ago to pumping 637,000 barrels on Jan. 31. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Lawsuit The homebuyer plaintiffs in the Batton II commission lawsuit in Illinois made the decision to voluntarily dismiss defendant Howard Hanna Real Estate Services from the lawsuit without prejudice. In a document filed on Monday with U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood, the plaintiffs, which include Mya Batton, Aaron Bolton, Michael Brace, Do Yeon Irene Kim, Anna James, James Mullis, and Theodore Bisbicos, noted that they are dismissing Howard Hanna Real Estate Services as the firm has yet to serve and answer or file a motion for summary judgement. Howard Hanna Real Estate declined to comment on the development. The Batton II suit is the second lawsuit filed by this group of homebuyers. This second lawsuit was filed in early November, just days after the verdict in the Sitzer/Burnett commission lawsuit in Missouri. While the suit pertains to homebuyers and not sellers, the issue of real estate agent compensation is central to the suit. In the complaint, the plaintiffs argue that they as homebuyers paid too much to purchase their homes; they allege they were unable to negotiate the compensation paid to their agent. The Batton II suit is not the only commission lawsuit Howard Hanna has been named as a defendant. Last week, the firms parent company, Hanna Holding filed a motion to dismiss itself from the Umpa commission lawsuit in Missouri. In mid-February, HomeServices of America was dismissed by Wood from Batton I, the original lawsuit filed by this group of plaintiffs. In her ruling Wood $5.36 billion Sitzer/Burnett verdict, in which the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Keller Williams and HomeServices affiliates were found to have conspired to inflate or stabilize commissions paid by sellers. To the extent a putative class member faces a significant threat of injury from Defendants alleged antitrust violations in their capacity as a buyer, they would likely be simultaneously exposed to injury as a seller too i.e., they would be threatened with the same injury as that suffered by the home seller class certified in Moehrl and Burnett, Wood wrote. SOUTHLAKE, Texas and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine Learning , the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the United States, and eDynamic Learning, the leader in K12 college and career readiness solutions, today announced Imagine Learning as the primary third-party reseller of eDynamic Learning courseware. Imagine Learning is a PreK12 digital learning solutions company that ignites learning breakthroughs by designing forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology to drive student growth. (PRNewsfoto/Imagine Learning) As part of this expanded long-term partnership, Imagine Learning will reach more students and districts where career and college readiness courses may not be readily available, allowing students to pursue a large range of interests in language arts, creative arts, STEM, and career and technology education (CTE). With these courses, students are encouraged to explore new education areas and develop critical skills to prepare them for further education or employment in their field of choice. "Empowering students to explore their passions and develop essential skills for success in the modern workforce is a top priority at Imagine Learning," said Kinsey Rawe, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Courseware and School Services at Imagine Learning. "As we continue to identify ways to provide equitable access to quality education for more students nationwide, we are proud to have eDynamic Learning as our partner." Available for middle and high school students, eDynamic Learning courses help to expand a school's course catalog, engage students in exciting and emerging career areas, and prepare students for certification exams by offering an additional 180 career-ready and elective courses and more than 40 full CTE pathways. eDynamic Learning's suite of electives is seamlessly integrated with the Imagine Learning platform making it easy to access both solutions for students, teachers, and administrators. "We are always looking to reach more students, especially those who may not traditionally have access to career and college readiness courses, to ensure they have the educational resources necessary to succeed in the workforce," said Jerry Wooden, CEO of eDynamic Learning. "Our expanded partnership with Imagine Learning brings two leaders in education together with an offering that cannot be matched by any other digital curriculum provider. We are looking forward to continuing to build our relationship with a leader in education." Story continues Additional information about the full range of eDynamic Learning courses Imagine Learning offers can be found here. About Imagine Learning Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That's why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates K12 digital-first solutions fueled by insights from educators, working alongside educators to support 15 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Imagine IM, Imagine Learning EL Education, Twig Science, and Traverse. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with personalized instruction for English and Spanish literacy, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine School Services' Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more: imaginelearning.com. About eDynamic Learning eDynamic Learning is the K12 publishing industry's largest provider of college and career readiness solutions, established with a mission of helping students find their passion and preparing them with the knowledge and skills to make life-shaping decisions. eDynamic Learning offers award-winning courseware for grades 512, with more than 250 career-focused electives and career technical education courses. eDynamic Learning is also the leading provider of simulation-based educational content, with over one-third of all U.S. high schools using the Knowledge Matters-Virtual Business line of simulations. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imagine-learning-and-edynamic-learning-expand-long-term-partnership-to-provide-more-students-with-career-and-college-readiness-solutions-302079096.html SOURCE Imagine Learning LLC IMC Logistics acquisition of American Pacific Transportation expands the carriers fleet to more than 500 trucks in California. (Photo: IMC Logistics) Memphis, Tennessee-based intermodal logistics provider IMC Logistics has acquired American Pacific Transportation, boosting the companys drayage truck capacity across California. As a result of this acquisition, we will have more than 500 trucks in California, signifying our commitment to our customers in this region, Joel Henry, IMCs CEO, said in a news release. American Pacific Transportation has locations in Calexico, Chino, Commerce, San Diego and Lompoc, California. The carrier has provided domestic rail and international harbor drayage, as well as regional truckload and dedicated distribution services, since 1976, according to IMC. The acquisition includes American Pacific Transportation facilities in Lompoc and Calexico. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Henry said the merger of the two companies should be seamless. We already have so much in common including 42 years of dedicated expertise, similar values, a commitment to customer service as our top priority, and an eagerness to provide superior care and capacity for our growing client base, he said. IMC Logistics was founded in 1982 by Mark and Melinda George. Today, the company is one of the largest marine drayage providers, with over 50 locations nationwide. IMC has more than 1,000 drivers and power units, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. More articles by Noi Mahoney Texas-based customs broker expands cross-border footprint Shifting supply chains boost trade in California-Baja mega-region Mass furloughs reported at BNSF Railway operations in 4 states The post IMC Logistics acquires California carrier American Pacific Transportation appeared first on FreightWaves. A one-of-a-kind hub for the driven people starting, running, and growing businesses, the Inc. Founders House welcomes founders to refuel, recharge, and connect. AUSTIN, Texas, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. Business Media will return to SXSW with its fourth annual Inc. Founders House in Austin from March 9-11, located at Foxy's Proper Pub (201 Brazos Street). As a community-driven environment for founders by founders, this year's Inc. Founders House event will feature headliners: Sue Bird and Jessica Robertson, Co-founders, TOGETHXR Lauryn Evarts Bosstick, Creator, The Skinny Confidential Michael Bosstick, Founder and CEO, Dear Media Aisha Bowe, founder & CEO of STEMBoard; founder & CEO of LINGO Gabrielle Brulotte, Co-founder, Hot Take Lisa Bubbers, Co-founder, Studs Brittany Driscoll, Co-founder and CEO, Squeeze Cindy Eckert, Founder, The Pink Ceiling & Sprout Pharmaceuticals Joe Ferencz, Founder and CEO, Gamefam Scott Ford, CEO, Zigzag Joe Gebbia, Co-founder, Airbnb & Samara Tieghan Gerard, Founder and creator, Half Baked Harvest Sam Gutmann, Co-founder and CEO, Own Company Arlan Hamilton, founder, Backstage Capital Ann Hiatt, Founder, Hipergiant Lisa Jauregui, Founder, BK Beauty Shira Lazar, Founder and CEO, What's Trending Blanca Lesmes, Co-founder and CEO, BB Imaging & TeleScan Mari Llewellyn, Founder and president, Bloom Nutrition Suneera Madhani, Co-founder, Stax Brandon Pena, Founder and CEO, 787 Coffee Rachel Rodgers, Founder and CEO, Hello Seven Akeem Shannon, Founder and CEO, Flipstik Katie Spies, Founder and CEO, Maev Stacy Spikes, Co-founder and CEO, MoviePass Jacq Tatelman, Co-founder and CEO, STATE Bags Scot Tatelman, Co-founder, STATE Bags Mandy Teefey, Co-founder and CEO, Wondermind Whitney Tingle, Co-founder, Sakara Life Isa Watson, Founder and CEO, Squad Jason Wersland, Founder and chief wellness officer, Therabody Jon Youshaei, Creator and journalist, Youshaei Studios Story continues This exclusive three-day event brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, current business owners, and those scaling their ventures. Inc. Founders House offers a place for founders to network and engage with fellow entrepreneurs in a carefully crafted, intimate environment. The event expects to host several hundred founders and entrepreneurs each of its three days. "As the incoming editor of Inc., I'm delighted to kick off my tenure at SXSW, where every year Inc. convenes a truly amazing group of thoughtful, creative, digital-first founders," says new Inc. editor-in-chief Mike Hofman. "Over the next few days, through our terrific list of speakers, interactive panels, and sponsor activations, we will learn from one another, gain key strategic insights on how to better build a companyand we'll have a great time, too." Inc. Founders House Meetups Inc. hosts a series of meetups, including the Female Founders Meetup, Black Founders Meetup, and AI Founders Meetup, during Inc. Founders House at SXSW to create a dynamic platform for diverse entrepreneurs to connect, share experiences, and gain insights from peers facing similar challenges and opportunities. These meetups underscore Inc.'s commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovative community where founders can collaborate, inspire, and grow their businesses. Black Founders: Saturday, March 9, 3:00 3:30pm CT, Hosted by Rachel Rodgers, Founder and CEO, Hello Seven Female Founders: Sunday, March 10, 1:00 1:30pm CT, Hosted by Cate Luzio, Founder and CEO, Luminary AI Founders: Monday, March 11, 12:00 12:30pm CT, Hosted by Shira Lazar, Founder and CEO, What's Trending Inc. 5000 Happy Hour Inc. 5000 honorees in town for SXSW and those based locally in Austin are invited to attend an exclusive happy hour at Inc. Founders House on Saturday, March 9, at 5:00 p.m. Presented by Capital One Business, this happy hour offers a dedicated opportunity for Inc. 5000 honorees to connect with peers, celebrate achievements, and meet new Inc. EIC Mike Hofman, highlighting the success of the country's fastest-growing companies. Meet the Inc. Editors: Stop by and mingle with the people who make Inc. happen! The editors will be up early to hear attendee stories and offer advice on how to get featured on Inc.com and in the magazine. Breakfast tacos will be offered while supplies last. DISCLAIMER: Attending does not guarantee editorial coverage by Inc. Inc. Founders House Sponsors Inc. Founders House SXSW 2024 sponsors include Capital One Business, TriNet, GS1 US and Invest Puerto Rico: Inc. Founders House guests will be welcomed into the house with the Capital One Business Cornera unique space with a custom event guests will be sure to line up for. Two local hand-lettering artists will take requests for personalized artwork on a travel-themed takeaway item. Additionally, attendees can choose from custom pins to accessorize their takeaway item. The excitement extends to the stage with a live founder to founder discussion of Your Next Move, produced by Inc. & Capital One Business, and a special session for Inc. 5000 honorees where you can hear from fast growth founders. TriNet's SVP, CMO, and CCO Michael Mendenhall joins Healthee cofounder and CEO Guy Benjamin on Monday, March 11 from 1:30 2:00pm CT to discuss the power of automation and personalization in the HR fieldand the possibilities for the future of benefits as AI innovation continues. TriNet will also host a unique event featuring coffee, espresso martinis, and oatmeal coffee stout ales where you can have a selfie printed right onto your cup. Join GS1 US on Saturday, March 9, 1:30 2:00pm CT for a conversation on The Future of Retail: How Next-Gen Barcodes Are Transforming Shopping Experiences. GS1 US enables companies to power their supply chains to deliver safe, consistent, authentic, and trusted experiences. Best known as a source for UPC barcodes, GS1 US is a not-for-profit, global data standards organization that creates a common language for companies to identify, capture, and share trusted data that links their physical and digital supply chains. Invest Puerto Rico's Brian Bourgerie, investment and entrepreneurship partner, will lead a conversation with Parallel18's executive director, Hector Jirau and 787 Coffee founder, Brandon Pena, taking a closer look at Puerto Rico's technology landscape and why it has become a haven for innovative founders and strategic investors, on Sunday, March 10, 4:30 5 pm CT. Attendees are encouraged to stick around to attend the Rums of Puerto Rico-sponsored Happy Hour that will immediately follow. Founders House attendees can unwind with specialty cocktails featuring rums of Puerto Rico with their fellow attendees. "The Inc. Founders House was born in Austin during SXSW in 2019, and it has become a vibrant and vital meeting ground across the country as both a learning lab and a peer-driven growth-focused convening of founders and entrepreneurs seeking solutions, greater understanding, deeper connections and more," says Jenn Henkus, SVP of sales, Inc. Business Media. "This year Inc. will host more than a thousand founders, countless expert voices, and world-class partners with the strategies, solutions and products that propel growth." For More Information Inc. Founders House is open to invited guests and credentialed members of the media only. https://events.inc.com/inc-founders-house-Austin-2024 | #IFH | @Inc. | mansueto@teamavoq.com ABOUT INC. BUSINESS MEDIA Inc. Business Media is the leading multimedia brand for entrepreneurs. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.'s award-winning work reaches more than 50 million people across a variety of channels, including events, print, digital, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com . Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inc-business-media-to-host-fourth-annual-inc-founders-house-at-sxsw-302079931.html SOURCE Inc. Key Insights The projected fair value for Inchcape is UK13.09 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Inchcape's UK6.81 share price signals that it might be 48% undervalued The UK11.21 analyst price target for INCH is 14% less than our estimate of fair value Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Inchcape plc (LON:INCH) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Inchcape The Model We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK416.7m UK461.8m UK464.5m UK468.5m UK473.7m UK479.7m UK486.3m UK493.4m UK500.8m UK508.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x7 Analyst x6 Analyst x2 Est @ 0.87% Est @ 1.10% Est @ 1.26% Est @ 1.38% Est @ 1.46% Est @ 1.51% Est @ 1.55% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% UK379 UK383 UK351 UK322 UK297 UK274 UK253 UK234 UK216 UK200 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK2.9b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.8%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = UK509m (1 + 1.6%) (9.8% 1.6%) = UK6.3b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK6.3b ( 1 + 9.8%)10= UK2.5b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is UK5.4b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK6.8, the company appears quite good value at a 48% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Inchcape as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.487. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Inchcape Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is well covered by earnings. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Retail Distributors market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market. Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Inchcape, there are three essential aspects you should consider: Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Inchcape (including 1 which can't be ignored) . Future Earnings: How does INCH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Advisers urged to pool more wisdom 08:22, March 05, 2024 By Zhang Yi and Yang Yang ( China Daily National political advisers applaud as President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and other leaders enter the venue of the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing on Monday. [ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY] China's top political adviser, Wang Huning, called on Monday for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to make full use of its role as a specialized advisory body, focusing on providing wisdom for the country's modernization goals. Wang, chairman of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, made the remarks while delivering a work report to around 2,100 national political advisers at the opening of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, raising the curtain on this year's two sessions, China's biggest annual political event. President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People. At the meeting, the agenda for the session was reviewed and approved. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the CPPCC, and it is a crucial year for achieving the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). Wang Huning, China's top political adviser, delivers a work report at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing on Monday. [ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILY] Wang said that upholding the leadership of the CPC has always been the fundamental political principle of the CPPCC since the political advisory body was founded, and it remains the fundamental guarantee for the development and progress of its cause. He stressed the need for the CPPCC to act as a specialized consultative body, closely focusing on the major decisions and initiatives of the CPC Central Committee, national strategic needs and significant practical issues in its advisory role. "The CPPCC should leverage its group advantages, conduct extensive investigations and research, and gain a deep understanding of the vivid experiences created in practice, the desires and demands of the people, as well as the difficulties and obstacles in policy implementation," he said. Over the past 12 months, the CPPCC National Committee conducted 94 consultations for advisers and officials to exchange ideas. Wang also emphasized the role of the CPPCC in external exchanges and in promoting the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, telling China's stories and spreading the country's voice to the world. After listening to the report, Zhang Yi, a national political adviser and a lawyer from Shanghai, said, "I was greatly encouraged, especially by the call for us advisers to provide suggestions in line with the central tasks of the Party and the country and fulfill our duties for the people." Zhang said that this year's conference is crucial for achieving the goals set in the 14th Five-Year Plan, particularly in relation to China's economic development and legal construction. He said that he would make suggestions regarding the effective regulation of artificial intelligence through legislation, after conducting research over the past year. Tsoi Wing-sing, a national political adviser from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said that in-depth research is crucial in formulating proposals, and this year he would propose a way to leverage Hong Kong's advantages in promoting China's experience in green finance on the global stage. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) 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. IRBM S.p.A. 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. Story continues 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 Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/irbm-expands-global-reach-in-drug-discovery-with-new-boston-office-302079749.html SOURCE IRBM S.p.A. The government could toss the 1040 in the trash. Kameleon007iStock via Getty Images Doing taxes in the U.S. is notoriously complicated and costly. And it gets even worse when there are delays and backlogs, making it especially hard to reach the Internal Revenue Service for assistance. But to me this raises an important question: Why should taxpayers have to navigate the tedious, costly tax filing system at all? The case for a simple return In 1985, President Ronald Reagan promised a return-free tax system in which half of all Americans would never fill out a tax return again. Under the framework, taxpayers with simple returns would automatically receive a refund or a letter detailing any tax owed. Taxpayers with more complicated returns would use the system in place today. In 2006, Austan Goolsbee, who later went on to serve as President Barack Obamas chief economist, suggested a simple return, in which taxpayers would receive already completed tax forms for their review or correction. Goolsbee estimated his system would save taxpayers more than US$2 billion a year in tax preparation fees. Though never implemented, the two proposals illustrate what we all know: No one enjoys filling out tax forms. So why do we have to? As an expert on the U.S. tax system, I see Americas costly and time-consuming tax reporting system as a consequence of its relationship with the commercial tax preparation industry, which lobbies Congress to maintain the status quo. A costly and time-consuming system Return-free filing is not difficult. At least 30 countries permit return-free filing, including Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, 95% of American taxpayers receive at least one of more than 30 types of information returns that let the government know their exact income. These information returns give the government everything it needs to fill out most taxpayers returns. The U.S. system is 10 times more expensive than tax systems in 36 other countries with robust economies. But those costs vanish in a return-free system, as would the 2.6 billion hours Americans spend on tax preparation each year. Story continues Maybe youre wondering whether Congress is just behind the times, unaware that it can release us from tax preparation? Not true. Commercial tax preparation About two decades ago, Congress directed the IRS to provide low-income taxpayers with free tax preparation. The agency responded in 2002 with Free File, a public-private partnership between the government and the tax-preparation industry. As part of the deal, the IRS agreed not to compete with the private sector in the free tax preparation market. In 2007, the House of Representatives rejected legislation to provide free government tax preparation for all taxpayers. And in 2019, Congress tried to legally bar the IRS from ever providing free online tax preparation services. Only a public outcry turned the tide. The public part of Free File consists of the IRS herding taxpayers to commercial tax -preparation websites. The private part consists of those commercial entities diverting taxpayers toward costly alternatives. According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, which oversees IRS activities, private partners use computer code to hide the free websites and take unsuspecting taxpayers to paid sites. Should a taxpayer discover a free preparation alternative, the private preparers impose various restrictions such as income or the use of various forms as an excuse to kick taxpayers back to paid preparation. Consequently, of the more than 100 million taxpayers eligible for free help, 35% end up paying for tax preparation and 60% never even visit the free websites. Instead of 70% of Americans receiving free tax preparation, commercial companies whittled that percentage down to 3%. Tax savings and evasion Perhaps you are guessing that there are valid policy justifications for avoiding government and empowering the private sector. Judge those arguments yourself. One argument from commercial tax preparers is that taxpayers will miss out on valuable tax savings if they rely on free government preparation. In fact, the government software would reflect the same laws used by the paid preparers with the same access to tax saving deductions or credits. Further, tax preparers like H&R Block promise to pay all taxes and interest resulting from a failed audit. As a result, these services have every incentive to take conservative, pro-government tax positions. A second argument is that government-prepared tax returns encourage tax evasion. In a no-return system, the government reveals its knowledge of the taxpayers income before the taxpayer files. Thus, the argument goes, the taxpayer knows if the government has missed something and has reason to let the mistake stand. But taxpayers already know what information forms the government has because they receive duplicates of those forms. The incentive to lie does not increase because the taxpayer avoids weeks of tax preparation. Bolstering the anti-taxers Finally, there is the anti-tax argument for onerous tax preparation: Keep tax preparation unpleasant to fuel anti-tax sentiment. In the past, Republicans argued against high taxes. But after decades of tax cuts, Americans are no longer swayed by that argument. Exasperating tax preparation, according to this argument, helps keep the anti-tax fever high. And that fuels public hate for government and the tax system. Unfortunately, the anti-tax contingents desire to force Americans to spend time and money on tax preparation dovetails with the tax preparation industrys desire to collect billions of dollars in fees. Tax preparation companies lobby Congress to keep tax preparation costly and complicated. Indeed, Intuit, maker of TurboTax, the tax preparation software, has listed government tax preparation as a threat to its business model. ProPublica reported in 2019 on the companys 20-year fight to prevent the government from making tax filing simple and free for most citizens. One example of that complexity is the earned income tax credit, a government program for low-income people. The credit is so complicated that 20% of the people who are eligible never file, thus missing out on thousands of dollars in savings. If the government prepared everyones tax returns, I believe more of that 20% would receive government support. Nonetheless, H&R Block reportedly lobbied lawmakers to make the credit more complicated, thereby driving more taxpayers to paid preparation services. I believe only public outcry can change the system. This article was corrected to clarify how tax preparation companies have lobbied Congress and to clarify the timing of Austan Goolsbees service as chief economist to President Obama. It is an updated version of an article originally published on March 22, 2021. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Beverly Moran, Vanderbilt University Read more: Beverly Moran does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli venture capital fund OurCrowd said on Tuesday its new artificial intelligence (AI) fund was collaborating with Nvidia to fast track some of its AI startups into the Nvidia Inception programme. Inception helps startups evolve faster through cutting-edge technology, connecting with venture capitalists, and having access to the latest technical resources and tools from Nvidia. OurCrowd's AI fund was launched in September 2023 and aims to raise $50 million and invest in 20 to 25 startups. It has already invested in three companies, including One Zero Digital Bank, Israel's first digital bank, and D-ID, which uses AI to convert images into videos. "AI is poised to affect every industry sector, with an impact comparable to the introduction of cloud computing, social media, the smartphone, the PC, and, before that, electricity," said Jon Medved, OurCrowd's chief executive. Arik Kol, who heads Nvidia Inception Israel, said its collaboration with the OurCrowd AI Fund will "develop the next generation of AI startups, helping to shape the way that AI will benefit multiple aspects of our lives." OurCrowd, one of Israel's largest tech investors, over the past decade has invested $386 million in 81 AI companies, with eight being acquired or had an initial public offering. (Reporting by Steven Scheer) Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is worth $200bn, $2bn more than Tesla boss Elon Musk Jeff Bezos has usurped Elon Musk as the worlds richest man with a net worth of $200bn (158bn) after a surge in the share price of Amazon. The Amazon founder, 60, overtook his rival for the first time in three years, with Mr Musk now sitting on a fortune worth $198bn, according to Bloomberg data. The pairs fortunes are largely tied to their respective holdings in online retail giant Amazon and electric car maker Tesla. Amazons shares have climbed 18pc so far this year, valuing the business at more than $1.8 trillion as technology stocks rocket on the back of a wave of optimism about artificial intelligence. At the same time, Teslas share price has slipped by 24pc in 2024 as investors grow wary of the level of demand for electric cars. Its stock fell by 7pc on Monday after it announced further price cuts in China in an effort to stimulate demand. The electric car company is now worth around $590bn, having at one stage been valued at over $1 trillion. Mr Musk, 52, owns around 20pc of the companys stock and options, as well as large holdings in rocket business SpaceX and social network X, formerly Twitter. The Teslas chief executives net worth risks falling even further after a judge ruled his current $56bn dollar pay deal is unlawful. Mr Musk, who receives no salary at Tesla, had been due to receive the huge stock payout for helping to massively increase the companys valuation and revenues. The Tesla boss has long traded barbs with Mr Bezos about his wealth, tweeting a silver medal emoji at his rival when he surpassed his net worth in 2021. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2021 The two run competing rocket companies SpaceX and Blue Origin vying for work to return astronauts to the Moon with Nasa. Mr Musks personal fortune peaked at more than $340bn when Teslas stock hit $1 trillion in November 2021. According to Bloombergs Billionaires Index, Mr Bezos and Mr Musk are followed in wealth by French tycoon Bernard Arnault, who is worth $197bn, and Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook founder, with a net worth of $179bn. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BlendVision AiSK impresses judges with AI multimedia technology and brings home silver and bronze medals TAIPEI, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KKCompany Technologies, a leading multinational technology group, today announced that its AI-powered multimedia knowledge mining platform "BlendVision AiSK" has received the International Innovation Award bronze medal at the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2024. KKCompanys BlendVision AiSK Wins MTEs International Innovation Award. Picture courtesy of PROTEMP Exhibitions & Conferences Sdn Bhd BlendVision AiSK won the MTE's IIA bronze award in the ICT category. Its unique technology analyzes and recomposes various types of data. With the help of AI, AiSK is able to create innovative applications such as video auto tagging, hyper-personalized recommendation, audios/videos analysis and semantic search to improve efficiency and unleash new possibilities for multimedia experience, ideal for online education, corporate training, e-commerce, customer service and more. "BlendVision is dedicated to facilitating communication and knowledge dissemination with AI-enabled audio and video applications," said Kevin C.H. Lee, General Manager of Multimedia Technologies, KKCompany Technologies. "At the expo, we noted a significant interest from the higher education sector in Malaysia in utilizing AI for learning. BlendVision AiSK's AI knowledge mining technique enables education institutions to quickly deploy AI to enhance the quality of interaction in multimedia teaching while creating a more inspiring learning environment for students. With successful corporate experience in Taiwan and Japan, we hope to aid the Malaysian education industry in innovating the learning experience," he added. Visitors at the expo were greatly impressed by the team's demonstration of CooC+ service, a collaborative project between BlendVision and the Taipei e-Learning Education Center . The AI-powered interactive service transforms video-based one-way learning into an engaging two-way communication where students can enjoy personalized, interactive question-and-answer sessions. Story continues The MTE was BlendVision AiSK's first overseas exposition. With a theme of "Blend," the booth design incorporated the ideas of flowing lines, lights and shadows, symbolizing BlendVision's capability of infusing AI with multimedia technologies. The eye-catching display and rich demo of the immersive multimedia exhibit wowed the panel of judges. BlendVision won the silver medal for the booth design. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/kkcompanys-blendvision-aisk-wins-mtes-international-innovation-award-302078301.html SOURCE KKCompany Technologies Leader in Automotive Aftermarket Repair Facilities Begins Franchising Newest Brand, Looking to Open 50 Locations Over the Next Five Years GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care, automotive aftermarket repair facility and flagship brand of FullSpeed Automotive, announces its franchise opportunity after record sales growth. Kwik Kar currently has 240 locations in Texas, and is primed to open 50 more locations nationwide over the next five years through franchising. Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care Kwik Kar specializes in full-service oil changes, scheduled maintenance, state inspections, and many other automotive repair services. The brand was acquired by FullSpeed Automotive in 2022 as part of the company's growth strategy. The iconic Kwik Kar brand adds impressive strength to FullSpeed's current roster of flagship brands, which already includes Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service. With a newly perfected franchise model, Kwik Kar's initial strategic franchising efforts will be nationwide. "As we settle into 2024, we are dedicated to driving Kwik Kar and our entire portfolio of brands to new heights of success and innovation," said Ron Stilwell, President, FullSpeed Automotive. "Since we've acquired the brand, we've had a lot of interest from eager entrepreneurs, which presented a perfect opportunity to enter the franchise landscape with a full automotive service model that also does oil changes. We've been working hard to make sure Kwik Kar is in an ideal position to grow outside of the Dallas, Texas area, and we are ready to start expanding nationwide." The success of Kwik Kar has not gone unnoticed. The brand was rated #2 in overall customer satisfaction for full-service maintenance and repairs by JD Power in 2022. With 240 current locations, the success of Kwik Kar is largely due to independent owners being actively involved in the day-to-day operations. With a strong presence in Texas, the brand is now ready to begin expanding. Story continues Kwik Kar Lube and Automotive Repair Centers are independently owned and operated with a proud company history. Kwik Industries was founded in 1964 by the legendary Ray Ellis, who helped pioneer the car wash and oil change industry in Texas. He began the Kwik Kar brand with self-service car washes, which then migrated into full-service car washes. In 1984, after the suggestion of a number of owners and operators, Kwik Industries began to study the growing demand for fast oil changes and complete auto repair. The result was the birth of Kwik Kar Lube and Auto Repair Centers. Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care is looking to bring on additional qualified and engaged individuals seeking single, multi-unit, and conversion opportunities. When franchisees invest in FullSpeed Automotive brands, they're investing in an organization with a strong culture, solid systems, and a proven business model backed with 80+ years of experience in providing quality car care in the industry. For more information on Kwik Kar and FullSpeed Automotive, visit kwikkarfranchise.com and fullspeedautomotive.com or call 800-364-0352. About Kwik Kar Kwik Kar specializes in full-service oil changes, scheduled maintenance, state inspections, and many other automotive repair services. The brand was recently acquired by FullSpeed Automotive, the nation's largest franchisors and operators of automotive aftermarket repair facilities and home to flagship brands Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service. For more information, go to kwikkarfranchise.com. About FullSpeed Automotive FullSpeed Automotive is among the nation's largest franchisors and operators of automotive aftermarket repair facilities and home to flagship brands Grease Monkey, SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, and Kwik Kar. FullSpeed brands offer oil changes, tire sales and rotations, brake services, car washes, and other ancillary services through multiple brand formats that target several desirable segments of the service market. The company's strategic geographic footprint of 900-plus franchised and company-owned locations provides density in high growth markets. In 2023, both Grease Monkey and SpeeDee were included in Entrepreneur's prestigious Franchise 500 ranking. FullSpeed is headquartered in Greenwood Village, CO. For more information, go to www.fullspeedautomotive.com . Kwik Kar Logo Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kwik-kar-to-expand-nationwide-through-franchising-rides-2023-sales-momentum-302080303.html SOURCE Kwik Kar Oil Change & Auto Care Net Sales : Full year 2023 net sales increased by 9.3% to $543.7 million, exceeding guidance. Gross Margin Expansion : Gross margins expanded 270 basis points to 20.7% for the full year. Net Income : Full year 2023 net income stood at $1.3 million, a significant improvement over the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA : Reached $31.8 million for the full year, surpassing the upper end of guidance by $0.8 million. Free Cash Flow : Reported strong free cash flow of $33.0 million for the full year. Debt Reduction : Net debt declined by $36.3 million in 2023, with gross leverage ratio improving from 2.8x to 1.7x. 2024 Guidance: Projects net sales between $525.0 million to $560.0 million and adjusted EBITDA from $34.0 million to $39.0 million. On March 5, 2024, L.B. Foster Co (NASDAQ:FSTR), a prominent provider of products and services for the rail and infrastructure markets, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023. The company released its 8-K filing, revealing a year of substantial financial achievements and setting the stage for continued growth in 2024. L.B. Foster Co (FSTR) Surpasses 2023 Guidance with Strong Cash Flow and Reduced Leverage Company Overview L.B. Foster Co operates through two segments: Rail Technologies and Services, and Infrastructure Solutions. The company's offerings include a variety of products and services for the rail, construction, energy, and utility industries. With a focus on providing new and used rail, trackwork, accessories, concrete railroad ties, insulated rail joints, power rail, track fasteners, and steel sheet piling, L.B. Foster Co is a key player in the transportation industry, generating the majority of its revenue from the Rail Products and Services segment. Financial Performance and Challenges The company's financial performance in 2023 was marked by a 9.3% increase in net sales over the previous year, reaching $543.7 million, which was $3.7 million above the upper end of the guidance range. This growth was driven by an 11.7% organic increase. Despite a slight decrease in fourth-quarter net sales, the full year saw gross margin expansion and a net income of $1.3 million, a notable improvement from the previous year's performance. Story continues However, L.B. Foster Co faced challenges, particularly in its UK Technology Services business, which experienced commercial weakness leading to a decline in organic sales and gross margins. The company also reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $0.5 million, although this was a significant improvement over the prior year quarter. Financial Achievements and Importance The company's financial achievements in 2023 are critical indicators of its operational efficiency and strategic positioning within the transportation industry. The expansion of gross margins and the robust free cash flow demonstrate L.B. Foster Co's ability to manage costs effectively and generate liquidity. The reduction in net debt and improvement in the gross leverage ratio highlight the company's commitment to financial stability and its capacity to service and reduce debt. Key Financial Metrics Key financial metrics from the earnings report include: "Full year 2023 net cash flow from operations of $37.4 million was favorable $48.0 million over 2022, with free cash flow totaling $33.0 million and $2.3 million in stock repurchases representing approximately 1.2% of its outstanding common stock." This cash flow performance underscores the company's solid operational execution and disciplined capital management. The adjusted EBITDA of $31.8 million for the full year, which was $0.8 million above guidance, is another important metric that reflects the company's profitability and operational effectiveness. Looking Ahead For 2024, L.B. Foster Co has established guidance with net sales expected to range from $525.0 million to $560.0 million, representing organic growth of approximately 0.0% to 6.0%. The company also anticipates adjusted EBITDA to range from $34.0 million to $39.0 million and free cash flow to be between $12.0 million to $18.0 million. Capital expenditures are expected to represent approximately 2.0% to 2.5% of sales. As L.B. Foster Co continues its strategic transformation, the company remains focused on pursuing growth opportunities and improving its financial and operational performance. With favorable end market conditions and a clear strategic direction, L.B. Foster Co is poised for continued success in the years ahead. For detailed financial tables and further information, please refer to the full 8-K filing. Investors and value seekers are encouraged to visit GuruFocus.com for comprehensive analysis and insights into L.B. Foster Co's financial health and future prospects. Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from L.B. Foster Co for further details. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. The board of Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 1st of May, with investors receiving CA$0.47 per share. The dividend yield will be 6.8% based on this payment which is still above the industry average. View our latest analysis for Laurentian Bank of Canada Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend Forecasted To Be Well Covered By Earnings We like to see robust dividend yields, but that doesn't matter if the payment isn't sustainable. Having distributed dividends for at least 10 years, Laurentian Bank of Canada has a long history of paying out a part of its earnings to shareholders. Taking data from its last earnings report, calculating for the company's payout ratio shows 53%, which means that Laurentian Bank of Canada would be able to pay its last dividend without pressure on the balance sheet. The next year is set to see EPS grow by 8.8%. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the future payout ratio could be 48% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range. Dividend Volatility The company has a long dividend track record, but it doesn't look great with cuts in the past. Since 2014, the dividend has gone from CA$1.96 total annually to CA$1.88. Dividend payments have shrunk at a rate of less than 1% per annum over this time frame. A company that decreases its dividend over time generally isn't what we are looking for. Dividend Growth Is Doubtful With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share is growing, which could point to a growing dividend in the future. It's not great to see that Laurentian Bank of Canada's earnings per share has fallen at approximately 5.0% per year over the past five years. A modest decline in earnings isn't great, and it makes it quite unlikely that the dividend will grow in the future unless that trend can be reversed. It's not all bad news though, as the earnings are predicted to rise over the next 12 months - we would just be a bit cautious until this can turn into a longer term trend. Story continues Our Thoughts On Laurentian Bank of Canada's Dividend Overall, we don't think this company makes a great dividend stock, even though the dividend wasn't cut this year. While Laurentian Bank of Canada is earning enough to cover the dividend, we are generally unimpressed with its future prospects. This company is not in the top tier of income providing stocks. Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Meanwhile, despite the importance of dividend payments, they are not the only factors our readers should know when assessing a company. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Laurentian Bank of Canada that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of strong dividend payers. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Firm partners with leading distributor of luxury perfume, cosmetic and skincare brands to drive North American presence MIAMI, March 05, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leste Group ("Leste"), a global alternative investment manager, today announced the acquisition, through its private equity platform, of a significant stake in Prestige Cosmetics ("Prestige" or the "Company"), a leading distributor of luxury perfumes and cosmetics in Brazil with a growing presence in North America. Financial terms of the private transaction were not disclosed. Prestige is the exclusive distributor in Brazil for a number of luxury perfume, fragrance, and skincare brands including Clinique, Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bulgari, Tom Ford, Acqua di Parma, and Bond No. 9. The Company also has significant operations outside Brazil, and Leste will be focused on working with management to accelerate its international expansion. "North America is the largest beauty market in the world, and were confident our private equity investment in Prestige will help bolster its expansion in the region as the Company prepares for its next stage of growth," said Emmanuel Hermann, CEO & Founder of Leste Group. "The acquisition further demonstrates our extensive knowledge of the private markets, and we look forward to utilizing this experience to continue growing our private equity portfolio." "Our partnership with Leste Group will enable us to increase Prestiges global distribution network, strengthen our retail footprint and e-commerce channel, form new brand partnerships, and explore additional strategies to further enhance our business," said Evelyse Britto, Founder of Prestige Cosmetics. "Leste shares our vision for the future, and we look forward to capitalizing on their financial expertise and industry knowledge to identify new opportunities and markets moving forward." Leste Group, best known in the U.S. for its equity and credit investments in real estate, is an experienced global private equity investor, having completed seven deals over the past decade. Story continues About Leste Group Founded in 2014, Leste Group is a global independent alternative investment manager guided by core values of respect, creativity, and teamwork. The firm offers investors a diverse range of strategies across real estate, credit, private equity, and special situations. Leste Group's investment teams leverage institutional-grade processes, a nimble, entrepreneurial approach, capital markets expertise, and exclusive networks to source unique opportunities and drive risk-adjusted returns. For more information, please visit leste.com. About Prestige Cosmetics Prestige Cosmetics specializes in the distribution of perfumes and cosmetics from LVMH, Estee Lauder, Interparfums, Richemont, Shiseido, Clarins, La Prairie, and other renowned international brands. Founded in 2014 and led by Evelyse Britto, along with partners Shinji Motoyama and Roberto Thiry, Prestige has grown to be a leading distributor of fragrances and cosmetic products internationally. For more information, please visit www.prestigecosmeticos.com.br. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240215928419/en/ Contacts Media Joshua Greenwald (646) 504-7306 jgreenwald@stantonprm.com Global Market Insights Inc. Machine Condition Monitoring Industry size is expected to register 8% CAGR between 2023 and 2032 propelled by the increased focus on predictive maintenance. Selbyville, Delaware , March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Machine condition monitoring market to be worth USD 5 billion by 2032, as per a recent study by Global Market Insights Inc. The market is driven by the overarching goal of enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing unplanned downtime. Industries across the spectrum are increasingly recognizing the value of predictive maintenance, which enables proactive identification of potential faults before they escalate into critical issues. The integration of machine condition monitoring helps in optimizing maintenance schedules, reducing overall maintenance costs, and extending the lifespan of machinery. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/6943 In April 2022, OMRON launched the new K7TM condition monitor which can be used across the automotive and FMCG industries. This monitor is specifically designed to cater to heater equipment while contributing to the realization of a carbon-free society. The growing adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies and the rise of smart manufacturing further fuel the demand for advanced machine condition monitoring solutions. The market is primed for expansion as businesses seek to leverage these technologies to stay competitive in an evolving landscape. Need for machine health assessment through vibration monitoring The machine condition monitoring market value from vibration monitoring technique segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth through 2032 as it offers invaluable insights into the health of machinery. The analysis of vibrations in industrial equipment helps detect irregularities and potential failures. This non-intrusive technique provides real-time data on the condition of critical components, allowing for timely intervention and maintenance. The adoption of vibration monitoring is growing across diverse industries, including manufacturing, energy, and transportation, as it offers a reliable and cost-effective method for assessing the health of rotating machinery such as motors, pumps, and turbines. Story continues Remote monitoring solutions to favor cloud-based deployment The cloud segment in the machine condition monitoring market will rapidly gain traction through 2032, as it offers scalability, flexibility, and accessibility to users. Cloud-based machine condition monitoring solutions enable real-time monitoring of equipment health from anywhere, facilitating proactive decision-making and swift response to emerging issues. This deployment model also streamlines data storage, analysis, and collaboration across multiple locations, providing a centralized platform for comprehensive machine health management. The scalability of cloud solutions allows businesses to adapt to evolving needs and scale their monitoring capabilities efficiently. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/6943 Industrial safety regulations to influence Europe market development Europe machine condition monitoring market size will expand significantly through 2032, propelled by a strong emphasis on Industry 4.0 initiatives and the region's commitment to technological advancements. The industries in the region are adopting these solutions to bolster their manufacturing processes, enhance reliability, and reduce operational risks. The stringent regulations and standards governing industrial safety and environmental sustainability further drive the adoption of advanced monitoring technologies. With a mature industrial ecosystem and a proactive approach towards embracing cutting-edge technologies, the Europe region will lead the global machine condition monitoring industry. Some of the leading players in the global machine condition monitoring market are General Electrics, Analog Devices Inc., Honeywell International, Emerson Electric, National Instruments, Baker Huges, and Amphenol Inc. Browse Our Reports Store - GMIPulse @ https://www.gminsights.com/gmipulse About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology. CONTACT: Aashit Tiwari Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights Inc. Toll Free: +1-888-689-0688 USA: +1-302-846-7766 Europe: +44-742-759-8484 APAC: +65-3129-7718 Email: sales@gminsights.com (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia, the second-biggest palm oil producer, expects Asia and Africa to soak up any supply that becomes available from export disruptions to Europe after the blocs new deforestation laws come into effect. Most Read from Bloomberg The European Union has put in place rules that stop products causing forest destruction from being sold in shops and supermarkets. Most companies have until the end of the year to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation, which covers commodities from palm oil to cocoa and coffee. Critics say the rules especially punish smaller farmers. Read More: Chocolate Faces Price Jolt as Deforestation Law Starts to Bite EU imports of palm, used in everything from ice cream to shampoo and fuel, already dropped about 5% last year, with shipments from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, the largest growers, particularly hit. But that loss will be offset by increasing demand in Asia and Africa, where the population is rising, said Carl Bek-Nielsen, chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council. Prices of palm oil will hold in a range of 3,800 ringgit ($803) to 4,250 ringgit a ton this year, underpinned by supply shortages and strong demand for the tropical oil, Bek-Nielsen said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. Benchmark futures closed at 3,938 ringgit. He is also chief executive director of United Plantations Bhd. The EU regulations may amputate millions of smallholders from the supply chain, Bek-Nielsen said, as they dont have the necessary tracking systems and are struggling with issues from aging trees to declining yields. The regulations should be delayed until they are made more inclusive for smallholders, which make up about 35% to 45% of production in Indonesia and Malaysia, and up to 90% in Thailand. Story continues This vehicle may have had good intentions, but it has severe blind spots and it is heading straight toward a huge brick wall, Bek-Nielsen said. We have not fully appreciated the complexity of the supply chain involving smallholders. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Israel-based venture capital firm Team8 raised $500 million from investors including Microsoft Corp., Walmart Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc., for funds that will focus on local startups. Most Read from Bloomberg Moodys Corp. and Temasek Holdings Pte also backed the three new funds and follow-on funding that brings Team8s assets under management to more than $1 billion, the investment firm said in a statement on Tuesday. The closings come as Israels ongoing war with Hamas has shut down large parts of the economy. Venture firms with a focus on Israeli tech startups have pulled in more than $1 billion since the war began on Oct. 7. Even if in the short-term there is less certainty, I think there is strong conviction in the world that in the long-term this is the place to be, Yuval Shachar, managing partner and chairman at Team8, said in an interview. Read More: Ibex Investors Raises $106 Million Fund for Israeli Startups Two of the funds will focus on seed rounds for cyber, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence and digital health. The third one will invest in seed and Series A rounds for a range of technology startups and about $85 million was raised for follow-on funds. The three new funds will invest in more than 30 startups, according to Team8. Israels tech hub was hit hard in the early months of the war, as thousands of workers were pulled into military reserve duty, though many have since returned to work. Last year also saw months of mass protests and political instability over the governments plans to weaken the judiciary. Team8 was founded in 2014 and initially focused on cybersecurity startups. Two of its portfolio companies, Dig Security and Talon, were sold last year to Palo Alto Networks for a combined total of about $1 billion. Story continues Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Starbucks' Middle East franchisee is laying off roughly 2,000 workers at its restaurants throughout the region as it grapples with ongoing boycotts of the brand over the Israel-Hamas war. The Starbucks operator cited business conditions as behind its decision to fire just over 10% of its workforce in its Middle Eastern and North African locations. "As a result of the continually challenging trading conditions over the last six months, we have taken the very sad and very difficult decision to reduce the number of colleagues" in Starbucks stores in the region, the Kuwait-based family business, Alshaya Group, told CBS News. The layoffs were first reported by Reuters. Alshaya operates roughly 1,900 Starbucks stores in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. Starbucks is one of a number of Western brands that have drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian activists since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. McDonald's has also faced boycott campaigns from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups over their perceived stance on the conflict, while activists have also targeted Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut, among other chains. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said in January that the fast-food chain is seeing a "meaningful business impact" in the Middle East and elsewhere related to the Israel-Hamas war. McDonald's also faced boycott calls after a local franchisee in Israel in October said it would distribute free meals to Israeli soldiers. Rumors that Starbucks financially backs the Israeli government and its military are "unequivocally false," the company states on its website. As a public company, Starbucks is required to disclose any corporate giving, it notes. A Starbucks employee in Glen Rock, New Jersey, in February found red paint and antisemitic stickers related to the Israel-Hamas war on the shop's sign, police said. The Seattle-based company also sued Workers United over a pro-Palestinian message the union posted online. Story continues The Associated Press contributed to this report. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem calls on Nikki Haley to exit 2024 race Biden announces rule capping credit card late fees Donald Trump reacts to Nikki Haley ending her campaign Milwaukee Repertory Theater's renovations will include renaming it the Associated Bank Theater Center. Milwaukee Repertory Theater's $78 million renovation project has won City Hall's endorsement. The Plan Commission on Monday approved exterior changes for the building, 108 E. Wells St. Most of the work involves interior renovations. The commission's approval was needed because some exterior renovations fall into a zoning district which covers the adjacent RiverWalk. The improvements include a new entrance leading to the Herzfeld Foundation Education & Engagement Center, according to a Department of City Development report. That center will expand the Milwaukee Rep's outreach work with students and others. Changes to include RiverWalk patio seating The entrance also will provide access to the RiverWalk, where the theater company will create outdoor patio seating. The Rep plans to break ground May 11. The project is to be completed by fall 2025. Its changes will include complete remakes for two of the Rep's three performance spaces and a unified lobby. The Rep has been in the facility, a historic former power plant, since 1987. That aging and inefficient complex limits the productions the theater company can stage, according to Chad Bauman, executive director. The building will be renamed the Associated Bank Theater Center. Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook. Subscribe to get the BusinessWatch email newsletter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Rep's $78 million renovation wins Plan Commission approval Tesla CEO Elon Musk slammed a suspected arson attack on his Gigafactory near Berlin as "extremely dumb" after far-left activists claimed responsibility. German authorities said a fire brigade responded Tuesday after an electricity pylon close to the facility was set ablaze, knocking out power and forcing production to stop. The head of Tesla's factory Musk's first in Europe told Reuters power is expected to be down for several days and confirmed the site was evacuated. In an update on Wednesday, German media reported the factory will remain without power until at least the end of next week. A purported far-left activist organization called the Volcano Group took credit for the incident in a 2,500-word letter attacking Tesla and Musk that was distributed to local media. Police said they were aware of the letter, which was signed "Agua De Pau," the name of a volcanic mountain in the Azores, and said they were checking its authenticity. "These are either the dumbest eco-terrorists on Earth or they're puppets of those who don't have good environmental goals," Musk wrote on X. TESLA RAISES PRICE OF SOME MODEL Y VEHICLES IN US READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg building in Gruenheide, Germany, July 18, 2023. "Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm," he said, using the German for "extremely dumb". Authorities have vowed consequences for whoever set the pylon on fire. The damage temporarily knocked out power for several surrounding communities. "If the initial findings are confirmed, this will be a perfidious attack on our electricity infrastructure," said local Brandenburg state Interior Minister Michael Stuebgen, according to Reuters. "That will have consequences. Here, thousands of people were cut off from basic services and put in danger," he said, adding that the state would react with the "utmost severity." But Stuebgen cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the possible perpetrators. Story continues LAWYERS WHO VOIDED ELON MUSK'S EXCESSIVE TESLA PAY PACKAGE WANT $6 BILLION FEE Police work next to a damaged pylon after Tesla's Gigafactory near Berlin halted production and was left without power after suspected arson set an electricity pylon ablaze, in Germany, March 5, 2024. The area around Tesla's Gigafactory has been targeted by various environmental protests since Musk opened the facility two years ago. "We sabotaged Tesla," the Agua De Pau letter stated, per Reuters. The letter described the attack as a gift for International Women's Day on March 8. ELON MUSK PROVIDES UPDATE ON TESLA ROADSTER TIMELINE The electricity pylon that was set ablaze, near Steinfurt, Germany, March 5, 2024. "Tesla consumes earth, resources, people, workers, and in return spits out 6,000 SUVs, killer cars and monster trucks each week," it stated. Plans for Tesla to expand its factory site, which manufactures about 500,000 electric cars per year, were opposed by local residents who voted down a motion to cut trees down for construction, Reuters reported. Tesla aims to double the site's capacity to 100 gigawatt hours of battery production and 1 million cars per year, which would position Musk to dominate the European market. Environmental activists have built and occupied tree houses in the forested area around the plant they expect to be cleared if the expansion is approved. Reuters contributed to this report. Original article source: Musk rips purported eco-terrorists for suspected arson at Tesla Gigafactory: 'Extremely dumb' North American Construction Group Ltd. ACHESON, Alberta, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (NACG or the Company) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) today announced that the MacKellar Group (MacKellar) has been awarded a five-year contract extension by a major metallurgical coal producer in relation to a mine in the state of Queensland, Australia. The contract contemplates the provision of fully maintained equipment and related services at the site operated by the producer. The award extends the expiry date from June 6, 2025 to June 30, 2030 and qualifies as contractual backlog given minimum hour commitments in the agreement. Rental scopes are estimated at $100 million per year resulting in a total value from this extension of $500 million. The contract requires the addition of two loading units and one service truck, for between $20 and $25 million, which will be purchased in 2024 Q4 and bring the total dedicated fleet at this site to approximately seventy heavy equipment units. We are excited about this extension and look forward to continuing the relationship we have with our customer at this site, said Joe Lambert, President and CEO of NACG. This is the first material contract we have signed in Australia since the acquisition of MacKellar and are very proud of how well the first five months have gone. MacKellar has provided an excellent platform to grow our business in Australia as we leverage our operational and maintenance expertise in the region. We believe this locking in of fleet is indicative of the strong demand for heavy equipment in the Australian mining sector. In light of this demand, and bolstered by long-term contracts, we have begun to take steps towards prudently increasing fleet size in Australia, including potentially transferring underutilized Canadian fleet into that market with the goal of maximizing overall utilization. About the MacKellar Group Established in 1966 based on humble family values, MacKellar has earned an enviable reputation in Australia for performance and reliability. MacKellar specializes in heavy earthmoving equipment solutions and has a proud history of working on both mining and civil earthwork projects. Story continues About NACG NACG is one of Canada and Australias largest providers of heavy construction and mining services. For more than 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource, and infrastructure construction markets. For more information about the Company, visit www.nacg.ca . For further information, please contact: Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA Chief Financial Officer North American Construction Group Ltd. Phone: (780) 948-2009 Email: ir@nacg.ca The information provided in this release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words expected, estimated or similar expressions, including the anticipated revenues and backlog to be generated by the contract. The material factors or assumptions used to develop the above forward-looking statements and the risks and uncertainties to which such forward-looking statements are subject are highlighted in the Companys MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022 and quarter ending September 30, 2023. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements because of any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond NACGs control. Undue reliance should not be placed upon forward-looking statements and NACG undertakes no obligation, other than those required by applicable law, to update or revise those statements. For more complete information about NACG, please read our disclosure documents filed with the SEC and the CSA. These free documents can be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or on the CSA website at www.sedar.com . (Bloomberg) -- Cyberattackers backed by Pyongyang have infiltrated two South Korean semiconductor equipment firms since last year, potentially to steal intel for a domestic chipmaking program, Seouls spy agency said on Monday. Most Read from Bloomberg The agency advised companies to take precautions after detecting attacks from the North in December and this past February, in which hackers stole blueprints of products and manufacturing facilities. They employed a technique dubbed living off the land, which relies on installed software and is harder to detect, the National Intelligence Service said in a statement. The agency didnt disclose the details of the hacking group or the targets, except to say the perpetrators focused on servers connected to the internet. North Korea may have begun preparing to produce its own semiconductors because of difficulties procuring chips due to sanctions, it added. North Korea has been accused of sponsoring large-scale cyber-attacks to target banks around the world, steal defense secrets, extort money through ransomware and hijack digitally mined currency. Researchers say it targets its democratic southern neighbor in particular, with which it remains technically at war. The spy agency said Monday Pyongyang may have begun focusing cyber-attacks on the chip sector since the second half of last year, to meet increased demand for the development of satellites and missiles. Read more: South Korea Voices Concerns Over N. Korea-Russia Military Ties Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The head of Russia's space agency said his country and China have been working on a program to build a nuclear power plant on the moon, with an eye toward producing electricity that would allow settlements on the lunar surface. Yuri Borisov, who leads Russia's Roscosmos space group, on March 5 said the agency was seriously considering installing a nuclear reactor jointly with our Chinese partners, according to a report from the Russian state-run news agency Tass. Borisov, a former deputy defense minister, said the project would be completed sometime between 2033 and 2035. Borisov also reportedly said the project likely would need to be built without the presence of humans. Today we are seriously considering a project ... somewhere at the turn of 2033-2035 ... to deliver and install a power unit on the lunar surface together with our Chinese colleagues, Borisov said, adding that technology that would support the plants construction is almost ready to deploy. Borisov, general director of Roscosmos, said nuclear energy would be needed on the moon to support future lunar settlements because solar panels would not be able to produce enough electricity. Nuclear power on the moon has previously been discussed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NASA. The DOE in 2022 said contracts had been finalized with three groups that would develop the project with the U.S. space agency. That project talked about a nuclear power plant on the moon at some point early in the next decade. NASA officials also have discussed lunar settlements, outlining the Artemis Base Camp concept in 2020. Nuclear-Powered Cargo Ship Russian officials have talked about a variety of plans involving space and lunar exploration. There have been discussions about mining on the moon; Russia has said it plans more launches to the lunar surface, and officials have discussed a joint China-Russia mission that could result in a lunar base. Borisov on Tuesday talked about Russias plans to build a nuclear-powered cargo spaceship. He said technical concerns about the project have been resolved, except for finding a way to cool the nuclear reactor. Borisov, according to media reports, said, We are indeed working on a space tugboat. This huge, cyclopean structure that would be able, thanks to a nuclear reactor and a high-power turbines ... to transport large cargoes from one orbit to another, collect space debris and engage in many other applications. Borisov called building a nuclear power plant on the moon a very serious challenge, adding that it should be done in automatic mode, without the presence of humans. Crash Landing Russia's space program sustained a setback last year, when its first mission to the moon since 1976 failed. The Luna-25 spacecraft crash-landed into the moon on Aug. 19, 2023. Officials with Roscosmos at the time said the crash occurred when the Luna-25's engines fired for 127 seconds during a burn maneuver; the engines were supposed to burn for just 84 seconds. Global concerns were raised in February of this year when reports surfaced that Russia planned to put nuclear weapons in space. Russian President Vladimir Putin said those reports were false. Borisov on Tuesday echoed Putin, and said space should be free of nuclear weapons. Tass reported that Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration have been cooperating on building a research station on the moon that could be completed by year-end 2035. The news agency said the station stems from an agreement signed in 2021. Tass said the project includes development of several lunar landers, along with a jumping robot and smart mini-rovers that would be designed to study the moons surface. The news agency said the joint mission also would be used to set up communications and power systems on the moon. China has said that under the projects timeline, it would support three missions to the lunar surface, including the Change 6 project, a planned robotic mission expected to launch in May. Darrell Proctor is a senior associate editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine). (Bloomberg) -- Oil edged lower, with technical support levels limiting its losses amid risk-off sentiment in broader markets. Most Read from Bloomberg West Texas Intermediate slipped 0.7% to just over $78 a barrel after fluctuating in a $2 range for the day. Equity markets dropped as traders weighed mixed economic data ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powells testimony in Congress. Crudes 200-day moving average of about $77.84 has provided resistance for its declines. The anticipation of the Fed chairman holding interest rates steady into mid-year is a pressure point to crude prices, said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president at BOK Financial. Higher interest rates will keep the US dollar elevated, which is a headwind for crude exports. WTI has gained 9.2% this year in a slow-motion ascent aided by strength in physical markets as global shippers avoid the Red Sea and OPEC+ works to limit supply. That optimism has been tempered by strong production from outside of the cartel, a shaky demand outlook in China and expectations central banks will start monetary easing later than previously expected. Meanwhile, China set its annual growth target at about 5%, raising expectations for officials to unleash more stimulus as they try to lift confidence in a slowing economy. The nation also set a more ambitious target for reducing the energy needed for economic expansion, or energy intensity, this year. To get Bloombergs Energy Daily newsletter into your inbox, click here. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Oil supply is looking tighter and prices could climb as US production outlook gets cut in half this year, RBC commodities chief says Supply in the oil market is about to get way tighter, according to RBC's Helima Croft. The outlook for US oil production has been slashed in half, Croft told CNBC. Crude prices are set to climb, with Brent potentially hitting $85 this year, she predicted. The world's oil supply is about to get way tighter and send crude prices climbing, according to commodities expert Helima Croft. The global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets pointed to signs that supply-demand imbalance in oil markets could soon tip in the other direction, as the world's crude production is poised to slow. That could cause Brent crude, the international benchmark, to hit $85 in the second half of 2024, Croft predicted. The US, which saw a "blockbuster" year for oil production in 2023, isn't likely to churn out crude at the same speed it did last year. US production growth could crater in half from 1 million to just 500,000 barrels a day this year, Croft predicted, citing her conversations with other oil market watchers at the recent International Energy Week conference. "It's not that we're saying US production is not going to grow," Croft said in an interview with CNBC on Monday. "It's just a question about, were the gains that we saw last year due to particular unique circumstances that are not going to be replicated this year." The same also applies to major oil producers like Guyana, who may not be able to replicate their monster oil boom in 2023. Meanwhile, conflict in the Middle East is also posing a major risk to the world's oil supply. If the Israel-Hamas spreads to Lebanon, that would be a "red line" for Iran, Croft said, one of the largest oil producers in the world. "So I do think we can't write off Middle East supply disruption risk yet," she added. OPEC+ is also looking to continue its aggressive production cuts. Members of the oil cartel said they would extend the group's 2.2 million barrel-a-day production cut through June. Saudi Arabia, the oil cartel's de facto leader, will continue its voluntary production cut of a million barrels a day, while Russia will cut production an extra 471,000 barrels a day. Story continues Announcement of those cuts has already caused oil prices to tick higer. Brent crude traded around $82 a barrel on Monday, up around 8% from its levels at the start of the year. "I do think sentiment is starting to turn, but again, we're not seeing yet the runaway path to a hundred [dollars a barrel]," Croft added. At the same time, the world's oil demand is rising, and could peak around 1.2 million barrels a day in 2028, the IEA estimated. That could mean the oil market will see a shortage as soon as 2025, Occidental's CEO Vicki Hollub recently warned. Read the original article on Business Insider Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Louvre Hotel Group, and Melia Hotels International called out for refusing transparency on animal welfare promises NEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Open Wing Alliance (OWA), a coalition of 100 organizations in 72 countries across six continents, launches a global campaign against prominent hospitality brands falling behind on their global cage-free egg commitments. Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Louvre Hotel Group, and Melia Hotels International were lauded years ago for pledging to remove cruel cages from their global supply chains but have since failed to report any meaningful progress on those commitments. Egg-laying hens raised in battery cages in a typical factory farm environment. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing ethical practices, with 80% of global travelers saying they believe sustainable travel is important. The Heartless Hospitality campaign highlights the glaring disparity between corporate pledges, transparency, and actual progress travel companies have made towards sourcing 100% cage-free eggs. Companies like Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Louvre Hotel Group, and Melia Hotels International face a profit-threatening backlash for perceived deception on animal welfare claims from consumers. The Heartless Hospitality campaign follows the widespread release of a new animal welfare report: Fair and Fowl: Global Travel Edition. The report ranks global hospitality companies on the status of their cage-free egg transitions. It examines ethical gaps within the travel industry, exposing companies that, despite pledging to source 100% cage-free eggs in their supply chains, are refusing to fully disclose public progress on their commitments. Many of the world's leading companies in hospitality have already implemented cage-free systems and are sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in their supply chains, including JetBlue, Dorchester Collection, Motel One, and Starhotels. "Consumer demand for cage-free eggs is increasing, alongside desires for corporate transparency, ethical food standards, and ESG investing. Hotel brands worldwide are taking the necessary steps to remove cruel, outdated cages from their egg supply chains," says Caitlin Campbell, Global Campaigns Coordinator of the Open Wing Alliance. "Louvre Hotel Group, Hilton, and Melia Hotels International need to publicly report on their progress on this important issue. The future is cage-free. These brands should listen to their customers before falling farther behind competitors, and before lacking compliance with growing legislation banning these practices around the world." Story continues Numerous countries have addressed the cruelty of cages by banning them entirely, such as Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and many other countries have enacted laws that will come into force in the coming years. In the US, eleven states have banned the use of battery cages for egg-laying hens, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington. As consumers across the globe demand ethical practices and corporate accountability, investors are increasingly prioritizing companies with better ESG performance. Because of this over 2,500 of the world's largest corporations have committed to eradicating cages from their supply chains, and nearly 1,200 of those have already completed their cage-free transitions. Why cage-free egg systems? The egg-laying hen is one of the most statistically exploited animals in the world. Around the globe, four billion laying hens are confined to cageseach of which can hold as many as 100 chickens, depending on the type of cage. Unable to fully express their natural behaviors or even spread their wings, hens suffer extreme stress, pain, and frustration. Learn more at EndCages.com. Join travelers around the world in taking action against cages in the travel industry here and sign the petition. Review the Fair and Fowl: Global Travel Edition here. For more information about the Open Wing Alliance, please visit OpenWingAlliance.org and follow along with the global cage-free movement @GlobalCageFree. About the Open Wing Alliance (OWA) Founded in 2016 by The Humane League, the Open Wing Alliance is a coalition of more than 100 animal protection organizations in 72 countries on six continents, trailblazing farm animal welfare in nearly every market globally. Through shared knowledge, resources, and people power, the OWA is united around their goal to end the abuse of chickens worldwide. MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Hirsch Public Relations Manager 373952@email4pr.com 1 (678) 469-8675 www.openwingalliance.org Egg-laying hens raised in battery cages in a typical factory farm environment. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-open-wing-alliance-launches-heartless-hospitality-campaign-against-global-travel-leaders-for-lacking-progress-on-cage-free-egg-commitments-302079869.html SOURCE The Open Wing Alliance why is debt cancellation tax free Usually, if you have a debt canceled, you will owe taxes on the amount of the canceled debt. The Internal Revenue Service does not consider debt as income unless the debt is canceled. Then the canceled debt is regarded as income and subject to taxation at regular rates. There are some exceptions, however, when you may not owe taxes on canceled debt. These include debt cancellation as a result of bankruptcy, insolvency and possible student loan forgiveness. A financial advisor can help you evaluate whether you owe taxes on canceled debts and help you make a plan if you do. Debt Cancellation Basics When you take out a loan, you dont have to pay income taxes on the proceeds. The IRS does not consider borrowed money to be income. If the creditor cancels the loan, with some exceptions the amount of the forgiveness usually does become income. Then the forgiven debt is subject to taxation at your regular tax rate. Taxes levied on canceled debt can result in a big surprise tax bill. Lenders are supposed to notify you of canceled debt over a certain amount using a federal tax form, but they may not always do this. And you are still liable for taxes on canceled debt even if you dont get a notice. Taxpayers are required to notify the IRS of any canceled debt, including amounts under the minimum for lender reporting and cancellations covered by one of the exclusions. Failing to report or pay taxes on a canceled debt can result in penalties and interest. Debt Cancellation Tax Exceptions why is debt cancellation tax free While most debt cancellations create taxable income, there are some exceptions and exclusions. Its important to understand how each of those work so that you are prepared for your own debt relief. These exceptions include the following: If the debt was canceled as part of a bankruptcy case, its not counted as taxable income If you can demonstrate that you are insolvent, you can also avoid paying taxes on canceled debt Debt canceled as a result of a gift or bequest is exempt from taxes Businesses with forgiven Paycheck Protection Loans dont owe taxes on the forgiven amounts A student loan forgiven for service or due to disability or the borrowers death is not taxable A mortgage on a debtors principal residence can be modified without creating taxable forgiveness Some debts owed by businesses and farmers are forgivable tax-free Story continues In some cases, only part of a canceled debt is taxable. For instance, if a borrower has put up collateral that the creditor seizes before canceling the debt, just the amount of the collaterals fair market value in excess of the canceled debt amount is considered taxable income. Similarly, if a canceled debt includes tax-deductible interest, the amount of the debt equal to the tax-deductible interest can be forgiven tax-free. Form 1099-C When a lender forgives a debt valued at more than $600, it usually is required to send the borrower a copy of Form 1099-C. The borrower is required to report this debt on their tax return and, unless it meets one of the exceptions and exclusions, include it as taxable income. Sometimes a taxpayer with forgiven debt may not receive a 1099-C. Examples include cases when the lender has repossessed collateral or instituted foreclosure proceedings. Also, if the debt is forgiven as part of modifying a loan on a primary residence, the lender may not send a 1099-C. Reporting Canceled Debt Even if a taxpayer doesnt get a 1099-C, it is necessary to report a canceled debt to the IRS. This is reported on the taxpayers return. A taxpayer who uses Form 1040, for instance, will report this on Schedule I, which includes additional income and adjustments to income. Failing to report canceled debt can result in an unpaid tax liability. This can mean having to pay added interest and penalties. On the other hand, sometimes a taxpayer may inadvertently pay taxes on a canceled debt that is covered by one of the exclusions or exceptions. In that case, filing an amended return for the affected tax year can let the taxpayer recoup the extra payments. The Bottom Line why is debt cancellation tax free The canceled debt normally results in taxable income in the amount of debt forgiveness. However, there are some exclusions that can let a taxpayer benefit from debt cancellation without incurring extra taxes. These include cancellations as a result of bankruptcy, insolvency, student loan service programs, principal residence loan modifications and some others. Lenders usually inform taxpayers of canceled debts over $600 with Form 1099-C. Taxpayers must report all canceled debts on their tax returns. Tips for Debt Cancelation Consider talking to a financial advisor if you anticipate having debt canceled so you can get a financial plan to help you prepare for that cancellation. If you dont have a financial advisor then finding one doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. In most cases, your debts wont be canceled and the only way to eliminate the debt is to pay off the principal and any interest. Use SmartAssets free online Credit Card Calculator to calculate how long it will take you to pay off a credit card balance and what the total interest charges will be. Photo credit: iStock.com/Cn0ra, iStock.com/bojanstory, iStock.com/MartinPrescott The post When Is Debt Cancellation Tax-Free? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. Key Insights The projected fair value for Penske Automotive Group is US$125 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of US$153 suggests Penske Automotive Group is potentially 23% overvalued Our fair value estimate is 19% lower than Penske Automotive Group's analyst price target of US$154 Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:PAG) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Penske Automotive Group Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$715.0m US$302.0m US$514.2m US$628.3m US$628.7m US$633.3m US$640.9m US$650.6m US$662.1m US$674.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 0.06% Est @ 0.73% Est @ 1.20% Est @ 1.53% Est @ 1.76% Est @ 1.92% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.8% US$657 US$255 US$399 US$448 US$412 US$381 US$354 US$330 US$309 US$289 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$3.8b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.8%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$675m (1 + 2.3%) (8.8% 2.3%) = US$11b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$11b ( 1 + 8.8%)10= US$4.5b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$8.4b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$153, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent. dcf The Assumptions Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Penske Automotive Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.424. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Penske Automotive Group Strength Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price exceeding the intrinsic value? For Penske Automotive Group, we've compiled three additional items you should further research: Risks: For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Penske Automotive Group that you should be aware of. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for PAG's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Port Canaveral officials say they have a plan for how to move the Bluepoints Marina's operations to make way for a new Cruise Terminal 4 that will be built on that site in a few years. Their plan, presented last week to port commissioners, is to move Bluepoints to part of the site of Cape Marina, with the two operations sharing the 15-acre site, which is west of the current Bluepoints in the port's south side Marina District. The port is scheduled to take ownership of Bluepoints in December 2026 through a previously approved deal. Meanwhile, Cape Marina's 50-year lease with the port is scheduled to expire in February 2026, and the port will seek proposals from potential operators to assume the lease of that facility. Port Canaveral is not renewing the lease for Cape Marina as part of a multifaceted plan to make room for a new cruise terminal nearby. Passenger records set: What you need to know about Port Canaveral's record-setting day, month for passenger counts The port is planning to build a $175 million Cruise Terminal 4/parking garage complex that could open in late-2026 or 2027. It would be used by multiple cruise lines, and would have a 1,400-foot-long berth space. Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said Cape Marina is not using its land efficiently, and he believes the Bluepoints and Cape Marina operations both can fit into the Cape site. Murray said port officials already have had several discussions with Cape Marina officials, and "we've advised them that we're not going to renew their lease in this existing format. Our goal is to put that property out for an RFP for development when the lease is over. And we've invited Cape to participate in that" request-for-proposals process. The port's plan, however, doesn't sit well with Cape Marina owner and General Manager Karen Seaman Burk, whose father founded the business, which now has about 20 employees. In a letter to port commissioners, Burk wrote: "Businesses that have been fixtures in the port for 10, 20, 30, 40 and now 50 years face an uncertain future. These tenants have been integral to the building of port to what it is today. The threat to their existence is a call for attention and support from community leaders like yourself." Story continues Burk contends that "the cart is being put before the horse" by the port's rapid expansion of its cruise operations, while there is "a significant gap in its capacity to manage the increasing cruise traffic effectively." Port Canaveral is the world's second-busiest cruise port, and will have 16 cruise ships based there in the 2024-25 winter cruising season, up from 13 in the current winter season. For the first four months of the current budget year, cruise operations and cruise-related parking accounted for 80.1% of the port's total operating revenue. Murray said the owners of Cape Marina will have an opportunity to submit a proposal for the site, just like other interested parties can. Canaveral Port Authority Vice Chair Wayne Justice said he supports Murray's plan. "From my perspective, this is a strategic direction that we started a couple years ago," Justice said. "And that is to to optimize the use of our deepwater bulkheads," which he termed "our most valuable asset." In a separate Facebook post, Cape Marina said: "Cape Marina recognizes the premium nature of property in Port Canaveral, and we are committed to working collaboratively with the port to meet its objectives while preserving its unique character. While we acknowledge the importance of the cruise ship industry and the revenue it generates, we also believe in preserving the hometown flair that businesses like Cape Marina bring to the port." Murray said commercial fishing businesses, charter operators and recreational boaters that use Bluepoints and Cape Marina will still have a place for their vessels with the revamped facilities. He noted that, among the users of that area are suppliers seafood for the Seafood Atlantic operations at the port. The current Bluepoints Marina at Port Canaveral will be relocated as part of a plan to build a new cruise terminal and parking garage at that site. "This is a significant project in that end of the port," Murray said. "So there's a lot of work to do. And we've been doing it behind the scenes. We stated before, we're not taking anything away. Our goal is to improve the efficiency of the existing acreage and uplands at that end of the port. We are also supporting our commercial fishing trade. And we're going to need to improve roadways and access for all users." The port also must decide how to run the Bluepoints facility, once it assumes control at the end of 2026, possible by securing a marina management company. "There's a lot of balls in the air," Port Authority Chair Micah Loyd said. Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54 This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Port Canaveral plan: Shift marinas to make way for new cruise terminal Fire department employees walk outside the Tesla car factory after production came to a standstill and workers were evacuated following a power outage, in Grunheide, Germany, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Sebastian Gollnow/dpa via AP) BERLIN (AP) Production at Tesla's electric vehicle plant in Germany came to a standstill and workers were evacuated Tuesday after a power outage that officials suspected was caused by arson. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, condemned the incident. The interior ministry in the state of Brandenburg, where the plant is located, said unidentified people were suspected of deliberately setting fire to a high-voltage transmission line on a power pylon. The state criminal investigation department began an investigation. 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 said 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 about 13% of Tesla stock, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that 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, he added, using German for extremely stupid. The power outage came as environmental activists have been protesting in a forest near the plant against plans by Tesla to expand. Dozens of activists have put up tents and built treehouses, a tactic used in previous environmental protests. The early morning fire caused power to fail in surrounding towns, including Grunheide, where the factory is located. Electricity was restored after a few hours in the nearby towns and villages, but Tesla remained without energy and authorities said it would likely take several days to restore it at the plant. Tesla opened the factory in March 2022, launching a challenge to German automakers on their home turf. Story continues The company 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. That has drawn opposition from environmentalists and some other local groups, which also worry about the possible effect on the areas water supply. In a nonbinding vote in mid-February, residents of the municipality rejected Teslas plans, which still need approval by local authorities. About 12,500 people work at the plant. Tesla's plant manager, Andre Thierig, told reporters it would take several days before production could resume. We are very concerned about the safety of our employees here at the site," Thierig said. Nevertheless, I would like to emphasize once again that we managed to bring the plants to a very controlled standstill despite the difficult situation. At no time was there any danger to people or the environment. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the alleged attack, calling it a serious crime that cannot be justified by anything. If a left-wing extremist motive is confirmed, then this is further proof that the left-wing extremist scene does not shy away from attacks on critical energy infrastructures, the minister said in a written statement. This shows enormous criminal energy. ___ This story has been corrected to say that Musk is Tesla's CEO, not owner. Cooking Demos of Focaccia, Crackers and Gnocchi on Trade Show Tasting Menu ROME, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Flour from Europe, a marketing and promotion initiative run by ITALMOPA, the Italian Milling Industries Association and co-funded by the European Union, has a full menu of cooking sessions on tap during Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif., from March 14 16, 2024. (PRNewsfoto/PURE FLOUR FROM EUROPE) At ITALMOPA's booth #2009 in Hall B at the Anaheim Convention Center, chefs Francesco Allegro and Gerson Jossue Rivas Saravia will demonstrate how to make delicious Italian favorites including Focaccia Pugliese, Organic Semolina Cavatelli with Tomato and Basil Sauce and Gnocchi alla Sorrentina. They'll be showcasing the versatility and high quality of organic flour and semolina from Italy. Attendees will be offered samples since the best storyteller is taste. "Pure organic flour and semolina are at the heart of premium pasta and baked goods and elevate most any dish made by chefs and home bakers alike," says Andrea Valente, president of ITALMOPA. "Our goal is to educate food lovers about the versatility and excellence of our products." Organic flour and organic semolina flour are milled from grain grown in pesticide-free soil fertilized with natural substances. This method keeps the bran and germ content intact and the wheat is aged without additives. This process allows the grain to absorb more nutrients from the soil which accentuates its flavors. Italian organic and conventional flours feature a grading system using '00' or '0' based on the amount of mineral salts and proteins in the flours. This grading allows users, particularly bakers, to precisely choose the right texture for their purpose. Semolina refers to coarsely milled durum wheat, often used in pasta. Exhibitors at ITALMOPA's booth include some of Italy's best known organic flour and semolina producers including Molino Casillo, Molino De Vita and Molino Grassi who are looking to expand distribution to the U.S., Canada, and other international markets. These mills are known for combining multigenerational heritage with modern agrotechnology. Story continues About ITALMOPA Founded in 1958 and based in Rome, ITALMOPA represents 82 companies across Italy that mill soft and durum wheat to produce flour and semolina for pasta, bread, pastries, pizza and more. Learn more and find recipes for Italian favorites at pureflourfromeurope.us. Semolina crackers. (PRNewsfoto/PURE FLOUR FROM EUROPE) Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pure-flour-from-europe-to-show-how-to-cook-organic-italian-treats-at-expo-west-302076797.html SOURCE PURE FLOUR FROM EUROPE Rose Hill Health Holdings LLC First Legal Exporter of Psilocybin to Meet Global Demand, Establishing Dramatic Increase in Biomass Output RUNAWAY BAY, Jamaica, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rose Hill (or the Company), a premium psilocybin cultivator and supplier in the Jamaican legal Psilocybin industry, today announced the completion of significant facility renovations increasing the quality and capacity of its cultivation site. These upgrades reinforce the Company's commitment to producing a critical supply of premium psilocybin. Recent refurbishments have propelled the Company's production capacity from 40 kg per month to an impressive 100 kg per month, adding more bandwidth to produce more of Rose Hills extensive portfolio of more than 50 psilocybin genetics, catering to research partners globally. The implementation of the geo-thermal system, facility and operational upgrades allow us to pursue our commitment to the advancement of the psilocybin and psychedelics industry, said Charles Lazarus, CEO of Rose Hill. Rose Hill's newly renovated facility showcases an operation dedicated to sustainability, using cutting-edge technologies, while maintaining stringent quality controls. This system, also known as a ground-source heat pump, utilizes renewable ground energy to uphold precise temperature and humidity levels essential for optimal psilocybin mushroom cultivation. In addition to its sustainable energy approach, the geo-thermal system introduces positive pressure airflow, minimizing contamination risks in the facility's tropical setting. Cultivating in Jamaica's challenging environment is akin to nurturing a rare mushroom species in a wild, untamed forest. The extreme heat, and relentless humidity, form a complex ecosystem where only the most resilient and adaptable can thrive. Like mushrooms that flourish in the most unexpected conditions, finding success in Jamaica's challenging climate demands a deep-rooted dedication to adaptability and resilience, turning obstacles into the very nutrients that fuel growth and success. Story continues Rose Hills geo-thermal system operates on the principle of circulating fluid through the ground, making the facility less susceptible to external weather conditions compared to traditional air or water sources. This not only enhances energy efficiency but also reduces operational costs and minimizes environmental impact. During the cooler months in Jamaica from December to February, the fluid absorbs heat from the ground and transfers it to the building for heating. In addition to the heating and ventilation upgrades, Rose Hill reconfigured the building's layout to streamline the process from spawn colonization to fruiting. The company also rebuilt its on-site laboratory into an airtight, controlled environment to further reduce contamination risks and ensure steady production flows. Since its establishment in 2015, Rose Hill has consistently been at the forefront of research efforts and has become a key supplier of premier psilocybin biomass to esteemed research institutions globally. One of Rose Hill's notable achievements was securing Health Canada's approval for the first legal export of psilocybin from Jamaica to Canada. This certification allowed Rose Hill to provide exclusive, proprietary psilocybin biomass to a distinguished Canadian researcher and a leading provider of psychedelic-assisted therapies for eligible patients. With its refurbished cultivation facility and pioneering achievements in psilocybin exports, Rose Hill looks ahead to further collaboration opportunities. The company's relentless pursuit of excellence promises to unlock psilocybin's therapeutic potential and shape the responsible, sustainable growth of this field. For more information on Rose Hill, visit https://rosehill.life/ . About Rose Hill Rose Hill is a leading innovator in the cultivation and supply of premium psilocybin products and biomass. Dedicated to fostering a sustainable and ethical approach to cultivation, Rose Hill sets industry norms to standards to deliver safe and top-quality products to research partners and brands. Renowned as the foremost psilocybin producer in Jamaica, Rose Hill holds the distinction of being the world's inaugural legal exporter of these transformative compounds. Media Contacts: Francesca DeMauro 917.880.9771 rosehill@kcsa.com Key Insights Significantly high institutional ownership implies Sage Group's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions A total of 15 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership Insiders have sold recently A look at the shareholders of The Sage Group plc (LON:SGE) can tell us which group is most powerful. With 86% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). And as as result, institutional investors reaped the most rewards after the company's stock price gained 3.6% last week. The gains from last week would have further boosted the one-year return to shareholders which currently stand at 68%. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Sage Group. View our latest analysis for Sage Group What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Sage Group? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. We can see that Sage Group does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Sage Group, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Sage Group. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is BlackRock, Inc. with 9.3% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 6.5% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 5.0% by the third-largest shareholder. Story continues A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 15 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Sage Group While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our information suggests that The Sage Group plc insiders own under 1% of the company. It is a very large company, so it would be surprising to see insiders own a large proportion of the company. Though their holding amounts to less than 1%, we can see that board members collectively own UK25m worth of shares (at current prices). It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 12% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Sage Group . If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday proposed sharply boosting tariffs on Chinese vehicle imports by $20,000 to stop the country "from flooding U.S. auto markets," Washington's latest effort to protect American automakers and auto workers. Rubio, top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he is also proposing legislation to extend tariffs to vehicles produced by Chinese automakers in other countries like Mexico and limit subsidies for electric vehicles to those that meet stringent North American free trade rules. Rubio said the flat tariff would address the disproportionate advantage of lower-end Chinese autos and close loopholes that reduce the amount paid and "safeguard American automakers and workers against the influx of artificially cheap vehicles from China." With national elections coming in November, Democratic President Joe Biden and leaders of both parties in Congress are backing steps to limit Chinese electric vehicle imports. "Americas existing tariffs, once effective, are now insufficient to counter Chinas newest strategies," Rubio said, calling for "a multi-pronged effort to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from entering the American auto market before it is too late." The issue has received new interest after news reports that China's BYD plans to set up an EV factory in Mexico. BYD, known for its cheaper models and a more varied lineup, recently overtook its biggest rival, Tesla, to become the world's top EV maker by sales. Last week, the White House said it was opening an investigation into whether Chinese vehicle imports pose national security risks and could impose restrictions due to concerns about "connected" car technology. "China's policies could flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "Im not going to let that happen on my watch." Story continues Senator Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, praised the investigation saying "theres no place in the U.S. for vehicles made by Chinese Communist Party backed companies." There are relatively few Chinese-made light duty vehicles being imported into the U.S. On Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry said Chinese cars were popular globally not because of "so-called unfair practices" but because they had emerged out of fierce market competition and were technologically innovative. Last month, a U.S. manufacturing advocacy group warned that low-cost Chinese autos and parts from Mexico "could end up being an extinction-level event for the U.S. auto sector." Last week, Republican Senator Josh Hawley introduced legislation to raise the base tariff rate on Chinese imports to 125% from 27.5% currently. The measure also seeks to apply a 100% tariff hike to vehicles assembled in Mexico by Chinese-based automakers. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio) TIANJIN, China, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During the SINGAUTO Global Supplier Conference, held in Tianjin, China, on March 3rd, 2024, with the theme "Growing Together, Moving Towards Innovation", SINGAUTO unveiled the S1, an intelligent lightweight urban delivery vehicle that fuses engineering innovation with cutting-edge technology. Leveraging its strengths in product design, technology, and ecosystems, SINGAUTO is ushering in a new era of international expansion with its electric commercial vehicles. The S1 features a forward design that allows for easy one-step entry and exit, streamlining operations and minimizing physical exertion for drivers. The solution provides enhanced space utilization and a superior driving experience, a testament to SINGAUTO's formidable research and development efforts. Currently, the firm has established global R&D centers in China and Singapore, with a dedicated team of 200 R&D experts and a portfolio of 75 patents, the majority of which are recognized in key international markets. The conference brought together a number of reputable industry leaders who shared their insights into the sector's trends and potential for growth. Liang Yangbing, a senior executive at Haidilao, one of China's leading restaurant groups, highlighted the foodservice industry's reliance on cold chain logistics. He noted that SINGAUTO's electric trucks are meeting the critical demands of chain operations for precise temperature management, logistical efficiency, and stringent food safety standards. The focus on refrigerated trucks positions SINGAUTO for significant expansion opportunities. Furthermore, representatives from multiple suppliers, among them, CATARC Automotive Inspection Center (Wuhan), Wuxi Sunda Intelligent Automation & Engineering, Beijing Jingwei Hirain Technologies, Qingdao Zhuoyingshe Technology, JIMU Intelligent Technology, and CALB Group, were in attendance and voiced their strong belief in SINGAUTO's growth trajectory. Story continues SINGAUTO has always eyed global market penetration, aligning its research and development efforts with EU standards while leveraging international investments to establish a global production network in the Middle East, South Korea, and other regions. Backed by China's advanced automotive industry, SINGAUTO has rapidly expanded its international presence, accelerating the development of its product, capital, production, and sales networks worldwide. Moving forward, the company plans to further enhance and broaden its global ecosystem, aiming to build a brighter future together with its partners across the globe. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/singauto-convenes-global-supplier-conference-setting-the-stage-for-international-expansion-302079382.html SOURCE SINGAUTO Social Securitys day of reckoning is coming sooner than you think heres what US retirees need to know While the U.S. was in the throes of the Great Depression, Social Security was created to provide economic security to vulnerable Americans. The federal program now supports around 70 million beneficiaries each year, including retirees, disabled workers, surviving spouses and dependents. However, this essential safety net will face a funding shortfall in the next decade if it's not strengthened. Don't miss This means an automatic 20% benefit cut for beneficiaries starting in 2034, when the trust fund reserves for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) are depleted if the U.S. government does nothing to stop that from happening. According to one estimate, millionaires stopped contributing to Social Security on March 2 this year. Scrapping the payroll tax cap that allows this to happen is one way of expanding Social Security, say experts. How did we get here Since 2010, Social Security has paid out more in benefits and expenses than it has collected in taxes and other non-interest income, wrote Mark J. Warshawsky, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and former deputy commissioner for retirement and disability policy at the Social Security Administration (SSA). In 2022, the program ran a deficit of $22.1 billion, according to the Social Security Board of Trustees. Put simply, it took in $22.1 billion less in income (taxes and interest) than it spent on benefits and administration. This trend of costs exceeding income is expected to continue over the 75-year projection period through 2097. The total funding shortfall for this period is expected to be $22.4 trillion. After the trust fund depletion in 2034, income is projected to be sufficient to pay 80% of benefits, and this will decline to 74% for 2097. Story continues Part of the problem, Warshawsky says, is that Social Security is in desperate need of reform. The program hasnt been radically altered since it was first designed in 1935. Since then, many demographic changes have taken place. Most importantly, Americans are living longer and birth rates have been declining. "When benefits were first paid in 1940, 46% of adult males couldnt even make it to 65, and for those who did, the average additional life expectancy was less than 13 years. For women, it was not a lot better," wrote economist C. Eugene Steuerle and journalist Glenn Kramon in a recent op-ed for The New York Times. They say the ratio of covered workers to beneficiaries has declined from 4.0 in 1965 to 2.7 today, with 2.3 projected in two decades. Read more: No landlord? No problem! Explore hassle-free real estate investments Weighing the options There are several possible options to bridge the gap between income and costs for Social Security, though many are likely to be unpopular. They all include cost cutting, raising revenues or a combination of the two. We're already on track to uniformly cut benefits in 2034. Here are some alternatives. Increase revenues by hiking the payroll tax rate: This option could be enough to solve the insolvency issue on its own. An immediate increase in the payroll tax rate from 12.4% of covered earnings to 15.84% of covered earnings would be enough to cover all scheduled benefits payments throughout the 75-year projection period, according to analysts at the Congressional Research Service. They say there's also the option of delaying the tax hike to 2034, but the rate would need to be increased by 4.15 percentage points. Cut benefits for high earners: There are two problems with this solution, according to the experts at the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities (CBPP) It wouldnt save significant money unless they cut benefits for middle-class retirees as well and such measures would also pose high administrative costs. Eliminate the taxable maximum ($168,600 in 2024) so all earnings are taxed: This is a possible solution from the American Academy of Actuaries. They say it could be a large tax increase on high income workers (and their employers), and it would not be enough by itself, as it would cover only 78% of the 2034 shortfall. They also shared the option of taxing all earnings above $400,000. Raise the retirement age: This will obviously be a problem for workers in physically demanding professions. It would dispropotionately harm seniors with low incomes, per the CBPP. Some more options provided by the American Academy of Actuaries include taxing investment income, estates and gifts (none of which have ever been taxed for Social Security), a reduction in cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and increasing investment income by using general revenues (or increased income taxes) to create a separate fund that invests in equities. While there are several approaches, making a decision soon is probably better than waiting. Congress will have more reform options if they act sooner, according to the American Academy of Actuaries brief. Earlier action allows for tax increases and benefit reductions to be phased in gradually and makes it less like Dont panic just yet While increasing taxes may meet with some resistance, the CBPP says that polls show a widespread willingness to pay more to strengthen the program. The CBPP also says that future workers are expected to be more prosperous than todays and that the average worker will be nearly twice as well off in real terms by 2075, citing the Social Security Trustees Report. It added, "It is appropriate to devote a small portion of those gains to the payroll tax, while still leaving future workers with substantially higher take-home pay. Should you start to panic? While Social Security may need shoring up, retirees can still expect to receive 80% of their benefits for many decades. So, while this isnt ideal, benefits wont suddenly stop, and the program wont suddenly go bankrupt. But there are ways you can prepare, including cutting spending and increasing your saving rate, paying down any expensive debt you have, maintaining a diversified investment portfolio and determining the right asset allocation for your age, and finding ways to work longer. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. STMicroelectronics N.V. P4611S -- Mar 5 2024 -- STM32WBA5 MCUs_IMAGE STM32WBA5 MCUs STMicroelectronics reveals high-performance, state-of-the-art wireless microcontrollers ready for incoming cyber-protection regulations Highly integrated chips support multiple wireless technologies and latest security standards, perfectly addressing requirements for smart industrial, medical, and consumer devices Geneva, Switzerland, March 5, 2024 STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, has revealed the next generation of its short-range wireless microcontrollers. These innovative, all-in-one components enable wearables and smart objects including smart home devices, health monitors, and smart appliances to become ever more miniaturized, easy to use, secure and affordable. Short-range wireless technologies like Bluetooth LE, Zigbee and Thread (popular in smart meters and smart buildings) are the fabric connecting smart devices to home bridges, gateways, and controllers including smartphones. As we all seek solutions for making life more economical, sustainable, and comfortable, vendors are looking to bring creative and high-performing new solutions to market more quickly, within tight cost constraints. They need to be stylish, too: tiny, low-profile, or even embedded out of sight in other equipment, such as in smart bulbs. Going wireless is a part of this trend, for freedom, flexibility, and fashion. Wireless microcontrollers like STs new STM32WBA5 product line allow a one-chip solution thats extremely compact, reduces the bill of materials, and shortens the time to market by relieving wireless design challenges. Also, being compatible with the development tools and software packs of the STM32 microcontroller development ecosystem, the new line simplifies migrating existing products designed for wired connections. The new series flagship STM32WBA55 microcontroller can communicate using multiple wireless standards concurrently, including low-energy Bluetooth LE 5.4, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter (Thread RCP). Matter border router is a perfect match with the STM32WBA5 for this new open-source connectivity standard for smart-home and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. In this way, the STM32WBA55 supports a great user experience while simplifying hardware and software engineers development journey, aiding affordability and time to market for the new product. Story continues With this new generation, ST has also introduced support for the recently completed Bluetooth LE Audio specifications that enable exciting and innovative new products for richer listening and hearing experiences. These include the new Bluetooth Auracast feature, which opens the door to a new world of audio broadcasting applications. Lead customers are already appreciating the enhanced wireless performance, flexibility, and security of our latest STM32WBA wireless microcontrollers. They are creating diverse products including smart thermostats, tracking devices, smart chargers, headsets, power tools, and smart meters, said Benoit Rodrigues, Wireless MCU Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics. The extensive software ecosystem that provides communication stacks, microcontroller-specific software packs, sample code, and tools helps developers bring new products to market based on these MCUs quickly and efficiently. The STM32WBA series is the first wireless MCU in the market to achieve the important SESIP (Security Evaluation Standard for IoT Platforms) Level 3 security certification. With this, smart devices containing STM32WBA microcontrollers are ready to satisfy the US Cyber Trust Mark and EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) regulations due to become mandatory in 2025. We work with smart asset tracking devices which are connected through Bluetooth to mobiles and through mobile apps to the cloud, enabling us to deliver complete asset tracking management for our customers. STs microcontrollers bring wireless connectivity to our multi-mode trackers, said Olivier Hersent, CEO, Abeeway (Actility Group). We have selected the new wireless connectivity product, STM32WBA5, for its enhanced performance with ultra-low power radio capabilities, which is key for our battery powered devices. They ensure stable connectivity in the harsh industrial environment where we operate, combined with security that meets the highest industry standards. We believe that gaming peripherals should be as unique and accessible as the gaming community itself, said Tom Roberts, CTO, Performance Designed Products (PDP). ST and PDP have worked together through several Video Game generations, and we have used STM8 and STM32 devices for many years. ST products consistently provide the features we need in our highly competitive market segment. We recently selected STs short-range wireless connectivity product, the STM32WBA5, based on the integrated MCU and Bluetooth low-energy technology, as the right solution for a new, groundbreaking game controller. The STM32WBA offered us an ideal combination of performance, peripherals, cost efficiency and ecosystem support that enabled simple and fast development. The new STM32WBA5 product line will be available on st.com on March 12. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices. ST will introduce a ready-to-use module containing the STM32WBA, integrated with necessary external components including power-supply and antenna-balancing circuitry, in June 2024. Technical Notes to Editors: The new wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) introduced today, the STM32WBA54 and STM32WBA55, contain a 100MHz Arm Cortex-M33 core that brings latest-generation performance and Arm TrustZone architecture isolating secure processes and storage. With up to 1MB of Flash memory, they provide generous code and data storage. They also have inherently low power consumption, incorporating background autonomous mode, flexible power-saving states, and analog and digital peripherals proven in STs STM32U5 ultra-low-power MCUs. STs latest 2.4GHz radio, integrated alongside the MCU, is the first to let the application control the RF output power. The adjustment range allows up to +10dB to ensure reliable wireless connections even in difficult operating conditions. The new wireless MCUs also support the latest Zigbee standards including Release 22 and Release 23, which significantly extends the Zigbee core stack for greater security, reliability, and usability. By supporting LE Audio, designed for the Bluetooth Low Energy radio, the STM32WBA series enhances flexibility to optimize audio quality and power consumption. Moreover, the latest use cases coming with LE Audio expand opportunities to create imaginative new products leveraging capabilities such as broadcast and multicast audio. The new MCUs are fully supported in the STM32 ecosystem, with dedicated software packages and tools for configuring the hardware and testing the wireless performance, as well as evaluation kits and rich online support. These include wireless protocol stacks and code examples, prototype boards and expansion cards, a developers wiki, and more online including STs STM32 github repository and the STM32 developer community. For more information, please go to www.st.com/stm32wba * STM32 is a registered and/or unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics International NV or its affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere. In particular, STM32 is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office. About STMicroelectronics At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com. For Press Information Contact: Alexis Breton Corporate External Communications Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08 alexis.breton@st.com Attachments Target's Circle program is expanding with unlimited same-day delivery. Target is launching a new paid membership that comes with some extra perks, including unlimited same-day delivery. The retailer announced Tuesday it would expand its existing Target Circle program, which was originally launched in 2019. Since then, according to the chain, over 100 million customers have signed up for the free loyalty program, which allows shoppers to access deals and other rewards. The re-launch of the new and improved Target Circle will offer three different membership tiers, one of which is not free but offers additional benefits. Weve prioritized building strong relationships with guests since Targets inception, and our reimagining of Target Circle continues that commitment, Cara Sylvester, executive vice president and chief guest experience officer, said in a company blog post. Slam dunk deal: Wendy's is offering $1, $2 cheeseburgers for March Madness Daily Shops to launch: Whole Foods Market plans to launch smaller Daily Shops; first to open in New York in 2024 New Target Circle membership options There are three membership options Target Circle customers can choose from. Target Circle This free membership, launching in its new iteration on April 7, with some of the same benefits as before, including Target Circle Bonuses and Target Circle Rewards. Members will also receive automatic deals applied at checkout, personalized sales and partner perks like free trials. Target Circle Card Previously known as the Target RedCard, the Target Circle store credit card offers cardholders an extra 5% off purchases, an extra 30 days to return items and free two-day shipping from Target.com. Signing up for the car initially is free, and also comes with a discounted price for a Target Circle 360 membership. Target Circle 360 The Target Circle 360 membership is the newest, paid option, which also launches on April 7. With this option, subscribers get free same-day delivery from Target and its retail partners on orders over $35, with delivery speeds as fast as an hour. Story continues Free two-day shipping and delivery to your door are also included in the service, along with all the rewards afforded in the basic Circle program. Target Circle 360 runs $99 per year, though an intro offer at the time of launch will let new members pay $49 from April 7 to March 18. Owners of Target Circle Cards can also receive a discounted price of $49 per year. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Target Circle 360 paid membership offers free same-day delivery (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly. Most Read from Bloomberg Tata Sons Ltd. may fetch a valuation of as much as 8 trillion rupees ($96 billion) in an initial public offering that could potentially take place within the next 18 months, according to Mumbai-based investment banking firm Spark PWM Pvt. The Indian conglomerate which owns stakes in software major Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. and Jaguar Land Rover maker Tata Motors Ltd. was classified as an upper-layer non-banking financial company by the central bank in September 2022. The category, among other requirements, mandates that such firms seek a public listing within a period of three years. There are multiple levers of value available from the unlisted investments as the group is entering into new age segments such as semi-conductors and EV batteries, which could deliver significantly higher value over time, analyst Vidit Shah wrote in a note dated March 4. The listing of Tata Sons would give a boost to Indias IPO market, which has seen a slew of companies looking to sell shares as valuations boom. Listings in the South Asian country has been active, with debuts more than doubling to 56 since the start of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The market value of Tata Sons listed investments is estimated at 16 trillion rupees, while its privately-held stakes are projected to be worth about 1-2 trillion rupees, Shah said. Investors may bake in a discount of 30-60% for the holding company, he added. Based on a peak valuation of $96 billion, even a 5% stake in the company would still be worth more than Life Insurance Corp of Indias $2.7 billion IPO in 2022. Story continues READ: Billionaire Mistry Family Loses Court Battle in Tata Feud An IPO may also lead to the simplification of the complicated group holding structure of the Tata Group, and may see some of the listed firms liquidate their holdings within the salt-to-software conglomerate, according to Shah. We believe that ~80% of Tata Sons holdings might not be monetizable but the process of restructuring could trigger a re-rating, Shah said. --With assistance from Filipe Pacheco. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Tesla (TSLA) shares slipped for a second straight day, with the stock hitting lows not seen since May 2023 as another spate of bad news hit the EV maker. Early Tuesday morning Teslas Giga Berlin factory halted production and suffered a power outage following an arson attack at a power substation near the plant. According to Reuters, firefighters extinguished the fire, which did not spread to the factory. A Tesla spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that production had stopped and the site was evacuated. Tesla closed down 3.9% on Tuesday, its lowest close since May 19, 2023. Tesla stock is down over 11% to start the week, and has fallen a steep 27.3% year to date. A view of the building of Tesla's production plant in Gruenheide outside Berlin, Germany, March 5, 2024, after the site lost power following a suspected arson attack on a nearby pylon. (Lisi Niesner/REUTERS) (REUTERS / Reuters) A left-wing activist group claimed responsibility for the attack on Giga Berlin. "Stopping production of electric vehicles, rather than fossil fuel vehicles, ist extrem dumm," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on X, using the German term for "extremely dumb." The attack on Teslas Giga Berlin comes after expansion plans for the factory came under heavy criticism, with the plan eventually being voted down. Teslas Giga Berlin was producing around 6,000 vehicles a week at peak output, but will now likely shut down for a few days as power is restored to the plant. Police work next to a damaged pylon after Tesla Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin halted production and was left without power after suspected arson set an electricity pylon ablaze, near Steinfurt, Germany, March 5, 2024. (Lisi Niesner/REUTERS) (REUTERS / Reuters) Tuesdays latest setback follows worries in one of Teslas biggest markets, China. On Monday, Tesla shares slipped over 7% as lackluster China shipments and new price cuts on the mainland hinted at more demand issues. Tesla reported 60,365 vehicle shipments from its Giga Shanghai factory in February, according to preliminary data from Chinas PCA (Passenger Car Association) via Bloomberg. The February shipments represent a 16% drop from a month ago, a 19% drop from a year ago, and the lowest shipment total since December 2022. Teslas lowest shipment total in over a year is a concern for the company, which sees China as a huge growth market. Even Chinas BYD, which surpassed Tesla in overall EV sales in Q4 and generally dominates the Chinese EV market, saw its February sales tumble to 122,311 units from 193,655, a 37% drop. Story continues Goldman analyst Mark Delaney cut his 2023 and 2024 profit outlook for Tesla today, citing sinking margins due to price cuts, which he sees continuing over the next two years. Delaney wrote margin headwinds would likely be "offset by our positive view of Tesla's leadership position in the industry and long-term growth potential." Delaney has a $275 price target and Neutral rating on the stock. Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Tesla stock hit lows not seen since May 2022, instead of May 2023. We regret the error. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Harland & Wolff's two giant yellow-painted gantry cranes are famous features of the Belfast skyline The historic shipyard that built the Titanic is on course to win a contract worth up to 120m to build a new port for the Falkland Islands. Harland & Wolff has been chosen as the preferred bidder by the Falkland government following a tender process, the Belfast-based company announced on Tuesday. The project will involve building a floating dock, which will be connected to the island by a separately-constructed access road and causeway. On Tuesday, Harland said the contract was subject to final negotiations on pricing and commercial arrangements but could potentially be worth 100-120 million over two years. Finalising the deal would be a boost to Harland & Wolff, which has gone from receiving petitions from HMRC over unpaid tax bills to landing major defence contracts. The tax office petitioned to have a subsidiary of the company wound up in June 2022 over an alleged unpaid bill of 92,275. The company blamed an administrative error at the time. Harland & Wolff subsequently won a 55m contract to overhaul minesweeper vessels for the Lithuanian navy and has since gone on to win part of a contract to build supply ships for the Royal Navy. Once one of the UKs best-known companies, Harland & Wolff is most famous for having built the Titanic. It also played a crucial role in the Second World War, building 140 warships and 123 merchant vessels as well as more than 500 tanks. The companys two giant yellow-painted gantry cranes, Samson and Goliath, have become famous features of the Belfast skyline. Work on the Falkland project is expected to start later this year and will involve the construction, transportation and installation of four floating pontoons, each about 90 metres long. The contract to construct a floating dock in the Falklands is estimated to be worth 100-120 million over two years The building work will be spread across multiple facilities, Harland said. All four of its sites in Belfast, Devon, the Isle of Lewis and Scotland are capable of constructing pontoons. The project will replace the existing port facilities in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, which comprises six linked barges. Those facilities, which were also built by Harland & Wolff, have been in place since 1984 and have now become obsolete. Story continues John Wood, chief executive of Harland & Wolff, said: Following a competitive bid process, I am delighted that the Falkland Islands government has selected Harland & Wolff as preferred bidder for this project. The company enjoys an excellent relationship and a rich heritage with the Falkland Islands, given that Harland & Wolff built the existing port facility 45 years ago. I look forward to working closely with the Falkland Islands government and bringing this contract to fruition. Harland & Wolff was founded in 1861 by Edward Harland and his German business partner, Gustav Wolff, and employed 35,000 people at its peak. The company was hit hard by Britains industrial decline from the 1970s onwards. It was saved from closure in 2019 by London-based energy firm InfraStrata, which paid 6m for the company. Since then, the Government has made moves to boost Britains shipbuilding industry, unveiling a national shipbuilding strategy that vowed to invest 4bn in domestic yards and suppliers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Bryon Houlgrave/Shutterstock / Bryon Houlgrave/Shutterstock It seems more and more likely that were heading for a Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden election again this year. While the outcome can affect many aspects of American life, you probably shouldnt base your financial planning on whether or not your candidate of choice comes out victorious. However, doing so has become increasingly common. Read Next: How a Trump Win in 2024 Could Impact Your Retirement Savings Learn More: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money This sort of political polarization and how it affects our beliefs about the stock market has been around in America for a long time, but it actually has gotten worse in the last two to three decades, said Dan Egan, behavioral finance expert at Betterment. It correlates to a large degree with polarization amongst news sources, and how people think about things. Its gotten a little bit more where we very strongly bifurcate into one camp or another. And thats reinforced to all good or all bad.' While this mindset has become the norm, Egan outlines a few reasons why you should not change your investing or retirement plan based on who wins the upcoming presidential election. Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity. Perceived Changes in the Economy Are Often the Result of Confirmation Bias The belief that the economy performs better under certain presidents is just a belief, not a fact, Egan said. Its become an all-or-nothing viewpoint everything will be great based upon whether or not a candidate wins, he said. This is more just a change in how we perceive things based on confirmation bias avoiding things that disconfirm your beliefs about something and looking for things that confirm it. Historically, the stock market has not been significantly affected by who the president is. People are more polarized and they believe that presidents have more influence over the stock market than they actually do, Egan said. That is something thats become more of an issue. Theres a little bit of emotional leakage from one topic to another, where if you feel strongly about something that seems very important to you it might be voting rights, immigration, whatever the topic happens to be its very easy to have that pour over into, it would be bad for something like the stock market too. Story continues Why You Shouldnt Change Your Investment Strategy If youre considering changing your investment plan based on the outcome of the presidential election, this would be a mistake, Egan said. There is nowhere near enough of a strong signal about one party that says your investment strategy should take this as a real indicator of how risky you should invest, he said.In all cases, [whether the president is] a Democrat or Republican, stock markets go up on average. If you decrease your investments or pull out of the market because your preferred candidate didnt win, this will likely cause you to miss out on potential games. Youll miss out on positive expected returns because [the market] does go up on average, Egan said. Theres just so much stuff that goes into the stock market that is completely outside of our presidents control. Even policies that are within a presidents control might not affect the stock market as you would expect. Sometimes it can be very counterintuitive, Egan said. For instance, one of the things that gets peoples heads wrapped up is that if we go to war, it feels like a bad thing. Perversely, it can be good for the stock market because it means theres going to be increased government demand for various services and stock prices tend to go up. Best Money Moves To Make During a Trump or Biden Presidency According to Egan, the best money moves you can make will hold true during either a Trump or Biden presidency. Theres not a tremendous amount that they can do in just four years to really change things, so make financial decisions [based on] your own personal life, he said. Think about when youre going to retire can you work an extra year, can you take an extra year off? Am I putting money into a 529 for my kids? These are all very high-leverage, high-return decisions that you can put a little bit of effort into, and its almost guaranteed to pay off. Trying to decide, how should I invest, based on whos the president is so far away from a leverage point, Egan continued. Focus on things closer to home, like maxing out your 401(k) especially if you have a match, making sure that you have an emergency fund, and looking into 529 plans for your kids college education. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Trump vs. Biden: Why You Shouldnt Change Your Investment Plan Based on Who Wins United Airlines expects its busiest spring break ever this year, even as travelers say they are concerned about rising costs. The carrier said Monday it expects to serve more than 21 million passengers from March 8 to April 21 up nearly 10% compared with last year. That equates to more than 200,000 people per day on average during the period about 15,000 more people flying per day than last year. United said it expects the busiest travel day to be Friday, March 22, when more than 500,000 passengers are scheduled to travel via the carrier. Likewise, the week of March 25 will be the busiest travel week, with about 480,000 people flying each day that week, on average. The travel group Expedia separately reported last month that the April 8 solar eclipse appears to be driving some of the biggest surges in bookings, with locations in Texas the state with one of the largest exposures to the event nearly doubling; searches for Dallas are up 95% year over year, Expedia said, while Austin searches are up 90%. United and Expedia both said traditional spring getaway locations like Florida; Cancun, Mexico; and Las Vegas remain at the top of this year's most-sought-after destinations list. According to the travel booking group Hopper, 90% of survey respondents traveling this spring said price and affordability are top of mind. Yet despite higher demand, prices are actually down this year, according to Hayley Berg, the lead economist with Hopper. A "good deal" average price for someone who plans ahead for a spring break trip in the U.S. is down 2% from last year and 11% from 2019 to about $250, Hopper data shows. In fact, the lower prices are helping drive demand, Berg said. Thanks to increased competition from low-cost carriers, increased seating capacity on planes and a return to full-strength staffing, the price the average consumer is likely to encounter when booking continues to fall a trend that had been occurring before the onset of Covid-19 in 2020. "It's been great for consumers," she said. "Pre-pandemic, prices were down consistently for years. It's something that's allowed the millennial generation to have travel be something they do a lot of." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Vicarious Surgical Inc. (NYSE:RBOT) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript March 4, 2024 Vicarious Surgical Inc. beats earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $-0.06, expectations were $-0.12. RBOT isn't one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here). Operator: Good afternoon, and welcome to Vicarious Surgical's Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Matt, and I'll be your operator for today's call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. We will be facilitating a question-and-answer session towards the end of todays call. As a reminder, this call is being recorded for replay purposes. I would now like to turn the call over to Kaitlyn Brosco with Vicarious Surgical for a few introductory comments. Kaitlyn Brosco: Thanks, Matt, and thank you all for participating in today's call. Earlier today, Vicarious Surgical released financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2023. A copy of the press release is available on the company's website. Before we begin, I'd like to remind you that management will make statements during this call that include forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this call that relate to expectations or predictions of future events, results or performance are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to obtaining approval for the Vicarious surgical system and timing for any such approval, our operating trends and future financial performance, expense management, market opportunity and commercialization are based upon our current estimates and various assumptions. These statements involve material risks and uncertainties that would cause actual results or events to materially differ from those anticipated or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. For a list and description of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to the risk factors set forth in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. This conference call contains time-sensitive information and is accurate only as of the live broadcast today, March 4, 2024. Vicarious Surgical disclaims any intention or obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any financial projections or forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Story continues With that, I will turn the call over to Adam Sachs, Chief Executive Officer. Adam Sachs: Thanks, Kate, and thank you, everyone, for joining us. 2023 was a meaningful year for Vicarious Surgical. We began the process of transforming our Beta 2 surgical system into our Version 1.0 product. With collaboration from our surgeon and hospital system partners, we meticulously shaped the design of our V1.0 System and then turn focus on subsystem build-out and integration in preparation for verification and validation testing. In our V1.0 System design, we incorporated enhancements for a further refined promotion profile and higher image quality with increased system safety, all with the goal of delivering the best products possible for surgeons and hospitals. Considering that only a small fraction, approximately 4%, of soft tissue surgeries currently employ robotics, there is a substantial opportunity to further alleviate the robotics value proposition for patients, surgeons and hospitals. Our distinctive system architecture founded on proprietary decoupled actuator technology not only enables superior capability but also has the potential to streamline training, enhance OR workflow, and to offer compelling economic advantages. Additionally, our architecture facilitates best-in-class visualization, sensing and data collection, all crucial for deploying and integrating automated procedural safeguards into robotic-assisted procedures. We are confident that our innovative approach to surgical robotics, along with its array of distinctive advantages, is the cornerstone to unleashing the complete potential of this field. Throughout 2023, as we continue to press forward on product development, we made meaningful progress, particularly in the sales of each individual subsystem. However, we also encountered external headwinds and met certain integration hurdles. Continuously challenging macroeconomic conditions throughout the year created an opaque market outlook with increased capital costs. Consequently, last year, we made the difficult decision to downsize our team twice and reduce future planned expenditures, prioritizing capital efficiency and ensuring our business is better positioned to navigate such conditions. Furthermore, in the latter part of the year, as we began the V1.0 subsystem integration, we identified certain software and hardware components requiring additional development efforts to ensure system compliance reliability and safety, ahead of entering formal verification and validation process. And while the culmination of these headwinds translated into an extension of time line, I am incredibly proud of how our team adapted and what we were able to achieve nonetheless. To that end, I'd like to touch upon form of our win in 2023 and highlight the milestones we expect to achieve in the quarters ahead. First, we were successful in expanding our foundational partnership with leading hospital systems as we collect feedback on the Vicarious Surgical offering and lay the ground book for commercialization. In the third quarter, we announced our partnership with Intermountain Health, a system of 33 hospitals and 385 clinics spread across the Mountain West region of the United States. This partnership adds to our existing relationships with three of the top health care networks in the country: HCA Healthcare, University Hospitals and Pittsburgh CREATES. Through tapping into their wealth of expertise, these collaborations afford us exclusive insight instrumental in refining our products to precisely match the surgeon that hospital needs to deliver the best possible care for patients, thus ensuring our readiness for commercial success. A surgeon demonstrating single-incision surgery on a robot in the operating theatre. Second, we raised $47 million through an equity follow-on offering that meaningfully bolstered our balance sheet to support development, clinical and regulatory efforts in the quarters ahead. And finally, through an extensive series of pre-submission meetings with the FDA, we received regulatory clarity. Not only did we receive reassurance that our -- on our path to market, but we were also pleased with the agency suggestion to include clinical data for patients outside the United States in our de novo submission, as OUS clinical data collection will meaningfully facilitate our ability to enroll patients and complete procedures. Thanks to these achievements and our capacity to make the difficult but necessary decisions, we concluded 2023 with the completion of each individual subsystem build for our newly architected V1.0 System, the addition of another major hospital system partnerships of clearly defined regulatory strategies, and a more resilient business structure supported by our strengthened balance sheet. We are excited to drive our momentum into 2024 and execute on our objectives. Within the first month of this year, we made strides in subsystems integration. And today we are excited to affirm that we will conduct cadaver testing this spring as a mean of evaluating our system ahead of final software and hardware refinement, and ultimately complete the integration of our V1.0 System this fall. I'd like to now turn to a few leadership development. Earlier today, we filed an 8-K disclosing David Styka's retirement as Chairman of the Board. David played a pivotal role in our company's accomplishments over the last four years, and we'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to him for his guidance and support. With David's departure, we are evaluating our Board composition and potential courses of action. Moreover, I'm thrilled to start 2024 with the appointment of Randy Clark as President of Vicarious Surgical. Randy brings over 20 years of medical device industry experience with a track record of leadership in development, manufacturing and commercialization of innovative solutions. He most recently served as the Global President of the Health Solutions business unit at Flex, and prior to that, spent 15 years at Olympus, progressively assuming leadership roles across various business functions ultimately culminating in his role as President. As we expected, Randy is already proving themselves to be an invaluable leader in asset to Vicarious Surgical as we focus on achieving our 2024 milestone. Now I will turn it over to Bill Kelly to review our financial performance. William Kelly: Thank you, Adam. Throughout 2023, we proactively adjusted our planned spending to better align with the external environment. We implemented initiatives to streamline resources, optimize spending and restructure the company for maximum efficiency. This included two rounds of downsizing and cost reductions, which we expect to benefit our 2024 expense profile. As a result, total operating expenses for the full year 2023 were $80.7 million, essentially flat compared with the prior year. R&D expenditures for the full year 2023 were $47.6 million, compared to $43.9 million in 2022. General and administrative expenses for the full year were $26.9 million, down compared to $29.7 million in 2022. And full year 2023 sales and marketing expenses of $6.2 million were comparable to the prior year. Adjusted net loss for the full year was $76.3 million, equating to an adjusted net loss of $0.52 per share, as compared to an adjusted net loss of $78.8 million or an adjusted net loss of $0.65 per share for the prior year. GAAP net loss for the full year was $71.1 million, equating to a net loss of $0.49 per share. For a reconciliation of all non-GAAP measures to GAAP, please review our earnings press release. We ended 2023 with approximately $98 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments on our balance sheet. As a result of our disciplined spending during the year, we are pleased to have executed on our full year 2023 cash burn guidance with a burn rate of $63.4 million for the year, in line with our original full year and updated Q3 guidance. Turning to our 2024 outlook. We expect cash burn of approximately $50 million for the full year, in line with our initially provided 2024 cash burn guidance of $40 million to $55 million. With the resources at our disposal and our disciplined fiscal approach, we are confident in our ability to execute on our spring cadaver lab, integrate our Version 1.0 System by this fall, and achieve other important milestones. We look forward to updating you as we progress with our business initiatives in the coming quarters. With that, I will turn the call back to Adam. Adam? Adam Sachs: Thank you, Bill. 2023 brought about meaningful milestones and strategic decisions that firmly positioned Vicarious Surgical to achieve our 2020 core objectives and advance our long-term vision of delivering innovative surgical robotic solutions to patients, surgeons and hospitals. We maintain steadfast confidence in the potential of our unique technology and the opportunity to generate substantial value for all stakeholders. I'd also like to express my gratitude to all Vicarious Surgical employees for their unwavering hard work and dedication. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration and progress throughout 2024. Thank you, everybody, for joining today's call. We're now happy to take any questions. Operator? Operator: [Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Ryan Zimmerman with BTIG. Your line is now open. See also 12 Best Battery Stocks To Invest In Before They Take Off and 20 Longest Prison Sentences Ever Given in the World. To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here. Visa Canada Michiel Wielhouwer - President and Country Manager of Visa Canada Michiel Wielhouwer headshot TORONTO, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Visa announced the appointment of Michiel Wielhouwer, previously the Executive Director of Visas France, Belgium, and Luxembourg business, to President and Country Manager for Visa Canada. He will succeed Stacey Madge, who served in this role for the past seven years. Wielhouwer joins Visa Canada at a time of growth and opportunity as the company establishes new secure ways to pay, driven by its innovation and fintech strategy. Wielhouwer will continue to deliver value for Visas key clients, partners, and stakeholders while living the companys purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid. Michiel Wielhouwer headshot I am honoured to step into the role of President and Country Manager of Visa Canada and plan to use my experience from my time in Europe to add value to our partners and the Visa business in this country, said Wielhouwer. I look forward to working with our talented Canadian employees and our strong network of clients and industry partners across the country. Wielhouwer is a Visa veteran with 22 years of experience across five different markets. He brings deep financial services knowledge and leadership to Canada. Originally from the Netherlands and a multi-lingual speaker, Wielhouwers global background is a welcome addition to the multicultural and bilingual Canadian market. Wielhouwer steps into the role following the successful leadership of Stacey Madge. In Madges seven years with the organization, Visa Canada has seen tremendous growth through new client relationships, fintech collaborations, product innovations, and acceleration of money movement. Under her leadership, Canada has become a talent hub for Visa and a respected payments leader in the country. In her next chapter, Madge will be dedicating her talents to board, community, and foundation work. I am very proud to pass the helm to Michiel. His background and experience will be highly valued by the payments ecosystem in Canada, said Madge. He has the backing of a strong and talented team whom I have been honoured to work with. Story continues Stacey is a respected leader in the Canadian payments industry and was instrumental in securing Visas current position in the Canadian market, said Kim Lawrence, Visas Regional President, North America. We want to thank her for the many contributions she has made to our organization and the Canadian market and wish her the best as she embarks on her next chapter pursuing board and foundation work. Lawrence adds, Michiel is a fantastic addition to our North American team, and I am confident that our Canadian clients and Visa team will continue to thrive under his leadership. About Visa Inc. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. Media Contact: Tracy Truong, Visa Canada trtruong@visa.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a88f1d7-6f25-4148-b4fb-67ddcbe5a729 VOO Topped February Inflows; SPY Lead Outflows Vanguard's VOO, the third-largest U.S. ETF, brought in the most investor money among all exchange-traded funds last month, while it's cousin and world's biggest ETF, State Street's SPY, had the biggest outflows. The seeming contradiction of a pair of S&P 500 index funds moving in opposite directions in terms of flows may signal investors are leaning toward believing that markets are poised to slow after a 30% gain over the past year. The Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VOO) brought in $6.11 billion last month while investors pulled $6 billion from the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY). VOO has $413.3 billion under management while SPY has $500.6 billion, recently becoming the first ETF to cross a half-trillion dollars in AUM, despite having $27 billion in outflows this year. VOO, with $16 billion in inflows so far this year, is often seen as a proxy for momentum toward long-term trading, while SPY may be used more in short-term trades. VOO's management fee of 0.03% undercuts SPY's 0.09% and VOO permits dividend reinvestments. So SPY's outflows could be a reflection of caution on the part of short-term traders and other market timers," etf.com Senior Analyst Sumit Roy said. "The long-term money is pretty consistent no matter what is going on, but the short-term money moves around based on sentiment." In another sign that investors are focused on large S&P 500 funds, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has the biggest year-to-date inflows. IVV, the third-biggest ETF with $442.5 billion in assets, has brought in $16 billion this year. Spot bitcoin funds, which didn't exist when the year began, pulled in billions last month led by the $4.48 billion investors poured into the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT). Top Gainers February 2024 Story continues Top Gainers (Year-to-Date) Biggest Losers (February 2024) Biggest Losers (Year-to-Date) Asset Classes (February 2024) Net Flows ($, mm) AUM ($, mm) % of AUM Alternatives 138.08 6,971.88 1.98% Asset Allocation 143.37 17,326.30 0.83% Commodities -2,479.37 122,898.36 -2.02% Currency 6,120.91 50,272.98 12.18% International Equity 10,302.96 1,406,756.56 0.73% International Fixed Income 1,639.83 173,512.01 0.95% Inverse 814.37 13,979.11 5.83% Leveraged -2,330.05 88,805.06 -2.62% U.S. Equity 34,410.51 5,267,330.84 0.65% U.S. Fixed Income 9,941.13 1,364,702.68 0.73% Total: 58,701.73 8,512,555.78 0.69% Asset Classes (Year-to-Date) Net Flows ($, mm) AUM ($, mm) % of AUM Alternatives 309.88 6,971.88 4.44% Asset Allocation -138.69 17,326.30 -0.80% Commodities -5,676.89 122,898.36 -4.62% Currency 3,207.25 50,272.98 6.38% International Equity 15,416.52 1,406,756.56 1.10% International Fixed Income 5,605.96 173,512.01 3.23% Inverse -474.89 13,979.11 -3.40% Leveraged -4,591.49 88,805.06 -5.17% U.S. Equity 48,910.66 5,267,330.84 0.93% U.S. Fixed Income 27,204.55 1,364,702.68 1.99% Total: 89,772.85 8,512,555.78 1.05% February 2024 ETF Brand League Table March 2024 ETF Issuer League Table Disclaimer: All data as of 6 a.m. Eastern time the date the article is published. Data is believed to be accurate; however, transient market data is often subject to subsequent revision and correction by the exchanges. Permalink | Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved First day of trading of German carmaker Volkswagen's truck unit Traton in Frankfurt (Reuters) -Volkswagen trucks arm Traton on Tuesday forecast a steady 2024 return on sales after its core earnings almost doubled on pent-up post-pandemic demand for commercial vehicles. The maker of MAN and Scania trucks expects an adjusted operating return on sales of 8-9% in 2024, in line with the 8.6% reported for last year. The group reported a 95% jump in 2023 adjusted operating profit to 4 billion euros ($4.34 billion), beating the consensus estimate compiled by Vara Research. But its order backlog fell by a fifth last year, Traton said in late January. "With the market environment for trucks generally softening in some regions, we will remain extremely focused in 2024 and capitalise on our strengths," Chief Executive Christian Levin said. The truck sector is braced for a tougher 2024 with analysts flagging a downturn in demand in Europe and North America after historic highs reached last year thanks to pent-up demand after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Munich-based firm gave a broad outlook on 2024 unit sales of -5% to +10%, representing the sector's uncertainty. European truck makers Daimler Truck and AB Volvo have also taken a cautious stance on 2024 after reporting higher sales last year. Traton's executive board said it would propose a dividend of 1.5 euros per share, more than double last year's payout of 0.7 euros. Its shares fell as much as 2% at the open in Frankfurt before stabilising to trade roughly flat by 0805 GMT. ($1 = 0.9219 euros) (Reporting by Andrey Sychev and Eva Orsolya Papp; editing by Bartosz Dabrowski) Every year, investors travel from far and wide to a city on the Missouri River to hear Warren Buffett at the Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) annual meeting. But a couple of months before that, investors get to leaf through the wisdom that courses through the pages of Buffett's annual letter to shareholders. This year's letter did not disappoint. In it, Buffett shared a timeless lesson that's particularly relevant in today's frothy market. Here's the key lesson, what it means, and how it can help you achieve your financial goals. Image source: Getty Images. Expecting the unexpected Berkshire Hathaway is famous for keeping a large cash position and maintaining a level of conservatism that is uncommon among other funds and money managers. The reasoning is simple. Buffett wrote the following in the 2023 letter to shareholders: One investment rule at Berkshire has not and will not change: Never risk permanent loss of capital. Thanks to the American tailwind and the power of compound interest, the arena in which we operate has been -- and will be -- rewarding if you make a couple of good decisions during a lifetime and avoid serious mistakes. Avoiding big mistakes is just as important as picking good companies. But it doesn't get talked about enough because avoiding big mistakes is the habit of consistency over time, whereas a hot stock can catch the spotlight in a flash.cIf you lose half your money, you must double it to recover. Math is a tricky beast that way, but it's one reason why losses are hazardous. Buffett was, admittedly, more risk-taking in the early years of Berkshire. But as Berkshire's assets have grown and the business has become more complicated, the company has taken great care to keep an impeccable balance sheet flush with cash, so if a downturn does occur, Berkshire will be better positioned than its peers and can even take market share. To quote the letter: Extreme fiscal conservatism is a corporate pledge we make to those who have joined us in ownership of Berkshire. In most years -- indeed in most decades -- our caution will likely prove to be unneeded behavior -- akin to an insurance policy on a fortress-like building thought to be fireproof. But Berkshire does not want to inflict permanent financial damage -- quotational shrinkage for extended periods can't be avoided -- on [Buffett's sister] Bertie or any of the individuals who have trusted us with their savings. Story continues Conservatism is usually out of favor because the market is generally going up. But when the market goes down and suffers a steep bear market, cash is a hot commodity. So are safe stocks resistant to recessions with solid brands and wide moats. It's no accident that Berkshire Hathaway operates an incredibly stable business chock-full of insurance companies, America's largest railroad, various energy and utility assets, consumer brands, and public equities in Apple, Coca-Cola, and other solid companies. A glimpse at diversification The wisdom to not suffer significant losses sounds great on paper. But how does it work in practice? Although nothing is guaranteed in the market, there are steps you can take to limit potential losses and avoid a catastrophic loss. The most helpful tool is understanding the importance of allocation and correlation. Investing 5% of your portfolio across 20 different fast-growing software stocks may seem like diversification, but chances are those companies are highly correlated and will trade up and down together. A better approach is to pick your favorite companies across multiple spaces/themes and allocate your portfolio to match your risk profile. The following is a theoretical portfolio for a medium-risk-tolerance investor focused on saving for retirement. It's entirely made up. But it focuses on clear themes and features a predetermined allocation strategy -- with 10% of the portfolio in the highest conviction pick from each category all the way down to 2% for the fourth choice. Category Allocation 10% 5% 3% 2% Big Tech Microsoft Apple Nvidia Alphabet Energy Transition Tesla SolarEdge Technologies NextEra Energy Rivian Automotive Blue Chip Stocks Home Depot Deere Walmart Procter & Gamble Growth Stocks CrowdStrike Adobe Airbnb Roku Income Stocks Chevron United Parcel Service Coca-Cola Johnson & Johnson If I were to look at this portfolio, I'd say it is balanced and healthy and should do a solid job of following Buffett's lesson to avoid a big loss. Here, we have an investor interested in big tech and the energy transition while also rounding out the portfolio with blue chip stocks, growth stocks, and income stocks. Notice that some companies could fit into multiple categories. Tesla fits in Big Tech and the energy transition. Microsoft is a big tech stock, a blue chip stock, and a growth stock. The key is to not overly correlate companies and instead gain access to a wide variety of industries. For example, there's only one energy stock on the list, but it's Chevron, which is a balanced integrated major with a 4.1% dividend yield. It also happens to be Berkshire's fifth-largest public equity holding. So putting a company like that at 10% of the portfolio is reasonable. It would be far riskier to put Rivian at 10% of the portfolio as the top energy transition pick and Tesla at just 2%. Again, this sample portfolio assumes a somewhat conservative risk tolerance while mixing in some exciting themes. But if you're going to follow Buffett's advice to avoid big losses, then this kind of discipline is necessary. A lesson you can use today Buffett deserves credit for practicing what he preaches. Apple makes up 44.3% of Berkshire's public equity portfolio. But that's mainly because the stock has been such a big winner for Berkshire since the company began buying it in 2016. The public equity portfolio is worth $370 billion of Berkshire's $892 billion market capitalization. Simple math tells us that the Apple stake as a percentage of the value of the whole company is more like 18% -- which is reasonable for a blue-chip growth stock. Over the last few decades, Berkshire has done well despite being underweight on tech and missing out on some key themes simply because it has avoided big losses and invested in what it understands. Individual investors don't have to keep a cash hoard on hand in the same way that Berkshire chooses to, but they can implement Buffett's timeless lesson to help compound wealth over time reasonably. The $22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Daniel Foelber has positions in Rivian Automotive and has the following options: long June 2024 $400 calls on Deere, short March 2024 $15 puts on Rivian Automotive, and short March 2024 $17.50 calls on Rivian Automotive. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Airbnb, Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway, Chevron, CrowdStrike, Home Depot, Microsoft, NextEra Energy, Nvidia, Roku, Tesla, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends Deere, Johnson & Johnson, SolarEdge Technologies, and United Parcel Service and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Warren Buffett's Letter to Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Just Reminded Investors of This Timeless Lesson was originally published by The Motley Fool China's point man on the war in Ukraine touched down in Brussels on Monday with the two-year conflict delicately poised. On the battlefield, Ukraine is on the back foot, having lost the stronghold of Avdiivka to Russian forces in February, and its officials are desperate for Western allies to move more quickly to replenish depleted ammunition stocks. In Europe, capitals bicker over the scale and type of support they are underwriting for Kyiv, even before they face the prospect of bankrolling Ukraine's defence without assistance from the United States. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. European officials, diplomats and observers agree that the war is in a very different place than when Li Hui, Beijing's special envoy for Eurasia, last toured European capitals in May 2023, on the cusp of Ukraine's military counteroffensive. Russia's deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin and Li in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua alt=Russia's deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin and Li in Moscow on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua> And on Li's current roadshow from Moscow to Kyiv via Brussels, Paris, Berlin and Warsaw, they expect him to "test the water" on how much Europe's view of the situation has changed, and whether that provides Beijing with an opening to umpire peace talks. "China believes that geopolitical landscape is changing, and that so-called peace negotiations are more likely," said Yurii Poita, the head of the Asia-Pacific section at the Centre for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, a Ukrainian think tank. After Li's meeting with Russia's deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said it was "ready to continue its efforts to promote talks for peace, carry out shuttle diplomacy, mediate and build consensus". Story continues Poita expects Li to float the concept of Beijing as a mediator throughout his trip, but is sceptical whether it will be well-received. In Ukraine and across Europe, China's close ties with Russia have dented its image. A public-opinion poll published by the Razumkov Centre in Ukraine in January found that 72.5 per cent of Ukrainians held negative views towards China, up from 59 per cent just a year earlier. Almost two-thirds of Ukrainians viewed Chinese President Xi Jinping in a negative light, compared to just over half last year. "Ukraine understands that any so-called peace negotiation is not about peace. It's about declaring a capitulation sooner or later," Poita said. Despite the public perception, Ukraine has ramped up its efforts to engage China - and there are signs that Kyiv is taking Beijing's role in resolving the conflict more seriously than its citizens or officials elsewhere in Europe. Ahead of the war's second anniversary on February 24, the Chinese ambassador to Ukraine Fan Xianrong was among the dozens of diplomats posing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, in a photo the leader posted to X on February 22. Two years. We are all here Together with representatives of Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Egypt, Estonia, the EU, Finland, France, Georgia,... pic.twitter.com/tSFwMlIhHw - Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) February 22, 2024 In Munich last month, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba vigorously pursued a meeting with counterpart Wang Yi, and the pair eventually spoke on the sidelines of the security summit. Vita Golod, chair of the Ukrainian Association of Sinologists, said that the public perception of China is not shared among Zelensky's top brass. "Ukrainian people see China as a hostile country. But at the same time, the Ukrainian president and officials still want to see China at the same table with other countries to discuss [Zelensky's] peace talks," she said. "I think Ukraine still sees a Chinese mediating role because China is the only country who is welcome to Moscow and Kyiv at the same time." Even so, analysts said, it is unlikely Beijing will win the trust of the Ukrainians without offering more than just shuttle diplomacy. On his last trip to Kyiv, Li was given a list of steps China could take - short of condemning Russia - to help Ukraine. These included working to return children transported to Russia; maintaining the openness of the Black Sea grain corridor; and helping ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, which has been occupied by Russian forces. "China would like to play a mediating role to show it is a responsible player and win some points in the international arena," Golod said. However, if China truly sought to make a difference, "we can talk about peace negotiation scenarios, but at the same time, we need to talk with China on exact scenarios", Golod said, referring to tactical issues on which Beijing could help. Other European officials regard Kyiv's efforts to engage Beijing as a reflection of its broader efforts to court the Global South. In Brussels, where Li dined with EU officials on Monday evening, sources noted China's leadership of the loose group of developing nations - especially since the Middle East crisis exploded in October - as giving it unique influence. "It's a lot to do about the China being the voice of Global South. Ukrainians really believe that [China] can influence things and looking at how difficult it's been for them with the South Africans or Brazilians, China has some leverage over them as well," a senior EU official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. A French diplomat said that while there was little expectation of China doing Europe a favour on Russia, there was some surprise when it "went the other way, picking the Global South in the 'West versus the rest' fight". "Paris was hoping for Beijing to be more assertive, but ... to help the French narrative, i.e., say that the war in Ukraine should end or something like that. What China did instead was to be more assertive on Gaza, telling Western powers they had it coming. Not a great look for cooperation," the diplomat said. This, analysts said, helps to explain Kyiv's frequent requests for Beijing to join multilateral talks on peace, which have not involved Russia. "If China's involved in talks like the ones in Jeddah that are more directed at the Global South, this also kind of legitimises Kyiv's position among those countries that are not fully in the Western camp," said Jakub Jakobowski, deputy director of the Centre for Eastern Studies, a Polish think tank. For Lu Xiaoyu, a Chinese academic who spent a month in Ukraine last year, the situation is more straightforward. Lu, an assistant professor at Peking University's School of International Studies, met with Zelensky and his advisers, whom he described as "realistic" on China compared to their EU counterparts. On the Sinica podcast released this weekend, he said that Zelensky told him China can help Ukraine on three issues. "Firstly it's about openly respecting Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. And secondly, it's about being very clear on the non-use of nuclear weapons. "And thirdly, no selling of lethal weapons to Russia. Those have been delivered as the red lines for Ukraine," Lu said, adding that, for now, China had kept to those terms. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. (Bloomberg) -- IWG Plc is preparing to make a final call on pursuing a stock market listing in the US as the company seeks to persuade investors it should be valued more like tech darlings Uber Technologies Inc. or Airbnb Inc. Most Read from Bloomberg The London-listed flexible office company has switched the currency in which it reports to dollars and is reviewing adopting US GAAP accounting standards to reflect the fact that most of its earnings are generated in the region, according to a statement Tuesday. The group, which owns the Regus serviced office brand, will likely make an announcement regarding the companys intentions on whether to adopt GAAP during the first half of this year, it said. IWG would join an exodus of companies choosing to list in the US. While no final decisions have been taken, the company is likely to opt for a single listing, according to Chief Executive Officer Mark Dixon. That could be a blow for London which has struggled to attract or retain companies to a stock market where performance has lagged. Technology champion Cambridge, England-based Arm Holdings Plc opted for a US float last year instead of in the British capital. The potential shift to the US comes as IWG ramped up its expansion plans, doubling its rate of new center openings in 2023 thanks to its pivot toward franchising which has reduced spending on capital expenditure. Revenue climbed to 3.3 billion ($4.2 billion) in the year through December, the highest in the companys 35-year history. The company has been reshaping its portfolio to try to cash in on post-covid shifts in working patterns. It is betting on growing demand for flexible office space in locations that are closer to where people live, allowing them to cut commute times. Its also moved away from traditional leases and now positions itself as a partner for landlords that can operate flexible office spaces and share in the revenue generated through management agreements. Story continues The company has been trying to persuade investors that makes it a capital light platform business that is more like home sharing company Airbnb or Uber, which connects riders and drivers, than a traditional serviced office company. The evolution of its model is designed to be both less capital intensive and less exposed to the mismatch between long term liabilities and short term income inherent in renting and subletting. IWGs board is currently examining whether shifting to a US listing would help increase the multiple at which the company trades in part thanks to the greater depth of the US market, Dixon said in an interview Tuesday. If you look at Uber or Airbnb, their multiples are much higher than we are, we are at six to seven, they are in the 30s to 50s, Dixon said. People understand Uber or Airbnb, they just dont understand us yet. This is a platform business. The company has struggled to persuade investors it deserves to be valued on a higher multiple in part because of a lack of comparable rivals, Dixon said. The closest competitor is WeWork Inc., the bankrupt flexible office company, but it is a fraction of IWGs size, mostly uses traditional leases and is concentrated in a few major city centers, he said. IWG has so far taken on about 40 to 50 locations that were previously operated by WeWork but they havent really done their big closure push just yet, Dixon added. IWG fell as much as 7.1% in early London trading and was down 4.8% as of 10:01 a.m. (updates with shares in the final paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The European Union has levied a fine against Apple; its stock declined. NurPhoto/Getty Images Apple's stock fell Monday morning after EU regulators slapped the company with a $2 billion fine. The fine is part of the EU's push to get Apple to open up its App Store. Investors are trying to figure out how much opening the App Store may hurt the company long term. European regulators have fined Apple $2 billion for violating antitrust rules. But that's not the worst news Apple is dealing with Monday. Apple's real problem is the way investors in the world's second most valuable company are reacting to the fine: In the first few hours of trading on Monday morning, they pushed Apple's stock down by as much as 3%. Which means, at the moment, Apple's $2 billion fine has cost it some $80 billion in market cap. Context: Apple has already said it will appeal the European Commission's fine, which came out of a long-running battle between Apple and Spotify. And you can overread any day-to-day and certainly hour-to-hour movement in a stock price at your peril. Apple is still up some 14% over the past year, for instance. But if you're still inclined to look for a narrative about Monday's stock move, I'm happy to oblige. It goes like this: For years, Apple investors have been asking the company when the next world-changing invention like the iPhone will arrive. And for years, it has been clear that there is no next iPhone. Apple continues to create monstrously successful new products see AirPods, Apple Watches but they're not New iPhones because there's never going to be a New iPhone. In 2023, Apple reported that its yearly sales had declined by 3%. Which is one of the reasons that Apple has been stressing the growth in its services business which is partly subscription services like Apple Music and Apple TV+, but is really the money Apple makes from its powerful App Store. Which is why Apple tries very, very hard to fight each and every attempt to get it to open up its App Store. Story continues It's no secret that Europe was going to punish Apple in its Spotify dispute regulators had already announced a guilty verdict a year ago. But as recently as a month ago, the conventional wisdom was that Apple's fine was going to be something in the $500 million range. So supersizing that penalty seems to send a signal: Europe is going to try very, very hard to force Apple to open up the App Store. And investors are trying to figure out how much that will hurt the company long term. Read the original article on Business Insider A significant chunk of President Joe Biden's State of the Union address this evening will be focused on lowering costs issues such as drug prices, airline fees, and "shrinkflation" as well as calls for higher taxes on corporate America and the richest Americans. Biden is trying to highlight a range of different issues in the speech before one of the largest audiences he will command before November's election in the hopes of reversing sagging personal polls to show skeptical voters he is fighting for them. The White House's focus has already been evident this week in a barrage of social media posts and a series of events leading up to Biden's 9 p.m. ET speech. The remarks have included updates to Medicare drug price negotiations, news that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will cap credit card late fees at $8, and the announcement of a "strike force" to target corporations that the White House says are hiking prices illegally. Read more: Credit card fees explained: 8 types you should know Biden aides also rolled out new details about how the president will discuss taxes tonight. On the business side, the president will call for raising the corporate tax rate to 28% and increasing the minimum corporate tax from 15% to 21%. He will also unveil a novel plan to crimp skyrocketing executive compensation by denying corporations a tax deduction when they pay over $1 million to any single employee. Proposals focused on individual taxpayers include a renewal of Biden's call to require billionaires to pay at least 25% of their income in taxes and a push to increase the child tax credit. "The president will also lay out his vision to make our tax code fairer and to lower the deficit by making big corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share," said Lael Brainard, the director of Biden's National Economic Council, in a preview of the State of the Union message. President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with his Competition Council at the White House on March 5. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) (Nathan Howard via Getty Images) "This is an opportunity for the president to have the singular focus of 20 million plus Americans who are likely pretty engaged if they're staying home on a Thursday night to watch the State of the Union and to really tell his narrative," PIMCO's head of public policy, Libby Cantrill, said in a recent Yahoo Finance Live appearance. Story continues What remains to be seen is whether any amount of time spent on subjects like hidden airline fees can move voters. The administration has been trying to tout these themes for months and has found Americans resolutely focused elsewhere, with immigration recently becoming the top overall concern in polls. A recent survey by the New York Times and Siena College also found Biden trailing Donald Trump and facing deep deficits on issues like his leadership and the nation's direction. 'Voters just want to hear that he gets it' The White House will be pressing these themes, with President Biden headed to Philadelphia and Atlanta in the days after the speech and a wave of other travel and media appearances by cabinet officials. The effort is designed to "reach Americans where they receive the news with the president's message about whose side he's on," said communications director Ben LaBolt. Prescription drugs and those junk fees are set to receive prominent play. Eight-foot-tall steel fencing was put up around the Capitol ahead of President Biden's State of the Union address. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images) The new "strike force on unfair and illegal pricing" announced Tuesday is also sure to be prominently mentioned. It will be co-chaired by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission and be focused across an array of sectors from healthcare to groceries to housing to financial services. "President Biden will highlight that lowering costs for working families is his top economic priority," said Brainard. One figure on the left who sees an opportunity for Biden on these lesser-known issues is Evan Roth Smith. He's the head pollster of a left-leaning group called Blueprint Polling. He has been making this case in briefings directly to White House aides and Democrats more generally. One of Blueprints recent polls found that 78% of respondents said they believed that investing in agricultural supply chains to reduce food prices would benefit them personally. It was their top-performing issue, followed by other concerns like drug prices. "Even though it seems sort of silly to say the president should go out and talk about agricultural subsidies to bring down food prices, voters just want to hear that he gets it and that he's doing something," he said. A focus on corporate America A clear component of this week's message is a tone that many are likely to take as anti-big business. Much of the pressure will also be on "shrinkflation," the phenomenon where companies charge the same price for slightly smaller goods. It's been a prominent feature of Biden's message, down to a social media post reposting Sesame Street's Cookie Monster account on the issue. C is for consumers getting ripped off. President Biden is calling on companies to put a stop to shrinkflation. https://t.co/4bkX8o3irI The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 4, 2024 A recent surge in merger activity is also likely to come up after a series of aggressive antitrust efforts from the administration in recent years. Just this week, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines scrapped a $3.8 billion merger agreement in the face of anti-competition concerns from the Biden administration. Biden quickly touted the cancellation, saying that blocking the merger would save Americans money and give them more choices. Biden himself has only made a few appearances this week after a long weekend at Camp David, where he worked on crafting the speech, which is expected to be revised all the way up until the president arrives on Capitol Hill tonight to speak to the assembled dignitaries. Asked by reporters earlier this week, he offered little on his thinking, saying, "Youll hear me on Thursday." This post has been updated. Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance WSO2, Inc. WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 expands developer productivity with a new authentication API, visual editor with side-by-side graphical and code views, and one-click templates and authentication methods; adds comprehensive B2B CIAM and financial-grade API security Austin, Texas, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Businesses increasingly compete on their ability to offer exceptional, trusted digital experiences to all users, internally and externally. WSO2 empowers software developers to address this demand with WSO2 Identity Server 7.0, the latest release of WSO2s widely adopted, open-source identity and access management (IAM) software. Available today, Version 7.0 optimizes the developer experience via a new authentication API for native, in-app, browser-less authentication; new visual editor that enables side-by-side graphical and code views; and new one-click access to application templates and authentication methods. Organizations delivering digital experiences need an IAM solution that enables developers to readily adapt to the evolving needs of the business, customers and partners, said Geethika Cooray, vice president and general manager of identity and access management at WSO2. Our secret sauce has always been to provide developers an awesome experience that maximizes their productivity and flexibility, and WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 takes that to a whole new level. WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 also adds support for comprehensive business-to-business (B2B) functionality and financial-grade API security. Additionally, it now shares the same code base and modern user interface (UI) offered with WSO2 Private Identity Cloud and Asgardeo, WSO2s identity as a service (IDaaS) solution. WSO2 will demonstrate the latest features in WSO2 Identity Server 7.0, WSO2 Private Identity Cloud, and Asgardeo at the Gartner Identity & Access Management Summit in London, United Kingdom, which runs March 4-5, 2024. A Premier Sponsor, WSO2 will be located at Booth 105 in the InterContinental Hotel London where the Gartner event is being hosted. Story continues Enhancing Developers Experiences Version 7.0 builds on the proven capabilities of WSO2 Identity Server, which manages more than 1 billion identities worldwide. The uniquely extensible, API-driven, developer-friendly product enables developers to harness the power of IAM without being security experts. It incorporates the ability to federate, authenticate and manage identities; bridge across heterogeneous identity protocols; and secure access to web and mobile applications along with API-based endpoints. Now it offers several new capabilities designed to enhance developers experiences. The new authentication API for app-native, browser-less authentication lets developers create in-app login flows instead of redirecting to a browseroptimizing the user experience without compromising security. The API supports the ability to orchestrate authentication conditionally based on risk factors, user/access context, and other considerations without changing the app logic. Additionally, it enables the use of OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect flows without browser support, guarantees a clients identity and proof of possession, and only communicates with legitimate client apps. A new visual editor offers side-by-side graphical and code views. So, as developers are building an app, they can now witness the login journey as the user does while also seeing the underlying code, helping to improve the quality and speed of development. Multiple new app templates and authentication methods are now available to developers via one-click access. Developers can simply click to select one of the templates for typical application typessuch as web, mobile or single-pageor choose authentication methods, such as a one-time password; trusted token provider; or third-party authentication from Facebook, Google or Microsoft, among others. Comprehensive B2B Support WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 now goes beyond extensive business-to-consumer (B2C) customer IAM (CIAM) and workforce IAM capabilities to also offer the industrys most comprehensive B2B CIAM support. Surpassing the limited organization management of other IAM products, WSO2 Identity Server provides the flexibility to: Easily onboard the organizations enterprise customers and their consumers to their apps/platform, including optionally leveraging their own identity provider (IdP). Delegate administration to enterprise customers, empowering them to design and manage their own environments. Flexibly manage complex, multi-level organization hierarchies, and choose how and where user accounts are stored and managed. Support enterprise customers entire B2B app portfolio, ensuring apps operate consistently and managing who can access them via app subscriptions. Financial-Grade API Security WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 also delivers financial-grade API security through new and enhanced features. Compliance with FAPI 1.0 Baseline and Advanced profiles facilitates the enforcement of FAPI with client registration, user authorization flows, and token issuance flows for third-party clients. Extended OAuth 2.0 Support includes both OAuth 2.0 pushed authorization requests and JWT Secured Authorization Response Mode (JARM) for OAuth 2.0, which covers how responses are signed and encrypted to ensure message integrity. Enhanced Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for API Authorization provides the ability to integrate API resource definitions, effectively connecting identity management and API access. Developers also can easily set-up and manage API subscriptions, define and attach roles to APIs, and grant API permissions to roles. FIPS 140-2 Certification validates WSO2 Identity Servers compliance with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 covering the secure design and implementation of a cryptographic module. Unified IAM Experience With Version 7.0, WSO2 Identity Server now shares the same code base and UI with WSO2 Private Identity Cloud and Asgardeo IDaaS. So, WSO2 customers have unprecedented flexibility to seamlessly migrate between cloud and on-premises deployments as neededand even maintain hybrid environmentsall while delivering a consistent, best-in-class user experience (UX) for developers, consumers, and other users. The shared code means all the developer productivity, financial-grade API security, and B2B CIAM features introduced with WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 are also available in WSO2s IAM cloud offerings. Additionally, all three WSO2 IAM solutions now feature unified software developer kits (SDKs), boilerplate samples, and documents. Availability The new capabilities and unified IAM experience are now available with WSO2 Identity Server 7.0 and the latest releases of Asgardeo and WSO2 Private Identity Cloud. Developers and other technology professionals can download WSO2 Identity Version 7.0, try Asgardeo for free, and learn more about WSO2 Private Identity Cloud today. About WSO2 Founded in 2005, WSO2 is the largest independent software vendor providing open-source API management, integration, and identity and access management (IAM) products. WSO2's products and platformsincluding our next-gen internal developer platform, Choreoempower organizations to leverage the full potential of APIs for secure delivery of digital services and applications, enabling thousands of enterprises in over 90 countries globally to drive their digital transformation journeys. Our open-source, API-first approach frees developers and architects from vendor lock-in, enabling rapid digital product creation. Recognized as leaders by industry analysts, WSO2 has over 800 employees worldwide with offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US, with nearly USD100M in annual recurring revenue. Visit https://wso2.com to learn more. Follow WSO2 on LinkedIn and X (Twitter). Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. ### CONTACT: Zaithoon Bin Ahamed WSO2 Head of Corporate Communications zaithoon@wso2.com A young Malawian inventor has taken matters into his own hands to support his community. VOA Africa reports that Ernest Andrew sparked electricity in his village through an air-powered generator that he created. Andrew claims that what hes innovated doesnt require fuel, oil, or batteries. After realizing that we were facing a lot of problems without using electricity, I thought of trying to make electricity, Ernest told the outlet. Now, here we are. According to Andrew, his generator creates 1,000 volts of electricity and has helped to power nine homes. He aims to build out capacity to connect his entire village as well as a nearby primary school. This system generates electricity using air. To make a lightbulb illuminate, I use power stored in bottles, he explained. I experiment with magnetic power to determine how much electricity I can produce. After that, I generate power based on the number of houses I want to supply. The outlet shares that Andrews generator has been met with skepticism from experts about how exactly its powered by air. However, there have also been people, once doubtful of his creation, who have had a change of heart. I was among those who were doubting his ability to generate electricity, which we can use in our homes, but when I saw that he had managed to connect his parents house thats when I asked him to connect my house too, said Mary Phiri, a neighbor of Andrew. Now, life is simple. In addition, leaders such as Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola have voiced their support of Andrews generator, as it provides access to electricity and leads with affordability and sustainability. Although Andrew has explored innovation, the outlet notes that he dropped out of school in 2018 because he was unable to cover school fees. His mother, Evelyn Chinguwo, hopes that people who see his vision and natural talent will help him further his education and creativity. Already, Mercy Mpakule, director of planning and development, shares that the lower district has donated training and supplies to make sure Andrew is able to work safely. Additionally, the Malawi government has offered expertise to assist him in whatever way he needs. Elderly people who were getting regular dinners through the Fredericksburg-area Meals on Wheels program will continue to get food through another local outlet. Healthy Generations Area Agency on Aging will help the people who had been served by Meals on Wheels, which was discontinued locally last week after operating as a ministry through the Interfaith Community Council for more than 45 years. Absolutely, well take care of them, said Pat Holland, director of Healthy Generations which serves Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Theyre not going to go hungry by any means, not with us around. Since the local Meals on Wheels program began, volunteers daily picked up cold lunches and ready-to-heat dinners prepared at Mary Washington Hospital and delivered them to people within several miles of the city, said Bob Habrick, program coordinator. Family members of the recipients, or sometimes local churches, sponsored the cost, which Habrick said equaled about $4.30 per meal. That money was paid to the hospital as all of the administrative work and deliveries were done by about 28 volunteers. Habrick was notified on Feb. 1 that the hospital would stop providing the meals four weeks later. Despite rumors circulating in the community, the decision was not made by Mary Washington Healthcare, but by Morrison Healthcare, the vendor that provides food service to the hospital. The program looks much different than it did when it began, said Chris Lee, regional director of operations for Morrison, based in Atlanta. Due to the significant reduction in requests for meals, which now number only a few each day, we have made the decision to end our services. At the height of the program, about 25 people were getting meals every day from Monday through Friday, but numbers have dropped. There currently are about 14 people on the list. The hospital was able to prepare meals based on a clients health needs, and getting nutritious food into the hands of people who were housebound was vital, Habrick said. Often, the clients children lived out of state and considered Meals on Wheels a godsend because they knew the dinners were the only good foods their parents had to eat. Its heartbreaking when you find out a loved one cant get a meal because they cant get out of the house, he said. Nutrition wasnt the only benefit. The daily deliveries often provided people one of their few contacts with the outside world, said Janet Davis, whos almost 87 and has been delivering meals about 40 years. She and her former co-worker Phyllis Lane also brought cards to the recipients to celebrate each holiday and got to know them. I think the fellowship, just of knowing somebody is coming by, is very important, Davis said. It makes them get up in the morning and get dressed. The loss of that ministry saddens people, Habrick said, noting that Meals on Wheels volunteers were the ones who notified family, or asked the police to do safety checks, when people didnt open their doors. We were the organization that touched the people who were untouchable for the most part, he said. The program itself has had an impact on the community, on its health and safety. Healthy Generations gets funding from the Older Americans Act for its program, called Home Delivered Meals. The meals are free and are delivered by a business called Moms Meals to clients, who can pick what they want from a menu and opt for deliveries once a week or every two weeks, Holland said. The boxes include the ready-to-heat meals, milk and fruit. Everyone who gets free meals has to meet federal guidelines. They must be homebound, unable to prepare meals themselves and without someone in the household who can fix food for them. Holland said she got the list of Meals on Wheels clients last week and was told they all meet the requirements. Her office hoped to contact all the people by Monday and get them on the new distribution list. If someone doesnt meet requirements, Holland said, her agency would find a program to get nutritious food to them. She encouraged other Fredericksburg-area residents who might not have access to food to contact Healthy Generations, which has a multitude of programs for those ages 60 and older. Overall, if somebody is in need and dont feel like theyre receiving proper nutrition, give us a holler, said Holland. Healthy Generations can be reached at 540/371-3375. Habrick said the Meals on Wheels drivers dont want to stop their volunteer duties. Several called him Sunday night, wondering if hed found a solution. You know that you are helping, Davis said. To me, it was an easy way for me to volunteer in the community. And thats what its all about, making your life worthwhile. Habrick turned over the list of drivers to Healthy Generations, and Holland hopes it possible that the volunteers will be able to continue the friendly visits with meal recipients. A man who allegedly broke into a Stafford County home and later tried to take an occupied car was arrested Monday morning following an exhaustive manhunt, police said. Sheriffs Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said deputies went to Musselman Road in southern Stafford just before 7 a.m. in response to a reported burglary. A man carrying a chainsaw and a hammer entered the residence and then fled after being confronted by the resident. He ran down the street to an occupied vehicle, where he unsuccessfully tried to get into the vehicle before a woman drove away. The suspect then fled on foot toward Interstate 95, Kimmitz said. A search that included a drone and a police dog ensued, and the suspect was found a few hours later behind Rappahannock Landing. He had ditched the chainsaw by then, Kimmitz said, and a gun was recovered along the path the dog tracked while searching for the suspect. Police are investigating reports that someone fitting the suspects description attempted to get into other county homes earlier in the morning. Devin James Laws, 26, whose last known address was in Pennington Gap, Virginia, is charged with burglary, attempted carjacking, vandalism, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, carrying a concealed weapon and misdemeanor larceny. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Laws criminal record includes a February 2019 conviction in Wise County for armed burglary. He received a 10-year prison sentence on that conviction, court records show, but all but eight months were suspended. Federal regulators say they have found multiple instances in which Boeing and its key supplier lack adequate measures to control for quality in the manufacturing of jetliners. The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it found problems with parts handling and storage, and other areas. The FAA says it has given Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems a summary of findings from a six-week audit. But the agency isn't immediately making details of its findings public. The FAA has stepped up its scrutiny of Boeing since Jan. 5, when a panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 over Oregon. NEW YORK (AP) The Biden administration is moving to cap credit card late fees at $8. It's the latest effort in the White House push to end what it has called junk fees and is a move that regulators say will save Americans up to $10 billion a year. The average credit card late fee is around $32, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. President Joe Biden plans to highlight the proposal along with other efforts to reduce costs to Americans at a meeting of his competition council on Tuesday. Biden is forming a new strike force to crack down on unfair pricing on things like groceries and prescription drugs. In other headlines: Supreme Court restores Trump to ballot, rejecting state attempts to ban him over Capitol attack. Settlement in Wisconsin fake elector case offers new details on the strategy by Trump lawyers. Former Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg admits to perjury and will not have to testify in hush-money trial. Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira pleads guilty under a deal that calls for at least 11 years in prison. Russell Wilson will soon be sent packing by the Broncos, Jason Kelce retires after an illustrious 13-year career with the Eagles, the Bucks come back to beat the Clippers, Duke wins at North Carolina State and the Panthers beat the Rangers in New York. First over-the-counter birth control pill in US begins shipping to stores. American Airlines to buy 260 new planes from Boeing, Airbus and Embraer to meet growing demand. Apple fined nearly $2 billion by the European Union over music streaming competition. Girl Scouts were told to stop bracelet-making fundraiser for kids in Gaza. Now they can't keep up. The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here. Deputies from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office were involved in three separate pursuit incidents over the weekend all of which resulted in arrests. On Saturday, March 2, at about 3:30 p.m., deputies received reports of a reckless driver southbound on Highway 77. Deputies intercepted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop north of Fremont. The driver failed to yield to the emergency vehicle and continued southbound, a press release from the sheriffs office stated. After a short pursuit, with speeds only reaching 50 mph, the driver was apprehended and taken into custody in the 3000 Block of North Broad Street in Fremont. The driver, Kathleen Harlan, 50, of Lincoln was booked into the Dodge County holding facility on charges of driving during revocation, driving on the shoulder, driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and possession of open alcohol container. Deputies were assisted by the Oakland Police Department and the Fremont Police Department. On March 3 at about 8:30 p.m., a Dodge County deputy attempted to stop a vehicle on Highway 30 at approximately County Road 21, west of Fremont. The vehicle failed to yield to the emergency lights and fled westbound on Highway 30. The driver continued westbound at a high rate of speed, reaching 90 mph at times, a press release said. The vehicle eventually pulled into Rogers in Colfax County, and the driver fled on foot. Deputies requested additional resources to locate the driver. After an investigation, it was determined that the driver was Angel Agosto Idorwatt, 20, of Schuyler, and he was taken into custody. Deputies were assisted by the Colfax County Sheriffs Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Saunders County Sheriff's Office drone team, and the Omaha Police Able-1 helicopter. Agosto Idorwatt was booked into the Dodge County holding facility for flight to avoid arrest - second offense, driving during revocation, willful reckless driving, obstructing a peace officer and multiple traffic offenses. The third arrest was already reported in the Fremont Police Log. Tuesday Fremont Housing Agencys Chamber Coffee, 9-10 a.m., Stanton Tower Dining Room, 2600 N. Clarkson St., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Letters to the Churches of Revelation, 10 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Ready for Kindergarten, 10-11 a.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. The program is designed for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers. Stories, art, manipulatives and sensory stations will help build the skills needed for kindergarten. Supportive Singles, 11:30 a.m., Thai & Maki Sushi, 507 N. D St., Fremont. For more information, call 402-660-8474. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Narcotics Anonymous Steps of Freedom meeting, 1 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511. Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be a Sons of the American Legion meeting at 7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Mens and Womens Bible Study, 6 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Wednesday Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont Mens Bible Study, 1 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Eagles Auxiliary pork tenderloin dinner, 5:30-7 p.m., Fremont Eagles Club, 649 N. Main St. Everyone is welcome. Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511. Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Thursday Mens Bible Study, 8 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Fremont Kiwanis Club meeting, noon, Midland University Private Dining Rooms, Ninth and Pebble streets, Fremont. Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7 p.m. The menu will include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, tacos and soup. Pitch will be played at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Keene Memorial Library Lego Club, 4-5 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont. Lego bricks will be supplied. Rebuilding Together, Platte Valley East Nail Tapping, 4 p.m., 1535 N. Platte Ave., Fremont. The non-profit is using the Fremont Home Fund to buy and renovate a home that is no longer in a livable condition. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. WinItBack Patriots meeting, 6 p.m., at Milady Coffeehouse Event Center East Wing, Sixth Street and Park Avenue, Fremont. Attendees should arrive early if they wish to order a sandwich or beverage. Enter through the south (back) door. The group will be talking about returning to hand-counted ballots in elections in Nebraska. All are welcome. For more information, call Doug Wittmann at 402-317-1270. Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., 1201 W. 23rd St., in yellow hangar at Fremont Airport. Fremont Antique Car Club meeting, 7 p.m., Fremont Rural Fire Hall, 110 Boulevard St. For more information, contact Scott Reeson at 402-719-8318. Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave. North Bend Central Public Schools Wax Museum, 7-8 p.m., North Bend Central gyms. The wax museum will be presented by the North Bend seventh graders. Guests should bring coins or bills to bring these figures of the past to life. Proceeds will support the charity of students choice. Tally Ho Toastmasters, 7-8 p.m., Midland Universitys Anderson Building, Ninth and Clarkson streets, Fremont. Everyone is welcome to learn skills in communication, self-confidence and leadership. For more information, call 402-936-3479. Narcotics Anonymous Back to Basics meeting, 7:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 N. Davis St., Oakland. Opening night of Anastasia The New Broadway Musical, 7:30 p.m., Nell McPherson Theatre, 1750 N. Lincoln Ave., Fremont. The Fremont High School musical will continue through March 10. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at fremont.booktix.net. Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. A well-known veteran volunteer for the Salvation Army of Fremont is facing a misdemeanor theft charge in Dodge County Court after she was accused of stealing donations from one of the organizations red kettles in December 2023. Shirley Brester, 77, was charged last week with one count of suspicion of theft by unlawful taking, less than $500, a Class II misdemeanor. An arrest warrant for Brester was issued on Feb. 29, but recalled for unknown reasons on Friday. Brester has been volunteering as a bell ringer for the Salvation Armys Red Kettle Campaign for many years, and has been credited by Salvation Army officials for collecting close to $20,000 in donations during her time as a bell ringer primarily stationed at the Hy-Vee grocery store on 23rd Street. In addition to her volunteering reputation, Brester is well-known around Fremont and Dodge County for her community involvement. She and her daughter, Evelyn, have been profiled in several articles in the Tribune, notably for their tale of survival during a blizzard that hit the region in the late 1980s. In a Sunday interview with the Tribune, Brester admitted she did steal money from the red kettle, and she said that the allegations in the court documents were accurate. She also expressed remorse and guilt for her actions, and said she was willing to do community service and volunteer as needed as punishment for her transgression. I got tempted by the devil, Brester said of the incident. I knew I needed money and I did not know where to turn. Then, the devil tempted me. I tried to resist, but I did (steal). I have been living with remorse ever since. Brester said her car was in need of repairs that she did not have the money to pay for. She said she stole the money she did not reveal how much she took to pay for those car repairs. I just dont know what came over me. I am so sorry and so remorseful, Brester said. Brester said she put a personal check for $200 in the drop box at the Salvation Army offices in Fremont on Saturday. However, Salvation Army Lieutenant Alex Ozuna one of the two commanding officers of the Fremont Salvation Army told the Tribune on Monday that no check was left in the organizations drop box, and that even if Brester had offered to repay the money she admitted stealing, the organizations protocols prohibit them from accepting the payment. We have not gotten anything from her, Alex Ozuna said. There was nothing in our drop box. According to a Fremont police report included in the court filing against Brester, the local woman is accused of using a specialized tweezer-like tool to steal an estimated $140 to $150 out of a locked red kettle she was in charge of on Dec. 5, 2023. FPD Officer Chad Smith wrote in his report that a concerned customer alleged to Hy-Vee store management team members that Brester may have been stealing money from the red kettle. Hy-Vee officials reviewed security camera footage of the front lobby where Brester was stationed and believed the claims of theft were valid. At that point, Hy-Vee management officials contacted one of the two commanding officers at the Fremont Salvation Army Lieutenant Oscar Ozuna and asked him to review the video. According to the police report, Oscar Ozuna went to the grocery store and watched the security footage, identifying the suspected thief as Brester. Alex Ozuna, Oscars wife, said that under Salvation Army rules and policies she and her husband were required to report the incident to local law enforcement authorities and then turn over all documents, reports and information to their regional headquarters in Omaha. Yes, we had a situation with policies and procedures and we are required to file police reports with our regional headquarters, Alex Ozuna said in a telephone interview with the Tribune. After that, it is not our decision whether to press charges or not. It is up to our headquarters. Alex Ozuna said the Salvation Armys Omaha-based Major Dan Sawka had made the final decision to press charges against Brester for the theft allegations. Telephone messages left for Sawka, as well as two other senior Salvation Army officials based in Omaha, were not returned by press time. Brester said Sunday that she had been contacted by Fremont police officers on Feb. 21 who were investigating the incident. She also said she admitted to police officials in recent weeks that she stole the money and was apologetic. The police did come to visit me. I did admit to stealing, she said. I did not know any charges had been filed against me. The (police) officer said I should try to work the situation out with Lt. Oscar Ozuna. Todd Andrews, a spokesperson for the Salvation Army Western Division in Omaha, said the organization is saddened by the incident with Brester. We were saddened by the theft from our red kettle outside the Fremont Hy-Vee in December. In the rare instance in which there is a theft from a Salvation Army red kettle, the entire community suffers a setback, he said. Money donated to our kettles helps people in need in local communities, so when thefts like the one in December occur, the perpetrators are really stealing from their most vulnerable neighbors. We are grateful to law enforcement for their work on this case, Andrews said. We are aware that the alleged perpetrator has attempted to reach out to us expressing remorse, but we also firmly believe in the legal process and that it must play out. Brester said shes sent three to four emails to Oscar Ozuna since meeting with police, asking to meet and try to rectify the theft, but said he has not responded to her communications. Brester said she has never committed a crime in her life, never been arrested, is unemployed and resides with her extended family. She also claimed she had at least $10,000 stolen from her in a Facebook scam in 2020. That scam has caused financial havoc in her life, and was one reason she said she stole the money from the red kettle. Since the incident, Brester said she has prayed for forgiveness and vowed to never commit a crime again. God help me, no. Never again, she said. As of Monday, Dodge County Deputy Attorney Justin Bignell said the charge against Brester was still active and the case was proceeding along normal legal timelines. No court date has been listed on the Dodge County Court website as of March 1. The maximum punishment for a suspect found guilty of the charge is six months in the county jail. There have been no discussions regarding plea offers, dropping the case or the like, Bignell said in an email. I just looked into the warrant and it seems the county court withdrew the warrant on its own motion. Explosive fire at site used by vape suppliers kills 1 outside Detroit, sends debris a mile away Authorities say a fire that destroyed a building which housed suppliers for the vaping industry caused multiple explosions that killed one person and injured a firefighter as the blasts rocked suburban Detroit, sending gas cannisters and debris shooting into the air Colorado voters finish casting ballots today in the state's presidential primary, joining 15 other states and a territory voting on Super Tuesday. FILE PHOTO: Members of the media set up their work area outside the U.S. Supreme Court as justices hear arguments in former U.S. President Donald Trump's appeal of a lower court's ruling disqualifying him from the Colorado presidential primary ballot, in Washington, U.S., February 8, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/File Photo El Paso County unaffiliated voters have claimed the majority as of Monday evening, making up just over 50% of all active voters. Frustrated residents are fleeing the major parties and a new state system is registering newcomers as independent, leading to the shift, experts said. El Paso County resident Jonathan Liepe is among half of the 470,432 active voters in Colorado's most populous county who consider themselves independent in a jurisdiction that has historically been a Republican stronghold. While Liepe has been unaffiliated his entire life, he has been particularly frustrated by major party candidates for the last 10 years. "Can we not find better candidates between either party? It is just a joke," Liepe said as he dropped off his ballot Monday, ahead of Election Day. Across the country, Colorado and 15 other states will weigh in on presidential candidates on Super Tuesday. Updated registered voter data provided by the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office as of Monday show unaffiliated voters make up 50.03% of all voters in the county more than all Republican, Democratic and other minor party-affiliated voters combined. "Our unaffiliated voters have a major impact on every single one of our elections," Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said. " Our Republicans are losing about 0.2% (of voters) each week, and the same with Democrats and they're going unaffiliated." Among 458,314 active voters in the November 2020 General Election, independents made up 41% of the El Paso County electorate, clerk's data from Nov. 25, 2020 show. During that year, about 36% of all El Paso County voters were Republican, and Democrats made up about 21% of all voters. In November 2022, the numbers slipped, with Republicans accounting for about 32% and Democrats representing about 19%. Independents increased, accounting for about 47% of all voters. As of Monday, Republicans had slipped again, down to about 30%, and Democrats down to 17.5%, data show. Why are voters going unaffiliated? Pundits and local officials say there are two reasons for this diaspora in El Paso County: General exasperation with the major Republican and Democratic parties and Colorado's automatic voter registration system. "I think people are just getting more and more sick of both parties. There just seems to be a general dislike," said Eli Bremer, a former 2022 Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former chairman of the El Paso County GOP. Schleiker said he's recently heard from residents who have for decades been registered Democrats or Republicans and are now registering as independent because they don't agree with partisan politics and "continued fighting within either party itself." "They feel that either party has left them," he said. The state's automatic registration program, passed by the Colorado Legislature in 2019, has also helped bump up the number of unaffiliated voters in El Paso County. The program automatically registers eligible voters as unaffiliated when they apply for or renew their driver's license. Voters can choose later to decline the registration or affiliate with a political party. Colorado allows residents to register and declare political affiliations through Election Day. El Paso County resident Jax Armendariz Unzueta said her dissatisfaction with the national political machine in the 2016 General Election, and her later experience in 2019 as the second vice chairwoman with the county Democratic Party, prompted her to unaffiliate from the party in 2019. Armendariz Unzueta said during the leadup to the national Democratic presidential primaries in late July 2016, she felt the race between candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders was already decided by the Democratic National Convention long before the race was officially called. During her nine-month tenure as an elected party official with El Paso County Democrats in 2019, she said she experienced racial microaggressions and felt other party officers at the time dismissed her perspective as a young Latina/Chicana. "I just didn't feel like I had a place in the party at that point," Armendariz Unzueta said of her decision register as an independent. Featured Local Savings Since the 2020 elections she's seen positive changes in the local Democratic party and feels it is now more inclusive and open to different perspectives. Though she continued voting for Democratic candidates in 2020 as an independent, she reaffiliated as a Democrat in 2022 and now works as a voter protection specialist with the local party. "I reaffiliated and I wish I had done it earlier, to be frank," Armendariz Unzueta said. "I do know, based on the statistics, I could have affected the process at the caucus level to have a better representative at the local level than I do now. That's something we talk about as voting advocates: One or two votes can make the difference. I've seen it." How do unaffiliated voters shape local elections? El Paso County Democrats Chairwoman Mischa Smith said her party is working to reach communities who may not have previously heard from the party. "This has been a really exciting time to be a Democrat in El Paso County," Smith said. " We're still making ground in helping turn El Paso County more progressive. If anything, it's working better in our favor, (having) people who are looking at both sides." Schleiker said political candidates can have a lot of influence if their message resonates with a broad swath of voters. "The bottom line is, it actually comes down to a candidate if that candidate is able to build a relationship, if their message is in line with a lot of the unaffiliated voters," he said. Bremer said independent voters often still lean left or right. Looking at voting trends by local district can provide insight on how they lean politically. One drawback to registering as an independent is those voters have no say in which candidates make it onto the major party primary ballots, said Jody Richie, a longtime Republican volunteer and co-founder of Peak Republicans. The organization supports GOP candidates and elected officials in local races because the county GOP has seen internal strife. However, independents can participate in the Republican and Democratic primary elections under a 2016 Colorado law. Todd Watkins, vice chairman of the El Paso County GOP, said in a brief emailed statement last week the law "has had appreciable impacts on the party's direction and has certainly changed how candidates manage their campaigns." He did not address questions about courting more voters to register as Republicans. The Colorado Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit in Denver on July 31, hoping to overturn the law. The party alleged it was unconstitutional and infringes on the GOP's rights under the First and 14th amendments to choose nominees for the general election ballot. A federal judge on Feb. 2 declined the party's request to block unaffiliated voters from participating in its primary elections, concluding the GOP did not show how the law's passage nearly eight years ago measurably affected Republican nominating contests in the years since. Richie said the Peak Republicans group is focused on petitioning its candidates onto the June primary ballot. The drop in registered Republicans makes that harder, she said. El Paso County could elect more Democrats El Paso County has long been known as a Republican stronghold, though it is slowly moving away from that direction as Colorado turns more blue. For example, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis lost to Republican nominee Heidi Ganahl in the November 2022 election by only four percentage points in El Paso County, a marked shift from the 20-point margins Republican statewide candidates previously garnered in the county. That year, Polis barely edged out Ganahl within Colorado Springs city limits. El Paso County voters this November will select three representatives to fill seats in Districts 2, 3 and 4 on the Board of County Commissioners. As of Monday afternoon, two Democrats Naomi Lopez in District 3 and Detra Duncan in District 4 are running for those seats and Luis Ybarra is running as an unaffiliated candidate in District 4. All 11 other candidates across all three districts are Republicans. After redistricting last year changed commissioner district boundaries, District 3 is the most competitive seat of the three this fall. It is possible El Paso County could elect its first Democratic candidate to the county commission in almost 50 years, Bremer said. But November's election will depend on several dynamics, including the outcome of Tuesday's presidential primary. It's still too early to predict, he said. "The top of the ticket is going to matter," he said. "By the numbers, you see the potential for some movement." The Gazette's Mary Shinn contributed to this report. The Place is building The Launchpad Apartments north of the intersection of North 19th and West Uintah streets. New CEO Becky Treece said she will focus on bringing the project to completion in upcoming months. The 50-unit complex for homeless young adults is scheduled to open in November. The staunch stillness of ceremony melted into chaotic emotion Tuesday as soldiers embraced their loved ones at Fort Carson following a nine-month training rotation in South Korea. The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, about 4,500 people, traveled to South Korea for the training that included exercises with South Korean troops, said Col. Keith Benedict, brigade commander. "It is one of our worlds premier alliances. Our being there is a physical manifestation of that alliance for the people in the Republic of Korea," he said. "...We were privileged to be the first Fort Carson and Ivy Division patch-wearing soldiers to go support that mission." North Korea tested cruise missiles in January and February in a show of force. But heightened tensions on the peninsula did not disrupt the brigade's training, he said. The schedule featured 153 days in a row of continuous field training straight through Thanksgiving Day, he said. On the holiday, the soldiers trained with live rounds and ended the day with turkey dinners, he said. The 4th Infantry Division celebrated the homecoming of the final 250 2nd Stryker Brigade soldiers Tuesday with the uncasing of the brigade flag and battle streamers as families watched with anticipation. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "It is wonderful to bring everyone home and celebrate with families and division leadership," Benedict said. Staff Sgt. Isaiah Morales with the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, started looking for his wife and brother as soon as he walked through the doors of the William Bill Reed Special Event Center. "It is a great feeling honestly," he said, of looking for his family. The time abroad helped build cohesiveness among his squad especially because they were living together in the barracks. But he was looking forward to more personal space and other conveniences, such as good food and driving his Toyota Tundra. New storm system enters Colorado after two more days of light snow showers in the northern and west-central mountains. Friday could be a powder day, but also a lot of snow accumulating south of Colorado Springs and into the mountains west of Pueblo and Walsenburg. Moment of ZEN: Recap: On Monday, more snow fell throughout the day through sunset in the northern and central mountains. Additional accumulations of between 4-10 inches were recorded in the northern and central mountains, and between 1-6 inches in the southern mountains. Temperatures rebounded around the state toward freezing or above Monday; Aspen Mountain's base area hit a high of 37 degrees. Forecast: On Thursday afternoon a more organized storm is forecast to track south of Colorado, breaking off waves of energy and pushing moisture northeastward from the Four Corners region. The ECMWF high resolution model forecasts for Friday morning's first chairs anywhere between 6-16 inches of snow for the west-central mountains, 4-10 inches in the Elkhead and Flattops, and 2-8 inches in the San Juan mountains with the northern San Juans receiving higher amounts. However, because the storm is tracking farther south than several recent storms, snow and/or a rain/snow mix is also forecast to impact areas east into the Sangre de Cristo and Front Range mountains, but mostly south of Colorado Springs. If temperatures remain above freezing, most of the precipitation will fall as rain, especially south of Pueblo, but closer to the mountains it should fall as snow potentially between 6-16 inches. Upsloping winds could drive snow accumulations higher at places like Echo, Eldora, along the Continental Divide near Loveland Pass, and even into the southern Sawatch Range around Monarch. If temperatures remain cold enough, deep snow around Cuchara in Huerfano County could also give skiers and riders fresh snow to hike-up to and play in. By Friday night, upwards of 1.6 inches of snow water equivalent (~16 inches of snow) could fall in southeastern Colorado around Springfield, and with between 0.8-1.6 inches of snow water equivalent (~8-16 inches) south of Pueblo. Farther west, the southern mountains are forecast to receive 4-12 inches, the central mountains 4-16 inches and the northern mountains 4-8 inches. Long Range: Saturday and Sunday are forecast to be mostly sunny and warm with high temperatures reaching into the low 40s at most base areas below 9,000 feet of elevation. Monday through Wednesday morning are forecast to be dry as well, but even warmer, with highs into the mid-40s. Beginning Wednesday, the next storm system enters Colorado, producing snow lasting until Friday. Colorado's snow pack grew significantly during the month of February. On Feb. 1, the state's average snowpack was 85% of average with 8.2 inches of snow water equivalent locked in the snowpack. On March 4, the state's average snowpack was 99% of average with 12.9 inches of snow water equivalent locked in the snowpack. Watch: Snowpack update from Denver Gazette media partner 9News: Today's 24 hour snow total from Colorado resorts: Arapahoe Basin - 2" Aspen Mountain - 1" Featured Local Savings Aspen Highlands - 2" Beaver Creek - 5" Breckenridge - 3" Buttermilk - 1" Cooper - 0" Copper Mountain - 2" Crested Butte - 1" Echo Mountain - 0" Eldora Mountain - 3" Granby Ranch - 3" Hesperus - Closed for season Howelsen Hill - 1" Kendall Mountain - 0", open weekends Keystone - 3" Loveland - 4" Monarch - 0" Powderhorn - 2" Purgatory - 4" Silverton - 6" Snowmass - 3" Steamboat - 10" Sunlight - 1" Telluride - 0" Vail - 5" Winter Park - 5" Wolf Creek - 1" Firefighters are on the scene of a burning grass fire in eastern Colorado Tuesday morning. According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the fire is burning near Rush on the El Paso and Elbert County line along the 4400 block of Holtwood Road, 5 miles north of Highway 94. Officials said the fire has burned approximately 40 acres, and is traveling northwest. No evacuations have been reported at this time. Hanover, Edison and Simla fire departments are active on the scene, officials said. This is a developing story. This article will be updated once more information is received. A historic and long-planned step in the evolution of Colorado Springs urban landscape came down in a cloud of confusion Saturday, after demolition crews at the former Martin Drake Power Plant toppled one of the decommissioned eyesores more eye-catching structures a six-story blue-gray box that for more than 50 years had dominated the citys southern skyline and entry corridor. The demo was part of ongoing work to piece-by-piece raze the citys former coal power plant, which ceased operation in September 2022, said Steve Berry, public affairs specialist with Colorado Springs Utilities. In retrospect, Berry said a heads-up to the media and community should have been part of the plan, too. Needless to say, I underestimated the visual impact of the scene Saturday and I take full responsibility for the lack of advanced communication to you and our community, Berry said Monday, in an email to media outlets covering the fallout of a breakdown in promised updates about scheduled work on the massive project. The Colorado Springs Fire Department received so many reports of smoke and collapsed buildings at Martin Drake its public information office issued a statement to stem the tide and allay fears during a season of heightened fire danger. Despite visuals in the sky and a responding fire truck on the ground, there is NO fire or emergency, CSFD posted early Saturday evening on X. To be fair, given the extensive dust mitigation, Berry said he hadnt expected quite such a scene. Before heavy machinery pulled apart the bones of what once was the plants industrial nerve center, multiple water cannons outside and custom sprinklers within doused what remained in a bid to control particulates, Berry said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Even so, the demo kicked up an ominous, dark plume that drifted over the highway and could be seen for miles. Despite the significant visuals of Saturdays activities, the community was safe due to prior abatement work, Berry said. The safety of the surrounding neighborhoods remains our primary focus. Berry said that roughly 50% of the demolition at Martin Drake has been completed so far, and work is on track to wrap by the end of 2024, as expected. The next phase will involve pre-demo asbestos abatement at the plants former cooling tower structure, with the erection of a tent over the worksite. Disassembly of the plants external smoke stacks is underway. What's next for the land, once the plant's fully uprooted, remains to be seen. A 107-page visioning document from the Downtown Partnership and the Legacy Institute, who partnered independently of Colorado Springs Utilities to create the report, lays out an expansive list of possible future options for the site, from housing to dog parks or even a solar farm. However, the document does not factor in real-world financial, political or environmental constraints. By Helen Coster (Reuters) -Republican frontrunner Donald Trump dominated the nominating contests taking place coast-to-coast on Super Tuesday, the biggest day of primaries in the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle. Fifteen states held Republican contests, including the two most populous, California and Texas. More than a third of delegates - 865 of 2,429 - were up for grabs; at least 1,215 delegates are needed to win the nomination. About a third of Democratic delegates also were at stake in primaries across the country on Tuesday, but President Joe Biden does not face a serious challenge for his party's nomination. Here is a look at what is happening on the ground in the Republican fight between Trump and his last remaining rival for the nomination, Nikki Haley, including the latest projections from Edison Research: VIRGINIA Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 48 Virginia is an open primary state that allows registered voters to participate in either primary, which could have boosted Haley's results given her relative strength with independent voters compared to Trump. Trump had been leading Haley by nearly 49 percentage points, according to a polling average by FiveThirtyEight. In the 2020 general election, Biden won the state by roughly 10 percentage points. NORTH CAROLINA Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 74 North Carolina was watched closely for signs of each candidate's strength in one of the potential battleground states that could decide the general election. Trump won the state in the 2020 election against Biden by just over a single percentage point. The state allows voters who are unaffiliated with a party to participate in any primary they choose, which was seen as potentially lifting Haley's performance. OKLAHOMA Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 43 Oklahoma is one of two states where every county voted for Trump in 2020. The other was West Virginia. A Feb. 4 Morning Consult poll showed Trump beating Haley by 77 percentage points in Oklahoma's primary contest. TEXAS Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 161 Opinion polls showed Trump to be an overwhelming favorite in Texas' primary contest, and beating Biden by four percentage points in November. With immigration a major ballot issue, Trump and Biden appeared in dueling visits to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas on Feb. 29. TENNESSEE Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 58 Opinion polls had shown Trump was likely to get an easy win over Haley in Tennessee, a state he also won in the 2016 and 2020 general elections. MAINE Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 20 Trump led Haley by 58 percentage points in Maine according to a Feb. 19 poll by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll. Maine, one of the country's least racially diverse states, has a semi-open primary that allows unenrolled or independent voters to vote in either the Democratic or Republican contest without having to sign up with the party. Biden beat Trump in Maine by roughly nine percentage points in 2020. ARKANSAS Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 40 Trump beat Biden in Arkansas by roughly 27 percentage points in 2020 and is expected to have an even greater lead this year, according to an Oct. 4 Emerson College poll. ALABAMA Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 50 Trump had a huge lead over Haley in polls in Alabama, a state he also easily won in the 2020 general election. The state was thrust to the center of the U.S. reproductive rights debate after its high court ruled on Feb. 16 that frozen embryos created by in vitro fertilization treatments should be considered children, leaving Republicans scrambling to contain the public backlash. MASSACHUSETTS Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 40 Trump lost Massachusetts, which has a small Republican Party, by two-to-one margins in the last two general elections. But he had been expected to easily win the primary against Haley. Unaffiliated voters, who comprise 3.1 million of the state's 4.9 million registered voters, could choose to vote in any primary on Tuesday. COLORADO Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 37 Trump remained on the Colorado primary ballot after the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday blocked states from disqualifying candidates for federal office under a constitutional provision involving insurrection, reversing a state decision that would have excluded him from the ballot. CALIFORNIA Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 169 According to Republican Party rules in California, a candidate who wins more than half of primary votes receives all of the state's 169 delegates. If neither candidate wins over 50% of the votes, delegates will be awarded proportionately based on the statewide vote. In the general election, Biden is expected to easily win the state. VERMONT Race call: Haley wins Republican delegate count: 17 In liberal Vermont, the Republican Party is more moderate than in other states. Its Republican governor, Phil Scott, endorsed Haley, who benefited from independents voting in the state's open primary. A Feb. 19 University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll had Trump beating Haley by 30 percentage points. Biden won Vermont by over 35 percentage points in 2020. MINNESOTA Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 39 Opinion polls show Trump has overwhelming support among Republicans in Minnesota, where Biden is polling slightly ahead of Trump in the general election. Minnesota three-term Democratic congressman Dean Phillips was on the ballot as a long-shot primary challenger to Biden, but Biden easily won. ALASKA: Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 29 Alaska has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1964. Trump won by 10 percentage points in the 2020 general election, the smallest Republican margin since 1992. There was no public polling for the Trump-Haley matchup ahead of the primary. UTAH Race call: Trump wins Republican delegate count: 40 This year, Utah's Republican Party opted to hold a caucus and presidential preference poll to determine the party's nominee instead of a state-funded primary. In a state where Trump beat Biden by roughly 20 percentage points in 2020, a January poll from Dan Jones & Associates showed him beating Haley by 27 percentage points on Super Tuesday. (Reporting by Helen Coster; additional reporting by Costas Pitas; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Daniel Wallis, Alistair Bell and Ros Russell) By Jaspreet Singh and Aditya Soni (Reuters) -Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram were back up on Tuesday after a more than two-hour outage that was caused by a technical issue and impacted hundreds of thousands of users globally. The disruptions started at around 10 a.m. ET (1500 GMT), with many users saying on rival social media platform X they had been booted out of Facebook and Instagram and were unable to log in. The White House National Security Council was monitoring the incident and not aware of any specific malicious cyber activity at this time, a spokesperson said. At the peak of the outage, there were more than 550,000 reports of disruptions for Facebook and about 92,000 for Instagram, according to outage tracking website Downdetector.com. "Earlier today, a technical issue caused people to have difficulty accessing some of our services. We resolved the issue ... for everyone who was impacted," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a post on X, without elaborating on the issue. Meta, whose shares were down 1.2% in afternoon trading, did not immediately respond to a request seeking more details on the technical problem. The company has about 3.19 billion daily active users across its family of apps, which also includes WhatsApp and Threads. Its status dashboard earlier showed the application programming interface for WhatsApp Business was also facing issues. However, the outage for WhatsApp and Threads was much smaller, according to Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from several sources including users. Several employees of Meta said on anonymous messaging app Blind that they were unable to log in to their internal work systems, which left them wondering if they were laid off, according to posts seen by Reuters. The outage was among the top trending topics on X, formerly Twitter, with the platform's owner Elon Musk taking a shot at Meta with a post that said: "If you're reading this post, it's because our servers are working". X itself has faced several disruptions to its service after Musk's $44 billion purchase of the social media platform in October 2022, with an outage in December causing issues for more than 77,000 users in countries from the U.S. to France. (Reporting by Aditya Soni and Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru, Katie Paul in New York and Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Anil D'Silva, Krishna Chandra Eluri, Maju Samuel and Shounak Dasgupta) (Reuters) - The Communists of Russia party has asked the FSB security service and top prosecutors to investigate the possible involvement of Western intelligence services in the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1953, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday. "The party appealed to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation and the FSB with a request to check the possible involvement of Western intelligence services in the death of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin," RIA cited the chairman of the party, Sergei Malinkovich as saying. "Many testimonies from Stalin's contemporaries speak of the possible poisoning of the leader of the Soviet nations by agents of Western influence," Malinkovich said, according to the report. It was not immediately clear whether the FSB or the Prosecutor General's Office had replied to the party's request. Tuesday marks the 71st anniversary of the death of Stalin, who was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 until the day he died. The cause of his death was a haemorrhagic stroke, according to the government. He oversaw Russia's rapid industrialisation but also the deaths of millions in purges, Gulag labour camps and famines. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who casts himself as an heir to the tsars of the past, has offered a measured assessment of Stalin, praising his war leadership while condemning his domestic policies as "totalitarian". The Communists of Russia party (CPCR) was registered in 2012. Its main rival on the left of Russia's political spectrum is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), which considers itself as the successor to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Malinkovich told RIA that his party representatives would lay flowers at the bust of Stalin at the Kremlin Wall on Tuesday. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Jamie Freed) By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Lawyers for Donald Trump asked a court on Monday to reject a prosecution request for a gag order at his March 25 criminal trial over hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels, arguing it would infringe on his right to free speech. "President Trump's political opponents have, and will continue to, attack him based on this case," his lawyers wrote. "The voters have the right to listen to President Trump's unfettered responses." They said the order sought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office would prevent Trump, the Republican frontrunner to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden, from speaking on a campaign issue in the run-up to the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. Gag orders restricting defendants from speaking publicly about certain aspects of legal proceedings may be imposed to try to prevent intimidation of witnesses or jurors, or to protect court staff from threats. Bragg's office last year charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up his lawyer Michael Cohen's $130,000 payment to Daniels shortly before the 2016 election to keep her silent about a sexual encounter she said she had with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied any such relationship. Prosecutors last month asked New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, who is trying the case, to bar Trump from making public comments about witnesses or court staff ahead of the trial, the first-ever of a former U.S. president. The prosecutors cited what they called Trump's "longstanding history of attacking witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, judges and others involved in legal proceedings against him." Trump's lawyers wrote he should be able to respond to public attacks by potential witnesses such as Cohen and Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The measures Bragg requested are similar to restrictions a federal judge imposed last year in a criminal case on charges involving Trump's efforts to overturn his loss to Biden in the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty in that case. In a civil fraud case, a New York state judge fined Trump a total of $15,000 for twice violating a gag order barring him from publicly talking about court staff. In that case, Trump is appealing a $454.2 million penalty for misstating the values of his family real estate company's properties to dupe lenders. Trump's lawyers did not object to a separate request from prosecutors for the jurors' identities to be disclosed only to the lawyers in the case and Trump himself. But his lawyers asked that Merchan allow their identities to be disclosed to consultants hired by lawyers to assist with the jury selection process. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Jonathan Oatis and Howard Goller) By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Monday that she and President Joe Biden are in synch about Israel policy, after her blunt comments calling for a ceasefire and declaring a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza sparked questions about their positions. During a trip to Alabama on Sunday Harris urged Hamas to agree to a six-week ceasefire and said Israel must do more to let aid flow freely into Gaza, where conditions, she said, were "inhumane." Biden has been a staunch ally of Israel and has not wavered in his support since the Oct. 7 attack by Iran-backed Hamas that killed some 1,200 people sparked an offensive by Israel in Gaza that Palestinian authorities say has left more than 30,000 dead. Biden has been pushing for a 6-week ceasefire to get aid into Gaza and hostages out of the enclave. The president and I have been aligned and consistent from the very beginning, Harris said when asked by a Reuters reporter whether there was any distance between her and Biden on the issue. "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 the hostages out. And that remains our position," she said. Hamas and Egyptian mediators said on Monday they were pressing on with talks on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, despite Israel's decision not to send a delegation. The United States has said Israel has largely agreed to a deal but Hamas must agree to release its hostages. "It is important that we all understand that ... were in a window of time right now where we can actually get a hostage deal done," Harris told reporters in Washington. "We all want this conflict to end as soon as possible, and how it does matters." (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Stephen Coates) A civilian Air Force employee was charged with sharing classified secrets with a woman he met on a foreign dating site. David Franklin Slater, 63, a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army, was arrested in Nebraska on Saturday on a three-count federal indictment. He was caught sending messages from around August 2021 to April 2022, revealing classified information about the war in Ukraine to a woman claiming to live in Ukraine. Certain responsibilities are incumbent to individuals with access to Top Secret information. The allegations against Mr. Slater challenge whether he betrayed those responsibilities, U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr for the District of Nebraska announced. 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 woman labeled the co-conspirator frequently requested that Slater send her "sensitive, non-public, closely held and classified" information, according to the Department of Justice. The information Slater revealed related to Russian military capabilities, Ukrainian military targets, NATO military capabilities, and apparently secret visits of U.S. officials to Ukraine, among other details. The indictment contained a slew of examples. "Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting," a message sent on or around March 11, 2022, read. Featured Local Savings "Sweet Dave, the supply of weapons is completely classified, which is great!" another in April read. "My sweet Dave, thanks for the valuable information, it's great that two officials from the USA are going to Kyiv," another the same month read. In some messages, she referred to Slater affectionately as "my secret agent." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "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," she said in a March 23, 2022, message. If convicted, Slater faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000. Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz pushed back on Monday against reports that he was visiting the United States against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus wishes. Gantz, a centrist political figure and one of Netanyahus chief rivals, is in Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior U.S. officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and others. He made the trip despite Netanyahu vehemently opposing him doing so. Asked if the U.S. should be dealing with him instead of Netanyahu by reporters in the Capitol on Monday, Gantz replied, No, no, no, Israel has a prime minister, and everything is OK. Gantz told the Washington Examiner after leaving McConnells office, The visit is going well. I think that I'm explaining Israel's interest and how I see the United States's interest. The relations have been I've been accepted very warmly. [Im having] good discussions, very open and candid." A spokesperson for Netanyahu said after news of the trip emerged last week that Gantz did not request or receive the necessary approval from his office for an official visit. Gantz called Netanyahu to get that authorization last Friday, but the discussion turned hostile, with the latter telling the former, There is only one prime minister, according to Netanyahus office. Featured Local Savings Gantzs office says the war cabinet minister got the go-ahead from Netanyahu before embarking on the trip, which comes as the prime minister faces plummeting approval ratings among the Israeli people. Gantz, who joined Netanyahus far-right coalition government after the Oct. 7 attacks as part of a national unity effort, has experienced the opposite, with his public approval numbers skyrocketing. His decision to go through with the U.S. visit despite Netanyahus disapproval also signals that the prime minister is facing opposition to his handling of the war in Gaza, something he is beginning to face from the Biden administration and Democrats over the Palestinian death toll. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Harris told reporters before her Monday afternoon meeting with Gantz that the two planned to discuss a number of things in terms of the priorities that certainly we have, which includes getting a hostage deal done, getting aid in, and then getting that six-week ceasefire. Gantz and his team were the ones who requested meetings with the Biden administration, White House officials said ahead of the visit. Two sources in congressional leadership confirmed as much to the Washington Examiner, saying Gantzs office reached out to set up the meetings. President Joe Biden told reporters Tuesday that it's now up to Hamas to approve a Ramadan ceasefire halting the violence in Gaza. Biden spent the weekend at Camp David preparing for his State of the Union address on Thursday and monitoring the slow progress toward a Gaza ceasefire. Recent 2024 polling shows Biden locked in a dead heat or even trailing former President Donald Trump ahead of the election in November, and the fighting in Israel is causing him to bleed support from the Democratic base. "It's in the hands of Hamas right now. The Israelis have been cooperating. There's an offer out there that's rational. We don't know what we'll know in a couple of days what's going to happen, but we need the ceasefire," he stated before boarding Air Force One for his return trip to Washington, D.C. "We need to see what Hamas does. There's got to be a ceasefire because Ramadan if you're getting into a circumstance where this continues through Ramadan, Israel and Jerusalem, it's going to be very, very dangerous. So, we're looking. We're trying hard for that ceasefire." The president recently authorized that shipments of humanitarian aid be airdropped into Gaza, and he added that the U.S. would continue its efforts to surge assistance to the Palestinian people. "I'm working on them very hard. We're going to get more. We must get more aid into Gaza. No excuses," he told reporters. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Finally, just before boarding, the president suggested that Israel's offensive had not soured his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Asked how he would characterize the relationship, Biden simply responded, "Like it's always been." Biden had steadfastly backed Israel's attempts to root Hamas out of Gaza after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks but has distanced himself in recent months after encountering a surge of domestic pressure to call for a permanent end to the fighting. Former President Donald Trump has won the North Dakota presidential caucuses, sending him closer to the Republican nomination. Trump won the state handily, according to the Associated Press, which called the race around 9:20 EST. He also won all 29 of the state's delegates, taking his total to 276 nationwide, compared to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's 43 delegates. Sites were open from 6-9 p.m. Trump, Haley, and long-shot candidates Ryan Binkley, who recently reportedly ended his campaign, and David Stuckenberg were all on the ballot. Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), a former presidential candidate who dropped out to endorse Trump, is expected to speak on Trump's behalf virtually. The results of the primary came as little surprise Trump was widely expected to win by a large margin, as he did in almost every other contest so far. Featured Local Savings Haley won her first primary victory in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, winning all 19 delegates. However, she still needs a massive showing on Super Tuesday to give Trump a real battle in the race to be the Republican presidential nominee. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The North Dakota caucuses are a prelude to the most important primary contest, Super Tuesday, during which 865 delegates are up for grabs. Trump is expected to win the overwhelming majority of them. To win the nomination, the Republican candidate needs 1,215 delegates out of 2,429. Floridas "Stop WOKE" Act was ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. appeals court Tuesday for being in violation of the First Amendment. The Stop the Wrong to Our Kids and Employees Act, or the Stop WOKE Act, banned workplaces from requiring mandatory diversity training. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta upheld a lower Florida courts ruling that the law was unconstitutional. We reject this latest attempt to control speech by recharacterizing it as conduct. Florida may be exactly right about the nature of the ideas it targets. Or it may not, U.S. Circuit Judge Britt Grant wrote in the ruling. Either way, the merits of these views will be decided in the clanging marketplace of ideas rather than a codebook or a courtroom. Judge Grant was joined on a three-person panel with Judges Andrew Brasher and Charles Wilson. Grant and Brasher were appointed by former President Donald Trump. By limiting its restrictions to a list of ideas designated as offensive, the Act targets speech based on its content. And by barring only speech that endorses any of those ideas, it penalizes certain viewpoints the greatest First Amendment sin, the ruling said. Featured Local Savings Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who enacted the law in 2022, disagreed with the courts ruling. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Yesterday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit held that companies have a right to indoctrinate their employees with racist and discriminatory ideologies, Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for DeSantis, said in a statement. We disagree with the Courts opinion that employers can require employees to be taught as a condition of employment that one race is morally superior to another race. The First Amendment protects no such thing, and the State of Florida should have every right to protect Floridians from racially hostile workplaces. DeSantis and Florida attorneys argue that the law does not restrict speech and only regulates that employers cannot be required to listen to certain speech against their will. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is weighing the possibility of joining the Libertarian Party amid difficulties in securing ballot access ahead of November. Kennedy left the Democratic Party in his long-shot bid against President Joe Biden in October to become an independent candidate. But getting on state ballots is an expensive challenge for independent candidates, and Kennedy has looked into ways to gain access with fewer voter signatures. Kennedy announced in January he was creating a new political party the We The People party to get on the ballot in six states with a lower signature requirement than those running unaffiliated. Recently, American Values 2024, a pro-Kennedy super PAC, said they gathered enough signatures for Kennedy to appear on the ballot in Arizona and Georgia. While the Libertarian Party was on the ballot in all 50 states in 2016 and 2020, its unclear where itll be in 2024. Kennedy told CNN that he is talking to the Libertarian Party, adding he has a really good relationship with the party. He spoke at the California Libertarian Party's convention last month, further fueling speculation. Multiple strategists and people with inside knowledge have said Kennedy is warmly received by the Libertarian Party, according to sources speaking with the Hill. Theres a buzz going on, and theres a lot of interest in him, said Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnsons former campaign manager, Ron Nielson. Featured Local Savings If he were to say that he were to accept the nomination of the Libertarian Party, that would probably change a lot of heads, Nielson added. There are people within the Liberty movement that would like to help him. Kennedy dismissed a party affiliation switch over ballot access, speaking at a hotel in Costa Mesa, Orange County, at the end of February, alongside other potential Libertarian candidates. Im not worried about ballot access. Were going to have ballot access in every state, Kennedy said at the Libertarian Party of California convention, per the New York Sun. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER As Kennedy weighs his options, Angela McArdle, the Libertarian Party chairwoman, has questioned how well the party aligns with Kennedy. In an interview with ABC News, McArdle acknowledged conversations between the two but said they don't have every single issue in common. "I think that he shares some things in common with us values-wise on our platform that are really great," McArdle said, such as his view on free speech as an anti-vaccine activist. "But we don't have every single issue in common, and that's something that my party members and the delegates have to seriously consider." A new witness has come forward saying she is able to provide testimony about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's previously undisclosed relationship with a prosecutor she hired to help with the election interference case against President Donald Trump, according to a court document filed Monday. One of Trump's co-defendants, David Shafer, said in the filing that attorney Cindi Lee Yeager, who works for the neighboring district attorney's office in Cobb County, was struck by a previous witness testifying that he could not recall when Willis's romantic relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade began. Yeager said she had several in-person conversations with the witness, Terrence Bradley, beginning in August 2023, according to the court filing. Contrary to what Bradley indicated under oath last week, Yeager said Bradley told her in detail about how Willis and Wade's relationship began before Willis hired him in November 2021, according to the filing. The relationship began around the time Willis and Wade met in 2019, Bradley allegedly told Yeager. Willis and Wade both said under oath that their relationship began after Wade's hiring. Shafer said that if Judge Scott McAfee reopened evidence on the issue of disqualifying Willis, he would subpoena Yeager and she would provide that testimony, which would contradict Bradley's, Willis's, and Wade's sworn testimonies on the matter. McAfee is currently weighing whether to disqualify Willis from her own case after Trump and several co-defendants argued it had been irreversibly tainted by a conflict of interest. The co-defendants have offered evidence showing Willis and Wade went on vacations together, which, they say, indicates that Willis financially benefited from the high-dollar wage she was paying Wade using public funds. Willis and Wade both testified that they split the costs of outings roughly evenly and that she sometimes reimbursed him in untraceable cash. Aside from the financial considerations, McAfee also previously expressed interest in considering whether Willis and Wade were romantically involved when she hired him in November 2021 as McAfee examined a possible conflict of interest. Willis and Wade both testified that their romantic involvement did not begin until after that time. Willis has also argued that the relationship has had no impact whatsoever on the Trump case. Featured Local Savings Bradley, Wade's former divorce lawyer, was called by defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant as a witness to testify on the start of the relationship. But when he was confronted about a text he sent in which he explicitly said Willis and Wade started dating before November 2021, Bradley shiftily stated that he was only speculating when he wrote it. Hundreds of texts leaked to the media after Bradley's testimony, however, showed Bradley also elaborately coordinated with Merchant to bring to light the conflict of interest allegations in January of this year. Now, Shafer says Yeager can further speak to Bradley's knowledge of the relationship between Willis and Wade. Shafer also stated in his filing that Yeager heard Willis on a phone call attempt to silence Bradley in September 2023 when Willis saw a news article that stated how much money Wade and his colleagues had made. It is unclear which article Willis would have been reacting to, but the Washington Examiner was the first media outlet to bring attention that month to the payments Wade, Bradley, and another colleague had received for their work in Fulton. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER "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. 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,'" the filing stated. It is unclear whether McAfee will approve Shafer's motion to allow Yeager to submit testimony and whether it would make a difference in his final decision on whether to disqualify Willis. The judge said Friday that he would issue his decision sometime in the next two weeks. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. In this file photo, U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a Windsor Repubican and former chairman of the Colorado GOP, stops for a reporter as he heads to the chamber for votes at the Capitol in Washington on Dec. 2, 2022. An Albany man is dead after fire filled his apartment with smoke early Friday evening, March 1, as snow flurries and cold wind drove the temperature down to an equivalent 33 degrees. Late Monday afternoon, March 4, authorities identified the man as as Brian Lee Powell, 64. "Officers were able to notify family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time," a news release says. A Place to Sleep, episode 2: Albany, part II Last week we introduced Dusty Bryant, who police evicted from Albany's designated resting site for homeless individuals. This week, we check in to see what's happening with Dusty. Albany resident Jim Murray was helping run an errand for the apartment buildings owner at the Washington Street Studio Apartments. He said he didnt know there was a fire in the building until his phone chimed with a notification from PulsePoint, an app that shows emergency calls. Oh! Fire in (apartment No.) 13! Murray said. Albany Fire Department responders pulled the man from a smoke-filled room at 1410 SW Washington St., pumping his chest with their hands and wheeling him on a stretcher to an ambulance. Firefighters strung yellow fire tape across the doorway while Albany police officers interviewed neighbors at the apartment. Murray is a registered nurse who works at Samaritan Albany General Hospital and said Fire Department personnel declined his offer to help as they attempted to resuscitate the man. He joined a small crowd in the parking lot outside, some standing in shorts and sweatshirts and crossing their arms against the cold. Firefighters knocked on neighbors doors and used hoses to spray water into the burning residence. Firefighters were at the scene for nearly two hours. Kevin Vinning, an Albany Fire battalion chief, described the fire in the apartment as smoldering but said he couldnt provide details while his department investigated, looking for evidence of the fires cause. We responded to a single-story apartment complex with smoke showing from one apartment, Deputy Fire Marshal Sandy Roberts said via email. Crews made entry to the apartment, which had heavy smoke but no active fire. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by becoming a subscriber today. Roberts said fire department personnel performed life-saving measures on the victim, who was taken to Samaritan Albany General Hospital and pronounced dead. According to the Monday news release, "There were no other residents or animals in the home, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time." Staff writer Cody Mann contributed to this report. Related stories: Virginia Weis, distinguished professor of integrative biology at Oregon State University, will discuss Siddhartha Mukherjees The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human at noon Wednesday, March 13, in the main meeting room of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. The event is part of the librarys Random Review series. Mukherjee is author of the New York Times No. 1 bestseller The Gene, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Emperor of All Maladies, which was the subject of a Random Review in 2022. In The Song of the Cell, he draws on his skills as both scientist and storyteller to relate how scientists discovered cells, began to understand them and are now using that knowledge to create new humans. It was a New York Times Notable Book and named Best Book of the Year in 2023 by The Economist, Oprah Daily and several others. Weis has worked at OSU since 1996. She specializes in the study of the symbiotic relationship between corals and the microbial algae that inhabit them, particularly the role of the corals immune system. Its an area of study closely linked to the very systems that Mukherjee explores in The Song of the Cell. Weis holds a doctorate in biology from University of California, Los Angeles. She has written more than 100 publications, instructed thousands of undergraduates in biology classes at OSU, and mentored and trained dozens of doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows and undergrads. She is vice chair of the Advisory Board to the Coral Restoration Consortium, a multinational group focused on conservation and restoration of reefs. Random Review is a deep exploration of a selected book by a reviewer with expertise on the topic or theme of that book. Sometimes reviewers cover a classic, series, genre or author, but usually they cover a specific title. The programs are enjoyable whether or not you have read the book. The full schedule can be viewed at https://cbcpubliclibrary.net/random-review. For more information, call 541-766-6793. A sign language interpreter can be provided with seven days notice. To request an accommodation, call 541-766-6928. An armed standoff in the Cerro Gordo County town of Swaledale ended without injury Monday when the male suspect surrendered. The Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Department received the initial call of a man outside a home in Swaledale visibly upset, screaming and yelling, at 10:53 a.m. Monday. When deputies responded, they approached John Randell Jackson, 43 of Swaledale, before a struggle ensued inside the house where a distressed Jackson attempted to disarm a deputy. Jackson was able to retrieve a firearm from inside the home. Both parties retreated, Jackson into his home on Main Street, and the deputy to safety while calling for assistance. Deputies learned Jackson's wife and dog were in the home. A short time later, the woman left the home. A standoff ensued, and multiple agencies arrived on scene. Squad cars, undercover cars, supporting K9 units and the countys armored truck filled the streets around the residence. Officers donned bullet proof vests and helmets and carried rifles and riot shields. The standoff lasted two hours before Jackson peacefully exited the house and was placed under arrest. No firearms were discharged by Jackson or law enforcement. Jackson was charged with attempting to disarm an officer and was being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on Monday night with bond set at $5,000. Tim Wise has lived in Swaledale 25 years, and said it was the first time he has seen Main Street blocked with squad cars. This is something strange to us, Wise said about the large law enforcement presence. Just totally nuts. Living about a block from Jacksons house, Wise said Jackson has done work for him in the past, and Jackson's children regularly play together with Wises grandchildren. Wise said his daughter, who works at the Swaledale Post Office around the corner from Jacksons house, called him around 10:30 a.m. about an incident developing down the street. Similarly, Joyce Andersen of Swaledale received text messages from her neighbors shortly after hearing the police sirens coming through town Monday morning before getting an order to shelter in place. This is all totally unexpected, Andersen said, and totally crazy for this town. I never heard of anything like this before. Andersen said Jackson has always been friendly and active in the community. The best case is that he comes out and gets the help he needs, Andersen said during the standoff. The West Fork Community School District, of which Swaledale is a part, had a 1 p.m. early dismissal Monday. Aware of the standoff, school officials made arrangements to reroute buses bringing students back to town, but ultimately no action was needed. The assisting agencies include: Clear Lake Police Department, Mason City Police Department, Garner Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Hancock County Sheriff's Office, and The North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force Special Operations Tactical Team (SOG), and Mason City Fire Medics. This story has been updated. Christian Hermanson of Mason City is running in the Republican primary on June 4 for the House District 59 seat in the Iowa Legislature. Hermanson said in a press release that he is running because he believes it is time for new leadership in House District 59, and the next generation should take the baton. The citizens deserve a representative who will effectively carry their voices to the Capitol in Des Moines, and I am ready to accept that challenge, Hermanson said. I am running to be a representative that will lower the tax burden on Iowans, increase public safety, improve our infrastructure, and take the concerns of my constituents to the Statehouse. The seat is currently held by Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City, who announced last month she will not seek reelection. A native of North Iowa, Hermanson is currently assigned as a reserve senior leader with U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, and will retire at the rank of chief master sergeant. He has deployed around the globe multiple times throughout his career in support of operations and the Global War on Terror. Hermanson will retire from the U.S. Air Force this spring after 29 years of service. In his civilian career, he works in property management and has previously served as a police officer and with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hermanson lives in Mason City with his wife, Angela. The couple have two adult sons and three beautiful granddaughters. For more information about Hermanson and his campaign visit: www.hermansonforiowa.com. Every week, we now can see a difference in our military museum at Heritage Park of North Iowa. Each week comes with a pleasant surprise. This week we received a memorial plaque from Rene Book in memory of Jeff Mc Cubbin. Jeff and his wife took many ideas from our Operation LZ team to honor our Vietnam vets. They worked their magic in a very professional way. I can't say enough about the emotions and thoughts of the vets receiving some of these items. The ribbon and medallion, I know, many times have been associated with the passing of vets and wrapped around their hands in the casket. Thank you, Rene. Your thoughtfulness reminds us of two people who were a major part of helping our vets heal during that LZ experience (2015). Also, I was made aware of one vet who came from the west coast to LZ with the Boman family. He wore the medallion on the jet home. When asked by the stewardess about the significance of it, he said "It was my welcome home from Vietnam War." By the time he landed going home, everyone in first class had gotten up to thank him for his service. His family said that the LZ event broke his silence on his service of 40 years past! Military museum progress Three weeks ago, our World War II single-level building was an empty room until 18 volunteers moved in and put in over 100 hours of time organizing it. Visitors tell us Heritage Park has one of the best all-around physical snapshots of who we are, who we were, and how we got here in the region. The Hall of Heroes will not let anyone down, spotlighting the military and local people who served our country. A nearby World War I soldier has a uniform worn by L. Eymann as well as uniforms from names like Hagen, Hoil, Shropshire, Buffington, Veronica Maas, Jones, Helm, Groe, Hanson, and others. In addition, a Wall of Heroes features pictures of well-known county residents (over 500), who served during the big war. Our goal is to make the visit experience one for all ages to get closer to those, locally, who provided our freedom! All gave some and some gave ALL! The museum is set to open sometime this summer. S. California eyes stronger cooperation with China on low-carbon shipping 09:06, March 05, 2024 By Tan Jingjing, Huang Heng ( Xinhua A container ship of China's COSCO Shipping docks at a container terminal of the Port of Long Beach in California, the United States, Aug. 20, 2021. (Xinhua/Gao Shan) Attendees focus on ways to lower emissions and further decarbonize the shipping and logistics sectors at the two countries' ports. LOS ANGELES, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Participants in a U.S.-China Green Port and Low-Carbon meeting have called for stronger port cooperation between the two countries to jointly promote carbon emissions reduction and sustainable port operations. Representatives from over 60 global shipping and logistics companies, container terminals, zero-emission technology developers, and original equipment manufacturers gathered at the meeting in Long Beach, Southern California, on Sunday to explore potential opportunities for trans-Pacific cooperation between Southern California and China's Shenzhen, a technological innovation hub in southern China's Guangdong Province. They focused on ways to lower emissions and further decarbonize the shipping and logistics sectors at the two countries' ports. They also held in-depth discussions regarding potential sister-port cooperation between the Port of Long Beach, the U.S. second busiest port, and the Port of Shenzhen and potential collaboration in green ports and low-carbon shipping initiatives. The Port of Long Beach is the most important gateway for China-U.S. trade, with more than 70 percent of its cargo volume related to China, said Peng Jing, commercial counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles. In order to jointly build a clean and beautiful world, China and the United States need to strengthen cooperation in new energy technology innovation, promote cooperation in clean energy industry chain, and build a new win-win model of green energy and low-carbon transformation, she said. "In terms of green and low-carbon development, the U.S. market has demand, Chinese products have advantages, and there is broad space for cooperation between the two parties," Peng noted. She said that both Yantian Port in Shenzhen and the Port of Long Beach are actively promoting green port construction, expressing her hope that the two ports further enhance communication and exchanges, deepen practical cooperation in clean energy and low-carbon environmental protection, and jointly promote the green development of China-U.S. shipping and logistics industries. Aerial photo taken on Nov. 29, 2017 shows a view of the Yantian Port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian) "For the Port of Long Beach, the green port, we're very proud to work with the U.S.-China exchange (program) in terms of net emissions, decarbonization, in terms of what we need to do," said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. He said it is exciting to have discussions with Chinese partners with regard to sustainability via emissions reduction. Wayne Nastri, executive officer of South Coast Air Quality Management District, expressed his hope for greater partnership for green revolution. "We know that as we develop new technologies, we have responsibility. We need to make sure that as those technologies are being developed, there's a real market for it," he said. "And we know that in order to get to zero emissions, to clean the air, for our communities to improve public health, we have to deploy those technologies, and we have to do it in a way that business can utilize and thrive," he added. Neville Lam, commercial director of Hutchison Ports Yantian, shared the port's practice in pursuit of green initiatives and eco-friendly operations. Hutchison Ports Yantian is the leading gateway serving import and export container traffic generated by its immediate cargo hinterland in the Pearl River Delta region in China. Calling the port one of the biggest container terminals of the world, Lam said it has been ranked No. 1 in annual throughput in China for consecutive 20 years. "Looking ahead, Hutchison Ports Yantian is committed to achieving a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) by 2030 compared to the 2021 levels, and we remain steadfastly committed to pursuing our long-term goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions," Lam said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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. Lobby Day at the Virginia General Assembly 2024 On Monday 4 March 2024, Prime Minister Luc Frieden paid a working visit to his Dutch counterpart, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, in The Hague. SIP / Julien Warnand (de g. a dr.) Luc Frieden, Premier ministre; Mark Rutte, Premier ministre des Pay-Bas SIP / Julien Warnand (de g. a dr.) Luc Frieden, Premier ministre; Mark Rutte, Premier ministre des Pay-Bas SIP / Julien Warnand (de g. a dr.) Mark Rutte, Premier ministre; Luc Frieden, Premier ministre The two heads of government agreed to strengthen cooperation on a range of issues, notably in the field of renewable energy, including hydrogen, as well as current European challenges such as defence, agriculture and competitiveness. They also discussed urgent international issues such as the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. During the visit, the heads of government agreed to hold an economic mission within twelve months. Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden then continued his visit to the Instituut Clingendael in the Netherlands, an internationally renowned think tank, where he discussed the European agenda for the next five years with researchers from the institute. The visit concluded with a discussion with Luxembourg students studying in the Netherlands at the Luxembourg embassy in The Hague. Press release by the Ministry of State Super Tuesday. If youre into that kind of thing, that is. Its way too early to know anything definitive about todays Super Tuesday primary elections. Clear leaders, as always, emerged long ago near the top of the ballots. Republicans, per polls, have indicated that they prefer a third time nomination for former President Donald Trump and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as their choice to run for governor. Democrats likewise told assorted polls that theyre backing President Biden. But without viable alternatives though no preference might look like one to some voters what choice did Democrats have? The Democratic ballot for governor has options but only just. Attorney General Josh Stein is the clear leader per available polling over Mike Morgan, a former chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court. As for money like it or not, cash is kingmaker Robinson and Stein are far and away the leaders in their races. Robinson reported having some $4.3 million on hand for the stretch run leading up to todays primary. State Treasurer Dale Folwell, Forsyth Countys own, loaned his campaign $1 million in the fall. Bill Graham, a Salisbury lawyer, loaned his campaign $2.4 million. Folwells no dummy and hes certainly not frivolous. He can read a poll, too, so it remains to be seen just how much of that $1 million he actually spent. One suspects the same is true of Graham, but he did buy a lot of television spots, too. Well find out tonight what that got him. As for the Democrats, Stein reported having a whopping $11.5 million on hand at the end of 2023. Morgan, bless his financially strained heart, raised a total of $119,000 to run and reported just $32,000 on hand at the end of December. In politics these days, that might cover lunch and gas money for campaign workers. Statewide, some 10 percent (690,000) of roughly 6.9 million registered voters cast early ballots and maybe another 20-25 percent will do so today. Statistics posted online in Forsyth and Guilford counties after the close of early voting provide a few more kernels of information about Super Tuesday as well. In Forsyth County, 26,362 people voted early and in person. (Mail-in ballots - military, overseas, etc - could push early voting totals to around 29,000.) The largest single day turnout for the two-week early voting period came Saturday when 3,998 people cast ballots 15 percent of the early vote total. (Procrastination in early voting seems oxymoronic? But we digress.) The largest early turnout in Forsyth County came in Kernersville at the Paddington Family Library as 4,672 cast ballots in K Vegas. Some 14,080 early votes in Forsyth County were cast in the Democratic primary; Republican ballots accounted for 11,876 votes. White voters cast 18,030 early ballots and Black voters 6,584. Women cast 14,505 early votes, men 10,619 and 897 voters were listed as UND undetermined, one supposes. Overall, Guilford County voters cast 35,661 early and in-person votes and the largest single day turnout came Saturday when 5,494. Demographic data similar to that reported in Forsyth surely is available somewhere at the county board of elections but was either not posted online or buried somewhere. Not that it matters much. At this point, early voting totals are just raw numbers. They matter only to math nerds and political scientists who study voter turnout. One suspects thatll wind up about one-third of eligible voters. That information will be met with a collective sigh and a shrug of the shoulders. The rollout of online betting next week will generate far more interest. But thats just where we are these days. The heart of the matter whom voters chose wont be known for some time. The counting cant begin until after polls close at 7:30 p.m. After that, a respite in electioneering. Until fall when itll only get worse. Appealing body cam decision GREENSBORO Not that it should come as any sort of surprise but the anticipated release of police body-cam video taken at the scene of a reported domestic incident at the home of Greensboro city manager has been delayed. The reason? City officials, elected and otherwise, dont want the public to see it. So the city appealed the decision of Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour, who ruled earlier this month that public interest that of the taxpayers who bankroll government outweighed official concerns. The shortest version reads this way: On Dec. 28, Greensboro police were summoned to the home of Manager Taiwo Jaiyeoba to a 911 call about a domestic incident. Cops reported minor injuries; no arrests were made. Cops being cops theyre not stupid patrol rolled it up the chain of command. A squad leader made sure a lieutenant knew what was happening, and the watch commander phoned Chief John Thompson. Police arent dumb and the instinct to cover ones backside, especially in todays climate, is strong. Its no stretch to think that if something went sideways, cops would be chalked off as scapegoats. Obviously, since this particular domestic call involved the city manager the guy in charge of a $751.3 million budget including police salaries there would be intense public interest. But from the onset, city officials didnt see it that way. Their position seemed to be Trust Us. Greensboro Police Department in consultation with the District Attorneys office determined that no charges were warranted, read a prepared statement released by Council after members viewed the body-camera footage. Furthermore, in our view, the City Manager did not receive preferential treatment. Mmm-hmm. There is, of course, one way to verify that: the release of the body-cam footage. We want full transparency, argued Amiel Rossabi, an attorney for the Greensboro Police Officers Association. We want everybody to see it and make decisions on their own as opposed to having the City Council tell people paternalistically, Its OK. We looked at it. Judge Baddour saw that way, too, and ruled accordingly. City officials including Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Chief Thompson dug in and argued against the release after notice of appeal was given. Thompson has a point, a small one, when he argues that releasing the video from Jaiyeobas house would set a precedent that would require the release of all footage from domestic incidents. How would you like it if it was your house? Heres the difference, and Thompson knows it. Nobody will wonder if police gave preferential treatment to Joe Six Pack when patrol showed up on Saturday. But they we sure do when it involves a powerful public official. A retired United Methodist pastor pleaded guilty Feb. 26 to misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor indecent exposure in connection with charges that he peeped at an adult and committed a sexual crime against a minor last year at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax. Ivan Hugh-McDonald Peden, 72, of Rosemont Drive in Colfax, was charged on July 26 with felony indecent liberties with a child, felony indecent exposure, misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor secret peeping, according to arrest warrants. The Guilford County District Attorneys Office dismissed one felony charge and reduced another after Peden agreed to forgo a trial and enter so-called Alford pleas to the two misdemeanors in Guilford County District Court, his attorney Jones Byrd said in a written statement. The court also dismissed the misdemeanor secret peeping charge against Peden, Byrd said. After a great deal of thought, Mr. Peden elected to forego his right to go to trial on these matters and proceed via Alford plea due to his age and health, and due to the effects a long and public trial could have on Mr. Peden and his family, Byrd of Winston-Salem said. Peden has significant health issues, Byrd said. When a defendant enters an Alford plea it means that they do not admit guilt but the individual feels that it is in his/her best interest to do so, Byrd said in the statement. Peden now faces a sentence of 18 months probation and a 45-day suspended sentence for the indecent exposure charge which involved a male minor, and 18 months probation and a 75-day suspended sentence for sexual battery in a separate incident involving an adult male, according to the district attorneys office. The court will require Peden to register as a sex offender as well, the district attorneys office said. Employment history The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church lists Peden as retired clergy in the Yadkin Valley district on its website. Peden retired in July 2020 after serving at Lewisville United Methodist Church from July 2014 until June 2020, according to the website. The former pastor served the Memorial Methodist Church in Thomasville between July 2007 and July 2014, and led First United Methodist Church in Charlotte from January 2000 until July 2007, according to umdata.org. In 1992, Peden was appointed as an associate pastor at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point, a Methodist administrator said in July 2023. In 1989, Peden was appointed to Moores Chapel United Methodist Church in Charlotte. That same year, Peden transferred as an elder from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Yeager said. Details of charges An investigation was sparked in 2023 by reports of sex offenses at the farmers market on June 24 and July 14, the Guilford County Sheriffs Office said in July. A Guilford County deputy said in an arrest warrant that Peden had exposed himself and performed a sexual act on himself July 14 at the market. The deputy charged Peden with taking indecent liberties with a 13-year-old in that incident. Peden also was accused by the deputy of unlawfully grabbing a Greensboro mans chest and pinching his nipple on June 24, according to another warrant. Peden, according to the deputy, had secretly peeped into a mens restroom stall occupied by the Greensboro man, the warrant said. Peden has been ordered by the court to stay away from the farmers market, according to Methodist administrators and the district attorneys office. Off-duty law enforcement officers monitor the market and its buildings on weekends, according to staff at the market which draws about 1.5 visitors annually. Officials at the farmers market cooperated with the Guilford County Sheriffs office in 2023 when they learned about the allegations against Peden, authorities said. At the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, we take the safety and comfort of all visitors, vendors and employees very seriously, and work hard to create an inviting environment for everyone, said market manager Daniel Johnson in 2023. We regret this situation occurred but want to stress that this is a safe market, and the public should feel confident about that. In an unrelated earlier case, a Forsyth County sheriffs deputy in 2021 accused Peden of assaulting a Winston-Salem man by grabbing the mans buttocks multiple times that year, an arrest warrant says. Judge Thomas W. Davis of Forsyth District Court gave Peden a 45-day suspended jail term and placed him on probation for one year, according to a court record. Editor's note: This is the latest in a series of columns by City/County Heritage Tourism Council. Helena has nine historic districts and 37 individually listed properties on the National Register of Historic Places, including two cemeteries. By comparison, Lewis and Clark County has four historic districts, including two ranches, and 23 individual listings that include two cemeteries and four bridges, to date. Historic districts contain multiple individual properties and may include a mix of housing styles from mansions to smaller working-class homes, churches, schools and businesses. A historic district may contain many contributing properties that may not qualify for individual listing but as a neighborhood. Buildings that contribute to the areas history, provide context and help with the publics understanding of the story thats reflected by the district. Historic districts may include elements that help define the district, such as Helenas Upper West Side with its brick sidewalks, rock walls, hitching posts and carriage stepping stones. Helenas Railroad Historic District is defined by the Northern Pacific railroad depot designed in 1903 by Charles A. Reed of the renowned firm of Reed and Stem, who also designed New York Citys Grand Central Station, as well as the only remaining brick street in Helena. Individually listed properties may also be within a historic district. These properties may have a carriage house or barn in addition to a house containing living quarters, or may be associated with a former business on the property, such as manufacturer Shaws Best pancake flour and baking powder. The City of Helena/Lewis and Clark County Heritage Tourism Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m., March 19, in room 309, City-County Building, 316 N. Park Ave., Helena, Montana, to consider amendments to Helena City Code Title 3, Chapter 15, Review Process for Demolition of Historic Buildings. This hearing follows an initial Jan. 16 hearing to consider reorganizing the chapter and its requirements for clarity. Whats the National Register of Historic Places? According to the National Park Service website, The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. To be considered eligible for listing on the National Register, the property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, including age, significance and integrity. Specifically, the property must be generally 50 years old or older and still look much the way it did in the past, such as the Original Governors Mansion. The property must be associated with people, events, activities or developments that were important in the past, such as the Montana State Capitol Building or the Civic Center. The property may be representative of significant architectural history such as the Helena Cathedral, landscape history such as Forestvale Cemetery, or engineering achievements such as the Dearborn River High Bridge. Finally, the property may have the potential to yield information though archeological investigation about our past, such as a buffalo jump or sacred Native American sites. What are historic districts and why are they important? The National Register of Historic Places is like the nations honor roll reflecting the best of the best in the Helena area. As stated in the current Demolition Review Process in city code https://bit.ly/3NPmZwG, Historic districts and historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places recognize national, state and local architectural, historical, social and cultural values. This section of the General Intent states: Helena's historic districts reflect the area's identity to the community, provide a 'sense of place' for residents and visitors, and provide recognition for the area (including an attraction for heritage tourism); provide a defined area to promote economic incentives (such as federal tax credits, the local tax abatement program and grants for building rehabilitation); represent a financial investment for property owners and protect property values; and promote tourism, as a benefit to the local economy, by protecting the area's significant historical values. These economic benefits will be addressed in detail in a future article. How does something get listed on the National Register? A good place to start is the City of Helena/Lewis and Clark County Historic Preservation Office in Room 234 of the City-County Building; see the contact information at the bottom of this article. Places to gather historic documentation are numerous and can include the City of Helena Building and Engineering Divisions, Polk City Directories, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, title companies, newspaper articles, books, photographs, oral histories, the Lewis and Clark County Genealogy Society, Montana Historical Society and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) https://bit.ly/42XSIBR, your local historical society, cemeteries and Find a Grave website, etc. National Register nomination forms can be found at https://bit.ly/3UTDNXu. The website recommends contacting the SHPO before using the forms. After research and nomination forms with all the necessary documentation are completed, it is submitted to the SHPO for their review and recommendation to the State Review Board. A copy is sent to the City of Helena/Lewis and Clark County Heritage Tourism Council. After approval by the State Review Board, the nomination is sent to the National Park Service for official listing on the National Register of Historic Places. How will the National Register listing affect the property? According to the National Park Service website: Under federal law, the listing of a property in the National Register places no restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property, up to and including destruction, unless the property is involved in a project that receives federal assistance, usually funding or licensing/permitting. National Register listing does not lead to public acquisition or require public access. A property will not be listed if, for proposed individually listed properties, the owner objects, or for districts, if a majority of property owners in the proposed district object. National Register listing does not automatically invoke local historic district zoning or local landmark designation. Locally, the National Register listing does not provide any protection for a historic property or district unless the local governing body adopts such regulations. In Montana, all of the major cities have established requirements to protect historic properties and districts, including Helena. At the present time, Helena only has demolition review for individually listed properties or contributing properties located in historic districts, and reviews and submits new roofing permits for color and materials for those same properties. Although the major Montana cities have a design review process for new construction, additions or building exterior renovations for those properties, the city of Helena and Lewis and Clark County currently do not. A week out from the deadline to file to run for a legislative seat in Montana, a third of the races dont yet have a Democratic candidate, while 20% of contests dont have a Republican so far. The deadline to file for office is March 11. Legislative candidates are running in new districts this cycle after the once-every-decade redistricting process, jumbling up the map for some lawmakers seeking re-election and creating more competitive races in certain areas. In 2022 Republicans won a supermajority of seats in both the House and Senate. All 100 House seats are up for election this year for two-year terms, and 25 seats in the Senate, or half of the chamber, are up for election to four-year terms. The primary election is in June, and if one party doesn't put up a candidate for a seat, that means it'll go to the other party without a challenge in November, barring a third-party candidate. The seats Democrats are so far leaving unchallenged include clusters around the Flathead and in northwestern Montana, as well as the eastern edge of the state, all strong Republican territory, though redistricting has created some competitive seats also in the Flathead that are being challenged. Democrats are also leaving a handful of seats in central Montana and around the Billings area uncontested, though Billings is also home to some more competitive seats being challenged. As of Monday, Democrats had 40 seats without a candidate, including 31 House districts and nine Senate districts. For Republicans, the party has not put up candidates in seats around Missoula, Butte and Anaconda, or the Gallatin Valley, all blue areas of the state. The party also has uncontested races overlapping Indian reservations in north central Montana and the southeastern portion of the state. By Monday the GOP had 26 unchallenged races, including 20 House districts and six Senate seats. State Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, of Belgrade, said the Democratic party has been working to field candidates in all the key seats and that hes satisfied with the number of Democrats who have filed so far. We know how important it is to have a presence throughout the state, Flowers said Saturday during the party's annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner. Weve been working really since the last legislative session to identify candidates. The reality is Montana is a Republican-leaning state. State Rep. Eric Matthews, of Bozeman, said the party has its sights particularly set on picking up seats in Billings and Great Falls. Scott McNeil, director of the Montana Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the party has been working hard to get candidates. MDLCC has been recruiting around the state for over the past year. We have a strong slate of candidates with deep ties to their communities to battle-tested incumbents. Our candidates are ready to work hard and knock on doors to share their vision for our state to make housing more affordable, to ensure people have health care, and everyone enjoys the freedom to live their lives," McNeil said in an emailed statement. State Sen. Greg Hertz, a Polson Republican, is chair of the state GOPs legislative campaign committee. He said the party works to field candidates in every district to give voters a choice. Were still working with Republican central committees across the state and making sure that we have candidates in every district, Hertz said. Most likely there will be some districts that just dont get fielded and part of the issue with that is most of these remaining districts are going to be very difficult for a Republican to win, so its always difficult to recruit candidates to a district when they know theres not a really good chance of them winning. Still he expected more Republican candidates to jump in before the deadline. Hertz said that GOP target districts will include Gallatin, Missoula and a few parts of Cascade County made more competitive with redistricting. The state GOP doesnt get involved with primary races, but does offer support to candidates to set up websites and social media pages and complete all necessary paperwork. After the primary, Hertz said, the party can help candidates with messaging and staff support, as well as independent expenditures that cannot be coordinated with candidates by law. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen's office carried on its defense of the state's attempted ban on TikTok in its opening brief on appeal last week. The proceedings before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals won't determine whether the ban on the social media giant will ultimately stand. Rather, state attorneys are asking the appellate court to reverse a district court judge's decision and allow the ban to take effect while the case plays out at the lower court level. Knudsen argues, as he has since Senate Bill 419 debuted at the 2023 Legislature, that the threat of the Chinese accessing Montana TikTok users' personal data is substantial enough to flex its consumer protection muscles by way of banning the app from appearing on services like Apple and Google's stores within state boundaries. Late last year, U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy issued a temporary injunction against the ban in part because the AG's office had failed to furnish any evidence of such a threat, instead providing a stack of news articles. The state appears to still be digging for that evidence. Last month the Daily Montanan reported on an order from Molloy telling Knudsen's shop to narrow its scope for discovery, finding the state's requests for TikTok to disclose materials pertinent to the case were too broad. Perhaps more central to the appeal is Molloy's finding that it was in conflict with the federal government's foreign affairs duties. In the brief filed with the 9th Circuit on Friday, state attorneys argue Molloy erred in calling off the ban's Jan. 1 start date because bipartisan groups in Congress and the White House agree China is a hostile foreign entity. The brief also asks the 9th Circuit to find Molloy improperly relied on a Republican legislator's and Knudsen's own statements during the 2023 Legislature in which they were fairly explicit about their national security concerns. Still, the brief, signed by Knudsen, Solicitor General Christian Corrigan and Deputy Solicitor General Peter Torstensen, insist the concerns that TikTok could be looted at any moment by the Chinese government override the First Amendment and constitutional commerce claims raised by the company and users who brought the case. " Concerns with TikTok are well documented at the state and federal level, Democrat and Republican," they wrote in the brief. "SB 419, therefore, furthers the public interest because it protects the public from harms inseparable from TikTok's operation." TikTok and the Montana plaintiffs' reply brief is due April 29. No hearings have been scheduled in the appeal. In 1933 the Reichstag, Germanys parliament building, burned. Recently elected Chancellor Hitler asked the president of Germany to authorize the suspension of most civil liberties until Hitler could eliminate the threat the communists posed to Germany. Communists were said to be responsible for the fire; a Dutch communist was arrested at the scene. History tells us that the fire was actually started by Nazi storm troopers. The accused was set up to blame for the fire. The German president agreed, believing the suspension of civil liberties would be for only a short period. Any excesses which Hitler might do would be constrained by business and other leaders. The suspended civil liberties were reinstated only after the end of the Nazi regime in 1945, 12 years later. Hitler could not manage the takeover of Germany alone. He needed enablers. People who would go along with his ambitions. Enablers, individuals who align with a leader, do the bidding, allow the leader to carry out programs to empower the leader. Trump says that he will be a dictator for just a day until he can build a wall and go after his enemies. Not the publics enemies. He simply cant carry these plans out alone. He needs enablers. Who are they and how should we treat them? That is the question of the day. Some enablers stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Many have been jailed, others are still on the run. These individuals are no longer available to Trump. But there are others and should Trump call for violence many would respond. They are his storm troopers, acting on Trumps orders to disrupt governmental functions again. If you know of anyone involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection who has not yet been held responsible for their actions, you should contact the FBI, the Department of Justice or a group, the Sedition Monitors, to report your information. All individuals who repeat the Big Lie, that the 2020 election was stolen and that Trump, not Biden, is the legitimate president of the United States, are enablers. They are helping Trump to raise funds and to attract others. Use this litmus test and if you hear an individual spouting the Big Lie, avoid them. Look at Congress. Those who do Trumps bidding, those who support Trump for reelection are his enablers. These are most dangerous because they hold power and should Trump be reelected, they will do his bidding. If he asks to become a dictator for just a day they will vote to make him that dictator. If he asks to suspend the Constitution for just a bit, perhaps until the immigration crisis is over, you can be assured that those in Congress who support Trump now will also vote to suspend your liberties to appease this man. Remember what those liberties are which would be suspended. Your right to speak freely, to peacefully assemble, the right to have a free press, the right to keep government out of religion and religion out of government, the Second Amendment rights, rights of equal opportunity, due process and equal justice, the right to vote, the the right to have agencies like the Department of Justice and the FBI be independent of Presidential pressure, the right to be free until indicted and convicted. Trump has announced his plans. He plans to keep migrants out of America and to deport those who are already here, to impose religious and ethnic tests for all immigrants. He also wants to abolish the civil servants independence, hiring only those who swear allegiance to him alone. To accomplish this he needs enablers. We know who they are. In Montana they are Rep. Zinke, Rep. Rosendale and Sen. Daines. All three support the Big Lie. If Trump asks to become a dictator, they will give him those powers; if Trump wants to suspend or abolish the Constitution and all of your rights, they will allow him to do so. Enablers can assist provided they are in positions of power. This coming election season, dont put these enablers in the position where they can vote against our democracy. Make your vote count for our democracy. Vote against these enablers. DECATUR The living must vote to decide who will speak for the dead, and the Republican primary race for Macon County coroner is a lively affair full of different voices clamoring to be the chosen one. There are three GOP candidates who have thrown their hats into the grave, so to speak, making the race the most contested of any on the county ballot. Over on the Democrat side of the political equation, registered nurse Tiffany Hall is already a dead cert for her partys ticket as she is running unopposed. The Herald & Review will be speaking to her in more detail once her Republican challenger is decided by the primary voters. The primary election takes place March 19 and the general election Nov. 5. The whole contest for the job has been thrown wide open because popular GOP incumbent Michael E. Day has chosen to pass on to retirement at the end of 2024 after an amazing 30-plus year stint in the role. And the global history and origins of the job itself stretch into the mists of time, reaching all the way back some 830 years to a not-so-merry England. The ethnic Saxon population had been conquered by the Norman French led by their aptly-named William the Conqueror who had triumphed in a bloody invasion in 1066. The subjugated but grumbling Saxons kept bumping off lone Norman knights, nobles and others whenever opportunity presented itself. One of the jobs for the coroner (the Latin origin of the name is corona, meaning crown and so representing royal authority) was to investigate such deaths and levy a heavy fine on the whole village or town where the ghastly deed took place. This collective financial punishment was known as the Murdrum fine, which is where we get the word murder. Fast forward to today and 3,000 miles across the pond to our very own Macon County, and all homicides, suicides, accidental, non-natural deaths, deaths in custody and certain infant and juvenile deaths can be subject to the coroners probing eye. The holder of the office doesnt levy any murdrum fines but guides a jury who, for the official record, decides the means by which someone exited this veil of tears: homicidal, suicidal, accidental, natural and undetermined. The Macon County job currently pays a tad more than $87,700 a year and comes with some small office space, a conference/jury room and two vehicles. Perks aside, the winning candidate is going to earn their keep notifying relatives, slogging out to death locations in all weathers and at all hours to do the work that can include taking blood samples and wading through scenes that are not for the faint of heart. And yet all of the Republican candidates Jeffrey Kashefska, Michael Burkham and Whalen Vancil insist they are up for it and ready to go. Lets meet them. JEFF KASHEFSKA Jeffrey or Jeff Kashefska is aged 58, married, with one grown son. Hes already serving as primary deputy coroner, having been recruited by Day himself in April of 2020. Kashefska said his mission is to continue with the proud legacy of excellent service Day has established in an office he says now works seamlessly and doesnt need radical change. And he also has the official blessing of the departing coroner who issued a ringing endorsement letter that says in part: Mr. Kashefska is up to speed professionally and also is well-grounded in the protocols and office processes that I have established over these years Jeff has proven that he has a level of compassion, understanding and humanity that is required in this vital and sad pursuit that we face daily in this coroners office. Kashefska said he has earned that deep praise with a solid track record of doing the job day in and day out. Thats been particularly true since January when Day badly shattered his left arm in an icy fall and turned to his right hand man to shoulder the external workload. Ive been working on call 132 hours a week since January, said Kashefska. So Ive been on every call if not involved in every call. Basically, your life is not your own and you give up your personal life to do this job. You never know when a call is going to come in. That said, the man who encountered his first dead bodies working in the funeral service before his current gig said there is much professional satisfaction to be found in the coroners grim task. He credits Day with establishing an empathetic office that tries to make life easier for the bereaved next-of-kin having their worst day ever. When I tell people they are in my thoughts and prayers, I mean it, Kashefska said. And for whatever family I am dealing with, it means the world to them to know that somebody is taking their situation at a personal level and thinking of them. MICHAEL BURKHAM Michael Burkham has his own impeccable credentials when it comes to experience in dealing with grief. Married and aged 62 with four surviving children, he and wife Kathy established the Tyler Yount Foundation in 2013 in memory of son Tyler who lost his battle with drug addiction. The foundation provided training and drug overdose treatment supplies and has since branched into doing other good works, like helping released felons get the clothes and gear they need to work productively. Tragedy, however, wasnt done with the family. Our son Justin was killed in a car accident driving to work one night four years to the day his brother died, recalled Burkham. My wife and I have been through hell as far as grieving goes. He says he will bring that understanding to the job of coroner and is no stranger to the blood and mayhem side of the job, either. He worked as a paramedic for 40 years and served as director of Decatur Ambulance Service for two years. Back in his student days at Millikin University, he picked up work transporting bodies headed for autopsies and developed an interest in the processes of dealing with us after we have died. Later, when he needed continuing education for his paramedic license, he would choose to get it in some off-beat ways: I would go to forensic seminars and learn things like bullet trajectory paths, wound classifications, entry and exit wounds, how to determine if something was a suicide or a homicide, said Burkham. He retired from paramedic work in June 2022 and then immediately started work with a Decatur funeral home, handling everything from body transportation to running the crematorium. Hes long believed he had the makings of a good coroner and now, with Days upcoming departure, hes seizing his opportunity. He believes Day has done an excellent job but also sees some openings for improvement. The office in Macon County really needs a technology upgrade, he said. That means using tablet computers to handle the nuts and bolts like recording information and taking pictures out in the field. And he also wants a more electronic data-driven approach generally to the coroners work that would keep better track of statistics and important information. You can do things in seconds that might otherwise take you weeks to do, he added. Would it be faster and more efficient? Absolutely. WHALEN VANCIL Whalen Vancil has his own ideas about moving the coroners office forward if he gets voted into the top job. Aged 74 and married with four-legged children, my wife and I are big fans of German shepherds, hes straining at the leash to bring a new vision to the way the coroners work is done. Hes got in mind utilizing more deputy coroners to help with the workload, noting that the Sangamon County Coroners office has a similar caseload but more people to do it. The current staff of the Macon County office is currently just the coroner, the deputy coroner, one part-time coroner and an administrative assistant. Vancil not only wants to boost the numbers, he also wants the whole team to be better trained and better able to keep up with professional standards through continuing education. His ideas also go a lot further than that. Ive talked to a couple of outstanding retired physicians in the community and they are willing to sit down with the staff of the coroners office and review the details of cases from time to time, he said. Why not use a resource like that to make things better for not only the coroners office, but the people you serve? Vancil has obviously picked up a lot of contacts in the medical world. A registered nurse for 35 years, he works in the operating room of Springfield Memorial Hospital, a level one trauma center. Thats where he earned his credentials for dealing with blood and stress and, he says sadly, breaking bad news to families when the skills of the surgeon and medical team werent enough to bring off the miracle theyd hoped for. And what profession better shows compassion, empathy and understanding than that of a nurse? he said. But he also believes compassion must be tempered by a sense of duty and the need to function effectively no matter how traumatic the circumstances. Otherwise you are not effective, and you are not effective for the patient and you are not effective for the family, he explained. Empathy and understanding, yes, but you must also move on and help the family digest and handle the situation that they have been dealt. Vancil urges voters to see the breadth of experience he will bring, along with his ideas, and give him the opportunity to take a fresh approach to the job of coroner. I think I have the right vision for that office, he said. The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024. A first look at the Senate battleground. 1. West Virginia 2. Montana 3. Ohio 4. Arizona 5. Nevada 6. Wisconsin 7. Michigan 8. Pennsylvania 9. Florida 10. Texas Interactive: 2024 Senate map Analysis: 2024 Senate map presents daunting challenge for Democrats The 2024 Senate map presents a daunting challenge for Democrats. Time will tell if it proves to be insurmountable. The party, which currently holds a narrow 51-49 majority, must defend 23 of the 34 seats up for grabs this cycle. That means Republicans need a net gain of just one or two seats to retake the Senate, depending on which party wins the White House in 2024. The most favorable political terrain for Republicans runs through three states that former President Donald Trump carried by at least 8 points in 2020 -- West Virginia, Montana and Ohio. In all three, Democrats have incumbents with unique political brands who could again have crossover appeal with voters in a reelection race. And Republicans could face messy primary fights in all three states, leaving the eventual nominees weakened heading into the general election. Beyond that, Democrats are defending Senate seats in a handful of pivotal presidential battlegrounds -- Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. All are expected to be fiercely contested, with Arizona offering the potential for an unpredictable three-way race if Democrat-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema seeks reelection. Given the overlay of the presidential race, these contests are most likely to see outsize attention with high-profile campaign visits, making them more connected to the national crosscurrents. If Democrats are searching for targets to offset potential losses, their options are limited. Florida and Texas -- both red-leaning states -- offer the best opportunities. While Florida Sen. Rick Scott has a history of razor-thin elections, he's won them all. The Sunshine State has also been trending toward Republicans in recent years, especially in the era of Trump and Ron DeSantis. In Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz withstood a tough challenge from Beto O'Rourke in 2018, a Democratic-friendly year. Defeating Cruz in a presidential year could pose an even greater test. As the cycle gets underway, how these Senate races play out could depend on several factors. While all signs point to President Joe Biden seeking reelection, he has yet to formally announce his intentions. The 2024 GOP presidential field is only just starting to take shape, with Trump a clear front-runner for now. Aside from the eventual nominees, the overall environment and mood of the country will also help shape contests up and down the ballot as well as the central campaign issues. The state of the US economy is a constant priority for voters. There are signs that culture issues, including parental rights, are poised to drive the debate within GOP primaries and could emerge as general election flashpoints. Senate Republicans were unable to capitalize on what appeared to be a favorable midterm environment for them in 2022, in part because of flawed candidates, several of whom were elevated by Trump. Already this year, National Republican Senatorial Committee chair Steve Daines and other GOP leaders have sent signals that the committee could get involved in primaries if it means avoiding nominees who could cost the party in the general election. DECATUR Gunman Eric D. Booth, the first person to have charges filed against him in Macon County Circuit Court in 2024, has been sent to prison for five years. Booth, 35, took a plea deal negotiated by defense attorney Jeffrey Goldberg that saw him admit to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. A more serious charge of being an armed habitual criminal was dismissed by Circuit Judge Jeffrey Geisler as part of the deal. Booths charges, listed as criminal felony 1 in the court records for 2024, actually date to some 14 months earlier. Booth had been arrested following a police chase on Nov. 11, 2022, after a suspect car fled from pursuing Decatur cops at speeds of more than 120 mph before crashing in the 3100 block of East Robin Drive. Several guns were sniffed out by a police dog in the wake of the chase and later DNA analysis linked one of the weapons to Booth. The defendant wasnt charged until January of this year, however, because the cops were waiting for results from the State Police crime lab. Booth had pleaded not guilty and insisted he was innocent. He appeared in court Feb. 28 for what had been scheduled as the hearing of a motion seeking his release from the custody of the Macon County Jail, but thats when Booth told the judge he was willing to take the plea deal instead. 2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park You may not have heard of Ed Gein, but you probably know the horror movies his life inspired: "Psycho" (1960), "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974) and "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991). Known as the Butcher of Plainfield and the Plainfield Ghoul, Gein was born in 1906 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and spent most of his life on his family's farm in Plainfield, Wisconsin. Advertisement The first death Gein was associated with was that of his older brother Henry in 1944. Although Henry's death was ruled an accident, Gein led the police to the body, which was bruised and burned. In 1957, hardware store owner Bernice Worden was reported missing, and her body was found at Gein's farm. In their investigation, police also found the head of Mary Hogan, who was reported missing in 1954, and body parts Gein had collected from graves and used to make masks and other items. Gein admitted to the two murders but was deemed insane and spent the remainder of his life in a mental hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, where he died in 1984. SALISBURY Catawba Colleges Goodman School of Education and the North Carolina Teacher Cadet Program recently established an articulation agreement designed to increase the prospective teacher pipeline. The agreement allows students completing Teacher Cadet coursework, field experiences, and the corresponding Teacher Cadet portfolio to submit their portfolio for evaluation for potential credit hours by examination for a teacher education course at the college. We are excited to begin this partnership with the North Carolina Teacher Cadet Program, Dr. Kim Creamer, dean of the School of Education, said. We look forward to welcoming N.C. Teacher Cadets to Catawba and helping them continue their journey toward becoming a professional educator. Catawbas School of Education offers 15 undergraduate licensure programs, including Birth-Kindergarten (online), Elementary Education (K-6), Middle School Education (6-9, with concentrations in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), Secondary Education (9-12 in English, Mathematics, Comprehensive Social Studies, Comprehensive Science, Biology, and Chemistry), Special Education and Special Subject Areas (K-12 in Music or Theatre Arts). Through the Shirley Ritchie Academy for Teaching, the School of Education provides professional development and travel opportunities for teacher candidates, as well as offers the Martha West Scholarship program that provides scholarships up to $12,000 per year for prospective teachers. The North Carolina Teacher Cadet Program is an in-state teacher recruitment and leadership program designed to create a pipeline of students to be the next generation of teachers and to reflect the diverse demographic makeup of students served in the public schools. The N.C. Teacher Cadet curriculum introduces students to the science of learning, the role of the learner, professional expectations and responsibilities of the teacher and presents the global perspective of educational systems past, present, and future. About Catawba College Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college located in Salisbury. It is ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South, and offers more than 70 undergraduate and four graduate programs allowing students to explore diverse interests and create their own academic pathway. Additional information is available at catawba.edu. The N.C. House Republican quest to place the state on the side of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the divisive immigration border dispute may carry a coattail effect for a controversial bill that would force all sheriffs to cooperate with federal ICE officers. ICE stands for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All 72 N.C. House Republicans signed a letter sent Wednesday by House speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Although the letter claims to speak on behalf of the N.C. House, there were no Democratic signees. Moore is in his final year as House speaker after declaring his candidacy for the 2024 Republican primary in the 14th congressional district. Some political analysts have said that a Republican-sponsored congressional redistricting map that cleared the legislature in 2023 was drawn in part to provide Moore with a Republican-leaning district in western N.C. The primary purpose of the letter is to urge Cooper to deploy additional N.C. National Guard troops to assist Abbotts efforts. The Texas National Guard troops as well as National Guard troops from Republican states are denying U.S. Border Patrol agents entry to a pivotal border-crossing location in Eagle Pass, Texas. More than a dozen Republican governors have sent state National Guard units to the southern border since 2021. The letter also requests that Cooper commit to signing legislation that mandates cooperation with ICE by local police departments to remove illegal immigrants who are committing crimes. Many illegal immigrants are unaccompanied military-aged men with military or cartel experience. Moore concluded the letter that we trust you share our desire to protect the state from the failures of the federal governments open borders policies. However, if for some reason you failed to take action, these and other options will be on the table for the House supermajority during the upcoming legislative short session. Coopers vetoes Cooper successfully vetoed in 2019 and 2022 bills that cleared the Republican-controlled legislature containing the ICE language. No House or Senate Democrat voted for Senate Bill 101 in 2022 and House Bill 370 in 2019. During the 2023 session, the House voted 71-44 on March 28 to clear House Bill 10, titled Require Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE. Rep. Cecil Brockman of Guilford County was one of two Democrats who voted for HB10. The HB10 vote took place before Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County announced on April 5 her switch from Democrat to Republican that provided the GOP with a super-majority in the House. Curiously, even though the Republican-controlled Senate cleared the ICE bills in 2019 and 2022, it was not heard in a Senate committee during the 2023 session. The Senate version of the ICE bill, Senate Bill 50, was not heard in committee after being introduced on Jan. 31, 2023. None of the senators representing Forsyth and Guilford counties could be reached for comment on the potential resurfacing of HB10. Through Cothams stunning party affiliation transition, Republicans held the exact number necessary in the House (72 votes) and Senate (30 votes) to override a veto. Thus, Republicans were not only successful in ending Coopers streak of 47 consecutive successful vetoes during the 2019-22 sessions. They overrode 19 consecutive Cooper vetoes during the 2023 session, ranging from bills that weakened environmental, social and governance regulations, clean energy rules and building codes, to expanding gender transition rules and loosening requirements over the establishments of charter schools and their oversight. ICE background The ICE legislation requires all sheriffs to hold suspects in certain crimes for at least 48 hours when their immigration status is unknown or they are in the country illegally. Bill sponsors said the 2023 versions contain language they believe addresses Coopers concerns about the previous bills. Instead of requiring a query of ICE on any infraction of anyone who is brought into a jail, it only requires an inquiry when someone is accused of the most heinous crimes, said Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, and HB10s primary sponsor. They would be held long enough for ICE to come in and do their job in a more controlled environment rather than in local communities in a much more dangerous environment. The second major difference reflects concerns expressed by Cooper about potential criminal penalties for sheriffs who decline to cooperate with ICE in detaining inmates. Although more than 90 sheriffs in North Carolina comply with ICE requests, several Democratic sheriffs, including Bobby Kimbrough of Forsyth County and Danny Rogers of Guilford County, have limited their cooperation. Those sheriffs also have stated their opposition to the previous ICE legislation. The Forsyth Sheriffs Office issued a statement after Senate Bill 101 cleared the legislature on July 1, 2022, that included a quote from Kimbrough. We will continue to do what is moral, what is legal and what is right, Kimbrough said. We have been and will continue to be a law-abiding law enforcement agency. Other sheriffs have made similar statements. Hall has said that non-cooperating sheriffs are putting partisan politics ahead of public safety. This bill (HB10) would end that controversy because I believe they will follow the law if this (bill) is passed. But, if they wont, there are a number of remedies already in law, including potential removal from office, and a judge can require a sheriff to follow the law. Hall said during the 2023 floor debate that most ICE detainees are transferred within 24 hours, much less the 48 hours permitted in the bill. Opponents say voters in those counties elected Democratic sheriffs knowing their stance on ICE cooperation, and the bill is an attempt to usurp their authority. Critics of the ICE legislation say the measure could increase jail time for suspects who have otherwise met the conditions for release. They also point out it would force sheriffs offices to investigate the immigration status of anyone booked into the jail. Being held for 48 hours for non-serious crimes can change someones life for good, said Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, citing potential loss of job as an example. Immigration threat to N.C. The N.C. House letter to Cooper attempts to connect North Carolinians to the Texas border dispute by saying that due to this crisis, North Carolina faces increased security threats from foreign actors, tragic fentanyl deaths and disturbing human trafficking by cartels and gangs. Gov. Abbott has been valiantly defending his states security in the face of this crisis. These issues are only growing, and it is your duty as governor to do everything you can do to protect this state. Cooper was urged to send additional N.C. National Guard personnel, not under ineffectual federal authority, but in coordination with Texas leadership and request any needed additional resources for this deployment in your upcoming state budget submission. Cooper also has been urged to halt any discretionary cooperation with the federal government to place and house illegal migrants in North Carolina. Cooper did not specifically address the potential revival of HB10 in his response to the N.C. House letter. A bipartisan U.S. Senate is close to the strongest border security law in a generation, but Donald Trump is telling Republicans to stop because a tough border law hurts his campaign, Cooper said. If Republican legislators really wanted a strong border, they would release a statement supporting this legislation, instead of bowing to Trump and supporting violating the (U.S.) Constitution and rule of law. Analysts responses The purpose of the N.C. House letter may be to stoke the embers of immigration concerns among voters, potentially making it a front-burner election issue, said John Dinan, a political science professor at Wake Forest University who is a national expert on state legislatures. The majority party is often strategic about when it brings up proposed bills and veto-override votes, Dinan said. It will sometimes schedule votes for an election year, rather than a non-election year, when there is an expectation that highlighting an issue will benefit the majority party in election campaigns. Dinan said immigration is an issue where Republicans are generally seen as currently enjoying an advantage, and so there is an expectation that Republican leaders in the General Assembly will try to keep the spotlight on immigration issues and legislation in 2024 in the lead-up to this years elections. Mitch Kokai, senior policy analyst with conservative think tank John Locke Foundation, said theres no certainty the N.C. Senate will take up HB10 during the 2024 session given it was quickly shelved in 2023. If the state Senate Republican caucus shows a strong interest in this issue, then well likely see legislation move through the General Assembly fairly quickly, Kokai said. But, it also wouldnt surprise me to see senators hold back, especially if they see an opportunity to win concessions from Moore on some of their top priorities. It could end up as part of a grand bargain involving other issues. Kokai said Moores championing of the N.C. House letter and citing ICE legislation shows that its clear that speaker Moore is looking beyond North Carolina as he focuses on the border security issue. Its a topic with implications for state and local government, but it also fits well with his campaign to win a seat in Congress. Automation and security company Infobloxs report has revealed threat actor Savvy Seahorse, a perpetrator of online cybercriminal investment scam websites, operating for at least since 2021 and targeting victims including people in ANZ. Savvy Seahorse uses Facebook ads to lure in victims and convince them to open accounts, make deposits, and invest in companies including Tesla and Meta. Once deposited, the cybercriminal gang then transfers the funds to a bank in Russia. Its tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) also include ChatGPT and WhatsApp bots imitating online webchats to encourage victims to inquire about the investment platforms. In Australia, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reported investment scams accounted for almost half of the $3.1 billion that were lost in 2022. Meanwhile in New Zealand, the government has warned about out-of-the-blue investment scams, which were a major contributor to the nearly NZ$200 million New Zealanders lost to scams in the same year. As well as Australians and New Zealanders, Savvy Seahorse targets Russian, Polish, Italian, German, Czech, Turkish, French, and Spanish speakers, but deliberately, and for reasons unclear, excludes traffic from Ukraine and a handful of other countries. In the report, Infoblox details how the threat actor uses a specific type of domain name system (DNS) attack to map website domains and route internet users via traffic distribution systems (TDS) to scam websites that often mimic legitimate sites. This is the first time the cloud and networking security company has seen this approach, which has been a key factor in Savvy Seahorses ability to remain hidden for so long. Australia and New Zealand have high disposable income per capita and there are many mum and dad investors looking to play the market, said Infoblox head of threat intelligence and US NSA former senior executive Renee Burton. Threat actors like Savvy Seahorse see opportunity in this, and the advent of social media advertising gives these cybercriminals a cheap and easy way to flaunt their scam websites to millions of people. The old adage of if it seems too good to be true... is important to remember. Knowing that criminals are out to steal from everyone, we all need to be extra vigilant when investing money or giving financial credentials through websites. Other findings and technical aspects from the report include: Savvy Seahorse uses dedicated hosting and changes its IP addresses regularly. Individual campaigns are short-lived (each subdomain is advertised for five-to-10 days). The threat actor appears to use a phased deployment system in which the Canonical Name (CNAME) a type of DNS record for a campaign domain will change based on whether it is currently active or not. It uses wildcard DNS entries, which match requests for non-existent domain names. This allows Savvy Seahorse to create a large number of independent campaigns quickly but can add confusion to passive DNS (pDNS) analysis. Victims personal data is sent to a secondary HTTP-based TDS server to validate the information and apply geofencing to exclude Ukraine, India, Fiji, Tonga, Zambia, Afghanistan, and Moldova. The second HTTP-based TDS also tracks user IP and email addresses over time. Criminals use social engineering to fool people; it is their job, and they are very good at it, added Burton. While we might be surprised that people have their life savings stolen from them, we shouldnt shame victims for being fooled. These criminals work very hard to create convincing platforms and stories. They prey on the hope we all have to catch a lucky break in life. The full report is available here. Telecommunications company Optus announced it has tested wideband multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System to provide 5G connectivity indoors for Australian enterprises. Optus said customers will receive the same indoor mobile phone coverage with the same quality. Following the trial at Optus Lab in Sydney, Optus plans to deploy the multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System at sporting venues, multi-story buildings, and shopping precincts across Australia. It will also be used as a 5G capacity overlay in locations where Optus has already deployed legacy solutions like shopping centre, food courts, airport lounge rooms, or stadium corporate rooms and will enable new immersive technologies such as XR and VR. The Ericsson Radio Dot System supports wideband 3.5GHz spectrum of all Australian mobile operators. Optus said what makes the system more advanced is it features precise indoor positioning of people or objects inside multi-storey buildings, airports, and underground locations where traditional GPS and other satellite technologies lacked precision. With Ericssons multi-operator 5G Radio Dot system, Optus can support its consumer and enterprise customers across multiple venues to deliver a high-capacity 5G solution for both uplink and downlink and enhance 5G customer experience in indoor locations enabling new emerging use cases such as XR/VR, and precise positioning, said Optus vice president access network strategy planning and quality Kent Wu. With the rapidly growing demands for data, coupled with the complexities of delivering the highest quality coverage in indoor environments, Optus can now easily deploy a solution that delivers indoor 5G coverage to support major enterprise customers, delivering high-capacity 5G indoor coverage on 3.5GHz spectrum, which is critical for indoor locations such as venues, sporting stadiums, and buildings, said Ericsson head of global customer unit Singtel Daniel Ode. The first production implementation for the multi-operator Ericsson Radio Dot System is planned in Optus network in NSW in 2024. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. Vice President Harris has begun taking a more public role in the Biden administration's effort to handle the Gaza war, bluntly criticizing Israel on Sunday for limiting humanitarian aid and meeting Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chief political rival. Monday's White House meeting with Benny Gantz - a centrist member of Israel's war cabinet who traveled to the United States in defiance of Netanyahu - came after Gantz previously spoke with various American officials who have visited Jerusalem. But a Washington visit, particularly one that included a meeting with Harris, was seen as twisting the knife, given Netanyahu's own strained relations with the president. A White House summary of the meeting said Harris reiterated U.S. support for Israel but "expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza." That was a reference to the death Thursday of more than 100 Palestinians after an aid convoy was swarmed and Israeli soldiers opened fire. A day earlier, Harris declared during a speech in Alabama that "the Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid." She added, "No excuses." Although Harris's calls for a cease-fire echoed President Biden's comments over the past week, she took a notably sharper tone, which comes as a growing number of Democrats are voicing their displeasure over Biden's handling of Gaza in television interviews, protests, sternly worded statements - and at the ballot box. "People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane," Harris said. "And our common humanity compels us to act." Biden's staunch support of Israel has long prompted criticism from human rights activists that the administration is complicit in what they see as Israel's extreme reaction to the Oct. 7 attacks, when Hamas militants surged over the border, killing about 1,200 Israelis and taking about 250 hostages. The counteroffensive has disproportionately affected civilians and children, with disturbing images from the escalating humanitarian crisis ricocheting around the world. U.S. officials are urgently trying to secure a six-week cease-fire in Gaza before Sunday, the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israel has agreed to elements of the cease-fire deal, and now the onus is on Hamas, Harris said Sunday. "Hamas claims it wants a cease-fire," she said. "Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal." For months, Harris has privately expressed concerns about the plight of Palestinians, and she has also told advisers that younger voters view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a different lens than older ones, according to people familiar with her views, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private talks. Some activists saw an added significance in the setting of Harris's remarks on Sunday, part of a prepared speech that aides said was cleared by Biden's team. The vice president was speaking in Selma, Ala., during a commemoration of "Bloody Sunday," when state troopers in 1965 brutally attacked civil rights marchers. Some liberals have sought to link the plight of Palestinians with equity movements that involve marginalized communities, including Black Americans in the Jim Crow South, citizens of color in apartheid South Africa and, more recently, the Black Lives Matter movement. Still, some activists were skeptical Monday of Harris's more public outspokenness. "To me, this is a public relations and messaging shift," said Waleed Shahid, a Democratic strategist who has been critical of the White House. "I don't see a policy shift." He said the venue of Harris's remarks was more revealing than her words. "It's significant that Vice President Harris made her messaging shift addressing a Black audience in Selma, which makes me think the White House is not only worried about losing Arab Americans, Muslim Americans and young people, but also older Black voters," he said. This is not the first time Harris has seemed to take a sharper tone than Biden on the Israel-Gaza war. In a speech in Dubai in December, Harris used forceful language in calling on Israel to limit civilian casualties, and she spoke in more detail about Palestinian suffering, which Biden had seldom done at that point. And her aides said she has made her views known privately as well. Harris has been particularly focused on the "day after" in Gaza, they said, as the United States and Israel have conflicting visions over what the future of the enclave will look like, with Biden strongly embracing the idea of a Palestinian state and Netanyahu dismissing it. The vice president has also pushed Biden to address the concerns of the Arab and Muslim community in America since the beginning of the conflict. Shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, Harris convinced the president to add a line addressing Islamophobia in a speech promising unconditional support for Israel. Israel launched its military campaign after Hamas militants rampaged through the Israel-Gaza border fence on Oct. 7, and its war has now killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, displacing more than 80 percent of the population as people shelter in squalid conditions. The United States conducted its first airdrop of food into Gaza on Saturday, although aid groups said it does not fundamentally address what is needed to prevent famine. "We have seen reports of families eating leaves or animal feed, women giving birth to malnourished babies with little or no medical care, and children dying from malnutrition and dehydration," Harris said on Sunday. "And 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. And they were met with gunfire and chaos." Harris is not the only high-ranking Democrat to ratchet up her rhetoric on Gaza in recent days. "The collective punishment in Gaza has got to stop, and Israel must do more to protect civilian life," Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said on the Senate floor late last week. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, called scenes from the stampede and gunfire "appalling." Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), decrying the lack of aid getting into Gaza, said, "Enough is enough." For Harris and the Biden administration, the stakes are not just about a conflict nearly 7,000 miles away. Harris is the understudy to an 81-year-old president, and polls show that many Americans have questions about his ability to continue in the most demanding job in the world. Coupled with those concerns are worries among some voters about how Harris would perform if she found herself at the top of the Democratic ticket or in the White House. On issues from reproductive rights to the Ukraine war, Harris has sought to reassure skeptics that she is a firm leader. Harris's recent actions reflect a fundamental shift in the administration's posture as the war has unfolded over the past five months. Shortly after the Oct. 7 attacks, Biden took a whirlwind trip to Israel, sharing a brief hug with Netanyahu, attending a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet and speaking with survivors of the attacks. In speaking with Gantz on Monday, Harris was meeting with a centrist politician who angered Netanyahu by coming to the United States this week. Harris told reporters on Monday that there is no dissonance between her views and Biden's. "The president and I have been aligned and consistent from the very beginning," she said as she headed to her meeting with Gantz. Gantz did not clear his travel plans with Netanyahu in advance, according to Israeli media reports. Instead, Gantz briefed Netanyahu on his itinerary on Friday, provoking an angry retort that "Israel only has one prime minister," according to Ynet, which broke news of the spat over the weekend. Netanyahu's allies also have criticized Gantz's trip. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, speaking to members of his party, accused Gantz of letting himself be used by Biden administration figures who wanted "to drive a wedge between Israelis" to push their plans for a Palestinian state. Netanyahu, who openly embraced former president Donald Trump, has long had a frosty relationship with Biden. As Biden and Harris have ramped up their criticism of Israel's prosecution of the war in Gaza and its failure to facilitate more humanitarian aid, more Israelis are accusing Netanyahu of mishandling relations with the country's most important ally. Gantz's trip appears to be exacerbating those tensions. Numerous outlets reported that Netanyahu had instructed Israel's embassy in Washington to boycott Gantz's meetings. Netanyahu has plummeted in the polls in the wake of the Hamas attack, and Gantz is increasingly seen as his likely successor. A survey released by Israel's Channel 13 on Monday showed Gantz's National Unity party winning more than twice as many seats in the Israeli parliament as Netanyahu's Likud party. (COMMENT, BELOW) An unnamed 67-year-old woman in Russia was charged with hiring the murder of her 48-year-old daughter just so she could inherit the younger woman's Krasnoyarsk apartment, Oddity Central reported. The murderous mom told an acquaintance about her plan, and that person said they knew someone who could pull it off. The would-be assassin and the mom met in a park, where she offered about $1,040 for the job. But the hit man went to police, who helped him stage the murder and engaged the help of the victim. On May 3, the hit man contacted the mom and told her he had repeatedly stabbed her daughter with a knife, then provided her daughter's bag as evidence. She then transferred the money to his account, and police swooped in. Her new home won't be the apartment she was hoping for. [Oddity Central, 5/5/2023] Alexei Navalny, imprisoned critic of Putin and the Kremlin, is dead. An attempt to silence/kill him occurred earlier in 2021. The cause of death has not been announced, but the world suspects Putin thuggery. There is a history of Putins critics dying suddenly and unexpectedly under suspicious circumstances, and Navalnys death is no different. It is alarming and disconcerting that Trump praises and idolizes Putin and his power and subscribes to his ruthless, strong arm tactics. Trump said that, as president, he could direct a SEAL Team or other assets of the government to eliminate/assassinate his political enemies with impunity. Trump further vowed as president to lock up his political enemies, weaponizing the DOJ and FBI against his political foes whom he characterizes as vermin. Such an authoritarian presidency abandons the rule of law, democracy, and decency, and the retribution and retaliation Trump would direct against his political enemies of both parties is not presidential, nor in keeping with the expectations of the highest office in the land. The apprentice president, by word and deed, proposes to become another dictator on the world stage. That is his aspiration, given the admiration he lauds and expresses for other dictators, Putin and Kim Jong Un among them. Non-material aid and comfort to the enemy or just bluster and bravado? Either is damnable. The constitutional qualifications to serve as president, age and birthplace, are minimal. Amendments 14 (section 3) and 25 (section 4) attempt to sporadically raise the bar for candidacy and performance in office but are tenuous and tentative in their application. There are few jobs, careers, and professions that require fewer qualifications than serving as president of the United States, and most of those require a criminal background check. -- Gary Foster, Charleston CHARLESTON The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Colleen Peterlich as its new president and CEO. The Chamber reported in a press release that Peterlich, a longtime volunteer with this organization, recently retired as associate director with Eastern Illinois University's Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Peterlich is replacing Doug Abolt, a former executive with Consolidated Communications, Inc. Abolt had held the positions since 2021 and will be retiring to serve on the board of directors in a volunteer capacity. The Chamber reported that Peterlich has demonstrated unwavering support for local businesses and a deep understanding of the community's needs. The Chamber reported that her passion for fostering growth and prosperity aligns seamlessly with the organization's mission, making her a natural choice to lead it into its next chapter. Colleen's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her experience with various endeavors in the community," said board President Cindy Rivas in the release. "This firsthand experience equips her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses in our area. The Chamber reported that its board has expressed confidence in Peterlich's ability to propel the Chamber forward, leveraging her skills and dedication to create meaningful connections, drive impactful events, and find innovative solutions. Peterlich earned a bachelor's in fine arts, majoring in visual communication, from EIU. Since then, she has served as assistant director and most recently associate director of the University Union facility. In addition, Peterlich served in the EIU President's Office and gained experience there with carrying out special events. She recently retired from EIU after 20 years of service. Peterlich has lived in Charleston for 46 years. She and her husband, Brian, have four grown children, two of which live locally and two living out of state. They also have four grandchildren. Photos: 2023 Coles County new businesses Side by Side Gaming family (copy) Defense Depot plans (copy) Winery owner (copy) DHM exterior (copy) CRAFT EMPORIUM 060123-mat-nws-sports-groundbreaking_01.JPG (copy) MATTOON The Lake Land College Library is holding a used book sale from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 15. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Members of the public are welcome at the sale, which will include a large selection of nonfiction books in most subject areas in addition to many fiction titles. All books will cost 50 cents and must be paid for with cash. All proceeds will be used to support and expand the librarys collection. Community members attending the book sale are also encouraged to obtain a free Lake Land College Community Borrower Card. Cardholders can check out all of the library's materials and access its ebook and e-audiobook apps. Those interested in obtaining a card must bring a photo ID and a piece of mail proving district residency. For more information on the book sale, contact Sarah Hill at shill@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5440. for more about the library, go LakeLandCollege.edu/Library/. MATTOON Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day from 9 a.m.-noon Friday, March 22. The event gives prospective students the opportunity to learn about Lake Land College. Attendees can check in from 8:15 9 a.m. at the main entrance of the Luther Student Center. Parking will be available in lot E. F Attendees will tour campus with a student ambassador, who will share information from a student perspective. Participants also will meet with faculty to learn more about specific programs. Representatives from many services, including counseling services, career services, student accommodations, student wellness and TRIO Student Support Services, will be available to provide information and answer questions. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend. Immediately following the Laker Visit Day event, students interested in a career in broadcasting are encouraged to attend the Broadcast Communication Open House from noon to 2 p.m. held in the Lake Land broadcast studio. The event will include a light lunch, a tour of the WLKL facilities and a chance to view state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment. To learn more about Laker Visit Day or to register for any of the listed events, go to LakeLandCollege.edu/Visit. The education requirements for the fastest-growing health care jobs The education requirements for the fastest-growing health care jobs #6. Doctoral or professional degree #5. Associate's degree #4. Master's degree #3. Postsecondary nondegree award #2. Bachelor's degree #1. High school diploma or equivalent WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to hold the Republican former president accountable for 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 court's decision as she 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. Some election observers have warned that a ruling requiring congressional action to implement Section 3 could leave the door open to a renewed fight over trying to use the provision to disqualify Trump in the event he wins the election. In one scenario, a Democratic-controlled Congress could try to reject certifying Trumps election on Jan. 6, 2025, under the clause. The issue then could return to the court, possibly in the midst of a full-blown constitutional crisis. 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. In doing so, the majority shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement. We cannot join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily, and we therefore concur only in the judgment, they wrote. The court did not delve into the politically fraught issue of insurrection in its opinion Monday. 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 Trump's favor. 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 court's 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. The 5-4 decision in Bush v. Gore case more than 23 years ago was the last time the court was so deeply involved in presidential politics. Justice Clarence Thomas is the only member of the court who was on the bench then. Thomas has ignored calls by some Democratic lawmakers to step aside from the Trump case because his wife, Ginni, supported Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election results and attended the rally that preceded the storming of the Capitol by Trump supporters. ___ Whos running for president? See the latest rundown of major 2024 candidates Donald Trump Joe Biden Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Jill Stein Cornel West Whos dropped out? The Daily Minute is the Journal Star's morning news briefing where you can get the latest news in about a minute each weekday. Previous Daily Minute videos are archived here. Popular Facebook page returns The wildly popular Facebook page featuring photos of Nebraska that was canceled last week came back online Monday as mysteriously as it disappeared. Its founder, Steve Evans of Holdrege, said he doesn't know why Nebraska Through the Lens, a Facebook page with nearly half a million followers, was taken off line last week. Nor does he know why it was put back on line on Monday. "Our goal is going to be figure out exactly what we were doing wrong and figure out a way to fix it," Evans said, so it doesnt happen again. Pillen issues first veto Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen issued his first veto of the year Monday, sending back to the Legislature a bill that would allow local jurisdictions to distribute hypodermic needles to drug users to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. The Legislature approved the bill 30-7 last week, signaling strong bipartisan support for the proposal, which was introduced by Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. Nebraska would be one of the last states to legalize such programs if the Legislature overrides Pillen's veto, which would take 30 votes in the 49-member body. Tominaga makes a hero's exit Keisei Tominaga had a heros exit in his last home game at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sunday. The senior guard came alive in the second half of Nebraskas win against Rutgers, scoring 12 consecutive points, including a four-point play. He finished with a team-high 18 points. It meant a lot to me, Tominaga said of his final game on Nebraskas home floor. Being able to play here for three years in front of amazing fans, amazing crowd, Ill never forget this moment in my life. Thats it for Tuesday, March 5. Stay in the know with Lincolns longest-standing news source at JournalStar.com and well see you back here tomorrow. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 A Lincoln man who was arrested after allegedly making threats with a gun and pointing it at police officers last week was charged Monday with multiple counts of terroristic threats, among other charges. Daejon Collins, 29, was arrested at about 4:20 a.m. Friday after police responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 2100 block of North 70th Street. A witness said Collins pointed a gun at officers as they arrived, according to the probable cause affidavit. Collins was accused of threatening a victim with a gun while trying to gain entry into the residence, which prompted the victim to call 911. The affidavit says a man, thought to be Collins, was yelling in the background during the call. Collins also allegedly broke the rear windshield of the victim's vehicle, causing approximately $400 worth of damage, LPD said. Officers arrived as Collins was in the front yard of the home. A witness said he pointed a black handgun at the officers while they were inside their police cruiser. Police then saw Collins run to a black Chevrolet Trailblazer. Officers ordered him at gunpoint to stop the vehicle, but Collins fled at a high rate of speed, according to the affidavit. Collins crashed the car near the intersection of North 70th and Adams streets, then fled on foot through a nearby neighborhood, police say. The foot chase lasted about 10 minutes before Collins was arrested in a driveway in the 3000 block of North 68th Street. During the incident, officers used a Taser on Collins. He was taken to Bryan West Campus to be evaluated before being lodged at the Lancaster County jail, according to the affidavit. Police searched Collins' vehicle and found a Smith & Wesson 40mm handgun loaded with 10 rounds, as well as 25.5 grams of cocaine, $396 in cash and open alcohol containers. Collins was charged with two counts of terroristic threats, two counts of using a firearm to commit a felony, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, possession of money while violating drug laws and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Judge Laurie Yardley set his percentage bond at $250,000, meaning he would need to pay $25,000 to be released. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 Students at Lincoln Northwest High School had the opportunity to participate in a longtime Lincoln Public Schools tradition meant to encourage civic engagement for the first time ever Monday. For more than 25 years, every LPS high school has hosted a drive to help students who are 18 years old, or will be soon, register to vote ahead of the upcoming elections. Because this is Northwests first year with a senior class, it is also the first time the high school has been able to host a voter registration drive. About 40 students registered Monday, said Edgar Torres, the AP government and politics teacher. Last year, there were more than 700 students districtwide to register at the drives. It's vital that we introduce young students into the political process because oftentimes they forget that their voices are powerful and that they can have a really big impact, especially within their own communities, Torres said. Registering to vote is just the beginning. Several other high schools are set to host their drives later this week, too: Lincoln Southeast on Tuesday, Northeast on Wednesday and North Star on Friday. Anyone who will turn 18 by Nov. 5 of this year can register to vote. The drives are strategically planned for the end of February or beginning of March to fall right before the primary elections in the spring, which will be on May 14 this year. They can go ahead and turn around just within a month or two and then exercise the right to vote, said Jaci Kellison, K-12 social studies curriculum specialist at LPS. Through government and politics classes at LPS, students are taught about government structures, political ideologies, public polling and how they can participate in democracy. By utilizing the drives, students are able to then take what theyre learning in class and apply it to real life, Kellison said. In the classroom, they're learning about how to be informed, how to be engaged, how to be active citizens, she said. Then this is really that opportunity to go out there and apply what they're learning outside the classroom. A handful of students were even able to take it a step further and become voter registration deputies to help students through the process. Deputies can also help at polling sites on election day. Alex Berry, a senior, was one of four students at Northwest to volunteer to undergo a short deputization process with the Lancaster County Election Commissioner last spring. I think it's just a great thing to do for the country, just being able to say that you can register people to vote, he said. I mean, these days, voting and politics is a big topic, so any way you can help is awesome. To register, students were asked to fill out a form with any necessary information. Deputies were there to answer questions about the process, how to vote and why its important to exercise this right. When students were finished, they were given a pamphlet detailing Nebraskas new voter ID law and a list of the states elected officials. Its a fairly quick and easy process, Berry said, which is a big reason why he feels its the perfect opportunity for students to register to vote. That's why I think it's so good that we have this at school because students don't have to make an extra trip out into the city and they can just come to school, and it takes them two minutes, he said. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 Summit Carbon Solutions has added eight ethanol refineries owned and operated by Valero Energy Corp., including one in Nebraska. The San Antonio-based company agreed to transport carbon dioxide through the Midwest Carbon Express, a network of 2,500 miles of pipeline stretching across Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Valero Renewables' facility near Albion, which produces 135 million gallons of ethanol each year and employs roughly 60 people, will join the pipeline after previously being a part of a separate carbon sequestration project. The Valero facilities are expected to add 3.1 million metric tons of CO2 annually to Summit's carbon pipeline, which seeks to compress the gas and bury it deep underground at a sequestration site in North Dakota. In all, the Midwest Carbon Express will capture and transport carbon dioxide from 57 ethanol facilities across the region. Summit CEO Lee Blank said the expansion of the project is part of a "meaningful shift" in lowering the carbon intensity of biofuels. "It's about practical changes that can make a real difference: improving farm profitability, increasing land values and offering solid support to our farm families and rural communities," Blank said in a news release. The companies seeking to capture and sequester carbon would also be able to claim billions of dollars in tax credits seeking to incentivize those projects. The Albion ethanol plant was originally part of a carbon pipeline project operated by Navigator Ventures LLC until last year. Navigator, which was based in Omaha, canceled the Heartland Greenway project last October, citing the unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government process after the company was denied construction permits by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The $2 billion, 1,300-mile pipeline was planned to carry 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from ethanol plants across the Midwest, including facilities near Albion, Columbus and South Sioux City, to an underground sequestration site in Illinois. The company, which moved its headquarters to Omaha in 2022, also asked Iowa regulators to pause its permitting process, and it withdrew a permit request in Illinois. Summit, based in Ames, Iowa, has also faced setbacks in its plan to build new pipelines across much of the region, including regulators in South Dakota rejecting its permit last year. And in Nebraska, where the regulations and permits are decided at the county level, the pipeline has also faced delays. Last month, on a 3-0 vote, the Stanton County Board of Commissioners denied Summit Carbon Solutions a conditional-use permit to run 8 miles of pipeline across the county. Commissioners, echoing concerns from landowners living along the pipeline project, said they rejected the permit because of safety concerns. No official map of the new connections was available on Summit's website Monday, but an artistic rendering of the pipeline's route shows it splitting off from Norfolk and running southwest across Madison and Boone counties in northeast Nebraska. Jonathan Lindgren, the chair of the Boone County Board of Commissioners, said county leaders were last briefed by representatives from Navigator nearly a year ago and have not yet heard from Summit Carbon Solutions. He said with Navigator canceling its planned pipeline, there hasn't been much discussion of the project locally. "It will come up later on, I'm sure," Lindgren said. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 A former civilian employee at the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command is facing federal charges that allege he illegally leaked classified information about the Russia-Ukraine war on a foreign dating site, according to a news release from the U.S. Justice Department. David Franklin Slater, 63, was arrested March 2 and will make his first appearance Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Omaha. He is charged with two counts of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and a single count of conspiracy to disclose classified information, according to a grand jury indictment released by the Justice Department. Slater is a retired Army lieutenant colonel who worked in StratComs logistics directorate until 2022, said Matt Miller, a StratCom spokesman. He referred further questions to the FBI. According to the indictment, Slater attended StratCom briefings on the Russia-Ukraine war that included information classified up to the level of "TOP SECRET//SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION." Then, on several occasions in March and April of 2022, he allegedly handed over classified information to someone he had met on a foreign dating site. According to the indictment, in one message Co-Conspirator 1, who identified herself as a woman living in Ukraine, sent him a message asking Dear, what is shown on the screens in the special room?? It is very interesting. In another, she said You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully? The indictment said Slater retired from the Army at the end of 2020 and received a top-secret clearance in August 2021. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 The Nebraska Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in a lawsuit over the law that added restrictions for abortion and gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youths. ACLU attorney Matthew Segal said the core question was whether LB574, which started as a restriction on medical procedures for transgender youth and came to include an abortion ban, violated a state constitutional provision that says no bill shall contain more than one subject. "For two reasons, it does," he argued. Segal said the bill combined two bills with different names, effective dates, enforcement mechanisms and procedures all the way through. And these two halves of the bill don't work with each other. "In fact, aside from their inclusion in this same bill, they are strangers to each other," he said. Justice Jonathan Papik jumped in to point out section eight of the bill, which involved a set of consequences that applied to both. Segal agreed but said that just because there is a similarity in one instance doesn't mean the separate parts of the bill work together to accomplish a shared objective. "But couldn't a bill pertain to one subject and be motivated by two different purposes?" Papik asked. "Not consistent with the Constitution, your honor," Segal said. The ACLU of Nebraska made the same argument in Lancaster County District Court after it sued the state on behalf of Planned Parenthood when the new abortion restrictions were signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen in May. Nebraskas 12-week abortion ban took effect in May. Restrictions related to gender-affirming care took effect Oct. 1. Judge Lori Maret rejected the single-subject argument, which led to the appeal, which the Supreme Court likely will rule on sometime in the next few months. In arguments Tuesday, Segal said this bill wasn't dealing with some broad rewrite of the medical procedure field or public health and welfare. "It is the stitching together of two distinct aims," he said. And, he said, case law has been clear for more than a century: The Legislature is prohibited from joining two or more bills together so that the friends of each may pass them. Chief Justice Michael Heavican asked if that was "log-rolling." And if so, what logs got rolled here? Segal said it created a risk of log-rolling. He said, here, there were "obviously unrelated" provisions tacked onto a bill at a later time. The Legislature considered the issues as separate bills, until the six-week abortion ban failed as a stand-alone measure. "It was only then that one log was tacked on to the other log," he said, as a 12-week ban. Segal said that's why the single-subject law exists. Justice William Cassel posed a hypothetical: Suppose a bill was on the floor, filibustered and the bill didn't advance. Then, two separate bills came out and were adopted on the floor together. Segal said that would present a tougher case. Cassel suggested Segal was placing tremendous weight on the way the Legislature progressed through the steps. "As opposed to simply looking at the content and the title," he said. On the other side, Nebraska Solicitor General Eric Hamilton said the court should affirm Maret's order, which said all parts of the bill related to health care. Hamilton argued the claim was "nonjusticiable under the political question doctrine." "By using the term 'bill' instead of legislative acts or statutes, the Constitution textually committed this issue to the Legislature, which self-polices compliance with the rule," he said. To which Heavican inserted: "Didn't that ship sail about 150 years ago?" Hamilton disagreed and said the Nebraska Supreme Court hasn't decided a single-subject case in years, and he pointed to an 1871 decision where the court noted the issue may be a "non-justiciable political question." "And the court has never decided the issue," he said. But, he said, even if it were, the case fails on the merits because LB574 followed the single-subject rule, if justices look at the title, then consider whether the elements contained in it are germane to the subject in the title. "LB574 meets that standard," he said. Hamilton said there are two policies in the bill an abortion policy and a gender-altering procedures policy that both relate to that standard. He said he didn't hear Segal cite any reason why the main purpose of the bill couldn't be "regulating health care practitioners' use of procedures and drugs that disrupt natural biological processes for especially vulnerable populations of preborn and minor children." Justice Stephanie Stacy asked if that's what he would have titled the bill. Hamilton said he deferred to the Legislature, but acknowledged that older case law takes a different approach, which this title would have passed. Justice Lindsey Miller-Lerman pointed out a 1957 case, where the court found a bill related to beets and chicory violated the single-subject rule. Hamilton argued that the court didn't need to meet the merits of the case because it's a nonjusticiable political question. The choice of the word bill commits the question to the Legislature, he argued. Heavican interrupted to ask if the fact that Nebraska has a unicameral has any relevance to the argument. "Does the fact that there is only one house mean that there are fewer checks and balances in Nebraska than in other places?" he asked. Hamilton said there may be different balances within the legislative branch, but he didn't see any differences in the checks and balances between the branches. He said this is a decision of a nonjudicial kind. "The court says what the law is, but not what the overall purpose is for an act. It doesn't say whether individual sections are germane to a bill's subject. That's a legislative process call," Hamilton argued. The comment prompted Justice John Freudenberg to jump in. "This court's allowed to review whether another branch has followed the constitutionally established processes, isn't it?" he asked. Hamilton said the court can review cases where an official has acted outside political authority, but process-type calls made by the political branches "merit additional deference." Papik said there are a lot of states with single-subject rules and asked if any had found them to be nonjusticiable political questions. Hamilton said he wasn't aware of any. On rebuttal, Segal said: "What we just heard were attempts to shoot the moon." He said Hamilton was asking the Nebraska Supreme Court to become the first in the country to hold that the single-subject rule is a political question, and to work backward from a bill's title to determine its subject, instead of working up from what the bill actually does. Freudenberg said both appeared to regulate health care professionals or physicians and asked how that wasn't a single-subject. Segal said the question doesn't start from the broadest possible category. It looks to what the bill does. "These are two ships passing in the night, and what they have in common, all they have in common, is the sea," he said. Photos and video: Scene at Nebraska Capitol as lawmakers pass LB574 Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval Monday to a bill that would expand the governor's influence over the state's Racing and Gaming Commission, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent years as it regulates the state's burgeoning casino industry. Under a proposal from Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, Nebraska's governor would be required to approve the hiring of the commission's executive director a position not previously subject to the governor's approval. Lowe's bill (LB839) also would make clear the governor has the power to remove a commissioner for "any malfeasance, misfeasance, or neglect in office" while ensuring none of the commission's seven members hold any other public office. The Legislature voted 39-0 to advance the bill Monday from the first of three rounds of debate. Six senators were present but did not vote, including Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, who lodged concerns about "ceding too much power needlessly to the executive branch" but ultimately didn't vote against the bill. As he advocated for his bill on the legislative floor Monday at the Capitol, Lowe pointed to recent "questionable decisions" made by the once-obscure commission that saw its budget and reach grow substantially in 2020 when Nebraska voters approved casino gambling and lawmakers subsequently charged the commission with regulating the new industry. State Auditor Mike Foley in January highlighted compliance issues over whether the commission was properly verifying the revenue from the new casinos after his office found regulators did not complete timely audits of the three gambling operators in the state for fiscal year 2023. And the commission has come under fire this year after it spent more than $30,000 on 10 semi-automatic rifles last year for agency investigators whose primary task is enforcing state gambling regulations and laws. That controversial purchase was approved by Tom Sage, the commissions executive director who is on medical leave and will remain on leave until his retirement takes effect March 12. Dennis Lee, the commission's chairman, told the Omaha World-Herald last week that the agency won't keep the rifles after the commission's interim executive director Casey Ricketts recommended the firearms be returned. Still, Lowe said the purchase of the rifles was among multiple reasons he introduced the bill, declining to specify any others. "This was kind of in the back of our mind for a while now," he said. "If things were gonna go smoothly then, 'Hey, we'll let it fly.' But if there were bumps in the road then we need to make some changes." The bill which bars Racing and Gaming Commission members from "holding any other office or position under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States" comes less than three years after former Gov. Pete Ricketts appointed the state's sitting tax commissioner to the board. The appointment of Tony Fulton, a longtime opponent of expanded gambling, raised questions over his qualifications to serve on the commission and ties to the anti-gambling movement. Fulton, who was appointed to the commission in June 2021, still serves on the body but resigned as tax commissioner in December 2022. A spokeswoman for Gov. Jim Pillen said last month that the governor supports Lowe's bill but that he also would like the Legislature to approve the commissions choice for executive director. But the draft of the bill advanced by lawmakers Monday leaves that power in the hands of the governor alone. Photos: Sports betting kicks off in Nebraska State lawmakers advanced an amended bill Monday that would allow the children of undocumented immigrants to become law enforcement officers in Nebraska. The Legislature gave first-round approval to a bill (LB894) from Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner that would require candidates for county sheriff to have attended and completed a sheriff's certification course. Previously, those candidates only needed to pass a background check and a reading comprehension test administered by the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. The bill was amended to allow those brought into the country illegally at a young age to pursue careers in law enforcement. Ibach's bill was introduced following last year's recall of a sheriff in Dundy County who failed to complete training or obtain a certificate as a law enforcement officer in Nebraska. Nearly 90% of voters in the county in the southwest corner of the state with a population of fewer than 1,500 supported the effort to oust Clinton "C.J." Smith from the position. Smith had submitted paperwork to the state claiming he was certified to be a police officer in Colorado, but his certification had lapsed in 2017, meaning he did not qualify for reciprocity in Nebraska. He was later turned away from the academy for misrepresenting his work history, criminal history and disciplinary actions, as well as his "unsatisfactory completion of the physical fitness examination." While Ibach's bill and a committee amendment sought to clarify the requirements for county sheriffs elected and appointed to that position, a pair of lawmakers took the opportunity to expand who was eligible to become a certified law enforcement officer in Nebraska. Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar said the idea of allowing individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status better known as DACA to serve as police officers or sheriff's deputies was brought to her by a law enforcement officer in her Southeast Nebraska legislative district. The DACA program was enacted by President Barack Obama in 2012 and allows immigrants brought into the country illegally as minors to obtain work visas and protects them from being deported. "If DACA recipients are going to benefit from the system, they should also be able to serve their communities and put their lives on the line if they qualify as law enforcement officers," Slama said. Slama brought the idea to Wayne, who checked with other law enforcement agencies to see if they had any concerns about the idea. When none came up, he filed the amendment to Ibach's bill, which was named a speaker's priority this session. The amendment doesn't change the qualifications for any Nebraskan to become a law enforcement officer, Slama noted, but gives agencies another tool to recruit and DACA recipients often called Dreamers a chance to serve. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, there were 2,460 active DACA recipients in Nebraska as of September 2023, as well as an estimated 4,000 who are eligible to apply for deferred status. Across the country, there are 544,690 individuals enrolled in DACA, and 1.1 million who are potentially eligible. A handful of lawmakers spoke in support of the idea, including Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, who said immigrants have long been accepted into the ranks of the military and should be given a chance to serve in law enforcement, and Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn said for many DACA recipients brought into the country as small children, living in the U.S. is all they know. The Legislature previously granted other benefits to DACA recipients, including allowing Dreamers to pay in-state tuition to Nebraska's colleges and universities. State law also allows those individuals to apply for driver's licenses as well as professional and occupational licenses, with both of those bills being passed over the veto of then-Gov. Pete Ricketts. Ahead of Monday's vote, Wayne told his colleagues he was aware of some late effort to peel away votes from the amendment, which he noted had been filed last week and had gone without objection. "We are trying to solve an issue, law enforcement brought this, and it came out (of committee) 8-0," Wayne said. "It's good policy." The amendment was adopted on a 36-8 vote and Ibach's bill advanced to the second round of debate on a 42-2 vote. Monday was Day 37 of the 60-day legislative session. Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024 The Legislature on Tuesday advanced a bill seeking to clarify the requirements motorcycle operators must meet in order to ride without a helmet in Nebraska. The bill (LB1004) from Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair addresses concerns raised by law enforcement, the Department of Motor Vehicles and motorcyclists after the repeal (LB138) of Nebraska's motorcycle helmet law that passed last year. Hansen said the bill gives clarity to law enforcement officers in how to treat out-of-state riders without helmets during traffic stops by removing a statute obligating them to show proof of completion of a safety course. It also removes the requirement for more-experienced riders to complete an 11-hour in-person safety course if they have obtained a Class M license prior to May 1, 2024. Those veteran motorcycle operators will only be required to show they have completed a three-hour online safety course, which reviews the rules of the road, defensive driving strategies and other safety topics. Following the passage of the helmet repeal last year, Hansen said basic safety courses have been inundated with experienced riders, which prevents newer, inexperienced riders from accessing those resources. The cleanup bill, which still requires those who obtain a Class M license on or after May 1 of this year to submit proof of completing both courses, will help alleviate that problem, Hansen said. A committee amendment adopted on Tuesday also clarifies that passengers on a motorcycle are still required to wear a helmet unless they are 21 or older and the person operating the motorcycle has been approved to ride without one. "I received a lot of feedback on how unrealistic it is to require someone who never intends to operate a motorcycle to get on a bike and take a 14-hour, $275 course," Hansen said. "This is one of the provisions we might have overlooked in the original bill." The Legislature advanced the bill to second-round debate on a vote of 34-3. Meet the Nebraska state senators making laws in 2024 SSM Health plans to build a clinic in Verona, expected to open in 2026 on the southwestern corner of highways 18-151 and 69. It's the latest of several medical facility projects in the Madison area for which construction is underway or planned soon. The SSM Health clinic, to be 40,000 square feet and cost $25 million to $30 million, will offer family medicine services and physical and occupational therapy, said Jason Craig, vice president of ambulatory care for SSM Health in Wisconsin. It is also expected to have lab and imaging services and other specialty services. Construction will start early next year. Given the demands that we have within our primary care services and the demand in the communities we serve and certainly see within Verona family medicine is going to be at the forefront of our initial service offerings," Craig said. SSM Health has long owned 97 acres at the location, west of Highway 69, south of Highway 18-151 and north of Valley Road. Future projects at the site will include additional clinic space and services, but specific plans have not been developed, Craig said. St. Louis-based SSM Health owns St. Mary's Hospital in Madison and six other hospitals in Wisconsin, including in Baraboo, Janesville and Monroe, along with many clinics. Its closest clinic to Verona is on the northeast corner of Old Sauk Road and the Beltline in Madison. Construction is expected to start by this summer on an SSM Health ambulatory surgery center in Sun Prairie, at the site of its prior stand-alone emergency center on the southwestern corner of Highway 151 and Reiner Road. The facility, to focus on orthopedics and eye care, is expected to open next year. UW Health plans to open its Eastpark Medical Center on Madison's Far East Side in October. The 470,000-square-foot, seven-story building will offer services including women's specialty care and cancer treatment, such as proton therapy expected to start in late 2025. The Eastpark facility is next to UW Healths 56-bed East Madison Hospital, which opened in 2015 in the American Center Business Park east of Interstate 39-90-94 and north of Highway 151. As part of an inpatient expansion project announced last year, UW Health plans to add six operating rooms to the hospital and other space, including 20 emergency department rooms. Also through the inpatient expansion, UW Health plans to add a facility between UW Hospital, at 600 Highland Ave. on the West Side, and the nearby UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building. The six-story structure is expected to have 22 emergency department rooms, 22 flexible-care beds and 48 inpatient rooms. Construction on both UW inpatient expansion projects is expected to start this year. UW Health also plans to open a University Row Clinic in 2026, next to its Digestive Health Center, which opened in 2013 at 750 University Row, near University Avenue and Whitney Way on the West Side. The four-story clinic is expected to offer specialty care, primary care, urgent care and other services, including a lab and a pharmacy. In February, UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter announced plans to build a rehabilitation hospital in Fitchburg. The 40-bed facility is expected to open by 2026 at the southwest corner of Lacy Road and Highway 14. Like a 50-bed UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital that opened in 2015 next to East Madison Hospital, the Fitchburg facility will be managed by Lifepoint Health. Encompass Health, a for-profit company based in Birmingham, Alabama, opened a rehabilitation hospital in Fitchburg in November, at 5535 Nobel Drive, near Fish Hatchery Road and south of Lacy Road. (The word "shootings" should in many cases be ideally replaced with "murders", to be more precise. "Shooting" is what happens at the range. Ed;) There were 648 mass shootings in 2020, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Everytown claims there were 636, but the FBI says there were 50. Four additional groups have their own data. None of it agrees. Clearly, the gun-ban industry has figured out that by offering mass shooting data sets regardless of their accuracy it will increase mentions by the legacy media. In fact, the more wildly inflated their numbers, the more likely their group will be cited in news stories, which leads to increased fundraising. There are two reasons for the large discrepancies in the groups' findings: how they define a mass shooting and how they gather the data. The Gun Violence Archive has the least realistic definition and the shoddiest collection methods. The GVA defines a mass shooting as anytime four or more people are even slightly wounded by gunfire. The group doesn't rule out shootings that evolve from a domestic dispute or those that are gang related. The GVA gathers their data from spurious sources, such as social media and cable TV news. As a result, the GVA leads the pack in terms of media mentions. They have even been cited by the Biden-Harris administration. Most Americans would be shocked at the type of incidents these groups classify as mass shootings. Most understand what comes to mind when you hear the term a deranged monster stalking the halls of a school, shopping mall or house of worship, randomly executing innocent people. Most do not picture two gang members shooting it out over turf, a maniac turning a gun on their family members, or a drug deal gone bad. What follows is an examination of the groups that promote mass shooting data, starting with the FBI, which many consider the only trustworthy data repository. ..... 1. Yes. It will be convenient and the fares are cheap. I plan to use the transit system often. 2. Yes. I have a vehicle, but I may still use the service now and then, especially in bad weather. 3. No. I dont use the current bus service, and I dont plan to use the micro-transit service either. 4. No. It may be fine in town, but it still involves a transfer for longer trips. That wont work. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It depends on how well the service works once its in place. Vote View Results Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Photos by Kyle Haney () In the military, we do a lot of exercises. And a lot is an understatement. In South Korea particularly, we (i.e. the military) have a special saying that we need to be ready to fight tonight because we dont know when things with our neighbors to the north will turn south, if you know what I mean. With those exercises brings 14-hour days, stress levels through the roof, and enough caffeine that even the Koreans look at us like even we might have a problem lol. However, those same exercises bring an amazing perk: Meeting new people from all around the world! During this past exercise in August, I was fortunate enough to make a great American named Gregory who was just finishing up a tour somewhere in England. He and I got along famously as we were both eager to explore South Korea. It was so awesome to finally find another globetrotter like myself! After a week of residing in the standard exercise tents on base, Gregory asked if he could bunk with me in my apartment off base and I accepted instantly. That next weekend, we were bound for Busan, ready to explore. Gregory had done a little intel prior to this trip and found an awesome temple that he had wanted to visit so, we asked the cabbie to drive us to Byeongpungam Seokbulsa Temple. How to get to Byeongpungam Seokbulsa Temple Though Gregory and I decided to take a cab to the temple, you could easily get to the temple using public transportation. Via subway: From the Busan train station, youll take a combination of subway and taxi, and itll take you just over an hour. After that, youll hike the rest of the way up a rather steep road. Get on the 1 line headed towards Seomyeon. Ride for 10 stops and get off at Yeonsan Get on the 3 line headed towards Minam. Ride for 5 stops and get off at Mandeok Hail a cab and ask him to drive to the base of the Seokbulsa Temple at 143-96, Mandeokgogae-gil, Buk-gu, Busan Walk up the extremely steep hill to reach the temple! Via car: Alternatively, if you have a car, I recommend using Kakao Maps to get to the Temple. To start, search Seokbulsa Temple and look for the result whose address is 143-96, Mandeokgogae-gil, Buk-gu, Busan. Thats the one! Simply use which ever route Kakao Maps recommends to get there in about 45 minutes. About the Byeongpungam Seokbulsa Temple To say that this temple was epic is to say that Mt Everest is just another mountain. Sure, both statements are correct, but the stories behind these two are what make the locations so awe-inspiring. Unlike all the other temples I have visited while being in South Korea, Byeongpungam Seokbulsa has these amazing Buddhist images carved directly into these towering rock faces, some ~40 feet high! The incredible Buddhist images are carved into the Byeongpungam rock face and look like a tall folding screen, which is what byeongpung translates to in Korean; seokbulsa translates to Stone Buddha Temple. Furthermore, Seokbulsa Temple was built by a Buddhist monk who was also the head priest of this temple in the 1930s. That same monk commissioned the carving of the Buddhist images on the Byeongpungam rock face that are still standing today! The Byeongpung Buddhist Images There are a total of twenty-nine Buddhist images carved on the Byeongpung rock face as a devotion to Buddha. This makes the Seokbulsa Temple unique in that it has the largest number of these carvings in the entire country! What really stands out are the large carvings of the Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, the Vairocana Buddha, and the four Guardian Kings. As we continued to explore, Gregory and I found an amazing little staircase to the western edge of the courtyard that led up to a perch overlooking the entire complex. As we climbed the stairs, we encountered images of Arhats (perfected/worthy people who have gained true insight into the nature of reality) and the Buddha. Needless to say, the views were as breathtaking as the steep hill we climbed took just to get up to this temple. Take a look for yourself! Gregory and I were extremely fortunate to spend our entire time at the temple with no other visitors. Even the monks were nowhere to be found! Given the serenity of the atmosphere and the impressive views of Busan to the south, I was able to find peace here instantly. We relaxed, pondered, and meditated before we exited the compound inspired by how impressive the space was. If you ever find yourself in Busan, Byeongpungam Seokbulsa Temple should absolutely be on your bucket list! Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Mary Smith Kelsey Peake was the daughter an Englishman and a free Black woman. For a few years, Peake was able to go to a school for Black children in Washington, D.C. But after Nat Turners rebellion in 1831, several states passed laws making it illegal for all Black people to learn to read or write. She returned to Virginia when she was 16, where it was also illegal for Black people to meet for the purpose of being educated. Peake dedicated her life to promoting emancipation and education, believing learning was vital to the Black race and should be available to all. In the 1850s, she began teaching slaves to read and write. When the Civil War began in 1861, the Union Army officially approved what she and several others were doing. The American Missionary Association paid Peake a small salary as their first Black teacher. In Phoebus, Virginia, now a part of Hampton, Peake began teaching 20 Black children under what would later be known as the Emancipation Oak. She continued teaching under the tree until she was provided Brown Cottage as a classroom, which grew into the Hampton Normal and Educational Institute, the school from which Booker T. Washington graduated. In 1863, people gathered under this Witness Tree to hear the first believed-to-be reading in the South of Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation. The work Peake did to educate Black people has led to the U.S. National Park Service declaring the oak a historic landmark. Peake got tuberculosis and died at age 39. Two La Crosse residents face felony charges after being arrested on drug-related charges. Joua J. Thao, 51, and Toudeng Thao, 58, were both charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and maintaining a drug trafficking place. According to the criminal complaint, La Crosse police received a tip the two were picking up a large amount of methamphetamine in St. Paul, Minnesota, and transporting it to La Crosse. Police located both suspects Jan. 25 in a vehicle driven by Toudeng Thao and stopped it around 9 p.m. on Highway 14/61. Police summoned a K9 unit to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. After a positive response, police searched the vehicle and allegedly found a bag containing 441 grams of methamphetamine. Police also reportedly found two methamphetamine pipes. Police obtained a warrant to search a residence the two suspects share 1306 South Seventh St. The search reportedly found four firearms, 1.7 grams of methamphetamine, multiple items of drug paraphernalia and $1,676 in cash. During an interview with police, Joua Thoa referred to Toudeng Thao as her ex-husband. She told police she was had been assisting Toudeng Thao with methamphetamine deliveries from St. Paul since August 2023. Tourdeng Thao has yet to obtain legal representation. He is free on a $7,500 signature bond and has a calendar call set for May 14. Joua Thao waived her right to a preliminary hearing and has been bound over for trial. She is free on a $5,000 signature bond. A 60-year-old man with no permanent address faces criminal charges after he was allegedly found with methamphetamine Feb. 13 in La Crosse. Edward L. Branson was charged in La Crosse County Circuit with felony counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and false representation of a controlled substance. According to the criminal complaint, police received a tip that Branson, who had an active Department of Corrections warrant, was donating plasma at CSL Plasma in La Crosse. Police waited until the donation was complete before placing Branson under arrest. Police searched Bransons person and reportedly found eight bags containing a total of 27.9 grams of methamphetamine. Police also seized what appeared to be 2.3 grams of fentanyl/heroin packaged for resale but was later identified as confectioners sugar. Branson is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. He waived his preliminary hearing and has a pre-trial conference set for March 22. Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. Four candidates are seeking three seats on the school board. The election is April 2. Eric J. Hartz Age: 52 Hometown: Monona Family: Wife and two daughters Job: Program coordinator, Madison schools Prior elected office: Monona Grove School Board Other public service: None Education: Bachelors degree in psychology from UW-Madison; masters degree in education from UW-Whitewater; doctorate in educational leadership from Edgewood College Philip Haven Age: 43 Hometown: Monona Family: Married with two daughters, 10 and 3 Job: Senior R&D engineer at Milliman IntelliScript Prior elected office: Appointed to the Monona Grove School Board in February 2022 to finish the remaining year of a vacant seat Other public service: None Education: Masters in business administration, UW-Whitewater; bachelors degree in organization communication, UW-Whitewater Katie Moureau Age: 43 Hometown: Cottage Grove Family: Mom to five boys currently at three different schools in the MGSD. Job: Rare disease advocate at the state and federal level. Prior elected office: None Other public service: None Education: Bachelors degree in psychology and minor in family and health studies, UW-Whitewater Janice Stone Age: 58 Hometown: Cottage Grove Family: Husband Michael Job: Instrument repair technician at Ward-Brodt Music Prior elected office: I held leadership positions in the Monona Grove Education Association as secretary for seven years, and co-president for 11 years Other public service: I have been a volunteer for PBS Wisconsin since 1997, and I held a leadership position as phone bank manager on the Auction Cabinet from 2008-2018 Education: Bachelors and masters degrees in music, UW-Madison Q&A What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office? Hartz: Served two terms on the board. Haven: Ive spent two decades collaborating with others to solve complex problems in multiple industries. Theres never enough time or resources, and often conflicting stakeholders. Similarly, the school district has to balance diverse interests while stretching an already tight budget. Ive had success by seeking compromise, listening really well, and knowing when to admit that Im wrong. Moureau: Combining my personal experiences as a parent, professionally in behavioral therapy, and a track record of advocacy, I bring a multifaceted and comprehensive perspective to the board. This unique blend of personal and professional expertise equips me to contribute meaningfully to the boards efforts in fostering an inclusive, supportive and thriving educational environment for all students. Stone: I retired last June from teaching instrumental music in the Monona Grove School District for over 30 years. I understand the history of the MGSD, and also understand what it is like to have been in the classroom recently. I will use that knowledge to ensure that students continue to have opportunities for excellence and personal growth in all academic areas of study. What are your top three budget priorities? Hartz: Fair pay for all staff, maintain facilities, and figure out Maywood School. Haven: 1.) Managing and controlling capital expenses. 2.) Reducing waste in the budget where possible. 3.) Striving for equitable pay for the districts staff. Moureau: Support for special education and inclusion programs, equitable resource allocation, investment in professional development. While these are my priorities, I know its essential to collaborate with other board members, educators, parents, and the community to establish comprehensive and well-informed budget priorities. Stone: Maintaining small class sizes, because individualized attention improves student outcomes; expanding educational opportunities for all learners through a wide variety of class offerings and extracurricular activities to meet the diverse needs of our student population; and attracting and retaining highly qualified staff. What can the district do to improve educational outcomes? Hartz: Improving educational outcomes is an ongoing process in school districts but starts with hiring and keeping well-trained teachers and staff who educate our students. We need a leadership team that supports teachers and listens to the Monona and Cottage Grove communities. Haven: As a board member, I see my role as setting the stage for the real actors to do their jobs well. The board needs to hire and retain the best teachers and administrators, and then enact the appropriate policies to empower them to excel at reaching our districts goals regarding student experience and achievement. Moureau: Some strategies to improve educational outcomes are: equitable resource allocation, culturally responsive curriculum, professional development, early intervention programs, parent community engagement, social-emotional learning programs, flexible learning models, continuous monitoring and adjustments, technology integration, community resources and partnerships, and career readiness programs. Stone: We can work to better connect educators and families to partner in their students education. We should tap into the strengths of our diverse community by building partnerships between the district and community organizations to improve supports for all of our students. American educators and lawmakers are calling for complete bans on smartphone use by students in schools. Most U.S. schools already have rules restricting phone use in class. But administrators and teachers say the measures are difficult to enforce. Educators across the United States say students are using their phones to do many things that can distract their attention during class. These include sending messages, gaming, listening to music, watching videos, checking social media and shopping. Studies in recent years have confirmed high smartphone usage by young people in America. But an increasing number of educators and experts are now beginning to agree that total bans are necessary to solve the problem. Leaders and lawmakers in a growing number of states have also called for complete phone bans or suggested new ways to limit their use in class. James Granger is a science teacher at a Los Angeles, California high school. He recently told The Associated Press (AP), Students used to have an understanding that you arent supposed to be on your phone in class. Those days are gone. Granger requires students attending his class to place their phones in a special container. The only solution that works is to physically remove the cellphone from the student, Granger said. The latest state intervention on phones in schools came last month in Utah. Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, urged all school districts and the Board of Education to remove cellphones from classrooms. He explained that studies had repeatedly shown students do better in school when their phones are not available. The studies, Cox noted, found that learning improves, distractions are decreased, and students are more likely to talk to each other if their phones are taken away. We just need a space for six or seven hours a day where kids are not tethered to these devices, Cox told reporters. He said his urging, which does not have the force of law, is part of a larger legislative push to protect children from social media harms. Patrick Truman is a high school teacher in Maryland who bans student phone use during class. Cellphone use is out of control, he told the AP. By that, I mean that I cannot control it, even in my own classroom. Truman bought a container that can hold 36 phones. But he says that still, every day, students find ways to hide their phones so they can still use them. Last year, Florida became the first state to strongly restrict phones in schools. A law took effect in July that requires all public schools in the state to ban student cellphone use and block social media services during class. Some school districts went a step further and banned phones for the whole school day. Oklahoma, Vermont and Kansas also recently introduced what is becoming known as "phone-free schools" legislation. Two U.S. senators Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat introduced federal legislation in December. The legislation would require a government study on how phone use by students affects their mental health and school progress. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that nationally, 77 percent of U.S. schools say they currently ban phones for non-school use. Education experts, however, say that number is misleading. That is because it does not mean students are actually following the rules or that all the schools are enforcing them. Many educators and experts say that, for a school phone ban to work, school administrators must be the ones to enforce it. Some students say such policies take away their autonomy and cut off their main method of communication with family and friends. Opposition has also come from parents who fear they could be cut off from their children if there is a school emergency. Kim Whitman is a leader of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a group that advises schools. She told the AP she urges educators to make exceptions for students with special educational and medical needs. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Quiz - US Educators Increasingly Urge Total Phone Bans in Schools Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ____________________________________________ Words in This Story distract v. to make someone stop giving their attention to something tether v. to tie something to an object so that it cannot be removed autonomy n. the right to be independent of have the right to self-govern A major property investor in Vietnam, Truong My Lan, is on trial over an accusation of fraud amounting to $12.5 billion. That is nearly 3 percent of the countrys 2022 total economic production and the largest financial fraud case on record. Lan is the 66-year-old head of the property company Van Thinh Phat. The company was one of Vietnams biggest property companies and its projects include homes, offices, hotels, and business centers. A government document says she reportedly used thousands of ghost companies, paid bribes to government officials, and broke banking laws. She is accused of illegally controlling the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank from 2012 to 2022 and using it to steal $12.5 billion, the document adds. Another 85 people are being charged in the case, including a former State Bank of Vietnam official accused of accepting $5.2 million in bribes. Lan was arrested in October 2022 and could be executed if found guilty. Officials brought Lan to a Ho Chi Minh City courtroom on Tuesday morning. Her husband Eric Chu Nap-kee, who works in property investment in Hong Kong, was also asked to appear in the case, VN Express reported. Lans arrest is part of an ongoing anti-corruption drive that brought thousands of officials and business leaders under investigation. In January 2023, then-President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and two top officials resigned for political responsibility of corruption dealings during the pandemic. But observers said the anti-corruption drive has also worsened Vietnams economic outlook and concerned foreign investors. It came at a time when the Southeast Asian nation has been trying to get businesses to move from China. Linh Nguyen is the lead researcher for Washington D.C.-based Control Risks. She said it is the size of Lans alleged fraud that has been surprising. More than 3 percent of the GDP is very large, Nguyen said. GDP, or gross domestic product, is how much a country produces in one year. She added that it also raised questions about whether other banks and businesses had done the done the same (and) just havent been discovered. The anti-corruption drive has also resulted in Vietnams government slowing down. A report from Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute says that public officials are concerned about being investigated and are avoiding their responsibilities. And Nguyen said that investors in banking, finance, and property investment are also taking a wait and see position at the moment. Last year, local media reported that 1,300 property companies withdrew from the market and developers have been offering price reductions and gold to bring in buyers. But Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnams top politician, said in November that the anti-corruption fight would continue for the long term. Im Gregory Stachel. Aniruddha Ghosal reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________ Words in This Story ghost company n. a company that exists on paper or in official records but does not have any business operations or physical presence, often used in fraud fraud n. the crime of cheating somebody in order to get money or goods illegally allege n. the crime of cheating somebody in order to get money or goods illegally Women of the Li ethnic group demonstrate Li brocade weaving during a culture exhibition at a theme park of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Boao, south China's Hainan Province, April 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Donning a traditional Li ethnic group costume, a woman sits on the ground and weaves colorful yarn into delicate brocade, with spindles gently shuttling back and forth on the loom. Such a scene has been common in China's southernmost province of Hainan, whether in Li villages or public places, such as scenic spots, museums, and exhibitions. The Li brocade, created by the Li ethnic minority on Hainan Island, boasts a history of around 3,000 years. The Li brocade tradition, the entire process of which includes spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery, was included in the World Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009. Hu Chunfang, 66, who lives in Jiamao Town of the province's Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, began learning the craft as an apprentice since she was nine years old. Hu is one of the few provincial-level inheritors of the Li brocade in Hainan. In recent years, Hainan has invested heavily in opening training institutes to teach the techniques of Li brocade to the locals. Since 2012, Li brocade has been introduced as a course in primary and secondary schools in the province. Local authorities have also formulated a raft of measures to strengthen the systematic protection and innovative development of Li brocade, striving to help the traditional skills survive time. To spread extensively the Li brocade skills, Hu has compiled teaching materials by herself. Over the years, she traveled to more than a dozen provinces and cities, taking on more than 40 people, including her relatives, neighbors and even craft lovers all over the country, as her apprentices, and training thousands of people. Meanwhile, Hu also constantly brought her Li brocade works to participate in the exchange activities of intangible cultural heritage in Japan and France on behalf of Hainan. A set of her double knit handicraft of Li brocade was collected by UNESCO when it was exhibited in Paris. Hainan is vigorously pushing the Li culture to go global as well, with the ancient craft further expanding its presence on the international stage during the past five years. In 2019, the Li brocade techniques became the first Chinese intangible cultural heritage project to be put on display at UNESCO headquarters. Last year, the exhibition and exchange activities of Li culture entered the world's fashion capital of Milan, Italy. In addition, Li brocade has also appeared in the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference for many consecutive years and was presented as a national gift to guests at home and abroad. The traditional exquisite brocade is embracing the modern fashion industry as local authorities make efforts to expand its inheritance and development space further. The city of Wuzhishan in Hainan has signed a talent training agreement with the Shenzhen school of Italy's top art school Istituto Marangoni, with accessories, silhouette, fabric and digitization on the curriculum. The intangible cultural heritage is also being made into creative products, such as handbags, bookmarks, table flags, and costumes. As nice-looking and utilitarian featured souvenirs, they have been introduced into Hainan's major tourist attractions, popular business areas, and airports. Some products have entered the cultural exhibitions and consumer markets in foreign countries, including Britain, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Norway. Hu said that with Li brocade blooming nowadays, "its cultural value not only belongs to China, but also the world." Business leader Elon Musk is bringing a legal case against artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI and its chief Sam Altman. Musk is chief of carmaker Tesla and SpaceX and also leads the social media service X. He said OpenAI is betraying its founders aims by seeking to increase profits rather than helping the world. Musk brought the legal action in San Francisco Superior Court. He said that, at first, he financially supported OpenAI, the maker of the AI tool ChatGPT. He said he had an agreement with Altman and Greg Brockman, the president. That agreement was to keep the artificial intelligence company as a nonprofit organization. Musk said the goal was to develop technology that would help the public. Under its founding agreement, OpenAI would also make its code open to the public instead of making it the companys private property, the lawsuit says. Musk claims in the lawsuit that OpenAI went against the agreement by having a close relationship with Microsoft. OpenAI did not comment on the lawsuit last week. Musks lawsuit says OpenAI broke a contract, failed in its financial responsibility, and used unfair business methods. Musk also wants to prevent anyone, including Microsoft, from profiting from OpenAIs technology. Musk was early supporter of OpenAI Anupam Chander is a law professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He said Musks claims are unlikely to succeed in court. However, he said that might not be the point for Musk, who is getting his personal story on the record. Chander said Musk claims he named OpenAI, employed an important scientist, and that he was the main financial supporter in its early years. He said, In some sense, its a lawsuit that tries to establish his own place in the history of generative AI. Musk was an early investor in OpenAI when it was founded in 2015. He was a leader in the company alongside Altman. In the lawsuit, he said he invested tens of millions of dollars in the nonprofit research laboratory. Musk left the company in early 2018 in a move that OpenAI said at the time would prevent conflicts of interest. Musks Tesla car company was looking for people in AI to help develop self-driving car technology. Musk has since said he disagreed with the companys direction but continued to give money to the nonprofit. Later, OpenAI created a for-profit arm and began moving most of its workforce to that business. But it kept its nonprofit board of directors that oversaw the company. Microsoft investment Microsoft made its first $1 billion investment in the company in 2019. The next year Microsoft signed an agreement with OpenAI giving Microsoft the rights to OpenAIs AI models. That agreement is supposed to end once OpenAI has created artificial general intelligence (AGI), the company has said. AGI is a sort of artificial intelligence that can perform just as well or even better than humans in different kinds of work. The nonprofit board of directors fired Altman as chief executive officer late last year. But Microsoft helped bring Altman back and pushed most of the old board of directors to leave. Musks lawsuit claims that those changes caused the balance of power protecting the nonprofit aim of the company to collapse overnight. One of Musks claims is that the directors of the nonprofit have failed in their duty to support its nonprofit aim. Dana Brakman Reiser is a professor at Brooklyn Law School. She questions whether Musk has standing, or a connection to the case, that a court would uphold. She said it would be a problem if every person who cared about or gave money to a nonprofit group could bring a lawsuit against its leaders and officers. She said only other directors, or a government legal official could bring that sort of lawsuit. Musk now has his own AI company. But his legal case against Altman could inform the public about private talks and decision-making that took place at OpenAI. The companys lawyers will likely fight to keep some of those documents from being released. Investor Chamath Palihapitiya wrote on X, Musks social media service: The discovery will be epic. Discovery is the process by which lawyers request documents related to a legal case. Musk answered in his only public comments on the case so far: Yes. Im Caty Weaver. And Im Bryan Lynn. Kelvin Chan, Thalia Beaty, and Matt OBrien reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. ________________________________________________ Words in This Story betray v. to ignore your principles or beliefs in order to achieve something or gain an advantage for yourself lawsuit n. a claim or complaint against somebody that a person or an organization can make in court code n. a system of computer programming instructions generate v. to produce or create something epic adj. very great or large and usually difficult or impressive GOTHENBURG Dr. Aaron Colwell, a resident of Gothenburg and veterinarian at Eastside Animal Center, was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Young Veterinarian of the Year by the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association at a January conference in Kearney. Originally hailing from Coleridge, Colwells journey to becoming a veterinarian has been marked by perseverance and passion for his craft. A graduate of Laurel High School, he embarked on his academic pursuits at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he participated in the 2+2 program. Despite Lincolns absence of a veterinary school at the time, the school has a contract with Iowa State University that subsidizes the tuition for Nebraska students. Colwell studied at UNL for the first two years before completing his degree at Iowa State, where he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2020. Reflecting on his inspiration for entering veterinary medicine, Colwell credits his high school sweetheart and now-wife, Lexy, as well as his father-in-law, Dave Camenzind. His experiences with Camenzind, including assisting with dog walking and witnessing a C-section, ignited Colwells passion for veterinary care. When asked about his reaction to receiving the prestigious award, Colwell expressed his surprise, saying, I had no idea that I had even been nominated, actually. His colleagues at Eastside Animal Center prepared the necessary documentation. My co-workers in Gothenburg were the ones that went through the application process and they came up with the letter of recommendation and everything. Following the announcement of his accolade, Colwell received an outpouring of congratulations from the Gothenburg community. He acknowledges the significance of his role during the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted him to seek employment at Eastside Animal Center earlier than anticipated. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Colwell remained steadfast in his dedication to providing exceptional veterinary care. Since he had been attending school for so many years, Colwell said, he was more than ready to start working full-time in Gothenburg. As Colwell approaches his four-year anniversary at Eastside Animal Center, he reflects on the memorable moments of his career so far, including life-saving surgeries. One time someone brought in their working dog that had a chest infection. Due to the severe condition that the dog was in, Colwell advised the family to take their pet to a specialist in Colorado. To his surprise, the family refused the suggestion and wanted Colwell and Eastside Animal Center to be the ones to help their dog. I might have lost a little bit of sleep over that case, but we managed to pull this dog through, Colwell said. Its those types of experiences that force my co-workers and I to grow as veterinarians. Colwell cites his colleagues, Dr. Ryan OHare and Dr. Randy Burge from Eastside Animal Center, as a source of inspiration and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth in the veterinary field. These two guys are up on a pedestal in my mind, Colwell said. Were talking about two guys who are nice, generous, good people both inside and outside of work. I strive to follow in what they preach. When talking about challenges about this job, Colwell said that in school he and his classmates were taught through lectures how to conduct surgeries on a variety of animals without actually conducting one in person. Colwell said its also a challenge when he and his co-workers have to have difficult conversations telling pet owners that their animal is in severe condition and needs immediate help before something else goes bad. Looking ahead, Colwell aims to enhance his medical expertise and hopes that one day Gothenburg has greater access to specialized veterinary services in the region due to high demands on his workplace. When offering advice to people looking to follow in his footsteps one day, Colwell encourages aspiring veterinarians to maintain an open mind and embrace the diverse opportunities within the profession. Steve Evans still wants answers, not out of spite or revenge, but to ensure that the mistakes that caused his popular Facebook page to be taken off line for a week are not repeated. "We want to learn from this situation," Evans said on Monday after Nebraska Through the Lens was put back on line by the social media giant. The company did not respond to a request for comment about why it removed the page -- or reinstated it. Started in 2013, Nebraska Through the Lens has attracted more than 466,000 people representing 99 countries and all 50 U.S. states with its daily offering of dozens of photos, ranging from weather shots to landscapes to wildlife. But without warning, Nebraska Through the Lens was canceled last week. Evans spent days in search of someone at Meta, Facebook's parent company, to explain the violations. On Wednesday, Evans was finally notified through email that the site was taken down because "Facebook's technology had identified that we had violated their community standards on intellectual property," Evans said. A day later, he was told the page would be permanently taken down. Five days later, Evans had no answers for why the page was suddenly reinstated. "I don't know if it was pressure from media or if it was people complaining," said Evans, who lives in Holdrege. "We had people that were reaching out to their elected officials both at the state and federal level." Nebraska Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, in the midst of the legislative session, had planned to see what she could do to assist in getting Nebraska Through the Lens back online. Before she could do anything, Facebook reversed its decision. "I am relieved this page has been restored and appreciate all those who reached out to share our support," Wishart said. "Nebraska Through the Lens serves as a window into our beautiful state and brings so much joy to Nebraskans -- including myself." Evans said he had heard from other group administrators in the last week who wondered what they should do. "They reached out to me, worried and wondering if this was something they needed to be worried about," he said. "All I could tell them is, I don't know. "We honestly don't know what the violation was. Until we can figure that out, we're still kind of flying blind, but we definitely want to learn from it and figure out how to keep it from happening again." Evans said there are protocols in place where every photo put online is confirmed by a group of about a dozen administrators. He said he spends two hours a day tending to the web page. He said there were times in the site's 11 years that he would get notified every now and then that a photo was removed for violating community standards. "We would try to look into it to see what it was so we could learn from it," he said. "It was locked and we were told they couldn't share that information with us. So we never could even learn from those violations." "Our goal is going to be figure out exactly what we were doing wrong and figure out a way to fix it," Evans said. Top Journal Star photos for February 2024 Sounds of shattering glass startled the Rev. Damian Zuerlein from his sleep early Sunday. The priest opened his bedroom door to find a woman armed with "a filet knife" at the bottom of the stairs destroying everything that she could lay her hands upon. "I asked who was there, and this woman at the bottom of the stairs said, 'I don't intend to do you any harm, but I'm going to do terrible things,' " Zuerlein said Monday. "My guess is that she didn't know anyone was in the house when she broke in, but she was there to cause destruction." The 29-year-old woman entered the rectory of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church near 10th and William streets around 6 a.m. by breaking a window. An Omaha police spokesman said the woman, who did not get into the church itself, was taken to a hospital for an evaluation about 10 a.m. Zuerlein said that after talking to the enraged woman, who he did not know, he locked his second-floor bedroom door and called 911. He immediately thought of the Dec. 10 fatal knife attack on the Rev. Stephen Gutgsell in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun. "I was thinking I hope (police) get here fast because I don't want this to be another Gutgsell incident," Zuerlein said. "Thankfully, (police) got there very quickly." Washington County prosecutors have said Kierre Williams stabbed Gutgsell, 65, to death. Williams is charged with first-degree murder, burglary, use of a knife to commit a felony and possession of a weapon by a felon. Members of the Omaha Fire Department rescued Zuerlein from the second-floor bedroom window by ladder. The woman, who had by then broken into Zuerlein's bedroom, looked out the window to see Zuerlein descending a ladder. "What was crazy is (the police) knew her name and they were talking to her," Zuerlein said. "I was thinking, 'Who is this woman that they already know her?' Then I found out she had already attacked her father and tried to light his house on fire and that's how they knew her." Officers were initially called to a home in the 2200 block of South 11th Street at 5:19 a.m. for a disturbance between the woman and her father. Her father told officers that his daughter doused him with a flammable liquid and cut him with a knife. His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, officials said. The daughter allegedly tried to start a fire in the house before leaving on foot, police said. Officers were then alerted to the break-in at the St. Frances Cabrini rectory. Zuerlein said that the woman broke a downstairs window in order to enter the building. Zuerlein said the woman's powers of destruction were stunning as she smashed large objects. She employed "some sort of super strength" to grab the mattress off his bed and block the bedroom window to keep police from coming in that way, he said. She battled police when they entered the bedroom. They used bear spray in the incident, which has left the rectory uninhabitable for several days. Police removed her by force, preventing her from jumping out of the same second-floor window from which they rescued Zuerlein. In a statement, the Archdiocese of Omaha said it was grateful for the quick actions of police and fire personnel. We continue to pray for those involved in that incident and the preceding events, the statement said. Riley Johnson, the archdiocese's director of communications, also said: Churches and rectories in the archdiocese have alarm systems, and each individual parish makes security arrangements for their facilities. We offer guidance upon request. Many parishes also have security personnel present during Masses. Zuerlein joined St. Frances Cabrini in 2015, after leading St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion since 2004, according to the biography of him on St. Francis Cabrini's website. He was ordained in 1981. He is "originally from Columbus, Nebraska, and is the oldest of six children," the church said. The priest said he is staying with friends until the rectory is cleaned up and the heavy haze of the bear spray is dispersed. The destruction at the rectory included many items of memorabilia and family heirlooms, he said. "I have no injuries at all, thank goodness," Zuerlein said. "The fire department got me out of there before she could break down the door. I'm hoping that this woman gets the help she needs and that she faces the consequences of her actions for her attack (at the rectory) and at her father's house." A 29-year-old woman was taken into custody Sunday after barricading herself in a south Omaha church rectory while armed with a knife. The woman broke into the rectory at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church near 10th and William Streets about 6 a.m., an Omaha police spokesman said Sunday. The woman was taken into custody by police while attempting to jump from a second-floor window. A priest in the rectory at 1334 S. 9th St., called 911 to report the break-in and then barricaded himself in a second-floor room. A police spokesman said members of the Omaha Fire Department rescued the priest by ladder. The woman then barricaded herself in the rectory and began destroying property. Police were able to remove her by force, preventing her from jumping out of a second-floor window. Officers were initially called to a home in the 2200 block of South 11th Street at 5:19 a.m. for a disturbance between a father and daughter. The father told officers that his daughter doused him with a flammable liquid and cut him with a knife. His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. The daughter allegedly tried to start a fire in the house before leaving on foot, the police spokesman said. Officers were then alerted to a break-in at St. Frances Cabrini by the same woman. The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation. The church canceled services due to the break-in. It was the second attack at a Nebraska church in recent months. On Dec. 10. a priest was slain in Fort Calhoun. The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, was stabbed to death in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission won't keep the 10 semi-automatic rifles it purchased last year for investigators, says Dennis Lee, board chairman for the commission. Instead, the commission will attempt to return the $30,351 purchase to the manufacturer or transfer them to a law enforcement agency that can make use of them, Lee said. The decision comes after interim executive director Casey Ricketts reviewed the purchase, Lee said. The governing board appointed Ricketts, the agency's director of compliance, on Jan. 19 after accepting the retirement of executive director Tom Sage. Sage, who approved the purchase, is on medical leave until his retirement is effective March 12. The commission is a regulatory agency that licenses racetracks and casinos and enforces state gambling laws. The agency purchased the 10 SIG Sauer MPX short-barrel rifles with sound suppressors and laser sights, one for each investigator. State lawmakers and others criticized the purchase when it came to light earlier this year. The rifles were put in storage while the agency's board decided what to do with them. A commission investigator and its director of enforcement had defended the purchase, saying the weapons would be needed in the event of an active shooting at a racetrack or casino. In an earlier interview, however, Lee had said it was fair to question the priority of the purchase and whether it should have been brought to the commissions board first. Lee said Friday that after Ricketts was appointed interim director, he asked her to explore the wisdom of the purchase, the necessity of investigators having the firearms and the protocol of procedures that would be required for storage and training. "She recommended to the commission the weapons be returned, and the commission really accepted wholeheartedly her recommendation," he said. Lee said a "strong majority" of board members felt the agency didn't need these types of firearms. The commission's investigators only have jurisdiction on administrative matters, he said, such as a license applicant failing to disclose a criminal conviction or an illegal drug detected in a racehorse. "So, it was a point for the commission to make clear that the jurisdictional authority of our investigators is for administrative matters only," Lee said. "And if there are criminal elements that occur on the grounds of a licensee, that they are to refer those to law enforcement." Local police and sheriff departments, as well as state patrol officers, can respond quickly to active events, he said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2024 Rumours are circulating in Moscow that Joseph Stalin, the long-time leader of the Soviet Union, is near death. The first official news of Mr Stalins illness came in a statement on Wednesday. It said the Soviet leader, who came to power in 1928, had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage on Wednesday night. An update issued earlier today mentioned sharp disturbances of the heart functions. There is speculation that the 73-year-old, born Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, in the Soviet republic of Georgia, is now in the final stages of an illness he has been suffering some time. Soviet newspapers today are clearly preparing their readers for the worst. Their front pages carry the bulletins on Mr Stalins health as well as sombre leading articles. On the inside pages, feature articles praise the Soviet leader both as a man and politician. World leaders have expressed concern for Mr Stalins health. A statement issued by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said his private secretary, John Colville, had yesterday called on the Soviet ambassador. Mr Colville had passed on the prime ministers regret at the news of Mr Stalins ill-health and asked to be kept informed of his progress, the statement said. US President Truman also expressed sympathy for Mr Stalin. I am sorry just as I would be if such a thing happened to any other acquaintance of mine, Mr Truman said. If Mr Stalins death is confirmed, he will be most remembered for instigating political purges in which tens of thousands were killed. He was also behind the introduction of farming collectives which led to a famine and the death of up to 10 million people. His death is expected to provoke a power struggle within the ruling Politburo. Courtesy BBC News In context The death of Joseph Stalin was officially announced at just after 0100 GMT on 6 March. The statement said he had died at 2150 local time on 5 March. Hundreds of thousands of people queued to see Joseph Stalins body lying-in-state. He was embalmed and put on display alongside the first Soviet leader, Vladimir Illyich Lenin, in his mausoleum in Red Square in Moscow. But Nikita Khrushchev, who became Soviet leader after a power struggle, led a move to denounce Stalin as a tyrant who caused millions of deaths. In 1961 Stalins body was removed from its place in the honoured Lenins Tomb. It was reburied near the Kremlin wall along with other minor figures from the Bolshevik Revolution. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western allies to boost Ukraines air defenses after a Russian drone strike destroyed an apartment block in the southern port city of Odesa and killed at least 11 people. Officials yesterday [Macau time] said the bodies of a boy and a young woman clutching an infant were pulled from Saturdays rubble. The mother tried to cover the 8-month-old child with her own (body). She tried to save them. They were found in a firm embrace, said a Telegram post published on the interior ministrys official channel. Separately, the governor of the Odesa region, Oleh Kiper, said the other child was 10. On Saturday, Ukrainian authorities said another baby was among those killed after falling debris from an Iranian-made drone hit the building one of eight Russian drones reported by officials. Later that day, Zelenskyy said a second child aged 2 had also died. Delays in the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, as well as air defense to protect our people, unfortunately result in such losses, Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. More people may still be trapped, the Odesa branch of Ukraines main emergency service said on Facebook. Kiper said rescue workers continued to comb through the site. Elsewhere in Ukraine, regional authorities reported that a 58-year-old man died under rubble after Russian forces overnight shelled his village in the southern Kherson province. Another civilian man, 38, was killed in a Russian artillery strike in the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region, local Gov. Ivan Fedorov said. Yesterday [Macau time], Donetsk regional Gov. Vadim Filashkin said a Russian airstrike on the eastern town of Kurakhove wounded 16 people and damaged 15 high-rise apartment blocks. EXPLOSIONS AT AN OIL DEPOT IN CRIMEA In Russian-occupied Crimea, loud explosions were heard near an oil depot in the early hours Sunday, according to a local pro-Kyiv Telegram news channel. Kremlin-installed officials in the territory said a nearby stretch of highway was closed for about eight hours. Videos shared with pro-Ukrainian channel Crimean Wind showed explosions lighting up the sky, followed by booms. The channel said they were taken by residents near Feodosia, a coastal town in northeastern Crimea. It was not immediately possible to verify the circumstances in which the videos were shot. An anti-Russian, Crimean Tatar-led underground group claimed that the blasts destroyed a pipeline, causing colossal damage. The group, Atesh which means fire in Crimean Tatar did not directly claim responsibility for the strike and said it had learned about its consequences from informers among Russian-appointed officials. Authorities in Kyiv did not immediately acknowledge the claims. Traffic was halted early Sunday along a four-lane Russian federal highway near Feodosia, according to an adviser to Crimeas Kremlin-installed leader. The Telegram post by Oleg Kryuchkov gave no reasons for the move. More than eight hours later, Crimeas local transport minister reported that traffic had partially resumed. A bridge that connects Crimea to Russian territory was also closed to traffic for about two hours early Sunday. Russias defense ministry did not comment on the reports but claimed that 38 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight into Sunday over the peninsula. CHINAS ENVOY HOLDS TALKS IN MOSCOW In Moscow, Chinas special envoy on Ukraine held talks this weekend with senior Russian diplomats in the first leg of a European trip that will also take him to Brussels, Poland, Germany and France, Chinese and Russian state media reported. Chinas foreign ministry said Special Representative Li Hui and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin agreed that negotiations are the only way to end the fighting in Ukraine. Lis trip, the second since May, comes as Kyiv seeks Beijings participation in peace talks that Switzerland is trying to organize. China claims it is neutral in Russias war on Ukraine but maintains close ties with Moscow, with frequent state visits and joint military drills. Yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said it was time to start discussing a cease-fire between Moscow and Kyiv, claiming that both sides have now reached the limits of the results they can achieve through war. Speaking at a news conference, Fidan said that such a move would not mean recognizing Russias occupation of parts of Ukraine. We believe that it is time to separate the issues of recognition of the occupation and sovereignty from the cease-fire issue, he said. SUSIE BLANN & JOANNA KOZLOWSKA, KYIV, MDT/AP Chinas government said yesterday it is eliminating an annual news conference by the premier that was one of the rare times a top Chinese leader took questions from journalists. Lou Qinjian, the spokesperson for the National Peoples Congress, said on the eve of the opening of the legislatures annual session that Premier Li Qiang would not hold a news conference at its conclusion, as it has every year since 1993. The move appears to be in line with a diminishing of the premiers power, and that of the government bureaucracy generally, as the Communist Party and leader Xi Jinping centralize control of the nations affairs, said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. Because the structure now is the party leads, the premier is more like an implementer of the partys orders, so no longer so important, he said. Thats the main message. The weeklong meeting of the congress, which opens today, is being closely watched for any indications of what steps the government will take to boost the struggling economy. Li will present an annual report at the opening that is expected to include the governments economic growth target for 2024. Yesterday, state leaders including Xi and Li attended the opening session of a parallel advisory body, the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, in the immense, red-carpeted chamber of the Great Hall of the People on one side of Beijings Tiananmen Square. Lou said that journalists would be given more opportunities to ask questions of government ministers and other officials, as well as of the nearly 3,000 delegates to the congress. The last time there was no premiers press conference after the congress was in 1992, state broadcaster CCTV said. If there are no special circumstances, the premiers press conference will not be held in the following years of this National Peoples Congress, he said, referring to its current five-year term that ends in 2027. Lou, speaking on a range of issues, insisted that China remains open to foreign business and investment, rejecting concerns that have been raised about recent changes to the national security laws. He also expressed confidence that the nation could overcome any restrictions placed on its access to technology. The spokesperson reiterated government reassurances that revisions to the espionage law are not targeting normal business, scientific and academic activity and exchanges. China opposes efforts to smear and undermine its business environment by misinterpreting the law, he said. The revised law improves the definition of espionage and clarifies illegal behaviors and the boundaries of legal behavior to enhance the certainty and security of foreign companies and foreigners investing, working, and living in China, he said. Foreign businesspeople say that uncertainties remain over what is and is not illegal. Lou also said that no one can put a stranglehold on China when it comes to technology, citing the development of Chinas own GPS-like satellite navigation system. This example fully demonstrates that as long as we persist in being self-reliant, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome, he said. For any known technology it is only a matter of time before we develop it. Lou declined to comment on this years U.S. presidential election and its impact on Chinas relations with the United States. He did take issue with attacks by American lawmakers and their trips to Taiwan. Frankly speaking, ordinary Chinese people often see members of the U.S. Congress put out bills to counter China, target Chinese institutions, companies and nationals or even make provocative visits to Chinas Taiwan region, he said. How much military spending will grow is expected to be revealed at the opening of the congress today. Lou didnt comment on this years increase, but his response suggested that it would be similar to the recent trend of more moderate growth in percentage terms than the double-digit rises that ended in 2015. Last years hike was 7.2%. Helena Legarda, a defense and foreign policy analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies in Berlin, expects a 6% to 7% increase, which she said would reflect the importance the government is placing on defense even as it wants to boost the economy. This would signal quite clearly that Beijing is quite concerned about its international environment and therefore prioritizing military modernization at the expense of certain other economic or social policy issues, she said. Lou said that China has promoted the simultaneous improvement of national defense and economic strength in recent years while maintaining a reasonable level of spending on its military. KEN MORITSUGU & ELAINE KURTENBACH, BEIJING, MDT/AP Pianist Yin Chengzong cannot remember how many times he has played The Yellow River, which is considered the first Chinese piano concerto, and which he co-arranged on the cantata of the same name by famous composer Xian Xinghai (1905-1945) in 1969, before premiering it in 1970. But he is aware of the fact that the concerto, which made him a household name in China, has accompanied him for the last five decades and reflects the highs and lows of his life. On Wednesday, a day before his concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the 83-year-old appeared at the iconic venue. He was ready to talk about The Yellow River again since he was going to play the piece during the concert alongside the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Yin Jong-jie. "I have played the concerto thousands of times but my story with it has not finished yet," says Yin Chengzong. "The young conductor (Yin Jong-jie) is 60 years younger than me, but we have a great time doing rehearsals and performing together. He inspired me to improve the concerto in a great way." On Feb 26, Yin Chengzong, along with Yin Jong-jie and the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, performed together in Xiamen, Fujian province, kicking off a national tour. For this ongoing tour, the pianist added the traditional Chinese musical instrument, the erhu (a traditional two-stringed bowed instrument), into the first movement, the Yellow River Boatman's Song, for the first time. "The sound of the erhu goes straight to the hearts of Chinese audiences, a feeling that cannot be obtained with the sound of a violin, which we usually used in the first movement. We also have a pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) and a bamboo flute in the third and fourth movements, which portray the scenes of the sunrise at Yan'an (revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China) and the scene of the battlefield," says Yin Chengzong, adding that the pipa and bamboo flute appeared in early versions of the concerto, and were replaced by the trumpet and violin later. "I have listened to the piano concerto many times by different pianists, but it feels right only when he (Yin Chengzong) plays it," says Yin Jong-jie. Born in 1941 on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, Yin Chengzong is one of nine children in his family, and learned to play the piano as a child. It was natural for him to fall in love with music, as he says, because the island where he was born and grew up is also called the "island of music" or the "island of piano". This is because Gulangyu was one of the first places in China where Western classical music was heard. Westerners lived and worked on the island, and they also brought their music. It is also known for being the home to the Gulangyu Piano Museum, which has the world's largest collection of pianos. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, the island attracts many tourists from around the world. Giving his first piano recital at the age of 9, Yin Chengzong can still recall vividly that he played pieces by Chopin and Schubert, as well as music he arranged and based on Chinese songs. "I have a good memory. I could play the songs I listened to on the piano without reading the musical scores," he says. At 12, with a suitcase, an umbrella and 25 yuan ($3.5), Yin Chengzong left his hometown and went to study piano at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, sponsored by the Xiamen Musicians Association. The book, The Art of Piano Playing, written by piano teacher Heinrich Neuhaus, which was brought to China by He Luting (1903-99), who was the dean of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, deeply influenced Yin Chengzong when he was a student in Shanghai. "The book talks about the importance of technique in piano performance. However, it also says that without personal emotion, music is meaningless. It was very inspiring to me," he says. Later, he transferred to study at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. At 20, he claimed second place at the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. "It seems to me that everything just happened yesterday," Yin Chengzong says, recalling the birth of the piano concerto. When he worked with the Central Philharmonic Society, today's China National Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist, during the 1960s, Yin Chengzong and musicians, including Chu Wanghua, Sheng Lihong and Liu Zhuang, arranged The Yellow River. Under the baton of conductor Li Delun (1917-2001), Yin Chengzong premiered the concerto with the Central Philharmonic Society in Beijing in 1970, and quickly achieved success. "Back then, piano was not as popular as it is today with the Chinese audience. Our goal was to let them enjoy the instrument, so we wanted to perform a piece that they were familiar with and loved," recalls Yin Chengzong. In 1939, Xian composed the legendary Yellow River Cantata, which fueled patriotism during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). "When we decided to turn it into a piano concerto, we also wanted to present music that brings people power and strength. Till now, whenever I play the concerto, the audience can still feel its cheerful spirit," says the pianist. "We went to the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Jixian county in Shanxi province, and we went to Yan'an, Shaanxi province, where the Yellow River Cantata was premiered," says Yin Chengzong. Of all the performances of the concerto that the pianist has given, he remembers one in particular. It was in 1973 when under the direction of Eugene Ormandy, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first orchestra from the United States to perform in China since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.Yin Chengzong played the concerto during the concerts that the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Central Philharmonic Society gave together. "Though it's a Chinese composition, I could feel that the American musicians were also connected. Music is better than words and helps people communicate," the pianist says. To get more people interested in the piano, Yin Chengzong also adapted ancient Chinese music, such as the classic pipa pieces, Ambush From All Sides, and Spring Moonlight on the Flowers by the River. He also learned Peking Opera when he adapted the contemporary Peking Opera piece, Legend of the Red Lantern (Hong Deng Ji). At 41, Yin Chengzong moved to the US and launched his career abroad. He made his debut in New York's Carnegie Hall in 1983 and has returned five times as a soloist. In 2021, he moved back to his hometown, Gulangyu Island, to live in the old house where he was born. During the ongoing tour, he also performs Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 2 in C Minor, Op 18, the piece that he played during the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1962. "There is a sense of homesickness expressed in that piece, which I feel connected to," he adds. Yin Chengzong practices the piano for five hours a day, which is a way, he says, to stay healthy. "I am glad to see that many children learn to play piano nowadays. I also want to encourage senior people to learn the instrument, which benefits their health, such as by boosting concentration, memory, self-discipline and confidence," he says. The former chairman of the state-owned Bank of Beijing is under investigation for corruption, the latest in a series of graft investigations focused on the countrys financial sector. Yan Bingzhu, who led the bank since its establishment in 1996 and until he retired in 2017, is among several top officials being probed for seriously violating discipline and the law, according to a notice published on the city of Beijings official website on Friday. He is the latest official to be probed for graft as part of President Xi Jinpings decade-long anti-corruption campaign that critics say has been used partly to remove his political rivals. Yan had not appeared in public for more than six months. Xi in January vowed to intensify the crackdown against misconduct in the finance, energy and infrastructure sectors, a move observers fear may further stifle the countrys economic recovery. Another retired financial executive, Tang Shuangning, who served as chairman of China Everbright Group, was arrested two months ago on suspicion of embezzlement and bribery. Others who have been targeted for alleged corruption include a former Chinese central bank senior official, Sun Guofeng, who was sentenced to over 16 years in prison for accepting bribes. Sun Deshun, former president of state-owned China CITIC Bank, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting more than $130 million in bribes during his career. Another finance executive, Zhang Hongli, a former senior executive of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the countrys biggest bank, has also been investigated for graft. MDT/AP The local automobile sector continued to grow slightly last year, presenting an increase year-on-year of just 0.92% when compared to the year 2022, statistics from the Transport Bureau (DSAT) show. At the end of last year, there were a total of 251,867 motorized vehicles registered in Macau, 2,286 more than at the end of 2022. From the almost 252,000 vehicles registered in Macau, the Electric Vehicles (EVs), including those that possess petrol-powered generators for extended autonomy, represented only 3.23% of the total (8,131 vehicles), showing that the push from the government for the replacement of fossil fuel-powered vehicles for EVs is still a long way off producing significant results. According to DSAT there are currently homologated in Macau 379 different EV car models (including heavy-duty vehicles) from 72 different brands, and in addition another 114 models from 40 brands of motorcycles. The brand that has the most homologations is Tesla with 44 different models and versions, followed by BMW with 28, BYD with 22, and Mercedes Benz with 21. Of the two-wheeled vehicles, the brand holding the largest number of homologations is Ninebot with 19 models and versions, followed by NIU with 14 and BlueShark and Wuyang-Honda both with 6. More detailed statistics from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) show that from the 11,974 new vehicles registered in 2023, a large majority were made in Japan (3,673) followed by those made in mainland China (3,232) and Taiwan (2,996). In January this year, a total of 1,324 vehicles were registered, a significantly higher number than in the same month last year (784). In the first month of this year, Japan continued to lead in terms of the place of origin of most of the vehicles registered in Macau (490), but mainland China (455) followed closely. This happened mostly due to an increase in the sales, early this year, of EVs (430), which in January represented some 32.48% of all new vehicles registered. If such a trend continues during the upcoming months, 2024 will likely be the year that marks a significant change in the local automobile sector panorama. The government is also contributing to the growth of EV numbers, owing a total of 110 EVs at the end of 2023. Among these are 71 light cars, 1 heavy vehicle, and 38 motorcycles. Roads and Carparks full According to the same statistics published by DSAT, at the end of last year, 49,351 people in Macau owned two or more private vehicles (including cars and motorcycles). The figure shows that a large percentage of the vehicles registered in Macau are owned by the same people. Concurrently DSAT said that there is one person who owns a total of 112 vehicles in Macau, while another person owns as many as 87. In a top 10 ranking organized by the bureau, it is also possible to see that 10 different people in Macau own 35 or more vehicles. Note that this ranking only refers to individuals and not companies, entities, or institutions and only applies to private-use vehicles. In total, the 10 people with the most vehicles under their belt own as many as 567 vehicles between them. The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has organized a visit for a delegation of 40 representatives from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) big health industry to promote business opportunities in Macau and Hengqin. The representatives, including those from listed TCM enterprises, were provided with information on the business environment, investment advantages, and Macaus role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau also explained the policies for regulating the TCM industry. The visit was organized by the Guangzhou Nansha Guangdong-Macao Development Promotion Association and the Guangdong International Chamber of Commerce for the Private Sector. Related Malaysian officials said over the weekend they may renew the hunt for MH370, after a U.S. company that tried to find the plane in 2018 proposed a fresh search in the southern Indian Ocean where the Malaysia Airlines plane is believed to have crashed a decade ago. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he would invite Texas-based marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity to brief him on its latest no find, no fee proposal. The government has long said it would not support another search without new leads on the planes location. If the evidence is credible, he said, he will seek Cabinets approval to sign a new contract to resume the search. The government is steadfast in our resolve to locate MH370, Loke told a memorial event marking the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of the jet. We really hope the search can find the plane and provide truth to the next-of-kin. The Boeing 777 plane vanished from radar shortly after taking off on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, on a flight from Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Satellite data showed the plane deviated from its flight path to head over the southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed. An expensive multinational search failed to turn up any clues, although debris washed ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands. A private search in 2018 by Ocean Infinity also found nothing. The tragedy sparked moves to bolster aviation safety. V.P.R. Nathan, a member of the Voice MH370 next-of-kin group, said Ocean Infinity initially planned a search last year but it was delayed by the delivery of a new fleet. It is now on track to resume the hunt, he said. Ocean Infinity CEO Oliver Punkett told the New Straits Times that the company had improved its technology since 2018. We now feel in a position to be able to return to the search for MH370, he told the English-language daily. Weve been working with many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue analyzing the data in the hopes of narrowing the search area down to one in which success becomes potentially achievable. Loke declined to reveal the fee proposed by Ocean Infinity if it finds the plane, saying it is subject to negotiation. He said cost is not an issue and that he doesnt foresee any hindrances for the search. Lokes response sparked tears of joy in some family members at the memorial, held in a mall in a Kuala Lumpur suburb. Im on top of the world, said Jacquita Gomes, whose husband was a flight attendant on the plane. She said she is thankful that she may now have a chance for full closure and to say a final goodbye. We have been on a roller coaster for the last 10 years. If it is not found, I hope that it will continue with another search, she said. Family members of passengers from Malaysia, Australia, China and India paid tribute to their loved ones during the event, lighting a candle on stage to remember them. MDT/AP The Richmond Fellowship of Macau has reported an increasing number of young people seeking assistance for mental health concerns. Through their outreach program, they have also discovered previously unknown cases. Similarly, the Social Welfare Bureau has observed a rise in young individuals with emotional struggles reaching out to their service hotline for help, as cited in a TDM report. The Richmond Fellowship of Macau offers home visits and support to individuals with mental illness. With the growing demand for their services, the organization has expressed the need for more counselors to provide assistance. The organization not only helps individuals directly but also extends support and advice to their families and friends, guiding them on how to best assist individuals with mental illness. In 2023, the two help hotlines provided by the Social Welfare Bureau and Caritas received a total of 11,800 calls for assistance. This number indicated a general decrease of 10% in cases compared to the previous year. However, the increase in the number of young individuals seeking help is viewed as a concerning trend. Wong Kuan U, a social worker for the organization, explained, In our program, we regularly visit the homes of individuals in need. Besides receiving calls on our hotline, we also identify hidden cases through our outreach activities. Therefore, we require additional staff as our current manpower is insufficient. Staff Reporter Chinas top official concerning affairs of the Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of Macau and Hong Kong has promised to visit Macau at an appropriate time, local media has reported. Communist Party of China Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong last month inspected Hong Kong and the citys situation during the post-Covid resumption of normalcy and amid the citys discussion of its local national security legislation. Upon the expectation that the official will conduct a similar visit to Macau, some Macau members of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have been cited by local media as saying that Xia had promised to visit Macau soon. Member Mok Chi Wai cited Xia as saying that he will visit Macau at an appropriate time this year. Mok added that the official visited Macau last year and found the citys development relatively satisfactory. Despite not pinpointing a precise time, Xia was cited as hoping that people in Macau will continue with their diligence. Mok also pointed out that Xia mentioned the border closure in Hengqin and described the matter as happy. He was also happy to see Macau forecasting greater opportunities. He hoped that Macau CPPCC members could work well on both sides and help overcome challenges faced during the early phase of development. The official also hoped that the city can live out its unique advantages and uses despite its small size to realize the initial intention of Hengqins development. Member Fanny Vong, who is the president of the Macao Institute of Tourism Studies (IFTM), said that Xia started by sending regards from President Xi Jinping to the CPPCC members and all Macau residents. Xia described Macau as a pearl to the Central Peoples Government and as having a unique function to Beijing given its multiple and wide international connections. Some members also cited Xia as saying that last years revision of Macaus gaming law was a very important matter and would be of great help to Macaus future. He described Macaus gaming industry as relatively orderly and healthy. A 49-year-old man was arrested for threatening to shoot officers and setting two fires on the deck of his village of Oregon home Sunday and Monday, Oregon police reported. Shortly before 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oregon police and fire personnel responded to 135 Jill Court in for a reported structure fire and discovered the homeowner had burned material on his deck, causing it to catch on fire, police said in a statement. The homeowner refused to come outside, yelling profanities at officers through an open window while firefighters extinguished the blaze, police said. Shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Oregon police were sent back to the house for a disturbance involving the man and as officers were talking with him through an open window, the man threatened to shoot at officers, police said. Shortly before 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oregon police and fire personnel again were sent to the home for a possible fire on the deck of the residence, police said. The man eventually left the home and was arrested on tentative charges of threats to law enforcement, negligent handling of burning materials, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and misdemeanor bail jumping, police said. Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. District 4 encompasses all of the southern and southwestern portion of the city. The election is April 2. Marc A. Jones Age: 73 Family: Wife Lois, four children, eight grandchildren Job: Own and operate the Jones Family Farm and The Jones Construction Co. in Fitchburg. I currently am serving and have served on the Board of Directors for Heartland Credit Union for 24 years. Prior elected office: Served on the Fitchburg Town Board, Fitchburg City Council Other public service: City of Fitchburg Agriculture and Rural Committee, Veterans Park Committee, CWA Local 4630 Union President, Safety and Health Committee both locally and nationally in D.C. and many committees in Fitchburg, Dane County and nationally Education: Oregon High School, some continuing education and leadership school with CWA. Constant continuing education in farm and construction through the state of Wisconsin Nicole Vafadari Age: 37 Family: Married with two kids, ages 6 and 3 Job: IT consulting company founder Prior elected office: VASD School Board clerk, three years Fitchburg city Board of Review, 2023 Other public service: Board Member and Mentor, Wisconsin Womens Network, 2015-2019; tutor, Boys & Girls Club; 2014 ESL tutor, Katy Texas Public Library, 2009 Education: Bachelors degree in international politics, broadcast journalism and Spanish with a minor in comparative religions from Western Michigan University Q&A What unique expertise or experience would you bring to this office? Jones: Over 50 years of experience living and working in the city of Fitchburg. I can provide a lot of history of Fitchburg, as I have lived and worked in this city all of my life. I have had many years of serving on the Town Board, the City Council, and many committees both with our city, and county government, along with union committees both locally and nationally. Vafadari: As an entrepreneur, School Board member, parent, and proud Fitchburg resident, I have a passion for serving my community. I bring the needed perspective and experience to effectively advocate for the members of my district and my city as a whole. My core values are focused on children and families, community inclusion and fiscally responsible growth. I represent the future of Fitchburg. What is the most pressing problem facing the community, and how would you fix it? Jones: Development pressure to build more housing, by the city pushing to develop areas that are now farm land. Development of that scale will increase traffic to a level we cant tolerate. We need to take our time, redevelop areas in the north of our city by mass transit. Work with the UW Ag school to develop sustainable ag growth in the city. Vafadari: Fitchburg is growing rapidly and with that, things like housing, health, reliable transportation, and places to support our kids need to expand. I would work hard to support kids and families, including funding support for our teen center, continued support of our parks and programming, traffic and road safety, and responsible growth of diversified housing opportunities for all budgets. What do you most want for your community? Jones: Limited growth, less traffic, redevelopment in the northern part of our city so we can serve it better with bus availability by not spreading south into our ag areas. Keep farms in Fitchburg. Vafadari: I want our community to grow in a fiscally responsible and maintainable way that benefits as many neighbors as possible. I want citizens to feel respected and heard. As alder, I hope to be a part of decisions and conversations that facilitate this balanced and inclusive approach. More than 1,400 pages of emails, text messages and other documents released Monday reveal details of a strategy by Republican operatives tied to then-President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 victory in Wisconsin. The documents settling a civil lawsuit filed against two attorneys and 10 Wisconsin Republicans who posed as fake electors also allow a deeper look into how the strategy played out in other battleground states. Who's behind the lawsuit? Two Wisconsin Democratic electors and a voter filed the lawsuit in 2022 alleging a conspiracy by Trump and his allies to overturn his loss in the presidential race in the state. It named attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Jim Troupis, along with 10 Republicans who signed documents falsely stating they were electors. The electors settled in December. Chesebro and Troupis settled by agreeing to turn over the documents. Chesebro worked closely with the Trump campaign. Troupis, a former judge, served as Trump's attorney in Wisconsin. What does the settlement mean? The settlement lays bare the orchestrated plan to keep Trump in office by creating paperwork and pulling together false slates of Republican electors in Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona and belatedly New Mexico. The trove of documents shows the plot's origins in Wisconsin which federal prosecutors have also noted and how it was replicated with coordination between the attorneys and the Trump campaign. The goals of the lawsuit were about transparence, accountability and deterrence, said attorney Jeffrey Mandell, who helped negotiate the settlement for the plaintiffs. Chesebro and Troupis didn't admit any wrongdoing or liability, but they have promised never to participate in similar efforts. Troupis must also pay an undisclosed amount. Text messages between the two in the final months of 2020 show how they looked for ways to draft false certificates for the fake electors, among other things. There are no communications directly from Trump, but there are glimpses into an Oval Office meeting and White House communications. When Chesebro shares a memo on strategies, Troupis responds with: I have sent it to the White House this afternoon. The real decision makers. Who are electors? Electors are appointed by state parties to represent voters. The job is often given to current and former party officials, state lawmakers and party activists. The winner of the states popular vote typically determines which partys electors are sent to the Electoral College, which convenes after the election to certify the winner. Electors gather in their respective state capitols in December to certify their statewide popular vote winner. Trump lost Wisconsin by fewer than 21,000 votes, but as part of the scheme, the electors claimed he had won the state. Mondays document release includes a 10-minute video shot by Chesebro of the fake Wisconsin electors filling out ballots for Trump, cheering and taking photos. Troupis said Monday in a statement that the alternative ballots were part of a reasonable course of action as the election results were appealable. His attorney Matthew Fernholz dismissed the case as a politically driven civil lawsuit. Where do things stand outside Wisconsin? The fake electors in Wisconsin have so far gotten off easier than their counterparts in some other battleground states where fake certificates were sent to Congress falsely declaring Trump the winner of the 2020 presidential election. In Michigan, 16 people initially were charged with forgery and other crimes. Six Republicans in Nevada, including the state's GOP party chair and Republican National committeeman, were indicted in December on felony charges. Meanwhile, 18 people including Trump and several of his top lawyers were charged last summer in Georgia. Three of those charged are accused of being fake electors. Several lawyers, including Chesebro, agreed to plea deals. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, a Democrat, said in January that he wouldn't prosecute. Charges also haven't been filed in Pennsylvania or Arizona. What do the cases have in common? The documents offer a glimpse into the strategy's origins in Wisconsin and the major role that Troupis played. But across the other cases, Chesebro remains in the spotlight. The indictment in Georgia alleged he coordinated and executed the plan to have Georgia Republicans sign a certificate declaring falsely that Trump won the state and declaring themselves duly elected and qualified electors. He pleaded guilty to a felony in October in the Georgia case. Chesebro also cooperated with authorities in Nevada, testifying before a grand jury in November. He also could be called to testify as a defense witness in Michigan. Documents in Monday's settlement show how Chesebro was in direct communications with top Trump campaign officials for an assessment of how states were doing with the plan. Wisconsin appears to be the most organized state so far, concludes a Dec. 11, 2020, email from Trump campaign associate general counsel Joshua Findlay to Chesebro and others. The same email calls Pennsylvania the most challenging and says Michigan's response was moderate, as some electors do not see the point in holding a vote. With contributions from more than 16,000 individuals and 500 businesses, the United Way of Dane County raised $16.8 million in its 2023 Community Fundraising Campaign. On Friday, the United Way hosted a community celebration at Monona Terrace, which drew more than 500 attendees. Im endlessly grateful for the generosity of our community, said Renee Moe, president and CEO of the organization, in a press release. Were going to build on this years success to invite more residents to make positive change together. Some of the local companies that donated more than $100,000 to the campaign included American Family Insurance, Exact Sciences and UW Credit Union. China's three deep-sea manned submersibles have made more than 1,100 dives, according to a researcher with the China Ship Scientific Research Center on Monday. The trio, namely Jiaolong, Shenhai Yongshi and Fendouzhe, have completed more than half of the world's manned deep dive missions in the past three years, said Ye Cong, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body. Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films as well as Predator, The Mandalorian and Happy Gilmore, has died at 76. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Scholarship applications are now open for Cassia County students College scholarships are now open for Cassia County students who are planning to attend college this fall in an ag-related field. The East and West Cassia Soil & Water Conservation Districts are awarding $500 scholarships, while the Kathy Poulton Memorial Scholarship is offering a one-time award of $1,000 for the fall semester of 2024. Applications are due on April 25. Students interested can go to their website for more information at www.minicasiaswcd.com or through your high school counselor. Also: With daylight savings time coming up, AAA warns that drowsy drivers may increase. According to soon-to-be-published research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, an estimated 18% of all traffic deaths between 2017 and 2021 involved a drowsy driver. That number is ten times higher than the total found in traditional crash data. The Idaho Transportation Department reports that in 2022, about 5% of all single vehicle crashes in the state involved a drowsy driver. There were an estimated 625 crashes involving a sleepy driver in 2023, about 200 more than the previous year. The Jerome Chamber of Commerce is hosting a lunch for an Idaho Transportation Department freeway project update. The lunch will be held from noon to 1 p.m. March 13, at El Sombrero in Jerome. Members fee is $20 at registration while its $25 for non-members. For more information about fees and the events, go to https://members.visitjeromeidaho.com/events/details/chamber-lunch-itd-project-march-2024-3163 . According to a study through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations Motor Vehicle Crash Data Querying and Reporting System , Idaho ranks 48 as one of the lowest states with pedestrians killed in car crashes. Out of 1,188 traffic deaths, 79 were pedestrians, which is 6.65% of the total. New Jersey was the highest on the list with 916 pedestrians killed out of 3,030 traffic deaths. On March 27, Red Cross is having its annual giving day campaign to encourage community members to donate. Donating can help donors assist in providing shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small. For more information about the campaign, go to . To learn more about becoming a volunteer, visit . Times-News Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Q: Could you look into why the Filer Rest Area is closed, and has been since COVID-19? And if Filer isnt going to upkeep it anymore, can they get someone who can? A: The maintenance on it has been the major problem, said Filer Mayor Bob Templeman. The public has done nothing but destroy it. Our law enforcement was there nearly every day. The rest area located at 20005 U.S. Hwy. 30 is west of Filer. Approximately 9.2 acres, the facilities included restrooms and first-come, first-serve picnic pavilions. People were so dirty. Its unbelievable what the maintenance crew had to clean up. They were down there constantly cleaning up, and it just got to the point where our crew were not designed to or not set up to take care of the bathrooms. It was too much. They did things that nobody in the world should do but they did, said Templeman. He said, Mainly it was people that were passing through the area that used it more often and they abused it to no end. Finally, we sat down with the crew to talk about ways to fix the problem or make it user friendly. It just wasnt possible. We locked the doors, said Templeman. People would go in there with crowbars and pry the doors open. Quote People were so dirty. Its unbelievable what the maintenance crew had to clean up. ... It was too much. They did things that nobody in the world should do but they did. Bob Templeman, Filer mayor He said in the winter, there was no water in the toilets, but people would still use the toilet and then tear the tops of the seats off. Or if the doors were locked, they would defecate in front of the doors. It was a constant clean up. They even smeared feces all over the walls. It was a health issue for employees. They spent 90% of their time at that park just cleaning up crap, and theres not another word for it. We welded the doors shut, and they still tried to get in. We put up a sign for quite a while that it was closed, but people would run over it. Finally, we put up barricades. The Idaho Transportation Department transferred the Filer Rest Area to the city many years ago. Surveillance cameras were even considered. Its been a burden on the taxpayers. Its a nice little community park. We notified the state and asked them a lot of questions about what we could do. They had no regulations, said Templeman. He said, People staying overnight would leave their garbage on the ground. The maintenance crew would have to go down after they left and spend a few hours cleaning. There were garbage cans around the facility to use. Theyd open the door of their camper and just dump it right out on the ground. Its a crying shame and it shouldnt have come to that, said Templeman. In the last three to four years, it got crazy. Officers were down there often checking out complaints and people. It was more of a nuisance. I still dont know why people do what they do. Cedar Draw Park had electricity at campsites, which was turned from mid-May into October. There were seven sites available on gravel pads. A seven-day maximum stay with 14 days away, developed RV electrical sites were $12 per night with hook-up. The undeveloped sites were $8 per night with no hook-ups. We just had a city council meeting, and theres a company thats going to assess the property for commercial pricing and put it up for sale. The city council deemed it excess property. Itd be nice to be able to keep it but its just not possible, said Templeman. - Advertisement - The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Canberra to strengthen cooperation on competition advocacy and enforcement. PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb signed the MOU on Feb. 28, 2024, which aims to facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and best practices on competition law and policy. The MOU will further solidify the strong bilateral ties between the Philippines and Australia and will enable the PCC to contribute to the effective enforcement of their respective competition laws, Aguinaldo said. The MOU encourages technical assistance and capacity-building activities between the two agencies, as well as coordination and cooperation on cases of mutual interest, subject to confidentiality and legal requirements. Aguinaldo thanked the ACCC for its ongoing support to the PCC since its establishment in 2016, specifically its assistance in finalizing Philippine Competition Act rules and regulations, secondments of personnel under the Competition Law Implementation Program (CLIP) and regular capacity-building activities. - Advertisement - Cass-Gottlieb commended the PCC for its achievements in promoting fair and competitive markets in the Philippines. The ACCC is proud to be a partner of the PCC in advancing the common goals of consumer welfare and economic development, she said. She expressed confidence that the MOU will foster closer collaboration between the two agencies. The PCC is the Philippines primary competition authority responsible for enforcing the Philippine Competition Act. The ACCC is Australias independent statutory authority that administers the Competition and Consumer Act of 2010. - Advertisement - The National Development Company (NDC), an investment arm of the Philippine government, said it signed a 25-year commercial lease with TBG Shared Services Inc., the operator of 23 restaurant brands in the Philippines including TGI Fridays, Hard Rock Cafe and Texas Roadhouse. The long-term commercial lease covers a vacant lot owned by NDC along Kamagong Street, Makati City and will become the site of TBG Shared Services new corporate head office. Kamagong St. is an integral part of our companys history. We established our roots in this space in 1994 and it has been our home since. It was a testament to the growth of The Bistro Group for nearly 30 years. We find this an ideal location for some Bistro restaurants that we will open at the ground level in the near future, said TBG president Jean Paul Manuud. The hub will consist of up to five floors of office space, along with planned commercial spaces at the ground-floor. NDC general manager Anton Mauricio said the lease represents a professional business partnership and model of cooperation between the private sector and the public sector. - Advertisement - A state-owned enterprise, the NDC is the governments investment arm undertaking vital projects on its own, or in joint venture with the private sector. The Bistro Group is one of the Philippines most progressive restaurant chains that popularized the casual dining concept with the entry of TGI Fridays in the country nearly 30 years ago. Its success led to the launch of other renowned American chain brands such as Italiannis, Dennys, Buffalo Wild Wings, Texas Roadhouse, Randys Donuts and Hard Rock Cafe among others as well as Asian concepts like Watami, Modern Shang, Bulgogi Brothers and Fish & Co. The company owns and operates Bistronomia, a collection of boutique Spanish/Mediterranean restaurants, Las Flores, Rambla, Tomatito, BCN by Las Flores and Rumba. Also part of its portfolio is TBG Elite by award-winning corporate executive chef, Josh Boutwood. Its premier restaurants, highlighted by quality ingredients, seasonality and unique cooking methods are Helm, The Test Kitchen, Savage and Ember. - Advertisement - After watching Harukana Receive!, a sports-themed anime about a young girl who learns about beach volleyball, I have wanted to visit Okinawa, Japan. The anime features different places in Okinawa, including Gushikawa Beach where the protagonist and her friends would play beach volleyball. Japans southernmost prefecture, Okinawa is an archipelagic place with own history as an independent kingdom and a distinctly subtropical climate. It is also known as the birthplace of karate. During the recently concluded Nihongo Fiesta, I was able to watch a karate performance called Bu no Mai. A creative dance based on the motif of karate, it emphasizes defense without any weapon and is unique to Okinawa, a place that places great importance on peace. The karate performance was part of the Ryukyu Buyo, an event organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila to promote the Okinawan dance to the Filipino people. Originating in the Ryukyu Kingdom period, Ryukyu Buyo was mainly performed on a stage to welcome envoys from China. The dancers would wear vivid costumes decorated with Okinawas unique dyed fabric called Bingata, and their graceful dancing to the melody of Sanshin (three-stringed lute), Fue (flute), Taiko (drum), and other instruments. - Advertisement - Several dancers wear costumes crafted using Bingata, a unique dyed fabric from Okinawa For the JFM event, six graduates of Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, the only university in the world dedicated to the inheritance and development of Okinawas traditional and new arts., performed the Okinawan traditional dances. The six graduates formed a special group for the performances in Manila namely dancers, Kiyoko Higa-san, Satoru Arakaki-san, and Sachiko Isa-san, and musicians Hiroya Yokome-san, Hiromichi Yokome-san, and Miho Toyozato-san. The group performed Yotsutake, often presented to welcome guests from abroad during the Ryukyu Kingdom period. The dancers would clink four pieces of bamboo (like castanets) in their hands to purify the place and express happiness upon meeting their guests. For their next performance, one of the dancers performed Agechikuten, a classical dance performed by men. It is a celebratory dance that joyfully praises the blessings of nature and depicts scenes such as the twin-leaved pine trees growing so beautifully enough to embrace rocks and celebrate blessings from heaven, such as rain and dew. The dancer holds fans in both hands and dances valiantly. The third performance, the Higasa Odori, is a dance that gracefully expresses the beauty of a woman in love. Holding a parasol in her hand, the dancer wore a kimono in a way that was unique to Okinawa. The Nihongo Fiesta features a Bu no Mai performance as part of the Ryukyu Buyo To put the spotlight on the Okinawan vocals, the musicians sang Kotobuki no Mai, a song of celebration, and Kurushima Kuduchi, which expresses the brightness and resilience of the Okinawan people. The latter song depicts the beautiful scenery of Kurushima Island and the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa. Rukyu Buyo was part of the Nihongo Fiesta, which aims to foster deeper connections between Japan and the Philippines. It provides a fertile ground for the flourishing community of Nihongo speakers and enthusiasts, welcoming individuals from all walks of life, from eager language learners to seasoned professionals, to take part in an immersive arts and cultural experience unlike any other. One of the highlights of the Nihongo Fiesta 2024, the 51st Nihongo Speech Contest, where nine finalists from all over the Philippines showcased their talents and skills in communicating their thoughts in Japanese. This years Grand Champion was Jacob Fuentebella (Bulacan), a UP Diliman graduate who is currently working as a Korean Account Associate, he talked about his language learning journey from Korean to Japanese, in his speech People-to-People Connections Through Foreign Language Studies. Erina Sotoya (Cebu) won second place with her piece Irreplaceable Person, where she shared her memories with her father and how those shaped her deep appreciation for present connections. From left: Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines President Shigeru Shimoda, Speech Contest Grand Champion Jacob Fuentebella, and Japan Foundation Director Tsutomu Ben Suzuki Third placer Anferee Tizon (Taguig), a 4th year BA Communications student at Adamson University, reflected on his personal journey on friendships and how the lessons he learned shaped his current perspective and attitude towards people, similar to how his taste for coffee has changed with his speech Not All Coffee Tastes Bitter. A Special Jury Award was given to Nino Raphael Mesajon (Davao), a Grade 12 student from Philippine Nikkeijin Kai International School, for his speech Truth Beyond First Sight, which talked about how his perspective changed during a visit to a Lumad community, leading him to question the true meaning of living a good life. The contestants were judged according to the following criteria: Content (originality, organization, and impact), Delivery (voice and manner), and Language (appropriateness and correctness). The recipient of the Grand Champion Award will join the Study Tour hosted by the Japan Overseas Enterprises Association, with airfare sponsored by the Japanese Association, Manila, Inc. and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc. - Advertisement - President Marcos said former first lady Imelda Marcos is in good spirits despite being hospitalized due to slight pneumonia and a fever. Senator Imee Marcos also revealed her mothers hospitalization on Tuesday. I just spoke with my mothers doctors. She is suffering from slight pneumonia and is running a fever. She has been put on a course of antibiotics and the doctors are confident that this will relieve her fever, President Marcos said in a statement. She is in good spirits, has no difficulty in breathing, and is resting well. I thank the Filipino public for their concern and prayers, he added. President Marcos is currently in Australia to participate in the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Australia Special Summit - Advertisement - Earlier, Senator Marcos broke the news that the 94-year-old former first lady was hospitalized after bouts of coughs and feverishness. The senator said the family would prefer to take precautions, adding: We brought her to the hospital for close monitoring. Last May, the widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. had a successful angioplasty. She was well enough to personally celebrate her birthday at Malacanang in July that year. Imelda had been the subject of death rumors for years, with the latest being in 2023 when First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had to post a selfie online to prove that her mother-in-law was still alive. The Marcos matriarch had also previously cited multiple organ infirmities when she did not attend the promulgation of her graft case in November 2018, noting she had several illnesses. Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Marcos matriarch in hospital over suspected pneumonia. - Advertisement - BeijingChina announced Tuesday it would boost its defense spending in 2024, as hostility over Taiwan and in the South China Sea grows. The 7.2 percent increase, identical to last years figure, was announced at the start of the annual meeting of the countrys rubber-stamp parliament, the National Peoples Congress. China will spend 1.665 trillion yuan ($231.4 billion) on defense in 2024, according to the budget report that lays out the governments financial plans for the year ahead. China has the worlds second-largest defense budget behind the United States, even though the Peoples Liberation Army surpasses the US military by number of personnel. Still, Chinas military spend is around three times smaller than Washingtons in recent years. - Advertisement - The worlds second-largest economy will maintain reasonable growth in its defense budget to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, NPC spokesman Lou Qinjian said Monday. The countrys expenditure on its armed forces has been on the rise for decades, broadly in line with economic growth. Chinas military spending makes up 1.6 percent of its GDP, far less than the United States or Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. But its defense expansion is viewed with suspicion by Washington, as well as other powers in the region including Japan, with which Beijing has a territorial dispute over islands in the East China Sea. China has also increasingly flexed its muscles in the South China Sea, which it claims almost entirely despite an international arbitration ruling that declared its stance baseless. Chinas boost in spending is also a cause for concern for self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing says is part of its territory to be claimed by force if necessary. As the NPC kicked off on Tuesday, the government work report said China would again resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at Taiwan independence in 2024. China also says it is worried about cooperation between its regional rivals and the United States, as well as NATO. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in January that China was the biggest long term challenge NATO Allies face. We see them in Africa, we see them in the Arctic, we see them trying to control our critical infrastructure, he added. China made a number of significant acquisitions, including a substantial increase in number of nuclear warheads last year, James Char, an expert on the Chinese army at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, told AFP. According to Sipri, Beijing had 410 nuclear warheads in 2023, an increase of 60 from the year before. However, that still significantly lags behind Washingtons 3,708 and Moscows 4,489. Moreover, recent military corruption scandals raise doubts about the effectiveness of (Beijings) missile force and overall military professionalism, said Adam Ni, editor of China Neican, a newsletter on Chinese current affairs. Over the course of the last year there has been a leadership overhaul of Chinas Rocket Force the army unit that oversees its nuclear arsenal following media reports of a graft probe involving its former chief. Among a slew of other dismissals, former defense minister Li Shangfu was sacked without explanation last October after just a few months in the job. Corruption needs to be tackled if President Xi Jinpings goal of displacing the US armed forces as the worlds pre-eminent military power is to be realized, said NTUs Char. For the time being, Washington remains firmly in the top spot. The United States has the worlds highest military spending, according to Sipri standing at $877 billion in 2022, the latest figures available. China comes second, followed by Russia and India. The United States also has global presence and alliance networks, which China cannot replicate in the short term, said Neicans Ni. Washington has hundreds of military bases abroad, while Beijing has just one, in Djibouti. Given the PLAs shortcomings - particularly in combined arms and joint operations - it stands to reason that Beijing possesses neither the wherewithal nor the desire to initiate conflict against Washington or launch an invasion across the Taiwan Strait, said Char. A lingering concern, however, is that aggressive interactions between the PLA and other militaries in the region carry the potential to go awry and escalate into a full-blown conflict. AFP